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.