InuYasha Fan Fiction / Wolf's Rain Fan Fiction ❯ A Wolf's Cry ❯ Chapter 21

“As if to be purified,

 

the world will be encased in ice

 

so that it can return to the beginning once more.

 

Paradise is a world that is opened by someone...”

 

 

A Wolf's Cry

 

Warning Graphic Violence and Death.

 

Chapter Twenty-One - Execution

 

The next morning the group set out in silence but only after Tsume rudely bumped into Blue with his shoulder as he passed by. If that half-breed was going to travel with them Tsume would make sure it was hell for her. He still held a grudge against her but he didn't act on anything because of what Kiba said.

 

As they ran, the group was divided yet again. Toboe, Kiba, and Tsume traveled in the front. They wouldn't let Hige or Blue near them. When Tsume thought Blue was getting too close, he would sometimes snap at her. So instead of trying to get hurt, the remaining two were left to follow at a safe distance.

 

They still traveled in the same direction Cheza had pointed in at a steady pace so that the pack wouldn't get tired as fast as if they ran at full speed. This journey needed to be over as soon as possible. They all wanted to get to Paradise and away from the humans and this disgusting place.

 

Tsume, who had been running next to Kiba, turned to the white wolf and said, “Let's rest for a little.” It was beginning to get dark and they had been running all day. He was probably the only one to notice.

 

Not saying a word, Kiba slowed down until he came to a complete stop, followed by the group. Puffs of smoke could be seen coming from the wolves' mouths because of how cold the weather had gotten.

 

Hige plopped down on the ground ungracefully. “Man I'm tired!” he huffed loudly. He was starting to regret how much he ate and whished he was more athletic.

 

Blue easily sat next to him, not saying a word but letting Hige use some of her body heat to stay warm. She didn't dare look at anything but the ground. She knew her place and the only reason she was her was to try to be forgiven and for Hige. There wasn't really a reason to communicate with the others. If she even tried she would probably be rejected anyway.

 

Meanwhile, Toboe was trotting around, head held high in the air. He really was full of energy but he stopped abruptly, ears perked, tail in the air when he felt a cool sensation on his nose. Opening his eyes he saw tiny snowflakes falling from the sky. “Hey! Look Tsume! It's snowing!” Toboe said happily before opening his mouth to eat the defenseless snowflakes.

 

Tsume looked at Toboe, the pup looked alive and happy. He actually looked like a pup, jumping around as if there was nothing to worry about and eating snowflakes. Tsume couldn't help but slightly grin, making sure no one saw. Then he rolled his eyes previous to looking up into the sky.

 

The others raised their heads and watched the first snowfall of the season. It was rather beautiful and it felt good to just soak it in for a couple of minutes.

 

Kiba stood, shaking the snow from his body. “We should get going again.” The pack had rested long enough in his opinion but he still heard a groan from Hige.

 

The collard wolf shut his mouth with one glare from Tsume.

 

They were off again and no more than thirty minutes into their steady pace did the snowfall rapidly increase and become larger in size. The wind had also picked up greatly causing the group to be reduced to walking at a slow pace.

 

“I can't see anything with this god damn snow!” yelled Tsume furiously. He glanced at Toboe who was sticking close to him, trying to use him as a shield from the snow somewhat. They were also keeping each other warm at the same time.

Both Hige and Blue stood close to each other, still walking as safe distance from everyone else. They both kept each other warm as they walked but it took a moment for Hige to notice the warmth he had felt before was now missing.

 

He stopped, turned around and saw Blue standing as still as a rock. Her ears were perked and she was staring attentively at the ground.

 

Squinting his eyes as to try and avoid the snow from bothering them, Hige yelled to Blue, “What's wrong?”

 

She didn't answer him immediately but rather kept still with a confused expression on her face. After another moment passed her head shot up. “The ground…it's shaking.”

 

Her statement caused the pack to stop their pursuit and turn to her.

 

“What are you talking about?” asked Kiba. He hadn't felt anything.

 

But when the words left his mouth, they all felt the slight tremor beneath their paws. It seemed to grow with each passing moment and eventually the wolves' bodies were rattled along with the ground.

 

A light suddenly shot at their faces, blinding them as the tremor died down.

 

“What the hell?!” Tsume growled, squeezing his eyes shut. Could these days get any better? Even though Tsume liked action, this was starting to become too much.

 

They heard a heavy metal door open and the sounds of strong footsteps filled their ears. Then the light turned off, letting the wolves open their eyes to gaze upon what they had gotten themselves into.

 

They were surrounded by armed soldiers and one woman stood before them. Her form was very confident and she looked slightly irritated but determined at the same time.

 

“Where is Cheza?” she demanded.

 

The pack began to growl and in response the soldiers aimed their guns. Only half of the men that were supposed to be here were. They had lost contact with the other vehicle in the storm. They must have crashed or gotten stuck somewhere but Cher's team did not even bother to look for them.

