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DISCLAIMER - This chapter contains mild references to homosexuality and
love between a sentient, intelligent wolf-man and a human.  Any who 
would be insulted by this, or any children under 18 years of age (or 21
in certain areas) should NOT read this story, and by reading past this 
point, you afirm that you are legally mature and able to handle the 
subjects mentioned above.  Also, the writer is not responsible for any 
problems which arise by not complying with this warning.  Thank you for
your patience, and I hope you enjoy.
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			Chapter 2  -  Sanctuary


	"Come, we cannot rest here any longer, or we will surely be 
found."
	I stand up, reluctantly, as my Mazuku friend urges me onward.  
How far will we be walking, I wonder?  His people's land can't be close 
to here, or they'd have been found long ago.  I brush off my trousers 
and shirt, a bit less than stable on my feet.  I stumble forward on 
shaky legs, still feeling weak, dizzy...
	I don't remember anything, after that, but my eyes open to 
stare directly into his.  "Wha..."
	"You fainted again... it appears as though I pushed you too 
hard.  I am sorry."
	I shake my head, letting him know it's not his fault.  He had 
been right, if we don't move from here, we'll be hunted down and found. 
And there would be far worse in store for him if that were to happen.
I can't stand to see him hurt anymore.
	"L... leave... m-me..."  I manage to whisper.
	"Leave you?!"  He yells, quite loud and gutteral to my ears, it 
shocks me to hear it.  The rest of his words are quieter, though 
whether to settle me, or to keep our position secret, I cannot tell.  
"I cannot leave you here, after you risked your very life to allow me 
passage from that abominable prison.  I will not leave you behind, and 
that is final."
	I feel... relieved, somewhat, to know that he cares for me 
still.  Yet, for how long would we both have to wait in fear of being 
captured before we are safe, if we are ever even to be safe.  Without 
any warning to him, I sit up, and stand, balancing myself against a 
tree, and walking forward.
	"Stop!"  He yells at me.
	I don't listen to him, I just keep going.  "W... we have to.... 
move on..."  I strain to get the words from my lips, yet, as his hand 
touches my shoulder, I lose my will, and stop as he says.
	"You should know, you were heading back to the beach."  I look 
to him, confused, then back, and though I cannot see it, by the 
direction of the sun I know he is right.  I break down laughing, 
falling backwards in my enthusiasm.  He seems to smile again, and sets 
himself down next to me.  "Come, you need your strength, I've still a 
few fruits left."  He takes the sachel of leaves from his back, untying 
it and handing me two bananas, and a coconut.  "Eat well, then we shall 
continue on.  I have no more wish to be in this forest any longer than 
you."
	I nod to him, gratefully peeling and feeding upon the 
bananas... then wondering how to unlock the secrets of this coconut 
he's given to me.  I see him pound his over a wooden log, then tip it 
over his lips, watching the white milk of the coconut flow down his 
throat... which gives me a few ideas to say the least, but none of them 
having to do with food.  I put it past my thoughts, concentrating on 
how to get my own drink from this forbidden meal.  He looks over as the 
last few drops of sweet coconut milk flow into his mouth, and smiles at 
me.  "Here, you must do it this way."  And with that, he takes my 
coconut, and shows me the log he had used.  It has a large notch on it, 
sticking out from the log to a point.  After displaying this to me, he 
takes my coconut, and slams it down over the top of the notch.  I hear 
a splintering, and as he removes the coconut, he flips it over.  "Drink 
from it."  I smile, and do as he says, drinking every last bit of the 
juice from this fine gift.  I see him with the coconut pressed to his 
lips, watching as his tongue delves deep inside it, finding all the 
nourishment hidden inside... and again my mind goes places it probably 
shouldn't.  I glance down, seeing his wolf-like maleness, not quite 
hard, yet not quite soft either, yet as I watch, I see it rising, 
lengthening.  Sometimes I WISH he wore clothing, because now my 
maleness was starting to mimic his.
