Bear Event or Bare Event?

Over the next few hours, Kuma showed me things that I hadn't even imagined were possible.  Things that I couldn't have thought of in my wildest fantasies.  Guess I really had been sheltered.  Afterward, we cleaned up and he checked for messages on his "computer".  I was still confused about how letters were sent without being carried by a Currier.

Soon enough it was time for the party.  Kuma was introducing me around to his friends.  As it turned out, he also had a partner, Joebear.  They were in, what they called an "open relationship".  This was a new concept for me. I had never heard of such a thing.  It sounded like approved cheating at first.  But once it was explained further I got to understanding that it was actually a mutual decision to allow sexual encounters with others which actually strengthened their emotional bond by ensuring trust and love between the two.  It was obviously not a perfect situation for everybody, but for some it made for a beautiful relationship of mutual love, trust and respect.

So the event started out with everyone just kinda milling around and chatting with each other.  But that wasn't to last, for after a short time there was a little more "activity".  It started with simple kissing and groping.  Then things got a little "hotter" as the bonfire was set ablaze.  There were couples and groups doing unmentionable things.  I stayed with Kuma and Joebear because I felt safest with them.  Not that it wasn't all fun, but it was a little much to take in all at once.

After several hours, things started to die down along with the fire.  The Ursos started making their way to thier separate houses.  Kuma and Joebear invited me to stay the night with them.  They had a huge bed and sandwiched me between them.  It was warm and cozy being stuck between two bears.

I woke in the morning well rested.  We played some before we all got up.  Then we had breakfast and cleaned up and they set me off on my way to the city.  Still a long journey ahead, but now I had some good memories to keep me on my way.

Lions and Tigers and Bears? Nope, just Bears...

So, in the morning I woke with the breaking of the dawn.  I packed up and set off toward the tower.  It was quite a distance away yet, but I would make it easily by midday.  Just as I started off, suddenly a Bastog jumped out of the bushes, right in front of me.  "WHERE'S STEVEN!?"  What was Lilly doing all the way out here?  Had she followed me?

"Um," I responded unsure what to say.  "I haven't seen him..."

"I know he's out here somewhere.  He has my socks.  He was supposed to bring me my socks and now I have to wrap my feet in tissues."  Lilly held up her feet which were, in fact wrapped in a soft, light papery substance.  "If you see him, you tell him to come home right away, then."  She put her foot down and wandered off.

That Bastog was crazier than a loon.  I'm sure she was really nice if you were able to get to know her.  Anyway, I was walking again toward the tower.  The sun had moved quite far in it's morning sojourn when I saw something standing off the side of the road.  As I got closer, it appeared to be a bear.

This was not a normal bear mind you.  It seemed to walk on two legs and use it's front paws as hands, much like the Furgar and the Bastog.  Curiosity overcame me and I ignored that little voice in my head that said, "this might be dangerous".  I walked right up to the "Bear".  He turned to me and looked me up and down.  Then he smiled and said one word.  "WOOF".

"Oh, I don't talk like that."  I replied.  He must have thought I spoke like a dog because of how I look.

"Silly Furgar.  'Woof' is a term of endearment.  It means 'I think you're cute'.  You've obviously never seen an Ursos before.  Totally understandable.  We were created by the Furlord a short time ago.  Well, I guess 'short' is relative.  Anyway, we were created by the Furlord as an experiment.  We don't wander far from the tower at the Furlord's behest.  He isn't there any more and has asked us to upkeep it while he's away.  So, what brings you down this way, anyway?"

"Well, I'm journeying to the cities of men, but I'm exploring along the way.  I never expected to run into anything like you, however.  Thank you for the compliment.  So I guess, 'woof' to you as well.  So, is there a tribe of you or just a few?"  I asked.

"There is a tribe of us.  In fact we are having a party tonight.  A 'bear event' if you will.  Would you like to join us?  My name is Kuma by the way."  Kuma had a very docile tone, but his voice was intriguing.

"Dusk.  Well, Dusky as most people call me.  I would love to come to this party.  So we must not be too far away then since the Furlord doesn't want you to wander."  I felt like a bit of a dork.  I wasn't sure what to say.

"Well Dusky, you sexy little wolf, we are not far.  Follow me and I'll introduce you around."  Kuma said.  There was something about the way he moved that I had a hard time looking away from.  I found that I was really attracted to him.  Well, I'll follow this hot bear then.

We really weren't far.  When we arrived, the village was built with wooden houses and each seemed to have strings running from house to house.  "What's with the strings?"  I asked, rather confused.

