1001 Bear Tails
By Jeremy McLaughlin

Prologue

	“Gather around me my cubs.” The old bear beckoned.
	Dirge said softly as he rolled his hands beckoning them closer. The bear was ancient, his once brown fur had faded into gray. The muscle mass under his shabby coat had faded and gave way to fat. The once vivid markings faded and disappeared with age. He leaned on his can and cleared his throat. Everything about this bear had live passed it's prime, but his eyes. They sharp yellow eyes followed each and ever cub to their chosen spot on the dirt floor of the hut.
	To his right the Shaman stood her hands resting at her hips, the look of respect thick in her eyes. To her right was her handmaiden Hanna who nursed a small clay cup of warm tea. It was easy to see on her face the adoration she had for the old bear. Even in the back of the room leaning against the wall of the hut was Chief Taluke. The old bear had been telling stories to him since he was a cub and even if he'd heard them all before, he never missed a chance to hear the legend of the Goddess.
	“Now children listen to what I'm about to tell you. This is the tale of our Goddess Ursa...”

	In the beginning there was a flash of light that came from the darkness. It traced along the sky like a golden chariot pull by glorious white steeds. It touched down on the very rock and ground of the untouched forest. It had been a star that fell from the heavens, not just any star, but Ursa herself. She'd been cast down fro heaven for making too much noise. Disrupting the calm silence that lingered there. 
	“It's too quite among the stars.” She'd said raising her hands to the other stars. “We're almighty and control everything around us. Should we not be allowed to let our voice be heard in the darkness?”
	The other stars weren't interested in this, they wanted things to stay dark and quiet. After a century or ranting and raving a vote had been called and down she came to this dark clump of earth where she stood now. The stars would have peace tonight for sure. But on the earth another had heard Ursa's calls. It was that natural rambunctiousness she showed in the heavens that alerted him.
	Ole was his name. Nothing more than a shadow of a star that had been cast to the earth so many centuries before. Even before Ursa had shined her first light. At first Ursa was sure what to make of the dark star. The smile was genuine and the eyes seemed kind, but he must have done something to be cast down.
	“Why are you here?” Ursa asked reading her spear to defend if it were necessary.
	Ole smiled and tucked his hands behind his back, keeping his sword sheathed. “I told the stars that they were all lazy, that there was so much work to do. This ground can grow things, there are rivers of water that run under the ground. Things could live here, we could live here. Our children would grow strong.”
	Ursa scoffed angrily. “There is no we, and there are no children.”
	“But there will be. I've seen the future and it's written there in the earth.” Ole tucked offered his hand to Ursa, but she refused.
	Time passed as it always did and Ursa found her light beginning to fade. The time she spend on the dark planet was leaching her glow from her. Soon she would become a shadow like that of Ole, the only other being on the planet. Ursa was panicking now, without her light she would have nothing. Ole sensed she was in trouble and ran to her aid.
	“Are you well, can I help you?” He asked his voice strained from running.
	“My glow, it's leaving me. I can't live without it, it's what makes me me.” Her voice carried the tone of someone desperate.
	“Fear not, I will do everything in my power to keep your glow healthy. All you need is a little grass to lay your head down in to rest.” Ole whispered softly taking her hand in his.
	“What are you going to do?” Ursa asked looking down at his hand.
	Ole's fingers were the same as hers. His hands were the exact duplicate. This was the first time she'd ever made the connection that they were one and the same. If only she would have noticed sooner they could have been friends.
	“...what ever I can.” He answered drawing his sword and cut his hand free.
	The black ash that was once his hand fell to the earth and sunk in deep. From that point grass grew and like a tidal wave it spread throughout the world, coating everything in a thick blanket of green. Ursa smiled with amazement and lay out on the grass. It was soft and cool against her. It didn't take long for her to be pulled in a deep sleep. Ole just sat there looking from her beautiful face to the nub that was his hand. Worth it he thought, she was definitely worth it.
	Time passed again and Ursa noticed that he glow was starting to fade again. She panicked and started screaming for Ole to help her. Ole came in leaps and bounds through the grass to her side. Again she explained that her glow was fading and she was scared of losing what made her unique.
	Ole smiled and leaned against her. “No need to fret I will do everything I can to help you. You need water that you can drink and quench your thirst.”
	Before she could speak his blade flew cutting his arm fell free and hit the ground causing cracks to spread through the world. Water boiled up through these openings forming lakes and rivers. Ursa smiled and knelt down drinking from the cool water at her feet. Ole smiled warmly and slipped down next to her.
	Again and again this happened. Ursa's glow fading and Ole coming to her rescue, sacrificing more and more for her. Until one day he was just a head laying in the grass. Ursa glowed brighter than any star, but it was easy to see that something else weighed heavy on her mind. She sat down in the grass and pulled Ole's head into her lap were she ran her fingers along his soft head fur. His breathing was softening and he was fading fast now.
	Ursa clutched the head of Ole in her lap. What was left of him was flaking and turning into dust. But that mattered little to him since he lived up to his promise. Ursa glowed brighter than any other star ever had. If he were to stop existing it would all be worth it now. He closed his eyes savoring his last breath in case she needed it.
	The sounds of crying filled the darkness forcing Ole to open his eyes. “Why do you cry Ursa? I've done everything I can for you, I've give everything I can for you. I don't know what else I can give.”
	Ursa whispered softly her voice muffled by tears. “I know...Centuries came and went. Time and time again you gave me everything I needed. Sacrificing everything that you had just to make me happy, but in the end I realized I was always happy just to have you close. I never said thank you because I was saving my gratitude up.”
	Ole faded a bit more and tried his best to focus on her. “What do you mean?”
	“There is no need for me to be the only light around her. I offer three gifts to you to show you my gratitude. The first...my glow so it shall sit high in the sky bringing it's glow to this beautiful world you created for us.” Ursa stated as she reached up and plucked the very essence of her glow free casting it skyward.
	Indeed the world lit up. A sky as blue as could be, the foliage green as any green could be. The ocean reflected everything making it look as if there were two suns now. Ole looked over the world through tired eyes and then back up to his Ursa who was nothing more than a shadow now like him.
	“Second I give you my heart, for it is you who possessed it all along.” She lifted his head up to her lips kissing him deeply.
	Ole tasted her sweet nectar that he'd craved since their first meeting. By now the stars had come closer to see what was transpiring between the lovers now. They stayed well hidden in the light caused by Ursa's glow. Ursa pulled from the kiss and looked into Ole's eyes giving him a smile.
	“Third and final gift I have to give. My body so that our children will roam this earth together and enjoy the gifts that you gave.” Ursa wrapped her arms around the head and soon they both fell away into ash.
	From the ash rose one male bear and one female bear. He carried the striking resemblance to Ole, while she bore the striking resemblance to Ursa. There were no words to share they just embraced and shared a long loving kiss. They knew from that moment on that they would be together forever.
	Over time jealousy started haunting the other stars that sad in their black thrones. One by one they fell to earth wanting to experience what the lovers had. Wanting to give to their gifts to the world and that is exactly what they did...

Chapter One
The Legend of Greystroke

	“...and that is how we all came to be. The Goddess always gets what she wants you see. Through determination and a little lust driven persuasion she was able to secure her protector. And thus that is how all us little bearlings were born. Remember the story of the Goddess is something you should hold dear cubs, so make sure to keep it in your heart. Lesson dismissed.” The ancient bear said as he leaned on his cane, his old eyes scanning the room.
	The young adult cubs stood up from their stop milling around talking amongst themselves. Hanna the Shaman's assistant walked over and offered a small mug of water to the elderly bear. The crowd of cubs parted as Chief Taluke passed through the room he presented himself before the old bear offering a smile.
	“Old Bear, how fairs you?” His deep voice boomed.
	“Quite well thank you. And gauging by your size, I see you're healthy and well yourself. What brings you to my story telling class?” The elder bear shifted back so he could look up at the towering figure of the Chief.
	“Well besides one of your riveting stories, I needed to talk to Thoran and Bardak about an important thing I have for them to do.” Taluke knelt down so he could look eye to eye with the old bear.
	“Let me see here. They're den brothers, both of them about fifteen, sixteen years of age. I know what this is about. The time of the great fishing trip.” The old man closed his eyes as a smile played across his muzzle. “I still remember the day I went on my fishing trip...”
	“I would love to sit through another one of your stories Dirge, but this is an important matter.” Taluke smiled fondly at the old man and rubbed his shoulder softly.
	“I understand. You'll find them over there in the corner I think, no doubt discussing the lesson for today.” Dirge smiled at him and nodded slowly. “Thank you for talking to an old bear. It does the heart good.”
	“It sure does old friend. It was nice talking to you.” Taluke rose up and started walking away.
	“Chief could you do me a favor. If you see my son Dire, please tell him I'm ready to go home. Tell him he doesn't have to hurry. I have the beautiful Shaman Maestra, and the beautiful Hanna to keep me company.” He said in a charming fashion as he wrapped his arms around both of their hips.
	“Oh my Dirge, I see you still have the charm.” Maestra giggled softly and played with his head fur.
	“Dirty old bear.” Taluke offered a wide grin to the old bear before sauntering off to inform Bardak and Thoran about the fishing trip.
	“Your name is Dirge huh? How did you manage to come by that name?” Hanna asked politely running his fingers softly along his arm.
	“Oh that...well as you probably guessed it's not my real name.” The old bear smiled warmly as he looked up at Hanna. “My real name is Enith not a warrior name I know. But it was my grandfather's name so it stuck.”
	The old bear pulled out a pipe and tucked it in his lips. “You know when I was young I could sing. I had a higher tone of voice so I use to sing my prayers to the goddess. It made my mother so proud. But my friends use to tease me about it mercilessly.”
	Hanna reached up and helped him pack some herbs into the small bowl on the pipe. “One night I preformed a particularly moving prayer so much in fact that my mother wept. My father on the other hand was not pleased with his son that could sing. He demanded that I have a trial by the swords.”
	Hanna lit the end of a long stick and helped hold it into place so that Dirge could light his pipe. “What is the trial by swords, I've never heard of it.”
	Dirge inhaled from the pipe holding the smoke in while blowing the smoke out as he talked. “Well it was a trial that has been banned for decades. So dangerous and deadly. I went to the battle the next morning. My friends were there with wooden sword, all of them tease and threatening. The moment that wooden sword touched my hand. I came alive, my mouth opened and a beautiful melody came out.”
	A smile traced his lips as he took another drag off of his pipe. “One after another they all fell to my sword. In the end I was the only one standing. My father stood there shocked and surprised and the words he said will always burn my ears. 'That was the most beautiful Dirge I'd ever heard.'”
	“That's a beautiful story.” Hanna said lightly rubbing the back of his hand.
	“Yes, one of my favorites to be honest. I was going to name my son Dirge after me. But I'll be damned if he couldn't pronounce it. He walked around saying Dire...Dire because he couldn't pronounce the G.” Dirge laughed happily slapping his knee. “That boy is my pride and joy.”
	Hanna giggled along with him as she opened her mouth to speak. “You're very lucky to have...” 
	Hanna stopped talking and looked up as the front flap on the hut opened up and in walked a tall mound of a bear. His frame was massive. Usually the fur could cover the muscle better, but not on this bear. His fur was once white but had long since turned gray with age. He only had one gray eye left the other wore a hand crafted eye patch. The only other thing he wore was a large sized loin cloth that could only mean one thing. Hanna looked up from Dirge and stared at the large size bear. It had been the first time she'd ever seen him before. Maestra however knew all too well who he was.
	“Greeting Greystroke, what brings you to my hut.” Maestra's voice was cold but pleasant.
	“Greetings Shaman, I hope I wasn't interrupting anything.” His voice was deep and carried a thick northern accent.
	“No we were just finishing up here. Is there anything we can do to help you?” Maestra crossed her arms over her breasts, shifting her weight onto one leg.
	“Yes, I came to invite my brother Taluke and his beautiful wife to dinner this evening. We have news we are wishing to share with you both.” His one good eye shifted to a slit as he smiled warmly.
	“Sounds lovely well be there shortly after the sunsets.” Maestra said firmly keeping her smile stern.
	“Glorious! B'Lana and I are looking forward to you being there tonight.” Greystroke bowed graciously and bowed before turning and walking back out the flap.
	Taluke finished what he was saying to Thoran and Bardak before walking forcefully over to his wife. Maestra was already aware of what was going to be said. The fact that Taluke didn't like Greystroke was no secret. The gleam in his eyes told her that dinner wasn't going to be pleasant.
	“Why did you...” Taluke started his voice boomed, but was quickly silenced with Maestra's soft fingers resting across his lips.
	“This is not the place to discuss thing. No one else needs to hear our discussion. Come with me.” Maestra said her voice holding a charming tone, but the force was definitely behind it.
	Maestra took her husband's hand and led him from the hut letting the flap close behind them. Hanna finally exhaled, she must have been holding her breath the whole time. That had been the first time Hanna had ever seen Greystroke before. The bear was an intimidating mass. Hanna had no idea what to say.
	“I can judge by the look on your face that you don't know quite what to make of our guest.” Dirge said softly gripping the head of his cane.
	“Who was he?...he's so frightening. Why did he call Taluke his brother? Taluke has no other family...” Hanna asked frantically.
	Dirge whispered softly as he knocked his pipe on the edge of his stool. “Calm down child I'll tell you. Taluke has a sister named B'Lana. A wonderful girl in my opinion but set apart from the other females in the village. Instead of following the path of the women folk, she chose the path of the males. Taluke's parents were furious with her. One of their lineage fighting the very traditions that our village was forged on. Disgraceful!”
	“What do you mean, who was Taluke and B'Lana's parent?” Hanna asked the intrigue was thick in her voice.
	“Child!? How long have you lived in this village?” Dirge reeled a little at the question.
	“Since I was a little girl, but because of my abnormality I didn't really fit in with normal society. I didn't attend the normal classes or anything like that. My mother was the only teacher I had.” Hanna defended herself.
	“Abnormal how?” Dirge looked her up and down trying to find anything that he didn't deem less then perfect on her.
	“I was born with a crippled foot if you must know.” Hanna snapped back.
	“I apologize I meant no disrespect to you I promise. Besides I didn't even know your foot was bad, to me you look perfect. The reason I reacted so was because I was just a little stunned was all that you didn't know that Taluke's father was the Chief at the time. That in it of it self made matters worse you see. It forced B'Lana's father to put his foot down and demand that she follow the code.” Dirge looked around the room noticing a large number of the cubs had left.
	“So I take it she defied her parents?” Hanna asked basking in the glory of the older bears knowledge.
	A smiled crept to the old bears muzzled again. “In a big way my lass. She asked me to train her in secret. I was too old even then to get down and dirty with her on the battlefield, but I tutored her for a long time. I had to stop when Taluke became the Chief though. I cared for them both, but I couldn't defy Taluke the way I did his father. In that time though I was able to teach that little cub wife how to survive and fight with the best of males.”
	“And what of Greystroke? Who is he and how was he able to marry Taluke's sister?” Hanna's heart skipped a beat even as she said the name.
	“Like Taluke could stop B'Lana from doing anything. But here now I guess I should start at the beginning...You see Greystroke is from the brutal north. No one knows what stock he was made from. All we know is he was the most powerful Chief of the northern tribe.” 
	Hanna watched as the old bear slipped his pipe into his pouch. “Many battles were fought and won by him. Never was there a battle fought that he didn't lead himself either. But with age and injuries finally catching up to him. Many believe his time was over. Plans were put into action that would change his life forever.”
	Dirge took a small sip of his water before starting to talk again. “Greystroke came home from fishing one afternoon. His wife and daughter had been slaughtered in cold blood and the only one there waiting for him was his younger brother. It now struck Greystroke that his baby brother was wielding something far more deadly than a sword, but ambition.”
	Hanna listened intently to the story. “Greystroke brother knew that if he killed the entire line than he would be the next chief and in his mind the better chief. His brother put a gaping wound in his leg and cut out his eye. As soon as he was sure his brother was bleeding enough he had his bodyguards drop him in the nearest river.”
	“What happened then?” Hanna asked eagerly.
	Dirge reached over and affectionately rubbed her hand. “Easy my child, you'll never get anywhere by rushing around like that. Now where was I...yes... The river carried him down here. Thanks to the water being so cold it slowed his heart and kept him from bleeding out. He washed up on shore not too far from the village. That was when Taluke found him and brought him back to the village. Taluke had just become Chieftain a short time before that so people were still not willing to go along with him.”
	“Taluke saved him huh? That's incredible. Where does he live now?” Hanna shifted her weight onto one hip leaning in.
	“He's been living in the larger hut about a mile outside the village. That's where Taluke keeps him as the case may be. Greystroke is not a liked bear by anyone in the village but he helps when he's needed too. A good tactician is always a friend of the village remember that.” Dirge's eyes traced around the room.
	“So what did Greystroke do to lose favor with Taluke?” Hanna asked rubbing the back of the old bears hand.
	“Oh I was just getting to that he...” The old bear stopped and a smile traced his face as his son Dire stepped through the door flap.
	Dire was one of the main bodyguards to the Chief and rightly so. Dire was not as tall as other bears in the village, but he was agile. Even under the weight he carried he could tussle with the best of them. The dark brown bear ad a few distinct marking that could be seen in the dim light of the hut. A round patch of lighter brown fur covered the whole of his muzzle. Down his chest to his belly in the shape of a tornado was lighter brown fur flecked in with the darker brown. All he wore was a worked leather loin cloth and a chest harness he'd taken from an opponent in battle. It was useful for carrying his large ax whenever he had too.
	“Good day to you Hanna the beautiful.” His voice carried a pleasant tone, his eyes were just as pleasant. “Has my father been talking your ears off?”
	“On the contrary, he's been ever so pleasant. Unfortunately we were in the middle of a story when you arrived.” Hanna leaned against the old bear smiling at him.
	“I do apologize to cutting the story short my dear. But if you're curious head north into the woods. You'll find a dirt path worked into the grass on the ground. Follow the sound of water and you'll find his hut. I'm sure B'Lana would be able to tell you more. But be mindful B'Lana isn't the most social of bears so take her something sweet. She likes sweet things.” Dire helped his father up holding him steady for a moment until he was sure he wasn't going to fall.
	“I will, thank you again for all the wonderful stories today. I look forward to hearing more next time. Dire as always it was a pleasure to see you.” Hanna said politely as she rose up from her seat and bowed to the both of them.
	Dire nodded back respectfully and helped his father walk towards the front flap on the door. Hanna could help but smile and blush as she heard a vulgar comment the old bear made about her breasts. As the two disappeared through the flap Maestra strode back in with rustled fur, doing her best to pet it down into place. Hanna nodded slowly and took a step forward.
	“Shaman I would like to take some time off today there is an errand I would like to run is that alright?” Hanna's voice was soft and soothing to Maestra's ears after listening to Taluke go on and on.
	Maestra nodded slowly. “Absolutely. You never even have to ask, but I appreciate that you do. Take all the time you need.”
	Maestra lifted the flap to her private chamber and went to step through. “Ma'am?” Hanna called out once again catching her attention.
	“What is it Hanna?” Maestra asked softly rubbing the side of her temples.
	Hanna's face bore a pleading look on it, she knew that it was a sure way to get what she wanted. “Do we still have those honey treated berries? They would make an excellent gift for someone and I would like to give them.”
	Maestra felt she was a little to out of it to investigate further, she simply disappeared into her private chamber's for a second and came back with a small jar full of the sweet berries. “There you go Hanna, have fun with your endeavors, I'm going to lay down and see if I can get this husband inspired headache to subside.”
	“Thank you again my Shaman, sleep well and I hope you feel better when you awaken.” Hanna bowed down before turning to leave the hut.
	“Take care.” Maestra whispered before disappearing back into her private chambers.

	The walk had been hard on Hanna, but she was determined to make it to the hut and speak with B'Lana. She shifted her weight around using a long walking stick that she'd found. It made the journey a little easy to manage. Why was she so determined to find out everything about it. Because it was a known fact that bears were curious by nature and once the seed of curiosity there was nothing anyone could do, but let it grow.
	The sound of the river rushed by and lead Hanna to the shore of it. A few yard upstream she could see a hut sitting on the edge of the water. A plume of smoke rising up from the makeshift chimney. That must be the place she thought as she knelt down on the shore cupping her hands into the water lifting it to her lips. It was cool and refreshing as it slipped down her throat.
	Hanna sat up alerted to something rustling in the bushes behind her. Her ears snapped back listening intently. The rustling stopped so many things ran through her mind telling her that it must have been a squirrel or some other rodent. Hanna shifted away from the riverbed and started walking up toward the hut. Something inside of her urged her to move faster. A fear that was slowly pushing its way to her stomach.
	There was the rustling again coming from behind her. As she turned to face whatever it was and arrow came out of nowhere and stuck into her walking stick. Hanna's heart lurched into her throat as she shifted her weight wrong on her crippled foot sender her down onto her back.
	Through the woods strode a female bear with a bow raise and an arrow ready. Something about her was different that the others in the village. Her dark gray was on the verge of being black. It framed her gray eyes perfectly. Along her muzzle and down the front of her body the fur was a little lighter gray which made it easy to see her plump lips, and even larger plump nipples that sat atop their ample thrones. She was more slender then other bears, but carried some weight in her belly area. Muscles rippled under the fur as she pulled the bow away from where she was aiming.
	“Why have you come to my land?” Her voice was deep and cold.
	“B'Lana is that you?” Hanna asked pushing herself up to a sitting position.
	“How did you know my name, I've never met you before.” B' Lana slid the arrow back into the quiver at her hip.
	“I came from the village to deliver you these honey berries and to talk with you.” Hanna held out the small clay jar.
	“You came all this way to give me berries and talk.” B'Lana said more to herself than to Hanna.
	Hanna nodded slowly and watched as a smile traced B'Lana's lips. Without another word B'Lana knelt down and wrapped her arm around Hanna helping her to her feet before walking slowly onward towards the hut. As they neared the hut Hanna's nose hit the air taking in the heavy sent of meat cooking over and open fire. The soft smell of potatoes baking in the coals. A welcoming smell to be sure. B'Lana was close enough to her to hear her nose sniffing. It pushed a smile onto her broad muzzled once again.
	Through the flap the unlikely pair stepped. The smell was even stronger and more intoxicating than before. B'Lana used most of her strength so Hanna wouldn't have to. They came to a large room that must have been the kitchen because it was where the smells were emanating from. B'Lana helped Hanna down on the stool next to the table. It was clear to see that she felt bad for attacking a crippled bear who was just out to dispense pleasantries to her. B'Lana took up an old metal tankard and pour some of tribes sweet-berry wine. It was impossible to make and in such high demand, but Greystroke always seemed to know how to acquire it. She slipped down onto a stool across from Hanna and placed the tankard down on the table in front of the bear.
	“Again, I'm terribly sorry. I don't get many visitors up here and with my husband being gone I just don't feel all that safe.” B'Lana explained her voice held a deeper tone to it than most of the weaker females in the village.
	“It's quite alright, I should have sent some kind of word beforehand rather than just showing up.” Hanna smiled warmly and sipped from the tankard.
	B'Lana smiled ruggedly as it was plain to see that this was the first time Hanna had ever tried the sweet nectar. Her face melted to one of satisfaction. It was so sweet and delicious with a light burn that traveled all the way down to her belly and warmed her. A soft rose color found it's way to Hanna's cheeks. 
	“Not much of a drinker are you?” B'Lana smiled widely again as she teased.
	“Nope.” Hanna set the cup back down and leaned against the table.
	“Well go easy on that stuff or you won't be able to see straight.” B'Lana said as she shifted around on her stool so she could reach her long stemmed pipe behind her. “So what brings you out here?”
	Hanna watched as she skillfully packed a dark herb into the small bowl. “I actually wanted to know more about you and Greystroke how you two met and came to get married.”
	B'Lana took a drag off of the pipe and coughed it back up when she heard what Hanna had to say. “You came all this way out here with a gimped foot just to ask me that?”
	“Well that and to deliver you the gift of the berries yes.” Hanna felt a little nervous now as she took another sip from the tankard.
	B'Lana traced the pipe step along her ample dark lips and smiled. “I'm flattered to be honest with you. This is the first time anyone has ever cared. So I'll tell you...It started three autumns ago...”

Chapter Three
A Fight Better Left Unfought

	Taluke pushed himself onward along the riverbed. His mind burned with the task at hand. Long had been been Chief of his tribe and long had it been his duty to deal with riffraff in the village. Word had spread through the village that a certain freeloader has been taking so much from the village and offering nothing in return. The village was founded and worked on the idea of brotherhood and daily tasks to keep it functioning properly. If someone was not doing their part it was up to Taluke to convince them that it was in their best interest to help.
	Taluke slowed his pace as he near the front flap of the hut, he cleared his throat and called through the flap. “Greystroke, I have something to discuss with you.”
	There was a long pause as Taluke waiting for a response finally a thick accent called back to him. “Come in my Chief, you'll have to excuse me I'm in the middle of something, but nothing that would interfere a meeting with my oldest friend.”
	Taluke rolled his eyes and pushed his way through the front flap. It was a surprise to see what exactly the large mass of bear was in the middle of, but Taluke didn't let himself seem surprised at all. Greystroke sat leaning back on what appeared to be a makeshift throne much the same as the one Taluke had in his hut. Before him on her knees was a young cub wife still a year or two away from being able to marry. Slowly her head bobbed up and down as she was forcing his entire length deep into her narrow muzzle.
	Greystroke took a long puff from the long stem of his pipe blowing it out into the air. Resting on the arm of his throne was a tall tankard of thick smelling mead. Lifted it to his dark lips and drank of it loudly. Pulling the tankard away and wiping his mouth with the back of his hands. Definitely home brewed Taluke wagered, since it was very thick, dark, no doubt bitter.
	“What can I help you with today my friend?” Greystroke asked his face stern and unchanged, his one eye was sizing up the large male before him.
	“Word has spread to me that you've been taking your fair share from the village here without giving anything back.” Taluke said bluntly and too the point.
	Greystroke rested his hand on the back of the young female's head petting softly as if she were a pet. “That is because I'm biding my time when I can give something of great value to your tribe. You have to understand, my tribe doesn't do anything, give anything, or make anything half-assed. It's all or nothing with us. In time you will see what gift I offer. In a few years I think, it will be glorious and then the rest of your soft bears can rejoice at the gift. All will be happy.”
	Taluke watched as he shifted his hip upward into the young bear's mouth who chocked at the feeling of his large head pressing against the back of her throat. Following the same routine as before. Greystroke took a long drag off of his pipe and then a drink from his tankard. Taluke crossed his arms over his massive chest and sneered at what he was seeing. Taluke took a moment to gather his thoughts, starting to find it difficult to not focus on the young bear forcing his long girth into her mouth. To make matters worse periodically she would gag from taking too much in. 
	“That isn't good enough, my people are ready to riot as it is. They work hard and give freely and this is how you repay them. Sitting on a makeshift throne, drinking up their crops, smoking up their herbs, stuff your face on their food, and defiling their females.” Taluke's voice boomed as he changed his calm demeanor to one of threat.
	Greystroke stayed calm, he just sat in his throne for a moment until he closed his eyes and let out a soft grunt. The young cub wife let out a gentle gag and chocked down the heavy seed that Greystroke seemed all to disinterested to give her. Taluke felt a fire burn inside of him as he found all he could do was clench his fists in rage. The young female finished licking the thick liquid from his dark flesh before rising up. Greystroke looked at her and smiled softly.
	The young lass stood up and bowed graciously to the large bear. “How did I do?”
	“You did wonderful you're improving. One day you'll have one happy husband I assure you. Same time next moon phase for your next lesson. Please help yourself to some water and a bite to eat before you go.” Greystroke's voice had a softer tone to it as he dealt with the female.
	She turned and bowed to the chief and headed off out of the room. Greystroke's eyes followed her as she went, before turning his gaze back to Taluke who didn't look none too happy at what he was witnessing. Greystroke again followed the routine of smoking and drinking his cadence never changed.
	“What was that all about?” Taluke asked through gritted teeth.
	Greystroke smiled and shifted his head as if to peer with his one good eye. “A lesson nothing more. I'm teaching your young females how to please a man right. Males, well at least proud males don't want lumps of pelts that never move just laying under them while they hump away. They want real females who take initiative and aren't afraid to get in there and please their husbands right.”
	“Who are you to interfere with our ways?” Taluke exploded drawing back his hands at his sides as if prepping an attack.
	Greystroke just kept his calm demeanor and followed through with his routine. “Someone who is trying to help. You coddle your females, you make them weak and thin your numbers. Where I was from I took pride in teaching the females of my village how to fight, how to survive, and how to appreciate their mates. And in return it taught the males how to appreciate their females. A system that works.”
	“I don't know if you noticed this, but you're not chief here. I am! How come you're not chief of your village anymore. Got too old, to injured or perhaps your ways didn't work as well as you thought they did.” Taluke wanted nothing more then cut him to the quick, something staggering to shake the strong foundation he'd built under the bear's ego. 
	Greystroke simply smiled and rested his cheek on his knuckles. “You know what your problem is my Chief? You mouth it's undisciplined, it speaks volumes without enough research to back it up. I have a cure for that right here.” Greystroke leaned a little further back in his seat rubbing his fingers along his long girthy length that rested on his thigh.
	Taluke felt as if his head was going to explode, one hand rested on the axe he had at his hip. “You have two weeks to start contributing to my village or you're going to find yourself homeless once more. This time you'll find it a little harder to relocate with no legs to carry you.
	With that Taluke turned and stormed off out of the hut. Everything in his mind was demanding that he die for his insults to his tradition and village. It would have been easy to just cut him apart. He pushed his way through the woods heading in the direction of the village. His hand stick clutched his axe, it was calling and begging for justice. But there is no honor in attacking an unarmed bear even if he deserved it.
	Taluke stepped through the trees into a small clearing. With his blood already boiling it seemed that only one more thing was needed to push him over the edge. In the center of clearing stood his sister B'Lana practicing away with a wooden sword. The poor target under her attack was a smaller oak tree. It had targets painted on it to symbolize the most sensitive attack points. The bark had been warn away around those areas, no doubt she been practicing for a while. The hits were all too accurate at each point.
	On a stump near were B'Lana was practicing sat Dirge. He was younger by far, but still passed his warrior prime. He instructed B'Lana through words now. The smile lines on his face showed that she must have been doing very well today. It seemed the forest stopped moving around them, in fact all action stopped the moment Taluke approached.
	“Hello my brother, how fairs you today?” B'Lana panted out as she rest the tip of her practice sword in the ground.
	“I thought I told you no more of this foolishness.” Was all Taluke could say, trying not to take what Greystroke had said out on her.
	Dirge stood up quickly with the help of his cane. “I believe it's time for me to depart. Good job today B'Lana. Good day to you my Chief.”
	Dirge thought that he would make a hasty get away, but was halted short. “Old man, I told you to stop training her. If I discover you've disobeyed me again I will be forced to exile you and your family from this village.”
	Dirge nodded slowly and turned to walk away. The sentence was harsh and the words cut Dirge deep. Dirge was able to divulge from his  demeanor that something else was bothering him. In his heart he knew that Taluke didn't have the a cold enough heart to send them away. In the other hand Dirge was quite sure he wasn't going to find out how serious Taluke was.
	“What is wrong with you brother? You said if I finished my chores I could spend my time doing whatever I wanted. Well I did, so I am. How dare you threaten Dirge like that. The man is a war hero and a good man to boot. His family brings so much to this village. All so you can prove your point.” B'Lana pushed the issue, intrusively stepping into Taluke's comfort zone.
	“Not now sister.” Taluke continued walking on his way back to the village.
	“Yes now, you were good enough to grace us with your black clouded presents now you pass on through without any reason why.” B'Lana stepped in his comfort zone again halting his walk once more.
	The breaking point had finally arrived. The only female in the village allowed to approach him like that was Maestra any other female would not be tolerated. Taluke lurched forward angrily and grabbed B'Lana's muzzle hard forcing her back to the practice tree. Her head hit with a hard thump cause his vision to blur for a second.
	“Now is not the time sister. Greystroke has left me in a killing mood, I managed to withstand not killing him, but I don't know how long I can keep this mood dormant.” Taluke pulled his hand away and continued his stride.
	“Fair enough.” B'Lana snapped back. “Do you want me to take care of him for you?”
	“Stay away from him B'Lana!” Taluke didn't turn around he just passed through the trees on the other side of the meadow calling back forcefully. “If you don't, there will be hell to pay.”
	Unfortunately for B'Lana listening to her brother and following the rules of the village were not her strong points. There was fury running through her as she threw down the practice sword. There was a sharp pain in her muzzle and jaw from where Taluke had grabbed her. Surely there was going to be bruises under the fur there. She gathered strapped on her quiver and bent down to scoop up her bow wrapping in across her chest. On her way out of the meadow she grabbed her spear that rested against a tree. It was time for her to put all of her training to the test.

