“Well, at least he didn’t get himself killed.” Athen sniffed as they watched Jon stumble up the steps to his apartment.

“And that’s impressive?” Tos was busy watching for cars on the street. “That was one boy with a gun. If rumors are true, there is a lot worse out there.”

“They’re just rumors.” Jenna didn’t sound sure of herself, and had curled up behind Tos so that she was hidden from the noise and lights of the passing cars. “We would have been told already if they were true,” she licked a paw nervously, “wouldn’t we?”

“I would think so,” Tos sighed, “but rumors of that magnitude don’t spring out of thin air. There’s something there, we just don’t know what.”

“Or how bad.” Athen turned away from the apartment as the lights inside were turned off. “If it’s anything like the southern hunts are insinuating, we might need help.”

“I don’t think we’ll get any help.” Tos turned to nose Jenna as she tucked her nose under her tail for a nap. “The old hunt isn’t going to be willing to send anyone to help us, not after the way we left. Akela’s hunt won’t be much help either. If it even still exists.”

“There’s always darkside.”

“Eh, I hate working with darkside hunts.” Jenna muttered from under her tail, one eye open and looking quite put upon. “It’s like they think life is corrupting.”

“Just let them try that nonsense.” Tos’s teeth glinted in the moonlight. “I’ll show them corrupted. Besides Akela will never go to the Powers, she’s too young and too proud.”

“I still think going to the Powers That Be is our best option.” Athen looked back at the apartment thoughtfully. “If I go now, I can be back before she knows I’m gone.”

“It’s your choice.”

Athen nodded, then turned and ran through the yard, fading out as he went until there wasn’t even a shadow left.