*Old Buck*

The old buck, once proud and strong, staggered out into the den area. His back leg broken and protuding slightly. Only a few drops of blood fell, everynow and then, but the scent of death was unmistakeable. The stress,age, and bitter cold, was catching up to the buck. He stopped to catch his breath.

buck

The old buck was breathing heavily now. The stress that the broken leg, but on him was far more than he could handle for long. He stumbled forward, a couple feet from the den, in with the large bear + cubs were. His vision was blurred and he was begining to grow delerious, so he didn't smell them either. His leg buckled and he fell backwards. Frantically he stood again, in great pain. The scent of death was stronger now.

Cavan & Nachi

The scent of the deer was faint to them, since Athara was blocking most of the wind. Cavan stood up, or rather crouched in the den, and whined eagerly. Nachi did as well. They couldn't get out though, with their 'mother' at the entrance.

Athara

Athara paused, before stepping outside. The blizzard was dying down, and it was time to come out. She called softly to her cubs. She growled at the buck, before moving around to the other side of it, waiting. She would teach her children how to hunt. She lept at the injured buck, snapping her powerful jaws, aiming for his neck.

Buck

The old buck swung out his hind hooves to protec itself, but missed, aslo causeing the bear to miss. Instincts took over, and the buk fled, the best he could, leaveing a horrible smell, and drops of blood as a trail.

Cavan & Nachi

They both scramble from the den. Cavan tilts his maw to the side to catch better sight of Athara and the buck from his good eye and ear. He was getting close to adult size, but still very much an adolecence in knowledge of things.

Nachi came around his blind side, and Cavan whipped his head around and set his fangs to her muzzle, causing only a small gash. Nachi bristled, but leapt away with a startled yelp. Cavan recognized her then, and whimpered his apology and licked her muzzle. Nachi laid her ears back eyed him cautiously before deciding it was truely an accident.

Their attention quickly returned to the buck, and they saw how it used its hooves to kick at their mother. Then it fled. Cavan and Nachi watched the deer flee, then looked to Athara to see what she'd do.

Storm Alarm

She shifted slightly under the thick blanket of snow that had covered and kept her warm during the blizzard. Storm Alarm broght her muzzle up and shook the snow from her dark maw, so she could see the den again, and catch its scents. Her eyes came to rest on Athara and the buck. So the plan had worked so far!

The wolfess turned her gaze to her two pups. She could see how much they had grown, and was suddenly aware of a longing to see Jais and Railu again. She missed them, and was worried that they were alone with her smaller sister. But now, she knew she must focuss on her other pups. Storm Alarm kept an intent vigile.

Shadow

Shadow growled to herself. The bear was not following the buck. She favored her paw as she thought. If thigs got worse, she would let herself be seen following the buck, maybe that would jolt then female into wanting to get itfirst. That or the kodiak would come after her, leaving te others to do what they had planned. Shadow peered through the trees watching.

Athara

Athara looked after the buck, but then something caught her attention. A familiar scent. Wolves! She snarled, before nudging her cubs into the den. There were wolves out there and she wasn't going to let them attack her cubs.

Glider

He sees that they have been discovered, but waits a moment. Now, the sow bear surely wouldn't follow the buck over her cub's protection. Glider hesitated a moment, then pulled himself up and shook the snow from his pelt.

The beta darted out in a wide circle, and stopped several yards from Athara, in plain view. His golden orbs flickered from the den to the bear and the wolf bared his striking fangs and made a mock rush toward her, but was ready to stop short before he was within reach of Athara, and sprint off several yards again.

He was attempting to keep her attention on him.

Shadow

Shadow snarls again and limps out into the field. She lifts up her raven muzzle, and howls a taunt at the Kodiak

*Athara*

Drakar had grown, and now an almost full grown bear, he wasn't willing to be pushed out of the way by his mother. But as he was still under her control, he obeyed. But he felt his family was threatened, and he didn't like it.

Nyx felt the same, and she let out a low snarl, as she kept her eyes on the den entrance. If Cavan and Nachi were threatened, then they would help their mother defend them.

Athara snarls, keeping her eyes on the wolves, but never straying from the den entrance. She swats at the Glidar, but doesn't move.

Artemis

Artemis came to stand by Glider. "Bear! Leave from my territry." Her fur bristled and she snarled.

*Athara*

Athara was now wary of this other wolf. There were many of them, and she was sure she couldn't defend her cubs by herself. She snarls, baring her teeth at Artemis.

Drakar, upon hearing the remark from Artemis, bared his own teeth. He was tired of being pushed around by wolves. What did they want with his family? He pushed past his mother, as he stood beside her at the den entrance. He was about 3/4 of her size, but he didn't let that get in his way. He gave his own snarl, warning the wolves off. "Make us."

Sedge Fur

With his ruff expanded to make the large alpha appear a bit bigger, Sedge Fur makes his stand with the others. A deep rumble rolled through his throat, and turned into a chilling snarl, "We will." Sedge Fur replide to Drakar, and stood tensely on guards, keeping sharp watch over the bears.

Artemis

Artemis snarls, "Yes, we will. And you won'tbe too pleased about it. I'll ask you once more to leave my territory."

