Fire followed Mel through the forest. What Mel lacked in size, she made up for in speed and agility. Fire managed to keep up with his own speed and his Firepower. He hoped they would reunite the two soon, as he wished to go train in the volcano. He cursed himself quietly as he tripped over a small vine lying on the ground. He growled silently as Mel and the vulpixs rushed off, and disappeared. Fire groaned. back to the hard way. Putting his nose near the ground and began to follow their scent trail. Soon he had to give up, however, as too many paths intersected. he groaned and sat down. Now what?
He was completely lost for one of the first times ever - he decided to look around and see if he could find anything, but Fire just ended up more hopelessly lost. and to make things worse, now he was hungry. He tracked down a rattata and ate, but unfortunately, now he had absolutely no CLUE where the heck he was. Fire sighed and lay down, wondering how he got himself into this in the first place. It would be impossible for them to find him in such a dense forest and with so many scents mixed in. He had tried to find his way back following his trail, but he was unable to find his scent. He lay down his head, deciding to take a quick rest before trying to find his way out again.
*
Hotstreak looked behind them. She noticed Fire wasn't there. She yelled to the others "I am going to go find Fire, brb!!!!" She went searching in the woods she sMelled Fire. She followed the smell and soon found him sitting down. "What happened?". Fire looked at Hotstreak and sighed, "well, let's just say I'm not too well equipped for dashing through a forest trying to keep up with all you guys, especially Mel. She's a quick lil bugger.". Fire got up, "well, let's go."
Fire wished that there were some more growlithes out here. He didn't know why, but since he and Manami had parted ways recently, he had been dying to find more of his own kind. as nice as his these three were, he had not seen another growlithe in ages. He sighed again and followed Hotstreak back to the others. "Hey I am fast too!!!!! hmph.....", Hotstreak turned her back.
Fire sweat dropped and said, "hey, you must be fast! you lost me pretty quick. you guys are all runnin� great, then I had to go and trip over a dumb vine." He grinned sheepishly, "well, let's go eh?". as they began to go back, Fire thought for a moment he smelt the faint scent of a growlithe, like they had just been through here......no, it was just him. he shook his head and got back on task. He had to help the vulpix first. he sniffed one last time longingly. it was two males and two females, a small pack. Fire sighed longingly again, and walked away, planning to come back soon.
"I wanna stay here for a bit. Hey do you smell that?", Hotstreak said wondering what it was. Little did Hotstreak or Fire know what was to come...
* * *
Fire lowered his head. The scent of the growlithes had grown stronger for awhile, but now it had completely vanished. He sighed sadly. He wished he could have found them. He wanted to at least see another growlithe so badly. It ate away at him. He had had a chance to, but had given it up... suddenly, Fire heard a loud noise in front of him. He snapped his head up, and found four growlithes looking at him. Hotstreak jumped in surprise. The one in front looked at him with a sneer. He was the biggest, covered in scars and obviously the alpha. A sleek lean female stood to a side, and giggled hyperactively, blinking softly in Fire's direction. The third, another female, was colored darkly, didn't pay a bit of attention to him. She seemed more interested in the nearby rattata. Finally, the four, a very small male. He looked meek and cringed constantly. Just as Fire finished analysing the foursome, the alpha barked to him in a loud voice," you there? Who are you?"
Fire answered in a steady tone," I am Firestorm. and this is Hotstreak." He motioned to his vulpix friend. the alpha sneered," what is she, your mate?".
Fire shook his head, "no, just a friend.". the scarred leader nodded, then said, "i am growltiger. This," he motioned to the sleek female," is vita." She blushed at Fire looking at him, and winked. Growltiger continued, "and this is Tora-chan." The stealthy one regarded him with a nod before dealing the fatal blow to the rattata. "And finally this," he sneered, "is Sunstar." The small one shook tremendously at the mention of his name, and received a glare from Growltiger. "And this is our happy little band. we would love to have another though." Fire's tail wagged a little. was he inviting him into the pack?
