Zuko woke when the moon reached the night sky, golden eyes glowing bright. A low whine reached his ears, making the black-furred Alpha lift his head from Katara's soft thick-furred shoulder and glanced around. Standing carefully, so that he wouldn't wake his mate, Zuko shook the dirt off his fur and quietly trotted over to his snow-furred daughter. Golden eyes studied the silvery-red-furred young male who slept next to Shiro, the wounds he had been found with a moon before had healed nicely with the fur growing back a snow-white color. Shiro flopped onto her side, her muzzle landing on her father's huge black paws.
The large black-furred Alpha lowered his head and licked his daughter's muzzle, golden eyes softening. The young female groaned and opened her blue and gold eyes, tail thumping the ground when she saw her father. She lifted her head to touch noses with Zuko then turned to nuzzle Arashi's shoulder gently, growling playfully to wake him. Flicking an ear, Zuko watched as the young male licked his daughter's muzzle. Zuko nipped Shiro affectionately and trotted to the nearby lake.
The huge black-furred Alpha lowered his head, tongue lapping at the fresh water. Zuko lifted his head and glanced around, golden eyes shining blue in the moonlight. Flicking an ear, he trotted over to his pack, rolling his eyes and shaking his head when he noticed Sokka lying on his back and complaining that he was starving. He walked by Ty Lee who, even in sleep, appeared to be running with her tail thumping the ground excitedly. Golden eyes landed on Katara, who trotted over to greet him.
"You are up early. You should still be sleeping. I want you to have all the strength you can get. You will need it next moon," Zuko growled softly, nibbling Katara's chin and placing his head on her back.
"I am fine. Really, my Dearest. This isn't the first time I have done this. This isn't the first litter I have carried, and I'm sure it won't be my last," Katara smiled softly, rubbing her head against Zuko's black-furred chest.
"Of course it won't be. I just want you to be safe, the same as when you were pregnant last spring," Zuko growled playfully, glancing over at their litter of the previous year.
Katara watched the young wolves, who raced around and wrestled with each other. Her eyes shined with love as she watched them, remembering when they were still small-pups who would tease their uncle Sokka and stumble over to her when they were tired or wanted to nurse. The pups were now young-wolves, who had just turned 10 moons and now stood as tall as her. They took part in the hunts and helped patrol the territory. She had a feeling that, once they turned two summers, they would insist on staying with her as they were extremely attached to their beautiful and loving mother.
"Leader wolves, I wish to speak with you," a voice reached Katara's ears, making both her and Zuko turn to see Mai and Ty Lee sitting behind them with their heads lowered respectfully.
"What is on your mind?" Zuko asked, golden eyes studying the 2 year old females.
"We ask permission to leave and start our own pack. We appreciate all that you have done for us, but we think it is time for us to move on," black-furred Mai said softly, pulling her ears back.
"It is something all wolves must do. We wish you luck and hope to cross paths in the future. Good luck and be safe," Katara replied, taking the young females' muzzles in her jaws in reassurance. Haru and Teo loped over, Zuko doing the same as his mate. The four young wolves trotted to the edge of the forest, looking over their shoulders at their old Alphas before disappearing.
Zuko glanced at his mate, nudging her gently. Katara turned and nibbled his chin, tail wagging. A serried of barks made them turn to see three of their pups loping over, silver-furred Kano, black-furred Apache and brown-furred Cedar skidding to a halt in front of their parents. Zuko shook the dirt off his fur, splattering the young wolves with little bits of mud and making them yelp in protest. Katara laughed and nuzzle her pups, smiling when they woofed in embarrassment. Not wanting to be left out, the rest of the young wolves raced over and tackled their powerful black-furred father. Shiro and Arashi trotted over and joined in, Shiro snapping at her father and Arashi wrestling with silver-furred Gen. Katara shook her head and trotted over to spend some time with her parents and Ursa.
Sokka raced around the clearing, 8 month old Nanook snapping at his hindquarter. Suki played 3-way tug with Rissa and Taka. Tai and Hina chased Azula around in a game of Tag. 20 month old Aang and Toph had disappeared into the woods, chasing rabbits and spending some bonding time together without being teased by the pack. Azula raced past Bato, nipping his tail as she passed. The older male pulled his lips back in a grin and chased after the Alpha's sister, who let out a playful yip.
