Jinx felt the crushing weight as her lungs were crushed underneath the massive bulk of her half-sister. Of course, Jinx had endured this type of sisterly affection for quite a long time. She had grown used to her sister, but that wasn't to say it was a pleasant experience. Nevertheless, Jinx was a tough girl, and being caught underneath an overweight ewe was not the worst experience she had endured.
Still though, "Sis...you're...crushing me!"
Clover halted her tears of joy as she realized what she had done, "Oh, sorry!"
Swiftly, (at least as much as her size could manage), Clover got up revealing a very compacted Jinx.
Taking in several deep breaths, Jinx slowly rose to her hooves and remarked, "Man, you sure love trying to make me a ewe pancake don't you sis?"
Suddenly, she was hit with another rush as she felt her sister's massive body against her. Thankfully, Clover had learned her lesson and didn't do seconds in the ewe pancake course.
"Jinx! I'm so happy to see you!" Clover cried, her tears falling once more.
Not only was Clover an expert at eating, but she was also an expert on emotional crying. She was such an expert that Jinx felt the wool on her shoulders grow damp.
"Hey, hey, watch the waterworks!" Jinx protested.
Sniffing once, Clover stepped back, "Sorry...I just can't.
Jinx smiled and replied, "It's good to see you too sis."
While the two sisters were reunited, their respective little ones at their hooves were all the more curious. Save for Hay who went right back to nibbling on the grass.
"Mama? Are you okay?" Shiro asked.
Snapping her attention back to Shiro, a single word escaped Clover, "Mama?" Then it hit her, "Wait, is this yours?"
Puffing her chest out proudly, Jinx replied, "Yep, this here is Shiro, the fruit of my loins!"
At the mention of fruit, Hay briefly raised his head up, quizzically looked around, and then went right back to eating as he realized there was no fruit.
For a moment, Jinx could swear the ground was shaking as Clover hopped up and down, "I can't believe it! My sister a mother!" Clover stopped hopping and gazed intently at her half-sibling, "This is so amazing!"
Jinx chuckled, "Yeah, it is."
"I mean, everyone kept saying you would never find a mate!"
Jinx chuckled again, "Well...that's how life goes."
"I mean you were like the last ewe in the flock anyone expected to get pregnant!"
Shaking her head, Jinx cleared her throat, "I get where you're coming from, but-"
"I mean the odds of you meeting a guy and getting pregnant and-"
"Okay! Sis, I think we get the picture," Jinx suddenly stated.
Clover's eyes widened as she realized the full extent of what she was implying, "Oh, sorry!"
At her mother's side, Flower asked, "Mama, who is this?"
As her face returned to its original color, Clover jumped slightly, causing a tiny tremor, "I can't believe I forgot, Flower, Hay, this is your Auntie Jinx."
Hay stopped eating and burped, "We have an auntie?"
Tilting her head, Flower chimed in, "If Shiro's mom is our Auntie, that makes him our cousin, right?"
Shiro face lit up, "I have cousins?"
That much was clear, and realizing it made Shiro smile. For so long, the only family he had was his parents. Now, the family line had expanded, and the young ram couldn't be happier.
"Hey, cuz, do you want to keep playing?" Flower asked, flashing her pretty little eyes.
A streak ran across Shiro's face, but he replied, "Sure!"
Wasting no time, the two young lambs began to run about, save for Hay who merely ate as he followed his sister and cousin.
"That boy of yours sure takes after his ma," Jinx chuckled again.
"Yeah, he does," Flower laughed as well, "I feel so lucky to have those two in my life."
"Just like my man," Jinx sighed dreamily.
Clover felt a prick in her mind, as if a balloon had just deflated with a pin, "Wait, Shiro's father…" Then a realization hit the bulky ewe, "Wait, is Shiro's father?"
Jinx stared at her sister as if she had been asked a crazy question, "Is it really a shock?"
The question was rhetorical, but it was still just as shocking all the same to Clover, "I'm sorry, it's just...wow...you and he actually had a kid together.
"That's not a problem is it?" Jinx asked.
"No! No, I just...well...it's just a surprise," Clover admitted.
Holding her hoof up, Jinx flashed a proud grin, "I get where you're coming from. I mean when you look at Chirin, you don't think "husband and father", but you know, he is, and I'm the happiest ewe in the world."
