(Note: normal text by Catwhohas14tails, bold text by Draco)
Scouting the territory was a daily routine for the wolves of Achak's pack. Some would volunteer to while the others stayed behind at the den, but usually the Achak or Kanook ordered a chosen couple of wolves to inspect the area. Today, everyone was feeling particularly lazy and didn't want to volunteer. All they wanted to do was sleep today because it was a hot, sunny day and they were hunting all day the day before. But Achak wouldn't wait for volunteers, so he selected Kiona and Dartanion to scout. Dartanion stood up and began trotting away with no complaint, while Kiona followed, throwing in a grumble.
Kiona found this Dartanion an odd one. Nice…but odd. He didn't talk too often. At first Kiona didn't really want to be close to anyone in the pack, but now it was inevitable, and yet, she still knew nothing about him except that he liked humans and knew Achak's father. Without even knowing, the two of them eventually slowed their pace to a walk, due to being tired and hot. Scouting was being unimaginably boring today. All of the animals were just laying about in the shade, and any strange wolf packs would've been wise to do the same.
The hybrid looked at the wolf, who seemed pretty bored himself. She decided to break the silence. "So..." He turned his attention towards her as they walked a fair distance from each other, but close enough to talk normally. "You like humans, huh? Why is that? Everyone else seems to not care for them or like them at all for that matter."
At the sound of her voice, the multi-colored wolf looked over, his maroon eyes soft and warm. He smiled a bit at her question. "Ah, true, not all share my views on humans." Turning his head to look forward again, he continued. "Well I was raised by them for the first half a year or so. I never knew my parents, for all I knew, I was born at that reserve where I was raised, along with other animals." The large wolf's eyes not glazed a bit at the memories. He hadn't thought on his past for a while. Remembering back then brought back mixed emotions for Dartanion.
So, he lived at a reserve huh? That must've been where injured wild animals were kept, Kiona figured, since she didn't exactly know what one was. "So uh...what was it like there?" she asked. "Were there other wolves there too?" Kiona kinda probed, wanting to know alot more than what she was asking, but didn't want to do be annoying at the same time. Deep down she was eager to know about life inside a reserve, not that she planned on going to one, but she had never really known of such a thing, since sled racing was what she grew up knowing.
How to explain this one..."Well, a reserve is where humans rescue either injured or abandoned young animals to raise them before releasing them again when they're old enough. I don't remember anything before being there, I was too young. I don't think I'll ever find out what happened to them, whether they were killed or abandoned me." But remembering her other question he went on. "There were other wolves, yes, some older, some younger than me. There are some animals that can never be released back into the wild that are there. The humans try to make living as comfortable as possible. Rather sad, but most of them like it or just accept it. Atleast they're still alive."
Kiona nodded. She was pleased to hear that there were humans who cared about animals, even if those humans were only in small numbers. But he still wasn't telling her much... She wondered why? Was he hiding something? What could there possibly be to hide? Nothing, Kiona figured, so why was he keeping conversation so short? This was how she was repaid for trying to befriend someone? Psh! She kept asking, now finding it a challenge. "So tell me about what you DO remember living there. Did you have any friends?" Kiona had never been so determined to get someone to lighten up. She almost surprised herself.
Dartanion now realized that he wasn't being very talkative, and smiled a bit sheepishly. "Ah, I'm sorry, I'm not being very helpful am I? I just got swept off by the memories." Thinking back to her questions he thought a moment before answering. "I did have friends, yes." at that his voice trailed off, and the wolf's eyes had lowered to stare at the ground just ahead of him. "Remember...? I remember it all really..."
~:~Flashback~:~
"Okay puppies, time for dinner! Come on!" Little yips and growls soon filled the room as said puppies clumsily made their way over to the French accented voice. They had come to associate the voice and legs with food. Soon enough a big plate of soft food, a mix of milk and a sort of meaty paste, was put down for them. They had just recently moved from just milk to a mixture. They were being weaned now, unknown to them. But not all of the pups got this new meal. Another pup off to the side, smaller and weaker looking yipped and whined, having a harder time getting to the food. "It's alright little one, I have something special for you..." with that the pup was picked up and his head held gently in a slightly aged hand. Soon enough, he was suckling on a bottle of warm milk.
~:~End Flashback~:~
Kiona added things up in her head and interrupted. "So...you were the runt?" she asked. She couldn't really relate. She was the second-last born. Her younger brother Gus was the runt, and she often picked on him. She didn't mention that in front of Dartanion though, just in case it might offend him.
Dartanion nodded. "I was. I was still to young to know it though, what it meant."
~:~Flashback~:~
The pup that was being held, who had been found out to the runt, suckled happily until the human drew the bottle back and rubbed his back until a quiet burp sounded. "You are too cute. I wonder what we'll name you, little one." the said pup didn't understand a word that was being spoken to him, but glanced up at the human with big maroon eyes. "You know, one of my favorite old stories was the one about the Three Musketeers. They had it rough too, just like you. Only they had to go against much different matters." Something sparkled in the older woman's eye. "That’s it...I think I'll name you after one of them. I'd always like D’Artagnan, the main character and leader. But we will simplify that for our friends to Dartanion." she smiled, stroking the pup's head, who was growing tired in her lap. "Who knows, maybe you'll grow up to be big and strong too."
