The place attracted him, the nightmares seeming as steep and looming as the peak itself. His gait moved in sync with his thoughts, fast and hard. His forehead was wrinkled, his eyes sharp on the land. It was uneven, yet after a few weeks of almost hiding out and avoiding everyone, he had found a path through the burnt stumps of the trees that once resided here. Hot, he paused in his steps, looking down the peak. His back hip twinged from a minor injury he had got a week ago, yet he ignored it, admiring the view, even tho it was blackened. He didn't want to come down. The quiet was almost haunting, and he missed his siblings more than he cared to admit, yet he hesitated going back, knowing the anger he would probably face. It would be worse the longer he waited, and that thought made his paws to continue down the slope, sliding sometimes, the path worn out and thin. Almost sitting down on his haunches at one point, his sense of adventure and risk made his large ears perk as he slid, then jumped, almost going off the edge, scrambling barely back on the smooth rock.
Pushing thoughts away, he came to the bottom of the mountain and turned east, knowing where his siblings would be. He looked back up to the peak, and it seemed to beckon him back into solitude and his thoughts. But, taking a deep breath, he took a step and then another, determination set on his face now. He had thinned out, and it could be seen, his thick coat shedded in the past few weeks. Sitting down, he licked his hip, trying to soothe the deep ache in it. Yet he did not pause long, knowing the temptation to hide away was too strong to stop for very long. Picking up his pace, his ears swiveled forward, an almost unnoticeable limp in his back leg. He steeled himself for the anger and concern coming and continued towards the place his siblings called home.
Her patrol of their new territory had taken her outside their northern borders and into the valley she frequented. When she had come to western edge of the forested vale, a familiar scent entered nostrils--Tomkin. She began to follow it west towards the peaks visible in the distance. The task seemed all too familiar, and she found herself a little irritated that she was yet again tracking down her wayward brother. She hadn't seen him much since arriving at the glacier, and it confused her. He had been with them every step of the way on their trek across the wilds, but once settled, his presence had been scarce. She was somewhere between hurt and angry but hadn't had much time since being made second to really figure out what was going on with her littermate.
But when she picked up his trail, she couldn't ignore it, and she followed it for miles until she reached the charred forest at the foothills of a mountain. As she made her way farther into the trees, she finally saw him. With a chuff, she moved towards her sibling, stopping when she had come to stand in front of him. Brother, where have you been? I've barely seen you at all,
Taki asked, hurt and concern on her face. She thought she finally had him back, but now that they had a home and a pack of their own, he hadn't been there to share it with her or the rest of their family. She needed to know why.
Stopping to look up at the peak once more, he turned back in front of him only to hear and see his sister coming up to him. A mixture of emotions flowed through him, but he kept his place, watching her until she had stopped in front of him. Her question and look on her face made him pause, but he answered honestly as always, trying to curb his bluntness, a courtesy he only used on his family. I had some trouble sleeping, and the pups weren't helping....in more ways than one.
Looking away for a minute, he was quiet, wondering what all he should tell her. His hips twinged, and he winced, but covered it up quickly and spoke again, his voice serious and low. They reminded me of what I was chased away from, and nightmares aren't any fun. I went to find some solace. Everyone was busy, and I didn't want to take any attention away from the pups. I found a small peak that gave me a bit of peace, and the nightmares have dwindled, but the thoughts are still there. I keep wondering....
He trailed off and nuzzled her gently, hoping he hadn't pushed her away, but knowing it was what he had needed to do. It had helped a bit, although missing his siblings hadn't.
Her brows drew together in concern when he said he hadn't been sleeping well. She understood that; her busy mind constantly kept her from getting adequate sleep. She was confused as to what the pups had to do with it, though. But when he went on to explain how they reminded him of his own children that he was forcefully driven away from, everything clicked. Damn, how had she not seen that? She had been too preoccupied with her own shit to even think about what he might be going through. All anger she had about the situation was gone and was replaced by guilt and concern.
Shit, Tom. I'm sorry...I didn't even realize...
she replied worriedly, returning his affection. What can I do to make things easier for you?
she asked, preferring actions to words; they were the only way she knew how to show she cared. She wanted him stay in their territory more but wanted him to feel comfortable while he was there.
Relief let him relax a bit as she nuzzled him. But his thoughts still plagued him, and he gave her a shadow of a smile, the look of weariness on his face. Shaking his head, he stepped back and shook, his now thinner coat showing every muscle. There's not much to do for troubled thoughts. I just need to keep busy, and even though this little break helped a little, it might do me good to go back and start helping out others instead of focusing on myself.
Shifting on his feet, he looked over her, seeing if she was physically okay. The heat had taken a toll on him, making it hard to sleep and stay asleep, not like he wanted to anyway with the things in his head. She looked good to him, and her presence gave him a bit of comfort. Licking her cheek as a gesture of being sorry, as he had since he was a small cub, he caught her gaze and held it, love and concern in his voice and eyes. How are you doing? How is everyone else? Siarut? Shivali?
He cared for all of them, yet his thoughts over the past weeks had been turning more and more to the three siblings he was closest to, and since one of them was standing in front of him, he was anxious to hear about the others. Regret twinged at his heart, knowing he should be there to ask them himself. As their names passed his maw, he realized how much he had missed talking to them, and he was ready to go to them.
