{PRP} Old ties (Blake, Raine, Akemi, Cody, etc)

[Sabra Knight]

Rain smiled towards Cody in relief. Good then, she was right the boy did care about her packmate after all. She didn’t know how Akemi had run into the other wolf, but she was glad. To leave Akemi alone while she was so sick…that would have haunted her. But taking her to the pack in that state? That would be a horrible idea, even with her father sick she didn’t know what ploys he may be up to. The same with Blake…her gaze flickered over towards him with concern. There really was no way of talking him out of this then?

As he took her hand the wolftaur felt her heart jump. There really was no way to talk him out of this. They were too connected…honestly she didn’t even know what she would do without the male at her side, “thank you.” The whispered words were ever so soft against his ear as Raine kept hold of his hand and followed the pack outside of the tavern, “The northern path correct?” She asked Veruia, but the female wolftaur only huffed before looking away.

“Yes that path.” Answered Stryder instead and Raine smiled thankful that the older male was at least polite. Without him there she worried about how easy this trip would be.

“Raine…” As soon as they left Akemi collapsed against Cody with a curse, “I can’t leave her to this…” Tears shone in her eyes, whether from pain or from worry the wolftaur wouldn’t say, but she couldn’t move her body. Fighting had worn her out and now she just wanted sleep. Eyes flickering closed Akemi found herself falling against Cody as she passed out.
 

[Cornetified]

Cody pressed his lips tightly. There was no way this could end well... Gasping softly, he caught Akemi as she passed out. "Easy... Easy..."

As the employees of the tavern returned, they helped him carry Akemi upstairs to one of the rooms. There, he put her to bed and pressed a cool, damp cloth to her forehead. "Get better soon.."

Thank you? He gave her a small smile. There was nothing to thank... He couldn't bear the though of her going on alone. Blake held tight to Raine's hand. As it was... he felt quite out of his element. Family feuds were well outside of his experience, let alone feuds of this magnitude. He was there to support Raine, though, so he would.
 

[Sabra Knight]

“Dammit don’t you tell me easy.” Akemi muttered in confusion before she passed out finally.

All night she thrashed and the next couple of days the nightmares of hallucinations continued. Sickness mixed with frustrations lead the healer to a troublesome patient and only caused Akemi to suffer more. And it was only a couple of days later that the wolftaur broke her fever and with a groan started to try to get out of bed. Once more it was a fail and the rust wolftaur cursed. What type of hunter was she to let a fever take away her strength so easily! And Rain was all alone up north…getting further away by the second. Frustration marked Akemi’s features as she punched the bed.

Being sick was so exhausting!



As she held onto Blake’s hand Raine felt her heart come to a peace. No matter what she had to be strong for the male next to her and she had to be able to protect him from the harshness of the northern lands they faced. That harshness existed not only in the snow topped mountains, but also in the hearts of the taur who lived there. That was true of many especially her father…the thought sent a chill down her spine as they continued. Was he really sick?

Even as the snows started to form in the skies above them days later Raine couldn’t get a true answer from any of their ‘escorts’. Stryder would talk the most to her, but even the older wolftaur was quiet about her father’s plans. As it was Raine was determined to see her father then leave as soon as possible. That way there was less time for any tricks. Waking up in the morning though the wolftaur had taken to melting ice in order to bath her tired arms and shoulders. It had been a while since she had traveled so far and the northern landscape was nothing short of rough. Tying her hair back in a braid the wolftaur shrugged on her cloak before leaving the fire side to look about some more.

It was strange being in a place that she had once called home again…
 

[Cornetified]

True to his word, Cody remained vigilant over Akemi. He made sure she had plenty of water, patted her hot skin with a cool cloth, and did his best to give her light things to eat, when she could keep it down.

He put an ear to the door from the hall to listen, hearing the rustling inside. Taking a deep breath, he pushed the door open and stepped in with a bowl of warm water. "Hey. Are you hungry? Thirsty?" He set the bowl down and laid a cloth into it. Inside the water were a few herbs that that village doctor had told him were good for rejuvenating and soothing a worn body. "You can clean yourself up with this. If you can bathe without exhausting yourself, I'll take you down to get some food."

