Sapphire rose early in the morning, as usual, even before her parents and nearly any other wolves. The only wolves awake at this time were the ones tasked with guarding the pack, though even they many times dozed off while guarding. This did not mean they didn't do their duty however, afterall these wolves were born for this position. Sapphire's mother informed her when she was even younger, that some Midnight Wolves have a certain genetic condition which allows them to sleep with one eye open. These wolves usually protect the pack when everyone else is asleep, a very important duty.

Sapphire was used to them however, and they were used to her. Wolves don't climb trees, and being a wolf herself, though a very odd one, she was aware of that. While it was possible for them to climb, the aftermath of doing so could be disastrous. Knowing this, Sapphire sneaked away from her parents to a nearby tree. There, she transformed into her humanoid form and jumped onto it easily, jumping from branch to branch and going higher. She heard a sigh as she did, knowing very well one of the guards saw her, but she was also aware they won't follow her.

She jumped from one flat branch to a hook-like branch, using it to swing she landed at another flat branch, making sure to not make even the slightest sound during the entire maneuver. The reason was the rare flower she spotted from far, easy to spot due to its bright colors. 'Sound Lily', a flower that closes when any sound is made. Any sound that can be heard by a wolf's ears can also be sensed by the flower. When open it is a beautiful bright blue flower with reddish orange stripes and yellow swirls on the outside. When closed it looks just like a leaf, fully camouflaged till it's time to disperse.

She slowly crawled to the flower and looked at it for one second before it closed. The cause being the earth shattering howl that echoed through the forest. Sapphire could have sworn the tree shook from the howl, but when she glanced down it became apparent that it was just a 'giant brown bear' that was climbing the tree to get to her. The tree didn't shake from the climbing however, those things are master's at climbing quietly, it shook as the bear fell down on hearing that earth shattering howl and bolted away in fear.

Sapphire quickly got up and rushed back, knowing very well that was her father's howl, and also clear that he was mad at the time, very mad. She turned back to her wolf form a little away from their living area before heading there, mostly to avoid extra scolding due to being in her human form again. The entire pack was gathered there but she didn't spot her father, breathing a sigh of relief as she could pretend she was right here.

The moment she stepped into the flat area something bit her left ear and tugged lightly on it. It wasn't hard bite, but for a wolf that was still painful as their ears are very sensitive. She whimpered as she swung her front paws, trying to free herself. A moment later the bite was released and she looked up with her most innocent look, hoping her father's heart would melt and he would forgive her for whatever she did, which she was still unaware of.

"This girl…" He sighed turning and walking back to the boulder.

Works every time, she smiled to herself.

Suddenly her right ear was bitten, though instantly released too, not that the pain was much less.

"Don't get the wrong idea, he only forgave you since we are running low on time." Her mother reprimanded her.

"Where are we going?" Sapphire asked jumping in excitement.

"To the tundra plains, the territory of the Winter wolves." Her mother explained.

Sapphire gasped. "Why are we going there? It's so far, it's very far right?"

"There are some not so nice things that are going on recently, and all the different species of wolves need to discuss the matter. And also, as you have been told the outside of the forest is dangerous, so, no more leaving our side." Her mother explained.

"I can't play around?" Sapphire exclaimed rolling onto her back.

"No, you can play right around us, without going far. And anything further my reach is far."

"That is too close, far too close." Sapphire complained.

"Just while we are travelling, please, don't do anything reckless, we don't want anything to happen to you." Her mother pleaded.

"Fine… I won't go far from you." Sapphire agreed with a sigh. "But," she said instantly, "what do I get in return?"

"Do rabbits sound good?" Her mother inquired.

"Are they soft?" Sapphire asked.

"Yes."

"Can I have them as a pet?" Sapphire asked, again jumping in excitement.

"Uh, I think someone else might mistake it for food and eat it though. Let's decide on what you get on the way." Her mother suggested as all preparations were done and the pack was ready to move.

"Okay." Sapphire agreed instantly, happily trotting right beside her mother.

