Chase the Clouds from the Ground (Dusk)

[::Fox::]

Something was not right.

That thought was what woke one particularly round-bellied Aussie/husky mix from a previously uneasy sleep. Baby blue eyes flickered open in the pre-dawn light of very early morning, the junkyard silent around her as shadows crept through the garbage mountains. Looking around her, the tri-colored mix frowned slightly. She was sprawled in the back of an old car that had all four doors ripped off, both the hood and trunk missing as well with no wheels. She'd curled up there late the previous afternoon after meeting a new young Morg. Anastasia had left Dusk to deal with the newcomer, initially feeling restless and then tired beyond all belief. Now, laying in the gloom, she breathed in. Dusk had been there in the night but was gone now. Ana wasn't surprised. He often left early, out scouting for Axel, trying to find a decent meal for them to share or checking up on the nighttime watchers. Right now, Ana was glad Dusk was gone because something didn't feel right and he didn't need to be there worrying himself about it.

Grunting with effort, the very pregnant Anastasia heaved herself up and leaped out of the back of the car. She was clumsy with the weight of her pups and still kinda half asleep but spurred into motion by her discomfort. Why she was leaving the safe backseat of that car was beyond her but, she did. Picking her way through the garbage, Ana found an old mattress surrounded by a tumble of boxes, car tires and other assorted human garbage. For whatever reason, it looked really appealing so, the pregnant fae plopped herself down. Sprawling out on her side, Ana pondered the chances of howling for Jewel. That probably wasn't a good idea since Jewel would probably bring Axel and Dusk would hear and come running. That was not what she needed right now. So, in the half gloom, Ana waited for something to happen.

She had just settled into a hazy half-sleep when the muscles around her hips contracted painfully, bringing a surprised and pained yelp from the first time mother. Frowning slightly, Ana braced herself just in time for it to happen again. Clenching her jaw, Ana half rose before a third contraction made her buckle back onto the mattress.

Realization hit Ana like a ten ton meteor. Her pups were coming. Now. Oh h...

Pain shot through Ana's hips and stomach making the crossbred fae huff in surprise. After a moment, her body relaxed a little for maybe three heartbeats before the contractions started up again. Groaning, Ana clawed at the mattress material, muscles clenching an flexing. Oh hell...her pups were coming and she had no idea what to do...

The worst pain washed over Ana like an ocean wave, soaking her threw with so much force it made her vision flicker. Groaning, the fae tossed her head a little, struggling and straining. Her pups were moving, trying to escape. They were coming now whether she liked it or not, whether she knew what to do or not.

*******

Coherent thought floated back to Ana like waking from a deep sleep. The first thing that penetrated her pain-haze was the sound of...whimpering. Triangular ears flickered. There it was again. Hazily, Ana raised her head, she had to make sure. Yep, there they were. Six pups were nestled snuggly against her belly, once fat with their little bodies packed inside. Now she felt deflated, like a popped balloon, her precious burdens now suckling and mewl-whimpering at her side. Their eyes were screwed shut, little ears flat against their heads, half cleaned during Ana's labor with each one, cleaned as much as she could manage before the next came and demanded her attention. They were tiny, far tinier than Anastasia had expected. Tiny and beautiful. Male or female, they were all beautiful, shining with their father's strength.

An amazed, dazed smile came to Ana's maw as she looked at them. Her first litter. She'd done it. She'd carried to term and birthed each one, healthy and alive.

Curling around them to provide as much warmth as possible, Ana rasped her tongue over each little bundle of fur as it suckled greedily at her belly. Once she was satisfied they were clean, she simply watched them. Her mind was blissfully empty, hazy with exhaustion and the remains of her labor pains. She'd underestimated how much it could hurt to bring six pups into the world of the living.

Unable to bring herself to howl and call Dusk or unwanted other Morgs to her private sanctuary, Ana simply laid curled around her pups, half dozing. Dusk would find them, she was certain of it. In the junkyard, they were safe enough to wait and she didn't want to disturb even one of the newborn pups. Usually Ana wouldn't care about disturbing anyone even this early in the morning but, now she did because they were hers and she wouldn't let them be unhappy.

[Cursed Heavens {Uzuri Grace}]

Dusk had the same dream again, he was at the train tracks and he was watching his mother walking away from the younger version of him. Those cries, he flinched, even though he heard them before it still bothered him how much he had cried for her and how hard he did so on each cry. This time however, Dusk padded up to follow his mother, he wants to know why though this is a dream he still wants to know. He came around the corner in the neighborhood allies. Right when he turned to this one dark corner to where his mother had gone. She wasn't there, he halted. He was out of the allies and in the junkyard for some reason. Warily he padded through the junkyard, he knew this place, this was the exact junkyard he lives in now, where the Morgs live. Why is he here, why did his dream suddenly change on him? He was so close to finding out why his mother did what she did and now he's here.

The place was deserted, he looked around, scented the air and came up with so many dog scents of his packmates and all fresh. Too fresh, its like everyone is right beside him but he can't see or feel them. Doubting his nose he pricked his ears to listen to any sounds that would show his pack was around. Yet there were no noises, no sounds that would satisfy his hunger. Dusk thought maybe the Station Officer Fighters were around and might know what's happening. He padded to the entrance, his fur rising from the uneasy feeling in his gut. The place was too quiet and empty yet their scents all lingered so clearly to him. It made him dizzy and confused. Dusk looked up to the posts of where Envy used to be, but no, the rott wasn't there. His heart tore, where is everyone, where is Zytka, why isn't she making a racket, where is Anastasia or Jewel, he should be able to hear them talking. He looked up at the sky, the sun was starting to set. Maybe everyone was heading to bed. Dusk was doubtful on that though he wished he could believe it, but the fact there were no guards on their posts, no voices or noises of movement held solid evidence that something was up.

He turned, ready to go search on the other post of the Station Officer Fighters till a white and black spotted figure caught his eye. Dusk knew from the scent and the figure that it was Axel. "Axel!" Dusk called, running to his chief. The dog walked away, walking out of the junkyard and acting like he didn't hear his captain call his name. Dusk bit back his frustration and padded to his chief, but the dalmatian quickened his pace and ran out of the junkyard. "Axel!" Dusk called again and ran after the alpha. The dog turned to an ally, out of Dusk's sight, Dusk halted at the entrance of the ally and found the dalmatian at the other side of it. "Axel!" Dusk howled, Axel turned and looked at him, his eyes were sad. He blinked in surprise, before he could take a step closer to his alpha Axel turned and ran out of his sight again.

