The rain continued throughout the next day and into the night. The creeks swelled and broke their banks, washing sand and silt out into the Undrinkable Water. The Hot Sands shifted as the water from the rain sought the shortest path to the lowest point. The landscape changed drastically in the heavy rains. But this would not deter Kabian.

As the moon shone down on them he still stepped forth from his small cave and started his labourous journey along the Sands, his eyes over the Water, seeking, searching, trying to pierce the mist created by the rain. The Water rose and fell as waves came in towards the shore.

He paced along, his mind focused on the task ahead. He came to the rock he he usually lay on with Tomi and paused. There were a number of wolves standing around the rock, but none of them was Tomi.

They seemed to be standing in two little groups. Two wolves off to one side, three on the other. It took him a moment to realise that these must be the wolves that were here to help him, that Sugano and Koga has promised to Ohenoki. They eyed each other a bit wearily. But there wasn't the air of tension that had been at the meeting.

One of the wolves from the group of two stepped forwards.

“Good to see you again, young Kabian.”

Estumi had kept her promise in returning to see him.

“I hope you are well.”

Kabian was about to answer when he noticed one of the wolves from the other group stepping towards them. He paused his comment as he waited for the new wolf to join them. He hadn't seen this other wolf before, but then again, he hadnt really seen many other wolves besides those of the Oak Wood Clan. He was glad though that Estumi had come down, he at least knew a little about her.

“Pup,” the new wolves voice was conveyed to Kabian that he seemed to hold some disdain for the young wolf, “we are here as we were asked. But I dont know what we expect to find, I cant see a thing in this rain. I hope it clears so that Monok may look down upon us.”

“I too hope for the rain to cease. But it will not stop my doing what I need to do. I thank the both of you for coming down, and bringing your friends with you. I have thought about what Ohenoki wants of us, and I have only been able to come up with one thing,” the new wolf seemed to look at him in disgust, as if it was clear why they were there, “I believe we need to split into groups of two, and pace the Sands. It is not hard, but it is cold in this rain.”

“We'll do whatever you decide. For some reason Sugano has told me to do as you say. I dont know why, but I wont be going against what our leader says. But there are three of us, and I personally dont really want to walk these desolate Sands with a Scarred Tree wolf.”

“That is for Kabian to decide Rinta. Kabian, we from the Scarred Tree are here to do as yo ask. Koga also sends his thanks for your eternal vigil,” Estumi bowed herself down, touching the Sands with here nose. She rose again and called her friend over. Rinta called the other wolves from his Clan over as well.

“I think it best that we travel in pairs. I will walk with whoever is left from the Guardians. If you see anything strange out over the water, give a howl to call us over. Even the slightest change from the blackness that it usually is out over the water.”

Kabian turned to face the water and paced down towards is. At that moment the rains lessened, and gaps started to appear in the clouds, the stars shining through. Hopefully soon the moon would apper from behind the clouds, to light their way. He shook his head a little and sighed.

“Let us start, before we miss anything.”

Estumi and Takuyuki started off towards the north, while Rinta took Yoshi and went south. One of them always had their eyes out over the water, while the other just paced beside. Kabian went around on top of the rock and lay down in the light drizzle the rain had become, paws crossed in front of him, and muzzle resting lightly on them.

“Shouldn't we start walking?” Satsumi asked.

“Not just yet, or we would be too close to the others. We will wait a bit, then follow behind Estumi. Rinta will reach my rocks before too long and turn back this way. But theres no point following too close behind, or we may miss something. Just be patient.”

Satsumi also seemed to be a young wolf, maybe even a little younger than Kabian himself. Which might be why Rinta left him behind with Kabian. He had noticed that the older wolves dont really have any trust in the younger wolves.

After a while of sitting silently at the sands Kabian rose and started to walk slowly along the edge of the water. Satsumi stayed closer to the trees, like most wolves being a little frightened and confused by the crashing of the waves.

They paced for a long time, watching out toward the horizon, keeping their eyes focused on the task. The rain made the ground shift, but Kabian easily dealt with the uneven footing, it wasnt the first time the rain had changed his landscape.