Shadow

Shadow stands still by the tree line, paw held up. She took a few hops forward, and then a few more. The closer she got to te bear, the more hotter the still healing cut on her muzzle seemed to grow. Finally she reached Sedge Fur, Glider and Artemis. She put her paw down and wiced slightly.

"You brought this upon yourself Kodiak." she snarled at the mother bear. Then she looked at the 'smaller' male bear. "I would be careful what you say, for yu don't know the half of whats happened, what problems that Kodiak mother of yours has caused."

*Athara*

Athara looked down at Drakar, who had taken another step forward. His fur was darker then hers, to the point where it was almost black. He bared his teeth again at the comments. He was usually very placid, but now he was being pushed to his limits. "We're not going anywhere. I won't allow you to harm my family, my sisters, my brother or my mother." Nyx stood close to Cavan and Nachi, listening to what was happening outside.

Storm Alarm

She caught site of Shadow's limp, but decided it best not to bring any kind of attention to it around the bears. Keeping her eyes focused on the kodiacs, Storm Alarm speaks quitly to Shadow, "Should I go find Thunder's Call? Or maybe my sister?"

Artemis

Artemis took a small step forward towards the male bear.

"No one ever said we were going to hurt anybody, but your are on my land and have refused to leave. That holds me a right to do whatever I wish."

Shadow

Shadow looked at Storm Alarm and replied just as quietly.

"Your sister should stay with your other pups, but.." she hesitated, "we might need Thunder's Call. Get him, but tell him to wait downwind and out of site, until one of us calls for him."

Shadow glanced then at Artemis and listened to her. Looking at the ber she nodded, agreeing with what the Alpha was saying, also adding her own thoughts.

"Your mother could return what she stole, you know. And we would leave you alone."

Storm Alarm

She nods, then turns and sprints off as fast as her swift legs would carry her.

*Athara*

"My mother didn't steal anything." Drakar said, taking a step towards Artemis. "And we have lived here peacefully, before you decided that you wanted to attack our family."

Thunder's Call

The large grizzly was very careful to keep down wind and out of sight of all eyes and noses. Thunder's Call was ready, though not quite willing, to help his pack if they should need it.

Storm Alarm

She returned and stood near Artemis, "Your mother stole two of my pups! After killing another one." her tone was anything but friendly as she replide to Drakar.

Shadow

Shadow took a painful step forward touching her nose to Storm Alarm's cheek. Then she looked at the male bear.

"I would watch what you say, for we know far more than you. And you keep coming back to the 'decided to attack my family' We asked you to leave and return the two pups your mother took from this wolf. Noone had attacked you family..yet." Shadow raised her head to look at the mother kodiak. "Do you not remember that day. Not so long ago. You came into our pack den. You angered our family, killinmg one of it's members. Then you took two others." Shadow tilted her muzzle so that the scar could be seen by the bear. "Kodiak, you gave me this scar. And if you do not return the pups, I intent to give you one twice as big."

She looked once more at the male. "And you need to shut your maw. Our problem is with your mother and not you. Let your mother speak for herself, stop trying to cover what she's done."

*Athara*

Drakar opened his mouth to speak again, but Athara stopped him. "Silence." She hissed, and he shut his mouth obiedently. Athara turned her cold eyes to meet Shadow's. "I took two cubs that wolves took from me long ago. You had them, and I retrieved them." She replied cooly. "I admit, I did kill a pup of yours, because wolves are a threat to my family. I have no wolves here, and I ask you to either leave us be, or let me and my family of four go in peace."

Shadow

Shadwo nodded and tok another step forward.

"Right now i'm not going to do anything so just please liten to me. For one thing,you bears arejust as much of a threat to us, as we are to you. On another note I'm very sorry for your loss, but we had nothing to do with the theft of your cubs. Tell me, your cubs were bigger when they were stolen were they not. I think bear cubs are bigger at birth then wolf pups. When you came to our den site, our packs pups were very small, practically newborns. And I ask you to look at the ones in your ah..den there. Do you see nothing different between them? Look at your son there who was stepping up. He looks like you. But two in there do not. They look like us. Compare them if you wish."

Shadow winced as she put her paw down on the ground again. Her eyes were sad and her ears were halfway pined down.

"As a mother, you should know whats its like when you have offspring. Look at the two you took from us. They have markings like their parents. Another thing, do theynot feel slightly different? A mother shares a certain bondwith her children, am I right? Does it not sem, different now?"

*Athara*

The mother bear was wary of this wolf, but what she was saying was making sense. "Yes, they did seem a bit small, but they looked similar to the ones I had lost, and I assumed it was them. I haven't compared them with any other wolf." She thought for a moment. "Let Cavan and Nachi decide then." She said finally, looking behind her at them.

Cavan & Nachi

Cavan slowly comes forth, but stands very close to Athara with his clouded blind eye towards her so he feels safer. Nachi slinks up beside her brother, then glances back at Nyx, then back towards the other wolves.

"Mom... I thought wolves were dangerous..." Cavan whispered to Athara. But Nachi looked from Storm Alarm to Cavan, and then to Athara and Nyx. Cavan resembled the wolves much more than he resembled the others. She knew she looked like her brother. While Cavan was very confused, Nachi began to understand all that she had been listening too; they had been taling about her and Cavan.

