Bloodloss

[Taz]

Kreuz made his way up the mountain, returning from a visit with the Bloodbacks. He had news for his mate, and he was unsure of how she would react. She knew there was a treaty, but would she be comfortable raising the Bloodback children and, worse, allowing the Bloodbacks to care for her own? And Inak very well might kill him.

Pisca had made a good point: the fighting had to stop, and for good. These pups would not know the hate that Kreuz had been raised with and still, at least a little, had a place in him. But he was willing to change that for his children, and he could only hope Sugha would agree. She had that same hatred in her heart, maybe even moreso, but the two had changed so much already in the past year.

Perhaps it truly was time to let go of the prejudice.

Kreuz approached the cave that denned his mate and pups. Although unknowing, the little guys would be the start of a new era. The news just had to be delivered.

[Sugha]

It was a problem of hers; trust. She still refused to feel comfortable when Whiteback pack members volunteered to help and pupsit for her. Of course she needed to leave them at some points to hunt, patrol the borders and carry out an Alpha's duties but her mate was relieving her of most of these due to her anxieties. Sugha hated to admit weakness. And she would only silently admit weakness to Kreuz and no one else.
Needless to say it was a big step for her to be returning to the den with a hare in her jowls, and leaving her young ones to be watched over by Inak and play with their cousins. It did bring them joy to do so and that made it easier for Sugha to leave them, if she knew they were happy.

She was surprised to see Kreuz approaching the large den that had become rather communal as of late with the next generation. Sugha placed the prey down to give a soft call over to her mate. She had missed him and had been quietly worrying to herself when he had told her of his arranged meeting with the Alpha of the Bloodbacks. She did not expect there to be any violent disagreements as the Bloodback Alpha seemed a level-headed leader, but she could not rid that hatred that had been bred into her of them. Forgetting her food for the moment, Sugha trotted forward to greet her mate whom she had grown very fond of. Sadly she thought that could be seen as a weakness aswell. She reserved pure love and affection for private moments between them.

The smokey pelted female buried her head in his neck with a long nuzzle before raising her head to lick and kiss at his muzzle. There was a faint scent of the Bloodbacks and she tried to clean it away almost.
"I am glad to see you unharmed," she said quietly in her silky voice. Her tail swayed a few times before she sat back. It was better to speak privately about this, than infront of the children and other pack members.
"So what did Breakbone have to say?" blazing amber eyes watched up at the father of her children.

[Taz]

Kreuz smiled weakly as he saw his mate approach. He was so concerned about her reaction - this was a true test of their love. Would Sugha trust him to have made the right choice? Or would she be angry? Kreuz knew that the agreement with Breakbone would cause trouble in his pack, but he needed only the support of his fellow alpha. How willing was Sugha to let go of her hate? He looked at her slight wobble as she walked - that foot was gone because of the very wolf he had just agreed to put his pups with.

And a sudden flutter of doubt came into Kreuz's mind, but went away before he could rationalize it. No. This was good. He had done the right thing, whether or not his brother and the rest of the pack agreed. Kreuz was the one put in charge, and this was the decision he had made.

He nuzzled Sugha in return, happy to see his mate again. He put his head down, submitting to her. "You may not like the agreement," he glanced up, making eye contact, "but, Sugha, I think it's the best thing." Kreuz took a few steps foreward, looking at the den. He thought of Inak, and how she worried him. Would she be trustworthy with Bloodback pups? He sighed, allowing a silence to fall. After a few seconds he turned and looked toward Bloodback.

He tried to speak, but couldn't form the words. He opened his mouth quite a few times before deciding what to say first, and his words were slow and delivered carefully. "This hate between the packs isn't good. You've seen what it does, Sugha. I want peace, and Pisca wants peace. Breakbone is hesitant, but he agrees too. We don't want the next generation to be raised the same way we all have."

