~Joy~

Just us. I thought with a smile, it was nice to get back on foot without an entire pack of foxes fracturing the silence. We tread through the forest. Jay stops to look at the sun.

"What are you looking at?" I cock my head at The Firepack Deputy. Jay spares a second to glance at me, returning to the sun. His ear twitches.

"The sun." He answers half-heartedly. I scoff, shrugging my shoulders.

"No fleabrain! Why are you looking at the sun?" I correct myself.

"Checking the time. Two paws until suntop." Jay casts a glance at me, catching my confused expression. He smirks at it, bounding off to join Whisper for prey. I smack my lips, The attracting smell of prey filling my senses. I traipse to join the two Hes. I snatch a mouse as Jay noses it over to me, chewing the rodent as it's savory taste overwhelmed my tongue.

I gulped down the last part of the mouse's carcass, digging the bones deep in the ground. Galloping to catch up with Jay and Whisper. 

"I'd say we'd get to the mountains in a few days, depending how quickly we move. Might take an extra bundle of days to find Sunpack, earn their trust and find our way home." Jay points out, 

"Sounds like a plan, might take about two moons I suppose?" Whisper inquiries. I nod as Jay mumbles a yes. A howl rings in the forest. The three of us wince, quickly dodging a pack of foxes. The dust dwindles away, revealing our opponents.

"Oh my guardian foxes." Jay sighs, rolling his eyes at the attackers. I drag my gaze among the three newcomers. I sigh as well, Frostpack. Strike brushes his tongue over his sharp teeth, a small glint shining In them. 

"Hello to you too, Jay." Strike sneered, Sky, Thorn and Thrush start a song of growls. Their pupils dialiating. Whisper flicks his tail, telling us to get into position. He wants to go in diamond formation, my He taught me the ways of a fighter. The tail signals and what they meant and all the battle moves. It strikes me. Jay doesn't know what Whisper means. Thinking swiftly I tap my paw, earning me Jay's attention. I draw a diamond in the dirt, Jay nods, returning his gaze to the three Frostpack foxes. 

"Let us pass and we will be on our way." Whisper commands through clenched teeth. Strike barks out a laugh.

"Your more stupid then you look! I expected more from the Son of Dawn." Strike shot back, Whisper stiffens at the mention of Dawn.

"Don't being my She into this you badgerheart." Whisper snarls, Jay shuffles to the side, forming the diamond, I do the same. Scooting to Thorn and Sky while Jay covered Strike and Thrush. 

      We look at Whisper, Fire Blazing in his eyes as he tried to keep his temper. His tail waved in the air to signal attack. I flash Jay a nod, his crouch drops as his snout curls to reveal his teeth. Whisper attacks first, attacking Strike and hauling his by his scruff, the two scruffle in the dirt, writhing around to get the upper hand. 

      Jay launches into Thrush, barreling into the gray-tan foxes stomach. The Frostpack hunter gives a yelp, failing to control his balance as Jay nipped at his scruff, pain mats my pelt as Thorn clashes with me, knocking me off my paws, I regain my balance, tipping to the side to avoid Thorn's flailing limbs. I snatch Thorn's whispy tan tail in my jaw, biting on it with such pressure I could feel the blood gush out, coating my mouth. Thorn cries, whipping around to lose me. I dig my claws in the dirt, clinging on as hard as I can as my teeth were sore from the pressure. I realease my deep grip, panting from the force.

        Thorn rears up, springing at me unexpectedly. I grunt as my back meets contact with the floor. Thrusting the Frostpack member as I punt him in his exposed stomach. This releases his grip, I twist in his weak grip. Thorn being dazed enough for me to slash my claws over his muzzle. My claws digging into flesh. Thorn yelps, collapsing on the compact dirt, flank heaving from exhaustion. I rush over to Jay, him and Thrush brawling with a flurry of claws, blood and fur. 

        Jay twists around, catching Thrush off balance, throwing him on the ground, Thush writhed in Jay's hold, flipping the two over as Thrush received the upper hand. Jay struggled for air as Thrush's paw came in contract with Jay's fragile throat. I rush over to the two foxes, head butting Thrush as he clashed with the floor, Jay boosted up to land a blow to Thrush's stomach, making the opposing fox groan in pain. I clamp my jaw around his leg, spinning around for momentum as I tossed the tan fox on Thorn, the Frostpack members panting with their eyes closed, trying to forget about the world as they tried to regain their strength.

      Me and Jay's attention were caught by a squeal, Whisper pressed hardly against the floor by a Strike and Sky, the pair pressing momentum into the Firepack fighter's skull. Whisper ready to pass out. I yell at Whisper, Thrush taking Jay and I off guard, pinning the two of us on the ground on the same head lock Whisper was in, my vision became fuzzy.

I watched Jay and Whisper fall limp.

I watched my vision fade.

I watched nothing.