	Slowly she moved through the woods following the path that her brother had just blazed. B'Lana could smell his scent on the leave as she passed. Her heart leapt to her throat as she could see a large figure swinging an axe downward through the air. The log that acted as his victim went sailing apart in two landing on a tall pile. Her eyes grew more narrow as she watched. Greystroke was as tall as they said, and as strong as she'd imagined. It was easy to see the muscles ripple through the fur on his back. Another quick swing from the axe sent wood flying.
	B'Lana's courage faltered some, a head on attack would be suicide. The bear was twice her strength with a hundred times the experience. Quietly she rested the spear against the tree and pulled her bow from across her chest. Everything seemed to be moving in slow motion. The arrow slid easily from the quiver without a sound. The bow was ready and she drew back the string. The tip was aimed for his heart. One should take him down. If not slow him down so she could finish him with her spear.
	B'Lana took a deep breath and let the arrow fly. In the split second it took for the arrow to hit it's target her victory was snatch away. Greystroke turned on his heels dropping down to one knee. The axe he used to chop the wood cut the arrow in twain. His one good eye spotted her even through the cover of the leaves. B'Lana's heart raced in her throat as her warrior spirit rushed away with her.
	Like a demoness incarnate she grabbed her spear and pushed through the trees, launching herself at Greystroke. Her bow slipped from her other hand and landed on the rocks of the shore. Greystroke was up on his feet instantly and charging forward. The surprise attack failed, but Greystroke found himself intrigued by the beautiful creature that attacked him now. Memories of all the students he trained in the past came rushing back. The axe slipped from his fingers and hit the ground.
	B'Lana swung her spear overhead catching it in her other hand. Her fingers slide along her waist and unhooked the quiver around her waist letting the extra weight slip free. The look in her eyes was keen she studied him, a warrior tactic taught from an old mentor. She was skilled. B'Lana rolled off her knee to the right and charged in. She was nimble to be sure and her speed was a factor that Greystroke took into consideration.
	The spear was sharp and he would only have one chance to stop her. A smile traced his lips as he could read her face. Never killed, but instilled with a killer instinct. Never fought, but the heart of a fighter beat in her breasts. Warrior soul, trapped in a female's body. Something about her reminded him of himself when he was her age. Refreshing in a way.
	B'Lana swung her spear hard the blade was aimed for Greystroke's good eye. Her balance was off, it was the first weakness he'd noticed in her technique, but one he was damn sure going to take advantage of. This was the moment he's waited for. The staff of the spear struck the palm of his hand, he simply closed his fingers around it and jerked it free from her hands. The force of his pulling the weapon sent her staggering. His free hand closed into a tight fist and swung up under her scattered guard hitting square in the soft area under her ribcage. Even with her muscle flexed there for protection the air was pushed from her lungs leaving a sharp pain in her chest.
	Greystroke was please at how thoroughly staggered she was, but he was not done yet. He closed his hand tightly around her throat and picked her up clean from the ground swinging her legs out form under her. In one solid flow he laid her out on her back against the rocks of the shore. Everything had happened so fast that B'Lana was still struggling to regain herself from the punch to the stomach. Greystroke towered over her and watched as she drifted away unconscious from the lack of air to her lungs. Darkness started pulling her away, the last image she saw was his tall form reaching down to pick her up.

Chapter Four
The Warrior and the Fiend

	B'Lana could smell a warm scent washing over her. It was the smell of a wood fire. Somewhere close enough that she could feel it warming her face. The rest of her body was numb and cold for some reason. She opened her eyes, her eyelashes rubbing against something that covered her eyes. A fear rushed through her as she remembered what had happened to her on the shore. The brute had beaten her and then took her. Quickly she sat up sending a piece of wet cloth falling away from her eyes.
	B'Lana was sitting in a deep bathing tub, the water had long since gone cold. She tried to get up from the tub but her hands were bound together with a thick coarse rope. Quickly she lifted the bound hands to her mouth trying to bite through the rope, but it was too coarse all she managed to do is cut up her gums causing them to bleed.
	A voice in the back of her mind told her that she needed to remain calm and study her surrounding if she was going to escape. The room she was in was cast with a thick orange light from the fire place to her right. A new smell entered her nose. It was warm and inviting smelling of herbs and vegetables. There was a large iron pot hanging over the fire.
	Something shuffled across the room from her, the sound brought her eyes to the source. Greystroke sat on a large chuck of tree trunk that he fashioned into a seat. He had been watching her thrash around in the water, quietly enjoyed a pull from his pipe.
	“Good evening my sleeping flower. You've been sleeping all day. I was starting to become afraid I might have played too roughly with you.” His voice was smooth and deep, making his accent easier to understand.
	“How dare you?! Why am I in this tub? Why are my hands bound? Let me out of here now.” B'Lana shouted wildly thrashing around.
	“Shh, don't over exert yourself, I'll explain everything. But first what is your name?” He asked taking another puff from his pipe.
	“B'Lana I'm Taluke's sister.” She snapped out angrily.
	Greystroke blew the azure smoke into her face, she was a little surprised to smell and taste the mint behind it. “Taluke's little sister, how unfortunate. But at least you have a pretty name. I'm...”
	“Greystroke, I know who you are. I wouldn't have come to kill you if I didn't” B'Lana snapped at him.
	“Fine, fine! You must be hungry I would wager.” Greystroke tucked his pipe into his mouth and rose up and walked over to the pot cooking on the fire.
	B'Lana stayed quiet as she watched him draw a large bowl of stew from the pot. Slowly he moved around the room favoring his left leg with a limp. He shifted his stool over to sit next to the tub. A look of distrust washed over B'Lana's face as he dipped a spoon into the bowl coming up with a spoonful of soup holding it out to B'Lana.
	B'Lana shook her head and glared at him. “Why would I eat that so you could poison me?”
	Greystroke leaned close and whispered, his breath coated with a minty fresh scent of the herb he had been smoking and an undertone of a sweet wine he'd been drinking. “Only a coward kills with a use of poisons. If I wanted to kill you I would have done it in battle.”
	Greystroke could still see the distrust in her eyes so he took a bite from the spoon making sure that she could see him chew and swallow it. “See I wouldn't poison myself to make a point would eye.”
	B'Lana nodded slowly. “That's true I'm sorry I didn't trust you.”
	“Don't be sorry! The rest of the females in your group spend to much time being sorry. You're my prisoner and you followed your instincts. Being weary of my kindness is a warriors response.” Greystroke's voice boomed loudly in the contrast of the quiet room.
	B'Lana glared up at him and kept her mouth shut. Greystroke took another spoonful and lowered it down to her. B'Lana took it into her mouth feeling the flavor rush over her tongue. It tasted good, tasted real. There was something powerful about the stew, it felt as if it would latch onto her muscles and make her stronger just from eating it. Greystroke looked at her with his one good eye before offering her another spoonful. Again she devoured the bite. Greystroke reached down and gripped a metal tankard and pressed it to her lips tipping it slightly. The sweet-berry wine filled her muzzled and dripped over the sides onto her chest. Not that she cared, the taste of the wine was so alluring that it seemed nothing mattered.
	Greystroke watched her drink before pulling the tankard away. Then came another spoonful of stew. Time passed and B'Lana greedily ate and drank her fill the strew and wine. Greystroke calmly tended to her through the whole thing until she settling back in the tub looking up at him.
	“The stew was delicious.” B'Lana said quietly before dipping her muzzle under the water to clean off any food and wine that remained.
	“Thank you, it's an old recipe. I use to cook it all the time for my students when I was teacher.” Greystroke washed his bowl out in a bucket before setting it on the counter.
	“You were a teacher? I thought you were a Chief.” B'Lana asked doing her best to shift around with her hands still bound.
	Greystroke slumped down on his seat once again. “That is true, I was a chief. But before that I trained troops how to fight and survive. I was hoping to do that when I was accepted into the village here. But lost heart in it when I saw how things worked.”
	“What do you mean? Things function around here quite well.” B'Lana shifted around in the water trying to ease the pain in her back.
	“No they don't. Your tribe is weak. You thin your ranks by refusing to teach your females how to fight. The females were a large part of our success where I come from.” Greystroke lamented as he retrieved his pipe tapping out the ash from the last time he used it.
	The words tickled B'Lana's ears, she'd never heard anyone speak what her heart wanted to say. “Your females were fighters?”
	“Of course they were. We taught them how to defend themselves. Who was going to take care of our villages when the males were fighting on the borders. Through that training a camaraderie was forged. The females would bleed to protect our homes, the males would bleed to protect their wives. When the men came home weary the females would love them so passionately that their strength would regenerate. Then the male would repay in kind. Everything was beautiful there, even in the darkest moment we took pride in the fact that a husband could fight back to back with his...wife.” Greystroke's voice cracked a little as he looked down to his hands starting to shake.
	B'Lana watched him fumble with his pipe. “That was beautiful! Your people sound so amazing.”
	“They are...” Greystroke's voice cracked again as he sniffled hard.
	B'Lana cocked her head and bit her bottom lip. “Are you crying? What is wrong?”
	“I was talking about the female folk, it made me thing of my wife. She never lived to see the day when we could fight back to back on the steps to heaven's glory. My brother murdered her in her sleep along with my daughter. He was such a coward that he wouldn't even face them in battle. Crept in while they slept and killed them.” There was acid in his voice now and it drip freely like his tears did. “If that wasn't enough, while I mourned them he crept in and crippled me. The last thing I remember before being dumped in the river was him laughing as he cut my eye out.”
	B'Lana felt a shiver run through her as she reached up her bound hands to touch his face. “Oh Greystroke I'm sorry, I didn't know.”
	Greystroke drew a knife from the sheath at his calf and swung it down in a flash severing the rope that bound her hands. “Prisoners don't say sorry where I'm from. Since you insist upon saying it, I'll make you a guest instead.”
	B'Lana looked at her hands and then back to him again. “Why are you doing this for me, being so nice and telling me about yourself?” B'Lana asked her face softened as she looked into his eye.
	“When you attacked me, something about you reminded me of my wife. You're grace, your form. You have the soul of a warrior that burns as bright as her soul did. I've never seen a female take on an opponent she had no chance to beating so ferociously. It was beautiful, you are beautiful.” The words slipped through his lips easily as if he'd thought them through so fully.
	B'Lana didn't know what to say her heart was racing in her chest. She felt her entire body blush under her fur. Something pushed her to rush forward pressing her lips to his kissing deeply of them. Those lips the dripped so much passion to her. Greystroke breathed in deeply as he kissed back, his wide tongue all but prying its way into her mouth. There tongues wrestled with one another in her mouth until he came out on top.
	“You're a warrior on the battlefield, but how do you fair in the bed chamber.” B'Lana whispered softly against his face.
	Greystroke rose up undoing the long loin cloth had hung from hips letting it fall free. His length hung long, thick and lazily from his sheath. A look of surprise washed over B'Lana's face. In truth she'd never seen a male of so well endowed. Even more surprising she herself had never been mated. Such a gift he offered was both exciting and frightening.
	“A female must show a male how interested she is in him before any love making can take place.” Greystroke whispered softly shifting to straddle the tub, his massive thigh muscles rippled under the fur tight against his body.
	“How?” B'Lana looked up at him obediently, but behind her eyes burned a fire.
	“Like this.” Greystroke whispered back gripping his girth in his fingers rubbing the tip slowly along B'Lana's ample lips.
	B'Lana closed her eyes as she could feel the warm flesh caressing slowly along her lips. His thick harsh scent washed over her. Something about the strength behind the sent drew her in. There was a tingle deep inside of her. Something came alive inside of her as if she were becoming a wild beast. The change was so drastic Greystroke could see it in her face. She parted her lips and took him into her mouth. It rested heavily on her tongue. The flavor dragging her to force more into her mouth. He was too big for her muzzle, but it wouldn't stop her. The once limp meat started to grow taut against the flesh.
	B'Lana became greedy almost eager to have all of it. The smell and the taste moved through her driving her on. Her head bobbed and shifted taking as much of him into her as she could feeling him hit the back of her throat only pushed her to bob faster. Even though she was full of stew and wine she was starving for this new meal lay in front of her.
	Greystroke rolled his head back and moaned softly. Where all the other cub wives had failed to understand the warriors needs, B'Lana knew and she gave freely to him. Her tongue lashed along the underside of his girth feeling ever contour. Drawing forth a bit of pre down the back of her throat. Greystroke tried to pull away, but B'Lana showed her strength by biting down on it. None of the teeth pierced the skin, she merely added pressure to it. To show him that she was really in charge of what was going on.
	Greystroke lightly ran his fingers along the tip of her head caressing her ears with his large fingers. “B'Lana you've already proven enough to me. Now it's my turn.”
	B'Lana relaxed and let his length slip free from her mouth. It was long and hard, she couldn't believe that she had that almost fully in her mouth. It was even more shocking that he planned on putting somewhere else in her person. He shifted to one side of the tub waiting for his legs to adjust before reaching down closing his fingers around her smaller hand pulling her up from the tub.
	Greystroke stood there quietly as he watched the water cascade down her body. Tracing every contour and dripping free from her. Before when she was in the tub she looked weak and easily bested, but now she stood tall and proud. Everything inside of him started to want for her. A feeling he hadn't felt in decades. B'Lana stepped out of the tub and launched herself at him again as she did before. This time the fight was hers to win. Greystroke toppled back onto the pelts. He looked up at her towering figure straddling his belly. Her gray eyes staring down at him as if she just bested him in a spar.
	Greystroke reached up to touch her hips but she threw his hands away. “Prisoners don't get to touch, they just get to lay there and do as they're told.”
	There was a power behind her voice something that was alluring to him. He looked up at her and breathed in deeply. Her fingers gripped his girth passing it slowly between her tight virgin folds. She had become so wet that Greystroke could her juices pooling at the tip of his penis. B'Lana positioned herself over him lowering herself so just the tip threatened it's way in. There was so much pressure there and a slight twinge of pain, but it was nothing compared the pain of her desire for him.
	“Don't do it, if it's going to hurt too much.” Greystroke whispered softly hand hands petting her hips.
	A million thoughts ran through her mind. Females in his village don't hesitate at this point, they just do what they want. Females from his village don't feel the pain of this act, they just take what they want. Females from his village don't cry from the pain, they just push through it. At that moment she breathed in deeply and lowered herself down. She was sure the flesh tore, she was sure there was blood flowing from her. She awaited the pain, but there was none. She could hear the gasp pounding in her ears. The only sound that filled the room was that of Greystroke's moan.
	B'Lana could feel his length pushing into her deeply. Every inch of his girth ground against her walls. The juices and blood made it easier to rise up off of him, but the real mixture of pain and pleasure came when she slid down. Greystroke reached up and caressed up her thighs trying to ease the trembling that this new feeling brought one. Again she rose up and slid down upon him. Each time she pushed a little further and each time the pain would come back. She was determined to take all of him. A male of his caliber deserved it.
	Greystroke reached up to touch her thighs once again only to have her slap them away again. A smile played across his lips as he let her ride him slowly doing everything she could to adjust to his size. Her ample breasts bounced in rhythm right in front of his face. A sight he always enjoyed.  It had been so long since he'd mated with a girl worthy of him that he knew it wouldn't take long at the rate she was going.
	Lower and lower she slid along him feeling the pain but taking more in. It was more like a quest now to have him fully inside of her. Lower still, but there was still more that she could take in. Greystroke bit his bottom lip starting to raise his hips a little bit each time she lowered down on him. B”Lana started to feel a little more comfortable and picked up her pace as she slid up and down on his hard length. This was Greystroke's chance in a quick rush he pushed up hard against her sliding down. Her rump cheeked nestled nicely against his lap. B'Lana breathed in sharply and gripped his chest fur holding her self up. The pain caused her whole body to tremble, but the feel of the heat from his length warming her insides helped ease it. It only took her a moment to recover and then she was back at it. The pleasure was so much more meaningful now that she'd completed her quest.
	Now that B'Lana finally managed to hilt him inside of her, the pain she had been feeling was leaving her completely now giving way to a heavy rush of pleasure. Again she made no sound as her body spasmed with each tingle of her climax. Her juices squirted out coating Greystroke's lap with her scent. The feeling of being all the way inside of her sent a rush of pleasure through him. Instinctively his hands shot up gripping her hips holding her in place while he thrust into her. His ears keying in the sound of her slurping wet sound of him pounding in and out of her, the moment finally came. Heavy ribbons of his seed filled her insides. So much that is squirted back out and running down his length to his lap. The thrusting still kept a heavy rhythm wanting every last bit of his seed to soak into her. 
	B'Lana lean back resting her arms against his knees while she enjoyed wet friction of him filling her up. There was so much more she could have swore that she felt in shifting inside of her. At that final moment she fell forward and pushed her face into his chest. The only thing she could to to keep from flailing around was grip his chest fur and hold tight to him.
	Greystroke wrapped his arms up around her and rubbed down her back in a petting fashion. Neither of them had the energy to speak to one another and furthermore none of them had anything they could say. The only thoughts that passed through their minds as the fought to hold onto their consciousness was how amazing it had been. Greystroke lightly kissed the top of her head and closed his eyes settling in to fall asleep. B'Lana lay on top of him focusing on how good it felt to feel him going soft inside of her and slipping out. The thoughts and the feelings sending tingles throughout her entire body. It wasn't long after that, that she felt the tug of sleep coming on. The sound of his heartbeat and quiet breathing in her ear helped pull her into an exhausted and relaxing sleep.

Chapter Five
The Chief and the Vagabond

	The morning came as it always had since the beginning of time. It felt like another cold spring morning. A cool breeze pushed it's way through the rickety openings in the hut. Bringing B'Lana's eyes open. Her head was buried in Greystroke's thick chest fur where it had fallen the night before. The sounds of his strong heart beating leisurely in his chest. Her fingers traced slowly and gently along his chest. The motion caused him to shift a little under her fingers.
	“Stop that, it tickles.” He whispered tiredly as he tried swatting at her fingers.
	A smile traced B'Lana's lips as she kissed his chest affectionately. “It's time to get up my strong warrior. Another day has arrived.”
	“Maybe we can go for a midday awakening, I think it would be much better.” He mumbled out quietly.
	“Greystroke, wake up!” An all too familiar voice called from outside the hut.
	 Greystroke's eyes snatched open as he looked over at B'Lana who carried the same look on her face. Taluke paced around the front flap to the giant bears hut. Dire and Brutus stood ready to defend Taluke if anything were to arrise. When B'Lana hadn't come home the night before, his first thought was that she went after Greystroke, the second thought was that he'd done something awful to her.
	A moment passed before Taluke started banging on the wall of the hut. “Greystroke, I'm not going to ask again. If I have to come in there after you, you're going to be sorry.”
	At that point Greystroke stepped through the flap on the front of his hut adjusting his loin cloth. Taluke sized him up, there were no new scars than the ones he'd gotten years ago. Maybe he and B'Lana had never fought, but the fact that he was scruffy looking and bed ravaged meant the night seemed to have been a rough one.
	“What matter has brought you to grace me with your presents?” Greystroke asked calmly his hands tucking in front of him.
	“My sister B'Lana, she never came back to the village last night. I'm getting this feeling that something foul has befallen her. Do you know where she is?” Taluke's eyes locked with the larger bear's his hand resting on his axe.
	“It would be unfit to lie to my chief, she's in my hut right now.” There was a heavy truth to his words that Taluke didn't want to believe.
	“Why would she be in there?” Taluke's tone seemed a little staggered.
	Greystroke crossed his arms over his broad chest. “She came to river's edge to kill me. After a short battle and a long discussion we came to an understanding. And by understanding I mean a long night of passionate tumbling.”
	A smile traced Greystroke's lips as he couldn't quite resist the urge entice a fight between the two. A rage had started up in Taluke once again. It was something about Greystroke mannerisms that rubbed him the wrong way. It didn't help that he would blatantly lie about his sister like that. It was a horrible insult. Taluke looked away from Greystroke to Brutus and Dire giving them a nod.
	“Why would you lie to me about something like that? You have nothing to gain from this. But I guess in your own pigheaded way I suppose this is what you think helping is. Since you haven't lifted a finger to help us since I pulled your sorry ass out of the river years ago. I've tried to be your friend and I'm sorry I failed, but you leave me no choice. I'm banishing you from this village and it's protection. You will leave willingly or we will make you.” Taluke shouted trying to keep his voice calm against the raging storm inside of him.
	The front flap opened and B'Lana came running out despite her body aching all over from both the fight on the shore the day before, and the lesson she'd received the night before. Taluke's eyes went wide as he stared from her to him. He'd been telling the truth all along.
	“Brother! Don't do this please. He's telling the truth.” B'Lana stood tall and strong as she did the night before, there was something powerful about her as she stood there.
	“It's true. All of it?” Taluke glared from Greystroke to B'Lana.
	“All of it and more. You can't exile him from the village. Because if he leaves then I go too.” As Taluke shuffled around, B'Lana moved to stand between them.
	“What's that you say?!” Taluke took a step forward slipping his axe free from his belt.
	“Remember the last two years when I wasn't picked to be a bear wife? You remember how insulted you were for me and I told you it didn't bother me.” B'Lana watched as her brother nodded in understanding. “Well it didn't bother me. None of those males had what I needed. None of them would have appreciated me or loved me for who I was. Well I found one who would. One who would honor me and respect me for my choices. Greystroke understands and what makes me different than all the rest. So if he's to leave the village I will go to, because I can't be here without him.”
	Taluke shook his head slowly trying to comprehend what his sister was talking about. “No this is not what mother and father had planned for you. This is not how this is suppose to happen.”
	“But that is what's happening. Mother and father are dead Taluke. The world rolls with us now. Deal with it. If he goes, I go.” B'Lana stared him down moving towards him, she was tall and strong now, Taluke had never seen her look so proud before. 
	“Fine then! I challenge Greystroke to combat. First one to disarm the other wins. If I win he leaves, you stay. If he wins he stays and he takes over a chief.” Taluke held his axe out to the great bear of the north.
	“No you can't do that!” B'Lana said sharply looking back from Greystroke to her brother.
	“But I am, deal with it. What say you bear of the north can you disarm me?” Taluke sneer fiercely.
	“We'll see won't we.” Greystroke took a step back grabbing the handle of his axe that was embedded in the chopping block behind him giving it a quick tug freeing it from it's place.
	“Please don't do this Greystroke. He's my brother and as much as I must protect him, my heart is telling me to protect you.” B'Lana ran her fingers along his chest softly gripping at his chest.
	“Shh battlemaiden, always remember there are other ways to win a battle. They don't always end with a loser.” Greystroke ran his fingers slowly along her temple and back along her ear, his eye asking her to trust him without even saying anything.
	B'Lana didn't like it, but she was forcing herself to accept it. Slowly she stepped back watching as presented himself to Taluke on the rocky shore. They both stared at each other looking relaxed as if they were going to have a conversation. Their eyes looked upon one another gauging who was going to win the match. Brutus watched both of the fighters intently before parting his lips and letting out a high pitched whistle.
	Greystroke tactician based mind went to work and everything slowed down. All the sounds in the world drifted away. He would only have one shot at this, failure was not an option. His one good eye followed Taluke's hand that wielded the axe. In a flash he brought his axe up across his body slamming the butt of his axe hard against Taluke's thumb. The pain shot through him causing his hand to snatch open sending the axe falling to the rocks beneath them. At that moment in time Greystroke released his weapon and took a step back watching as both of them fell matching each other's speed and hitting the rocks at the same exact moment.
	Brutus bit his bottom lips and thought about the outcome for a moment. “And the winner is neither of them?” His voice piqued as if it were a question.
	“So how do we reward this?” Dire shrugged heavily as he looked at Brutus.
	Taluke stepped forward closing in the distance between Greystroke and he, his eyes were on fire and something surged through him. “Why did you throw that fight?”
	Greystroke smiled softly and looked back at him mockingly. “I don't want to be chief of your tiny village. I do however like being here, I'm learning more about myself with the help of your tribe. You're my only friend when I needed one most in this world, for that I'm bound to you for some reason, but the most important thing you should know is for the first time since my wife and daughter died I've felt something for someone else.”
	Taluke opened his mouth to speak, but Greystroke closed his massive hands around Taluke's face and held him tightly. “My gift to you for everything you've done will come soon. I will marry your sister and she will give birth to the next chief of this village. In him I will instill all that I know about building a strong village, but from his mother he will get the knowledge and understand of compassion so he may grow up to be better than he papa.”
	Taluke blinked for a moment and looked up at Greystroke not quite sure how to react. What he had said made sense. The image of the hulking bear had changed in his mind. There was nothing more for him there. Taluke knelt down and picked up his weapon tucking it into his belt. He offered nothing more than a glance and a nod at B'Lana before heading off into the woods with Brutus and Dire in tow.

	“...That following winter Greystroke and I were married and we have been happy ever since.” B'Lana leaned back on her stool still chewing on the stem of her pipe.
	“That was a beautiful story.” Hanna shifted her fingers along her inner thighs feeling the effects of the sensual part of the story that B'Lana had told.
	“It sure is a beautiful story. One I'll likely never forget, well at least until I get old and senile.” B'Lana set her pipe down and stood up rubbing her round belly.
	Hanna looked out the window and noticed that the sky was growing dark she rose up and shifted around the table. “It's gotten so late, I have to go. Maestra and Taluke will be here soon. I don't want them to know I came here. Thank you for entertaining me. I had such a beautiful time.”
	B'Lana walked along side Hanna in her brisk limping pace. “Well I'm sorry you  have to go. I was really enjoying your company.”
	“I do apologize for leaving in such a rushed state. Thank you again B'Lana, for everything.” Hanna said as she stepped through the door flap and onto the rocky shore.
	“Anytime. I don't want you to be a stranger now, you'll have to come by and see the baby soon.” B'Lana ran her fingers slowly along her round belly.
	Everything from the story came rushing back to her now. Greystroke had indeed lived up to his word. He would marry B'Lana and they would have a strong child together. All that remained was would the child be taught how to be a strong leader with a compassionate heart that would lead them to a prosperous life. Only time would tell. A smile pushed it way to Hanna's lips as she watched B'Lana rub her tummy.
	“You bet I will. Take care of yourself, Greystroke, and the baby. Congratulation.” Hanna bowed deeply and started off for the woods in a limping jaunt.
	B'Lana waved to her as she disappeared through the trees, such an interesting female Hanna was, but she sure was a joy to be around. B'Lana turned and headed back into the house to finish preparing dinner while she awaited the return of her husband and their dinner guests.
	“Tonight my little cub, you make your debut to your uncle and aunt. Won't they be surprised?” She giggled to herself as the flap closed behind her.

Chapter Six
Two Friend Went Fishing By the Great River.

