Dokis, whiskey, and gun powder Part 6

	Anon began to run towards the howling. Something about the noise was soothing, almost calling to him. As anon ran, being whipped by the passing limbs of the trees.

Anon began to notice the pads of dogs feet making noise along with his running. He stopped dead in his track. He was being followed, but from where? He could hear it but couldn't see it. He ran off of the trail to better cover his tracks.

It was no use, the noise continued to follow him. Soon, the pack would catch him. He had to find the howling before they caught him. It grew louder and clearer as he ran towards a a steep hill. Anon began his attempt to climb it when something latched onto his leg. The pain shot through Anon's body. He turned to see a large black wolf tearing at his limb. There were more wolves emerging from the surrounding wolves.

Anon began to thrash violently. He didn't want to go like this.

The howling began to grow louder and louder, as a shining purple light ascended the hill. A brilliantly lit wolf made it's way to Anon, and the other wolves backed down from their prey, and began to snarl at the wonderful beast.

Anon took this opportunity to reach for his gun. He cocked the hammer and raised it to the pack. He wanted to pull the trigger, but was unable to. That tingle in the back of his head kept him from ending them.

The brilliant purple wolf walked around to Anon's front. It began to howl loudly, and the rest of the pack joined in. When they finished their call, they began approaching Anon.

Anon raised his pistol and fired it into the air, but it did not phase the wolves. He fired another shot into the air.

The wolves now surrounded Anon. Anon decided this would not be how it he went out. He put the gun to his head, and slowly cocked the hammer.

-click-

Anon desperately pulled the hammer back and pulled the trigger again.

-click-

He began to panic. He continued to fan the hammer with his thumb and pull the trigger.

The wolves had now began their feast. They tore Anon's flesh from it's bones. Anon began a blood curdling scream as he began to feel everything the wolves tore from him.

The wolves continued to gorge themselves on his flesh. They seemed to have no end to the amount Anon had to offer. Anon looked down, expecting to see his ravaged body.

His body had no flesh missing, and there was no blood. Yet, he felt every bite, every tear of flesh, and the cold on where he should have exposed wounds.

After a while, Anon stopped screaming. Not because he could not feel the pain, but because he no longer had the energy. When he stopped screaming, the wolves stopped their feast. The all began looking towards the moon, and began howling.

"Why are you crying? What possible reason could you have for your sorrows?"

The purple wolf stopped mid howl and looked into Anon's eyes, "You think you are the only one who can feel sorrow?"

Anon looked at the wolf, "You're telling me that animals have regrets? YOU have regrets?"

"You humans and your narrow minds. I regret trespassing on your father's farm all those years ago and taking his sheep."

"Y-you're the wolf I shot when I was twelve. You had been killing our livestock for months. Dad made me take the shot that night. You were the first thing I had ever killed."

The wolf nodded, "I am sorry to have forced your hand. I regret it every day I spend in this realm."

"That's what you regret? You don't regret the death itself or the killing of our livestock?"

"No, those were the results of my own actions. I regret the path I sent you down."

The wolf sat next to Anon. Anon began to pet it's fur, "What is your name?"

"Diniih." It simply replied. The pack of wolves were still calling to the moon, as snow began to fall.

"Even the wolves regret their decisions, Anon. The world is unforgiving in the regard that we can never know the outcome of our decisions. Sometimes, the decision will always hurt, no matter what. That is why I do not regret my decision to eat your father's sheep. If I had not, I would have starved. My decision was to either die in the woods or die trying to live. I chose the decision that hurt less, but it does not mean it did not hurt at all.

Anon looked into Diniih's eyes. He slowly began to see what the wolf had in it's mind. The pain and anguish of all Anon's decisions in hid life were swirling in the mind of the wolf.

Anon winced as he saw flashes of the stuff he had done. The young man, the bank robbing couple, the wolf, and many other memories that pained him.

Anon opened his eyes to see they were no longer in the forest, but in the plains. There was a graveyard marked with simple crosses as far as the eye could see.

"Where are we, Diniih?"

"This is where regret come to rest. Some put their regret to rest, and some rest with their regret."

Anon was astounded at how fat the field stretched.

"How far does this field go?"

