Chapter 9: Awkwardness

(Wolf's P.O.V.)

I pressed myself against the wall and shut my eyes as a laser bolt got to close for comfort to my head. I heard a shuffling sound, and next I heard a clink noise, and I opened my eyes and saw Tyler standing there in front of me, but behind the cover of the wall. "How did you get he-"

BOOM!

I covered my head again as I felt the ground shake temporarily, and I heard rubble sprinkle the wall and road beside us. After I uncovered my head, I shouted, "Why do you get grenades!?"

"Because I'm the handler, now help me with suppressive fire!" Tyler shouted back as the amount of blaster fire intensified. I nodded as I glanced over at Krystal before I laid down and crawled until my head and gun were around the corner. I flicked the switch to single fire, and I began to fire where I saw the rebel troops. These troops were much more disciplined and smarter than the last ones I had fought, and for every shot I fired, I received two in return, and when I actually hit one, I was forced back into cover.

When I was back behind the wall, I looked over and saw Tyler had reloaded twice now, and he was shooting from around the wall. I watched as a particularly narrow bolt crossed right next to him, which made him throw himself into cover. He landed next to me, and we both checked out his arm quickly; we both made the discovery that his arm reeked. "They burnt your hair! HAHA, now that is what I call a lucky miss."

"More like close call!" he shouted back as the laser bolts began to thin out, and I stood up as I said, "Hey, watch this…"

Ok, time to do what I did before, just this time, trying not to get shot by a true professional…

"Wolf, DON'T!" Krystal shouted, but I jumped out of cover with my gun aimed downrange, and I saw the rebels had started to walk forward, with the monstrous wolf in the back. They all stopped moving forward when they saw me, but I smiled as I held my rifle in one hand, and flicked them off with the other. "Can't shoot me, I'm the gingerbread man!"

After I shouted that, I flicked the switch to auto as I held down the trigger, and only running back into cover as I heard the click of the gun. I heard a wail of pain and anger from the street, and next all I heard was a loud buzzing noise.

A chorus of laser shots cascaded from the wall just as I made it to cover, and I felt the heat of so many rifle shots all along my backside. I skipped over to the wall as I held it for support, and felt my legs shake. I looked over at Tyler as he store at me with wide eyes, and I laughed and said, "There is an entire army out there! I think I got like four or five…"

"WOLF!" I turned and looked at Krystal, but as I did, I saw a mass of Cerinian soldiers walking down the street, but the next second I was looking at Krystal as she grabbed my shirt and pulled me down. She pushed her muzzle against my lips roughly as she said, "Don't do that!"

"Guys, wolf kicked the bee hive, get to cover!" Tyler yelled as he pulled his head back behind cover. I nodded as he got up and ran past us, and I grabbed Krystal and began to run with her, staying behind her slightly in case the rebels took a pot shot at us.

The Cerinian military seemed to point their weapons at us, but as they fired, the shots went behind us, and impacted along bodies and walls. Krystal stumbled, but I grabbed her around her waist before she could hit the ground. I managed to get her up onto her feet, but I stumbled on whatever she did, and I hit the ground hard.

She turned around just as I groaned, but I got up with the help of a Cerinian soldier dog, and I was running toward Krystal with a noticeable limp in my stride. Krystal ran over, and grabbed my arm as I slung my rifle over my back, and limped as I continued to run with her. *Cough* I saw blood splatter the ground beneath me, and I looked back up and continued to push myself to run. I felt weak all over my body from running while carrying Krystal, pained from the run, and sore from everything else.

"Krystal… stop… I can't keep going…" I said as I was now struggling to breathe.

Krystal turned and looked at me as I stopped moving entirely, and she said, "Of course you can, look how close we are, you can still… do it?" I had coughed near the end of her sentence, and she saw the blood that splattered at my feet as I dropped to one knee. I was wheezing as I coughed continuously, and I shook my head as I looked down at the ground. I sighed when I got a moment of rest from the pain, and I took my rifle off my back and rested it on the ground so the weight wasn't on my back.

A crunching of running feet echoed off the buildings, and when I looked up, a massive shadow ran in front of me, and I heard Krystal scream out, "Wolf!"

"Yes my dear, I am indeed a wolf, and you are the prey of said wolf… any last words?" The giant wolf from before was standing in front of me with his back turned, and I could see Krystal was being choked by his massive clawed hands. I stood up and shot my rifle into him, but something peculiar happened; my bullets crumpled on some unforeseen wall just an inch from his body. He looked back at me, but I chuckled nervously. "It is best for you to leave these matters between us, boy."

"A Wolf does not back down when something it cares for is being harmed, I won't stop now." I lifted the rifle higher and let loose the last of my ammunition into the face region of the larger wolf before he swiped his hand at me, knocking my gun from my hands brutally. Before I could react, he kicked me, and I was sent flying before I hit the ground. I groaned as I heard Krystal scream something, but I couldn't tell what through the pounding in my ears.

