When the light snow fell--chapter one Part one

When the light snow fell--chapter one Part one

The pup bounded up the hill where shanair waited for him. Spring had come, pushing the harsh wenter away for another year. There wasn't any snow left and flowers were attempting to bloom early in the green grasses of the meadows. Bumping into his mothers legs, he stopped and looked up at her, smiling widely. She bent over and picked him up by the scruff of his neck.
"Mama, where are we going?" He asked, watching the scenery go by as he was carried.
"The pack is moving. the winter is gone, and the pack is moving to another spot. The humans are chasing us off and killing our prey. so we move to survive." She explained as she caught up to the rest of the pack as they trotted along. The pup didn't say anything. But as they got closer, he began to squim upon seeing the other pups at play.
"Mama! I wanna go play with the others" he replied, squirming to get down. She gave him a soft rather sad smile before setting him down and allowing him to run off towards the small grupr that was being watched by Falner, another member of the pack. Kitai bounded up eagerly to the small group. the group stopped and turned to regard him.
"Go away," One said snippishly at him. He tilted his head, confused at why they glared at him.
"Can't I play" He asked tentively, his ears laying back on his head.
"We don't play with the likes of you." another one stated, backing their 'leader.' he whined softly. Glancing back and forth in the group, he couldn't understand why they wouldn't play with him. "You're not a pack member. We don't play with outsiders." He took a tentative step forwards.
"But...I am a part of this pack!" He protested smally. The group leader snapped a hard laugh at him.
"Go away, stupid" Kitai took another stpe forwards, wanting to explain, to prove that he wasn't what they accused him of being. He wasn't given a chanve as the small group leaped upon him, biting and scratching. He bit and scratched back, trying to escape the 'gang.' He cried out as one bit deep in his side and he whipped around to try to defend himself only to have another snarl and bite him on the other side. He was outnumbered. A growl interrupted and the watching mother began to pull the other pups off of him. she pushed them off in another direction. he let his ears gratefully but laid them again when she turned on him, snarling.
"Go back to your mother, child. Don't let me catch you causing any more trouble here." she snarled at him, placing the blame on him. he pulled his tail between his legs, glanceing back towards the tree where his mother sat.
"But--" He began begore her paw came swiping up at him. It connected squarely with his maw and sent him flying. Shanair leaped to her feet.
"Don't speak so rudely to an elder" She snarled glaring down at him before shanair showed,standing protectively over the fallen pup.
"Falner! There isn't a nned for that. She snapped, glaring at her. Falner smiled wickedly and only shrugged, turning back to her duties.
"Keep the trouble maker away from my pups" Was her only reply. she watched her go. Shanair bent and picked him up and traveled back to the tree where they sat waiting for teh traveling to begin. She sat him down and began to clean him.
"Mama, why am I so different?" he asked softly, "Am I really not part of this pack?" She smiled down at him.
"Of course you're apart for this pack." She answered, "They just...don't want to get to know you all that well." She explained, trying to get his spirit up, "They'll be your friends sooner or later." She told him. He sighed and attempted to give her the smile she loved to see. "Don't worry, Kitai. You'll be fine." She whispered into his ear, as he began to drift off into sleep. "You're safe."
The shine of the sun blinded him as he looked to a new day. He uncurled himself from his ball and squirmed out from underneath his mothers protective clasp. He stretched and yawned, looking up at the cloudless sky. The rest of his pack were still sleeping soundly. He looked back towards his mother before a flutter of wings caught his eye. A butterfly. He smiled and bounded off after it, attempting to swat it out from underneath the air. He didn't notcie the small group from yesterday following sneakly behind.
"Hey!" The leader called out, forcing Kitai's attention away from his lonesome game. "hey, you" he stopped and turned around smally, his ears laying flat on his head warily.
"Yes?" He ansered smally, tension building. He looked between the group, but never looked away from the wicked starest that gave a subtle hint on an evil plot. It gave him a sniking feeling of dread, but he shook it off, curiousity taking hold.
"Wanna play a game?" The leader asked, smirking. He seemed to know that Kitai wished dearly to play with them and he would give him that, in their terms anyways. Kitai's ears perked up considerable at the question. Finally someone wanted to play with him. His tail began to wag back and forth.
"Yes!" He answered eagerly. the group held back snickers as the leader looked around quickly.
"We know this area, where we can play," He began, "It's perfect to play hide and seek or a gaome of chase" Kitai nodded and a smile spread upon his may, finally feeling accepted. "Follow us." The leader turned and begane to trot off, the little gang following him. He followed, ignorent of their dirty littl plot that would set him off mor as an outsider. they walked aways, paws silently pushing forwards.
