The 53rd Pack

8

About 3 weeks passed. 

The pack was overjoyed for Kirumi and Ryoma, especially Kaede and Shuichi; they were the two who knew about their wish for pups the most. The beta was even more protective of his mate, growling whenever Kokichi came close, for example. 

He saw them often, Kirumi laying against the wall and Ryoma licking her stomach lovingly. Although the pups weren't visibly moving yet, he was still lightly poking her with his paw, hoping to feel one kick. (He did it when he thought nobody was looking.. hahaha.) 

Because of this, Shuichi was reminded of his parents. And, once again, he started to search for them. Where have they gone? 

All he wanted was parental figures, even if it was only one. He'd love to have someone like Kaede's parents. He had met them once on a daily territory-marking excursion; they were so, so sweet and loving. 

Today, Shuichi had some spare time. It was another one of those relaxing days; nothing was really going on. They'd been having a lot of those lately, and for that, the majority of the pack was grateful. 

The snow had started to melt, sharp, bright green blades of grass peeking between the slush. The sun shone down, brighter and warmer than ever. 

Spring was coming! 

That would definitely give him more of a chance, as scents hidden by the snow would come anew, filling the air. 

It had been years since he'd last seen them; many, many seasons had gone by. Yet, he still had hope. 

So with a flick of the tail to Kaede, he set off, exiting their territory. 

***

He walked carefully through the wooded grasslands and rolling hills, avoiding other wolves' territory lines. Not a single scent grazed his nose, except those of wild pigs and the occasional loner. 

He knew what his parents smelled like; that scent had been ingrained into his nose ever since the day he was born. Yet, he smelled not a wisp of it. 

He narrowed his eyes in determination, lowering his snout even closer to the ground. He would bring them home, no matter *what* it took. 

***

Entering a heavily wooded no-man's land, he immediately felt a sense of foreboding overcome him. 

Why?

He certainly didn't know. 

His a-roiling stomach gave him even more unease, but he continued on. 

Traversing through the lands, he could sense something was.. off. 

It was dead silent. 

Not even an insect could be heard. 

He perked up his ears, straining for something, anything. But, nothing reached him. 

His gut was telling him to run far, far away. While he would have, there was a scent that caught his attention. 

His parents. 

He ran towards it, tail sticking straight out. He ignored all other scents, honing in on his parents'. 

He was so close! Maybe they were just right there, and would be so overjoyed to see their so- 

Just where the scent trail culminated, he tripped on something.. hard. Shuichi tumbled straight over it, landing on his front left paw with a groan. 

Pain spiked in his ankle, rendering him unable to get up. He knew he shouldn't have gone out all alone. 

Wow, how stupid can I b-

He saw what he tripped over, and let out a loud, deafening scream. 

There, laid the skeletons of his parents. 

Sorry this one took so long to write..! I was working on the next chapter of IWTFYBIC (I Want To Forget You But I Can't). I'm gonna warn you guys, it's gonna get a bit gory next chapter, if my plans come to fruition. It might be a bit, since I quite literally start school tomorrow. ~ Mia 🔱