ANOTHER home, and a Death

[Strider]

Holly looked around. She liked this place. It had boats where she and Bracken could stay in, warm sand, and the wonderful sea smell. Lyano had loved the sea. He had talked about it as much as possible.

Bracken looked up as Holly dropped her son. "Is this where..." Bracken coughed. They had come back to see two dogs leaving the theater, and their home in flames. "Is this where we're going to stay?"

Holly nodded. "Yes, my dear, this is where we're going to stay." She licked her son lovingly and gently put him in some nets. His little black pelt shimmered in the moonlight as she covered him up. "Darling, I'm going to sit by the water's edge. Don't come out of there, ok?"

Bracken nodded and curled up, his breathing slowing until it showed that he was sleeping.

Holly looked down on her little one for a little while. She loved him with all her heart. He was the only one who had lived in her small litter of three pups. And when Lyano died... She pulled some blankets over her son and walked to the edge of the dock. Suddenly a shout came from behind her as somebody came toward her. Holly twirled around in fear. Her old master had followed her! Here! But, how!? Only one thought crossed her mind, 'Bracken!!!' The net began to stir as Bracken awoke, but he still lay underneath, watching with horror as the man approached his mother.

"So there you are you little *****!" shouted the man, swaying as he approached Holly. A smell of liquor came toward the she-dog as she backed up, almost falling over the edge, her beautiful golden coat shimmering as she shivered. "No need to fear me," lied the man, putting his hand out to her. "I wont hurt you."

Holly shivered. "Lier!" she shouted, even if the brute would only hear her as a bark.

"Now now, no need to get mad!" cooed the man. Suddenly, her jumped at her, but her nimble body easily got out of the way. He shouted as her hit the cold water. The man was very heavy and was wearing things that weighed him down.[/font][/size]

Holly snorted. Suddenly, the man's hand shot out of the water and grabbed her leg. Holly yelped and turned to bite him, but the man submerged and grabbed her muzzled.

"You sure aren't gettin' away from me. No doubt your little ****** of a pup is dead!"[/font][/size]

Holly whimpered as she felt him pulling her down. She ripped her muzzle free and called to Bracken who had began to creep out of the nets to help his mother. "Bracken, stay where you are!" Her back legs lost their footing on the dock as the man pulled her under. "Bracken," called Holly. "I love you." She was half-way down when she shouted, "Look out for yourself, and... and you look just like your farther!" Her head disappeared below the surface as the man pulled her down. It was over. Holly, daughter of Anna and Paul of the breeding company, mate to Lyano, and mother of Bracken, had died to save her son.

---------

Bracken shivered as her realized his mother wasn't coming back. It had been hours later and the sky was turning into a colorful sunrise. "Mommy," he called sadly. Bracken was alone in the world. He curled up and began to whimper.

[.::Tyrant::.]

"Oooh. My aching bones." A gruff voice floated down the beach towards the lonely young pup. "I'm getting to old for this."

A large grey schnauzer hobbled down the beach, gait stiff. His fur was whispy, and his eyes held much wisdom and knowledge. It was obvious that this dog was old.

Occuli scanned the beack as Bayarn walked, furry paws sinking into the sand. "Oh well, an old timer like me needs excercise else his bones will freeze up an'... eh! What's this!" Bayarn's dark eyes softened as they rested upon the tiny, lonesome figure of Bracken, sitting alone in the sand.

The elderly dog came to a halt before the pup, lowering his head carefully so that he could speak to the whelp at his level.

"Well, hello there, young'un." Bayarn said, a smile curving his lips. "What're you doing all on yer lonesome, laddy?"

[Strider]

Bracken yelped, woken suddenly from day dreaming of his mother and his father. Her last words would ring in his ears for years to come, "You look just like your father!" Now, an old dog was bending low over Bracken. He whimpered. "My mommy met our master. He used to hurt her, and now... and now..." Bracken looked sadly at the water. A few riples came from the dock, but the man and Holly had drowned long ago. Bracken shivered.

[.::Tyrant::.]

Bayarn listened to the pup's words, face creasing with concern. He lifted his head and followed Bracken's sad gaze to the water, and sighed, shaking his head.

Poor lad. He thouht, truning his gaze on Bracken and blinking down at the pup.

"Aye, lad. These things happen..." The old schnauzer began, gazing out to sea. "But yer mother is watching over you, my boy. An' she'll always be with yer, as long as you remember her."

The grey dog sighed once more. The poor young'un is out on his own. I have to help him. Tyrant'll take him in. He seemed a kind lad. Per'aps I can find a lass to care for the whelp... If not, I'll care for him. After all, I practically brought up Angus on me own.

Nodding decisively, Bayarn turned back to the small golden retriever puppy.

"Listen, m'boy," began Bayarn, dark, kind eyes meeting Bracken's. "You can't stay here all on yer lonesome. I belong to a gang, see, and I'm sure they'll take you in." The elderly brute rose slowly, groaning as his back twinged. "Follow me, there's a good lad."

He said, then turned and began to pad off up the beach, glancing over his shoulder to make sure that Bracken was following.

[.::Tyrant::.]

ooc: Yeah, I know, cheesey disney style post. XP

[Strider]

OOC: lol! ;D

IC: Bracken cocked his head, but followed, not knowing what else to do. This dog was so kind, and Bracken needed a home. "What's a gang?" he asked, never being in a city before now. "Is it a HUGE family?" Bracken guessed, thinking about the fact that Riley had said that he BELONGED to a gang, so it had to had many dogs.

Bracken tripped, but got right back up. If he had been bruised, none would be able to tell under the black fur.