Rango Barn

[Takri]

Sakony listened closely to the other dog's reply "No, just leave me alone. Follow your Brothers orders and don’t even get remotely close to me. I am in no mood to deal with any damned creature with a heart beat. I may be in no condition but I will rip your damned throat out and send you into hell with a moments hesitation. Do not tempt me mutt." Sighing, she decided that she would obey but she still watched the other dog. She hoped the other dog would make a wrong move and open up the scabbing wounds again. Watching her every move but looking calm and relaxed, she lay, facing the other dog. Then the other dog sat down and Sakony got up in sitting position. Then the other spoke once more. "So, why hasn’t you dear brother returned?" Sakony knew the answer to that very well and she hoped that he would come back soon. "Okay, whatever you say," She replied to the first reply the other had made and then proceeded to answer her other question inquiring about Takri. "Oh, he just wanders off sometimes, it's odd to most really but then again, he says my habits are odd."

Her tassle was swishing lightly as it sweeped some hay back and forth. Her eyes glowed faintly and were pretty much blank of emotion except with the look that spoke in words that she cared about this dog even though she knew virtually nothing about her. She was curious also in truth, she wondered how she had gotten hurt and if Takri or one of the other gang members had found her. She wouldn't ask though, the other dog was too hurt too answer personal questions just now. The air blew in through the still-open barn door as the crickets chirped faintly. The moonlight shone in the dark barn and illuminated it a bit, other than that, there was virtually no light at all. She hoped Takri would just hurry up and come back. She wanted to ask him a few questions and talk to him personally. She sighed faintly, that would have to wait. Right now, the only thing she could do was watch this hurt dog and make sure she didn't hurt herself even more. She knew the other was far from weak and if one got in range, she would probably rip their throat out though she looked helpless and weak.

Sakony's grey-black coat was ruffled a bit by the breezes that blew into the barn and her small frame was relaxed. She yawned and blinked then she proceeded in just watching the other female and thinking, wondering, since she had nothing better to do. Normally, she didn't do it much, only occasionally but this time, she had nothing to do except think and wonder while watching a hurt dog. She wondered how the gang she was going to join would react and if they would accept her. She hoped so, if she didn't she would have to join Takri's gang and that was sure to stir up some commotion. Breathing in the cool air, Sakony looked at the moon that was slightly in view from the angle she was sitting in, then she directed her gaze back to the other dog. She wondered how she had gotten torn up so bad. Sighing again at the unanswered questions, she gazed at the other dog, thinking and wondering. Her eyes were half-closed, making the impression she was drifting off to sleep, in truth, she wasn't sleepy at all.

She wondered where Takri was, she'd have a conversation with him later at the lake or the pasture, or just somewhere, anywhere was fine as long as it was private. He'd probably be overjoyed just to have her here and back and also have tons of questions for her but she was unwilling to speak unless they were alone as it was personal matters. She didn't have a mate yet but she didn't want one as she disliked all the males she had met except for Takri since he was family and he was her favorite sibling and a few other males she had made friends with even if they were attracted, they didn't show it and that was perfectly okay with Sakony. Right now, she didn't want a mate and thought that she probably never would, permanent or temporary. She thought of the memories of the past, of her puphood that was mostly spent playing with Takri, he had always been serious, yet playful even if he was thoughtful. The night was calm but full of noises as Sakony thought and pondered and wondered.

[Blu]

"Wanders off eh?" Ember laughed slightly before turning her amber gaze back on the dog. "Well, he was sent into The Grace after imaginary berries. Do you know what the forest holds? For those not used to it, it can be as bad as the city. The choking smell of so many different scents. It makes it difficult to detect danger by smell. Hearing? With all the chirps, hoots, squawks, howls...screams, you can’t hear anything. Eyes? Well, here" she pointed her nose to the outside "We have the moon to somewhat illuminate things but in The Grace? No. Truth is, your brother is most likely wandering the woods or being eaten by the pack that resides there."

"Now, Skylir" she winced slightly at the name "Said he was going to get him. But, from what he told me, he’s not coming back either. How could he lead your brother back, if he himself is not going to return?"She paused to let it all sink in. True, she was aiming to scare the dog but she was also voicing her thoughts. But no dog could or would know that " So, your brother is not simply "Wandering" now is he? Do you think you should look for him, or do we wait mutt? You want to be so high and mighty because you have immunity from your brother’s anger?" she snarled, her hackles raising.

