Under The Moonlight With You [Bbangsaz]

3. Winter Heat

Hanni opened her eyes in shock, she blinked them open and stared up at the ceiling.
The piercing cold made her growl, she made herself curl up even more under her blanket.

It was so cold.

Thin smoke came out of her mouth.

I really need to fix that roof tomorrow morning.

She raised her head, and screamed loudly when she saw a large, shaggy black creature next to her.

The creature woke up with a jolt, and immediately jumped up on its four legs. Its back arched, putting up an alert position.

Its huge tail pulled Hanni next to its body, "What's happening?" It growled harshly, scanning the doors and windows.

There was nothing. There was also no unfamiliar smell or aura.

"Minji...?" Hanni asked hesitantly.
"Yes, it's me." The creature replied, still in a wary manner.
Hanni exhaled with relief, she lifted her hand, feeling Minji's body in the darkness.

Was she in her wolf mode?

"Pham Hanni, what's wrong? Why are you screaming?" Minji asked in confusion.
"I woke up and saw a big creature...I think..."
"A big creature?" Minji's ears lowered, feeling a little offended.
"It's dark here! And I just had a nightmare, so...I didn't mean to insult you, I was just startled." Hanni immediately explained her words.

"You had a nightmare?" Minji's ears perked up, feeling concerned.
"Yeah...I'm fine now, it was just a dream." Hanni said, hugging herself, rubbing her arms and shoulders.
"Your voice is shaking, are you cold?" Minji returned to a half-lying position on the floor.

Hanni took her broad cloth, "Yeah, I didn't expect it to be this cold." She wrapped her body with it.
"I told you. Come here." Minji wagged her tail.
"I'm fine." Hanni said with chattering teeth. Minji let out a small snort, "Yeah, right. C'mon, you'll be warmer if you stick to my thick fur. It's many times better than that thin blanket of yours."

Hanni reached out her arm, touching the surface of Minji's wolf fur.

It was smooth and voluminous, and very warm.

"Don't worry, it's clean." Minji said again.

Hanni moved closer to Minji, and laid herself down on Minji's side. The wolf immediately covered Hanni's body with her tail.

Hanni closed her eyes and grasped the cloth tightly. She gave a small smile, "Thank you." She said softly.

Minji also closed her eyes again, "Sleep well, Pham Hanni."

•••

"Do you want to take a walk down there?" Hanni asked Minji when they finished fixing the roof. "Down there? The village, you mean?" Minji took a swig of water from her bottle. Hanni nodded.

"Is that okay? I mean..I'm not a local..."
"It's fine, sometimes there are some residents of the next village or travelers who stop by our place."
"Alright. But we haven't collected any wood for the fireplace yet."
"I'll ask Miss Marsh, she usually likes to share with the villagers when it's winter."
"She sounds like a noble-hearted woman, not like her appearance last time."
"She's just protecting me."
"You really are such a special person that a Suprema, and that ninja wolf, are always watching over you."

Hanni chuckled, "A ninja wolf?"
"Yes, that tall one."
"Hyein you mean? She's so cool, she can disguise her scent. And now you must not realize she's watching us from the rooftop either, right?"

Minji looked up at the rooftop and saw the girl named Hyein sitting on it. She smiled, showing off her fangs when Minji stared at her.

What the...