{ the wolf in sheep's clothing.

[nuzzer2]

{ ; J A L I Y A }

Finally I had the energy to even lift my head, and I didn’t regret it for a second as I did. The young grey colt that laid by my side was a handsome little guy, and I felt my rather lonely heart warm up at the sight of the newest addition to the family. With half-closed eyes I reached out and nuzzled the little guy gently before proceeding to lick him clean – yet again, I couldn’t believe that finally the gods had smiled upon us and granted me a son! Well, Riku had a son already – but colts were always precious and a good addition to a growing family, a perfect protector and loyal friend.

Slowly I rose to my pillars – and immediately regretted doing so, underneath me my slender legs were shaking from exhaustion of the hard birth, I was deadly tired but I knew we needed to get back to the lake to show off my little prince. I shook my body in an attempt to shake off the feeling of exhaustion – to no use; the feeling was clinging to my pelt like it had always been there. I lowered my head to my little treasure and gently nudged him to get the small prince on his feet, then without any more delay I set off in a walk towards the Black Lake and Riku.

This time our breeding had been that of love – instead of last time where Xehanort had taken over, and we both had been afraid of the outcome. Yet Einjeru had been no disappointment, the perfect little princess – a little copy of me, with my love’s amazing azure eyes. My features changed from a light smile into a frown, I hadn’t seen Ein around for some time, and I would have to ask Riku about that later, but for now my focus was mainly on the little sweetheart by my side. I was blind to the fact his eyes seemed to give off an aura of something completely different than myself and Riku, perhaps a couple of years ago I would have recognized the look in my young colt’s eyes but now. Now I was blinded by love and complete devotion to my newest young, the mother instinct in me burned like a fiery flame – one that could never be tamed, and for this young prince, I would do everything.
Why? Because for the last year I had felt lonely – deserted by the one I thought loved me, struggled with the fact that he could love someone else than myself, and had therefore distanced myself from his attention and sought the outer parts of his lands in search of an answer to my frustration. I had in the end figured out a foal might mend our relationship – and perhaps even make me forget my old ways, and for the time being it seemed like it had worked, but I wouldn’t know for sure until the youngster had grown and it would just be me, Riku and his.. mares. My jaw clenched and I set the pace up, forgetting the young prince for a second as frustration washed over me, however a mother never forgets her young for long, and I stopped and let the colt catch up.

I tried to lighten my mood as we crossed the border to the Black Lake, and for some reason it helped to think of how proud Riku would be of his new son. I couldn’t wait to see the light in his eyes again, couldn’t wait to feel the blanket of warmth settle over me as he would look at me with appraising eyes to tell me I had done well. My heart swelled with slight worry and excitement as I raised my bay crown and called for my king to come and meet his son. Quickly I turned my head to the colt and signaled for him to come forward. My eyes continued to linger on the prince, and for some reason the name ‘Fenrir’ jumped in my head, would that be a suitable name for my son? My calm hazel eyes scanned his frame, his expression, his eyes – even his small radars, and in the end a smile light up my features.

“I’ll name you Fenrir my son, soon your father shall join us, be sure to say hello and show respect.”

I continued to look at the youngster with soft eyes, I couldn’t believe such a handsome creature could possibly have been born by me, he would prove to be one hell of a challenge for any of Chaos’s spawn if they ever decided to step on our territory.

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[azul.]

R I K U

Can’t sleep, can’t eat, I’m sick,
I’ve been thinking 'bout you all the time,

I spent most of the Spring waiting. Jaliya had gone off for the season to foal, and to honest, I was worried. Butterflies were raging inside myself, and not to mention, Xehanort was still loud, his endless chants about running my life, seemingly louder than ever. "Not funny, Riku. You're just worried about Einjeru, and Snyper. Right? This is your first child that WON'T be messed up." I resisted the urge to flatten my facade, and scowl, but no one would see, and I sighed. That was partly the truth. Einjeru had been missing for some time now, and I had only one suspicion; she'd been talking about Intrepid for so long, and Intrepid was from Chaos' wretched blood. If he'd seen the pair together, then she was probably.. I shook head in fright, and then released a shaking sigh. That couldn't be, but with Chaos, I thought angrily, anything was possible.

Snyper was another story. He ran away two years ago, maybe to escape from his family. I felt my heart lurch for the little buckskin colt, who had resembled his mother so much. I had always expected- no, well, I hadn't actually expected anything, much less to have a foal and own a place like Black Lake. Still, Jaliya and I planned this, and a certain someone didn't interfere. Closing one eye in a bemused frustration, I listened to Xehanort's scoffing in the back of my mind. It was beginning to work out with us. We quit fighting, and he had his day, but he was peculiar now.. "Ah, Riku, naive as always." What the f**k are you talking about?! I hated this side of Xehanort; technically, I hated him over-all, but he was just being strange to piss me off. Of course, it was working. He would until I saw Jaliya again, and this foal that she and I created.

