Disclaimer: I do not own Sunrise or any of its creations.

Warnings: None as of yet. You have your usual foul language, hence why it's only rated T. I don't doubt that I'll have to raise the rating but that'll be later on.

The Greatest Gift

Chapter 1: What is Your Destiny?

Nimara

"Where love rules, there is no will to power; and where power predominates, there love is lacking. The one is the shadow of the other." -Carl Jung

The ice barely crunched beneath the hunter's feet as it crouched behind a thorny bush, bow already in place. Everything was perfectly set. At the foot of the slope the hunter waited on, was a large herd of wild boar. Their grunts and squeals as they rested between the bamboo were calm and the hunter knew they had yet to detect any unusual scents or sounds. The hunter drew the arrow back as a very large boar came into view. It was easily twice the size of any of the others around it. A definite trophy. Its tusks alone would be magnificent enough to adorn the walls of the Lord's palace.

The hunter breathed in shallow breaths and tracked the boar at the end of the arrow tip. There was only one opportunity to get it right. Even if the hunter managed to hit the vitals, it would stir up the herd and they could possibly rampage. It was unlikely that the boars would stampede in the uphill direction of the hunter but if they did there was very little room for escape. Danger and thrill was what the hunter thrived off of though. To take the life of something so strong and dangerous was rather empowering.

The hunter inhaled deeply and pulled the arrow back to its full length. The sound of the bow going taught caused the boar's ears to prick in alert, but it was too late. The arrow was released with a 'twang' and it sailed past the other creatures and lodged itself right beneath the boar's ear. The herd was already on the move before the mighty creature released an angered wail. The hunter quickly placed another arrow on the bow when the boar began to move. It had more fight in it than expected. The arrow was released again and hit the neck, but the boar took off with the others.

The hunter cursed and slid down the slope and after the boar who went in an opposite direction of its herd. The boar did not make it far before it began to stumble and fall to its front knees. Its dying cries echoed through the bamboo forest and the hunter withdrew a short blade as she closed in on the prey. The boar thrashed on the floor, but the hunter leaped onto it and swiftly slit its throat. Blood splattered across the snowy ground. The hunter waited as the cries died, inspecting the body of the animal. Standing, it would have come above the hunter's waist and it was at least four times the size of the hunter in terms of weight.

"I can't imagine the Boar God being very pleased about this," tittered a feminine voice from behind the hunter. The hunter turned slowly, bloody blade still in hand. A woman stood between the bamboo trees. Her garb was cut in the likeness of a priestess's but instead of the traditional colors, her robes were black and gray. Her hair was short and the color of autumn leaves. Such a color was out of place amidst the snow and evergreens. The priestess walked closer and the hunter noticed that her feet were bare. The woman bowed before the slain boar and offered a quick prayer.

"Messenger of the Boar God, rest for now. Come and join us again when you are done sleeping."

It was an unusual prayer but many things were quickly becoming unusual about this priestess in the winter forest. The woman turned to the hunter with a small smile. The hunter placed the blade back on the belt and tilted its round straw hat upwards revealing delicate features and plump lips.

"And it seems as if I'm graced by the presence of a daughter of Lord Kuga, from the Minamoto Clan. Not just any daughter it seems, but the one that Kuga claims to be his son because he has yet to bear one. A dead daughter. I can see why you are no longer allowed to be seen in public. You hardly look like a round little boy anymore."

The hunter removed her straw hat showing indeed she was a woman with long dark hair that was tied up in a tight bun. Her eyes narrowed. "How do you know these things?"

"I know a lot of things, Natsuki." Natsuki flinched at the sound of her name. She had not heard her name in many months aloud. Hideki was the name she had taken after her brother's death.

The priestess inspected the boar as well before smiling. "My, he was quite large. I guess any stupid hunter would go after such a creature."

Stupid hunter. Natsuki fumed but held her tongue. All she wanted to do was get out of the cold with her prize and back her father's house. The priestess was all smiles when she turned to the Lord's daughter.

"So, you may be stupid enough to kill the Boar God's messenger, but I believe you're smart enough to accompany me to my place of residence. I would like company on my last night alive."

It was definitely not a suggestion. The nameless priestess began to walk into the bamboo forest and Natsuki only had a few moments to rope up her prey before she lost sight of the woman. Natsuki puzzled over who this woman could be as she dragged her boar with her. No, this was no regular human or priestess. That much she knew. This woman walked barefoot across snow, knew secret details of her family, and believed that the slain boar was an animal messenger. Natsuki knew she was already in trouble if she had indeed killed a servant of a God. It was probably in her best interest to follow the mysterious woman without qualm.

They came to a wooden hut lined with furs. The temperature was dropping rapidly and the night would come soon. Readjusting her bow over her shoulder she dropped the rope that was attached to the boar. She looked at it and looked around for somewhere to safely deposit it. The meat would stay for quite a while in the freezing cold but she was wary of scavengers. It was, after all, her trophy.

"Nothing will touch that boar, come inside please." The priestess held the heavy fur door open and waited for Natsuki. She shrugged with a soft "If you say so" and went inside the small hut. The priestess lit the fire to the hearth and placed on a pot of water. Natsuki took a seat near the door and waited quietly. There was a meowing sound and a fat black cat with beads around its neck squeezed its way past the fur door. In its mouth it carried a sack. Natsuki was not sure what it was at first because she had yet to see cats in her life. She had seen paintings of course but this cat was much fatter than those in the paintings.

