And so it begins. REALLY BAD IDEA #4, check. I've so been looking forward to this. XD

Paws of the Moon again graced the lands of Silver Creek after a week of absence. The celestial Lady gazed down upon her wolven counterpart, although tonight She seemed perturbed with her pale face turned half away. Below, a silver coat caught the moonlight so it appeared as if she were glowing--as if she were made of it. If the female had Starchaser's gift of star-speak, she might have heard their whispers. A time of confusion. The death of a beginning. Small heroes to save us. Instead, the night was silent.

In truth, it seemed the illness had come full circle. It had driven poor Temi's mind through endless stages of madness, ranging from believing herself a fire-breathing dragon to various alternate personalities. Taking advantage of her overactive imagination, it caused her to be in a constant fantasy world, and those who didn't know her--and maybe even some who did--might have thought she'd been playing one of her theatrical games. But now, the Lorekeeper sat serene as ever and, as always, most comfortable in the moonlight. There was the sense of calm that followed her everywhere, there were her old characteristic movements, there was the sharp intelligence sparkling in her eyes. This was Artemis.

But just like one of her many stories with twisted endings, the "summer cold" was still obviously present. Remember Den. Remember Den. Remember Den, a voice chanted frantically, a golden rhythm beneath her thoughts. Apparently, there was something she was supposed to remember about the place she slept. Dens were often problematic things, needing to be kept free of wandering animals, debris, and the like. But that could be tended to later. Right now, there were more important matters to address, coming to rest in the clearing where so many meetings had been held.

Tilting her elegant muzzle back, the young gray let loose her call. While Den's voice was deep and strong and Sphinx's like that of a bell, hers was the higher-pitched flute-like melody of a younger wolfess. It was a summons--firm, but colored with a sort of "if you please" politeness true to her personality. Things were wrong with her pack. The wrong scents marked the trees, the fish were dying, and she had a general unsettled feeling. Sitting tall and proudly like a shining silver beacon in the night, she waited. Diana, Alpha of Silver Creek, would set things right.

Out of Character
Ha, this is awesome. o0o my post got long :P
In Character
Bloodshot eyes stared unseeing toward the dark sky, the reflection of the great silver moon hardly noticed now, though he'd spent a great of time focused upon it in recent nights, in ways that he never had before. It had become a sort of talisman to him, reminding him, taunting him with the fact that he did not know where its earthly counterpart was. Den could not recall how long he had gone without sleep, the hours all fuzzily blended together in one long stretch of worry and frantic searching, but thoughts of rest were far from his mind. Artemis was gone, and no amount of tracking had been able to locate her. He who knew every corner of Silver Creek, who had traversed the entire valley back and forth more than once, simply to explore and learn the lands, could not find a decent trace of the wolfess that he loved.

Misery ate at him, overpowering the curs-ed headache that plagued him. How could he have left her alone? He knew that she was not well, so how could he have stepped away for even a few moments? He'd thought her to be sleeping when she had slipped from their den to run a quite patrol around the area and to get the blood flowing through his legs. He'd been attending to the silvery lorekeeper in every moment he could, and in truth he'd just needed a bit of fresh air for just a moment. Besides that, he was the Alpha after all, so it was no less than his duty to make sure that things were well in the packlands. And Sphinx had somehow not seemed herself the last time that he'd seen her, so what else was he to do?. The weight of the world rested upon his shoulders in those moments, but really all his mind would let him think about was Artemis. And so he had returned to their home as quickly as he could, determined to ignore his churning stomach that threatened to return his last meal to the light of day, ready to try his best at getting Temi's mind off her illness.

Although that was part of the problem. Her mind seemed to wander far too much these days. And such were his thoughts when he had entered their den to find his grey-toned mate quite absent. And her scent oddly scattered. And since that moment, the young Alpha had been on a guilt stricken hunt for Temi, completely unsuccessful. Several times he had thought himself close, his heart pounding harder in his chest with anticipation, but almost like magic, the trail had faded again. And so Den suffered, his activities as king of the Creek practically suspended for most purposes. His Angel had needed him, and he had let her down.

