A Zusi's Path

Chapter 5: A Storm is Brewing

"Dad!", Re3x0 could feel his heart sink as he saw his father in the doorway. There is a resemblance alright. Re3x0 had looked just like his father, except for his eyes. His were yellow while his fathers were green. His father looking from E4r1c and Ar10L. "Now who is this little guy?", he asks with a warm smile on his face. Re3x0 then came out into full view of his father. Anxiety prickled at his, not knowing what to say. "This is Re3x0", his mother said as she approached him. Nudging him forward his father.

"I see, a handsome little fella arentcha", he said as he went to meet his son. Re3x0 wasn't sure what to say. He didn't even know what to feel. Upon closer examination, he could see his father had a scarred muzzle, eye, and chest. Also, his band was silver instead of gold like the others.

"Why are you so beat up?", was the first thing Re3x0 muttered, and he quickly wanted to take it back as he didn't realize he said that outloud. Giving a soft chuckle. "Oh these things? They're nothing. Just battle scars!", he explained. "I am a warrior of the capital", he continued on. "Hey Dad! Do you have any epic stories of when you rip people to shreds!", E4r1c asked in excitement. "Of course I do you little rascal!", he said before scooping E4r1c into his arms and giving him a noogie.

Feeling slightly awkward Re3x0 just sat there and watched. Though apart of him only thought of this person who was his father, as a stranger.

Setting down his son, he looked at the both of them now. "Hey boys, how about tomorrow while your mother is at her shift we go head down to the lagoon and have a good time!", he suggested. "Sure dad! I will go pack right away!", E4r1c exclaimed before rushing to his room. Re3x0 nods in agreement and goes to his room to pack also.

"You don't need to pack so early. First you two need to go to bed, we will pack in the morning," D6a50 said, his green gave happy to be back with his family.

While watching the two of them go upstairs he turns to his mate, "Hey.. how have you been dear?", he asked her. Ar10L sighed and just hugged him. "D6a50.. I don't know how to tell them..", she whined into his chest. "What do they know?", he asked. "I only told E4r1c to be nice to his brother.. And that things will change soon", she answered him.

His ear lowering slightly, "I see.. We shouldn't delay it any longer. They need to know", she said. "I know", she responded. "It will just be difficult..Since you've been gone", she rambled on. Tightening her in his embrace. "Now things will be different.. I am here to stay with you and the kids for as long as I possibly can", he comforted her.

"I am glad you're back dear..", she said before nuzzling him.

The night passed rather quickly, the two went to bed. Re3x0 had almost no issue falling asleep while E4r1c was tossing and turning with every moment of sleep. When morning came, the two woke up without any issues. E4r1c was already heard stumbling around in his room packing everything in his sights.

In Re3x0's room, he was slowly making his way around his room packing up what he would think he needs. A towel, sun protectors, and sand shoes. Then he believed he was set. He knew how to swim and he was sure his father was going to bring lunch. But just to be on the safe side. He grabbed a bag of snacks he had hidden under his bed and put it in his bag. While Re3x0 had heard in his brother's room, shuffling and moving of items. E4r1c was rushing to grab things in his room.

Trying to grab just about everything he can, towels, flotation devices, balls, frisbees, and a bunch of other things. All of which hardly fit into his bag, and it looks like it is packed full. Then heaving it over his shoulder and struggling to carry it into the living room where his parents are. "Hey dad! I'm ready to go!", he exclaimed. His tail wagging in excitement.

D6a50 and Ar10L stopped their embrace and looked over at E4r1c and chuckled softly. "Son, I think you have a bit too much in your bag", he said pointing out the bag. E4r1c looked at his bag then back at his father, "No! It's everything I need for today to be awesome!", he said. "Alright, if you say so bucko!", D6a50 responded patting E4r1c's head.

"Where's your brother at?", he asked. "Probably still packing, he is slow at everything!", he groaned slightly. "I'll go see what is taking him. You can wait by the door, shouldn't be long", he assured with a smile. "Alright dad!", he said as he was dragging his bag towards the door.

Heading towards Re3x0's room, he entered in to see his son slowly packing his items. Not as excited as E4r1c. "Hey kiddo.. You good?", he asked. Re3x0 suddenly jumped in surprise at hearing the voice of his father. "O-oh.. Yeah, I am alright!", he said, trying to be excited for his father. "You sure about that son?", he asked leaning against the wall.

"You can tell me the truth..", he added on. Heaving a heavy sigh, Re3x0 spoke up. "Well... I don't know about something.. Something just feels off about today. I just, have a feeling I don't know..", he tried to explain but ended up mixing up his words. "Son, I understand. To you I am just some stranger, you're unsure on me and I understand. I am sorry I haven't been in your life, I want to change that now", he said heading over towards Re3x0 and placed a paw on his shoulder.

Feeling the anxiety in his chest, relax a little bit. He smiled. "Alright.. Dad", he said before meeting his father's gaze. "I want to get to know you better too dad!", he said before giving him a hug. And his father knelt down and hugged him back. "How about we get going? Your brother is going to get annoyed if we take any longer", D6a50 said jokingly grabbing the bag and Re3x0 followed him.

"What took you both so long! I have been waiting forever!", E4r1c said. "We just had a little chat, let's go boys!", D6a50 said as he went to head outside. And as he passed by the door he picked up the other bag. Now he is carrying both bags. "Hey dad! I can carry mine!", E4r1c complained. "Oh I know, I just want to carry it. So I can become as strong as you one day", their father joked.

The three continued until they made their way to the lagoon they had planned to go on. During the time frame they had been walking towards the Lagoon, Ar10L had went to her work position she has.