.reincarnation.

Rein's movements were slow as she crept upto the canyons edge. She peered over the canyons edge and shivered. She hated heights almost as much as she hated water. Aaka's reincarnated self moved back from the edge and lay down on top of a rock, her eyes going glassy as she 'meditated'. She did this often, trying to catch more of her life that she had once had, and always being frustrated. She saw a white wolf, but he flashed out of her sights quickly. A grey demon haunted her, a devilish white dog..... Then darkness. Sighing disgustedly, Rein laid down her head and shut her eyes hoping to sleep for awhile.

Legosa

I see a red door and I want it painted black
No colors anymore I want them to turn black
I see the girls go by dressed in their summer clothes
I have to turn my head until my darkness goes

I see a line of cars and they're all painted black
With flowers and my love both never to come back
I see people turn their heads and quickly look away
Like a new born baby it just happens every day

The Canyon had been his haunt for the past several months, a place where he could reflect in the darkness that had enveloped his soul and consumed him from the inside out. Broken beyond repair by the untimely death of his mate, Legosa had become a darker thing than he had started out as. No one, not even the level-headed, morally sound Sweetclover dared to seek out her father anymore.

Padding along a narrow, worn trail along the rise of a cliff, the ivory brute stopped in mid-stride when he spotted a form that looked painfully familiar. An uneasy snarled played in his throat as he moved onward, drawing closer to the sleeping Reincarnation...

I look inside myself and see my heart is black
I see my red door and must have it painted black
Maybe then I'll fade away and not have to face the facts
It's not easy facin' up when your whole world is black

No more will my green sea go turn a deeper blue
I could not foresee this thing happening to you
If I look hard enough into the settin' sun
My love will laugh with me before the mornin' comes

Liam

He'd been wandering about the valley, half mad and getting into fights over ridiculous things, ever since his adoptive mother had died. He'd produced pups on an unfortunate young thing, none of which he'd ever met, nor ever intended to meet, abandoned the Silver Glades because he was unable to stay there with Aaka gone, and generally made himself one of the most feared wolves in the valley. So he didn't even marginally resemble the canine she'd known before her death and subsequent raising.

His deep black coat was riddled with scars and hairless places, his right ear a mangled mess that lopped uselessly against his head, his tail half-missing... scars from old fights, fought for no reason with both the innocent and the guilty. It was this cranky, solitary wolf who came upon the female and let out an instantly vicious snarl, sinking into a crouch without thought. "What are you doing here"

.rein.

Her ear twitched but she moved no other muscle at the sound of a wolf padding closer. It wasn't until his tone hit her delicate auds that she sat up, and bright yellow eyes met his. Excuse- Her breath caught in her throat. Oh my god.... It was him. The black wolf that hunted her in her sleep. I'M NOT CRAZY! She laughed and wanted to bound up to him, until her eyes fell upon Legosa. Everything in her stilled, and a gentle, peaceful look came across her features. And you. I know you both. I'm not insane.... I know you both. She was only two now, much younger then she had been when she'd died, but she was so much more now. She was wiser, stronger, and more adept then many wolves her age, and she knew she would come to grow over the years.

Liam

Unlike her obvious joy at seeing him, the black wolf, like his white counterpart, was completely and utterly stunned. As she made to move toward him, he staggered back, retreating from her gentle words as he'd not retreated from any attack as her familiar form spouted those words... Aaka was dead. His mother was dead. Life sucked like that.

But because she held Aaka's body, he spoke reflexively with his eyes, as he hadn't in so long. How dare you?! Masquerading in her form! How could- His words broke off, cutting off the sound of a pup's pain in a body that, by some miracle of her rebirth, was now almost a full year older than hers.

Legosa

Conflicting emotions had the hybrid taking a single, leery step back in mimic of Liam's own reaction to Rein's words. Fierce eyes narrowed an instant later, rejecting the the false hope that this was somehow his lost love, miraculously back in the living world. "You don't know me." Legosa challenged back, but somehow, even his deep snarl was tainted with uncertainty, and he couldn't quite get his eyes to lock onto the other fae's. There was something about her... something that made him drawn to her.

Rein

Her laugh was dark, and completely unamused. And nor do you know me, mon chere. But for a moment those eyes were vulnerable. Scared. Softly she whispered Even I don't know me. She closed her eyes before opening them and meeting Liams. I don't know why I'm here. I see you. Flashes of you, in my dreams, and I see him. Her eyes flickered to Legosa. I see pups. I see laughter and fun, but at the same time I see blood, and death and pain. Do you know how scary it is to know how you died? The fact that you can't even trust your own brother, for fear that he will turn on you? I cant even remember my own name! The puppy in her wanted to cower and cry at the last part. She had never known her "true" name, and had always gone by Reincarnation. Am I real or am I fake? She asked them quietly.

