The final test was fairly easy compered to what i thought it would be, me and my brother completed it without much effort. That night was harder to get threw then the test itself. Such happy days... The days before we get back home, that was when everything went wrong.

But that's enough of my ramblings, on to the story.

Chapter six: The final test

Everyone get up, I let you sleep in long enough.

Everyone groaned when they heard Blacktail calling.

Its not sleeping in if you wake us up before sunrise. Ashpaw muttered.

Silversheen pulled herself up and shook herself to wake herself up. She stretchered and walked over to Blacktail and sat down. They waited wail Ashpaw and Snowpelt got up, shook themselves and came over to join them. Grayfur on the other hand looked at them but made no move to get up.

Are you going to join us Grayfur? Blacktail impatiently.

I can hear you from were I am. He replied.

Blacktail growled at him. I'm tired of your attitude Grayfur, get up and get over here now!

Grayfur rose to his feet and slowly walked over to were they were sitting. He looked at Blacktail.

So what is our final test O mighty one. He asked sarcastically.

First off, I will have you all know that this is your last test and if you pass you will get to go home tomorrow as hunters. And if you fail the test, you will go home as a failure and ill have to find some other use for you. He looked at Grayfur while he said the last part.

So What will we be doing? Silversheen said excitedly.

You will track a herd of deer and you will each take one down, I will be watching your speed, strength, stamina, and skill at hunting. Ashpaw, Snowpelt, you may work together to kill two deer if you wish as long as you both use the skills you learned. If you fail to kill a deer or I think your skills are lacking, you will ether go threw training again or ill find something else for you to do with your life.

Lets go. Snowpelt said excitedly.

I Will take you to were the deer slept last night and you will take turns tracking them from there. With that Blacktail got up and beckoned for them to follow.

He led them threw the forest, past streams and ponds, and past bushes Silversheen didn't recognize. They seemed to walk for hours and when she asked him about it he told them that if they were closer to the deer, it was more likely for them to get scented and that would ruin the test.

It was about noon when they stopped. They were in a clearing with a small stream running along one side. Silversheen could see were the deer had been sleeping.

They left here about an hour ago, who wishes to go first?

Snowpelt spoke up.

Ill go first.

She started walking around the clearing smelling the ground and the bushes.

They went this way. She said finally, walking east.

Not bad. Silversheen heard Blacktail mutter to himself as he started to follow Snowpelt.

They followed her for several minutes, she never lost the trail and eventually Blacktail had her stop and Ashpaw took over, then Silversheen, then Grayfur. This went on in a circulation until late afternoon.

Blacktail called a halt and addressed them all.

They are bedding down in a clearing about twenty feet ahead of us, you will all go at the same time and try to catch them off guard. If you succeeds this should go fast and easy. If not you will have to chase them down and kill them that way.

They all nodded. Silversheen led them threw the trees sticking to shadows and staying low. They spread out when they got close and picked there targets.

Silversheen chose a doe that was on the edge of the herd. She looked like she was limping and she wouldn't be to hard to run down is needed.

She saw the others choosing there targets and getting into position. She was about to give the signal when one of the deer heard something looked up. Silversheen froze. If she moved now she would be seen and everything would go wrong. She was glad the clearing was full of long grass, she could easily hide in it and it made it easy to spot the forums of the deer.

The deer that had looked up soon settled down but still seemed uneasy.

Silversheen stood up and gave the signal and then jumped at her target deer. As saw the others doing the same. She saw Ashpaw and Snowpelt working together to bring down one deer then they ran off to get another. They were wonderful hunters when working together.

Silversheen landed on her deer and pinned it down without to much effort then locked her jaws around its throat. When it stopped moving she looked around to see how the hunt went for everyone else.

Ashpaw and Snowpelt had dragged both of the kills into the middle of the clearing but it looked like Ashpaw got hurt when chasing down the second deer. He was limping but looked proud at there catch.

She saw the body of another deer but no sing of Grayfur. She dragged her deer over to were Ashpaw and Snowpelt were sitting and sat down with them.

Is your paw ok? She asked Ashpaw.

I may have broken it, the damn deer stepped on it. He said with a chuckle.

Were is Grayfur? Silversheen asked. I haven't seen him sense we attacked.

We haven't seen him ether, mayhaps hes with Blacktail. Snowpelt suggested.