Shadow

Shadow nodded to Athara. Her eyes thoughtful. Ebony plume swished once.

Shadow looked at Caven twin peaks catching wht the he had sad. "Caven you are a wolf. Look at your sister. Look at me. Look at Strm Alarm here." She nodded towards the beta, purposly refraining from saying mother for that might put fear and denial into the youths mind. "Nachi. I see the look upo your face young one. Do you see what I am talking about?"

*Athara*

Drakar looked back from one to the other. So what if they looked the same! They were still his family, and he wasn't going to let them go. He looked at Nachi. "They are. Very dangerous. It's safer to stay here with mom, then to go with them." He said, casting a glance towards Shadow. Nyx nodded, standing tall beside Cavan, a rather protective stance. She nudged him gently. "Cavan..."

Cavan & Nachi

Cavan noted his resemblance to the wolves, but he couldn't see them as family. Athara was his mother, and Nyx, Drakar, and Nachi were his siblings. That's how he saw it, even if he looked different from them. The young wolf looked up toward Nyx. "You're my family."

Nachi was confused on her feelings. She relized the truth, and knew she belonged with these wolves... but, like Cavan, they didn't seem like family. She hesitated, and took a step closer to the wolves, but only a small one. She tried to better pick up their scent.

*Athara*

Nyx nodded. "Yah, we're your family." She nudged him gently. Drakar stared after Nachi. He didn't want her to go. He took a step forward, but Athara shook her head, and he stopped. He watched her for a moment.

Shadow

Shadow glared at the male bear. "Stop filling his head with nonsense. You bears are more dangerous to us than we are to you."

Shadow lowered herself some to be on Nachi's level. "Do not be afriad young one. Though you were raised by the Kodiak, you are still part of our pack, as is your brother. Do you not at all recognize your birth mother?" Shadow once again nodded to Storm Alarm. "Do you not feel that bond between mother and daughter, or recognize her scent? You probably won't recognize mine, for you did not meet me before. But Storm Alarm took care of you." Shadow had a sudden thought. "Nachi. Try to remember. How many sibling did you have?"

Cavan & Nachi

Her eyes darted up to Storm Alarm. In a vague way, she almost seemed familiar... Nachi tried to remeber as far back as she could. Back past the blizzard, past her time in the den with the kodiacs... She rembered being carried by Athara, and tried to remember what happened before then, but it was hard.

"I... I remember there were other cubs, the same size as me... I don't remember how many. They were just like Cavan..." the thought confused her some, but she took a step closer to the wolves, and Storm Alarm's scent did seem to resemble her's and Cavan's.

Cavan gave a light yip to his sister, "Nachi! Don't go! They are dangerous... we're your true family!"

Storm Alarm

Storm Alarm dipped her head down as well, so it would be even with Nachi's, "Please, come back to us. I miss you two so much. You have two other brothers back home, Jais and Railu." her eyes moved to Drakar, then to Cavan, "Cavan, you must trust us, the bears are the truely dangerous ones... they killed you other sister." she kept her tone calm, but also a bit pleading. She was desperate to get them back.

*Athara*

Drakar growled at Shadow. "You're the one who's filling her head with nonsense." He snarled. Nyx stood tall beside Cavan. "Nachi..." She pleaded softly. Drakar followed "Nachi, Cavan is right, we are your true family."

Shadow

Shadw ushred a growl back. "Hush bears. You have no right to tell her what to do. Let the girl decide for herself." Shadow nudges Storm Alarm to watch what she said. Shadow looked at Cavan, "Cavan, we are not the dangerous ones. No one in our pack would ever harm you or your sister." Shadow now looked at Nyx again, "You may be A family, but not their true family. Athara did not give birth to Cavan ad Nachi, nor did she feed them their first part of life. She took them from Storm Alarm, apparently thinking the were her own, but they are not." Shadow thought amoment.."Nachi..Cavan..woul seeing your REAL brothers help you see who you really are?"

Cavan & Nachi

Nachi thought silently for a moment, then spoke up, "...i would like to see them..."

Cavan rumbled slightly, and his fangs where revealed, "Drakar is my only brother! Nachi, come back here, stay with us."

Shadow

Shadow pinned her ears. "Enough Cavan. Drakar is not your birth brother. He may seem a brother, but you have two REAL brothers." Shadow glanced at Storm Alarm. "Would you go get your pups?" The whispering she added, "And tell Thunder's Call to come as close as he can without revealing himself, just incase someone looses their temper." Shadow stood slowly. "Athara, I wish to make a truce for now. No fighting. Just talk. Noone on this side will attack unless you break the truce." Shadow looked meaningfully at Storm Alarm, Glider, Sedge Fur, and Artemis. Her voice high enough to carry to Thunder's Call. "I do not want anyone to get hurt. Will you agree to this?"

Storm Alarm, Jais, & Railu

Storm Alarm took off swiftly after Shadow was finished speaking. Before she left the territory, she came around to Thunder's Call and revealed what Shadow had told her.

A bit later, Storm Alarm arrives again, with the yearlings Jais and Railu. She strides forward cautiously to where she was before she left, and nudges Jais and Railu forward. Railu pinned his ears back in uncertainty and glanced up at the rest of his pack. Jais had his ears perked up in interest. The large bears were a curiousity to him, but he rememberd what his mother told him, and he didn't move any closer.

