03-24-2012, 12:29 AM
Last Chapter: Amy kills some members of a household in order to retrieve an old human script. Returning to the home she has occupied while in the city Amy takes a hot bath, only to have Shadowfang walk in on her. Angered by this she takes him out into the woods far from the others and attacks him, determined to inflict punishment for his actions. Instead he ends up pinning her, forcing her to declare themselves even, her debt to Shadowfang cleared by the view he had taken.
As likely as it seemed that Shadow and Amy would have gone separate ways after their fight, that was not the case. Shadow ended up sticking around and continuing to follow and help Amy with her missions and her errands. Even though he was still hanging around there was an easy to see aura of challenge between the two. Shadow had won the fight and had gotten what he wanted out of it, but now he would have to be on guard at all times and await a random attack from her. Due to this Shadow kept training whenever he had a free moment but he trained twice as hard, and twice as long. He remembered her moves and thought of ways to beat them. he took in consideration her sword, showing knives and daggers and he mentally and physically prepped his body for the next coming battle. When he was around Amy however, he was silent and confident, only speaking when she asked him something and only saying what needed to be said.
Being followed by the dark wolf was not relaxing in the slightest. Even worse was the act that nothing had changed, that she was still above him, still worth more. The lie wore at Amy, gnawing at her heart as she slept. Several times she had tried to escape him, leaving in the middle of the night for her next destination, suddenly changing her plans. She didn't have it in her to tell him to just leave, finding herself unable to challenge him as he was her superior now.
Every day was spent training, working on becoming stronger. She had to be able to defeat him. She just had to. The worries and fears she had banished from her soul by becoming the strongest and most feared had returned. Nightmares started at night, the death of her sister playing over in her mind, or even worse, the eyes of her brother following her. It was made worse by the fact that she didn't know whether or not he was dead, just gone from the family. Erased.
Unable to bring herself to attack him, uncertainty eating at her, Amy decided to return to her family home. Her attendants had long since fallen away, unable to keep up with the dark dance between her and Shadowfang. There was just the two of them now, and the promise of Amy striking him the moment he showed weakness. It was too bad he didn't seem to be showing any.
Entering in Amy wandered through the mansion. It had been redone, built to perfection by the carpenters, sanded and reworked into true art. Entering the living room Amy swept into a curtsey, blue dress swirling around her body. "Hello, Father." Emeric looked up at his daughter, surprised to see her back. "Hello daughter. Who is this that you brought with you?" Amy indicated to Shadowfang, careful not to show the unease she felt, the need to attack him and bring him down. "His name is Shadowfang. He's an assassin."
Shadow knew how this would work and he would have to show the same respect or even more given who they were talking to. Shadow walked forward a couple steps and then took one arm and crossed it infront of his chest as he bowed low. He said nothing while bowed for his name was already spoken and there was no more reason to speak. Again he was doing the dance of one who was a slave but it mattered not. He knew he wasn't a slave and that his skills were proof of that. He waited until he saw the right signal to stand up again and he did. After he stood he placed behind behind Amy again so that she could converse with her father and if he had any questions he would answer them without fail or hesitation.
Emeric watched Shadowfang bow before him, noting the courtesy and confidence. "It appears you finally met met your match." Amy flushed, knowing that he had seen the strength in Shadowfang, that the assassin was no servant. "I'm afraid so." Her shame was great, unable to truly face him. Emeric shook his head before turning back to the wolf. "Welcome to my home. Please, make yourself welcome."
Shadow nodded lightly and then spoke in reply to the offer. "Thank you for your kindness and for allowing me into such a wonderful and well built home, your family has surtainly done well for it's self and your familys strength is know far and wide." He smiled lightly and then held his tongue until next he would be asked a question or told something that needed a reply. Shadow couldn't help but think about when or where Amy would strike next. Obviously she would not attack him while standing before her father, but anywhere else was free game. It was getting tiring to have to always watch your back but he had done it when he was alone so he could do it now, and he would not falter. Amy would find no opening, if she wanted to taste his blood again she would just have to come for it outright.
Amy listened as Shadowfang spoke. His words did her credit, even if he was the reason why she had returned in shame. Emeric beamed with all the pride of a loving father, the disguise the head of the house wore before generous guests. The family was tight knit, but underneath the warm demeanor he wore Emeric was the most vicious and powerful of her entire family. He had built them from the ground up, taking the legacy left by his father and turning it into something none could deny.
Amy nodded her head and turned, leaving the room. They were dismissed then, and Amy would find her bedroom. She wanted to rest from the constant watchfulness, let the fear stop. Even if she was at the bottome of the hierarchy at the moment due to the assassin's actions, she was still a member of the family, and would be protected.
Walking through Amy flinched slightly as she caught sight of her aunt Sofia. The flamboyant red female walked towards them, hair curled up and golden bracelets jangling. As the leader of the prostitutes in the area Sofia had to be the best, the most beautiful, the most seductive. The black skirt hitching off her body and barely buttoned blouse did well to show off the curves that the Sunders family carried, somehow managing to appear even more boisterous than the elegant blond dog. The wolf blood had dealt well with Sofia, as she turned her gaze onto Shadowfang. "Well well, niece. Looks like you've brought back something quite nice for me. Interested in a job, handsome?"
