It was a never ending sea of sand that stretched out before the male; Gitan was certain his eyes were playing tricks on him when he spotted what seemed to be a pool and some palm trees. He blinked expecting to find it gone when he opened his eyes again, but to his surprise it was still there. The oasis was becoming more and more substantial as he approached it, until he was convinced it was indeed real. The male would have run towards it, eager to seek relief from the heat but he was simply to exhausted. Much as the male?s coat did to keep him warm during the cooler seasons it was doing absolutely no good here in the heat. Upon reaching the pool Gitan wasted no time flopping down next to it, dipping his front paws into the cool liquid. The palm tree offered very little shade but he graciously accepted it. Green eyes closed as he took a deep sigh, he was glad he had decided to come this far east. The desert itself had been much to his expectations but this little oasis was more than worth it. "Je voyais des plages/ De sable noir/ O? couraient des chevaux sauvages" His singing voice was not the best but, the oasis had seemed to put the male in such a good mood he did not care much. Speech, Thoughts You

CROSS MY HEART AND HOPE TO FLY ~*~ Some trip this had turned out to be! A desert! Out of all the places they could've gone - a desert! Cross could feel the words pounding in his head - or maybe that was just the sound of his blood finally beginging to boil within his veins. Though not even a yearling, the boy had swum all the way to Nephilum island. As a pup he had treked from Glaciem on one end of the map, to Seracia on the other. He had seen blizzards and nested in the shade of a volcano. But Cross didn't have any delusions. That was just life and it could be taken away from him by any sickness or accident or phsycho at a moment's notice. Ever since the incident in Glaciem he'd been leaning towards the last as the most likely possiblity - but now he was going to have his life taken away by an unforeseen force. The sun! So nice of the fates to be creative. Cross didn't know how long he'd been treking. His paw pads were burned and blistered. His tongue was swollen thick as sandpaper. Specters danced back and worth before his eyes. His thick northern coat was filled with sand. All he could think of was water... water... clear, lovely water... blue water.... But as soon as he started thinking 'blue', he just saw Ocena's eyes. His little cousin - the one he'd sworn to protect. She was depending on him to find a way out or at least to find water. She was depending on him. Cross growled, but his mouth was so dry that it just sounded like a sick man's exhale. He saw trees and little shade and a little green, but he knew it was just another mirage. Another lie told by the sun and his tortured mind. Still, by instinct alone he kept walking towards it. Walking until his paws made a sound that went something like splashhh. Only then did he look down. He saw the sun dancing on the surface of the water. He saw his reflection. And then the next thing he knew he was collapsed in the shallows. ~*~ I WILL LIVE TO SEE YOU DIE

The brown and grey male opened his eyes upon hearing the sounds of water splashing, dark green orbs falling upon the young male. Gitan said nothing, it seemed the tri-colored wolf had yet to see him and so chose to wait. The black and grey brute had expected the new comer to do as he had, find a spot just within the shade next to the shallow pool and stop. He was not expecting to see the young male to topple over as he had. Immediately Gitan was jumping to cream colored paws. While the pool was shallow it was still possible for one to drown within in. The cool water swirled around his ankles as he moved towards the unmoving form; muzzle searching around the back of the other wolf?s neck. Strong jaws closed around scruff and Gitan was pulling, dragging him out of the water. The brute gave up his previous spot for the young, unconscious wolf. Gitan finally released the tri-colored boy and took a step back, still standing in the pool. The male seemed to be very out of it. Gitan gave a swift kick of a forepaw, a wave of cool blue water splashing up over the edge, hitting the youngster in the face. Speech, Thoughts You

CROSS MY HEART AND HOPE TO FLY ~*~ Cross knew nothing. Then suddenly there was a shock to his system. His eyes opened by pure reflex and the bright haze of the desert shot into his retinas. He was blinking again now. He was starting to wake up. He licked at his lips and tasted... was that water? No it couldn't be. It had to be blood. But the next second his vision was clearing. He could see the trees again. Palms like back on the island. And there was water - a whole pool of it. And the dark form of a wolf looming over him. Usually the boy was suspicious and guarded towards strangers - but not now. Thirst had taken hold of his mind and all he wanted was help. He didn't care where it came from. He eased himself up onto his side and looked down. He was at the edge of an oasis thingy. There was water. Real water in the middle of the desert. All he wanted to do was leap forward and thrust his muzzle into it like a starving wolf on a deer. But then he thought of Orica. He looked up at the stranger with emerald eyes that suddenly shot wide. "Please- he said, gasping, almost choking on a raspy, dry tongue. "My sister-" he was set into a fit of coughing - not dry coughing like he'd had before but wet coughing. He must've swallowed some of the water. He had to turn over onto his belly and hang his head. Between the wracks of coughing he managed to burst out. "She's back the way I came - under a rock-" He went back into coughing, his mind still too sunbaked to think clearly. He hadn't even noticed that he'd called Orica his 'sister' instead of his cousin. ~*~ I WILL LIVE TO SEE YOU DIE

