Shapeshifters

Uh-oh

DUST WOKE AND couldn't place what was different. Something was off, he knew it. He thought about the sun before. Light and him fighting because she wouldn't tell Dust her secret. Well, it wasn't like he didn't have his secrets.

I feel like an idiot. Dust told himself. Light probably thinks I'm awful. Because of me, she ran off and I couldn't find her.

Dust got up, stretched and padded out and looked around. He didn't see Light anywhere. Although, he was pretty sure that she wouldn't run out of camp, he couldn't help but think that. She was smarter than that. Dust saw Rose and Thorn playing across camp and he walked over to them.

"Hey Dust," Thorn happily greeted him. "How's my brother?"

"I'm fine," Dust told him. "Have you two seen Light? I haven't seen her since last sun."

They both shook their heads no, said a quick good luck and ran off. Dust spotted Moon and Goldendawn talking a little ways off and padded over to them.

"Dust," Moon said. "I was wondering if you've seen Light? Goldendawn said she didn't sleep in the pup den last moon."

Dust shrugged. "I haven't seen her since last sun, when we fought. I actually came to see if you've seen her, but since you haven't I'll keep looking."

Goldendawn looked at him, tears in her eyes. "It's going to be okay. Light's smart and can handle herself. Besides you two so much like your fathers. Always got along until one day, they fought." Some tears fell as she was telling Dust this. "No one heard from the two of them for a few moons. They came back and all was fine. Don't worry, if Light is anything like her father, she won't rest until she is home."

He took comfort in knowing that she would be okay. He still didn't know who her real father was, but he knew Star was probably related to her real father. Dust went out to find Star and found him by the medicine den. 

"Star?" Dust asked. "I know you're not Light's real father, but can you tell me who is?"

"Dust," He said warningly. "I can't tell you that, and how you came to know that I'm not her real father, I don't really care. Know this though pup, stay out of what you don't understand."

"Are you related to her real father?"

"Dust," Star said sternly. "Stay out of this." He lowered his voice. "If you want to know, yes I am."

Dust nodded and went back the pup den. Suntail came up to him. 

 "Dust," He started. "Do you have a moment?" Dust nodded and followed him to the other side of the camp. "Do you have any idea where Light would go? We caught her scent by the five pines this morn but couldn't get anything off of it."

Five pines? He thought. That's where she went. "I don't know," Dust eventually told him. "I haven't seen her since last sun. I have the feeling that she's missing."

"I'll start organizing a few small search groups," Suntail told him. "We will find her. Do me a favor Dust and don't tell anyone."

Dust nodded and Suntail padded away to organize the small search groups. We will find her. He told himself over and over. Light, where are you?