Will You, Won't You? [Matsi]

[Knight]

“Will you walk a little faster?” said a whiting to a snail,
“There’s a porpoise close behind us, and he’s treading on my tail.
See how eagerly the lobsters and the turtles all advance!
They are waiting on the shingle—will you come and join the dance?"
Will you, won’t you, will you, won’t you, will you join the dance?
Will you, won’t you, will you, won’t you, won’t you join the dance?

The brown male picked his way quietly forward across the rocky beach until he reached the water. The still, humid air and lack of clouds made the summer's heat nearly unbearable. The sand beneath his paws was hot, as were the rocks he was dedicatedly picking his way around. Despite being a fire male, Firepaw wasn't a particular fan of heat, and his thick fur definitely complicated things.

Normally not one for mincing over decisions, Firepaw had been mulling this over for a while now, trying to decide what he was going to do. His pack - if you could call it that - was made up of him, him, and him. For sure, at that point, he was alone. What was he going to do about it?

There were other packs nearby, but Firepaw hadn't exactly been
social. He'd been kind of busy driving off the . . . unsatisfactory wolves who wished to become a member of his pack. Perhaps he should discuss with the Alphas of the other packs something.

He wasn't sure how to run a pack, to tell the truth, and it was at times like this that he regretted ever having created a pack in the first place. Firepaw had never seen Shadow discussing anything with other pack leaders, but then, he'd never seen Shadow talking to much of anyone. Shadow had never been a huge talker.

Maybe he was going about this leading thing all wrong?

Either way, it wouldn't do to second-guess himself. There wasn't anyone else second-guessing, so he could hold off on that until there were other members of the pack for Firepaw to look after.

After a moment of staring at the pristine water, Firepaw leaned forward, meeting his reflection's gaze before slowly beginning to drink, ripples shattering the reflection.

Pulling back after about a minute, thirst sated, Firepaw scuffed a paw in the sand as a cool breeze stirred the air. Perhaps he could just stay out and bask in the sun for a while and avoid any decisions. It wasn't like there was any pressing decisions, anyways...

“You can really have no notion how delightful it will be
When they take us up and throw us, with the lobsters, out to sea!”
But the snail replied, “Too far, too far!” and gave a look askance—
Said he thanked the whiting kindly, but he would not join the dance.

[/blockquote][/size]

[matsi]

Breeze walked silently, her paws falling lightly onto the soft soil. Her pink tongue lolled out of her maw as she tried to cool her fiery body. Hey dark eyes looked around at the familiar, yet so very changed, surroundings. It was all so familiar, but with the familiarity, came bad memories and haunting dreams.

''Mama?'' A soft, sing-song voice snapped HeartBreeze out of her thoughts. Only then did she realize how tired and thursty she was.

''Yes, Little one?'' Breeze replied as she looked down at the small Robin-Bird colored pup. Sora's maroon eyes looked at her mother, hoping.

''Im tired..Hot and thursty. When will we get there?'' Sora let out a soft whimper as if to send her point home.

''I know, Sora, dear. We are almost there,'' Breeze looked up again, slightly fed up with the pup's constant questions, though she was sure it was only because she was exausted.

''Will the Seer be there, mama?'' Sora asked only seconds after Breeze's reply to her.

''I don't know, Sora,'' Breeze sighed heavily as she looked forward. Seer...The name the pup had given to FirePaw. Breeze never spoke the Alpha pup's name anymore, she only told her pup stories about him, letting her come up with his own name. The name Seer, though, hurt her mind just as much as FirePaw. Both brought back the thoughts of that day. The day of death and sepperation. The day that turned these lands into what they stand as now.

[Knight]

In the warrior's code
There's no surrender
Though his body says stop
His spirit cries - never!

A pup's voice sent his ears flicking in the direction of the sound. Someone was on his territory, and walking towards him. Pure stupidity on their part, because Firepaw didn't shy away from driving the unworthy away from his land.

