I would like to dedicate this story to wolfwarrior15. It was because of her that I decided to write it. Now it's ending up here for all to read! Hope you like it Bri!

Disclaimer: I do not own Kipcha or Khaz. But, I do own basically everything else, including the rules that the foxes have.

Destinies

Chapter 1

At the very last possible second, as the voices of Palla and Huttser flowed over her, Kipcha thought of Khaz. She held within her his children. The last hope for her mate. A newfound strength came over her. She struggled to keep her head above the water, letting the current take her to safety. It felt like moons before Kipcha landed on a stretch of land coming out from shore. She was exhausted beyond belief, but knew the worst was yet to come. The precious lives she held within her belly were starting to stir. Kipcha struggled to her feet. She had to find shelter. Her newborns would be too exposed on the sandy shore. The only thing that kept her going was the thought of Khaz. Oh, how he would have wanted this. She thought. Kipcha's only regret was that her mate wouldn't be there to see them. But she felt his presence everywhere she went. He was watching over her.

The sun had fallen, and the moon had risen a quarter into the sky by the time Kipcha found shelter. It was a small cave, just big enough for her and some very small pups. The scent of foxes was overwhelming. Kipcha figured two or three had been there before. Small ones, for them all to fit.

But, the scent was stale now, and the wolf's spirits were high. If she had any hope, it was in her pups.

The pups had been closer than Kipcha had first thought. Just the next sun, when the gray of night was starting to fade into the amber shades that brought morning, the first was born. It was a young female, looking strong but beautiful. She had a beautiful tan pelt, speckled with gold that almost seemed to glimmer in the pale morning light.

Kipcha was already exhausted. Last night had done a toll on her and she didn't know if she'd be able to deliver all her pups.

Just outside the small stone den that a she-wolf was residing in, a young fox watched curiously. The mother had given birth to a pup only minutes before, and now she was looking horrible. The fox had seen part of her journey to get to this cave. In fact, this was also the cave she had been born in. The fox knew this she-wolf was going to die. She knew there would be no one to care for her pups. Maybe no one…. But, for now, she just sat to wait.

~Two suns later~

Kipcha's breath was shallow. All her pups had been born. Amazingly enough, only one had died. Now there were three beautiful pups at her belly. One was tan, speckled with gold, a female that had been named Koch, the other two were males. Pontiac, who resembled his father with an already muscular build and black fur, and Ovidu, dark gray with a red tail.

Kipcha nuzzled them softly. She could feel death was on her shoulders. But she couldn't die knowing it was all in vain.

Just then a young gray fox came into the cave. She smelled familiar. Kipcha growled and the fox kept her distance, eyeing the newborns.

"What do you want?" the she-wolf growled.

"I mean you no harm," the gray fox said. "My name is Shilo."

"Why do you tell me this?" Kipcha asked.

A slight smile played on Shilo's lips. "I have been watching you for a few suns," she said. "I have seen that you would die, and all the work you have put into giving these pups life."

"What would it mean to you?" Kipcha asked. "Why do you care about my suffering?"

"I do not know why you have struggled so long for these little ones," Shilo admitted. "But I do recognize love when I see it."

Kipcha understood what the fox was getting at. She relaxed. "I am Kipcha," she introduced herself. Then all her fading vision was focused on her pups. "The female's name is Koch, the black one is Pontiac, and Ovidu will always be known for his tail." The she-wolf glanced up at Shilo.

"Take care of my little ones," Kipcha said. "And, as is tradition, bury the unnamed." The gray fox nodded solemnly.

"I promise, Kipcha," she said. "May the souls of my ancestors guide your path."

And, with a last very contented sigh, the life flowed out of Kipcha's paws.

Till nightfall Shilo stayed in silence, mourning for the life of the she-wolf. Then, she did what needed be, taking the three remaining pups out with her. The gray fox scraped a shallow hole in the dirt outside the cave, laying the unnamed one in the earth. Shilo covered it slowly muttering, "Rest and be peaceful forevermore."

The fox had also gently cut off the wolf's tail and laid it outside the den. For this was what the foxes did when one of their own died, and she felt Kipcha should be honored as well.

By the time she was done, the moon had risen well into the sky. Under the cover of darkness, Shilo took her new children and slowly headed for home.

Until next chapter!

R&R! (Especially YOU Bri!)