	The autumn morning was welcoming to Thoran and Bardak. A flow of reds, oranges, and yellows covered the green grass. Everything glistened with morning dew. A soft rhythmic flow of the breeze through the trees was like music. Thoran and Bardak had been friends their whole lives. They shared a den together as if they were brothers. They had gone through so much together. Even now they had been given a huge task of gathering fish for the village.
	Thoran could always be recognized by the two black strips that traveled from his shoulders to his backside. He was also larger in stature than Bardak. A little more muscular in the arms. His belly was a little leaner than Bardak as well. His eyes were a soft amber color ans stuck out from his brown fur. But one of the most noticeable things about him was the large dark fur ruff around his neck. It was the envy of so many other males.
	Bardak was much the same as other males in the village. He was shorter in size and a little more heavy set in the belly and backside region. Tan eyes just like his mother. He was intelligent and more articulate than many of the other males since his mother was the den teacher. Nothing set him apart more than the soft brown fur that circled around his broad muzzle and the matching circle of fur that surrounded his large belly. 
	The two were still one year away from taking the trails into manhood. But their fathers pleaded with the council to give them a chance to do do this task. For months the two boys studied different fishing arts so they would be able to adjust to any situation that came along. The boys were so excited that they got up extra early so they could head out.
	The sun had finally came over the horizon lighting the way for them. The two young bears slowly climbed the last hill. Driven by the sound of a rushing river. They could almost smell the fish jumping in the river. They had walked all morning and now they were rewarded with the majesty of the sun shimmering off the river. The leaves panting the grass. It was a beautiful sight to behold. It had been a long difficult trek, but it was worth it. The fishing here was legendary and they were guaranteed to catch a bounty of fish for their people.
	“My goddess it's so beautiful here. I never would have imagined this place to be so lovely.” Bardak said softly, his voice sounding so different since it had been so long since they'd last spoken.
	Thoran nodded softly his face baring such a large smile. “I know. I don't think I've ever seen anything so beautiful.”
	Thoran sighed softly as he slunk down onto the soft moss at the river's edge. The morning was crisp and chilly, the perfect morning for fishing. A cool breeze pushed its way across his thick furry body and up his loin cloth. A little chill ran through him while he tucked his loin cloth tightly between his legs to cover himself against the breeze.
	“That chill really knows how to nip the delicate doesn't it?” Bardak giggled softly his face was bright cheerful.
	“I know. Perhaps I should have worn something a little more concealing.” Thoran playfully flashed Bardak.
	“You should put that away before a fish mistakes it for a worm.” Bardak slowly laced the string along the fishing pole.
	Thoran reached into his shoulder satchel pulling free a small clay pot. He undid the string on it making sure to keep the lid tightly closed on it. He reached his fingers into the pot pulling out a large tree bug making sure to quickly close it back. Bardak handed the fishing pole to him before working on stringing his own pole.  Thoran skillfully pierced the bug with a rugged looking hook. Before handing the pole back to Bardak so he could bait his own hook.
	The first cast was the most important because it set the mood for the whole day. Thoran was the first to cast, the soft plunk of the bug hitting the moseying stream. Bardak followed suit as he normally would. Bardak was the youngest of the two only by a few weeks, but that was still long enough for Thoran to have seniority. Bardak never minded anyway as long as he could follow after Bardak.
	A cool breeze blew through the trees sending a rain shower of leaves down upon the young bears causing them both to giggle childishly. It was good to be able to be cubs again. Normally when they were with the rest of males they had to act like adults, but not today they were all alone and able to do whatever they chose.
	Thoran dug the fishing rod into the rock anchoring it with his feet so he could have his hands free to dig through his satchel. Bardak lazily held the rod waiting for the slightest tug. Out of the corner of his tan eye he could see Thoran pulling a long stemmed pipe from the satchel and a small sack fashioned from a large resin treated oak leaf. From the pulled a large pinch of sun dried herbs and flowers which he promptly packed into the bowl of the pipe.
	Bardak loved to watch Thoran do anything. He knew that Thoran never did anything halfway so in a way it was inspiring. Before Bardak could snap out of his thoughts the other bear had noticed he was being watched. Thoran stuck his pink tongue out playfully before tightening the twine on his herb pouch. The large bear dropped the pouch back into his satchel before retrieving a fire-starter.
	“Wow Thoran what's that?” Bardak shifted closer so he could see it.
	Thoran looked down at the device and then back at his curious companion. “This? Oh my father had Shaman Maestra make this for me. It's called a fire-starter. These two little stones clasped into the iron spark when you tap them together and the sparks are used to light a fire. It's easier to control when you want to smoke a pipe.”
	“That's incredible. You're so lucky that you would get something like that.” Bardak leaned back scratching lazily at his chubby belly.
	“Well it wasn't just given to me. I have to do experiments with different herb and flower mixtures for smoking tobacco. You know how Shaman Maestra is about her tobacco.” Thoran chuckled to himself as he clapped the fire-starter together a few time.
	Bardak watched closely as a few sparks fell into the bowl of the pipe. It took no time at all for the herb mixture to ignite. A few strong inhales was all it took from Thoran to make them glow. A smile traced across Bardak's face as he watched Thoran roll his head back blowing a string of rings with the azure smoke. A cool breeze brought the tobacco scent right into Thoran's face. It was a warm, spiced scent with a fair amount of sweetness.
	“What herbs are in that mixture Thoran. It smells good.” Bardak wiped his hand aimlessly against the soft moss which made a good seat.
	Thoran took a long inhale from the pipe. “This is one of my specialties. I took mung root and let it sit in the sun for almost ten days. I mixed it with dried berries from the mulberry bushes near home and finished it off with dried rose petals.” As he spoke smoke rushed out in azure ribbons.
	“Roses, where did you get those from? There aren't any rose bushes within a hundred miles of here.” Bardak shifted forward and grabbed his rod sharply giving it a tight pull.
	The jiggled had almost been unnoticeable, but his sensitive paws felt it and reacted. Thoran closed his teeth around the stem of his pipe and reached out, gripping his friend's shoulder helping to keep him steady. Bardak could feel that the hook had set by how strong the fight had gotten. The rod bent and flexed against the fish, but refused to give up the ghost. Finally in one solid pull Bardak jerked the rod over his shoulder sending a large sized fish flopping down on the mossy shore.
	Thoran laughed hard and clapped his hands as they watched the fish flop around on the shore. Bardak handed his rod to Thoran so he could retrieve the carrying crate. Bardak picked the healthy looking fish up. The gray and white scales shimmered in the sunlight. Thoran reached up over Bardak's broad shoulders and unhooked the hook from the fishes mouth. Bardak gave a sharp nod in appreciation  and dropped the fish down into the crate kicking the lid closed with his foot.
	The crate was fashioned with an herbal salve to lull the fish to sleep and preserve them for the trek home. It wasn't very large and it was built with straps so a bear could wear it on his back without too much fuss. A bear could easily fit twenty fish in the crate which meant good eats to the members of the tribe. Bardak slipped back down to the moss and started baiting his hook once again. Thoran was already sitting enjoying his pipe.
	“What were you saying before Bardak?” Thoran said lost in a few thoughts of his own.
	Bardak thought for a moment taking a big whiff of the smoke coming from Thoran's pipe. “Oh yeah I was asking about the rose petals. Where did you get them from. There aren't any rose petals for miles.”
	“They actually came from over that mountain range. But now thanks to Miis and Brutus we will have some blooming just outside of the village.” Thoran gestured with the stem of his pipe. “I had to ask Miss for them.”
	Bardak cast his bait back into the water and looked at Thoran. “Miis!? Where did she get them from. She's just a youngling there is no way the mothers would have let he go off that far alone.”
	Thoran nodded softly as he took a few more puffs off his pipe disappointed to find that his tobacco had all burned away. “No she didn't go by herself. Remember that expedition the Gathers went on about two months back?”
	“Oh yeah that was the one that sent them to a new area to harvest fruits and vegetable so we could plant them closer to home.” Bardak shifted over on his hip so he could watch Thoran.
	Thoran banged his pipe on his knee cleaning out all the tobacco before tucking it away in his satchel. “That's the one. Well that's where Miis found it as well as other things too so I've been told.” Thoran giggled devilishly.
	“What are you talking about?” Bardak curiosity was getting the better of him.
	“You haven't heard, oh this is a real treat. I think you're going to love this.” Thoran laid back keeping his foot on his fishing rod feeling for bites. “Well it all started...”

Chapter Seven
Large Things Come in Small Packages.

	“...Further more Taluke I think that sending a small band of our Gatherers over the mountain is a great way to expand out own gathering points. We could bring back several fruit and vegetable samples that would allow up to plant and grown them closer to home. It would fortify our village and add a little more variety to our food stocks.” The tall robust female finished with a mild vibrato.
	Shaman Maestra was a beautiful bear indeed. Her large lavender eyes saw things that no other could. Her narrow muzzle was peaked with a soft pink nose. Her face was framed by a light gray mane that seem to take away her neck. Slimmer than many of the females in the village she carried what weight she did have in all right areas. Her breasts were robust and perky. The dark flesh of her large round nipples protruded through her light gray fur. Her belly carried a little weight, but blended well into her her large round hips. All across her body were thick back markings. One happened to fall across her eyes framing them with blackness. Others lined her back, backside, and arms. Maestra always proclaimed that a body like hers made to embody that of the Goddess could never be perverted by wearing clothing. This thought led other females to follow her example.
	She had two large golden hoops in her ears a gift from her husband. Around her neck were several large beaded necklaces. Each bead represented payment for a service she'd provided to the others of the village. A small golden hoop pierced her left nostril and a matching one through her right eyebrow, both gifts from her two daughters. Large golden bangles adorned her wrists and clanked as she moved. 
	Chief Taluke leaned back against his wooden throne causing it to creek under his large frame. All of the other males in the village paled in comparison to the physical prowess of the Chief. Even under his thick layer of fat his muscles still let themselves be known. A foot taller then their mightiest warrior Brutus and twice the warrior on the battlefield. But kind and carrying like a warm summer day. His irises were black much like his pupils and had the ability to stare into anyone's soul. His fur was a dark brown hue almost black it covered his entire body save for the pink scars that showed through. Each one telling a story of his greatness on the battlefield. 
	Each ear bore three golden loops that he'd won at the yearly survival festival. Some wondered if he had been allowed to win because he was Chief, but others knew that if anyone purposely competed less than their ability than punishment would ensue. His mane was decorated with beautiful multicolored beads created by the adoring females of the village. At his waist was a large leather belt he used to carry his broad-axe. A leather loin cloth rested across his modesty it was the only clothing he needed to wear on and off the battlefield.
	He shook his head softly sending a light clanking from the decorative beads in his mane. “A compelling argument Shaman Maestra. I take it into full advisement. If we are to set up this band of Gatherers I want it to be small.”
	“How small?” The female spat back.
	Shaman Maestra was the only villager that was permitted to speak to the Chief in that tone. Time and time again had she proven herself. Chief Taluke knew that she was not to be taken lightly. Afterall her strength and power was one of the main reason he married her.
	“Twenty or less. I do not want it to be made up solely of wives either. They must also take Brutus and Dire with them as part of that Twenty.” Taluke stated resting his cheek on one massive hand.
	“Fair enough. Do you have specification of who else should go?” Maestra tucked her hands behind her back standing tall.
	“Two warriors for protection, eight wives for guidance, eight cub wives so that they may learn all the tricks to gathering, the human observer so that he may do an honest days work, and our youngling Miis so that she may learn responsibility.” Taluke's tone was starting to show how quickly he was losing patience.
	“Interesting choice. So as one of the eight cub wives should I include our other daughter Ursula?” Maestra smiled sharply her lavender eyes peering through the black fur marking across her eyes.
	“What a wonderful notion? I agree with that choice. Now follow through with all the arrangements. I want them gone before first light tomorrow and I want them back before suppertime tomorrow night. You are dismissed wife.” Tulake stated as he pushed himself up from his throne and strode to his resting chambers in the back of the building.
	Maestra nodded softly in respect and started tending to her own duty. Arranging everything so soon would take a lot of effort, but a time schedule was just something she was going to have to work around. The first thing she would do is gather the wives and have them gather their daughters who were a year or two shy of becoming adults in the village. Then she would speak to Brutus and Dire. The human wound not dare refuse a direct order from the Chief and the Shaman so he was of no concern. Lastly she would speak to her two daughters since that would seem the most challenging. After the band was gathered they would discuss what was to transpire and then before the sun rose they would be off to new lands.

	The sky was still dark as the small band gathered together in the town square. Brutus was barely alert and found himself leaning against Dire to keep from falling over. Kalin too found himself wishing he was still in his cot. Ursula shuffled around with the other cub wives making sure that everyone had the items they were told to bring. Miis was the only one who was fully awake and running around. Ursula was sure that her little sister was going to regret running around after such a long walk through the woods.
	Maestra came through the darkness like a beacon holding a torch above her head. Her lavender eyes peered through their black strip as she counted to make sure everyone was there that needed to be. When she made a mental note of all the supplies she'd ask them to bring it was finally time to get this band started on their journey.
	“Dire would you please take the torch.” Maestra asked quietly not wanting to wake the rest of the village.
	One of the two male bears stepped forward and did as he was instructed making sure to hold the torch so Shaman Maestra was still visible for all to see. Dire was a little taller then the other males in the village and heavier in the midsection. But he was a strong and able fighter. He earned his place as Brutus' right hand. Son to old Whetherly the plant master, husband to Delain the Den Teacher and father to Bardak the small. He had made his name as a tactician rather than a warlord.
	“Now you will set off for the Lower Grout of the mountain. Scour the area and look for any fruits and vegetables that can be harvested and can be replanted closer to home. I have faith in all of you that you will work hard and do your best. Bring me a bounty and their might even be a reward in it for you. Remember you're to be back at suppertime tomorrow. If you're not then we must assume the worst has happened. Is this understood?” Maestra watched the group nods coming from the band.
	“Excellent! Dire, Brutus you are in charge of this band make sure that nothing happens to them. Good luck to you all and safe travels.” Maestra stepped back from the light of the torch.
	She watched as Dire took point holding the torch high so they could see where they were going. Brutus guarded the rear with his spear held true to protect the females. Maestra watched as the small band filed out and disappeared into the darkness before she returned back to her home for some much needed sleep.

	The trek had been grueling. Not only had the forest gotten thicker a few miles away from the village. They had encountered a wide river that they needed to cross. It also featured a swamp area that nearly swallowed some of the smaller cub wives whole. Brutus had to bare Miis on his shoulders so she would sink into the muck. Just when the journey seemed like it couldn't get any worse they found themselves facing a solid stone. Sidetracking led them to a cave. Each of them piled in after Dire  making sure to stay close so they could use his torchlight. Finally they had found their way through the cave into a small valley rife with vegetable and fruit.
	The sun had peaked in the blue sky. Bringing light to each blade of grass and flower in the small meadow. Each of them joined in a conversation about how nice it would be to have a village in such a lovely and safe location.
	Before everyone fanned out and started their gathering they all sat down and enjoyed a bite to eat. It was a nice rest after such a long arduous journey. Brutus and Dire agree to split the group in half  so that they could get more gathered in the short time allotted to them. Dire took his group further into the woods to hunt mushrooms and tubers that might be good for the village. While Brutus stayed in the clearing to gather berries from the bushes and fruit from the trees.
	Brutus leaned against a near by tree enjoying a few short puffs off his crudely made pipe. He made sure to keep a watch on his small group as a shepherd would with his sheep. He kept a particular close eye on Miis. Brutus slunk down to a sitting position as the sun warmed his dark brown fur. It was hard to fight the need to take a nap.
	Brutus watched as Ursula moved around with the human close to her, they worked well together. He was teaching her the ways of the humans and filling her head with nonsense and she was teaching him the ways of the bear, which was something that his kind lost along time ago with there discovery of science.
	“Brutus!” A voice called to him from close.
	The sound pulled Brutus from his thoughts he looked over to find Miis standing next to him. “Brutus I hurt my finger?”
	Miis was only twelve years old still four years shy of being a cub wife and eight years shy of taking a husband. It was unheard of to see such a young child this far away from the village. Her fur mimicked that of her mother's. Light gray with soft black strips. Her eyes were a soft blue color as they had not changed to their final hue yet. Her naked figure was more plump than her mother's. Mostly baby fat giving way to the fat that appears in other parts that happen when she would come of age. Even though she was a child she still had her mother's face.
	Brutus looked at her finger and pursed his lips. “How did this happen?” His voice was soft and deep as it showed a mock concern.
	“I was picking a flower from a bush and it bit me.” Even though she had just been hurt there was a hint of curiosity in her voice.
	“Are you sure it was the plant and not a spider or another bug?” Brutus asked with a little bit of concern.” Brutus took her small hand in his and stuck her middle finger in his mouth suckling the blood off of it.
	Miis grimaced but made no attempt to pull away. “I'm sure it was the pland itself.”
	“Interesting.” Brutus said tearing a piece of his loin cloth off and tying it around her finger. “Show me this biting plant.”
	Brutus pushed himself and held his hand out to Miis who took it. They walked across the fields on their way to the forest. Ursula looking up from the berries she had been gathering to watch them cross. The human too stopped and watched.
	“Brutus is everything alright?” Ursula asked a little concern in her voice.
	“Yes I'm investigating a plant that bites.” Brutus smiled haplessly.
	“Oh my...well do report back what you find.” Ursula went back to picking berries.
	Miis led Brutus deeper into the woods stopping long enough to get her bearings straight before continuing on. Brutus made a mental note what they had passed so he could lead them back out just in case they got lost. Miis climbed over a long and slipped down into a small trench. Finally Brutus saw what she had been talking about. The biting plants were Wild Queen's Crowns or as the human called them Roses. There were several bushes along the tench all different hues. It was easy to see how she got side tracked in her gathering. They were so beautiful.
	“You found some Roses Miis. These are so beautiful.” Brutus said softly he walked over and knelt down by them.
	“They are beautiful, but you can't pick them very easily.” Miis said softly as she looked around at the rose petals laying on the ground around the bushes.
	Brutus slunk back onto the moist ground and relaxed a bit enjoying the cool said brought on by the trees. He watched Miis play around the bushes. Brutus wasn't an overly observant bear, but one thing he never failed to observe was a cub just one the brink of blossoming. No one in the village knew that he was drawn to the younger and innocent females. That was one of the reasons that he didn't take a wife. They would never be able to give him what he truly wanted. Although most of this was just an internal design of his. He'd never been with a cub before, but he did think about it.
	Miis knelt down and picked up another petal and tucked it into her hand. A smile graced her young lovely face before she bounded off to another one. Brutus watched as her tiny breast bounced along with her plump belly. Her soft dark nipples standing out amidst the gray fur. Her backside was nice and round just like her mother's already showing off that she was going to develop into a lovely young cub wife. Brutus' loin cloth slipped away from his growing excitement at the thoughts running through his head. His sheath had swollen some and his tip peaking out.
	Miis hopped over stand in front of him and bent down to pick up a rose petal. Brutus' eyes locked on the pale lips of her slit. A tingle ran through him as he shuttered at the millions of thoughts that ran through his mind at that second. Miis extended the show for a bit longer as she collected more rose petals. Then she glanced between her legs back at him shocked to see what was going on. Resting against his belly was this thick pink bear flesh. Hard and throbbing a bit as he continued to look.
	The one thing that bears fall victim too is curiosity and Miis was no different. Her eyes traced over the new sight and then up to Brutus face who was still looking at her gift. Finally she stood up and turned around to face him. Again his eyes locked upon her lap. He could still make out her her slit through the pudge and the fur.
	“Are you alright Brutus?” Miis knelt down between Brutus' legs and gripped his length tightly.
	Brutus nearly gasped at the unfamiliar feeling of someone else touching his penis. Miis eyes never left it though. She just gave it a few squeezes amazed at the slick feeling of it. How warm it was and the thick pleasant scent of it? Brutus watched as she studied it closely her eyes giving away her curiosity for it.
	“That's my...penis.” Brutus whispered softly.
	“Oh I think Delain talked about these. Every male has one, but I've never seen one, it's interesting what's it used for?” She cocked her head and leaned close to sniff it.
	“It's used for mating and conceiving children. It's also use for...pleasure.” Brutus closed his eyes tightly trying to control himself against her studying.
	Miis let out an understanding noise as she ran her fingers along the underside of it slowly as if she were petting a cat. A lightening bolt shot through Brutus as he flexed his whole body against her petting. Brutus shuttered softly after every pet causing Miis to notice.
	“Is this hurting you?” Her voice was soft as he rested her fingers near the base of it.
	“No! No absolutely not. It feels really good. It feels better than anything I've ever felt before.” Brutus smiles heavily as he looked at her face returning the smile.
	“Does it feel as good as when I pet myself?” Miis sat down on the ground across from Brutus spreading her legs wide.
	“What do you mean?” Brutus played the fool as his eyes widened at the sit of her soft lips spreading showing the soft pink lips and folds inside.
	“Oh it feels so good when I take my hands and lightly pet along my opening...like this.” Miis grunted a bit as she tried to shift her arm over he plump belly.
	Brutus watched as Miis ran her fingers lightly along the fleshy opening. Petting in a slow rhythmic fashion. Brutus licked his lips slowly as his eyes darted back and forth between her petting and her face. Her eyes were closed and her mouth hung up just a little. Miis little pink tongue darted across her dark lips and she panted slowly. Her fingers dipping into the folds a little more.
	Brutus swallowed hard and cleared his throat. “That sure looks like fun. Can  I try it.”
	Miis moaned softly as she stopped petting. “You want too? I think it would be a lot more fun to have you do it. I can't really reach over my tummy.”
	Brutus shifted along the moist ground so his head was between her pudgy legs. “Now you get comfortable okay.”
	“Oh certainly.” She tucked her hands behind her head and closed her eyes.
	Brutus reached up and ran his fingers lightly over her mound. He could feel her shutter softly at his soft pet. He made sure that he was gentle and didn't rush. It was amazing how much heat radiated off of her. Her slit  was tiny under his massive hands. The petting stayed on the outside for a good long time before he let a finger traced along the inner folds. That was when Miis opened her mouth and let out a soft moan. Her tongue hung out the corner of her mouth as she panted under his attention. There was a slick liquid just inside the folds. Brutus hadn't known that a cub could get this worked up. There was also a smell. A soft smell that caused his hips to shuttered, a long string of pre cum dripped from his hardened length.
	Brutus dared to go a little deeper his finger pad lightly flicking her little bump. Miis arched her back and let out a pleasurable yelp. It sounded loud in the quiet woods, but was really no more than a peep. He could only comfortably fit two fingers in her folds and as he slid them along he found her tight hole. Upon closer inspection he could feel her hymen all slick with her fluids. The hole wasn't even big enough for his finger. He worked his way back up her slit this time holding her spread.
	“You're going to feel something different, just relax you'll enjoy it I'm sure.” Brutus spoke his voice deep but soft.
	Miis pursed her lips and moaned letting out a gentle mm-hmm. Brutus send his wide moist tongue along the entire length of her slit in one sweep. All at one Miis moaned out so hard and flexed. Her body shuttered and thin streams of cum squirted out of her. Brutus quickly leaned back in and lapped it up as she continued to cum. Her body was trembling and jolting with each lick that he did. Miis' body tingled and her head was swimming, it was the most excitement she'd ever had. Brutus licked her taste of his lips and smiled up at her.
	“How was that?” Brutus said almost childlike.
	Miis sat up on her elbows. “That was the best. Thank you so much for that. I bet that's what if feels like when I was rubbing you huh?”
	“Yeah partially.” Brutus sat up and leaned against the wall of the trench.
	He closed his hand around his thick meat that threatened to pop at anytime and started rubbing it. “I'm going to just take care of this alright.”
	“You...you don't have to. If I can help in anyway I'll do it. I mean you played my game I want to play yours.” Miis whimpered as her round ears pressed against her head.
	“Okay...but you have to keep this a secret alright. If you tell anyone they won't let us be friends anymore.” Brutus shivered throughout his entire body.
	“I promise. I want to be able to do this again and again.” Miis said excitedly.
	“Me too Miis.” Brutus got up on all fours and climbed between her legs.
	Miis was tiny under him. She was barely able to open her knees around his hips, but she did her best. Brutus reached down and lightly petted the inside of her thighs before taking his length in his hand. He rubbed the tip lightly along the outside of her still soak slit. He coated her in his own pre making sure to pump his meat a little between each pass of her slit. Miis closed her eyes again and moaned as it was still very sensitive.
	“Alright I'm going to go in deeper. You tell me if it hurts and I'll stop.” Brutus whispered softly in her ears.
	Miis just moaned softly and nodded her head. Brutus slowly pushed his tip into her narrow folds using his hand to guide it up and down the entire length of her. The heat drew more pre from him coating the small slit. He quickly flicked his tip along her small bump. Each time made her jolt and let out little noises. Her sounds were driving Brutus wild his hips bucking gently.
	Brutus pushed his head down and pressed it tightly against her hole the heat drawing him in filling him with the need to mate her small body. Each second made him add more pressure to her. Each second threatening to break her hymen. He did what he could to hold back but it was so hard. Miis gritted her teeth and closed her eyes hard. It was starting to hurt, but she didn't want this to stop. Something wanted him to be closer. Her small hand rubbed lightly against his belly.
	The reassuring pets cause an uncontrollable thrust. Brutus couldn't stop it as his head tore through her innocence and stuck inside of her. Miis let out a soft gasp and gripped his belly fur but she wouldn't tell him to stop. Tears ran down her face as she endured the pain. She responded against the thrusts with thrusting back herself. Each time hurt but the pain drifted away into soft throbs of pleasure.
	Brutus reached up and lightly petting her cheek holding himself steady as she humped against his length. Brutus let out a quick moan  and pressed his head against hers as his heavy jets of cum filled her small opening. They were so strong in force that they hit deep inside of her. The feeling was intense causing her to thrust faster for some unknown reason. Even though he only got his head in her she was tight enough to quickly milk him. After a long moment of being close Brutus finally looked at her. She was glowing more with her own accomplishment of helping Brutus feel the same way she did.
	“This game is fun Brutus I want to play it again.” Miis said softly as he pulled out of her with a soft slurp.
	She could feel the mixture of blood and cum rush out of her as she stood up. It was dripping down her leg slowly. Miis blushed as she looked around for something to clean up with. Brutus helped too gathering up some soft oak tree leaves making sure to clean her inner things and her slit as best he could. When Miis was sure she was clean enough and Brutus penis had went back into its sheath they were ready to set back to the group.
	“Wait before we go Miis.” Brutus said softly he walked over to the bushes making sure to gather several of each color.
	The thorns bit into his fingers but it didn't matter he was going to gather her a beautiful bouquet of roses. When all was said and done he had twenty roses two of each different color so that they could plant them when they got back to the village. His fingers were bloody but he didn't care. He gingerly wrapped the flowers with the leaves from the oak trees. He handed them to her and gave her smile. He reached down and grabbed a red one that he'd set aside just for a special occasion. He lightly laced it through her head fur and tucked it behind her ear.
	“There you go a Wild Queen Crown for a beautiful Queen.” Brutus whispered softly before taking her hand and helping her back up the side of the trench.
	“Thank you my king.” She giggled playfully and held his hand as they walked back to rendezvous with the others before they had to travel back.

	The sun was lightly resting on the horizon before they started heading back. Brutus carried Miis on his shoulders to make it easier for her to carry her roses. The band followed the almost exact path back. Making better time since they knew were they were going. Shaman Maestra waiting in the town center at suppertime. She was confident in them but worried as supper came to and end and the band handn't come back yet.
	Dire had been the first through the trees followed closely by the rest of them. All of the bears were fatigued and ready to fall over. Several members of the village rushed out to help them carry their baskets the rest of the way. Brutus and Miis were the last ones through the trees. Maestra's face lightly up at seeing her youngest. They'd made it back to the village a little after suppertime, but no one was surprised when they told of all the trouble they had getting there.
	“It's good to see you made it back in one piece.” Maestra smiled and offered Ursula a big hug.
	Miis wasted no time running over to her mother and showing off the roses. “Look what I found. Brutus picked them for me. He even put one behind my ear isn't that great?”
	“That wonderful darling. Isn't he a nice male to be giving you such wonderful gifts.” Maestra looked at Brutus who was standing to the side of the large group.
	Brutus felt self conscious that Maestra was looking at him, but eased a little when she smiled at him and mouthed the words thank you. The crowd was bustling around trying gather baskets of fruit and vegetables lining them up. Through the group stepped an old bear. His fur was once brown but now it was gray. A long beard hung from his jaw. The muscle on his body had turned to fat and hung uselessly from the bone. His knees were giving out under his weight and he could no longer support it on his own so he carried an old oak walking stick that his son Taluke had made for him.
	“Oh my goodness what a bounty. The Goddess has seem to bestow upon you brave travelers. Bardak I need you to gather me three of everything here and take it to my hut immediately. Goodness these are some fine specimens.” Plant Master Whetherly moved through the fruits and vegetables getting a closer look at them.
	Brutus took this as an opportunity to push his way through the crowd to where Miis was still standing with her mother. Brutus smiled warmly and knelt down next Miis so he would have to look up at her. Her cheeks held a red blushing hue from all the excitement and activity. She held the roses close to her chest so they would lightly tickle her chin.
	“Don't worry Brutus I didn't tell my momma about the game we played that's our little secret.” Miis whispered softly in his ear.
	The feel of her breath against his ear caused him to shutter softly. “That's wonderful sweetie. I hate to ask, but I need one of each color rose from you. That way I can ask Whetherly to plant them for you. It will be your own personal garden.”
	Miis eyes lit up brightly as she almost suffocated from gasping so much. “Oh Goddess that would be wonderful. Thank you Brutus.”
	Miis did her best to get one of each rose without catching her finger on a thorn. Daintily she handed each one to Brutus who took them happily. After all of the roses were divided Miis hugged Brutus around the neck and gave him a gentle kiss on the cheek.
	“Momma! Brutus is going to ask Whetherly to plant me a garden of Wild Queen Flowers isn't that wonderful.” Miis sounded so excited her voice was piquing.
	“That is so wonderful of you Brutus. Thank you so much for being so nice to Miis.” Maestra's face was all alight at how happy her child was.
	“The pleasure is all mine.” Brutus said as he nodded respectfully.
	“I can't wait until I'm older I'm going to marry Brutus.” Miis told her mother.
	Brutus blushed under his fur and stepped through the crowd towards Whetherly he could hear Maestra laughing behind him. Whetherly continued to cycle through the fruits tasting some and examining other ones. Brutus cleared his throat in a loud manner hoping to get the old bears attention.
	“Good gracious boy what do you have there? Are those Wild Queen Crowns? What a bounty!” Whetherly said excitedly as he took the bouquet from Brutus.
	“Yes and I want you to plant them. They're a gift for Miis from me. I don't care how hard it'll be to take care of them. I'll do it myself if I have too I just want them to grow. They are important to her.” Brutus said all at once.
	“I can see they're very important to you too. You don't ever ask for anything Brutus so I'll do whatever I can to plant these. But I will need you help and Miis' too.
	“Anything.” Brutus said as he crossed his arms.
	Whetherly smiled and gave a sharp nod. “Alright come to me tomorrow and we'll discuss how to plant these flowers.”
	Brutus turned and started heading to his hut. A good long sleep is what he was going to need. So many things happened this day and he was feeling a little confused about how he should feel about what happened. Brutus was filled with odd feeling about Miis now as well. Not only a deep need to protect her and care for her, but something all together deeper than that. He could help but think about her as he lay awake in bed drifting into a sleep.
	The next day came and Brutus planted the roses and each day he would come back and tend to them. Miis started coming shortly after that. They would spend time working with the roses and treating them as best they could. As the roses grew so did they. They played there little game as often as they could get away with it. Miis would constantly tell her mother and everyone else that when she got older that she was going to marry Brutus. That they would have a hut together just near their garden. Everyone assumed she was joking or teasing and they would share a laugh. But Miis knew deep down inside that she was telling the truth. Brutus knew it too.
	The roses grew to be big and strong one bush of each color. But that wasn't good enough. Brutus and Miis planted more of them until. Ten of each hue growing wild in the forest. Brutus also started building a hut near the garden. When other villagers asked him why he would explain that it made it easier to take care of. But there was another reason only he and Miis knew and that's how they liked it.

