Volcano Pack:                 

Anala had let Snow clamber onto her back, the youngster seemingly unhurt by Anja's romping, keeping a watchful green eye upon the elder child as she played in the snow, plowing head first into it and then popping up a few feet ahead in various positions, apparently enjoying the freedom and the ability to do as she wished for once, instead of being bound by so many rules and wishes placed upon her by both mother and people, though Anala lifted her head slightly as he spoke to her, ear flicking in acknowledgement of his words. "Yes, I know," she replied, just as quietly, as if she were keeping Anja from finding anything out - the air headed youth did not need to know of her mother's bargain or of the fact they were being followed, and she was aware that with Kaz by their sides, they were sticking out like sore thumbs. "I was the Lead Tracker of my birth pack, where we are now headed, remember. I know when I'm being tailed. To answer your earlier question, we are traveling to Volcano Pack, the land of my birth, and the history of Anja's ancestory. She, you, and Snow will be safe there with her brother, Wolfgang, Alpha of the pack. It's small nowadays - many issues, changes in leadership, wars, vampires - but they are just as fierce and strong as ever, and not many will dare to take them or even entertain the thought of invasion. Leave them be; they are only here to ensure my return. I will take you most of the way, but then I must go back with them. Follow my directions, and you should be fine. No detours, and no coming after me. I'll not stand for any of your heroics." She tartly reminded them, not even glancing back to see where their pursuit was - she could sense their body heat, and knew exactly where they were by the flaring warmth of their signatures, an ability that extended from her reign and control over fire and all things flame.

"Fine..." Kaz let out a low defeated growl and lowered his ears unhappy... He kept walking and soon the snow gave way to grass... and the temperature slowly climbed more and more untill their outer heavyer clothes were taken off and stowed away. if they were in human form that was like Kaz. He kept his pace with Anala's and wondered how much father she would stay with them... the time of her parting ways would be upon them very soon however... They were at the edge of the packlands now... and her persuers were growing impaitent with her.... Kaz still was nervous.. part of him just wanted to go blind and deaf to the heartbreaking parting of ways... or... atleast he assumed it would be heartbreaking with tears and such.. Although seeing how naieve anja was it was a posability her mother could just tell her she will be gone for a while and it would be okay

Snow wasn't as blind as Anja to what was happening and frowned. "So you're just going to leave her?" 

Anala's fur bristeled slightly, as she did not like Snow knowing more than she should, but with the pup riding on Anala's shoulders, it was nigh impossible to keep her from hearing the conversation. A soft, barely patient sigh escaped her lips, the sound a bit strained as she murmured, quietly so Anja would not hear, "I must, unless I desire for her to be wed to the highest bidder and sentenced to a life of slavery at male hands. She will be safe with the pack." Anala was visibly trying to remain calm, to not snap at the irritating questions, not used to having to explain her decisions so often, or to so many. Besides, Snow was young, and should not have to contemplate such things. She should have the carefree life of a child, not the bittersweet existence that was that of an adult. Anala flattened her fur with a great act of will, and continued on in silence, unwilling to discuss it further, keenly aware, as she had told Kaz, of the pursuit that followed them, ensuring she would turn and come back to them once they reached Volcano borders. They did not have much further to go, and the thought filled Anala's heart with dread; she did not wish to part ways with her daughter, but Kaz seemed as if he would be able to take her on to Volcano Pack, and she felt as if she could trust him in that regard - he had shown no signs otherwise. He had not given her reason to think he would not care for Anja, in fact, it was just the opposite. She flicked her tail in contemplation as they neared, her chest growing so tight she had to force herself to breathe, reminding herself Anja knew nothing of this. Anja had been kept in the dark - she believed she was going to go meet her mother's side of the family, and that she would train and grow to maturity under them instead of in her birth lands, and when Anala left, the elder female intended to tell her daughter that it was something she had to do, and that she no longer belonged there, surrounded by the heat of the Volcano. A portion of the sentiment was true - it had been Anala's childhood home, yes, but so much of her had changed. So much had been altered since the former lead tracker left the pack. Anala felt as if she would indeed stick out like a sore thumb if she returned herself, but still, she longed to see it. However, she knew her place, was aware of her role. She knew what she had to do, she knew the duty she had to perform. It was a hard one, yes, but it was one that Anala had both confidence and faith that she would make it through.

