Chapter 31

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Kally awoke with a start. Both horses were making a racket. She was about to tell them to shut up when she saw the bushes moving. Chris was up as well and he got up to calm Trickster down before drawing his sword. Kally did the same. Warily, they advanced towards the bush. A small brownish thing flew at them. It tackled Kally and started growling at her. Chris sheathed his sword and removed the dog from Kally's face. Kally got up and watched the dog squirm, trying to get out of Chris's grasp.

"Vicious little thing," she said.

"It's been beaten," Chris said bluntly. He sat down near the smoldering ashes of their fire and tried to examine the animal's wounds, but it wouldn't stop trying to bite him. Kally sat down and held the dog still; she fed him the last piece of meat. The dog looked at her, unsure if he should take it. Finally he decided he was too hungry to be picky and wolfed it down.

"Poor thing can't be more than four or five months old. What's he doing out here all by himself?" Kally asked.

"Your guess is as good as mine. He was probably abandoned or something. I think he's a lab, but I can't really tell with all the caked dirt and blood."

"I think I saw a stream while we were riding, I'll go get some water to clean this pup up." Kally said. She grabbed their waterskins and made her way towards the stream. She filled the waterkins and made her way back. She thought she heard some snores, but she dismissed the sounds, thinking it was only the wind.

When she got back to camp she handed one of the skins to Chris. The dog had calmed down a bit, but instantly started yelping and writhing as the cold water touched his wounds. Kally tore a part of her shirt and started wiping some of the dirt and blood away; this caused the pup to yelp in pain. Chris whispered comforting words to the poor dog, promising plates of meat piled higher than the pup's head. Finally, the dog was relatively cleaner than before and his wounds had been treated. The fog started to clear and the two Shang mounted their horses. Kally held the dog in her lap as they made their way back towards the gypsy camp. When they got back, Jake and Izzy ran over to them.

"Where have you two been? We were all worried about you! What are you holding Kally?" Jake asked. Izzy squealed in delight.

"Ooooooohhhhhh. It's a puppy! How cute! He's kinda dirty though. Can I hold him?"

"No, you cannot. Chris, let's go clean him up better." Kally said.

"I need to talk to Jake first. I'll catch up later."

"Ok, whatever." Kally shrugged and made her way towards the wagon. She set the dog down on the bed and told him to stay before going off to find something big enough to wash the dog in. She returned five minutes later with a medium-sized tub of water and soap, a couple of towels, some ointment, and a few bandages. She placed the tub on the floor and placed the protesting puppy in the water. She started scrubbing all the dirt off, taking care not to reopen the wounds. Chris walked in while Kally was drying the dog off and helped her administer the ointment to various cuts. There was one particularly nasty abrasion on the dog's left foreleg. Chris bandaged it up while Kally hold the whimpering dog still.

"What should we name him?" Kally asked.

"I dunno. Let's feed him and stuff before we start thinking up names."

"Okay, but I don't like referring to him as 'the dog' or 'him'."

"I don't either, but we need to get this handsome fella some food. I believe I promised a huge stack of meat." Chris picked up the now fluffy puppy. "Oh by the way, you forgot to put Storm away, so I had to do it for you. You owe me big time."

"She let you touch her?" Kally asked, surprised at her horse's strange behavior.

"Barely. She bit my arm before I could get her unsaddled." He glared at Kally. "You really need to teach that horse some manners."

"Hey, I can't help it if Storm doesn't trust humans. If you want to blame it on somebody, blame it on that dumb old seaman who beat her."

"I hope this pup won't act like Storm. It could cause major problems."

"I don't think he will. He was pretty good when we found him, despite the fact that the little mutt tried to bite my head off." She ruffled the dog's ears, he nipped at her fingers.

"I don't think we should let him near the others just yet. Izzy will want to hold him and she may be less than gentle, he might not like it that much."

"Yeah he might bite her or something. Well, I'll go get the meat. Can you clean up a bit?"

"Um, sure, but only if you bring me back something, I'm hungry."

"Alright." She pecked him on the cheek and left.

She stole a couple of apples and walked over to where Storm was tied. She gave the apples to the horse and apologized for her behavior. When Storm had forgiven her, Kally kissed the horse's forelock and walked off.

Kally begged the cooks for some food and received a plate heaped with meat and a couple of rolls with cheese. She brought it back to the wagon.

While Kally was away, Chris had cleaned up. The empty tub was outside and the used towels were hanging up. He had made a little bed for the dog in one corner of their room. Kally placed the plate of meat in front of the dog and gave him a little cheese. She then handed the remainder of the food to Chris.

"You want some?" he asked.

"I'm not hungry. We should start thinking up names now."

"Ok, how about Fred?"

"Fred!? No, I was thinking about something like, um, Toby."

"Uh, how about Kobe?"

"Hmmm…..Kobe? Alright, that sounds ok."

"Ok, so I guess it's settled then. Kobe, you got a new home buddy."

"I wonder how Bobbie and Robbie will react when they see him."

"They like dogs, they'll be fine with it and if they aren't, they can sleep outside."

"Hehe. Ya, that sounds fair."

They talked late in to the night. At around midnight, Chris and Kally heard the front door open. Bobbie and Robbie walked into the room and asked why they hadn't been at dinner. Chris pointed at the now sleeping dog and told them the whole story. Half an hour later, everyone retired for the night.

A/N: I have started a new story on FP.N so if you guys are really bored, plz read it and review!

Rosie Lady: glad ya liked it

Anastazia Silverwind: Well it's great that u like the chappie length, cuz that's as good as its gonna get!   ;P

Lady Mage Dragoness: Yes, one of the dudes was Sir Ugly. That dude totally freaks me out.

Read 24/7 and more: lol, N*Stink?! That's soooo old!

Ndblue123: Kally has these weird multiple personalities. But they aren't as weird as mine!

Tigress FN: Ya, ok, forgot bout the whole death thing. Well, guess that's y I can't be a doctor.

Songelf88 and G.H.S. the warg: lol. Well, at least your boyfriend actually tries to be romantic. But, next time he tries singing, tell him you wouldn't mind if he just gave you chocolate.

Kali: pasta is yummy. And thinking up names makes me hungry so I just say the first thing that pops into my head.

Loopeeee: Good u like the names. *lets out big breath*  lol, wow, I think u r the only person who actually liked the torture. Thank u!  I only saw the last half of the movie, but, ya, I remember that part. And yes, u finally gave me a long review that wasn't mostly spaces. *applauds*

Hawaiikel: heh heh. Ya parta is soooo SHEXY! Lol jk. Holy Guacamole that would be weird! Lol. O, and btw, Storm did more than just step on the guy, but I won't go into detail cuz it's kinda weird.

Felsong: ok, I'll read ur story as soon as I post this chapter. Scout's Honor! (even tho I was never a scout) I am sure ur story will be great!

Loki-goddess of Destruction: AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH! That hurt! Stop giving me the evil poke so I can write! And I can stop the chap. Whenever I want! So theeeerrrrrrrrrre!   ;P

Shanna: Gorsh. Ok, c I am updating now. So go and press da liddle purpley button in da corner and REVIEW!

AB-scribere: Hey, if u wanna use the idea, go ahead, just make sure u mention my name.  ;)

Alright ppl, get to work and start reviewing. And plzplz PLZ read my story on FictionPress. It's in Fantasy and the title is Daughter of the Stars. Thanx sooo much!

Luv ya ALL!!!!

*Kristen*