Ch. 1: Birth of the Fire Eyes

Disclaimer: I own nothing except the wolves in this story.

Author's note: This fic will follow the plot and character descriptions of the 1996 Disney movie Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. The whole movie is on YouTube; it's very underrated, but a fantastic film!

Varka Sharp Claws paced outside his cave, certain that he was wearing a rut in the ground. The Alpha wolf tried not to let his mind dwell on the possible dangers that came along with a birth, but every time his mate moaned in agony, his heart wrenched.

'Why must our beloved females suffer so when they bring a new little life into the world?' he wondered. 'And why can't the males share half of that agony? After all, it takes a male and a female to create a child.'

Varka's musings were interrupted by the most beautiful sound he'd ever heard in his whole life: the soft cries of a newborn wolf. Then, a different cry.

"Varka! Get Narru! Quickly!"

For a brief second, the Alpha wolf stood stock still and then turned and fled to the shaman's cave, trying to stop his worries from taking over his mind. If his mate had called for him to fetch the shaman following his child's birth, then it was likely he and Keyla would not have a child for much longer.

"Well, now, what seems to be the trouble?" Narru Far Sight limped into the Alpha's cave using his staff as a walking stick. Varka followed behind the grizzled old shaman, eager to be by his mate's side. A glimpse of her sent chills of relief down his spine; Keyla Swift Foot looked exhausted, but was sitting up. In her furred arms was a tiny bundle, wrapped snugly in a deerskin. She smiled at her mate.

"We have a daughter, my love. She's beautiful." Varka edged past Narru to join her.

"Of that, I have no doubt. But, why did you call for Narru?" Keyla shifted the bundle so that the new little wolf's face could be clearly seen by the two males and allowing Varka the first sight of his daughter. Her tiny face was smooth and flawless, the infant skin shining like polished ivory. Her pointed ears twitched as she slept, set atop a silvery-haired head that matched the color of the fur on her little shoulders. Varka could see the resemblance to Keyla in his daughter's face, as well as a reminder of himself.

"She's… she's perfect," the Alpha gasped as he reached out a finger to stroke his daughter's cheek.

"Yes, a beautiful girl," Narru mused, peering into the blanket. "And in perfect health too. What alarmed you so, Keyla?" In response, the new mother wolf ran her fingers along her daughter's face until the new baby stirred and opened her eyes to peer sleepily up at the adults. Varka gasped and Narru gripped his staff. Instead of the normal amber color a wolf's eyes usually possessed, the newborn's eyes were a strange orange-red.

"Eyes the color of flame?" Varka asked.

"Fire Eyes?" Narru mused, staring at the child. "A child born with eyes of fire."

"What does it mean, Narru?" Keyla asked. The old shaman shook his head, making his black bangs dance.

"I don't know. Never in my life have I heard of such a thing. A wolf with flaming eyes? There has never been such a thing before."

"But it has to mean something, doesn't it?"

"Oh, I have no doubt of that, Varka. Our ancestors do not bless us with unusual traits unless they are trying to send a message."

"Like the Moon Shadowed wolves," Keyla said.

"Yes. The Moon Shadowed wolves are meant to carry the name of the wolf to greatness. But even they had to start somewhere. Your daughter may be the first of the Fire Eyed wolves, but what such a trait entails, I have no idea."

"Then, we shall find out as she grows," Varka replied. He turned to Keyla.

"Her spirit name will be Fire Eyes, but I'm afraid my mind is drawing a blank as to what her given name should be." His mate chuckled.

"Lucky for you then I've had a name in mind if I ever had a daughter."

"Ahh?"

"Yes. I've always liked the name Leeya."

"Leeya it is. I love it too." Varka smiled down at his little daughter, who had fallen back asleep. "Leeya Fire Eyes."

Badger jerked awake, coughing a bit as his sleep was rudely snatched away like a rug from under his feet. Looking around at his underground home, Badger searched for the source of his disturbance. The fire was still roaring, his chair was still comfortable and there was no one knocking at his door, which was as good for him as any potential visitors if he caught them knocking at his door. What then had disturbed his slumber?

Leaning back, the elder creature allowed his mind to drift, wanting to return to his winter slumber. As his eyes closed, an image rose in his mind's eye. A small figure leaping about, alive with the energy only a child possessed. Badger frowned; he had dreamed of the little figure, but had no idea who she was. Was it she who had wakened him somehow? Perhaps, but Badger was at a loss as to how he could dream of a child he'd never known.

As he fell back asleep, Badger wondered if perhaps she was the daughter he'd never had.