(lets keep them here for now and say they are at the edge) It soon was time however as they reached the marked border of the pack... Kaz stopped as Anala did as well and felt... sot of the same sense of dread.... He didnt say anything... Letting the mother talk to her child... explaining why she was parting ways and such... Kaz felt pangs of guilt inside his chest that he didnt dispatch the whole pack by now sending them all to hell so Anala could live freely.. Once she finished speaking to Anja... knowing that the two may share tears Kaz steeled his feelings inside trying not to show emotion.. however when she returned to his side... he couldnt help it... he hugged her... taking her smaller form into his larger yet gentle embrace.. and perhaps for once Anala might just let it slide... "Are you sure.. you will be okay?" He whispered to her as they embraced..

(Works for me) Once they reached the pack lands, Anala lifted her head, flicking her ears as Anja paused, standing stock still in the midst of the path, her head up and ears forward, her tail up and curved like the silver blade of a scimitar, a white flag in the midst of the green and grays that were the realm of the volcano, the immense heat it emitted, despite being dormant, a soothing and comforting sensation that brought peace to the minds of all who lived here, or had ever dwelled in the immense depths. Letting Snow slide off of her shoulders, Anala nosed the child once on the top of the head and offered a brave smile, murmuring quietly, "Good luck to you, little one. May you find a family who loves you, as I'm sure you'd rather not stay with Anja." With that, the mother moved forward to her daughter, who had turned and grinned at the red and white female, sending a slice of painful agony tearing through the elder she-wolf's heart - how could she leave her little one so callously? But how could she not? Another voice argued, you know the consequences if you don't. You know what will happen to her if you back out of this deal, and as hard as this is, as much as it will hurt, you don't want that. And so she took a deep breath, greeting Anja as the white and blue furred teen came bounding eagerly over to the wolf that was her dam, the grin on her face falling as Anja seemed to deflate, looking crestfallen that her mother would no longer be accompanying her, and it was at this time Anala was grateful that Kaz had stayed back. She didn't believe she could deal with anything - or anyone - else at this moment, not at these precious few last moments of time. "Anja," Anala began softly, her voice soft and quiet enough for her daughter to realize this was serious, and the pup quietened down almost immediately, the tentative wag of her tail fading as the limb lowered by her flanks, and her ears swiveled back. "I'm sorry, but I can't take you the rest of the way. There is something I must do - it's important, as important as you, and I must do it alone; no, don't argue with me, it is my burden to bear, not yours. You are too young for this, and your responsibility," with this, Anala touched the blue marking on Anja's forehead softly, her nose pressing into her daughter's fur and inhaling her sweet scent one last time, "is to be a pup. Grow up slowly, in your own time. Don't let another take your innocence, don't let the world jade or harden you. You hear me?" With a whimper, Anja nodded, protesting feebly, "But...mommy, I thought you were going to show me your birth place and introduce me to your people? Why do you have to go now?" The heartbroken note in Anja's voice was almost to much for Anala to bear, and she almost said damn them all and let them come for her, she was staying by her baby's side, but Anala knew that deep down she could not. It would solve nothing. "I was," Anala replied softly, blinking her green eyes back at Anja, sliding her muzzle and head around Anja's slender shoulders in a wolfish hug, "but things have changed. I am sorry, my little one, I truly am. Kaz will take you the rest of the way, I've told him the directions. Now be good, eat your vegetables, even the green ones, and do as he tells you. He'll not lead you astray." Coming from Anala, that was a high compliment, and one that Anja blinked upon hearing before she nodded, sitting down glumly in the dust to watch her mother as she turned to leave, though Anala paused as she reached Kaz's side, her hackles raising in presumed ire against him this final time. "Take care of my child. If harm comes to her on your watch, I shall hear of it, and I will find you, upon my soul." His hug surprised her, and she tensed, then accepted the gesture with a soft show of grace and dignity. "I will be fine," she assured him with a sideways glance, her tail flicking by her flanks, "I have been through this before." She paused, lingering for a second, as if debating within herself, before she whispered a soft, barely audible, "Thank you." And then she was gone, heading back out the way she came, though it was at a slower pace and with a step not quite so high.