Chapter Eight
The Fish Aren't The Only Things Biting Today.

	The morning sun was starting its ascension further into the sky. It would soon be lunchtime. The two bears still sitting perched next to the babbling river. The fish basket now carried six fish in it. Truly a bounty of greatness for two young fisherman. But the true prize today had been the story that Thoran shared. Thoran lightly took a puff off his pipe again. Enjoying the soft spearmint flavor from the herb mixture.
	Bardak was dealing with his own distraction. Having a very good imagination was both a blessing and a curse. Now was one of those times that it was a curse. It was easy to see through his lax covering that the story had tickled something deep inside of him. Never would he have a thought like that normally. She was a cub after all and Brutus was a brave and strong warrior. It seemed wrong but what the images in his head were telling him was that it was okay.
	Thoran was engaged in his own fantasies over the story he'd just told. Each of the images were clear in his head. Ever since he'd heard the story it was easy to image Miis and Brutus doing those things when he saw them together. Thoran was pulled from his thoughts by Bardak shifting around.
	“That story has got to be a lie! There is no way Brutus the second best warrior in the village would do something like that to Miis the daughter of the Chief.” Bardak said shifting over onto his hip.
 	“Hey you asked, I'm just telling you what I know buddy.” Thoran shifted and crossed his chubby legs the best he could as he took another pull on his pipe.
	Bardak chewed his bottom lip for a moment while he contemplated the story once again. He could feel his own length was tingling from the images from story that put themselves back in his head. He did what he could to shake the thoughts free, but it was nearly impossible. Thoran could feel his own enjoyment of the story stirring under his loin cloth. Quickly he pulled his loin cloth tighter around his swollen bulge trying to conceal it away from Bardak.
	“Who told you this story?” Bardak was clearly bothered by this story, he was known for being more curious then anyone else in the village.
	Bardak's fishing pole nearly lurched from his hand distracting his thoughts away. His grip tightened instinctively as he pulled hard. Thoran was up off his feet in a s second wrapping his chubby fingers around Bardak's giving him a hand on pulling the large fighting fish to the shore. Something pointy poked into Bardak's side. It was there for a few seconds before Bardak could feel his mind shifting to it. He glanced over and saw Thoran was indeed very close to him. Thoran shifted his feet to help pull Bardak's arms up desperately trying to pull the fish free from the water. That was when Bardak saw that Thoran's penis had escaped it's sheath. Was it from the story he'd told if so that made Bardak feel better about his own arousal.
	Finally with one fierce push from the two the large fish came from the water and landed on the shore fighting viciously against its captors. It was the largest they'd caught yet almost fifteen pounds. The fish was so feisty that Thoran had to kill it right out or else it might had destroyed the carrying crate. Bardak chuckled softly and took a deep breath as he retrieved the fish and dropped it down into the crate.
	“Excellent work my friend that makes seven.” Thoran said tending to his dropped pipe.
	“Thank you! Now back to what I asked you earlier. Who told you that story?” Bardak slipped back down crossing his legs.
	“Miis told me the story. When I was asked about the roses and asked if I could have one. She refused at first she seemed so protective of them. Finally after so much begging, a golden hoop, and two flint arrowheads she told me. But she made me swear that I would tell anyone else about it.” Thoran said softly as he watched Bardak bait a hook out of the corner of his eye.
	“Well good job there, you just told someone.” Bardak chuckled to himself as he lined up another bug on his hook.
	Thoran rolled his eyes and looked over at his chubby chum. “You're not just someone Bardak you're my best friend if anyone can keep a secret I know you can.”
	“Yeah you're right about that.” Bardak smiled a wishy washy smile and cast his line back into the water.
	They had sat quietly for a good long time. Nothing more then the rustling of leaves, the babble from the river, and the birds singing in the trees to fill their ears. Both bears lost in their own thoughts. Finally after what seemed like an eternity. Bardak finally cleared his throat bringing focus to him. Thoran offered him a glance.
	“Thank you for sharing that story with me. It makes me feel good that you trust me so much. But it also makes me feel bad as well.” Bardak reached up and rubbed the back of his neck gently.
	“Bad, how so?” Thoran peaked an eyebrow at the thought of making his friend feel bad.
	Bardak shimmied on his large round rump feeling a little antsy. “Well there is something my father told me about and I was sworn to secrecy about it. So I've been carrying it around with me for weeks now. I can't just keep it from you not after the nice thing you shared with me.”
	“Oh Bardak you don't have to feel bad about that. You're a trustworthy bear and the fact that you can keep things secret is remarkable. But I would be lying if I said I wasn't the tiniest bit curious about what you know.” Thoran shifted a little closer on the ground keep a foot rested on his fishing pole.
	Bardak nodded slowly and swallowed loudly. “Alright I'll tell you, but you have to keep it a secret if someone else hears this. Then my father will know that I was the one who told you.”
	“I swear on my adulthood that I will not tell anyone about this.” Thoran rested his hand on Bardak's knee. “I promise.”
	Bardak took another deep breath and sighed. “Alright, it happened a few weeks ago...”

Chapter Nine
A Learning Experiences.

	It had been a long journey to the valley and back. Ursula's legs ached and her feet were swollen. Kailen had already found a spot to sit down against a tree. It was clean on his face that he was exhausted. Up until a few months ago she'd never met a human before. She'd made it her duty to study the peculiar creature. There were so many things about him that made him a marvel, and so many thing about him that made him weaker. It was an incredible balance of the two.
	Kailen's eyes were slipping closed as he reached back to rub his neck. Even in her tired state she couldn't help but watch him, want to learn more. Poor thing was exhausted was the thought that came to Ursula's mind. Kaiden gritted his teeth as he rubbed his shoulders surprised at the pain that ensued after squeezing the muscle.
	“Are you alright?” Ursula asked, her voice a whisper against the rushing of leaves above them.
	“Uhm...yeah I think so. I just hurt all over. I don't think I've ever down that much work before in my life.” Even through the pain he still managed to work up a smile.
	“Oh I'm sorry my dear, maybe there is something I can do for you.” Ursula shifted her weight on to one foot on hand idly scratching the underside of her pudgy belly.
	Kailen lay his head back against the tree and sighed out. “Any help you could give would be greatly appreciated.
	“Alright then. I will take you somewhere special that will help you.” As Ursula said it her tone got a little more quiet and more nervous.
	“Does it involve more walking?” Kailen asked his eyes slipping open just a crack.
	“Yes it does. Trust me though it will be more than worth it.” Ursula beckoned Kailen to follow with a flick of her head before turning and sauntering on into the woods.
	Kailen grunted, rolling to get on his hands and knees before pushing himself to his feet. It took him some time to get back into the swing of walking, but he managed to catch up with Ursula. Kailen glanced up at Ursula still amazed that she was taller than he was. Ursula was on of the shorter cub wives and still taller than he was. It was an intimidating place to be. Kailen continued his study in silence as he shuffled on. The pink iris' of her eyes were engaging and calm. It was mellowing just to watch her. 
	They pair had remained quiet for a span of time. Ursula keeping her mind on where she was going. Kailen watching and taking in all that made Ursula unique. Finally as they stepped through the trees Ursula came to a stop and looked at the human.
	“First of all Kailen you must understand something.” Her voice was stern, but her eyes still held that soft look.
	Kailen cheeks flushed red as he straightened up. “I'm apologize. I didn't know that you'd noticed me studying you. I swear it was strictly for record purposes.”
	Ursula smiled broadly and giggled. “I hadn't even noticed you studying me silly. What I had to speak to you about involved where we are going.” Ursula tucked her hands behind her back.
	“So this isn't about me staring at you then. Hmm I will do a better job no confessing to things before the correct time arises.” Kailen stammered to gather any composure that he could.
	“You're a strange being.” Ursula put her hands on her hips. “But before we get  too far off topic again.”
	“This place that I'm taking you is a sacred place for my people. Not all in the village has even gone there. Some never go there in their lifetime. I am asking of you two things. One, you must never tell anyone that you've gone there EVER. Two, you are not allow to document it whatsoever! If either of these rules are broken it could mean death to you, and to me.” Ursula rested her hands on his shoulders gripping them firmly.
	For the first time since Kailen had met her, Ursula had a worried look in her eyes. One that bordered a look of betrayal. Kailen's heart sunk in his chest a little. It took a moment for all the word to sink in, but when they did he nodded slowly.
	“I  would never want you to come to harm. You have my word that I won't write nor tell anyone about this.” Kailen pursed his lips feeling guilty even though he did nothing wrong.
	“Good, thank you so much Kailen.” Ursula released his shoulders letting one hand slip down to take his.
	Ursula smiled at him affectionately before turning and walking on through the bushes. Her thoughts were now running wild with admiration for the small creature. He may not be a strong man. He may not be the most wise of men. But one thing that he was, was an honest man. It was clear to see in his eyes. A comforting feeling to find honesty in such a peaceful place. Kailen couldn't help but smile himself. Ursula was holding his hand. It may be nothing in this village, but in the Kingdom that he came from it symbolized something when a woman would willing hold a man's hand.
	It also amazed him how her hand dwarfed his in size and girth. Ursula's hand pads were softer than they appeared and much warmer than he could imagine. Kailen was brought out of his thinking abruptly with a slap on the face from a branch. When he finished rubbing his cheek, he opened his eyes to find that they stood in front of the mouth of a cave.
	“Follow closely and walk in my foot steps. There is no light in their until we get to the heart of the cave. It's one of the safety precautions we take.” Ursula stepped into the darkness with Kailen close in tow.
	Kailen was so close to Ursula that he could smell the thick scent of her fur. It was a natural and smoky scent. His fingers slid up her back grabbing handfuls of her fur to keep from losing her in the darkness. It was claustrophobic in the darkness almost as if it was closing in on him. His heart started racing and his breathing quickened. A fear came sweeping in threatening him to flee. Ursula stopped suddenly. Kailen face hit her back solidly and he felt comfort in that. They'd stopped and the darkness seemed to recede.
	“Stay right here and don't move.” Ursula whispered as she stepped away a few steps.
	“Alright, don't be gone long please.” The tone of fear was heavy in his voice as it echoed throughout the cave.
	Even though he was still in the dark Kailen started to calm down. It must have been something else that caused his fear. Perhaps a Shaman ward of protection. Or maybe a hex cast on those of ill will. Was he one of ill will?
	Ursula seemed to have been gone for a long time. The blood in Kailen's body had finally stopped bubbling, he was able to study the cave. Or study it in the best way he could in the dark. Kailen had been in caves before but none quite like this. This cave appeared to be built into the recesses of a steep mountain side. It was oddly warm in the cave. All around him he could hear drips of water from the ceiling.
	Normally he would picked up on the smell of mushrooms and earth but there seemed to lack any of that. There was an odd smell, a relaxing smell. One of dried herbs and berries almost like a tea steeping in hot water. A loud clack of wood behind him caused him to jump, his heart racing in his chest.
	“Who's there?” Kailen whispered softly his hands clutching his shirt to his chest.
	Another clack of wood and the sound of liquid being dumped came from behind him. “It's just me Human. You should relax the darkness is your friend.”
	A new smell was added to the aroma around him. This one was foul smelling much like that of the oil cauldrons along the parapets at the castle. Could it be oil? He thought. There was a sound of two stones being struck together coming from the same direction. “The darkness is my friend? What is the logic behind that?” Kailen snapped his voice echoing around him.
	“Because if I were a hunter and you were my prey you'd be dead.” Her breath was warm on the back of his neck.
	Kaiden jumped and turned around. Had she been behind him the entire time. The echos did an incredible job hiding her location from him. A shutter pushed its way down his spine as he hugged himself. She was right the darkness my be a valuable ally, but to what avail he was so cowardly he would find some other way to alert predators to his presences.
	Ursula vanished again into the darkness and the sounds of stones being struck together filled the cave once more. The clacks caused and interesting rhythm with the dripping of the water and thump of his heartbeat in his ears. Had anyone ever documented such a strange symphony of sounds together. Would they know how to convey them. Kailen was starting to lose himself in his whimsical thoughts again.
	Suddenly his eyes were drawn to something. There was a spark in the darkness. The sparks fell into what could only be described as a mass. The mass started to burn with a hot yellow light. It was indeed oil she'd used. The light was nearly blinding from being in the darkness for so long. It took some time for Kailen's eyes to adjust to the light again.
	When he did he saw that he was in a chamber. He had been standing on the edge of a pool of water the whole time. Steam was rising from it along with the calming smell he'd smelt before. Above the pool was a flat stretch of rock lined with animal pelts. In the center of the plateau was a fire pit which now contained a fire. Ursula was knelt on the small plateau stoking the fire, making sure it had a good burn going. She rested the iron rod into the fire before crawling away. Kailen watched as she retrieved a small clay jar from a niche chiseled into the rock wall. She opened the lid and in a graceful turn she threw out a handful of dried flowers and herbs into the water.
	“There we will let the herbs steep while we take our coverings off.” Ursula said softly, her voice still echoing so he could hear her.
	“Our coverings. I didn't think I was going to be naked for this.” Kailen said nervously.
	“You're going to be bathing in a healing spring. Did you think you're going to do it in your clothing.” Ursula chided playfully as she reached back behind her neck untying the leather twine that held her top up.
	“Well It didn't quite dawn on me. I'm just a little nervous that's all.” Kailen said resting his fingers on the neck of his shirt.
	“Oh posh, It's not like I haven't seen you naked before. Your first few days in the village I was the one who fed you and treated your wounds.” Ursula let her top fold down as she turned her back to him.
	Kailen pulled his shirt over his head tossing it onto the plateau. “True. Well then why do you avert yourself from my gaze.”
	“Because.” Was all Ursula would say as she untied the wrap at her waist pulling it free.
	“I see.” Kailen stepped out of his boot a shiver running up his spine from the cold floor.
	“Kailen if I tell you something, you can't say anything to anyone, agreed?” Ursula whispered pushing her makeshift dress down around her ankles stepping out of it.
	“Sure, you can tell me anything. I won't tell a soul.” Kailen said pulling his trousers off tossing it into his already made pile.
	“I am different than all the other bears females in my village. My fur is different. I'm smaller than they are. My eyes are different. So I never really feel like I fit in. I never really feel like I'm as attractive as they are. There are no males in the village that have even shown an interest in me. I just wonder what's wrong with me.” Her voice was sad and even though her back was turned to him, he could imagine her sad face.
	Kailen stood there for a long moment not saying anything. It wasn't that he didn't want to say anything. It's that he didn't know what to say. It was something that he'd dealt with his whole life, but he still didn't know what to say. Still he said nothing as he watched Ursula slip into the water leaning against the wall of the pool her back was still turned away from him.
	Kailen followed suit stepping down into the pool. The water only when up to his belly button. It had looked deeper. The water was warm, warmer than any water he'd ever bathed it. The steam rose up casting the sweet scent of the herbs all around him invading him. It was like magic his muscles already started to relax. Slowly he knelt down in the water keeping his back to Ursula.
	He moaned softly at the feeling of the water all round him. There was a long sigh followed by a soft moan of approval. Ursula must be feeling the same exact euphoria he was. His thoughts when back to what she'd said about herself. She may have appeared odd to the rest of the bears in the village, but to him she was a marvel. Something to admire, he'd never seen a bear until he came to reside with them. And it was a stroke of luck that the most unique of them would choose him as a friend. There was a long pause and the only sound that filled the cavern was the dripping of and the roar of the fire. Something stirred inside of him. He had a sudden urge to tell her what he was thinking.
	“Ursula.” Kailen whispered softly, his voice was trembling and nervous. “I'm going to turn around, I have something I want to talk to you about.”
	“Okay, if you must.” Ursula whispered softly she turned her head to look at the fire.
	“You're not less attractive to the other bears. You're not unattractive to me. In fact I think you're beautiful. The way your fur color is makes you stand out, it makes it easier to find you in a crowd of your friends and family. I think your eyes are beautiful and calm, they make me was to relax. I envy that about you. The are several reasons you don't have male callers.” Kailen blurted out through a stammering voice. “One, you're the daughter of the Chief and the Shaman. That means you have prestige and not to be romanced by just anyone. Two, you're a unique gem in a pile of rocks everyone is too nervous to approach you. I feel you have more admirers than you may know. I know that at least half a dozen times since we met I wished I could be one of your kind so that I may try to woo you.”
	“You don't have to be one of my kind to woo me. I think you're a marvelous person. For every flaw you have I see it gives you strength. I enjoy spending time with you. That's one of main reasons I invited you here. I didn't want to be alone and more importanly I wanted to spend more time with you.” Her words were strong an confident, it was clear she'd thought about these words for a good long time before she spoke them.
	“Thank you for saying so.” Kailen's knees shuttered under the water, if he'd been standing he would have fallen.
	“No, thank you for saying such wonderful thing to me.” Ursula moved closer running her fingers lightly up his arms.
	Her eyes slipped closed at the feeling of his wet flesh under her hand pads. It was a remarkable feeling of how soft it was, how more vulnerable it became when it was wet. Kailen parted his lips to speak, but was hushed by the feel of her strong hands moving up over his shoulders and along his back in a loving motion. Kailen closed his eyes and breathed in deeply.
	“Your skin is so soft. I want to feel ever inch of it.” By the tone in her words it sounded as if she were going to say that in her head, but it came out loud.
	Kailen reached up resting his hands on her shoulders petting her soft mane. Her fingers pushed slowly around his sides and along his underarms feeling the soft patches of hair at his armpits. Everything was soft on him. Her finger pads moved over his chest, along his nipples and then down his belly as if he were a pet that need a good petting.
	As Ursula's had pushed under the water feeling soft curls of hair at his lap she stopped and gasped. Kailen gasped mimicked hers. Their eyes locked both faces were relaxed and full of pleasure. Her fingers were wrapped around his hardened length. Moderate in size as compared with others of his species, it was small in her hand. Her hand pads were warm and soft against his fragile flesh.
	Through stories told by the other females in the village, she'd learned what it meant when a male was in that condition. Her eyes panned down looking over his body. His face was on fire. If it had been brighter in the cave his blushing cheeks would have glowed.
	Ursula whispered soft, her voice finally showing a tremble to it. “If you were of my kind, would you mate with me.”
	Kailen's head was spinning he did everything he could to regain composure and whisper back. “I don't have to be one of your kind to mate with you.”
	Ursula closed her eyes feeling her own blush coming forth. Kailen lowered on of his hands from her mane and lifted her face up. He pressed his lips tenderly against her in a clumsy kiss. Ursula's eyes went wide as she grip grew tighter around his length. The feeling caused him to moan against her lips, but he didn't pull away from the kiss. Ursula parted her lips a little and let her tongue slip free. Kailen lightly licked the tip of her tongue, before taking it into his mouth suckling upon it. Both were trembling and enjoying the intimate moment.
	Slowly she leaned close running her tongue along his neck. Kailen felt a little awkward about it but didn't pull away. Ursula pulled him closer, letter her tongue moved around his neck then up to his ear giving it a gentle lick. Down she licked to his collar bone and along his chest a heavy moan thick in her throat. Quickly she pulled away and looked into his eyes.
	“Your skin is so soft.” Her breath was warm and sweet on his face.
	There were feeling inside of Ursula that she'd never felt before. Not only was she infatuated with the human and wanted to be with him. There was another feeling one of desire and instinctual need. She burned inside for him. Ursula slowly released Kailen's length slowly stepping away from the kiss. Kailen watched her step away from him. She pulled herself out of the water and crawled along the fur covered plateau flopping down on her side.
	“Come join me Kailen.” Ursula patted the pelts next to her.
	Kailen nodded slowly following suit. Once on the plateau he sat with his legs crossed looking at her. She offered him a smile and rolled over onto her back. The firelight danced across her naked form. Her white fur seemed to glow in the firelight.  
	Kailen swallowed hard as he moved closer to her. His eyes tracing along the curves of her ample breasts. Each shadow framed her breasts nicely. Poking through the fur of her breasts were dark skinned nipples. Pointed and hard from the cold room. He'd never seen nipples this closely before. They called to him, beckoning for him to touch them. Ursula's red eyes studied his face in the glow of the firelight. She could almost read his thoughts.
	“You can touch them if you want.” Her voice was a soft in the cavern, he was so close to her he could feel her warm breath on his skin.
	Kaiden nodded and rested a hand on her rounded belly. Even though it was wet from the water it was still warm to the touch. He rubbed his fingers along the underside of her belly and then up. slowly moved his fingers along her belly petting and caressing the wet fur. Ursula let out a soft moan at the gentle petting, her eyes watching him.
	His fingers moved slowly upward cupping lightly at the underside of one of her breasts giving it a gentle squeeze. Feeling how firm it was and tight against the fur. It was heavy and warm. The fur was softer along her chest. Slowly he leaned close resting his head against her breast using it as a pillow while he caressed gently along the other. His fingers playing slowly along the flesh that stuck out from the fur. Each flick of one of his fingers cased Ursula to jolt from the tingle running through  her. 
	Lovingly he rubbed his cheek against her breast that he used as a pillow feeling the flesh from the harder nipple tickling his face. He shifted his head slowly rubbing her nipple slowly between his lips. He didn't know what he was doing, only knew that it felt natural. He parted his lips running his tongue along her areola. Ursula let out a soft gasp reaching up to grip his back. His tongue lightly flicked along the hardened nipple before closely his lips around it suckling on it like a babe would his mother. Her flesh tasted a bit salty but not unpleasant.
	She shifted under him her breathing had quickened. Her heart was beating so hard he could feel it through the tender flesh of her nipples. He wrapped his hands around either side of her breast holding it in place while he suckled on her. Each of her breast were larger than both his hands put together. It made them all the more inviting.
	Kailen pushed both her breasts together moving over to give the other nipple that same gently attention he showed the first. She'd played games with herself in the past, touching can caressing herself. Every Den mother showed the cub wives how to do it. It was something they did for self enjoyment when the males were too busy. But now she was experiencing the same feeling with someone else. Was it natural. Ursula had never experienced this kind of attention from anyone else before, she didn't know what to do. There was a deep tingle between her legs. The tingle was so intense that she felt at any moment she was going to scream. Each time his tongue passed over her tender nipple it made the feeling all the more intense. She shifted away her nipple making a popping sound as her nipple came free from his mouth.
	Ursula spread her legs for him to see. “Usually I'm the only one who can make myself feel this way.”
	“What do you mean?” Kailen licked his saliva from his lips.
	“See for yourself.” She traced a hand around her belly placing a finger on either side of her warmth. 
	Kailen had almost not noticed the tender slit amidst the curly cream colored fur between her legs. His eyes widened as he leaned close his cheek resting on the inside of one of her thighs. Her outer lips were  the same dark color as her nipples. They glistened in the firelight from her own juices dripping out. There was a thick smell it brought something from deep inside of him out. A need a desire. Was he going crazy.
	Kailen ran his fingers softly along her soft, slick lips feeling the heat radiating off of them. Ursula closed his eyes and rolled her head back letting out a deep sigh of contentment. His fingers played around with her thick swollen lips wanting to experience every inch of her. His hands were small which gave him more abilities to move in and caress her more delicate parts. Ursula shifted her head to the side and panted heavily her hips pushing forward at his touch. As she thrust forward his fingers caressed around a hole slick and dripping. He moved his fingers around the hole slowly. Pulling them out and then back in again.
	Ursula's hips started making a thrusting motion. Humping back at his hand as he fingered her. Kailen pulled his fingers out of her and moved along her soft folds again. During one of her thrusts he'd accidentally caressed along a large bump. Ursula did her best to keep quiet during the probing. Panting and breathing heavy with the occasional moan. As soon as his fingers touch the large bump she'd let out a loud pleasurable yelp. 
	Her sounds excited him more making his flick the large bulb more and more. 
Her body convulsed under each flick. There was a soft growl escaping her lips as she snatched up off her back pinning Kailen under her.
	Ursula gritted her teeth for him, showing him that she had strength and power. Her breath was hot in his face as she panted heavily. Kailen lay flat on his back weakly under her large form. What had caused her to become so aggressive. There was a look of fear in his eyes. The smell of fear radiating off of him. In the back of her mind she told herself to stop, but something deep inside of her loins pushed her onward.
	Ursula straddled him reaching down between her body and his gripping his still hardened length rubbing it slowly through her folds coating it with her slick juices. Kailen closed his eyes and let out a soft moan as he could feel the heat from her sex tingle all the way through him. His head slipped easily into her as she sat down on her heels not wanting to crush him.
	The feeling of his penis being enclosed in her vast opening caused his body to shutter. Even though he wasn't long or girthy it felt good to have him inside of her. Ursula rolled her head back at the feeling of him shuttering the feeling cause her to rock her hips a little. Kailen gripped her thighs sharply almost threatening to pull her fur out. Suddenly she could feel a huge surge through her. Heavy rushes of his seed mingled with her juices. Kailen let a heavy whimper.
	Ursula  could sense is uneasiness and embarrassment about having finished so quickly. Her aggression quickly subsided. Lightly she caressed his hair and kissed his forehead.
	Ursula smiled down at him playfully. “I guess you enjoyed it?”
	Kailen said nervously as he nodded. “Yeah, sorry about that. This is my first time ever doing anything like this.”
	“That's alright. Shh.” Ursula kissed his cheek softly. “Den mothers tell us that this happens a lot with males when it's there first time.”
	Ursula slowly crawled off of him grinning evilly as she let his fluids drip out onto his chest and belly. Kailen smiled and looked down at the slick mass all over him. Before looking over at her. She was still on all fours presenting herself to him in a classic mating position. She was peering at him from over her shoulder.
	“Are you up for another romp. Earlier you said you would mate me. I would like that.” Her smile was bright and affectionate causing her face to almost glow.
	“I would like that.” Kailen whispered as he rolled over onto his belly doing a push up onto his hands and knees.
	Slowly he crawled over to her running his hands gently along her large round butt cheeks. The fur was still wet and dripping, but he could feel the heat radiating through it. He pressed his lap against her blushing because he wasn't tall enough on his knees to get inside of her. She blushed at the feeling of his still hard length poking lightly at her underbelly. She spread her legs further lowing her slit down and closer to his length. Again he could feel her heat radiating against him. Still slick for his juices mixed with her he pressed himself to her. He sunk in easy added a little pressure with each thrust. He pushed he large cheeks apart so he could get a little deeper. He playfully caressed along her small stubby tail, gripping it and using it as a handle. His length was so sensitive that it almost hurt to be inside of her. But he felt he owed it to her for sharing such an intimate moment with him.
	Ursula quivered gently at the feeling of his thrusts. Even if he wasn't very long he seemed to hit all the parts that mattered. She parted her lips and let out a pleasurable squeak. She pressed her chest against the floor resting her chin on the crook of one of her arms. Her free hand slipped down along her body up between her legs. Kailen thrust into her doing his best to keep a rhythm even though he was tired. The vibrations of his thrusts pushed a sleek mixture of their juices to pool in her folds.
	Ursula reached up and rubbed along her thick lips petting them, trying to match Kailen's rhythm. Her fingers pushed up between the lips coating in their juices. Kailen started thrusting harder as he could feel a heat swelling in his loins. Lightly she flicked and caressed her hardened bulb, the feeling started the waves rushing through her again. Each time Kailen piqued in her the wave swelled. Her fingers pinched and flicked the large clitoris, her own hips starting to rock. She pressed her palm pad against the bulb rolling it hard. Her middle finger could feel her hole and more so Kailen's length sinking in and coming out. His tight sac lightly patted the back of her hand. It painted a beautiful picture in her head. Her loins were aching now.
	Ursula rolled her head around letting out soft pants and moans, her eyes growing tighter as her time had come. She held it for as long as she could before waiting for the next wave. Kailen let out a desperate moan and grabbed the fur on her butt cheeks pulling hard. Little sprays of his seed filled her again that was enough to push the wave over the limit. A soft huffing moan escaped Ursula's lips and continued in deep pants each topped with a high pitched squeak. A little flow of her juices squirted out covering Kailen's lap and thighs. His eyes went wide as he could feel it, the squirts came in time with his thrust.
	Kailen lay out across Ursula's broad back rubbing his face against the soft fur at her lower back. Ursula licked her lips and breathed out tiredly. Kailen pushed his fingers up through the fur on her back gripping it and clinging to it. The feeling made her smile.
	“Kailen, are you tired. Would you like to sleep with me?” Her voice was loving and tender.
	“Yes please.” He muttered into her back fur.
	Ursula crawled forward making sure that Kailen was going to support his weight. A tremble pushed through her as she could feeling his softening length slip free. A river of their juices dripped free and soaked into her thigh fur.
	“I may need to visit the healing springs after out nap.” Ursula giggled and crawled over to a pile of pelts leaning against them.
	Kailen smiled as weakly crawled over to her pushing his way between her legs and leaning against her chest and belly. Pushing his face between her breasts his arms rested against her belly. He could hear her heart beating quickly in her chest, he could smell her soft scent, feel her warm embracing him. All of it soothed him. Ursula blushed softly engulfing him in her arms, nuzzling the top of his head. A smile pushed its way to her face as she closed her eyes. He was so frail and precious to her.
	Before she could stop herself she whispered. “I love you Kailen.”
	Ursula eyes opened startled by the sound of her own voice revealing what her heart knew. She waited a long moment for him to reply, but he'd already fallen asleep. She was relieved that he hadn't heard, but at the same time disappointed. Would he love her as much as she loved him or was this just a passing moment. Kailen moaned gently and pushed his face deeper between her breasts. He whispered her name softly and slipped back into a deep sleep.
	The sound of him whispering her voice caused her tremble. Tears welled up in her eyes as she hugged him a little tighter. He'd let her know exactly what she needed to know. Ursula closed her eyes tightly and pressed her lips tightly to the top of his head. Sometime passed and sleep caressed at Ursula's mind. Thoughts of him and her and what they did together played through her mind pulling her into a dream. 

