[<] Taking a Chance [Brushfire]

[Akante]

Dagger said:

((I'd like to keep this ONLY as wolves who know of Dagger's true rank. So that means only Ru and Higher ups can join. PM me for seperate roleplays. Kthxbai!

OH and this is before Dagger leaves for the Red Mountains!))

The wind blew with strong gusts through the fallen and decaying trees. The black clouds rumbled in, tumbling over each other, racing across the sky. They moved quickly and limberly. The trees shuttered below their gloomy appearance, shaking their leaves. They sounded like a fast moving rapids, their leaves tossing all to the same side. It was a soothing sound yet an annoying one all at the same time. In short bursts, it was a pleasing sound, but after too long the noise get’s old. The crashing of the leaves would sometimes cause leaves to float on towards the ground, only to get caught in another large gust of wind. Pollen was shaken into the sky along with pieces of bird’s nest that got caught in the wind. Storms called for chaos amongst the tree-living animals. It put their homes in danger of being lost, their children being killed. Storms were nature’s way of spring cleaning so to speak. It was how nature…cleaned up her trees, but grew lazy and left it for the ground animals to deal with. Nature wasn’t kind and nurturing like many presumed to be so. She was a devil, like the Queen herself. But this Devil ruled over that Queen, no matter how ruthless the Queen may be, she could never rule the lands, only the things that shivered in fear below her power.

Most wolves fell to Rapier and Scimitar’s power. It was the way of life in the jungle that had a stomach curdling smell to it. Alteron. Where the King and Queen take hold of the reins and beat their horse to death. They let their son have as little power as possible. Forget about their other children, they didn’t matter in Alteron. They were just more wolves to grovel in the fearsome footsteps on the rulers. Without fear the rulers would be nothing. Dagger knew that all to well, with her master Blade. But Dagger was still loyal to Alteron, Rapier and Scimitar as well as Blade. They were her rulers, and Blade was her other half. Though Dagger was Blade’s little pet, she was the utmost loyal to Alteron. Sure any wolf in Alteron could easily kill the rulers, with planning. Dagger wasn’t going to, and the rest were either too stupid or too scared to act on anything. But Dagger was smart, she knew how things worked and ran. Then again she hadn’t been consumed by stupidity that Alteron seemed to spawn into their little minds.

Dagger’s black snout moved upward from beneath a cluster of fallen trees. Her dark purple eyes slowly opened. She had created her den in a disastrous area, that way nothing could ever ruin it. It was her…head quarters so to speak. Wolves knew someone lived there, but Dagger was a sort of hidden member in Alteron. An assassin, who someone leaked out and a few peasants knew of her status. Yet most wolves she met only knew she was of higher rank than just a peasant. They knew they shouldn’t mess with her, and that was a bit of a pity in itself. Dagger wasn’t the one to have tussles with wolves, but she wouldn’t mind beating some sense into a dumbfounded peasant. That would be a nice present every now and then, was that too much to ask for? Apparently so.

A white tipped black paw then appeared on one of the fallen trees. A soft groan came from her maw as she stood up. She hated sleeping. What a waste of time, only to grow fatter for the rulers to push around. So the groan wasn’t out of laziness, it was out of a lack of activity that she craved. In what seemed like nor more then five seconds, the golden colored assassin had untwisted herself out from under the fallen trees, completely, and had already began to walk off into the rotten trees and plants. Disappearing into the shrubbery, the white tip of her tail was the last bit of her to be seen as it flowed behind her.

