Exposed

Reunited

After a bit of arguing, Ki finally gave in and agreed to let Dorian and Helena come with her in her search for Joey. Ki still couldn't remember how to use all her abilities as a kitsune and needed someone to help guide her summon Marina's spirit. It took Dorian and Helena a little while, but they finally caught on to why they were looking for Joey. The other kitsune wished them luck and sent the three off into the woods. 

"You've communicated with Joey mentally before right?"

"Yes."

"Well, I can see why you'd both be so convinced that you're mates. That's typically an ability only mates have with each other. "

"Us being mated isn't the issue anymore. Focus, Helena."

"Right, okay we need to track Joey down."

Dorian gently pushed Helena away from Ki. He then positioned himself directly in front of her.

"'Okay, there's a lot going on in this forest. Drown everything out and focus on your connection with Joey," Dorian instructed.

With a nod, Ki closed her eyes to focus. She slowed her breathing and took large breaths. She felt the light breeze run through her fur. Her body heat was spreading from her paws to the earth where she stood. She could smell Dorian and Helena right in front of her. The smell of dirt and leaves was overwhelming. Then, she zoned in on the slight vibrations under her feet. Dorian watched her eyebrows furrow as Ki tried to differentiate between the natural rumbling of the earth,  the wolves fighting in the distance, and the light, quick pounding of running paws. Ki pictured Joey in her mind and let her body tell her where he was. Helena and Dorian watched her ears turn this direction and that until they stopped. Her head lowered, ears wide. She took a small step forward.

Ki's eyes flashed forward, startling Helena, "He's running towards us."

Ki gave her fellow foxes no time to speak. She just pushed of the floor and started running towards Joey. The foxes followed after her, trying to keep up. Ki could hear Joey's labored breathing in the distance. Joey's ears went alert,  picking up on Ki's presence. He turned back to his team of wolves and gave them a nod, signaling she was close by. As he turned back around he saw a small orange figure bobbing up and down in the distance. A smile appeared on his face as he ran towards Ki.

Joey and the wolves slowed down as the foxes approached. He was anxious to be close to  her again. He never wanted to be apart from her again after the rumor that his mate was dead. Now that he knew she was safe, he'd go back to the fight with the enemy wolves and take out every last one of them. And after that, he'd take Ki far away from here where no one could take her away from him again. 

"Don't stop!" Ki yelled as she ran past Joey.

The wind she left behind blew the fur into the wolves' eyes. Helena and Dorian followed slower, but fast enough to keep the wind blowing. They chuckled to each other as they watched the stunned look on the wolves' faces. Once they snapped out of it, they started running again. Joey's muscles pushed him forward and allowed him to fly over Helena and Dorian. He landed hard in front of them, making them run away from each other to avoid collision. Joey smirked a little as he changed his pace to match Ki's. The rest of the wolves caught up in no time and the group ran back towards the fight.

"Where are we going?" Ki yelled behind her.

"The crack in the earth! Just run forward!" Dorian yelled back. 

Joey's relief faded. Why were they going there?

"Joey, stay with me," Ki yelled, looking straight into his eyes.

"Of course," he promised.