The dark silhouette of the large black wolf sauntered through the dirt forest path. Fenris walked alone. No sign of his white rabbit companion nearby. The wolf followed the path and made his way towards a clearing of a flush green glade, illuminated by golden sun light. Inside this glade held a large church-like building. An orphanage. While this place often served as a place of worship for many, it also served as a home for young children, often abandoned or forgotten. Fenris certainly would never forget his Kani.
This orphanage was also a temple to the goddess Meladrin, the goddess of learning and dreams. Depicted as a sheep, owl, or cow. Often somewhere in between. The children of this orphanage would often do charitable work for the church goers that attended this venue in times of religious celebration. Yet there was not going to be any in the near future. Instead, this was Fenris' 2nd time visiting this place. The first was, in fact, to drop off his companion Kani. Fenris had been given an ``alive'' bounty that was much too dangerous for Kani to tag along like usual. Hearing about the high reputation of this establishment, he had her stay here. The young rabbit protested a lot but eventually she gave in to the wolf's demands. Fenris dropped her off at dusk three days ago, missing any pleasantries and introductions to the folk that worked here. He thought it was best that Kani didn't have the stigma of being associated with a feral wolf while she stayed here. But since he had completed his bounty, Kani could rejoin him. He didn't mind showing his face this time as he picked her up.
Fenris approached the orphanage doors as he caught the wind blowing towards him. Kani's scent was clearly emanating not from inside, but from the large play field next to the building. Seeing no need to knock on the door to make a scene he followed his nose. He walked over the slightly overgrown grass towards the smell. He looked over towards the scent and soon saw Kani curled up alone in the empty field as he approached. His heart sank, was she crying? Was she hurt? Did she think he abandoned her? He quickly trotted over to his familiar bunny friend.
``11, 12, 13, 14, 15...'' Fenris could hear the young white rabbit counting away. She had her face covered in her paws. Her ears picked up Fenris' footsteps, but she kept her eyes closed.
``Kani? Are you alright?'' Fenris walked closer to the counting bunny.
``19, 20! Ready or not here I come!'' Kani yelled out as she jumped up. Then immediately froze as she saw Fenris in front of her. The once complaining Kani was now clearly enjoying herself, playing some sort of game. ``Oh, you're back!'' the little bunny ran up to hug her companion, grabbing onto a front leg. She did miss him greatly even if it was just a few days. Fenris missed her too.
``Who taught you counting?'' Fenris a little surprised Kani was able to count all the way up to 20.
Kani paused her hug and looked up. Swaying side to side with joy. ``Oh, sister Mabel did!'' The bunny called excitedly.
``Well, that's amazing! You really are a smart bunny Kani.'' The rabbit rolled her eyes with a smile as if that was already obvious. She struggled to take compliments. ``Well, we have to go now. But maybe say bye to this sister Mabel and thank her.'' Fenris was very impressed with how quickly Kani learnt all her numbers, even he had to put in effort to count past thirty. Kani had some other things on her mind.
``Awww, but I can't go yet! I have to finish playing hide and seek.'' Kani pleaded. Fenris didn't really know the game she was talking about. The small rabbit pulling on Fenris' leg fur as she pleaded.
``Kani, you can't. I've been given another bounty in a few villages over. I can't leave you here and I am getting very very hungry so its best if we go hunting soon, before I stay in town much longer.'' Fenris explained the situation, but Kani hadn't explained her situation yet.
``Yeah... But I can't just end a game of hide and seek. I have to find my new friends, or they will just be hiding forever.'' Kani explained a little about how the game worked. In her mind they really might accidently hide forever if she didn't find them. Being a seeker was a very important role.
``How long will this take?'' Fenris tilted his head to the side. Maybe if it was a quick game there might not be any trouble. ``I really should be going hunting soon Kani.'' Fenris pushed his predicament a little further. They both knew that if Fenris said he was very very hungry it meant he wasn't really supposed to be around civilised folk. But Kani couldn't just end the game, if she called out to the other orphans, they would just think it was a trick to find them. She had to play the game properly.