Kaz had stopped her before she could go far.. no more then a few steps... He had taken one wrist in his hand and gently placed something warm and metalic feeling in her palm and closed her fingers around it slowly "Keep this with you.. may it bring you good luck whereever you may be... Keep it close for me.. okay?" Kaz  spoke gently to her.. his eyes meeting her own... those soft brown pools making this much more harder then it needed to be but... somehow she would be greatful for that.. that she had someone who cared about her dispite her harsh actions against him... Kaz had placed his dogtags into her palm with the linking chain still attached for if she wished to wear them He paused for a moment... as if debating inside of himself... Kiss her you idiot just do it! was screaming at him in his mind... but Kaz.. couldnt do it... he couldnt bring himself to take such drastic actions as he knew surely it would upset her... right..? or perhaps in her heartbroken state it might provide comfort... he couldnt tell didnt know... "If you ever need us... ever need me to get you out... Ill be there" He whispered to her gently before letting her go... Anala had to feel as if she was splitting into two now... this stranger of a male feeling more and more like her mate the more she was around him.. as if he could have been ice if he was raised in a different world but deep down the same caring and loving male.. Kaz didnt keep her any longer... and let her go so she could be on her way now... He returned to Anja's side with snow now hitching a ride upon his back if she wished to rest more. "Are you okay Anja..?" He asks crouching down so he war more her height as he spoke to her

Anala paused at the touch on her scruff, feeling her hackles rise reflexively, but unlike she had the night before, the small red and white female did not snap at him as he knelt beside her, draping his gifts about the slender surface of her neck, glancing down at them as his hands left them, blinking as she swiveled her ears partially back, not quite knowing what to make of this...or him, for that matter. At times, he reminded her of Ice, and yet at others, he seemed like a completely different wolf...it made her feel confused, befuddled, inside, and Anala did not particularly like that. Still, she merely gave him a grateful nod as he spoke, meeting his gaze briefly before murmuring, "I should go," and proceeding to pull away, topping the rise and cresting the horizon without so much as a glance back, knowing that to do so would be too hard, and she would lose her resolve. Anja blinked as she looked up at Kaz before he crouched down, flattening her ears sorrowfully as she nodded, for all the world looking miserable, observing her mother's departure until Anala was no more than a faint speck on the horizon, and even then she kept watching until the snow white and flame red form had disappeared, then stood glumly, head down and tail drooping by her flanks, ears flopping down to hang in a depressed manner as she murmured, "Yeah, I'll be fine. I know it's important if she leaves me. She never leaves me unless she has to." As they turned and began to walk to their destination, the mirth gone from Anja's step now, the young female keeping pace and close to Kaz's side, she murmured, "Still, I'm gonna miss her. Somehow, I don't think she's coming back anytime soon. But on the bright side," Anja looked up at Kaz with unusually solemn eyes, returning seriously, "there at the end she seemed to like you. I've never seen her do that with anyone before. Like, ever."

