He couldn't help it.

He was yet to take Alex up on his offer, though it still sorely tempted him. Winter was leaving, but that didn't mean his situation was getting any better. Living temporarily on the mountain was better than sleeping in strange, unsafe places down in the forest.

That's when he heard Triell.

It had been a very long time since his littermate's voice had graced his ears, and it was with no small measure of alarm and pleasure that he recognised the owner of the howl. "Triell..." he whispered to no one, body on alert, pointed in the direction of that welcoming noise. It hadn't been for him, it had been for Ruiko, but he felt such an affinity with its sentiment that he felt compelled to find it. Who knew - perhaps Ruiko would answer it himself, and Kinis would not have to search long and hard for his older brother. He felt an unpleasant pang at the notion that he wasn't doing this himself, that he was relying on the efforts of his brother, but right now? He didn't care. Alexander's wise words still circled in his head, and he had come so close to crossing that river many times.

This made everything easier. Excitement pumping his heart faster, Kinis bounded towards the source of the call. The tangles of river bends forced his path somewhat, but he ran joyfully beside the cold water, seeking Triell. It was fortunate that the wind was blowing in his favour, for when the shape of a dark wolf appeared on the opposite bank, Kinis would have hardly believed it was the same creature. Out of breath, he came to a stop, wondering if he had even been noticed yet - and decided to do away with caution and barked once with merry abandon, his tail's happiness unable to contain itself.

After so long, and so much worry, it was amazing how easy it was to look upon his family again. Triell's opinion was, in some ways, just as capable of emotional devastation as Ruiko's, for Kinis held this brother much closer to his heart than their third littermate. It was hard not to be attached to the boy he had grown up with, even if their childhood and relationship hadn't always been the smoothest.

Relief washed over him, and for the first time since doubt and regret had been seeded after his flight, Kinis felt like he was doing the right thing.

It had been a month since he and Ranger had departed from Swift River. The burden of being segregated from his family would have been much heavier without the companionship of the swarthy she-wolf, and Ruiko had enjoyed the time they spent together. Travelling was a daily occurrence between the two nomads as they scoped out potential land to lay stake to and create a life of their own. There was little discussion as to where this pack land would be claimed, or what the future would bring them, but the large regal was distinctly aware that breeding season was just around the corner.


While the two lone wolves did not stay in one place for too long, the past few days had found them in an abandoned den around Heartleaf Creek. Their schedule was haphazard, as they answered to only their instincts, and as afternoon turned later, the tawny wolf slowly unfurled his powerful frame from the she-wolf as she slept. Slinking outside of the abandoned den quietly so as not to disturb her, Ruiko just bowed in to a leisurely stretch as a cry echoed across the sky. The Tainn’s dark ears swivelled to the direction of the sound, a rugged smirk pressing to his lips as he recognized his younger brother’s song. Without hesitation, the rogue prowled in the direction of his sibling, grateful that Triell had decided to look for him here, lest he never would have found him.


As he came upon the area Triell’s scent was the strongest, the male caught sight of his pure ebony brother and gave a low woof of content greeting, his tail sweeping the air. Yet his paw steps faltered at the sight of another, and as he realized it was Kinis, the tension and worry that had rested on his shoulders at the boy’s disappearance suddenly swept away. “Kinis.” He was surprised, but that did not stop him from swiftly crossing the creek, his pelt sopping wet and clinging to his large figure as he finally reached the two boys. A growl of affection erupted from his jowls, and Ruiko ran his muzzle along the top of Kinis’ crown, stopping to nibble affectionately upon the youth’s ear before pulling back to regard him. “Where have you been?”

The welcome was returned with warmness in abundance, and Kinis found himself wondering why he had left this for so long. He hadn't known that Triell was back, but if this brother could be happy to see him, then why not the others? Allowing himself to hope wasn't so hard when he watched his brother splash enthusiastically through the water towards him. Kinis' tail in overdrive now, he returned the happy affections in equal measure. It had been too long, far too long, and Kinis fond himself drawn in to his brother's contagious smile.

"Better, now," he said, the relief clear in his voice and face. For no reason other than to let out his joy, he laughed, and swiped his tongue over Triell's nose again. Mouth open, ready to return the question, Kinis was distracted by the sound of someone else approaching - and then his world was turned upside down for the second time in as many minutes.

