The heat of the day was offset by the shadows cast from the treetops high above and the light breeze blowing through the forest. The group had been walking for some time now, going at a steady pace and admiring the sights all around them. Kit was in a better mood, his sadness from being so far away from home had eased as he focused on the various things around him. They stopped to collect some fragrant berries that he hadn’t seen before but Perch assured him and the others that they were delicious. And he was right, it was hard to be in a bad mood when there was a supply of snacks that were perfectly bitter yet sweet.

The path ahead of them was simple, just not clearly laid out. The path created by years and years of walking back and forth only got them so far as they got all the closer to the hills. The thick green growth that had been enclosing them so far was easing up now, thinning out and leaving them behind when they reached the end of the dense, dark woodlands. Ahead of them was a much lesser amount of trees, allowing them to spread out some and see what was ahead. The hill was closer than ever and the breeze was hitting them head on, bringing some relief from the sun’s heat coming down from high above. 

A simple obstacle ahead of them was a stream that couldn’t be walked around but the water wasn’t too deep and the current was gentle, allowing them to simply wade through. They went one by one, Perch offering to carry Vozz across and the raccoon agreed. 

”Can you carry me?” Bowie asked. He was tall enough to walk through the water as well but to him being carried across looked a lot more fun. Kit smiled and agreed, letting the fox attach himself and together they started crossing the stream. With his sandals in hand, Kit stepped into the cool water and hummed from the soft earth of the riverbed that cushioned his paw pads. Waiting for him on the other side were Perch and Vozz. Crossing over as well at the same time were Largo and Boreas, passing through without hesitations. 

”How about we stop here for a bit?” Perch suggested. They had been walking since the morning and it was just past afternoon. Just looking around, Kit could see why. The land was more open on this side, there were more berry bushes and as he settled down beside the stream Kit noticed that there were fish swimming through. He leaned over the water somewhat, focusing his gaze and diving his paw in, swiping a live fish from the water. 

”Whoa, cool!” Bowie exclaimed. 

”Impressive indeed,” Perch commented. 

”Where’d you learn to do that?” the fox asked, his eyes were bright and his tail was flicking about while he looked up at the kodiak bear. 

”It’s just something that Moss taught me. He’s one of my mates back home,” Kit said, smiling fondly from just saying the black bear’s name. 

”Funny. Moss wasn’t that good of a fisher last I remember,” Perch commented as he walked up and knelt beside the stream. He just looked at the flowing water for a few seconds before plunging his paw in and snatching a flailing fish out. He smiled and tossed it where Kit’s fish was. 

Bowie was just staring with his mouth open from watching the bears yanking fish from the stream. From his perspective they were all just sudden movements. He couldn’t even see the fish swimming about. From his perspective the pair were just nabbing the prey from out of nowhere. 

”W-wait, you have more than one mate?” Bowie then asked, recalling what Kit had said earlier. 

”Yes, I do. Moss and Dusty. Dusty was the one who had taken me in and we just sort of connected. And it turned out that he already had a mate, Moss. Moss made it seem like he didn’t like me but looking back it’s pretty obvious that he was just trying to figure me out. Maybe he was worried about Dusty at first but after spending some time together we connected too.” 

”So it's three of you, all at the same time?” Bowie asked. 

”Yup,” Kit said with a small smile. “We share a dwelling and everything else with each other. Is that a strange thing?” 

”Not strange per say, but it's not as common in the other tribes. In fact us bears have a reputation of being the most…open species in the forest,” Perch said with enthusiasm. 

”Even before I met you guys I heard stuff about the bear tribe. How some even walk around naked all day. Sounded weird at first but it must be hard to make a lot of clothes to fit you guys,” Bowie said with a snicker. 

”If I recall it has something to do with our roots. The bears were the first tribe formed of different groups. Sure, we are all bears but long, long ago the various bear species were all separate smaller groups. Grizzlies, pandas, polars, all coming together meant the sharing of cultures and customs. For us bears, being without clothing is a way to be closer to nature, emulating our feral cousins in a sense,” Perch said as he continued fishing. 

”Wow, Perch, you sure know a lot,” Kit said as he got another fish. 

”It’s not hidden knowledge. Then again you didn’t grow up in the tribe, Kit. That means you have a lot of history to catch up on but that will have to wait for another time,” Perch said, getting another fish then rising to his feet. “I think we have enough now. I can start a fire unless any of you prefer them raw.” 

They spent the rest of their break eating freshly cooked fish and more sweet, juicy berries. Kit was glad to have a rest and while settling down he continued talking to Bowie. The excitable fox just seemed all too curious about bears. All of the questions thrown his way were answered. Kit didn’t mind as answering them made him feel all the closer to home. 

“Are we any closer to the hill?” Bowie then asked Perch. 

