FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

The next morning was a very warm one. I stepped outside my tipi to find that the air was hot and humid. I crawled back inside and put on pants but no shirt, it would be too hot. I wore two eagle feathers behind my right ear as well. I grabbed the small bag Susan had given me and slung it around my arm, the beef jerky that had once inhabited it was all gone. I crawled outside once again and looked around. Nobody else was awake, or at least outside. I quietly walked past the other tipis as not to disturb anyone's slumber. When I was clear of the village, I walked up the hill and moved on towards Hutchinson.

There weren't many people up and about in town, either. The few people that were said hello as I passed in their usual kind tone. I found John Eisner's trading post once again and went inside.

"Back again, eh? You've got more to trade already?" John asked.

"No, I just wanted to come back and talk. Wise Beyond His Years was giddy to get home yesterday. What is the white man's news?"

"Just a whole bunch of fightin'. There's this sort of rebellion goin' on down in Kansas territory. Back in Washington, D.C. congress is gettin' real worked up about slavery. All around the country the whites are fightin' Indians for their land, in states and territories. And here in Minnesota territory the Dakota and Ojibwe are fightin' over the land to the north."

"The Dakota still own these lands."

"Yeah, the Ojibwe haven't gotten this far yet. I don't know boy, they're pretty good fighters. The Dakota may have finally found a challenge."

"My tribe has never been one of violence anyway."

"Oh I know that. When we first came out here, everyone was worried about the Indians, but now we can clearly see you're friends to us." John reached into a glass jar on a shelf behind him. "Want some jerky?" he extended me a few strips.

"Oh, thank you. Susan gave me a bag full yesterday, but it is all gone now." I said between nibbles of the meat.

"You ate a whole bag in one day? Whew! Aren't they feedin' ya out there?" John joked. I smiled and finished my jerky.

"Strong As The Wolf is to take his first hunt soon. We will then be supplied with more food." "You know I've heard plenty about Strong As The Wolf, am I ever gonna to get to meet him?"

"Maybe soon. He wants to learn the white man's language, and I have promised to teach him. When his skills have improved, I will start bringing him to town with me."

"And just out of curiosity, is he an anthro too?"

"Yes, he is a Wolf animal man. He is still young and likes to learn new things. He would also like to meet you."

"Well aint that nice?" John reached back into the glass jar. "Give him some of this jerky and tell him I look forward to seein' him." I took the jerky and put it in the small bag.

"Thank you John, he will like this food."

"Hey, did you know that Susan works here with me now?" John asked, switching the topic.

"Yes, she told me yesterday. What does she do when she is here?"

"She mostly sweeps and takes care of the horses. Sometimes she'll help me behind the counter."

"Is she coming in today?" I asked.

"Yeah, she should be out back in the stable right now. Why don't you go out and see her? Charm with that good lookin' body of yours."

"What do you mean?"

"Look at yourself boy! You've got muscles! Those have got to be one of the most toned chests and abs I've ever seen!" He pointed at my torso. I had forgotten I wasn't wearing a shirt.

"Well, the lifestyle that I live can put one into shape."

"I'd imagine. Now get on out there and talk to that girl." John persisted. I smiled and walked out behind the post to the small stable. I heard a quiet humming and what sounded like a brush. There I found Susan, brushing one of the three horses, humming while she brushed.

"Hello Susan." I finally interrupted. Susan stopped humming and turned around to see that it was me who greeted her.

"Oh, hi there Friends Wi- oh my..." She stopped in midsentence. I noticed her eyes were fixated on my chest. Maybe John was right? Susan shook her head slightly and spoke. "Sorry about that, something... uh... caught my eye. How are you doing today?" she asked with a gentle tone.

"I am doing well, thank you." I reached into the small bag and pulled something out. "Here, this is for you. I told you next time I saw you that I would have a gift for you." Susan took the gift and looked at it in awe.

"Wow! It's beautiful! What is it?" she beamed.

"It is a dream catcher. If you hang it above where you sleep at night, it will catch good dreams for you."

"Oh, thank you Friends With Dog, I love it!" she threw her arms around me in her excitement. I'll admit, I never expected something like that and even blushed a little.

"Oh, um, you are welcome." I said as I slowly put my arms around her.

