A Change of Heart

Keeping A Promise

Shinta's POV

After eating, I walked outside my den. Mom waved a paw at me on the way out and I smiled in return. Once out, I instantly headed off towards Murray's old den.

As the den neared I sighed and walked to the entrance, peering into the rather well lit interior. It was illuminated by a well placed hole on the roof which I've seen a few times passing by.

My ears pricked up as I heard some faint rustling and laughter deeper in the woods. Murray's request flashed through my mind. I smiled a little and started walking towards the source of the laughter and rustling.

Up ahead through the trees I could see glimpses of an eevee and a growlithe. I stopped behind a tree, watching them from behind it, trying to figure out what I should say or do.

"Hello," said someone.

"Huh?" I jumped, surprised. I looked to my left to see the eevee and the growlithe behind them. Did they notice me? They must have. "Hi," I said, putting on a smile.

"Surprise you?" the growlithe asked.

"You're Shinta right?" the eevee asked.

"Yeah, well whoever said hello surprised me. And, well yeah I'm Shinta, but who are you?" I asked, wondering how this eevee knew my name. I don't recall ever meeting her before, or the growlithe.

"I'm Freya," the eevee yipped.

"Name's Maddie," the growlithe said calmly.

"It's... nice to meet you Freya and Maddie," I said happily. "Hey, how did you know my name?"

"Murray, you know, the shiny eevee," Freya answered.

"Oh, well, I was going to ask you guys if I could... play with you," I said.

"Well, then why were you over here?" Maddie questioned. "It seemed like you were trying to hide,"

"No, I wasn't trying to hide. I was... trying to think about what to say," I replied quickly.

"Do you still want to play?" Freya asked, cheerily.

"Yes, I would like to, if you don't mind," I said

"Sure, we were just play fighting, wanna continue that?" Maddie asked.

"Ok," I said and shook off a bit.

Maddie and Freya started walking back where they were before, I followed eagerly. Suddenly, Maddie jumped into me. I was pushed over and stunned from the impact, not reacting fast enough as she got over top of me. Freya was watching from the side and stifling a giggle.

"What ar-" I started to say but was cut off by Maddie.

"This is important, no drawing blood or any serious injuries, if it's an accident then fine but purposely doing it is not ok, aside from that don't hold back, because we won't," Maddie informed me.

"Ok, but did you have to attack me?" I asked.

"Well, we are play fighting so you might as well get used to it," Maddie said. She got off and smiled. I started to get up.