A predicament to be resolved

[hitobannofokkusu]

Dawn sat in the nursery of the den with her much bigger pups stumbling around her. Their eyes were open and they frequently called for her- "Mommy" and "Daddy" the only words they knew-whenever they stumbled too hard into something. They all knew their names and responded to them. All except one. The one little girl who still had no name. Nothing really seemed to fit. Well, that was going to change today. Dawn had made up her mind that her baby girl would not go nameless until she was old enough to think of one herself. Who knew what that would be! That was why she was sitting inside today, waiting for Kage. When he came back, they would sit and brainstorm names until they found one that was just right.

[Tsukikage]

Kage grinned wide as he entered the scene. It was almost like a dream: his mate and pups... everyone was safe. It was like he couldn't worry about Giga, even if he tried. The demon could wait.
"So, how is everyone this morning?" He said, giving little Hikaru a nudge with his nose. "That's for the other day, ya little squirt. Hehe..."
He strolled over and nuzzled Dawn. "And how is mom today? You look... like you've got something on your mind."

[hitobannofokkusu]

Dawn smiled when Kage walked in, and the pups greeted him enthusiastically, yipping and licking him. She couldn't help but chuckle lightly and smile nonstop. She stood and nuzzled Kage when he spoke to her. "I'm just wonderful dearest. I do have something on my mind." She looked at her little girl, who beamed back at her. "We need to find a name for our little nameless one."

[Tsukikage]

"Oh, right." Kage nodded, "See, I didn't want to go with 'Suha', because it means 'overlooked', and I didn't want that to be something she inherits, y'know? It was just something that popped into my head." He shrugged it off and scanned the group for the little girl, finding her with relative ease.
"Now... let's think." He said, lowering his head to gaze at the pup with his one eye. "She was the third, if I'm not mistaken, so Kunto would be simple enough, but I'd like to give her something pretty, don't you think?"
Kage chuckled to himself, remembering only vaguely, the strangers they'd met a lifetime ago... so many names and faces, some friendly, some not so... Kunto had been one of the latter. Kage wondered for a moment if they'd ever see her again...
"Yes," he nodded, "I think Kunto should not be her name..."

[hitobannofokkusu]

Dawn sat, listening to Kage's musings. She didn't even remember "Suha" ever being mentioned. It must have been when she was sleep-deprived. The pups were all on the same sleep schedule now, so when they slept, Dawn did also. So, of course, she thought coherently now. "No, I have to agree. Perhaps Kaoru...or Misaki? But, then again, Sakura is a lovely name as well..."

[Tsukikage]

"Let's see..." Kage nodded and mused over the names. "Those are all fine names, but they are all so similar to the others. I'd like her to have something special. Vespera, maybe. Anyway, if you're not fond of that one, then Sakura and Misaki are nice names. Not sure I'm too fond of Kaoru, honestly."

[hitobannofokkusu]

Dawn nodded her head. Yes, they were all a bit similar. How easy would it be to remember another name that sounded like all the others? She did like Vespera-it certainly was unique-but she wasn't sure. She looked at the girl-did she look like "a Vespera?" Vespera...Vespera... The more she thought about it, the more it grew on her. "Yes...yes I rather like the name Vespera. What about you darling-do you like it?" The child looked at her with a smile, and Dawn smiled back. "I think she likes it too."

[Tsukikage]

"Ah, good." Kage sighed with relief, "Vespera it is, then."
It was finished now. All the pups had their own names. Kage wondered what they would all be like in a year... he imagined them all growing up, one-by-one -- until his gaze fell on little Kazuko. He didn't even know if she would live that long, or what the angel had in store for her. But, in the mean-time, they were all there, and Kage was determined that they all be cared for equally -- though, of course, he'd take some special care with Kazuko because of her paw, but other than that, she would have a normal life. Or so he hoped.

He sat brooding for a moment until little Hikaru bumped into him again and startled him. Kage laughed, "Hey there, little guy, you gonna make a habit of that?"

[hitobannofokkusu]

Dawn smiled and laid down. She was quickly attacked by a swarm of jumping, playing pups, all except Kazuko and Hikaru, who stayed by Kage. Hikaru bumped into him, startling his dad. "It seems he wants to play with you, dearest." Kazuko smiled up at Kage, still lying down. Dawn constantly worried about her. She wasn't near as active as the other pups, and she was reluctant to use her lame leg, though it didn't seem to hurt her to do so. Instead she limped and crawled around, limiting her playing time. She couldn't keep up with the rougher pups.

Dawn watched as Dusk, the eldest, went over to Kazuko and laid down beside her. Already they were forming personalities of their own. Dusk was caring, and always willing to stop for a while to watch the less agile of his siblings. Hikaru was the troublemaker-and the most outgoing and active of the six. He seemed to like being around Kage more often than Dawn. Yuuka was a little on the strange side-her mood swings were as volatile as if she were a teenager. It was very weird-not appropriate for a pup so small. Tomoshibi was quiet and calm a lot of the time, but when she wanted to play, she insisted on it. She reminded Dawn the most of Kage, in personality and appearance. Vespera was the one that puzzled her the most. She was all over the place-with Dawn, with Kage, by herself, outgoing, quiet, and everything in between. Maybe it was because of her lack of identity up until now, but hopefully she would find herself soon.

It was comfortable, calm; it felt nice just being in the nursery with her babies and her most appreciated love. She had a family-a real, inner family, and there was nothing else she could ask for.

