When he had followed her scent which led him to the communal den he had not expected to find her in the state she was in. He had seen her upset and sad but this she seemed almost manic and that worried him more than he would admit to. She'd been through alot in just the last few months but to have Tagg disappear on her like he had. The tawny man better have one hell of a reason for not being there for her now when she needed him most. Fallen Tree Cove had always been a place of second chances but Tagg was pushing it. The dark man didn't know how someone who said he loved here could leave her like he had.

She didn't immediately notice him he waited to see if she would notice him and do as he'd ask her. When she finally did stop the look on her face and the way her breathing was was heavy and the worry he felt for her only grew. Kajika didn't hesitate to go to her to try to calm her down so that she could talk him. He pulled her into an embrace to try comfort her but he was didn't know how she could he comforted when her mate had disappeared on her. He couldn't consciously tell her everything would be okay when he didn't know himself. “Talk to me Moonshadow, you might feel better if you do. We promised to always talk things out,” he reminded her hoping that might get her to open up and he hoped he could help her work through it.

They had always been close sharing with each other nearly everything and to Kajika he didn't think this time should be any different. Tagg had hurt her and he would have to pay for that mistake. There was no way the tawny male could escape that unless he was dead after seeing Moonshadow in her current state. The dark man had never seen her so distraught and torn down before. The new mother broke down in great sobs as Kajika held her against him during which he didn't say anything he just held her and let her cry.

Finally her tears and sobs seemed to subside but he still didn't say anything and gave her the time she needed to recover herself. He could feel the wetness from her tears as it had soaked through his fur to his skin. He didn't mind if Moonshadow felt better for getting it all out. He was sure that she would talk to him when she was ready but he did tighten his embrace on her. Whatever comfort he could give her he would but he wouldn't lie to her. Right now she was too fragile to take a lie or a promise that could be broken. He could not know if Tagg would get back or if bad things would stop happening to the cove but he could promise he would always be there.

He knew Moonshadow well and knew she would talk when she was ready she just needed a little time. He didn't mind waiting and just letting her cry on his shoulder, it wasn't often that he'd seen her so bad off she would cry so he knew she had a lot on her mind. Eventually the sobs stopped and she pulled away from him and offered an apology for the fur that was nearly soaked through. He bumped her chin, “You don't have to apologise Moonshadow, if a little wet fur is the price I have to pay for you to feel just a little better I'm glad to pay it,” he told her offering a reassuring smile, “Anything for you.” He would always do anything she needed. She also felt the need to dry the place she had made wet with her tears and he let her do it, he felt it might help her to feel a little better.

When she had finished drying his fur she met his gaze her eyes still wet from the tears she'd cried. Kajika reached out to dry them for her something Tagg should have been doing but then she probably wouldn't be crying if the tawny man were there. Kajika mentally growled at the man for upsetting her so, “You're welcome,” he responded recognizing the tone of her voice, a time he didn't think he'd ever heard from her before. “Do you want to talk about it?” He asked though he had every intention of making her he thought he would give her the chance to do it on her own. She needed to talk about it and get it out and off yet chest. “Maybe I can help,” he told her hoping it might encourage her to open up to him.

The dark man hated seeing Moonshadow in such a state especially feeling so badly that she needed to cry until she felt better. She always tried to he so strong which he commended her for but she also needed to have her time to just let it all out. He'd had his chance to go through the things that had been plagued him and after everything he could not and did not expect her to keep it all in. He let her dry the fur on her shoulder before he dried her tears, he knew both actions would help her to feel better. At least enough that she might talk about it which he thought would also make her feel better. It would at least give him a chance to hear what was bothering her so that he might be able to help her through whatever it was that had her so upset.

Finally when she'd had the chance to get it out and calm down he asked her if she wanted to talk about it. A smile crossed his maw at her words, “You know me too well Moonshadow, you will feel better. How many times did you tell me that? Hmm.” it was good to hear her chuckle and it made him think that he wouldn't have to work too hard to get it out of her. He listened as she listed everything that had happened to the cove wolves and nodded. “We have been through a lot. I'm sorry you were attacked and lost your children I wish I had been here and maybe it wouldn't have happened. I do miss Des, it's horrible what happened to her and Eido and if I ever find those responsible...” He trailed off looking down at his paws for a moment. Kajika had not missed her stating that Namid was leaving. It was a shock but he felt that would wait for the moment. “We also got through it or are doing our best to. We have to focus on the good things I think you and Lunette are home safe and Chan. I'm sorry that Tagg isn't here right now but you're never alone Moonshadow not as long as I am here, you know that right?” Tagg or no Tagg Kajika would never abandon her or Chan he loved them both too much. “You're worried about stepping up for Namid again?” He asked feeling that this was what had her so upset. It was the last thing to happen in the string of things that had happened to the cove. It made the most sense this was what had her panicking.

There were times that it took a while lot to get Moonshadow to tell him what was going on. This time it had only taken a reminder of their promise to each other and telling her she would feel better. As she spoke though it was a reminder of all that had happened that he didn't need because it was in his mind everyday. Lately he had begun to feel he had failed again by not finding Des's murderer. He held onto the guilt that he had not been able to stop what happened to Des and Moonshadow. What if he hadn't gone away would what happened have still happened? Could that one small decision the seemed so important at the time have been the wrong one? He would never know and he knew he was going crazy after thinking about it all of the time. He looked into her gaze as she spoke and a lick to his muzzle was given in comfort. “I know your right but I can't help but feel like it is, that if I had never left Des would still be alive, would you have not gotten attacked, would your children still be alive?” This question had plagued him more each day and often kept him up at night. He was sad that Des and Eido had lost their lives and wanted to make the ones responsible pay. It also seemed Moonshadow had the same idea, “One day they will,” he agreed with her. They of course had to find them first and with so little to go on he had his moments when he wasn't sure they would ever find them.

Even with all the bad for them to be able to go on with their lives he felt it was important they focus on the good. If they didn't they would always worry about what the next bad thing would be. When Tagg was brought up she expressed how she couldn't lose him. Kajika brushed her cheek with his muzzle, “I know. Tagg is strong and he's come back before. I'm sure he will come back just as soon as he can.” As mad as he was at the tawny man for disappearing on her he knew he would not be able to keep him from coming back for Moonshadow. As she spoke of Namid leaving he knew that was what had to have brought all of this on. She was worried she wouldn't be able to the job of alpha and deal with everything else. “You don't need to worry Moonshadow. I am sure you can handle this,” he told her with confidence. He and Vespertio had agreed to keep the change in ranks between them but the dark leader felt it was time she knew. “You will have me next to you to help you. Vespertio has stepped down as well.”