Thanks to Captain Blue for Betaing! I really appreciate it!
Grat's to those who guessed the Pokemon's species correctly!

Um I'm slowing down a bit with writing this! School's really gotten in the way. The next chapter is half way written x3

I fell asleep next to the tree in the play area. My ribs, my legs, my head ached. Heck, my whole body ached. A young pup such as me should never have to go through such brutal physical damage.

I curled up, keeping my whimpers inside. If I let on about the pain and my mother found out, the Alpha would certainly find a way to make me disappear. The cold of the night seeped into my bones, helping to numb the pain.

I heard the crunching of leaves not too far off and a warm body snuggled up next to me. My eyes shot open in surprise, only to see one of the pups curled up next to me, keeping me warm.

I blinked away blurred vision and stared into her chocolate brown eyes. She tilted her head at me and smiled gently. I blinked at her again. "Why?" One word was all I could say to her.

I felt her shrug, her fur brushing against mine. "You need a friend in this pack." She murmured softly. "The others, I've seen how they treat you. And Alpha. He should never had beaten you like that." Her voice lowering slightly.

My eyes widened ever so slightly as I looked at her with awe. None of the other pups had been so nice to spare any positive emotion, not even a smile. "Thank you." I said, the words coming out slightly choked.

She laughed softly and leaned against me. "Shut up and go to sleep." She told me. "I'll keep you warm until morning, as well as keep an eye out for any vicious Growlithe-eating Caterpie."

I laughed at that and set my head down on my paws again. So this was what it felt like to have a friend? It felt nice. "Thank you." I murmured again.

When I awoke in the morning she was gone. I sighed and sat up, wincing slightly at the pain. I wished she had told me her name, that way I could have thanked her by it. But no pup had a name until they had earned it. I'd be nameless forever then. A pup could only get a name from the Alpha.

I stood up and tried not to limp. I had to show no pain as I passed through the camp. I entered Healer's den quietly. It seemed I was the first to wake up this morning.

I looked around Healer's den and grinned. Okay, maybe the second to wake up. Healer was busy looking at her herbs, gently moving them around with a paw.

"Healer." I said softly, my head dipping gently as she looked over me. Her hard gaze softened as she saw me.

"Again?"

I nodded gently and looked to the ground. "Could you just look me over, before anyone else wakes up? I don't want to cause a fuss."

She sighed and walked over, parting my fur gently and peering down at me. Then she bent to look at my eyes. Her own eyes showed frustration, obviously because she couldn't do anything to stop Alpha.

"You'll be fine, a few bruised bones is all. Here, take one of these for the pain." She turned and then rolled a berry towards me.

I snapped it up quickly, shuddering at the bitter taste and thanked her. Besides the female who had kept me warm last night, she was the nicest Arcanine in the pack. I smiled at her and turned, gently walking out and back to the play area.

I was alone there for another couple of hours before the rest of the pack woke from their slumber. The pups started arriving at the play area, glancing at me and snickering, calling out their insults of "Off-Color" and such things. But I ignored them.

I had my eyes out for one pup in particular. And there she was. She sent me a warm smile before darting off, of course. I should have known. She wouldn't want to be seen with me while other pups were around.

Adults started to walk along the edges of the play area, patrolling, keeping an eye on the rambunctious playing of the pups. I ignored them all, thinking to myself.

I had to stay out of the way of the Alpha and the other pups. But…I wanted to talk with her, that pup who had helped me through the night.

Another thought wiggled its way into my mind. Why hadn't my mother checked in on me? Anger started to burn in my chest. Alpha must have said something to her to keep her occupied. I bit back a furious growl at the thought.

Fweee x3
One more chapter down eh? Please review! It makes my happy sparkle and makes me work quicker on the story *nodnod*