Dusk blinked awake, and looked around to know where he was. He was in a rusted car, Red's place where Ana turned to sleep here for the night. Reminded of Anastasia he looked at her and he calmed down a little. It was just a bad dream that's all, Axel wouldn't really leave Morg and the Pack was ok. Still. Dusk itched closer to Ana and breathed in her scent that made his body shiver. He licked her cheek and whispered to her softly, barely even a whisper that he would be back soon. Dusk got to his paws slowly and climbed out of the broken down vehicle. One more glance to see Anastasia, he turned and padded off. His heart eased when he heard the familiar noises of waking dogs waking up and moving about. It was dark out, nearly dawn, Zytka wouldn't be out yet, she sleeps way passed sunrise. Well it was even early for him to move about, but he couldn't sleep, that dream bothered him too much for him to be able to sleep even with Ana at his side.

The husky went to the entrance and found Envy or any Station Officer not at the post. Dusk wasn't surprised, Envy must be off sleeping, Dusk gave them a rest since they were all tired out. Yet, why isn't there someone on the post, he asked three other dogs to take up guard duty so the pack wouldn't be left unguarded. Dusk shook the uneasy feeling off him and turned around the corner to go and get something for him and Ana to eat. He spotted a white and black moving figure and detected the familiar scent. Dusk's fur rose, this was just like his dream, not precisely but way too damn close. "Axel!" he barked to his leader and was glad that the dog stopped unlike his dream. Dusk padded up to his chief, "I was wondering where you were yesterday, well we got another knew member, a young female at that." The dalmatian didn't say anything or turn to look at him. Instead the dog just started walking off again. Dusk blinked in surprise. He opened his mouth to speak but Axel spoke before him and he just listened. "I'm leaving, your in charge" Dusk narrowed his eyes and went to ask for how long but Axel seem to figure what he was going to say. "I'm not coming back this time, for now on you and everyone else is on your own." At that Axel ran off, Dusk wanted to follow but his body didn't listen to him.

Instead Dusk sat down and watched as his chief left, no scratch that, former chief. He bared his jaw, now what? There leader has abandoned them. Just when he thought things couldn't get much worse this happens. Dusk sighs, he knew what he has to do now. It's up to him to lead Morg Pack as their chief. It was Axel's last order and Dusk will honor it.

---

Passed dawn, Dusk went and told everyone the news that he had found Axel dead. He doesn't want them to know that he had abandoned them, they all trusted him. Even though he lied it was better they don't know the truth. They wanted to see his body but he told them it was impossible. He told them that Axel and him went off together and came to an old building and that it collapsed, that Dusk was the only one able to get out safely. He doesn't know if they believed him or not but he hoped it was enough. Dusk told them he will be in charge, that he will be their chief, no one really protest over it. He padded off with a rabbit, it would be good enough for him and Anastasia to share. Dusk went to Red's car and found Anastasia wasn't there. His heart skipped a beat but he kept himself calm, he dropped the rabbit and took in Ana's trail. He picked up the rabbit and followed it. The scent got stronger and with it whimpering, the sound of pups. He pricked his ears and began to hear suckling.

Dusk gulped and padded to where the sounds were. He found Anastasia lying on a mattress, looking like she was sleeping. Dusk breathed in and padded slowly up to her, he dropped the rabbit on the mattress and came on the cushion slowly. He turned to look away from Anastasia and found small creatures suckling. Dusk blinked from her thin size and knew from all the evidence, even the scent in the air that his pups had come. He stared in amazement, there were six pups, suckling at Ana's tits. Six! Six children, he has six children. His heart wanted to burst. Dusk turned slowly to Anastasia, "Ana?" he whispered to her, wanting to know if she was awake or not.

[::Fox::]

A familiar scent was what woke Ana from her post-labor sleep, a scent that made her feel safe even though she hadn't opened her eyes to confirm the presence was who she thought it was. There was no need really. The pups whimpering at her belly and that familiar scent made Ana almost drift off to sleep again as soon as she came out of it. Who could blame her? Six pups was a sizable litter, enough to warrant being decently tired. If someone wanted to argue that point, they could go develop six pups and then push them into the world, then we'll see how well they felt. Soft whispering, a single word, nudged Ana's consciousness, scolding her for nearly drifting off again. Someone was concerned, waiting for her to wake up. It was Dusk, he'd want to know she was okay, know the pups were his and Anastasia would be more than happy to share with him. So, the husky/Aussie mix forced her eyes to open, blinking once or twice. The sunlight was stronger than when she'd drifted off so she must have slept for at least a little while. Picking up her head, Ana hazily turned her head, brushing her nose against Dusk's muzzle, blinking herself awake.

Sure enough, looming over her was her familiar big bulky husky mate. He was looking at the pups as they suckled. Two of them, the first two, had already stopped nursing and were sleeping curled in tiny little balls of fur against her belly burrowed into her fur. The others, Ana had partially covered with her tail, curled around them to provide extra warmth from the autumn morning. The look on Dusk's face though, caught Ana's attention and brought a quiet smile to her maw. The past few weeks had been tough on her mate, no one knew that better than Ana. He stressed about her pregnancy, stressed about new Morg members, stressed about Axel. Now though, looking at his newborn children, Dusk didn't look so stressed. He looked younger, younger than Ana had ever seen him look. His eyes had an oddly misty, thoughtful look, as if he was lightyears away from Ana, thinking and seeing things only he could see. That look made all the labor and pain worth it.

"They look like you," Ana murmured, turning her head to brush her muzzle ever so lightly against one of the pup's backs.

Her words were true, spoken with all the love of a new mother. Most of the pups, at least three of them, favored Dusk's golden-red coloring including the firstborn, a little girl. Two of the girls had Dusk's paled pelt color while one Ana expected would be a near replica of her. The other two were a mix of Ana's black coat and Dusk's red one. Their markings would become more defined as they grew and matured but already Ana could foresee some of their marks. Each one was so unique and special, it awed her to think such a thing could have been nurtured in her womb, created by Dusk and herself. They were truly amazing, even while blind and deaf with their youth.

