39 Inipi At The Burrow Pt. IV
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Sorry this took so long, but it was kinda difficult to write.
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After what seems like an eternity to some yet mere moments to others, Bolo, with a gentle prod from Michael, tells the group "Lodge is now concluded. Iron Eyes, you may open the door. Everyone, please leave the lodge by moving to your left and have Iron Eyes smudge you out of the sacred circle. You may then partake of the Wupulla."
…
When Nick opens the flap and leaves the lodge, he is followed closely by Sylvia as expected. What causes him to pause is the sharp intake of breath that he hears from the doe.
Looking back, the todd notices the doe has fallen to her knees and is tearing up with her sight drawn to the east with her arms crossed across her chest, grasping herself in a tight hug.
Following her intense gaze, Nick sees that the doe must be staring at the morning sun, which has just begun to peek above the eastern horizon.
"Sylvia," he asks with a touch of concern "are you okay?"
As the rest of the mammals exit the lodge, all are now concerned about the young doe.
"It … it's beautiful!" she comments softly, speaking to no one in particular.
As the doe is quietly surrounded by the Inipi participants, Michael makes a quick decision: "Sylvia Elaine Hopps, please come to me."
Tentatively taking the few strides that it takes to reach the now kneeling wolf, the doe stands unsurely before Michael.
"Normally this is done before the entire village, or in this case your burrow, however I believe that the timing is appropriate to conduct a naming ceremony."
Reaching back and taking the conch shell which is still smoldering with sage, Michael adds more sage, some sweetgrass and finally some Kinnikinnick to the shell, which then makes a slightly dense and very pungent smoke.
Before Michael can begin, Sylvia shares her vision that occurred during the fourth door "While in lodge, the Black rabbit came to me!" she explains with much emotion. "He told me that he had not come for my soul. He told me that because I had managed to turn my life around, I would finally be happy, that I would find a loving mate and have kits that would be the joys of my life. Judy and Sabine were the mammals most responsible for my coming to lodge, but when Nick gave me my name it was … special. It made me feel special! But when I came out of lodge just now and saw my namesake, the morning sun, I suddenly realized how much of my life I had wasted, and how much the path that I am now on will influence the rest of my life."
"Sylvia Hopps," continues Michael as if he had not been interrupted "the spirits have seen fit to grant you this path, do you promise before all assembled here to not stray from the path you have chosen?"
"I give my solemn word before all of the mammals gathered here and all of the spirits to continue to do my best to follow this path!"
"Breathe deeply of the sacred smoke, use your paws to bathe your body in it."
As Sylvia repeats the requested actions, Michael finishes the impromptu ceremony; "The mammal known as Sylvia Elaine Hopps is no more. This mammal is to be known until the end of her days as Morning Sun. While she may continue to be addressed among those who do not know as Sylvia Hopps, her true identity before the spirits and all gathered here is now Morning Sun! Mitakuye Oyasin!"
"Mitakuye Oyasin!" is chorused by all in the circle.
"Morning Sun," concludes Michael "with Iron Eyes assistance, you may smudge everyone from the sacred circle."
"As you say Sees Far, it will be done!" answers Sylvia, with a confidence in her voice that those that have known her all her life have never heard from the doe before now.
…
As everyone is smudged out of the sacred circle, Sylvia of course is last.
When she finally exits the circle, the doe is taken into a fierce hug by Bonnie and Stu. "Sylvie dear," begins Bonnie "I'm so sorry you had to go through all of that, I just wish there was more we could have done so long ago,"
"It's okay mom. You tried your best back then, I just needed to work things out on my own."
While that was happening, Sally approaches Nick and Judy by the Wupulla (food table).
"Ummm, do you two have a minute?" she asks.
"Of course Sally," responds Nick, "what's up?"
Knowing that Nick and Judy have had visions while in lodge in the past, Sally is confident that she will be taken seriously. "While in lodge I had a vision. A spirit known to me as At Kamuri, a goddess of my nation, appeared and gave me a message. She told me that I need to go back to my nation and help my brother that I never knew that I had, to help him fight for the future of my entire nation.
