Arbol Rosado fire in the rain

<i>Clear — Current Temperature: 54° F/12° C</i>

Gone Tomorrow

The morning sun was solidly in the sky by now, though if only for an hour or so. Corinna had risen that morning, her coal black nose nuzzled into the fluff of her tail. The days were growing shorter, and while she was a nocturnal creature, she had decided to reverse her schedule and spend today awake. That night she had slept outside of the den, her growing pups gradually forcing her out with their increased size. But sometimes she left for her own accord, just to be able to breathe the fresh air, even while she was sleeping. That's what she was doing now, heading out on her own just to get a chance of fresh air.

But as she rose, her green eyes caught the tawny form of Indru who had taken up his usual vigilant post outside of the den the previous night. Tail wagged, and as she turned over her shoulder and headed towards the northern edge of the territory, she gave out a small woof. Not loud enough to wake the others, but certainly loud enough that Indru would awaken. As she continued, Cori broke into a run, her limbs carrying her at a swift pace through the trees. Her intent would be for Indru to chase her, she could only hope that he had picked up on her signal and had taken chase. It had been far to long since the pair had spent some time to themselves, and they needed to talk.

(This post was last modified: Nov 19, 2011, 01:39 AM by Corinna.)

Soft snufflings and stirrings were a thing Indru had grown to adore after the many nights he spent outside the den listening to his family sleep within it. They had become relaxing to the leader, soothing, and even on those troubled nights when he could not sleep (which had become even more frequent since his return) he felt content to just lie there listening to them. However in recent nights the oldest Tainn had not slept alone as where before his mate had slept nestled between their children she had begun to find it more comfortable to sleep outside as well, both parents taking a vigil stance, though Indru had refused to budge from his spot by the den's entrance. A sleepy eye opened as he heard Corinna shuffling, a second fiery eye following suit as he saw her on her feet, but he kept his chin resting on the ground as he watched her, the curiosity in his eyes clear even through his squinty eyed look.

Indru slid his muzzle along the ground to watch her as she moved away from their children and him both, wincing sharply when he forgot about the wound caused by the boar's tusks days ago. It had not been too serious, but it had been far more than a surface wound, and coupled with the cold Indru was suffering from a stiffness as well as a soreness in his neck while it healed. He was distracted though when he heard her woof gently to him, beckoning, and with his tail wagging behind him he rose sleepily to his feet, first stretching his hind legs before stretching the front of him, careful as he pushed his neck forward to stretch his back muscles. When he looked up she was gone and with a gentle, playful woof of his own he started after her, his pace slower at first while he warmed up before it quickened, his eyes wincing occasionally if his lope caused him to stretch just that bit too far and pull upon his neck.

The leader caught up with her after a short while and immediately he matched his pace to hers in a movement that was as easy as breathing, unable to resist placing small nips along her neck and shoulder as they ran even if the odd one caused a painful pull against his reknitting flesh. He gave her a questioning look that he knew she'd understand after they have travelled a few paces, he adored to spend time with her but it was not often she called him to her now to seek his attention and his curiosity sought an answer as to why.

Gone Tomorrow

Corinna's desire for Indru's affection had not gone unanswered, and before long, she could feel his movement through the ground beneath her paws. His scent grew stronger as he gave chase to her, but she found herself slowing down rather than speeding up. She did not want to play an elaborate game of hide and seek with him, not today. It was his company she wanted to take advantage of, hoping that they could steal away the day to simply spend together. Her anger at his previous absence had subsided significantly over the previous weeks. In part, that was more due to his insistence at always being underfoot than anything else, but his constant vigilance had made her fully aware of how much better things were now. They had cooperated at the pack hunt a few days ago, and their teamwork had provided plenty of food for the pack along with a chance for the two to bond. Their companionship was something that Corinna had missed greatly when he had been away, and it was a self sacrifice that she had made to keep him at bay while she tried to mitigate her anger towards him.

