Lusa looked strait ahead, focusing on Toklo's brown pelt standing brightly out in the endless white. "Great," she heard him mumble, "We have to cross this endless ice again to get home!"
She looked behind her to see Kallik and Yakone chatting behind her. Kallik seemed as if she didn't even care that Ujurak was dead. She and Yakone were exchanging stories now.
Another gust of wind hit her full on, and she whimpered slightly. "Lusa!" called out Toklo, looking behind him, "You okay?"
"I'm fine," she lied. The truth was, she was freezing. She felt like an Ice-Bear. She turned around. "Kallik, This snow is getting thicker. Can we stop?"
"Yeah sure," replied the white bear, padding ahead. Lusa noticed how suddenly she looked lonely, her tone somber. She had been perfectly fine while talking to Yakone, but that could have just been an act. Lusa knew how much she missed Ujurak and Kissimi.
"Ujurak," she whispered, looking up at the sky, "How will we ever find our way back home?"
"You are strong," his voice came in the wind, "You will make it."
Kallik emptied out a snow den for the four bears. She saw out of the corner of her eye the reddish tinge in Yakone's pelt as he helped her. "Thanks," she said, smiling at him.
"No problem, my lo-" he looked embarrassed, "I'm sorry."
Her heart warmed. He loved her. He was going to say my love. She was sure of it. "No," she said, "Don't be sorry."
She playfully butt her head into his shoulder, smelling his warm scent. He licked her ear and then lay down in the den. "This should do," he said, loud enough for Toklo and Lusa to hear.
Kallik sighed in contentment and lay down beside him. Her heart beat faster as he inched a little closer, his fur blocking the cold from the entrance of the den. Her breathing deepened and she fell asleep.
"K'lik! K'lik!" she heard Kissimi's little voice call out, "Help me! Help!" Her eys grew wide in terror as the little cub sunk under the water, scarlet blood filling the water, and the evil black eyes of orca taunting her. She jumped up, gasping. It was only a dream.
"Kallik?" asked Lusa, her small black head poking up from a mass of white, brown, black, and red fur, "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine... I-I had a bad dream, that's all..."
"You're sure you are okay," said Yakone, "You look frazzled."
"Yes," Kallik said, "I'm fine now. Why don't we go hunting?"
"Sure," said Yakone, standing up. Lusa had already fallen back asleep.
When they had gotten out of the den, Yakone nudged her. "What was your dream about?"
"I-It was about Kissimi... Orca... They killed him," she said.
"Don't worry, Kallik, Kissimi is safe."
"Nisa isn't," she whispered. Yakone lay his chin on her shoulder. "Don't worry, Kallik, I'll take care of you."