Valley of the Wolf - Returning Home

Story by Jonathon Ford on SoFurry

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The following story contains acts of yiffery between characters of the same gender and species. If such things are not permitted in your area then at least don't get caught, or if such things are not to your liking, don't read past this notice. For everyone else, this story and its characters are copyright by me, please don't use them without asking first. Now with that stuff is out of the way, comments are always welcome: [email protected]

Note: This story is the follow on from "Valley of the Wolf" and takes place over the five days in which Sasha and Yuri return home. If you haven't read Valley of the Wolf yet, I would suggest you do or this storyline might not make a lot of sense. Happy reading. Jonathon "CJ" Ford

Valley of the Wolf

Returning Home

©Jonathon "CJ" Ford

It took Sasha and Yuri the better part of the day to finally make it the far side of the cave, since they had stopped for lunch somewhere in the middle of the mountain. Neither of them had found it necessary to use their headlights in the cave, their improved low light vision made the near total darkness just light enough to navigate the passage without too much trouble. Now as they neared the far side the ever increasing light made the going just that much easier. Now standing at the exit of the cave they surveyed the place where their new life had started just over a week ago. At some point over the last few days the storm that had herded them into this cave for shelter had passed and the cool days of the mid autumn had once again returned. The sun was hanging low in the horizon, but there was still enough daylight left to get a good start back down the mountain. The heavy snowfalls that had built up in that few days was melting away and even the occasional bird could be heard singing, hidden away in a pine tree somewhere.

"You know Yuri," Sasha said as he looked out over the pines, "I thought it would be colder out here, but this breeze feels just nice through my fur."

"Yeah you're right. It feels really nice, and this light shirt just breaks up the cool perfectly." Yuri replied. "I don't know about you, but I don't think that my boots are going to fit over my feet anymore. And that snow looks a bit on the deep side in a few places still."

"True. I don't think mine will either." Sasha said with a grin and a giggle. "As for that snow, I think we'd make better time on snowshoes then just bare paws."

Yuri nodded his agreement silently before un-shouldering his pack. Sasha followed suit and soon the both of them had their snowshoes detached from the webbing. Setting them on the floor of the cave they began the process of working out a good comfortable position for their paws on the framing of the bindings. Once they finally had the shoes fitted and snuggly attached to their paws they shouldered their packs and headed off onto the forest trail and down the mountain back in the direction of home.

After hiking for about half an hour or so the pair finds that they have to stop and adjust the fit of their snowshoes, because their feet are continuing to come free of the bindings. It didn't take either one very long to figure out why their gear was falling off. Looking at each other they realize that they are quite quickly reverting to their original form. As their fur retreated beneath their skin they begin to notice for the first time the chill in the mountain air and the bite in the light breeze that gently swayed the snow laden bows of the pines and poplars. Both quickly drop their packs and rummage through them, looking for their heavier human clothes and jackets. Sasha tugged a sweatshirt from his pack and slipped it on over his light, now very loose fitting, shirt. After a few minutes of near frantic searching through their packs, both Yuri and Sasha were rugged up in there snow gear. It took a bit of doing to get their snowshoes readjusted while standing in the drifts, but they managed and were back underway.

"I know Joshua said that after we left the cave we would change back to our old forms. But I didn't think that it would happen this quickly." Sasha said as they continued in the fading light of dusk.

"Neither did I, but like you say, Joshua said it would happen. So just as long as we get back to the cave before a week has passed, everything will be fine." Yuri replied taking Sasha by the hand.

Both shrugged off the change back to their old forms as a bit unexpected in timing, but not unexpected altogether. They walked hand in hand the down the snow covered trail as the light quickly faded from the western sky. As the dark of night began to gather properly in the forest Sasha and Yuri decided that, without their wolf night vision it would be a wise idea to stop and make camp for the night. So after finding a good sized clearing they downed their packs and pulled the various components of their tent from their packs and set about assembling the shelter. Within ten minutes they had the tent fully erected and their lamp hanging from its apex. And none too soon as the last vestige of light faded below the horizon to await the new dawn.

Sasha sat in the opening of the tent, unclipping his snowshoes and standing them in the snow next to the tent. With his cumbersome snowshoes out of the way he shuffled back and flipped on the lamp, sending a soft glowing light throughout the tent and casting his silhouette on the back wall. Yuri handed there two packs in through the opening. Sasha pulled their sleeping bags from inside and connected them together, getting it laid out before tucking himself inside the tent completely. Yuri slipped into the spot where Sasha had been. Removing his snowshoes and placing them next to Sasha's before joining him in the tent. Yuri quickly zipped up the door to the tent and shuffled of his heavy jacket.

Yuri folded his jacket and stuffed it into his bag, before rocking back onto his back to help get his snow pants off. He was about halfway through shuffling the thick material off his legs when he got the distinct feeling that he was being watched intently. Slowly he turned his head and found Sasha, with his coat and over pants already off looking at him with wanting eyes and a visible tent of his own. Yuri paused for a moment, looking up and down his best friend and lover, then grinning he shuffled his position around so that Sasha would have a better view. Sasha in the mean time shuffled himself to get a bit more comfortable while watching the show that Yuri was putting on.

Slowly, teasingly, Yuri continued to slide off his snow pants. Once he had them off he tossed them over his shoulder, landing them right atop his bag. Now that his heavy snow gear was out of the way, Yuri slowly unbuttoned his shirt, starting at the bottom and working his way up, showing off a little more of his firm chest and tummy with each undone button. Finally he had the shirt completely undone and just as he'd done with his snow pants he began to peal the shirt from his shoulders and down his arms before sending it to join the over pants on his bag. Yuri moved up onto his knees and slowly untied the draw cord of his sweatpants. Once they were loose enough he hooked his thumbs in under the waistband began to slowly tug the garment downwards. His eyes never leaving Sasha's as inch after inch of his boxers and then his legs were revealed. In one deft move Yuri shifted his weight backwards and half rolled, half toppled onto his back, looking at Sasha through the gap in his legs. With a sly smile Yuri continued to tugging his pants up his inverted legs. As his arms moved down his legs, closer and closer to his feet, Sasha could just see his maleness and full balls beneath the fabric of his boxers. Sasha could feel his maleness swelling as he kept his eyes glued on his love's strip tease. Yuri gave one final tug and the waistband of his pants slipped over his feet and away behind his head. Leaving them where they fell, Yuri tucked his feet underneath him and rocked forward onto his knees. He could see Sasha's hard cock tenting the thick material of their sleeping bag as he slowly slid his hands up his exposed thighs. Thankfully their combined body heat had raised the temperature in the tent enough that Yuri didn't notice the cold outside. Sasha grinned as Yuri's thumbs disappeared beneath the waistband of his boxers. Yuri slowly tugged them down and off his hips, exposing more and more flesh to the cool night air. After a few moments of gentle tugging, his trapped member sprang free, hard and waiting to be used, as the boxers continued their downward trek. Finally Yuri's boxers come to rest in the fold of his knees, leaving him totally exposed to his lovers wanting eyes.

