owo
I would like to adopt!
Number: 8.
Picture:
Name: Siku; means 'ice' in Inuit. However, another young wolf has affectionately dubbed him 'Jay'; due to reasons below.
Species: Leopard Wolf.
Personality: Fierce. Loyal. Protective. All the qualities that one should expect from a warrior.
This is Siku; this is him. But there is much more to this silvery leopard wolf than that. Oh, no. Just four words can't describe him; he is almost undescribable in a way. But I shall try my best; for this leopard wolf is sure to be remembered all through history, for his story is written out in the stars. Though, we'll get to that later.
Siku is a true warrior; fierce and loyal. He's brave, willing to protect his pack for anything. He is extremely protective of his friends and family, some may say even 'overprotective'. As you can probably see; I wouldn't recommend messing with his family, or his friends. It wouldn't be the wisest move on your part; though this male isn't unnecessarily violent. He prefers to keep peace, and handle conflicts with words and glares rather than tooth and claw. But, he is a true warrior; he would, and will, protect his pack with all of his strength if he had to. Though some may see his oevrprotectiveness as a bad trait, others agree that it is admirable. There are many opinions in the world; and many topics which people may disagree upon. Of these many subjects, this debate is one of them. Which is really right? This you can decide for yourself.
But this rime-gray leopard wolf; adorned with storm-grey spots, isn't just a thickheaded guard wolf; no. He's extremely caring, and actually has a great sense of humor...he was known as a pup to get into as much mischief as the next young leopard wolf. Though he spends much of his time making sure his pack is safe, he also loves to hang around his two best friends; Jackal and Anya. They know what his true nature is like, they know the warmth and laughter that radiates from this young male behind what some see as a wall of thick ice hidden in his azure eyes; unable to be penetrated. His cobalt blue eyes shine with mischeif; and he nearly always has a smile on his face when he's around them. They're his true friends; along with his family, they know him the absolute best. They have seen past what seems like an endless cold; like a winter storm, a blizzard, that seems neverending. No, they know the true Siku; the relief of spring after a hard winter; the warmth of the sun. Happiness blazes in his eyes, and excitement brushes at his pelt. This is the true Siku, behind what may seem like an icy shell to strangers. Cold, but protective. But yet blazing with warmth; a great friend.
Likes: Despite what strangers might think; Siku loves alot of things in life. After all, he loves life, though he may look icy on the outside. Like what, you may ask? Well, probably due to his thick, glossy fur and the environment he has lived in and experienced his entire life; he loves colder weather. He very much dislikes warmer weather, the stuffy, muggy feeling that hangs in the air when it's hot; his fur seeming to burn against his skin...well, it's not really his thing. The gentle patter of snowflakes on his fur, the hushed sound of new snowfall...that is the weather he truly loves. He loves waking up early after a night of snowfall, and racing out into the open from sheltered stone dens, or the warmth of his packmate's fur, tail tucked under nose; and leaping through the crystally white drifts, and sliding across frozen-through rivers and streams; clawmarks leaving streaks in the silvery ground, carpeted by feathery white flakes. He loves looking out over the tundra which is his home, seeing the sparse evergreen firs capped in snow, as if they were dipped in a lake of cool snowflakes. He loves watching the winter sunset, the blazing sun sending multicolored streaks through the evening sky, until it slowly drifts beneath the rim of the mountainside in the east; waiting for the crystally moon to rise and take its place, until the pale sky turns cobalt and vibrant white stars are splashed across the horizon, twinkling icy and white in the dusk. He truly loves the winter; but he enjoys more than just weather, of course. What else? Well, much more, truly.
Siku loves more than anything his friends and family; they mean the world to them. Whether it's Jackal, his black-furred, silver-socked friend, yellow eyes shining with mischeif, or Anya, with her sleek silver, almost white coat and grey paws and tail tip, as if they were dipped in water, her emerald eyes bright; or any of his family members, he cherishes them all. His father, Kavik, a large black male with his same sapphire eyes, with a flash of silvery white on his chest and paws, and slightly lighter spots scattered across his pelt, he respects deeply, and cares for greatly. Siku honors his father, and though the regal male had been somewhat strict when his son was younger, it was purely from the fact that he loved him; and they both have love for eachother, despite whatever strict training or arguments they may have.
