Can one describe the rays of the Sun as it warms ones back, as it chases the cold away from the night? Then you understand my pleasant surprise as my Sun squeals, mispronouncing sistermine’s name. Utterfly. Does she not know that it is butterfly, bah as in bubble. I feel obligated to correct her mishap, to inform her of sistermines true nature that she is insulting the very namesake that was bestowed upon her but I can not. At least not now as my mark is closer now, his body bunching beneath the Flame as if he is to launch. I am confused. How is it that I know that he will leap? Instinct perhaps, as the drive to protect surges through me, causing me to grit my teeth in frustration; if he lands he will be atop sistermine and NO one is to top her. Long spindly legs gather and with a surge of raw power I am airborne, sistermine propelling me now upon her wings. Even though she is not near me, playing with the Sun she is, I feel her strength and I embrace it.

Joy radiates within me as my large paws meet their mark, eliciting a cry from the Flame. Down we go, sistermine now a distant memory, as we roll with me ontop. He is angry, legs kick out burning me with their fury and a child like snarl snakes its way from my throat. I nip, harshly as if he was an enemy and as of now he is. I will not accept him; instinct screams that I test him. A challenge YES indeed. Had I been grown I would have absorbed the kicks but I am not and my belly is tender to his paws. Reeling I pull back multicolored eyes flashing, the sole white eye turning a slight cream with determination. I do not aim to harm him yet I will test him, he must be worthy of dealing with sistermine even if he does smell of the Sun. Quickly I am back upon him, nipping at his belly, side, ears, whatever my little milk teeth can find. They are quick, never lasting but a few seconds if they land, before I pull back. He, I, we are a dancing a male dance that the girls will not understand. There must be order and hierarchy within the pups. Yet even as this is understood I am not invincible, sharp nibbles jar my front legs and side just as I attempt to land my own, causing my eyes to narrow. It hurts yet I am not alone, I have her, my wind breath and heart. She propels me so that I can withstand what I will later nurse with consternation.

Yet sweet Sistermine does not understand to stay her distance. Her aroma envelops me as she draws closer causing me to leap before her, between the Flame and she. His eyes spark, excitement of our dance bright just as I am sure my eyes mimic his own emerald depths. I do not know if I cut her off, if she is thwarted yet something tells me she will join no matter what. Ears flicker back as I leap once more, this time I aim to wrestle him to the ground, using my weight as my guide. If at any time during which I am close to his ear I will whisper, my tones deep yet thoughtful. ”You hurt Sistermine and I will blot out the sun from your eyes and her heat will warm our backs nevermore.” Such big words, such depth of meaning from one so young yet my soul is not new. I am old, so very old as the mountains that frame our home. I am the snow that shimmers atop the peaks and I am the birds that calls to us in the air. I am Leonidas, Spartan warrior and protector.