Returning

[x.believe.x]

--Kai--

As we approached the cave with the curtain of water, I slowed my gait to a walk. Keltan knew to wait for me to carry him through, as I didn't trust the entrance just yet for the young one. We went behind the water and I surveyed the cave, not finding Remeil. I went over to the moss that created a bed and layed the small femme onto it gently. I went back and got Keltan letting him down next to Serena. I then laid down, my body curving around them. My attention turned toward Serena and I rolled onto my back, exposing my belly to the pups, inviting them to feed.

--Keltan--
I waited for my mother to come get me, then sat on the bed moss as her ivories let go of my neck. I eyed Serena with a tint of jealousy, seing how my mom was giving her so much attention, but I guess she needed it. As mom exposed her belly I went forward and a nipple easily and started suckling, my thoughts forgotten for the moment.

[~{Sincerity}~]

I was uncertain of this, all of it, not just the accepting a new life part. This new den, although we had never had one before when it was just Ailes, Mum and me it was still new, and the moss bed, and Keltan and Kai. Things were happening too fast for me. Kai lay around us, Keltan immediately settling into feed but I hesitated. My mind was still far too confused with the change to tell me whether I was hungry or not, so I left it.

I curled myself into a ball on the moss bed, although I was still far too awake from my nap earlier, and simply lay there, listening to the sounds of this new place. My dream was still troubling me and no matter how much sleep I got, or food I ate, it would still be there. If anything, all those things would just make me feel all the more guilty. Guilty for leaving her there. Guilty for living.

[x.believe.x]

--Kai--
I left Serena be and the silence was calm and all you could here was Keltan suckling. When he finished, he curled up against the warmth of my body and fell asleep. As his breathing got deeper, I focused on Serena. What is wrong little one? I asked her sensing he uneasyness. I knew with so much changes in one day, it was a lot for a small pup. But I wanted to make sure that that was it. My orbs took in the small bod, covered in dirt and matted, thinking she should bathe soon.

[~{Sincerity}~]

I squeezed myself into a smaller ball at the breaking of the silence. Nothing.. I muffled into my coat. My voice was quiet and soft but I tried to make it sound innocent enough. I was trying to get so small that no one could see me, I could disappear but that plan didn't seem to be working so time for Plan B. If I could pretend to be asleep, she wouldn't bother me so I slowed my breathing and closed my lids, leaving ears on full alert.

Keltan breathed very loudly and this made me smile as it reminded me of Ailes' snoring. I would always tease her about that, and I was sure I'd do the same with him. I sighed, happily this time, enjoying the silence once again. It was a peaceful silence this time, no longer awkward, but I knew that the mood could change within minutes. I knew that more than most.

[Psyche]

Quick, sure pawsteps made their way in behind hte waterfall as Remi returned from his own hunting. He paused at his cave entrance when he saw another pup, but it didn't bother him long. Clearly Kai was comfortable enough here to bring home someone she had decided to take care of. That's what he'd been aiming for.

If I know you were bringing someone here, I would've caught something bigger to share.

His voice rumbled on his chest, but htere was no malice in it, as he trotted over to meet the new addition to their little pack.

Who is she, anyway?

Once could have easily sworn he was a pup himself.

[x.believe.x]

--Kai--
I left her alone, seeing she didn't want to talk about it. I was still a complete stranger to her and didn't want to pressure her. I wanted her to feel comfortable and at home. Soon I heard Serena give a sigh which seemed to be of content. That made a smile tug at my lips.

I then heard pawsteps outside the cave which made me tense and alert. When I saw it was Remiel I relaxed some. Her name is Serena, I found her while I was hunting. I'm going to be taken care of her. I responded to him. She is only a little older than Keltan and still on milk. I added, excusing his first comment. My eyes shifted from him to the small matted ball of fur in front of me. When she was more rested I'd have to get her clean. At least there was plentiful water nearby.

[~{Sincerity}~]

As the other wolf came in, a male I was sure, I looked up. I was scared, I had only seen males once before and it wasn't a good experience. He looked at me then asked Kai of me. Even though I hadn't said a word, it seemed as if he didn't like me.

I curled up even tighter into my ball, the stench of my filthy coat filling my nose. I coughed slightly, my small sooty silver fur shaking. I squeezed my eyes shut and tried my hardest to sleep. I was trying to slow my panicky breathing and, after some time, it did slow but that didn't make me become any sleepier.

