FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

It was late into the afternoon by the time they all made it back to the hollow. The sky had already began to change from light blue to a reddish-orange haze. All the trees in the in the valley seemed alive at that moment. The giant branches swayed gently from the cool breeze coming in over the mountains. Anfang sometimes wondered where the winds came from. On one unusually windy day, he actually thought about going to find out. He never did, but it was something that stayed with him just the same.

It was a very calm, peaceful afternoon back at the campsite. Everyone was resting around the fireplace and reminiscing about the past. It was mostly Miroshi doing the story telling, but not because he was the only one with stories to tell. Anfang just didn't feel comfortable talking about his past, and he rarely did. He simply enjoyed listening to the other two as they talked about their own histories. Then Kieshou started talking about her paintings, and how much she had enjoyed creating them. Of course, Miroshi was in the dark on this subject, and he asked what she meant.

"Wait a minute, slow down. You mean this is something you did just recently?"

"Oh, that's right! Of course! Why did I think for a second that you would know about the paintings?"

Anfang cut in. "Well, why don't you go show him? They're right behind us."

"Well, I was getting to that. You should stop interrupting me all the time.....come on Miroshi."

She stood up and her brother followed her into the cave. It didn't bother Anfang at all about what she just said. He was used to it by now, and too tired from the long journey to really do anything but watch the food cook. He poked at the roasting meat with a stick. By now he could hear the siblings carrying on inside the hollow.

"Wow! These are so great! You've really become quite the artist haven't you?"

"Thank you so much, but it's nothing, really. I just had some time to kill."

"Don't be so modest Kieshou. I'd say you've almost become better than...."

"That will never happen. You've taught me everything I know!"

"So? Pupils surpass their teachers all the time.....hey!" Miroshi spotted his portrait. "Who's that good looking fella'?"

"You like it?"

"Are you kidding? It looks exactly like me!"

That went on for a long while, and each comment got sappier then the last. Anfang thought it was pretty comical and listened to every word. So comical, that he almost forgot to call them outside.

"Food's done!"

The fire was extinguished by the time they got reached him, and the lupine was already gnawing on one of the pieces of meat.

"What's the deal?" Kieshou questioned. "Why'd you put out the fire already....and why are you eating my food?!"

He tried to swallow what was in his mouth too quickly and gagged. "No deal....there should still be enough light to see everything just fine, for a few hours at least. I'm not keeping it going for that long....and this is the smaller one anyways. I left you guys the bigger one, see?"

Anfang aimed his morsel at the smoldering ashes. The other piece was still impaled on a branch and propped against some small rocks.

"Are you serious? You left us one to split, and took one all to yourself?"

She smacked him hard on the back of his head. So hard that what he had in his mouth shot out and fell the ground.

"Hey!" Anfang shouted.

"You deserve worse."

Her and Miroshi split the last of the food, which wasn't much. Kieshou kept her eyes locked onto Anfang's the entire time she ate. He returned the gesture, and soon they were all finished. Every one of them wanted something more.

"I'm still hungry." Said Anfang.

Kieshou looked like she was about to get up and hit him again, so he devised a plan as fast as he could.

"Hey, I know! We haven't had any fish for a while. How about I go and grab some? I'll be back in no time!"

Miroshi had been looking a little sad ever since he was given his portion. It was because he was secretly the hungriest of the entire group, but no one knew it, so he ended up with the least. He was like that all his life. He never spoke up when he was in need, mostly because he didn't want to be a bother to anyone. But now he had a big grin on his face, and he shot out of his seat like a rocket.

"Yeah! That sounds great....I love fish!" He turned to his sister. "What do you say sis?"

Anfang wanted to go it alone, but the others didn't seem to get it. "Actually, I was thinking I'd just go by myse...."

"No, I think I'll stay here. I'm pretty tired. I'll probably go take a nap, but you guys go ahead."

"Alright! Come on buddy, let's go!"

"I don't think you understand.....aahh, whatever." Anfang sighed.

He was still pretty uncomfortable about the incident that occurred up on the falls. It only happened less then an hour ago, and he definitely wasn't over it yet. But it seemed like Miroshi had completely forgotten about it already, or just didn't care. Kieshou made her way towards the hollow, then turned back to give a final warning.

"You better come back with plenty for all of us! I mean it!"

Anfang didn't bother turning around, he just waved his hand in the air to acknowledge her.