The soft face didn’t change as she moved through the plants. Her paw steps so soft, they couldn’t be heard, unless one listened very closely. They however could be felt. By the little creatures that hobbled their way through the grass ten times taller then their own body. They were crushed easily though, they didn’t realise the vibrations of her steps until it was too late. Dagger was a master of moving with easy and silence. She was silence in a way. She didn’t talk much, and even moved almost silently. She was many things, which many different wolves described her as. But she was simply just a mystery. What she was thinking, what she was going to do next, was always unknown until she did it. That however was all part of being an assassin, in which she had been ever since she could remember. Or rather, what she could remember. Dagger had forgotten her past before Alteron, if there even was a time before Alteron. All she knew, was she seemed to have longer

But what was she doing now? Was she hunting? No. Dagger wasn’t like the others, she could last on one meal for some time, and as long as she had a mouse here and there she could survive easily and remain healthy and agile. She was in fact searching for a friend whom she hadn’t seen for some time now. The term “friend” being used lightly. It was more a bond, like she and Blade had, but this bond was a girls bond. Brushfire (or Ru, as what Dagger calls her) and Dagger were partners in crime. She could trust Ru with things, just not everything. She only told her what she could, she was a wolf who was too kind for Alteron, but she knew she was tough. Otherwise she’d have been dead by now. Dagger knew there was a siren in her, a wolf who could call to others, bringing them in with her beauty, only to have another wolf capture them. She was softer hearted, but Dagger still found the girl less annoying. She didn’t look up to her though, just someone she and Blade had trust in. She was one of the wolves she took the chance to trust.

After all, what was life but just a game of chance?

[Akante]

Brushfire said:

((So sorry... no time to explain, my "excuse" is too complicated...
*rewrites her post*))

The wind roared and the plants shuddered. A storm was brewing, that much was for certain. Hell seemed to be breaking out on its favorite location... Alteron. That dreaded name... it sent shivers down the spines for many. And for those select few, it sent a surge of adrenaline through their body. Anyone who felt this effect was most likely one of the pack. Cursed wolves... they lived to kill and serve their Queen. A strict and vicious monarchy, the rules were enforced by means of teeth and claw, and anyone breaking the rules was sure to face the worst. Hell broke loose in the situation of a trespasser, and yet this wasn't something that was exceptionally odd to see. Death lurked comfortably around this territory... this was Alteron. This wsa how this dying jungle survived...

One wolf, a small she-wolf, strode gently through the forest. With the weather in its current state, it was odd why such a fragile creautre would be out. The decaying vegetations were swaying, close to the brink of snapping and collapsing. Leaves were scattered among the dances of the winds, and dark clouds loomed overhead. It spelled death, something horrible. As lightning flashed and lit up the sky, the form of this wolf was displayed.. A gorgeous pelt, long and soft, was blowing in the fierce winds. Her eyes twinkled in the flashing light, sparks of kindness kindled. She was unlike the usual nature of the common Alteronian. This was Brushfire, a Sentry. An honorable rank, and it was astonishing how such a... different, female had ranked at such a position. But she kept her duties seriously, and she knew that she was forever loyal to Alteron.

Brushfire walked slowly, her legs seeming to drag. Her tail hung loose, limp as the winds picked up and started to wrap itself around the gentle fur. Her paw pads sunk into the decaying ground, leaving firm, deep paw tracks. Her long claws scrapped strips of the earth out with each step she took. With her auds perked, the she-wolf stared blankly ahead of her. She was desperate for comfort, for someone to know her, truly. Queen Rapier had just had her usual rant... and this one was unusually harsh. The bitter words of the bitch, they echoed loudly in the grey and copper colored wolf's mind. She shut her eyes, a tear streaming slowly. The booming thunder rolled past her, and yet she ignored it as if it were a mere flea on her back. She wasn't one to get distracted easily, her rank required her to be attentive and focused. And now she was thinking about those words... cruel and brutal...

'You're stupid! You're weak! You don't belong!'
Those words, spoken by the Queen herself, had nearly torn down Brushfire. She had humbly been searching for her den, to cool down and collect her scattered thoughts. Rapier, being herself, had gladly interrupted the she-wolf in her way only to yell and spit dreadful insults at her. She had wanted to make it clear that she was worth nothing, and she had done so. The Sentry had been close to breaking down, and it was only then that the black and white wolf had walked away, proudly strutting in her full power. If only Brush knew what she could do to please this monster, but there was nothing. For simply being herself, Brushfire had earned herself the hatred of her Queen. There was nothing she could do about it, not now or ever. And she knew this, and so she kept her expectations low.

