The snow fell heavily,creating a bitter white blanket spread out on the ground.It was the middle of winter,when the weather was harshest and all the creatures of the forest struggled for survival,many failing.A young she-wolf,with fur pure silver,with white and black markings made her way through the snow,knowing a blizzard was coming.In her mouth,she carried a tiny pup,the same shade of silver and white only with dark grey markings.The pup looked only about a week old,if not younger.She hadn't even opened her eyes yet.

The she-wolf heaved a sigh and quickly plopped the puppy down underneath a bare tree,where the snow wasn't as thick,but piling up as the blizzard started getting stronger.The she-wolf glared down at the pup who she no longer wanted to care for."Good riddance."She muttered heartlessly  and turned around,stalking off through the snow,not giving the helpless pup a second glance.

 Time passed,and the pup just got weaker and weaker,her life slipping away more every second.Suddenly,a figure spotted  the tiny dot in the snow.She came up to investigate further and found the silver dot half buried in snow,shivering like crazy.The wolf's odd eye's softened,and she picked the tiny bundle of fluff up by her scruff and carried her through the blizzard,to her warm den.There was another pup in there,a light black one with odd markings,much  older.She raised her head and looked at the small bundle that the other wolf had brought inside.

"Iris,who's that?"the pup asked,crawling over.

Iris looked over."Shialah,sweetie,don't be too loud.This pups only a newborn.I found her almost buried in the snow.It looks as if she was abandoned."

Shialah's eye's popped open."But she's only tiny!Why would someone abandon her like that?In a blizzard?!"She asked,raising her voice.

Iris shook her head."Shhh,I don't know.Just don't know.But I think I'll have to look after her aswell as you.You gotta help me out,kay?"She said,looking back to Shialah.

Shialah smiled."I will,I will Iris,I promise."

Iris smiled warmly at her."Good.Now get some rest.It's late."

Shialah nodded and lay down."Wait..Iris?What are you gonna name her?"

Iris looked down at the pup again."She will grow to be very beautiful,I can tell.A pretty name..how about ..Chrysanthemum? Thats a pretty flower."She murmured.

Shialah nodded."Thats a pretty name,but long too.Should we call her Cry's for short?"

Iris nodded and tucked the pup in between her paws and lay her head down on top of her for warmth."Crys..perfect."

-----------Several month's later-----------

 "Crys!Crys!Don't go too near the river!Same for you Shialah!"Iris called,keeping an eye on the two pups,but finding it difficult.

 "Yeah,yeah,keep you're fur on Iris!"Shialah called back,rolling her eyes.

Crys giggled and twitched her nose as a butterfly flew past her head.She watched it curiously before grinning and beginning to stalk it.

Iris sighed and lay down on a rock,watching them.Chrysanthemum was growing into a fine wolf,and Iris knew she would be a good hunter and fighter one day.Yet she was still young,and Iris was having difficulty looking after Shialah AND Crys as they both were completely different ages,and she had to teach Shialah something new,and keep Crys out of trouble.Iris sighed deeply again,knowing it wasn't going to work out.Disaster would eventually strike and she would either lose Crys or Shialah.

"Oh,what am I going to do...?"Iris murmured to herself,then looking back to the pups frolicking in the shallow part of the river.

 She knew this was a pointless question,knowing exactly what she had to do,but reluctant to-Give Crys away.She just had to work out who though.It would have to be someone she knew,and trusted.She went over a list of names in her head of the wolves that she knew,but none particularly stood out to her.She sighed and rolled onto her back,closing her eyes,still thinking of some wolves she knew.The list went on and on until finally,the image of a certain wolf came to Iris's mind,making her eyes re-open instantly and her head shot up."Of course!Why didn't I think of her before?!"

 Iris sprang to her paws and jumped down from the rock,then looking over to Crys and Shialah.She frowned.How was she going to tell them Crys was going to leave?But...she knew they would be allowed to visit.She took a deep breath and slowly padded over to the river where Shialah and Crys were flailing around. Crys turned her head and giggled when she saw Iris approach.Both of the pups splashed out of the water and shook themselves off,and then ran over to Iris,halting at her paws,looking up expectantly at her.

