Before you all read, I want you to understand that this was a role play between HayleyWolf and I and Hayley deserves as much credit as I do for this fanfic. Without her this would not exist so if you like it and think I made it entirely you must remember that HayleyWolf is also responsible for this Fanfic considering this was a role play between us, enjoy the fic and thanks Hayley!!

                6 Months

Starseeker groaned. She was so sleepy. She got up and started trotting after camp. She smirked and jumped over a large log. She stopped and smelled the air. She could scent a male stranger wolf in the air. He was close by but Star could not see any movement at all.

Rush dove for a bush as he heard a new wolf, nearby. He popped his head out of the bush where he was hiding. He saw a peek of a white wolf with gray and black legs, with a gold star on her fore head and with black ears; jump over a log. He crouched into his bush, ready to pounce on the wolf. He was hoping he didn’t have to run again, from yet another wolf pack and ruin his chances at finding a family again.

Star heard the bushes rattle when Rush moved his head back into the bush Rush was hiding in. She growled low in her throat and stalked towards the noise in a nearby bush. She was ready to fight the stranger with complete ferocity.

Rush heard the low snarling in front of his bush. He saw Star's gray and black legs right in front of Rush's nose. Rush decided to leap out of the bushes swiftly and onto his opponent. He began to claw her and bite as well but he did not hurt her badly. He didn’t notice it was a girl until he pinned her down on the ground. He scrambled off her instantly and apologetically put his ears against his head and his white tail went between his legs.

Star heaved herself upwards, snarling in rage and she was frustrated. "Why are you here!?" she demanded.

Rush backed off and answered miserably uncomfortable, "Trying to make friends." His eyes were still down and he continued without changing his position, "But, I guess that won’t happen now that I almost hurt you."

"No. It’s ok. I can hold my own." Star explained then asked, "Who are you?"      

"Name’s Rush." Rush began coolly, "At least I earned that name." Rush looked to the ground a little embarrassed. He was never that calm around other wolves, let alone strangers and the fact that he was practically lying down made it look like he wasn't calm around strangers.

She smiled at him and said, "I’m Starseeker."

"I got my name because I’m always on the move and always in a rush." Rush explained. He wasn't that great at first impressions, considering, he always was shy or running away or sinking to the ground in embarrassment.

                "I like that name." Rush complemented, shyly and he began to rise to his full height. His ears stood up normally but his tail was still a little bit between his legs. Star was very dangerous even if she was a girl, she could have seriously hurt Rush.

I’m like that." Star said shyly. "I like the stars." She said and smiled at Rush.

"Then why don’t we watch the stars tonight?" Rush asked no longer as afraid, "It’ll be fun."

"Well, I live in a pack, but you can come see me here on my patrol rock. I am a fighter for my pack." Star explained and smiled again.

"Sure." Rush replied, "I’ve never made good friends with packs though." Rush looked down sadly. "I never had a pack but, I’ve always wanted one." Rush smiled back at Star. Rush had lied to himself so much, he made himself believe he didn't ever have a pack. But, he did, and he ran away and became a lone wolf.

Star smiled at Rush and said goodbye, then she went home; happy, tired and excited.

Rush for the rest of the time found a place to sleep and made a soft bed out of ferns. He fell asleep calmly, but something just didn't seem right.

The next night Star met Rush at the Nome Pack's patrol rock under the starry sky.

"Hey, Star." Rush said quietly when he appeared from the bushes. "You look beautiful."

"Thanks." Star said and blushed, a little embarrassed and flattered. "You look handsome." She admired and smiled at him, happily.

Rush smiled bashfully and asked, "Want to sit down?"

She smiled at him, and answered, "Yes."

They sat down on the patrol rock and Rush gazed at the shining stars above their heads. "Their beautiful," He began, "just like you."

"Thank you." Star said, smiling at him softly.

"What is a beautiful wolf like you doing as a fighter, in a pack?" Rush asked, "You seem too nice for that."

"I’m not a good hunter, and I don’t have a mate or pups. So the only position for me is fighter." she explained.

"Then why not search for a mate right now?" Rush sheepishly smiled.

She smiled at Rush and sighed and put her head down, to rest after a long day.

Rush smiled back but, inside he wanted to make her his mate and be part of a pack. But he put his head down too and fell asleep on the patrol rock next to the lovely sleeping Star.