"But," Growl smiled, baring all his slimy yellow teeth in the process," I have a little wager I'd like to make. I haven't had a good fight in a long while. so, how bout this? You fight me one on one. if you win, you get the pack. However," he grinned that disgusting smile again," if you lose, you and that vulpix must join the pack." Fire didn't know what to do. he was about to decline, when Growltiger lunged at him. Fire instinctively dodged, and lunged at Growl's throat. The big Fire dog grinned, and also dodged. Fire realized then he didn't have much of a choice in the matter, so he used his agility and double team attacks. Growl smiled, and retaliated by using agility also. But, he did not know double team. Fire took note of that, and used double team again. suddenly, both dogs stopped this, and lunged at each other. They began biting and kicking fiercely. Fire took advantage of his barrier and was able to avoid taking some damage. Hotstreak yelled from the sidelines, which was all she could do. Both jumped away suddenly, and pitted their Fire attacks against one another. Fire saw soon that when it came to brute strength, Growltiger had the advantage. suddenly, double team came to mind. It was risky, but it may work. They were both weakened from the battle.
If Fire blew it� No, he couldn't think like that. Just at the instant when Growltiger was about to overpower him, Fire jumped out, and used double team.
Two Firestorms were running full speed at the mighty Fire-dog. Growltiger panicked just as Fire thought he would, and attacked the nearest him. the fake. Growl whirled around just in time to see the real Fire deal him with a devastating body slam, rendering Growltiger unconscious, and leaving Fire the victor.
He looked over to his new pack, and smiled. they all smiled back at him(cept Tora-chan, who really didn't seem to care). Hotstreak looked at him and lifted her head, glad she had a friend like him. Then, she went back to chatting with Vita, as they shared a lot in common. they both loved to flirt, and thought almost all boys were worth it. Sunstar smiled. perhaps a new leader meant things were gonna change around here. Tora-chan didn't really give a damn.
Fire smiled again. things were changing for the better.
Hotstreak was so happy for Fire! She ran over to him and gave him a big hug and then blushed thinking he didn't like it. She started to talk to vita again and Sunstar. She then looked at the beat up Growltiger.
Growltiger was beginning to regain consciousness. Fire extended a helping paw. Growltiger looked at it for a moment, then batted it away and limped into some nearby bushes. Fire sighed. He knew that wasn't over. Fire looked over his new pack. Hotstreak and Vita were chatting and giggling. Tora-chan was finishing off her rattata kill. Sunstar was trying his best to move quietly away from the bush where Growltiger had taken up residence. Fire was yawning a bit, when he felt a tap on his shoulder. he turned and found Tora-chan standing behind him. Then, she spoke her first ever words to him, "so, what are you gonna get for us to eat?".
Fire was surprised. she had just consumed a rather large rattata after all...of course, now that he thought about it, a rattata wasn't really much of a meal. he replied, "have you ever been pack hunting?" Judging by the confused looks, Fire guessed they didn't. So he asked, "would anyone object to moving to the edge of the forest?". The only negative response was a growl from a certain nearby bush. So, Fire continued, "you see, if we live nearby the edge of the forest, then we can venture out and hunt bigger game in herds as a pack unit. the pack works together and hunts down the old and sick ones of the herd. that way, when we bring one down, there will be enough for us all. it may even last for days.".
With this Growltiger burst out of the bushes (sending an already nervous sunstar jetting to behind Fire), and bellowed, "but why not hunt strong ones?!?!?! that will be best!!!! they will provide better meals for us!!!!".
Fire shook his head, "because, if we do that, then more of the species will not be born in the future. we need the younger ones to have children, so the herds may continue to thrive.".
Growltiger snarled. He would comply to Fire for now. some ideas he liked. but, he would overthrow Fire as soon as he could and do things HIS way. Fire spoke again, "and also, I am making Hotstreak my second in command." With that Growltiger burst out, "but why her?!?! She isn't even a growlithe!!!! She is a vulpix, and a female at that!!!!!!!!!!". Fire replied calmly, "because, she is intelligent, fast, and knows well what she's doing." No-one else protested. With that, Fire smiled and said, "ok, let's go!", dashing off into the forest, his pack in tow.
