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He sighed when she settled down next to him. "Oh well, I didn't really need a scar there anyway..." he trailed off as he felt her doodling against his chest again. But a smile eased itself across his face and he managed to muster up enough strength to run his hand through her hair. "Love ya, Red."

Bella finally dragged herself out of the water and shook herself dry. Water droplets sprayed in every direction before her fur puffed out briefly. She turned to look at Nex and Neo, wondering if they were going to stay in the stream all night.

Red smiled and paused for a second as he ran his hand through her hair. "Love you too, Arien," she replied.
Slowly the moon rose higher in the sky. Red's body refused to let her sleep though and she fidgeted a little.Why cant i get any sleep? This is going to be a long night.. she thought tiredly.

Nex climbed out after Bella and shook the water from his fur. His fur puffed out to where he looked like a large marshmallow. Neo burst out in laughter and went under water before coming up with a large trout.
Nex hissed crossly at Neo then walked over and sat beside Bella.

By contrast, Arien was out cold; sleeping soundly--though snoring softly. If he'd been his usual self, he might have helped Red with her sleeping problem. But right now he was blissfully unaware of anything.

Bella grinned wolfishly at Nex, amused, and then set off trotting back to camp. She felt a need to be with Arien for all that he was as much a pack mate as Nex and Neo.

The morning came quicker then Red thought it would and she was relieved. Maybe she could still try and get some sleep, even though every attempt failed the night before. Closing her eyes, she tried to get some sleep but it refused to come.

Nex had walked back with Bella last night and now he was comfortably laying down with her. Yet something was different about what happened before they fell asleep. Though he couldnt really remember in a half concious state.
Neo was a good twenty feet from camp and flicking his ears irritatedly.

Arien awoke with the morning and carefully stretched, testing his side. He smiled as he felt no pain and then gently began to rub Red's back. She was still lying on him but he could feel how tense she was. Had she not slept all night?

Bella lifted her head to look at Nex and then Neo when they seemed to be acting strange. She cocked her head to the side and whined, confused, before snuggling up closer to Nex. Whatever had happened, it didn't seem to bother her or her ever-in-the-present wolf mindset.

Red felt him stir a little and she looked up at him. "How did you sleep?" she murmured as she sat up.
Leaning over Arien, she kissed him gently then moved away from him and over to her pack. Searching throughout her pack, she muttered under her breath.

Nex purred softly and licked Bella's cheek. He couldnt remember what happened, but it didnt matter now.

"I slept well enough," Arien murmured. "You?" He turned to watch what she was doing. "What are you looking for?"

Bella nudged him with her nose and then laid her head on one of his paws. She sighed and closed her eyes.

"I didnt sleep at all. Im looking for a knock out medicine i know i have..im exhausted." Red mummbled.
Not finding what she was looking for, Red sat back and ran her fingers through her hair.

Nex closed his eyes and purred softly before falling asleep again.

Sympathy crossed Arien's face. He'd been the victim of sleepless nights before and he knew how rough they could be. He sat up and moved up behind her.

"Forget the drugs," he murmured, gently putting his hands on her shoulders. He began a gentle massage, meant to soothe as much as relax tense muscles. "Just close your eyes and think of something calming. Let me worry about everything else."

Red closed her eyes and relaxed as Arien massaged her shoulders. She leaned back into him and didnt fall asleep, but felt better than before.
"I dont know why i cant sleep. It's irritating," Red murmured.

Arien nodded as he continued to massage Red's shoulders, though he slowly lowered his hands down her back, working out all the tenseness.

"A lot happened yesterday," he said. "You're still coming to terms with Ash's death, even if you don't think so. You were friends at one time and it's hard to take a life." He leaned forward just enough to kiss the back of her neck. "But I'm proud of you for being so strong. You're an amazing woman, Red."

Red shuddered a little as Arien kissed the back of her neck. Then blushed at his praise. "Thank you.. That means alot to me," she whispered, referring to him being proud of her.

Slowly, Red fell asleep in Arien's arms.

Arien smiled to himself when Red fell asleep. He kept his arms around her, protecting her from any nightmares as he let his mind wander.

Bella stirred and yawned and finally stretched. She went over to the tent to investigate and popped her head into check on Arien and Red.

Arien turned at the movement, but didn't react one way or the other. Bella snorted and then came to lay down quietly next to Arien. "Good girl, Bella," Arien murmured so as not to wake Red.

Red woke up a few hours later, when she saw the replay of herself killing Ash. Waking with a jolt, she was breathing heavily and sweat beads had formed on her forehead.

Nex watched as Bella walked away. Then standing up, he went to go hunting.

Red was gripping the edge of Arien's shirt and slightly shaking.

Sadly, Arien had half-expected something of the sort to happen. "Ssshhh, it's alright, Red." He rubbed her back soothingly. "You're okay. I'm right here for you."

Bella touched her cold nose to Red's arm, trying to reassure her

Red relaxed a little and managed to stop herself from shaking. Letting go of Arien's shirt, she turned and hugged Arien, holding onto him. The part that scared her the most is that she had almost lost Arien. She couldn't have saved him and she couldnt bear to loose him.

He pulled her close enough that he could feel her heart beat. "I gotcha, Red." He continued to murmur, content enough to hold her until she calmed down enough that he could consider asking her whether she would want to talk about it. "You're gonna be okay. It was just a dream."

"No it wasnt..i almost lost you.." Red whispered, her voice cracking a little.
She gripped the back of Arien's shirt and sniffled.

"I almost lost you, too. But we're still together, still alive. And look, it's a sunny afternoon even. The birds are singing, the fish are swimming, the tigers are frolicking...somewhere." He frowned, having not seen Neo or Nex for some time.

Bella wagged her tail from the floor before getting up to look outside. She pricked her ears up, listening for Nex.

Red let go of Arien and sat up, her bangs falling into her eyes. Wiping away the few stray tears that escaped, she managed a small smile.
"Yea.. What are we going to do now Arien?" she mummbled and looked at Arien.

Nex was sitting by Neo with a rabbit in his jaws. As soon as he saw Bella, he trotted over.
"I brought you food," he said over the rabbit's fur.