Hidden Tree Burnt remains

OUR HOPES AND EXPECTATIONS BLACK HOLES AND REVELATIONS The unmistakable stench of burnt damp wood was growing strong and strong as Weldering edged through the Wildwood. It was not a difficult task at all to find the charred remains of the packlands that once belong to the Tainn family once called the Hidden Tree. He could now for the first time clearly see why they had moved to a new fresh location to start a new life rather then settling upon these dismal ashes. Though for obvious reasons living over the ashes of your own deceased family was not such a good idea either and moving on would help with their situation. He merely had to picture what he would do in the Tainn's situation, would he ever move back to his old island when the land has recovered - no, never. Already the summer sun and rains had allowed for new shoots of grass and buds to sprout on the branches of the blackened trees that clung barely onto life. Yet he was sure the effects of the fire would last until the following spring, the memories for longer still. Padding slowly across the blackened ground he continued to explore close to the old abandoned den site.

<center><img src=http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z151/kittykarnage/fishmaster.png></center>

It was a habit that Indru would deny doing so frequently, visiting his old home where he had spent the past 3 years of his life. Where his parents would now permanently remain. It was not uncommon for him to smell faint, departed scents of lone wolves here, after all he guessed that they were attracted to the ruined lands to see what had happened, what damage had been caused. Though Indru came here for other reasons, perhaps not as healthy as genuine curiosity either, as he should be trying to let the past go and move on, but it was something much easier said than done.

He approached Hidden Tree without even thinking, even without the trees that marked his journey through the usual root he took as a pup, yearling and then an adult, he could navigate his way with ease. As he neared the den he noticed a scent that was not so old and departing, but instead was fresh. Perhaps what was weirder was the stirring of familiarity it gave him, yet it was undeniably a lone wolf and not one of his pack. Deciding that he would not be deterred from his old home by a stranger, and curious as to who this male was, he took steps forward, more quiet than before. It was just a moment before Indru reached his old pack den, when a black male would come into sight, that Indru remembered where he knew the scent from, so when he appeared his fur was already bristled and his body tense. You. The boy was bitter with the relations he had with Junai, whatever they were, but he had been reassured by his sister than Weldering had not done anything yet, so he kept his body only slightly more hostile than an average meeting, enough to display his displeasure about the wolf.

OUR HOPES AND EXPECTATIONS BLACK HOLES AND REVELATIONS The damp ash and soot that covered the blackened earth was sticky when damp as it soaked into the mud. The heavy rain from the previous day had turned the ground into a thin paste of glue and yet it barely showed up as it clung to the furs of all four of his ebony socked paws. His blunt claws flexing as he felt the soft ground beneath him and all the while roaming slowly around the edges of the old Tainn family dwellings just taking his time to look around and inspect the damage for himself. He saw no harm in what he was doing for he knew all too well he had crossed no scent barriers to get here, no one laid claim to this territory any longer. It had become a memory now. Yet there was a scent that mingled in the air, one also within his own memory and as it grew stronger Weldering turned his black maw to face Indru as he arrived. The sharp words piercing into his mind yet as always he merely stated the first things that came into his. "Yes me." He muttered. There was no point asking Indru what he was doing here, it was the resting spot of the members of his family that had not escaped the disaster. Now while it was clear Indru was agitated by Weldering's presence he was not going to bristle his own silver hackles back and display any disrespect, not here it was the wrong place. The thought alone of where he was and what this place must have meant to Indru calmed Weldering's impatient temper and was beginning to feel sorry for the other brute. "I'm sorry about your loss, it must be hard."

<center><img src=http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z151/kittykarnage/fishmaster.png></center>

Making no repose to Weldering's mutter Indru continued to approach, curious as to why he was sniffing around his old pack den. He was aware that the wolf must know the full events that took place here, unlike most lone wolves, as he was sure Junai had told him, along with seemingly everything else about their lives. The silence hung in the air for a moment, and Indru took it as a moment to gaze around his home, feeling a lump every time he saw the tree he was raised under broken and charred on the floor.

Weldering's words came as a shock, breaking him out of his thoughts and he turned to look at him. Oh, well, thanks. Indru coninued to watch him for a moment, almost as if trying to find an ulterior motive before giving in a curt nod, receding to the possibility he was just being polite. Junai said your family... a fire also? He could remember brief things from that conversation, though its sour ending was what the boy remember most, remembering his younger sisters annoyance at their uncle and unwillingness to forgive him. I'm sorry for your loss too.

OUR HOPES AND EXPECTATIONS BLACK HOLES AND REVELATIONS At least his politeness had come to some use, the tension in the air was lifting and Weldering held no room nor time for bickering just because they had gotten off to a bad start the other day. Sure Weldering could fight, he possessed the skills necessary along with his haughty and broad body. Yet he was the type that would try to avoid conflicts first rather then creating. Acting immature or rude when standing so close to the resting place of Indru and Junai's parents would likely stir up all kinds of unwanted trouble. He was happy with the amount of grave digging he had done recently. The mention of his own kin caused his brow to arch, his loose blue gaze that was never held in the same spot for long was drawn back to the Swift River leader for a moment. "In a way, yes." Remarking to the fact that there had been a fire. Though he was unsure as to how exactly they had died for there could have been many painful deaths from the deadly smoke and ash, the mudslides, the forest fires, drowning in the ocean while panicking to get off the island or however unlikely it seemed the molten lava itself. "There was a volcano on the island I used to live on." He muttered back with a sigh, he presumed that comment alone was enough of a clue without having to go into further details. Yet Indru was lucky, at least he still had family while Weldering had nothing.