Shaking himself out, Firepaw let out a dangerous snarl as he stalked forward, the growl continuing to rumble in his chest as he moved forward, making no effort to disguise his movements. His paws slipped in the sand, and wriggled their way across rocks. Whether luckily or unluckily for whoever it was that approached, the beach wasn't all that big, and it was claimed by soft dirt before he'd walked far, and the voices threw themselves into a more sharp focus.

He could hear words now. "Who goes here?" Firepaw let his voice ring out as he snarled again. "Did you miss the scentmarkers, or are you just an idiot?" He paused, even the snarl dying off as he mulled over the words, fierce Alpha facade fading rapidly. "Or maybe it's 'or are you two just idiots...'" he muttered to himself, glaring around with orange eyes narrowed.

He'd let his guard slip. Stupidity. Firepaw frowned, ears swiveling from side to side to catch the slightest of sounds. He hadn't let his guard down for long - maybe a second or two at most, but he couldn't afford to lose even that long. Just because he was distracted by the thought of . . . oh, to the Spirit Pack with it. He could use some company. Plus he wasn't too good at staying angry, not even with intruders, especially with no pack to protect.

"Who's there, anyways?" his voice was a lot gruffer now, trying to cover up his embarrassment. He almost introduced himself, but a moment of mulling that over made him realize that he was going to wait until he knew who these intruders were before he informed them of his name. He was, after all, Firepaw, and he couldn't afford to be careless in divulging information, or even those that didn't know him would turn on him.

He didn't go so far as to wag his tail, but from his demeanor not a minute earlier, Firepaw looked much more welcoming than he had, and a lot less ready to shred someone's ears off.

A quiet ember
Know it's you against you
It's the paradox
That drives us on

[/center][/blockquote]

[matsi]

Breeze stopped in her tracks, using her front paw to stop Sora in mid-stride. The pup looked up at HeartBreeze with a slight annoyed look, but then looked forward, waiting.

''Just lost loners, returning to their last home to say a final good-bye,'' Breeze replied, not wanting to speak her own name in this area, afraid of who or what could be triggered from any name from the old pack.

Sora looked at her mother again, but kept quiet as she waited for more speech. She was curious of who the gruff voice was coming from. Was it her dream guide, Seer? Or was it just another wolf laying claim on this now abandoned land? She didn't know, but she WANTED to know.

[Knight]

In the burning heart
Just about to burst
There's a quest for answers
An unquenchable thirst

"That is an entirely unsatisfying answer, but, for the sake of conversation, I shall introduce myself. The name's Firepaw." He was not at all pleased about needing to introduce himself first, but he could deal. "And being able to see you would be nice, you loners who have come to say a final goodbye. Otherwise, I might have to drive you from my territory, and you wouldn't be too happy about that, would you?" He still didn't sound particularly angry, merely impatient as he observed the dark forest that ended abruptly on the lakefront. "Anyways, I don't have all day." Well, he probably did, but they didn't need to know that.

Shrugging to himself, Firepaw plopped himself down on the earth, sneezing as a cloud of dust surrounded his head for a moment. His orange eyes narrowed to keep the dust from them and he watched. Watching was his strong point, after all. Watching, and waiting. He could do both of those pretty well. "You going to keep waiting for all of eternity here?" It hadn't been particularly long since his last comment, but Firepaw had an insatiable need to get the last word into a conversation.

Who were these wolves that they hid their identity from him? Perhaps some Cave Pack members that he could rip into shreds? His claws sunk into the earth at the thought. But perhaps they were nothing more than what they said. Not everything in life was an adventure, after all. Maybe this wouldn't be an adventure at all.

Though he still liked that Cave Pack idea. Maybe it would be fun. Frowning, Firepaw jerked his attention back to the present. Generally his mind didn't wander that much. What was wrong with him? Wrinkling his nose, Firepaw forced himself to concentrate. What if he missed something crucial? What kind of Alpha would he be then?

That was enough to get the male to concentrate like it was an Olympic sport. Orange eyes gleaming with curiosity, he leaned into what was being said. He wanted to know who it was that intruded on his lands.