Hostreak smiled and noticed they were already running. She jetted off in front of everybody. "So where are we going?" she asked Fire politely, "you see because I wasn't paying attention."
Fire explained to Hotstreak, "we are going to the edge of the forest. that way, we can hunt large herds and have plenty to eat.". They walked through the forest, Fire at the lead. Tora-chan ate another rattata on the way. Fire wondered (a little embarrassed) if that perhaps she maybe expecting. It would be rude to ask though. Sunstar stayed nearby Fire, as did Hotstreak and her friend, Vita. Growltiger was grumbling at the rear, snarling constantly at Fire.
The forest was dense, but towards the edge it thinned out. as they came out of the forest, the pack seemed surprised at the sight that lay before them. Fire knew this sight well. a large herd of tauros stood before them.
There were at least a hundred there. nearby, there was a watering hole. The sunlight poured in. to Fire, it was a sight long forgotten. for the others, it was a sight to behold. Even growltiger stopped his snarling for a moment in surprise. Then, he leaped and tried to spring for the nearest one, when Fire grabbed him and shook his head. This one had just become full grown, it was too strong and too valuable to the herd to kill. For now, it was a good idea to rest after such a long trip. All nodded in agreement (except for a certain rumpy gus ^.^) and they headed back into the forest, just inside the leafy refuge, and took a well deserved rest.
*
Fire awoke and for a moment was dazed, until he remembered where he was. He looked around again at the pack. His pack. That was still new to him. Fire stretched and looked around. all were still sleeping (even Growltiger). He noted that Sunstar and Tora-chan slept side-by-side. Hotstreak and vita also slept nearby one another, and had obviously been chatting right up until they fell asleep. Growltiger slept alone, growling in his sleep. Fire decided not to ruin the rare peaceful moment and lay his head down, watching the not too far off tauros herd to see which one they would try to hunt down later. a particularly old one with a large infected gash running down his side. Flies buzzed around the infection. Fire decided that when they went hunting, that would be a good first one to try and get as a pack. They would go hunt as soon as the pack woke up.
Hostreak woke up and looked around at her surroundings. She sniffed the air. She looked at the tauros. She was getting hungry now so she tried not think of food. She paced back and forth until she fell down and made a loud sound, waking Growltiger up. She collapsed on the ground trying to pretend that she was asleep, but she knew he had seen her.
Growltiger snarled at the puny vulpix. Why was someone so dumb put as a second in command? He shook his head. before long, they were all up. Fire told them of the old tauros with the infection. He them told them of the plan. A couple of them were to chase the bull, and send it right into the clutches of the other growlithes in waiting. All seemed alright with this plan except Growltiger (no big surprise there...) and said he'd get one his own way, not settle for some weak pathetic thing. Fire shrugged. He knew he wouldn't be able to stop him, so Fire didn't try.
Awhile later, they were all crunching contently on the carcass whilst Growltiger sat to the side, nursing his wounds.
* * *
Hotstreak looked back at Growl and stuck out her tongue. She whispered to Vita, "I guess Growl isn't worth it." She smiled a Fire and said "You are doing a great job as leader, but I am hungry, really hungry." She rubbed her tummy softly. "I want food!". She trotted to Fire and she sat there talking to him. "Can we get food now?" she said looking at the herd of tauros.
Fire would have protested, as it was best to hunt the herds as sparingly as possible. but, he realised that Growltiger hadn't eaten anything. As childish as he was being, he was still part of the pack and also, it was obvious Tora-chan was expecting. It was subtle, but she was slightly round around the waist, and eating a lot. It was also obvious that Sunstar was the father. They were together a lot. So, Fire picked out another tauros and they bought it down the same way as before. Only this time it was easier, as the pack had more experience now. But, Fire knew they would have to develop new tactics soon. The same trick would only work for so long...once Hotstreak and Tora-chan had eaten their fill, Fire grabbed some meat and threw it before Growltiger. The big Fire dog looked at him and snarled.
