I'm Bringing Sexy Back

[Anita]

((I named the thread that because it's a continuation. I'll probably change it later, xD))

Light, cinnamon-pine paws dug lightly into the ground as they tensed for action. A sandy belly kissed the Earth as it laid low in the tall grass, and a tail lay frozen upon its surface. Today, Sparrow was hunting.

His nose kept twitching in response to the many scents that invaded it. But his brain was focusing on one: the smell of lemmings. It was a little odd for them to be out since the last lemming Sparrow had seen was far off, and long ago. But then again, the population was always chaotic; he wasn't surprised to find that they were nearly hopping for the predators joy.

His ears twitched in response to the small squeaks that came from the nest he'd been tracking. He prepared his agile nimble legs for a chase of dozens, and in the moment it took to lick his chops, Sparrow pounced. His ears frantically twitched and turned at every squeak as about five or so little rodents came rocketing out from underneath his paws and stomach, leaving it's captured kin at his mercy. Sparrow bit at the few surviving and streaked off in pursuit of the others that insisted on running. He caught two more and carried their bodies to the ruins of the nest.

The wolf wagged his tail happily and licked at his bloodied jaws and teeth. He howled to signal his friendly companion and let her know that he'd caught something. Looking down and biting at one, he growled happily through a muffled mouth, "I'mma feelin' hungrayyyyy."

[✮ErInJaN✮]

The wolf-dog felt absent minded. She was hunting, something she was usually very good at, but today she found she couldn't focus. She found herself sniffing and wandering, her tail held up and falling in half like a flag. Her blue eyes caught sight of a bit of movement. She stopped to zero in on it.

It was a bird. It flapped and cried piteously, hopping along the ground. Solitaire made a rush at it and it flew away, only to fall back to the ground several yards away. Solitaire knew the bird, called a killdeer. It would pretend to be hurt and lure predators away from it's nest. She laughed and ran after the little bird again and again, finding the crazy chase quite entertaining. Finally she went back and tracked the bird's smell to the little nest weaved in the grass. There were baby birds in it. The wolf-dog thought they would make an easy snack, but as she snuffled them, they began to cry for their mother. For some reason, it broke Solitaire's heart to hear their helpless peeps. She turned away, resolving to find something else to eat.

She heard a distant howl. Sparrow had found something. She had figured he would. He had gotten better and better with each kill. He was so much better, in fact, that he didn't need a companion to hunt for him anymore. Solitaire understood that to be his main reason for finding traveling companions. Her stomach quivered. She wouldn't think about that now. She loped off in his direction, hoping he'd found enough for both of them.

When she found him, she was panting. She smiled at him, her pink tongue lolling out. "What'd you find?"

[Anita]

The sun shined brightly overtop the Earth's surface, granting Firefly Woods the ability to create broken shadows through the canopy of its forest. On the branches of said forest stood birds, perched atop thin and thick, looking down upon the world beneath them, whether with predatorial eyes or ones of simple contentment. The sung and chirped their tunes to eachother, telling of stories and news in their own bird tongue.

Suddenly the birds on the ground lost rhythm and began cawing and scattering up to safety with their brethern in the trees. Lemmings shot out from bushes and roots, apparently trying to get somewhere- or away from something. Unfortunately the few scattered lemmings were quickly caught by other small predators such as ferrets and birds in their race.

Trailing back from where the lemmings had run from, stood a triumpth young wolf, basking in his youth and hunting with a bounce in his step. His ears were thrust forward and his eyes gazed patiently at where his nose picked up another wolf's mixed scent. He was rewarded for his patience when a female wolf-dog stepped forward into his vision. She was panting, but smiling, and he returned it with a grin of his own. "What'd you get?" she asked. "I got some lemmings!" the male exclaimed proudly. He felt it inside- his improvement, independence and gain of confidence; he truly was growing up. He had grown physically larger, but only a bit. It was more so his experience in hunting and surviving that grew.

His nose instincively took in the female's familiar scent and he smiled warmly at her presence: Solitaire. Sparrow was very glad for her company; she was kind and welcoming-- Also very funny. His head tilted slightly as he identified the lingering scent on her being, "Hey, you smell like bird! Did you catch anything?" He grinned.

