Into the Forest!

Come on! Only three more freaking minutes! I sighed angrily wishing that the clock on the wall would hurry up, but time waited for no man! It just annoyed the shit out of women; sometimes. Resting my chin in my palm, staring out the window I watched a few birds fly by tweeting a short song. Sighing looking away from the beautiful scene and I glared up at the clock which only had about a minute and thirty-seconds left. My name is Tenten, I'm an orphan living alone in my little apartment. I'm eighteen and working at my childhood friend's business, Naruto Uzumaki, as his personal assistant. We've been friends since we were in diapers. He hooked me up with a job after I graduated from high school not too long ago. He's turning twenty in a few months and me and some of his staff members are planning him a surprise birthday party since he thinks no one will remember it. Rubbing my forehead and sighing tiredly I wondered how someone so idiotic could run a big business like this? I don't question Naruto anymore after I saw him on TV at a ramen eating contest with an old friend of his, Choji. When I see or hear about Naruto doing something crazy or making a publicity stunt, if thats what you wanna call it, I just shake my head shrug my shoulders and say, 'just cause its Naruto.' Everyone seems satisfied with that answer also cause its partially true; it is just Naruto. Looking up at the clock again there was only five more seconds left before I could leave! Not that I didn't like my job, its just that its Friday, I'm tired and wanna take a long nap. Cleaning my desk before getting my coat off the little rack and picking my small bag, I walked out the door and locked it with a little silver key. Walking down the hall making a right turn I knocked on Naruto's main office door.

"Come in!" He yelled. Opening the door I noticed Naruto looking out the window with an odd face on. "Oh, hello Tenten."

"Hey Naruto, I'm going to go check out now is there anything you'd like me to do before I get going?" I asked, sometimes Naruto would ask me to get him a cup of juice before I left. Don't ask why he wanted juice, it's Naruto. He walked back over to his desk and sat down at his chair fixing a few papers, putting them away and locking it in the drawer. He grabbed his coat, his work bag along with his keys and his hat. He walked up to me and opened the door motioning me to exit. Stepping out, he closed the door behind him, locking it and shoving the keys in his pocket.

"Do you mind if I talk to you for a moment?" He said as we walked down the hall. Slipping my coat on I looked up at him.

"Sure, what's up?" He shook his head.

"Not here." He looked a little sad, I wonder whats going on. We walked in silence until we reached the front entrance. Naruto walked over to the secretary and signed both of us out.

"Can you call someone to get me and Tenten's car in the front?" He asked her. Nodding she picked up the phone to follow Naruto's request. He leaned on the counter letting his bag rest against his leg. I quietly approached him and sat my hand on his shoulder, glancing to the side he looked at me then away.

"What's going on Naruto? This isn't like you." I said nervously. He sighed and stood up straight, he was a lot taller than me. Turning to look past me he put one hand on his hip and the other behind his head.

"Well, we've been friends for a long time." Oh God. I hope he isn't thinking what I'm thinking right now. I don't want to ruin our relationship because I don't feel the same way. Please tell me he is going to say something else!

"Yeah," I said pressuring him on. He curled his lip up biting it making his cheeks puff out slightly while looking at the ground to his side.

"Well, you see-" He was cut off.

"Mr. Uzumaki! Your car is waiting outside! Yours also Tenten." A man said bowing swiftly to us. Naruto nodded and headed outside.

"I'll tell you later Tenten, see you next week!" He waved quickly rushing out the door and into his car. I slumped my shoulders and slowly made my way out.

"Bye to you too." I said to no one. My car was black with a silver interior. I didn't want anything fancy, just something that would get me from point A to point B. Thanking the man who brought my car to the front, I hopped in and drove off since it was still on. Turning on the radio to a privet station one of my favorite artist were on. Ryan Farish, an American electronic artist. His song Beautiful was on and I must say that the song stands for it's name. The piano and violins together are beautiful. I learned the piano and violin when I was younger. They were my favorite instruments and still are. I still have my violin, I just wish I could have a piano, but I have no space in my little apartment. After a few minutes I pulled into my parking spot behind the building, shutting of my car and flipping my keys until I found a golden one with the letter 'H' on it. Unlocking the door I made my way upstairs to the third floor. Shoving the key in it's lock I twisted it softly and pushed the door open. I took my coat off and hung it on the coat rack next to the door, I hooked my keys on the key holder and dropped my bag down on the floor.

