Ready to tell? [Open]

[Anila]

-(OOC:This is before Izumi has her pups)-

Her paws pressed into the ground, "So soft!" She said with delight, her eyes glittered. The wolfess laid down, her bones ached so terribly, her stomach turned so easily making her nausiated, yet she had a larger appetite. "I would be surprised if no one has guessed, my sweet, beautiful darlings." She whispered, licking her rounding stomach. Her tail wagged and she whined in excite. "I do hope you will have Semei's beautiful fur! And his eyes! Oh thats one of his best qualities, you know?"

The pregnant Alphena smiled happily, laying down her head on the soft ground. "I wonder how many of you are growing so safely inside of me, could there be more then two? Five maybe? Would six be too much!" She thought for a moment. "Four, thats a good number, it will help our pack, we will still be able to feed you." She thought for a moment. "Oh, who cares! I will love you, no matter how much there are of you." She gave her stomach another lick, her tail wagging.

The Alphena has had a certain glow to her, her eyes have been twinkling, she always looks to the positive, and she has been even more elegant than before. Even just a few days ago when she went hunting with that pack, she ran swiftly, her stomach not slowing her down at all. "I haven't shifted in a while." Izumi whispered. She was afraid that if she did, it would affect her sweet bundles of joy.

Izumi closed her eyes, breathing in the fresh world around her, she had been coming her a lot lately. She stood, wincing, her muscles protested, wanting her to lay down again. "Oh, I am getting so fat! I hope I wont stay this fat forever!" She grinned. "But, I wouldn't mind, if it meant I got you." She was talking to her pups, something just made her feel less alone, and more important.

It wasn't like Izumi felt like she was unimportant to the pack, she was the Alphena and the second founder of it. It was just that she felt useless, the pack was growing steadily, with a reasonable number of pack members, but they still needed more. "Pup sitters, do we have enough?" She thought to herself, but pushed the thought away. She wasn't all that alone either in the pack, constantly surrounded by members, but she hadn't really talked to them, Semei did more of that. She wanted them to all know that she existed. She gasped, sniffing the air, was that someone else?

She turned, not knowing what to expect, "Hello?" She whispered, hoping she was not alone if something were to attack her.

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[Le Mad]

It was getting so cold. Droz noticed that occasionally the marshes would freeze in the biting air of night. They always melted to leave a pleasant scent about the Sunai Wetlands, but he knew it wouldn’t last long. Today was above the freezing temperatures, but not quite warm either. It was the kind of cold that waited for you to let your guard down, because it didn’t feel too cold. It was the kind that grabbed you once you didn’t mind it. The kind that kills.

And so, the black wolf with, the red stripe from his nose to his tail tip, was tracking his Alphena. He had been so overjoyed at the fact that there would be pups that he had trembled with excitement. He adored puppies. His tail even wagged at the thought as he trotted joyfully through the swampland. He loved it here. It was much better compared to the hot Akatsuki packlands. His violet eyes swept the land in front of him, and his nostrils flared. Where could she be? He sighed. She had to be somewhere around here.

He knew little about Izumi, his mysterious Alphena. He knew she was a bright and cheerie personality, and that she was the apple of Semei’s eye, but he didn’t truly know her. The beta snorted, almost frustrated. He’d been searching for hours. Either his nose was wrong or she adored walking winding, tricky trails. The thought brought a smirk to his maw. He couldn’t help it. And trotting on, he could almost feel himself growing closer to his Alphess. He raised his head, ears perked, scenting the air. Her scent was heavy with estrogen and therefore easy to track.

And then he heard the gasp. Yep, she was around here somewhere, and frightened. He knew she had gotten his scent; there were no other scents here but his and hers. Droz slowly trotted forward, his long Ibex horns glistening in what sunlight they got. He took on a look of respect and consideration, smiling and approaching her.

“Sorry, my Alphena. I apologize for startling you. I just wanted to make sure you were alright. You’ve been gone for quite a while you see…” He said, sheepishly, looking up at her with a lowered head.

