Life with Koda: Cont'd

[Nikiski]

Seeing the hunter pinning Ken'ichi, I yelled at the hunter.

"GO AWAY!"

It does get his attention and he turns to me, ready to throw the spear at me, but I'm too quick for him and before he can hurt me, I tackle him and he falls onto the ground.

"Ken'ichi, take this chance and run..."

I say between my breaths. Wait-a... what is he doing? Is he going to kill that hunter? No...

"Ken'ichi?"

Ken'ichi stands up... then just at the moment before he sends his claw down to kill the human... an arrow flies at him and it hits his chest.

"No! No!"

Ken'ichi stumbles and... no!

"Ni...ki..." Ken'ichi mutters. I am haunted, horrified by what I see... I can't say a word... I have my mouth opened... my eyes fixed on Ken'ichi... what? No... this is not what I want...!

"Nnnnnnnnnnnnnoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!"

Ken'ichi falls back as my voice echoes in the valley. Then I look down to see Ken'ichi on a rock, lifeless with his eyes open and his mouth open... the arrow in his chest has broken off, but I can see blood... his blood, stains his fur...

Images of our happy times together are seen in my mind... It's... those humans... they took Siraki's life away... and now Ken'ichi. Anger rages through my body. I feel my muscles tightened, my claws deepened into the muddy ground. I can't believe I've just lost another brother...

I look down the cliff once more... and I am determined...

"You shall see your death!" I yell to the hunters as I charge and attack.

This time is different. I'm fighting aggressively, for once. I take every single chance I have to attack. The three hunters are all poking those sticks, cutting me a few times, but that won't stop me. Ken'ichi, I'll... take revenge...

A forth hunter stabs his spear into my back. (OOC~ So now I have two spears in my back, pretty scary picture eh? XDD BIC~) I roared, but that won't stop me neither...

I stand on my hinge legs, roaring them away, they poke those sticks and I grab them with my mouth and snap them. I give one of the hunters a good slash, cutting his leg. They are terrified by my act and starts to run away... No way they're getting off this easy... I chase after them, slashing their clothes...

There is one chance when I can attack and possibly killing them all, but... what I told Ken'ichi earllier on echoes in my mind...

--- FLASH BACK STARTS ---

N: "Ken'ichi, you see... Killing those humans won't help... there isn't a need for revenge..."
K: "What?"
N: "Yes... killing those humans won't bring your family back to life, will it?"
K: "But..."
N: "No buts, Ken'ichi, leave those humans alone... don't forget, my brother was killed by humans and I still don't blame them..."
K: "..."
N: "So... promise me... don't pick a fight with the humans... OK?"
K: "But... what if they attack us?"
N: "Only if they attack us, you can fight... but fight defensively..."

--- FLASH BACK ENDS ---

After remembering that... I stop... and leave the humans running...

After the chasing, I return to the cliff... only to look at the lifeless Ken'ichi down below... I lie down, tear is flowing down like a river... I can't help myself...

"Ken'ichi..."

Darkness has overtaken me... once again... from the loss of blood...

[Spectrum]

OOC: This post will be a long one, so hold on,..,

[Talist]

OOC: Spectrum, I think I know exactly where you read that word, and yeah, it was something wrong with the board--I tried to fix that phrase three times.

I'd watched Kadzait bound off into the storm, feeling ecstatic at the idea of having a pack again, but at the same time, my thoughts darkened with concern for what might happen to this wolf--would his loyalties involve him in a challenge too great to be met? I firmly pushed that idea away, it was no good to conjure up trouble, and I needed to believe in Kadzait, not regret something that had not yet been lost.

Time to find company. Where have the others gone? It is strange that I've not even heard from Nertuark in the past while. No, he's probably in one of the caves, playing with the cubs until the rain stops. I turn in the direction Kadzait had come from, and pad toward the caves. Except, though the rain still pours down upon me, I am startled to see a flock of birds rise in frantic flight from the trees ahead of me. I freeze, then stumble forward in a pace-eating lope. Curse this rain. I hadn't sensed anything wrong before now, but something is certainly going on.