Shadow's eyes looked to the female and watched her intently but not like the gaze of a male looking to a wolf in heat, his was the gaze of a wolf who would not be swayed and who would not be played with. Shadow heard the offer and in all honesty there was nothing stopping him from enjoying the woman's company, however there was one problem. As Shadow looked to her he saw nothing he wanted and the idea actually amused him, why wasn't he attracted to this woman, and what's more, why did he want to stay at Amy's side. Amy wanted to attack him and make him pay for beating her and yet here he was with an option to get away from the one who wanted him punished, and yet he wanted to stay with Amy. Shadow shook his head lightly and spoke still being polite but getting the point across. " Forgive me, but I can not. Maybe another time, my lady." He looked to Amy and waited for her to move and he followed without another word.
Watching her aunt Amy found herself hating the bright female. The look thrown her way made it quite clear that the news of Amy's defeat was already spreading through the family. Her place in the pack would be tested now, seeing if she was still worthy of the family, if she could still hold her place. Being challenged by Sofia was ridiculous, as Amy knew she could defeat the colorful female. That didn't matter in her family though. What mattered was the success one had, and the strength one had to enforce it. Amy had failed in that aspect, full of success but easily toppled by a single wolf.
Her gaze averted, head high as she refused to acknowledge the challenge in the other's gaze. Shadowfang's refusal didn't surprise Amy, knowing that it wouldn't be so simple to get rid of the pest. She had been trying for a while, after all. It was no problem if he was an alpha in his own right, but to stay with her and keep challenging her position was a nuisance. She'd even been forced to retreat to her home to have a break. She didn't think Shadowfang would be interested in whoring himself out anyways.
Moving along Amy crossed down, finally reaching her room. Turning to Shadowfang she opened her mouth to tell him to find his own, before shutting it again. Her family was dangerous, and leaving him out there exposed to them wouldn't be right. No, she'd keep him with him, at least until she felt confident that he could handle them. After that, well, her own actions would determine whether or not this would be her last time with her family. Entering her room she waved Shadowfang in. Closing the door Amy moved to the bed, slipping off the dress she had worn. Pulling a nightie out of the closet Amy dressed herself before moving into her bed and closing her eyes to sleep, keeping the stress from showing in her form.
His eyes didn't linger on her as she moved however, the moment she wasn't looking at him he did take a glance. What was it about her that made him keep looking. He tossed the thought from his mind and found a chair in the corner of the room and he sat down having his arms crossed and then he closed his eyes. What he saw when his eyes closed he did not expect. Shadow saw within his thoughts and memories the fight he had with Amy, body close and blood being exchanged in both strikes and with teeth. His mind focused however on when they were close to one another and he was on top of her and biting into her neck. He saw it all happen as if it was being replayed , however when it should have stopped and he would have gotten up he kissed her passionately on the lips. The image even though it was wanted,was surprising and he opened his eyes only to find that he had fallen asleep, was he that tired? Or was it something more that made his thoughts betray him?
Amy's own sleep was much less restful. She had kept the fact that nightmares were plaguing her hidden for the most part. This night was even worse than most though, back in the home where it had happened. As a pup again she wandered down the halls, hungry and wondering if the blood was something good to eat. Things changed as she reached the end though. Opening the door she was an adult, her brother replaced by the black wolf she couldn't shake herself free from. Blood ran down his face as he held her sister's tiny limp body. He mouthed the words, 'you are in my debt'. Amy tried to move back, but he was on top of him, pinning her down, and his teeth was sinking into her neck, and she was going to die-
Amy bolted up, teeth bared into a snarl. There was no way she was going to submit. She would fight. Wildly her head whipped around the room, mind racing with fear as she tried to figure out what was going on. Shadowfang wasn't on top of her, the scent of blood didn't cling to her fur. Lifting a hand Amy touched the scar on her neck from their battle, wishing it wasn't there. Glancing over at Shadowfang she sighed with relief, thinking he was still asleep. Perhaps now would be the time to end this nightmare, to pin him down. The fear was still fresh though, keeping her on her bed, unable to do anything but draw herself up, planning her attack.
He saw Amy move violently and knew she had a bad dream. His eyes closed and he continued to mimic the breathing rhythm he had when asleep and he even twitched and his body was held there relaxed and dead. It was among his best techniques, the ability to mimic sleeping down to the switching and slight movement of a lip, or flick of an ear. He wondered if Amy would attack him right there in the room. Maybe he would submit and not put up a fight at all. Wait, what? Not put up a fight, what was he thinking. The moment he was beaten she would think herself better than him but on the other hand if he didn't fight back then she would be able to fully except the fight and she would want him to defend himself. He was confused and unsure what his actions would be if she attacked him but regardless he was ready, he was a sleeping killer. A snake coiled and ready to strike at a moments notice.
Courage slowly seeped through Amy's veins as she sat through, growing more and more furious. The truth of the matter was she hadn't even been bested at her best. Amy used her secui form for fighting, but pride had kept her from shifting, believing that she could take him down without it. That underestimation had cost her a battle that she hadn't been able to afford to lose. It had changed everything, made her question her life.
Crouching on the bed Amy looked at herself. Shifting now would be a good idea, but the noise would probably wake him up. Then she'd have to fight him without the weakness of sleep standing between them. The flimsy nightgown clung to her pale form in the moonlight, Amy slowly shifting her balance. Not a noise was made, dampening her own killing intent to keep it from awakening him. After all, one's intent could give one away just as easily as a sound. Making herself fade into the room was difficult, used to having her presence shout volumes at those around her. Slowly though, her presence faded, until Shadowfang might as well have been alone.
