Moranna: She couldn't believe Squall had convinced Tornado to let her out with him. Who knew what he had said, that boy had a silver tongue. No...not a boy any longer, he was a true wolf full grown it stunned her from time to time. When his eyes found hers, when he curled up beside her and nuzzled her she could feel her heart give a sudden 'glump'. It wasn't a bad feeling at all, as if he re-started her heart never letting it fail. She felt her legs shake a bit under her but she glanced at Squall and smiled. "It feels good to be out..."


---

Squall: -pads alongside her, his muscles thick with brawn, yet he still seemed skinny, and long legs made him appear lanky. His tail wagged as he moved through the forest like a true wolf should, as if he owned it, as if it were his -- and he looked at Moranna in a new light; she was beautiful, in her own delicate way. And, he was fairly certain he loved her...- I know. It's nice to get out of that den.

---

Moranna: "I guess I never notice what a hole it is until your gone, you must hate staying in there when you could be out here all the time." She laughed softly and followed him, she didn't walk the way he did. She slipped along in his shadow her ears twitching in the nervous way of a wolf used to being the prey not the predator. Still she was a bit more at ease since Squall was there, he was probably the best protection she could ever have.

---

Squall: -doesn't seem to mind the way she flits around, having been with her since he was a puppy and used to her- We don't have to return to it night after night, you know. I'm sure I could get Tornado to let us sleep under the stars, although it might be just a little cold. -smiles-

---

Moranna: "That would be so ro-wonderful!" She almost bit her tongue, goodness she hadn't meant to say romantic had she? No, no that wouldn't be appropriate at all. As much as she cared for Squall, she wasn't right for him at all. He was going to get out of here, go back to his pack, he'd have a real life. She'd be lucky if she could just keep up long enough to see him go start that life. Still she couldn't deny that she had come to love him, his sweetness hadn't been diminished by their hardship, but there was also a magnificent edge to him.

---

Squall: -hears what she was about to say, stopping in mid-stride and looking over his shoulder at her, a smile on his face- Oh? Wonderful? Is that all? -he waggled a paw at her, then continued to trot; what was she going to say? Ro-what? Romantic? He perked up and stole another glance at her. Should he ask -that- question? What would he react with if she said no? Frets about it for a moment before stopping and spinning on his heel- Mor... I gotta question.

---

Moranna: She jerked to a stop as he spun around to face her and laughed softly. She sat down and nodded "Alright go ahead? I'll answer if I can." She was curious what would cause him to abandon the hunt. Why he didn't simply walk on and ask, why the sudden pause? She tilted her head a bit her eyes though dark and dead looking sparkled with a passion that proved she was very much alive.

---

Squall: -heart pounds uneasily inside his chest; why was this so damned hard? What did it matter? He had been serious before, when he said he needed a princess and she'd shrugged him off. Did she think she wasn't good enough? Looking her in the eye, he sits promptly down and takes a deep breath- Do you... Will you ever look at me...that way, Moranna?"

---

Moranna: Oh! He had noticed, and now he was going to put her in her place. She felt her stomach turn to knots and she slowly frowned before trying to play it off. "Look at you what way?" She half laughed, but her heart wasn't in it, her heart was already with him.

---

Squall: -smiles slightly- You know... The way I look at you? -head tips to the side- I guess, what I wanna ask is... Do you like me? More than a friend or a brother? -tries not to sound too hopeful, tries to sound nonchalant but fails-

---

Moranna: She tried not to look excited but Squall was telling her something important here! She forced herself to keep a serene expression though her lips ached to smile and nuzzle and lick. "Of course...Squall...you've always been the very best friend, but lately...I've come to care so much more for you. I...Squall...I love you."

---

Squall: -heart leaps into his throat as she doesn't respond at first -- what if he was wrong to tell her? What ifs ate at him...at least until she spoke those three little words that made him relax- R-Really? -excited gleam to his eye, heart racing and tail wagging-

---

Moranna: "Yes, really." She stated firmly, it was too late to go back now, or to try and say it was all a joke. Now she had to wait and see how he felt, and hopefully he wouldn't get a crestfallen look and send her back to the den.


---

Squall: -gives a yip of happiness and lunges at her, burying his nose into her scruff- Oh, I'm so glad... I meant it, you know, when I said I needed a princess... -smiles almost shyly- I want you to be my princess. We're going to get away and go back home, to my pack... We can live there together. Unless...Unless you'd rather go home? Then I would follow you there, Mor.

---


Moranna: "I would never want you to give up your whole family, your pack, I know how much they mean to you. Besides if we did get away from here my pack is too close to be safe. It would be best to get as far away as possible..." She nuzzled him and sighed shaking her head. "I don't think I'd make a very good princess, but I'd like to be with you every step of the way."

----

Squall: -grins at her as she nuzzled him, scooting closer to her, then springing to his paws- Good then, it's settled! As soon as you're strong enough and Tornado's back is turned, we'll make our getaway. Just you and me... We'll make it. I promise. -licks her and then bounces away- C'mon, let's go hunt something. Suddenly, I'm hungry!

---

Moranna: She laughed at how easily he accepted the idea of the two of them making a life together. Yet didn't they already have a sort of life together? It was natural as if some twisted fate had created this beautiful love out of a rather terrible situation. She smiled and moved to rush after him, not able to run, but finding a steady lope easy enough. "Alright!"

{fin}