The Pack

Disclaimer: Every thing except for the plot is hereby disclaimed.

Chapter 14

I didn't realize I had fell asleep in Squall's arms until I was awakened by his gentle voice.

Cloud, I'm approaching the clearing. Do you want me to put you down?

'Yes please.' I thought and he placed me down. I wobbled a little before my stance was stable again.

I walked into the clearing and immediately spotted a white pup barreling towards me.

"Zell!" I yelped.

The small pup jumped into my arms and I held him close. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry I told you to leave!" I said.

The small Loup garou whined as I held him. I closed my eyes.

When I felt others wrap their arms around me I opened them again.

Zack had tears in his eyes. "Y-you can't j-just leave! W-who's gonna help me track down food and keep me company when Xigbar's asleep! Y-you, you meanie!" Zack started to whine.

"I-I'm sorry." I whimpered.

"Jerk!" He yelped.

"I-I'm so sorry." My voice broke.

Xigbar bonked Zack on the head before joining the hug. "It's not your fault Cloud… but the truth is… you really are one of us now and if you were to leave, our whole system would fall apart. We need you Cloud. We don't ever want you to leave!" Xigbar said while trying to act unphased.

We all new deep down that he was very upset.

"I d-don't want to leave." I said in a whisper.

"Good…" Riku said and squeezed himself into the huddle.

I looked to see Sora and Kairi looking back at me with sad expressions on their faces.

The others around me moved away and I put Zell down.

I looked to Xemnas and he nodded as if happy to see me back.

I kneeled down in front of Sora and Kairi.

"We're sorry." They said.

I gave them a puzzled face.

"If we made you mad or sad… we didn't mean t-to… p-please d-don't leave l-like our mommies d-d-did!" Kairi wailed.

"W-we'll b-be good! I p-promise! P-please d-don't hate us anymore!" Sora whimpered.

I grabbed them both and pulled them to me as tightly as I could. "I will never, EVER hate you. I left because I thought that maybe you and I were too different. That I really couldn't stay because I'm not what you are… b-but I wanted to stay! I didn't want to go! E-even though I kn-knew that we were different and that I wouldn't understand, I wanted t-to b-be in the p-pack!" I said starting to feel upset again.

"You don't ever have to leave! Me and Sora will find you and bring you back if you try!" Kairi said.

"Yeah! And we'll beat up who ever it is who gave you the stupid idea that you don't belong!" Sora said.

I chuckled. "Thanks you two. I love very much." I said.

"We love you too!" they said.

I let them go and looked around. Squall was lying over on the other side of the clearing.

I stood and started to walk over to him. Zell ran in front of me.

'Zell, follow me.' I thought.

Zell's ears flattened and he sat. I looked at him and frowned.

'Squall isn't a bad person, Zell. He wont hurt you.' I told him.

Zell simply started to tremble.

'I know he was really scary a while ago, but I promise that he isn't normally like that. Please come with me? I don't want you to be afraid of him… he's… like your dad or something…' I finished.

Zell stood and I patted him on the head. 'Thank you.'

Zell followed closely behind me as we walked over to the other side of the clearing.

Squall opened his eyes as we approached. I moved over to him and sat. 'Zell, he's not scary. Why don't you come over here and sit with us?' I thought to him.

The pup whined and trembled where he stood.

'I wouldn't let Squall hurt you even if he was scary. C'mon Zell. We both love you very much.' I thought.

Forget it Cloud… the pup doesn't like me. I messed up. Squall's voice said as he got up and left the clearing.

I frowned. "SQUALL!"

When Squall was out of sight. Zell moved over next to me and sat.

'I don't think that was very nice Zell. Squall wasn't being remotely mean and you refused to sit near him. You made him sad.' I gave Zell and reprimanding look.

Zell's ears flopped and he whimpered.

'I know you're afraid of him… but it give you the right to be cruel.' I thought.

Zell's head sank and I sighed.

'I wonder where he went?' I thought.

After about ten minutes, Squall came back to the clearing.

I watched as he approached Zell and I.

Zell's trembling became more and more pronounced as Squall got closer.

Squall opened his mouth and something fell to the ground.

A dead bird.

Eat. Squall thought to Zell and walked away.

Zell looked at me with a puzzled face.

'That's food Zell, eat every bit of it or I'll be angry with you.' I said before standing.

I left Zell to eat and moved over to Squall.

'I love you.' I thought before lying down next to him and running my hand over his fur-covered body.

Love you too. He replied.

