Fragile Moment .+. Others

Fragile Moment looked around for Nymph, she didn't want to take the lead from who Ynear had assigned, but she couldn't wait too long either. As soon as she stepped outside of the temple, a cold shiver shot down her spine and she let a small plume of air escape her mouth. "I-It's so much colder outside." The basement had been heated up with body heat, as did the whole temple. The outside was a considerable difference in temperature as the mother stepped a dainty paw onto the glistening white powdered ice. "Stay close children, this is not a friendly time of year." She commented as she pressed forward from one temple to the next.

As she got to the shore, she had flash backs of coming here herself as a pup. "It's so much smaller now..." She whispered out loud. Then called out to the waters. "Oh great water dragons!" She placed Torpedo down, "Come to us please, Dima, Orinoco, We need to cross to the temple for battle." She wagged her tail.

Ichigo had pranced out into the cold, and instantly froze at the colder temperatures. His eyes grew wide as his tiger fur seemed to shrivel to nothing to leave him bare. "I-I-It's s-s-so cold!" He quickly ran and tried to hop into the middle of the group. Shivering as he took frigid steps to get down toward the water.

Tachi snorted at his brother's weakness. "Come on Ichigo, my fur is shorter than yours and I'm fine." But his voice was unusually high in pitch, proof he was lying and extremely cold. Both Tachi and Mizu looked like longer haired, a little fatter, cheetahs. While Ichigo and Hitori were somewhat shorter haired, thinner tigers.

Hitori glared at her brothers, her shoulders hunched so much that she wobbled as she walked. She inhaled and then gave a long breath out, creating a stream of flameless 'smoke'. She turned to Wither, one of the Warriors helping with the transportation. "Why does the world get so cold? Is it always like this?" Wither smiled and shook her head. "No, the summer is much warmer and more pleasant. Gaia cools the world so that the grass doesn't grow into monsters, and so that animals can sleep the sleep the lack during the summer. Those who hibernate have less of a chance of being hunted. And so they rest." Hitori looked at Wither, openly accepting the answer before arriving at the water's edge.

Tachi was already looking into it. Then struck it with a paw. A yelp fled from his vocals as the ice cold liquid attacked his skin like needles. Scampering back and curling. "YOU EXPECT US TO CROSS THAT!?!?!" His eyes were wide as he looked to Fragile Moment. Who looked at him, "It is actually safer for us to be at the temple in the winter, it is an extra promise of safety from out enemies." She looked up to the pups. "Once we get to the temple, we are all going to huddle in a corner! The walls are open and the wind will be plenty, pups will go against the wall and mothers will be on the outside to keep everyone as warm as they can get."

Anathema put Pearl down near her brother, then looked out with emptiness to the water. She was over there, but she wouldn't remember it, especially not now. The scents had all changed since the last time she had been there. But she would comply with the requests of the others.

Runi .+. Fastrack .+. Shrowd Runi came in with Blister dangling from her jaws. When she got to the water she placed the pup down and laid down around him to keep his short furred body warm. "They will bring us across as soon as possible." She said smiling.

Fastrack, struck by the cold at first, soon grew use to winter and started pouncing into the snow. Watching the powder fly out from beneath his feet and then running and sliding on the icy ground. Shrowd followed close to Malice. Not wanting to lose her 'mate'. She looked around and shook her fur to warm up. Then looked out across the water.

Orinoco; Others

Orinoco surfaced, looking out at the land creatures. Only her eyes and nostrils were visible. "I take it war is coming." She said blankly.

Beside her, Akahi slid up, as well as four of her children, Knucker, Leviathan, Adelinda and Tanith. The alligators were growing quickly. Four caimans, Gold-Heart, Ukawei, Amazon and Kasa, joined their mother and the gators. "We will serve you, land dwellers." Amazon said regally.

Torpedo sat at the edge of the water, staring down at his reflection. Pearl and Chickadee joined him, as well as Sheena.

Nicholas followed the others out to the waterside. Enchanted and Elijah kept their distance. Torch, Polar and Click were tempted to jump into the freezing water.

Nukpana and Kaliska looked at the river dragons with awe. "Wow! Those things are huge! No offense, dragons, but you guys are scary!" Kaliska shouted.

