Debut of the Guardian

[Naijinaxx]

Tinuke let out a slight chuckle as he glanced at Ripper with a mere grin that exposed none but a single fang, a slight glimmer in his eyes. It had seemed that the fighting had taken his mind off of the guilt that he had been surcumed to in the recent weeks of the master's death, implacing himself with a new responsibility. He had to feed the young one, for the young one was his new found responsibility -his alone, and no one elses.
However, there was something deep within the dog's heart that made him more aware of the fact that he had placed the dog pack in a state of danger, if the dogs had been a bit riled up, they most likely would've gone after the females, and the pup, leaving the two males there chasing at their heels in their defense. -And if they were faster, they'd be in trouble.

He had been irresponsible in hsi decision. -Perhaps they should've taken the harder path, perhaps they should've avoided the unnecessary fight. He observed his body for any injuries that could slow him down, finding none, and then searched Ripper for any, none but slight bruises from bashing to the contact of struggling paws under heavy weight.
He let out a sigh of relief, thankful that the fight was over, and allowed the dog to retreat to the safety of his pack on the far east, where, most likely, he'd inform Thunderhawk of their failure to secure the border of the territory, and allowed the intruders through, also informing him of the death of fellow brothers, and in turn, Thunderhawk would most likely place a price on their heads, and pretty soon, would have want-to-be followers of Thunderhawk, others who believed in his prophacy to hunt them down like rodents on farmland.
It wasn't a lie that Tinuke himself, wasn't really liked but Thunderhawk's clan, they were sworn enemies since the beginning, but then again, he never liked Fireborn, either. But Tinuke was something else, even given his own nick name by the clan... White Devil.

The name suited him well, and Tinuke himself, stuck to the name as if it was an alias, a trophy, in that manner. But, none could ever see the middle-aged Tinuke as a leader, granted he had experience, but he knew that he couldn't be responsible with the lives of many. He was a teacher, nothing more. -A mere instructor in the arts of combat, and survival. Instructing his students in the arts of living, and surviving in the wild. And when and not to listen to the will of an individual's heart.
It wasn't like he was gloating or anything, it was his job. If anything, Ripper himself, had more of the qualifications of being a good leader than him. -Despite the fact that Tinuke was older, Ripper was younger, therefore, most likely more experienced at being a leader. -Which made him more suited for the job.
Tinuke never wanted to be the leader, and was furious when Fireborn, who had stated in his dying breath, that he be the next Supreme Master... it never went too well, and that was why Tinuke went with Ripper in the first place. Tinuke was a wondering spirit, and as the rank of Supreme Master entails, the fortress would be more like a prison to his standards. He needed to be set free, needed to roam the world, needed to go to the clans, to seek out new adventures.

Blood trickled down the side of his head as he continued to think to himself, letting out a loose smile. It was a small wound, -It hurt, but it hurt to the point that allowed him to feel more alive than ever before. There was nothing special about him. and this small stream of blood allowed him to recollect the fact that he too, was mortal, just like everyone around him. he was a dog, like everyone around him, and he too, could die, just as the master had died weeks ago.

But like most dogs, he too, had sins that he had to atone for. Sins that he had committed long in his past, and had never forgotten them. SIns that continued to plague his mind, to the vision of the night.

He wasn't like most of the members of Philantrophy. They were all peace lovers, protectors of freedom, with an assembled army of dogs ready to aid those in trouble. -Tinuke, he wasn't like them before he came into the group with the rescue of Fireborn. -He was a killer. One who was ever-so thirsty for the quench of blood. Skills honed and hardened by brutal training, and pain endurance courses, mind washed free of the ever reconciling plumment of love that his previous master had given him when they left him to die in that hurricane long ago. -Replaced with nothingless than hatred itself.
He grew accustomed that his footing was his life, and that once you lost your footing of the earth, it was over. It was a thumb of circumstance that prodded deep into his soul with every moment that he transpired. Every little second that his life continued to unfold around him, every moment that his heart continued to pump the blood throughout every capilary in his body. -He had seen it done, seen what had happened to a dog that had lost his footing in a training exercise, he could still hear the cry of death as it rang out through the uproar of howling dogs that had been watching the fight firsthand, watching as the poor and pathetic soul had lost his life to a move of mere clumsiness.
And it was ever since that day, the he so-vowed to never loose his own footing on the sacred earth that had been nothing but a mere home to him. -A home filled with hatred, and vanquish at those who believed they could persecute others.
And just as they persecuted those who couldn't fight for themselves, he would persecute them in return. Hunting them down like cowardly dogs in a street filled with blood. -Like a shadow, unseen and unguessed. A flash of fangs and a snarl torn from the deep hate within.
Tinuke was never the "peace-loving" type. It never suited his nature and his current emotional statis. He was a born fighter, raised from the pits of hell to face any opponent thrown at him. And when he lost his cool, he became what his nick name implied, the white devil.