"Truth is, you know less than anyone of u here and you want to call the shots? I didn’t think so, now, sit down, shut up, and butt out or I swear, I will kill you even if I kill myself in the process." Turning her gaze to the rest of the group she spoke again "That’s goes for every little dog in here. Now, leave me the alone until he gets back."

[Takri]

Sakony looked unworried and unmoved by the other's long speech. True, it was full of strange animals and scents but Takri was used to them, sometimes, when they were pups, they had played there, there were no packs in there at that time and he probably knew the pack had formed there when the humans had left and he still probably took walks there and such so Sakony knew he probably knew every inch of the forest. As for Skylir, who was he? She wondered. She didn't think she had immunity, she was like any other dog only with her own personality. Sakony shrugged absentmindedly as she replied. "I wouldn't worry too much. He knows his way around the forest, I'll just wait for him to come back. Oh, and just a note, I don't have immunity and nor do I think I'm high and mighty, maybe the only one who does think that they're high and mighty is you, you're so stubborn." She said. Her voice was calm and smooth as she had no worry of Takri now that the other had stated he was in The Grace.

Sakony paused a moment before speaking. "Oh, and I'm pretty sure that the other gang would like more to make alliances with the neighboring country gang than make enemies with them." Her tassle still swished lightly as she looked at the other dog. No, she wouldn't just but out, she had the freedom to do what she wanted and she wanted to sit right here and watch the other dog. Her other option was to go out to get something to eat and to get a drink of water from the lake but she restrained. She breathed in the cool air but it was mixed with a bit of musty smell from the barn. It still faintly smelled of the barn animals though they had long left.

She enjoyed the breezes caressing her fur as they weaved in and out of the strands. Her auds were alert though her small frame was still relaxed as her eyelids were still half-closed. She wouldn't fight the other dog, not in her condition, if she tried to attack, she would just leap back a little, then sit again. Wondering why Takri wasn't back by now since he knew his way perfectly well through the forests, she kept her gaze on the other dog, her muscles were relaxed and only a bit tense as she had quick reflexes though it looked like she was perfectly calm and relaxed. Breathing in another draught of the night air, her eyes illuminated softly as she gazed at the other female. She was indeed stubborn as she was the most stubborn dog that Sakony had ever met.

Even the other hurt strangers Sakony had tended to were a bit less stubborn though at first they rejected her help since they didn't know if they could trust her or not but in time, they gave in though they had liked her a bit in the beginning anyways. Most dogs did like her though Sakony didn't mind if they didn't. She didn't try to make them like her. It was their choice whether they chose to like her or not. Her breathing was slow as she enjoyed the silence that hung for the split second before something would interrupt it.

[Blu]

Ember's muzzle twisted into a grin as the other dog called her stubborn "I see ive hit a bit of a nerve. Indeed, I am stubborn, mutt, but if I weren’t I wouldn’t be here talking to you right now then eh?" she snapped. Ember knew very well she was stubborn. Hell, she even enjoyed it.

Auds pricking forward, Ember listened to the stillness of the night. She was more listening for Takri than anything else. She may not like him too much, but he was a familiar face in the sea of all the mongrels that surrounded her now. Honestly, why would Skylir send him out? Why didn’t he make the pack stay outside? Hell, why did she even follow Skylir in the first place?

Tension was building, even if Sakony hid it, it was there. Both females were ready and willing to tear at each other but both were stopped by a common reason. Her injuries. One, because she didn’t want to hurt the other, the other, simply because she didn’t want to hurt herself. Sniffing the air she sighed inwardly, all she could smell were the surrounding dogs.

Averting her gaze to the loft above her, she wished and cursed herself inside that she could get up there. Or even underground. Just away from everyone. Finally, she made a decision. Standing up, her broken foot hanging slightly raised limply at her side. She proceeded to limp outside. Her head was low and her hackles raised. A low growl was started in her throat, daring anyone to touch or stop her.

