A ||new|| beginning [Open]

[kikwiify]

With scents only of a loner, any wolf could see this land was unclaimed. It was beautiful, with a lake close by. Many deer to hunt, and few wolves around. A perfect place for any wolf. A place of peace. Especially for a new beginning. And that is why a pregnant female wolf, decided to occupy it. As a place to raise her pups in harmony.

Ashen wandered through the new territory. Looking for the perfect den. Her paws ached, but the trip from Lunar territory was worth it. She had stayed there a day or two to rest, hiding very well. Not being noticed until her way out. She had almost been caught and attacked, but she had ran fast enough. Getting past the territory markers before the other wolf had caught her.

And now, she was safe in loner lands. Which would soon be the place of her new pack. Which she would call Armina. A weird name, but it felt right. And the perfect feeling can't be denied. Even if it is strange. As she went along, Ash left scent marks. Signaling that this was HER land. And no one, unless they were willing to join the pack, would be allowed to enter. Entering without permission meant death.

Nightfall was close at hand, and Ash needed to find somewhere to sleep. Fast. Luckily, she found the perfect place. A cute little nook inside the root of a tree. Close to the lake. But not to close where high tide would get her, but Ashen had a beautiful view. A view that calmed the nerves. Something Ash needed right now. So she settled into the den, and gazed at the lake. Before dozing off, she howled. Signaling this was now, and would forever be her new home. And then her mind was relaxed, and she slowly fell asleep. Her first night as the alpha female of the Armina pack.

[OREO]

Hakiru lay stretched out in the shade of a tree, his colored fur ruffling slightly in the breeze. He was having the most magnificent dream of a vicious hunt, and was just about to sink his jaws into the kill when a new scent appeared, startling him from his sleep. The wolf jumped to his feet, alarmed at how close the other wolf had come while he was asleep. It was foolish for a loner to sleep deep enough that he did not know what was going on around him. He chastized himself angrily. He had become too accustomed to this area being empty, and had forgoten to take precautions, even though it would be a rude surprise to any wolf that tried to attack him while sleeping.

He tasted the wind again, brows furrowed for a moment before relaxing somewhat. It was a she-wolf, and alone. He feared her less because of that, as he was a massive wolf by size and few females compared to that. Only time would tell that though.
At least I am downwind.
He muttered to himself, stalking lightly forward as he would when hunting. He travelled upwards toward the scent, ears pricked with curiousity.

[kikwiify]

The sound of crunching gravel was apparent before the scent was. Considering the wolf was down wind of Ashen. Without even thinking, Ash jumped up. Her head turning towards the sound. A loud growl escaped her throat. This was her home now. And she would protect it. Even if she was by herself. She just hoped her unborn pups came to no harm. She was due any day now.

Growling louder Ash thought she should speak up. "Who are you and why have you entered my territory? Did you not hear my howl? I have claimed it as my own." She was usually sweet. But this was different. Someone was trespassing already! This would be a long night. She might have to go scent mark more of the territory before she slept again. To make sure no one else came into her home while she was asleep. Ash positioned herself so that she seemed more threatening. Most male wolves would have attacked a lone female by now, but if she was lucky, this male would not. Because she was pregnant.

[OREO]

Hakiru was finally close enough to see the shewolf when, crack, he stepped hard on a sharp rock and hopped forward reflexively. It did, unfortunately, make noise, and the male snapped to attention as he saw that the female had noticed him.

He almost recoiled with surprise at what he saw. This female was here alone.... and pregnant?
What was the meaning of this?
He wondered, eyes narrowed. She gave a fierce growl, and he was instantly reminded of how vicious threatened mothers could be. He lowered his head, not in submission, but to show that he did not mean to attack her, and examined the female's swollen belly with a bit of awe. Hakiru had never been near a pregnant mother before, loners did not tolerate such things. Then again, by the look she was giving him, neither would she.

"Who are you and why have you entered my territory? Did you not hear my howl? I have claimed it as my own."
Came her voice. He added his own to the discussion hesitantly, not desiring to disclose much information.
I am from around these parts. He growled in return. And as for your questions, I have been in this area for a quarter moon now, and was sleeping when you came upon me.

[kikwiify]

Ashen was shocked. She came upon him? She had not even passed him. And when this male had walked up, she had been asleep. But by the way his head was lowered, it told her she was not going to be attack. So she relaxed. Her bulging belly falling to the ground when she laid down. Her tired form not being able to support the weight of her belly much longer. "I came upon you? I was asleep when you walked up." She said. No longer growling. This male was not going to hurt her. Why act mean when she really wasn't? "You may stay in my territory if you would like. If you join my pack. I need a strong wolf to patrol the borders and keep my pups safe." Ash stated. And it was true. She needed another wolf to keep the scent marks fresh, and to protect her pups. They, of course, would be the heirs to the pack. So they needed to be protected. And this male fit the bill. "I'm Ashen by the way. But you may call me Ash. And this territory now belongs to the Armina pack." She continued. "You can either stay, or go. But I am going to sleep now. I had a long day of traveling. And I am very tired." Getting back up and going into her den. Curling up with her head on her paws.