Sighing harshly, I plopped down on my couch while kicking off my shoes. I had an oval shaped glass coffee table with a few unread books on it. I begged the landlord to allow me to change the grandma TV to a new flat screen HD TV that hung up on the wall. The old one barely worked correctly so I bought another one. The walls were a soft brown and the flooring was carpeted. On my left was a long dark brown certain that covered my balcony. On the left of my door there was a counter with marble finish with a few stools on the outside. Behind the counter was a stove and oven, sink and dish washer. Behind that was the refrigerator and trash disposable along with more counter space. To the right down the narrow hall were three wooden doors. The first one on the right was a guest room, or so I've made it into one. It's also my office space, but I don't have that many sleep overs unless it's Naruto wanting some company. It had a Queen sized bed, nightstand, table lamp, window, a closet, a wooden table in front of the bed and a mirror. The next room down on the left was my room, complete with a King sized bed, night stand, table lamp, forty-two inch TV, dresser, closet, and book shelf. The last door in the front was the bath room, it had a shower in the bath tub, sink, medicine cabinet, toilet and one of those blurry windows so perverts couldn't look through and see me taking a shower. Okay, maybe it wasn't so small and I could possibly fit a piano in my living room. I sighed. I was a little lazy? My job allowed me enough money to buy a big fancy house with an even better car and maybe two grand pianos and still have enough to blow, but that wasn't a life for me. I wanted to keep things simple. I had a simple life, with a normal job and good friends.

Getting up, I walked into my room and opened my dresser to find a wooden box in the back behind my clothes. Picking it up I took my thin chained necklace and pulled it out from being hidden in my shirt. A small golden blackish key about half the size of my pinkie finger was on the end of the chain. Gently poking the key in it's rightful hole and twisting it softly until I heard a small click and saw the top pop open. Dropping the key back down in my shirt, I carefully opened the wooden box to reveal a dark blueish black wooden flute; at least I thought it was a flute. Yes, I can also play the flute, I'm a musically talented girl. This was given to me by a strange man a few years ago. My eyes narrowed at the memory. I was rushing to get out of the rain because I didn't have an umbrella at the time. Why didn't I have an umbrella in the rain you ask? Well, I asked Naruto what the weather was going to be since I had to walk home from the high school because I had to stay after for help on a subject. He told me that it was going to be warm and not a cloud in the sky. I know now never to trust Naruto when asking for the weather because it was the complete opposite. It was a cold rain. I was mentally cursing Naruto and promised him pain the next time I saw him. The town that I live in now was made next to a forest called the Forest of Quiet Movement, and back then when I was trying to get home in the rain I was running along it since I lived on the edge of town. That's where I met that guy. He was a lot taller than me, I was in the tenth grade then. The man had on a deep red rain cloak and from the shoulders up was white. I couldn't help but think that he was a man of importance just by the vibe he was giving off. I stopped in front of him, unable to see his face because of the darkness. I knew it was stupid, but I felt like I needed to stay. That's when he spoke to me.

"Is your name Tenten?" He asked, and me being the stupid naive girl I was, I responded to him.

"Yes," I was talking to a stranger one of the most basic rules a kid should know. Never talk to strangers, but the funny thing is he didn't say anything back. He pulled down his hood and smiled at me, which I thought was kinda creepy at first until I saw the look in his eyes. He didn't look like a pervert to me, he looked at me more like a father would his daughter when she did something he was proud of. He dug through his coat and pulled out a wooden box and a thin necklace with a key on it. He held it out to me to take, also another stupid thing I did, was accept it without a second thought. Not knowing if it was a bomb or some type of trap, I accepted it and said.

"Umm, thank you sir." I looked down to get a better look at the box, but when I looked back up the man was gone. As silently and mysteriously as he came, he left. I looked around for him wondering how he disappeared so fast before looking at the wooden box and key he left me. Then I remember what happen a few moments later. His voice came back in my head.

"What ever you do, do not part from that box's contents or the key. They both are very important. I'm entrusting this to you, use it right. We are all counting on you." That's the last I've ever heard or seen him. I was wondering what he meant when he said, 'we are all counting on you.' He made it sound like I was carrying the world in my hands or something. Also the fact that he was 'entrusting' it to me, I barely knew the guy, no, I didn't know the guy. It was the first time I've ever seem him. I shook my thoughts from the man and the past and picked up the flute. Leaving the box on my bed I walked out on my balcony and held the flute up right. It didn't look like a flute that's played in an orchestra but more like a recorder with a flute mouth piece. Since the mouth piece was like that I assumed it was one. The following day from when I ran into the man I took on flute lessons after I figured that was what it was when I opened it. I looked out into the forest before thinking of what I wanted to play. I decided to play Ryan Farish's flute part in his song Rejoice. It was a nice little tune and I liked playing it. The sound was beautiful, the pitch was perfect, and the way it was crafted looks like it would sell for millions. I kept playing mixing in other songs I knew that had flute parts into it making the sound even more lively and beautiful. My favorite part in the song was the ending flute solo, an uplifting spiritual feeling always swirled in my stomach after playing or listening to that part. After a few more moments of playing I stopped and lowered the flute to look out into the lush green trees. I glanced down and noticed some red eyes watching me. I was taken back and strained my eyes to see what was staring so hungrily at me. It blinked at me and left. I felt something inside pull at my heart, like it was telling me to go to it, to not allow it to leave. I was confused by these feeling, shaking my head I rested the palm of my hand against my forehead as I walked back inside closing the door and curtains. Gripping the wooden flute softly I leaned against the glass doors trying to relax myself. Maybe I'll go out and get some tea and cookies from Hinata at the bakery.