His puppy-blue eyes came to rest on Cavan first, then Nachi. "Are they my brother and sister?" he stepped closer, but was checked by a warning rumbled from Storm Alarm. Railu sat down, panting. He was tired from the trip over here. The yearling looked at Drakar with some worry... he seemed awfully big.

Cavan & Nachi

Nachi's ears slowly came up as she saw the two. She gave a slight yip and stretched her maw forward. Her tail waved slightly, but she didn't want to make the first move. She glanced back at Athara, then at Shadow and Storm Alarm. "Is he my brother? And him?" her eyes peered over at Railu.

Cavan gave a snarl, seeing that his sister wasn't listening. He didn't want to be told what to do by this wolf pack! Then again, he didn't want to start a fight between them, seeing that there were so many wolves. "Nachi..." he rumbled in a low voice, "...don't listen to them."

*Athara*

Nyx shook her head. "He isn't. And neither is he. They are trying to drive you away from your family. Think about it. If they had wanted you so badly, they wouldn't have allowed our mother to take you." "They probably left you and Cavan to die, and mother picked you up. If bears are so dangerous, then why do wolves come seeking to kill us? Has mother not take care of you?" Drakar piped in, looking down at Cavan. "Listen to us Nachi. Cavan speaks the truth." Nyx said, as the two bears stood tall beside Cavan. Drakar sensed the weakness of one of the pups, and was using it to his advantage. He snarled at Railu, baring his fangs. He wanted the wolf to fear him, and by the way he was moving, he knew something was wrong. He was easy prey. He growled again, but Athara silenced him with a growl of her own. Drakar glared at Railu, but kept silent.

Storm Alarm, Jais, & Railu

Storm Alarm's fur bristled and she gave a bloodcurdling snarl in response to Nyx's remarks. "I came here to save them from you kodiacs, haven't I?" she moved closer, keeping her eyes on the the younger she-bear. "You know nothinhg about being a mother! You don't know what it's like loosing your own childeren, and seeing one of them, helplessly being killed and not being able to do anything about it!" her voice rose in her outrage.

Railu flattened closer to the ground in fear, and whimpered. Jais rushed to his side, bristling and snarling like his mother. He didn't realy like Cavan, but Nachi didn't seem so bad. He paused in his snarls and looked back towards her, "My mom says you're my sister... I'm Jais. I suppose I'm your brother then."

Shadow

Shadow's ear perked in alarm. "Easy Storm Alarm." Shadow looked at Nyx. "You'll do good to hold your tounge Nyx. You know nothing of what happened that day. Stom Alarm and her pups were in their den, when Athara came and well..came. We didn't ALLOW your mother to take them. We fought her. Not all of the pack was there, so we did not do so well. Thats how i got the scar on my muzzle. By fighting your mother, trying to mstop her from taking them. Plus.." her fur bristled, "No mother of an animl species would just leave their young to die. None that I know fo anyways."

Shadow now turned to Nachi. "They ae your brothers. And I believe they still should have the same scent." She looked questioningly at Storm Alarm. "And rest assured young one we are not trying to rip you from your family, only show you your true heritage and hope that you would come back to your mother."

Shadow looked a Athara. "You can tell Nyx about the day you took cavan and Nachi from us if she doesn't believe what I told her. But let me ask you something. You said that cavan and nchi did indeed seem smaller when you took them. And you said that you assumed that they were your cubs, and tat you had not compared them to any other wolf. Now Nachi can see that her and her brother are different. Do you agree that Nachi and Cavan are not actually bears?"

*Athara*

Athara shook her head. "They are my children, and that is all that matters. And I'll tell you to mind your tongue while talking to my children. You speak to them unkindly, and regard yourselves as above us. We have every right to be here. They have their own thoughts, and are free to speak them." She bared her teeth, and took a step towards Storm Alarm, as if in challenge. "You bring your children here, and one of them is weak. I suggest you take them out of danger, before I loose my temper, and take my wrath out on them." She hissed dangerously. She might not go through with her threat, but it was her family to protect. Drakar stood beside Cavan, protecting him in case the wolves were to attack. Nyx growls, and snapped at Jais. "She isn't your sister, nor does she want to be." She growled, her light brown fur bristling angrily. "Nachi, remember your common sense. They want to seperate this family, take you from the ones you love, and the ones who care about you. Why now do they come for you? If they had wanted you so badly, they would have come when you were young. But you have grown Nachi, and it is only now that they come. Why did they not come before? Because they thought you were dead, and they didn't care to find you."

Nachi & Cavan

Nachi listenes to the hot words between both sides. It seemed that Storm Alarm and Shadow were more convincing at first, but she began to take sides with the kodiacs again, especially when the wolves started to show more agreesion towards them; though the kodiacs showed agression as well. Nachi just wasn't use to the wolves, and they didn't seem like a family to her. A bit reluctantly, Nachi backed up again closer to Nyx and Athara.

Cavan swished his tail once approvingly. He looked back at Railu with a vehmonous display of fangs and a snarl. He was trying to act like Drakar, and back him up in his actions.

Nachi felt torn though... but she didn't want to betray the family that she had known the best.

