Invisible, not invincible, {Shady, Nightshade, and the rogues}

[Golden Moon]

(Feel free to join if you want to play a rogue)

Nightshade stopped the very instant he sensed the rogues' smells getting stronger. He glided behind an eroded, mossy boulder with Shady close behind, then turned to the brown she-wolf. "There they are," he said. "Now remember, we're just here to gain information for those other helpless wolves. Don't let yourself be seen, don't make a fuss. No matter what you see. Deal?"

He didn't wait for an answer. Instead, the black wolf slipped out from behind the chapped stone and lead the way halfway up a slope, then loped diagonally across it rather than continuing upward. They could wrap around wherever these idiots were staying, and observe from behind.

The black wolf only felt adrenaline pulsing through his being - the rabbit had been momentarily forced to the back of his head. He knew for a fact he would worry about it later, maybe loosing a few nights of sleep over its memory. But for now... for now, he would do his best without its hinderance.

[Loki Abcat]

Shady nodded in agreement even though she knew the dark wolf wasn't looking at her. She tested the wind with her tongue to sense its direction and decided not to follow Nightshade up the rock sense he was not directly downwind and sense she decided it would be probably good to get two different angles on the rogues.

Shady continued to where wolves were in eyesight and then slid silently into a massive bush in order to watch the rogues without risk of notice. She realized that she should have covered her sent somehow but it didn't seem likely for the rogues to exit their clearing near her, so decided it safer to hold still then to cover her sent.

[Golden Moon]

Nightshade had just about reached the crest of the hill when he turned to mention something to Shady, froze, and then realized with an irritated snarl that she had already gone the other way. He stood there fuming for a moment longer before he admitted grudgingly to himself that she had been smart; they would now have two vantage points, and he hadn't specifically said that he was the leader of this venture (and that she would have to follow him the whole time). But he had thought it. And sort of assumed that was the case.

He growled in aggravation again, this time at himself.

Reluctantly Nightshade glided down his own side of the hill, memorizing as he did so the positions of everyone in the encampment. They were all in extremely well disciplined clumps, obviously by ranking order - the burliest and cruelest, he could tell, were in their own group at the head of the clearing, while the weaker looking wolves were either serving them prey or sitting in lines at the sides of the camp.

The black wolf slid behind a rock similar to Shady's and looked around. The lines he had seen led to two cleared areas in the middle of the grass, where, as far as Nightshade could see, wolves were being pitted against each other. It wasn't exactly fair fighting - rarely were the weak paired with those of similar stature. Instead, it looked like they were just being used to hone the skills of the stronger wolves. Nightshade's eyes narrowed as a dark flood of loathing poured through his being. These wolves were disposable to one another. Spare pawns.

And it reminded the black wolf of something all too well.

Forcing his eyes away from the horrid spectacle, Nightshade looked for something that could be useful in battle. A flash of deep silver caught his eye - the black wolf started, the back of his mind briefly connecting the flash another, with the dead rabbit. Then he calmed his heartbeat and realized that it was a wolf emerging from a spacious den in the hillside. Siviana, he realized, that silver dog that made him bare his teeth in disgust. No - not dog, he realized. Vixen. As slender and cruel as a she-fox.

Nightshade glanced across the clearing to where Shady was hidden. He began attempting to make eye contact, curious of she had also spotted Siviana emerge and if she had noticed anything else helpful.

[Loki Abcat]

(Sorry for not getting on so much. I've had like no time but I've been managing to get on anyways... just not everyday like I would like to.)

Shady set herself up so that she was comfortable but could also fly from her spot in the flick of a tail. She examined her surroundings and set up good vantage point for later, ways to escape and the layout of the clearing. She hadn't really payed attention to where they were, even if she new how to get back so she was surprised when a wolf came out of a den. Was this camp in the territory of one of the wolves at seven corners? Shady doubted it but still, there were dens. She noticed Nightshade looking in her direction and caught his eye. He seemed to be indicating at something but Shady did not know what. Then realized suddenly that she had seen the wolf who had come out of the dens before. Her eyes flashed as she nodded silently to her companion and turned her head back to the clearing.

She noted in disgust the misuse of the weaker wolves in the pack and the congregation of different wolves. If she could remember which wolf was which, then during a battle she would know which wolves most likely fight well together and separate them. She also watched the silver wolf as she slid through camp with her chest out. Like a sick toad, Shady thought to herself in contempt.

(Siviana is the rogue leader right? I didn't want to post more about her due to personal forgetfulness on her.)

[Golden Moon]

(Yeppers. She had a mate that also led, but nobody volunteered to RP him, so . . . *shrug*. Anyway, time for some action!)

