Volcano Pack:                 

Kaz had gasped sucking in a precious lung full of air as he had shot upward.. this was all off... peaceful but.. off... he looked around one way then the other before his eyes widened and he lost his composure for the first time in a long long time... Seeing Anala'a lifeless body laying next to his... Oh god no.. what happened?? Kaz ripped his helmet off as well as his armor letting it fall messily to the ground behind him as he cradled Anala's head in his arms "A-Anala... wake up... cmon... its... time to wake up.." He began softly his hands starting to tremble as the realisation stuck him and sunk in deeper and deeper.. He failed her... She was gone and it was all his fault.. atleast in his mind that had been the only reason. "Oh god anala... no... n-no!" He felt tears well up in his eyes before dripping down onto Anala's now stiff cold face.... He lifted her lifeless form up into his arms not caring she was still in her wolf form and huggedher as a loud pierceing wail echoed throughout the surpriseingly peaceful scenery. Holding her lifeless body into his he sobbed... cried for the first time in what seemed like years... he hadnt even cried when he killed the human who nearly stole his heart... Kaz was broken in every sense of the word... "You were sopost to be free... to be with your daughter... w-why!? god damnit why!!?" He cried out anger welling up inside of him.. not for her of course but for himself... fi only he had done more somehow... His mind snapped into sort of a "call to the void" moment invisioning himself taking hsi own life in a fit of range and anger twards himself... He shook worse.. thinking about Anja being parentless... he couldnt do that to the poor child.. "Please... dont leave me.... please dont go Anala...." He begged squeezeing his eyes shut tears leaking into her fur... "I know you can here me... I know it in my heart your in there somewhere..." He spoke softly... his words actualy reaching Anala in that dark cold void.... it was touching... she had just said her goodbyes now... and was hearing Kaz pleading for her... "Dont leave me Anala... Please... Anja.. needs you... I need.. you... i admit it i was a jerkoff when we first met but please.... ill be there for you... ill hold you and care for you.. d-dont give up.... I love you anala.... I... I wanted to give you a second chance at living your life... to give you that happy ending... please..." He shuddered and fell silent letting her limp body rest against the ground again as he rested his head crying onto her chest... not catching the lights inside of her body flicking on... She would be groggy.. in pain but alive... And perhaps... for once she would let Kaz stay near.... When she flicked open her eyes she could see his towering form crying atop her... the wetness of tears staining her cheeks and forhead as well as her chest... she had heard every word he spoke as well... calling for her... crying out to her... now all she had to do was get Kaz to stop bawling his eyes out... and mayby hold him to his promise of caring and.. loving her... Ice was gone now... and she had somewhat acheived peace... and now... Kaz was here offering her the world... Promiseing her the world.. his world infact... she could see him trembleing... feel his sorrow... how he lamented and wished it was him dead.. him who had perished... "Why...." He softly whimpered... shifting into his huge wolf form curling about her fragile smaller frame.... the fur lulling her back into a restful slumber. if she couldnt resist the urge to sleep off her pain..