Fire shrugged and walked away. As soon as Fire wasn't looking, Growltiger chomped down the meat as quickly as he could. He didn't want this Fire person to think he had won. He would never win... Growltiger looked over at Tora-chan sorrowfully. He had wished her to be HIS mate, not that puny runt Sunstar's! He snarled at the thought of them having PUPS. he grimaced at the very thought. If they were HIS, they'd be perfect! But no, SHE had to go and run off with the runt! He would get revenge someday...of course, probably any female would do, but he wanted her in particular and to make things even worse, now he wasn't even the leader of his own pack! He snarled at Fire. If Growltiger could ever reclaim his position as the alpha, he would make Fire pay. Make him pay dearly...Fire started a small Fire to cook some meat over. Tora-chan ate some more. Sunstar kept a constant watch over her, but if you didn't know any better, you would think he was just cowering to the side. Fire sighed. he knew the peace couldn't last forever. sooner or later, something was gonna happen. He could sense it. but for now, Fire decided to enjoy the peaceful moment he was now experiencing. Whatever was gonna happen, it wasn't happening now.
Hotstreak smiled at growl knowing he was grumpy. she said laughing "Why are you so grumpy?"
Growltiger snapped at the vulpix, raking one of her tails with his long yellow teeth. he wasn't in the mood...Tora-chan was going to be birthing her pups soon.
When he bit her tail she yelped a little. Hotstreak growled, and bit growl back. She wasn't going to be pushed around like that. She stayed in her position. Growl wasn't going to scare her. She said "Answer me!"
0Firestorm got up. Hotstreak and Growltiger were having a confrontation. Fire sighed and went over there..."Now you two quit it! we have to learn to act as a PACK. It�s essential that we do.", Fire nudged Hotstreak away from the still sulking Growltiger by the bush. he gave her some more tauros which she chomped on happily. Vita went over and sat by Hotstreak, and the two began their chatting again. Fire sighed again. This was gonna be harder he thought. It wouldn't be a problem if it wasn't for Growltiger, but, he had been told that every part of the pack was necessary, even the most useless one. However, if he did anything too severe, it was also custom to then throw them out. Fire laid his head on the ground, deep in thought.
Hostreak sat down next to Fire. "What's wrong?" she asked curiously. Fire sighed and then smiled, "nothing's really wrong Hotstreak. everything's as peaceful as can be right now. i just feel like somethin's gonna happen. not now, but soon.", Fire smiled again, "for all I know it could be the pups Tora-chan is gonna have soon. I hope that's what it is...". Fire then told Hotstreak not to worry about it. to enjoy Vita's company for awhile. as she scampered off, Fire looked up at the half moon in the sky. He also noticed out of the corner out his eye, Growltiger also looking at the moon. He smiled at the scarred warrior, "do you also like to look at the moon?" all he got in response was a glare and a snarl. Fire chuckled. then, he did a double take.
He could have sworn he saw a flash of red in Growltiger's eyes for just a moment...Fire shook his head. he must just be tired. at least, that's what he hoped it was.
Hostreak couldn't stop noticing that Growltiger was always being nasty to everyone. She walked back over to him and said, "Really I wanna know what your problem is!"
Growltiger put on a bit of a smile for a moment and walked right up to Hotstreak. He looked her square in the eyes and said, "you wanna know what my problem is? Well, you see, my problem is...,",a snarl appeared on his face, replacing the smile, "YOU!!!!!! now back off!!!!" Fire sighed for the hundredth time that day. If this kept up, he'd have to break up another fight.
"ME? WHAT DID I DO?" Hotstreak shouted back at him. "I didn't do anything to you. before i even tried to include you by talking.", Hotstreak growled. "I am not going to back off, so just stop, be happy." she said smiling at growl.
