FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Winter, it was known as the cruel season, a season when the gods judged the living. All the creatures were put to the test and only those strong and worthy enough were permitted to survive. In the first world this judgement came directly on the winter solstice. The gods descending to walk amongst the living and as the sun fell they returned to their home in the sky, taking with them any living being judged unfit to survive. It was a time of great sadness and loss.

For Kitani and Kamala the winter had been tough. Their new canine bodies had given them the strength they needed to survive without their tribes. They had wandered deep into the frozen woodlands, far away from where their tribes would hunt. The two had found a small cave in the deepest darkest part of the woods and made a home.

At first life had been harsh; even though their new bodies had given them speed, strength and senses far beyond their old human ones. Their first few nights had been spent huddled together for warmth, though that had been fun in itself. The love between then had blossomed more and more, a defiant flower opening to full bloom in the cold midst of winter.

However, their new forms had allowed them to hunt far better than their human bodies had ever hunted. They could scent their prey from miles away, their eyes could pick up the faintest hints of trails. Working together they had brought down many creatures, their human sensibilities had not gone however, they always skinned and cooked their kills. Their small cave had been made more comfortable, soft animal furs for a bed they could both share. A fire with a small pot to cook on.

The pot had been a rather strong bone of contention. Kitani had stolen it, sneaking back to his tribal home one night and stealing a small pot without getting caught. He had not warned Kamala of his plan, and the smaller timid dog had been enraged to hear his love had taken such a great risk without warning him. The young male had flown into a rage, it had taken everything Kitani had to get his lover to calm down. Not that the incident had done anything to hurt their love. Kitani knew the smaller husky was angry because of his love for him.

Things had gotten back to normal quickly afterwards, Kamala had used the pot to cook several nourishing stews, using barks and herbs dug up from the forest floor to give their meals new flavour. The smaller dog had admitted their lives were far better for the simple cooking utensil. That was how they spent their days, out hunting when they needed to, or in their cave together in the warmth of the small fire.

As the winter began to draw into spring the snow began to melt away. The trees, long since dead, began to show signs of life; little buds of green springing forth, a splash of colour in a world too long of black, white and red. Hunting became better and easier as the animals returned, as if by magic, in numbers. The two were-dogs we able to hunt by claws alone.

Kamala had began to wander more, enjoying the world that was coming to live around him. The two often hunted together, this morning however, he had gotten up early to hunt alone. His prey was the dangerous and most elusive potato. Somewhere buried in the soil would be a gift of tubers, with which he would make a delicious broth with rabbit, or whatever animal that Kitani brought back with him.

Lifting his grey head he sniffed the air, scents on the wind. Kitani, a good mile away his love hunting and happy. There was a bear a further two miles away and a pack of wolves in the hills. A stag, he could detect a young buck in the direction of Kitani, no doubt the poor creature was the one that his love was hunting. The husky bowed his head for a moment, whispering a soft thanks to the goddess of the hunt, asking her once more the accept the soul of their prey into her world and to gift the creature with a pain-free end.

The light grey husky reached up to touch the talisman that hung around his neck. The tooth of an ice bear, the feather of a hawk and the carving of the midday sun, Kitani's soul. His lover had given it to him the day they transformed and he had given his soul to Kamala. The two wore them proudly, and delighted in the knowledge that no matter how far from each other they were, their soul was always with them. They both bore their tribes symbols on their bodies as well, white fur markings on their shoulders, in the shape of the rising sun for Kitani and midnight sun for Kamala.

His nose also brought him the scent of plants newly grown. Fragrant herbs were dominant, but there was something else, a plant he recognised. The husky walked on two legs, though he could travel faster on all fours at need. He didn't need to and he preferred to walk like a man. Plus the extra height brought scents from further distance. Finding a patch of wild thyme he stopped and snatched up a pawful or two. He put them in a small pouch of animal hide that hung from his shoulder; the only item he wore apart from the soul of his lover.

He sniffed his paws and took delight in the fresh scent, though it was strong and blocked out the scent of the world around him. He shook his head at his own stupidity, breathing that deeply of a herb so fresh he knew he would struggle to scent much for the next hour. However, he still remembered the direction he had scented the potatoes lay, and so he headed on hoping to find with his eyes what he could no longer with his nose.

It took an hours searching for him to finally spot the leaves he was looking for. A small patch of potato plants, their leaves still small and new. The tubers below would no doubt be larger, maybe years old. He would find some smaller ones that would be more palatable. Kneeling down his claws dug into the soil, the dirt firm with the frost a reminder that the snow may be almost gone but winter had not yet fully been chased from the world. This close he could smell the fresh clean earth, the musk of the leaf mould. It was a pleasant scent in his nose and soon his paws found the round tubers he had been hunting for. It was the work of just a few moments for him to pull some fruit from the earth.

So bent was he on his task that it wasn't until there was a loud crack of a branch breaking that he realised he was not alone. He spun around quickly, potatos flying from his paws, only a few meters away stood a human. Dressed in animal hides and with a bow in his hand. Kamala's heart jumped and his blood raced as his muscles tensed.

However, it was the face of the hunter that made him pause, Kamali, his elder brother. That pause was his undoing. The moment was all his brother needed, he unleashed an arrow at the wild beast he had found. His aim was true and a howl of pain echoed out throughout the forest. Kamala staggered and then ran, howling again as he ran. His chest was on fire with the pain blossoming there. As he ran he could see the tail of an arrow bobbing, as it stuck out of his chest, the feathered haft dipping into view as he staggered.

He howled again as he felt his head spinning, the fur on his chest was soaked in blood. He thought he heard an answering howl, as he stumbled to his knees. His paws went to the ground and he rolled onto his back gasping. Pushing with his legs he forced himself up against the trunk of a tree. His fingers fell on a pile of moss and his pain ridden brain struggled to remind him he needed to fight, to heal.

Crying with the pain he pulled up the moss and stuffed it around his wound, it was a poor poultice. He added the thyme he had harvested, pulling his small pouch apart he turned it into a covering, forcing it under the arrow to cover most of the wound and then he noticed. His hand, it was a hand once more. Kamala's legs were the old brown of his skin, his thick fur was gone. The gift of the gods had been taken from him. “Help…" he wasn't able to cry out, his strength had gone so he words were more of a whisper than a cry.