“We are but I should admit that ‘hill’ isn’t the proper term for what we're going to be on top of. The better term would be plateau. It just appears to be a hill from where we are. But you’ll see when we get to the top,” the brown bear said. His welling excitement could be heard with every word he spoke. 

After their rest they were all back on the trek, their sights not just on the hills but the top of one as Perch revealed. “The climb will be a trial in itself.” Feeling reinvigorated, Kit and Bowie were ready to take it on. Vozz and Boreas remained quiet but in different ways. The raccoon was always looking around, taking in the sights and surroundings. Kit could imagine that it was all very different compared to the underground communities he came from. Boreas was always just a bit behind, not looking any particular way. It was hard for him to tell how the other bear was feeling and Kit found it best to just not say anything. 

They came upon the hill itself and from there it was a straightforward looking trek to the top. Though a long way up Kit was feeling anticipation welling up with him. He and the others took it head on, starting at the bottom that was posing no real challenge for them at all. But that didn’t last as they were ascending. The farther they got from their starting point, the steepeness increased as they climbed. Doing so on foot also posed its own challenges. The path to the top was trickier than what the kodiak bear was expecting. It wasn’t just smooth grass and dirt. There were also some surprisingly jagged rocks and tangling roots that would occasionally snag someone’s foot, threatening to trip them and send them tumbling down. 

But none of them were deterred, pressing on with their resolve unwavering. It just grew all the steeper, testing their physical prowess in various ways. They hadn’t been climbing for long and Kit was feeling his legs ache somewhat. Now that they were on the hill Kit was really getting a sense for how big it was and how much farther they had to go. But he also knew that the summit would be reached if he and the others just kept at it. Loose rocks tumbled underneath his feet, making him stumble a bit and thorny bushes were snagging to his clothes. Kit pushed through it all even as he felt the weight of his things increasing. 

Kit, being the second biggest in the group, was having the most trouble when it came to getting his footing, slipping and stumbling from time to time when the terrain got uneven. Perch was offering words of encouragement, reminding the kodiak bear that it was best to take things slow if he needed to. 

Boreas seemed to have very little trouble making his way up the hill. It caused him to rush somewhat, going from the back to the third in the line. He stopped paying as much attention to the things around him as they had yet to get in his way. Then he tripped over a loose rounded stone and fell. Falling onto his slide he groaned and slid a few feet over the grass. He grunted and gritted his teeth. Perch told Boreas to wait while they descended to help him but the panda defiantly dug his claws into the earth and began to heave his way up. Everyone else watched as Boreas literally clawed his way back up, Largo extending a hand that the panda took to get himself back onto his feet. 

A bit of time was given so they could all wind down before things picked up again. Now back on the trek, Bowie was making observations about how high up they already were. Boreas grunted, not needing to be reminded of that but the others did take notice of how far along they had gotten, along with a different perspective that came from being this high up, seeing the tops of trees in the distance. The fox, though not as big and strong as the bears, found he could lighten the mood by pointing out their progress and by making some small conversation to pass the time. 

Vozz, being the smallest in the group, was faring the best among the bunch, he was afforded more room to move about and wasn’t as tripped up by the various obstacles. Even with the incline becoming steeper and his things feeling heavier, the raccoon was showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon. He didn’t draw attention to himself either but his faring so well was noticed and the others were inspired to keep going. 

More climbing and pushing finally got them to the top of the hill. They were finally on the top of the plateau. Everyone was able to finally relax and were greeted by the breathtaking view of the environment that was at the top of the plateau, a smaller forest environment with its own flowing stream further ahead. They couldn’t have seen all of this from where they had started. Looking in the opposite direction and downwards from the edge of the plateau, the group were able to see how far they had come, feeling like giants as the tops of trees and the stream they had waded through looked so far away and smaller. With the time afforded to relax, everyone was also able to soak in the sense of accomplishment. 

After sightseeing they ventured a bit farther, finding a spot just in front of the forest and near the stream, settling down there with the intent to make camp. At this point in the day it was nearly sunset. 

“I think it's about time we set up for a meal. We can get more fish from the stream. But we’ll also need some firewood,” Perch said. 

“We can gather some,” Bowie said, volunteering himself as Kit too. This wasn’t expected at all but Kit still went along with it, nodding and smiling, much to Perch’s visible delight. 

“We won’t be gone long,” Kit added as they walked away together. They ventured into the wooded area. It wasn’t as nearly as dense as the forest they all hailed from but that just made it easier for them to find wood scattered here and there. The deep orange light of the setting sun created a serene atmosphere. 

“I can’t believe we’re so far away from home,” Bowie said, breaking the quiet between them. “It feels strange to be so far out here. And knowing that we’ll be out here for a while.” 

Kit nodded and picked up another piece of wood, carrying more and thicker portions of wood than the fox was. “I know what you mean. But hey, look at the bright side! It’s a chance to experience something new. Not just about this place but about ourselves.” 