With this presence, Amy finally made her move. All the uncertainty, fear, and rage he had caused her was channeled in her leap. Forcefully she slammed into him, prepared to knock him to the ground and pin him like he had done to her. Fangs went for his throat, wanting to force his submission. The situation was reversed, or at least she hoped it would be with her rapid movements.
He thought as she leaped through the air, the action he would take against her. Again she was attacking him and again she underestimated his ability. He knew that given the ways of there last fight she would want to tackle him exactly as he had done and she would bite him. He knew this truth because he would have done the same. Show your enemy the same pain and weakness that you had received. He waited as the wind picked up and he threw out a sold straight grab and his hand hit home around her neck. He opened his eyes the moment she had stopped and he looked at her with a cold, all knowing type of look. He growled low and then he sat up and used all his strength to toss her back with a hard push and then slowly he stood as he looked to her, a demon within his bi-colored eyes. " come on...." He lowered to all fours and waited for her move. this was going to end one way or another..., either he would win, or she would, but perhaps another option was available, one he thought of earlier.
His fist clenched around her neck, and Amy realized she'd fallen for a stupid simple trap. Tossed back Amy scrambled, fear lighting her eyes. He wasn't facing the demon or the warrior, but the frightened pup who had watched her sister's murder. If he had been in another room Amy would have been able to take the time to think, instead of recklessly attacking, still enthralled in the nightmare. He moved to all fours, Amy moving to take control. Swallowing the fear down Amy pushed herself up. Her tail stood tall behind her as she considered how she would fight. Moving Amy began the slow shift to secui, making sure that she was capable of defending herself while the shift was finished. In her monstrous form Amy held herself taller, the nightgown discarded to the side.
He watched her and did attempt to move a muscle. His body readied and was like a spring ready to be released. He saw her change and he thought that he could do that same and match her and so he did. He shifted with her and finished at exactly the same time and he to was now a monster like her. He dug his claws into the ground lightly and he bared his teeth as he mirrored her actions, when she would circle left he would circle right and so on. He lowered his head as his eyes bore into her's as he looked into her soul, since the eyes were the gate to such a thing. " Amy...what do you fear...." He saw the pup and wanted her released but he knew he had to fight a demon to get to it. And he would, he would fight anything and anyone to help another and Amy, she was no different.
Amy bared her fangs at Shadow, searching, always searching for a weakness. She was tired of this dance of theirs, unable to flee, unable to fight. He had her well and truly trapped, with no way of avoiding him. "I fear nothing." Amy lunged forwards, faster and stronger than she had been in optime form. This was her true skill. Her ability was so much greater, allowing her to take a bite out of him before leaping back, untouched.
He saw the bite coming and rather than even try to act or move he stayed his teeth. he looked at her and sighed and he shifted again with slight pain due to the bite and he was now kneeling in his Optime form. " What are you trying to prove?...who are you attacking when you look at me like that...." " What pains you so..." He stayed on his knees and with one arm on the ground holding him up as he looked into her eyes deep, trying to find that girl he use to know. " This is more than proving yourself..." If she were to come at him and try and pin him he would let her and he wouldn't fight back.
She watched the black beast shift into optime form. Wary, she kept her distance. The questions brought nothing but growls from her, fear flickering in her eyes. Backing away from him Amy returned to optime form, clutching the nightgown to her body. Swiftly she spun to the window. There was no glass in them, the windows long since shattered by time and the violence the home had witnessed. Diving out she fled for the woods, running like never before.
'Amy!" He took off after her and he dashed from where he sat and as he dove for the window he went through and then rolled to his feet once hitting the ground and he trailed after her. She was fast but he had a larger stride and would be able to keep up. They burst through the bushes and trees barely missing them and sometimes grazing some. They were moving so fast it was as if they were flying. He had seen it, more powerful now, the child that fought to escape the hellish prison within her own mind. He had weaken the barriers with his words and his lack of action. The demon fought and used anger to cover the sadness, he understood now and he would not lose his friend!. "Amy fight it....fight the fear and the anger, you are stronger than your pain!" He kept low making sure to dodge the high branches and the low ones, he moved as if he knew the forest, and he had too for if he didn't he would lose his chance to save Amy.
He was following her yet again. She would never be free of this wolf, this black male that followed her with burning eyes that always questioned her. Diving to the side Amy stood, sides heaving. Her clothes were clutched in a fist as she leaned against the tree, hoping he would pass her by.
He saw her move and he kept running as if he saw nothing. His foot steps were heard going by and then slowly they faded away into the distance. Meanwhile Shadow had taken to the trees. and was making his way back and due to the trees being so think it was easy to hide his movements and to not make any sounds. He would need to grab her from behind and talk to her and force her to hear him out and to do that he would have to catch her off guard. He moved from one tree to the next all while keeping his eyes on the prize, She was his mission now and he never failed at a mission. He would save his friend from her own mind.
It seemed she was finally free of him. Shaking with the exertion Amy sunk down. She slipped the nightgown back on. Blond hair fell down her back, thick and wavy. The moonlight lit her up, making her appear as a ghost, soundless in the area. If one didn't know her they would think she was the ghost of an unfortunate lover, killed in a tragedy. Leaning against the tree she closed her eyes, relaxed.