Liam

That she answered him as Aaka always had startled the young brute badly, made him flinch visibly for the first time in over a year. And his panicked answer saw him receding into himself as he spoke. Don't you dare! Don't speak to me as though you were... my mother is dead, and anything worth valuing died with her. He snarled those words at her, his only verbal response a growl that completed his vicious, defensive looked, covering up with an illusion his own fear. How could this ghost know about...

At long last, his 'voice' softened a little, and he answered, Do not speak to me of those times... since she died, there has been no fun... only blood and pain. Do not remind me of that...

.rein.

Tears filled her eyes momentarily before she blinked them away. Believe me. I know shes dead. Every night I see that she is dead and now I am living with no idea how TO live. What was inside of her is scary. I can feel it burning deep within me. Like a raging monster that craves to kill and I sometimes think that I can't control it. You need happiness, mon ami. You need a friend. I'm not your mother. But maybe I can be your friend. Her eyes traveled to Legosa now. Does he know how to talk like us? She asked Liam softly. She couldn't stop staring at the brute, but at the same time she wanted to look away. He wasn't hers. His love for Aaka was strong, and he wanted her to be his, but she was both Aaka and more. Something different lurked inside of her, something that one day would be unleashed upon the valley. Something much worse then Aaka had ever been.

Legosa

Their gestures and silent spoken language went entirely over the brute's head, leaving him entirely out on the sidelines. A disquieted rumble rose again from the depths of his chest when the emotions clashed stronger in him, and rose to a snarl when Rein spoke aloud once more. "No, and I don't care to learn."

The way they communicated... it reminded him of Aaka and Liam, and how he'd watched in wonder as they seemed to have such conversations that needed no words to spell out. But seeing it now, it only reminded him of what he could not have. "I don't know who you are or who sent you here..." He was growing more uneasy by the second, wanting so desperately to believe this was his mate, but knowing that it was not. "...but you aren't fooling me."

Liam

It didn't take much to set him off these days, but strangely, her peaceful words and the smell of salt that told of her repressed tears cut deep into the haunted male, who'd never gotten over losing the only friend, the only wolf who'd ever... loved him. If Legosa hadn't been standing right there, he'd have likely softened some, but he and Aaka's mate had never, ever gotten along, and particularly not since her death. So he was not about to let the other male know of their silent communications. Instead, he answered her silently, I don't want anybody's friendship! I want my mother back! I want- he cut himself off, turning away from her but at an angle where he could still see Legosa, robbing her of his eyes so that she could not make a reply in the silent fashion.

When finally he turned round again, he barely heard her question, and answered it, No... he is deaf to these words.

Rein

She closed her eyes, seeking deep within herself for Aaka. But, like always when she 'called' the female, the other wolfess was silent. Frustration and anger filled her to the core and she opened her eyes, showing Liam for one moment that particular monster that lurked deep within her. The monster that Aaka had always kept hidden. Every muscle in her body was taught as she tried to releash the beast, not wanting to cause a blood bath. Now was not the right time. Please.... Let me try and be your friend. She was in agony. The monster was clawing her from the inside out and she was screaming for release. She was trying to focus on Liam, to catch his next words but she felt extremely sick. She sat down, her body fighting not to tremble while she waged a war in her mind.

Liam

His mind was screaming at him that this was not his mother, that this was some invention of his mind in an attempt to resurrect Aaka and end his emotional pain. But when she sat abruptly and fell silent, and he felt the tension sing through the air between them, it cut him deeply again, and finally out of sheer desperation, he answered her. You use your likeness to her to cause me pain! I won't have it! I can't- he stopped again, his head tossing to dismiss some horrid thought, and then he finished, Alright, alright! Just... please... don't do that.

Rein

She caught fragments of what he was saying, but she was trembling now, and it took her a few more minutes before she had the creature completely leashed. Don't do what? She asked him, as she finally started to relax. Her eyes drifted again to Legosa before she spoke to him. I'm not your dead mate, mon ami. But at the same time.... I am her. I am different yet I am the same. My name is Reincarnation, Rein for short. And every night of my life I have lived in terror from the things that I have seen from this life. The pain, the hatred.... You. Him. Her eyes flashed to Liam for a moment. But I also knew that you two would have answers for me. Where I came from. Why I'm like this, and what it is inside of me. Her eyes went back to Liams. Please help me.... I have no where else to go. I will help you as well. I will be your friend. I can't be your mother, for I know not how. But let me be your friend and I promise you won't regret it.

Liam

He flinched again as she spoke to him, and answered, That.You can... touch me. As she did. Do not do that. Ever. He was slowly losing his resistance, wanting as badly as Legosa to believe that he might have a second chance to make up for letting Aaka die, but not able to let go of the pain. Her begging lashed into what tiny corner of a heart he had left, and his voice came softly again. You ask something from me which I no longer have the capacity to give, Reincarnation. I cannot again let that happen.