~:~End Flashback~:~
So that's how he received his name. Kiona thought to herself. She heard of the story the Three Musketeers before. She thinks she remembers Thomas reading it once upon a time. It was a clever name. That woman must've been pretty bright. She smiled a little bit. "So what happened after that? Did you ever get to fit in?"
"In a way, yes. Being the runt made everything more difficult though. Once I was well enough for the same food as the others, I was always pushed aside, as they were bigger and stronger than me. I was eventually separated from them because I was becoming ill and weak from lack of food. Since at the time I was the only runt there, there weren’t any others that were my age where they put me. It was further back in the reserve, where they kept recovering or new arrivals that weren't very friendly. It was rather lonely. I recovered with the humans' care, but they kept me back there because they were afraid that if they re-introduced me to the other pups, they wouldn't accept me, or bully me again." The large wolf sighed, remembering how lonely it had been back there with no friends. "Then it all changed one day..."
~:~Flashback~:~
They were bringing in a new animal today; the enclosement across from him was being prepared. Dartanion wondered what animal, if it was a wolf, and/or if it was friendly. He didn't have any friends, so maybe this newcomer could be. When they finally brought in the animal, which was being carried in on a couple sheets, the pup couldn't tell what it was until the humans gently set it down in the enclosement and moved away. Still, the bars around their cages limited their viewing of each other (to reduce noise and anxiety). After a few long moments, Dartanion inched closer to the front of the enclosement. "Um...hello?" His young voice tentatively asked. There was some rustling at that from the newcomer’s cage.
The new wolf heard the voice of another wolf, a little younger than himself, speak. This had better not have been a permanent arrangement. He couldn't stand other wolves or any other animals for that matter. This one was just another wolf to dominate over. Nothing more. And he would let it be known. "So, it looks like you're stuck with me, huh? What, did you fight with them too often? Well, let me tell you, I'm the superior one here. I can beat you just fine without my left arm." he growled. Monologue was the main source of the wolf's entertainment whenever there was someone in the same room as him. If only those bars weren't there, he'd show this mutt who was boss. He wouldn't ever kill, where's the fun in killing? "What's your name, so that I know how to address you when you're beneath my fangs?"
"Fight?" At such angry words, Dartanion's slightly wagging tail stopped, and his ears went back some in fear. So much for hoping this newcomer was friendly. But atleast it was a wolf..."No, I didn't fight at all...! I-I'm Dartanion..." maybe hoping the anger would pass, he continued good-naturedly. "What's yours?" He was still, though more timidly, trying to get a look at the other to see what he looked like.
Well, this was unexpected. Usually whomever the wolf threatened would just not answer him at all or just tell them their name and never speak again. Was something wrong with this wolf? Or was it just not that bothered by his words? "I'm Aramis." he started saying in a tolerable tone of voice. Aramis then shook his head. "And don't you forget it!" Aramis pouted, facing the other side of his cage, not that it mattered; he couldn't see the other wolf anyway. "So what kind of sickness do you have? I won't pick on ill ones." He spat.
Ill? Yes, he had been ill for a while hadn't he...? "I'm not 'ill' anymore, but because I'm so small, I couldn't get any food. They say I'm a runt." What did it mean, being a runt? All he knew of it was that he was smaller and not as strong as the other pups at the reserve. "They took me away from them and brought me here...I get my own food now, but I'm lonely..." His ears drooped. This wolf would not want to be his friend, judging by his behavior and tone of voice. Sighing, Dartanion just laid down, with his head on his paws.
A runt, huh? Aramis never met a runt before. At least, not a live one. When he was born in the wild, his mother said that his younger sister died, and all of the other ones he knew about died too. But Dartanion said he wasn't ill. So why was he here? "Am I... the only sick one here?" Aramis thought out loud. Everyone else here seemed to be so healthy. He even heard all of them were going home soon... Wasn't he going home too? He didn't want to be here anymore. He had no reason to be here as far as Aramis was concerned. Just then Dartanion asked Aramis how he was sick, but his only reply was, "Nothing! Just leave me alone! You're probably gonna go away too! So there's no point in asking questions!" Aramis growled to himself, resting his own head on his arm.
Dartanion shrank back a bit again at the words from the other, said in such a tone. "I'm sorry, I was just asking..." No need to be so mean. Figuring this wolf really just wanted nothing to do with him, much to the pup's sadness once more, he shrank back to the shadows of his enclosement and curled up. Would he ever make friends? If he remained back here, probably not. Why did this have to happen to him? He hadn't asked to be a runt..! Tears welled up in the young wolf's eyes. Shutting them, they rolled down his cheeks to moisten the floor below him.
The next day, Aramis was actually feeling guilty about being mean to Dartanion, who he hadn't even seen before. Why the sudden change of heart? No body treated him nicely before, so why should he be nice to anyone? But Dartanion didn't say anything... he figured it'd be best to apologize. "Um...Dartanion? Um...I'm...er...sorry...about yesterday." There wasn't an answer, so Aramis figured he wasn't even in the cage next to him anymore. He sighed and lay down. Great. The one chance he decides to be nice to someone and they're gone.