With each breath growing harder to draw he heard a rustling. Kamala looked up, his sight was blurred and he could make out a black blur rapidly approaching. He didn't need to see clearly to know Kitani, something deep inside him let him know his lover was near. He could hear his lover speaking, it took a while to process the words, “Kamala! What happened?"

The sound of Kitani's voice, even so deeply filled with panic, comforted the stricken human, speaking wasn't easy his lungs struggled to fill with air “it was my fault... I wasn't paying attention… Kamali… he didn't know…" The growl in the dark furred male was of no surprise to Kamala. His lover had always been passionate and strongly defensive of him. “No!... Kitani get me home… you need… burn the wound."

Kitani knew his lover was right, Kamala was able to think clearly in the worst of situations. This definitely counted as one of the worst Kitani could remember. His love's words were all he needed to forget the thoughts of violent retribution, that had filled him mere seconds earlier. Kamala needed him and he would be there for his love.

The young man felt so light, Kitani's were body was able to hold him and run. However, his nose flooded with the scent of blood, the scent of Kalama's life draining away. He knew what he had to do; get him home and then burn the wound closed to stop the blood loss. Then it would be a matter of hoping, Kamala was young and strong there was a good chance he might recover. Just as long as the wound wasn't too bad.

Kamala struggled to keep his eyes open, to stay awake. He could feel Kitani's paws around him, they felt good and yet strange, distant as if feeling his touch through a mound of hides. The chill of the air was beginning to bite his naked body and he shivered, pushing against the warmth of Kitani's chest.

Fear and anger fuelled the were, pushing his body to exert itself far beyond anything he had ever tried, since their transformation. His legs ached and felt heavy, his lungs burns and his back screamed in pain. None of it mattered, he was fuelled by the need to save the one he loved. There was nothing in the world that could stop him, or even slow him down. He leapt over fallen trees, and up small hills. Until he saw the small entrance to their cave ahead and he felt hope growing in his chest. Kamala was still alive and vaguely awake as he lay him down on their bed of furs.

The were gave himself a moment, reaching out a paw to stroke the warm cheek of his love. Kamala's face was familiar and yet strange, it had been many months since he had last seen it. He wondered if his love would be human forever now. He whispered a prayer to the gods, offering to give his new body, or his own life, just let Kamala live. Then he turned and began to build up their small fire, throwing all their stores of firewood onto the remaining embers and blowing until their cave was filled with the blaze of a bonfire. Kitani selected a rock and placed it in the heart of the fire, to heat up.

Then he returned to his love, Kamala's eyes had closed, terror clutched at the were's heart. A paw placed on the human's bare chest revealed a heartbeat, though a weak one. His love was beginning to fade. With nothing to do but wait for the stone to heat up enough he took Kalama's cold hand in his. “Please Kamala, don't leave me… I do not want to spend my days without you." His cheeks felt wet with the tears he had been too busy to notice he was shedding.

The next moments felt like lifetimes, he watched his lover intently. Every line of Kamala's face was studied, every movement noted and analysed, Kitani's own heart raced faster than when he had been running. The were's fur was crawling and itching, he wanted to do something; to run, to fight, to save Kalama somehow. Action, any action would do. However, he didn't move a muscle, he sat watching his love fading away.

When he judged enough time had passed he grabbed a scrap of animal hide and ran outside. Finding one of the few remaining patches of snow he scooped some up with the hide. Darting back inside he didn't hesitate for a moment, he plunged a paw covered by the soaking, freezing hide, into the heart of the fire. He ignored the pain as he pulled the stone from the fire, with a deft flick of his wrist he turned the steaming hide into a bag for the heated rock, holding it by the tips of his fingers, he wasted no time returning to his love.

“Kamala my love, I know this will hurt… I am sorry," he whispered softly before reaching out to grab the arrow pulling it out in one powerful tug. The human did not wake, but he cried out in his sleep. The sound cut Kitani's heart far deeper than any blade could have pierced. The whimpering cries of his love, so close to death. What was worse was that it wasn't over yet. Blood was flowing forth quickly and the husky knew he had to stop it. He winced as he picked up the hide bag, he could feel it was dry, the heated stone had evaporated every drop of moisture.

No wound, no illness and not even the pain of his body transforming could compare the the pain he felt in the next moment. As he laid that stone on the shoulder of his love and held the human down. The unconscious human struggling weakly and screaming at the top of his lungs. His powerful were senses could smell roast meat and hear the sizzle of his lover's flesh even above the screams.

Judging that the wound had been closed he pulled the stone away and sat back for a moment. His body shook as Kalama's body lay still and limp. For the longest moment in his life he waited and then he heard the soft inhale of a shallow breath. Kalama was alive, at least for a moment. The husky heaved a sigh of relief, leaning back against the wall of the cave.

In this brief pause the last hour hit Kitani hard; the fear, the anguish, the anger and the relief. It overwhelmed him in a tidal wave of emotion he was unable to control and too inexperienced to fight. Before he had needed to keep focussed for Kamala, with just a few seconds to think he drowned in emotion. His shoulders shook, while huge sobs escaped his muzzle, his eyes couldn't tear themselves away from the slumbering Kamala. The tears made his vision blurry and yet he could still see the wound, the burned flesh stinking up their cave. It drove out the comfortable scent of their bodies, of their love. Leaving behind it the reek of pain, the torment of his love, of the almost collapse of his world.

How long he wept, he never knew. Eventually he had no more tears to cry and he had a patient to care for. With ears flat to his head and a weariness buried as deep into his bone as the most deadly parasite, the were stumbled outside and gathered more snow. It was as he gathered it he felt the relief in his hand. He had not realised how bad he had burned himself, the cool of the snow dulling the pain only for it's return to be all the more painful for it's short absence.

Trying to ignore the burning in his hand he took the snow inside, he covered Kamala's wound in snow. It was all he could think to do to help him heal. Kalama whimpered softly in his sleep, yet he did not wake. So began Kitani's vigil, he did not sleep or eat, he ate snow for moisture and he treated Kamala's wound. While he waited for his love to return. Hours dragged by slowly and the shadows grew, the firelight keeping the cold night air at bay. Kitani sat beside his love, holding his good hand over the human's breast. The soft beat of his lover's heart was his only comfort as the fire began to dim and he could not bring himself to leave to fetch more wood.