His mother, Dove, is who he is the closest two of his two parents. Dove is a pale silver, nearly white female with white spots, fading into her shimmering fur; and with darker ears and a dainty stripe of grey on her muzzle. She has been somewhat of an opposite of her mate in the way she treats her son; though he is is no way spoiled. Gentle and kind; she has always been there whenever Siku has needed help, his shelter in a whipping storm. They both have been very close; and her son nearly always wears a feather in her honor; and also, because he simply loves feathers. Flight. What an extraordinary thing; to soar above the clouds and through the violet sky of twilight. Though he much prefers the thought of keeping his paws planted firmly on the ground, he still thinks some birds are pretty amazing creatures. And...when possible; a jay's feather is his first choice. Why? Well; though he hides his feelings well, he has somewhat of a liking of the female mentioned earlier; Anya. When they first met, Siku was wearing a jay's feather behind his left ear, and due to this the young female affectionately nicknamed him 'Jay'; before she found out his true name, Siku.
These wolves are some of the few to melt his icy wall; his gaze warm to them instead of brisk and hidden behind a suspicious frost.
Dislikes: Like any leopard wolf or animal living on this earth; Siku has dislikes. Maybe more, due to his status and his seemingly icy, fierce personality, but perhaps less. On top of all of his dislikes; he hates anybody messing with his family or friends. His worst fear is that one of them would get hurt or injured; he loves them more than anything.
However, he dislikes other things, as well. Hot weather, for one thing; though the reasons are mentioned above. Siku also very much dislikes snobby, rude, or otherwise stuck up animals. He doesn't see the point of boasting or putting others down for no reason. After all; he is good at what he does, but doesn't brag about it, though he secretly glows with pride when Anya compliments him. However, as I mentioned earlier, Siku is very good at hiding his feelings; able to make his ice blue eyes seem expressionless and cold even if he's bursting with joy or pride, or blazing with anger. However, sometimes you can tell if he's annoyed; he tends to snap at others when he feels that way.
This young male dislikes when others treat him like he can't handle himself or that he doesn't know anything; because that is far from the truth. As one of the most intelligent and skilled young leopard wolves in the pack, he is respected by most. Though, some see his frosty shell as a male who is impossible to communicate with in a friendly way, and they avoid him; daunted by that frozen gaze. But his friends and family know the warmth inside to melt that frosty glare; who he truly is.
Background: The milky white moon shone high above the tundra; the velvety cobalt sky splattered with stars, glittering coldly with an icy hue. A slight wind blew briskly, winding downwards from the moon and rustling the last clinging leaves of the sparse, spinly trees that dotted the tundra. Though it looked deserted; lifeless, it was quite the opposite. Seemingly desolate; but not abandoned, no. For here lived some of the most fierce, noble creatures of the arctic. This frozen desert; this solitary land...was where the leopard wolves called home; where they thrived in a land of ice.
A lonely shape stood on a rise, surrounded by smooth boulders and scattered with rocks. The earth below the creature's paws was frozen; thick with permafrost and ice. A single sillouhete against the horizon, it seemed still, except for a single twitch of its feathery fail, or an occasional flick of its ears. Alert and unnmoving, it scanned the tundra, watching; it's gaze icy as it observed its surroundings.
"Siku." A harsh, somewhat raspy voice called out, though the owner was hidden in shadow. Whipping around, teeth bared, the leopard wolf that had been on watch glared into the scraggly brush from where the voice had come from. A low growl rumbled from his throat; his hackles rising. "Siku, it's just me." A large, regal leopard wolf emerged; his pelt shimmering black in the chill of twilight. Siku's fur flattened as he recognized his father, Kavik, and his azure eyes calmed, somewhat warmer, but still alert. He pricked his ears, curious. What could his father possibly want at this time of night. "You've been doing well, Siku." Kavik murmured, his usually-cold sapphire eyes warm. He nodded to his son, and spoke once more. "You have had the watch all night; why don't you go back and rest?"
