Tala's car races along the road and his new home begins to come into sight. Shadow sighs, the rites would begin soon and he would once more step to the side. He would let others lead the way, wait for them to listen to what he knows, or to point out what he doesn't know.

Why Grandfather? Why now? I am old, I should be looking at laying down my burdens, not have more piled upon me.

He grumbles with an asthmatic growl.

I sit here whining because I'm old and my bones hurt. Look at the truth Old Man. You lost a friend. A rare thing since you lost everything. Deal with it, that is what we do.

He nods to himself and a tear slips, trailing its way down the wrinkled lines of his face.

Admit it to yourself if nothing else. You're jealous. You would just as soon be on your way to the Hunting Grounds. You'd trade places with Sam if you could.

He nods to himself as he sits in the back seat, his lover sitting next to him, his arm resting around her shoulders. She turns and licks his face, drying the tear where it had fallen.

"Remember Old Bones, no lipstick on the leather," he says quietly, he begins laughing as he does, remember Sam's words on their trip south.