I trudge up the muddy hill in the mountain forest. Lucky I changed my heels for hiking shoes, otherwise I would've plummeted to my death from the cliff. I kept my dress on though, because there wouldn't be any point in going where I'm going now without it.

I stand before a huge tree and transform. I let out a quiet howl and a young wolf comes out from behind the tree. I turn back into my human form and approach the animal. He takes a step back, like he's afraid. I came prepared for this sort of welcome, but it still hurts.

'Um... Hey, Ame.', I say, taking another step forward and holding out my hand. 'Do you remember me?'

The wolf shakes his head and I sigh, disappointed. I blink hard to stop my tears from falling.

'It's me, Ame. I'm Yuki, your sister. I came to see you, because... It's been exactly ten years since you left. Ten years since both of us left Mom all alone.'

He doesn't remeber. I don't think he can turn human anymore. He can't speak to me. He became a wolf forever.

'I got married to Souhei today. Remeber him? It's that boy, who used to bring my homework to me when I was out of school. It was a really beautiful ceremony. Too bad you couldn't go. You would've seen Mom again. She still lives in that house near the mountain, but her back hasn't been doing so well. She can't walk long distances, and the doctor says that she'll maybe have to use a wheelchair. I don't think so, though. She's a tough woman, isn't she?'

I bite my lip, but I'm already crying. For all these years, I've been trying to accept the fact, that Ame chose the life of a wolf, but I cried myself to sleep every night for a year after he left. I just couldn't cope with all the loneliness, the painful feeling of abandoment.

'You know... I'm expecting a child. I haven't told anyone yet. Not Mom, not even Souhei. You're the only one who knows, Ame. There's a two-in-four chance my baby is going to be like us - a wolf child. I was hoping you could take care of the animal side of my baby, tell it the winders and horrors of being a wolf. You will, won't you?... Hey... Won't you?'

I'm hoping for some sort of sign, the tiniest bit of hope, that that wolf is still my brother, somewhere inside. But the wolf just looks at me with empty, animal eyes. My sight becomes blurry with tears, but I put on a smile.

'Thank you, Ame. Thanks for listening to me.', I say, wiping my eyes. I turn around and begin climbing down the slippery path, trying my hardest not to get my dress dirty. Suddenly, I hear footsteps behind me. I look behind my back, and the next thing I know, my face is hidden in a big patch of fur that smells of forest, wood and wolf. I put my arms around the creature and hug him tight.

'Take care, Yuki.', Ame whispers into my ear. He pulls away and runs off, back into the forest.

'I will.', I say, smiling through my tears, as I watch my brother disappear amongst the trees.

Nine months later, when my little girl's first cry can be heard from the house near the mountain, a wolf's howl cuts the air. I smile with maternal pride, as my daughter momentarily grows small ears, a button nose, paws and a tail.

'Yuki...', Souhei says, but I just shake my head at him and hug my baby to my chest.

'Yes, yes, darling. That's your uncle, Ame. He's going to teach you how to live a wolf's life. You'll grow up to be human and wolf, and to be equally strong in both of these worlds. I promise you, Haruhi.