- take a minute., [p] mutt, ke. ( lol same rper! )

[Retsu]

It hadn't been too entirely long of a time since Retsu had first claimed this land, but he had been through alot. He had started a pack off on a good note, but after he had fallen ill in the winter, they all had deserted him, even seemingly his daughter. The only one that had stuck around was Mutt, and Retsu knew he could always trust the black wolf that had come to him so timid before. Fondly, Retsu went over Mutt in his head. The younger wolf had always brought amusement out in the seemingly stoic past-leader, and Mutt broke the shell that Retsu held up ever so vigiliantly quite easily. Stretching out in the grass by the borders of the hollow, Retsu enjoyed the sun, letting his dusty white fur soak it up. Rolling onto his back, he let his paws sit above him, playfully pawing the air at an imaginary foe. He really hadn't felt this relaxed in a long time, but he supposed enough lolly-gagging was enough lolly-gagging. Lazily moving onto his side, he pushed himself upright and shook out his dirty fur. Analyzing what he could see of himself, he figured maybe he would go for a dip in the nearby creek after he had met this Ke wolf. He had heard the howl of claiming that came however long ago, and he was just fine with that. After his bout with illness, he was not physically fit for leading, and sharing the land with someone who could do better for the pack was a-okay. He wasn't sure how Mutt would react with Ke, but it would hopefull go well. Retsu contemplate calling out his name, but the black wolf was usually around. Maybe he would sit and relax a bit longer, until his companion showed up. Then they would go and .. seek acceptance he supposed, from this strange new leader.

[Mutt]

Mutt never went far.

He had nowhere to go to, for one. He had left his home years ago it seemed, even though it hadn't really been that long. He had traveled far and had come here. He had been accepted when there had been no pack and lived within it once it had formed. He had helped to raise the daughter of the then alpha and he had grown closer to the former leader of this land. What was there for him to go to? Leaving would be the worst thing he could think of.

Retsu's illness had been a hard one and he had needed the help that most leaders would never ask their underlings for. Mutt had freely given that help. He was not the strongest or the fastest or the bravest but he was loyal. He could hunt enough to keep them both alive and he had no reason to leave. The lingering illness had been receding when they had reunited but it was still hard. Retsu was strong now but not at the same level that he had once been.

Mutt thought that he was just as fine now as he was then. Yes, his loyalty would always be to Retsu but a lack of strength was better than a lack of life. Where would he be without the white wolf?

This time, he had merely stepped out to test the breeze and to quench his thirst. They were on the far edges of the territory and had, so far, remained undetected. Mutt would prefer to keep it that way but he knew whatever Retsu chose to do he would go along with. He trotted back slowly and caught a glimpse of white; he picked up his speed, pleased to see that the larger male was up and about.

"I'm back," he announced the words in his general way, soft speech and a lingering hesitancy that might never really leave him. The very tip of his tail gave a few slight wagging motions and the gold eyes watched the older male intently.

[Retsu]

Mutt was quick, like Retsu knew he would be, and he smiled at the return of his companion. Turning around, he trotted up to his friend and playfully nipped at his ear, sliding his chalky white snout down the inky fur; sliding his tongue across mutt's muzzle affectionately. Bouncing away, he looked over his shoulder, raising an eyebrow. " I doubt we can stay here much longer being undetected, I know it would be better for my cause if I went to meet this Ke, and I would hope that you would accompany me as well, if you still choose to be by my side that is. " It was a teasing remark in the way that he could almost guarantee that Mutt would always be there with Retsu, the two had formed a special bond, at least in his opinion. Mutt had helped him through very rough times, he remembered when he could barely keep consciousness , and all through the blur there was the dark shape of Mutt. He had almost never left him, and Retsu would be in debt for that. Looking forwards, toward the border, to the fields that he used to rule, he sighed. He missed leading this land, but now he knew it was for the better that it was lead by someone else. A slight breeze moved the leaves around him, also ruffling his fur. Retsu inhaled deeply, the fresh scent of summer being carried on the wind. If someone was out scouting, they were bound to have scented the two wolves by now, and so he was alert, waiting for the presence that would indeed show up eventually.

[Mutt]

As always, whenever the older male showed affection Mutt froze. It wasn't that he was afraid; far from it. It was that Retsu was still the alpha in his mind, he was still far above him in station. He never expected the white wolf to turn on him so that fear was not there. Just the fact that there was such a wide gulf between them and Mutt had no idea how to reciprocate without cringing.

