Artwork illustration by Shadow-Okami to go alongside Chapter Three: http://www.furaffinity.net/view/11671661/



[Short recap- The four pups found each other once again but during the gathering, Myrist fell into a river-like stream and got caught up in the strong current. The others raced to save her, in which they succeeded. But with one of their new assigned friendship group members out-of-action, were stuck in the middle of a forest as the light faded from the sky..]

Chapter Three

The four pups tried their best to get some sleep, Casper nodded off pretty much straight away and Jex soon followed. But Shadi was up, drawing lines and numbers in the dirt with a stick in his mouth. He couldn't seem to sit still knowing there was a problem to solve. So as the others rested, he tried his best to think of a plan. Myrist seemed to have become a pillow for the other two boys, but not wanting to say anything to disturb them, she just lay there gazing up at the stars.

After a long time of trying to work out a plan, Shadi thought it was best to get some rest. There's not much thinking you can do when you can barely keep your eyes open. He stumbled to the tree where the others were. Acknowledging Myrist's eyes staring at him, but too tired to react he just collapsed on the floor and instantly fell asleep. After a little shuffling about, Myrist was a lot more comfortable and managed to drift off herself.

Soon after, dawn broke and the birds in the trees began singing their songs. Myrist was the first to awake and gently rolled over, letting Casper and Jex's heads roll onto the ground. The small jolt woke up Jex. He saw Myrist was awake and asked,
“How's your leg doing?” in a rough, tired voice.
“Much better, thanks,” she said shyly, her hair falling over her face.
Jex smiled, nodded and slowly got up. He stretched and headed over to the stream for a morning drink. Myrist sat up and tried to walk, her leg just a little sore compared to yesterday's searing pain. Whilst she was moving about, the sun shone through the canopy of leaves and hit Shadi's face. The light promptly woke him up, blinding his first morning gaze. Shuffling away from brightness and back into shade, he noticed where everyone was. He smiled over at Myrist and she smiled back. He got up, yawned and did a great big stretch before walking over to Jex by the stream.
“Morning.” Shadi said, bending down to get some water.
“Oh, hi, morning Shadi,” Jex replied, jumping a little as he didn't hear Shadi coming up behind him. Both stood, drinking. Myrist, a little parched herself, decided to try and walk over to them. She stumbled trying to get to her feet, but after a few steps she was just slightly limping. She placed herself by the river next to Jex and bent down to drink. Jex coughed and spluttered, water flew out his nose. Alarmed, Shadi looked up and saw Myrist on the other side of a choking Jex. He nudged Jex's ribs with his head to try and slap the water out of his lungs. Jex coughed one last time then let out a sigh,
“what is it with you guys and sneaking up on me?”
The other two laughed to each other.

After Myrist and Shadi got some more water in them, the three turned round and walked the twenty or so feet back to Casper, who was still asleep.
“Wake up sleepy head!” Jex beamed, jumping up and down, his tail swishing in the light morning breeze.
Casper moaned and rolled over. He slowly opened one eye and saw the three of them staring at him.
“What do you all want?” He asked, tired.
“We've been awake for aaaages, waiting for you to wake up so we can make a plan!” Jex replied, still jumping.
“Oh,” Casper murmured. He rolled over and sat up against the tree bark. “So what's the plan of getting home then?”
“Well..” Jex stopped jumping, “I haven't quite got that far yet..”
Casper sniggered a little. Shadi intercepted the conversation,
“I was up most of the night thinking of an idea,” he began, the others all looking over at him. “I was hoping Myrist's leg was feeling a little better and luckily, it seems it is,” he said, looking over at Myrist. She smiled and nodded gently.
“So with that not much of a problem now, we just have to make our way back to our packs. Not too hard really, except we all came from different directions.” He stopped to take a breath and look around at all their faces, “so knowing that and-”
“But when we get back, how're we going to explain where we were?” Casper interrupted.
“Are we ever gunna meet again?” Jex asked, a little saddened in his voice.
Myrist stayed silent and just looked at the floor.
Shadi sighed and began, “Casper, you were out looking for something, right?”
“Yeah, firewood for my dad, but all the nearby wood was wet 'cause of the rain.” He replied.
“So we'll make you a little carrier out of sticks and a few large leaves, find some dry wood and you'll be done. Once back at your territory, just say you got lost from going deep into the forest to find what you needed, alright?” Shadi said, a determined look in his eye.
Casper nodded as Shadi continued, “I was out looking for this stream for some water for my mum I'll say I couldn't find it, got lost and fell asleep. Well rested heh I found the stream and headed back. Is what I'll say.”
Jex and Myrist tried to speak up, telling Shadi of their situations. After listening, Shadi stood thinking for a moment before replying,
“Jex, just tell the truth that a butterfly captured your eye and you followed it, getting yourself lost deep in the forest. They'll probably just pass it off because of how they seem to view you in your pack.” Shadi suggested.
Jex nodded, looking a little saddened as he realised where he'd have to return.
“Myrist do the same, say you found a strange pattern on the tree bark and the fascination drew you into the forests depths. I'm sure your parents will probably just be happy you're home, though.”
Myrist smiled and nodded at Shadi, peaking out from underneath her hair.

“So anyway,” Shadi began again, “there should be a bridge somewhere along this stream. We'll all walk along till we find it, then me and Jex will walk off east,” he said looking to where him and Jex had come from, “and Casper and Myrist will cross the bridge and head west,” he said looking over to the other side of the stream.
“Getting some rest would've helped heighten our senses and being early in the morning, the smells from last night have faded and the ones from today aren't as strong yet. Therefore we should all be able to find our way home if we listen to our instincts and sense of smell.”
The others nodded, trying to take in all the information.

After some silence of taking in the information Shadi had given them all, Jex asked,
“so what about my question? Will we ever see each other again?”
Shadi stood for a minute before replying, “well we met each other once before and somehow met each other again after all this time, so why don't we try and actually meet up on our own accord next time instead of leaving our fate up to fate itself?” He said, smiling.
The others looked a little dazed as Casper replied, “you do realise it's early in the morning and none of us can really put two and two together at the moment, right?”
“Basically, what I'm trying to say is why don't we decide to meet up with each other rather than fate deciding for us.” Shadi said, acknowledging the earliness of the morning.
“Ohhhhh,” Jex said in realisation, Casper and Myrist nodded.
“So how about the first night of the next full moon?” Shadi suggested, “I don't think it's that far away, probably five or six nights.”
They all agreed on that being their next meet. The first official meet of these four pups. Though they all realised the severity of punishment they'd be in if they were ever found out meeting with pups from another pack and thought it best not to tell anyone.
“So the first night of the next full moon and we'll meet at the bridge which Casper and Myrist will cross at, agreed?” Shadi checked.
“Agreed.” Echoed the others, excited about the next meet.
They began walking up along the stream and made a carrier for Casper's firewood along the way.

After a little walking, they reached an old bridge. Overflowing with moss, but sturdy, Myrist and Casper crossed over to the other side as Shadi picked up some water with the bucket in his mouth. They all exchanged farewells and went their two separate ways, which then led on to their four separate ways.
They reached their packs territories and explained what happened in the way Shadi had described. All of their parents believed them and were just happy they were home at last.

For the next few nights, each pup looked up at the stars before they drifted off to sleep, thinking about the fun they'd had and the adventures that lay ahead.

TBC...


Story, characters and ideas ©  fumafurafume
Artwork ©  Shadow-Okami