Nightshade scanned Shady's features as the she-wolf beheld Siviana, and noted with grim pleasure the disgust he saw on her face. With a small shock he realized it was probably a mirror of his own expression; where had his cold, unrevealing old self gone? Now he felt a strange feeling in his chest, and realized - he had morals now. He understood his own sense of what was right and what was wrong. Before, it had been that power was right, and anything in the way he would treat with cold indifference.

Something he certainly did not feel a moment later, as he saw a young mother and her pup being shoved out into one of the pits. A deep, pulsing flame of rage throbbed in his chest, and it was all he could do to keep from snarling out loud. The she-wolf was a once-pretty looking sable, her pup a smoky gray - and both of them looked close to death.

One at a time, the wolves would jolt out from the corners of the pit and rake their fangs against the flank of the two innocents, before flitting back, only to be replaced by another antagonist. Nightshade's eyes narrowed into slits, their fierce green light slicing through the clearing, landing on the small gray puppy by his mother's side.

The runty puppy that looked exactly like Nightshade's brother.

Cobalt.

Who he had accidently killed.

With a fierce, ripping snarl, the black wolf gave way to his red haze of instincts and sprang.

[Loki Abcat]

Shady watched in horror as a mother and pup were battered left and right. The pup was tiny, whimpering and helpless. His mother did all she could to shield her son but the more she did so, the harder they hit her and it already looked as if she could barely stand. Shady winced to see them and could almost feel each blow in her chest and a welling in her throat. All of a sudden there was a rustling from the trees rather near her and when shady looked over she watched in horror as Nightshade burst from his hideout towards the two.

Rather then the surprise she should have felt, Shady let out a silent sigh of relief. Then suddenly realized that she had no idea what to do herself. Should she blow her cover as well? Could Nightshade survive surrounded by so many formidable wolves? Could she herself stand watching as she did nothing?

She knew the answer to the latter question. No. Shady knew she would not stand to sit idly by in a situation like this. How should she aproach though? She looked around to see the best angle for she was rather far from the torture in her current position and bursting out would force her to go strait by Siviana.

The she-wolf backed from her hiding place and circled around the camp, keeping an eye on the happenings within until she found an appropriate vantage point.

[Golden Moon]

Nightshade's eyes were beyond unnecessary - they were practically pointless at this point. His senses had taken over his being, and he moved with a fluid grace only attainable from a whole lifetime of training; this time, however, he didn't strike to kill, but to protect. It set a dull pounding fury into his blood stream and contaminated every vein, muscle, and sinewy limb he possessed.

Nightshade's paws found their ground from instinct alone. Soon his ears and nose had broken through his haze of anger and targeted the enemies, and his jaws found the scruff of the two innocent's current assaulter before he had even realized the black wolf was there. It was only then that, standing crouched over the young pup and his mother, Nightshade's bloodred pulsing retreated and restored his vision. His head cleared and he was spared a moment to contemplate his current situation.

And his immediate response was to snarl in self-loathing.

Idiot. Why did that happen to him? Why did he always get the red head and blow his cover? In a brief second Nightshade surveyed the surrounding area and saw many wolves, staring at him, beginning to rise to their paws as their slower reflexes registered what happened; Siviana, silver fur bristling and fangs bared, already starting to howl orders; and there, he caught a glimpse of her - Shady, circumnavigating the camp to find a better angle. Now there was a smart she-wolf.

If only he could have waited first! Nightshade quickly glared down at the two he had just risked all the Packs to protect, but had to look away. The little one truly did look like Cobalt.

With a sigh, Nightshade put his aside his resentment and decided he could regret his stupidity after they got out of here. Now, as for that . . . the black wolf smirked. He looked down at the mother wolf and snarled briskly, "Get that pup in your mouth, and stay behind me until . . ." Nightshade looked around, then decided not to blow Shady's cover quite yet.

So he didn't finish the sentence, instead leaping away to fight the advancing wolves. realizing there were too many for him to fight for very long. Shady needed to hurry up and lead the two out of there.

[Loki Abcat]

(YOU'VE POSTED!? HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE? my email said there was no updates... darn email...)

Shady found a good angle just as Nightshade addressed the female and her pup. She had figured out a perfect path for retreat. Shady watched as four wolves leaped in to meet Nightshade and decided it was about time she helped.

With all the speed she could muster, shady burst into camp in a flash of color. She bent slightly and ran strait into the four wolves addressing Nightshade. She was much smaller and therefore used her level to her advantage. Shady crouched and lifted the first wolf with her shoulder and legs and did so for the following, all fast enough for a spectator to assume she had simply bolted into them.

The she-wolf spun around once through the foes and dashed back between Nightshade and the mother and pup.

