The night was pitch black. Rook was snuggled under the cover of a berry bush but he could not sleep. Cold wind whipped outside, making wailing noises and the hoots of owl chilled Rook to the bone. Suddenly, not very far away, he heard some rustling. Like a dog was making its way towards Rook. Rook cringed and pricked his ears. He did not want another encounter with a dog. He sniffed, trying to identify the creature making its way nearer but all he could smell was the strong scent of an upcoming storm. Suddenly, a large shape appeared. Rook shot up and hissed, unsheathing his claws. 
           "What you doing that for?" a gruff voice asked. Rook stopped in his tracks, brows furrowing. 
            "W-what?" he stammered. He couldn't believe it, the voice was surprisingly familiar and Rook knew exactly who it was in an instant. He padded closer. "Don, is that you?"
             "Yes. Who else did you think it was?" Don asked in a rather matter of fact tone. Rook stepped aside and let Don slip into the cover of the bush with him. 
              "What are you doing here?" asked Rook, completely bewildered. 
             "Left my human. Well, he's not exactly my human. I'd say more of a housemate," Don answered, settling down. Rook was too surprised to lay back down. 
             "Why did you leave?" he asked. 
            "Well. Firstly, you left without even telling me," Don accused. 
              "I-I'm sorry," Rook said. "I-" Forgot.... 
            "You know, we were both getting sick of each other. It's for the best. I'm free now," Don grumbled. 
            "Oh," Rook said. 
             "Now, what are you doing out here?" Don questioned. "Aren't you supposed to be snuggled up with a new family?"
             "Not exactly. I mean, I should be. But I'm going to find Safanah. I need to. She's my real family," Rook explained. Don raised his eyebrows skeptically. 
             "You're going to search for them?" he asked. "How in the world...?"
            "I don't know but I know I won't stop until I find them," Rook said determinedly. 
            "I'm glad you love them that much but eh..., it's going to be impossible," Don said. 
            "What do you mean?" Rook asked, frowning. "I don't care how long it takes."
            "They could be anywhere. They could be on the other side of the planet!" Don exclaimed. 
             "Other side of the planet?" Rook echoed. "What's that?"
             "Ahhh. So young and naive. What it is is bloody far," Don cried. "You ain't ever going to find them." 
            "Don't say that! I know I will," Rook snapped back defensively. How dare he say that? He was going to find his family, no matter what it took. 
             "Mmm. Ok ok. Whatever you say. Anyways, I'll help you," Don suggested. "Are you headed for the forest?"
              "Yeah," nodded Rook. 
            "Why?" Don said with a disappointed sigh. 
            "I feel like I might find some answers there," Rook shrugged. 
            "Hmm. Well. I'll follow you till there, although I'm going to be taking another route to get past it. There's a huge town after the forest. I'm hoping to find a nice rubbish bin and live there luxuriously for my whole life. Provided I live long enough to get there," Don grinned. 
             "That's not funny," Rook rolled his eyes. "Of course you'll make it." 
             "Ha don't underestimate my age," laughed Don. 
              "So you'll come with me?" Rook asked. As much as it pained him to admit it, he liked some company, especially if it was Don. Don did have a dark sense of humour but he knew what he was doing and he would be of great help. It also had an added bonus of Rook not talking to himself anymore. 
             "Yes. I will," nodded Don. "Or, in other words, you're going to come with me." Rook made a face. 
            "Do you know how to hunt?" he asked just as his stomach grumbled. 
            "As well as a warrior," grinned Don. A memory sparked in Rook's head but he didn't say anything. 
             "Right," he said. 
             "We leave at dawn?" Don smiled. 
              "Hmm. Alright," nodded Ron. It was early but it meant they would make faster progress. He settled down finally and curled up into a ball. Having Don with him gave him a sense of safety. His mind drifted into a calm, restless dream.