He didn't move from his spot, he sat watching his lover and willing for him to wake. The pain in his burned hand was immaterial to the needs of his fallen mate. When the light outside grew he finally tore himself away, long enough to bring in more firewood and rekindle the embers of the fire. Driving the morning chill out of their cave and then returned to his vigil. Kitani had covered his love with furs to keep him warm, sometime during the long night. Kamala hadn't stirred or moved all night, beyond the raising and lowering of his chest as he breathed.

The morning passed and the noonday sun shined out merrily, a stark contrast to the mood within their little cave. Kitani growled in anger at the gods, it was a slight, an insult; that his love should be stricken down when the warmth of spring was growing; life oozing out of every nook and crevice of the world. In his dark mood the were-dog cursed the gods for this torment, he swore that if Kamala died he would make them pay, after he took his vengeance on the tribes. Kamala would not die alone and once he had been avenged the husky would join his love in the afterlife.

As the evening began to draw in once more Kamala finally showed some signs of change. Though they were not the signs Kitani had hoped to see. The human's eyes did not open, he moaned in his sleep, his skin was boiling to the touch and clammy with sweat. Kitani's heart fell, he knew what this meant an infection was setting in, and his love was already weak. The were-dog built the fire up high again, he piled on more furs and forced some ice into the human's mouth. He hoped that his love swallowed at least some.

There was nothing more he could do, he was not a healer. Kamala was fading before his eyes and in his heart he knew that without help the beauty of Kalama's light would be put out forever. There was only one more thing to do, it was risky, but there was one who might help them. Marel, the medicine man who had given them the spell that had turned the two lovers into were-dogs. It had been the strength the two needed to stay together and to live. There was a chance he might help them.

Kitani got down next to Kamala and placed his muzzle beside the human's ear, “Kamala, I… I have to go get help." He reached his hand out slipping it under the furs to lay it on the clammy chest of his lover. The fever was set deep in the young man's flesh. However, under the heat there was a heart beat. His love was still alive, he was fighting. “Be brave, fight on… I am coming to save you. Don't give up….ever!" He placed a soft kiss on his mate's forehead and took one last look and smell of his mate, before he turned and plunged out into the night.

It was late in the evening and the chill night air clawed at his fur, his breath came out like puffs of dragons breath. Not that Kitani paid any attention to that, the village was many miles away, it would take a human a day or two to trek there. For Kitani he could cover the distance in a night, he had to get to Marel before the sun awoke the world and the tribes. If he was seen then the hunters of the tribes would chase him. Marel was the only man who might recognise the young man, who had once before begged him to save his love.

The were hit full speed within a matter of seconds, slipping down onto all fours, to increase his speed. Pain screamed up the arm from his burned paw, he ignored it; fighting the instinct to slow or stop with the fear, fear of losing his love. The miles were devoured by his desperation, his fortitude and valour. Over mountain and hill he charged, no predators calls did he heed, and no nightly threats did he consider.

Fatigue was something of the past, of the time before his love was struck down. The cold of snow, the harshness of rock, the coolness of grass; it was all one to him. His mind was bent on his destination, as he raced the rising sun, praying to and cursing the gods from moment to moment. The beat of Kamala's soul, as it swung around his neck smacking on his chest with each stride, it became the metronome for his journey. The soft thud each time reminding him of his lover's beating heart.

As the sun began to threaten to rise the were-dog found himself running through the lands of his youth. The forests and fields he roamed as a child. He passed the spot where he and Kamala has shared their first kiss. The memory so sweet and so painful it almost broke his stride. Recovering the were-dog shook the nostalgia from his head, wishing he could shake the weariness from his limbs.

Marel lived at the top of a large hill looking out down two valleys where Kitani's and Kamala's tribes lived. The steepness of the hill was almost too much for the dog, he reached the tent of the medicine man just as the tip of the sun kissed the horizon. “MAREL!" He howled as he fell to his knees outside the small hut that served the medicine man.

The roof was thatched thickly, with straw that seemed older than Kitani. Small plants had taken root in it and they hung down over the walls. Marel had merely accepted these plants, using them as herbs in his medicine. The walls of the hut were made of wood, blackened by age and covered with green lichen. Yet strangely the place had always smelt clean, earthy and full of life. Even in the dead of winter, Kitani remembered, the place smelt of the forest on midsummer's day.

“MAREL! PLEASE!" He howled again, struggling back to his feet and reaching out to the door. The black wood pulled away as he reached towards it. Marel stepped out, he matched his home in many ways. Once golden hair was thin and bleached with age, not even white but yellow with age, like old parchment. His skin was deep brown and wrinkled, his body seemed so frail and weak. Yet the look in his eye, those green eyes they were alive in a way the boy had never seen in anyone else before. He was wrapped in clothes made from animal hides, from head down to furry boots.

“Hmmmmph, the sun is not yet up Kitani, this had better be good," the old man snorted as he hobbled forward learning on a gnarled old wooden staff.

Kitani was too worried to be shocked at the old man's complete lack of surprise at who, or what had come calling. “Kamala is hurt, he was shot and he is dying, please you have to help!"

“Have to? Oh really and why do I have to?" The old man asked stepping further out and looking out over to the rising sun, taking deep lungfuls of the frigid morning air.

“Because, he's dying...you have to!" exhaustion and emotion flooded the were-dog's mind. It was hard to think beyond the fact that Kamala was dying. What other reason could the old man need.

“Yes well you go around using the gifts I gave you to attack hunters, what did you expect?" Asked the old man as he ran a wrinkled aged finger up to the tip of his staff.

“That's a lie!" Kitani snarled in response. “We never, we thought we were so far from the tribes we would never see them again."

“That is not what Kamali claims, he was attacked by a demon. A wolf in the form of a man," the old man snorter. “Of course you are not a wolf are you, I assume you thought the hair of the sled dogs was good enough. Young people these days, so lazy."

“He lies, Kamala has never raised his hand to anyone in anger or for any reason. To believe he would do so against his brother…" The were-dog shook his head and resisted the urge to snarl or threaten. He needed the old man and he was just smart enough to know that Marel was not afraid of him, he need Marel far more than Marel needed him. “He prays for every kill we make hunting, he never takes a life he doesn't have to. He is… a better man than I will ever be." The wolf turned his own head to the rising sun and searched for something more to say. “I love him… if you let him die, then you are not one thousandth the great man I thought you were."