 

Narrowing her eyes, Cher didn't back down to the glares she received from the animals. The fact that she had twenty-five soldiers there to protect her helped a bit also. “I know you can speak! Where is Cheza?”

 

A man next to her stepped forward, aiming his gun at the pack. “Where is Kagome?”

 

Toboe's ears' picked up. Where had he known Kagome? Were they related or something?

 

Kiba's eyes shot to Cher before turning to the man. Who were these people to come and demand where Cheza and Kagome were? What the hell was their problem? Did it look like they knew where they were?

 

Kiba studied the man. It was that human who had been alone with Kagome. Was his name Hojo? Kiba didn't know nor did he care. The white wolf's growl increased. “We don't know.”

 

Hojo fired a warning shot dangerously close to where the pack stood. “You're lying!” His voice was almost becoming desperate. After traveling for hours they had finally caught up to this pack and neither Kagome nor Cheza were even here. They hadn't killed them did they? If that were the case, Hojo would make sure they wouldn't leave here.

 

“So you're not going to tell us?” asked Cher, crossing her arms under her breasts.

 

No response.

 

“Then we'll have to scare it out of you then.”

 

With that, the swarm of soldiers opened fire on them, but not with the intention to kill. Like Cher said, they would only scare them a bit.

 

Immediately the pack was huddled into a circle, bullets flying all around them, some even kicking snow up onto their paws.

 

“What are we going to do?” asked Toboe shakily. He was crouched slightly and his eyes were desperately trying to follow the bullets so he would be ready to dodge them but it was very difficult.

 

Tsume hissed. “All these humans rely on are weapons. They really think this crap will make us remember where we don't know where Kagome is?” These idiots were ridiculous.

 

Cher held up her hand and the shooting stopped. “Are you going to tell us now?”

 

Before she could say anymore, a shot went off followed by a cry.

 

Everyone froze and time seemed to promptly slow down.

 

Tsume's eyes widened as the source of heat next to him disappeared. Thoughts raced through his brain as he turned slowly, heart racing.

 

It…it couldn't be…

 

All he could hear was his heart pounding in his ears and nothing else.

 

He stared at Toboe who lay on the ground, a hole through his chest, his blood beginning to soak the pure white snow. The red liquid that pooled from the pups body mesmerized Tsume. His world stopped; his eyes began to burn.

 

This couldn't be…

 

“I…I didn't-” stuttered Hojo as he stared at the steam from the tip of his gun. He began to shake when his gaze met the gray wolf's head on.

 

Tsume had turned to the annoying sound that belonged to that scum whose gun was still hot from the shot. Rage boiled in Tsume and his mind became blank.

 

“You bastard!” Nothing mattered to Tsume in the moment in which he ran at the soldier. Getting to this human that polluted the earth and who had killed Toboe did.

 

Toboe was a young wolf that loved everything and anything. Why? Why now? Why was his life taken before they could get to Kagome? He wanted to see her the most and now he would never lay eyes on her again. He deserved to live until he was old and crippled; not die in his youth.

 

No words could describe how blood thirsty Tsume became once he reached Hojo. The human didn't even have time to say a word before Tsume grabbed him by the throat and big down until his neck snapped, blood squirting all over his body. Tsume paid no attention to it.

 

Hojo was killed instantly, only seeing red before passing. Although the man was dead, Tsume didn't stop. He ripped apart Hojo's face with his teeth violently. He tore his arms from his body without any second thought and continued to thrash at the humans appendages and chest until there was barely anything left.

 

Tsume was covered in blood when his eyes met Cher's. Her mouth hung open and she was consumed with fear. She frantically tried to search for a weapon in her coat but found none.

 

Tsume chuckled, mouth open slightly to breath, blood dripping from his mouth. “You stupid, stupid bitch.”

 

000

 

The group gazed upon Toboe's still body while Tsume ran at Toboe's killer. They were all shocked.

 

This wasn't real, it couldn't be. This was just another one of their twisted imaginations playing with them. Toboe was actually all right. He would get up from this and start to jump around happily in the snow like he had done so before…right?

 

Hige's disbelieving eyes bore down at Toboe. The runt couldn't be dead. He just couldn't.

 

But Toboe wasn't moving.

 

The shooting soon began again. Bullets were flying through the air and they could somewhat hear the sounds of the guns going off in the background but they were still shocked. As soon as Kiba realized what was happening around them, he was the first to react, breaking away from their little circle before both Blue and Hige followed suit.

 

In a matter of moments Kiba took out two soldiers without any effort. With each man he killed he saw Toboe's body lying cold and motionless. His fury rose and he began to growl nonstop.

 

These men would all die for coming here and for taking Toboe away from them.

 

A man rushed at Kiba and was able to get a hold of his face while another took aim behind him. Kiba started to thrash but he couldn't brake away but when the second man tried to shoot he suddenly fell to the ground dead, revealing Blue.

 

Their gazes locked for a moment until Kiba found the strength to brake free and kill the human who had taken a hold of his face.