Orgus. Ikazga. Portrus. Daifiana. Abritt. Verdict

Six alligator heads appeared from the water before moving up to the shore. They were just big enough to carry puppies, but not adults. And they had never ferried their fellow Haunters before, they would need to watch before they acted.

Dima & Others

"F-f-f-freezing!" Shinnan exclaimed, making a similar observation of the conditions outside of the cozy basement. The lion hybrid clenched his chattering jaws and tensed his muscles, as his twin brother came up beside him.

"How about bright! I think my eyes are going to explode!" Igans complained, squinting his eyes in an overly dramatic way and shivering madly.

Yarra, Hathalia, and Jequire were hunched together, whispering excitedly to each other about the snow and the scenery. Ratenshi didn't complain one bit about the cold, and stubornly refused to 'shiver' or show any other signs of discomfort at the sudden and sharp change of temperature. Instead, he headed right over to the edge of the water, testing it with the tip of his paw.

Ammon, Chark, Oswega, Lamiac, Hawkeye, and Sea Dancer filed over towards the edge of the water as well, looking uncertainly at the reptiles that were also gathering.

The dark-skinned gator glided parallel to the shore and waited patiently for a group of youngsters to climb on. "I can take a few." He stated gruffly, not noticing the way some of the cubs were reguarding him and the other crocodilians.

A swarm of young gators and caiman horded towards the edge of the water, each clambering for space and looking for a likely passenger. "Hey, I can carry someone!" Seditio piped up, and was promptly shoved aside by his sister Cress, "I can carry someone!" "Pick me, pick me!" Dragonfly chirped out. All in all, fourty-three of the young reptilians had responded and were more than eager to show their value.

Fanta & Others

Fanta carried Nicholas in her jaws, she set him down, and nudging him forward for Dragonfly, smiling. "Its okay, just get onto its back." Fanta said softly.

Wildsong, son of Windsong and Mijuu, trotted along beside his mother. Without any command, Wildsong came up to Cress, lowering his head. "Will you take me across?" Wildsong asked politely.

Hazard, Sword and Wildfire, children of Windsong and Riot, all scampered to the waters edges. Hazard jumped at Seditio, hoping to get on him. Sword and Wildfire looked at the dark-skined gator. "Us! Take us!" Sword yiped.

Abyss carried Dark Era, setting her down beside Hawkeye and Twister. "Stay together." Abyss warned Hawkeye, Twist and Era.

Foxtrot looked at Sea Dancer. "Don't be pushy, Sea." Fox nuzzled her pup.

Forbidden let Idol huddle close to Chark, frowning. "Chark, be careful." She warned her son, watching as Idol tried to push him into the water. "Idol, be nice!"

Katina watched her pups file beside the alligators. Savage and Bloodthirster, bumped Guzo and Tarzan, yipping and nipping. While Hellfire approached Dima, hoping there was still some room left.

Malice, Blister, Mizu

Malice put a paw on Shrowd and pulled her right up against him. "I will keep you warm Shrowd" He barked as he covered her tail with his.

Mizu boundid giddily out of the temple her tail and head held high. She jumped from the entrance and out after the others. The moment she landed she froze with one paw in the air and her tail and head still up high. Her eyes widened to dinner plates and her whiskeres seemed to shrivel up to little curly cews. Then she gave out and odd meow-hiss and hurtled towards the water. However as sooon as she noticed she tried to stop but ended up sliding on a patch of ice and flying into the water. Her head dissapeard in a flash followed by chilled bubbles.

Blister looked up at Runi with a horrified but curious expression. "what is it momma?" he stared at the snow and then got up and sniffed it. Soon he ventured underneath her his nose glued to the ground. Finally he got up his courage and stuck out his toungue ever so gingerly.

Dima & Others

Nudging her brother Ferus out of the way, Dragonfly got right up next to the bank, "It's ok, you can get on." The alligator encouraged when Nicholas was nudged her way. Likewise, Cress was just as pleasant about it, and nodded her head in assentment, "I'd be more than happy to!"