Legosa

A shiver wanted to bolt down his neck and send his taunt muscles to quivering, but the sturdy brute wasn't known for his emotional weakness nor was he easy to break down. Standing firmly where he was, the greatest sign of his growing uncertainty was in the way that he neither outright attacked Liam and Rein, nor backed off and left. He remained precisely where he was, stuck between a rock and hard place. One half wanted to believe more than anything that this was somehow his Aaka, while the firmer half told him it was not, and that he needed to kill them both and be rid of the painful reminders of his lost love.

His eyes narrowed a little more, scrunching his facade into furrows of shadow that contrasted against his snowy pelage, "Don't you dare pretend you know me, or that you you know her!" Curved, blunt claws pressed firmly against the ground, as if they were the only things keeping him from lunging at her or turning tail, "I help no one but myself."

.rein.

Her eyes drifted to Legosa, and something dark inside her grew again. Is this how you treated your mate? With disrespect? Her hackles raised and for one moment she looked like the Aaka that Legosa had known, when they had first met. But just as quickly as it had come, the feeling of someone or something else inside of her was gone and she blinked. Huh. Now that was odd. She gave Legosa a smile before the puppy in her began to take over. She jumped up playfully, and bounced close to Liam. Then Legosa's words really began to set in. I don't know you. And I don't know her. I just know that you know her, and maybe you can give her peace of mind, 'cause I can't help her. I don't know what she wants from me. And I don't know what she saw in you if thats how you act all the time. A sharp scowl was sent towards him. Then she grinned and a giggle escaped her. Your cute when your mad though. I can understand why she'd like you. Her tail wagged and she bowed her head playfully, grinning at both Legosa and Liam. Wanna run? Or fight, or play or SOMETHING?! I want to do... Something. Something insane.

Liam

It was such a strange sensation he was feeling, because Rein was so different from Aaka... and yet somehow, the same. He had seen his adoptive mother's capacity for love and light-heartedness, and if truth be told, he probably knew at least that aspect of her better than her mate did. The queen of the Silver Glades had possessed the capacity, like her sweeter-natured sister, to be kind and playful, but her troubles kept that down. This was the side of her that Liam had always seen through her eyes... but now out in the open. It hurt him that she could be so strange, and at the same time so familiar.

So he didn't know what to do when she bowed and invited him to play. He hadn't played... since she died. That was over a year ago, now... he'd forgotten. But unlike Legosa's growing anger with the situation, Liam was feeling something different, though from the same cause. Not being able to believe that this was Aaka in a new form, but wanting so badly to believe it, made the vicious brute... awkward. And so when he hopped toward him, he almost shied back, a startled look leaping onto his face as he answered her, I have... forgotten how... to play... if ever I knew. Whatever knowledge of that there was... died with her.

Rein

Rein giggled before she lightly batted Liams head. I can teach you, mon ami. Then her eyes drifted to Legosa, and a wicked grin set across her maw. She glanced to Liam, that wicked humor that had been purely Aaka's in her eyes. Wanna have some fun? Then she lowered her head, and stalked towards Legosa, her eyes gleaming brightly. Come now, mon amour. Won't you play with me? Then she pounced, landing straight in front of Legosa with that same wicked glint. If only she could make him remember.

Legosa

The way in which she bristled up to him earned a strangely cowed, shocked look on the grizzled warrior. His yellowed eyes blinked wide and he took another staggering step back, "I..." 'No, it's not her! You know it isn't, stop fooling yourself!' His mind snarled to him, and just as quickly softened, '...but, it looks so much like her...' The void in his blackened heart thrummed with pain, and for a moment, it flared into the emotional agony of wanting so badly to have her back with him.

Slowly, he settled back into control of himself, bringing his lips writhing up and his fangs bared in hostility, "I don't play." Muscles flinched violently, and it took all the control in the world for him not to lash out at the female that leaped so closely in front of him. He did issue a savage growl, and gnashed his deadly fangs against empty air in threat, "I swear, if you continue to annoy me..." Legosa hedged in threat, stiffening up and bringing his own hackles upward.

Liam

He wasn't sure what Rein meant to do, but all bets were off when Legosa suddenly threatened her. Whether or not this was Aaka, her very likeness to the wolfess of his pup days struck a protective chord in the brute. And so when his former alpha snapped in her direction, Liam did something that likely wasn't very bright - he came between them, curling in front of Rein and lifting a lip to reveal his top fangs, warning the older wolf away. As per his usual quiet nature, there were no words to go with this, and he was liable to get himself attacked for this, but at the moment, Liam didn't care... the black male was feeling something thrumming through his heart again, and though it was uncertain whether it was love or hatred, he wouldn't allow Legosa to harm Rein until he found out what that feeling was.

