A Mysterious Stranger [Free, Sun]

[smartboyathome]

The clouds had rolled in over the trails as Balorik had followed Crouse towards wherever Home was, telling her it wouldn't be much further. She couldn't wait to see it, the places she'd seen had been so interesting, though not knowing the names nor really keeping a mental map, she would never find them again. There were many different distinct smells to the areas which she could all tell apart, and the plants and other animals were different yet the same as well. She still wanted to explore every part of every place they went, but he hadn't allowed her to for whatever reason he had, she couldn't understand it. No matter, though, since she didn't want to make him mad and so she didn't pester him too much about it, having figured that much out at least.

Now, they had stopped here, wherever here was she still didn't know since there were different types of plants yet some were seen in other places as well. She had been told to wait there by Crouse, though she didn't know why she was waiting when she thought Home was where it was nice, not here. She just found herself pacing back and forth, impatient as she waited for him to come back and tell her what they'd do next or where they would go. There had been one point where they had just stopped and rest, though she didn't feel like resting, but she didn't fight it and just laid there like he did and waited for him to get up. Maybe that was like now, though if it was she didn't know why he wouldn't be with her, why they weren't laying down together like then.

She found her mind wandering as she heard a strange noise a bit off the trail, and thinking that investigating wouldn't take more than a minute, she wandered off in that direction. She didn't know exactly where it came from, but she still went on hoping to find what had caused it, whatever it actually was. Maybe it was a nice wolf, she guessed that being close to Home meant that there'd be nice wolves all around with no mean wolves like the one they met a while back. If that was so she wanted to meet it, to make friends with it, and perhaps it could teach her some things as well, things that Crouse forgot. She grew excited as she went further, but suddenly a realization that she was lost came into play, and she panicked, wandering back and forth trying to find where she was supposed to wait, not knowing what to do.

[© freedom]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=width,400,true]

[atrb=background,http://i899.photobucket.com/albums/ac192/fireb4ashes/Benji-MIDDLE.jpg] When would this war be over?! Benjamin was beginning to wear down, slowly but surely. He had been away from his mate and son for too long now. He had been away from his pack and running patrol. He had been out here, in the wild, for months now. Other than his encounter with Wintersleep and Lilue he hadn't seen anyone in moons. He had seen the carnage, always coming in too late and never once on time. It was beginning to wear him thin, knowing that he was failing in the mission that Serena had given him. Knowing that he was not good enough to help the people around him, the ones he would give his life to protect. Benjamin, more often known as Benji, had grown up on this Island. He had been one of the first wolves here, and almost everyone he had known were now gone. Lukari, his mate, remained- he doubted she would ever leave Traum- she loved it here. Then there was Serena, the she wolf he had met when he was barely six weeks old and had saved his first life. He had always held the female with deep respect, and for years he had dreamed of joining her forces and helping the world around him. After running away from Lukari once, he could not bring himself to become a Warrior and maybe leave her forever. His mate and his son had to come first. It showed how amazing his pale white wife really was, that he was out here now. She had not complained, she had not cried, she had simply kept her head up and her voice strong as she encouraged him to do what Serena had asked. No, Lukari was more than amazing, she was perfect. He had never met a wolf as positive and calm as his Lulu was. Liam, his son, had thankfully taken his traits for his mother- or so the father saw it- and was just as happy, just as positive that things would be for the best. And though Benji loved his son, often babying him more than was needed, it was his mate that his heart was searching and yearning out for. Walking along the dirt covered trail, Benji let out a deep sigh- his head falling slightly. He had walked this road a few weeks ago, but had found nothing, so here he was again. In truth, Benji hated this trail. It was bland, it was dirty, it was hard to pick up any scent on the wind from the dust that clung around his eyes and filled his nose. And though he was tired, Benji would never have skipped the road, he took his responsibility extremely seriously. It was the reason why he had been out here for at least three moons, traveling every day with only a few hours of rest in between. Thankfully he was a sturdy animal, and had conditioned his body a long time ago- otherwise he would be dead by now. The feeling of loss flowed over the brute, as he hit a wall. It was not literal, it was something that he saw in his mind. It was the same wall that a long distance runner faces, when pain and exhaustion take over, when he could no longer breathe, and just wanted to stop. Benji was facing such a thing now, and as he watched the bricks line themselves up taller and taller he felt himself shrinking. Every fiber in his body wanted him to turn around and crawl home to his mate, ever cell in his still beating heart wanting him to lie down and take a nap, but every bit of his brain was telling him it was not his time yet- he needed to keep on moving. The self pity was fading though, the wall in front of him broke down, brick by brick and for a moment Benji was confused- until his dirt clogged nose cleared slightly and he could smell it. Could smell her. Picking up his feet quickly the wolf dog made good time. Within moments he was standing on a smell ledge looking down on a clearly distressed and lost female. Watching the situation calmly, the wing ruffled Benji's fur and he took slow steps forward out of the shadows and into the sunlight. An angel coming down to guide the lost; a shepherd come to guide his flock. He was not a huge wolf, in fact he was shorter than most brutes. His legs were not long and tall like most wolves, and his body was must more bulky and solid than the wolf species. His head was shaped like a triangle, and his eyes were almond, not round. His ears were short, close to his head, and more strange than anything else- his tail was curled up tight and flush against his back. While vibrant purple eyes stared out at her, his snow white pelt danced with the rays of the sun. "Calm down. Child. My name is Benji, and I want to help you." His voice was kind, maybe a little more high pitched than most males- but it was calming and secure. There was a gentleness in this wolf, a kindness in his soul that compelled him to help each and every creature in the world. Even though he was clearly an adult, at least three- if not older, there was very little adult in his mind. He was sharp, he was strong, he was very intelligent. But Benji had never really grown up. Teaching himself what he needed to know, helping and protecting random puppies he would find along the way, Benji had turned into an adult at the age of six weeks old. Now that he was a father, a mate, a member of a pack, and a full grown wolf; his mind had reverted back to wanting to be the puppy he never had. In reality, there were not many adults that could have as much fun as grown up Benji could, just by chasing his tail. Muse;; I LOVE BENJI! Word Count;; 1007 Authors Notes;; Hope it was ok! Copyright;; Benjamin and this post are both strictly © to Freedom. Table made and © by Ashes. All theft will be found and dealt with strictly.

