Justice

Umi made an uncomfortable face as she lay on her side. The golden dame could’ve sworn she felt every little squirm of the maggots, yet she made no comment about it since Droplet was only helping.

Willow stifled a snicker at Umi’s expense, she didn’t like bugs either. The cream dame looked to Umi asking her previous question “What do you mean by WE might see your siblings again Umi?” Hearing this Umi turned her head from Droplet to Willow whilst still laying on her side. “I think, and this may sound crazy, we can get you and your pups out of here.”

Umi first sighed in relief that Droplet removed the squirming maggots. She the smirks and how both her lover and Willow are confused. “Droplet remember that thicket we stopped at on our way here? Well since it’s on the outskirts of Vendetta’s territory and not on it she can’t get to us, plus it’s by the waterfall, which is bear country and our scents would be mixed in with that of the bears’.” The golden dame paused as she flinched at the fuzzy touch of the cobwebs, but she didn’t mind. Umi’s ice blue optics were beaming at her idea as she continued in a hushed tone.

“Vendetta is expecting Droplet and I to leave very soon Willow. And I bet no one will be looking for you come sunset.” Umi looked outside “See? It’s already getting dark out and I know Vendetta will want to see us out before tomorrow comes.” She paused again for a breath “If you could sneak yourself and your pups to the thicket while she and probably her little “guards” have their attention on us we’d only have to make it across the log bridge. She definitely won’t go past there.” Umi’s tassel swayed excitedly.

Willow took a breath as she didn’t want to get her hopes up “But I don’t even know where this thicket is Umi, and I have four pups at most I can only carry two at a time. You’re right no one would be looking for me, but how can I get them all out?” Umi smiled and turned to Droplet as she spoke “If my love here will help, I noticed that leaf bowl you had. Do you think you could make a carrier of sorts? I’d lend a paw too if need be.”

Willow’s audits perked at Umi using the word love. She was happy for her friend as Willow had told her Droplet would be hers sooner or later. The cream dame stood a new air of determination about her that she hadn’t had in so long. “You’re crazy Umi, crazy smart thought, that just might work.” Willow smiled “Always looking on the bright side too, huh sunshine?” Umi chuckled at her puphood nickname.

Umi nodded with a smile, her gears turning in her head. “Brilliant, it would be best if you were to help her with the pups Droplet I agree.” The golden dame paused listening to the brute’s plan to guide Willow and hers to the thicket. “I’ll do my best to keep them off of your trail tonight.” Her tone turned serious as Umi arched her brow at Droplet’s expression, something was on that handsome mind of his, but she want sure what. Umi didn’t want to bring in any negativity into their already risky plot so she kept silent on the matter. Instead she nodded again glancing outward, the sun was now gone. Had they talked that long? “I’ll head back to the den then.” Umi nudged Willow in a friendly manner to which the cream dame gave a weak smile, and then nuzzled Droplet thanking him for treating her wound which felt better, and whispered into his audit “I love you, be careful.” Before padding outside and up into the other den awaiting Vendetta who would surely come.

Willow watched Umi leave and the turned to Droplet “Well, I guess we’re doing this.” She gave a weak chuckle, but her grey optics were filled with hope.

Willow blinked her grey orbs as she was looking of her pups briefly. She had heard Droplet’s question as her audits twitched she looked back at the brute “Oh please if you wouldn’t mind, I’m not too confident on my heart with this soon journey we’ll al be on.” She contorted her maw into a sort of weak smile, but one could tell Willow felt awkward around Droplet. The cream dame felt awkward around most brutes in general.

Willow nodded hopefully as her grey optics watched the brute pad off into the forest. ‘Umi had found one of the good ones.’ She mentally praised her friend with a smile. Willow went back to her pups and watched them, a new mirth in the cream dame’s gaze. Tsunami was tugging at the ear of his twin brother Ame who in turn was whimpering, but wasn’t in pain. Sundrop was sound asleep curled into a tight ball, while Leviathan lay sprawled out snoring. Willow could already tell these pups were going to be quiet the characters.

Umi sat inside the den alone when she sighed. She hoped all was well with Droplet and Willow for now. Ice blue optics narrowed quizzically, the golden dame was wondering when Vendetta would appear. The fur behind her neck stood as a chill ran down it, someone was talking about her.

