Run Free

By: TsukiOokami

Index:

Chapter 1: A new beginning

Chapter 2: A strange new world

Chapter 3: First sighting of man

Chapter 4: Dogfights

Chapter 5: The Indians

Chapter 6: Run of survival

Chapter 7: Heading Home

Chapter 8: Home again

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Chapter 1: A new beginning

                Legend has it that there was once a wolf that journeyed all over just to find it’s way home. They say it’s a myth. Boy, were they wrong. I’m that wolf. I traveled all the way from civilization back to my home in the mountains.  On they way I met a really cute pup. She’s now the leader of my pack. I’ve gotten too old for leading the pack. I taught everything my mom taught me to her. Well, you probably are interested in the story more than my small talk. Well, my story started when my mom was about to give birth to me…

                My mother whined for my father and he came in and licked her muzzle. She told him to go get food for her because she was going to give birth to us soon. He hurried on out with three other wolves following him to go hunt. He also told the lower ranked wolves to stand guard for his mate. They all stood guard in front of the cave, with one ear to the cave and one to the front. They herd a rustle in a bush and they immediately sprang into attack mode. One wolf crept up and jumped into the bush and dragged out a dead rabbit. The wolves each took a small bite to leave some for my mother. The babysitter wolf brought a rabbit leg to my mom. She gladly thanked the wolf. Soon my father came back with a dead deer. He tore off a big chunk of meat and brought it my mom. He then hurried out to eat his share of the food. When he was done the other wolves took their share and went to watching the cave. My mother gave a pain full howl a few minutes after eating. My father came in knowing to stay back. He had gone through this many times before. My mother knew this as well, but she still growled. Only this time she only did a small growl. Then my father left. He woofed the other wolves that the pups were born. The wolves all howled for my mom. My mother laid her head down to rest. When she saw we were asleep, she closed her eyes and went to sleep as well.

                After a few weeks we started to open our eyes. It was strange in the cave but we got used to it. We were just little puffs of fur then. My brother Demoni was larger than the others and meaner. My father didn’t like the pup’s attitude but didn’t touch him. My sister Chi always loved to play in the little stream in our cave. I usually sneaked up on her and pounced on her in the water. She would then push me down in the water, playfully. Soon, we started a play fight. My mother had to make up stop with a small growl.

We stopped playing and went to her with our ears back and our tails low. She only nipped at us a bit. Not hard or pain full. My smallest brother Koji was always scared of everything, but I usually comforted him. I pushed him into the river once, so he could have fun. Soon he started to like water and always wanted me to play with him in it. My smallest sister, Kima, was always curious. She would travel to the back of the cave and bark. When she heard her echo she got scared and ran behind something. Then she would poke her head out and do it again. Soon, she wasn’t scared anymore and just barked back at her own bark. I was the eldest of my siblings. I was also the strongest, well… Demoni always beat me cause he bit me a lot. Demoni really hurt my leg one time. When his baby teeth got sharp he bit me hard on accident. Mom punished him, by nipping his tail and ears, for that. She licked my leg a lot to help it heal faster. My father grew more and more angry with Demoni’s attitude. He bit Demoni hard some times for punishment, but mom nipped dad’s foot. Even though she disliked Demoni’s attitude she still doesn’t like my father hurting him. Some times I got enough courage to walked to the front of the cave. The light scared me though. It blinded me at first, but after a while I got used to the light. My mom always stopped me from going out. She knew it wasn’t time yet for the pups to go outside in the world yet. Chi got some courage, too. She also was blinded by the light and went back. Like me, she soon got used to it. My mom had to stop her as well. Demoni wanted to prove himself that he was the strongest, so he nearly went out side but mother blocked him. Kima was a little curious, but she stayed by mother’s side. Koji, boy was he scared! He wouldn’t even leave mom’s side when we asked if he would like to try, too.

Soon our coats started turning a more beautiful color. My coat came out completely white, Demoni’s came out gray and brown, Kima’s turned out black and some white, Koji’s looked like my father’s, completely black, and Chi’s was Brown and sandy. My mother then knew when it was time for us to take our first steps outside of the cave. One day, she pushed us outside into the light. We got scared at first because the light was so bright, even though some of us were used to it. When my eyes were finally able to open I saw a big nose right in front of my face. I got so scared, I ran to my mom. Demoni scratched one wolf’s nose. Kima ran to my mom too. Koji and Chi were too scared to move. My father came to mom and then looked down at me. He picked me up by my neck and placed me on a rock, and started to examine me. I didn’t realize it at first, but I watched him the whole time. I did because I was so scared I couldn’t move. He then put me down and woofed, “ I have decided whom the new leader will be when our time comes.” Demoni was thinking that he was going to be the new leader, so he went to the rock I was on and howled, well more like a squeak I’d say. My brother and sisters all came and sat by me and all three of us stared at him.

                “ Now, now kids, it isn’t nice to stare,” said my mother in wolf tongue. We looked at her confusingly. We then we went to her and sat down. She made us roll over on our backs and tickled us.  After her and our fun she went to my father.

                “ Dear, what about Demoni? Should we? I don’t want to loose him, but he might hurt our new leader,” said my mother sadly.

                “ I’ll give him another week. We must teach him the rules of the pack,” said my father.

                “ Who are the pup’s names?” asked the baby sitter wolf.

                “ Oh yes! I forgot to tell all of you! The white one is Tsuki, the black and white one is Ki, Demoni is the gray and brown one, the sandy and brown one is Chi, and Koji is the black one,” said my mother.

“ We decided that Tsuki will be the next pack leader. We must take good care of her and teach her how to lead the pack.”

                “ Yes. We shall begin tomorrow at dawn,” said my father walking to his resting rock. “ And then the real fun begins.” Demoni glared at me with a smirk and came over to me.

                “ They’re just saying that to make you feel better,” he whispered to me before going back into the cave with our mom. I glared at him and then followed.

                That night I dreamed of me having wings of the doves that were softer than air and had a crescent moon on my for-head laying on it’s back. With my wings I flew with grace and speed like the great falcons of the Rocky Mountains. I had dreamed that I was flying around the mountains fighting all my pack’s enemies and winning. I also dreamed of being leader of every animal. As I was about to meet my king, my mother woke me up. I yawned and moaned for I wanted to finish my dream. My mothers sighed and let us drink milk from her. My father came in after we had finished drinking and told It was only a few days before we’d start learning to hunt and should also start letting us out more often. My mother nodded and told us it was time for us to start eating meat. I didn’t know what meat was, but it sounded good! My mother nudged us out of the cave and we started to play around with the adults. We swatted their tails and leaped over them. Sometimes if we were lucky, we could practice our hunting with crickets. They were hard to catch, but we had fun though. One time I bumped head with my sister while chasing a cricket.

The next day it was dark and gloomy. The dark clouds seemed to go on forever. After I stared into the clouds for what seemed like hours it started rain. We had never seen rain so we were scared at first. I was the first to go out, seeing as I am the bravest. When it fell on me it felt cold, but cool. When I drank it tasted like the sparkling stream water. I barked my siblings to come out and they did even Koji came out! We had tons of fun in the rain. When it was time to go to bed we whined, but my mother put a stop to that. We shook our bodies to dry them off, got the cave walks wet by doing so, and then went to bed curling close next to our mom.                                       

The next day mother didn’t allow us to drink her milk at all. Instead she brought us meat. I sniffed it and as soon as a did I dove into a piece. It tasted so good! I ate mine in a hurry and asked for more. Mother gave me only one more piece as she did for my bothers and sisters. Mom said meat would help us grow strong and give us strong teeth for hunting. The next day our dad took us all on a hunting trip with the rest of the pack, of course we watched them in some bushes with the baby sitter wolf. I was so amazed by the whole pack on how they caught two deer! The had circled around it confusing the their scent and they crept closer and closer and the wham! They attacked the mother deer with her baby. The got the baby first while my mother, father, and another wolf brought down the mother. It was so exiting and we got to eat some of the baby deer meat. It tasted good fresh! As we grew we got to go hunting instead of watching the adults hunt. We also got thicker coats, larger teeth, longer legs, longer tails, and we became stronger! Oh as we grew, so did Demoni’s brutality. He started hurting us when we played with each other so we stopped playing with him, and stopped eating together with him. We either ignored his demands to play, we moved away from him, or we stopped playing. My father also became angry about Demoni’s attitude and started to dislike Demoni. He knew that he surely would not be a good leader for the pack. My father said a big decision was to be made tomorrow so we had to go to bed early. We did as we were told and went straight to bed wondering what the decision was.

That night my dreamed continued on. I saw this wolf that had strange wings, like those of a bat. He had a crescent moon on his for-head that was standing on it’s points and was black, while mine was yellow and laying on it’s back and I had angel wings. He approached me, bowed, and then looked at me with a flame in his eye, just like mine. I knew this was no ordinary dream, this dream connected me to something that was going to happen. When it seemed as though it had ended something struck the land and I was taken from my pack with the wolf injured. Before I could see what happened next I woke up. I was panting hard and I was scared. It was still dark so I went back to sleep and didn’t dream of that dream again, but I still wondered about it now and then. I had so many questions. Why did I feel as though the dream was connected to me? Who was that wolf? Why was I taken from my land in my dream? These questions were soon forgotten and were lost forever in my mind, well maybe not forever.

Chapter 2: A new Leader

My mother let us go out of the cave whenever we wanted now. My father always greeted my brother, sisters, and I nicely, but he gave Demoni a glare instead. Demoni started to realize he wasn't the new leader, I was. He became full of jealousy and hate. He then made a plan to take his rightful place in the pack and the only way to that was to kill me. So he cornered me one day when the grownups weren't looking, and he snapped at my paws. I dodged his attacks continuously and soon became tired. He finally bit my paw when I was panting and saving my energy. My father heard my howl of pain and knocked Demoni to the ground. My father looked at my paw, licked it, and went to my mother. They talked for a bit, and then he called Demoni to come with him. Demoni was thinking he was going to be the leader now and went willingly. When my father came back, Demoni was not with him. My mother was sad, and then I started to realize he was dead when I smelled the stench of dead wolf. I knew I would never forget that stench. Never. My mother called a wolf, which came form behind the cave. She said that wolf was the wisest and eldest wolf of the pack, and that she was our grandmother. Our mother also showed us the whole pack. Demitri was our babysitter, while Dimitra was the extra babysitter, or the wolf that baby sits when the other is not. That night, I couldn't sleep and went outside. I saw lights coming from the back for the cave and went to look. I found my grandmother performing some kind of ritual. She saw me and stopped.               