But then, something happened. Or rather, it didn't happen. Susan wouldn't let go. She stood there, just hugging me. It was a little odd for me, but I must admit that it did feel nice. She rested her head against my chest while her hand slowly made its way up and down my back.

"Um, Susan...?" I finally found words to speak. She pulled back and patted her dress.

"Oh, I'm so sorry! I don't know what came over me, I was just so happy. But really, thank you for the dream catcher. I'll make sure to hang it over my bed."

"I am happy you like it." I smiled "It is the least I can do for all that you have done for me. I am very grateful for having met you, Susan." There was almost an awkward feeling in the air with the events that had just happened.

"Um, Friends With Dog, that is, uh...um, will you excuse me for a moment?" Susan asked as she walked to the front of the trading post. I was confused, so I followed behind her. I stayed outside and heard a little bit of the conversation.

"You want to go up there?" John's voice asked. "What for?"

"Oh come on John, you know how I feel." Susan's voice replied. I heard John release a quiet sigh and chuckle.

"Alright you can go. Just be sure to feed the horses before you go."

"Already done! Thanks John!" loud footsteps came my way and before I knew it, Susan ran out, grabbed my hand and started walking me. "Come on Friends With Dog, there's something I want to show you!"

Susan took me to a large hill on the north side of the town. We sat in the shade of a large tree and overlooked the whole town.

"It is smaller than I realized. I can see everything from here." I noted.

"Yeah, it's not very big. But we're only in a U.S. territory, so I guess the towns wouldn't be that big." Susan said. We sat just looking at the town; a nice gentle breeze blew and played with the tips of Susan's hair. She was so beautiful. She was the only other Husky I had ever met. It was safe to say I had secret feelings for her. 'Now is the time.' I told myself.

"Um, Susan-" I was suddenly cut off. Before I knew what had happened, our muzzles had met. She kissed me. I had no idea what was going on, but it felt so good. I slowly closed my eyes and got lost in her kiss. My hands made their way to her waist, hers to my neck. Our faces pulled apart, tears in our eyes.

"I love you Friends With Dog."

"I love you too Susan."

Then we closed our eyes and kissed once more.

I arrived back at the village when the sun was at its highest point in the sky. Before I even entered, Strong As The Wolf came running to me.

"Friends With Dog! Were you just in the white settlement? Can you tell me about it?" he was very excited. I chuckled and patted his head.

"Come on, I'll answer all your questions down by the river." We walked down to the river side and sat beneath a willow tree a few feet from the water's surface. "Before you ask anything, I have something for you from John Eisner." I reached into the small bag and pulled out the beef jerky.

"What is it?" Strong As The Wolf asked as he took it from my hands.

"Eat it." I told him. He took a bite and chewed slowly, and then his eyes grew.

"Wow! This is fantastic! What is it?"

"It's called beef jerky, a special meat made by the white men. John Eisner sends it as a gift, hoping to meet you soon."

"But it'll be hard to really meet him if I can't understand him."

"You're right, but that won't be a problem anymore." Strong As The Wolf's eyes grew even bigger. "Does that mean?!" I smiled.

"Yes, I'm going to teach you the white man's language." Strong As The Wolf was so excited he jumped into the water. He splashed around for awhile before coming back onto land and shaking himself out.

"Sorry Friends With Dog, I'm just so happy!" I smiled and patted him on the back.

"That's good. It's always easier to teach those who are willing to learn." I looked to the water.

"Strong As The Wolf, what makes up this river?" I asked him.

"The Mini." He answered.

"Good, you got that right in our language, but in the white man's language, Mini is called <water> ."

"<Wa... wahtor>." he mouthed.

"Close, we'll work on that later. Now, what is it that lights up the sky?"

"Wi." Strong As The Wolf said.

"Yes. In white man's language, it's called the <sun>"

"<Sahn.>

"You're getting there. What about at night, what's that called?"

"Hanwi."

"Right. In white man's language, they call it the <moon> ."

"<Muhn>" he copied. I smiled with a wag of the tail.

"Very good! Your pronunciation is a little off, but that will fix its self after too long. You're a good learner! You'll be speaking to the white men in no time!" I patted him on the back again. He smiled and wagged his tail aswell, satisfied with the beginning stages of learning the white man's language.