Bowie smiled. “You’re right. I just kinda miss home already, you know?” 

As they continued collecting firewood, Kit started to share stories of some things he had experienced back in his home tribe. Getting used to the bears and how he got used to wielding the bow. Bowie listened intently, his smile that at first seemed forced became genuine. 

By the time they returned to the campsite with their arms full of firewood and Bowie was in high spirits once more. The bear and fox came back to fish that had been caught by Perch and Largo. There were also a few fruits that made Kit just as excited. Perch was very impressed with the amount of wood they had brought back, expressing that they brought back enough for the next few days. Kit and Bowie didn’t notice. They had just picked up wood that looked suitable for a fire as they walked and talked. 

As the fish was being cooked Boreas and Vozz trudged back to camp with more fruits in hand. They walked side by side but didn’t acknowledge each other, being oddly synchronized and yet they both seemed lost in their own thoughts. The tension between the two was palpable, making everyone get a bit quiet as the panda and raccoon put the newly obtained fruits among those that were gathered before. 

Of course they wanted to say something about it but no one did, leaving the questions hanging in the air. Ignoring the unspoken tension as best they could, the group proceeded to eat their fill and then they went about setting up the tents that Perch had gotten for them. It kept them busy and that tense feeling faded as they all got lost in their respective tasks at hand. Boreas and Vozz found themselves working together again to set up the raccoon’s tent. They both moved with precision and efficiency, devoid of any camaraderie. It was as if an invisible wall had sprung up between them. 

As night fell and the campfire dulled, one by one the members of the group retired to their tents. Vozz and Bowie’s were smaller while the bears had obviously bigger ones. Kit didn’t fall asleep right away, feeling both nervous and excited about the journey that lay ahead of him. But if it meant being in full control and getting back to his friends and mates, he was going to get through it. 



The sleeping kodiak, panda, fox, and raccoon had been sleeping peacefully until a series of loud bangs all wrenched them from their slumbers, making them jump and exclaim. They all looked outside of their tents to find Perch smiling, having a spoon in one hand and an empty upside down pot in the other. “Rise and shine!” the brown bear barked. “Today we’ll be learning about hunger!” 

Confused and groggy, each of those needing to learn stumbled from their tents and followed Perch to a clearing outside of the recently made camp. In the center of this clearing was something that was covered by a sheet. Largo was already there waiting and the students were made to gather around the covered thing before the sheet was lifted up. Inside of the cage was a flurry white feral bunny that was innocently looking about. 

“You are to resist the urge to harm this bunny, no matter how hungry you are or how tempting it may be. I expect none of you took your elixirs and from now on the potency will be lower from now on,” Perch said firmly. 

Without breakfast and without the elixirs that dulled their senses enough to keep them in control of themselves, the two bears, fox, and raccoon realized that the first trial had begun. For all of them it seemed simple enough to not harm the creature at first. Bowie was the first to feel his stomach growl and he groaned from the strength of his hunger, as if he hadn’t eaten in days. Then Vozz, looking firm and controlled at the start, began pacing back and forth, clearly struggling to contain himself as well. 

Kit and Boreas were sitting side by side, sharing a determined glance at each other. What felt like hours passed and it became evident that Kit wasn’t faring as well as Boreas. Though he was maintaining a calm exterior, his internal struggle was reaching its breaking point. The kodiak didn’t just see a small bunny looking at the various tribal creatures. He also saw a means of filling his empty stomach. Sniffing filled his nose with the lagomorph’s delectable scent, making his mouth water immediately. 

Boreas noticed the beads of sweat forming on the other bear’s brow but continued to focus on himself, keeping his instincts at bay even though every fiber of his being was telling him to just rip that cage open and nab that bunny already. He and the others had to stay near the cage and could only look away for a limited amount of time. Perch and Largo were making sure of that. So far everyone was successfully holding themselves back and they only had a bit of time left to go. 

Unable to stand the gnawing hunger any longer, it was Kit who caved and lunged towards the cage with the intent to grab the bunny. But Boreas was quicker. In a swift motion, the panda tackled him to the ground, restraining Kit with his strength, preventing him from getting to the creature. Kit blinked and looked around some time later. He was back in the camp and sitting against a tree. Perch was looking over him and then it started to make sense when he saw the brown bear holding a bottle of elixir. 

“Did I fail the test?” Kit asked, not even looking up at the other bear. 

“Yes, but that is okay, Kit. The true test lies in how you will eventually rise above those primal feelings,” Perch said. Kit hung his head but the brown bear placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. As the group was having a much needed meal Perch released the bunny from the cage completely unharmed. 

They all at first sat in silence, completely focused on their long-awaited meal. It was about noon now and each were all too happy to fill their rumbling stomachs. Sitting in the shade and on top of a big fall long, they were all savoring the hearty stew and fruits that had been laid out for them. 