“Hmmp!" The old man snorted and then grabbed the husky by the shoulders, Kitani found himself being forced to stare into those green eyes. The old man held his gaze for a dozen or more breaths and then his eyes traced down to the soul hung around Kitani's neck. Reaching out he grabbed it and Kitani couldn't hold back the growl in his throat. Touching another's soul was the worst taboo of their tribes. What made it worse was it was Kamala's soul the stubborn old man was touching without permission, or even the courtesy to ask first.

The old man stared at the soul, running his finger over the symbol, the symbol of the midnight sun. Marel knew this was not Kitani's soul. He let the trinket slip through his fingers. “You love him? You told me that before and I believed you then, more so now. Kamali's story may be false. It is hardly uncommon for a young man to exaggerate his exploits."

Which a deep sigh Marel nodded and said, “very well I will come with you. I just need to get changed and gather my supplies for the journey." With that he turned and limped back toward his hut.

Kitani whimpered as he realised the journey may take hunters a few days, it would take this old man weeks. Kamala did not have weeks; days, or maybe even just hours.

“You don't need to change, I will carry you!" The husky said, his voice whimpering a little at the notion of a return journey carrying another. His paw ached from the burning wound. “Or if you tell me what to do I can treat him myself maybe. We need to be fast, Marel."

“Ha! Indeed, more haste less speed, if he is as close to death as you claim I need to be there in person," The old man leaned his walking stick beside the door saying. “I will do everything I can to save him, I promise."

With that he stepped inside and closed the door after him. Kitani paced outside his door, trying not to wonder if Kamala was even still alive to save. He hoped Marel would at least let him carry him. It would be slow going but he might just make it back before midnight. The fire he had built up must surely have burned low by now. His love was caught between the chill of the elements and the heat of the fever in his flesh.

“Please hurry up!" He begged at the door.

“Patience!" Came the short angry reply.

“Patience, Kamala is dying while you change your furs!" The husky snapped, his temper wearing thin far too easily after two days of fear and pain. “We need to hu…"

The words died on his lips as the door to the hut slammed open with such force the entire building shook. Out from inside sprang an icebear, although sprang was a strong word. So broad was the bear, his shoulders got stuck in the doorframe. With a wriggle and a grunt the bear forced himself out, the stunned husky found himself nose to nose with a beast more than five times his size. The beast's jaws opened and he heard Marel's voice as it spoke, “right, now we run." With that the beast turned and broke into a run, on all fours his huge paws thumping on the floor so hard Kitani felt it.

Kitani was aghast with pure awe, unlike he and Kamala the old man had become a full animal. His paws were huge with black claws, his body a large as any ice bear Kitani had ever seen. The were-dog's nose was filled with the stink of a real ice bear; inside his animal instincts told him to flee from the huge predator.

The bear had gained a long lead on Kitani before he was awoke from his surprise and began to follow. Even dropping to all fours he struggled to catch up with the bear, Marel thundered through the landscape with all the grace and delicacy you expect of a charging bear. Small trees were torn up by the roots, bushes were trampled as he kept a straight line his nose low following the scent trail of Kitani's original journey. The old man didn't look back to see if the young dog was behind him, it wasn't important.

Still exhausted from his first journey Kitani struggled to keep up; his paw still ached with the pain of the burns he had taken. His eyes kept closing as his body had been pushed far beyond anything he had ever endured. Still with his eyes on the bear, following in the tramplings of his wake he stumbled on. In his mind all he could see was the stricken form of Kamala, alone and cold by what must be by now a long dead fire.

It was that image more than anything else that gave him the strength and will to carry on. He stumbled and clawed on the tundra as he followed, like a bear cub chasing after it's mother. The ache of his limbs making thinking almost impossible, he focussed on the bear and followed, more on instinct than conscious thought. The miles and hours seemed to drag as they ran, the sun was high in the sky by the time they reached their cave.

If there was one thing that could give Kitani a burst of strength it was returning to the side of his love. He entered the cave mere seconds after Marel and yet he found neither the bear, nor the old man inside. Instead he was met with a beastman like himself. Half-man, half-bear leaning over his fallen lover. “He's alive," Marel announced as he reached into his leather bag; he had slung it around his back as he ran in bear form, now he had need of it's contents.

“Will… will he be ok?" Kitani asked, far too worried about his love to ask the medicine man how he could change forms so easily. When he and Kamala had changed it had hurt more than anything in his life and taken what felt like an eternity. Yet the old man had changed in the blink of an eye.

“I cannot see the future," snorted the bear as he moved to the dead campfire, picking up the few logs that had only half burnt he moved them into the centre and muttered something under his breath. The red tongues of a fire leapt suddenly into being and the shadows began to dance along the cave wall. “If you want him to live I need more wood for this fire."

Kitani took his words as an order, hauling himself back to his aching feet and out into the world. The two had used up most of the easy to access firewood in their long winter, so he had to roam far to find a small bundle of firewood. He returned as soon as he had enough to keep the fire going for an hour or more; knowing he would have to leave for more soon.

Returning to the cave Kitani found Marel bending over his naked lover. The were-bear's paws smearing some green concoction onto the wound. The old man gave a disapproving look at the small bundle of wood, but said nothing. “You burned the wound closed, that is what saved his life. However, the injury is grave. I cannot tell if or when he will recover, not yet."

The young dog nodded somberly as he moved to sit by the pile of furs, near enough that he could see, and yet not so close that he would get in Marel's way. “I… will go get more wood soon."

“Hmmmp, yes that pitiful amount is scarcely enough to build up the fire. I need to craft some medicines, it is a good thing you have that pot." the bear muttered as he placed the pot onto the fire. “I heard tell that a pot such as this was stolen during the winter. Was that you?"

“Yes we needed a pot to cook with," the were-dog replied his words slurred slightly as his eyelids began to droop.

“Well I suppose what's done is done, for now anyway," the old bear replied as he rummaged in his bag. “I need to go find a few fresh herbs I will…" He stopped speaking as he caught sight of the husky slumped against the cave wall, his eyes closed, completely dead to the world and snoring softly. With a chuckle the bear shook his head and left the cave. “Young men, they just don't have the stamina these days."

With a snort Kitani awoke, his body ached, every muscle was screaming at him in anger for what he had forced them to do. His eyes found the old bear bent over the campfire stirring a pot. A pressure on his paw made him look down, strips of animal hide had been wrapped around it, from underneath escaped the scent of a stinking poultice, of nettle and only the gods knew what else.

