Ears perked as the rock came tumbling into the water, Banner leapt back and grinned. Her new companion pawed at the shallows as she tried to retrieve the stone. Banner bounced up and down, her forelegs splashing the creek. Where the water had previously been clear and smooth it was now cloudy and rumpled. The other she wolf succeeded in grabbing the rock and pulling it from the muddy water. Time stood still for a moment while the wolf stood with the stone, water dripping in streams from her fur, complete with a goofy grin and bubbles popping from her nose. Banner then burst out laughing, though not unkindly. She grinned back and then took a few awkward leaps into the creek until the current rushed over her back. The pup swam a few quick circles, her muzzle bobbing above the lapping water. “Fish! Yes!” She agreed enthusiastically, coming back into the shallows. Ban shook out her soaked fur, possibly but unintentionally spraying the other female. Her coat, however, did look much improved. Though still gritty, the fur’s true light cream color was revealed, a line of dark gray and brown running down her spine from hips to tail. Banner pranced happily over to a large stone that lay partially under the water. She climbed atop it, looking expectantly between the shallows and her companion. Ban’s growling stomach gave her away and she snickered sheepishly. “Problem is, I got no idea how to catch a fish.” She admitted. She was baleful for a moment, but then her ears flicked up and her pale yellow eyes went wide. “My name’s Banner bytheway!” She breathed out in a rush, having suddenly remembered her manners. b a nn e r as we walked I heard the laughter in the leaves mars 2013