Turning her head back to Dusk, Ana reached up and licked the underside of his jaw, mellowed and softened with her exhaustion, tender with a mother's touch. "You came back, didn't think you'd be back until twilight," Ana murmured, searching Dusk's gaze. "Found him, didn't you?"

Everyday had been more or less the same for Ana and Dusk. Dusk would go look for Axel, try and wrangle the alpha into doing some actual work, come back tired and cranky at twilight and Ana would talk him down or let him rant as much as Dusk ever ranted. It wasn't necessarily a bad system but, it made Anastasia mad that Dusk was forced to do everything an alpha was supposed to do on top of being an alpha. It made her sick to think Axel got to keep the title and recognition and authority while Dusk got worn out and grumpy every day because he had to tell others what to do and still maintain the patrols like a beta was supposed to. That didn't seem to be the case today though. Since Ana doubted Dusk's intuition had led him here early, she knew it had something to do with Axel. Either Dusk had found Axel sooner than expected or, Axel had found Dusk.

[Cursed Heavens {Uzuri Grace}]

He watched as Ana woke up. She lifted her head softly and blinked tiredly. Dusk was grateful that she was alright though as he can see she was really exhausted. Well he expected it as much, Zytka told him she had been extremely tired from giving birth to four pups. He figured Anastasia would be even extra tired because she had given birth two more pups than Zytka did by the looks of it. Dusk moved away a little, giving Ana room, he moved around lightly, getting himself to lie down behind Ana so Ana could be more comfortable as well. He lied down closely to her, his legs touching her back as he folded them and had his big head lie lightly over Ana's shoulder, barely touching her. It had been exhausting for him this morning, trying to keep everyone from attacking him and stuff was a lot of work. Yet he didn't say anything about it since he knew Ana was more tired than he is and he knew if he did he would get punished for it. He knew Anastasia as much as he bet she knew him.

She said warmly that they look like him. He smiled at that as he looked at all six of them. Two were mixed with his coloring and Ana's, three had the same golden and red coating with some of them having the white Ana has. He hoped they have her eyes, though he has blue eyes too they have different kind of shades. Ana's were more beautiful and baby bluish, his is darker like a tanned human that got soaked in the sun for a while. He turned to the last one and smiled, that one by the smell of it female lots just like Ana if not more. He wondered if she will have her mother's eyes. It would be a while till they will be able to open their eyes. He can't wait to see how many have their eyes, though he knew some of them are going to have brown eyes. Huskies only have two different color of eyes, brown and blue. Of course Zytka has red but they are still brownish only a thicker depth to them. All huskies if their parents have both brown eyes or blue eyes there will be some pups with different eye colored eyes, there are even some huskies with two different color of eyes. How he knows this since he never been raised by a dog was by learning from loners and seeing other huskies like him. He even saw a husky, a red husky with two different colored eyes.

"I bet their going to have your eyes, and that one looks just look you," he looked at the fifth pup. He looked at all of them closely and marveled over their beauty. Yet he noticed something was wrong with the Ana look-a-like one have a twisted paw, he hadn't noticed it before because he really didn't look but he can see it doesn't look right. He forced it out of his mind and it dawned on him. "I bet she's going to be just like you when she becomes older," he growled softly and warmly. Since he is the new chief of Morg Pack these pups are the heirs to the next leadership. Well what you know? He became the alpha of this pack and became a father on the same day. It's like these pups were born for greatness or something. It warmed him that they won't have to take the same fate he and their mother had. They will be safe in Morg Pack and carry on the future of this Pack.

Dusk blinked when he felt Ana caress his muzzle with hers. He looked at her and smiled softly. The husky caressed her back by licking at her cheek. She told him he came earlier than expected. He figured she would find something is up. Dusk doesn't come back this early in the morning since almost everyday he mostly goes out to look for Axel. The extra duties had been bothering him a lot. He never really gets free time, the only time he gets is to sleep and he really just wants to spend more time with Ana or talk with Zytka. Dusk bit back a flinch when he thought about the fem. She definitely knows that he is lying, there is no evidence that she knows since she hadn't been awake since he told everyone but he figured she would now since dogs would be telling her what had happened. Zytka is good and finding things out, words or not. He wouldn't put it past her that she figured he had been lying to the pack. Hopefully she wouldn't tell anyone but he knew she wouldn't, she isn't the type to gossip. Sure she doesn't lie but that doesn't mean she would tell the truth, she would just keep her mouth shut. Besides, Zytka is clever, and she has been a leader herself before and knows this was the best thing to do. Abandonment is the hardest thing, even Zytka knows that, if the pack knew the truth it would be chaos and they can't handle that, not when war was so close. "Yeah I found him," Dusk replied, sounding a bit sad and troubled. Dusk sighed, being around Ana he has no need to go into an isolated place to release his feelings like he always did before he ever met her. "At least things will be a bit easier."

[::Fox::]

Dusk's words about the pups warmed Ana's heart. She could hear the affection, the soul-deep affection, a mirror image of her own for their offspring. No one thought Anastasia would be a good mother but, Ana was bound and determined to be as good as anyone else if not better. Her own mother had been a horrible example, seeing each litter as merely a side effect of heat, harboring no real affection for Ana's father. If she had loved him at one point, it had burnt out by the time Ana came along with her herd of siblings. That was something Ana had figured out only when her mother turned her away, declaring that if Ana was too much trouble for the humans than Ana was too much trouble for anyone. The thought of it, even now with a pack, a loving mate and beautiful children, brought a bitter taste to Ana's mouth. She pushed away the bitterness, not wanting it to ruin her happiness. She felt like she was queen of the world. She'd brought pups to Dusk, just like she'd wanted. Yeah, at first she'd been scared but now Anastasia felt amazing and knew she'd never fear it again. Yes it had hurt and it had been a struggle but she felt amazing now, absolutely wonderful even though she'd never felt more tired.

