Re: The Trouble With You (M) (Reserved)

[Wolfy]

"They aren't laughing at you. Or me. Or us." He told her, tail flicking. Mason looked over at her, blinking slowly. A light rain started to fall, starting to make the already melting snow disappear. He growled softly to himself, and looked up at the grey sky, squinting to avoid any of the drops hitting his eyes. Faith was suddenly at his side, disturbing the silence. "You're needed back at camp..." Her sides were heaving, and Mason guessed she must've run hard to get here. He nodded, and jumped to his feet and sent an apologetic glance back at Layla. Without any further hesitation, Mason dashed back towards camp, wondering if Grey had anything to do with it. 

-

Believe it or not, Grey had nothing to do with it. Instead, it was two brutes; one of his yearlings and a loner. The loner had pinned his pack member to the ground, and his jaws were locked on his throat. Mason snarled, and looked around. "Ianto, Gen, Ming and the fighters are off scouting out the area for new elk herds. That leaves us with mostly yearling brutes and inexperienced fighters. We don't know how to get him off without bringing the yearlings throat with him." Faith told him quickly. Mason snarled once more, hackles raising. He shot forward, attacking the brute with what sounded a bit like a roar. His fangs dug into the area between his neck and his shoulders, and the brute opened his jaws to yelp. The Alpha ripped him away from the yearling, trying to keep his hold on the brute. The loner managed to shake Mason off, and had him pinned before Mason could even try to stand. Grey's voice made them pause. "Brother! I'm so very disappointed in your fighting skills!" Grey emerged from the brush with Miyako at his side. His attention turned to the loner. "You should try and fight a wolf who knows how! It makes you look like a bloody idiot beating these pups." He touched his nose to Miyako's, and trotted up to the two. The loner snarled at him, starting to step off of Mason. "Honestly, you aren't proving anything besides the fact that you're afraid to fight a real wolf." Grey taunted, dancing back a bit with a smirk. That did it. The already enraged brute threw himself at Grey. He stepped aside, swung around in a tight circle, and met the brute on his hind legs. 

It wasn't a very long fight. Grey had the brute on his side, panting and whimpering. "Well, brother? What do I do with this?" Grey asked, looking back at Mason with a strange look in his amber eyes. After some thought, Mason bowed his head. "What you must." Grey's head tilted. "You're telling me to kill him?" The look was fading from his eyes. Mason looked back up. "I'm afraid so. Because look." Grey looked to where his brother had gestured to. The yearling lay still, eyes staring into nothing. He was curled slightly, and the fur on his neck was matted and bloody. Grey returned his gaze to the brute beneath him. "It's only fair, you know." He hissed, and sunk his teeth into the loner's neck. 

Mason turned away as his brother did what he couldn't. A shuddering sigh escaped him, and he looked over at Faith. When he looked back, Grey was gone, as well as Miyako. "I'm sorry, Layla." He muttered, and strode past the loner's body. "I want to know what happened." The Alpha demanded, raking his eyes over the yearlings. "We found him eating at the border, and so we started to tell him to leave and that he couldn't be here. It's like he went mad. He started snarling and we booked it back here. Isamu turned at the last second to face him." A young fae told him, obviously holding back tears. The two had been siblings, and Ming's pups as well. He winced, thinking of Ming's reaction to seeing one of her only pup's murdered. "We'll bury him when they return." He sighed, not in the mood to scold the  pups.

[Sorry about that, but I really wanted to use Grey. And I just realized I'm using Faith's color for Gen's speech, so Faith is now green.]

[P r o m i s e r]

Layla had raced back to camp after Mason, her paws barely touching the ground as she sped in front of Mason into the camp, snarling as Mason and Grey took care of the brute. She looked at the dead yearling, sorrow covering her blue colored orbs. Nuzzling the young and still wolf once more, she let her gaze fall at her paws. "He will rest peacefully with our ancestors." Layla whispered, looking up at the dark and rainy sky. "You aren't one of us!" A fae snarled at Layla, making Layla snarl back. "You basically came here and called this your home as if you are a pack wolf! You have no right in being here anyway!" The gray female spat, her silver eyes icy with hatred. "Excuse me for paying my respects to one of your loved ones and our ancestors!" Layla snapped, her blue eyes burning into the fae's, whom was known as Jackie. She lunged at Layla, aiming for her chest. Layla sidestepped Jackie and slid on the mud, her back foot colliding with Jackie's from paw, tripping her to the ground. Using High Rock as momentum, Layla slammed into Jackie. "I don't care what you think of me. But that yearling deserved the respect that I gave him. And respect isn't something I normally show, so be thankful for it!" Layla snarled, getting off of Jackie and sneering softly. 'Bitch.' Layla thought, turning away.