In the darkest night
Rising like a spire
In the burning heart
The unmistakable fire

[/blockquote][/size]

[matsi]

Breeze had frozen into place. Had he really said...? But i couldn't be Her Firepaw, could it? She stepped forward ever so slowly, making sure that Sora stayed behind her, well out of harms way.

''I am HeartBreeze, once Mid-rank of Frost Pack, now, loner,'' She said softly as she walked out of the shrubs. She then stopped once again, her eyes looking over the male with mixed emotions.

Half of her didn't believe it. It was all a trick. It had to be. There was no way, after three summers, that she would find him now, and without HER. But then, the other half of her was skipping with excitement. There was no doubt that it was FirePaw. It was him, his scent, his sound and looks, all led to THE firepaw.

Sora followed her mother and looked at the male.
''Mama...He looks like how you discribed Seer! IS that Seer, Mama?'' Sora asked in an almost frantic voice as she stood under Breeze's belly.
Breeze hardly heard the pup, too lost in her own thoughts and confusion.

[Knight]

I used to love a boy
I still see him in these rooms
His head was like the summer
And his voice was like the moon...

Looking primly satisfied as the female walked out from under the shrubs, he nodded his head briskly. "Welcome, Heartbreeze." Then he paused, frowning. That couldn't be right. There was only one Heartbreeze around here, and that was the one who'd left him. What would she be doing here? Especially with a pup in tow? For a moment, reason was nearly swallowed by jealousy. There was probably another male. Why had ever expected, for a fragment of a second, that she wouldn't have found someone who would love her? "Welcome to the Ember Pack's lands." He spoke, voice carefully controlled so that his emotions wouldn't betray him. He had no right to be jealous, he reminded himself, watching the female before her. Breeze. His Breeze, now someone else's. "Is there anyone else with you, besides the pup?" This time, it was a little bit harder to hide the jealous, but he hoped he'd pulled it off.

The little pup hurried through the shrubs almost before he'd finished speaking. Firepaw shot her a small, pained smile. Seer. That was the name of the other male in the equation, wasn't it? "I'm afraid I'm not Seer. I'm just Firepaw." Firepaw rose to his paws and shook himself, feeling his fur fluff out as the air stirred with a lazy breeze. "But I'm sure I could find this ever mysterious Seer." He wouldn't be happy about it, but no matter how you spun it, he had no right to be jealous.

He was the one who'd abandoned her first, after all. "Especially if he looks like me, he can't be that hard to find. I'm fairly unique." Firepaw grinned, forcing a chuckle as he watched both Breeze and the pup at her side. It was good to have her back, to smell her scent on the breeze, even if she would be leaving again, quicker than you could say 'goodbye'. Still, he would take advantage of every second he had with his friend, even if there was another male in tow.

I'm kinda like the ocean
With its arms stretched open wide
But I know what it means to be dragged out with the tide
And to fight from going under...

[/center][/blockquote]

[matsi]

''Mama! He is Seer isn't he!? You said he hides his thoughts! Well...'' She looked over at FirePaw.
''Tries.''

Breeze was silent for a moment. She was just in pure shock.

''Uhh. No. It is just Sora and I. There has never been another with us,'' She softly as her eyes stayed glued on the male. She couldn't move, she could hardly breath.

I'm Sora! Sora announced silently through her mind as her tail wagged and she looked at FirePaw.

My mama never told me your real name! But I know you are Seer! She was filled to the brim with bubbiling excitement. He was just like her mother had told her. Handsome and proud. He showed the signs of a growing leader, and eyes that could send chills down ones spine. She padded forward slowly, wanting to see the male closer.

''Sora...'' Breeze said softly as she shook her head, trying to focus, but Sora didn't listen. She only stopped inches from FirePaw, looking up at him with excited Maroon eyes.

[Knight]

In what distant deeps or skies
Burnt the fire of thine eyes?
On what wings dare he aspire?
What the hand dare seize the fire?

