Hey guys! Ok, so, I already have the entire story typed in, I just need to go through and put the paragraphs in and divide into chapters. ugg... not fun but whatever, so hope you enjoy this! I'll try to update at least every three days or so. And, can we go for ten reviews? Please let me know if there are any mistakes, flaws, ANYTHING, and what you like about it, so I can do better next chapter.

Thanks a TON! ~xFiresoulxCrookshanksx

Serenity still lay on the tree branch sleeping. As Fireheart and Dusty took their place underneath her, she stirred. Dusty sat down and stared at the dead chicken, pheasant and raccoon. 'Not bad...' he thought.

"You hungry? Fireheart asked cheerfully. "There's plenty here, if you want some."

"Me?" Dusty barked, alarmed by the sudden voice.

"You and Serenity."

"Oh...yeah. Sure." he barked, eyeing the raccoon.

"I'll take the chicken..." she replied silently, hopping down to pick up her meal.

"Alright, I guess I'll take the pheasant," Fireheart said and started chewing on a wing.

Serenity climbed up the tree, chicken in her jaws and began to eat ravenously. When they finished eating, the sun was sinking below the horizon, so they settled down for the night.

Serenity awoke early in the morning to see Dusty dozing off with his flower. She let out a "Hmph." before hopping down to stretch. She licked her wounds from earlier and disappeared among the ferns just as sunlight appeared.

A large bee buzzed over Dusty's flower, causing him to leap to his paws, protectively shielding the flower from supposed enemies. Meanwhile, the bee buzzed off quickly. Dusty sighed. 'False alarm' he thought.

"Are you strong enough to keep on?"

Dusty jumped at Firehearts voice. "Yeah, yeah I'm fine, let's go."

"Alright then," Fireheart said, giving him an inquisitive look. Dusty looked up at Serenity's sleeping branch. "Where'd she go?"

"Who knows" Fireheart shrugged.

"She probably went to go look for water."

"Let's go see then," Fireheart replied, his stomach rumbling. "I'm thirsty too!"

Dusty nodded and took off towards the scent of water, his mind full of bright thoughts.

When Fireheart reached the forest edge, he skidded to a halt. He saw Serenity with her back to him, head bowed, by the waters edge. "Shhh," he hushed Dusty, flicking his tail towards Serenity. Dusty nodded and watched their leader. She sat there a while, not moving. Suddenly…

"Hello, Fireheart."

Shocked, Fireheart padded out of hiding sheepishly and said, "Hello, Serenity. How did you know I was there?"

"I can feel your presence...and you're scent is blowing my way." she barked. "Dusty is there too." Dusty also walked out of the bushes. Serenity glanced back at the water. "What are you doing here?"

"We came to get a drink, Is that ok?" She nodded and bent her head.

They padded up and crouched next to her, also lapping water. "Are you feeling ok?"

Fireheart asked her when he was done drinking. "Should we stay a while longer?"

"No. I'm fine." she barked.

Fireheart walked off, wanting to be left alone with his thoughts. He was in battle with himself. Should they keep moving, and hopefully get to the Waters by winter, or let themselves recuperate? If they stayed more than a couple weeks, there would be a good chance they would have to find some place to stay over winter, and Fireheart didn't want any more delays.

As he sat down on an old log to ponder that question, a twig broke behind him. His head snapped up. He crept towards the source of the sound, but saw nothing. 'I must be hallucinating,' he thought to himself.

"What are ya doing?" Dusty burst out of the ferns behind Fireheart, who howled in surprise.

"What are you doing here!"

"I was bored!" Dusty sat down.

"Well, you didn't have to scare me like that." Fireheart sulked.

"Sorry..." Dusty flattened his ears.

"That's ok," said Fireheart replied, relaxing. "You just startled me, that's all. Want to go on a walk with me?"

"Sure!"

"Let's go then. I'm heading towards the rockpile." Fireheart headed off, Dusty following.

They reached the rockpile and gasped. It was huge!

Fireheart bounded towards it and leaped to the top with ease. "Come on up!" he called to Dusty, who climbed to the top as well. "Wow, that's a grand view!"