" What are you doing out so late, child?" asked my grandmother.                       

" I couldn’t sleep," I said.       

" Well, I guess you can stay up, but only for a bit," she said. " My, my... I can already see the fire in your little leader eyes, yep you were born to lead this pack, just like your father."        

" I'm getting kind of tired...." I said with my eyes dropping. And yawning.

“ Let me take you back to the den," said my grandmother walking back with me.         

“Hitami, why is she out here so late?" asked a wolf coming toward us.          

" She couldn't sleep, and probably saw the lights from my ritual, and came, Scar," said my grandmother.       

" Well, it's almost sunrise, she must sleep. She has training in the morning," said Scar walking back to his position.    

" That's Scar for you, Tsuki," said grandmother rolling her eyes. When we reached the front of the cave I walked inside and plopped right by my sister and went to sleep.

" Tsuki, wake up. Time for breakfast and your training," aid my mother waking me up with a lick. I woke up sleepy, but awake. Right after I finished my breakfast my father told me to follow him. My sibling followed, but my father growled and the stayed back. He brought me to a tree and stopped.                

" This is where our territory ends, Tsuki. You must know the boundary lines. On the other side is our enemy pack. If you cross this line, you may die. Our boundary line is from this tree all the way to the tree and the middle of the lake. Do you understand?" said my father. I nodded y head. He then took me to a river, a deep river.      

" I don't want you playing in this river until you are taller than the berry bush by our den, do you understand? The same goes for your siblings," said my father. I nodded my head again. When we came to a bush he told me to stay where I was and not make a noise. He also told me to watch him closely and carefully. He had spotted a bird and was going to teach me how to hunt like a leader. He quietly crouched down and snuck up close. When the time was right he leaped and clamped his jaw on the birds neck. It lay dead. It was so fast I could barely watch. I saw a cricket and tried the same thing. I missed the cricket every time. My father laughed and said it was a start. H then brought me back home.

My mother had gotten food for us, for we were now old enough to eat meat with the adults. We used to eat separately because our mother was afraid the other wolves may be too tuff on the pups when they got a kill. I gobbled mine up quickly and went out to explore. My mom told me to not go far and I didn't go, too far at least. I came to a bush and heard rustling. I crouched down as my father did and then leaped. I bumped into another wolf pup like me.  

" Ouch" said the wolf.       

" Who are you, trespasser!" I growled.                

" Uh... I'm Youkai! Or demon if you will," said the wolf. Youkai was pure black, like the wolf in my dream, except no wings or a crescent moon. His eyes were yellow and he had a bushy black tail. His body texture was perfect for a pup. He must have had a great father I guessed. He was kind of cute I said to myself very quietly.  

" I was kicked out because I pushed my brother over a cliff while playing by accident. I can't go back..."   

" Oh, well, I wish I could take you back home, but my father probably won't let you with your smell... You should stay here. I'll get you all you need, mostly food, and water," I said.    

" That would be great! Can you bring me food now?" asked Youkai.      

" Uh, sure!" I said walking off to find some meat.
Soon I found a bird and I actually got it! I brought the meat to him and he licked me! I kind of backed up. He lowered his head and ears and said sorry. I gulped a bit too and stared... I was almost blushing... A feeling started inside me... A strange one. I told him I had to go once I heard my mother's howl. He said good-bye and went back to eating. When I got home I asked my mother what that feeling was.  

" Mom, what do you think that feeling is?" I asked. I didn't tell her about the wolf though.

" Well, from the way you put it... You apparently love someone, or like him. When you get older you can mate with that male if you are won by him or you choose him," said my mother.                   

" Your father won me as a mate in a battle." she said.

" Wow," I said.    

" Now time for bed," said my mother.
I went inside the cave.  As the years passed I grew up to be a beautiful white wolf. My sisters also grew up to be beautiful, but they were not as beautiful as I, like mother said. My brother grew up the be a fine hunter, a strong, warrior, and a handsome wolf. Oh yeah, Youkai also grew up to be a handsome wolf. I started to have new feelings for him… I didn’t know how to explain them at first, but I asked my grandma and she said it was love. I didn’t understand, so I decided I would learn sooner or later.
                It was the starting of fall and I woke up to hear the birds chirping, the squirrels chattering, and the cool spring breeze of the mountains going through the cave. I could smell the fresh pine needle smell of the trees, and the sweet smell of the wild flowers in the meadow. All was peaceful in the mountains again this summer.

                “ Ah! What fresh clean air!" I said waking up.         

" Tsuki, want to play in the river?" asked my sisters.            

" Sure. I need a bath anyways!" I said running to the river ahead of them. I stopped them quickly by stopping. I smelled something up ahead that didn't smell right...          

" Get back to the cave... I smell something strange," I said. The followed my orders as me being the next leader. I then heard it. Two snarling wolves to my left. I ran to them and saw a female and two males fighting over her. I saw it was my mother and my father! A male had found her alone and wanted her as a mate. The other wolf was strong; he was young while my father was old. Then young one pushed my father down and was about to go for the neck when I leaped in and grabbed the other wolf's neck. I didn't know that it was mating season so I did what I did. My mother went to my father and helped him up.

The other wolf after he got up bared his fangs at me, and then sniffed the air. I sniffed as well, and smelled something strange about me. It was different than before, and he then stopped snarling and started to circle me in interest. I was confused and kept my guard as he came closer. I then got a little scared at what he was doing and attacked him. The other wolf was caught off guard for the something he liked about me. He was thrown down, with part of his fur in my mouth. He was so surprised he didn't get up until a few second were up. He then became limp getting up because I had also torn into his shoulder making it bleed. He ran off in retreat knowing I would beat him. My father and mother came to me and licked my face. I wagged in return.

" Tsuki... How did you find your father and I?" asked my mother.  

" I could here the other wolf growling... Why were you two fighting anyways?" I asked.    

" Tsuki... Didn't we... Wait no we didn't. Well, it's mating season. Males fight over females about your age. As well as your mother’s age," said my father.     

" For you to lead our pack you need a male to help guard it, and to protect your pups," said my mother.  

" What about that feeling you said, long ago? Do you love that male? Maybe you should be mates with him," said my mother.   

" Well... I also want to know, why did that wolf circle me?" I asked        

" Uh. Well, you must be in a heat. Your sister will be in one soon. When you are in a heat a male takes interest in you and tries to make you be his mate with his so called "charms". If the male prevails the female will mate with him and have pups," said my mom.               

" P-pups?" I asked a little frightened.   

" Yes, pups. That's why I mated. And it's the only way for you to have been born," said my mother.                  

" Uh... Okay. So I should ask the male if he’d like to be my mate?" I asked.    

" No. His charms have to work, or he must win you in a fight," said my mother.  

" Uh... So, should I go to him?" I asked.      

" Of course. Well, if you want a mate that is," said my mother.  

" Uh... Do I need a mate for the pack?" I asked.

"It's up to you, but I would get one to help guard the pack and get food when you are ready to give birth to pups if you mate," said my father.             

" Uh... I guess I kind of want one..." I said blushing.              

" Then go dear. I won't care who you choose. If your father disagrees, I'll make him agree!" said my mother smiling.    

" Thanks, Mom!" I said. I then ran off to find Youkai.
                I soon found him dozing in the sun. I woke him up with my usual howl. He just opened his eyes and got up. He smelled the air and well became different.... A few feet away in the bushes another male wolf could smell me in heat. He came out of the bushes seeing that Youkai taking interest in me. He growled a challenge, and Youkai told me to back up. If my instincts hadn’t held me back I would have killed the other wolf. I backed up and stood watching them. They fought and fought until Youkai and taken the victory. Youkai then went to me and howled. I also howled with him and then told him to come with me. He followed while being curious as to where I was going.
My mother then saw the male wolf and I. She was proud of me and then studied the male I brought. I told my father and mother who he was and everything else.   

"He came from where?" shouted my father in anger.    

" Dear! She loves him, and he was kicked out. He can be her mate, and I came from a pack out of our territory, as well!" said my mother.
" Oh, yeah..." said my father. “Well... I guess Tsuki is now the official leader of our pack now. We are becoming too old. We are going to join with your grandmother to do what she does. Every leader that quit becomes what your grand mother is in our pack. Usually in other packs the old leaders leave, but in our we keep going until we die.” 

" Wow. Well, Youkai. Ready to lead?" I asked him.            

" Yep. I sure am, Tsuki!" he said. We then all left for the cave. My sisters were wide eyed when they saw Youkai and I.  I told them this would happen tot them someday, and that a male like Koji would mate a female like my sisters. My brother tried to act all tough and puffed out his chest, but my sisters poked it and he let the air out, we all then laughed. He also laughed with us and tumbled over. My father came in and said it was time to hunt and when this happened, Tsuki would have to howl to the whole pack about it. She did what my father said and let out a howl. All the other wolves heard and howled along with me. Then all the wolves left with Youkai, my mother, father, and I in front of them. I had sniffed out the scent of a heard of elk. We were a large wolf pack and with are numbers high we brought down only three elk. We wolves don’t always get a meal that easily. It can be very hard, since elk run fast. After eating our fills we all went back to the cave and laid down in our spots. I went into the cave with my mate and I went to bed right beside my mate, Youkai.