The nips along her body sent chills down her spine from the comfort it gave her, and as they ran, Corinna instinctively shifted closer to him so that the tips of their fur touched. She caught the look he gave her, and simply smiled in response, tongue rolling out of her mouth as she grinned at him. Tail wagging behind her, she put some extra spring in her step and sprang forward ahead of him. Ahead by only a few bounds, she landed on her forepaws and whirled around. Rearing up on her hind legs, she batted the air in front of him, her bark both commanding and playful as she felt back to the earth. The sun shining overhead had only served to help increase the care-free and light-hearted mood of the she-wolf. Beneath the radiant sunshine, the leader of Swift River didn't have a care in the world. Her three children were perfectly healthy, something that could not be said for those of her friend Jayseyek in Grizzly Hollow, and everything simply felt as it should be.

Falling back into step beside Indru, she passed him a look. She would explain when they had arrived at their destination. Until then, she simply wanted to delight in his company in a way that she had not done since before she had discovered that she was pregnant.

A deep rumble verberated from Indru's chest as he felt Corinna press against him in response to his gentle and affectionate administrations to her side—no contact with his mate was taken for granted by the leader since his absence, he relished in every response that she gave him. Though his questioning look was noticed as Indru had grinned in response at her lolling tongue, dipping his nose forward to press it against her cheek, it wasn't answered and curiosity piqued even further he continued to follow her eagerly, his thick tail waving behind him proudly. Abruptly though she was gone from him, increasing her speed until she pulled away and then spun around to face him, her posture clearly playful and mischievous, before she reared up and battered her paws. A playful bark escaped him when he felt the ripples of air her paws created on his fur, a quick, playful growl when he felt one hit him gently on the shoulder and when he heard her bark in response his grinned, replying with another of his own.

As quickly as it had begun the playful session was over and his mate fell in step with him once more—he couldn't help but thrill at the ease of such an action again—and absently he shifted closer so that their fur was brushing once more, his shoulder knocking gently against hers with each step as he let her lead again. A small whine of contentment escaped him and he turned to wash his tongue over her cheek, both the leaders scents mixing over the entirety of the others body, before lolling his own tongue like she had before, a goofy yet still somehow charming expression on his face.

Gone Tomorrow

Corinna wasn't quite sure what it was that had made her want to leave Swift River this morning. It was an appetence that had consumed her very being when she had woken. As for her invitation to Indru, it seemed only natural to invite him along. It had been so long since they had spent any time together - very rarely since he had returned. They were parents now, not only to the three six month old wolves relaxing back in the den, but to the rest of the pack. The rest of the wolves in the pack looked up to them; as leaders, it was their responsibility to take care of their members and adhere to their wishes. Sometimes the responsibility was heavy, and it was on runs like this that Corinna could throw that responsibility to the wind and simply enjoy herself.

Their puppy antics bounced off one another as each partook in their affections. It reminded her of their courtship, of the games they had played when they had first fallen in love. His leaving her had broken her heart, to be sure, but she had never stopped loving the tawny beast. Now that she had him back, she wanted to take advantage of his presence, and she was pulling rank over the rest of the pack in stealing him away today. As of late, he had smelled more of the pack's other members than her, but as their touches got progressively closer, she once against reasserted her claim over him, letting their fur mingle together to create a single scent that was uniquely theirs.

Staying quiet throughout the run, Corinna gradually steered them north, pausing only as they crossed the river. The riverbed gave way to forest, and their easy pace helped them clear the Wildwood with relative quickness. As the forest gave way to the Orchard, Cori's gray ears perked up on her head, and she woofed, spotting what it was she was looking for. The single tree, though bare with the onslaught of fall, stood taller than all the rest, and this was the destination she had been looking for.

Now full on in the afternoon, the she-wolf trotted up the slight hill that the single tree stood on. Tongue rolling out of her mouth, she grinned as she looked at Indru. Wasn't it pretty? her eyes asked. All around them the effects of fall were in full view, the leaves a brilliant array of gold and red where they had not yet fallen to the ground. Smiling, Corinna approached Indru, having had moved a few yards ahead of him to lead him up the hill. Coming close, she leaned forward, pink tongue licking first his cheek and then down to where the boar had wounded him. Tending to it, she licked the inflicted area, reassuring him to the idea of full recovery sooner rather than later. Finished, she stepped backwards only to recline down to her haunches in the shadow of the tall tree. "Does it still hurt?" It was the first time she had spoken that day, and the genuine concern in her voice could not be mistaken.

