Chap. 4
Tug settled down after Kenai explained about his brother. He was still upset about the mess they caused, hunters liked the area, and they didn't want to attract them. The rest of the day was spent finding a new place to spend the night and teaching Denahi what little Kenai and Koda knew.
As evening settled in Kenai's mood became serious. "You know Denahi that our lives won't be easy. It won't be all fun and games." Denahi looked at his brother funny. "Kenai, life as a human wasn't all fun and games. I know you didn't understand that until your change, and I know that you thought I was just as bad, but, well, I've grown a lot since the mountain. Kenai grinned. "In more ways than one, you must weigh twice as much now!" Denahi took a playful swipe at his brother. "Don't worry Kenai; I am trying to follow my totem just as you are following yours."
Tug and Koda sat a little bit apart from the two brothers. "The spirits have something in store for them, and you too I think," stated Tug. Koda looked up at the huge bear beside him. "What do ya mean Tug? What could the spirits still want? Kenai already... well... you know..." Tug favored the cub with a smile. "Can't ya see Koda? The spirits rarely make such large changes. To turn two brothas into other creatures, well that can't be a coincidence." Koda didn't understand what Tug meant, but at that moment the two brothers lumbered over to them. "Come on Koda, time to rest."
They arrived at Tug's den the next day. It was up a steep hill, with a great view of the valley. Small trees dotted the landscape and a single large tree lay on its side by the entrance. A single chipmunk stood on the log glaring at Tug as they came up. "Youweresupposedtobehereyesterday!" the little creature yelled. "Ineedyoutohelpusfindthatnewhouse. Whoarethey? Isthattheyoungbearcubwhosemotherwasinafight? Nicetomeetyou, anywayiftheyarestaying, myfamilywillneedatreetonight. Comeon, notimetowaste!" The chipmunk jumped down and dashed into the den.
Kenai, Denahi, and Koda just stood there. Tug looked embarrassed. "Ya remember I told the story about this tree the first night. Well, looks like I'll be out for a while, Make yourselves comfortable."
The chipmunk had come back out with his family, and they were waiting restlessly on the log. Tug lumbered over and the jumped onto his back. "Iwantahouseuponthehilloverthere-""-itneedstobedry, apineifpossible-""- mommy, arewethereyet?" The family chattered away as Tug moved down the hill.
The brothers continued to stand there speechless for quite a while. Finally, Denahi broke the silence. "Do all chipmunks talk like that?" Kenai shook his head in bewilderment. "When I first became a bear, I met a couple of chipmunks, they weren't anything like that. Come on; let's go inside, it looks like rain." They moved off into the den.
"Bucky says that some chipmunks are hyper and are always talking. Course that was right before we found the Pine nut. Have I told you about the Pine nut, Denahi? It was the largest Pine nut I'd ever seen, even larger than K-" the trio disappeared into the den and Koda's voice faded from the hillside.