She sniffed herself as the group turned the tree into a home. It was the worst time, but she knew it was coming for a while now, heat. The time had come, and it would stay for a week, guaranteed conception. It had to be ignored. It was a matter of time before Ferry and Blade smelt it on her, their more animal urges would awaken. They would have to muster self-control. Easy generally, only Ferry didn't have it, not anymore.
The very thought made her fists clench. The squeaking of leather against leather warmed her and kept her utter panic at bay.
Sunset had only just begun. Fury was on the far left, choosing to share her branch with Hawk and Hydra who's heat tended to sync with hers. It wasn't much of a hiding technique but would have to do. It didn't take long to succumb to sleep. Climbing brought a level of satisfaction and fulfilment that made sleep easy and deep.
Fury woke to her wounds flaring up in bursts of searing pain.
She immediately became alert when she felt their temporary home trembling in the exact same short bursts. She sat up, both Hydra and Hawk were asleep. She heard what she could only guess was a grunt and a muffled cry. Her eyes travelled to Brook, Sabre and Ashley's bed, no activity.
Fury stood and eased her way to the male area. Blade slept alone. She rushed to where Winter and Sheila slept. Both grills lay holding each other as Ferry lay behind and over Winter, engulfing her in his huge frame. He had her held down, her mouth and half her face covered up to her panicked eyes by his hand.
Fury found herself speechless, chilled to the bone. It was wrong! Their heat cycles had passed! It didn't make sense; it didn't make any sense!
She roared with enough savagery to wake the birds, surrounding her in activity. Fury pounced feet first, not on Ferry but the branch. It snapped like though a twig, dropping all three, but Fury had a hand on the surviving wood and Sheila's leg. Ferry was fast, grabbing Sheila but also the falling branch.
It had a double effect.
Fury roared, swinging violently as her grip was tested, Sheila stretched, grabbing Winter, saving her from the drop. Ferry who'd raised himself up and slipped off landing with.
"Blade! Keep him below!" Fury roared watching him dive down to intercept.
Fury felt dislocated up to her teeth, but pure determination pulled her together and giving her enough power to pull Sheila; pulling them both up before rolling to a branch on the other side.
She scooped both girls into her arms, holding tight, their heads to hers. There was nothing said or done until Fury wept, softly and hoarsely at first, but louder and more piteously; bleeding herself of pride, trembling, shaking, wailing, letting her face soak in tears and mucus. And still she wept, digging as hard as she could.
It took only a few seconds for the two to break. Clinging, folding themselves on top like toddlers. Fury rocked back and forth, humming a nursery of a time she promised to forget.
One by one the others started to close in, like children in the darkness. She pitied herself for pitying them and waved them in. They formed a ball resting on each other. Blade came up panting heavily.