Leaning back against Dusk's sturdy form, Ana let herself rest for a moment as Dusk surveyed their litter. His scent washed over her like a comforting old friend, wrapping her and her children in security. Even when he mentioned Axel, Ana didn't feel worried. Yes the longtime Morg alpha was gone but, life would go on. The pack would pick itself up and move on with Dusk at the helm. Anastasia had no doubt Dusk would be a great alpha since he'd already been more or less leading the pack for months now. Now all they had to do was make the more die-hard Axel loyalists see that their precious spot-brained dalmatian was gone and then everything would be alright. Many Morgs were faithful to Dusk, more than he realized. They would all be alright. That confidence kept Ana calm, even though she knew great change was on the horizon.

"We'll be alright," Ana said firmly, watching her babies as one by one they started dropping off to sleep.

As if on instinct they clustered together, sharing body heat with each other and their mother, serenely certain she would keep them safe and warm. That sort of trust made Ana feel like her life was worth living, if only for her children. The firstborn, a red-gold and white little girl, caught Ana's eye. The pup was snuggled up between the second born little boy and the pup Dusk had mentioned looked the most like her. What caught Ana's eye was that the first born was herding one of the smaller pups, the last born male, into the center of their little huddle. Ana smiled. Looked like she had a little caretaker, not even old enough to open her eyes but already watching out for her siblings. Leaning forward, Ana rasped her tongue gently and lovingly over the rose-gold pup's little head.

"More dogs in this pack are loyal to you than they were to Axel," Ana told Dusk. "Axel never talked to them, didn't try to know them, didn't try to win their respect. The pack may hurt for a while but, it'll heal and move on. I didn't like Axel but I know you were friends with him but, I think this was what was meant to be. Knew it from the moment I met you. You were meant for something more than being Axel's second."

Some may say that vanity made Anastasia say that or that she was bias because Dusk was her mate and she really had never respected Axel. That was only part of the truth. Ana knew Dusk was good with authority. He might not talk a lot but, his intention was always crystal clear. He spoke gently with pups, respected femmes and respected the aged. To this day Ana could remember Dusk and Red getting along just fine even though the bloodhound had been a tough nut to crack. She could see Dusk with Hollywood, Julian and Kyle. Some die-hards like Nadia and maybe even Jewel would struggle with the change but, Dusk had stronger dogs on his side. Ana had no doubt that Zytka and herself could take on the whole Morg Pack in Dusk's name if he asked them to or even just for fun when they got bored. She felt almost bad for Dusk because he'd lost a friend but, in Ana's eyes, Axel hadn't been a very good friend if he could just walk away from the pack. Ana wasn't afraid to voice those thoughts but, she was sensitive just this once, for her mate.

[Cursed Heavens {Uzuri Grace}]

Dusk felt Ana lean on him but he didn't nudge away but instead licked her shoulder. He looked at his children, all six of them and found one nudging the rest and guiding them. Dusk figured she will be the leader of the six. He wondered if she would be the one to lead Morg Pack after him. Dusk pictured her older, going to the top. Of course it could be all six of these pups that could lead. He forced the leadership future thing to the back of his find again but this time he stomped it in the earth, no way is he going to put this weight on his children, he wants them to be free and won't care what they want to be and certainly does not care which one will lead after him. Dusk is young and though he could die from sickness it will be why he is going to bring up the doctor rank so dogs in the pack won't die like Red had. Also he might die in this war but his pups would be too young to lead if he did, about time they come to age they the war would be solved. So if he does who ever is deputy will lead the pack as the new chief.

Certain he had pushed it away and pound it in the dirt enough he took full focus on his children. He pricked his ears when Anastasia spoke in a determined voice that they are all going to be ok. Dusk smiled softly, looking into Ana's eyes, soft as a feather and warm as the pale winter sun. He knew they will be because he won't let his children and mate or any body for that matter get hurt. Though this is a war he will die fighting. Dusk joined only to fight to the death. Now though, ever since coming to this pack, becoming a normal firefighter to captain and then chief, he isn't the same dog as he was, though half the same bold exterior, he has become the leader Zytka always knew he was supposed to be, even when they were just loners. It still disturbed him that Zytka knows him more than he does, but that's just how Zytka is, she's good at knowing things as good as she does crush steel.

Even Anastasia seem to know that he was meant to lead. Now his motive to fight has changed. Yet to save the infected dogs known as daemons from killing them did not change the rest did. Before all he wanted was just to fight so he could live his life already. Now he wants to fight to bring a good future for his Pack. Dusk remembered about Delphino, how she left for love. He thought about Jewel, how she was taken away by Judge. Axel made a grave mistake... no two. One his ill judgement on Judge, two abandon Jewel to remain as their slave till it was too late. Dusk knew he is never going to allow that to happen, unlike Axel he will keep his word. He will not abandon someone in need, not even a loner.

Dusk thought back, way back before he came to Harthorn. He was in the next city, on an empty bowl at the place where the half grown pups go to ride on flat wood with rocks connected with the wood. There had been a fem, she was being raped by three daemons, one the leader was the first one, laughing at her crying for help, he had been taunting, talking sarcastically at her. It had been near Dusk the sun behind him so the daemons could see who he was. He told them to stop brutally. They refused, one of the two daemons flung bars at him with telekineses. Dusk dodged, the other daemon charged at him, Dusk charged back, and slammed his head right against the daemon's head, it flew back skid on the other side of the bowl, head bent and bleeding badly with its spine snapped and out of his skin and poking through fur. The the last two daemons were angry till they got a closer look at him and knew who he was, he was the Brutal Killer, or whatever they all called him, they all called him different kind of names back then... fearful names. They tried to run, he got to them and beat them to death, they were pathetically weak and it only took two or three hits and they were dead. The fem, instead of grateful to him, cried in panic when he neared her and she begged him to let her live like she thought if she was pregnant he would kill her.

It hurt him then, he didn't care if she was pregnant or not he just wanted to know if she was alright. He left her and never looked back through the days if she was pregnant or not. Dusk was a killer back then, and some dogs back then even thought he was a daemon on strike. There had been so many rumours in that city he just couldn't take it and just went to the next city, continuing his search for Morg Pack. Dusk was thankful he came to the pack or he would of never met Anastasia, never would have had children of his own, always thought as a monster or a freak like the rest of the daemons. Callie was a good dog, Zytka too, but Anastasia knew him most and wouldn't try to use him either like Callie.