As if on Q both Blacktail and Grayfur came walking over to them.

Well done all of you, you did a good job tracking and your hunting skills are wonderful. I am proud to announce that you will all become hunters and you will take on the duties of feeding the pack as soon as we get back.

Pride rushed threw Silversheen as she heard this is she puffed out her chest in pride. The other were having similar reactions to the news. The weather however didn't seem to like what had happened. As Blacktail was giving the news a dark cloud covered the sun and the day all of the sudden seemed overcast. This did nothing to dampen the spirits of the newly appointed hunters tho.

So are we going to bring these deer back to camp? Grayfur asked. Silversheen shuttered at the thought of dragging a deer miles threw dense undergrowth.

No, we will eat when we can tonight and berry the rest. It will give us strength to make it back to the camp, a journey we will start before sunrise so rest and eat now.

It was starting to rain as they went back to there kills and started dragging them to the somewhat dryer ground under the trees.

I don't like this weather. Silversheen heard Snowpelt mutter to her brother. It came on to fast and its been not but sunny the last week, I think something bad has happened.

Don't be silly. She heard Ashpaw as he tried to comfort his sister. Nothing has happened, well get back tomorrow and everything will be fine. You'll see.

Silversheen thought he sounded like he was comforting himself as well as his sister and she couldn't help noticing how young they looked. They were all young but Ashpaw and Snowpelt look like pups huddled up together under a large oak tree.

Silversheen walked over to a willow tree a bit away from were the others were. It was kind of strange to find a willow tree here Silversheen thought as she curled up under it. The rain was falling harder now and she saw a flash of far off lightning.

I doubt any of us are going to get any sleep tonight. She muttered to herself.

She thought about going over to sleep with Ashpaw and Snowpelt, to try to comfort them and decided it would be nice to have other body's near by. She walked over to them.

Mind if I shear your tree? She asked kindly. She saw Snowpelt look up at her and nod.

She curled up by them, close enough to feel there heartbeats quicken when thunder sounded overhead.

She looked at the two forms of Ashpaw and Snowpelt and thought about how nice it must be to have a twin, to always have someone there for you even at the worst times. Silversheen wished she had a brother or sister but her mother had died when she was very young, a few months before she had met Zorropelt in the forest. Zorropelt was as close as she had to a brother and she realized that was why she loved him so much, he was someone she could talk to when she was sad and she could always count on him when she was lonely. She didn't know what she would have done if she did now meet Zorropelt as those months ago.

She flinched as lightning flashed threw the sky and thunder sounded. She felt so small and like she was a pup again, not the strong hunter she was now. She may have left an excited pup but now she was a hunter! Her training had changed her in so many ways and yet she was the same. I have responsibility's now.she thought, I have work to do everyday to feed the pack. I'm not a pup anymore. Iv changed so much in these months, lets hope its been for the better. She slowly drifted off to sleep, visions of her new life flying threw her head.

Chapter seven: Home

She dreamed that she was with Zorropelt that night under the trees. She was playing with Zorropelt the day they had met. She was only four months old and Zorropelt was about her age. She chased him threw the forest laughing and yelling about the new friend she had found be chance. She chased him deep into the woods, no fear, no worries.

So whats your name? She asked.

I suppose I don't have one. He said with a shrug.

Well if I'm going to take you back to my den you'll need a name.

She examined him. You have a pelt that look's like a fox.

She commented. I think ill call you Zorropelt.

Zorropelt. He echoed. I like it! I will now be known as Zorropelt! He said proudly and jumped on Silversheen. They wrestled and he jumped up and ran into the forest with Silversheen chasing him laughing.

They ran into a clearing, it was barren of any plant-life and he stopped and turned to look at her.

Things are no longer what they were. He said to her.

What do you mean? She asked confused.

Zorropelt turned and ran into the woods away from her. She tried to follow but she found her way blocked by a human fence. She tried to call out to him but her voice had stopped working. She could see him on the other side of the fence, he looked older now, older than he had been the last time she had saw him.

Were I tread you can not go Silversheen. He said and started to fade.

Wait! Were are you going!? She called her voice suddenly working again.

Don't come looking for me Silversheen, you wont like what you find. His voice faded and she couldn't see him anymore. A serge of fear went threw her and she tried to dig under the fence. No! No don't go! She screamed frantically pawing at the dirt under the fence.