[Wolfy]

The scout group padded back into the camp when Layla was fighting. Gen shot her a disgusted look. "Can't she go an hour without fighting with one of the pack members?" The group halted, and Gen looked down. Ming cried out, rushing forward with tears in her eyes. Her female pup, Emi, moved to her side. "Who did this?" Ming demanded, looking around the camp. Mason gestured to the dead loner. She silenced, and dropped to her knees by Isamu. "He was going to try and fight him... to give us time to find help." Emi whispered, laying next to her mom. "His name does mean courage." Mason barked at the rest of his pack, telling them to leave. He padded over Gen and the others. "Prepare one grave." He told them. "Layla!" He called. "Jackie!" He padded over to the two, throwing Jackie a stern look. "I'd prefer you didn't stoop to her level, Layla. After all that has happened, I would think you'd be trying to avoid fighting. Same goes for you, Jackie." 

[P r o m i s e r]

Jackie glared back at Mason, lowering her head and growling. "I'm so Mason. I just didn't want a murderer around a loved one is all." Jackie spat, her eyes set on Layla. She dipped her head respectfully to Mason, "I apologize for that. But even I can be respectful to one that lost their life in trying to protect the ones that they love." Layla said softly, her voice low, but no bitterness was found. Lifting her head, she looked Mason in the eyes, doing her best to be polite. "Would you like me to help them prepare the grave?" Layla asked, deciding to get permission before going ahead and doing it. "Hell no!" Jackie snarled. Layla didn't even look Jackie's way. She just waited for Mason's answer, her body pose no longer hostile or tense. Her thick coat was flat, and her eyes showed no harsh emotions towards anything. Glancing at the young and lifeless wolf, she sighed heavily. "It's the least I can do. I wasn't very nice to him." Layla added, flattening her ears.

[Wolfy]

Mason snarled at Jackie, tail flicking. "I suggest you quiet down before I take harsher measures! You don't seem to have a problem with my brother being around, and he's ten times worse that Layla." He raised his head, narrowing his eyes to look down at the younger wolf.  Layla's voice distracted him, and he moved over to her. "No, it is fine. They can take care of the grave." He shot Jackie a warning glance. "My presence will be needed, but I have a job for you while I'm away." Mason sighed, "Oh, and Jackie, you're going to need to baby sit. We can't have any more wanderers." He trotted over to some yearlings, and sat down by them. "Okay, so, if it's okay with her, you guys are going to take the loner out of the territory with Layla. I don't care where you put him, but he doesn't deserve a burial." Mason looked at Layla, hoping she would say yes. "I know you can defend them if you run into any trouble. Could you do that?" 

[P r o m i s e r]

Jackie rolled her eyes, "At least Grey can keep his mouth shut!" She sneered, but stopped quickly. Jackie groaned at having to babysit, flattening her ears. She kind of hated Mason, but obeyed his orders. Layla sat next to Mason and looked at him, "Yeah I can do that. I'll make sure they get home safe." Layla said, getting to her paws. "Come, yearlings. I won't eat you." Layla joked, rounding them up. Turning around, she grabbed the dead loner and heaved him onto her back, leading the young wolves out of camp. "Layla, where are we going?" A young brute asked. Layla glanced down at the yearling and smiled, "To take this loner to the edge of the territory. That way, other loners will know not to enter the territory." Layla came to the edge and dropped the loner's body in the slushy snow, glaring at the brute's still body for a moment. "Help!" Layla turned around to see one of the yearling's being attacked by a cougar. Anger bubbled up inside of her, and with one swift move, she launched into the cat, knocking it off of the young wolf. Roaring at the cougar, Layla sidestepped it's paw before ripping her claws through its shoulder, knocking it off balance. Doing a flip, she landed on the cat's back and grabbed hold of it's skull. Whirling her body around, she had twisted the cat's neck and it fell to the ground. "Are you hurt?" Layla asked the yearling. The young brute shook his head and whimpered. "Come on. Let's get back to the camp." Layla said, nudging them forward.

