The leader of the pack started down the hill, carrying a worn out Balto on his back. Kiba could only numbly follow, trying his hardest not to cry.
Kiba remembered what his mother said, dealing with death. She'd said to remember all the happy times you spent with that wolf, in this case Fawn, so Kiba did just that.
He remebered when they were spashing in Thornpaw forest, laughing and smiling, before Thornpaw found them. Kiba remembered when he and Fawn played hide and seek once, and Fawn is such a good hider, it took nearly an hour for Kiba to find her hiding within the pack. He remembered they both went picking flowers in the meadow; and a bee landed on her nose, and she was so still it was like a statue. Kiba remembered when he and Fawn at the Feast of The Blue Moon, and they ate so much that Kiba got sick, and Fawn kept saying, I told you that you shouldn't eat so much!
Kiba sighed and trudged down the hill, slipping occasionally on the rocks and the slanted landscape.
They reached the bottom, and they walked down the path to The River, to see Fawn's body. Kiba didn't want to see her, but he knew that Fawn would want him to stay strong.
By the time the pack leader, Vander, and Kiba reached where Fawn's body was, where the water touched ground, a crowd of pups gathered around her.
Get back, pups. I am going to make observations and see what must be done. Vander says, with clear inention. The pups back away, silent and scared.
Balto was placed on the ground, and he finally stood up groggily.
Fawn? He mumbled, dizzy. Kiba just wimpered quietly and looked down.
Vander nudged Fawn's body. A small sound filled the air.
Fawn is not dead.
The pups around gasped when they heard her, Kiba and Balto included. They all assumed she was dead; the fall is nearly impossible to survive.
Nearly.
Kiba felt like he was dreaming. His best friend is alive. A smile replaced his thoughts and he resisted the urge to cheer.
He didn't look to see if Balto were grinning or not, happy or relieved. All that mattered was this: Fawn was alive, and would be there for Kiba.
She's not dead, Vander concluded, reassuringly. But if we don't get her medical ateention soon, she will be.
Kiba, please go fetch Patches to take her back and help her. The rest of you, go to your Motherwolves, Vander shooes them away, and Kiba runs to find Patches in the pack.
Patches, the loacal healer, has been around for as long as many could remember. Her eyes are tired, her smile is bright, and her intentions are clear.
Balto trotted up next to Kiba as he runs to fetch the old wolf.
So, do you think she'll be okay? He asks.
Of course. I know my Fawn, and my Fawn is much too stubborn to die any time soon, Kiba says, and he knew every word is true.
