rock-paper-scissors

His chest still felt a little funny, and his throat was still a bit hoarse from coughing, but young Gryphon was finally on the mend, and so was his brother. He was glad - he had very vague recollections of a sister, back when they were all still nursing, who had fallen ill a lot like he and Kharnage had, only she never got better, and then one day she just wasn't there anymore. He'd been afraid that would happen to Kharnage too, that one day he'd just not be there anymore and Mother would be sad again. He was a little afraid for himself too, especially when the fever brought delirium and bad dreams. He was really glad Dragon and Lykos were both all right, anyway, even though he worried when they went away from the den all the time. Dragon had gone all the way to another pack - he heard Mother ground him to the orchard one day a while back. Gryph was worried now every time he left that he'd try it again... but at the same time he was intensely curious. He didn't remember another pack other than Imperium. What were they like? Maybe he could convince Dragon to take him to one... but no, that would be wrong, and it would put Dragon in danger besides. Even if no one got hurt they'd surely get into a lot of trouble when they returned.

Scooting out of the den, Gryphon stretched his sturdy young body, reveling in the sun that filtered through laden trees. Wow, everything had changed since he'd gotten sick. The trees were full of flowers and fruits now, and even the air itself smell thick and sweet like honey. He didn't wander too far from the den. Moving too fast still made him a little woozy, but he was tired of being stuck in the den too, and he wanted to see everything. Carefully he put his paws up on an apple tree and streeeeeeetched upwards. He was astonished to see how far he could reach; he must be almost as tall as Mother now! He hadn't thought he could possibly get up high enough in a tree to investigate all the budding fruit and buzzing bees, but this newfound height of his put a new spin on things. He stared contemplatively at a low hanging branch, wondering if he could pull himself up on it without having a coughing fit.