1 Chapter 1: To the Falls!

I was out in the forest one day chasing some rabbits because they are really fast! Some tried to hide behind rocks but I would sneak around it just like mama taught me. A few of them jumped and fell onto their backs. I must have tired them out with all my playing.

So many new friends ended up running by us through the bushes and behind trees. I tried to ask them what they were doing but they all ignored me. Some squirrels ran by yelling at us all to run. Were they playing tag? I was going to follow them but I did what any brave animal would do, I went where they were running from.

More and more animals passed by and I had to be extra careful not to get squished by them. Paws, hooves, and some other things passed by again. A big, loud bang came from behind them. Old Lady Vivienne fell down onto her tummy beside me, I think she must have hurt her back paw. Her brown fur stood up straight, making her look really scary. I tried to approach her but she just swung her big paw at me! All I wanted to do was help.

Loud, heavy footsteps were coming towards us from behind. I thought for sure it was someone who could check up on the grumpy bear. Vivienne stood up and grabbed me in her jaw. I didn't know why but she put me inside of a hole in a tree nearby that was just big enough for me to fit inside.

"Stay here and keep quiet," her voice was softer. I didn't know what was going on but she sounded really tired. Old Lady Vivienne's paw must be really hurting her.

I don't know what all happened after that but the Old Lady started yelling. Several more loud bangs rang out closer to where I was tucked away. Old lady Vivienne's voice got weaker as another bang covered her voice. My instincts told me to stay put and be quiet. Deep voices came from several people outside. Sounds of something ripping were barely covered by their laugh. I didn't know what happened to Old Lady Vivienne but I hoped she was ok.

Just as I was about to poke my head out, two small beady eyes hung down from the opening. As ashamed as I am to admit it, I let out a tiny yelp.

"Hello," the small eyes had spoken. The eyes had spoken.

"Hello..." I had said, my voice was a bit shaken. Other animals always scared me a bit aside from Mr. O. He was the nice owl that lived by us until last week.

"My name is Ashy, who are you?" The eyes dropped down to the ground. A small animal the size of my leg stared up at me.

"I'm Mizune."

"Wanna be friends, Mizune?" Ashy had come up and touched my nose. His hands were so soft!

He climbed up my fur onto the top of my head, standing between my ears. Raising one hand he shouted, "Onward my noble steed Mizune! Let us explore the great unknown!" Ashy's words had confused me.

"What are you talking about?" I had no choice and needed to ask.

"It is something the owners I had said when the tiny ones would ride on their backs." Ashy's body laid flat on my head, his hands crossed over each other.

"Owners?" The word sounded strange. "What are the owners? Can you eat it?"

Ashy started laughing, "You can't eat them! You disappear if you try. I saw it happen to Monica, a snake they had."

He went silent for a bit. Two hands played around in my fur. We filed along a long water path, trying to find a safe place to cross. I don't remember how far we went but a small thing made of fallen trees soon came to us. Someone had tied a long line across the sides attached to big wooden things. They looked like trees but they didn't have the roughness as the others did. They were nice and smooth, the same as what we were supposed to walk on. They creaked a little when my paws hit them and water splashed up a bit from under us.

"Hey, Mizune?" Ashy's voice startled me. "Owners… you asked about them earlier. Some are nice and give us room to run. Others leave us in containers or make us fight against each other. There are others though who may keep us in containers but they treat us well. They give us food and water." I nodded slightly as we reached the grass. "My previous owners were nice. One day though, they put me in a small box and carried me out here. They left it sealed with a few holes in it and some food. I don't know how long I was in there but it had started raining, making the box soft enough for me to get out."

It was quiet between us for a long time. I don't know what these 'owners' did to Ashy but he still seems to like them. He says they were good but why would they not keep him with them? I couldn't help but think about this. I don't like these 'owners' and I hope I never meet them.

"Do you hate them?" I had asked.

"No, though I do miss them. I don't know my way around or even how to get back." something wet hit the top of my head.

More silence passed between us. Ashy covered himself in my fun. Feeling thirsty, I knelt at the water's edge, leaning my head far enough that I wouldn't knock him off. Slowly he climbed down my nose to drink, his grey fur standing out against the darkness. After getting him back to safety, we walked up a bit more until the sounds of rushing water filled the air. This was something new that I had never heard before! Both of us perked up at the noise. What could be waiting for us up there?

My lookout held on for his life as I darted forwards, pushing hard into the dirt. The wind curled around us, it felt like we were flying! Several minutes passed before we reached the area it was coming from and boy was it worth it.

Water poured from on top of a large rocky wall before falling into a big circle. It ran out into wet ribbon-like things like the path we followed. Loud water rushed by us before we noticed a slight little rainbow in the spray, going in and out of our sight. Ashy pushed off my head, gliding through the air. Grass clung to me as I rolled on my back looking at the sky.

In the center of the tree leaves, the moon shone brightly. It's so pretty, I thought. I wonder if-

Carefully I rolled over, listening to Ashy land somewhere near me. I gazed into the water, staring at the reflection that sat in the water. The white, perfectly round circle looked like it was floating in a big deep hole. Blue and white lights dotted the surface. Having reached a paw out, I tapped the water, sending small waves across the surface. The moon seemed to dance on the water's surface. I couldn't help it, I yelled in excitement as I splashed the water more.