"Really?" Kaz asked as they continued on their way to the pack... the sun already setting due to the harshness and lack of daylight in these winter months. "I hope she is alright... It must be hard on her travleing alone..." Kaz spoke uncharacteristicly depressed... it could let Anja start to get the inclination things were worse then she beleived... A few hours of travle passed before they set up shelter for the night Kaz setting up a large tent big enough for a small group to use and cooking up some dinner for the three "So... How you holding up Anja?" He asks checking up on her as she had stayed quiet still... "I know its gonna be hard without your mom... she will be back soon though dont worry okay?" He murmers.. "And besides.. wanna know something? If you want i can teach you how to shoot.. it will be handy you know how incase something goes wrong with your fire." Kaz offered perhaps distracting her from the heartache she was experianceing at the loss of her mother after she parted ways.. Kaz had no idea Anala would be back before sundown in the next day or two... and her state would horrify him

"Really," Anja confirmed, adding quietly, "Not even my dad. And she hated my uncles. Always watched them around me like a hawk. It was kinda scary, how she was so cautious and distrusting of them." Anja sighed, her tail drooping further as she murmured, "But I guess it doesn't matter now." She kept walking, uncharacteristically quiet, until Kaz called a halt for the night, blinking as he pitched a tent, then going and flopping down in a corner by herself, head on her paws as she watched the surrounding world, feeling lost without Anala there to guide her. She lifted her head when Kaz came over, the moonlight flickering off of her pelt and turning her a silverish color, the blue markings seeming to glow in the fragile, pale face of the gray sphere above, flicking her ears as she replied with a shrug, "I'm okay. I know she'll come back sometime." She had looked away dejectedly, despondent, until he offered to teach her to shoot, and her ears perked, her head coming up as she bounced a bit, a portion of the old Anja shining through as she chirped, "Really?" with an excited wag of her tail. "I think that'd be cool - but...Mom wouldn't approve."

"Once we reach the pack sure. You need to learn how to keep yourself safe if you ever cant summon fire.. I dont think she would mind seeng as she isnt here to keep you safe. although i dont think anyone would mess with you with me around." He gave a playful smile "We should get some rest though.. its gonna be a long day of walking tomorrow.." He reminded her before ruffleing the fur atop her head and ears hoping he was being a good guardian for her.. keepung her happy atleast.. "Dont feel so down.. she will be back i promise... it might be a while it could be a day but she will be back again.. lets get some rest now little one" With that kaz fell asleep a little while later... two days passed... and it was dusk as they neared the outerlands of the pack as kaz stopped hearing some rustleing "Anja get down someone is followjng us.." Kaz alerted her before drawing his pistol aiming twards the treeline "Whoever you are come on ou-..." Kaz dropped the pistol to the ground with a soft clink as Anala emerged from the trees..

"Christ Anala what happened to you?" He asked as he ran over to her insisting she lie down and try to keep still. Kaz wouldnt take no for an answer and was gently patchign her up as the pups came over to check out what had happened as well. Kaz had that look in his eyes... Although he still played along for Anja's sake... Anala knew Kaz wanted blood for what they did to her... Thankfully her wounds were not perminantly debilitating.. she would recover in full even her ear which wasnt competely torn off would heal thanks to that astounding wolven vitality they al posessed. In no time at all he had banadged her where needed cleaned her wounds and even offered her something to help take the bite out of her pain she had experianced "Your shoulder is dislocated.. once the medicen works its way ill pop it back in but.. its not gonna feel good...." Kaz let her know ahead of time as he gently cradled her head now looking down into her green eyes.. There was no way out of this... she had to answer him... she owed him that much atleast... even if it was a lie to protect her daughter still... she knew Kaz wouldnt take anything but the truth... and the way he had that fire in his eyes... she knew what he was plotting....