	"Are you alright?"  I hear... I close my eyes, and freeze on 
the spot.  Great, now he's caught me staring at him... I keep my eyes 
closed, I can just imagine the look of disgust on his face... if he can 
even show disgust for me to see.
	I open my mouth to say something, but find it covered before I 
can.  Opening my eyes in surprise, I see him, looking off in different 
directions at the jungle around us.  I look around myself, afraid to 
find out what he's looking for.  Without warning, I'm lifted into his 
arms, the sachel of leaves set in my lap, which I hold on to as he 
begins running at full speed through the thick, constraining trees 
around us.  His grace is outstanding for a creature his size.  I don't 
realize until we were some ways away that we are being chased.  Rather, 
we are being hunted.
	I see them behind me, giving chase, climbing over and under low 
branches to get to their prey, us.  It's a little unsettling to be 
prey, to be chased by one of your own kind.  Though now, I am the enemy 
of my own kind, my race.  I have no more time to think, within a few 
moments, I lose track of the hunters chasing us, and quite suddenly, 
the sun is at least three times as bright as usual.  The Mazuku stops 
fast, and we quickly both realize what's been played out.
	"How could I not see this?"  We both look across the wide open 
field of grass, and I'm sure his finely tuned ears can ear every 
footfall from every soldier surrounding the encircling tree-line.  He 
growls a moment, then looks to his right, and bolts, with me in arms.  
I'm again surprised by his grace, as I feel hardly any jolting or 
bumping all through his run, and as he reaches the trees, I see his 
reasoning.  Two other Mazuku!  They look distinctly like him, but after 
the close look I've had at my rescuer and rescuee, I'll never forget 
his own, personal appearance.  I barely notice the near hundred human 
soldiers rushing at us, along with the nearly ten Mazuku giving us a 
grand escort out of the area.  I focus my eyes on the Mazuku carrying 
me.  Does he actually care if I live or die?  Or is this just repayment 
for my saving him?
	I don't get time to think further, before I know where I am, 
it's dark beyond belief.  I can't see an inch in front of my face, 
though judging by the pace this Mazuku is running, he can see rather 
well.  I'm surprised by a pair of glowing eyes staring out of where his 
face must be.  No wonder he could see so well, I should have known from 
the start.  I don't hear anymore humans, only the ten or so Mazuku 
rushing around and beside me and my escort.  A sudden, blinding flash 
of light forces my eyes shut, and a few moments later, I open them to 
see a lush forest.
	The beauty of this place makes it seem almost primal.  All 
around, there are trees tall and strong, many of them with ferns 
growing at their feet.  The smell is enchanting, a mixture of herbs and 
of bare, untouched nature.
	"This is my home."  Says my rescuer.
	I look around again, yet find no houses, no tents, not even a 
hollowed out log or a hole in the ground.  I am about to ask him where 
he lives among this forest, when another of the Mazuku walks forward 
and speaks to him.
	It's a language I can't understand, a language completely alien 
to me, most likely alien to all human kind.  When they finish their 
discussion, I decide to intervene.
	"What were you saying?"  I ask.
	"Oh, he simply asked if I am alright.  Thanks to you, I am."
	I blush slightly, not expecting such a complement.  "Well, this 
seems quite an escort for you, especially because they didn't know you 
would be there."
	"Oh, they knew."  He remarks crypticly.  Before I have a chance 
to ask what he meant, I'm released, set on the ground, and brushed off 
by his hands/paws.

	After my friend speaks to the rest of the Mazuku assembled 
there, they leave, and he shows me around the forest.  It's perfect.  
Not a single blemish on any tree, not a blade of grass out of place.  
It's as if this were a place of magic.  I resolve to ask him further 
about this place tonight.  Soon enough, I can hear the hooting of an 
owl, a sure sign that the sun will be setting soon.  I had taken the 
time to walk through the forest, looking at everything with a sense of 
awe, but soon, night would come.  I certainly did not want to be left 
out here at night, God only knows what foul creatures could hide in a 
forest of such bounty.