And so, as her crystal rang out across the lands, there was not a heartbeat that had passed before the sunkissed male was upon his feet and loping in a headlong sprint toward the call. He'd not eaten in some days and his tired muscles protested the continued work, however Den would not have stopped if he'd had no legs at all. The fact that Artemis' song had been the beckoning howl of an Alpha was completely lost on him, as his only thoughts were that she was close by.

At the sight of her, his eyes were bright with tears, his throat constricting in a sudden burst of emotion, and he all but ignored the presence of Tiamat and Sphinx as the heavy golden male rushed at his mate. Showering her with licks of relief and love, it took several moments to become aware of the two ivory females. At first he still only glanced at them, knowing that surely they would understand, however, suddenly a rush of foreboding smashed into him full on. Pulling back slightly, Den did not fail to note the worry in his advisor's gaze. And then it hit him that he had come upon them with proud Sphinx bowing before Artemis. Whatever was going on? Swallowing hard, he looked hard at his mate, taking a single step back, his oversized forepaw hanging uncertainly in the air. Angel? he managed to speak, hardly above a whisper, not at all sure he'd be able to get out anything else at that moment.

Wow, awesome everyone. I like how Tia's right on top of things, lol. And Houkie, LMAO. Damn the oil companies! Poor Den. I just want to pet him and tell him it's okay. Whoops, this got a little long. <3

While Lady Moon granted light for the supposed Alphess, it wasn't quite the same. The way the moonlight caught in her silver made her glitter like micah on a dirt road--a false shine, if you knew what a diamond looked like. Diana paid no mind for she was blind to the difference, and perhaps the only one who'd notice was the pack's Skywatcher since he was attuned to such things. Patiently, she waited. Well, Diana was patient, anyway. But too much longer, and the female's ill-fated mind was going to wander on to such things as invisible jets, talking tree stumps, and iron brains.

Fortunately, it wasn't long before an alabaster female came tearing onto the scene. Well, at least she was prompt. However, this one called her by the wrong name--Artemis. Maybe she was new to the pack, and had remembered her Alphess being named after the moon, but not the right one. "Diana," she corrected firmly, but in her characteristic soft tones. She was a generally understanding leader.

Next to appear was another white wolfess with an unusual turquoise gaze. This signaled something in the back of Diana's mind, but she couldn't put a paw on it. She gave a mental shrug as Sphinx paid the respect due to her position. A little credit was earned here, for the Alphess' nose told her that this one would be receiving a reprimand shortly.

And then came the golden male.

If Temi had been in her right mind, she would have melted under his touch and returned the affection bestowed upon her twofold. She would have heaped apology upon apology for disappearing for the last week, and for putting through all the trials of her caretaker. She'd have loved him more for it, and relieved him of his guilt. But this--this wolfess who appeared so much like her--this was not Artemis. This was not his Angel.

Instead, Diana sat stunned and rigid at the outpouring of emotion until he backed off. Angel? he asked. Remember Den! Remember Den! Remember Den! It was screaming now. Clearly, he must have mistaken her for someone else in the uncertain shadow of the night. But again, she was a generally understanding leader. Di could tell that she would have to do a lot of understanding tonight. "I'm Diana, Alphess of these lands. There is no Angel here." Her words came out calmly and quietly as always, but there was a subtle undertone of annoyance. Cold fire burned in her eyes.

Were these three the only ones to answer her call? No one else seemed to be coming--things were more wrong here than she'd originally thought. Di had only been abscent from her dear Silver Creek for a week, and already they'd fallen so far? She couldn't believe it. Well, she thought, at least she had two of the culprits present. Perhaps they'd sought to steal her home from her while she was away. "You are all unfamiliar to me--perhaps you are new to the Creek. Who are you?"