"Until the stars no longer shine in the sky, Anon."

Anon looked up to see the pack had surrounded him. They had a ferocious look in their eyes as Anon began to back away.

Suddenly, he felt a tree against his back. He was now back in the forest. There was nowhere to run. He sat on the ground and the wolves began feasting again.

Anon grabbed his pistol and cocked the hammer. He hesitated as the wolf he aimed at met his eyes.

Anon fired, and the wolf turned to ash.

He began to fire at the rest of the pack. One by one they all turned to ash and blew away.

One last wolf remained. Diniih.

He looked over to the wolf to see it tearing at his arm. He slowly raised his pistol, "I'm sorry, friend."

Anon pulled the trigger, and the wolf slumped to the ground. The purple light began to melt away from the body. Soon, Anon recognized the wolf. There was a wound in its chest, where Anon had shot it all those years ago.

Soon, the wolf began to glow a dull blue. It picked itself off of the ground and began to walk away.

"Diniih, will we meet again?"

"I can never leave you, Anon. Though you put me to rest, I will still always linger."

Anon slumped against the tree and passed out as the blue wolf began to disappear into the woods.

****

	"Apparently Stalking Deer found me in a file of snow naked. I have no idea how I got that way, but he brought me back here and fixed me up."

Monika was hanging on to every word he spoke, "Is that why you don't want to talk about your dreams, Anon? Because you put them to rest?"

Natsuki began to make noise, and the two jumped to her side. She had been sleeping peacefully until that point.

Suddenly, Natsuki sat straight up, "Iiná, don't leave!"

She snapped out of it and looked around the room. It took her a minute to realize where she was. She met eyes with Monika and threw her arms around her.

"Monika! I'm so glad to see you. Where are the other girls?"

Monika began to stroke her hair, "It's okay, they're in bed right now. You've had quite an ordeal. Just lay down and relax."

Anon had went to make her a drink. Stalking Deer had given him ingredients to make her something to calm her nerves if she awoke.

"Monika, you should have seen it. It was the most beautiful thing in the world."

Anon had brought her the concoction that Stalking Deer advised he make.

She took a drink and winced at it, "This is bitter, Anon."

"Yeah, just try to drink it. It'll help you feel better."

Anon brushed the hair from Natsuki's face, and looked into her eyes.

Natsuki started to blush, "Uh, Anon. Are you okay?"

He nodded, "Yeah. It's good to have you back, Nat."

Anon walked to the chair he was previously sitting in and rolled a cigarette.

****

Monika eventually lulled Natsuki back to sleep.

Anon went to Monika and put a hand on her shoulder, "Come sit with me. I think she's out anyways."

Monika nodded and made her way to where her and Anon were sitting.

Anon felt her slender fingers wrap around his hand.

"Anon, this time we've all spent together has been unforgettable. I know the other girls feel the same way, too. You've been a great friend to all of us. And...well...I wanted to thank you."

Anon tried to cover his chuckle, "I feel like I caused noting but trouble for you girls. What with Natsuki and all." Anon felt that Monika wanted to say something more to him.

"If it hadn't been for you, we might not have made it this far."

The birds outside began singing their greeting for the sun. Anon looked out to see the sun beginning to crest over the mountains.

"I better get started on breakfast. I know Natsuki will be hungry when she get up. What should we have, Monika."

"Anything's fine, Anon."

She looked deep into him, "You're too good to us, you know that?"

Anon shook his head, "You girls have done more for me than you could ever know."

****

Yuri and Sayori had walked into the cabin.

Natsuki had been awake waiting for them, "Hey! I missed you too."

Yuri and Sayori ran towards Natsuki and wrapped their arms around her.

Monika walked in to see the group huddled together on the bed.

"Hey girls, Anon is about done with breakfast."

Anon began bringing plates of food to the girls.

"Here ya go girls, dig in!"

Anon sat at the table and began eating his breakfast. He listened closely as Natsuki regaled the others of her tale.

"I ran out of the teepee looking for the noises. It was a noise a deer makes, but it sounded urgent and pained. I couldn't explain it, but if felt as though it was directed at me..."

Anon looked out the window to see a pale blue light wandering through the forest.

"Diniih." He whispered, "what are you telling me?"