Frosty eyes glinting with surprise, he dipped his head, and shook his fur, which had turned frosty and stiff on the outer layer; though his underfur was still warm and dry. He stood; his movement shaking the snow from his pelt, and padded down the rise, leaping over a large boulder, slik with frost, and pushed his way through the snarled bushes that marked the pack's current sleeping place. The twigs scraped at his fur, and he had to duck as he neared the dip where the rest of his packmates would be curled up; asleep, nose tucked under tail. Emerging from the barrier of growth, he twitched his ears to rid a dried leaf that had caught in his fur, and looked around the clearing; his frosty gaze traveling from one wolf to the next; searching. His eyes glinted with warmth for a moment as he spied who he was looking for; and leapt into the dip, making his way through his packmates, careful not to trod on a stray tail or stretched out paw. His eyes shone as he made out his two best friends; Anya and Jackal, and chose a free spot in the snow nearby.
Fluffing out his fur to combat the cold, he felt comforted by the warm scents and feel of his friends nearby. Curling up, he gazed up once more at the moon, then closed his eyes, tucking his nose deep into the snug, thick fur of his tail, feeling exhaustion overwhelm him. The next day was sure to be long and tiring; and he would need as much energy as he could get.
~*~
Pale sunlight drifted down through patchy clouds, chasing away the darkness of the night. It brought some warmth; though not enough to permeate the frost that almost always clung to the tough, yet feathery blades of grass that flourished in the tundra. Siku, still deep in sleep, shifted his paws, causing the light snow that had accumulated on his fur overnight to slide off, his fur sticking up in messy, stiff spikes. He felt Anya shift beside him; the movement stirring him from sleep. Gaping his mouth in a yawn, the young male stretched, warming his muscles, stiff from lying even for such a short time, since his watch the night before.
Blinking open his azure eyes, he scanned his pack with a chill in his eyes; a brisk frost that was very much like the stubborn ice that clung to the grasses...only warmth, extreme warmth could melt them; though for Siku that heat was not the sun. No, his piercing blue eyes only lost their guarded glare for a few special leopard wolves in the pack; Anya, Jackal, and his mother, Dove. To the others, his gaze was enough to intimidate even the strongest fighter in the pack, to send a chill through them that had nothing to do with the cold.
"Siku?" A voice spoke from behind him, sounding bleary with sleep. He whipped around, hackles slightly raised and claws tense, until he realized the source of the voice. Anya! He smoothed his fur with a shake, and Anya's warm, emerald eyes shone with amusement. "Hey! Why are you getting your fur so ruffled up?" She rose to her paws, fighting pack a yawn, and gave him a friendly nudge on the shoulder, affection clear in her voice, despite her teasing words. Siku smiled, his azure eyes losing their icy chill, and nuzzled her ear, then flicked his ears. "Why wouldn't I?" He teased, eyes bright with rare laughter.
"Hey!" Anya shot back, feigning anger. "I'm going to get you..." she growled, though her eyes were still friendly. She cuffed him over the ear with a paw, then bounded away, kicking up a flurry of gentle snowflakes. Siku bared his teeth, joining the game, and raced after her, leaping through the thin layer of newly fallen snow, knowing that later in the day, it was sure to freeze into a harsh coating of ice. Anya whipped around, a challenging glint in her jade eyes. "What are you waiting for, Jay?" Siku grinned, amused, then lifted his paw to take a step forward.
A low growl rumbled behind him, and Siku turned, hackles raised and teeth bared in a snarl defensively. "What do you think you're doing?" His father, Kavik, rumbled, his cobalt eyes sharp with anger. Siku forced himself to flatten his fur, and faced his father with a glare in his eyes. They were no longer warm; just cold and sharp, as if his irises were hidden behind a thick, unpenetrable layer of ice. "What's it to you?" He spat back, knowing all too well that it was the exact opposite of what he should have said. "What is it to me?" Kavik murmured, his hackles raised; scruff spiked up from anger. "If you have forgotten, I am the leader of this pack. I have a right to know why you're off early, disturbing the entire pack with your idiotic games." He growled his last words, and Anya flattened her ears, lowering her head in a respectful manner. But Siku stayed frozen, eyes blazing into his father's, tension seeming to crackle in the air.
"Back to the rest of the pack. Now." Kavik snapped, and turned, stalking back to the others before his son had a chance to answer. Siku glared after him, and Anya padded up beside him, tail low and ears flattened. "I'm sorry, Siku...it's my fault, really. Don't take it personally, he's probably just..." Anya shrugged, though Siku stayed silent for a moment. "It's not your fault." Siku murmured, his eyes still cold with frustration. He knew his father had to be strict for the wellbeing for the pack, but he couldn't help but think he had gone a bit too far this time. Spending the morning with one of his best friends would cause no harm to any of the pack. He shook himself, forcing himself to calm, then padded after Kavik, with Anya not far behind.
