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A feeling of peace seemed to reassure him as the wind gently caressed against his face, the low whisperings of the wind rushing around him as he could feel that time had come to leave the past behind and proceed towards the unknown.

Just as he was to take another step away from the memories and recollections that lathered Shaoilin Woods, a familiar scent wafted within the air. His ears perked up in full alert, swiveling and intaking the sudden surge of sounds that grew closer and closer with each passing moment. Such a familair scent couldn't be ignored as the young gamma knew it all too well.

Jaxom openend his eyes and turned his head in the direction where the noises were erupting from. It was at that moment that his jaw seemed to gape open in pure surprise and astonishment as such a tender, caring voice broke through the mornings soft solaces.

"Nessa!" He yipped much like in an excited puppy nature as a wide smile crept upon his orange hued maw. "I haven't seen you in months! You're absolutely beautiful. It's strange to think that the last time we saw each other was when I first stumbled into the woods from the North. But enough of that, what have you been up to lately?"

His emerald orbs couldn't help but gaze upon her as their puppy days seemed short lived and life itself was continuiously fleeting away with each moment. She had grown into a graceful and, very stunning, she-wolf. There was a way in which she presented herself that caught his intrest. Whether it was only age that had stimulated such elegance or something more, Jaxom couldn't help but be somewhat reflect on the recollections of their childhood encounter and let a small chuckle escape.

'How times have changed,' he mused silently as he looked at her with soft, emerald eyes.

Of fire and heartaches, the memories of that fateful day seemed all to fresh within his mind. He closed his eyes, letting his head tilt to the side as a he sighed. "I never did find them," he replied in a soft voice as his eyes drew upwards towards Nessa, "but that doesn't mean I won't stop looking for them."

Jaxom mood lightened as his drew upon other thoughts and let his orange tipped tail wag. Never in his wildest dreams had he thought that he would ever see Nessa again and, with her last comment, he couldn't help but grin.

As the cobalt and cream female took several steps closer to him, he was eager to hear of what she had encountered within the span of countless months since he had last seen her. He could feel that the conversation would be quite engaging and, just as Nessa sat himself down, Jaxom followed in her example as it would be much more comfortable than standing.

His ears perked up as Nessa explained to him of what she had encountered and, truthfully, it wasn't much of a surprise to him that she had mated as he had always thought of her as a rare treasure for any male to stumble across. "Congratulations, Nessa. That's great to hear!" His maw was slightly ajar, a toothy smile present as his happiness for her was indescribable. Just as the young she-wolf continued, his ears fell flat.

Imprisionment? Never had he heard of such ill, despotic ruling of pack before and, even by word of mouth, it was something that made his blood boil and innards chrun with a sick feeling. A wolf had no right to take his pack as his prisioners; an Alpha was a honorable leader and this one was tainting the title of Alpah. Such situations needed evasive actions.

"Restricting and downtrodding the rights of others is a sin. It's those who must arise to the challenge to stand up for the belief and rights of others, for those who cannot fight for what they believe in." His tone was of a serious nature as it seemed unfathomable that such vile actions would be outlashed against a pack.

Rising to all fours, Jaxom had made up his mind not only on the situation but where he would stand upon the situation. "A battel, eh?. Where do I sign up?"

Nessa smiled, feeling her heart warm at all the memories. In a relaxed gesture, she closed her eyes to a beam of autumn sun, flattening her ears back against her head in contentment for a moment.

As the two went on to more serious talk, the she-wolf felt a flicker of nervousness. But Jaxom's strong words encouraged her. She could feel her old friend's valiant spirit ringing through his tones, seeping into her own body and quickening her heartbeat a pace or two.

So caught up in the conversation was she, that she didn't even notice the telltale signs of Kouji approaching. His scent had so much become a part of her that her senses hardly registered it as something to monitor. Suprised by the familiar voice as her mate strode into the clearing, she grinned with delight, automatically rising as he came to her side.

The faint breeze around them rustled through her coat, whispering promises of glory and freedom, and she leaned into Kouji momentarily, brushing her cheek against his with loving affection, whispering him a fond greeting.

"Oh, Jaxom... join us!" Her pale eyes danced with excitement and Nessa found herself filling with awe. For the first time, she could imagine herself in fight, on the front lines. She could feel the warm gusts of wind, she could hear the rallying howls, she could see Kouji at her side, and close friends like Jaxom, an array individuals, each with a single goal.

All this she saw, playing out behind her eyes, and she smiled, softer now."I can think of no friend above you I'd want on our side."

Kouji sensed the warmth shared beween the two and that same friendly air extended towards him by the tawny, carrot colored male. A childhood friend, hm? Yes... that seemed the most likely conclusion. He smiled somewhat suddenly as Nessarose leaned her weight against his, rubbing his cheek back against hers in return.

Agreeing with his mate, for he decided that he was fond enough of Jaxom's character thus far, Kouji inclined his head briefly.

"As my mate has said herself, it would be an honor to have you accompany us. I'm humbled by your kindness."

Though the words sounded right and proper coming from him, where as he normally didn't speak in such a diplomatic manner, the words were scincere.

Nessa's eyes flashed as she grinned, and if either one of the others had looked closely, they could have seen one of the first true glimpses of a the stronger, dormant, battle-ready character that had slowly begun to bubble up around the edges of the shewolf's more subdued behaviors. In time, it would be ready. In time, she would be prepared for what she had to do for the cause.

"As soon as possible." She said, a hint of an empathetic fire in her voice, her smile excited and justified.

"Kouji and I were hoping to scour the woods in case there might be others willing to help. But if you'd come back to our den for a spell we could talk strategy first." She suggested, her tail arching slightly as she glanced to her mate for confirmation.

Kouji nodded his head, agreeing with Nessa. It was a good suggestion to discuss strategies early on. Jaxom could help convey it to others, rather than them doing so all at one time and needing to worry about mis-explaining to a group of mixed understanding.

"Our current pack's leader has agreed to let us use our pack land to gather others for our cause. It's regretful, but our own pack seems to be dwindling even now. There is more than enough room to make home and discuss there until we're prepared to make the journey."