[Takri]

God she was stubborn and she even seemed to enjoyed it. Sakony sighed and shook her head lightly in amusement but then lifted her brows in a questioningly look as Blu started to limp out the door. Hell, if she was gonna limp out, why not Sakony go and just find Takri and lead him here or that Skylir. He was bound to be there with Takri. Sakony stood up and faced Ember. "No, I'm not stopping you, if you're going to go look for Skylir or whatever his name is, I'm gonna go first and find them so if you want, you could go right ahead but I'm not sure you'll get very far in your condition." She looked pointedly at her leg and waited for her reply. She was tempted to just go and ask that Skylir dog why he had just left her when she clearly like him or it seemed clear to Sakony anyhow. She'd give him a piece of her mind, she decided. The fuse that led to the bomb of anger went down a bit. She calmed herself down to her normal relaxed mode.

The night breeze ruffled the fur of Sakony's pelt as her eyes locked softly onto the other's. She stood there for a moment, the silence hung in the air, heavy and was only interrupted by the usual chirping of the crickets in the grasses. Her tassle swung lightly from side to side and she rose taller than the other dog, normally and because the other was limping a little so she wasn't rose up to her normal height. She shifted slightly and the moonlight slanted across her beautiful features as she looked at the other, waiting for any reply before she went to go to The Grace. Sure, The Grace wasn't as beautiful in the night time and it might strike some others as creepy but Sakony was used to the scent of The Grace and rather liked it and she knew her way around it from exploring it as a pup.

If she was lucky, she might meet the gang leader while looking for Takri and possibly ask to join the gang. She would of course, point out that she would visit Takri from time to time and make it clear she wouldn't join if he forbidded it and if he did, she would either join Takri's gang or just join neither gang but live in the country. She might even live in the house. She liked the house and it's previous owners. They had sometimes fed her and Takri bits of food and petted them. The house members already had dogs though they still enjoyed the occasional company of Takri and Sakony and Takri had herded for them once for a while before they left. The boy, Jessi was the kindest and he sometimes slipped part of his meal to them. Another human adopted Takri's mother and Sakony's step-mom after awhile and her pups but Takri and Sakony chose to stay in the wild as strays though they came often to visit their mother. The humans had seemed to understand that they only visited and didn't want to stay.

She took a few steps forward toward the injured dog, ready to leap back in case the other snapped at her though. Her muscles were slightly tense though it didn't show through her thick fur and her figure was still relaxed. She wouldn't hurt the other even if she had been perfectly healthy. She didn't like fighting for stupid causes such as being insulted or insulting another though she hadn't even insulted the other except say that she was stubborn and that she was probably the one that thought she was high and mighty and those could hardly count as insults as in truth, they were opinions. Tension had built but Sakony wouldn't fight for the mere stupid cause of being insulted. It was pointless and worthless and she wouldn't care to hide that she wanted to attack even if it was a injured dog and that they would fight later but if she did show that she wanted to attack, she wouldn't fight for the worthless cause of merely being insulted. It just wasted blood and energy and also time and she valued all three.

[Blu]

Ember growl grew louder at the mention of the name but soon regain its steady low rumble. "Im not going out to Look for anyone. Ive got my own reasons for leaving, and they dont concern you." she snapped. In all honesty, she was merely going to wait outside for Takri's return.

She'd lie at the side of the Barn and then maybe she could get some peace. Indeed, outside was not the safest place to stay but for Ember, it was the only place she'd sleep. As Sakony took a step forward Embers growl rose and her lips curled back to expose her fangs. Clearly, no one was getting near her without a fight. Hadn’t this dog figured that out yet?

Limping out side, Ember breathed in the crisp night air and moved silently to one side of the barn. Placing herself just behind the corner, she lay down, her back facing The Grace. She didn’t care if Sakony went to get her brother or he came back on his own. She just wanted a familiar face.

A shiver ran down her spin and Ember blinked twice. Normally, cold, especially a summer night, would not bother her. But then, she had exhausted her body and lost a lot of blood. In that sense, it wasn’t at all strange that she was cold. No matter, she'd still remain out here until Takri returned. Closing her amber orbs Ember proceeded to drift off into a deep sleep.

[Takri]

Sakony cocked her head as Ember growled and showed her fangs, then proceed to go outside and Sakony followed her. She watched her lay down at the side of the barn and close her eyes. Going back in the barn to tell the others to watch her occasionally Sakony started towards The Grace. At first, she started with a gentle lope. Then she stopped, looked back at the other dog lying there and hoped that she would recover. She loped lightly through the fields and gradually gained speed as she ran through the fields. Her tongue lolled out as her pads hit the dusty earth and turned it up. She was merely a dark figure slicing through the night air and racing through the enormous field. The grasses parted for her to go through and swished as she whooshed pass them. They grazed her body lightly and her illuminated eyes were locked on the horizion ahead. The moon shone down on her back but the rest of her body stayed in the shadows of the tall grasses and her auds were tall and alert in case something tried to jump out at her. Her tail sailed lightly behind her as she raced through the grasses.

