Getting Use to This.

[Blondie_63]

"Dad you have such huge paws." Tanner pouted as he stepped into his fathers paw inpressions. "Will mine ever get that gigantic?"
Jackson chuckled. "One day." He said. "You're still a 'Kiin yet Tanner. I am full grown."
"So when I become an adult I will be able to step completely in your paw prints?" Tanner asked with a quizzical brow completely serious.
"Probably." Jackson said with a huge smile. He then got very serious as he said, "Why do you want to fit into my paw impressions? They are of no importance."
"They are to me." Tanner replied as he looked down. "You are my father and I want to grow to be just like you."
Jackson tried to turn the mood a little. "Oh you can't do that you've got a tattoo just like your mother."
"When was the last time you seen mom?" Tanner questioned as he looked up at his father and stopped in his tracks.
Jackson looked down at his son. "I have no idea." He stated simply. He remembered being around L'ananas and he frowned. He missed her more than he thought possible.

[Saiki]

Kijana loved exploring outside. The valley was full of so many Pykiin and things he had never seen, and he wanted to see all of it (or at least as much as he could). L'ananas was happy to oblige him. She tried to share with him as much as she could about the valley. And when Aimae wasn't whining about her feet hurting or being hungry, the Rodeli was happy to share (mis)information of her own.

"Sooo... What are looking for today, fluffy?" chirped the Rodeli, currently perched on top of L'ananas's head.

"Kijana," corrected both of the Pykiin simultaneously. L'ananas shook her head slightly, causing Aimae to nearly fall off.

"Fluffy, Kijana, they sound the same to m--whoa!"

This time, Aimae did fall off when L'ananas shook her head. The Rodeli ended up landing in some long grass, and after dusting herself off, she bounded over to Kijana and hopped on his back.

"Call me Fluffy again and I'll drop you in a lake," the 'kiin warned playfully.

Aimae poked his shoulder. "You couldn't find a lake if it was right under your nose!"

There was silence for awhile as they walked, and then Kijana suddenly burst out, "Mom? Can we please go visit Dad?"

L'ananas's face lit up. "Of course!...We just have find them first..."

Kijana cocked his head to the side as her voice trailed off. "That's gonna be a problem, isn't it?"

[Blondie_63]

(( Hah. Probably should have put where they were huh? ))

"We should probably search for her." Jackson told his son. "It has been quite some time since our previous meeting. I miss her probably more than you."

"I don't know about that Dad, she is my Mom." Tanner said rolling his eyes. "You know Mother-Son bond. and all."

"I think you have it mistaken son." Jackson said with a fresh frown on his face. He then looked around. They were currently located in the forest in front of their newly found den.

They had been wandering this forest looking for a new orchard to visit when they found the carving in the Mountain. They went to check it out not knowing exactly what to expect. Maybe other owners? To their surprise it was empty and just perfect for them. Only a little ways from the Valley but enough for them to love it. Also convenient for them as a mini orchard was located right in front of the carving.

"And how is that?" Tanner asked in disbelief.

Jackson acted like he didn't hear him and asked his own question, "Do you think they'll be able to find us here in the forest?"

Tanner rolled his eyes knowing his father was avoiding the question. "I think we should probably leave the forest and head to the Dryad. Pykiin seem to gravitate towards her."

"You might be my son after all." Jackson added as he ruffled his son's head.

"Dad!" Tanner exclaimed, mortified and jumping away from his father. "Was that necessary?"

"Oh absolutely!" Jackson chuckled as they walked towards the end of the trees.

[Saiki]

"Well, let's head to the Dryad. Maybe they'll be there," suggested L'ananas after a moment, turning in another direction and begin to pad away.

Kijana stared blankly after his mother. "Why? ...I mean, I know it's the most important tree in the valley and all, but why does everyone meet there? Why not like...by the river? Or a cave or something?" he asked, hurrying to catch up to her.

"Have you ever felt like you were being called somewhere?" piped up Aimae, still balancing precariously on Kijana's shoulders. "That'd be the Dryad calling you. Everyone feels that call once...or twice...or every breeding season... Anyways... the Dryad has a certain...feeling...to it. It sometimes just feels right to be hanging around it."