Pawing at the empty nest of lemmings he raided, Sparrow wagged his tail softly and nosed one of the rodents to Solitaire. "We better eat while their warm." Gobbling one up, he licked his lips clean of the warm blood and laid down, dragging a lemming near his mouth for another bite.

[✮ErInJaN✮]

Solitaire bowed her head as Sparrow noted her bird-y smell. She was ashamed. She should've been more focused, willing herself to make a kill. Instead she had shuffled around, wasted time and played with birds.

"I . . . No," She said simply. She didn't wish to discuss her recent failings. This was the third time in several days that she had become absent-minded and UN-productive on a hunt. She thought perhaps something was wrong with her but she felt fine, besides being very restless. She blew through nostrils, angry at herself and unable to vent, for she didn't want Sparrow to make fun of her.

"We better eat while they're warm," He said, happily nosing a lemming her way. They were lovely kills and they made Solitaire feel worse about her own non-success.

"Go, ahead, I'm, uh, not hungry." She said, looking the other way. She sat a few feet away and began nibbling the mats from her hind-quarters and washing her belly. After a while, she lay her head on her paws and sighed. Now she felt un-characteristically tired. She wished she had a mother to talk to. Maybe another wolf would know what was ailing her. Her ears perked. Perhaps Sparrow knew.

"Sparrow," She asked slowly. "Do you ever feel like you can't focus very well? And restless? Or tired when you've done no running?"

She had no idea how Sparrow might interpret these questions. He might think they were rhetorical. He might think of her as sickly and not want to be near her. She was noticing how scattered her thoughts seemed. Itchy feelings ran up her spine. She suddenly rolled in the dry grass on her back and thrashed, making whining and growling noises. After a minute she sneezed harshly and rubbed her muzzle on her forepaws. Exasperated, The wolf-dog lay over flatly, looking dead. I'm going insane, she told herself.

[Anita]

"I... No," Solitaire said. Her head was bowed and Sparrow tilted his own in response. Did he say something wrong? She suddenly exhaled aggressively and Sparrow's ears briefly flicked back.

When he pushed the lemming towards her, Solitaire had excused herself to take a quick bath. Sparrow nibbled slightly on the rodent she'd dismissed and began contemplating her behaviour. Maybe she just wasn't hungry? - Not likely. Perhaps she was upset over not catching anything? - Possibly. Or maybe it was something else? Was she thinking about her family? Was she thinking about him? Was she thinking about leaving him? Sparrow shook his head and chucked the rodent's carcass away. Every thought of Solitaire brought on the worry that she was leaving him. He supposed it was fine; she couldn't stay with him forever.

"Sparrow," came her sudden, soft, slow voice. He shuddered slightly at the tone before turning his body to show she had his attention. "Do you ever feel like you can't focus very well? And restless? Or tired when you've done no running?" Her beautifully aquatic eyes stared at him attentively- almost desperately if he looked closer. Maybe something was wrong...

Sparrow had encountered many diseases and disorders or situations which caused the decreasing of stamina in animals, but restless and tired for no apparent reason? Not to mention lack of focus. He wasn't sure how to answer to that turmoil. It didn't ring a bell to any diseases he knew of... but it had reminded him of something his mother constantly talked about. But it couldn't be... no way! Not Solitaire, no, how could that be? He was about to dismissed the thought when another tagged along. Perhaps she wasn't pregnant... but maybe it was her time of heat?

Sparrow's skin turned hot immediately as his ears sprung forward and his mouth opened slightly. He noticed Solitaire's attentive gaze once more, but the words wouldn't come out.

"Uh," he uttered stupidly instead.

Then again, he hadn't met any females in heat, so it probably wasn't even that! He didn't know the symptoms of the season. So it couldn't be that? Could it?!

"Is it uh..." The male began to panic slightly as his heart-rate doubled up. He tried to remind himself of the chances that went against his thoughts and calmed slightly.

