Homesick [Wildheart]

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Where am I? Wildheart? Where is he? Oh gosh, is he even here? What about the pack... the pups? Nothing here smells right...

The dark female's mind went on a confused tangent as she forced herself closer to the beach that was just a few yards away. Her fur clung to her body, heavy with the salty ocean water. On top of it all, her eyes and throat stung from the solution, and her limbs were still a bit heavy with sleep. Whatever it was the hunters gave her, it was strong. It had to have been at least a week ago that she felt the prick in her rump before she fell asleep. And even longer since she left Wintersun in search for Wildheart.

Pulling herself into shallower water so she could stand and walk, Zenzi shook her fur out, hoping to get most of the water off of her. It worked for the most part, though her fur stuck out in every direction. She would have to find some grass to roll in to help her tame the mess. Heaven knows she wasn't going to do so in the sand and make matters worse for herself. "I can't worry about what I look like right now... I have to find Wildheart." She finished her trek onto shore, shaking once more to get a few more drops off of herself, before putting her nose to the air. She had scented her mate before, and had briefly seen him on the ship. But now, she wasn't sure where he was. You would think it would be easy to find a giant black wolf, but when you were in an unfamiliar place, nothing was easy.

"Wildheart? Love, where are you!?" She called out for her mate, hoping to hear a response. Nothing came to her right away, so she started to walk down the beach, sniffing the air, scanning the beach and water for his dark form, and calling for him. She sighed, her hopes starting to diminish. There was a strong chance they had not run in the same direction, and even if they had, she didn't know if he took to the sea as she had. She sat in the sand, her head low, and her yellow eyes looking only at her paws. She was quite possibly alone in this new land. On top of that, she would probably never see her lovely pups again. She could only imagine how Jace and Vienna would react if and when they found out both their parents went missing.

What am I going to do now? I don't know where I am, or even if I can get back to Wintersun. Oh, Wildheart, please, please be here. I need you." She sighed, turning her gaze to the cloudless sky, allowing her thoughts to wander. She didn't even keep track of how long she was like that. After a while, her neck grew sore, forcing her to lower her head again. Heaving a sigh, she stood, continuing her search for her mate.

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Wildheart woke groggy and wet, he looked around and though his body was quite frankly ready to give up he shot to his feet. Zenzi! He began to trek the sandy dunes looking for his starshine, any sighting of her would be enough to still his beating heart. The sun criss crossed and caressed the many scars that riddled his pelt, and he held green eyes narrow. He was an excellent tracker he could find her in a matter of moments, or so he thought. For some unknown reason though, his nose didn’t want to work, and his paws felt heavy and sluggish. Had it been merely days that they had been stuck in that hell hole of a ship, poked and prodded by the two legged creatures, that had taken his original family and now this one too. His thoughts touched briefly on his two children, they had both left on their own adventures, but with promises to be back. Vienna had been the last, determined to find her brother to fix the wounds that held his heavy heart. Would they ever see their children again? He sighed no now was not the time, he needed to find Zenzi, she was probably lost and scared and all alone and she needed him, she needed him and he was sitting on the sea shore feeling sorry for himself, what a joke.



He lowered his head for a moment poor Jace born with the blood borne rages that he himself carried, but Jace, Jace was more hot tempered than he would ever be, full of zest, and zeal and testosterone. He had proven it time and time again, even after he had bitten and wounded his sister, and Wildheart had taken him away from the family for a few months, to try and tame his wild and wayward son. He stood to his paws again and as he began to lope along the shore he heard his name, though from far away. He lifted muzzle to the sky and let out a small howl to his zenzi, his start shine, the love of his life. He was coming and he would be there for her. He had been on the ship with her, he would be here with her. It had been by mere chance that he had gotten on the ship and to Zenzi in the first place, making it just in a matter of minutes. He had gone to their home to find her gone, and he had run after her scent as quickly as he could. Jazz had him on a mission of scouting, to find the area and find out what happened to all the wolves, and here and now he was lost to his leader too.



Wildheart ran as fast as he could with sluggish limbs, and sandy shores and he saw his love in the distance traced her form with his gaze. She was alive, she was alright. He barked at her one more time hoping she would stop, so he didn’t need to continue running.

