Invane: out of Baby

“Alright everyone." I say
as I walked into the opening. All heads suddenly turned towards me, half of
them were expecting news while the other half just never cared. Though with all
eyes upon me, I stand my ground and smiled upon them. A beam of light was reflected
against my face while I started talking about the breaking news spilled to
them. “We are expecting a baby!" “You are a father!" Exclaimed Horizoki who
rushed up to me and stretched his arms out wide. Hugging me very tightly for
some reason. I was tackled by this wolf as we fell to the ground; he started
licking my snout creating wet kisses on my nose while my eye was closed, I
chuckled and spoke towards Horizoki “No no. I am not the father. We are
adopting a pup. She had been lost within Virkoal Forest without her parents.
Luckily however, I was surprise into seeing her survive this long with newly
developed instincts and skills set for her." “So she is a survivalist then?"
Questioned Haziyo with a tilt of his head in interest. My nod towards him, sparked
a little interest in his eyes as he gave me a smug towards me. I just nodded
back at him in response.

“So I expected." I
growled changing my expression suddenly as the other wolves flinched upon my
growls and stand accordingly towards me. I used my legs and feet to kick off
Horizoki who was still clinging onto me like a pup. He whined a bit but
relented, releasing me off from him as he got back onto his feet once again. I
stood up following him and turned my attention towards my back; a low growl emerged
again as I warned them. “Everyone to be on their behaviors. Otherwise, this pup
will be dangerously close towards our personalities." “What does that mean?"
Questioned Horizoki despite Harkell and Havlut clamping his snout with their
paws afterwards for such saying a stupid question while he fell upon the
grounds below him. Dust falls in every direction therein as he whined. “Such as
that." I barked and shook my head with an exhaled of a breath before turning
tail and glanced at the horizon before me.

It was another morning
day; the sun had risen high apparently in the blue skies. Not a single cloud
hovered or blocked against that bright yellow sun. Hoping that it would be a
beautiful day to spend with our adoptive pup, I raised my paw towards my snout
and growled in annoyance as my mind produced thousands of predictions of
everything going wrong. However, in the mists of my pondering; I did hear
someone barked loudly and excitedly behind me that did forced a ear to turn in
that direction. I glanced over my shoulder, turned towards Horizoki who was now
running away. Barking happily with his tongue longing outward like a dog
somewhat as the rest of the wolves just turned towards him and me; ears already
flatten as I nodded towards them. “Keep Horizoki back and allowed the pup to
come forth towards us. You." I directed my attention to Haziyo and Huzizu; both
of which snapped their eyes towards me. “Protect the pup, get in front of
Horizoki and-" But before I could roll out the orders; I heard a sudden yelp
and someone started crying. At this moment, the rest of the wolves rushed
towards the scene with me towing behind them.

It was a short distance
away before we finally caught up towards Horizoki who held the pup in his
mouth. Tail already wagging excitedly as his snout grinned; eyes closed. He
looked as if he was pleased with himself or excited that he found another
friend. Though either way, I noticed Harkell stepped forth towards him and
ripped the pup from his snout as Havlut growled at him. Horizoki whined and
stepped away but remained in place while Harkell and Havlut turned their heads
towards me; setting  the pup in front of
me suddenly. Our eyes met instantly; though the pup's eyes were blurry from all
that crying however. Tears flown down its cheeks, creating a river in his wake.
Though he had stopped; he is often times blinking his eyes for some reason
alone. I exhaled a breath, relieved that the pup was alright. Then rose my
head; nodding towards Harkell and Havlut while I turned towards the other
wolves. Meanwhile, the two said wolves darted away with the pup in tow.
Disappearing towards the western side where the river was at. Hoping that they
would be able to keep the pup preoccupied.