``Hmmm, I dunno a bit? I've never been the hunter before...'' Kani was in a predicament too it seemed. She tapped her little foot in frustration until a bright idea sparkled over her eyes as she looked up at Fenris. ``I know! What if you helped me? Its like your job to be a good hunter, then we can find them quick and then we can leave quicker.''
``Kani, No. We need to leave.'' Fenris tried to be a bit sterner.
``Pwwwease'' Kani worked her large bunny rabbit eyes as she pinned her ears back and looked up to Fenris with a head tilt. She knew how to work her magic on Fenris. She knew how to fold him.
Fenris rolled his eyes begrudgingly, he hated that he fell for this very same trick every single time. Looking at her small bunny nose twitch with sadness was the kicker. ``Sigh, Fine.'' Kani danced a little in joy. Fenris rolled his eyes as he began to sniff the air, pointing his nose upwards. When he focused in, he could definitely smell the scent of many different animals. His body was in full hunter mode. There was one scent, other than Kani, that smelled strongest.
``What do you smell Fenris?'' Kani asked, she knew what he looked like when he tapped into the smell of something.
``I can smell a deer nearby.'' Fenris couldn't help but salivate a little. It was a little embarrassing. He swallowed to remove the moisture in his mouth.
``Oooo, That's probably Chloe!'' Kani said excitedly. ``Follow that nose puppy!'' Kani said in a weird accent, sounding like a kid trying to sound like an adult.
Fenris brought his nose towards the ground to follow the scent. He didn't really need to do this; he already had a good idea where the scent was coming from. But getting into the mood of the game, he wanted Kani to have fun watching him enter full big-dog mode. She had already called him puppy. It was a common game she liked to play with him. Acting like she was the owner, and he was a pet. Fenris thought this game was a little demeaning the first time they played It, but it definitely grew on him. Kani followed beside Fenris as they both walked towards the glade's edge towards some skirting trees. Kani could begin to hear the stifled giggles of her deer friend Chloe. So, she decided to take the lead.
Kani walked a few paces ahead of Fenris towards where she could hear Chloe's quiet giggles. She was hidden behind some tree-roots in a ditch just outside the clearing. Kani snuck around to the front of where the deer was hiding. With one bunny hop she jumped out in front of Chloe revealing to her friend that she was now caught. ``Found you!'' Kani said in triumph. A high-pitched bleat escaped Chloe's mouth as she knew the jig was up. She was always such a terrible hider due to her giggles. This was immediately followed by a high-pitched squeal from the same doe as she felt her upper body become engulfed by a warm wet and fleshy wolf's maw. Fenris had also found the deer they were hunting and pounced when he did. The little doe's arms and legs flailing as she attempted to pull off the fleshy capture.
Kani had front row seats to watch her new friend be devoured by her older friend. At first, she was shocked, then mad, then disappointed. After the first lunge, His eyes closed as he focused on his meal, Fenris opened them and looked down to see Kani standing there with her hands on her hips, patting one foot up and down emulating an angry parent. Fenris wanted anything in this moment to drop the deer girl. Her flailing about certainly made him feel like he should drop her. Feeling guilty about so instinctively pouncing on the fawn. But as much as he tried, he couldn't help but pull her up and lunge his neck down to help swallow her further.
``You're not supposed to actually eat them Fenris.'' Kani stayed relatively calm. It seemed that she was only mildly annoyed at him in this moment. Fenris again tried to drop his snack but failed. Taking another lunge down to further swallow his deer meal. She tasted fantastic. This Chloe girl was so sweet with the right amount of savoury. Her short and soft fur let his tongue taste all her flavours. Her dress riding up allowing him to taste all of her long cervid legs. He was greatly enjoying Chloe right in front of Kani. With one last head tilt up and a powerful swallow, he sunk Chloe right into his hungry belly. Fenris paused for a moment, then looked down guilty.
``Sorry Kani. I didn't mean to... *Burp*'' Fenris let out a bit of a burp as he apologised. ``I'm probably too hungry to play this game with you Kani.''