No! She howled and woke up. Ashpaw was standing over her, his sister at his side. She couldn't see them well in the faint light and it was still raining.

Are you ok Silversheen? He asked.

Umm yes I'm fine, I just... had a nightmare that's all. She said standing up and shaking herself.

Whats happening? Came the voice of Blacktail from the darkness.

Nothing. Silversheen called. It was nothing.

She saw Blacktails shape come over out of the darkness.

We will leave in about an hour. He said his voice flat. He turned and walked away and Silversheen followed.

Dad. She said softly. I had a dream... a dream about Zorropelt.

She explained her dream and Blacktail listening not seeking until she was done.

I did know you chose his name. Was his only comment when she had finished.

She starred at him.

Is that all you have to say? She asked.

Well if your asking what I think of your dream I think its just a dream. He said.

Silversheen glared at him.

Fine, I don't know why I even bother. She said and stormed away.

She walked over to the willow she had seen the night before and curled up, fighting back tears. She didn't know why her father didn't care about Zorropelt or why she even thought about telling him about her dream. She looked up and saw Snowpelt walking over to her in the dim light.

I heard what happened with your father. She said soothingly. I'm sorry that happened, do you want me to keep you company? She asked.

What about your brother? Silversheen replied.

Snowpelt gave her a nudge with her noes.

Come back to the oak were me and my brother are. She urged.

Silversheen gave her a grateful look and fallowed Snowpelt.

Thank you for sleeping with us last night. She whispered in Silversheen's ear. It means more to us than you know.

When they got back to the oak they both curled up, Ashpaw walked over and joined them.

I'm sure Zorropelt's fine. He said comfortingly.

I haven't seen him in so long. Silversheen said sadly. I hope everything is well with him.

Silversheen felt the two twins start breathing slowly signaling that they were asleep. She knew she should join them but found herself hesitant to fall asleep. After awhile however she fell into a light sleep

She was awakened from her sleep at the feeling of a paw on her noes. She opened her eyes and saw Grayfur standing over her. She groaned and wondered what the jerk wanted.

It was still dark out and it looked like it would be dawn an about an hour, faint traces of light could be seen on the horizon and the rain had stopped. She sat up and stretched then addressed Grayfur.

What do you want. She said quietly now wanting to wake the twins.

I wanted to say I'm sorry. he said to Silversheen's amazement. Iv been a jerk to you and the others, I was looking at the training as a competition and didn't care about making friends. I like you but I know you probably cant stand me, for that I am sorry. I just wish for you to forgive me for the way iv been acting.

I forgive you. Silversheen said honestly. You have been a jerk and a bully, Ashpaw and Snowpelt are afraid of you and try to avoid you, id try to make up with them if you relay are sorry for the way you have been acting.

Ill talk with them on our way back, we'll be leaving soon I think so you might as well get ready. I already berried the remains of the deer so don't worry about that.

Thank you Grayfur. Silversheen said.

With that Grayfur walked away into the trees, back to whatever place he had been sleeping she assumed.

She still felt damp from the privies nights rain so she took a little walk to worm her up and clear her head. She saw Blacktail starting to get up and knew her walk would have to be short. She didn't dream in the light sleep she had been in and she was thinking about the dream she had had. It couldn't have meant something could it? She shook her head. She was going to get back to camp and Zorropelt would be waiting for her there. She heard her father waking the others up and decided she better head back. The undergrowth was damp and she shuttered at the thought of walking all the way home in it, her paws were soaked as it was.

When she got back everyone else was up. She ignored her father, still not forgiving about the way he had treated her the night before.

She walked up to Snowpelt.

Were finally going home. She said excited

I know. Snowpelt replied. I wounder how big my sister is now.

You have another sister? Silversheen said surprised.

I do, her name is Whiteears. She was just a week old when we left.

Silversheen felt that pang of sadness that she always felt when she heard about or saw other wolves with younger brothers or sisters.

Its time to go. Blacktail called to all of them. Its a long rode home to we best be on out way.