Out of Character
catch up day!
In Character

What in tha hell are you girls playin at? It wasn't exactly proper to be speaking in such a way to Sphinx in front of subordinates, but this was Artemis and Tiamat...dear and loyal friends. Besides, if she was acting like a puppy, perhaps she should be talked to like one. Den's wide eyes shifted between Artemis and Sphinx with all the bewilderment that should come with such a scene. If they were playing a trick upon him, it certainly was not amusing, especially considering that his silver mate had been missing for a week. But no, he could see the fierce seriousness in Temi's blue eyes, and the very unfamiliar submissiveness in Sphinx's. The golden male's stomach churned as he forced himself to acknowledge that his dear angel's sickness had truly gotten the better of her. Was there any going back? Would he ever have his beloved return to him?

Tiamat. There was at least someone who was showing sense among them. The snowy advisor seemed as confused as he, and Den tossed her a worried glance as his heart beat like a drum in his chest, urging him to do something about all of this. He had mere moments to think, to puzzle out the situation. What was his leader counterpart doing? Was she placating Temi because she knew the lorekeeper was ill? It hardly seemed credible, besides that there was absolutely no reason for her to claim Tiamat's name. No, there was no mistaking the glaze of her eyes, not too different from the grey wolfess who stood lording over them now. Damn it all tah hell, Sphinx is sick too... The weight of the world suddenly doubled on the sunkissed male's shoulders, his mind spinning, and he truly had to fight with himself to keep from breaking down in a hysterical laugh of panic.

Oh Spirits, what was he going to do? How many more were going to be affected, and would they find any cure? Artemis had already shown sickness for far too long. Silver Creek was in a crisis. A far worse one than he'd known. Swallowing hard, all Den could think of was the he needed more time. More time to figure out what to do. He could not let his mate nor the Creek queen out of his sight. Moving closer to Tiamat, he leaned just a touch closer to her ear, whispering only for her to hear as he passed her and circled to sit down. Just play along Tia...they're sick. Haha, Cloudy, yer sah funny. Tiamat indeed. Advisor. Ha. Pardon 'er Miss... Diana, she was only kiddin. Sometimes she doesn't know when not tah make a joke. N please excuse me too. Ah thought ya were... someone else. Mah apologies. There he paused to bend in a low bow. Den. At yer service always. Well that was the truth at least. With a quick glance, he looked to see if she would react to his name. Did she really not remember him? Inside, his heart broke, but outwardly he was the vision of calm.

Bwaha! Brit jumped me. That's okay though, I'm glad you did so you could get your reaction to Den in. That makes it Houkie's turn again?

In her time, the silver femme had been a great storyteller--and still was--but she could not think of a stranger set of wolves in all her tales. During their antics, the Alphess' expression had melted back to its usual calm serenity while remaining watchful. The one who arrived first seemed to chastise the second for her rightful act of submission, only to be reprimanded for stealing her name. The last declared it all a joke, and apologized for his earlier outburst. They all made statements of their service, but if anyone dared to look, they would see pale blue-grays narrowed as they examined each of them. If they didn't, they would well notice the suspicion in Diana's silence.

The sense of something amiss deepened, but not because she vaguely recognized their names. (Of course, she would have heard the names of her packmates at some point, even if she hadn't met them.) In fact, when the golden male spoke his, it seemed to appease the shrieking voice in her head for a moment. But that could be worried about later--there were much more important matters to attend to. For instance, the rather incredulous attitudes that Cloudy and Den originally exhibited--she hadn't missed that. Then a thought crossed her mind that eliminated much of the suspicion.

