Naonuma

Kokuro's Final Hour

The sun was shining down on the snow-covered Riparian Woodland. The air was cold, and crisp. A slight breeze carried with it, a nipping chill that snapped its frigid jaws at noses and raked ears with its icy claws. Winter had set itself upon the world, bringing with it a variety of different afflictions: illness, chill, scarcity with prey...

And, it seemed, death was upon the wolves of the Naonuma Pack.

Kokuro's den was quiet, save for the male's agonized breathing. Everything hurt. The gray male was sprawled in his soft nest, his sides heaving as he gasped loudly for any sort of oxygen to enter his old lungs. Reika, one of Naonuma's female huntress' slowly padded into the gloomy den. Her heart lurched at the sight of her leader clinging to his last few heartbeats on earth. His ragged gray pelt had lost its sheen. She'd noticed the steady but rapid decline of her beloved old leader since the passing of his mate, Anika. Though he had never stopped being kind to those in need, he was clearly in need of kindness himself.

"Sire?" Reika asked softly, her quiet voice seeming far too loud in the enclosed den space of her leader. Her dark paws carried her until she was at his nest. He was far too gone for a response. His entire body jerked with each breath he took. Reika's icy lenses watched him for a few heartbeats, her ears pinning as she gently pressed her nose to his furry cheek before rasping her scarlet tongue across it. It was time. She needed to repay his kindness and give him a swift send-off.

Opening her jaws, Reika gripped Kokuro's throat between her teeth and clamped down tightly. Kokuro went still fairly quickly, the whisper of 'thank you' moving past his parted jaws as the life faded from his forest-green eyes. Reika felt silver tears slip down her muzzle as she tasted the blood of her leader in her jaws. Her teeth had severed his artery, killing him swiftly and without any pain. She felt both relieved and saddened that his life had to end like this. But it was an act of mercy towards the struggling male. She knew that if she were on the brink, she'd want someone to send her off instead of letting her suffer until the end came.

Though she couldn't remember him ever being young, Reika knew that she would miss the wizened old wolf with the gray-and-cream pelt. He had welcomed her with open paws and made her transition into pack life as easy as possible. Once the male had completely fallen still, Reika released him. His green eyes were dark with death. His head lolled to the side as she buried her nose in his gray fur, letting quiet little whimpers echo into the den.

Kokuro had been one of the kindest wolves she'd ever met. There wasn't a problem he wouldn't try to solve, whether in the pack or outside of it. He was a generous male. Willing to take the pelt off his back if another needed it more. He always extended a paw to wolves coming or going within the pack or territory itself, letting them have their freedom if they chose to leave or letting them stay for however long they wished. There wasn't a wolf in the area that wasn't touched by his assistance.

"Rest peacefully, my King... Go and rejoin your Queen. She's waiting for you." Reika murmured, her voice thick with emotion as she imagined their two spirits gallivanting through the stars, their coats dappled with starlight and eyes shining like the moon. "I promise, I will do my best in your stead. You will not be forgotten as the Founding King of Naonuma."

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The Riparian Woodland. A dense sea of greenery, teeming with life.

It feels as though you've been traveling through the lush forest for ages now. It isn't a matter of finding prey that makes you continue, it's something... more. This place is almost too lively. Are there no packs? No wolves? You've barely encountered a single predator or prey for that matter since coming here. It was odd. Surely you would have run into somebody or something at this point. Perhaps it was the wrong time of day? Doubtful. Perhaps luck was on your side.

Until you hear a strong howl suddenly shatter the peaceful atmosphere. The birdsong in the canopy abruptly stopped as birds erupted from their nests in a panicked flurry of wings. Immediately, your blood runs like ice through your veins. Panicked thoughts race like a stampede through your mind. Loner? Pack leader? Challenger? This wasn't your land so the last option wasn't valid. But it didn't quell your sudden rush of terror.

As the voice faded, you decide not to stick around to find out what fate had in store for you, because you heard approaching steps. Wheeling around, you race through the dense woodlands. Roots threaten to esnare your fleeing paws and rocks barricade your way. Panic consumed you from nose to tail-tip. Were you going to die in these wooded lands? At the jaws of another wolf whom you meant no harm to?

Just as you thought you were home free, your paw is snagged on a branch you didn't see. Due to your momentum, you end up rolling a small incline, landing in a wheezing heap at the bottom. Stars dance in front of you and you lay there dazed for a few heartbeats. Until you're approached by the sound of pawsteps. Realizing what happened, you attempt to scramble to your paws before you're greeted by a gentle voice above you.

"Oh dear, are you alright, friend?" They inquired. Glancing up with wide eyes, you see a rather interesting she-wolf with a vibrantly-coloured pelt. A deep, reddish colour stormed through her fur. You'd never seen such a colour. She carried a little ferret atop her head, that chittered at you with interest. "That was quite a nasty fall."
You stare at this she-wolf in disbelief for a few moments, wondering if she was a loner. But the scent of other wolves on her pelt told you otherwise. She was very pretty at first glance. She allows you to get to your paws and you shake yourself out vigorously, checking for any damages done by the tumble you had taken. Thankfully, there are none and you are merely just a little ruffled.

"Oh good, that's a relief." She replies one you reassure the lass that you're fine. Her gaze switches from concerned to a friendly, welcoming one. You wonder if this female was mad by any chance. By the way she held herself, she was clearly a leader of a pack. She circles you, as if examining you. It makes you a little nervous. She clues in when you shuffle your paws.

"You're a loner, aren't you?" You respond with a nod. The female seems to brighten at this response, her tail wagging slightly as she turned and bounded a few steps away. Her icy gaze turned back around to face you. "Oh good! Come with me!"

Confused, but obliging, you follow the female through the woods of her home. The scent of wolves was growing stronger and stronger. What was she planning? What was happening? This wasn't exactly normal behaviour. But then again, some wolves were more merciful than others when encountering loners. You certainly had seen your fair share of aggressive leaders and loners.

"I've heard about you, you know." The female started, breaking the silence between you two as you walked, brushing past bushes and weaving through the densely-packed trees. "My scouts have alerted me to your presence around our borders. But don't worry, no harm will come to you."

As the two of you make your way through the vegetation, you come into a large camp of wolves of all ages. Young pups fresh out of the nursery to elders snoozing in the shade. It was full of life and looked inviting. You realize how lonely you've been, travelling all alone for so long.

"My name is Reika, welcome to Naonuma."