Under major construction!!!~You are walking along the white-sanded beaches of an unexplored continent of southern Neopia. The blazing sphere that is the sun sinks slowly beneath the horizon, turning the cloudless sky a fiery amber. Suddenly, from behind one of the many jagged boulders that line the shore, a slender canine creature emerges cautiously. She is the height of a wolf, but has the slight build of a fox. Her silken pelt is a pure, dazzling white, and her eyes are like chips of amethyst. She stares at you for a moment, then speaks in a soft, soothing voice. Greetings, stranger... I welcome you to my territory. I do not live in a pack like most lupes. She says, seeing you look around for others of her kind. I used to, though... She looks out over the sea, a distinct emptiness in her eyes. You ask her what is wrong, and she turns back to you, smiling a bit. I should not dwell on the past, really... But I really miss him... I miss them all... She leaps nimbly atop one of the boulders and sits gracefully. I will tell you about myself, if you really wish to know...My Story I remember the day well. The sea was restless, smashing and pounding the jagged rocks outside the cave entrance. I stood just inside the cave, my pack encircling me. Their pure white pelts rippled in the wind as they stared at me through their peircing, ice-blue eyes. I sat down, waiting patiently for my father. A large, white mass appeared at the end of the cave. It was Angeni, my father and leader of the pack. He smiled proudly when he saw me, his deep violet eyes glittering. I smiled back bravely, knowing that I was about to make a journey that would change my life. As he padded slowly towards us, the circle that surrounded me parted to let him through. He sat down beside me and looked around at the pack. "Today, as you all know, my daughter will start her quest to find her Spirit Stone, and become an adult member of this pack," he said. He looked at me meaningfully. "Are you prepared to face this great task, Nitikah?" As he spoke I looked deep into his eyes and nodded in a confident way. "Yes, Father. I am ready." A warm smile spread across his graying muzzle. "Then it is time to go." I stood up eagerly and nuzzled my father affectionately. The pack parted to make a path for me. As I walked slowly past them, they each smiled and gave me words of encouragement. When I reached the entrance of the cave, I turned my head and looked back. "Good luck, my daughter!," my father called to me. I grinned and called back, "I won't fail you, Father!" I then turned and looked out at the vast ocean. I took a deep breath. This is It, I thought to myself, When I return with my Spirit Stone I will no longer be a pup. I took off as fast as my legs could carry me. I ran along the seashore untill sunset, when I spotted an inviting forest in the distance. All of us knew where the sacred Spirit Stones were kept. They were hidden in a cave, deep in a forest somewhere. These Stones had strange and mystical powers, used mostly for healing. As an ancient tradition in my pack, one must go on a journey by herself to retrieve her own Spirit Stone. When she came back, she was officially an adult. I decided that this forest must be where the cave is hidden, and started running towards it at full speed. It took me the better part of an hour to reach it. By the time I did, I was fully exhausted and ready for a good night's sleep. As I entered the forest, the intense beauty immediately awakened my senses. Soft rays of moonlight filtered through the tree tops, bathing the moss-blanketed forest floor in silver. Beautiful and exotic flowers blossomed everywhere, and fireflies winked their lights gently. I found a particularly soft bed of moss inside the hollow of a huge tree, and curled up inside. I slept peacefully, and dreamed that I had great golden wings and was soaring through the starry night sky... The next day, I awoke to the cheerful voices of many different birds. I yawned and stretched, stepping out of the hollow. The soft, cool moss felt wonderful beneath my paws. I sniffed the air a bit, then realized how hungry and thirsty I was. I stood very still and perked my ears. After a moment, I heard the distant sound of trickling water. I set off toward the sound. soon I found a small stream, its water cristal clear. I drank untill I was satisfied. I then sat down on the stream's bank, my tail swishing a bit. I wondered where I might find food, for my stomache was very empty. I could see no fish in the stream, so I decided to hunt. Raising my muzzle to the air, I detected the slightest hint of an Usul nearby. I stalked silently into the ferns. A half-hour later, after I had eaten my breakfast, I was on my way again, searching for some sign of a cave. After a while, I became very apprehensive. Where was this cave? What if I never found it? I sat down beside a tree and sighed, exasperated. And then out of nowhere, a small green creature scurried up to me. He had pointed ears, a bushy tail, and bright yellow eyes. He blinked at me and smiled. I blinked back, bewildered. I had never seen a creature like this before... He said in a small voice, "Hiya! Whats yer name? What're you doin here? Whatcha lookin fer?" I smiled at him. "Well," I said, "my name is Nitikah. I am here to look for my Spirit Stone. Do you know where I might find it?" The creature cocked his head. "What's a Spirit Stone?" he asked. "Um... Well, they're sparklie rocks with different colors on them. They're supposed to be hidden in a cave somewhere." I looked at him hopefully. His eyes suddenly brightened with comprehension. "OH! yeah, I think I know what yer talkin bout! Follow me!" He trotted northward a bit, then turned back to me. "My name's Kaede, by the way." He resumed trotting. "I am very glad to have met you, Kaede. Thank you for helping me..." I said, grinning excitedly as I followed him. He grinned too. "No prob! I'm always up to helping a friend in need.To be continued...My LoveSpeothos is the most wonderful thing that has ever happened to me... I love him more than words can express. The day he asked me to be his mate was the happiest day of my life! He's very tough, although I've seen his softer side. =^____^= I will always love you, Speo...Link To Me -blocked--blocked-fireofearth! :)
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