Yuri began to shuffle his way up the sleeping bag on his knees, working his unwanted boxers the rest of the way off his legs in the process. Once he reached the top of their combined sleeping bag, he pressed himself against Sasha, gently using his weight to push him down onto his back as he embraced him in a deep and passionate kiss. The pair held the kiss, their tongues exploring the others mouths, taking in the subtle and not so subtle differences between the muzzles of their wolf forms and the mouths of the form that they currently held. Yuri felt that he could have stayed like this forever, but he had other plans that needed attending to and he had to take a breath at some point. So he broke the kiss and without even a word shuffled himself into the sleeping bag headfirst. Once there he noticed that Sasha had removed his boxers already, probably while watching his little show, but either way it saved him having to remove them. Yuri slowly ran his nose up the length of Sasha's maleness, taking in its heady scent in one long breath. After reaching the head of his love's cock he let out the breath slowly. The warm, moist air flowing over his hard member made Sasha gasp, and his hands gripped the slick material of the outer shell of the sleeping bag. Now Yuri started his assault properly. Circling Sasha's prick with his tongue and giving the tip a quick lick before steadily descending its length. Yuri sucked hungrily at the meat before him as inch after inch disappeared into his warm maw. Yuri soon had his nose buried in Sasha's crotch as the head of his meat bumped the back of Yuri's throat. He sat there for a moment, just sucking the entire length of Sasha's shaft, rubbing the tender underside with his tongue. Yuri slowly backed his way off the hot meat in his mouth and began to set up a steady rhythm, bobbing his head slowly and steadily up and down the length of Sasha's hard prick. Above him he could hear Sasha gasping and moaning softly as he worked his dick over. It didn't take long either before the familiar sound of hands gasping at the sleeping bag reached his ears. Satisfied that he was doing a reasonably good job, Yuri began to pick up the pace a bit. Working the warm meat in and out a bit quicker and sucking a bit harder. Sasha's breathing was coming in short gasps now, and Yuri could tell that he was getting close as his body began to get more and more rigid. Yuri slipped one free hand under Sasha's sack and gently began fondling his balls. The extra stimulation was just too much for poor Sasha to take and his body tensed, shocks of pleasure racing up and down his spine. Yuri could feel Sasha's sack draw tight and his cock jump. He instantly took the whole shaft into his mouth, eagerly swallowing the seed that ushered forth from it. Drinking it all down, not wasting a single drop of Sasha's gift.

Yuri sucked the last few drops from the tip of Sasha's cock before slowly pulling off it, licking it clean as he went. After working his lover into such a state and the constant smell of Sasha's scent in his nose, Yuri's cock was still rock hard and now more then ever it ached for release.

Sasha could tell that Yuri still need some attention of his own, so slowly he rolled over onto his side, presenting his tight, pink, pucker to him. Yuri licked his lips at the sight before gently spreading his cheeks apart and running his tongue over the sensitive area. Slowly Yuri worked his tongue all around and over Sasha's waiting hole, getting everything good and moist for what was to come. Finally Yuri pressed his face firmly against his lover's rump, thrusting his tongue into the tight pucker as he did so. Sasha let out a short squeal at the sudden penetration, but just as quickly moaned in pleasure as Yuri's tongue wormed its way around in his passage.

Now that Sasha was properly lubed, Yuri shuffled his way back up the sleeping bag. Sasha could feel his mate's member sliding up the inside of his leg as Yuri adjusted his position. Now Yuri's head was poking out of the top of the sleeping bag as the head of his cock came to rest against the tight opening. Slowly, gently Yuri pressed his hips forward. The increasing pressure on his anus made Sasha moan as he tried his best to relax his opening. When the head of Yuri's member spread the opening enough to slip through, Sasha gasped at the new found fullness within him.

Yuri stopped and waited for a moment to let Sasha get used to the stretching of his ring, gently nibbling on Sasha's ear as he paused. Once Sasha's breathing returned to something akin to normal Yuri again started to press his hips forward sinking more of his maleness into his lover. Slowly Yuri would push forward a few inches then pull back, leaving just the head of his cock inside Sasha's anal ring, then he thrust forward again, sinking in a bit more. After a few moments his balls slapped lightly against Sasha's. Sasha moaned softly not only at the fullness of having his lover's hot prick buried within him, but also at the added stimulation of Yuri's constant nibbling on his ear lobe.

Yuri set up a constant steady rhythm as he thrust his member into Sasha's passage. The fact that he was worked up all ready combined with Sasha's tight and milking insides meant that Yuri was approaching his climax quite quickly. As he steadily increased the pace of his thrusting Sasha moaned a bit loader. The constant pounding of his prostate by Yuri's cock head and the hot moist breath of his lover washing over his neck as Yuri lightly nibbled his ear was getting to be too much for him as well.

Yuri gave one last hard thrust, hilting himself as deep as he could get inside his lover's ass. His balls pulled up close to his body and his cock jumped as he began to pump his seed deep within Sasha's insides. That was finally too much for Sasha as his bowels were filled with his mate's warm cum. His body tensed and he groaned as he released his second load of the evening, his anal muscles clamping down like a vice around Yuri's member, milking the last remaining drops of seed from its shaft.

Yuri slumped against Sasha's back in afterglow, totally exhausted from the day of hiking and from yiffing his love for the first time in just under a week in human form. Yuri's quickly softening cock slipped out of Sasha's used ass with a soft, wet slurping sound. Sasha shuffled over to be face to face with his lover and best friend, giving him a quick kiss on the nose. "You know that feels so much nicer when you have that big knot of yours locked inside me. But this was nearly as good, simply because it was with you." He whispered to Yuri.

Yuri, too tired to say anything meaningful, just gave a soft "ummm." In agreement and nuzzled his head in against Sasha's shoulder before drifting off to sleep.

Sasha wasn't far behind him, quickly falling into his dreams to await the coming dawn and another day of snowshoeing before they could even hope to get to the main road home.

Next morning the sun rose from below the distant mountains, casting its soft and warming glow over the hillside and eventually into the clearing which Sasha and Yuri had set up there tent. The increasing brightness filtering through the thick walls of the tent was just enough to rouse Yuri from his sleep. Shuffling around a bit he opens his eyes to find that Sasha has turned over in his sleep and he's now face to face with his mate. Still having one arm draped over Sasha's side and down his back Yuri gently slides his hand up his loves back, softly rubbing his fingers through the hair on the back of his head.

Sasha moaned softly in his sleep, thinking that he's in the throws of a really good dream. Yuri grinned as his mate shuffled and continued to dream. Slowly he ran his other hand down his front to find Sasha's soft cock and balls. Gently he massaged the two orbs contained within the warm sack. Sasha shuffled some more, but still refused to wake as Yuri pleasured him quietly. Sasha's cock began responding on its own and swelled under Yuri's gentle touch. Yuri was finding it very hard not to giggle because Sasha was making, what he considered to be the cutest whimpering noise in his sleep. Yuri could help but wonder what exactly his love was dreaming about his he stroked his quickly firming cock.

Finally Yuri couldn't hold back anymore and let out a stifled giggle. But it was just enough to draw Sasha from his sleep. His eyes snapped open as he realized that what he'd been feeling wasn't a dream after all, but they almost immediately closed again, another soft moan coming from deep within him as Yuri gave the base of his member a gentle squeeze. It doesn't take much more then that to push Sasha over the edge and he tossed his head back, letting out a long quavering breath as he came, shooting his load all over Yuri's hand and bare chest.

Sasha opened his eyes again and immediately kissed Yuri, drawing him into a deep embrace, before parting to clean up the mess he'd managed to make on Yuri's chest and hand. "Umm, glad to see that you're awake." Yuri said between gasps as Sasha's tongue licked his chest and stomach.

"I was having such a good dream too." Sasha's replied after finishing his tongue bath.

"It sounded like it too. You were making such a cute whimpering sound, I couldn't help but giggle."

"That's alright my love, but I think we ought to get up and get moving we really need to try and get back home today. You know that they are going to have lots of questions and we don't have much time."

"You're right as usual hun. Let's get going then."