The winds threw leaves up in the air, and they rushed into Brushfire's face. Grunting, she shook her head fiercely to rid them away. Shaking her head, the female stopped. Completely still as the horror of the storm continued, her nose twitched. That scent, could it really be? She ran, her legs carrying her small body as quickly as they could. A soft, hidden smile spread across her maw... Hopefully it wasn't her senses fooling with her, she needed it to be true. With the wind on her side, it seemed as if Brushfire was moving at lightning speed. Her paws lightly touched the ground as she raced through the jungle, making but a soft, padding sound. Her thoughts raced, bringing back memories of the wolf she had scented. This friend, a trusted member of the pack. One of her few companions, she respected her with such a great heart, and admired her. She was stealthy and wise, her attitude quick.

Skidding to a halt in the darkness of the night, the small timber slowly walked closer. Her brown eyes strained to focus; the lighting of the jungle seeming to change as every strike of lightning flashed. But as she neared her destination, she smiled warmly. Her hopes soared as she saw the lean figure of Dagger. Her golden and black pelt seemed to shine in glory, and her white paws glowed with great intensity. Closing the gap between the two females, Brushfire's attitude seemed to change to a more confident side.
"Dagger, it's you. You don't know how desperately I needed it to be you..."

[Akante]

Dagger said:

((A bit short since I have two other boards to post with her in. xP))

The storm rolled in quickly. As Dagger stood, the wind trying to push her light body back, she stood in a balanced position. Her legs spread farther apart, and her body down low. It was a challenge not to just give up, and let the wind toss her aside. She was in its way, and she wouldn’t be able to stop the wind. Nothing was able to stop the wind, it went where it pleased, and didn’t care who it harmed. The thunder boomed, and the lightning crashed down towards the ground. Others had taken cover in the safety of their own dens. Some Alteron wolves huh? They weren’t afraid of Blackbloods twice their size, yet they were terrified of loud thundering noises and clashes of light. Of course the electricity in their air messed wolves and other animals up a bit, but there was nothing to fear. The trees were their shield. They would be struck by lightning, not the wolves. There was still a slight danger, of course, but nothing these wolves couldn’t handle. It however was all just a natural fear to hide and take cover during storms. So was Dagger just batshit crazy, to be sitting in Alteron during the middle of a storm, waiting for a friend who might just not show up? Possibly.

Yet there were more crazy wolves. No matter, Dagger was one of the more sane wolves. A familiar scent accompanied the gusts of winds. Of a familiar face, someone she found an eerie sense of comfort in. It was only eerie, because Dagger wasn’t one to feel a great deal of comfort or more pleasant emotions. She wasn’t necessarily what you’d call an emo wolf. Dagger just wasn’t happy a lot. Then again she hardly ever grew angry or sad. Dagger kept a clear mind, an unconnected mind. She had to keep as little weaknesses as possible. This is one of the reasons she kept her connections with Ru and Blade as limited as possible. She had to keep them out of her life, even though they both played a large amount in it.

"Dagger, it's you. You don't know how desperately I needed it to be you..."

Dagger looked towards the familiar face slowly. A slight smile slid across her maw. It was good to see a familiar face, someone that knew of her status. Someone she could be level with. Dagger treated Brushfire like she was of the same rank; she after all was once lead sentry until the rank was diminished. She liked keeping Ru level with her, even if she was of higher rank. She had earned her respect just as Blade did. Perhaps the term friend was the right term to use. Dagger just liked avoiding it, in fear of loosing her unconnected mind.