Suddenly it was dawn and Star bolted upright, ears pricked. Then a large black wolf emerged from the darkness.

"Huh-What?" Rush groaned as he woke up, but then saw the huge black wolf, his eyes widened in surprise. He looked at Star, shocked and unsure of what he should do.

"Daddy....." Star murmured in realization.

Rush relaxed a little now that Star knew who it was. He looked down to the ground, but really he was preparing himself to run if he had to.

 "Now who is this, Star?" The black male named, Fuze, asked, looking at Rush.

"Ummmm....... a friend of mine." Star replied a little embarrassed.

"I thought I told you to not make friends with wolves outside of our pack?" Fuze asked with anger and dominance in his voice.

"Sorry." Star said rolling her eyes.

Fuze growled at the insult. "Go home Star!" he snapped. Then he looked at Rush. "Why are you here? Do you need a pack?" he asked.

Rush stared at Fuze for a little bit and got in a trance, but shook himself awake instantly. "Y-yes, sir. I am a lone wolf, but I can leave right now if you’d like." Rush chattered in fear, his tail went between his legs and Rush sunk low to the ground.

"You may join. Follow me." Fuze ordered.

Rush followed obediently, but wondered to himself, "Could this be a trick?" Rush then asked Fuze,  “Are you the alpha male?"

"No. But I am taking you to the alpha." Fuze negatively answered. It was obvious he wanted to be the alpha. Rush nodded in response and continued to follow Fuze into the pack den site.

The alpha, Liberty, saw Fuze and Rush walk into the campsite and ran towards them. She was white as snow. But she was very small and looked harmless. And yet, she was respected by the ones that could harm her.

Rush took in his surroundings quickly, and then looked at the white wolf. She looked small and harmless, but Rush wouldn’t let looks persuade him that she’s harmless. Rush looked at Fuze for guidance on what he should do, but Fuze didn’t help him at all, and Star wasn’t there to help him either. It was his move now. Rush sank to the ground in respect, just as he had with Star.

Liberty smiled at him. "You have manners, young one. What is your name?" she asked, standing straight and proud.

"Rush." Rush stood up to his full height after her praise.

"You may join this pack. I trust you not to be foolish." Liberty said.

Star looked at Rush. "Rush!" she whispered.

Rush replied, "Thank you.”

Rush then turned his attention to Star. She walked over to him and smiled happily. All the wolves came over to them to introduce themselves.

Rush whispered to Star, "How am I going to remember all these wolves by name?"

Star smiled at him in amusement. "You’ll get used to them."

When all the wolves left Rush and Star alone, Rush asked. "Who’s your mom? I haven’t met her."

"Her name is Serenity. She’s the white and black one over there." Star nodded over to a pretty white wolf.

 "Now I see where you get your good looks." Rush admitted as he saw Star’s mother talking with her friends. "Do you have any friends in your pack?"

"Silver." she said. "She’s the, well, silver one over there."

Rush looked over to see a silver wolf sitting down and staring at the pack with a blank expression on her face. Rush said, "Let’s invite her on a walk, she looks bored."

"Ok. Hey Silver!" Star shouted.

"Oh hey, Star!" Silver said to Star, then looked at Rush.

 "This is Rush." Star explained. "We were wondering if you would like to go for a walk?" she continued.

 "Of course!" Silver said and shot up and she looked excited to do something. She was a very bubbly wolf.

 Rush walked away from the pack, followed by Silver and Star. "So, Silver," Rush began, "Do you have a mate?"

 "Nope. Star and I am the only singles in the pack. Besides the pups of course."

 "How sad." Rush muttered, "Star?"

 "Hmmmmm?" she said.

  "I love you, Starseeker." Rush blurted out without thinking clearly. He was thinking 2 things and the wrong one came out.

Star slid to a stop, eyes wide. Her expression made Silver laugh. Her beautiful silver fur swayed as she laughed. She loved her best friend, everyone loved Silver. Star looked at Rush, surprised.

She blushed, turned around, and ran as fast as she could and as far away as possible.

Rush turned around to go after her but Silver stepped in front of Rush to stop him. "She needs time." Silver said, "No one ever loved her in our pack, they always loved me."

But," Rush began and trailed off, "I...really...love...her..."

"Give her time." Silver repeated. Starseeker ran at break-neck speed. 