A howl went up in the distance, up ahead of them. It was followed by a second howl, in a different voice. The hackles on his neck rose and he jumped quickly to face out to the water. His head swayed left and right as he peered through the rain and the seaspray to try and find their cause of alarm.

He couldn't see anything from his vantage point. This caused a problem, so he started rushing to see the wolves ahead. Satsumi seemed to have dissappeared already. He raced along the sands in the direction of the howl, not really concerned with where Satsumi had gotten to. Finding out what was happening was more important.

The howling continued for a while, the two voices mixing in with each other. They couldn't be too far away. He rounded a small bend in the Sands, where a few jutting rocks had blocked his view of further down. The wolves were in front of him now, sitting on their haunches and faces out to the Water, heads held high as they called for the others.

He barked at them as they came into sight.

“Estumi, Takuyuki, what is going on?”

Estumi's head dropped down and she stopped howling, Takuyuki continued on for a bit though, making sure everyone along the Sands had heard it.

“Take a look out over the water Kabian.”

Her head went from looking at Kabian to out over the Water. He followed he gaze, and after blinking a few times in the rain, he saw what she saw.

Four lights bobbed up and down out in the distance. They seemed to be in two groups, because there were two lights then a large vacant space in the darkness, then the other two lights. Kabian's front legs felt shaky, remembering the night he had seen first seen lights over the water. It had only been a single light, and that had brought death and destruction to his home. Four lights now could only mean more trouble.

A sound from behind him made him turn from the light briefly, he noticed Satsumi had arrived, as well as Rinta and Yoshi. Everyone seemed frozen in the moment. The echoes of the howls died as they stood, looking out over the Water at the lights moving slowly, just seeming to stay at the edge of their vision, as they would vanish in an instant.

Kabian's front leg gave way and he dropped to the ground, his head drooping down as the severity of what was happening suddenly took weight on his shoulders.

“So what now oh fearless leader?” Yoshi growl was full of sarcasm, but Kabian could sense the fear that he harboured too.

Everyone here had to be aware of what had happened when the creatures had come the first time. Wiping out an entire clan.

“I...” Kabian paused as he spoke to Yoshi and then dropped his head, “...dont know. There are so many lights.”

“May I make a suggestion Kabian?” Estumi came over to stand beside him, her head still out looking over the water, “maybe some of us should go warn the clans?”

Kabian looked up and at Estumi. Her words made sense. But still he was worried. What if something changed when everyone left? How would he be able to tell them. Then his thoughts cleared for a moment. Four of the wolves could go warn the clans, and that would still leave one wolf to be with him, in case something changed.

“That is a good idea. Yoshi can you organise your wolves to go see Oak Wood and Crystal Glade Clans? Estumi, please send Takuyuki to your Clan, and can you please stay. I do not know what is going to happen now.”

He could hear a few barks from behind him, then they suddenly stopped and he could hear the rushing of wolves running off, the rustle of the leaves as they entered the forest. Takuyuki also left, heading north along the beach. Estumi stayed, and walked around a bit, seeming to listen to make sure the other wolves were out of earshot.

Kabian went to walk towards the tree line, where he could sit in relative shelter from the rain while they waited, but Estumi stepped in front of him.

“Kabian, you need to get your thoughts together. We know less about these creatures than you do, you need to show us what to do. You cannot allow what happened to your clan to happen to the rest of us. You were only young, but you were there, where as none of us were.”

“But I do not know what to do. I have not spent much time around anyone other than Ohenoki. I do not know how to deal with other wolves, and I do not know how to deal with these dangerous creatures. They come bearing death in their hands. I just feel so alone.”

“You have no need to feel that way. Koga has asked me to aid you in any way I can. And he will come too, once Takuyuki tells him what is happening. He believes that you are our best chance of dealing with these creatures, and he will put all his strength into seeing that you learn what you need to learn. What we need to know is what you know, before they get here.”

She turned and walked over to the edge of the trees and sat below a rather large leaf, the water dripping down either side of it and running onto the Sands.

“Come sit with me, watch the lights, and tell me what we need to know about these creatures, so that we might deal with them when they come to us.”

Kabian walked over and sat beside her, and as he watched the lights in the distance slowly get closer, he recounted what he knew of the creatures.