<center><img src=http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z151/kittykarnage/fishmaster.png></center>

It was somewhat amicable, the silence that passed between the two males, not something Indru would of envisioned happening any time soon. He wondered whether it was the fact that he knew his previous issue with Indru was not correct, or whether that being in the presence of a now scared area to him made conflict the last thing on his mind, regardless it wasn't exactly a bad thing. He listened as Weldering spoke with genuine interest, curious as to how a fire was in a way correct as surely it just was or it wasn't in Indru's eyes. It didn't take long for him to explain, however, and Indru titled his head in surprise at the answer, again letting the silence linger as he thought it over.

A volcano? The boy had never seen one, they weren't exactly in the climate after all, and he had only heard about them, partly not believing in their existence himself. You must of been pretty far away, then? He inquired, only being able to imagine the distance required to see a volcano. Indru had noticed that the wolf had no elaborated, which then confirmed his ideas over how death could be caused by a volcano. Painful was certain, much like his mother and father must off faced. The Tainn wondered if Weldering suffered survivors guilt like he did, something which plagued him now and inevitably would for a long while, and though it was tempting to ask, he did not yet feel comfortable enough with this other yet.

OUR HOPES AND EXPECTATIONS BLACK HOLES AND REVELATIONS Home, least his old home, was far far away from these lands now and as everyday passed by it also felt further as the intricate memories of the island begun to fade. "Yes, at least a months worth of traveling from here." He replied still with a casual and quiet tone. "But I need to be far from it to get a good fresh new start." Weldering explained, his blue eyes meeting with the fiery orange gaze that belonged to Indru. "I don't think I've told Junai this yet but I think I'm going to stay here, settle down eventually." He was not entirely sure why he mentioned Junai again, it was only after her name was spoken he remembered it was a sore subject to speak of with Indru yet he waited to see the Alphen's reaction.

<center><img src=http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z151/kittykarnage/fishmaster.png></center>

A month was a long time to travel in a given direction for Indru, he had not strayed very far at all in comparison to that length of time. He considered it, being so far from here, but he could not imagine it, not imagine himself ever doing it. Very far, he remarked, watching the younger male with curiosity, he did not look to travel beaten considering the large distances he had covered. Far for a young wolf like yourself, too. He knew the wolf was not much younger than himself, but for him too Indru knew it would be a large journey to partake, and for Weldering, not long out of being a yearling, it would of been very difficult as yearlings are not the most skilled after all. Indru was certain if Junai travelled that far she would not survive without a pack at the moment.

It was almost as if he could read Indru's mind, as just when he had drifted to think of his yearling sibling so had this Weldering mentioned her name. His eyes narrowed, and he tensed slightly, trying not to immediately jump to conclusions like before. Why would you need to tell Junai this? He questioned, a harsher tone now coating his words, as after all if there was nothing going on if a lone wolf decided to move and travel elsewhere it was not a concern of hers.

OUR HOPES AND EXPECTATIONS BLACK HOLES AND REVELATIONS It was easy to walk and carry on if you had a great fear and source of sorrow and pain to walk away from. Run Weldering, keep running and don't look back. Even to this day he could not walk far enough away from his guilt - your daughter of four months has died because you did not take her with you. The one you loved you were never able to tell because all this time you felt she was too good for you - but now it's too late. Weldering might not have had any blood relatives to speak of but the bonds he shared with his friends and ex-packmates was just as close. The fact that Indru had most of his kin survive only filled him with needless and selfish jealousy, but it was buried deep within him. Perhaps the journey he had undertaken was long, but he had managed mainly due to the fact that he had been able to sustain himself at a very young age. He'd been a lone wolf most of his life. Yet the mere mention of Junai as expected sparked up the tension they shared only a few days ago, yet this time Weldering carefully narrowed his own icy blue eyes back. "Because I guess she's a friend." It was the only simple way of describing it. When you had no-one all you could do was hopelessly clutch onto those that came close. "Just a friend."

<center><img src=http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z151/kittykarnage/fishmaster.png></center>

The slight retaliation was not missed on Indru, but it was only a narrowing of the eyes, something he shrugged off, unimpressed with the boy's threat if that was what it meant to be. Weldering was alone, Indru had a pack after all, and a strong brother, it would be dangerous for any lone wolf to threaten a pack member. At his answer though Indru watched him suspiciously, a friend seemed a bit far fetched from what Junai had said too him, it seemed the friendship was stronger one way than the other, a fact that worried Indru further.

She is young, younger than you seemed to have been at her age, she is naive in ways. Perhaps this is where the problem lay, Weldering, seeming mature and hardened for his age, could maybe not distinguish the normal maturity growth patterns of a stable pack environment. I don't want you playing her, or swaying her and especially not courting her. He hissed the last words slightly, but less out of an uncontrolled anger but to empthasise them further. Indru knew this Weldering was not stupid, as much as he did stupid things sometimes, and he would be aware that courting the danger of a pack was not wise. At least this way Indru made where he stood clear, she was too young to be considered as a potential mate, especially by a lone wolf with no attachments.