Standing up with great difficulty, I saw he had faced Krystal once more, and I growled in my throat as I began to run towards him. I will not… be kicked… AROUND! I tackled him with every bit of force I could muster in my weakened body, and I aimed right for the back of his knees. I felt his legs buckle, and I saw Krystal fall to the ground in a heap as she struggled to breath, and coughed as much as I did. "Why you little brat!" I felt the wolf grab me by my neck and throw me towards Krystal. I slid on the ground in front of her, but when I looked over at her, I saw her fur was matted, along with her chest heaving with every breath she took.

I groaned as I got up, feeling that throw more than the last. When I was standing up, I saw the rebel was just beginning to stand up, and I smiled as I spit blood out and onto the ground. I crouched my legs as I drew my combat knife out, and once more charged, and I sank my blade towards his thigh, but the difference this time, my knife struck home. I was expecting more of a yell of pain, but the wolf only grunted as he swatted me away.

"Ow…" that last one did more damage than the previous one, and I felt the joint in my leg stiffen. Standing back up, this time slower, I backed up until I was sure Krystal was behind me, and I grabbed her hand as I forced her to continue backwards. I looked around, and saw a few Cerinian soldier bodies, but no guns, but I did see a platoon or so worth of soldiers running from down the street in our direction.

"ARG!" I saw my knife slide away from the giant wolf, just in the opposite direction. "W… What I can't get, is how your slimy race is so, persistent."

"Humans are more confident than you give us credit for… if you are having a hard time with just me, then that is pathetic. I'm just a mere child, not trained in anything…" The wolf rebel stepped forward as he began growling, and I added, "Now, I'm not sure what you will do against a large amount of Cerinian forces… you had better leave before you get torn a new one from modern tech."

I could've sworn he was about to charge me, but when I blinked, he was gone. I felt Krystal's hand tighten in my own as I wavered slightly, but I heard a spinning noise from the alleyway across from us, and I saw a shadow slide across the wall. I turned around and grabbed Krystal as I drove us to the ground. Just as we began to lower, I heard a sinister sound, and a wave of air literally sliced over us.

"O-Ow… Wolf…" I looked down and saw Krystal's flustered face inches from mine and I smiled as I looked away, but I moved my arms to the ground, and pushed away from her. I stood up and held a hand down for her to take, which she graciously took. When I looked towards the brick wall that was open to the alley, I saw a large knife imbedded up to its hilt. "Wolf." I turned and looked at Krystal, and saw she was kneeling down next to a prone figure… a human figure at that.

"TYLER!" I was on my knees in seconds as I flipped him over, and I looked him over, and noticed he just had a large welt on his forehead. Just to be safe… I pressed two fingers against the underside of his neck, expecting to feel a pulse, but when I didn't, I grew worried while I repeatedly pressed my fingers against various spots along his neck. I put my cheek next to his mouth, and I didn't hear his breath, or feel it. I had hoped this wouldn't be required…

Taking in a full breath of air, I pressed my mouth to Tyler's, and exhaled all of my breath. I repeated this process again, and when I was done with that, I placed my hands along his midsection of his chest, and began to apply burst of pressure to his chest repeatedly. Ok, ten bursts each, than another two breaths, and then I recheck to see if he has restarted.

I continued to apply the CPR requirements on Tyler, and it was along the third repeat that Tyler groaned, and I stopped instantly. I smacked the side of his face lightly, but hard enough to rouse him as I kept saying, "T-Tyler, hey. Tyler! Wake up… TYLER! HE-"

"Stop yer yellin' kid! My head hurts enough as is…" Tyler mumbled as he rubbed his chest. I smiled as I sighed in relief, and I chuckled as I weakly sank down onto my back.

"Now that I done and gone saved your life Tyler, I need you to help me get back to the Governors palace…" I said as I sagged over sideways. I looked over my shoulder at Krystal as she looked at me in awe, and asked, "Humans can save each other by breathing into each other?"

"Say what now!?" Tyler said loudly as he sat up and faced me.

The smile disappeared from my face as I said, "I sort of had to… you know… perform CPR."

He shook his head, and then he asked, "Why can't you get to the palace by yourself…?"

"Because, while you were taking your nap, I was fighting a big ass wolf, that is bigger than the both of us combined…" I said as I nearly fell over, but Krystal made sure I didn't fall with a hand on my shoulder. I smiled as I yawned, and I said, "You know what… I think I might just sleep right here… I'm so freaking tired…" I felt the world around me grow lighter briefly, and when I felt the pressure of gravity on my shoulders, it was all over the front of my body this time. I yawned as I closed my eyes, and I felt a furry hand being placed along my cheek, and then I started to dream…

When I awoke, I was in a soft and plushy bed, and I could feel the tightness of bandages along my chest. I sighed softly as I let myself relax more, ready to go back to sleep with how sore I was, until I felt something slide over my arm. The only difference was from the previous time I went to sleep, I was wearing my jacket… but this felt like fur… fur on my bare arm. I opened my eyes, and I saw a sight that nearly caused me to yelp, had it not been for the stiffness in my jaw. Krystal was lying next to me with her eyes closed, and a smiled spread across her muzzle as she continued to sleep. I shook my head as I just laid my head more into the pillow, and sunk myself deeper into the blankets. Just… just go with it Wolf…

After I thought that, Krystal shifted in her sleep, but the only problem was, it was closer. I felt more fur along my chest, but this time it didn't feel like an arm, rather than the brushing of a tail. I quickly looked under the blanket, but I just quickly put it down as I looked at Krystal with a startled look. The embarrassment from discovering myself sleeping in the same bed as Krystal wasn't just enough, I had it rubbed in my face that it could be, and was, much worse.