Bowie, with a grateful smile on his muzzle, took a moment to express his gratitude. “I can’t remember the last time I had a stew this delicious.” 

Vozz simply nodded in agreement as he continued to eat in silence. His focus was solely on his food, the flavors captivating his attention more than anything else around him. 

“It’s all made by hand,” Perch said with pride. “It warms my heart to hear you're enjoying it.” 

Boreas raised an eyebrow after finishing another bite, his gaze shifting over to Kit. “I gotta admit, I’m surprised that Kit was the one to crumble. I never would have thought it would be him.” 

Kit felt a pang and lowered his gaze at the mention of his failure. He had already been eating the slowest and the least among the bunch, mostly pushing his food around with his spoon. The kodiak bear was also the last to finish his stew entirely. They were allowed to do whatever they wanted for the rest of the day and Kit kept to himself, getting cleaned up in the stream and then settling down inside of his tent. 

After a while he heard approaching footsteps and a voice calling to him from outside. He got out to find Perch waiting for him. 

“Kit, do not let this setback discourage you. Remember, today is your first day embarking on this journey. It was never going to be easy. Rest assured the others will be pushed to their limits and falter as well. But failure is not a sign of weakness but rather the first step towards your growth and improvement. Embrace it, learn from it, and you will become stronger than before. Believe me, a time will come when this will be all behind you.” 

Kit met the brown bear’s gaze and felt a sense of determination replacing his melancholy.  He thanked Perch and returned to his tent, no longer to sulk but to rest so he could take on whatever challenges lay ahead with his full physical and mental capabilities. 

Resting in the middle of the day caused Kit to stay up later when night came. The camp was shrouded in darkness as everyone else had settled in, the campfire being snuffed out and the snores from Bowie were easily heard. So Kit quietly crept from his tent, figuring he needed to tire himself out and going on a walk was the perfect thing. 

He walked about aimlessly but found himself returning to the stream and he wasn’t the only one. Just up ahead he could see that Boreas was out there as well. So focused on sneaking out of the camp, Kit hadn’t noticed that Boreas wasn’t there at the time. Not wanting to disturb the panda, the kodiak bear approached slowly and carefully while also watching. 

Boreas was crouching by the stream, looking into the water that was shimmering from the moonlight’s silvery glow. His hands were then submerged in the cool water, pulled free and used to wash the panda’s face. While doing this Boreas appeared to have a distant look in his eyes. 

A mix of curiosity and awkwardness from hiding behind a tree that was much too thin to actually do so, Kit approached slowly, unsure of how to engage with the other bear. Boreas glanced up briefly, a flicker of annoyance passing through him. The panda’s gaze turned cold before his attention was returned to the stream. 

Summoning his courage, Kit cleared his throat and asked, “Do you mind if I wash up too?” 

“Do what you want, I don’t care,” Boreas grunted in response, his voice devoid of anything. 

The tone made Kit’s demeanor falter. Sensing a building tension between them, Kit hurriedly washed his face and hands despite doing the same thing earlier. The silence between them was just something he couldn’t stand for long. The task was done quickly as he was eager to be done with the situation. 

Once he was done cleaning himself, he stole another glance at Boreas. The panda remained silent, his expression unreadable in the moonlight. With a polite nod, Kit bid the other ursine a good night before retreating back to camp, leaving Boreas alone again by the stream. 

The whole encounter left Kit pondering. From his perspective the two toned ursine was full of mystery and the unspoken animosity that had formed between them the moment they met. And it continued to linger between them. As he made his way back to his tent, Kit could shake off the feeling of unease that had settled within him, wondering if he had done something to earn Boreas’ icy demeanor. 

The next morning, the group was awoken from their warm, cozy tents by Perch. As they emerged into the crisp morning air, Perch greeted them with a sly smile, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

“Today’s lesson is a special one - sensory training,” the brown bear said. 

The group was intrigued by that, especially because it wasn’t the same lesson they had done the day before. Kit had expected they would be repeating it a few times. But Perch was already explaining the rules of the exercise. This time they would start out with taking a smaller dose of their elixir before heading out into the wilderness. 

As the group trailed behind Perch, their footsteps muffled by the forest floor, they arrived at a spacious clearing surrounded by towering trees. The symphony of nature enveloped them. This open area was surrounded by towering trees, where the sounds of nature enveloped them like a warm embrace.

They were much further out than before, following the stream until they reached the end, being near the waterfall that was spilling a great amount of water over the end of the plateau. Being at the top they were spared the thunderous rumbling and instead were treated to its cascading waters creating a soothing lullaby from up top. The rushing stream added its own melody to the symphony of nature, while the chirping of birds and rustling of leaves provided a harmonious backdrop. The group stood in silence, taking in the cacophony of sounds around them.

