Red Fur

Chapter 4

"So... If you could describe yourself... In one word... What would it be?"

Raion and I sat together on a ledge under the light of the full moon, talking quietly to each other. I pondered his question. "Hmmm... One word... Uh, red?"

Raion laughed lightly. "Well, I guess I could've guessed that much." He rolled over onto his side to look at me straight on. I blushed under his gaze and he half smiled. "Personality wise," he said quietly. I thought again. "... Hopeful." Raion cocked his head to one side, eyeing me curiously. His honey brown eyes were bright with curiosity. "Why?" He asked me gently. I let out a breath slowly. "Because... No matter how bad things get... I continue to hope that things will get better. I'm not sure whether to consider that a good or bad quality... Be cause it tends to mess with my ability to know when to give up." I felt a large and warm paw on mine and I looked up to face Raion, his eyes light and heartfelt. "Never." He murmured. I frowned at him. "What...?" His expression was serious, but reassuring. "I said never. Never is the word to help you remember when to give up. Because when to give up... Is not ever." I stared at him intently, searching his expression for any hint of a lie. There wasn't one. I only nodded once. Abruptly, Raion stood. "Well... You should get some rest. You're probably tired from the migration... I'll let you sleep." I nodded again. "Okay. And Raion...?" He looked at me. "Yes?"

"... Thank you."

"For what?"

"For... Well, everything."

He cocked his head at me, puzzled. "What do you mean?"

I looked at him seriously, lowering my head slightly. "Raion, my fur is red. BRIGHT red. People just... I... I'm not treated very kindly. But you showed me kindness... No one else has ever done anything like that for me. So thank you."

He just looked at me intently. He smiled mischievously. "... Promise me something... And we'll call it even." I frowned at him. "Huh..?" He took on the posture of an imploring child. He looked like a pup--- it was the most adorable thing I'd ever seen. "Aww, c'mon, please?"

I couldn't hold back a giggle. "Okay, alright. Lay it on me." He grinned, but then his expression grew a bit more serious. "... Let me be there for you."

I frowned again. "Huh...? What do you mean...?"

"... I don't like the way I see people treat you.... At all. So I'm asking you... Let me be there to protect you. From harm... Physical and verbal. Let me be there."

My face turned 50 shades of red as I stared wide eyed at him. He grinned, satisfied, and stepped back. "Promise?"

Blushing profusely, I nodded. Raion smiled. "Good. Now get some sleep. You need it." I began to lay my head down, then stopped to look back up at him. "Raion...?"

"Yeah?"

"... Will you stay with me...?"

"Of course."

Comforted with Raion by my side, I laid down. I didn't realize how exhausted I was until I got comfortable at Raion's warm side. "... Thank you, Raion..."

"You're welcome. Now sleep. Sleep."

I closed my eyes and drifted off into a peaceful sleep--- the first time in a long while.