What kind of sorrow can reach a mother's soul when her single, favored pup is gone? Destruction was looking down at the still form of her son. Her only son. Never would she have thought that she would bear pups. Never had she would she have thought that her love for a single pup would grow into something so pure, so true, that she was actually glad he had been born? Well, besides the fact she hadn't necessarily been happy when she had gotten pregnant. But the strength of her pup had changed that. She was going to mold him into the perfect little killer...

...But then the sickness came.

Helplessly the mother watched her son grow weaker day by day. None of the herbs that the healers brought him seemed to soothe the sickness. Her son had developed a fever that brought on heat and cold sweat. She watched her son suffer, hardly leaving the den. Dillinger... She could bring herself to utter his name. Finally the struggle had ended... and her young son's body moved no more.

This was all of Bane's fault. It was his weak genes that had caused her son to die. That damn bastard. There would be a time to confront him... to take him out for what his bloodline had done. But not now. The she wolf lowered her head, allowing grief to come into her heart. She felt the dark, deep feeling of sadness wash over her form. Destruction licked her son's cheek once, holding back the tears that threatened to spill from her eyes.

Dillinger... would never wake again.

Bane had known that she was here, Destruction. He had known for a long time that she was amongst his pack. Smelled her scent in the pine trees as the mountain breeze blew which-way and that. And she had his pup. The grey wolf couldn't understand why though, had she not eaten the smartweed leaves like he said to? She wasn't supposed to, the leaves were supposed to work to help stave off conception. This was not the case it seemed.

And as he paced back and forth in the trees Bane couldn't help but feel sadness for the dark furred female, his own four having never left the den as they slowly grew weaker and weaker from the warmth they lacked when their mother died during birth. They must've grew cold or hungry, sleep eventually overtaking them one by one. Alarice's blood still matted over their fur when Bane found his deceased mate laying with their four body's against her belly. His own grief had been understandable, he ripped and tore at his fur as he preformed they're death ritual before sealing the den.

But he wasn't going to do any of that for Destruction. And as he came low and head down with ears pinned against his head Bane whined and asked one question that had been on his find since she first arrived with the little black pup that bumbled after her. "Destruction, what was his name?"

The warm summer winds that blew into the den seemed mocking to the she-wolf. They wrapped around her body, reminding her, with a sick and bitter feeling in her heart, that she was alive and her son was dead. 'Such a cold hand fate has dealt us.' Destruction slowly rose from her sitting position next to her son's body. There remain but one task that she had to do -- bury Dillinger somewhere where his body would be able to lie undisturbed.

Destruction slowly turned her head, hearing that low whine, a question floating upon it to her ears. Bane. The she-wolf turned fully towards him, anger reflecting in her eyes. Sure Dillinger had been Bane's son as well... but he was not at all the father or mate he probably should have been. If he had also looked after their son would it have prevented his death.

A low growl escaped Destruction's maw. She was tempted to chase the bastard away from the den... but perhaps the cold truth of what had happened was worse than that? Destruction made her way out of the den, sitting before it in a protective manner. She would tell Bane of what happened.

"His name was Dillinger." She focused her eyes upon his face. "He got sick... there was nothing that could be done." Destruction shifted, resisting her urge to go after Bane. As much as she hated him he did, she supposed, deserve to know of his son. The she-wolf narrowed her eyes, speaking again. "Why did you come here, Bane? Did any sort of regret creep into your heart? Knowing that I was raising your son alone? I suppose it doesn't matter anymore... seeing as how he is dead."

Bane sat a ways away from the den entrance and just looked at Destruction as she rose, both of their pelts rippling with a breeze. After a moment she turned to look at him, Bane tensing when he saw the state she was in as she emerged fully from the den and sat in front of it, the grey wolf's paws kneading the earth with anxiety. Bane bared a tooth in warning at the she wolfs growl, but stopped when she ceased the hate sound. "Dillinger..."

