An unseasonably warm wind blew from the west as silver paws entered the lands once more. It brought with it whispers of an old friend, with hints of things unknown. The sweet mother's face was worried as she came home, and fear rankled her heart as it never before had when she had been in this terra.

She still remembered the stranger's face that spoke with Ying's voice, and the memory tested her mettle, made her tremble slightly as if she were chilled, though she was not. She had eaten naught since her imprisonment among those foul two-legs, and had grown thin, but it was the mindless terror that brought her body to quiver. Fear of the only thing that could ever gain hold over the mother: madness.

It was not so long ago that a type of madness had infested her family, resulted in the deaths of two of her children. But that was before... no... no need to worry her friends with that.

Finally, tiara tilted as she let out a howl to Moon Spirit, its tone one requesting a private meeting. She needed to see... if Moon Spirit's voice came from a stranger as well, or if she would still be as Karai remembered. She fought for a moment to repress the fear that showed on her face, but when it did not obey her command she abandoned the effort, surrendering herself to whatever might come with Moon Spirit's arrival.

Her eyes raised from Outcast and softly she murmered "Wait here...." Well, there wasn't much else the small pup could do but wait. She took off as fast as her long limbs would take her, stopping near her friend. Immediatly she saw the difference and sadness swept into her yellow gaze. "Oh baby, what have they done to you?" She whispered softly. Her gaze drifted around, making sure no other was near. She could see the silent plea in her dear friends gaze, and she knew that she had to help. In any way possible, she was going to help Karai until the very end.

She could hear her heart beat fast above the sound of soft-padded steps, and closed her eyes for a moment, visibly bracing herself. Alas, when Moon Spirit finally skidded into view, the face was as unfamiliar as Ying's had been. She skittered away a few steps, eyeing the strange face apprehensively, and with more than a touch of obvious fear. Determined to preserve what little dignity she had left and not get hysterical, she closed her eyes again, listening and smelling with all her might.

Sure enough, this was her best friend's smell, that the sound of her voice. Now, the magic was supposed to happen. Now she could open her blue eyes, and Moon Spirit's face would be there. But when her lids lifted, she gasped again. It hadn't worked this time. With a low cry, she sank to the ground. Karai had cried before, and this Moon Spirit knew, but never before had sobs so wracked and shaken her small frame. She tucked her partially shaved dial between her paws and leaned her face in, tears flowing thick and fast like a torrent. Karai cried as if it would break her in two.

I don't know, I don't know! They've stolen my friend's faces, their hearts, their virtues. They've stolen my only treasure from me... all I had... The words were jumbled and difficult to understand through the tears, and probably would only confuse her friend more, but complete and utter despair had flooded her mind. In stealing her recognition of faces, the two-legs had stolen all she had... all she had ever had... friendship.

Oh baby.... She murmered softly to her friend. As Karai pulled away, Moon spirit shook her head and came forth. Laying down next to her, She placed a paw over her friends back and rested her head on her shoulder. We'll get through this....I promise we'll get through this. No one can take away our friendship, mon ami. No one. She licked in between Karais shoulder blades, hoping to further soothe the other wolfess. Fury built up inside the alphess, but she knew that retaliation wasn't the best course of action yet...Soon, but not yet.

She could barely hear her friend's words, and if she had possessed the strength she would have run away, but as it was she was paralyzed. So she allowed Moon Spirit to comfort her, not even able to protest. After several minutes silence reigned, and the deep and even sound of her breathing revealed that the poor thing was sound asleep, if restlessly.

She gently licked her dear friends dial when suddenly another call caught her attention. A soft whine of despair escaped her and she gently licked Karai again. I'll be back soon. She murmered. She then took off, heading towards the call of her mate.