The Pack
Disclaimer: Disclaimed!
Sorry for the shortness.
Chapter 18
Squall and I walked down the street. Zell would point to something and I would tell him what it was. He would repeat it with a laugh or a giggle.
"Clow, what's that!" he asked and pointed to the truck driving towards us.
"It's a truck." I said.
"Twuck!" He yipped.
"I'm pretty sure there's an R in there…" Squall said with a chuckle.
"But he can make a K sound which means he can say your name right. Zell, what's your dad's name?" I asked.
"Swall!" he exclaimed.
"You sure? I think his name is Squall. Can you say it correctly?" I asked.
"S… Squall?" he asked.
"Yes! That's perfect! Your father's name is?"
"Squall!" he said from on top of Squall's shoulders.
We entered the forest and after forty-five minutes of pointing and naming, we entered the clearing.
Squall put Zell down and Zell immediately removed his clothes. I laughed at that.
"ZELL!" Sora and Kairi yipped.
"Sowa and Kaiwi!" he yipped and was about to run off with them when Squall grabbed him by the tail.
"You are not playing with anyone until those R's are fixed." Squall said before turning into a wolf.
Zell whined and turned into a pup. Squall picked him up by the scruff of the neck.
Zell is so cute Cloud! I'm so happy! I heard Zack's voice exclaim.
'Thanks, Zack. I guess Zell has a speech lesson before he can greet everyone.' I thought in reply.
Got it. We'll be waiting. Riku's voice sounded.
I nodded and moved to the boulder where Squall and Zell were sitting. I sat next to them and smiled.
Say 'growl' Squall said.
"Gwowl." Zell said.
No… there's an r noise… rrrrrrrrr! Squall said.
Zell sat looking puzzled.
Squall growled in agitation. Zell yelped and started to whine.
"Squall! You can't just expect him to get it right on the first try. And you can't get mad at him either." I said and ran my hand through Zell's blonde hair.
Zell looked up at me. I kneeled so that I could be at his level. "Squall just wants you to make an R sound, and he's upset because he knows you can do it. So let's try again." I said.
Zell wagged his tail. "Okay." He said.
"Say grrrrowl!" I said emphasizing the R.
"Gwowl…" Zell said.
"Okay… let's try it a different way. You see Xigbar over there?" I asked.
"Yeah…" Zell said.
"Well when I first met him, I thought he was a bear. Can you say bear?" I asked.
"Beaw!" he said.
"Do you know the sound a bear makes?" I asked.
Zell shook his head.
"RAAAAAAAAWRRRR!" I exclaimed and Zell squealed.
"RAAAAAAWRRRRR!" I said again and pretended to be a bear. "Zell come be my baby bear!" I said. "Say it with me!"
We took a deep breath together. "RAAAAAAAAAAAAWRRRRRRRRRR!" We exclaimed.
"Yes! That was it Zell! You made the R noise!" I said.
"Raaaawr!" Zell said to me.
"Say RRRRRIKU!" I roared.
"Rrrrrriku!" He copied.
I smiled. "Perfect! Now say Sorrra and Kairrri!" I said as if still growling like a bear.
"Sorrrra and Kairrri!" he growled in reply.
"Great job Zell! Sora and Kairi." I said.
"Sora and Kairi! Xigbar! Riku!" he said.
"YES! I'm so proud of you!" I yipped and pulled Zell to me.
Zell giggled and wrapped his small arms around me.
"Zell, go say growl to Squall." I whispered in his ear.
Zell walked over to Squall, who was laying next to the boulder watching Zell and I.
Zell walked over to Squall with a blush and said. "Grrrrrowl…"
Squall lifted his head and yipped. Good job, Zell. His voice rang before licking the side of Zell's face.
Zell yipped before turning into a puppy once more. Zell licked his father's snout before running off to play with Sora and Kairi.
I could feel the blush he would have had in his face on my own. I smirked at Squall.
Don't give me that look. Squall's voice said.
I yipped. 'You should be more gentle…' I suggested.
No.
I looked at him. 'Why not?'
He's not a human child. He can't be coddled so much.
'You know I hate it when you say things like that. I get it, he's Loup Garou, but he's still a kid. And kids like to be praised by their parents. It's not about coddling or sheltering. It's about showing your son that you love him and that you're proud of him.' I thought and turned away from him to watch the kids play.
There was a growl from behind me then a cold nose on my cheek. I didn't mean it like that. I'm sorry.
'So you'll listen to what I say?' I wondered.