A cry of despair and rage echoes about the hills, and I find that it tears my voice from me in a howl, adding to the sound of pure grief. Why? My friends have suffered enough, all of them. Why couldn't they leave us alone? It is instinct that leads me now, and I plunge the slope to Ken'ichi's side as Nikiski returns.

[Truttle]

Before getting much rest, I am alerted by Roars and shouts from a struggle outside. I look at the scar on my leg and test my leg. It felt like I could move it. So I got up clumsily, feeling a bit tipsy. I walk out at the moment to see an arrow pierce Ken’ichi in the chest and fall over a ledge. I was exasperated but it was nothing compared to how Nikiski must have felt. He went into a wild frenzy and attacked all the hunters without holding back. Sending them to retreat back with Nikiski chasing behind them. I run over to the ledge from where Ken’ichi had fallen. His limp, bloody, body laid there, motionless. I go down to Ken’ichi’s aid.

[Spectrum]

Nearing every closer to the source of the faint roars and grunts, I hear human voices, yelling back and forth. We get close to yet another cave. We run towards it and I stop, Diamond nearly bumping into me. I turned around and sighed.

"Diamond...You stay."

"Stay? why-"

"Because I need you to stay here!"

"What for-"

"Just wait here!" I yelled as I ran off towards the direction of the sounds. I leaped into a line of shrubs and bushes, the rain tearing away at the limbs full of dark berries. I brushed straight through it all, making my way towards the yells. Finally, before my eyes, I saw Niki take down a human, laying him flat on the ground with a good tackle, his head below Ken'ichi's. But wait..What does Ken'ichi plan to do?? I watch him rise up on his hind legs , his paws in the air as he barely holds his body on the ledge and readies himself to come down upon the hunter's head. What is going on?!

"Ken'ich!?"

Then I look towards another hunter with a bow and arrow, and before my mind can track anything, the arrow goes flying straight for Ken'ichi.

"Watch out!!!" I yell. He looks up and sees the arrow before him, but it's too late. It all went so fast yet it went very slowly in my mind. The arrow purged through Ken'ichi's chest, thrusting him off the edge and making him fall down the cliff's edge. But not before I hear a slight whisper...it sounded like..."Niki..."

"Ken'ichi!!!!!" I yell out. Then, even without hearing me, Niki roars out "NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" loud enough to echoe through the rain... I watch as Niki yells toward the hunters,
"You shall see your death!"... I think to myself as I still look at the lifeless Ken'ichi, strayed upon the pedistal like edge obstructing from the side of the cliff. I look to see Niki fighting all the hunters with enourmas ferosity. It looked like he was in an outrage. I wasn't about to stop him. Once they were all gone, he returned to the cliff and fell down, sobbing out and crying... "Ken'ichi..." I saw him breathing harshly, almost completely worn out...I ran over with vicios speed and took my nature prism off my neck. I kneeled down before the unconcious Niki, and hovered the crystal above his face, letting it's green aura heal his wounds, as I closed my eyes and focused my power... It relieved him of his blood losing, and left him with only scars and scrapes that couldn't be completely dealt with right now. Then the aura disappeared as snatched the prism back and swished down in front of Niki, down the cliff to Ken'ichi, dropping to my feet on the side of the cliff, kicking myself down lower and lower, leaving Niki looking back and forth slowly. I knealt down beneath Ken'ichi's face and put my ear to his blood-stained chest, listening for a heartbeat. It sounded...very very quiet, but...yet there was a very faint pulse, thrimming through his chest. I gasped and stood up, looking at Ken'ichi's horror struck face. My prism could only do so much without the others, all I could do now with this was to keep him alive as I pull out the arrow head... I crouched down, shifted my wrist on the handle deeply embedded in his body, struck my prism to float above his chest right above the wound, and with full vigoricity, I pulled the weapon completely out. I heard a very sharp moan lifting from Ken'ichi's mouth, his eyes squinting hard, his thoughts and mind returning to him most likely, but he was still unconcious. I lifted him in my arms and leapt up toward the top of the cliff, careful not to drop Ken'ichi, as I sped upward and landed behind Niki.. I gave him a very poor look as he turned around and faced me.

