Kaban crouched in the grass, watching a bird peck at the ground. When the moment was right, he pounced with a snarl and sank his teeth into the back of the bird's neck, killing it instantly. Then, he stood up straight with the prey dangling from his jaws and began wagging his tail. "Did you see that, Ri- ah!"
He hadn't seen Rin charging at him until she set her fangs on his hind leg before hoisting him into the air and slamming him to the ground. Kaban yelped.
"Ha! Gotcha!" Rin barked. "That was a move Dad showed me!"
The puppies began to scuffle, but Alisha paid them no mind. Her mate was occupying her mind. Four months ago, Orion had sent her and their pups away due to danger in Ohu, and Alisha went back to live with her former owner. They hadn't spoken since. As Alisha gazed worriedly up at the sky with the breeze ruffling her fur, she wondered what had become of her dearest Orion.
She wasn't going to wait any longer to find out.
"Kaban, Rin, come here." she said, just loudly enough to get their attention. "There's something I must tell you two."
Rin looked up from where she'd been pinning Kaban to the ground, before padding up to her. Kaban sat up and rubbed his head with his paw before doing the same.
"What is it, Mom?" Kaban asked as he sat down next to his sister.
"I've decided to go back to Ohu for now. You two must stay here where it's safe."
"What?" Rin's green eyes widened in shock.
"You can't leave us!" Kaban whined.
"Try to understand, my little ones. Your father may be in trouble, and he needs my help. Understand?"
Kaban sighed. "Yes, Mom..."
"We understand…" Rin murmured.
"Good. I love you both." Alisha licked both of their heads before taking a running start and jumping the fence. It was oddly nostalgic, as she had used this method to visit Orion many times in her youth.
She only hoped he was okay.
It was evening now. Kaban paced around the yard, halfheartedly pushing a ball along with his forepaw. I wonder why Mom couldn't take us with her. We haven't seen Dad in four months! But then again, those foxes… they could still be wreaking havoc on Ohu right now. They could be tearing Mom and Dad to bits, all while I'm just sitting here! He growled, digging at the ground with his claws. That does it. I can't just go about my life doing nothing! I've got to help them.
"So, what do you wanna do, Bro?" Rin asked from behind him.
"We're going on a mission." Kaban said in a low voice.
"What?"
Kaban turned fully to her, his eyes gleaming with determination. "We're going to Ohu."