As soon as he had a passenger, Seditio bustled away from the shore, "Just crouch down now, and hold still!" The gator instructed, as he crossed the chilly expanse of water, heading for the Temple in the center. He was struggling to keep himself near the surface under the wait of Hazard, but he managed it.

With Sword, Wildfire, and Hellfire scrambling for him, Dima patiently kept still, "I can carry you all." He wasn't nearly as hyper and upbeat about it as his offspring were, but he was tolerated it well enough in any case.

Hawkeye thumped her tail against the ground, looking to her mother, before turning her gaze to Twister and Dark Era. "Oooh, look how many Water Dragons there are! Maybe they can take us for rides!"

"No, no rides right now. You are all going to the Temple." Destroying Angel shot down the idea quickly, knowing that this was no time to be playing around. But when she saw Hawk's face sink, the hybrid gave in to a light smile, "Maybe later you can, how about that? Now, each of you find a Water Dragon." Angel moved on then, continuing to assist the other Warriors, Mothers, and Offspring as they prepared for the crossing.

Tremor, Havens, and Buttercup squeezed in by the shore, "Hey, you three! We'll take you across!" The latter of the three gators spoke up.

Sea Dancer nuzzled her mother in return, tail waving merrily, "It's all so exciting, though! I never knew how big the world was!" She exclaimed in wonder. Until now, her whole world had comprised of the Basement.

A playful growl sounded from the limber Chark when Idol began to roughhouse with him. Ignoring his mother, the hybrid eagerly pushed back at his brother, batting him in the face and nipping at his neck.

"Cub in the water!" Callholm called out, sprinting towards the water. Without hesitation, the black leopard plunged in, baring his fangs briefly as the icy water stabbed like knives against his flesh. He liked to swim, but not in these temperatures! Ignoring the discomfort, he paddled to Mizu, trying to grab her scruff and tote her back to shore.

Hura

She let any cubs and pups to snuggle in her fur on her back and then she walked into the water. She would stay here with the pups while others transported pups.She being a polar bear had much fat and would be able to shield a good amount of cubs.She got to the other side and the cubs that clung to her jumped off and she stood with them near a wall.

Mizu

Mizu spat out a long spurt of water and began splashing and yelping. The water was so cold that she soon lost all feling throughout her body. SHe struggled to stay afloat but found herself sinking nontheless and soon almost her hole head was beneath the water. Her fur had iceicles on it and her nose had gone dry and pale along with her lips and gums.

As she was lifted from the water her body was rigid and shaking uncontrollably.

Dante, Assari, Harrow and Dynas

Following the mothers, Harrow led his siblings towards the temple, with Dante following close behind. The world was new and wonderful, if a little intimidating, but the pups took it all in their stride. Harrow mouthed the plans clearly to his deaf brother, Dynas, and once he was sure he understood, led his siblings and Dante towards the Water Dragons. Once across the other side, the four waited patiently for the mothers to lead the way inside the temple, gently shaking from the cold as they huddle together.

Dima & Others

Holding the kitten by the scruff, Callholm hauled his sleek, ebony frame from the water and set Mizu down on the steps of the water Temple. "We need Mothers over here! Mizu is freezing!" The leopard called out in a roar, seeing as his thinner, soakening-wet fur would do little to warm the cub.

Quilikahm, hitching a ride from Adelae, trotted swiftly towards Mizu and settled down beside the shivering pup. "You three, come over here, please." The muntjac said, nodding to Lamiac, Oswega, and Amanon as the three were just stepping of their alligator escorts. Obligningly, the sisters settled around the kitten, though Amanon balked at the request.

"Amanon! Stop being such a pansy!" Oswega chastized with narrowed eyes, "Get over here and help Mizu!"

At the insult, the hybrid snorted and rumbled contemptuously, "Stuff it, Oswega." Reguardless to his retort, he did amble towards the quaking kitten and offer his warmth as he sat down beside her.

Dandelion, Kintanese, and Zanfire all braved the water, swimming across together before shaking the water from the pelt as the reached the main platform of the Temple. The three stags would remain there, as a second line of defense in the off chance that an enemy managed to bypass the Water Dragons.

Mizu

Mizu had cesed all sound and had stopped shaking. She now just lie there. Her short fur looked as though it were a sheet of ice on each patch of fur and her nose looked almost blue.