"But then the deer was no longer glowing." He snapped back to Natsuki's story, "He had turned to a monster. It was awful. But what was worse was I made him sad."

The other girls looked at each other in confusion.

"What do you mean, Nat?" Yuri asked, stroking the back of Natsuki's hair.

"I told him he was ugly, even though he was the same shining deer I had seen. I told him no one would find him beautiful and it made him sad."

The girls were surprised at the sudden appearance of Stalking Deer.

"No one awoke me for breakfast?"

They all laughed, "I left you some buddy." Anon said, pointing to the other table.

Chief Dakotah had made it to the cabin. When he walked in he immediately walked to Natsuki's side.

"How are you feeling today?" He asked as he brushed her hair to the side and looked into her eyes, just as Anon had.

"I'm feeling good. I was just telling the girls what happened."

He gave her a smile, "Well, would you mind starting from the beginning? That way I know all about what happened."

"Of course!"

As she started her story from the beginning, Anon got up and walked out of the cabin. He watched intently as the blue wolf walked in a pacing manner throughout the woods.

"Have you figured it out yet, Anon?"

Anon nearly jumped out of his boots. Chief Dakotah had come out of the cabin.

"No, chief. I saw him near the river when we found Natsuki. I haven't seen him in quite some time."

"It will come to you, Anon. You will know soon enough what he wants to tell you"

Anon suddenly realized, "Dakotah, I thought I was the only one who can see him. Just like how Natsuki is the only one who can see hers."

Dakotah smiled at Anon, "There are things about the other realm which are confusing to even someone such as myself. All I know is I see them."

Anon nodded, "Is that how you knew it was time to find Natsuki?"

"I had not seen that animal before, so I assumed it was the girls."

"Dakotah, you wouldn't be able to ask Diniih what he's trying to tell me, would you?"

"I can only see him. It is his choice to talk to me, not mine."

Anon nodded, "I see. Thank you for helping us chief."

"I did nothing. The girl helped herself."

The two turned to rejoin the others inside. It warmed Anon's hear to see Natsuki laughing with the other girls. He was worried he'd never see the old her again.

"Hey Anon," Natsuki called to him as he walked in, "Did you ever find my gun?"

"Yeah, it's in the wagon."

"Thank you for finding it, Anon. I appreciate it."

Anon gave her a nod and moved to sit with the group.

"Anon, you'll still....taking me hunting, right? Even with what happend?"

"Of course, Natsuki. You're always welcome to be my hunting buddy."

She gave a large grin, "Can we go this evening?"

Anon shrugged, "I suppose we could, if Dakotah permits us hunting on his lands."

The chief shrugged, "You have my permission."

Dakotah walked towards Anon and whispered, "I think she needs to go, Anon. Just be careful, we don't know if she's strong enough yet to go. Try not to stray too far."

Anon gave a grunt of acknowledgement.

****

It was the evening, and Natsuki was excited to go hunting with Anon. She was trying to get ready as Monika continuously scolded her.

"You're in no shape, Nat! What if something happens to you out there?"

"Don't worry, Monika. If anything happens I'll-" Anon was cut off by her sharp look, "You quit encouraging her! She's in no condition! Besides, you'll do what? You're in no condition to be out there either, stubborn ass!"

Anon gave her a dismissive wave as Natsuki skipped to meet Anon at the door, "Ready to go, Anon?"

"Of course, after you." He opened the door and followed her outside. They could hear Monika's rage well down the trail.

***

	"Anon, can I ask you something? You don't have to answer if you don't want to."

"What's on your mind, Nat?"

"Did the same thing happen to you? Not just the thing the chief did, but...you, and what happened to me. I...Don't really know how to ask what I want to, Anon."

He knew exactly what she was asking. He patted her on the head, "It's hard to explain, Natsuki. All I can tell you is the chief helped me, just like he helped you."

"If I may ask, what animal did you see? Did he have a name?"

"It was a wolf. His name was Diniih."

"Did you ever see him again? I hope I see Iiná again. He said he would always be there for me, but I don't know."

"You'll see him again when you most need him."

Anon crouched down next to a tree and Natsuki followed suit. It didn't take long for a deer to cross their paths. Anon handed her the rifle.

