Basil stretched out lazily, tongue lolling out of his mouth. He didn't feel like doing much today, after his hunting session yesterday. He was tired, and more than a little sleep-deprived. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he achnowledged that he had duties to attend to, but he didn't care.

~ 

Zane sat alone in the small cave he'd found long ago, when he was just older than a pup, staring blankly at the hills of snow that had taken over the once-green forest. It was depressing; everything was cold and frozen, Winter's tight grip on Pack life unweilding.

~ 

Sheathe sat on his favourite rock, this time making sure to clear it of snow first before laying down. It was still cold, but this time he could feel his paws. Again, he yawned, thinking idly of whether to get up and hunt or not. Nothing seemed to be awake today.

~

~ 

Primrose's panicked howl tore through the quiet camp. She raced from the nursery, eyes wide and fearful. "Darcy's missing!" she barked, ears perked, as if she could hear where her midding pup was. "She's not in camp!" It was true; the little wolf had left, or been kidnapped, the falling snow covering her trail and hiding her scent.

~ 

Quicksilver rose, padding out of her den with grave eyes. "This is not good," she murmured, shaking her head. "Not good at all." 

~

Mocha gazed blankly out of her den, mind still buzzing over Lukas' kindness towards her yesterday. She couldn't make sense of it, and she didn't want to move an inch from her spot until she figured it out. Even when Primrose howled, she didn't budge.

~ 

Jem padded back into camp, two squirrels dangling from his jaws. He wasn't sure what the fuss was about, and didn't figure it out until Primrose started to wail about her pup being gone. "I didn't see her while I was out," he said, obviously not helping, as he dropped his prey.

~

Meanwhile:

Darcy hopped again, letting out a little squeak as she landed chin-deep in a snow drift. She'd made it nearly halfway to the river so far since she left at nearly midnight, though she was freezing and couldn't feel her paws. "I'll find some food!" she said determinedly.

Primrose sniffed. "Alright, alright. But it's so cold out there... she could have frozen to death already..."

__

"I'm going," Quicksilver said. Rather than being offended at Dagger for ordering her around, she was relieved; it was nice to have someone else to lead.

__

Mocha finally rose, padding into the clearing with an impas sive look on her face. If she had gone with the crew, she wouldn't have been able to sneak off and meet with Dhark again. Though, she doubted she would be able to leave without Lenai or Kuro saying something.

__

Darcy was confused. Why was the water not moving? She peered at the solid block of ice that used to be the stream that divided Ice Pack and Rain Pack territory. Something grey ran by, and excited to see a squirrel, Darcy lunged forwards, landing on the thin ice.

It started to crack, then, and forgetting about her squirrel, Darcy let out a scared yelp.

{ if only Dhark or Mocha were there to help. ô^ô } 

__

Sheathe only chuckled. "Why would I be sulking? I never lost anything at all; you're the loser." He yawned, yet again, wondering why he was so tired. "When do you think the snow will melt, Jua? I'm ready for spring right now."

"I think your delusional," Sheathe shot back, looking upwards. "Mmm. Sunlight. Finally; I though that it would never stop snowing."

__

The ice gave way beneath her, entire back end going under while she clung on madly to whatever ice remained with her front paws. Her claws slid across the surface of the ice, making her slide further into the water, drenching her more. "Help!" she cried out, thinking she saw another wolf not far away. "Help!" Her paws were numb from walking through snow all day, her grip slackening with each pas sing moment. 

______

Mocha glanced sidesways at Lenai. She considered asking her if she wanted to come with her to see Dhark, but knew the she-wolf had more respect for the rules than that. "Would you cover me if I left?" she asked, cocking her head to one side. "I'll only be gone a little while; long enough for you to have a turn to go hunting for a little bit when I come back. You could call it... taking shifts." She felt oddly desperate, fearing the worst; that they would see Dhark waiting for her at the stream, and blame him for Darcy's disappearance.

__

Primrose, Jem, and Quicksilver followed Dagger, eyes peeled, ears perked. The only thing they were afraid of more than not finding Darcy, was finding her frozen to death or murdered at the paws of another wolf.

"You're crazy!" Sheathe laughed, cuffing her playfully. 

__

Darcy was shaking, wet fur clinging to her body. Her breath swirled in the air in front of her. "S-so cold!" she whined, pressing herself against Dark's front legs. 

__

Mocha, without saying thank you, ran out of camp. She pelted through the forest at top speed, and as she broke through the trees to approach the river she spotted Dhark. And... his pup? The little black wolf was soaking wet, and smelled nothing like Rain Pack. She neared, coming as close to the stream as she dared, realizing with a jolt it was Darcy. 

"You found her?" 

Sheathe pushed her with his shoulder, smirking. "Yeah, well, you're weak!"

__

Mocha tried not to look shocked or guilty. "I-I came here to fish," she lied, dropping her eyes to stare at Darcy. She was pressing herself against Dhark's legs again. "And I saw Darcy fall in the water, because the ice broke, but I couldn't get to her fast enough. Dha- this wolf got her before I did."

"Yeah, well you're getting fat!" Sheathe retorted, poking her in the ribs with one paw.

__

Mocha looked at Dhark sadly. She mouthed 'at mignight, then?' at him, leaping after Dagger. With only one glance backwards, she realized with a pang how much trouble she was probably in. She had been given a direct order, from the Delta, and had ignored it.

Darcy hung limp in Dagger's jaws, little eyes pinched shut. Occasionally, when she bumped against his legs or the ground she let out a little whimper, but other than that she was quiet.