Nicholas

Nicholas had no idea what the others were saying. He guessed, though, by the way his mother nudged him, that he was supposed to get onto Dragonfly's back. He gingerly stepped forward, his hackles raising out of nervousness.

Orinoco slid up to the shore. "I can carry many of you." The caiman said. She was huge, at nearly 10 feet. Akahi rested herself near Orinoco. "I can carry some of you too." The albino alligator said.

Knucker, Leviathan, Adelinda, Tanith, Gold-Heart, Ukawei, Amazon and Kasa slid up to the shore as well. The young reptiles waited for their passengers.

Fanta & Others

Fanta licked Nicholas. It was her way of telling him it was alright. "Easy, Nicholas..." She murmured, more of to herself.

Hazard, Sword and Wildfire both gingrerly got onto Dima's back, being careful not to anger him.

Wildsong smiled, getting onto Cress's back. "Thank you." He breathed.

Idol nipped back at Chark. "Let's get on the caiman."

Savage, Bloodthirster and Hellfire followed some of the pups onto Dima.

Era and Twister both jumped towards Amazon and Kasa. Era slowly got onto Amazon, while Twister got onto Kasa.

Anathema, Fragile Moment .+. Others

Shrowd stayed near Malice as he comforted her in the cold atmosphere that they were to take shelter in. She shivered a bit but smiled when his tail went over her own. As Orinoco came up the female smiled happily and wagged her tail before moving over and trying to climb atop the “Dragon”. “I hope I can ride.” She looked over to Malice as if to call her puppy love to her.

Fastrack smiled as he played in the snow, bitting at the cold mush and letting it melt in his mouth. It wasn’t until a splash and loud cry did he look up to see his friend in the water. “MIZU!” Cried Fastrack, Ichigo, Tachi, and Hidari at the same time. The canine pup, and hybrid cats skidded to a halt at the edge of the water, Ichigo almost making to jump in after his sister, but four alligators moved up and groaned. “Ride us, we’ll take you over there.” said Orgus as Ikazga, Portrus and Verdict moved up to the shore. The female, Verdict, was a little smaller than her brothers, but she could still carry someone. “The little one can get on my back” She said in a soft tone.

Without hesitation, Fastrack climbed onto Verdicts back while Ichigo, Tachi, and Hidari rode the males. Moving out, everyone but Ichigo laid low on the alligators, The tiger cub couldn’t stand to see his sister in pain and before the gators even got to the other side, Ichigo leaped from his back and raced to his sister. Licking her face gingerly before laying around her body.

Fastrack scrambled quickly to get off the gator’s back and rushed near the tiger cub’s body, quickly he placed his body over her and laid down gently on her frozen body. He shivered at the feel of her once warm body gone cold, but he wouldn’t leave her.

Tachi and Hitori came next and laid around their sister, creating a pile up to keep her warm. Runi had arrived on the other side after putting Blister on Abritt. The Borzoi hybrid had braved the water, even with her thin body. She managed to make it across and shook herself to dry. When she saw so many now around Mizu she warned them “Don’t put too much weight on her, you’ll constrict her lungs and keep her from breathing.”

Fawn and Owl were on the other side, away from the temple. They didn’t know how to make the poison that Risen had requested. They would need Quilikahm to show them how to make it, they were just use to making healing potions.

Owl growled at the site of the frozen pup and moved off to gather some ingredients, When he came back, he looked like he was chewing on something. Crosing the water he made his way to the other side and toward the pup. Soon, the mess that was in his mouth was now on the ground near the pup. Looking to Quil, he had to only guess – still in training he informed her, “I’ve collect some Astragalus to keep her warm, some Bergamot Herb to keep her calm so as not to panic, Capsicum to stimulate good circulation to keep warm and oxygen to get to where it needs to go,” He was uncertain. Being unuse to a lot of the herbs. “Do you think it will help?” He asked the deer, uncertain in his own decisions.

Allamonique moved in with the mothers, staying near the shore as she watched the dragons, though she was too quiet to try and get any of the younger one’s attentions. Instead she let herself sit and watch the cold water and the reptiles that lived inside of it.

