The former Moonlit wolf wandered further through the barren woods that was her new home, still shaking with excitement to be here. She had no idea where she was going, nor did she know what would await her, and wondered why no one had bothered to give her a tour. This place was huge, and it was day so she couldn't see the stars to locate where the hell she was going to. Despite all that, and the small ache in her heart and back, she found herself quite relaxed.

Her trot had turned into just padding through was was called the Blackfeather Woods. Her eyes drifted off to a branch where a raven was perched, making some noise, but she paid it little mind. With the locust bodies everywhere, the birds could feast like never before.

While she was lost, the faint smell of Cicero reached her, and a grin appeared on her scarred face. It had been too long, in her eyes, since she had seen the boy. Potema, his sister she knew, had said he was doing fine, but Malice was still worried a bit. She quickened her pace and soon the ying-yang fur of Cicero came into view. Cicero! she called happily, stopping a respectful distance away with her tail low but wagging in excitement.

She smiled back again, happy to see at least someone that was somewhat happy with her presence. She bowed before him, her sign of respect, since she assumed he had a higher place in the hierarchy than she. She kept a comfortable distance between them, since she now knew she had little to fear of the boy, and it was the other way around too hopefully. While Malice had never been a threat -or at least never wanted to be- to Cicero, she assumed she had been to the Dark Brotherhood when she had settled across the lake. Hmm, she wondered how Moonlit Hills was doing without her.

She nodded at him with a proud, happy smile and an overjoyed glint in her yellow eyes. Even with her scar, she now looked more like a happy potato. They're as true as the stars light up the night sky. She said. Her face lit up by joy turned to one of worry and confusion. As far as she could see, there were no plants near, yet Cicero spoke of herbs. My knowledge of herbs isn't that big, nonexistent perhaps, though I'd like to help out while I still can in any way possible. She answered, a small smile covering her confused face again. She was part of this pack, and therefore would indeed love to help out while her children weren't yet born.

Why she was here wasn't relevant anymore. She wanted to let go, let go of all her worries of the past and start over once again for the second time. Though she would not mind sharing her reasons if asked nicely. It was simple, really, she felt as if Moonlit Hills didn't need her anymore, felt under appreciated. While she was pregnant, no one had payed a visit at her den to check on her except for Issun on the day she left. She could've died in there and she doubted anyone would have noticed. Issun had even said that perhaps she couldn't lead anymore if she was pregnant. Or at least, that's how she picked it up. She had said she could, that she would, and that was the first promise she had ever broken.

The daughter of Lucifer was born curious, finding knowledge more powerful than brute strength. Not to say though that she didn't have that too, but she didn't use it that often. So when the bi-colored eyed boy asked her if she wanted to learn, she immediately nodded yes. No one of the Moonlit Wolves had been an expert in herbs and poisons since Veritas had left. Hmm, she wondered where the older woman was now. Hopefully safe and away from Teekon. She nodded too in understanding. Kendra had told how her garden had been destroyed by the locusts. Wouldn't be surprised to see we found nothing at all, but everything is worth a shot. She spoke.

She looked around a bit. Where should we look first? She asked as she returned her yellow gaze to cicero.

At his words, Malice's ears dropped for a moment. Was he talking about the willow and the gasses that made you sick? Burke had warned her about it, and said it would be best to stay away. But now that Cicero said it, she grew curious. Her ears perked up again, and she followed without a word.

They did not need to walk for long though, for soon after the air smelled a little different and the first clustered trees went further away from each other. She assumed this was the clearing. Just as she wanted to go, Cicero's words stopped her. She looked at him, and was glad that he wasn't trying to kill her with the gasses Burke had spoken of. She nodded. Alright. She spoke softly, and watched him go on without her. She kept her eyes fixated upon his black and white coat, interested in wherever he was going.

What the gasses did to someone was a mystery to Malice. She had only been told one could get very sick from it, and with her being pregnant and all, it really wasn't handy for her to get poisoned. Still, as she watched Cicero out there, she wondered if it really was so bad. Of course, she wouldn't test it since she trusted Burke's word, but it still kept her suspicious. What if the Dark Brotherhood was just hiding something there that she wasn't supposed to see? Then again, what would they hide from her? That they were quite a rough pack, to say the least, was no secret, so what could a pack like this be hiding? Malice sat down as she waited for her only friend in this maze of woods, eager to find out why he wanted to look here.