He turned and nuzzled his mate, burying his face in her neck. He truly was worried that he had screwed up, his pack would turn on him, or worse yet, Sugha would leave him. He looked up again, not daring look her in the eye. Instead, he looked back at the Bloodback lands. "Our children are going to be raised as one. I trust Breakbone, and I trust Pisca. Pisca would never let his nieces and nephews get hurt."

He flinched before she could even react, expecting her to be mad at him. "Please don't be upset. I think it's for the best. I trust you. The only one I don't trust is Inak"

[Sugha]

He lowered his head and watched up at her like one of their young, timid pups. Sugha was slightly taken a back and watched in confusion.
"You may not like the agreement,"
Her eyes flared with anxious energy. What had happened? Were they going to war again? She thought they held somewhat of a truce while their were pups being raised.
"This hate between the packs isn't good. You've seen what it does, Sugha."
She looked to the side with a slight scowl, her stump of a right hind leg giving a twitch in memory of war and hate and battle.

"I want peace, and Pisca wants peace. Breakbone is hesitant, but he agrees too. We don't want the next generation to be raised the same way we all have."
"Wait... what?" her mouth actually moved before her mind did for once. Had she heard him right? This had been a peace conference?! She stood frozen as he nuzzled her, his energy nervous and unsure of her reaction. Sugha wasn't even sure how to reacte; she was a mix of fury and curiousity.
"Our children are going to be raised as one. I trust Breakbone, and I trust Pisca. Pisca would never let his nieces and nephews get hurt."
"No," she growled and hobbled back staring at him in disbelief, "How can you put your... OUR children's life in the middle of this experiment? I do not doubt the leaders of the Bloodbacks can be respectful and smart about this, but can you speak for every single member of the Bloodback pack?!"
Let alone their own pack.
"Hate cannot disappear over night. I understand the need and safety of peace, but it just does not happen if you command it. This runs through the ages and the blood," she couldn't believe he was being so naive.
"I am not letting any of my children near strangers," she began to grow anxious and protection, "I will not lose them."
How could he make such a large decision without her, let alone the entire pack. Maybe it woud take this action forced onto their packs to make a change, but a little forewarning would have helped.

"Please don't be upset. I think it's for the best. I trust you. The only one I don't trust is Inak"
She calmed herself as he tried to reach out to her emotions. At this moment Sugha's mind and body was buzzing, running around in circles.
"I trust your intentions," she spoke strongly, like a leader and not a panicked Mother, "And your concerns about Inak are most likely correct. This is a dangerous thing to be jumping into. All we can do is set an example and hope the rest will leave hate and pride aside, and follow."
In the end, her loyalty to the one she loved was stronger than her blood-hate.

[Taz]

Kreuz recoiled at the initial response of his mate, feeling suddenly self-conscious and horrible. He had expected a bad reaction, but he could never have anticipated feeling this guilty and despised. Perhaps he was the only wolf among them who could let go of his hate.

Maybe it was because he was the only one with such a close bond in the rival pack. He was the only one who could possibly see the damage it was causing.

"Sugha, I know hate can't disappear overnight, but... What else is there? I admit that the agreement is different than my original plan, but Breakbone..." his words had gotten faster and faster until he stopped, looking down at the snow. Breakbone what? Would he admit to his mate that he admired the wolf who had taken her foot? "...Breakbone was reluctant. But he's willing to do this. Why shouldn't we?" he looked past his mate to the cave, where Inak was. "Besides, I trust his pack more than I trust ours," he growled under his breath.

"Don't put them alone with strangers, then," he looked up at her, making eye contact. "You can feel free to stay with the pupsitters and make sure our children are safe."

He smiled as she slowly calmed down, and she seemed to trust his decision more. He nuzzled her again, nipping at her neck. "I promise this will be a good thing, Sugha. I understand it's dangerous. But it's better than setting up our children for a life of war and hate. They will be better than we are."

[Sugha]

"Sugha, I know hate can't disappear overnight...

