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It was hard for him to cross the broken land that had once been his home, the scorched and destroyed trees of the Wildwood, also the burial site of his parents, cruelly taken by the flames. His home, in Scared Grove, shrouded the view, but when the wind was right it was hard not to notice the acrid smell of burning that still lingered in the air. It was this night that he was woken again, the smell seeping into his unconscious mind and playing havoc with his dreams, turning them in destructive nightmares ridden with guilt. So it was not a coincidence Indru had woken and escaped his den in the middle of the night with only stars for company.
With an aimlessness suited to a lone wolf the boy had stumbled away from the Grove, travelling through the undamaged part of the Wildwood before he could escape into Cedarwood forest. He hoped to soothe his queasy stomach, the dream still vivid and making the boy feel sick with the emotions it brought upon him. It was this mental torment which made him careless, and he therefore missed the fresh scent of the lone wolf who had crossed here, and it was only this wolf's words that broke him from his thoughts. With little hesitation Indru approached the wolf further, seeing him gazing heavenwards towards the stars, perhaps in his own torment.
I'm not much sure they will tell you anything.His tone was light so not to startle him, and he watched the younger wolf with sympathy, it was a question he had asked the stars already.At least they didn't tell me.
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Bright eyes watched the male curiously, even in the night he could sense his sorrow, as he was sure the other could sense his. In Indru's case it was almost seemed like something that clung to him, weighing down on his shoulders and helping gravity to force him to submit and lie on the earth. Mourning had not truly been something Indru had been giving a chance to do, he felt it his responsibility to take on the role of head of the family, a job he had been only too happy to allow his father and uncle to continue occupying. So it was with a strength and courage he felt he did not have he pushed against his sorrow and managed to lead his pack and protect his family.
At this male's reply Indru nodded in understanding,
aren't we all?He answered sadly, his eyes moving from the male to gaze at his paws thoughtfully. The question the male now asked of him put Indru on the guard slightly, and just briefly he felt his hackles bristle, though he doubted it was enough for the other to notice. He took a moment, pondering his family, before deciding this wolf must of met one of them and therefore the scent was familiar.Yes,he started, giving the wolf his full attention once again.I am Indru Tainn. I lead the pack.Taking a step closer — all the better to see this wolf — he waited for his reaction.You met a sibling of mine, then?As he doubted it was Honijo who would speak openly about the pack.
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The wolf seemed to know more information than just the pack's name, he recognised his own name when Indru had spoken it, a fact he was not sure he was fully happy with. After all, this stranger was.. well, a stranger, and who new his true motives yet. He remained silent as he continued to talk, but nodded unsurprised when the culprit who had been chattering was named.
Ah Junai... Hm, I should have known.He chuckled slightly to cover up the tinge of annoyance which he now felt, curious as to how much she had been sharing. He knew she was young, but it was important she learned to keep pack's secretive, it was hard for a lone wolf to know their full numbers after all, as it would be useful knowledge if a challenged as intended.
Yes. I am one of her oldest siblings.His tone perhaps held a bit of a fatherly threat, aware that his sister was now of an adult age (in some cases) and this lone male could be a Don Juan with a string of children for all he knew.She is only a yearling, with much to learn.He tagged on, watching this other curiously, flicking his tail behind him idly as he thought over a few phrases he may be speaking to Junai later.At the creek you met? What did you do there?The boy pressed, still giving this male his full attention and watching carefully for his reactions. Indru always felt he was a good judge of character, and more importantly good at detecting lies.
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The Tainn male did not miss the sudden look of concern that crossed the lone wolf's face at his question, and instantly his body stiffened with tension, his eyes narrowing as he watched the wolf infrotn of him. His answer, however, just made Indru doubt his innocence more! Nothing, well he was sure that was likely, only logic of her age and the season stopping him from imagining he'd find puppies outside his den when he returned home. He was about to speak, threatening, harsh words already leaping to his mouth, ready to shoot out backed up by a growl to send chills down this.. ruffian's spine, hopefully with his teeth soon to follow, before he spoke again. When he finished Indru let the silence hang, breathing steadily to calm himself, his claws scratching in the dirt as kept his icy stare on this male.
Y'know what?He began, mocking the other's 'harmless' tag on question.I don't know.The growl that was barely concealed vibrated Indru's chest, more as a rumble he couldn't control than a growl at the moment, but ready to spring into action when it was needed.Maybe you'd like to explain.It was not a question, and certainly not an offer that this wolf had a choice to refuse at the minute, so intent was Indru's gaze. He body just rung with tension, his muscles ready to pounce and he teeth ready to tear. His sister! Just barely a yearling.. just barely an adult. There should be laws against this kind of thing.
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Still angry and distrusting, but not completely illogical Indru allowed the boy to speak, to try and get himself of his own grave that he seemed to just enjoy digging. Thoughts of his poor innocent sister (something of which Junai was not at all) having her virtue viciously stolen by some charismatic words from the next Romeo was certainly a thought Indru would be happy to lose. He was somewhat begrudgingly willing to consider the possibility that they had just talked until he heard the 'and stuff', stuff could mean anything after all! Stuff could mean a lot of things!
'And stuff?!He roared, rising up from his seating position and stalking forward, giving Weldering a look he would give a rabbit.What stuff exactly, boy?He asked, his tone dangerous and his eyes deadly, if only looks could kill it would save Indru the effort. Beginning to hate the word 'stuff' and all its implications Indru waited, watching him back up.. and up.. until he disappeared completely. Idiot, he thought, without an ounce of sympathy. After a few moments of the wolf not reappearing Indru's eyes narrowed suspiciously again before a happy thought ran though his mind, perhaps he's dead! Peering round the boulder to investigate he found it empty, the wolf vanished. He took a step forward, half tempted to run after him before he decided that no, first, he would have a little talk with Junai.