...~Void~...

~ Chapter 9 ~

   Nebula sat under a maple-crown tree. She felt the crisp wind blowing against her thin fur. She laid back and enjoyed the magnificent view, as time seemed to fly by...

Nebula woke to a new scent that reached her nose. She lifted her head as she opened her eyes, scanning the area below. A small wolf-like figure appeared. "I wonder who that could be." Nebula uttered, curious about the wolf. She leaped down, rock to rock for the bottom.

After a while of searching Nebula cought up to the wolf. She seemed a bit younger then Nebula, she couldn't exactly tell how much younger. Nebula tilted her head slightly to a side. The wolf was a luxurious blue with a shining rainbow opal color on her paws, tail, ears, and the tips of her wings. As well as a strike of opal over her nose. Her fur would shine opal in the sunlight. She had white fur on her belly, under her tail, and on some parts of her paws. A paw-mark was on the right side of her leg. Nebula tried to recognize it. Is that, a life-wolf paw-mark?

   Nebula was stunned. It was rare to find a life wolf! Nebula stepped out of the bushes she was hiding behind. The she-wolf turned quickly at her. She snapped making sure Nebula didn't get to close. Nebula stopped in her tracks and tilted her head. "Who are you?" The mysterious wolf asked. "Me? My name is Nebula. I'm from the Neptron pack." "Well, I hope you're not one of those bandit wolves." The she-wolf leaped in front of Nebula and sniffed her. "What? No! My pack is perfectly trustworthy." Nebula lifted her head and tail.

   "Well, if you say so." The she-wolf took a step back. "By the way, what's your name?" Nebula asked. "I'm Lunalisa." "Do you have a pack?" "No, I live alone with my brother Shadow." Lunalisa replied. "Wait, you don't have parents?" Nebula lowered he are half way. Lunalissa shook her head. "No, it's just me and my brother. My parents died when I was very young. Shadow took care of me ever since. Even though he can be a pest at times!" Lunalisa turned to her left side.

   "Oh, well, uh, My mom died when I was little too. My father is the Alpha of the pack'" Nebula said. "Oh. Well then you kinda know how I feel." Lunalisa turned away and started to pace further from Nebula. "Where are you going?" Nebula stood up. "I'm going to hunt." Lunalisa said as she stopped. "Can I come?" "Sure! But watch out for my brother. If he finds you hunting in our territory then who knows what he'll do." Lunalisa advised. Nebula's back fur spiked up, but she followed Lunalisa of further into the woods.

         
   Nebula was crouched low. A rabbit was nibbling on some grass straight ahead. In position, lean back, and... Leap! Nebula bounced towards the rabbit landing right over it. Thebrabbit kicked violently trying to escape from Nebula's claws. "Got you!" Nebula said. She quickly sank her teeth into the rabbits neck. In a flash the life of the rabbit faded away.

   "Lunalisa I got one!" Nebula called. Lunalisa bounded to Nebula. "Wow it's big!" Lunalisa wagged her tail with excitement. "Wait till Shadow sees this! Here you take it." Lunalisa said. Nebula dipped low to pick the rabbit up. Lunalisa leaped forward, her paw touched the rabbit as she bounced from one spot to the other. Right when Nebula's teeth touched the rabbit it leaped up! "Ah!" Nebula bounced back. "It's alive!" The rabbit ran off making a smooth escape.

   "Oops! Hehe! I think I might have brought it back to life." Lunalisa said. "Oh, what will Shadow say now?" Nebula said still facing the direction where the bunny took off. "I don't he'll be very happy. I told him I would do some of the hunting today. If we go back empty-pawed he will probably be mad. Especially if he sees you there. He'll probably think you distracted me from the hunt." Lunalisa said. "We can go find another one." Nebula suggested. Lunalisa shook her head. "No, Shadow wanted me to return back to the den around now. He won't be happy with me if I arrive late." Lunalisa said.

   "Don't worry, maybe there will be a rabbit on the way to the den." Nebula said. With that, Nebula and Lunalisa headed off to the West. Which is where the den was located...

                                                            ~.•.•.~

   Lunalisa and Nebula arrived at the den with no kill. "Oh Shadow is gonna be mad!" Lunalisa said. "Don't worry, I'll help explain." Nebula said. Lunalisa stepped into the den Shadow was sitting near the end of the cave. Shadow stepped out of the shadows into day light. "Lunalisa who is this?" He asked turning to Nebula. "This is my new friend, Nebula. Don't be mad! She is nice and means no harm!" "Lunalisa we can't trust anyone who is an outsider!" Shadow snapped.

   "Shadow she doesn't mean any harm!" "Lunalisa! What did I tell you about that wolf pup I use to know?" Lunalisa let out a sigh. "That she got pup-napped by bandit wolves." Lunalisa said. "Yes, and I wouldn't doubt they killed her!" Shadow snapped in utter anger. "I know, I know." Lunalisa turned and made her way towards the mouth of the cave.

   Shadow gave a sigh. "So you didn't find any sort of prey?" Shadow asked. "Yes, but it got away." Lunalisa said. Shadow sighed again, only his time in a tone of disappointment. "I'll just have to go hunting again." "Don't worry Shadow, I'll go hunt again." Lunalissa said. "No, if you go hunting again you'll probably return with no prey." Shadow remarked as he walked ahead.

   "No! Shadow I can find more prey and bring it back." Lunalisa tried to prosway Shadow into believing her. "No Luna, if I don't go out hunting then we'll starve." Lunalisa gave a look of annoyence. "He never listens to me!" She snapped in a quiet voice. Nebula glanced at Shadow then back to Lunalisa.

   "I can help." Nebula offered. "No, we don't need help from outsiders. I suggest you return to your pack." Shadow suggested. He paced off out into the woods.

   "Sorry about my brother. He isn't very friendly to new wolves." Lunalisa apologized. "It's okay, I'm use to it." Nebula uttered. "But he's right, I should be on my way. My father will probably what !e home now." Nebula said. "Okay, do you want to meet up again tomorrow?" Lunalisa asked. "Sure! But, I won't be able to meet up at noon. I have training to do," Nebula remarked. "But at any other time I'm free!" "Okay the, meet up here at sunrise." Lunalisa said. "Alright! See you tomorrow!" Nebula said as she made her way out of the cave.

   "Oh, and watch out for Shadow! He can get pretty mad if he is disturbed in he morning." Lunalisa said. "Will do!" Nebula answered turning back at her. She then made her way out of the den then bounded off...