"Are you sure we're allowed to wander so far off?" Kitai asked, glancing nervously behind him. He couldn't shake the feeling of a helpless sense of dread. He was beginning to wonder if he should have said no.
"Don't worry about it. We won't be gone for long." He answered casually, snickeres being stiftled. He nodded absentmindedly, looked around at the changing scenary.
"Shouldn't we have told somebody where we are going, so they know where to find us?" He asked, "Or brought some one else, grownup, along with us?" The leader rolled his eyes.
"You worry too much!" The leader complained. "Just be quiet and follow, it's not to far away from here, anyways." Kitai whimpered underneath his b reath. His ears laying themselves down on his head. Instinct was screaming at him that this was nothing but trouble. He shook his head and stubbornly followed behind, cautously stepping over roots and rocks. he felt so far away from home. He hoped that they could find their way back.
"Here." The leader said, leading them through a thcik underbrush. He allowed his eyes to wander around the aread. Rocks littered the area underneath the rock wall of a cliff. the sound of water let the pups know that nearby flowed a stream. A trail lead up to a cave embedded in the cliff and the trees casted shadows all around. It was a peaceful clearing that made Kitai sigh in peace. Thes was a good place to play. the leader turned towards the group. "Alright how about a game of chase! One will be it, and has to chase the rest around until they catch someone." He explained. Kitai nodded. "So, who shall be it." the pups looked back and forth between each other before they yelled in unison, "Not it." Kitai was the only one what stayed silent, so they turned to regard him. the leader smmiled. "Looks like you're it." He smirked. Kitai nodded. "you give us a ten second headstart before you began chasing." the pup spoke. The others nodded in agreement.
"Alright." he watched as the puppies scimpered away before estimating how long ten seconds was. He loped off in pursuit of one pup, who teasinly slowed, before breaking offinto a full run, when he caught up. Kitai laughed, seeing no harm in the game. he bounded in another direction when another pup moved closer. he weaved this way and that. Finally he was able to pounce on a brownish gray pup, knocking her flat. "Gotcha!" He laughed as the two began to bite one another.
"Alright, Taeh is it" Kitai jumped up, letting the pup gain her footing. "Remember, ten second headstart." The brown pup, teah, nodded, her eyes fixed on Kitai as he bounded off. After he turned a corner she flew after him, yipping all the while. Kitai laughed, thinking himself clever as he bounded up a rather low bent rock and flattened himself, trying to blend in. Teah slowed, interested in how her target had gotten away from her. She sniffed around before bounding off after a more silver colored pup that caught her eye. Kitai laughed softly, warily watching the two as they came closer tensed for the moment to bound off, the silver one lunged away as she pounced him, only to knock into Kitai, before he could leap away. She began to bite and scratch rather hard as he attempted to defend himself.
"Ow,hey, not so hard!" He complaind trying to pus her away. the voice of the leader interruppted their fight.
"Alright, you're it again." Teah jumped off Kitai and he rolled to his feet, ears flattening as she leered at him. He glanced around around and the game began, again. Every time he caught someone they turned around and caught him, fighting with him hard, biting and scratching. He whimperd as the game became more unfair towards him. His turn again and he bounded up and caught the leader, who struck him down. He fell to the ground, looking up at him, the leader wore a malcious expression. "How about another game? He asked. Kitai, weary from the game, stood facing him. The group snickerd.
"Why don't we go back, I'm tired of these games." He whimpered his ears laid back, tail between his legs.
"You're no fun. We only have one more game" He sneered down at him. He nodded towards him and the group once again descended upon him, biting and scratching. He whimpered and protested, trying to escape the bundle. he squirmed and struggled and was finally able to bound away, towards the cave. The group followed him ruthlessly. Distant howls began to get closer, only meaning one thing to him: The pack had found them missing. he pushed forward as fast as his small legs would carry him, towards th cave. Teah and the leader where the faster of the group, so they easily kept up with him. He whimpered, diving into the cave before coming to a stop. He stared before him. The slumbering beast slowly opeing its cat slit eyes.
"Ohh, look at the whimpering cry-baby now!" he said, attempting to snarl, but only come up as a bark, echoing off the rock walls. The slumbering beast gave off a low growl that Teah mistook as Kitais own.