OOC Notes: cuute and you’re okay)

Umi had stayed in her temporary den for a long while now, feeling anxious she peered out. No one seemed to be coming at the moment so she had snuck to get a quick bite to eat and returned safely back. The only upset was this constant chill on her back, someone was definitely thinking about her, probably Droplet. The golden dame smiled, she would be alright. A half chuckle emitted from her maw knowing her mate was such a worrier. Umi sat relaxed, but her demeanor didn’t last as she heard paw steps approaching. She took a whiff of the air “Vendetta.” Umi whispers to herself quietly. She silently hoped Droplet and Willow were getting ready to leave soon.

Willow had also caught the strong scent of Vendetta passing by right after Droplet’s return. “I think we best be ready to leave very soon.” She whispered softly to Droplet and he came back with the herbs. The cream dame made a gesture to the scent outside, yet not near to them “Vendetta is probably with Umi right now.” Willow offered a small smile to the golden-black brute “She’ll be okay, but we have to move.” A slight tone of urgency was in her last statement as Willow gathered her pups whom were still half asleep.

Willow gave a nod before she gobbled down the tart herbs, and tart they were, she made the most peculiar face as the after taste hit her. Shaking it off Willow looked to Droplet “Will you be alright without them? Maybe once we’re safe we can get you some...” she trailed off in thought. Willow went to pick up Sundrop and Leviathan by their scruffs, she then gently moved Ame and Tsunami towards Droplet for him to carry. The cream pelted dame froze for a brief moment listening to anything she could pick up outside, nothing, however the scent of Vendetta was lingering.

Umi stood tall, her side still a tad bit sore, but she refused to let it bother her. The golden dame padded cautiously to the opening of the den and chuckled sheepishly “Its that time already?” Umi half heartedly joked, she was by no means humored in her current situation. Vendetta stepped aside letting Umi through as she spoke. The chocolate dame held a glare in her golden orbs. Vendetta spoke “And where, prey tell, is you little friend hm? Don’t tell me he decided to stay dearie?” Her last few words were slightly uplifted in tone as if she hoped Droplet would stay, Umi scoffed rolling her ice blue orbs. “He left ahead of me.” She simply stated. When Vendetta looked unconvinced Umi continued with a huff “Look Ven, you and I CLEARLY hate each other. So let’s get this over with and be a ‘pal’ and escort me out of this hell hole hm?” Umi spoke with a sarcastic high piched tone, her face held a scowl that would burn through Vendetta’s eyes if it was possible. Shaking her head with a cold stare Vendetta spoke “Alright alright, you had your little visit. Let’s go.” Umi mentally sighed in relief Vendetta didn’t push further about Droplet. The golden dame silently prayed the others were okay as she and Vendetta made their way out of the densite.

Umi thought it was peculiar that Vendetta had no guards with her this time. She sniffed the air not too noticeably and caught the scent of them, two males, on the upper ridges following them watching. Umi gave no indication she was worried, since she wasn’t, to a degree of course. The golden dame calmly kept pace with Vendetta, keeping her optics and audits perked in case something went array.

Willow nodded silently following Droplet her pups dangling quietly from her maw. Her grey optics looked around anxiously as the pair silently and swiftly moved out soon making their way into the woods.

Meanwhile, Umi was still keeping an unnoticeable nose up and ice blue optics wary from the male scents she knew were around. Vendetta remained silent, with a gruff or huff here and there, but she did not speak to Umi of offer any “smart” remarks. Umi saw that they were just passing by the area of the secret thicket, well they were some yards away, but the golden dame knew this area. Umi silently kept her pace as the long bridge was in her sights.

Willow let a sigh of relief come through her maw after placing her pups by the other Droplet had placed down once they reached the thicket Umi had spoken of. Her audits twitched hearing the brute call out for Umi and instinctively curled around her pups, trying to be prepared for whatever or whoever answered back. Willow caught the faintest scent of bears and heard a distant waterfall. They must be close.

Umi’s hackles raises suddenly, someone called for her, was it Deoplet? The golden dame didn’t want to look too hopeful. Vendetta was leading them when they two dames cane to a stop. “This is as far as I go, now get out of my sight.” The chocolate dame snapped and Umi. In response this the fowl mooded Vendetta Umi merely huffs and began to pad off “See you never,dearie.” Umi mocked Vendetta’s word of choice at the end. Adding some quickness to her step Umi could tell the brutes weren’t following her anymore as she made to circle widely back around. Umi didn’t want her scent caught just in case anyone was still patrolling this late, she rolled in some dirt. Keeping low in the bushes Umi stealthy made her way to the thicket.

The golden dame smiled smelling Willow and Deoplet “Told y’all it would go well.” She spoke just above a whisper just in case. Umi’s ice blue optics held a playful gleam seeing the others.