Lupus and Lepus

After the Stars

The small white rabbit gently nestled deeper into the thick coat that kept her warm at night. The soft, warm, gray fur of the wolf that she loved. The wolf who protected her at every moment. The wolf who took her fear away, and who would comfort her during the stormy nights and windy days. Likewise, she was his strength, the source of his courage and endless resolve. She had become his reason for being, his reason for everything he did.

As the morning sun began to filter through the trees, the rabbit turned her head and buried her face in her guardian's flank. He slept soundly, curled around her, but still remained alert. At a moments notice he could leap up and grab his small companion by the scruff of her neck, and go bounding off to get her to safety. Birds began to chirp, and the wolf yawned, showing his ivory-colored fangs. He gently nudged the top of his bunny's head with his nose.

"It's time to get up, little one" he said.

"Just a little longer" she replied in a tired voice.

"Very well" the wolf permitted.

As soon as she was ready, the two began today's journey. She moved a few fox-lengths in front of him, gleefully hopping through the trees. The wolf's ever watchful eyes were always on her when they weren't scanning for danger. His watch over her allowed her to to remain carefree. His senses where all sharp, and on alert for anything that may pray upon a rabbit. Upon his bunny. He refused to let anything else near her.

As they did everyday, they spent most of their time wondering, stopping to eat when they got hungry. The wolf would eat harmful pests such as rats, as to not upset his companion, while she nibbled on grass and veggies. Once their hungers were satiated, they would resume. There travels took them all over, they met other friendly animals, and even faced dangers.

One day a bear cub went after the rabbit. The wolf bit him and he went scurrying off to his mother. She quickly tracked them down, attacking the wolf furiously by sundown.

"I'll male you pay for my son, and your rabbit too!" she roared at him. He lost his temper and charged her. He rammed into her flank amd knocked her over, but she quickly batted him away. He charged again, but she flung him into a tree. She was about to crush him, but stopped when she saw the fearless look still burning in his dazed eyes. Deciding he had learned his lesson, she turned and left.

Once she was gone, his eyes closed, and he let his head drop to lay on the ground. The rabbit came running to him.

"Open your eyes" she begged, nuzzling again the top of his head, nudging him with her nose. There was a snicker, and she whirled around to see the fox that had chased her and the wolf had scared away.

"How heartbreaking, the poor wolf has met his end" the fox said mockingly. "I'm so sad that I need to eat my sorrows away." The fox slowly approached, padding foreword slowly and menacingly. The small rabbit was terrified. Suddenly, the fix froze, fear in his eyes. A barking growl sent him fleeing with his tail between his legs. The rabbit's heart almost burst with joy, for she knew the growl came from her protector, her wolf. She turned as he laid down so his weary body could rest. She turned and buried herself in his fur.

"You scares me" she said.

"I'm sorry" he replied. By now the sun had set, and they were illuminated by pape moonlight. "The stars are out, look, Lepus" said the wolf.

"What did you call me?" she asked.

"Lepus, after the bunny in the stars" he told her.

"Are there any wolfs among the stars?" she asked.

"Yes, Lupis" he replied. "He hunts Lepus with Orion."

"Then I shall call you Lupis, the wolf who caught Lepus, and fell in love" she said. "After the stars."

"Goodnight Lepus" said Lupis.

"Goodnight Lupis" said Lepus. And with that they gently fell asleep together, their love even stronger.