Ivo woke with a shock. Something was wrong. He slowly got up, trying not to wake his nephew next to him. He felt his spine spike again in fear. Something was really wrong.

"What's wrong, Ivo?" He turned his head to see the baby sitter he had hired almost 3 years ago. His ears were low, and he looked tired. "You were making noises in your sleep again."

Ivo sighed lightly. "Go back to bed, Sleet. I'm fine." He was lying, and he knew Sleet could tell. He sighed again. "Look: I think you need a partner. Watching my kids will be the end of you. They are just too hyper for one person to handle." He lowered his head, trying to keep his eyes away from contact. "I'm not saying you're bad, not at all…it's just…"

"You just don't want me to go insane. Don't worry, Ivo, I understand." Ivo looked up to see him smiling. "I wouldn't mind help."

Ivo's spirit was lifted. "Thank-you," he said cheerfully, "now go to sleep. You worked hard today."

He heard the door close, and the light footsteps quickly stopped. The chill down his spine came back.

Sleet walked slowly to his room, his stomach ached. "I took care of 12 pups! I'm fine with taking care of 5." He felt a light hand on his shoulder. He let out a light sigh, and smiled. "Yes Hail?"

"You don't get it, do you?" A voice spoke in his head. Calm yet forceful at the same time. "So tell me, how is Ivo treating you?"

"What do you mean, Hail?" Sleet asked, turning his head. A spiritual wolf was next to him. He was just as tall as Sleet, and his fur was the same gray-blue. Yet, he had no light muzzle, just fur.

He pointed to the door with his head. "How much nicer is he then Mum was? So much nicer, am I right?" Sleet nodded slowly, taking in what Hail was saying. "I'm your brother, Sleet; I know what your limits are. Mum was horrible when I died; she forced you to 24/7. Ivo doesn't do that, does he? He wants you to have an easy time watching his kids. Take his kindness, Sleet, and you will be given a partner for life."

Sleet's tail twitched. "Partner…like as in a mate?" He has never thought of a mate. 2-in-a-half years with Ivo's growing family made him feel at home. The thought of his own family made his chest a little more wormer.

"If you will see them as a mate, I will not stop you. You have all the right to love who you want. But if you want them as a mate, making a family will not come easy."

Sleet blinked. What does he mean?

"Do not judge, Sleet. You might change your mind. And with that, Sleet's brother was gone. He was alone once again. He looked around, seeing a bright light. He was lying down on his own bed. He looked up, realizing he had fallen asleep. He yawned, wondering when he had fallen to sleep.

The door opened lightly, making his head turn to see who it was, yawning again. "You're finally awake." It was Ivo's nephew. "Uncle caught you as you were passing out in the hall way last night. He brought you here and stayed with you all throughout the night. He just left an hour ago to find you help for the kids."

Sleet turned his head to the side. He could just picture the man sitting beside him, rubbing his back gently. Ivo was much more of a parental figure to him then his mother ever was. He closed his eyes again, wanting to believe she was never real.

The door opened again, but Sleet was too tired to look up again. "How is he?"

The voice gave him energy to look up. Ivo was already on the side of the bed next to him, looking down at him. "Oh, I see you're up."

Not really, Sleet thought to himself as he rested his head on Ivo's leg. He was so tired. Why, though?

"You were working all yesterday, Sleet, that's why you're so tired." Ivo spoke as though he read his own mind. "Snively, why don't you make our guest comfortable?"

Sleet's fur prickled. "Guest; Y-you mean y-you already got a-a—a replacement?!" He couldn't help but tear up. He knew that he wasn't being replaced, but the words slipped out.

"I'm not replacing you. He needed a place to stay. I haven't…really gotten an answer from him yet. He said he wanted to help, but he wanted to see you first."

"Me?" His fur was prickling more. "And what did you say about that?!" His emotion turned from sad to mad.

Ivo just gently rubbed his back. "I told him that you were feeling that well. If you don't want to speak with him, I understand."

Sleet tried to get up, but Ivo stopped him. "Oh, hold up. I'm not done talking with you." Sleet let out a calm sigh. "Who's Hail?"

