Swift River northern downpour

Hotei growled playfully and reared as she had; their boxing almost like a dance. Letting his head swivel as she grabbed a hold of his ear Hotei dopped back on all fours and attempted to swing his right paw over her shoulder while detaching his ear from her gentle tug.

Barely noting Rissa's absence Hotei continued with surpringly youthful energy to wrestle with the gray fea. Most of the time his soft hits would miss as she was far faster than he was. Even so Hotei enjoyed every minute of it.

When she finally stopped and stared up at him Hotei gave her a charming smile back and wagged his tail. Her laughter burst forth making his tail wag faster until she stifled her bought of laughing. Cocking his head to the side and pausing his excited tail Hotei looked at her with one eye brow raised.

"Why did you stop?." He uttered softly as his eyes were drawn into her emerald ones. "I like hearing you laugh.. cause you never do... when I'm around at least I never see you have fun." He closed his eyes and stopped himself from rambling on. Hotei could have given a hundred different reasons why he liked her laughter.

Opening his Tainn yellow eyes again he found himself flooded by how pretty she looked. No... How beautiful she looks.. He corrected himself silently while tearing his eyes off her soft silver fur around her neck and face. Quickly he settled his gaze back into her green eyes.

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A quick flush settled over her once she settled down, his words coming to her in waves. Those soft words…words she never thought she would hear out of anyone’s mouth. She stared up at him, amazement in her gaze. Her heartbeat sped up as she looked over him, his gray and black fur colors blending in along his body. She had always wondered how he had gotten the coloring but found it too rude to ask. When he spoke again her ears pricked, giving her much the appearance of a small puppy that had grown to its adult size…finally. Her breathe caught in her throat once more, trying and failing to form words that would not be spoken. Finally, she recovered, her jaw working rapidly to try to find words to describe her awkwardness. She probably looked like a complete moron right now…just staring into his yellow eyes as she stared down at her. His eye noticeably traveling here and there every once and awhile.

Clearing her voice, she finally spoke, "I don‘t like my laugh. Plus it‘s pretty important to keep a straight face when your on duty. I‘m not right now though." She reached up a small silver paw to touch his cheek…only if he would allow her to and she smiled shyly up had him. Love for him radiated in her emerald eyes as she stared up at the large Tainn, her heart swelling within her chest. She could trust him with her secrets and she was sure that he accepted her. They were family now…and hopefully nothing was ever going to change that.

Hotei closed his eyes relishing in Jessies soft touch. Though he was slightly confused as to why she was using her paw and not her nose. Opening his eyes again the dark wolf grabbed her paw in his teeth and squeezed ever so gently. A gesture showing her that he would never harm her, but also a test to see if she trusted him not to hurt her. If she pulled away he wouldn't be sad. In fact, that might just make him chase after her more to gain her trust.

Moving his massive head he released her paw and pressed his nose against her cheek with affection gleaming in his strong gaze. This was the first time he had ever felt so close to someone. Not even his siblings or parents. True he would love all of his Tainn family till he dropped dead, but Whatever he was feeling for Jessie was more than just the family bond. Is this that other form of love that I have found? Like Indru and Corinna had? Hotei licked the top of her nose then paused wondering if she would allow him to groom her. He wasn't so sure. Yellow eyes looked down at her questioningly as he stood close listening to his heart beat canter along with her own.

"Is it okay if I groom you?." Hotei couldn't believe what he had just asked. What am I thinking?! Of course she won't want me to groom her... He grinned and wagged his tail invitingly letting it thump on the ground as he stood so near to her silvery fur.

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Not long after her paw was placed on his cheek did he grip it firmly…yet gently in his jaws. Her head tilted slightly to the side, a small nervous smile forming on her lips. She allowed him to do so, knowing within her heart that he wouldn’t hurt her. When he released her paw she stared up at him, taking in all of his affection with an open heart. She knew within her that this was not pack mate love…this was something completely different. She turned back over on her stomach and stretched on her toes so that she could be the same height as him…or well, she attempted to. She was still much shorter than he was. Her tail wagged behind her, giving him a quick lick on the cheek were some dirt on her paw had left a small mark on his black cheek. She then stared into his yellow eyes until he spoke again. Her ears twitched attentively with each word he spoke and all she did was giggle and nod her head.