She relaxed...now was the time. He dropped from the branch above her and held his hands ready to grab her quickly. the very moment his feet touched the ground next to her his arms shot forward going under her arms holding them above her head so she couldn't use them and they were far enough away so that even if she did scream no one would hear her and stop him from what he needed to do to save her soul. He lifted her and pulled away from the tree so she had no leverage and his legs stood ready to block any kicks that would be aimed for him. He had the upper hand, and he needed to use it.
" Amy....what happened when you were a pup....you were happy, care free, innocent. What happened to change that, why do you hide that pain within your eyes and cover it with anger. Where is the little pup who's tail wags and she asks for a black pup to be hers....Tell me...." He spoke but he didn't yell, he didn't have to, her ears were right there and she could hear everything he said. He knew she would, and he knew she would fight to keep those memories hidden and away from everyone, even her self
A black blur dropped down behind her. Amy whirled, already in a fighting pose. One hand gripped for where her sword was supposed to be, only to remember that it was gone, stored in the house where she had felt safe. Her arms were grabbed and she was pinned again. Helplessly she twisted in his grip, trying to work free. Bright brown eyes glared into his mismatched pair. His question was met with another growl. "You know nothing about me." It's true, she had asked to purchase him, but she had been a child, foolish and stupid. Swinging herself by his arms Amy propelled himself to kick him in the stomach.
He moved his stomach to the side dodging the kick and then he twisted and forced her to her back and again he was on top and looking down into her eyes as he spoke." Don't hide it...tell me what killed your innocence. I will not let you up otherwise..." He positioned his legs to holds hers and his hands had her wrists once again, he didn't want to do this to her but he had seen the pain and wanted to free that part of her soul." Let me help you...."
The bloody assassin managed to dodge her strike, and again she was on the ground, staring at him and completely dominated. The thin fabric between them felt like even less than last time, so thin that Amy could feel his fur brushing against her through it. Amy might like the thin silky fabric for sleeping in, preserving her modesty while letting her cool down, but in a situation like this it was completely inappropriate. An ugly laugh slipped through her at his words. "Innocent? I was never innocent. I grew up watching my family break the bones of others, listening to them discuss how they had torn apart the families that opposed them. I believe the innocent are ignorant of these facts of life."
"You know what I am talking about! Why are you afraid! Why can't you tell me! Miss big bad assassin! Look at you. You're on the ground and i'm on top. I am Alpha. You can't be due to your fear! spit it out!" He didn't want to go the route of the evil, manipulative assassin but she was fighting and the demon wouldn't let go. he would have to push her buttons to get the answer he wanted he would have to make her think back on the horrible moment and re live it, she would have to do all this in order to be saved. It was going to be hard and she might even want to die from reliving whatever hell she was avoiding but he had too....he had to torture her and hurt her, to save her breaking soul.
Amy's ears flattened at the assassin's words. He was correct, and she hated it. He was alpha, dominating over her. To hear that fear was holding her back just had her growl. She was afraid of nothing except for one small thing. "It doesn't matter. It happened a long time ago. It doesn't effect me." Big fat lie, but Amy didn't care. She didn't like being forced like this, knowing there was no choice.
"It doesn't matter huh? If it doesn't then tell me. What happened! If you don't care then telling me should be easy! Unless you are afraid of it! Admit if you are afraid of what you don't want to tell me, you know what they call that? Weakness." She was so big on not having a weakness and he found her's He pulled it out and dangled it infront of her making her see it and know that it couldn't be hidden, not from him.
Amy flinched at the words, hating the fact that she did have a weakness. "No! Not weakness. I simply don't care for the fact that my brother betrayed my family! It's shameful!"
Your brother killed your family......* He still held her but he wasn't holding so hard and wasn't trying to hurt her, He mearly held tight enough so she couldn't get away, and so that she couldn't hurt him. He looked deep into her eyes and spoke softly." Thats the pain you have been holding back for so long....Your brother killed his own family...and yet not you..."
Amy gazed into his eyes, hating what he had made her say. It was a secret to never be spoken, never told to an outsider. Her lack of strength was a dishonor. She had been forced to submit, to tell what should have never been told. Her head was shaken at his words. "He killed my sister. He was my litter mate. He didn't kill me only because he was too late. My parents were already there." Amy didn't know whether or not he was dead, that was the worst part. Not knowing what they had done after taking her away from there. He might have been killed, or exiled, and she didn't know.
He let his hands go and climbed off her and he expected an attack and he would let it happen, he gotten his answer and now that the memory of it was placed in the light she would have to confront it and so would he. He wasn't going to leave her alone after just getting the answer. He needed to stay there by his side and now the hard part was coming. She would want to release her anger and her pain and he was going to play the part of the punching bag.
Shadowfang finally climbed off her. Amy stood up, brushing the dirt off. Trembling with rage she glared at the wolf before her. She refused to attack him, refused to let him have any part of her. "You are Nothing." With those words Amy stripped his existence from her mind. He was nothing to her, not even someone to acknowledge in passing. They might as well have been strangers. Amy stalked away, loose hair tugging back slightly as she moved towards the mansion again. Once she got there maybe she could cry.
Shadow didn't follow, To follow her would only make it all worse. He knew that not being in the mansion would be dangerious. He watched her go and knew that over time she would come to him, if not then at least he had gotten his answer and knew why she had become so cold. He looked up and climbed the tallest tree and purched himself on a large branch high above the ground floor. It was wide enough to hide his form but his smell would be picked up. he had no idea the routs of patrols or even if there were any. Being as powerful a family as they were, odds are there would be none.