Kuma snickered a little.  "Those are wires.  We have invented something called an 'internet' so we can all communicate with each other from these boxes called 'computers'."

Right.  Whatever that was.  Anyway, I'm sure I would see this new magic that allowed them all to communicate.  The tower was huge.  Must have been at least 16 stories high.  Looking up to the top gave me a feeling of vertigo.  I looked down and shook it off.  As we walked through town, lots of Ursos were emerging from their houses.

I realized there was something amiss here.  "Where are all of the females?  Do they only stay inside?"  I quizzed.

Kuma laughed.  "Females?!  There aren't any female Ursos.  That was part of the experiment."

"So, how are more Ursos made?  If you don't procreate, how do you multiply?"  I was so puzzled.

"Well, it seems that every now and then, another one just joins us.  I'm not quite sure where they come from.  Maybe the Furlord just makes more over time?  I'm not sure."  Kuma chuckled.

That was an acceptable explanation.  After all, a God's prerogative is not to be questioned.  So we made it to near the center of town.  "This is an interesting place."  I stated, looking around.

"It's a nice little village.  We have a lot of parties.  Here's my house."  Kuma said, opening the door to one of the houses.  "Wanna come in?"  He smiled and it was beautiful.

"Yes."  I fawned.  So he lead me into his home.  It was not super tidy.  He needed someone like Aunt Morning Glory to come clean it up.  He showed me the "Computer" and attempted to explain it's workings.  I was so confused that I just nodded and agreed with whatever he was saying.

After that, he stopped and stepped over to me.  He grabbed me in his burly arms and kissed me deeply.  I was a bit shocked at first.  This was very forward!  But after a few seconds, I just let it happen and kissed him back.  It was amazing.  I then felt his big paws wandering all over my furry body.  Things were about to get interesting...

Just Trollin'?

So I set off up the Snake River for a bit.  I came upon a bridge.  It was a nice stone bridge and seemed safe enough.  So I got ready to cross it.  Suddenly this Furgar pops up from under the bridge and jumps right into my way.  He was kinda scruffy and unkempt looking.  He just stood there and stared at me.

"Pardon me, I need to cross this bridge."  I explained, pointing to the bridge.

"You cross, you pay shinnies."  he stated in a very trollish manner.

"Um, what are you talking about?"  I was absolutely puzzled.

"Me troll, you pay, you cross, me go back under bridge."  He retorted as if I was some kind of moron for not knowing how this works.

Right...  "So I hate to break this to you, but you're not a troll.  You're a Furgar, like me."

"NO!"  he demanded.  "Me troll, not doggy like you!  You woof woof.  Me take shinnies."

He just wasn't getting it.  I would have to show him.  "Come down to the river with me."

At first, he didn't move.  So I started toward the river.  He seemed a little nervous, but he followed after I took a few more steps.  We went down to the river and found a slow spot where a reflection could be seen.  I leaned over the water and pointed for him to do the same.  He looked over.  He sat and looked for a moment.  Then he waved his hand at the image as if to verify it's validity.  Then he made a few faces at it.   Suddenly he burst into tears and fell to the ground in the fetal position.  Something had really upset him.

"What's wrong?" was all I could squeak out.

"I'm not a troll!  I've always been a troll, but you have shown me that I'm just a dog!"  He was choking on his words, but he was speaking more fluently.

I went over and put my paw on his back.  I could feel the matter fur underneath the pads of my paws.  "It's ok.  You can always pretend to be a troll.  That way you can fulfill your life's destiny of collecting shinnies from unwitting passersby."

That seemed to pick him up.  He stood up and wiped the tears from his muzzle.  "Ok, you no need pay.  You cross.  I get more from next victim."  He smiled at the thought of double his collection fee.

"Then I must be off as I have a long journey ahead of me.  Thank you for your, um, kindness and good luck with your collections."  I waved to him as I crossed the bridge and onto the rest of my journey.  I walked on around the Forest of Mysts, right on the edge of the Swamp of Illness.  I didn't want to enter either as the forest tends to trick people into traps and the swamp makes you sick.  It was a very small path between the two.

After an entire day's walk, I saw a large tower coming into view.  That must be the fabled "Tower of the One" where the Furgar hero Razorclaw was trained by the Furlord himself!  I would have to stop and check that place out.   It was too late right now to travel that far, so I would have to camp here for the night.  I found a nice patch that wasn't in the forest or the swamp.  I set up camp and set down for the night.  I would go to the tower in the morning.