Firepaw narrowed his eyes at the young pup's comment. "Hiding your thoughts and emotions isn't all it's cracked up to be." he commented stiffly. "And like I said, the name's Firepaw. Whoever this Seer is, he isn't me." Firepaw shrugged. He wasn't going to argue if the pup insisted on calling him Seer, since he knew the pup was going to be gone with Breeze within a moon, plus it was kind of endearing. It almost made him smile, but the male shrugged it off. No matter what he might say to the pup, hiding his emotions was a valuable art.

"Are you sure?" he turned his attention towards Breeze, "Lying to spare my feelings won't be very effective, since it'll make me more liable to injure anyone you failed to mention to me." It wasn't a threat, just a statement of a fact, and Firepaw surveyed the female before him. "How long do you intend to stay, anyways. I'll need to make arrangements." he paused, frowning, "If you're going to stay at all. I'd like it if you stayed, though."

"Sora, huh?" he glanced down at the pup, "That's quite a pretty name." The next words were placed in his mind like trophies. Clearly, Sora was excited. Firepaw snorted. Had he ever been as playful as that? Had he ever not been trying to leave his brother's shadow? "I'm still just Firepaw." He could already tell that he was fighting an uphill battle, but it was distracting. At least now he could pretend that they were going to stay.

Firepaw shot Breeze a glance as Sora came to a stop. He wouldn't hurt a pup. Honestly. Lowering his head until he could look Sora in the eye, he grinned widely. He was enjoying the companionship of both a ghost from his past and a pup. What was the world coming to? For a moment, he remained like that, before shaking himself and rising into an upright position. "Let me know if you get hungry." He said woodenly, "I know of several good places to hunt."

And what shoulder and what art
Could twist the sinews of thy heart?
And when thy heart began to beat,
What dread hand and what dread feet?

[/center][/blockquote]

[matsi]

Sora seemed thrilled when FirePaw lowered to her level. SHe bounded forwards a few small steps and then turned and bounded back to her mother, her spotted tail wagging high.

''Mama's right! It's just me and her! My mama and me!'' She glowed with proud innocence. The young female stopped and sat next to Breeze and looked up at her, her maroon eyes glittering.

''He is him, right Mama?'' She asked softly. Breeze hesitated, and then nodded.

''Yes, Sora,'' She replied in a soft tone. She then looked back at FirePaw.

''We will not bother you. I was just curious on who now lived here... But i can understand if you don't want a figment of your past around you.'' She said with a polite nod to him. Her stomach twisted with excitement. She wanted to bound up to him and lavish him in attention that was long over due, but she was afraid that she was unwelcome.

Sora looked up at her mother with shock on her face.

''B-but mama! You said he was the one you wanted us to live with!'' She yelped. Breeze looked at the pup, who acted so innocent. Why did she have to repeat all that she had said while HE was right there?

[Knight]

I can't believe this moment's come
It's so incredible that we're alone
There's so much to be said and done
It's impossible not to be overcome

Firepaw grinned, watching the pup skitter around. "She's quite the innocent little one, isn't she?" he didn't particularly expect a response, nor did he give time for one to respond before moving onto the next point. "How old is she?" He would arrange care for the pup accordingly. Breeze wouldn't have to know that he'd done it all himself.

Firepaw shrugged at the pup's words, trying to deny the silent load that had been lifted from his heart. "In that case, any loners found on my land will be driven away. I will not have riff-raff tarnishing my land." He nodded firmly, "Nor will I have them hunting on my land." He surveyed the pair, then swished his tail briskly. "Yup, welcome to the Ember Pack lands." Reiterating what he'd said just a few moments ago, Firepaw grinned, extending a silent mental offering. They could stay, if they wanted to. Firepaw was sure that Breeze remembered him well enough that she'd be able to read that. And even if she couldn't, Sora was sure to tell her. It was a fail safe plan that wouldn't involve hurting him if she said no flat out.

