A Simple Change [SHIRA]

Shira's slowing, tired pace told Remus he wasn't the only one that was tired. He smiled. The pair approached the water, and Shira bent to lap at the chilly water. He followed her every move, and took a little sip, but stopped the moment Shira did, only taking a tiny bit of the cold liquid onto his tongue, and sucked it down slowly. He turned to look at Shira who was now curling up. He looked up at the sky, and realized that when morning came, the sun would beat down on her.

"Thanks for helping me again, Remus"

Her voice seemed loud in the quiet night, and took a minute for Remus to understand it. He nodded, and then reached toward her. He managed to pull her up onto his back slowly, and began to move slowly under a large tree, that would surely protect her from the sun and any rain.

"There you go. Now you're safe and sound. Get some rest. There'll be food when you wake up,"

His voice was soft, like a mother talking to a young pup. He nuzzled her, in a friendly fashion, and then turned to go find some food before morning came. His movements were quiet, and he felt a bit more awake after drinking some water. He soon found a unaware rabbit that was bouncing around, and managed to catch it, even in his tired state. He tore off a leg and ate a piece, and brought the rest back. He was about to get a quick drink of water when he noticed a type of desert squirrel that seemed to just be going to sleep, when he rushed and killed it quickly. He brought that back. Good. Now they had some breakfast. Remus got a quick drink of water, and moved groggily back to Shira, curling up beside her for the night. His eyes drooped closed and he slept soundlessly.

Remus had been having a quiet sleep, after having a full stomach, and having drank enough water, his body was content. Although he still dreamt.

In his dream, the heir from his first pack was sitting in front of him, staring at him in a loving way. She was sitting above him, on a large rock, but her eyes were down, meeting his. Her mouth moved slowly, although no words came out. A teasing grin plastered against her face, and suddenly, her face changed. It was sickening how it did, as if it were being acidic and melting. She was replaced by her father, and he jumped down, sinking his teeth into Remus' throat.

Remus woke with a start.

"NO!"

Shira's voice broke the silence of sleep, and immediately, Remus spun around. Shira steadily began to back away from him, and fell into the pool of water. The womanizing brute realized that Shira had had a bad dream, just by the way she was acting. His movements slow, as though not to scare her, he moved towards her, pawstep after pawstep.

"Shira? Are you alright?"

His voice was soft as he approached her finally, and laid down on the little bit of sand that surrounded the water, his head on the ground.

Shira climbed out of the water, still soaking wet. Remus gave her a wry smile. She sat down beside him, her coat dripping water. She would dry quickly in the heat and the pounding sun. She would be fine.

"Sorry I woke you"

Shira apologized. Remus looked up at her, and smiled.

"You're fine. I was woken by my own dreams, anyway. Did you have a bad dream?"

He watched her expressions carefully, wanting to read it so he could help her in any way possible. He smiled encouragingly.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

He already knew it was a bad dream, so he offered it. Talking helped.

Remus watched her expressions carefully, and watched her look down. "Yea. I just...I don't..." She stared slowly, and Remus felt pity for the girl. Not usually something he enjoyed feeling, but it was there. She had it rough, and she was awfully shy. It just didn't feel right to Remus for her to have that kind of life. His head shot up to look at her as she finished. "Even in my dreams I can't get away from my brother...well half brother. Before coming to these lands I had joined his pack" She continued, and stood up, her movements beautiful to Remus' eyes. He watched as she sat down and stared down at the water. He moved towards her slowly, and watched her, listening, his facade unreadable. "I...he attacked me out of nowhwere. He actually was going to kill me" She finished her story, and Remus sat up, no longer looking at her, but toward the waterfall, watching the cold, white bubbles float as the falling water hit the pool with plenty of force. He stared at it for many seconds.

"I'll never let him hurt you, Shira. You can forget him now," His words were soft, but deep beneath them, one could hear unforgivable rage. How could a wolf hate another wolf so much, without even hearing them? The thought of this wolf hurting Shira brought Remus more pain than he had ever experienced. His eyes stayed focused on the waterfall, and he watched it's repetitive pattern.

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Remus continued to stare hard at the waterfall, his emerald eyes hard, resembling ice with how cold they looked. Suddenly, Shira brushed her cheek against him, and smiled. "Thanks Remus. I haven't met anybody really that cares for me." She murmured, and Remus looked down at her, his eyes melting to a soft expression, his expression filled with adoration for this sweet wolf that sat beside him. Carefully, making sure it was in the right spot, he made a little place in his heart for little Shira. Suddenly, she apologized, and jumped up, realizing he had brought her back food. Remus jumped up to his feet. His heart was hammering in his chest. A saying he had always lived by was that twenty seconds of foolish courage could gain anything. Those twenty seconds started now. His orbs were soft, and he stared into Shira's. "Why are you apologizing, you crazy beautiful girl. I love you. I know, I didn't think it was possible, but I do. You drive me crazy. I promise this is the truth," His words were soft and buttery, but came out smooth and gentle. A smile lit up his maw, and he moved toward her, his eyes not leaving hers.