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 Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 4:57 pm
Rime's ears jerked upright at the sudden exclamations. She watched the foxes greet each other and shuffled her feet awkwardly, unsure of what she should do. She nodded her head when she heard her name, but remained silent. Meeting all of these new foxes all at once was a little overwhelming for her, as was the presence of the Elder.
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Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 6:32 pm
Sieg perked immediately at the voice he heard. "Lila? Lila!" He yelled as he ran and nearly mauled his mate with affection. Gods... He had missed her so much... "I missed you so much, Lila!"
Cuddling gently into her he lapped at her face and wrestled with her, loving on her, rubbing his cheek against her fur. He had missed her so much! "I cannot believe you made it through this snow, just for me!"
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Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 7:58 pm
Ari watched the excitement, almost unwilling to intrude on the happiness that was so rare recently. A problem he was not helping, even now, he believed. Even though he was forcing himself to stand straight and tall, he felt as though the turmoil inside of him were obvious for all to see.
"Welcome to the Lunarie Tribe, Lady Rime, and...Aara, I believe?" he asked, having caught the name of the other from Thea's exclamation. "What brings you two to the tribe lands?"
He had heard the answer from the one whom he believed to be named Aara, but he wanted to hear them speak it for themselves.
Also, perhaps, a part of the reason for asking was how close the pair seemed to be. Ari couldn't help but feel as though he were eavesdropping in on their conversation.
He couldn't help but feel slightly jealous of their happiness, either.
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Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2009 1:33 pm
Rime looked up at Ari, and thought about his question for a moment. "The moon..." she began, feeling it to be an answer in and of itself. "...and the stars." Her gaze shifted into the sky as she said it, but she looked back at Ari after a few seconds. "There's many stories in the stars..." She smiled. "The night sky contains many wondrous things."
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Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2009 1:00 pm
Nato nodded in agreement to the other shaman. Finding anything was going to be hard enough but finding something usefull that they could use was almost hopeless.
"If only we could grow plants in our caves or in a protected area." Nato sighed and he searched through the snow covered limbs of dead plants looking for anything alive.
Mitora smiled at Rime's answer and the excitment of the other two vixens. This was good. Things were perking up. Even Ari seemed to carry himself differently. Maybe if her dad and Kin'iro could find some herbs to perk of the rest of the tribe, things would become really good. Still smiling, Mitora sat and observed how Ari handled the two new comers.
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Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2009 4:20 am
"Actually," Kin'iro replied, pausing thoughtfully. "That's not such a bad idea. What if we were to plant some herbs far enough into the cave where they could be slightly sheltered, yet still close enough to the entrance that they could receive sunlight? Don't you think that could work?" The vixen continued pawing through the snow, also looking for any living vegetation.
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Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2009 4:08 pm
How long had it been?
Days, Months, or was it even a year? Kazuki didn't know. All he knew was that the days had been long, harsh, and very much lonely. That was until two of his children took it upon themselves to follow him. He had growled and threatened them but the two kits refused to back down. In the end he gave up. Kazuki barely remembered why he left the lands he had known as his home since he was a kit. All he remembered was that he had to leave. He just had to get out.
It was hard to take care of himself outside the tribe lands. There was danger, and enemies everywhere. He was lonely, for his mate at least, the two kits kept him busy. He had to give most of the food to them and ultimately lost a few pounds himself. Now months later here he is at the boundaries.
Kazuki looks up high at the slowly darkening sky. His purple eyes cloud over a moment before clearing up. He looks back down and takes in a deep breath. He raises his front right paw to step forward but stops short.
Can I really just walk back in there? What will Ari say? What about the other tribe members. Surely they shall want to disown me in some manner... His paw lowers back to ground as his head drops."Father don't you dare!" Yelled out Yuchia. She was one of kits that had followed their father. Only now she was no longer a kit. She was a fully grown adult. Yuchia watched her father raise his head and stepped forward.
"I don't know about you but I want to go home and see our other Dad." She glared at her father a moment then relaxed and shook her head sighing. Her tail twitched agitated as she looked at her father once more.
"I mean all you did was mention how much you missed him. Plus you barely slept during the day. It was terrible to watch you nearly kill yourself." Yuchia saw her father's expression change to that of pure shame.