“Seriously Horizoki, what
was that?" I questioned such said wolf as his tail settled between his legs and
he hanged his head down. “You are acting like a dog." I spoke, “But are we not
dogs?" “No." I started, softly and easy for him. Shaking my head for emphasis
while the rest of the wolves stepped to the sides of Horizoki and guided him
westward where the other wolves and pup was. Breathing another sigh and shaking
my head following afterwards, my ears hanged to the back of my head while I
rose my eyes towards the blue skies above me. Thoughts circled around my head
debating about the behavior of Horizoki and the results of his consequences.
Though I knew he never meant it entirely; 'I just thought…' I trailed off, but
I never finished that thought as I heard something behind me. Turning around, I
ran following the rest of the wolves. Panic was already settled into my own
gray body with thoughts already filling up upon my brain in wonderance of what
Horizoki or any of the other wolves were doing at the time.

For by the time I reached
the river, the first thing I had noticed was how the pup was swimming upstream
directly towards the arms of Huzizu. The other wolves cheered the pup on;
smiles and warmth were upon their snouts as I watched. Resting my muscles as I
flopped upon the ground, relieved that it was just only playing. That I only
chuckled slightly knowing how parental I was with the newly additional pup upon
our pack, I only shook my head and said nothing while I crouched to the ground.
Paws up front with my tail hanging close towards my lower body; I watched as
the wolves started to play with the pup at least for an hour or two before I
had drifted off to sleep. By then, the voices had turned vocal and were loud
without warning. My ears flinched and flickered upon the noises but I remained
where I was otherwise. As I lay there with tiredness upon my eyes, I heard some
wolves yelling and screaming that it had awoke me. I yawned with eyes opened;
yipping silently while fixing my attention towards the river. I only saw the
five other adult wolves. The pup was gone.

Standing up very quickly,
I rushed close towards the river. The other wolves turned to me suddenly and
like crying guilty children they ran to me. We met upon the edge of the river,
all the wolves started talking all at once while I held out my paw. Growling at
them suddenly wanting them to speak one at the time. For a short while the
peace had came and I listened to the wolves one by one till the end. From what
I had gathered, the wolves had told a short story about Haziyo telling the idea
towards the other wolves to grease the pup up which will greatly aid him in his
swimming lessons upstream. While the plan worked almost perfectly; the pup
easily also swam downstream. Hitting the waterfall at the very end of the
river. “There is a waterfall?" I questioned, shifting my attention towards
Harkell who nodded his head though sadness lingered in his eyes as he nudged
his head following his nod. Pointing straight towards the waterfall that was
nearby. I groaned, almost wanting to facepalm myself. But growled at the
wolves, pointing towards the waterfall. “Meet me at the bottom." I growled
ordering them before sprinting off alongside the river and leaped at the end.

I never knew what was I
doing however; nor had I planned anything out however. For my mind was in one
track as always in whatever goal it was however. Me leaping from the edge of
the waterfall, straight a short distance before falling onto the solid grounds
below was not, and I mean never a good idea however. For I nearly broke my legs
upon that fall. I did hissed upon the pain however as it jolted up my ankles.
But nonetheless, I was alive and well. Injured a little bit however, but
overall great. I turned towards the waterfall behind me, overhearing the rushes
of water from the apex above. It roared loudly in my ears as my eyes was
settled upon the apex; watching expectantly for the rest of the wolves. They
only came down a few seconds following my daring leap. Screaming and yells were
heard overtop the roaring of the waters as little splashes echoed in my ears.
Waters were dripped everywhere, moistening the grass that had surrounding it
however. As I glanced at the following four splashes, every wolf was already
here while they climbed out from the pool behind them and gathered around me.

I cracked a smile; a rare
sense of amusement and spoke towards them. “How was the ride? Give me your best
estimate of fun?" “Shut up Hunter." Chuckled Harkell with a nudge of his
shoulder contacting mine as I laughed in response to him, but that shortly
turned into a cough. Shaking my head, I rose my paw from the grounds. Pointing
towards the following forest trees surrounding and ahead of us as Horizoki
groaned from behind me, “I do believed that the pup is looking for a way up
without swimming against the current that is the waterfall's wall." I
explained, “The pup is more definitely at the forest. It is afternoon or at
least close towards it; so we will be expecting other animals to lurk about and
ready to-" But the wolves already darted away. They spread amongst themselves
across the length of the forest side where they have disappeared inside and
left me alone; I groaned again but said nothing else as I walked; following the
rest of the wolves as I too entered the forest grounds.