[☼ Sunstorm]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=width,410,true]

[atrb=background,http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn15/stephers1995/Crouse-2---MIDDLE.png] We were so very close now. So close to this 'home' Balorik was striving to know. We'd slept once, though I was pretty sure that she didn't even know what sleeping was....It was amazing how little she knew. She was a puppy, and honest-to-God puppy in an adults body. I had to admit, she could be so fucking annoying sometimes, asking so many questions that anyone with common sense would know the answer to. I was constantly reminding myself that she had no common sense, and I found it relatively easy to keep my anger in check. I wasn't sure what it was; maybe the frailness of her feminine body, the way she had instantly taken to me with an admiring eye. Either way, I was relatively kind to her. My stomach had been stirring for a while now, grumbling and telling me that I needed to find something to devour. I had figured that maybe Bal was in need of something too, so I'd told her to stay put. I didn't let her know what I was doing, because there would have been questions like, "What's hunting? What do you mean you're going to kill something? Eat? What?" I got rather cranky when I was hungry, so I didn't want to waste any more time with it. I set off into the forest surrounding the various dusty trails here. This place was practically one of the Revolt's territories, though it wasn't officially our camp or anything. I knew the territory so well that it was effortless to slide over and under the obstacles in my way. I wasn't planning on taking one of the buffalo that roamed in the area, because that was a task too large for me, but I would find a rabbit or something. Just something to hold me over until we got back to the Crystal Stream. The trees overhead were swirling with the colors of fall, and I had to take care in where I set my aws due to the abundance of fallen leaves. Seeing all of this put an incredible excitement in my stomach; I absolutely loved Winter, and all of this gave direct signs of that season approaching. I couldn't wait until the first snow fall. I smiled at that thought, and then I lurched forward when I caught sight of a hare. My longer legs sent me far over the terrain, and after a good chase, the rabbit hung limp within my jaws. It was so very difficult to not just tear into the meal at the moment I held it in my mouth. I nearly did, too, but I restrained myself and instead trotted back in the direction I had left Balorik, knowing that she was probably hungry and she would need some energy to make it back to the Crystal Stream. I didn't want to have to drag her anywhere, so she'd need this. When I got back to the place I had left her, however, my claws dug into the ground with utter frustration. A low growl rose within my chest, bubbling up through my mouth and stirring the fur of the animal I held. "Fuck," I sighed as I spat the hare out, wrinkling my muzzle up for a moment because the soft hairs had tickled me. I lowered my head then, frustration etched into every gesture as I devoured the meal; the entire meal, yes. If Balorik wanted to wander around, then fuck it, she wasn't eating. Even if she didn't know what that was. Now I'd have to go chasing her around, and I wasn't in the mood to do so. The blood remained on my muzzle, turning the creamy white into a crimson, when I set off in search of her. I could feel the energy coursing through me already, but it did nothing to supress the irritable mood I was in. Damn Balorik for wandering off. I followed her scent in order to find her, though it took some effort considering that there was constantly dust floating in the air, making it harder to track anything. I did find her, though, and when I did see her frame I relaxed a little. However, within the next instant of seeing her, I heard another voice, once that caught me off guard and caused my hackles to lift. 'Calm down. Child. My name is Benji, and I want to help you.' My eyes flashed up as I surged forward, intentionally rustling the fallen leaves so he would hear my approach. This 'he' was a white wolf, shorter yet bulky in stature. I did not recognize his face, but I did recognize the scent that surrounded him. He was a Warrior, and that made him an instant enemy. "I don't think she or I needs your assistance, thanks," I said, my voice short as I glared at him. I pressed my shoulder into Balorik's, attempting to urge her away from this scene. I didn't want to stay here any longer than I had to.

