Okay, okay, I just realised I haven't updated this story since before Christmas, and I just want to apologise for that before I start this new chapter. I am very sorry for my massive hiatus, but I have mentioned multiple reasons in my other stories and on my profile, so I do have a bit of an excuse. Anyway, I am back now, I'm here, I'm queer, I live in existential fear, and I'm writing again.

Also, I just released a new chapter for Shifting The Scales Of Balance, so if you're into that story, go check that out. But yeah, if this chapter is worse quality than my usual writing, it's because I've already published tonight and it's already past midnight and I'm just starting a new chapter.

Anyway, I hope y'all enjoy this chapter, and I'll see you at the end!

Yay, more made-up words from a fictional language in this chapter! Here is another pronounciation guide.

Pronunciation guide:

Himati Tíra, mi kulala uno kara mura (pronounced Him-AH-tih TIH-rah, mi KOO-lah-lah OOH-noh kah-RAH MOO-rah) - Mother Tíra (literally, Sun), watch over us on this day (prayer to the sun deity/Tíra)

The sun rises in the east as usual, its warm golden rays spreading out over the landscape and bathing the ground in heat and light.

Luna's dark eye cracks open and her gaze flies upwards, and her bushy tail flicks once behind her as fascination sparks in her chest. No matter how many times she watches her sister's work, it still amazes her...

The sound of a zipper jogs her from her thoughts, and she uncurls her body, lifting her head to see Akita, the Formling, poking her head out from inside her white and red tent. She smiles at Luna, who returns the gesture the best she can with her wolf face. Akita gets the message and steps closer, her feet falling silently onto the grass. She sits down beside the black wolf and raises her head to the sky, her eyes wide as she watches the sun's light spread out and the heavens lighten. Luna lets her attempted smile fall though she can still feel the same joy burning in her chest.

"How are you?" Akita speaks, her voice hushed so as not to wake any of the ninja team from their slumber, and Luna shifts her gaze towards the girl.

'Adequate, I suppose. How are you? Did you sleep well?' Akita barely moves her gaze, her eyes still fixed on the lightening sky above.

"I feel well, and I slept good enough. I am glad that you feel okay. How did you sleep?" Akita lets her gaze finally fall from the sky, and it settles on the small wolf to her right.

'I slept as well as can be expected, I suppose.' Akita nods slowly as Luna replies, before sighing quietly to herself. Without a noise, Luna pushes herself to all four paws and lets herself shift into her human form. This time, however, instead of her previous outfit of dark blue, she is dressed in all black.

A long-sleeved black shirt covers her top half while her legs are in tight, black jeans with small rips at the knees, patches of her tanned skin showing through the frayed strings. Akita watches her from the sides of her eyes.

Luna swings her legs in front of her and reaches forward to tie the shoelaces of a pair of high-topped Converse. She then moves her legs behind her body, closes her eyes and tilts her head up towards the sun.

"Himati Tíra, mi kulala uno kara mura." Luna mutters the prayer under her breath before breathing in slowly. Akita's voice breaks through the silence, however.

"What was that?" She asks, and the shapeshifter opens her eyes to see the Formling fixing her with a confused look.

"What was what?" She replies, feigning blissful ignorance. The Formling, however, doesn't give up.

"I heard you say something a minute ago, something in another language. I'm assuming it's your native tongue, since you said last night that your kind speak another language to us."

Sighing, Luna nods. "Yes, we speak another language to you and the humans." She jerks her head back towards the other tents, and Akita nods sharply. "And what I said was a daily prayer to our sun deity, a plea to watch over us today, should we need Her assistance to get us through the sunlit hours. After dusk, we pray to another, the moon deity, who shares my name. My sister, Tíra, is named after the sun deity." Akita's eyes are wide open, and she nods in a slightly dumbfounded manner. Luna simply chuckles to herself and closes her eyes again, her head raised to the clouds above once more.

A few hours after the sunrise, the ninja, along with Skylor and Pixal, emerge from their tents, some still yawning and running their fingers through their hair, others wide awake and grinning.

"Good morning Akita, Luna." Nya smiles as she approaches them, and the two shapeshifters smile in unison to the girl. Nya sits beside them and raises her eyes to the top of the nearest tree, and a sparkle dances within the depths of her dark brown irises.

"Hey, Luna, how good are you at climbing trees? In any form." She asks, the gleam bright in her eyes as she turns her head to face the monóliné, who raises an eyebrow.

"Are you challenging me, Nya?"

"What if I am?"

Okay, I know this is short, but I quite like it, and at least I'm publishing again... I guess...

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter, and as always, don't be afraid to leave a review on your way out if you want. Whether you want to ask a question, give some advice or drop some constructive criticism. I am very thankful for all of your reviews and DMs, no matter what story they're for. Speaking of DMs, I am taking writing requests, so if you have any, or simply want a chat, or anything else, let me know and I'll be happy to talk to you. I always love hearing from people who read and enjoy my writing.

Anyway, I hope to see you all soon.

Stay healthy, stay home, stay safe, stay alive.

-Panic1AtTheEverywhere