Sasha and Yuri both began to get there clothes on, each stealing a glace at the other's naked body as they dressed. Once they had their heavy snow gear on Yuri unzipped the door of the tent and stepped out into the bright sunshine. The clearing that they had found wasn't really all that big, but it was big enough to let a good dose of sun through, even at the relatively early hour of the morning. Once Sasha had gotten the sleeping bags separated and packing back into their respective packs he handed them one at a time through the door to Yuri. Yuri hung the packs from a nearby branch to keep them out of the snow while they disassembled the tent and got it put back into its case.

With the tent down and folded away it didn't take the pair long to get their packs and snowshoes on and ready to go. Yuri handed Sasha an energy bar before peeling the wrapper of one of his own as they started back down the mountainside. The two walked in silence, just listening to the sounds of the woods around them and content in holding hands and being in each others presence.

It was about midday when the narrow path that they'd been following abruptly ended in a dense stand of mixed pines and poplars. Sasha and Yuri forced their way through the trees one behind the other, being careful not to break any branches unnecessarily, and not to let a branch go and slap the other in the face with it. After a few minutes of pushing through the dense undergrowth the trees suddenly parted and they stood on the top of an embankment overlooking a well worn road. Yuri pulled out his map, and using the overlay that Joshua had given them he found that they were at one of the roads that would lead back to their home town. Yuri carefully sidestepped his way down the steep embankment and onto the edge of the road, followed very closely by Sasha. "Well," Yuri said, "if we head this way," he pointed off to his left, "we should be home by dark."

Sasha nodded and bent over to unclip his snowshoes. Yuri quickly undid his as well, seeing as they were now going to be walking a well used road they'd probably make better time without them on. So after stowing their shoes in the outside of their packs the two set off at a fairly brisk, yet steady pace for home.

As the afternoon wore on Sasha and Yuri drew nearer to their home town, but they were still a fair few kilometers away and it was beginning to look as if they might not be able to reach it before dark. It had been about three hours of steady trekking down the road when an odd sound caught Sasha's ear. He paused mid-stride for a moment to try and pick it out. Finally it dawned on him. It was a vehicle and a rather heavy one from the rumbling the engine was making. Sasha quickly caught up to Yuri and tapped him on the shoulder to point out the sound of the approaching vehicle, since it seemed he hadn't noticed it already. The two paused and waited on the side of the road as the incessant rumble of the heavy diesel engine grew louder. When the vehicle finally did come into view it was plainly obvious why it had sounded so big and heavy, around the slight bend in the road came large police six wheel ATV.

In the cab of the police unit the two officers looked at the pair standing by the side of the road as something of an oddity. Being out on a routine road patrol between towns looking for stranded motorists, the last thing they had expected to see was to young lads out hiking, especially in these conditions. So the officer in the passenger seat reached up and flipped on the siren light bar, while his partner checked for a safe place to pull over.

Sasha and Yuri watched as the police unit pulled over, off the road, just past them and the doors one either side opened. The driver hopped down from the cab and reached back into the vehicle to grab his hat, which he quickly placed on his head. The officer from the passenger side jumped down before retrieving his AK-47 from the cab and slinging it over his shoulder. Not that he thought he'd need it, it was just procedure. The two officers made their way towards the back of their unit as Sasha and Yuri approached from down the road.

"Might I ask just what the two of you are doing out here on the road this time of year and so far from anywhere" the driver asked as the four came together.

Sasha and Yuri looked at each other for a moment before either one answered, not wanting to lie to the officers, but not wanting to give them the whole truth at the same time. "We where trekking from our home town through the forest to Murien and we got caught in that snow storm a few days ago. We managed to find our way down to the road and we where just on our way back home." Sasha replied.

"Fair enough," the officer replied nodding and looking at his partner, "But the two of you know that it's very dangerous to walk down the road this time of year. There are very bad people in the area that could catch you."

Sasha and Yuri just nodded that they understood.

"Now then, just for the record can I see your ID's please." The officer said, holding out a gloved hand.

Sasha and Yuri quickly un-shouldered their packs and rummaged through the outer pocket to find their ID cards. Once they find the cards they hand them over to the officer who took them and showed them to his partner. Both officers nod before handing the cards back.

"Do you two realize that you've been listed as missing for the last three days? Your families have been worried about you." The officer from the passenger side said. He opened the heavy door on the back of the unit. "Come on and get in, we'll give you a lift the rest of the way."

Sasha and Yuri both smiled at the officer as they looked up from stowing their ID cards back in the pockets of their packs. Lifting the packs from the ground Sasha tossed his bag into the back of the ATV before grabbing the rail on the door that was still closed and hoisting himself into the back of the vehicle. Once he was in he reached down and took Yuri's pack from him, setting it atop his own, before giving Yuri a hand up into the back of the police unit.

Once the both of them were safely aboard the two officers walked back up to the cab, the ATV swayed side to side slightly as the officers climbed aboard. Sasha and Yuri heard the two doors closed heavily and the diesel engine rumbled to life, sending a shudder through the vehicle's frame. As they started off down the road the officer on the passenger side slid the cover on the small window into the back open, "We should be in town in about forty-five minutes." He said. "We'll take you to the hospital to get checked out and notify your families that you are safe. They can pick you up after the doctors have a chance to take a look at you both. After all being missing for three days in the freezing cold can't be good for you." He added.

Sasha and Yuri just smiled at each other. They knew that the doctors at the local hospital wouldn't find anything wrong with them, and if the officers only knew what had really been happening the time that they'd been missing they'd understand why. But they didn't know and neither Sasha nor Yuri had any inclination to tell them.

After about a half hour the tightly packed and slightly corrugated dirt road became a smooth sealed one. Yuri had managed to drift off to sleep in the back of the ATV, his head resting on Sasha's shoulder. The sudden change in pitch of the tires and the loss of the vibration from the road tugged him from his light sleep. He sat back up and yawned, his arms stretching wide as he did. It didn't take much longer for them to reach the hospital, which was on the outskirts of town. The police unit pulled to a stop in the emergency bay and the two officers got out. The officer from the passenger side opened the back door of the unit, "Come on down lads and I'll get you checked in. Just leave your gear and my partner and I will bring it up for you." He said waving his hand into the open air.

Sasha and Yuri jumped down from the back of the vehicle and the officer escorted them into the hospital through the emergency doors. Once the doors closed the temperature rose drastically and both Sasha and Yuri quickly shed their coats to prevent themselves from overheating. The trio walked up to the desk and the duty nurse looked at the officer and then at the two people accompanying him. "What can I do for you officer?" she enquired, placing her clipboard on the desk.

"I just wanted to drop these two off to be check out for exposure. These are the two boys that were reported missing three days ago." The officer replied.

The nurse looked at the officer for a moment before shifting her gaze to Yuri, then to Sasha, and back to Yuri again. "Well officer I'll get one of the doctors to have a look at them right away, but offhand they seem alright." She said before looking at her desk. She quickly grabbed two clipboards and attached a form to each before handing them both to the officer. "Just get them to fill these out and I'll start on the paperwork for admitting them. Do they have any belongings with them?" she asked without looking up from the form she had started filling out.

"Yes they do. Where would you like us to put them?" the officer replied, folding his hands at his belt.

"They will be in room 237 so you can just drop them in there if you please." The nurse replied, filling in the room number as she said it. Once she had finished filling out the form she got up and made her way around the desk to see the lads. Without a word she extended her hand and collected the clipboards from both of them. She gave the forms a once over to check that they hadn't missed anywhere. Once she was satisfied she held out a hand towards the admit doors. "This way if you please." She said.

