Chapter 15

I'm ready to do some serious writing! It's time I get down to business! So, bring it on! (Oh, it's already been brought!) I love that!

The cold wind blew outside the entrance of the Ice Cave. It was one of those winds before a storm. Shui stood playing with a group of young ones in the middle of the cave.

Shui! Shui! You can't catch me! some of them chanted. They ran around and around. Shui stood in the middle laughing along with them. This went on for sometime, until one of the mothers came. Okay, little ones. Time for bed. There were a few Aws and No fairs! Shui just smiled, and said We can play again tomorrow.

As the last of the little ones left, Dong walked in. He had an expression on his face that showed no worry, just happiness. Shui, you're so good with them.

I'm sure you could do just as well, Shui replied with a false smile. Would you like to go for a walk around the cave? You are the leader; you should know them from the heart. She hooked her arm into Dong's.

A walk would be nice, Dong answered as coolly as he could, but it came out nervous. Shui noticed this, and used it to her advantage.

Dong? Shui said resting her head on Dong's shoulder. Do you like being leader?

Dong, being "manly," older, and "dominant," replied, Being a leader is…tough, yet it's a good life skill. Dong gently pushed Shui's head off. They walked on further, until they reached the tunnel where soldiers and most of Dong and Shui's hunting partners lived.

Oh! Would you look at who it is? It's Lang! Shui exclaimed. You've met Lang, haven't you…Darling?

Dong blushed a little at the Darling. I'm sorry, Shui, what did you say?

You've met Lang, right?

Lang? Oh, you're one of the maidens that help out Shui. You make good Oddish soup, I hear, Dong said without even looking at Lang, just at Shui's claw around his arm.

Master Dong! I didn't expect you to come. If I had known, I would have prepared something for you. A light snack, or something or other, Lang rushed not looking up once, just at a spot on the floor, fiddling her fingers.

Lang, be a dear, and do stop your endless chatter. Your mother expects you for dinner, doesn't she? Shui interrupted. She gave a little glare.

Yes, Mistress. I shall be heading off then. See you in the morning. Lang walked into the carven (that's what you call it right? Those big rooms that tunnels lead into?) in which Lang, her family, and others, whose daughters or sons helped Shui or Dong hunt, lived. It was a large carven with a long, icy stone, which was used as a table. Many Oddish and other plant Pokemon leaves served as sleeping mats for they give off a nice smell. Other wild plants also served as sleeping mats.

Do all those Sneasel live in there? Dong asked.

They're happy that way. That way they won't be alone, Shui answered respectfully.

The Sneasel social classes were not much, because they were a hunter-gather society. However, there were the leaders, soldiers, and standard. Soldiers and standards mixed; in fact they all mixed. But, no matter what, the leader was the most important role.

I would never have thought… Dong trailed off. How do you know all this? Shui just smiled and rested her head on his shoulder again.

Let's head back. I'm getting tired, and I'm feeling a bit sleepy, Dong suggested.

That would be nice, Shui smiled. She held Dong's arm a little tighter, I'm not the least bit tired. Look thunderstorms are coming. There hasn't been a thunderstorm in three years! Shui said, acting sad. I remember when my Father and Mother were still around, I use to crawl into bed with them, so I wouldn't be scared.

Memories are sad, aren't they? Dong asked looking at Shui.

Some are happy. This was a happy one for you, right? This nice walk?

It was a happy memory, Dong leaned over and rubbed his nose against her nose.

'I've got him now,' Shui thought. Then very innocently she said, Dong, since my family is gone…could I spend the night with you? She looked at him with completely innocent, doll eyes. These eyes were big and round and twinkled.

Dong, who had fallen for Shui's act, said, Yeah, you sure can.

Later that night in Dong's cave, Dong began to drift off. Shui watched the door, which was just a bunch of leaves hanging down (it was like that for all the doorways), for Huo. The guard had left watch; it was everyone's day off. Dong? Shui whispered still watching the door.

Yes, Shui? Dong mumbled.

Shui then saw a slight movement at the doorway, and saw it was Huo. I'll tell you in a minute, I left something in my cave…my favorite leaf.

Okay, I'll wait.

Shui walked out. Huo! Shui whispered softly. I've got a plan… Huo nodded once the plans were said. I've got it under control, he said.

I'm back, Dong, Shui said.

So, what were you going to say? Dong asked.

I was thinking…uh…how about we have some young ones of our own? Shui said as perky as she could.

Really? Sure, let's start now, Dong said half asleep. Thirty minutes later, Huo jumped in. He threw fire at Dong, and then leaned over Shui.

Huo, you were suppose to come in a while ago! Shui exclaimed.

I know, but it was interesting to watch.

Huo! Really! Be mature! Shui then looked at Dong. Dong? Are you alright?

Sound more scared… Huo instructed.

Dong?!

Good. Now, where would you like me to bite you?

Where do you usually bite Sneasels? Shui whispered.

Well, if it were a male, his face and if it were a female, hmmm, the arm.

Shui held her arm up. Make is fast, Shui said and looked away.

Huo was reluctant at first. Then he slowly dug his teeth into Shui's arm. Shui screamed really loud. That's my que to go. Love ya, Doll! The echos of Shui's scream were still in the cave. Dong was already dead when the medical Sneasel's arrived. Dong lay on the floor, while Shui sat in a corner of the room just like when her mother has died. Dong's body was covered in burns with fresh blood on the surface. His eyes were closed and his arms were shielding him, but it was pointless. Dong wasn't prepared for the attack though. Shui has moved his arms in that position afterwards, so it looked like Dong had seen the attack coming. Shui's arm dripped with blood. It had stopped bleeding, but the scar will always be there.

Dong's adviser later announced the next day that since Dong had no family, the leadership shall be passed back to the original family, which meant Shui was the leader.

I did it! Isn't it wonderful? It's long, detailed, and strange. That's what my fellow readers are looking for right?