Much of the den members were knocked from their beds that night. There was a buzz all around as Stern was dredged in on a skiff, Ayame and Dolph pulled the last length of the trip. Eight trailed along behind them by 15 yards or more, his limp seeming and feeling worse. The bleeding had all but stopped by now, but it had gone on long enough to make him feel faint.
The Omega, Felan, accompanied Eight for most of the trip, except for a change out in the pull team once, shade bounced back and forth between Stern and Eight until they came closer to the Den. He ran ahead to get help prepared for their arrival.
Stern hadn't moved, nor fidgeted, nor whined in pain the entire time. As far as Eight could tell, things didn't look good.
When they got the den, the pull team was switched out yet again with some other pack members. A few looked on to Stern and followed the team up a gradual slope to the den, a few looked at Eight from a distance as he hobbled to the vicinity. He couldn't tell if they were studying him in approval, or disgust, all he knew was that their stares seemed to pierce right through him.
Two other wolves came to him as he took the same gradual slope, favoring his damaged flank and doing his best to keep off his hind leg. The wolves stuck by his side up the incline,
"Just find yourself a comfy spot in the den, somewhere further in towards the back, til we can take a look at you." He was instructed.
"Tend to Stern first, if they need you to." Eight said. His words came selflessly only because they should have, but in truth, he wanted some attention as well.
He did as he was told and parked it in a space away from the others. No need to be in the way of what needed to be done, especially with all of the gawkers and onlookers already. They just wanted to make sure their brother was okay, he couldn't blame them, hell, even he was concerned for Stern.

It didn't take long for Eight to be accompanied by another wolf, again, poking and prodding at the tender area, inspecting and gauging, shifting his head from right to left and "Hmm"ing all the while.
"Well," The wolf started, his amber eyes looking Eight over, "I don't want to alarm you, but you appear to have been attacked by a bear." He joked, his paw putting gentle pressure up one side of Eight's body and down the other from the point of the gashes. He'd stop when Eight ceased to grit his teeth at the pressure. He wanted to laugh at the joke, it was a good one. He just couldn't find the words strong enough to pressure through the sharp pain pulsating clear into his brain.
"The bruising goes all the way up to your shoulder. But the real damage is concentrated to this area here." The wolf explained, stopping his examination. He turned his head and gave a sharp whistle to which another wolf responded by trotting up carrying with him a bundled bit of leaf, laying it down beside Eight's inspector. He unfurled the leaf, revealing some sort of gray, coarse paste inside. He took some of it onto his paw.
"W-wait, whats that?" Eight found the strength to fidget away just an inch or so as he asked in concern.
"This? This is gonna help along the healing process. Don't worry," The wolf smiled at him, "You're not going to feel a thing." He began moving his paw forward as he reassured Eight, "Til I start rubbing this into your wounds. Then its going to hurt like hell."
"What?!" Eight shrieked just before the compound made contact with his open flesh, he gritted his teeth and tried to power through it but it was no good. He didn't think he could be in a more powerful sense of pain, but he was clearly wrong.
The wolf finished up and instructed him further on the do's and don'ts of his situation and headed off, leaving Eight to pulsate in pain.

That was about four days ago ago now. Eight stayed in the Den, as instructed, to heal up. Stern, well... Stern. Stern had spent most of the time unconscious. He drifted in and out of the living world though seemingly noting the world around him, as evident when he'd murmor something along the lines of "What is this, a nursery school?". At least his personality was in tact, it was an odd relief for Eight. He didn't go near Stern much, he kept to himself and limped around when he could to keep exercise of his leg.
Both he and Stern had plenty of visits from well-wishers. Deogee was a regular visitor, as well as Zen and the others. They regaled him with tales of their latest exploits. Lilac had visited more often than that, clearly concerned when it all began, and eager to help as Eight's progress went along. Conner and his hunt pack came along now and again, when they could, even Benjamin had come by, that heart of gold he had shining through each time. Hell, once he even brought a couple of rabbits for Eight and Stern, when he was conscious.

