All's Lost...All's Dead...{open}

[Fezzlynn]

The early morning fog covered the graveyard, along with the early morning dead silence. Nothing moved, just the wind. Nothing breath, except the dog. Everything seemed as lost and confused as Arizona felt. She felt as if at any moment, dead bodies would rise from the ground, but eventually she convinced herself that was ridiculous, especially since nothing, thus far, has happened. But the feeling that some dreadful thing was going to happen still clung loosely to the dog's wavy brindle fur.

So, Arizona walked carefully on, her fur prickling as her own paws snapped twigs that covered the ground. The place creeped her out, bur she kept moving slowly. Swallowing, she she came upon a stone that rouse from the ground, and had funny human things printed on it. On the top there was a human baby, with beautiful wings. It was a full stone sculpture, and sadness welled in her heart. Motyo must feel like this, feeling like she lost her own little angels. But Arizona wasn't going to give up.

Swallowing her fear, Arizona walked through the graveyard until she thought it would never end. The sun was beginning to poke above the horizon, but it was covered by thick, gray clouds. Arizona frowned, knowing those clouds meant rain. So, she walked on again, and found the same statue she first saw, the one with the baby angel on it. Feeling a rain drop splatter her nose, she had no choice but to curl up next to the cold, hard rock and wait for it to stop.

[☼Åžrå☼]

The small red haired pup walked through the graveyard cold and alone. The fall wind bit eagerly at her warm flesh, hungering for her warmth. Stephie shivered violently. She wished that she had a friend, someone that she would be able to curl up with and be warm. She had no one. The irish setter, golden retriever mix looked up mournfully at the sky and saw the grey stormclouds gathering. Great, another thing to suck the warmth from me. Stephie shivered again as she neared a large head stone. She glanced up at it quickly before curling up against it's cold surface. She saw the statue of a winged baby, but it didn't move her. She had heard that humans were evil, that humans had tested on many of the canines that lived on the isand years ago. The stories had been passed down to the pups, and then their pups, and so on, until every dog on the island knew of the horrors the humans had given canines. The coldness of the rock seemed to seep into Stephie's back so that she almost wanted to move away from the rock. Only the fact that the headstone was breaking the harsh wind kept her there. Little did the six month old pup know, another dog was right on the other side of the gravestone.

[Fezzlynn]

Suddenly, the older pup's ears perked. There was something moving on the other side of the rock. Another dog, by the sound of it. Narrowing her eyes in the cold rain, she waited until the moving stopped, right on the other side of the cold rock. She wish she could of thought it was her mom, but these were the light paw steps she remembered when she was a little younger. The same clumsy, light paws steps. She shook her head lightly to clear the thought, and got up silently.

Stretching first, because her legs were stiff from the cold rock, she peaked around the corner and saw the puppy for the first time. She was younger then she was, with red fur. Blinking shyly, she knew she had to do something. The pup looked cold and alone, much like herself. She couldn't let that happen to this youngster. It was like being left alone outside in the rain when everyone else was concealed and warm in the barn.

Stepping lightly around the corner, she snapped a twig on purpose. Oops, didn't see you there, she said apologetically. Then, she sat down. Obviously, if the pup was a threat, she'd be able to take care of herself. She was almost a year old, for one, and this pup was also smaller then her. But she couldn't help thinking that if she saw this dog in another month, it would be bigger then her.

Do excuse me if I scared you...I was just wondering if you lots your mom, or worse, she was stolen.... Arizona closed her eyes tightly, pinned her big ears against the back of her head, tilted her head slightly toward the left, and sighed. She kept in that position for a moment, too shy to open them again for at least a moment, and then did. The sun starting to shine behind the clouds surprised Arizona, and she had to blink to get used to it. But then, her light amber eyes fixed on the small pup in front of her, and she waited.