[OREO]

You were close enough to have basically come upon me. Hakiru growled, though his voice revealed a bit of a teasing nature. As is male nature, he felt a surge of protectiveness as she lowered her body heavily onto the ground.
You may stay in my territory if you would like. If you join my pack. I need a strong wolf to patrol the borders and keep my pups
He stared at her for a long moment, eyes narrowed and studying her face. If he left now, this female would be left all by herself, and though wolves were mighty predators in this area, there was no way that her and all of her pups would survive. Not without help.
Frustration glimmered across his mind for a moment as he contemplated what he had just gotten himself into. He could not tolerate pup sitting, and if she told him to do that, he was gone. Simple as that. But he could not in good nature leave her here by herself.
I will stay.
She introduced herself and the pack she had decided to claim, and doubt flashed across his mind again.
I am Hakiru, and thus far in my life I have been claimed by no group or land....
You intended to begin a pack... before your pups were born? Alone?

[kikwiify]

Ashen was almost asleep when Hakiru introduced himself and said he would stay. This was great! A new pack member. And a strong male at that. But by the look on his face, he did not like pups. You won't have to pup sit. I will be here to do that Ashen said. Her mind exhausted. Ignoring Hakiru's question. Just because she was a female, and pregnant, she was not weak. She could defend herself pretty well. Just not right now when she was pregnant. Soon after finishing her sentence, Ash was asleep.

[OREO]

Oh old boy, you've done it in for yourself this time... Hakiru thought to himself. His disposition illed slightly as she fell asleep right in front of him until he checked himself. This female looks as if she has had a long, hard journey and needed the rest anyhow, especially how close she was to birthing. And God he hoped he wouldn't be around when that happened. The thought of the entire birthing process gave him the willies, and he would hate to act odd to her in a time of distress like that.

He sat for a moment, watching the terrain around them, then stood again as his belly growled. He trotted off good naturedly, the though of a hunt raising his spirits at once. Hunting and fighting: the two things he was actually good at. All other things seemed to escape him, but those two were all he really needed to survive. He followed a trail until he came across a den of unattended rabbit's young, which he promptly dug out and devoured.

It was not much, but it would satisfy him for a little while. And, he thought to himself. I ought to bring a bite back for the alpha. He settled over in the bushes nearby downwind of the rabbit nest and waited. After dozing for a few hours, the scent of the returning parents came upon him. They squealed as he lept out of the bushes, no down scaring other prey away from that area, but he quickly killed the doe and picked up the body, looking back in the direction where the father disappeared to before heading back up to where his Alpha lay.

[kikwiify]

It was a beautiful view. On the cliff side with Shadow. They always sat there in the mornings. Overlooking the sunrise. Ashen cuddled up close to her mate. Smiling. Life was always much simpler. Suddenly, everything shifted. Ashen was sitting in their den. Shivering. Scared. Waiting. Like she had been for two days. The snow on the ground starting to fall. Then, alone in her den, she had decided to leave. To scared and cold to be alone in the den anymore.

Ashen jolted awake. Whimpering. Even the smell of freshly killed rabbit did not calm her. Her Shadow. Gone. They were just sitting on the cliff side. When Hakiru came up with the rabbit she took it gratefully. "Thank you" She had whimpered. But did not look up. Just biting into the rabbit and thinking. The memories had always some how found her. Even when she had not been thinking of Shadow. And now, she would not be able to go to sleep again. "Hakiru, get some rest. I'm going on a walk." She ordered. Hakiru did look like he needed sleep. And a wolf could not function very well while tired. Leaving her pack mate, Ash went on her walk. Scent marking every tree. Making her pack boundaries known. And at one point, howling again. Telling all strange wolves not willing to join her pack to leave.

[OREO]

Hakiru watched cautiously as she stirred uncomfortably in her sleep. The misses is having a nightmare by the looks of it. He mused to himself. He hated those nights, you woke up feeling sometimes more tired than when you went to sleep.
He considered waking her up for a moment before tossing that notion aside. A pregnant female was not to be reckoned with, and he knew that if anyone woke him up from an ill dream they'd be missing an eye before he came to his senses. And since she had been traveling alone and protecting herself, Hakiru felt no need to loose fur by her, at least not this early on in the game. So he simple lay down nearby and continued dozing, ignoring the tempting smell of the juicy rabbit.

When she awoke he merely stirred, waiting until she spoke to bother to nod his head in acknowledgement of her thanks.
She ordered him to get some sleep, which he gave a sharp frown at.
I think not misses, I have lived with the rogues from around here too long to simply let a she-wolf in your condition walk off unaccompanied. Some borders around here are more dangerous than others, and I know the area pretty well, as I have been living here. Not only that, it would rest ill on my conscious if something happened to you while out on your own. Pups are vital for the growth of a pack, and I have been resting most of the day so far.

