Misty cradled Clover to her chest. The little pup has been getting weaker. Blossom said she should've died the evening after her birth. And it's been a week and a half since the puppies were born. Clover still hasn't even opened her eyes.

Meanwhile, Storm, Ash, and River were as energetic as ever. Bouncing around and playing rough games, yet still trying to figure out how to keep their balance. They tackled each other and played tug-of-war with sticks they found laying around.

Misty watched from the mouth of her den, looking between her rambunctious sons and her frail daughter, noticing the differences.

Ash tackled River, and they tumbled away in a heap of fur and legs. Storm tilted his head to the side, eyes gleaming with curiosity.

Storm yipped and wobbly joined his brothers. Among them, he was the first to walk, with Ash learning soon after him. River is still attempting to get his form right.  He never got angry or frustrated when he fell. Instead, he looked up at his parents with the biggest grin on his face.

Lightning flashed. Ash and River jumped up and ran to their mother as fast as they could go. They hid behind her and quivered, staring out with huge eyes.

Misty noticed Storm didn't even move from where he sat. He glanced up when a rain drop landed on his nose. The tiniest smile was on his muzzle. It didn't seem to bother him. In fact, he looked rather calm, sitting out in the beginnings of severe weather.

A flash of black fur caught Misty's eye. To the right, Twinkle emerged from her den, sitting under the rocky overhang with a little lump of brown fur beside her.

Misty wasn't so sure about inviting strangers to live with them. The time they've been here, they've kept to themselves, hardly saying a word  But her heart softened whenever she saw Twinkle gently caressing Mountain. The sickly pup looked like Clover in her ill-state. Perhaps even worse. Little ribs protruding for even a blind wolf to see. Whenever she opened her eyes, they were dull with the occasional glint of a painful fever.

Misty glanced at the mother and daughter, then to her own sons. "There's nothing to be afraid of. Go on and play with Storm. I'll be back,"

Misty gently picked up Clover and trotted over to Twinkle. The newcomer's eyes were round with fear, until she saw Clover laying limp in Misty's jaws.

Misty made sure she didn't seem hostile. Twinkle finally gestured for her to sit.

Misty set down her daughter and got under the overhang, escaping the light sprinkle that began to fall.

Twinkle was looking between Clover and Mountain. Sympathy was obvious in her expression.

"How old are your pups?" Misty asked in  what she hoped was a friendly manner.

"A month," Twinkle whispered, her voice was light and wispy.

Misty nodded. "Mine were born a week and a half ago."

Twinkle didn't acknowledge her words. She was too busy staring at Mountain. The little heap of fur didn't move. Only her breathing indicated she was alive.

"Mama?" Ripple came from the shadowed den. He looked really shy, and scuffled his brown paws on the ground. His eyes were a warm brown. And Misty felt a wave of nostalgia crash over her.

"Yes Ripple?"

Ripple scuffed his paws again. "C-can I go play with them?" He pointed to Misty's sons.

Twinkle smiled. "Of course, dear," she nudged him. "Go on, make some friends."

Ripple's face brightened. He paused and looked down at Clover. "Who's this?"

"Clover," Misty replied.

Ripple tilted his head. "Is she sick?"

Misty swallowed. "Yeah, she doesn't feel very good,"

Ripple looked sad. He glanced at his mother then Clover. "Will it help if I be her friend?"

Misty's heart swelled. She shared a glance with Twinkle, who was obviously feeling the same. "It might,"

Ripple wagged his tail. He laid down beside Clover, offering her warmth when she shivered.

"Hi," Ripple started shyly. "So um...I'm Ripple. And maybe when you feel better, we can be friends?"

Clover shivered in response.

"Maybe we can be...best friends?" He whispered.

Clover squirmed in her sleep, the most movement Misty has ever seen her do.

"Misty?"

She recognized Rascal's voice.

The mother wolf glanced up. Rascal was padding toward them with a warm greeting in his expression.

"I saw the pups playing in puddles," he began. "You sure they'll be okay?"

Misty caught the strange look in Twinkle's eye. It seemed like jealousy.

"Yeah I'm sure. As long as it isn't pounding rain."

He nodded. "Good," a pause then a gasp. "Clover!"

Misty looked at her daughter, worry seeping into her veins.

But her fear turned into excitement when she realized Clover opened her eyes. They were a soft, yet fierce shade of brown. But they were beautiful. Round and innocent, curious and care-free. They had fight in them. The determination to live.

"I'd say she has your eyes," Rascal added with a chuckle. Obviously he'd seen the look in Clover's gaze.

Misty laughed, tears springing to her eyes. She licked and cuddled her daughter close. This was wonderful. Relief. Finally, a sign that she may indeed, live.

~~~

"I think I've sprained a paw," Solar announced to Moondancer.

The gray healer didn't even look up from her work: cleaning dirty pelts.

Solar cleared his throat louder. He shook one of his paws and "grimaced" with pain. "Ow. This really hurts. Please look at it,"

Moondancer side-glared at Solar from the corner of her eye.

Solar made a pouty face.

Moondancer sighed, but didn't even look at his face. She examined his paw then let out a snort.

"It's fine," she grumbled.

Solar arched a mischievous eyebrow. "You sure, Moon?"

The she-wolf spat sharply. "It's Moondancer,"

Solar's amber eyes glinted with something. An amused spark. "I like the name. Moondancer,"

Moondancer furrowed her brow and tried to focus her eyes on her work. Yet she seemed distracted, feeling Solar's gaze burn onto her back.

Misty watched the spectacle from the other side of the clearing. She stifled a chuckle when Moondancer looked at her for help.

Solar puffed out his chest and poked Moondancer with a gentle paw.

"What?" The she-wolf hissed.

"Are you always this friendly?" He tipped his head to the side with a smirk.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Do you want me to be friendlier?" She asked.

Solar nodded.

"Okay," Moondancer faced him and offered a too-happy grin. "How's this for friendly?" She smoothly slapped him across the face.

With that she turned and went inside her den, leaving with a storm cloud over her head.

Solar was left with a shocked, yet dopey look on his face. "She's beautiful,"

Misty could practically see the hearts in his eyes. She laughed.