After putting the flute away, making sure it was locked and hidden in it place, I grabbed some shoes, my coat, keys, cell phone and my purse. Locking the door behind me I made my way down the stairs and out the front door. I didn't want to take my car since the bakery was right down the street. I couldn't help but glance into the forest a few times. I stopped for a moment and noticed something, it was those red eyes again. Gulping I didn't move in fear that I would be attacked or chased. I glanced down for a moment to see a squirrel run into the forest then back up to where those red eyes were. I gasped, looking around for them, both nervous and angry that a squirrel made me lose sight of the eyes. I shook my head and turned the corner, my heels making clicking against the concrete as a result of my quicken pace. I gripped my little purse, I could feel my trench coat hit the back of my heels as I walked. I pulled my light brown turtle neck's collar down slightly and shoved my hands into the pockets of my black trench coat. I kept my head lowered so that any by passers wouldn't think I was guilty of something. After a few more blocks I was in front of the shop. Pushing the door open hearing the little bell ring signaling that someone was coming in. I walked up to the counter and waited for someone to come around. A minute of standing there no one came. I leaned over the short counter and looked around. Lifting the tab in the back of the counter I walked into the back room. No one was in the kitchen, so I went to the break room, and like the kitchen no one was there. I started getting a little suspicious. It wasn't like Hinata, heck, even Neji to not be here when the shop was open. Hinata and Neji were friends of mine when I was in high school. Neji was in tenth grade while Hinata was in ninth with me. I don't know where they came from, they never told me, they just said that they moved here for the education. I walked back out in the front by the cash register when someones hand gripped on my shoulder tightly.

"May I ask what you're doing behind the counter?" Said a stern voice. I smiled softly and turned around.

"Looking for you and Hinata." I stuck my tongue out at him. Neji's serious face faded and became more soft and his iron grip loosened. He must have thought I was someone trying to steal from the cash register.

"I'm sorry we were in the back taking out the trash from this week." He said putting one hand on his hip. He had some flour on his cheek from making something. He looked like your average chef, apron at the waste with a few stains on it, white pants, black shoes, white button up top with a few buttons undone, sleeves rolled up and hair in a high phony tail and some strands left out on the sides. Another reason why they told me they transferred was because of their eyes. They were a soft lavender and they didn't have any pupils. They told me other school had problems with them so they left to the East side of Konoha; towns are more spread out on the East side because of the vast amounts of forest, so you could easily get lost if you didn't know your way around. Hinata walked in from the back door patting her hands together as if she had dust on them.

"Hinata!" I yelled and ran around Neji to give Hinata a huge hug. She was surprised at first but returned the hug the moment she relaxed.

"Hello Tenten, how have you been? I haven't seen you in so long." She kept her hand on my shoulders while looking at how I was dressed. She looked like a typical waiter. She had a white apron on without stains, a light pink skirt that stopped above her knees, white sneakers, a semi button up shirt, the collar was white and the rest of the shirt was light pink, she had white gloves on, her hair was pulled back into a low phony tail. Her bangs, too short to be put back into the phony tail, was left to hang by the sides of her face.

"I'm good, me and Naruto went on a few business trips recently so I didn't have much time to stop by after work. What about you two?" I asked looking back at Neji. He shrugged.

"Nothing new except we decided to add Carrot Cupcakes to the menu." Neji said while walking into the kitchen. Hinata lifted the tab and walked over to the door to flip the sign from open to closed.

"Wanna hand?" I asked her when she started to set the chairs up right on the tables. She nodded and smiled.

"That would be great, thanks." I shook my head and rolled up my sleeves.

"It's no big deal." I said flipping a chair. "Would it be okay if I helped you guys in the kitchen next? I don't have anything better to do." Hinata nodded.