“Ru,” She said slowly, the voice slithering through her mouth, with purple eyes staring straight at Brushfire her smile slowly lowered. There were things she could say, but they would just be useless. The two were smart, they could figure it out. Brushfire must have gone through a hard time. Since she needed her desperately. “Desperately? How so?” Dagger asked, turning her attention away from Ru for a moment. Her nose sniffing for another scent. Nothing. Keeping her odd stance, she turned her attention back to her old friend. “And don’t give the excuse of letting things get to your head.” Dagger said after a pause, “You’re stronger than that. Both you and I know this.” She added on, her voice trailing off slightly with the wind.

Moving in towards Brushfire, Dagger sat before her. Waiting to hear of her problems. The storm was the perfect cover. While wolves took cover and slept through the storm, Dagger could come out in the open. She could train, for once without having to train at night. The storm gave her extra time to train. That was all she ever did in Alteron, train. Train until the next mission, become strong, more agile, and more silent. Alteron was only a base camp and a home.

[Akante]

Brushfire said:

((Sorreh for teh wait... >.> Busy with other crud... ^^)

The storm continued to rage relentlessly, creating a cover for anyone who was hidden inside the deep forests. Brushfire inhaled deeply, taking in the sweeping breezes and rushing scents. Her eyes slowly closed, and her muscles relaxed... the cracking thunder seemed to shake all of her fear and stress away. She listened intently to the swaying of the trees, and the rushes of the loose leaves. Billows of dirt were occasionally thrown into the air, and as she looked up, the Sentry could see small, tiger-like strips of light flash. The high canopy of this rotting jungle was like an umbrella, protecting the land below from the cracks of lightning and most of the rain. However, it was inevitable that some of the raging liquid would reach the bottom, otherwise this territory wouldn't be simply decaying, but drying up immensely. This was home for her... if home was even the right word to use...

Brushfire turned back towards Dagger, eyeing the female's staggering bright toes, tail, and muzzle. Smiling softly, the tri-colored female stepped forwards, getting closer to her friend. She needed companionship, it was practically necessary. With her position from the Queen's perpsective, any friendship was clung to like a moth to a flame. Sighing, she watched as Dagger smiled... her way. She wasn't the usual wolf, her smiles here were not crude, at least not to Brushfire. She had her own way of smiling... and it comforted the Sentry.

“Ru,”

Just the sound of her flowing voice made Brushfire close her eyes, her burnt orange maw spreading into a small smile. Her auds flicked backwards, and she gazed back at Dagger. After the drama that she had just encountered with Rapier, a familiar and soothing voice was the perfect remedy.

“Desperately? How so? And don’t give the excuse of letting things get to your head. You’re stronger than that. Both you and I know this.”

Her encouragment was all that Brushfire needed to tell herself that Rapier was nothing but a load of blackblood shit. She lowered her head lightly, soaking in the slurred and wise words of her friend. Strength, Brushfire was strong, but it seemed sometimes that she lacked the confidence to carry out what she could truly accomplish. Sighing to herself, she muttered something softly and incomprehensably before rising her head back up. Her copper eyes gleamed into Dagger's bright purple orbs. Both sets of eyes sparked with the same amount of strength and intelligence, and the Sentry could do nothing but look to the side. She stared at the plants swaying in the breeze, and she took in a breath of air before she spoke. Parting her maw, her eyes trailed back towards Dagger, her head still facing sideways.

"Dagger, you always know what to say..." She cut off, now turning her whole body to speak to her friend as the two now sat together. "It's just that I feel... I don't belong. Forgive me for sounding weak, but you know that I work hard every second of every hour. I take my duties seriously, and my loyalties are strong... It's just..." She paused, looking up at the canopy and the cracks of streaking light. "Whatever I seem to do, it only results in critism and hatred. Rapier had yet another rant at me, and I tried to say something that couldn't earn anything negative in response. And yet she found a loophole. Her words still ring heavy in my head... You don't belong... What if I don't? I mean, after all, I'm not Alteron-born. I know that, even though I haven't a clue where I came from, but it seems as though only those who were born following this pack can ever really have a spot here..."

