Cub Cleaning

[Adder]

Nosing her way through the vegetation, Alpha Adder looked very formal and dignified. Her eyes were narrowed, and she was on extra caution as she led the youngster from the cave to the river. She had never been one to look after another. So she told herself that the cub's mother had just got lost. But deep down, she knew that the mother wasn't coming back, and that Kiba was right. He was alone.

' This river is useful for cleaning yourself, Kiba. Or drinking, swimming or fishing. You see that movement? ' she said, indicating to the shadows of the marine creatures swimming around in the water's depths. ' If you snatch your claws or your face in you can sometimes get one of those. They're good to eat if you know how. '

Leading the youngster over to the shallowest part of the slow-moving Serene Creek, she smiled encouragingly at the little cub, pointing to the water. Kiba was still covered with the dry blood and dirt.. Unfortunate childhood.. yet still, he could grow into a fine hunter if he stays, she mused.

[Asriel]

<sup>Hopeful curiosity had finally drawn Asriel from the Moonflow, encouraging him in an excited tone to follow Adder's trail and to find out more about his lost companion. Only the serious streak in him prevented him from bounding after the alphena like a hyper active whelp.

Finally, Asriel arrived at the Serene Creek, after taking a swift, deliberate route through the forest. He emerged from the foliage, brow slightly furrowed, and his grey eyes sought out Adder, the scent of whom was fresh and strong.

Even as Asriel's senses tugged his snout round to the left, he realised that Adder was not alone. He could see the alphena now, upstream, and could detect an alien scent which was unmistakably wolven, although it was mingled with the metallic stench of congealing blood.

Asriel's frown deepened, his eyes narrowing as he scrutinized the alpha female and her surroundings. The pup was partly concealed by Adder's foreleg, but Asriel's sharp eyes soon found him. He relaxed slightly, but his expression did not soften, instead becoming fierce and demanding.

He strode swiftly over to Adder, partly veiling his burning curiosity and inclining his head in greeting.

"Hello again, m'lday..." he said, glancing briefly at the pup, his expression harsh but not unfriendly. The little concern that had passed briefly through him as he noticed the blood staining his chest disapeared when he realised that the youngster wasn't in pain. The blood was obviously from another creature, and so did not present an immediate problem.

He returned his attention to Adder, unable to restrain the stream of questions that were desperate to flow from his grizzled jaws. He began with the one that was in the fore of his mind.

"How did you know Chinook Kalasque?" he rumbled, his voice a low growl. His threatening tone was not deliberate, nor was it particularly explosive or noticeable. Asriel was merely impatient to discover more about his old friend.</sup>

[Adder]

Deep down, Adder felt strangely helpless. She wasn't trained in the arts of taking care of a younger wolf. Although she had become an Alpha, it wasn't a given. She hadn't expected to find some young a cub. Wondering where Thorn had gone off to, she was about to speak to Kiba again when a slightly familiar scent wafted throughout the creek area. Asriel. She nodded in greeting towards the older male. She had granted him the rank of Guardian; a large responsibility. However, she trusted this male would be defendant over the pack and help protect the land if the need arised.

' We meet again, Asriel, ' Adder responded, her voice sharp yet slightly laid-back. As the other male approached, her tail and head raised automatically. However, she had not used this expression towards the cub. He clearly did not know the ways of the pack. He would have to be brought in kindly. Pack laws were not necessarily friendly.

Suddenly, she stopped, seemingly freezing. Looking back towards the other male, her eyes narrowed. Asriel had obviously known her brother too. He did not, however, know that they had been siblings. However, she returned a smile of false sorts. The memory of her brother brought back sickness, even though ironically it would be the thing to make cheerful Chinook be optimistic about. He had always brought life into Adder's life. Now it was empty.

' He was my brother, ' she replied shortly, turning her gaze away, finding herself watching the cub.

[Asriel]

<sup>Asriel watched with cold, untrusting eyes as a strained smile spread across Adder's features. Then, she spoke, and the mighty Asriel actually took a step backwards, as if she had pushed him in the chest. Surprise showed clearly on his features for a moment, his eyes widening.

He quickly regained his composure, his grey eyes becoming hard and slightly narrowed in thought, his expression once again harsh and intimidating.

Chinook had spoken of a sister, and it was clear that the brute thought very highly of her. However, as Asriel scrutinised the alphena, rank once again temporarily forgotten, he found that he could not see in her the female Chinook had described...

Asriel's head suddenly jerked upwards, his tail swishing, claws puncturing the firm loam. Adder's statement had echoed once more in his mind.

Was? Asriel repeated menatlly, growling softly to himself. "He /was/ my brother?"

Those had been the alpha female's exact words, and unless Adder had disowned the friendly Chinook, the was must have meant that the poor male was no longer living. A soft, barely audible sigh escaped Asriel's jaws, and he sank to his haunches, eyes flashing as he looked at Adder.

"I'm sorry." He growled. "Chinook was a good friend of mine..." he trailed off, fighting back another deep, regretful chuff. His hopes had been dashed, but nothing of his disapointment showed on his features, other than twin, brooding fires burning in his harsh eyes. These, however, were close to undecipherable.</sup>

[Adder]

Miserable thoughts and memories had taken over Adder's mind as Asriel talked to her. Remnants of her past flooded and seeped through holes in her mind as she remembered her childhood with her plucky older brother. He had always been there to guide her along, always putting Adder first. When she was very young, he had been much like an idol to her.

Even when he was dying, he was optimistic.. reassuring her and telling her that she would be alright, despite what happened to him. Adder had always felt lost without Chinook.. but now, she finally understood those words. The ones that had somehow found themselves into her mind, the ones that Adder was sure Chinook would have said if he was in her position.

' Starting a new journey may not be so hard.. or maybe it has already begun. '

He was telling her to start anew. To live her life fully. To reign as an Alpha. And Adder was glad. She turned back to Asriel, her expression determined. However, she had a few questions..

' When Chinook came back to the family pack every few seasons, he always told stories of a young male whom he had befriended. You were traveling together.. could that have been you? ' she asked, her eyebrows raised. She was now holding her Alphen stance again, relieved off her carefree status.