My limbs were sore from the past days of endless searching for my one mate. My lungs burned from fatigue, or was it really stress? I felt strange, not when Einjeru was born. The second that I saw our bay angel, I just felt that she wasn't cursed, and my heart had lifted with relief. But now, I felt on edge just thinking about it! Lips quivered into a small smile at the thought of Jaliya and Einjeru when they first arrived- and how Jaliya was a natural at mothering, despite what happened to her first foal, one that I'd never get to meet. My heart fluttered a bit with those thoughts, and me guessing how Jaliya felt only making it worse. What if she was just doing this to please me? I would never forgive myself, because I came here to do something that would change someone's life, not my own. My thoughts were interrupted when a faint Spring breeze rushed through the Lake's sheltered trees, carrying in Jaliya's scent. My heart jerked, and even Xehanort seemed surprised. "Well, what are you waiting for?! Go!" I had that exact plan and bolted forward, trying to hurry towards my mate and our child.

The second that I saw them, my pace slackened, and I felt dumb-founded. I felt clammy as I strode closer at a smooth walk, eyes taking in the scene of my bay queen and a small grey colt by her side. I could faintly hear Jaliya speaking to the colt, like she did two years ago when she had Einjeru. Aerials were pricked forward, catching Jaliya's lyrics. Fenrir. I had no clue what it meant, but seeing our regal child, I was drawn to it. Despite a lump growing in my throat, I parted my lips and released a vibrating nicker, then rushed forward again. As I drew near, I let my eyes linger over Jaliya, arched neck curving around her withers affectionately, unable to speak from my shock. This was our prince standing by Jaliya's side- our prince. Holding her tightly, I closed my bright orbs for a moment and then replied quietly, my voice barely stretching about a whisper.

"Welcome home Jaja."

Stepping back from her, I looked at my mate with utter affection and smiled tenderly, then turned to look at my son, surprised when I received an arrogant look from this dappled youngster. I gave him a quiet nod, and then replied with an amused look.

"Hello Fenrir. I'm Riku.. Your dad."

---

{ FENRIR ;
- Ittai nan no tame ni jibun o haji tari shite

From the moment that I woke up, I felt special. The way my mother looked at me while she cleaned off my shimmering coat. I felt like a prince, with good reason. Bright orbs opened, the bright scenery around me making me cringe in surprise. Everything was so bright! Squinting against the fierce sun's glare, I looked around, orbs finally landing on my mother, who's dished facade was etched in fatigue, but she wore a soft, motherly smile. I couldn't help but to return it slightly, then struggled to rise. It took a few times, my gangly limbs working against me in the situation. Releasing an outraged squeal of mock frustration, I rocked back on my flanks, and then heaved myself up, limbs spread out to keep balance. Suddenly proud at my accomplishment, orbs sought out my mother's bay stained face to see of her satisfaction that her little colt had done something important. Haughty smile remained on my kissers as my mother started to proceed forward, and it took me a minute to sort out which limb went first, but I soon had it, and clung to my mother's side, boldly looking around at this new world.

We didn't say much, but that was okay. I liked the silent, to try and figure everything out in my mind, but I was always distracted like any good foal. I had no clue of where we were going, or why we were moving, but I tried to remain slightly ahead of my mother, throwing her a few proud glances. I had this natural thought; I wanted to be king. Twig-like limbs kicked back whenever I saw another equine, and lop aerials pricked forward, then pinned back, believing that I was some sort of dangerous threat. Of course, I wasn't, but it was fun to believe, right? For the few moments that I had started to think, my pace slackened, and my mother hurried forward. Re-newed vocals erupted in a desperate bark, and I scampered forward, bumping my mother's sweat-darkened stomach as if to scold her for leaving me. Orbs ran over her slender frame, slightly surprised. My small mind couldn't figure out why I looke different from my mommy. She was a bay, I was a grey. She seemed pleasant enough, except for the past minute when she left me. I wasn't so happy. But, like I said, I couldn't think too hard, and instead remained close to my mother, slipping in a few meals.

Wherever my mother went, I went; there was no second option. When she slowed, I slowed. I had no other resources to go off of, and so I made sure that I didn't fall behind- well, my attitude wouldn't LET me fall behind. I felt a certain change when we left the foaling grounds, and slowly entered a new realm. I didn't know what it was, but the way that the trees over my dished crown, how it blocked out most of the afternoon light, I liked it. Blinking to adjust to the sudden darkness, I looked around, making sure that I stayed close to my mom, throat rumbling in an attempt to speak. Just the sight of this dark, spooky place made me feel gallant, and I looked at my bay mother. I'd keep my mommy safe.

"Don't worry momma, I'll protect you."