Sighing at the end of her rant, she felt somewhat relaxed. She had let out how she felt, and was now somewhat wary. Would Dagger even share the same perspective... would she yell at her for doubting her position in the pack? She shivered lightly, trying not to think of that, and her eyes slowly turned to meet those glowing pruple eyes of her companion...

[Akante]

Dagger said:

Dagger listened to Brushfire’s sprawl. She was obviously not feeling like herself. She almost seemed like she was on the verge of breaking into hysterics. But what could Dagger say? Alteron got to some wolves; it was a disease, nothing more nothing less. Some dealt with it in different ways. Hey, here’s an idea. Let’s make up a disease referring to Alteron. We can call it Alteronism…or Alterfever. I like the later. Yes, many wolves suffered from Alterfever, it was a serious disease that drove them to insanity. The cause; Rapier. The cure; Death. But in this case, with the almost hysterical Brushfire, death was not an option. At least not an option Dagger would allow her.

"Dagger, you always know what to say... It's just that I feel... I don't belong. Forgive me for sounding weak, but you know that I work hard every second of every hour. I take my duties seriously, and my loyalties are strong... It's just…Whatever I seem to do, it only results in critism and hatred. Rapier had yet another rant at me, and I tried to say something that couldn't earn anything negative in response. And yet she found a loophole. Her words still ring heavy in my head... You don't belong... What if I don't? I mean, after all, I'm not Alteron-born. I know that, even though I haven't a clue where I came from, but it seems as though only those who were born following this pack can ever really have a spot here..."

Dagger’s brow rose, and her ear twitched slightly. She actually took that Bitch’s words to heart? The term bitch was the technical term, not a cuss word. Dagger tilted her head slightly, shaking it slowly. With a slight roll of the eyes, Dagger yawned. The wind seemed to be picking up. Pleasant.

“Why do you listen to her? You only listen to her orders, you know that. She thrives off making you feel horrible. Don’t let that beast get to your head. If she really didn’t think you belong, she’d have killed you. Put you our of your misery. But Ru. If you really want to prove her wrong, there’s a simple solution.” Dagger said walking off near the end of her sentence. She motioned her head for her to follow. She was heading to a quieter place, so they could actually hear each other, instead of shouting to each other. “All you have to do is become that Siren you once were.” Dagger put it bluntly. “You used to be just another monster of Alteron, but something changed you. You’ve always been the nice girl, but you need to use your beauty and kindness against wolves.” Dagger said, as she continued walking.

Whether Brushfire followed her or not, Dagger kept walking. Ru was a big girl, she could decide for herself weather or not if she wanted to follow Dagger or not.

((Sorry it's short...I hate re-doing posts. x.o))

[Akante]

Brushfire said:

Brushfire gazed at Dagger, watching her reaction. Her brows rose, she shook her head, and yawned. Good. . no? She wasn't sure what to think yet, and so she kept quiet. Surely she would have something to say, and it would be rude of her to interrupt. She inhaled deeply, her eyes slowly trailing over to the radient, violet orbs of the assassain.

“Why do you listen to her? You only listen to her orders, you know that. She thrives off making you feel horrible. Don’t let that beast get to your head. If she really didn’t think you belong, she’d have killed you. Put you our of your misery. But Ru--"

At that she shook her head, speaking almost reactively and without impulse. "But that's it, Dagger. She thrives off of it, like you said, and it'd be almost too kind of her to kill me. . ."
She stopped. What was she saying, thinking? She didn't want to die, and yet the way her words spilled out of her mouth, it seemed like an escape. She grunted, both frustrated and confused. She shouldn't have brought the subject up. And yet Dagger continued to speak, ignoring what Brushfire had said, for now.

If you really want to prove her wrong, there’s a simple solution. All you have to do is become that Siren you once were. You used to be just another monster of Alteron, but something changed you. You’ve always been the nice girl, but you need to use your beauty and kindness against wolves.”