Once Anja and snow were sufficantly distracted with playing.. or rather Anja insisting Snow and her wrestle for the stick Anja had now carried with her everywhere they went Kaz turned his gaze back to Anala and frowns.. "Now stop acting like an idiot and take the meds..." His voice was low... firm and almost on the verge of perhaps agressive.. although there was something more to it then that.. A deep caring Anala probably couldnt reason why he had for her... "Your going to take this to help with pain and lie down while i go pay your "friends" a visit... Ill set up my tent and you rest there with the pups... they wont find you and if they do ill leave a weapon behind incase you cannot summon fire in your current state... Once im through they wont ever bother you again... ill make sure they dont come back..." His ton was low and detrrmined.. there would be no reasoning with him... no stopping this brute with one thing on his mind now... He had set the tent up after making anala down the painkillers he kept with him in case of emergencys.. and they began to work fast making her feel a bit better... Kaz had donned his suit of armor and first said his goodbyes to Anja.. helmet off of course so he could speakto her face to face "Hey little ones.. It turns out anala needed some help with her little quest and due to her getting injured ill fill in for her okay? You two be good and keep an eye out for strangers.. and take care of her" Kaz ruffled little Anja's ears and gave snow a small nod and kind smile as she seemed to not like to be handled touched or picked up. He went ot the tent where Anala lay resting snow and Anja folliwing behind as it darkened outside.. He left a loaded pistol next to her as he said he would and two odd looking clips of ammo. "You just point and shoot. these clip on the top and you push the bullets in likethis" He demonstrated quickly on how to use it knowing Anala would probably scoff and berate him for his foolishness... he had expected it.. but... perhaps she would haev softer words for him as he left... he knew it was nearly a suicide mission even for his gear... but he didnt care... it would be death for him and the whole pack

Kaz had rubbed her ears as she fell under its effects to sooth her "It pains me to do this Anala... Im sorry... But its for your own good...." He murmers gently to her as she soon was bearly awake... her shoulder popped back into place causeing her to only whimper.. and when Kaz went to go and he heard hat pleading whine for him to stop... he... he just... He went to her side and stayed.. rubbing her ears whispering gently to her as she slowly faded into sleep.. "Its okay Anala... shhh... its okay... im here.... once i take care fo them no one will ever hurt you or anja again... im going to set you free..." He reassured her as she lost concousness... He had sat and had her cradled in his arms gently rocking her back and forth as she slept for a little while... not that she would remember it.. but then again who knew? Kaz left soon after once it was deemed safe.. Helmet strapped on mask powered up... mg loaded and ready he made his way to the pack.. didnt take him long... and once he was there he overheard two males... the ones he killed before angrily talking that at daybreak they would hunt her back down... he waited... watched... observed his prey before the sickening sound of that war machine cut through the silence of the night hard. A few lay in a bloodied heap as Kaz pulled another strip of ammo and reloaded cuttign down another patch of them as the pack began to realise someone was attacking... The only thing they saw was those haunting red eyes and that flash of bright death... Hours passed.. or was it minutes? No one knew as they had been lost in the struggle of life and death.. and by the end of it no one was standing besides Kaz... huffing as he found it hard to breath... He took his mask off coughing the foul taste of mercury flooding his mouth as he spat out blood "s-sonofabitch...." He growled as he felt his stenght fade... he tried to walk back and stumbled crashing down to his hands and knees coughing up more of the thick red stubstance... A hand wandered beneath his armor and came back slick with his own blood... "M-My.. lung...." He growled and wheezed remembering when that male had grabbed him in the fray trying to slash at his chest before getting obliterated into red mist... he must have gotten Lucky.... Kaz again one moe time tried to stand and make it home but made it no more then a few feet.... so there he sat.... hauling himself to lean against a tree.... He had some time left.... just long enough to leave her a note.... A sort of good bye... Hours passed... the sun had risin and the medication left Anala a little tired but her mind was clear and hr pain was much more manageable.... she was able ot track down Kaz and was both horrified and amazed at the sight she beheld... the bodies of her enemys strewn all about the pack lives perminantly snuffed out... the males Kaz had fought before seemingly turned into red mush never to revive from that kind of brutal death... Then Kaz... leaning against the tree head down staring into his lap... she couldnt tell if he was alive or dead.. but.. he sure had to be injured... the note for her clutched in his hand so she would notice it once she came over