Anala knew she was dead, had felt the cold rip of death as it tore through her heart, freezing her veins and organs, stopping her bodily processes and transcending her into the familiar darkness of a partial afterlife. That was right - she had more lives still yet. She would return....but not before the glimmering form of Ice approached her, his wispy figure the color of his name and element, a soft, smirking smile upon his lips, that cocky look he had so often beheld with her. Anala could not help but feel her spirit soar as she caught sight of him, and she raced to his etheral form, nuzzling into him with a joyous cry as her tail came up, and for the first time in years, actually wagged. "Ice! Oh, it's you, I can't believe it's you!" She was confused upon why he was here, however, as she knew she was returning to the waking world in a few moments. This was not the first time she had passed, nor would it be her last. So then why....? Then it hit her. Kaz. And a knowing understanding dawned in her eyes, a soft whimper leaving her lips as she stepped back from her former mate, the loving nuzzle they had shared becoming all to familiar, and with it, that same bittersweetness she had experienced knowing that he was gone and she still had more lives. She had not wished to permanently follow him into the afterlife into that moment, that minute in which he had passed and left her, but Anala had not wished Ice to go either. It only took a few minutes, but in that time, while Kaz was wailing piteously, Anala listened as her former love and mate explained he had been reincarnated within the Dire Blood, and had lived his life hoping Kaz would come into contact with Anala, waiting for his chance to tell her his last and final goodbye. And this was it. He had come to tell her to move on, to love Kaz as Kaz loved her, and that he was the man for her. With that, Ice was gone, giving her his blessing and revealing to her a deep, serene love that could never be matched or compared, but she knew he would not be returning - Ice was gone, completely and fully, having carried out his last and final mission. And she knew then that despite it all, she loved Kaz, and she wished to be with him, but she had to wonder, could the same be said for Kaz himself? Or had Ice been manipulating him all along in an effort to save Anala herself? She couldn't be sure, nor certain, but Anala's other worries were put on hold as her lungs suddenly breathed, sucking in a life giving and massive amount of air, and the vibrant green that was her eyes flickered open, managing to murmur as she felt Kaz's heavy head on her, and the wetness of his tears on his face and her chest, "I'm not permanenty dead, you idiot," after she uttered a gut wrenching, hacking cough that shook her entire body, agony pulsing through her, a result, she knew, of using the awesome power that was the howl. "Dry your tears. I don't need to be freezing cold and catch hypothermia in addition to everything else." Though meant to be sarcastic, there was no bite in the words, only...a soft affection? Which most likely threw Kaz for a loop and made him wonder if he had hurt or hit his head.

She could feel and see kaz tense up when she spoke. He pulled his head back his teary eyes looking into her green orbs "A-Anala! oh my god!" He hugged her taking care to not crush or hurt her as she was even worse then she was when she first arrived back... Kaz had really thought this was the end of her.... "W-what happeped? Who killed you?? How did we get here?" He asks pulling back from the hug to cup her face gently in his hands... He had shifted back into human form by now as he felt more comfortable in it... "Its dark and cold... we need to get back..." He muttered as he slipped his jacket offthankful it wasnt bloodied from the stab wound.. he draped it around her shivering form, probably from her pain more then anything else before with great care picking her up in his arms... his jacket serveing as a sort of pilowy buffer so it didnt feel that bad... the warmth and gentle rocking motion of him walking surely could lull her to sleep... they had much to speak about... but for now she NEEDED rest

Anala shivered, feeling her muscles burn as she breathed, coughing weakly once more, the crimson essence of her blood splattering past her muzzle and staining the pristine white of her fur. Laying her head back down, she wheezed, flicking her tail feebly as she blinked, wondering if she would survive the night - she had known, from her mother's own jaws, that the howl would take a toll. She just hadn't known it would be this drastic. The internal damage done to Kaz had been transferred to Anala when she used the fragile yet immense power of her ability, and in addition, it had taken one of her lives and completely devastaed the entire form of her agile body. If he were paying attention, he could see where the blood had dripped from her chest in a wound identical to the one that had been upon his own figure just moments before, a place that was now bare and even devoid of scar tissue. Even with their advanced healing and the fickle methods that were the governing realms of life and death affecting their species, he should have at least had the scar for a few days. But he did not. However, since Anala was in no shape to explain anything, it would appear that poor Kaz would just be left confused and wondering what had happened, and why Anala was in such horrible and horrid shape. Her breath was faint and rasping as she whispered after clearing her throat, murmuring breezily as her eyes drooped to half mast, "None one killed me; I...used...the Spirit Howl." She let him lift her head, observing him through a darkening haze as he looked her over, then permitted it to rest against the grassy earth once more while he worked on wrapping her up in the heated confines of his coat, the shivers easing as he lifted her now broken body from the cold kiss of the ground, allowing him to cradle her within the strong embrace of her arms. She still shook, in a great deal of agony, almost too much for any living being or Wolven to bare, and as they walked, she gradually began to drift off into sleep, biting back a whimper as her mind wandered, and she imagined she might have indeed been on a boat at sea, the soft rocking motion of Kaz's walk, pillowed by his jacket, easing her into her much needed rest.