Brushfire chuckled lightly, her eyes entranced towards the ground. She was thinking, taking in her company's words. She used to be a brute, one who was fierce and determined. . . the good days. What had happened to her? Why was she so fragile now. . ? What was different--
Oh. She knew, there was only one answer. Back then, her dearest friend was always with her. He guided her, encouraged her, loved her. He was gone now, she hadn't seen him in months upon months. Where was he? Where was Ridge?

Her eyes trailed up, expecting to see Dagger right next to her, sitting. At once her expression slipped into confusion. She looked to both of her sides hastily, before seeing the gold and black she-wolf ahead, walking. Ru paused a moment, pondering whether or not to follow. Did she really want to hear Dagger's encouragement? It could possibly even tear her down more, sound like critique. . etc. But she needed this. She needed to feel like she had a reason to stay, a reason to be strong. Friends. Dagger was among one of her closest friends, one of her only friends. She wouldn't turn the opportunity down, she wouldn't push her away.
She dashed quickly, her body slinking through the thick jungle and after the wolf. One caught up, she panted softly, her eyes gazing from Dagger to the dark land ahead of her.

[Akante]

Dagger said:

"But that's it, Dagger. She thrives off of it, like you said, and it'd be almost too kind of her to kill me. . ."

Dagger ignored her words, Ru was just thinking aloud it seemed. Sure it would have been kind of Rapier to kill her, but if Rapier really hated her, she’d be doing so much more to her. Or so Dagger thought. Then again Dagger hardly knew Rapier, hell she’s only met her less than five times in her life. Dagger was more Blades’ pawn than she was Rapier’s. But her loyalty was never questioned; she was here in Alteron to stay. At least when she wasn’t going on missions. Even then, her soul was stuck in Alteron, stuck with the soul sucking forest that it was. When wolves left Alteron, their souls never left. They were just a running husk of flesh and bones; there was nothing more to them. They had their minds and their bodies, but their souls were no longer theirs. They sold it to the devil herself when their grimy little paws touch the soil in the recruitment area.

Brushfire had followed Dagger, good. They could find a more secluded area where they didn’t have to scream to each other. There was a place where the wind did not dare go, for it would be trapped in the darkness and not be able to find the way out. It was nothing but a hole in the wall, literally. Under a few large boulders that had fallen from the cliff, there was an entrance into a small cave. It was hardly even a cave; it was more just a hole. This wasn’t where Dagger slept, she would never reveal that secret, even to her best friend, (and at this point Brushfire and Blade were her “best friends. However the term is used lightly. Dagger doesn’t really have friends.) Dagger didn’t trust anyone with knowing where she closed her eyes and her West Assassin knowledge turned off. It was the biggest weakness that she carried heavily on her black and tan-yellow shoulders. If that information were to be leaked through to a wolf she didn’t make a good impression on, she was as good as dead. If know one knew where her sleeping spot was, and were to be killed by a wolf who knew where she slept, everyone would just think she escaped and would be marked as a traitor. That was an unacceptable thought. Dagger held her loyalty with too much pride, being declared a traitor would kill her.

Looking back periodically to see if the brown and grey sentry followed, Dagger continued walking without stopping once. The wind would lighten up every now and then, only to gush through the territory with a threatening blast. A few times it caught Dagger in its grasped and caused her to trip a little, only so she could catch herself. Along with the gusts water came with it. It was bits of scattered rain drops that got caught with the wind. The humidity of Alteron kept the water from drying up as it was pushed along with the wind. Periodically Dagger would let out a frustrated grunt as the wind pushed her aside. But not too long, they reached the hole. Looking back Dagger motioned her head towards the rock. The entrance wasn’t noticeable until one got an up close look. Behind the fallen grey and green (from moss) rocks, there was a hole being covered. The rock covered it in a triangular shape, and since Dagger was small, she could just walk right in. However Brushfire may have to squat down and slither through.