Frowning as the whispering started, Firepaw shot the two a look, before shrugging quietly. It wasn't his business. Tail waving slowly in the air, the male focused on watching the forest just behind them. He wasn't one to spy. Sooner or later, Breeze would tell him what was going on. Maybe. All the same, Firepaw was sure that sooner or later, people wouldn't whisper about him. He'd thought he left that behind with his brother...

Firepaw shook his head fiercely as soon as she was done speaking. "Figments of my past are one thing, you are quite another. You are--were my friend. I wouldn't drive you away." He paused, "You're always welcome here, Heartbreeze." He paused, "And you too, Sora." Extending that offering was as close to inviting them to his pack as he was going to get aloud.

A slow smile crept its way across Firepaw's face as he listened to Sora's cry. "Well, in that case, you can stay." He laughed to himself. That wasn't the only reason, but he wanted to say it. Wanted to offer them the chance of joining his pack, of becoming the only wolves that he protected. He wanted that. He'd like that very much, in fact.

You get my senses running wild
I can't resist your sweet, sweet smile
So take this feeling and make it grow
Never let it - never let it go[/center][/blockquote][/size]

[matsi]

Breeze sighed and looked at Sora again. She hadnt the heart to tell the pup no. She looked at Firepaw and a small smile formed on her maw. She padded up to him and ran her head under his chin as her tail began to sway happily. Yes, this was her firepaw. Oh, how she had missed him.

Sora bounded after her mother and stood on her hind legs, her front paws on Breeze's back as she pressed her small black nose to FirePaw's happily.

''Thank You, Seer!'' She yipped happily. Her small tail wagged faster than one would think possible. Breeze laughed softly at the pup.

''She is only about two seasons. I do not know exactly.'' She spoke softly, so soft that the now bounding around pup could not hear her speak. Sora was just too happy to finally meet the guiding wolf who haunted her dreams.

[Knight]

There's a calm surrender to the rush of day
When the heat of the rolling world can be turned away
An enchanted moment, and it sees me through
It's enough for this restless warrior just to be with you

Firepaw eyed Breeze as she padded forward. What on earth was she planning? Muscles tightening as rubbed her head beneath his chin, Firepaw relaxed marginally upon realizing that she probably wasn't going to rip him into shreds. His tail waved slowly in the air, "Welcome back, Breeze." Firepaw grinned as Sora capered up, putting her hind legs on Breeze's back and pressing her nose against his. "You're welcome." He grinned a little wider, nudging her little head with his nose before growing still, just basking in the attention of a wolf that had been his friend and a little pup.

Firepaw's laughter joined Breeze, rumbling through his chest before he fell silent, continuing to smile. "I see." he responded, eying the little pup. "Is she normally this happy?" He chuckled quietly, watching the pup's actions. He was inclined to believe not - or else Breeze wouldn't have put up with her, but Firepaw was making conversation. Conversation was good, wasn't it?

"What brought you back here, anyways?" raising his voice from the softer tone of earlier, Firepaw sat back on his haunches to observe his friend. "I mean, no one else has come back. It's only me and some wolf who calls himself Shy. Those are the only wolves I've met so far." He frowned, "Two packs made up of two wolves aren't going to survive very long. Oh well." He shrugged it off and eyed Breeze, waiting for a response.

There's a time for everyone if they only learn
That the twisting kaleidoscope moves us all in turn
There's a rhyme and reason to the wild outdoors
When the heart of this star-crossed voyager beats in time with yours

[/center][/blockquote]

[matsi]

Breeze laughed slightly then snorted.

''She...is like this about half the time.'' She sighed and watched Sora. It was nice to finally let Sora bound around without being too worried about who or what would sneak up on them.

She half listened to FirePaw, her other half just wandering in thoughts.
''Shy? Thats where Tipony when i think. Cave Pack.'' She said as she thought about the adopted daughter of Dark and Sahara.

She was silent as she thought about why they had come back.
''Hope to find someone I guess,'' She replied as she kept watching the bounding pup.