"Spec...true? Is that...you??"

I nodded slightly.."Yes, Niki... Unfortunately I didn't get here fast enough..." I turned away, looking back at Ken'ichi, hardly breathing. I looked down back at Niki on the ground, the rain still pooring down on his fur. I mustof forgotten that I hadn't shown Niki my fox form quite yet...It was so dark though, I was surprised he could manage to reconize me anyway. I thought of Ken'ichi again, thinking that he may not be able to survive...

"My prism will only do so much for this... It may have helped you surive, but as for Ken'ichi, I may need to find another prism to help me. His wound is far too fatal for me to heal, and without the proper number of prisms, I can only let my prism slowly keep him alive.."

I walked toward Nikiski and pulled him on his feet.

"In order for me to do this and get another prism though, I will set my prism within your heart to use. You must keep Ken'ichi alive, any way you can. Remember, if you don't stay with him through this night, he won't make it to morning."

I walked in front of him and headed toward the cave that everyone may have lead astray from, where Diamond rests now.

"Diamond will help you keep Ken'ichi alive," I yelled back. "But it is you that I will bestow this crystal's power upon. You must take care of him. You must be his brother. Can you do this?" I asked, as I peered around me to see Niki walking slowly behind me. He nodded and agreed.

"Then let us head forth to the cave, and I will set Ken'ichi to your hands. I must find the other prism hidden in the volcanic area atop a mountain far away from here. If I find it, I will be able to heal anyone with this sort of damage completely. Any further than this type of wound, then you mine's well consider them dead." I said harshly.

"The prism I am going to find," I stated as we neared the cave
"Will contain the power of the wolf, a mighty creature I hear may have a truely remarkable speed and endurance, along with the final bit of aid I need to help Ken'ichi. If I find it, I will have the power to reincarnate into a wolf. Then, and only then will I have the power to aid him."

I turned around as we are at the cave.

"I hope you understand most of this Niki, and I expect that you will stay here with him and the others?"

I watched his face closely as the rain cleared up very slightly, the clouds moving once again. He looked at me determined and agreed once again...

"Alright. Then let's see..." I took the prism and pulled Niki closer to Ken'ichi as I laid him down in the middle of the cave. I readied myself for the power that I was going to give Niki...

OOC: Alright, Niki, do your part.

[Spectrum]

OOC:Sorry if I left some of you out of my post...I was typing it for a long time...heh...

[Spectrum]

OOC: The correct music theme for this scene would most like be this music, if you'd like to hear it. It is also Ken'ichi's theme, I believe. If you wanna, download it and listen to it as you read this.

www.ocremix.org/songs/Sonic_3D_Symphonic_Ruin_OC_ReMix.mp3

[Nikiski]

I wake up to see a fox... what? on two legs? I must be... dead or something... but, wait... I'm still in the same spot...

Dozens of thoughts came to my mind, but I see that fox holding Ken'ichi in his arms. The fox gives me a poor look. I notice the dark markings on his forehead and immediately I resemble Spectrue...

"Spec...true? Is that...you??"

He nods slightly.

"Yes, Niki... Unfortunately I didn't get here fast enough..."

He turns to look at Ken'ichi... then he continues...

"My prism will only do so much for this... It may have helped you surive, but as for Ken'ichi, I may need to find another prism to help me. His wound is far too fatal for me to heal, and without the proper number of prisms, I can only let my prism slowly keep him alive.."

I try to get up but the strength in me was drained away when I faught those hunters... Spectrue comes over and helps me to get up. I look at Ken'ichi, having a feeling that if there's a way I can exchange my life for his, I'll definately do it... Spectrue then continues his explanation.

"In order for me to do this and get another prism though, I will set my prism within your heart to use. You must keep Ken'ichi alive, any way you can. Remember, if you don't stay with him through this night, he won't make it to morning."