[Anila]

Her eyes landed on him, relief flooded through her and she smiled. Ah, yes, I have been gone for a while. She looked up to the sky as if to search for answers. "It is fine, I am glad it is you, instead of something else." She looked back at him, her blue eyes full of relief. "I hope you haven't been searching for me too long, I do take rather confusing trails if you were to track me." She smiled sheepishly.

On her way here, she had walked slowly, looking up at the sights of the wonderful nature around her, the birds that haven't flown to warmer weather fly from tree to tree. She also foolishly chased a wonderful butterfly around, the butterfly was so elegant. The wings flapped effortlessly as the elegant bug landed on Izumi's petite nose. Izumi had smiled, her ears dropping, but the butterfly flew away before she could praise it for it's beauty.

A bluejay had flown about her and she saw it land in a next. She couldn't help but smile and continued to walk along till she came across a baby plant. The plant was fighting against the coldness, trying to grow. Izumi breathed hot air onto it, "Don't worry," She whispered. "You can do it..." She encouraged and continued one till she had made it to the marshes.

"It was... an interesting journey here," She placed her words carefully, then a thought crossed her mind. "Oh, did Semei want me?" Am I needed? The elegant alphena smiled softly, gently licking her fur into a smooth line as she waited the answer.

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[Le Mad]

He smiled, looking at her. It struck him hard, that Izumi was strong and devoted. She was going to be a great mother, he could tell. He listened to her speak, taking that as a signal that it was alright to sit down. And sit he did, letting out a short chuckle as she expressed her relief. She said she took winding trails, and who could blame her? Of course, this place was beautiful. He smiled, his eyes showing understanding, and a bit of smugness. So he had been right! He imagined her form wandering through the marshlands, her smiling face coming upon the canopies and undergrowth.

Suddenly, her expressions changed into a questioning manner. She asked him if Semei had called for her. His violet eyes seemed to flicker, as if they were sitting in front of fire, though none could be found.

“No, Alphena. In fact, I haven’t seen Semei in a few days. I don’t know where he’s been. Then again, I tend to wander our packlands..” He trailed off, pondering the pack’s territory before looking back at Izumi. He thought of the pups, and how they were stirring in her belly at this very instant. The thought made him smile, and he looked at her swollen stomach.

“How are you coming along?” He asked quietly.

[Anila]

She kept herself from sighing, forcing a soft smile. "Ah, yes, you are right, perhaps he is just wandering around too." Though, she hoped he was alright, she would hate it if something had happened to him. Izumi saw the beta's eyes travel, once again, to her stomach and her soft smile grew. The Alphena knew wolves had guessed, it wasn't a secret either. They could clearly see it in the new way she acted, or just the scent of her.

She shined brightly at his question, "I think we are," Her heart leaped for joy when she mention 'we', it felt as if the pups are really playing around her! Her tail began to wag happily for a few moments. "Coming along fine, I hope they are alright though.." She licked her slightly bulging side. Izumi glanced at him, "Do you know how many of the others have guessed?" Her eyes were soft, and playful.

Pups! And better yet, Semei's and my pups! She forced herself to remain calm. Izumi found herself sitting and she couldn't stop the smile that tingled her cheeks. I am so happy! She wanted to dance around, but even the thought of doing such movement tired her. "Pups...!" She breathed in the word with a wide smile, and she couldn't help but to let out soft nervous laugh.

[eightball]

Harsh, cold southern winds raged through the lands throwing it's weight against the tall marshland trees causing the rather bare grounds to echo with the sound of "shhhh" as leaves smacked one another in the hustle.
The heavy winds caused parts and ruffles through the Alpha's shaded fur causing each individual hair to stand almost on end presenting him with a bigger, fiercer appearance.
Lips slightly raised barring sharp glossy fangs, a deep and warningful growl escaped Semei's throat in retalitation to the disgusting scents plaguing his nose buringing his insides.

For days without food or water the large dark male had vigilantly been tracking preditory intruders through out his pack's territory. Un-welcome guests werent taken kindly but under the circumstances Semei was particularly dedicated to the hunting of the beasts in fear they might find the pack or Anila and..He dared not think about it any longer harnessing the ever growing rage within investing it towards catching and killing these mogrel creatures what ever they may be.
He would not loose his pack to inferior beings daring to cross his path.

