Red Wings of Battered Angels

[Ceuseri]

Ohtar gave a yell as his scruff was suddenly torn, shredded, being pulled and jerked and twisted. He daren't move for fear of bringing himself closer to those snapping teeth already practically tearing his scruff away, and Ohtar felt blood dribbling down his side. No, not dribbling, pouring. For as the scalp did, the scruff bled a lot.

He sank to a lying position and his vision darkened as he thought bitterly that this was it, this was the end. He was going to die, for Smoke's teeth were getting closer to the vital parts of his neck as he worked through the scruff, and bloodloss was weakening the wolf.

Suddenly, Faya found herself free and she shot the she-wolf a very quick look of thanks and launched herself forwards.

All she saw was Ohtar laying, bleeding horribly, and Smoke ripping at his neck. Faya own mangled scruff bristled and she felt angry that Smoke had risen to such extreme lengths. Faya was tough, but never would she hurt a wolf so badly.

All that was on her mind was that this had to stop, and it had to stop NOW!

Faya's paws left the ground and she almost flew through the air, crashing into Smoke, hard, biting down on his own scruff, but not so hard, the impact sending them both flying backwards and landing together onto the ground.

In an instant, Faya was on her feet and standing, snarling over Smoke, but her eyes were filled with love as tears fell from them, for she hated the fact that all this blood and pain was over her, and she felt somehow responsible.

"Smoke." She sobbed, shivering bitterly. "Smoke, please, just stop, don't fight any more." And she stepped back and lay down, reaching out for him with her head, nuzzling him, searching for comfort.

Why the tears fell so thick, she knew was because terrible images of the past were haunting her, flashing across her brain, the fights, the journey, the lot, stabbing her heart, making her feel weak and worthless all over again as she watched the death around her.

And these wolves had been killing eachother.

Ohtar rolled over and as he saw Faya crying 'pon Smoke's shoulder, his mind blanked and he slumped, passed out, on the ground, the leaves stained with his own blood.

[Magick]

The feeling of Faya's sharp teeth against his scruff made Smoke yelp, releasing his hold on Ohtar's neck and making both Faya and Smoke fly back, landing close together in a pile.

His eyes were 'pon his beloved as she rose, tears falling down her face, then slumped down beside him, nuzzling him in a comfort-seeking way. He sighed, softly, carefully moving so that his ripped stomach didn't come into contact with Faya and stain her beautiful fur.

He nuzzled her back- a silent promise that he wouldn't fight the male lying, unconscious now, upon the ground. He hadn't noticed that Ohtar was unconscious, but Azura had, and she rose quickly, padding over as silently as she could, nudging the male with the shredded scruff. She shot a simple look to Smoke and Faya, nodded to each silently, before nudging Ohtar again, then sighing and looking over once more at Smoke and Faya.

"We need to get him to the Healing Springs, and you too, male."

She nodded simply to Smoke as she said 'male'- his ripped stomach would need healing, but Ohtar was in much worse condition.

"We have to hurry."

She added quickly, gaze shifting back to Ohtar, ears flicking reflexively back against her skull; she wouldn't know what either Faya or Smoke said, now, as she wasn't watching them- she was watching, concern 'pon her face, Ohtar- he would die if they didn't hurry.

[Ceuseri]

Faya's eyes were closed but she opened them again, and despite Smoke's attempts to keep it from touching her, the first thing her gaze settled on were the rips in Smoke's stomach.

She gave a half cry, half growl and her eyes widened as she looked back into Smoke's face. Azura's words rang into her ears and she looked over to her, realising the fae was right. But they were faced with a slight problem. Now Ohtar's scruff was so damaged, it would be hard to drag him all the way to the Healing Springs at all.

Faya licked Smoke's nose lovingly and got up again, trotting to stand over Ohtar. She shot Smoke an extremely reproachful look.

"You do know that all this wasn't necesary(sp? O.O), don't you, Smoke." She said just slightly accusingly. "Whatever he said were just words. He followed me, sure, but that doesn't mean anything he said would make me love him." She looked at Azura, and was tempted to roll her eyes and mutter one word ... "Males"...in her favourite exasperated tone, but it was no time, and the fae was no looking at her anyway.

Faya took the chance to make Smoke aware of what Faya had figured out about Azura.

"Oh yes, she's deaf, nudge her so she can lip-read if you need to talk to her." She said the words quietly, despite the fact that Azura would never know they were spoken, for Faya thought it could be considered rude to talk behind a wolf's back and it made her uncomfortable.

Un-injured and healthy as she was, Faya guessed she could lift some of Ohtar's weight on her back, but he was large, and she was almost certain she would need Azura's help. She doubted Smoke could bring himself to do much, his stomach as it was.

She cleared her throat nervously and came forward, nudging Azura politely, trying not to startle the wolf.

"Excuse me, can you help?" Faya asked, hesitantly, for it felt strange speaking when she knew the words would not be heard.