"I mean it!"

The two of them walked all the way back to the river and crossed it. They were almost halfway to the fishing pond. Neither one had said a word since they left. Miroshi was trying as hard as he could to come up with something, but he was drawing a total blank.

"So....what do you guys normally do around here? You know.....for fun." He finally asked.

Several thoughts came to Anfang's mind, but none could be shared without some embarrassment from both sides.

"I don't know.....we go swimming."

"That can't be it. Come on, what else?"

"We....I don't know. We haven't really had to think about it before. Our days just sort of happen, you know? We wake up, things happen, we go to bed. That's how it's been since day one."

A disappointed look came over Miroshi. "Okay."

They were both silent until they at last reached the small inlet. Anfang asked if the raccoon knew how to fish, and he just replied "of course". So the both of them got into the shallow pool together, and began searching. Miroshi was the first to retrieve something from the waters, a large salmon, and he asked what to do with it. Anfang told him just to throw it up onto the bank, which he did, and they both got back to work.

"What's with me today? I can't even concentrate on catching some stupid fish." He looked over and saw Miroshi already throwing another salmon onto the shore. "Doesn't look like he's having any problems."

By the time he actually managed to catch a couple, the raccoon had amassed a large pile. They towered over his pathetic few, and most of them seemed to be larger as well. Normally his pride would have kicked in, and he'd be steaming mad, but he didn't feel that way at all. He actually felt sort of happy for him.

"I think we've got enough." He said.

"Really? You sure you don't want to get some more for yourself?" Miroshi laughed.

"You've got the same sense of humor as your sister, you know that?"

They climbed back out of the shallow and shook themselves dry. Then they added up the fish; Anfang managed to catch three salmon, while Miroshi had an impressive eight. Although, it looked like a million in comparison. Miroshi had been thoughtful enough to bring his knapsack, which they loaded all the fish into. There was so many that it took a few attempts before they got them all in successfully. Once they got them set in just right, they headed off towards the trail leadig back to the camp. Anfang was really looking forward to the feast, and was glad that this new friend would be such a help.

"I gotta say, Miroshi. Great job catching all those fish!"

In an unplanned and surprising gesture of appreciation, the lupine gave him a hearty slap...right on the butt. It took a few seconds before he realized exactly what just happened. He froze up, and in the midst of his embarrassment, he completely forgot to remove his paw from Miroshi's backside. Now it looked really bad. The raccoon was stunned by the unexpected shock, but that soon faded. He turned back to look at the frightened wolf.

"You find something you like back there?"

Anfang could feel his face burning now, and he knew the raccoon could see it. He whipped his paw away and stood with his head hanging, his eyes staring at the ground.

"I just meant it as a compliment, that's all...it's not what you're thinking."

Miroshi furrowed an eyebrow. "You sure about that?"

"Yeah. Real sure."

"That's too bad."

Anfang looked up at him. "What do you mean by that?"

"Well, you just keep leading me on is all. I must say, it's very disappointing."

"I'm not meaning to.....it just seems like I am to you, I mean."

"Whatever you say Anfang."

Miroshi was smiling at him now like he knew something was about to happen. And even though Anfang didn't see it, it happened anyways. It was that same drawing force that he'd felt before with Kieshou. That same loss of control, and inability to resist his urges. He didn't know it, but it was already beginning to pull him in. He was moving, and before long the two of them were standing right in front of one another. Anfang stared into the raccoon's big blue eys for what seemed like an eternity. He wasn't sure what to do next, but that unseen force kicked in again. They kissed. It wasn't what Anfang had imagined it would be, and in more than one way, it was better than it was with Kieshou. He thought it would feel strange and unpleasant, but that couldn't have been further from the truth. Anfang was becoming increasingly aroused. Miroshi already had his paws clamped onto the lupine's face, and up until now, he was too lost in the moment to move. His own arms hung limp at his sides, as if he was being attacked by a face-sucking leech and there was nothing he could do about it. But now he was just too turned on, and he had to try something. He wrapped his arms around Miroshi's waist and pulled their bodies even closer together. He could feel the heat coming from the raccoon's sheath. It filled Anfang's mind with strange thoughts. He imagined just how far he would be willing to go, and if it was even going to be an enjoyable experience when they got there.

"Well.....so far this is definitely enjoyable." He thought.

