Northstar Vale Childhood Dreams

keeping vague since Takeshi's death is still in progress! Maybe @Isadora ?

Numb. Everything was numb.

Days, no, weeks have passed though it was hard for her to tell. Every night the girl struggled to close her eyes, struggled to convince herself it was safe. First Reiko, then Takeshi, both had been stripped from her life, though perhaps it was for the best...she wouldn't let her thoughts wander long enough though to answer why. Only the light of day felt safe now.

Empress.

A title too heavy to bear. Hotaru was barely capable of taking care of herself let alone a whole pack. Oh how @Haruki complained too, but even if he was more capable the truth was neither of them could lead. Maybe that was one reason she slunk away from her den at the earliest rays of light, to hide from the truth, to embrace the comfort and warmth of the sun. One thing was certain, being near anyone brought waves of anxiety, especially the adults. 

Most of the time she wandered aimlessly, exploring the farthest reaches of the Empire where she assumed she would be safe from interaction. She'd follow the endless streams that crisscrossed through the vale a dull curiosity of their origin and end squashed behind the static of her mind. Today was no different as careful paws found one of the thicker water veins to travel along.