I sighed and snuggled closer to his warmth. Squall released a contented growl low in his throat.

When I heard someone approaching I flipped around to see who it was.

Zell was slowly inching closer, trying his hardest not to run away.

I watched as he moved closer and closer, patience flowing through my as I let him go on his own pace.

Unfortunately, Squall didn't really have the same patience I had and he moved his paw to bring him closer.

Zell yelped and moved to run away only to have his tail stuck under Squall's large paw.

I moved and stood. Squall stood as well and then picked Zell up by the scruff of his neck.

Zell was in a panic hanging from Squall's teeth.

'Zell, calm down. Is Squall hurting you?' I wondered.

The pup suddenly stopped his whining to become aware of his situation. Squall put him down and Zell turned to look up at Squall.

I smiled when Squall licked Zell's little face before nuzzling his little body with his nose.

Zell sneezed before yipping and nuzzling back.

I smiled and sat back down, the wave of relief that was flowing through me allowed to finally relax. Everything was back to normal… and we were all a family again.

Squall looked to me and suddenly pounced on top of me and started to lick my face. I yelped and giggled. I opened my eyes to see Zell running towards me.

They both decided to attack my face with kisses.

"WAAHHHH! ST-STOP! IT TICKLES!" I laughed out loud.

When they pulled back, Demyx grabbed Zell and lifted him in to the air.

"SORA, KAIRI! ZELL'S BEEN STOLEN!" I yelped.

"We'll catch him!" They stood and ran towards Demyx, who was holding a yipping pup in the air.

I got up and ran towards Demyx who lowered Zell so that I could take him. I took him from Demyx and started to run around.

"That's not fair! You can't be on Demyx's team!" Kairi said.

"What? Riku's on your team!" I said.

"WHAT!" Riku yelped in surprise.

"YAY! Riku almost never plays with us! C'mon Riku! We have to get Zell back!" Sora yipped.

You've got to be kidding m- Riku started but paused when he saw the look on his mate's face.

Alright… fine. It's not like you play with the kids, Xemnas. Riku mumbled.

Xemnas growled.

Riku huffed.

Xemnas snarled.

Riku snarled back.

Xemnas stood his large form towering over Riku's.

The black wolf grunted and turned, his tail swishing in Xemnas' face.

Xemnas seemed to sigh and roll his eyes before laying back down to doze.

I smiled. That was definitely the first time I had seen Xemnas reveal so much personality.

"Are we playing this game or not?" Riku said now dressed and ready for the game.

I smiled and started to run.

"GET HIM!" Sora and Kairi yelled together.

-The Pack-

When I woke up, I was snuggled close to Squall's warm fur. Today marked the beginning of my return to work and the house. It was a little sad and I was reluctant to get up and go to work… but I smiled knowing that this family would be waiting for me to come back after work.

I ran a hand through the fur in front of me. I could feel the gentle rise and fall of Squall's chest and steady beat of his heart.

I sighed happily before burying my face in his hair.

Are you getting ready to go? Squall's voice rang in my head.

'Yeah… I'll be back when my shift over and stay for a couple of hours before going back to the house.' I thought back to him.

A growl rumbled in his chest. I don't want you to go.

I smiled. 'I'm not going anywhere. The only difference is that I'll be gone during parts of the day and I will sleep at the house.'

Why can't you stay? Squall wondered.

'I was leading a life before I came here Squall… I don't feel comfortable abandoning it. What if I asked you to live with me and leave your pack behind… Wouldn't you refuse?' I asked.

Squall was silent.

'Squall… don't be upset with me. It's not like I love my other life more that this one. But I did have friends… they are kind of like a family too. Can you understand that? Please don't make this harder for me. I love you and I love this pack. But am I not allowed to love friends outside of it?' I asked.

I want you to come back… I need you to.

'I will Squall. I'm in this for life remember? Where is all this unease coming from? I can feel it Squall. Don't worry. I need to get ready, do you want to come with me?' I asked.

Squall stood and I got up as well. I moved to my duffle bag and pulled out some clothes.

Squall and I walked over to the lake. It was still dark in the sky when we arrived. I took off my old clothing after placing my new clothes on the tree branch.

Suddenly I felt myself being lifted and I yelped.

Squall threw me in the water.

When I came back up I growled at him. 'You never get tired of that, do you?'

Squall yipped before jumping in.

He came up from the water right in front of me.

"I love you." I said out loud.

Squall wrapped his arms around me and let a low and gentle growl sound in reply.