It had taken a long time.
Well into the afternoon hours perhaps before we all gathered again after
entering through the forest. Gathered in a circle, the wolves whined in
response. Acknowledging that the pup was not found and the sun had already sank
from the skies. Orange, red and yellow colors clashed along themselves in the
skies like war was brewing above us however. The chirps were started and
resumed surrounding us and filling our ears while Horizoki complained with his
paws upon his face and snout, “Where is that pup? Why can we not find him?"
“Calm down," I rolled my eyes calmly and added, “I am sure he is back towards
the top of the waterfall by now." “He should be captured by villagers or
something however." Suggested Haziyo with Harkell and Havlut nodded their heads
to him. I glared at them suddenly keeping them quiet as they fell silent. In
the short time of silence, I exhaled my breath and shook my head. Ridding the
thought that was in my mind as I spoke what everyone else had suggested
otherwise, “Fine. We will return towards the apex. FInd him there and see to it
that he does not disappear again." “Till we give her towards someone else" “And
that animal is…?" Trailed Haziyo fixing his attention to Horizoki who kept
quiet following him. I shook my head again and walked bypassing them all as the
wolves followed me closed behind. Back into the forest we go and back upon the
apex.

“Why does he had a stick
of butter?" Questioned Havlut with his paw pointing straight ahead. The rest of
the wolves, including myself turned to the pup. Though we had mixed responses
towards the pup holding the butter stick. Horizoki and Haziyo rushed forth
towards the pup; tackling him onto the ground while the other grabbed the stick
from his paws. But due to their rush movement, the butter suddenly slipped from
his paws and soared into the air. Hitting something above us as that said
animal fell unconscious upon the ground; wings spread outward. A small pause of
silence fell between us while I gradually rose my head and eyes, fixing my
attention towards the pair of wolves who said nothing as their eyes met towards
the animal and butter adjacent to one another. With no one handling the
scenario settled before us, the pup made the initiative and crawl out of the
grips of Horizoki. Crawled his way towards the butter and grabbed it, his snout
opened suddenly and wide as he shove the butter down his throat.

I gasped then while
rushing forth. But not even a step forth had Harkell and Havlut stopped me so
suddenly. As I shifted my attention towards them with narrowed eyes; only
Havlut pointing his paw upward. Exposing Horizoki and Haziyo as they tackled
the pup to the ground once again. Yelling and screaming echoed our ears and
filled the silence tranquility peace that was shattered above us while me and
the remaining wolves just watched the ongoing struggle, amusement was upon our
snouts. Yet neither of us said or done anything as we just watched the show.
For the sun's ray faded from the grounds, barks and branches of trees as it
sinks more into the horizon, eventually disappearing.

The nighttime had came.
Moon hanging above us with stars shone faintly in the night skies. I along with
Harkell, Havlut still stood. But was surprise into seeing that Horizoki, Haziyo
and the pup fell asleep so suddenly. For without hesitation, I picked up from
the ground walked silently towards the pile of wolves before me. Then dig out
the pup sleeping soundly underneath everyone. With me returned tail towards
Harkell and Havlut, all who watched too eagerly, my ears flickered upon the
ringing of the noise as I walked towards the edges of the waterfall and flopped
him down adjacent to me. I exhaled a breath, shaking my head while I spoke
towards the two awaken wolves behind me. “Tomorrow or midnight; we should raid
the villages and give them this pup." “Guess it is too much huh?" Harkell
asked, a small chuckle escaped his lips as I nodded whining softly in answer
towards him. “Yeah too much." I repeated him, faced again towards the moon
while the next few seconds fell to silence.

