Shadu: If you didn't know, I LOVE wolves. So, here's a tribute to them.
Ish: They're my kin! Happiness, ness, ness!
One time disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh! Not in this, or any other chapter.
Ch.1: The Fire
A figure moved across the land on its lean, nimble legs. It was a wonderful fall night. The air was just right and it made his skin tingle with joy at the temperature. The night sky was crystal clear. Dotted with lights, it brought comfort to all those below. Even the panicked figure, who moved about swiftly with its strong body took the time to look up. But then he remembered his goal. Kill the prey before morning. And morning was only hours away. So he pressed forward. Then, he saw it.
Outlined against the lush green trees stood a sickly doe. She was on her last leg, and lagging behind greatly. He had managed to inflict some injuries, but it hadn't been enough. Now he must finish the job.
Crouching down low to the ground, he waited. They nested down, the ones he was stalking, had laid down for the night. It was now or never, he had to strike. Lifting his body from the ground just a little, he silently moved in for the kill. But then, their ears perked up; they stood to their feet, alert. Something had startled them. They bounded away in a flash. He growled a little, until he smelled it, the stench of smoke. A black billowing body rose over the forest.
His nose twitched. It was fire. His ears perked as he heard all the inhabitants flee from the jaws of the dragon. Its breath caused even the greatest of creatures to fall to their doom. He knew he couldn't get home in time, to warn his family, so he ran from the fire as well.
His nimble legs carried him speedily and lightly over the branches and fallen trees of the forest. He followed the path of instinct as it lead him farther away from the fire. But as fast as he was, it was catching up to him. He could not run fast enough. He was sure his family was gone. If he couldn't escape it, there was no way his family could. He had a head start while they probably did not. Frantically, he tried to out run his certain doom. He tried to out run the great orange and red dragon that ate everything and anything in its path. Then he saw it, his salvation, the river that cut through the forest. If he could cross it, he would be safe.
With death breathing down his neck, he gathered every last bit of his strength and sped forward and shot towards the river. He landed in the water with a splash. It welcomed him with open arms. It stroked and massaged the worn and tired muscles of the weary traveler. It was very kind and gentle, but firm against the dragon that opposed it, stopping it in its tracks.
Sitting in the cool blue water, he sat and watched. He watched as everything he had ever known went up in smoke, a long with his beloved family. He felt so useless. He couldn't have helped them. He was safe, but his family wasn't. A few tears rolled down his face and dropped into the water.
After a while, he slowly got up and trudged out onto the other bank, and shook himself dry. Walking down the bank, he heard a cry. It was a cry for help. It was a little one, wanting his mom. He walked towards the sound. It was coming from a hollow tree trunk. Peering inside, he saw what he couldn't believe.
Two little wolf pups lay in the trunk, crying for their mother. One was older than the other, probably by a year or so. He had a dark brown and gray color to him, his fur flecked with black. His bright dark brown eyes stared at the newcomer with fascination. The other wasn't more than probably six months old, just barely weaned. He was a light wolf, light gray in color on his underneath side. The rest of his body was a light brown, almost a gold kind of color, flecked with dark brown. His light golden eyes looked at the newcomer from the protection of his brother.
They both looked at him. The eldest admired this newcomer. His fur was a dark blend of gray and brown with white underneath and black highlighting it. He had intelligent, pale blue eyes, however kind and strong. His muscles were very apparent as they bulge a little.
"Are you two lost?" the newcomer asked, sitting down in front of them.
The younger one scooted back towards the rear of the trunk, but the older one shook his head.
"Are you waiting for someone?" the newcomer inquired.
The eldest nodded his head. No matter how he admired the newcomer's strength, he had to be careful.
"Did they go across the river to hunt?" the newcomer asked with sudden concern.
They eldest nodded. The younger of the two had fallen asleep and was now sleeping peacefully behind his brother. The eldest figured it was best, so he let him sleep.
"I don't think they're coming back," the newcomer stated.
They eldest cocked his head.
"There was a fire, and only a few got out in time, I was one of them," the newcomer hung his head.
The eldest was silent. What would they do now?
The newcomer started to get up and walk away, an awful guilt filling his gut, until the eldest stopped him by saying, "Don't leave us!"
"What?" the adult asked, looking back.
"Please, don't leave us a lone, mister," he repeated.
The adult smiled slightly.
"Call me Solomon, or whatever you prefer," the adult smiled.
Shadu: So, what'd ya think?
Ish: IT'SGOOD!
Hokage: We know you think so, but what about the other readers?
Shadu: We won't know unless they review. (hint, hint) (WHAM! WHAM!)