Bearclaw Valley new beginnings

marten gathered, clinging quietly to his mama nervously. they were leaving? all marten had ever known was the valley-- where would they be going now? he was so big now, so much older, but the security and familiarity of the valley made marten feel so childish. he didn't want to leave. this was home. 

but aunt laurel said mama was going. so, marten too was going. his ears fell flat to his head, and he huffed quietly.

then, in a 180, marten gasped. "rupert!" he exclaimed, shooting indra and apologetic look before explaining, "i gotta go get rupert first-- then i'm ready." and he shot off to find his beloved pet toad.