Darque pushed past his sister and to the edge of the water. A grin upon his lips as he watched the water, “So who do I get to surf on?” at his words a black female came up, her ‘silver’ fur having yet to show in her shoulders. “You shouldn’t be so greedy, let them offer you a ride. "

From the distance, Rayne watched Cynical, an adversary he was beginning to consider a threat to his dominance. But instead of growling he smiled and moved up. “Maybe he’s just playing with them, have you ever thought of that?" The black female turned a critical eye to Rayne and snorted, “He can be kinder about it.” She retorted then moved away from the white coyote hybrid. Moving to the waters edge. “Can anyone take me across please.” She called, though her voice wasn’t kind, it was more dark and hollow. Emotionless as her name described her as.

Rayne watched the female leave then looked to Darque who smiled and wagged his tail “Thanks,” He said then bounced around and waited for a ride. Rayne stayed at the edge and looked for a ride as well.

Quique quickly tried to get on one of the open gator’s backs. Once across and to the temple, he scampered up the steps and huddled in the corner to keep warm like the mothers had instructed.

Ruckus was quick to get to the other side. He didn’t quite make it up to the balcony though as he watched the scene with Mizu unfold.

Tavern, the akita, moved with the mothers, her belly swollen with infants. As valuable as she was to the fight, she was baring children and couldn’t participate, instead she would stay with the mothers and lend a paw. When she got to the temple she moved up and began to create the outer wall to keep the children warm.

Anathema moved and felt her way, some of the gators watched the handicap wolf with wonder. “She will need help across.” Fragile moment said, two of the gators pushed their bodies together and the adult wolf was lead onto their backs and laid down. Once at the temple, Fragile moment escorted her fellow Mother up the balcony and to the ‘group’ to keep the pups warm from the cold. The children would have all their sides warmed while the mothers would take the bitter cold on one side. To keep the pups as comfortable in temperature as they could.

Dima & Others

The muntjac offered a smile and an encouraging nod to the healer-in-training. "Those are perfect selections, Owl. You are coming along very well with your skills." The little tusked deer then stood and used her muzzle to scoop up a glob of the mashed plant parts that Owl had chewed up. The spicy-sweet scented mixture was then rubbed into Mizu's fur, mostly around her neck, chest, and inner legs, and pressed in so that it would soak through to the skin. Just as she was finishing, her rounded ears swiveled towards the shore to catch Onslaught's announcement. "Owl, Jack, Fawn! Follow me."

The deer scampered towards the edge of the water and perched herself on the sturdy back of Dima, while Torva, Tephen, and Leviandra clustered nearby to support the younger three healers and ferry them across.

Once she had reached the other side, Quilikham led her charges to where she had the poisons stached away and bundled up. "Be very careful, and grip them lightly with your teeth. These plants are extremely dangerous." She warned, forgoing her usual soft-toned voice for a stern, authorative one to get her point across. The plants had been rolled up in dock leaves and held together by jabbing locust thorns through the leaves to pin them shut. This would offer a layer of protection, and a way for the Healers to transport the deadly cocktail of plants around in their mouths without ingesting any of the poisons. Picking up a large bundle of her own, she trotted over towards Onslaught.

The water was now alive with reptilian bodies, squirming and splashing to get towards the bank and offer someone a ride. Honeysuckle, Lace, Lemna, Dewberry, Aldelae, Lotus, and Verisille managed to cluster up front to offer rides to the last of the youngsters that needed a ride across.

Owl .+. Fawn

The two followed Quilikham back to shore and lightly picked up the poisons in their jaws. They both made sure not to puncture through as the change in the deer's voice clearly warned them not to do so. Catching up, they stood at attention behind their trainer and waited to be escorted.

Mizu, Malice, Blister

Malice barked happily after Shrowd and then bounded over to her. He got on the "dragon" next to her and then moved close to her with his tail wrpped around her once more to help her keep her balance.

Blister rode on the "dragon" awkwardly. He had his legs spread eagled across its back the entire time. When he got to the shore he tanked the "dragon" and then bounded off after Runi, walking beneath her stomach.

Mizu finally gave a shiver after the warmth of her loving brothers and the herbs had seeped into her frozen body. By this time however her nose had actually gone a pale blue.