"At Kamuri also told me that my full name is Princess Sally Alicia Acorn … Sarii Donguri, also known as Red Fur in the common tongue, which you more or less already knew. If I'm going to help my brother, I'll need to leave as soon as possible … Look, I know that I've committed to help you with the store, and I'm forever grateful that you rescued me and all, but I need to go as soon as possible. Please understand."
"Then you certainly have our blessing." Judy tells the hybrid "After all, nothing is more important than family."
"Although, it does kinda ruin the surprise we had planned for you!" adds Nick.
Seeing the grateful but surprised look that they're getting form the young doe, Judy continues. "Skye and Josh found you an old pickup that has been completely redone in secret in the shop."
"Josh found it at Chip and Dales Wreck Rescues and we thought it would be perfect for ya!" finishes Nick.
"Guys, I can't possibly-" begins the shocked doe.
"You can't possible refuse, we insist!" says Judy.
"The only thing you need to do now is get something to eat and get some rest." continues Judy. "Eat, then go to the house and lay down for a bit. We'll wake you later. You've got to rest before you leave, especially after lodge."
"If you promise to wake me by noon, I'll go." finally answers Sally.
"Deal." replies Nick. "Now go…"
As Nick and Judy watch Sally head for the house, Judy thinks out loud "I wonder who we'll find to run the shop with Sally gone…"
"How about me?" asks a voice behind them.
"Sylvie?" asks Judy.
"I'll need a job since I need to start being my own mammal." continues the doe. "I helped Sally with everything, including setting everything up, unloading the stuff that was brought from the reservation. It's all already priced and we'd pretty much figured out where and how to display it. Please?"
"Of course you can do it if you really want to Sylvie!" admits Judy, hugging her sister.
"I do have a question though … if I can run it, can I dress up like in those outfits like they wear at the powwows that you showed me? I think it'd make everything look better."
"I don't see why not." says Judy. "Renee was going to help Skye learn to make traditional regalia anyway, so maybe you and she can whip up a few nice outfits before the store opens in a couple of weeks. How about you get with her sometime tomorrow, after everybody gets a bit of rest?"
"Sounds like a plan sis. I'm gonna head back to the burrow and sleep for a bit, then let mom and dad know that I'm finally gonna try and find my own place. Thanks you two…" as Sylvia gives Nick and Judy each a typical Hopps hug then heads off.
…
Just as Nick and Judy head towards the house, Nick's phone rings ….
"H'lo? What's up?" as Nick shows Judy the caller I.D. "It's Midnight." he whispers to his mate.
"Nick … it's Lefty … he's gone…!"
"Gone? What do you mean he's gone?" asks and astounded Nick.
"Lefty … he … he's dead Nick." comes the grief filled voice.
"What … how?"
"No apparent signs of forced entry or a struggle, I … I think it was just his time. I called the sheriff, I'm sure the M.E. will want to do an autopsy, just to be sure. And the sheriff and the Tri-County EMT's have been called."
"I'll … break the news to the others. Keep me up to date and I'll be there as soon as I can get there." replies the todd.
Turning to his mate, Nick begins "Midnight just told me that Lefty's … passed away."
Seeing Judy's shocked face, Nick continues "I'll go by and see how things are going, we'll let everyone know about Lefty tomorrow morning. Keep an eye on Sylvie, I'll be back in a bit…" he says as he gives Judy a quick hug and heads towards the house to put on a few clothes and go to join Midnight and his family at Lefty's.
…
Arriving a short time later, Nick is greeted by Midnight, with no sign of the big cat's car, although he does notice that the Tri-Burrow sheriff's personal patrol car as well as an EMT van as well as the coroner's van is parked outside the small modest residence.
"I sent Sabine to the house with the kits. They don't need to be subjected to the sight of death this early in their lives."
"I understand." replies Nick.
Looking up, Nick notices the sheriff heading towards him and Midnight.
"Sorry 'bout yer mammal, Nick." says the sheriff as he approaches the two.
