Okami woke up, trying to move his head. First thing he felt was pain. He lifted his head, looking around the Nursery. It was empty, all the pups and mothers already got up. He then stood up, limping lightly into the camp. He looked up at the sun, seeing it being around mid-day. Why did they let me sleep in this late? He wondered briefly before looking around the camp. First thing he noticed was the first guard patrol coming in the camp, consisting of his father, brother, and one of the older pups. The alpha came out of his den to meet them. "How did they do?" The alpha asked his father. "They did excellent." His father replied, looking proudly at his son. I should be at the border with them. Just because I am smaller than the others doesn't mean I can't help! He thought angrily. "What about your smaller son, Okami?" The alphaasked, obviously not knowing Okami was behind him near a bush. His brother cut in. "Okami is too small to help out in our pack!" "Hush Raiden!" His father scolded. "Okami isn't fully grown, we never know."Raiden looked angry, but stayed quiet.
Okami looked down at the ground. They don't believe I can help. They think I'm useless. "Okami come over here!" Okami's ears perked, hearing his fathers voice. He padded over to them. "Y-yes?" He looked at his father. "Okami, you are old enough to start training to become a hunter or a guard." Okami glanced back and forth at his father and the Alpha. "Really?" He asked. "Yes, its your choice; guard, or hunter?" The Alpha asked him. He looked down. "I choose….to become a guard." He looked at the Alpha. "If you want, you can begin training with the next group that goes out." Offered the Alpha. "Awesome, I'll start with them, then." "But, can my father come with me?" He asked the alpha. "Of course, they are getting ready to go now, get yourself something to eat, then join them." The Alpha instructed him. "Alright." He went over to where the food was found, and tore a chunk from a deer off. I can't believe I'm actually going on a patrol! I'll show those other pups I'm not weak. He thought to himself while eating.
"Okami! We are ready to go!" His father called to him. "Alright!" Okami padded over to them. The group them left the camp, heading towards the border. When they had arrived, his father turned towards him. "Remember, if anything happens, you aren't properly trained, so you stay out of the fight." His father reminded him. "Alright!" "Split into 2 groups, and walk along the border!" His father ordered. He immediately went over to his father. And the other 2 started padding along the other side.
When they started off in their own direction, they saw a Sandpack patrol. When the Sandpack patrol noticed them, Okami heard one of them say. "Is Forestpack really desperate enough to send their pups on patrol?" Okami let out a grumble. As they got closer, Okami looked at the 2 wolves on patrol; one of them was a light tan, with slight brown and white features, with a scar along his right eye, while the other was a light tan, battle-scarred with some light brown on his shoulders and tail. "Oh shut it." His father retorted. "Just stay on your side." The one-eyed wolf replied. "We weren't planning on crossing!" Okami spoke up this time. "Cute, the little pup decided to talk now." The battle-scarred one scoffed. "Rike, you know the alpha's orders." The one-eyed wolf told who he was assuming, was Rike. "Deka, you need to be more assertive with the other pack, or they wont be scared!" Okami watched as Deka rolled his eye. "Just remember, pup." Rike turned his gaze back on Okami. "You cross over onto our territory, you will get attacked on sight." Okami nodded quickly, turning to his father. "Lets go…." He told him, wanting to get away from them quickly. "Alright, we better get back to camp anyway." The pair turned, leaving the border and coming back.
When they got back, they were met by the alpha. "How was his first time on the border?" He asked his father. "Eh, got taunted by 2 Sandpack guards." The alpha sighed, turning to Okami. "When they talk to you like that, don't take what they say to heart, they are just trying to scare you." Okami nodded, then turned to the nursery, where he will sleep until he is trained, and padded over to it. "I'm watching you, Okami." He jumped slightly, suddenly hearing his brothers voice. "What did I do?" Okami asked. "Oh, nothing, just making sure my little brother is alright." There was a sarcastic tone to his voice as Okami turned and padded quickly inside. Curling up in his normal spot, Okami closed his eyes to the sun setting slowly.