Layla walked into the camp with the attacked yearling, and brought him to the Healer's den. "Rest there while I report to Mason." Layla ordered, turning to pad towards Mason's den. Stopping at the entrance, she made a soft bark before padding in. "The loner has been rid of. But a young yearling was attacked by a cougar. No injuries, but the kid is pretty shaken up." Layla reported.

(Wow... Did I just write that? O.o)

[Wolfy]

Mason chuckled at that. "That's where you're wrong..." 

-

He watched Layla and the others return to camp. The yearling's body was gone, and Ming was leaning on him, her body quivering. Mason nodded, and gently licked the top of Ming's head. "Alright. Are you hurt?" He asked, eyes heavy with sadness. The death had left everyone in the pack sorrowful. Ming let out a choked sob, and Mason quietly whispered something to her. "The pack won't be the same for a while. We're all going to be a bit angry, so you may want to find Grey." 

[Lol yep. And mine is a failure.]

[P r o m i s e r]

Layla shook her head, "Nobody got injured. I took care of the cougar." Layla replied, turning her head to look at the yearling in the Healers Den. Turning her head back, she frowned at the sadness in Mason's eyes. Layla licked his ear once, "He'll rest in peace." Layla assured him, smiling softly. Looking up at Mason, she nodded. "I'll go find Grey." Layla said, turning around and bounding out of camp. Grey's scent knocked into her, causing the massive fae to smirk soft. Turning left, she followed his scent until she found Grey. "Grey, I think Mason wants you back at camp. The pack is pretty upset for the lost life of that yearling." Layla informed him, looking at Miyako. "Afternoon Miyako." She greeted, dipping her head down for a couple heartbeats.

[Wolfy]

Mason nodded, and curled his tail around his paws. "Even if he does, that's not how he deserved to die!" Ming cried, her words muffled by Mason's shoulder. "I can assure you, knowing Grey, that loner suffered much more than Isamu." He told her quietly, and watched her exit the den. He gently nuzzled Ming again, trying to comfort her. 

-

Grey heard Layla coming through the trees, and turned to look at her. "Not even a hello? Basic etiquette has gone to hell." Miyako chuckled at that, and smiled softly at Layla, dipping her head as well. "I don't think I should return just yet. Give them time to mourn. Besides, the smell of that loner still clings to me and I don't want to be the target of a frenzy." Grey started to speak again, and was cut off by Miyako. "Maybe we should visit the river? All three of us? I don't know Layla that well." 

[P r o m i s e r]

Layla chuckled softly, "Sorry, I was in a hurry." She touched her nose to Grey's shoulder and looked over at Miyako. Her blue eyes were now mysterious and emotionless. "Yeah, sure. I never really got to actually meet you either. We got off on the wrong paw."

[Wolfy]

Grey didn't reply, instead just smiled softly at Layla until Miyako spoke. He glanced over her his shoulder, shifting his weight from paw to paw for a moment before returning his attention to the two faes. "Yes... We should head out." Miyako nudged Grey gently, and he turned, heading towards the scent of water. 

-

Grey stuck his paw in the swift moving water, watching the fish move upstream. He took another step forward, his back paws now submerged as well. Miyako padded up behind him, head slightly tilted. "I wouldn't bother with them, love. They're all bones." She told him quietly. He flicked his ears in acknowledgment. 

[P r o m i s e r]

Layla stood in the crystalizing water, her eyes acknowledging the fish that swam in the river. Spotting a large and meaty fish, her jaws snapped right over its body as it leaped into the air, the fish now limp and lifeless. Tearing into the satisfying meat, she looked up at Miyako. "I just proved you wrong." Layla joked, chuckling softly. Ripping some meat off, she nudged it towards Miyako then tore another piece off for Grey. Finishing her half, Layla laid down, scanning the area around her.