Sora was now chaising a small cricket, who chirpped at her angerly whenever her paws covered it. Her small tail wagged happily and her little pink tongue lolled out of her maw.

[Knight]

And I keep thinking, oh I'm thinking time's been my teacher
I don't want to leave you
So please give me one more try
I'm tired and I'm weary but I want you near me
So please give me one more try

Firepaw nodded sagely, his tail curling in the air as he sat stock still, refusing to move. It was if he even twitched, it would all move out of his reach, disappearing like the last mists dream. "I see." He paused, grinning, "And you put up with this for what reason, exactly?" He almost got up in that moment, before he shook it off, snorting softly to himself. He wasn't stupid, nor would he force himself on one of his friends. If she chose to stay, that was her choice, and he would have no hand in it. Or paw.

"You know, Breeze..." he began softly, words coming out slowly, then all rushing out together at once, before he had time to think better of it, "You'realwayswelcomehere." Firepaw blinked, mentally running over his words, "I mean, you're always welcome here. With me." He scuffed his paw against the earth, looking studiously away from Breeze, taking a great relief in the respite offered by her next words.

"Tipony?" He paused for a moment to place the name, "Ah, yes. Tipony and Fornae." Firepaw flicked an ear, snorting to himself. Unrequited love. What fools. "The Cave Pack? Shy was Mika's son, wasn't he?" Firepaw tilted his head to the side slightly, musing the thought over. "Yes, I think he was." Answering his own question before long, Firepaw grinned, pleased that he'd managed to remember that name. "I learned about him not that long ago . . . The wolf I got the information from had an 'accident' a few days later. I suspect it was orchestrated by someone." Shrugging, Firepaw looked unconcerned by that. Shiloh had not been a member of his pack, therefore, Firepaw didn't have to protect him.

"In that case, you've found someone, huh? You've found the Alpha of the Ember Pack. Count yourself as one of the lucky few I didn't chase off immediately." Laughing, Firepaw watched Sora jump after the cricket, covering and uncovering it with her paws. She was adorable . . . He could almost see why Breeze had taken her in in the playful gleam of the pup's eyes, in the cheerful wave of her plumy tail.

That I was wrong to go and leave you
To go and leave your world behind
But now time has been my teacher
And now I'm finally found

[/center][/blockquote]

[matsi]

Breeze laughed slightly as she looked at Sora. ''I couldn't leave her to die. I had to try to right my wrongs, ya' know?'' She sighed and listened to him muse over his own thoughts. She really didn't have anything to add to what he was saying about cave pack, atleast from what she knew.

''No, I haven't just found the Ember Pack alpha...'' She said as she turned her dark orange eyes from the small pup to FirePaw.

''I have found an old friend,'' She smiled slightly just as Sora came bounding up to them once again.

''MAMA! Are we gonna' stay with Seer? He said we could stay!'' THe small pup seemed to be about to explode with excitement as she wagged her tail furiously and did a play bow to Breeze.

[Knight]

Starry, starry night.
Paint your palette blue and grey,
Look out on a summer's day,
With eyes that know the darkness in my soul.

No, he couldn't say he did. His wrongs wouldn't be righted, nor, for the most part, would he want to. There were a few huge ones that he would try and fix if he could, but none of those could be fixed by taking in a pup. "Yes, I do know." In a way, he did. Still, Firepaw shrugged it off, frowning as he turned to survey the lands before him. These were his lands, claimed by him, and no one would take them. No one. Stubborn as an old fool, proud as an even older fool, Firepaw was who he was. He could try and right his wrongs, but nothing would change who he was, so why bother? He would just mess up again later.

He listened to her speak, mulling over his reply for a while before he responded, "As have I, I suppose." He shrugged it off, the orange glimmering in his eyes nearly swallowing the green. Perhaps he wasn't the strongest wolf or the fastest wolf, but he felt happy for the first time in a long while. Perhaps being lonely had been worse than he'd thought. After a moment, Firepaw pushed that train of thought away, sighing to himself as he rose to his paws, stretching out lazily.