Faya glanced at Smoke and back again, sitting down and tilting her head at the strangeness of it.

[Magick]

Smoke's ears flicked back at Faya's words, his expression as though he had been attacked. "It wasn't just the words about you, Faya. But- about my dad." He murmured softly, ears pulling back further, tail curling between his legs- he was embarrassed to have gone so far, but...bloodlust had just driven him to do that much- it wasn't like he'd had any control, either.

He nodded as Faya explained that Azura was deaf, wincing slightly as he lifted himself onto all four paws, moving steadily towards the females- and Ohtar. He couldn't assist in carrying Ohtar, due to his own injury, and he found it hard to believe he'd have helped the male anyway- Ohtar had struck a nerve deep inside of Smoke, and the large male was still reeling from the aftermath of Ohtar's words- about Faya, and about Haze.

Azura's gaze shifted quickly to Faya as the female nudged her, ears pricking up reflexively- although she had never been able to hear, she had also never lost the reflexive movements of her ears; flattening them, pricking them up, and such.

She nodded in reply to Faya's words, for she had kept her gaze upon Faya's mouth whilst she spoke, and had easily understood the words that Faya's lips had formed. She lowered her head towards the ground, shifting her muzzle under Ohtar's unconscious body, tail hitting Faya softly as a sign to start, already.

Smoke watched from his seated position, wincing with every breath now, but not too worried about whether he would survive- if he got to the springs in time, he'd be fine, and if he didn't...he would see his dad again. Although that would mean losing Faya Smoke...Smoke could easily just let go, if it gave him a chance to see Haze, just one more time. For, as dear to him as Faya was, Haze, who had reared Smoke since he was a pup, had taught Smoke the ways of the world, and who had died after speaking his son's name, would always come first, and that was just something Faya would have to accept- if Smoke ever told her of this thought buzzing around in his mind currently, like a swarm of wasps.

[Ceuseri]

Faya fell quiet and nodded, not knowing what comfort she could give to Smoke. She watched as he seemed to lose himself in thought, and her eyes saddened as she imagined all the memroies that could be going on in his head, wondering what he was thinking at all.

A flick of a tail brought her back to her senses, and she dipped her maw under Ohtar's body. If the two females could heave him onto their backs, they could walk side by side, sharing his weight.

She jerked her head up, trying to sort of slide him over her neck and onto her back, but his weight made her grind her teeth and lower her head again. She'd have to wait for Azura to give instruction. Faya was out of ideas.

She wished Traska was here. Traska would have been able to sort everything out with a flick of her ear, or so it had always seemed to Faya. But life had hardened the wolf, and she found herself almost longing to be anywhere but here, the awkward atmosphere making her uneasy.

Through the fierce love she felt for Smoke, she felt herself become annoyed at him. For all this time she had held the past at bay, yet the moment they return together, it seems to have returned to haunt her. Must be the connection they have.

She sighed and gave a little growl, her eyes darkening and her tail twitching. Of course she was not going to mention anything. It was always Faya's way to bottle up. Hence her stubbornly fiery temper. She looked down at Ohtar, who looked peaceful in his unwilling sleep, wondering why he loved her, how it had happened. Why /her/?

She gave another growl and turned to Azura, choosing to ignore Smoke for a while and hope her thoughts and doubts would go away. Typical Faya had not changed much.

[Magick]

Azura's head turned towards Faya as the female single-handedly tried to roll Ohtar into her back, and she shook her head sharply to Faya when the other female looked over at her, tail flicking in an agitated manner for a few moments, as she thought how best to carry Ohtar there.

"We need his help."

The four words spoken by the deaf female were uttered as her gaze shifted to Smoke- if the females lowered this heads and necks enough, next to Ohtar's body, and Smoke used his own muzzle to roll Ohtar onto their backs, they could easily sustain his weight between the two of them- and Smoke was, just about, in a good enough condition to help briefly, and still have enough energy and blood to get himself to the springs.

"Fine, whatever."

Snapping out of his withdrawn state of mind, Smoke sighed slightly, though he was pretty sure that Azura didn't know he'd even spoken; her gaze was upon the bleeding mass in front of them.

He shifted himself to a standing position again, for he had flopped down onto the ground whilst his mind had been overrun with memories, and he moved forwards silently, pausing on Ohtar's other side- though it was obvious he'd much rather not be helping Ohtar; that much was in his eyes, not hidden in the slightest.

Azura, looking up as paws filled the top of her vision, noticed the resentment in Smoke's eyes, and quickly realised that the resentment was directed to Ohtar, not to herself or Faya.

Gently nudging Faya with the side of her body which was closest to the other female, she arched her neck down again, muzzle as close to the ground as she could make it, body tensing up- just enough so that Ohtar's limp form would be able to roll onto her back, and also, enough so that his body didn't crush her- she wasn't exactly the strongest of wolves, but was most likely one of the slimmest- three disabled-senses wolves meant that hunting was far from easy.

