Russle's journey

[Revera]

Russle padded in the growing shadows of twilight. Her pudgy paws kicked at the brightly speckled rocks lining both sides of the river. She was sure that Avalon had moved Moona and Star away from the river by now and it being her first time out in the big big world she wasn't sure what to make of it.

"Food, water, shelter." The pup thought. Survival came instinctual to her. She knew she was right beside the water so she wouldn't get too thirsty. "But Mother's milk? What am I supposed to do without that? Eat the slimy stuff mom brought in last time?" Her lip curled at the thought.

"There has to be something here. Something better than that." Her little nose twitched to find something tasty among the darkening shadows. Her bright eyes lit upon a dark shaded red berries growing close to the ground. Anything that bright has to be tasty!

[Sadie the Fox]

Sadie padded among the cool reeds of the river. Her russet pelt blended against the stain of the cool dark woods. She paused lapping at the sweet tickle of water rushing by her black socked paws.

It was then she spotted the small red fox pup before her. Her eyes scanned the area tensly. It was strange to see a pup alone and she expected to see another fox female bounding from the undergrowth to rip her in half.

When no one appeared Sadie drew closer. The little thing was eying a group of deep red berries with long green fronds about them. Her instincts kicked in and forced her forward. Her sharp muzzle cut across the young ones path before she could even sniff the deadly yew bush.

"That is a very foolish move little one." The vixen scolded.

[Kiki]

Russle pulled back in shock as the strangest wolf she'd ever seen crossed her path. It's sharp yellow eyes and pointy mouse like nose glared down on her from above. The small wolf cowered instinctivly. What was going to happen to her?

"I'm sorry, is it yours? I was just looking really." Her pelt burned with embarrassment and fear. What was this weird wolf going to do to her?

[Sadie the fox]

Sadie blinked in surprise that it wasn't a fox she was looking down on but a two month old wolf pup. Now she almost regretted saving it. No doubt this pup belonged to one of the two packs that split this territory. She had seen them milling about like rouges in search of fresh meat.

The prey had gotten scarser because of their constant hunting. It seemed that one elk a day wasn't enough for the monsters known as wolves. Now she was stuck with a mini brute at her paws but at least this one was showing some respect her way.

"They aren't mine." She answered as she sat. "But they are yew berries and they're very dangerous. Just touching them can kill you."

[Kiki]

Russle stared at the bright red berries shining so invitingly from behind her. Now what would she do? If even the plants could kill her she would surely die. For a moment she felt the hot tears of panic in her eyes.

Desperatly she gazed up at the big weird wolf. "Then what am I going to do? I have to get home, but I don't know where to go and I'm hungry." She knew she was whining, but what else could she do?

Her big blue eyes looked deep into the red wolf's yellow orange gaze. Her message was clear. Please help me.

[Sadie the fox]

I should have killed her The vixen thought with a sigh. She was such a sucker for puppy dog eyes. Her tail wilted against her flanks and the sterness of her shoulders faded.

Now she really was stuck with the little red wolf. "My name is Sadie." She barked as she began to lead the way to her thicket. "And you are?"

[Kiki]

"R-Russle." The little red wolf yipped as she followed after the wolf she'd just met. "So you're going to help me?" She barked with glee as she tried to keep up with Sadie's long legged gait. It was harder than she had imagined. The wolf walked as she'd never seen a wolf do, with her head held low and tail against her hips.
Maybe she's an Omega. Russle thought. She'd never met a real omega before.

[Sadie the fox]

"That's what I'm doing aren't I?" Sadie snapped. Why had she gotten herself into this situation? Now she had to play sitter with some flea infested wolf.

Her den came in sight. It was just a small dug out under a thicket of dead brush. It was only a temperary hovel though. She would need to move on soon. There were rumers of better hunting grounds milling through the birds chatter.

Her mouth watered at the thought of a full belly again. "This is home. Go in there and make yourself comfortable. We shall see if Hal and Kar smile on us tonight." The young vixen barked to her unwelcome guest.

[Kiki]

Russle's half perked ears pinned against her skull at the strange wolf's sharp tone. She didn't see a den before them. Just a rough collection of dead brush stuck together. Timidly she walked between her care taker's long legs and nosed the dark diagnol hole she was leading to.
The smell of cold earth made her shiver and Sadie wanted her to stay there alone? "Who are Hal and Kar?" She barked trying to stall Sadie from leaving. Russle didn't want to be alone.

[Sadie the Fox]

Sadie rolled her eyes and sat among the grass outside her thicket. "They are the brothers that made the world. Kar is the bright light that feeds the sky and Hal gathers the stars to him each night. Hal is begining to take his place as sentry now."
The young fox looked up into the sky where Hal's one silver eye drew open enough to look down on them. Silently she sent a prayer to the king of the night sky for guidence in her hunt. If she was lucky a rabbit might be out for a stroll.

Quickly she nudged the young wolf so that she'd fall in and then turned to dash off into the night. With Hal behind her this hunt should be easy.

[Kiki]

Russle was shocked as her backside dragged on the ground and into the dark chamber of the thicket. Her frightened eyes peered out from the brief sliver of light. The shadow of Sadie rushed across her vision and then it was gone.

She was left alone with her thoughts. What was Mom and Dad thinking right now? Surely someone had noticed her absense. Maybe they would howl and find her. Moona must be a nervous wreck. Russle whined with guilt. Moona had said to never leave her alone and here she was a million miles away.

"I'm sorry Moona." The little red wolf whimpered. "I'm so sorry."

[Sadie the fox]

Sadie returned just as Karr rolled the great glowing ball into the sky. Her delitcate paws made no sound on the long downy grass. The hunt had not gone well. She had brought nothing for the young wolf to eat.

"Well I'll show her some good berries and maybe we can scrounge some lizards together on the bank." Sadie thought as she crossed to the thicket. Inside the warm red pelt rose and fell with sleep. If there had been time she would have sat and watched the young pup rest but as it stood, the sooner she was rid of this pup the better.

"Hey, Russle. Wake up."

[Kiki]

Russle blinked awake in the bright sunlight. A large pointy shadow stood black against the bright light making Russle leap back. Her head collided with the low cealing. It took a moment for to remember where she was and that it was Sadie looking at her now and not some hideous monster.

"Good morning." She chirped.

[Sadie the fox]

"Yeah, yeah. Prelimenaries. Get out here before we miss our catch. They won't be out very long."

Sadie herded the pup from the hole and led her to the river. Maybe catching fish would be a better idea. It was too cold for most lizards, and this pup was no where ready to fight a snake.

"Come on, over here." Sadie barked leading little Russle into the water up to her chest. "Darn, your size is going to get in the way of this. Just wait on the bank and I'll show you what to do."

[Kiki]

Russle waded her way back out of the freezing current. She hadn't managed to get anywhere close to where Sadie was. The little red wolf had no idea what her care taker was doing. It seemed like a load of phewy to her. Why were they even out her on such a cold day.

I'll show you what to do. Sadie had said.
Russle sat licking the cold from her chest and paws. Sure, She goaged Sadie in her mind. Elighten me.