“Ah you are awake good, it is almost ready," Marel muttered without turning to look at the were-dog.

Kitani remembered the old man had been about to craft some medicines. He looked down at his treated paw, “you should have taken care of Kamala first!" He snorted with outrage.

“Oh… the impudent little whelp thinks he can tell me my business, does he?" Growled the bear in response, his voice holding far more than a hint of menace. “I gave you the spell to become what you are, I chose to help you when others would not. Now you think you may tell me my job? He who steals from his own tribe, who stays too close to his own lands, so that all my work to save him and his love was almost destroyed. He thinks he may tell Marel the immortal what to do." As he spoke the outraged bear drew closer and closer. It was hard for Kitani not to notice the size of the beastman, the muscles of his shoulders were far larger than any human he had ever seen. Black claws had slid out and were prominent on the tips of fingers.

“I...I… just Kamala is in more need than me," the dog replied whimpering softly his ears lowering as he pushed himself against the cave wall, as if hoping for it to swallow him whole.

“Oh he is, is he?" Marel snarled as he loomed over the husky, blotting out the dim sunlight from outside and the firelight, leaving Kitani in a world of shadow.

“Yes, a burnt hand is hardly the same as being shot with an arrow," insisted Kitani finding his courage he looked up into the bear's eyes only to notice a mischievous grin on Marel's face.

“You are right of course, which is why I treated his wounds before I treated yours." Marel laughed as he replied and then returned to the fire. “You have slept for a long time Kitani."

“Then what medicine are you preparing now?" Asked the were-dog dragging himself to his feet, much to their annoyance.

“Ah the most powerful one I can think of, a medicine known to cure many, many ailments," the old bear replied grabbing a spoon he scooped out some of the beige mixture and the put it in his mouth. “It's broth, food, for me and you after a long run, surely the best medicine. Kamala can have some later, when he wakes."

“When he wakes?" The husky couldn't stop his tail wagging with excitement as he heard those words.

“Yes indeed, I am sure of it now, you got me here in time, he will recover." The old bear waved a paw at the sleeping Kamala, he was once more covered in furs and still asleep. His cheeks had more colour in them though and his sleep seemed peaceful.

The emotion of the last forty-eight hours proved too much for Kitani and he found his legs giving out from under him. His cheeks were wet with tears of joy. Marel was wise enough to say nothing and give the young man his space, instead he helped himself to some soup.

After a while Kitani managed to recover his composure enough to join Marel in a meal. Two were creatures with only one bowl and one spoon, it was an uncomfortable affair. Sharing with Kamala had never bothered him, but this was their den and despite his gratitude Kitani did not enjoy having a stranger in their space.

He had always been headstrong, and ever since his transformation he found himself even more territorial than before. In this his first interaction with someone other than his love ,he felt that this beastman was in their space and his instincts were telling him to force Marel out. Of course common sense easily overrode those instincts, but it shocked him how strongly he felt them.

The were-dog's discomfort did not go unnoticed by the bear, “you feel it don't you? Your animal side is calling to you and telling you something is wrong." While he asked the bear leaned back against the cave wall making himself comfortable, the hairs on the back of Kitani's neck stood up. “It's ok I feel it too, ever since I was cursed, especially in my animal forms. Only for me it is worse, you at least are a pack animal and you can learn to accept pack-mates. The ice bear inside me, he is a solo hunter. I cannot live with people anymore… it is not safe for them."

“Sorry, Marel. I do not mean any offence," the dog whispered softly his eyes down, somehow looking into the bear's eyes only made the instincts to push out the interloper grow stronger.

“It's ok, it is part of the spell, you are no longer human. You will find the feelings get much stronger in your fully animal form and weaker in your human form. However, they will always be there, they are part of you now forever," as he spoke the bear closed his eyes and before Kitani's eyes the fur and features of the bear melted away, leaving the wrinkled old man he had met on the hill. “There, that will make your presence tolerable for a while."

“How do you do that?" Kitani asked in awe.

“Oh, you will learn, it just takes time," the old man replied. “I cannot teach you for it is different for everyone, Kamala returned to his human form because he was hurt. He must find some comfort and strength in being human. Or maybe it was the need for logic over emotion, an injured animal is rarely able to think. I am surprised you did not turn to your fully dog form when you had a need for speed, I guess your injured hand would have made your canine body limp too much. Once you have changed the first time you will find it easier to change again."

“So Kamala…"

“No he is not stuck as a human, you enjoy the canine form?" The old man had a broad grin on his brown wrinkled face as he asked, the look he gave was far too knowing for Kitani's liking.

“I… do I suppose, it has kept me warm all winter, I like the strength and speed I have been given,"

The husky felt a blush growing on his cheeks as he looked at Kamala. “I like the way his fur brings out his eyes."

“Ha! Yes, I think there are few that could understand, but I do," Marel announced with a snort and a grin. “My love Karrack, he was much like you, brave and impetuous. His grandfather told him of the spell, one with which the gods would grant us the power of the wild. It was many, many years ago. The winter was harsh, probably the harshest winter I can remember and I can remember hundreds, hundreds more I cannot. We took the change before the tribes, one hunter from each to gain the strength of the ice bear, to protect and feed our people. I remember my first change, the pain, so much pain. I thought I would die. Of course I didn't and neither did he.

He became like me and we charged through the icefields together, we brought back many kills to feed our people. Only we grew foolish, our confidence in our new bodies was absolute. As the winter waned we did not pay head to the returning animals, we welcomed the extra prey and did not think that with them came their predators. So it was one day we were hunting a huge elk and we did not realise that something else was hunting us. Another ice bear, an enraged starving male.

Karrack… he saved my life, but I could not save his. His tribe blamed me for his death, for the pain of losing someone you love, it makes madmen of the most level headed. His father tried to kill me and… in my grief I was too angry too bitter. I showed him no mercy. My own tribe cast me out that day and I wandered far alone. I cursed the gods from the peak of the tallest mountain I could find, I bellowed obscenities into the black.

Most people, they think the gods do not listen to their prayers. Maybe that is true, but they surely listen to your curses. I pushed too far and I was struck down, I do not know by which god. They did not give me their name, and I certainly was in no position to ask. I begged for death, to join the man I loved. In their cruelty they gave me life, everlasting."