"Ruiko," he whispered, his joyous manner fading only to be replaced by a mixture of awe and panic - he had half expected his older brother to appear, seeing as the call had been for him, but Kinis had spent so much time beating himself up and believing himself to be a disappointment that it was difficult to just forget all of that. His ears flickered backwards, as if subconsciously expecting a reprimand, but then he saw the look in Ruiko's eyes and, once more, allowed himself to hope.

Excitement and adrenaline overcame hesitation, and Kinis leapt forwards to meet Ruiko just as he drew close. His tail now completely beyond control, the small boy slightly lowered in respect and adoration, he accepted the affectionate ministrations with a low, barely contained whine of happiness, giving Ruiko's chin a loving lick. He was so overcome - two brothers at once, and so much friendliness - that the question he had feared had little to no impact. "Not far," he admitted, though his breathy tone implied that he was skimming over the facts; there would be time to explain (and apologise) later. "I just... I'm so happy to see you again, brother." With a grin, he glanced back at Triell, extending that sentiment to him. Quickly burying his nose into the fur on Ruiko's cheek, Kinis whispered, "I'm so sorry," and then pulled back to stand beside Triell. His littermate had been the one to call for Ruiko, after all - Kinis didn't mean to crash the party, as it were. Keen as he was to be with Ruiko once more, he held back to give Triell space, and his smile never faded.

It was a flurry of excitement between the three wolves; Ruiko's tender administrations to Kinis elicited a whine of relief from his usually stoical jowls as he realized the boy had fared just fine on his own. With his tail swinging excitedly through the air, Ruiko watched as Kinis finally took a step beside Triell, and flashing a grin to his other little brother, the regal Tainn swept forward to greet the ebony youth as well. Bumping his nose against the River wolf's cheek, for the first time in weeks Ruiko truly felt at ease with the knowledge that his younger siblings were doing just fine.


"It's good to see you both," he returned to them, finally taking a pace back as his eyes shifted between the two litter-mates. They were full grown now, and soon they would enter the adult ranks of the pack's they belonged to.. Where had the time gone? It only occurred to him then that he would miss most of their young lives now that he had left Swift River to forge a life of his own. Disheartened, Ruiko did not show it, and allowed a lopsided smirk to smooth across his tawny features. "What do you both feel like doing?"

Truly content, Kinis glanced between his brothers as they spoke, though he did tend to linger on Ruiko more often than not. This older sibling had been in the fore of his thoughts for a very long time, after all. As Kinis easily slipped back into the family setting, he wondered - not for the first time, but definitely more strongly - if he had been completely insane. How could he have left this?

He resolved to never let petty miseries get in the way of his priorities again.

At Triell's suggestion for finding some past time, Kinis perked up, and automatically looked at Ruiko for the answer. Unfortunately, the question was only repeated, and Kinis felt like it was his turn to contribute - only he didn't know what to do. He didn't care what they did, everything would be worthwhile! It was at that point, however, that his stomach growled faintly, and the young Tainn was made acutely aware of his condition in comparison to his two rather better-fed brothers.

Choosing to poke fun at himself over the obvious sign of hunger, Kinis grinned sheepishly and said, "I think you know what my idea will be." They never had really finished Kinis' training, after all - what better time for practice than now?

It did not take long for the trio to find an activity to engage in; Kinis’ stomach growled right on cue, and Triell’s light laugh filtered the clear air about them. A crooked grin rested upon Ruiko’s creamy muzzle, and he gave a nod of agreement as the two youths decided what they had best do.


Upon the dark River wolf’s question, the regal rogue cast a quick glance about them. There really wasn’t a ‘best’ place in the Creek, but they were close to the forest as well, and would surely manage to nab something to satiate Kinis’ hunger. Leaning back lightly, Ruiko’s shoulders lifted in a casual shrug, his tail giving a light swing through the air. “You both tell me,” he decided thoughtfully. “Let’s see your tracking skills and how well you can both work as a team.” After all, he might not have been their leader any longer, nor even their pack mate, but he was still their brother, and it was still a part of his responsibility to ensure that they gained the skills of a well-rounded pack wolf.