She trotted quickly, but checked constantly to make sure Liam was right behind, or beside her. This is my sisters lands. Shes...Shes a lot nicer then I Am. She walked right across the border, she didn't fear Moon Spirit. Not many did. Unless they were on the wrong side of her fangs, then they began to show fear. A bark was given, but it was not her white sister that greeted her.

A pup came bounding through the trees. A multi-colored pup. A Bluish black back, and a white under belly with a grey splotch like her fathers, Condemed definatly was different. Mom! Momma! Someones here! A small female came trotting forward, black and blue like her daughter with mismatched eyes. A faint smile was given. Aunt Aaka. A...A pleasure to see you. Her eyes drifted to Liam, but she said nothing yet. She had changed, and it wasn't for the better.

Aaka heard that pause in Kekechois voice. That I don't want you here, but since you are I guess I must deal with you type voice. Pleasures all mine, Kekechoi. She replied smoothly, if not a bit coldly. Thats when she saw her. Moon Spirit came trotting through the trees, her white coat shimmering in the light. Aaka. Was her word of greeting, but her smile was warm and not fake. Moon. I'm glad your here. I brought Liam with me, I wished to show him around Sparkling Creek. I figured I'd have him meet you guys first. Condemned gave Liam a big grin. Hi! She said.

Spirit was giving her sister a look of concern. She was thinner, her eyes more lost then not. Then she looked to Liam, and gave him the same warm and gentle smile. He was her therapy. Her way of bringing herself back to the real world.

With the arrival of both Moon Spirit and Kekochoi, it was a given that there would be two more coming. Kianga's form came not far behind Keko, giving Aaka a colder look than her odd-eyed friend, but it could be attributed to the idea that Aaka was not family to her. No, she was unfriendly, but not stupid.

It was the final arriving form that stared at Aaka with those cold blue eyes, eyes that threatened and snarled without ever a word leaving their owner's lips. Karai had never been afraid of Aaka, and never forgotten how much she had hurt her sister. Hurting Moon Spirit was unforgiveable.

Liam took all of them in, looking up at his new mother with a clear look that said, My, they brought out the welcoming committee, didn't they? But his "eye voice" was mildly sarcastic. As was his habit, he greeted no one, smiled at no one. He was an island. No, not exactly. Aaka was a part of the island too. But no one else.

Her eyes flickered with that agony again, that pain of how she would never be accepted, even in her own family. She gave a small smile to Liam, then said softly This is...My son. Liam. I'm taking care of him, and thought he might like to meet some others, and our allies. That mask had begun to slip into place, hide herself again. Her eyes became flat and emotionless, something she had learned long ago.

Condemned wanted to meet this new pup, but her mother placed a paw in front of her. A pleasure to meet you Liam. Kekechoi said. Her voice was soft, and oh so cool as she silently stared at Aaka.

Moon Spirit was a bit more welcoming. Hello, Liam. My names Moon Spirit. Would you like to see more of our territory? Its very lovely, and I'm sure your mom wouldn't mind if you wandered a bit with me and Condemned. Soft, gentle, sweet. What had gone so wrong between the sisters?

Kianga also moved to stop Condemned, but Keko beat her to it. So she reached down to nuzzle the pup, further encouragement to remain where she was. Easy, little one. Maybe Liam doesn't want to play right now.

Aaka... she was dangerous... but... but there were pups. Oh, for heaven's sake. Despite herself, Karai found a smile on her face and a wave in her tail for Liam and Condemned. Once a mother, always a mother, and a love of pups was at the depths of her soul, something she could not deny no matter how much she wanted to. A sweet Hello, little one left her lips, though her eyes remained on Aaka.

Liam stared up at Aaka, leaning against her. He felt how badly it hurt her to know she was unwelcome. Karai's greeting he ignored, but when Moon Spirit spoke directly to him, used his name, he could not ignore it and pretend he had not heard. So he turned silent eyes up, first to her, then to Aaka, clearly asking his mother Well, what do you want me to do?

Go if you wish, Liam. Its your decision. Her sister wouldn't look at her. Thats what hurt her the most. She moved some distance away, laying beneath a large oak tree, her eyes never wavering off of KArais. Let her glare, for she could do it better. She would not back down, not now and not ever. Bt still that pain was there, so evident in her eyes. Had she screwed up that much?

Moon Spirit smiled at Liam. Come on, Liam. Lets go look at the Creek. She began to walk away, but looked to see if the pup was coming.

Liam looked up at Aaka, letting his eyes speak. You're not coming? If you don't come, I won't go. I don't want to go without you. Besides, SHE doesn't understand me anyway. He did not want his Mom alone here with all these wolves who so obviously did not like her. In some odd way, he thought that he ought to protect her, keep them from hurting her. Strange for so small a pup, but then... Liam was a strange one.

