Welcome to Gaia! ::

Whinn had been nesting in their den, awaiting Yero's return. Her body had begun to respond strangely to things she normally did. She found herself more fatigued than usual; and also hungrier. She'd left several partially buried fish skelatons nearby outside. She'd been laying on her side for some time now, eyes closed though no rest came. When she heard the raven male return, she gave a small, inward groan and lifted herself to her paws, slinking out from the hiding place. Once the oblong, slanted rays hit her fur, it was set ablaze with auburns. A small smile played across the female's lips, her tail wagging groggily. "Are we set?" She asked softly, noting the confidence he carried in his stride. Always a good thing.

She'd tried to look as perky as possible, but she watched as his eyes scanned her body with critical calculation. He had suspected what she had been keeping a secret for a little while now. Watching him as he buried his nose in her soft underbelly's fur, she tensed slightly, the area almost tender to the touch. Now that he'd suspected, she'd have to tell him. Sure, it had only been one time... but most of the time... that was all it took. "Puppies..." she said softly, her eyes scanning the male's form for some sort of positive reaction. Afterall, that was what they'd wanted, right? To go back to their own home and start a family... and now they had that chance.

She chuckled at his excitement. She'd already silently had her celebration; now she was just going to have to wait until they got to their destination for the real celebration to start. Her eyes shone as he bounded about her and offered her affectionate tickles here and there. Yes, they were going to be parents. Her tail picked up a hearty, happy wag to spite her slight fatigue, her tongue lolling and licking his cheek as he nipped her ears. Ah, yes... good memories were stirred up when he started to speak but cut himself off. She smiled inwardly in recognition of that tidbit of memorobelia. But his next question grounded her.

She studied herself for a moment or two. Surely the rather short jaunt home wouldn't take more than a day... they'd be there in no time. That gave her plenty of time to let the pups grow and develop within her and they could be born where the two of them shared their childhood. Her mist stricken eyes rose to Yero's, an affirmative nod issued. "It's not far; we can make it long before any complications may arise." She was excited to be going home almost as much as she was toward the thought of motherhood.

Whinn offered him a reassuring nod, the firmness in her stance backing up the answer to his uncertain statement. Yes, the thought of returning home was one that filled her with an inexplicable pleasure. They'd grown up there... learned to do what wolves do, really. She remembered when they were young and passionate; the thought of puppies made them hot with excitement. And now, here they were so much later and actually past that point: the puppies were coming. Finally the next chapter in their lives would be fulfilled. It made her smile; puff up a bit with an unnamed pride, even. She felt the breeze rejuvinate her groggy body as it ruffled through her now thinning coat. Traveling in fair weather was something that definately favored the both of them. Seeing the excitement in her mate only made the feeling better. The minute he took off at a jog, she picked up her own pleasanlty paced jaunt behind him. Of course, when he slowed to let her take the lead, she did with pleasure, a playful swish in her tail.

Whinn's ears flicked back every now and again, listening to her mate's upbeat pace behind her. Now they were older; they could travel farther and faster than when they had decided to leave when they were just barely adults. It put a skip in her step, and every once and agan when Yero would appear beside her she'd pass him a loving n** or nuzzle, her tail always swaying with a joyful pride that came with being an expecting mother. The journey that took an entire pack two days would only take them several hours now, it seemed; and already she was looking forward to breaking through the treeline and emerging into her old stomping grounds. Her tongue lolled and salivated slightly at the thought of the large silver-lined fish waiting for her in the water.

She listened to Yero's howl, and tilted her own head back, adding a higher sophrano note to his own sweet tenor. The message was intertwined with her own. Home, indeed. Home and soon a family to teach the ways of the river. The proper disciplines of childhood that were needed to structure well bred adults. Once the howl died from her throat, it rang in her ears, pushing her onward eagerly.

After what seemed like decades, the familiar sights of the river winding lazily into a copse of trees that skirted the larger forest came into view. The musky scents filled her nostrils and she swore her heart skipped a beat in excitement. They were within sight of their home now! She actually gave a small hop, yipping in anticipation of finally reaching their home. She actually took charge, leaving her mates side to sprint towards the thicket in a catch-me-if-you-can way, passing glances back over her shoulder to see if he'd share in her excitement like she knew he would. Once breaking through the dense wall that guarded them oh so longn ago, she saw the river; scented only the stale scents of themselves. Their home was still here; safe and untouched.

After breaking through the outer wall of their old solace, she came to a quick halt, her eyes scanning the high, leafy canopy. Same trees that had been here before. Same dark, moist ground caressing her tired feet. Her breath came in heavy pants from the workout, but she enjoyed it. The entire atmosphere engulfed her in a joyful, wordless stupor. The now late afternoon sun cut through the canopy at oblong angles, the rays bouncing off the glittering waters. She now realized how thirsty she was. Padding slowly to the edge of the stream, she paused, hearing Yero who had gone on ahead to see if the den was still there.

When he spoke, she nodded enthusiastically, her tail giving a happy wag. But more than being home, they were on their own again; and about to be a family. She then lowered her muzzle to the rushing liquid, letting the cool moisture run down her parched throat in long gulps. Much better. But as she lapped up the water, her eyes caught a sight she'd missed more than any: a large, silver glint darting past beneath the surface of the water. Hunger was beginning to set in and at that glimpse, her stomach growled loudly, the voice of the unborn pups crying out as well: We're hungry!