Jinx could easily think her way out of a situation, everyone knew that. No matter what life threw at her she always had a way of squirreling her way out of it. It was what set her apart from the other sheep. At the same time, others would give into their baser instincts and panic. Jinx had heard zebras were prone to it, but she had never seen a zebra nor knew what one was, just that it was an animal in a far-off land. Zebras aside, Jinx wasn't the kind of ewe to panic and she would press on. Now, however, she didn't know how to react to this.

The relationship between Jinx and her father Timber had always been rocky, for lack of a better word. Between his two daughters, Jinx had always been the troublesome one, the problem child, and the black sheep literally and figuratively. Jinx didn't care about her status, she was proud of herself and loved herself. It was a spark that drove others crazy but drove people to her. That very spark was the reason she now had a husband and son whom she loved dearly.

Although she was a first-rate wife and mother, as far as her father was concerned, she was a terrible daughter. Even now as her father stared at her, she could see the disapproval in his eyes, that stern visage bearing towards her like daggers pointed at her heart. She could hear it now, every scold and chastise, puffing his chest out and bellowing and stomping around like an irate bull.

Jinx realized silence had fallen, and at her hooves she noticed Shiro clinging close to her, clearly intimidated by the new ram. Jinx had never spoken to her son about his grandfather. As far as she was concerned, that was a good thing. Timber had never approved of her going to the mountains to live a life with Chirin, and she was certain he wouldn't be too keen on Shiro. As far as Jinx knew, he probably would think Shiro was half monster. Snorting air from her nostrils, Jinx pawed at the ground and stood ready to defend her child's honor.

Conner stood by obediently as did Clover, while Flower and Hay eyed their grandfather with respectful but cautious eyes. The silence needed to be broken and Jinx knew it fell to her.

"Hello…Pop'," The word she had often called her father tasted so bitter against her tongue.

Referring to her father as "Pop" wasn't unusual, but before there had been some acknowledgment of their blood bond. Now she was hesitant, keeping a variable distance away from what she formally viewed him as.

Timber remained firm and simply uttered, "Jinx."

Silence fell once more, father and daughter never taking their eyes off of one another. Conner suddenly stood between the ram and the ewe.

"Oh, Sir Timber, a lovely day we're having!" Conner's voice was awkward in its delivery as if he couldn't think of anything else to say.

Timber snorted and replied, "Indeed."

Thumping her way through, Clover nearly knocked Conner over with her large bulk, "Papa, I know you probably have mixed feelings seeing Jinx here, but-"

"Calm yourself, Clover," Timber's voice remained firm, and Clover stood at attention, "I merely wish to talk with your sister."

Jinx let out a laugh mixed in with a scoff, "Just talk?"

Timber's eyes glanced toward Shiro. The young lamb backed away slightly as he met his grandfather's gaze, but quickly trotted back and held his chest out. Just like his mother, Timber thought.

"Yes," Timber replied, "please."

The last part was not added with hesitance. Jinx was quite keen to pick up any stray emotions lingering within her father's speech. There wasn't any deceit or even a reprimand coming on. For a moment, Jinx looked toward Shiro. It might have been ludicrous to go to her son for comfort, but it was all she needed as Shiro gave his mother a reassuring smile.

Releasing a sigh, Jinx said, "Fine, lead the way."

Timber led Jinx further ahead, a good distance from the rest of the family. Jinx kept her guard up just to be safe. Although her father didn't seem to have ulterior motives, the ewe wasn't stupid. She had known her father long enough to sense a potential scolding. Finally, Timber came to a stop, back facing his daughter.

"So, you've come back," Was the first thing he said.

"Yeah, I did," Jinx stated point blankly, "my, aren't you the observant one huh Pop?"

"And you still have that smart mouth," Timber's voice was cold and firm.

"Look, Dad, if you just wanted to tell me how crappy of a daughter I am, then just save-"

"That's not why I brought you here!"

Timber's body shook as he gave his outburst. It immediately shut Jinx up enough that she allowed her father to continue.

