Fly

-1-

Star didn't do this. Did she? No she couldn't, she wouldn't fo this. Would she?

"Star did this!" Woody howled on the top of his lungs.

"No, I didn't," Star growled. "I wouldn't. Back off."

The voices continued to how through the night.

Oh Earth-Dog. Save me. Star sighed and turned to walk away. Before she could take a step, somebody howled. It was Chase.

"I want to challenge Star!" Star felt her face get hot.

"Chase," Star whispered to herself. "This is not a good idea. Not now, at least."

"What was that, Scar?" Chase called. That got Star's attention.

"Excuse my ears, but did you just call me Scar?" Star was so angry.

"Yes I did." Chase said proudly. Her hackles raised. "Also, for your information, I challenged you. Will your Fierce-Dog instincs except, or will you just be a baby?" Some of the other dogs in the pack started to laugh and some chanted 'Baby' and 'Scar', while others tried to get out of this fight. Star growled.

"I will not be a baby, and I will make my litter-brother proud. I accept the challenge." Dogs looked suprised and all of the chanting and the laughing stopped.

"Try me." Chase growled.

•••

They walked in circles, growling and snarling and nipping at each other.

Chase made the first move. She swiftly lunged forward and tried to latch onto Star's neck, but Star skillfully dodged and grabbed Chase's neck instead.

"Call me Scar again, and you're dead." Star couldn't believe that she just said that.

"Okay, Scar. Kill me. It will just make the pack mistrust you more." Star let go and Chase skidded away, snarling.

"Stop!" Lucky howled. "Stop this, this nonsense! There is no need!" Star found this her chance to get away from her challenger.

"Scared, eh?" Chase asked. She obviously didn't hear Lucky.

"STOP!" Lucky roared. Chase turned around. Star ran to his side and panted a pant of worry. Lucky pushed her and nipped her ear, obviously disappointed.

"Hmph." Chase turned around and before she could take a step, Lucky lunged forward and grabbed her by the scruff.

"Touch anyone again..." Lucky began.

"Lucky," Sweet, the Alpha scolded. Lucky stepped back. "That was not a Beta move. For her punishment, and Star," Alpha turned her head to Star. "Will also have a punishment, and for their punishment, Star will go on Highwatch, and Chase will go with Omega to do chores." Alpha nodded. "Agreed?" There really was no point an arguing with Alpha, and if they did they would get in more severe trouble, so they both woofed their agreement. "Good." And with a flick of her tail, she walked off, and Lucky followed behind her.

"Yeah, Scar. Get to it. Highwatch." Chase told Star.

"Chase," Alpha growled and turned her head to Chase. "Do you want Highwatch?"

"No, Alpha." Then Chase walked off with Sunshine to do Omega chores. Omega looked Star in the eyes, telling her that it will be okay, and that she is as scared at Star. Star nodded and Sunshine and Chase troted off into the trees.

"Star," Moon, the Border Collie called. Moon was the lead Border Watch. "Come here please." Star troted to Moon and Moon started for the woods, the opposite way that Omega and Chase went. "You are on Highwatch?"

"Yes, Moon." Star woofed depressingly.

"Don't be so down about Highwatch. I'll show you the best places." And with that, Moon and Star loped toward Highwatch.

Once they arrived, Star smelled a rabbit and made her stomach grumble.

"Hungry, eh?" Moon asked.

"Yeah," Star sighed.

"Well, a Longclaw always swoops down and stays in that nest for awhile. If you sneak it from Alpha, then you can have a little snack. The baby Longclaws aren't that good, but they are a good snack. Then down here," Moon scrambled down thin path leading to the hole underneath the edge jutting out. "Here you can lay down and protect yourself from the air." As she said that, Star felt a cool breeze rush against her neck and she noticed how cold it was up here. "And if you need your pawpads warmed up, then just pace in circles, just like a sleep circle. Pace right... here." Moon stopped and spun in circles, just like sleep circles as she said that they were. " But don't lay down." She said matter of factly. "Just don't. You will get too cold. Now I best get going. If you see anything, howl the alarm. Okay?"

"Okay, Moon. Thanks does showing me around Highwatch."

"No problem, Star." And with that, Moon swished away.

Hours passed with boredom. Star felt like she could fall asleep standing. Then, just as she felt like her eyelids were closing, Moon paced up and howled her greeting.

"Moon!" Star greeted happily.

"Hello, Star." Moon looked worried.

"Moon, what is it?"

"Star, come immediately. And accident happened."

"Well want is it?" Star asked, suddenly in a panic.

"There is no words to explain it. Star, come. We need a Fierce-Dog like you to solve this."

Oh, no. Star thought. More fighting.

Then Moon and Star rushed toward camp.