An unsteady boy made his way back to the clearing, and Malice jumped up at his sight. Was he not well? He did not tell much though, and instead passed her, leaving her to turn her fat body around and off the floor. You mean, with leaves and everything? She questioned, going faster to catch up to Cicero who had had a running start. Where are we going? She questioned again, her curiosity getting the best of her yet again.

He really didn't answer questions they were meant to be answered, that was for sure. At least he was better company than Nemesis. She chuckled softly at the thought. Never had she dreamed about walking along the bi-colored eyed boy in Blackfeather Woods she had met all those moons ago. She had not planned seeing him till after the pups were born, for leaving Phantom Hollow was out of the question back then. Yet here they were, a Gamma and an unwanted one, together on a search for herbs. She didn't feel it necessary to ask more about the tree, for the answer was weird but to the point. Though she still wondered what part of a tree was the most important. The trunk? It's roots?

After her question, he kept quiet for some time, letting her believe he had indeed gone sick because of the gasses. Or perhaps he was teasing her, who could tell with him? Though when his answer came, it again didn't answer her question specifically. Herbs could be anywhere, and she had no idea how it all went underground nor how to get there. Burke had said it'd be wise to not go there alone, but if Cicero was with her... Did she trust him not to leave her behind to get lost? Yeah, yeah she did. Underground? She questioned. She wanted to know more, but if he kept his answers vague she would keep her questions vague as well. Her eyes darted from right to left, looking for anything green, but all she saw was really small trees with a weird disk-like thing on them. Huh, weird.

Ah, so he didn't mean the tunnels? Oh, why did she even try anymore. She would see when they got there, now would she? Back at Phantom Hollow, our healer had her own herb den. She even found honey and used it for my soar throat. Malice rambled on. She didn't know why she was telling him this, but perhaps he found it interesting or something. Maybe she was doing this to make the past more bearable. Even with Veritas gone, she didn't spend a day without thinking of the former healer.

Don't want to ruin the mood or anything, but I don't think we'll find anything. She sighed, carrying her highly pregnant body on her strong, muscular legs. But even with her body being strong, she was weakened by the lack of food. Her back was aching, and she hoped they would soon take a break. A smile spread across her face though when the boy mentioned Kendra. Malice would soon notice that these both and Burke were the only beings that didn't want her gone.

You mean poisons? Oh, she did that too. Malice shared, as she was still in awe about Veritas' abilities. Made me consume apple seeds for a better immune system. She laughed. Oh, how exciting it had been, the sessions with Veritas. Disgusting, for sure, but so interesting. Unfortunately, she left before they could truly finish, but Malice believed it had done some good. 

Malice was panting at the end of their short journey, but her ears perked up as soon as Cicero spoke again. She kept quiet, looking at what he was doing, interested to see those buried herbs. After some soft digging, dried, browny-greeny plant-like things lay on the floor, and Malice tipped her head in confusion. She had absolutely no idea what they were, and so she waited for an explanation. 

Malice wrinkled her nose as she look closer, but it didn't smell anything more than dirt. She could tell it were leaves, pretty leaves once, but flowers it did not have. Poison heh? Who could've ever suspected that this tiny little leaf was poisonous. Poison Ivy, she was sure to remember it, even if she didn't know what in the name of Lucifer she would use it for. She didn't want to harm anything or anyone anymore, though if it came down to it... She shook her head. She didn't want the old Malice back. Surely hope so. She replied, though actually found it quite dangerous for the young girl to have poisons in her future garden. She had to make sure the little ones inside her would not come close to it then.

Malice nodded at one she knew longer than any other member of the Dark Brotherhood except for Nemesis, actually glad she didn't have to walk anymore. Well, she had to walk back to Burke's den, but after she could definitely use some rest. As the boy was packing up his things, Malice spoke once more. Thank you for taking me with you. She said, meaning her words. Take care now, Cicero. She said her goodbyes, and then left in the direction she thought Burke's den was.