.hostage.

The male hadn't been seen in many moons, but he was back now and he wasn't about to leave again. Hostage had his head lowered, his eyes hollow and his mind completely warped. He was the same as he had always been, just grown up and filled out. The black male moved cautiously, knowing he was back in Risen's land. He didn't know what the price would be for his disappearing act, but he had gotten some vital information on some new and upcoming packs thinking they could take over Sparkling Creek Valley. While he was around, that wouldn't happen. He'd make sure of it.

The black male raised his head and let loose a cry to the heavens, calling his pack leader to him. He hadn't seen any of his 'family' or his friends since his disapperance. Would they still be the same, or would they to have chamged?

Risen

Ghoul, who was a pup when he had last seen Hostage, and visa-versa, moved toward the entrance of the temple where he spotted the darker male. The males tri-colored face contorted a moment as his memories fashed through his head. This wolf looked familiar... but yet so foreign a sight. He searched through the many names of Haunters. All of the ones who had come and went... all of the ones who had vanished or died. He couldn't place a name... He thought his name started with an H, but he couldn't remember more than that. "My dubbance is Ghoul, Son of Vicious and Incalia. Who are you, and what is your purpose of being here?"

Ynear was another around the bend who had heard the call... but unlike Ghoul, and being a mother, she had every pup memorized by look and smell. And she had smelt this wolf from a few yards away. When she came up to him she smiled, now being smaller than him, she moved slowly and gave him a greeting nuzzle. "It's been a long time Hostage." Though there was sadness in the mother's voice. She had just lost someone very close to her. But she tried to hide it in her joy of seeing the wolf return. "How have you been?" To her, ever pup was her child. But since he did not see her as his mother, she would not call him so. That, however, didn't hinder the kindness she showed to him.

Ghoul stood stunned for a moment. Hostage? Very few interactions with the male, and the last that time he saw him was right after the war when they were pups. Ynear had already asked what he would have, given the knowledge of who it was in the first place. He gave a smug smile, but feared what Risen would have to say.

The last to arrive was the huntress herself. Risen pulled in with an offset look. Glad that her Nephew had passed, but that Niece had gone along with him made her a lot less than pleased. Seeing Hostage and then hearing his name, she gave a short snarl. "Greetings Hostage" Her snarl turned into a grin. "How was Vacation?" There could be no blame for her dislike of his absence. There could have been a lot more dead to the opposing side, and a lot less injury to the Haunter side if he would have stayed. Having left while those who were younger than him laid dead underground... If he could remember Little Tuft... He had passed as well.

Hostage

Hostage narrowed his eyes on Ghoul and gave him a wolfish grin. He didn't offer his name, not until Ynear came forth and offered him a nuzzle and gave forth his name. He wanted to snarl at her for her stupidity, but instead he nuzzled her in return. It is nice to see you, Ynear. His voice had turned into a seductive tone, one deep and rich and filled with promises of heat and darkness. Then Risen came to him, and his head went down respectfully, but at her tone he bristled slightly. It was a wonderful vacation, Risen. I learned many new things. Such as the packs that are springing up all over the valley, wanting to beat you back and put you in your rightful place. I think, Risen, its time you taught them a lesson. The Ancient Guardians at the Mountains.... Maybe even an alliance with Saydin. She is like you, Risen, merely younger and filled to the brim with hate and a lust for destruction. Kalabers son, Crucifix.... Hes alive and well. Hes starting his own back to kill out the valley. What say you, darling dearest? He nearly spat the last part out, as if it left a foul taste on his tongue. He hated talking any ways, and that was more words in a single minute that he had spoken then he had said in an entire two months. His eyes drifted to Ghoul, then to Ynear, then back to Risen. He liked all of them in his line of sight, that way he didn't have to worry about an attack from behind.

Risen

At his tone, her fur bristled even more. Rightful place? "I am in my rightful place, as lead of the Shadow Haunters, and as the Shadow Haunters being the most feared in the Valley. The Valley will alway fear the Haunters for we will not fall." At the sound of words, allying herself to Saydin, she snarled. "and who is Saydin. If she is an Ancient Guardian, don't you think they have caused us enough pain already. I'm not one for Allies turning on us, in such a way that Tainted has." She shook herself slightly as another wolf came in...

This wolf was the purest of white, a male with strong and almost venomous eyes. His soul burning clearly with the need to lead the Shadow Haunters. He would lead the Shadow Haunters down a path Risen was never able to achieve... one full of darkness, where as Risen's own son, Tumult, would change the direction of the Haunters if so elected.

Rayne moved closer to Risen, as if feeding off the power she possessed. Lowering his head to Hostage in a semi hostile way. He smiled to the older male before offering a tail tuck to the alpha.

Ghoul eyed Rayne, disliking the male for the moment. Ghoul liked darkness, but not as dark as this one seemed to be. Instead Ghoul turned toward Hostage, his eyes narrowing on the male for a second.

Risen snorted at the later remark. "Reincarnation? A useful bit of advice. But do keep you eye on them if you can. As for plans of the Shadow Haunters, I believe we are going to start subdivisions once again. In fact, lets do that now." She smiled before turning and walking toward the temple. From inside a calling could be heard.

.hostage.

Risen. He said to stop her. Saydin is an entirely new pack. She knows nothing of the Shadow Haunters, nor the Ancient Guardians. Trust me. I've been staking her out for the past few weeks. Shes a new comer to the valley, and I figured that since she knows nothing of us we could give her a little... Welcoming gift. He gave a dark smile, one filled with malice. His eyes drifted to Rayne, and he lifted an invisble eyebrow at the male but gave him no never mind. He would follow evil, he had no problems with that, but he wouldn't follow one such as this. If Rayne came to power.... He was to expect an enemy.

Hostage gave a smirk to Ghoul, the same childhood smirk that he had given his... Companion, all those years ago. Then he slipped after Risen, his footsteps making no noise whatsoever.

Risen

She nodded to his words. "We will discuss this later" she said and continued into the temple. Rayne saw the distasteful look of Hostage and gave a dark and brooding grin. Oh how the devil lies within all of us, and yet is afraid of himself. He thought before turning his bright eyes to Ghoul and then moving after Risen.