No.
I growled.
Look, I'm not being defiant. It's my job as his father to teach him to be what he is. And in order to do that, he needs tough skin and the ability to stand on his own.
I sighed before nodding.
Squall is only telling you the truth about Loup Garou upbringing. Loup Garou must learn to think fast, run fast, attack first, be fearless, rely on others, but at the same time rely on one's self. All of these things cannot be learned if he becomes too soft. Xemnas' voice rang.
I nodded again. 'I know… I just… forget it. I understand.' I thought and stood.
I started to walk towards Zack and Xigbar when the back of my jeans was tugged lightly. I turned to see Squall tugging on the back pocket of my jeans. He looked up at me.
Don't be upset.
'Got it.' I said and waited for his teeth to relinquish my jean pocket.
Squall growled in agitation before letting go. I continued to move to the other side of the clearing and sat next to Zack.
You okay? Zack's voice asked.
'Yeah, I just need a second.' I thought back to him.
You know, Squall is really happy about being a dad. Xigbar said.
'I know he is…' I thought before looking at the kids playing. Demyx joined in the game the kids were playing and I smiled at them.
The little tyke looks happy and healthy. Seems like you and Squall did a good job. Axel's voice rang.
I nodded. "Yeah…" I said aloud.
I assume his changing affected you? Zexion's voice said and I looked to see him and Xion approaching us.
'Yep… all that pain and stress was worth it though.' I thought and looked back at the kids. Demyx was trying to get Riku to play the game but Riku swiftly declined.
I chuckled at the scene before moving towards the kids. 'You guys need another player?' I asked.
"Cloud! You'll play?" Demyx asked as his ears twitched in excitement.
I nodded. "What are we playing?" I asked.
"We're playing 'Catch the Cloud!'" he said and took a step towards me.
"What kind of game is that?" I asked.
"This one! ATTACK!" Demyx yelled and they all ran towards me.
I smiled before I set off running. I ran around the clearing, the kids closing in on my heels.
"I'm coming over to you, Riku." I yelled.
Please don't. He replied.
'Too late!' I thought and started to move towards him.
Cloud! No! Go back! Riku said but I continued to advance.
Riku stood with his hackles rising on his back and a snarl on his face. I quickly stepped on the brakes only for four other bodies to throw me forward and on top of Riku.
'SORRY!' I thought before quickly getting off of Riku.
It's fine… I only realized after you started flying towards me that snarling only has an affect on you. The other four would have continued to run towards me. Riku's voice said.
I chuckled. "Yeah that's true." I sat up and sighed before dusting off my clothes and looking to the kids.
"I guess I lost, huh?" I asked.
Sora, Kairi, and Zell ran towards me and somehow managed to fit themselves on my lap.
"You lost… but it's okay, it's only a game!" Sora said.
"Yeah, don't be sad." Kairi said looking up at me with puppy-dog eyes.
"I'm okay." I said and smiled at them.
"Clow… Cloud is sad. Mommy is sad." Zell said and I looked at him.
That was the first time Zell had called me by that title.
"I'm okay." I said again and petted Zell's blond hair.
"Mommy is sad. I can smell it." Zell said again. This time he looked at me with a huff.
I sighed. 'I'm only a little sad.' I thought to them.
"Cloud?" Sora and Kairi asked.
"Hm?" I hummed.
"C-can we call you mommy too?" They asked their ears flat on their heads.
"What's with this mommy thing all of a sudden?" I asked.
"Well Zell said that Cloud had taught him how to make the R sound, and Kairi and I wondered why he called you Cloud when you're his mom." Sora explained.
"Cloud is my mom." Zell said and snuggled against my chest.
I smiled. "I am your mom." I looked at Sora and Kairi. "I can't replace your real moms, but I always liked the thought of being a new mom for all three of you." I said.
I laughed when all three of their faces lit up with delight and their tails started to wag.
"You three are too cute!" I said and patted their heads.
"THANKS MOMMY!" They beamed at me.
I hugged them and then let them go play. I stood and looked over to Xemnas who was looking to his left. I moved towards him with a puzzled face.
'Is something wrong?' I asked.
Squall and I heard something to the left of us. He moved to check it out. It sounds like a group of dogs.
'Well that's good, at least it's not people.' I thought.
No… dogs are far worse than people. Xemnas said.
I frowned. 'Why?'
Dogs may not be as destructive as people but they can work for people and are more efficient at tracking us down. And that can lead to disaster. Riku supplied.