Cold fear flew in his body. I was talking in my sleep! "He was my brother…he died to an infection to a wild dog bite."

Ivo nodded. His eyes were so soothing, which made Sleet calm down from the excitement. "I know you think you don't need any help, but this is the third time you blacked out like that. I thought of you, don't worry. I found someone who understands where you are coming from. He's extremely nice."

Sleet let out a softer sigh. "So my partner is a male." Is that what you meant, Hail? I can't be in love with a male!

Ivo didn't answer.

He got up, smoothing down his fluffed up fur. "You look fine, Sleet. It's not like you're going on a date." Ivo joked. "He is only a helper."

Sleet turned away. I wish my help was a female…

As Ivo led him down the hall, images flew in Sleet's mind. How does he look? Small, Tall; Young or old…or maybe his-

"Sleet, you're awake!" Decoe ran over to him with little Coconut on his head, wrapping his arms around Sleet, he hugged him tightly. His youngest brother looked up at his father, and stretched his arms out so that he could pick him up.

"Hello, Decoe. Did you miss me?" He said happily as the young child nodded his head rapidly. You couldn't be mad at Decoe. He was so young and yet, ready to help his father whenever he needed. Hope flew into his eyes. "Did you see my helper?"

Decoe nodded. "He is in the living room, drinking some tea Bocoe made for him. He's talking to Scratch and Grounder right now!"

Scratch and Grounder were made so close together. Scratch was almost done by the time Sleet started watching over them. Grounder was only a month later. Coconut had only been made a few months before this day. He was still young, and already suffered from headaches. Ivo feared the worse.

Remember, Sleet, take Ivo's kindness, and you will get a partner for life. Hail spoke to him again. And Ivo will need all the comfort he can get. Something horrible will happen soon…he'll never forgive himself.

Ivo pushed him forward lightly. "Blacking out again?"

Sleet shook his head. "No. I'm fine. Where's my helper?" He wanted to sound ready to meet this new face, for the sake of Decoe. The two grew so close together, they felt like brothers.

Ivo stepped to the side, letting Sleet go through. Decoe ran in front, taking his hand and running to the living room. His heart stopped.

Sitting in front of him was a canine much larger then he has ever seen. His fur was very thin and orange, with only tuffs of yellow on the top of his head. His eyes were bright green, and he had on purple glasses. He was smiling. "I see you are feeling up to meeting me. I was told you were not feeling well."

Sleet couldn't hold on to a light blush. His tail slowly went between his legs, his ears flattened. He felt intimidated.

"Don't worry. I won't hurt ya," he chuckled. He had an Australian accent, which was foreign to Sleet. He back up into Ivo. "Name's Dingo."

His ear twitched. He wanted to speak his mind, but everything was caught in his throat. "Ask him if he is willing to help you, Sleet!"

"A-a-a-a-are you willing to…uh…h-help me….uh…watch over his kids while he's a-away. I-I can't h-handle all 5 at once." He looked down. How humiliating.

"I guess I can help." He felt the tension from Ivo's body lessen. "So, watch your name, mate?"

Sleet didn't move; his blush grew lightly. "It's Sleet. He's a bit timid. That's Decoe and Bocoe, and Scratch and Grounder. My nephew, Snively, he doesn't stay with us all the time…and this is Coconuts."

"Say something nice."

"Y-you…look funny." His breath stopped. He felt every eye on him now, making him nerves. "I-I don't mean that…"

He heard a ruff laugh. "You are hilarious! No one ever said that to me before" I wonder why, mister macho.

"I-I'm sorry-"

"Ah, don't worry about it!" He felt a huge paw on his back, making him gasp for air. "You and I are partners. Sorry, did I hurt you?"

Take Ivo's kindness, brother…and don't judge him. Ivo will need all the comfort.

"No. I'm fine…Welcome to the family that is ever growing. I'm honored to have you as my partner." He felt his brother place his hand on his shoulder. He felt a bit of warmth over take him, and he smiled. A tear escaped his eye. He wasn't alone.