“Now,” Perch said, his voice standing out against the many natural sounds that were surrounding them all. “I want you all to focus on each individual sound, to let them wash over you. Close your eyes and let your other senses come alive too. Feel the soft breeze ruffling your fur and take in the smells too.” 

The group didn’t understand at first but they did what they were told and were faring well at first, with each member experiencing a unique sensation. Kit could recall when Moss had helped him out after he changed, he had done something similar to get the hang of his senses that were stronger when he was no longer human. He grinned, visibly embracing the symphony with an almost reverent demeanor. 

However, Bowie's brow furrowed. The multitude of sounds were starting to overwhelm him, prompting a look of anxiety to appear on his face. Boreas chuckled at the sight of the fox’s struggle. But that didn’t last long. The great outdoors, composed of a multitude of elements all sounding at once were starting to get to the panda. His confidence was faltering as he hissed from a bird chirping from overhead. 

Perch observed them and smiled. Just as he said, each of them would meet their match and have to overcome it if they wanted to regain control of their senses permanently. 

Boreas had felt good about getting through the previous day’s training lesson so failing this one hit him hard. His frustration and disappointment boiled inside him as he sat alone by the stream, the same place he had the night before. 

Perch found the panda and noticed his somber expression. Walking over, the brown bear sat down beside them and put a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “I know it’s tough, Boreas. But remember, we all have our strengths and weaknesses. This is just part of the process for you to become even stronger later on.” 

Despite Perch’s comforting words, Boreas couldn’t shake off the feeling of inadequacy. As night fell and the camp once again settled into a quiet hum of chatter and laughter. Kit had stepped away to relieve himself and he caught sight of Boreas again sneaking away from the camp. 

“Hey, Boreas. Where are you going?” Kit asked. He made an attempt by following the other bear. 

Boreas was quick to turn around, facing the taller bear directly with a hard expression. “It's none of your business, Kit. Just leave me alone.” 

Kit didn’t press any further and returned to the campfire, sitting down with the others. It was hard to feel down when Bowie offered him some fruits. Boreas came back some time later, not even looking at him but he seemed alright so Kit decided to just leave it be. 

The next day they resumed the sensory training exercise and Bowie was again the first to show signs of struggle. Boreas was doing better than before but in his place, the fox was doing worse. He was unable to take in all the smells, sounds, and even the light blowing of the wind against his fur all at once. Boreas saw the vulpine’s struggles and heard his groans but it only frustrated him. 

“Are you even trying, Bowie?” the panda asked with a stinging bite in his tone. 

“Yes…I am…” Bowie strained. With his eyes screwed shut and his hands balled, he really was trying his hardest to withstand everything that was all around him but it wasn’t getting any easier. 

“It doesn’t look like you’re trying. If you can’t handle some noise and a light breeze then that means you’re weak,” Boreas said, leaving the others at a loss for words. The panda was looking Boreas right in the eye as he spoke, the words digging in as deep as they could. 

Feeling the weight of Boreas’ insult, Bowie reached his breaking point. Tears welled up in his eyes as he struggled to find the words to defend himself. His usual aura of positivity and cheerfulness was gone completely, revealing a side that the others hadn’t seen before. 

That’s when Perch stepped in. “The only thing more important than these exercises is to have empathy and understanding for each other.” His wise words were spoken firmly as if he was trying to hold some other words back. Bowie turned his back to the rest and ran back towards camp.

“What was the point of that, Boreas? Bowie was trying his best!” Kit said, his voice tinged with anger. “Even you failed the last time.” 

“That failure was a fluke!” Boreas snarled back. “He needs to take this seriously. If he can’t handle this how will he get control?”

“I can’t believe you!” Kit said, pushing his way past the panda, he went after Bowie, hoping the fox wasn’t too far away. 

His heart heavy with shame, Bowie fled into the depths of the woods surrounding the training camp. His cheeks stained with tears, he ran blindly, not caring where his feet took him. The dense foliage enveloped him, casting eerie shadows that seemed to mock his perceived failure.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, Bowie realized he was lost. Panic clenched his heart as he realized he hadn’t taken his elixir since the earlier afternoon. 

Alone in the darkening woods, Bowie realized that he had to rely solely on his natural senses. The rustling of leaves, the distant howl of a feral wolf, the earthy scent of damp soil—all of it threatened to overwhelm him. But deep down, Bowie knew that his senses were his greatest strength, elixir or not.

[i]I can do this[/i], he said to himself. [i]Just take it little by little. Don’t freak out and just take it slow. [/i]

He closed his eyes and focused. Tuning out the cacophony of sounds and smells, he honed in on his intuition, allowing it to guide him through what at first appeared to be a maze of trees and shadows. Step by step, breath by breath, Bowie navigated the forest with a newfound clarity.