I'm only wearing my pants, yet she is only wearing her under garments…

Krystal's eyes slowly began to open, and when her eyes locked onto my own, I locked up as I felt the heat rush into my face. She smiled as I felt her hand be placed along my shoulder, and she leaned forward and planted a quick kiss on my cheek as I felt my eyes widen. This can't be real, I must be dreaming…

"Believe it Wolf…" Krystal said as she yawned, and I felt myself stiffen in fear and embarrassment from the situation I was in. I took in a deep and quick breath as I began to shake, and I quickly pushed myself backwards. As I fell off the bed, I yelled in pure fright…

(Tyler's P.O.V.)

"AAHHH!"

I jolted up from my sleep as the yell echoed into my room, and I tensed up and was about to get out of the bed. I stopped myself as I remembered what I had read the previous night, and assumed the yeller, was just Wolf. I sighed as I laid back down, and I remembered the email perfectly; I had read it over a dozen times before I let Krystal in on the news. I shook my head as I grabbed my laptop, and when I turned it on, I looked through my emails as I rubbed my eyes with my other hand.

When I selected the email, it popped up, and I reread the message once more…

Handler Tyler,

From General,

I'm disappointed to hear that you couldn't keep his identity a secret, but I can't blame you if the daughter really is a telepathic. I will inform you however, that the negotiation is a success, as we will accept that trade for the abundance of technology that we will receive from it. Please send my regards to Wolf on his brilliant success, let him know he will serve his country better than any other candidate we would have gotten. The marriage will be held on the Cerinians timetable, and if they require assistance with the marriage, grant them what you can.

On a side note, please notify me of what Wolf's response is to the marriage, and try to keep him safe at all times, that is a vital mission. If you would like to stay on Cerinia with him after his marriage, please bring that to my attention before the week is over, and I will have the necessary equipment and paperwork filed out for you.

7/04/12

0745 hours.

Shutting my laptop, I stood up and walked over and pressed my hand to a button along the wall, and stepped into the room where the shower was located at. They say they don't hide the showers, but what would you call this little feature? A walk in closet? I turned on the water to the shower as I prepared myself to take a bath.

Just as I got my shirt off, I heard some shuffling in the room. Wolf must be back from his discovery… heh heh… "Tyler?" What's this… what female Cerinian would seek me out?

I poked my head around the corner, but I didn't see anyone or anything, so I got back into the bathroom and started to unbuckle my belt. It made a loud click noise, and it loosened up a bit, "Oh my…"

My head shot to my rear, and I saw a familiar husky standing there with her muzzle slightly open as her eyes roved over my body, and a pinkish hue crept into her cheeks. "Uh… hello Samantha, what can I help you with?" I asked as I frantically looked for my shirt behind my back.

She continued to check me out as she said, "I just wanted to know if you wanted to go out again…"

Crossing my arms over my chest, I asked, "Wouldn't that be dangerous with the recent insurgent attack?"

You have got to be kidding me… I know I'm buff and fit and all that stuff, but I didn't think a Cerinian would check me out this much. It is like she is entirely oblivious to the fact that she's doing it! Ok, that's enough… I jerked one of my fingers up, and her eyes instantly roved up to my face. Her blush deepened in color as she looked away and said, "No, there is now a guard at every street corner… so four at an intersection…" she looked back at my face with a smile, until her eyes began to drift downwards again. Well… I have one solution to either get her to stop… or she will just gawk even more…

I held my arms out as I said, "Alright Samantha… take it in… this is what a fit human looks like…"

She blushed as she looked away, and I smiled in my momentary victory, until she looked back at me. Aw come on! It's not like I can ask to see her body in return, that would just be plain wrong!

She stepped forward, and she asked, "May I feel your muscles?"

"Uhhhhh…" I blushed fiercely as I backed away and into the sink, and I added, "I was just about to get into the shower…"

"I won't take long, I'm just curious about human physique." Samantha said as she continued to step closer to me. I closed my eyes as I placed my hands on the sink, aw hell… what do I do now…?

Peaking from behind my eyelids, I saw she had her hands just a few inches from my body as she looked up into my face. I sighed as I nodded my head reluctantly, and I felt her hands lay down on my skin. I shivered as her hands felt every curve to my abs, all the way up to my biceps… All I wanted to do was take a shower… not be felt up by a dog… literally…

When she reached around to my back, I looked forward and saw her muzzle mere inches from my mouth. What's she gonna do…?