Kani thought for a moment. ``Hmmmm... `` She thought about how Fenris usually ate. She thought it was ok for him to eat civilised folk if he was really really hungry. And he did mention that to her earlier. She was mostly just annoyed that it had to be one of her friends that he ate. But more then that she still really wanted Fenris to play with her. ``No, it's ok... I guess you did say you were hungry. You can keep playing.''
``What?! Are you sure Kani? If I keep playing, I might eat more of your friends. I Shouldn't...'' Fenris's stomach growled. His mouth was watering slightly. They both could tell he was still hungry and even a little eager. The visible outline of Chole struggling could be seen by Kani.
``Hmmm, Ok. How about this...'' Kani thought of a way that would mean Fenris could keep playing. ``How about you get to eat the next couple players until you are full, then no more. Ok?'' Kani's negotiations weren't that strong. She really just wanted to keep playing with Fenris as his little pet hunting dog as she got to be a seeker.
``Really? You would be ok with that?'' Fenris' head tilted to the side.
``Yeah, as long as you are really hungry its ok.'' Kani confirmed. ``Now what does your big dog nose smell puppy?'' Kani taking charge once again, putting on her silly voice once again.
Fenris debated playing as he sniffed the air once more, the scent of a squirrel invigorating him again. He was still hungry.
``Go on boy. What do you smell?'' Kani asked the big black wolf next to her. Fenris didn't even reply, he was too busy tracking the smell towards a small tree that was nearby. He followed his nose right to the trunk of the tree then looked up to notice a young squirrel boy, wide eyed and stationary, looking down at Fenris awestruck by the wolf's size. ``OOooo!'' Kani exclaimed. ``Get him boy!'' Fenris leaped up placing his paws along the tree to get level with the young squirrel. Then, with a turn of his maw, snatched the young squirrel from his perch in the tree. ``Nice, we got max!''
Fenris stayed in his elevated position. Paws against the tree's trunk, tail wagging sweeping the forest floor below. The struggling mass of the squirrel Max firmly in his grasp. The young squirrel's upper half sliding deeper and deeper into the wolf's throat. A part of Fenris tried not to swallow, tried to tell himself that the deer he just ate made him full. That part of him was lying to himself. He enjoyed the struggling prey immensely. He made short work of max, devouring him quickly like a fluffy little snack. His bushy tail being the last thing Fenris tasted as he pulled the boy into his gut, joining their doe friend to be wolf food.
``Wow...'' Kani had watched the whole thing. The enjoyment on Fenris' face as he swallowed the squirrel with her permission. It wasn't like when he swallowed Chloe, more like the moments when she had seen him swallow bad guys for a bounty. Playing with Fenris like this really did make him look just like some big dog. She liked seeing him happy. ``You're really good at this huh?'' Kani asked as Fenris took his final swallow, sealing Max's fate. His bulge joining the doe's in his belly.
``Hahaha...'' Fenris gave a little chuckle. ``Well, it is my job Kani. I hope I would be good at it.'' Fenris' tail wagged at the praise. He thought it was funny that Kani was surprised at how well he hunted. He had seen him do this many times before on wild animals.
Kani looked down to see Fenris' stretched belly as his front paws leaned against the tree. She could see the wriggling and movement of the two bulges within. She just softly approached him and placed two of her paws along his belly and rubbed the moving masses through her companions thick black fur. She was giving her puppy some belly rubs. Fenris certainly didn't mind and enjoyed the feeling. The belly rubs were occurring for a little longer then Kani had anticipated, Fenris staying still to let her. ``Hey, we still have other folk to seek.'' Kani said while directly under the large black wolf's belly.
Fenris snapped out of his belly rub bliss and agreed with Kani. Stepping his front paws down from the tree, almost squishing Kani with his belly in the process. Luckily she was very nimble. Fenris then bowed down and lowered his head to the floor as low as he could next to Kani. ``Well, you want to hop on?''
