A New Beginning

[Soul]

"No, I never found out what they were. They stood on two legs, and they had short muzzles, almost not having one at all, and their noses were dry. They were monsters." He shuddred once, but was surprised to find that the memory didn't hurt as much anymore. Was it because of time, time that heals all wounds? Or was it because he'd finally found a friend, and he wasn't alone any more?

[Boshia]

She shuddered as well."They sound horrible, I hope to never see them. I'm sorry you had to.", she added, feeling another pang for her new friend. "So did you find this place while wandering away?" she asked, trying to find another happier subject.

[Soul]

Taj nodded, grateful for the topic change. "Yeah. It's pretty remarkable, isn't it? The heat and all... And the caves are huge! I've never seen any that big before." He sighed, smiling as he thought of his new home. "It's weird, being Alpha."

[Boshia]

She agreed, smiling. "You'd never think nature could shape the earth like it has, and yet here it is. I think that this place is great for a pack, and I'm sure you'll do great as an Alpha. You'll get used to it in time.", she said. At least, for a fact, he'll do much better than my father, she thought savagely.

[Soul]

He sighed, a smile on his face. "I hope you're right. But doing it all myself doesn't sound so appealing." He sighed again, longingly.

[Boshia]

She laughed, the sound unhibited. "Well, good luck, even if you do have to do it alone for a while.", she replied, amused. Her tail wagged slowly.

[Soul]

He smiled, trying to keep himself from moving closer to her. "Well..... With you here, I'm not totally alone," he said slowly, the smile still on his face, a slow sort of blush crossing his face.

[Boshia]

She stared, openmouthed at him for a second, then smiled shyly again. "Yes, I guess that's true.", she replied cooly, though her heart was hammering loudly enough, she was surprised he didn't notice.

[Soul]

Taj faintly heard the increase in her heart's tempo, but played like he didn't notice. "So, other than the nightmare, how did you sleep? Better than under some tree, I hope," he said, a smile on his face as the blush faded.

[Boshia]

She laughed. "Other than that, it was great. Nice and warm, unlike what it probably would have been if I slept under here. You?", she asked, smiling. Xena remembered her cave, remembering how comfortable there. She could get used to it actually, quite easily.

[Soul]

Taj thought about his first night in the new land, his first night in that cave. His first night as Alpha. "It was... pretty good. A little cold when the breeze blew in, but that's tolerable."

[Boshia]

Xena nodded."I couldn't remember if there was a breeze or not, I was sleeping pretty heavily, but I guess it was tolerable.", she replied. Right now, the air was still and the sun beating down, but she wasn't hot. She didn't feel the heat as much as some other wolves did.

[Soul]

The caves were very warm, really, but the breeze that had blown in last night had been the beginnings of an approaching cold front; Taj could feel the pressure change in the air, could smell the scent of coming rain. Even now, dark clouds were beginning to form on the horizon. "Looks like it will storm later. Do you like storms much?" he asked, unable to keep the excitement from his voice. He loved the power of storms; the cracking lightning, the booming thunder, all the rain.... It was heaven to him.

[Boshia]

She shrugged. "They're okay, I guess. As long as they don't leave much destruction in their paths.", she shuddered though, thinking of a storm coming into this place. In truth, she couldn't stand storms;they had hurt her too many times and they had heeded her from traveling farther when she was on the run.

[Soul]

Taj could easily hear the tone in her voice, and smiled at her. "They'll be here in about an hour. We should get any hunting done now, just in case." His natural instincts as Alpha were coming out, and he stood. "I can hunt for you, if you want to stay here," he offered.