~*~
The wind blew harsh and cold, bringing with it a whirl of snow. The sky was thick with heavy grey clouds, sending a promise echoing through each leopard wolf's ears...the blizzard had come.
Siku flattened his ears, leaning forward to combat the wind. No longer gentle and light; it had turned into a roaring howl, screeching through his ears, blinding him with stinging snow, and frozen rain. All of his pack were faced into the wind, fur fluffed up in an attemp to shield themselves from the battering wind. Head down, muscles aching from just trying to keep themselves upright; they fought on, through the blizzard. Flanked by his two best friends, Siku felt stronger, knowing that together they could face the storm. Siku clenched his teeth, bracing himself against the next blast of air and ice. He saw a small female, Kay, stumble, and fastened his teeth in her scruff so she could get her footing once more. She shot a grateful glance at him, then the pack continued, fighting the storm.
~*~
By that nightfall, the wind had slowed to a light breeze, ruffling the scruffs and fur of the pack. Weary and exhausted, they plodded on, until Kavik's call halted them in their tracks. They had reached their next sleeping site; a shallow ravine, that seemed all the more exposed since the storm; the drifts piled up until the once-deep ravine had become nothing more that a dip in the earth.
Siku padded forward, knowing that he would take responsibility of watching over the pack as they slept. Kavik, no longer seething as he had been a few days before, gave him a nod, Siku acknowledging the action with only an icy glance. Turning away, he clawed his way up a boulder that stood on the edge of the ravine; covered with snow, and settled down to keep watch; knowing that he must stay alert at all costs. They hadn't been in this part of their territory for a few moonphases, and that might have tempted some unknown creatures to settle nearby. Some, such as arctic hares, would cause the pack no harm, but others...they were a threat; and nothing would stop them from trying to claim this territory as their own. Fluffing his fur up against the wind, he gazed up at the moon, and the twinkling stars in the indigo sky, and prepared for the long night ahead.
Dawn light streaked the sky with pale pink and purple hues; the sun glittering as it began to rise over the rim of mountaintops that surrounded Siku's home. It was a welcome sight; the previous day's snow had packed hard, turning to ice that stung harshly underpaw; and though he hated to admit it, he was exhausted. The past night's watch had left him weary and stiff; his fur spiky and frozen from the frigid temperatures. Shortly after the watch had begun; a freezing rain had begun to fall, drenching his silvery pelt, until it was impossible to differenciate his main fur color from the dark grey spots that flecked his pelt. He perked his ears as he heard the familiar ruffling of fur behind him; his packmates were stirring. Shaking himself to hopefully rid some of the ice that grasped stubbornly to his pelt, he padded down into the dip, weary-pawed and exhausted. Kavik was already awake, and briefly nodded to him; giving him permission to try to get a bit of sleep in before the pack's day began.
Nearly collapsing from exhaustion, Siku curled up, tucking his nose under his tail for warmth, and closed his eyes; drifting off to sleep.
~*~
"Come on, Siku!" Jackal called, an excited note to his voice. Siku grinned, azure eyes warm and bounded after him through the drifts of snow and ice, his large pawpads helping to keep him from sinking about chest-deep. That morning he had managed to get a few hours of sleep, and he felt re-energized, his paw pads tingling with excitement as he caught up with his friends, pushing his nose into Anya's fur; and she did the same.
The recent blizzards had caused small prey to go underground; but the towering snowdrifts would help slow down their favorite and main prey; the elk. That morning his father had called everyone together with an howl; filled with an excited melody that sang of his news, before dropping back down to silence once more...they were to go on an elk hunt!
With a spring in his step and his eyes shining with excitement, Siku realized with a jolt that things were looking up. And even if they weren't...he had his friends. No matter what happened, whether times were easy when prey flourished, or challenging and hard, with ice and snow battering at their pelts, they would face it together. No matter what.
Possible WIP, just stuck an ending on in case I can't finish it. XP
A picture you drew: Flat colored~. c:
I would like to adopt!