"Oh Jinx," Clover felt tears coming on again.
"Not only is he a devoted mate, and a loving papa, but he knows how to keep his woman happy," Leaning into a whisper, "and I mean that in every sense of the word."
Clover's ear rose, "Really, you mean?"
"Let's just say that night after the drinking incident, was a very eventful evening," Jinx snickered.
Judging from Shiro's assumed age, and the time of the season, it was obvious what had gone on during that time Jinx spent on the mountain.
"Ms. Jinx?"
Clover and Jinx looked up and to their surprise, standing there was a border collie, a very familiar one at that.
"Conner!" Jinx couldn't hide her excitement, "Oh my gosh bud, how are you?"
Without much explanation, the trio of Jinx, Clover, and Conner were united once more. The three began to talk, explaining much of what had happened in their lives. Once it was all said and done, Jinx was the first to speak.
"Wait, you have a girl?" Jinx asked.
Holding his head up with a grin, Conner replied, "Well, you know."
"And you knocked her up too!" Jinx nudged her friend with a leg, "Didn't know you had it in ya bud, well, it's in her now, ha!"
Conner wasn't the least bit surprised at Jinx's outburst. Anyone else would have probably been offended, but he had known Jinx for years enough to know her mannerisms.
"I missed you Ms. Jinx."
"Eh, it's Mrs. Jinx now," Jinx corrected, "After all, I'm a married ewe now."
"I think we're all married now," Clover added, "I mean, my mate lives with the other rams, but he does visit me and the kids now and then," pawing at the ground, she turned her head away bashfully, "Whenever he sees me, he calls me his wooly little butterball."
Jinx released a brisk laugh, "That's you in a nutshell sis!"
Clover beamed with pride. Though some had poked fun at her size, she was proud of who she was, and she had her spunky half-sister to thank for that.
"Seriously, it's good to see you guys, I missed you so much," Jinx admitted.
Clover and Conner looked at her curiously, Jinx's admission was followed by a surprised look on her face.
"Guys, I know I left the farm behind when I married Chirin, but that didn't mean I forgot my family."
Conner made a small sound that was best described as a touched heart, "Golly Ms. Jinx, I don't know what to say."
"I got one," Jinx smirked, "You're my dog brother from another mother!"
"I guess I am," Conner laughed.
"Well, it looks like the freak trio is back together," A snooty and high-class voice spoke up.
Jinx released a tiny gasp, she knew that voice. It didn't take her long to frown for it could only be one creature.
"Bella," It was no surprise to Jinx, for she would recognize that voice anywhere.
Turning around, she found her lack of surprise was well-founded. Standing before her, with white wool and pink ribbon around her neck, was Bella. Her stance was still as snooty as ever, proud and high-class, just like Jinx remembered her. Yet, she noticed something peculiar at Bella's hooves: a small lamb.
"Well, look what the snob club dragged in," Jinx smarted.
Bella struck a half-amused face, "Well, you haven't changed, still shacking up with monsters?"
Jinx's snorted a puff of air, and stomped her right hoof, "I would please ask you not to insult my husband."
"Well, can't say I approve of your taste, especially when you sire such odd children," Jinx mouthed with disapproval.
"Excuse me?" Jinx growled.
"My son mentioned some odd little child trotted into our flock, and now that you're here, I can't help but wonder who his parents are, and then you show up," Bella narrowed her eyes and snorted, "I take it he sprang from your loins?"
Holding her head up high, Jinx replied with closed eyes, "As a matter of fact he did, and I couldn't be proud of my baby boy Shiro!"
Bella's response was a haughty laugh, "Please! He doesn't compare to my darling Leaf," She referred to the small lamb at her hooves, "Look at him, a perfect example of what proper breeding gets you!"
Little Leaf puffed out his chest and held his head high proudly. Clearly, he was his mother's son, there was no doubt about that. Of course, Bella had a child. Even though Jinx despised her, she knew Bella was a prime catch among the flock. Jinx may have been loath to admit it but she was….pretty….not that Jinx held any sort of feelings for her, Chirin was her one and only. But the implication Leaf had a run-in with Shiro didn't really paint a pretty picture for Jinx. She knew that it wasn't a good one. Shiro was her son and therefore shared her genes and rivalries it would seem.