And so, the devil sat, recollecting his thoughts and his equilibrium as the pup remained there, hidden next to U'Kuma as they lay low in the grass. His chest was pulsing with excitement, as was his thirst for more of the blood.... a sin, that he too had to atone for. -And with sharp keen eyes, followed the movement of the retreating doberman with a thirsty fang... the devil clammored for more, it was hungry, awaiting for another challenge, and in turn, the husky stood on his fours, leaned back, and broke forth in a maddened bolt of white and black as he darted through the long grass, which seemed to part in his rush as a flock of ravens broke into flight.
U'Kuma shot her head up in shock, Vernon doing the same as they both widened their eyes in the change of the husky's behavior, their guide to the other side of the mountain demonstrating quite clear as day as to who he really was. -What his colors really were.

The husky locked in his moving target as he cut him off, the doberman's eyes widdened in a thrust of fear as he brought his legs forward to a halt, the husky letting out a venomous snarl, curling the bridge of his muzzle as he leaped through the wall of grass before him, enclosing his fangs around the doberman's thinly convered throat, whirling the dog off his feet in a single rush as the dog pleaded for mercy under the fangs of the overpowering dog.
"NO!" he screamed.
"PLEASE!" he cried out, but the devil was deaf to his cries, let alone the tears in his eyes as the flesh covering his throat was utterly torn away, his plees transforming from words, to a mere strangling scream as blood spurted from his open mouth, spraying onto the tuft of fur on Tinuke's chest as he tore savegly into the dogs chest with his claws, deep slashes entrailing the wounds into the dogs chest as he continued to scream his agony, until all eventually feel silent.

"What have you done...?" U'Kuma asked as Vernon widdened his eyes at the innocent kill between Tinuke's fangs, who continued to snarl under his breath as he held his prey deeply with angry eyes that bespoke that of a killer, Vernon retreating to Ripper's rear and taking cover behind the massive build of a dog.

[Magicheart]

Ripper's eyes narrowed, his brow furrowed in fury. "You're out of control,Tinuke. You're clearly not ready to take this journey. Go home. Purge your anger on something else besides innocent victims." He growled, turning away from the scene in front of him. He cast a glance back over his shoulder, unable to hold back his scathing words. "This is not something Fireborn would want from you, is it?! I should have known better than to ask you along so soon after his death." He said in a flat, but firm tone. Anger and memories swirled within the Rotweiler, drawing the words out from him before he could think to account for their impact on the older husky. Never would he send one of his own out to kill a retreating enemy from battle. "Retreat means the end of a battle." he muttered under his breath, visions from his past still swirling before his eyes. He stood rigid, gazing out in front of him but seeing nothing, lost within himself.

[Naijinaxx]

The killer ignored his words, lifting his blood soaked muzzle as his eyes focused on the rotweilers rear, reading his words, the pauses between them as he figuratively walked away from the husky.
"You're not so innocent, yourself..." was all he said as he licked the blood off his chops,
"Tinuke..." U'Kuma was the only one that wasn't angry at the dog, the only one who actually, out of all of them, felt sorry for him. -Only misery and pain was something that could drive a dog to commit such an act. And sending the already troubled dog home was no way to help him.

"Ripper..." U'kuma glanced at him, and then at Tinuke.
"He's your friend." she said as she whispered.

"You know, Thunderhawk's warriors don't think like you. If they know that you'll let them live simply because they retreat, they'll use it against you." Tinuke glanced at Ripper, his fur still manged.
"This is a sign that you're going to have to get dirty. -You're going to have to forget about your deeds and your novalties, your good-passings. You can always atone for your sins later. But need I remind you, the enemy we face, -Thunderhawk, would never be as too kind to give you the same option." Tinuke warned through fiery eyes.
"I've seen with my own eyes, him kill four retreating dogs, chase them down, and kill them in the streets." he glanced to the very spot in the road as a car streamed past.

Tinuke began to walk past the dog pack, stopping to glance at Ripper as he glanced in the direction of the city not too far.
"You're just going to have to let go.... let yourself become something else... war transforms us.... it will change, turn us into beasts." he swallowed as he glanced at U'Kuma and then at Vernon, who seemed to understand what it was he was saying, following the killer despite the fear he had shown to him just moments ago.

U'Kuma remained there with Ripper, studying him.
"Did... something happen to him in his past?" she asked Ripper as she watched the pup bound at Tinuke's face in play while simultaniously laughing as they continued to walk along the side of the road, stepping out of the grass and onto the concrete.
"Something we need to be aware of if he's coming with us?"

[Magicheart]

He turned to U'kuma and sighed. "My words may have been too harsh, but I only want what is best for him. Deep down, I know that he is not a ruthless killer. Deep down, I know there is a lot of pain that he keeps hidden from everyone...and if it is to bleed out in this way, I'd he be in a place where he could channel such negative energy to a better use." he replied to the she-dog privately. The rotweiler then listened to Tinuke's words, however, and Ripper let out a growl of frustration. "That is what separates us from Thunderhawk! We do not hunt down and kill the innocent, we die fighting to protect them. Just because your enemy fights dirty, doesn't mean you have to lower yourself to their level. I do not fear death, especially if it is an honorable one." he retorted. "Knowing that you will receive forgiveness does not mean that you commit heinous acts. An appology is recognizing that you have done wrong, and is a sincere attempt not to commit such a wrong doing again." he explained. "Knowing that you will be forgiven does not mean that you can do whatever you want." He turned the the husky and looked him in the eyes. "Tinuke, I know that Thunderhawk and his men have hurt you deeply. I haven't spent half as much time in these lands as you have, and their way of live infuriates me...but this won't replace the void that you feel..." he trailed off. He watched as the husky strode past him with the young dog galloping at his heels. He let out another sigh and lost himself deep in thought.