"What are -you- going to do about it, huh?" She snapped in an octive voice. Kitai was tempted to tunr around and face them, but he was paralyzed by fear as the cat slit eyes rosed, towering above him. The other two didn't register the threat until the cat roared, a meanacing sound that sent Kitai and the leader running. Teah was fixated like stone as the cat lunged for her. Kitai noticed her and darted back, throwing her out of dangers way and he got swatted across the cave. He managed to turn it itnoa roll and got back to his feet, whimpering as the cat towered over him. His ears flatten down upon his head. The cat was distracted as a flying figureing tackled it, latching its maw around the cat's throat. The cat struggled and shook, but only was attacked by more wolves. Kitai took the oppertunit to flee, heading into the saftey of the pack's number. He found hismother and rushed off to her, burying his head into her legs, whimpering. She picked him up and together the pack began to retreat. Mothers first and the rest began to flee, scattering about.
He attempted to look up at his mothers face, one eye swollen almost shut. She bounde up a slight hill and did a double back towards the stream. HE was set down and he stared into his reflection. He bit back tears, as he realized the intent with the games. They never intended to be his friends. they only wanted to torture him. they wanted his life to be misearbale. He frowned, somehow not connecting the dots together. he was still young, not old enough to have his hope and niavity easily shattered. He glanced back up to his mother, who began to groom his fur. There was a sad/angry look in her eyes, yet she said not aword. He wanted to aske her but something told him that he shouldn't say a word.
"Mama?" he asked tentatively, ears hopefully perking up. She didn't say anthing and he fell silent for a short period of time. "mama--"
"Why'd you run off? You knew it was dangerous to wander alone through the forest." She scolded him, still grooming him inbetween.
"It was their Idea! They wanted to go play a game with them, and--"
"You could have easily played under the watch of our eyes." She interrupted him. he flattened his ears, sadly and guiltly. She sighed. "But all that matters is that you're safe." he sighed too and was once again picked up as she moved off, beckoned by a howl. they came upon a meadow where some, not all, the pack members lolled about, licking wounds from the fight. Whisperes reached his ears and he lowered his gaze to the ground, not making eye contact with anyone.
"There they are." The mother, Felner, of the small gang sneered as Shanair approached her and the Alpha, who sat waiting. "this is the little brat that almost got my children killed!" She accused, pointing a paw at him. He attempted to speak, to protest, but his mother set him down and gave him a look. She looked to Felner, and the Alpha. The Alpha turned to regard the two. Kitai pressed himself against his mothers legs, ears flattened, not catching the Alpah's look. "This pup thought it would be fun to lead mine out into the wild." She explained to him. A scowl crossed his mow and he turned his glare towards Kitai.
"Derk..." Shanair began, "It's not his fault." Felner snarled at her.
"Yes it is, That Mutt lead my charge out into the woods and almost got them killed!" Felner glared at her, teeth bared.
"Enough!" Derk snapped at the two. he turned to Felner. "I understand your anger. I'll deal with him. YOu may leave." Felner Nodded, Growled at shanair who paitently stood there and left, returning to her pups. Kerk turned and looked at KItai. "That was a dangerous idea" HE spoke to Kitai, "you almost had several pack mamebers gravely wounded." KItai gulped, not looking at Derk. "Do you understand?" Kitai nodded. Derk turned to Shanair. "Don't let him near any other pups, nor out of your sight. If another incident like this accurs, we aboandon him." He turned away from the two and trotted off. Kitai was soon picked up by his mother and carred off towards the stream so she could bathe his minor injuries. Kitai stayed silent wondering what was to happen now.
"Mama..." He whimpered softly, "It's not my fault, it was their Idea! I only followed!" HE protested hoping his mother would understand. She merely sat him down, not saying a word. "Mama?" He looked up at her, who began to clean him again. "Mama, It's---"
"I know, little one." She replied softly. "There is nothing that we can do. Once Derk has spoken, his rules are to be abided. Kitai sighed sadly, falling into total silence."Don't worry, I'm sure we'll get along just fine." She said attempting to cheer him up. Kitai only snuggled closer to his mother, burying his small body in her fur.
Days passed by as the pack traveld northwest. Kitai grew bigger and his spirits was soaring as his mother taught him how to snark up on prey and how to kill. She taught him which animal was which and how to tack them. he leard this all with child like eagerness.
"Mama!" HE said bounding up to her. She smiled at him, as he tackled her, rolling around and play fighting with her. She laughed a short bark like sound and pushed him off her.
"I'm getting a little old for that, little one." She answered, gleaming down at him. He smiled back at here.
"When are we going to stop traveling?" He asked, rolling onto his pack, swiping his paws up at her.
"As soon as we get to a more suitable area, safe and thriving." She answered, standing up and moving waya. He rolled to his feet and followed off after her.
"HOw long till we get there? He asked again, curiousity fueling him. She chuckled.
"You aske to many questions." She responded, laughingly. He couldn't help but snicker along with her. they came upon a stream and he dove into the cold water, splashing around. She shook her head, laughing at him. He stepped out and shook his gray, silver fur out, water flying everywhere. "Hey, now" she responded, moving away from the water. He gave her a smile, before stretching and bounding off towards a small clearing that caught his eye. His mother smiled and followed slowly behind. "Too much energy" She mused.