The black ears slid back just a tiny bit at the words. If Mutt could have it his way, they would just stay in this isolated corner of the world for as long as possible. He didn't know these knew wolves. He didn't know if they would be friendly, if they would welcome them. If they slid into the pack life easily and, once again, Mutt became something as he had been in his past what then? Would Retsu be able to handle another wolf holding the reins and giving the orders? What if there were a fight?

Mutt could come up with all the worst possiblities in a heartbeat.

He shook his head slowly, "No. I wouldn't leave." It was pointless to say it. Retsu knew that. Hadn't Mutt been the one to stay with him? He knew the older male would be pleased if he stayed and he knew he would protect him within the furthest limits of his strength and capabilities. He couldn't help being worried though. "Will it be okay?"

Of course, there weren't many other places to go besides this pack. There were the dogs that dotted the land and the humans that filled it. Suzumushi was one of the few safe zones left to them. He could not deny his desire to hide away from it all but he knew it was a young, silly desire. There was no other choice for them, really.

[Ke]

There would be a day in the future when the alpha would be called for emergencies and for accepting new members. When his own patrols would be augmented by other subordinates who wanted to keep their land safe. Right now, though, their numbers were few. Many of the subordinates weren't the right type to be border guards in the first place; too friendly, too willing to accept. It wasn't a bad quality to have but not for watching the land.

The large, heavy paws carried him surely towards the outskirts of the lands that had become home. A breeze had brought him the scent and he had followed it. It was safe to assume that not every wolf you found was trying to take what you had claimed and it was also safe to assume that not every wolf was wanting to join with you either. Ke tried very hard to keep his mindset on the in-between; to give every wolf that passed through at least a slight benefit of the doubt. It was hard, though.

So when the wind brought him the tale of two strangers it was all he could do to keep the hackles from rising, the lips from lifting over the white fangs. Even more unsettling to him was that there had been older scents as he drew near as if they had been here for quite some time. Perhaps they were members of the older group that had once stayed here. If that was the case, they either had no idea that the land had been taken or they had known but stayed off to the side. He certainly hoped it wouldn't result in a fight. Ke was confident of his skills and his fighting prowess but fights could still end horribly. Ke had dependents; his sister, the entire pack, the puppy that had fallen into their midst.

They were all his now. He wouldn't willingly surrender them to someone else unless he was certain they would be better cared for.

It didn't take him overly long to track the trail. He was near the area and the scent was easy enough to follow. It wasn't too long until he could spot two wolves; both of them obviously of this land as they were smaller, though the white one was on the larger scale. Both male, both looked close; they hadn't seemed to notice them just yet. The white wolf looked as if he had once been bulky and strong but had lost some of his strength. Perhaps he had been injured or ill and had not yet regained what he once had. The other looked younger, as if he hadn't yet filled out and gained his full potential just yet.

The large black male took no effort to hide himself. He stood out quite well enough with the black coat and the intense blue eyes. He had no reason to hide himself. He made enough of a concession to not immediately launch into snarls and demands, though it was generally the first route that he wanted to take. Most wolves reacted poorly to that, though signs of his dominance (the fact that he held his head and body up, took slow and deliberate steps and that his hackles were raised at least a little bit) were far more accepted than snapping and snarling.

Though he was grouchy and not as social as most wolves he had no desire to drive away potential members. If they just wanted safe passage, he would grant it. If they wanted to claim, well, that was another thing altogether.

Unlike most of his kind, Ke didn't launch into demands to know who they were or what they wanted. He didn't tell them they were on claimed land. In fact, he didn't say much of anything. He wanted time to let them notice him and let them approach him. They would tell him what they wanted with their first few sentences, he was certain.