Suddenly, Fireheart spotted something. It was a large shining expanse of clear water in a beautiful glade about a league away. "Look," he whispered, "Could it be...?"

"Nah." Dusty replied.

Fireheart looked at him sideways. "Whatever."

"Fine." Dusty sighed. "Let's go check it out." A couple hours later, they reached the glade. "Hmm..." Dusty grunted. "Not bad."

The glade was lush and green, with lots of trees and flowers. There was a huge clear lake in the center, and it was alive with the sounds of all kinds of animals. Raccoons flooded the area. "Oh yay!" Dusty bounced around.

"Calm yourself! I know you're excited, but we have to stay calm." Fireheart guided Dusty out of the trees. "Let's show Serenity."

"Okay..." Dusty relented, taking one last glance at the tantalizing raccoons as they headed back.

When they saw Serenity, they dashed to her, excitedly telling her about the glade at once, their voices tangled together. "Take me there." she growled, standing up.

They glanced at each other and turned their paws toward the glade. They paused at the edge of the trees, staring at the water.

"What do you think of it? Pretty place huh?" Fireheart walked to her side.

"I guess." she shrugged. Fireheart could tell she was hiding something, but he didn't pursue the subject. She sat where she was. "You two go explore...you'll be seeing me later tonight." she barked before walking away.

"Come on, Fireheart!" Dusty howled impatiently. The flame colored wolf reluctantly followed the white one, still wanting to know what was bothering Serenity.

Dusty crouched down a few lengths away from the raccoons. As Fireheart watched, Dusty sprang forward and snagged a raccoons tail. It let out a loud noise and tried to pull free, but was dispatched by a swift nip from Dusty.

"Nice catch!" Fireheart congratulated him.

"Thanks." he barked proudly. "Let's go check out some other stuff." he added, setting his raccoon somewhere safe.

"How we look in that about that cave?"

"That looks interesting..."

"Okay."

They bounded down the hill together.

"What is it?" Fireheart asked quietly, padding cautiously to the entrance.

"Who knows?" Dusty slinked inside. "Who's in there?" No answer.

"Dusty?"

He stepped into the cave. "What is going on?"

Dusty was chasing a squirrel.

"Come on! We hunted enough for the day!" Fireheart said, exasperated. Dusty glanced back at the other wolf and the squirrel escaped.

"Come on, let's get outta here." Fireheart was getting the chills. Relieved, they stepped out into the open. Then, they saw Serenity stalking over. Dusty shrank back a little. Fireheart also braced himself for stinging words.

"Are we ready to set camp?" she asked quietly. That wasn't what she was about to say.

"Uhhh..." Fireheart faltered. Then he said something that surprised even himself. "Serenity, tell me what's wrong. You've been acting weird since we got here. Why?"

"Does it matter?" she growled.

"Yes," he boldly lifted his head.

"That's none of you concern," she barked. "Let's go."

Shocked at her response, they followed her to camp.

"What was that for?" Dusty asked, though not unfriendly.

"Shut up." she growled, climbing up a tree. Dusty tucked his tail between his legs and hid behind a thick bush. Serenity rested her head on her paws and watched Dusty cower. Fireheart was stunned.

Catching up to Serenity Fireheart asked in disbelief, "Why did you do that to him? He didn't to anything to you!"

She snarled, claws scraping against the bark of the tree, making a piercing sound. "It's none of your business!" she spat. Fireheart stood there, anger boiling inside him. This wasn't like Serenity! What had happened? Serenity glared at him. "Well?"

"Well, fine!" He stalked away. "I'm leaving!"

"Go ahead." she mocked, again glaring at the cowering Dusty. Dusty got to his feet slowly, and after giving her a furious look, dashed after Fireheart. "She's evil!" he whimpered.

"I don't know what got into her." Fireheart replied, shaking his head. "We'll find the Mystic Waters alone."

"What'll happen to Serenity?" Dusty asked.

"I don't know and I really don't care. She could get stolen by humans for all I care." He could imagine them fastening the chains tight around her neck.

"O-okay..." Dusty stuttered, his eyes wide.