``Ooo? Yes please!'' Kani wasn't always allowed to ride Fenris but greatly enjoyed when she could. She felt like some great warrior on her wolfy steed. She grabbed onto Fenris' fluffy neck fur and climbed aboard. Perching herself on the back of his neck, above his shoulders. As Fenris stood to full feral height, Kani heard something nearby. A twig snapping. ``Ooo, shush.'' She called to her new wolf mount. Her ears darting around to pick up the noise. Fenris tried to sniff the air, but he could only smell an animal faintly. The smell of a bird. ``Yep, this way!'' Kani leaned forward, practically sitting between Fenris' eyes as she pointed ahead and to the right. Fenris played the part of the mount as he bolted in the direction he was given. Kani struggling to stay on the whole bumpy way. Giggling loudly as Fenris played. It wasn't often she got to ride Fenris like this for fun.
They all saw each other at the same time. The small black bird girl in a simple patchwork dress, looking onwards to see her new friend riding a large feral wolf. Kani had mentioned that she was friends with a wolf, many animals in the orphanage didn't believe her. But here she was riding him as they sprinted towards her. She wasn't really sure what to do. She was standing still to stop herself from standing on anymore loud twigs when they approached. The game they were playing was hide and seek and she knew that making a noise could likely get her found. It seemed like she already was.
Kani saw her new raven friend standing in leaf littered path of forest right outside the orphanage's cleaning. ``Hehehe, found you Ramona.'' Kani managed to speak through giggles as rough wolfy steps bounded forward towards the still bird. In the last possible moment of Fenris' approach, it had become apparent to Ramona that she wasn't entirely safe. The large wolf was not slowing down his approach to her. Startled, Ramona the black bird shot up in a leap. She couldn't really fly; she was mostly able to hop really high and sometimes glide. A plume of black feathers remained where she was standing as Ramona leapt into the air. But it was too late. Fenris was too adept at catching prey like this.
With a single pounce, Kani holding on tightly to Fenris' mane, Fenris launched into the air and snatched the young bird out of it. Her long wing like arms pinned between the teeth of the large wolf. Fenris didn't bite down. He was always gentle with birds making sure not to break their softer bones. Fenris landing down as softly as he could, his front legs absorbing all his weight.
Ramona tried to squawk. Her head was still out of the wolf's mouth, maybe she had a chance to get help. As she opened her mouth to do so, her face and vision was slathered with a long wolfs tongue that aided him as he pulled her deeper into his throat. This black bird was delicious. He held her in his mouth for as long as he could. Swishing around her body with his tongue as his mouth filled with saliva.
Kani managed to get more comfortable onto Fenris. Readjusting after his large leap. ``Wow, good boy! Nice catch!'' she was impressed with how high he had jumped. She loved how he played being the hunter, he was never this goofy with her when they were walking alone along the roads or anything. It was good to be a bit goofy. Yet, it was somewhat reminiscent of how he hunted wild animals in the forest though. But when she joined those she often would have to be very quiet and wasn't allowed to giggle. It seemed as though Fenris' erratic movement was amplified for this game. She sensed he was playing it up to make the game more fun. Kani leaned over to the side of Fenris' face and reached around to under his chin, patting the large wolf as he tased his well-earned meal. She could feel the bird inside as she pressed against the soft underside of his jaw. ``There ya go! Good boy!'' She repeated her praises.
Kani moved her paw lower to Fenris' neck as he tilted his head upwards to swallow. Rubbing his neck as she felt the bird Ramona travel down into his belly. Repeating her praises to the wolf as he ate. She was really leaning into this whole owner/hunter part of the game. ``In she goes. Such a good boy!'' Fenris couldn't contain his wagging tail, he was glad Kani was having fun with this all. He kept his head high while Kani kept scratching and patting his neck. ``You feeling less hungry now Fenris?'' Kani asked the pleased wolf.
Fenris had almost forgotten the terms of their deal. He was only supposed to eat the next few animals they found until he was full. He wasn't entirely satisfied, but he was no longer in a hunger induced wild state. He was very much in control of his actions and was simply playing the role that Kani was thrusting upon him. Being the obedient hunting dog that she wanted him to play in this game. Fenris licked his lips and palate comedically before responding. ``Yep. Definitely feeling less hungry now.''