Kaz had begun to worry... and by the time he had reached home he was borderline freaking out not wanting Anala to pass again.. He laid her down and began to bandage her...  knowing there wasnt much he could do for the wound she had... thankfully their wolven healing would speed the recovery up as for a human they would surely be left with a perminant wheeze from such a wound.. Thankfully the children were asleep and Kaz could quietly work on Anala in peace... bandageing her chest and gently hooking her up to a saline solution from his firstaid kit which he exausted in treating her... Hopefully it would restore some energy and jumpstart her into recovery... But Kaz just keot worrying.. kept being fearful her heart would stop or her chest cease rising.. thus he stayed awake the whole night... By morning she would wake... or atleast Kaz prayed she would.. He was at her side gently stroking her ears whenever she whimpered out in her sleep. which soon became any time he stopped rubbing her ears... He looked to Anja who was surely to wake soon as well as snow who must have went crazy spending the night eith her nemisis. Kaz didnt sleep or eat.. he just sat there rubbing Anala's ears the whole night waiting for her to wake up

Anala was vaguely aware of being set down, and she knew then that they were home, but that was all, as she fell away more deeply into the darkness once again, exhaustion pulling her down before she could open her eyes or say anything, her breathing easing as the injury was bandaged and the wounds taken care off. She flinched when he began the IV to run the saline, in enough pain as it was, then relaxed again after the sensation of the prick faded, and her muscles eased, the rest her body so desperately needed helping greatly to recoup her energies and mend her injuries, so that come morning, she pulled her eyes open to mere slits, a slight cough escaping her chest as she took in a deep breath, then winced, immediately regretting such an action. Still groggy from sleep, she blinked as she lifted her head faintly, momentarily forgetting where they were, and how they would have gotten there. The scent and memory of the cherry blossoms was still strong in her mind and eye, and the tent that Kaz had pitched, as well as the scents of the forest surrounding her birth lands, momentarily befuddled her already fogged mind. "Where...?" She croaked softly, then coughed again, her sides heaving weakly with the motion before she laid her head back down, turning her skull so that her muzzle lay within the Dire male's lap with a soft sigh, the knowledge coming back within a flash as she began to fully awaken, ears flicking within the gentle sensation of Kaz's rub. The warmth of the blanket he'd spread over her form soothed her, and she sighed once more, leaning into him in her time of weakness, remembering Ice's last words and sentiments, wondering if perhaps they might be true. She recognized where she was now, she knew her surroundings well enough to pinpoint where they were, so instead of another soft question of what or where, she instead murmured, "You carried me all the way back here?" She couldn't fathom anything else, as she knew she hadn't been walking, but the gesture still surprised and astonished her. It had been a great while since anyone, especially a man, had shown the female such kindness and consideration. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw movement, and the white flash of fur told her it was Snow moving about, as Anja was still asleep, the stick she'd taken to carrying about still held firmly within the confines of her tapering muzzle and slender mouth.

"You honestly expected me to Just leave you out there...?" Kaz spoke... his voice not a taunting mockery or a harsh and insulted tone but one she hadnt heard from him... so soft and gentle.. Making her question if it was indeed Kaz that just spoke to her. But Upon seeing his face, large body and the feeling of his gentle hands working at her ears.. She knew it was him. "I thought I lost you... That what i did was all for nothing... Anala... I know you dont want to hear this... Not from me.. Some rude stranger who told you how to raise your daughter... But... You needed the help weather or not you knew it yourself or wanted it.. You didnt have to come after me... I would have made it back... And... Now even after what i did.. i still failed you... I woke up.. healed with you dead in my lap Anala.... And ill be cursed and damned to hell if im letting you slip away again...." His words had a comforting resolve to them. As if he would stand up to the reaper itself to prevent Anala from passing a second time... He deserved answers but now wasnt the time... "Anja doesnt know we are back... shes been out like a light all night... Just rest.... You will feel better each time you sleep... Okay?" Kaz murmers softly trying to Lull her back into her slumber... His hands working from her ears to her neck gently... "If i have to ill carry you Anja and Snow to Volcano.... For now... we are going to stay here... for a while atleast... Untill your well enough to travle or if your worsening and need a healer...

Snow was weighing her options... she could leave Anala and Kaz... it would definitely be a plus not having to deal with Anja. But she wasn't stupid and knew she was more likely to survive with the smallish family.... besides, the annoying adolescent had to grow up sometime.