Looking over at his friend, his eyes looked into hers nervously. "Maybe you're just... you know. Growing up. -- or something." he quickly murmured, looking away. An evil part of him prayed for it to be some kind of disease- anything but Solitaire in heat! He didn't know what to do! What if she suddenly grew moody or couldn't hunt? What if she depended on him for her food, then got restless and decided to leave? Sparrow tried to calm himself again. "I'm going insane," he told himself.

((Lol, you see what I did there? ;D))

[✮ErInJaN✮]

As Solitaire watched Sparrow, a sense of dread grew in her belly. His reactions were not very reassuring. He seemed nervous and twitchy. She could see the thoughts racing through his brain, his inner stirrings showing in his eyes. It must be something, she thought. He wouldnt act like this if it were nothing.

"Uh," He finally sputtered. He seemed to be searching for words he could not find. "Is it uh..." He looked even more nervous.

"Maybe you're just... you know. Growing up. -- or something." He said quickly, without much conviction.

Solitaire sat up and stared at him worriedly. She said nothing, but turned to walk down to the little puddle they'd recently been drinking from. She lapped the brown water, still thinking over Sparrow's reaction. Maybe he did know what was wrong with her. Maybe he knew, but didnt want to tell her? Could it be that bad? Maybe he was not sure himself. Maybe she was over thinking this whole thing, blowing it out of proportion. He probably had no idea. She sat down again, watching the little ripples in mucky puddle that the breeze caused.

After a few minutes, she smelt something. Familiar, yet unfamiliar. She stood up, searching the wind. It was weaker. She leaned down and it was over-whelming. It was a bit of blood, and Solitaire searched frantically for the creature it belonged to, when instantly, she realized it belonged to herself. It was there, right where she had been sitting. Her eyes widened.

The wolf-dog ran back to Sparrow, as fast as she could go, and in seconds, stood before him.

"Sparrow!" She choked. "I'm dying!"

He had known all along she had some ailment, something incurable and fatal. He hadnt wanted to ruin her last days of life with worry about death, and so he hadnt admitted to her what he knew. How noble. But Solitaire was certain of her impending doom. She had no doubts and no shame.

"Oh, Sparrow, I don't want to die yet, there were so many things . . ."

She spread out on her side, with her head stretched out, and whimpered.

[Anita]

Sparrow's mind boggled as he tried to figure out how to handle the situation. With paranoia fresh in his mind, he began to think of any signs Solitaire may have that indicate sickness or heat. Truth be told, she had been a little musky and strong-scented lately but he had never really cared or noticed much until now. Perhaps she had entered her cycle? Well then it had to be her first if she was so jumpy. Sparrow's stomach churned- his mother was the only one he'd witnessed in heat. An instinctive part of him was quietly rumbling but he didn't know for what. He was just a kid!

Sparrow could smell Solitaire's scent still in range, but then with all the strength in it, she could be miles away and still smell so close! He didn't worry long though, because moments later she bounded up to him, with wide blue eyes that shined with fear. The hairs under his chin slightly bristled at the display but he tilted his head in query.

"Sparrow!" Solitaire startled, "I'm dying!" Sparrow's eyes widened and a sudden laughter erupted from his throat. He didn't understand why he was laughing but for some reason it brought on a comical reaction. His reaction was short-lived however as he stopped and looked at her with slight amusement, perhaps this really was her first. Then again, it was his first encounter with it too, so laughing probably wasn't the best way to reassure her. "... I uh... sorry," he muttered sheepishly.

"Oh, Sparrow, I don't want to die yet, there were so many things . . ." she exclaimed desperately before flopping down onto her side. The wolf wanted desperately to nuzzle his friend and calm her down but with the thoughts of her in heat swarming in his mind... well truth be told, he was a bit afraid to touch her.

Again his brain was flooded with confusion and thought. "Solitaire, I uh. I don't think you're dying... I think- in fact- that... -perhaps... you are..." His words faltered and his tail nervously dragged itself side to side. "Okay..." he thought, "Let's try a different approach." Clearing his throat and trying his best to look Solitaire in the eye, Sparrow gulped and spoke. "Has your mom... nnngghh... When you grow up... your body uh... does this weird thing where it... heats up. And then you start feeling weird I guess..." Sparrow inhaled. "And then you get smelly-- err not that you're smelly!" He blurted out. "Nnnghh... It's what you do when you get ready for babies!" Shaking his head and mentally facepalming, Sparrow cursed at himself before facing his friend for a reaction.