Shrowd; Runi, Others

Shrowd smiled lovingly to Malice as the dragon brought them over to the temple. She was able to keep her balance for the most part but thanked Malice for his support on the ride. When she got off she looked at the cat, sighed a bit, and moved up the steps. "It's tragic to see how horrible she looks... I hope she gets better." She said in a whisper to her puppy love.

Runi watched as Mizu's nose grew even more blue, she had never seen such a thing and knew it wasn't good. "May I offer taking her to the humans?" She said gently, but her words were quickly stabbed back by Fragile Moment. "We do not associate ourselves with the humans, Runi, you know better than to even suggest that. The Healers potions will work, just give them time. Give her time, she will be able to fight it off I'm sure of it. She is a Child Haunter, she is strong." She looked to the pup with certainty. Runi only sighed and shook her head before nuzzling blister to move up the narrow stair way. "Be careful up here, there is no wall to keep you from falling on one side. Stay near the mothers." She smiled as she made her way up and began to complete the bodied wall of warmth. Licking blister in a motherly way.

Fragile moment cooed to the young ones before taking Mizu is her jaws and bringing her up the stairs. When she got to the top she laid the cub down and wrapped her body around her. Ichigo followed at heal until his sister was put back down and quickly blanketed her body with his. Fastrack did the same, hoping that his warmth could save his friend.

Ynear

Ynear walked down toward the lake, Alludia in her jaws, carefully stepping so not to hurt the pup that she carried. When she got to the water's edge she noticed Ceaora and put Alludia down. "I am her, What is it that you need?" Unlike the other's in the temple, the mother's tone was much more compassionate and loving. Kind and without a judgmental tone. She smiled to the new female, offering comfort, although she was still on her toes, she wouldn't let the other see her caution.

Verdict, one of the female alligators, moved up to the shore and looked at Alludia. With a toothy smile she spoke, "Well hello there little one, do you need a ride to the temple." Ynear lookd back to the gator, then to the pup. "Go on ahead, I will be there in a little bit." She smiled then returned to Ceaora.

Kihaku

Hope reared its head in her heart as a familiar voice pierced the air. The hope was a small, pitiful thing, easily defeated, but for this moment it stood strong and bright as a flare in the depths of her soul. Ynear was here. So things would be alright.

But she did not stand to attract the mother's attention, not wanting to pull her view away from Ceaora, who of course was more important than she, Kihaku, was. No... she stayed curled in her little corner, sopping wet, and listening to the sound of the voice that had always comforted her tears, as it now did Alludia's. Kihaku had learned patience at an early age... she would wait until eternity passed for the wolf that had been her protector and devoted mother to notice her of her own spontaneous accord.

Hura

Hura kept to the young ones that crowded around her. She wanted more cubs of her own but for now that would not happen.

Rift;; Captured;; Stray

The three pregnant females had been directed her by Risen's son. He said they weren't accepted, but were welcome to stay until after the battle. Afterwards, they'd be accepted by Risen. Rift lead them, walking to the Temple and barking lowly. "Is Mother Nymph here? I was directed here by Tumult" Rift barked lowly, peering into the darkness. "He said to wait here until after the battle, so we could be accepted."

Captured and Stray both felt the affects of birth coming. Stray groaned, her legs heavy. "Pups, Rift...they are coming." Stray grumbled, Captured also nodded.

Rift waited for a response, feeling anxious. "My friends are about to have pup in just a matter of hours."

Nymph

The one called for soon made her way forward, weaving her ebony body gracefully among the pups as she pulled her large feline frame up near the three females. "Indeed, I am here. Welcome, friends. I am Mother Nymph. Please, make yourselves at home. If there is anything we can do, please let me know. I'll be happy to assist."

This was accompanied by a warm, pleasant smile that clearly portrayed the soft, caring heart of this otherwise fearsome-looking predator: she was a large, ebonite mountain lion, larger than most females of her species, and outweighed most of the wolves who came through here by a good deal. But her eyes and purr were warm and welcoming.

Captured;; Rift;; Stray

All three mothers settled down. As the hours passed, they all gave birth to pups, children of Windsong.

