Tokino wiggled his haunches settling his gray behind down into the cupped nest of soft scratched up dirt and leaves. His back leg was slowly getting a little more bearable each and every day. He could now put a bit of weight on it though dull pain nagged at him to rest his leg.

The problem was that Tokino sitting there all day long wasting away as everyone else did his work for him. Now with the leaves beginning to change color he was really getting impatient as the older wolf realized that all of his summer was gone. He hadn't been able to do much of anything, but what irked him most was that his pups were now allowed out of the den on their own.

Tokino knew that it was time for them to start looking around and doing things for themselves, but now that they were gone every day he was constantly alone. The old wolf had nobody to share comfort with until the pack came around the rest for the night or during a storm.

Aching for company, Tokino shuffled to the other side of his comfy resting place to look around. A short "woof" was uttered from his maw as a kind of soft greeting to anyone nearby. Hell I wouldn't mind Inali's brash behavior as company either. he whined within the confines of his mind before setting that bored gray crown upon his front paws once more.

The regal now lay there quiet and sad.

His sad gaze fell upon the earth and slowly moved across the floor. Those icy orbs looked upon the molding leaves and stiff broken stems that littered the ground. Musty smells of dead plant material filtered through his muzzle while the light breeze pushed the scent of brisk air, and wolf.

The familiar smell of Inali had his tail wagging delightedly. Just before he brought his head up to greet her, Inali trotted through the undergrowth into view. Her bright face smiled happily while the girls tail flicked back and forth in giddy way. Though her smile turned to a frown as she saw the depressed emotions over Tokino's face and body. She was worried for him. Her question had him tilting his head in confusion as the gray wolf tried to lift himself up to greet his best friend.

I'm just missing my family and friends that's all. He gave her half the truth leaving out the bit where he also felt insignificant while everyone else did their jobs and worked.

Now standing weakly on three and a half legs, Tokino measured the strength he still had. Much of the muscle in his legs had been lost due to how non-moving he had become while that broken leg healed. It would take another month of exercise before he would gain the muscle back again. However since the would inside still pained him, Tokino would make sure to keep the exercise light as things healed.

So what have you been up to Inali my girl? Kino asked joyfully glad that he finally had someone to talk to and hang out with.

Tokino couldn't help but smile as he lay himself back down comfortably. Unfortunately he had to readjust himself once he plopped down on the ground due to a shifted rock that was poking him in the side, but a part from that the older male was able to get quite comfortable. Then he resumed listening to Inali as she spoke about his children. To be truthful he actually worried about one of his little ones.

His little girl was healthy, yes, but Tokino only knew that from the once in a while appearances of her. Generally he didn't see his little princess which worried him a bit. Although he could be over complicating things. She could just be roaming around by herself. Perhaps she likes being alone? His thoughts echoed as Tokino tried to figure out why he didn't see her as often as he thought he should.

Or maybe she doesn't... He shook his ruff. How could she not? He was her father.

Looking to Inali quickly Tokino gave her a worried half smile. Say, do you think Noble likes me? It's just that I almost never see her anymore. Not like Kova who won't stay out of my rump half the time. He asked genuinely curious as to what Inali thought of the situation. Maybe she would have noticed something else about Noble that Tokino hadn't been able to see. Especially since he couldn't really get up and keep an eye on his children like he used to.

@Inali

Tokino rolled his eyes in response to Inali's own eye rolling. However her words did calm his fears, and perhaps some truth was held within them. He could seek her out himself. Though the man couldn't keep up with the lively pups at the moment while his leg still ached. Eventually though, he planned on talking with his little princess one on one and getting to know her again. Perhaps to even let her wrap him around her paw once more.

I take it your father wasn't the best? he asked carefully noting the way Inali had trailed off at the mention of it. He didn't want to force her to talk about it, though his inborn curiosity drove him to ask.

He smirked at the red womans name calling, quite used to her sharp tongue and ready to fire back at her with his own. I keep telling you I'm not old. He huffed lightly before reaching over to nip Inali playfully. I've had family live over ten years! Hell my mother was older than that when I left home! He said quickly before turning his gaze back to the forest. He could imagine his mother being proud of what he had accomplished. Though he couldn't hope for her to still be alive. Her advanced age before he had left had been taking a toll on her, so there was very little cha nce that she still lived.