Hetalian Protectors

One with the Wolves

I sat, ducked behind a tree, as tears dripped down my face, leaving wet trails. My hand was clasped around my mouth as sobs racked my body.

What is going on...? Why was this happening...? And why... did it feel like she was saying goodbye?

Why did my chest hurt so bad? Why did I care so much?

There were too many questions, and I didn't understand a single part of them.

*****

Shranda helped Wang Yao get Kiku to his feet, her limp becoming more obvious. That is until a small shine covered her leg, so unassuming that you could barely notice it, and I realized Katesel had placed a spell on her. Shranda must not of noticed though, a tense look on her face. She didn't want any of the others to figure out where we'd been. Hell, none of us wanted them to know. We knew what was coming, it was inevitable, but we knew this could happen. Our first goal is to get them out of here. Nothing else gets priority.

I tore my gaze away as Shranda announced we were leaving, walking over to stand beside Ivan. If we were doing this then I wouldn't leave his side until he was safe. Only then could I rest in peace. His violet eyes connected with mine, asking if what was happening actually was. The fear and disbelief in his gaze made my heart ache. People always found him so intimidating, but he really was a sweetheart underneath he dark aura.

Nodding, I took his hand, feeling his warmth even through the glove. I pulled him gently towards the door, using a little strength because of our weight and height difference. He was so much taller than me, much larger too. But that was to be expected, and I couldn't care less. He was everything I wanted him to be.

He grasped my hand tightly, giving me a weak smile, which I returned. I suddenly had a thought. Pulling on his sleeve, I gestured him to bend over, and when he did I put my mouth to his ear, speaking in a low tone so that no one else would hear. Not that I thought anyone else was listening. "Ivan, I just wanted to say, before we get out of here, that I-" He put a finger to my lips though, silencing me. A playful look had wormed its way past the uncertainity in his gaze, making my heart skip a beat at the glow in his eyes.

"Don't say anything now. Talk later, yes? When we are free and safe." Tears almost came to my eyes, but I held them back, instead giving him a large smile and nodding. I didn't trust myself to speak. He turned away from me then, checking on everyone else, and I went ahead and whispered what I was going to say. I had to admit it just once.

"I love you Ivan Braginski. I really, really do."

Changing my focus, I let my gaze travel over our little group. My vision might of been turning cloudy, but I could still see the hope in everyone's eyes. It was nice to see something different for a change. Something that wasn't fear or depression. It made my cold body warm at the thought.

Maddox nodded at me and I started towards the door, readying my sword. I knew that Thing was out there somewhere. It knew we were almost free. There was no way it was going to let us go that easily.

Gritting my teeth, I pushed open the door, ignoring the quiet squeak that echoed through the deathly silent halls. My hand clenched around the hilt of my blade and I turned my head, checking the halls. Only dust greeted me. Looking over my shoulder I gave the signal, and together we ran as quickly as a group of injured souls could.

*****

Aridan's POV: Anger pulsed through my veins, sending me to race faster through the trees. Images flashed through my mind, like a slide show of what happened. A growl tore itself from my throat, an tortured sound that made my stomach curl. I heard the sound of other steps behind me, but when a howl went into the air, I recognized it as Charlie. I didn't hear the tell-tell crunching of human feet in snow.