``Ok good. I think we might get in trouble if you had too much more. I don't think sister Mabel would be too impressed.'' Kani explained, still patting the wolf beneath her.
``Still want me to play?'' Fenris asked. He already knew the answer.
``What?! Of course, I still want you to play! You aren't getting out of this that easy mister!'' Kani clearly wanted to keep Fenris in the game.
``Ok, well. If that's the case...'' Fenris gave the air a brief sniff. ``I can smell a fox.''
``A fox?'' Kani was delighted. ``Oh, that's probably Henry. He's mean and always teases me. Let's get him boy!''
That was all Fenris needed to spark his primal hunting skills again. Hearing the go ahead from Kani once again. The large wolf followed his nose back into the open clearing. He followed his nose towards the large orphanage's edge right towards a large water well with an ornate gazebo surrounding it. Here he could smell the fox most strongly. Fenris paused for a moment, sensing there was a presence nearby. Kani's ears could pick it up too. Fenris wandered around the well but found nothing. He circled it again, still nothing. The scent was still strong. Suddenly, in desperation, the sound of dashing footsteps could be heard from the other side of the well. A small orange fox sprinted away from the well towards the orphanage doors.
``Oh, there he is. Get him Fenris!'' Kani called out to Fenris as she saw this. The wolf's nose was busy sniffing the ground. ``Found you Henry! See, I told you that I had a wolf friend.'' Kani called as Fenris sprinted towards the unlucky fox.
Henry looked behind himself to see Kani riding a large black wolf. He didn't believe her earlier when she mentioned she had this friend of hers. Who could believe that such a small bunny had a wolf daddy. Let alone one that was dropped off at an orphanage. He thought the cute bunny Kani was just trying to seem tougher or something. He was very wrong. It wasn't long before Fenris caught up to the young fox, a few meters away from the orphanage doors. His tail acting as a perfect point for the large wolf to latch onto, stopping the boy in place. Henry looked back to see that same cute white bunny riding the scary black wolf. His eyes pleaded to the two behind him, but it seemed Fenris already made up his mind. Nobody teases Kani.
Fenris swung the little fox boy up into the air by the tail, flipping him around. Henry at the peak looked down to see the waiting open pink fleshy maw below him. His vision slowly filling with that very sight until he felt himself race down into the waiting wolf's throat. Fenris leaped up slightly to help the fox go down faster. Closing his maw once the little fox was firmly in his throat as he swallowed. Kani was wide eyed throughout the whole process. She was unsure if Fenris was actually going to swallow henry. He did just say he was full. But she didn't really mind him taking henry down to be another snack. Henry was mean to her the most out of all the kids in the orphanage the short time she was there.
``Wow, you swallowed him so quick... What a good wolf!'' Kani complimented Fenris as she ruffled the fur between Fenris' ears. Fenris barely savoured the feeling of having the fox in his mouth. Instead, he could now just feel all his prey inside his stomach moving about. That was now what he was enjoying. Fenris sniffed the air again, he could still smell more animals. ``What is it boy? Got something?'' Kani leaning into being Fenris' master heavily. She thought Fenris was being so silly acting such like a dog.
Fenris walked closer to the shaded side of the building. He could smell something. He vaguely knew the smell. It was like a rodent but fishy. It must have been an otter. He skulked along the side of the building. Kani happily holding onto the detective wolf. There were a bunch of crates and barrels outside a side entrance. This must have been where they got their supplies delivered. Fenris' nose touched the largest crate. Kani could hear chattering inside. The top panel of the crate was slightly ajar. Fenris pushed it open to see two little otters seated inside. Their fat tails awkwardly resting on each other as it seemed they played some sort of tic-tac-toe game.