(Part one) Anala felt him cradle her against his chest and torso, though it was a dull sensation, and one that felt as it were far away. Vaguely, she knew she was being lifted and placed on a warm, soft bed, feeling a cover being pulled up about her neck and shoulders, before she was gone, lost in the gentle realms of sleep. Anja, having nodded seriously to Kaz and giving him a wag of her tail to show she understood, trotted into the tent where he carried her mother, nosing the sleeping red and white female as the Dire Wolven covered her up, Snow trailing along after them, keeping to the edge of the outer fringes. "Is...is she gonna be okay?" She asked the man who would become her adoptive father, looking up at him with a tilted head and pricked ears, sitting beside Anala's relaxed form with her stick by her side. Knowing the weapon was dangerous, she paid attention to how he detailed it to her, and nodded once again, murmuring quietly as she lay down beside her dam and nosed her neck and head, "I'm just glad she came back. Will she wake up soon?" Anja looked back up at Kaz as he got ready, tilting her head once more with another soft wag of her tail, hoping she would. Anja had much to tell Anala, but she didn't know her hopes in such a feat would be dashed, taking the man's answer with a soft whine of disappointment. But the child knew if her mother was sleeping, she should let her sleep, as Anala appeared both exhausted and frail, a trait that Anja had never seen in the strong, powerful female that was her mother. The rest of the day was passed with the pups lounging about the tent as the heat rose and watching Anala, getting her things if she needed them, though the former tracker didn't stir too much or rise, and the only thing Anja got to do was bring her water so that she might drip the moisture into her mother's lips and keep her from becoming dehydrated. When the morning dawned, Anala at last stirred, lifting her head with a yawn as she shook her head, gingerly stretching her agile figure out as she gradually stood, sniffing and checking her wounds, making sure she didn't unnecessarily pull or stretch them, experimentally flexing her shoulder. The medication left her vaguely tired, but feeling much improved, even if there was still a slight tenderness in her limb. Drawing it back up, she peered about for Kaz, sniffing the air with narrowed green eyes, unable to recall those last moments before she fell into the deep oblivion of her sleep, catching sight of the pups sprawled about lazily as they slept, having made it through the rest of the previous day and the night before crashing sometime in the early morning, falling into a restful slumber to restore their depleted levels of energy. But there was no Kaz. And by his scent, he had not been here since yesterday, presumably when he had tucked her into this sleeping bag and ensured she was adequately covered. With an irritated growl, kept quiet so she did not wake the children, Anala left the tent, closing it after leaving a note for the pups telling them she would return soon, and for them to wait. If they stayed here they should be safe, and not found. It did not take her long to find the massacre that was the pack, or the catastrophic mess that was the bodies, her ears pricking as she limped her way along, figuring it better to keep her leg lifted and off the ground until it fully and completely healed. She paused at a ridge line, her tail by her flanks as she took in the carnage, knowing from the wounds that it had to have been Kaz, as there were no claws or fangs who could rip a figure in half so completely, or leave such small and perfectly rounded holes that pierced so deeply and rended life from their wielder's forms so effectively. But where was Kaz? His scent was strong, beneath the thickening odor of blood and the stale scent of anger, rage, and fear, all of the emotions combinining into one as the pack realized they would die fighthing this Dire Blooded male, but Anala could not determine where he was, as his own aroma was stale, and nearly buried beneath the other myraid of smells. Finally, she saw his lurking form leaning in a slumping manner beneath the tree, and she made her way over, feeling her fur prickle with dread as she approached, knowing without a doubt he was probably dead, but hoping against hope that he wasn't anyway. "Kaz?" She murmured softly, quietly, her voice almost catching in her throat, faltering in its careful whisper. Nudging him, she caught sight of the wound, the amount of blood, felt the cold chill of his flesh and skin. He was gone. And judging by the stiffness of his body, the prying grasp of his fingers as she caught sight of the note and read it, feeling tears prick her eyes, she knew he should have revived by now, should he have any lives left. And yet....he had not. "No," she whispered, unable to stop the wetness from staining her cheeks and rolling down the thick plush of her cheeks furry flesh. "No, no, no! You idiot!" Anala barked in anger, snapping in the air beside his lifeless body, unable to bring herself to sink her fangs into his deathly still form, a whining whimper echoing from her maw as she flattened her ears and turned her face away, lowering her head as she took a deep breath, whispering, "It wasn't supposed to be like this. You weren't supposed to die. You shouldn't have been this stupid. It was my burden to bear." Turning back to him, she huffed, calming herself as a grim determination came into her green eyes, a look not unsimilar to his own, grasping his jacket collar in her maw as she leaned around behind him, and then proceeded to drag him to a nearby field marked with the sweet scent and plush area of cherry tree blossoms, an orchard of the weeping willows in the cherry blossom variety blooming in the midst of the summer season, creating a heavenly curtain that when he woke, would hopefully take him to peace, or bring him some, sort, some measure of relief. Laying him in the center of the clearing, Anala nosed him, taking the note from his hand, prying the slip of paper from his cold, dead fingers painstakingly, taking care not to break or injure the stiff digits, pinning it beneath a nearby rock. She would use a life for this, she knew, but the cost was worth it - he wasn't supposed to have done this. He wasn't supposed to have died. A wind blew softly through the orchard trees, a place of peace so close to a killing ground an odd parody in a world and life such as this. Anala took her place at his head, touching her nose to his forehead for a moment as she steeled herself in preparation, knowing that this was going to have a high price, and a great deal of agony, a large amount of suffering, of pain. But it was unavoidable, and the only way to repay him for his unasked for kindness. Taking a few steps back, circling back to her earlier position, she braced herself, lowering her injured limb to brace it against the grass, sucking in a lungful of air as she breathed deep, lifting her head and throwing it back in the position to do a howl, her ears sliding back as her melodious voice hauntingly filled the air.

