Wind hissed through the trees, its biting chill cutting through much of Enera's fur. She'd endured a winter before, though she'd had Marrah and Mama to make it bearable. Why she'd chosen to leave in the middle of the cold season she didn't know... it was just time. She hadn't expected to drag her little sister along with her though.

Enera tried to walk upwind of Sova to shield her from the worst of it, but sometimes she needed to carve a path in the deeper snow. Even the forest didn't seem to have escaped heavy coverage. Enera was curious about the north, but didn't want to head deeper into winter's grasp, so she turned her paws west.

As the sun dipped slowly toward the horizon, the sound of running water met Enera's ears. She paused. Running water meant the potential for fish. "Come on," she said. "We'll stop for the night soon."

Enera tried not to smile as her sister yawned at the promise of rest. She too was tired, but she tried not to show it. She needed to encourage her sister as much as she could. That meant being strong, like their mama - like Woya. Leaving felt more and more like a mistake every day, especially since they had yet to run into anyone.

The question gave Enera pause. She wasn't sure how to answer, since she didn't know exactly what she was looking for, herself. Marrah, certainly, if her sister-friend would be receptive to her. She would be, if it was just Enera, but with Sova with her? Would Marrah have gotten over her repulsion of the girl by now? Maybe being away from the pack would help her feel better about the children. Especially since Adonya had gone.

Enera had to swallow a lump. "We'll know when it feels right," she said, hoping she sounded more sure than she was. "I'm hoping to find Marrah, too," she added casually.