Damn that Skylir! Why did he have to leave her. She shook her head in disgust. What sick dog would leave another injured at someone else's territory and not stay. She growled lowly as her fuse was lit and was proceeding a little further down to the bomb clearly labeled anger. She swallowed and tried to calm down but she was flooded with disgust each time she even thought of what she might find. Stopping to a walk, she decided she would walk it off and get there a little slower or just walk for awhile so she could have some time to think. Her pads hit the ground in a soothing rhythm and she could soon see the silouette of the trees of The Grace. She would be there soon and soon she would be face to face with that sick dog. Her lips curled slightly, exposing a part of her fang as she closed the space between her and the other dog.

She had followed Takri's scent which was mingled with Skylir, the dog who had abandoned the hurt one without a second thought or so it seemed. He smelled a little like city and a little like country. Skylir had probably followed Takri's scent also. Soon, she could see the tall trees looming up before her and she stopped and looked at the moon. It was full and round, a silver coin against the dark night sky. She had wanted to howl to it as she had a bit of wolf in her but she resisted the temptation and instead just stared at it for awhile, then blinked and looked at the smooth surfaces of the birch trees that were ahead, a mere 15 meters. Sighing, she continued her journey into the dark depths of The Grace.

~Sakony has left~

[Takri]

Takri:

Takri raced to as the barn loomed higher and higher as he got closer. Finally reaching it, he skidded to a halt and cocked his head at the sleeping form of Ember laying next it. His brow furrowed then it relaxed as he thought that she probably wanted to get away from his gang as they were strangers. His tongue hung out and he panted and looked back a bit. Sakony was still coming but advancing fast and he then turned his soft eyes onto Ember. He yawned and made a mental note to go to sleep later and talk to Sakony in the morning very quickly before he made his way to The Grace once more to have a talk with Nighthawk. His sharp canines showed as he yawned again. His tail swished merrily behind him as he padded closer to Ember. He wondered if he should nudge her awake or something. Then he retreated back a little and padded up to the doors. Sakony had skidded to a halt now as he gave a sharp, short bark to indicate to his gang that he had come back. It was still pitch black with only the moon illuminating the dark night. The stars glittered against the ebony velvet they were studded into.

Takri took a few deep breaths to calm his breathing as he shifted a bit closer to Ember though ready to leap back in case she shot awake and tried to snap at him. He was sure she had more sense than that though. She would look before leaping. The sound of chirping crickets and swishing grass were the only sounds to be heard in the overwhelming silence. The silence was like a heavy but thin veil hanging over the world, ready to be reduced to dust if one sound rose up and tore through it. Takri shifted a bit, he was enjoying the peace for a bit but his eyes were intent on Ember. He was going to deliver Skylir's message to Ember a bit later. Sleep was the first priority after he spoke to Ember and got everything settled. Sakony could rest here for the night, then she could choose to do whatever she wanted. In the next morning, he would have a quick talk with her before setting off.

If there was more to talk about after the quick one, they would have a longer one later on the next day at the lake or pasture. Right now, all Takri wanted was some sleep after everything was talked through and settled as he needed to wake up a bit earlier than usual to first have his talk with Sakony, then he needed to race to The Grace and speak to Nighthawk about the incoming war. He would appoint Sakony to look after Ember and appoint one of his gang members to take over for him and do his duties for the time being. He hoped Blu wouldn't come to the barn but if she did while he was gone, his gang would be prepared for one of them would be on the lookout and guard the doors. There was a secret underground room that lead to a path. It was covered by a big box of tools the humans used. The humans had built it in case there was a tornado so they could get down if they were in the barn or if they were trapped. It was hardly used as they usually had no use for it.

