The United States of Native America Chapter 7

Aranck hated the cold with a burning passion. He was always amazed when Hania, who was at the tee-pee right now, could walk around the snow as it were grass. Well then again, it was his land. Still, Aranck's land wasn't an iceberg. Native America couldn't even guide through the tundra.

Why was he here anyways? Aranck looked at the spear he was holding. "Right, food." He thought to himself and trekked on faster. If there was anything to motivate him, it was the promise of food. As he was walking, he heard something yelp and stopped, then slowly lifted his feet.

There wasn't anything that Aranck could see. Until something moved. The Native jumped up and landed on the snow on his bottom. The thing moved and sat up, staring at the blonde with black beady eyes.

"Oh," Aranck whispered, feeling embarrassed of getting easily startled. "You're just a polar bear...a baby one." The polar bear was giving him an equivalent to a dirty look. "I said I was sorry!" It kept giving him a dirty look. "You know what," he got up and stared down at the bear. "I'm not arguing with a bear. I have to hunt." He walked around the little bear and hoped that the bear would go back to its mother.

The bear kept following him though, even after he speared a deer. Native America kept looking back to see the tiny polar bear still following him. Huffing, Native America adjusted the dead animal he was carrying and decide to ignore the bear. It would go back to its mother sometime.

After a while, Aranck could see the outline of the tee-pee and walked faster towards it. He was greeted by warmth when he walked in and Hania hugged his leg.

"Hi Aranck," Hania smiled softly.

Aranck smiled, but saw the light purple around Hania's mouth. He got on his knees and examined his face. "Have you been eating blueberries while I was away?" He asked the younger. Hania looked down on his feet, which told him what he needed to know. "I told you that you're not supposed to eat them until I say so." He scolded.

"I know," Hania whispered to where Native America could barely hear him.

"Then why did you eat them?" Aranck asked. Hania was quiet then mumbled something unintelligible. "What?"

"They were sweet and tasted yummy," he whispered. "I'm sorry."

"I'm not very happy with you," Aranck said.

Hania looked straight ahead and widened his eyes. "Then you're not gonna be happy with him." He pointed behind Aranck.

Said Native turned around and saw the polar bear from earlier eating what was left of the berries from the deerskin bag. "No!" Aranck exclaimed and grabbed the polar bear. "Out. Back to your mother." He said and was about to toss out the cub when he felt Hania tugging on his loincloth.

"You can't throw him out Aranck," The young nation begged. "It's too cold outside and he'll be lonely."

"It cannot stay here," Aranck said sternly. "It must be lost and looking for its mother."

Hania kept staring at his older brother. "What if he doesn't have a mother? Who's going to take care of him and love him and make sure he's alright? He's just a baby."

"How are we going to take care of him?" Aranck asked.

Hania shrugged his shoulders, but still had a determined look to him. "We have to though. You always say, 'All life is important.' This is important, right?"

Aranck studied the younger nation, then the cub. 'It would keep him company when I'm not around.' Native America sighed and ran his hand through his blonde hair. "You know you would have to take care of him then, right?"

Hania brightened. "I will! I swear!" He promised, clutching the cub.

Aranck closed his eyes and sighed. "Fine but remember Hania-"

The younger nation interrupted him with an excited squeal. "Thank you! I promise, I'll take care of him and I won't eat the berries no more!" He then turned his attention to the bear. "I'm going to call you Nanuq, like in the story that Aranck tells me a lot!"

While Hania was talking to the bear, Aranck smiled tiredly at him. He's not even sure if he can give him a punishment anymore. If this is how all little brothers are supposed to be like, then he did a terrible job at it himself. Unlike Aranck, Hania was adorable and kind and quiet. He was the greatest thing that's ever happened to the Native. Aranck hoped that they would be good brothers for a very long time. He also hoped that he would never lose Hania.

Information and Translations:

Information:

Nanuq- This is a pretty popular alternative name for Kumajiro because Kuma is a Japanese name while Nanuq originated from Native Americans. In fact, it means polar bear inInuktitut.

Location- They're in Canada, which you can tell. To put it simple, they're near the Cree tribe, which would be modern day Manitoba, Canada. The Polar Bear Capitol of the World!

Edited on 1/26/16