Call of the Wild (rewrite)

Chapter 45

     Branch ran around the large area, joyfully chasing his siblings, nieces, and nephews, as Poppy sat on a small rock, watching as she laughed at the adorable dork that was her best friend.

     He was usually pretty happy when she was with him, but she'd never seen him this happy. She liked it when he was happy. When he was happy... she was happy...

     Suddenly, Branch stopped running, smiling over at Poppy, as he frantically wagged his imaginary tail.

     "Arf!" he barked to his family before happily running over to the young princess.

     "Hey, Branch," she giggled, seeing that goofy grin she loved so much, plastered clearly on the little puppy troll's face. "Are you having fun?"

     Without even answering the question, Branch suddenly grabbed hold of Poppy's cape, trying to pull her over to his family, growling playfully as if insisting she moved faster.

     "What are you doing?" she laughed, allowing him to lead her forewords.

     He led her straight to the baby cuddle pups, who were only a little bit smaller than she was, wagging his imaginary tail as he looked up at Poppy expectantly.

     "Arf!" he barked, before bowing down like a dog who wanted to play, allowing his tongue to hang out happily, as he panted in excitement. "Arf! Arf!"

     Poppy stood there for a moment, looking down at the little puppy troll in confusion, not knowing what he wanted her to do? What was he asking of her?

     "You! You!" he finally yelled out excitedly, frantically wagging his imaginary tail. "Arf!"

     "Oh..." the young princess said in sudden realization. "You want me to..."

     Slowly, she got down onto her hands and knees, bowing down like Branch was.

     "Arf!" he barked with joy, beginning to spin around in tight circles, excited that his friend was doing what he wanted. "Arf! Arf!"

     Finally, he turned back to Poppy, smiling at her as if waiting for her to do something.

     Confusion... Poppy had no idea what Branch wanted her to do now...

     "Arf!" he barked again, nodding his head slightly as if instructing her to do the same.

     "Um... Arf?" she said, raising an eyebrow.

     In response to this, Branch shook his head, getting back into his bowing position.

     "Arf!" he barked again, gesturing for her to do the same.

     Ok... she knew what he wanted now...

     The young princess bowed down playfully once more, mimicking Branch's actions.

     "Arf!" she barked, sounding exactly like a Cuddle Pup
"Arf!" the young pups barked back, their ears perking up at the sound of Poppy's words.

     Suddenly, the cuddly balls of fluff leaped forewords, tackling Poppy to the ground.

     Laughing, Branch jumped onto Poppy as well, all of them licking her face lovingly, tickling her skin immensely.

     "No! Stop!" she laughed loudly. "Stop it! It tickles!"

     The Cuddle Pups quickly jumped off of her, running away to play with each other once more, except Branch who stayed right by Poppy's side, pushing his head into her to help her sit up.