Sasha and Yuri rose from their seats and followed the nurse of down the hall. Sasha and Yuri were put in separate consulting rooms to await their respective doctors. After about fifteen minutes Yuri's consulting room door opened and a white coated man walked in looking at a clipboard. He looked up and gave Yuri a quick perusal before resting the clipboard on a nearby instrument tray. "Well now lets have a look at you shall we. If I could just get you to strip down to just your underwear thanks." He said matter-of-factly.

Yuri quickly did as he was instructed and was soon standing in nothing but his boxers. Once all the clothes were out of the way the doctor began a though palpation of Yuri's upper body. "Just hop up here and have a seat will you." He said patting the exam table behind Yuri.

Yuri placed his hands on the table either side of him and hoisted himself onto the table. The doctor pulled an ophthalmoscope from his left coat pocket and turned the little wheel on the side of the head to switch the instrument on. He flipped out the overhead light and pointed the dull green light of the instrument at the far wall of the exam room, just at the bottom edge of a picture frame. "Just look straight at the picture on the wall there for a second." He said before putting the instrument to his eye and peering closely into Yuri's left and then right eye. Satisfied he pulled the instrument down and turned it off before slipping it back into his coat pocket as he moved to turn the room lights back on.

The doctor continued to bombard Yuri with test after test checking every facet of his health, making the occasional note on his clipboard as he did so. After what seemed like an eternity he doctor lifted his clipboard from the tray. "Well that about covers it my boy. You can get dressed now. A nurse will be in shortly to show you to your room. I don't think we'll be needing to keep you overnight, but we'll see how things are with your friend and then go from there." The doctor said before opening the exam room door and departing.

Down the hall in a similar exam room Sasha had been undergoing much the same treatment, being poked and prodded until he was thoroughly sick of it all. But when the doctor did finally leave and Sasha could put his clothes back on he breathed a sigh of relief.

After about five more minutes of just pacing around the small examination rooms, a nurse turned up in each to show the lads to their room. In the hall Sasha gave Yuri a quick hug before they followed the nurses down the hall and up to their room. Once they arrived and got settled one of the nurses left straight away, while the other stayed behind to give the boys a brief rundown on what was going on.

"Well now," she started as Sasha and Yuri took a seat on their respective beds, "The police down stairs have notified your families that you are here and safe, so I would be expecting them in the not too distant future. But before they get here one of the doctors will come up and let you know the results of your tests. Until then just relax and try to get a little rest. I dare say that you two are in for a big couple of days."

Sasha and Yuri both nodded and smiled, since they knew that she was quite correct the next few days would be very big indeed. With that the nurse turned and left the room, closing the door softly as she past. Once she had gone Sasha jumped up from his bed and planted himself on Yuri's giving him a big hug and a quick kiss. "I don't know about you, but that was the most I've ever been poked at in my life. I swear I was going to knock that doctor flat on his ass if he kept it up much longer." Sasha burst out.

Yuri nodded his head and giggled a bit, he'd felt the same way but Sasha was always the more vocal of the two. "You know it's going to be strange sleeping in my old bed away from you." Yuri said looking past Sasha and out the window.

"Well it can't be that odd can it? I mean we've only been sharing a bed for under a week after all."

"That's true, but it's such a nice feeling. Having you lying next to me, feeling your warmth though the night and in the morning. I'm going to really miss that these next few days."

"I'd never really given it that much thought, but you know you're right. I'm going to miss it as well. But after all it's just a few days then we'll be back in our hut and together forever."

Sasha had just finished his sentence when the door to the room opened and a white coated doctor walked in. Without looking at the boys he grabbed a stool from the corner and rolled it over next to the bed. "Well now." He said looking up at the pair for the first time. "From what we can tell the two of you are in perfect health. In fact you couldn't be any healthier in my opinion, and I find that very odd considering that you've probably just spent the last three or more days huddled in a tent in the middle of a blizzard. But that aside there is no reason why the two of you can't go home. If you have any complaints at all however I want you both to come straight back here at once. Is that clear?" The doctor finished, looking squarely over his nose at the two.

Sasha and Yuri again just nodded that they got the point. The doctor nodded back before rising from his seat. "Now your families will be here in about a half hour until then get some rest." He said with a faint smile, only lasting for a moment before disappearing again.

Sasha hopped down off Yuri's bed and back onto his own before falling heavily onto the pillow. Yuri on the other hand, having had a bit of nap in the back of the police unit just lay back onto the pillow and looked up at the ceiling. After a while he closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.

It seemed as if only a minute had passed, and in fact it had only been about five, before a gentle shaking and the sound of a familiar voice calling his name softly woke him again. When his vision cleared a bit he found himself looking into the faces of his parents and behind them Sasha's parents were standing over him as well. Yuri smiled weakly before rubbing his eyes to dispel the last bits of sleep. "Hey guys. How long have you been here?" Yuri said, sitting up on the bed.

"We only just got here a minute ago. We feared the worst when the police turned up at our door. But then they said that they had dropped you off here at the hospital and you looked ok. So we came straight down." Yuri's mother replied.

"We're both just glad that the two of you are safe." His father added, "Now when the doctor gets back we can get the two of you released and go home for a nice hot meal and a good nights sleep in your own bed."

Yuri feigned a smile at the thought, not that a nice hot meal wouldn't be welcomed, but things just would not be the same without Sasha around.

Soon enough the doctor returned and got Sasha and Yuri to sign the various release forms so that the hospital could keep the required paper trail of who's who. And before long Sasha and Yuri were hoisting their packs and heading for the elevator with their families. It was only a short trip through town to arrive at the respective houses, only a couple blocks apart really, but requiring two completely different routes to be traveled.

Yuri's parents pulled into their driveway and the three of them emptied out of the car. Yuri lugged his bag down to his room and tossed its heavy bulk onto his bed. The bedsprings protested the sudden increase in weight for a moment before settling down. Yuri unclipped the top flap and loosened out the draw cord to gain access to the contents of his pack, then setting about getting it unpacked. As he was pulling things from the bag and sorting them into different groups for things like laundry, equipment, and food, to be dealt with in their own ways, laundry to the washing, equipment to the garage, and food either to the pantry or the rubbish, he could faintly smell his mother beginning to cook dinner in the kitchen.

First thing that Yuri took care of was the laundry, since it was the easiest, then he set about getting all the equipment put back in its proper places in the garage workshop. He was just taking the first load of old food to the rubbish when his mother called him to dinner. Yuri finished the load he was doing before heading in to the kitchen, giving his hands a quick wash before settling into a chair. Yuri dished up a plate for himself and set about attacking it with relish, getting smiles from both his parents in the process. But down inside him it didn't feel right, like looking into a mirror and only seeing half of your reflection, something was missing and he knew it was having Sasha in the seat beside him. Yuri continued eating, hoping the food would feel the hole that he felt his core, but of course it didn't. No matter how good it was.

After he'd eaten his fill he offered to help clear up, but his mother wouldn't have it, instead insisting that he go to bed and get a good nights rest. It was sound advice, since he knew that tomorrow was going to be a very big day. So he trudged off to his room, feeling very full from the large meal he'd just eaten. He had to move the last of the contents of his hiking pack from his bed before he was able to lie down, so he just stacked them neatly on his dresser to be dealt with in the morning.

Yuri turned down the covers of his bed before crawling between the sheets and pulling them back over himself. His bed was warm and soft, but the queen size bed felt large and empty with his love beside him. He lay, looking at the ceiling thinking about everything that had happened over the last week. He knew that two blocks away Sasha was probably doing the same, and in fact he was quite correct.