He may have appeared to be foolish and rushing into things, but he stated that he had thought about these things. Sugha could only trust him.
He would need all the support he could get. She could predict the rest of the pack would not be overly accepting to different extremes of behaviour. Sugha's main concerns were Teekon and Inak; they were unpredictable and she would be sure to stay close to her children and mate lest they become immensely unhappy.

"Don't put them alone with strangers, then..."
"I will not," she confirmed. She couldn't lose these precious children. It would not be a new thing for Sugha anyway since she rarely left them, like today.

"I promise this will be a good thing, Sugha. I understand it's dangerous. But it's better than setting up our children for a life of war and hate. They will be better than we are."
His body grew close to hers and his teeth groomed affectionately at her neck. A small purr rumbled from her throat followed by a sigh of annoyance. He knew her buttons.
"I want a safe future for our children," she agreed, "But it will not be easy."
Sugha reminded herself that she was not born into leadership, that she had been chosen and had the choice of saying 'no' to that Alphaship. The wolfess had accepted because she knew she had the strength, and she wanted to ability to make decisions for her pack. Now was the time of change and she would do her best to cope with that.

"We will need to arrange a pack meeting I assume. Unless speaking with Teekon and Inak privately first would be better," Sugha thought that if they exploded infront of the pack it would only create further drama.
She frowned softly in thought, looking toward the den and wanting to return to her young soon. For now she stood beside her mate and nuzzled gently at his shoulder and then up his neck to lick at his ear.

[Taz]

Kreuz sat in silence for a few minutes, swishing his tail to and fro for the pups to play with. He thought of the consequences of his decision and whether or not the betas should be told in private. As aloof as he may be, he would not stand for them disobeying his decision. They had elected him, and he wanted no more of this foolish tension between packs. Kreuz would be the one to lead the Whitebacks to happiness and peace.

He licked the pups one by one, and snuggled up with his head on Sugah's paws, showing his weakness and reluctance. "It would be smart to tell them in private. They can't be starting a scene in front of the pack, it would just confuse them all. And, as crazy as it may seem, if they fight back we don't want the pack to turn out the same as the Chicotah. We can't be fighting from the inside out. Not with pups."

He sighed, standing up. "Might as well do it now," he groaned, then changed face. He made himself confident and stood outside the den, howling for his brother and Inak to come.

[Inak]

Inak was surveying the horizon, her dark amber eyes flittering with cold solitude. She was deep in thought, laying at the entrance of the den. Her pups were near a month old, prodding at meat with their sensitive noses, but not readily eating it until they reached at least five weeks. Zasha was the most interested in pack politics, while Fel would rather just spit at her dreams and carry himself high and mighty, as if he was already ready to take his uncle's place. Inak twitched her ear. She was worried about Luna, though. If she kept being cowardly, it could be the worst for her among the rough life of the Whitebacks. Java, how ever, his future was hard to see. Inak was deep in thought until a sharp, dominant howl rung along the sky and screamed in her ears.

It broke the silent moment, and Inak hated being interrupted. Howling was tacky, and if they wanted her, they could get off their rump and come get her. Teekon would be back from hunting soon, and it was likely that a pupsitter would come and notice she was gone and take her spot. Inak sighed when she registered the howl was Kreuz's. What in Fenris's name did he want now? Inak rose to her aching paws and made her way across the slushy, melting snow, the green grass prodding her limbs. It was a cushion against her weary muscles, not being able to walk much until now. After all, her having to watch over the pups and all, and not being to take part in hunts unless a babysitter was around .. Inak drew an exhausted sigh. As she walked towards the new figure of Sugha and Kreuz, she narrowed her cold eyes at the alpha pair. "You rang?" She rumbled, not so gleeful about being awaken from her thinking state.

