In the Volcano

"See you around" Daybreak called after her, shooting up and heading back to the apricot orchard.

There was a splash as Tsuruya dragged himself from the water. Blood coated his fur; it has not washed off from the volcano - a mark of the incident. He looked at Brook with stony blue eyes.
"Brook." he said, his tones full of relief, yet sadness at the same time as he saw the little dead bodies. You didn't need to be an original to work out that he knew what had happened.

Brook circled back round, landing heavily by the bodies.
"And what do you want?" She spat. "You're a traitor to me - leaving me to defend myself when Tsuki attacked. Look at my face!" She motioned the thick, ragged scar on her left eye. "You wanted this, Tsu? Did you? Or maybe you thought that you could get rid of me this way, then you could be mates with a prettier wolf. Is that it, Tsu?" Brook's madness ran away with her tongue, and she wanted to stop the poison pouring out of her mouth.
"Death is poison. Poison is death!" She said suddenly. "Death is a poison with no cure!" Then, she raced away and took back off again.

There was the feeling of jaws in her scruff. Tsuruya was much stronger than Brook in her weakened state. He pulled her strongly back to the ground, and put her down gently.
"Listen to what I have to say, princess." he said, his eyes alight with sorrow, though his face set with determined humour. He was trying to make light out of the dark.
"I was helpless in that lava." he blinked hard - a male wolf should not cry, he was determined to stick to that. "I had to stay in the bubble that entire time. I wanted to help you. I felt like I was being ripped apart, watching Tsu attack you.
He paused. "I was dragged into the water by some strange blue flames - Apose's, I think." he looked into Brook's eyes.

"I suppose you hate me now, don't you?"

He looked down at the charred grass that marked the volcano's area.

"I guess saying sorry isn't enough for you.
But I am. And I hate what I did. I wanted to change it so much. I hope you understand me."

"Death is poison." Brook repeated, almost as if she didn't know Tsu was there. "We mustn't get poisoned. Death is a poison, poison is death! We must find a cure to death! Find a cure to the incurable poison!"

(You said "I felt like I was being ripped apart, watching Tsu attack you." when it was T'suki who attacked ^^;)

(I meant that. D<)

Tsu looked deep into her eyes.
"Death is the only escape for the elders we most respect to pass on with dignity. Death is a way for our spirits to guide people who need us more easily. Death is not a poison; it is a relief. When you have done your part and are running out, you can fall back on it and carry on."
His blue eyes flickered with pain. "Brook... wake up..."

"I am awake. Death is poison. It is wrong. Death should not happen. No!" She wriggled in a feeble attempt to escape Tsu. "Death is coming for me!"

Tsu's words were gentle like the calming waters that swished around the volcano.
"Death cannot get you while I protect you." he soothed, and rasped his toungue accross her ear in his familiar calming way, as he always used to do.

"NO!" Brook cried, thrashing with all her strength. "Let me go!"

Tsu held onto her tightly, pulling her to him in a hug.
"It's ok," he repeated over and over, tryng to pacify his mate. "Nothing is wrong. We can fix this."

"I'm going to die, I'm going to die...." Brook murmured, breaking off into muffled sobs. "Don't let me die, Crane, please don't, I love you, please don't let me die, I'm sorry...."

"I will not let you die." Tsuruya soothed gently. "It's ok, you're alive; I won't let you die."
Another voice was speaking in their heads; her father. He had been severely weakened after preventing the eruption, but he seemed to be recovering slowly.
We will not let you die, my daughter. You are safe with us.

"Not safe." But then Brook fell asleep.
Brook was scared, for the first time in her life. When she was cut and bruised, she could be healed, but now, when the injury was in her mind, she was uncertain she could be healed. Her mind was her last sanctuary. When the strength in her limbs failed, her mind was strong. But now her mind felt crumpled and weak, and it scared her.

{Ahem.}

Brook awoke.

Her mind was oddly clear, to her surprise. The insanity would return, and although she did not know when, it was coming. She could feel it, nibbling at her conscious. The guilt of the blood that stained her claws would eventually destroy her. And when it did, she would loose control and kill anyone in her path.

"I have to free myself from the guilt." She said out loud, sitting up. Daybreak mentioned a war - a war with Apose. The war would destroy Dusk Howl, eventually. Apose wanted only to protect the planet. Daybreak, to destroy it. If she had to throw her rag in to any side, she would pick Apose. But Apose would kill anyone who threatened her planet, and that included herself. She could not, could never, aid Daybreak. But she did not want to be a by-stander, because otherwise, she would become a danger with a clouded mind.

So, she needed to remove Daybreak without allying Apose. One or two mortals could not do it. But... what if she rallied up other wolves, creating a resistance against both Originals, but with the aim to murder Daybreak.

I must speak with the Moonriver Clan

Her deal with Apose still stood. She could not approach Featherkite. But last she heard, the little brat was with either Sunwood or Starcliff. So she could talk freely with the Moonrivers without breaking her pact.

"Tsu, listen. I'm going to Moonriver. I have to free myself from this guilt, and this is the only way to do it. Please understand."

Then without waiting for an answer, took off.

Tsuruya woke up. His deep sleep meant that heh ad not heard Brook's aim, and he panicked momentarily, only to be hushed by the voice of the phoenix.
She is at Moonriver. Go; She would take comfort in your presence. Follow her.
Tsuruya did not need prompting further. He took off over the Ash Ocean, heading towards Dusk Isle.

Footsteps. Someone had entered the volcano. A small brown shape with mint stripes, wings of blue flames and eyes like liquid sapphires-- Kooneria had grown.
"Grandad?" she called out softly, looking down the passage she was in. "You there?"
"I'm here." came the voice she was waiting for, and she smiled in response.
"I became the alpha of Sunwood, grandad!" she enthused. A blue shape with black wings was behind her; it seemed Kanji had accompanied her there.