Kijana peered over his shoulder back at the Rodeli, giving her another blank look in response.

"Well, maybe when you're older you'll understand," muttered Aimae in a sing-song voice, reaching up as high as she could and condescendingly patting Kijana on the head.

As the Dryad came into view, Kijana suddenly came to a halt. "Aimae, let's race!"

The Rodeli hopped down from the kiin's back and looked up pleadingly at L'ananas. "Must I?"

L'ananas gently nudged her bonded with a paw. "It'll be fun. Go on."

"My legs are really short... But no one ever--hey! No one said 'go' yet, you fuzzball!" yelled Aimae, scampering as fast she could towards the Dryad. Kijana had gotten quite a head start to the giant tree; he had taken off running while Aimae had been whining.

[Blondie_63]

When they reached the trees the Dryad was in sight. Jackson started to speed up in response. He knew this was the place to go. Of course, in response, Tanner too quickened his pace.

"I told you this was the place to go dad!" Tanner exclaimed feeling the Dryad calling to him too.

"And you were completely correct." Jackson replied his mouth turning up into a smile. As his mouth turned up he heard the pounding of pws towards the Dryad he looked for the paw sounds and caught sight of Kijana. Tanner followed the gaze of his father and he too noticed his brother. He acted on instinct and ran to meet him, or collide with him. Whatever happened first.

Jackson then noticed the little rodeli running after Kijana. Aimae Jackson recognized. He then searched for the one Pykiin he really wanted to see at the moment, and there she was. His face instantly turned so that he had a smile that was as big as his whole face. He couldn't stand being away from her for so long. He thought about her often. He couldn't help but to think about her whenever he seen his son.
He quickened his pace so that he was almost at a run towards her.

[Saiki]

Suddenly hearing the sounds of rushing footfalls, Kijana looked over in time to see another pykiin shooting towards him. Quite startled, the yellow kiin skidded to a halt the best he could, tripping over his own feet and nearly crashing into the other Pykiin anyway.

Getting back up, Kijana looked over at the other kiin and was about to ask if he was okay when he suddenly froze.

"...Tanner?" he asked hesitantly, blinking in surprise.

Then he grinned at his brother. "Tanner! How've you been? Is dad here too?"


L'ananas had noticed Tanner racing to meet Kijana. She would meet with her other son later of course, but first... She looked around, finally seeing Jackson not far away. She didn't think she'd ever felt so happy to see someone in her entire life.

Feeling almost euphoric, L'ananas bounded over to him, the wide smile on her face matching the one on his.


((I have to run off to dinner now. >.< But I'll be back in like an hour. Sorry!))

[Blondie_63]

Tanner watched his brother look up and he kept up his speed. When his brother fell he skidded to a stop and laughed as hard as his small body would let him.
"Kijana...Are you...all right?" He asked between laughs. He settled himself down so that he could carry on the conversation. "I've been good! How have you and mom been?" He asked curiously. "Yeah dad's here. He's right over there." He pointed towards Jackson and was about to ask if L'ananas was there but he seen her going towards him.

"L'ananas!" He exclaimed. "Oh L'ananas! I've missed you so!"

[Blondie_63]

Jackson had a sudden urge to go to the Dryad. "L'ananas would you follow me?" He looked at L'ananas with a pleading glance. He didn't want to let her out of his sight.

He searched around his paws looking for a sign any sign to tell him why he needed to be at the Dryad and as soon as his eyes touched the ground he found his source.
"Is you Jackson?" The orange and black Kinri asked, staring up at him.
"Is you?" He was dumbfounded. Did she actually talk like that? Her English was horrible. She can't want to bond with him. He knew that, of course, she was going to his new bonded. "I believe it is 'Are You?'"
"Yeah, Yeah." She rolled her little eyes. "Then are you Jackson." She said with a hint of annoyance in her tone.
"Yes, I am in fact Jackson." He replied. "And you are?"
"I be your new bonded." She bowed her head. "Becca's the name."