Anala snorted, murmuring, "Most would have." For a second she imagined it might have been Ice within him, manipulating him into such gentle actions and caring, but she knew her former mate was gone - that much was clear, he'd made it clear that he was going when he appeared to her after her performance of the Howl. And she knew Kaz then almost as well as she had known Ice, and she was fully aware of the fact that this was the former, and not the latter. She blinked heavy green eyes at him as he continued to work on her ears, sighing softly as he moved down to her neck and shoulder blades, where the heavy blanket lay snugged about her smaller form, murmuring, "It was my choice to use the Howl, you dolt. My choice to refuse aid. My decision to go back there, whether you wanted me to or not. It wasn't your own, so quit blaming yourself in a marvelous display of stupidity the likes of which I have never seen." She wanted to tell him more about the Howl that she so mysteriously kept referring too, so he would at least have an understanding of the power that had restored him to life, but she was tired, and he didn't seem interested in hearing it just now, instead letting her know her daughter was safe before lulling her slowly back down into her dreams, the words dying upon the surface of her black lips as her eyes drifted shut once more while she murmured a soft, "Mm," meant to be noncommental. The next day, the elder female was much improved, but she was still quite weak, and it was clear they would be unable to travel at their normal pace. Anja had woken sometime in the midafternoon, and, overjoyed that her parents, or whom she deemed her parents, were back, had bounded over with her stick in her mouth, forgetting about Snow for a second as the smaller girl had tactfully remained out of the teen's way, play bowing before her mother and wagging her tail with an excited bark, the stick dropping from her maw and rolling to Anala's feet, which twitched at the faint prick of the barked surface, but nothing more. Seeing her mother in such condition, Anja sobered quickly, her cry of, "Mom, you're back!" softening to a whimper as she sat up, cocking her head, nosing the white and red furred female before the teen looked up at Kaz uncertainly, a whine in her whisper as she timidly questioned, as if she were worried, "Kaz, what's wrong with her? Is she gonna be okay?" Her ears pricked and her body tensed when he said something about the Howl, as if she knew what it was by some miracle, and the youth nodded then, going, "Oh, I see. Well, I guess I'll play outside then. Come on, Snow!" Grabbing up the stick, the juvenile dragged the younger pup out of the tent with her, playfully growling and wagging her tail as she got them both outdoors, where Anala could hopefully recuperate a bit better. Anja was glad when her mother lifted her head the next morning, blinking with a yawn as she carefully stretched, wincing at the lingering stabs of pain she felt, even though she really needed to get up and move about, get the blood circulating a bit before they set off. Anala sat up slowly, gingerly, grimacing here and there as she flicked her ears, looking over at the pups, who were as rambunctious as ever, then to Kaz, who was slumped over with his eyes closed, as if sleep had finally gotten the better of him, even if he hadn't wanted or wished for it too.

It was evidant that Kaz hadnt gotten more then a few minutes of sleep the entier night.. and had dozed off recently. Waking hearng Anja's happy exclamation and such he informed her about what happened keeping her still unaware of what exactly happened before rubbing his eyes with a soft yawn... he seemed a bit tired.. but he hid it well.. "Morning Anala... sleep well?" He asks as she pried herself from the heavy blankets that kept her warm and snug the entire night. Kaz didnt waste much time before he prepared breakfast for the group chooseing to make a large portion of oatmeal letting them each add what they wished as flavor. Kaz adding a bit of cinnimon a splash of vanilla cream and a bit of beef jerky which oddly fit in nice with the breakfast he made. The others chooseing whatever they wished to have in their meal. He had set Anala's dish infront of her so she didnt need to move far "What would you like in your Breakfast?" He asks offering to pass it over to her before calling the pups inside for breakfast. He and Anala were able to talk quietly while Anja terrorized Snow in her gleeful childish ways "So.. are you well enough to travle today?" He asks softly before taking some of his food eating it as she replied his ears perked up listening to her