“They travel in groups, but they are easy to seperate if you know where they are. I did notice that they seemed to follow the order of one of the creatures. I dont know if it will be here this time. But I am sure some other sort of leader will come. They seem a little confused without one.

As I said before, in their hands they carry death. They point it towards you, and suddenly theres a loud noise, and you start dying. I saw it happen. It is the most dangerous thing about them. But it doesnt seem to be part of them, and without them they may struggle to fight at all, their limbs look quite weak. I dont think they could run very fast. And their eyesight seems to be lacking, especially when Monok is out watching over us.”

“This is good Kabian, this is the kind of thing that we need to know. I have some ideas on what we may do to get the better of them, but I have to see them myself now. You are giving me much to think about, but we have to see how many there are and what they are going to do.”

“From what I have seen Estumi, one of them is by and far no match for a single wolf, especially without their thunder sticks. Their flesh is weak, their movements slow and sluggish, and their blood as red as a deers.”

“Then it just comes to waiting. I think they will arrive before Koga gets here. The lights are already much larger than when I first saw them.”

They sat under the protection of the large leaf and waited for the lights to arrive. At the same time the other wolves ran to the clans to tell them of the impending danger.

* * *

Takuyuki came out into the clearing below the lightning blazed tree that marked the centre of the Scarred Tree Clans territory. Its dead limbs splayed out in all directions, its trunk parted straight down the middle. The grass around it was healthy, and new plants had cropped up near it, feeding off its rotting remains.

Koga was sitting below its branches, watching the surrounding treeline. He caught sight of Takuyuki quickly, but didn't move. The tree didnt provide much in the way of protection from the rain, but it was light right now, and didnt really bother the wolves with their thick coats.

He panted as he climbed the small rise to the tree, exhausted from his trek through the rain. He came to stand before Koga and bowed his head.

“I suppose they have arrived then.” Koga growled this more as a matter of fact than a question.

“Some lights have been seen out over the Water. From what we could tell, they were moving fairly slowly. It might not be until morning that they are here.”

“We will wait until we see more clearly what is happening. Then we will come. You go back and stay with Estumi. When she tells you its time, come to me again, and we will run to Kabian's aid. I think he will have need of us.”

Koga looked up into the patchy night sky. The rain would be gone by morning. The new days will bring surprises for everyone, be they wolf, or strange creature from across the Water. He only hoped Kabian was up to the task that was set before him. He would need strong friends around him if he is to succeed in driving the creatures off. But Koga doubted it would end there.

* * *

Yoshi paced wearily towards the knoll that marked his homeland. He had run hard to get here in time, and was panting from his exertion. But he was rewarded for his efforts, as it seems that Sugano and the other had downed a large deer, and there was still some left for him.

He shouldered his way into the pack of wolves gorging themselves the still warm meat of the deer. His nose finally reached the flesh and the blood made his stomach growl loudly, startling those beside him. He hadnt had a chance to eat his fill last time, and the stretch between the meals had pushed him to his limits. Maybe that was why he had been so irritable towards Kabian.

In truth, he had nothing against the pup. Though pup he was still. With only about thirteen moons behind him there was no way he was yet an adult within this world. But he was maturing quickly. And he looked strong and fast, possibly stronger and faster than most of the wolves in the clans. It was strange how being alone made his will to live so much greater than everyone elses.

Something tugged at his tail while he was gorging himself. He ignored it though, so focused he was on the meal at hand. They could wait until he had finished. If they wanted food they could find another way in.

He started to tear into a large chunk of meat when suddenly, whatever had tugged at his tail before, now dragged him back from the carcass. Pain shot into his tail and down his back, and he whimpered a bit, but it wasnt as much as he thought it would be.

When he finally stopped moving backwards his tail quickly dropped between his legs and he slowly turned around. He knew there was only one wolf in the clan with the strength to drag him backwards when he feet were dug into the ground. Slowly he turned himself around, tail between his legs and head downcast.

“Ah, Yoshi, you finally decide to talk to me.” Sugano stood tall, head held high, voice belittling.

“Sugano, I am sorry. I was just so hungry. I didnt stop to think. The smell just drew me to it.”

“Enough of that. Just tell me whats going on.”

“The creatures are on their way, Estumi of the Scarred Tree spotted them out over the Water. They were still a fair distance out when I came to see you.”

