~Jay~

        I can't believe I got this lucky, a newborn kit hunting prey and catching it is one thing, but finding a pack destined for the Silver Flame and they are my birthpack! It's absurd! I led the now found pack through the forest, retracing my steps from when I ran away from Joy and Whisper. Whisper. My ears droop at the thought, I thought he was my best friend. Then he lashes out at me like I'm some rabid badger.

I shake my head, pushing away the memory. I can't think of that, my duty belongs to the prophecy, The Silver Flame is much more valuable than a little, tiny friend problem. We've been walking for the majority of the day, taking minuscule breaks for food and water to our advantage.

My nose twitches at the smell of Joy and Whisper, the faint smell of fear lining the scent. I nod my head, gesturing that we were on the right trail. I smile as Dark catches up to me, her black pelt shimmering from the sun.

"You'd be a great leader." She compliments, touching my forehead with her wet nose. I slightly grimace. I forgot all about my position as Firepack's deputy, I wonder who is filling in for me. I cringe as I think of how Twig will react when I come back alive from the journey and continue the Deputy position, reminding her that I'm better. I nod at Dark, looking back to follow the faint paw prints that Joy and Whisper left behind. The steps led to a cave, it looking alike Leafpack's former burrows that they lived in. The sun hid behind clouds, as if it were scared about what was going to happen.

"Hello?" My voice bounced off the walls, echoing in the cavern. A pair of Amber eyes appeared, their pupils dilated. A growl rumbled deep in their throat, it was laced with the smallest sound of a pained whimper. The sun shine once again, revealing the fox. She was eating a rabbit, their amber colored pelt shone in the sunlight. Their battered leg was supported with a stick. They gave us a smile,

"Autumn!" Shrub jumped forward, embracing the young fox as she thumped her tail happily on the ground.

"Hey guys!" Autumn greeted her packmates with a smile.

"Autumn." Dark's voice rang out, the chattering stopped, leaving silence in the air. Dark's eyes narrowed as she strode through the path that her packmates cleared. Autumn gulped, gazing up at her leader.

Dark gave a sigh, closing her intimidating eyes and opening them to more gentle ones.

"You've got to be more careful, if you wander far from us again." The Leafpack leader trailed off. "I will not hesitate to give you herb and moss duty for a moon." Dark's voice hardened. Autumn gave a shy nod.

"Good, Shrub, take Snow, Amber and Bark for a hunting patrol, be back four paws before moonup." Dark ordered. Shrub grunted with a nod. Leading the foxes out to the forest. I cock my head at the unfamiliar term, four paws?

"What's four paws?" I ask. Dark turns to look at me, sitting down.

"Four paws is a measurement for time. For example, look at the sun." Dark explains, gesturing to the sun which was at its highest point. "Put your paw up to it." She commanded, I obeyed, following her steps while she did them alongside me.

"Count how many paws it is until your paw meets with the land."

I counted, six paws, I thought with satisfaction.

"Six paws." I say looking at my former leader, she nods her head in approval.

"That's right," she grins, "if you were to count eight paws, than that would make it two paws during moonup. Their are a total of twenty-four paws in a day and night combined." Dark explained.

"Six for sunup, six for sundown, six for moonup and six for moondown. Moontop and suntop there to represent the middle of the day and the middle of the night."

I hummed in response, giving Dark a happy glance in thanks. I saunter over to Autumn, who is grooming her ruffled pelt, she stops her grooming, her amber eyes changing their attention to me. I clear my throat.

"I-I don't think we've been properly introduced." I stammer. Autumn's ear flicks,

"No." She adds on,

"Jay. Deputy of Firepack, hunter. Kit of......unknown." I introduce with unease. Autumn gives a small giggle,

"Autumn. Hunter of Leafpack, like I said, hunter and daughter of Bark and Marsh." She returned back, I grin.

"How's your leg." I question, shooting a glance at her wound.

"It's fine." Autumn inquires, "a bit sore and has a bit of aches every now and then but it's fine."

I chuckle at her, her eyes glittering with amusement. I trot towards the opening of the cave.

"Nice meeting you Autumn Leaf." I called over my shoulder, she flashes me a smile.

"You too Jay Fire."

Before I turn around I bump into something fuzzy, I look up to be met with leafy green eyes. Whisper. I stand up a bit taller.

"Oh, um...h-hi Whisper." I say bluntly. "I guess I should uhh..get going." I scoot to the side, Whisper's tail blocking me, I look up at my former best friend. Joy nudges him and he sighs,

"Look Jay, I am so sorry for what happened earlier, I wasn't in my right mind. I lashed out and took my anger on you, I wasn't thinking correctly." Whisper mumbled, his ears drooping and his eyes coated with sadness and guilt. I give him a small smile.

"It's alright Sir Whisper, I forgive you." I say in a soft, jokingly matter. Whisper pipes up a bit.

"Thank you, thank you so much your Majesty." Whisper chuckles, giving a small bow. I walk out, Joy following me. 

"So who are they?" Joy whispers, gesturing to the remaining foxes of Leafpack. I blink at her. 

"Leafpack." I say like it's no big deal that I found one of the missing packs, puffing out my chest.

"Woah...nice Jay!" Joy chirps, the information taking a bit to seep through. I smirk at the white fox before looking at the sun. Five paws until Moonup. I grin at my newfound knowledge. Pride gleaming in my eyes.