Quamia

The small, dark hued she-wolf sprints in after receving word from her sister a while before. She slinks up behind Storm Alarm and Shadow, and studies the kodiacs critically. Quamia was confused on the situation, but kept quite so she woulnd't further interupt anything.

*Athara*

Athara was wary of the new wolf approaching them, and flattened her ears cautiously. What was that one going to do? Drakar was alerted by Cavan's actions, and he kept his snarl. Nyx looked to Nachi, who was coming towards them. She nudged her gently.

Shadow

Shadow eyd Nyx. "You've got a very good mind for such a young bear, i'll give you that nyx. but you still don't know everthing. We could not come looking for Cavan and Nachi because we knew not where to look. It was ony until we saw you all back where ever we saw you. Then I followed you hear, and the others followed." Shadow looked back at Quamia, and spoke quietly. "Quamia do not attack unless the kodiaks do first. And if they do..get the pups to safety."

Shadow again looked at Nyx. "Jais is Nachi's brother. They have the same blood running throughthem, as you and Drakar."

Shadow was pained to see Nachi back up. "You should smell our packs old den sight. It tells the story very clearly. The faintest are that of Storm Alarm and the pups, with some of Glider outside the den. No scent of any bear. The Athara's scent comes in, stronger than the others,along with the rest of our pack and an ally." Shadow looked up at Athara now. "And you, will do good not to attack. We will not, as i said."

Shadow sized up the bears. If fighting did break out, it could go ether way. the pack was stronger now, but there would be three bears to deal with now. Shadow weighed it, 5 or 6 wolves + 1 bear, against 1 full grown bear, one almost rown ale, and a half female. Again, she could not tell which had the advantage.

Cavan & Nachi

Cavan felt braver than before, and so he spoke up to the pack; partly in hopes of detering his sister from changing her mind and joining the wolves. "It doesn't matter to me if those are my true brothers! I don't even know them. And that one," he sneerd at Railu, "doesn't look like much."

Nachi looked over at her brother with warning eyes. She felt kind of bad for Railu, and almost felt like defending him. But she woulnd't do that, because it ment betraying the kodiacs. Then she caught scent from Quamia, and it sparked a memory in her...

"Maybe it would be good visit that den..." she said, almost more like a question than a suggestion. She wouldn't go if it would be aginst Athara'a will.

Glider

It was disheartening to him to see Cavan act like that, and Nachi to retreat. Glider steps up beside his mate and adds his thoughts, "Cavan, he's your brother; don't be so harsh with him."

His words then aimed for Nachi, "I would be good to visit your old den." Glider glanced at Athara a moment, "so you can be sure of your past."

Sedge Fur

Sedge Fur steps forth to stand on the other side of Shadow. His eyes scan over the family of bears and two wolves with consern, but he didn't speak his mind. The wolf kept his plume raised and ruff expanded to hopefully deter any thoughts of attack from the bears.

*Athara*

Athara was now alerted that there were many wolved here, probably outnumbering them. And that bear that attacked her at the den was probably there too. She watched Sedge Fur for a moment, his aggressive stance only increasing her caution. She wasn't going to fight, at least not yet.

Drakar smiled to himself at Cavan's actions. He smirked at Glider. "He isn't Cavan's brother, I am. Cavan has every right to say what he wants to strangers." He was ready to back his brother up, should a fight occur.

Nyx looked at Nachi. "What will visiting the den do? Do you wish to go with complete strangers, then stay here? Think about it. They come in here, threatening our family, wanting you to go with them. Does that sound right?"

Cavan & Nachi

Cavan grinned maliciously, and nodded at Drakar's respons. "That's right, and I don't have to listen to strangers either!" He held his tail a bit higher in defiance to Glider's words.

Nachi lowered her ears a bit, emidiatly decided aginst the trip to the den. "That's right." was her quiet response, "This family, that I have known my entire life, comes well before you." she said to the wolf pack.

Shadow

Shadow shook her head, agrivated. "Nachi, have you not yet gotten that the reason you have known them for your life is because you were stolen from us." Shadow looked ay Nyx angrily. "And of course she wouldn't have come with us alone. Athara would have accompanied her. I'm not so stupid as to think you would trust us, not that we would have done anything. It would simply tell her the truth." Shadow looked at Nachi again. "Do you not even want to know what your birth mother is like? What kind of family you could have had, had Athara not come and ripped out pack apart?"

*Athara*

Drakar smirked. "You're just aggrivated because she knows her true family. She's grown up here, and you expect her to leave and go with you? If she was yours, what was her name before?"

Nyx nodded. "Yes, if she was so dear to you, what was her name? Our mother gave her her name. Nachi. You call her Nachi as well."

Shadow

Shadow's neck fur raised. "Storm Alarm and Glider never got time to name them. That's how early they were stolen from our pack. And I am mad because you are sheltering Nachi. You're smothering her. Telling her that 'you are her true family, just leave the ones who brought you into being'. If it weren't for storm Alarm and Glider, Cavan and Nachi would never have been born."

*Athara*

Drakar just smirked. "You're just mad because we found a hole in your lie. If Nachi can remember the den, and wolves, she must have been old enough to open her eyes. You probably left her out to die and Athara saved her." Nyx nodded in response.