Bane checked over his shoulder while listening to Destruction. "I came to say goodbye to my son, and, and... I... I don't know why I didn't come to you when you came to Seracia. I was afraid Destruction. Afraid of you... afraid of our leader and if I would be punished... I regret it all for the most part, I should have helped with raising him and I should have watched him she you went off to preform your duties." Bane took anxious steps forward until he was right in front of the female, asking. "Did you even take the leaves I said too?"

The emotions that were inside of her were conflicting. Part of her wanted to chase Bane away, to forbid him from saying goodbye to their son. A slightly aggravated sigh left her muzzle as he stopped in front of her. "To be honest with you, Bane, I went to get them, however..." Destruction looked away from Bane, flicking her ears back slightly.

"I decided not to eat them in the end. I'm not sure what changed my mind, honestly... but when I had Dillinger I knew that I wanted to keep him. He was so strong when he was born. He would have made the perfect fighter." Destruction rose, moving to the side so that Bane could go into the den. "I'm not entirely pleased with you Bane... but I can see why you didn't approach us. Likely, if it was before this, I would have chased you away."

The she wolf looked up to the sky, sitting down as she searched the sky. Was there a way to Heaven that she might see her son go to? The black wolfess looked over to Bane, flicking her ears back slightly. "We've both done things, wrong... So I think we can both manage to keep things civil for today." It burned in her mind how she wanted to blame Bane for her son's death... but had their been any fault of his own? She wasn't sure.

"Go ahead and say your goodbyes, Bane. Then, should you choose to come with me, we can lay him to rest."

So she hadn't gotten the leaves... and now there the only she had left was Dillinger, and now he was gone. A rumble of sorrow echoed in Bane's chest and he looked at Destruction and how she wasn't meeting his gaze.The she wolf then said she decided to not eat the leaves, which was a surprise... second thoughts having an input no doubt. The dark female the moved to the side after saying Dillinger was being molded and taught to be the perfect warrior by her. "I'm sorry I caused this... I don't know if its something that I passed on to him or just a sickness pups are vulnerable to, but I wouldn't blame you for acting how you say you would. We're there any others?"

Bane looked over the entrance of the den and stared at his child with a sad gaze. Unfortunate, truly unfortunate that a sickness had found its way into Dillinger's body. The grey wolf leaned against his tryst partner those years ago and gave a glance at her and the way she looked at the stars. "I will always be civil with you Destruction, I was a fool back then, but I've grown somewhat wiser and I hope you understand that I wish no further bad blood would come between us because of this."

At her words Bane went into the den and gingerly picked up his son by his neck scruff and brought him out of the place where he had spent his final days. "He was my son, and a member of Seracia. Do you want to take him to the burial grounds? So he can remain close? " Bane quietly asked through clenched fangs.

Destruction looked back to Bane, her ears lowering a bit as he spoke. He had... apologized. The part of her that wished to blame him for Dillinger's death settled... it had been formed by anger and bitterness... but as Bane stood with her now she couldn't sense the same sort of tension as to when they first met. The dark furred she-wolf shook her head slowly in response to his question. "No...I'm afraid there was no other pups. I was a bit surprised... but at the time it seemed to be for the best." It was almost strange how now she drew a bit of comfort from Bane's presence. Strange how meeting just one other wolf could turn one's way of thinking. The she-wolf let out a soft sigh before speaking again.

"Do not worry Bane... though my heart wishes to place blame for his death my mind knows it is not something that, if you had any part of it all, that you caused. I... suppose seeing you brought a sense of relief in a way." Destruction slowly inhaled and then exhaled. "...But in short I do not wish for further bad blood either. We're adults... I'm sure we're both capable of remaining cival towards each other." It wasn't such a strange thought, was it? Hadn't she remained cival among the group of assassins that she once ran with? At least until their leader died. Now her loyalty belonged to Seracia... and Bane was a member of the pack just as she was. The she wolf stood once more, giving a slight nod.

