A/N Yay! Another chapter! I know this is going slow, but hopefully it will get going soon! R&R

Disclaimer: Again, I own neither Khaz or Kipcha or any ideas from the book that may pop up.

Destinies

Chapter 2

"We must continue our search!" A yowl came from outside the walls where a young gray fox lay. Shilo's vision was still blurred, and her mind hazy. Where was she? She blinked as she remembered the events of the previous night. Kipcha. The dead wolf's name came into her mind. She glanced at the pups at her belly. Shilo softly licked Koch who had woken only seconds before.

The voices from outside once again came to her.

"We cannot spend all our time searching for one fox!" A commanding growl sounded. "If she has been lost to us we must move on."

"But there are wolves in the area!" A female's urgent cry sounded.

The same commanding voice from before came again, saying, "The wolves do not usually harm us. They have no reason to. If she is gone it is not because of them." Shilo was now completely alert. Who could they be talking about? She wondered.

The female that had started the conversation in the first place was growling fiercely. Shilo realized the note in her voice. She was challenging the other fox! Then a third, anxious voice came into the scene.

"Stop it, you two!" It said urgently. The first fox responded quickly, a note of worry in his voice.

"Yero, what are you doing here? You should be in the mother's den!"

"I just was," Yero answered. "And I was not alone. The one you are looking for?"

There was a pause.

"She is there, too."

Shilo heard a frantic scrambling. Suddenly, a figure burst through the entrance to the mother's den. "Shilo!" she shouted, seeing the gray fox with her three wolf pups. Then she stopped.

"W-what are those?" she asked, looking at the pups as if they were some kind of nasty garbage.

"Mother, they are my children," Shilo answered, a hint of challenging in her voice. The older wolf hesitated.

"Kort?" she called out.

Kort was the leader; he was also the commanding voice that had been arguing with her mother. Yero was his mate, and Shilo's own mother, Veile, was their oldest daughter.

According to the foxes' ancient code, Shilo would one day take over as leader.

But now, Kort entered, followed closely by Yero.

"What is it, Veile?" he asked. The fox stepped aside so the leader could see Shilo.

"Meet my daughter's children," she said icily.

Kort growled. His muscles tensed. "Shilo!" he barked. The she-fox acknowledged him with a flick of her tail.

Kort was surprised at her calmness. Caught of guard, he stumbled with his words. "Y-you know of the code?" He muttered, not meaning it to sound so like a question.

"Yes, all foxes do," Shilo answered, becoming a bit frustrated.

Kort regained his authority quickly. "Future leaders are not supposed to have pups until they are second in line to take the position."

"I know," Shilo said.

Kort turned to go. "Kill them," he retorted. Shilo's heart beat ten times faster in that moment. She had promised Kipcha she would care for her pups and she could not fail now.

Kort stopped. "But first," he turned around, "who is their father?"

"I don't know," Shilo admitted.

"She's telling the truth," Yero told her mate, pressing her muzzle into her fur.

Kort instantly pushed her off. "Very well," he said. "But, I want them out of here by tomorrow."

"Wait!" Shilo shouted. She had stood up quickly, and the pups at her belly started to squeal. Kort paused.

"Would it make a difference if I told you that they are not mine?" Shilo asked.

The leader quickly spun around, a look of pure shock on his face. Veile's mouth hung open with the news.

Yero couldn't hide her happiness, and, for a split second, Kort shot her an accusing look.

"Start from the beginning."

So you learn a little more of their customs. That's about it for this chapter. But the next chapter should answer some questions about why Kort seems so upset.