As their playfulness fell away it was replaced with a heated silence as the two continued to run—Indru not knowing where they were going or why but not caring either as long as he was with her. The leader had not realised how much he had missed moments like this with his mate until now, she had been angry at him for a long time and as that had slowly waned she had let him closer once more, but times like these where they were alone and carefree were few and far between. I didn't realise how much I missed this, he muttered softly into her ear, applying tiny ministrations to the silky fur around it, and he pushed himself tighter to her side only encouraging the mingling of their scents further. She steered them in the right direction, Indru no more than half a pace behind her, and he followed willingly as anticipation curled lightly in his stomach when he began to sense they were nearing her goal. She gave a small woof as the orchard came into sight and he smiled, nipping her shoulder before replying with a drawn out woof of his own, echoing her in their residual playfulness.

She looked at him and he understood her without words, turning to glance around at where she had taken him but he couldn't help but move his gaze quickly back to her, unable to keep his eyes from her. Perhaps, his seemed to reply, almost unimpressed, but this ones better, and he leaned forward to nudge her cheek gently with his nose, endeared by her lolling tongue. Again she pulled away from him to lead him higher up the hill but after a short while he watched her come towards him once more, his tail waving more frantically with each step she took closer. First he felt her tongue lay a kiss against his cheek before her head dipped and he felt it wash over the sore, still-healing wound at his throat, ragged still from the jagged cut the tusk had made but slowly knitting back together. A little, he replied to her question, smiling at her, though the wound had not been too serious the tusk had hit a tender part of his anatomy and thus was taking a longer and more painful route to recovery than if it had been against his shoulder. Your excellent nursing skills are helping, though, a coy grin curled the Tainn's muzzle as he quickly flashed her his teeth in a winning smile, darting his head forward to push his nose against her own, smiling again when he felt her warm breath tingle against it's wetness. The concern so clearly apparent in her voice had warmed his heart gently in his chest and in response he peered down at her shoulder, pleased that it was not limiting her movements like it had before. Your shoulder, the pains gone? It had pleased him to see the limp gone from her, he had felt guilty after the hunt when he saw her wounded but relief had filled when she had confirmed it was not too serious, and now the effects seemed mostly gone.

He moved to the side of her again, sliding himself up against her as he moved himself so that they rested nose level with nose, so, he began, watching her from the corner of his eye, unable to take the smile from his face as his tail waved softly behind him, what brought us here?

Gone Tomorrow

It had been so long, since they had been able to stand in each other's presence without feeling hurt and pain, anger and anguish. Things had become a whirlwind in Corinna's mind, for if nothing else, that was what they had partaken in. She remembered the one day on another hill, when he had invited her back to Swift River after waking her from sleep. She had witnessed the first part of his rank challenge, not realizing at the time it would be the last time she would see him as second of the pack he had originally founded. And then came the day where he had tricked her into ascending Riddle Heights, despite her unreasonable fear of the treacherous heights. They had climbed upwards, her quivering like a leaf the whole time. But they had come down from the rocky foothills as mates, having taken the leap of faith that they wanted to make something work between the two of them, something that friendship didn't quite cover. The next thing she knew, Corinna was announcing her pregnancy to the pack, her situation already rocky with the wolves of Swift River.

Sitting beside her mate beneath the barren tree now, she could only chuckle and shake her wistfully. They had changed so much, the two of them. The darkest days, though, were hopefully behind them. At least, that had been Corinna's hope in bringing Indru up here in the first place. Tail beating a steady rhythm against the ground, she inclined her head at his inquiry to her shoulder. In comparison to him, she had managed rather well, and was quite thankful for her. His absence had made her secure in her position as leader, and she did not want to lose it due to an injury. "It's fine. A little sore still, but nothing time won't heal." She cast a smile his way, leaning into his shoulder as she heard him speak up, asking this time what was the reason for their journey.

A gentle shrug of her slim shoulders was given, as if to say, Do I need a reason? But she grinned again, and slid forward along the frozen ground so she came to rest beside him. "It's just been so long since we've had any time to ourselves. At least, any time that wasn't angry or painful." Cori's green eyes looked at him, hoping that he understood at least in part where she was going with this. "I don't know. It's been so nice having you home. Rihael, Fen, Kisla - they love you." Truth be told, she wasn't sure how well the three youngsters would take to the mysterious figure of dad who they had never met until well onto their fourth month mark. And while there had been a difficult transition for Corinna to make in letting Indru step into his role as their father, she had come to the decision that she would rather have him there than not. "I do too, you know." Voice was a mere whisper, and she looked away from him bashfully.