"I don't know how well you can run but you can follow me now," Shady said confidently to the mother, knowing that her and Nightshade seemed to have the advantage at speeds for the rogues were trained for only close combat. Yet also knowing the mother looked tattered, worn and ill.

Shady loped at a half pace, making sure to both follow her path and that the mother was at her tail.

[Golden Moon]

(Sorry if I kinda moved it along faster than need be. ^^)

As Shady labored with getting the two innocents out, Nightshade fought off the remaining wolves - however, the others around the clearing were beginning to fight off the first shock, a few of them even moving forward to assist in the assault. Without breaking his concentration, the black wolf also registered that he could no longer locate Siviana.

Suddenly uneasy, Nightshade broke away from the fight. He barely registered the deep gash on his flank and neck and the numerous bitemarks peppered all over his body - rather, he was greatful to still be alive. But if he didn't act soon, a few others wouldn't live to see the next sunrise.

Wait. Why was he caring? It was so uncharacteristic of him to feel compassionate towards another creature, especially one that he didn't know. He wasn't kind like Shady, as noble as Saberian, or anywhere near the loyalty of a wolf like the Plains alpha.

Nightshade's heart froze. All his thoughts were swept out of his mind, replaced by a cold feeling of helplessness as he beheld the spectacle in front of him. Unaware, Shady led the other two towards an escape route in the side of the clearing, apparently hidden . . . except for the flash of silver above the rock they were about to go around.

He had found Siviana, at least.

But now he was too far away to do anything about it.

"Shady!" Nightshade called, alarming even himself with the . . . urgency? . . . in his voice. When did he ever reveal anything but scorn or indifference in his tone? He hadn't expressed any emotion in his voice since that night, so long ago - but it seemed he was about to relive that horrid scene now.

The time seemed to move in jagged, slow-and-speed increments. The black wolf raced forward in vain; the silver queen emerged from her hiding place; leaping, unfolding like vapor towards the brown she-wolf, who had only just had a moment's warning - it was hopeless, Shady couldn't fend off an ambush from Siviana -

A sudden blur of mottled sable flew accross the endless chasm of air. Suddenly, time restored itself, and Nightshade was shocked into a standstill at the sight before him.

The mother wolf, locked jaw-to-jaw with Siviana. A moment later it was obvious she sable she-wolf would be dead in an instant.

But it wouldn't be in vain. Racing forward yet again, Nightshade grabbed the pup and rammed into Shady's side. "Move!" He whispered. He followed her out of the camp, puppy in tow.

As they reached the crest of the hill they heard the last howl of the mother. Nightshade bowed his head as he stood beside Shady, heart torn to pieces by the sable she-wolf's song, a good-bye to the pup she died to save.

[Loki Abcat]

A lump welled in Shady's throat as she, Nightshade and the pup escaped from the clearing. She was supposed to protect the two as they escaped... not sit idly by and watch them die. At least the pup was safe, but it was Nightshade who had saved him. Shady let out a long sigh as she tried to regain her bearings and composure.

First things first... We have to get upwind of them, Shady thought to herself.

She prompted Nightshade and the dependent into a wide turn so that the trio would find a better wind direction. When they did, Shady made a sharp turn to direct them away from the rogue camp. Just getting upwind wasn't enough. They had to throw off they're followers and get them off their trail. Which meant no tracks, no scent.

They also needed to stop and rest soon. Nightshade's wounds were bad and the pup barely dangled in life as it bounced around in Nightshade's mouth. Shady had no idea what to do, but she had to think of something.

"Nightshade," the she-wolf whispered through labored breathing, they had been running for quite a while now, "how well do you know your packs? Is River-Pack territory around here?"

[Golden Moon]

Nightshade let himself be pushed numbly forward by Shady, mindless of where he was putting his paws, uncharacteristically dependant on the brown she-wolf by his side. It even took Nightshade a moment or two to figure out that she was speaking to him. With a jolt, the black wolf's mind cleared - but only enough to register what Shady was saying.

Without answering at first, Nightshade closed his eyes and tried to recall the view on top of Loner Mountain. For a few moments all he could conjure up was the image of the rabbit he had tossed off its stone side. Then, gradually, his brain quickened a bit and he remembered the frosty white, blending into both prairie and then forest, as well as the ribbon of water threading them all together.

"Yeah. I know where is," Nightshade responded. He did know, vaguely. At least, he knew it flowed into Sky Lake, where Lunireal had come from. So if they found her scent they'd be able to find the river. Thus his logic.

Mind still paused in time, Nightshade completely forgot to ask why Shady needed to know about the river anyway. It didn't really occur to him to watch their tracks, or look out for danger, or anything. Really, he didn't care - despite how much he would hate this strange dependence once he was back to his normal self.

