Faol'an watched him closely; partly because at any moment she feared he might fall over dead... and partly because somewhere deep beneath the surface... something ate away at his very soul. There is a story there...painful perhaps... but a story none the less that made him who he was... a story that explained his dire need to protect and keep close the ones he cared for the most. Perhaps one day she could get it out of him... egg him on enough until he divulged those deep secrets but here and now, it was not the time. All that mattered to her was that he kept on fighting... and if that meant fighting her then so be it.

For a moment he stayed quiet on the ground, perhaps recovering from his sudden outburst or more likely trying to find the right snarky response. She hoped her biting words and encouraging touch would bring him to his feet but as the moments pass, her worry begins to set in again. She knew he was tired, knew he was hurting both physically and mentally... but she was not about to let him give up. She needed him, more than she would ever care to admit. Minutes pass that feel more like hours, she suppresses a worried whine but cannot hide the relief from her eyes when finally he lets a sneer spread across his lips and once more that quipping quick wit rings in her ears. A mischievous gleam dances through her own teal colored eyes now as she lets a coy grin spread across her own features, red and white tail wagging slowly behind her. "If I have to I will, but I cant promise you wont get there with matted fur and prickles throughout your coat.... might even drag you through a thorn bush or two lazy oaf now get up." she barks, her voice a bit more playful and lighthearted as she tauntingly nips his ear.

Her next words bring a knowing smile to his lips and Faol'an can all but feel the strength beginning to return to his muscles... his heart. No longer does she see the listless wandering bag of bones creature before her... ready to be a lamb lead to slaughter... instead she sees the Mugen she knows too well. That fire, though still an ember... begins to burn just a bit brighter. She was just as worried about their son as he was, and best damn believe she would NOT leave him to the murderous pack that now took up residence in Asteraia. They would get him back... and with any luck, Asteraia in he process because Faol'an would make damn sure every single creature that resided there paid for the insolence.

He speaks again, sarcasm heavy in his voice as he remarks that she can just leave him in his grave if he was to have to deal with her forever. A devious smile tugs at her own lips as she lets her head raise proudly and thick winter plume wag. "Why would I let you rest in peace? Hell if you gave ME that same option when I first came here." she remarks, eyes glittering fiercely, "Consider it payback."

His next words however draw her up short and she stops to stare into his eyes. Into his searching eyes for surely that is what they were. What are we. It is a question she herself wondered from time to time. Mugen made it clear to her from day one that he preferred the single life, to go and come as he pleased... and yet since the first day he brought her back to Asteraia with him, to be a captive... though her time on he plains was a far cry from prison, he had not left her side... at least, not for long. He had been there with her, complaining and moaning through the birth of Tora and even picked up the slack when she had left in search of better hunting. He protected her, and tried his best to do the same for their son. He was frustrating and endearing all in the same moment and never was there a moment since meeting him that she wanted or longed for anything different. She meets his gaze now, her own bright Azul eyes steady and knowing. Ash dusted muzzle reaches to touch the tip of his own as her tone softens, quiet but serious. "You are mine. Mine to me" it is a phrase she has heard only a handful of times in her life, but one that she has never forgotten. It was one her mother and father used for each other when she was little, a soft whisper shared between mates... an admittance of love and adoration for one another. As a pup she thought it mushy and never quite understood it... not until now.

"Now get up, lets get going." she says, licking his cheek before helping him rise. He seemed stronger, as though the rest had did him some good, and her words brought some semblance of sanity back into his brain but still he was painfully thin and though he tried to hide it, she caught his steps faltering here and there. He needed a healer. She only prayed that Diveen would hold the answers. She matched her pace to his own, feeling a sense of excitement and relief each time his shoulder brushed against her own. Though his touch was hot and feverish... it was alive.

The closer they got to Diveen, the stronger the odor of smoke became. As they crossed the border the air was thick, making even herself cough occasionally. Once more her worry for him set in, the thick fumes would not be good for his already compromised lungs... but still... he said the Diveen pack healer was Viserys's teacher... and she trusted the pale wolf so surely his teacher could heal whatever ailment continued to drag Mugen down.

He draws to a sudden halt and Faol'an turns back to look at him as he coughs and wheezes once more. Worry flashes through her eyes as she turns back to him, watching him silently as he tries to catch his breath. He groans and Faol'an allows her brows to narrow as a deep growl rumbles in her own lungs. "You need a healer before you kill over Mugen... you are no good to me or Tora dead.... quit your moaning and lets go." she murmurs, that playful smile returning to her own charcoal lips once more as she lifts her head proudly, tilting a single ear towards him, "Besides... after your supposed curse and all... I never expected to want to turn tail and run in the face of danger. I would think by now your used to walking through the flames." she taunted, her tail wagging playfully...