They departed from the center of their territory, moving carefully. As they were still inside the forest, and it would take them at least one day to get out of the dense rainforest. Since the forest wasn't as dangerous as outside, Sapphire got the permission to play all she wanted to while she was still in the forest. Turning to her humanoid form she jumped onto the side of the tree, using lower branches as stepping spots to jump higher before she can easily move between the closely packed branches.

The other wolves stared at her in astonishment. Having no social experience in the last 2 years, she increased her pace to get away from the unease of being watched. Once she was very far ahead of the pack she slowed down slightly, taking a feel for her surroundings and what she might find there. She spotted a pond through the branches and descended to look at it. The water was clear sky blue, indicating it formed very recently, most likely from the rain which happens every so often. She looked at her clear reflection in the pond, smiling at herself.

At first, she disliked the fact that the clothes they will be wearing in their humanoid form were predetermined, and they can't do anything to change them. There was very certainly no one that knew how to make them in the forest, so it was clear it was fixed for life. Luckily, Sapphire ended up with an outfit she liked. A full-sleeved black shirt, black pants with a belt with two pouches on the side. Above all that, a long black coat that was open from the front, having three pockets on the outside, two on the sides and one above her heart, and around twelve on the inside of it. Along with that she wore black fur boots with a black scarf wound around her neck and hanging behind her till her waist. It was mostly hidden under her long black hair that reached till her thighs however.

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

While she did look good according to herself, and everyone that had seen her humanoid form, she was small, incredibly small. Her wolf form only reached till the waist of her humanoid form, and her humanoid form barely reached the stomach of other wolves. It didn't help that even in her age group, she was the smallest one, even some of the younger pups being bigger than her. She was also quite weak for a Midnight Wolf, but it mattered little in general since the adults possessed incredible strength, and even her strength was far greater than most other species.

The call from an 'alarm bird' snapped Sapphire back to her surroundings. Her reflexes were sharp so she was quick to jump ahead to a half-submerged tree root. A growl of disapproval caused her to turn back to her attacker. It was the same 'Giant Brown Bear' from before, looking fairly hungry and disappointed. It looked at the water and thought for a while before stepping back.

"Ha, can't swim." Sapphire mocked.

Poking fun at those who tried to harm her but miserably failed was one of her hobbies, one she was proud of. But the fun didn't last long this time.

Wait, Bears in general can swim, quite well even. Then why is he not coming closer? Could it mean that, she gulped nervously as she looked down and surveyed her surroundings. She didn't see anything poking on the surface or even right below the surface as far as she could tell. There was the scent of blood around the pond however now that she was alert and in the middle of it, and it seemed pretty new as well.

Taking some small seeds from an inside pocket of her coat Sapphire threw them on the water. Seeing the seeds a completely white bird with an orange beak flew to there and floated on the water by the seeds, slowly pecking at them.

"Sorry bird," Sapphire apologized, already guessing it won't end well. Even the bear seemed sorry for what was about to happen to the bird.

Suddenly the bird let out an alarmed 'quack' sound, the water around it turning red as the bird struggled and flapped as hard as it could, wildly splashing and thrashing the water, though the splashes were not caused only by the bird. In a matter of seconds, the bird was pulled under the water and nothing surfaced even after a minute. The red color of the water spread slowly towards the tree root Sapphire was standing on, sending a shiver down her spine.

The bear let out a growl of disapproval and went back into the forest turning away, knowing there won't be anything left for it even if it waited by the water. Sapphire looked around in confusion about what to do, her situation not seeming well. The pond was large and there was no way out other than the slightly raised parts of the root, which could be troublesome to balance on.

She already knew what the threat was, thanks to the noble sacrifice of the bird. The only thing she needed to do was not touch the water, which sounded easy unless you were in the middle of a pond filled with water. Her guess was also wrong about this being a newly formed pond from the looks of it, unless those small hell spawns entered this newly formed pond from a drying older one.

She could try jumping to the side she jumped from, but that side was raised and she doubted she would be able to grip properly due to the moss covered sides. If her grip was to fail her she would fall right into the many jaws of death waiting for her to touch the water.

