Dawn

Homecoming

Okay, now, on to the story!

For the first time in Rocky's life, he could sleep in total peace. No nightmares, not even dreams. Just pleasant, refreshing rest. But, apparently, that wasn't the case for every pup. Zuma yelped and squeezed Rocky tightly, and began crying into his fur. Rocky's eyes opened immediately.

"Zuma...what's wrong?" Rocky asked, immediately on edge.

"I'm sowwy, Wocky...I'm sowwy...I tried to save you, but I wasn't strong enough...I'm sowwy..." Zuma's apologies always seemed to melt Rocky's heart, making it impossible for him to hold a grudge against Zuma. But when Zuma was crying, and Rocky had no idea what he was talking about, the effect just multiplied. But seeing Zuma like this hurt. A lot.

"Oh, Zuma...don't cry!" Rocky said, tears forming in his own eyes. What are you crying about! It's been like ten seconds and you're already about to cry! Nothing has even happened! Get yourself together! He scolded himself. Except, Zuma is crying, and it's hurting me... Zuma finally looked up at him, tears still running down his cheeks.

"I tried weally hawd, I pwomise I did! I just couldn't do it...I couldn't save you! I was too weak...I'm sowwy, Wocky!" Rocky shook his head in distress and confusion.

"Zuma, it's okay just...sniff...calm down...you gonna make...sniff...me...sniff...cry..." he pleaded, fighting back the tears that threatened to spill upon seeing Zuma like this, broken, lost, and confused. He bent his snout close to Zuma's. "You can...tell me..."

"It was howwible, Wocky! I had...sniff...a nightmare...sniff...and you were on the ground...sniff...in a pool of blood...so much blood...too much...sniff...and I couldn't save you...sniff...and I tried....sniff..my hardest...sniff...but...sniff...I...sniff..was too weak!"

The increasing 'sniffs' lead out to another session of full-blown crying. Rocky felt fresh, hot tears soak his chest. They ran through his fur and dripped onto the floor. Rocky was trying really hard to keep it together, but he felt himself about to cry as well. Get it together...come on Rocky...don't cry...don't cry...don't.... Rocky's resolve was destroyed as Zuma started whimpering, and he silently let tears run down his face and onto Zuma's head.
"Zuma, it wasn't your fault! You didn't have to come with me, but you did anyway. You put your own life on the line just as much as I did! Plus, the Bloodstone was too strong. But you tried to save me anyway, and I love you for that." Zuma still didn't respond, and his grip on Rocky increased ever so slightly.

"Zuma, there's nothing for me to forgive. You did nothing wrong. You stayed beside me and supported me. Even though I died, I'm glad you were there with me. It made it so much easier. Just...don't cry, Zuma. I...I can't take it when you cry!" Rocky pleaded, feeling his heart beginning to hurt.

"But...maybe if I had tried harder..."
"Zuma, stop it. I know for a fact that you tried as hard as you could. As I said, there was nothing more you could've done. But fate is a bitch, Zuma." Rocky said, stroking Zuma's side comfortingly. "But, why are we crying about that? That's already over with and done."

"Are you...sure?" Zuma mumbled, suddenly sounding like a scared, two-month-old newborn than a five-year-old puppy.

"Positive," Rocky responded. "It was just a dream." He placed Zuma's paw over his heart.

"Do you feel that, Zuma?" Rocky asked. Zuma nodded. "My heart is still beating." He took Zuma's paw and put it over his chest. Rocky's chest went in and out and he breathed.

"I'm still breathing as well." Zuma nodded, calming down some.

"Look into my eyes, Zuma," Rocky commanded. Zuma obeyed and stared into his golden orbs.