Every Journey Starts With A Step

So I spent the day preparing for the journey ahead.  Aunt Morning Glory helped to make sure that I had everything I could need.  She said she would make sure my place was tended to while I was away and that it would go to someone who would care for it.  She wanted to make sure that I was happy, wherever I was.  By the time night fell, the house was cleaned and ready to be left for someone else.  I was ready to set out the next day.  My tanned leather bag was packed.  Aunt Morning Glory kissed me good-bye and sent me off with well wishes as she headed home.  Then I slept for the last night in my hut.

Dawn broke and I cracked open my eyes.  I was ready as I was going to be.  I ate a simple breakfast and set out.  I stopped at the door to take one last look at my hut.  I turned around and stepped out into the day's early light.  The world was just waking.  The smell of the dew on the grass filled my nose.  The morning sun shone off each droplet making them shine like diamonds.  The birds sang the song of dawn.  It was absolutely angelic.  I realized that I never took the time to really experience the world around me.  So I took a few moments to take it all in.

I felt renewed.  I was ready to start anew.  There was a whole world out there to explore on my way to the human cities.  I started walking the path through the center of the village that lead out into the Wolf Fields.  I was almost at the edge of the village when I ran into Lilly again.  Great.  This is just the way I want to remember the village...

"Why did it change?  Who said it could change?  I don't want to be a virgin!  I won't accept it.  I'm just gonna keep being a Lion.  I'm not a virgin!  STEVEN?!!"  Lilly seemed very upset.  It was probably best not to respond.  So I just tried to not meet her gaze and walked on, carefully.  Thankfully something distracted her and she wandered off.  Phew, that was a close one.

I made it to the end of the path, signifying the edge of the village.  I turned back and waved good-bye to what had been my home for my entire life.  I then turned around and set off through the fields.  Not having a map, I just went where I felt like going.  I allowed my heart to lead the way.  I had a feeling that I wouldn't be taking a direct line to the human cities.  I chose not to take the established trade route.  That would have been boring.  I needed adventure as much as I needed a new place to make a new start.

It took the rest of the day to make it to the edge of the wolf fields.  The fields were bordered by the Snake River.  I'd have to find a crossing.  But for now, I would set up camp.

An Unexpected Vistor

So the next morning, I woke.  I was still laying in front of the fireplace.  I heard some noise behind me.  Was someone setting my table?  I got up and looked over.  There, in all of her beautiful glory was my aunt.  She had silky brown fur.  She was the Bastog sister of my father.  She really was my favorite aunt, always was there for me when I was a child when my father couldn't be.  Kindness was her middle name.  But her first name, was a flower which was befitting her looks.   "Hello, Aunt Morning Glory."  I smiled as her presence was always comforting for me.

"Good morning Dusky.  I thought you could use some company.  And you never come to see me anymore, so I came to you."  She grinned.  Truth be told, I did need someone caring there.  Last night was hard and it was good to see a familiar face.  And I couldn't have asked for a better one to brighten up my day.  Her gentile voice was like a song.  Hard to believe she didn't have a nice male partner.  For a long time, she did have one.  She was with this Bastog male who didn't treat her well at all.  I was really happy to hear that she had left that situation.

"Yeah, I know I should visit more.  I'm glad you're here, however.  I really need some comfort after last night."  She came over and hugged me.

"Tell me what happened, sweetie.  You know you can tell me anything."  Again, her voice was soothing.

I started to tell her about Greypaw and what had happened.  I began to weep on her shoulder.  She rubbed my back, and comforted me.  She added in reassuring words and made sure I knew that no matter what, I was not alone.  I always have family who loves me.  Then she made a suggestion that I did not expect.  "You may not be able to find what you are looking for here."  She said.  "Your father used to come back with stories of the human cities.  Perhaps you should travel.  See the Kingdom of the Six Cities.  I understand they have a district that is all Furgar and Bastog.  Just if you do, make sure you come back for visits sometimes."

She was right.  I had heard my father's stories of the human cities.  There sounded like lots of opportunity there.  More than here in the village.  Perhaps I would travel.  For now, however I had a meal with my aunt and we just talked and caught up.  I figured I would spend this day getting ready to leave and set out for the human cities tomorrow.  Adventure was sure to await...

My I have this dance?

So I thought I was in.  He was brave enough to come to my home.  I set about preparing something to eat.  I didn't have much, but we didn't need anything special.  I threw together a stew from a little of this and a pinch of that and just a touch of whatever that was...

