and pulsed toward her. Asuka hearing a heartbeat turned and leaned her head back dodging a midair kick. As Shadow landed he slashed and punched at her with all his might. Asuka easily blocked and dodged every strike and slash aimed at her, moving back at the same time. Shadow pressed the attack going even faster than before. He struck so fast that Asuka tripped and started to fall back. Shadow took this chance mustered up all his strength in this last punch and struck Asuka in the stomach sending her sliding back. Asuka recovering from the strike went back to all fours. “Mother!” Shadow said running to her on all fours. “Are you okay?” Shadow said nuzzling his mother’s soft cream colored fur. “Gotcha!” Asuka said grabbing him and nibbling on his ear. “Ha ha stop, it tickles no!” Shadow said trying to get away. After the playful torture Shadow rested against his mother’s head. “Well done Shadow. Your father will be proud.” Asuka said before licking his cheek. “Now dad’s going to help me control and master my fire element right.” Shadow asked. “Yes he will teach you the way his father taught him to control it, as the way my mother taught me how to fight.” Asuka said. Shadow’s stomach growled. “Ha ha hungry?” Asuka said. “Starving I thought we would never get to hunt.” Shadow said as he and Asuka got up.  “You will need all your strength for tomorrow Shadow, so eat and rest well.” Takemaru said walking toward them his jet black and gray. “Yes sir, I will.” Shadow said sitting looking straight into his father’s golden eyes. “How did he do?” Takemaru asked before nuzzling Asuka. “Excellent.” Asuka said. “Good, good now remember Shadow use this power to protect those you care about, the more you care about them the stronger you will be.” Takemaru said before scratching Shadow’s ear. “Someone to protect huh?” Shadow said.

“Come on, I thought you were starving.” Asuka called to him. “I’m coming ma, I’m coming.” Shadow said running after her. Wish you could see him father, he looks a lot like you. Takemaru thought as he watched them leave.

(Flashback over)

“You were very close to them I see.” Snow said. “Shadow, you said that your older brother killed a friend of yours, what was his name?” Silver asked. “His name was Axel, very good a loyal friend of mine. We would get in all sorts of trouble together.” Shadow said chuckling at little. “Heads up guys I think were here.” Silver said. The four wolves stopped looking out into a forest. But it was different than any forest they had seen, the trees were leafless and the bark was sparkling. “Its beautiful.” Rose said in awe. “Yeah, I’m glad you like it.” A voice said. The group turned to see Nomak sitting far from them. “You again!?”  Snow said. “Yep see ya!” Nomak said slamming his paw on the ground creating a wall of earth sending them all into the forest below. After recovering from the surprise attack Shadow spotted Kadaj and Raiko waiting for him. “What’s up little bro.” Raiko taunted. Enraged Shadow pulsed toward him only to be blocked by Kadaj. “Come on, save some anger for me too.” Kadaj said before sending a blast of lightning toward him. Shadow got up on his hind legs before pulsing away from it. “Please don’t run it only makes it worse.” Kadaj said about to send another but stopped frozen. “Huh?” Shadow said confused, only to see Silver with a green aura around him. “Go on Shadow, I’ll take him.” Silver said holding Kadaj with psychic energy. “Thanks.” Shadow said before following Raiko who had left. “Hmm so you’re my opponent eh? This will be amusing.” Kadaj said curling into a ball before unleashing a wave of lightning.  Silver released him quickly and pulsed away from it. The instant he stopped moving Nomak popped out of the ground below him grabbing his legs. But before he could slam Silver into the ground Snow and Rose side kicked him. “Nomak is mine deal with Kadaj.” Snow said. “So we meet again wolf.” Nomak said with a smile on his face. “The names Snow and don’t forget it.” Snow said charging at him. Meanwhile Shadow was already fighting Raiko, doing better than last time. “Hmm so you have gotten at bit stronger since we left.” Raiko said. “Of course I did, to take you both down!” Shadow shouted sending a large fireball at Raiko. Raiko easily knocked the fireball aside and shot his own dark fireball at him. Shadow pulsed behind him when he did this. Raiko already saw this coming a grabbed him out of the pulse movement and slam him into the ground hard. “Try harder bro.” Raiko said seeing Shadow with the wind knocked out of him. “Wow is it actually going to end the same way as last time?” Raiko asked stepping on his throat with a burning paw. Shadow’s cry was choked out by the burning pain. “Well its been fun.” Raiko said raising his paw to finish him. At the same time he struck down Rose pulsed right where they where and sent a wave of petals at Raiko. “Ah, the traitor returns.” Raiko said dodging her attack.  “Save it, you used my own hatred and memories with that blood seal Raiko, its payback time.” Rose said about the send another wave of petals but Raiko stopped her with a spear kick to the face. Rose flew back hitting a tree in the process. “Well I suppose that’s enough fun for now.” Raiko said. “No, were not done yet Raiko!” Shadow said pulsing toward him. “Save your strength Shadow, the real party well begins shortly.” Raiko said disappearing. “Ugh, why does this keep happening?” Shadow said. Suddenly a loud cry of pain was heard. Instantly Rose and Shadow pulsed to it. When they got there they saw Snow on the ground bleeding and Silver with an earth spike through his chest. “Well time to go.” Kadaj said seeing Shadow as he and Nomak pulsed away. “Ohh…Shadow did you get him?” Snow asked recovering. “He got away.” Shadow said. “No…Silver!” Rose said seeing him. His golden eyes barely open and lifeless form non responsive as Rose shook him. Rose pulled the spike out of his chest and sliced her paw. “Don’t leave me.” Rose said tears in her eyes as she sprinkled her blood on his wound and in his mouth. “Come on, come on, Silver, Silver!” Rose cried as she lightly hit his face then harder and harder finally slamming her paw on his chest. “DAMN IT!” Rose cried tears running down her face. Shadow and Snow stood there in disbelief in what just happened. “I”LL KILL I SWEAR I”LL KILL HIM FOR TAKING MY MATE FROM ME!” Rose shouted petals swirled around her as she changed into her Lycan from. “Don’t worry I know where they went anyway.” Shadow said. “Where did they go?” Rose said calming down and changing back. Snow’s eyes widen as she looked into Shadow’s now golden eyes knowing what he was going to say. “Back home.” Shadow said. “Back to the place where this whole thing started huh.” Snow said. “Yeah it’s not to far from here.” Shadow said. “Rose, are you going to be okay?” Snow said. “I’ll be fine.” Rose said. The three wolves started walking away but Rose stopped hearing something. Rose. “Huh?” Rose said looking back at Silver’s body. Her necklace started to glow again but stopped. “Thank you Silver.” Rose said quietly.