"Sure. We can catch up in the break room after we finish." I liked the sound of that. After all the chairs were stacked Hinata went to get the broom. I took it from her saying that I'd do that while she started behind the register and the counters. Allowing me to do that we went to work quickly getting our jobs done. Me and Hinata went in the kitchen to help Neji, but everything was practically done except the dishes needed to be put away and dried. Me and Hinata got right on it. After we finished me and Neji went in the break room and sat down while Hinata made some of her famous herbal tea.

"So Neji hows life treating you?" He leaned on the table.

"Not too bad. I'm doing good, I got a second job a little while ago, I only work Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays here so I got another job thats on Tuesdays and Thursdays." He said rubbing the back of his neck.

"What's the job?" I asked curiously. He looked away from me with a developing blush growing across his face. That peeked my interest even more. I smiled at him.

"Come on Neji! Can't be that bad, and you can tell me" I winked at him. "I promise I won't tell anyone!" He glanced at me then sighed.

"You won't laugh either?" He ask hesitantly, oh God this must be good if he's asking me not to laugh. Coming from Neji, that's huge. I mean, he used to be the school popsicle, the coldest guy around; even to Hinata and he loves his cousin to death. That should tell you something right there. It took my best friend to melt that block head. Naruto changes people, he works wonders and I know he is going to go far in life. Same with Neji, once he started opening up more. After Naruto changed Neji he's been a better person, doing what he likes without caring much what others say, enjoying himself more, spending time with Hinata. His life just became progressively better after Naruto stepped in his life, his bonds with people grew and even made new bonds. Especially with have an amazing bond, one that seems unbreakable, they talk to each other about everything and I mean everything. It kinda makes me jealous sometimes, but I wouldn't do anything to hurt them or sever that bond.

"Yes, Neji, I promise I won't laugh." Kinda makes me wanna laugh now cause he's making such a big deal of it. I bet it's not even that bad.

"Well, I'm, I'm a landscaper." Didn't see that coming. He looked away from my and covered his mouth with his right hand while a blush spread across his face. I wanted to laugh, I really wanted to laugh at him. Come on now, Neji picking flowers? That's beautiful. I honestly want to laugh so hard and hope that was a joke, but judging by his blush and the shyness he's telling the truth. He would never act like this to anyone else beside me and Hinata or he'd ever hear the end of it. This is the Neji under that cold exterior! Hinata walked in with a silver tray with a tea pot, three cups, a little bowl of milk, a small jar of sugar, and a few spoons. She sat it down on the table and gave us each a cup. She poured us one and asked if we wanted milk or sugar. I had two table spoons of milk and three table spoons of sugar, I wasn't paying attention to what Neji asked for but it looked black. I think he said that he liked it strong. After finishing both me and Neji she made one for herself, taking a seat next to Neji.

"What are you guys talking about?" Hinata asked curiously.

"About Neji's new job." I said mixing my tea slowly. Hinata looked a little surprised at Neji.

"Yeah," He mumbled and sipped his tea not daring to give us a look.

"Do you enjoy it Neji?" I asked him looking directly. He flinched slightly, sighing while setting his tea down.

"Yeah, it's peaceful. I enjoy being outside so I thought that would be a good alternate." I nodded taking another sip. "What about you? Hows your job?" He asked twisting his cup in his hand.

"It's okay, when Naruto falls behind in his paper work I have to pick him back up or it doesn't get done. He's also having a good business week, trade is going well and the company's funds have gone up too. Naruto plans to make deals with the West, he wants to branch out more, he believes it would benefit the company and improve and make some ties." Hinata set her tea down and smiled.

"Sounds like you guys are doing good, is he making ties with the west of Konoha?" She asked sipping her tea quietly waiting for an answer.

"No," Her eyes went slightly wide, she stopped drinking and set her cup back down egging me to go on. "He wants to try to make ties with the Sand." I noticed a change in the mood. Neji's once shy face turned serious, Hinata's hands were resting on her lap while her head was down eyes staring blankly at the table. What's going on all of a sudden? I mention the Sand and they get tense. I look between the two wondering what the Sand has to do with them?

"Is there something wrong?" I asked, they both looked at me before going back to where they were currently looking. Maybe they have a bad experience with the Sand? I started feeling a little tense because of the silence. Quickly drinking down my tea, I stood up leaning with my hands on the table. They both looked at me confused, wondering why the sudden reaction.