Storm Alarm, Jais, Railu

Her eyes glistened with burning malice, and a rising snarl exploded from her throat. She wouldn't tolerate them threatening Railu, and implying her as a poor mother. Jais made a sudden rush at the bears in defence of Railu, but Storm Alarm caught him by the scruff and pulled him back.

"You'd best watch your tongue!" the angry mother snapped back at Drakar in a chilling tone. "Your mother killed one of our pups! You're lucky we haven't returned the favor." her voice lowered with added threat at the last sentence.

Railu cowered closer to the ground, and looked up at Drakar, then to Cavan. His akward, bony frame was obvious undere his loose pelt. The yearling began to whimper, and shuffled back to Quamia, trying to avoid the others' insults towards him.

*Drakar/Nyx*

Drakar gave a small smirk. "I'd like to see you try. You're lucky my mother hasn't killed you or your pups already. You're threatening her family, and it's instinct to attack the one who threatens it." He gazed at Railu, his smirk widening. "Weakling." He whispered softly.

Storm Alarm, Jais, & Railu

She glances toward Shadow, then back to Drakar. She would fight them if her alphas gave the signal. "I woulnd't be so sure of yourself! Our pack is bigger than you think; not all of the members are here."

Railu heard the insult, but couldn't bring himself to look back at the frightening kodiac. Jais walked over to his cowering brother, but kept his eyes on the bears as he spoke to Railu, in a very low whisper. "Don't let him get to you; he's an overgrown mouse. Stand up here with Mother and I." Jais nudged his sibling, and Railu reluctantly staggered up and steped up front with his mother and brother.

His black lips writhed back and he gave a weak rumble. Jais's snarl far outshown his brother's.

Shadow

Shadow's fur vristeled. "NYX! Have you not been listening. Your mother already confirmed that she took Nachi and Caven from us."

Shadow looked at Quamia. "Take Railu and Jais away from here."

Then she said more quitely, "Hide them. Then come back."

Shadow now turned to Drakar. 'you are right, it is an instinct to attack when someone threatens your family. You are threatening to keep Cavan and Nachi from their true heritage. They are wolves, no matter what lies you feed them. Yes, we should have looked for them sooner, and we would have had we any idea where Athara had taken them. Why do you think we are all standing here, risking our lives to try and get them back. If we hadn't wanted them, our pack would not be here. We did not leave them to die. I believe they are the first pups born in our pack, why would we abandon them."

Shadow stepped over to Jias and Railu, standing infron of them, "And Drakar, if you even so much as lunge at these pups. You'll pay for it."

Quamia, Jais, & Railu

Quamia nodded slightly, and walked up to Jais and Railu. "Follow me, things don't look good here." Jais rumbled in protest, "I'll bet Cavan is going to fight! I'll stay here to fight him!"

Quamia drew her ears up, "No, you won't be fighting your brother, we're taking him back where he belongs." Jais growled lightly, but didn't protest any further. He turned to follow the small she-wolf. Railu wasn't nearly as reluctant to follow, and he hurried off after them as they made their way out of the den site.

Quamia

The small she-wolf returns shortly. Her fur wa splattered with mud, but it was hardly noticable aginst her black pelt. She took her stand behind her sister, Storm Alarm, and alpha, Shadow. She was smaller than either of them, but she would fight if they must.

*Drakar*

"Don't talk to my sister like that." Drakar said, glaring at Shadow. "By coming here you are threatening our family, my family, and you are lucky that you aren't going to be attacked first. You are asking us to give up members of our family, and you expect us to co-operate?"

Shadow

"Your mother took on the threat of our whole pack the moment she came in and took Cavan and Nachi from us. They are members of our family too, don't forget that."

Shadows mind was reeling. It was bears would not give in easily. they might not give in at all, but the pack would not either.

Thunder's Call

The grizzly shifts soundlessly in his hiding spot, growing restless. He heard most of the words that passed between the two groups, and it didn't sound all too good. Thunder's Call was debating wether or not just to charge into their view and catch them off guard, but decided the Sedge Creek pack wouldn't be too happy about that.

The grizzly sighed and closed his dark eyes, simply listening to their words, and waiting to see if he would be summond.

*Drakar*

"Cavan knows his true place, and that's here with us. So does Nachi, but you're lies confuse her. Let us be and go back home!" Drakar yelled, turning his attention to Cavan and Nachi. "Don't you?" He questioned.

Cavan & Nachi

Cavan nodded his head and stated firmly, "Yes, this is where I belong, and no one is taking me away from here!"

Nachi was getting increasinly nervous by the rising anger, and stamered with her words uncertainly, "I... I only remember growing up in this place..."

Shadow

Shadow took a deep breath to calm herself. She spoke softly to Nachi, seeing that the pup was nervous. "Nachi, the bears are your family, for they are all you have ever known. It is clear that your brothers mind is firmly set, and he will not return to his pack. Nachi the choice is up to you. We have told you the truth about everything, and let me say it once more without being interrupted by anyone. You were born into our pack, your mother being Storm Alarm, and your father being Glider. You had three brothers and another sister. You very very young when Athara camr into our den, when the Fight happened. Your sister was killed by the kodiak, and she took you and Cavan from us. No you did not have a name, I'm not quite sure how Glider and Storm Alarm were coming on the names, but I'm sure they were looking for one. When Athara ran off with you two, we would have followed but our back was broken and Storm Alarm was in despair, as any mother would be after loosing 3 of her offspring. We kept an eye out for you, fearing that the Kodiak may have killed you. But then we saw you with her, and finally our hopes came high again. We tracked you here, and you know the rest."