I'm kind of surprise to hear that... but... that's the best I can do... I guess... He walks to my cave...

"Diamond will help you keep Ken'ichi alive, but it is you that I will bestow this crystal's power upon. You must take care of him. You must be his brother. Can you do this?"

I weakly walk towards Spectrue as he asks me. I nod and agree. He continues.

"Then let us head forth to the cave, and I will set Ken'ichi to your hands. I must find the other prism hidden in the volcanic area atop a mountain far away from here. If I find it, I will be able to heal anyone with this sort of damage completely. Any further than this type of wound, then you mine's well consider them dead. The prism I am going to find, will contain the power of the wolf, a mighty creature I hear may have a truely remarkable speed and endurance, along with the final bit of aid I need to help Ken'ichi. If I find it, I will have the power to reincarnate into a wolf. Then, and only then will I have the power to aid him."

Spectrue turns around as we are at the cave.

"I hope you understand most of this Niki, and I expect that you will stay here with him and the others?"

I show my affirmative answer by nodding.

"Alright. Then let's see..."

I get closer to Spectrue as he puts Ken'ichi down on the ground.

[Ken'ichi]

OOC: Ken'ichi is down and out for now, and since Kadzait left for camp for a week, I'm going to post as Koda on this one.

BIC:
(Koda)
I wait in Niki's cave for the others to come back, they left to find Nertuark and have been gone an awful long time. I gasp in terror as I hear roars of pain and anger, they're in trouble, but Ken'ichi went with them. I'm afraid now, thinking of my friends, what if they get hurt? I sigh in relief when I see Nertuark coming back, but he's coming back alone, he looks scared, I am too.

"Nertuark, where's Ken'ichi and the others?"

Nertuark tells me that they have gone into a fight with hunters, that made my heart beat even faster. After a little bit more of waiting, Diamond enters the cave, looking all scared and wet.

"Diamond? You're back!" I say with a grin, but I'm still worried about the others, "Where's Spectrue and the others?"
===========================
After Diamond told me about Spectrue going to check something, me and Nertuark continue waiting. I smile when I see everyone coming back along with a fox, that can walk on two feet? I'm in the deep part of the cave with Nertuark as the others sorround the fox, as if they're looking at something. He does something with Niki and goes off somewhere, I slowly got out of the cave's shadows and walk over to them. My eyes widen when I see what they're looking at...

"KEN'ICHI!!!"

No...it can't be...Look at him, my best friend, wounded beyond anything I've ever seen. I shake my head in disbelief, tears starts to roll down my face as I see him, lying there on the ground, losing blood and he's not moving. He...he can't be gone...

"What...what happened to him?" I ask everyone with a breaking voice.

OOC: Just to let you all know, this post is intended after Spectrue leaves to find the other prism to save Ken'ichi's life.

[Spectrum]

As I held the prism beneath Niki's neck, I concentrated my power into the prism, releasing a strengthing gravitational hold of power into the prism. Then, before Niki's eyes, I shatter the prism into many pieces, and with a blink of an eye, I swiftly pierce them through Niki's chest, into where his soul may be. The prism disenfades within his spirit, and I sigh.

"It is done." He shakes his head in disbelief and feels allover his chest, looking for where they may have gone, for they did not hurt him at all, I notice a small aura in his eyes. They have a small tint of green in them now.

"Do not worry yourself with the thought that the prism is gone. It is within your soul and mind now, and will not come out until I make it come out. It does not hurt you, but it instead in turn helps you aid Ken'ichi. All you must do is keep within a short distance of Ken'ichi, and you must keep your mind and heart on him. Try not to stray your thoughts much farther than a few minuites, so keep thinking about him, and believe that you can heal him, believe that the will to survive is within him, and he will begin to breath much easier..."

I pointed to Ken'ichi breathing heavily and strongly. Niki's eyes closed as he thought long and hard, strong and visibly, he tensed up and embedded his thoughts on him. Soon enough, I saw Ken'ichi breathing much slower and easier...and calmer..