[☼Åžrå☼]

Steph jumped in fright when the other dog had suddenly appeared next to her. A small yelp erupted from her maw. Her little heart was speeding, threatening to beat right out of her small chest. Steph stared at the other dog in fright and listened as she spoke. When she realised that the other dog meant no harm she calmed down. She spoke hesitently "I... my mom died. She was..." A small sob threatened to sound at the rememberance of her parent's hideous death by the rabid dog, but the strong little pup held it back. "My parents were killed by a rabid dog." Steph looked away quickly, she didn't want the other dog to make fun of her dead parents, she didn't think she would be able to stand it again. Other dogs had said that she was lying. How could a little dog like her have escaped while her parents died? Even she didn't quite understand how she escaped from the foaming jaws. The other dogs had always said that her parents didn't want her and abandoned her. They said that her parents probably never thought about her again after she left their lives. Steph shivered and looked up at the sky. She was surprised to see the sun beginning to emerge from behind the storm clouds. The rain would stop soon!

[Fezzlynn]

Arizona listened to the pup's short story. It got to the point, Arizona was sure of that. She layed down and crawled a little closer, and gave a blink of sympathy. I'm sorry to hear that happened to your parents, little one, she said softly, feeling quite strange to be saying"little one" since she was so used to being called it. My mom was stolen away by men in a black truck. She fought them off the best she could for me and my six other siblings. Once my father found out, we didn't see him again. We're sure he's around somewhere...but no one else assumes that. I think they think he went with her or went looking for her.

Arizona shook her head. She knew her father hadn't left the ranch, or the city for that matter. That's why she knew it was her duty to look for her mom. I knew he didn't leave, she repeated her thoughts. Not the ranch, not the city. That's why I left, to go looking for my mom. You see, I live many, many miles away from here. I don't even know were the truck went. All I know is he had to of gone west, because you go east and you run into the ocean.

Arizona suddenly felt the strange silence again as the rain stopped. The clouds went away and the fog disappeared. Although it was still a bit chilly, the sun caught the old pup's dark fur and helped to warm her and dry her. So, she shook the last of the rain droplets from her face and stood up. Come on, lets go on the other side. It's sunnier over there. And with that, she walked around to the other side an d waited to see if the other pup would follow.

[☼Åžrå☼]

Steph listened intently to the dog's sad story and slowly looked back toward her eyes. "I... I'm so sorry about your dad. I... really hope you can find your mom!" Steph was a little jelous of this other pup. This dog at least had the hope that she would be able to find her parents, while Steph had seen them massacred before her, had watched the rabid dog die the slow torturous death of rabies. She shuddered as the memorie came back to her. The foam flecked dog's eyes had rolled back up into his head, his jaws had opened wide in a mute scream of agony. The mastiff had fallen to the ground convulsing, attempting to escape the murdurous grasp of something he couldn't see... Then his cold lifeless body laid with two others, the only two dogs that Steph had ever known. They had been able to go to the afterlife together, just like they always were. But she wasn't with them. Steph looked up quickly when she heard the shuffling noise of the other dog standing. She slowly stood as well, stretching her protesting muscles as she went. The rain had stopped, and for that she was glad. The small red dog walked to the other side of the tomb stone and found that it was indeed warmer on that side. It blocked the biting wind better as well. When she reached that side it was as if someone had shut off a fan somewhere.

[Fezzlynn]

As Arizona layed down, the other puppy came around the corner. She had heard what she said and felt warm that someone at least cared. Thank you. I am sure my dad is fine...probably just a but upset to hear that the lvoe of his life for over a year was stolen...but my mom, she's the one I am worried about. She's tough though. She was bred to be brave and to survive and fight. Me...I was bred cause they wanted pups, and I just hope my siblings are doing alright. I am sure they are fine though. Orion is probably bossing everyone around while Turk is getting into trouble still. Indigo is probably keeping to herself a bit but still playing. Butterball is probably eating everyone's food. Journey is probably playing with Journey as well. And Chewy is probably chewing on everyone. And my owners, Kira and James are probably busy being worried sick about all these missing dogs. Jay, the other ranch dog is probably caught up working with the cattle and guarding the ranch. Poor Jay! He seemed so miserable last time I saw him...

