He spoke to her and though she didn't give any indication that she noticed, she did. There was a stutter in his voice, one that slightly bothered her, but gave away that something else was plaguing his mind. At his last words a sly smile spread across the woman's face, her emerald eye darkening slightly, "We shall...I'm much more dangerous than others make me out to be." Her gaze once again locked with his, curious as to what was going on in his troubled mind. Opening her jaws, words flew from her mouth gracefully, "Something bothers you...what is it?" They were close, their fur brushing in the familiar manner that it would every time they stood at the borders together when one was trying to gain entrance into their family, not that they had ever denied anyone a new beginning, and she was glad that he was here, because Nina didn't know what she would do without him by her side.
Hollow's eyes were locked into Nina's one and he felt a pressure begin to build in his chest, a nervousness. Like a lump in his throat Hollow tried desperately to fight of the feeling that had begun to tug at him from the inside. But it kept coming, and Hollow was so surprised he could not remove his eyes from her single emerald orb. It kept washing over him in waves and the dark leader had no idea how to handle what it was he was feeling, it was the same old affection for Nina that he always felt, but it seemed different somehow. Ever since Azariah had been gone, Hollow's heart had been calling out. But he knew he was a fool, this was just pain speaking, there was no way that this was possible, he was just hurting and he was trying to latch onto a friend.
"Nothing Nina, it's just stupid thing, for a moment there, I actually thought... well I thought something happened, but I'm sure it's just me missing closeness." Hollow made sure to make it sound as though he had already brushed off the prospect that his brain kept chasing. Even if deep down he kept repeating that it was only a moment and he would feel different tomorrow he could have sworn for an instant. He wanted his friend, it was a terrifying sensation, simply because the dark male was unwilling to destroy such a strong bond over being heartbroken. If he couldn't get rid of it, he would talk to her then, yes, It's just our closeness and everything, I don't really feel anything he thought desperately.
Nina was smart though and knew how to act accordingly in different situations that she was in. It never took her more than a few seconds to come up with a good enough lie if she needed to. Though, she tried to avoid such sins and tell the truth, sometimes it was a selfish act of needing to hide her true self from every one else around her. No one in Secret Woodlands knew of the real damage that Nina could ensue upon one, whether it be with herbs or by her own paw. Sloane had taught her enough after her near death experience with her brother how to fight and Nina would be forever grateful for his instructions. Thinking of her old friend now, she turned back towards the Guardian next to her, "We haven't heard anything from Whisper Caverns lately...and...it worries me. I wish to send someone out, but I need to find a worthy scout first." She sighed heavily and looked back down on her paws...she didn't know how her situations could get any more complicated.
"I feel as if maybe closeness starts too much sometimes Nina." His eyes were boring into her now, he could hardly help himself as the prickling grew. "We would have to send two." He spoke quickly to attempt to cover his previous words. "I think it better that we just wait until winter at least lessens it's grip." In truth Hollow was even reserved at sending out two wolves for such a thing due to the harsh coldness of the winter. The dark male could not stand to see wolves never come home due to his order, and still, they needed every set of paws they could possibly have.
She listened to her words over what he said and nodded her head in agreement. There was no way it was safe for her members to be out in the cold winter nights with no one else with themselves. If there were other predators out there, the night in unfamiliar grounds. The Healer shuddered at the thought and turned towards her friend, looking up at him in concern, "Come, my dear friend, you need rest, I think." Nudging his shoulder gently back towards the den, the mother tried to coax her friend to rest. She knew that he was exhausted, both mentally and physically and there was nothing more that he needed now that wasn't rest. Nina would watch over him and make sure that no harm would come to him in his slumber.
What the male wasn't prepared for was the gentle touch on his shoulder. A shock wave of fire and a very strange and old sensation shot down his spine. His eyes widened and his breath hitched. "Y-yes Nina... R-rest, that must be it, I'm just tired." They set off towards the den and he found his eyes tracing the trail the trees and everything around them ever vigilant. Purposefully ignoring Nina, for he was afraid if he did he wouldn't look away and cause another halt to their journey home. It was very strange and almost sudden. But he found his thoughts lingering on the moments of their fur brushing and their eyes meeting. Still he shook his head, he needed to clear his thoughts. that was all, a good rest and a simple run should do the trick.