Yawning, the Caverns Teacher stood up and stretched out his long forelimbs. A soft sigh escaped from his lips as he stood back up and surveyed the den site. His pale grey eyes watched the pups gangle from one side of the den site to the other. He could remember when he had been that young and carefree with no worry in the world. Sometimes, he almost missed that feeling, but as always, he thought about the good things that had happened to him. Some of those were better than his early puppyhood memories.

Tearing his gaze from the three small –now growing bigger- bundles of fun, he thought about going hunting, but the sun in the air was beating down upon his back. There was no way he could run in that weather, so instead of heading off to Hush Meadow, the Caverns Teacher decided to move out of the sun and lie in the cool interior of the den, waiting for a pack member to come up to him. Maybe his Silver Queen would arrive and they could have a chat. He hadn’t seen her in a while, but knew that she was fine.

Giving a quick shake of his grey head, Kieth lay down in a sphinxlike position and stared out from the mouth of the den, watching the pups play with each other. He didn’t want to disturb them, as he didn’t feel much like being bowled over and nipped at as they played tug-of-war with his thick, fluffy coat. Right now, he was lazy from the heat of the sun, but didn’t really want to sleep. Laying his head on his paws, the Caverns Teacher awaited for someone to show up.

Narimé held a squealing rabbit in her jaws by the back of its neck. The poor things back legs were broken dangling wildly as the silver she wolf brought back the treat for her pups. She wanted to see if any of them had it in them to actually try and kill the rabbit themselves. It wouldn't be much of a hunt for them since all the thing could do was try to drag itself away. However just being able to kill something would be an accomplishment for any one of her pups. She remembered the first thing she had killed. A squirrel her father Sibo had somehow managed to catch. It was a different sensation killing for the first time. If anything she would test to see if any of her pups had that desire to kill just like she had. That blood lust which made Nari the instinctual hunter that she was. Maybe if they passed the test she would be able to take them on a hunt at some point in the future.

Onto the thought of the future Narimé found her tail wag wavering. Her pack was doing well. The family that she and Sloane had created was thriving. However the woman was nervous of what was to come. Their first real winter together as Whisper Caverns pack. It would test every wolf in her family and Nari knew this. She wanted every chance for her pups and pack mates to do well.

Having allies with packs is a great thing. It means a higher chance that we'll all survive if bad fortune awaits us in the future. She thought to herself ignoring the writhing rabbit in her jaws. Then she paused mid stride. A word had jump started her memory.

allies

Narimé recalled those who had allied themselves with her pack. Nina and Koda, Elettra, and Shade had tried to. However the silver wolf recalled in her memory that Shade had not met with her during the time they had made a meeting for. Did Silver get the message through? Or was there interference with her mission? Narimé started forward again trotting through the trees towards the hill that hid her cavern home. Worry clear in her stride. She had forgotten to send Inali out to ask why the meeting never came to be. Perhaps she should talk to Shade herself about pack business matters?

Hunting with the pups will have to wait a while.. Narimé sighed to herself. At least if she didn't mention it to them her children wouldn't be sad in the first place.

The female found her paws taking her around the mouth of the cave and into the darkened shadows of the earth. Her blue eyes fixed upon her three pups as they wrestled on the soft dirt. She strode up to them and set the rabbit down watching it try crawling away the moment she took her jaws off of it.

"This is for you three to hunt and kill. Be careful of its teeth and claws though. If you get hurt go to Simaea for help with the wounds." She was slightly worried that her children would get hurt. But hopefully their instincts will lead them true. She thought about the time the silver wolf had brought Titan out on border patrol. How he had gone after a rabbit on his own. The proud woman had thought she'd seen blood lust in his eyes then. Surely he might make a good hunter? Or maybe Yuka or Malia would get to kill it before Titan? She wasn't sure. The young leaders heart ached knowing that she would have to miss their first kill because of pack business.

Looking around the cave quietly Nari spotted the silvered shape of her longest standing second Kieth. A half smile twitched onto her worried expression as Nari approached him. She wondered where Sloane was however Nari was sure Kieth would give her mate the news she was about to tell him.

