Thorn

It had been so long. It had to be more than a few years since this particular doe had set foot into Oak Prairie. She doubted anyone would remember her, It had been so long, and she had only been a yearling then. Now she was much older, about two and a half years.

Thorn began to panic. She had made up her mind a few weeks back to return to Sparkling Creek Valley, but now that she was finally here she was having doubts. What if they couldn't remember her? What if they rejected her? The doe gingerly stepped over the boundry. Her ears were pricked and her eyes wide. She was tense, as you would be when you returned to the place you used to call home. She could sense deer, lots of deer, but what if the animals she had grown up with weren't here any more? Orchid, the hind who had taken her in as her own and raised her; her mother. Was she still here? What about Guadalupe? The stag who was sent to look after herself and Bramble and ended up getting picked on?

Then she remebered Bramble, her friend who she had met here, who was very much like her. All these memories came flooding back as she slowly and cautiously walked further into the land. Thorn's ears would catch the slightest sound. She would flinch, glance around, see it was nothing and carry on. She stopped by a small thicket, hoping someone would find her. She was sure someone would pick up on her presence sooner or later. She remained alert and tense as she waited, for someone, anyone to cross her path.

Yang

When he didn't hear anyone, he turned and headed back when suddenly his eyes fell on a another deer. Someone else who wanted to play! The white wolf bounded forward, all play and stopped feet away from the doe. Guys! Someone else is here to play tag with us! Penny, Guadalupe! Northcrest! Come here! It was unsettling to see a wolf in their midsts, but he was working on winning everyone over. And what better way then play? You...You do want to play right? He then asked, in a slightly timid voice.

Penny

Penny looked from the deer to the wolf. Which one to tag first? In Africa, she knew that if there were two lizards, she should take the weak one first. But this wasn't Africa. No, this place was different, and wolves and deer were definitely not her prey. Yang seemed stronger than the deer, but the deer seemed faster. Better tag the slower one, if the wolf is slower. She thought. She folded her crest and took off in the direction of Yang. Her wings carried her swiftly through the air. She was coming close to Yang, but landed when she saw another deer. "Hello." She said politely, "Would you like to play tag? I'm it!" She watched the deer with her bird-of-prey eyes.

Guadalupe & Northcrest

Guadalupe wasn't about to let Yang out of his sights for very long. Although still playing the game, he remained near enough to the wolf to be sure he didn't harm anyone.

Northcrest, an Axis deer yearling, had been born the year following Thorn's absence. He had heard of her from Orchid, Bramble, and the others, but hadn't given her much thought. And as he rushed out of the brush, he very nearly ran into her. Springing nimbly away from the doe, Northcrest paused and looked curiously at her. "Who are you? You don't carry the herd scent." The yearling pointed out, tilting his dark head to the side a bit.

As Guadalupe picked his way through some currant bushes, eyes trained on Yang, a familiar scent came to him. Flicking a tounge over his dark nose, he sniffed the wind again, but the breeze shifted and he could no longer detect Thorn. Figuring he must have imagined it, the white-tail refocused on Yang.

Sasha

The mule deer heard the others playing and edged closer. She stopped when she spotted the wolf and bird, but nodded a greeting to them. She then focused on the other female. "Hello." She said shyly. "Do--Are you wanting to stay here?" She hoped that the doe would say yes.

Thorn

Thorn had been on high alert, feeling very vulnerable and alone standing here, and when she heard the sound of a fast approaching creature she began to become restless and skittish. Then she caught onto the smell of a wolf. Alarm bells began ringing in her head, and sure enough her sharp eyes caught the sight of a white wolf charging towards her. Her eyes widened, she lifted her tail and turned to bolt. She was about to take off when the wolf stopped. Confused, she turned to face him and slowly back towards the trees behind her, a picture of fear. He was a predator after all. Then he spoke of play, calling others. She didn't know Penny, so thought it might be some other predator, which was partially true as she was a bird of prey. Then name Guadalupe calmed her down instantly. There was a name she remembered, and he was here! She slowly began to relax, but didn't completely let down her guard; her natural instinct. She half-smiled, still slight confused at the fact there was a wolf here. Uhh, she began, one ear on the wolf and the other flicking around her head, Yeah, I guess. She was still cautious of the wolf, but became even more un-nerved when another predator came along. However she knew this bird wouldn't be able to kill her, so relaxed slightly. Sure, I-I'll play.

Thorn had just about relaxed when Nirthcrest came bounding out from behind her. She jumped, springing to the right, but stopped when she saw it was a deer. Sighing heavily, Thorn relaxed once more. She noticed he was a yearling and she smiled. I'm Thorn, I used to live here when I was your age. Who are you three? She paused, long enough to hear their names, before asking another question to the wolf. I heard you say the name Guadalupe, Do you know where he is?

She hadn't realised he was nearby as she hadn't detected him either. Sasha then arrived, Thorn offered her a smile. Hello, Yes as a matter of fact I do, I was going to see Nhosh if he's still Lead... She hoped they would update her on what had happened in her absense. She couldn't wait to see the others again. Especially Guadalupe, Bramble, and her adoptive mother Orchid.

Sasha

Sahsa nodded. "I believe Nhosh is requesting alliance with a nearby herd." She said. She looked around for him. "I don't know when he'll be back." She stomped the ground playfully. "I'm plying too."

Guadalupe & Northcrest

"Guadalupe, you know him?" North replied in surprise, his tail flicking merrily behind him, "He's around here playing tag with us!" The yearling began to call loudly for the other stag.

Guadalupe was just about to leave cover when he heard North calling for him. Sprinting fast towards the source of the call, he did a double-take as he spotted Thorn. Silent for a moment until scent confirmed this was the little yearling he remembered, the stag grinned and bounded forward, "Thorn, little Thorn! You're not so little anymore though!" Guad himself had changed; he had larger antlers and a thicker build than before. His pelt was just as dark black as before, if not darker. "What have you been doing all this time?"

Northcrest looked from one deer to the other, before looking to Sasha, "You must be the new doe everyone's talking about. Your name's Sasha, right?"

Thorn

The hind nodded, Yes, I know him. He looked after me when I was a yearling. Northcrest began to call for Guadalupe, and Thorn became very excited over seeing her friend again. Soon enough he appeared, and although silent for a moment, he seemed glad to see her. She smiled brightly. No, Im not so little anymore. Your bigger than when I last saw you. You actually have antlers now! Your not such a weed as you were a few years back. I'm impressed. The doe grinned, playfully teasing the stag as she had done many times as a fawn. Growing up is what I've been doing. I was with a small group of hinds for while, just sorting myself out really, but felt lonely with the small group. So I came back. I missed you all, Especially you, Bramble and Orchid. I was wondering if I could rejoin the herd.

Sasha

"Yes, Sasha is my name." Replied the doe. She was surprised that she would be the 'doe that everyone's talking about.' She never thought she was anything special. But she figured that times can change. Change fast. She never liked change, even when it's good. "This is neat. Friends are reuniting."