The pup hadn't left, as the other thought, but was just asleep still, having had a fitful rest due to his loneliness. At the voice, Dartanion had stirred, ears perking a bit. It sounded like that wolf Aramis that was across from him? Why was the wolf talking to him, and so...nicely? Yesterday the other wanted nothing to do with him basically. Not getting up, the pup wondered if he should reply? This might be his only chance at getting on Aramis' good side. "I'm sorry for bothering you...I just..." he stopped a moment as his voice broke. "I just wanted a friend. Nobody likes me back here..." Did he dare hope now?
Aramis could definitely relate, that's for sure. He was always kept back here because he never got along with the other wolves. He smelled different than the other wolves because unlike them, he was brought in from the wild and had to stay there because something was wrong with him. "Yeah, I know whatcha mean..." Aramis replied, kinder, scratching his ear in a clumsy way.
Dartanion blinked. Aramis knew? Understood? This would be a first. He had thought he was basically alone. Tentatively, the younger wolf got up, inching towards the front on the enclosement. "Really?" He didn't want to be nosy, but couldn't help but want to know how this wolf was like him, reaching out for someone who could understand him. He waited somewhat impatiently, but managed to keep quiet, hoping the other would tell him.
Aramis gave a thin smile. It felt good. He couldn't remember the last time he smiled. "Yeah, I--" Suddenly there was a sharp pain in the young wolf's head, and he cried out, throwing himself to the ground. An instant later, Aramis' eyes rolled to the back of his head and his body began to shake violently. He managed to slip out a soft, pitiful whine, but it seemed like forever until the humans came. They were exclaiming something to each other that Aramis could not make out, and they took his shaking form away and out of the back room, leaving poor Dartanion by himself.
Saying that what had just occurred scared Dartanion would be an understatement. He had gone completely wide-eyed at the sight of the other wolf falling over and shaking uncontrollably. He didn't know what to do, to think. The pup wanted to call for help, but the humans came in then and began to pull Aramis out. Panic rose in the younger wolf's heart. They were taking him away! The one that might have been his only chance at a friend?! "Aramis?!" He ran up to the front, trying to see what was happening, and where his friend was being taken. "Aramis!!" And he was alone again.
By the time Aramis woke up again, he was back in his cage with a slight headache. Compared to the one he last had, this one was nothing. The humans had taken care of him again, and each time he wished they didn't. He hated what happened to him. All of that shaking...It made him hurt. He closed his eyes, wanting to cry, but then when he heard a voice, the tears fell. The voice was concerned for him. The voice was Dartanion's, asking if he was alright. Aramis sat up as well as he could, a bit light headed. He didn't know how long he had been asleep, but as soon as he gathered himself some, he answered. "I'm okay now..." He groaned.
Dartanion had cried long after Aramis had been taken out, huddling back into a dark corner. He didn't stop until the other was brought back, much to the young one's surprise. Aramis was alive?! He had thought he worst when the wolf was taken out, not scrambling to the front of the cage to try and catch a glimpse at what was happening. Now at hearing the other speak that he was alright, it calmed him some but was still shaken by the experience, and sniffed back more tears. "I was scared...I thought you were gonna die...and I would be alone again..."
"You were scared for me?" Aramis asked, softly. "No one's ever been scared for me...except my mom...But she's gone." he said, poking his nose through one of the bars on the cages. A question instantly struck Aramis' thoughts. It was weird that he'd ask such a question to himself. He just met Dartanion yesterday and he didn't like him...but now..."Dartanion? When I was little, I had a little brother who died when he was born... do you think we could be brothers instead?" It sounded less silly when said aloud. They were both lonely and out of place and isolated. There must've been a reason they were brought together. Maybe being brothers was it.
"Brothers?" The thought seemed unimaginable to Dartanion at the time. He had never had family, and never knew them. "Really? I've never had anything like that...!" what if he was a bad brother and Aramis got mad again? Sticking his own nose and a paw through the cage bars, he tried to get a look at the other. But he sounded pleased, his tail wagging slightly in hope. The pup wished he could see the other better. "So what do brothers do?"
Aramis hasn't really thought about that. Said question actually made him feel pretty stupid for even suggesting it. He exclaimed without thinking, "I-I don't know! What brothers do I guess!" He looked away out of embarrassment.
The pup thought about it. Well brothers meant family right? "I wish we could see each other." He whined a bit, moving across the bars though it didn't help. Finally he plopped back down to sit. "Um...so..." awkward silence. "What happened to your leg?" He hoped it wasn't a bad question, but Dartanion couldn't help but be curious, being young.
Aramis looked at the lump that once had a leg attached to it. It still had stitches in it, which felt strange and scratchy whenever he put his nose on them. He looked at the empty space mournfully. "Some strange wolf bit my leg a long time ago when I got separated from my mom... and the wound wouldn't heal... It just kept hurting, and my skin was changing colors. It was then the humans found me... They cut off my leg. Once I was feeling better, they wouldn't let me go. So I had to stay here." Aramis sounded really sad about his leg. Sometimes he could still feel like it was still a part of him, but every time he'd look, it wasn't there. He managed just fine without it, but it was still hard sometimes.
Dartanion's ears drooped, picking up the sadness in the other's voice. "Oh. Did it hurt? When they took away your leg? Does it still hurt?" He couldn't imagine how Aramis felt about it, or what it was like to have three legs. The younger wolf was still too young. When Aramis didn't answer for a while, the pup whined, hoping the other wasn't angry with him again.