Sakony:

Sakony raced a few meters behind Takri and panted hard as she skidded to a stop behind him. He let out a bark and then he went a bit closer to Ember. His eyes sort of glazed over a bit then returned to his normal shade. He had been thinking again but only briefly. Sakony panted and took gulps of air to calm her breathing as she wondered what Takri had been thinking about. The swishing of the grass and the sound of the crickets chirping were the only things she could hear as her auds flicked around a bit. The silence hung over the world as her tail waved idly behind her and she shifted a bit uncomfortably.

Yawning, she blinked and shifted again. Then she moved beside Takri and tried to imagine what he was thinking. Trying over and over again but then discarding every option, she gave up. It was impossible to know what he was thinking. She needed to get some sleep now, she'd been traveling all day with only a few hours of sleep and had gone without it for 2 nights straight. Yawning again, she stretched her muscles and stared at Takri for any thoughts that his face might betray and found none. Then she looked at Ember. The border collie's face was turned away from them so it was impossible to tell if she was sleeping or awake. Her body seemed relaxed though and Sakony realized it was probably the only time she had seen Ember's seem relaxed.

Her tongue still hung out but her breathing was going back to normal. Her auds flicked a bit as she took in the crisp air that was surrounding them. Faintly, she could hear a few rustles in the tall grass but they stopped. A breeze blew by swirling a few dead leaves around the area. Sakony raised her paw and took a tiny step forward, her paw landing on a dead leaf and making a tiny crunch sound. That was the only sound made apart from the chirping and the swishing of the crickets and the grass.

[Blu]

Ember had drifted into a deep sleep long before Takri and Sakony returned. The darkness welcomed her and her ready-to-fight tense muscles relaxed. It had been awhile since she had relaxed them and they were sore from over exertion. Her battered body was healing but not with bringing much pain with it. Ember knew she would be able to move without searing pain shooting throughout her body for a while.

Even as she slept, a scent hit her nose. It shocked her into slight consciousness but only to the point that she could hear and not respond. It was strange, stuck in between the 2 conscious and unconscious worlds. Her mind was working, it heard the crickets chipping and the soft flow of the wind yet Ember could not move or react to anything. An easy way to die on the streets.

Suddenly she heard a familiar bark which gave her a final shove into consciousness. Opening her amber orbs she saw the red painted wood of the barn and raised her head. She was still somewhat asleep and it took her a moment to register where she was.

Shifting so that she was facing the opposite way, Ember flinched and grit her teeth. Just as she had predicted, her muscles and entire body was sore and aching.
Opening her eyes and focusing, Takri came into view "Takri?" She grinned and her tassel wagged dully behind her "So, your back?" she murmured. Her eyes scanned past him and Sakony in hopes of finding a hair of Skylir. When she found nothing, her heart sank. Her auds lay flat and gaze averted to the ground.

Takri needent even ask why she seemed so upset. Or, at least she hoped he wouldnt. She didn’t want to hear it said. It was the last thing on earth she wanted to know and yet, she knew she wouldn’t accept it without hearing it. Her gaze slid to Takri as awaited what she knew was to be said.

[Takri]

Takri smiled back at her as she murmered Takri? So you're back? Of course he was back and he was happy to see her but he didn't say. He smiled warmly again as she grinned at him and her tassle waved. However, when she looked past him and Sakony, her auds laid flat and her gaze averted. Then her gaze shifted back to Takri, waiting. He sighed inaudibly. Not like it mattered if he loved her, she wouldn't care, she hated him or disliked him. Either way, she would probably never love him. His gaze was sad for a split second, then he regained his composure once more. It wouldn't do to let her see the sadness. She would only scoff at his love. "He's gone and he probably won't come back...He told me to tell you that he's gone to make sure you have time to heal...."His tone was sad. Skylir was just making up an excuse to leave when he said to tell Ember that he had left so she would have time to heal. Yeah right….."Come on inside."He said warmly, after awhile. He directed it to both Sakony and Ember. "Personally, I need to get some sleep." He smiled brightly at both dogs and took a small step towards the one door that was open and waited for the dogs to come.

He wasn't going in until he saw that Ember got in safely. He was ready to support her in case she faltered. A soft light in Takri's eyes shone with warmth. He smiled again. His auds flicked a bit and then relaxed. His big frame was laid-back and he turn his head a bit. Takri lifted a paw for a step forward but he held his paw in mid-air, waiting. Ember likes Skylir a lot..Takri thought sadly. She'll never like you half as much. His brain shouted negative thoughts to him but he shook them away. His face wore a mask of happiness and his eyes shone with warmth but inside, he was sorrowful and his brain screamed the message over and over. She'll never like you half as much as Skylir. He didn't feel anger or anything against Skylir as it wasn't his fault that Ember liked him. Neither did he hold anything against Ember. She liked who she liked, he wasn't her.