[smartboyathome]

Balorik's panic grew as she thought that she may have lost Crouse forever, and thus she had lost her way to Home, which she only knew was by Stream, forever. She wasn't safe here, her experience with Aice told her that she should be staying with Crouse forever so the mean wolves didn't attack her. Apparently any wolf could be bad, no matter how nice they looked, and she didn't want to run into another bad wolf before they reached Home. Yet, her protector wasn't there, she had nothing, she didn't know if she'd be able to tell the bad wolves that Crouse had mentioned apart from the good wolves.

Suddenly, her mind was distracted by a sound somewhere in the trees, a bird flapping its wings as it took flight, startled by the creature below it. She immediately became scared, lowering herself down to the ground as she looked left and right, wondering if any bad wolves were preparing to show themselves, if they could drop out of the sky. She could feel her heart beating, and a very different feeling, an emptiness in her abdominal region, which she instinctively knew was hunger but didn't know how to get rid of it. She didn't know how to get food, or what to eat, she would surely starve if she didn't find anything, and the bad wolves would surely get her. Maybe the bad wolves would eat her, she didn't know if they ate other wolves or not, but the thought scared her even more nonetheless.

Suddenly, her head snapped up as she heard footsteps beyond a small ledge, and soon there was a wolf standing up top, looking down at her. It looked rather nice, its eyes seemed to have a certain calmness to them that she didn't understand and he looked very different from herself, Crouse, and Aice, the three wolves she had met thus far. His white fur seemed to glow that she didn't think could be caused by the sun since none could have penetrated the sky's cover when she had last seen it. Besides, now they couldn't even see the sky now, they were under the tree's cover, so that made him seem even stranger than anything else she had seen.

His words were even more kind and calm, like there was nothing that was going on, like everything was perfectly fine with the world. Apparently, he wanted to help her, and she needed help right now, as she felt herself soften a lot, his calmness flowing into her as she stood up a bit more. She found it hard to believe that he was a bad wolf, he didn't seem like one and he actually seemed quite fun compared to Crouse. That was one thing she had noticed, he didn't seem to be very fun and just dismissed most of her questions, which did very much annoy her. He probably had a reason that he had dismissed them, however, though she couldn't understand at the moment what that reason would be.

She snapped her head again as she heard more footsteps, and relief flowed over her as she saw Crouse emerge from the hill. A smile crossed her face and she stood up as she saw him walking toward her rather noisily not looking at all pleased with anything that was going on. Her smile started to fade as she sensed the anger that he had with both of them, and her tail tucked between her legs as she heard him say they didn't need help. He knew something about this wolf, something that she didn't know, and she herself had done something wrong, she knew that. Later he would tell her, though, she wanted to stay out of his way as he did whatever he was going to do to this wolf.

Taking a bit of courage up, however, she asked rather sheepishly, "Crouse, is he a bad wolf?" before backing up away from him. She would stay with him for now on, she feared that she had almost fell into another one's trap and that if Crouse hadn't come along she would have been hurt. She just hoped Crouse would make him go away, and that he would take her to some place safe where he could answer her numerous questions. Of course, the latter he wouldn't do, but there was still hope in her mind that he'd give her more information that she desperately wanted, desperately needed. Still, even if he didn't, she'd just be glad that she'd have gotten away from another bad wolf and closer to Home.

