Chapter 6 - The Trek
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Oswald, Ortensia, and Kyle followed as Aleu led them up a steep hill. "It's just on the other side."
"I … sure .. hope .. .so …" Oswald said, already sweating a ton.
Ortensia giggled. "Oswald, it hasn't even been five minutes, how are you tired already?"
"Because … I've never … walked up …. an incline … like this … before …. I ...need … my … trolly …" He panted out.
Ortensia playfully rolled her eyes and grabbed his arm. "Oh, forgot your trolley troubles, Oswald, and just be happy we have somewhere safe to stay!"
"Yeah! Happy! Happy!" Kyle cheered before running over to Oswald's side. He grabbed either side of Oswald's lips and pulled them into a smile. "Happy!"
Oswald pulled away. "Hey! Get your hands off of me!"
The baby in his arms was startled by the yelling and started whining.
"Oh look what you did! You woke up the baby!" Oswald said.
Kyle frowned.
"Shh, it's okay baby, shh, shh, it's okay." Oswald said, gently rocking him back and forth.
The baby sniffled as he curled closer into Oswald's chest. Oswald gentled down as he cradled the infant closer, rocking back and forth gently.
"Hey wol...Aleu?" Oswald asked.
"Yeah?"
"What about the babies?"
"They and their mother ..." Aleu said, turning her head slightly and tapping the sleeping Fanny gently with her nose. "... can stay with the nursing wolf mothers."
"You sure your pack leader won't have any problems with this?" Oswald asked, tilting his head slightly.
Aleu chuckled. "Trust me, I'm more than sure." Her stomach growled out harshly as she let out a small groan.
"What's wrong?" Ortensia asked.
"Huh? Oh … nothing ...n othing .." Aleu reassured. "I'm just hungry, that's all."
Oswald's eats went straight up. "Hun … hungry?"
He grabbed Ortensia's hand. "That's it, we're leaving."
"What!? Why?" Ortensia demanded, pulling her hand back. "Because she's hungry? She's not going to eat us!"
Oswald gripped his ears, pulling them down and angrily thumping his foot. "Ooooh! How do you know that!?"
"Because if I was, don't you think I would have done it by now?" Aleu asked.
Oswald scratched under his chin in thought. "Hmm … maybe … unless ..."
"Unless, what?" Aleu asked, narrowing her eyes.
"Unless, you're planning a … sneak attack!" Oswald said, over dramatically.
Aleu stopped and looked over at him. "You know, you don't have to go with us, if you don't trust me."
Ortensia and Kyle looked at Oswald, anticipating his reply.
"I …" Oswald put his ears down. '...Oh, all right, I'll stop.."
"Good.: Aleu exhaled in relief, continuing up the hill.
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When they reached the peak, they stopped to take a breather. Oswald fell to his butt, breathing heavily.
Ortensia sat by him and smirked. "You tired already?"
Oswald nodded, still breathing in deeply.
Fanny groggily opened her eyes a little bit. "Are we … there..yet?"
"Not yet." Aleu said, laying on her stomach. "But you can see the pack grounds from up here."
Fanny shifted slightly to face the valley below. It looked like gray and brown specs were moving around down there.
"It's so … beautiful …" Fanny groaned out before closing her eyes again, and laying back on Aleu.
Oswald looked down at the baby and hugged him close. Ortensia did the same with the one in her arms. Kyle sat by her and started making funny faces at the little rabbit.
The baby made a confused noise before snuggling back into Ortensia. Owsald rolled his eyes at Kyle, and bounced his infant slightly.
"Hey Ozzie, why don't you hop on up there with Fanny, if you're so tired." Ortensia teased. Kyle laughed loudly.
"That's not funny you two!" Oswald pouted.
Aleu looked over. "Do you want to?"
"Wait … you're serious?" Oswald asked.
Aleu noddled. "We still have quite a way to go." She looked towards the sky, the sun turning a dark orange. "It'll be dark by the time we get down there too. We don't need you tripping if you're tired."
Ortensia and Kyle tried to stifle their laughter.
"Okay, okay." Oswald siad. "I guess it would be nice to sit by my hunny bunny too."
He went over and climbed onto Aleu's back. Fanny opened her eyes slightly, "Oswald …"
"Hi sweetie pie." Oswald said softly, stroking her back with his free arm. "How are you feeling?"
"Mm … mmm. .. okay …" Fanny said, closing her eyes again. "... Sleepy. .. and I'm still .. sore .."
Oswald pulled the baby closer to Fanny. "You wanna see your son?"
Fanny opened her eyes again and smiled warmly. "Son."
"Have you guys thought of a name yet?" Aleu asked.
"Hunny bun? Any ideas?" Oswald asked.
"I like ...the name …. Floyd …" She mumbled.
"What about the other one?" Aleu asked.
"Hmm …" Fanny thought tiredly. "... Lloyd.."
"Floyd and Lloyd?" Aleu asked.
Fabby bidded. "Floyd … and Lloyd … my sons …" Then she fell back asleep.
Aleu stood up. "Everyone ready to go?"
"I am." Ortensia said.
"Go! Go!" Kyle said.
"Yeah, I'm ready." Oswald said.
Fanny snored in reply.
Aleu started down the hill, towards her pack.