(Part two) Within moments, energy pulsed through the air, and Anala could feel her life force draining, the sensation of the power stirring, coming to life, unfolding within her, dragging her life essence, the force of her being and the image of her spirit, from the hollow shell that was her body, her voice faltering for only a split second as pain split through her skull, and shuddered through her body, shivering with a sharp gasp through her internal organs and ripping through her entrails, blood pulsing as her heart beat with a certain finality. The air shimmered and shook, taking on the hue and color of Anala's aura, a fiery orange mixed with red and a hint of greenish blue, a teal color that represented the softer side of her spirit, as well as the flaming nature that was her temper, and the fierce will to live and protect what it was that was close to her. It circled about them, pulsing in time with her heartbeat, and wavering in response to her howl, growing in form and figure the longer she carried on, having to force herself to continue to ensure that the power was carried out in its entirety. Once her entire essence was visible in the spectrum of their plane, it began to glow and funnel itself over to Kaz, transferring into his figure and form surrounding and covering him before slipping into his lifeless figure, trickling first through his nostrils, then finding its wispy fingers prying through his mouth and plunging into the depths of his gullet filling him with the warmth of her spirit, and restoring him to the dredging trudge that was the mockery of life. His wounds healed, though he only had one to speak of, as it was the one that he had perished from, but the other scratches and bruises he had held beforehand were mended as well, and transferred onto the faltering, shivering body of Anala. The last of her spirit fading into him, Anala lowered her head, her voice dying away as her vision blurred, and then blackened, her last sight before she collapsed, devoid of a life her own, the vision that her power had worked, as she caught a glimpse of Kaz's chest rising as he gasped, sucking in a deep breath as his back arched and body convulsed, hands clenching as his brown eyes opened, beholding the beautiful vision of the falling swirl of the cherry blossoms.