[© freedom]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=width,400,true]

[atrb=background,http://i899.photobucket.com/albums/ac192/fireb4ashes/Benji-MIDDLE.jpg] Benji could remember himself as a child, he could remember how terrified he had been all the time, how he did not know anything and had been thrust out into the world because of how he looked. The first few weeks of his life he had lived in the human village across the Forsaken Lands, but because he looked more wolf than dog he was kicked out and sent to die in the wild. But Benji would not die. It was not like him, to just roll over and let death take him. No, he fought, and he fought hard. It also helped that the first wolf he had met once he got here was Serena, and that one of his first acts was saving a young pup from being taken by the ocean. Since that day, since meeting Serena, he wanted to protect people, he wanted to help and save the young. He wanted to be a Warrior. Benji just didn't realize how long it would take to get here. And here he was. Technically a member of Enchanted but working with the rest of the Warriors to stop the threat of Solokov. Yet sometimes he forgot about the other dark shadow that lay over the land. He forgot about the Revolt and how they had in fact caused the last war that plagued the Island years ago. He did not know any of those wolf's personally, though he had heard their names from time to time. Being so young when it happened he had not been involved in the First War and because of that he did not know as much as he should. Staring at this innocent fae he had no idea she had been caught up in a trap, and watching the brute walk toward her he had no idea that this was indeed Crouse. All he knew was that there was something wrong with this female, that she needed help and that this brute had total control over her. "I don't think she or I needs your assistance, thanks." "Crouse, is he a bad wolf?" Benji froze as both their words flowed over him, yet the only hint that he knew anything was the sudden flick in his ears. Though he did not know much about the Revolt, he knew the name of Crouse. Anger gripped him as he watched the duo closely. For some reason this female was following the Revolt wolf as if he were a God. Benji did not know why, and though he was extremely curious, there were more important things to deal with. He needed to get her away from the brute, it was clear she was an innocent and she was scared. Of him or of her situation he could not exactly figure out just yet. But seeing the apprehension and anger on the male's face Benji knew that he needed to do something and do it fast. Saying a silent prayer to be able to see his mate and son again he took a step forward. Walking down the small incline, the sun danced around his white pelt making him appear as if he was graced with flecks of silver along his coat. His face was kind, his eyes sincere, and there was nothing in his gait that came any inclination that he meant anyone harm. Benjamin was not an actor, but he knew what he needed to do to keep someone safe- and he would do it. Having already given his name the scenarios of what could happen ran through his mind. There was a very real chance that Crouse knew his name and knew he was working for the Warriors. There was also the chance that he had no idea. This was a game of chess between the two males, and the poor female was the queen. Whoever managed to get her first would win, it was just a matter of strategy. Smiling happily he bowed to both of them, his face sincere and true. Even the evil deserved a happy smile now and then. It was not their fault, it was the way they were raised, that made them so dark- or so Benji believed. Syn danced around his thoughts for a moment, and he realized that she had always been nasty. It was a thought to shoot down his theory that all were innocent, but he reasoned rather quickly with himself that something had to have happened to her to make her such a way. There had to been. Evil was just not born into creatures. Glancing at them both he could smell the fresh kill on Crouse's lips but there was none on the females. Her thin body made him wonder when the last time she hate was. Maybe this was his way to get it. "I really do not mean any harm. I'm just a wanderer, always interested in meeting new people. It's been a few days since I managed to catch myself a meal- three hunters are always more efficient than one. What do you say? Care to share a hunt and meal?" Muse;; Flogging Molly Word Count;; 852 Authors Notes;; Sorry it's crappy! Copyright;; Benjamin and this post are both strictly © to Freedom. Table made and © by Ashes. All theft will be found and dealt with strictly.

[☼ Sunstorm]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=width,410,true]

[atrb=background,http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn15/stephers1995/Crouse-2---MIDDLE.png] Balorik seemed happy to see me, but I was glad that her smile faded instantly when she realized the mood that had caught me. Good. I didn't want her to smile anyway, especially since she had drug me into this troubled situation. Now I had to deal with a fucking Warrior when all I wanted to do was go home. Surely he would try to snatch Balorik away because I was 'doing a bad thing' or whatever. I had heard it a million times, and I didn't want to hear it again. 'Crouse, is he a bad wolf?' I really wished she hadn't said my name. That might have alerted this guy to exactly who I was; after all, I personally had heard many names without having met the wolf. I'd heard of the famous Dragunov, and never had I seen him. I'd heard of his opponent--and therefore, the Revolt's opponet as well--Serena, but never had I seen the woman. You get the idea. Not wishing Benji to hear, I murmured lowly in Balorik's ear, "To us, indeed. Do not be fooled by his demeanor." Though I was still intensely angry with her, I continued to press my shoulder into hers, gently doing so. Until we could escape, I was her protector. The more she believed in this, the easier I weasel us out of this situation. Benji stated trotted down the slope he had been standing upon, a bright smile on his features. I did not believe it for one second; the world had showed me how it was. People would turn on you in a split second, and without any warning. I knew very well what organization he aligned himself with, just as he probably knew which one I belonged to. We were playing a game. A very dangerous game. 'I really do not mean any harm. I'm just a wanderer, always interested in meeting new people. It's been a few days since I managed to catch myself a meal- three hunters are always more efficient than one. What do you say? Care to share a hunt and meal?' There wasn't a chance in hell. If he was under the impression that I was going to go along with whatever he was pulling, he was wrong. Balorik might be able to fall for something like this, but not me buddy. "Thanks, but no thanks," I said coldly, making sure that my tone stated that I really did not appreciate his offer. "We want nothing more than to return home. We will hunt when we get there." I dipped my head to Balorik's ear, lowering my voice so that it was nothing more than a rumble from my throat. "Let's go." Now, if only she would listen to me. She could make this a whole lot easier for me if she would turn around and walk away from this, right now. I pressed again on her shoulder, more forcefully, telling her with my body language that I wanted to go, and I wanted to go now.