Chapter Ten
A Turn of the Page.

	The sun had now passing into the early midday. Thoran and Bardak had lay there poles down on the ground so they could share a bite to eat. There was nothing better for lunch then fresh bread and vegetable broth. Not only was it delicious, but it never induced a lazy feeling a large meal would cause. There was more to celebrate between the two bears. Ten fish now lie in the carrying crate, not just normal sized fish either, but large healthy looking ones.
	Both bears had also indulged each other in a story of a naughtier nature, but it was all for the best for their friendship. The pause to eat was also helpful in quelling the conditions the stories had caused between the two. Bardak soaked the last of his bread in the broth resting it onto his tongue before chewing it. The feeling of the cool salty broth sponge out onto his tongue was as tasty as the first time he'd done it for lunch.
	He leaned back on one of his hands watching as Thoran down at the riverside washing out his wooden cup in the stream. Thoran swung the cup wildly trying to get the water out of it before walking back to Bardak dropping the cup onto the moss so it would dry in the sun.
	Thoran rubbed his tummy enjoying the feel of having food in his belly for the first time today. “That was a great story Bardak. I always knew something was up with Ursula other than her peculiar looks. I never would have guess her as a flesh lover.” Thoran took a few steps away to a tree.”  
	“I have to admit I was a little shocked when my dad told me about it too.” Bardak looked over to where Thoran was standing.
	Much to his surprise he saw Thoran holding his still slightly erect penis a thin trickle of urine starting to rain down upon the trunk of the tree. The flesh was a warm pink color is glistened from the natural lubrication offered by his sheath. Bardak had seen it several times with his own penis. It wasn't the first time he'd caught Thoran peeing on something, this was however the first time he'd ever seen Thoran with an erect penis or anyone else for that matter. Bardak felt a tingle of excitement run through him. His story had been good enough to arouse Thoran. Since Thoran was always the first in everything and by all rights a better and more rounded bear than he. It was exciting to think that Bardak could have gotten a one up on his friend.
	“Don't stare at it too hard my friend or you may go blind from it's glory.” Thoran teased as he'd noticed that Bardak was looking.
	“I've just never seen anyone's other than mine.” Bardak looked a little indignant  about the whole situation.
	Bardak flushed brightly under his fur as he turned his attention to his fishing rod starting to set it up with another bug. Their supply of bugs were running thin. Only three more left so they would have to make them count. Thoran whipped the tip of his penis with his loin cloth and padded back over to where Bardak was seated.
	“Don't be embarrassed Bardak. There is nothing wrong with being curious about that thing. If you wanted to see it just ask and I'll show it to you. The same goes for me if I want to see yours I'll ask.” Thoran gave him a reassuring smile before tending to his own fishing rod.
	“Thank you for understanding. My parents may be good teachers they just never talk about this sort of thing with me and who wants to ask these questions of their parents.” Bardak flicked his wrist and send the hook flying into the water.
	Thoran noticed that they were running out of bugs as he retrieved the second to the last one. “I know what you mean. I would never bring these questions up to my parents. I would be way too embarrassed.”
	“I know how you feel. By the way we only have a few bugs left. We're almost done with our fishing trip.” Bardak said with a mock happiness in his voice.
	“By a few you mean one. There is only one more bug. I insist you take it. You've been catching some whoppers today.” Thoran flicked his wrist and sent his line into the river away from Bardak's hook so they didn't get them tangled again as they did earlier.
	“This fishing trip has been so wonderful. I don't want it to end.” Bardak's sadness could be heard in is voice.
	Thoran leaned against his friend and sighed. “Don't be sad Bardak we should do what we can to enjoy the rest of our trip. Besides I'm sure this won't be the last trip up here we have together. When we become adults we can come up here whenever we want.”
	“That is true.” Bardak smiled softly. “I want another story. Do you think you can think of one?”
	“I'm sure I can come up with something. Give me a second to think.” Thoran said leaning back against the tree closing his eyes.
	All at once his mouth and his eyes popped open as if he'd had a revelation. “Did you ever hear about how Ursula was created?”
	“No! I don't think I have. Where did you hear that from?” Bardak's face was a blank sheet of surprise.
	“From Maestra herself. One day I was in her hut with her and she was trying my different combination of herb mixtures to spoke. We started talking about Ursula and how she was going to make a good Shaman when her time come. So I asked how she came to look the way she did.” Thoran retrieved his pipe from his shoulder satchel yet again.
	“And what did she say?” Bardak's voice was impatient to learn more.
	Thoran took a wad of dried herbs and packed it into the bowl of his pipe. “It was an interesting night to be sure...”

Chapter Eleven
The Perfect Components

	Many legends that dwell in the bear's history is that of the High Moon Phase. The time usually comes at the end of the summer months. It's the time when a Shaman must conceive a daughter to take over for her when she's passed on or grown too old to do her duty. A Shaman will only encounter a High Moon Phase twice in a lifetime. If she's missed her chance to bare a child she is too be exiled until the day she can bring back another bear who is fit to take her place. In this village in the past seven generations no female had ever missed a chance to conceive a child. Maestra was determined to be no different.
	Taluke leaned against the tree, a grim expression was painted across his face. His dark eyes followed Maestra back and forth while she paced, doing his best to make sense of what she was speaking of. Maestra had just blossomed from her cub wife state, taking Taluke as her mate. Taluke was the forerunner to become the Chieftain of the village and Maestra had already become Shaman after the untimely death of her mother. With High Moon Phase started at moon up. She knew there was a lot of pressure on her to conceive the perfect child. She'd spent weeks coming up with a plan to conceive a child. The only problem was convincing her husband that it was necessary.
	“...This is very important to us. Not just us, but our people too. Taluke you know I wouldn't ask anything so unreasonable unless I had no other choice. At least consider it.” Maestra looked up at Taluke with deep pleading eyes.
	Taluke rolled his eyes and turned his back to her. “Fine! I will take part in this. But know this, what is about to happen is to remain a secret. I will enforce that all the others know this as well.”
	Maestra lightly kissed along Taluke's back. “Thank you my husband for understanding my needs and putting yourself second.”
	“I just want you to succeed as the Shaman. Your mother would have been so proud of you.” Taluke said quietly as he fished his pipe out of his hip satchel.
	“That was a sweet thing to say. Please gather everyone and have them meet me at Vision Hall.” Maestra rubbed down his wide back in a petting fashion.
	“As you wish.” Taluke shoved some dried flowers and herbs into his pipe before sauntering off.
	Maestra looked out across the sky seeing the sun tempting to touch the horizon, throwing out warm autumn colors across the clouds in the sky. There wasn't much time to get ready, she turned and walked towards the Vision House. She had an urgent feeling inside of her telling her that she needed to move faster, narcissist in her wanted to play it cool and not appear to be frazzled by the others in the village.
	It took her no time to reach the Vision Hut. It was such a common looking hut among the others, but it was also the oldest hut in the village. The Vision Hut was the house of the Shaman. It was where she conducted her daily duties. Many would go there wanting to speak to their ancestors and ask for guidance. But there were other duties performed there. Anything from blessing pregnant bear wives, to tending to children with a naughty streak in them. It was also a place of worship and relaxation. If a bear was weary from a hard day at work they would to the Vision Hut to rest.
	As Maestra slipped in through the leather flap at the front door, her nose was greeted with warm scents all around her. The smell of incense and dried herbs. On the outside the hut appeared to be small, but the inside was expansive. In the corner of the hut across from the door lay piles of pelts used as blankets. Next to that was a large pillow set upon the floor. The pillow had been a gift from a traveler who stayed in their village. In the center of the room sat a beautiful glass and gold hookah that the traveler had been gracious enough to sell to the Village along with some more pillows. Along the other wall was her private chamber. When she needed to be away from all, she would go into her chamber.
	“Shaman, it's good to see you. Is everything well I hope?” Hanna whispered giving a polite bow.
	Hanna was a lovely bear indeed. Thinner than most of the other female bears in the village. Polite and kind to all. Her only task was to serve the Shaman in whatever ways she could. Her fur was a smokey brown color and was soft and inviting for hugs. Her eyes were ice blue a gift she'd gotten from her grandmother from the north. Her more broad round face always held a smile. Any Male would have been lucky to have her as a wife. Although Hanna had missed her chance to woo a husband the first time around. Many males thought she would make an unfit wife being as she had a gimped leg. That's actually how she came to work for the Shaman. Maestra had thought it was awful that no one would take her.
	“It is time to prepare for High Moon Phase.” Maestra stated as she padded over to her private chambers.
	“Absolutely Shaman. I took the liberty of filling your wash tub with warm water. I even placed some fireplace stones in it, to keep it hot.” Hanna limped behind her.
	“I knew I could depend on you Hanna.” Maestra pulled the flap back to her chamber and stepped in.
	Hanna halted at the door and waited patiently as she always did and as always Maestra would smile and beckon her in with a nod. “Did you happen to gather the things I ask you to.”
	“Yes. I took the liberty of mixing the ink myself. My mother taught me how when I was a cub. As for the other item. Kealer said a little goes a long way and too much might cause some side effects.” Hanna sat down a small clay pot and a leather pouch on a small table next to the tub.
	“Again, what would I ever do without you?” Maestra asked rhetorically looking down at the water.
	Hanna took a sharp breath as she walked over to the fire place built into the other wall and grabbed the steel clasps. Quickly she pulled the two piping hot fireplace rocks and dropped them into the dirt next to the tub. Maestra smiled softly and nodded graciously before climbing into the tub. Hanna walked over to the table where she'd set down the pot and the pouch grabbing a decorative looking flask. It's contents were something rare and very valuable to an otherwise uncivilized race as the bears were refereed too. It came from across the sea, another gift from the traveler of the sands. It contained a pheromone induced oil, that smelled sweet and enticing. Now the flash was nearly empty.
	Hanna pour a tiny bit of the liquid into the tub before swirling the water around with her hand. The air filled with a spicy sweet scent. Made the heartbeat speed up. Maestra slowly lowered herself into the water feeling it rush through her fur to soak her skin. The oil causing a soft burn to to her skin. Hanna retrieved a small clay cup from the table and dipped it into the water pouring it slowly over Maestra's shoulders.
	Maestra closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, the burning tingle relaxed her body coating it in the spicy sweet scent. Hanna placed the clay cup on the floor next to her and started rubbing the water into Maestra's fur. Her soft finger pads worked out any tension she found. Maestra rested her arms on either side of the wash tub keeping her breathing mellow and rhythmic. Hanna passed her fingers up along Maestra's shoulders working through her coarse gray fur helping to soak the water into her.
	Hanna slowly moved her hands around gripping and caressing Maestra's ample breasts soaking them and squeezing them. A soft moan escaped her Shaman's lips but she didn't move. Her fingers moved under the water and around Maestra's belly petting he moving. Lower she traveled up around her masters large toned thighs and calves. Finally the part that needed the most attention on this night. Hanna slipped her arm deeper into the tub caressing along Maestra's slit. A blush ran all through Hanna. Her Shaman was already wet. Her lips were thick and puffy as if she were ready to be mated right then and there. A smile crept to Maestra's lips.
	“What can I say, you have very magic fingers.” There was a soft giggle in Maestra's voice.
	“Yes my Shaman.” Hanna smiled as it was clear she was doing her job well.
	After the scrubbing Hanna turned her attention to the preparation area letting her master soak for a little longer. She had lined the corner of the room with pelts. A single stool sat in the middle of the pelts along with a small table. Hanna grabbed the small jar that she'd brought earlier and set it on the table near the stool. Hanna retrieved a makeshift towel holding it open for her. Maestra sighed and begrudgingly pushed herself up out of the tub. Slowly she stepped out onto the pelts on the floor as Hanna wrapped the towel around her doing her best to pat her dry. Hanna's round ears perked back as she heard someone come through the front door.
	“Now my Shaman if you would be so kind as to sit on the stool and do your best to dry off. I'll go see who is here.” Hanna bowed and backed away.
	Hanna passed through the flap to Maestra's private chamber halting as she saw Master Dompa carrying a large curved lute. Behind him were his son Mipa who carried with him a deep drum, and his daughter Sola who carried with her a small wooden flute. Dompa's brother Famba who was carrying three small drums, and finally his wife Reyre who carried another large drum. Hanna was a little taken back by the large group gathering in the doorway.
	Dompa was a soft looking bear. Relaxed and easy going. His heavy lidded green eyes contrasted his dark brown fur. He was large is body size, but short in height stature. His thick mane had been braided in small braids and danced whenever he talked or moved. Famba was definitely Dompa's younger brother. They looked similar in every fashion except Famba's was sleeker and taller in stature. The other large difference was Famba had  never been able to grow out his mane. Mipa and Sola were twins that favored there father's looks over their mother. Mipa was a few years away from being an adult and Sola was a few years until she was going to be able to take a husband. Reyre was definitely the odd one out. She was taller and slender than the rest. Her neck was well defined from the lack of mane. Her eyes were a deep gray color. She bore no marking on her whatsoever.
	“May I help you?” Hanna said polite shifted her weight onto her good leg.
	“Yes, the Shaman asked us to come in and play for tonight's big event. We were all too honored that she would even consider us.” Dompa's deep voice did not match his soft demeanor.
	“Oh yes tonight should be a splendorous  thing. You can set up along the wall over there. Feel free to start warming up, my Shaman and I are just in her private quarters getting ready.” Hanna entwined her hands in front of her.
	“Thank you so much miss.” Reyre bowed politely and started walking to the opposite wall, the rest of the musicians followed behind her.
	Hanna smiled and backed away, before slowly turning and limping back to her master's chambers. Maestra looked up from where she was seated on on the stool as Hanna walked through the flap. Hanna paced forward running her fingers along Maestra's shoulder checking it for dryness. It was still a little damp, but ready to accept the inking.
	“Who was at the door?” Maestra asked in a relaxed tone.
	“It's the band for tonight.” Even before the words left her lips she could hear someone lightly beating a drum and another toning a lute.
	“Excellent. Things are going according the plan.” Maestra sighed softly as relief rushed in.
	“Yes, and now it's time to paint you up for your wonderful night.” Hanna stepped to the table pulling the top off the clay pot.
	Hanna dipped her middle finger into the dark purple liquid. “You're so lucky my Shaman. This is going to be a night to remember.”
	Hanna traced her finger slowly up and around the underside of Maestra's left eye, sweeping it down along her cheek. She returned her fingers to the liquid and painted hash marks up and across her master's muzzle. Then two quick streak above her eye brows. She started a thin line at the corner of one of Maestra's lips and traced across her lips growing thicker along the flesh and then thinner at the other corner.
	“There already starting to look even more beautiful than before.” Hanna coated her fingers once again drawing a straight light from Maestra's right collar body and up along her ample breast making sure to encircle her nipple.
	Maestra flinched gently at the feeling of Hanna's soft finger pads on her already sensitive nipple. Hanna continued the line all the way down to her hip, before doing the same on the other side. Before adding small leaf like shapes up the two lines. Hanna knelt down in front of her Master and placed hash marks down all the way down each leg and then around her ankles.
	“Please forgive me my Shaman. I would be lying if I said I wasn't a bit envious of you.” Hanna whispered as she painted an arrow head right above Maestra's swollen slit and drawing a thick line up to her belly button encircling it.
	Maestra reached out and lightly caressed Hanna's face. “You don't have to ask my forgiveness for being honest. That is one of my favorite things about you. Is your honesty.”
	“Thank you miss.” Hanna whispered softly under the pressure of a blush, before pressing a thumb prints on the backs of Maestra's hands before lightly she traced hash-marks up both of her master's arms.
	“Please stand up and turn around.” Hanna said softly backing way so Maestra had enough room to move and shift.
	Maestra stood up and stretched so Hanna could ink her back. Hanna moved behind Maestra drawing circles around her master's shoulder blades. Her mind started to drift. Thinking of her sire mating and becoming pregnant. The envy was growing and threatening to show it's ugly face.
	“It's going to be so wonderful for you to be carrying a baby. A beautiful young you running around the village.” Hanna painted two lines all the way down Maestra's back stopping right above both of her butt cheeks.
	Hanna pours a little of the ink unto her palms before rubbing then together making sure to coat all of her hand pads. She pressed her hands onto both of Maestra's round cheek giving them a long squeeze holding them there until the ink set.
	“It is one of the few things I've always wanted. If I can't have a husband who loves me, than I want to have a child who is perfect. Succeed where my mother failed.” Hanna mused softly as she took her hands away.
	Maestra turned and glared at Hanna. “Silence, child! You are perfect no matter what some blind males may think. There has never been anyone I've let closer to myself than you. That is an honor Hanna. You're special.”
	Hanna's eyes open widely, in her few years of service she'd never angered Maestra so badly before. “I'm sorry miss, I was just talking. I meant no disrespect.”
	Maestra looked deeply into Hanna's eyes for a moment, before placing a soft kiss on her lips coating them with the dark purple ink. “The first kiss this evening belongs to you Hanna, even before my husband. That is what you mean to me. Never forget that.”
	Hanna's eyes welled up with tears as she nodded slowly. “Yes miss, thank you. You're full prepared for tonight's event. I will take my leave to reflect upon your words.”
	“You're staying. We will share this night together. The first kiss was yours.” Maestra's face was unwavering on it's serious sincerity.
	“Yes my Shaman.” Was all Hanna could say.
	
	Another hour passed before Taluke stepped through the flap on the front door. He was greeted with the soft rhythmic music coming from the band. A soft soaring voice singing. It sounded like a river in a dream pulling you along. A small fire burned in the corner painting everything in a warm orange light. The soft sweet and dark scent of cooking herbs from the lit hookah penetrated his nose. His heart started pounding in his chest. The High Moon Phase truly had arrived.
	Through the flap behind him stepped Dire, Kull, and Kodak. The large males all looked around the room. Each of them tried to seem calm but they were all a bit nervous on the inside. Never in the history of the High Moon Phase had other males been invited to join in the ritual. Hanna stepped out through the flap on Maestra's private chambers.
	All the males gaze moved to her. Each taken aback by her appearance. Maestra had taken it upon herself to paint Hanna in the traditional High Moon Phase Ritual. Following behind Hanna was Maestra. Both of them were bright beacons in the dark room. Maestra smiled graciously and beckoned them to sit around the hookah.
	Hanna stepped forward and held her hands up. “Before you sit, all males must remove any clothing that they wearing. In this sacred place clothing is forbidden.”
	There was a strength behind her voice. Something that she hadn't used before. After she'd said her peace she nodded and moved over to sit at the hookah. Maestra walked over and sat down next to Hanna beside the hookah. The males did as they were told. Each of them removed their different clothing before sitting down around the hookah.
	“This is a gift from Kealer for such a magical occasion. Each of you will breath deep and share in the glory that is High Moon Phase.” Hanna said softly her tone was almost like a song.
	Maestra touched the warm metal of the hookah pipe to her lips inhaling deeply. Passing the pipe to Hanna. Who follow suit. The flavor was robust and harsh. A hint of spearmint and spice dwell behind in her mouth. Her lungs burned and sent shocks through her. It was a powerful herb mixture to be sure. It didn't take long for the world to shift. Colors and sounds were all blurring together. The males could feel it too. All of them were taken over by the taste.
	Time seemed to slow down to a stand still. The music thumped through their heads, the mysterious and mystical voice capturing them like a siren. There was the ale that was drank and herb that was smoked. The ritual have fully begun. Maestra took another deep inhale of the herbal smoke. Taluke pressed himself to his wife's front kissing her lips deeply, she kissed back breathing out the thick smoke into his mouth. Maestra shifted and felt the strong arms of Dire wrapping around her from behind kissing and biting at her neck. Her body was hot and ready as she could feel her body being sandwiched between them.
	Kull lay back on the soft pelts with hand resting on top of him on all fours. Hanna tasted the sweet wine on Kull's lips. His tongue probing deeply into her mouth. Kodak was all all fours behind her biting and licking at the back of her tights his muzzle getting closer to her thick and ready lips. The feeling of Kodak's rough tongue pushing into her deeply lashing around her virgin hole. Maestra smiled as she heard and enraptured whine fill the room. She could see out of the corner of her eye Hanna clinging to Kull doing everything she could to hold herself up. Kodak gripped Hanna's hips and pulled her down onto his face.
	Maestra squirmed with excitement as she could feel Taluke's full thickness pressing hard against her stomach as well as Dire's against thickness resting between her butt cheeks. She was sandwiched so tightly between them she could even feel their quickened heartbeats through the tight meat.
	“Not a drop to be wasted.” Maestra said her voice sounded slow and echoed to the deep recesses of their minds. 
	“First me!” Maestra muttered out, signaling that now was the moment. “Hanna don't let the boys get soft.
	Maestra's heavy lidded eyes peered over to her sister in arms. She was already doing her part. Hanna was still resting on her hands and her knees. Kull was on his knees thrusting. Hanna was sitting firmly on Kodak's face. Her maw begin forced down upon Kull's massive length. His thick dark red meat slipping free from her mouth and then back in. Such a giving lass from the look of it, but there was always someone willing to return the favor. Kodak had his tongue pushed fully into her. Drinking of her virgin wine, which she offered in large quantity by how coated his muzzle was. Hanna's eyes were closed and her moans waxed and waned with each thrust he shifted into her mouth. If Maestra didn't know any better she would think that Hanna was smiling.
	Maestra rolled her head around giving Dire a deep and passionate kiss. Her tongue probing his mouth deeply before pulling away. “Lend a hand to the other pretty lass.”
	As her voice left her lips into Dire's mouth, he followed through in a graceful shifted away. Picking up a bottle of mead from the floor. He took a large swig from the decanter looking down at Kodak drinking from her. A smile traced his lips as he uttered drink up. Pouring the cool mead down Hanna's back letting it flow the small of her back, around her tail, between her ample butt cheeks, and along her moist slit. It mingled well with her juices as it filled Kodak's mouth. Kodak simply offered a hand wave of appreciation not wanting to break the flow of his drinking binge. 
	Taluke panted hard shifted against her in gentle thrusts coating her belly in his already thick pre. Maestra shifted down onto her hands and knees posing herself for her husband. Taluke pushed against her, spreading her legs breathing in deep scent. She was so wet, her juices dripped into her thigh fur. 	Maestra reached back between her legs and guided his tip between her thick folds. The tingle moved through him sending him into a monstrous bucking. He sunk into her roughly. Maestra let out a desperate cry as the pain was massive, but deep inside it was a pain she liked. The thrusts came relentlessly. His hips slapping hard against her backside, so hard his sac slapped against her swollen clitoris. His sac was heavy with his seed waiting to be planted.
	Kull fell back against the floor doing his best to hold back the need to finish. The first was reserved for the Shaman was all his mind could mutter as he rested on  his back. Dire lost no time shifting to take his place and Hanna was pleased with that. Kull's thick musk was heavy in her mouth it was time to sample another. Dire's length was much shorter than Kull's, but that mattered little compared  to the girth. Happily she invited into her warm wet maw. Kodak was happy and lazily on his back drinking from her.
	Maestra pushed back against him, her body engulfing his length. The seconds passed and each thrust grew more desperate. Soon she mused between pants and moans. Taluke's eyes opened wide as he gritted his teeth hard. A deep grunt pushed free. Maestra bit her bottom lip as she could feel him flood her. There was so much of it. Taluke slowly pulled out falling forward onto his hands and his knees panting heavily.
	“Taluke share with our guest.” Maestra muttered shifting gently just so she could feel Taluke's seed shifting around in her. “Next.” 
	Taluke nodded slowly and moved slowly over to Hanna who had Dire fully into her muzzle letting her tongue work along the underside of his girth. Kodak could feel Taluke lightly patting his stomach causing him to pull away from his sweet fruit. Hanna let out a disdainful moan at the feeling of Kodak's tongue leaving her. The vibrations of her moan pushed a deeper moan from Dire's lips causing him to thrust a little into her waiting muzzle.
	Kodak slowly crawled away looking down at his hard throbbing length excited for a chance to use it upon one of the lasses. His head was spinning so much from the smoke, the drink, and the juice that he felt he could use it one anyone in the room and  have been satified.
	Taluke lightly pet down Hanna's back leaning close to press his lips to her ear. “I'm going to mate you. This is your first time. I will be as gentle as I can.”
	Hanna trembled at the feel of his warm breath at her ear and the feeling of his soft hand's soothing her back. Maestra felt a growing rush through her as she saw her husband whispering something in Hanna's ear, know that he was about to take her innocence. Any male should feel honored to be Hanna's first. 
	Taluke crawled around her keeping his hand caressing the small of her back. He spit heavily into the palm pad of his other hand before coating his length with his saliva. Wanting to fully coat it.
	Dire knew all too well that it was her first time and slowly pulled his length out of her mouth, caressing along her cheek. “Bite down hard, I've got you.”
	Taluke pressed his tip against her heat. It was soaked in mead, saliva, and juices. Her thick lips were inviting. The same need and desire pushing through him again. Maestra bit her bottom lip wanting to see every second of this precious moment. Her hand slipped out across the pelts gripping Hanna's tightly. The feeling of her master's hand on hers comforted her.
	Taluke took a deep breath and pushed into her sharply. Feeling resistance at first, but the force behind his thrust pushed him home into her. The pain was in fact powerful. Hanna let out a cry through her clenched teeth as she scrambled against it. Tears welled up in her eyes and ran down her cheeks. Maestra held fast to her hand, feeling her pain. Taluke let his length rest in her for a long moment, letting her adjust. He could tell the moment she was ready for more when she shifted her face to take Dire back into her mouth. Taluke offered gentle thrusting, her tight walls squeezed him making it hard to thrust. This would not take long.
	Kull crawled over to Maestra taking up the same position as Taluke. Thanks to Hanna's attention, there was already waves of tingles running through him. He would only last an embarrassingly amount of time. As he fear it was so, he pushed hard into Meastra. So hard that Taluke's juices squirted out onto his lap coating him. Kull did everything he could to hold back doing slow strokes. Maestra loved the new pace. Her sensitive lips made out every contour of his penis. Maestra smiled wickedly as she pushed back against his slow thrusting. At that moment she could feel his hands squeezing hard at her hips. It was impossible to believe, but Kull spilled more seed than Taluke did. So much force behind each squirt Maestra could feel it in her gut. Kull pulled out of her and felt back on the pelts panting heavily.
	“Line up Kull, your gift is needed as well.” Maestra whispered her fingers lightly petting her clitoris using the mix of seed and juices as lubrication. “Next.”
	Dire leaned down and kissed Hanna on the top of the head before pulling out of her mouth. A long string of saliva and pre dripped from her lips as she panted and moaned with each thrust Taluke gave her. Dire looked at Kodak and smiled before moving away to take his place behind his Shaman. Kodak was all too eager to take Dire's place. Hanna looks up at him tiredly as she licked her lips. She'd known what he did for her it made her body heat rise as she thought about it. Time to return the favor. Kodak sat back on his heels watching and feeling Hanna lightly kissing the length adjusting to the musk. It was much softer and more feminine than the two before. Hanna took him in, finding it easy to hilt his smaller length. It was far sweeter than the others.
	Dire slowly pushed himself into Maestra petting down her back before resting his hands at her hips. Again with the thicker and more brutal thrusts. His girth pressed and rubbed against her walls. It was like a dream come true with the pacing changes. It matched all of her wants. Maestra teased her thick bulb not wanting to climax so fast. The honor would belong to Kodak. His friends would be proud she thought.
	Kull pressed himself against Taluke's back, kissing along his thick muscular shoulders. His hands petting along his hips. Taluke moaned out softly and pushed into Hanna, enjoying the newly added affection of his friend. Taluke watched eagerly, the sight of her pleasing his friends mixed with the feeling of his tightness around him caused a shutter through him. An unexpected shutter milking him of his seed. The force behind his climax was much weaker then before, but he took his time thrusting slowly wanting to be gentle as he'd promised. Hanna gasped softly as she could feel every squirt from his length. It was so warm and new to her. Taluke ran his fingers along her back slowly.
	“A gift for someone who deserves it.” He muttered softly before slowly pulling out sending a rain of his seed and blood dripping down Hanna's inner thighs.
	Kull added one final kiss to his friends shoulders watching as he fell on his back weakly. Twice once after another took it's toll on him. Hanna opened her eyes and felt a loneliness already setting in. Her first time had been more then she could have ever dreamed it to be. She didn't want it to end now. The loneliness didn't last long however. Kull was already waiting for his chance to share. Hanna perked her rear up at the feeling of Kull caressing his tip at her slit.
	Hanna pushed back hard against him forcing his heavy length into her. Kull gripped her hips shocked at how much she wanted it. Kull was trapped in her slick, tightness his fingers playing with her hips. Kull's face melting into one of pleasure. The pressure causing him to roll his hips slowly into her wanting to take it slow and easy and enjoy everything about it. Dire watched as Hanna hilted Kull inside of her. The vision pushed his thrust to pick up the pace wanting his turn with Hanna.
	Maestra smiled watching as Hanna started to rule the males in the hut. She was taking what she wanted and letting them feel like they were in charge. It was easy to sense that Dire wanted a chance at Hanna by his quick purposeful trusts. Maestra's plan was unfolding perfectly.
	Hanna bobbed her head slowly along Kodak's length adding pressure to the underside of his length with her tongue. The feeling made Kodak periodically thrust into her mouth, trying to keep his wits about him and not finish until Maestra had her fill. It was becoming harder than he had anticipated. Quickly he pulled out gripping his length holding back the building climax. Hanna smiled up at him and licked her lips. Kodak offered a weak smile back and nodded his head. Kull watched as Kodak slipped from her lips, the sight pushed him further. Hanna let out a soft meep as she looked back over her shoulder at Kull's passionate face. Heavy streams of him filled her. The force was much more noticeable with Kull than it had been with Taluke.
	Kull's length was so sensitive that he couldn't even finish the milking and fell to his back sending a few drops onto his belly fur. Dire had been watching as Kull filled Hanna the sight help bring him to the brink. He grunted hard and pushed into Maestra one final time. Maestra could feel the seed fill her, mingling with the others. It was a sweet feeling making her want to push back again Dire. Her fingers stopping the play of her tight bulb as she herself was close.
	“Dire, you should offer something to the pretty bear wife. I'm sure she will accept it graciously.” Maestra mused softly through heavy panting.
	Her eyes shifted to that of her husband who was lying on the floor watching. “Hanna, would you be a dear and give my husband a good cleaning.”
	Maestra crawled over presenting herself to Kodak inviting her last guest in.	Kodak blushed softly at the invitation. He pushed himself up taking his place behind his Shaman. His nose was so sensitive he could smell her horomones mixed with the seeds of his brothers in arms and it drove him on. He slid in easy feeling a wave of pleasure wash over him. Hanna had already taken him to the edge. Maestra knew this and had to act accordingly her fingers flicking lightly along her tight bulb.
	It took a moment for Hanna to understand what Maestra meant, but when it sunk in she crawled over to Taluke and bowed her head down taking his partially hardened length into her mouth suckling feeling it quickly growing hard against her tongue. It tasted different than the others. It was a mix of his seed, her Shaman's juices, and her own. Wrapped in the sweet scent of his powerful musk made for a tasty treat. She suckled on it eagerly. Her tail wagging in time with her rump inviting the next male. Taluke jolted at the feeling, his length growing hard and tingling sensitively. It was so sensitive it hurt, but he was too weak to stop it.
	Dire crawled over to Hanna petting her hips slowly wanting to be gentle with her because she'd been so giving to him. He was much girthy than the others in the hut and took that into advisement as he pushed into her slowly. The pain returned a bit but with it brought a sensitive pleasure. Hanna gasped cool area around Taluke's wet length causing him to thrust into her mouth sharply. Both of them started thrusting into her in a rhythm with the music.
	Kodak started panting heavily his thrust grinding into Maestra. Maestra watched at Hanna suckled from her husband like a hungry child. That was when the moment came, the waves started through her pushing hard at her. A loud moaning shriek escaped from her lips sending their juices raining out all over Kodak's lap. The sounds and the feeling of her climax brought forth Kodak's as well. Every thrust pushed more of his seed into her. His heart swelled with the honor of being the one to pleasure the Shaman. The force of his climax pushed him down onto his back on the floor. Maestra's strength was sapped, sprawling forward onto the pelts on the floor, keeping her legs tightly locked together to store all of the seeds in her garden until they could do their work.
	The sounds of Maestra's climax shook the whole room. It symbolized something powerful had just happened. The sounds of it pushed Dire even closer to his own climax so soon after just filling Maestra. Taluke stirred as well under the pressure of his wife's finish.
	Dire let out soft pants until he hit just right inside of her short strings of his seed coming free inside of her. Hanna was lost in the building waves of pleasure rushing through her to even notice that he'd finished in her. She was fully intoxicated with the mixture of musk and hormones washing through her. Her lips closing tighter around Taluke drawing his seed out in a desired need to drink. Dire took a few shifted back before collapsing with his head on Kull's belly. Kull was already too asleep to notice the heavy head hitting his belly.
	“Now...Kodak share your gift with Hanna. She wants it.” Maestra whispered her words lost in the pounding of her heart in her ears.
	The force of Kodak's finish had left him weak, but he was to do what he was told. There was no reason to stop now. He pushed himself up his hands and knees and crawled over to Hanna. Kodak kissed her left rump cheek breathing in her sweet scent mixed with that of his brethren. His length slid in easily. Coating him in seed and juices. The pleasure was more of a tickle than friction, she'd been loosened quiet well. Kodak rocked his hips slowly at first, building speed as he mated her. This was the first time this night Hanna had been taken roughly. Indeed she liked it pushing back against him, her pace on Taluke's penis quickened.
	Hanna was writhing in pleasure with each forceful thrust Kodak pushed into her. Filling her up, each time more and more juices rained down. Maestra watching through heavy eyes as her friend was mated hard. Knowing that she was needed one more time pushing herself to crawl forward. She rolled over on her back and slid her head between Kodak's legs so she could watch his small dark pink meat push its way into her slick pink.
	Maestra worked her tongue slowly around Kodak's tight sac, drinking the juices that welled in the course fur. Kodak flinched hard and started thrusting faster. Maestra pressed her tongue against the underside of his length and Hanna's thick lips drinking from them before moving further on letting her tongue lazily lash around Hanna's thick bulb.
	The sensation caused her to cry out around Taluke's length making her breath heavier, but it didn't stop her from sucking Taluke. It pushed her to do it faster. Her own pleasure was building. This sensation was remarkable and indescribable. It made her frantic, her body doing ever it could to get everything she could. Maestra smiled as she could feel her friend grow desperate. She remember her first time climaxing with her mate inside of her. With that she added a little more pressure.
	Hanna was swept away to somewhere else. Somewhere warm and dark. It was cozy and homy. Like nowhere she had been before. There was an urge of excitement and the tingle of happiness washing through her in waves. It felt as if a warm ocean of arms engulfed her and held her tightly.
	Hanna pushed Taluke all the way into her muzzle letting out a heavily muffled moan. Her eyes opened wide as she could feel Taluke's thick seed fill her throat in heavy spurts. It threatened to chock her, but she held it back loving the heavy taste and the feel of it in the back of her throat. Kodak heard the moan feeling it push free his own finish. Sending thin ribbons of seed into the ocean of see already coating her. Maestra taking pleasure in all the sounds, the taste, and the feel of the mixture raining down on her face.	
	Kodak panted hard and fell back onto the pelts doing what he could to catch his breath. Taluke didn't move he just lay there panting with his eyes closed. Hanna rolled to her side on the pelts. She didn't know what to do, and was far to weak to do anything but swallow Taluke's gift and pant and heave. She hurt in ways she'd never hurt before, but it mixed well with the pleasure that still traveled through her body.
	The band had left and everything was quiet again. The smoke had cleared and the liquors influences waned. After what felt like hours, but was mere moments she felt someone push their face between her breasts settling in. Sleepily she opened her eyes and was surprised to see Maestra cuddling into her. Maestra smiled back through weary eyes.
	“You will have a child, a little girl who is as unique and beautiful as you are. This is my gift to you.” Maestra kissed her lips softly and passionately before whispering. “The first kiss was yours, and so too was the last kiss.”
	Hanna heart swelled as the words moved through her ears. She smiled softly closing her eyes and holding Maestra tightly in her arms. Feeling Maestra's arms wrap around her slowly clinging to her as they both drifted into a dreamless sleep.