[Naijinaxx]

"Thunderhawk and his men have hurt you deeply"[/font][/i]

He began to shake at his name, only he knew what Thunderhawk had done to him. Only he knew the pain and himuliation he had suffered... only he knew where the scars had been placed visible by his own fangs, his intimate rage and hatred for the clans, and he casted that rage on Tinuke.
He had been acting as an informant from the inside, Fireborn had seen it that iwas because of Tinuke's natural talent that he'd be the only one to defend himself in the event that he did got compromise, so he sent that dog in under the rouse that he was a stray, who was interested in joining ranks with Thunderhawk.
His cover was blown by one of the sentries, and he was captured before he could escape... and he remembered everything... the echoing voices, the light that shone in his face, the screams... the hollars... he remembered glancing at the floor where there remained a pool of blood from the souls that had been standing here last.
And he remembered the black labrador watching with a sickening grin on his dismal face as he watched the dog stripped of everything that made him who he was, hanging from his hind legs as he was elevated by the shaft.
"I don't look too high on spies in my corps, Uli, that is, -if it's your real name." Thunderhawk had whispered into his ears.
"Go to hell..." Tinuke snarled as he snapped at the lab, the rattling of chains reverberating through the empty room.
"I've been there already... it's not that impressive... but you haven't?" The lab walked up to the husky, who was quivering with fear.
"No worries... I'm about to show you what hell is really like..."


"You don't know half of it..." Tinuke said as he glared at Ripper through the swaying grass, the scars of visible anguish and torture now lining throughout his coat from the setting sun.
U'Kuma's jsaw quivered at the site of the scars, and she distinctly knew what he had gone through, the pain and the anguish that he had endured, the suffering. He had been used as an example, to all dogs who dared to revile him, to try and stop him. In a sense, she felt that his anger could prove useful, like a weapon, the sword of the pack, like a fine dagger in the night.
But then there came a fear that this was all crashing down on him way too fast. What if he... snapped? -Had a flashback, had a sudden nightmare that impaired his ability to fight with them? -That was something for Ripper, himself, to decide, but it was a concern, but she could plainly see his misery, ad he threw at her as if it didn't bother him, no... it bothered him... it made his furious. It made him want to kill any dog that was too quick to give up on their masters, to surrender everything they ever had, and ever will have, to leave the shadow of man, and enter a world of triumph and survival... just as Tinuke, himself, had done. -Something that he had regetted doing from the very beginning of his sole existance.
"Ever since Thunderhawk started doing this, started torturing my brothers, my students, dogs in the streets, and did it to me... I was already dead." he admitted.
"So? Does that justify murder?" U'Kuma asked him sincerely.
"No..." he answered her question swiftly.
"It's become more of an instinct." he paused, gazing into her eyes.
"Rage, anger, pain, hunger... it transforms us all... I was trianed for the sole purpose of war. Nothing can change that." he said as he studied her.
"But, that doesn't mean you can't change! -To see the generation off, to witness what the future brings. You don't have to die fighting, Tinuke. Under the scars, the hate, the anger, something soft in you has to remain!" she explained.
"It does..." He said as he glanced at the pup.
"Him." He said as he referred to Vernon with a slight smile, U'kuma following his gaze to land on the pup.
"And what are you teaching him!?" she stepped forward.
"That killing is okay? -That he con repent later? -You're not raising him! -You training a killer! -Not a leader!" she shouted.

[Seraphinu]

A sad whistle stole through the curled beak of the falcon as her wings danced on the wind, feeling the draft ruffle her feathers as she held her wings open in an effortless glide. She spied the dogs down below her. It was in that moment, that she closed her wings in a dive, pulling them tightly to her, and began to drop in a dangerous free-fall. Adrenaline pulsed through her body, and her eyes were forced shut from the pressure the wind generated as her form cut through the air. It was at the last possible second that her wings were forced open like a parachute, and she spun, flapping up to join the small band of dogs.

Ash had originally planned to scout the mountains, but it didn't take her long to realize that the dogs had decided to take a different route. It had been inconvenient for her, and falcons being proud creatures, she was annoyed that they hadn't trusted her to find them a safe path that didn't involve Man.

"I see you all decided to leave without telling me..." she called, and turned to perch on Ripper's shoulder. She began to preen herself, angrily pulling at loose chest feathers.

[Magicheart]

Ripper sighed. "Don't get me started..." he whispered to Ash while he stared at the conversing dogs. His breaths became deeper as he calmed himself down a bit. "This was not my original choice." he glanced up at the falcon perched on his shoulder. "Did you find anything?" he asked her.

