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The air was bitter cold. It hung off of the lips of the family, as they moved through the trees. The air was still though, the wind shielded by the towering trees. The ground was white, with patches of brown hidden to the side of the largest trees. The snow hadn't been able to touch everything here.

Hok'ee huddled close to his family as they moved onward. They were in search of any shelter that could hold them from the winters harm. Having just welcomed two foals, from basket to earth, it was urgent that they do so.

Hok'ee looked over at his beautiful mate. "Chu'mana, do you already know of a place?" he said with a gentle tone in his voice. He had fate, that even if she didn't know of a place, together they would find one.

Chidi bumped along, keeping close to his sister. At first, he knocked between her and his father with unsure legs. But as his legs adjusted more, he found it fun to bump into his sister on purpose. The light bumps would send him bobbing into his fathers side, then back into his sister.

Hok'ee gave a firm nod with his head, looking down at the foals. "You two will be safe soon." he assured.

He raised his eyes to Chu'mana. "They'll make it." he said with a slight firm to his voice, but still filled with care. He would protect these two, and his mate, with his very life. He'd carry them on his back if he had to. It didn't matter how, he would find a way.

Chidi grinned at his sister, through his own set of chattering teeth. He decided to cease at the bumping. He tried to walk as straight as he could, fatigue making the journey a chore. He looked up at his mother with bright little eyes. "Mama?" It was a question, but he didn't know what for. He felt a need, but wasn't sure what he was in need of. Only a mother could tell such things.

Hok'ee slowed his pace as a little tug was felt on his tail. Craning his neck towards Taipa, he smiled. "You can hold onto my tail if it helps you." He lifted his tail a slightly, giving her a bit of lift for her step.

Chidi watched his mother, smiling at her soft spoken concern for him. He loved the attention. "mmm-Mama?" He said with a rise in his voice. He picked up his pace, excited by the game in play. He pulled closer to his mothers side, waiting for another response to the call.

Hok'ee grinned. "I think he's happy to have a mama." he said. The little ones would depend on them both, but they would always have a different dependency on their mother.

The winter was cruel, but the area had a welcoming feel to it. They must be close to their destination. Looking at Chu'mana with seeking eyes, he waited for her to confirm. He could of been wrong after all.

Chidi beamed, exclaiming his mothers name once more, as he lifted his back into her nuzzle. "Mamma!" the sound of it being a question was gone. It was and answer this time.

Hok'ee chuckled warmly. They really were a great pair, a great family that is. Together, life would seem to spin on an axis of four. He was proud to be here, for all of them.

Looking at the surrounding area, he saw a dense cluster of branches. The smell of long gone fruit, hung in the air. His nostrils flared at the stale sweet scent. It wasn't a bad smell, only more organic that the smell of fresh fruit.

He looked back at Taipa. "You stay here." he called down to her softly, but with a parents firm tone. He raised his face towards Chu'mana. "Let me find a safe place, and be sure that this area is free from harm."

Picking up his hooves, he raised his head and walked proudly. Nothing could stand in his way....or at least he liked to think so. No doubt a Kalona or Skinwalker could bury that pride of his.

He ducked his head into different patches, seeing snow in some, and not enough room in others. His head also telescoped back towards his family, keeping them in sight. As he moved on, he could only see them when he really stretched, seeing Chu'mana mostly. He was beginning to think he was being to picky, when he finally found it.

The perfect shelter from any weather. The close nit branches were thick with vines, and the trees tall and wide. Beneath them, was a world of it's own. Brown colored everything in it's midst.

He trotted back towards his family. "I have found the place you spoke of Chu'mana!"

"You got it!" he said as he began to walk with a high bounce in his step. He was downright thrilled to be starting towards the journey of one of life's greatest adventures. Here, they would start to raise another family.

Chidi nickered as his mother nipped his rump, scrunching his body forward and walking away quickly. His feet slowed as he escaped his mothers soft nips, following in sync with his sister. He looked to her with wide eyes, curiosity mirroring in them, then onward to his father.

It was quicker to find the spot again, that to look through all the groves once more. He approached one of the farther sides of the grove, and nudged a few low lying branches away. He held them with the strength of his face, noticing that some branches were pressing against his handsomeness. It didn't matter, he couldn't care less about his appearance at the moment. Well..he still cared or he wouldn't of thought about it. But he didn't freak out and let the branches fall.

Chidi stopped. He ducked under his mothers legs quickly. It didn't look like a scary place, but he still wanted to watch her go in first. He would follow underneath her if space and gravity permitted him to do so.

Chidi bobbled under his mother, catching a graze of hoof once. It really wasn't the best place for him to be. After his mother stepped into the mysterious area, he pulled half way out from underneath her. He looked up to her then proceded out and joined by his sisters side.

Hok'ee ducked underneath with a quick trot, assuring that as he let go of the branches, they didn't smack back against him. Standing for a moment, he watched Chu'mana with a deep gaze.

Chidi nickered, following his mother as she circled around for a spot.

"Chidi, Taipa, welcome to your new home." he said in a quiet voice. He stepped over towards Taipa and nuzzled her face a few times, before reaching over to Chidi to do the same.

"It's a nice little place. I'm glad that we made it here." he said, this time to Chu'mana. He waited for everyone to get situated, then he would join them for a good rest.

Chidi watched his sister as his eyes grew heavy. Pulling over towards his mum, he collided into her side with little grace. His head butted into her as his body pulled to the ground, landing next to his sister. He was really tired. Grunting as he kicked his legs a few times, he made him self comfortable. He ended up half laying on Taipa, with the rest of him leaning against his mother.

Hok'ee smirked, not saying a word as he stood looking down at his family. It was a perfect looking moment. He wanted to make sure to remember it, for all time. After looking at them long enough, he carefully rested himself on the ground beside Chu'mana. He made sure not to move her as he did, not wanting to disturb the tired foals.

He positioned himself in a way, that Chu'mana could lean on him for support if she wanted to. Leaning in close, he breathed a soft whisper in her ear. "I love you."

Chu'mana was right, this place was much better than being outside. Here they could spend as much time together as needed, away from the weather, and out of harms way.

Hok'ee took in a deep breath, keeping his eyes open as long as he could. He wanted to be sure that Chu'mana drifted to sleep soundly. Yes, he did fall asleep short after. He dreamt of nothing, exhaustion pulling him into a deep slumber.

Chidi was long since asleep, the moment his body hit the ground.

The unforgiving winds passed above them unnoticed. The small hut like enclave in which they rested, was enough to give them that much. It was a blessing for parents raising young foals up in the winter season. Food foraging would be difficult, but at least even a small bit of dry grass still remained here.