Suddenly, Arizona noticed she talked a lot. She hoped the other puppy didn't mind. Talking about it made her feel better, and this pup seemed to understand how he felt. She moved closer to the other pup, offering her own warmth. Even on this side of the rock it wasn't exactly warm. Then she suddenly remember she hadn't told her her name. Embarrassed a bit, she finally spoke it, Now that you know everyone in my family's name except my dad Takoda and my mom Motyo, you should know mine. I am Arizona. I was told I was named that because I looked like the Arizona deserts, with a matching pair of light amber eyes to blend in with the theme. What is your name?

[☼Åžrå☼]

((Uhhh... you know all humans died 80 years ago right?))

The little pup looked at Arizona with sever interest in her eyes. Steph looked at her orbs and saw that they were very beautiful, but she didn't know what a desert was. She didn't want to ask however because she figured that Arizona knew what she was talking about and that was all that mattered. "My name is Stephanie, and I don't know why I was named that. Everyone calls me Steph though." When Arizona moved closer Steph felt her body heat almost reaching out to her, inviting her to scoot closer and exchange warmth for warmth. The pup happily moved closer to Arizona and felt the pup's heat caress her cold body. Her shivering didn't stop, but it did subside a bit. Steph's light brown eyes really looked Arizona over for the first time. The different color's of the dog's coat astounded her. Steph had never seen a dog's coat look like that before. All of the different reds and tans and blacks. If Arizona looked like a desert, then a desert must be a very beautiful place. Now the little red pup felt a longing to see a desert, she wanted to see the anomali that was as beautiful as the dog laying next to her.

[Fezzlynn]

{occ; true, just got carried away I guess, lol. Ignore that please. ^^;;}

Arizona listened to the pup say her name. That is a nice name, Steph, she said to her kindly. She was also glad to see at least she didn't seem scared of her anymore as she scooted closer for more warmth. Arizona' thick coat was only penetrated slightly, as she didn't have her undercoat yet. However, Steph's fur wasn't quite like Arizona's. It wasn't as thick and long, and so she shivered in the cold still.

Suddenly, her amber eyes followed Steph's brown-eyed gaze. What she noticed was that she seemed to be really looking at what her fur was like. She had to admit, her breath was taken away. She too, had never really seen how her fur looked. Dazed, she looked back at the puppy. Then, shaking her head, she closed her eyes for a moment. Then they flashed open, and as if Ari read Steph's mind, said You know what would be cool? If we could actually go to a desert.

Arizona thought it would be cool, but she heard deserts were dry and hot, without much water and shade. But curiosity burned deep inside her fur. I would certainly want to go faster, if it wasn't for how hot they were. They have very little water and shade, too. Then, she perked her ears forward. A rustling noise came from a nearby bush, and an old rabbit hopped slowly out. Arizona tensed her muscles, waiting until it was looking away. When it was facing the other direction, she bolted toward it and sprang. Before the rabbit could even squeal, she was on top of it. She quickly snapped it's fragile neck and carried it back. Care you share? she asked as she dropped it next to Steph.

[☼Åžrå☼]

Steph listened intently as Arizona spoke and felt the need to explore a desert burning inside her. That is, until the other dog told her about the downsides of deserts. "Little water and shade?" Her voice held dissapointment at that thought, although the thought of a place that was warm, or even hot, was better then the cold that this place was. She had just began to ponder on how they would get to the so called desert when a rustle attracted her attention. Her head whipped around, causing one of her floppy ears to land across her nose and cover her eyes. As she shook her head she suddenly heard a thump. Next thing she saw was Arizona coming back toward her with a held firmly in her maw. The sudden sound of her stomach growling reminded Steph of how she hadn't eaten in a few days, and what she had eaten was just some old trash. Her eyes held a glint of thankfulness and happiness when Arizona said that they could share. "Of course I can share!" Steph carefully grabbed one of the rabbit's hind legs and with a deft twist of her own head she snapped it off at the hip. When her jaws closed around the leg of the rabbit she had begun to salivate, as the smell of the rabbit and the warmth of the newly killed body made the thought of an iminant meal very appealing to the pup. Her jaws ferociously ripped apart the hind leg of the rabbit into bite sized chunks that she ravenously gulped down. Soon all that was left of the leg was the small bone clenched between her paws. Steph cracked the bone in her powerful jaws and began to suck on one end, sucking the marrow out.