	Hanna sighed softly as she looked over the flowers blossoming in a small ditch. They were a beautiful array of colors. The first bloom of spring was always to be honored and welcomed. A cool breeze washed through her fur as she hugged her larger belly. Inside she could feel something shifting around in here. Kick and doing what it could to get out. It was a magical feeling, amazing to be sure.
	There was a snap of forest brush behind her, causing her to turn round and see Maestra stepping through the bushes. A smile pushed to her face. Maestra was also hugging her belly, carrying the weight of her over active child. Hanna took her Masters hand and helped her through the bushes to stand on the edge of the ditch with her. They stood their quietly petting their bellies and contemplating the millions of things that could possibly happen.
	“Lily.” Hanna said breaking the silence finally.
	Maestra looked up at her and smiled. “Ursula.”
	They knew exactly what they were talking about without having to drag out the conversation. Now they could just stand there side by side and enjoy each others quiet company and think to the future ahead. Hanna worried that he child would be a cripple and have to deal with the things that she would have to go through. But took heart in the fact that she would have a loving mother and a good teacher to help her every step of the way.
	Maestra didn't worry for Lily though, she was going to be born and be strong with no defects. She had seen it in the stars and prayed to the goddess for this gift to be bestowed on her dearest friend. What she did worry about, was the cost she would pay. In return for this gift she offered her own child's health and normalcy. Knowing that Ursula would be fine as the daughter of the Chief and the Shaman.
	Maestra looked at Hanna and slipped her fingers into hers holding her hand tightly wanting to calm her of any worry and help her enjoy this beautiful occasion while masking her own worry with a reassuring smile.  

Chapter Twelve
Do We Have Enough Time for One More Story?

	The sun had moved to passed the midday point and evening was setting in. The final bug had been used to successfully catch the last of the fish. It seemed like it was time to head back to the village. But Bardak found himself laying on his back on the cool moss thinking about the story he'd just heard. He'd made a mental not that he could keep his legs crossed at all times. He didn't want Thoran to notice that he was enjoying the stories a little too much. The last story had been so good it left a wet spot on his loin cloth.
	Slowly he turned his head and looked over at Thoran who was chewing on a long blade of grass. It was plain to see that Thoran didn't care what Bardak would think as he let his length free from his loin cloth. It stood tall and proud in the sun. Bardak couldn't take his eyes on it. How free and comfortable Thoran was with his enjoyment of the story.
	Bardak finally parted his lips and said. “Do you think that really happened?
	“Well Maestra said it to me, so it must be true. I wouldn't think the Shaman would lie to me.” Thoran said back keeping his eyes closed.
 	“Yeah you're probably right.” Bardak said his voice sounding a bit spaced out.
	Thoran opened one of his eyes and looked over at Bardak, who was staring blankly into the sky. “You alright my friend? You seem a bit upset.”
	In truth Bardak was just fine, he was busy trying to think of a reason to step into the woods so he could tend to his excitement. It had become hard and soft so many times that it was starting to be uncomfortable.
	“Yeah...I'm just going over the story in my mind. I shouldn't be surprised at all with this. Maestra is a powerful female and she gets what she wants.” Bardak was trying to force a reasonable thought in his head.
	“That is true. Shaman Maestra had been a good teacher to me. She never lies and she does her best to deliver the truth with grace.” Thoran said looking back up to the sky.
	“I'm kind of jealous my teacher is my mother. She never misses a chance to embarrass me in front of others.” Bardak curled his lip in a sneer.
	Thoran yawn and stretched. “Well we should probably get back, now that we're done fishing.”
	Bardak felt his heart sink into his belly. “But I don't really want to go back yet. I'm having too much fun.”
	“Well alright do you think we have time for one more story?” Thoran turned and looked at him his lids heavy.
	“Sure, we don't have to be back right away. They said whenever we got done fishing.” Bardak rolled over on his side looking at his friend.
	“Good. I would love nothing more than to hear another story as you can see.” Thoran gestured down to his still hardened length. “It's your turn anyway. Do you know any.” Do you know any?”
	“Let me see if I can recall any good ones.” Bardak bit his bottom lip and cleared his throat. “I know one but you might not like it.”
	Thoran nodded and closed his eyes nodding slowly. “Try me, I bet the story is going to be great.”
	Bardak took a deep breath and sighed out. “It's about Grey and Gram. You know Dire's nephews? Well I overheard Dire talking to Brutus about this...”

Chapter Thirteen
My Brother's keeper

	It was a beautiful spring day, the first day of gathering in fact. All the wife's led a string of cub wives and cubs into the bushes to gather up the first harvest. Gram pushes his way through the berry bushes excitedly. He hadn't seen so many berries in his life. Although his life only being twelve years long. That was a long time to him.
	Gram bounded off in a full sprint. He moved quite quickly for a chubby cub. The sun reflected off of his soft gray fur, it was the only time you could see the dark underfur layer was when he was in the sunlight. His wide blue eyes caught the flight path of a robin and traced it across the sky.
	Grey pushed through the bushes after his brother in a flurry. There was no way to confuse the fact that they were brothers. The only difference was Grey had the green eyes of his father while Gram had the blue eyes of his mother. Grey was four years older than his brother and was the main caretaker of him, which Grey didn't mind one bit. Grey liked to think he was an average built bear, but he did inherent the midsection of his father Grunt. Even through all of his scrambling, Grey was having difficulty keeping up with his brother.
	“Stay away from that hill boys you'll fall and break your face.” Goslyn looked up from the bushel she was working on.
	“Your children are very happy and rambunctious. How gifted you must feel.” Talma smiled warmly and slipped a sweet berry into her mouth.
	“I agree with that. Well the happy an rambunctious part at least. Not so much the gifted part.” Goslyn giggled back.
	Talma looked over at her son Bardak who was leaning back on his hands while Thoran threw berries into his mouth. “I wish my son was a little more rambunctious.”
	“Savor it, I assure you it won't last long.” Marish stepping to join the bear wives. “Thoran is a little terror sometimes, never lets his sister get a moments peace.”
	“Oh dung there they go right down that hill.” Talma said pursing her lips.
	“Goddess does it make me a bad mother to want one of them to be swept away by the river.” Goslyn giggled returning to her bushel.
	“No, I'm fairly certain that the goddess killed some of her children. Natural selection is just as it implies.” Marish belted out a heavy laugh before starting back on her bush.
	The angle of the slope was steeper than Gram had thought, but he wasn't about to let it beat him. Grey took his chance and hunkered down using the slope as a way to gather speed all he had to do is wait for Gram to make it to the tall grass and await his attack. Gram managed to make it to the tall grass splashing up over him hitting his chest like water. His pace slowed a bit but his resolve was stronger than ever, he threw his head back and let out a loud high pitched howl. The tall grass came alive with birds flying free in a large dark flock.
	Now! Grey's head pounded as his heart jumped to his throat, he used a mighty push with his legs sending him forward his arms wrapping around his brother's waist pulling him down. Both bears rolled down the hill picking up pace as they went. The world was spinning and closing around them until everything went cold and dark. The water swirled around them as they both fought to break the surface.
	Gram inhaled the air so hard it cut at his lungs. Gray pushed up after him panting heavily. The both of them looked at each other and Gram went into a flurry of playful slaps while Grey did what he could to defend himself, both laughing hysterically.
	“Got you baby brother.” Grey chocked out through his laughter.
	“Well you had to do is sometime or another.” Gram pushed himself out of the water onto his brother, but Grey stood fast and just shoved him off into the water.
	It was true, Gram was always much faster than Grey and that was a fact that was the cause of a lot of ridicule from Grey's friends. A look washed over Grey's face and he pushed himself up to sit on the shore trying to catch his breath. Gram adopted the same look as he reached up and rubbed his wet hand on Gram's face softly. 
	“Don't look that way brother. I'm sorry I said that. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings.” Gram rested his chin on his brother's thigh still breathing heavily.
	Grey opened his mouth to say something, but his words got caught in his throat. The feeling of Gram's warm breathing was finding it's way up under his loin cloth tickling the tender bits beneath. Grey looked down at his brother who offered him a smile. With that smile something tickled deep down inside. Pushing a smile to his lips in return.
	“Nah it's not you little brother. It's the truth. You're just plan faster than me.” Grey pushed his fingers slowly along his brother's temple.
	Gram's eyes roamed around slowly ending up on his brother's face. “You know what brother, I guarantee that none of your friends could catch me either.”
	Grey smiled warmly and chuckled. “I know that's true. What would do with out you baby brother?”
	“Be alone and grumpy all the time.” Gram giggled and pushed himself out of the water doing his best to shake it free from his soaked fur.
	Grey stood up and stretched feeling his muscles ache from over exerting himself in his hunt for his brother. “We should probably head back, before mum comes after us. But first I'm going to piss.”
	Grey moved over by a tree and pulled his loin cloth away. With the excitement of Gram's warm breath tickling his sac and sheath, had forced his length to escape. Gram watched in amazement at the sight of his brother's thick meat. Grey's cheeks flushed under the fur on his cheeks as he could feel Gram's eyes upon him.
	“It's hard to do this with you watching spud.” Grey chuckled doing his best to had the nervousness.
	“Sorry. I couldn't help but notice that you're out of your sheath. I just didn't know this happened to other Bears. I thought I was the only one that this happened too.” Gram turned his head to look further down the creek, but kept his ears cocked back.
	Grey mind traced over what his brother had said. Had he mentioned that he's reached an age were he could get aroused. For some reason the image of his brother showing off a hardened length played through his mind. A tingle grew from deep inside of him. He quickly shook his head and closed his eyes focusing. A light yellow liquid started dribbling out from the tip onto the tree, steadily the stream grew stronger.
	Gram's eyes were pulled back at the sound of his brother urinating. After a few seconds the stream slowed down. There was and urging inside of Gram pushing him onward. Gram swallowed hard and reached up caressing the warm length in his soft finger pads, Grey breathed in sharply, flexing his length in his brother's hand.
	Grey closed his eyes starting to pant a little. “No this happens to all males at a certain age. It mean's that they are becoming adults and will soon be able to take a mate.”
	Grey looked down at the small hand gripping him. It had been the first time anyone had ever touched him like this. Gram slid his fingers along the length in a soft caress sending a tingle running through his brother. Something inside reminded him that it was his brother pleasuring him, and it was wrong. But since the day his brother was born neither of them had been apart for more than a few hours. Then they would be right back together. No one knew him as well as his little bother and no one knew Gram as well as he did. Something about it just  felt...right.
	“Alright boys get your rumps back up here. We'll be heading back to the village within the hour.” They both could hear their mom call down the hill to them.
	Grey opened his mouth to respond, but his lungs couldn't find the words. “We'll be right there mum.” Gram added in his fingers still rubbing over the tender flesh.
	Grey looked down at his brother gratefully. Gram didn't look back he was more interested in the reactions that his fingers caused on his brother's length. Grey's eyes were heavy and his hips started to shift a little bit against his brothers hand. Gram watched excitedly at his brother's humping. Normally this would have frightened a cub of his age, but this wasn't the first time he'd seen anything like this happen before. He had walked in on his father and mother in the heat of passion. The talk that followed afterward had been straightforward and honest.
	“So I take it you enjoy this big brother?” Gram asked happily.
	“Yes, it feels sooo good.” Grey panted trying to pace his breathing.
	“You know If I keep doing this you'll cum. Do you know that?” Gram looked up at his brother as he gripped around the tip and rubbed down the entire length.
	Grey knew all too well, it had been one of his secrets since it would see weird since he shared a bed with his little brother. “I knew that...sometimes I do this in bed before I got to sleep. I try not to wake you.”
	Gram smiled softly and bit his bottom lip. “Oh I know...I like to watch sometimes.”
	There was a sharp ringing in Grey's ears as the words slowly sank in. There was a wave of embarrassment washing over him, but there was also a soft tingle of excitement. Why did this cause such an exciting feeling pushing through him. Gram ran his fingers in a petting fashion along the underside of his brother's length.
	“I tried to be still and not jostle too much.” Grey's voice trembled softly through his thinly parted lips.
	“It wasn't the moving that woke me up. It was that sweet scent.” Gram whispered leaning close to sniff along his thick hardened length, his breath tickling along the flesh.
	Grey looked down at his brother his hips thrusting uncontrollable. Gram giggled at the feeling of his brothers meat bumping his face. A look washed over his face. A look of interest as if he'd just thought of something. His soft pink tongue licking over his dark lips. He parted his lips and took his brother's tip into his mouth closing the warmth around it. Grey flexed hard and panted heavily his fingers falling from the tree to rest against the back of Gram's head.
	Gram closed his mouth and savored the heavy flavor of his brother. Normally a flavor like this would have been disgusting, but there was something good about the warmth and it didn't hurt that he could feel his brother's heartbeat through it. The soft dripping of pre pooled in the back of his mouth.
	Grey's head grew heavy the forest was spinning around him and his ears were filled with his own heartbeat and the rushing of the water all around him. His hips started bucking sharply and uncontrollably. Gram felt the meat hit the back of his throat causing him to pull away and gag, before he forced himself to swallow the pre.
	“I'm so sorry it just felt so good I don't know what came over me.” Grey knelt down and looked up at his brother.
	“Don't be...look.” Gram whispered softly before licking his lips.
	Gram shook his head slowly and smiled as he pulled his loin cloth to the side. Grey's eyes went wide as a smile came to his lips. Gram's own length had pushed free from his small sheath. It was easy to see that Gram hadn't hit his growth spurt yet. His length only half as big as his brothers, it's flesh was a lighter color than his brother's.
	“I liked it. I like playing with you brother.” Gram whispered softly and leaned close pressing his lips to his brother's in a soft kiss.
	Grey kissed back softly parting his lips just a bit, enough to let his tongue slip out and join with his brother's in his smaller muzzle. Gram ran his fingers along his brother's temples to caress along his ears slowly. Grey let his fingers move down to gently caress his brother's length much the same as Gram had did for him. Gram shuttered softly and pulled from the kiss wrapping his arms around his brother's neck to stay standing.
	“Does that feel good?” Grey whispered into his chest fur while nuzzling along his small breasts.
	“Yes...better than when I do it.” Gram whispered into his ear.
	“Good lay down, I want make you feel as good as you made me feel.” Grey whispered frantically as he looked up at his brother.
	Grey took Grams hand and led him a little ways down the shore to a large fallen tree that had long since hollowed out with time. Grey was shifting around frantically as he climbed into the log. It was nice and secluded. Grey gestured to the floor of the log. Gram nodded an sat down on the log. It had been there so long a nice cushion of moss had grown. It was cool and welcoming to his rump. He leaned against the tree watching his brother kneel down in front of him with a hunger in his eyes. His fingers moving in to caress the small member. Gram watched the large hand engulf his length.
	“Where are those boys.” Goslyn said angrily as she walked came walking down the hill.
	“Dung, mum's coming.” Grey stopped rubbing and looked around franticallly.
	“Don't stop...she won't be able to find us. We have plenty of time.” 
	Grey nodded and smiled as he gave his brother's cheek a gentle lick before letting his fingers go back to work. The fingers were a little more coarse than his own, but it made it feel all the better. Gram gripped his brother's arm desperately thrusting against it. Gray slipped his fingers along the tight little sac to tease the area under it. A tingle shot through Gram forcing him to tuck the knuckle of his index finger between his teeth, doing everything he could to keep quiet. His wide blue eyes watching as his older brother stroking his penis.
	Grey was panting heavily as he leaned close licking slowly along the tip of the small penis tasting the salty pre that pooled there. The flavor of his flesh was enjoyable. It was sweet and fresh like the berries he'd eaten earlier. A dark spot in the back of his mind chided that it was the taste of innocence, but his groin encouraged him that it was the taste of his little brothers want. The look on Gram's face gave away close he was to finishing. Grey closed his mouth around the length bobbing on it slowly letting his nose rest on Gram's chubby belly while his chin rested on the tight little sac.
	Gram started to buck a little more his fingers running through the fur along the back of his brother's head pulling him closer. His body shivered all over and he was fading into this wonderful feeling that he had when he played with himself. Grey pulled away licking his lips excitedly as he watched his little brothers face twisting into one of pleasure. Moving his fingers in to slowly caressing along the short length watching the small sac bouncing up and down. Gram thrashed around rolling his head back biting down so hard on his knuckles that he drew blood. The rush pushed through him, his little heart was racing in his chest and the time finally came. 
	Gram started whimpering and breathing heavier as he buried his face into the crook of his arm muffling out what moans were forcing through his tight lips. Grey lowered his face closer holding his mouth just a little bit away from his brother's length. There it came the sweet liquid in small spurts, barely enough to coat his wide tongue with it's salty slickness. Grey closed his eyes and swallowed it down tasting the sweet innocence. He shifted up and put his hands against the wall of the log on either side of Gram's head.
	Gram lurched forward pushing his face into his big brothers chest. Waves of pleasure still pulsed through him. It was an amazing feeling. He gripped handfuls of fur doing what he could to hold his brother tightly. Grey watched his little brother's desperate cling. The jostling and shifting of limbs caressed and rustled around his length cause a jolt of pleasure through him.
	Gram lay against him panting softly, his wide blue eyes looking up at his brother. Slowly his fingers slipped over Grey's belly falling down to lazily caress Grey's much longer length. His hands were trembling excitedly and exhaustedly.
	“That was amazing. I want to please you too big brother.” His voice cracked a bit, with a pleading look in his young eyes
	Grey nodded and looked around to make sure his mother wasn't anywhere around. He lightly covered his lips with one finger signaling that they needed to be quiet. Gram nodded slowly and watched as Grey thrust outward bringing his length up to his brother's face. Gram shook his head slowly and bit his bottom lip.
	Grey cocked his head slowly as he watched his brother shift under him draping his chubby legs over his brother's hips. His fingers took his brother's length pushing it down to caress between his young rump cheeks. Grey blushed warmly and shook his head. But his disagreement was only met with the soft pleading eyes of his little brother.
	He pressed his lips to his little brother's ears whispering softly. “Alright. But I hear this hurts so you can't make a sound.”
	Gram nodded slowly and gripped his brother's hips even tighter trying to keep from getting overly excited. Grey leaned down pushing his brother's legs up curling his pudgy body into a ball. Gram adjusted his breathing to the new shape of his body so he could keep quiet. Grey moved his face closer running his wide tongue slowly between Gram's butt cheeks slicking it up with heavy dose of saliva. Pushing his tongue around the tight pucker coating it. Gram closed his eyes and breathed in deeply his whole body trembling at how good it felt to have his brother licking along his pucker. Slowly Grey pushed his tongue into the hole grinding it along the walls. Gram started squeaking and panting hard.
	Grey's eye opened wide as he pulled his tongue out and reached forward closing his fingers around his brother's mouth locking eyes with him. Gram pleaded slowly and nodded trying harder to keep quiet. Slowly he tucked his index finger into his mouth getting it wet, pulling it free with a little pop. He pushed his fingers into the slick, tight hole stretching the walls. His brother let out a muffled grunt into his brothers hand. The pain drifted into pleasure as he relaxed into each new thrust. Grey kept a constant pace preparing his younger brother for what was to come. Finally after a few moments of fingering his relaxing pucker he pulled his fringer out. Gram panted softly and moaned thrusting against the air wanting his fingers back. 
	“You like that?” Grey whispered softly kissing one of his brother's butt cheeks.
	Gram nodded slowly and bit his bottom lip shaking his butt slowly for Grey. His eyes heavy and inviting and he thrust up letting Grey watch his balls bounce. The look on his little brother's face sent an excited surge through him. He couldn't stand it anymore. Grey licked his lips as he shifted closer between his brother's legs. Resting his penis gently between his small round cheeks. His arms wrapped up and across his little brother's broad back cradling so their different proportioned bodies lined up. Quickly he spit into his palm pad coating his hardened penis in his saliva before rubbing his tip against the loosened pucker.
	Grey leaned close and covered his little brother's mouth and nodded. Gram nodded back slowly and closed his eyes thrusting against the tip. The tingle ran through Grey as he pulled his brother tightly to him. The hardest and most painful part was the entrance. To Grey's surprise it didn't take much pressure at all to slip into the over slick hole. Gram moaned out hard into his brother's palm his small hands gripping the back of his brother's hand pulling it tighter to his muzzle. It was muffled, but still made noise. Grey let a hard moan push past his tight lips.
	Grey managed to sink only half of his length in before he could feel resistance from inside. In the back of his mind it urged him to go deeper, but the feeling in his heart told him it would be too risky. Grey looked down at his brother and saw a look of absolute pleasure resting on his face. Gram reached pushing his fingers through his brother's chest fur. Grey pulled his hand away from the smaller muzzle and moved it to rest against his brother's shoulders.
	Grey pulled out a little then thrust back in. Gram let out a soft throat moan but controlled his tone his eyes never leaving his brothers. Each thrust sent more jets of pre to coat his insides. It helped relaxed the tight walls the friction now became more like a tickle. It sent waves running through both of them. Grey panted sweetly into his little brother's ear, the feeling of his warm breath against the tender flesh of his ears brought a soft swooning moan.
	“Oh Gram this feels so incredible. I don't know how long I'm going to last.” His voice was barely a whispered thanks to the panting.
	“I want to feel you cum inside of me brother. Just let it go.” Gram kissed his brother's chin softly.
	At that moment came the rush. Grey's eyes grew tightly as he let out a desperate gasp that was quickly silence by Gram's welcoming lips. There tongues caressing each other to keep them from making noise. The hot seed pushed out coating the cub's insides. The feeling added so much pressure all through his small body he wanted to flail. Grey cradled him close his slowly thrusts milking his seed into his little brother. Gram laced his fingers through Grey's thick chest fur holding him closely.
	“That was amazing.” Grey whispered into Gram's ear kissing the top of his head.
	“It was. We always know how to play the best games together.” Gram buried his face into his brother's chest nuzzling him warmly.
	Grey stayed inside of his brother for as long as he could. The swelling going down until it slipped free and hung lazily between his legs, he continued to hold his brother for a long time nuzzling and kisses at his head. Gram stood up on his own feet bending down so he could kiss his brother on the lips letting his tongue trace a line of saliva long his lip before he shifting away. Grey licked the saliva from his lips as he watched his brother slip back into the small river that they had fallen in. He cleaned himself off as best he could not wanting anyone to figure out what had happened. Grey weakly followed suit slipping down into the water giving his penis a thorough scrubbing.
	“Goddess grant me strength, where are you boys!?” Goslyn paced through the woods looking around angrily.
	“Over here mum, we're cleaning up in the river.” Gram said loudly, his eyes finding his brother giving him a defiant look. “We got all dirty playing.”
	Grey chuckled softly as he quickly clean himself off, the cold water helping pull his length back into his sheath. Gram dunked under the water and quickly resurface looking eye to eye with his brother. Grey carried a heavy glow in his eyes.
	“Did you really enjoy that Gram.” Grey kept his voice low as he could hear his mother coming through the trees.
	“Yes...I want to do it again sometime soon.” Gram looked up at him as he ran his fingers over his pucker cleaning the slick white fluid away.
	Grey smiled warmly and bit his bottom lip. “How about tomorrow?”
	Before Gram could answer the question, there mother stepped through the trees and stood on the shore. She was breathing heavily while toting a basket full of berries and her face was bent in anger. Both boys looked up at her and expected a thrashing for sure.
	“Goddess I've been calling you for ages. Where have you been? Why didn't you answer?” Goslyn put the basket on the ground and put her hands on her hips.
	“Sorry mumma we were under the water collecting smooth river rocks. Didn't find any good ones though.” Gram said sweetly as he pressed his back to his brother's front the soft wet fur on his back tickling against the loincloth that covered his brother's sheath.
	“Oh...well...” Her face softened under the adorable power of Gram's cuteness. “I'm sorry to hear that dear. We're getting ready to leave.”
	Grey could feel his cheeks flushing red under the fur making him chime in as he could feel his tip poke out of his sheath“Are you sure mum, the water is really nice. It might be a good way to relax. It's not even midday. Maybe we all can relax in the water for a little bit before heading back.”
	“That...that seems like a fine idea actually. Good thinking my boy.” Goslyn turned and looked up the hill.
	At he top were a line of shadows looking down the hill. “Are they ready to go?” Brutus' voice boomed down the hill.
	“Not yet. My son suggested we all enjoy the cool stream for a little bit before we head back. Might be nice for our feet.” Goslyn cupped beside her muzzle and shout up the hill.
	Brutus looked around as the bear wives started mumbling amongst themselves. Ursula felt Miis pull away from her as she looked at Brutus. The idea did sound enjoyable. His head was brought around by a small clinging hand of Miis looking up at him affectionately.
	“It would be a lovely time to go look for flowered, don't you think?” Miis's cheeks flushed a little red under the fur.
	“That does sound inviting. Troupe you know your roles, protect the young and always travel in groups.” His voice got a bit sharp when he felt Miis lightly caress his loin cloth. “...oh and have fun. We will meet on the shore in a few hours.
	Grey smiled warmly as he saw the bears all flocking down the hill doing their best to carry their heavy burdens. Gram was so overcome with excitement that he and his brother would get to spend a little more time together he rose out of the water and pounced his brother back under the water. Grey wrapped his arms around Gram's smaller body as they looked at each other under the dark water. Gram pressed his lips to Grey's softly and pulled away before they surfaced.
	Grey took a deep breath and fought to get back on his feet. Grey was already blushing and he could feel that his length was already on the verge of escaping his length. Gram pressed his belly tightly to Grey's length as they looked at each other. A wave washed over them from Goslyn jumped feet first into the water.
	“To answer your question brother...” Gram whispered softly. “Why wait until tomorrow when there is a little pond further down the river where we could play all by ourselves.”
	Grey didn't quite know what to say, but his eyes gave him away. Gram smiled widely and nodded slowly. His fingers around his bother's as he led him down the river slowly. They could hear the other bears behind them filling the river with there bodies. They would be plenty busy enough for the boys to have a little more playtime.
	Brutus watched as the boys went down the stream his eyes falling upon a hollowed log several feet away from the other bears. His eyes lit up as an idea played across his mind, but it seemed he was already too slow. Miis was pulling him in the direction of the log already. Goslyn's boy certainly had a good idea he thought to himself as he followed the little female cub.

