The dark Rikudou had roved through the night, covering the borderlands on repeat until the sun's colors split the darkness bit by bit. By then, the purpose in her step slowed down and she took up a more casual, meandering pace to take in the scenery in a much more leisurely way. All was quiet on the mountainside.

There was much to consider, and she weighed her options carefully. She debated a hunt, or perhaps retiring for a rest before the afternoon came to hunt later, or attempt to gather some of what she thought to be beneficial herbs to make a better stock for winter.. or maybe she ought to pursue any wolves in particular. She wondered how Rain fared, how Lilly was settling, or even how Vienna was doing in her outriding prospects, so on and so forth. Naturally, there was much to occupy her thoughts. However, it was Jace who her path led her to. Her tail swayed slowly in a greeting. It is, she agreed, having caught just the last breath of his words. I have long felt the views here to be some of the best in the region, of both the nighttime and daytime skies, she smirked.

Her tail maintained its slow wag, although her ears splayed back when he spoke of an apology. Amekaze did not necessarily see the need right away, although looking at him, it was clear it had been weighing on him anyway, so she didn't aim to discredit him. Ah, it is fine, do not fret. You are here, and your presence on this mountain is still unmistakable. Plus, I knew you have been healing on top of all else. It has been an.. odd time for me, as well, so she did not fault him. It had given her a good chance to figure out herself as well.

On top of searching for Ferdie, I was trying to adjust to the new role and establish myself all at once. But, my searches have since discontinued and.. as much as I hate to say it, I feel more settled without trying to overwork myself. She had her eyes settled skyward, although the thoughtful words came from the heart. It was what the mountain and I both needed, although I still hate to think of Ferdie lost and gone.. She felt comfortable explaining this to Jace; he would understand it better than most, and not just because of their shared ties to Ferdie.

There was no surprise to hear he had given up much the same. It seemed they felt the same way. Amekaze nodded just a little. Mhm, it is.. true. Perhaps there just is nothing left of him to find, thus why we have all turned up nothing.. she glanced away from Jace as she said this, feeling half-frustrated at herself for forming any sort of attachment to Ferdie and then for thinking of such a fate out-loud. But, it was a very real possibility and they were now left to move on without him. Whatever the case, we have gotten along well enough without him I think. Between the both of them, they were certainly not lacking. Sure, it may have been iffy at points for them both with she, an inexperienced alpha and him, still healing on top of all else.

It has been good to see the pack growing a little as well, although some of ours.. have just not stuck as I thought they might. She frowned, thinking of the bright-eyed Akita and Aleera, who had been one she had been growing fond of as well. Then again, she had also not seen nor heard from Hawkeye (another one of Ferdie's strange matters he had left her with) personally. Which, she was not complaining. Amekaze had not really wished to confront that topic. I have welcomed a few promising faces, though.. she mentioned, looking for his thoughts on any new recruits. Vale and Rain were the ones that came to mind for her.

To have a chunk of the member-base show up only to leave again not long after did seem odd to her, especially when they were wolves that had said upon joining that they would lend this place their loyalty and support in exchange for a home and pack, but she was growing more used to the idea whether she liked it or not. It was only a part of it all. She nodded subtly, thoughtful then as she considered Sumayl and Cuan -- both smells she had seen around, and Cuan had been at the puppy introduction, but Amekaze did not know either personally. I need to get to know them both better, she murmured, although noted what he said about Vienna.

Rain is promising, I believe, Ame mentioned, for she believed the female to be of sound mind and body. Valerius is another recent addition, although I doubt you have met him yet. He came to the borders injured -- a cougar's work, too, so I was curious, but not seriously. I know he has been laying low to heal. She remembered well his offer to help in tracking down the offending cougar. It was a large part of why she had accepted him with ease despite his wounds. But he was not necessarily a burden to the pack, even roughed up as he was. Time would heal it. Both are interesting, and I am curious who else we will find before winter settles..

Her expression was darkened and distant at the thought of the cougar still as she nodded. So it would seem, she murmured. I cannot be left to terrorize. Valerius said he left it with a few wounds, and my hope is that.. he may be able to help track it once he has healed, she added with a huff. While she did not worry about the Sunspire itself, because if it came here, they would show it their fullest might.. but instead, she was concerning wolves could be sprung upon by it when they traveled alone. With a handful of outriders and matters needing attending beyond the pack territory, it was not possible to keep them all here all the time.

She then thought of winter with a somber nod of her head. Ferdie's intentions had been to secure a mate and bring forth puppies by the springtime -- as Alpha, and all that, and while she had not resonated with his obsessive rush towards it, she had recognized it as secure Alpha thinking. Now that it was passed onto her, she was not sure what to do with the notion. Her priority remained the pack's strength, and thinking beyond that seemed unnecessary. We will have to see what happens, she breathed. With them together, and their core of wolves that had stayed despite others leaving, she had faith.

More patrols, definitely, she answered first with a nod, but the next required a bit more consideration. While she could support the idea of never letting any leave alone, it did not seem always possible. And, her comrades were not weak or particularly idiotic. She felt like restricting them too much, even if it was for their own good, was bound to be stifling. She would be adverse to the idea if the tables were turned. And I would suggest the notion of never leaving alone, and if they must, to be exceptionally aware of the possible threat. They could not spread themselves too thin, though. This was her concern.

We will find out more soon, I think.. she said, having a feeling that after a break in the search that to face it with renewed vigor and new noses on the situation they may have better luck. She shifted her thoughts, hackles stiffening at the idea of the cougar and the thrill of possibly killing it. Naturally, she was most enthralled by that notion. I want to.. track it better with Valerius very soon but if it is stupid enough to come to this mountain ever, it will not leave. She could up the patrols to ensure this but she could not always maintain control over what happened beyond the mountain, and she feared attempting would only frustrate her.

Anyway, she chuffed lightly in response and felt a flicker of vague pride at his words. I intend to do this pack and mountain justice, to be the leader they deserved. So many here had become practically her family in just the few months she had known them. Come spring, she wanted to see them flourishing and prospering just as they ought to be upon these slopes.