She had been doing her usual stuff that she had taken up to ever since winter set in--marking the borders. It was really the only time she found peace nowadays. It was where she only had to not think, just do. She didn't have to worry about the pups, or Nari's return, or how they would all fare through the winter. All she had to do was mark. And mark she did. By a stream of urine, or pawing up a nearby tree.

She had been up since the sun had awoken for the day, and she had been out on the borders. She had taken a couple breaks here and there to break the ice of the lake in the pack territory to have a drink. But other than that, she was back on the job. It was at one of these particular breaks that she found herself heading to the frozen lake, and was meant with a surprise. Yuka was there, and she couldn't help but once again marvel at his size. He was past her head now, it was crazy.

As her silent paws headed his way, her heart tugged painfully. She knew something was wrong with her boy, and she'd figure it out one way or another. She hoped that she was not the only one that felt the closeness of their relationship.

A low whine was heard as she reached his backside. Her muzzle nuzzled his neck as she spoke in the gentle, warm tone that was Inali's own. "What's wrong Big Guy? What has happened to make you look so distressed, my sweet?" She was looking him in the eye now, her ice blue orbs connecting with his amber eyes. She hadn't noticed the tiny teal flecks they held until now. Even though her tone was warm, it was filled with firm determination. he would tell her what was bothering him. She couldn't help if he did not give her anything to go by. A comforting embrace could only go so far.

Inali slowly sat onto her haunches, thinking of what to say to his words. His feelings matched what she felt as an adolescent, but in a way, completely different as well. She truly didn't know how to make sense of the jumbled thoughts in her head, but she would try to help him any way she could. He was old enough to understand.

Looking at him, she opened her maw. "You have such a beautiful soul, honey. I don't know what you believe in, or are starting to believe in, but I believe in the Fates. They know every aspect of what your life will be, depending on your decisions. Your choices. And the truth is, Yuka, you may be right." Blinking back tears, the woman continued. "You might not belong here. Your different then your brother and sister. Always have been. But it's a good different. I see it in the way you love the nature around you, and treat it with so much..respect and love. Don't get me wrong, Titan and Malia are wonderful children, and will grow up to be remarkable. But you..you're going to be a good man."

Looking down at the ground, she pawed at the snow briefly before locking gazes with his own once again. "You have a choice, hon. Everyone does. When you come of age in a couple months, or even a full grown adult when you reach two, you have a choice. The choice to either stay..," the women trailed off then, her voice a little choked up. Clearing her throat, she continued. "Or leave. You can leave to find that place where you truly feel you belong. As for me, this is the place where I truly belong--Whisper Caverns. I know I will stay here until the day I die, if the Fates wish it."

"I'm afraid that I haven't helped you much, love. I don't have the words. Even of what I just said, I don't even know if it helped you in the least. Probably not," she ended muttering with a soft chuckle. "My advice is to wait and see. I had to stick it out until I was a Yearling. I just couldn't take it anymore. My father hated me, my brothers hated me, hell, the whole damn pack hated me! Except my mother--a very Angel. Gosh, I miss her. But this isn't about me. It's about you. I'm sorry I couldn't help you more." Reaching, she placed her muzzle gently at the crook of his neck that connected to his shoulder. After a couple of moments, Inali pulled away, licking his muzzle lovingly. Staring at the frozen lake, she pawed at it softly, waiting for him to give her some type of response.

Yuka was silent, but Inali didn't worry. She knew he liked silence. It allowed him time to think, so she waited patiently. She had heard his compliment, but only responded with a smile his way. She didn't believe she was an Angel, far from it actually. But, she guessed all the crap that her brothers had drilled into her, made it hard to accept compliments or nice things people said about her. It would be something she would have to fix.

Lifting her face from the idle drawings she began to draw in the snow with her paw, her mind went blank as he questioned her. Would she ever leave with him? It truly was a hard decision, even though she had sworn her loyalty to Whisper Caverns. She loved Yuka very much, and it would be hard to see him depart.

Thinking of what to say, she looked back down at the snow, and wiped away the drawings with a swipe of her paw. After a few moments in silence, Inali thought she had an answer. Lifting her head to look into his amber gaze, she opened her maw. "My loyalty is to Whisper Caverns," she stated firmly, as if to say no. But then a bright twinkle appeared in her blue eyes, making them seem to sparkle. "But..," she trailed off. "I could always tell Ash that I need to go off on a scouting trip, so in a way, I could accompany you, and do my duty as well." Inali's sudden happy mood, sombered. "But..I'll always have to come back Yuka. You need to know that." She had a question in her mind, but would wait to ask him about it as soon as he gave her a reply to her words.