Run Free - 4. Chapter 4

“I smell Tarry…”

A small dog trotted through the crowed avoiding the feet that threatened to step on him. He sniffed here and there before continuing his search.

“Tarry is here, I smell him almost everywhere. He has been living here?”

The small dog darted about the streets as the smell of the hellhound became stronger to the small dogs nose. He smelt Tarry and was determined to find him. Coming to Ruka’s mansion he sniffed.

“He’s here!”

Quickly he darted and jumped over the gate before hurrying into the back yard. Tarry sat with Alex and Martha watching the little girl tie the flowers she picked together. Marchen soon came out with a tray of cups filled with juice when suddenly…

“TARRY!”

The small dog pounced on Tarry nuzzling his muzzle into the hellhound. Tarry jumped a bit shocked and picked up the dog.

“Snow?”

“Tarry when did you learn to shift aren’t you a year too young for that?”

Alex tilted his head and looked at Martha who shook her head only knowing as much as him before they both looked to Marchen whom shrugged.

“Tarry, who’s this?” Alex asked a bit concerned.

The white dog shifted into a male, his hair only shoulder length and white as snow. He wrapped his arms around Tarry but Tarry began trying to push him off.

“This is snow. I use to see him all the time when leaving out of hell for a mission but one day he vanished.”

“Yes, I ended up being put to death. I got into a fight with one of the new pups and I was pushed from the realm. Of course I couldn’t get back but thankfully I got the collar off before I grew any bigger. Aw but you grew so much Tarry. You were only a pup when I left.”

“We are only a human year apart!”

Tarry groaned and tried to fight off the white pup but it seemed to be a futile effort. Alex on the other hand wasn’t sure what to say. He didn’t exactly know Tarry’s relationship with the pup but he did have about as many questions as Marchen.

“Tarry, was this your little boyfriend back in hell?” Marchen asked.

“NO!”

“Yes!”

Tarry looked at snow and growled. “There was nothing between us and you know it.”

“Oh stop denying it Tarry you loved me. You always got happy to see me when you came back from a mission.”

“You’re a damn lie I hated seeing you.”

“Oh your so cute when your delusional.”

“Who’s the delusional one?!”

Alex looked a bit saddened and got up. “Well I’ll go tell Ruka there’s a visitor.”

“Alex wait.” Tarry called out but Alex had already went inside.

“I wonder what’s wrong with the kid.” Snow said looked to where Alex when.

Tarry glared at Snow when Martha stomped on his hand and he yelped in pain. “What was that for?”

“Humph” Martha turned up her nose up at Tarry and walked away.

“Oh dear.” Marchen sat down the tray of drinks. “Here why don’t you have something to drink Snow?”

“NO! If you feed him he will never go away.”

Snow held Tarry to the ground accepting the cup form Marchen. “Oh thank you so much.”

----

Alex walked quickly down the hall when Martha grabbed on his shirt.

“Alex wait. It’s ok I am sure Tarry has an explanation.”

“What are you talking about?”

“You are jealous aren’t you?”

Alex shook his head quickly. “Why would I be jealous there’s nothing between me and Terry. Why do you always come up with such strange conclusions? I am only telling Ruka that Tarry has a friend here.”

Martha looked past Alex and almost turned white. Alex turned seeing this and turned just as white.

“Alex Martha. I am so glad your ok.” Angel ran over wrapping her arms around Alex and Martha. “I was worried sick about you. Now let’s go home.”

“Angel how did you get here?” Alex questioned.

“Prince Laurence brought me to you. Isn’t this wonderful? Now, we have to go home.”

“No wait I…” Alex started to protest and Martha clung to him.

“Wait what Alex? You had your adventure for the year you need to come back home. What if that hellhound had hurt you?”

“Tarry would never do such a thing. He…”

“Alex! Oh…” Tarry stopped as he stumbled his way down the hall to see Angel. He stared at her and he could see her expression turn to pure anger as she realized who he was.

“You stay away from my brother you demon.”

“Hold on just a moment Princess. Before you can go around speaking to people like that in my home you shall speak to me. So if we could please continue to my office we can talk.” Ruka said stopping Angel from making any other movements.

“Talk, talk about what? You are in a pack with that hellhound aren’t you? I won’t let you have Alex or Martha.”

Martha whimpered looking back at Tarry with pleading eyes and Tarry held out a hand for her. She ran over to him but was quickly grabbed by Angel.

“Don’t go to him. He is no good Martha, I taught you better than that.” Angel snapped

“Don’t talk about Tarry like that.” Alex said.

“Alex… now I will tell you this one more time, let’s go home.”

“Princess, I understand you were worried about them but maybe you should hear reason.” Laurence said but Angel glared at him.

“Look here prince charming. I don’t care who you are or what reason I am to marry you. I have a responsibility over these children and I will not let this hellhound take them from me.”

“Tarry’ isn’t doing anything wrong now let me go!” Martha screamed stomping her sisters foot and pulling away from her.

“Martha you get back here!” Angel said trying to grab Martha again.

Quickly Tarry grabbed hold of Martha as she ran to him. “Alex.” He held out a hand for him and before Angel could grab him Alex ran to Tarry.

