Correct Name Pronunciations:

Maila . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . May - ee - la

Airibone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Air - i - bone

Orkijace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Or - k - i - jay - s

Obalie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Oab - a - ly

Tarska . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tar - sk - a

Silvics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sil - v - i - ks

Oouger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ooo - ger

Regadean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Reg - a - dean

Sivilecion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Siv - a - less - ea - on

Gorisailn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gore - ee - s - a - lyn

Negajarv . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Neg - a - jar - v

Blu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Blue

Kacchinka . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Kas - ching - ka

*This book has no connection to any racism at all, or in any way. It is just colours of fur, and spreading joy and truth.

I'd rate this book eight years and up, for dramatic reasons.

Please enjoy!

-Emma N. White

Chapter One: Silvics

     "Maila!" her friend Airibone was already up? "Are ya coming? You know it's Oouger's birthday!" she couldn't believe that Oouger-one of her friends since hatching-was already seventeen!

     "Ya I'm up! I'm up!" it was pointless lying because she yawned as she said this. "I'm- I've been up for like an hour. Don't worry." Airibone tilted her head at Maila. "Well, to be honest, I am a bit worried, look at the time . . ." Maila brought herself to raise her head up to the small round window above her sleeping spot. Oh no! A jolt of fear shot through her. Both suns were high in the sky, it was noon! How could I have slept in that long?

     "See! C'mmon, we gotta go!" her friend nudged her with her snout. Airibone's cold wet nose was soft against her fur. Her warm breath was just making her more sleepy. I need to go now. With a groan, Maila shifted her weight onto her arms and stood up. Why do I do this to myself? She began to walk across the vast, open room where the village slept, noticing it was in fact, empty. Airibone sprinted past her. "Oh, by the way, it's a surprise party. Ok?" yes ok! This was something Maila could do. She was pretty good at keeping things secret. Sometimes, she wondered if this was a good or bad trait to have. . .

     When Maila rounded the corner, she saw all of her friends waiting for her. All except Oouger of course.

     "Alright, where are we doing it?" she saw Orkijace point to the forest.

     "Down by the the willow tree." Orkijace was the sweetest being she'd ever met. She loved to play with her little spider friends she met daily, and was an excellent companion. Maila liked to hang out with her when she was feeling down.

     "Ya we got everything set up, now we're just waiting for you." Tarska was the opposite of Orkijace. She was always gloomy and seemed to hate everything. The only reason Maila stuck around her was because they've known each other for a long time, and she was in the 'group' anyway.

     "Hey guys! Oouger's coming!" Obalie shouted so loud Maila almost leaped out of her fur! "Dude, you're gonna scare him away forever if you do that!" Maila didn't realize the Aribone was right by her side until she spoke.

     "Guys, it was a drill. Also, you failed. When I say that"more like shout that "You guys have to hide and get ready." Obalie said in her rare 'know it all' voice, that Maila hated.

     "Well," Silvics started " Incase he does come, we should start heading there now. And I think-" but, she was cut off by Tarska. "Whoa! Guys! Listen, is Silvics alright? She actually talking!"

     Maila could tell that Traska agreed with Silvics, but didn't want to waste time listening to her studder over herself. Silvics was super shy, so the fact she speaking up to everyone blew Maila's mind.

     "Oh," Silvics said. "Sorry, it was just a suggestion."

     "Tarska! Silvics, it's fine. What were you going to say?" Airibone offered. "Oh, no. That's alright. Never mind. Tarska knew it was wrong before I said it. It's okay." Maila couldn't believe that even Silvics was letting Tarska push her around like that.

     "No, it's not fine. Silvics, speak your mind, we're your friends!" I hope . . .

     "Oh, no really. That's alright." Silvics stammered. "Well, if you're sure." Maila felt bad for her friend. She made a mental note to talk to Tarska later, but for now, it was Oouger's big day! He was full grown today! And it was as if Airibone had read her mind: "Well let's not make a big deal right now. C'mmon guys, Oouger's full grown today! Let's celebrate!" everyone nodded and began heading towards the willow tree.

     When they arrived, they assigned each other hiding spots and got ready. It was easy to hide in their world, because everything was either blue or, turquoise. Maila and Obalie were in a tree together that was right by the willow. This was so they could leap out and pounce when Oouger walked under the willow's branches.

     When Oouger finally came, he looked around for a minute. "Hello? Airibone? Hum, I'm sure Airibone told me to meet right here at two sun noon." he paced around for second, then sat down to wait for her. Maila nodded at Obalie and they pounced on top of him!

     "Surprise!" they shouted at the same time! And soon enough, all of her friends began to appear around poor, unexpecting Oouger.

     "Wow guys, I forgot it was my birthday. Thank you so much!"

      Maila realized the she couldn't spot Airibone. Oh, she must be getting the food.

     When Airibone came with the pikkoe stew, everyone dug in, except for Silvics. Maila walked over to her. "Why aren't you eating?"

     "Oh, I thought, maybe you guys should eat first. I'll finish up the leftovers." Silvics was obviously holding something back. Maila glanced at her friends. "What leftovers?" she asked. "Look at them, go get what you can." Maila saw that Silvics was holding back tears, "Nope, it's fine. I already ate anyway." Silvics was turning red. Something was wrong. "Follow me," Maila nudged her with her elbow, throwing her off balance. With hesitation, Silvics followed, but not reluctantly. "Alright,now it's just me. What's wrong?" Maila had lead her around behind the giant trunk of the willow tree. Silvics melted out and began to sob violently. "Oouger may never see us again! Maila, he was my best friend." what, where was he going?

     "Why not, what's happening?" Silvics met her eyes. "He told me that when he became full grown, is father wanted him to take his place as a village guard." Maila remembered that Oouger's father guarded the outskirts of the village from the beasts that lived in the forbidden forest. It was a full time job, and if he did come back, it was rare. She, herself, had only seen Oouger's father once. Why didn't he tell the rest of us? Maila answered herself, because he knew we'd try to stop him.

     "It's okay, He'll come back to visit. I'm sure of it." Silvics began to weep harder. "I don't care if he visits, I care if he survives out there." oh. Maila patted Silvics on the head after a long moment, and walked over to Oouger, who was laying on his back by the trunk of a tree, gazing up at the sky with a troubled expression.

     "Why did you tell Silvics that you were leaving? She's really upset." Oouger turned to look at her. "I- I didn't just want to disappear for no reason. I'd never forgive myself." Maila hadn't thought of that.

     "Then why Silvics, you knew how she takes these things." Oouger sat up. "Because, she's the only one who wouldn't try to stop me. My father has served his time, it's my turn now." Maila knew that, but she just couldn't bare to hear it. She dipped her head and shot up the tree Oouger was leaning against. There was a round tangle of branches that was big enough for her to slip into. She rested her jaw on a clump of leaves that was growing on the branch beside her, her gaze shifted down to see Oouger walking over to Silvics slowly and with his head bowed. She could hear their muffled voices climbing to soft sobs. He's really leaving, what if Silvics is right? Only one Question ran through her mind.

                                            Will Oouger survive?