As likely as it seemed that Shadow and Amy would have gone separate ways after their fight, that was not the case. Shadow ended up sticking around and continuing to follow and help Amy with her missions and her errands. Even though he was still hanging around there was an easy to see aura of challenge between the two. Shadow had won the fight and had gotten what he wanted out of it, but now he would have to be on guard at all times and await a random attack from her. Due to this Shadow kept training whenever he had a free moment but he trained twice as hard, and twice as long. He remembered her moves and thought of ways to beat them. he took in consideration her sword, showing knives and daggers and he mentally and physically prepped his body for the next coming battle. When he was around Amy however, he was silent and confident, only speaking when she asked him something and only saying what needed to be said.
Being followed by the dark wolf was not relaxing in the slightest. Even worse was the act that nothing had changed, that she was still above him, still worth more. The lie wore at Amy, gnawing at her heart as she slept. Several times she had tried to escape him, leaving in the middle of the night for her next destination, suddenly changing her plans. She didn't have it in her to tell him to just leave, finding herself unable to challenge him as he was her superior now.
Every day was spent training, working on becoming stronger. She had to be able to defeat him. She just had to. The worries and fears she had banished from her soul by becoming the strongest and most feared had returned. Nightmares started at night, the death of her sister playing over in her mind, or even worse, the eyes of her brother following her. It was made worse by the fact that she didn't know whether or not he was dead, just gone from the family. Erased.
Unable to bring herself to attack him, uncertainty eating at her, Amy decided to return to her family home. Her attendants had long since fallen away, unable to keep up with the dark dance between her and Shadowfang. There was just the two of them now, and the promise of Amy striking him the moment he showed weakness. It was too bad he didn't seem to be showing any.
Entering in Amy wandered through the mansion. It had been redone, built to perfection by the carpenters, sanded and reworked into true art. Entering the living room Amy swept into a curtsey, blue dress swirling around her body. "Hello, Father." Emeric looked up at his daughter, surprised to see her back. "Hello daughter. Who is this that you brought with you?" Amy indicated to Shadowfang, careful not to show the unease she felt, the need to attack him and bring him down. "His name is Shadowfang. He's an assassin."
Shadow knew how this would work and he would have to show the same respect or even more given who they were talking to. Shadow walked forward a couple steps and then took one arm and crossed it infront of his chest as he bowed low. He said nothing while bowed for his name was already spoken and there was no more reason to speak. Again he was doing the dance of one who was a slave but it mattered not. He knew he wasn't a slave and that his skills were proof of that. He waited until he saw the right signal to stand up again and he did. After he stood he placed behind behind Amy again so that she could converse with her father and if he had any questions he would answer them without fail or hesitation.
Emeric watched Shadowfang bow before him, noting the courtesy and confidence. "It appears you finally met met your match." Amy flushed, knowing that he had seen the strength in Shadowfang, that the assassin was no servant. "I'm afraid so." Her shame was great, unable to truly face him. Emeric shook his head before turning back to the wolf. "Welcome to my home. Please, make yourself welcome."
Shadow nodded lightly and then spoke in reply to the offer. "Thank you for your kindness and for allowing me into such a wonderful and well built home, your family has surtainly done well for it's self and your familys strength is know far and wide." He smiled lightly and then held his tongue until next he would be asked a question or told something that needed a reply. Shadow couldn't help but think about when or where Amy would strike next. Obviously she would not attack him while standing before her father, but anywhere else was free game. It was getting tiring to have to always watch your back but he had done it when he was alone so he could do it now, and he would not falter. Amy would find no opening, if she wanted to taste his blood again she would just have to come for it outright.
Amy listened as Shadowfang spoke. His words did her credit, even if he was the reason why she had returned in shame. Emeric beamed with all the pride of a loving father, the disguise the head of the house wore before generous guests. The family was tight knit, but underneath the warm demeanor he wore Emeric was the most vicious and powerful of her entire family. He had built them from the ground up, taking the legacy left by his father and turning it into something none could deny.
Amy nodded her head and turned, leaving the room. They were dismissed then, and Amy would find her bedroom. She wanted to rest from the constant watchfulness, let the fear stop. Even if she was at the bottome of the hierarchy at the moment due to the assassin's actions, she was still a member of the family, and would be protected.
Walking through Amy flinched slightly as she caught sight of her aunt Sofia. The flamboyant red female walked towards them, hair curled up and golden bracelets jangling. As the leader of the prostitutes in the area Sofia had to be the best, the most beautiful, the most seductive. The black skirt hitching off her body and barely buttoned blouse did well to show off the curves that the Sunders family carried, somehow managing to appear even more boisterous than the elegant blond dog. The wolf blood had dealt well with Sofia, as she turned her gaze onto Shadowfang. "Well well, niece. Looks like you've brought back something quite nice for me. Interested in a job, handsome?"