Legosa

The only reason Rein had been permitted to jump so near him without a physical assault yet was her striking resemblance of Aaka, but Liam... Legosa cared not whether his mate saw the mute wolf as her own son. In fact, the festering jealously that she had loved the young canine so fondly was a great thorn in the brute's paw.

It was one thing to spring in front of the white beast like that, but to dare lift a fang in warning was more than Legosa would permit. "The gall!" He spat with venom, rising up in the blink of an eye as his hind limbs propelled him forward in a surging lunge at the younger brute. Devilish jaws sprung wide for the other's nape, aiming to take hold and tackle the other across the ground.

.rein.

As the two went tumbling, Rein once more felt that inner monster rise up and take hold of her. She felt as though she couldn't breathe, and her vision seemed to cloud. All she saw was the two males, and everything inside of her screamed to join the fray. Unable to stand it any longer, Rein leapt at Legosa, every fiber in her being screaming to hurt, to maim, to destroy. But another part of her screamed just as loudly that this was her love, this was her life. So she made an attempt to grab hold of Legosa by the muzzle, and in a low voice, a voice from the past she hissed I put you in your place before, Legosa, and I will do it again.

Liam

He had just been about to dodge away from Legosa's grasp for his throat, anticipating the joy of killing the twisted brute, which he could now justify since he'd been attacked... when Rein stepped in. He didn't move to stop her from restraining the former alphen, but if the infuriated male made the mistake of trying to attack her again, there would be a price to pay.

Legosa

Had it been four years ago now? When he and Aaka had been brought together, under so similar a circumstance... raging enemies, tearing eachother bloody and urging to tear the other's throat out; only to have that twisted hatred blossom unexpectedly into a harsh, complicated love. He remembered it as clear as day, when they'd battled at the Ruins, going toe to toe with each other until the white wolfess had been impaled with a stick...

Legosa snarled like a rabid thing, but his body froze the moment her jaws closed on his muzzle. Body all a-quiver with rage, the hybrid conceded obedience to Rein, lacing his ears back but holding his tail dominantly high, "Let go."

Rein

Rein bit down a bit harder, not hard enough to make Legosa bleed but enough to let him know that she was through playing games. Her own tail was raised high over her back, her own show of dominance as she released him and backed away. Aaka could still be seen in those eyes, at least her little monster could, but gradually it faded until bright yellow eyes were clear and Rein was once more back in place. She blinked and her tail lowered, no longer dominant but slightly uncertain of what to do now. Please don't fight anymore. I don't like fighting. She said it as though she were a child and she hadn't been the one who had grabbed hold of Legosa's maw. She wouldn't be dettered. So. What is there to do around here anyways? I found you guys, which apparently was good cause she recognizes you. I don't feel as lost, but I'm still missing something. Do we have a home? Or a place that we stay? Maybe another old friend. She keeps showing me a city, but I am not a city dog, if thats not obvious. Unlike Aaka, Rein talked. A lot. And she loved doing so. She smiled at the two, her banner waving, but every now and again one could see her other half prowling behind those yellow eyes waiting for another chance to leap out and kill.

Liam

With that aggressive situation potentially averted, Liam dared to lower his hackles, which had risen when Legosa moved to attack him. He hadn't really been certain who would win a battle between them, but a dangerous part of him didn't care... he was almost hoping that Legosa would kill him. But with that over for the moment, he one eye to the female, still keeping the other on the former alphen. 'I kept hold of the lands for a little while... but it was too quiet there. I left. I do not know who runs the place now. As for other friends... there is one, but he has not been seen in some time.' Of course, this was a reference to White Noise, whom he knew that Aaka had loved just as strongly as she loved Legosa, and whom also had been a subject of Liam's jealousy. But just as he had never killed Legosa because she loved him, so he hadn't sought out Noise in an attempt to kill him... if even he was still in the valley, though rumors had gone around that he was dead, since he'd been gone for so long.

Legosa

"She did." The nearly inaudible whisper was huffed under his breath in reference to fighting, but at least the surly hybrid did not re-engage Liam or otherwise defy the white wolfess. It was a peculiar thing, seeing the temperamental, savage-minded beast quelled Rein, and it was a subtle show that he was indeed seeing his old mate through her eyes.

His desire to continuing seeing this likeness of Aaka was so strong, in fact, that he did not turn and depart from the group as he knew he ought to do. Instead he remained, bristled and sour looking as he was, to offer his mild advice, "The human town? Aaka had a powerful ally there. Hydras."

Rein

She felt something jump inside of her, like a pup eager for a treat. Yeah! Hyrdras. Where is she? Your buddy wants to see her. Her eyes were alight and happy, and Aaka was gone from her body. For the moment. But they should know by now, that at any second the former alphess could leap back to the surface and kill once again.