[Loki Abcat]

Shady tried to hide her worry for the great black wolf as he trudged along. His wounds were deep and his eyes distant.

"Lead the way... we may be able to cover our tracks there," She said cooly. She continued leading but prompted Nightshade for the direction to walk. After a while she cautiously removed the pup from him to help lighten his load slightly.

[Golden Moon]

Nightshade was silent as Shady delicately removed his burden, a quietness that stretched and consumed the two brooding wolves for the next few minutes. It continued all the way up to the bank of the gently churning river. The black wolf then stopped, not looking at Shady, but awaited her next move all the same.

It was the motion of Shady stopping beside him that jerked his mind out of its numbed state, like an electric current had jolted through him. The now-familiar self loathing soon followed - in a sudden flood of anger that forced Nightshade down, his bent forelegs making a squishing sound as they hit the muddy bank. He shouldn't be following this she-wolf like a blind dog. He shouldn't even be here. He should have let the pup be, or not shown up at that Pack meeting at all - then, at least, he wouldn't have to be troubled by all this.

Nightshade sprang to his feet and bared his fangs. His emerald eyes flashed as they flicked back and forth over the river, his hackles raising as he fought the inward battle with himself.

He acted foolishly.

But it was the right thing to do, right?

If it was, then why was this pup's mother still dead? He had messed up somehow - yes, the fault definitely lied in his incompetance. Shady was certainly the innocent one in this case. Nightshade considered this more, and realized with a vauge expression of dawning that she had been right all along. The splitting up as they reached the camp's hill crest, not bursting in like he had, finding a way out, and, even now, covering their tracks as they escaped the rogues.

Nightshade looked beside him at Shady, allowing his fur lie flat and his features to appear less terrifying. He didn't want her to fear him anymore. He felt he no longer deserved that respect, though his arrogance was too strong to make amends. His pride was in shatters, yes, but still semi intact.

Looking away from her, the black wolf muttered, "Let's go." He dipped into the water and led the way downstream.

[Loki Abcat]

(ACK it is too hot outside for concentration... I can't believe you replied to that post of mine... it was awful... anyways)

Shady bowed her head slightly, trying not to stare at the angered black wolf as his fur rose and he bore his hackles. Only when he started to lead the way and she knew he could not see her did she cock her head in curiosity. Nightshade, Shady thought to herself, why is he always so angry?

The she-wolf slipped into the stream and stayed firmly on the shallow bank. She did not want to get pulled into the rapids of the swollen river. Yet she paused to make sure that the deep tracks left in the mud were being washed away. The last thing she wanted was for her tracks to give their rout away. As she walked, she got lost in the deep water. She watched as her pawsteps brought up fountains of swirling mud that slowly washed away in the current as her prints filled in, bubbled and closed to leave no mark at all.

Just after picking up one of her paws she suddenly realized, they would probably need to cross to the other side at some point. If they did not, the rogues could simply follow the river and find their trail once again. She voiced this worry to Nightshade, in order to have two pairs of eyes open for a shallow crossing.

"We're going to have to cross the river at some point. I think that you should cross with the pup when we find a good spot to, then I can leave the river and run in a wide circle down to a farther point and wade back up. It will send them on a goose chase after my tracks and if I don't leave the river at the same point that you cross they wont know where or if we indeed crossed the river..." She looked to Nightshade to see if he liked the plan. She had a feeling that he would want to be the diversion but his wounds were deep and Shady did not want to push the black wolf's strength more. She also had a slight feeling that he would not want to carry the pup but she hoped he would agree or at least come up with a more practical plan if he did have objections. So she drudged on, hoping she had not made a fool of herself.

[Golden Moon]

(Last post for a week! So sorry, I'm going to another camp tomorrow!)

Nightshade bared his teeth at the suggestion and remained quiet. The silt churned at his paws and scraped between his toes. River water tugged his belly fur in an uncomfortable direction, his black coat rippling as the current passed through it. Still, the general scenery about him remained oddly peaceful, despite the river that rent it in two. After a few moments of the silence the black wolf jerked his head around and grunted, "Fine."

Nightshade took the pup from Shady with mixed feelings. One was defiance - his pride couldn't come to accept this underhand role - but the other was shame, for he knew he didn't deserve much better.

After a few moments of trodding along the riverbed, Nightshade decided that the spray of pebbles and deeply lodged stones up ahead would be firm enough ground for crossing. He did so, dangling the pup a little higher and growling from the resulting crick in his neck.

At the other side he dropped the pup and laid down, emerald eyes flicking across the river to spot Shady as she ran off for a diversion. Then he would have to wait.

Nightshade snarled. Patience was certainly not one of his strong spots.