Karai's glance never wavered until Moon Spirit went to head away. Her ever-present shadow, the silver fae pulled up beside Spirit, waiting for the pup to make up his mind.

Aakas eyes shimmered with tears at Liams words. She stood slowly, and followed but she stayed behind Moon Spirit and Karai. Its very pretty here, Liam. She said aloud. She wanted him to be happy. She was happy. Well...No she wasn't. But she was making an attempt at it.

Condemned suddenly pounced upon Liam. COme on, slow poke. We gots a lot to show you. Condemned turned and raced to her mother. Giving her a nuzzle, she came back and lightly batted Liam with a paw. Overly energetic, young Condemned was. Kekechoi lay down, then smile faintly at Kianga. Softly, so only her 'sister' could hear, she said Is is just me, or is Aaka...Different? Was she the only one who saw it, or did the others see it as well?

Moon Spirit smiled at her grandaughter, then began to walk away with Karai. She to had noticed the change in Aaka, but said nothing. If she was nice, she'd be treated with anger. She knew better.

Liam gave Aaka a small smile, one of the few that were ever present on his face. He stayed back with her as they walked, but they were vaguely following Karai and Moon Spirit. Condemned's mock attack knocked him over with ease, and the second made him jump back, not really angry but more surprised. Why was she playing? Didn't she understand that he was different? That he was... wrong? His eyes expressed these questions to Aaka.

Kianga leaned into Keko to catch her words, and nodded, voice the same personal murmur her 'sister' had used. Yes. VERY different.

Karai kept pace with Moon Spirit, but she shot a look to her friend that said, When they leave, we need to talk.

She wants to play with you, Liam. Shes warm and kind, she does not mind your inabilites. Aaka said to her son. Her son. That phrase brought warmth to her hollow body. She looked up to where her sister and Karai, and she gave a faint smile. It was odd, seeing her already petite sister, then to look at Aaka herself who was even smaller then Moon Spirit.

Moon gave a nod to her close friend, understanding completely. Something wasn't right, not with Aaka acting so damn nice....

Condemned lightly batted Liam over the top of his head. You should see it when it snows, Liam! ITs really pretty. Her tail was wagging, and she appeared just so happy. Was she always like this? No. She had a darker side. A side of her that no one would see except herself. She could live a lie, just like her entire family did.

Kianga began to meander after the others, pretending only to keep everyone company, but really keeping an eye on little Condemned. Yes, she lived a lie, just like everyone else here. Little Condemned... her daughter, just as much as Keko's. She had to be protected from... from whatever Aaka was up to.

Karai shared her friend's concern, and even more so... for Karai had figured it out. Through a series of misadventures and hints from old friend's of Aaka's... she had put two and two together. She knew about Little Shadow. And Liam... Liam was a little black pup, with blue eyes...

Liam gave his mother a strange look, but he could tell that she wanted him to try, so when Condemned came back toward him, he returned the bat, pawing the top of her head like a cat, almost as if he was uncertain how to do it.

She laughed softly as Liam lightly batted Condemned, who looked as if she could squeal with delight. A new friend! She pounced upon Liam with a giggle, her eyes bright.

Kekechoi followed as well, and to make it seem as if she weren't following Aaka and watching her every move, she pounced upon Kianga. When was the last time you and I had a tumble, Kianga? She said in a teasing voice.

Moon Spirit turned around in time to see her dark daughter pounce upon her closest friend. Soft laughter escaped the aging white female, and she to lightly batted Karai.

Liam allowed himself to be bowled over, surprised to find his tail waving behind him. He was... enjoying himself, a bit. Almost without thinking, he reached up to grab her ear, letting loose a puppy growl and pawing at her underside with his back feet. Sounds, he could do.

Kianga was startled to find herself on the ground, but in an instant Keko's eyes told her everything. Besides... she missed the days when they'd played. So innocent... With a laugh, she heaved her weight up, shoving Keko back and hopping over her, darting in to grasp hold of Kekochoi's nose. Too long ago, Keko. Her voice was the same teasing one Keko used.

Karai smiled at Moon Spirit, disguising her troubles, and pawed at her ear, laughing softly.

So I push it all away
Like everything's okay.
If I make them all believe it,
Maybe I'll believe it too.

Are we happy plastic people
Under shiny plastic steeple
With walls around our weakness
And smiles that hide our pain?
But if the invitation's open
To every heart that has been broken,
Maybe then we can close the curtain
on the Stained Glass Masquerade...

She laughed warmly, lightly batting at her sisters ear as her nose was caught. She tried to push her friend over with her slim weight, her eyes alive with enjoyment.

Moon Spirit, with no warning at all, suddenly leapt upon Karai with a musical laugh. Yes, no one really played around here anymore. IT was like...A cloud hung low over all their heads.

