A Truly 'Howling' Commando

|7| War Changes More Than Your Mind

——5:00am——

Chirping of songbirds awoke me from sleep as the city and its inhabitants began to rise. The sun was still a little ways from rising, but I stood up anyways. My jaws opened in a yawn and I stretched my limbs, my tail stretched upwards as well.

I listened into the home and just barely detected Bucky's snores. I sighed with relief and head out to go get some food. Yes, I could just jump in the window or find a way into the home, but I wanted to get used to scavenging again. I would usually hunt or scavenge for food when Bucky and I fought on the front lines to conserve food supplies. Plus I could go a lot longer than the soldiers on little to no food. My gait sped up to an easy lope, going a little over 13-15mph as I navigated the streets and alleys of Brooklyn. My nose up, I followed a promising scent.

After about half and hour, I found a small flock of pidgins walking around on the ground. I crouched down, making sure the slight breeze blew towards me. There I waited... silently... my muscles coiled in anticipation for my chance.

One wandered a bit too close...

With an alarm call it began to fly off in a panic, the others following suit.

I took my chance and short forward, leaping into the air, my jaws snapping shut one of the bird's bodies. It struggled in my teeth before I bit down hard, the audible crunching of bone hit my ears as blood began to slowly fill my mouth.

I trot off with the dead bird in my jaws, blood occasionally dripping from my teeth as I head back home. My stomach growled and my mouth began to water as my nose filled with the scent of the dead bird. A small growl escaped my throat as I resisted the urge to eat the bird now.

I made it back to the house after another half hour and gently scratched the door before settling down outside to eat. I tore into the flesh of the bird, blood beginning to coat my muzzle and teeth. As I ate, bones crunched as I chewed and swallowed the meat of the bird.

I finished quickly and swiped my tongue around my jaws to clean off some of the blood. Getting up, I scratched the door with my forepaw again, a bit louder this time. It opened and I entered the home. I looked up and was met with the sight of Bucky in his uniform, he knelt down and checked my dog tags and collar. "Ready to go?"

I chuffed and grabbed his hat before handing it to him as we left the house. Bucky turned around to lock the door before we began to head for the boat.

——7:30am——0730——

Nobody from the 107th had met me yet, so the surprised looks I received were expected. Bucky had gone to Wisconsin with the troops here to train during the winter, but I had stayed behind that time. I followed Bucky onto the ship, my dog tags laying over my collar and clinking together occasionally with every step. We walked over to the railing and looked out. I shut my eyes, relishing in the breeze that ruffled my fur and sent the salty smell of the ocean to my nose.

"Sergeant Barnes." A voice called out and I opened my eyes and turned around to meet the man. I didn't catch his name, but then again I didn't really care. That was... until he looked at me and got a bit closer. A soft growl rumbled in my throat as I narrowed my eyes at him, "Don't even think about it..."

He stopped and looked towards Bucky, a silent warning in his eyes before he walked away. I huffed in frustration before I felt a familiar hand begin to rub my ears, gently flicking the flops up so they bounced. I felt myself calm down completely as he stroked my fur as a crooning growl made itself known.

——Time skip: 7 hours later——
——2:35pm——1435 Army Time——

I rose from my nap as the boat's horn blared, signaling that we were docking. I got impatient and stood up, moving to the side where the docks lay. Hearing Bucky's footsteps follow me, I knew he wouldn't worry about where I was after doing this. I went over to the railing, seeing that the dock was just barely over 5' away. Backing up, my muscles tensed in anticipation before I bolted forward. I bunched my hind legs beneath me and launched my 3'4" body over the rail and onto the docks. Skidding to a halt, I shook out my fur before looking back at the boat and picking out Bucky's face easily.