“Rush loved her! Or did he really?" Silver thought, “Nobody loved her but her parents, Silver, and maybe her brother."

Rush walked off to the patrol rock, miserable, embarrassed, frustrated, and angry at himself. "Might as well watch the sunset." He muttered, depressed; "I blew it."

Star decided to go to the beach. It was sunset and the water looked beautiful as it glistened while the golden sun went down. She grunted and sat down. She let out along howl of confusion.

When Rush got to the Patrol Rock he saw Serenity on the rock. "Hi." He mumbled a little depressed.

"Rush, what’s wrong?" Serenity asked.

Rush sighed, "I love Star. But, she doesn’t love me back."

Serenity looked at him and explained calmly, "She does love you. She’s just confused."

Rush looked at Serenity, shocked. He then heard Star howl. Rush howled back, hoping she would come back.

Star didn't answer. She needed to visit someone. Star didn’t care that it would take a week to get there. She leapt into the water and started swimming, powerfully, then jumped on a glacier. Star knew where to go so she shifted her weight in that direction and the huge glacier moved that way. She lay down on the glacier and fell asleep, still confused.

When Star didn’t reply Rush, rushed off sprinting faster than ever before after Star. When he got to the beach he followed her scent and jumped on a glacier and moved after her. He stayed wide awake hoping to find Star and talk with her.

Star had spent three days in the ocean on top of her glacier. She was feeling starvation set inside her stomach. She managed to catch a few fish to satisfy the hunger but, she didn’t have fresh water. She would have to get on land soon if she was to survive.

It was days since Rush had slept and ate, but he was used to starving. Somehow he managed to stay awake and survive off chewing the loose ice on the glacier for water but, he couldn’t catch fish at all. He followed Star’s scent while the wind carried it.

"I have to find her." Rush admitted on his third night without sleep. He was exhausted but his love for Star kept him alive and awake. He admired her too much to let her go.

The next day Star spotted land. But her glacier was going right past it. She launched off of it, and dove into the icy water. She swam her way to safety and reached land. There she managed to catch a few hares and found a cool spring of fresh water. She spent the night there and recharged her strength.

It was night when Rush saw the faint outline of land in the moonlight. He jumped off his iceberg and leapt into the freezing water. When he reached the beach he collapsed on the sand and slept for the whole day. When he woke up he smelled Star.

"She’s here." He muttered to himself when he scented Starseeker.

Star woke up the next morning, strong and refreshed. She trotted out to the beach and looked out. Her glacier was gone, but another was drifting a ways away. She leapt into the water and paddled, strongly. It took her a bit of time to get to the glacier, but she managed and pulled herself onto it.

Rush was eating a hare but then, in the distance Rush saw Star leap onto a glacier as it floated away. "Great I have to chase a glacier." He muttered. Rush sprinted across the beach to the closest point to the glacier. He leapt into the icy water and swam to the huge glacier and climbed onto the glacier, but he stayed away from Star, and hid from her. "I think I’ll find out where she’s going first." He concluded to himself while he dug some snow out and made a bed, hidden away from Star.

Suddenly her glacier broke in half, leaving her barely enough room to stand. She growled. Then it crumbled away and she fell with a splash. She let out an annoyed growl and climbed onto another. It was small but it had hole-pockets that seals popped out of. Maybe Star could catch something. She kept low and looked at the hole. A seal popped out and she grabbed it and killed it. 

Yummy." Star thought. The seal was delicious as she dined in peace. She only had three days left and she would be at her Liberty’s niece’s home. She would visit Aleu. Then she would go home and talk to Rush.

Rush heard Star fall off the glacier and woke up. He saw Star scramble onto of another glacier full of seals. Rush instantly moved his glacier after Star. It took time but, it eventually moved after her. Rush remembered when he last took a glacier before this trip.

"I was running away." Rush thought as he was stuck in his horrible memories.

Two days passed. Star stayed full on seals but became parched. Tomorrow she would reach her destination and drink her fill, and talk to someone she needed advice from.

Rush’s glacier slowly followed Star’s for a couple of days. Rush chewed loose pieces of ice he could find to keep himself hydrated but he needed food. He eventually caught a fish, for the first time. He had many naps to keep his energy from draining, but every time he fell asleep, he had nightmares of his past, Rush woke up every half hour sweating and panting with fear. Eventually he had to find land, find Star and find answers.