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The warmth of the sun helped dry her dark fur quicker than she would have thought. Either that, or she had been spaced out for an insanely long time. Zenzi hardly cared either way, as long as she was dry. She had been walking down the sandy beach for a while, the small particles changing every now and then from pearly white to looking almost like normal dirt. It was a rather weird beach in that regard. She slowed down a bit, hearing what she thought was a howl in the distance, and one that sounded familiar at that. Could it be him? Oh, please let it be him, don't let me be going crazy already! She paused for a moment, but the howling died down quickly. She sighed, continuing on once again.

However, after only a few moments she slowed again, this time hearing the shuffling of sand and the quick and light thuds of running paws. Her heart rate picked up, thinking it was a wolf from the island coming to attack her. She was preparing to whip around and face the stranger when she heard a bark and scented a familiar, if not extra salty, wolf. Her ears picked up and her tail slightly wagged as she turned around, seeing Wildheart coming toward her. She barked back at him a couple times and ran, only slightly clumsily on the loose sand, toward him, meeting him in the middle. Though she stopped in front of him, her paws couldn't stop moving as she was so insanely happy to see him.

"Oh, Wildheart! I'm so glad you're here." She half spoke, and whined her greeting to her mate, nuzzling his cheek and giving him a few quick licks before resting her head beneath his own. Her black pelt melted into his, and her body relaxed as it found something familiar in this new place. "I was so scared I wouldn't find you, my love." She whined again, pressing herself closer to him. It was only now that she was with him again that her fears of this unknown island left her, leaving her, for the most part, relaxed and at peace. Or, at least as close as she could get to it right now.

Her eyes were closed as she leaned her head against Wildheart's chest, listening to his breathing and heart. The thought that she was on her own left her completely, draining from her mind and heart down her legs and into the sand beneath them. She had the love of her life back with her, and for now, that was the most important thing. Zenzi would worry about surviving, her pups, and the pack later. Her tail slowly thumped on the sand, sending small puffs into the air only to settle back in her fur. She would certainly need a good wash later. "Thank goodness we are here together and we don't have to face this completely alone." She sighed her words, still leaning into her mate, occasionally lifting her head to nuzzle and lick him.

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Wildheart didn’t notice as his black pelt grew warm from the sun, he didn’t care that he was no longer dripping the salty sea water onto his pelt. He didn’t care that he would need to get some fresh water into his gullet in a few moments. All he cared about was the simple fact that he needed to find Zenzi. He had promised to always, always take care of her and he meant it and he would do it to the best of his abilities. If he had to take on the very world that he lived in, he would do it and not think twice, she deserved every good thing, every good thought, everything she just deserved everything he could give her. After all, he had been a scarred warrior broken and beaten when she found him, there was new life to his steps, and there were not so many nightmares. Oh there were still some, but they weren’t so bad anymore.

Wildheart laughed as he looked down at the feet of his love. She was dancing, he chuckled deep and softly, Star Shine, you’re dancing. He laughed then a bigger laugh. He was happy to see her, ears of silken black perked forward as she spoke, he returned her kisses and her nuzzles and her greeting. It’s okay star shine it’s okay I’m here now it’s okay, and never you worry Zenzi, I’ll always find you. He relaxed as she leaned into him, her frame though large still smaller than his and he held still listening to the thump of his heart and hers in tune.

Wildheart ran his muzzle across her head gently you are never alone my love, never alone I’ll always be around. he grew quiet then. As he looked around and wondered at everything and everyone. Where are we Zenzi? I do not know this place? My nose isn’t working yet, whatever they gave us making it not work….can you smell any other wolves? He looked around green eyes sparkling in the daylight. Never ceasing, always vigilante, he had taught Solia that, he had taught Jace that and he had taught his little Vienna that.

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As she struggled to stop her dancing paws, Zenzi let out a small laugh. "I'm just so happy you are here and okay." She smiled, greatly accepting the returned kisses and nuzzles her scarred warrior gave her. At the same time, her heart was swelling with happiness to hear him calling her Starshine. She didn't realize how just a few weeks could make her miss a simple nickname, but when it comes from the one you love, it does make sense. What would I ever do without him? She thought silently to herself as she settled, enjoying the closeness they were sharing right now.