[Ceuseri]

Faya blinked and bent her neck yet again, her tail lifting as she braced herself. Ohtar's wound wasn't all that bad, she realised as she got a close-up shot of it. It looked worse than it was. Shock, mainly, had knocked him out.

But shock was not strong enough to hold him oblivious to his pain for long, cruel as it was, and Faya watched his eyes flutter slightly, and they opened, wide for a moment, as Faya had moved her head close to his so she could stop him from falling asleep again if need be.

Looking at her, Ohtar felt the pain in his neck dwindle and his eyes gleamed. Faya saw, and she gave a growl.

"Smoke's going to roll you on our backs. Help if you can."

Her words were short and very sharp, needles flying from her tone and stabbing at Ohtar's eyes. His expression hardened as he realised he would have to keep on dreaming, Faya wasn't having any of it.

And Smoke certainly wasn't. He could smell resentment powering from the wolf, and Ohtar felt some of his own fire up, but he had to concentrate on staying awake and Faya resumed her position.

She was getting very worried.

Smoke's wound looked worse than Ohtar's by far, and Faya knew that Smoke should not strain a single muscle, or she didn't think so anyway. She forced herself not to look at him, or she'd find herself pushing him away, not allowing him to help at all, leaving the other wolf to die.

But Faya would never commit such a crime, for to her it was worse than murder.

"Be careful, Smoke." Faya growled softly, eyes lifting as far as they could so she could look at him but not lift her head. She suddenly thought of Azura and how suddenly the wolf had appeared and taken charge, and only then did Faya take her actions as "following orders".

Faya? Following /orders/?!? What was the world coming to!?

She wrinkled her nose and sighed, knowing that for once, she had to sit quiet and be obediant. It was against the biggest promise she had made herself, that she would make her own rules, do things the way she wanted, when she wanted.

Life, it seems, had other plans.

And time was cutting short. Both wolves needed to go to the ... healing springs? Where and what exactly were they?

Faya rolled her eyes at her own lack of knowledge.

Things were just changing far too fast for her liking...

[Magick]

Smoke's gaze jerked up to Faya's face as she spoke, and, with a jolt, he realised she was speaking to Ohtar. Muttering something indecipherable under his breath, he lowered his head to Ohtar's side, giving a powerful push, and rolling Ohtar's now-conscious form onto the backs of Azura and Faya.

Azura coughed as the heavy form was pushed half up onto her back, and she lifted her head quickly, making sure that Ohtar's form was, comfortably enough, settled on a spot on her back that meant he wouldn't simply roll off as soon as they started moving. She looked briefly to Faya, then Smoke, before speaking-

"Come on."

By the looks of things, Smoke could walk, just about though, for he'd strained a few muscles, and the sudden movement he'd had to do had pumped more blood out of his stomach. Sighing, Smoke nodded at Azura's words, quickly setting off in the direction of the Healing Springs- walking ahead of Azura and Faya, as he definitely needed to get there first.

[Ceuseri]

Faya felt a weight make her back sag slightly, and she also raised her head swiftly, to stop the injured wolf from sliding over her neck again. Her legs were under strain, they were screaming to bend beneath her, but she forced herself to grit her teeth and start to walk. Once she got going, she was sure she'd be fine.

But glancing at Smoke, she caught sight of the extra blood now gishing from his wound, and gave a cry, almost forgetting she had a burden 'pon her back and bounding forwards to her beloved. It was getting dark by now, the sun had sunk a great deal down the sky, leaving bloodred streaks over the bruise that was forming, the only signs of night.

The moon was already showing, and the evening star was pricking through also, looking round and curious as the strange looking party passed below, destined for the Healing Springs, and with time snapping at their furry heels.

As they went, Faya was sure she could hear the sound of water. Yes, there was no mistaking it, nor that sweetly bitter smell in the air. She saw a steaming surface, and an evening mist starting to cloak her ankles.

As they neared, Faya could see what was left of the sun shine on a perfectly still surface, though there was a minature waterfall trickling from a rock. The spring was quite large, but there was not a ripple, and Faya felt her fur stand on end. It was rather eery.

She wondered whether Smoke was to ly in the waters or drink from it, and she gave a whine. The sun vanished just then, and the spring became inky black, flecked with stars. It was like a piece of the sky had fallen and was nestled there among the grass and autumn gold.

Faya's back was aching by this time, and her breath was coming short. She looked to Azura, hoping she was okay, and Faya shifted herself so that she took a little more of Ohtar's weight, worrying for the stranger. Did she even know her name? If she did, she couldn't remember.

"Smoke, you first." Faya said, turning to look at the form of her love before her. She watched intently. The springs were still in the distance, but Faya's eyes had long since changed colour, glowing a yellowy sort of tone, as she altered her sight to fit the darkness.