"There. Now you have worked it just right. What thoughts became of you? What did you think of, by interest? Joyful thoughts? Because those are the ones that work best, when you think of the good times you've had with someone you know. That is called friendship, a very unbreakable force anyone can have with a friend." I stood up and smiled. I looked to see the others deep within the cave.

"I am sorry, everyone, forgive me if I'm mistaken, but I did not tell you who I was, did I?"

Silence befallen, and then a faint whisper came from the ground.

"It's...It's Spectrue... It...is..." I looked to see Ken'ichi was actually speaking! I closed my eyes.

"indeed, Ken'ichi. Thank you. Now, please, do not arise from your rest right now." I told Ken'ichi, looking at his silver eyes, breaking a tear from that pain I knew he was feeling.. I heard him say something to Niki, and then fell back unconcious.

"I'm sorry to interrupt, but..." Diamond walked back to me, speaking out of turn. "If we hurry, we might be able to get Ken'ichi healed back before it gets too much later, if we start going now."

"Thank you Diamond, yes, let us go now." I walked near the exit.

"Niki," I said. "I trust you will take care of Ken'ichi?"

I heard him say yes, and I nodded.

"Alright, we will be back before too long. I will explain much more when we get back. Come, Diamond."

Me and Diamond raced out of the cave, leaving the others in the dark wet weather, the rain starting to slow to a small drizzel.

[Nikiski]

Spectrue holds the prism beneath my neck, then it shatters and the pieces pierce through my chest... Spectrue tells me that it is done, I shake my head, thinking where it might have gone since I didn't feel them at all as I feel all over my chest. Spectrue explains.

"Do not worry yourself with the thought that the prism is gone. It is within your soul and mind now, and will not come out until I make it come out. It does not hurt you, but it instead in turn helps you aid Ken'ichi. All you must do is keep within a short distance of Ken'ichi, and you must keep your mind and heart on him. Try not to stray your thoughts much farther than a few minuites, so keep thinking about him, and believe that you can heal him, believe that the will to survive is within him, and he will begin to breath much easier..."

Spectrue points to Ken'ichi who is breathing heavily and strongly. I close my eyes and begin to think about the times we are happy together: the time we spent together, when we watched the Northern Lights together, and my promise to him as a brother. Soon I hear Ken'ichi breathing much slower and easier. Spectrue says with a lighter tone.

"There. Now you have worked it just right. What thoughts became of you? What did you think of, by interest? Joyful thoughts? Because those are the ones that work best, when you think of the good times you've had with someone you know. That is called friendship, a very unbreakable force anyone can have with a friend."

"Well I was just thinking about the time we watched the northern lights together... and how I promised to be his brother..."

Friendship...

Spectrue stands up and turns to everyone else in the deeper part of the cave.

"I am sorry, everyone, forgive me if I'm mistaken, but I did not tell you who I was, did I?"

A long pause. I was going to say something when Ken'ichi on the ground says with a faint voice.

"It's...It's Spectrue... It...is..."

Spectrue says in reply.

"Indeed, Ken'ichi. Thank you. Now, please, do not arise from your rest right now."

I see a tear in Ken'ichi's eyes, and I can understand the pain. I put his head against my paw so that he feels better. He turns to me and says.

"I'm... sorry... Niki..."

I smiled, and before I can say anything, he falls unconcious again. The sun is about to set and the rain slows down. Diamond interrupts.

"I'm sorry to interrupt, but... if we hurry, we might be able to get Ken'ichi healed back before it gets too much later, if we start going now."

Spectrue agrees and starts walking towards the entrance of the cave.

"Thank you Diamond, yes, let us go now."

Spectrue turns back and asks.

"Niki, I trust you will take care of Ken'ichi?"

"Yes."

I think to myself... I'd give my all for him... not just to mention watching him... Spectrue says as he and Diamond race out of the cave.

"Alright, we will be back before too long. I will explain much more when we get back. Come, Diamond."

I turn my eyes back onto Ken'ichi, seeing him breathing calmly, I close my eyes, and start to do that thinking thing again.

=== FLASH BACKS ===

Flash back 1:

[When Ken'ichi got stuck in a trap when I first met him.]