"Yes... I would greatly prefer that, Bane." The she wolf licked her son's cheek, the sorrow in her eyes deepening. The burial grounds... a final goodbye. Destruction took in a deep breath, lifting her head. Dillinger wouldn't want to see his mother like this... what he had known of her was that she was strong... and that he wanted to be just like her when he grew up... as did Destruction. With Dillinger she would lay down her old hatred... and do what she could to start anew. Though it was true she was changing in some ways... most of her old values still remained in place. Loyalty. Strength. The she wolf started to pad in the direction of the burial grounds. She looked back towards Bane as she walked.

"I have to admit I'm curious as to what has happened to you in these past months... though I will not pry. It is up to you if you wish to discuss such things."

No other pups... that was bit of relief, a sense of calm washing over Bane. No other pups. Pups that could've also fallen sick or have an ailment that they were born with. Something hidden that he carried in him from an ancestor. "I'd be lying if I'd say that I'm surprised you decided not to eat those herbs." A solemn nod being given at her words, Bane trying not to disturb Dillinger with the gesture as Destruction licked the cool pup hanging from his jaws. The she-wolf voiced her approval of his offer to take their pup to the Seracia burial grounds.

The mental map of Seracia was quickly referenced and Bane took off at a slow walk towards the bodies of the pack's deceased. Upon hearing the she-wolf's question Bane thought a moment, not really the one to divulge personal information that were mostly encounters with females. The fairer gender had tendencies to become jealous. "I've been trying to find my way, but the path keeps appearing and disappearing." Bane left it at that, tail drooping between his hindlegs as he carried his longest living offspring to the pups final resting place.

The low grass was thicker in some places at the burial grounds where packmates had been laid to rest, Dillinger being placed in a hastily dug grave after the perimeter was scanned for any other wolves. Bane stood over the turned up earth. If only he had known sooner and acted responsibly... if only he had known.

Destruction nodded her head slowly to his statement. It seemed that way for her as well, though she was sure that the circumstances that the two were different. Still it felt as if every time she found a place in the world it got snatched away . First there was the assassin pack... there had been order among them, at least until their leader died. It was a shame, though looking back Destruction was glad that, at least that, had changed. Death was still a familiar thing, but it was not one that should happen as frequently as it did in the old days. Lives were worth so much more, especially when it came down to their loyalties. The dark woman shook her head with a sigh.

"I'm sure that you'll find the right way someday, Bane. Life is not an easy journey to walk on, but none the less you must find the strength to keep walking." The femme looked to Dilinger once more, her heart sinking back into her chest. Death was yet another journey. A foreign journey that she knew one day even she would have to face. Before long the final step in Dilinger's body's travels came to a stop. The burial grounds stretched on in front of them, and Destruction merely hung to the side as Bane dug the grave, a far off look in her eyes as she remembered happy days she shared with her son.

A good bit of time passed before Destruction looked to Bane again. He was standing over the grave, the deed done. The dark woman nodded to herself before padding next to Bane and giving a comforting bump to his shoulder. "He's at peace now." Destruction took a couple steps back, looking at Bane with a serious, yet somewhat gentler gaze. "I believe that Dilinger's death... and our meeting again today... is a sign that it is time to put the past to rest as well, Bane." Destruction offered a small smile, waiting to see how the male would take her offer.

Bane flicked an ear at his packmates words in contemplation as she spoke. "I've had a fair time enjoying the pleasantries of life, but I feel as if I need an anchor to make me stop, either death or a mate is the only thing that'll stop me." Bane shifted on the hallowed ground and looked at Destruction, reflecting on her words when he'd been digging and right after he had finished burying his son. "Yes he is, though... his suffering may have ended it would've been nice to see what became of him."

"My past is moving right alongside me, Des, ... I don't know if there's hope for me, I've been playing this game for two long. Seracians are a suspicious lot and distrustful of me. I'm too set in my ways of doing whatever I want. We of the bloodied moon tribe are..." Bane caught himself at the next word, continuing. "were, like this before the eruption, almost similar to this pack. It's funny, it's almost like Seracia was created with similar laws to replace my old pack as the bloodied moon tribe. The gods are funny that way." Bane wanted to howl for his son, as if to say he was sorry and that he wouldn't be forgotten. But he couldn't, not with an oblivious pack around... he couldn't.