Her paws flattened on the ground to where she was her normal height once again, her rump setting her right on the ground. Her heart pounding quickly in her chest she inhaled deeply, letting his rich scent resonate in her nose and to her core. She would always be able to know when he was around and his voice would always be easily retrieved to her own ears. She blinked her eyes once, making sure to take in every spot of his glorious pelt before her eyes drifted back up to his face. Her teasing voice answered him back, "Only if you let me groom you too."

Hotei blushed. He didn't know how much fur he had for her to groom. But just the thought of her muzzle so close to his skin scent shivers down his spine. Nodding "yes" to her request Hotei smiled nervously then reached his scarred muzzle over her neck and gently began grooming her soft neck fur.

Slowly moving from one spot to another he used his teeth to brush through her fur. It wasn't like she needed it. Her fur was beautiful, and he rather liked her scent that swirled around his nostils and covered his muzzle. With a content growl rumbling through his chest Hotei twtched, his body warming at her touch.

If he could Hotei would stay like this forever. Lost in Jessie's scent, high on her soft touch, and more comfortable than he had ever been since before the fire that tore through his old home in Hidden Tree pack. Hotei wanted this to last. Either that, or he would make it routine to groom her whenever they relaxed. He wondered if Jessie would like that.

The minutes passed by and the dark wolf relaxed laying down beside the gray princess."Comfy?." He rumbled in a low octive surprised at the huskyness in his voice.

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If the burnt male had any reaction to her words, she had not noticed it…but when he nodded his head, “yes” Jessie’s tail swayed once behind her before stilling, edging closer so that he small head could reach over his large body. She felt like a mouse compared to him…only she wasn’t his prey. They were family and merrily looking out for one another, just as they would always do. She was unsure of where she wanted to start, but the comforting fact that his scent was surrounding her, brought easy relief into her tense muscles, and she was soon unconsciously starting to groom him. His nose, tongue, and teeth washed him in a constant pattern, never staying in one place for too long, but not too little either.

Just being with him brought the small joy she had been trying to grasp since she had returned to find her sister, though she never really saw her much. She was sure she had seen more of Ice and Marsh then she had ever seen her sister. When she was done, her emerald eyes traveled back to meet his yellow ones, and she was soon laying down, her body laying off to the side, making her look much more like a feline. A small smile was on her face as she listened to the one word he spoke. Her ears twitched at the tone that he was using and it reminded her of another wolf she had met…the one she had met in Ghastly Hollows. The wolf who’s name had been Burn.

She silently shook of the feeling, turning her attention back to the handsome male in front of her, nodding her head. She was starting to become tired though and she was soon yawning, her small paw darting towards her mouth to cover it before laying her head down on the ground. Her eyes quickly scanned the sky, only to find that the rain had stopped and the sun had gone down…the moon slowly starting to rise in the sky. She blinked once, her eyes slowly starting to close on her, though she stayed awake. Twitching her ears she told him in a whisper, "I‘m exhausted."

Hotei felt her sides moving in and out with her calm breathing. He continued his soothing licks along her shoulder and neck. Maybe they could just rest here for a while. A little nag of worry pricked at the back of his mind. Would Corinna or someone find them curled up together like this? Who cares.. Another part of him did not care whether someone found them. Besides, pack mates sleep like this. Especially when its cold out, so let them find us all curled up... Hotei's eyes closed feeling a yawn coming on. Then he lay his head softly on her shoulder and enjoyed feeling her calm heartbeat.

"Yes lets just rest here for a while.. then maybe go out on patrol later." Hotei's soft voice betrayed his tiredness as he drifted off to sleep. Heavenly dreams awaited him while he rested in the warm embrace.

OOC: Faded this out so we can archive it. Unless you wanna pst a finishing post?