Chapter 3: First sighting of man

I had just woken up to the spring winds and was drinking water when I heard my mate howl. I rushed back to the cave. He said he had found game close to the cave. I motioned my sisters and brother to come with us.  Youkai soon brought us two a doe and her two fawn. My sisters and brothers went all to the sides, and my mate and I were on the back and front. When I motioned with my tail we all sprang and attacked. We soon came home with meat for all the wolves. After I had my fill I went to explore again. I soon came to a lake. I drank my fill and sniffed the air. Something then reached my nose. A new smell, a smell that didn’t smell right. I followed the scent to where it came form. I then saw a new creature in my territory. I ran back to the cave and told my mother, father, and grandmother. They had a worried look on their faces. They told me to move the pack from the cave for now because Men would kill us.  I then got worried as well. I went to my mate and told him. I then howled the pack that we were moving because of men. The other wolves, but my siblings knew this and started to move waiting for Youkai and I. The men heard our howls and got their guns and truck ready. They then followed where the howl came from. I heard their car and looked behind me. They were coming closer, and fast! I told my mate to go on while I distract them. He whined, but I licked him and headed off. I fell behind while the pack raced ahead. As the truck came closer to me and I leaped into the bushes. They saw me and followed. I then ran up a rocky hill, they still followed. I realized it would be tuff getting them off my back and away from my pack so I went across river mud, and everything. I was getting tired and slowed down some. They saw this and stopped right ahead of me. I stopped in my tracks and started to catch my breath. The got ropes out and had their hands out ready to capture me. I saw this and quickly got stiff. They closed in. once they were only one-foot away form me, I slipped right under one man’s legs and ran off behind the car. They ran to it and followed. I knew I couldn’t out run them for long, I then kept running to left then to the right, but soon I got tired. I saw some trees and went through them. The men stopped their thing and got out. The walked to the trees following my footsteps, which I put out to trick them. As I saw them go far away from me I ran out and I was stopped by another man. He had a bag and put it over my head. I was surrounded by darkness. I struggled in the bag, but I couldn’t get it off. Then I heard the men. I wanted to run but I couldn’t because I couldn’t see. Then someone grabbed me by my back legs and tied them. Then they tied my front. I whined, when the pulls me along the ground. They took the bag off me and I was in some kind of metal thing. I chewed through the roped and sniffed the thing I was in. I then moved about in my cage, while I was moving it started to rock back and forth. I soon fell and hit the ground. The front of the thing came open and I ran out. The men shouted and begin again to chase me. I could smell my pack near, so I turned the direction where their smell wasn’t very strong. I came to a ledge, and came to a short stop. I then turned and ran to another direction. The men were close behind and I was running out of room to run. I came to a cliff that was small, but I couldn’t leap high enough to reach. I leaped though and caught the edge with my paws. I started to crawl my way up. The men soon found me climbing and shot something at me. It really hurt but I kept going. I reached the top of the small cliff but I was feeling sleepy. I then fainted and fell. The men laughed in victory. They then climbed up the mountain and put me in their car. My mate heard my yelp from a distance and came to the cliff I fell. He saw me in the cage and barked. I slightly woke up still dizzy. He saw and slowly climbed down the cliff. The men saw him and I heard a shot. It hurt my ears and saw my mate fall down the mountain. That got me mad, I started growling and rocking my cage. The men tied my cage down. I was still furious. I saw my mate get up and told him to stay with the pack and I would find my way home somehow. He whined and went off.

“ I wouldn’t worry about that wolf of yours, you aren’t going to be seeing him and time soon,” said the man in a language I didn’t understand.  Then the thing they used to capture me with started up and everything around me started to move. I howled in sadness. I knew my pack would hear me. I also howled to them to stay back.

“ I’m sure this here wolf will d nicely in the dog matches, especially after we saw her speed and everythin’ huh, Bill?” said a man.

“ Heck yeah, George,” said the other man. I the laid down and whimpered. I could tell whereever I was going was very far from home. I went to sleep when it turned dark.

The men drove me in the car all though day until night. When I heard the car stop I sat up. The men came out and looked at me. I raised my lip and growled at them and I moved forward some. They moved back and laughed. I then growled louder and then snapped at them. The stopped laughing and went back to the front.

“That’s what they get for laughing at me when I warned them. They didn’t listen so I growled louder,” I said laying my head down in the cage.

I heard a howl close by me and looked up to see a wolf’s eyes glowing in the dark a few yards away from the car. I sniffed the air and knew it was my mate I barked for him to stay back or he would be again shot. Youkai bent his head down and then turned around and ran into the woods. He looked back just as he was nearly out of my sight with sad yellow eyes and then ran off. The men came to my cage and I growled a warning to them again. They went back to the car and made it move. I was scared at first, but then it stopped and I settled down. The men then said something and turned the truck or car off. I could hear them sleeping so, I though this would be a good time to escape. I started chewing at the rope and then the chains after I chewed threw them. I couldn’t seem to get it broken so I started to whack it with my paw. It still wouldn’t break. After many hours I gave up. I could break the chain. I saw the sun start to rise so I laid down and went to sleep. Again I was woken up to the noise of the car as the card rove on the green endless plains I saw Indians. They saw me and looked sadly at me. I could sense they felt sorry for me being locked up in a cage. It was not where a animal like me belonged. I also saw at the edge of the village an Indian boy with his father. The boy looked at me and shouted words to me and shook his hand back and forth. I could sense he was a kind boy and he was happy to see an animal, for he has never seen one alive except horses and buffalo. Soon the village was out of sight and I came on to hills. When we went over them my cage moved, I moved, everything moved. I panicked and so I howled and tried to hold on to the cage, but my claws couldn’t grab the wood. I then tumbled over and landed on my side as the car hit a rock on the way down the hill. I was really happy when we crossed hill nation, but not when we reached town. It smelled so bad! I could smell smoke, people, rotten food, rotten meat, and worse… That smelly stuff women put on themselves to smell good or whatever they call it. Soon the car stopped in a big cave that was painted red and had very few windows. The men got out of the car, came to my cage, and examined the rope I chewed through. I growled as they touched the cage I was in. They back their hands off, but then picked my cage up and hauled me down into some kind of metal box with metal bars. They unlocked my cage and closed the lid to the metal cage as I leaped to the top. I yelped as I hit my head on the lid and put my paw on it trying to stop the pain. The men left through the cave entrance I resumed while laughing. I then heard a noise that scared me a bit. I looked toward it and saw this huge animal. It was bigger than a deer! It had hair as well down the side of its neck. It had the biggest feet I had ever seen! They were smooth and round and they were shiny! He made that sound again and I growled as though it threatened me.

                “ Hold on there, little feller! I didn’t mean no harm!” said the thing frightened.

                “ I’m a girl for your information. I am also a leader of a wolf pack in the high mountains, you could show some respect,” I said.

                “ Well, my apologies miss?” asked the thing.

                “ Tsuki if you will, just Tsuki,” I said sitting up.

                “ Well, welcome to the barn, Tsuki,” said the thing.

                “ By the way, what are you, and what is a barn?” I asked the thing.

                “ Well, I’ll be. You don’t know a horse when you see one! Oh, and a barn is where they keep cows, horses, cats, and sometimes mice I guess,” said the horse. “ My name is Pete if you don’t mind.”

                “ Okay… Thanks, Pete. Why am I here though/” I asked.

                “ Probably for the dog fights. Happens every winter or fall,” said Pete.

                “ Dog fights?” I asked tilting my head a bit.

                “ Well, it’s when dogs fight for their masters so they’ll be happy, and the more of those green things their masters get the happier they are,” said Pete. “That’s about all I know. Don’t try eating that green stuff it tastes horrible.”

                “ Master? No one is my master! No man will ever be mine!” I growled.

                “ You may not be owned to you, but to him you are his slave!” said Pete.

                “ Well, I’ll never be a slave to no one. No one will stop me from finding my way home!” I shouted.

                “ I wish the same for me, but the halter… If only I were like you I could run free just like you,” said Pete. “ Here comes someone!”

I looked behind me and saw a man come to Pete and pet him and then came to me. He was different than the other men. He had darker skin, black hair, strange clothing, and feathers in his hair. He chanted something and I started to feel sleepy. I finally fell to the ground and went to sleep. I’m not sure what happened, but he threw these little things on to me, as I was half way to sleep. He then said something I didn’t know but I felt my strength more powerful than before, and then I fell asleep.

Chapter 4: Dogfights

                The next morning I woke up and heard all these loud noises. They were so different then the wilderness I lived in. I saw all these people that looked like the ones that captured me. They were all shouting, and holding out green things that looked like large clumps of grass the deer ate. Then I saw another animal in the cage on the other side of me. It looked just like me but bigger. It was staring right back at me. It was a brown and was rather large. It was a little bit taller than me and had fur that was all messy. It had a long tail and brown and blew eyes. Its nose was scratched up like a cat scratch.  It was an ugly brute while I was a white slender and beautiful wolf.

                “ You ready? I’m gonna eat you up as if you were a pup,” said the other animal angrily.

                “ Uh… Where am I anyways?” I asked,

                “ Heh. You’re in a dog-fighting arena, well that’s what I’ve heard. We fight one another to the death. The winner makes their owner very happy,” said the animal.

                “ Why do we have to fight?” I asked.

                “ You must never have been in a fight little missy. We fight or we get wiped,” said the animal.

                “ By the way… What are you exactly?” I asked.

                “ Ha, ha, ha, ha. I can’t believe you don’t know a dog when you see one,” said the dog. “ I’m a fighting dog. One of the top ten last year.”

                “ A dog? Never heard of that, but I’m a wolf,” I said.

                “ A wolf? Oh, you are so goin’ down. One of your kind killed my brother. I can’t believe I’m gonna get my revenge,” said the dog. “ Get ready wolf, they gonna lift the gates soon and we gonna fight ‘till the death.”

                “Uh, okay, but you better how should I say this? Uh… Withdraw,” I said. “ I can kill you any day I wanted doggy-boy.”

                “ What did you call me varmint!” shouted the dog.

                “ Alright men! Let the mongrels out!” shouted a man. The opened the gates and the dog and I stepped out.  He circled me and I stood my ground. He was behind me, but I hard him when he leaped, I dodged him, and then bit his hind leg bringing him down. I then went for his neck. I bit it not killing him though.

                “ Do it, kill me. We have to fight to the death remember wolf?” said the dog.

                “ Look, dog. I don’t want to kill you. I just want to get out. Now you can tell me, or I’ll just go my own way,” I said dropping him.

                “ You, just want to get out of here? Why? Why don’t you kill me already?” asked the dog.

                “ Yeah, I don’t want to kill you, but if you ever get in my way again, I can promise you I will kill you,” I said growling.

                “ You won’t get out of here, these men, they’ll whip you,” said the dog.

              “ We’ll see,” I said confidently.  I then pushed down harder on the dog so he would fall unconscious and then I backed off. His master came in and took a pulse. He looked at me with tears in his eyes and thanked me for not killing him. He then left in a hurry carrying his dog and then driving in his car. I felt something shock me and I yelped. I turned around and saw the man who captured me and leaped at him. I was shocked again and turned around to see other men shocking me. They shocked me until I back up into my cage and then closed the gate. I growled at them and looked across from me. There was another dog with part of his left ear bitten off, black round marks around his eyes, legs, and back, and its ears were completely black. He It was asleep right now or it was laying down. When the man over his cage yelled something he got up and stared at me confusingly.

                “ Well, well, well, more competitions,” I said to the dog.

                “ Well, well, I’ll be darned a wolf! I’ve haven’t seen any of your kind ‘till now. Of course I barely ever saw yer kind in Australia,” said the dog.

                “ Australia? What’s that?” I asked.