While the reunion was sweet while it lasted, Wildheart brought up what she was hoping to avoid for a while. She sighed and tested her nose, sniffing the air a bit. She could smell Wildheart and salt water, but even that wasn't very strong. She could probably only sense it because both scents were right next to her. Zenzi sighed and shook her head, lowering it slightly. "Sorry, love. I can only smell you and the salt water on our fur, and those aren't even very strong."

Zenzi lowered her head a small bit more, her face changing from happy and relieved to upset and, once again, scared. If they couldn't use their sense of smell, and their legs were still heavy, they were in big trouble. If these side effects didn't fade soon, who knows what would happen? "I don't know where we are, either. I'm scared, Wildheart. What are we going to do?" She looked up at him, her yellow eyes filled with fear and worry. All she wanted right now was to be in Wintersun, curled up with her mate talking about how much Vienna and Jace have grown. But now they were in this completely strange place, unsure of what to do and where to go.

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Wildheart chuckled deep within his chest and gave her a lick to the muzzle "And I am glad you are here and okay too Starshine." For brief moments on the big thing from the humans, he had though during his more lucid moments about his precious wife. He was so worried that bad things would happen if he wasn't there to protect her. She could take care of herself he knew this, but it didn't stop him from worrying about her all the time. He had so easily stepped into the role of protector and he was not ready to relinquish that now if ever. 

Wildheart heard her sigh and though he wished he didn't have to ask her about the smells he did. Constant vigilance and all that, it made him nervous when she to admitted being unable to smell much past what was right in front of her. He wanted to curse, but as he made it a rule to never curse in front of a lady and especially not in front of his beautiful starshine, he didn't. It's okay Zenzi, lets just find a place to weather out this current infliction. Besides, I don't know about you, but i'm still pretty tired. He maybe tired, but he would travel on foot until he was sure they were safe, he would prefer a grove of trees or some bushes to curl up in, where no one could see them. He was certain once they both fell asleep, they would sleep long and hard.

Wildheart heard the fear in her voice and he shushed her gently as he ran his muzzle across her shoulders and head softly. shh shh Zenzi, I will not let anything happen to you or us I promise. I have enough of my senses to be able to find a place to lie low, and maybe grab something to eat. Apparently I'm too big for them to put whatever it was correctly in me. He lifted green eyed gaze and looked around, as he kept Zenzi tight to his chest, he would get them through this, failure was not an option.

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The black female kept herself pressed against her mate for a few moments, even after their conversation had come to a pause. Her paws, which had gone still after dancing, began moving again. However, this time it was due to fear and anxiety. They had no idea where they were, couldn't use their noses, and had no way of getting back to their home. Nothing seemed to be working their way. She tried to still her paws, which only led to the rest of her body squirming. She sighed, standing and pacing around, her head and tail low. Her feelings were clear based on her behavior. She was petrified. The only familiar thing about this place was Wildheart, and she could tell even he was worried about their predicament.

As she paced, Zenzi's eyes focused on the horizon, scanning for something to provide them shelter while they rested and regrouped. She could vaguely see some trees in the distance, but she didn't know if it was a safe, neutral territory or claimed by a pack. It's just like before I joined Wintersun. Always fearful of packs, unsure of if I was in a safe place. After being in a pack, this is all so foreign... Her thoughts wandered like this for a few minutes. Zenzi didn't even realize she had stopped pacing and was simply staring solemnly ahead. The whine that escaped from her didn't even register. She had no idea she was making the pitiful sounds, or that her yellow eyes were clouded by fear and sadness. It was almost like her mind had left her body, thinking back to how her life used to be.

One moment, she was on the beach, just a few steps from her loving mate, the next, she was walking away from her mother, completely on her own, unsure of herself. It was all happening again. Her world was being turned upside down, and she could do nothing to stop it.

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Wildheart didn't move as Zenzi clung tight to him. She was shaking in abject fear and he was furious. Not at her, never at her, he was mad that the fates had decided yet again to shake her foundations and his. He could take change, he had been raised with change, but Zenzi she was not raised that way and he was furious that she had to go through it again. He watched her with solemn green eyes as she paced and walked to and fro. He was worried sure, but they would get through this. As long as they had each other they could get through anything.