Cut me loose My parachute won't let me fall Don't be afraid of a chance for a miracle ~*~ Meanwhile: Orica was scared. This wasn't how things were supposed to go. Sand wasn't supposed to stretch on this far! It was supposed to mean that rare tropical plants were nearby, not that you were walking into a death trap. The two kids had gotten about as lost as was possible for wolves. And with the sand churning every so often to hide paw prints, the acrid air killing their noses, and the blinding sunlight searing their eyes, it was impossible to find their way back! Orica had dropped out first. She was smaller. She had a black coat that attracted the sun like a magnet. She'd collasped and for a long time she had known absolutely nothing. But then she'd awoken and she was being dragged through the sand. Cross, dear Cross had started dragging her. Her boy bodyguard had pulled her into the shade of a jutting brown rock (after snapping up and killing a snake that had been inside) and there he'd said words that Orica strained to remember. "Just hold on.... Wait here... I'll find water." He knew she couldn't move, so he'd gone on to find help or shelter or water. But how could that be? Dread had begun creeping into Orica's heart, but her throat was too dry for her to voice her fears even if she'd wanted. All she could do was lay there in shade that was still hot enough to fry an egg, and pray that somehow her cousin would return to her. ... She didn't want to die alone. ~*~

Dark green eyes met lighter ones as the youth regained consciousness. Gitan breathed a sigh of relief and took another step back to allow the boy to drink. Gitan took a draught himself and had been about to warn the other wolf not to overdo it when he spoke. The youth?s pleading tone immediately caught her attention and he dreaded to hear those next words. At the mention of his sister Gitan?s mind was already launching into action. He had been about to launch away from the pool to go in search of this phantom female when the youth had a coughing fit. Gitan hesitated his gaze resting upon the tri-colored male, unsure how to help. "She's back the way I came - under a rock-" The brown and grey brute nodded and kicked himself into action, pausing at the edge of the oasis to glance back when he heard the couching again. It took a great deal of willpower to turn away again, worry for both the young male and doubt that he would ever find his way again tugging at the edges of his mind. He went though, willingly throwing himself back into the heat of the desert. He had willingly made himself once more attempt to navigate the endless ocean before him. It wasn?t too long before he began to wonder if he was only marching around in circles. He considered turning back, attempting to find his way back to the shelter of the shade, but this too was blurring in his mind and he wondered if he had indeed actually been there. The heat was jumbling his mind and he found himself scanning the distance for the end of the sand, his rescue mission completely forgotten. That was until he saw the brown outcropping. His mind replayed the youth?s words to him and he headed towards it, the rock becoming sharper the closer he got. He soon was able to make out the shape of something lying beneath it. From a distance he couldn?t see it very well, the form hidden in the shade but as he grew ever closer he could make out the shape of a small wolf. Gitan stumbled towards it, finally within earshot he gave a weak bark so as to make sure they were aware of his approach. Finally standing only a few steps in front of it he lowered his head to be on eye level of the young female sheltered in the shade. ?Your brother?? He spoke through parched lips, ?He?s fine, he just had a bit of an accident in the water and he asked me to come and find you.? He smiled as sweetly as he could muster in that moment. ?Can you walk?? He asked, suddenly faced with the possibility of having to carry her. He wasn?t sure he could, not in this heat. Speech, Thoughts You