Alludia Mizu

Alludia made to jump in and swim as she had said she would but when she saw Mizu on the other side she froze, about to jump and clung to the back. When she got off she thanked the Dragon and then ran after Ynear.

Mizu remained still, her nose blue. The warmth around her had ceased her shivering and had helped to dry her fur a bit. But that was all improvement that was showing.

Ynear

Ynear had moved along the temple where the pups were. Her eyes narrowing on Mizu. "We will need the healers here as soon as possible. Are they done yet?" She snorted as Ino moved out to find Quilikahm.

Looking at the pup she turned and looked to Kihaku, who didn't seem to be alright. Her eyes moved to Alludia, "Stay with Mother Anathema. I will be short. She said as she moved to the troubled mother.

At her name Anathema lifted her head and wagged her tail. Sniffing the pup and smiling dearly to her. Though the mother could not say anything, she would be happy to care for Alludia for the moments Ynear could not.

The head Mother moved silently to Kihaku, then sat next to the mother and examined her. Suddenly her eyes caught the swelling of her stomach and she held her breath. Her eyes turned kind and she layed down near the other and began to cleanse her face. Acting as if she had not acknowledge the pregnancy, she would let Kihaku say it on her own will. "Tell me darling, what's is troubling you? You are acting strange today." She cooed, even though Kihaku was now older, even older wolves needed comforting and a mother to love them.

Kihaku

True to form, the silent alabaster fae remained still and quiet across the platform, though when Ynear moved toward her, she at least offered the mother a timid smile and a single pat of tail against the ground. This was the closest to comfortable that Kihaku ever got, in the place where Mama Ynear had first defended her, and claimed her as her own special charge. But even that could not take the tremble out of the voice that came forth in an undertone to answer Ynear's question as the mother cleaned her face. "I'm... frightened, Mama."

Ynear

Dark spheres softened as she moved comfortingly toward the daughter. "What frightens you darling?" Her tail gave a few slow pats on the ground. Trying to calm the other by showing herself being calm. She had always felt emotions were shared and if one was calm and could stay such a way, another may gain calmness as well.

Kihaku

The white female was silent for a long moment, as if taking strength from Ynear's presence, from her very nearness as she drank in the mother's calm, and absorbed it. The transformation was a slow one: the tremble faded little by little out of the body, the eyes contracted once more... only the ears remained still back against her head, the only sign now that she was still frightened. Well... that and her stutter. "I... I f-fear th-that which I can-not s-speak, Mama. I fear... to l-let my words... hu-rt a-nother."

Alludia

Alludia stared at Ynear as she walked away. The small pup took a step back and fell on her rump with a short grunt. Her stunning golden eyes blnked in suprise as she watched.

The crystal pup felt the warm breath of Anethema on her head and she looked up to see her. She stood back up anr ran to Anethema's leg, wraping hersef around it.

Ynear .+. Anathema

The older mother moved closer to Kihak, comforting her daughter. "There there, we do not need to hurt another. What is it that you feel you cannot speak of. I promise you I shall not tell." She looked lovingly at her daughter. Offering her comfort. The only way to make the female feel better was to get whatever was on her mind, off of her chest.

Anathema smiled as the pup moved around her. Offering kind licks to the female as she laid down and kept her senses on Alludia. Her tail wagging against the ground and she nuzzled the pup in a playful manner.

Kihaku

What else could the female do? All her life, she'd been frightened of everyone, her brother at the top of the lengthy list, and having someone so kind, sitting right there, willing to listen and keep her secrets... haltingly, the fearful young fae began to speak in a whisper. "I... I'm... I'm go-oing to... have...p-pups, Mama." As she said the words, tears began to roll down her face in waves, and she no longer possessed the strength to stop them. "I... I did-n't wa-ant th-them... but..." She had to pause there, to take several deep breaths in order to go on, and her voice was quieter still, one that even Ynear, so close to her, would have to strain to hear. "If... if R-risen finds ou-ut... she... she'll k-kill hi-im."

That statement revealed exactly how much power Akki had over his sister, that he could do this terrible thing to her, put her life and the lives of her pups on the line, and still cause her to fear more for his fate than for her own. The tears that coursed down her lean muzzle were for him.