Naia’s nose twitched as she drifted through the Cedarwood trees, taking in the comforting smells of her home and the scents of her various packmates. The Timber lady spent so much time out here scouting that she had only a vague idea of the pack politics back at the den. She counted on the smells emanating from this border to give her updates about her family. As she walked, it delivered to her news of a new packmate, but she also noticed the absence of several other prominent members’ scents. Naia dearly hoped that these family members had simply chosen to move on, and had not gone missing or deceased in the wake of such a harsh winter. She noted too that Maksim’s female friend—his former Second—had indeed assumed the leadership role as indicated by the border markers. Naia wondered with a smile if there might be large, fluffy agouti pups this spring.

Still daydreaming about springtime and bouncy fluffball puppies, Naia didn’t realize she was in the presence of a packmate until the dark-pelted lady was directly before her. ”Oh!” she emitted, startled by the “sudden” appearance. ”Ubasti. Forgive me, my mind wandered for a moment there.” She smiled sheepishly. They both knew that a scout’s eyes and ears were to be sharp at all times, especially on a border run. Just between subordinates though, Naia didn’t mind admitting to the mistake. ”Would you like to join me? Perhaps the company will keep my mind focused on the present,” she joked, her honey eyes gleaming as she laughed at herself.

Naias features broke into an easy grin when her packmate accepted her invitation. Before she could even lift a paw to continue the border run, her companion began a question, and her hesitancy stopped Naia in her tracks. Head cocked, she waited patiently for the rest of the question to tumble out, wondering what on earth could be troubling her friend. Could it be about breeding season perhaps? A highly sensitive creature, Naia had noticed a general increase in agitation within the female ranks as well as a few sharp, suspicious looks tossed around here and there. There were quite a few bachelorettes vying for their leader’s attention, and could Ubasti be one of them?

The actual question took Naia by surprise. Her honey eyes widened, and it took her a moment to collect her thoughts before she could respond. She was quite taken aback—not because she felt threatened, but because she felt honored. It had never been a question to Naia whether she would be working with other scouts; logic dictated that a pack needed at least two. One to run messages, and one to scout the border. However, she had never expected another to ask her permission before trying for the position as well. It was a sign of great respect and consideration from Ubasti, and Naia knew then that the woman opposite her would make a true friend, should Naia keep her close.

”Would I mind? Ubasti, I would be thrilled. I could really use the help, especially if Maksim gives us little mouths to feed this spring.” She smiled a crooked grin at her companion. Whelping season would mean more work for everyone, but it was work she was happy to do. With a nod indicating that they should walk, Naia began putting one paw in front of the other, still a little stunned by the previous question. She was processing as they walked, and in time Naia spoke again. ”I know that you didn’t have much choice in the place you would call home. You were sick, and it was chance alone that brought you to our border. Now that you are here though... you should start making choices for yourself. Fight for your place. Follow your heart.” If it was scouting that was going to make Ubasti happy, Naia would be the last wolf to stand in her way.

Naia smiled reassuringly at Ubasti’s relieved response. Her ears flicked to attention in order to catch the end of her companion’s sentence, which was cloaked heavily by her accent. ”Not at all,” the agouti lady reassured her after a brief pause to process the words. ”An extra set of eyes can only mean good things for Cut Rock River.” The two walked in silence for a bit, and Naia wondered if this patrol was the first of many the pair might complete together. Having a partner would certainly relieve some of the loneliness inherent in the job of a scout, and Naia couldn’t think of anyone in Cut Rock River she would rather have as a confidant and friend than Ubasti.

When Naia spoke again, the dark-pelted lady answered that she could hold her own—a reply that mystified Naia. The aspiring scout found it interesting that her companion could be so confident, especially in a pack of strong, talented wolves. Maksim expected his followers to prove their loyalty and prowess before awarding an official pack role, and his approval was not easy to win. For this reason no subordinate of Cut Rock River had yet assumed a pack role, but Naia intended to be the first. Ubasti then revealed that she had never been in a fight before, and the confession was enough to stop Naia in her tracks.

She paused to collect her thoughts before she replied, understanding that it could be a delicate subject for her companion. She knew so little about this wolf she considered her friend. ”I understand the desire for a pacifistic life,” she began, ”I prefer to lead one myself, truth be told.” Naia shared a small smile with her companion. It felt almost conspiratory to say those words aloud to a packmate, especially when they belonged to a family with the motto, ”If you do not fight, you cannot win.” Naia knew she could trust the wolf at her side-- It would be the first secret they would share.

”I had never been in a fight before either... not before patrolling the border here.” Naia winced at the memory. Every time she thought back to that day she tasted the blood of the Pass yearling in her jaws. It was almost enough to make her gag. ”When you’re a scout, sometimes diplomacy isn’t enough. Sometimes fights find you, even when you don’t go looking for them.” Naia fully intended on going her entire stay here in Cut Rock River without ever picking a fight or challenging for a rank, but she could not delude herself into believing that she could dodge every situation that might call for combat. She would never start a fight, but she had resigned herself to the inevitability that she would certainly have to finish one.

She sighed, meeting Ubasti’s gaze with a resolute expression. ”We could practice together, if you like. I know it would make me feel better sparring with a partner who hates it as much as I do.” She flashed her companion a crooked grin, as if it had been a joke, though in truth it really would ease Naia’s mind knowing that her sparring partner didn’t secretly enjoy drawing blood from her. The delicate lady’s eyes flicked over to check the sun, which was steadily sinking its way toward the horizon. If they were quick about it, they might be able to fit a spar in now before finishing the day’s patrol.

Even as Naia insisted that she would delight in Ubasti as a partner, the Timber woman thought she saw a flicker of emotion pass behind her companion’s mismatched eyes. Intuitive by nature, Naia got the feeling that it wasn’t scouting that was getting Ubasti all worked up. She turned her own honey gaze forward to allow her new partner some privacy, and in a few moments the sable lady spoke once more, her voice holding no indication of the emotion that Naia had moments before detected. The scout matched her friend’s grin.

”When can we start? her dark companion questioned, and Naia almost answered, ”immediately!” Thinking about it though, it made more sense to practice in the company of a professional guardian, perhaps even Maksim if he was available. Under his tutelage they would have proper instruction that would hone their skills much more so than with the guesswork or trial and error methods they would have to employ alone. ”Perhaps when Maksim or one of the guardians is available to assist?” Unfortunately, most of the pack was busy preparing for the pups to come. ”After the pups arrive, I suppose. When there is food and energy to spare.” She turned to Ubasti to see what she thought of the idea, but her partner seemed distracted by a scent she had caught on the wind.

”It’s definitely rabbit,” Naia agreed, her nose twitching as she confirmed the scent. ”There is a clearing with some grass downwind a little further... I’m betting that’s where they are.” Naia knew this border like the back of her paw. ”Good find,” she complimented Ubasti with a little half smile before she took off, leading the way to the clearing. She dropped into a crouch as she neared the target location, looking over her shoulder to make sure the swarthy woman was doing the same. ”The clearing opens up beyond this underbrush,” she imparted at a whisper, nodding toward some thick bushes a few wolflengths ahead. She waited for her companion to take the lead—it was her find after all—and her heart began beating faster as she anticipated the hunt.