Chapter 4: Haven

The door of the old house opened, as Yu brought Erdan into his home. The first thing the boy noticed was that from the looks of the place, it hadn't been taken cared of in a long time. As both wolves walked into the main hall, Yu closed the door behind them, hoping no one saw him bring the boy in.

"Well, here we are." Said Yu while locking the door.

"Why is your house so-" Erdan just realized he almost said something Yu might take offence to.

Seeing the lad's face, Yu could tell he was curious, but didn't want to be rude. Especially since he was offering him room and board.

"Old and dusty? Yeah I know."Yu said, trying to put Erdan at ease.

"Why is it in such a condition like this?" asked the boy, telling that the man wasn't angered by what he almost said of his home.

"I've been traveling on work a lot in the past couple weeks, I only just got back recently." Answered Yu.

Confused, Erdan then asked another question. " Why didn't you just hire someone to take care of your house?"

"I did once. But when I got back after a few days, the guy was nowhere to be found, and nearly all the valuables in here were gone. He must have waited until I was out of town, and took what he could carry and ran. Yu said regretfully.

The boy felt sorry for him. And he started to understand how dangerous this city is.

"So, are you hungry?" Yu asked, trying to change the subject.

While the boy placed his left paw over his stomach he replied. "Yeah, I haven't had a bite to eat all day."

"Well, right this way." Yu said while leading Erdan into the kitchen.

Yu then took the food he brought for his meal and cooked it, deciding to split it with Erdan. He figured he should give a little more to the kid, since he is starving. The man cooked caught fish in a stove, and chopped vegetables to make a fresh side dish. While he was cooking, Erdan just sat at the table, wondering who this man is. He knew he didn't have ill intentions for the boy, at least none he could think of. Erdan is broke, he only had the clothes on his back and his satchel. His parents had warned him to beware of strangers. But there was just something about this man that gave the kid an easy feeling, that under his uniform and bulky body, the man felt true sympathy for him.

After fifteen minutes of preparation their meals were ready and made, and they begun to feast. As much as Erdan wanted to chow down on his food as quickly as possible, due to his hunger. He remembered he is a quest in someone's home, so he did his best to use the table manners he learned as a puppy. After taking a few bites of the fish and vegetables, Yu wanted to know what the young one thought of the meal.

"So… how's your food?" He asked awkwardly.

After chewing and swallowing, Erdan gave his answer. "It's good"

Yu could tell from the look on the boy's face that he didn't like everything in his meal.

"You sure?" the man asked.

"Well… I don't want to be rude… but, I don't really like meat." The young lupine said nervously.

That caught Yu by surprise. He noticed Erdan enjoyed eating the vegetables, but not the fish, making him the first wolf he met to rather eat plants then meat. But he didn't judge. After they finished launch, YU took their plates and put them in a pot he filled with water, so they could e washed later. Erdan got up from his chair and Yu offered him a tour of his home.

((()-()))

The boy already saw the main hall and the kitchen, so Yu then showed him the other rooms of the house. First was the study, where one could read scrolls or do written work. There were a few chairs next to a window that often got plenty of sunlight, ideal for reading in the afternoon. Next he showed the kid where he could relieve himself in, as well as where he could bathe. Next was the back garden, which was so far Erdan's favorite. It was small, with buildings surrounding the square space, but it is a way for the boy to get some fresh air if he wanted to. A large tree stood in the middle, with benches on parallel sides, and grass grew in stone boarded areas of dirt. After coming back inside, Yu took Erdan upstairs to show him his bedroom. It has a single wood and cotton covered bed that could still be useable if it had new sheets and pillows. There was also a window and a desk paired with a chair in front of it. Yu then pointed to a closed door that was his room, before the two went back down to the ground level.

"And that's the whole place, I hope you'll be comfortable in here?" said Yu.

"It's vary nice, besides the cobwebs." Erdan said jokingly.

Yu chuckled a bit upon hearing that. He liked that the boy had a sense of humor.

"Are there any other needs other then food, clothes, and soap I should know about? Yu asked.

"No, that can do, but." Erdan said before pausing a moment.

Yu got down on one leg so he could talk to the boy face to face, and asked. "But what?"

"It's just… I feel bad about staying here without having to pay you or something."

Yu wondered about that, and after thinking for a second he said. "Well let's make an agreement then, I'll let you stay here and in exchange, you can help keep this place taken care of, deal?" Yu said while extending his right paw to the boy.

Erdan felt a bit bad that Yu was going out of his way to help him, so taking helping take care of his house would make him feel like he's not wasn't a burden. And he could repay the nice man's kindness. Erdan then reached out and shook paws while saying "Deal", confirming the agreement.

For the next half hour they worked together to clean the place up. Yu swept while Erdan dusted and got rid of the cobwebs. It wasn't going to be finished in near time, but it was a little more like a home now.

Yu then told the boy a set of rules he should follow so he could be safe.

1: He isn't allowed to go into the city streets, as there are many dangerous people looking for easy prey.

2: He shouldn't open the door for anyone, not even the mail carriers.

3: He is not allowed in Yu's room, the man deserved his own privacy.

4:He shouldn't stay up late at night, and not bother Yu while he's sleeping. Unless there's an emergency.

5: He should do at least forty minutes worth of house work, including chores.

After explaining these rules Erdan let the man know he understood them well, and that he will follow them every day.

Yu realized how long he's been here and got ready to return to his duties.

"I have to get back to work now, on my way home I'll buy some things that might make your stay here more comfortable, ok?" Yu said while opening the door.

"Ok, bye Yu." Erdan said with a grin on his face.

"Bye Erdan." Yu replied with a small smile.

He closed the door and rushed over to gongmen palace. While Erdan locked the door, and went out to the garden to enjoy some peace and quiet.