Naiche wasn’t going to stay away from the pack too long right now.  The pack had taken a few hard hits with problems like Magnus being blind and some others apparently also with problems, then there were all the pups that still needed to be watched and trained.  However, Naiche was getting mildly concerned; where was Rue?  It’s not like she had been required to stay in one certain area but Naiche hadn’t expected her to just leave. The little wolf had seemed to be enjoying the lessons he’d given her on hunting and he had been looking forward to giving her more.  He had planned to let her try a bit of meat earlier today but then given up when she wasn’t about.  Here it was evening and still no Rue.  It was foolish to worry and she would surely be fine but Naiche still felt a need to put a little more effort into finding her. Making his way to the hallows borderlands he paused at the edge and howled for entry.  With all the wolves he counted as friends here there was no doubt he would be let in but, it was the proper thing to do.  All Naiche really needed was information anyway.  There would be time to really visit and say hello to everyone but he didn’t feel that day was today.  On top of that, how many wolves did he really want to see?  The polar bear fur coat helped hide his problem but there were still signs of the short coat by his legs and further down his sides.  Thankfully the chest was still in pretty good shape.  The polar bear coat also had a hood on it, which was being used as a cozy spot for Pan to stand on at the moment, the pangolin's face relaxedly on the wolf's forehead.  The wolf was now two inches shorter than he was before the cave event. Why did it bother him so much that he couldn’t find Rue?  She wasn’t even part of the armada.  She was just a strange wolf he had met who didn’t know how to hunt nor ever tasted meet.  That was all there was to it.  If she had left to go to other lands then that was fine. Speech:"Live to fight" Think

Asla had been in the Hallows for over a week now. She came and went as she pleased and why shouldn't she? This was her grandmas land. She was welcome here and could do what she wished. Most of her time had been dedicated to Indigo and his well being. Her poor, sweet brother had been utterly broken after the death of his friend. Asla had slowly started putting the pieces back together. She still didn't really care that the girl was dead, in fact, that's kind of what she got for getting so close to Indigo, but that was beside the point. It had become her morning ritual to fetch Indy breakfast. As she was coming back with a fat hare between her jaws, she heard the call of a familiar voice. Adjusting her course, Asla came up behind Naiche rather than in front of him. Dropping the hare between her paws, the cream and grey girl shot the cloaked wolf a smirk. "Hey, Golden Boy. Looking extra fuzzy over there today. What's that about?" Was he always this short? She hadn't been away that long, had she? "Speech"

Naiche turned his head to spot Asla a hint of a surprise but then turning to fully face her, “Ah,” Naiche twitched his eyes to the fur coat and back, “I just ran into some problems elsewhere and got a bit ‘roughed up’.  Sirius gave me this when he saw the situation.” Yes, the words were hedged and he’d have to admit it later but right now he didn’t want to go down that tangent. “and if you are wondering, yes I am shorter.  It was a uhhm strange experience.”  There were only so many words to describe what happened at that lake.  “Not a favorite subject right now.” Fast summary.  They had been on somewhat better terms as of late so hopefully, that would be good enough for now.  It was good to see Asla doing well and hunting after that incident with the boar. “Have you been roaming the area much recently,” his eyes drifting down to her kill with a bit of inner humor thinking of what Rue would think of seeing a dead rabbit locked in Asla’s jaws.  She had been practicing chasing them so how would she feel about a dead one right now?  Where had she gone off to? “There was a wolf I’d met a few times in the weeping woods.  I was helping her learn how to catch rabbits.  Funny wolf.  She would remind you of a deer if you saw her markings and short tail.  Goes by Rue?” Naiche looked back farther into the forest and back at Asla, “I imagine she could have decided to leave the willows but she seemed happy there” A soft snort,  feeling Pan wait shifting on his shoulders hoping to find out where his friend was also, “She likes finding Pan food also.  Any chance you’ve seen her or a wolf that might be her?” After all the mess he’d been in it would be nice to see Rue.   Speech:"Live to fight" Think

Naiche talked about having gotten roughed up and he confirmed her thoughts that he was indeed shorter. She wanted so badly to make a comment about someone sewing his paws to his knees so they could steal his ankles but she refrained. Asla tried so hard to keep a straight face but she was sure that the amusement was burning in her galaxy gaze. Eventually she'd get the full story out of him. Maybe not today, but eventually.

There seemed to be something on the short wolfs mind as he asked her if she was familiar with the area. The cream coated fae arched a brow. "Yes? I've been all over the Hallows." Shed been hunting almost every day since she'd arrived. His next statement brought a frown to the girls lips. Oh boy... It seemed that the dead girl would be harming another wolf that she was close to.

