Ending: Chapter Five

I can't live this life

Without you by my side
I need you to survive
So stay with me
You look in my eyes and I'm screaming inside
That I'm sorry...
- Forgive Me by Evanescence

Sparrow's eyes widened in shock as Moon's words rang through his head once again.  There's smoke in her lungs.  Fifty percent of past fire deaths were because of smoke inhalation, not burns.

Smoke.

Fifty percent.

Fire deaths.

Smoke.

Deaths.

Sapphire.

He let out an apprehensive sigh as he the words rang through his head yet again, glad that he had hurried out of Moon's den moments ago as Sapphire continued to cough violently.  He didn't want her to die.  She couldn't die.  She was Sapphire, and Sparrow had known her nearly all his life.

For a few moments, he thought about what life in the pack would be like without Sapphire there, if she never existed.  Empty.  That was the first word that came to mind as Sparrow walked into his den, his heart wrenching as he thought of Sapphire not being there.  It would be... odd, without her.  Sure, there would be other wolves around.  There were plenty of wolves that Sparrow knew well enough to be comfortable around in this pack, such as Opaque, Sunset, Moon, and Sapphire.  Those were the four that he spoke to mostly about his thoughts and problems he came across while trying to live successfully out in the wilderness.  But life was cruel, and Sparrow knew that incredibly well from all the things he had seen in his life.  He had seen starvation, failure, insanity, and death out there in the wild, and he was always thinking about these things.

Mostly because of Sapphire.

She was the one that he cared for most in the pack, Sparrow told himself firmly.  He had known that for quite some time.  He often thought of what would happen if she wasn't in his life, and that was odd to think of.  Without Sapphire there, his life would be empty, and that was the end of it.  The only word to describe it was "empty," because it was the complete and utter truth.

"Sparrow?"

As soon as he heard her voice, Sparrow thrust his head upwards, considering that he had been readily staring at the ground, and he came face-to-face with his sister.  She was standing in the entrance of his den, her eyes locked on his.

"I... I heard about..." Opaque swallowed.  She wasn't sure if she should continue, considering that Sparrow didn't appear sane-in-the-head at the current moment.

"Don't," Sparrow interrupted her quickly, shaking his head sorrowfully.  "Just... don't remind me about that now, okay?"

Opaque sighed, walking fully into the den and sitting down next to her brother.  "I don't want you to get your hopes up if she -"

"Opaque.  Stop."

"But I know that you kind of - WHAT WAS THAT FOR?!"

Opaque's words were cut short when Sparrow lashed out at her, his claws ripping across the top of her head towards her left ear.  Snarling, she whacked him with her front paw.  "Seriously?"

"I told you to shut up," Sparrow said innocently, "and you kept talking."

"That doesn't mean that you had to claw at me like that!"

Rolling his eyes, Sparrow ignored his sister and attempted to come up with a new topic.  "...Even though I don't want to talk about... you know," he swallowed, "...do you think she'll be alright?"

Opaque shrugged rather sadly, probably showing the most amount of grief she was capable of.  "It depends.  What did Moon say?"

Sparrow shook his head dejectedly.  "She said that... she has a fifty percent chance of... you know... and that most fire..."  He swallowed again.  "Most fire d-deaths are from smoke inhalation, and not burns."

The jet-black she-wolf sighed when her brother finished, lowering her head down to the ground and resting it on her front paws.  "Look, just... the most unhelpful thing you can do right now is worry.  If you don't worry about it right now, it's possible that she might get better quickly."

Sparrow swallowed.  "You... think she'll get better?" he asked her quietly.

Opaque didn't respond.  Instead, she let out a deep sigh, stood up, and left her brother's den abruptly, not wanting to continue.  She didn't to mislead him if Sapphire ended up dying after all, even though there was a chance that she would survive.  The less I tell him, the better, she told herself firmly. 

"Wait," Sparrow called after her, and Opaque stopped abruptly.  She sighed quietly, turning around to face him, hoping that he wasn't going to ask her to answer the question.  He did.

"Just... I want to know what you think," Sparrow said faintly, his eyes seeming to darken as he stared at her.  His expression was blank and even slightly nonchalant, but his eyes had a serious exterior to them.  

Opaque looked at him quizzically.  "Sparrow, how should I know?  I already told you that it depends on what Moon said.  She's the only one that you can ask about Sapphire, because... no one else knows anything."  She trailed off, but started speaking again momentarily.  "Don't think about her.  Everything will be okay."