"Please correct me if I'm wrong," Diana began, not in the stern tones she'd used before, but now colored with soft concern for her pack--a voice more inherent to Artemis. "It seems to me that something has gone terribly wrong in our home of Silver Creek. Only three answer the call of the Alpha--all behaving very strangely, mind you. Fish lie dead on the riverbed, and the wind whispers of something not quite right." This was the Lorekeeper in her, and those last words had assumed the far-off tone Artemis used when telling stories. She looked away from them now, almost shamefully. "I believe an illness stalks these lands for prey. I cannot help but think that my absence is partially to blame. I left for a day, but the sickness gripped me as well, and kept me away. Perhaps if I had been present to notice the signs, some of the damage might have been prevented. For this, I ask your forgiveness." Here, she dipped her head solemnly while keeping her air of queenliness. Perhaps such a request was unbecoming of an Alpha, but Diana didn't care. She could only think of the packmates she had let down who must be too ill in their dens to be roused. "Perhaps you could tell me what you know of this so the situation my be remedied."

"I do hope, however," the regal female continued firmly, pointedly turning her sharp gaze to Tiamat and Den, "that no one has tried to take this time of confusion to plot against me, and that my trees have been mismarked by mistake." There was no question that the large Arctic female and the strong sandy male could easily overpower Diana's lithe frame if they were indeed mutinous. However, it would not do to fear them either, and sometimes a stern tut-tut was all one needed.

Out of Character

I love this thread.

In Character
Oh, how was he ever going to get out of this one? Truly he could see no satisfactory end to this meeting if both Artemis and Sphinx maintained these ridiculous theatrics. He had no doubt that it was very much real in their sickness plagued minds, but that was exactly the problem. Their illness was not exactly going to just disappear, so how was he doing to get this 'Diana' back with him to their den so that he could care for her properly? And now, his fellow Alpha was quite out of her mind as well. Oh curses, At this point, Temi was plainly suspicious of him, for he did not fail to note the considering look in her lovely eyes. But how could he blame her, in the foggy world in which she now dwelled? Though his attention was directed toward her as she talked, his mind was swirling with ideas, fear and worry so that the silver wolfess' words only dimly registered at first. Oh the irony that she was speaking of illness, so unaware that it held her in its unforgiving grasp.

The last bit sunk in though, and his emerald eyes widened at what she was suggesting. The lands of Silver Creek were obviously marked well by both Sphinx and himself. How was he to explain that one so that she was not baring teeth in his face? He would never get her settled down after all. But then, the thought suddenly struck him that perhaps shock was exactly what she needed. Anything that might shake her up, might somehow trigger the recollection of who she really was. His beloved angel. And so swallowing hard, amazed at the frightened bile that caught in his throat, the golden male tossed the real Tiamat a glance that begged her to follow his lead and help him out. Oh, this could get messy.

The sickness... has been hard on tha Creek ma'am. There's somethin that I have tah tell ya that won't be easy fer me tah say, er fer you tah hear. Keep it as close to the truth as possible. Those marks. Well this Tiamat here went around doin it while ya were gone, sayin she was tha Alpha named Sphinx. I went behind 'er and marked as well. In yer name of course. I'm afraid that she's shown signs a tha sickness, as much as she might deny it. I don't know what tah do. We need yer wisdom. I need you...

*pets Tia*

The one called Tiamat was first to speak, a voice of forgiveness. This eased Diana's nerves slightly, yet the white wolfess made no mention of her treachery--her scent hanging about the trees. Then she clearly indicated Cloudy as one touched by the foul sickness, a likely reason for her erratic behavior. Or maybe Tiamat herself was sick as Den suggested along with his plea. And finally, Cloudy's outburst seemed to point at Den as affected as well. Diana's mind reeled.

While Cloudy's distrustful glance flicked from wolf to wolf, the Alphess did her best to sort things out. "There is no need for loud voices." Calmly, quietly, simply. As the leader, she took an impartial approach, trying to stick to the facts and truth of the matter. 1.) Den and Cloudy's strange entrances, calling her Artemis and Angel. 2.) Cloudy's "prank" of stealing Tiamat's name, but calling Tiamat "Sphinx". 3.) A humble and loyal wolfess like Tiamat didn't seem like the type who would rebelliously mark trees--that didn't add up. 4.) Den seemed to have an explanation for everything. The list went on. It was possible that every one of these three were out of their minds. If so, what was the silver femme to do? Quarantine them all? How would such a thing be enforced, and would it even help?