I shot her a caustic glance, and then broke out into fresh laughter, the mood around me lightening. I didn't seem to notice the worry on my mother's face, and instead started to wander from her side, pale crown reaching to snuffled the ground, nares inhaling each and every scent around. The musky odor of a stallion entered my nares, and it made me snort in surprise. Of course, I'd be a big stallion one day, and I'd own a big land like this. The corners of my mouth lifted into a smile, but then they faded when I looked at my mother- she was staring at me. I straightened my wobbly neck to return her stare, and felt myself bunch up, trying to look every inch the prince that she expected. I remained still when she spoke, and then widened my eyes in delight.

So I had a name. Fenrir. The name, to me of course, sounded kingly. I raised my crown in an arrogant attempt and then stealthily stalked to my mother's side when she motioned for me. Before I could ask why, I spotted a dappled stallion emerging from practically no where. He looked like me, and so I assumed that it was my father, but I ignored him, and ducked my head under my mother's belly for a quick meal. By the time I looked back up, the stallion had his curvacious neck over my mom and was... Hugging her? I blinked back my amusement, and watched them silently, and then flicked my radars forward, catching this masculine's words. I blinked, and then glanced at my mother. Well, duh! I knew he was my father. Swallowing, I walked closer up to this enormous 'father' figure, and replied casually.

"Hello.. Poppa."

I looked back at my momma, and then to this stallion, aware that both were looking at me with a sense of pride. It made me bulk up, and smile brightly, because of course, I was a prince, weren't I?

[nuzzer2]

{ ; J A L I Y A }

My heart clenched tightly as my ghostly king appeared from the shadows, he looked so handsome – so beautiful! But was I really surprised? I had known from when I first laid my eyes on the grey stallion, that he was unique. In less than a second his muscular neck was curled around mine, and my vision became clouded as tears blended my sight. Could life be any more perfect than this? A short laugh slipped from my kissers as Riku used my nickname instead of my name, had he missed me as much as I had missed him? My gaze turned to our young son as he stepped back, and I couldn’t help the brilliant smile that spread on my lips – my son had been accepted, and everything was alright for now. Sure I had noticed how smart Fenrir was already, but where it would cause concern from other equines – I only saw my perfect son, my little handsome guy, and no one would be able to remove that image from me. I turned my crown to focus my attention on the love of my life – I could call him that now couldn’t I? These feelings that I had for him, was so much more than the ones I had held for my deceased mate, perhaps that had been my punishment for choosing a mate and lover too quickly? I blinked to remove my thoughts from the past and focus them on the present.

“You should have heard him – not even a month old and already a little protector! We hadn’t even crossed the border before he promised to protect me.”

My tones were eager and my hazel eyes shone with excitement and pride, could this little colt be any more perfect? I couldn’t help but compare him to Einjeru, Serpent, Emira, Snyper – all the foals I had met so far, and none were as perfect as my little boy, and it would stay that way of that I was sure. I sought out Riku’s sapphire orbs, I knew he would agree – wouldn´t he? Even our little Ein couldn’t compare to this little handsome devil!

Somewhere inside me I felt a little voice tickle my ear with perhaps I was being a little too excited about this youngster, but I simply pushed the voice aside and blocked it out. My eyes shifted to the young prince as he spoke to his father for the first time, and again my heart swelled with pride, so well-mannered already! Orbs narrowed slightly as I sniffed the air trying to catch the scent of other pregnant mares, why did I sense no others than me? Was the other mare incapable of becoming pregnant? Inside a deep voice laughed mockingly and for once I agreed – being careful not to show any emotion on the outside, I couldn’t exactly tell Riku I was pleased that his other mare wasn’t – or couldn’t become pregnant.

“Why isn’t your other.. mare.. pregnant my king?”

Lyrics were spoken like a kitten’s purr – yet careful not to pour too much emotion in it. I battered innocently with my eye lashes as I awaited the grey king’s reply. I lowered my maw to my handsome son and gently nuzzled his curly coat to pass off some time, I couldn’t wait to see how he would look like as an adult, hopefully he would carry more of me than now, if not in his looks than hopefully in his personality. There was absolutely nothing wrong with my king’s personality, I just wanted the world to see that Fenrir was my son as well – my light in the dark. Speaking of dark, I studied our surroundings and wondered for the hundredth time why we were still here – because of Xehanort? Surely Riku couldn’t enjoy such surroundings if he was a light slash neutral on the inside? I didn’t mind the territory or the nature, I was used to dark lands and dangerous things lurking – but what about Fenrir? My features turned into a frown, I would have to stay extra close to my little prince; I wouldn’t lose this one.

My eyes drifted off towards the ink colored lake – and I recalled the day I met Riku, the day I had thrown myself into the ice-cold lake at the Dekera Falls desperately trying to avoid the screaming voice in my head. Again I shifted my restless eyes back to Riku, and stretched my neck to make our muzzles meet in a loving touch, he had saved me from the nightmares, and for that I owed him my life.

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