[smartboyathome]

"To us, indeed. Do not be fooled by his demeanor."

This struck fear into Bal's heart as she looked up at the kindness in his face, realizing that evil could come from very nice looking wolves. She didn't want to die, and if Crouse hadn't showed up she probably would have since she'd have assumed that he was just a nice wolf and gone with him. But no, she wasn't a completely foolish wolf, she'd stay with Crouse, her savior and the one whom would forever do what was good for her. After all, she had gotten lost, and if she had done like he'd said then she'd not have caused the evil wolf to find them, and they'd be nearing Home by now. However, she did cause this, and because of that she would surely bear the full brunt of his anger later, as was her duty.

She felt him press into her harder, and she backed up a bit behind him, wondering if this is what he wanted her to do. She just wanted to get away from the mean, strange looking wolf, and leave Crouse to protect her like she knew he would. She hoped that Crouse would just dispatch of it soon, hopefully by non-lethal means since her mind was still very fragile and she didn't even know what lethal really was. This was no game, she knew that if the mean wolf won then she'd be gone, too, just like how Crouse had protected her before. That is why she had to hope that Crouse didn't lose, but still couldn't do anything about it since she didn't know fighting from running.

"I really do not mean any harm. I'm just a wanderer, always interested in meeting new people. It's been a few days since I managed to catch myself a meal- three hunters are always more efficient than one. What do you say? Care to share a hunt and meal?"

This caught her attention, and her ears perked a bit as she wondered what hunting was, and what one did during it. Perhaps it was just something that was used to trick wolves, and she knew that Crouse was too smart to be tricked by any mean wolf. Or, maybe it was a game, something that would end in their deaths because, after all, this was a bad wolf and it did want them gone, despite its demeanor. She didn't really know, but she'd definitely have to ask him about it, since it was burning a hole through her mind, but now wasn't the time. Crouse was too busy for her to pester, and she had already been getting the sense that he didn't like all the questions that she asked of him.

As Crouse told him that they'd not like to hunt with him and that they would be going on their way to Home once again, a slight bit of excitement worked its way through her. It didn't really show, for fear was still dominant within her and she still didn't want to think about, or really know, what this wolf could do to her. Still, she was going to be taught hunting after all, but it was going to be where the bad creatures weren't going to be able to get them! She backed up slowly, before turning and running off into the bushes and waiting for Crouse to follow her. She hoped that the mean wolf would just drop it and leave, though there was one question burning within her, one she had to ask before they left.

Knowing that Crouse would get mad, but still going naively against what her lack of common sense actually said, she turned from behind the bush to face the mean wolf. "Why are you all so mean, and why can't you all be like Crouse?" She really wanted to hear this wolf's answer, she wanted to know why this wolf decided to be mean when Crouse had been so nice to her. Perhaps Crouse could tell her, but she wanted to hear it from this wolf's muzzle, not him, and she waited patiently for it to tell her. She'd have to be taken by force if she was to be pushed away before the male spoke.