She nodded at his reply. Well, there's plenty to do.
she said. She certainly never had a shortage of things to keep her busy, so she was sure Tom would be able to do the same. The smile reserved for family only spread across her face when she felt the familiar lick on her cheek. I'm okay. just trying to deal with the pressure of helping Sia lead the pack,
she answered with a shrug as she looked away. She still wasn't sure he had made the right choice. Sure she was protective and strong, but she was not friendly to anyone she didn't trust, and she pretty much always said whatever was on her mind; neither of those things were qualities found in a good leader. But, like always, she trusted his judgement and had been trying to do her best, even going as far as to seek out the new members and see how they were settling in. Of course, they all still had to prove themselves in Taki's eyes, but she had at least opened up enough to allow them the chance to do so.
Sia is well. I think he also feels a lot pressure with being a leader, although I'm not sure he would ever admit it,
she said with a shake of her head. Her older brother was, at times, worse at expressing emotions than she was. Shiv is also doing well, especially now that we aren't traveling anymore,
Taki added a minute later. The travel to the glacier had taken its toll on everyone, but Taki felt like it wore the most on her older sister. Long journeys were hard on any wolf, so to be mother on top of that seemed like an impossible task, and she looked up to her sister for being strong enough to do that.
Taki touched her head to his cheek. Come home, Tom,
she pleaded. I've missed you and could use another patrol buddy,
she added with a small smile, the plea still present in her citrine gaze.
Her smile reassured him she was not upset with him anymore, and it made a soft grin set on his features. His eyes sharpened as he heard what she had been doing, going over her once again just to make sure. A bit of guilt pricked at him, but he pushed it back. He definitely needed to go back, if only for Taki. Pulling himself a bit higher, a state of protectiveness rose on his stance. They wanted and needed him to come back. As she spoke about the other two, his resolve to stay with his family this time strengthened, and he only nodded to her words. He had been in and out too long. He grinned slightly. Of course, Siarut wouldn't admit needing help. As far as he was concerned, he wouldn't need to. His close brother would have him. The understanding that they had was special, at least to Tomkin. A tug on his heart was felt by him as Shivali was mentioned. Pups. He wanted to get to know them. They were his nieces and nephews. He should be there for them, too.
A small smile graced his features at his sister's plea, and he nodded, resting his forehead against her cheek for a moment before giving her another slight lick and answering, his admission unusually affectionate. I've missed patrolling with you. It's been too long. Although the peak is a quiet place, I've missed the sound of my siblings' voices in my ears. Let's go home, Taki.
She smiled and bowed her head when he agreed to come back to the glacier. She turned and with a look over her shoulder, she checked to make sure he was following her. As they walked, she gave him a sideways glance and said, I'm fairly certain Sia will not be quite so forgiving,
her voice apologetic. She felt it fair to warn him, although she had a feeling he already knew. She was sure Sia wanted Tom home as much as she did, but her older brother would probably hold on to his anger a little longer. Taki, on the other hand, apparently had a soft spot for her brothers; an Achilles Heal she hoped no one ever found out about.
I know.
His voice spoke volumes in those two words; exhaustion, regret and acceptance rang through the soft spoken sentence, and he let the silence grow, thinking about what his brother would say. He hadn't run off. He should have stayed and spoke about his thoughts and nightmares. Yet he wasn't one to burden others with his problems. With that thought, he realized that without telling him, he had burdened everyone without him carrying his share of the load. Things crossed his mind, and he let them burn, a sad look resting on his face for a moment before wiping it off and smiling slightly at his sister.
He has every right to be upset. I didn't stay to carry my part. I just hope...
His voice faded, and he shook his head, a sigh escaping his maw, the usually happy go lucky attitude gone for the moment. Nuzzling her slightly, he began to lope quietly towards his brother and other siblings, a rare sight on the big beast.
Tom was right; he hadn't been carrying his weight, and that was partially why she had been mad at him as well. She had been just as mad as she knew Sia was, but their older brother would probably give him a harder time than she had given him. She wasn't sure what her littermate hoped for, but she hoped that the two brothers could get everything off their chests and move on. She wanted Tom home and for everyone to be on good terms. Taki knew Sia's anger was justified, though, and she would not step in between her two siblings as they worked things out; even if it did tug at her heart to see him distressed about the situation.
She returned Tom's affection with a nuzzle of her own before following him as he moved towards their home. When you get things all taken care of with Sia, come find me and I can take your mind of things with a spar.
she said, coming up beside him. She would walk with him as far as she could, but then she would leave him to deal with Sia on his own. It may seem harsh, but he didn't need her butting in, and they all understood their actions had consequences.
You can fade this if you would like, or I can on my next post. I've enjoyed this thread! :)
Giving her a lopsided grin for the nuzzle, the mention of a spar made his tail fan the air slowly. Sparring was one of his favorite things to do, especially with her. The memories of them sparring gave him a warm feeling as they continued to walk. Voice softer than usual, he spoke. I'd absolutely love that. I miss our old sparring sessions. It's been too long.
It had been too long, and he was already looking forward to the day when they sparred again. But before that came Sia. His older brother would be hard on him, and he didn't expect anything less. He had deserted them in the middle of a move with pups and new members and settling in. Loping, he moved a bit faster, hoping to get this over soon enough.
Me too! Let me know when you're ready for sparring thread! Should be fun. :)
The prospect of a spar with Tom excited her as well. it had been a while since they done so, and she looked forward to their next meeting. She walked next to him in silence for while, feeling tense as she imagined his meeting with Sia. When they came as far as she would take him, she gave him a firm nod and said,
Good luck, brother,
before offering him a reassuring nuzzle.
With one last look of encouragement, she turned and trotted towards home, thoughts of spending more time with her littermate causing excitement to bubble in her stomach once more. She hoped this time, Tom would stay permanently, but it would take some time for her trust that he wouldn't leave again. But they had time, and she was happy to spend it with her family in their new home.