"Well, it's getting late, I'm going to get going. See you two later! Bye!" I said quickly leaving them behind with puzzled faces. I walked out of the door hearing the little bell again as I turned the corner heading back to my home. I didn't understand there reaction with the Sand, what happened between them and the Sand? I don't know, I'm not one to dig in people's personal life without asking. Though, I am a little upset they didn't say anything, we've been friends for years and they still keep things from me. I didn't want to leave but I didn't want to stay any longer. Stopping at the edge of the street I looked into the forest, it wasn't too late to go for a walk in the woods. I looked up at the bright orange sky and thought for a moment. Sighing I shoved my hands in my pocket and walked slowly the rest of the way down the street to my apartment. Unlocking the door, I hooked my keys up and took off my shoes leaving them by the door. I ran a finger along the wall as I made my way to my room. I started by taking off my coat and throwing it on the bed. Next came my shirt and pants which were folded neatly and put in their proper place. I searched through my dresser for a pair of shorts, after slipping them on I searched for a T-shirt to put on. After completing my outfit I looked for my favorite black baggy sweater, flinging it over my arm I looked for a few other things I wanted to take with me on my little hike through the woods. I stared at the wooden box partially hidden by a shirt, debating to bring it or not. I closed the doors and went to my closet to get my brown boots that stopped right above my ankles. I went into the kitchen next to grab a bottle of water. Grabbing my keys and opening the door I put my baggy sweater on, which went all the way down a little past my waist and the selves stopped at my knuckles. I closed the door behind me and leaned on it with something lingering on my mind. Knowing that I'd probably regret this I ran back through the door and into my room, opening my dresser to pick up a small wooden box. I unlocked it and took the wooden flute out leaving the case. I walked out locking the door and running down stairs to the front of the building. Taking a deep breath I walked across the street and into the woods.

There was a path I'd come across if I kept walking straight. Listening to the crunch of twigs and earth under my feet as I walked, I heard other creatures too. Birds chirped, early crickets, and maybe squirrels; but one thing caught my attention. Quietly I walked behind a tree watching the two rabbits in front of me. It looked like they were munching on some carrots or veggie of some sort. It was a cute sight, the one on the right was taller than the one of the left. It made me think that the taller one was the big brother and the littler one was the little sister. I smiled at them, wishing I had my phone on me to take a picture. The bigger ones ears poked up as if it heard something. I halted my breathing hoping they didn't hear me. It's head turned around and the sight shocked me. It's eyes were lavender, just like Neji and Hinata. The little one turned also having the same colored eyes, I also noticed that the little ones fur had a very light purplish hue to it. I couldn't shake the feeling that I was looking at Hinata and Neji just in an animal form. I mentally laughed at the thought of Neji being a bunny. Ridding the thoughts I thought I would name the little look-a-likes after Hinata and Neji. I'll name the little one Nata and the big one Eji, not very creative names but simple and easy to remember. I watched them until they hopped off in another direction, I'll have to remember to tell Hinata and Neji about those two bunnies later. Continuing onward I made it to the path, not too far ahead was a fork in the road leading either to the waterfall or unexplored forest. Obviously I was headed for the waterfall, I liked to practice my instruments there sometimes, it was peaceful and no one would interrupt you. Smiling at the thought of the scene, I remembered the first time I took Naruto there. He fell off the waterfall and into the lake because he saw a giant beetle. I laughed out loud. I always had good memories with Naruto around, he always seemed to leave a mark in your mind. Seeing something from the corner of my eye I stopped suddenly. Taking cover by a bush I hid myself. Peaking over the top I looked around to see what other interesting animal would appear. After looking around for a moment I saw nothing, I was about to get up and continue to the waterfall when I saw a boy. My face was completely red. If anyone saw the site I was seeing their face would look like mine too! I had to cover my mouth from not screaming.