Anala lifted herhead at Anja's happy exclamation, offering a soft smile of affection towards her daughter as she bounded over, nuzzling the child as she came over before she bounced off to play with Snow, something telling her the adults needed some space to themselves, and knowing her mother didn't need a lot of stimuli just yet. She watched Kaz preparing breakfast idly, resting her muzzle on her paws for a moment before lifting her head, scenting the breeze as she pricked her ears, murmuring, "Fine. You, though, look like you use a nap or two." The scent of the Volcano pack was strong in the area, and even Kaz, who had never been here, knew that they were close. The elder female, whose fur was more of a fire theme than the light blue her daughter held, levered herself up and out of the blankets, taking a few moments to regain her balance before she strode over, pulling the IV out before she dared move to far, wrapping it with her tapered muzzle with ease, making it clear she had done such before. Sitting back down, as she was still quite weak, she resisted the urge to pant, flicking her ears at the sound of Anja frolicking gleefully, no doubt driving Snow mad with her immaturity, and the elder female let out a soft sigh, wondering what kind of terror she had created in her sheltering protection for her daughter. The effort of walking over had taxed her already, and it was clear that though she could move, she might not be able to travel at their usual pace, nor was she quite ready entirely for the road. "I'm well enough to walk, therefore I'm well enough to travel." Anala replied quietly, wincing as she heard a tremendous crash outside. "Well, there goes Snow's sanity," she murmured softly, flicking her tail in a chuckle. As he set the bowl in front of her, Anala knew that they had a few more minutes before the pups managed to make it back inside - Anja was going after her stick. Now seemed as good a time as any to broach the subject. "Kaz...," she began, then paused, wondering how she was to delicately broach the subject. "Do..." She trailed off again, then cursed herself in her mind. They were not teenagers, she had no business acting like a shy school girl or a love sick puppy. Best just to get it out there. "Do you care for me, as more than a friend or companion?" She looked at him, her summer green eyes, so like her mother's, and so like Anja's, unwavering in their surprisingly soulful gaze, revealing nothing. "And if so, is it Ice's mentality within you that caused it?"

His ears perking up at this question that Anala presented to him made him a bit shocked and curious as to why her tone of voice seemed so.. shy now. And at her question he felt his ears raise even more as if he was a bit surprisedshe asked so boldly. A small smile graced his lips that went unseen in the beginning. And once Anala was finished asking Kaz how he truly felt about her. He surprised her one hand gently rubbing her ears while the other sort of cupped one of her cheeks as he leaned in placeign a gentle kiss on her nose. It was all he could do unless he desired to switch forms which he felt he didnt want to at the moment. And of course they wouldnt lock lips in this state unless tjhey both were worked up and alone which neither requirement for that was fufilled. He pulled away trying not to giggle at her shocked expression "I do care for you greater then a companion Anala.. It wasnt Ice inside of me making me think this way... And.. id be a liar if i said i wasnt just as curious as what you think of me... I... Know Ice spoke with you.. i understand if you wish to wait for your time to be with him again in the afterlife..." He finished gently showing a surpriseing amount of compassion and understanding.. Yet there were still things she had yet to discover about Kaz.. like the fact that he had never has layed with another in bed. or that he rather enjoyed it when someone else had power over him. Something he had been curious about as Anala seemed to be rather comfortable being in charge. "So... What do you think about me...?" He asks gently cupping Anala's cheeks as he gazed into her eyes making her feel like a teenager again. her hormones and such making her all shy or perhaps turning her agressive if she wished to show her potential mate she wished to rule and be incharge.

Anala pricked her own ears, the slender appendages flickering forward at his tone, suprrised by what some might call a devilish smile daring to grace his face. Nor had she expected him to be so bold as to kiss her, even if it was just on the nose, but she hid her astonishment well, and merely dipped her head when he did so, swiveling her ears back a bit as she lowered her muzzle into the gentle touch of his hand while he stroked one half of her face. She looked down first, then turned her eyes towards him without moving her head, appearing to gaze at him through a shyer demeanor than he had ever seen from her, almost holding her breath. Secretly she was afraid of his answer. In response, she murmured, very quietly, "Ice is gone...he made that clear when last we spoke. There is no longer a reason for me not to move on." It was as close as she would come, at this point, to saying she cared for him, or to admitting she even held feelings for the male who had come so valiantly - and unasked - to her rescue. Or tried, too anyway, though he had saved her in more ways than one, and in methods by which he could never have possibly truly known. Now she dared hope for a future. Now, she looked out for her daughter, and rose to greet each new day with a flicker of happiness and joy in her heart, instead of simply the age old determination she had thus so far displayed. The moment was broken, however, by Anja trotting in, proudly holding her stick, with a petrified Snow hanging from her tail, looking as if the teenaged pup and older child had traumatized her beyond repair. "Hiya Momma! I'm glad you're up, I was starting to worry for a bit there. I've never seen you down for so long."

