Prone To Wander (rough draft)

Chapter Sixteen

Niki stayed at the little camp through the night. When she woke the next morning, she saw Quinn was watching her. The dog lifted her head, yawned, and reached over to sniff the closest squirrel... which was Ruben. Quinn flashed his teeth at her, but without growling. He didn't want to wake the others if he didn't need to. Niki had no such qualms, she bared her teeth in retaliation, and growled like thunder.

Every other creature came awake that instant, and dashed away from the terrifying sound. Ruben came to his senses mid run and turned back. Niki was on her paws, and Quinn was crouched in front of her, fur bristled and teeth bared.

The squirrel placed himself between the two, “Stop that!” he ordered, looking from one to the other. “We were all friends last night, now what happened?”

“Ask him,” Niki answered, trying not to growl again.

“You were still asleep, and she started nosing at you,” Quinn said. “I didn't know what the dog was up to, so I snarled at her, quietly... I was just trying to get you to leave him alone,” he finished, turning back to Niki.

“Well, I didn't understand,” she replied, and begrudgingly continued, “I apologize. I should've guessed you were trying to protect your friend.”

“Brother,” Quinn and Ruben corrected in unison, but Niki only stared in confusion.

“So everyone's alright now?” Ruben asked. The others nodded. “Good, and since we're up, I suppose we might as well get moving.”

“Moving?” Kalah echoed as she approached, “Where to?”

“Don't you want to go back home?” he asked.

“I don't see why,” she answered, “We don't have much to go back to. This forest seems like a good place, the trees are thicker, and those ermines are gone now. Why don't we all just stay here?”

“When you say all...” Quinn began, but Kalah cut him off.

“Yes, I mean you and the kits too... and Niki,” she replied. “I suppose she'll need help when the puppies come.”

Niki wasn't sure how much help any of them could offer, but Ruben was convinced they could at least bring her some food while she was tending to newborns. The others were brought in to the conversation, and everyone agreed that there was little point in making the journey back to where they came from. Everything they really needed was right where they were.

When it came down to it, the most sensible place to make something permanent, at least for the squirrels, was the clearing. The materials and supplies they needed for building their homes were already there. So, although no one was thrilled with the idea, that's where they decided to stay.

Niki only agreed to stay anywhere near the clearing, if they could find a way to cover up the pit. She didn't like the thought of puppies wandering some day, and falling in. Thankfully, they were able to find a number of large branches, which Niki then hauled to the pit. It was Quinn who helped her figure out how to use them to cover the opening. The raccoon pointed out that this would have to be done again when the branches rotted and fell in, but it was safe for the moment.

It was the squirrels of course, who worked on cleaning up the clearing. It was mostly dirt on the ground there, with very little grass or any other growth. Only the very edge was green, being lined with bushes and brush. There were however a number of tree stumps inside the clearing, which the squirrels agreed were the perfect places to build their homes. They also managed to break down the cage, and Quinn carefully removed it, throwing the thorny pieces in a patch of brambles.

The raccoons opted to build a new tree house, in the same tree they'd camped by. There was one branch that forked near the trunk and made a wide solid base, which Quinn was sure he could build something nice on. The kits were glad to be able to help, and they helped everywhere. They held branches in place for Quinn, as he put up a frame. They helped the squirrels by holding up entire walls while they worked. They even helped Niki, by gathering soft plants, feathers and fur, to line her den with.

In reality, what Niki had found wasn't much of a den. It was a large hole, in the side of a near by ridge. She knew it wasn't the best place, and wanted to find something that would suit her better, but there wasn't time to be picky. She needed to get something ready for her puppies, and the “den” was warm and dry... it would do for the moment. It was even big enough, Ruben had noticed, that they could all fit inside. Which would be good, if the weather turned rough while everyone was building.

The weather was pleasant that day however. So, when everyone decided to end their work for the evening, they all returned to their little campsite. Ruben and Jacob were quick to get a fire going again, and the raccoon kits collected more blackberries to share. They all realized however, that this was not the best arrangement for Niki.

“I know you said you're not a hunting dog, but you can hunt... can't you?” Ruben inquired.

“A bit,” she admitted, “It would be better if I could find larger prey. Little creatures can be harder to catch.”

“How much bigger?” Quinn asked.

“At least as big as you,” Niki replied.

“Oh, that's comforting,” Quinn grumbled. “Could you hunt a deer, or something like that?”

“I could try, but it won't be easy on my own. Especially when I'm weighed down with a litter, I guess really I need something slower.”

Quinn looked at the others as they gathered in the camp, then back to the dog, “You won't be tempted to eat anyone here, will you?”

“I made a deal with Ruben, and I'm good to my word,” Niki replied.

Quinn went back to camp, and asked Cavan for the cording he had in his pouch. He tucked it away, and told the others that he'd be back before morning. Quinn stopped beside Niki again, as he left.

“You'll watch over them for me, won't you?” he asked.

Niki dropped her head to the raccoon's height, “I won't let anything harm them, I promise.”

Quinn smiled, “Thank you,” he said, and his entire face was promptly licked. He gave a shudder, but didn't complain, and then he was off.

Niki then made her way closer to the camp, and stretched out behind the smaller creatures. No one was nearly so nervous as they had been when she arrived the night before, but a few of them still jumped. Malaki had lost all fear of the enormous dog. He hopped up onto one of Niki's paws, and started talking with her. He tried to convince his brother and sister to come over, but they refused. The raccoon kits were feeling much braver however, and nestled in at the dog's side. Kelly was convinced she could feel the puppies moving, and thought it was absolutely wonderful.

“How many do you think there are?” She asked.

“Well, I've had three litters before, and I've always had just four or five... so, that's probably how many I'll have this time.” Niki answered.

The night wore on, and as everyone grew tired of talking, they each found places to sleep. Malaki was last, he found his way over to the kits and snuggled up beside them. Ruben was trying to stay awake. He wasn't sure where Quinn had gone, and was starting to worry. On top of that, he hated leaving Niki, an expectant mother, to keep watch alone all night. He was sitting between the dogs fore paws, fighting off sleep, when he heard an unusual noise. It sounded like something dragging along the ground. Ruben lifted his head too see what was coming, when the thing was shoved, practically in his face. It was a large bunch of fish. All strung together by the gills on the cording Quinn had gotten from his nephew, and Quinn was standing beside it. He took the cord and one fish, which he set aside for the kits.

“I already had mine,” he said to Niki, “Those are yours.”

“You didn't have to do that,” she said, “But thank you.”

Ruben watched Quinn as he walked away, wondering if he'd gone all the way back to the river to go fishing. His attention came back to Niki however, when the great jaws of the dog opened over his head.

“Hold on a minute!” he said, and made a mad dash out from between her paws.

Niki almost laughed, “I knew you were there,” she said, “I wasn't going to eat you.”

“Well, better safe than sorry,” Ruben replied, and he made his way over to where Quinn was settling in.

“And where did you go, brother?” he asked. “Not all the way back to the river?”

“No,” Quinn said, yawning, “I found a stream that runs through the woods. I'll show you tomorrow.”