It was a calm peaceful night at the Salmon Run. Kenai and Koda were resting under a tree together. The cub was sound asleep curled up next to Kenai.
Kenai was still awake staring up at the sky. It was a beautiful night and he watched as the lights danced across the sky. He looked down at his totem that hung around his neck. He didnt realize what it meant before but now he understood what he was meant to do to follow his totem thanks to Koda. The cub really opened his eyes. He felt like he was really meant to be a bear.
Koda stirred next to him mumbling Kenai's name in his sleep.
The elder bear gently nuzzled the cub to let him know he was there. It seemed to work and Koda started to relax.
Poor little guy was so tuckered out. He had a pretty rough day. Kenai sighed softly still feeling guilty for what he did. He remembered the look in Koda's eyes when he told him the truth about what he really was and what he did to his mother. He destroyed this cubs family. Koda didnt deserve that. He was stupid and blinded by anger and he wished more then anything that he could take it back.
He decided to take a little walk to clear his mind. And so, very carefully without waking the sleeping cub next to him, he stood up and started to walk.
He walked a little ways, before he found himself by the water. He stopped and sat down for a moment as he looked up at the night sky watching the great spirits shine their light down on the woods below.
Meanwhile, Koda was still sleeping peacefully until he stirred and mumbled in his sleep. "Kenai...kenai wait..dont leave me." The cub wimpered and a small gust of cold wind hit him. He shivered and rolled onto his back in attept to cuddle up closer to his brother. When he didnt feel the warmth of Kenai's body he gasped softly, opening his eyes and sat up only to find that he was all alone.
"Kenai?"
The little cub stood and looked all around but he didnt see him.
"Kenai!"
Koda jumped up and quickly rushed off to find his brother.
"Kenai, where are you?'
Meanwhile Kenai remained in his spot by the water watching the salmon swimming around.
Just then he heard a familiar voice and he looked back to see Koda rushing towatd him.
"Kenai!"
"Koda?"
Kenai barely had time to react before Koda leaped into his arms, breathing heavily.
"Koda? Are you alright?" Kenai asked in a concerned tone before he hugged the little cub and held him close.
"Hey, hey," Kenai whispered. "Its alright buddy I'm here."
Koda buried his face into his brother's soft fur and Kenai rubbed his back gently to calm him.
"I-I had a bad dream and I woke up, and you were gone, and I got scared, I thought that I was all alone," Koda babbled all at once with a scared expression.
"Take it easy Koda, everything's okay now," Kenai said gently,
Koda's small body shivered and he moved closer to his brother.
Kenai pulled him closer, and nuzzled the top of the cub's head gently. His heart shattered seeing his little brother in this state.
"Its okay, its okay, it was just a bad dream. You're safe." He told him gently
"I-I just got scared I thought my nightmare was real. I thought I was too late, that the hunter had gotten you and-" Koda kept on babbling.
"Shh, shh, its okay Koda I've got you I'm here," Kenai replied.
Koda took a few deep breathes, and started to calm down.
Kenai smiled down at the little cub and he pulled him closer reaching down and nuzzling the top of his head lovingly.
Koda leaned into his big brother's embrace, making him feel safe and protected.
They both sat like that for a moment. Kenai let out a soft sigh and Koda looked up at him looking concerned.
"Kenai, what is it?' Koda asked.
Kenai looked down into Koda's adorable eyes and sighed again. "Its just that...Im sorry Koda."
Koda looked up with a confused expression.
"Im so sorry for everything, for lying to you and for what I did to your mom..I was so stupid and blind and I hurt you. I wish I could take it all back. I still cant see how you could possibly forgive me." Kenai replied looking away shamefully.
Koda stared at him quietly for a moment before he sighed and spoke to him. "I knew that you didnt mean to do it. And my mom always told me that its better to forgive and move on instead of spending the rest of your life in guilt and regret. No ones perfect, we all make bad mistakes and the wrong choices, but you learn from them and try to do better going forward."
Kenai looked down at the cub with a soft smile. "Your mother sounds like she was really wise."
"She was, and you know she forgives you too Kenai," Koda told him.
The elder bear looked down with wide eyes. "W-what?"
"After you almost died trying to save me from your human brother, she could tell that you were genuinely sorry for what happened to her. You were willing to sacrifice your life for me and you chose to stay with me. You redeemed yourself in her eyes along with all the other great spirits up there."
Kenai's eyes started watering at Koda's words. He scooped the kid up into his arms and hugged him tightly.
Koda immediately returned the embrace, burying his face in his brother's shoulders.
Kenai cradled the boy and sighed softly. "Koda..thank you for telling me this. And.." he stared up at the night sky watching the lights shimmer. "Thank you great spirits for forgivng me too."
Koda smiled and nuzzled up to his big brother. "I love you Kenai."
Oh that did it. Kenai felt his heart melt at Koda's words. A few tears escaped his eyes and he held the cub closer. "I love you too Koda, I would have been lost without you. And I promise that I will never leave you. I will always be by your side no matter what you're stuck with me kid."
Koda giggled softly and lifted a small paw. Sticking his little pinkie out. "Pinkie swear?"
Kenai chuckled before wrapping his own pinkie claw around Koda's. "I pinkie swear with all my heart," he replied. "And I wont go back on it this time, never ever ever, I promise."
Koda grinned and he hugged his brother once again, strong soft protective arms circled around the small cub's body. They stayed like that for a few moments and Kenai pulled away gently wiping a teat from the boy's eyes as a few more tears escaped his own eyes and he kissed the cub's head.
"Bleh dont get all sappy on me now," Koda joked, smirking playfully at him.
Kenai laughed and ruffled his hair smirking back playfully. And he squeezed the cub once again, cradling him close to his chest and Koda let out a soft yawn.
"I think its time little cub's go back to sleep now." He said gently.
Koda rubbed his tired eyes and Kenai chuckled at how adorable the boy lookes.
And then Kenai lifted the cub onto his back and started walking back to the place where they would continue their rest for the night.
Kenai laid down and Koda snuggled up closely to his brother's warm fur and yawned softly.
"Night Kenai," Koda mumbled.
"Goodnight little brother," Kenai replied.
Soon sleep began to take over and he fell into a deep slumber, dreaming about their future adventures together and living his new life as a bear beside Koda.
End
Hope you enjoyed! I cant get over how adorable these guys are.