Though Indru had only been home a few hours the difference in Relic Lore was clear, he hadn't noticed how lack luster and dire the forest had looked before he had left, with the fresh water now flowing freely foliage had come alive once again. It had been great on his return to see Ruiko, Kinis and Borlla, the later two he now felt beyond fraternal feelings for as he had taken on a parental role when their own were no longer able. When the other Tainn's returned — who were now slowly on their way — it would truly feel like home again, especially with the youngest Tainn's reuinted.

It was a relief to see everything had returned to normal in Relic Lore as even a small absence had been difficult, it had felt wrong not being in his birth forest, and even worst not being with the rest of his family. His absence had given Indru the first taste of what his other siblings had experienced — exploring beyond the forest he knew as home and even though he had his family with him unlike his many departed siblings he had felt the yearn of homesickness like an extra heartbeat. Yes, it was a relief, and Indru walked through the new water gleefully, paws kicking it up so that it fell all around him, quickly soaking him and leaving him dripping.

Amused as he was with the water Indru paid no mind to the scents that whispered through the gentle midday wind; it was uninteresting to him after all, trying to catch the water as it fell back to the creek was much more fun. The Tainn felt light and carefree, something which he had not experienced in a long time; from the abrupt events that led to him leading a pack and his broken family, to the disappearance of Feather and then, finally, the drought that caused most of his family to free the only place he knew as home. It was a change, and a very welcome one, and even the icy temperatures of the winter months on his wet fur could not shake the smile from his maw.

Though even Indru's playful distraction could not miss the crashing of his sister and he spun in surprise at the noise only to see her bounce towards him calling his name. Borlla! He cheered back, his muzzle flicking upwards in a bark as he flung himself down in the water into a play bow, sending water flying and more than likely covering her. It had been a worrisome time when she had run from though and even though he knew her intention and where she was heading he was concerned for her safety. Your are so big! Another bark of laughter erupted from him at the pleasure of his grown sister now looking much more mature and evened out. Are you any quicker? With a quick, sharp thrust Indru struck his paw forward intending to bat her gently on her shoulder with an impressive speed, after all, the best way to test her growth was to play.

Joy at seeing his sister had overcome any annoyance he had felt towards her (for now) for leaving early when she had been told not too, he was just relieved she had arrived and in one piece. Besides, though he would never admit this, the childish, rebellious side of his nature he had quelled since he was an adult (especially since looking after pups) was giving her a nod for a deed well performed, it was just like something he and Ruiko would of done. You were! But now... now you are huge! A deep, loud laugh bellowed from his muzzle as his tail continued to wave behind him as his front paws splayed resting on the ground to his elbows — it was a comical sight, a wolf so big acting like such a puppy, but the relief he felt from being home and seeing everyone was huge.

She was quicker than before, that was definitely clear, and as she crouched and leapt towards him he noticed the newly gained grace in her moments. Yet, although her improvement was clear, she still lacked the fluidity of an adult and had the inexperience of a pup that meant Indru could easily had slid out of the way and ran behind her before she recovered. However, this time, he let her crash into him and instead of bracing himself he allowed them to fall backwards into the water, his larger body taking most of her weight as well as his own, as the water gushed up and over them like a tidal wave. He paused for a moment, his body shaking with laughter, before he grinned again and leaned forward to try and aim an affectionate nip on her muzzle and brush his head against hers. It is great to see you again. I missed you. For Indru at least he felt further bonded that just a sibling to the pups, especially as he thought back to the many nights he spent with them in his den, comforting them as they dreamt of their parents and the flames that had destroyed their home.

As his sister squealed he laughed in a teasingly brotherly way but still glanced at her out of the corner of his eye to check she was genuinely hurt. They were soaked, and it was cold, but Indru didn't mind and he knew they would both dry soon, never the less he scooted closer to her hoping to share his body warmth. Borlla approached the topic before he did — a fact that pleased him greatly — and he let her speak, pausing for a moment after she had to check that she was finished. It was a very stupid and puppyish thing to do, he scolded her lightly, yet his tone was not as strict as it once was and too soften the blow he leaned forward to lick her muzzle. He was sure Borlla knew that this time she had done something wrong (this was the first time she had openly apologised first) and he didn't want to be too harsh on her, certain Ruiko would of told her off and his relief at seeing her making it hard.

You just worried me, a lot, Borlla. Indru's voice was quieter now and he looked at her intently to express how much, she was more than just his sister now. He knew both Ruiko and him would feel personal responsible if anything happened to her, and not only that, these were the last remaining descendants of their parents and were so important to the pack. I just want you safe. A grin broke his muzzle to show her lesson was over and Indru rose to his feet, shaking his body rapidly to lose the dripping water and hopefully covering Borlla again. Glancing at her out of the corner of his eye he tried to hold back a laugh, now that you don't smell anyway! With a burst of energy he pelted forward over Heartleaf Creek pausing quickly to look back at her in challenge. How quick can you run? His eyes taunted.

At her words Indru couldn't help but laugh, nodding his head in agreement. You should. It helps, it makes others feel better, as he had got older Indru had realised the importance of apologising, it helped repair friendships and improve moods, as long as it was meant. As a puppy though, much like Borlla, he had not seen the purpose, why apologise for something that he had done? Though as wisdom was gained as he aged he realised that just because something was in the past it didn't meant it still didn't hurt. Especially if you have done wrong, and even more so if you know it.

It didn't take long for her to follow as he thought she would — Borlla never backed down to a challenge — and he turned away from her, strong, powerful limbs allowing him to reach great speed very quickly as they carried him across the land with ease. Indru saw many similarities between himself and Borlla as a pup, they both had the competitive drive to be better (or, in Borlla's case, the best) and the mischievous streak wasn't foreign either. Keep up if you can! A shout over his shoulder, soon carried away by the wind, was the only sign he gave Borlla as the pair of them continued their race home following the Creek.

As they ran Indru continued to scent the air, his orange eyes searching the snow covered land around them and he saw in the distance a flash of movement. Slowing down he peered into the distance, his nose titled to the air as he inhaled in quick bursts. With a grin he dropped down into a hunting crouch, giving Borlla a sharp look to do the same, and edged forward until the small, white body of the Arctic fox could be seen. See that? His voice was low so that it wouldn't disturb the fox who was already darting glances their way from their scent, d'you know what it is? He knew now of the changing coats of the fox from winter to summer months and as this was Borlla's first winter he wasn't sure if she would recognise their small brethren. Watch how it hunts, as clearly deciding they were no threat the fox had started to trail its nose along the ground before it stopped abruptly, rearing up on it's hind legs before crashing back down to the snow with it's front paws.