[Retsu]

"Will it be okay?" Retsu frowned slightly, he was sure that it would be, but some leaders of packs were not all rainbows and summer breezes, they were nasty, hardcore and wanted nothing more to dominate. Truthfully, he couldn't be sure what was going to happen but he knew nothing would happen to Mutt if the white wolf was still breathing. He remembered all too well what Mutt was like when he first came here, timid, scared of everything it had seemed at the time. Obviously, it was signs of abuse from his past, but he was sure that Mutt now knew that Retsu would never do anything of the sort, or let anything like that happen to him again. " It will be okay. " He said firmly, nodding his head. " We should leave now, assess the leader, and see if this is indeed, the right pack to join. I do not wish to be apart of a family that does not hold the same values that I do; I won't accept anything below what I think is right. Hopefully, this will be the right pack, and not something ugly. " Glancing at the younger wolf once more, he smiled briefly, something that had gotten easier with time but still nagged at his old personality. He turned forward, and scented the wind, seeing what lay ahead. A new smell came to him on the wind, someone was coming. Sure enough, a large black wolf with the most peculiar blue eyes came before them, though still a distance away. Retsu took due note of his dominant stature, and seeing as he used to be one, made the assumption that this indeed was the alpha, this Ke that now ruled the lands. He looked back at Mutt, and gestured with his head that they should move forwards, if the young male had not already made the motions to do so. It was difficult to see someone taking his lands, his home, and ruling them. In his heart, he wanted nothing more to rule them once more, but he knew he just was not up to the task right now, not to mention someone had taken over. The chalky wolf approached Ke, calmly, and came to a stop when he was a reasonable amount of distance closer. Clearing his throat, he spoke up in greeting. " Hello. I, am Retsu. " He paused, not quite sure how to begin explaining why he was here and what he wanted. Did he tell this wolf that he used to be leader, fallen sick, and had just recovered, even though it wasn't to full strength? He guessed so, the other wolf would find out sooner or later, though he didn't know if it was any concern or even interest to him. " You may have scented in these lands many old scents, you could have stumbled across mine. I have lived in these lands before, not as a loner, or pack member, but as an Alpha. This winter that just passed had been a harsh one, I had fallen extremely ill and lost what was once a growing pack, all of them gone, except for my comrad here. " Pausing briefly, he motioned towards Mutt. " Whether you take any concern or interest in this tale, I know not, but now that I have regained some strength, I figured it was time to leave this small area and come find you, to request that I be granted into this new pack that has formed. " He trailed off there, looking back at Mutt, then at Ke. He had very deliberately had not spoken for both of them, he thought that might be rude.

[Mutt]

Mutt dipped his head slightly in acknowledgment of Retsu's words. He realized just as well as the older wolf that not all alphas would be kind. Not all would be willing to accept someone unless they could fight well or hunt well or were imposing. Some of them could be cruel and dictators. It was just dependent on their personality. He also knew, though, that Retsu would defend him and if this alpha wasn't what they were looking for they would leave. It would be hard but they would. It was far better than submitting to a tyrant, after all.

His older friend noticed him first but it only took Mutt a few scant seconds afterward to see the large black wolf. If ever there was an imposing figure, this was it. Mutt did not do overly well with strangers, as evidenced by his past encounters with them. He did even less well when they were even larger than Retsu and were quite clearly displaying dominance. It was obvious who this was. It was an ominous presence that the other male gave off and Mutt despaired of what that could mean; he wasn't even talking. Though their initial meeting hadn't been on the best side of things Retsu had spoken immediately.

The black ears folded back and he lowered himself a little. He wasn't fully submitting but he was making himself as small and non-threatening as possible. Even if they didn't stay here he had no desire to draw the ire of this other wolf. He didn't want Retsu to have to fight nor did he want to fight; he didn't want either of them to have wounds and pain. So the less he looked like he was a threat the better.

He listened to Retsu introduce himself and then explain his story. In the brief summary, however, the former leader did not introduce him or ask for his acceptance. A brief wave of panic swept over him as he realized Retsu intended for him to speak. That though he had been the leader he expected Mutt to introduce himself and ask for himself; it was obviously a step towards getting on this new alpha's good side and on making Mutt slightly more independent. It still left him practically quivering though.

"Mutt. My name is Mutt," he spoke softly after Retsu looked at him and then back at the much larger black wolf. His words were so low they probably hard to hear but he couldn't bring himself to raise the level of his voice any higher than what it currently was. He shifted his weight nervously from one paw to the other. "I, too, seek acceptance into the new pack." He paused for a moment. "I... we won't let you down."

[Ke]

The dark blue eyes watched as the chalky white wolf with the green eyes approached him. There was a confidence in the stance that spoke of a past ease with himself and with being respected. The words were cautious but the tone was also full of confidence. Some of that confidence might be feigned but Ke could see most of it was not. He spoke of an illness, a weakness and that he had once been the alpha. Ke had wondered who had ruled here and why it had slid to him so easily. Now he knew. The old leader had lost his hold because there was nothing to do except try to survive. Had all the others left or had they, too, succumbed to an illness? Ke severely hoped this land didn't have disease that ran through it. Otherwise they could lose all of a growing pack just as this Retsu had.