Number: 8.
Picture:
Name: Siku; means 'ice' in Inuit. However, another young wolf has affectionately dubbed him 'Jay'; due to reasons below.
Species: Leopard Wolf.
Personality: Fierce. Loyal. Protective. All the qualities that one should expect from a warrior.
This is Siku; this is him. But there is much more to this silvery leopard wolf than that. Oh, no. Just four words can't describe him; he is almost undescribable in a way. But I shall try my best; for this leopard wolf is sure to be remembered all through history, for his story is written out in the stars. Though, we'll get to that later.
Siku is a true warrior; fierce and loyal. He's brave, willing to protect his pack for anything. He is extremely protective of his friends and family, some may say even 'overprotective'. As you can probably see; I wouldn't recommend messing with his family, or his friends. It wouldn't be the wisest move on your part; though this male isn't unnecessarily violent. He prefers to keep peace, and handle conflicts with words and glares rather than tooth and claw. But, he is a true warrior; he would, and will, protect his pack with all of his strength if he had to. Though some may see his oevrprotectiveness as a bad trait, others agree that it is admirable. There are many opinions in the world; and many topics which people may disagree upon. Of these many subjects, this debate is one of them. Which is really right? This you can decide for yourself.
But this rime-gray leopard wolf; adorned with storm-grey spots, isn't just a thickheaded guard wolf; no. He's extremely caring, and actually has a great sense of humor...he was known as a pup to get into as much mischief as the next young leopard wolf. Though he spends much of his time making sure his pack is safe, he also loves to hang around his two best friends; Jackal and Anya. They know what his true nature is like, they know the warmth and laughter that radiates from this young male behind what some see as a wall of thick ice hidden in his azure eyes; unable to be penetrated. His cobalt blue eyes shine with mischeif; and he nearly always has a smile on his face when he's around them. They're his true friends; along with his family, they know him the absolute best. They have seen past what seems like an endless cold; like a winter storm, a blizzard, that seems neverending. No, they know the true Siku; the relief of spring after a hard winter; the warmth of the sun. Happiness blazes in his eyes, and excitement brushes at his pelt. This is the true Siku, behind what may seem like an icy shell to strangers. Cold, but protective. But yet blazing with warmth; a great friend.
Likes: Despite what strangers might think; Siku loves alot of things in life. After all, he loves life, though he may look icy on the outside. Like what, you may ask? Well, probably due to his thick, glossy fur and the environment he has lived in and experienced his entire life; he loves colder weather. He very much dislikes warmer weather, the stuffy, muggy feeling that hangs in the air when it's hot; his fur seeming to burn against his skin...well, it's not really his thing. The gentle patter of snowflakes on his fur, the hushed sound of new snowfall...that is the weather he truly loves. He loves waking up early after a night of snowfall, and racing out into the open from sheltered stone dens, or the warmth of his packmate's fur, tail tucked under nose; and leaping through the crystally white drifts, and sliding across frozen-through rivers and streams; clawmarks leaving streaks in the silvery ground, carpeted by feathery white flakes. He loves looking out over the tundra which is his home, seeing the sparse evergreen firs capped in snow, as if they were dipped in a lake of cool snowflakes. He loves watching the winter sunset, the blazing sun sending multicolored streaks through the evening sky, until it slowly drifts beneath the rim of the mountainside in the east; waiting for the crystally moon to rise and take its place, until the pale sky turns cobalt and vibrant white stars are splashed across the horizon, twinkling icy and white in the dusk. He truly loves the winter; but he enjoys more than just weather, of course. What else? Well, much more, truly.
Siku loves more than anything his friends and family; they mean the world to them. Whether it's Jackal, his black-furred, silver-socked friend, yellow eyes shining with mischeif, or Anya, with her sleek silver, almost white coat and grey paws and tail tip, as if they were dipped in water, her emerald eyes bright; or any of his family members, he cherishes them all. His father, Kavik, a large black male with his same sapphire eyes, with a flash of silvery white on his chest and paws, and slightly lighter spots scattered across his pelt, he respects deeply, and cares for greatly. Siku honors his father, and though the regal male had been somewhat strict when his son was younger, it was purely from the fact that he loved him; and they both have love for eachother, despite whatever strict training or arguments they may have.