Aramis had to think for a while. He didn't remember much of it anymore, so he said so, "I just woke up and my leg was gone... one of the other wolves told me the humans took it. Sometimes it still hurts, but not really." The two young wolves heard the door's squeaky hinges swing open. A middle-aged male human entered and smiled at Dartanion and said, "Ready for some fresh air before the others go loose?" he asked the tri-colored wolf. The man didn't wait for a response; he just attached a leash and collar to him and walked him outside. Aramis couldn't see what was going on, but he heard the human say, "I'll be back for you, Aramis."
The remaining wolf frantically walked around his cage. He wanted out so badly. He didn't get a chance to when he had a seizure and he already couldn't stand the smell of this place. Like the human said, he returned with another leash and collar and took Aramis outside. The wolf would've pulled the human's arm out of socket if the floors weren't so slippery to his claws. At times Aramis would forget he didn't have a second arm and would fall and hit his furry chin on the ground. It would hurt for a moment, but he always shook it off. When the human and the wolf were both outside within a high-fenced area, Aramis was let loose and he ran as fast as he could to stretch his legs.
The only time he stopped was when he saw Dartanion for the first time on the other side of the fence in a different area. His newfound brother was colored white and grey and light brown with a few dark markings, especially two distinct ones on his muzzle, which made him look kind of silly with such a young, round face. Aramis cautiously approached the side of the fence to meet the younger wolf.
It wasn't that hard to spot Aramis when he came out, him being the only three-legged wolf outside. When Dartanion spotted him, his tail wagged and he ran up to that side of the fence as fast as his short puppy legs would carry him. Aramis was bigger than him, that he knew would be. The three-legged wolf was marked with shades of grey, with a white plastic collar around his neck. Having only three legs didn't seem to bother his 'brother' as he ran around for a bit before spotting him and starting over. Seeing that his friend was coming, the younger wolf's face lit up, and his tail wagged even more, to he extent that his whole back end was going side to side with it. "Aramis!"
The canine tripod was still a little precautious. How was he going to like his new brother up close when before he was merely a voice? When Aramis was close enough, he stuck his nose through the fence to sniff Dartanion curiously. He still seemed nice up close. Seeing Dartanion so playful on the other side made him wish he could play with him, but he was separated and always would be. But he didn't let that bother him right now. Deep down he was just thrilled to see someone he liked; someone who cared about him. He gave his tail a slight wag, which didn't seem as impressive compared to Dartanion's. Aramis took note of the humans standing outside keeping watch. They were discussing his behavior and how odd it was. The older wolf just paid them no mind and went back to his new brother. "Hi," he said, showing a tiny smile.
Dartanion smiled back happily, jumping up to put his front paws on the fence while standing on his back legs. "Hi! I finally get to see you! You're alot bigger than me!" He was just so thrilled to be with another animal again. He threw his head back, letting out a broken mix of a yip and first howl. Seeing Aramis look slightly confused and stick his nose through a fence hole, the younger wolf reached up and licked it, laughing a bit when the other drew back.
The two played for what seemed like hours. After Aramis began to lighten up, he and Dartanion were chasing each other up and down the fence. Aramis could only run as fast as Dartanion. At times, Aramis would try jumping over the fence, and even though it was clearly too tall for him or any wolf to jump over, the keeper would yell out, sounding as if he was afraid Aramis was going to magically make it over the fence and attack Dar. Aramis would ignore him and continue to play until it was time for the other, more social wolves to have their time together.
He hadn't wanted to go back inside when it was time. Dartanion wanted to stay, and play some more. The humans though just grabbed him and made him come inside, as well as Aramis. The pup whined the whole way, and tried to escape once he was put inside his large cage, darting in-between the humans' legs to run across the walkway to where Aramis was, pawing at the bars. Dartanion as soon caught though, and put back. This time he couldn't escape, and the cage door closed him in again.
Aramis and Dartanion spent every day like that together; playing when they went outside was their favorite past time, even though they couldn't physically play with each other through the fence, they still took every moment to enjoy the other's company. Pretty much, the only time they didn't talk was during meals or when Aramis had one of his seizures (which he thankfully was having less of) but every time he was taken away, Dar would pray that his brother would return. He always would.
But when Dar was about a year and a half old, and Aramis was about two and a half years old, a new young man was working at the reserve. Dartanion and Aramis chuckled at the man's confusion when he came in to let the two of them out for their outdoor time. The man took out Dartanion and put him in his fenced area. But when the time came for the same man to let Aramis out, something else was very different. They were going a different way. Aramis was a little scared because he was never taken this way before. He didn't see any other men around, except for one who was distracted looking the other animals over. Aramis looked forward and saw an outside pen he'd never seen at this angle before. When he was set loose outside, it was when he realized he had accidentally been placed in the same fenced area as Dartanion. Deep down, he was unimaginably enthused.
Dartanion, who had been put out previous to Aramis, when the door to his pen opened, looked over. Why was his door opening again? His ears perked forward, and his maroon eyes suddenly widened seeing who then stepped out from inside. It was...Aramis? And the human hadn't even realized, and stepped back in, locking the door. Grinning, the tri-colored wolf was soon charging over. They had always wanted to get the chance to rough-house now that Dartanion was older and big enough.