“Hm.” Dagger made the noise out of slight surprise. The cave didn’t have the reek of another wolf; no one had found this spot yet. Dagger scooted to the back of the hole, and sat. No light crept into the hole, so things were harder to see. The white markings above Dagger’s eyes, on her ears, tail and tips of her toes were the only thing that broke through the darkness with a grey color look. Sitting she waited for Brushfire to talk, waited for her to finish what she had started saying when she was ignored.

[Akante]

Brushfire said:

((So sorry Alex. I forgot. . . you can brick me))

Ru sighed, her chest heaving as she tried to hear her own heartbeat. The thunders, the streaking flashes of light, it was starting to drive the female mad. She coudn't concentrate, and with how heavily stressed and confused she was already, this would be anything but helpful to the Sentry. Her paws dragged on automatically, carrying on without any orders. She didn't even know that she was still walking, she was too busy looking at her surroundings. However long she had been in Alteron - what was it? About two years? Yes. . . - she could never get the hang of how terrifying it could be.

Wait! What was she talking about? Afraid? Terrifying? What had Brushfire become? She could remember being strong, dilligent, and confident around Rapier. And what was she now? Confused, tired, stressed, her loyalty flailing. . . she was well on her way to becoming a traitor! But she couldn't let that happen! She simply couldn't. She had worked too hard and too long to get where she was, and she wasn't just about to throw that away. Besides, she owed it to Blade. She was one of his chosen ones, in his coven, for goodness sake. However lowly she was treated by the queen, Ru could always think about how she had earned such a high status with the prince. That was probably the only thing that kept her alive here. This ruthless jungle, it sure as hell wasn't about to adjust to the sentry, so she had better adjust to it. But what it she couldn't? She still couldn't even handle the fact that Ridge is gone, and she is without him. He is gone, forgotten, hiding about in Alteron somewhere. Who knows where he could be? Perhaps he doesn't even love her anymore, he probably found someone with a higher rank and better confidence. . .

At this Brushfire groaned, more out of confusion than pain. But she was experiencing pain, she wouldn't deny that. Her eyes squinted shut, a tear glistening as it streaked from her eyes to her cheeks, to her jaws, and then collapsing on the ground. The female whimpered out of disgust. Disgust of herself, of what she had become, and what she couldn't be. She wanted to be strong, to be the pushy Alteronian she once was. But she couldn't find it in herself anymore, she didn't know where it was. And even if she could find it, she wouldn't know how to bring it back and keep it. She would probably fall back into another one of her deep depressions, and then it would be even worse than before.

"I ca-- I just can't. . ." She forced the words out of her mouth, struggling as she flexed all of the muscles in her body. She was angry, angrier than she had ever been. Perhaps it was because she was mad at herself, and not anyone else. She was the kind one, the wolf who wouldn't cuss at one behind their back. But when it came to herself, she could be as tough as she wanted. She was sickened at how soft she was, how badly she stuck out in the pack.
What had happened? What was the turning point? Could it be reversed. . . ?

The timber looked up, only to see Dagger slipping her way easily into a crevace in the air. A bit confused, she trotted over, hastening her pace, to see what had happened. Oh! In all of the darkness, the deep grey of the boulders had seemed to be invisible. She could barely tell the difference between the rock walls and the jet black entrance. But the glorious white tip of the assassain's tail guided her. Sighing, Brushfire lowered her head, preparing to go in. Her front half slid in easily, at least until her waist and hips came into play. The were too wide, too tall. Grumbling, the she-wolf adjusted herself, refusing to get stuck in some filthy old hole. She couldn't see a damn thing, but she wasn't too focused on what was in front of her. She was more concerned about actually getting inside. Lowering her hips to the ground, she finally zoomed into the cave. Not as graceful as she would've hoped for it to turn out, but she had managed.
"Hmm. . ."

Brushfire's eyes focused as hard as they could, trying to make out the figure of her companion. Before long, the white flecks of her snout, paws, and tail stood out. And soon after that, she could make out the golden parts of her pelt. She smiled, true to her kind nature, at the sight of the one who she could fully trust. It was Dagger. . .