"Hm...?" Opening her eyes and looking around revealed herself to be in the middle of a forest.. forest.. yes.. this was a forest. I had a vague idea of what a forest was.. is.. are? Why does it feel like I've forgotten something?

A little girl no more than 6 sat in the first beginnings of snow, hardly registering that she was cold at the moment. Wearing something that could barely be called clothing, little more than a rag really. Her face was dirty, but her hair was clean and white, fresh as the morning snow she sat on. Poking at it, she discovered her hair was far longer than she thought and it just happened to blend in with the snow easily. 

"It'll probably reach my feet.." looking down, she scowled at her feet, or what she assumed to be feet. She had another vague idea of what feet were and these were indeed the very perfect image of feet. 

Sitting there really wasn't going to accomplish much, I have a vague idea that I need to find somewhere before it gets colder... Looking down she began to contemplate a bit about the first hurdle to overcome in trying to survive the current predicament. Ok.. so.. I know how to stand.. it's easy! I've got this, it's not like it's the first time.. is it the first time? Pondering that thought for a moment she attempted to stand.

"Oomph.." Laying face first in the snow was not exactly the idea she had had. The idea was there, she knew the FEELING of standing but it was like more of an instinct than a know.

"Okay.. you got this.. it's just standing" Acting a little more careful this time, she slowly inched herself up to a standing position with the assistance of a nearby tree. 

"Alright! I did it!" Both hands went into the air, and she once again became suddenly aware of this world's fundamental laws of Gravity. She took a couple of moments to admire the blue sky, "at least I saved my face" she said through gritted teeth. 

It took till the sun had reached its highest point to begin walking steadily. Even now she still tripped easily over a branch or curse it, her feet. Hair had been another problem she discovered, low hanging branches and brush often tried to grab her hair and pull it. 

"hmm..." Picking it up into a bundle and holding it in her arms, she once again stopped to admire how soft it was. When it was catching on things, she had thought to cut it in her frustration. But, being once again reminded how pretty it was stopped her in her tracks.

There was still a problem though.. "how do I stop it from getting caught on things..hmm.." continuing to walk with her hair in her arms and only managing to trip twice more, she finally stopped in her tracks with an idea.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

"Oh! I got it! If it's because it's so long and dragging against the ground, then I can just wrap it around my neck! Perfect!" Letting the hair rest its weight on her neck and shoulders also helped. Now with her hands free, she could do far more and explore!

This forest is awfully pretty.. musing as she went along and taking in the sights of the forest. The glistening morning snow hadn't melted in the hottest moments of the day, it'd still been far too cold. A small-looking mountain looked to be within walking distance and a brook of water could be heard nearby. Birds and Squirrels chirped to one another, gathering the last bits before settling in for the winter. It's peaceful..

Stopping to lean against a tree and catch her breath. Identifying the stinging feeling in the tips of my fingers and cursed feet became the next step. Shivering, her teeth began to clatter involuntarily. "What.. why?.. cc..aaa..nnntt.. stoppp..." darkness began to drift in the surroundings of her vision. Whats.. happening.. a sound, not unlike a small log falling over sounded in the quiet forest.

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It had been a productive day Moonlight decided. The pack had plenty of stocks and the hunting routes had already been planned and divided out to the various lower alphas. All she had to do, was relaxing in her winter den for the rest of the season, a very productive day indeed. 

[hm..?] a new smell on the wind, human.. but not.. curious, Moonlight began approaching the smell cautiously. She had been downwind of the smell, so it reached her a little late. Looking around the tree she found the curious object that produced said smell. A small human girl, curled up in a ball shivering.

[Oh my..] She'd freeze to death out here if she stayed any longer! Startled, she took only a moment to grab the young pup from the back of her dress and carefully began a trot towards the den. Hang in there little pup!

The sun was beginning its sleep when we finally reached the den. Subordinates had already stocked it with its winter supplies. Carrying the little bundle to the back of the cave, Moonlight set her down gently. Then curled her massive body around her hoping she'd survive the night. It didn't take long for the pup's body to begin to warm up and stop shivering. To only be replaced by the soft sighs of sleep.

Moonlight smiled to herself and then wondered why she had picked up the little pup in the first place. It wasn't like she never wanted pups of her own, but this was a human child. [Why had I panicked?] That was another question. She had panicked as if it was her own child.. Did I think of this child as my own? How curious.. Well, she had to take responsibility now. She had picked up a stray in the forest, something Moonlight always barked at her own subordinates for. Sighing, she shook her head, making sure to preposition her tail to cover the small child, [What in the world am I going to do now..]

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Author Note.

I'm going to end up having two works going at the same time, one a fan work and this one an original work. Strangely enough, my fan work is taking much longer than this one. This is more of an outlet for me than anything else, something to explore both my own loneliness and try and explore new ideas both in writing and magic.

I appreciate a review, as it's been a very long time since I've actually written. I haven't been able to write due in part to a medical issue with my hands for the last few years. Recently though, I've been able to type and move my hands easier. So, I'm trying to get back into the swing of writing again. Cheers :)