This is my little view of how Hige got the collar we all know as a familiar part of him. The 1st paragraph is kind of a prologue. After that it's Hige's POV. I'd have a blast if I owned Wolf's Rain, wouldn't I? But I don't. Damn.
Do You Mind?
The four wolves had stopped for the night. The youngest was, as usual, letting his curiosityget the better of him. There was a question he'd been itching to ask the tan wolf for a long time now. "Hige?" The larger wolf doesn't look at him, "what Toboe?""Do you mind if I ask you something?" "Go ahead." "Why do you wear that collar?" The question stops him mid stretch.
My collar? How dare he bring that up. Young and naive or not, that's none of his business. I seethe in silent rage a few moments, trying to regain control of myself. The last person that asked me that wound up unconscious and bleeding. But that was an idiot, this is a friend. I sigh and lay down. "I don't want to talk about it." 'Cause it hurts too much, and because I don't want to hurt you, Toboe. "But....," he persists. "Drop it Toboe," the grey wolf cuts him off. "But Tsume...." "It's none of our business anyway." Thank you Tsume. Toboe's ears droop a little, "guess you're right. Sorry Hige." "It's all right kid."
I try to be myself. But now I'm thinking about it. I drift back to that day, years ago. When I lost her, and this, was all I had left. The full moon, the shot, the blood. It all comes rushing back to me. I was so young, so small then. This collar didn't fit me then. It was much too big. But it was all she left me. And gradually, I grew into it. To this day though, I swear I can still smell her all over it. I gaze up at the stars. It's been what, nine, ten years? Ten years without you Mom. And I still miss you everyday.
I'm not your little baby anymore. I've even managed to find a pack of my own. Sure it's not much. Just the four of us. Kiba, Tsume, Toboe and me. But still, we're together. I'm not alone anymore. Like I always was before my snowflake found me. Or should I say, I found him. Huh, my snowflake. When did I start calling Kiba that? But he reminds me of myself so much. After I lost you, I had nothing left. All I could do, was keep going. So I did what you told me. But I couldn't leave everything behind. So your collar, became mine.
The first couple years were hard without you. I was just a pup, didn't have a clue. But I scraped by somehow. The city I found wasn't much, and I hated the human form I was forced to take. It was enough to keep me alive though. And that's all it took, until Kiba came along. I don't really know how long Tsume and I were both in that city and never knew about each other. Finding Toboe there was a surprise too.
As long as I've been alone, it feels strange. Being with a pack. Actually with someone, not by myself. Looking around me, I can't help but smile a little. Toboe's cuddled up to Tsume, something no one else could ever do. And Kiba's curled close to me, nose buried in his snowy tail. Poor thing's like me, hasn't had anyone to snuggle with for warmth in so long he's forgotten what it's like. But so had I. It's a good feeling.
I have something new to live for. I'll always have your memory, and no one will ever take your collar from me. But there's been a hole in my heart for so long. It just had to be filled. Sooner or later. I chuckle to myself, but I didn't know snowflakes could be so warm. You gave your life to keep me safe mother. So now, I'm going to do whatever it takes to keep Kiba and the others safe as well. I'm grateful for what you did, and I'll love you forever. But I can't keep avoiding the subject, of the collar 'round my neck. One of these days, they're going to find out. And I don't know what I'll do when that day comes.
Chaos: Here's chapter 1. Kinda sad huh? Hope you like it. No hijinks in this one. That's for the next chapter. See ya then. (And no, Hige doesn't like Kiba that way.)