(Just a curiosity, but how should Miyako die? Just so we know what's coming.)

[Wolfy]

"All fish have bones. You're going to get them no matter what." Grey muttered, ignoring the fish that was tossed his way. "Besides, they don't smell very appealing." Miyako continued, but politely nibbled on hers a bit anyway. "They scratch worse than feathers on the way down if you do swallow one." Miyako coughed a bone up, wincing and stepping away from the fish. 

[I don't know... I don't want to kill her off but I'm still going to.]

[P r o m i s e r]

"Not a great smell. It's good to eat though." Layla shrugged and continued to eat, ignoring the small bones that went down her throat. Looking down at Miyako, the fae just continued to pick at the bones. "I've learned to eat what I can find. If that's what it takes to survive, then so be it." Layla laid her head down, ears pricked for any sounds of danger around her. Looking at Grey she muttered, "You might want to see Mason now. I can go with you and Miyako if you want." Layla offered.

[Wolfy]

"So have we. But are we starving right now? If Grey and I wanted, we could go take down a deer or catch a rabbit and have real food. If we don't need it, we don't eat it." Miyako muttered, watching Grey carefully. "Miyako." He warned, noticing the slight bite in her tone. Miyako sent her best apologetic glance in Layla's direction. Grey looked over at Layla, a distant look starting to fade from his amber eyes. "We can go in the morning, Layla. Stop rushing it."

[P r o m i s e r]

Layla flashed her pearly white fangs at Miyako, but calmed at Grey's gaze. "Never said you did need it Miyako. I'm just saying, with Winter coming around soon enough, fish may be the only thing you will be able to eat." Layla muttered through gritted teeth, doing her best to stay calm. She sighed, and shot a glance Grey's way. "If you think I'm rushing this, then you should see me when I want to get things done and out of the way." Layla sneered, not facing him. Instead, she just stared into the forest, clearing her mind of everything.

[Wolfy]

"I am sure that it will be very easy to fish when the river freezes over." Miyako muttered to herself, dragging the claws on her left paw through the damp soil with a huff. Grey lowered his head until the tip of his nose nearly touched the rippling surface of the water. The fish continued swimming forward, tails pumping to keep them from being pulled back downstream. "I don't care, Layla. If you want to go back, you are more than welcome. But I, on the other hand, don't feel like returning just quite yet. So I suggest both of you be quiet."

[Sorry about the late reply. I guess my computer had a virus and while I was away my dad tried to fix it and his method of fixing it was restoring my computer to the factory settings. I've been a bit upset by the loss of everything I had, so if Grey and Miyako seem more irritable than usual, that would be why]

[P r o m i s e r]

Layla snorted at Grey and Miyako, "Yeah, I'd like to go. And that's a suggestion I refuse to take." Layla growled before turning on her heels and stalking off towards camp, scouting the area as she did so. Sniffing a bush, she smelt coyote's. Layla sighed and dashed towards the camp, her massive paws carrying her into the wolf surrounded area. Spotting Mason instantly, she smiled and padded forward. "No luck Mason. Grey refuses to come now, and will be back tomorrow morning." Layla told him, venom in her voice as she said this. "I also did a bit of scouting on the way here. I scented fresh coyote on the East side of the territory down by that old Oak tree." Layla added, her thick and soft coat bristling softly. Turning her head for a moment, she narrowed her eyes, then turned her head back to face Mason "I can round up a patrol if you want. We don't need scavengers in this territory." Layla offered.

(It's okay. No big deal. Honestly, I've felt rather patient today. O_O)

[Wolfy]

Ming had just left Mason's side when Layla padded into camp. He nodded, yawning, and turning to face her a little better. "We don't need to worry about the coyote. Not until pups come in the spring." The Alpha stretched, tail flicking as he watched his pack start to prepare for the night. "No need. If a simple coyote was a threat right now, it wouldn't be alive." He straightened, and looked Layla in the eyes. "Let me worry about my pack. It isn't your concern about what we need in the territory or what we don't." With a soft smile, he brushed passed her, heading over to Faith. 

[Miyako is going to die soon... I'm just thinking of a way.]

