Bearclaw Valley Play with me, I wanna go find you

The press of Xan's head against her shoulder sent a hot zing through her bloodstream. A pulse of adrenaline, and her heartbeat raised. Nanook placed her head in a position mirrored to Xan's and readied herself. She could feel every inch of her body, every blade of grass against her legs, the heat of her brother against her skin. She fixed her thoughts of the stick before her, on the smug smile across Xan's lips, and the face of her father steadily watching them both.

Still, she was not prepared for Xan's forceful push when papa called for them to start. Nanook staggered back, but before he could shove her any further, the grey girl braced her hind paws against the ground and brought she and Xan to a stop. Her body quivered, and for a moment they lingered in a stalemate. Nanook's breath came fast and her heart poured rhythm into her ears. Without giving time for dismay to take hold, she redirected her weight along her haunches, shoulders, and spine and pushed. At first her brother still moved against her, but slowly she slipped her forepaw forward, then the other, and slid them closer to the stick placed on her brother's side.