The once familiar paths and landmarks were now unrecognizable in the darkness. Bowie let out a worried sigh and sat down on a nearby tree stump. He knew he had to find his way back to his friends and their camp before it got too dark.

As he cautiously ventured forward, Bowie noticed the light of the rising bathing the rocks and tree trunks, casting an ethereal glow upon the scene. The gentle chirping of crickets and the flickering of fireflies provided a comforting rhythm, calming his nerves.

His keen sense of smell detected faint scents carried by the night breeze. He inhaled deeply, his nostrils flaring as he analyzed each aroma. Suddenly, a familiar scent wafted through the air—the scent of his friends and their camp. A surge of determination coursed through Bowie's veins. He focused solely on this scent, blocking out all other distractions. With each step, the scent grew stronger, guiding him like a beacon in the darkness.

Through dense undergrowth and over fallen logs, Bowie followed the scent relentlessly. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the scent grew overpowering, and he emerged from the woods. Before him stood his camp, ablaze with a warm fire. Relief washed over Bowie as he approached his friends. 

“Bowie!” Kit exclaimed. When the fox got close enough he all but jumped into the kodiak bear’s arms.  “We were just about to go searching for you again! You really had me worried.” 

“Aww, I’m just fine. I got a bit lost at first but…I guess I found my way back. I just took a deep breath and when I found the scent I kept following it until I found you guys,” Bowie quickly explained. His tail was wagging fiercely as he talked. After a bit he calmed down and properly explained his journey while dinner was being prepared. 

“Sounds like you had quite the adventure and you’ve managed to hone your senses as well,” Perch said. 

Bowie’s return to camp sent a wave of relief through the group. The campfire was crackling and burning brightly as they gathered around it, their faces illuminated by their warm glow. The night air was filled with a mix of emotions - relief, excitement, and a faint hint of tension. It lasted as they all ate, the cause being Boreas remaining quiet and sitting further away from everyone else. 

When the meal was finished, the panda stood awkwardly and at first looked at the fire, seemingly deep in thought. He was thinking back to the words he had said earlier and realized that they were wrong. With a heavy sigh he faced Bowie directly. 

“I’m… I’m sorry, Bowie. I didn’t mean what I said. I was just…frustrated with myself and I took it out on you.” 

Bowie looked at him and blinked. But then his eyes filled with understanding. A small smile formed on his muzzle as he spoke. “It’s alright, Boreas. I know you didn’t mean it. We all say some things we wind up regretting.” 

The tension finally dissipated, replaced by a sense of peace that allowed the rest to let out a collective sigh of relief as Bowie extended his hand and Boreas shook it. 

"I have to admit," Bowie said, a mischievous twinkle in his eye, "spending the night in the forest wasn't easy. But I did it. And I know you wouldn't last a minute out there, Boreas."

Boreas went wide eyed and couldn't think of anything to say. The others around the fire laughed, leaving Boreas to scoff and retire to his tent early. 



The next lesson was hunting, something they all had experience with but they needed to master doing so while keeping control of their instincts while also working together. All together, the group were moving quietly through the trees, their senses better equipped to handle the environment, allowing them to better focus on the task set for them. Perch had told them that the key to a successful hunt was patience before they left. 

Vozz, the smallest among them, was unexpectedly excited to get out and hunt, visibly struggling to contain himself. His heart was racing as he and the others crouched down and surveyed the area. Boreas was selected to lead the group and while looking around he caught sight of a deer grazing just up ahead. Pointing it out, the others could also see the majestic feral creature grazing peacefully in the clearing just ahead. The panda was making a plan of action, telling the rest to huddle up so they could discuss. 

But Vozz was going ahead on his own, getting as close as he could, using his small size to remain undetected, the raccoon then lunged with the blade he was given. The deer was startled by this and fled, creating a growing distance between them in an instant. 

“Vozz! What the hell was that?!” Boreas asked. Even though he was already shouting at the raccoon, the panda was visibly holding himself back from saying or doing anything more. It didn’t matter anyways by now the deer was long gone and the hunt was ruined. The group returned empty handed and Boreas being the appointed leader meant that he had to explain everything that happened. 

Perch had a look of disbelief on his face at first before he turned his attention on the raccoon that was actually looking rather down on himself. The brown bear stepped in yet again. “It’s just a lesson, Vozz. With time and practice you’ll learn how to control your instincts and excitement.” With the hunting exercise cut off so early, Perch instead instructed the rest to continue with previous training lessons such as the sensory exercise. 

Vozz wasn’t the only one feeling down from the hunt. Kit was actually glad that it hadn’t lasted long. As he took a break, leaning against a sturdy tree he was staring off in the distance with his eyes clouded with worry. His mind kept drifting back to when he had to maim a deer in order to protect the friends he made back in the fox settlement. The memory was still weighing on him, and that made it hard for him to focus on the hunt earlier. Something was bound to go wrong. If Vozz hadn’t rushed off, he was most likely to make a mistake that would have ruined the hunt. 

