Rascal's head snapped up at Jumper's call. Jumper, Baron, Frost, and Rascal were out scouting when Mortals were spotted among the thickest part of their territory. Barking was heard, then dogs swarmed from the shadows, and leaped at the wolves.

Rascal dodged a coming blow from a dog. The dog was big and burly, with long ears and a black and brown coat. His teeth were bared as he lunged at the wolf. Rascal met his match, with a hard smack to the face. Then he pushed his weight to his fore paws, and kicked out with his hind legs, striking the dog in the chest.

It whimpered, then growled with rage and bowled Rascal over onto his back. He was helpless, flailing his paws to block the coming blows. The weight of the dog crushed him, and he felt like he couldn't breathe. He tried his best to pry the dog off with his back legs, lashing, kicking, and pushing as hard as he could. But nothing seemed to work.

Frost, thankfully, noticed, and pushed the dog off, snarling with absolute hatred. She fought the dog off, giving Rascal time to scramble to his paws. He quickly gazed around. There were five dogs and three Mortals.

One of the two-legged creatures raised a Thunder-stick to his shoulder and was aiming for Baron. His eyes were evil and cunning, lips pulled back in a victorious smile. Rascal raced forward as fast he could, paws thrumming over the frosty ground, and side-tackled the Mortal. The Thunder-stick went off, the noise nearly deafened the black wolf. A ringing was echoing in his ears. The Mortal fell with a grunt, and Rascal just stood there, numb and rooted to the spot. Something wet trickled down his face. He delicately touched a paw to his ear, pulling it away to see scarlet blood. He brushed his ear again, feeling it was...different? It felt misshapen?

It dawned on him; His ear was near blown off. A hole was at the right side of his ear, he twitched it maliciously, and jumped up, missing a bullet from another Thunder-stick. He landed on the Mortal that shot him and killed him instantly. He glanced up, another dog was upon him. It was bigger than the last, an idea came to Rascal's mind.

He taunted the dog and waved his tail in mockery. The animal snarled and ran towards Rascal. Waiting, then brushed swiftly past the dog, landing a hit to the dog's shoulder. Then, he began to run circles around the dog. It spat in frustration, whirling around to face him, only to see his tail streaming out.

Rascal smirked to himself, with a mighty lunge, he spun in the air and his teeth met the dog's throat. Triumph surge in his veins, he turned around to see the wolves chasing the invaders away. He was left panting, heaving for breath, blood trickling down his face.

Baron limped up, eyes shining with exhaustion. "You okay? I saw what happened."

"Yeah, I'm fine." Rascal slumped his shoulders, weariness taking over. He couldn't believe Mortals would be so stupid to actually try and take on wolves so close to their camp. Then he remembered that they were stupid anyway.

He followed them back to camp, padding next to Jumper. The brown wolf was bleeding heavily from a wound above his left eye. He glanced at Rascal as they limped along. "You sure you're okay?"

Rascal didn't want to talk to Jumper. "Fine." He replied flatly, keeping his eyes focused forward. His ear stung, and he twitched it, trying to relieve the pain.

"Can you hear from that ear?" Jumper asked in concern. "Did you lose your hearing?"

He bit back a sigh. "Yes, I can hear just fine." He met Jumper's brown eyes. "I don't want to talk about it though."

Jumper's eyes glimmered with hurt. He nodded and didn't say a word the rest of the way back. They entered camp in a bloody group. Wolves came from their dens. When they saw the injured ones, they rushed forward to make sure they were okay.

Blossom pushed through the crowd and checked them over professionally. She disappeared in her den, and returned a moment later, bound up their wounds. Rascal waited patiently for his turn, everyone else was done first. They were sent to their dens to rest. After a bit, he felt a gentle paw tap him lightly on the shoulder.

He spun to see Blossom, her violet eyes wide with worry. She flicked her tail to beckon him to her den, he followed. Once they were alone, Blossom asked tons of questions.

"Is it only your ear?"

"Yes."

"Are you hurt elsewhere?"

"No."

"Did you fracture your shoulder?"

"No."

"Or sprain your paw?"

"Nope."

"What about chip a tooth? Or break your leg? Did you hurt your ribs?" She asked quickly.

"No, no, and no."

He saw relief light up her eyes. "Thank goodness." She sighed. "Let me get you some medicine." She scurried off to the back of her den, emerging a moment later with honey, sunflower seeds, and little berries. Her paws worked as she mixed up the antidote. Rascal watched her, biting his tongue to keep from howling laughter.

He made a squeak, and she looked up, arching an eyebrow. "What's so funny, Rascal?"

The gleam in his eyes grew, as he shook his head. "Nothing."

Blossom tsked, and began to apply the mixture. He flinched at her touch. It was so gentle and caring. She had to reach up on her toes to treat his ear. The medicine met his ear, and it stung for a bit. He grimaced and held his breath.

Opening his eyes, he saw Blossom's beautiful eyes glow with serenity. And she was doing something strange. Was she...humming...?

Rascal couldn't understand. Why was she making those weird sounds?

She continued to make those weird noises, but...They were beautiful. Like creek water peacefully running, birds tweeting, and the sounds of the wind. All combined together, to make a new, and wonderful sound.

Rascal watched her, as she skipped over to the bandage pile, still humming lost in thought. She returned with long strands of preserved grass in her jaws. Applying them gently, she gazed into his eyes. A sweet, loving look pondered behind those dazzling eyes.

The male tried not to look so bashful. He ducked his head and averted his green eyes. A warm feeling swept over his pelt when he looked at Blossom. He wasn't sure why he felt this way, but he liked it.

After the beautiful healer treated him, he went out into the open and saw Fire sitting by his den, munching on some meat. Rascal remembered he wanted to talk to Fire about his father's disappearance, and how he possibly could've died.