Anastasia spoke again, telling him that they would be alright and that the pack would heal. How Axel was never a leader, most of the members thought Dusk as the leader and how Axel never tried to gain their respect. It was true, and he knew in time that everyone in the Pack is going to learn that he is the new chief. Still he doesn't really want to be a leader, he never intended this to happen, didn't even want to be captain. Yet this might as well be his destiny and there was no way out of it even if he wished it over and over it would just be a waste of words, a waste of energy to wish for something that is not going to come true. Besides he doesn't want anyone else to lead it besides him, he isn't going to give it away to a stranger or anyone for that matter because he know he is the only one that knows the pack better than anyone, just like Jewel.

"He was never my friend," Dusk told Anastasia firmly but softly, firm as talking to members but the softest to Ana. This is how firm he will ever get to Ana. He looked up at the brightened sky, the grey clouds covering most of the blue abyss. "I only respected him as my leader, he gave me what no one in my life gave me. He never feared me, judged me wrongly like everyone else." He closed his eyes and breathed, thinking about the times when Axel really had been a leader. "In that he made a place for me in this pack, made me feel like I have a reason to be here. Yet," he bared his teeth in frustration, and he sighed, "he had been a good leader, he changed though after he came back from that trip." Dusk blinked and shook his head as if to shake off the annoying flies buzzing in his head.

Dusk looked down at the pups again. He wondered what they are going to call them. Dusk looked at the Ana look-a-like, maybe he should figure out a fansy name like Anastasia's. Since she looks like her mother it would be just right to pick a name that is just as nice as her mother's name. Dusk had given out names before on pups that was like him, nameless and without their parents to raise and give their name. This was different, these pups aren't orphans they are his children. It was an honor that he won't let any dog name them other than Anastasia. "What are we going to call them?" he asked, half to himself.

[::Fox::]

Anastasia looked at her precious children as Dusk mentioned naming them. It hadn't occurred to her until now since she'd been tired from the labor and waiting for Dusk to find them. Dusk had found them and now it came down to the hard part, naming. Naming was important, Ana knew that. It could shape everything about a pup from the moment they learned what their name meant to the day they died and, if they were lucky, their names were passed down in stories. As her baby blue eyes skimmed each pup, beautiful and handsome in turn, she pondered her own name. Anastasia was an old fashioned name from some foreign human country that was apparently really cold from what Ana had heard. An old dog from her neighborhood when she'd been a pup had said Anastasia was a royal name or something like that. For a while, it had made her proud to have such a classy name. When she'd ended up on the streets, Ana had come to hate her name and shortened it to Ana, if only to friends. She had wanted nothing to do with humans or their countries or their royalties. Plus, it was just so fussy. Her humans hadn't named her well, at least not until Ana had gotten old enough to realize her name wasn't just to represent her. It represented what she'd done. She'd made herself the queen of her own world, telling the rest of them to screw off if they really didn't like her. She'd struggled to figure out who she was and find her place, just like the human the dog had told her about as a pup.

Now, regarding her own pups, Ana was dumbstruck, caught up in the huge task of labeling them for the rest of their lives. Each of them looked so unique but their personalities wouldn't appear for another few weeks when they opened their eyes and ears to the world. How could they name the pups accurately without any idea of what they would act like?

Soft blue eyes fell on the rose-gold pup, the fae that had herded the last born into the huddle. A protector, a mother, a guardian. Anastasia's eyes traveled skyward. The night time heavens had long since gone out, giving way to the daytime sky but, Ana mulled over the constellations for a silent moment, pondering which one, if any, would represent her firstborn daughter. Her thoughts fell on Ursa Major, the bear constellation. She remembered a stray telling stories once to a group of down-trodden strays, one of which Ana had been. He'd told them about Ursa Major, a mother bear that protected her cub, Ursa Minor from all the other constellations. He'd said the bear stood for love and wisdom according to some humans which Ana found a bit silly at the time. Bears were death if you were alone and still dangerous even for a pack. But female bears were quiet until you troubled their brood, for some reason, it struck a cord with Ana as she watched the sleeping firstborn.

Looking at the little rose-gold daughter, Ana leaned forward and touched her nose ever so lightly against the sleeping pup's back. "Ursa," Ana said softly. "To humans it means 'female bear'" Ana explained to Dusk. "She'll protect them, even if she's not the most outspoken." There was a certain firmness in Ana's voice, a strange certainty that only a mother could utter when regarding her voiceless children. As she touched her nose to the little pup's cheek, Ursa gave a soft whimper and pressed back blindly against her mother's warm muzzle. Ana smiled tenderly at the pup. Her little bear.

Leaning back she looked over at Dusk, a silent prompt for him to name one of the pups. To her, it was only fair and she trusted Dusk. He wouldn't give them silly names or meaningless ones. If he tried, Ana would be sure to give him a piece of her mind without a doubt. Zytka had told Ana about Dusk's tenderness toward pups and Ana had seen it for herself on several occasions. She trusted Dusk with their children and always would. He would do right by them even if he didn't have an example to follow. Anastasia knew they'd have a lot of discovering to do about their children since neither of them had had fantastic model parents. Between Ana's run-of-the-mill mother and Dusk's absent one, they would appear to be stumbling along their way, stuck on instinct alone. Anastasia wasn't worried though. Instinct had never steered a dog wrong before and Ana doubted it would start now. It would be good for Dusk and her as well, to name their pups together.

[Cursed Heavens {Uzuri Grace}]

He looked at Ana then to the pups and wondered which pup she was going to name first. Dusk knew that whatever name Ana chooses for one of these pups he would love them. Of course he would love all of them but he meant by the names that his mate has chosen. While he waited he thought about his past, he doesn't know who his mother was but he wouldn't name one of his daughters by her anyway, she abandoned him, left him for dead instead of killing him like she did the rest of his siblings. Though he has no proof if she did kill them since he only dreamed it but he did no he smelled blood as a newborn, it felt it quite familiar when he killed his first prey. It held the bitter memory of a fem leaving him in the middle of the train tracks. Dusk wondered about who his father was too, he wondered what happened to him, did he die? Abandon his mate? Those questions may never be answered but not like it mattered, it was left in the past and it should stay there.

