Silvershore

Chapter Four

A little less than a year went by, and everything stayed generally normal for the four pups. They were about adolescent age at this time. This meant, in a week or two, they'd finally be ready to become trainees, who were wolves that weren't pups, but not old enough to participate in battle or dangerous activities that wolves in the pack did.

Stormjay had watched the trainees of The Pack of the Earth train his entire life. Although he somewhat dreaded leaving the warmth of his beloved mother's, the thought of going into the deeper forests to hunt with his pack and guard their territory excited him. Yet, the idea of hurting wolves who entered the pack's territory saddened him.

He had considered becoming a shaman with Bright Moon at one point, but the thought had passed after a while, and he eventually returned to daydreaming about frolicking through the woods with his friends and sister, hunting and patrolling the borders. But, he had his entire time as a trainee to think about what role he wanted. He could finally try out both.

"Stormjay, you good?" Kenya nudged him gently.

"Huh?" His ears flattened as he turned over to look at his sister. "Oh, er... yeah, I'm alright."

"Ya sure?"

"Yeah!" Stormjay unflattened his ears.

"Alrighty, then!" Sky grinned.

"Hey, Sky..." Stormjay flicked his tail. "What role are you gonna have someday? Like, between a guard wolf, hunter, or shaman."

"A guard wolf! I already know it. Yep, that's what I wanna do!"

"I'm happy for you, Sky!"

"Thanks! Your support means a lot! How 'bout you? What're you gonna be?"

"Well..." Stormjay glanced at his paws, then back at his sister. "I'm actually not quite sure."

"Really? Well, what're you leanin' towards?" Sky asked.

He shrugged. "Right now, I'm thinking shaman."

"Is it because of that pretty lil' Bright Moon ya won't shut up about?"

"Oh, no..." He flattened his ears with embarrassment. "No, it's just that helping sick and injured wolves sounds a heck ton more appealing than hurting whoever steps foot on our territory."

"Y'know, you don't have to hurt 'em."

"Really?"

"Yeah! Evelyn was telling me about it. You just ask 'em what their business is on The Pack of the Earth's territory, and you only have to attack 'em if they won't go away!"

"Huh... I wasn't aware of that."

"Well, I'll let ya think on it. You've always been quite the pacifist, big bro. I think bein' a shaman is good for ya. But what's your heart sayin'?"

"I go back and forth. Seeing trainees run out to the woods everyday, looking so excited to start their training for the day makes me feel really excited about being a guard wolf or a hunter. But I know it's a much deeper responsibility than just hanging with your friends all day..."

"That's a good point."

"And, I've always really liked the idea of helping others. Kiara seems really happy as a shaman."

"Arguably, that's an even bigger responsibility than bein' a guard wolf or a hunter."

"Well, it's the responsibility of it that draws me away from it. It's just that...the possibility of ever hurting anyone, for any reason makes me sick to my stomach..." Stormjay shuddered.

"What're you talking about, guys?" Kenya approached the two of them.

"Hey, Kenya." Stormjay dipped his head to her. "We were discussing which role would be best for me."

"What were you thinking?" Kenya asked.

"Shaman, right?" Sky turned to her brother.

"Yeah, I think so."

"Well, he was sayin' that the thought of hurtin' others really didn't appeal to him, which is totally understandable! But he's also somewhat drawn to physically servin' the pack, whether it's bein' a guard wolf or a hunter."

"Well, Bright Moon's wanting to be a shaman. This is your chance to get closer to her!" Kenya teased him. Sky and her started giggling.

"Hey, now... she's one of my closest friends!" Stormjay bashfully curled his tail around his paws. "I'd like to keep it that way for now."

"I get ya. Just like Kenya and-" Sky was cut off by Kenya's growl.

"Don't finish that sentence." Kenya warned her.

"Jupiter." Stormjay finished the sentence."

"G-Gah!" Kenya flattened her ears, as Stormjay and Sky started snickering.

"Well, anyway, what do you guys think I should do?" Stormjay asked.

"Well, I'm leaning towards being a shaman." Kenya stated. "But, I'd say to do whatever your heart is telling you."

"I agree." Sky nodded.

"Thanks, guys. Your support really does mean a lot to me."

"No problem!" Kenya and Sky both said at once.

Bright Moon approached the three of them.

"Hey, guys! You havin' a party without me?" Bright Moon chuckled.

"Hey, Bright Moon!" Stormjay's face lit up when he saw her.

"Heya, Stormjay!"

"They're so cute together," Stormjay heard Sky whisper to Kenya. He pushed her away with his tail.

"So, have you decided what all of you want to be someday?" Bright Moon asked.

"We were just talking about it." Kenya told her. "I want to be a hunter, Sky wants to be a guard wolf, and Stormjay..."

"I want to be a shaman." Stormjay smiled.

"Really!?" Bright Moon beamed. "That's so cool, man! We'll be doing it together!"

"I love that idea!" Stormjay grinned.

"Hey, Kenya, let's give the lovebirds some alooone time for a sec." Sky giggled.

"Sky, I'm going to kill you." Stormjay snickered as Kenya and Sky walked off, giggling to themselves.

"Well, I could run ya through the basics of shaman resources, if you'd like?" Bright Moon offered. "Kiara's been teaching me a lot about 'em recently!"

"That sounds great! I really appreciate the offer. Let's do it!"

And so, Bright Moon led Stormjay to the shaman resources den to teach him about the different resources. Stormjay felt a strange warmth in his heart to finally get a little bit of alone time with his friend without Sky and Kenya constantly teasing them.