[© freedom]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=width,400,true]

[atrb=background,http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn15/stephers1995/Benji---MIDDLE.png] Benjamin held back the growl that was bottled up in his throat as he looked at the duo in front of him. It was more clear then ever that Crouse wanted to get himself and the female out of the situation just as fast as possible. Though Benji did not know Crouse very well, he had heard his fair share of stories and knew a little of how the bastard acted. More than that though he knew how the Revolt were, he had studied them even closer than he had The Order. It was the Revolt who had caused the first war, who had killed many good wolves- including the male named Freedom whom he had only met once when he was just a small pup. Having lived his fair share of misery, Benji knew that there were no such things as fairy tales. He knew that the good guys did not always win, and that the bad guys never had a change of heart. He wished it wasn't so though. More than anything he wished that the world really good be a "Happily Ever After" kind of place. He wished that he could be the strong knight that rode around on the snow white steed. Having been born and partly raised in a human village he had listened to the bedtime stories of the humans around him and he had made up his own in his mind before he went to bed. Though Mother would tell him stories of the wolf he could not stop himself from listening to the human's stories at night. The one that had always stuck with him, even now that he is so much older was Call of the Wild. He had listened to the story of Buck over and over again. Even though the humans had a deep fear for the wolves who shared their Island the children loved nothing more than to hear about the dog turned wolf. Benji and Red would take turns standing on the others head just to be able to hear the story night after night. Syn would always glare at them, and though it was obvious to the two brothers that Reno wished to join them he never did, and they had never invited him. Quietly he wondered if Red even still remembered those times, and decided that he had to ask him. The child like adult took a step forward when Crouse snapped that they would not like his company and ordered the female to follow him. Anger swelled up inside of Benji and he wished for nothing more than to move forward and smack the nasty out of the bastard right here and now. He could feel his ears flicking back and forth slightly, and his head even lowered, lips pulling back slowly, though no sound came forth. Benji had always wanted to be a Warrior because he wanted to help and protect those who needed it. Here was his chance to help this female and if he didn't act quick then she would very well be walking out of his life for probably ever. Before Benji could have a chance to act though the female turned and began walking away from him. He felt his feet glued to the ground. The look of utter hate and disgust that ran across her muzzle was enough to jar him. He had only been looked at like that by two creatures. One, Syn, his sister and the bitch who wanted to not only kill him but anywhere he had wandered by. And the human who had dumped him on the opposite side of the Island and left him there to die when he had only been six weeks old. Syn, he would never understand. There was something that she blamed him for, that made her hate him so much, but Benji had never been able to figure it out. The humans had been because he he was half wolf and looked more like it than any of his other siblings. But the hatred that he saw on this misguided female now were something he could not understand. He could smell that hatred and fear leaking off of her in waves. He could see the way she looked at him and the way that she looked at Crouse and Benji could not understand. She did not seem to be dark or wicked, she did not appear to be cold or heartless. In fact she reminded him of his own son the first time Liam had managed to wander out of the den. But then without warning she jumped forward and ran off a little ways in front of Crouse. Benji could still see her clearly, and surprise hit him as her delicate mouth opened up and quiet vocals rang forward. She truly did sound like a pup, and Benjamin was slightly taken back. "Why are you all so mean, and why can't you all be like Crouse?" A deep despair rang out in Benji as his ears perked up and his head rose at the same time. Very slowly his eyes rotated to Crouse's and he could see the brute wanting more than ever to get them moving. Very slowly Benji's lips pulled back and he showed his teeth to the large, but younger wolf. Walking forward slowly, he made sure to keep a wary eye on the brute until he had passed him. Now it was up to his own word and actions to do what needed to be done. He highly doubted that Crouse would risk messing up this female's feelings for him. Something was holding the Revolt wolf to her, and Benji was not quiet sure yet. But if Crouse attacked, then this female might start to get the idea that she was not with a good guy, especially not a wolf who the word "good" didn't describe him in any sense. Walking forward, his eyes dropped down so he was staring at the females feet. Even if she was not sure who she was, or what anything was, her wolf instincts should kick in enough that she would understand what he was trying to do. A few feet in front of her, his legs buckled slightly and he slowly dipped himself to the ground. Every single instinct in his body was screaming at him that his back was to an enemy and that his neck was unguarded, but he refused to listen to what his body was telling him. Slowly raising his head up he looked into the females eyes, hoping she could see the truth and sincerity that was inside of him. He hoped. "Ma'am. The nice wolf you think Crouse is, is a lie. He is a very very bad wolf. He likes to hurt people, he likes to tell them what to do and to not do his own thing. He hurts the woman he loves, in her heart and her body. He will not protect you, and he will not teach you. He is a very bad wolf. I don't understand why you don't believe me. I have never given you any reason to fear me, and yet I can smell the terror rolling off you. Please, give me a change to show you what it is like in my world. I can introduce you to nice and noble wolves. Wolves that want to protect people and help everyone. A pack that is like a family, and not a bunch of dogs fighting for a fight. Won't you let me show you my family, and the place I call home? My name is Benji, and I truly do want to help you." Muse;; O.o Word Count;; 1282 Authors Notes;; Hope that wasn't too much. If it is, tell me! Copyright;; Benjamin and this post are both strictly © to Freedom. Table made and © to Virus of Dare to Dream. All theft will be found and dealt with strictly.