Iris took another breath."Crys.Shialah.I need to tell you something.I'm finding it difficult to care for you both.So,I'm giving Crys to someone I know and trust will look after her well."She said,then looked down to the pups who were looking at eachother with confused expressions. 

"But who's going to take her?I don't want her to leave!"Shialah whined.Crys looked up to Iris."You don't want me here?"She asked.

Iris shook her head fiercly."I do Crys but I can't look after you both.I'm taking you to someone who I KNOW will be able to care for you properly.I'm sure she'll let me and Shialah visit.You don't know her but I do.She's very nice and I'm sure you'll like her Crys."

Crys looked up."Okay...When do I have to go?"

Iris sighed."She's hard to get a hold of.So we have to go now,before she disappears at a random time again."She murmured.

Crys' eyes saddened as she looked at Shialah,who no doubt looked like she was a mixture of hurt,angry,disappointed and upset.

Iris sighed."Well?Come on,we have to get going."She got to her paws and turned around,signalling for the pups to follow.Shialah followed,her ears flat.Crys followed the slowest,staring at the ground.

------------

A young she-wolf with a sandy tan coloured pelt lay on her stomach on a large rock,sunning herself.She had light black ears,legs and tail with a light black mask on her face.She sighed happily,laying where she was with a small smile on her face.She was just dozing off when she heard footsteps coming her way.She opened one lazy blue eye to look around and see Iris coming towards her.She opened her other eye and rolled them,then getting up and stretching,with a yawn.She sniffed,then jumped down from the rock,landing on the ground with a tiny thud.

Iris whispered something to the pups,making them sit down and stay.She sighed and padded straight up to the wolf."Hello Kat."She greeted,flicking her ear.

Kat raised a brow."Ello Iris.Next time you wanna speak to me,try not to get me when I'm taking a nap."She muttered."Now.What d'ya want?"She asked,scratching the back of her ear.

Iris took a breath."Kat...I need to ask a favour from you."

Kat narrowed her eyes."Go on."

Iris told her everything from the beginning,since she found the pup,to the situation she was in now.Kat listened with an unreadable expression,not interrupting.

When Iris finally finished,Kat was silent for a moment before asking,"So,what do you want me to do about it?"

Iris hesitated."...Could you...look after her for me?I know it's asking alot but Crys really needs someone to look after her."Her voice was pleading.

Kat raised an eyebrow."Crys?"

"Oh.That's her name.Her real name is Chrysanthemum but we call her Crys for short."Iris replied.

Kat sighed."Iris,I'm not sure if I can.I mean...for one I've never looked after a pup before.Apart from Sandi but she's my sister,it's different.And I have the pack to help me with her.I'm not sure they would be so supportive of Crys.I would have to spend time away just to look after her.And what would they think of that?"She fretted.

Iris twitched her ear."Kat,I don't have any other options.You're the only one I know who I'm certain who will care for her properly.You are the pack babysitter for a reason you know."

 Kat shook her head."I know,I know but...what about Sandi?"

Iris raised a brow."She could stay in the pack.But if you wanted she could come with you and Crys sometimes.Make her promise not to tell anyone else."

Kat sighed deeply."I'm still not sure about this."She murmured.

Iris hesitated before turning her head to look at Crys and Shialah."Crys,come over here."She called.Crys twitched her ear nervously and padded slowly up to Iris' side,looking up to Kat with big blue eyes.

Kat raised a brow at Crys,staring at her for a long moment."Well.She's certainly somethin'."

Iris chuckled."She's a cutie,eh?She's pretty curious about things aswell,and very playful."

Kat sighed and stared off into the distance.She was silent for a long moment."So,I s'pose you'll wanna visit,eh?"

Iris looked hopeful."Does that mean you'll look after her?!"

Kat glared at her for a moment but then her gaze softened and she nodded slowly.

Iris smiled."Thank you Kat,I appreciate it."

Kat rolled her eyes."Think nothing of it."She sighed and looked into the pups eyes.She seemed somewhat nervous of her.Kat's expression turned soft as she lowered her head down to the tiny pup."Don't worry,I won't hurt you sweetie."

Crys smiled a little more and took a small step towards Kat and pressed her little brown nose to hers."Hi."She giggled.

