Daniel clung to his sister's back as they crossed the deep snow drifts which were so familiar to them. He whispered warning and directions in her ear as he held onto her like a baby koala bear.
Soon enough, he spotted the dark cave opening and they slipped inside. The sight which greeted them warmed his heart. Thirty kids sat around the cave playing with dolls or mending holes in their clothes or building up the fire. Wolf lay in the center of the cave, his fluffy tail wrapped around two twin toddlers. On the outside, the cave looked like it would be cold and damp. But on the inside, it was actually quite warm and homey. Piles of furs lay about which some of the kids were curled up in, reading books.
"Daniel, Xiwang!" One of the toddlers pushed Wolf's tail aside and hobbled over to them. Xiwang set Daniel down and he hugged the little girl.
"Hiya Rose." He tweaked her nose, "How's it going? Have you been a good girl?"
"Yes!" She grinned broadly.
Wolf turned his head to look at her and growled low in his throat- a warning.
Hanging her head, Rose sighed and shook her head. "Nooooo." She drew out the word for a full three seconds and refused to look Daniel in the eye.
"What'd you do?" Daniel raised one eyebrow."
"She threw a tantrum." Wolf answered before the little girl had a chance. Motioning with his nose to the far wall, Wolf flexed the claws of one paw. "And did that."
Squinting to see through the semi-dark cave, Daniel's jaw fell open in surprise. "Rose!" He exclaimed. "What did we tell you about violence?"
Tracing her foot over the ground she sighed, "Violence is never the answer."
Gaping wide-eyed at the four foot wide hole in the wall, Daniel picked up the toddler's hand, inspecting her knuckles. Although there was a tiny bruise, punching the wall hadn't even broken her skin. Looking her straight in the eye, Daniel shook his head at her. "Rose, you are stronger than anyone else- you could really hurt someone. You must control your temper. How would you have felt if someone had been hit by those rocks when you punched that wall?"
Sucking on her thumb, she cast her eyes upon the floor. "I'm sowy brother." She mumbled.
"That's better." Daniel rubbed her head affectionately. "Don't do it again."
Lily, Rose's twin sister, toddled up and grabbed her twin's hand. Looking up at Xiwang with brilliant florescent green eyes, she asked, "Sissy, where is Momma? Is she coming to visit us soon? When can we go home?"
Kneeling next to the two year olds, Xiwang wrapped them both in a warm hug- a very unusual gesture from her. "Momma took the boy back to the city. It is safe for you and the others to return. In probably about an hour, Momma will come and bring us all back home together."
"She took him back?" Wolf frowned. "Already?"
Shrugging, Xiwang turned towards Wolf's voice. "Yeah, he has friends in high places- they were planning on tearing the mountain apart looking for him. Momma had to take him back much sooner than she would have liked."
"Well then, it's only a matter of time." Standing up, shaking out his brilliant white coat, Wolf bellowed. "Alright kids, pack up! We will be headed back home within the hour."
Cheers ran through the cave as kids swarmed left and right to pack there few belongings. Once everyone was ready, they sat together in a circle and waited. And waited. And waited.
Two hours later, Wolf was thumping his tail in agitation. "Shouldn't she be back by now?" He growled at Xiwang.
Wringing her hands, the blind girl nodded. "Something must be seriously wrong."
Sorry guys! I know this chapter is kinda short. I will try to upload a longer one next time! :)