[☼ Sunstorm]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=width,410,true]

[atrb=background,http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn15/stephers1995/Crouse-2---MIDDLE.png] Balorik finally understood what I wanted from her with all the shoulder pushing I was doing, and she started to back up. I kept my eyes on Benji all the while, keeping them narrowed and cold. I made it clear that he wasn't to approach any further, and if he did, then I would go off. Suddenly, though, the entire situation changed, and it was all out of my control. I saw her dark gray pelt flash forward, and despite my better judgement, my eyes left Benji to center on Balorik. What in the hell was she doing?! 'Why are you all so mean, and why can't you all be like Crouse?' Dammit, Bal! I snarled angry profanities in my head, all of them on the topic of why she couldn't keep her damn mouth shut. I had had this under control, and we were so close to escaping, but now that chance had slipped away. "Shut up," I said, not yet growling. My voice was cold and low--seemingly calm, but I was just boiling under the surface. My eyes, one dark brown and one icy blue, moved back to Benji, to meet his eyes once more. His lips slowly peeled away from his teeth, and a low growl started to bubble up in my throat. I was already thinking about the first move for a fight, because that sure is what it was coming to. I was bigger than he was--he was a strange one. His tail curled over his back, but in a way that suggested it wasn't because he was acting dominant. He wasn't a pure wolf, and that would give me the advantage. He slowly started forward, keeping his eyes on me the whole time. He wasn't headed directly for me, though. His slow paw steps were carrying him toward Balorik, and I felt the urge to step between the two and tell him to back the fuck off. Strangely enough, however, I didn't do that, and maybe that did work out for the better. I say that because as he turned to address Balorik, his back was exposed to me. A sort of light flared in my eyes at this turn of events, and it was this exposure of his back that would work to my advantage after he said these next words. 'Ma'am. The nice wolf you think Crouse is, is a lie. He is a very very bad wolf. He likes to hurt people, he likes to tell them what to do and to not do his own thing. He hurts the woman he loves, in her heart and her body.' It was that sentence that made my body freeze, all those muscles in my shoulders and hindquarters tensed up. How the hell did he know about that? That fatal mistake....Was that bitch Twilight Heaven talking about what we'd done, or was he just making shit up to get at me? As much as I wanted to reassure myself that it was the latter, I couldn't wrap my mind around it. 'He will not protect you, and he will not teach you. He is a very bad wolf. I don't understand why you don't believe me. I have never given you any reason to fear me, and yet I can smell the terror rolling off you. Please, give me a change to show you what it is like in my world. I can introduce you to nice and noble wolves. Wolves that want to protect people and help everyone. A pack that is like a family, and not a bunch of dogs fighting for a fight. Won't you let me show you my family, and the place I call home? My name is Benji, and I truly do want to help you.' All the other insults, well, I couldn't give a flying fuck about. It was when he brought Joaquin into the mix that I was blinded from my better judgement. So instead of being cool about it and telling Balorik that he was wrong with my sly words, I lost my cool. A full fledged snarl ripped in my chest, my lips peeling away as I thrust myself forward. My long legs were used to my advantage now as I extended them in my bounds, shoving them roughly into Benji's hindquarters. I aimed to shove him down, off his balance and onto the ground where I would teach him a lesson. "You better learn who you're fucking messing with," I snarled, my tail bristling high over my hips. I ignored Balorik, who was probably freaking out, but as I said, I was blinded. If I had kept my head, I could have covered my ass. Maybe it was too late now, or maybe I still had time; I didn't know, nor did I care. "Get your ass out of here before it gets handed to you."

[smartboyathome]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=width,400,true]

