As the water simmers on the fire, three man stands around it partially dressed. Each one thankful that spring has finally returned though the lake is still icy cold. "Don't let it get too hot I don't want to scald myself." Allistor says as he throws his shirt down on a rock.

"I don't want to either," Gilbert answers taking the pot off the fire. "It'll be hot but it's better than that cold ass lake water."

As the two dip their rags in the hot water Alfred clings to his shirt uncertain about the small pot before him. "This isn't much of a bath."

"Hey it's better than nothing or that Neko and his fucking tongue." Allistor says over his shoulder with a smile. "Grab your cloth and come over here before it gets cold."

With a sigh the Omega peels off his shirt and sits in-between the two. It's their last night in the cave before they head out for the Northern mountains and while he's excited to see his brother he's also grown attached to their Eastern home. "Is it possible to come back? For the next winter I mean." He asks as he dips his cloth in the steaming water.

"We can in a few years." Gilbert says as he cleans the dirt from his face.

Alfred looks at him confused. "A few years?"

"We're nomads. We don't keep a real pattern and this isn't the safest place up here for kids." Allistor says patting his mate's stomach. "So once he's a few years old we'll come back."

He nods understanding. "Okay but," Alfred starts laying his hand on Allistor's. "Why do you think it's a boy? Sure it's a fifty, fifty chance but still."

"He's a mystic, it's what he does."

Allistor smiles as he takes his hand away. "It's a fox thing and I'll teach yah a thing or two."

"That'll be cool," Alfred starts as Abel hugs him from behind. "No Dude."

Abel chuckles as he rests his chin on the Omega's shoulder. "Oh relax I won't give you anymore baths. Really I just wanted a hug." He says hugging the younger man tighter as he purrs. "Mmm you're nice and warm."

"And you're nice and vibrate-y but I want to wash my face."

"Well finish that while we talk about our next steps." Abel says as he pulls out a worn map. "Cause it's going to be a long trek with all our skins and furs…"

The map is vast with different colored dots littering it like stars in the sky. "So," Gilbert says pointing to a small area on the right side of the map. "We're here and your brother's village is over here." As he says it he moves his finger along a trail before stopping at a purple dot and tapping it with his finger. "So it's at least a three month journey so I suggest we stop off and sell a few things at this village over here." His finger moves back towards the right before stopping at a teal colored dot. "That way we'll have a few extra supplies."

Alfred stares at the dot for a moment as he dips the cloth back into the water. "I'm not trying to be an asshole but is that really safe? Some clans don't like outsiders."

"Yeah it's true but a few of these colors are more…lax than others." Allistor takes the map and points to a few different shades of orange and green. "These here are the Avains and Equestrians, both will allow anyone in their villages and cities. Now these here." He points to the yellow dots. "Are very…self centered and while a branch of Nekos."

"Cheetahs." Abel corrects with a snort. "They don't like to be called cats and really the only way we can go in is if I go as a cute little cat but I say fuck them."

"Easy killer no one said we were going to go there." Alfred gives the Neko a sly smile. "So what about purple branches?"

"Foxes only."

"Wait they allow half breeds since my brother is there so,"

Allistor shakes his head. "Your brother must be a special case or was mated to one before he joined." He stands and reaches for his shirt. "Hence the extra supplies since they'll have to stay out of sight for at least a few days while we see your brother."

Alfred can't believe his ears. "I…they won't make an exception? We would have come so far and they would just," He stops seeing Gilbert nod.

"They would and will turn us away." He gives the younger man a smile taking back the map, folding it and sitting it in his pocket. "But we're used to it."

"That's still not right."

"Alfred," Gilbert says with a sigh. "What colors were we?"

He knows what the Albino is getting at. "Red and Black…yeah, hell I don't know how I was able to stay there for so long."

With a loving pat to Alfred's head Gilbert answers. "They must have seen how awesome you were."

"Sure that was it." He wants to tell them the real reason he wasn't cast out, that his father was part of the chief line but it seems pointless now so instead he stands and grabs for his shirt. Eventually he'll tell him who he was but for the time being he'll keep certain things to himself. "So I have a question."

"Trying to change the subject huh?"

He ignores Abel's question as he runs a hand through his hair. "If my brother wanted to join us would that be a problem?"

"I doubt it but would he have a problem with us?"

"I," Alfred pauses looking back at the three. Years before he would have no doubt that his brother would at least be open to the idea but, now he's not sure if his brother will still be the same Alpha he once knew. "I really don't know."

Taking out a cigarette Allistor lights it. "Well we'll find out in three months."

"Yeah…we will…"