Kumu

1

The metal sheet groined loudly under the Elder's paws. With a soft thud the cold sleek surface greeted my bum before the clashing of a sharpened spear settled beside me. A couple droplets of rain dripped on the small clump of fur over my forehead and the Elder beside me huffed loudly; clearly tired of my actions, or rather, my requests.

"Pick up the spear and, at least, hit the hanging fruit." His voice was clipped and with a shaky but determined sigh I picked up the spear.

Steadying my lanky arm I aim for the bright blue fruit. With a final exhale the spear is thrown from my hands and aims for the blue fruit - in which it misses by a couple paw measures. My rounded ears pin and I could hear the frustrated murmurs of the Elder behind me. Looking down I began to ponder how I was going to explain this one to the Elders this time while keeping the punishments light. Mid thought the roughness of the Elder picking me up brings me back to reality and the very disappointed male. It was tempting to say something, anything, to save my hide from the earful - but when my muzzle opened nothing but a very quiet whimper escaped. Deciding that keeping my mouth shut was the best solution to the problem at the moment the elder slips through a short pip that connected to the main village. Pups scattered throughout the clearing as their respective parents relaxed in trees scattered about.

The Elder snorts as he sat me down. "Follow me. I'm sure the others would like to know of your failure to your third request this month..." With a gentle nip to my rump I trudge to the all-to-familiar pipe that lead to the Elders' room; my small frame slipping inside the small space with the Elder in hot pursuit so I couldn't run home this time. Pulling myself out of the pipe I hang my head low as the other Elders grunt and snort at my presence. "Oh Kumu... Why do you keep asking? And when you ask you fail?" A small frown began its way onto my muzzle as she frowned before I began to speak.

"Ms. Karma I just wanted to see-" I started

"Look at him Karma!" a voice yelled out, "He's a juvenile! All they do is want to cause trouble their parents and give the Elders something to always worry about!"

Gawking, I finally spoke up, "All I wanna do is explore the nearby clearings! Maybe instead of sitting on your high deer and complaining all the time how about taking the time to teach some of us how to properly. Handle. The spear!" Out of breath I back up tears brimming eyes. As the realization of what I had just done set in my ears pin to my small head. "You vulture for brains little pup-" Before she could finish I turn tail and bolt out of the room slipping through the pipe with ease and running to my home where I was sure I'd be able to hide for the day. The yells from behind causing me to run faster and leap onto the lowest branch of our tree climbing to the center where my parents stared at me in confusing from. "Kumu? What's wrong?" Without answering I climb into the short pipe that the tree grew around where it led to another area of the tree and to my nest. I hop into the nest and curl into a ball listening as little murmurs from below came to a stop.

Within moments my dad's soft voice broke the silence of the forestry Infront of me. "Kumu...You do understand you have to apologize right?" The nest dipped slightly as dad curled around my small figure forcing me to shove my face further into my tail. "You can't do that buddy- you already know the reputation you have with the elders and you aren't making it particularly better..." I didn't bother answering him and instead closed my eyes hoping he would just go away and leave me to my thoughts. With a soft sigh he spoke again, "At least answer me Kumu-"

"I'm tired of being treated as if I'm only a couple months, dad. They act like I don't know the dangers of exploring outside the entrance pipe." I interrupted. "And maybe instead of sitting in that room all day they could at least set up lessons to teach us on how to use weapons and avoid lizards..." I had sat up now, looking to my dad who was smiling softly making me frowned, "Why are you smiling?" With a soft chuckle dad begin to speak in a reminiscent tone as if he was remembering something, "Kiddo, you sound like me when I was only a small pup~" he wraps a tail around me before staring out into the clearing my nest had a view to. The pups wrestled each other below before he began to speak again. "I used to sneak out at night and explore the clearings around my older pack and even taught myself how to weld a spear." He sat up with a grunt and stretched. "I ran away soon after, thinking that, I could prove myself to the elders that I was more than a silly and ambitious pup." I stared at him, "Then you met mom?.." He nodded and smiled brightly. "Best decision in my life."

I look at my nest's bedding. Why was he even telling me this story? Dad cleared his throat before standing and walking out of my nest. "Take the elder's punishments, Kumu. And then make your own decisions. You are old enough to do so." With that he slid through the pipe and onto the other side leaving me with the darkening sky and my own thoughts to ponder.

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Hello guys! Long time no see! Sorry for the **stares** 3 year hiatus! I had fell out of writing stories and school and C0vid just **Dies**

Though! I hope this was a nice ol' update for those who were interested in the other version of this story! If you've read that you know where the general plot was heading up until, I believe, chapter 5!

Anyway without further a due! Follow Kumu and his journey through RainWorld

Words: 1,077

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