Perch, always observant, noticed Kit’s unease. With a kind look in his eyes, he made his way to the kodiak bear’s side, sitting down before he asked. “Are you okay, Kit? You seem troubled.” 

“You remember when I had to take down that deer to save Marx and Wroh?” Kit recalled. “I still can’t help but feel just a bit guilty about hurting an innocent creature.” 

Perch listened to his friend attentively. When Kit finished recounting the events from his perspective, Perch spoke softly, “Kit, you must realize that you acted out of care for your friends, having a deep sense of duty to protect those you care about. Sometimes we are forced to make difficult choices for the greater good.” 

Kit nodded slowly, his troubled expression was easing a bit. “But I still feel…awful about what I did, Perch.” 

“You know that’s a good thing,” Perch said, much to Kit’s surprise. He wasn’t expecting to hear something like that at all. He faced the other bear directly, seeing the even expression on his face. “Remember, Kit. Every living being has part to play in the delicate balance of the world. It is crucial to respect and cherish all forms of life. Your actions, though difficult, were driven by a noble cause. Even if one life had been snuffed out that day, you managed to possibly save another that belonged to one of your new friends.” 

Kit felt a weight lifting from his shoulders as he absorbed the other bear’s words. With newfound clarity, he realized that the pain he carried was a reminder of his compassion and his humanity that shined through even if he was in a very different form. 



In the early morning the makeshift training yard was still somewhat dim. At first Kit found it jarring that they didn’t continue to work on an exercise the next day after starting. But he was starting to understand. By doing something completely different he wasn’t bogged down by the feelings that came from failing the hunt. Today had nothing to do with hunting. It was something else entirely. They were all assembled and the air was thick with anticipation. Instead of Perch, the one acting as their instructor was Largo, standing in front of the group of mammals. 

“This lesson is not about strength, but about instincts buried deep inside of every one of us. These instincts can drive us to act swiftly and decisively in moments of danger,” Largo said. Everyone else was stunned by how much Largo was saying at once but they also listened intently. 

The first lesson was to demonstrate the importance of quick reflexes. In the polar bear’s grasp was a handful of small rocks and he started hurling them at the group, who had to evade them as best they could. One by one, Bowie, Rozz, and Kit showcased their agility, managing to dodge most of the flying rocks, earning nods of approval from Largo. 

Boreas’ turn came last and he tried to do as the others did, sidestepping when a couple of rocks were thrown at him. But his footing was off, causing him to be pelted before he stumbled and fell, leaving him seething with frustration. 

Largo encouraged the panda to keep trying. With his pride wounded much more than his body, Boreas tried again but just kept messing up in one way or another. Feeling embarrassed that he was having so much trouble while everyone else was just watching, he declared that he was done and stormed off the training yard. 

The group exchanged concerned glances. But Largo just stood firm and watched the panda leave. “Never forget the importance of resilience and determination in the face of adversity. Setbacks will come but what truly matters is how we chose to respond to them.” 



Boreas was having a streak of failing to keep up during missions and exercises. Despite trying his best, he couldn’t seem to match the skills of the others. And with each failure his frustration was growing, making the chip on his shoulder all the bigger. 

One day the group was introduced to a new training method -- sparring. 

“This combat exercise is not about defeating one another but focusing on one’s instincts and natural reflexes,” Largo told them. 

Kit and Boreas were chosen to spar against each other. As it began, Kit showcased his strength that came from being such a large bear compared to the agility that came from being human first. Trying his best every day, Kit found it was getting easier for him to move about in his much larger body. Boreas was on the offensive, throwing various strikes his way but for now Kit was avoiding them, making the panda’s frustration increase. 

In an intense moment of emotions, Boreas snarled and lashed out, throwing a sucker punch at Kit. This one was backed by full power instead of the greatly restrained hits that came before. The impact of Boreas’ punch stunned Kit. In that very small amount of time, the kodiak bear’s shock quickly turned into anger. The session that was supposed to be friendly with the purpose of practice was something else entirely from then on. Fueled by a mixture of shock and the brewing frustration he had been feeling towards the panda, Kit retaliated with a powerful swing of his paw, smacking Boreas across the face in return. 

Silence fell as the two bears were facing off, their chests heaving from a mixture of emotions that were racing through them both. Punches and swipes of claws flew between the kodiak bear and the panda as they growled and snarled threateningly at each other. Bowie and Vozz were  watching with visible fear, unsure of how they were supposed to intervene when the largest members of their group were engaged in a violent clash. 

It didn’t last long. Perch and Largo came in from both sides, struggling at first to separate the other bears. They managed to pull Kit and Boreas apart, demanding for the fighting between them to stop. 