We sat down and ate.  Neither one of us daring to break the ever vigilant silence that had fallen over the hut.  I wondered how far he would let me go.  How much was he willing to do now that it was "safe" here in my home. Only one way to find out.

After we finished, we sat down in front of the fire.  We watched as the red-orange dancers licked the charring logs.  I slid my paw over to his leg and touched it gently.  Trying to play it off as some kind of accident and that I didn't notice I was touching him.  He just sat there unflinching.  Phase one of my plan was complete.  I smiled on the inside as my bravery grew.  I decided to take a slightly more bold action.

I moved my paw up to his thigh, in a more deliberate action and rested it there.  Still he did not shy away.  Neither did he look at me however.  Trying to play coy, like he didn't know what was going on.  Now I was sure I was going to be able to make my move.  So I tried phase three.

I leaned over and licked his cheek.  This time he did look at me.  At first with shock, then he smiled.  He turned and ran his wet nose across mine.  I gave him a gentile kiss on the nose.  He returned the favor.  The tension was reaching a fever pitch as I ran my paw up his thigh.

Then he stopped me.  He pushed me away.  "I can't do this."  He said, looking away ashamed.  "This isn't right.  I...  I just can't..."  Then he got up and walked out of my hut.  I didn't even get up to follow.  I knew it would do no good for me to even try to protest, so I sat there in silence.

I was shocked and dismayed.  So close, but still so far.  I thought I had ruined everything.  A crystalline tear welled up in my eye then found it's way down my cheek.  What was I to do now?  I just sat there, alone and dejected.  More salty tears found their way out of my eyes.  I just put my face in my paws and let them flow.  The only other sound in the room was the still crackling fire.  The warmth of the flames brought no comfort and it's light no joy.

The sun may as well have been ripped from the sky.  It was all my fault.  I pushed to much, to far, to fast.  I had lost the one whom I had always wanted to spend my life with.  It was stupid really.  If I had only let him go at his pace instead of mine, he would have still been sitting there, watching the fire burn itself out with me.

I cried myself to sleep.  Perhaps tomorrow would bring better tidings...

Meanwhile, back at the ranch...

So, we brought our fresh kill back.  Well, Graypaw brought it.  I wasn't about to touch it.  I felt dirty just watching him dress it.  Yeah, I was no hunter.  I'll leave that to those who either don't mind or even enjoy that type of stuff.  He brought the carcass to the hunting lodge where it would be butchered and the skin turned into leather.

I couldn't get out of that lodge quick enough.  So, as I rushed out Graypaw finished up whatever it was that hunters do back in there with their prizes.  After a few moments, he came out.  "Was it really that bad?"  He asked.

"Do you really have to ask?"  I responded, every word dripping with sarcasm.  "I'm just not a hunter.  I should have known better than to try.  Oh well, I was glad to have spent some time with you."

He tried to hide the smile that was forming.  "Shall we just walk instead?"  He asked, jestingly.

"If you don't mind."  I said, breathing a sigh of relief.  No more horrible acts or sights for at least a little while.  So we set off.  We walked through the village.  As we passed a hut that was a bit rundown.

A Bastog woman, came running out, "HEY!  HEY YOU!  Have you seen Steven?  Steven is supposed to be bringing me my dinner."  Then, I recognized her.  It was Lilly.  Most people avoid this hut.  She kept several cats in her small hut.  Lilly was a little, well, to put it nicely, irrational.  Ok, she was crazy.  Sometimes she stood on her lawn, throwing balls of yarn at passers-by and other times she would ask about this "Steven".  No one knew who "Steven" was or if he even existed.

"I'm sorry, Lilly we haven't seen Steven.  Maybe he's coming later..."  I said as we slowly backed away.  We were hoping she would just loose interest if we could just get away far enough.  After several steps, she did wander away.  On her way back to her home, she started singing, "Mares eat oats and does eat oats and little lambs eat ivy.  A kid'll eat ivy too, wouldn't you?..."

Crazy.  Just crazy.  "Well, that was fun."  I said.  Graypaw just shook his head.  "We should be more careful where we walk."  We moved away from Lilly's home as quick as we could.  Almost a run, in fact.  "Would you like to come over to my hut for some dinner perhaps?  I promise there are no crazy Bastogs there."

"I guess I could come over for a while."  He responded, looking around.  He must have been afraid someone might see him say that.  I was amazed he agreed to that proposition.  So we headed to my hut.  He did look around at the door to make sure that no one saw him go in.  Well, at least I got him there.