"What's the word Buford?" asks Nick "any signs of foul play?"
"None that any of us could find." admits the elder bunny. "There were a lot of prescription meds on his nightstand and in the bathroom …"
"I'm sure most of them were from the V.A." volunteers Midnight. "Lefty had a lot of stuff wrong with him after getting back from 'Nam. Agent Orange, shrapnel wounds, PTSD, that kinda stuff."
"That's kinda what old Doc House told me he thought it might be. He's gonna do a tox screen and an autopsy just to be sure. Y'all don't have a problem with any of that do ya?"
"Of course not," Nick tells the sheriff. "We want to be sure that there was no foul play just as much as you do. Lefty doesn't have any next of kin that we know of, so if you'd keep Judy or I up to date, we'd appreciate it."
"I guess I can to that. Again, sorry about the loss of yer mammal Nick." as the bunny heads towards his car.
"I guess there's nothing to be gained by hangin' around here…" admits Nick. "We might as well head home. You can let Sabine know what's up, and I'll tell Judy and Sylvia. We'll call an all employees meeting in the morning and let the entire shop know."
The ride to Midnight's home was quiet, but the big cat shared a bit of news with his close friend and boss "Sabine's moving in with me and the cubs."
"And how do the cubs feel about it?" Nick asks as he pulls to a stop at in front of Midnight's home.
"They're all for it … to tell the truth, I think they bugged her about it so much she finally said yes as much to quiet them down as to be with me."
"Good to know. Anyway, see you in the morning … you might want to show up a bit early, just to make sure everyone gets the message about the announcement."
"I can do that. I guess you already know that Sabine 'll be riding with me huh?"
"Kinda figured it, yeah. G'nite Midnight…"
"G'nite boss…"
…
As Midnight enters his, and now Sabine's, home, he's greeted with apprehension by the snow leopard.
"Jerry?"
"Just … give me a few to be sure the cubs are asleep. Please."
Knowing that the cubs had crashed immediately after getting home after staying up all night due to the excitement of the Inipi, Sabine knew that Jerry simply wanted to check on the cubs and make sure they were sound asleep.
Soon enough panther and leopard were alone.
"… Lefty appears to have passed away in his sleep. I'm sorry that I sent you and the cubs away so quickly without an explanation, but …"
"I understand love. It's not something that the cubs needed to know about what with being so worn out and all."
"The sheriff and M.E. showed up just before Nick got there, he's gonna make an announcement at the shop in the morning. I … told him that you'd moved in. That's okay, isn't it?"
"Of course. He'd 've found out sooner or later anyway."
"The only thing he was concerned about was-"
"The cubs approval?"
"Yeah."
"Figures." admits a smiling Sabine "That's the only thing that Judy was concerned about when she found out we were seeing each other."
"So, how about a good shower? We both kinda need one after lodge. I know I gotta smell kinda funky …"
"You smell good to me, but yeah, a good shower together sounds like fun!"
With paws on each other butts, the felines head towards a well-deserved shower, with another shower probable in the not-too-distant future.
…
Pulling up to the home that he and Judy share with a soon to depart Sally, Nick takes a few moments to settle his mind before giving Judy what few details he knows about what he's learned.
Finally entering the front door, Nick observes a lightly sleeping Judy.
Hearing Nick enter, Judy opens her eyes and sees the slightly bedraggled todd.
"Hey …" she greets softly.
"Hey…"
Taking a seat beside the now sitting doe, Nick tells her what little he knows.
"According to Midnight and the sheriff, there were no signs of forced entry and no signs of a struggle. The M.E. took all of Lefty's meds and is gonna run a tox screen to make sure he didn't overdose either by accident or on purpose. Midnight's gonna break the news to Sabine and the cubs, and I'll tell everyone at the shop tomorrow, even though I'm pretty sure that they'll all know by then anyway."
"Nick. I'm so sorry." says Judy, gently rubbing the fur on her todd's arm trying to comfort her downcast spouse.
"I know Fluff, but it's not like it was totally unexpected. He's been battling health issues for longer than any of us have known him, but yeah … he'll be missed."