((Horrid post, but I tried.))

[✮ErInJaN✮]

Solitaire sat up from her desperate position as Sparrow spoke.

"Solitaire, I uh. I don't think you're dying... I think- in fact- that... -perhaps... you are..."

He stopped again, obviously struggling.

"Has your mom... nnngghh... When you grow up... your body uh... does this weird thing where it... heats up. And then you start feeling weird I guess..." Sparrow inhaled. "And then you get smelly-- err not that you're smelly!" He blurted out. "Nnnghh... It's what you do when you get ready for babies!"

Solitaire sat still as stone, her ears pinned back. Emotions flashed through her eyes. Confusion, shame, relief and embarrassment to name a few. She stared at Sparrow for several minutes.

"Oh. OH. Oh, Sparrow, I'm . . . I'm so sorry. I . . . I should've . . ." But she couldn't finish.

She got up and trotted away, very ashamed. Of course! She should have known. She knew what being in heat was, but she had not put two and two together and realized that was her condition. Now she was embarrassed. Sparrow had put two and two together, while she had thought she was going to die. Stupid! Stupid! She told herself. Her mother had told her something about it, long ago, but it was a fuzzy memory. Well, she thought, at least I'm not dying.

She came up to a pine tree, and sat under it, pawing one of the pine cones that littered the ground. How dumb Sparrow must think her now. He would want to leave now, she was sure. He would not want a dumb, stinky, absent-minded female for a companion. She began to think of life on her own again. The wolf-dog suddenly heard a choking sound. She realized it was herself. Just the thought of life alone made her begin to break. She shook her fur. I'll just have to find someone else, she said, trying to be calm. If Sparrow leaves, I'll find someone else. Her heart cracked at the thought.

She began to bark wildly, running the depressing thoughts away. She wouldn't think about that anymore. She wouldn't brood about things out of her control. She would . . . enjoy the time she had with him, and try to stop dwelling on being left.

If he would even talk to her again. She turned thumped her head against the tree trunk, over and over.
Stupid, Stupid.

[Anita]

Solitaire kept apologizing and fumbling for words. Sparrow clawed at the ground, unsure of how to respond or at least calm her down. She seemed so embarrased, but why? 'Heat' always came off to him as something females knew and embraced naturally. Then again, Solitaire probably hadn't been with her mother long enough to learn much of it.

Sparrow tucked his tail in as he watched her trot away. It was a sight he'd seen before as they traveled together, often with her in the lead, but it continued to frighten him. Everytime she turned around, his brain would jump to remind him that she wouldn't stay with him forever.

The wolf whimpered. He was almost an adult and had long ago abandoned the silly idea of flying. He grew in size and in knowledge and had matured quite a bit, but still kept his youthful appearence and cowardice. However Solitaire already was an adult. She'd already reached her first heat cycle! Soon she'd get restless and want to dull the ache her instincts gave. Unfortunately, Sparrow simply wasn't ready for that and would have to watch her walk away to find a more suitable partner. The thought of partnership never really bothered him, much. At first, he had a crush on Solitaire, what with the mysterious background, defined fur pattern and those beautiful, inquisitive blue eyes. But through their time together, his crush grew into a lighthearted sense of friendship. Solitaire having her heat cycle seemed to have unbalanced everything, reminding him that she was indeed an adult wolf and that she, too, had her needs. Needs that he could not satisfy.

Sparrow shook himself off and untucked his tail. Maybe this didn't have to be the end to their travels. And if it was, then he wouldn't let it end without a goodbye.

His rich brown paws lightly kicked the mud as he trotted after Solitaire's scent. He found her sitting under a pine tree, pawing at the pine cones and making small whimpers and choking sounds. Sparrow felt a little part of his heart dissapate. She was crying. Then her whimpers hitched as she began hitting her head a couple times on the trunk before barking wildly. Sparrow's eyes widened and he took a step back, slightly scared. Flicking his ears a couple times, he summoned courage and quickly jogged up and pounced onto her. "Hey!" He barked loudly, standing above, "Stop that, you're hurting yourself!" He hadn't realized he was bristling out of fright or that his legs were shaking nervously. His confidence quickly left him though and he began noticing those little points.

