now that they were settled in their new home, it was time to get to work. it turned out the redhawk girl’s claim was not far from theirs. there was no need for a fight but he’d feel much more comfortable with more numbers. ”i’m gonna look for recruits, so i’ll be gone for a bit.” he told @Minori. “i’m putting you in charge while i’m gone. keep an eye out for any loners looking for a place to stay. and don’t start anything with neighbors, i wanna keep a low profile.”
he covered a lot of distance in the span of a few days. luckily his injuries were healing well. all that was left were scars. issun found himself in a field of snow. the wind was much more stronger than usual. it was hard to keep his footing in the unforgiving weather. he looked out and all he could see was acres of thick snow.
The widow had gotten herself lost. Due to the thick, fluffy and unforgiving clouds she couldn't find the stars that usually led her home. The winter breeze blew through her thick fur, making her healed scar sting with the cold it brought. Her sunny eyes flitted as she blinked to keep the snow out of them, but she stood little ground against the approaching storm. Her legs were weary, her old body not as fit as it used to be. This vessel wouldn't hold much longer in the cold like this...
A figure stood in the distance, his silhouette seemingly towering and otherworldly to the tired female. B-Burke?
She called out. Burke!
She called again. He had to notice her, he just had to. This meant she could join him right? Finally be happy again?
two suns flickered through walls of ice. issun squinted to try to make sense of it. the dark figure looked so paranormal from here. it was a bit scary knowing he couldn’t identify who or what it was from here. he was a little relieved when they called to him, but what they said just made him more confused. burke? he hadn’t heard that name in awhile, nor had he expected to hear it. issun took a step forward. he was tempted to confront the stranger, but was still uneasy about the whole thing. “who are you?” he called.
A window of warped perception filled with swirling curls of icy cold winds stood between the two lost friends. While the widow saw her long lost lover, her friend saw a stranger crazy enough to go out in a storm like this. She let out a desperate giggle. He was kidding right? Of course he still remembered her. It hadn't been that long... She was right on time to join him.
Burke! It's me, I'm finally here!
Pushing against the wind did she continue forward, the silhouette of a man growing larger and more detailed. Her paws sunk into the deep snow as her nostrils flared to keep breathing. Her breathing stilled for a moment then continued steadily again. She felt her heart swell as she drew closer, almost not wanting to wait till she had crossed the bridge that led to him.
she didn’t seem to get the point. she went on calling him burke and began moving towards him. “you’re mistaken,” he called. his lips parted slightly as he took a deep breath. no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t put a name to the figure. the snow drowned out any smell, so he wasn’t left guessing. who had been in burke’s life? was it that dark woman that had attacked him? his children?
his breath caught in his throat when the distinct features became visible. that face, that scar, he knew who that belonged to. he couldn’t believe it. a ghost from his past, standing right there. “i... i know you. you’re...” his eyes glanced over her body. it couldn’t be true.
She couldn't be mistaken. Burke was playing a trick on her, wasn't he? Strange, he was never a man for jokes and messing about. He was always so serious, stubborn yet so gentle and caring when it came to her and the kids. Had death changed him? Wait, what was that? This silhouette had a tail... And his form, it was familiar but it wasn't Burke. She dared to come closer, the hazy feeling lifting as soon as she saw the white freckles decorating his face.
I-Issun?
She asked carefully, feeling now as if a stone had been placed in her stomach. The chains around her heart tightened but it fluttered just slightly upon seeing her old friend. Was this... her fate for another year?
when she uttered his name, he knew it to be true. it was malice, a friend he thought he’d never see, standing right in front of him. shame weighed down on him. what a hypocrite he was to be upset about other wolves leaving him. he had left her and her family without a trace years ago.
“yes, it’s me,” he replied in a softer tone. “where have you been? what are you doing out here?” no wolf in their right mind would be caught up in this. the only reason he was out here is because it came unexpectedly.
So she wasn't dead. She wasn't even dying. Why did that disappoint her? She should be happy... God, why couldn't she just be happy. She even found Issun again, fricking Issun, and she was still mourning Burke like she was completely helpless without him. But she did feel helpless. She needed him by her side but that stubborn man just decided to die on her...
With Pyro and his pack... I wanted to get down and explore when the blizzard met me and then... I saw you.
She explained, confused herself at her whole ordeal. What about you? I haven't seen you in moons...
he wanted to avoid the question of his whereabouts but it was to no avail. he swallowed a lump in his throat. there was no reason to dance around the question, she deserved to know what happened to him.
“i found sage a few winters ago and decided to stick with her,” he started, “but the pack wasn’t for me and i left. i was in and out of packs until i settled in a plateau. i’ve recently left with some friends to start a new home.” he paused and looked down. “i’m sorry i left without saying anything. it was irresponsible of me.”
Perhaps it wasn't the best idea to have a little chat in the midst of a storm, but still the widow listened intently to his story. She knew wolves came and went throughout life, perhaps more than most now without her lover at her side, and she did not blame the man for leaving her. She had her family to fall back on, it wasn't like he had stranded her someplace she didn't know with complete strangers.
She stepped forward to embrace him if she was allowed to do so, shaking her muzzle. You are your own soul, don't stick with an old lady like me forever Issun.
She partly joked, already just happy that he was unharmed.
she wasn’t upset from what he could tell. that was a relief. some dormant guilt was lifted from his shoulders. her embrace only solidified that.
violent winds tugged him away from his old friend. issun looked up at the flurry of gray and white. this storm was getting worse by the minute. “this is bad. we should get out of here.” he looked down at malice. “what bought you out here anyway?”
She was glad there were no hard feelings between the two old friends. Embracing him again almost felt like he had never left in the first place. For a moment, just a single moment, she didn't feel so alone anymore.
But after sunshine came rain again. There was still the storm to deal with and she nodded at his proposal. I was trying to get my mind off of things.
She answered as she followed his lead if he decided to.
he started to lead the way through the storm, looking back every so often to see if malice was still following. there was no way she could travel back to her home in this weather. if he knew where her pack was, he would’ve escorted her back, but he didn’t. the next best place was kamiki.
“i lead a group in the woods,” he called over the flurry, “it’s two days time from here. you can wait out the storm with us if you’d like. recuperate a little. ”
She considered her options for a little. Either she went back home by herself, not being able to navigate all that much due to the storm that covered up the stars -or, she could come with her good friend, whom she trusted, to rest her weary old bones and return home later. Surely they wouldn't miss her back at the Hollow, she did wander a lot.
I can't stay for long.
She called over the storm's noise. I do have wolves waiting for me - My son, Pyro, I'm sure you remember.
They boys were rather unforgettable if she did say so herself. The brute side of Bunnybutt and the sweet, sensitive side of their mother.
he’d be lying if he said he wouldn’t want her to stay a little longer. times have changed and life went along with it. issun wasn’t exempt from that rule and he was sure malice wasn’t either. there was so much to catch up on and a quick visit just didn’t feel like enough time. but her son was probably waiting and he assumed she wouldn’t want to leave him. it was challenging for time to warp one’s love for family.
issun nodded. “yes of course. once the storm dies down i can escort you home.” he picked up the pace a bit. “you can rest for however long you need. i’m sure the others wouldn’t mind.”