He paused a half a second before reaching out to take Akemi's hand, despite his suspicion that the last thing she would want is skin contact. "We can't catch up to them if you can barely walk. Wait for your strength to return first. You know as well as I do that you'll only make things worse for your friends if you show up where they're headed in this kind of condition.


Raine wasn't the only one who'd had a break from such long traveling. Blake hadn't slept very well the first night, but the last couple had found him sleeping like a rock. Curled up under his own cloak, received from the group they were traveling; and was about the only acknowledgement he'd gotten from them. Otherwise, not a word was spoken to him, which he was perfectly fine with.

Stretching, he slowly pushed himself up, limbs stiff from the chill. He had never much liked being cold... He ran his fingers through his hair, and looked around. He spotted Raine walking around, and took a few steps around the fire to warm his legs again. How was Akemi doing? He glanced over at the blue wolf. How was Raine doing?
 

[Sabra Knight]

Flustered from her attempt at rising Akemi just glared at Cody as he entered the room, “Does it look like I’m hungrey?” She quipped sharply before pulling back with a short sigh. All she wanted to do was recover quickly and then get the hell out of here and up north where she could protect her friends. Ears pressed tightly against her skull she frowned at the water, “If I can’t do that much then ya might as well slit my throat now.” Be done with it. She was a disgrace of a huntress falling sickly now.

As he touched her hand the warmth of his fingers flooded through her and Akemi growled. Yet as she listened to him her hand stayed there and ever so slightly her gaze softened before the wolftaur just looked sadly away. There was no point in taking out all of her frustrations out on Cody…the idiot had put up with plenty from her sickness already. Such a foolish thing to do to take care of her, a stranger…she owed him a lot of thanks…but still…Akemi pinched her mouth in a grumpy expression as she looked back up at him, “Yeah, yeah…my strength better be returning fast else I’ll be limping up there and just healin’ on the way.”

Crossing her arms Raine brushed off the cold chill of the morning wind. Her crystal gaze watched the fire for a moment, her mind clearly far away, but the movement to the side quickly caught her attention. Blake… Her features wavered as she once more tried to mask the obvious feelings she held for the other wolftaur. She was so glad to see him, but so worried at the same time. Her father wasn’t too fond of strangers after all…

Still Raine forced a small smile as she made her way towards her friend, “I have some dried fruit and jerky if you’re hungry. I highly doubt they’ll be hunting until later this evening.” That was a definite about this group, they weren’t much for dawdling. Already the peaks of the northern mountains were looming about them. Everything seemed so cold, so sharp and menacing now. For such a kind female with a soft voice….she really did seem out of place.

Funny…even now after years had passed this place felt just as foreign to her as it had when it had been the only place she had ever known.
 

[Cornetified]

Cody simply laughed. "Yeah, it does look like you're hungry." No point in beating around the bush with this gal. "Bah. You know I'd rather nuzzle your throat than cut it." Mmm, wouldn't that be nice~?

Her comment made him laugh again, a little more happily this time. "I doubt any illness could keep a hold on you for too long." He pushed up from the bed and nodded. "Don't you worry. As soon as you're strong enough, I'll carry you myself so that you can heal the rest of the way." Despite his smile, his expression fell a little. "That clan that came for your friend... I've never dealt with them myself, but I've heard plenty. I know how urgent the situation is. Not the details, but that group... I'll help you get to your friends. I will."


Ears perking as Raine came closer, he smiled readily for her. "Thanks. A bite would be great right now." Since they wouldn't be eating until evening, and the doubt of how much of a serving they would give to him, he would take what he could without looking like a hog. Another downside to having sat in a house with decently stocked cupboards for too long. He wasn't as acclimated to only eating a small portion once a day. Even twice would be pushing it. That thought made him frown, and look down at himself. He hadn't let himself get that soft, had he? Sure, he wasn't as hard as he'd once been, but he still had definition, right?

He shook his head and looked at the mountains ahead. "Your father probably won't like that I came along, will he," he stated more than questioned, looking to Raine as he tucked a piece of fruit into his mouth. A man who sends out a party like this to collect a daughter coming back willingly... What kind of man was this leader in the cold north?
 