The old man turned his gaze to Kamala, “you have your love with you, you have no idea how lucky you are." As he spoke the old man reached up to his soul talisman that hung around his neck, only for the first time Kitani realised, it wasn't just one talisman but two. “This is all I have to remember him, I keep his soul with me, so that someday, when the gods deem my punishment has been enough, I will be able to find him in the other world and be with my brave hunter once more."

“I am so…"

“Don't feel sorry for me boy! I don't want your pity." The venom in Marel's words was potent and Kitani found himself shrinking back from the angry man. Somehow the old man was even more terrifying than the bear. “ I made my mistakes and I live with them. I have lived with them all, and in the many years I have roamed this world I have made far more and far worse ones than to curse the gods. There is more blood on these hands than I would be able to tell of if we had a thousand nights, and I have little stomach to tell of it."

The were-dog was smart enough to keep his mouth shut, he had gotten a rare glimpse into the life of the medicine man, and even to the spell he and Kamala had used. The two sat in awkward silence, neither one wanting to look at the other. Kitani eventually moved to sit by Kamala and hold his hand. The human moaned in his sleep and then squeezed the paw in his hand. For a moment Kitani's heart leapt, thinking he would awaken. Kalama merely mumbled some incomprehensible words and remained asleep.

“He will wake tomorrow morning, in this pouch you with find a cream. Treat his wound with it every day," while he spoke Marel dropped a pouch on a small stone near the fireplace. “I will be leaving soon. If I go now I can be back before dawn, if anyone asks about me I will say I was collecting herbs. Three hundred years and not a single person has ever questioned what herbs I could possibly need that keeps me away for days at a time."

With a shrug the old man tossed away such wonderings and made a move towards the entrance to the cave; shuffling once more like the really old man Kitani knew he was. He stopped at the entrance, “you will need to leave this place once he is fit enough to travel, the tribes know something is here now and that they can hurt it. They will hunt you down if you stay too long. Head south, you will find many different peoples, different cultures. You are part animal now never forget it, the animal is always inside you and his instincts will be a part of you. I suppose as a dog you should find a pack, at least you will be granted the luxury of company. There are many wonders in this world, many dangers too; be careful, as you have seen, you are not immortal."

Kitani rose to his feet to walk with the old man as he left, “there is no way to thank you for all you have done for us, if you ever need us we will come."

“Ha! No you owe me nothing, I did what was right and I ask for no payment for that," the old man looked around the forest in the dying evening light. He could taste the earth and leaf mould on the wind, the chill of the remaining drifts of snow cutting across his naked form. “I spent years thinking that there was some great cosmic balance, that if I did enough right in the world then the gods would forgive me… I grew tired and returned home. Only to find my tribes at each other's throats. Why must man always go fighting his brother, this world is hard enough to live in without creating more conflict. The death of my lover started this feud and someday I hope to end it."

“Do you think if you do that the gods will lift your curse, allow you to die?" Kitani asked softly as he walked the old man slowly through the forest. Marel had always been something of a legend to his people, powerful and scary, yet benevolent, sometimes. It was weird to see him like this, naked, his body so skinny Kitani could see his bones, he wondered how the old man could still walk with so little muscle.

“No, that is how it would work in the old stories," stopping the old man took a deep sorrowful breath. “I have lived too long, seen too much and lived through things that are now legends in themselves. I can see the old stories for the lies they are. The gods will uncurse me when it pleases them. They are not my friends, they have their own ends. Sometimes you can call upon them for blessings, but do not rely on their wisdom. It is either so deep that it appears as insanity, or it simply is not there. They are as reliable as a kobold and as trustworthy as a naga."

“What are those?" The dog asked as he pondered the old man's words.

“Hmmp. Find out for yourself, I do not have all year to explain the whys and wherefores of this world or the next, and I certainly don't have the patience," as he finished his scathing rebuke the old man fell to the floor, for a moment Kitani rushed to help. However, as white fur began to sprout and muscle formed out of thin air, he knew Marel needed no help from him.

The huge bear turned to look at him, “I do not think we will meet again, look to your lover he has wisdom and patience beyond your own. Stay true, stay brave and may some of the friendlier gods keep you safe." The bear didn't wait for a reply he sprang away, crashing through the trees and underbrush just as violently as he had the morning before.

With much on his mind the were-dog returned to his cave and to his lover's side. He reached down to caress Kamala's face. He had fallen in love with this face, yet he thought he would never see it again. Laying down in the furs he reached his arm around Kamala, the fire would burn low but his body was weary. The two would keep each other warm with their bodies, like the day they first found this cave.

It was strange for the were-dog to think of it like that, it was their cave, their first true home. Really it was just a tiny scratch in the rock, a tiny nook at the foot of a great hill. Yet once he and Kamala had taken up residence it had become so much more. It was home and the dog knew that he would never forget it. This was the first place where they had been free, free to love each other and to rejoice in that love.

Kitani awoke with a yawn and a stretch, his breath misting up in the frosty air of the early spring morning. The cave was cold and he could feel Kamala pressed up against him, the human's slender form squeezing up to his warm canine lover. The husky chuckled a little as he felt something hard pressing to his thigh, it seemed that his lover was having pleasant dreams that morning. For a moment Kitani thought about waking his lover with lips around the poking maleness. However, he dismissed the idea, Kamala was still recovering and he would need food, rest and time to recover his strength.

Instead he placed a soft paw on his lover's cheek, feeling the heat of his cheek and the slight nuzzle of the human brought such joy to his heart he could hardly contain himself. He pressed his black canine lips to Kamala's, moaning at the taste of his love and moaning louder as the kiss was returned; softly at first and then with growing passion.

Kamala's eyes opened as their lips parted and he smiled at his mate, “good morning."

“Good morning," such a simple phrase and yet it was too much for Kitani, once more he found himself weeping, tears of joy streamed down his face as he stared into those wonderful brown eyes. He squeezed the human tightly and buried his nose in his lover's neck, smelling the wonderful scent of Kamala. “Good morning." He whispered again as his body trembled against his love.

The morning was growing old by the time Kitani had recovered and explained to Kamala everything that had happened. He didn't say much about his own injury or pain, wanting to spare Kamala the grief. However, Kamala knew Kitani too well, he was able to see the dressed paw and he knew that his lover had endured great pain to save him. He never breathed a word of it to Kitani, he knew the passionate headstrong male would want to keep the image of himself as the stoic hero. To Kamala he was that and so much more.