Cut me loose My parachute won't let me fall Don't be afraid of a chance for a miracle ~*~ Orica lay on her side, panting out what little air she could suck from the stifling heat. She drifted in and out of consciousness, sometimes wondering if that sound she heard was her insides sizzling. This.... had not been a good idea. Out of the hazy, dancing world, came the figure out of a wolf - coming around towards where she could see him. Of course her first thought was that it was Cross. Maybe somehow he had found a stream or a way out and he was going to help her. Against all odds, she pulled up her end, head throbbing with the effort. But it wasn't Cross. Orica was suddenly struck still with the sight of a stranger framed against the sky and sand. Where as Cross's predicament made him strangely open to new wolves, Orica's pain and danger made her scared of them. She made a pitiful little struggle to try to press her back further against the stone. The man was moving his muzzle - he was talking- but at first the words didn't mean anything to her. They came out and reached her ears but the meaning flitted away. She couldn't see straight. She couldn't think straight. It wasn't until after everything had been said that she seemed to register it at all. Cross... Cross had sent help... "Can you walk?" Orica didn't say anything, but she started to rise. Somehow she rolled over onto her belly, and then pushed up wither paws. Her long white legs shook and trembled and finally managed to snap themselves straight. She kept her head low, partly because of the rock, partly because she didn't think she had the strength to raise that too. She took one step towards the male. One step. And then she collasped back in the sand. ~*~

Gitan was happy to see that the young female was not only conscious but aware enough to react to his words. He lowered himself onto his haunches, panting as she shakily rose to her paws. He gave her an encouraging smile as she lifted a paw and took a step towards him. One single step. She seemed to fall in slow motion and his heart dropped with her. Gitan jumped to his paws, rushing forwards. His back scrapped against the rock as he pushed his muzzle into her fur. She was burning up. Nose brushed against the nape of her neck. Jaws closed around scruff and he lifted. Pulling away from out under the rock, the girl dangling from his jaws. He turned away from the rock back the way he came, or at least he thought it was. The sand had shifted in the wind erasing any paw prints. It was slow going, his progress had been slow enough without being impeded by the weight of an extra wolf. The sand blew in his face, stinging his nose and making his eyes water. The man forced himself to focus on his movement, counting out each step. 105, just one more, 106, and now another, 107. The sun was beginning to play tricks on his mind. More than once he thought he could see the water of the oaisis shimmering on the horizon, the endless sky reflected in its surface but as he grew closer the water would evaporate from view. 108, his head was dropping inch by inch with every step, 109, the girl?s legs were dragging in the sand leaving a trail behind them, slowing them even more, 110. His eyes were watering but he could swear he saw the green of trees just upon the horizon. 111, the palm trees were sprouting from the sand, 112 the sand in his eyes was stinging the whole of the world blurring, 113 yes it was the oasis. The heat would not allow for much joy, but he felt it anyways. 114, his legs were shaking suddenly buckling beneath him. No! He thought as he went down. A yelp escaping his jaw, the girl falling from his tongue. He had been so close, only a few paw steps away from the protection of the oasis. He fell on the female but quickly rolled off of her, lying on his side, eyes glued on the green of the trees. He wanted so badly to close them and rest but he forced them to stay open. To keep his eyes on the green, on the promise of shade, of life. Speech, Thoughts You

CROSS MY HEART AND HOPE TO FLY ~*~ He grabbed Orica first. He didn't really think about it. She was his cousin and she was all he cared about in that moment - if something happened to her.... Heaven forbid it. He was weak and he was spent - he'd just spent what felt like centuries in a burning land, often times half carrying half dragging the girl - certainly farther than the other male had gone. But he had had his second wind. He had had a drink. He could muster together the strength to bear her a little farther. Latching his jaws, in her scruff, he dragged the girl the last few steps to the edge of the water. His own pelt was drenched already but now he was stepping back into the shallows to kick the water into her face - praying that those clue eyes would open. He was exhausted but he wasn't dazed anymore. The panic that came with the idea that his little cousin might not be okay was enough to make his heart hammer and his teeth grit. It was one thing when the world took someone from you - it was another when you were the one that failed them. "Orica!" he called. "Wake up!" ~*~ I WILL LIVE TO SEE YOU DIE

Cut me loose My parachute won't let me fall Don't be afraid of a chance for a miracle ~*~ Orica knew nothing between the time she felt the sand hit her head and the time that water did. She knew nothing of the stranger's brave feat of dragging her across the dunes, but rather quickly she was able to put two and two together. It took a bit of time though. First all she saw was the blue sky tipped in green. Then a very different green of Cross's eyes. "Cross?" she murmured, frowning slightly. She smacked her lips, feeling the water from the splashes on her muzzle. She couldn't even think to drink at first though. She just rolled over - her paw tips in the water, as she raised her weary, pounding head. It's a very scary thing to wake up in a different place than you fell asleep. It took the little one a moment to figure out that she wasn't dreaming. Something had happened. They'd nearly died the two of them. But... but they'd had help! Suddenly she was whipping her tortured head around - looking for the other wolf. There! The male was laying a few paces away. "Cross-help him!" she said. Another time it should've been an urgent shout, but now it was only a dry, broken whisper. She was reward with a movement of her white cousin, but she couldn't hold her head up any longer. She dipped it down into the life-giving water and drank gratefully from the oasis. So far, she decided she hated the desert. ~*~