                “ That’s where I come from, shila. The worst part bein’ born there is that they cute my perty tail off,” said the dog looking at his stubby tail.

                “ Well, must, they gonna put up the cages soon and I’ll have to kick your but,” I said.

                “ You really do think you can beat now don’t you little shila,” said the dog.

                “ Well yeah, I’ve been trained by my father and our strongest warrior wolf in my pack,” I said smirking.

                “ That dun mean anything shila, prepare to loose,” said the dog.

                “ Bring it on!” I said. I looked up and saw green things going to the man behind my cage. I saw the dog that I fought before leave and opened his eyes and smiled at me. I smiled and then focused on my new enemy. As soon s the gates opened I walked out staring at the dog. He stalked me staring as I kept my guard up. He then leaped at me and I dodged easily and knocked him down with my body. He shook his head and got up. He was really mad, yet I dodged his every attempt to kill me. I finally bit his paw and flew him above me landing behind me. I smirked at him and laughed a small laugh. The dog got up then he fell, half way unconscious. 

                “ Like I said to the other dog, I’m not going to kill you, I’m going to kill whoever gets in my way of freedom,” I said walking back to my cage. I laid down and watched another man brings another dog. The dog was bigger and drooling. I got up and when they opened the gates I sighed knowing I would win. I dodged his attack, but he pushed me with his body and I went tumbling. I got up and tackled him only to be pushed back. I again got up and started biting at his legs, but the other dog grabbed my leg and threw me down on the ground. The dog came over to me and went for my neck but I kicked him. He didn’t move! I thought to myself this dog must be heavy! I kept my feet there to hold him back and his jaws snapped again and again as he tried to reach my throat. Finally I felt like giving up until I heard the chanting again. My energy was springing back to me, I felt invincible! I was finally able to get the dog off me, and charged at him knocking him over. I then leaped on his back and stomach making him yelp in pain.

                “ That’s what you get for getting on my way,” I said growling at him. I then picked him up on my back and through him out of the arena. All the men were staring at me with shock at how I had all of a sudden I kicked his butt when I was down. I howled my victory and was shocked back to my cage again.

I wasn’t sure how many dogs I fought but there were a lot, and I won every time. I was surprised no dog could take me on and win. One dog almost had me but I got underneath him and kicked him into the air making him land on the ground. The man who captured me was smiling with glee, the thing that covered his head was full of the green stuff, and so were the gaps that were on the black thing that covered him. He finally left the barn and I laid down in my cage. A few minutes later the same Indian man came in and whispered something to me. The man who captured me yelled at the man calling him an Indian. He left coming back a few minutes later and then took a small sharp thing and unlocked my cage tying a rope around my neck, mouth, and taking me to another truck. I was mad! My hate for man was growing hotter and hotter. I knew my only way to survive these people was to kill them. I slashed at him, but he was out of reach, nor could break the cage.  I struggled and struggled and tried to bite him, but my mouth was closed. Finally they got me into the cage and drove off. I could here the man who captured me screaming and yelling. I then lost all hope. I thought they were taking my freedom away by taking me away from the mountains I saw far away still covered in snow even though it was still the beginning of fall. I howled to them wishing her pack would hear her. She heard nothing and knew she wouldn’t. It was close to nighttime and it was getting cold, even though it was only spring. I curled up into a ball and went to sleep to the singing of the man.

Chapter 5 The Indians

I was awoken to the bumping of the truck on bumpy hills. I looked around me and saw the hills I went over before. They were leading me home! I was so happy! My happiness was soon ended though when he headed for the village I saw. I whined and started scratching at my cage. I couldn’t get it though. The truck backed up into a large cage with no top and wood for the bars. The man took me off the truck and placed my inside and closed the gate. He then pulled a string and my cage opened! I leaped out and charged for the opening in the fence but the Indian closed it. I stopped and looked around there were no more openings! I finally laid down and took a nap. I woke up to the hitting of rocks on my back. I saw little kids on the fence throwing them at me. I growled and charged at them as they screamed and ran away. I snorted and went back to my nap. I then heard the gate open and looked up. The Indian brought food and another like me.

“ Hello young one. Who might you be?” asked the wolf. The wolf was female and was black. She had one white dot on her forehead. She had this mark on her right leg that looked like a feather and was white as well.  She had long and slender legs, a bushy tail, a slender back, and everything else any wolf would want besides me because I had all those.

“ Didn’t you hear me? What’s your name?” she said again.

“ Oh! Sorry, my name is Tsuki!” I said getting up.

“ Well, Tsuki. My master, Chief Haku or the man who brought you her, has told me to teach you the ways of my village, and some manners,” said the wolf starring down at me.

“ Why be ruled by these men? They only bring pain! I should be running free with my wolf pack in the mountains!” I shouted to her.

“ You, a pack leader? You have got to be kidding. You couldn’t possibly run a pack how you are now,” said the wolf laughing. “Oh, and my name is Kima, or you should call, Master Kima.”

“ I will never call you by the name master! I am a slave to no one!” I said growling.

“ Then you shall never leave here alive, for I will kill you,” said Kima.

“ You couldn’t kill me even if you tried!” I shouted back.

“ You want to battle here and now?” asked Kima with a smirk on her face.

“ You got it, but don’t start crying when I beat you,” I said getting ready for battle.

“ Your posture is horrible. You shall be easy to beat,” said Kima laughing. I was mad and so I leaped. She easily dodged and kicked me. I tumbled to the ground and got up again.

“ Good move, but that was only the first one,” I said smirking.

“ You poor thing, you need training,” said Kima. I then stood up without looking like I was going to attack. Kima then leaped like I did, I dodged her, and then pushed her down with my body. She got up and looked at me smiling.

“ You have strength, speed, and talent, but what about your defense or your offence? If those aren’t very good you will never beat me,” said Kima circling me.

 I just stared at her not talking. I then closed my eyes and waited. Listening for movement of attack. I only heard her footsteps, and then they stopped in front of me.

                “ What a fool you are! Closing your eyes in battle!” said Kima.

                “ I am no fool, Kima. I’m going to battle with my other senses to beat you, as Scar and my father have taught me,” I said to Kima. As we were fighting an Indian came to the fence. “ We have company, Kima. One of your master’s kind to the left of me on the fence.”

                “ H-how did you know this?” asked Kima shocked.

                “ I used my senses and got the picture in my mind, and I picture you in front of me in shock,” I said smiling.

                “ That won’t help you win, Tsuki. I’ve been trained by the best of the best! I can’t loose!” shouted Kima. She then lunged and I ducked pushing her into the air form under me and landing two feet away. I then opened my eyes and heard the Indian laughing and calling his kind over to watch. The all soon ran over as Kima got up. She was mad! She growled and bared her fangs at me, and I just stood there calmly.

                “ How dare you embarrass me! You will pay!” She shouted lunging at me. I dodged easily, but she mad a turn around, bit my leg, and pushed me down. I could feel my leg screaming in pain as Kima came on top of me. She then grabbed me neck and threw me in the air and I landed hard on my side. I felt weak and limp. I couldn’t seem to get up. I looked up and saw an Indian boy starring down at me saying something that sounded nice.

                “ Well, well, well. Looks like I win. I guess your so called trainers were not strong at all!” cackled Kima. I then thought of my father and Scar’s words.

                “ Tsuki, you must never give up, for giving up is giving up your life,” said Scar.

                “ If you quit now, you’ll never win and you’ll always fail! Letting everyone you know down! Now get up and fight! You must defeat her! We have taught you all you need to know, so get up and make us proud!” said her father.

                They then disappeared from her mind, and I opened my eyes as a flame shone in them.

                “ No, I am not beaten, you are!” I said getting up and starring at her.

                “ How did you get up! I pushed you down harder than I ever had to anyone!” asked Kima shocked.

                “ It’s because of my father, Scar, and their words to keep my going! I will not loose to you!” I growled as I charged at Kima.

                “ Just try and beat me!” shouted Kima charging at me as well. Our attacks met in the middle of the arena each of us scratching at each other. We landed on our feet, our back to each other. There was a silence, and then a yelp from Kima. Her face had a scratch mark right over her eye and nose. I also used my body to weaken her legs. She then fell and laid there. I howled knowing I had won. The Indians cheered as I howled. I finally stopped and looked at them all. I then went over to Kima and put her on my back and let the Indians take her away. That same Indian man that saved me from the men came in and gave me meat. I backed away, but it smelled so good and I was so hungry. I finally crept forward and snatched the meat away running back to a corner. The Indian cracked a smile and left. After I had finished the meat I sniffed the air. I  could smell smoke and looked toward it. There were stones and fire in them. It reminded me of the time a fire came to the forest.

                It was a stormy day that day before I met Youkai. There was lighting and thunder. My sisters and I playing  outside close to the adults in the drizzle of rain. It tasted good, it washed the dirt and mud off of us, and it kept us cool when we got  too hot. Suddenly there was a humongous flash of lighting. My sisters ran in the cave, which my brother was already in there scared half to death by the noise. Suddenly I saw gray fluff like clouds in thy sky where the lightning hit. We then soon saw red, yellow, and orange lights coming from the forest. My father woke up and had his ears alert. He then shot up and ran to the adults and to my mother.

                “ Hurry! Get to the river! Grabs the pups and run!” shouted my father. My grandmother, Scar, mother, and the babysitter each grabbed one of us and ran with the lights close behind us. Trees started falling, grass once green turned to the lights and went on to others. Soon the water was in sight and the adults all leaped over it onto the other side. The lights came closer and closer but died as the drizzle turned into rain. The adults sighed with relief and let us down. We drank the rain and played in the mud. Soon the lights faded away and the adults took us back across. When we reached our cave I gasped.

                Our once land was now all but black ruins. My father said it was ash from the fire. Fire did this to everything in its path even animals. He also said to never ever go near this and don’t touch it. For months the grass was still growing, but in spring every blade to the last piece of dirt was back in its place. We had to mark our territory on trees that had not been burned down for most of the tress burnt down had our markings. Only a few of the trees were seedlings. It would take them many more months to fully grow, or maybe hundreds of months. As soon as the grass grew back I started playing in it with my sisters. Even my brother cam out once in a while. After a while flowers starting blooming and the land was returning to us once again.

                I smiled at that memory, and sniffed the air again. I could smell cat, and horse all around. I looked around and saw horses and cats. I growled as I saw one cat, it reminded me of the time when Youkai and I were mates and the Cougar and her cubs came starving. They would just love to eat wolf.  It happened not to long ago, about five weeks ago.