Dusk thought about the things he went through as a pup, the dogs he met, the things he learned throughout life. A thought came to mind about the human family, he doesn't know their names but he knows the name they gave him. It would be impossible for them to know his name, they would have to guess and given that there are thousands of names its about one in a million to guess the right name. However, he threw it away, Blaze, none of them looked looked like a blazing flame and besides that most of his sons won't fit in with that name. Plus he can't think about humans, especially when Anastasia hates humans for what they did to her, it wouldn't be right to name them a name the humans had given him. Instead he kept browsing through and this time he tried to think up of things he had learned instead of thinking about names of others. Maybe that way he can figure out who would fit who easier.

He listened to Ana as she named the eldest one Ursa and explained it to him what the name meant. Dusk smiled and licked her muzzle to tell her that he loves the name rather than saying it. He already has done enough useless talking for now and the fact the day was still young he would have to save his voice for other things. Though he wanted to just stay here all day and let himself be just a normal dog, just this once for the day. Yet that won't happen, he won't let it because that would be just like Axel. No he will get right on to work once he finds a better place for Anastasia to sleep and stay. He thought about Zytka's place. Dusk knew Zytka wouldn't worry about it, the bus is warm and there are a lot of cushions and stuff to be comfortable and warm. Zytka had done a lot of searching around in Harthorn and then in the junkyard when Axel had told her she is forbidden to leave the junkyard. Plus with the door and stuff, it can help keep the pups warm even in winter. Though he figured it won't be permanent since Zytka doesn't like being touched, yet when she helps raise them he bet she will love them as much as she did her own children and won't care if they do. To get Zytka allow you to touch her is by her wanting you to touch her. Only dogs she greatly trust can touch her, she barely allows him to but she will not in any circumstances let anyone touch her romantically.

The husk looked down at the pups again, looking at all five of them. He found one moving about, it was the Ana look-a-like. She was whimpering and nudging, crawling to a piece of grass that was being lied on by her brother that was the second eldest. His son yipped but sounded a bit quiet, instead of moving about he curled up closer to Ursa. The Ana look-a-like curled around the small piece of grass, keeping it warm and safe as if its an important treasure. He took in her puppy scent and tasted the beautiful fragrance of sweetness like her mother's, the same exotic scent that smelled like a flower to him. Zytka meant rose flower, red flower. Maybe he could name her by a flower, a beautiful one at that. He track down all the books he had seen when he had been living with the human family. The female, the human pup's mother held a beautiful garden, filled with beautiful flowers. A dog, next door came by to greet him and that and told him about what all different kinds of flowers they were. His head had buzzed by how many kinds there were and is buzzing in his head now.

One kind of flower came to mind, one the dog said the humans love so much. It was Jasmine, they use that flower for gardens because they were beautiful, come up in bright colors. Not just that the humans even use the flower's scent, don't know how but they manage to put its beautiful scent on them that makes them smell good. Jasmine also sounded a bit fansy too like Anastasia's name. Dusk smiled and looked at Anastasia and pointed with his muzzle and eyes. He stretched his neck and gently touched the pup. The Ana look-a-like shivered and curled tighter a bit more. "Jasmine," he growled softly, almost like a whisper. "Like those beautiful flowers that smell nice." He looked at Anastasia and smiled at her softly, eyes warm. Dusk looked to the rest of the pups, only four more to name. Naming them was a lot of work than he thought, since they were his first children and their names is going to stick to them till they die even before that, its important to give them the right name. He looked to the golden female and thought about another flower, "and that one Daisy for her bright coloring." He pointed to the white and golden female near Jasmine.

[::Fox::]

Ana's blue eyes followed the darker of the female pups as it squirmed away from the others, toward one of the males with long dark fur blotched with gold. She doubted the pups would really interact but, their innocent, blind motions fascinated the young mother. It was like even though they were young and blind, they were aware, aware of each other, aware of her and aware of their father. Could they sense eyes on them? Or were they just registering the warmth of the surrounding bodies? Anastasia had no idea since, like most dogs, she had no memories of being so young except for maybe the faintest hint of milk scent and a sense of security, maybe even that was nothing more than a dream. The dark femme Dusk was watching was beautiful, the only one in the litter to have Ana's three colors though the finer light brown tones were mere wisps now. She'd probably grow up to be quite beautiful with nice classy markings and an alert face. All of them would be beautiful, no doubt, but Ana took a little pride in knowing at least one of her daughters would look like her. She loved all of them, regardless of pelt color but, it was nice to have at least one that everyone could glance at and say "Yeah, that's one of Ana's girls."

The name Dusk picked for that pup jogged a brief memory in Ana's mind. A memory of her humans' garden with herbs that had spicy smells and little delicate flowers. She could remember rolling around in them when she was really little, just adopted and then later when she was older, dozing under the plants in the shade during summer's hotter days. Anastasia couldn't remember if Jasmine had been one of the plants from her housepet life but, it sounded familiar and beautiful. She wondered if there was a reason behind Dusk choosing such a...elegant name but, decided not to ask. It was obvious Dusk was feeling quiet now, speaking when he needed to which was fine with Ana. His silence never bothered her in the least since she had enough voice to make up for the both of them.

As Dusk named the last of their daughters, Anastasia's gaze followed Dusk's to the pale gold and white of their daughters, the middle girl if Ana remembered right. Daisy, a simple flower but a sweet one, a modest innocent plant. Beautiful. Leaning forward, Ana rasped her tongue lovingly over Jasmine and Daisy's little backs, nudging them gently back to the group to keep them warm. They'd need to move before night came again, maybe with Zytka's help back to Red's old sleeping spot. As far as Ana was concerned, the car would fit them well enough or there would be somewhere else. Why Ana had left that safe haven was beyond her, buried in the haze and restlessness that had come before her birthing.

Turning her attention to the three young sons, Ana's blue gaze swept over them. Each male was slightly darker than their sisters, except for the last male and Jasmine being exceptions. Jasmine and the last male were flip-flopped, Jasmine being darker than the last male. What Ana noticed about the last male though, was that he looked like...Ana's father. Ana's father had been a blue-eyed, handsome Australian shepherd and out of all six, the last male looked the most like a shepherd. His ears were floppy instead of triangular and his muzzle was slightly different, less wolf-ish. The last male for whatever reason made Ana think of something cultured, civilized. Leaning forward, she brushed her muzzle against the top of the little male's head.