[Sabra Knight]

Her ears pressed against her skull Akemi just scowled at Cody, “Reeeeally?” Out of all the times to throw in a flirting statement like that….what a silly pup. Shaking her head she quickly turned away to look up at the ceiling allowing her hair to brush lightly against her cheeks before falling back away from her eyes.

And there was that laugh again. Akemi felt her cheeks flush in ‘aggravation’ at how adorable an actual happy laugh from Cody could be, “No illness has been that stupeeed before.” She muttered before blinking up at him, “Carry me? Excuse me…but I never even said you could take a paw step after me towards that hell hole.” Her golden gaze dimmed at his knowledge of the clan that Raine was being dragged back to, “I’m not worryin’ about them dying yet…they’d not kill Raine that’s for certain. But I dunno about Blake’s fate…I hope he can keep safe fer the both of them.”

A harsh chuckle came out of her, “But if they try chainin’ her down…that’s the reason I’m runnin’ there as quickly as possible.” She looked up towards Cody with a dangerous expression, “They might think they’re the toughest warriors out ‘ere, but they haven’t fought anyone from the south yet.”

It really was funny how just seeing Blake’s reaction to her made Raine’s heart jump despite their cold situation. As she thought that she quietly handed him her pack where the food was. Then listening to the chill wind whistling through the mountain passages around them Raine looked back at Blake with a slightly confused look. What was going on through his mind right now? Before her hand reached out to touch his shoulder in comfort the wolftaur was back again and asking about the subject she dreaded most…her father.

“He really isn’t too fond of strangers.” Whispered Raine with a tense smile, “So I guess that’s a yes.” Her eyes closed briefly before she looked back at Blake with determination, “But he’ll have to deal with it. I’m coming here to see if he’s actually…that sick.” She frowned her teeth gently scrapping her bottom lip in worry, “But if it’s a trick…then Blake I don’t want you to get hurt. If I say run, you’ll run won’t you?” Her gaze swept around the area, so far they were still alone. “He won’t do anything bad to me, but I’m worried about you since you are after all no one to my father.” And she remembered how the clan treated strangers. Some would be welcomed, most chained and taken away. Whether to the woods or the markets were completely up to her father and the council’s decisions.

And it was sad when some of them prayed for the woods.
 

[Cornetified]

Cody couldn't help a faint smirk. "Well, that's fine then, since I never asked to follow you there anyway." The seriousness never left his eyes though, and he shook his head. "This isn't something I'm taking lightly. They think they're the best out here because they are the best out here. They live for that kind of life, and challengers are either beaten and sent on their way, if they survived the fight, or win and then end up dead in the night."

His lips pursed slightly. "You're more worried for your Raine friend. I'll go as the other guy- er- Blake's back-up then." When he wasn't busy being Akemi's back-up, of course. "Now, quit fightin' me and rest some more. You seem to know as well as I do that the trip is long and rough."


Her father might be faking an illness? ..Well, at least a physical one? He clearly had some mental issues in Blake's opinion! His mouth pressed with an almost-smile. He could almost imagine having Raine holding his hand, the both of them determined to stand together in front of such a tyrant. Yup. The guy would have to just deal with it!

With a twitch of his ears, Blake lowered his gaze to the bite of food left in his hand. Run.. Could he do that? After a long silence, he cleared his throat. "How do you know he won't hurt you? ..I won't leave without you unless I'm more certain that.. if I had to run.. that when I went back to get you, you'd be there for me to get. ...I won't be able to leave if I can't take you back home in the end." He blushed a little at the implication he heard in his own words, but it was true...
 

[Sabra Knight]

Akemi frowned, "And I never asked for you to even think of goin' up there anyways! What would a pup like you want to do against 'em?" She wrinkled her nose, "Ya don't seem to be wantin' ta face them anyways." The wolftaur shook her head, "They can try ta knife me, but they haven't fought me yet." She wasn't known as the crimson death for nothing after all! Not like she had fought like that in years, but still...she remembered the blood lust and the thrill of the fight. Those bastards could go take their cocky selves and shove it somewhere the sun didn't shine...