"Piko may not say much but I will. We were watching you dad, and it wasn't pretty. Now you get moving!" Yuchia glanced behind her father at her brother. Who looked very similar to her. Piko merely nodded and moved forward shoving his father. He felt resistance and pushed hard. His paws digging into the dirt as he pushed. Finally he stopped when his father fell over onto the ground.He chuckled a bit and sat down. His head shaking gently at the view before him. He smiled at his sister, who smiled back. He then faced his father who was mumbling something.
Kazuki grunted and grumbled as he stood himself again. He huffed a bit his cheeks a faint shade of pink as he looked at his kids.
"Alright. I get the point. Sheesh. No respect at all for me. " He turned only to faintly hear chuckles and giggles. He couldn't help smile himself before moving forward. The tribe lands were quiet. He looked back to see Piko and Yuchia following. Then he pressed on until he caught the faint sound of something. He moved forward a bit to see a familiar mountain side. He also had stepped out of the trees and into the open field. Looking to his side Kazuki spotted Ari's prayer spot. His heart ached a bit as he ignored it and continue to look around. Snow seemed to still cover everything and the chilly winds made Kazuki shiver under his fur. Even though winter was at an end it clung on desperately.
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Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2009 6:46 pm
Thea was about to respond to Aara with some other sweet nothing, but something much more important caught her eye. It was large, purple, and definitely familiar.
"Kazuki!" Thea sprang away from her almost-mate (now she'd need both of their permissions...assuming Kazuki would stay...Thea quickly pushed that thought away), a smile planted on her face for the second time that day. "I knew you'd come back. I knew it," Thea was positively glowing as she spotted the children she'd once looked over.
"Welcome back," She said, regaining enough of her composure to bow her head respectfully at her other Elder. "You've been missed," More than you know, Thea added mentally, resisting the urge to look back at Ari and give him the I-told-you-so that he so richly deserved.
This made Thea laugh softly to herself, but she knew that she wouldn't ever do something like that, so she just padded back over to Aara and grinned up at Ari, tail swishing behind her happily.
"See what happens when you think positively?" Okay, so she'd I-told-you-so a little bit. Just a little, though.
"Of course I did," Lila said, nuzzling his cheek again. "I missed you so much," She said again, smiling softly at her mate. She was about to say more, but she was cut short by yet another joyous exclamation from Thea's direction.
What...?
Turning her head to look, Lila felt herself smile as she saw her aunt look so happy at what was...the other Elder? She'd heard some of the story from Sieg the last time they'd been together, but it hadn't been much. Apparently, he'd been gone for quite a long time.
"You should go say hello," Lila said softly, looking back at Sieg. "Don't you think?"
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Posted: Tue Feb 10, 2009 10:29 pm
"I missed you more than anything." Sieg murmered, nuzzling close to his mate before Thea's exclamation caught his attention. He stood, a little torn at leaving his mate and going to see the Elder. "You should come too. You'll be a part of the tribe."
Sieg grinned and ran over to greet their missing Elder, though he was respectful as ever to him. "It's good to see you again, Kazuki."
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Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2009 10:48 am
"Hmm." Nato thought about it for a minute. "How would we get water to them? And they still might get to cold in the winter. But, its certainly something we could try once all this snow clears." He nodded at the bright vixen before looking around sadly. He really didn't want to return back to the tribe empty handed but it looked like there was nothing left alive out here.
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Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2009 2:30 pm
Yes, it seemed like Rime could very well fit in the tribe.
And then, Thea pulled his attention away before he could listen to what Aara had to say.
He did manage to give her a slightly disapproving look for her 'I-told-you-so-ing'. Only slightly, because he was too overcome by shock and joy and disbelief and hope and more emotions than he could possibly name upon seeing not only his mate, but two of his children there as well.
He walked forward, barely even noticing that he had moved, until he stood nose to nose with the purple modi. His co-elder. His mate. "Kazuki," Ari breathed.
Now that the other was here, Ari didn't know what to do, what to say. He had thought over this time and time and time again, the scenario changing each time.
And now that it was here, he couldn't think of what to do at all.
He was vaguely aware of Rime and Aara and Thea and Sieg and Lila all being there. Some part of his mind pointed out that Sieg and Lila had shown up quite recently. That they possibly wanted to speak to him.
What he wanted, he realized, was to speak to his mate alone.