Sasha lay in his bed unable to get to sleep. Tossing and turning, all he could think about was Yuri. Both their minds settled on the last night that they had spent together. All alone in their tent in that clearing on the mountainside, they had slept so close to each other, they could feel the others warmth in their sleep, and it made them feel so loved. Now here they were sleeping alone in separate houses, so close to each other but so far away that the planet may as well have been between them. Under their covers they felt cold despite the mild temperature, and no heater or amount of blankets could give them the warmth that was missing.

Yuri decided to take matters into his own hands as he lay in his bed. Eyes closed he pictured Sasha in his wolf form, his dark fur ruffling in the light drafts of their hut back in the valley. The sunlight shining through the windows casting soft shadows on even softer fur. In his mind he reached out his hand and ran it through the thick coat, feeling its softness and the changing density as his hand roved over Sasha's chest. Slowly Yuri began to stroke himself, his soft maleness hardening as his mind continued. Sasha lay on their bed, his naked form draped gracefully across the sheets. Yuri ran his hands down his sides, feeling the soft fur between his fingers, a softness that could only be imagined. His hands began to come together as they reached Sasha's crotch, a soft murring emanated from within his chest. As Yuri's hands reach the soft downy like fur of Sasha's sheath, his pink wolfhood slips from its confines. With one hand Yuri took hold of the sheath and with the other he fondled his loves seed laden balls, rolling them around in his palm. Sasha's wolf meat continued to grow and his sheath fill out as Yuri worked the soft fur over the sensitive organ. Yuri could feel the beginnings of his lover's knot forming under his palm.

As Sasha's pleasure built in his mind so did Yuri's as he continued stroking himself, fast approaching what would be a much needed climax. In his mind he bent forward to take Sasha's fully erect wolfhood into his maw. Just as his lips were about to encircle the hot meat a sudden sound broke through the pleasant vision, causing it to fade unable to be recaptured. Yuri's eyes shot open and his hand froze mid stroke. After a few moments he started working his shaft again, but it was no use, his erection faded as his daydream had done. Unable to fill his need for release he turned onto his side and closed his eyes once more, waiting for sleep to come and take him away.

The dawn light filtered through the curtains of Yuri's window, making its way steadily up his bed as the sun rose ever higher into the sky. The soft glow came all too soon in Yuri's opinion as it dragged him from what had been a dreamless sleep. Sluggishly he tossed back the covers of his bed and shuffled his way out of it. He staggered around his room for a few moments gathering up his sweat pants and a shirt, before flopping back down on his bed to put them on. Once he was dressed properly Yuri pulled open the curtains from his window, having to look away for a moment to let his eyes adjust to the sudden brightness. Yuri stretched his arms wide and twisted his upper body while keeping his feet planted, getting a satisfying crackle as his back shifted back into place.

Opening the door of his room the smell of a freshly cooked breakfast drifted to his nose as he inhaled the scent, breathing out a contented sigh before heading off down the hall towards the kitchen. In the kitchen Yuri's mother was hard at work getting breakfast for the family ready, when she heard Yuri shuffling his way down the hall she poked her head around the corner, "Morning dear." She said, smiling at him, "Sleep well?"

"Well enough." Yuri replied with a shrug.

"Good. Breakfast will be ready in a minute or two, and your father is in the dining room."

Yuri nodded and headed off to the dining room. He pulled out a chair from the table and sank into it. His father looked at him over the morning paper with a curious expression. "What's on your mind son?" he asked.

"I think it's better if we wait for mum before I get into that." Yuri replied, before pouring himself a cup of coffee.

His father just gave him a "suit yourself" shrug before giving his paper a bit of a shake and returning to his reading. A few moments later his mother rounded the corner into the dining room with a plate of scrambled eggs and crispy bacon, which she placed in the center of the table before slipping into her seat.

Yuri looked at the delicious breakfast that his mother had made for him and his father. With a big smile he took hold of the serving spoon and dug into the eggs before using his fork to skewer some pieces of bacon. "This looks really great mom. Thanks." He said before attacking the contents of his plate.

His mother smiled at him before serving both her husband and herself. "Now then," Yuri's father said, folding his paper and laying it aside, "Since we're all here now what's on your mind son."

Yuri swallowed the mouthful of eggs that he had before resting his knife and fork on the sides of his plate. "Well for a start Sasha and I have decided that it's time that we both moved out of home."

His mother gasped in shock before laying a hand on his. "Where will you go?"

"We found a great place while we were on our trek. It's a nice place with very friendly people and great scenery. And I met someone that makes me truly happy, someone that I can spend the rest of my life with."

"So that's what happened to the pair of you for those three days." His father said folding his arms across his chest, "Why didn't you tell us? Your mother and I were really worried about you."

"Well I would have called but the storm took out the phone lines, and besides we had more then enough gear to last."

"That's fine dear. So who is this person that's made you so happy, what's she look like?" His mother said.

"Well about my height, with dark hair and the most beautiful eyes that I've ever seen, smart with a good sense of humor, loves animals. Just about all I could ever ask for really."

Meanwhile Sasha was going through much the same verbal grilling as Yuri. Both described the other as their true love, but left out just enough detail to keep the actual identity a complete secret. After the two of them finished breakfast they both set out from their homes to a nearby park that they always used to go to and hang out. "So how'd they take it?" Sasha said as he walked up to Yuri and gave him a hug.

"They took it about as well as could be expected I guess." Yuri replied, returning the hug. "But now we have to get everything sorted out with our jobs and the rest of the guys."

"True. I figure that'll take up the better part of the day. And we can have lunch out while we do what has to be done."

Yuri nodded his agreement before they set off into town and to their, soon to be former, workplaces. It wasn't as hard as they had thought that it might have been to tell their bosses that they where leaving. Yuri's boss nearly insisted that they have a going away party to send him off, but Yuri declined gracefully and settled for a quick parting shot of vodka with his boss. Since he never did drink much, it went straight to his head and he knew that he'd have to put up with the headache for the rest of the day.

Sasha had a good sit down with his boss, sharing one last cup of coffee and answering various questions, not the least of which was assuring his boss that he wasn't leaving because he was unhappy with his job. After finishing his coffee and getting a parting handshake from just about everyone, along with best wishes, he set off to meet Yuri for lunch.

It was nearing one o'clock by the time that Sasha and Yuri met up at one of their favorite cafés for lunch. Yuri had taken the time to call each of their close friends and get them to meet for lunch as well. So Sasha, Yuri and their close friends shared one last lunch together. Their friends insisted on buying the pair lunch since it was probably the last time that they would be together. By the time that they all left the café to head home it was late in the afternoon and both Sasha and Yuri still had to get a start on packing their gear. So they headed back to the park to and said good-bye to each other before heading back to their respective homes.

What neither of them realized is that whilst they'd been out doing what they needed to do, they're families had called one another just to confirm what they'd been told that morning. Finding that both families had in fact been told the same thing they decided that both families should get together for one last party to send their boys off. A myriad phone calls had been traded throughout the day, organizing this or that, inviting various close family friends. By the time that Yuri and Sasha returned to their homes to begin packing things were already in full swing to get set up for the going away party. The decision had been made to hold the get together at Sasha's house, since it is the bigger of the two, both mother's were busily working to prepare dishes for the dinner.

