Once upon a time, there was a large forest that stretched as far as the eye could see. The trees were as tall as skyscrapers and with bark as black as ebony. Rumor had it that this forest was haunted by ghosts and demons. Many people have feared this forest for, as of late, many have entered and very few have returned. On this night, a large caravan traveled through the forest carrying a local high priestess and her servants. The priestess was dressed in a black robe and she wore always a mask made of porcelain. It had two holes for the eyes and a pair of red lips drawn in a neutral expression. Though she had been advised against it, she traveled through the forest without any thought of danger, thinking she would be safe with her guards, who would gladly lay their lives for her.

In the servant's wagon, there was an eighteen–year–old servant girl named Ashi. She was slim, petite in build and with large, narrow eyes, red lips, and short black hair that didn't even touch her shoulders. She wore a simple servants robe. Ashi had never known her parents as she was raised in the church as a foundling. From the day she learned how to walk and hold on to something with her hands, she was charged with cleaning, sewing, cooking, and all the other skills a servant must know. Although this was the norm for her, Ashi had often dreamed of a life of luxury and nobility. Little did she realize that tonight would be a night that would change her life forever.

From the shadows came two glowing white eyes and a series of evil cackles. Suddenly the horses began to buck wildly and the drivers soon lost control.

"Look out!" one driver yelled.

"What is the meaning of this?!" shouted the high priestess.

The horses ran this way and that until finally the harnesses broke and the horses fled straight away in the opposite direction, never to be seen again.

When the dust had settled, the high priestess marched through the now broken doors and shouted, "Who is responsible for this!"

Just then the ground began to shake and then a sinister laugh cut through the air like a knife.

"Where are you?" a guard called out. "Don't try to hide!"

A booming voice called out, "I have no need to hide from you."

At once the crowd looked up and there they saw a most horrifying sight. A tall, dark and terrifying demon stood before them. His whole body was as black as pitch, he had long arms with sharp ghostly fingers, broad shoulders, and three horns on each side of his head. He had great big eyes, a green face, flaming eyebrows, a flaming beard, and razor–sharp teeth. This was the demon lord of the forest and when he has you in his sights there is very little chance of survival.

"I am not afraid of the likes of you, for you are nothing but insignificant insects against me." The demon said with a wicked smile on his face.

"Be gone demon, I have no patience for the likes of you!" The high priestess shouted.

"You dare to give orders to me! I; Aku the shapeshifting master of the dark forest shall teach you a lesson you will not soon forget!"

At once the guards put up their weapons and charged for Aku. A very serious mistake. Aku's eyes shined brightly and then suddenly a roar came through the forest. From out of nowhere came a large blue–green tiger with a large mouth full of teeth, it charged and attacked the guards. A second one appeared and attacked the priestess and soon her servants.

"HA! HA! HA! HA!" Aku chuckled. Aku greatly enjoyed the show, so much so that he didn't seem to notice one small figure running from the scene. Yes, it seemed one person had managed to jump and run just in time; and she fled for her life.

It felt as though she ran for miles, the world around her faded, her heart pounded and her breathing felt heavy. Ashi did not know where she was going but that didn't seem important as she continued to run for life. Although she had been running for a while now the events were still fresh her mind and tears were trickling down her cheeks. At some point, she tripped over and fell to the ground. Ashi knew it was dangerous to stay in one place for too long but her burning lungs and tired legs seemed to fight against her. She laid down there for just a moment.

When Ashi opened her eyes, all she could see was trees and darkness. "Where am I?" Ashi said aloud. "What am I going to do? If I don't find my way out those monsters will find me or worst yet if Aku finds me–!" she stopped talking and shuddered at the thought.

Soon, however, her thoughts were interrupted by an eerie sound that seemed to be coming from the trees. All Ashi could hear was...

"HA! HA! HA! HA!"

"He will find you"

"Danger"

"HA! HA! HA! HA!"

"AKU"

"He will kill you"

She covered her ears, attempting to ignore the voices but it seemed fruitless. In spite of her fatigue, Ashi got on her feet and she ran but the voices never let up.

"Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!" Ashi cried out with fresh tears on her face but, still the voices mocked her with laughter. She ran until she fell again only this time she landed in front of a large boulder. Not really knowing what else to do, Ashi picked herself up from the ground so she was in a seated position and leaned with her back against the rock. At least the voices had finally quieted down.

"Whatever will I do now?" Ashi said, closing her eyes for a moment. She took some deep breathes and tried to gather her strength again.

Snap

Ashi's eyes shot open, she gasped and turned her head left and right. She could feel something was near and she didn't know if that was a good thing or not. She could see it now; a shadow sprint from tree to tree in front of her until it stopped and looked back at her with bright eyes that seemed to shine in the darkness. Ashi's heart pounded and her eyes widen to the size of teacups as heard a low growling sound.

'Oh God.' Ashi thought to herself. She quickly clapped her hands together, shut her eyes tight, and her body grew still; she prepared herself for death. 'Oh gods of the heavens, please, grant me mercy.'

Ashi thought for sure it was a beast here to devour her until...

"Hello... Hello there..." a voice said. "Are you in trouble?"

Ashi opened her eyes and this time she realized that she was now faced to face with a wolf. A white wolf, that seemed to be bigger than average and he had steely blue eyes. She had heard about wolves before and how they have devoured humans but there was something different about this wolf... something almost... human.

"Did you just speak to me?" Ashi asked.

To her surprise, the wolf gave a slow nod, as if answering her question. Then the wolf took a step forward and Ashi began to panic again but tried to put on a brave face.

"Stay away from me!" Ashi shouted, swiping her hand in front of the wolf.

The wolf stopped in place and said, "Calm down. I will not kill you."

"Even if that were true I can't calm down because it seems that this whole forest is out to get me." She said, staring at the wolf. "But I haven't the strength to run anymore because I've been trying to escape from Aku and his monsters." She noticed that the wolf seemed to stiffen at the mention of the demon. "He attacked my priestess and everyone else."

"I understand. I know of him and his pets." The wolf said with some disdain in his voice. "Can you stand?" he asked.

Ashi used to bolder to help her stand. "Yes, but I don't think I have the strength to go on."

The wolf turned so that the left side of his body was facing her and said, "Get on. I can take you somewhere safe."

Ashi just stared at him. How could she trust this wolf? This could be a trap. Or maybe this is one of Aku's minions wanting to send her straight to his master? All these doubts buzzing in her head until she once again looked into his eyes. She didn't know what it was for sure but there was something about them that made her feel... safe, almost trusting. And so, with a heavy sigh, she puts one leg over the wolf's back and sits down.

"Hold on." The wolf said.

She grabs a tuft of fur and leans forward, resting her stomach on the wolf's back. Once he felt that she was ready, the wolf began to charge through the trees but making sure not to go too fast for her discomfort. Ashi tightens her grip, closes her eyes, and presses her cheek against the wolf's neck. She knew this was crazy; trusting a talking wolf to take to where she knew not but these were special circumstances and in her case, anything seemed better than staying out in the open all alone. She then noticed now just how soft his fur was and a small smile appeared on her face.

They've been going for an hour now but Ashi was still uneasy. Suddenly all movement stopped and she opened her tired eyes to see that they were at the mouth of a cave.

With the young woman still on his back, the wolf slowly made his way inside and walked on until they were in the deepest part of the cave. On the floor, there was some kind of large fur pelt lying on a pile of leaves and another pelt that looked more like a blanket. Seeing this, Ashi couldn't stop herself from hopping off the wolf's back and make her way to the makeshift bed. Oh, how soft this felt to her tired body, she smiles as she gets comfortable but then she stops and looks towards the wolf sheepishly. The wolf looks back at her, gives a short nasal laugh and says.

"It's okay. Try to get some sleep." He takes the second pelt in his teeth and places it over her body; which she takes gratefully. "What is your name?" the wolf asked.

"Ashi" she answered.

"Good night, Ashi." he said, curling up beside her. Ashi couldn't explain why but she found that she liked it when the wolf said her name.

She wanted to ask the wolf what to call him but exhaustion overcame her, her eyes close, and in almost no time at all... Ashi is asleep.

Author's Note:

This is my first fic so a little critisim is welcomed. I will be working on this as much as possible, so fingers crossed