The only wolf that was missing was the 11 summer old Iroh, Zuko and Azula's uncle. He had wandered off half a moon before to check the pack boundaries, and never returned. Kano and Apache came across the old wolf two days later, but not how they wanted to see him. His usually warm frame was ice cold, his entire body stiff with rigor mortis. Kano and Apache had sat by the old wolf's body and howled mournfully, letting their father, aunt, and grandma Ursa that the kind and wise old gray wolf had passed away. There were no wounds found, letting that pack know that the old male was not attacked by another pack. Iroh had passed of old age. All but Katara, who was too distraught and had announced that she was carrying pups the day before, had raced over to say their final farewell to the old wolf. When the pack returned after burying the elder wolf, Katara had crawled into the den and didn't come out for a week because of the stress.
"Katara, my love. The pack and I are going to hunt. Gen just sent word that he had spotted a herd of elk nearby, with a few sick cows. I want you to get some sleep. We will be back as soon as we can," Zuko whispered in Katara's ear, making it twitch.
"Of course, My Dearest. Please be safe. I will wait for your return," Katara replied, nuzzling her mate affectionately before flopping down in the shade and falling asleep, her bulging stomach more prominent.
Zuko lifted his muzzle to the sky and howled, starting the hunt. The pack joined in, tails wagging. Before leaving the den-site, Zuko looked over his shoulder at his white-furred daughter and her silver-red male companion, who nodded and lay next to the pregnant and sleeping Katara. Shiro lay curled next to Arashi, who nuzzled her affectionately and placed his head on her back protectively. The young wolves didn't notice that the brown-furred female had seen the whole thing. She smiled softly and went back to sleep, dreaming of a sweet-tempered brown-furred female pup who called her grandma.
While Katara slept safe and sound at the den, Zuko led his pack through the territory in search of the herd that Gen had spotted. The large black-furred Alpha trotted at the front, Apache and Kano at his side. Kya and Ursa remained at the den, helping Shiro and Arashi protect the Alpha female. Hakoda and Bato went off to patrol the pack boundaries, Azula following close behind Bato. Sokka and Suki took their 8 month old pups to a nearby field that was home to many rabbits and wild birds.
Cedar, Zuko's brown-furred daughter, flicked an ear back and slowed to a stop. She looked over her shoulder and stared into the woods behind them, having picked up an unfamiliar scent. Sai and Willow glanced at their sister and did the same, ears pricked and noses twitching. Having joined his adoptive father on the hunt, Aang turned and trotted to join his 'younger siblings'. Toph whined in concern, standing next to Aang and pressed herself into his side. Zuko, Apache, and Kano were out of sight, having caught up with Gen and started to hunt.
"What's the matter? Tired already?" Aang teased, playfully nipping his little siblings and wagging his tail. Sai pinned his ears and growled at his adoptive older brother, who pulled his lip back in a warning.
"Someone is following us. Another wolf, but I don't recognize the scent. It feels dangerous and it worried me. It's a threat to Mama," Cedar woofed softly, glancing at her brother and sister with concerned blue eyes. Sai pinned his ears back and snarled, fearing for his mother's safety, especially now that she has a pup-filled belly. Light brown-furred Willow glanced over the hill, golden eyes searching frantically for her father and brothers.
"Well, Well, Well. What do we have here? A group of brats that had strayed too far from your hole? Or did your pack kick you out? That little female is very quick on the uptake. What a waste," a deep voice growled sarcastically, catching the attention of the young wolves that stiffened.
"Who are you? SHOW YOURSELF!" Aang snarled, hackles raised and tail going up. The Alpha's 10 month old pups stood next to the large brown-furred gray-eyed male, growls rumbling in their chests. A voice chuckled sadistically as the owner stepped out of the bushes, revealing a large brown-furred male with a white chin and cold brown eyes.
Aang glared at the older male, whose cold gaze ignored the young males but showed much interest in Willow and Cedar. The sisters pulled their lips back and growled at the older wolf, which pulled his lips back in a smirk. Suddenly a deep howl echoed through the trees, causing the male to barely lift his head when something heavy slammed into him and knocked him to the ground. The male lifted his head, freezing when he came nose to nose with a wolf that he thought shouldn't be alive.
"This isn't possible. I thought I had killed you. You shouldn't be alive," the older male growled angrily, struggling to stand and face the enraged Zuko.
"I am very much alive. I will admit that you did a number on me last winter, I almost didn't make it. Even Ozai didn't expect to find me alive, which doesn't matter now since I killed him myself. You are a threat to my pack and are not welcome in my territory. LEAVE ZHAO!" Zuko snarled, standing tall with his sharp fangs bared ferociously.
Zhao is a 9 year old male, standing 29 inches at the shoulder. He has brown fur with a white chin and brown eyes. He is aggressive, manipulative and short-tempered. He was Ozai's Beta male and severely injured Zuko on his leader's orders.
"Tousa, who is this wolf?" Kano barked, loping over to stand next to his father. Zuko glanced at his silver-furred son and dipped his muzzle, ear trained on the dangerous male.