[P r o m i s e r]

Layla looked at Mason and shrugged, "Fine, but it was more than one coyote. I had smelt other coyote scents on the way here." Layla sighed, and sat down, her eyes on the stars as she looked up. This was one of her favorite times of the day. Twilight. The sky was a bluish purple with stars, and the sunset was reaching its downfall over the mountains. Layla laid by a den, her breath getting heavier as she looked up at the beautiful sky with interest. "It's getting kind of cold Layla. Come in." A fae said. Layla recognized Oscar's mother and smiled, trotting into the den. Laying down beside Infinity, Layla watched Oscar play with his siblings with interest.

(Yeah, I'm trying to come up with ideas as well. xD)

[Wolfy]

Grey had left the river, Miyako at his side. The two were silent. It was a happy silence. Why had she forgiven him? It didn't matter anymore, really. The one he truly cared about was by his side. He had loved before, but not like he loved Miyako. Without a second thought, he would give up everything for her. Throw it all away. She was the one that really mattered. Screw his sibling. To Hell with Faith and Layla. If he had her, Grey was in his own little world of perfection. He remembered how she had left him when he murdered those wolves in cold blood. Innocent wolves like his brother. Back when they were more innocent. That had been the start of his murderous streak. The flame grew inside of him, but the moment that Miyako told him it didn't matter anymore, that flame went out. Grey was happy. It was almost too good to be true. 

[That gave you nothing to work with. But do you think Grey and Layla could be fighting [verbally] and a bear cub is nearby and the mother comes along and surprises Layla, and Miyako comes to the rescue and gets killed in the process?]

[P r o m i s e r]

(I'd rather skip Grey and Layla fighting, but the thing with the bear is good. That'll work perfectly.)

Layla sighed, and got up to go for a walk. Trotting out of camp and into the forest, her blue eyes were the only visible thing that lit up in the darkened forest. She pricked up her ears at the sound of a young bear cub roar, but decided to ignore. Layla hated bears. But taken by surprise, a much larger bear had smashed into Layla, knocking her into a tree. Blood ran down Layla's shoulder and flank, her body now still.

(SSS)

[Wolfy]

[That's fine. It was just a reason for Layla to be distracted.]

Grey tried not to smile as Miyako bumped her should into his. She playfully growled at him, bumping him again. The little game went on for a while, and it was about ten minutes later when Grey paused. "Go on ahead. I'm going to see if I can't catch a rabbit or something. You know where to meet me." He winked at her, and headed off the small trail they had been following. Miyako smiled softly, and her legs started moving again. A small roar caught her attention. Her ears flicked nervously, but she kept going, and noticed Layla ahead. And without warning, a bear had replaced where Layla was, and the she wolf was still. "Grey!" Miyako called, putting a shaky paw forward. What wolf fought a grizzly bear and won? She snarled, trying to get the animal's attention. It worked. The beast swung its head around, small black eyes glittering. Miyako's eyes flicked to behind the bear, and noticed a small cub, cowering. Fuck... It started to return it's attention to Layla, raising a huge paw. Miyako whined, and dashed forward, trying to put all her courage into a bark. The grizzly turned, rising on its hind legs. Miyako pushed off the ground with her back legs, leaping up and sinking her teeth into one of its front legs. She bit down hard, and felt claws rake her side, trying to pull her off. It worked the second time, and she hit the ground hard. Blood was flowing freely, and her breath had left her chest. She struggled to her paws, sucking in air with a whine. Miyako started to back up, wondering if she could lead it away from Layla. The bear was huge, but not slow. It surprised Miyako as it charged forward, slamming its paw into her rib cage and sending her into a tree. Instinctively, she tried to stand. Her ribs felt like they were on fire, and the metallic scent of her own blood was overwhelming. 

A snarl caught both her and the grizzly's attention. Grey shot forward, knocking into the bear with teeth bared and enough white hot fury to fill three wolves. His fangs dug into its shoulder, tearing away flesh. The bear roared, trying to claw him off like he had Miyako. Grey dodged, and moved around to the other side of the bear, latching onto it's throat and shaking his head viciously. 

This went on for a while, until both Grey and the bear were injured. With a roar, the bear knocked grey off of her and hurried off into the trees with her cub. 