Chapter Fourteen
Story Times Over.

	The sun was now resting on the horizon painting the sky with a large arrays of reds, yellows, and oranges fading into a dark blue a little further into the sky. All the fish had been caught. A bounty of fish too be sure. Their families would rejoice and be so proud of them. Bardak had been kind enough to take the fishing rods apart and store them for the journey back.
	The two bears had decided to spend the remainder of their story time in the river. The sun had only gotten warmer since about lunchtime. It was nice to be in the cool rushing water. The true reason behind  the river was to hide the condition that the story had caused Bardak and Thoran. A few times during the story when he thought he could get away with it he'd lightly rubbed himself under the cool water.
	Thoran finished his story and leaned back against a rock jetting from the river. The water was rushing passed his shoulders and light kissed his chin. Bardak was on his knees letting the water rush over his belly in a lazy fashion. Bardak's mouth was still hanging open at the story's end. The words of the story still roamed around his mind. He could see every word come to life in a vivid image. That's what aroused him the most. There was a part of him that was jealous that he couldn't have been involved in the things that went on.
	“You alright Thoran?” Bardak asked as he was lightly caressing his hard length under the water.
	A perfect mixture of the warmth of his hand pads and the cold of the water was wonderful. It was almost easy to figure out what he was doing by his mouth hanging open slightly and his eyes being heavy.
	“I always thought those two were really close. They never wanted to wrestle with us, they only ever wrestled each other, even then they would always disappear into the woods to do it.” Thoran's voice came out slowly and a little incoherent.
	It was clear on Thoran's face that he had no idea what he was talking about. Bardak was a little dazed and light headed. He'd never been so aroused in his whole life. It was almost becoming unbearable to him. Thoran could see it in his eyes that he was hot and bothered. This might in fact be the first time he'd ever seen his rounded friend so aroused.
	Thoran smiled softly and lowered his head so he could catch some water in the bottom of his mouth spitting it playfully at Bardak. “Can I ask you something?”
	Bardak playfully slapped some water back at him. “You just did.” Bardak attempted chuckle just came out like a giggle.
	“Seriously!” Thoran grumbled playfully as he shifted up onto his knees in the water.
	Bardak shimmied through the water on his knees making sure not to hurt himself on the smooth rocks on the bottom of the water. “I was just teasing don't get all huffy.”
	Thoran spit some water onto his friends chest. “I just wanted to ask if the stories had...aroused you.”
	Bardak cheeks flushed underneath his cheek fur. There had been no notion that Thoran was going to ask that question or was even interested in knowing. There was a long pause between them as Thoran started moving closer to Bardak. Usually Bardak was quick to respond. That in it of itself gave Thoran the answer he was seeking. Bardak shifted nervously as Thoran drew near. He knew he should just answer the question, but it still seemed embarrassing thing to admit.
	Impatient with waiting for an answer Thoran ran his fingers through the water  stealthily without making any waves. His fingers closing around Bardak's hard length. It was shorter than his own, but still a surprising length now that he could compare it in his hand. Bardak shifted away a little in surprise, but Thoran tightened his grip.
	“You have nothing to be embarrassed by Bardak, this is natural. The same things happened to me during the stories.” Thoran moved even closer through the water taking one of Bardak's hands and pressing it against his own arousal.
	Bardak stayed quiet as his fingers gripped Thoran's girth. It felt warm to the touch and hard as any branch he had ever felt. But the flesh was soft under his paw pads. He could almost feel Thoran's pulse through the immaculate piece. From out of nowhere Thoran leaned in and pressed his lips to Bardak's. The second the moist lips were on his Bardak jolted away and he looked back at Thoran a little more than shocked. This time Thoran gave him a determined look and pulled him close again still having a firm grip on Bardak's penis.
	Thoran pressed his lips to Bardak's again this time softer and more intent upon deepening the kiss. Bardak kept his eyes open looking deep into Thoran's as he left the kiss happen. His heart was racing in his chest and his body was shaking. He could feel Thoran start rubbing his length along his own. The feeling of the heat and friction between the too was exciting and soothing in a way. Bardak breathed out softly parting his lips into the kiss. Thoran drifted his head to the side a little letting his tongue pass through Bardak's open lips. The taste of Bardak's tongue reflected his nervousness. The flavor was familiar. It was the taste that he'd picked up when he smelled the fear of prey that he'd hunted. In his mind's eye this was no different.
	The hint of mint flavor from Thoran's herbal tobacco was thick in his saliva, a sweet and delicate flavor that further drove Bardak to shiver. Thoran started to rub Bardak's length now feeling the flesh slip through his fingers in a slow rhythmic motion. All of this was too much and Bardak swooned, but Thoran steadied him with his one free hand resting at his hip. The other hand lightly tugging and stroking Bardak's penis.
	Kiss felt as if it lasted forever, but when Thoran pulled away Bardak wanted more. “We...we can't do this.”
	“Sure we can. No one has to know what we're doing here.” Thoran whispered heatedly into his friends ear.
	“But it seems so wrong.” Bardak trembled more and pushed his body against Thoran's for heat his hips thrusting into Thoran's hand.
	“Shh, you're my best friend in the whole forest. No one has ever known me quite as well as you do. Even years from now when I have a wife she'll not know me as well as you do.” Thoran slipped his hand from Bardak's him and caressed along his large round rump. “I want this...and I can feel that you do too. We're curious cubs just being cubs no one can fault us.”
	Bardak nodded slowly. It all made sense. They'd always been close with one another. This was just one more way that they could be even closer. Bardak reached down and took Thoran's hand pulling him along to the shore a feminine look washing over his face as he looked into Thoran's eyes. His short round friend walked up on to the shore pulling his friend up with him. They moved to the soft moss where Bardak slipped to his knees and then to his hands his rump in the air for his friend.
	“Not this time.” Thoran said softly as he moved to lay on his back next to his friend so he could look up at his face.
	“What do you mean?” Bardak said the surprise dripped from his face.
	Thoran lay back on his elbows spreading his legs wide so his length lay across his round belly. The sharp contrast of the pink against the brown drew Bardak's eyes. A warm hand pad gently caressed Bardak's round cheek affectionately. Bardak blushed at the thought of his friend caressing his face as if a lover or a wife would do. Thoran offered a soft peck on the other cheek and a gently lick upon Bardak's small round ear.
	“This time Bardak goes first.” Was all he whispered.
	The words sent a lightening bolt up Bardak's spine. For as long as he'd lived he was never first at anything. This was a deeply personal thing to him. Something meaningful and beautiful. More so beautiful was he was going to get to go before Thoran the older. The words swirled in his mind making his face all the more hot. The tremble of excitement almost made his hips thrust. Thoran pulled him back from his thoughts with another gentle lip kiss. 
	“Thank you Thoran.” Bardak whispered as he rose up on his knees.
	He waited for Thoran to get on his hands and knees. But Thoran just lay there looking up at Bardak showing off his modesty. Bardak cocked and eyebrow as his head shifted to the side. It was easy to tell by his expression that he was confussed about what was going on.
	“I want to see your face while we do this.” Thoran lay back resting his head on one hand, his other hand gripping the back of his leg.
	Bardak's face was on fire once again a tremble running through him as he swooned a bit more. He shifted over so he was between Thoran's legs lightly petting along the soft fur on the inside of his thigh. There was fear and confusion in Bardak's eyes he wasn't sure what to do. How would this work? Could he hurt his friend? Thoran smiled a toothy grin and inched a little closer.
	“Start slow. Spit in your hand and rub it. No need to jump right in.” There was a teasing tone to it.
	Bardak nodded and cupped his hand, spitting into the palm pad of it before rubbing his fingers around getting them slicked up. Slowly he reached down and caressed between Thoran's deep rump cheeks. His finger found the delicate tight pucker smearing his saliva on it. Bardak's eyes never left Thoran's face.
	Thoran's eyes closed and his mouth slipped open at the tingle running through his body. The petting of his delicate area sent waves of pleasure through him. Bardak smiled at the gently noises that were coming from his friend's throat. Thoran lazily caressed his own heated length rubbing it so a long string of pre dripped onto his belly fur. Bardak watched the glistening flesh drip in amazement.
	His fingers probed further around the relaxing pucker before his middle finger slipped. Thoran gasped at the feeling, his eyes popping open finding Bardak's face. Thoran pushed back harder against Bardak's hands wanting him to go deeper. The heat was amazing against his finger, it's what he imagined it would have been like with a wife someday, but so much more. He could feel Thoran's heart beating faster through his pucker.
	There was a sudden urge running through him. After spending a day under constant arousal and the nervousness of being fingered by his friend he wasn't going to last long. Thoran's gripped his penis and started rubbing it faster. Bardak started pushing his finger in deeper and curling it slowly before pulling it out again. The rhythm was starting to form itself. Thoran was panting heavily his own hips rocking at the fingering. Bardak watched as Thoran's dark fleshed orbs bounced around with all the jostling. It was a mystery to him why they had never turned him on before.
	Thoran's face shifted to one of desperation his moment approaching. Curiosity swept over Bardak. The images from the stories flooding back pulling him down closer to Thoran's lap. There was a thick sweet smell radiating from the met. Would it taste good? Was the words echoing through his head. Bardak leaned close parting his lips just at the tip of Thoran's swollen penis, closing his lips around the tip. Thoran opened his eyes as he felt his hips rock in surprise. The tight pucker and rump cheeks closed around Bardak's hand tightly holding him deeply with in him. All at one heavy streams of his essences pushed from his tiny hole. Bardak felt it hit the top of his mouth then the back of his throat cause him to cough and gag. He never took his lips away he just bobbed his head slowly along the length letting Thoran finish.
	Bardak pulled away and licked his lips. The swallow was heavy and audible even over the rushing water. The taste wasn't pleasant, but Bardak did all he could to keep a straight face. Not wanting to ruin such a tender moment between he and his friend. Thoran looked manic now. His head thrashed around as he was trying to regain any composure he lost. He was panting and flexing before he reached out and grabbed Bardak's harm pulling the finger deeper into him.
	“I need you inside of me Bardak, now.” The sense of urgent desire was heavy in his voice.
	Bardak nodded slowly and pulled his finger free from the relaxed hole. Even though Bardak had just been inside of him Thoran missed that finger being there. But soon he was going to have something inside of him again. Spitting into his hand again Bardak rubbed the slick saliva onto his penis making sure it was well coated. Thoran wrapped both his hands around the backs of his knees pulling his rump a little off the ground.
	This had been the first time Bardak had seen is tender pucker and wondered what it was about it that aroused him so. Bardak belly blocked his view of what he was trying to do. So he used his finger to gently rubbed the tip of his penis along Thoran's inviting hole. He coated it well with his slick pre before pushing just the tip in.
	There was a slow down all around them. Thoran was lost in wave of tingling pain. It pushed through him causing his whole body to seize. The heat coming from his friends penis was hotter than he could have imagined. The once small penis had become larger then he could imagine. It was both pleasure and pain wrapped up in a tight package. Bardak was lost in the pleasure that washed through him. Amazed at how easy he slid in as if he'd always belonged there. A wave of pleasure ran through him causing his hips to shiver and jet in little thrusts. The nervousness only added to his excitement pushing him onward.
	The mass of muscle and fat seemed to meld together. The once short gentle thrusts grew slower and more deeper. Bardak's soft grunts and moans mixed with Thoran's grown feminine whimpers and groans. Bardak would pull back almost until he slipped free and then push it back inside. Thoran would feel a fear grow inside of him every time he felt Bardak pull out of him and then feel content to have him deep once again. The panting and sounds were loud, but not as loud as their heartbeats. Both of them could feel their hearts beating in unison now that they were so close.
	Time had slowed down around them. It all seemed to last forever as long as the second kiss they had shared earlier. But in truth there love making only lasted as long as their first kiss. Bardak rocked his head back pushing his penis as deep as he could into his friend. His eyes shut tight, his teeth gritted hard. Thoran opened his eyes his body trembled at the look on Bardak's face. It was the look of a conqueror. His friend had dominated him. Filling him with his own essences, making him in many senses a mate. One final moan slipped through Bardak's  clenched teeth and it was all done. Heavy streams of his seed filled his friend. Every flex of his penis caused a little whimper to come from through Thoran's panting lips. Thoran could almost feel ever drop pushing deep into him filling him up. His fingers caressing lightly at his own groin where he could feel the pressure.
	Bardak moan heavily and panted hard as he pulled free and collapsed on the shore next to Thoran. Thoran flex is pucker as tight as he could wanting to keep all of the seed inside of him as long as he could. But there was something urging through him. All it once Thoran felt a panic coming on. He moved closer to Bardak pressing his face into his friend's broad back for comfort. The quick pounding of Bardak's heart mixed with the panting soothed him. Thoran felt more vulnerable now than he'd ever had before. It began the moment Bardak had pulled out of him. He wanted nothing more to have it again. All he could do is cling to his friend.
	Thoran could almost feel Bardak's seed absorbing into him. It tickled him somewhere deep inside. Thoran couldn't stop himself from lightly kissing Bardak's back here and there. Bardak sleepily opened his eyes and reached back around him his fingers resting upon Thoran's hip petting at it softly. Bardak felt bad that he wasn't showing any affection back to his friend, but was paralyzed with fatigue. If he felt this vulnerable he couldn't imagine how his friend must feel.
	“Thank you for that Bardak.” Thoran whispered as he rested his face against Bardak's shoulder blade.
	Bardak smiled softly and closed his eyes again. “No need to thank me. What are friends for?”
	“That's true. Listen I'm going to put the carrying case back into the river so the fish stay alive. I think we should stay here tonight. Just you and me.” Thoran whispered softly giving another small kiss to Bardak's shoulder blade.
	“That sounds wonderful.” Bardak could feel sleep taking him.
	As Thoran was getting ready to get up Bardak gripped his hand tightly and held it for a minute. “You know something Thoran.”
	It was easy to hear in Bardak's voice that he was getting tired. “What my friend.”
	“After all of the wonderful things you said to me. You still managed to go first.” There was a playful giggle in Bardak's voice.
	Thoran couldn't help, but to giggle himself at this. “Well maybe next time.”
	Thoran lightly caressed the back of Bardak's neck before pushing himself up off the ground to tend to the fish. He made sure he kept him rump tightly flexed not wanting to lose one single drop of his friends essences. It was strange now though. Even though they'd grown up together, spent almost every moment together. There was always a separation between them, but now that they'd done this it seemed to be gone. Thoran smiled sheepishly at this though as he turned and looked back at Bardak who rolled over on his back waiting for Thoran to return. For what it was worth it felt good.

Chapter Fifteen
Homecoming

	The next morning Bardak's eyes fluttered up. His whole body ached from sleeping on the cool ground. Still he'd never felt so rested before in his life. It was hard going but he forced himself to move at least a little surprised to find that Thoran had fallen asleep with his head resting against Bardak's chest. Suddenly everything came rushing back at once. What had happened between he and Thoran, the deep emotions the two had shared. Would they still be there or was last night just a fluke. Bardak was nervous to even guess.
	Bardak reached up his hand doing what he could to wipe the sleep from his eyes. As he did the best he could to glance over his own mass of fur and flab he surveyed what had happened after he'd fallen asleep. Thoran's had wrapped his arm  around and under Bardak's belly holding him closely. Had he been cuddled with him all evening. That must have been why he was so warm and slept so peacefully. Bardak couldn't help but smile sleepily be for gently he caressed his fingers down Thoran's back.
	The feeling caused Thoran's back fur to ripple and he stirred. A gentle moan escaped his lips before his eyes fluttered open. He looked up and saw that Bardak was watching him sleep. Thoran smiled softly and licked his dry lips enjoying the feeling of Bardak's fingers caressing up and down his back.
	“Good morning sleepy head.” Bardak whispered softly not wanting to elude to the fact that he too had just woke up.
	“Good morning to you too.” Thoran rubbed his cheek against Bardak's side his eyes tracing down his chubby chum's body taking in his beautiful form.
	Bardak had fallen asleep so fast after their love making that he hadn't had time to put his loin cloth back on. Not that Thoran was complain since it made it easier to see that Bardak had been having some good dreams, because of how swollen his sheath was. Thoran shifted down rubbing his face gently along Bardak's sheath and sac. Breathing in the thick morning musk of his chubby friend. Bardak let a gentle whimper push its way through his lips while he watched the slow but sudden movement of his friend. What was Thoran trying to do? He slowly reached down and touched Thoran's cheek.
	“You don't have to do this Thoran.” Bardak whispered wantonly.
	“I know I don't, but I'm going to anyway.” Thoran smiled back softly as he let the tip of his tongue dip into Bardak's sheath.
	“Then let me...” Bardak leaned forward. 
	Thoran reached up and pushed hard against Bardak's shoulders sending him laying back on the moss. “No, not this time. This is all about you.” Thoran shook his rump playfully. “Just get comfortable.”
	There was no way Bardak was going to be able to talk Thoran out of this. He slowly scooted up the shore line to lean against a tree. He watched Thoran crawl over to him. His shoulders moving in unison with his rump much like a jungle cat. Something about this was arousing to Bardak. Thoran slowly spread Bardak's legs and started to his work. At that moment he realized that he didn't much want to talk Thoran out of this 'gift' he was about to receive.
	Bardak closes his eyes for a moment to stop the spinning of his head before he looked down at Thoran who tenderly groomed the soft fur of his sheath. He used such a precise amount pressure while mixing in how much tongue he used. It seemed so quick with how fast he was able to lure his length from his sheath. Thoran made sure to be slow and gentle along the thickening meat. It was clear that Thoran was growing impatient what he wanted needed to come and come quickly. Finally he took Bardak's tip into his mouth not bothering with pleasantries instead pushing himself to bury the musk soaked treasure into his mouth. To taste it's sweetness.
	Through the sleepiness that he still hadn't shaken and the excitement of what was going on Bardak felt as if he might lose his mind. The pleasure was coming in waves starting from his toes all the way to his head. His feet flexed until they came to tiptoes. Without knowing why he slide a hand up along his chubby belly to rested on his right breast giving his nipple a gentle pinch. The feeling brought forth the tingles from the waves of pleasure. Thoran did everything he could to keep from smiling at the sight of his chubby friend playing with his nipple.
	Bardak shuttered gently running his fingers along the back of Thoran's head pulling him down upon his length wanting it to go as deeply as it could into his mouth. Thoran shifted his muzzle so he could take it all with little resistance. His tongue still flicked and dragging along the underside of Bardak's thick member. Whimpers grew even stronger along with both of their breathing. Thoran closed his eyes letting Bardak's noises lull him into a deeper consciousness. His rhythm growing faster while taking more and more of Bardak's meat into his mouth. Before he could realize it Thoran's cool nose was buried into Bardak's thick pubic fur.
	No matter how he tried to prolong this it was too late. Thoran was just too skilled at this. Bardak's eyes drew tighter as he gritted his teeth. He pursed his lips as tightly as he could pressing his knuckles to his lips, doing everything he could to stifle his own need to yowl in pleasure. Thoran got just what he wanted, a few heavy squirts of Bardak's juices. All of them hitting the back of his throat with force. The force making him gag just a little but not enough for him to pull away from the sweet tasting meat.
	Thoran pulled away from the meat resting on his knees. His eyes traced over Bardak's lazy and pleasured face. His heavy eyes looked back with so much gratefulness. He parted his lips to speak, but Thoran quickly leaned forward and kissed his lips softly.
	“No need to say anything. It was my pleasure.” Thoran slowly got up from the ground and started to gather their supplies. 
	Each of the bears took their time cleaning up the makeshift campsite. The time had come for them to return to their village. Bardak lifted the carrying cage up onto his shoulders feeling the cold water running through his thick back fur. It was going to be incredibly heavy and hard to carry home.
	“If you get tired my friend. I'll carrying the weight for you.” Thoran whispered softly causing Bardak look up at him.
	Thoran offered Bardak a soft loving kiss to his lips before taking his hand in his walking up towards the makeshift pathway. They both turned and looked at the river's shore and then to water. They both knew how important this last look was to one another. They just wanted all of this to last just a little longer.
	Thoran was the first to turn and walk into the woods. Bardak could feel the light tug against his hand bringing him around to follow his friend into the woods leaving behind the wonderful things that had happened between he and Thoran.
	The journey how had been filled with playful notions and teasing. But the smiles never left their faces. Something terrific had happened between them. It felt as if they knew each other on a different level. There couldn't be anyone in the village that would understand how they felt. It felt good to have something special something secret that no one else in the village could know.
	The sun had pushed itself into the midday sky and their journey was nearly over now. They could smell the wood burning from the dozen's of fires. Lunch had just gotten over and the cubs were sure to be burning off their extra energy. The cub wives were cleaning up after lunch. The wives were napping or tending to their young. Half of the males were relaxing letting their food settle. The other half was starting back to work.
	Where as everything on this fishing trip had been amazing and magical. Everything back at the village seemed so normal and boring. These were the thoughts that were weighing heavily on their minds now. The smiles had left their faces. Thoran looked down at their hands. Each of their chubby digits were laced together. That was when there eyes met.
	“We're going to be back at the village soon. We have to make sure no one suspects anything.” Thoran whispered softly his hand gripping Bardak's tighter.
	“I know. I just don't know if I want to be back at the village. I don't want this to end.” Bardak said quietly as he lifted Thoran's hand to his lips.
	Thoran giggled softly. “I know why do you think I've been walking slower the closer we get.”
	Bardak giggles matched Thoran's “Before we take one step further I want to make a promise. I promise that I'll never forget what happened between us. I don't want this to end.”
	“I promise that it won't. Every moment that we can be together that we can enjoy each other. We'll do it.” Thoran smiled warmly at his chubby friend.
	“Thank you.” Bardak whispered as he kissed his friend softly on the lips.
	Thoran kissed back and nodded. There was nothing more to say about it. They wanted the last words between them to be pleasant. They continued on worn path holding hands until they made it to the outskirts of the village. They shared a brief glance to one another and their hands fell away from each other. The rest of the walk seemed even more lonely.	
	“Kull, look our children return.” Kodak called from the branches of a near by tree.
	Kull let fly a final swing of his axe. It cleaved the log effortlessly sending both parts flying to either sides. He looked up from where he was working, his dark brown eyes scanning through the trees spotting the two young ones. A large hand swept his forehead of sweat as a proud smile crept in. Kodak slid down the tree and hit the ground with an ungraceful thud, but he managed to stay on his feet. The resemblance between the fathers and there sons was unmistakable. Almost identical down to the markings. The other villagers were so surprised at how much the kids took after their fathers. 
	Bardak smiled warmly as he could see his father. Even under the wait of the carrying case he managed to close the distance. Thoran stayed back a little finding it hard to return home where he and his friend would have to keep their secret.
	Kodak wrapped his arms around his son pulling him up off the ground despite his size and extra wait. “My boy!”
	Following the gruff loving tone was a soft peck to his son's cheek. It was an odd display of affection between father and a son, but there were never a closer father and son than Kodak and Bardak. Kull rolled his eyes and beckoned for his son to join him. Nothing was said between the two other then a glance and a nod. Whether or not there was any respect in their glances was never apparent.
	“It's so good to see you boy. How was the fishing trip?” Kodak asked as he helped his son take the carrying case.
	The case sure weighed a lot as he lowered it down to the floor. His eyes widened as he saw the large fish in great numbers. Quickly he threw his arm around his son's shoulders.
	“This is incredible you guys did a great job. I'm very proud of you both.” Kodak said his smile was still broad across her face.
	Thoran's smile matched that of Bardak's father. “Thank you Sir. We both had a lot of fun.”
	“Well the fun is only a small part some something greater. As long as you learned a valuable lesson about providing for the village once you become an adult.” Kull rested his hand on Thoran's shoulder.
	“Of course that's part of it, but learning camaraderie with one of your age is a bond that will last the rest of your life. No matter how bad things are in life as long as you have your friend to back you up nothing will ever overcome you.” Kodak slowly rose to his feet.
	He was still a food shorter than Kull, but almost two feet taller than Bardak “Your father and I know that lesson all two well. That why we never wonder that far from each other no matter what we're doing.”
	Kodak offered a bright smile to Kull who squeezed his son's shoulder. “That is a fact.”
	Bardak looked at Thoran and offered the same smile that his father had offered Kull. “We did a lot of talking and a lot of listening. There isn't anything I wouldn't do for Thoran.”
	“The same can be said for me. In fact I want to go through the adult trials with  Bardak.” Thoran leaned against Bardak, turning to look up at his father.
	“Well that's good to hear. Bardak couldn't ask for a better companion.” Kodak shifted over and offered a little nudge to Kull's side.
	“Yes, very good.” Kull reached down and picked up the carrying case.
	Kodak smiled as he ruffled his son's head fur. “That's a good lad. Now don't you boys worry about these fish. We'll get them into the curing well. You both have earned some rest. We'll come get you at supper time.”
	Bardak smiled warmly at his father and nodded. “Thanks father.”
	“Thank you sir.” Thoran nodded gently.
	Kull and Kodak watched as the boys bounded off together playful, before returning to the task at hand. Kull's face remained unemotional and almost droopy. Kodak looked over at his hulking friend and then at the carrying case.
	“Do you need help carrying that?” Kodak asked his tan eyes shifting around keeping an eye on where he was going.
	“Nah I got it my friend.” Kull's voice was deep and brooding in a way. “Do you think they?”
	Kodak chuckled his chubby face melting into a smile. “Well it Thoran is anything like you and Bardak is anything like me then I'm sure of it.”
	Kull sighed out deeply and looked over at his friend. “I already knew the answer to the question I just wanted to hear it from you.”
	“You sound so down. What's the matter?” Kodak took a few steps forward to get ahead of his friend before turning around so he could see his face.
	“It's nothing!” Kull was fairly tight lipped about his thoughts, he always had been.
	“Come on Kull just tell me.” Kodak slowed his pace forcing Kull to slow down.
	“I said it's nothing!” Kull's voice got louder.
	Kodak came to a stop causing Kull to stop as well, a smile pushing to his lips. “Oh I get it. You're jealous.”
	Kull looked away a look of embarrassment on his face. “No...”
	“I didn't know you still thought of those things.” Kodak couldn't help but feel flattered.
	“Of...of course I do. What you and I had was a little deeper than friendship. You were the first one I ever wanted to touch me like that. You were the only one in the village that didn't care about what happened to me. It seems things do change with time.” Kull's ears slipped backed his eyes grew heavy.
	“What happened to you wasn't your fault and you know that.” Kodak reached out taking the carrying case from his friend before turning and walking along to the curing well.
	Kull watched his friend storm off. It was easy for him to see that he'd upset his friend somehow. The need to know lurched himself forward wanting to know what he said. Or more importantly how he might fix it.
	Kodak came to a small clearing were a large tree stood. In the tree was a huge opening cut out and treated for storing meats. Large piles of salt deposits sat on either side of the tree. Kodak let the carrying case slip to the ground before leaning down and retrieving a bucket carved from wood. Kull stepped up to the tree watching Kodak scooping pile after pile of salt into the tree making a soft bed for the fish.
	Without a word Kull opened the carrying case and slowly pulled one of the fish  out. It still was alive just slow and groggy from the herbs in the treated wood and the lack of water. He walked over and lay the fish down in the salt quickly turning around to gather another fish. This time when he swung around his body collided with Kodak.
	The force was strong enough to cause Kodak to drop his bucket of salt and Kull to drop his fish. Kodak looked at Kull angrily almost challengingly. Something twitch in Kull as he internally flexed all of his muscles. No one would ever know the secret between them. In the eyes of the villagers and the chief. Kull was the first born and the superior of the two. But between them Kodak was first. Only when they were alone did either of them show it.
	Kodak's gaze grew stronger before her lurched forward grabbing Kull by his mane slamming him hard against the curing well. Kull bend willingly into this show of dominance and what followed after felt like a sweet release to nearly a decade and a half of prison. Kodak's lips fell upon his friends. The kiss was strong and passionate as it had been when they were young. Kull pushed his lips tightly to his friends trying to gain a foothold against the powerful kiss, but Kodak was too wise to his friends strategy. Kodak forced his soft tongue into Kull's mouth letting there tongues caress upon each other. Both bodies relaxed as their roles were finally established they fell together in a heap against the tree enjoying a long overdue embrace.
	After a long moment Kodak broke the kiss but kept his face pressed into his friend's. “I never forgot you nor did I forget this. I just got married and had a child. Then my duties as woodman got in the way. I'm sorry.”
	“You shouldn't be. This is how things happen. I could make a better effort myself. I just have a hard time expressing myself after what happened.” Kull ran his hands down along his pudgy friend's frame.
	Kodak nodded softly. “I understand. Haven't you spoken of this to anyone. Your wife, Thoran...”
	“No...you know I don't like to speak about it with anyone other than you.” Kull whispered softly as he looked down closing his eyes.
	Kodak shook his head and caressed along his friend's cheek lifting his face to look at him. “Don't shut down on me. I know it's hard for you to talk about this with others. So...why don't you and I talk about it, you know like we did years ago.”
	“I'm sure you don't want to talk about this again.” Kull rolled his eyes and let out a soft sigh.
	“Shh. I really do. I haven't heard it in fifteen years and there is nothing more than I would rather do right about now.” Kodak slowly persuaded Kull to come out of his shell.
	Kull took a deep breath and sighed hard. “Well...alright. As you already know I was only barely out of cubhood...”

