Whisper Caverns Hey there Big Guy

deep into that darkness peering,

Inali

i long stood there, wondering, fearing...

It was a beautiful day outside, in all truth. Not too hot, but not too cool either, just perfect. The weather had thankfully cooled since the morning's blaze.

She had gone hunting earlier that morning and had managed to catch something good. 2 something goods in all actuality. 2 big, plump, rabbits. She had dropped them into the catche a little while back, and that is why she found herself walking around the birthing den now. Deciding to just be lazy for a while longer, the petite wolf headed to a sunny patch of grass, a couple of yards away from the birthing den.

Plopping onto the lush green grass, Inali got comfortable, placing her paws neatly under her chin. Closing her eyes and drinking in the warm sun, she found herself thinking of home. Pleasant memories for a change.

Inali, as a little newborn pup, just a month old, stepping out of the den for the first time.

Curiosity getting the best of her, the runt of the litter blinked her eyes to adjust to the bright light of outside. It was pretty different from the cool darkness of the birthing den.

Girls her age should be out of the den by now, play fighting with their father as he called them, 'My little princess.' But Inali was different from other girls. She didnt have a 'daddy'. She had a 'King.' Her father was a cold hearted man, who didnt pay attention to his little girl. At least she had her mother.

Pawing at a ladybug, Inali's tinkling laughter flowed through the air, happiness radiating through her small body. It's such a cute little thing, Inali thought with a smile.

"What are you laughing at sweetheart?," she heard her mother's voice behind her. Turning around, Inali smiled brightly. The ladybug, who had by this point, crawled onto the young pup's paw, scurried around. Thrusting her small paw into her mother's face, she exclaimed brightly, "Isnt it pwetty, mummy!?" Laughing, her mother responded, "It's beautiful, honeybee."

Softly lowering her daughter's paw onto the ground, the ladybug flew away, and before her daughter could start to cry, the mother of Inali nipped her daughter playfully on her shoulder and ran.

A hearty game of 'Tag' thus began, which ended with both of the females tangled together onto the ground, their clear laughter flowing through the air. When they had both sobered up, Inali face was placed right in the crook of her mothers shoulder. "I wove ou mummy," Inali whispered. "I love you too baby girl. My little princess," her mother whispered back, with all the love she possessed.

Present-day Inali grinned wistfully at the memory. It was one of the few precious ones she had of her childhood days.

Inali's developed senses easily picked up the footfalls of another wolf, wondering about near her. Her ears pricking backwards, and her muzzle taking a sniff of the air, she tried to pinpoint exactly who it was. Obviously, it was a Whisper Caverns wolf. It definitely wasn't Minka, since by the scent of the wolf around her she could tell he was a male.

Now curious, the young fae lifted her head up and took a deeper sniff of the air. It was an unfamiliar scent, for sure. Taking one last sniff, the young girl let a small smile grace her features and placed her head back onto her paws, her curiosity now satisfied. It was a pup. All the wolves of Whisper Caverns smelt like Narimé and Sloane, but this one smelt more like them than usual. Adding the distinct smell of a nursing mother, Inali knew it was one of the rascals she had been waiting to see. Which one, she didn't know.

She could now hear the pup getting closer. The young woman did not want to frighten the small thing, so she casually lifted her head, a warm smile spreading across her muzzle. Turning to the boy, an equally warm greeting escaped her lips. "Hey there Big Guy." In the future, that would be how the woman would always greet the child, an affectionate, teasing lilt in her voice. Cocking her head curiously, Inali asked the blue-eyed kid, "Are you Titan or Yuka?"

The woman smothered a chuckle as the young boy squeaked out an answer. He had spoken with such confidence in his developing tone, no doubt because of Sloane and Narimé's own voice and actions.

He was just so adorable, she couldn't get over it! She had to be careful though. She was pretty sure that men and boys alike did not like to be called 'adorable.' With a soft chuckle she responded, "I'm Inali."

Turning her body completely, Inali got comfortable. She was now facing the young boy. Yuka, her mind corrected her. She watched him curiously as his baby blue eyes looked up at her face and she wondered what was running through his mind.

"You is pwetty."

Inali's blue eyes brightened at the compliment from Yuka and this time she couldn't help but release the coo that she had not spoken previously. "You are so adorable!" Her right paw lifted and she gently swiped his muzzle. The playful touch made her soft laughter flow through the air and she teased the small boy as she sobered up. "Your a handsome one yourself, Yuka."

The fae was speaking the truth. He was going to grow up to be handsome boy and she guessed that Narimé and Sloane were proud of that fact. Among other things as well she supposed. She wondered about the boy in front of her, and soon her curiosity got the best of her. Like always.

The lovely woman smiled at the growing boy and asked, "What do you like, Yuka?" She was generally curious. Pups seemed to like many things, that was a no-brainer.

Inali was obviously completely obliviousl to the thoughts of her going through the boy's mind. The young woman smiled as Yuka answered her. "Caves and shiny things?," she repeated in question, making sure she had understood him correctly.

"What do I like?," she retorted. She liked many things, for sure. She liked going off scouting, she liked her friends, she liked to explore. What could she say to this boy? It wasn't just a simple answer. Or maybe it was?

"Well, I like to explore." She pronounced the last word in a tone of mock fascination, in order to capture his attention. With a silly smile playing upon her lips that only a child could produce, she continued. "I like to explore caves, and forests, and all around. It's very fun Yuka." An idea suddenly popped into her head. But she didn't know if Nari would agree with it. She didn't know what Yuka would end up being as he grew up, it was too soon to tell. Maybe he would grow up to be a hunter, like Minka, or a Healer, like Simaea, or even a Scout, like her.

Shaking the thoughts out of her head, she spoke. "Maybe we can even go exploring together? What do you think of that?" A grin graced her features when she finished speaking. If she could gain her alpha's permission, then maybe when Yuka was a bit older, she could take him out on a true adventure. Of course, not too far from the borders. She'd have to talk about that with Narimé later on, now, it was all about her new friend.

Inali's laughter echoed through their small haven of trees that hid their pack from view. Yuka's happiness was contagious, and his bounciness toward her was the thing that brought her laughter out. He was too cute for words.

Lowering her head she nuzzled her muzzle against his fur affectionately. This little man had already carved a place of his own in her heart. She knew she would protect him with her life. Aligning her head back to its normal place, she sent him a grin as she once again plopped down in front of him. Now they were at eye level.

She stretched her neck and took a hold of his ear in playful abandon, giving it a gentle shake.

She hadn't felt this playful and at peace with life in a long time. She would make sure to enjoy it as long as it lasted.

As she let go her blue orbs brightened as a playful growl escaped her maw. This little game that she had begun brought memories back. Good memories. Memories long forgotten. Her mother delaying her alpha duties for a bit just to play with her daughter in the grass. She still remembered her mother's laughter, even if she couldn't remember her face.

That last thought dimmed the light in her eyes slightly, but not completely. For as long as she could, she would play with this pup, remembering the innocence that she felt she had long since shed.

Giving him a smile she opened her maws to speak. "Come, sweetheart. Follow me, were going on a little adventure. I promise, you'll love it." Nudging his muzzle with her own, she stood up. Stretching quickly, she turned around. They'd probably wonder around the borders, maybe even enter the caves. No matter what they did, she would make sure that it would be an experience that Yuka would never forget.

{Exit}