All I'm gonna say is I'm going to have fun with this story. That is all. Read on!

Chapter Five

"Are we going to be eaten by sharks? We're way out here!" I exclaimed, both frightened and exhilarated.

Denny laughed deeply before splashing me with water, "I'm offended that you have so little faith in me." he joked and I splashed him back.

"I doubt you go around fighting sharks for fun." I said sardonically, while he just grinned at me.

"You would be surprised. Where do you think I got this necklace?" he asked while pointing to a glistening shark tooth resting on his chest.

I gasp and swam forward, getting close enough to take it between my fingers, "Did you really take on a shark to get this?" I asked, incredulous.

He continued to grin at me, "Sure did. He was eight feet long and weighed over five- hundred pounds! Didn't stop me though. To his credit, he did put up a good fight. He's not the one who one in the end though." he stated proudly and I guess my face held some disbelief at his story still.

He looked at me critically, "You don't believe me." he accused, hurt in his deep chocolate brown eyes.

I shook my head at him quickly, "No, no. I believe you. I'm just having a hard time picturing it." I explained and he nodded in understanding.

"Well, I could show you what happened, but I fear you would have to stand in as the shark, because I see none at the moment." he said, looking around us at the calm waters.

I laughed and backed up a few paces in the water, "No, thanks. I like being human." I told him and an evil look entered his eyes.

"What? Afraid of a little physical contact between two people of the opposite sex?" he mocked me, circling me very much like a lion would his prey.

"No, I just don't want to be a shark." I reasoned, but the tremor in my voice gave me away as a fraud.

He smirked at me, "I'm sure that's all." he said, coming even closer to me.

I put on a stern face to mask my growing embarrassment at this conversation, "Denny, stop it." I ordered, but he still advanced.

"Stop what?" he asked me, faux confusion blooming on his face in the early morning light.

He lunged at me, "That!" I shrieked and he folded me into his arms.

I gaze up into his eyes and he spoke, "Again, what do you want me to stop?" he inquired and I gulped under the weight of the question.

"Nothing." I choked out and he smiled down at me.

"That's what I thought." he whispered and began to lower his head.

I gasped mentally as I realized what he was doing, and I couldn't fight it. Only when he was three inches from my lips, did he stop his assault and laugh down at me.

"You need to get home." he whispered and the trance that had been over me last night broke and revealed the early morning sun.

"Oh, Goddess. Did we really stay out here all night?" I asked and he shook his head yes.

"We might want to get out of the water about now. Don't want to get hit by an early morning boat whose captain is too busy staring at you to navigate the boat." he winked at me before starting on his way to shore.

I followed closely behind him, swimming a bit slower then him. I couldn't believe I had stayed out all night with this boy, a boy I barely knew. I couldn't help but wonder at with this made us. Were we friends or still strangers? Although I wanted to know the answer to that, I didn't want to bring it up in conversation. We made it to shore and toweled off with a towel he provided from his house. I dried off quickly, my fingers pruney, and pulled on my shirt and shorts once more. Next to follow was my boots and I looked up to find Denny watching me.

"What?" I asked, my cheeks lighting up with a blush.

He shook his head at me, "Nothing. I had fun. Maybe we can do it again sometime." he offered and I smiled at him.

"I would like that. Maybe go fishing. You could teach me." I told him and he gasped.

"You don't know how to fish?" he asked, incredulous, and I nodded at him slowly.

"That's a crime punishable by death. We are going to change that if you want to live." he said seriously and I laughed.

"Okay, Denny. You can teach me how to fish if it will make you happy." I said, patting him lightly on the upper arm.

He smiled down at me and I removed my touch, "How about I walk you home?" he offered and I smiled.

"Okay." and we were off.

**/**

I wake up later on in the day and the sun is shining straight into my face. I groan and flip back over onto my stomach, wanting to fight off the world for a little longer. The one image in my head fighting back was the sad sway of my turnip plants, coughing with dryness and begging me for water. I groaned again and flung the quilt back and got out of bed. My feet made a dull thud on the flooring, and it was the only sound in the silent house. I needed to get a radio or something, because this was just ridiculous.

I wrap my bandanna around my chestnut colored hair and made my way outside. I walked slowly, shivering in the warm air after being so cold, and made my way over to my field with watering can in hand. I turned the corner of my house and what I saw there made my drop my watering can and gasp. A pack of wild dogs were pawing at my turnips, ripping their delicate stems from the ground. I ran towards them, my heart in my throat. They all scattered except for one brave soul.

I stopped and looked at the brave dog, "You think you're so tough don't you?" I asked the mutt and he barked at me, as if defying me.

I started to walk towards the dog, being as careful as I could. I stuck a hand out and slowly approached him. He didn't growl, but merely stood where he was, seeing if I would dare to touch him. I took a deep breath, taking a chance on this one, and touched his matted fur with my hand softly. He turned into a giant puppy then, his tail going a million miles a minute. I grinned at him and patted his head.

"Do you want to come live with me? I'm kinda lonely." I told him and he barked at me happily.

I grinned at the large dog and stroked his head again, "I think I'm going to name you Hunter. What do you think?" I asked the dog and he barked at me yet again.

"Okay, first things first, you need a bath." I announced and Hunter swung his head around to look at me.

"You aren't going in my house looking like that." I told the dog sternly and he lowered his head and began to walk towards the river like a man heading to the gallows.

I giggled and followed the dog. Things were looking up.

A/N: I know it's slow right now, but stick with me. It will get better once I get the feel of things. Leave me a review!