"Kieth. Can I ask you to tell Sloane that I'll be traveling for some time? I need to speak with an old friend of mine, Shade Slayer who has started a pack over the mountains." She stopped a foot away from him licking the top of the older males muzzle in an affectionate greeting. "I can trust you, Sloane, and Tokino to keep a watch on all the ladies and pups of Whisper Caverns pack right?" She teased lightly knowing that watching over a pack and its pups was hard to do.

It seemed like only a few moments until a silvery form appeared with a rabbit hanging from its jaws. It was Narime, his Silver Queen! His tail swayed back and forth along the ground as his pale, grey eyes watched her place the rabbit gently next to her three children and say something to them. Although what, he didn’t know, as her words were too soft for him to hear from the distance between them.

The Caverns Teacher could see a smile on her face as she approached him; licking his muzzle in an affectionate greeting. He chuckled as she spoke, and it rumbled in his chest for a few moments. He returned her greeting by licking her on the underside of her silvery chin. “As soon as I see Sloane, I will notify him.” His words were accompanied by a warm smile as he got to his feet once again, though this time not stretching.

Kieth bumped his muzzle gently against his Silver Queen’s muzzle at her teasing words. He would make sure that they came under no harm, the pups and the ladies. Although it would be a challenge keeping an eye on all of them. “We’ll do our best, Narime.” He was curious about the new pack that was started by Shade Slayer but refrained from asking. Narime had to leave now and he wouldn’t hold her up by asking questions. After all, he could ask her when she came back. “Have a safe trip. And return soon!” Grinning, the Caverns Teacher sat back down on his haunches and looked at his Silver Queen with pale grey eyes. He hoped that she didn’t get into trouble, for how would they be able to find her in unknown territory. But it was her choice if she wanted to go, and he wouldn’t stop her.

Narimé,having spoken the words she needed to her second, had turned around about to leave when she spotted Inali coming closer. The silver wolf nodded her head in greeting and head butted Inali's shoulder playfully glad to see the woman before she left.

Her silver ears took in Inali's request putting a smile to her face.

"Yes. Go and see Nina. Remember our packs are allied so there shouldn't be any problem visiting her. Also could you say hello from me as well? We were friends since before Whisper Caverns was created." Narimé finished speaking giving her fourth female permission to leave for a while. It would take the she wolf a few days at a slow pace to get to Nina's territory. However there still was Sloane, Minka, Simaea, Harp, and Tokino left to keep her children in order.

"I'll be heading off now. Good luck to both of you and stay safe while I'm gone." The silver hunter waved her tail in farewell and turned to head out of the den. She did not say good bye to the three pups who were still playing with the rabbit for fear of distracting them from their true goal which was to kill the furry thing.

Her paw steps brought her quickly outside of the cave. Narimé was already going through her memories to try and find the fastest route to her destination. Unfortunately for her she did not remember where the pass through the mountains was. Back from when she and her father first entered lore. Niether of the wolves had given a thought to remembering their way there. I might have to ask around the area. She wondered if any Poison path rogues were left near their old territory. Surely they would know the way over?

(Exit Narimé)

Malia leaped and giggled at Titan chased her back and forth. She was always a step ahead of him, as usual. When he stopped running she did as well, pausing with a grin as if she had won the game. Her eyes sparkled with curiosity as Narime brought an animal for them, but it was not dead like all the others. Its brown eyes moved wildly back and forth as it struggled against mommy's grasp. The gray-and-white female then put it down before disappearing into the environment once more, like smoke in a clear day. Malia crept closer, wondering what on earth she was supposed to do with this thing! Titan seemed to have the same idea and started biting its tail and flanks. The pup rolled her eyes. If her brother could not do it, she definitely could!


While the rabbit was preoccupied with Titan, Malia moved from behind, eyes aiming for the back. The prey seemed to sense her and ran away from her. The pup sped up her walk and attempted to leap for the quick-moving animal. She missed and ended up in the dust, spitting out the earth from her mouth and wiping it from her eyes. A growl emerged from her jaws, embarrassed that Titan, Inali and the others had seen her failure. At least mom had left already... "Speech"