I frowned. 'Are we going to be okay?' I asked, now worried.
We're going to be fine. Squall's voice said from behind me.
What was it? Riku asked.
A pair of strays. They ran at the sight of me.
I sighed in relief. 'Good.' I thought.
Squall approached me before changing into human form and embracing me. "Did you want to take Zell to the bakery?" he asked.
I smiled. "Yeah. You want to go now?" I asked.
It's up to you. His voice rang in my head.
'Let's go then!' I thought with a yip. 'Zell.' I thought and looked to the three pups.
Zell stopped suddenly and looked at me. Yes?
'We're going to go see Tidus and Nami at the bakery. Are you coming?' I thought to him.
Zell's tail wagged. Oh yes! Naminé smells like flowers… I like her!
I yipped and retrieved Zell's clothes. 'You have to put these on first.' I thought and Zell ran towards me.
Zell shifted into his human form and took the clothes from me. As he was changing I went over to Kairi and Sora.
'We'll be back later. I would take you along as well but that would be too dangerous. Don't torture Riku too much while I'm gone okay?' I thought.
Sora smiled. We won't. And we know we're not allowed outside of the forest.
It's been a rule since forever. Kairi added.
'You two are going to be great leaders someday, I can tell.' I said and patted their heads.
Sora and Kairi yipped before attacking my face with kisses. I yelped in surprise before yipping along with them.
"I'm ready." Zell said and stood as if striking a pose.
I yipped again. "You're one goofy pup." I said.
Zell gave me a toothy grin before running towards me and taking my hand. "Let's go!" Zell said but yelped when a hand swatted lightly at his head.
"Forgetting someone?" Squall said and took my hand that Zell had relinquished in order to rub his head.
"Squall!" Zell said and grabbed his free hand with a smile.
I watched quietly as Squall's larger hand enveloped Zell's tiny one.
-The Pack-
Squall's POV
We had been walking for about twenty minutes when an idea popped into my head.
Zell. I thought to my son while keeping my thoughts out of Cloud's head.
What? He asked.
I challenge you to a race.
A race? Okay.
The first one to the city wins, you have to stay in this form and you can't loose your hat. If you do, you're disqualified. I explained.
Okay! Can't mommy play? Zell asked.
No, he would beat you if he was racing. I said.
No he wouldn't mommy's not as fast as me. Zell said.
I smirked. Wanna bet?
I'm gonna win this race even if mommy was playing. Zell said confidently.
I grunted. We'll see about that. On the count of three, watch out for traps as you run. One…
I wanna count it! Zell whined.
I growled. Fine, brat.
One… he started. Two… THREE!
He and I set off through the forest, I wouldn't go easy on him. He needed to learn to be quick and versatile.
"H-hey! Wait! Why are you running?" I heard Cloud yell before the sound of his fast moving footsteps followed behind me.
I turned the corner quickly and listened to the people behind me. Zell wasn't far behind and Cloud was catching up fast. I yipped.
You hear those footsteps, that's your mother catching up to you! You better high-tail it!
I weaved through the trees hoping that Zell would follow my moves. He was a quick learner and that made me proud. We were almost neck and neck now and Cloud was right on our heels.
I saw the gate signifying the edge of the park and picked up my speed. Only to growl when Zell managed to get past me.
I moved even faster and got ahead again, and I smiled when Cloud managed to get ahead of Zell.
And that's how it ended… me first, Cloud second, and Zell at a close third.
I warned you. I thought to Zell.
Suddenly out of nowhere… Zell burst into tears and started to sob. That's not fair! I'm small! He whined.
A loss is a loss Zell… stop crying right now. I told him firmly.
With a few hiccups Zell started to dry his eyes and take deep breaths to calm down.
I watched as Cloud picked Zell up from the ground and looked him in the eyes. "You know what you are supposed to do in this situation?" he asked aloud.
"W-what?" Zell hiccupped.
"You supposed to practice so that you can beat us next time. You don't have to be bigger to get faster. And for a second, you were ahead of both of us… do you remember that?" he asked.
Zell nodded.
"I thought you looked like a little speed demon zooming through the woods. And the way you moved through those trees? Totally cool!" Cloud exclaimed.
"That's because I'm the coolest!" Zell said with a grin.
I growled and whacked him in the head. "Try saying that when you actually win the race, pup."
Cloud giggled and put Zell back down. He took my hand and Zell's hand with the other and we made our way towards the bakery.
A/N: REVIEW!