Atticus & Sweetclover

After an unsuccesful search, Atticus returned home. Sweetclover sprung up and ran to him in an instant, "Atticus! Oh, I was afraid you..."

The large wolf, growing closer to his adult size by now, snarled sharply at his sister, 'Save it, Clover." Hackles bristled, he stalked past the shocked wolfess and headed towards the creek. His eyes flashed dangerously from the gathered family, and a pang of worry shot through him when he didn't see Lost or Phelan. Were they here somewhere, or were they still out there, lost and alone? Where they... dead? Atticus growled to himself, feeling horribly guilty for not being able to protect his siblings. Worse yet, he had somehow gotten separated from Phelan. That was his fautl... he should have slowed down for the runt... not sprinted so fast, not ignore him when he called out...

Atticus turned his eyes to Laporta's body, noticing it for the first time. It felt like someone had just kicked him in the stomach, and he nearly wretched. For a moment he turned away, guild swarming though him once again. He could feel her lifeless eyes boring into him. It didn't take long before he could handle this no more. Whirling around, Atticus grabbed Laporta by the scruff and slung her into the water's current.

The snowy fur was quickly weighted by water, and the body sunk into the cold clutches of the creek. Slowly, she drifted away from Atticus, her fur waving and streaming in the water, her body rocking gently with the current.

Sweetclover stood aghast for a moment, then leapt at her brother, "Atticus!" She hit him hard, sending him to the ground before he had time to properly defend himself. Trembling with anger, she snapped her fangs inches from his face, "What-why... Atticus!" She couldn't even think of what to say for his actions.

Where Sweetclover was in control of herself, Atticus was not. Maybe she wouldn't bite him, but the same couldn't be said for the furious brute. Stronger than Clover, Atticus pushed her off and slashed at her face, creating a bloody furrow below her eye and down to her cheek. Without explanation for his actions, he spun away and took a powerful leap, clearing the creek at its narrowest point. Without looking back, he ran on and on until he was out of sight of his sister and the others. By himself, he curled up in a grove of silvery ferns and mourned quietly.

Aminita

The hybrid sauntered towards Sweetclover, her head held low. "I'm so sorry for your loss..." She began, her eyes narrowed and gazing to the ground. Then she lifted her muzzle and licked the bloody wound on the adolescent's face. "I think he needs to be by himself for a while. It seems he's got a lot of his parents'... fiery side in him..." She explained, "If there's anything I can do to help... just ask."