                It was a cool breezy night and I as asleep near the front of the cave with my sisters, brother, and Youkai. I woke up to noises behind the cave. I thought it was my grandmother doing her ritual and so I got up and went to the back. It was my grandmother I sat down next to her and watched. Sparks of dust flew in the air and pictures were made from her magic dust.

                “ Wow. I wish I could do that,” I said admirably.

                “ It’s quite easy, just think of an image as you throw the dust into the air,” said my grandmother giving me dust. I thought of an image and threw the dust into the air. An image of two wolves nuzzling each other was made as the seemed to fly into the air on wings of pure white like the white dove of the Snowy Mountains.

                “ That’s lovely, Tsuki. That was perfect for a first try,” said my grandmother smiling. I smiled to, but soon frowned as I twitched my ears to a sound behind me and beside me. I could smell three cats and they had us surrounded.

                “ Grandma, run for the cave now, there something wrong,” I said getting up as the hair on my back, neck, and tail stood up. My grandma nodded and ran with me close behind.  I looked behind me and saw six eyes glowing in the bushes, and fangs bearing.

                “ Faster, Grandma!” I shouted running faster. She ran faster as well as the cats leaped out from the bushes  and ran after us. We reached the front and awoke my father as the cats came around. My father woke everyone up as the cats screamed an ear-piercing screech. All the wolves woke up and got into position in front of the cave to protect my sisters and brother, for they had not been trained for this. My mate and I were in front of everyone.

                “ Leave or die cougar!” shouted my mate. The cougar just laughed and so did her kittens.

                “ We are hungry dear boy. My children are starving and we need a big meal, like you pack of wolves,” said the cougar baring her fangs. “ Now children, get ready to feast!” Then all three crouched down and pounced at us all with their claws out. We also leaped at them and started a raging battle. My mother, father, and Scar took on the mother. The other wolves either guarded or attacked the kittens. My mate and I had already killed one kitten with the help of one of the warrior wolves. I then went after the other kitten telling, Youkai to help my parents. He nodded and ran to them as I battled with the kitten. I easily killed it with my fangs and claws. It screamed for it’s mother as blood oozed from the bite and it’s mouth.

The mother heard its scream and looked toward it. When s he saw both dead she screamed and became filled with anger and hate. The cougar was out of control, but my parents, Scar, and Youkai were doing fine. I joined them while I told the other wolves to surround the cougar. The cougar tackled my father while my mother grabbed the cougar’s neck. The cougar swatted my mother with its paw with a huge force blowing my mother off and on to the ground. She had also swatted the others off her and started toward my mother. I saw this and ran toward the cougar. Before the cougar could reach her I whammed into her side and sent her tumbling. I then bit her neck and scratched her uncovered chest and she screamed in pain. I could see blood all over her and her blood on me form where her blood poured out. She swatted me off and I crouched down again ready to strike. The cougar was loosing air form the bite and so I leaped and slashed at her throat. I scratched it enough to get it bleeding more. The cougar screamed in furry, but never made it to me to try and kill me. She had fallen dead form suffocating and loosing too much blood. The cougar laid there still and silent as blood oozed from her cuts.

                I sniffed the cougar to make sure she was dead and she was. I howled to the pack that all was well, and the night belonged to them. The whole pack howled. It was like a chorus of singers singing a song of victory loud and clear for all animals to heard and know tonight the wolves of this pack owned this night’s victory and that all who challenge them shall fall.

I smile at that and went outside of the corner and saw the gate unlatched. I pushed it open and started to explore the village instead of running away for the air smelled like the dust from my grandmother’s dust. I saw many wolves and dogs by these cone shaped things that Indians and Kima came out of. Kima saw me and came over to me apologizing for being so rude to me.

“ It’s okay. You didn’t know my abilities, or my limit. I could go on forever battling you as long as it would get me home,” I said smiling. “ Now, should I call you Kima, or Master Kima?”

“ Just Kima would be fine, Master Tsuki,” said Kima bowing.

“ Please call me Tsuki,” I aid smiling.

“ Well, I should at least show you around my world,” said Kima. I nodded and walked with her. She showed my where she lived with her master and where the man who feeds the animals lived. I saw him outside cutting up meat, eh was the man who gave me the meat. He looked up and when he saw me he whacked his head with his hand for he forgot to lock the gate. He tossed two thing of meat to us and I ate it quickly. I suddenly thought of the dream I had many years ago when I was a little pup. It was all coming true. Youkai was the wolf in my dream, and I was taken from my land! That was no dream! It was a vision of what was going to happen! I knew I would have to finish the dream tonight!

                “ Tsuki?” asked Kima. I snapped back to reality and said I was alive and we continued our tour. I heard howling from one of those cone things that are called teepees. I poked my head through and listened to the howling. He then saw me and smiled. I recognized his face, eh was the Indian who brought me here! He started talking wolf tongue to me! I was shocked! These men knew wolf? Strange.

“ Hello, wolf, I am Koji, son of the chief of this village. I saw how you battled today, and it was amazing! You battle just like the wolf spirit! You coat is like the snow on the mountains and shines like a full moon at night, I should call you Tsuki. Yes, that is what I will call you. Now you need to get some rest. Good-bye, Tsuki,” said the Koji. I smiled, because he could speak wolf and had the same name as my brother. I then came out of the teepee and went back to the gate and reopened it and went to a corner with food and blanket as Kima showed me. I started to like the village, even if I didn’t understand anyone, but Koji. I visited him everyday, but I still never had that dream. After about a week at the village one night I had the dream. I saw a pup, a pack of dogs, and a man. I was running with the pup and I then flew back to my mountains and was reunited with my pack and my king, as my dream finished I woke up to screaming and the shooting of guns. I stood up seeing bight lights from the man who captured me. He was heading for Koji’s teepee, and so I leaped up to the latch and unlocked the gate and ran toward his teepee. I entered it as the men came in and I hid under some blankets. I could hear the men talking and getting angry and then I heard Koji scream in pain. I then leaped out and bit the man’s arm and stood in front of Koji. The man then aimed at Koji, but I leaped up, threw the gun aside, and put my paw on it so he couldn’t grab it. The other men did not dare aim, and so they dropped the guns. The man reached for me neck, but I bit his hand. Blood oozed through my fangs and he yelled in pain. The chief and Kima heard this, came running to where I was, and tied the men up while Kima guarded them. I stayed with Koji that night licking his wound for I liked him. He was kind, gentle, and sweet to me. I knew he was not like those men who captured me, none of these Indians were. I started to enjoy the Indians, but still missed my homeland. After A while I stopped eating or drinking, I was becoming homesick. Koji noticed this and came in many times hand feeding me. I never opened my mouth so he always forced it opened and pushed the food to the back of my throat. I then swallowed. He had to get a bottle for me to drink from like the baby Indians, for I would not drink water on my own accord. One day Koji couldn’t get my mouth open and thought I would starve so he went to the elders for help. How would they know my problem I said to my self?  How would they know that wolf missed her homeland of the mountains, the fresh pine scented air, and the smell of flowers in summer and spring. Finally the elders came to me and picked up my head. They starred straight into my eyes as if they were looking straight into my soul, searching for answers.

“ I believe, Tsuki is home sick. She has been far form home too long. If you do not let her go, she will die. She is loosing all hope in getting back,” said the elder. Of course, Koji had to translate it for me. I wagged my tail at her with pleading eyes for freedom. My hope started to come back, and so did the fire in my eyes.

“ I believe you are right, elder. I will let her go, but I will miss her,” said Koji sadly. I smiled at Koji sensing he would do something great for me that would help me to get home, yet he was sad. I realized he didn’t want me to go, and I didn’t want to leave, but my pack needed me. Koji went to the gate and unlocked it as he called me to him. I walked slowly to him weak from not eating and sat down by him. He gave me lots of meat so I would have energy, and also gave me water. This time I ate quickly, hungrily, and drank quickly as well. When I was finished he led me to the edge of the forest and untied the rope around my neck. I whined at him as he bent down on one knee to put his hand on the side of my neck petting it. I licked his hand and whined again looking with my sad eyes into his.

“ Tsuki, I’m afraid this is my only and last good-bye to you. I cannot keep you, or you will die. I want to you to survive, be free, and be happy in the place you belong. I wish we could stay together longer, but this isn’t where a wolf like you belongs. Well, good-bye dear friend, I hope we see each other again,” said Koji hugging me as I nuzzled his neck. I could feel his tears dropping off onto my fur and licked him.

“ Don’t be sad, Koji. I’ll think of you, and I’ll never forget your kindness. I will miss you very much. Maybe I can bring the pack one day, well farewell my friend,” I said to him as I walked toward the forest. He nodded and smiled as another tear came down. I then ran off into the woods and stopped on a rock and howled to him. He howled back and I smiled leaping off the rock and walking away.

