Redtail Rise you will remember me, won't you

The morning mist blended him into the char of Raven Hollow.

He climbed over slick old fallen logs. Up the slopes that claimed this part of the rise, higher and higher. Eventually it felt as if he might leave the mist behind all together. The thickest of it collected upon lower slopes, but even the air up here held a certain...dampness.

His eyes scanned the charred forest. As if he might spot the roaming red figure of @Avicus from here in the winding mist.

there's life growing within her.

she'd vomited up half a hare, the other day, and knew. barebones as winter is, she didn't waste food. and she'd stared at the steaming pile of vomit and knew.

more pups. more warriors.

and gods and nature help them if they aren't as useful as her current trio.

she bumps into Prophet, having just cleared her mouth in the stream from a recent bout of emesis. her tongue and gums are cool, still, and she runs them along his cheek, tail wagging with pleasure upon seeing him.

perhaps he'd ask the question—

but perhaps he knows, already, too.

Perhaps it is knowing only in hope.

She had given them fine warriors and hunters from the year prior. He can see no reason why it would not happen again. Nature has ran its course and he feels comfortable to let it continue.

And so he held only a wordless welcome for the coolness of her tongue. He reached to nip along her cheek in both affections and respect. His tail waved behind him.

Then he motioned, inviting her to venture further into the charred area with him.

she sways a little in his touch along her jawbone, and then pulls away, teasing a bit. she follows him into the depths of the hollow named for her mother, eyes panning 'round the blackened stumps and earth here.

here, where disaster had struck.

yet, they've brought new life to the Rise, and more.

more, she repeats aloud, looking at him. smiling faintly. her tail wags, as she thinks he'll know what it means.

they're not kicking, yet, but it's only a matter of time before she spills her guts (literally) again.

More.

More...

Exhaled in a moment of realization. This is her confirmation that the time spent together had brought forth more children. Their children.

He reached eagerly with a soft sound in his throat. Hoping to swipe his tongue over her muzzle greedily.

she lets him kiss her muzzle, a few swipes 'round with his tongue, then pulls back, kicking her heels.

she feels good, despite the nausea, despite the impending weight upon her stomach.

hunt with me, she demands, nostrils already flaring. she dives into the depths of the charcoal forest, looking for small game. making her steps quiet, her presence small.

only glancing back once, wondering if he's with her.