❀ Under The Weeping Willow ❀
Mains: Ren, Elena -- Mentions: Camellia, Kobayashi
The woodlands were rather quiet that day. Aside from the occasional chirping bird, the sun seemed to have lulled most of the animals into the trance of a summertime nap. Ren, however, was curious of the Kohana Pack's new territory. Kobayashi had just led the small group to these woodlands, and Camellia saw it fit as a place to live. So the white wolf had decided to explore it a bit.
Ren ambled in between the trees, glancing around as he took in all the sights. Having not paid attention, he tripped on a large root and tumbled into a sandy clearing. Getting up and shaking himself, he turned to leave the area.
A mewl pierced the air. Ren's ears pinned upwards, as he tried to detect where the noise was from. He scanned the clearing with his yellow eyes, and they fell upon a large weeping willow growing on the edge of a clearing.
Ren began to walk towards it, but the sand beneath his paws had been disturbed. Claw marks raked the grainy surface, and a crimson red painted the sand ominously. The white wolf shuddered. Perhaps he shouldn't do this.
But the source of the mewling cried out again, and Ren felt his heartbreak. He could not in good conscious leave the pup here, potentially in danger. Ren carefully approached the large tree, and the shade of the tree felt cool. He let himself relax, just for a moment, before heading towards what appeared to be the entry to a burrow between the roots.
The mewling started up again, this time louder, and it was definitely coming from the space beneath the tree. Drawing in a nervous breath, Ren crawled into the tunnel.
A shocking sight lay before the white wolf's yellow eyes. A tawny-colored she-wolf lay motionless, a deep gash in her side. Dried blood lay beneath her. A single golden pup was on the other side of the small den, shivering as she mewled. Ren's heart broke, both for the dead mother and struggling pup.
Ren slowly neared the golden pup. She opened her eyes, and though they lacked the shine of a healthy pup, they were a beautiful deep blue. The pup didn't seem scared of him, but she didn't move either. Ren took a closer look at her. The pup's ribs were showing, and she seemed too feeble to move. Gently, Ren grabbed the pup by what little scruff she had.
"Come on, little one." He said softly. "Let's head back to the pack."
Ren head back, holding the shivering golden pup as he made his way back to the pack grounds. He felt a wave of determination. He wasn't fast enough to be a scout like Kobayashi, wise enough to be an herbalist like Kabocha, or even bold enough to be a leader like Camellia, but maybe he had the heart to help a pup in need. He would do all he could.
She deserved it.
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