The young dog skirted to the left as she avoided some bramble bushes that surrounded the edge of a clearing. She could still smell the sea which rested on the other side of the hills. Her ears weren't sharp enough to still hear the waves as well, but the smell reassured her. She enjoyed the carefree life of the pirates even if she was still considered a 'pup'. One day she'll prove her worth, though for now, she's on the hunt. Surely she'll impress her mates with some lovely food. No pirate could turn down some tasty grub. Fantome jumped form a p***k that shot up her paw. Damnit! She hobbled forward, scanning the ground to make sure no more of the little devils were littering the ground. She thought she avoided the brambles when she went around the bush. Apparently, not. A string of healthy, salty curses filtered past her lips. Some of the crew had some colorful language that was hard to miss. She lifted her paw to her mouth and gently pulled it with her teeth. It stung the first time and her instincts made her drop it. Gaaaa~ it really was deep in there.
Howahkan found herself slipping in the sand. The forest was well behind her now. The black male flashed in her mind. She really hoped everything would be ok with him. Howa stumbled across the lion while traveling. He jerked in nightmare while Howa crept closer. She was worried and curious about the creature. His nightmare seemed extremely terrifying. His sudden movement when he awoke scared the fur off her skin. She would have bolted if it wasn't for his panicked demeanor. Turns out he was a father and lost both of his children while sleeping. A chuckle managed to break out. He certainly wasn't a very good father if he easily lost two cubs. Though, Howa couldn't really weigh in on the topic since she's never had cubs of her own. Her caramel eyes unfocused for a minute while she thought.
Having children seemed... foreign. She didn't think she'd be a bad mother, but traveling would be terribly hard for young ones. That is, if they could even travel at all. They would need a safe place to live before their strength was great enough to carry them long distances. Howa reflected on her own childhood. Her parents stayed together until her father was killed when they were children. She was old enough to understand and took pity on her mother for having to take care of four children. She was the only girl with three brothers. Two were hooligans, but the youngest one, Howa spent the most time with. He was more leveled headed, like Howa. Her other brothers wasted too much of their energy play fighting. She enjoyed games like her brothers, no doubt, but there were rules and a certain charisma with it. The youngest appreciate her ideas.
A howl caught her attention. Instantly she was on the ground and scanning the horizon. The edge of a hill blocked her view and what ever created the noise was just on the other side. She silently crept towards the ledge and glanced down. A black wild dog sat on her rump while she handled her paw. Howa sure was running into a lot of black creatures these days... The dog rang out a string of curses that made Howa's eyes spread. She certainly had colorful language. Howa wasn't quite sure everything she said was a word. Howa eyes studied the foot. There was tiny barb wedge in between her toes. It seems she walked on a bramble of some sort. Howa picked her self up from her position and yelled down. "Do you need help?
Tears stung her eyes as she tried to bite the bramble again. The damn thing was too small and every time she touched it, pain shot through her again. She hated to whine, but this was an emergency. Fantome almost didn't even hear the words from the top of the hill. Her head turned to look. Hopefully, it won't be a threat or she'd be screwed. Help? She didn't need help and was about to say so when a new jolt of pain sprang from her foot. Yes!, Fantome shouted. Gods yes, if this cheetah could fix the pain, she'll take it!
Howa nodded and jogged down the hill. She made sure to scan the ground for the barbs. No need for her to get one in her paw as well. Things wouldn't be too good for either of them. She walked up to the dog and glanced at the wound. Stick your paw out.
Fantome really wanted to get away, but the cheetah offered her help and there wasn't much she could do. So stupid! She didn't know if this animal was a foe that wanted to trick her with niceness. Why? What are you going to do? Fantome was warry of the request.
Howa looked into the red eyes, Pull it out.
Panic flooded Fantome's features. What!? No, no, no. This sucker huuurrrtsss.
Howa retorted, How else will you get it out? Now hold still. You're a pirate aren't you? She figured this one belonged to the pirate gang. Her language certainly reflected that. The stories of their... intensity have even reached her ears. They would make wonderful players if not for their "jolly" natures.
Fantome stilled her body. Of course I am! She held back a choke which threatened to break her resolve. This was so embarrassing. News of this mishap have better not reach the crew's ears. She'd never be able to live it down.
She took a deep breath before extending her paw.
Howa nodded and eyes the bramble. It was barred pretty deep into the paw, but her sharp teeth would be able to snag the bit which stuck out. She gently placed her teeth above the barb, making sure to get the placement before biting down. Before the dog could flinch, she snapped down her jaws and jerked her head back, successfully taking the barb with her.
ARRRRRGGGGG Fantome howeled. It huuuurrrrtttt, but when she looked down at her paw, it was gone. Her eyes stung with tears. Man that hurt! No warnin' either! She didn't know whether to be mad or happy. Of course she was grateful. "Thanks..." She rubbed her paw on her chest before licking it. She talked to herself, "Man...how am I going to hunt now?
Howa looked over and considered helping the dog again, I'd be more than willing to help you hunt. Since you're paw is injured. She didn't need to be anywhere important, so she might as well help out.
Fantome piped up "Will you? Thanks! Things will go a lot easier with a cheetah on her side.
To be continued~ DUn dun dunnnnn
(wc 1144)
