"We need to stay quiet, so the prey won't hear us," She ordered. She slunk down in the tall grass, her skulk following. Silently she slowly padded toward the mouse, and her belly growled with hunger when she got closer to it. She was the newest leader of the skulk, for the other leader had died of age. 

Land jumped for the mouse when she got close enough, but it ran off at sight, leaving her empty-pawed. She growled. I could have got it if it weren't for . . . Her neck fur bristled slightly as hunger filled her chest. She knew her skulk should be fed first for their safety. She had her turn.

"Really, bad leader! Why would that old leader choose that non-hunter!" Escape, one if the skulk's most skilled, growled. He padded over to Land and growled in anger. "See? We are all starving! With you leader, we will all die!" Land could tell by Escape's voice that he wanted to hurt her . . . or worse.

"I will do better next time," Land promised. She tried to hide how hurt she was. She was very close to banishing Escape, but he was the most skilled. How would they survive without him? She kicked up dirt, making some fly into Escape's face. "I know what you are going to say, but keep you're mouth closed, bad fox!" 

Escape seemed not to be listening when he shook the dirt off his face and padded off back to the den. However, Land did not follow her skulk. She heard Escape and the others talking about how bad she was. She went toward the forest's path to go for a walk when she heard a cheerful voice behind her. 

"Land." A male fox padded to Land. "I believe you are a wise leader." He sat next to Land, putting his brush around her's. 

"Oh, Nar," Land said silently. "You always are on my side." She smiled, her orange eyes shining in the night. 

Nar lifted his snout to the sky. "When I was young--a cub--the skulk bullied me. I remember when you helped me through it. Now I must help you as a thank you." He smiled back. 

The mountains lay in the distance, many sunrises away. "Escape was one of them," Land reminded Nar, though they both knew. 

"It's late, we should be getting to bed." Nar padded off. Land followed. Is this true love? She thought.