Time healed all wounds right? wrong..... The older the wound the deeper the sores that came from it. This is what Ferdie thought anyway. He drew as close to Swiftcurrent creek as he dared, this was as close as he had been ever since.....

He wanted to see Bazi.... he doubted she'd want to help him find Fox, he doubted she'd even wanted to see him, but he needed her help and she could probably use his. He stood beside the lake almost drowned out by the quacking ducks they were annoyed at his presence.

But as he tilted his head skyward and loosed a howl they scattered, flying in every direction away from him. he continued his howl until long after the lake fell silent again, and only when he stopped howling did the ducks tentatively return this time with a more subdued quack.

The hefty well groomed male searched the horizon for Bazi, His pelt gleamed with pride and care and unless one touched his neck and felt for it they'd not see the scar, he groomed his pelt thinner there so that it lay correctly as if there were nothing below it, He was to vain to allow a scar to disfigure his coat. His tail hung limp not tucked or raised and his ears sat relaxed atop his head though he was not relaxed at all, he held himself as neutrally as he could ready to accept any posturing she might display toward him.