N: "Hang on, little cub."
K: "Could this get any wor-"

Ken'ichi goes flying after I losened up the trap, he falls onto my back.

N: "You Okay there, little cub? I've never seen you around. I'm Nikiski."
K: "Ummm...my name is...Ken'ichi..."
N: "Hmm. So, where are you from, Ken'ichi?"
K: "Well, I just wander around the forest, last time I checked, I came from the mountains close from here and... I don't want to talk about it, I just came from the mountains, that's all."
K: "Well, thanks for helping me out of that trap."
N: "Ahh, we're going to the salmon run. Would you like to join us? I'm sure having another little bear with us will be a lot of fun!"
K: "Ok, why not..."
---

Flash back 2:

[After the fight after Ken'ichi runs off]

N: "Ken'ichi, you can ride on my back if you want to."
Ken'ichi looks puzzled.
N: "Ya, com'on!"
Ken'ichi hops onto my back.
K: "You're so warm..."
---

Flash back 3:

[Just arrived at the salmon run]

I jump into the river, splashing Ken'ichi and the rest of the group, then I catch a some fish for everyone to eat.

OOC~ I'm going to have more flash backs... later... in a little while... coz this post is getting a little long...

[Truttle]

As I was trying to think of something to help Ken'ichi when an odd looking fox creature that stood on two legs approached Ken'ichi and examined him. He took the arrow out of his chest, picked him up and leaped to the top of the cliff in a single bound.

"Huh?!"

I quickly try to get back to the top of the cliff. I see the fox taking Ken'ichi to the cave Nikiski following behind. I follow far behind and enter the cave. I enter to hear a discussion from the fox, who've I just realize was Spectrue from the sound of his voice. He explains that he has a way to heal Ken'ichi, but until then he won't be able to leave his side until then. Spectrue grants Nikiski the power of his prism and parts words before leaving for his journey. I had so many questions to ask spectrue but their were bigger things to worry about right now. I walk on over to see how they were doing.

"If you have to stay here with Ken'ichi, then your going to need food and water. I'll see if I can manage to get some for you and Ken'ichi. You stay here if you can try not to move Ken'ichi."

I head out of the cave wondering how I'm going to bring the supplies back to them.

"The food would be easy enough but the water would be a little difficult. I mean they can't drink any water in the cave. I may have to make a trip to the human village. I've seen them use very strange objects to carry things. Maybe I can find something to carry water. It will be very risky, but my friends are depending on my help. I'm ready to face any human. Its about time those horrible humans contribute with something instead of just taking."

OOC: I know this post is very blunt and quick, but I don't have much time left to stay awake. I'll try to make my next post a little more interesting. If possible.

[Nikiski]

OOC~ Okay, this is going to be like a list... if it really happens to be a part of a movie, the between-flashback-transition will be either a white out or black out for half a second.

BIC~

Flash back 4:

[Our race back to the salmon run after Spectrue leaves]

Playing around, running.

---

Flash back 5:

[Catching fish at the salmon run]

I catch some fish and share them with Ken'ichi and others.

---

Flash back 6:

[Ken'ichi gets stuck under a waterfal and I go and save him]

I go underwater and save Ken'ichi.

---

Flash back 7:

[Story telling and Ken'ichi running off]

Like... this is from my prospective...

Koda: "Hey Ken'ichi, he looks just like you."
Ken'ichi: "Yea, he reminds me of... my brother."
Koda: "You have a brother?"
Ken'ichi: "Forget I said that, let's pay attention to his story shall we?"
Koda: "Oh c'mon Ken'ichi, why didn't you told me you have a brother. What's he like? Is he older than you or younger?"
Ken'ichi: "I just... Can we please listen to the guy."
Koda: "Pleeeeeeaase."
Ken'ichi: "I'm sorry Koda, I'm not in the mood to do so ok?"
Koda: "Ok, you can tell me later."

After a while Ken'ichi runs off.

N: "Ken'ichi, where are you going?"