"Apollo," Ana murmured. A human god of the sun in some legends, in others a god of intelligent, cultured things that Ana couldn't remember right now. Turning her head to the right, she found another little male, longer furred with dark brown fur and golden splotches. She considered this pup with a critical eye, giving him a gentle nudge. "Kodiak." That pup reminded Ana of the rough northern lands, of dogs pulling sleds through miles and miles of deep snow, facing the coldest winters without a shiver. Turning to the last pup, tucked between Ursa and Daisy, he too was dark colored but shorter furred than Kodiak. When Ana leaned forward to brush the pup's back, he, unlike the others, moved. The last to be named squirmed back, wriggling around toward Ana, little eyes squeezed shut. A weak little growl rumbled from the little one as he appeared to try and nip at Ana's muzzle, surprising the new mother. Clicking her tongue, Ana nudged the little one until he settle down again and looked over her shoulder at Dusk, amusement in her eyes. "What about this little guy? He's got a spark to him."

[Cursed Heavens {Uzuri Grace}]

He watched the pups with half closed eyes, his exhaustion was taking over from lying down, content. It seemed the sleep he had wasn't enough. Either that or his tension whipped out the rest of his strength. He realized he had been more exhausted than he thought. Dusk really did overdid himself these several months. What could he have done? Axel would not take responsibility so Dusk had to do two jobs at the same time. He only had time to eat one meal per day and he never got lots of sleep, he had to work till twilight and only get to sleep till dawn. It dawned on him that since Axel is gone he won't need to do two jobs at once. Dusk had a few ideas for the new... deputy, the dog that would be his right paw. He figured Anastasia wouldn't want to lead the pack as alphess and he doesn't want her to do something she doesn't want to do. Unlike Axel he isn't going to put her in a rank she doesn't want. Everyone liked the ranks Axel had chosen for them. Dusk on the other hand never wanted to be the captain, he only wanted to be a firefighter. It was an honor but it didn't help him much. He only became second in command because Axel wanted him too, that was all.

Zytka, man when he told her she should take the rank she told him she could not do it. Not because of her past because Axel doesn't really like her and the pack doesn't either. She told him he was the only one for this rank as if she knew that Axel would leave. Maybe that's why she had been prodding him to start acting like a leader. Well it really doesn't matter now does it? Before he pushed the thoughts out of his mind it came to his head of Zytka's words. "The only thing Spotty done right for this pack... was making you beta." Those were her exact words, especially naming Axel one of her names she picked out for him. Zytka has more names for the former alpha but Spots was the shortest. Why Spotty instead of Spots was because she was talking in her funny voice. He knows she acts crazy, especially when not playing her games but he does know in his heart that she is sane, she does act insane that's all.

Dusk looked at his three sons. He loved them as much as he does his daughters. He just can tell they are going to be brave and strong just like him, they were strong even the youngest one. They will go far though he doesn't know how far, probably farther than him that's for sure. Like they say, every generation gets dumber but every generation is better than the previous. Something like that, but it didn't matter to him. Nothing does now that he is with Anastasia and his children. For the first time he felt happy, content and free. He just knew that this day is the first day to open a new door to the new era. Dusk had a feeling that the war they all have been waiting for is just over the horizon and will come soon. He knew he will do everything in his power to protect his family, he vowed that for his honor. Dusk listened to Ana as she named his two sons, the youngest one and the only male with his golden coat mixed in with the white Apollo. He knew that name, he traced back to what he had read when he had been living with the humans. Apollo was a god, a leader that doesn't die. Dusk smiled, he liked that name a lot. He looked to the pup, Ana had called Kodiak. He also liked that name too yet it bothered him a little, something was a bit off in it. "I like that name, but what about Koda, just to shorten it a little." He looked to Ana if she was alright with it. After waiting for a bit he turned to the other pup right when Ana said the pup has a spark to him. He smiled, that one is going to be a troublemaker for sure. "Then we will call him Sin, if not for causing trouble then its for his strength." Dusk licked Ana's muzzle, blinking slowly, the comfort and everything was making him lose his strength, draining him quickly if he doesn't do something.

[x]____Zytka woke up from an out roar loud enough for her to hear. God dammit! These dogs are noisier than her and they have the nerve to call her noisy. Look at what time it is! The day is still young, she should still be asleep. Zytka growled and got to her paws, she won't be able to sleep with this much noise, might as well see what its about. Really though she rather get some more sleep, Dusk most likely needs it more than anything now that he's finally going to be a daddy soon. Maybe she should be more helpful to him and take the jobs over for him so he can actually sleep and spend the whole day with Ana. It's worth it, no one deserves a break more than that guy, especially Axel does not need a break whatever his reasons are. She sat up and yawned, blinking her red eyes as she looked around her bus. When she first found this place it was dirty with broken windows and empty. Zytka made it completely different now. Yes, she had lots of free time on her hands that she just decided to make her bus shine her style, if not out its inside. Perfect since outside she's insane but inside the crazy figure is a sane dog. It occurred to her she's a bit like Dusk in that part, cruel and bold on the out soft and friendly as a pup in.____[x]

[x]____The place was completely different, it was a school bus used to be orange till she found humans had messed it up with a nasty scent that lingered for days. All the seat were busted, the bars chewed off and the seats lying on the floor, leaning against the walls. If you had seen her talking to the Miss Princess and Mr Grumps you would know that she indeed can bite through steel. The rusted bars in here were easy to tear off. To make sure it was safe to walk around with spikes poking out of the floor she stabbed them through the seats so the seats won't move and the ones she didn't she boards around and her treasure so no one would not notice the bars. She had enough room at the back to put a mattress on, it wasn't stuffed so she stuffed it with pillows and that to make it comfortable, plus she found a nice blanket so the roughness wouldn't bother her. The broken windows she put boards on them, putting most of the seats on top so it would fall down on someone's head. Zytka was lying on the drivers seat. The place was littered with human pup toys and other things. The mirror she found that day with the Miss Princess and Grumps thing she took and put it on the left side, there was enough room to put it against the roof which she was grateful for. She was still working on blackening the windows, Zytka is still trying to get it the way she wants it but this was good enough till she gets everything right.____[x]