As their families worked away getting things ready for tonight, Sasha and Yuri set about getting a start on getting themselves ready for tomorrow. And the day and a half hike back to the valley. Yuri finished emptying his hiking pack onto his bed and sorted through things to find out just what he would need for the hike and what could be left behind. He had just gotten started sorting through his clothes, laying aside the few things that would still actually fit his wolf form, when his mother called him to get ready to leave for Sasha's.

Sasha had been roped into helping his family get set up for the dinner party and so had only just managed to get his two backpacks back out of his closet. By the time that Yuri and his parents arrived Sasha was just putting the finishing touches on the table and was about to start bringing the food out from the kitchen. He smiled as his eyes met with Yuri's, and it was all he could do to resist the urge to run over and hug him tightly. But both knew that that just wouldn't be on, not with both their families around. So they settled for a smile, a wave, and a quick hello.

Soon after Yuri and his family arrived the table was finally set and the two families had a quiet drink together as they waited for the other guests to turn up. They didn't really have all that long to wait either, as about fifteen minutes later the first of the guests knocked on the door. A few minutes after the first group arrived at the door a steady stream of people arrived, until at last the final invited guests turned up. Before settling into dinner both Sasha and Yuri's parents take turns at toasting the pair and wishing them good health and good fortunes for their journey. The sentiment is carried round the table by the nodding of various heads and the lifting of glasses. And with the toasts out of the way everyone began the meal, each taking what they feel like before passing the various plates and bowls down to the next person. Yuri can't help but grin as he thought just how much this reminded him of meal time back in the Valley. Only thing that's missing are the friendly wolves like Joshua.

As the evening progressed and dinner drew to a close, everyone retired to the living room for an after dinner drink. As they mixed and mingled many of the families close friends came up to Yuri and Sasha to impart a few last words of wisdom and more then a few had brought along little gifts, both homemade and otherwise, things that might be useful or even if they weren't, would look good anyway. Some of the gifts both knew they were going to have to leave behind, just because they wouldn't have the room in their packs to take them.

But the hour grew progressively later, as time stands still for no-one, and the groups of people slowly began to leave. Until at last it was only Sasha and Yuri's families remaining. Yuri and his parents stayed to help clean things up and get everything put away. Sorting out what belonged to which household. And all too soon it was Yuri's parents beckoning him away. Slowly Yuri slunk off the couch where he'd been sitting next to Sasha for the last hour or so and made his way over to the door. He fare welled Sasha's parents and gave Sasha a quick goodbye hug, before heading out to the car with his parents.

The drive home was very slow as far as Yuri was concerned, he couldn't wait to get to bed and get to sleep, because at least in his dreams, he might find a bit of the happiness that he felt was missing at the moment.

Sasha made his way to his bedroom and shuffled all the stuff that he'd been sorting through before having to help with dinner, off his bed and onto his nightstand. With his bed free of obstacles he collapsed onto it, crawling beneath the covers and attempting to go to sleep. But sleep wouldn't come to him no matter how or what he tried. He tossed and turned in his bed, unable to think about anything other then the enormous empty feeling in his heart. His subconscious mind just wouldn't let him rest. Sasha wasn't exactly sure when he fell asleep from his brain being just too tired to carry on thinking, but the next thing he knew the sun was creeping across his face and the few birds that had stayed to fight out the winter snow were calling in the new morning.

Sasha's eye fluttered open and he stirred beneath his blankets, casting a glance out the window at the far end of his bedroom the sky was bright and clear, much the same as yesterday had been. He knew that the soft morning light that was falling on him at the moment would only get brighter as the minutes ticked past so he shuffled his way over the edge of the bed and rolled his legs from under the sheets. The soft carpet of his bedroom floor was a bit on the chilly side this morning and Sasha hurriedly put on a pair of socks to warm his feet. He could hear his mother working away down in the kitchen getting breakfast ready. So he pulled on a pair of sweatpants and headed down the hall to the kitchen for the last breakfast that he'd spend with his family for a long time, and more then likely, ever.

At the breakfast table Sasha slid into his seat and poured himself a cup of tea. His mother came in through the connecting door from the kitchen and placed the plate that they only used on special occasions in front of him. The plate was heaped with eggs and sausages and bacon. His mother looked down at him with a smile. Sasha smiled back before hefting a fork and digging in.

As Sasha was beginning his breakfast, Yuri was only just waking from his dreams, having managed to actually get a good night's sleep. There was a knock at his bedroom door, and he looked over at it raising his head sleepily from his pillow a few inches, "Come in." he said sleepily.

The door opened slowly and his parents entered, his father following his mother, who was carrying a tray containing his breakfast. Yuri shuffled himself into a sitting position on his bed, legs still under the covers, as his mother set the tray across his lap before settling herself onto the edge of his bed. "We just want you to know that we're both very proud of you son," his father said, laying a hand on his mother's shoulder, "You're taking a big step into the world."

"Well thanks mum, dad, but you didn't need to go to all this trouble." He replied as he lifted a fork from the tray.

"It's your last breakfast at home. We thought it should be special." His mother said patting his hand with hers before getting to her feet. "You just finish your breakfast and relax before you start packing again."

Yuri made short work of the meal that his mother had made for him, and was soon slipping on some loose fitting pants and returning the tray back to the kitchen. He placed the plate into the dishwasher and the tray back into its place in a cupboard before heading back to his room to finish off his packing.

Since they were planning on leaving for good and they had allowed themselves plenty of time to make the journey, both Sasha and Yuri had elected to take two packs with them. Their large hiking packs for on their backs and a smaller normal backpack for their front.

It was hard to decide what to take and what to leave behind. Having to take a bit of food along for the hike and only having a very limited amount of space to play with. Most of their packs ended up being taken up by clothes that would either fit their larger wolf selves already or that could be very easily tailored to fit. A few little personal items found their way into the packs, pictures of family, a favorite book, and even a little stuffed husky made it into Yuri's pack.

Sasha's pack contained much the same as Yuri's, minus the stuffed animal, but he did add one other thing to his bag that Yuri hadn't, he looked at the matte black frame of his Beretta pistol, turning it over in his hand before slipping it into the concealed back pouch of his big pack and placing a full box of ammunition in the main pocket. He didn't really know why he was packing it, it would be very hard to use with his larger wolf paws anyway. But it never hurt to have it there just in case.

Both of the lads had gotten so deeply into packing their gear that they hadn't noticed the time slipping past. That is until Sasha's father came in and interrupted his packing, just as he was putting the last few things in place. "Come on son," He said beckoning with a wave, "It's time for lunch and we're going over to Yuri's. We're just having leftovers, but it'll be the last chance for us to all get together."

Sasha nodded and tucked the last item into the top of his bag before pulling the draw cords closed and clipping the top flap shut. Now all he had to do was finish packing his little pack, and that wouldn't take that long, just adding in the only set of clothes that he had for his wolf form and a few other odds and ends. But for now he jumped into the back of the car with the rest of his family and they headed off to Yuri's for lunch.

Yuri used the extra time waiting for Sasha to arrive for lunch to finish off his packing, and had only just finished tucking the last item of clothing into his hiking pack when he heard the tires of Sasha's car crunching in the driveway out front. He quickly closed up his pack and slipped a shirt on before rushing through the house to the front door. He waited until they rang the bell before opening the door and greeting his mate and his parents, ushering them into the house and closing the door behind them.

Yuri's mother had already gotten lunch heated and out on the table by the time that Sasha and his family made their way into the living room. She greeted them with a warm smile and a hug for each before waving everyone to their seats.

The two families sat down for one last meal together, passing most of the meal in idle conversation about this or that. Late in the meal Sasha's father raised his glass and got everyone's attention. "To our two sons, who have been best friends since they could walk, may your new lives grant you all that you seek and more." He toasted. Everyone else raised their glasses in agreement before finishing lunch.

