For a wolf of his size Indru had a surprisingly quiet tread, though he could not claim to be as whisper quiet as his smaller mate Corinna, but if he wished he most certainly was able to surprise a unwitting puppy if they were not paying attention. An amused yet clearly affectionate smile curved Indru's muzzle as he watched his son taunt his prey from the shadows that the trees gave him, his large form quite successfully hidden as he remained pressed against the forest floor, only his fire bright eyes peeking through the foliage. Fenru's teasing words at the groundhog brought a chuckle unbidden from Indru's lips and before the game was lost he bounded free from the foliage, the grin on his face all teeth, and dropped down his front end to rest on his elbows as his rump rose into the air, tail waving erratically. Were you never taught it's wrong to play with you food, Fen? Again a bark of laughter escaped from Indru and his eyes flashed happily as his young son. Already he had grown so big and Indru could not believe 5 months had passed since their birth.

Besides, he began, his head raised to the right in a playful mocking gesture, I'm fairly sure that method of hunting would not work. With a quick burst of moment Indru shot forward a metre closer to his son, landing on his elbows again, his encouragement for Fenru to play clear in every moment of his body. Shall a master show you how it's done? Though I think I best pick a target closer to my own size... Pausing briefly to give the not-so-hidden meaning a chance to sink in, Indru then leapt forward to try and roll Fenru off his feet as he scooted forward ahead on his side to catch the pup before he had a chance to hit the floor so that Indru instead would take the impact.

The River pup's eyes had been so focused on the tunnel in front of him that he was completely oblivious to the forest around him. "Were you never taught it's wrong to play with your food, Fen?" a familiar voice sounded over him. Fenru blinked and turned to look into his father's face. A sheepish grin settled on his face and he slowly shook his head. His tail wagged as Indru let out a laugh and, almost immediately, Fen noted that he wasn't being scolded.

After being told that shouting about and waiting by his prey's home wasn't a sure-fire way to catch something, he watched as the leader darted forward. "Yeah!" he then chirped, absolutely beaming now. "...I think I best pick a target closer to my own size..." Indru added and it took a moment for Fen to process the statement. The word "Oh" was just about formed on his lips when...

Surprise!

Swept clearly off all four of his paws, Fen was sent into a fit of giggles.

Laughter rumbled through the Sacred Grove as both father and son played, Indru barely felt the impact of Fenru on his chest as light as he was but quickly he tried to flick a paw over the boy to trap him while he leaned to head down to cover him in licks and affectionate nibbles. Gotcha, Smallteeth! A playful growl rumbled from Indru's throat before he granted Fenru mercy and rolled away and quickly to his feet, nosing lifting to air as he drew in his scent, unable to resist. The leader's teeth flashed in a broad grin as he dropped once more to rest upon his forelegs and elbows, his rump raised and his tail proudly waving behind him. You'll need to be quicker unless you want to be bear food, he teased lightly, shuffling forward again in a quick burst but leaving a bigger gap between them this time, but not to worry, you have me to protect you for now! Fenru was growing rapidly, like all pups do, and Indru knew that it would not be too far away until his son rested much closer to his height. Already the young boy's winter coat was beginning to show, his first, and a smile was brought to Indru's face unbidden at the thought.

How quick can you be on your feet Fen? Betcha can't catch me! With the challenge proposed Indru bounded away a few wolflengths from his son, turning to flash him a taunting grin before laughing again, his tail still swaying steadily behind him.

Squirming and wriggling from Indru's playful nips and licks Fenru curled up in a ball, rolling about until the leader allowed him to get up. His tongue lolled out of his mouth as he laid on his side, eyeing Indru as he got to his feet. The statement about needing to be quicker made the pup's tail thump against the ground before he, too, stood up.

Indru vaulted over and Fen flinched, raising a left forepaw to brace himself for another tumble. When his father left a few feet between them, he planted his paw back into the ground and bowed forward. "Quick!" he squeaked. "I'm quick!" He didn't stay that way for long though or say anything more; the challenge to catch Dad immediately got him rushing forward. "Tag" was one of his most favorite games, but boy-oh-boy did Dad make it so much more fun than it usually was. "Oh yeah? You jus' wait!"

Laughter boomed from the male as he ran through the forest now that Fen was following, his glances behind him serving both as teasing looks and for him to make sure he was travelling at a pace his young son could keep up with. Feeling this carefree was not something he had experienced for a long time and so Indru could not stop his tail waving behind him in pleasure, his maw curled into an obscene grin. He was well aware that little Fen would not have the stamina he had, and not long after he began to slow his pace to a speed where the wolf could catch come. Come, Smallteeth, show me what you're made of! The endearment that their father had used, and undoubtedly his father before that, fell from his lips without concious thought as he tried to bait the boy on to greater feats.