Concerned about Ken'ichi, I get up and go find Ken'ichi.

N: "Excuse me, I forgot that there's something I gotta do."

---

Flash back 8:

[Me talking to Ken'ichi while watching the northern lights]

N: "Ken'ichi... you know what?"
K: "What?"
N: "I had a brother, you know, right?"
K: "You...you did?"
N: "Yeah, you know, the one I talked about when I was wounded... his name is Siraki... I was happy with my brother, until one day... he protected me from the hunters... but he gave his life for me... I understand how you feel... You remember? I saw my brother today... in spirit form... and he gave me this... crystal thing... I believe that your loved ones are up there... happily together..."

---

Flash back 9:

[Ken'ichi agrees for me to be his brother]

N: "So Ken'ichi... do you want a big brother?"
N: "Can I be your big brother?"
K: "Yes...I would like that."
K: "Yeah... I would like that, big brother."

---

Flash back 10:

[Flash back of Ken'ichi with crystal, back from a meeting with his brother]
K: "Hey big brother, how about a race back to the salmon run?" N: "Hey, no fair!"

-- At the run, I arrive first ---

K: "No fair Niki, you took a head start."
N: "You took a head start after Spectrue left."
K: "I did not!"
N: "Did too!"
K: "Did not!"

---

Flash back 11:

[When Ken'ichi and I were at the river, we played together]

Splashing water all over.

---

Flash back 12:

[Ken'ichi and I walk back to our den]

K: "Wanna go back to our den?"
N: "Hhm... What are those marks for... you made them?"
K: "This happened when I was little, my brother was training me how to slash without making the wound worse, just for defending myself without having to kill the attacker. I just had to slash this tree without my claws without touching the tree with my paw. My brother did this one, showing me how it's done. I really had a hard time doing this, so he showed me one last time and did this one. This is where my brother hid my crystal. And with it, I carved my brother's name below his slash mark. Afterwards, I decided to give it another try at the slash, I did and I succeeded. And to give the final touch, I carved my name below my slash mark. I can now call this tree my Brotherhood Shrine. It sounds dumb but this way I have a little something from my brother and myself in this world forever."

---

Flash back 13:

[After finding Ken'ichi in the human village, Ken'ichi's on my back]

N: "Ken'ichi, feeling OK?"
K: "Niki...what's happening to me? My whole body is numb..."
N: "I don't know, Ken'ichi... I don't know... May be you'll feel better if you just lie down for a few seconds..."

--- Cuts to when we were at the river ---

N: "Ha, Ken'ichi, ready for some food?"
K: "I think so..."
I catch some fish and watch Ken'ichi eats it with Nertuark.

---

Flash back 14:

[The hugging part after I save Ken'ichi after the argument]

N: "I love you, brother."
K: "I love you too, big brother."

---

Flash back 15:

[Me showing Ken'ichi the paw prints on a piece of dry clay, promising him that I'll make one for him.]

N: "Have I shown you this?"
Ken'ichi shakes his head.
N: "Well, this is what my brother made me when I was four. See that? The smaller paw print belongs to me and the bigger one my brother's. He must have done this when I was asleep..."
I look at Ken'ichi.
N: "Well one day I'm gonna make one for you and me."

===

I slowly open my eyes as it is morning already... I've been staying up as I'm afraid that if any moment I stray my thoughts away from Ken'ichi I'll lose him forever... I haven't been eating anything as eating might take my thoughts away from Ken'ichi too... I look and find Ken'ichi still unconcious, but, he's breathing smoother and calm... I smile and I grab some wet clay just within my reach outside of the cave. I make it flat and put my paw on it to make a paw print, then I carefullt take Ken'ichi's paw and imprint it on the clay. I smile and put it against the cave wall to let it dry a bit.

I look at Ken'ichi again, whispering to myself.

"If I can take this pain from you... or if I can bear this pain for you... I would..."

OOC~ Phew! Too long!

Heh, Ken'ichi, it would be nice if you dream the scenes too

May be you can dream about things like why we become brothers, and / or why this accident happened... it's all a plot planned by the spirits... something like that will make this accident more significant...