Diana's frantic thoughts were interrupted as Cloudy began her incessant rambling again. She listened as the ivory female spouted incoherent words and phrases at the other pale one--trying to jog her memory, she realized. And then a fiery glare was turned upon the speaker. Tiamat, Sphinx, whatever her name, she was the Alpha?! That cemented it, Cloudy was crazy. Even with that decision, Di couldn't tune out her words. The glare melted to expressionlessness as the blue-grays simply stared, mouth opening and shutting wordlessly. What if it's true? she couldn't help thinking. Forgetting her name and title, Diana had to consider it if she was anything like the wolf she thought herself to be. It would account for Den and Cloudy [Tiamat?]'s strange behavior, but if they were both delusional, it would just be a continuation of the delusion. Besides, wouldn't she know it if she were mad? The moon-kissed female couldn't be sure either way. For the first time, she was unsure of her own name.

At last, the monologue paired Diana [Artemis?] and Den together. This seemed proposterous, but again, she couldn't help listening. It was as if something inside wanted her to hear it. Now as she still faced Cloudy, she looked at Den out of the corners of her eyes expectantly, wondering what would come of the alabaster canine's promptings.

Well?

Out of Character

I'm sorry Tiamat!!! *pets Den* He's just upset.

In Character
And with that, Den turned on Tiamat, sadness gone from his eyes, replaced by green flames of unmistakable fury. She was raising her voice to him? Talking to him as though he had lost his mind? What gave her the right? The golden male had spent nearly every moment, waking and not, watching Artemis blink in and out of coherency, illness clearly getting the better of her. He'd ignored his own nausea and blinding headaches, not willing to give in to the weakness when Temi needed all of his strength. She had most definitely crossed a line. And so he, who held his patience at almost all costs, he who avoided fighting with every fiber of his being - the gentle giant suddenly snapped. Don't ya think that if it were as easy as just tellin 'er tha truth of it, she'd be well by now? Don't ya think I tried that? Ya haven't been there. Ya haven't seen tha wolf ya love starin back at ya with eyes that don't even know who ya are. Ya haven't taken care of 'er day n night, givin up sleep n food, n livin with a pit a worry churnin when ya look at 'er n churnin when she's outta yer sight. No, Tiamat, you ran when things got hard fer you, so bafore ya start tryin tah tell yer Alpha what tah do, why don't ya just back off. Though he immediately regretted saying it, anger held him tight and he pushed on.

With a growl, he snapped at her as she pushed him toward the grey toned lorekeeper, turning back toward the ivory advisor instead. Go home. Yer not helpin anything here. I'd never let em hurt each other. Just go home... His voice was hard. The soft-hearted, easy spirited male had been weighted down for too long, struggling to keep the pack running and his own relationship alive, though it hung by a thread. With a sudden twist he turned on his fellow Alpha, staring hard into her turquoise eyes, an act he had once never dreamed of doing. And you. No one's laughin. Ya are Sphinx. And ya are tha Alpha. You've been tha queen a Silver Creek since it could even be called a pack. Ya did fight cy-yotes, n ya are mated tah Kimoto. Whether ya listen tah me er not, I don't really care right now, but I know someone who will. And with that, he tossed his golden head back and called for Kimoto. Why was he not at his mate's side anyway? Curse his luck, the Epsilon was probably sick too. And so just for good measure he let another sharp note pierce the air, beckoning Takashi as well. The young leader could come keep an eye on their great lady until he himself could get things under control. He had someone of his own to deal with at the moment.

Shifting back toward Artemis, the very sight of her made him pause, exhaling a deep breath, doing his best to gather himself. She had always been there to anchor his temper, the ever cool moon to his occasional sunflare. His voice cracked as he struggled to speak again, this time tears flooding his eyes. Aw Temi. Angel. I don't know what else tah do. If ya don't know me, GoldenShadow, Den, I can't make ya. . Ya've been sick fer a long time now. Think. Can ya even remember a month ago? Ya were here. Happy. With me. But whatever ya think, whatever name ya call yerself now, whatever ya say, I won't let ya outta mah sight. I made a promise. I'll never leave ya. I love ya n I always will.