Shadow's eyes looked to the female and watched her intently but not like the gaze of a male looking to a wolf in heat, his was the gaze of a wolf who would not be swayed and who would not be played with. Shadow heard the offer and in all honesty there was nothing stopping him from enjoying the woman's company, however there was one problem. As Shadow looked to her he saw nothing he wanted and the idea actually amused him, why wasn't he attracted to this woman, and what's more, why did he want to stay at Amy's side. Amy wanted to attack him and make him pay for beating her and yet here he was with an option to get away from the one who wanted him punished, and yet he wanted to stay with Amy. Shadow shook his head lightly and spoke still being polite but getting the point across. " Forgive me, but I can not. Maybe another time, my lady." He looked to Amy and waited for her to move and he followed without another word.
Watching her aunt Amy found herself hating the bright female. The look thrown her way made it quite clear that the news of Amy's defeat was already spreading through the family. Her place in the pack would be tested now, seeing if she was still worthy of the family, if she could still hold her place. Being challenged by Sofia was ridiculous, as Amy knew she could defeat the colorful female. That didn't matter in her family though. What mattered was the success one had, and the strength one had to enforce it. Amy had failed in that aspect, full of success but easily toppled by a single wolf.
Her gaze averted, head high as she refused to acknowledge the challenge in the other's gaze. Shadowfang's refusal didn't surprise Amy, knowing that it wouldn't be so simple to get rid of the pest. She had been trying for a while, after all. It was no problem if he was an alpha in his own right, but to stay with her and keep challenging her position was a nuisance. She'd even been forced to retreat to her home to have a break. She didn't think Shadowfang would be interested in whoring himself out anyways.
Moving along Amy crossed down, finally reaching her room. Turning to Shadowfang she opened her mouth to tell him to find his own, before shutting it again. Her family was dangerous, and leaving him out there exposed to them wouldn't be right. No, she'd keep him with him, at least until she felt confident that he could handle them. After that, well, her own actions would determine whether or not this would be her last time with her family. Entering her room she waved Shadowfang in. Closing the door Amy moved to the bed, slipping off the dress she had worn. Pulling a nightie out of the closet Amy dressed herself before moving into her bed and closing her eyes to sleep, keeping the stress from showing in her form.
His eyes didn't linger on her as she moved however, the moment she wasn't looking at him he did take a glance. What was it about her that made him keep looking. He tossed the thought from his mind and found a chair in the corner of the room and he sat down having his arms crossed and then he closed his eyes. What he saw when his eyes closed he did not expect. Shadow saw within his thoughts and memories the fight he had with Amy, body close and blood being exchanged in both strikes and with teeth. His mind focused however on when they were close to one another and he was on top of her and biting into her neck. He saw it all happen as if it was being replayed , however when it should have stopped and he would have gotten up he kissed her passionately on the lips. The image even though it was wanted,was surprising and he opened his eyes only to find that he had fallen asleep, was he that tired? Or was it something more that made his thoughts betray him?
Amy's own sleep was much less restful. She had kept the fact that nightmares were plaguing her hidden for the most part. This night was even worse than most though, back in the home where it had happened. As a pup again she wandered down the halls, hungry and wondering if the blood was something good to eat. Things changed as she reached the end though. Opening the door she was an adult, her brother replaced by the black wolf she couldn't shake herself free from. Blood ran down his face as he held her sister's tiny limp body. He mouthed the words, 'you are in my debt'. Amy tried to move back, but he was on top of him, pinning her down, and his teeth was sinking into her neck, and she was going to die-
Amy bolted up, teeth bared into a snarl. There was no way she was going to submit. She would fight. Wildly her head whipped around the room, mind racing with fear as she tried to figure out what was going on. Shadowfang wasn't on top of her, the scent of blood didn't cling to her fur. Lifting a hand Amy touched the scar on her neck from their battle, wishing it wasn't there. Glancing over at Shadowfang she sighed with relief, thinking he was still asleep. Perhaps now would be the time to end this nightmare, to pin him down. The fear was still fresh though, keeping her on her bed, unable to do anything but draw herself up, planning her attack.
He saw Amy move violently and knew she had a bad dream. His eyes closed and he continued to mimic the breathing rhythm he had when asleep and he even twitched and his body was held there relaxed and dead. It was among his best techniques, the ability to mimic sleeping down to the switching and slight movement of a lip, or flick of an ear. He wondered if Amy would attack him right there in the room. Maybe he would submit and not put up a fight at all. Wait, what? Not put up a fight, what was he thinking. The moment he was beaten she would think herself better than him but on the other hand if he didn't fight back then she would be able to fully except the fight and she would want him to defend himself. He was confused and unsure what his actions would be if she attacked him but regardless he was ready, he was a sleeping killer. A snake coiled and ready to strike at a moments notice.
Courage slowly seeped through Amy's veins as she sat through, growing more and more furious. The truth of the matter was she hadn't even been bested at her best. Amy used her secui form for fighting, but pride had kept her from shifting, believing that she could take him down without it. That underestimation had cost her a battle that she hadn't been able to afford to lose. It had changed everything, made her question her life.
Crouching on the bed Amy looked at herself. Shifting now would be a good idea, but the noise would probably wake him up. Then she'd have to fight him without the weakness of sleep standing between them. The flimsy nightgown clung to her pale form in the moonlight, Amy slowly shifting her balance. Not a noise was made, dampening her own killing intent to keep it from awakening him. After all, one's intent could give one away just as easily as a sound. Making herself fade into the room was difficult, used to having her presence shout volumes at those around her. Slowly though, her presence faded, until Shadowfang might as well have been alone.