Argh, can't sleep here... it's 3:30pm here and I can't sleep... it is pouring outside... actually, thunder showers... arararararar...

[Ken'ichi]

OOC: Heh, ok then, dreams for Ken'ichi. It'll be third person posts

BIC:
(Ken'ichi)
A dream to the past, many people have treasured them, others have grown to hate them. Ken'ichi is one of those who hates them, never a happy moment in his past ever since his family was brutally taken away.

"What do you want?" Ken'ichi asked rudely.

Unfortunately, again this dream of the past is another of those...nightmares. This time, he's dreaming of the events he has passed through a few months before meeting Kenai, Koda and the others.

"I just wanted to check up on you." A black grizzly calmly answers.

Yes, this same black grizzly was the bear that has saved Ken'ichi's life from the wound he had recieved from the hunters when he tried to save his father.

Ken'ichi just glared at the grizzly, "If you want to check up on me everyday, then why not take me in to your family?!"

The grizzly didn't seemed unfaced by the glare, "I do not intend to, I'm getting too old to raise another cub. Besides, after a couple of more years you'll be old enough to take care of yourself."

"Yea right, you still have your three cubs to look after, what's so different about me?"

Ken'ichi's attitude and personality was greatly affected by his family's death, he used to be a thoughtful and care-free cub. But ever since the humans have taken away his family, Ken'ichi has growned stronger, more aggresive...even darker. The cub he used to be is no longer there, just a lonely cub with his soul growing darkness every day.

"I can see it in your eyes." The grizzly said as he looked at Ken'ichi's eyes, but Ken'ichi just scoffed and turned around. The grizzly continued, "You hold a grudge to them, aren't ya?"

"Now you see?" Ken'ichi rudely asked, "After seeing them kill my family, now you know that I hate them?!"

"It's blinding you..." The grizzly muttered, but loud enough for Ken'ichi to hear, "With that anger clouding your heart, nothing will be made easy." Ken'ichi goes to leave, "It's going to be your downfall Ken'ichi!"
-----
The scene flashes back to the fight and shows Ken'ichi fighting aggresively with the hunter before the arrow struck him.

"This type of anger is going to blind you many times in your life if you keep it." The grizzly's voice says over the scenes.

The scene then flashes forward to where Ken'ichi is standing on the edge of the cliff with the human lying on the ground before him facing up.

The grizzly continues as Ken'ichi stands up on his hind legs, getting ready to give the final blow to the hunter, "If you put this anger aside and look into your heart and forget of what the humans did to you, your mind would be pure and you would make the right decisions."

The grizzly continues as the scene goes to when Ken'ichi is struck down by the arrow, "And with this anger out of your heart, disasters will be averted."
-----
Ken'ichi stands there, his back turned to the grizzly, "Thanks for the lecture." He said sarcastically, "Now if you excuse me, I'm going somewhere else where I can live alone."

"You can't run away forever like this." The grizzly told Ken'ichi. But Ken'ichi just sighed and walked away.

The camera makes a close-up of Ken'ichi's face, he closes his eyes and when the camera zooms out he's unconsciously flying through the sky, taking him to wherever the dream will show him next.

OOC: What do ya think? I'm not too good when writing dreams that include a 'mystical' feel and when the dream includes slight flashbacks.

[Nertuark]

I see Nikiski, Ken'ichi and Sila for help. I quickly run behind Sila, then Sila tells me to go back to the cave as it is safer. So I did.

I see Koda inside the cave. He asks.

"Nertuark, where's Ken'ichi and the others?"

"They... they... are in a fight with the humans..."

Hunters! Aah! Scary!

I see a husky enters the cave, I am not sure who she is and I go deeper into the cave.

===

I see everybody looking at something, and I try to take a peek, except that is the scariest thing I've seen... Ken'ichi lying there wounded... badly. I've never... seen so much blood... the blood stained his fur... I run behind Sila's leg...

OOC~ I'm trying to make Nertuark REALLY act like a kid... but if you have better suggestions, let me know