[Naijinaxx]

Tinuke turned to face Ripper, a slight grin on his face as his stomach rumbled, the pup glancing over at him with a sheepish grin.
"See! -You're hungry too!" Vernon shouted as he wagged his tail.
"I know..." he said as he lowered his head for the pup to lick the side of his muzzle.
"We'll get you fed." he said as he glanced to the entrance of the city, where the road entered the urban nightmare.
"I can understand your fear of men, Ripper. But besides the point, he has to be fed, and there's a good market here that'll do just that." he added with a mere whisper as he turned to face the city.
"If you'd rather avoid the men, then you can take that rout." he said as he glanced to the dirt road that went around the city and headed to the harbor,
"But I have to go in." he added as he glanced at the shepherd pup, who continued to chase a bouncing bug.
"If you want, we can meet up, I'll just look for Ash." he said as he began to walk on the road, paws flattening themselves on the pavement as his nails clicked along the road, cars roaring past with their thunder.
He blinked slowly, entering the city with a slow walk as the pup bounded behind him, following his tail as they inconspisciously entered the city, some of the other strays gretting them with nods.

"Ay! -Tinuke!" a voice called out as Tinuke's ears perked up to the sound.
"Rohit...?" he whispered as he lifted his head, gaining site of an old friend.
"Yeah!" he laughed as he stopped before the dog.
"Brought the little one?" he referred to the pup.
"Yeah... came here to feed him." he said as he sat on his rump.
"What are you up to these days?" Rohit asked as he joined him.
"Out on some mystical journey." Tinuke answered as he swallowed what felt like a brick down his throat.
"Is that so?" Rohit laughed as he glanced at Tinuke.
"Some of the girls missed you while you were gone." he grinned as he nudged the husky on the shoulder.
"Don't they all?" Tinuke grinned as he exposed none but one fang, taking in the city air as he glanced at the walking podestrians throughout the urban motropalous.
"You know, Thunderhawk's been making some visits lately through the city... said he's offering a price on your head."
"Hunh?" Tinuke turned with concern.
"Yeah, he called you a traitor, and offered a reward to any one who brings you back, dead or alive." he turned to face the dog in the eys.
"I don't know, if I were you, I'd be on my toes..." he warned with a folley.
"I won't be here long, just came to get him fed." he said as he referred to Vernon once more.
"What? -You mean... you can't stay? I can give you a place for the night!" he convinced as he looked to the sun.
"The sun will be setting in a few hours, and it's dangerous going up those mountains at night." he stood, walking before the husky.
"You can keep the girls company?" he whispered.
"I'm pretty sure they'd be happy to know that their boy's alright." he grinned.
"It's not just me on this journey..." he said as he sighed.
"Several others, they mean strictly business... no time to rest." Tinuke explained himself as he lowered his head.
"Explain." Rohit demanded.
"I'm in a pack now, can't just leave without telling them, let alone, spend the night at a place they feel uncomfortable in." He stated as he looked into the dogs eyes.
"Well, we all belonged with men at one point or another. How many dogs do you know were born in the wild?" he asked.
"Your point's taken, but I'd have to run it through the leader." he said as he noticed the entrance to the market beyond the street's corner.
"Well, you know where I stay." he said as he began to walk off.
He glanced at the sun, noting that it was nearing the horizon, and that soon, it would be night.
"I..." he paused.
"I suppose I can make a quick stop." He said out of both, humor and amusement.
"Haha! -I knew you would, you dog! -I'll let the girls know!" he said as he trotted up the street and into an alley, where an abandoned apartment building stood.

"Who was that?" Vernon asked Tinuke.
"An old friend." Tinuke grinned as he stood on all fours once more, beginning to tred the path and enter the urban ciburbia.

[Magicheart]

Ripper shook his head. "I do not fear men. I just don't prefer their company." he said gravely. He stepped forward to stand beside Tinuke and glanced sidelong at the husky. "We're a pack. We stick together. I go where ever you go." he stated simply. He glanced up at Ash. "I'm not sure if you feel safe following us, but we sure could use your eyes." he barked. Ripper hung back as Tinuke spoke to the dog he knew, but casually listened with interest from a distance. "A price on your head, huh? This should make things interesting." he smirked.

[Naijinaxx]

Tinuke' rolled his eyes at Ripper as he made his commit, and then glanced over his shoulder.
"I'm pretty sure after our little incident a few weeks ago, we all have prices on our heads." he gave a weak smile as he took in the scenery. He usually prefered the city than the wide open plains, the city was where he belonged, it was here, where you were never alone. It was something that Tinuke' always prefered, company, no matter how big, or how small. Fireborn had said that it was probably spawned from the hurricane, being left to die along with several other dogs that had been abandoned due to the lack of space at the refugee center. But then again, that wasn't all that occured that horrific time...

