The knowledge that another litter of pups would be raised by the Swift River pack was elating to the male – it was truly a new start for the Tainn family since the fire that had stolen their home and lives from them. So many were missing, and not a day passed where Ruiko’s thoughts would not drift to his family that were no longer in the valleys. Niija, Junai, Hotei, Kenai. He worried for them daily, and hoped they would one day return to the land that they belonged. The only sibling he hadn’t thought of since her departure had been Ioni, and the tawny wolf knew if she dared show her hide among his family again, the regal Tainn would put his permanent mark on it. Her or Weldering.


“He’s a natural,” he decided, his shoulders lifting once more to that casual shrug that he bore so often. Indru had always fancied himself the father of the family once Rihael had passed, and in ways to Borlla and Triell he certainly was. Yet no one could replace their parents, and Ruiko was uncertain if Indru realized that or not, try as he might.


Corinna switched the topic from Swift River to himself, and Ruiko lifted his wolfish brows in consideration to the inquiry. Pulling back leisurely from his affectionate and playful ministrations to his new-found sister, Ruiko allowed a few moments of silent contemplation to pass before answering. “There are many places to settle,” he decided quietly, his eyes drifting across his companion to see her reaction. If anything, he had put off claiming land far longer than he had expected, and considering Corinna’s reaction, she had assumed he would have claimed a land by now as well. “Ranger is restless to live pack life once more, so soon we likely will choose.” There was a small pause, and the corners of his muzzle lifted in a smirk. “Any suggestions?”

Corinna’s words drew an subtle nod from his head, his gleaming eyes casting over her in quiet regard. It almost surprised him she suggested they see what lands lay farther south, for it meant he would be farther from Swift River and their family. There was logic to it as well; should they witness another autumn like last year, prey would be scarcer. The last thing Ruiko desired was to fight his siblings and their pack for food for his own. Even last fall he had become almost desperate enough to trek the claimed lands of the mountain in search of food and water, for it was a much better alternative in his mind than watching Kinis grow thinner and weaker with each passing day. Luckily it had not come to that.


“I don’t travel that way often,” he offered thoughtfully, suddenly curious to what he would find further from his usual haunts. “Wherever we go, we won’t be more than a few days away from Swift River.” His words were meant to soothe him more than her, and the large wolf allowed a small smirk to break the corner of his lips. He couldn’t imagine being too far from his siblings and home and he knew Ranger would not deny him that. At his sister’s next words, the lone wolf’s shoulders lifted in a light shrug, his eyes shifting to the direction of the quiet mountain. “Alexander and his pack have always kept to themselves,” he decided, realizing he had only ever met Borden from the mountain. “They seem to be a respectful sort. It’s how Honijo would have wanted it.” It had been weeks since he had thought of his missing uncle. He had assumed the male had left with Indru, but he had never returned with them. Wherever he was, Ruiko only hoped he was finding solitude with his sister’s death.

Their conversation came to a close; the niceties of checking up on another was at an end, and while Ruiko would have tried to entice his new sister to a hunt or walk, her words of farewell drew an understanding nod from the regal male. "I'm surprised he hasn't shown up yet to check on you," he rumbled with amusement, though not far from being serious. It surprised him that his brother wasn't on Corinna's heels, as she was bearing a very important load to the pack and Tainn family.


With a rumbling goodbye growl, the large tawny wolf dropped his muzzle to nudge the silver she-wolf's cheek. "Take care, Corinna," he rumbled, his tail giving a gentle sweep through the air. "And look after those nephews and nieces of mine growing in your belly." A small smirk played at his lips, and taking a few paces back, the regal wolf glanced to the direction he expected Ranger to be. "I'll visit soon," he promised at last, before making his way back to the thicket.