[atrb=background,http://i899.photobucket.com/albums/ac192/fireb4ashes/Balorik---MIDDLE.png] Balorik's ears immediately lowered as she heard Crouse tell her to be quiet, and her demeanor was now that of a punished pup. She knew she had done something wrong, and she didn't want to upset Crouse, but she had to know the answer to her question, it felt like if she didn't she would explode. She didn't think that this wolf could attack her with Crouse around, after all he was her savior and she didn't doubt that he'd continue to protect her. Still, she also doubted that he'd answer this question when she asked, and so she had felt confident enough to ask this wolf and wait for his answer or his attack. She didn't think that anything this wolf would do would be that bad, but than again she was a naive wolf whom had yet to discover how naive she really was. She could see the wolf starting to move forward, and could hear Crouse's warning growls, setting off alarm bells inside her head and telling her to get away. Fear overwhelmed her as her feet wanted nothing more but to start backing up in line with the enemy, but she found herself glued to the spot with both a mix of her continued curiosity and her hardened fear. She didn't fear death, she didn't know what it truly was, but she was scared of this wolf just the same for it was unknown what it'd do to her. She could hear Crouse's voice already within her head, he would be mad at her over what she did, and she'd feel guilty over it, though she didn't think too much about events that were, to her, a long way off. She was stuck in the here and now, she was trying to deal with this situation and was confused with how she should act, whether to stay or run. She followed Crouse's example, he was staying put so she would too, and if a fight did break out she would run for cover. The wolf was closer now, and while alarm bells were still firing in her head, they were softer now, though she didn't understand exactly why they weren't. This one's demeanor didn't seem to be that of a threatening wolf, at least that was what her instincts said, and she was blindly trusting them now, though not completely. She was looking back at Crouse and paying very close attention to him, and she could tell that he wasn't happy with this wolf at all now. This is what worried her, if he was fearful of or angry at it then she should be too, and if she was then her instincts told her to be careful. It was more within striking distance now, and her fear was very high as she was looking back and forth between it and Crouse, still having no clue what to do. It looked and acted like it didn't want to harm her, but it could be lying, just as that other wolf she had seen just after she had left the darkness had been lying to her. She backed up a few steps as it opened its muzzle, thinking it could attack though soon enough it was only to speak, or at least that is what she hoped. Everything was just so overwhelming to herself, she wanted to hear what he was going to say yet she wanted to run. Her mind was spinning, but it was the stranger's voice which seemed to clear it, seemed to make everything slam to a halt with its cool tone of voice. "Ma'am. The nice wolf you think Crouse is, is a lie." With that first sentence, she could feel her own anger, distrust, and fear that what it was saying was true all overwhelming her. It couldn't be true, though, Crouse would never lie to her, he had protected her from the mean wolf that had showed up just after the darkness had vanished. For all she knew he could have vanished the darkness for her, had brought her into the world from wherever she actually was. She didn't know what happened to her, still she didn't understand that there was more to her before that she didn't even know about, whatever had happened to her had done damage. Still, the seed of doubt was there, and she had to listen on to the rest of what the stranger had to say, though she was still blinded by suspicion. "He is a very very bad wolf. He likes to hurt people, he likes to tell them what to do and to not do his own thing. He hurts the woman he loves, in her heart and her body. He will not protect you, and he will not teach you. He is a very bad wolf. I don't understand why you don't believe me. I have never given you any reason to fear me, and yet I can smell the terror rolling off you. Please, give me a change to show you what it is like in my world. I can introduce you to nice and noble wolves. Wolves that want to protect people and help everyone. A pack that is like a family, and not a bunch of dogs fighting for a fight. Won't you let me show you my family, and the place I call home? My name is Benji, and I truly do want to help you." No, he wouldn't do any of what it said, she just couldn't see him doing that to her, and he was different from what it was saying. Or or maybe he was deceiving her, and this wolf, Benji apparently, was telling the truth, after all he hadn't been in a good mood lately, and it seemed to be getting worse the closer to Home they got. She had thought this was just due to him being more worried about bad wolves, after all she had found one now, though she wasn't sure this was a bad wolf. What was going on anyway, why couldn't it just let her go with him away, at least let her think about what they both were saying though she didn't have time. She didn't know who to believe, she wanted to believe everyone but either it was bad or Crouse was, and she didn't have enough experience to detect the lies. Suddenly Crouse attacked Benji, startling herself and causing more strife in her already confused mind than she could actually handle. Half of her wanted to stay with Crouse, and the other half wanted to believe what Benji was saying and go with him to this other place, but choosing one meant forsaking the other. She doubted Benji would be able to last against Crouse, and that'd be good if it were the bad wolf, but if it were the good wolf then that would mean her savior was now gone. If Crouse lost though then she wouldn't know what to believe, whether anything she had learned had actually been the truth like she thought it was. She simply couldn't handle the pressure, and as tears streamed from her eyes she found herself finally moving away from the both of them, scared and confused. As she started to move, she had called out to them, "I wish the darkness had kept me!" She mostly ran in circles and didn't go far, but she went far enough for herself and covered her ears, hiding behind a bush and foolishly hoping no one would find her. She just couldn't think about it right now though she very much needed to, hoping time would stop though it was going faster than ever. All this was her fault, if she had listened to Crouse and stayed then she wouldn't have gotten into as much trouble now as she actually had.