Chapter 1

Tunsu

"Hey.. Hey, Tunsu.." A paw jabbed into his side. Tunsu jerked up, claws out and teeth bared. Memories flashed through his mind of last night, his father snarling, throwing his mother aside. Tenji watching fearfully as Derpik roared at Tunsu. The last thing he remembered was claws tearing his ear.

But instead his brother stood in front of him, shivering, but eyes full of concern. "How's your ear?" He asked.

Tunsu ran a paw over his ear, flinching back when it stung. "Sore.." He murmured. Tenji leaned into his and licked the wound, then settled down next to Tunsu. "Where's Derpik?" He asked.

"Out hunting." For once, Tenji's eyes lacked the nervousness of pleasing their greedy father. On days when they were alone, mother told them of stories of 'normal' families, where the brown bear fathers left before the cubs were born, never coming back again.

When they would ask why not with their father, she would say, "He worries, about me and you cubs, and he knows we'll be fine. I've had many cubs before, but only with him, and he knows each litter I become more weak. He also knows you cubs will be my last, and he just wants you to be safe."

Even with her sparkling eyes, the reassurance in her tone, they couldn't believe her.

"What about mother?" Tunsu was less worried about her, but wanted to know if their father had taken her with him. Many times she came back with wounds, with the explanation of brambles and thorns, but Tunsu saw the fear in her eyes.

"She just went to the berry patch, to get us a snack." His brother replied. "Now let's play."

Tunsu and Tenji were so into their game of wrestle that they didn't realize someone coming into the den. "Stop!" Roared a voice. To Tunsu and Tenji's surprise, they saw Derpik, on his hind legs about to attack anything that came in his way, and apparently, the two cubs that were playing wrestle just a minute ago were on the road.

Right when father was about to attack mother came into the den. "Stop!" she screamed. All three of the bears turned to gape at Ora, who was being very unlike herself.

"I am sick of you bears! One moment I am gone to get a snack, and when I come back, father is about to attack you! Derpik, you think having cubs is easy? Then why don't you try it!" Ora roared. She spun around, crashing through the forest.

Then, silence.

A wave of rage rippled through Tunsu. "This is all your fault!" He yelled at his father. Derpik turned to him, eyes full of surprise, then melting into anger.

"So it's all my fault? It's my fault that Ora left, it's all my fault?!" Derpik raged.

"Yes." A small, quiet voice said.

"Would you care to explain, if you two are so sure that even Tenji could speak up?" Growled their father coldly.

"You never cared!" Tunsu screamed. Tenji started to wail.

"You stressed her out! You hurt her! You scarred her! You controlled her!" Tenji screeched.

"You killed her heart." Tenji's eyes were swollen.

Without saying a word, Derpik left the prey and laid down in the corner of the den, curling up with his face buried into his paws. The two brothers glanced at each other, taking a piece of prey each and crouching down to eat.