The next day Star saw her destination. She jumped off the glacier and swam into the water. She touched on land and saw a pool of fresh and clean water. She drank deeply, and then Star ran to Aleu’s pack.

"Aleu!" she called.

The sun was setting and Rush scented Star and saw familiar land. 

No! It couldn’t be!" He thought. He jumped of his glacier and swam to the familiar land. He landed on the beach and walked over to a pool of water.  When he finished drinking he went to the forest and caught a hare in almost two seconds. 

"Easy to catch food in a place you know." Rush thought.  Rush went to an old oak tree where there was a den.  “Back home," He thought, “ I hope no one else took my old den." He walked inside the den and lied down to sleep off his troubles.

That night his nightmares came to him again. He woke up wide eyed and gasping for breath. "That’s it!" Rush said to himself, "I have to find that pack!"

"Starseeker! What a pleasure to see you! What brings you here today?" Aleu said.

"Well. I have this male that says he loves me. Nobody has ever loved me. I’m so confused. I traveled here by myself." Star answered.

Rush got up and ran straight towards Aleu’s pack. Rush didn’t know Nava was no longer alpha so, he expected to talk to Nava as the alpha. He trampled right into Aleu’s pack’s meeting with Starseeker. He didn’t notice Starseeker but he demanded, "Where’s Nava?!"

“Rush!!!!" Star cried. Aleu looked at Rush.

"He is sick. He is in his den." Aleu explained.

Rush was way to concentrated on Nava and Aleu that he didn’t even hear Star. He dashed off to Nava’s den; he didn’t even look back until he got to the entrance of Nava’s den. Rush then walked inside.

"Hey, pops?" Rush asked, "Remember me? I’m the lost pup you adopted."

Nava raised his head. "Rush?" he croaked.

"Yah, Pop." Rush said, "Boy, you’re beaten up. What happened, since I left?"

"Sickness. I’m not a young puppy any more either." he said and smiled.

Star then popped her head in after she had spoken to Aleu. "Rush?" Star asked.

Rush lay down next to his 'dad' and turned his head to Star. "Yes?" Rush asked Star. Rush’s eyes were tearing, but he held them back. Rush knew Nava was dying, but he was the closest thing to family Rush had.

"Did you follow me?" Star asked softly.

Nava looked at both of them, his eyes were dimming he then coughed. "Go get Aleu." he ordered weakly.

Rush didn’t answer Star, he just turned his head to Nava and said, "I’m sorry I ran away." Rush couldn’t hold back his tears anymore,, "I really am. I was afraid and  I’m so sorry, Nava.  I was afraid to become the next alpha." Rush cried and dug his face into Nava’s old and dull fur and cried.

Star’s face contorted, she felt horrible. She ran out of the den to get Aleu.

Nava looked at Rush. "It is ok, son. You are like a real son to me. I love you." he said. Aleu then walked in. "Aleu, you know what to do." he said. Tears welled in Aleu’s eyes and she backed away. Nava looked at Rush. "I love you, son." he said. Then the light in his eyes faded away and the great legend died.

"No!" Rush screamed, "Don’t leave me! Please!" Rush stayed where he was and just pouted the rest of the day. That night, under the full moon, Rush emerged from Nava’s den and climbed the highest cliff in the territory where Rush first met Nava. Rush let out a long and lonesome howl. "I will never forget you." He whispered to himself as the stars circled around Rush.

Star heard the howl. She walked up to Rush and whispered in his ears, "Let’s go home."

Rush didn’t say anything for a minute but said, "I met him for the first time up here." Rush sighed than continued, "He saved me and fathered me. One day, he told me I was going to be the leader of the pack. But, I didn’t want to." Rush looked to the stars, "I ran away."

Rush turned to Star with a love gaze, "Will you be my mate?"

Star looked at him. "Rush........ don’t make me make the decision right now. I will tell you on the next full moon. For now. Let’s help bury Nava and go home. Unless you want to stay here."

"Aleu will be the alpha. I have no reason to stay here anymore." Rush explained, "I am a part of your pack." Rush sighed and continued, "We should bury Nava."

They walked down the cliff and to Nava’s den, where Aleu was waiting for them. Star nodded and helped Aleu and the others.

Rush lead the way to the burial. "He should be buried in the woods, where he took me every day when I was a pup." Rush lead them all to a clearing in the woods. Rush began to dig a hole in the ground.