When the afternoon came Kitani went out hunting and returned with a pair of young rabbits. Kamala felt strong enough to cook for them both, though his shoulder and arm were painful, the cream that Marel had used seemed to be healing his wound fast. The two spoke of little, but their silence was a comfortable one, they were used to each other and neither ever felt the need to fill the silence with mindless talk.

It wasn't until the night time that Kamala finally broke their silence. As the two lay together in their bed of furs, wrapped in each other's arms, “I wonder… when do you think I will learn to change back."

“I don't know, Marel said it was something we would both need to learn. How to change forms, but he changed them so effortlessly, I know someday you will," the husky kissed the human on the cheek and then whispered softly. “To me it matters not when or if you ever change, I love you whatever your form."

The human blushed and hugged his lover tightly, leaning up to press his lips to the husky's, their kiss starting to grow passionate and then Kitani broke it with a gasp. “We should sleep, you need to rest." Kitani hated to stop the kiss, but he could feel his needs growing, it had been days since they had last mated. However, he worried that Kamala was still recovering, and he would not risk that recovery for a moment of pleasure. Kamala didn't say anything in reply just laid his head on the husky's warm furry chest and pressed closer as the chilly night air began to bite.

The next morning Kamala was much stronger, his shoulder was looking much better, the wound had reduced much more overnight. He applied the last of Marel's cream. Kitani went out hunting again, though his mind was on Marel's words of warning. He knew that soon they would need to leave. He worried that Kamala, in his human form, might struggle to keep up, though he swore to himself he would do everything he could to help his human mate.

As he returned to their cave he caught the trace of his lover's scent on the wind. Kamala was outside, he placed his kill, a large hare, on a fallen log. Creeping cautiously he thought he might give his lover a surprise, something he had done often when they were youngsters within their tribes. He had snuck up on the smaller boy as he was washing in the stream or gathered vegetables or herbs. The young boy would squeal and then turn into him, they would wrestle and soon Kamala would stop the play fighting with a kiss. It was cheating, a move that Kitani had no defense against.

Since they had changed he hadn't been able to sneak up so easily on his love; now in his human form Kamala's nose would not alert him to his lover's presence. Slowly and carefully he picked his way across the forest, keeping low and making sure to avoid stepping on any branches that might snap and give away his presence. Then he saw him, Kamala, standing outside holding his arms up and closing his eyes. Kitani paused and watched his lover curiously.

Kitani's ears picked up a few words as the human put his arms down, “come on...change!" As he watched the frustrated human put his arms out again staring and them and closing his eyes, “change...change...CHANGE!"

The thought of pouncing his lover vanished, he could see that Kamala was starting to get frustrated and he leapt up. Kamala spotted him and put his arms down immediately, “how was the hunt?"

“I… caught a rabbit," Kitani replied realising he had left it behind him. “ Were you trying to change?"

Kamala sighed and nodded, “yes...I wanted to change, I wanted to be what you wanted."

Those words cut the husky deeply and he stepped forward sweeping the human up into his arms and looked him right into the eye, “YOU are what I want, I said as much last night."

The human looked away, with a sigh, “yes your words were sweet, but you turned me away…"

“No, I wanted you then, I want you now and I have always wanted you." Kitani growled a little as he spoke, after all he had been through for Kamala to doubt him in such a way. “You are injured and recovering, I want you to heal and I don't give a single pine cone for your form." He reached out with his paw and turned Kamala to face him, his paw stroking the human's cheek warmly, “this is the face I fell in love with, and I still love it more than I love life." He pushed his muzzle close kissing the human deeply, his black lips pressing to Kamala's brown ones.

With a moan of desire the human returned the kiss, his hands wrapping around the were-dog with such strength in his embrace that Kitani felt the human must be healed. It was enough of an excuse and he let his tongue worm into the human's mouth, loving the taste of his lover on his lips once more.

They both moaned and gasped their bodies pressing close, lost to the lust and need of the moment. Their hands explored each other, fur on skin, and skin on fur. Kitani pushed Kamala back leaning him on a moss covered tree trunk and breaking the kiss. His paw ran down the human's arm and grabbed his hand guiding it down to where his canine cock throbbed and drooling warm pre into the human's excited digits, “see, you do this to me in any form." The husky whispered into his lover's ear. “Let me show you just how much I love you."

Not waiting for a reply he pounced his lover again, pressing his furry body up against the human. His paws pulling the human's thighs apart he glided between them easily. He kissed and licked down Kamala's neck. The human's sweet taste flooding his maw, earth and spice, with a hint of cinnamon and musk. He loved the taste and he wanted to devour his lover to taste him forever; Kamala's moans and cries of bliss and happiness were sweet music to his ears. Then he felt the human burry his face in the husky's rough mane, crying out in joy and nipping on his neck, the way Kamala knew Kitani would love.

Kamala was lost to the touch of his lover, his human nose seemed hardly enough and yet as he nuzzled into that neck he couldn't drink in enough of Kitani's dominant musky scent. Earth and rock, with the musk of a true alpha, it was intoxicating even if his nose was not powerful enough to appreciate his love fully. His hand stroked up and down the hot canine length and he trembled to know it would be inside him soon. He wanted it, he wanted to feel Kitani's heat pounding away inside him once more, he wanted to be tied and filled with his love's seed.

Pulling back a little Kitani felt his lover trembling under his paws, “if you tell me to stop…"

“I would not be me, I want you, I need you. I will never tell you to stop, my love please don't hold back," Kamala his voice dripping with passion and lust. His eyes resolutely looking into Kitani's, while his hand squeezed and pulled his cock guiding the husky member under him. There was no doubt in Kitani's mind what his love wanted and his body was screaming at him, every nerve end was crying out to join with Kamala once more.

It was too much for him to bear, there was no holding back, his hips drove forward and up. His slick cock pressed up against Kamala's quivering entrance and without a fight it yielded, the warmth of his love surrounded him. Kamala cried out in joy, the human's arms going around the husky's neck and human legs wrapped around his waist. His paws held the human easily, with the strength of his blessed form. He cried out with bliss as pushed in until his furry hips pressed up to Kamala's furless ones.

They both paused, gasping and panting as they felt their bodies joined once more. All they could both think was 'this was right, it was how they were meant to be, together'. The were-dog's instincts got control of him far quicker than he thought they would and he began to thrust, breeding Kamala with desperate rapid strokes, each thrust sending thick canine cock pounding deep inside the human. Kamala cried out with each thrust, burying his face in the neck of his canine lover.