Aramis grinned. He hadn't scuffled with anyone before. Or at least he couldn't remember the last time he had. He ran forward for about a body's length until Dartanion collided with him playfully. Dar managed to knock Aramis off his feet and onto the ground and started biting his belly in a game-like way. The older wolf pushed the younger one off him with his hind legs and stood up again. He stood on two feet and pounced on him, which was a bit difficult since now they were about the same size. Both of the wolves tails were wagging back and fourth vigorously as they chased, caught, re-chased, and play-fought.
Dartanion managed to lick Aramis' ear, which tickled something fierce, and from that moment on, it was the tri-colored wolf who was doing the chasing. The grey wolf would only face his pursuer to coltishly bite his neck or chest, but he wouldn't dare touch Dar's legs.
At first, the humans were shocked to see the two wolves, that usually were separated, together, and feared what would happen. Thankfully the opposite was true, so they relaxed, but had someone nearby to watch them, just incase.
Uncaring really of the watchful eyes on them, the two best friends, proclaimed 'brothers', continued to run around the fenced in area, yipping and growling at each other, playfully of course. They would never hurt each other intentionally. Dartanion was sure to be careful, since the older wolf had a handicap, though Aramis didn't let it slow him down much. Eventually all the hard play tired them out, and the two paused to catch their breath. The tri-colored wolf reached over and nudged the other, chuckling, laughing harder when the other lost his balanced and toppled over.
When Dar made Aramis topple over, the second wolf laughed, but didn't feel like getting up, so he stretched himself out as if he was going to fall asleep. Dartanion then glomped the resting wolf, only resting his upper body on him to rub his head against his playmate's. Aramis felt a pain in his head again, but it wasn't Dar's fault. "Ah! Stop, stop, stop...!" The younger wolf didn't ask questions and did as he was told and then some. He got off Aramis and looked at him, worry displayed on his less-round face. Aramis thought he was going to have a seizure. He thought he was going to lose control over his body, but as soon as a human went to aid him, he felt the pain go away, and he was alright. It was then when the human watcher decided that was enough playtime for them, and planned to have them in the same pen together for as long as they lived there.
Dartanion had been greatly worried, as his brother seemed to be in pain, afraid for him. Was he going to have a seizure? Thankfully, the pain faded soon enough as a human started over, much to the younger's relief. The tri-colored wolf gently nudged the other under the chin, offering support. When the human watching them figured it was time to go in, Dartanion for once agreed. Perhaps Aramis had pushed himself a bit far today. As the three-legged wolf got back up and led inside, the second wolf waited by the door to be let it next, soon enough he was sitting back in his own cage. Still worried for the other, he spoke up. "You alright? How's your head?"
The grey wolf groaned, scratching his head against the wall of the cage. "Yeah...my head just hurts every now and again..." he took a sip of water. They were quiet for the most part, but then Aramis decided to make small talk. "So...Dar...You've never been in a pack before, have ya?"
Shaking his head, then realizing the other couldn't see it, spoke up again. "No, never. This reserve is all I know since I could open my eyes. Have you? You came from the wild after all. Do you remember it at all, what it was like?" He had always been curious about the wild, beyond the reserve.
Aramis closed his eyes and smiled. Aside from the strange wolf being the cause of having one less leg, he loved living in the wild. "Yes, I remember it all. I didn't live for very long as a wild wolf, but I know alot about it." Aramis told the story as he thought about it. His father was Jerome and his mother was Wit, the alphas of a small five-member pack. When he was born, his runt brother died and he was the only one left, so he was to be the future alpha male. The entire pack treated each other with respect, as a family, always looking out for each other, no one ever giving Jerome trouble. Throughout Aramis' puppy hood (though at the time, he was known as Shin) more wolves gained entry to the pack. But "Shin's" favorite past time was when he would watch the pack hunt from afar with his mother. Aramis went into some detail when he came to hunting, but he realized he was rambling and paused.
"But all of that changed when my mom left me by myself in the cave...She felt something was wrong and she went to check things out...one of the new pack members pulled me out by my leg and broke it, so it was only hanging on by some flesh... They chased me, and I got away by falling into the river... And you know the rest."
Dartanion sighed at hearing the story, lying down and laying his head on his crossed paws. "Sounds like it was nice, living with your family and friends. I wish I could find out what it would be like. No cages, but freedom to do whatever I wanted." the wolf couldn't even imagine what it was like, shaking his head. "Was it strange given a different name when you came here? From being called Shin by your pack?" Since the younger wolf had been born and raised at the reserve, he only had one name, that one of the older French women gave him.
Aramis shook his head, but suddenly wondered why because Dartanion couldn't see him. "No," he said. "Everything was pretty strange to me, my name was the least of my problems. Then after a while I got used to it." There was more silence. Aramis felt kind of bad for Dartanion; he had never seen the real outdoor world. Aramis missed it from time to time, but he knew he'd never be able to leave. Then he remembered that throughout his life here, he had seen wolves come and be released into the wild. "You know...it's not too late for you. I think you'll be able to see the wild. I think you'd really like it." Aramis kind of hoped that Dartanion wouldn't leave though...at the same time, he knew he would have a better life out there, rather than in here. Just the same, those thoughts made Aramis miss Dartanion, and he moved closer to his side of the cage, even though they still weren't able to see each other.
