~Joy~

         Earlier there was a conundrum about a singular. I wasn't very intrigued by it at the time but the thought has been tugging on me for a bit. I wandered the forest with Soot and Rain, my paws crunching on the gravel under me. I watch as Soot's ear flicked in aggravation as she turned her head left and right for any possible prey to catch.

"Another storm is rolling in." Soot sighed.

        I walk over to him, looking up to give the sky a good look for myself, Soot was right, gloomy, dark clouds flowed their way above the camp. "We should get the best of this time." I pointed out. Rain and Soot nodded in agreement, we stride through the forest, our pelts blending in with our surroundings, except mine, of course, my pelt was as white as snow. We sniffed the ground, hoping to catch a whiff or small trace of something to kill and devour.

"I found something!" Rain bellowed excitedly, tail twitching in the air.

Soot and I race towards a Rain, trying to pick up the same scent Rain tracked. I caught the faint scent of a squirrel. My heart lurched as I picked up another scent. The scent of other foxes. I opened my mouth to confess my discovery but Rain darted forward, I sighed as I picked up my pace to catch up to my eager packmate, Soot right on my heels. We catch up with Rain quickly, the young fox wasn't very swift. We find her crouching in a nearby bush. I huddle up next to her. "Rain, their are other foxes he-" I start.

"Shhhhh!" She shushed me, punting me with her front paw.

"But Rain." I say again.

Uh oh. Too late, Rain darted from the bushes, giving the squirrel no time to think. Rain's claws opened to snatch the squirrel, unaware of an opposing fox from a different pack, she ran into the other fox, them barley wincing when a Rain slammed into them. She looked up in awe, gasping as she took in the other fox's broad frame. They leaned over with a menacing stare. Alarmed, Rain darted back to bye side, eyes full of caution. The other fox's eyes darted to me, to Rain then to Soot, who's claws gripped the earth, dropping to fighting crouch. Soot took a defensive step towards the new fox, his dappled brown pelt tensed. The new fox bared his teeth to a snarl, his own black flank tensing ready to spring at any moment. I willed my body to move, to block the other fox from hurting my packmates, I tried as hard as I could but my body would not obey. I watched helplessly as bit foxes strode to each other, meeting each other in the middle as they collided.

"No!" I screeched hoping to catch both of the rival foxs' attention. That plan failed. I hurt grunts and growls, whimpering and yelps as they fought, the black fox ending on top, planting his paw on Soot's dusty cheek, Soot heaved, as he winced from the pain. He bit the opposing fox's paw, satisfied with the yelp it brought forth. I felt control take over my body again as I gritted her teeth ready to charge.

       I darted forward, barreling into the black fox's stomach. The dust cleared as swiftly dodged a paw to my cheek, not ready for the aftermath the rival fox brought, his jaw clamping around my scruff as he bullied me, swinging me around as I yelped in pain, Soot charged once more knocking the other fox off balance as I staggered to face my enemy once more. I look over to the place where Rain was, their was no sign of her. Good. I thought, maybe she's gone to get help I inferred. I felt myself being rammed into as Soot fell down on me, his pelt clotted with blood, my legs felt like noodles, too wobbly. My mouth is agape as I helplessly watch as the opposing fox makes their way towards us, claws sharp, his lips peeled back to a devilish smile. I whimper out, as if on cue a young gray fox skillfully leaped over Soot and I, snatching the black fox by the ear. The black fox's icy blue eyes widened in surprise as he lightly yelped before pinning the newcomer down, his head weighing down the gray fox.

"Joy!" I hear a voice call,

I look back to see Rain along with Moon and Whisper. I feel myself settle in relief.

"Rain!" I call back not before hearing a yelp, I snapped my head towards the sound. I see the small, gray, nimble fox out of the black fox's grasp, the gray one holding part of a black ear, both foxes growled, the gray one sputtering out the ear that was once in his mouth before charging again, nipping at the black fox's paws. Howling in pain, the broader fox got ahold of the gray fox's scuff, in the same tactic that they did on me. My ears perk up as I heard a battle cry from behind me, Whisper joined the fight tackling the black fox head on. I pant as my wobbly legs stand me up. I limp towards Soot, nosing him up quickly as I watch him saunter over towards Moon, herbs in her jaw. I feel the air rise with tension as I look back at the fight, Whisper had his snout bared into a snarl, his back bleeding, The little gray fox had his fur clustered and tangled with blood, his ears flattened to his head. The black fox's left ear was shredded and dripping with blood. I felt my fur lay flat as I heard the bark of my leader.

"Fang." Night snarled, voice dangerously low.

"Night." Fang replied licking his lips.

The gray fox and Whisper staggered up and darted to the right of Night's side, panting, their heads low as they glared at the opposing fox.

"Teach your trainees properly." Fang taunted. That lead the newcomer and Whisper's snarls to increase in volume. Quickly stopping their song of growls as I watched Night brush his tail over the two lieutenant.

"Four trainees couldn't take me down, " Fang tsked, "I wish you luck in the future." He finished, walking away to vanish into the trees. The gray fox tensed, ready to spring back into action.

"Don't." My leader commanded. I felt a shiver go down my spine as the gray fox whipped his head around to meet Night's gaze.

"I'm my own pack, I'm not following your orders." He snapped, fire blazing in his hazel eyes. I stiffened, no one would dare say that to Night! 

"Kit, this is for your own good, you are inexperienced. Do you really want to square up with a full grown fox?" Night pointed out, his tone hardening as he glared at the singular. The gray fox ripped his gaze away, knowing he lost the debate.

The newcomer huffed in annoyance, Night smirked as he watched the young fox return to his side. I felt pride overcome my pelt, my leader always wins. I smirked myself. Pain layered my pride as I limped to camp along with the newcomer, Night, Whisper and Rain.

I staggered to the medicine den, plopping myself down next to Soot, who was bleeding nonstop. I sighed, let's hope he makes it. The thought worried me, it dragged me into a heavy snooze as Moon tended to my wounds.

——————————————————————————————