"I'm tellin' ya ta leave it to me." Akemi protested, "I can take care of both of 'em!" Ugh! Having this guy there would be another one for her to have to defend...the wolftaur's fur bristled, "Fine...fiiiiiiiine. I'll rest. But if you aren't up by the dawn them I'm leavin' your hide here." With that the wolftaur turned her back on him and closed her eyes.

Silly pup tellin' her what to do.

But dammit she was so exhausted too...


Raine smiled softly, it was a bitter smile mixed full of emotions, "Blake...trust me. If my father wanted me dead they would have killed us after we left the town. There's no point in dragging a corpse up the mountains after all. Better to kill me and leave me under a drift by the town."

Her cheeks flushed at his words and the wolftaur nodded, "I'm glad to hear that then." Her shimmering gaze looked towards his as she squeezed his hand, "Don't give up on me, Blake. No matter what happens I know that my home is back there with you..." Her words trailed off softly at their own indications before she hastily added, "Plus Akemi would have my hide if I didn't come back! So don't worry." Smiling shyly she slung her pack back over her shoulder, "We should get moving before they hustle us along."
 

[Cornetified]

Cody shook his head. "No, I don't want to. I don't think any sane guy would want to." A hand ran through his hair. "I know when I need to act though." He looked at Akemi solemnly, a small frown on his lips. Honestly... Was he planning to head to the north for a pretty face? ...She wasn't just a pretty face. He didn't know what was hiding in the depths of those shining eyes yet, but he was sure it would be worth finding out.

When Akemi so reluctantly gave in, he smiled and nodded. "See you at dawn~" Downstairs, he asked the inn owners to make sure a breakfast was ready for Akemi before dawn. Then, he turned and headed back home, where he made sure to collect a few things into a pack.


Blake's brow only knit further. "There's a difference between someone wanting to kill you, and someone wanting to hurt you," he said softly. If a man was willing to send guards after his own daughter.. a man who caused someone as sweet and understanding as Raine to run in fear and never look back... he wouldn't simply kill her.

His ears perked at Raine's reply, and he squeezed her hand back. "I won't. Ever." Blinking at the play, he couldn't help a small chuckle. "Your hide? What do you think she'd do to mine?" Standing, still holding her hand to help her up, Blake shrugged his pack back into place and sighed. "Off we go, then."
 

[Sabra Knight]

After Akemi passed out for the day many more dawns came and went...soon she found herself leading Cody through mountain passes and into the tundras of the north that she hated so...

"This is awful." Cursing lightly the wolftaur brushed another branch of a fir away from the path, "They took the stupid long road to leave this one behind." She was glad that she still remembered the small trail that had once carried Riker and Raine along with her towards safety. Those days...seemed to be ages ago. It was strange that she was back here now in this stupid frozen land...she hated the cold so much.

Akemi sighed as she rubbed her arms under the cloak she had picked up, "I'd rather be running a marathon in the desert than walking a moment in this crap..." Her paws felt numb from the snow still and she couldn't get the slender flakes out of her belongings.

But then she wondered, how was Raine holding up in this mess?


It was getting more open now. Raine suppressed a shiver as Stryder led the group further into her father's territory. The desolation of the lands hadn't changed at all and the clans living up here still seemed as tough and frozen as ever. Talking of tough...her gaze slipped through the pack to search for Blake. The closer they had gotten towards her father's home the more she had made certain to keep him at a safe distance from her.

Worry gnawed at her heart. If her father truly was sickly then Blake should be fine, but what if it was a trap? Akemi's distrust of everything up here still haunted the blue wolftaur. Trauma from her childhood of strangers gutted by her father and of those beaten down and chained still flickered in and out of her nightmares. Her own mother's....Raine shook her head. No this wasn't the time to freeze.

All she could do was move on.

And she would. Taking a deep breath Raine began to move through the fort entrance and through the homes of the clan were several tents and homes with fires burning decorated the frozen landscape. Only a true madman would manage to somehow make an icy home here in the heart of the tallest mountains where the dark forest and the frozen valley rested. Beyond the call of the frozen sea echoed at night with the whistling winds...it was here that she had been raised. This frozen land was truly what had once been her home.

It was a place where not only prey was hunted, but taur as well.  