With this presence, Amy finally made her move. All the uncertainty, fear, and rage he had caused her was channeled in her leap. Forcefully she slammed into him, prepared to knock him to the ground and pin him like he had done to her. Fangs went for his throat, wanting to force his submission. The situation was reversed, or at least she hoped it would be with her rapid movements.
He thought as she leaped through the air, the action he would take against her. Again she was attacking him and again she underestimated his ability. He knew that given the ways of there last fight she would want to tackle him exactly as he had done and she would bite him. He knew this truth because he would have done the same. Show your enemy the same pain and weakness that you had received. He waited as the wind picked up and he threw out a sold straight grab and his hand hit home around her neck. He opened his eyes the moment she had stopped and he looked at her with a cold, all knowing type of look. He growled low and then he sat up and used all his strength to toss her back with a hard push and then slowly he stood as he looked to her, a demon within his bi-colored eyes. " come on...." He lowered to all fours and waited for her move. this was going to end one way or another..., either he would win, or she would, but perhaps another option was available, one he thought of earlier.
His fist clenched around her neck, and Amy realized she'd fallen for a stupid simple trap. Tossed back Amy scrambled, fear lighting her eyes. He wasn't facing the demon or the warrior, but the frightened pup who had watched her sister's murder. If he had been in another room Amy would have been able to take the time to think, instead of recklessly attacking, still enthralled in the nightmare. He moved to all fours, Amy moving to take control. Swallowing the fear down Amy pushed herself up. Her tail stood tall behind her as she considered how she would fight. Moving Amy began the slow shift to secui, making sure that she was capable of defending herself while the shift was finished. In her monstrous form Amy held herself taller, the nightgown discarded to the side.
He watched her and did attempt to move a muscle. His body readied and was like a spring ready to be released. He saw her change and he thought that he could do that same and match her and so he did. He shifted with her and finished at exactly the same time and he to was now a monster like her. He dug his claws into the ground lightly and he bared his teeth as he mirrored her actions, when she would circle left he would circle right and so on. He lowered his head as his eyes bore into her's as he looked into her soul, since the eyes were the gate to such a thing. " Amy...what do you fear...." He saw the pup and wanted her released but he knew he had to fight a demon to get to it. And he would, he would fight anything and anyone to help another and Amy, she was no different.
Amy bared her fangs at Shadow, searching, always searching for a weakness. She was tired of this dance of theirs, unable to flee, unable to fight. He had her well and truly trapped, with no way of avoiding him. "I fear nothing." Amy lunged forwards, faster and stronger than she had been in optime form. This was her true skill. Her ability was so much greater, allowing her to take a bite out of him before leaping back, untouched.
He saw the bite coming and rather than even try to act or move he stayed his teeth. he looked at her and sighed and he shifted again with slight pain due to the bite and he was now kneeling in his Optime form. " What are you trying to prove?...who are you attacking when you look at me like that...." " What pains you so..." He stayed on his knees and with one arm on the ground holding him up as he looked into her eyes deep, trying to find that girl he use to know. " This is more than proving yourself..." If she were to come at him and try and pin him he would let her and he wouldn't fight back.
She watched the black beast shift into optime form. Wary, she kept her distance. The questions brought nothing but growls from her, fear flickering in her eyes. Backing away from him Amy returned to optime form, clutching the nightgown to her body. Swiftly she spun to the window. There was no glass in them, the windows long since shattered by time and the violence the home had witnessed. Diving out she fled for the woods, running like never before.
'Amy!" He took off after her and he dashed from where he sat and as he dove for the window he went through and then rolled to his feet once hitting the ground and he trailed after her. She was fast but he had a larger stride and would be able to keep up. They burst through the bushes and trees barely missing them and sometimes grazing some. They were moving so fast it was as if they were flying. He had seen it, more powerful now, the child that fought to escape the hellish prison within her own mind. He had weaken the barriers with his words and his lack of action. The demon fought and used anger to cover the sadness, he understood now and he would not lose his friend!. "Amy fight it....fight the fear and the anger, you are stronger than your pain!" He kept low making sure to dodge the high branches and the low ones, he moved as if he knew the forest, and he had too for if he didn't he would lose his chance to save Amy.
He was following her yet again. She would never be free of this wolf, this black male that followed her with burning eyes that always questioned her. Diving to the side Amy stood, sides heaving. Her clothes were clutched in a fist as she leaned against the tree, hoping he would pass her by.
He saw her move and he kept running as if he saw nothing. His foot steps were heard going by and then slowly they faded away into the distance. Meanwhile Shadow had taken to the trees. and was making his way back and due to the trees being so think it was easy to hide his movements and to not make any sounds. He would need to grab her from behind and talk to her and force her to hear him out and to do that he would have to catch her off guard. He moved from one tree to the next all while keeping his eyes on the prize, She was his mission now and he never failed at a mission. He would save his friend from her own mind.
It seemed she was finally free of him. Shaking with the exertion Amy sunk down. She slipped the nightgown back on. Blond hair fell down her back, thick and wavy. The moonlight lit her up, making her appear as a ghost, soundless in the area. If one didn't know her they would think she was the ghost of an unfortunate lover, killed in a tragedy. Leaning against the tree she closed her eyes, relaxed.
