*insert greeting here*

—

Smoke-scent tainted the once-pure air, burning the backs of the dogs' throats as they climbed a steep, rocky slope in hopes of escaping the burnt forest.

One, a shaggy golden male with ash-covered fur, brought up the rear. He'd fallen behind, and kept glancing over his shoulder at the place he once called home, still alight with flames in some places. Him and his family had fled quickly when they noticed the advancing fire, and the male dog shuddered from nose to tail-tip as he recalled the recent memory of the flaming trees and sparking grass.

   Then he turned his brown eyes back to his family, still climbing the slope ahead of them, careful not to let their scraped paws slip off. His two litter-sisters, his Sire-Dog and Mother-Dog, they'd all be safe somewhere far from the forest fire come no-sun. He hoped, at least.

   The family trekked through the forest above the slope all day, the Sun-Dog padding through the sky slowly, crossing behind clouds before beginning to settle on the horizon. By the time no-sun darkened the pine woods, the dogs had nestled into a leaf pile beneath a big fir tree.

   "Are we going to stay here?" one of the male's litter-sisters mumbled to the other, Bumble, with a quiet voice that was scratchy from inhaling smoke. He assumed his own was the same, but hadn't spoken since they left their old home, and he swallowed in hopes of fixing the burn in his throat. Unfortunately, it didn't go away, only stayed there like a clot of ash lodged behind his tongue.

   "What'll we eat?" Bumble asked their Sire-Dog rather loudly. She was the smallest of the three siblings, her fur matted and covered in ash. Their Sire-Dog surveyed the forest before speaking.

   "I'm afraid we'll have to go another no-sun without food. But I'm sure Conifer can catch some squirrels come morning." The shaggy male raised his head when his Sire-Dog spoke. Conifer didn't want to hunt, but he'd have to, as his sisters hadn't much experience in stalking small forest creatures. He'd have to provide with his Sire-Dog until they could find an area with more open spots.

   "Are we going to stay here?" Poppy repeated her question, eyes turned towards their parents.

   "Perhaps. But I'd rather we head out in a few days, this is too close to the fire for my liking." their Mother-Dog responded this time, her tail thumping the ground in hopes of cheering up her three pups. Unfortunately, it didn't work.

   Conifer stretched out, laying his head on the ground. He was exhausted and his paws ached, his dark-colored pads scratched and sore. He turned one paw over and nibbled at the tough pad, lapping his tongue carefully over one of the deeper cuts where a bit of pebble was lodged. It stung horribly and he cringed, but kept going until the bit of rock came out. The pain ebbed and he swallowed again, wishing for the burning in his throat to cease.

   The Sun-Dog was just waking when Conifer and his Sire-Dog left to hunt. They crossed over ferns and passed dense thickets, hopping a fallen tree when it got in their way. The two first picked up the scent of a squirrel near the temporary camp, but Conifer spooked it up a tree and they had to go on.

   "I think the fire scared off any prey." Conifer's Sire-Dog huffed. The Sun-Dog had reached his highest point in the sky, sending slants of golden light through the dense pine branches that crowded this forest. Conifer's tail lay still behind him, as the two continued on despite the lack of food. Please, Forest-Dog, give us something to eat. Conifer begged.

As though on cue, a squirrel dashed across their path, startling the two. Immediately, Conifer's Sire-Dog sped after it, leaving him to chase both. They ran through a thorn thicket, Conifer whimpering and whining when they got lodged in his pads and tugged his fur, and had to stop while his Sire-Dog chased on.

Soon after, the shaggy golden male returned with the dead squirrel dangling in his jaws. "We'd better get this back, I doubt we'll find anything else." the Sire-Dog's voice was muffled by the prey in his mouth. Conifer nodded, wanting to curl up and dislodge all the thorns in his fur and paws.

They returned to the temporary camp when the Sun-Dog was nearing his resting spot. The two dropped their squirrel and laid down. Almost immediately, Bumble and Poppy showed their distaste.

"That's all you caught?"

"Yes, and if your smart, you'll be glad we found anything at all." their Sire-Dog huffed, starting to divide the little prey into meager rations for each dog. They all ended up getting about one bite, and it did close to nothing to cure their hunger. It would have to do, though.

Conifer sighed and raised his head to the sky, which was growing dark now, stars appearing among the clouds. The Sun-Dog had gone.

"We'd better leave as soon as possible. The fire spooked all the prey from here." their Sire-Dog held a snarl in his tone. They had gone so far from the flames, and yet, the ash and heat and smoke had still chased off any life.

The family rested under the great fit tree as the Moon-Dog made its way to the horizon, until the Sun-Dog took its place and brought light to the world once more. Conifer was up with his Sire-Dog first, and the others soon followed.

They didn't bother to hunt, instead got up and headed from the silent forest. They walked in the woods until the Sun-Dog was at its highest point, the trees growing more sparse around them until the family broken into a wide meadow, stretching off to the distant skyline with grasses taller than even their Sire-Dog.

"Conifer and I will hunt. You three, stay put here, and if we aren't back by the time the Moon-Dog has risen into full view, come look for us." the Sire-Dog and Conifer left the Mother-Dog and his litter-sisters.

Almost immediately, they picked up the scent of a hare. Conifer's mouth watered as he stalked towards the smell, his golden fur brushing the tall stalks around him, hiding his father. Soon enough, Conifer spotted the brown creature, padding back-and-forth while it chomped on the grass.

Conifer lowered his head and stepped closer, making sure he didn't alert the hare.

After a few more heartbeats, he sprang from his hiding spot, thundering towards the prey. It perked its ears up and let out a shrill warning cry, taking off into the grass. Conifer chased after it with a lolling tongue, easily gaining speed. He stayed right behind the hare like its shadow as it swerved and leapt, hastily trying to escape his snapping jaws.

Conifer began to pant, but he put on a final burst of speed and crashed his paws onto the hare's flanks, making both collapse to the ground. Before it could wriggle free and speed away, the dog sank his powerful teeth into its throat and ended the prey's life swiftly.

Conifer stood with the dead hare dangling from his jaws, staring off the tall-grassed fields. He could see the distant pine woods, even the dark trunks of the burnt forest outlining the horizon. He drew in a deep breath, filling his lungs with the sweet smell of wilderness, watching as his Sire-Dog wound through the rippling grass, coming his way.

   Perhaps he and his family could live here, out on the open moors, with the breeze stirring their fur and the forest as a shelter from storms. This place was safe and they could see any danger from far away.

   Perhaps they could be happy here.

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idk