Quickly Indru spun, a fake look of abject horror on his face as he saw how close the young boy was on his heels now. Please! He laughed, his teeth flashing, have mercy on your old Pa', Fen! Slowly he backed away as the boy neared, trying to make himself look as convincingly scared as he was able, but the happy smirk on his face that he could not remove was inevitably weakening the effect. Family though, his pups, this was just what he needed.

Determined to keep up Fen dashed after his dad, his tail waved wildly behind him and his pace ate up the ground at a seemingly alarming pace. The last time he had enough energy to run was when he and Kisla had played tag just along the tree-lined edges of the den site. Indru's return as well as the care that Corinna and his Uncle Triell provided proved to have restored youth to his usual budding self.

A series of yips and playful growls sounded from his throat in reply to his father's endearment. When the leader finally turned around and gave him a look of terror, he prepared for his "attack." "Rrrrr!" Fen growled. "Rah-rawr!" He hopped up onto his hind legs, hopping to and fro as he batted his front paws to one Indru's shoulders."Tag! Yer it!" he squealed. After proclaiming that he had finally caught his target he quickly whirled around and bowed dow onto his elbows in the space before his dad. "I win, I win!" he toothily grinned, waggling his tail ecstatically up and over his back. It was the first time he had actually said such a thing.

Quickly as it had begun Indru's act fell apart, his terror turning into roaring laughter instead, imitating Fen's fearsome growls with his own, teeth bared in a mock snarl as his tail still waved helplessly behind him. You got me, Quickpaws! Indru called out as Fenru reined to his full height, Fen's paws scrabbling against Indru's chest and shoulders, and the leader pretended to stumble under the power of the young boy, calling out in exclaim as he did so. You've got strong Fen, I think I'm gonna have to watch out soon! Although the pup's weight upon him was barely noticeable to the grown male the statement was still true in a way; the boy's strength had grown as quickly as he had and Indru could tell that it would not be too long until he was able to accompany the pack on hunts to learn and observe.

A bark escaped him in encourage when Fen dropped to his elbows like he had earlier and Indru mimicked the play bow his son had adopted. At the happy words Indru chuckled again, revelling in his pup's joy as if it was his own, his chest filling with pride at the young boy he had become. With a mischievous smirk Indru hustled forward to nip at the youth's scruff, trying to flick him gently with his paws to try and test the strength of the stance Fen had taken, it was never too early to start with training after all. Rule number one, Fen: never count your opponent out until they are on the ground with you on top making sure they stay there. His tone was far from chiding however, their fun still just a game, and as if to demonstrate the point Indru dropped and rolled over onto his back, a grin on his face, and waved his forepaws in the air invitingly. Only when you make it clear who's boss can you be certain you are the winner.

Indru toppled over, tickled with laughter and Fen gave a few excited yips. As he too, bowed, the pup gave an impish grin in return. When the leader nibbled at his neck and pawed at him, he barely flinched, only wobbling slightly as he kept himself from rolling onto his side. Indru stated, "Rule number one, Fen: never count your opponent out until they are on the ground with you on top making sure they stay there." He dropped to the ground and the youth took the opportunity to bound forward, sitting for a moment to watch as Indru's paws batted at the air in mock defeat. "Only when you make it clear who's boss can you be certain you are the winner."

Well then... no wonder why Rihael, even Kisla, seemed to always come out as the victor of their little games. Fen always bowed out for the sake of not wanting to roughhouse or possibly get hurt. It had never occurred to him that he was built to be much tougher than he thought he was. He stood up and placed a paw lightly on Indru's chest, very much like how his brother often did right before Fen flattened his ears and whimpered. "Ha!" he then cried, grinning down at his father.

Quickly Fen caught on and took the initiative, taking advantage of Indru's submissive position as he hoped he would. The boy seemed the most submissive, or at least bold anyway, of his children and Indru could see no harm in trying to build some confidence in the young boy, as fine as it was to be destined for a followers role over a leader one. Exactly! Indru praised, only just managing to resist cooing like a proud father, and instead he hooked his own paw around the one that was resting upon his chest to push it, not quite removing the weight he had placed there so the young boy did not lose his balance. But that won't just do, he began, shaking his head lightly, of course you need to make it clear who's boss. Then, to demonstrate, Indru curled his lips back and flashed Fen his teeth, his ears perking forwards and a deep growl vibrating his chest as it crept between his clenched jaw. It might have been intimidating if it wasn't for his eyes which remained as happy and as playful as ever.

It's all about your attitude. Then he gave a snarl and a quick snap of his teeth closer to Fen, his tail disturbing the earth beneath him as he remained on his back as it waved. C'mon, show me those teeth, let me hear this roar you've got in here, and gently Indru knocked his paw against Fenru's chest. To him dominance had been a natural thing, he could not remember a time when he and Ruiko had not scrabbled and fought over their ranks, fights which grew more serious as they aged. Niija, of course, had taken as little interest as Indru had to flower picking but even if Fenru was not destined to a life of wanting to be top wolf he would try to help his son avoid being a pushover as well, in whatever pack he ended up in. You can give Hael and Kisla a big shock when we go home.