Not quite understanding, Dartanion blinked. "What do you mean, it 'not being too late'?" Did Aramis know something he didn't? The wolf knew that wolves and other animals often came through the reserve and were let go, but they mostly came from the wild with injuries or sickness, to be released again when they were better. With him, he was raised here, and didn't know anything about the wild, how to act, or take care of himself. The younger wolf didn't know about packs, how they worked, or anything about them, save for what his brother told him. "I'm not wild..."
"Well...you're still young...you're old enough to take care of yourself. All by yourself." Aramis tried to sound convincing. It was hard to explain that even young wolves that stayed here a while could leave, especially if they interacted with other wolves. He was trying to sound positive too. He thought it was cruel to let a wild animal like themselves live there until they grew too old to function. It wouldn't be a problem for Dartanion; Aramis could tell just by how they played and comparing it to his wild life that he'd be fine in the wild. Aramis didn’t want the focus on the conversation to lead towards his...health, but he was afraid that it was going to head that way anyway.
"That's just it...All my life, up to where I met you of course, I've been alone." He looked to the ground at his paws, swallowing. "And you say I could take care of myself, by myself...but I don't want to be just myself. That, and...I've grown up here, gotten used to it." His voice softened now, a soft smile playing at his muzzle. "And found a brother. Though I tire of the same thing every day here, I don't want to go, knowing that you can't follow. You're the only real family I have. I’m...actually frightened to be on my own, alone. I don't ever want to go through that again. I'd die..." The wolf held back the lump growing in his throat as he poured out his inner most fears and thoughts, but his eyes still misted over.
Aramis sighed sadly. He didn't mean to make him feel bad, he just wanted to make him feel that he didn't have to be here the whole time and that it was possible for him to go out in the wild. He should've known that Dartanion wouldn't want to leave him behind here... "You won't die," he said. "You're going to find a pack to be a part of. And they're going to be just as much of a family to you as you are to me." Aramis knew that Dar would be released. It was just a matter of how long they had to be together until that happened.
"I wouldn't know the first thing about being in a pack. Or even if I was released, knowing I was raised by humans, they would let me even join." He sighed, finally lifting his head. There was also the fact that the younger wolf didn't want to leave his friend and brother here alone. Aramis had no one else either, and if Dartanion were to leave...he'd feel horrible leaving him here for the rest of his life. Maybe there was a way to have Aramis come with him? The tri-colored wolf would stay with him, protect him if necessary.
Aramis put the subject to rest before falling asleep. He wasn't going to argue with Dartanion because he knew he himself was right. Every wolf had a wild side that helps them survive no matter what. At least, in the wild it helped. Anywhere else, he learned it pretty much caused problems... He slumbered frowning.
For the next few days, the two brothers didn't rough-house as much as they did. Most of the time when they spent their outside time together, they'd just lay on each other and rest, just enjoying their company, their family. Both of them were as happy as could be, as long as they could see each other.
Aramis was dreaming... He dreamed that he and Dartanion were running together in a territory much more beautiful than his old one. It was like a wolf Paradise. The grass was green and the only snow around was in the mountains, guarding the two of them from any outside danger. There was a beautiful dark blue lake, with a herd of elk happily drinking from it. Dartanion kept running, while Aramis slowed to a halt. But as soon as Dartanion was out of sight, he went blind. For some reason in his dream, he was blind, and yet seeing terrible, gruesome, needle-like monsters...no...He felt them touching him...hurting him, especially in the back of his head. His legs were numb and couldn't move.
When it was about to rain outside, the grey wolf awoke from his nightmare to an ungodly amount of pain in the back of his head. He woke up after having stressful dreams and just thinking about them again only made his head feel worse. It was when he started falling back asleep, did his body begin to shake more violently than before.
Dartanion had been dozing off contently, his head lying across Aramis' back as they lay together in the sun outside. When the older wolf jolted awake, the younger blinked, shifting a bit. He was about to ask what was wrong when under him, the body began to shake, subtle at first, then got worse. Jerking up, the tri-colored wolf looked down to his brother to see a sight he hated seeing every time it happened. The grey shaded wolf was twitching and shaking, this time more violent than he had ever seen before! "Aramis!" Looking around, Dartanion tried to signal the nearby humans with barks and urgent howls.
Aramis could feel himself being picked up by the humans, who were raising their voices with concern and demand. He didn't get a chance to see Dartanion one last time, and Aramis was afraid that this would be the last time he'd ever see his brother again. The shaking wolf knew deep down that Dar was going to be released into the wild and be happy there. He was going to be stronger and live long enough for the two of them. He just knew it. When Aramis was brought onto the vet's table, he relaxed his eyelids, waiting for death to take him while his seizures remained over some control.
Moments later, the poor wolf felt coldness all around himself. He felt his body again, and the pain in his head was gone... But he could not move. He rested there, relaxing more when he smelled the familiar scent of Dartanion, as if he was nearby. Aramis slowly opened his eyes to see his brother lying right before his very eyes... It was then he realized he was not dead and inside his cage, but he still felt less alive than ever.