*Drakar*

Drakar stood proudly by Cavan, glaring at the wolves.

Nyx shifted a little uneasily. "Nachi, why go with them? What if they hurt you? How can you trust them? What if they keep you away from us so you can never come in contact with us again? I'm sure if the wolves had only asked they could have come see you."

Athara backed that up with a nod. "You come here with threats and hate towards my family and I. You tried to distract me so you could take them away. Why did you not come in peace?"

Shadow

Shado glanced at Athara, "Why did you not come in peace to our pack's den site. If you thought they ere your cubs, you could have asked, instead of barging in. And yes we did try to lure you away, because how were we to know what yoo would do if we just came padding up. You killed one of Storm Alarms pups, so how would we know you wouldn't attack agan, and if you were gone, we could be sure that Nach and cavan wouldn't get hurt."

Looking at Nyx- "You wouldnt have let us come see her. And we would never hurt her. Both Nachi and cavan can trust us, because they are still part of our pack, and in our pack, we don't betray one another. And she might want to come with us, because she's a wolf, and herplace is among the wolves. If she wants to come back and visit, we can't stop her. She's a wolf, and wolves know how to get around without being noticed. It's instinct."

Storm Alarm

She speaks sharply to Athara, "Peace? Why should you expect a peaceful approach from us when you came into my den and killed one of my pups! And I had done nothing to you before then!" Storm Alarm tenses but doesn't move any closer to the bears, "Nachi, you know you are a wolf. The fact that you are alive proves that I have never, or ever would hurt you. I'm your mother, you can trust me. Those bears are the ones not to be trusted; they have killed your own sister and kidnapped you."

*Drakar*

Athara snarled slightly at their words. "You do not know what happened to me. I had four cubs before, two of them smaller than the others but I did not care as mothers do not. I was in another wolf's den area and the whole pack attacked my cubs when I was out getting food for them. Drakar and Nyx still bear the scars. Wolves never treated me with respect, and you still don't. You don't treat my family with respect either. I was returning the favour that the other wolves did to me. I didn't mean to kill the female, but I did, and I aplolgize for that."

Drakar nodded, tilting his head so the scar that ran from just below his ear to the base of his neck was visible. "I was to young to remember who did it, but I do remember the pain. Wolves never treated our family with respect, yet you want respect for us. Cavan is not part of your pack, for his is part of our clan, and he knows it."

Nyx nodded. "Cavan and Nachi's place is amoung us, and they know it. You expect my mother to treat you kindly after what wolves did to her, as you expect us to be kind to you after what my mother did by accident and out of instinct. You still throw threats at us and try to take things away. You have two pups of your own and you should take care of them instead of trying to break up our family."

Shadow

Shadow thought a moment before answering. "treat us kindly after what wolves did to her. We are not the wolves who did that. We are doing nothing more than what you did Athara, try to get our family back. And yes, Drakar Cavan and nachi are part of our pack, whether you like to admit it or not, and they will remain a part of our pack until they die. They were born into our pack. yes, we have two pups, but that is not our whole family. Athara had you two, yet she came into our den, taking our pups away from us. Taking two offspring away from their mother. As you said, mothers don't care what size their children are." She looked at drakar, narrowing her eyes slightly, "And Railu is loved just as much as Jais, no matter how much stronger one may be. Just as there are different genders. It doesn't matter. We will treat you with respect, when you treat us with an equal amount. Try seeing the situation from our side. I can understand why you are trying to keep Nachi and Cavan. They are part of your family, and have known no other since they were taken from us. I fear Cavan will have to find out who he is on his own in time. Nachi however knows something doesn't fit quite right. What will happen when they grow older? Are they not going to take their proper place among their species? What happens when they wish to find a mate?"

*Tornado*

A great roaring suddenly fills the air, and the ground begins to tremble very slighlty. The winds pick up until they carry small branches and other things through the air. Then the source of the roaring comes into veiw; a tornado! After plowing through the Silver Glades Central Pack Lands, the feirce funnel of wind makes it to this den site. Trees and rocks are uprooted as it passes in a straight path. If you don't get out of its way or seek shelter, death might claim you!

Cavan & Nachi

Nachi tremlbed at the sight of the dark sky and roaring winds. She couldn't yet see the funnel through the many trees, but the winds and noise told her something bad was coming. "Run!" she barked and took off in the opposite direction of the tornado. Cavan turned his head to see from his good eye, but couldn't see the funnel yet either. "Mother! Should we flee?" he asked Athara nervously.

Storm Alarm & Sedge Fur

She knew what was coming, but she couldn't leave now. The mother braced herslef aginst the furious winds, "Glider, go after Nachi." she whispered to her mate, then spoke loudly, "Cavan, come with us where you'll be safe!"

Sedge Fur turned his head back, and listened to the roaring. It got so loud it was almost unbearable. But he wouldn't leave either until Shadow did. The wolf braced himself aginst the wind, and what was about to come.