His paws slipped down. He latched onto that which caused him so much fear and confusion earlier. Because now it only filled him with pleasure. His grasp tightened. Miroshi's sheath swelled and pressed against his own. The raccoon let out a low groan, and backed his muzzle away from Anfang. Leaving the canine with his eyes closed, and lips still pursed.

"I'd call this somewhat of a breakthrough." Miroshi snickered.

Anfang opened his eyes. "Why'd you stop? Aren't you at all...."

"Of course I am, but Kieshou's waiting for us. Besides, I thought you were hungry."

His eyes narrowed slightly, and he smiled. "Not anymore."

Anfang moved his hips, and rubbed his swelling package against the raccoon. It took all Miroshi had not to jump the wolf's bones right then and there.

"Come on, I'm serious. We'll have plenty of time to continue this later."

"You better not lead me on this time."

"Are you sure you've never been into guys before?"

"Nope....and I probably won't ever be again. There's just something about you."

"You know...ever since you tackled me, I wanted so badly to hear you say that."

"Oh yeah...I almost forgot about that. Sorry."

"Forget about it...I actually enjoyed having you on top of me, even if it was for just a second."

Anfang got really flushed again, and he was sure Miroshi had noticed it. They both stood in each other's arms, until the lupine was reminded again about the fish, and Kieshou. He let go of the raccoon reluctantly, and backed away in a daze. His paws may not have been on Miroshi anymore, but his gaze was an entirely different story.

Miroshi noticed the far-away look in his eyes. "Well...are you just going to stand there and stare at my goods all day? Let's go."

Miroshi led the way back to camp. There was only one path you could take, so it would be very hard, if not impossible to get lost. This was fine for Anfang because he probably would have steered them in the wrong direction anyways. He was really out of it. Besides, now he could secretly admire Miroshi's form without him knowing about it. Or at least he thought he didn't know about it. But of course, Miroshi had realized from the start why the canine wasn't leading.

They made it back just as the sun was setting. There were only a few rays of light still peeking out over the tops of the mountains, and it wasn't doing much to help their vision.

"You think you could go and wake up Kieshou?" Anfang asked. "I have to try and get this fire started....maybe I should have left it going after all."

"Yeah sure, no problem."

Anfang stumbled around in the near blackness for a while, bumping into trees and rocks, and cussing up a storm. Inside the cave, Miroshi could just make out what appeared to be his sister sleeping near the back. He started to walk slowly towards her, using the sidewall of the cave to guide him. It was so dark that he even had to get down on his hands and knees and crawl a ways. But he was soon standing right next to her, and he reached down to gently shake the sleep out of his sister.

"Wake up Kieshou." He whispered. "Time to eat."

She didn't move at first, so he raised his voice and shook harder.

"Come on....I'm not walking all the way back here in the dark again." She began to stir. "I'm serious, we won't hesitate to eat without you."

She was laying on her stomach, and voice was muffled. "You do that and you're both dead."

Miroshi laughed. "I knew you couldn't pass it up."

Anfang finally got the fire started and the siblings joined him outside. The first thing Kieshou spotted was the pouch, packed full of fresh fish.

"Oh wow. You guys really outdid yourselves."

"It was mostly your brother." The lupine stated. "He's an excellent fisher."

"I just got lucky today, that's all." Miroshi chuckled.

Then he made his way over to a big log by the mouth of the cave, and rolled it back to the fire. Anfang let the flames die down a bit, cut the fish up into sizable strips, and skewered each on a stick. He passed them out to the two raccoons, then made one for himself.

"You never cease to amaze, Anfang." commented Kieshou. "Same food every day, but you always manage to make it interesting somehow."

He just smiled and held his salmon kabob over the glowing orange of the fire. Several times while the three of them were eating, Anfang and Miroshi exchanged a quick glance. Both wondered what was going to happen in the next couple of days, later tonight even. And as the exhausted canine finished his last piece of fish and stretched out, he thought to himself.

"From this day on, things are gonna be different....a lot different. But for once, I'm with friends...and I don't have to be afraid anymore. If I get injured, there's gonna be someone there to give me aid. If I'm feeling lonely, there's always someone there to cheer me up." A large, goofy grin spread across his muzzle, and both of the raccoon siblings smiled back. "For once in my life, I'm not afraid of what's going to happen tomorrow. Because now I'm not alone."

The End?