Angel rose a hand and a light shown as she whispered some words directing the attack to Tarry. Quickly Ruka moved in the way taking the blow. “Marchen!” Marchen heared the call and hands reached out of the mirror next to Tarry pulling him, Alex and Martha inside.

Alex looked around in panic as he held onto Martha.

“It’s ok I pulled you in.” Marchen said standing next to Snow. “Come with me we are going to mama’s room.”

The room they were in was black and what looked like mirrors were all around. With Alex help Tarry stood up and Snow grabbed onto him to help. Alex frowned slightly and followed Marchen to one of the mirrors walking through it as instructed.

The room they now walked in was decorated in red and sky blue. Mama sat on the bed looked at the window before turning to them. “Good job Marchen.”

Marchen nodded. “What are you going to do with them?”

Alex looked at Marchen then Tarry who looked at Mama confused.

“Alex.” Mama held out a letter to Alex. “It’s from your mother. She informed us she wants me to look after you. She doesn’t want you to return to the castle. Not yet anyway.”

Martha clung to Alex. “What’s going on why do you know my mommy?”

Mama shook her head. “I don’t.”

“Your mother asked that I take the two of you with me. Of course she must have known where I took you. Most who know of me know I came form here since this town speaks of me so that’s probably how she gathered that you guys would be here and sent a letter to Ruka.” Tarry explained.

“You have a real liking for young trouble don’t you Tarry.” Snow said eyeing Alex and Alex turned his head.

“Snow please.” Tarry pleaded a bit looked back to Mama as she began to explain.

“Well your sister is about to wreck the place messing around with Ruka no doubt about it. But-”

“Will Ruka be alright? He got attacked by my sister.” Alex asked.

“He will be fine trust me. My brother can’t be taken down that easily.” Marchen said giving a reassuring smile.

“Tarry do you know anywhere else you can take them?” Mama asked

Tarry thought for a moment and nodded. “Yes, the pack lands with Kaji. He should be able to help.”

“Well then we will have to walk. There’s no mirror there to go through." Marchen said. "Mama do you think you can turn Tarry back into…”

Tarry whimpered slightly. He was finally able to speak to Alex and already he would have to turn back.

“I know Tarry, but it’s needed.” Marchen said softly.

Tarry nodded. “Alright.”

Alex looked a bit confused when he watched Mama pull a book off the nearby bookshelf and began flipping though the paged. Stopping she red over some words before saying the unknown language out loud and Tarry shifted back into a hellhound.

“T-tarry…” Alex bit his lip and wasn’t sure what to say. It was weird now. Tarry was just in the form of a person and now he was a hellhound again and he wouldn’t be able to speak.

“Ok Martha you and Alex need to go with Tarry. And …” Mama looked at Snow and blinked. “Who….”

“Snow is my name I am Tarry’s lover from hell.”

Tarry growled snapping at Snow though the white hound moved.

“Right so are you going with them?”

“Of course I am.” Snow shifted into a small hellhound himself.

“Will he be able to keep up?” Martha asked silently and Alex shrugged.

Quickly Tarry took off and seemed to be without snow but he didn’t seemed bothered.

“What about Marchen?” Alex yelled asking Tarry though he knew he wasn’t going to get an answer. Tarry wasn’t able to speak now.

----

Alice sighed as she looked out of the window when one of the maids walked in.

“Still worried about Angel?”

Alice nodded. “I wish she could just let it go. I am glad I thought ahead of time to tell them to keep Alex and Martha. More so Alex than Martha. Angel keeps him locked up here and I feel bad for him. I want to allow him some privileges but Angel never allows it. I understand though. She’s worried since she wasn’t there to protect him when he got attacked but. I am sure Red is taking good care of them.”

The maid nodded and poured some tea for Alice. “Is there anything I can do to be of assistance?”

Alice looked at her in thought then shook her head. “Nothing as of yet but please look after Angel, tell me everything she is planning. I want Alex and Martha to have some freedom from a little longer. They will come home when they are ready.”

---

The trip had stopped and they settled by a river under a tree. Alex held Martha close and Tarry’s tail curled around them to keep them warm. Alex noted that Tarry’s fur was very warm like a small fire was in him. It didn't take long before him and Martha dozed off.

Snow had caused up and was snuggled up against Tarry though Tarry has tried time and time again to push him away. He had finally given up but hearing something shuffled Snow jumped up and growled waking Alex and Martha from their sleep though Tarry wasn’t at all bothered when a large black wolf came walking out of the bushed.

“Tarry how nice it is to see you after such a long time.” The wolf said.

It surprised Alex and Martha that he could speak.

“Tarry you know him?” Snow asked being able to also speak.

Tarry looked at him then the black wolf. The black wolf looked at Alex and Martha and bowed. “It is very nice to meet you Alex and Martha. Tarry you do know what you are in for don’t you?”

Tarry whimpered and lowered his head getting a chuckle out of the wolf. “Well let me introduce myself. I am Kaji. I am the leader of this pack. If you three didn’t hear form Tarry he is a member of this pack as well but he is the only hellhound.” Kaji turned and another wolf walked out. Her fur was brown and her tail began to wag as she saw Tarry.