Gitan watched, exhausted at the young boy ran to their rescue. Had his parched tongue allowed he would have insisted that he grab the girl first and so was relieved when the boy did so himself. Gitan huffed a sigh of relief, blowing sand. The girl was safe that was all that mattered, with the weight lifted from his shoulders he allowed himself to close his eyes. Only briefly. He forced himself to snap them open, unwilling to fall victim to the desert any more than he already had. With a grunt of effort he pulled himself forward, crawling towards the safety of the shade and water. The man shook his head, ground his teeth and slowly, ever so slowly forced himself to his paws. Legs shook and rebelled. His pounding head voicing its objections with flaring pain. Still he slowly rose. It seemed to take a life time before he reined in his limbs and finally stood, less than firmly, on his own two paws again. Taking a deep breath he took a shaky step towards the oasis. Speech, Thoughts You

CROSS MY HEART AND HOPE TO FLY . . . Cross seemed to shrink with visible relief, when he say those blue eyes fluttering open. Out of all the pups in all litters born in his pack, it was his well, technically, nephew Kairos who was most like his brother, and his cousin Orica who was most like his sister. He wouldn't have lost her for the world. Eventually he knew death would come for everyone. Eventually he would have to say goodbye to all he loved - but not Orica. Not today. His fur fell flat, his ears relaxed, his eyes slid closed. He took a deep breath and mentally thanked the stars. But that was all he was allowed before Orica spoke. Silly little goose. She wasn't thanking him. She was complaining. She wasn't asking questions about where she was or what had happened - she just wanted to make sure everyone else was alright. Gosh, he loved her. Though his face was still worn with exhaustion and stress, he managed to trot out of the shallows and toward the other male. The wolf was just starting to rise, but only with great effort. On a sudden idea, Cross walked just a bit past him - and then swung his fluff-brush of a tail. It had been trailed in the cool water and acted as a damp cloth to the male's face. It was just a quick flick though, as Cross wheeled around so that he was facing the same direction as the adult. He sidled up and almost under the male, giving him a shoulder to lean on as heavily as he wished. Though Cross was a yearling and still in his growing stages. He was going to be huge when he grew. Already he was around 33 inches - tall enough to rival the full-grown male beside him. Cross could and would help him to the water's edge. And then, in the shade of the palms, the three of them could figure out what to do and how to get out of here. . . . I WILL LIVE TO SEE YOU DIE

Cut me loose My parachute won't let me fall Don't be afraid of a chance for a miracle ~*~ Orica drank - probably too much. She let her belly swell with the life giving water until she had to pray it wouldn't burst. Why in the world had the Creator made such a cursed place as this? And how could the little stray lizards she'd seen survive here? She wouldn't strain her mind trying to unravel life's mysteries. Not today. Her head hurt too much. All she could do was remain there on her belly, blessing the shade of the palms and the coolness of the water. She wasn't going to die. She wasn't going to die. It was amazing. She hadn't really reconsidered it much - not in all of it's weight and seriousness. But it was true - that could've killed her. She almost died of heat out there. She very well would have if not for her dear cousin and the kind stranger. The stranger! She looked over. Cross was helping him now at least. And he was able to stand - that was a good sign. "Are you alright?" she asked of the stranger - wanting desperately to stand and go over and see for herself, but finding she had not the strength. "What's you name?" she asked instead, after she had waited a bit of time. ~*~

Gitan watched at the tri-colored boy returned to his side, a sigh of relief leaving parched lips. He gratefully accepted the splash of cold water upon his face, even though it came with a face full of fur. With a groan he leaned some of his weight on the younger wolf. Their pace was slow going but, at least they were not far from the promise of the tree line. He wanted to put so much more of his weight on the younger male, but despite him being bigger than Gitan he wasn?t sure how much he could take. As they approached he could see the girl he had rescued. Her bright blue eyes reached his. He gave her a weak smile. ?I?ll be just fine darling.? He reassured her. He knew it to be the truth, and didn?t she deserve to hear some good news? He gave a huff as they reached the shade. Lifting himself off the boy he shuffled towards the water, stepping into it. He lowered his muzzle to it and took a long, satisfying draught. Then turning to the girl he gave her another weak smile. ?I?m Gitan.? Speech, Thoughts You