Awkwardly looking at her, he softened and licked her face warmly, "Taire, don't hurt yourself." He stepped back and sat down onto the ground. "I'm sorry for embarrassing you." Then looking at her shyly, he murmered a quiet, "I'm sorry for being such a kid..."

[✮ErInJaN✮]

Solitaire whipped her head around as Sparrow barked harshly to her to stop hurting herself. She hadn't realized he was close by. He was bristling, and though she expected him to look disapproving, he looked more scared. It turned into an awkward look, and he came to her and licked her face.

"Taire, don't hurt yourself." He said. He sat back and looked at her."I'm sorry for embarrassing you." He shyly murmured, "I'm sorry for being such a kid..."

Solitaire sat limply, and looked at him fondly and gently, but it was a tired gaze. She blinked slowly and sighed.

"I was only embarrassed that I didn't realize what it was, while you did. But it doesn't matter."

She stared at him, her blue eyes staring deep into his face. Her nose took in his scent. Her ears caught his quiet breathing. Solitaire was remembering him, the way he was now. She was making the memory that might be her only companion in the coming days. All the time she'd been with him flashed before her. Playing, dancing, the rain storm, the mud, hunting. She remembered how much Sparrow had dreamed of flying, and how creative he had been. How imaginative he still was. He had such potential to be an amazing wolf. Her eyes had not left his face.

"This is goodbye isn't it?" She whispered. Her eyes misted, and she looked even more tired and sad.

She walked over and nuzzled his chest. She washed his face with her pink tongue, and nibbled his ear and at a tiny matted piece of fur on his coat.

"I love you Sparrow. I am going to miss you awfully. But . . . you don't need me anymore." Solitaire swallowed her sob, so that it didn't escape.

"I know you will have a wonderful life. I . . . I won't ever forget you. You are the first friend I ever had."

She turned away and sat, sniffling for a moment.

"You won't forget me, will you? We'll meet again, won't we?"

[Anita]

Sparrow noted the silence in the trees, the absence of the sun's warmth, the clouds above his head. The clouds inside his head.

"This is goodbye, isn't it?" He could see the fatigue in her eyes. The sadness, the loneliness, the utter youth inside her. And suddenly Solitaire looked so

young. Though the sadness in her eyes gave age, the tears fought, giving her the childish need to bite back her sobs. Sparrow's ears twitched, he could

still hear them.

Her soft, warm head nuzzled into his chest and he buried his own snout in her fur, embracing his friend's scent. Embracing his survival and the skills

she taught him. Solitaire's tongue washed over his face, the bittersweet texture giving him hope and a reason to smile. "I love you Sparrow. I am going

to miss you awfully. But... you don't need me anymore." He pulled back to smile sadly; she was right, it was finally time for them to part.

He wanted to say something back; the same childish fear of emotion held him back from opening his mouth and pouring out sobs. His caramel fur

mixed sweetly with the whites and grays of Solitaire. "I know you will have a wonderful life." The nibbling on his ear made him fight harder to keep

from crying. Her scent kept teasing his nose, making him upset to think that this would be the last time in a long time that he'd smell it.

" I... I won't ever forget you. You are the first friend I've ever had." Solitaire turned away, sitting down and sniffling. Only when she couldn't see him did

Sparrow allow the moisture in his eyes to dampen his face. "You won't forget me, will you?" That awoke his speech. "No! No, I'd never, I..." He looked at

Solitaire's beautiful figure, hunched and slightly shivering. He couldn't bring forth the other words.

"We'll meet again, won't we?" Sparrow looked up, jack-o-latern eyes shining furiously at her turned head. He stood up straighter. He moved back,

beginning their seperation by one more step. "Yeah, Solitaire. We'll meet again."

But in his words lay a hidden doubt. As he turned around and faced the forest's dark arms, his tail wagged.

The world was a vast and nearly endless place...

Then again, how big is a world for those with wings?