I smiled before giving his face a lick.

His face tinted red again.

'You did it again! You're blushing!' I thought.

Wolves don't blush.

'Oh yes they do!' I replied.

Well… you licked my face and I didn't think you would do something like that.

'What's so special about that?' I wondered.

I always thought you would just kiss me like a human would. It caught me off guard the first time you did it. To lick someone's face is the purest form of saying 'I love you.' It's a little embarrassing to do it. That's why you don't see the others lick each other's face very often. I didn't expect you to do it… that's all.

I snorted. 'Maybe I should lick you more often.'

Squall grunted.

I yipped and connected our lips. Squall held me tighter as I wrapped my arms around his neck.

Squall sighed into the kiss before grabbing control of the kiss and sliding his hands lower down my back.

I shivered at the movement and let a small whine escape my throat.

"GOOOOOOD MORNING ALL!" I jumped at the yell and turn to see Zack canon-balling into the lake.

"Zack! We were supposed to be discreet! They were having a moment! Dumbass…" Xigbar said before entering the lake water.

I smiled. "Hey!"

"Did you really think we'd let you leave without saying goodbye to all of us? Don't give Squall special treatment just because he's your mate! We want to see you off too!" Zack yipped.

"It's not like I'm leaving forever! I'm coming back after work!" I said.

"That's not the point." I turned to see Riku sliding into the water.

"Yeah! We still want to be there when you leave and when you come back!" Sora and Kairi said before jumping into the lake.

I looked over to the tree to see Xemnas and Zell sitting with soft gazes of their faces.

My eyes started to water. "You guys! I-I l-love you guys!" I yelped.

"We wanted to say goodbye too!" Demyx said with Axel by his side. Xion and Zexion moved next to Xemnas.

I smiled. "Thanks, all of you. Though it does sound a little weird for all of you to say that you all want to watch me leave. Are you sure you're not kicking me out?" I asked with a laugh.

No… I just wanted to watch your ass as you left. I mean, that thing is FINE! Axel said with a 'wolf whistle.'

Squall growled and I laughed. "You're too much Axel."

It was maybe a half an hour of all of us goofing around in the water. But when the sun finally came up, the water started to get cold.

"Zack is cold! Xiggy hold Zack!" Zack said and grabbed onto Xigbar's arm.

"Why are you talking like that?" he asked.

"I don't know… it just sorta came out like that…" Zack said with a shrug.

Xigbar kissed Zack's head. "Idiot."

I smiled at them. 'You two are adorable.' I thought.

They yipped.

I turned and looked over to my clothes. I didn't really want to reveal my naked self to everyone here, but my clothes were hanging on a tree.

I shrugged and moved to get out of the water when Squall grabbed me. Stay here.

I gave him a puzzled look but nodded.

Squall got out of the water and changed into wolf form. Now get out. He ordered.

'Oh. Thank you Squall." I said when I realized what he was doing.

When I stood, Squall's height was just tall enough to hade what I didn't want to show to the others.

You're a clever one Squall but I'll get a piece of that meat eventually. Axel said.

"AWW! Cloud! Don't be shy! We're naked all the time!" Zack yelled.

"Sorry… it's just… it's a human thing. I really only want Squall to see me naked…" I trailed off with a blush.

I think it's very admirable of you. Riku's voice said.

'Thank you.' I thought to him.

"I think it's stupid. I know almost all of your kind doesn't abide to those values at all. It can't actually be a valued custom if no one does it!" Axel said.

'It was how I was raised and that's what I believe in. If you have a problem with that then you need to keep it to yourself.' I thought to him.

"Y-yeah! Shut up Axel! You're only saying that because you want to see him naked! I bet you if you were his mate you would be perfectly fine with him only revealing his body to you so shut up… stupid!" Zack added at the last minute in a fast rant.

I snorted at Zack and thanked him in a thought.

No problem Cloud! I got your back whenever you need it!

I put on my clothes quickly and when I was finished and kneeled down. 'Thank you Squall.' I thought.

Squall licked my face and I giggled.

"I need to head to the Bakery now. I'll see you guys when I get back." I said with a smile.

"BYE CLOUD!" Zack yelled.

I shook my head in amusement and the others nodded a farewell and bid a quieter adieu.

I'll walk you. Squall said.

'You don't have to.' I said.

A dressed Squall ran up to me and grabbed my hand. I blushed.

Awww! Squally is becoming versed in human customs! Zack yipped.

Squall growled at the nickname and I laughed.