His mother, Dove, is who he is the closest two of his two parents. Dove is a pale silver, nearly white female with white spots, fading into her shimmering fur; and with darker ears and a dainty stripe of grey on her muzzle. She has been somewhat of an opposite of her mate in the way she treats her son; though he is is no way spoiled. Gentle and kind; she has always been there whenever Siku has needed help, his shelter in a whipping storm. They both have been very close; and her son nearly always wears a feather in her honor; and also, because he simply loves feathers. Flight. What an extraordinary thing; to soar above the clouds and through the violet sky of twilight. Though he much prefers the thought of keeping his paws planted firmly on the ground, he still thinks some birds are pretty amazing creatures. And...when possible; a jay's feather is his first choice. Why? Well; though he hides his feelings well, he has somewhat of a liking of the female mentioned earlier; Anya. When they first met, Siku was wearing a jay's feather behind his left ear, and due to this the young female affectionately nicknamed him 'Jay'; before she found out his true name, Siku.
These wolves are some of the few to melt his icy wall; his gaze warm to them instead of brisk and hidden behind a suspicious frost.
Dislikes: Like any leopard wolf or animal living on this earth; Siku has dislikes. Maybe more, due to his status and his seemingly icy, fierce personality, but perhaps less. On top of all of his dislikes; he hates anybody messing with his family or friends. His worst fear is that one of them would get hurt or injured; he loves them more than anything.
However, he dislikes other things, as well. Hot weather, for one thing; though the reasons are mentioned above. Siku also very much dislikes snobby, rude, or otherwise stuck up animals. He doesn't see the point of boasting or putting others down for no reason. After all; he is good at what he does, but doesn't brag about it, though he secretly glows with pride when Anya compliments him. However, as I mentioned earlier, Siku is very good at hiding his feelings; able to make his ice blue eyes seem expressionless and cold even if he's bursting with joy or pride, or blazing with anger. However, sometimes you can tell if he's annoyed; he tends to snap at others when he feels that way.
This young male dislikes when others treat him like he can't handle himself or that he doesn't know anything; because that is far from the truth. As one of the most intelligent and skilled young leopard wolves in the pack, he is respected by most. Though, some see his frosty shell as a male who is impossible to communicate with in a friendly way, and they avoid him; daunted by that frozen gaze. But his friends and family know the warmth inside to melt that frosty glare; who he truly is.
Background: The milky white moon shone high above the tundra; the velvety cobalt sky splattered with stars, glittering coldly with an icy hue. A slight wind blew briskly, winding downwards from the moon and rustling the last clinging leaves of the sparse, spinly trees that dotted the tundra. Though it looked deserted; lifeless, it was quite the opposite. Seemingly desolate; but not abandoned, no. For here lived some of the most fierce, noble creatures of the arctic. This frozen desert; this solitary land...was where the leopard wolves called home; where they thrived in a land of ice.
A lonely shape stood on a rise, surrounded by smooth boulders and scattered with rocks. The earth below the creature's paws was frozen; thick with permafrost and ice. A single sillouhete against the horizon, it seemed still, except for a single twitch of its feathery fail, or an occasional flick of its ears. Alert and unnmoving, it scanned the tundra, watching; it's gaze icy as it observed its surroundings.
"Siku." A harsh, somewhat raspy voice called out, though the owner was hidden in shadow. Whipping around, teeth bared, the leopard wolf that had been on watch glared into the scraggly brush from where the voice had come from. A low growl rumbled from his throat; his hackles rising. "Siku, it's just me." A large, regal leopard wolf emerged; his pelt shimmering black in the chill of twilight. Siku's fur flattened as he recognized his father, Kavik, and his azure eyes calmed, somewhat warmer, but still alert. He pricked his ears, curious. What could his father possibly want at this time of night. "You've been doing well, Siku." Kavik murmured, his usually-cold sapphire eyes warm. He nodded to his son, and spoke once more. "You have had the watch all night; why don't you go back and rest?"