Kitani could hear his lover crying his name, again and again. The pleasure surrounding his member was endless. He tried to hold himself back; slowing down his thrusting, he never wanted this moment to end. Taking Kamala with long deep strokes using his full length to pound away, with each thrust he felt Kamala's cock jump against his furry stomach. With each thrust he used the power of his canine form, driving his cock in so hard that Kamala had no choice but to cry out in sheer joy.

The feel of the cock inside him was too much and yet not enough at the same time. Each time the maleness pulled out from inside him his body ached and felt empty. Then his body sang for joy as the cock returned; slamming into him so hard Kamala felt the impact throughout his body. His wound ached, but he ignored the pain, he needed Kitani, he had to have him. There was nothing he would not risk to feel his love mating him once more. He closed his eyes and just held on to the powerful body of Kitani, wondering at the feel, the cock inside him felt so warmm and with each stabbing thrust fountains of bliss erupted inside him.

Kamala cried out louder and louder, not caring how loud he was. Nothing mattered, nothing but their love and this moment. He pushed into each thrust as he felt that huge canine knot pressing against his ring. He wanted it so badly, he needed it and he begged for it, whispering words into Kitani's ears; begging to be fucked, to be bred and mated like a bitch in heat. For that is what he truly felt like, his body was on fire with desire and need. His breath was ragged and his cries of joy echoed throughout the forest.

The husky couldn't believe how much he had missed this feeling. It had been just a few days since they last made love, and yet as his hips crashed into Kamala's once more he felt whole again. He couldn't let go of the human to reach down and pleasure Kamala's cock. As he arched his back lost to the pleasure his eyes caught sight of something. Kamala's nose was growing, spreading wider and turning black. A second or two later he realised it wasn't just his nose, it was his muzzle.

He wanted to stop, to tell Kamala what was happening, yet his body wouldn't let him. His hips continued to thrust as he watched fur begin to sprout on his love's blushing cheeks. There was nothing to do but embrace the change; he leaned down kissing Kalama as his lips changed, wondering at the feeling. His fur was tingling as he felt his lover's whiskers growing in and tickling his cheeks once more. With each passing moment he thrust again, his chest grinding against Kamala's as the felt his lover's heart beating rapidly. It was a wonderful feeling, their two hearts racing as one. Their bodies locked together, as they writhed in pure animalistic bliss.

“Kitani!!!, ohh Kitani," Kamala whispered as their kiss broke, his arms squeezing his mate with strength he forgot he had. His eyes closed the human felt strange, there was something wonderful about this mating, it was beyond anything he had felt before. His entire body was on fire with passion and he couldn't think. All he knew was Kitani, the feel of his body, the beat of his heart, the taste of his breath and the unrelenting thrusting of his cock.

."Please...oh Kitani...tie me...oh by the gods...I need you, oh please Kitani, Please!" The words were screamed out at the top of his lungs. His lover eating them up, gaining strength and passion from them. Kitani thrust forward harder and faster, grinding his knot against the human's resistant ring. With each thrust he pushed a little deeper. Kamala's pucker's defence being breached slowly.

With his lover's begging echoing in his ears Kitani could hold back no more, he gave in to his instincts. Letting his bestial needs take hold. His paws gripped the transforming human's ass tighter as he began to fuck with everything he had. Taking his lover with the raw power of a wild animal. His cock stuffing itself into the human's abused hole again and again, the knot being forced deeper and deeper. His every animal instinct telling him he needed to get it deeper. His breath coming in ragged pants, Kitani's lips were suddenly locked by Kamala's in a desperate animalistic kiss. Their hungry tongues danced and fought for dominance as their bodies collided again and again.

Their mating growing more and more savage by the second, thoughts of protecting his mate had gone when the husky under him had kissed him. While he continued to rut Kamala continued to change, the human male was almost entirely gone, and as the change reached his rear Kitani broke the kiss to howl. Sensations of pleasure and bliss he had never felt before even with Kamala shot up his cock and knot.

The former human was feeling something too, a deep pressure inside him, his cock was throbbing and aching. He needed release and yet he knew he couldn't take his paws off his lover. Inside he rode him, letting his cock bring more and more pleasure to his new body. With breathless gasps he screamed and begged, as the knot forced deeper and deeper. The pressure inside him growing and growing.

Then with a last savage thrust the huge knot of canine malness forced its way passed the new husky's pucker. Kitani cried out as he felt himself locking inside his bitch, his orgasm a mere few heartbeats away he began to jackhammer his cock into the husky. He bred Kamala with the fury and passion only a true wild beast can muster. Then as he felt the pressure inside him peak he lifted his head back and howled. While inside Kamala his cock throbbed and pulsed, as thick jets of canine spunk were fucked deep into his lover.

Kitani's voice was not alone for long, Kamala howled in pleasure a moment of two later. The pressure inside him releasing, as his cock shoot rope after rope of his seed out over them both. The two continued to rut, spending the last of their strength working out every last drop of the other's seed. Eventually breathless Kitani collapsed on top of Kamala, his cock locked deep inside him by a knot far bigger than his fist.

The husky panted heavily and then licked up his mate's neck and along his long slender muzzle chuckling in his exhaustion, “well we found a way for you to change." He chuckled softly and squeezed his lover lightly in his arms.

“I always thought your cock was magic," sniggered the light grey husky, as he kissed his lover's ears.

The dark grey husky was far too spent to reply, he just nuzzled Kamala's chest with nothing but love in his heart. The two stood there joined for over half an hour before Kitani finally pulled out. He recovered the hare and Kamala cooked it. As the sun began to set the two sat together in the entrance to their first home, Kitani had his arm around his love as they looked out at the world below them. The forest was a tapestry filled with the lush greens of the trees and grass, mixed with the golds, ambers and reds of the setting sun. It was a perfect moment, they both knew that soon they would leave their first home. However, they had no fear, for they would leave together and let no man or beast separate them.

The world to the south called to them, a new life and maybe new friends. A whole world, far beyond the legends of their parents and the stories of their tribes.

If you enjoyed this story please consider buying my first book details can be found in my https://www.sofurry.com/view/945905 journal It's a sweet romance story with some steamy chapters and some art by :iconedesk:

If you want to support this hard working writer bear you can do so at my Patreon account here https://www.patreon.com/sisco

Or you can send my a tip by following the link below