Author: Kiona & Kilaun (c) CatWhoHas14Tails, Achak & Kanook (c) Draco

Autumn was definitely not my favored season. It was the season where the temperature could change dramatically at any given time. One minute it would feel like summer and then the next minute's a blizzard. I always thought it as irritating. I never complained about the weather; I loved the cold as much as any other dog or wolf, but I still didn't benefit from it.

The pack was very leisurely one day, because our leader, Achak, had a very high fever and was feeling quite ill. He was like that for two days and no body had eaten in those two days either. The higher-ranked of the pack recommended to stay behind in a cave until he was healthier, but he insisted on continuing to look for food. He intensely wanted to lead them on the hunt, but he couldn't run for a very long time.

On the third day of Achak's poor health, as we were walking, he just clumsily laid himself in the freezing snow, fatigued from the constant travel and lack of food. The entire pack stopped and crowded around him, whispering his name to try and get him to answer, but he wouldn't. I tried pushing my way through the larger furry bodies to try and get to him to see if he was still alive, but second-in-command Kanook got to him first.

"Achak? Achak, come on, you need to open your eyes," Kanook said in a calm, but stern voice. Achak tried opening them, but he couldn't. Kanook pushed Achak's face with his own. "Listen to me. Open your eyes." Achak snapped them open, but they slowly shut themselves. Kanook kept calling his name, and every time his name was heard, his eyes would snap open.

I finally made my way through to the small area where Achak and Kanook were. I growled at the ones surrounding them closely and told them to back off and give them some room. The pack rarely listened to me, but they knew I was right for their leader's safety.

"Is his fever that bad that he needs to force himself to stay awake?" I asked Kanook.

"Yes," he said. "We're going to have to find shelter for him somewhere near here."

"I'm...fine," Achak groaned, squeezing his eyes shut, but then snapping them open again. He tried picking himself up. "I just...need food..." He caught himself before losing his balance. "The faster we move, the faster we can find a kill, let's go." He tried to seem like he was fine, but everybody was convinced he wasn't when he tried taking a few steps and then ended up kneeling. Kanook shook his head. A smaller wolf approached Kanook in an inferior fashion and told him of a small underground cave beneath a tree in close proximity.

I walked over to him and pushed my body against his to try and make him get up.

"C'mon, Achak..." I urged. "I can't pick you up by myself, you're too big."

Kanook drew near Achak from his other side and lowered his head to speak softly in his ear. "Achak, we're going to take you to shelter. You need to rest."

"But...this will be the...third day the pack...goes hungry." Achak groaned. "I've got to--"

"I'll lead the hunting party today, Achak," Kanook offered. He ordered one strongly-built wolf named Dartanion, who was about Achak's size, to carry him to the underground den. Kanook proclaimed that Achak's fever would die down in a few more days and requested them to hold out a little bit longer. He then ordered the rest of the pack to follow him into the hunt, and Achak's brother Takoda to guard Achak. I was the one who wanted to guard Achak, though. He had saved my life once, and I wanted to do something in return for him. Without a second thought, I darted up to Takoda and told him I was going to watch Achak for him and to go join the others on the hunt. I then approached Kanook and told him the same thing about Achak.

Kanook chuckled. "Any particular reason why you want to guard Achak yourself, Kiona?" he asked me.

Not really knowing why he expressed amusement, I bluntly answered him with "It's none of your business." He walked away, shaking his head with a grin displayed on his face. This guy was nicer than Achak, and I thought Achak was too nice. I scoffed and followed Dartanion. We marched to the secretive cave and he departed after gently laying Achak on the ground. I didn't go anywhere near Achak until I was positive that Dartanion was long gone. I looked around the cave, just to make sure that there wasn't any unwanted company. It was a cozy little place. Slightly damp, with roots growing from the ceiling. Nice place to have pups one day.

I unconsciously stared at Achak's sleeping form. His black and silver fur was glistening, still wet from when he collapsed in the snow. His body was completely relaxed and was only moving slightly from his breathing pattern. His eyes were gently closed-- I quickly looked elsewhere. I shouldn't have been thinking such thoughts after reflecting about having pups. It was outrageous.

I sighed, in a way of scolding myself, knowing that I had to keep him warm and safe. I looked around again, not really knowing why I did. I unhurriedly nestled myself close to his body. He was very cold and his wet fur dripped into mine. I didn't care how sodden my fur got, just as long as I could do something to keep Achak's fever from getting worse.

I felt his dry nose bury into my neck fur, which stood on end with surprise. He was probably still asleep, instinctively looking for more warmth. There really wasn't a lot of warmth I could provide him, because my body was a lot smaller than his.

"Stupid, Kiona, you should have let Takoda do it," I said to myself. "At least his body matches Achak's in size." I heaved a sigh and just laid my head down to try and get some sleep that I was probably not going to get for the next few days. I fell asleep with my head cradling his for an unknown amount of time, until I felt Achak move from his position. Looking over him from my spot, not wanting to disturb him, I made sure that he was ok.

"Probably having a dream," I whispered to myself again. I kind of wished he woke up, so that I could have someone to talk to. Out of anyone in the pack, I felt most comfortable around Achak. After all, he saved me from dying in the mountains when my team abandoned me. He permitted me into his pack, educated me about new things, and so much more. I really did owe him, but I felt like I wanted more from him. I was very tempted to wake Achak up, but I had to resist in order for him to catch up on his sleep.

I stayed awake for a while, still keeping him warm, still wanting him to awaken. It wasn't long until I finally got my wish and his eyes gradually opened half-way. He buried his nose deeper into my neck and sighed. I wondered if he knew what he was doing. His eyes opened a little wider and looked up at me.

"Kiona..." he whispered, a little surprised.

"Hey..." I greeted quietly. "You sleep ok?"

He nodded. "So...it was you here this whole time?"

"Yeah," I said. "I mean...you saved my life...the least I could do was help to get you better. Kanook said you'd be well in a couple of days."

Achak paused for a moment, gazed at me, and smiled faintly. "Actually...I'm feeling better now."