The group was in chaos, still arguing over what Jack had proposed. It had been an hour since he had suggested it, but the confusion in the group still hadn't died down. Well, mostly the confusion in Lemon, who still didn't look like he knew a thing. "Jack, what do you mean?!" He cried once more, repeating the phrase as it would magically give him the answer. It was hard to shout over all the bickering dogs, but for once Jack seemed to actually hear him.

"It's simple to understand, really," he said with a firm voice that shut the rest of the group up, "We group up with the dogs we want to stay with and branch off into the forest. I think we've explored enough and it would be nice to not hunt for so many dogs."

"It's selfish, that's what it is!" Nutmeg cried, "I can't hunt and all of us would die without Ol' Mackerel. In fact, we'd already be dead! You can't make decisions for the group, especially if you want to abandon it!"

Lemon agreed with what she was saying, but Cinnamon clearly didn't. "You don't have the right to say that, you no-good goof! You have contributed nothing to the group and have only weighed it down!" The little dog growled, snout turning up to a snarl.

Elizabeth seemed unbothered by the whole situation, making it really just three dogs yelling. Ol' Mackerel also seemed suspiciously calm, like those old people with pipes in the show his owner used to watch, as if contemplating a murder. "I presume we should vote. If the voters that want to split up reign supreme, then we all shall split and forget each other. If the case is the opposite of that, then our actions shall be opposite as well. Is anyone opposed?" The old dog spoke clearly, so clearly a silence fell upon them and no one dared argue with him. "Very well. Those who wish to split sit by the lake, and those who wish to stay together stand in the forest."

Jack, Cinnamon, and Elizabeth headed over to the lake, though Elizabeth lagged behind by a few paces. Jackal and Nutmeg took off towards the forest, and Lemon made sure not to lag behind like Elizabeth did. He didn't want to be anything like that dog. When the group realized they were split even, they all looked at the only dog who hadn't decided. Ol' Mackerel.

"Hurry up, old dog! We don't have all day to wait for you! Just join us by the lake!" Jack barked, his annoyance clear. Lemon couldn't tell what that mean dog was planning, but it couldn't have been good.

Just as Nutmeg was about to protest, Ol' Mackerel got up and lumbered over to the lake. The feeling of defeat was quickly replaced by fear in the forest group as Jack shoved the wise dog into the lake without hesitation. Panic ensued as everyone raced to the place he had disappeared in the water and tried to find him. Three of the five dogs were howling at Jack, including Cinnamon, Jackal, and Nutmeg.

Stupid water dog Soothe said the water wouldn't hurt anyone! My gut told me not to trust her and I should've listened to it! Lemon's head screamed, though was soon accompanied by a calm voice, Do not fret, small one. For I would never let one of your companions be struck down by that thing. Its kind is not welcome here, not resting by my waters. This time, Soothe's calm voice was also filled with annoyance, but a familiar shape rose its way to the top of the water, quickly being grabbed by the group. They hauled Ol' Mackerel out and a temporary relief hung in the air before they realized they should be mad. No, not mad. Furious.

"Jack, what were you thinking?!" Cinnamon growled in fury, snout still curled back in a snarl, "Ol' Mackerel is our tour guide and the only reason we haven't all died yet!"

"No, I'm the only reason we're still safe! I'm the one helping us by hunting! Are you? None of y'all can hunt well enough to keep us alive!" Jack snapped, taking one of his paws and batting the tiny dog aside, "Now, you, Elizabeth, and I are leaving right now. We won the vote, we're going."

"Nuh uh! Not when you tried to outright kill our guide!" Nutmeg protested, "You may be leaving, but you're leaving alone." The husky seemed surprisingly angry, a far cry from the usually peppy dog he had grown to know.

"W-what..?" Jack was visibly caught off guard by her new attitude, as was everyone else. His eyes narrowed though, knowing that whatever she was saying couldn't be good news for him. It really couldn't be good news if it had angered Nutmeg to the point she snapped.

"You head me! I'm tired of you always acting like the boss! If you want to leave so badly, then leave!" Nutmeg howled, showing her teeth and taking a threatening step towards him. She looked scary for once, which was so incredibly new that it made her seem any more terrifying. Her threat clearly spooked Jack for some reason, who let out a huff and turned away before padding off.

"J-Jack...? Where are you going?! Come back!" Cinnamon whimpered, hopping after her. She seemed to have hurt her paw when he hit her, which must've been while she was limping, "W-wait up!" A moment later, both dogs had disappeared into the trees and left the rest alone to process what was happening.

Before anyone could go after them, Ol' Mackerel got up and shook out his fur. "Well, he's overly dramatic. As always," sighed the old dog as he looked around at the group.

"I... suppose we should catch something to eat and then find a nice place to stay?" Nutmeg suggested, looking around. Her angry demeanor had changed, not back to happy but to sad.

"Of course. Off we go then," Lemon murmured, not at all excited for the new journey ahead of them. Unsettled, he led the small group into the trees. Would he ever see Cinnamon and Jack again? Did he want to?