"I'm just joking!" Fireheart howled with laughter. "You so fell for that!" He doubled over. "Of course; I would never think that about Serenity!"

Dusty narrowed his eyes. "Are you saying you like her?" he asked, jumping back a bit.

"N-no, of course not! Why would you think such a thing?" Fireheart managed a weak, fake laugh.

Dusty stared. "Really now?" he barked.

"Of course," Fireheart sniffed, and walked away.

Dusty followed, eyeing his surroundings. "I'm just bored." he commented.

They trotted down the hill towards a grassy clearing. They reached it and the strong smell of feline hit their noses.

"Smell th-" Dusty cut himself off, for he remembered what Fireheart had said before. Curious but wary, Fireheart crept forward. The smell got stronger. Suddenly, five cats burst out of the bushes and leaped at the wolves, yowling.

Dusty leaped forward, grabbing the largest cat by the neck. He shook it until throwing it at a nearby tree. The impact didn't kill the cat, but it got up and hobbled away, limping. Fireheart batted another away and clawed the next until it fled. Dusty charged at the other cats, knocking them of their feet. Fireheart watched as one cat clawed Dusty's ear and the other swiped at his jowls. The white wolf howled in pain. Swinging his head around, he flung the attacker into the ferns. The cat landed and lay stunned a moment. Dusty charged at the other cat, teeth bared. As the cat reared up, time slowed down as he thought, 'this cat is good'. It brought its paws down hard on Dusty's head and he saw stars. He whirled and head butted the cat, sending it sprawling on the ground. It got up, saw him advancing, and fled after its comrades.

"Nice work, Dusty!" Fireheart called.

Dusty nodded, licking the pathetic wounds that the cats gave him. "That wasn't good" he commented.

"Yeah really," Fireheart agreed. "Now...it's getting dark." he barked. "We should head back," said Dusty, then he remembered. Fireheart nodded before slowly walking back.

They arrived at their makeshift den to find Serenity sitting there, looking cross. "Were you ever considering coming back?" she asked.

"Nope, we were going to continue without you." Fireheart said boldly.

"I'm so glad you left me here. I really hated your company." she replied, a sinister smile on her face.

"Yeah, we could say the same for you!" Dusty lifted his head in defiance.

Serenity lashed her tail. "Then why come back?"

"We didn't come back, you did! This was our den we made after we left," Fireheart replied.

"Well, then. If you don't mind, I'll be on my way then." she barked, standing up and walking away, disappearing into the fog.

"Good riddance!" Dusty howled after her. There was no reply. He settled down onto a soft bed of leaves.

"Well, that went well," Fireheart commented sarcastically. "We'll be seeing her about, oh never!"

"I guess so."

"So who'll lead now?"

"I don't know. Do you want to, or shall I?" Fireheart said casually.

"You can, I guess." Dusty barked, glancing at Fireheart.

"Are you sure? I don't mind if you want to."

"Yes!"

Fireheart recoiled and replied, "Alright then, if you insist."

"Alright then. We should probably rest first, after that tussle." Fireheart circled around then settled in next to Dusty, who rested his head on his paws. Fireheart closed his eyes and slept.

When Dusty awoke, the fog was gone. Sunlight filled the clearing and he yawned. "Good morning, Dusty," Fireheart also yawned. He glanced at Dusty and stifled a yelp of surprise.

Dusty stood up and shook his pelt. "It's such a good morning."

"Wha-what happened to you?" Fireheart barked. "You-your covered in blood!" Fireheart hurried over and sniffed him. He didn't smell any wounds.

"What are you talking about?" Dusty snapped. After he took one look at his body, he let out a yip.

"What did you do?" Fireheart was shocked and confused. It couldn't have happened last night, and he didn't have any fresh wounds. Then he shrugged. "Let's clean you up."

Fireheart fetched water filled moss. As he scrubbed the mess away, a familiar scent touched his senses. "Figured..." he sighed.

"What?" Dusty asked.

"Serenity," he growled simply.

"Forget her." Dusty barked.

"No, she did this. I smell her. Let's follow the trail." He bounded away, leaving Dusty half cleaned.