After he was buried Star looked at Rush. "Home?" she asked.

"Yah." Rush answered, "But, not by glacier."

Star looked at him, confused. "Whaaa?"

Rush grinned and answered, "There’s a trail that leads to the Nome Pack. It’s more direct and you don’t have to starve yourself." Rush explained, "I found it the day I ran away and I followed it. It leads me through many pack territories and it ended in the Nome Pack’s territory." Rush then turned to Aleu and said, "I trust you will be a better leader, than I would have been. After all, Nava had faith in you."

"Oh." Starseeker said, feeling like an idiot and said her goodbyes to the pack.

Aleu nodded her thanks. "Thank you Rush. Come visit us any time." She said and smiled.

Rush nodded back to Aleu and said goodbye. He followed a trail towards the ocean with Star right behind him.

"How do you know Aleu?" Rush asked on the trail.

"You know Liberty?" Star asked.

"The alpha that let me into your pack?" Rush replied.

"Yes. She is Aleu’s aunt. Balto is her half-brother. They share the same mothers but different fathers. Balto’s father was a Husky and Liberty’s was a wolf. Liberty is one year older than Balto."

"Oh." Rush said and then asked, "So you have never seen this trail?"

"Nope." Star admitted, blushing.

"Well it’s a short one." Rush said, "It’s-" Rush cut himself off and sank to the ground. "Shhh." Rush hushed, "We’re in another wolf pack’s territory."

Star copied him and sank to the ground, a bit afraid.

Rush sniffed the air, there was no wolf nearby. "We have to get out of here fast. I tried to be a part of this pack but, they almost killed me." Rush signaled with his tail for Star to follow him as they ran through the territory. "Hurry!" He called to Star, "We don’t want any attention."

Star followed Rush, swiftly and quietly, through the territory in silence.

Rush, rushed out of the territory with Star right behind him. When they got far away he slowed down and stopped. "We should eat." He suggested.

Star nodded in agreement and licked her lips, practically starved.

Rush heard a rattle in the bush next to him. He leapt inside it and chased a hare out. He caught it and killed it. Rush brought it over to Star and said, "I’ll get another." And that’s just what Rush did.

Star smiled, she slowly felt herself falling for him. He was such a gentleman; letting her eat first even if he was just as hungry and tired.

Rush came back with another hare and sat down to eat with Star. They ate quickly and continued on their journey, back home.

When they arrived, the pack was overjoyed with their return. Fuze was scared that he had lost his only daughter, while Serenity just smiled at Rush with trust.

"I guess they missed us." Rush commented sarcasically while everyone came up to Star and Rush.

Star smiled back at Rush's sarcasm and joked. "I guess they did."

Silver ran over to them and said, "Where did you go?" Rush looked at Star.

She ignored her best friend. She called the pack. They milled around her and Liberty stepped up a bit. "Nava has died." Star announced. The pack gasped in amazement. "Rush and I went to see Aleu and Nava died before our eyes; Rush was his adopted son. We will all grieve over his death." Star explained.

Liberty stepped forward. "We will all leave at once! The whole pack! Even the pups!" the pack gasped again in astonishment. Never had the entire pack at once left without anyone to guard the territory.

"What for, Liberty?" Rush said. "We buried Nava and Aleu is the new alpha. We don’t need go anywhere."

"Our pack was very close to Nava. I will get my brother and we will leave tomorrow." Liberty ordered and explained with dominance in her voice, reminding Rush she was alpha.

Rush sighed and chocked back tears that began to well in his eyes as he remembered Nava. There was no use trying to argue with Liberty. Rush walked to the patrol rock alone and lay down.

The next day the pack, along with Balto, planned to go on the journey. "Ok. We are traveling by glacier. We always have and we always will." Liberty said.

All of the parents grabbed a pup. Latin, Tony, Kain, and Victor needed carriers. Fuze snagged Kain. Silver grabbed Latin. Star grabbed Victor, who squirmed like the devil.

"Get Tony, please Rush." Liberty ordered.

Rush picked up Tony. Tony squirmed but Rush calmed him. Rush walked next to Star, Silver and Balto. "So, Aleu’s your daughter?" Rush asked Balto.