[Cornetified]

Bundled up under a heavy sweater, his hands were tucked deep into his cloak's wrap. While he was accustomed to living in a cooler environment, heading north brought temperatures that didn't hit his home. Besides, there was a chill in his gut that no fire would warm, unless it was back home. He was honestly terrified to be coming this far up toward the lands of the isolated clan, but he was on a mission. His grandfather had tried every way to convince him to stay home, but he couldn't let the woman he loved come up here all alone! Love? Well, maybe. He'd never felt so instantly drawn to someone before in his life.. Akemi was something else entirely.

Oh, and the friends seemed nice enough to be worth saving.

"Look at it this way; them taking the long road means we have more time to catch up," he said with a nod.


Blake marched on through the chill, holding his borrowed cloak to himself as tightly as he could to protect against the razor sharp winds. It brought a sharp pain to his gut; a subconscious ache from when he'd been abandoned in the snow as a pup. Worse than the cold though, was not being next to Raine. He thought he understood why she was keeping her distance, but he still hated it. He wanted to be next to her, and he only felt more nervous about how alone they were when they were so far apart. She was the only warmth to him in this place... But, at least from here, he could watch over her from a distance.

He was surprised when he saw the camp up close. He wasn't sure what he'd been expecting... but surely not so many taur living in such a desolate place! And to think... Raine had been born and raised here... It was hard to imagine.
 

[Sabra Knight]

Her focus was completely on the path before them, but at the same time it wasn't. Akemi's mind kept replaying a scene of three tattered wolftaur teens running for their lives down the narrow road that weaved through the thick pines. Her own fur had truly been dark with blood that day and it was the second time in her childhood that she had seen so much blood. That time she had chosen to fight rather than be afraid...and that time Raine had been driven to protect her and Riker both. The memories glazed her eyes and she had to shake her head once Cody spoke, "Hmm?"

She snorted at his response, "I suppose that's one way to look at this situation. Those bastards are too lazy to take this path or too stupid." It did look like the path had long been abandoned though. Did that mean it was going to be worse ahead? She didn't even want to think of the tight edges going through the mountains.

With Cody things were even more tense because as much as she didn't dare admit it the guy was getting to her. It really would suck to lose him here...not that she would show much mercy on his stubborn hide. Still though...he was risking a lot for strangers. Such a strange guy.


Only sneaking a glance or two back towards Blake Raine did her best to hide the fear that knotted her stomach. Would he be okay or should she send him back home now? Oddly enough though the wolftaur was noticing a calm about the area. Normally she would have expected to witness a brutal showing by now, but so far things were quiet. Perhaps too quiet?

As she came towards the center of the camp the wolftaur slowed, "Stryder is he still...in the same tent?" More like the only structure besides the wall to be a sturdy relic from a far away past. Centered towards the rear middle of the encampment was a structure of wood and stone that loomed above the walls. It was in those cold stone walls that she had been raised and as they approached the great hall Raine felt even more chills.

Through the great gates and into the long hall of stone were a giant fire would await...that was where her father had his guests before dragging them out into the public circle between the warriors. So much time had been spent on the worn floors to clean the blood spilled from so many as well...shaking her head she tightened her grip on her pack. I'm already here...I can't run.

Looking back towards Blake once more she offered a small smile before turning back to the dark wolf at her side, "Lead the way in then Stryder."

"Aye, miss."
 

[Cornetified]

Tucking into his cloak more, he let a little hope rise in him. Akemi seemed to know the area a little, and had this path as opposed to the long one. Maybe they could do some good here for those others... He tried to keep his own focus though, and cleared his throat as he watched the scenery. "So.. when was the last time you had a run-in with this crew? You sure you're prepared for what they are?" The fact that anyone had escaped the life of those brutes was enough, but now to hear someone returning to them? For whatever reason... he couldn't stand the thought that those friendly faces that he'd just met might get trapped there.


Blake felt drowned by the place. The quiet, the landscape of white, the blowing wind... It was strange. Despite being surrounded by the imposing taur, he felt.. alone. And that building, which should have been a source of warmth in a town like this, only made him colder to look at. The stone held no life to them...

