Chapter One

Kinara, now in the form of a human, stumbled through the forest, still not quite used to his human form. He was looking for someone, something, and anyone that could help him. He was about to give up for the night when he saw the smoke and gentle light from fires. Kinara knew from his years as a bear that humans were fond of fire, and used it often to scare bears such as him away. Swallowing his fear (the old fears were hard to get rid of now that he was human) he advanced toward the source of the light.

His arrival did not attract any attention, partly because there was no one there to witness it. The animal hide huts sat stoically against the elements, the fires blowing in the gentle breeze. Kinara assumed that most had turned in for the night. Going to the nearest tent and pushed the flap aside. Looking in, he saw a young man with a wild mop of jet-black hair with a piece of blue cloth tied around a lock of it. The stranger looked up, surprised, but soon a friendly smile graced his face as he stood up.

"Greetings, stranger. My name is Denahi. It is not often that someone of another tribe comes to visit. How may I help you?"

Kinara was shocked. This was not the snarling, raging beast that threatened his very life. Shaking that thought aside, he choked out, "I am Kinara. I am lost and seeking assistance. Do you know anyone that could help me?"

The human called Denahi laughed. "Of course I do! You'll want to visit Tanana, she is the wisest shaman in this area. Hang on, I'll lead you to her."

Kinara was immediately apprehensive. Was this Tanana really who Denahi said she was? Or was this a clever trap by the humans? Did Denahi know Kinara's secret? "No, no thanks, thanks for the help, but…"

"Nonsense! Here, let me show you," Denahi said. "Come on."

Kinara weighed his options. If this Tanana was a trap, he was pretty confident that he could escape. On the other hand, this might be a genuine chance for help. "…Okay. I'll come."

"Excellent! Let us be off!"

They walked until they came to a slightly larger hut at the other end of the village. Denahi walked inside, Kinara close behind him.

"Tanana? Do you have a moment?"

An ancient human female turned around and gazed at them with wise and piercing eyes that soon brightened to a smile. "Denahi! How good to see you. Come in, come in. Who do you have with you?"

"This is Kinara. He says that he's lost and needs help."

"You've certainly come to the right place. What is it you need?"

Kinara glanced nervously around him. "Well, if you don't mind, I would like to speak to you alone…"

"Of course. Denahi, leave us please."

"Yes Tanana," he said, giving Kinara a wink as he went back outside. Tanana turned to him.

"Well, young man, what is it you need?"

"Don't call me that," Kinara said, anxiety in his voice.

"Don't call you what?"

"A man. I hate them."

Tanana was silent for a long time. "Why don't you tell me more of your story, then, please."

Kinara sighed. "You see, I didn't start out as a man…"

"What do you mean?"

That's when it all came pouring out. Kinara revealed that he was a bear and the details of him growing up a lonely bear cub and his rage at humans for killing his family. He ended with the story of the hunt and the events at the mountaintop and how he had killed the man and his transformation. By the end he was breathing quite heavily. Tanana had a pained expression on her face.

"I see. Before we continue, I would like you to know that that man you killed was a member of our tribe. His name was Sachak. I will have to inform his family tomorrow."

"I do not have any pity for him," said Kinara, anger building up inside him. "I did not ask for this to happen to me, and all I ask now is that you help me."

"Very well. I shall help you in any way I can, and I may have an idea. You must go to where the lights touch the earth and, if you have learned your lesson, the Great Spirits shall become a bear once more. However, I am going to send you a companion. You may know him, but you may not know his story. His name is Kenai."

Kinara started. He had met Kenai, chatted with him, and even liked him. What on earth did he have to do with his predicament? "I have met Kenai. Very well. I will do what you say. I'll find Kenai and take him with me to this mountaintop," he began to leave.

Tanana shouted after him, "You do not have to look far! He is staying here, in the village, for some time. In one of the caves on the edge of the village. Hang on, I'll come with you.

Kinara was starting to get seriously annoyed. Couldn't he just get on with this stupid journey anyway? He still wanted to see Kenai though. "FINE!" he shouted back. "Don't expect me to wait for you!"

For an older woman, Tanana kept up well. Eventually, they arrived at a rocky cave on the edge of the village. Kinara saw Kenai inside, wrestling with Koda, whom Kinara knew as Kenai's adoptive brother. Kenai looked up when he heard the sound of footsteps. Seeing that it was Tanana, he let out a soft gruff that sounded almost like a question.

Tanana stepped forward. "Kenai, this is Kinara. He tells me you two have met before."

Kenai's eyes widened. "Kinara?" he said, and he could understand him perfectly. "What happened?"

Tanana smiled and stepped back. It was obvious Kenai had recognized Kinara, and she realized that she should get going. Leaving the cave, she could hear Kenai grunting and Kinara responding in the human tongue, almost like they could understand each other.

Kenai looked stunned. "So you killed a man? And now you must journey to where the lights touch the earth to become a bear again? I'm just a fellow bear, what help could I be?"

"Tanana said that I may not know your story. Kenai, are you hiding something?"

Kenai looked down at his paws, Koda laying down beside him.

"Well, it started with three brothers a long time ago…"