Balto nodded. "Yes, she is. I haven’t seen her in two years. Brooke is my daughter too." he said pointing to a red and white wolf dog. You're carrying my grandson." Balto said and smiled proudly.

"You must be proud." Rush said, "I have no family. Nava was the closest thing I had to a father."

"I’m sorry." Balto said, as they started swimming. The pups squirmed when the water touched them. They got onto the glacier and put the pups down, they scurried to their mothers. Star shook off the icy water on he pelt.

"It’s ok." Rush finished on the glacier. Rush then went over to Star.

She smiled at him. A few days passed and all was calm. Seals kept the pack fed and they broke off chips of ice for water. One day they heard an awful commotion. Little Pele had been pushed by her nasty brother, Victor. She had fallen into the water. She was autistic and didn’t know how to swim. Star dove into the water after the young pup. She swam under the water and snatched the pup.

Star couldn’t keep Pele out of the water and the glacier was floating farther away from them. Rush dove into the water after both of them. He grabbed the pup and swam back to the glacier and set the pup on the ice. Rush turned back to help Star.

Star was scrambling onto the ice. Baleez looked at Rush. "Thank you for saving my daughter." he thanked Rush.

Rush lay down on the glacier and shivered to Baleez, "It was nothing."

Star lay down next to him and fell asleep. 6 days passed and they hit land.

When Rush got on to the land he stretched and yawned then said, "It feels like we were here a week ago."

She laughed at Rush's humor and happily replied. "We were!"

"So do you think Aleu might have had a hard time?" Rush asked Star, "It is her first time leading a wolf pack.”

"Well she was pretty much running it since she joined it. She is ready." Star told Rush.

They followed Liberty and the pack to Aleu’s Pack’s den site where they all had a great reunion. And they mourned for Nava.

*****

2 months later, Starseeker sat on her patrol rock, wishing that she could be with Rush. But, she had to patrol and he had to hunt.

Rush was in the forest hunting. He ran over to the patrol rock with two hares. 

She must be hungry." Rush thought as he appeared in sight of the patrol rock.

Star sat up and wagged her tail happily, when she saw Rush and the two rabbits he carried in his mouth.

When Rush got to the patrol rock he set down the hares and said, "One for you, and one for me. “Thanks." Star said and smiled cheerfully.

 "There’s going to be bright stars tonight." Rush informed Star, "Great for watching too."

Star smiled and said. "Can’t wait."

That night Rush and Star sat on the patrol rock and watched the stars. "Do you think there’s as many wolves are they are stars?"

She laughed at the random question. "Hmmmm.....Well, I don’t know. My father says that when you die you become a star." Star explained.

"Do you think Nava’s up there right now? Looking down on us and watching us?" Rush asked curiously.

She nodded and smiled at Rush with humor shining in her eyes. "I don’t think he is looking at me. He is looking at YOU." Star clarified.

"Do you believe in Aniu too?" Rush murmured to Star.

Star looked at him. "Yes. In fact when Aniu was alive she gave birth to pups. Balto, Cecil and Liberty."

"The reason I’m asking you is," Rush began, "I’ve been having these dreams." He sighed, "I keep on seeing a white wolf and she tells me" Rush paused and thought for a second, "She calls me her ‘son’, but I don’t believe her." Rush spoke softly, "But, my parents died when I was a pup, and I just don’t believe it."

"Do you mean that Aniu is telling you that Liberty may be your SISTER!?" she said, alarmed.

"You see," Rush explained, "That’s why I don’t believe it either. It’s just not right." Rush sighed and continued, "But it may be a different white wolf." Rush asked, "Did Aniu have any sisters?"

She shook her head. "Nobody in Aniu's family was purely white. Just Aniu."

"Did she have a brown brother with a white mate?" Rush asked with worry showing in his eyes.

She looked at him. "She had a few brothers but they never produced a white one." She explained. "Liberty is the only pure white wolf around here."

Rush looked at her unsure then said, "I don’t think it’s possible that Cecil, Liberty, Balto and I are half siblings. It’s unrealistic."

Starseeker felt an icy chill seize her body and before her eyes formed a fine mist. Aniu stood grandly before Rush.

Rush froze and his eyes glazed in astonishment he was speechless as he saw the fine details of Aniu, the white wolf.

Star also froze as Aniu took form. The beautiful ghostly white wolf looked straight at Rush and ignored Star completely, as if she didn't exist.