"He is the Beta male of the pack that I was born. Last winter he carried out my father's orders to eliminate me, just because I was kind and cared for the safety and well-being of others. My father and the pack saw that as weakness. I fled, Zhao and five others on my tail. They chased me into this territory and attacked me severely, thinking that they had finished the job. Once they left I was able to travel a little further, only to collapse from the severity of my injuries and the loss of blood. I was able to survive because your mother found me that day, bringing me to her den and taking care of me. I am still alive because of her," Zuko replied, nudging Kano before turning back to Zhao.
"You actually have a mate and pups? That's pathetic, especially for a weak wolf like you. I am intrigued however. Maybe I will pay a small visit to that bitch of yours… and kill her and her unborn pups," Zhao sneered and turned around, only to find himself surrounded by Hakoda, Bato, Gen, Sai, and Apache. Kai and Kaya appeared at his flanks, fangs bared and snarling angrily.
"You will NEVER lay a paw on my mate, you bastard!" Zuko snarled, lunging forward and sinking his sharp fangs into Zhao's throat. The older male growled, snapping at and missing Zuko's shoulder.
Toph and Aang snarled at the intruder before turning towards the carcass that Gen had dragged back. Azula raced over the hill and grabbed one of the elk's legs, helping Aang and Toph drag it to the den. Willow and Cedar raced after them, worried for their mother. Gen and Kaya raced after them, keeping an eye out for a possible attack.
Zhao struggled against Zuko's tight hold on his throat, giving him trouble to breathe. Kano dashed forward and tore a chunk from the wolf's back, blood pouring from the wound. Bato and Hakoda grabbed a front and hind leg, snapping their powerful jaws together and shattering the bones. Zhao howled in pain and grumbled to the ground. Sai tore the intruder's ears to ribbons while Kano clamped his jaws down on Zhao's muzzle. The male struggled to get up again, only to be pinned to the ground by Bato and Hakoda. Zuko shifted his grip on Zhao's throat, tearing his neck apart with blood spurting everywhere. Zhao took his last breath, blood pouring from his throat. The pack backed away and howled, warning the neighboring packs that there will be trouble if they threaten Zuko's mate. Turning around, the pack raced to the den.
They arrived at the den-site an hour later, being greeted by a panicking Katara. Aang and Toph told Sokka about the incident, making Katara's older brother snarl angrily. Suki and their pups stood next to Sokka, trying to calm him. Kya and Azula loped over to Hakoda and Bato, whining and licking their muzzles. Shiro buried her muzzle into Arashi's silvery-red-furred chest, Arashi placing his head on her neck. Katara whimpered, frantically licking and nipping her mate's muzzle.
"My love, please don't stress. None of us were injured. We are fine. I am very proud of our pups. They were quick to defend you when the Beta of my old pack threatened to get rid of you. They were very brave. I know that they protect you and our unborn pups," Zuko growled, nuzzling Katara's pup-filled belly lovingly.
" That's right, Mama! We will always be here to protect you and our little brothers and sisters!" Kira yipped, licking her mother's cheek.
Sky-blue eyes widened as Katara glanced at her pups, who gazed at their mother lovingly with their tails wagging happily. Shiro barked happily, nipping Arashi playfully and loped away. The silvery-red young male glanced at the large black-furred Alpha, who nodded, before racing after the Alpha's beautiful snow-furred pup. Zuko and Katara lay next to each other, watching as their snow-furred daughter flirted and played with the young male who had captured her heart. The Alphas smiled softly before falling asleep, Katara flopped on her side with her head on Zuko's large paws and Zuko's muzzle placed gently on her bulging belly. The rest of the pack followed suite once the moon reached the night sky once more.
'I ask that you watch over, protect, and guide us. Please keep us safe, so that Mama and my unborn siblings won't be in danger anymore,' snow-furred Shiro whispered, blue and gold eyes gazing at a figure that only she could see.
'I will always be with you, my cute little grand-niece. I promise to keep the pack safe,' the familiar voice of the old gray wolf whispered.
'Thank you. Farewell, great uncle. We will miss you,' Shiro replied, watching as her great Uncle Iroh let out a ghostly howl before fading from sight, his protective scent flowing over her as it did when he was living. Shiro smiled softly before falling asleep, burying her muzzle into Arashi's side.
Iroh sat on the cliff above the den, looking down at his nephew's pack. He pulled his lips back in a smile, gold eyes shining. A chorus of howls reached his ears making the once living wolf grin and lope away, his body now a mist and in the form of his younger, stronger self. He turned back to look at his great-niece and howled one last time, telling her that he will always watch over them, before disappearing on the wind.