His eyes followed the nod of the head and took in the younger wolf. He was obviously a subordinate, might possibly even have been an omega at some point. He was displaying himself as one, anyways. He was not cringing but he was doing his best to present as little of a threat as possible. It was a good thing, especially since Ke needed very little to trigger his temper on most days. He had to strain to hear the younger wolf's words but they gave him pause. After a few seconds a brief whuff of air escaped from his nose in amusement.

"My name is Ke." He rumbled the words out even as he turned his attention back to the former leader. He didn't like to speak but this was a situation where words were required far more than gestures, body language and a brief few lines. He didn't say he was sorry for his loss or for his ill health; that was obviously in the past. If the white wolf hadn't been ill there would have been no place for Ke, Hazumi or One Eye to really go. So it had worked well in his favor. In the end, it might work well in their favor as well.

One thought worried him though, even more than the thought that a former leader might one day want to become a current one. "You speak of illness. I have heard of other illness. Is it common here in these lands? Will the members of the pack have to face it?" That worried him. To see them ill would be hard. To take care of them would be even harder. It took constant dedication to do something of that nature. He let his eyes flick over towards the younger wolf, Mutt, once. If he stayed and took care of this older male that was true loyalty.

Another brief pause. "You hold knowledge of this place that not one of us has. Both of you. I do not think it is a knowledge we can afford to pass by." It was a hasty decision. Yet Ke felt it was the only decision. He could chase them away, he could let them leave. But what then? Retsu might have lost some strength but not all. He might be able to help in the hunts and in defending this land. Mutt might also be able to hunt, might be good at watching puppies or any other small task. He, too, knew the land.

[Retsu]

As Mutt made his shaky introductions, Retsu stayed silent, observing Ke. He couldn't be sure what this grouchy-looking male was about yet, and if things did get bad, yes, Mutt and him would leave. He would never put his friend in the same situation that he had been in before. "You speak of illness. I have heard of other illness. Is it common here in these lands? Will the members of the pack have to face it?" " No, when I was brought down by the illness no one else was affected by it, I have to assume they thought I was going to die, and decided to go to other places to seek out a more stable pack. I have heard of other illness's as well, but have seen none of them. " He replied almost immediately, feeling a twang in his stomach as his thoughts turned to his young daughter, Navaare. The white wolf couldn't be sure what had happened to her, maybe she had fallen ill as well, hopefully she was alive and well though. Maybe it was hereditary, he couldn't be sure. "You hold knowledge of this place that not one of us has. Both of you. I do not think it is a knowledge we can afford to pass by." And with that, he assumed that was the larger wolf's way of granting them passage into the new packland, and he nodded in agreement. " We will put the knowledge that we have into good use, I can assure you that."

[Mutt]

The young wolf was surprised when the first question asked was not of their skills or of their desires but of the illness that had brought Retsu down. Mutt scarcely wanted to talk about it, for it was not a pleasant memory. Yet it was... good that the new alpha should ask of it. Yes, even if Mutt only would truly acknowledge Retsu in his mind as his leader it was still good. It showed that no matter how fierce the one standing before them looked he at least showed enough concern to worry over whether the ones he ruled over might catch the same sickness.

"I never saw anyone else that had become ill," Mutt offered his own input softly. Every other pack member he had contact with had been healthy. This illness hadn't even struck Retsu until later on. Perhaps it was something that couldn't be caught? The black wolf didn't like to think of that overly much but it was a possibility.

Mutt shook his head to dismiss the thoughts as he caught the next words. It was a roundabout way but it seemed to indicate that the large male would bring them into the ranks. Was he really ready to accept them based off of that? He didn't know any of their skills! Well, he knew that Retsu obviously could lead but he knew nothing else. Were they that desperate for pack members or did he just assume that he could trust them enough?

"Thank you, sir," he spoke the words softly again. It would be nice to exist within a pack once again. He had enjoyed his time with Retsu and he would not despair overly much if they had remained in their corner of the world. Yet it was nice to have others that would frolic and play, others to join in the hunt, and puppies to tend for. Mutt would love nothing more than to be the playmate and babysitter to more puppies.

He just hoped this pack would be more like Retsu's and less like his original.