I know this is short, but it's still an update...This is especially for my reader (You know who you are!) :D

Chapter 9: No Longer Wanted

"Warner! Where are you?" Kia called. She and Kenai had decided to go find their wolf friend, after they had fooled Silver Fang into leaving.

Now both bears were walking through the forest, searching for Warner. Kia couldn't wait to tell him what had just happened with Silver Fang. Boy would he have a good laugh!

"Warner!" Kia stopped walking and sniffed the air for her friend's scent. A smirk spread across her face as she caught his scent nearby. He was in the bushes, behind her.

Kenai, having stopped to see what was keeping Kia tried not to laugh, as she crept stealthily away, then behind the bushes.

She looked at Kenai and winked, placing a paw to her mouth as the bushes rustled slightly. Kia crouched down low, and pounced into the bushes! "Rooooooooooaaaaarrrrrr!" she yelled.

"Yikes!" came a cry from the bushes. Kenai hid a smile as Warner the wolf leapt out of the bushes, and ran behind him.

"There's something in those bushes!" He gasped, eyes wide. The wolf's voice was so shrill, he couldn't believe it was actually his!

Kenai finally could hide his smile no longer and he laughed. "It's only Kia, Warner!" he exclaimed.

Warner looked at the brown bear in disbelief. "What do you mean, Kia?" he asked.

At that moment, the white and brown bear walked out of the bushes, grinning slyly at Warner. "Sorry...Did I scare you, Warner?" she asked innocently, an angelic, yet sneaky smile on her muzzle.

Warner's jaw dropped. "Kia!! Why'd you...? I mean...How could you do that?!"

Kenai smirked and flashed Kia a sneaky smile. "What do you mean, Warner?" he asked in a small, innocent voice equal to Kia's. "Weren't you just trying to do the same thing to Kia?"

The grey-silver wolf tried to pretend he didn't understand. "What? Kenai, I don't know what you're talking about!"

"Warner, save your lie...Kenai and I can see right through it!" Kia exclaimed.

She and Kenai slapped each other a high five with their paws, and smiled at one another before bursting into laughter.

Warner sank to the ground and rolled his eyes, displeased that he'd be caught in his fib.

--

Meanwhile, Kodi was sitting up on a large, pointed rock, surrounded by his three sisters. They all bore unhappy faces.

However, the cub who looked the saddest was Kodi. His eyes were bright with tears that threatened to fall any minute. "I've never seen Uncle Koda get so mad.." he said sadly.

"Yeah...especially not at you...You two are best pals!" Aquene pointed out.

Cherokee saw her brother's face sadden more at these words, and she gave Aquene a sharp nudge in the side. "Not helping!" she whispered loudly.

Aquene moved away from Cherokee and stuck her tongue out at her. "Sorry!"

"I don't think Uncle Koda wants me around anymore.." Kodi said, trying to hold back a sob.

Dania got up on her hind legs and leaned against the rock Kodi was on, so she could see him better. "Kodi, don't say that! Uncle Koda loves you!" she cried, her voice filled with emotion.

Kodi didn't say anything. he just turned his back so he wasn't facing her. "I don't think he does...Not anymore."

The cub heaved a sad little sigh. "I don't get it. We used to have fun together. But lately..for some reason, all he wants to do is talk with Aika!" The cub lowered his head sadly. "He's really changed.."

Cherokee climbed up onto the rock beside Kodi. "I think Uncle Koda hasn't changed..He just kinda..you know..likes Aika. I think he's in-"

Before Cherokee could finish, Kodi held a paw up. "Don't say it! I don't want to know...I already know! He loves her!"

Cherokee looked surprised, and even a bit hurt. "I'm sorry, Kodi. I was only trying to help." she put a paw on her big brother's shoulder, in an attempt to comfort him, but he just pushed her away.

"I know what you're trying to do!" he cried. "You're trying to tell me that even though Koda's in..love" -he spat this word as if it were poison- "he still cares for me! Well you know what? You're wrong!"

Cherokee drew back, looking like she'd been slapped. "Kodi?!"

"Just leave me alone! All of you!" Kodi cried. He rose to his feet and jumped up the rock, flying over Aquene's head.

Then, without another word, the cub turned on his heel and ran deeper into the forest.

Dania, Aquene and Cherokee exchanged wide eyed glances, then quickly got up and ran after their brother, calling "Kodi! Come back!"