Swiftcurrent Creek Fear of Sleep

'Fox is gone.'

The fire in her eyes faded as Njal reminded her that Fox was not present, vanished during the raid on Sunspire's borders. How was it even possible? "She could come back," Tuwawi reflected in a quiet voice, unsure if their president was merely injured, hiding out, or worse. No one had found their young leader yet, dead or alive. The fiery youth was a beacon at Swiftcurrent's helm, though her bold and fickle nature often let the pack into danger. The cougar, Jace and Ferdie's banishment, their desire to rid the mountains of Sunspire... and what was it all for? Surely, Fox must have acted to protect the pack; but to Tuwawi, their alpha's actions did little to benefit the rest.

Tuwawi's flinched, but Njal's careful grooming eased her. 'This place is unsafe, it is leaderless, and I do not think I can follow another child,' her responded, referring to Bazi's potential acquisition of the alpha slot. As their beta, she was the natural shoe-in, but like Njal, Tuwawi had her doubts. How shrewd Bazi had been at the hasty banishment of Ferdie and Jace, when Tuwawi had expected her support. The pallid female was a wildcard. She liked her enough as an individual - the two of them got along smashingly well, bonding over the vices and trials of womanhood. Bazi was her most common visitor at the den, and a skilled outrider for the pack. But as their sole leader? Tuwawi did not want it... but neither did she want to usurp the position. Insurgency wasn't her style, especially if it would hurt someone she had grown close to.

The responsibility and power of leadership often changed a wolf. How would Bazi act in the spotlight? If they asked for her aid like Njal suggested? Would they be deemed traitors? It was that uncertainty that burdened Tuwawi's image of Bazi. "Mmm," she hummed as her mate spoke, "I agree."

Waiting for their children to grow strong enough seemed like a gamble. As parents, Njal and Tuwawi were the only wolves alive who could guarantee their children's safety. "I fear if we wait too long, we will miss our opportunity. Or worse," she said, echoing her mate's unspoken fears. "I cannot predict how Bazi would act, but I think she is the only one we can ask. The others... I do not know them well," and what sane pack members would willingly escort their own off the territory? They didn't have many friends amidst the ranks... which was another pro for moving out of the creek. "I want our children to enjoy the world around them. Even if Swiftcurrent starts healing... it will be a long while before things are right again," she thought aloud, casting a pensive glance to her husband, sitting down.

"Perhaps you could talk to Bazi about it? I can scan the North. I'm fast. The children can eat meat now... they should be fine without me for a few days," she suggested, cupping her ears towards Njal, interested in his response. Tuwawi was loathe to leave her babies... but a mother had to do what a mother had to do, and Njal was a better bodyguard than she. But what if it all went sour? What if Bazi rejected their inquiry? Tuwawi could barely predict their future.