The whine that left her chest, just about broke the scarred warriors heart. He sighed and ghosted forward, large paws taking up room as he walked. He got to her side and studied the horizon that she was staring at. He lifted his nose into the air and tried to sniff, small smells, but it was still largely unusable. He sighed again and looked her over and ran his muzzle across her back and around to her shoulders, licking her muzzle as he went. It is okay Zenzi. We will get through this.

He shifted his weight and pushing nose into the ground he started searching. There had to be something he could recognize, if his senses wouldn't work fast enough, he'd just have to jolt them a good one. He walked to and fro and finally, he caught a scent it was faint but there were wolves around, now they just had to find some. He lifted his head and looked towards the horizon again and then back to his mate, his starshine. He walked back to her Star Shine, let's go. Let's go find some other wolves. We'll just walk until we gain our senses back, then we can figure out what to do from there. But we cannot stay here in the open. Come on love.

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Her mind wandered for some unknown length of time, at least to her. It could have been only a moment, it could have been hours, or any amount in between. Her yellow eyes were fixed on the horizon, but she wasn't looking at anything directly in front of her. She was looking into her past. She was looking at her mother the day they went their separate ways. Oh, how she missed her mother. Their relationship was finally back to how it had been a few years ago. She had finally fixed everything with her father, too. Now, now none of that mattered. Another small whine escaped from her chest.

Her mind jumped back to the present as she felt a muzzle rubbing between her shoulders, stopping only briefly to lick her own in an attempt to comfort and sooth the female. Zenzi turned her head, quickly nuzzling her beloved mate. His eyes met her own, only for the shortest moment, and she knew it would be okay. Not right away. Oh, most certainly not right away. It would probably take weeks for her to adjust, if that short a time was even possible. As he reassured her that it would be okay and they would make it through, her throat swelled with emotion. The dark female didn't trust herself to speak, so she simply gave a small nod of her head and watched as he pressed his scarred muzzle to the ground in an attempt to pick up any scents that would help them.

Again, her heart rate increased when he told her to follow, to find other wolves. She didn't even know where they were, let alone what the wolves were like. Back home most of the wolves, be them in packs or loners, were kind as long as you stayed out of their territory. But here, oh here everything could be unbelievably different. She didn't know if they would have to fight or if everything would end up peacefully. Zenzi doubted the latter was how things would work. She brought her eyes to Wildheart's hoping he would see her worry and fear and comfort her more. She hoped he would not judge her for her fears, as she was not normally like this. And above all, she hoped he would remain her rock and keep her strong through the entire ordeal.

As the large male she loved so dearly began to walk toward the horizon, Zenzi followed, nervous and afraid at fist, falling slightly behind. In a short moment of panic about risking losing him again, she picked up her pace until she was once again padding along beside the warrior, quickly pressing her muzzle into his shoulder.

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It was mere seconds that Zenzi was lost in her own thoughts, and lost to him. However, those mere seconds felt like hours. Hours that were slowly dragging by, like fighting against the rip tide. He shook his head, he hated to see her so conflicted and scared. It made him furious, and furious was not a good place for him to be, she knew that and he knew that. So he needed to keep himself calm and weather the storm coming for them together.


 He wanted to continue to comfort her, take the stars he saw in her eyes of terror out of them, but he couldn't. There was nothing he could say to fix this mess, nothing he could say to make her feel better. He knew fairly well that they were far from home, the climate was different, the sights were different. They were not in Kansas anymore so to speak. He shifted and looked around, he knew that he would probably never see his oldest two children again, and that broke his heart, but he hoped that Zenzi would not realize that right now. Because if she did, lord have mercy she was going to be distraught. They could have more of course maybe, but not as loners. They needed to find some other's and soon, for sheer survival, winter was coming quickly. 

Wildheart was wary, the wolves at home were nice, Zenzi had only ever been around nice wolves for the most part, but there were not always nice ones. Wildheart himself was the product of some not so nice wolves, so he knew there was evils out there that could make the devil himself dance with glee. He turned one more time and licked her across the face and nuzzled under her neck. It's okay to be afraid Star shine and we will be fine. You hear me fine.

Then with a small nod he began at a slow lope turning away from the shore and the way they had come and they were finding some new life and it filled him with fear, of the likes he hadn't known in sometime, but not for himself; never for himself.