He had duties as an elder. He had duties as a mate. He had duties as a father.
And in a split second, he was supposed to figure out which one was the most important of all.
"Thea," he said, just a moment later, "please take Lady Rime and Aara to see the rest of the tribe. I'll," or should that be we'll? "join you by the main caves shortly."
It was clearly a dismissal for all those assembled, outside of his family.
Were they even still that, his family?
He supposed he would find out soon enough.
He knew that there was no possible way he could sort through all of their problems in such a short time, but that wasn't what he needed to do.
All he needed to do was find out just where he and Kazuki stood professionally, as co-leaders of the tribe. And he wanted to be alone for that, in case the answer was what he didn't want.
The one he dreaded.
The one he expected.
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Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2009 2:58 pm
Purple ears shot up as Kazuki turned to be greeted by a somewhat familiar face. It took him a moment to remember. It had been so long since he had been..home. That is if it still was home. He nodded at Thea and gave her a smile that is until his eyes caught sight of a very familiar light blue fur, while watching Thea move away. Kazuki's heart froze for a moment and his chest ached. He looked away quickly keeping his head low. He barely registered the appearance of more members of the tribe. All he could think was should he run away? He didn't want to face Ari. He just couldn't, even though he knew that would hurt Ari more. He shook his head and raised it only to jump back surprised. His purple eyes wide and in shock. There was Ari just centimeters away from him. He blinked still tense and alert.
Ba-Bum Ba-Bum Ba-Bum. His heat was pounding in his chest. He opened his muzzle to say something. Instead a very faint squeak came out. Kazuki licked his lips and swallowed a lump down his throat. His mouth felt dry. Looking around to avoid looking at Ari, he finally noticed the other two foxes. He wished to speak to them but just as he thought he could Ari told everyone to depart. Kazuki looked up again. This time it was clear he was nervous. There was no way he could escape it now. Sitting down he curled his large tail around him. He could still hear his heart beat and it was still racing. His eyes were down cast and glued to the grassy ground at his feet.
Yuchia smiled at the sight of their other father. She fidgeted excited on all four of her paws. Though when he got close she stopped. His expression. It seemed to express worry. Yuchia looked to her brother whom did not look back. Yuchia's focus shifted to the other foxes. What would her fathers do? They couldn't talk with all these people. It puzzled her until her father spoke. She smiled faintly. Now they would get their time alone. Yuchia also noticed how her dad whom she traveled with was so quiet it was unusual. He was also avoiding her other father's eyes.
Did dad not like Ari anymore? Yuchia thought with a frown. She looked at bother then her fathers nervously. Then wondered if her and her brother should leave to.
"Father.." Yuchia said addressing Ari. "Should Piko and I go too?" She blinked her tail swishing gently behind her. Her ears hung a bit. The air was tense and depressing.
Piko meanwhile just watched everything. He didn't move much except to sit at one point. He glanced at his sister a few times noticing her express excitement, then worry, and finally complete nervousness. His ears perked up at the mention of his name. He didn't want to leave. He needed to know what would happen with his fathers. He couldn't leave now. Though it appeared from what he could see things were bad. His dad was fidgeting and dodging Ari's looks. He sighed and gotting up slowly. If they were asked to leave he would do so. Maybe they did need alone time. Hopefully not a lot.
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Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2009 3:57 pm
Thea nodded quickly and turned back to the newcomers - Rime and Aara, her Aara -, giving them a smile.
"This way, please," Thea said, managing to regain her composure as she walked away. Please let them be okay, Thea silently prayed, looking up at the moon as she did so. Please. We need this.
Sighing to herself softly, Thea turned back to the group - she was pleased to see that Sieg and Lila (when had she gotten here?) were following; they had taken the not-so-subtle-hint -.
"These are the Lunarie lands, as you've realized," Thea began with a chuckle. She continued to lead them around the lands for a few minutes until they ended up by the main caves.
"I'm sure Kazuki and Ari will be here soon," Thea said as she sat, smiling lightly at Aara as she wrapped her tail around the vixen's. Maybe this night wouldn't be so bad after all...
"Mitoooooraaaa!" Vitali called, wading through the snow. Where the heck was she?! Grrr, he needed to find her soon...He missed her so much, it wasn't even funny. 'Sides, he'd promised he'd visit her, right? That is, assuming that he didn't get attacked and killed on sight by her semi-overprotective dad...