"Listen, Naiche..." Asla didn't really know where to start. Reaching out one paw, she awkwardly patted his shoulder. "I'm sorry, Golden-boy, but she's dead." A little blunt, but she told it like it was. The deer girl was dead. Indy had told her enough about the girl to know that this was who Naiche was talking about. Besides. How many wolves were named Rue?

Yah, Naiche had already known he’d be hearing all manner of jokes from Asla.  She hadn’t even seen what he was hiding under the cloak yet and eventually, she would.  He’d wait till he was ready to stomach the jokes somewhere alone.  Still, this wasn’t the time to deal with it.  He’d just learn if anyone had seen his friend and then head back to the pack.   Asla choosing not to tease him was worth a bit of relief.  The mirth in her eyes was expected and for the moment brushed off.  What was concerning was her somber expression in her words.  Something was wrong.  Something had hurt Rue?  She wasn’t ready to defend herself and would likely have been smart enough to run.  She had decent speed that she could escape a bear right?  That seemed the main concern that showed up around here. The paw on his shoulder set off a clenching up of his muscles as dread already settled in.  Asla wouldn’t do this if Rue had simply left.  It only was a second for him to hear the news but his mind was hearing it in slow motion.  Rue hadn’t been pack so it shouldn’t be such a big deal.  Naiche use to tell himself it was only the pack who mattered so what had happened?  How had he grown to care for the little helpless wolf?   How didn’t really matter.  He wasn’t alone.  He couldn’t just stay silent and not respond or act weak in front of anyone.  Asla was being kind and attempting comfort but Naiche couldn’t stand the idea of looking weak.  It shouldn’t hurt.  He saw Rue in his mind happily chasing a rabbit, or seeing her showing Pan where some good bugs were. Naiche acknowledged he still hadn’t responded to Asla.  “Oh,” great answer but he felt the emotions barely kept inside and the words threatened to spill out the emotions and making it worse.  He opened his mouth as if to say something else but then just tilted his head to stare up at the sky.  “How?” Naiche didn’t want to hear but at the same time, he needed to hear it.  What had happened to her?  Why?  She had been so helpless that he couldn’t imagine her in the pack but perhaps he should have tried to get her in the armada after all so he could have protected her. Speech:"Live to fight" Think

Though he tried to hide it, Asla could see the warring emotions flit across Naiches features. Her frown grew as he simply tilted his head upwards and asked how. Did he really want to hear it? Well, she wouldn't deny him the knowledge. "She went off to explore on her own and was ambushed by a pack of hyenas." Both Indigo and her grandmother told her the grisly details but she would spare Naiche that much.

"She called for help but by the time Indigo and my grandmother arrived it was too late." Grey ears flicked backwards. "The hyenas met a similar fate." Asla sighed and shook her head lightly. "That's why I'm here. Your friends death broke Indigo. I've been piecing him back together." Who was going to piece Naiche back together?

"There are too many packs in too close of a space. My grandmother says that prey is getting scarce so the predators have become bolder." She added the extra bit of information even though it wasn't really necessary. "I could take you to where she's buried..." Asla offered awkwardly. She wasn't used to giving sympathy to anyone other than Indigo.

Hyenas.  Hyenas and they met the end they deserved but they also were no longer about for his own dose of revenge.  Front paws clenched so that they left slight impressions in the dirt.  No, he wouldn’t let it out.  There was nothing he could do and it hurt but he would contain it.  A good strong warrior could contain the pain and he was one.   He felt the whine inside that was cut off but also had his throat choked up so that nothing else could come out.  His muscles clenched and unclenched as he struggled to not let himself shiver.  He was strong.  Naiche had decided even before joining the armada he would never let his emotions get the better of him.  Still, somehow the world seemed to be shifting around him as his mind tried to find logic amongst caged emotion. “I’m grateful they tried,”  the words came out haltingly.  He couldn’t offer words for Indigo’s suffering.  He remembered the gentle wolf but he had no room in his heart to worry about how this affected anyone else.  A bitter notion came to his mind at least Indigo still had a family.  It wasn’t a fair thought, and Naiche had the pack but it didn’t seem to soothe the hurt at all.   The information on too many packs was acknowledged with a silent nod.  He had never considered it and later it might be important to him.  Did he want o go where she was buried?  She was gone.  What good was a pile of dirt?  Would it offer the closure he needed? Finally, he nodded.  “yes.  I’d like that.”  Maybe he would but maybe walking would give him time to collect himself and at least a goal of something to do.   He hadn’t even known her all that long!  This was silly.  The logic seemed to offer some attempts at comfort but it was failing miserably.  He’d act strong and at some point his emotions would believe the lie.  Asla had nearly died when he went hunting with her.  Rue died when he wasn’t there.  Damn it he just wanted to curl up somewhere and wait for the pain to pass.  How long would that take?   Speech:"Live to fight" Think