As the adrenaline of the confrontation subsided, Kit and Boreas finally caught their breath, their ruffled chests heaving as they stared at each other with a mix of anger and regret. Perch and Largo were now standing in between them, keeping the two from starting anything. The lesson was cut short and the plans made for the rest of the day were canceled as well. 

The hours passed and the tension only grew. Kit and Boreas were avoiding each other as much as they could and their purposeful division was felt throughout the entire camp. Bowie tried to lighten the mood but it did no good. It seemed like things were going to remain  tense between the two for a long time. 

Late that same night when everyone else had gone to bed. Kit and Boreas ended up in the same place, face to face, standing beside the stream. 

“Are you following me? I’m not in the mood to talk to anyone, let alone you,” Boreas said firmly. 

“That’s just fine with me. I never planned on talking to you either,” Kit said, walking past the panda so that he could clean his face with the clear and cool water. 

For some reason that left Boreas just standing there, watching as the other bear wasn’t engaging with him. For some reason that was just making him more upset. “Why did you come out here anyways?” 

“Because I wanted to. I don’t need your permission do I?” Kit asked with a maintained coldness in his voice. 

“What do you really want?” Boreas asked, his tone softening as he took a step back. 

“I just wanted to ask why. I can deal with it if you hate me but I’m not gonna let you take it out on Bowie or Vozz!” Kit said firmly. 

“I don’t hate you,” Boreas said. “I just…hate the situation I’m in. And you should too!” 

“I had to leave the tribe and play nice with a bunch of strangers. This whole time I’ve felt like an outsider. And even before that, you go your whole life in control of yourself and then all of a sudden everything’s so difficult and then you start doing things without realizing! You hurt someone you didn’t mean to…” 

“You…you hurt someone?” Kit gulped. 

“My mate…” Boreas said, his eyes clouding over with guilt. “I didn’t mean to hurt her, Kit. It was an accident but the damage was done. The looks she gave me…with so much fear and sadness. I just couldn’t stand it.” 

Neither of the bears spoke a word, the only remaining noise was the steady rushing of the stream. The weight of the panda’s words were hanging heavy in the air. Kit took a chance, coming in close enough to place a hand on Boreas’ shoulder, offering silent support and understanding. 

But Boreas shrugged his hand off, turning to face the bigger bear directly. “I just can’t stand the way everyone else is acting all nice and friendly, acting like we’re not dangerous beasts,” Boreas said, his voice filled with a raw honesty that struck KIt. 

Kit blinked, taken aback by the sudden change in Boreas’ demeanor. He looked at the panda with a mixture of confusion and concern. “What do you mean?” he asked, his brow furrowing in confusion. 

Boreas sighed heavily, his shoulders slumping as he spoke. “I can’t stand that you’re just acting like there isn’t something wrong with us,” he said, his voice heavy with emotion. “We’re wild animals, Kit. We have instincts that can’t be ignored, no matter how friendly with each other we try to be. Maybe you just can’t understand it. After all, you used to be something else.” 

“That’s true,” Kit admitted with clarity in his voice. “I was actually happy at first when I turned into a bear. I felt powerful and connected to my friends and mates in a way that I never had before. But then my instincts started taking over and I realized that I had no control over them. And just when I was starting to feel closer to Moss and Dusty, I had to leave them.” 

Boreas’ expression softened as he listened to Kit’s words. Hearing things from his perspective made him realize that they were more alike than he thought.  

“I bet you had a lot of fun running around as one of us,” Boreas said. His tone had lost its venom but there was still a bit of lasting coldness. “Not so easy, huh?” 

“No, it’s not. But it was never easy…” Kit said as he sat down in the grass. “I have no idea who I used to be. Whether I was good person or if I have a family that’s worried about me. When I try to think back the farthest I can go is being found by Dusty. He could have left me there or driven me away but he showed me kindness. Him and Moss, they were the first things I ever had, the first things I got attached to. And then the whole tribe…I feel like I owe them my whole life. And the thought of being unable to control myself; to accidentally hurt anyone…” 

There was a drawn out silence between them as Kit was looking down at his big hand and the sharp claws that glinted in the moonlight. 

“Look, I’m sorry, Kit…” Boreas finally said. “...if anyone’s going to get a handle on their instincts it's going to be you. You’ve got determination and you care a hell of a lot more than anyone else.” 

Kit’s eyes widened in surprise. He had never expected such words from the panda. 

“Thanks, Boreas,” Kit said sincerely. “And I hope you get control over your instincts too.”

Boreas gave a small nod before turning and walking away. Kit watched him go, feeling that things would become a bit better between them. And he was going to do whatever it would take to fully control his instincts and become the bear that the others needed him to be, not just his mates but his friends as well. With Boreas’ words echoing in his mind, Kit was certain that he could do it.