Some minutes in came
Haziyo and Horizoki; who both yawned and stretched themselves. Yipping while
they turned their attention towards me and the rest of the wolves. Haziyo
walked to my side and sat down adjacent to me as I turned towards him. “So
where are we bringing him then?" “Village." I answered, quick and honest as he
nodded silently. “None of us were able to take care of pups anyway." “Not in
your DNAs apparently." I joked but he kept his silent. A few seconds into the
silence answered my exhaled breath while I got up from my seat and turned
around to walk away from the waterfall. Haziyo was a bit surprise by this; but
nonetheless said anything to counter me as he snatched the pup from the ground
with his mouth and walked following behind me. “Come on everyone, lets just
head to a nearby village already." I growled ordering everyone to awake as they
rouse to awakeness. Every wolf turned their heads towards me, yet I narrowed my
eyes at them hardening my face as I nudged my head to the side. At this, none
of them argued and stood up from the ground. Following close behind me as I led
them away from the waterfalls behind  us.

The first village
approaches us. It was smaller than the other villages we had seen beforehand.
As memories of rushing about and causing chaos burns into my mind, I just
chuckled in response towards it. But remained in silence as my head turned
towards the others and nodded in silence. None of the wolves said anything as
they stepped forth from behind me, walking straight towards the entrance of the
village before us. Thus they had entered, I entered in following them. The
village was indeed smaller than what I had seen. Huts were a bit smaller too;
hiding underneath the stone walls that surrounded the village. The huts were
made of straws; easily blown away by some strong winds. The straws were
straighten and held up by a rubber band. I smugly thought; 'I have to remember
this village after this plot to cause some burn memories here.' I nearly
chuckled darkly at that which had prompted Haziyo and Harkell to turned my way.
I just waved at them, dismissing the thought as we all spread out towards
individual huts and dropped the pup upon the ground. All six of us knocked onto
the doors at the same time and responding to them was an individual. Three
adults, two children and some elderly that lost his eyes apparently.

At the first initial
greeting, five out of six had screamed and shut the door in front of us. The
sixth however remained friendly; probably because he could not see. Yet his
smell was heighten and some other human senses as well. None of which we were
able to find out or figure at the moment in time. Though ignoring his rambling,
I interrupted him and spoke. Holding up the pup in my paws; yet towards him it
seems to be a child or something. He happily takes it and shut the door softly
which accomplishes our mission however. With all six of us gathered around and
walked straight for the exit of the village; till we started hearing bells
ringing from behind us. Then all at once like a huge mob or something, they
gathered and charged at us. Fire was upon their torches. Sticks and other
weapons were in their hands as anger; scared and fear were exposed upon their
faces. “Run!" Exclaimed Haziyo as the rest of the wolf unit ran like hell away
from the village. We charged out of the entrance village, putting in some
distance away from it till we knew that we were safe upon the plains.

But as we celebrated our
mission of handing the pup towards a complete stranger; such said pup was tossed
out from the village and that elderly man who happily took it in was burned
alive. We heard screams and yells that our ears flattened against our heads. We
turned away from the village and put in more distance from it as the faints of
screaming voices haunts our ears.

“Well? What is next?"
Questioned Harkell as his attention was drawn towards me. I shook my head,
unable to say anything at all for the burns of memory was kept upon my head.
All I could do was hang my head and stare at the grassy plains underneath me.
With silence looming above us. It was for the better time however as fear grips
our hearts in wonder about the other villagers and village, committed to the
same role as the one we had witness. Within the silence, I felt someone touch
my body. I turned spotting Haziyo who spoke towards me in a whisper, perhaps it
was a soft voice or something along that line. “We should head back towards
Virkoal Forest. It is as long day." “its never a long day." I argued, falseless
hope of bring myself up at the problems brought upon the villages plains as the
others just smiled faintly. But the quietness was heavily down upon my
shoulders. With a shook of my head, I rose to my feet and nodded towards Haziyo
who faintly smiled back towards me. Silence fell upon our heads as Haziyo led
us back towards Virkoal Forest and at the same time, unintentionally leaving
behind the pup behind us as he was snatched away from its spot by someone.

Whether it was a predator
or not; perhaps it was safer in their paws instead of ours.