It was the day before her daughter finally leaving. The coming of age, and like her mother did with her. She let her 'pick' her own path. Going off to live life and if she came back, she did. If not, then she would have to live with it. Her head raised as she stood silently at the mouth of the little den like cave they lived in.
She tried so so hard not to be emotional unlike her mate. So she took a time off from being a guard of others to spend with her.. Ears fanned back..
The female came out of her den and looked nervous. It was a huge day for her. She was going to leave her mothers' sides for the first time since she had been found. Part of the brown female didn't want to leave, but most of her was excited for the challenge. Things weren't hard for her since she came to live here with her mother's. She'd been taken care of all her life and never knew the hardships of hunting for herself. Sure, she knew how, but she wasn't sure if she could do it without help.
Ears flicking she walked over to her mother and pressed up against her sides, ears flat against here had. "Momma... You look sad!"
A soft sigh as she leaned her head in and licked the only tip of her daughter's side when she passed. "It's only that, I want the best but seeing you go.. its hard like any mother to do." Shaking her head. "If you head north, there is a river not too far out, watch for that, as there is a lot of-" Sighing again. "Sorry." She turned and slowly went to walk through the lands before the wilddog went on with her life outside this pack.
Her tail low almost like always but even lower now. "It's been a while since we had a walk like this hmm?"
Izipho nodded and nosed against her mother some more before pulling away and walking slowly. She knew her mother would follow suit. "It's been a long time.... The last time.. was when you found me out there. Remember? You used to say I was no good in a bush like where I was hiding. You always told me that I would grow into a strong dog like you and momma." She claimed the twins as her two mothers. No one could tell her any differently. She was unique like that. Who else had three females they could actually claim as mother? Not many others.
"I was going to follow the river aways and then see where that takes me. See where I can go. I have a feeling, mom, that... I won't... be coming back. I feel this is my forever goodbye."
Admittingly she followed almost directly in toe but with a least a step behind to show her that, she was really going to be .. alone. Slowly paced as to spend as much time as possible. "Yep. But now, you may very well blend, if you can keep your head down and match the bush."
Softly with a more relaxed voice. "It's never a forever goodbye. Like Subira says, we will all join as one someday." A lighter note to her voice. "But I will not deny you visiting, if you wish.. and if you settle in a place far from here.. I would like to .. know where.. Maybe when I can pass by? Heh. I can't help it." Following after her daughter.
"Well.... follow the river north, and it will take you to a pack called Peke ne, and south would take you to the pack of the mountains.. Both host some of our family, and I don't think they would mind aiding you in your travels? If you needed a place to stay.." Drifting as she said this.
She really, really didn't want to be completley alone. she hadn't been completely alone ever in her life. But this felt like a heavy weight on her whole body. She listened to her mother's words, stopping and turning to look at her before biting on the inside of her cheek. Peke Na. It sounded interesting. Maybe she'll go that way.
"I was thinking about heading north. Peke Na, you say? Yes... Maybe I'll go visit there and see what it is like." She stopped at the edge of the land they claimed and turned around to her mother. These were the final moments of their time together, unless she came and visited. It was a good possibility, visiting, but still. It felt.... final.
"......I'm glad you found me out there. Without you and momma, well... I'd ... I wouldn't be here."
She dreaded, oh did she dread going to the boarders for the first time to leave something behind instead of driving it away. Keep it close, was all she could think of but in her heart it said to let go. Even if sometimes, she would be distant she knew Izi knew.. that she loved her so much.
"We have family there... I heard it was a lovely place, you should at least go see it." Nodding as to reassure her a sign of some relief if she was in distress and near the lands.
"I... am glad I found you too.. You will always be my little pup. My first, and my heart." She lead her to the boarder, and like the fork paths, she stood right at the boarder. Facing her Izi.. "I wish you luck.. and all the blessings the spirits can give. As they look upon you and protect you on your way. As I knew this day would come sooner or later." As soft smile, a pethedicly sad one for a split second before recovering and standing tall.
Then.. she inhaled, to only bow her head to her daughter. This felt like.. a goodbye.. and it was making her heart ail but it had to be. "Your journey awaits.. and if you get cold, remember us, when you can't find food. Remember what I taught you and when you lose hope. Know.. that I am right here. Rooting for you, and your mothers are too."
Tears sprang to her eyes as she looked out and listened to her mom. Like a pup, she moved over and curled herself against the bigger female's side. Sniffling and whimpering, she shook her head and stayed like that for a few moments, breathing nice and deep. There were some things a pup had to do to ready herself for her journey into the big, huge world. Ahead of her, Izipho knew not everyone was happy like she was, not everyone tolerated wild dogs, and not everyone was going to look out for her. Her mother was her anchor, her everything. But she had to leave the safety of the den to figure out what she wanted to do with her own life.
It took long moments before she was composed enough to peel herself away from her mother and then sniffled again. "....I love you, momma.. I'll.. I'll come visit. And who knows. Maybe I'll... bring a mate and pups."
With that, her paws took the step over the boarder and into the wilderness that she'd never stepped paw in. She looked back and gave a smile, biting her lip. The urge to run back was so strong. ".....You can't watch me go... I'll cry!"
When her daughter unexpectedly came to her side. Her ears went up to attention, surprised in the way it happened. She had to fight the coiling protecting, so she stood there, letting her whimper and softly inclined her head in to the dog's neck. Sighing.. and holding her for just a little bit long. "I love you too.." Only but a whisper escaped her.
Tears begged to get out but it wasn't of any use to the other's future. It'd be hard.. But when she left her side, the gap that she made, left her feeling like she lost something. Just in that moment. Gulping to keep down the words she could say that could prevent her from leaving.
"Alright." Nodding, as she slowly walked backward a few steps, "I will be waiting for that day then." Bowing then slowly turned her head. It felt all so surreal as if she would now go to sleep and wake with her there. Snuggling her and teaching her.
"Be strong!" She huffed out before taking a few leaps in to the territory. If she went back it'd be harder, if she turned around it would be a heart ache. So when she got to the hill top. She just stood there.. looking at the pack. Ailing. "She'll be ok." She whispered to herself. That's when.. tears started to form, and slide down her face. Drip.... as she tried to stand tall and strong.
Her mother wasn't in her sigh anymore. Time to make her move into the unknown world. Green eyes looked back one last time and then she just ran. Izipho ran as fast as she could toward the river and followed it. Tears made it impossible to see clearly, so naturally she stumbled and fell a few times. Every time that happened, all the girl wanted to do was turn around and go to her mother for comfort. But she couldn't do that anymore. She would find her own place in this world and today was just the start.
[Fin!]