He managed to catch Raine's brief smile though, and he felt himself straighten his back again. Right. He wasn't here to be afraid, or to feel things from a time beyond his memory. He was here to support Raine... He raised his head a little more as they were led through the long hall, his chest feeling tight. Hopefully, that old man truly was sick, and they could head home sooner rather than later. ...Hopefully.
 

[Sabra Knight]

Akemi's gaze was cold as she looked to Cody, "We were teens. I remember well what they are and how they do. I handled them that time as well and can do so again." Her fingers lingered quietly over the sharp edges of the knives tucked away in her belongings. It was this clan that taught her to never come unprepared and to always have a knife tucked away somewhere on her body.

She shook her head, "You should be worryin' more about yerself, kiddo." The teasing comment was both sincere and taunting, "I don't want anyone cuttin' your throat the first second we appear."

As the path became rockier and headed up the mountain base Akemi began to slow, "But seriously we have to get Raine out of there. Her father wasn't happy with her leavin' the first time and gods know what he's got planned. Sick my a**, I bet he's probably out there slicing into some more hides like the twisted b*****d he always was."

She didn't know if they would be needed, but a hawk had been sent out with a message to Riker. If we don't return by a certain time the pack might just be on the hunt up North again...


As they walked along the dark stone halls Raine felt her heart clench. The clan had been so quiet and the crackling fire here didn't sound right either. Quiet just like one of the traps the twins would lay for their prey... She felt the pressure of several strong gazes as well. His guard was looking pretty calm and collected...not like dogs without a master.

Just what are you up to father?

Sitting there on the huge chair in the center though wasn't the familiar dark wolftaur, but rather another in his place. Dark curls tied back into a lose ponytail barely hid the crimson glow of the red gaze sitting on the young, handsome face. The only telltale sign of a warrior was the scar that ran down his cheek to his chin. His dark fur was similarly hiding some old scars that his training days had given him and around his shoulders was a fur cloak that barely hide the strong muscles beneath. As the group entered the only sign of life from the previously still wolf was a slow smirk that lingered as he looked over Raine.

"Who are you and where is my father?" Finally Raine found her voice. It had been scary staring down someone who reflected her own papa from her memories, but that had been years ago when she was just a pup. The father she knew was older and much rougher with little smile left to him.


"He's waiting until dinner to make his appearance." The wolf smiled, "To give you time to settle down since he is feeling so ill as of late." The sarcasm that slipped from his voice on the word ill made a shiver go down Raine's spine. No one had ever been allowed to speak for her father before and this was just awful. Who was this guy?

"For now I can greet you." Just like that he slipped from the higher advantage and was in front of her, "It's a pleasure to meet the lovely daughter of rumors. I'm Kyron lovely Raine."

Despite his compliments her fur bristled. Something about the guy was dangerous just as dangerous as her own father. Despite his smooth voice that could sway others Raine felt her heart seize up instead. She had come expecting to see her father, not some new danger.

"Then we'll meet again at dinner. If my father isn't there by then I will be coming to visit him personally before going on my way again." She felt a bit of fire in her own spirit, "This is only to say goodbye to him before I go on.

Kyron laughed, "As you say. I'm sure he'll be glad to see you tonight then." With that he waved them on and Raine found herself being bustled away by Stryder again into the side halls where a familiar room rested. Behind them though as the doors closed the foreign wolftaur stared after the male wolftaur who had come in with Raine. That one was the true intruder in these halls and he was making certain to keep an eye on him.

Nothing will stop these plans.

A grin lit up the dark. Time to report in.

Pausing before a familiar doorway Raine reached back towards the group, "You don't have to worry about sending Blake to a new room. Since it's only until dinner he can stay here." Without waiting for a response the wolfaur tugged her friend in after her.

Quickly closing the door behind them she looked into the familiar stone room. A huge fireplace decorated the floor and furs lingered here and there to make a bed and to allow warmth to spread. Chests of old clothing and conquest prizes given to her mother then to her lingered by tapestries decorating the walls. But it was against the familiar dresser that she rested her elbows, "I don't know what's going on anymore."

She looked towards Blake with worry, "If I can't make it out of here tonight I want you to run." The female bit her lip thoughtfully, "The last place you should stay is in these halls for the night. It's so easy to be 'lost' in here."