The otters looked up. Fenris didn't wait around. He ducked his maw into the box. The two otters instinctively pulled each other in for safety. Letting Fenris place his large maw around the two, squishing them closer together. Kani held onto Fenris' neck and peaked over the crate edge to see the two tails flail about inside. Fenris must have been eating the otter twins. Kani watched as Fenris' snout shuffled about in the box, getting the otters in deeper and deeper for every which way tried to scramble. It seemed that Fenris was hungrier then Kani thought. Fenris took a deep swallow and huffed down his otter meal, feeling how their slippery fur aided their trajectory down into his stomach. His belly had to begun to feel rather full, he wasn't sure if these two otters would stay down. But he was certainly going to try.
Kani watched in curiosity at how Fenris was eating. It was kind of like a dog eating kibble she supposed. ``Wow. I think you just ate the otter twins... Sister Mabel isn't going to be so happy about that. I think they were both about to be adopted.'' Fenris was still swallowing the otters down. ``Hmmm, still... Good wolf for finding them.'' Kani gave a little less enthusiastic pats onto Fenris' head. She wanted to stay in character but wasn't sure if she should be still rewarding him for eating her friends anymore. Surely, he was full now though.
Fenris was definitely still in character as he lifted his head up and gulped down the remaining tails of the otters. His tail was wagging a lot, he liked showing off his skills to Kani while she rewarded him with praise. He also liked the feeling of being full. Having these young animals wriggle around in his belly like a constant belly rub. It was a really fun game. Another breeze on the wind coaxed him into keep playing.
Fenris' nose sniffed the sky a little, hinting to Kani the game was still going. ``Oh, got another one boy?'' A bit out of character Kani spoke. ``Are you still hungry or are you full of otter now?'' Kani asked. Fenris didn't really reply, he just trotted towards the scent. A large toolshed on a foundation of some crosshatched wooden guards. Presumably to keep children out from underneath the building. It seemed that maybe the fencing around foundation wasn't doing its job. Fenris sniffed around the building. Kani held on with a small amount of anxiety, she couldn't help but feel if they kept eating the other players that they were going to be in a lot of trouble. Hopefully Fenris already had his fill.
Fenris eventually turned to the last corner. Maybe the wooden guards had done their job after all. As he saw two sets of bunny buns peaking from within a slightly dug ditch up against the shed. A characteristic cotton tail seen through a cut hole in their dresses. He began to hear the faint whispers and giggles coming from the two as he quietly approached.
Daisy and Daffodil were both laughing and giggling away at how genius their hiding spot was. The two bunnies thought they would never be found from underneath the toolshed. Little did they know that their behinds were on full display for any passersby. They didn't want to venture too deep into the yucky cobweb infested foundation of the shed. Besides they were probably already hidden. Daisy heard the footsteps of someone approaching first, her giggling excitement of her hiding spot hard to mute as she nudged her friend Daffodil alerting her of the seekers presence. They both tried their best to be quite and in fact mostly succeeded. That was until in the giggling response to being tugged was made by Daisy as she was yanked and disappeared from under the tool shed.
Fenris yanked the leftmost bunny from her hiding hole. Grabbing her with his maw and pulling her out swiftly. A girly squeal could be heard by the bunny. ``Welp, we got Daisy.'' Kani mentioned as Fenris grabbed the hiding rabbit. The girly squeal was met with girly giggles as Daisy had her eyes closed during the encounter so far. It wasn't until she opened them that she let out a shocked gasp. Right before being silenced by a quick swallow by Fenris. Grabbing that bunny with his throat and pulling her down into his already large and full stomach.
Daffodil was still giggling away as she attempted to wiggle out of her hiding spot. She knew she had been caught, that was half the fun of the game. She managed to wriggle her way out of the hole and turn around right as Fenris lowered his maw down once again. Meeting the little rabbit with his mouth, taking her form deep into his waiting gullet. She could feel the wet fleshy walls of her captors mouth and throat. She wasn't entirely sure what was happening, just that she was now enveloped inside a warm hot wet place. She felt the walls around her tug as the strong fleshy muscle beneath her pulled her in. She travelled effortlessly deeper inside this beast. Unsure of what she was seeing. Until she saw Daisy's wet and slobbery face, deeper in as she travelled. She saw her bunny friend in the same predicament. Their wet furry faces were pushed together as they both felt the walls around them constrict and pull them in deeper. A slight bit of relief passed as the swallow ended with them entering the wolf's stomach.