"My son....." she said and looked at Rush.

Words choked up in Rush’s throat when he tried to speak. His mouth opened but nothing came out. His jaw just dropped and wouldn’t close. Finally, Rush stammered, "H-How?"

"You are a Sky Wolf. You were born in the sky. You descended to Earth." Aniu informed.

Rush’s eyes widened in realization. "That’s why I was found at the peak when Nava found me." He muttered in awe.

Aniu nodded in comfermation.

"Why didn’t anyone come after me?" He asked Aniu.

Aniu was already dissolving into mist, then she was gone.

"Aniu! Please let me go home!" Rush cried to the ghost figure.

Star looked shocked and hurt. Rush wanted to leave her. She turned around and started running off.

Rush realized what he said. He stood there, between two worlds then decided, "It was my destiny to be here." He hesitated then ran off after Star into the woods.

Star slid to a stop and went to hide behind a tree.

Rush followed her until he lost her scent and shouted, "Star!" Rush’s head dropped down and he pouted, "I have always been an outsider. I have always lost everything I had." Rush began to cry, "And I had a chance to get it all back." Rush lay down like a lost pup and began to cry.

Star heard this. She stepped out behind the tree and walked up to him.

Rush’s ears perked up when he heard Star. He opened his eyes and lifted his head to see Star.

She smiled at Rush and forgave him. Rush stood up and said, "Star, I’m sorry. It’s just, I found out that I have a family for the first time ever."

Starseeker nodded. "It is ok."

"We still have stars to watch" Rush reminded Star.She laughed and nodded, helping him up.

Rush walked next to Star as they walked back to the patrol rock. Star sat down beside Rush. Rush sighed as he gazed at the stars, and he knew he was supposed to be up there, but he needed to be down where he was, next to Star. Then, Star licked his cheek softly, to comfort him. Rush’s eyes widened but he looked at Star with love filling his eyes and Rush knew, he was where he needed to be and where he truly wants to be. Star laid her head on her paws and closed her eyes. Rush, also laid down next to her and soon he fell asleep under the stars, by Star's side.

They fell asleep eventually. Rush woke up the next morning next to Star. He heard something in the bushes and quietly got up and walked into the bushes. The bushes shook and soon Rush popped out with two birds.

Star woke up, stood and thanked him. Then she went back home. Rush stayed behind at the patrol rock. He was looking around when he saw a dark and unfamiliar wolf. The wolf dashed off, but Rush let out a howl of alarm and ran after the stranger. It didn’t take long for Rush to chase after the wolf. Star heard his howl and turned around. She darted off after Rush.

Rush grabbed the trespasser’s tail but he stopped in his tracks when he saw how many wolves were surrounding him and the dark wolf. Rush let go of the wolf's tail. Star ran up beside Rush and gasped in horror. Rush stared at about 20 wolves but whispered to Star, "Star, you need to get the pack." He sighed, "I will buy you some time. I don’t want to see you get hurt in this battle." Rush felt tears swell in his eyes, "You have to get Liberty."

She nodded. It was their only hope. She ran hard and fast to get to the pack.A wolf leapt at Star but Rush darted into it and bit into it. The whole pack joined in. Rush clawed and bit furiously trying to buy as much time as he could for Star.

"HELP! HELP!" Star screamed and the whole pack followed her. She ran as fast as she could to the spot.

Rush was losing badly. When he saw the Nome pack coming he took his eyes off his opponent, and a wolf grabbed him and threw him against a rock. Everything went black for Rush. The last thing he thought he heard was Star scream.

A huge wolf had Star by the shoulder and was shaking her. Her father slammed into the wolf. Star was free and she ran over to Rush. She grabbed him and began pulling him behind a tree. "RUSH! RUSH!" She screamed. She frantically licked him on his face. "RUSH!!" She screamed again and started crying.

Rush came back to himself and woke up to see Star, "You seem to forget that Sky Wolves can’t die." He muttered to her. Rush groaned and smiled and Star's beautiful face.

She let out a sharp cry. "I thought I lost you!" Star said, the tears still streaming down her face. Rush smiled at her. A blood curdling scream took it away when he turned his head to see, Fuze fall to the ground. Rush felt anger rush through him. Rush stood up and tackled a large wolf who almost bit Fuze in the neck. Rush tumbled to the ground. The huge wolf turned his attention to Rush, who was weaker and more vulnerable. Rush desperately tried to get out of the wolf’s way but his legs would not move.