	It doesn't take me long to find my companion.  He is sitting 
beside a large fire, with nearly fifty other Mazuku, some sitting and 
speaking in the odd tongue which I have yet to understand, and others 
up and dancing.  From the looks of it, I would say that they are having 
some kind of celebration.  I look on for a few moments, at the singing 
Mazuku, not a stitch of clothing on any of them.  That explains why my 
friend has no clothing either.  Soon, he notices me watching, stands, 
and begins walking my way.  He seems to have an enchanting way of 
moving, his swaying tail catching my attention for a moment before I 
look up to his eyes.
	"I see you've found your way to our common area."  He says to 
me, over the singing and talking I hear from nearer to the fire.  All 
in that same language I've never heard before.
	"Yes, I'm glad I did before it got too late."  I remark.
	"Oh, there's no danger for you around here.  All of my people 
know of your presence here, and none will do anything to harm you."  
I'm pleased by this, at least I know I'm safe.
	"Where do you live, in this forest?"  I skip ahead to my 
questions, so I can make sure they get answered.
	"My territory is in that direction," he says, pointing off into 
the distance somewhere, "you'll be stayign with me while you are here."
	"Alright."  I reply.  "I've also noticed that none are speaking 
English, as you are... why is that?"
	"Ah, you mean your language?  My status is such that I am 
taught to speak fluently in the languages of humans.  Not many of my 
kind are able to, even fewer are willing."
	I realize just now how difficult it must be for some of them to 
allow me into this place.  I look down, and he must sense my 
uneasiness.  "Do not be alarmed.  You will not be harmed here, you have 
saved me, and I give you my deepest gratitude."  The Mazuku bows before 
me, and I straighten uneasily at being paid such an honor, bowing back 
to him.
	"Um... what may I call you?"  I ask him, to avoid a long, 
nervous pause on my part.
	"Hmmm... I doubt my name could be pronounced by your tongue..." 
He looks down, as though trying to decipher a horendous puzzle.
	"I'm willing to try, I have plenty of time."  I offer to him, 
and he nods his approval.
	"Alright.  I'll give you my name, to start," and after a short 
pause, he makes out a few syllables I've never heard, combinations of 
letters and sounds I probably could never reproduce, and a few growls 
that are probably too difficult for me to figure out how to say.  The 
name isn't incredibly long, but it is a bit daunting to hear at once.  
He smiles to me, and simply states, "Just refer to me as 'Crvesh', it 
is the shortest recognizable form of my name."
	"Alright then.. Keravesh..."  I still have to sound it out, and 
it's probably a horrible pronunciation to his ears, but he gives me a 
gentle smile anyway.
	"That is excellent, now, what may I call you by?"  He asks me.
	"My name is Xavier."
	"Zavir?"  He says, as though in question, I nod, and realize 
that he probably doesn't know my language as well as it has seemed up 
until now.  All he has to go on is what his culture knows from before 
they were forced away.  The long silence passes without my knowing, 
until a soft hand... or paw, I've yet to decide which it is more 
like... comes to rest on my shoulder, and snaps me back to reality.  "I 
understand that we are safe now, but if you continue to drift off like 
that, I will wonder about your health."
	To these words, I laugh hysterically, and Crvesh joins me, 
seeming more light-hearted now than before, though it is probably 
because he's in his own land.  Which reminds me of my reason for 
finding him.  "Um, about tonight, you live... in that direction?"  I 
point off into the wilderness, and he nods to me.
	"Yes, that way.  Would you like to turn in for the night?"  I 
nod to him, and he smiles.  "Alright.  I will join you, the day has 
been long for myself as well."
	Soon enough, he says his goodbyes to his friends and... perhaps 
relatives... by the campfire, and walks along beside me.  I wonder to 
myself, as I look around... where do these Mazuku live?  I see no 
houses, no buildings, nothing but trees all around.  Their land could 
not be THAT large and still remain hidden so long, at least not by my 
reconning, so I decide to ask Crvesh.
	"Where exactly is it, that you live?  I don't see any 
structures here."  I remark.