The boy was young I could tell that much, about my age. Dark blue hair, short and bangs on the sides of his face, some suck up in the back. His back was facing me but I could see a little bit of his face when he turned his head to look around. He was toned, thin, but muscular arms, his skin was flawless and smooth looking. The thing about this boy that's causing me to blush was the fact that he was completely naked. He had a nice ass too, and toned legs. He was a model, a beautiful piece of work. Look, I'm a virgin, I'm allowed to think these thoughts a specially since I'm single! Not that I want a boyfriend or anything it's just I find him attractive and I have hormones too. I watched the boy closely wondering what he was doing naked in the forest. I'm no closet pervert, don't get me wrong, I just want to go to the waterfall and play, but that's a little hard when you know a naked guy is there. He looked around again and dove into the water with a very light splash. I waited a few moments before he came back up with a dead fish in his mouth. I noticed that his teeth were showing a little and it wasn't normal teeth. They were sharper not like fangs, just sharp. I got a good look of his upper body, face handsome and perfect like the dark and sexy type, chest toned beautifully. He spat the fish out and smirked a toothy grin one tooth slightly longer than the others; not wanting to call it a 'fang' but more like his 'fang tooth.' He climbed out of the water, causing me to blush more at the site of his body, without seeing the privet part of a man that I wasn't familiar with. Then I noticed something odd about him that I didn't notice before. Something, more like two somethings were poking up out of his head. I strained my eyes to look closer, finally figuring out what they were. They were ears, and not human ears, but wolf type ears. I didn't understand this at all, how could that be possible? When he stood up, with his back to me, I noticed a tail coming out from his lower back covering his rear slightly, wolf like also and matching his hair color. I must be seeing things or this must be some kind of prank. He looked around with the fish in his mouth again and ran off. I blinked not sure if my eyes were telling the truth. I blinked looking at the spot he once occupied, thinking if it was real or was this some perverted day dream? I waited a little while just to be sure that the boy was gone before getting up and playing my flute. Looking around I quickly walked over to the edge of the wide lake. Glancing down at my refection I noticed something about my sweater, it had a flower on it, a lovely dark blue color with a lining of a darker shade of blue on it. I've never seen a flower like this before. Picking it up off my shoulder I set it down in water watching it float out into the middle before heading up the stream to the waterfall. The image of the boy coming out of the water with the fish in his mouth flashed in my head. My face heated up with a blush by the thought of the boy. I need to stop thinking about him, but I couldn't figure out how he had those features. Sharp teeth, wolf type ears and tail, how was something like that possible? It's inhuman. I grunted, biting my lower lip and gripping the wooden flute in my hand I forced myself to walk faster. Without thinking I started running, I don't know what came over me, but I felt the need to run, get my blood pumping, make my heart race. Panting, I stopped, looking at the waterfall, memories flashed in my head. Turning to look in the water next to me feet I saw my reflection, hued with a bright orangey color from the sunset. I blinked wondering if that person I was staring at in the water was really me. She didn't look like me, she looked confused. I gasped when I saw the blue rose like flower that I sat in the water before float up and stop were the crook of my neck was. I blinked confused at the flower, how did it come up the stream instead of down? I squatted down resting my arms on my legs as I stared at the flower. I reached for it, trying to get it out of the water, grazing the petals with my finger tips barely touching it. I growled, angry thinking that the flower was taunting me for leaving it in the water.

"Look I'm sorry, now will you just come here!" I groaned to the flower. I'm officially losing it, now I'm talking to a flower. A few more centimeters closer, so close. Narrowing my eyes, I launched my arm forward and snatched the flower out of the water. Quickly forcing my back backwards before I fell in the water, I held the flower close to my chest as if it would be taken away from me at any moment. I started panting watching the clouds float by with occasional sights of birds flying by. Sitting up I looked at the flower, before it didn't have a stem, it was just the bud. The stem was a dark green with a few thorns on it, it's color was a bit odd, I've never seen a flower this healthy. Not that the ones at the flower shops weren't healthy but this looks different. It had a glow to it, not like it was glowing but like it wasn't real, like it had it's own presence. I felt like I was holding something unearthly, maybe fallen from the heavens. The beads of water that twinkled under the orange sun rays made the flower look forbidden, my hands unworthy of holding it. I stood up not once taken my eyes off the flower. I slowly made my way around the back to a hill that lead to the top of the water fall. I sat along the edge still staring the flower. Sighing, shaking my head from the raging thoughts about the mysterious wolf boy and this unearthly flower, I set it down in front of me and lifted my flute up in playing position. I glanced at the flower before deciding what I wanted to play. Starting off with a few low notes to set the mood. Speeding up slowly playing a few higher notes. Then stopping in silence. I repeated what I played. As I played low notes, I thought of past memories. I played an octave higher and played slightly faster. Different emotions swelled up in my stomach, happiness, loneliness, weakness, joy, passion, anger; I didn't understand where all these feeling came from. Quickly sucking in a breath to play I moved my fingers faster against the flute making the sound much more upbeat. I felt something roll down my cheek as I played, ignoring it I kept playing. I moved my fingers faster until I held out a high note signaling the end of my solo. I sighed and rested the flute on my lap glancing at the blue rose like flower. I leaned forward and picked it up holding up like I was holding a glass to make a toast. I examined every detail of it making sure to leave nothing unseen by my eyes. Sighing again, I laid my leg down with the bottom of my left foot facing to the right while my right leg was bent and my foot was placed firmly on the ground. A warm breeze brushed against my body, the flower's petals moved as if it were a dress instead of petals. Within seconds the petals started to detach from the sepal; its like after one of the petals flew off with the wind the rest copied. The beautiful blue petals danced along with the wind out towards the sunset. I watched a little sad that a beautiful flower was nothing more than a stem. Glancing back up at the now distant dots in the horizon, I thought, would I ever see such a beautiful flower like that again? I looked back to my hand which held the stem, but, no stem was seen. It was gone. Shrugging it off I stood up dusting off any dirt that clung to my clothes. The sun was gone and it was night time. I should've been home by now, but I didn't want to leave, I wanted to stay just a little longer. Walking down the hill and along the stream, I searched for the trail that would lead me half of the way to my house. The walk felt longer than normal, I squinted my eyes to in the thick cluster of trees for a dirty path, I didn't see one. Grunting angrily I walked further down the stream and repeated my actions to find the path. I still didn't find it. I stopped for a moment and looked into the dark water to see my reflection, I didn't get to, the water was too dark. I rubbed my forehead with my unoccupied hand out of nervousness. I heard a few nocturnal creatures starting to wake with their voices. I quickened my pace wanting to get out of the forest now.