Deogee came along again today, as Eight was standing out on the edge of the plateau in front of the den. It was mid-day and the den was all but bare. He hadn't been to the opening in a few days. But now, his walk allowed him to head on out. He was getting cabin fever anyway, so the view of the sun hitting the golden fields below, and hearing the laughter of everyone was a welcome change.
"Ahhh, up and about I see." Deogee called over to Eight as he came up the path. "I knew you were faking this whole time." The old wolf said with a chuckle, teasing at Eight, "We should have had you out on the hunt days ago!" He laughed. Eight limped a few paces over to him and laughed too at his prodding, "Well, you know me, slacker of the bunch.". They're laughs came to a soft end and Deogee looked across at Eight's leg. "Well, its good to see that you're fairing better. The healers tell me that you should be well recovered in just a few more days."
"Thats a relief." Eight stated.
"I'm sure it is. They also tell me that by tomorrow you should be able to leave the den. No strenuous activities though. No hunting, and absolutely NO bear wrestling!" The old dog laughed, his voice filling the cave.
Eight chuckled as well wincing just a bit,
"Don't worry... I think I'm over that phase."
The two exchanged jokes for a moment before Deogee's tone turned soft again as he took note of Stern in the back of the cave, laying there just as he did the night he was brought in.
"Anything new from Stern?" He inquired turning back to Eight.
"Keep it down." Stern's voice pierced the silence in his part of the Den, though it was weak still, "Some of us are trying to have a coma... Damn old wolf, talking, always got something to say......." Stern complained, but the end of his sentence faded from the range of their ears as they looked over to him.
"Oh." came Deogee's response.
"Thats the most he's said since we've been in here." Eight informed him. "He seems to be doing better by that alone - but I don't miss it." He joked, dryly.
A few moments went by, Eight and Deogee stood and looked over the land below, noting everyone running and jumping and playing. The sight made Eight forlorn for the simple things. Like walking.
"Well," Deogee started, "I guess thats all I came here for. Its good to see that you're doing better. Its good to see that Stern is too, at least his mouth."
Eight nodded,
"Take more than a bear to keep me down. TWO bears, now... no, that would murder me." He joked again. He was feeling much better since Deogee came around and broke the monotony with one of his favorite pastimes, Talking.
Deogee chuckled warmly again,
"Well then, I should be off. I do have some business to attend before it gets too late in the day." He turned to leave. "You take care, and watch over Stern. He's stubborn enough that he'll try to be back on the job in a matter of hours, I'm sure."
Eight smiled warmly. Deogee may have hidden his concern with veil of jokes and laughter, but it was there nonetheless.
"Take care, Deogee." Eight called to him.
"No time for that," The old wolf called back, "Thats for you to do, anyway!"

Eight went back to the edge of his perch for a moment before heading back into the depth of the cave, the cool air surrounding him, and instantly cooling his body as he made his way back to Stern and took a seat, careful not to aggravate the sore wounds on his flank. He sat for a moment looking over Stern in silent pondering.
"What?" Stern demanded, an eye opening half angry, half groggy.
"Anything I can get you?" Eight inquired, feeling the urge to help where he could, even now.
"No. Go away before I hurt you." Stern commanded, his voice still quiet but very angry, as per usual.
Eight smiled, it was good to hear his voice, even if it was the same old "I'm angry at the world" tone. He stood and slowly walked back into the sunlight before carefully taking a seat again. The day was beautiful. It was the first he had been outside the den since that night. He took it all in. In a day, he'd be back out in the world and he couldn't wait. He took a deep breath of the autumn wind, earthy scents of dying leaves filling his nose and lungs, making his head swim. This was his favorite season.
He sighed for a moment, feeling at peace briefly.
"I can hear you BREATHING." Stern's voice echoed from the far back of the den.
Eight tried to ignore it, breathing quietly to himself, "Just one more day... just one more day..."