Star shoved Rush out of the way and delivered a horrific bite to the leg and a crunch was heard. She let out a cry of pain. 

"Star!" Rush screamed, Rush finally found the strength to get up and dashed over to Star, who was bleeding. Anger rose inside Rush and he sprinted over to the large wolf and bit down on the wolf’s neck hard until he heard a crunch and blood started to fall out of the wolf. The wolf fell to the ground. All of the enemy wolves looked at Rush, in fear.

Star let out another cry. She flopped her head to the ground, and moaned in agony.

Rush limped over to Star and whispered in her ear, "Star, stay with me." Rush prayed to Aniu, that Star would stay here.

Star gasped again. Then she looked at Rush. "I.....I....I’m ok." She managed.

The enemy pack ran off and Rush limped over to Star. He lay down next to her, tired and blood stained.

She whimpered as another pain shot through her leg. Rush’s head shot up like a rocket to see what happened. He looked at Star who, looked at him and smiled with hope in her eyes.

Rush looked at her bleeding leg and asked, "Can you move it?" Star yelped and shook her head in pain. Rush couldn’t help but look away at Star’s leg. It was very bad and Rush needed help getting her on his back if they could get back to the den site. Rush looked around then called to Silver, "Hey Silver! Could you help me out?"

Silver whipped around. She was limping heavily. "What is it?" she mumbled.

"Do you think you can help me get Star on my back?" Rush asked.

Silver nodded and helped. Soon Star was riding on Rush’s back and then went back home with the pack. Star was half-conscious when they arrived.

When they got back, Rush walked into Star’s den and set her down. Rush almost collapsed himself on the way back. He was walking out when, Fuze walked up. "Thanks for helping my daughter." Fuze said and smiled at Rush.

Rush was sore and tired but replied, "I would do it anytime." Rush looked over to Star. She looked so weak and fragile. Rush managed after the scarring sight, "Do you think she’ll make it?"

Fuze nodded and continued, "Just a broken leg. I’ll have to re-break it and she’ll be fine."

Rush’s eyes widened, "Break it AGAIN?! Hasn’t she suffered enough?" Rush was shocked that Star’s own father would break her leg again.

Fuze was surprised at Rush's reaction. "I have to. Or she will be bow-legged forever." Fuze explained.

Rush thought for a moment and said, "I guess it for the best." Rush sighed when he looked at Star then offered, "Are you ok with doing it? I could do it if you wanted."

Fuze shook his head. "My daughter. I can do it.

Rush stumbled out of the den and headed to his den, below the patrol rock where he could see the stars. He stumbled into a fern bed inside the den and fell asleep.

A shrill shriek rose into the night as Fuze re-broke Star’s leg. Rush heard the painful yelp but he was too weak to move. He forced himself asleep even though he was too scared to sleep peacefully.

The pack woke early in the morning after the fight. Everyone was hurt and unhappy about waking up sore.

Rush opened his eyes at dawn. He climbed up to the patrol rock and gazed at the stars to see them disappear and for the sun replace the stars. It wasn’t long until Star joined him. Rush looked at her, and asked, "How are you feeling?"

"Sore." she said and sighed. "I make my decision on mate tomorrow." She reminded.

Rush sighed and asked, "Hungry?" Before Star could answer there was a rustle in the bushes. Rush leapt in and caught three voles. She nodded and grabbed one, wolfing it down.

Rush also wolfed down a vole and they were left with one."You have it." Rush nudged it over to Star. She ate it and they went off on to their duties for the day. The day passed by quickly and soon it was night and they were in their dens sleeping.

The next night Star and Rush were watching the stars with a full moon over their heads, shining a ribbon of silver light over the world.

Star looked into Rush’s eyes and said "I’ve made my decision about my mate."

Rush looked into Star‘s shining eyes. It was pure love for him and he was hoping Star felt the same way.

"You." she whispered and nuzzled him.

Rush smiled at her and nuzzled her also. He was home for sure, and nothing would change his mind.

* - * - * - * 

Put together by Somes (me)

Edited by HayleyWolf and Somes (Me)

Serenity (c) -alpha midnight-

Aniu, Balto, Nava and Aleu (c) Universal

Rush (c) Me

All other characters (c) HayleyWolf