Chapter Sixteen
Just Like Your Mother.

	Kull covered his ears tightly with his hands, but it didn't seem to do any good. Tonight sounded worse than most nights. The sounds of his mother crying and begging him to stop only fueled him onward. It was cold on the grass outside his house. Winter was on it's way and instead of being home and warm he was out onside on the grass shivering.
	It had been like this for weeks it seemed. Everyday his father would come home drunk off mead and angry about something. Kull would come forth and greet his father, but then his father would was always send him outside. It wasn't a big secret what was going on in the house, he could hear his father yelling about something, then the horrible sounds of hitting. The times Kull remember the most was when he'd had enough and he would sneak away to his friend Kodak's house.
	Tonight seemed like it was going to go on forever. He couldn't very well stay outside all night, he'd freeze to death. Slowly he pushed himself up and shuffled off into the darkness. Three huts down on the right, that's where Kodak lived now. It was like second nature to make that walk and as always Kodak's father Krell was sitting on the stump out front of the hut enjoying a midnight puff from his pipe. 
	The bear was hunched over on the stump with the hood of his cloak pulled over his face to keep him warm from the bitter cold. His ears perked up as he heard the familiar heavy footfall that he heard so many nights before. Yellow eyes peered from under his hood followed by a toothy grin.
	“Boy, you out taking a stroll in nary of cover I noticed.” He sized the young lad up and chuckled. “You're gonna freeze yer pecker off if you're not careful.” 
	Kull winced as he could still hear his father's shouting behind him. “I didn't have time to put any clothes on. Papa seemed particularly angry tonight.”
	Krell's face softened as he reached up and untied the string at his neck pulling his ratty cloak off and wrapped it around Kull's small frame wrapping him tightly in it. “Ya, I heard the shouting. I always hear the shouting. That's why I sit out here, so when you show up I can let you right in.”
	“Why is he doing this Krell? He's changed.” Kull asked covering his face with the cloak.
	Krell looked at the burning embers in the pipe as he blew out some smoke. “Yer father use to not be this way. I dunno what happened to him. After he hurt himself in the fight with those northern bears. It's like he's possessed.”
	“Did he get an infection? Or maybe the mouth foam?” Kull moved closer a shiver running through him.
	“No, just the ghosts of the provider are haunting him.” Krell wrapped and arm around the lad pulling him closer, sharing some of his ample body heat.
	“Momma said Ghosts weren't something to be afraid of though.” Kull looked up at him.
	“They're not these ghost are his own. Brought on by a lot of things.” Krell lightly kissed Kull's forehead. “Your heads warm are you starting to get sick?”
	“What kind of things?” Kull asked ignoring Krell's question as he rested his head on his shoulder.
	Krell knew that these questions were never going to end unless he told him straight out. “That injury took a lot out of your father. For one, he lost his position as bodyguard to the chief, that's a tough one to overcome. Then he became addicted to that powder the Shaman gave him. And finally your father has always been fond of the drink. Mixing that powder with that mead is probably not the best thing for him. Now you need to get your rump to bed before you catch your death.”
	Kull nodded slowly and wrapped his arms around Krell's neck. “I wish you were my father instead.”
	Krell sighed softly and hugged Kull back. “I know it's hard but try not to think ill of him. He's just going through a tough time. Now you get some rest, try not to wake Kodak or his mum. She catches me out here smoking and I'll be the next floor covering in the old hut.”
	Kull nodded sharply before slipping through the flap on the front of the hut. Krell smiled to himself as he took another puff off of his pipe. The yelling was still going on, but It was well muffled in the night and all at once it stopped. Krell cocked his head and raised and eyebrow before slowly rising. In all the nights he'd been listening to the fighting it had never just stopped before.
	The village was deadly quiet now except for the the sounds of Krell's feet moving through the dirt on the ground. He stopped suddenly as he could see Kull's father dragging something out of the hut. The look on his face was frantic and crazed as he did his best to drag whatever it was off into the bushes. Something was amidst. Krell did his best to keep quiet as he followed Kull's father through the bushes. Not an easy feat for a bear of his weight.
	Krell stepped through a batch of trees and stopped sharply as he was standing on the shore of a river. Something inside told him to step back, but it was too lat, his eyes connected with Kull's father's eyes. All at once Kull's father pushed a mound into the river and let the current flush it away. They stood their looking at each other for a moment. Krell was thinking of what to say, but to his surprise. Kull's father was the first to speak.
	“Just taking out the trash. So no need to run your mouth about it.” Kull's father turned and slowly walked back into the woods.
	Krell stood there for a long moment trying to see where the mound had washed away too, but with no luck. It could be possible that it was only garbage, but everything inside Krell told him that something was wrong. Krell shook his head and slowly walked back into the woods, pondering what just took place. As he stepped back into the woods. Kull's father was talking to one of the soldier bears about something. As he cocked his ear to hear what was being said Kull's father stopped and looked at him. There was a hate filled stare deep in his eyes. It was if he were a demon possessed.

	“Momma! Momma are you home.” Kull came running into the hut looking around frantically.
	“Your mother is gone. Gone for good. She ran off with another male.” A gritty voice pierced his ears.
	Suddenly the smell of mead and vomit assaulted his nose. He turned his head and looked at a mass that sat in the corner. His father sat on a pile of pelts a bottle of mead tucked in his lap. At some point in the middle of the night, he'd drank too much and thrown up on himself. It still clung to his fur. Kull backed away slowly and shook his head.
	“Why did momma leave?” Was all Kull could mutter as he was starting to feel fear creep in.
	“I already told you. That whore mother of yours ran off with another male. That's why we were fighting. Ah to hell with it, you don't understand. Get out of here. Go play!” His father rambled on as he took another swig from his bottle of mead.
	Kull nodded slowly and crept back out the door heading back over to Kodak's hut where he'd just left from. Kodak was sitting on the stump his father usually sat on listening to his mother talk about building and lighting a fire. Kull came over and took a seat on the ground next to Kodak. Frin was doing her best to teach Kodak his lessons, but was surprised to find that Kull had returned.
	“Child you have to go home now. It's lesson time for Kodak. I'm sure your mother has lessons for you as well.” Her thick accent made her sound more angry than she actually was.
	“My mother is gone. Papa said she ran off with another male.” Kull said softly as he tucked his hands in his lap nervously.
	“What would he say that?” Frin's eyes went wide her heart jumping to her throat.
	“Because he said she's a whore. I guess that's why she left.” Kull looked down at the ground.
	“Where did you hear that word?” Frin asked kneeling down in front of him.
	By this time Kull was walking back up the path from gathering wood for the breakfast fire. It was no surprise to him that Kull had come back. Nor was it a surprise that Frin was tending to him. What did surprise him was what happened next.
	Frin stormed up and got face to face with Krell wearing the most agree expression he'd every seen. “That bastard called Kull's mother a whore right in front of him and then lied and told him that she ran away with another male.”
	Krell stayed quiet, trying to figure out a way to calmly explain to his wife what he believe happened. “I think you should go over and stop his tiny useless sac for this. Speaking that way about a cub's mother is scarring.”
	“I know, there is something I have to tell you, but I have to wait until the boys are sleeping. So just calm down until then and we'll talk.” Krell said softly as he carried the wood and stacked it beside the hut.
	It seemed almost impossible to have a calm conversation with Frin when she was angry. This conversation wasn't going to be a pretty one at that. Krell swallowed hard and gathered his own thoughts as to what he was going to tell his wife. More importantly he had to think about how he was going to keep her from bothering Kull's father with this. If in fact Kull's father killed his mother what was going to stop him from killing again. This indeed was going to be a difficult conversation to have.

	Two months had passed. Kull's father never came home much anymore, and when he did he was always drunk and would pass out the moment he entered the hut. Kull had done his best to feed himself with what little food was in the hut and if he couldn't find food in the hut he would ask Kodak for some. Winter was finally in full swing and a chill ran through the hut.
	Kull hadn't learned how to build a fire and even if he did there was nothing to build a fire with. Kodak had actually gone to get his father to come over and make a fire so Kull didn't freeze in the night. Kull started gathering up what makeshift toys he had tucking them away in their satchel putting it by his bed. Suddenly a chill moved through him as the flap opened and his father stepped in.
	The familiar smell of mead was thick in the air. So thick that it was nauseating. His father was lightly chewing on his bottom lip as he swished around the mead in his bottle. 
	“Well look whose home. Haven't seen you in a while. Spending time with your other family?” His words were slurred and almost impossible to understand.
	If there was one thing Kull hated worse than being alone, it was being alone with his father. Kull didn't say anything he just kept his fingers cross that Krell would get there soon so he didn't have to be alone with him. Kull's father moved closer gripping his son by the shoulder pinching hard.
	“I asked you a question. When I ask a question you answer me! You're just like your mother you know that. Fat, lazy, worthless bitch who never did anything for anyone.” He spat in Kull's fast and ground his thumb harder into Kull's shoulder.
	Kull whimpered and closed his eyes tight trying not to cry, and the words came again. “Look at you, gonna cry from a little pain. You're weak just like your mother. You know what pain it. Pulling an arrow out of your ankle while fighting off two attackers.”
	Kull's father pulled him closer to show him the pink flesh of the wound sticking out through his fur. “Look at it!”
	Kull opened his eyes letting a few tears fall a he stared at the wound. “Crying...god what kind of son have I raised? Just like a female, worthless...only good for one thing.”
	A look washed over Kull's father's face and a twisted grin followed. “Only good for one thing. You wanna cry like a female, then I'll treat you like one.”
	Kull's father fell to his knees next to his son grabbing his breasts softly pinching them and squeezing them. Kull tried to pull away but all he receive was a hard slap across the muzzle. Kull's father continued to grope and pinch his son. Kull reached up and wiped the blood from his bottom lip as he tried to pull away again. This time his father pushed him. Hard enough to send him sprawling on his belly his face hitting the dirt hard. Kull pushed himself up onto his hands and knees shaking his head, trying to clear his mind.
	Then the voice came again like nails on a chalk board. “Hey look at this. It's been a while since I had me a cub wife to keep me warm. It's good to see she already knows my favorite position too.”
	Kull's father moved up behind him gripping the back of his neck hard. “Don't you move and don't make a sound or so help me goddess I will beat you back and blue.”
	Kull trembled hard as he could feel his father shifted behind him. His father caressing and petting along his rump muttering things. Things he could understand. He didn't know what was happening and he was too afraid to look behind him. All he wanted was for Krell to come rescue him. Maybe if he called out, Krell would come running. Kull hear his father spit into his hand.
	“Now get ready for some real fun.” He heard his father grunt out as he pushed his tip against his son's virgin pucker.
	“Father stop...” Kull whimpered out trying to fight against his father.
	His father gripped his hips harder and pulled back feeling his tip slip in. The pain was searing and tearing at him. Kull let out a hard gasp as he could feel tears welling up in his eyes. Kull clawed the pelts under him squeezing his butt cheeks together trying to keep his father from going any deeper. Kull's father growled out and starting pulling back even harder sinking in slowly and deeply. Kull cried out as he tried to scramble way.
	“Just like your mother, don't fight, you little bitch you're ruining the moment.” Kull's father shouted out loudly.
	Kull tried to fight once more to get away. His father brought a fist down hard into Kull's side forcing the air from Kull's lungs. Kull reached back gripping his side coughing and gasping for air. His father took this opportunity to thrust his length all the way in. His girth was enough to tear the tender flesh of his pucker. The pain was burning and searing all at once. There was a sickening knot deep inside of his bowels. Kull coughed out hard and let out a chocked cry.
	“There you go little lass, now you have something to cry about.” His father chided as he started a quick rhythm of thrusts.
	Kull had no strength to fight back, he was too busy trying to suppressed the feeling of throwing up. He whispered over and over in his head that he wished he would just die. The pain seemed only seemed to be getting worse as well. The trusting drew to fast pace so hard that his father was buried into him to the base and then almost pulled free. Blood dripped from his once tight pucker onto the pelts under him.
	Kull was growing numb inside. His mother ran away. Krell had forsaken him. Now he was forced to endure this all alone. What had he done to deserve this. He was pulled back to endure the pain by his father slapping him on the rump cheek. The sickening grunts flowed in unison with the slapping of his dads lap against his butt.
	“Boy...you might be better then your momma. I might have to make you my new wife.” His father said through grunted teeth.
	Kull's father slammed his hips hard against Kull's round backside. His pace picking up. Kull was bleeding freely from his pucker. The pain had left him numb and gasping for air, trying to recover from the side punch. His vision was blacking out as he could feel the thrusts getting deeper and harder. Finally there was a heavy jolt form his father.
	“Here it comes you little bitch!” The gritted voice called behind him as he pulled back hard.	
	There was a gut retching pain running all through him as he felt his father thrust as hard as he could. Kull could feel heavy liquids spilling into his gut between the waves of pain. It was all so over whelming that he couldn't hold on anymore. Blackness took him as he dropped down to the pelts out cold. Kull's father shook his head slowly and pulled out of him watching as the white liquid mixed with the blood seeped out onto the belts.
	“Worthless bitch couldn't take it.” He mumbled to himself as he finished milking himself onto Kull's back.

	Krell stepped through the flap and stared in horror. Kull laying unconscious on a pile of pelts. His father towering over. It wasn't hard to figure out what had happened. Kull's father quickly stroking himself, covering his own son in his seed. Blood dripping out across a pelt from the young male's rump. It felt as if lightening struck Krell's heart.
	Krell felt the blood boiling in his ears. A white hot light flashed over his eyes. The sound of the strap across his chest snapped as he pulled his axe free. A hard slash across his body and it was all  but over. Kull's father's body dropped down to his knees and then over onto his side. Cold and dead the axe still buried through his shoulder and halfway through his chest. Krell shook his head slowly and shrugged. It wasn't the first dead body he'd seen and he was sure it wouldn't be the last.
	Krell did the best he could to be quiet as he wrapped the body in a few pelts before dragging it off into the woods. His mind worked out all the things that he was going to tell Kull about his father. There was no time to get lost in thought. He had to take care of this. He quickly covered the body with branches before heading back to the hut.
	As he stepped through the trees he almost ran head first into Frin. She could sense something was wrong. It didn't take her long to find out what. An anger grew inside of her as she was getting ready to run off ranting, but Krell covered her mouth with his hand.
	“I need you to prep me a warm bath. I have to clean the lad up. He can't wake up and find himself like that. Things are going to be hard enough for him now.” Krell whispered softly in her ear.
	Frin said nothing, just nodded and backed away slowly before heading back to their hut. Krell went back to work. A little blood had soaked through the pelt where he'd slain Kull's father, but that was an easy fix. Krell knelt down and covered over the blood with fresh dirt before laying another pelt over it.
	Krell turned his attention to the Kull who still lay there covered and blood, and semen. It made his heart sink some in his chest. Such a good lad, treated so unfairly. He knelt down and scooped Kull's limp body. He was much heavier than he looked. It took every ounce of strength to carry him. Three huts down on the right never seemed further away, but when he made it. Frin was pouring the last bucket of water into the wash tub.
	Krell looked into his wife's eyes and nodded in appreciation. Kodak was right there beside the tub looking up with wondering eyes. The type of eyes that begged to know what happened to his best friend. Krell couldn't bring himself to say anything about it. His eyes found Frin's in the darkness.
	“Come Kodak, it's time for you to get to bed. Kull will be joining you after he has a bath. Won't that be fun.” Frin reached down and took Kodak's hand pulling him towards the hut.
	“But is he alright?” Kodak asked looking from his mother back to his father.
	Krell didn't know if Kull was going to be alright or not. Such a tragic thing happened to him. There was no telling how he would react to this. Finally all Krell could muster was a slowly head nod and a forced smile. Kodak slowly walked back into the house with his mother leaving Krell to tend to Kull.
	Krell lowered Kull into the water being sure to cradle his head in one hand, while the other cleaned his fur. Then down around his rump and between his legs, making sure to clean him up really well. The feeling of the cold air in conjunction to the hot water was enough to pull Kull back. His dark eyes fluttered open seeing Krell frantically working to clean him up.
	“Papa...what...why...I hurt down here.” Was all he could mutter through his dry lips trying to move his arms.
	“Shh Kull. I've got you.” Krell said nervously trying to keep Kull calm.
	“What happened?” Kull whispered trying to bring himself around.
	Krell pursed his lips as he thought for a moment. “It doesn't matter now. Your father left and I'm here to take care of you.”
	“Oh...good. Maybe he'll find Momma and then they'll come home.” Kull closed his eyes and sighed softly.
	“I don't think your dad's coming back. He's not a good bear after all.” Krell forced out as he grabbed a pelt Frin had laid out for Kull.
	“...try not to think ill of him...remember that what you said. I mean too.” Kull whispered softly and scratched his belly.
	“Good boy, now go to sleep and I'll see you in the morning.” Krell could feel a lump forming in his throat as he heard the sad words from the cub in his hands.
	“Okay...good night Krell.” Kull barely muttered before drifting off into sleep.
	Krell sighed softly as he shook his head. It was almost surreal to him who could have done thing. A warm hand rested on his shoulder. Krell looked up to see Frin giving him a loving look. Neither of them felt much like talking about this  right then. Frin simply knelt down and scooped up the pelt holding it open while Krell picked Kull up in his arms. Frin wrapped him up nice in tight in the pelt making sure he was completely warm and comfortable before helping Krell put him to bed next to Kodak.
	Kodak smiled brightly as he rested his head on his sleeping friend. “Don't worry dad I'll keep him safe.”
	“I bet you will kiddo.” Krell whispered before giving Kodak a kiss on his forehead. “Now get some sleep, so you two can play all day tomorrow.
	“Okay papa, good night.” Kodak said hugging Kull tightly.
	Krell lay down on the pelts next to them trying to make sense of the thoughts running through his head. Frin moved to lay next to him, resting her head upon his broad chest holding him tightly. Krell moved his head to rest his lips on her forehead taking comfort in the arms of his wife. Sleep wouldn't come easy tonight once again.

	The following night Kull sighed softly as he shuffled around his hut. It was larger than he remembered. Now with his mother and father both gone, it was all his. The things that at one point had brought comfort and filled him with security looked new and foreign to him. This wasn't his home anymore. It was still two years before he could take a wife, how was he going to cook his meals? How was he going to live like this?
	Just at that moment the flap opened and Kodak stepped in followed by his mother Frin. Kodak stepped forward wrapping his arms around Kull giving him a brotherly hug. While his mother presented him with a satchel full of something that smelled wonderful.
	“Hey friend. I'm sorry about your father. I wish there was something I could do.” Kodak fluffed Kull's cheeks playfully.
	Kull didn't say anything he just tucked his hands behind his rump. Kodak bit his bottom lip before he looked back at his mom. Who opened up the satchel and pulled out a freshly baked roll holding it out to Kull. Kull took it in his hand and slowly nibbled on it. It had been a few days since he last ate, only at this moment had he noticed how hungry he was.
	“Momma made these for you, if you get hungry in the night.” Kodak looked up at his mom.
	“That's the truth! You're also welcome to come over anytime you get hungry. You're part of our family now. Just as Kodak is allowed to stay the night here as often as he likes, as long as he keeps on top of his lessons.” Frin's accent was so thick it was almost hard to understand her.
	“Thank you so much for this. I was starting to feel lost.” Kull's said through a mouthful of food.
	“Anytime Sweetie.” Frin said as she started tiding up the hut a little before crouching down to make a fire.
	“Where's Krell, I want to thank him for everything he's done too.” Kull said flopping down on the pile of pelts that was his bed.
	Frin smiled broadly, so broadly in fact her eyes seemed to disappear. “Oh he'll be along shortly, he had some business to attend to and then we'll all sit down and have a late dinner before you two rascals head to bed.
	The sound of the river was the only sound rushing through his ears. The soft glow of the embers cast a orange light onto his face. Krell took a long inhale of the long stem of his pipe before putting his boot to a large mound wrapped in pelts. The mass rolled down the slope easily and hit the water letting the current carry the mass away. Krell spit into the water and pursed his lips.
	“...try not to think ill of him...” He mumbled to himself. “...Looks like I was wrong....”
	Krell leaned down and picked up a blood soaked axe rocking back and throwing it as far down the river as he could, listening intently for the splash. He shrugged his shoulders at what he felt was a job well done before turning around and heading back to the village, enjoying a few last pulls on his pipe.

Chapter Seventeen
What Comes Next?

	Tears slipped free from Kull's eyes as he finished his story. Kull's open his eyes. all he could see was Kodak's sympathetic face. Kodak reached up and rubbed his friend's cheeks, soaking his tears in the fur of his hands. Kull wrapped his arms around his friends neck holding him tightly. Kodak kissed the side of his head shifting to kiss his cheek and then along his muzzle.
	“It's alright now. You're with me love.” Kodak whispered between kisses, before tracing the tip of his tongue along his friends lips.
	Kull found the strength to smile through his broken heart. He parted his lips inviting his friend to taste him in a passionate kiss. Both of them knew all too well what was going to happen next. Anytime Kull had opened up emotionally with Kodak it led to something intimate between. This time was going to be no different. Kodak's face softened and became feminine. Slowly he pushed Kull back onto the soft grass and foliage.
	“You...don't have too.” Kull whispered softly looking over his friends chubby form noticing Kodak's thick meat already pushing past his loin cloth.
	Kodak caressed Kull's lips softly and smiled. “Shh. I want this more than anything right now. I want you inside of me.”
	Kull could feel his cheeks flush under the dark fur on his face. “You...want me inside of you?”
	“Yes. I know I was never good enough to you to let you mate me, but I want to make it up to you now. I want to feel you inside of me.” Kodak bit his bottom lip dealing with his own cheeks blushing.
	Kull nodded as he reached up to touch his friend's face. “I don't have the words my friend.”
	“I'm glad.” Kodak traced his fingers slowly along Kull's chest.
	Kull's heart was already starting to pound hard in his chest. Kodak flicked and traced along Kull's dark pink nipples that protruded through his chest fur. Kull reached down slowly to caress Kodax's hardened length, but was halted by his friend gripping his hand.
	“No my big strong man, you just lay back and let me please you.” Kodak whispered softly, reached down untying the leather strap that held Kull's loin cloth on.
	Kull's sheath was so swollen it threw his loin cloth to the side. Kodak breathed out softly in amazement at how swollen he was. Kodak lifted his friend's belly to get a better look at it. A dark pink tip was pushing it way out of his sheath slit.
	“Oh my goddess Kull, you've gotten so big over the years.” Kodak quivered excitedly as he ran his fingers along the package.
	Just the feeling of Kodak's fingers caressing pushed his length further from his sheath. It was all too eager to be touched. Kodak cupped his large sack feeling the heavy orbs, they were swollen too filled with hot seed ready to come out. Kodak licked his lips slowly and bit his bottom lip as he could feel his mouth salivating.
	“How long has it been since you last...you know?” Kodak swallowed hard before licking his lips.
	“Over a year.” Kull whispered softly.
	Kodak leaned close and blew cool air over the thick meat watching as it flexed eagerly. “Well then you're going to really enjoy this.”
	Kodak parted his lips and moved closer to take him into his mouth when he felt Kull touch the back of his neck. “No foreplay please! I'm so close already that I won't last long.”
	Kodak giggled softly and nodded. “Anything you say love. But you're stuck being inside of me until I finish.”
	“I wouldn't have it any other way...love.” Kull whispered, watching as Kodak's eyes widened.
	Kull very rarely referred to anyone as love. He never said I love you, not to his wife or his son. Kodak smiled tenderly and leaned down taking Kull's full length into his mouth soaking it in his saliva. The taste was strong and musky more than it had ever been, but he could still taste a familiar flavor of his friend. A gently squirt of pre hitting the back of his throat. It must had been a long time for him if he was already dripping. Kull flexed his whole body a tingle ran through him, he looked down at his friend who smiles back teasingly. Kodak let the length slip from his lips with a suckling pop.
	He shifted over his friend's body straddling Kull's belly, rubbing his own swollen sack along his body until he was where he wanted to be. Kodak took a deep breath doing everything he could to stifle the excitement and nervous feeling pushing through. Kodak's fingers wrapped around the tip of his friend's penis caressing it around his own pucker coating it in pre to help lubricate it. Kodak slowly sat down pushing his length into his opening. The pain was severe as it was Kodak's first time.
	He lowered his head pressing it into Kull's chest as he was spread open. Pain pushed through him in one wave. His thick butt cheeks sunk all the way down onto his friend's lap. Kodak panted hard letting his insides adjust to Kull's girth. It was an amazing feeling. He could feel every breath Kull took, every twitch and flex that his friend did. Kull looked at Kodak's face reaching up to pet his cheeks. He knew it hurt to be all the way in and he knew the first time was the most painful. A look of remorse washed over his face.
	“It's alright I want this still. I want to feel you cum inside of me.” Kodak kissed his paw pad softly.
	“Yes my love.” Kull whispered, the words sent blood rushing to Kodak's ears.
	The pain subsided and gave way to a tingle deep inside Kodak's stomach. Kodak shifted his legs to support his weight. His muscles rippled beneath his fur. He could push off of his friend slowly, letting the length slip out before lowering himself back down a small pant pushed from his lips. The feeling of the length dragging along his insides tingled deep into his testicles.
	Kull already looked like he was going to finish. Kodak leaned over and rested his hands on either side of Kull's head so he could watch ever gesture of his friend's face. He rose up again and then back down a little harder this time. Kull rolled his head back and grunted. Kodak's own hardened length was pinned between there large stomach and each rise and fall pushed a heated thrust between their bellies.
	Kodak was amazed at how good it felt to ride his friend, and how good his length felt rubbing against their bellies. A layer of sweat was forming under his fur as he continued to pace his riding motion wanting to savor the feeling of his friends large penis. Kull's hands caressed along Kodak's legs, then thighs. Before to long they'd traveled the entire length of his body coming to cup Kodak's ample breasts squeezing and pinching his nipples.
	Kodak rolled his eyes into the back of his head. He couldn't believe that Kull would remember how sensitive his nipples were and how much he loved them to be played with. The tables were turning now. Kodak could feel himself getting close. Kull rolled his breasts around in his hands starting to trust up into his friend. Kodak's pace started to quicken uncontrollably.
	Kull felt a frantic pulse pushing through him his hand gripping his friend's hips pulling him down hard, burying his cock deep into Kodak. At that instant Kull let out a whimpering moan that he use to make when he and Kodak use to play. Kodak opened his eyes when he heard the sound. A heavy wave of juice squirted from Kull's tip, coating his friend's insides. Kodak gritted his teeth hard against the pain of the heavy thrust. But in that instant the pain was lost to the rush of the feeling his friend's hot seed rushing into him.
	All the feelings coming together all at once push Kodak over the edge, his seed spilling between there bellies sticking their fur together. Kodak shifted his hips a soft tingle that felt more like a shock to his sensitive penis forced a whimper out of his pursed lips. Kodak opened his mouth and let out a soft pant as he slipped down to lay on his friend. Kull reached up and ran his fingers through his friend's thick sweaty fur.
	Kull petted up and gripped the back of Kodak's neck shifted his face so he could kiss his lips lovingly and passionately. Kodak returned the affection his tongue rubbing and caressing his tongue tasting his saliva. Kodak lightly pet Kull's neck while they kissed.
	Time passed before the two finally managed to push themselves up. Kodak moaned to himself and shivered as he watched Kull's heavy load drip from him. Kodak was nice enough to lick his own seed from Kull's belly while he watched. Kull gathered some leaves helped his friend clean up making sure that there was no evidence. Neither of them talked much after the intimate encounter, they didn't want to spoil the beautiful thing that happened between them.
	They quietly tended to the fish getting them all salted. Then they walked back to the village just enjoying being together as they were as kids. When they near the village they looked sadly at one another and shared a soft peck on the lips. Kodak shifted his lips to touch Kull's ear whispering something.
	Kull smiled brightly and nodded before offering another tender kiss. Kull backed away turning towards his hut and walking off. Kodak watched him go until he reached his hut and passed through the leather scrap that acted as a door. Kodak paced off towards his own hut stepping into the dark of the main room. His wife smiled up at him and tended to the fish that was roasting on the fire.
	Talma was a soft looking bear wife. Brownish gray fur cascaded over her plump and round body. She had a fluffy mane that framed her beautiful face, with it's long narrow muzzle and round, beautiful amber eyes. She rose up and wiped her hands on a thing piece of cloth.
	Kodak's looked around the room as he heard the soft sound of sleeping. His eyes fell upon the pile of pelts that acted as the family bed and saw Bardak and Thoran piled together in a cub pile. Upon further inspection he could see that one of their hands had their fingers entwined. A laugh almost pushed it's way out of his mouth, but it melted into a smile. Boys will be boys, was all his mind could muster before he walked over to his wife leaning down and kissing her cheek.
	“Hello my wife, I hope you're doing well.” His voice was cheery and inviting.
	“Very well my beautiful husband.” She responded kissing his chin affectionately before kneeling down by the fire once more.
	“Our son caught so many large fish. Maestra and Taluke will praise them for a job well done.” Kodak slipped down next to his wife by the fire.
	“Wonderful, he's a natural just like his father.” His wife giggled softly giving her husband's thigh a soft pet.
	“Yes he is. It brought some old memories back up. In a few days I think I would like to go fishing with Kull like we did when we were cubs.” A smiles so large traced Kodak's face.
	“Oh that would be wonderful for you and he. It's been a coon's age since you spent time together. Plus it will give me and his why Marish a chance to rekindle our friendship.” She offered a smile equally as broad.
	Kodak leaned back on his hand watching the fire dance, his mind wondering back to the moments he and Kull shared. There was a pain in his gut while he thought fondly of his friend. He rubbed lightly along his loin cloth feeling a tingle starting to grow, it was small in comparison to the emptiness that Kull left inside of him.