Not paying too much attention, I tripped on a tree root and fell to the ground, my flute rolled away from my hand stopping a few feet in front of me. Groaning from the fall I sat up on my knees to see where my flute rolled off too. My eyes widened dramatically, my jaw dropped open wanting to scream or say something, my breathing stopped, my fingers shook violently, my body didn't respond, no, it stop responding. Fear rolled off me in waves which I knew was dangerous for a human to do in the forest with other animals around. I'm not completely sure but I know that many animals can smell the fear emitted off any being whether its human or animal. I could tell that this creature knew I was beyond afraid.

"S… S…" Was all I managed to voice. It's eyes were a dangerous yellow, glowing in contrast the night sky, focused on me. It's head moved side to slide horrifyingly slow as if it was trying to hypnotize me under it's spell it casted over me. It's long black body encircled its self around my flute, it wanted it. I could see it in it's eyes. It wanted me dead, as it's meal. It's body was about the same size as my calf, and it was about a long as two of me. It was a snake, I don't know what type. Tears formed in my eyes, I didn't know what to do, I was scared, alone, in the dark forest alone. I watched in horror as it's head rose up to my eye level. It's scales rose up and fell back down in a swift movement. One row of scales would rise up like the flap of a plane's wing and lower as the next row behind it rose repeating the process. This happened much quicker, going all the way down the snakes body and starting from the top again. Then it hissed as me opening it's mouth to show off the large venomous fangs. It launched it's head at me, going for my head. I pushed myself back lifting my leg as a defensive kick. The serpent slipped past my foot and towards my head. I brought my arm up as my last defense against the snack, not having time to dodge it the snake was pushed at an angle, it's head crashing against the ground. Screaming out in pain to see a part of my skin cut open by the snakes hard scales. Gripping my wound, I got up and ran towards the flute, snatching it up still running. I glanced back and regretted it, the snake was on my tail slithering at my heels. My blood dripped down my arm, I tried to hold it without staining the flute. The snake hiss at me again. I screamed out loud, hoping someone would hear my cries for help, hoping that someone would come to my rescue. I was running through the dark forest, branches and bushes smacked against me as I ran hoping to lose the serpent.

I turned back again to see if I lost it, not paying attention caused me to trip over something, this time I knew it wasn't a tree root. I hit the ground and rolled to a stop against a large tree, this time not letting go of my flute. I kept one eye close since I hit it on my way down. I attempted to push myself up with my one unwounded arm, struggling as I did I saw the snake staring me down. Its body was positioned like a traditional Chinese dragon on an old scroll that was slithering through the sky. I noticed one part of it's body was curled up more than the rest, that part is right were I came out of the dense forest and tripped. The snake was smarter than normal, it could create a plan to capture it's prey; me. It knew that when I wasn't looking and used that advantage to set up a trap, going ahead of me it tripped me into a corner I can't escape from. I narrowed my eye at it for being so clever yet hating its guts. Its eyes moved from me to the flute I was holding in my hands, I looked at it then back up at the snake. I lifted it up slightly over my head watching to see how it would react. It's eyes watched it carefully. I pulled it back even more like I was going to throw it. Its eyes became dangerously wide as if it were daring me to throw it. I lowered the flute to my mouth to see how it would react. It watched me quizzically wondering what I would do. The pain from my arm hurt, I lifted it up nonetheless in playing position mentally picking a song that might takes it's interest. I choose a song that I've recently heard on the radio not too long ago. Medwyn Goodall's Behold the Darkness, I'll play the flute solo and hopefully it'll have some sort of affect. Sucking in a large breath I played, I tried putting emotion into the note I played. The snake just watched me, still wondering what I was planning. We stayed in the same position, keeping the same facial expressions on, wondering each other's next move. The end of the song was close, and I wasn't sure if this was doing anything to benefit me, maybe it stalls the snake. I waited a moment but the snake's attention was diverted to something next to me. I kept playing thinking that it maybe a trick of some sort and this one knew what it was doing which meant I needed to stay on my toes if I wanted to get through this alive. I heard crunching sounds on either side of me, two more creatures came from around the tree. I turned to my right still playing the part the song. My eyes widened at the site. It was a large wolf, larger than normal. It was a little thin but it looked like it could take down something three times it's size. It was growling at the large snake. I carefully took in the details of the large wolf. Its body was lean, powerful legs with long sharp claws, it's tail was sticking up meaning he was serious, it's teeth were long and sharp, a dark pink and blackish colored gums that I assume are normal for a wolf, but one thing caught my attention the most. It's head, it had small bangs going down the sides of its face and spikes coming out of the back of his head. My eyes widened as I remembered where I might've seen that style from. The memory flashed in my head, the boy that was naked had a hair style almost exactly like that. I looked at the wolf's tail, then it's ears; they looked the same, it had to be him. The bunnies, they looked just like Neji and Hinata. What is going on here? It was just a coincidence, people can't turn into animals.