It was something that he'd rather put to the side, it was an event that he never wanted to talk about, he had lived through it once already, and as far as he was concerned, he had no reason to go back, no reason to dig up old injuries that had been sealed off. But it was also one of the many sins that he had to atone for. And he also knew that Fireborn had covered for him numerous times, fabricating the lie until it sounded like the mere truth. Only he knew the truth about Tinuke', and he was dead. Perhaps it was his way of giving the dog a second chance, perhaps it was his way to watch over the dog, and instead of those running in fear, they perhaps felt a sense of security.

But in the end, it was nothing more than guilt that he felt, living a life that wasn't completely truth, but then again, it wasn't completely a lie itself. The truths that were fabricated from the lies had given Tinuke' a new life, but in the end, it didn't ease the suffering he felt at night. bits and pieces of memories that he'd rather forget... the sole reasoning behind his hate for Raven Thunderhawk... the maddened dog who decorated genocide with polished bits of religion and fate until others found that it was justified... just like... Tinuke', himself, once found.

He knew that one day he would have to face the truth, that one day, he would have to atone for his sins. That he'd have to tell Ripper the truth. Perhaps U'kuma knew part of it already, she had seen the scars... the marks of hate that had scared his love for the world, that had awakened a beast from the primeval world. -And perhaps, Ripper -himself, also knew, that the Tinuke' he knew, wasn't the Tinuke' before him. Hense, his behavior on the retreating dog... the words that had ripped from Ripper's mouth... Just because your enemy fights dirty, doesn't mean you have to lower yourself to their level. -Well, what Ripper didn't know was -that Tinuke' was created from Thunderhawk. It was a past that he would eventually end up telling them, whether it be from the arousal of a nightmare, or on his dying breath. He knew the time would come, and it would come on this journey... the time for him to atone for his sins.

And as Rohit disappeared behind the allies, he glanced at Ripper with a sheepish grin that stretched across his maw.
"Why don't you guys go ahead... there are some... people I have to speak with..." he recommended with a friendly smile as he indicated the flash of Rohit's hind quarters.
"Just tell them that your friends of mine, they'll make sure you're well taken care of." he instructed as he began to trot off down the streets, Vernon taking a step forward.
"No, Vernon, stay with them." he called over his shoulder, and rounded several corners.

"There's just something about him that doesn't fit his profile..." U'Kuma said as she nodded her head from side-to-side.
"But... then again," she smiled, "I find myself falling for his charms..." she admitted with a sigh, Vernon nodding his head from side-to-side, as if he knew what she met.




"Is everything ready?" the shadow spoke as he peered through the darkened room and into the frightened eyes before him, trembling in fear as the dog spoke to him calmly, yet firmly.
"Almost...." he quivered as he gazed at the dog before him.
"They wouldn't even know what hit them... your name won't pop up on their list of suspects. Should you attack them now, you'll be in the clear." the voice spoke to the shadow before him, the light shining through the open door as the dog spoke in fear.
"Excellent... get the troops ready then, I'll be leaving the pack at dusk." he turned as he made his way for the door.
"You know... if you do this... you'll be labeled a traitor... nothing more than a common criminal. No one will stop to think about the good you've done, they'll only remember you for the bad." the small dog told him as he glanced at the husky before him.
"You were labeled a hero, Tinuke'... why throw it all away?" he asked him.
"I'm not hero... never was, never will be..." Tinuke' lowered his head in shame.
"I'm just an old killer... hired to do some wet work." he said as his indigo eyes met face to face with the small lab.
"I know..." he answered swiftly.
"This isn't justice, it's not reason. It's a hired hit. But Tinuke', we all know that Raven's gone mad. -Is it worth following his orders?" he asked Tinuke'.
"I've been undercover with Philantrophy for too long just to disappear. He raised me, he took me in when no one else would. I owe him so much, I can't just push his words to the side." he confessed as he began to the door.
"So, is this it? -Is this your path? -You going to go down in history as a traitor? -The one who shattered the clans?" he asked him.
"The clans can rot for all I care... I'd be damned if the day should come when dogs ally with cats. And it's not going to happen on my watch." he said as he left the dark room and back into the open.