	He looks to me bemusedly, and stops in his tracks, holding me 
back as well.  I become afraid, as though he may have heard something, 
but soon he faces me and smiles, still just visible under the full moon 
light.  He turns back to the space in front of him, and before my eyes, 
the entrance to a large cavern appears in front of me.  I stare on in 
shock, though soon I feel his arm again nudging me forward.  I comply, 
still in my state of disbelief, looking all around at the torch-lit 
pathway deeper into the cavern.  As we head in deeper, I look back, 
only to find that no light from the moon even reaches here, despite the 
fact that we've walked only about 20 yards by now.  Looking back ahead 
of me, I notice a room with many torches, and a large fire burning at 
the center of one wall, though oddly, no smoke rises from any of this. 
 I take a moment to capture all that this room holds.
	It isn't very large, a humble room, with a fire burning off to 
one side, torches lining the walls, all of the walls made of very well 
carved out granite rock, I note.  There is a pile of skins off to one 
side, his bed, I assume, and a path that heads off from one corner.  It 
is also lit, and I get the feeling as I look on that it is where he 
keeps his food, probably freezing cold to keep it fresh.  All this 
while, though I don't notice, he keeps his eyes locked on me, watching 
as I take in his home, smiling calmly, and again, before I realize, his 
hand/paw brings me back to reality.
	"What do you think of it?  After seeing the kinds of structures 
you humans live in, I'm afraid I can't offer much more for comfort, but 
this will be where you will live."  He seems concerned that I won't 
like it, though, in truth, the simplicity is, at once, entirely 
welcome.
	"Oh, no, actually, I don't mind at all.  It will be nice to 
relax with you for a change."  I realize too late what I've said, and 
turn bright red, trying to cover up my words by continuing.  "Er, how 
am I to get in here?  I mean, how did you find the cave?"
	"Ah, that.  I have forgotten that your kind no longer has ties 
with our world."  He must have noticed the slight look of hurt on my 
face after his words sunk in.  "Sorry.  Human-kind.  I did not mean to 
offend you.  What we do is very simple, we are taught from birth to use 
the powers the earth gives us.  I could teach you to use the cave 
entrance in time, and probably to do other things as well, though your 
human heritage may not sit well with the earth."
	I nod to him, glad that he's at least willing to give me a 
chance.  I look again to the pile of skins, and he gives me a gentle 
push in that direction.  "By all means, you must be tired.  We shall 
sleep for now."  As he makes his way over, I notice again his swaying 
tail, following just a couple steps behind him.  I try my best to take 
my eyes away from the sight, and manage to just barely before he turns 
to me.  "Do you mind sharing my bed?  I could sleep on the ground, it 
is little trouble."

	"No, don't go out of your way just for me."  I reply to him, 
then yawn softly.  I'm more tired than I'd originally thought.  "I'll 
be fine."  I see him looking down along my body, then back up to my 
face, and look at him in ponderance, "What..."
	"Your skins..." He says to me.   I put the word through my 
mind.  Skins?  Ah!  My clothing.  I yawn involuntarily, and he smiles 
to me, "Nevermind, I will ask in the morning."
	I shake my head, as much to disagree as to wake myself up a 
bit.  "I'm not too tired yet, what did you want to know?"
	He nods, and smiles to me, beginning to speak slowly.  "My 
people only wear skins during the cold winter months, yet... I have 
never seen a human without his skins.  Are you truly in such need of 
warmth?"
	I find myself again remembering my previous findings.  It's 
true, they have no modesty about their bodies, and why should they?  
Even naked, they have a layer of fur covering them.  Nothing to be 
embarassed about.  Still, as I look over his body, my eyes are drawn to 
his sheath.  It doesn't particularly stand out, but it is there, in 
plain sight.  I blush, unable to control the reddened cheeks, and speak 
to him.  "We have... um..." I pause here, uncomfortably, taking my eyes 
from his sheath, to see his smile just the same as always.  I decide to 
relax, maybe there's less pressure in his culture about this kind of 
thing.  "We have insecurities... about being without skins..."  I smile 
at my use of his word, trying to make it understandable.