Frosty eyes glinting with surprise, he dipped his head, and shook his fur, which had turned frosty and stiff on the outer layer; though his underfur was still warm and dry. He stood; his movement shaking the snow from his pelt, and padded down the rise, leaping over a large boulder, slik with frost, and pushed his way through the snarled bushes that marked the pack's current sleeping place. The twigs scraped at his fur, and he had to duck as he neared the dip where the rest of his packmates would be curled up; asleep, nose tucked under tail. Emerging from the barrier of growth, he twitched his ears to rid a dried leaf that had caught in his fur, and looked around the clearing; his frosty gaze traveling from one wolf to the next; searching. His eyes glinted with warmth for a moment as he spied who he was looking for; and leapt into the dip, making his way through his packmates, careful not to trod on a stray tail or stretched out paw. His eyes shone as he made out his two best friends; Anya and Jackal, and chose a free spot in the snow nearby.
Fluffing out his fur to combat the cold, he felt comforted by the warm scents and feel of his friends nearby. Curling up, he gazed up once more at the moon, then closed his eyes, tucking his nose deep into the snug, thick fur of his tail, feeling exhaustion overwhelm him. The next day was sure to be long and tiring; and he would need as much energy as he could get.
~*~
Pale sunlight drifted down through patchy clouds, chasing away the darkness of the night. It brought some warmth; though not enough to permeate the frost that almost always clung to the tough, yet feathery blades of grass that flourished in the tundra. Siku, still deep in sleep, shifted his paws, causing the light snow that had accumulated on his fur overnight to slide off, his fur sticking up in messy, stiff spikes. He felt Anya shift beside him; the movement stirring him from sleep. Gaping his mouth in a yawn, the young male stretched, warming his muscles, stiff from lying even for such a short time, since his watch the night before.
Blinking open his azure eyes, he scanned his pack with a chill in his eyes; a brisk frost that was very much like the stubborn ice that clung to the grasses...only warmth, extreme warmth could melt them; though for Siku that heat was not the sun. No, his piercing blue eyes only lost their guarded glare for a few special leopard wolves in the pack; Anya, Jackal, and his mother, Dove. To the others, his gaze was enough to intimidate even the strongest fighter in the pack, to send a chill through them that had nothing to do with the cold.
"Siku?" A voice spoke from behind him, sounding bleary with sleep. He whipped around, hackles slightly raised and claws tense, until he realized the source of the voice. Anya! He smoothed his fur with a shake, and Anya's warm, emerald eyes shone with amusement. "Hey! Why are you getting your fur so ruffled up?" She rose to her paws, fighting pack a yawn, and gave him a friendly nudge on the shoulder, affection clear in her voice, despite her teasing words. Siku smiled, his azure eyes losing their icy chill, and nuzzled her ear, then flicked his ears. "Why wouldn't I?" He teased, eyes bright with rare laughter.
"Hey!" Anya shot back, feigning anger. "I'm going to get you..." she growled, though her eyes were still friendly. She cuffed him over the ear with a paw, then bounded away, kicking up a flurry of gentle snowflakes. Siku bared his teeth, joining the game, and raced after her, leaping through the thin layer of newly fallen snow, knowing that later in the day, it was sure to freeze into a harsh coating of ice. Anya whipped around, a challenging glint in her jade eyes. "What are you waiting for, Jay?" Siku grinned, amused, then lifted his paw to take a step forward.
A low growl rumbled behind him, and Siku turned, hackles raised and teeth bared in a snarl defensively. "What do you think you're doing?" His father, Kavik, rumbled, his cobalt eyes sharp with anger. Siku forced himself to flatten his fur, and faced his father with a glare in his eyes. They were no longer warm; just cold and sharp, as if his irises were hidden behind a thick, unpenetrable layer of ice. "What's it to you?" He spat back, knowing all too well that it was the exact opposite of what he should have said. "What is it to me?" Kavik murmured, his hackles raised; scruff spiked up from anger. "If you have forgotten, I am the leader of this pack. I have a right to know why you're off early, disturbing the entire pack with your idiotic games." He growled his last words, and Anya flattened her ears, lowering her head in a respectful manner. But Siku stayed frozen, eyes blazing into his father's, tension seeming to crackle in the air.
"Back to the rest of the pack. Now." Kavik snapped, and turned, stalking back to the others before his son had a chance to answer. Siku glared after him, and Anya padded up beside him, tail low and ears flattened. "I'm sorry, Siku...it's my fault, really. Don't take it personally, he's probably just..." Anya shrugged, though Siku stayed silent for a moment. "It's not your fault." Siku murmured, his eyes still cold with frustration. He knew his father had to be strict for the wellbeing for the pack, but he couldn't help but think he had gone a bit too far this time. Spending the morning with one of his best friends would cause no harm to any of the pack. He shook himself, forcing himself to calm, then padded after Kavik, with Anya not far behind.