I'm sorry, guys. I'm desperately trying to figure out where my free time is with this whole college shindig. oo;

Diana's sideways stare at Den had been a skeptical one, but there had been enough uncertainty in it to merit a victory for Cloudy. Yet now she heard Tiamat's resolute protests--the alabaster femme was unshaken, so why was she? Confidence replaced most of the uncertainty in the blue-grays as they were then levelled on Den obstinately. She was silent.

And silent she remained as the golden male whirled upon his partner in crime. Diana was careful to make sure no physical harm came to the smaller wolfess, but was otherwise inactive. She had always been like a still lake--calm, with the occasional ripple. Nothing was ever solved through loud volume and fits of anger. It was only when the storm subsided that things were clear again. And so, the silver femme listened as Den berated "Tiamat" rather harshly in a fiery torrent. The connection between "the wolf he loved" and herself wasn't quite made, but she was still sympathetic toward him--she wasn't heartless. Obviously, he'd endured something tragic, and now it was taking a toll on his sanity.

In her new-found confidence, Diana's eyes flared with anger again--although this time much less pronounced--as Den supported the claim that "Sphinx" was Silver Creek's Alphess and seemed to call for reinforcements. The gray-toned wolfess' plan was to wait until the parties involved recovered their senses before something could be done with them. Cool heads needed to prevail in this situation. "There is no need for loud voices," she repeated softly.

As the supposed-Alpha found herself under the true Alpha's tearful gaze, something inside cried along with him, urging her to remember. For the first time, she indulged that side and tried to remember just a month ago like the golden male suggested. Nothing came to mind, as if her memories only began tonight. Then suddenly, she remembered... something. Bits and pieces. ...but with eyes as green as springtime... "...I wanta run with ya ferever..." Slowly and subtly, the Lorekeeper deflated as her eyes regained clarity, ears turning backward and head dipping slightly with shame. On shaky limbs, the lunar wolfess rose and moved toward him. Each paw seemed to move on its own--one by one--until her muzzle brushed up his neck and rested over his shoulder. There were no words now--she didn't know what to say. Her mind was a dizzying array of thoughts, unsure which names and memories were true or fabricated, but this... This was right. Den was her anchor.

Artemis didn't know how long she stood that way--listening to his heart, riding the gentle heaves of his breathing, and gathering strength. It could have been just a minute or a small eternity. Pulling back, she touched her nose under Den's chin--respect to the Alpha--and laid a soft lick on his muzzle--a kiss for her mate. "I think we should get some rest, Lady," Temi said softly, turning to Sphinx while leaving out her name. Her clouding gaze then fluttered to the wide-eyed Tia. "He didn't mean it," she whispered, walking toward her distraught friend. The world was spinning around a golden center in the illness' attempt to regain control. Her next step was a stumble. "He didn't, he didn't--"

Artemis didn't remember her legs buckling under her, and she didn't remember why. She didn't know if she'd strayed too far from her center of the universe and had simply spun out of control. She didn't remember if that wretched illness had just taken over once more. She didn't remember exactly when the world went black. But, being suddenly unconscious, she wasn't remembering anything anymore.

Out of Character
OMG a post. It's been a long time :P

In Character

Den's breaths were heavy, coming with what felt like painful effort, and he had struggle to keep from hyperventilating. Settle down, Den. Ah, but it was anything but easy to stare into the face of the wolfess that he loved and see cold pools staring back. No, not cold. Temi's eyes would never be cold to him. They held the warmth and sweetness of a spirit that even memory loss could not change. But her gaze did not meet his with the fiery love that he had grown to count on. What wouldn't he give to see it back there again? But even if his angel never again returned his affections, the golden male would give his life to keep her safe and as happy as he could make her. If whatever sickness held her captive never let her go, and Artemis stayed as Diana, Den would still not give up on her. His heart was hers, laid at her feet to do with as she would.