Grey was panting. His shoulder was bleeding, and he was limping, but his injuries were forgotten the moment he looked over at Miyako. "No, no, no..." He moved to her side, relieved to see she was still breathing. "Miyako?" His voice was quiet, shaky, cracking. "Yes, love?" Slowly, she lifted her head, offering a weak smile. "You're not going to leave me are you?" He asked, laying so he could be level with her. "I can't promise anything, Grey. You know that." Pain welled in his stomach. Pain that couldn't be healed. "Just hold on a little longer?" Tears were slipping down from her eyes. "I want to Grey... I don't want to die. Don't let me die Grey..." She whined. He could sense the life leaving her. "I love you." He couldn't save her. Both of them knew that. "I love you too, Grey. Don't forget that." He moved closer, laying next to her as she slipped away. 

Pain greater than any wound was dwelling in his chest. His eyes faded, and Grey wished with all his broken heart that that grizzly would return and finish him off. He was shaking, his tail curled between his legs and ears laid back. Miyako was gone. Forever.   

[P r o m i s e r]

Layla returned to her conscious and looked up to see Miyako attacking the bear. Standing onto her paws, Layla roared a tree splitting roar. Sensing all of her strength, Layla bashed into the bear, her teeth driving into it's neck. The bear roared and swatted at Layla, but with a quick sidestep, Layla sank her teeth back into the bear's paw. Sliding under the bear's belly, she sliced it open, and watched the bear run off with her cub trailing behind. Layla panted, then turned around, her heart sinking as she saw Grey mourning for Miyako. Walking over with a slight limp, she sat beside Grey and did her best to comfort her. Looking down at Miyako's body, she licked her ear once before looking at Grey. "I'm so sorry Grey." Layla whispered, before turning her head and letting out a mournful howl. Her beautiful voice was heard into the howl. "I'll carry her back to camp. This is my fault anyway." Layla said, gently picking Miyako up by the scruff and setting Miyako on Layla's back. Padding forward, she felt a strong pain in her chest. Entering camp, she heard gasps of horror as Layla set Miyako's body down.

"Murderer!" Jackie accused, snarling at Layla. She snarled back, "I didn't kill her!" Layla took a deep breath and sighed. "She died with honor. After I had been struck down by a bear, Miyako did her best to help. But with the bear being much too large, Miyako had been killed. Both Grey and I drove the bear off, but Miyako's life did not remain." Layla explained to the pack, glaring at Jackie. "Liar! You said it yourself, you've killed wolves before!" Jackie snarled. Layla's glare turned into a death stare, her fur bristling. "I didn't kill her! She died, trying to save my own life while I was smashed up against a tree unconscious!" She snapped. "Because the bear was a mother with a young cub, we didn't kill her. But without a doubt the male bear will want revenge for the serious injuries." Layla added.

[Wolfy]

Grey snarled, bristling as they walked back to camp. He gently pulled Miyako away from the other wolves, standing over her protectively. "Shut up! Just shut the hell up, all of you." Grey growled, glaring at the wolves. He lowered his head, touching his nose to Miyako's shoulder with a soft whine. Tears were slipping down his muzzle, falling onto her blood stained fur. His legs were shaking, barely supporting him. 

Mason rushed out of the den, his eyes widened in shock at what he saw. "Back off! All of you!" He snarled at his pack, slowly walking towards his brother. "Grey..." Mason said softly, nudging his uninjured shoulder. Grey looked at his brother, and despite his size, he never looked more like a pup. "She didn't deserve this..." The smallest bit of anger started flaring in his chest, and suddenly, he spun around, snapping and snarling at Layla. "It should of been you! You should be the one lying here right now!" He started to stalk towards her, but Mason pushed him back, trying to calm the brute. Gen raced forward, helping her brother hold him back. "Get out of here Layla! I never want to see you again!" Grey roared, paws digging into the dirt as he strained against his siblings. "Go!" Mason demanded, not wanting Layla to get hurt. "It's not her fault, Grey." The Alpha told his brother, pushing back even harder. "It's all her fault! You should be laying there! Not her!" Grey started to sag, his eyes falling to the ground as the fight started to drain. "Not her."

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