Lucky Keltan, he could sleep knowing he was protected. He could sleep without having any nightmares to haunt him. I shuddered then finally decided to rest some, while I still did not have some trust in them, I would be on my guard full time.

[Psyche]

All the same, it'll mean you should probably eat more. Your not just feeding one now. Just keep a close eye on her. Smelled a tracte of mountain lion earlier. Don't want anyone getting eaten.

As if sensing the new pup's nervousness, he gently licked the top of her head, in a hope to help her realize he wasn't trying to hurt her, then went over to curl up on his own moss pad, nosing it a bit larger so that he could spread out a little.

Rest. I'll stay awake and watch for danger, though I doubt there'll be any.

[/size]

[x.believe.x]

--Kai--

I frowned at the pup's reaction. She was so frightened, I couldn't imagine what she has had to go through. Having so little trust in anyone at such a young age. Even Keltan had some trust to offer, as long as I seemed okay. Pity swelled in my chest for the poor femme.

Worry filled me as he warned me of the mountain lion scent. That was never good. I hadn't found any hint of the giant cat so they must not be too close. My attention was drawn back to Serena and I wondered how I could help her relax. I couldn't think of any, being someone who didn't relax much themself. My orbs flickered back to Remiel as he offered to keep watch. Thank you. I replied in a soft tone. Looking back at Serena I said, You need food, you should nurse. I lowered my head to my and rolled back, exposing my stomach somewhat once more, allowing her to nurse if she wished. You can trust me, I won't let anything hurt you. I added my tone a whisper so that only the pup could hear.

[~{Sincerity}~]

I know that I should trust them. I knew that they would help me. But it was the fact that I had only known them, not even a day yet, I still needed to get to know them. The fact that the male completely scared me out of my wits by licking the top of my head, I was not expecting that so I was hardly going to move now. I was focusing on calming down.

Besides my stomach seemed, bearable for the moment, I would not need to eat for a while yet. I'm fine thank you. I whispered in a very hoarse voice, I think I was just trying to keep the silence again.

I uncurled by ball slightly, tryin g to get into a more comfortable position before I slept. I yawned and, with a sigh, tried to calm myself down into a relaxing sleep. This, I hope, would be the first of many secure nights.

[x.believe.x]

----After sleep---

--Kai--
My eyelids fluttered open and my orbs took in my surroundings in a sleepy haze. My gaze grazed over Remi, the cave, Keltan, and rested on Serena. The poor pup. Today was a new day though, and she was able to have a decent sleep. I knew what that felt like. I gave a soft sigh. I just hoped she would nurse soon, she needed too. At that thought I noticed Keltan beginning to wake. I smiled at him and reached over to lick his head. Good morning my young one. I whispered, careful not to wake the other two. He grinned at me sleepily and then yawned. He soon found his way to my stomach to nurse. I rolled onto my back and I closed my eyes again.

[Psyche]

Remi got up and padded over, so he could speak more quietly, just in case Serena was sleeping.

I'm going to go get us something to eat. I'll be back as soon as I can. If the cougar's too close, I'll come back instead.

He whispered softly. He may act young most of the time, but he wasn't stupid, and he cared deeply about others of his kind, especially those who lived with him, under his protection. He turned silently to pad across the stone and out of the cave. The mist coated his pelt in water droplets as he past beside the fall, so he paused to shake it off, before heading off to check for mountain lion scents and then hunting, hopefully.

[/size]

[~{Sincerity}~]

I had woken earlier, but had decided not to move from my spot, only keep my eyes shut and wait. I had managed to sleep dreamlessly throughout the night but my thoughts had came to me in a riot as soon as I was awake. I was blocking those thoughts out now as the other wolves around me got up, thinking that I was still asleep.

Already Keltan was nursing, I could hear that and I opened my eyes to tiny slits so that I could see. My stomach was growling internally at me and it felt like it was clawing my stomach but I ignored it, I could survive. Another day or so at least.

I decided to awaken publicly, so I slowly uncurled my ball of fur and stretched, yawning sleepily as I did so. My startling blue eyes shrank small as the morning light came into view.

I looked to Kai but changed my gaze almost immediately. Although I wanted desperately to call these wolves my family, something was stopping me. Me looking at Kai just then was like me referring to the wolf I trusted most, and for some reason, me thinking of her as the one I was closest to was unacceptable in my mind. I couldn't be close to them because otherwise I was deserting my old family. I had done it to my sister and now I regretted it. Greatly.