…
A few hours later, a slightly refreshed Sally is woken by Judy.
"Wakey, wakey Princess."
"Already? Dang, I was a lot more tired than I thought!"
"C'mon, we've got a quick meal ready for ya. Then you can finish loading your stuff into your new truck." the doe tells her.
After a quick lunch of warm granola and herbal tea, Sally is escorted to the front door where she is immediately overwhelmed.
There, in front of her, is a classic '49 C10 pickup. Dark blue metallic paint, off-white tuck and roll interior and wide profile tires that are set off by a set of S/S Super Mag wheels. But the best is yet to come.
When Nick rolls back the tonneau cover from over the bed of the truck, Sally finds that the box is filled to the brim with all sorts of things. Clothes for newborns and adults, soap and fur shampoo, tooth paste and other grooming necessities, lots of dry goods such as beans and nuts and plenty of fresh Hopps farm veggies.
"…. Guys …. begins a now tearful Sally "I-I can't …"
"You can't leave without saying good-by to the shop, we know." interrupts Nick "That's why you actually have to drive by the shop on your way out of town. They're all waiting to give you a proper send-off. All we ask is for you to be safe on the way, and if you are ever in need of help of any kind, we're never farther away than a phone call."
Giving Nick and Judy each a fierce and tearful hug, Princess Sally Acorn begins her trek to her ancestral home.
Driving past the soon to reopen shop, the hybrid doe is surprised to se the entire shop crew, as well as Bonnie, Stu, and a large part of the fluffle lined up on both sides of the street waving and wishing her well on her trip. Last but not least, Sylvia flags her down.
Stepping up on the running board of the truck, Sylvie leans in and give the hybrid a quick hug, then hangs a pawmade medicine bag around her neck.
"I – I made this myself, it's got a bunch a stuff in it that's 'sposed ta bring good luck. Be safe Sally, please …" almost begs the now reformed doe.
"I will Sylvie … I mean Morning Sun." says Sally softly as she fights back the tears and puts the truck back in gear, slowly pulling off.
…
"I'm gonna miss her …" Sylvia says quietly, mostly to herself.
"It's gonna be okay Sylvie." says Judy, who with Nick has quietly appeared behind the doe.
"I know … but she's the first real friend I had in a long time Judes." admits the younger doe. "Anyways, I guess I'd better get back to the store … I've still got some stuff to finish up on before we open."
"Maybe you can get Bright Eyes and Short Tail to lend a paw…" suggests the todd.
"That's … actually a good idea." Sylvia admits. "I think I saw them somewhere by mom and dad, I'll try to find them and see if they're willing to help. See ya in a bit…" as she heads into the dispersing crowd to find the aforementioned kits.
…
Monday at the shop, Nick calls an all-employee meeting and tells the crew about Lefty's unexpected passing.
Even though pretty much everyone had heard the news by now (the burrow grapevine was in full swing it seems) everyone was genuinely sad to hear the official news.
"I know we've still got quite a bit to do to get the shop up to speed, but I want everyone to take today and tomorrow off to process this. When I hear anything else, I'll let everyone know about the arrangements. That's it, take off."
Stepping back into the office, Nick is slightly surprised to see Bonnie and Stu standing beside Judy.
"We've discussed it with the entire fluffle and with Judy," begins Bonnie "and we feel it's only right that since Mr. Sanderson doesn't seem to have any living relatives, we'd be honored if you'd allow us to bury him in the veteran's wing of the Hopps cemetery."
"Judy has an older brother buried there and we though that he would appreciate a fellow 'Nam vet for company." adds Stu.
"I – I'm sure that Lefty would be honored…" admits Nick. "Thank you."
After her parents have left, Judy gives Nick a heads up.
"I hope you don't mind, but I called your mom and Shirley to let them know about Lefty."