"Wait up!" The white wolf yelped, chasing after him. They bounded down the trail and skidded to a halt in front of a huge thunderpath. "Egh." he scrunched up his nose.

"You can say that again," Fireheart agreed, also smelling the strong stench.

"Let's cross." he barked, taking a paw step onto the black surface.

"Wait!" Fireheart barked grabbing Dusty's scruff and yanking him back as a semi-truck barreled in front of them. Dusty yelped in fear.

"That was too close" Fireheart panted.. After he looked both ways, Fireheart led the way and bounded across the black path, Dusty hot on his heels. Fireheart led the way away from the Thunderpath, and relaxed as relief swept through him. "Glad that's over" he commented.

"Yeah really!" Dusty replied.

Fireheart shivered in apprehension. He couldn't wait to leave this dirty place and reach the Mystic Waters. A flash of green and black caught his eye. "What is that?" Fireheart crouched down, not wanting to be seen.

"What is what?" Dusty peered out of the bushes and saw a massive, green and black dog. He quickly twisted around and hid himself.

"Did he see you?" Fireheart gasped.

"I don't think so." Dusty was amazed. He had never seen a wolf, dog, or whatever it was, those colors.

"Should we see if he will talk or run?" Fireheart asked. He was curious. Who was this stranger, and why was he here, in a human place?

Dusty looked at him with wide eyes. "You're not serious!"

Confused, Fireheart replied, "Of course I am. Don't you want to know who he is?"

"Well, yeah, but what if he attacks us?"

Fireheart snorted with amusement. "Two of us take on that fleabag! Are you scared?"

"No way!" Dusty defended himself.

"Let's go then, and see who that mutt is."

The strange dog perked its ears and pranced off, leaving a strangely sweet scent in its trail. "Why does it smell like that?" Fireheart wondered.

"Strange..." Dusty wrinkled his nose.

"Should we run after it?" Fireheart asked. Dusty nodded and followed the strange dog. It was fairly easy because of the bizarre smell.

The dog twisted around its head and let out a mischievous smile before taking off even faster than before.

"It can see us!" Fireheart exclaimed. "Wait! Hello? Please wait for us!" Fireheart called to the stranger. "Where is it going?" Fireheart barked.

"It's like it's trying to lead us somewhere." Dusty commented.

The dog finally stopped at the outskirts of a city. "Why here..."Fireheart asked himself, panting from the long run.

"You're going to The Mystic Waters, aren't ya?" the stranger asked, wagging his tail, when they were near enough to hear him.

"Yes," Fireheart was shocked. How did this stranger know about the Mystic Waters? "Who are you?"

"I," the wolf paused. "Am your guide."

"What!" Fireheart started feeling defensive. This dog was treating them as cubs!

"We can get there on our own, thanks," Dusty retorted.

"Would you rather get caught by the animal service, or travel safely?" the strange wolf asked, smiling sinisterly.

"Animal service? What is that? And who are you? What is your name?" Fireheart was getting impatient.

"The animal service is a group of humans that catch any stray animals, such as you. After that, they either kill you or give you to other humans and keep you imprisoned and feed you disgusting food." he paused. "By the way...my name is Toxic." he added.

"Toxic...that sounds familiar..." Dusty muttered to himself.

"Why would they do that?" Fireheart asked, relaxing a tiny bit.

Toxic shrugged. "I don't know...but it ain't pretty." he barked.

"What makes you think you can get away from that, and we can't?" Dusty lifted his head defiantly.

"Because I've adapted to this city. I know it pretty well." he barked, licking his jaws.

"Fine, you can lead us through the city," Fireheart said after some thought. "Then you leave. We can't afford another mouth to feed with winter coming."

"I have to make my way there too." he barked, turning around.

"Why?" Dusty and Fireheart spoke at the same time.

"Because I'm with Seren. Where is she, anyway?" he asked, slipping under a fence to the other side.

"She left," Fireheart said tersely. He didn't want to give too much away.

Toxic just cocked his head to one side. "Anyway...let's go!" he barked, summoning them from the other side of the fence. Fireheart and Dusty cautiously followed Toxic into the city.