Chapter 6:  Run Free

                I soon came to a part of the forest where I could smell the scent of pine trees yet these weren’t the ones I knew. I also heard the sounds of a river rushing, birds chirping, squirrels rustling, and the trees swinging with the breeze. I walked listening to the sounds of the forest oblivious to my surroundings, yet my nose smelled that all was well. I then stopped to get a drink and catch some food. I found a nice rabbit to eat and a small pond to drinks from. Once I finished, I decided to stretch a bit and clean my self.  As I was stretching I smelled, something that did not seem right. Something disturbed the peace and sound of the forest. I smelled, a wolf, something dead that was killed not to long ago, and what I hated most a man. I also smelled something knew that did not smell right at all, and so I decided to investigate. I walked slowly at first, but when they scent was stronger I could smell a dead wolf and a wolf pup. I then got a thought of a dead wolf and a wolf pup also dead with the man laughing in victory. I then started to jog hoping to find the pup before it was too late.  I went through many bushes getting my white coat still having a little bit of gray fur left all tangled up. I suddenly heard a gun -shot and birds. I smelled and the pup wasn’t dead but a bird was. Soon the smell was stronger and could hear someone as well. I cam through some bushes and saw the man. Then I looked to where he was staring and gasped. The man was going to shoot the pup! I also saw a dead wolf by the pup. That wolf apparently was its mother and was killed by the hunter. I then saw the hunter grabbing a bag of awful smelling dust or something like that. As I saw him do that something inside me clicked. It was as if all my hate for men exploded inside me and was forcing me to want to get revenge on this one man for all that hurt me and put me though this. My eyes burned the fire inside me more than ever before. My teeth wanted the man’s blood as my mind told me revenge. I couldn’t stand it any longer and charged toward the man. As I ran it was as if times stopped for me, or it sped up for all around me was a blur except the man. I felt as though I was flying at full speed like the falcon of our mountains that has watched over me since I was born instead of running. As the man was ready to fire I leapt up and sunk my fangs into his arms. His blood tasted good for it was the blood from the man that repaid my revenge. I saw his gun fly, and I let go darting for the pup now, knowing the man could still shoot. As a grabbed the pup’s neck I looked at the dead body. It was a wolf all right and looked just like the pup. I knew how much grief this pup went through and ran off. I heard a gun shot behind me and jumped to my left as the shot whooshed by. I heard two this time and leaped toward my left, again as the bullets whooshed by. I heard yells of defeat from the man and smiled somewhat. As I approached the top of a hill I let the pup down and howled a howl of victory. I started to walk as the pup followed me tumbling as he hopped.  Suddenly, stopped with the pup hitting my leg. I turned my ears to my left and stood still. I heard a familiar noise I heard with those men and that dog. Then, it hit me! The sounds I heard were coming from dogs! I saw them coming, about five or six. I also saw a man running after them with a gun yelling something like: “ Get that wolf boys! I’m going to get a ton of money this hunting season!” I didn’t know what hunting season meant, but I knew it was something bad. I turned to the pup that was now running toward the dogs for who knows why. I ran to the pup and grabbed it by the stomach and ran like the wind. I could hear the dogs closing in so I picked up speed. I felt as though a had spouted wings of the eagle spirit, Koru, and flew toward the mountains with enormous speed. I looked up and saw an eagle above me. I knew Koru was watching over me as the eagle flew by my side. I looked into his eyes pleading for help, as the eagle flew behind me at the man. The eagle attacked him with his claws making his face bleed. The man screamed and shot his gun. The eagle still swooped down and attacked. Some of the dogs went to the man and attacked the bird. The eagle finally flew back to the mountains, yet the eagle seemed to motion me to follow. I then turned to ward the eagle and ran under him watching his shadow and where I was running. I saw trees, a mountain, and the eagle flying toward the top of the mountains perching at the top on a tree. I knew the eagle was leading me up the mountains to where my pack was. I trusted the eagle, and so I ran, following its shadow up the mountains side. I climbed the mountains slowly but I was soon able to leap up. I turned my head and saw the dogs climbing up after me and I could smell the man’s blood dripping as he came toward the mountain. I now started jumping from log to log, rock to rock, and side-to-side avoiding the dogs. Soon a dog caught up with me. I put the pup down and bit the dog on neck killing him. I then pushed him down the mountain growling at the dogs.

                “ Come on! I’ll take you all on!” I growled. The dogs growled right back at me and climbed faster. I knew I couldn’t take all twenty on at once so I grabbed the pup again, who was as scared practically to death and started leaping. I came to some loose rocks and saw a log holding them up. I got an idea that I could kill most of the dogs by making the rocks fall on them. So I put the pup down again and pulled the log away as the dogs got up to where I was. The rocks moved and tumbled down the mountain. All the dogs that managed to get up to where I was were dead. They had been crushed by the rocks or were pushed off the side to the hard rocky death below. The dogs that did survive and reached me and I was ready to fight them, for there was only five dogs left. The dogs surrounded me as the pup hid behind a rock. The dog behind me leaped and tried to bite my back but got a kick from me. The dog also got a bite on the neck killing it. Then all the other dogs jumped in attacking me. I killed three more dogs while the last one escaped running for its life. I knew I had gotten more time, but not very much for the hunter was near and was mad. I heard the eagle screech and had told me to hurry, for the man was close behind me. I again grabbed the pup that was sniffing around outside of the log after the dog fled and started leaping up hill again, but much faster. Soon I came to a ledge where there was a gap. I knew I could jump it, yet I didn’t think a man can. I then backed up to the ledge until I heard a rock fall from where my foot was. I then charged at the ledge and leaped on it. I felt as though I had sprouted wings and was flying through the air! I reached the other side falling onto my back and rolling over. I had let the pup go out of my mouth not to hurt it, and the pup started whining when I got up. He was scared apparently, so I grabbed him and ran up the path I found hidden by leaves behind some boulders using my nose. It was a little rocky, but it would be a smoother run than the other paths I went on. I could hear the man shouting as he got up to the edge. I turned around and saw him aim. I also saw another dog that was running to the ledge like I did. The dog leaped, but didn’t make it. The dog fell into the river down below swimming to an island of sand. The dog swam to the shore and started to climb on a path. The dogs whined knowing they probably couldn’t make it as well. I smiled and nearly laughed at them. I then saw the man aiming his gun at me so I ran up the trail. He aimed again and shot a bullet. It missed me by an inch and I went faster. He aimed again yet when he pulled the trigger it only went click. I turned around and saw him throwing the gun on the ground and stepping on it and calling it name. I nearly laughed at him to, he should have known he couldn’t out smart me, Tsuki! I finally reached the top of the mountain and saw the eagle that helped me.

                “ Thank-you, great eagle. I owe you my life, and this pup’s life,” I said bowing my head. The eagle bowed his head to me and then took off screeching his ancestor’s call. I howled in victory with the hunt with the man. I had shown him he could not capture, Tsuki, the white wolf of the mountains. I soon finished howling and started walking down the other side of the mountain. The pup tumbled after me on its small little legs. I smiled as he bumped into my leg. I usually didn’t enjoy company, but I felt not as lonely with the pup, so I let him tag along. Besides that, that man, had killed its mother! The pup was now in my paws, so I told myself it was my duty to take care of it. As I walked down the cave I saw the eagle again perching itself on a tree branch over a small cave that I cold just fit into. I thanked the eagle and put the pup inside as I watched for the moon to come out. As the moon came out I howled, searching for my pack’s answer. I heard nothing, and howled again. There was still no answer so I went back to the cave and went to sleep.

                I soon woke up to the sound of thunder, rain, and I also felt the water rising beneath us. I panicked as the water rose for it would drown us. I picked up the pup and went outside and felt the hard rain dropping down on my fur. The pup was having fun drinking the water, but when the first lightning bolt struck with the thunder following it he squirmed to get free from my grip. I held tighter though and son he gave up and whimpered and whined. I growled a bit to make the pup be quiet and it stopped. It then went back to licking the rain. I moved on looking for a place to stay, but found none. Soon we came to the river that the men crossed over yet, it was moving very fast and was flooded. I tried to think of how to get across, but I couldn’t think of anything until I saw the thick log some yards away. I knew it was a big risk, but I had to take it to get home. I walked over to the log and studied it. It was thick, good and round, but I wasn’t sure about its sturdiness. Could it hold both the pup’s and I weight? What would happen if I was in the middle? Would I fall? These were the questions in my mind, but I knew I would have to take my chance, or wait a week or month for it to go down. I could wait that long, my pack needed me! So, I picked up the pup and got on the log. As I was walking I could hear the river down below roaring like a mountain lion waiting for me to fall and at me alive. I walked step-by-step watching my every move and the log. I was close to the end when I heard cracking. The log was going to break! I really panicked now; I started running to the end. Just as I reached the end the log broke and fell to the ground as I grabbed the side of cliff with my claws while letting the pup onto the cliff. I scratched my back feet into the side and started climbing my way up.  I slipped and had to start up again. The cliff was very muddy and my claws weren’t getting into the mud deep enough. Then I felt something hard and solid in the cliff.  It felt like a rock and that’s just what I needed! I put my back foot on it and started climbing the side again. Finally, I made it up and laid down to rest. Climbing that cliff made me tired and made my legs feel weak. While I was resting I heard gunshots from the side of me.

                “ Not another human!” I said to myself. The shots got closer and out came the man who captured me. He had gotten free, but how? I growled as I got up and the hair on my back stood up. The men laughed as he aimed at me I growled at the pup to hide, but the pup was too scared. He said something and then I heard a click. He started cursing, for his gun was empty. This gave me an opportunity to attack. I lunged at his arm and sank my teeth into them hearing his yells of pain. He took out this thing and put it in the gun and shot some fires. I backed off and stood my guard circling him. He aimed at me and so I started running around him so he couldn’t shoot me. He shot at the ground right next to me and I jumped, stopped running, and growled. I was wanting revenge and I was going to get it. He aimed at me smiling, but before he could shoot me I heard hollering. I looked at it was Koji! I wagged my tail as he took out a hammer and whacked the man in the back hitting him to the ground.

                “ Your turn, Tsuki,” said Koji. I nodded and growled over his head and he looked at me frightened.

                “ Now, you’ll pay for what you have done!” I growled. I then bit his neck hearing him suffocate. He then hollered something and more gunshots came. I dropped the man and he laid dead, while dogs came out and so did men. I growled and started to attack the dogs while Koji attacked the men. I defeated the dogs easily and went to help Koji. The men had guns and knives, but we were able to handle them. I was able to take down a few while Koji took down the most. When they were all dead I nuzzled Koji for saving me from the man. He hugged me and said he had to go back home. He originally came to find herbs but heard the gunshots and came to see what had happened. He said he saw me growling as the men aimed and so he came to help. We then turned our ways and started walking. I dropped the pup down and howled to him again. He turned around while smiling and then waved to me. While I was walking the rain stopped and the sun came out. It felt good to see the sun as it dried my coat and the ground making it good to lay on.  By the time it was lunchtime the pup was whimpering for food and it’s stomach growled. I was able to catch a baby dear that strayed from its mother and brought it back, but it wasn’t enough for me. The pup was full when it finished, so I went to find more food for me.  After lunch the pup took his nap while I stood guard. The pup did play with me a bit, but the pup annoyed me a little bit. I growled at it softly and it whimpered back. That night I again howled for my pack. I heard an eagle in the distance, but no pack or an answer. I then gave up on calling them and went to bed.

Chapter 7 Heading Home

                I was woken up that night to the whimpering of the pup. It was just having a bad dream so I nuzzled it. It stopped when I nuzzled it and calmed down. I then went back to sleep dreaming of my pack. The pup had woken up before me and was pulling on my ears as I woke up. I pushed it aside and laid my head down bored and annoyed. The pup started leaping over me and it reminded me of my pup days. I smiled. I then got up and went to look for food. The pup followed me, but I didn’t mind. I decided to teach the pup how to hunt like my father taught me. I found a bird and told the pup to be very quiet. The pup sat down and smiled while watching me. I started crawling in the bushes until I was close enough tot pounce on the bird. I then leaped out and put my front paws on the bird pinning it down and killing it. The pup then came running out and also pinned the dead bird down. I chuckled a bit and then took my share of the meat. The pup also took it’s and sat down right by me. I decided I should tell if this pup was a girl or boy so I sniffed it. When I was done I knew it was a girl about two or three months old.