He dashed over to Fire's side. The old wolf glanced up warmly. "Hey Rascal, you need something?" He asked in a friendly tone.

"Actually I do." He sat down, finally ready to ask some questions, hoping to get some answers. "Could you tell me more about my father?"

Fire bit into his meal. "What do you want to know?"

Finally, this moment has come. He wasn't sure where to start. Perhaps he should ask if any certain wolf had a beef with his father.

"Were there any wolves in particular, that had a reason to hate him?"

Fire tilted his head to think. After a few moments, he spoke up. "Not that I know of. Of course, everyone has their arguments every now and then. But no, not around the time he was killed."

So he was murdered!

"He was murdered?"

"Yes. I'm not sure by who though."

"How old was he?" Rascal asked.

"About your age. Perhaps a bit younger." The red wolf replied simply.

Rascal wasn't sure what to ask next. He thought deeply for a moment, before deciding his next question. "Were Stone Hollow Pack wolves plotting to kill him, with the help of one of your Packmates?"

Fire shook his head. "No, and if they were, we would've found out."

The young male gazed into the amber eyes of the older wolf. Wisdom and intelligence were brimming there. Knowing many things about his Pack, were great advantages to have, in any situation.

Nodding, Rascal scraped his pads over the stony ground. They've hardened over time, from walking among endless pebbles, and sharp stones that would make a soft paw bleed. Surprisingly, Flame Woods Pack territory was much rockier than Stone Hollow Pack's, considering the name 'Stone', meant rocks and rough terrain. Where actually, it was rocks and boulders in Flame Woods Pack.

"Did he murder himself?" He pressed that question, thinking it may be a bad idea. But he had to know.

Fire's eyes shot open wider than ever before. "What makes you think that?" He asked in alarm.

The black wolf suddenly was embarrassed. "Well, you said there was Flame Woods scent around, right? And he hadn't been gone long enough, to be completely rid of his original smell." Crazy thoughts zoomed in and out of his mind.

"Yes, but scents fade when you've spent time with another Pack. Besides, the Flame Woods smell was too strong, to have been him. Your father was beginning to gain Stone Hollow Pack aroma." He shook his head, keeping his eyes level. "No. No, he wouldn't kill himself."

More questions buzzed within. It wouldn't escape, leaving him puzzled to the point where he thought he'd howl with frustration. His father's death is a real mystery. And no one else seemed to care about it. But it's much more than that! Whoever killed him, did it on purpose, with intentions to keep the murder a long lost tale. Whoever had made him "disappear" did a terrible job of disguising their scent. Leaving it proven to become useful evidence for future events that may be similar to one such as that. His assassination wouldn't ever be forgotten by Rascal. Things like that shouldn't be easily brushed off; Without knowing who, how, and why they'd done it.

Biting his tongue, Rascal stared off past Fire's shoulder. Annoyance pulled negative logic, and other frustrating words, back into his head. It felt as though, the more he asked, the more disappointment he faced. But he was thirsty for reasonable answers. Nothing else was more important then, except the craving need for more hope.

"Did my father ever say anything, that indicated he intended to disappear? Or was he ever planning to..." He wasn't sure what to ask.

"Not a thing." He held Rascal in a sharp, yet wise, stare. "Your father was far too honorable to have killed himself. Nothing mattered more to him than respect and a future for his family. That's why he stayed with your mother when she told him she was expecting you and your littermates."

Rascal nodded in antagonizing disappointment. His green eyes trailed off to Tyrant. The leader was pacing in front of his den absentmindedly, ignoring the stuff going on around him.

"Thanks again Fire," He whispered. "I appreciate it a lot."

The second-in-command dipped his head. "No problem. I was glad to help." Sorrow flicked in his eyes. "I apologize for not being able to give you the help you need. If I find out anything else, I'll let you know. I promise." He solemnly placed his muzzle on Rascal's forehead. Then trotted off with a dignified look in his gait.

Tyrant was still walking back and forth. That gave Rascal an idea.

Maybe he knows something!

Hope boiled over his head. Eagerly, he bounded over to the alpha. Tyrant didn't even look up when he approached. His amber eyes fixed on the ground.

"Excuse me?" Rascal cautiously drew forward. "T-Tyrant?"

The old wolf kept his pacing.

Louder, he barked. "Tyrant?"

He doesn't look up.

"Tyrant?" Rascal raised his voice.

Finally, he snapped his head up. "Oh...oh hello Rascal." He drew himself to his full height. "Is there something you need?" His voice was stronger with the authority of a leader.

"Yes, I do." Rascal rested beside Tyrant, curiosity bit his every nerve. "I need you to answer me some questions. That is if you can."

The Flame Woods leader dipped his head. "I'll try my best. What will these questions be related to?"

"My father, and his ....death." The words were bitter on his tongue. As soon as those words came out of his throat, he saw Tyrant stiffen, eyes widen in alarm.

Why in the name of Lifeless Forest, is he acting like he's scared of me?

With caution, he proceeded his question. "Do you know who killed him?"

Tyrant tilted his head to look at Rascal. "Why do you think I would know that?" He asked curiously. The sparkle in his eyes hardened to an icy amber glow.

"But, do you know anything? Anything at all---"

"No," Tyrant whispered, scraping a forepaw on the frosty ground. He turned his tail to Rascal, facing his den. "I've had plenty of things to worry about. That is in the past. Forget it." He stalked off to his den.

Rascal was left standing in shock, paws planted to the ground. Wrapping his mind around Tyrant's attitude felt impossible then.

But perhaps it will be easier one day... He must've been through a lot, to act this way about another wolf's troubles...