Growltiger snarled and looked away. Fire gave a quick sigh of relief. At least it hadn't gotten too bad. it coulda been alot worse...Fire also noticed Tora-chan and Sunstar had disappeared. He could guess why, he looked to the setting sun. It was a marvellous sight. Still, Fire disliked the chill of the night. he lay on his side and said to himself quietly, "heh, it's surprising how much can happen in a day..."
Hotstreak moved back to where Fire was. "I am going to sleep in a lil bit. Make sure growl stays there, because he is mean." She shut her eyes in the same position she was in and fell asleep instantly. She hadn't moved at all from the spot she was in when she was talking to Fire.... She began to snore loudly. Hotstreak wasn't really asleep yet it just appeared like that� She rolled over facing Growl and stuck her tongue at him again, and burst out laughing.
Growltiger bared his slimy yellow teeth at her. how did such an immature vulpix ever end up as a second -in-command? He shook his head, rolled over, and went to sleep. Fire knew this was going on, but there wasn't really anything he could do to stop them. He sweat dropped and laid down his head, hoping sleep would soon come.
Hotstreak couldn't stop laughing. She rolled back over, seeing that Fire was trying to get some sleep so she stopped immediately. She also needed rest and this was the perfect chance because her enemy (Growl) was sleeping also. She lay sound asleep this time not tricking anyone. She was a little cold so she woke up and lay next to Vita so her body heat would keep her warm.
Fire awoke awhile later from a troubled sleep. he had had a disturbing dream he could not quite remember. Fire shook. It was rather chilly. He shook a bit and rekindled the small Fire from earlier. He curled up into a ball by the fire. He looked around, and all were where they should be.
Hotstreak and vita slept nearby one another. Tora-chan and Sunstar were still missing and Growltiger was still laying on his side, asleep. For some reason, when he looked at Growltiger, a chill passed over him. Fire shook it off and looked away. sleep was important right now. there would still be challenges ahead.
Hotstreak heard a sound. She jumped up and asked Fire, "Did you hear that?" She told Fire she would be back in a minute. She wanted to see what the noise was. She looked around... Nothing seemed to be around. On her way out of the woods, she heard the noise again. She spun around half way, and at her feet was a baby growlithe. She smelled it. She could tell it was human trained, so she figured the mom must have abandoned it. The baby obviously never opened it's eyes before, and it wouldn't make it out in the wild with no mother. Hotstreak took it in her mouth, and carried it out to where the others were. She looked surprisingly at Fire and told him the whole story.
She begged if she could keep it. "Please Fire, it needs me!" she said over and over again. Fire smiled and said quietly, "of course. I don't see why not. but...,"he slid his eyes over to a sleeping Growltiger," just quiet down a bit. Don't wanna wake up sleeping beauty over there. �Sides, the pup will have friends to play with soon if I'm right. Now, why don't you give the little guy a name?".
"Sleeping beauty where? Umm about the name.... do you have any ideas???".
Fire chuckled, "it was a joke. I mean don't wake up Growltiger. He might be grumpy if he doesn't get his nap. Hmmm.....now.....what's a good name for the little guy...," Fire thought hard, "maybe kaji?".
"What does it mean?" Hotstreak asked softly . "It's one of the humans way of saying Fire. I believe so anyway." He snarled a bit, "not that I care for humans, but, some of their words are alright I suppose." he smiled again, "so, how are you gonna feed him?".
"Then that will be his name.... or her..." "Kaji?" she called quietly. "I dunno how I am going to feed it yet... maybe it will have milk from tora-chan?" she asked.
"Perhaps, but the kid will have to wait then. so, check, is Kaji a he or a she? And are you sure you can take care of it? It is a big responsibilty."
Hostreak sniffed the growlithe. "It is a boy, I can just tell. I am sure I can handle it, I have waited most of my life for a baby...".
Fire smiled, "alright then, it's settled. this baby is now yours. Be sure to take good care of him." He then tried to put on a pathetic look, "now, how about some sleep? We really could use it. �Sides, Tora-chan and Sunstar may return tomorrow, so we gotta be ready with plenty of energy." He smiled broadly.