Though it might have felt suffocating to many other wolves, the little red wolf felt quite at home in the knotted mess that was her new pack home. While it was true that lately she preferred spacious places where her heart and imagination could expand and wander, there would always be a place in her heart for mazes like this. Even if it reminded her a little too much of home. Feeling a sad smile dimple the cheeks of her face, she forced the feeling away with a grunt and plunged herself deeper into the recesses of the thicket. She was heading towards the pack den.

"Tell me another secret of yours, Mister Thicket of Secrets," she said without warning. Her eyes surveyed the territory, taking note of any peculiar details in the branches or leaves. "I know you know one of my friends, but I don't know any of your friends. I've only met one of the leaders so far." Suddenly she paused in her steps and her ears flitted. Her pale green eyes narrowed and then widened in disbelief. Though it was hard to believe, the little red wolf had always trusted her namesake. The leaves saw all. "You don't say! I didn't know she no longer had a boyfriend." It seemed she was overdue for a conversation with Kite and her "no-longer boyfriend." Not that she would ever truly understand such adult matters and concerns.

Managing a small smile, the newcomer continued to chat with her tree friends. From all outwardly appearances she appeared perfectly content to wile away the day with them. Such was the beauty of finding magic in all.

Leaf was not a particularly territorial wolf. Well, she could be and she could not. The thing was, she had not yet properly developed an attachment to the Secret Woodlands. So when a lone wolf came stumbling onto pack territories without any sense that this was someone else's home and not his, Leaf could only stare amazed--and a bit delighted.

"I like you," she said as the older wolf greeted her calmly from beyond the bushes. He was larger than her--as everyone in this world seemed to be--and much older. Yes, he must have been an ancient wolf. "You could work on your entrance, though. It's not good to tell people outright that you don't fancy them," she said as she gestured to the trees that had earlier disturbed him. Still, her statement made one wonder if she had any qualms of her own admission. Still staring at the other wolf, she finally blinked and smiled.

Though larger, the other male showed the telltale signs of a lone wolf. His thinness did not fit him. "So, what's your story? You must be wanting to prove something to risk your life coming here like this." Her voice was chipper, and it was full of admiration. Even her eyes seemed to sparkle with appreciation. It was clear that the little wolf thought the other wolf some sort of daredevil. What, with his unassuming manner and grace. It would be interesting to see him fight with the pack guardian, preferably from a safe and far far away place.

Leaf leaned forward a bit and narrowed her eyes before returning back. "You seem sincere. They'll forgive you soon enough." It was humorous to think the other wolf might have thought everyone in her pack was like her. Oh! How sadly disappointed he would be when he realized that many of them were without the spark she had. But then, she was biased.

"Curiosity killed the cat, but you are not a cat..." she began to respond before narrowing her eyes once more, this time in confusion. "I haven't met a thick-coat like you," she continued instead. "You really should take it off. It's so blistering hot today!" It would be interesting to see how the arctic wolf would fare during the summer months, though she knew the species to have their own version of thin-coats as well. "My fur is just red. Yours, on the other hand, could be considered truly blinding." He just needed a good dose of bleach or sun was all.

It seemed that both our characters were quickly entranced by the smell of a possible hunt, and Leaf was always hungry--or as her mother like to put it, had a good appetite. Ears pricking as she followed the lone deer's steps, she wrinkled her nose and turned to the other wolf. "Say, I can save you, you know. Come hunt with me! I'm sure with you by my side, we'll be able to have afternoon tea." It seemed her trip back to the den would be postponed.

Without waiting for his confirmation, she left. She was determined to keep that deer separate from the rest of the herd, and her speed would ensure this was just so.

Leaf turned back and smiled as she saw the old wolf crouch. Yes, perhaps his red saddle would provide some camouflage, though she still was determined to buy some sun-bleach to see how white his coat could be! She did find it rather odd that he was allowing her to take lead--what, with her being younger and more inexperienced--though she appreciated the fact that he had not assumed it was his place to lead. Then again, he was an intruder onto pack lands. She schemed.

Returning the other wolf's gaze, she gently nuzzled him. "I'll send her to you," she whispered. Knowing that her own coat was of some advantage to him, she maneuvered herself as softly as she could. The fawn was still crying out, but as she circled her prey, her prey caught wind of her. She then knew she had to strike. Rushing forward and barking loudly (she was known for her hunting skills), she essentially herded the poor creature towards the other wolf. Right or left, the fawn was always greeted by the little red wolf. Finally, she snipped the fawn in the neck, which sent it sprinting towards her other attacker. "Get her...!" she shouted, her face swept up in a smile. She was certain their victory was sealed.

He made it seem so easy, she thought, as she watched him launch his body airborne and into the fawn. Gravity did the rest of the work. Wagging her tail in pleasure, Leaf yipped. Quickly she rushed over to the fresh kill without questioning the other wolf's motives. It seemed they were both uninterested in conflict--and that the pack was equally uninterested or perhaps merely unavailable. Gesturing for him to take the first bite, knowing that it was also something of a honor to execute the final hit, she then proceeded to feast herself. Fawn was so tender, and she made a mental note to herself to hunt them whenever possible.

"I'm going to leave this pack," she said when her appetite was satiated--such was not difficult being a wolf of her size--"and leave this land. Do you think you will miss me?"