"'Tora, where are youuu," 'Tali said, letting out a low whine. He was just about ready to give up and go back to Vitani when he spotted something. No, lots of somethings! Foxes!
"Mitora!" Vitali called, suddenly finding more energy. He let out a joyous laugh and bounded over to the girl, grinning from ear to ear. "ToraToraTora, I found you! I said I would and I did!" He laughed as he tackled her again, nuzzling noses with her as soon as he could.
"Didja miss me?"
Well, this day just got more and more interesting, didn't it?
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Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2009 7:09 pm
He did want to spend time with his family. With Kazuki and his--no, their--children.
But now wasn't the time. Business now. Personal later, once the tribe matters had been sorted. And Ari ignored the nagging little voice at the back of his mind, that asked if the tribe matters were ever sorted, if they would ever be sorted.
"I think it would be best," Ari said, as he turned to face his children. "Just for a little while."
He waited for them to leave, before even considering speaking again.
He waited some while after that, before he had the courage to speak again.
"Kazuki..." he started, and then stopped. He couldn't do this.
He could do this.
He had to do this.
"Kazuki," he tried again, "I need to know where we stand. As elders of this tribe. Will you continue to help lead this tribe?"
It was halting, and awkward, and there were a thousand things wrong with it, but it was what needed to be said, no matter how poorly it was executed.
And so Ari waited, anticipating the answer he feared the most.
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Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2009 3:22 pm
Yuchia nodded and moved away from her parents. She looked to her brother to see him follow. They caught up with the group. Yuchia smiled at all of them.
"So how have the lands been since we left?" Yuchia questioned with curiosity. She wondered if their father, Ari, had been able to manage alone. She was also wondering how everyone was fairing. It then hit her, where were her other siblings. She followed after Thea and the others curious as to how much had really changed since they had been gone.
Piko followed after his sister but once he notice her no longer checking to see if he was following he stopped. He turned to watch his fathers. His tail twitched in nervousness. Sitting down with some difficulty due to his body being stiff and nervous, he watched his fathers from afar. He wished he could hear what was going on. Though he figured if he paid enough attention he could figure out what was going on. There he stayed silent and waiting. He also inwardly hoped for the best outcome for both his parents.
Kazuki nearly whimpered as his children moved away. Now he was alone with Ari. The one person in this world that he probably hurt the most. The air was thick with tension. He swore he could feel the tension between them both on his fur. He still was refusing to look Ari in the eyes. His ears jerked up when they heard Ari's voice. His body stiffen to the point where he couldn't move. He excepted anger, yelling, anything...but this.
Slowly Kazuki rose his head to look at his mate. There was confusion written on his face that and maybe disbelief. Slowly as if in slow motion Kazuki stood up still looking at Ari. He took in a deep breath.
"IS THAT ALL YOU HAVE TO SAY!" Kazuki even surprised himself at his out burst. His eyes were wide and looking slightly puffy. He couldn't believe that the first thing Ari would say to him would be something as ridicules as that. Chances are what bothered Kazuki more was how calm Ari was. Looking away trembling just slightly Kazuki continued.
"I mean I expected you to be angry, yelling even, and instead you question me about my eldership!? What about us?! Our relationship!? Does that not matter at all!? Do I not matter?! I have been gone for months! Months! And all you can ask me is am I going to be an elder still? Not even an 'are you alright', 'are you well', nothing! I mean agin I wouldn't have minded if you were mad but your not!" Kazuki now was visibly shaking and he looked angry, but in his eyes were a sorrowful look. He wondered if maybe he was being selfish. After all the tribe did come first...but..just once he wanted himself to be number one in Ari's mind.
Kazuki was starting to feel slightly dizzy and had to sit down again lowering his head. His tail curling around him tightly. The snow covered ground was a spinning and his body was still shaking. He was getting way to worked up in his weaken state. It was then that Kazuki realized he had been crying. A pair of wet trails running from his eyes down his muzzle. He blinked confused only to quickly close his eyes as he let out a small and very faint whimper.
Piko jumped when he faintly heard and saw his dad yell out. He nearly was tempted to run over. He resisted and remained where he was just watching. His heart was heavy though, things were not going well.
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