Word Count → 379
Hati felt a little flicker of warmth, affection for his brother that was sometimes pushed aside in favor of jealousy. He admired his golden littermate, the courage and charisma he embodied, and felt envious of the success Skoll enjoyed. He was the first to shift, the first to get his own horse, the first to gain an adult rank -- it was hard not to feel resentment when Hati was always the last. But he loved his brother dearly, and could never tell him how his cocky attitude was sometimes abrasive and unwelcome. It was times like this, moments they could share away from everyone else in their world, that Hati could appreciate.
And then, the world was transformed; instead of perching high above the field and listening to the night's symphony, the brothers dove directly into the heart of it. The rush of air streaming past his muzzle, the tall blades of grass sweeping against his sides and underbelly, the buzz of crickets waxing and waning as he blew past them -- it was exhilarating. The pure joy of running as fast as he could, putting one paw in front of the other into the shadowy darkness, he found himself grinning wide with his tongue lolling out. He could never outgrow that, no matter how much dignity and maturity he was trying to emulate during the daytime. Hati bounded past Skoll's waving banner of a tail, bumping against his brother's shoulders as he matched his gait.
They broke free from the sea of grass, and Hati paused to catch his breath, meeting Skoll's challenging grin with a mischievous smirk of his own. Was it his turn to lead now? This felt easier, like they were puppies again and playing was all they ever wanted from life.
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