But secretly, she doubted that.  Sapphire was capable of surviving all her past injuries, and some other wolves in the pack had gotten hurt worse than she had and lived through it.  Because of her energetic and upbeat personality, she thought Sapphire could have a chance, but from what she already knew, smoke inhalation was very deadly and could kill her.  Maybe Sapphire wasn't able to survive this one.

Suddenly, something else came to Sparrow's mind.  "When are we going to see Hurricane?" he asked quietly, looking around nervously to make sure no one was listening. 

Opaque's eyes lit up.  "We could go tonight.  We didn't plan anything yet, though, so... I should probably go and see if I can find him."

Sparrow nodded.  "That works," he told her, and Opaque took off into the trees.

Sparrow sighed.  Now, he had nothing to do until nightfall.

~ ~ ~

Sparrow and Opaque left the clearing that night after they were completely sure that no one was watching or still awake.  Opaque led him to the North Lake, where the large and open valley was, stopping proudly and sitting down.  "He said that he'd be here soon," she told her brother, panting.

Sparrow cocked his head.  "...When is 'soon?' " he asked her sharply, not wanting to have to stay here out in the open for much longer.  He was uncomfortable out here, where he could be seen by other creatures.  It didn't feel right, especially tonight.

"All he said is 'soon,' and that he'd try to come quickly," Opaque told him firmly.  "I can't control what he does, however.  He's a loner, you know."

Suddenly, the two were startled as something rustled in a nearby bush, and they sniffed the air simultaneously.  "It's a wolf," Sparrow whispered.  Opaque's eyes lit up, and she stood.  "Hurricane?  Is that you?"

Sparrow's eyes widened slightly as a wolf stepped out of the bushes.

Hurricane was described just as Opaque had told him two years ago... even though she lied and said that he was dead to keep him a secret.  He was dark grey, the color of a storm cloud, with bright amber eyes that looked like orbs of light.  He stepped easily out of the bushes, appearing confident and as if he was looking forward to the time that he got to meet his mate's brother. 

"This is Hurricane, Sparrow."  Opaque's words rang across Sparrow's mind, startling him and causing him to turn to face her.  Opaque smiled slightly, seeing her brother's uneasy temperament, and she spoke.  "He's not dangerous, you know.  If I can trust him, you can as well."

Sparrow turned back around to face Hurricane, who was standing directly in front of the bushes and wore an expression of slight caution.  He looked at Sparrow, and sniffed him shortly.  He didn't speak quite yet, but looked up again and met eyes with Opaque.

"Well, this is him," Opaque told her mate firmly, nodding her head towards Sparrow.  "His mate is -"

"WAIT.  Did you just say 'mate,' Opaque?" Sparrow demanded, finally finding his voice.  "She is NOT my mate."

Opaque rolled her eyes.  "Whatever.  It looks like she is to me."  She smirked nonchalantly, apparently not aware that her brother was seriously wondering if the wolves in his pack would turn against him if he killed his sister.  "Hurricane is from the East Pack, but his entire family is basically... dead.  The East is NOT, and never has been, a good territory to live in."

Hurricane nodded darkly.  "The wildfire didn't help, either."

Sparrow raised an "eyebrow."  "It spread that far?"

Hurricane shrugged.  "I was farther North than my actual territory, if I even have one anymore, but... yes.  I don't usually stay East, though, so I'm not completely sure if it spread that far."

Opaque looked at him questionably.  "You never did tell me how your relatives died," she said slyly.

Hurricane sighed.  "This is going to take a while.  The East pack, just a couple years ago, consisted of about eighteen wolves, all related to me in some way.  My mother and father were Lily and Moss.  My mother's been dead for several years, now... she was killed by a hunter when I was just a pup.  My father was attacked by a grizzly bear about... two years ago, and he died of the injuries a few days after.  I had two siblings - Bloom and Thistle.  Thistle abandoned the pack after Moss died, and I haven't seen him since.  Bloom was killed in the forest fire."  Sparrow shuddered as Hurricane continued.  "Let's see... Lily's father Pine abandoned the pack when she was young, and she and Moss took over.  Summit, Lily's mother, left with her mate.  Summit had four siblings - Mist, Thrush, Willow, and Talon, all who were killed at some point a couple years ago.  The other wolves were Flower and Stream, Pine's sisters; Fern, Thrush's mate who is somehow related one of the wolves from your pack, and -"

Sparrow interrupted.  "Who?"

Hurricane frowned.  "I don't know.  I think he's dead, though... He was dark grey, like Fern was."

"...Leader?"

Hurricane's expression changed from confused to surprised.  "Yes - he's dead, right?"

Sparrow swallowed.  "Yes."