[Tsukikage]

Kage chuckled and smiled down at little Hikaru, giving the pup a poke with his nose. "Yeah, I don't get it, don't pups play with each other, or something? I mean, er... well, now I feel awkward and stupid. Hehe... oh well," Kage shrugged and plopped on the ground, scooping Hikaru between his paws and tickling the pup with his nose until he threw his little paws against his sire's face. One of them strayed to Kage's empty eye socket, and they both froze, staring at each other.
After a moment, Hikaru seemed to sense something was wrong, and his tail tucked between his legs.
"Shh," Kage whispered, "no no, you're okay; daddy was just being careless. It doesn't hurt all that much."
Almost instantly Hikaru was back on his feet, poking his nose around and sniffing at Kage's missing eye.
"Hmm... curious little fella, aren't ya?" Kage smiled and laid there, allowing Hikaru his exploration, until Tomo decided whatever he was looking must be interesting, and moved in to have a look at it herself. Before too long, there were paws kneading Kage's face, and noses everywhere.
"Hey~phrmf! Thakid eazhie!" Kage mumbled. This was just a bit too much, in his book -- time for some action. He got up slowly, and the pups rolled gently off, like little tumbleweeds. "My turn! Rawr!" Kage laughed as he tickled his prey.

That's when Tsuki approached. He came into the room all smiles, but something was clearly weighing heavily on his mind. But for now, whatever it was would be put aside for his nieces and nephews.
"Sounds like everyone's having a good time in here." He smiled and nodded to Dawn, then sat and watched Kage play with the pups until they all laughed so hard they couldn't stand up.
The battle waged across the room, the great Kage beast capturing all who opposed him. Finally, Dusk made a break for it, but was thwarted in his attempt to rescue the fair princess, Kazuko. He had no choice but to fight his way out. He let forth a great howl, rallying the others in a last, ditch-effort to defeat the fowl beast...
And together, they stood triumphant on top of their dad's head before finally settling down again and cuddling up to their preferred warm, snugly spots for a well-deserved victory-nap.

[hitobannofokkusu]

Dawn watched the pups playing with their dad, poking at him and clamoring all around. After a while they all got tired (the seemed to do that a lot, being pups) and settled down for a little nap. Dawn took the opportunity to go and talk to Tsuki. With the pups sleeping, there would be time enough to figure out what was on his mind. She padded over and motioned for him to follow her into the main room.

She sat down and tilted her head. "Is there something the matter? If you would rather talk to Kage I understand, but something seems to be upsetting you."

[Tsukikage]

Tsuki grimaced. "Is it that obvious? Honestly, if I had wanted to talk to Kage about it, I could do it in the mind-space."
"So you weren't gonna tell me, then..." Kage chimed in. "If I wasn't being used as a pillow right now, I'd kick your tail, ya jerk. I've been worried."

Tsuki blushed and hung his head. "I didn't mean for anyone to notice. Can't be helped now, huh? Guess I gotta come clean." He took a deep breath before continuing his confession. "I... I've been wondering if I can do this. The whole alpha thing has so many responsibilities, especially with the pups now. And now with this new situation with Wahya, I don't know if I can handle it."

"So, now that you're alpha for real, you have to take care of everyone, without any help, is that it?"
The two fell silent. Tsuki knew what Kage was getting at, but there was this feeling, like a numb pain that hit Tsuki in the chest when he tried to respond...

[hitobannofokkusu]

Dawn found herself getting slowly sicker and sicker as Tsuki continued talking, and sat silently for a moment. She knew that if she said anything, it wouldn't be anything good. She didn't want to yell at him, especially with her pups asleep, but she did want to give him a good hard head-to-the-face. She doubted that her beating him would make any difference-it would probably just make him doubt himself more, being beaten up by a female. She she sat calmly, thinking of what she could say. All she could think about was Hitoban. What would she do if she found out how Tsuki was feeling? Would she leave if Tsuki wanted to leave? Dawn didn't feel like she could handle being an Alphess if they both decided to leave. And besides that, what situation with Wahya? Was something new going on in his pack? She had yet to be filled in on that information.

After thinking a while, Dawn finally mustered up some words. "What about Hitoban? Kage? Me? You're by no means alone Tsuki. And whatever is going on with Wahya, we can handle it. We've handled these things before, so why not now? There's no need to doubt yourself."

[Tsukikage]

"Oh no," Kage interjected, "there's every reason to doubt yourself: you shouldn't and can't do this by yourself. Trust us."
Tsuki turned away silently.
"Hey, listen." Kage continued, "It's true that our pups add to your responsibilities as alpha, but they're my responsibility before yours. I am the father, y'know. I'll do anything to keep them safe, so if anything is threatening their safety or happiness, I'm gonna be involved whether you like it or not."

Tsuki grunted, "Fine, but we play this my way. Nobody goes into combat until I give the go-ahead. I need to talk to Wahya and get more intel, then we'll see what happens from there."

"For now," Kage replied, with a subtle nod and a sour grin, "Sir. Now if you don't mind, the pups are sleeping."

Tsuki nodded. That was Kage's get out excuse...
Oh no, Kage said in his mind-voice, if I wanted you to leave I would've just said get the fuck out of our room -- we don't need your negative attitude around my pups, so either get out, or pull your tail out from between your leg and really be the alpha. You were just looking for some sympathy, weren't you? Responsibility has come knocking, and you're not sure how to handle it. You need to talk to Hitoban about these things. Stop running to big brother with them.

Tsuki shot a wicked glance back at Kage before leaving in a worse mood than he'd came... the very light around his body seemed to dim.

[hitobannofokkusu]

Dawn sat down with a sigh as Tsuki left. She didn't know exactly what Kage had done, but whatever he'd though had made Tsuki unhappier. "Was that completely necessary?" She hoped that the mood wouldn't be like this for the rest of the day. It was such a nice day, after all. Later, after the pups had had their nap, they might play around some more. Who knows? They're still too young to go outside, but once spring comes, they'll probably be big enough for her to feel comfortable taking them out. But for now she laid down and focused on the calmness of naptime.