Kaz gave a small smile seeing anja had trotted in and gently rubbed Anala's ears gently trying to comfort her the best he could. Gently he picked up Anja. anbd in the process snow holding them in his arms rather fatherly. He would have a hard time explaining his relationship with Anala thought with them but for now he just let them know they would be on the move soon after breakfast. And much to Anala's surprise Kaz was rather docile and gentle with her not trying to forcefully exert male dominance or anything like that. Almost as if he was waiting for her own words or instructions as if offering her the spot as leader of their relationship, something she might not have easily had with ice and something that surely would surpise her that such a large brute was offering to let her have the control in their blooming relationship. After breakfast they packed up and began to head out to volcano kaz keeping an eye on Anala before offering to carry her if she got winded or tired

(Part one) Anala watched Kaz with the children as she lapped up some of breakfast, not really feeling like eating, but knowing and aware she had to if she were ever to regain her full level of strength. She smiled, the first of the expression Kaz had ever seen her with, when Anja greeted her, murmuring quietly in return, "Good morning, Anja. I hope you haven't terrorized Snow beyond repair." At this, the teen glanced back to see the little white pup clinging to her tail, and then chuckled, lowering her gently to the floor. "I don't think so, Momma. She's just a little winded from our run outside, right Snow?" The blue and white furred child was distracted as Kaz served them breakfast, and after a hearty meal where Anja ate the majority of her portion while Anala only managed about a fourth, the quartet set out, Anala walking slowly while Anja bounded and romped ahead, throwing her stick into the air before leaping to catch it, then landing gracefully with a wag of her tail and a glance backwards, as if asking if the adults had seen that, before bouncing off on her merry way. Anala had to take it slow, the pace gradual and easy, not hard or backbreaking, nor particularly quick, and stopped often, leaning against a nearby rock or tree when she had to begin to pant, wincing here and there as a pain or two swept through her. Anala's ears flicked forward as Kaz approached at one such pause, the red and snow colored she-wolf actually having sat while her flanks heaved and her tongue draped from the tapering surface of her muzzle, ears pricking forward as she caught his approach, then lifting her head to regard him as he knelt by her, offering to carry her if she needed.

(Part two) At first she refused, murmuring, "No, it's alright. I'll be fine." But this was the fourth time they had to pause, and she was far more winded this session than she had been the last, so it did not surprise her when Kaz insisted. With a roll of her eyes as he stubbornly picked her up, Anala did something for the first time since she had met him, and the first time since Anja's birth, those fourteen years ago, save for a special occassion here or there, though she never remained in such a state for long. She shifted, reverting to her human form, an older, more mature version of Anja, with locks the color of dancing flame, eyes as green as the dance of the leaves in summer, and skin as pale and milky as the moon itself. She was dressed in a long sleeve black shirt whose soft fabric clung to her womanly figure, accenting her gracious curves and the slender surface of her abdomen, drawing attention to her petite build, while the lower cut scoop like neck revealed only the barest hints of her cleavage. Her long hair, shoulder length and beyond, if left down, was pull back in a pony tail, only a few wisps here and there hanging down, accenting and framing her face, whil her lower body was clad in blue jeans, the form fitting surface of the clothing a darker blue in color and more saturated in tone and hue, while her feet were wrapped by sneakers made of the darkest black she could find. She looked like a mother in her twenties, when in reality, she was far older than that, and in all honesty, she was quite pretty, managing to turn quite a few heads with her locks of lucious red hair. Not that it bothered her - she wasn't the type to pay attention to such facts, not really, though she would have been surprised if Kaz hadn't noticed. "Might as well make it easier for you, if you insist," she murmured by way of explanation, not meeting his eyes, instead leaning against him and his calming warmth as she fought the urge to yawn, her arms folded in her lap, and her eyes drifting halfway closed. It was the first sign of weakness she had shown him, revealing she was far more exhausted by the trek then she had initially let on.