isn’t a nut... but... She cares. No one ever really cared that much. That’s cute.

 

“Well it doesn’t matter. Go on, eat.” she said, finally escaping her thoughts, I suppose.

 

Yeah, I ended out eating it. It wasn’t horrible, I just wasn’t used to it. When I finished, looked up at her. When my eyes met hers, her ears flattened against her head.

 

“Is something wrong?” I asked.

 

“N-no, nothing..!” she replied quickly with a nervous laugh. “It’s just...” she cocked her head to the side a little, something she tends to do when in thought. “...Your eyes are beautiful.”

 

I blinked twice in shock, then caught myself. “Thanks, yours are too.” There was a bit of an awkward silence. I felt my face flush. I’m not used to being flattered, usually I just flirt with girls, but SHE was actually complimenting ME. It felt kinda... good. She suddenly giggled. 

 

“This is so weird.” she laughed.

 

“Yeah, it is.” I said looking up. I was afraid that if i looked her in the face, I would blush again and look dumb.

 

 

“ Normally i’d be terrified... but I’m not terrified at all. In fact, I feel really safe.” 

“ you, scared? of what? You’re part wolf, you can take on any big old bad guy around here.” 

 

“Being part wolf doesn’t make me invincible. And I’m part dog too.”

 

“I guess, but the way you got that bat, I wouldn’t even know how to do that. I probably would’ve starved without you.”

 

She let out a light laugh. “are you saying you would’ve died without me?”

 

“Gah! Not like THAT--” I looked away from her.

 

She smiled mischievously and laughed. I always thought of her as some quiet kid. But she was acting.... differently. And I liked this new side to her as well. She sighed and looked down.

 

“I’m just messing.” she said smiling.

 

“Aww really? I’m disappointed now.” I replied jokingly. 

 

“Oh? Are you?” she said with a light smile, leaning in towards me.

 

I froze and lost thought. She laughed lightly again and walked away from me. Gah, I didn’t want her to move away...

 

“I think it’s best we get some sleep. I’ll have some food in the morning.” She said, laying down.

 

“Oh... yeah, okay.” i said. She smiled at me, then turned over, her back facing me.

 

What is this? Wasn’t it always me who was leading? This time i’m being drawn in. I’m not used to that. But it feels good. I watched her small frame shift slightly as she rested. God, she’s beautiful... But why did that come up so suddenly? She’s playful, cute and innocent... Most females would just act sexy to swoon males, but she didn’t have to do that. She had this cute charm about her. I shut my eyes and began to doze off.

 

 

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I woke up. I looked toward Anoki. He was sound asleep. I smiled. 

 

Maybe Melody was right.. Maybe he was a little attracted to me. No, no, no, stay focused and don’t get your hopes up, or you’ll be heartbroken again. I walked by him, nuzzled his ear slightly, then darted off into the deeper areas of the cave. It became wet and foggy, but the rocks glistened, and it was a beautiful sight. The bats hung around and sometimes flew about in scattered forms. I finally had my eye on a large plump one.    I felt bad, but I was really hungry and wanted this one for myself to eat. I grasped it within my jaws in midair, then bit down on it so that it would stop suffering. After I ate it, I looked around for another. I wanted to get a nice big one for him too. Suddenly I slipped on a wet rock and twisted my front paw. I shut my eyes in pain and let out a yelp as I toppled to the ground. I hit my head on the rocks with great impact and suddenly, everything became quiet and dark.

 

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I shifted about in my sleep, then woke up. I got up and yawned, looking around for any signs of Maori. Her scent was faded. She must have left a while ago... but she should’ve been back by now, shouldn’t she?... I got a knot in the pit of my stomach. Maybe i should go look for her. 

 

I walked into the deeper areas of the cave. I was afraid, because I never had been there before, and i was also afraid because I was worried about Maori. Her scent was getting strong, despite that the cave was wet and covering her scent a bit. I finally found her, her body was limp on the ground. My heart began to race in panic. I pressed my head against her chest. Her heart was still beating, thank God. I picked her up on my back and walked back to the front of the cave. I noticed she had a cut on her forehead, so i began to lick her there, to prevent the dirt from the ground from infecting her wound. Her eyelids began to flutter open and she groaned. “Anoki?...” I darted my face away from hers, embarrassed that she saw me licking her. She looked at me, her eyes wide with question: “...what happened?” i told her about how I found her and took her back here. 

“...thank you for thinking of me.” she said quietly. She shuddered a little from the cold. I leaned my head on her and put one paw around her body, laying down with her. “I’m sorry...” she whispered. “Why?” I asked. “I’m a big burden to you. And I didn’t get your meal.” she choked a bit. “It’s fine, don’t worry.” I said, licking her ear. I saw a tear roll down her cheek. I nuzzled her, sensing her worry and fear. “Don’t be afraid, they’ll find us.” I said in a gentle tone. “...I’m not afraid... I have you, Anoki.” she said in a shaky voice. “Theres’ no need for me to be afraid...When I’m with you.” her voice calmed a little. I licked the side of her muzzle. “I’m happy that this happened Maori.” she buried her face in my fur. “Me too. I’m glad.” I stayed with her like that for the rest of the day. I refused to leave her side in fear that anything else may happen to her. I didn’t give a crap about how hungry I was or how badly I wanted kibble and my doggy bed. She was the most important of all. 

 

The next morning, I awoke to the sound of shout of familiar voices. It couldn’t be.

 

“ANOKIII! MAORIII!!! YOU IN THERE!????” it was the voice of Abigail, no doubt.

 

“Abigail! Help us!” I shouted. I saw Maori stir and sit upward. “Anoki...?”

 

“Abigail’s here Maori! Abigail!” I said cheerfully. We embraced happily. A good couple of minutes later, I heard human voices. Shovels, shouting, other dogs. I almost felt as if I had been in another world for two days. Wow, just two days, and so much happened. I smiled to myself.

 

The stones and ice that had covered the entrance to the cave broke through, I saw the sunlight first, and as it beamed through, Maori and I squinted our eyes a little. Then i saw Steele’s owner. He picked up Maori, cooing her with kind words and petting her head. She looked toward me anxiously. I smiled to her, then I saw a smile on her face too. Then i saw my owner. 

 

“Anoki!” I ran toward him, happily wagging my tail. He took me back home, washed me up and fed me. It felt great to be home, but I wondered what Maori was up to? Suddenly i head some barking outside the door of the house. My owner walked up to the door and opened it.

 

“Oh Maori! Come in!” he said, petting her head. Even though she wasn’t really a house-dog, except for in the winter, like now, when Steele’s owner would take her in, she was well-known by most humans and they liked her company. 

 

“Anoki, looks like you have a visitor, huh boy?” My head shot up. I turned around and saw Maori. She had a wrap around her from paw and her cut on her forehead was stitched up. She smiled at me and laughed her usual soft laugh. I ran up to her and began to play with her. I’m glad we’re friends now. She slept in my house for the night and I laid down next to her on the rug in the living room. Maybe we can become even closer. 

 

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