"Jinx...you and I haven't had the...best of relationships," Timber's voice grew soft, softer than Jinx had ever realized he could go, "I always told myself you were difficult…but I can't help but realize that I might have contributed to that."

Jinx's expression didn't change, and she continued to allow her father to speak, "Your boy, I assume he's the son of that...creature," Timber tasted the word 'monster' on his tongue, but switched it out for another word.

"Yes, Chirin is Shiro's father, and for the record, my husband is a ram, not a 'creature'," Jinx corrected.

Silenced followed for a few moments before Timber spoke again, "He looks like a strong boy, he gets it from his mother, no?"

"Well, he inherited things from his father too, he's the best of both of us," Jinx boasted as she held her head up high."

Something sputtered out of Timber, a sound Jinx had never expected or heard from her father.

"You know, when I was your age, you and I had a lot in common," the sound came again, "I was a wild and rambunctious little lamb who never listened to a damn thing his mother said."

It soon dawned on Jinx that laughter was coming out of her father.

"But my father set me straight...and well in time I was like him...he told me it was for my own good, that I with the right mindset I could be the top ram around here," Timber's voice grew firm, "And I did…my father said it was for the best, that I had an image to uphold, and to pass it on to my future sons and daughters."

Jinx remained silent as her father spoke. She wasn't sure what to make of this. Never had she seen her father express himself like this.

"Believe it or not, I respected you for forging your own path...not at first...but your sister talked to me," Timber continued.

"Clover…talked to you about me?" Jinx asked curiously.

"After I spouted and snorted about how disobedient of a daughter you were," Timber's tone took on amusement once more.

The thought of her father being like her spurred Jinx to laugh, "I'm sorry Pop, but you were like me?"

Timber turned around and to Jinx's surprise, flashed a grin, "Where do you think you got your love of cider? I'm no stranger to a hangover young lady."

Jinx blinked, "Okay...did we step into some strange alternate universe?"

Silently, Timber took several steps towards his daughter before coming to a complete stop. Timber's face suddenly became firm, but it wasn't the usual firmness Jinx was used to.

"I know this may seem odd, but I wanted you to know I accept the choices you've made."

Jinx remained silent, her lips tight and her eyes focused upon her father.

"You've always been an independent girl, one that I tried to reel in, but I understand now you are a free spirit who makes her own choices, and I respect that."

Jinx remained silent, even as Timber turned away, "I just wanted you to know that."

The black-wooled ewe continued to eye her father, watching as he vanished into the distance. She didn't go after him for she felt no need. All the words had been said between them and there was nothing more needed. All Jinx could do was smirk.

"Pop...well what do you know."

Today was full of surprises, and with things between her and her father said, she held no other desire than to return to her son. Shiro was patiently waiting along with his half-cousins Flower and Hay. Well, more like playing. It warmed her heart to see her son being joyful, being cooped up on that mountain his whole life devoid of contact other than his parents. Although Shiro loved his parents and they loved him, not having kids around his age was maddening, and heartbreaking, even Jinx knew she would have gone crazy if not for Clover and Conner. She was grateful her son had that chance.

"So, how did it go?" Clover asked, bounding her way to her half-sister.

"Yes, Ms. Jinx, I hope Sir Timber wasn't too harsh on you!" Conner worridly chimed in.

Casting a brisk laugh, Jinx replied, "Nothing too harsh for this ewe!"

Conner and Clover looked at one another before laughing too, "That's our Ms. Jinx!"

"Glad you haven't changed sis," Clover smiled.

Yes, it would appear the day had gone off without a hitch. There was nothing that could spoil this moment.

"Jinx? Shiro?"

Suddenly, Flower and Hay gave loud yelps of surprise as they hid behind their tremendous mother. Conner likewise gulped as he saw what was before him. Even Jinx's face fell. Shiro was the only one who didn't look so shocked, well, at least not horrified.

"Papa?" Shiro said.

Standing before everyone was none other than Chirin.

Jinx had sentiments on the current situation, "Crap."

A/N: Apologies for the short chapters, but I'm building up to something.