An Apology to the Air

[Swifthoof]

Katori waited patiently for Shetan to anwer, her green gaze calm as thoughts of what to say to Lucian whirled around in her head. After not seeing him for years, she didn't even know what to do with him. Not to mention that their first meeting didn't really go so well.

Go. You need to talk to him first before I try to... I'll stay here and rest for a while... Just... be careful

[/color]

Black tipped auds perked up at his words and a small smile crossed her muzzle. Nuzzling his neck, she stood up. I'll try not to be long[/color] she said before she started walking toward the direction of the pool. Movement caught her eye and she noticed the pregnant mare try to stand, but then laid back down. A snort of surprise from the mare reached her ears and the bay mare tilted her head in curiousity. Looking around, she noticed that the air was definately warm and that spring was beginning to come. And when spring comes.. her thought trailed off as she trotted toward the mare, nickering in greeting.

Hi there. Are you okay? she asked, stopping a few feet from the other. [/blockquote][/size]

[[R].ebel]

'I'll try not to be long'

Shetan said nothing and refrained from looking at the bay. He knew deep down that she needed to talk to her father, but Shetan still wasn't happy about it. All the same, he needed rest and would do so. He heard Katori talking to someone else, but Shetan pinpointed with just his ears that the voices were coming from where the mare had been earlier. Too tired to care or try to, Shetan laid his chin on the cold ground, closing his eyes to sleep.

[xxwandererxx]

Sunlight Streaming looked up at the bay mare who had stopped near her. She asked if she was alright?Am I alright? she asked herself. The baby kicked at her stomach again.

"Um. I'm not so sure. First time mom, first birthing. I'm not sure what," she stated as a few pains started back up. They had happened earlier and had been for awhile. Was she already in labor? She snorted in surprise.



{Okay... lol. I have never witnessed a horse birthing nor have I read what happens so... I'm just going to skip to when the baby comes lol. If that's alright.}


After pushing and staring intently at her stomach. Sunlight Streaming stared at the light Palomino filly that rested near her tail. She turned her head over to it and cleaned the young new filly. Daughter of the Sun. She smiled up at the bay mare and looked back down at the filly.

[Swifthoof]

Black tipped auds perked up at the mare's words and she watched as the palomino grimaced in pain. She was most likely going in labor and the foal would be born soon. Jade orbs flickd over to Shetan's sleeping form and she wondered if a foal or two would be in their future. A snort from the mare made her look over at her and after a few moments, the palomino filly was born.

A small smile crossed the bay's face as the mare cleaned her newborn foal. An idea soon entered her mind and she then turned and walked to the edge of the grove, her eyes flicking around for any herbs that might help the mare. Spotting some, she then picked them off the ground and walked back to Sunlight, dropping them near her. Here. It's borage. It'll help your milk flow easier. she said before she took a step back to give her and her foal some space. Congratulations on your foal by the way. She's beautiful she continued, nickering to the newborn in welcome.

The bay had been so focused on the mare on her foal that she didn't notice the form that had stepped up beside her until her ears perked up to a soft snort. Jumping slightly, she looked beside her and saw Lucian standing there, looking to the mare and foal with a soft gaze. Nodding to the them in greeting, he soon spoke. Congratulations, miss. It's good to see some new faces enter the world

[/color] he said, his tone gentle. [/blockquote][/size]

[xxwandererxx]

Sunlight Streaming smiled at the bay mare as she brought her a herb to make her milk flow easier. "Thank you very much," she stated with a smile. She scooted closer to her young Palomino filly. "Thank you. She is beautiful. Her name is Daughter of the Sun," she stated with a smile as she watched the filly.

She looked up as the mare jumped in surprise and Sunlight did as well. When did the stallion get here. "Thank you kind stallion," she stated with a smile.

[Swifthoof]

Katori smiled as she heard the foal's name and she couldn't help but think that it fit the filly well. The foal's coat was as gold as the sun that was starting to rise higher into the sky.

A small smile grazed Lucian's face as he heard the mare's words and he bowed his head in greeting. You're very welcome. And forgive me for not introducing myself. My name is Lucian and..this is my daughter, Katori

[/color] he said, giving said daughter a gentle nudge with his shoulder. The mare glanced at her father, but said nothing and only nodded in acknowledgment at his words. And that's Shetan over there[/color] she added, nodding toward her mate's sleeping form. Lucian let out a disgruntle snort at the mention of the fiery stallion and Katori gave her father a sharp look. Shaking her head, she turned back to the mare. So, are you a loner or do you belong to the Cimarron herd?[/color] she asked, her tone curious. [/blockquote][/size]

[xxwandererxx]

Sunlight Streaming noticed the tension among father, daughter, and sleeping mate. She smiled gently. "It's nice to meet you. Katori has helped me greatly," she stated with a smile on her lips.