[x]____Finally Zytka jumped off her bed that had pillows on it. With Dusk's strength she managed to push the vertical part of the seat back so she has a lot of room. The wheel that was there before she ripped off and put it with the pile of junk or she calls it her toys. Zytka pushed the steel bar with her teeth and opened the door. She padded to where the thundering noise was and heard dogs say from a distance about how Axel died in an accident and that Dusk was the new chief. Zytka asked where they got this information and they told her it was Dusk. Part of her doubted Dusk told everyone the truth but she didn't say anything. Maybe she should go look for him. "Where is he now?" she blinked with big puppish eyes with grace movement. The dog stuttered on his words but he managed to tell her that Dusk was off looking for Anastasia.____[x]

[x]____Without thanking them she brushed her bushy white flecked and tip tail at the dog's chin and walked away without a care about the dog's reaction to it. She wasn't playing her game right now, she's just interested in figuring out the truth that's all. Zytka caught his scent, tracked it and came took in several other scents, all familiar. The scent of Ana and birthing and pups. Looks like Axel's disappearance and Dusk being the new alpha wasn't the only news today. She padded silently up to them, she heard Anastasia and Dusk talking, they were naming their children. Zytka, slowly peaked out and found there were indeed lots of pups, just as she predicted, six. She wondered if if there were two other sixes because if their were than those kids and this day is a hell day. She smiled, hey she's a demon, hell day is her favorite. Zytka waited till they finished naming them and finally forsaken her hiding place. Coming in slowly, shook her body, danced in every step a little. "Babies, you so know when to make everything happen at once. First I hear Axel is dead and now this, though" she stopped, looking at Dusk. "I got to wonder if your little lie will work on me like the rest of the monkeys out there." She smiled in her evil looking way. A cold breeze brew out going against Zytka. She shivered, and her eyes more serious though making her look even more demonic. "Well, don't want your little angels to freeze, maybe you could come to my place, its warm and comfortable there." She offered, looking to Anastasia instead of Dusk or both, she knew she wouldn't need to ask Dusk, but Ana most likely. New mothers are always a bit defensive.____[x]

[::Fox::]

As Dusk labeled the last two sons, renaming Kodiak, Anastasia watched the little ones. She didn't mind Dusk's name change since Koda seemed to fit the second-born. They were adorable, innocent, harmless, blind, deaf, mute and yet...oh so unique. Ana couldn't get enough of watching them, feeling Dusk's warm solid body behind her and his warm gaze also on their children. The Aussie/husky mix was certain she could have stayed like this forever. She was curious, insanely curious about her children. What would they be like? What were their quirks and ambitions? Would they get along or constantly be yapping at each other? Would one of them someday lead the Morg or would they all split off and go their own way? When would their eyes open? How many would have blue eyes? Anastasia was almost certain they'd all have blue eyes. Her mother had been a blue-eyed husky and her father a blue-eyed Australian shepherd. Add that to the fact that Dusk's parents had both been Siberian huskies which were notorious for their blue eyes, Ana was certain they'd all have beautiful eyes. She hoped they'd have eyes full of wonder at the world they lived in and never lose that wonder. Ana knew she never had. Even when her world consisted of dark dirty alleys and mean flea-bitten strays, she'd always had some wonder in her, always questioning everything around her. She would have to nurture that wonder in her pups, coax it out and indulge it as best she could.

Leaning forward, Ana breathed in their milky pup-scent. It had to be one of the best scents she'd ever breathed in. When that scent faded, Ana wondered what they would smell like. Would it be a combination of her and Dusk or something else, something unique to them? So many questions were crowding around Ana's head that she didn't notice a new presence with her and Dusk until words floated to her. The loving new-mother haze that Anastasia had wrapped herself in shattered and disappeared as the mix blood mother was thrown back into reality. Her head snapped up, body instantly tensing at the unannounced newcomer.

It was Zytka, Dusk's unusual black husky friend. Anastasia loosened up just a little but couldn't help but curl a little closer to her pups, as if trying to hide them. She didn't know why she did, only that she did. Some instinct had her on edge, a flickering of thought zinging through the back of Ana's mind, whispering that Zytka would hurt her pups. Ana mentally frowned at this and shoved the thought away. Dusk had hinted at Zytka once having pups of her own even though right now Ana couldn't remember if the black husky had ever confirmed or denied this. Zytka would have no reason to hurt her pups, Zytka was a pack mate, even if she was a bit odd. So, Ana forced herself to relax and now growl. It would upset her pups and they'd only just fallen asleep. Instead the new mother watched Zytka talk to Dusk, mentioning a lie about Axel being dead. Ana shot a look at Dusk, caught somewhere between amusement and disbelief that he would lie to the pack on such a large scale. Then again, maybe it wasn't quite a lie. An alpha that would walk away from his pack was better off dead to the pack. Maybe that had been Dusk's insight, that healing would be easier if there was no hope of Axel's return?

Turning to look back at Zytka when the fem offered warmer shelter for the pups, Anastasia debated it for a moment, looking between Zytka and her pups. She'd never been to Zytka's "lair" though she'd heard a few Morgs muttering about it from time to time. She didn't want to invade on the fae's personal space, knowing Zytka could be odd about those sorts of things but, maybe it was the pups softening the odd fem? Ana leaned toward her pups and touched her nose to one of the soft warm bodies and sighed softly.

"Okay, we'll move," Ana said, nodding. "Dusk can stay with them at you're place until they're all moved, so they can stay warm there."

Ana would stay with the pups that Dusk and Zytka couldn't carry, to keep them safe and warm. Dusk could stay at Zytka's hideout with the first round of pups while Zytka moved back and forth between Ana and Dusk moving pups. If Ana figured right, Zytka would only have to make one extra trip and then on the last trip Ana could walk with Zytka and carry one of the pups. For a moment, Ana wondered about her ability to stand considering she felt tired and water-legged. Now that she thought about it, she felt like a popped balloon without her babies tucked inside her, lighter but tied down by the strong urge to just lay around and sleep.