~*~
The wind blew harsh and cold, bringing with it a whirl of snow. The sky was thick with heavy grey clouds, sending a promise echoing through each leopard wolf's ears...the blizzard had come.
Siku flattened his ears, leaning forward to combat the wind. No longer gentle and light; it had turned into a roaring howl, screeching through his ears, blinding him with stinging snow, and frozen rain. All of his pack were faced into the wind, fur fluffed up in an attemp to shield themselves from the battering wind. Head down, muscles aching from just trying to keep themselves upright; they fought on, through the blizzard. Flanked by his two best friends, Siku felt stronger, knowing that together they could face the storm. Siku clenched his teeth, bracing himself against the next blast of air and ice. He saw a small female, Kay, stumble, and fastened his teeth in her scruff so she could get her footing once more. She shot a grateful glance at him, then the pack continued, fighting the storm.
~*~
By that nightfall, the wind had slowed to a light breeze, ruffling the scruffs and fur of the pack. Weary and exhausted, they plodded on, until Kavik's call halted them in their tracks. They had reached their next sleeping site; a shallow ravine, that seemed all the more exposed since the storm; the drifts piled up until the once-deep ravine had become nothing more that a dip in the earth.
Siku padded forward, knowing that he would take responsibility of watching over the pack as they slept. Kavik, no longer seething as he had been a few days before, gave him a nod, Siku acknowledging the action with only an icy glance. Turning away, he clawed his way up a boulder that stood on the edge of the ravine; covered with snow, and settled down to keep watch; knowing that he must stay alert at all costs. They hadn't been in this part of their territory for a few moonphases, and that might have tempted some unknown creatures to settle nearby. Some, such as arctic hares, would cause the pack no harm, but others...they were a threat; and nothing would stop them from trying to claim this territory as their own. Fluffing his fur up against the wind, he gazed up at the moon, and the twinkling stars in the indigo sky, and prepared for the long night ahead.
Dawn light streaked the sky with pale pink and purple hues; the sun glittering as it began to rise over the rim of mountaintops that surrounded Siku's home. It was a welcome sight; the previous day's snow had packed hard, turning to ice that stung harshly underpaw; and though he hated to admit it, he was exhausted. The past night's watch had left him weary and stiff; his fur spiky and frozen from the frigid temperatures. Shortly after the watch had begun; a freezing rain had begun to fall, drenching his silvery pelt, until it was impossible to differenciate his main fur color from the dark grey spots that flecked his pelt. He perked his ears as he heard the familiar ruffling of fur behind him; his packmates were stirring. Shaking himself to hopefully rid some of the ice that grasped stubbornly to his pelt, he padded down into the dip, weary-pawed and exhausted. Kavik was already awake, and briefly nodded to him; giving him permission to try to get a bit of sleep in before the pack's day began.
Nearly collapsing from exhaustion, Siku curled up, tucking his nose under his tail for warmth, and closed his eyes; drifting off to sleep.
~*~
"Come on, Siku!" Jackal called, an excited note to his voice. Siku grinned, azure eyes warm and bounded after him through the drifts of snow and ice, his large pawpads helping to keep him from sinking about chest-deep. That morning he had managed to get a few hours of sleep, and he felt re-energized, his paw pads tingling with excitement as he caught up with his friends, pushing his nose into Anya's fur; and she did the same.
The recent blizzards had caused small prey to go underground; but the towering snowdrifts would help slow down their favorite and main prey; the elk. That morning his father had called everyone together with an howl; filled with an excited melody that sang of his news, before dropping back down to silence once more...they were to go on an elk hunt!
With a spring in his step and his eyes shining with excitement, Siku realized with a jolt that things were looking up. And even if they weren't...he had his friends. No matter what happened, whether times were easy when prey flourished, or challenging and hard, with ice and snow battering at their pelts, they would face it together. No matter what.
Possible WIP, just stuck an ending on in case I can't finish it. XP
A picture you drew: Flat colored~. c:
Plus I need the art practice 