Sighing in his head, Takri's sorrowful thoughts rang in his head though his features wore a false mask of happiness and warmth as his eyes did. It was like a frozen scene, there was silence and nothing moved except the grass. The crickets still chirped and the sound of the swishing grass was still audible but other than that, it was dead silent. The characters in the scene were frozen. One lying down, one standing and one with his paw in mid-air, waiting for the next move from the others.

[Blu]

Ember nodded simply "Yeah, uhh...okay" was all she could say. Placing her head on her paws she closed her amber eyes. To give me time to heal? Must mean he went back to the city...Blu will kill him if she gets the chance. She opened her eyes back up at the thought but they were dull and without emotion.

Skylir wouldn’t have gone back if he thought he'd die, would he? No...he’s smarter than that... Somehow she wasn’t convinced. Blu ruled a gang which meant she had many dogs which meant that she could use them to get to Skylir which meant that Skylir could afford to trust no one and without an alliance at the least he stood nothing on his own against 4 maybe 5 dogs.

"Come on inside. Personally, I need to get some sleep." Ember was jolted from her thoughts by Takri's voice "Huh, inside" she said dully "Oh, uh, no. I um, I wanna stay outside tonight." she murmured. "If its okay with you" she whispered after a few moments.

Laying her head back on her paws, she shifted so that she was facing away from them. She didn’t want to deal with other dogs tonight. Not Takri, Not Sakony, Not...Skylir. No one.

[Takri]

Sakony:

Sakony shuffled a bit as Takri gazed a bit sadly at Ember first then looked away. Could it be possible her half brother was in love. Sakony almost chuckled at the thought. When Takri told her to go inside, she accepted the invitation with a slight nod of her head, once toward Ember and then towards Takri. Trotting lightly inside, she lay down amidst a pile of straw. She couldn't sleep, not just yet. She yawned slightly as her mind shifted to her thoughts and what she had to do the next day. She had to speak with Takri first and then leave to ask acceptance of the pack in the woods. She shook the thoughts away and then focused on what she would do if they didn't accept her. She immediately solved that problem easily. She'd go live in the house. She yawned again and her eyes closed but she still didn't fall asleep.

Skylir......That name haunted her and she growled lightly as she thought of what he'd done. That disgusting dog. She almost snarled but restrained. If her eyes had been open, they would have been glittering with fury at what the other dog had done. That disgusting mutt! Abandoning Ember like that. No, wait, she decided to go after that vile city dog after she'd had her talk with Takri, then she would ask for acceptance. Grinning slightly, she knew he'd be shocked. She disliked the thought of going into the city with it's vile smells and putridness along with the heat but she was determined and she wasn't one to give up. She had been through too many cities on her way back to here to even be faintly clouded by the smells or heat. She had after all, traversed possibly hundreds of miles to get back and through cities populated by humans too.

She had stuck to the countryside paths whenever possible but she still had to go through lots of cities, asking for guidance every now and then.
Taking a deep breath of the cool night air. She decided that was exactly what she would do and she would find that mutt. She wasn't going to leave the city until she found him and made him go back. She'd tag along after him if she had to. She wasn't scared of the city dogs, she had encountered many of them on her way back and even fought with more vicious ones than here or so it seemed. Earning a few scars in the process, she had made them turn tail and scurry away. No, she could take them on and if they ganged up, it'd make her even more furious and she'd probably try to murder them all.

Takri:

Takri listened to Embers words and nodded to Sakony as she nodded to him and then went inside. The moonlight earth was peaceful and quiet and the earth was enveloped in the shimmering illumination of the moon. Nodding slightly to Ember, he spoke. "I understand, you may sleep out here." He smiled at her then turned and trotted inside, then closed the door. He was uneasy about leaving her out but it couldn't be helped. He lay down next to Sakony and then closed his soft brown eyes. He smiled as she emited a faint growl but he didn't know what was going on in her head or he would've made an attempt to stop it. He wasn't sure he could even sleep now so he reviewed his thoughts through his head for the final time. First, he would talk with Sakony, then he would meet Night and finally, he would come back and watch over Ember.