“Well then. I suppose we should send some help to little Kabian then. We cannot leave our post here though. We must remember. You had better go back. Rinta and Satsumi can stay with you, and take two more as well. Five of you should be more than enough help for him. If Ohenoki believes that this pup will drive the creatures off, then we must believe it too.”

* * *

Satsumi cowered down close to the ground, his tail sliding between his legs, and his nose touching the wet, dewy grass between his paws. He closed his eyes for a few moments, letting the rain was over his face, then opened them again. The other wolves were still there.

“You dare come onto our land?”

Poi growled menacingly at at Satsumi, standing over him, with the other wolves just slightly behind.

“I need to speak with Kamide,” Satsumi whimpered out.

“He is resting, you will speak with me.”

“I was told to speak with Kamide only.”

“While Kamide is not here, you WILL speak with me,” Poi brought his face down close to Satsumi's, the light mist from his breathing going over Satsumi's eyes, “I run the clan.”

“F-f-fine.”

He raised his head sharply to stand. He knocked Poi's jaw, and Poi's mouth snapped shut on his tongue.

Poi yelped and jumped backwards quickly. Satsumi took this chance to turn and started running. Calling back over his shoulder he warned them of the impending danger.

“The creatures have been spotted heading towards us. Kabian requests you aid us.”

After speaking he focused his mind on the trail ahead.

“Chase him down!” Poi growled out, almost howling.

The wolves started chasing Satsumi, but only half heartedly. Snapping at his heels, and raking their teeth through his tail. The older wolves did not really trust Poi, and tried to stay back during the chase, holding the younger ones off. But one of the younger wolves caught a leg and drew blood. An older wolf nudged him in the side and he let go.

Satsumi managed to elude the pursuing wolves with the help of some of their number, and started making his way back to the Sands and Kabian.

Kamide slowly stepped from the den, Tomi helping him to stand. He looked around. The commotion had brought him out. He had heard howling and growling, but couldn't understand what had been said due to the echoing nature of the den.

“Poi!”

His voice was still full of power and demanded respect, even though it was soon followed by a spout of coughing.

Poi came over quickly, and touched his nose to the ground in front of Kamide.

“What was going on here?”

“Nothing to concern yourself with Kamide, I have dealt with it. It was just a troublesome wolf, trying to cause us more trouble. He has been dealt with though.”

“You make sure you tell me if any word comes for me. Ohenoki has me worried.”

Kamide swung his head low then motioned for Tomi to help him turn. And without any more he made his way back into the den.

* * *

Yoshi stopped in his race back as his nose smelt some fresh blood. He threw his head around quickly, trying to judge where it was. Once he had found it he slowly made his way in the direction he sensed it, being careful as he was in Crystal Glade territory.

He seemed to near the spot and smelt the air again, trying to judge if any other wolves were around. He caught a faint scent of wolves, but it was as if they had been here briefly and left.

He took a few more steps forward and came to a small clear section of track. A number of crow had gathered around whatever was in the middle of the track. One of them pulled back, raised its wings above its head, then charged forwards, sqwuaking loadly. The others shifted a little, but only enough that it could get its beak in and tear away some flesh.

The smell of the fresh blood drew him near, and with no other wolves around he made his way forwards. He stoped a few paces short though, his mind finally catching up. There must be some reason that no other wolves were here, and that the crows were squabbling over the meat.

He rushed toward the crows, letting a bark out. They scattered quickly, taking flight and landing on branches around him. He looked up and growled at them. A couple jumped a little, but then they settled back down, realising he couldnt get at them when they were up there. They peered forward, eagerly eyeing the corpse now at Yoshi's feet.

After making sure they weren't going to cause any more problems he looked down. With a gasp he leapt backwards, twisting slightly as he nearly collided with a tree. A crow took wing and dived for the corpse, but he gathered his wits and chased it off again.

He looked at the corpse and shook his head. From what he could see there were tracks all around it. Many wolves had been here recently, and they had only just left. He smelt the wind again, and sensed them, not far away. His hunger had clouded his judgement. He turned and ran. He hoped the others would not suffer the same fate when they came though.

“Poor Rinta. You will be avenged. But I am no match for an entire clan.”