	He tilts his head... a very odd likeness to a tame dog tilting 
his... a way of portraying confusion, I decide.  "Insecurities?  I do 
not understand."  I realize now that I should have listened to him when 
he suggested we talk about this in the morning.  This conversation 
could get very long.
	I think for a moment about how to explain it to him.  How do 
you explain an insecurity about being naked to someone who's standing 
in front of you in the nude?  I decide to try anyway.  "Well, it's an 
insecurity about being naked... without skins, I mean.  It has to do 
with..."  I blush again, unable to hide my embarassment about 
explaining this to someone who doesn't care what state of dress, or 
lack thereof, that you're in.  "...with our genitals.  Humans are 
insecure about showing them to others."  That's probably the best 
explanation I can give.  I just hope he understands.
	He just gives me another quizzical look.  "Genitals?"  It 
appears that word hadn't been introduced to him.  I look down at his 
sheath again, then back up, to see him glancing down that way as well. 
His right hand points to his sheath, and he asks, "Your reproductive 
organs?"  I nod, again, blushing like mad.  He seems to be processing 
the statement I made, showing many forms of confusion as he stares down 
at his sheath, then at my crotch, back and forth.  "I simply do not 
understand..."
	I sigh lightly, it doesn't seem like there's any way to fully 
explain the way I and most of the human race feel.  "Well, it's not 
that important, I'm sure I'll survive while I'm here."
	He seems to straighten up after hearing that.  "Well, I do not 
wish for you to feel uncomfortable.  I could wear my skins while you 
are around, though I do not think it will be possible for the entire 
pack to act in that way, however..."
	I smile at his effort to make me feel at home.  He certainly is 
willing to go through a lot to make me feel welcome.  I interrupt his 
thoughts before he finishes them.  "No, that's not necessary.  I'll 
already be a burden on you as it is, you have a right to your own 
comfort."  He still looks unsure, but I just smile to him.  "Let's go 
to sleep, I'm really tired."
	He nods, and smiles back to me, probably thinking the same 
thing in his head.  I'd neglected to ask how in the world we got here 
from the other forest in the first place, but it must have been 
something like how we got into his cave just a little while ago.  That 
'magic of the earth', or whatever he called it.  No humans possess any 
magic that I know of, all of our magic is done by machines.
	A hand/paw on my shoulder awakens me from my thoughts.  Crvesh 
seems to smile at me, and says, "You really must find some way to 
control that."  I chuckle lightly, and he joins in for a bit, then we 
both quiet down, and he settles onto the pile of skins by one wall of 
the room.  The fire in this room actually has me feeling quite warm, 
and I ponder joining him in his ways tonight.  My decision is made 
before I even think about it.  It's just too hot in here to sleep like 
this.  I remove my shirt first, realizing I'm still somewhat nervous 
about being naked in front of Crvesh, despite that he's never worn 
clothes in front of me before.  After the shirt is off, dropped 
haphazardly next to his bed, I begin to remove my pants.  These I 
remove quicker than before.  I just realize that if I get this over 
with, it won't be so bad.
	I'm not worried too much, after all, he's seen me like this 
before.  But I also realize, I'm gonna have to get used to being nude, 
if I want to even vaguely fit in around here.  Not to mention that I'm 
still a little warm.  I slip the white shorts down my thighs, and let 
them fall to the floor, kicking them on top of the small pile of 
clothes by his make-shift bed.  That taken care of, I lay atop the pile 
of skins, all too soon feeling the pull of sleep at my eyes.


copyright 2002 - Neiko Mitaki
	Feel free to e-mail me with any comments you might have, I 
would love to hear from anyone at all.  Send comments to 
neikolion@catlover.com  Again, comments and criticisms are graciously 
accepted.  Flames will be ignored.  
	Well, here's the next one, done.  If it's gotten this far, I'll 
probably continue on for a while.  Nothing aside from references to 
sex, as of yet, and I'm honestly not sure if that's going to change 
anytime soon.  I guess all of you will just have to keep up with the 
story if you want to find out.