Iris smiled and watched."Well,I'll be off now."She looked down to Crys."Don't worry,Shialah and I will come and visit.That's a promise"She smiled warmly at the pup then turned back to Shialah and began to walk away."Goodbye Kat."

---------2 months later---------

Kat sighed as she opened her eyes,a dip light shining through in her den.She sat upright and looked around to see Crys curled up next to her as usual.She had taken a shine to the young pup,and now felt extremely protective of her,like she was her own pup.It felt that way sometimes.Crys had taken well to her new home and enjoyed being around Sandi.Crys was still slightly younger than Sandi,but Sandi never noticed.Crys was getting bigger and bigger though.'She's a fast learner too.'Kat thought to herself.She smiled as she remembered teaching Crys a few of her tricks in fighting and Sandi decided to 'help'.She chuckled lightly and got to her paws.Crys stirred a bit and slowly opened her eyes.

"K-Kat?"she asked drowsily.

Kat smiled down at her."Rise and shine,sleeping-beauty."She laughed.

Crys giggled and got to her paws."So what are we gonna do today?!"She asked eagerly. 

Kat thought of that for a moment."Well,Sandi's not coming today,she said she wanted to spend some time with Chala so why don't I teach you how to fish?"

Crys let out a squealing noise."Ooooh,Let's go,let's go, LET'S GO!!"she yipped and zoomed out of the den waiting at the entrance.

Kat laughed and shook off once then darted after her.

The two padded through the forest,making their way towards the river.The sun was shining and the heat made Kat pant slightly.She shook her head and watched as Crys stalked a butterfly.She smiled warmly,and raised her head to sniff the air.Suddenly her face turned grim.She whirled around and growled,staring at something unseen in the bushes.Crys let the butterfly go and ran over to Kat,startled by the growl."

What is it?Whats wrong?!"She yipped.

Kat stared down at her."Crys,get out of here.Run.Go.Now."

"Wh-what?Where?"She asked,fear in her voice.There was a rustle in the bushes.Kat's fur bristled,and she crouched in  defensive position."Anywhere!"Her voice was growing frantic as the rustling grew louder.Suddenly there was a clicking noise."CRYS,RUN!"Kat yelled and lunged herself at the human who had just emerged from the bushes,aiming his gun at Kat.Kat snarled and threw herself at him.Crys crouched down and froze,her eyes wide with fear.

Kat let out a snarl as the man dodged her and aimed his gun again at her but Kat slipped away just in time when he fired.She snarled again and lunged at him again,this time making him topple over.The hunter clung to the gun and crawled away from Kat and back into the bushes.Kat didn't let her fur lie flat;she sensed that it wasn't over,not just yet.

The hunter tiptoed around the bushes then aimed his gun for Kat again,seeing she was distracted.But then a tiny silver dot caught his eye,and he spotted Crys,crouched in the same position,too shocked to move.He grinned and aimed his gun at her instead.He cocked his rifle,making it click.That made Kat's head whirl round.She spun herself around and ran.There was a loud bang.A scream.

Kat halted as the hunter came out and Crys fell to the floor.Blood poured out of her side;Her breathing was shallow.Kat choked as a tear rolled down the side of her face."N-no.Crys..."She whimpered.The hunter took a step forward as if to go and pick up Crys but Kat let out a ferocious snarl and lunged for him,taking him off guard.She latched her teeth onto him,making him yell in pain and dropped his gun.Kat let go of him momentarily to go over to the gun and jump onto it,smashing it.Then she turned back to him and looked prepared to pounce,but the man scrambled back onto his feet and ran off.

Kat let him go.She knew he wasn't coming back.She turned back over to see Crys,her side covered in blood,and her sides heaving.She padded slowly over to her and lay down next to her,curling her paws around her.Tears rolled down her cheeks as she saw the state she was in."Oh Crys,I'm so sorry.So,so sorry...It was all my fault.I'm sorry."She murmured,choking on her words as her voice broke and the tears came faster.

Crys moved her eyes to her,too weak to move her head.Her usually bright blue eyes were now dull.Her breathing was becoming shallower and shallower."I love you.Mother."She said,barely more than a whisper.Finally her eyes closed,and she drew in one last breath before her breathing finally ceased.