Part 9
Are we there yet?
Ask me one more time and I'm gonna tie you to that damn tree and leave you behind.
That shut him up. Prince had been fighting to keep some patience with his younger sibling and he understood the excitement and impatience he felt. Still, the need to ask the same question several times over within a short span was absolute insanity. Literally.
Tell me about Henrietta.
No.
Why not?
The whine that filled his head made him cringe. His brother leaped in front of him, stopping their journey.
Because you can meet her and get to know her that way.
Again, he shut up. Prince brushed by him, using his tail to grab him by the head and drag him along.
His younger brother hissed, digging his claws into the dirt to stop Prince from dragging him around. Waiting for the right moment, Prince suddenly let his brother go. He fell backward into the dirt and was left behind.
Prince hurriedly jumped into the branches, full sprinting. His brother took too long to regain himself and fell behind. Prince had to stop and let him catch up, just in case he couldn't manage to.
Don't do that again!
Prince only laughed, bumping shoulders with his brother.
Why not?
Cause...
Focusing, he could feel the fear. The same that gripped him at times. The loneliness. The foreignness. The hopelessness. His brother reeked of it, especially then.
Come on. We got our siblings to find.
That cheered him up and together they set out. Another day passed, the signal felt so close they could practically smell the presence of the others. Prince, while more reserved, felt the same relief and happiness as his younger brother, who could barely keep himself under control.
When the dark fell, they nestled in the trees. It had only been almost a week if Prince remembered his days correctly. The shuttle had been left long behind, its connection to the ship and the memory of it already gone.
Still, a bad feeling persisted inside him. Prince curled his younger brother up next to him, almost mothering him a bit too much. Neither complained about his actions, feeling the support through them and appreciating it even more.
Sunrise came too soon, Prince had barely slept and it showed in how slow and droopy he walked. His brother kept calm, no longer jumping around but keeping protectively by his side.
A few times, their siblings talked to them, excited to finally see them again. Hopefully, all were well and uninjured to which each side claimed to be.
Prince?
His younger sister gently stroked his mind, like a kitty pawing at a new ball of yarn. Just testing the waters.
He's very tired right now.
What happened?
His brother spoke for him, assuring the others that Prince hadn't slept very well the night before. They calmed a little bit, giving their sympathy and regards to his fatigues.
Perhaps we could meet in the middle now?
His sister spoke, already set out towards them.
Yes, that should be fine now.
Prince's voice startled the rest, but they eagerly took his word. His siblings signal began to close in at an alarming rate. Their energy must have been over spilling and to finally freely run without worry of straying too far must have been nice.
Prince settled against a tree, his brother pacing a few feet away, keeping watch over their surroundings.
Just sleep. You kept getting on to me about conserving energy and you didn't even do it yourself!
His brother huffed at him, kicking some dirt his way to show his disapproval. Prince just wiped the particles away before resting his head down on the muddy ground. Parts of the area remained wet from a recent storm but others, mainly those unshaded, dried up quickly.
Sleep well, brother.
He did. By the time he awoke, his siblings had gathered around him, whispering among themselves. Prince only managed to grasp a few words such as Prince, Henrietta, Queen, and feelings.
Standing with extreme caution, Prince came to tower over them. They may be practically full grown, but he had the benefits of his partial transformation. He hissed in displeasure at some of the things he heard, especially Henrietta's name.
It'snothing…
Yeah, what he said.
You should go back to sleep, Prince.
All three looked up, trying to feign innocence. None of it flew with him as he began to work his way into their mind. They tried to keep him off and shield their secrets. Still, as a growing Queen, though the shift has slowed to a stop, his mental strength overcame their own.
In general, they spoke of Henrietta, his younger brother declaring his thoughts to the rest of wanting to meet her. He also informed them of Prince's possible decision which they immediately disagreed with. They had no interest in leaving their eldest of their litter. Plus, they took his side in that the Queen held no interest especially since they had no actual connection like Prince had.
This is what you wanted to hide?
Don't be mad!
His brother, the one with a white streak who had crashed with him, had spoken. He jumped from his spot, disapproval and a defensive smell coming from him.
I'm not.
Everyone suddenly relaxed, his siblings no longer looking so suspiciously tense.
Why hide this from me?
I thought you didn't want me to tell or anything…
Looking somewhat like timid children, they kept their heads slightly lowered and their tails wrapped around their hind legs. Prince sighed, feeling like those fathers who tried hard to be strict but caved last minute. Henrietta had played tons of television shows on her off days and he soaked in those moments.
What do you guys want?
His sister stood, coming forward to nuzzle his neck in an affectionate but submissive way. He rested his own head on her own, accepting the gesture.
I want to stay with you and Henrietta.
Me too!
The other two came to curl around his legs, also acting submissive but purring their own affections.
There's no need for this.
Prince laid down with them, nuzzling and purring his love to all three. He pushed them back to their feet, taking the lead, as he should. They pressed forward, knowing Prince could feel her out.