There, Daffodil could see all the meals this predator had before, all squished in together. Some deer legs, A squirrel's fluffy tail, Ramona's feathery form squished to the side. Henry's foxy tail poking out from beneath the two slippery otters that were trying their best to stay comfortable on their pile of other animals and Daisy pushing the otters down deeper into that pile. That was all daffodil could see, right before she felt all the walls around her close in, the feeling of rushing air passing her as she was squished in to join her friends deep down inside this hungry wolf's tummy.
``Burp.'' Fenris let out a satisfied burp after his two tasty bunny snacks. A satisfied dumb-dog face covered his expression as his tail wagged. He looked back to see Kani dismount Fenris looking unamused.
With hands on her hips and a bouncing foot Kani looked grumpy. ``Did you really have to eat those bunnies...'' The glare from Kani removed all his in character dumb dog expression.
Fenris realised that he might have crossed a line. He normally was very careful with not eating bunnies around Kani. ``Oh, Kani. I'm so sorry. Sometimes I forget you are a rabbit and just see you like another wolf...'' Fenris apologised. He truly did forget sometimes. ``I'm so so sorry.''
``What? No not that. It's fine if you eat rabbits. But are you sure your still hungry? You look pretty full to me!'' Kani gestured towards the large wriggling mass inside the wolf's belly. Kani wasn't really bothered about Fenris eating rabbits or really any prey if he needed to. If it was part of his job or because he was hungry that was ok. But eating all these orphans was maybe a bit too far.
``Ohhh... Sigh. I guess I did get a bit carried away playing hunter.'' Fenris looked down at his large belly. He felt pretty guilty. He was having a bit too much fun.
``I was expecting you to eat like two or three. Not...'' Kani began counting on her fingers. Fenris was still impressed she learnt how to count so quickly. ``...5, 6, 7... 8! Eight whole kids Fenris!'' Kani was a little shocked at the number when she counted it out. Eight was a big number. ``We are going to be in so much trouble with Sister Mabel.'' Kani pointed out. She didn't want to upset her bovine teacher.
``Well, how many more kids do we have to find?'' Fenris asked. Kani thought for a moment.
``I dunno, but at least like this many.'' Kani flashed her paws twice, signifying there are at least 16 more (4 fingers on each bunny paw). She knew how to count but wasn't confident naming numbers without going through the list.
``Do you want me to sit out?'' Fenris asked the little bunny. He had already ruined enough of her game he felt.
``What!? No! You still have to keep playing. Just no more eating anyone ok?'' Kani's demands were now very obvious. Drawing a line in the sand. Fenris agreed and kneeled down towards the little rabbit. Letting her mount his neck once again. A sniff to the air and they were off again.
Fenris smelt a plethora of animals as he went around the clearing. First finding some sheep girls peaking around the side of the main building. He caught up to them as Kani quickly and triumphantly called out that she had found them. They were a little frozen with fear seeing Fenris approach them. But that was quickly dispelled as Kani peaked her head above Fenris' and proudly proclaimed ``See! I told you I had a daddy wolf!'' The sheep seemed shocked at first. Then their eyes widened with aw.
``Woah, that's so cool!'' were the sheep's simple response.
The new group of animals grew and grew as Fenris found more and more animals as the hunter. Getting praise from Kani each time, calling him a ``Good boy'' or ``Good Wolf!'' as she gave him scritches from her post on his shoulders. Finding many rabbits, a koala boy and kangaroo girl, some sheep, some cattle, some pigs and a few others. Fenris had only gone about an 8th of the grounds when he had stopped eating his finds. It turns out there were a lot of orphans here. Hopefully sister Mabel wouldn't mind 8 of them to be missing.