Glider

Glider hesitated only because he didn't want to leave his mate, or miss the opportunity to retrieve Cavan. But he must find Nachi. The wolf ran off.

*Tornado*

The funnel suddenly disperses just before reaching the den. The skies clear quickly, and random things plucked up by the ravenging winds come crashing back to earth.

Athara survives the storm, but has a large gash across her muzzle from a sharp rock that had grazed her there.

Nyx was struck with a large branch. She has some severe puncture wounds and a broken rib. One lung is punctured.

Drakar was lucky not to be seriously injured by anything.

Shadow was struck by a clod of clay-dirt pulled up from an overturned tree. It strikes her in the shoulder at a very high speed, but surprisingly does not break the shoulder blade, although it will be hard to walk with for a while.

Sedge Fur was killed when a large branch collided with his skull.

Storm Alarm survived with minor cuts. A thorn vine is twisted around one of her hind legs, and could cause a serious infection later.

Cavan was partially sheltered by the bears, and only injured when Nyx was knocked over by the branch and her head struck his hind leg. He got a minor bone fraction from it.

Athara/Nyx/Drakar

Athara stood up, shaking her fur after the tornado. She was lucky to be alive. Glancing around, she noticed Drakar was all right. His attention was on Cavan. He was talking to his brother quietly. "Are you all right, Cavan?" He asked, looking worriedly at the 'bear.' Athara searched for Nachi, but not finding her. "Nachi? Nachi where are you?" She called, searching for her daughter. She then caught sight of Nyx. Bounding over, she nudged her daughter gently, licking her wounds gently. Drakar looked over as well, but didn't leave Cavan. "Nyx?" The light brown bear opened her eyes a little, and gave a little smile. "Where's...Nachi?" Her breathing was ragged. "Don't speak." The bear demanded sharply, before raising her head to look at the wolves. Perhaps they could work together. Almost reluctant to leave Nyx, she walked over to Storm Alarm, and biting through the vine that was around her leg. "I'm sorry." She said softly, before returning to Nyx's side, trying to stop the bleeding.

Storm Alarm

Storm Alarm was a bit dazed at first, after seeing the destruction that was caused all around her. She stood tensely at first when Athara aproached her, but dared not attack her. Actually, she suddenly felt empathy for the she-bear, "I'm sorry too." Storm Alarm looked tentively over towards Cavan, and was glad to see that he was alive, but she didn't dare to go near him; he wouldn't be comforted by her anyway. Then she looked to her packmates and instantly noticed her brother was not moving.

"Sedge Fur?" she asked, nudging him. The wolfess already knew he was dead, and soon threw back her muzzle to howl in grief for her lost brother, and alpha.

Cavan, Nachi

Cavan picked himself up and instantly noted a sharp pain in his leg. He held back his yelp; trying not to seem weak, and didn't put any pressure on that leg. "I'm alright." the wolf replies, "Are you?" he looked up at his big brother, then over to his mother, and then Nyx. His ears came back slightly, seeing that Nyx was hurt bad.

It didn't take long before Nachi returned, running hard. She slowed down only when she got near Athara and the others. Her wide eyes looked over each bear, and Cavan quickly. She nuzzled Athara, "Here I am, mother." she said quietly, then also began to help clean Nyx's wounds. She regreted running off.

Thunders Call

The large grizzly was glad when the tornado passed. He stood and shook bits a debri off his fur, then padded slowly forward until he was behind the wolves. He over the wolves and bears, noting their injuries. He was regretful to see that Sedge Fur had died, but he didn't have much grief because he hadn't known that wolf. Still, he kept quiet.

Athara/Nyx/Drakar

Athara gave Nachi a small nudge of affection, before saying softly. "We need to get her help. But I don't know of anything that could help her." Drakar smiled a little at Cavan. Hearing the howl, he gave a low bear call, not like the howl but blending in well.

Glider

Glider returned after Nachi, and padded up slowly by his mate. He nuzzled her sympathetically, "I'm sorry." he whispered, to both Storm Alarm and Shadow after seeing that Sedge Fur was dead. Then he looked over at the bears, and Nachi and Cavan. He saw it now, that that was truely their family. Glider especially understood this from the encounter he had with Nachi before she ran back to Athara.

The beta had come soon enough to see that Athara helped Storm Alarm, and to see that Nyx needed help. Tensely, he spoke out, "There is a human who might be able to help her. She lives far from other humans, in the woods." he had remembered passing by her small farm house before he ever joined the Sedge Creek pack. He stayed around the place long enough to see that she helped wildlife. "I can show you where it is, if you're interested."

Athara/Nyx/Drakar

Athara turned to Glider. "No, it's all right. I'll find it." She lifted Nyx with some difficulty, and then turned to Drakar. "Drakar, take care of Nachi and Cavan, and if the wolf pack need help, help them." The male bear nodded, and turned back, while Athara set off with Nyx.

Storm Alarm

The she-wolf lifted her sorrowful eyes to see Nachi and Cavan. Thoughts swirled through her mind until she finally turned to Glider, "Lets go home. We have been away from there for too long." She watched Nachi and Cavan a moment, then looked to Drakar, "Look after them." she said lightly, then turned and padded off.