She trotted over to Tarry and nuzzled him getting a growl out of Snow. She looked at Tarry then Snow and Alex along with Martha looked confused.

“Let me explain since you two don’t speak telepathically. This is Rouge. She has a thing for Tarry but I am gathering so does Snow.”

Martha nodded and Alex just fell silent looking at the ground.

“So what are we going to do?” Alex asked deciding to ignore everything else.

Kaji looked at Tarry before speaking for him. “Well there is a cottage nearby that no one really owns. These two kids play there sometimes but I am sure they won’t be coming anytime soon. I haven’t seen them for a while so you guys can stay there.”

Tarry sat up a bit letting Alex and Martha climb onto his back before following Kaji to the cottage.

It wasn’t too far away but a nice little walk. It was small and it was clear people used it form time to time, it was clean at least and there was burnt wood in the fireplace that showed that someone had a fire going. Although it was also clear that was a while ago.

Alex and Martha got off Tarry’s back and Snow immediately rubbed himself against Tarry causing him to move away a bit.

“I’ll go get some wood.” Kaji said

“I’ll assist you.” Alex said quickly wanting to get away from Tarry and Snow.

Kaji looked at Tarry as if asking if this was all right and Tarry nodded.

“Alright then.” Kaji shifted into a person yet unlike Tarry he had ears and a tail. He led Alex outside and began going to collect some bark and branches.

“Why is it you have ears and a tail. Tarry nor Snow had them.” Alex asked

“Oh can Tarry shift now?”

Alex shook his head. “No… Mama… she made him shift with a spell.”

“Oh I see. Well unlike Tarry or Snow I am not a hellhound. I am not the same. I’m not a wolf for one but an Anthro. This is my newest form I don’t use it often but I can’t obtain a true human form but I figured you’d be more comfortable with me being like this.” Kaji explained picking up a few branches and loose bark.

“Anthro?” Alex questioned assisting in the pick up.

“Kind of like a werewolf except we don’t shift uncontrollably or only into a wolf. There’s a wolf and the standing form which most only see with werewolves but some of us can shift into this form. Unlike werewolves we don’t have a human form and our natural form is that of a demon.”

“Oh…” Alex looked down searching for more branches.

“So what’s going on with you and Tarry?”

“What do you mean?”

“I have never known him to take care of too many humans except Marchen. Of course Marchen seem to use him more so as a pet and they were playing. That was a long time ago. How did you meet Tarry?”

“Oh… well… he came to my castle and I couldn’t keep him there so I left with him.” Alex explained stumbling over a tree root only to be held up by Kaji’s tail.

“Careful.”

“Thank you. How do you know Tarry?” Alex thought to ask. He didn’t know a lot about Tarry but he wanted to know what he could find out.

“Oh he came wondering here. Where we met is where I meet him. He had wondered into my lands with that metal collar on him. He was much smaller then. I was able to tower over him. He never spoke much. Where he is from so I hear he never really had anyone to speak to. I found it hard to make him talk from time to time. Of course he soon became popular with the female crew. There wasn’t many in the clan but he drew the girls to him that was for sure. He hated it too. They would always try to get him to speak but he never had anything to say and he would always tell me he had no desire to speak to them. One day he just got tired and told me he was going to roam for a while and that he needed to get that collar off him.”

Alex thought back to when Tarry said he never had any desire to speak but yet Tarry wanted to speak to him. He almost felt special yet he still wondered about Snow. “What do you know about Snow?”

Kaji shook his head as he began walking back towards the cottage. “I’m sorry but Tarry never spoke of Snow. I am guessing that your asking because Snow said he was Tarrys lover. I know nothing of that and was shocked to hear such a thing. I never knew Tarry to like guys but he never said he had a lover or a friend form Hell so I have no idea.”

Alex lost himself in thought and hardly noticed when they came to the cottage. He blinked watching Tarry fight Snow off and the female seemed rather pissed as she growled and snapped at Snow who snapped back.

“Hey you guys calm down. My gosh Tarry you have too much love to be a hellhound. I thought hellhounds were suppose to be scary. Here’s the wood.” Kaji said as he moved to set the wood by the fireplace.

Growling Tarry got up and trotted out of the cottage and barked at Snow as he tried to follow behind but decided to stay now as it seemed Tarry didn’t want his company.

Alex sighed and sat in the corner as Martha clung to him. “It will be alright I am sure Tarry still loves you.”

“Martha seriously what are you talking about?” Alex said looking at Martha as if she had two heads. “I’m just worried about Angel is all.”

“Sure you are.”

----

Angel sat in the grass leaning against the tree. Her clothes were a mess yet she could care less.

She had thrown every attack she could at Ruka yet no matter how may times she cut him or hit him he never seemed hurt. His skin would heal and his bones refused to break. Finally she had calmed down and decided since he wasn’t going to just let her leave after her brother and sister to hear out what he had to say.

“We would love to just give you your brother and sister but your mother requested that we don’t allow you to have them.” Ruka had said handing her the letter.

Angel crumbled the letter in her hand looking up at the sky. “What the hell are you thinking mom. I should pay her a visit.”