The journey home was long and hard. It took them hours going at a fast pace. Everything was wet from the rain but with the days first light there had been no singes of clouds and it had been a nice if not windy day. They were under trees for most of the way and it was cold. The sun was shinning but they walked in shade. The wetness of everything didn't help with the wind and it took short work in freezing Silversheen clear threw. She saw Grayfur talking to Ashpaw and Snowpelt and she assumed he was giving them the speech she had gotten earlier.

Blacktail refused to let them take a brake until it was well past noon and even then they couldn't hunt. They rested for about an hour at there old training den.

Good riddlins to this place. She hears Grayfur say as they left. She agreed with what he said completely. She had liked her training but was ready to be done. They were only a few hours away from there camp now and she felt anticipation at arriving.

The last few hours seemed to fly by and it didn't seem as cold. Soon they were passing threw familiar forest and she knew they were almost home.

She saw the top of the small mound of rocks that made up her and her dads den over the trees and broke into a run as did everyone but Blacktail. They ran threw the trees and into the den clearing. They saw there families waiting and pups playing around the dens. The elderly sunning themselves and other wolves there age lulling about. Silversheen stopped at the top of the rill that led down into the den clearing. The others ran past her and were swallowed up by the crowd. She saw Snowpelt and Ashpaw with a cream colored wolf and a young pup that was pure black with white ears. She smiled and started looking threw the mass of faces. She saw Grayfur and three older wolves that were all gray but with markings of black. She kept scanning and she saw Zorropelt's teacher laying on the ground by Blacktail's den. Her father was beside him and it looked as tho he was injured.

She made her way slowly down threw the crowd keeping an eye out for Zorropelt or Jadeeyes. Several wolves walked up to her and congratulated her on being a hunter. She thanked them and kept walking turds Graytail.

Upon arriving by Graytail and Blacktail she looked the old wolf over.

It look's like you have been shot by a human! Silversheen exclaimed.

He has. Blacktail explained.

He was out on a fake scouting mission with Zorropelt and Jadeeyes when they were ambushed by humans. Graytail was shot but made it back and has been recovering swiftly.

What about Zorropelt and Jadeeyes!? Silversheen asked getting worried. I haven't seen ether of them seance I got back, are they alright, have they been shot as well?!

Silversheen, I should have told you this a long time ago. When Graytail got shot he lost conciseness and when he woke up there was no sings of Zorropelt or Jadeeyes. There was no blood on the ground but there had been no sings of ether of them in over a week.

And you didn't think you had the need to tell me! Silversheen screamed almost in tears.

I didn't want to interfere with your training, something like this would distract you and you wouldn't have passed your training.

The look She gave her father was of pure and untamed hate. When she spoke her voice was dangerously calm.

You didn't tell me, even when I asked you how he was and you swore to me he was fine, you lied to me. I know now that you don't care anything about me, you just want me to be your perfect daughter and not to question anything you do. We no more. I'm leaving to find him, and I'm not coming back till I do. I hope I never see you again and that a hunter shoots you and leaves you to die slowly along in the forest! She was in tears when she finished.

She turned around and walked away from her father.

She was in tears and she found Snowpelt and Ashpaw and told them what happened.

And I'm going after him first thing tomorrow morning.

they looked at her in shock.

You do know your father will never allow it, he is still the pack leader. Ashpaw replied.

I'm still leaving, even if I didn't hate my father id still go after him.

You have no idea were to start looking, you'll never find him. Ashpaw argued. And didn't he say not to go after him?

What do you mean didn't he tell me not to go after him?

In your dream. Ashpaw said.

Ashpaw. Snowpelt said softly. She will go no matter what you say, wouldn't you do the same for me?

You know I would, but that's different.

She loves him Ashpaw. Snowpelt said stunning her brother. She wont stop till she finds him just like you would do for me, and I for you.

Silversheen nodded.

I do love him. She said quietly. He was the one I could always talk to when things went wrong. He was the thing that kept me going and kept me doing my best in my training, I wont loose him. The sadness in her voice was enough to convince Ashpaw.

I'm not asking you to go with me, I'm just telling you that I'm going.

You can sleep in our den tonight. Snowpelt said kindly.

Thank you Snowpelt. Silversheen replied.

Its getting late, if your leaving in the morning you better get up early, if your dad knows your trying to go after him he'll have guards posted to keep you in.

We can help you sneak out. Snowpelt said.

Silversheen nodded and they all went inside there den for a long sleep.