The Hase elder indicated a corner of the compound where they would be welcome to pitch a tent.The Hase lived underground during the winter months and had no area above ground that would accommodate larger Beastkins. As Taryn and Raschen settled in for the night,Taryn relaxed into the furs and concentrated on the movement of her stomach. The babies seemed to wrestle and tumble now. Her stomach would swell high on one side and go completely flat on the other. Her stretched her fingers over the taunt skin and savored the feeling of her children at play.<br/><br/>The wind outside was blowing sleet against the tent hide but Taryn felt as warm as if she was floating in a warm tub of water. A low light flickered in the candle the Hase had brought to them. Rashen's footsteps scuffed around outside the tent as if he were pacing, agitated or thinking. Taryn yawned, feeling safe and content. While she enjoyed the carefree, peace loving Hase, this was not a spot she would wish to inhabit with her children. She was afraid among these people that they would be misunderstood and even hated. She was a Warrior and Raschen was a Kuguar. There was little about either of them that would be called peace loving. Her children would value the hunt and even savor the kill. Taryn drifted off into a light sleep, not quite dreaming but still in a quasi dreamworld. She could see one cub, she knew he was her child but she could not see his face. His tail was lashing as he paced back and forth. Just beyond him, Taryn could see a hazy picture of a girl, she was smaller and indistinct. He was lecturing and clearly in charge, his father's son. Taryn couldn't quite make the girl out. She knew in her heart that this vision was rare and precious. Maybe she was shy, Taryn thought. She had her named chosen. Her daughter would be special and loved by many.<br/><br/>~~~~~~~~~~~~<br/><br/>"Jax, come to my burrow tonight," Lily asked, tugging him by the paw. "We can stay here, together, forever if you want." He scooped her up in his arms and carried her across the threshold, kissing her.<br/><br/>"Lily, I will come in and I will make love to you, trying my best to make it last. But I want you to know that the leaders might not want me to stay. I will never again be a pacifist again. If they won't accept that will you go with me?"<br/><br/>Lily looked at him, her pink eyes glowing. "What do you mean, Jax? Where will you go?"<br/><br/>He slid the tunic from her shoulders, kissing the soft skin where her neck met her shoulders.<br/>"My home and my life are with Taryn. If the Hase won't accept me, then she is where I will go."<br/><br/>Lily pulled him down to her, kissing him.<br/>"Taryn is not a place,"she whispered.<br/><br/>"She is, She is family." he answered.<br/><br/>Lily laid her finger across his mouth.<br/>"Love me," she murmured.