Though he tried to hide it, she could see the sadness in his eyes. It was less obvious than the sadness in Indy's eyes, but her brother wore his emotions for all to see. Naiche tried to keep his own hidden. As he agreed to go see the grave, Asla nodded. She began to move and knew that he would follow. They moved through Hallows territory and Asla finally led him up to the falls and to a pile of rocks beside the river. The dirt around the rocks was still evident and grass hadn't had time to spring to life yet, not that it would with the temperature dropping so rapidly. Giving Naiche time to do what he needed to, Asla took a few steps back and seated herself. She still didn't feel bad for the girl. Rue had been weak. Well, 'sweet' was the term that Indigo had used, but to the spitfire of a girl, sweet mean weak. If Naiche needed her, she would be here for him. She couldn't mourn with him, but she could be a shoulder if he needed. "Speech"

Naiche followed behind Asla his mind swirling in imagined visions of what Rue’s last moments would have been like, comparing those to the happy naïve wolf he remembered and desperately scrabbling for some form of acceptance to this.  Rue was gone so he could not run to her rescue, the enemy was dead so he could not rush to get revenge on her behalf, and even her grave was already buried. Rue wasn’t family.  Rue wasn’t pack.  So as he followed Asla and then when he sat near her grave the cloaked wolf tried to grapple with what Rue had been that it was worth hurting himself over.  A student, a connection, and another loss.  One more dead body on the pile of those he had known and passed away.  Some warrior.  Were warriors supposed to get emotional over some wolf they’d only known a short while? “You fool,” the words said to the grave, but the soft words had no conviction to them a gentle chide of the teacher to his dead pupil.  “Now you won’t get to chase the meat I was going to give you.” She would never get to taste the rabbit now.  Not rabbit nor bigger game, nor would she, well now she wouldn’t do a lot of things. It hurt, but the longer he had the more time he had to build up some reserves of willpower to hole up the pain somewhere deeper inside.  It could hurt later but he wasn’t alone at the moment.  Not that it meant he was fully done here.  Pan had slid down and off the cloak in the meantime.  The little pangolin laid down next to the rocks, wrapping his tail about some of the pile as if it could wrap the tail around Rue in some fashion. “We kept letting her live alone.  Idiots if we thought she’d be fine.” An exasperated exhale and realizing he’d just hit part of the pain.  “She was weak but, it was her fool parents who didn’t teach her.  She was trying to learn.  I’d had her chasing rabbits.  She was improving and I’d have had her learn to kill soon but…” Naiche grit his teeth.  “Damnit I’m so stupid.  She should have been brought into a pack for safety versus left on her own.”  Luck only lasted for so long. Speech:"Live to fight" Think

Asla give Naiche the time and space that he needed. While he looked at the grave, the cream and grey lady merely looked at her paws. Ears swiveled to catch the sounds of movement around them as the river babbled and whispered. Birds sand in the trees overhead. The wind danced through the grass. The world hadn't changed. One wolf had died, but the world went on as if nothing happened. And so did Asla. Ears perked as Naiche began speaking in a voice that was meant for her. She heard the discomfort in his tones and her brow furrowed. It seemed that he as well as Indigo had actually cared for this dead girl. The yellow wolf spoke of regrets and things that he wished he'd done differently. In the end, she told him the same thing that she'd told Indigo. In soft, sympathetic tones completely unlike the way that she normally spoke, Aslatiel said, "You can't save the world, Golden Boy." He would know it to be true, no doubt. It would still be hard. Aslatiel tried to imagine a similar situation. If Naiche had been the one to die, she would be a wreck, though she wouldn't admit it. Outside of family, Naiche was the only friend that she had. She didn't like seeing him like this. "Speech"

Naiche looked from Asla back to the grave for another moment before turning away.  Putting his hind end to the stones he walked back towards Asla.  There was an inner ache inside him, and one that was starting to be disturbingly familiar.  Mother, grandfather, nearly Asla, and now Rue were all gone.  Naiche wasn’t even two yet and already it felt like a large number of deaths of those he knew.  Hopefully, it wasn’t a pattern that would continuously haunt him. “I know.” Did he know?  There was a time only a few seasons ago he felt the weak deserved to be on there own, and perish on their own.  When had that changed? It wasn’t even just those he knew he had wanted to save was it?  What about all the bears he had challenged when finding a strange wolf being attacked?  Well, to be honest, he just enjoyed fighting the wolves so maybe those didn’t count. “She’s gone, no point in looking at rocks.”  He couldn’t afford to wallow in misery, it was a weakness he wouldn’t allow himself to suffer.  He wasn’t a pup anymore for such things.  It would hurt for a while and then he’d get over it.  That was an assumption at least.  “Thanks, Asla.” Sorry, Rue.  Time to let you go. Speech:"Live to fight" Think