Maikoda

Maikoda had followed Kali, she wanted to see where the dark female was going, now she understood. Kali was leaving them to be in the darkness with White Niose. She remembered hearing her story and knew Kali wouldn't go to Aaka after what happened, but why leave them for the darkness? Maikoda was worried something happen to her, and felt the need to let Karai know where it is she had gone to. She even went right away like she had it planed or something. She let out a loud bark calling for Karai to come in a heart beat.

Karai

Karai arrived on paws made fleet by the urgent note in Miakoda's bark. Skidding to a halt, she said, You called, young one?

Maikoda

The pup glanced over at Karai after waiting for her to arive. "Yes, it's about kali," she began looking around nervously. "Kali went to white noise's pack. She went there right away too like she planned it out or something. She choise the darkness and I don't want them to hurt her," she said in a low voice.

Karai

Karai sighed, blue eyes resting on the pup quietly, sadly. Turning away slightly, she sighed, her voice a mere whisper. Yes... I know.

Maikoda

"Shouldn't you help her? She could get hurt! She doesn't realize what the real darkness is like... does she?" Miakoda started off worriedly.

Karai

Karai smiled sadly, shaking her head a little, knowing that Miakoda could never understand the darkness that flailed within Kali. Her voice was still soft and resigned as she replied. I have done all I can for Kali. I have steered and pushed, and yes, even bullied sometimes, in hopes to show her the way to the light. I would help her. And her voice trailed off to a whisper. Little one if only you knew how desperate I am to help her. And she paused, the whisper sinking to a murmur that the pup would have to strain to hear. But I cannot help her if she will not have me...

Miakoda

Miakoda shook her head, "You must try again. Kali has been brought up with deaths and darkness. You must show her the light and pull her through it. Don't give up on her! If you don't help her who will? Kali loves you, she told me so. She says she still feels empty," Miakoda said in almost a shreeking cry.

Karai

Karai came up beside the distressed little fae, shaking her head softly as she gave a tenative nuzzle to soothe her. There now, little one. Easy. I have tried since she was but a foundling to show Kali the light. Even assuming, Miakoda, that I could make it into White Noise's terra alive, do you think that I could convince her now when for two years of her life I have failed? Her voice was not reproving, but rather sad, for she felt that she had failed Kali. She knew that there must be something wrong in the way she had tried to help. She had tried to save her, and failed. And some small part of her was wearied of having her heart broken.

Miakida

"Yes, I know you can, and you should. You love Kali don't you? You can't ever give up on her. I've seen her laugh and smle it's possible to change her. She's not as dark as she once was with her own parents and Jayashri. Or so she told me," Miakoda barked.

Karai

Karai sighed again, small tears coming to her eyes as she lowered her head in defeat. Yes, sweet one. I love Kali very much. So much it hurts. And she shook her head again, as though trying to banish something. But I promised her, Miakoda. I promised her that I would not interfere this time. And she paused, getting control of herself again.

Sometimes the hardest thing about loving someone, child... is when they decide they don't need you anymore. It's not a question of giving up on Kali, Miakoda. I have fostered half the pups in this valley, trying to raise them up to take proper places as good, just wolven. I could never stop loving Kali or give up on her simply because she is dark. I'm not sure you're even old enough to understand, child, what it entails when you become a parent. It is so much more than rules and regulations. It's about loving them, no matter what path their life takes. And her voice was soft again, a whisper on the wind. The hardest thing about loving someone... is loving them enough to let them go...

And the tears started again, for there was nothing she would have more willingly done than to go after Kali and try again to sway her. But for the first time in her life, Karai was absolutely terrified.

There had been many circumstances in which she had been afraid; many times she had felt that cold lightning in her blood that signified fear. But never in all her days had the silver vixen felt the horror that she felt now: the fear that, by chasing Kali again, she would lose her. And she knew she would not be able to bear it if Kali hated her.

Miakoda

"Kali really loves you, please you must help her. Not too long ago she told me these exact words: I feel the warmth of the light. I'm there and wandering around in it, but I am blind and I cannot see it. Now she's looking for the darkness so it does not matter. You need to help her see it. She's never seen the true light, or she doesn't think she has. Sometimes loving someone means forgiving them for breaking a promise if it means saving their soul and spirit," Miakoda replied mornfully.

Karai

Can't you see the silver river?
A silver river of life
Cut through by those who no longer care, no longer remember...
I remember... I was there.
As time has gone, all have faded,
And now I am all that is left.

Karai sighed heavily, lifting her weight once more to stand strong against the unforgiving sun. She turned to walk away, not even glancing back as her weary voice faded through the trees. I will go. For old love, for new life, for everything I thought I valued... I will go to Kali. And she soon faded away, heavy steps following a dark road down.

I am the silver river.
I will always remember...

Miakoda

Miakoda stayed behind watching Karai leave with a wide smile and hope that Kali will return with the light side. Miakoda knew this was between Kali and Karai and she would not infer any more then she already has.