                “ Well, at least she’s learning how to hunt,” I said rolling my eyes.

                “ Hunt?” asked the pup slowly trying to get her words right.

                “ Huh? You can talk?” I asked shocked.

                “ Only a little bit,” said again slowly. “ I’m Kisha.”

                “ Uh huh. Well, Kisha Lets start teaching you how to hunt,” I said smiling. Kisha smiled back at me and wagged her tail. I taught Kisha all the hunting skills I learned form my father and Scar and she learned quickly like I did. I could tell this was the beginning of a new friendship. Kisha started to even learn how to sneak up on prey quietly instead of noisily like she use to. She reminded me of, Kima when she started training.

She always tripped or made too much noise and couldn’t catch anything. My father almost gave up trying, but one day she brought home a rabbit and said she had caught it. My father was shocked yet confused. One day my father followed Kima and watched her hunt. He saw her catch another rabbit! He was shocked! He then came out and asked how she did it.

“ Well, I’ve been listening you to you, but now doing it because I was scared I would do something wrong when you were watching me,” said Kima blushing a bit.

“ I don’t care if you do something wrong! I just want you to do your best, Ki,” said my father laughing a bit.

“ It’s not that funny!” said Kima blushing angrily.

“ It’s not what you did, but what you looked like when you said it,” said my father laughing at my sister’s face. Kima then started laughing and then they went home together. My sis told me about what had happened, and I laughed a bit, too. It was funny, though. Kima then started hunting well from that day on.

I laughed when I remembered seeing Kima’s face like that in my head.  Kisha looked up at me and then went back to eating her food after she had brought it back from her hunt. I went out to hunt myself and brought back a female deer to eat. I let Kisha have some because I heard her stomach growl.

“ Thank-you,” said Kisha.

“ No problem,” I said smiling. Kisha smiled back while wagging her tail and then took a nap.

“ She does act like Ki a lot, I really miss her. I wish to see her again, soon,” I said looking up to the sky sadly. I howled searching for my pack again, but only heard the silence of the forest. It was finally broken with the chirping of a bird in the trees high above my head. I sighed and laid down next to the pup as Kisha slept silently dreaming of who knows what. I finally fell asleep to the song of the birds and dreamed of my pack as their hope was falling as pack members were dieing and loosing fights without me. I started to whine and then woke up. I was panting as I looked at Kisha.  She was still sound asleep and so I went out to go hunting. I came back a few minutes later with a few rabbits. Kisha was awake then crying for me. I sighed and gave her one of my rabbits. She stopped crying and circled around me licking my face. I nudged her away and ate my rabbit while thinking of the dream. My thoughts made me become oblivious to the world.

I was running for my pack that was dieing. For some reason, they kept getting farther and farther away until I couldn’t see them anymore. I then sat down and howled a sad song. Suddenly a light appeared and out came my mate and the pup.

“ Tsuki, don’t give up, I’m always with you. Remember that!” said Youkai sprouting wings and flying away.

“ Don’t leave me! Youkai!” I shouted. He never turned around, but the pup came up to me and sat down in front of me.

“ Tsuki, you can’t give up now. I need you and so does your pack. Just search inside you and you’ll find the answers to all your problems,” said Kisha scratching her ear.

“ Look in side me?” I asked confusingly.

“ Just look inside you, that’s all. You’ll find the answer to finding your way home and the way to get out of messes,” said Kisha walking away to my pack.

                “ Don’t go!” I shouted.

                “ We won’t leave you, we’ll always be right here, in your heat, Tsuki,” said the pack. “ Just don’t forget us.”

I woke up howling no and awakening the pup. I was panting really hard now.

                “ It, it was just a bad dream, that’s all,” I said to myself.

                “ Tsuki, are you okay?” asked Kisha whimpering.

                “ Yeah, I’m fine. Lets get back to sleep we have a long way ahead of us,” I said laying my head down and laying by Kisha. Kisha went to sleep, while I laid awake thinking of the dream. I dreaded to go to sleep, fearing I would dream of it again. I starred into the sky and saw the stars starting to appear in the sky with the moon as bright as a flashlight. It was a full moon tonight, the night when my pack always did our singing to their moon lord, TsukiOokami. I had been named after my god partly for my god was also white as I. Except my god had wings and a crescent moon on it’s for-head. I stared up into the sky and looked at the moon as if I was staring straight into its heart. I could see and feel my god in the moon, staring down at me protecting me as I slept. Our god had a sister, the sun. She protected us by day as TsukiOokami protected us by night. Her sister, Ookamiyoukai held power in the sun. I could not look into the sun for I would hurt my eyes blinding them. I finally left the place where I was staying and walked under the trees high above me. My eyes started to water as I stared into the sky and at the moon. A small tear fell down my cheek as I heard the sound of the forest in the night. I looked into the trees and saw two squirrels playing and going back to their home. I then saw a male and female bird flying in the air and then landing on a branch brushing their heads together. The birds were mates I guessed and were showing their affection for each other. More tears came down my face as I walked further into the forest. It became dark under trees, but was light wherever moon shone down on. I walked to a rock at pointed my nose to the sky letting out a sad and beautiful sound. I was singing a prayer to the moon god to give my song for my pack to hear and follow it to me. I waited for many minutes, but heard nothing in reply. I sighed and walked back to the pup and laid down. Finally after many minutes which seemed like our sleep took my over and I fell deeply into a silent sleep.

                I was awoken to Kisha pulling on my tail and whining. I could sense some thing was wrong, but what? I walked into the woods and looked around. I sniffed the air and smelled caribou.

                “ Caribou? They aren’t suppose to come here for at least three months, why are they heading here?” I asked me self. I listened to the forest, but heard nothing but the trees swaying in the breeze, the birds chirping, and the squirrels chattering. I walked further into the forest with the pup close behind still being very cautious for the caribou for they could kill the pup and I with one kick if hard enough. Soon we came to a clearing where there was steep hill with part of it destroyed. I jogged to see what had happened and saw hoof print of caribou. They had passed not to long ago here. I moved further down the hill and saw something dreadful. A dead wolf. The wolf had died not to long ago, I suspected it had been trampled or kicked. I also saw the remains of a dead caribou. Kisha and I got a few bites of what rations were left and investigated the hill further. I saw a lake and caribou near by with wolves chasing after them. I could also see the lake was rather deep, with a large waterfall at the end, and with no way to get out. I knew the caribou would easily cross and so would the wolves, but they would not escape the deadly death they were heading for. I told Kisha to stay in the woods while I ran to help the animals from their bad fate. I ran faster than I ever had before gaining on the caribou and wolves. The wolves only saw me as a blur in their eyes and so did the caribou as I passed them up. I stopped at the edge of the river and howled. The caribou stopped and so did the wolves. The largest caribou, the male leader of the caribou, stepped forth and got ready to take a challenge if I meant one.

                “ I mean no challenge! I’ve come to warn you! There is a waterfall at the end of this lake with no way to get out!” I shouted. “ You should leave now, or keep going and die.” Many of the caribou and wolves gasped and started murmuring.

                “ Why should we believe you?” asked a wolf coming forward. “ You are nothing, but a wolf like we are!”

                “ Because, I saw the waterfall at the top of the hill where a wolf lays dead,” I said loudly for all the wolves and caribou to hear.

                “ What is your name young one?” asked the caribou’s leader.

                “ My name is, Tsuki,” I said standing tall and proudly.

                “ Tsuki, her name is Tsuki!” I heard many caribou say.

                “ You must be the moon god!” said the leader of the caribou in shock and disbelief.

                “ I am no moon god, I’m only a mere wolf finding her way home,” I said. “ You will find a safer path east of this lake.”

                “ Why should we listen to, you! You are probably lying and going that direction may lead us to our death!” shouted a black wolf.

                “ I am not lying, and if you want to prove it got o the hill and see for yourself!” I growled at him. The black wolf growled and walked up to the hill. When h had reached the top he saw gasped and stared at me. He then ran down and came to me.

                “ I am wrong about you, there is a waterfall… We must go east then,” said the black wolf. “ Pac, move the caribou east!” The pack nodded and growled at all the caribou driving them east. Before the black wolf was out of site he howled to me and I smiled. He had told me I was sent by the moon god to help them. I didn’t truly believe that and so I went back to Kisha. We went down the hill and drank from the lake quenching our thirst. I then led Kisha up the hill and found a herd of deer grazing. I told Kisha to stay down wind from the dear so they would not find our scent. She went down wind with me with the dear’s backs to us. I quietly sneaked into some tall grass and then crouched down behind a dear. I then leaped upon the dear’s neck killing it while the other dear ran off. I was only able to catch one more dear, an old one. I brought both dead deer to Kisha and we feasted on the kill.

                “ Tsuki,” said Kisha looking at me.

                “ Yes, Kisha?” I said looking back at her.

                “ You always look sad and discouraged. Why? I don’t want you to be sad, Tsuki,” said the pup nuzzling me.

                “ Well, I just miss my family and homeland. I’ve been away from it, too long. That’s all,” I said smiling at her.

                “ Okay, I believe you,” said Kima giggling a bit.

                “ Okay, we better move,” I said moving west Kisha followed along always playing with all the dragonflies she saw and every cricket that made noise. She moved through the grass really loudly making me laugh and annoyed at times. As the sun went down on the mountains and my home we found a place to sleep for the night. I wasn’t sleepy so I went out to looks at the moon still blighting up the land I love. It glowed more beautiful than ever tonight. I went to a small pound and took a small drink while looking at my reflection in the water. I imagined wings and a crescent moon on me. I smiled and closed my eyes thinking of me flying far beyond the clouds and into the moon. When I opened my eyes and the wings and mono were gone from my reflection. I continued my walk for a few minutes until I heard something in the bushes. I crouched down ready for the attacker, but out came Kisha. I sighed and sat down by her.

                “ Why are you out so late?” I asked.

                “ Because I woke up and you weren’t there and I was lonely. I followed your scent with my nose,” said Kisha looking at the moon with me. “ Wow, it sure is bright and pretty tonight right, Tsuki?”

                “ Yes, it is, now we better gets some rest if we want to wake up early,” I said walking back to our resting place with Kisha yawning. I watched Kisha as she fell asleep and slip into her dreams. Before going to sleep I looked at the moon once more and smiled. Then I laid my head down and slipped right into dream city.