Ooc:: This post is meant to be for Destruction. e.e

Destruction listened quietly as the male explained himself. He was indeed a bit of a reckless one, and used to doing his own things. Destruction could agree on that without much argument. The femme waited for the other to finish before allowing herself to speak once again, keeping her voice calm as she tried to allow understand for the other's actions to enter her heart.

"Wolves can not change their ways on a dime, Bane. I believe it might be a good idea for you to start looking into finding some allies." There was no harshness in Destruction's voice as she said this. "What you're doing, as I'm sure you well know, is going to lead you on a dark path. If you don't start trying to put the breaks somewhere, somehow, things could get quite ugly." The femme shifted on her paws.

"I'm sure though, Bane, that you will find some way to start altering your actions. It might be slow going at first... but if a wolf like myself can find a way to start changing... I'm certain that you can as well." The black furred female looked to her son's grave, letting out a soft sigh.

"I guess I partially have you to thank for that. If I hadn't had Dilinger I would have likely still been on my same path, being completely distant and intent on killing anyone who got in my way. Though I'm not exactly ready to fully trust in others, I know that times need to change." Here Destruction paused, making sure to look Bane in the eyes.

"You still have some time Bane. I know you feel the only way out is death or a mate... and I honestly hope I can change that in you. I may not have romantic feelings for you, Bane, but we did have a son together. We have a blood bond now, and even though he has passed I feel it is only right that I try and help you as I can. Just please, try to keep yourself out of trouble for a little while. Maverick already has a poor opinion of you as it is." Destruction rose to her paws again, deciding it was time to wrap things up.

"If you are in trouble, Bane, and need someone to either talk with or lend a paw, come find me. I will see what I can do about the wolves of our pack... though I can't promise anything." Destruction raised her maw to the sky, howling to Dilinger one last time before looking to Bane again, waiting for him to respond to her words and offer. She wasn't sure if Bane would trust her enough to come to her with his problems and concerns but... it was worth a shot. It would also help her as well, opening up like that.

Des' spoke in her gentle tone that Bane found soothing, a low rumble echoing in his chest as a grimace broke out across muzzle at the thought. "I make enemies all the time of friends from the past, but even if I am to be friends with everybody there will always be three... always three. And when I die I'm coming for them. Hardly anybody wants me around and I hardly want anybody around... except pleasant company." The corners of his maw were uplifted in appeasement at his words, putting together a response for his Des'.... the only wolf around here who would lend an ear to his story. "It's good to change, but it could be for worse in a way, for what good is change when you loose who you are, what makes you... you? I've decided that I'm going to do what I do and roll with the punches for I can hardly fight back anymore. Inactivity besides walking and eating, rusting skills that no wolf around here wants to learn, I'm still lost. I'm old fashioned... I miss what is now the ashlands, times were simpler."

Sapphire eyes stared at his once-mate, reflecting upon her wise words about him still having time. A huff of frustration was given and Bane rolled his shoulders, pause taken when he looked down where his son lay. A nibble was given to Des's ear in humorous contemplation. "No romantic feelings, but friends right? Our... blood bond as you put it. Sounds doable." Bane pressed his side against Destruction, a hum shuddering his body against hers.

"We got each other's backs right? Maverick has always been sour about me I don't even remember what I did. But if I get a mate and pups I will teach them, and they will be strong for what is in this world. I will teach them the arts of war, and I will teach them that nobody has rule over them only if they choose so. I will want them to be free." Bane heard Des loose a howl right next to him, Bane following suite but stopping right when she did. He felt a distant longing for her at that moment, but knew almost for certain that she would rebuff his advances. The next best thing was said though. "If I am to have what I lack right now, but something happens to me where I cannot be there for them, I name you godmother." Bane whispered quickly into his once-mates ear, and when he was done, gave her a lick on the cheek.

Would she accept?