"Anyways, perhaps I should go." he spoke, glancing down at the little pup as she wriggled in delight. "I'll leave you two here - Eagle Skies Lake is down there," he jerked his head in the direction of the glimmering waters, "Walk in that direction along the lake and you'll find the river," he gestured with his tail along the right side of the lakebed, then nodded, "And the forest is back the way you came. Be careful, though. Shy claims part of the forest, and scent markers run through another corner of it." And that was his brief tour of the territory. Satisfied that he had upheld his duties, Firepaw nodded his head in the direction of the two wolves and started to pad back towards the lake, angling his strides to carry him towards the Crystal River.

Shadows on the hills,
Sketch the trees and the daffodils,
Catch the breeze and the winter chills,
In colors on the snowy linen land

[/center][/blockquote]

[matsi]

Breeze looked at FirePaw, not sure what to say, but Sora sealed the deal.

''SEER! Don't leave!'' She bounded after him happily, her tail waving. Breeze snickered and watched the pup with glimmering eyes of amusement. The dear pup was teaching Breeze something that she was afraid to admit, which made the fire female sigh and slowly follow FirePaw.

''Sorry, Fire. I don't think you are getting away from us that easily.'' She said softly from behind. Sora looked back at her mother for a moment, her own maroon eyes filled with bubbiling excitement and wonder.

All Sora cared about for the moment was that she finally got to meet the Seer that haunted her mother's dreams.

Seer, do you think of my mama' like she does you? She asked silently, finally letting her mind speak to the fiery male again.

[Knight]

Well I will go down with this ship
And I won‘t put my hands up and surrender
There will be no white flag above my door
I‘m in love and always will be

Seer. It took a moment for Firepaw to remember that he was to respond to that. That was when the rest of the pup's words sunk in. Don't leave? Hah. He was amused by that. Firepaw turned, "I'm not leaving!" he responded, forcing his voice to carry far enough for it to reach the pup. Luckily, it reached her quickly enough, as she bounded after him, Breeze following slowly. A frown crossed Firepaw's features. Did she not want to follow the pup? Why had she come out to his lands, then?

After a moment's pause, Firepaw turned and continued to pad along, headed straight towards the river that he had lived his puphood beside. Breeze spoke, causing Firepaw to turn, ears pricked in her direction. "I didn't expect to get rid of you. I am merely doing my duty as Alpha." his blood sang at the title. He'd never thought he'd become an Alpha, and yet, here he was, standing tall and ruling a pack. A pack with no members, yes, but he ruled a pack now. Finally. "If you wish to follow me, you are welcome to. But I doubt it will be interesting. I will merely be touring my territory and refreshing scent markers. You are free to do as you please." The offer was coated in other things, almost entirely hidden by other facts, other statements. But, in reality, he was inviting them to come along with him, if they wished.

The pup's mental voice touched his mind again, brimming with excitement. It was very strange to hear her words, but not hear them at the same time. "It depends, really." he answered her aloud, continuing in his mind as he turned and started walking again, hoping she'd be able to hear it, On how she feels about me, really. And I must figure out how I feel about her, as well. Many females, your mother especially, confuse me. While he thought, he walked briskly forward, tail held high in the air.

And I caused but nothing but trouble
I understand if you can‘t talk to me again
And if you live by the rules of "It‘s over"
Then I‘m sure that that makes sense

[/blockquote]

[matsi]

''Well, your stuck with us, it seems. Breeze barked with a slight snicker as she trotted to catch up with her pup and old friend. Her tail hung limply behind her, but comfort and ease was reflected in her eyes. She looked as if a ton of weight was just lifted from her spirit.

Sora let out a soft giggle.
Mama says that you can't think about it. You just listen to your spirit and heart. Maybe you should stop thinking about it. She peered up at the gigantic male, her eyes still glittering with profound wonder. Her dusty brown colored ears were perked up as high as they could go, and her small tail still wagged furiously like the wing of a humming bird.