"And I am just a loner," she answered with a smile.

[Swifthoof]

Lucian's eyes flicked to Katori as the mare stated that his daughter had helped her. His lips twitched in the smallest of smiles. Well, she has always been good in the ways of healing

[/color] he answered. Katori couldn't help but smile sheepishly as she looked around, scenting the air to make sure no predators were about. She knew that a newborn foal would be tempting to a cougar or bear, but since there were so many adult horses around, she doubted they would try.

Hearing that the mare was a loner, the bay's ears pricked and she was about to say something when Lucian nudged her. We'll leave you two alone now. I'm sure you must be tired[/color] he said before he started walking into the trees and motioned Katori to follow him with a flick of his blond tail. Letting out a small sigh, Katori smiled at the palomino before she turned and trotted after her father. [/blockquote][/size]

[xxwandererxx]

Sunlight Streaming smiled at the father and daughter. "Yes she is. Thank you very much," she stated with a smile. She watched as both mare and stallion walked away. She smiled at Katori. She looked at the filly and was surprised as she started standing up but falling. Sunlight Streaming wanted to help her but she had to learn on her own.

[Swifthoof]

Through the trees, Katori could see that the foal was trying to stand and fell as her mother looked on. A snort from Lucian made her turn back to him with a questionable gaze. Her father's stern look soon faded away to be replaced with a somber expression and the bay mare could see the sorrow in his dark eyes. At this, she didn't know what to do. It wasn't everyday that this happened to suddenly find a family member alive and well when it was believed that they were dead for a long time.

Then without warning, he soon threw his neck around hers in a tight hug, nuzzling her neck. Katori could only stand still as shock overcame her. For as long as she had know her father, she had learned quickly that he wasn't the affectionate type at all. It was usually her mother she went to, to receive those nuzzles and nickers of comfort she seeked. Not her father. But then ever so slowly, she returned his hug and she could feel her body shaking as a single tear rolled down her cheek. She didn't want to let it all out on how much she had missed him and to suddenly find him alive and well was starting to overwhelm the bay.

Lucian could only hold his daughter, his eyes closed as he nuzzled her neck continuously, trying to calm her shaking form. I'm sorry, little one...for everything

[/color] he murmured as he took a step back to see her jade orbs filled with sorrow and happiness as tears streamed down her face no matter how much she wanted to hold them back. Leaning his head forward, he wiped them away with his nose, letting out a nicker of comfort. A small smile crossed Katori's face as her tears slowly dried and her eyes remained a little red and swollen.

A small sigh left her as she looked back to the mare and her foal and to Shetan who was still sleeping on the other side of the grove and her gaze softened. Lucian noticed this and he let out a soft snort. You love him, don't you?[/color] he asked, his question more of a statement and he watched as Katori nodded, a smile crossing her muzzle. I do..so much she answered, her voice soft. A long sigh was heard from Lucian as he watched the fire colored stallion who seemed to have wanted to attack his daughter not too long ago. He didn't know what she saw in him, but he could see that she was happy with him. That would have been good enough for any parent, but Lucian had always been overprotective over Katori. I don't really agree with your relationship with him..but I guess it can't be helped..Keep in mind though that I'll be watching from a distance[/color] he said Come, it's time we go back[/color] he continued before walking back to the clearing, Katori following.

Appearing from the trees, the bay went toward the mare and her foal again letting out a nicker of encouragement for the foal to stand while Lucian had stood a few ways back, keeping an eye on things. Old habits die hard, he had been a lead stallion back in his old herd after all. [/blockquote][/size]

[xxwandererxx]

Sunlight Streaming smiled at Katori when she nickered encouragement. Sunlight turned her attention back to the foal as she tried to stand up again. She nudged the filly up and smiled. She could tell that this filly would probably be a determined hoof ful but it would be nice.

Daughter of the Sun squealed in frustration. Her front legs felt balanced so she pushed up her back legs but fell over.