Aaka hung back a bit now, a faint smile in place as she watched them all play and play. Yes....Liam was like a replacment for the four pups she had lost. Little Shadow, Esscence, Redemption and Vengeance. Softly she sighed, a faint smile in place.

Condemned giggled, then bounced away from the older pup. You can't catch me, Liam! She said to him.

A surprised laugh escaped Karai as she found herself sprawled on the ground, Moon Spirit atop her. With a mischevious smile she pushed the slightly smaller 'Spirit off, tail waving like mad as she headed forward to return the tackle.

Kianga released her own laughter, giggling as she and Keko stumbled around. She let Keko have the upper hand and rolled onto her back, reaching up to grab her friend's ear and tug it gently, giggling still.

Liam started to chase after Condemned, but first he turned back to Aaka and gave her a nuzzle, looking up at her, his eyes silent for once. Then, he turned back to his game, racing after Condemned.

It wasn't long before all the commotion garnered the attention of the white wolf. He had been slightly down of late, hearing news of his siblings in the Shadow Haunters pack, but there was nothing he could do about that. Might as well focus on happier things.

Tail held loose, Jais sauntered towards the group of wolves, a smile brandished on his snowy muzzle. "What, no one invited me?" He barked out after a moment in jest, tail waving pleasantly.

Moon Spirit heard another in her lands, and giving a smile to Jais and the others she said Alright, will you two please show our guest about? I'm sure you know the way by now. She said with a teasing smile. Then she trotted towards Solitar, about a miles distance away.

Guest. Not Guests, but guest. Just Liam. Stung, and slightly hurt, she gave them a false smile that would convincing to all but Liam. She ignored Jais. Her mate...Or...Legosa, was the cause of much of his pain and she wanted no part of it.

Kekechoi gave a warm smile to Jais. Ah, come on now Jais you should've been listening! Then with an ooof she was back on the ground again with Kianga ontop of her. Soft laughter escaped the young female with her ancient eyes. Happiness, how it had seemed to escape them all.

Condemned looked at Liam, gave him a grin the ran to Jais and pounced on his foot. Come on, Liam! Help me! She said.

Moon Spirit's wording did not escape Karai, and she nodded to herself. Yes... she had to keep an eye on Aaka. So she settled herself under a tree, a soft smile on her face that she did not feel, eyes open and watching.

Kianga also granted Jais a smile, giggling as she hopped back to let Keko up. Her eyes met Karai's for a moment, and a message seemed to pass between them, but soon she had turned back to Kekochoi, smiling and tail waving as she spoke to Jais. Yeah, we were too busy having fun to fetch you. But you're welcome to join in!

Liam backed up into Aaka, for even he had noticed the difference. Momma had not greeted this newcomer. Her false smile convinced him still more, and he took up a position beside her, no longer interested in playing. Why were they hurting Momma?

As Liam came back to her, she gave him a smile and a soft nudge. Would you like to see more of the valley? Right now, she just wanted to escape. Their accusing eyes, why did they all hate her so? Oh wait. She remembered now. Couldn't at all be that her mate and herself had wreaked havoc upon everyone here, Jais including.

Keko smiled at Jais as she stood, her tail waving and her odd colored eyes bright with happiness and joy. It had been so long since those two emotions could be seen from her.

Liam smiled up at Aaka, knowing that he didn't need to give her an eye message for her to understand that he was completely ready to get out of here.

Karai watched them all, giving Jais a vague smile that her sweet nature placed on her face.

Kianga came up beside Keko, waiting... was Aaka leaving?

Her eyes lifted to meet Karais, and again that pain was there. I thank you all for your hospitality. Liam and I will be on our way now. She looked down at Liam, then signalled to him. She trotted away, heading towards Pikes Lake.

Keko waited until Aaka was out of earshot, then looked to Kianga and Karai. Is it just me, or is she all out of whack?

Yes, that was exactly what Liam wanted to hear. Without even a glance at the others, he trotted away with Momma.

Kianga nodded at Keko's question, but it was Karai who spoke, rising and coming towards the young faes, voice soft. Kekochoi, my dear, I regret to say that there are many things you do not know about your Aunt Aaka, or wish to know, I dare say. I wish I did not know. Be satisfied with knowing that, while she is out of whack, it cannot hurt you while you do not know the reason. And with that serious note, she headed away toward the den. Spirit would find her, she knew. They needed to talk.

Keko looked to Karai with a puzzled expression, but then her other mother was gone. Looking to Kianga, she said softly What do you thinks wrong with her?

Kianga's eyes followed Karai until she was out of sight, still staring after her as she answered Keko's question, voice soft so little Condemned would not hear. In Mother Karai lurks the same demon that lives in both your heart and mine, Keko. But it has made its home in our silver friend much, much longer... And she trailed off, for she felt Karai's pain like a wave, crashing upon her with ferocious power.