Ok I know some of you are annoyed about the whole LI situation, that's why I am going to do two endings. When this story gets to a significant point (don't know what yet) I'll split it. Sound good?

Chapter 36 – Understandable.

She followed her nose to outside the Blooming Rose. She could smell Isabela, no doubt she had been here in the in the last twenty-four hours, it smelt like she had walked up the stairs, so logic said that was the quickest way to the docks right? Ha logic, logic said it's impossible to be turned into another living creature, but that went out the window eh. Wait, where's Fenris? She turned on the spot trying to find him, it was dark and so her eyes weren't much help so she relied on her nose to lead her, he must have only stopped a few metres back, she trotted around the corner she came from her snout close to the ground. Then the reason became clear, thieves.

Fenris was surrounded by a small gang, they didn't hold any insignia that Makatza recognised; having Garrett show you all the local gang signs until you could repeat them off the top of your head will do that to you, that was a painful few hours. Fenris didn't seem too bothered, more irritated, he didn't have his sword but Makatza knew well enough that he didn't need any weapons. It looked like one of the members was making a big display, threatening and cursing, Fenris had his arms crossed and acknowledged the man with a sneer.

Makatza walked behind them, Fenris' eyes flicked toward her and some of the gang turned around. She growled low, deep and feral, it bypassed all the normal brainwaves and sunk straight down into the primal instinct button, from when men were monkeys and large wolves with sharp teeth were something to be avoided. They rallied tapping their leader on the shoulder. Makatza was beginning to enjoy herself, the leader turned around and brandished a knife. Her growl grew louder the more he waved it around. Fenris merely watched the proceedings.

'Uh boss, that's a pretty big dog...' one said uncertainly.

'Yeah I'm all for killing a knife-ear and all but...' another said.

Makatza snarled viciously at the man's comment. Kill him will you? Just fucking try it I dare you. She could feel her mana seeping into her fur causing it to stand on end more than it already was. She laced her growl with her mana, it was becoming easier and easier to do. Now her already deep rumble had taken a two tone sound to it. Completely unnatural. A few of them took one look at her and then back at Fenris who was glowing slightly and did not have a happy look on his face. They weighed up their job prospects and ran, Makatza snapped at the movement. The leader of the gang was frozen in place. He had dropped his blade and his lip was trembling. Makatza stepped forward and he gave out a little whimper.

Fenris smirked and said behind him, 'which way do you wish to die?' The thief whimpered more. Makatza caught a whiff of something foul. In his fear the man's bowels had released themselves. She crinkled her nose and turned away, the leader took his chance and ran from the square.

'Oh my god that is foul,' she whined.

Fenris turned his body in distaste and they left quickly. They found an alcove just before the Blooming Rose and decided to get out the chilly air. Makatza sat against the wall.

'If I didn't know any better I would say you were feeling smug Makatza,' Fenris grinned.

'Smug? Me? … Yeah well maybe a little,' she replied, twisting her head and then shrugging.

'Yes I thought so,' he chuckled. He pulled her cloak closer around him and tried desperately to ignore the fact that the wool held her perfume, it was antagonising, she was so close but so far away at the same time. He had figured out where she was going, he remembered that she was raised by the sea and she was on her way down to the docks. He hoped it wouldn't be too long until she was turned back to normal. He had her hair grip in one of his pouches he kept meaning to give it back, but for some reason he kept forgetting.

'What's up?' Makatza whined, she was sure there was something bothering him.

'Nothing,' he replied curtly and made a move to walk to the docks. Makatza huffed and followed him. It didn't strike either of them that they had just had a conversation, no matter how small it was. Makatza felt strangely inclined to be next to him where ever he went. It was annoying. Must be a animal thing, damn body! Stop affecting my rational thoughts! The smell of the sea cut through her mental scolding and her ears perked up.

'Ugh I hate fish.. I don't mind cod or huss but anything else is just gross,' she muttered to herself. She looked at a pile of rotting fish carcasses that the local bird population were devouring. Fenris pulled something off his toe and threw it onto the pile, he wiped his foot on the tiles with a foul look on his face.

'Venhedis.. I hate fish as well, let us keep moving.' He said sourly.