She gulped nervously glancing at the five parts of the root she needed to jump on, which got smaller and lower at a steady pace. It was a near death wish, but not like there was any other option for her here. She could either take the risk or stand here till the pack came looking for her, chances of which were low. The pond was far off the path the pack was taking, meaning there was a high chance they won't notice her as they pass. She knew they won't leave her behind, but if she was to get tired from standing on the root for long she might fall.

Sapphire howled loudly, hoping to attract the pack's attention. She waited for a reply for a few minutes, howling several times in that little while, but no reply came. Her howls were not quite as loud as of others, and she doubted the sound made it far enough to be heard by anyone. With not much choice left, Sapphire took in a deep breath and steeled her resolve.

She jumped onto the first part of the root, landing perfectly without the slightest trouble. It was large enough for her to easily maintain her balance and not slippery in the slightest. Feeling confident she jumped onto the second one. It was smaller, but still not slippery either, boosting her confidence even further. She jumped onto the third one, which was even smaller but still her boots found their grip easily on it. She heard a 'splash' sound and glanced down but saw nothing but a ring forming on the water some distance away. She doubted it was just her imagination ignored it for now, focusing on the task at hand.

Steadily she jumped onto the fourth one. It was hard for her to fit both her feet on it but she still managed without much trouble. She realised she overestimated the situation by a great lot, and that not waiting around was the right option. There was a higher chance of her falling due to the humidity and exhaustion than falling from slipping. Smiling she prepared for the last jump and to then rush back to her parents.

The fourth part of the root was about a feet above water, while the last one was barely peeking above the surface. In her confidence she failed to notice that, along with many other things. She landed at the last part of the root. It was wet, and slippery, a layer of wet moss having formed on it, unlike the other parts, a sudden change. She failed to prepare for it and her leg slipped right of it, not gripping in the slightest. She fell on her back on the small part of root which poked out the water. Pain shot through her body as her back hit the root and she splashed into the water.

Panic quickly took over her and she thrashed wildly in the water trying to resurface, only making her situation worse. She resurfaced and let out a yelp as something bit her leg. Her eyes widened in horror as she realized her predicament. She tried to howl for help but she again submerged underwater before she could. Water entered her mouth and she choked and didn't succeed in howling. She thrashed wildly and batted her arms and legs to kick off the attacking piranhas, but their numbers were far too many for her.

Pain shot through her entire body as many piranha dug their teeth into her. She tried her best to scream for help and stay conscious through all the pain, but she could feel her body giving away. There was darkness surrounding her vision but she tried her hardest to resist it and not give up.

Help will be here soon, they will be here soon. I am not going to die like this. Ow, she thought as the piranhas continued biting her.

Her clothes protected her from any actual lethal injuries at first, but now the piranhas teeth were past it and they were biting right into her flesh, drawing more blood with every bite. And nearly taking out chunks of her flesh. A howl echoed over the splashing sounds and at once the piranha ceased their attack, all of them paralyzed as their bodies floated in the water.

Father, Sapphire realised as jaws clamped around the back of her scarf and pulled her above the water.

She coughed water as she was pulled onto the land, her father climbing up right after hauling her to the dry ground. Her mother was quickly by her side, licking her wounds as she cried in pain. She slowly opened her tear filled eyes and looked right at her father staring at her. She was prepared for getting her ears bitten, knowing very well she deserved it, though her ears were also bleeding from bites. However, approaching her, her father gently nuzzled her affectionately, a worried expression lingering on his face.

"I don't want to lose anyone in this journey, and I don't ever want to lose you, so it is a request, please don't do anything reckless again, Sapphire," Her father pleaded.

"I won't ever again, I won't even leave your side," She cried out, tears streaming down her face.

"Let's move ahead then. Hop onto my back for the time being, I will carry you the rest of the way, you are already too injured to even walk." Her father ordered as he kneeled down so she could climb onto him.

She nodded her head before doing as she was told, succeeding in climbing up with help from her mother. Her parents joined with the pack, waiting a short distance ahead and continued the journey.