"Tinuke!" a female voice called to him from the other side of the market as he slowed to a stop at the cross walk, humans all around him as they continued their mindless business, not giving the dog a care in the world.
He turned to face the female husky that stood at the other end of the road, her eyes giving a welcoming gaze as they settled upon him in distinct fashion.
With a pleasing smile, he treadded forward, stopping by her to give her an affectionate nudge as she took in his scent.
"It's been a long time..." she whispered to him as she closed her eyes, taking in everything about him.
"Been busy." he admitted with a voice that was harsh.
"Arn't we all? -From trying to survive, to avoiding the police, we're all busy to have a normal life." she smiled as she tilted her head in an arch to the left, retaining her smile.
"Part of life." he stated as he led her to an alley.
"What's wrong?" she asked him as she sat upon her romp, gazing around at the darkened alley before her.
He let out a discomforting sigh, only he knew what was going to happen, only he knew that he was going to betray the friends he had just met, that ones that he had just bonded with, the ones that trusted him with their life. The ones that had given him a chance,
"I need you to take care of someone for me." he stated with pleading eyes as he lowered his eyes to her level, taking a seat on his rom a few feet from her.
"Who?" she asked him with concern.
"His father was killed a few weeks ago, he's got no one left. I was entrusted with the responsibility to raise him, but... things came up, I feel that if I'm the one to raise him, he'll be in danger." he stated both, truthfully, and with a lie.
"What do you mean?" she asked him.
"That's none of your concern." he glared at her.
"Tinuke'... I love you, if I'm going to be taking care of him, I need to know everything." she prodded him.
"It's personal." he said as he looked away.
"What's his name?" she asked him.
"Vernon. He's Fireborn's son." he confessed.
"Oh wow." she took a step back in both -shock and surprise.
"I know..." his indigo eyes met hers.
"Will you take care of him? -At least until I return?" he asked her affectionately.
"I'll make you a deal." Mist lowered one ear.
"I'll take care of him, but you have to promise me that when you get back, you're going to help me give you an heir." she conned him.
Tinuke' took in the words as a bit of a surprise, but in the end, found himself defeated... however, only he knew that he wasn't going to come back alive... he knew that he would die on this mission, as an act to atone for his sins... and he knew that it would be his only friend to be the one to do it.
"When I get back, I'll make sure you have more-"
"-No, Tinuke'... I mean right now." she nudged him, flashing her flanks in his direction.
He swallowed, looking away to make sure no one was watching.
"I have to get him something to eat, Mist." he argued.
"It won't take long." she smiled, and despite his inner grumbling, impusles aroused within him under stimulation, and the animal within him awoke, and instincts defeated his morals, and before he knew it, he found himself stepping up to her, taking one last glanced around the corner. With a leap of his front legs, he hugged her sides, and planted the seeds.

[Magicheart]

Ripper looked around in frustration. "Where has he gone to now?" he growled. There was too much clutter and activity here, too many men and their monsters, too many giant cement man block houses. He was beginning to feel like the city was closing in around him and suffocating him. He hated not being out in the open air, with the grass brushing his paws. Men had taken Pantherfang's brother from him and sold him. Men were the ones that tried to control all other life, not live in harmony with it. They control dogs for their duties, and they try to control nature with all of their ugly gray stuff. Ripper snorted. He glanced around at the busy area and tried to pick up Tinuke's scent. "I'm going to kill him..." he muttered. "Shortcut?" he growled under his breath. There were no shortcuts. He gazed up at the cloudy sky to see if he could spot Ash. He wasn't so sure that he wouldn't take Tinuke's off of meeting him up on the other side of the city. He felt out of his element here, and something didn't smell quite right with those man-dogs that Tinuke had been conversing with. Ripper found himself with his muscles tensed as though ready for the city to attack him.

[Naijinaxx]

Rohit came from around the corner, spotting Tinuke's friends from afar. The rotweiler lab mix gave a welcoming smile, the long haired dog stepping up to them with a friendly wag of his tail.
"Oy!" he called out, Vernon catching the voice of the older dog before them as he treaded up to them without a care in the world. He plainly spotted the rotweiler's discomfort at the city, the humans, their cars, and their way of life. In a way, however, he found it quite amusing.
"Take it that your not the urban type, eh?" he gave a friendly smile as he stopped before them, his eyes landing on the young wolf in their midsts.
"And you look like an angel..." he smiled, U'Kuma giving a weak smile, as she hid a blush.
"The name's Rohit, Tinuke' told me to be expecting you." he said as the sun began to shine through his coat, reflecting the natural oils that were lining in his hair folicles.
"Let's get you out of the open, eh?" he invited as he began to round the corner, stopping to glance over his shoulder, and towards the group, expecting them to follow him.

"Vernon!"

His ears perked up at the sound of his name, and from there, he spotted Tinuke', in his maw was a hot dog he had stolen from the market. The pup yipped in joy and ran up to Tinuke' as he slowly walked forward with the female behind him, U'kuma gazing out in sudden disappointment, the knowledge of him having a female partner shattering her hopes and dreams like a stone through a glass window.
"Oh poo..." she muttered probably a bit louder than she expected.
Tinuke' limped in their direction, his hind leg sore from the thievory as he laid it on the ground for the pup to devour.
"What's wrong Uncle Tinny?" Vernon asked as Tinuke' snorted at the name, rolling his eyes and puffing his chest out in pride as he sat on his rump, Mist gazing out at the little pup as he gnawed on the foot long hotdog before their eyes.
"Brings us to lesson number one.... don't take food from a man with a baseball bat..." he sighed as he gazed at Ripper in welcome, completely disregarding his scheduled events for the night.
He gazed at Mist and gave a firm nod, she smiled in return and licked his cheek.
"Hey...?" she said as she got down to his level.
"I'm Mist! -What's your name?" she asked the youngster before her as she wagged her tail in greeting.
The pup ignored her, and instead -continued to gnaw on the hotdog before him, his fangs snapping with the warmed meat.
"Hmph..." she stood, gazing at Tinuke', who gave a warm smile.
"Vernon, that's rude..." Tinuke' corrected him, the pup lowering his ears in guilt as he stopped chewing on the hotdog, and gazed up at her in confusion.
"It's okay." she said as she glanced at him with affectionate eyes, nevertheless, they were eyes that told the others that they were deeply involved with one another.