"I – I don't mind a bit Fluff, thanks. Everything's been so crazy since the bombing, what with the trip to the rez, you getting pregnant again, the recent lodge and now this …"
Placing a small paw on her husband's arm, Judy consoles the todd "I understand Nick, I really do. what say we stop at Gid's and get bite, then head home and get a bit more rest. You can worry about taking care of Lefty after we get the M.E.'s report."
"Sounds good, let's go."
…
Entering the bustling eatery, Nick and Judy are somewhat surprised to see Michael and Yvonne in the midst of a midday meal.
"Come, join us Iron Eyes, Wolf Spirit!" invites Michael.
After Yvonne quickly whispers in her husband's ear, the canine amends his request.
"I apologize – please join us, Nicholas and Judith." which still earns him a sigh and eye roll from the doe.
"It's fine Sees Far," says Nick, trying to put the now slightly embarrassed canine a bit at ease. "Wolf Spirit and I don't mind a bit, and I doubt if anyone else here even noticed…"
"Nonetheless, it would be improper to address you in such a way outside the reservation." Michael tells Nick.
"Nonsense," Judy tells the wolf "With Morning Sun taking over the store, using our given names, along with Bright Eyes, Short Tail and even She Always Laughs in the Burrow, eventually no one will even pay attention to the usage … unless you'd prefer that we didn't use the names so often."
"It – may actually be a good thing, to help relations with tribal members." admits Michael. "With the possibility of even more of the tribe coming in the future, I believe it will be okay. I will speak of this to Grandfather to be sure."
"Unless we hear from you not to, we'll begin to use the name more frequently then." adds Nick with a genuine smile.
"Very well." says Michael. "There are a few things that I'd like to speak to you about if it's alright." he adds.
"Sure thing, go ahead." prompts Judy.
"To begin with, we are sorry to hear about Mr. Sanderson's passing, we offer our condolences."
"Thank you." quietly responds Judy.
"On another note, we were wondering why you have moved your very successful business from Zootopia to a more distant and much quieter setting like Bunnyburrow."
When Nick explains about the bombing, both Michael and Yvonne are taken back quite a bit.
"So, this mammal that accosted Wolf Spirit in high school and he and his siblings caused all that trouble?" Yvonne asks, more than a bit disturbed at the revelations.
"That's correct." admits Judy "However, the situation has been resolved so we've put the past behind us and moved on."
"And you will be opening the shop and your business for everyone in a few weeks, correct?" asks Michael.
"Yes." proudly admits Nick. "Morning Sun will be in charge of the store since Red Fur will be returning to her tribe, and she will be asking She Always Laughs to help her make some regalia to wear when she's working… if that's okay with you and Grandfather."
"We're also planning to have a sort of block party in town where the store is located to kick off the celebration." adds Judy.
"I'm sure it will be fine, again better to encourage the tribal members acceptance into the community." admits Michael.
After a few moments thought, Michael speaks again "I do have a suggestion … more of a request I suppose…"
"And that would be what ….? prompts Nick.
"There is a contemporary band with ties to the reservation that is trying to make a name for itself. Perhaps you would consider inviting them to play at your celebration…" suggests Michael hopefully.
"And they would be …" again prompts Nick.
"They are called Brulé."
"Would you happen to have a sample of their music we could listen to?" asks Judy.
"We actually have included some cd's in the shipment that we brough for the store, as well as several of their cd's in the van." answers Yvonne.
"We'll give them a listen and let you know, probably by the time you get home." admits Nick.
"Thank you, Iron Eyes and Wolf Spirit. The trip has been both memorable and enjoyable. We will be leaving for the reservation when we finish our meal. Stay well."
"And you as well, Sees Far and Stands With A Fist. Mitakuye Oyasin!"
"Mitakuye Oyasin." echo Michael and Yvonne as they get set to make their trip home.
…
AN: Brulé (pronounced bru-lay) & AIRO is a contemporary Native American new-age/worldbeat music group based in South Dakota. IMO it's really pretty good.
I had a request/suggestion from a reader to include a bit of intimate bedroom scenes in one or more of my stories. To set the record straight, I will NOT be doing any of that, it's just not my thing. Anyone looking for that type of writing needs to check out other authors.