His vision was clouded now, except for Temi before him, the rest of the world faded into a blur. He forgot his outburst at Tiamat, although he would remember later and be sorry. The ivory female was a dear friend, one who meant a great deal to him, and in cooler headed moments, he would realize that her words had only been meant as help, even if she had stepped out of line. Even in his anger, the suggestion that she go home had not been meant as she had taken it. The young Alpha had simply barked for her to return to her den, not to leave the packlands. In his most severe outrage Den would never tell Tia to leave Silver Creek. Never.

And he forgot Sphinx. When the snowy queen failed to speak, Den did not notice. When dawning recognition reached her turquoise eyes, he was barely aware, though again, it would hit him later. And even as she darted away, the knowledge was only in the back of his mind. For there in front of him, the blue gaze of Temi, Temi, suddenly became the one that he knew. She rose, and to him it was slow motion as she approached him, his breath catching as her tongue brushed his muzzle. Her voice was her own as his darling lorekeeper spoke to the others, and it was her whose silver fur tickled his nose as she rested her head on his shoulder, as she had done so many times before.

A surge of joy ran through him, brighter than the sun. The weariness that had weaved itself into the fiber of his being was suddenly gone. He was floating on a cloud, soaring through the sky with wings of love, with Temi by his side. In that instant, there was happiness. And then in a blink of an eye, the worry, the fear returned. The moments stretched into an eternity as the grey-toned wolfess buckled and fell to the ground. Terror gripped him where there had been relief only just before. A strangled cry escaped his throat as he shot a panicked glance to Tiamat. Standing over the unconscious form of Artemis, Den did not know what else to do but lower his golden head to hers, and gently ran his tongue along her face, over and over, whispering his love to her, begging the spirits not to take her from him.

Out of Character

Weird post

In Character
His heart was racing as the fear gripped him, but though it was strong, he maintained his head, or at least as much as could be expected. Exhaling a deep breath, the large golden male did not fail to note the steady rise and fall of Artemis' side - the tell tale sign of life. As long as she was breathing, there was hope, and one way or another he would get her to come back to him.

There was one glorious moment when Temi's lovely blue eyes opened and saw him, and there was her beautiful smile shared with the two wolves who stood with her. Then, she faded again into the darkness, but it was enough for Den. She had had a lot of strain over the last weeks, and if anything she needed rest. He would not leave her side again until she was better. How he was going to get her back to their home was another question. He was a rather large wolf, and he could no doubt support her weight, but with her unconscious, it was going to be quite an effort.

Tiamat though, dear Tiamat, offered words of comfort, and then of aid, and Den's sandy ears swiveled toward her welcome suggestion, he shot her an extreme look of gratitude. I'd appreciate it Tia... I kin carry most of 'er, but yer help would make a lotta difference. He looked down upon his angel again in silence for a moment, a tender expression held on his face, exposing the private thoughts within. But then, with a blink, he was looking again at the ivory advisor, holding her gaze firmly. He took a step closer to her, never breaking the eye contact. And I'm sorry Tiamat. That doesn't cover it, but I gist... well it's been a hard time, that's all. Ya know I don't ever, ever wanna lose ya. Yer one a mah best friends, n I love ya. Forgive me, please...
And with that, he turned, eyes down, in a manner not at all Alpha like, and stepped back toward Artemis. Giving her one more loving lick to the face, he shifted low to the ground, ready to lift her weight onto himself whenever Tiamat was ready to help him. Oh how he would be so thankful when this was all over. Sphinx should be Sphinx, Artemis should be Artemis, and he didn't entirely feel quite like GoldenShadow either. Only time would release them from this cursed sickness. But he would give it as much time as it needed, as long as things returned to the way they were supposed to be.