Chapter 8: Home again

                Kisha and I were off some time in the after noon. When we reached the top of the mountain it started to snow. The mountains were so high up that it was cold enough for it to snow even at the end of summer. Snowflakes were falling as we walked and Kisha kept falling in deep snow. It reminded me of when I had my first winter as a pup.

                “ Momma slow down!” I shouted.

                “ Just hop in my steps, Tsuki,” said my mother as she kept walking.

                “ Okay,” I said hoping from one of her footprints to the other staying out of deep snow. I leaped and leaped until I got tired and decided just to walk through the snow. As I was walking I fell into a big hole in the snow. I howled for my mom and she came laughing as she pulled me out. I was mad at her for laughing at me and didn’t pay attention to her until we got home. When it was time for my bath I started talking to her the river.

                “ Why did you laugh at me?” I asked as I rolled in the water.

                “ I laughed because of your look when I came to get you from the hole. You face was covered with snow,” said my mom.

                “ It wasn’t that funny!” I shouted madly at her.

                “ Now, now. I was only having a little fun with you,” said my mother smiling. I smiled as well and started laughing as she turned me over while tickling me. We soon went back and had a good meal of meat.

                That made me laugh a bit, but I soon stopped to the whining of Kisha. She had fallen into a hole like I did and was stuck. I picked her up by the neck and we started off again. I smelled the air and sighed. They air smelled fresh from the fall snow. We came to a large area I suddenly flopped down and rolled in the snow. It felt so good! Kisha joined me and we both rolled down the hill laughing.

                “ That was fun!” said Kisha catching her breath from laughing.

                “ Just like old times!” I said also catching my breath and remembering when I rolled down a hill when I was little. “ Just like old times.” Kisha finally got up shaking off all the snow on her and started to walk. I did as she had done and walked ahead of her. I sniffed the air many times and only smelled the snow. I then put my nose to the ground and my ear and could hear running from underground. I figured it was a mouse and kept going for a mouse was not a big meal for a wolf. Soon we came across the tracks of deer. We followed them until we came to a river with many hoof prints on the other side. I put Kisha in my mouth and swam across the icy cold river that had not yet been frozen over.

                “ It’s cold!” said Kisha as water splashed onto her.

                “ Of course it is, and I’m swimming though it!” I said with shivers going down my back. “ Well, we’re on the other side now, and you can open your eyes.” Kisha opened her eyes and wagged her tail as she rolled on the ground, happy to be out of the water.

                “ Glad we aren’t in the water anymore,” said Kisha with relief.

                “ I’m glad, too. It was freezing!” I said shivering a bit. “ Good thing wolves have nice, thick, and warm coats!”

                “ Really, hey do you smell that?” asked Kisha smelling the air.

                “ Yes, I do. It smells like, rotten deer meat,” I said also sniffing the air. “Well come on, let’s go. If we want to eat some deer we better get up there.” Kisha wagged her tail and followed after me climbing up the hill. When we came to the top we saw the dead deer meat with a wolf already eating it. I walked up to the wolf and he turned around growling. I sighed and walked away. We went for many miles without finding the deer, but soon I found a scent.

                “ We’re close to the deer, I can smell it,” I said walking slowly with my nose sniffing on the ground. The scent led me straight toward another river where the deer had crossed.

                “ Not again! We have to cross another freezing cold river!” moaned Kisha loudly.

                “ If we want to eat something, we must,” I said picking up Kisha in my jaws while stepping into the water. Chills, again, were going through my back as we crossed. At least, this river wasn’t very wide as the last one. We crossed it in a mere few seconds. Kisha shook herself dry of water, getting me wet. I then also shook the water off myself and started sniffing the ground again. Then I sniffed the air and headed downstream coming to a grassy field. The field also had many deer hoof prints, and not too far away, there were the deer! I told Kisha to stay behind as I crept on a deer. I stayed up wind from it for if I were downwind it would smell me and run away alerting the other deer. When the deer bent down to grass after it looked around for any dangers I leaped at it’s neck bringing it down. The other deer heard the deer’s cry and fled from the field. As soon as I could feel the deer’s pulse stop and dropped it and called Kisha over to eat. We each had our fill and then continued on only taking a few drinks and rests. When the sun set that day we found a nice cave to rest in with plenty of water. Kisha and I huddled close together to stay warm that night for it became colder and it started to snow. Kisha whimpered as she huddled closer to me.

                “ It’s getting colder, Tsuki,” said Kisha whining.

                “ I know, Kisha. I know,” I said nuzzling her. I starred out into the snow as it fell in front of the cave making a higher lump of snow as it fell. I whined and laid my head down while listening to the soft snow touching the top of the cave. I soon fell asleep to its quiet rhythm.

                The next morning I woke up before Kisha and left to get a drink from the back of the cave. I went back to the pup and found her still sleeping and left the cave. I sniffed the cold, bitter air. It stung my nose like a bumblebee’s sting.

                “Even though winter is my favorite season, it can be a pain for my nose,” I said rubbing my nose. I started walking looking around for something to eat when I heard Kisha whining for me. I walked back to the cave and nuzzled her. I told her it was time to go hunting and we then left. We searched for a mile without any success of finding food or a scent. We had to move farther, or we may night survive the mountains. As we went farther things started to look familiar to me as we went over plains, through forest, and rivers. We did catch a few rabbits and mice, but it didn’t fill our bellies. We were still hungry.

                “ Tsuki, I’m still hungry and we haven’t found any good food!” groaned Kisha.

                “ I am too, Kisha, but we have to eat or we’ll die this winter. If food is not here we must travel to find it, and travel we shall,” I said turning my head toward Kisha.

                “ Oh, okay,” said Kisha running up to me to catch up. We only caught a few mice in a field and one rabbit in the forest. It was good, but not enough. We needed to get more food. We got hungrier every minute without food and had many rests. As we were walking, I noticed a marking on a tree and went over to it. I smelled it and it smelled like me. I looked around and saw another marking. It smelled like a wolf, but not me. I was very confused and continued walking. When we came up a hill I saw a rock and then a cave many yards away. I sniffed the air and caught the scent of familiar wolves. I looked around and saw nothing and sniffed the air again. The smell was coming from the cave! I stood on the rock and looked toward the cave and saw many wolves huddled close together. I realized that was my pack, and I was home again! I lifted my nose into the air and let a long howl to tell the pack I was home again. My pack all looked this way and got up walking toward the sound of the howl. I looked at the wolf that came the farthest forward. It was my sister, Kima! I smiled and let out another howl. Kima then barked something to the other wolves and came running toward me. I leaped off the rock and started running toward her as well with Kisha not too far behind. When we finally reached each other she tumbled over me and started to lick my face. I nuzzled her and also licked her.

                “ I’m home, Kima. I’m Finally home,” I said smiling as the other wolves tumbled over me. “ Mother, Father, everyone, I missed you all so much!”

                “ Tsuki! I so glad your home!” said my mother nuzzling me while letting a few tears out.

                “ It’s good to have you back, Tsuki,” said many pack members. My father then stepped forward and nuzzled me smiling.

                “ I knew you would get home, for you are a wolf of courage as you grandmother predicted,” said my father.

                “ She is more than that, she is a blessing from the moon god. She has taught us we should never loose hope or our faith,” said my grandmother coming from behind my father.

                “ Where is Youkai?” I asked my father.

                “ He is in the cave. He has been loosing his hope since you left,” said my father turning toward the cave. I walked toward the cave slowly thinking of all that I did, and what might have become of Youkia while I was gone. When I reached the cave, I feared to enter. I shook my head and stepped inside and saw Youkai at the back of the cave with his back to the front.

                “ Go away, you know I want to be alone,” said Youkai.

                “ I will go if you want me to, Youkai,” I said taking another step toward him.

                “ Tsuki?” asked Youkai turning his head around. When he saw me his eyes seemed to light up and he stood up with his mouth open.

                “ Yes, I am back again,” I said nuzzling him. “ I missed you.”

                “ Tsuki, but how? You were taken away, and,” said Youkai before getting cut-off.

                “ That doesn’t matter. All that matters is that I’m home again, and we are together,” I said licking him on the cheek. “ Come on, the pack is waiting,” I said walking out of the cave. The pack was waiting for us, and they were all laying down watching us as we came out.

                “ Well, Tsuki, you’re our leader what do we do now?” asked my father.

                “ Wait for me!” shouted Kisha running toward us. “Tsuki, you go too fast!”

                “ Who’s this?” asked my mother.

                “ This is Kisha I saved her from a hunter, and took care of her because her mother is dead,” I said nuzzling Kisha.

                “ Aw! She’s so cute!” said the babysitter wolf.

                “ She even knows how to hunt,” I said smiling at Kisha.

                “ Yep, she did,” said Kisha sitting proudly with her head high.

                “ Really? Well, you sure are cute,” said my father.

                “ She can be our pup, Youkia,” I said looking at Youkai.

                “ Yes, I guess she will be,” said Youkai smiling at Kisha.

                “ Well then Kisha, you’re my daughter now, and I’m your mother. Youkai is your father,” I said nuzzling Kisha. Kisha smiled and wagged her tail while nuzzling Youkai’s nose.

                “ Another pup to baby-sit,” said the babysitter wolf. We all laughed and then settled down.

                “ I’m hungry, and so is Kisha. Lets go on a family reunion hunt!” I said standing up. My pack all agreed and we ran off into the woods on the search for food, in the land that we belong in where we would be free, now where would run free.

                                                                                   THE END

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Eleven years later Tsuki died at the age of 12. Her mate, Youkai died one year earlier from sickness. Tsuki’s daughter Kisha now runs the pack and is about three years old now. Tsuki’s mother, father, and grandmother have also died. After they died Tsuki and Youkai took their places along with Scar. On Tsuki’s death all the wolves buried her in their most sacred spot, in the garden of silver flowers along with her mate. They buried her on a full moon at midnight howling over their graves praying for their souls as they put silver flowers on their graves. The wolves say that Tsuki and Youkai never reached heaven, but landed in the sky. Tsuki became the moon goddess while Youkai became the star god. The wolves howl every full moon to honor Tsuki and Youkai.

                Kisha found a mate of her own named Taku. He is a mix of gray and brown. They had six pups of their own and they are all one year old. They have learned to hunt well and look like adults. Kisha has kept the pack healthy for many years and will continue on until her death. After she dies one of her sons or daughters will lead the pack. These wolves will continue this tradition for thousands of years until they are all destroyed or the earth is destroyed, but their spirits will live on in heaven, except for two wolves. Tsuki and Youaki.