An itch scratched within Jinx's mind. A desire filled her head, one she knew all too well. 'Wolf' was a game that she often played in her youth. Mostly, she did it as a game simply to annoy. It had always been such a joy to watch Bella squirm. That desire continued to swell up within her so much she felt she would burst. Yet, things had changed. Jinx wasn't the same ewe she had been before she left the farm. Though she was still alike in so many ways, there were clear differences that shone through.
"You know? In the past, I would have challenged you, done anything to make you uncomfortable," Jinx replied, "But that's not me anymore, no, I think I'll just remain calm and talk."
Bella cautiously raised her eyes, "Really now? Are you sure breathing that mountain air hasn't scrambled your odd little
brain?"
"You tell him, Mother!" Leaf cheered at his mother's hooves.
Beaming down at her child, Bella added, "Thank you, my sweet little prince."
"Oh my mind isn't scrambled, in fact, that 'mountain air' as you put it cleared things up, opened up the old sinus cavities and whatnot, but I know one thing for certain," Jinx paused, tasting the hint of manure and hay upon the country air, "You're still the same witchy little tart you always have been."
Both of Bella's eyes rose and she reared up briefly before stomping down, "Tart?!"
"Tart?" Leaf repeated.
Snapping her head toward her child, Bella said, "Don't repeat that word Leaf!"
"And my Chirin may not be like the rams on this farm, in fact, he's better!" Looking aside at Clover she added, "No offense to your mate, sis."
Shrugging, Clover replied, "None taken."
"And furthermore, I'd say my son Shiro is of good breeding due to having such a wonderful father as my Chirin," Jinx puffed out her chest, "He's strong, he's loving, and he knows how to pleasure a woman in more ways than one! And judging from your tenseness, your man doesn't do that does he?"
Bella gritted her teeth underneath closed lips, digging slightly into the ground.
"What does she mean mother?" Leaf asked.
"Nothing for a child to hear!" Bella exclaimed barely holding in her rage.
"And I think I can see the age lines running down your face," Jinx said as she ran one of her hooves down her face for emphasis.
Bella's face spread out as her eyes opened completely full.
"While if you look at me, I'm still young and fresh!" Jinx declared doing a little dance and striking a pose, "So I guess I got good genes, don't I? But I suppose you wouldn't know that would you?"
Bella said nothing, but narrowed her eyes and turned around, motioning her son to follow with, "Come along Leaf!"
Dutifully following his mother, Bella shuddered as she heard a raspberry, courtesy of Jinx, sound out behind her.
Once Bella and Leaf were a good distance away, Jinx bowed, "Thank you, thank you all, I'll take my victory cigar and mug of cider if you please,"
Clover and Conner stared at their friend with surprise, "Nicely handled Ms. Jinx."
"Yeah, sis, I expected you to go all 'Wolf' on Bella," Clover noted.
"Eh that's not how I roll now...but seriously a smoke and a drink would be nice about now," Jinx replied.
Hay had momentarily stopped eating to mention to his newfound cousin, "Wow Shiro, your mom is cool."
"I'll say," Flower concurred with her brother.
Shiro couldn't help but beam with pride upon hearing those words. His mother certainly was of a kind type of sheep. Before coming down the mountain, Shiro had known no other ewes besides her. He hadn't been among his own kind for long, but he could certainly tell he had quite a unique mother.
"So you've returned?"
Shiro and Jinx both turned as they heard a new voice. It was a voice Shiro had never heard before, emphasized as he looked curiously over. But for Jinx, it was one she had heard plenty of times before and certainly enough for Clover and her family.
"Papa," Clover exclaimed.
"Grandpa!" Flower and Hay joined in unison.
Conner, on the other hand, was far more respectful, "Sir Timber."
Standing before them was Timber, the head ram of the flock, father of Clover and Jinx, and the very same the latter had exchanged bitter words with.
"Hello Pop," Jinx tasted the bitterness upon her tongue and it remained like a stagnant aftertaste.
The little family reunion was about to take an unwanted turn, Jinx knew that for certain.
A/N: And I am back after a long absence. Sorry for the extremely extended delay, but I hope the wait was worth it. Also I finally figured out who would be the perfect voice for Jinx: Kimiko Glenn. Also, I could see Steve Blum being an alternate voice for Chirin. That just leaves Shiro.