Chapter VIII: Wolves Never Cry

 The three wolves started back toward Shadow’s home, already knowing what was in store for them. “Are you sure were ready for this?” Rose asked. “Yes, we are. It’s about time we face them and finish this.” Shadow said. “Yeah, Raiko used me to draw you out; I need to atone for that anyway.” Rose said.  “Nomak and I have a score to settle so once he is down I’ll help you with Raiko.” Snow said. “No I’ll finish this alone.” Shadow said. “But I know you’ll need help Raiko and Kadaj are too strong to take alone.” Snow said looking at Shadow. “Snow please I have to face them alone with any help from either of you, if I can’t beat my own brothers how can father pups Snow?” Shadow said. Pups? So he does want me as a mate. Snow thought blushing hard and looking away from him. “If I’m there I can make sure you come back alive.” Snow said. “Enough Snow your not going to change his mind.” Rose said. “So be it then, if you must fight him alone go, I’ll be here waiting for you.” Snow said with an unhappy look on her face. “Don’t worry I’m not going to die on you, I’m promise you that.” Shadow said looking into her eyes. As they walked a little father Shadow stopped at a hill. “So this is where it ends, at the beginning.” Shadow said. “Ugh, wha- what is this strange feeling like death itself is around me?” Rose said breathing heavy. “My brother’s combined power is what you are feeling.” Shadow said.  “Just their power is this strong? Its like the air got thinner.” Snow said breathing heavy also. “Why are you affected Shadow.” Rose asked. “I’ve been around this power all my life, I’m used to them combing it. Come on let’s stop this already.” Shadow answered. With that said the three went into Shadow’s clan. The instant they got there thought they were attacked by countless reapers. “Go on guy’s I’ll hold them off.” Rose said. “You sure?” Shadow asked. “Don’t worry they won’t get past me.” Rose said changing into her Lycan form and sent a large wave of petals at the group while charging at the same time.  As Rose dealt with the reapers Shadow and Snow met the clan’s elder who was in a cave with the rest of the pack. “Elder Agni.” Shadow said bowing with Snow in respect. “Ahh young Shadow you have returned at last.” Agni said. “Where are they?” Shadow asked. “You already know the answer to that question, the past is repeating itself but will it end the same too? I think not.” Agni answered. “So there huh?” Shadow said. “We’re going to that high cliff again aren’t we?” Snow said. “Yep it’s where father’s power was sealed off at.” Shadow said.  Instantly they pulsed to the bottom of it but when they did Nomak was waiting for them. “Nomak’s yours right?” Shadow said. Yeah go on