Ready, Aim, Fire!

Finally I got the walking quietly thing down.  Then it was time actually try to shoot something.  Well, wouldn't you know it, I wasn't really skilled with a bow.  I'm sure you're shocked.  So we stalked up on this deer who was grazing.  I pulled up my bow and knocked an arrow.  I aimed down the shaft at the heart of the buck.  I drew the bow string back, tensing not only the bow, but my own muscles.  I could feel Graypaw's eyes bouncing back and forth between me and the buck.  I think he was nervous.

I felt I had a good shot, so I loosed the arrow.  It flew straight and true.  The problem was that it dropped short, just grazing the buck's belly, not doing any damage at all.  Well, I never claimed to be a hunter, right?  The buck of course ran off like a shot, not interested in being skewered.

I looked at Graypaw, who was shaking his head.  So I strung my bow over my shoulder.  "Oh and I suppose you would have hit it square on then?  My aim was perfect.  I pointed right at it's heart."  I huffed.

"Well there's your problem.  Your arrows aren't weightless.  They will fall as they travel.  You need to aim higher based on the distance to your target.  Here, let me show you."  He pulled my bow off my shoulder and put it into my paws.  He then stepped behind me, and traced my body with his.  "Now, let's aim at that knot in that tree over there."  He said pointing.  Then he put his paws over mine, his body pressed tightly too me to show me proper stance.  He pulled my bow and knocked arrow up.  I had aimed where I thought I should.  "You're still aiming too low."  He said pulling my front paw up a little higher.

Then I saw what he meant.  He released my paws and whispered in my ear, "loose".  I let loose my arrow.  Sure enough, the arrow flew right into the knot on the tree.  Even though it seemed I was aiming too high, it landed right where I wanted it too.  "Well done," he said.

He hadn't let go yet.  I wasn't about to say anything, enjoying the comfort of his touch.  I wondered what was going through his head.  It wasn't all that I was hoping for, but I certainly wasn't complaining.  It wasn't long before he did finally release me.  He made sure not to mention it.

We then tracked the buck down again.  This time, the "expert" decided to show me his skills and landed a beautifully clean shot, killing it almost instantly.  The buck dropped to the ground.  We went over and Graypaw pulled out his hunting knife, slitting the beast's throat to make sure it was dead.  No need for it to suffer.

It was then that I remembered why I didn't hunt...

My Teacher

So Graypaw was back up to his old tricks of watching me from the bushes.  I was careful not to show that I knew he was there.  I knew that he just wanted to watch me and not act, afraid of his own feelings.  I was sure he would come around in time.  I just had to be careful not to push.

I wanted so badly for him to just jump out of those bushes and tackle me.  He was comfortable staying back and just imagining, I guess.  I had to find a way to get him out of his shell.  I knew deep down inside he wanted more, but I had to be careful how I worked to bring that out.

I needed to get him alone, somewhere that he's comfortable.  I'd have to take him hunting.  I knew he enjoyed hunting.  I was not a hunter by any means, but that would help me get him to go.  I could use the premise that he could show me how to be a great hunter.  It was genius.

So, I went up to him one morning and asked.  "Can you teach me how to be a better hunter?"

"Of course!"  he responded, all to excited to be giving tips on something he loved.  So we grabbed a couple of bows from the hunter's lodge and he started to walk toward the practice range.

"No, I mean show me out in the field.  I want to see you in action, where you can really show me how it's done."  I told him, grabbing his arm and pulling him out toward the hunting grounds.  He was resistant at first.  Then he let himself be lead.  I let go of his arm, so as not to linger too long.

We went out into the hunting grounds.  Graypaw was so graceful, tracking with silence.  My clumsy paws dropping hard, making Graypaw cringe with every crackle.  Finally, as a twig snapped under my paw he looked at me with half pity, half frustration.  "We'll never catch anything if you keep scaring all the prey away," he sighed at me.

"Sorry."  I said, embarrassed.  I'll try to be more quiet.

"Try stepping like this," he said showing me.  "And watch where you are stepping.  Try to avoid stepping on things that will make noise like dry grass or sticks.  So I started staring at my feet and tried walking forward.  "Well, that's a little extreme.  What I mean is you need to be aware of your surroundings.  Not literally watch your paws at you walk."

Of course.  Could I look more stupid?  At least I had him alone.  In time I would be able to make my move...

