Chaos of Elements

Hard Feelings

Confused, Aqua then spoke, breaking their moment, " I have a question. How do you two know each other?"

Ah, it seems I haven't properly greeted your pack. My apologies. Everyone, I am Samira, the Alpha of the Sand Clan. I am a hybrid, of half-Shadow and half-Sand. My father hailed from the Sand Clan, while my mother belonged to the Shadow Clan. My mother is Shadow's aunt," Samira explained. Every member gasped in awe and surprise at the revelation, their eyes widened with wonder.

Once everyone settled, Samira held a gathering, welcoming the travelers. Fires were lit up, keeping the group warm from the frigid atmosphere. Yuna found herself sitting next to Aqua, the two striking up a conversation easily, Sage and Tor engaged in friendly banter, while Rosalie and Sparrow stood together, their bond evident in their closeness. Shadow and Samira caught up on old times, their conversation peppered with laughter and nostalgia.

Suddenly, two striking sand wolves approached the two she-wolves, Yuna and Aqua. Their dark brown and greyish-blue eyes held a mesmerizing quality, their fur, had a blend of black and brown and was accentuated by a unique golden mark. The wolves exuded an aura of elegance and grace as they joined the gathering, their presence commanding attention.

"Hello there, I couldn't help but come over. I hope you don't mind," one of them spoke, his voice gentle yet confident. Yuna smiled warmly. "Not at all, come sit," she gestured towards the space beside them.

The two wolves gracefully settled in front of the girls. Aqua, feeling a bit shy, lowered her head slightly. "I didn't introduce myself and my friend here. I'm Javi and this is Kheetu," the first wolf said, his eyes shining with kindness. Kheetu couldn't take his gaze off from Aqua, as he was captivated by her beauty. Her eyes met his briefly with his but she quickly looked down, trying not to cause any problems.

Yuna recounted their adventures in the vast desert landscapes and the wisdom they gained from their travels. Her sapphire eyes reflected the weariness of their adventures as she spoke of the struggles they faced. Javi listened intently, his own eyes mirroring empathy and understanding. "It's quite a bumpy ride," she confessed, her voice imbued with exhaustion. "We've come a long way, but the path ahead is uncertain. The threats we've encountered have tested our limits, and some of my pack members have suffered because of it."

Javi nodded in acknowledgment, an understanding passing between them. "I know what you mean," he replied. "We've faced similar challenges. The world is filled with unknown adversaries and hidden dangers. We must stay vigilant to protect ourselves and those we care about." Yuna's gaze drifted upon the ground. "I fear for what lies ahead," she admitted, her words laden with apprehension.

"Survival depends on strength and unity. You've come this far because of your resilience and bond with the pack. Keep on going, don't give up, Yuna", Javi placed a reassuring touch on her paw, staring gently into her eyes. She nodded in response and thanked him for his encouraging words. "Well, I'll leave you two be. Enjoy your stay and rest well. Come on, Kheetu, let's go", Javi turned towards his friend, who seemed to be thoroughly distracted by Aqua and called out his name again.

Startled, he shook himself out of his thoughts. "Ah, coming," he said hurriedly. He turned to Aqua, a friendly smile on his face. "It was nice meeting you, Aqua." Tilting her head to the side, a mischievous gleam in her eyes, "Likewise, Kheetu!" The two wolves bid their farewells and went their separate ways as the sound of their steps faded into the distance. 

A piercing gaze came from afar. Its eyes were dark, envious, and filled with jealousy which manifested in low growls as Shadow clawed at the ground, eyes burning with bitterness.

                                                                                 ***

As night fell, Samira led the pack to a place where they could rest for the night. Her pack had made sturdy canvases that could accommodate two or three wolves each, allowing enough room to stretch out. Aqua, Yuna, and Rosalie were deliberating over which tent to sleep in, Shadow intervened. "Yuna, you'll stay with me. Sparrow, keep an eye on Aqua. The rest of you, watch over Rosalie. Understand?", his voice was firm.

Rosalie, headstrong and independent, bristled at being told what to do. "What gives you the right to make decisions for us? We claimed the first tent for ourselves," she protested. Shadow remained calm, his piercing gaze unwavering. "Not to be rude, but it's quite cold tonight, and there are creatures out there. What if they come out at night? You have two bodyguards with you. Aqua will stay with Sparrow, since he can protect her easily. Yuna will stay with me. She's capable of defending herself but she needs to conserve strength, like all of us."

Rosalie opened her mouth to retort but was cut off by Sparrow, the peacekeeper of the group. "Shadow has a point, Rose. We need to watch out for one another. And we all need rest for tomorrow." Sighing in defeat, Rosalie relented. Each wolf made their way to their designated tents. The dim light from oiled lamps casted long shadows across the floor. Yuna looked around, then sat down.

Shadow paid no attention to her and laid his body down silently. She sensed the stifling silence and tried to think of something to break it. "Um... I just wanted to apologize for what happened earlier. I didn't mean to fall on you. And, I never properly thanked you for saving me from that creature. So, thank you," she whispered, hoping to break the ice. She waited for a response, but silence prevailed. "Shadow?" she softly called out. Still, he remained quiet.

"Again, I'm sorry," her tone stained a tinge of sadness, gazing at his large form for a while before sighing. Feeling the chill creeping in, she found a spot to lie down. Shadow lifted his head and turned towards her. She had already fallen asleep. A faint shiver ran through her body as the cold slightly embraced her. Without hesitation, he silently got up and carefully laid beside her, providing warmth in the dim tent.

He sighed upon looking at her, feeling uneasy with himself. In the quiet of the night, Shadow's heart stirred with emotions he couldn't quite comprehend. A sense of protectiveness washed over him, overpowering any lingering frustration.