We walked toward the city and I couldn't help but look down at our linked hands. I was happy that we could understand each other and adapt to one another's lifestyles.

Squall squeezed my hand and I smiled.

We walked silently out of the park and towards the bakery. When we got there I turned to him. 'I'll be back in the forest in no time, okay?' I thought to him.

He grunted before placing a small kiss on my lips. Be safe.

I smiled. 'Don't worry! Go back to the clearing okay? I'll be there sooner than you think.' I thought.

"Hey Cloud!" Naminé greeted.

I turned to Nami and smiled. "Hey, sorry I haven't opened it all up yet. I was… distracted." I said.

"You guys must have gotten friendlier after your first encounter. To tell you the truth, I think Cloud thought you were a serial killer…" Naminé said.

"Oh! Naminé you jest!" I said and opened the door of the shop before ushering her inside.

I don't really care Cloud. You don't have to lock your friend into a building. Squall said with a hint of amusement.

'Fine, come inside so I can introduce you to Nami and Tidus.' I thought to him.

We walked inside and I sighed. "Yeah, sorry about that Nami. Squall, this is my friend and coworker Naminé. Nami, this is my boyfriend Squall." I introduced.

She smiled. "I knew it! I knew there was something special going on!" she said with a giggle.

"Well… it seems you approve. I just have to wait until Tidus comes to see what he thinks." I said before heading to the back and starting on the bread.

'It'll take me about fifteen minutes to make this bread, do you mind waiting?' I wondered.

This girl smells like flowers…

I laughed out loud as I kneaded the dough.

"Cloud what are you laughing at back there?" Naminé asked.

I stopped laughing.

'Yeah, she smells nice. You should talk to her. She's a sweet girl.' I said.

When I didn't hear a reply I figured he either started to talk to Nami or decided to remain quiet.

After a few minutes I heard Squall laugh.

I quickly put the loaves of bread in the oven and walked back to the front. "I just heard Squall laugh. What's so funny?" I asked.

"Oh, I was just talking about the time you were watching a kid eat his blueberry muffin and you walked right into the door. It was so funny!" Naminé said with a smile.

"Don't tell him about my embarrassing moments… THEY'RE EMBARRASSING!" I yelped.

Squall laughed. "We were in the park and he was watching me play with a puppy as he was running and he ran right into a tree."

"SHUT UP!" I covered my red face and crouched behind the counter so you couldn't see me.

"You have to admit that it was quite funny Cloud." Squall said as Nami continued to laugh at my misfortune.

I sighed. "It was kinda funny…"

"Good morning-Oh! A customer already?" Tidus asked.

I stood from behind the counter and shook my head. "I wanted to introduce you to my boyfriend Squall. Squall, this is Tidus." I said.

"Nice to meet you man." Tidus held out his hand.

Squall shook it. "Same here."

Tidus turned to me with a smug look. "I told you, you're a catcher and there's no hiding it now!"

"TIDUS!" I yelped.

"What? We all know he's not catching! There's just no way. He's 100% the dominant male. There's no questioning it." Tidus said.

"When was it suddenly decided that today was 'Pick on Cloud Day?' I certainly didn't get the memo!" I said.

"Hey did Cloud tell you about the time he called some fat chick pregnant and she punched him in the face? Man! I'd never see a woman hit so hard in my life!" Tidus said.

Squall looked to me. "You certainly are a clumsy one aren't you?"

"Are you having fun picking on me!" I pouted.

Squall pulled me onto his lap. "Yes, yes I am." He said with a smirk.

I blushed and tried to stand but Squall had a strong grip on my waist.

Tidus smirked at me.

"SHUT UP!" I yelped.

"Oh, my friend, I didn't say anything." Tidus replied.

"You two are really cute." Nami said.

"Yeah, definitely. I approve!" Tidus said with a smile.

I beamed at them. "That means a lot to me. Thank you." I said.

"Well, it's hard to disapprove when you look happier than you've ever been." Tidus said and Naminé nodded.

Cloud, I have to go back and kick Axel's ass for causing a disturbance.

'Don't hurt him too much. He's nice on some occasions.' I thought. "I'll see you tonight." I said.

Squall nodded and planted a kiss in my lips before leaving.

When Squall was out the door, Tidus looked to me. "You two look really happy, dude. I mean sure, he has a wacky taste in hats but he's not bad."

"Thanks. I like to think that I date good people." I said.

"That's not what I meant." Tidus said.

"I know." I said with a smile.

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