So instead of staying, Hakiru rose and headed after her, keeping enough space between them to not make her uncomfortable but close enough that he could react quickly to anything that demanded it.

[kikwiify]

Do you want Hakiru to be the beta male?

Annoyance rested on Ashen's shoulders. But also the feeling of pride. She had a loyal pack mate. Even though he seemed like he didn't think she could handle herself, he was worried about her. And that made the alpha female proud. She did not protest, just continued on her walk. Every little bit marking the boarders and sniffing for trespassers.

Halfway through the walk, Ashen howled to mark the territory more. But with more force. She hoped Hakiru would join her in howling, which would make her pack seem stronger. Which the Armina pack needed right now. Strength. And if more wolves joined her pack, strength would not be a problem.

Ashen was starting to feel tired again. Although she knew she would not be able to sleep again, she would need to rest. So she sniffed for danger, didn't find any, and then laid down beside a tree. "I just need to rest for a little while. I should be fine. You can go back to the den if you like. I may be pregnant, but I can defend myself." She spoke up. Her voice showing she was tired, yet serious.

[/blockquote]

[OREO]

Hakiru followed her steadily, his mind whirling with thoughs. This was the first pack that he had ever cared to join, and as per why it was that he had joined it, he had no idea. He knew little about interpersonal interactions with masses of other wolves, as he had lived alone nearly his entire life. Although, being that for the time being he would not need to worry over that, It was just him and the she-wolf until the pups arrived, and unless other pack members joined at that time he would spend much of his time hunting and providing for her while she tended to the pups.

That was another new experience. He had never been around pups, and he was almost concerned by how he would handle it. The thoughts of pups around almost frightened him, and that was difficult to do. What about tending to them, was he allowed to leave and hunt or did he stay and protect them? The sharp howl emitted from her maw scrambled his worried thoughts and he raised his voice with hers, the sound swelling upwards into the sky.

After Ashen commented on needing rest and laid down, Hakiru stood for a while before laying down in the shade of a tree nearby. He understood that the female could protect herself, but as the only two wolves in the pack there was safety in numbers. Even a couple of rogues could band together while the pack was in this weak state and destroy them, opening up the land for more rogues to live amonst the territory. So until they had more pack members, which Hakiru didn't mind waiting some time for, he would stay nearby the female.

[kikwiify]

OOC::Hehe. Time for her puppies. XD So.... do you want Hakiru to be the pack beta?

It had been a long day. Ashen had wandered around in the early morning hours, until after sun down. And then, she had found the perfect home. A nice bit of territory with a big lake, and a nice den. And now, she had a new pack member, and her pups were on the way. Wait... HER PUPS WERE ON THE WAY!

A sharp pain went through Ashens frame. Her maw opening and a howl was released. Her mind thinking of what to do. She knew one thing, she had to get back to the den. "I need help getting back to the den." She panted. Standing up. Her legs shaky as she started walking back towards the den. She cringed as another contraction went through her body. Not a bad one, but it hurt.

Suddenly, her mind relaxed. And she went into a calm state. She was calm enough to walk correctly, run even. So she really didn't need Hakiru's help. And soon enough, Ashen was back at her den. Collapsing in the back of the roots. Where the roots were thick enough to keep all water from dripping through. Safe enough for the pups.

Sorry, the reply sucks. But i have no muse for Ashen at the moment.

[OREO]

ooc// sure, Hakiru would love to be beta male

Hakiru slumbered peacefully, his mind enjoying the open blackness it brought him. No thoughts. No worries. No desires to tempt his mind or body. Just peace.
Not often was it that he had such sense of.... well, quiet. It was quite noisy in his head sometimes, especially when sleep allowed the things of his subconscious to take control.

"I need help getting back to the den."

Hakiru blinked once or twice and looked up at her, a bit confused until her panting and stressed demeanor startled him into a completely awake state.

"Whats wrong? Are the pups okay?"

Concern overtook his face as he immediately sprang forward and placed his shoulder underneath hers, supporting her weight in a manner that still enabled them to move quickly forward.

[kikwiify]

Ashen panted harder as she walked. Her breathing labored. "The pups... are... coming." She panted. Grateful for her pack mates support. It seemed a little early for the pups to be coming, but not to early. Hopefully they would be okay. She knew one thing for sure. She needed to get back to the den. If not, her pups will be born in the open. A very dangerous thing. And she did not want her pups in danger.

Especially when Ashen couldn't defend her pups herself. At least she had the help of Hikaru. It would be a lot harder without him. "I'm grateful you are here. Things would be much more complicated without you." She panted. Trying not to put to much weight on him. At the moment she was pretty heavy, and to much weight could kill even a muscular brute like Hikaru. And that would not be good. Not good at all.