He managed to groan out, "Dar...how are...you in here...?" Aramis could feel himself slipping. Deep down he was afraid to die, and letting tears fall showed this, but he wanted to stay strong for Dartanion. He didn't want to leave him at all, even though he knew it was going to happen. He just didn't want Dartanion to see him like this, in this poor, weakening state.
The fear that had washed over Dartanion at seeing his best friend and brother get carried away from him once again seemed to be worse this time. It was like in the back of his mind, the wolf knew something was going to change. Right then he just wanted to be with the other, and started pacing the pen door, barking and howling. After what seemed like forever, he was allowed in, and put inside his own cage, where the tri-colored wolf set to pacing around, making himself sick with worry. After another time, the doors opened and his brother was carried to his cage, much to the younger wolf's relief. But something just didn't seem right this time...The humans were talking in hushed voices, and Dartanion was surprised to see his door being opened. Looking out, he saw that Aramis' cage was open as well, and immediately the wolf ran inside to the other. The gray wolf didn't move, but seemed to sense him, and opened his eyes with a groan, further worrying him.
"Yes, I'm here. The humans let me in..." The sinking feeling in his stomach got worse as he saw the tears trail down his brother's face. Dartanion laid down right against him, lowering his head to the other. "You're alright now...right?"
The older wolf stayed silent, but was still awake. His eyes looked away from the younger one because that was the only thing he could really move right now. He didn't want to give Dar the truth; no matter how much they'd both know about it already. Looking at his face now would be even sadder than the first time he upset him. When Aramis spoke again, his voice cracked. “I just...want you to know that...I'd glad...we met...and that...we're brothers...okay?" The two of them could talk for a while, but Aramis refused to die until that Dartanion said he was going to be alright without him. He knew he would be…he just wanted to hear it, just to be assured.
What was Aramis saying? Why was he saying these things? In his heart, though he was not about to admit or accept it, he knew. The wolf's ears went back sadly, and he laid his head down across the other's body, blinking back the moisture that was forming. "Me too. I don't know if I'd have survived alone without you..." The younger wolf was sure he wouldn't have, at his age, with no one to be with. Aramis was truly a savior in his life. And now that same presence was being taken from him? He shut his eyes tight, pressing his face into the gray wolf's fur. Why didn't Aramis get up now? The seizure was over, and he was alright now...No, the younger knew Aramis wasn't alright. Was he ready? Ready to go on without his brother? He had survived because of his three-legged companion. Could it continue without him...?
Aramis could tell that Dartanion was more scared than he was. He felt terrible that he had to leave so soon. He was worse at finding words of comfort, he always was... but then he remembered what his mother told him. That the spirits of those who passed on still stayed with those that didn't, whenever they felt lonely or sad or lost. "I wouldn't have lived...this long...without you either... But even when I'm gone... I'll be with you...in spirit..." Time was drawing near, and the grey wolf couldn't feel himself getting any better. He finally had to ask after a moment of silence: "You're...gonna be alright...alright?" The tri-colored wolf sniffed, and forced himself to nod, even if he wanted to deny everything happening right now. Aramis took one last look at Dartanion, before closing his eyes for the last time. Two drops of tears managed to escape and fall down Aramis' face.
He felt it when it happened. Aramis' chest stopped moving, and his body relaxed...Dartanion couldn't hold back the grief filled sob that escaped him. His brother was gone. The other was never going to open his eyes again, or draw another breath. The two of them would never scuffle outside, or relax together, even just chat comfortably from across their cages. Tears rolled down the wolf's face as he cried over the still body of his best friend. And even when he was scared, Aramis had wanted to comfort and reassure him that everything would be all right. That he would be all right without him. Dartanion wasn't sure what to think about the future. For now, he just stayed where he was with his friend, grieving and letting out the pain. Only time would tell if his spirit would survive without the guiding presence of Aramis.
Once it had been declared by the humans that Aramis was dead, they gave Dartanion a few minutes before they took the grey wolf's body away. Once Aramis' body was gone, Dartanion stayed in his cage, letting the tears fall, gasping for tiny breaths of air. When a man came in to lead Dar back into his own cage, he was still crying, but not as much. The man pet Dartanion on the head in a comforting way, but then left him alone for the rest of the evening.
The wolf's only company now was his thoughts and memories. He thought about when he and Aramis first saw each other outside, how happy they were that day... and the day they touched and played for the first time was even better than that. He missed Aramis so much right now, and continued the same all the way into his dreams. There he continued to see his friend, and like Aramis' dream, they ran through the forest together, laughing and playing like they always had. Dar had very few nightmares because his dreams would mostly consist of Aramis and that's where he was happiest...when he was dreaming. When he was awake, he grew depressed, because Aramis was not there and would never be there again.
For a good while after Aramis passed on, Dartanion was depressed. He barely ate, or moved around much at all. When he was out in the pen outside, he just stayed by the door and lay down. When he was inside he stayed in the back of his cage, in the shadowed corner. The wolf just moped around not knowing what to do with himself anymore. There was no one to talk to, to keep him company...not anymore.
One day though, Dartanion looked up from his place in his cage when the door opened. The humans were standing there looking at him. One of them had a leash. What were they going to do? Was he going somewhere? One of them, a female, came in and kneeled down by the tri-colored wolf, reaching out to stroke his head.