[Toksyc]

As much as he adored his dear mate, all the hunting was damn exhausting. He had just caught a rather fat hare when the howl came, piercing his ears like some high frequency annoyance. Perhaps the lack of good sleep and all the hunting was making him a bit sensitive or irritable. He sighed, picked up the carcass, and trotted towards the Den first.
Yes indeed, a pupsitter had taken her place. He dropped off the meat and moved along to the One's Den, licking the blood from his maw.

A meeting with the two could mean only a few things - more talk about the alliance, they were in trouble, or something was wrong. He trotted wearily until his Mate came into sight and his pace quickened a bit until he met her, greeting her with a fond nuzzle and maw-lick. Blood-taste was still on his tongue. His greeting for the Ones was much different. Respectful, but anything but friendly. Even to his brother, it was pure politics now. He lowered himself a tad and removed eye contact, then sat his rump down on the warm grass. Grass... a privileged they had won.

"I hope there is some good news and good reason for this calling to interrupt hunting for my children." He said a bit sharply. Ah, yes. Teekon was quickly growing annoyed with his brother, and Sugha for allowing him to act in such a manner.

[Taz]

Kreuz allowed his body to rise at the harsh tones of the betas, showing his dominance clearly. Kreuz was fully prepared to vocally ignore their attitude, not thinking about the tension it would cause. He instead smiled at the two, trying his hardest to be welcoming and polite in spite of their annoyance.

"I'm sure you both have a vague idea why you're here. And I know you will both disagree, which is why I'm telling you in private instead of in front of our pack. I don't want to confuse them," he looked at both of them, and his body was an odd concoction of forced humbleness and dominance. "Our pups will be raised with the Bloodback pups. They will be raised without the hate that we have been raised with. They will not be left alone with Bloodback adults - Sugha has already agreed to watch over them."

He spoke quickly, not allowing any time for interruption, and now he waited for the anger that was to follow.

[Inak]

Inak also rose, but her hackles began to bristle. Kreuz was, basically, no One to her, and his dominance was nothing but a desperate act to rule over her fiery temper. Not this time. How dare he try to break a blood hate legacy? There was nothing with out fights, where would the wolves who had experienced their loved ones slaughtered by the wretched beasts that had driven them farther and farther into the mountains? Her entire family had been killed by Bloodbacks, her entire life taken. No, she struck back and took the greatest treasure from them -- their pride. She instantly flashed her fangs at the alpha.

No! She roared, with out thinking of how her Ones would react. A fire, cruel and inavoidable, raged within her eyes like a wildfire. Look around you. Many wolves families, mates, children -- all been taken by those beasts! Inak let a loud, gutteral snarl flash from her throat, and she arched her back in fury, but she held her head high, just lower than Kreuz, force of habit. I'm not willing to put aside the fact that my own blood has been slaughtered by those menaces, that our ancestors have been killed by them, that they have driven us into this icy abode for centuries! And now, you, decide to pretend that never happened, just because none of your family has been taken by those. . those .. wretches!? She wailed, the hint of emotion cracking her voice. This was a rare outburst you'd ever see from Inak. Inak spit out the word wretches like it filled her mouth with a disgusting taste.

She was breathing fast and heavy now, but quietly, and her eyes raged as she glared at her One with such ferocity, even the Gods of the wolves would cower. You'd be willing to have all of our lives risked if all of those beasts betrayed your weak quest for an alliance? I will not let those filth encroach on the Whiteback. Many of us were nearly murdered by their vicious fangs in the war! Blood was spilled and it still tints the dirt we stand on! How do you think the Bloodback wolves who have experienced the death of their beloved to react to this? That they might rebel against us as well? I love my pups as much as you, but if any thing were to happen to them because of those filth, then I'll, then I'll .. Her voice began to shatter at the end, and the faintest strings of emotion welled in her eyes, but she tried to replace it with fury.