Hurricane continued.  "Anyway... there was Dew, who was Mist's mate and died last year; Canyon, Flower's mate who was killed by a hunter shortly after Pine abandoned the pack; Creek, Lily's old mate who attempted to kill Moss but failed and was banished from the pack and never seen again; and Tundra, Talon's mate who died for... some reason.  Probably a disease."

Sparrow grimaced.  "...I see your pack wasn't very successful," he said.

Hurricane shook his head, scoffing.  "Ha, no.  Many of the wolves were killed or abandoned the pack because it was so... horrible.  Bloom and I were the last two left... we got caught in the fire while trying to hunt something, and she was killed."

Opaque looked interested again.  "You haven't been alone for long."

"Well, no," Hurricane admitted.  "But it feels like it's been years since I was surrounded by wolves that I knew.  You're the only one that I have left, Opaque, and... that's it."

Sparrow sat down uncomfortably, pleased that he had gotten to meet Hurricane but anxious to return back to his pack where he was in a more crowded place.  The thought of traveling on his own and struggling to survive was horrible.

Opaque sighed, walking over to Hurricane.  "We need to go," she said.  "Sparrow's getting anxious."

"I am not!"

"Yes, you are."  Rolling her eyes, Opaque said good-bye to Hurricane, in which he replied to, and left alongside Sparrow.  They were silent for the journey home, having nothing to say about Hurricane or anyone.  It was peaceful, actually, not having anything on their minds or speaking at all.  It was almost nice.

~ ~ ~

Sparrow didn't remember falling asleep, as usual, but he must have.  Because, once again, he was experiencing something impossible.

The light was hazy.  But this time, he was atop the cliff where the battle had taken place months ago, in that exact scenario. 

(Author's Note: Most of this next part is copied directly from the last chapter of the fifth book, chapter nine, where the battle happens.  If you skip this, it doesn't matter, but start reading again at "as she heard a choking sound.)

Isis stared at the wolves menacingly, and looked at her pack.  They didn’t look as if they were, but she knew that they were much stronger than Sparrow and his pack.  They could easily be defeated.  

Pulling her son close, Isis frowned down at him.  “I know that you’re afraid,” she snarled into Sparrow’s ear.  “Never,” Sparrow growled back.
    
Blizzard looked Isis straight in the face and growled.  “It’s over, Isis,” he said.  “I’ve learned to trust Sparrow over the past few months, and I’ve noticed that he is right.  You are not.”  Isis looked offended by this.  She stepped towards him slowly, causing him to slip over the edge.  Opaque gasped, reaching for him with her paws.  However, she was unable to reach him.  Blizzard fell, his mouth open in shock.  Sapphire tilted her head towards Blizzard sadly, knowing that this fall would most likely kill him.  All that they could do was ignore the fact that he would most likely die not very long from now.  
    
His mouth bleeding profusely, Sparrow turned to his sister and Sapphire.  He was unable to speak, but he nodded silently to them.  Isis looked at Sparrow coldly, hatred plastered across her face.  Her hackles were raised, and she bared her teeth at him menacingly.  Sparrow raised his head up, and shook his fur slightly.  He was muddy, wet, and covered in blood, and all of the above were sprayed onto Isis and her “pack.”  Shaking this off, Isis leapt at Sparrow, ready to kill him.
    
Surprised, Sparrow ducked away, trying to confuse her.  But this was difficult.  Isis looked at Opaque, and muttered something Sparrow could not hear.  Opaque backed up towards Sparrow, knocking into him.  Isis lunged for Opaque’s throat, but Sparrow stepped in front of her to shield her.  This move would have cost him his life if Sapphire didn’t jump directly at Isis, knocking them both off of the rock and to the ground.  Sparrow and Opaque jumped off of the rock in fear, running at Isis.  Sparrow was attacked moments later by some of Isis’ rogue wolves, who were tearing at his fur and flesh.  Sparrow yowled, and clawed and bit at them violently, trying to throw them off.  One wolf was knocked out or killed when it hit the jagged rock, its head bleeding.  Another large gray wolf was injured badly, causing it to run away yelping.  
    
Sparrow spotted Sapphire moments later.  She was jaw-to-jaw with Isis, attacking her with all her strength.  But finally, Sapphire sent Isis flying into the rock, slamming her head against it.  Isis looked dazed as she sat up, her rogue wolves stopping fighting and staring at her.  Isis snarled, but this noise was unable to be heard through the thunder booming above.  Sparrow felt a lump grow in his throat, and he swallowed it in disgust.  He shouldn’t have this feeling when seeing his mother, after all she had done in the past year, even though she was barely alive.  
    