Natsuki immediately took aim and stared at the deer. Her hands no longer shook like before. She took her time to make the perfect shot.

A shot rang out, and the deer before them collapsed to the ground.

"Natsuki, how in the world did you get so good at shootin'?"

"I don't know. I was just thinking about the praise you gave me last time. You said it was the perfect shot. I know why now... it's because the deer didn't suffer. It's giving us so much, I didn't want it to suffer for us."

Anon gave her a pat on the shoulder, "You're gonna be okay, Natsuki."

****

	Anon and Natsuki saw Monika waiting for them in front of the cabin with her arms crossed.

"Well, at least you two made it back in one piece."

"Go ahead and get inside, Nat. I'll take care of the deer."

"Okay, Anon! Thanks again for taking me hunting." She called as she skipped past Monika.

Monika began to make her way to Anon.

"Now don't start on me. We're both fine and nothing happened. She'll be okay."

Monika knelt down next to him, "It's not just her I was worried about. Besides, Chief Dakotah told me the reason for going out there. Is she..."

"She's okay, Monika. She'll be alright. That girl is stronger than you think she is."

Anon heard a wolf's pained howl in the distance. He immediately snapped around to see where it was coming from.

"What's wrong, Anon?"

"Nothing....It's nothing. Help me get this meat inside so we can eat."

They brought the cuts of meat inside, where Sayori was beginning to start dinner.

"Hey, Anon. Did you have fun out there?"

"Of course! I hope your hungry because we'll have plenty to eat."

Anon sat down to kick his boots off, "So, Monika, I think it's about time we head out of here. If we stay too long we'll miss the delivery window on your contract."

All the girls groaned in unison. They had clearly become accustomed to the village.

"I know girls, it's great here. But, we don't want to take Dakotah's hospitality for granted, do we?"

They all looked down at the same time. They knew Anon was right, they just hated to go.

Chief Dakotah walked into the cabin and looked for Anon.

The chief gave Anon a questioning nod, and Anon returned a reassuring nod.

The chief grew a rather large smile.

"Whatever is cooking smells good."

Soon, Sayori was fixing plates for everyone.

"Anon, I wanted to take this opportunity to warn you about the tribe that broke away from mine."

Anon and the girls focused intently on the chief.

"As I said before, they broke away because of my willingness to trust the white man. Unfortunately, some of my strongest warriors left. They have become troublesome for the town on the other side of the mountain. The army came to me to ask why there was a violent war party. Unfortunately, there was nothing I could do to help them. I was told they attack any white man. Men, women, even children, no one is safe. It is said that other tribesmen have joined them, giving strength in their numbers."

Anon lit a cigarette, "So, we're gonna have to deal with that, I suppose."

"Anon, you are a great warrior. However, this is more than you and the girls can handle."

Anon flicked the ashes, "Chief, I appreciate your concern. But, I know these girls are going to go with or without me. So, I'm goin'."

"I cannot stop you, Anon. I do hope you know what you are doing."

"Never more sure of anything in my life, Dakotah."

****

	Anon had woke up early to prepare the wagon. He wanted to move out as soon as possible. Not because he disliked the village, but because he was hoping to bypass the other tribe.

Soon, the girls were coming out of the cabin to help Anon. As they gathered the horses and hitched them to the wagon, Chief Dakotah and Stalking Deer met them.

"You girls are always welcome to our village. Please, do not be like Anon and visit us often. It was a pleasure to have you around."

"Thank you chief Dakotah, we will try to visit again real soon." Monika said, giving a big smile.

Stalking Deer began handing out something to the girls, "These are a gift from the village. They are to protect you on your travels. It is also to remind you that we are always with you in spirit."

Dakotah handed one to Natsuki, "You are strong. DO not let anyone tell you otherwise."

Natsuki threw her arms around the chief with tears in her eyes, "Thank you, for everything you've done. I will never forget it."

After all the goodbyes were said, they all mounted their horses. Monika took the lead, Anon was feeling well enough to ride alongside her, Natsuki was security, Sayori was driving the wagon, and Yuri took the rear.

"May the wind be at your back and your travels be easy!" Dakotah called after them, as they made their way down the hill towards their destination.