Curiosity

As a pup, Negi was very curious. At times he would follow anything that moved with his nose to the ground and tail in the air. Of course he would end up getting himself lost and howl until his pack was able to find him. Often times he could be found cowering in a hollowed out tree.

One day when he was still fresh to the world, a small frog caught his attention and he followed it around for hours. On that same day a wolf from his pack wandered into a nearby village, injuring one of the many human children. Sending the villagers into a panic with only one thing on their mind, to prevent anymore incidence from occurring. With great fear and rage they formed a mob and struck at their den. Those in his pack who attempted to fight back were quickly taken care of, all those who remain fled never to look back.

When little Negi finally realizing he was lost and alone, he huddled in a hollowed tree hoping his pack would find him soon. However, this time no one would be coming to look for him. That night while working on a painting, a female artist heard the cries and howls of a tiny pup coming from her garden. She discovers Negi rooting through a patch of onions. Her first instinct was to chase it away, however, she had grown lonely since her husband had passed. So she decided it would be best to take in this lost pup and finally have some company again.

A few years went by and they had grown close. Negi being as curious as he was would dab his tail into the ink a brush it across the floor as he watch the artist paint, though she never got upset. She would only smile and scratch behind his ears. They ate together, slept together, played together, and even went on talks together. Though somehow with Negi instincts and his constant interest in following things around, he also became a fine hunter while his friend was out and about.

However as the months went by, it was apparent to Negi that something wasn’t right with his friend. He would see her have coughing fits and some days wouldn’t even get out of bed. One day when they decide to go for a walk. They took shelter in a cave from the rain that seemingly came out of no where. But the frail woman's condition took a turn for the worst. Unable to move in her sickly condition and with no one to notice she was missing. She passed on after a few days. It was then Negi's journey became solo.