Blossoming.

[Zeddicus Zu'l Zorander]

[This is the sequel to 'Snowy Forest.' This one centers around the blossoming love of Estoni and Joram, pups from both Kahlan and Kuyakyn's and Anakalia and Palaina's litters.]

A large smile formed on her face. She walked towards the log that overlooked the pond. Walking the length of the log, she stopped to stare down and watched the frogs jump about on the green pads. She let out a soft laugh as some water sprinkled on her nose. She stood up slightly, and walked off the log and traveled around the pond.

The lovely late spring air was warm, and the scent of flowers were on the horizon. She had run off away from her brothers to just enjoy the land around her. She was just a couple months old now, but she'll become an adult soon enough. She was enjoying life as it was now. She raced forward, her small legs pulling her quickly. She flew by in a blur enjoying the fresh wave of air as she ran.

The grass was soft and green under her, and above her the trees were clutching and holding onto the sunlight, but some got through and sparkled down on the forest floor. When the sunlight hit her, you could see the traces of gold in her black pelt, and her intricate gold designs. Her eyes were green with gold sparkles in them, and what was unusuable about her, was the gold earring hanging from her left ear. Her father had given it to her for her four month old birthday, after taking it from humans as a trophy. It had been painful getting it in, but she loved it.

She beamed at the thought of her parents, glad that she lived wild.

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[Anakalia]

I looked around the den as I walked out of my room. I was the biggest of my other three brothers and sisters. I smiled when I saw my sister fighting my other brother. I shook my coat out, then turned to the door and walked out.

My mom was out side sitting there relaxing in the sun. Winter was finally over. "Hey sweetie," she greeted me with a lick to my ear.
"Awww come on mom I'm not a baby anymore." I said in false disgust.
"You'll always be my baby."

I walked away from her and headed to the river running the whole way. I watched as butterflies flew through the air. I didn't stop running when I saw the river right in front of me. I plumited right into it laughing. I walked back out shaking the water from my bark gray fur with bluish streaks. My eyes were a black like my fathers though around the pupil the were a light blue.

I walked for a while after that. When I heard her laughing. I sat back and watched her. She was so pretty across between her mother and her father.

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[Zeddicus Zu'l Zorander]

Giggling when a butterfly landed on her nose, she got up and as she did so, the butterfly flew up. She chased it, jumping up after it, when the butterfly led her to a clearing filled with little orange and red flowers. She was on a slight incline, and she rolled down to rest in the center of the clearing on back, staring up at the trees and the patch of the clear blue sky she could see.

The butterfly once again landed on her nose, and her laughter was soft, as she watched it gently open and close it's wimgs. Around her, the pollen she had disturbed was beginning to settle, and she sighed, enjoying the feeling of the warm sun on her fur. She stretched her paws out and lay on her side, closing her eyes slightly.

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[Anakalia]

I watched her as she ran around playing with the butterfly I had seen a few moments ago. I laughed when I saw her roll down the hill. She wasn't just my mother's best friends daughter. She was my best friend. The one I could tell everything to.

When I heard her laugh I broke into a smile. I watched her until she closed her eyes. Then I slowly and as quietly as I could sneaked up behind her. And sat there for a moment.

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[Zeddicus Zu'l Zorander]

Falling in a small nap, her sides lifted and lowered as she breathed with the steadiness of sleeping. Opening her green eyes, she yawned, and sat up. She lifted her hind leg and began to scratch her neck as she did so. She was oblivious to her friend sitting behind her

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[Anakalia]

I watched her as she slepped lightly not wanting to disturb her, but the second she awoke and scratched her head I charged at her. Biting playfully at her.
"Hey, Estoni." I greeted her. Then stepped back so she could stand up.

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[Zeddicus Zu'l Zorander]

She playfully screamed as Joram ramed into her, and playfully bit at her.

"Ooof! Get off you big oaf!" She said, laughing. He was bigger then her, and the best comparison she could make was that of her parents, however they were no where near their size yet. He was just bigger than her, it was that simple. However she was stronger then a normal female pup her age, and it was all because of her three older brothers.

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[Anakalia]

I smiled at her when she called me and oaf. "Thanks for the compliment." I said bowing my head slightly.
"So how are your mom and dad? I haven't talked to them in a while." As she answered my question I moved closer again and sat down looking at her. I could feel my fur warming in the sun. ahh the feel of something other then cold i thought to myself.

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[Zeddicus Zu'l Zorander]

"Your welcome," She giggled, lifting a paw to cover her mouth while she laughed. She calmed down when he asked her a question, and her voice soft, she responded.

"My parents are doing great, still oh-so-in-love," She said, smiling. Noting that he moved closer to her, she turned her head towards him and asked him a question of her own. "How about your own?"

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[Anakalia]

I looked at her as she laughed. It was so cute and small. One of my most favorite sounds in the world. "They're great. Just like your parents. I can't see them as anything but in love. There's no way it will ever change."

I looked off to the water and smiled. "First one to the water wins." I said in a challeing tone

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[Zeddicus Zu'l Zorander]

"Eat my dust!" She screamed jokingly, and sped off towards the water, getting a head start on him. She was running free, adn that is all she wanted at this moment in time. She was happy to be just a free spirit.

Lost in her thoughts, she just let her paws carry her.

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[Anakalia]

He watched as she ran past him getting a head start. "That's so no cool you get a head start. Plus your already faster then me!" He called after her. He started running full force catching up very little. He dove into the water after her. Coming up for air he heard her yell at him "You lose."

At that he jumped through the water towards her tackling he down again. When he looked down at ehr he gave her a one sided smile. He leanded down on impulse and licked her ear. The one with the earring.

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[Zeddicus Zu'l Zorander]

She squealed when he tackled her down. She quickly vanished under the water, only to resurface seconds later, since he had let up a little. She laughed, but was shocked when he licked her ear. She thought only parents did that, or couples. She giggled non the less, and gave him a lick on the cheek in return.

Wiggling out of his grip, she turned, and swinging her tail, splashed him lightly, as she walked out of the water. She had inherited her mother's body and was glad she had. It seemed the only thing she got from her father was his DNA and a cool color effect on her fur and eyes. She smiled at him, growling playfully as she waited for him to join her.

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[Anakalia]

He watches her get out of the water. Still surprised at what he had done and that she had licked him back. Strange he thought. Then he ran after trying to hit her again but she moved out of the way causing him to land and roll overonto his back.

He heard her laugh softly and he started laughing too.

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[Zeddicus Zu'l Zorander]

She moved slightly out of the way, and when he rolled onto his back, she stepped over him, a soft smile gracing her lips. He looked so happy and calm laying there on his back, and she giggled.

She wondered why he had licked her eazr, epecically the one with the gold earring, the gift from her father. More so, why she had licked him back. Confused, she backed off a little.

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