Paws soaked with frozen ice crystals threatened to hault him turning his blood cold shooting through his veins weakinging him every moment. The pain it caused was excrusiating though despite it all the vigilant male pushed all worries to the back of his mind pressing on with every piercing step.
Ears flattened, tail hung low Semei tried to sustain what little warmth his battered body could provide. As he slowly passed through frozen puddles and crushed greenery following the tracks left behind by the foolish intruders the adult male could sense he was traveling closer to the den sight located in the center of his territory. His spirits did not raise at this rather his hopes falling. He wasnt covering much ground and he urgently needed to stand by the side of his growing pack.
"Anila" he sighed almost tripping on his own paws despite the slow speed in which he was traveling.

Ignoring the sharp pains in his neck Semei raised his maw clasping his lips in an effort to howl alerting his pack.
A low and weak howl errupted from within him, he desperatley hoped his pack could hear. The cry of warning faded ou to nothing more that a hoarse sigh before the male collapsed towards the frozen earth below.

[Le Mad]

Droz smiled at her. He was so glad to hear of her good fortune with the pups, and had said a word of agreement when she said that he was probably just wandering around. He was the alpha after all. A small pack needed border control. He let a grin when she asked about them guessing.

“Well, I know the pups will be healthy and strong, like their parents… I have heard rumors of a large litter. Some have said five or six. But I’ve settled on three. It seems like a perfectly reasonable number.” Said Droz, nodding in a set determination. He was about to continue when a broken, weak howl reached his striped ears. Such a familiar voice, but he had never heard his Alpha in pain. His eyes widened for a moment, and he looked to Izumi to see if she’d heard it. He stood up, his hackles rising unnecessarily.

“Stay here!” He barked, turning and beginning to sprint. He knew he shouldn’t have given her an order, and could possibly pay for it later, but he had to get to his alpha. His paws were light yet powerful against the freezing earth. Wind bit his ears and nose. He could hear the howl straining away, and was heading in the precise direction, not panting as he ran. He could only think of his own father at this point, and how he heard him howl on occasion, but his pupsitter never let him go to it. This time, he would go to the howl.

Finally, Droz had come upon Semei, laying on the ground. Thick globlets of snow had begun to fall from the sky. He sighed, circling his alpha. Finally, he closed in on him, his warm body, radiating with his fire magick, he nudged him with his nose. He wasn’t sure if he was unconscious or not, but he needed to get him warm and dry. He was soaked. Unfortunately, warm and dry in this situation would mean having to use his magick. He gulped, remembering the expression on his dear friend’s face when he burned him.

Sighing, he took on a stone-like expression. He started with Semei’s paws, which were the most wet. Conjouring a small flickering flame, he ran the fire gingerly over the fur, so as to dry it and not singe it. The water evaporated quickly and the act would have warmed Semei in the process. He would keep doing this and holding a small flame near him, dispite his own pounding headache from the beginnings of magick overuse. He was determined to keep Semei from suffering as much as possible.

[Anila]

His howl, Izumi knew it better than any howl. Tears formed her wide eyes as he dashed away, "Its a warning..." She meant to tell him, but it came out as a breath. Her heart pounded quickly , and her eyes were wide with tears. "Semei!" The pregnant mother sniffed the air, the tears had clogged her vision, and she couldn't smell that well. She was useless, and emotional.

The alphena tried to control her breathing, perking her ears, in search for any sounds other than her own panting. She glanced around her, something passed by, it didn't look quite wolf. She scrambled to her paws, trying to sniff, nothing but salt. She backed up, her heart pounding. She searched the forest, eyes wide, though her tears blurred her vision.

Izumi tried to blink them away, she tried not to think of what happened to her mate. Is he dying? Was that a warning yowl? It had to of been... I should go back to the pack, and warn them, surely they all heard it? Another flash of something. She continued to back up, she didn't like this. This direction she was going was towards the pack, but she was unsure she would want to lead whatever was here to there. Izumi swallowed, continuing to back up towards the lake. She tried to think of the calming waterfall, and the calming waves from the large lake. Another flash, that was enough for her, she turned abruptly, running off towards the lake.

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(Sorry for short reply, I am kind of out of it >.<)