Since returning home Indru had tried to help as much as his broken body had been able; and the vigorous exercising he had put it through had only helped his recovery, it had strengthened his muscles and helped wounds heal correctly and he felt confident that in time his slight limp in his hind leg would go too. Filling the pack's food caches had been most important, Cori and the pups both were malnourished and his mate had been exhausted from the excessive hunting that it had required to feed their young. Though Indru wasn't much help in pack hunts, or bringing down large prey, he felt that it helped stretch his limbs and work his muscles to hunt around the Grove itself, catching the small creatures it had to offer.

Indru found himself unable to sleep for as long a period as he was used too, stiffness tempted to creep into his still healing muscles if they were not used for long periods of time and so in the early hours of the morning he had slipped out from the den and the warmth of Corinna and their children. Their scents still clung to his fur as Indru checked and restrengthened the borders and he took comfort in that in the silence of the early hours, even if he could not be with them. Duty rather than an empty belly had caused him to go hunting though and now Indru walked back towards home triumphant, a still warm rabbit clasped in his jaws.

However, when he was near them it became apparent that he was not alone; a howl burst from the trees around him, so familiar that it hurt. Without pause Indru barrelled towards it, any soreness the hunt had caused now forgotten, until his youngest sister was perched on the borders edge in front of him. His fiery eyes had barely any time to take her in before he closed the gap between them, the rabbit dropped at her feet, as he ran his muzzle down her spine like he had when she was a pup to check her well being. A myriad of scents clung to her fur but the fact that she belonged to no one was clear, she'd stayed a lone wolf then in her absence, part of him had wondered if she'd left for another pack and the thrill of adventure. Borlla, he breathed at last, where have you been?

There seemed little response from his sister from Indru's affection, but he was used to it and he paid it no mind at first, Borlla had always been a tad more reluctant than most to show her emotions. She answered him dutifully, perhaps too much for Borlla, and then her eyes dropped from his own and though this was submission he would expect from any other, it was not in Borlla to normally offer it so freely. Silence hung before Indru could work up the courage to ask, did... What happened? Worry and concern coated his words and he pushed his nose against Borlla's neck in both affection and to test her scent more easily. Are you hurt little sister? His tongue curled out to brush along her muzzle and his fur lifted slightly in his tension and nerves at the dispirited sister who had been returned to him.

The mornings were brisk now that autumn was here and though Borlla had an adults coat now she shuddered still and inspected her form more closely, malnourished, thirsty perhaps, and most likely exhausted. Could it just be the life of a loner taking its toll or had something more sinister happened? You are home now, Borlla, Indru soothed, dropping his head to rest his chin gently upon her skull before trying to catch her eye again. You're safe now. It had always been a fear of Indru's that one day her spirit would get the best of her and that she would flee; but his stomach rolled with guilt at the thought that the reason she had fled had been for him. I'm so sorry. It was a phrase he was beginning to know very well.

Her reason for disappearing without a word was so typically Borlla he had an absurd feeling of wanting to laugh; wanting to do something and not wanting anyone to stop her was how most of her actions went, and even Indru, her leader and guardian, had been unable to tame it. However, she was an adult now, however much still in training, and soon she would have to try and settle within the ranks and find her place. Everyone is okay, things had been recovering quickly at Swift River, whether with old blood returning or new blood joining. Whoever it was, the teacup Tainn's were all the better for it, their lack of nourishment had temporarily stunted their growth but Indru wanted to rectify that as soon as possible. Your niece and nephews are almost as big as you now I bet, he teased, knowing the mere thought of it even if it was clearly untrue would frustrate her, but he grinned to show he meant it in good jest. Relief from a weight in his shoulders we wasn't even aware he had caused Indru to feel more happy and carefree than he had in a while.

His words of apology seemed to spark a small flame of anger and he ducked his head to lick her muzzle once again, a grin on his face, as he tried to soothe her. You're home at least now, the thought was more pleasing that she would realise to him, he was sure. In many ways he would always think of Borlla and her litter mates as pups of his own; aside from Kinis later he had been the main fatherly figure any of them had experienced, and they had been his first taste of true responsibility and dependency. Swift River will always be your home, he worried how Corinna would react to her, the pair had never had the best relationship, but he hoped that the gift Corinna had given them all of the three healthy pups would soothe Borlla to his mate. For Corinna's opinion on Borlla he was not sure, but surely knowing how much he cared for his family she could not expect him to shun his sister away. The rabbit that lay at his feet was intended for the cache, and more specifically the pups, but looking at her Borlla seemed half starved of a decent meal herself. Here, come on, perhaps your nieces and nephews will let you share, they aren't quiet as rabid as you were at their age. A quick bark of laughter broke through and Indru nudged her gently with his muzzle again, leaning down to pick up the rabbit before stepping over the borders and waiting for her to do the same.