"Keep playing," A deep voice said in my head, I turned to my left to look at the other wolf on my left. It was looking at me with blood red eyes and three other dots around his pupil. They were interesting eyes. He also had little bangs too but much more shorter than the other wolf's bangs. It also had longer hair instead of spiky hair so it went slightly off the edge of it's shoulders. Then it hit me. Who was talking to me? Where did that voice come from? "Don't stop playing." I turned to look at the wolf on my left again. He shot me a minor glare before turning back to the snake also growling at it. Following the instructions given I kept playing the song, wondering how this was helping. I watched as the wolf on my right trotted up to the snake carefully still growling at it. The snake's gaze went from me to the wolf that was now right next to it. It hissed at the wolf and curled its body back ready for an attack. The wolf on my left walked in front of me as if it were protecting me.

"Get on my back," The voice said. Still playing I looked at the wolf, it wasn't facing me but watching the other one. I looked at the other wolf and back to this one. Getting up as carefully as I could I sat on it's back. "Hold onto my fur." The voice spoke again. I stopped playing and wrapped my unwounded arm around the torso of the wolf. My flute was in my hurt hand, struggling to wrap this arm around it. The wolf started to move, out of fear I wrapped my legs around it's lower body. It started to sneak away from the two. I glanced back wondering if that wolf would be okay against the large snake. I blinked and laid my head against the wolf; it howled and started to run. My heart started racing at the speed and the feel of the cool night's air. I heard the barking of the wolf back with the snake. I was scared. Not for my life but that wolf's. Why? I don't know. The wolf I was riding made a loud bark, I looked up and noticed that he was heading straight for the river. My eyes widened in fear, did it really think it could make that jump? I squeezed my eyes shut and gripped onto the fur even tighter. I felt it lower his front leg and set its hind ready to jump. It jumped. I peaked one eye open just to see. Gasping in amazement I looked at the river, the crescent moon brightly glowed against the dark colored water. The our reflections were clearly shown by the light. It looked like we were jumping over the moon, it was pure beauty and elegance. I graced myself for the up coming landing by gripping on its fur again. Landing harshly on the ground of the other side of the river it quickly started running again. It howled out as it began to pick up speed. The wind felt amazing, my heart was racing, my adrenaline spiked up loving the feeling I was getting from this high speed movement. I heard a distant howl, not too far away but near by. I turned my head to see the other wolf catching up swiftly. It's mouth was open and its tongue flopped on the side of it's mouth panting heavily. It turned it's head to look at me. I could've swore that it was grinning at me. Twisting it's head right and left it lifted it's head up with a deep howl, the one I was ridding on did the same. They were howling in their own harmony. It was beautiful. They ran in sync. The way they ran was so graceful and strong, speeding through the forest not losing their footing once. I blinked, my eye lids getting heavy. Sighing quietly and nuzzled the soft fur of the wolf. Even though we were moving, I felt so comfortable. So relaxed. I closed my eyes and thought of my furry saviors. If it weren't for these wolves, I'd probably be dead now. A small smile appeared on my face drifting off to sleep, forgetting that I was going deeper into the forest.

I hope you enjoyed the first chapter Into the Forest! I really enjoyed writing it. Neji is a little out of character in this chapter for reasons that will be explained in future chapters so don't freak out about Neji's odd behavior. He isn't the only one with a slightly different personality! Please review and give me your opinions of the story so far! All types of reviews are accepted! Thank you for reading Chapter One of Running Wild!