She relaxed...now was the time. He dropped from the branch above her and held his hands ready to grab her quickly. the very moment his feet touched the ground next to her his arms shot forward going under her arms holding them above her head so she couldn't use them and they were far enough away so that even if she did scream no one would hear her and stop him from what he needed to do to save her soul. He lifted her and pulled away from the tree so she had no leverage and his legs stood ready to block any kicks that would be aimed for him. He had the upper hand, and he needed to use it.
" Amy....what happened when you were a pup....you were happy, care free, innocent. What happened to change that, why do you hide that pain within your eyes and cover it with anger. Where is the little pup who's tail wags and she asks for a black pup to be hers....Tell me...." He spoke but he didn't yell, he didn't have to, her ears were right there and she could hear everything he said. He knew she would, and he knew she would fight to keep those memories hidden and away from everyone, even her self
A black blur dropped down behind her. Amy whirled, already in a fighting pose. One hand gripped for where her sword was supposed to be, only to remember that it was gone, stored in the house where she had felt safe. Her arms were grabbed and she was pinned again. Helplessly she twisted in his grip, trying to work free. Bright brown eyes glared into his mismatched pair. His question was met with another growl. "You know nothing about me." It's true, she had asked to purchase him, but she had been a child, foolish and stupid. Swinging herself by his arms Amy propelled himself to kick him in the stomach.
He moved his stomach to the side dodging the kick and then he twisted and forced her to her back and again he was on top and looking down into her eyes as he spoke." Don't hide it...tell me what killed your innocence. I will not let you up otherwise..." He positioned his legs to holds hers and his hands had her wrists once again, he didn't want to do this to her but he had seen the pain and wanted to free that part of her soul." Let me help you...."
The bloody assassin managed to dodge her strike, and again she was on the ground, staring at him and completely dominated. The thin fabric between them felt like even less than last time, so thin that Amy could feel his fur brushing against her through it. Amy might like the thin silky fabric for sleeping in, preserving her modesty while letting her cool down, but in a situation like this it was completely inappropriate. An ugly laugh slipped through her at his words. "Innocent? I was never innocent. I grew up watching my family break the bones of others, listening to them discuss how they had torn apart the families that opposed them. I believe the innocent are ignorant of these facts of life."
"You know what I am talking about! Why are you afraid! Why can't you tell me! Miss big bad assassin! Look at you. You're on the ground and i'm on top. I am Alpha. You can't be due to your fear! spit it out!" He didn't want to go the route of the evil, manipulative assassin but she was fighting and the demon wouldn't let go. he would have to push her buttons to get the answer he wanted he would have to make her think back on the horrible moment and re live it, she would have to do all this in order to be saved. It was going to be hard and she might even want to die from reliving whatever hell she was avoiding but he had too....he had to torture her and hurt her, to save her breaking soul.
Amy's ears flattened at the assassin's words. He was correct, and she hated it. He was alpha, dominating over her. To hear that fear was holding her back just had her growl. She was afraid of nothing except for one small thing. "It doesn't matter. It happened a long time ago. It doesn't effect me." Big fat lie, but Amy didn't care. She didn't like being forced like this, knowing there was no choice.
"It doesn't matter huh? If it doesn't then tell me. What happened! If you don't care then telling me should be easy! Unless you are afraid of it! Admit if you are afraid of what you don't want to tell me, you know what they call that? Weakness." She was so big on not having a weakness and he found her's He pulled it out and dangled it infront of her making her see it and know that it couldn't be hidden, not from him.
Amy flinched at the words, hating the fact that she did have a weakness. "No! Not weakness. I simply don't care for the fact that my brother betrayed my family! It's shameful!"
Your brother killed your family......* He still held her but he wasn't holding so hard and wasn't trying to hurt her, He mearly held tight enough so she couldn't get away, and so that she couldn't hurt him. He looked deep into her eyes and spoke softly." Thats the pain you have been holding back for so long....Your brother killed his own family...and yet not you..."
Amy gazed into his eyes, hating what he had made her say. It was a secret to never be spoken, never told to an outsider. Her lack of strength was a dishonor. She had been forced to submit, to tell what should have never been told. Her head was shaken at his words. "He killed my sister. He was my litter mate. He didn't kill me only because he was too late. My parents were already there." Amy didn't know whether or not he was dead, that was the worst part. Not knowing what they had done after taking her away from there. He might have been killed, or exiled, and she didn't know.
He let his hands go and climbed off her and he expected an attack and he would let it happen, he gotten his answer and now that the memory of it was placed in the light she would have to confront it and so would he. He wasn't going to leave her alone after just getting the answer. He needed to stay there by his side and now the hard part was coming. She would want to release her anger and her pain and he was going to play the part of the punching bag.
Shadowfang finally climbed off her. Amy stood up, brushing the dirt off. Trembling with rage she glared at the wolf before her. She refused to attack him, refused to let him have any part of her. "You are Nothing." With those words Amy stripped his existence from her mind. He was nothing to her, not even someone to acknowledge in passing. They might as well have been strangers. Amy stalked away, loose hair tugging back slightly as she moved towards the mansion again. Once she got there maybe she could cry.
Shadow didn't follow, To follow her would only make it all worse. He knew that not being in the mansion would be dangerious. He watched her go and knew that over time she would come to him, if not then at least he had gotten his answer and knew why she had become so cold. He looked up and climbed the tallest tree and purched himself on a large branch high above the ground floor. It was wide enough to hide his form but his smell would be picked up. he had no idea the routs of patrols or even if there were any. Being as powerful a family as they were, odds are there would be none.