The Price Of Freedom

The woman hardly ever wandered away from home, not since she had finally found her place among her mothers pack. But today she got bit by the walking bug, and just simply wanted to explore. She crossed the river that cut off Fiori's lands from the rest of the East, wadding through the most narrow, calm place that she could find. It was almost spring, the rain had slowed and the sun was providing much more warmth. Another season, and a fresh start for her and her boys. Or so she hoped. The return of Vereux was an upsetting one for her, her family had just gotten over the pain that his absence had called when he wandered back in, trying to pretend that everything was quite alright. She huffed, shaking out her damp fur as her paws landed on solid earth once more. She just hoped that it wouldn't change her boy's view on her, or make them feel any different towards her. She would surely die of a broken heart if they did.

Once she reached the delta she glanced around, dark blue eyes surveying this new area. She hadn't wandered too much in the North, it was far too cold for her tiny body. But here it was much warmer, and she felt comfortable enough leaving her babies within her mothers pack. She knew that they were safe there, and that no harm would come to them. They were old enough to know that by now -- she hoped. Letting out a soft sigh, her ears suddenly perked when she heard a soft name whispered on the wind. Straining to pick up the name, she suddenly froze mid step, gray paw lingering in the air. Had she heard that right? Caeto? She had not seen her litter mate for a long time, for far too long in fact. Picking up to a steady trot she followed the source of the sound, coming in between the two men of her family. Amalia let out a gasp, her eyes flickering between the two. "Caeto! Cassius!" she called. Cassius was the closest one to her, and she raced to his side. Skidding to a stop she nuzzled fiercely into his neck, burying her features within his two-toned coat. When she pulled back she noticed just how skinny he was, and her smile quickly turned into a motherly frown. Her gaze shot up to his face, brows pulling together. "Don't make me shove a moose down your throat, brother dearest," she scolded, but it didn't last long. A grin split her lips again as she placed a kiss on his cheek, little rabbit tail making her rump wiggle along with it. "I can give you some herbs if you like, that will make you more hungry," Amalia offered sweetly.

With one last kiss on Cassius' cheek, she turned and raced towards Caeto. She came at him at a more head on position, and when she tried to stop her still damp paws slid across the earth. Eyes grew wide as she slid towards her brother, falling to a rump to try and stop herself before colliding with his chest. But she was rather too late, and her tiny chest slammed down against him. Letting out a giggle she rolled over her spotted brother, picking herself up and dusting off before trotting to his side again. Pushing her nose to his cheek, she let out another sweet laugh. "Oh how I have missed you two! Probably not the best way to show it but... Hi!"