The Howler (Bruce Banner/Hulk Fanfiction)

Chapter 5: Worst Is Yet To Come

Fingo angled his paws as he clustered up the slope quickly with his tail kinked over his back. He immediately angled his ears when he heard talking and let out a slight whimper when he realized who it was.

"And then I basically forced a leaf into the pup's mouth and clamp it shut while massaging his throat. If only pups understood the logic that if we're giving them something it's to make them feel better, not worse," pointed out a delicate she-wolf as she walked side by side with a smokey gray wolf.

The gray wolf snorted in agreement. "You couldn't be more right, Shuriken. I mean even the elders. I've been giving them the same herb for most of their retired lives and now they want to suggest that I'm trying to kill them," he joked warmly.

"To their defense, you probably are," chimed in Fingo as he crept from the bushes over to the other two healers with amusement shinning in his eyes.

Shuriken rumbled in pleasure as she met Fingo's gaze. "Fingo! So nice of you to join us! I wasn't sure that you were going to be allowed after the battle with my pack," she fretted.

Fingo let a low growl roll in his throat as he met her gaze. "What my pack does regarding battle has nothing to do with me or now I treat my packmates. Besides, no one is going to tell me when I can or can't visit Starbound and seek their advice."

The other two healers exchanged a glance before they bustled around Fingo. Shuriken leaned forward and touched her nose to his ear. "Who knew that Fingo had such a temper? Did you, Dulpin?"

The other male healer shook his head. "Not at all."

"Enough about me. How about you two get me up to speed with your packs while we head to The Cave Of Souls to share dreams with Starbound," he suggested urgently. He worked his claws against the ground impatiently as he tried to disguise the fear that had taken root in his heart.

Dulpin started toward the Cave Of Souls with Shuriken and Fingo trailing behind as always. They walked so close beside each other that their fur nearly brushed as they matched each other, stride for stride. Shuriken's intelligent, calm gaze met Fingo's until Fingo was forced to look away.

"So, how's your brother been? You haven't said much about him recently," replied Shuriken.

"Not much," Fingo lied, feeling his throat seem to close as he spoke. "I mean, he's just been keeping his head low and doing what he needs to do."

"Did he fight in the battle the other day? I didn't hear him mentioned in it and he's usually always mentioned. No offense, Fingo, but your brother is one of the largest wolves that the packs have, even including the alphas and betas," pointed out Shuriken good naturally.

Fingo forced a chuckle. "Yeah, don't I know it. I guess he didn't do very well this time," he replied as he felt an itch spread through him. He lifted his hind leg and scratched behind his ear roughly. "He's been kind of preoccupied with a pup."

"Pup?" Surprise showed in Shuriken's voice. "I didn't know that Fanggo had a mate, let alone a pup."

"He doesn't. We had a litter of pups that were very very sick and they all died except for the runt. He's bonded rather closely with him lately," answered Fingo.

Dulpin, who had been listening rather intently, spun his head around when they drew toward the Cave of Souls. "We're going to have to figure out this a little bit later as we've arrived," he pointed out as he started into the cave without waiting to see if they were behind him.

The two shrugged before they headed after him. The three of them were forced to walk in a single file when the walls of the cave began to close in on them. Fingo had made this trek more times than he could count and was used to the claustrophobic feeling that engulfed him as he waltzed forward. He brought up the rear before they finally made it to the heart of the cave.