After the meal everyone helped clean up and get things put away. Yuri walked Sasha and his family out to their car, giving his mother one last hug and his father a firm handshake before they got into their car and headed back home so that Sasha could finish his packing. Yuri waved from the front of his house until they had rounded the corner then headed back inside to finish his own packing.

It didn't take Yuri long to finish the last of his packing, just tossing in the clothes that Joshua had given him, a spare pair of socks and a few other little things. Since Sasha had said that he would arrange some transport out to the start of their hike there was nothing left for him to do except sit around, have a cup of tea and wait for Sasha to arrive so they could get going. And since it was already getting to be mid-afternoon, it was going to be an anxious wait.

Sasha arrived back at his house and quickly went about finishing his packing. It only took him about ten minutes, and he too was well aware of the time. Once he'd finished his packing he set his packs by the front door and lifted the cordless phone from its base in the hallway. He dialed the number for the local police station and waited while the phone rang. "Police station, Lieutenant Pavin speaking." Voice on the other end said.

"Oh, good afternoon Lieutenant, this is Sasha Torsky, you and another officer picked up my friend and I from the road a few days ago."

"Ahh yes I remember you. How are the both of you doing anyway?" Pavin asked.

"We're both doing very well thank you Lieutenant. I was hoping to ask if you could do my friend and me a favor. We're getting ready to leave on another trip and I was hoping that you or one of your officers could give us a lift to about the spot that you picked us up."

There was a bit of a pause on the other end of the line as the officer considered the request. It seemed a bit odd to him, but he couldn't see any harm in it, he had to make his rounds on the route in a few minutes with his partner anyway so he agreed and arranged to drop by Sasha's and then Yuri's houses before heading out onto the patrol route.

About ten minutes later the large police six wheel ATV pulled up on the street in front of Sasha's house and Lieutenant Pavin jumped down from the passenger side, since this was just going to be a quick social call and pick up he left his AK in the cabin.

Sasha opened the front door just as Pavin was mounting the first of the three steps of the front porch. With his big pack on his back and his small one in his left hand, he took the time to shake Pavin's hand with his right. "You need a hand with anything there son?" The Lieutenant asked.

"No, I've got it covered. But thanks for the offer Lieutenant."

Pavin nodded and walked back to the back of the ATV. He opened the back door for Sasha who hefted his little pack in before un-slinging his big hiking pack and sliding it in after. He grabbed onto the handrail and hauled himself in. Lieutenant Pavin closed the door and headed back to the cab on the vehicle. The unit swayed side to side slightly as he pulled himself into the front seat. And Sasha heard the heavy door slam shut before the vehicle lurched forward. It took them about ten minutes or so to arrive in front of Yuri's house, and Yuri had heard the rumble of the heavy diesel coming up the road long before he heard it's tires crunching heavily on the gravel of the driveway. Yuri hoisted his two packs from his bed and made his way to the front door. His mother stopped him and gave him one last goodbye hug before letting him open the door. He shook his father's hand before heading out to the police ATV. Pavin's partner helped Yuri get his gear into the back of the unit before Sasha gave him a hand up. The officer gave Yuri's parents, who were standing in the doorway, a courtly tip of his hat before climbing back into the cab and backing out of their driveway.

Again the forty-five minute ride in the back of the police unit passed quietly. Save for the rubble of the engine and the steady droning of the tires on the corrugated dirt road. Again Yuri managed to drift into a nap as he lent against Sasha's shoulder. His nap was ended when the vehicle downshifted and slowed before coming to a complete halt, rocking on its suspension slightly. They heard one of the front cabin doors open and felt the unit sway as someone got out. A few moments later Lieutenant Pavin opened the large rear door. "Well lads," he said, "this is about the same spot that we picked you up at."

"Thanks very much for the lift out here Lieutenant." Replied Sasha, as he made his way down from the back of the ATV. He turned around to face Yuri as he handed down both of their big hiking packs followed by their normal backpacks. Finally hopping down himself. Sasha pulled a map from the front pocket of his hiking pack and unfolded it. "Just to double check with you Lieutenant, where on the map here would you say we are?" Sasha said

Pavin looked at the map for a moment before placing his finger on a corner in the road marked on the map. "I'd have to say that we'd be right about here." He said giving the spot a quick tap.

Sasha nodded and folded the map back up and put it away. "Thanks again for your help Lieutenant."

"My pleasure," Said Pavin, "Now you two have a safe journey." He said before turning to walk back to the cab of the ATV.

Sasha and Yuri waited for Pavin and his partner to drive off and around the next bend in the road before Sasha broke out the map again, this time pulling out the overlay that Joshua had given to them before they left. Sasha quickly matched up all of the reference lines and found the direction that they needed to go in order to find the start of the road home. Yuri hoisted his backpack and got it settled into a comfortable position against his chest before he hefted his hiking pack and got it situated on his back, using its straps to hold the front pack in place. Sasha handed Yuri the map and overlay so that he could get his gear settled and ready to go as well. Soon both were ready to get going as the sun sank lower into the western sky. They made their way up the moderate embankment beside the road to the edge of the forest above.

With the last few days of really good weather the snow in the forest had retreated back into little hollows and depressions, leaving the rest of the forest floor a sort of damp dull brown, soft and squishy under foot. With the dense cover of the pine and poplar bows above them, the last of the suns light is soon reduced to the point where one couldn't see to walk safely. So, breaking for a moment, Sasha and Yuri pulled their headlamps front their front packs and pulled them on. The soft light that the LED's gave off was enough for them to find their way along the narrow deer trail that they'd been following.

After a good solid hour of hiking along the tiny path the forest gave way and opened onto the remains of an old logging road. Yuri quickly pulled out the map and was able to determine that it was the road that lead up to the cave entrance. He looked over at Sasha, being careful to keep his headlight from shining directly into his lover's eyes. "So do you want to push on for a little while or just camp here for the night?" he asked.

Sasha moved around next to Yuri so that he could look at the map too. Yuri held his finger on the point at which they where and he looked at the amount of distance that they still had to cover. "I think we should push on for a small bit hun. Just a half hour or so, then make camp for the night."

Yuri nodded and refolded the map before putting it back into his front pack. Now that they were on the road home, they wouldn't need it further. So they set off again, walking hand in hand up the old ruined road that would lead them home in the morning.

After two kilometers or so Yuri yawned, causing Sasha to do the same, they both giggled about how contagious yawning seemed to be. "I think it's about time that we made camp." Said Yuri, unable to hold back another yawn.

"I think you're right." Sasha replied as he began to shuffle his pack off of his shoulders.

It didn't take long for them to have the tent components out of their packs and the tent erected. Sasha was the first into the tent, sitting in the door while he removed his hiking boots and got the sleeping bags connected and straightened out reasonably, before slipping inside and leaving space for Yuri. Yuri wasn't far behind, sitting in the doorway while he quickly removed his boots. With his boots off, Yuri pretty much dove into the tent, landing flat on his stomach next to Sasha. Sasha smiled and rolled onto his side, putting his arms around Yuri and hauling him closer. Yuri returned the gesture, so the two were lying with their bodies pressed against each other, and for the first time in nearly a week, they both felt content. Yuri smiled before leaning into Sasha and planting a kiss squarely on his lips. Sasha returned the kiss, turning his head ever so slightly to get more contact with his mate. They held the kiss for a long time, neither wanting to break the moment, as their tongues explored the others mouth and danced around each other. Finally faced with the option of continuing the kiss, or continuing to breath, Sasha broke the kiss and gave Yuri a quick lick on the nose.