"Geese... why not just get a bill board for yourselves..."[/i] U'kuma grumbled as she passed Ripper, moving on with Rohit as he escorted the rest of them down to the basement of one of the abandoned stores.




"NO!" Vernon screamed as he suddenly came bolting down the stairs with tears in his eyes, chest heaving as his puppy coat writhed in both anger and fear.
"Vernon!" Tinuke' shouted authoritively, Mist standing to the side.
"You promised!" he screamed, all the dogs in the lair gazing up at the scene as it was drowned in absolute silence.
"I know..." he confessed as he drooped his ears down the back of his skull, feeling bad for the child.
"I don't want to go with her! -I want to go with you!" he cried out as he closed his eyes in misunderstanding.
"Vernon..." Tinuke' choked out with guilt in his voice.
"I can't..." he said with sorrow in his voice, it was both, the fact that he was breaking the child's heart, and the fact that he was making promises to those he couldn't keep.
"I'm the leader! -I ORDER you to take me with you!" he screamed as he ran to Ripper in a mad dash as Tinuke' tried to approach the pup.
Tinuke' glanced down at the wooden floor boards, gazing at the speckles of tears that outlined his path to Ripper, his heart skipped a beat... the kid had been through a lot, lost his mother, his siblings, then his father, his friends.... and now, he was about to loose the only one he had left... yet another betraial.
Mist watched the scene in absolute sorrow as the child cried, his heart shattered in two at the sound of the news, and what was to be his new fate. Yet, what made it even worse was the efforts that the child went through to attempt to change his mind, seeking cover behind the pack leader for encouragement, and not the one who was raising him.
She watched as Tinuke' got down on his belly, ears lowered in a fatherly-son love that she had never seen before in Tinuke', the pup moving to him and slamming into his chest as they nuzzled one another.
"I'm sorry..." he cried as he wrapped his neck around the pup's back, more tears falling from his eyes as he felt Vernon shake.
"I've lost everyone...! -Wh-why do I have to loose you too! -Why!?" he whimpered softly, the sound of his moping reaching Rohit from across the basement.
"When I get back, we'll never be seperated. We'll never leave eachother... I'll be there to protect you."
It was yet another promise he couldn't keep, another lie that he had told, another sin that he would have to atone for in the end. His tears weren't from the fact that he was impelling Vernon to stay with Mist, but it was the fact that he was lying to the child's face, knowing full well that the child would eventually find out about his fate, and how the only one left that loved him, turned out to be a criminal on the run.
Mist's heart sank as she watched the two together, and she distinctfully began to understand, that she had made the right choice in choosing her partner. And despite the fact that he was trying to hide something from her, she had already made up her mind that she was his love.

He felt pitiful, the lowest of the low, breaking the child's heart was one of his least favorite things to do, let alone, break the child into tears just by mentioning the words. Maybe it wasn't the right time for him to depart from the only one he trusted, maybe he wasn't ready. He wish he could just say the hell with it, but then again, he didn't want Vernon to see who he really was... what he was about to do... and furthermore, how it was going to end. He never liked making up lies, he never liked hurting other's feelings like this, but in the end, he had no choice. He'd be gone by nightfall, and he would go his own way, abandoning the pack that trusted him as well. -Hurting more feelings, proving once more that he was nothing more than a traitor, a common criminal on the run to seek out his next hoax. It was a weight on his shoulder that he couldn't lift, a burdon that he couldn't bare. Yet in the end, he knew that he still could make the choice, he still had the right to his own free will. Would he shattered the clans, and with it -his friend ship to the Hero, Ripper...? -Along with his death, could he even begin to estimate the sorrow he would bring upon the young pup once Ripper brought him the news? Or, could he abandone the mission given to him, desert the one that he owed so much to for saving him, for strengthening him, feeding him, loving him... become a traitor to the other organizaion he belonged to, the Brotherhood... become a hunted dog once more, always on the run, always seeking shelter, fearing for his life for every second of his existance, was that the way to raise a family? Was that the way to teach a leader how to survive? Tell them the basics while doing it yourself?
The choise was his, and as far as he felt, the responsibility of raising this child was not his responsibility. He was picked by Fireborn by mistake. No... he wasn't picking Tinuke'... a flash sent his mind back to the swaying field, where before him lay the dying master, his one eye landing against him, and then shifting in weakness.
"Take care of my son... raise him into a powerful, and young leader..."
Tinuke' closed his eyes as the pain in the back of his head subsided, he recalled that Ripper was standing directly behind him, he picked Ripper... not Tinuke', yet Vernon had chosen Tinuke' by heart.
He swallowed what felt like a ton of bricks, U'kuma watching the scene from afar with heart wrenching eyes as she gazed at Ripper.
"We all saw this coming..." she stated with her firm impute before curling up into a sleeping ball, resting her tired paws to get some rest.
"Mist, if it's alright, I'd like to have him for one more night." he said as he gazed up at her, Vernon's tail giving a slight wag.
She gave a silent nod, moving her lips as if to say okay,, taking a step back to leave the two be.