'Agreed,' she snuffed and they moved on toward the pier. She looked down the length and a bubble of happiness flew from her mouth in a happy growl, she heard Fenris chuckling at her and she shot him a look, he stopped as he saw her looking and smiled, he walked past brushing her ears and he passed, Makatza felt her tail wag without her control. Oh no you don't, don't start that you devious limb. She sighed with resign and caught up with the elf. The wood bounced slightly as they walked down toward the end. She looked over the edge and saw the sea gently lapping around the supporting pillars.

They reached the end and Fenris surprised her by sitting down his legs draping off the edge. Makatza sat next to him, he looked at her with a emotion that she couldn't quite place written on his features. He looked concerned, upset and a little angry, all bundled into one. She snuffled his face and laid her head in his lap, she felt his body stiffen but then he relaxed, he stroked her head soothingly. They stayed like that simply looking out at the moonlit sea for quite some time.

'I'm scared Fenris,' she whimpered quietly.

'I know, I am too,' he replied.

A minute or two passed. She sat up and looked at him. He looked back at her, confused.

'Can you understand me...?' She whined cautiously. Her heart was pounding so hard it hurt. Could he actually understand me? How? How can he when no one else can't?

He didn't reply but the expression on his face said it all. She leapt back almost falling off the side of the pier, her feet scrabbled for purchase and she regained her balance.

'How?!' She howled.

'I do not know,' he replied worried. 'Hawke can understand Bubble but that's only because Bubble... im..printed...' he said slowly. Horror passed in his features.

'Imprint!? Why the bloody hell would I have imprinted! I'm not a real dog! I haven't just been born it doesn't make sense,' Makatza cried, she was beginning to panic. She turned back and forth her mind reeling with the reasons, the possibilities, no wonder she felt like she had to be by his side. It all started when... Leandra! It's Leandra's fault! Oh mother! I didn't need a master until you mentioned it and now my brain has convinced itself that it does need one. So I've gone and imprinted on Fenris? This is going to be fucking awkward. She growled at herself.

'It was when Leandra called me your master wasn't it?' Fenris sighed rubbing his temples with his fingers. 'We won't tell anyone, hopefully when we get back they would have found a way to change you back and then it won't matter any more.' He stood up, clearly it was time to go back, she heard him cursing mages and magic as he walked.

'I have always understood what you're saying you know,' she whimpered bitterly after the numerous curse against mages and their kind. He stopped and looked ashamed.

'I am sorry, I just,' he sighed, 'this is frustrating.'

'Yeah no shit.'

He chuckled and they continued.

… … … …

Hawke pulled the door open, he looked tired, they all did, Merrill and Anders were by the mirror which they had dragged into the living area, Isabela and Varric were writing notes. Sebastian had a pile of books around him, it was harder for the non-magical companions they had no idea what to look for but they continued on anyway. Fenris stepped inside taking off Makatza's cloak, she walked in behind him and shook out her fur, everyone looked at her and she felt embarrassed.

'So how did it go?' Hawke asked sitting down heavily.

'Your mother is under the impression that Makatza is uh, my, pet,' he said wincing.

'Damn! Nothing gets past that woman,' he sighed, 'well at least she didn't recognise her, that's the main thing.'

'How are things going here?' Fenris asked sitting in a vacant chair.

'Badly, the only thing we've found is that blood magic complicates things significantly.'

'I could have told you that,' Fenris muttered.

'Yeah well, I think our only chance is to go ask Marethari, but Merrill is a little reluctant.' Hawke pulled another book toward him.

Merrill chipped in, 'you don't know what she's like! She'll be so angry, I couldn't bare it!' She said in respected fear.

Fenris glowered, 'this is your fault witch! If going to the keeper solves the problem then that's where we'll be going.'

'I agree with Fenris, Merrill, we haven't been able to solve anything here,' Sebastian said from his pile of books.

She didn't look happy but she didn't argue, 'ok ok. We'll go see the keeper,' she said resignedly. So is this problem going to be solved? Makatza wagged her tail, I can't wait to have fingers again! And get rid of this bloody imprint. I wonder how Bubble has coped if this is how it feels. She felt herself get angry when Fenris did and she was fighting the urge to feel his fingers weave through her fur. Oh god this isn't fair. Her hormones were howling inside their chains, she snarled at them but they didn't quieten.

'We'll go tomorrow,' Fenris stated looking at Hawke who nodded.

Tomorrow it is then, she sighed, and not a moment to soon either.

Well I hoped you liked I know I had fun writing it. Xx drop a review please. Picture of Makatza on my Deviant art link via my profile xx