Explinations

Days passed before Graypaw was even willing to look at me again.  Yes, his name was Graypaw.  His parents weren't very imaginative.  I can almost see the thought process, "hmmm... He has grey fur.  Let's call him Graypaw."  You see, classically Furgar names contain two parts.  An adjective and a part of the Furgar anatomy.  The Furgar chief was named Swifttail.

My parents were different, however.  My parents were not both Furgar, you see.  Since the rejoining of the tribes, there have been Furgar pairing with Bastog.  Not a very common practice, but it happened.  Bastog names are different than Furgar names.  Bastog call their children by plant names.  Flowers for females and trees for males.

For example, my mother's name is Rose and her brother is named Oak.  But my parents decided to be different with me.  They went in a whole new direction.  My name is Dusk.  They decided that since my fur is a dusky brown that it was most fitting.

So with all of that explained, let me get back to my story.  So it was days before Graypaw would even lay eyes on me again.  He had really been spooked by what almost happened.  I was sure he felt as I did and wanted it too, but I'm sure he just didn't want to admit it to himself.

He was proud and came from a strong line of fine Furgar stock.  Great hunters.  His father was a real Furgar's Furgar so to speak.  Halfbreed's like me were generally not as highly regarded.  Even though the tribe was one, there were those who frowned upon unions of the two races.

And to make things worse, my father was a trader.  He traded with men.  Men may be our allies, but they are still looked upon with distrust.  And those who dealt with men, were "tainted".  Those same Furgar and Bastog who looked down on my father for dealing with men, were the first lined up to trade for his merchandise, however.  A little sickening if you ask me.

So you're probably wondering how it works when a Furgar and a Bastog mate.  What kind of race am I?  Well, I am a Furgar.  You see, the males take on the race of the father and the females take on the race of the mother in a mixed union like this.  I know.  It's all very complicated.  I guess that's how the Fur Lord wants it.

Who is the Fur Lord?  He is our deity.  He created both races.  From what I understand, he looks like a giant anthropomorphic ferret.  Strange huh?  And I'm totally getting off topic again.  Well, I'll let you sit with this and get back to my story next time.

From the start

My story may sometimes be hard to hear but it is worth telling.  It's a classic story of love, betrayal, loss and persecution.  I am a Furgar.  In case you don't know what that is, we are a tribal race of canine descent.  We won our freedom from Bastog rule (they are a tribal race of feline descent) by separating the two tribes.  Then a group of adventurers brought our tribes back together so we now coexist as the twin tribe.  My childhood was normal.  Nothing special happened to me.  I'll not bore you with the details of that.  Let me get right to the interesting parts.

It was warm that day.  The sun shone down on the wolf fields.  I sat watching the breeze sway the grass.  I could feel someone watching me.  It was not an uncomfortable feeling, however.  I glanced around to see if I could find the eyes that had pinned their gaze on me.

He was trying to hide behind a bush.  His ashen fur swaying with the blades of grass.  He ducked lower when he saw me looking.  I beckoned him over and asked him to have a seat beside me.  "What are you looking at?"  He asked, trying to break the tension.

I told him I was just watching the breeze.  Then this awkward silence fell over us both.  It lasted for several minutes.  Suddenly I felt a laugh bubble up from my gut.  It burst forth for no obvious reason breaking the defining silence.  I felt better after letting the tension pass.  "Do you ever just stop and watch nature?"  I asked him.

"Um, depends on what you mean by 'nature'..." he responded.  He snickered a little with his comment.  It was cute.  He was so bad at this and I wanted to just tackle him and show him how I felt, but I restrained myself.  He was trying to hide his feelings, so I didn't want to push.

I stared out over the field again.  I felt his gaze turn back to me, but he was trying to be subtle and not show he was looking at me.  He tried to pretend he was also watching the grass grow.  I felt the grass next to my paw move.  He was moving his paw closer to mine.  I knew if I made a move, it would startle him and this moment would end.

Hours must have passed, and neither of us said anything.  Not wanting to break the moment, we sat in silence just enjoying each other's company.  I knew that if I said or did anything that it could scare him off and I was just so happy having him here, beside me.

The sun was setting.  I decided to make my move.  I slid my paw over to his.  I moved to stroke his paw lightly.  He jumped.  "I should get going..." he said, getting up.  I knew I had moved to fast.  He wasn't ready for what I had hoped for.

I knew this would not be our last encounter, but it would take time.  Until then, he would continue to watch me from the bushes and I would have to be okay with that.