Disclaimer: I do not own Ninjago.
Chapter 2: Name
Lupe's POV
I was walking through the forest, hunched over, and looking for food. I was also brainstorming a name.
It has to end in 'a', reflect on myself, and I have to like it. I thought. Loba will be my second name, that's customary. But what will my name be?
I was busy thinking and in mid thought when a sound of hooves caught my attention. I got on my elbows and knees and crawled to the sound. It was a moose, a fat moose. I felt my stomach rumble in hunger and my eyes and other senses focus on the moose alone.
I crawled toward the large animal on my elbows and knees. I didn't see or hear anything around me except for the moose. As the moon shone in the sky, the moose seemed to glitter, as if taunting my hunger. Finally, I could no longer handle the wait and charged at the moose.
If Peridot had been there, she would have given me an earful about such a stupid move. Charging at a moose that size could result in the moose charging back and seriously injuring someone with its large antlers. She would have also scolded me for not having more patience.
Sure enough, the moose reared and jumped up in shock, only to bow its antlers and scrape the ground with its front hoof. I stumbled slightly and almost lost my balance.
As the moose prepared to charge, I considered turning and running, but dismissed that thought. It would be not only foolish but also embarrassing and insulting to moon wolves.
Suddenly, a group of humans ran out of the bushes towards the moose, causing the moose to turn its attention to the small group of humans. I took the chance to throw my knife into the moose and finish it off.
As the moose fell, the humans, startled, raised their weapons in my direction. One human saw my knife in the large creature and started yammering away in Spanish. I had only begun to learn Spanish, so I couldn't catch everything he said.
"Cuchilla! Cuchilla! Cuchilla!" He chanted, pointing to my knife. Then I realized what he was shouting.
"Blade, blade, blade." I murmured. Then, I ran up to the moose, grabbed my blade, as well as a fair chunk of meat, and ran as fast as I could to Peridot's den.
When I returned, Peridot was sleeping in her wolf form, with sleek black fur. She probably got bored and tired waiting for me. I looked out the cave's entrance to see the sun rising. I didn't notice how fast time was flying by.
"Peridot," I barked out. When she didn't stir, I became frustrated. "Peridot!" I yelled, causing her to wake up and glare at me. I lowered my eyes to the ground as she turned human and stood up.
"You're finally back Lupe." She noted, stating the obvious. "What took you so long?"
"I ran into humans." I spoke quickly.
"You ran into humans! Lupe!" She almost screamed.
"I didn't talk to them! They got in my way!" I complained.
"Did they say anything to you? Or see you?"
"Yes, they saw me. And one yelled," The words hit me like a train.
"And one yelled what?" Peridot pushed impatiently.
"One yelled, 'Cuchilla!'" my eyes widened. "Cuchilla! Peridot, cuchilla!"
"Yes? What about 'cuchilla'? Cuchilla is Spanish for 'blade'" Peridot explained.
"Peridot, he yelled 'cuchilla' after I hit the moose, and…"
"Speaking of the moose and 'cuchilla', you better not have lost that knife." Peridot interrupted me.
"No, I didn't lose it. I still have it. Here." I handed her the blade.
"Go on." She told me.
"And, I usually use a knife as my hunting weapon when I'm not a wolf."
"Lupe, I don't see what the big deal is."
"You said that a name defines who a wolf or human is. A name is as important as a face, really. Knife, cuchilla." I tried to make her see the connection.
"Oh, I see. You want to use 'cuchilla' as your name." Peridot thought aloud.
"Yes, can I?" I asked.
"That decision is up to you, Lupe. Funny though, how your human name means what you are during a claw moon, and your wolf name defines what you use." I couldn't see what she meant, though I had 'the mind of a pup', as Peridot would say.
"I don't get it."
"'Lupe' means 'wolf' in Spanish. 'Cuchilla' is Spanish for 'blade'." Peridot turned back into a wolf and laid down on the floor. "Now please let me sleep."
"Fine, Buenos noches, Peridot." I said to her in Spanish. Peridot had made me speak Spanish everywhere I went. "Good night, Peridot."
I cut a piece of meat from the chunk I got and ate it. I hadn't realized how hungry I was until I had eaten it. Somehow, eating the moose meat brought back memories of my earlier life with my large family. I argued almost everyday with Peridot that I had to find my brother Lloyd, thought she always won by telling me I was not used to my wolf self and needed to control my wolf instincts.
Part of me was sad at leaving my life with my sisters behind, especially my youngest sister, Lucine. She was only fourteen when I left her in charge of the Underworld. Out of all my sisters, Lucine was the one who I felt I was closest to. Lucine had our father's eyes, no doubt. White pupils with red surrounding may sound creepy, but that's how she got her name. Her pupils looked like moons, so our parents named her 'moon', or simply Lucine.
I was so busy letting my thoughts wander about my family and memories that Peridot had to literally smack me out of my trance. After cuffing me hard on the back of my head, Peridot proceeded to lecture me on everything I already knew.
A/N how was it? Too fast, too short? Please review! But please no flames.