The paler females words soothed his worries about her injury slightly and he returned the smile aimed his way with one of his own, nipping affectionately at her cheek when she leant her weight against him bringing herself closer. He knew what she meant with her shrug, but still his curiosity plagued him, as after all it had been so long since she had taken him anywhere and while at first he had worried something had happened, now he was just enjoying the presence of her, of them alone. Too long, he answered, though he didn't broach the second part of her answer not wishing to ruin the calmness. He was sorry, as he would always be and to the depths of his bones, but she knew that (at least he hoped) and it had just required time for her to soothe her own pains.

At the mention of the pups, their children, a grin was brought unbidden to Indru's muzzle. He loved them an unvoiceable amount — he had known he would adore them, but until meeting them, seeing them, he had not realised how much. They are so perfect, he enthused, turning to her with equal parts pride at their own accomplishment and love at her for raising them so wonderfully at the start of their lives. At her admission of feelings he watched her, amused by her bashfulness but also stunned momentarily, he hadn't really pondered what her feelings were for him now (more out of fear than lack of curiosity) but to have the confirmation that they existed still meant everything. And I you, he replied after a pause, sincerity dripping from his husky voice as he dropped his head to catch her eye. I love you more than you can imagine, he smiled, flashing his teeth at her quickly before nudging her with enough force to try and playfully topple her, growling happily under his breath.

Gone Tomorrow

The world turned upside-down as Indru's playful nudged knocked his mate backwards. It was not a hard shove, and as she landed on her back, paws flailing uselessly in the air above her, she was laughing. It had been so long since the two of them had been able to get along like they were now, that it seemed questionable if they would ever be able to relate to one another again. So much had happened between them, on both sides, that the recovery had once seemed like a very far off thing. But throwing her head back and looking at the sky above them now, the River she-wolf couldn't help but smile to herself. Time had once again healed the wounds inflicted; and this time a much deeper wound had been healed.

Pawing at him from the ground, Cori kicked her hind legs gently at his chest, careful to not hit so hard as to cause any more pain to his already injured chest and neck. Rolling over to her side, she laid in the grass, enjoying its coarseness against her fur. Green eyes closing the world, she breathed deeply in and out, taking in the unfamiliar scents of the world around her. "You know. I've hardly left Swift River since the pups were born," she mused, keeping her eyes shut and merely taking it all in with her other senses. "I've been too terrified to leave, in case something should happen." It was one of the burden's of being a mother, and while Corinna hardly disliked where it was she lived, sometimes a change of scenery worked wonders on an overworked soul.

As she fell Indru let himself follow, careful to catch his more considerable weight on his forelegs and elbows (wincing quickly as it jarred his shoulder and thus neck) before he glanced down at her, one arm resting either side of shoulders. With a quiet 'woof' he craned his neck forward as she rose her gaze skywards and placed gentle nips down from the underside of her muzzle through her thicker fur along her neck, his body thrumming with the joy from her presence and the lack of tension that had existed between them previously. His relaxed, droopy-eyed expression turned startled as he felt her paws kick against his lower chest and stomach playfully, and he growled in response and licked the side of her muzzle before raising himself up and allowing her to roll away from him.

He waited, just watching her, as she spoke before a quiet, breathy whine escaped him in expressed sympathy at her words. I can imagine, unable to keep the space between them for long he shuffled closer, pressing his side up against her back and leaning over to rest his muzzle on her back, but I'm here now. I won't let anything happen to you or them. The conviction in his voice was undeniable, and Indru felt a thrum of determination pass through him as he spoke the words. No, nothing would ever hurt his family under his watch. Fenru and Rihael will grow up strong and fearless — and of course, they'll have my handsome looks, he laughed at the last comment, though the rest rung true. And Kisla, well, she will be so beautiful and brave with you as her mother. His muzzle curled gently as a broad, proud smile threatened to split it and with his muzzle still resting on the warmth of his mate Indru's orange eyes shut momentarily in peace as he imagined the future of their and their children's lives.