Satisfied, he smiled again and started to doze off before he could help it. The only part of his eyes that showed were a glint of soft brown as he drifted off. The night wind blew against the closed barn doors and the peacefulness and the tranquility reigned on as his mind was being enveloped in a darkness. Shaking himself more awake, he thought of Ember, then, opening the door a bit, he trotted outside and just sat there for a bit, watching the silver disc that was the moon. The stars glittered as a cloud drifted across the moon. He loved the peace and quiet but soon, it'd change. He sighed half-heartedly, then glanced over to Ember.

The breeze ruffled his multi-colored fur as his soft brown orbs gazed at the moon, his auds twitching. His curved tail was wrapped around him and laid on his forepaws, thumping every now and then and he closed his eyes, then opened them to stare at the beautiful moon and then he looked at Ember out of the corner of his eyes, then back to the moon. It was about midnight and Takri knew he needed sleep but he just couldn't sleep securely, not with Ember outside. Blinking, he stared once more at the moon, his lone figure standing out as the light from the silver disc shone on him, almost like a spotlight.

[Blu]

Ember grinned half-heartedly and lay her head on her paws. She ignored Sakony's gesture and closed her amber orbs. Thoughts flooded her mind, preventing anything near sleep, besides, she had been asleep most of the day or had she been awake? Ember didn’t know and at the moment she didn’t care. Only 1 thing ran through her mind and it revolved around a certain dog who she hoped to be ok. Skylir.

Her nerves were shot, Skylir had made sure of that, and now she lie awake worrying about the fate of the same damned dog that hunted her thoughts. Why was she acting this way? It was completely out of character and yet Ember had her reasons. She loved him. It was that simple. She'd never say it aloud but it was true, and Blu could be ripping his throat out as she lay in the cool country grass.

She'd go. Yes, she'd go back to the city and find him. To do what? Well, she could never force him to come back but she could, at the very lest, tell him how she felt. A low growl rumbled in her throat. How puppyish of her to act in such a way. It annoyed her to even think about it, but it was a true emotion and there wasn’t much that could be done.

Suddenly, Takri appeared outside and simply sat, staring at the moon with a side glance at her every so often. Ember watched him for a while, her unwavering Amber orbs burning into him. Finally, she spoke though she would have been content to allow the awkward silence continue "Why are you still awake Takri?" she murmured. Her voice had no sarcasm or snippiness for she had no energy for it and besides, she truly wanted to know what his business was out here.

[Takri]

Takri could feel her gaze on him. After awhile, she spoke. ”Why are you still awake Takri?” He already had an answer for her and it was only half true but it was true nonetheless. [font color=goldenrod]”I can’t sleep anymore, so I decided to come out and watch the moon.”[/color] His eyes surveyed over the rolling fields and hills. It was so peaceful and quiet. The sound of trees rustling faintly echoed over the earth as a breeze blew by. Takri closed his eyes to enjoy the peace for awhile before opening them once more. They gleamed a bit as the light from the moon illuminated them, making them a deeper color than they were, the color of soft reddish dirt that was fertile but rare. They stared up at the round moon as his mind raced. He would tell one of his dogs to guard Ember and make sure she didn’t try to go anywhere or anything like that. His gaze turned a bit sad then glazed over a bit as he went deep into thought. He just thought about random things and he wasn’t even sure what he was thinking. Shaking away the thoughts that he had just had, he turned his head toward Ember and smiled faintly, his auds twitching a bit. Then he turned to the moon and let out a sigh that whispered and laced with the night breeze, letting them carry it away.

His tail thumped softly on the firm dirt as he stared up at the sky, aglitter with stars and glowing with the beams of the lunar disc. The sky was a dark blue mixed with dark purple and light purple laced in. The sky was a beautiful mix. Time passed as another breeze flowed by and played through Takri’s fur. It was so peaceful yet the peace was to be broken. The moon shone full on the barn now but soon, it would shift away to another area of the earth. Closing his eyes once more, he just enjoyed the soft sound of the swishing grasses and the occasional chirp of the crickets. Even through his closed eyes, he could see the faint white glow of the moon that shone through his lids. His auds twitched again as he just sat there, his eyes closed, to enjoy the perfect serenity and peace as the night rolled on.