For a moment, I was unsure if my words would offer Natu any form of respite. The burden she had born in recompense for her actions had surely been a heavy one, and I hoped that my acceptance of what she had done would alleviate it to some degree. She could never take back what she had done; she could only move forward. The past could not be forgotten, and it shouldn’t. But to look ahead to one’s future was the only way to move past transgressions we have made in this world. And those made against us, as I had learned all too well. I had to find a way to move past all the hatred bottled up inside me, to unleash it and let it go from my body once and for all. I only hoped this was Natu’s way of beginning such a process, to let the guilt flow away from her and soak into the earth.

The tiniest hint of a smile teased at Natu’s lips, and a small grin came to grace my own features. I did not deny her words that Sven might stay for the mountains more so than herself. It was not my place to do so, even if I did believe that there was probably more to it than that. I could not say for certain, and so my lips remained sealed. The words that followed were answered with a nod. That she was making steps towards self forgiving was all that mattered. Each wolf must take their own course in the path of self healing, and Natu seemed to be slowly making her way through this. She was a wolf of a strong mind, despite what she might think of herself. I would not keep one so close to me that I did not have faith in.

My tail swished in a wide arc away from me, then flitted back across the ground to my side once more. Her pride in the boy was written all over her features, and for less than a second I had a sudden flashback of MoonGlow’s face, when she had looked upon me as a girl in one of her scant visits home as I grew up. She may not have had many chances to say it, but my mother had been proud of me, a very similar look etched in my memories to that which Natu bore now. My smile widened slightly at the memory. “I am certain he will not disappoint.” I said, my voice returning to strong alto tones. I rose once more, stepping forward and rubbing my shoulder against hers briefly in a show of comfort and pack strength. I stepped back, the smile clear upon my features now. “I think Sleekwing may be more excited to begin his training than Sven.” I chuckled softly at the thought of my eager brother. He was always keen on serving the pack in any way he could, and the duty of training those who wished to be a part of the pack’s armament certainly energized him.