It was about that point in time when they both noticed how much the temperature inside the tent had risen. Both began to shuffle their way out of their rather heavy clothes, discarding them into a corner of the tent, to be forgotten until morning. Soon both where naked and they shuffled their way into their combined sleeping bag. As they cuddled together they could feel each other getting harder. Since they hadn't been able to be with each other for the last few days Yuri decided to take advantage of the current state of things. He gave Sasha a quick kiss before sliding down into the sleeping bag. A few moments after his head disappeared from view Sasha could feel Yuri's warm, moist breath on the head of his exposed maleness, which only served to make him that much harder. Slowly Yuri licked the head of Sasha's member, drawing a gasp and a moan from above him. Yuri continued to lick the head of Sasha's cock as his breathing got faster and shallower. Finally deciding that he'd teased him enough Yuri encircled the head of his shaft with his lips and began to suck him in. Slowly he descended the length of his love's member, taking in inch after inch, until finally his nose rested against Sasha's crotch. Yuri stayed there for a moment using his throat muscles to help suck on the head of Sasha's cock. Just as slowly as he'd descended the shaft Yuri began to pull back off it, running his tongue along the sensitive underbelly. Yuri set up a slow, steady pace, wanting to make this last as long as he possibly could. As he bobbed his head slowly up and down Sasha's length he could feel Sasha's hands grabbing and releasing the outer shell of the sleeping bag above him. Sasha continued to gasp and moan very time that Yuri would bottom out on his cock or when he would give his head a lick and a suck at the top of each cycle. As Yuri worked him closer and closer to his peak Sasha started thrusting his hips in time with Yuri's efforts. The final step over the edge came like a freight train after nearly a week of not getting any release. Yuri felt Sasha's muscles tense as his back arched from the floor of the tent. His member jumped in Yuri's mouth as he happily sucked down everything that Sasha was able to give. Sasha collapsed back to the floor of the tent, panting heavily, while Yuri slowly suckled the last dribbles from his spent shaft, giving it one final lick before he released the softening maleness from his maw.

Yuri shuffled his way back to the to of the sleeping bag, his head reappearing with a very satisfied grin, only exceeded by the grin that was seemingly plastered on Sasha's face. Snuggled together warmly they drifted off to sleep, and for the first time since they'd last been on this mountain, they both slept soundly. Content in being next to the one they loved.

As the morning sun rose slowly above the horizon beyond the nearest ridge, the ever lightening sky revealed a hefty amount of cloud that had formed overnight. When the sun finally breached the ridge and cast its light down upon the mountainside that Sasha and Yuri where camped on, cloud shadows drifted silently over the landscape as the clouds were carried by the upper level winds. But despite the increased cloud the temperature was still rather pleasant. The ever changing pattern of light and shadow moving across the tent walls was enough to drive Yuri from his dreams, as he yawned and turned his head to look at Sasha lying next to him. He gently rolled over and placed a soft kiss on Sasha's cheek. Sasha stirred at the touch and rolled onto his side to face Yuri. His eyes crept open and he smiled sleepily. "Morning sweetheart." Sasha said before yawning and shuffling himself into a sitting position.

Yuri smiled back, "Morning hun." He replied, sitting up as well. "I think he'd better get moving. We can have some breakfast bars after we get started."

Sasha nodded his agreement and crawled out from under the sleeping bag over to the corner where they'd tossed their clothes the night before. He sifted through the garments, pulling his aside and tossing Yuri's back up to him over his shoulder. It only took them a few minutes to get dressed and to get the tent pulled down and repacked into their packs.

Yuri pulled out a couple of breakfast bars from the front pouch, and handed one to Sasha before ripping open the wrapper of the other and crunching a bite out of it. Sasha ripped into his as well, as they started hiking again. As the day wore on and they climbed higher up the mountain slope the amounts of snow that lay about increased noticeably, though it was still confined to the shaded hollows around rock piles or in the small furrows tucked behind groups of trees.

As morning became afternoon Sasha and Yuri stopped on a rocky outcrop for a bit of break from the hike, having covered several kilometers up the mountain. Yuri pulled another pair of energy bars from his pack and tossed one to Sasha. Sasha opened it and stuffed the wrapper into his pocket, joining the other three that rested there already. "How many of those things did you bring with you Yuri?" he asked before taking a mouthful.

"Umm," Yuri said as he chewed and swallowed a big bite, "About eight I think. So there should be two left for later." Yuri hopped down from the rock that he was sitting on and scooped the top couple inches of a small snow bank that was tucked in the lee of the rock pile that they were resting on into his canteen. He screwed the cap down and gave it a good shake to mix the fresh snow with the water that it already contained. "So you ready to go?" he said popping the last bit of bar into his mouth and crunching away.

Sasha shook his head and grinned as he levered himself off the rock he'd been resting on, chewing the last few bites of his bar as he stepped from stone to stone off the pile.

Setting off again up the mountain they walked hand in hand for a short while. The shadows around them lengthen as they continue their upward trek and the suns warmth is slowly beginning to fade from their backs. But as the crested a small ridge in the road their goal finally came into view, a large rock face with a cave entrance at the base. The rocks shimmered in the late afternoon sun as the snow melt from higher up gradually trickled down. And as they drew nearer to the wall the carved head of a wolf was very easily seen, as its bared teeth and open mouth framing the cave entrance.

Sasha and Yuri stopped on the small flat leading up to the cave entrance so that they can get a good look at the skilled craftsmanship that it must have taken to carve such a thing in the cliff side. As they look at the wolf guardian Sasha began to feel a slight tingling and itching from under his shirt. A warm feeling started to grow in his core, slowly spreading outwards through his body. As the feeling enveloped his chest he found it was getting harder to breathe properly. It didn't take him long to figure out just what was going on, so he quickly dropped his gear and began to remove his clothes. Yuri was starting to feel the same way and soon followed suit. In a few minutes they both stood naked and exposed to the elements, which this time around, were being kind. They both sank softly to the ground to avoid falling over later as the heavy labored breathing continued. They could feel their bones and muscles stretching and reshaping as thick, soft fur grew out from their skin to cover them, warming them almost instantly. It was funny Sasha thought, that with all their bodies were enduring at the moment it wasn't painful so to speak, more like a constant pressure that could be felt all the way through you.

The whole shift from human back to wolf form took only about fifteen minutes and it took another few for Sasha and Yuri to find their paws again, after not having walked on them for nearly a week. But now the late afternoon sun beat down warmly on their soft fur as they both rummaged through their packs to find the clothes that they had packed for just this occasion. They packed away their human clothes and boots, keeping them as reminders of what they were leaving behind, but more importantly as reminders of what they had gained.

Sasha picked up his pack, which up until a few minutes ago had felt rather heavy, but was now easily lifted with one paw. He readjusted the straps and tied his small pack to the back of his large one. He was just about to head off into the cave and back to the village when Yuri caught his paw. He stopped and looked at Yuri with big golden eyes as if to say "What's up?"

Yuri pointed to a piece of old hardwood timber hanging from a tree branch. The board had faded yellow writing that was hard to make out. "I never noticed that before." Yuri said as he squinted slightly to read the words.

"Well that's because the last two times that we've been at this point it was covered in snow silly." Sasha replied as he read the sign. He paused for a moment after finishing, and then pulled Yuri into a tight embrace. Yuri hugged Sasha in return. "But it's very true." Sasha whispered before kissing Yuri on the nose.

The End...

16/02/2006