[Toksyc]

Teekon had expected this, hell, he knew well before anyone of what was going on. But to have it affirmed... he nearly broke out into an outburst just like his mate, but she beat him to it. His jaws snapped shut as he let her speak. Kreuz got all his words out before they could interrupt, and now it was their turn to bombard him with an outcry. Hackles raised from utter anger, from excitement of his mate's aggression. Once she was done, he bumped her lightly, affectionately, then raised himself to speak before either One could interrupt.

"I agree. I will not have my pups be taught their ways. I will not risk the chance of a vengeful Bloodback crushing their throats for what we did to several of their beloveds. I'm not sure if you are aware, but Shadow, the black Beta that Inak killed, was highly loved in the pack, and I'm more than certain many would love to take our blood for hers." His words, though less hateful, were just as angry. A growl was beginning to bubble up from his chest. He glared - really glared at his brother with disrespect and hate for the first time since he ran the first time.

"Do what you will with your young, but you will cross my fangs before ours will be part of this."

Just to prove that point, his lips drew back, teeth bared. Teekon was not afraid of his brother, and he wasn't afraid of disrespecting him either.

"This time, brother, you have gone too far. You've turned into Pisca. And you, Sugha," He snarled as he turned his eyes to her. "You are just as wrong for allowing him to do this. I was wrong to allow you two to be the One Pair. Demote us if you will, but I'd like to see you keep this pack together without our aid."

He snorted, licked his fangs, and turned to his mate, his beautiful, angry mate.
"We should return to our pups. For all we know you'll be having Bloodbacks playing near our den soon."

[Taz]

Kreuz, seeing the reaction, quickly pulled his lips back and raised his hackles. He had it half in mind to pin the female down, but he restrained, a low growl rising in his throat. He let her have her word, but did not back his posturing down.

"I cannot force you to put your children in what you consider a dangerous situation, although my mate will be with them at all times," he told them, for a second calming down - being a father himself, he knew their fears. But he spoke louder, "But I will not have you teaching them to hate, else they will never find happiness in this pack, and I can assure you that neither will you," he let a growl out, and he stood taller still, taking a step toward his brother.

"I will not tolerate anymore of this hate. Brother, they're wolves just like us. Our ancestors will not dictate who we hate. Breakbone is willing to try," he looked into his brother's eyes, and sighed. "When you returned, Teekon, you were hated for your past mistakes, and I gave you a chance. Why should we hate the Bloodbacks because of the mistakes of their fathers? And why should we condemn our children to a life of war?"

He backed away, not daring turn his back to Teekon or Inak. But he threw out one last snarl, and looked to his brother once again, a sudden fire in his eyes, "And don't insult Sugha in front of me."

[Inak]

Inak defended her mate as quickly as Kreuz had, rising as high as her could with a special fire fast in her eyes, eyes a cold glare and hackles raised, muscles tense, ready to strike if she must, but that would be going far. Not an insult. A fact. You know that well enough. Her eyes dared Kreuz, daring him to reach the breaking point of where he would lunge at her, jaws gape, and where she would retaliate. She dared him. Many of her teeth had been loosened, her stomach bleeding when she had attacked Shadow, many scars rippd into her flesh -- she had incredible will power. She was not invulnerable, but she didn't go with out a fight.

No, it wasn't just the mistakes of the Bloodback,she said, testing her temper to it's very limit. But the mistakes of the Whiteback. Just because you think that our ancestors will not condemn us to misery, the Bloodback might. What if this is all apart of their plan? Do not forget, Pisca is a traitor. Why do you think he might not betray us again?Inak growled, voice beginning to crack with fury, but she managed to keep a quiet, but obviously furious, voice, as not to attract further attention from the whispering birds. She sided close with Teekon, should one of the Ones decide to attack. We will raise our children as we do, how we have been raised, as glorious warriors. We will tell them the history of the Whiteback. Nothing you can do to change that. She rumbled, eyes softer now, but still a cold shard.
Now tell me Kreuz. Why do you request this alliance? Are you shamed of our past? Inak shot, voice sharper, but low enough. She put a paw forward threateningly, but dared nothing else that could set off the alpha. I'm not. She growled, her last words intimidating, harsher than any of her other words, but quiet, low, threatening, seeing if that would set Kreuz off.

