Redtail Rise LVI

mountain boulder had been in the bloodwood again. he had found several potential whelping dens for new snow; now he needed only to bring here there for the decision, and if it was in the bloodwood's favor, see her choice of spaces.

he did not return to the rise empty-jawed; a long hare swung limply in his mouth. the huntlead cached the animal nearest red woman's own last known location and then took to the borders, punctuating the marks of she and thorn caller with his own, forming a thick and unmistakable wall of claim around the rise.

snow softly began to blow through the air as mountain boulder loped through the burned place.

Winter was fast approaching. She could smell it in the air, but it was not yet cold enough—even with the snow—to be bothersome. New Snow dozed in the burnt woods, restoring some energy from her own failed hunt (she had been chasing marmot—the last of them, before they hibernated). The thing had found its burrow and escaped her, even though she had tried to dig it out.

She lay next to the earth she had torn apart in the failed effort. 

The snow that came melted against the heat she put off. New Snow heard the heavy footfalls of another, but it was the scent that caused her to stir. Still half-dozing, her tail began to beat against the earth as he came closer and closer.

her moving pale plume beckoned his eye, but by scent he knew that new snow was here.

her mountain boulder dropped to his belly and slunk closer, wrapping himself around her smaller frame until his nose was nestled in her guard hairs, his foreleg draped across her side.

his body relaxed swiftly. 

he brought her the scent of the bloodwood where he had often been.

One golden eye snapped open, the other remained closed against the earth as she heard the leaves break beneath broad paws. His steps became softer, and she hoisted herself up partially, using a foreleg to support herself. As he wrapped around her, her tail wagged all the more; she moved to greet him, though ended up flopping against him and rolling onto her back to look up at him. 

And she smelled the forest they had gone to when tensions were high! That soothed her as much as he himself did, and she let loose a questioning whine. His scent often carried that place as of late!

mountain boulder preened tangles from behind new snow's ears where she could not reach. 

i have found many dens.

her question received a touch to her chin, and he breathed the scent of good dark earth into her awareness, the fragrance of protected shelters and deep bowers.

it would, he hoped, inspire memories of small pups at her side.

New Snow let out a contented noise, rolling back onto her belly and nuzzling herself further against him, tilting her head just so to give him access to the spots she could not reach. Her rear leg began to happily thump against the earth as he found one particular spot that both tickled and felt phenomenal. 

But when he paused, she pressed her nose against him and drank in the scents with a deep inhale. Deep, dark spaces—she withdrew, huffing and licking her chops as she tilted her head. 

She saw the future, but had not thought of it outside of here until then. Her ears pricked as she inched impossibly closer to him. 

Nose pressed to nose, New Snow shared this breath with him. And then she withdrew to paw at him, rising to a stand, nipping at his eartips—show me!

new snow was elated. her anticipation brought mountain boulder up; his tongue lolled with an excitement he only showed to his mate.

he nipped at her shoulder and then set off, frisking in a boyish way as he and new snow crossed the border, keeping smooth pace with one another.