Right as the dynamic duo of Fenris and Kani were wrapping up their last scent trails. Now with the help of the large group of kids they had already found. A loud bell could be heard as the front doors opened. A lady's voice calling out over the top of them.
``Supper time kids. Ding Ding Ding. Supper time. Its time to come inside now!'' The lady's voice carrying authority. Eventually Fenris turned around to see sister Mabel, a young cow woman, as all the fascinated and excitable kids somewhat hung their heads as they turned their way to head to the front doors. Some particularly sneaky animals leaving their hiding spots to join the crowd as they wandered in.
Fenris stood there for a moment, unsure what to do as Kani sat on his shoulders. ``You two missy!'' Sister Mabel called out with a smile. Fenris sauntered up to the front doors with Kani on his back.
``So, you're the wolf Kani here wont stop talking about.'' Sister Mabel said with a knowing smile. Embarrassing Kani a little bit as she revealed how much Kani had missed him for his short hiatus.
``Well, I hope she wouldn't be talking about other wolves.'' Fenris looked back to see Kani properly shy. Hiding her face in his black coat. Fenris and Mabel couldn't help but smile. ``Sorry for not introducing myself earlier when I dropped her off. It's sometimes best that others don't know where I have been.''
``Ah yes, Kani did mention that you were some sort of bounty hunter.'' Mabel had a very calm demeanour talking to this wolf. It seemed she didn't hold much of a prejudice against his line of work or of feral kind that most people do. ``But maybe in the future make sure she doesn't go telling everyone about you.''
``Hahaha, I'm sure she will try.'' Fenris smiled back to Kani. It was good to know the little rabbit was happy to be around him so much that she bragged about it. ``Oh and thank you so much for teaching her to count. I'm not particularly good at it myself.''
``Oh, that's quite alright. A girl should learn these things.'' Sister Mabel seemed to encourage Kani to learn. It was expected given that she was likely devout to Meladrin. A goddess of learning. But that was often not a sentiment out in the wider world. ``I suppose you two will be leaving soon.'' Fenris gave a subtle nod. ``Well, If it's quite alright I'd like to give Kani here a book.'' Mabel was somehow even kinder then Fenris expected. Kani's ears perked up the sound of a book.
``Sure, that would be wonderful!'' Fenris struggled to believe that this lady would give such an expensive thing to a feral wolf and a rabbit child. Mabel reached over and handed a book to Kani. A book of The Beginners World of Mathematics: from the mundane to the arcane. Kani's saucer eyes lit up.
``You have a very bright young girl here Fenris. She always had her nose in a book while she was here. I trust you will take good care of her.'' Sister Mabel gave Kani a hug.
``Oh, I will.'' Fenris smiled. Seeing Kani look so happy about a book.
``Oh, and one more think Mr Fenris.'' Sister Mabel seemed to look a little more neutral. Fenris raised an eyebrow. ``If ever you want to snack on my grounds again, please let me know in advance. I had already gotten some of the sisters to set their plates and beds.'' Mabel gave a knowing look to the large belly of the wolf before her. Both Kani and Fenris looked wide eyed. Like two kids caught with their hands in the cookie jar. ``Alright now, off you go.'' Mabel seemed to reveal that she knew a bit about what these two got up to here. Taking the lead to scold Fenris if only slightly.
The two walked away from the orphanage along the dusty dirt path, back towards town and then to their next adventure. ``See, told you Mabel would be mad.'' Kani said as she flicked through the book she was given. Fenris just nodded guiltily. ``Are we still going to go hunting?''
``No Kani... I'm very full.'' Fenris sounded as though that was obvious. It honestly was when you looked at his belly. .
``What about me? I'm still hungryyyy'' the Whine of a hungry child was familiar to Fenris.
``Kani... We don't need to hunt for you... I bought you carrots.'' Fenris said matter of fact.
``Ooo Carrots!'' Kani closed her book and crawled over the large wolf beneath her. Opening the side pouches Fenris had on his flanks finding a big bag of carrots. Her Favorites.
The two then made their way, set for a small inn before they continued their journey towards their next bounty.