Looking at her son with a mix of horror and plain hatred on her face, Isis shook off the pain and stood.  Sparrow backed up slowly, Sapphire breathing rapidly behind him.  Isis opened her mouth as if to speak, but Sparrow realized that she was just doing this to make him think that.
    
Isis lunged at Sparrow, her eyes locked on his throat.  She had him by the throat in a few seconds, shocking Sapphire and Opaque.  “No!” Sapphire screamed in horror.  But Sparrow kicked Sapphire away, knowing that she could be killed.  
    
Everyone watched in either horror or delight as Sparrow was slowly being strangled by Isis.  His eyes rolled back in his head.  Seeing this, Isis suddenly let go.  She shielded her eyes with a clump of fur on her head, looking at the ground.  Sparrow fell, either unconscious or dead.  Sapphire bit her lip, expecting that he was dead.  She turned away.  
    
But, much to everyone’s shock, Sparrow began to stand.  His breathing was sharp but minimal, and he was covered in dirt and blood.  Opaque lowered her head, knowing that Sparrow would never be able to survive this injury.  Sparrow looked at Isis.  “Why?” he forced out, a lump forming in his throat once again.  His voice was hoarse and rough.  Isis did not speak.  She moved the clump of fur out of her eyes, and looked at her son with pain on her face.  “I....” she began.  She sighed, clenching her jaw.  
    
“Leave,” Sparrow said with clenched teeth.  “I never want to see you again.  Ever.”  He was too angry to think - angry at Isis and her entire pack.  Isis began to walk away.  “...Yes,” she muttered under her breath.  But then, Isis turned and attacked Sparrow again.
    
Sapphire was unable to watch anymore.  She knew that Sparrow would die, and she knew that Isis would now forever return to the pack.  Many things were running through her head, everything that had happened since she had met Sparrow.  She looked over her shoulder as she heard a choking sound.

Sparrow hit the ground hard.

It was over.

~ ~ ~

Sparrow awoke with a gasp, panting violently as he sat up in shock.  He hadn't dreamed of Isis in quite a while, but it had happened again.

Before in his Isis dreams, she had either killed Sapphire or Opaque.  She had never killed him before, until now.

"Moon," Sparrow breathed.  "Tell Moon..."

His vision turned black as he lost consciousness, his head thumping against the ground harshly.

Author's Note

Haha, I hadn't written a dream in a while and this was fun. :D Tips/suggestions and comments! Oh, by the way, you don't have to remember the whole Hurricane's-family thing. He just told them about them. None of them are going to be mentioned again (as far as I've planned...).

Reviews

[נнα&p..]

OHMYGODOHMYGODOHMYGODOHMYGOD!!!
o.o Sorry... but this chapter was AMAZINGNESS. I loved this part - "But I know that you kind of - WHAT WAS THAT FOR?!" - where Sparrow scratched Opaque. xD That was adorable... lol. I also found it adorable that Opaque got all excited when Sparrow mentioned going to see Hurricane later on, haha. This chapter was cute. ^^ ANYWAY. What else... OHYA. I like Hurricane. xD Anything else? He's just so... awesome. And this was adorable too: "WAIT. Did you just say 'mate,' Opaque?" Sparrow demanded, finally finding his voice. "She is NOT my mate." Lol, I wish he'd just admit that he LUFFS her and GET IT OVER WITH... I just luff Sparrow & Opaque's relationship with each other in general, haha. They are TOTAL siblings. And omfg, Fern is related to Leader?! Odd... WAITAMINUTE. Hurricane is related to Leader too..? Hmm... The dream was pretty creepy. I mean, having a dream where YOU die is NOT pleasant. I should know. o.o XD And D****T, you wrote another cliffhanger. I hate you. x.x JOKING. Now, write more before I lose consciousness like Sparrow!

[halflives]

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH I IS SPEACHLESS AND SCREAMING MY PUCKING HEAD OFF!!!

[r]

OH. MAI. GAWD. I missed reading your book. BUT NOW I'M READING IT SO YAY. :D Jhaden and Rayne basically said everything I wanted to, so yeah... I'm not in the mood to writ e a long review because I have a headache, but I should since I haven't reviewed it for a while. OH WELL. I'LL JUST SAY:

It was really cute, Sapphy has to get better RIGHT THE F**K NOW, and it was fummy, and dreaming about dying is not enjoyable, poor Sparrow. LURVED IT! :D

[Rayne~Drop.]

...Wow...Hehe...Sparrow is unconscious again. lol XD Hurricane seems...Um...IDk. lol XD You need to write moar about him so I can get a better opinion on him. lol XD And, yeah....I hate chu. No, i don't really HATE chu but i hate chu cuz you made it a cliffy. Write. More. Soon. -.- XD