"You ready to go out and live a new life as a real wolf? Huh Dar?" she smiled, looping the thick leather leash around his neck before standing. The wolf stood slowly, and followed the woman out to the front of the reserve. There was a truck waiting just outside, it's back doors open to reveal a large crate. The woman holding his leash brought him over an had him jump in. "It's a long trip, but you'll be alright." Another human came up, wearing a long white coat, this time a man.
"Alright Dar, here we go. Don't worry, you'll be sleeping most of the way there..." The young wolf looked at the thing the man was holding. He was used to having shots, so just stayed where he was as he was injected with a sedative. Within a few minutes he was sleeping, and they were on their way.
Dartanion woke up and before he knew it, he realized he was outside, in the wild, without the humans, and without any way to get back. He was still a bit drowsy, but he lifted himself up and trudged forward, at least to try and find some water. He was still sad about Aramis, though he knew that being sad forever would do him no good now. Without even trying, but for most of the day, Dartanion made it to a large, yet shallow river and took a long, quiet drink there. He opened his eyes as he was drinking, and saw shadows on the surface of the water across the stream. He paused and raised his head warily. It was a wolf pack.
Surprised, the tri-colored wolf startled a bit at their presence, ears going erect, his maroon eyes widening. Swallowing nervously, he didn't know what to do accept stare. The pack leader, a huge black wolf with bright golden eyes, moved forward towards him, looking curious. Inwardly, Dartanion was just as curious, but not knowing what to do, not wanting to mess up, stayed still. The other wolf stared back at him another moment, before smiling softly.
"No need to be afraid, sorry for startling you. Are you alone? Where is your pack?" At that, the maroon-eyed wolf's ears drooped slightly, and he sighed.
"I don't belong to any pack." glancing a moment at the other wolves behind the black alpha, he saw they looked curious as well. Not angry, not threatening. Friendly actually. It surprised him more. "I'm sorry if I'm in your territory, I'm not...from here." But the large wolf before him didn't look angry either, his smile remaining.
As Cheveyo continued to smile at the stranger wolf, he realized that he seemed to take a liking to him. He looked at his silver, blue-eyed mate, Olathe, and winked, then looking back at the stranger. He seemed like a nice wolf, and he shouldn't be wandering around by himself. Also, he didn't smell dangerous, even though the scent of humans was on him. They must've left him here…
"Well, would you like to be a part of one?" said the black wolf. Dartanion's eyes widened. Would they truly accept him as one of their own? As a family member? Like how Aramis accepted him? The idea seemed to be too good to be true! The alpha’s smile grew at Dartanion’s reaction. You are welcome to join ours if you wish.”
“A family…Yes…”
~:~End Flashback~:~
"And I've been with them ever since." Dartanion took a moment of silence to remember how thrilled he was that he was part of a new family.
Kiona was staring at him silently the entire time. She nearly broke into tears while listening to Dar's tale...how sad he must've felt when Aramis died. But she was happy for him now, especially since she got to know him better. "Dar's a pretty cool guy," she thought to herself, inwardly smiling at the nickname she used for him. She softly smiled at him when he looked at her when he finished his own thoughts.
Dartanion had noted the female's teary looks every once and a while in his story, but said nothing on it, not wanting to embarrass her.
"And that's it really. I learned, faster than I imagined, how to work with and in a pack. You know how that's like right? You have adapted well to this lifestyle." Their conversation didn't get to continue, for it was then a howl broke the air as the two neared the caves. When they entered the area, they were greeted warmly by the pack briefly. The tri-colored wolf went off to find Achak to report, then they both returned, seeking out Kiona again. The silver streaked alpha smiled at the female in greeting.
The hybrid returned the smile and watched as everyone greeted their alpha and vice versa, very much in the way Dar described his and Aramis' playtime. They were all wagging their tails at him, lolling their tongues, yipping, barking, play biting, etc. and some even began to play with each other instead of just Achak, who also surprisingly joined in some of the games. Kiona couldn't help but smile, and joined in some of the play herself, mostly playing with Ayashi and Takoda, but sending happy glances towards Dar, who sent them right back. But to Kiona's pleasant astonishment, Achak coltishly tackled her to the ground. She stared up at him, trying to suppress a smile.
The alpha smirked down at the female as a way of saying 'Gotcha', not really thinking of how Kiona thought about it, since this was probably the first time she's seen him this actively playing. Though, he paused at seeing the surprised look on her face. Figuring he had made her uncomfortable, the alpha got off her, not wanting to embarrass her or make her even more nervous. When Achak heard a challenge from Kanook, he turned to accept it when he noticed his uncle looking just past him with a sly look. Not having time to wonder why, suddenly a weight landed on top of the bright blue-eyed wolf, making him stumble. Looking back, surprise changed to amusement as he saw the red hybrid.
When Achak looked back at Kiona, she smiled, slightly bashful, and wagged her tail a little bit. Everyone continued playing a little longer, including the hybrid and the alpha, until it was time to turn in for the night. It was already kind of late in the evening and had cooled since the afternoon. Kiona entered the cave after everyone but Achak, satisfied with the day's events. She had finally gotten to know Dar better...and Achak, now that she thought about it; who smiled after her, and her at him.