[Sugha]

(( I'm back from holidaaaaay =D Sorry for my absentness.
And sorry for the following post. Sugha talks too much XD ))

She watched on as he howled for the betas, exhaling slowly and knowing his voice was to spell a quarrel this day. Sugha sat silently at the mouth of the den, one eye trained on her young who rested and played testing out their wobbly legs. Helpless. This was a dangerous decision, but as long as Kreuz knew that. She would do her best to support her mate but her own worries as a Mother were going to rise before some of her duties as an Alphess.
Inak approached looking weary and not in the mood for anything. Perfect. Sugha inclined her head politely to the beta although she didn't expect the same gesture back.
Teekon was soon along aswell and Sugha again made a polite gesture but her amber eyes narrowed to his body language. There was such fire and almost an endless contest for leadership there.

The Alphess looked to her mate as he quickly barked out his orders, knowing that the others would not like this sudden news delivered in such a way but it was a sure way to get the message across. While the words were delivered, Sugha ushered her pups deeper into the den so that they did not hear the raised voices or see a brawl.
She returned and saw hackles raised everywhere. The Alphess sat still like a stone, muscles tensed and ready to jump in if anyone should make a move, even her mate. Sugha was a fan of violence, but in this delicate time even she knew it would not help.
Needless to say, the betas were unhappy. For their children's sake and for their pride's sake. Sugha was at least ready to surrender the latter. Not completely as she was a proud creature, but at least put her pups first.

Teekon turned on her only caused the Alphess to narrow her eyes into beams of fire, a soft growl vibrating in her chest but he would gain nothing else. Let them both explode, and she would watch and guard her mate's throat.
"Are you both quite finished?" Sugha's voice finally entered the conversation when there was a pause, "We do not insult your intelligence by understanding that this is not an easy transition. For anyone. All we ask is for you to respect our intelligence. That this has not been a hasty decision."
Her voice was sharp but held a calmness, hoping to at least came any brawl that was about to begin.
Sugha had been working at training her instincts and mind before she had been chosen as Alphess, and she hoped to put that to good use as a calm One. It was strange to see her eyes soften of all things and look to Inak.

"I understand," she spoke simply before moving her gaze to Teekon, "A parent's love and protection is fierce and unbreakable. I do not wish my children to be left alone with the Bloodbacks. it would be sentencing them to death."
She stood and stretched out her half-amputated hind leg as it cramped in the cold.
"I do not forget what Breakbone and his pack has done to us. And to me," her voice grew slightly gruff before softening and turning to her mate, "And they will nto forget what out fine warriors have done to their pack, especially with the recent victory."
She sighed softly and waited for another's response.
"I don't like this idea any more than you do. But I do wish to try... for our children. I remember growing up with tales of mighty Whiteback warriors, of family values and of many adventures in our diverse territory. But I remember the take of anger and hate; the wishes of death upon other wolves that looked different to us yet only lived across the mountain."

"It still burns in our minds today, and it will burn in the minds of our children. Unless we try something else. But I agree with Teekon and Inak, my love," she turned to Kreuz and her opinion may have surprised him, "But I do believe we can compromise. It may seem tedious and paranoid to the yourself and Breakbone who have been in civilised council, but for other packmembers who are not as informed, it will put those more at ease to make this gradual."
First of all... Sugha couldn't remember talking for this long and so stopped, clearing her throat a little and sitting down once again after repositioning her lack of paw. Secondly, she brainstormed ways of compromise and of safety.
"Perhaps the pups should stay in their home territories until they are stronger. At least they can run from danger then. We could test the boundaries, test relationships and try to ease tensions. If that doesn't work then the children will never even be brought into it."