"Hurry up, mama!" He called back over his shoulder. She shook her head, smiling. Way too much. He bounded into the meadow, butterflies lazily fluttering about the late summer flowers. The wind blew genntly across the forest. He took a deep breath and sighed enjoying the peace. He trotted towards the middled of the clearing. Clouds drifted lazily across teh blue sky. He didn't hear the soft footsteps the crept up behind him. He stood and looked up. The only warning he got before being tackled to the ground was a puppys growl. He yelped as the groupd descended upon him. He bit and scratched back, trying his best to snarl, but it only turned into a halfsnarl, half bark. the group was alrger, about ten to fifteen members. Shanari bounded into the meadow ,snarling at the gange. The group scattered, yipping as shanair protectively in front of kita. Two other pack member appeared suddenly and faced shanair, snarling at her.
"What is the meaning of this?"They snarled at her. She lowered in a crouch, backing away from them.
"You're causing trouble again, didn't Derk tell you to mind you guys business." the other snapped at them. Kitais ears flattened at the sharp comment.
"They started it! I was minding my own business. They jumped me!" He protested. The two snapped angerily at him.
"Don't lie! We all know you're not part of this pack and you ahve a history of making trouble." Shanari growled.
"That's going a bit too far, Lais, Teike,." Shanair growled back. TEiki only smirked and Lais snorted.
"You have no Authority over us, Shanair." Lais snapped at her. Shanair frowned, backing away from the two, back towards the stream. They followed snarling after her. She quickly picke Kitai up and moved off, back towards the stream. They two, Lais and Taik followed only to the edge of the meodow. Kitai was set down along the bank of the river.
"Mama, what'd they mean, not part of this pack?" Kitai asked, following after his mother, who padded along. She didn't answer him at first. When he bagan to question her again, she casted a glance towards him.
"Nothing, child" She replied softly. HE titled his head curiously at her before looking back over his shoulder. He whimpered softly before turning his attention back towards where he was going. They returned effortlessly. The group was gathered around the new day's hunt. Wolves ripped at it, and snarled at each other. Shanari lead him close to the growling pack. She pushed their way into the frenzy. Kitai was pushed and snarled at as he attempted to gain food for himself. the whole group was fighting over the food. He managed to nag a few bites before he was cpmpletely pushed aside and away from the group. He attempted to get back into the group, but only failed. He watched the group eat, hoping some would be leftover for him. he paced back and forth, not wanting to try and get back into the frenzy. He whined, watching the group, longingly. Would his mother bring back something for him? Or would he have to dive back into the group? The way the group ate, it looked like there was nothing that would be spared. he sighed and begane to push his way into the group, hoping to grab some more meat. Wolves snarled alla round him. He mangaed to grab a few bites, before something grabbed him by the neck and pulled him out of the group. He squirmed and when he was set down outside the freny he looked up at the growling figure of Lais.
"You don't belong here!" He snapped at the pup, "Go find your own, mutt" the last was said with contempt laced in his tone as the wolf turned away.
"But, I'm part of the pack too! I should be able to eat also!" He called back afterwards. Lais growled at him.
"Stay away." Lais warned before leaving the youngling to himself. He watched after him, anger filling him up.Why didn't they accept him? He was part of the pack. He turned away and headed back towards the stream, muttering to himeself. He kept hishead bowed and paid no attention to any things but the forest floor. the stream was cold as he dipped his maw, drinking deeply from the freash water. he glanced up as teh sun began to set. Seeting the clouds aflame with color. He watched as birds flew into the sun, gluiding alone the warm thermals. he sighed, longing to find a place where he could be accepted and not pushed away, casted as an outsider, not fit enough to dine with them. He frowned and turned his attention to the aread around him. Besides the stream, trees stood tall alla round him, leaves getting ready to turn colors, letting the season turn to fall. Small forest animals burrowed and chatted around him. He felt himself calmed considerable. He turned back towards the stream, looking into his own reflection. Two Gold/black eye bored into his and the silver black fur looked as if were waving at him.
"Do I belong anywhere?" He murmered to the wandering stream. Nothing answered him. Silence rang out at him and he sighed, sitting and staring at his reflection. Maybe he should leave the pack, when he became old enough. "but that wouldn't be right.." He mused, "And mother would be heart broken." He sighed again, looking back up at the sky.
"Kitai, we're moving..." Shanari called out to him softly, barely interrupitn his thoughts. HE turned around and torrted up to his mother not ssaying a word, and together they headed off.