 

Another soldier wrapped his arms around Blue's neck, raising her up in the air slightly and choking her. A swift strike from Blue's elbow got the man to let go of Blue before she turned and stabbed him in the chest with her claws. She dug her claws in until he gasped from pain, then with her other hand, she swiped her claws across his face, leaving sever gashes. She let him fall helplessly to the ground like a rag doll to meet another soldier head on. She quickly killed him by slitting his throat.

 

Hige meanwhile was taking care of the soldiers around him swiftly. The only injury he received was maybe a bruise from a punch but that was all. The man hadn't lived long enough to do much more.

 

The pack fought mercilessly until no soldier was left and the snow was stained red all around them.

 

000

 

They stood around Toboe's body covered in blood, some was theirs but the majority was not. The wind had not died down one bit so it was still whipping their fur around.

 

Tsume nudged Toboe's head with his own desperately. “Wake up,” he urged softly, his eyes becoming hot again, throat starting to itch. He licked Toboe's face. “Please.”

 

Hige could barely see. Tears were flowing from his eyes freely. “Come on runt! Get up!”

 

The pack stared at Toboe intently, watching to see any movement. If he would just twitch somewhat the pack would be grateful.

 

But not one limp in his body shifted.

 

“He's really gone…” whispered Hige. His breath caught in his throat and he seemed to hiccup as he tried to breath. Blue was softly nuzzling him with her head to try and consol him. She hadn't spoken.

 

Tsume turned to Hige. “Don't say that!” The words left his mouth venomously. He turned back to the fallen pup. “Toboe! Stop playing around and get up!” Slight trails of tears were making it down Tsume's face and he jerked his head angrily to dispose of the tears. He shouldn't let the pack see him like this. His pride would be destroyed.

 

But he just couldn't seem to will himself to stop. His eyes didn't leave Toboe; they were focused on his being, watching for the moment for Toboe to get up and continue their journey but he never did.

 

He had traveled with Toboe for a long time and they both wanted to complete this journey together but now…now only one of them would.

 

Why couldn't the humans' aim have been slightly off and hit him? Why couldn't his life be taken instead of Toboe's? All these thought angered Tsume to a point where he shoved his face under Toboe's and just stayed like that as his body jerked from trying to hold his sadness back.

 

He wanted Toboe to stay with him.

 

Only the sound of the snow falling could be heard. Raising his head, Kiba released a sad howl into the wind as Tsume mourned the death of Toboe.

 

He didn't stop Blue or Hige from joining in.

 

000

 

Darcia carried Cheza to the room in which Kagome also resided in. Cheza's capsule was set and ready for her so he wasted no time whatsoever placing her in, shutting the capsule then letting it fill with a sparkly green liquid. Some Lunar flowers floated around her.

 

The only thing that held her up were loose chains around her wrists and neck. There was no need to worry about the flower maiden; this capsule was only mean to help preserve her until the time to open Paradise came. The Lunar flowers that surrounded her would also help her to stop aging as fast as she did without them.

 

Turning to the large computer, Darcia set his plans in opening Paradise into motion.

 

000

 

It had taken a while for the group to leave Toboe but when they did, they became empty and tired. A huge part of their pack had been taken away from them and they all knew they would never get it back.

 

Tsume staggered a bit before finding his feet. He was hit the hardest by Toboe's death. That pup was the closest thing he had and now he was gone.

 

Unconsciously, the group walked together in a line, not being divided for the first time. Tusme didn't say a word to Blue about how close to the pack she was and that she didn't belong. He was drained and didn't have the energy.

 

They walked through the storm almost lifelessly, letting the wind push them around as the blood on their full that was still wet dripped from their bodies.

 

It seemed as if they walked for ages until a very familiar scent caught Blue's attention. She suddenly broke from the group to run ahead.

 

“Blue, wait for me!” Hige called as he ran after her.

 

Kiba and Tsume both looked at each other with blank expressions. They mutually agreed to pick up their paces somewhat to follow. It didn't take long to catch up and when they did, they found the female wolf sniffing at a large pile of snow.

 

“What's wrong?” asked Kiba. There was no feeling in his voice, nor was there care. The words seemed to come out as a natural reaction.

 

Not bothering to answer, Blue pushed snow away from the lump with her face and began to quiver, but not from the cold weather.

 

She gazed down sadly at his frozen body, only to collapse when she realized he would never be alive to see them reunited. “It's my old man.”

 

0000

 

Well this chapter was finished last night and now it's typed. Only another three chapters to go! And then the story is finished! Ahahah. So yea lots of violence and action, I hoped everyone like it! I feel bad for Toboe's death but its like the title says, this is the beginning of the end

 

Anyway, Please tell me what you thought!

 

I also set up a livejournal account which can be found in my ff.net profile. Its for anyone who wants to know progression on chapters or to see a sneak peak of upcoming chapters. If you wish to friend me, that's great! I'll pretty much friend everyone! :D