[Magicheart]

Ripper snorted at Rohit's remark, but said nothing.
Ripper silently followed the dogs into the room. He glared at Tinuke with narrowed eyes as Vernon had his outburst, and wrapped a large, protective paw over the pup as he ran over to him and embraced him. As rough as the rotweiler could be when he needed to, he also had a softer side for friends and lovers he'd had in the past. He glowered at Tinuke as if his eyes could say fix this. He sighed and shook his head when Vernon ran back over to the husky and turned to vanish into the shadows farther off from the other dogs. Never had he felt so alone in the company of dogs.

[Naijinaxx]

1:30 AM

Tinuke's eyes wondered the dark cellar... there was no soul awake... the lights were out... the room was silent... he gazed down at the pup that had found his way against his side, snugged against the length of his belly as he slept with peace. His heart sank.

He slowly stood, and walked through the darkness, his nails creeking against the wood as he made his stealthy escape... this was the beginning. His mission had begun...

He began to escalate the stairs and started to push his way through the cellar door, only... he froze... gave a sigh and slowly looked over his shoulder, his indigo eyes adjusting to the scene before him. This would be the last time he'd see them as a friend. From this point forward... U'kuma... Ripper... even the female border collie of whom he failed to collect her name... they were enemies now... Ripper should've taken the roads instead... the city was a confusing place, and he knew that his senses would be stired here... oil and exhaust fumes did that to a dog who wasn't adapted to the environment... it buy him some time.

Raven never told him that this was a suicide mission, but it was one to get the messages stiring, to cause a confusion that would blow everything out of perspective... to turn a cold war into a blazing hot one, to cause so much anger, so much sorrow, that there would be little time to reason, just to attack. Diplomacy wasn't going to save the clans, but Raven had set his eyes on the clans for quite a while... though potential aid was to come from Lost Clan, Tinuke' already knew that Raven intended on whiping them out sooner or later.... once he relinquished them of their resources.

He turned his head with a snort, and pushed his way through the door, only for young eyes to awaken and realize the sudden draft of cold air... not to mention the absense of the one that had sworn a promise... he followed.

Young black paws ran along the wooden floor, evading the sleeping dogs as he too pushed himself through the door. His eyes adjusting to the deep saphire blue of the neon signs that were posted along the ally's corner, attracting some humans, while those who left smealt of cheap nachos and liquor.
But among that neon light was a familar shadow, along with it, a familar scent, and he approached, rounding that corner to spot Tinuke', alone, with an expression of distinct saddness.

"I knew you'd leave early." Vernon whispered as frost blew from nostrals, Tinuke' turning slowly and gazing at the young pup.

"What are you doing up, Vernon?" Tinuke' asked as his eyes focused in on the dark form.

"You said you'd leave in the morning... why are you leaving now? -Alone?"[b/] Vernon asked him with concern.

"There are things that need to be done... things that I have to do." the husky took a seat at the corner of the alley, gazing at the young dog as he made his approach.

"Like what?" Vernon asked with confusion.

"Things that just don't need to be talked about." Tinuke' admitted as he gazed up at the stars.
"You know... they say that when you're lost... you can always look up to the stars for guidance, and hope. They become a beacon... a sign of...." he paused, trying to think of the word he was looking for.
"Reasurance..." he added swiftly.

"My father always told me that they could fortell the future... and the past.... my mother's up there somewhere..." Vernon said as he too, gazed up at the stairs.

"And I'm pretty sure she's very proud of you, Vernon... you've come a long way." Tinuke' said as he turned to face the pup.

"Do you think she can see me from up there?" he asked the husky.

"I wouldn't know..." Tinuke' admitted bluntly as he returned his gaze to the stairs once more.
"The world is an amazing, yet confusing place... for the living... and for the dead..." he turned to the pup.

"Why are you talking like this?" Vernon asked as he gazed at Tinuke' with confusion.

"It's just the way things are..." Tinuke' stood on all fours and began to walk off into the streets, leaving the pup be. He began to cry, tears began to wash from his eyes as he watched the Siberian Husky disappear into the shadows... he lifted his forepaw, ready to follow... his hind leg... and when he moved forward, a stream of headlights blocked his way, and a car came speeding by, honking its horn until it passed... and when Vernon looked... Tinuke' was gone.

"...all you had to say was goodbye..." Vernon whispered as he lowered his head in shame, his eyes bluring as the tears fell, landing on the pavement and darkening it under moisture.

[Magicheart]

Ripper woke with a start. He was surprised that he had even slept at all. He cursed his surroundings when he remembered where he was. He stretched and stealthily crept towards the opening of the room. He longed to see the stars, but the city lights devoured all but a few of them. The large rotweiler sighed. He couldn't wait to get out of here. Only an hour or two until daylight, and then they would hopefully be on their way. The large black and tan dog sat and waited. You can't even see the sun come up here. There are too many man houses in the way. He thought in disgust.