[[R].ebel]

Shetan's ears twitched as he started to stir from his sleep. The red stallions' eyes opened wearily, a new sound entering the air; a foal. Lifting his head, the red stallion looked over his shoulder to see a new, well two new mustangs here; one was Lucian, Katori's father, and the other was a new born filly. Though his eyes dared to darken with anger at the sight of Lucian, the filly was drawing his attention too much for him to be angry; Shetan just simply loved kids. Standing up from his position, he never took his eyes off the foal, a distant, but loving look in his eyes. Ah yes, he was thinking. Thinking of foal of his, his and Katori's. Would that one day happen? In his heart, Shetan truely hoped so, as she was the only one Shetan saw to be the mother of his foals, and he wouldn't want it any other way. His rest had allowed for a time of peice within him, and for now, Shetan could be himself without worry.

But the presence of Lucian was surely igniting the fire within him. It was clear to begin with that Katori's father did not like him... but Shetan couldn't blame him... after seeing Shetan in such a rage, it would be hard to accept him. With a swish of his tail, Shetan turned and walked towards Katori, eyes flashing to Lucian with a hint of distaste, but he said nothing to lash out at the stallion... that of course, would only worsen matters. Stopping near Katori, Shetan looked down at the newborn filly, trying to stand, not able to hide the warm smile on his muzzle.

"Well.. I see I've missed alot since I've been asleep." Lowering his head to the filly, looking to her mother with soft eyes to show he meant no harm, as well as nodding his head in greeting, he gave her a nicker of encougement. "You can do it..."

[Swifthoof]

Movement caught the dark stallion's eye and he turned his head to see that Shetan was starting to wake up from his slumber. A soft snort of distate couldn't help but escape his nostrils. Even if his daughter was in love with this stallion, he still didn't like it. Shaking his head, he watched as Shetan walked toward the group catching the glimmer of distaste in his eyes as he passed him. Lucian only glared back, a challenging look in his eyes but he too didn't say anything as he lowered his head to graze.

Well.. I see I've missed alot since I've been asleep

[/color]

Ears pricked to Shetan's voice and Katori turned her head to see him watching the filly try to stand, a warm smile on his muzzle. She chuckled at his words before glancing back at the filly as she fought to stand up. A warm smile crossed her muzzle and she couldn't help but wonder if she would ever make a good mother to a future foal. Already she could tell that Shetan would be a wonderful father.

Her nose then caught the scent of a cougar nearby and she raised her head to see the cat prowling in the trees, its yellow eyes focused on the foal. Her ears pinned back to her head and she trotted forward, an angry snort escaping her nostrils. The cat let out a hiss and before Katori could leap forward and chase it away, Lucian appeared, ears pinned and teeth bared. Letting out an angry squeal, he reared and struck out at the cougar. The cougar let out a snarl and swiped a paw toward the stallion who stepped back and charged forward, whinnying angrily. The cat growled in rage before it slinked back into the bushes and dissapeared. A sigh of relief escaped Katori before she turned and walked back to the others while Lucian stayed in the trees, keeping an eye out for the predator. [/blockquote][/size]

[xxwandererxx]

Sunlight Streaming smiled at the red stallion. She nodded her head as the stallion lowered his head towards the foal and nickered encouragement. Daughter of the Sun realized she had an audience and looked at the two stallions and the mare. Then she turned her attention back onto to her mother and rising up. She stuck out her little hooves and pushed herself upward. At least she knew how to stand but could she walk? She took a step forward and fell down.

Sun snorted again in frustration. She stood and moved forward a step, slowly. Baby steps. Sunlight Streaming watched her with a smile. When Sunlight heard the cougar, she stood up over her filly protectivly. She glattened her ears and snorted in a warning.

Sunlight Streaming watched as Katori and Lucian chased away a cougar. She didn't let her eyes wanderer away from the bush until she noticed Lucian watching it. She focused back on her foal but pricked her ears towards the bush.

[[R].ebel]

The scent of the cougar reached him as the foal tried to take her first steps, and the red stallion turned on his heels, ready to fight, only to be bested by that Lucian. Shetan snorted, part him glad the cougar was gone, and another part of him wishing he'd had a chance at him. Of course, it would only bring up another excuse for his father to take control. With a light sigh, Shetan walked off, giving the mare and filly some probably well needed space. Not that he would leave completely due to the possibility of another attack. A newborn foal was subject to this and much more, especially with no herd to protect it. Alone he stood, beneath an old oak, fiery eyes keeping thier watch on the surroundings.