If you run away, who can catch you?

[.:Aryan:.]

Mali slightly growled. I was playful yet serious at the same time. "I am healthy enough" She then nose him and nuzzled, wagging her tail as well. Then turned to her father who had this little twinkle in his eye. "But you should get some rest Daern."

"Mali, I will determine when it is time for bed my dear." Mali yawned tiredly though and nodded. "Do you mind?" She smiled and curled up, quickly asleep.

Daern then looked upon Ryu. "You already mean the world to her m'boy. I can see it in her eyes.

[Night]

Ryu was tooken off gaurd by that statement. He gave a small smile, though. "I am?" he asked, a bit surprised. He looked at Mali. She was beautiful, but he was afraid to tell her that. He the looked back up at Mali's father. "Am I really that important to her?" he asked, now calm again. His dark fur was still damp, but he felt warmer than before. He didn't know if it was because of his feelings or just because they were in a dry place.

[.:Aryan:.]

Daern chuckled, the scar upon his eye raised a bit. He nodded. "Yes...yes, boy" He smiled and looked upon his sleeping daughter. She had grown so much since he, he had,Banished her. He shook his head in regret the turned to Ryu. "Can you tell me you won't hurt her?" He asked politely?.

[Night]

Ryu nodded. "I would never hurt her or let anyone else hurt her, while I'm around," he said. "Why do you ask?" he asked, looking straight at Mali's father's face. He wondered where he had gotten the scar from, but didn't bother asking incase it brought back bad memories.

[.:Aryan:.]

Daern looked upon Ryu with a look of grief. "I have done much to her, so much I lost her. I banished her from the pack in hopes of keeping my new mate. I don't even know her anymore." She looked away, pools resting upon his daughter. "She deserved so much better than what I've given her." Daern shook his head then looked at him. "Can you giver her better, If so, It Is my time to go" He smiled, then walked over to his daughter and nuzzled her. He then caressed her face and ear with a warm tongue. "Take care, my daughter."

He then nodded to Ryu. "I will be watching" He tipped his diadem in respects and trotted out of the cave. Then justed before hit he the fog, he just faded. There was no longer scent of this gone brute. But he's there.

[Night]

Ryu blinked, shocked. "H-he's not alive?" he studdered. He went to where the wolf disappeared and sniffed, but he didn't smell anything other than Mali, the forest, and himself. He looked around, just making sure he wasn't halucinating. He then stepped back and looked at Mali. He laid down next to her, nuzzled her cheek quickly and then fell asleep. Please watch over her if I can't. He thought, hoping Mali's father would hear.

[.:Aryan:.]

Mali scooted to the warm body next to her as it licked her and nuzzled her. Then suddenly it wasn't there. Then once again it was and it now laid next to her and she smiled and curled up. A slight hush of wind caught her, cascading her to her whirl of dreams. That breeze was so comforting. That breeze also whispered into Ryu with a slight warmth. Hoping he would know.

[Night]

Ryu woke up the next day to the warm sun hitting his pelt. He got up slowly, stretching. He walked out of the small cave and looked around. It was dawn and the dew covered forest sparkled. He thought of Mali's father and looked up at the sky. He had promised to look after the wolf's daughter and he would keep that promise, no matter what.

[.:Aryan:.]

Mali felt the pressure of another's body fade and her eyes snapped open. "Dad? Ryu?" She looked up to Ryu The realized they were alone. She began to speak "Where's Da-?" She sighed "Nevermind, I just had the weirdest dream." She spoke, shaking her head then walked over to him, nuzzling. "Good morning" she smiled.

[Night]

Ryu heared Mali get up and turned to her. He smiled. "Good morning," he said, nuzzling her cheek. "And about that dream of yours," he began. "What was it about?" he asked, laying down on the ground. His tail made a slight thumping noise as it wagged lazily.

[.:Aryan:.]

"It was nothing" She smiled and jogged out of the cave into the warm sunlight. She smiled and stretched then looked back at him. "Care for a bath?" She chuckled and jogged own a nearby trail. She then jumped over a small long then jumped across a damn. Finally she came to a small sanded area leading to the lake. She inhaled and then sat on her haunches, waiting.

[Night]

Ryu watched as Mali ran off. He got up and bounded after her, his long legs giving him the extra boost to jump over the log. He easily leaped over the small damn. He slowed down as he saw her waiting for him. He stood next to her. "You first," he said, giving a wolfish smile.

[.:Aryan:.]

She gave him a daring looked and smirked. "My Pleasure" She then swiftly turned and darted to the water's edge, quickly swimming within its body. She howled out to him."Your turn" she said smartly.

[Night]

Ryu watched her. He bounded after her, leaping in the air right before he touched the water's edge. He landed with a splash a few feet away from Mali. The water felt nice against his hot fur. He swam over to the she-wolf. He touched his nose to hers.

[.:Aryan:.]

She looked at him with her large butterscotch pools. White fur now slightly darkened. When he nosed her she replied back with her nose. Finally she beganto head back to the shore and shook herself dry. In the end she raised her majestic head and sang out her song.