Fang and Artemis stood a few hundered feet away from where the Agent and another one of his kind were fighting. Sighing, Artemis climbed off of Fang's back, and sat down on the soft earth, idily plucking at various pieces of grass. She did not pay much attention to the battle, because with either of the two outcomes, it would mean more work for her. The Agent would win, which ment more creatures would come and try to subdue him, or he would lose, which ment her search was over, or it would start all over again.
Either way, She concluded after explaining this to Fang. Dam whoever did this in the first place. Dam him to each of the seven hells. By the time Artemis was done thinking out different elements to a new plan, she realized that the Agent was gone. She was up in a flash, looking around franticly. Artemis cursed aloud when she discovered that the large ball was nowhere in sight.
What do you plan to do now Yatina? Fang asked her, not able to hide the amusement in his voice. Artemis contimplated a harsh retort, but came upon another.
Absolutly nothing. She replied. At least not for now. We are going to ditch the group, find a nice little tree, set up a little camp and rest. From there, I will come up with something to do. But right now, I am sick of chasing that sorry excuse for a guide. Fang barked his agreement as Artemis once again mounted his back. She looked behind her, noticing that the group paid her no heed. 'Good, they will not miss me...' She thought. 'Too much...'

**********

As Artemis suspected, they were able to get away with very little or none of the group caring. All the better for them really. Fang trotted up to a nice looking clearing in the forest, around the same general direction it would have been back on their dimention. Artemis dismounted gracefully, and walked around the small clearing, gathering up thin twigs and the like putting them into a small pile.
Just a small fire tonight Fang, we do not want to blow our cover. I prefer working alone...except for you of course. She muttered in her mind as she set to work making the fire. Fang trotted over, and lay down next to Artemis.
That is alright Yatina, I understand. Fang chuckled softly. After Artemis set the twigs ablaze, she sat back, and glanced over at her wolf companion.
What is so funny furball? Artemis asked, smiling. Fang rolled his eyes, and growed at her softly. Artemis laughed and patted him on the head.
I was just wondering how that sorry excuse for a temple guardian was getting along... Fang trailed off as Artemis quickly stopped petting him. Yatina...I am so sorry, please forgive me for bringing that up! The wolf pleaded. Artemis shook her head, and looked up into the sky where the bright light of day was slowly sinking into the blackness of the night.
It is not your fault Fang. I am too close to the forest, I knew I would have to do something like this someday... Artemis trailed off. Fang crawled over, and layed his head in her lap. She smiled, and hugged her friend close, nuzzling her face in his fur.
Do not worry Yatina. I am sure everything is fine back home...

**********

The young man looked quickly up from the book he was reading, and glanced around him. He sighed, and put a placemarker in the book, laying it down on the table. He was getting so jumpy recently, and he couldn't describe it. Maybe it had something to do with...
"Jake stop it." He scolded himself. "You're going to make yourself paranoid again. Those animals were not glaring at you...no matter how much it looked like it..." He stood up from the table, rubbing his eyes with the palms of his hands. He wasn't sure just how long it had been since she left, but it was long enough by his standards. The forest wasn't the same without her...and the animals were starting to act strangely.
Jake walked out into the main foyer, his white temple robes swishing around him softly. His clothed feet made no sound against the marble flooring of the temple as he made his way across the room. He looked around, almost wairly as he made his way into the prayer room. It was time for his noon prayers to the forest dieties...yet for some reason...
Something wasn't right, Jake could feel it in his mind and heart. Instinctivly Jake ran into the prayer room, not stopping for anything. When he got there, he leaned up against the doorway, panting to get his breath back. His heart hammered against his chest, and it almost stopped dead, along with his breath, as he looked into the room.
It was full of the animals. A few bucks, a couple of does, a dozen squirrles, quite a few birds, and numerous other animals filled the room. They turned to look at him. No, not look; glare. The animals were glaring at him. Jake gulped, and the noise he made seemed to echo about the room. There was silence, just silence.
A few of the animals moved, and Jake jumped. 'Stop that you idiot.' He chided himself. 'You're acting like a skiddish little rabbit.' Almost on instinct, Jake looked down. Right at his feet, almost sitting on them, sat a couple of little rabbits. Jake let out a shout, and jumped back, landing himself up against the wall. He was terrified...and he couldn't figure out why.
The animals...they were accusing him of doing something. Something he couldn't make out, but he knew that they were accusing him of doing it. They circled him, and Jake sidestepped them as best he could. Not realizing that as he did such, he was slowly and steadily moving away from the doorway. Until, that is, it was too late. The buck tossed his head, catcing on the door, slamming it shut.
"NOO!!" Jake screamed as the temple once again fell silent.