The priestess placed herbs into the pot and laughed when the cat came in. She grabbed the sack from the cat.

"This is Mikoto. And it looks like she brought us dinner. Mikoto is...hm. We'll talk about that later." The priestess opened the small bag to reveal handfuls of meat which she placed into the boiling water. Natsuki watched as the woman settled herself on the ground across from Natsuki and the cat leap into her arms.

Natsuki fidgeted and tried not to narrow her eyes as she looked suspiciously at the woman, "Who are you, priestess?"

"My name is Mai. You can call me Mai-chan if you want."

"Mai-san." Natsuki nodded. Her answer did not reveal anything. Natsuki tried again. "Do you have a family name?"

"No, I'm known as Mai."

"You're not a priestess, are you, Mai-san?" Natsuki inquired carefully.

"You're eighteen winters right, Natsuki? You're known to be sixteen though. Who's bright idea was that?"

Natsuki did not like her question dodged but answered anyways. "I had a brother who was born two years after I was. His birth was announced but he died a year later. Much pressure is placed on my father by the other Lords if he does not have a son. Not to mention, after seven daughters, rumors were beginning to spread that he was cursed. Instead of informing everyone of his son's death, he informed them that his son was ill and frail. My death was arranged and I took the identity of my dead brother."

There was no remorse, anger, or regret in her expression but her voice was filled with emotion. She had given more information than Mai thought she would give. This was probably the first time Natsuki got to say anything about the matter.

Mai tugged at one of Mikoto's ears. "Well, see? We missed something! There was actually a baby boy born. Must have been while we were traveling, neh Mikoto?"

Natsuki could have sworn the cat nodded. She tried to keep her wits about her, but she was afraid that this was going to be too much for her. How many tales had she heard of passing priestesses, witches, or demi-gods bestowing curses upon travelers and those who have wandered too far away?

Natsuki placed her hands on her crossed legs. "I should really get going, Mai-san."

Mai winked and wagged her finger. "It would probably be in your best interest to stay. Like I said, I would like someone to keep me company on my last night."

"Last night?" She kept saying that disturbing phrase and Natsuki dug her fingers into the rough fabric of her pants.

"You'll have your questions answered in due time. Let's chit chat first! It's been a while since I've had another girl to talk with. I'm really curious about you!" said Mai while she stirred the pot of simmering meat.

The fact that this Mai-person even knew Natsuki existed was unnerving to the Kuga heir. Natsuki untied her hat from her neck and put it at her side, "And I you, Mai-san. How about we alternate questions?"

If this woman was a witch then giving her more information only made her more powerful. Natsuki would not be left at a disadvantage. She wanted to know more about this woman so she could determine her motive and why she was keeping her there. Mai rubbed Mikoto's stomach. "Okay, that sounds fair. So, Natsuki, what happens if none of your father's mistresses give birth to a son? In just a few years, the other Lords will be demanding to see you. How will you reveal yourself then? You don't look like the type that would want to be married off to other nobles like your sisters were."

Natsuki crossed her arms. "Like all nobility, each individual in the Kuga family is raised to have all the necessary tools to rule. I was raised in my brother's place and not only do I have what it takes to rule but to dominate. When the time comes it will be revealed that I am a woman and I can take the place of my father. If need be, I will take a husband but I will maintain power over these lands by my own hands. If any one wishes to challenge me, including my sisters, they will fail."

Mai looked into Natsuki's eyes to see the cold fire that burned there. Her words left no room for questioning her desire to take over her father's land. Mai's cheery smile softened and she nodded, understanding. Women holding large amounts of inherited land was not common but it was not unheard of. Many women were quickly rising in power and strength. Though there had yet to be a woman who ruled lands as vast and powerful as those Lord Kuga possessed. Could Natsuki do it? Mai did not doubt it in her mind. Natsuki was already raised as a young Lord and there was virtually nothing in her way to stop her.

"And if a boy was to be born?" Natsuki looked ready to answer that with gusto but stopped herself and said, "My turn, Mai-san."

Mai laughed. "Of course, my apologies."

"Did I really kill a messenger of the Boar God?" Natsuki's look of defiance and certainty melted into a sheepish grin. She may be powerful and determined but she was not above being afraid of divine retribution.

"You did. His time had come though, just as mine and yours will. You must have been scared when I said that," teased Mai. Natsuki was slightly relieved at hearing this answer. Perhaps she would be spared from the wrath of the Gods.

"Of course I was fearful. I was brought up properly. A man must have divine favor to rule successfully. Turning his back on the Gods will cause a curse to fall upon him. He will lose all his land and power. Though his fate lies with the all-powerful it also lies in his own hands."

"Well said! Now back to my previous question. What if a boy was born in the Kuga family?" The fat cat's beads jingled as it snuggled deeper into Mai's robes.

"It hardly matters anymore. I am the heir to these lands. One of my father's women is pregnant. What if it turns to be a boy? He still has many years to go before he can come close to being fit. By then I would have already taken my father's seat. I will not lose it to anyone. No boy born into my household is a brother of mine. My brother already died and gifted me with this opportunity."

"Do you believe it's your destiny?" Mai questioned and both let the rules slip.

"Yes."

"What if it's not?"

"For sixteen years I grew up believing it is my destiny. I cannot be anything else. I am a Lord. I am a ruler. I will be a conqueror."

Mai hummed softly and grabbed at three bowls that sat near the fire. Natsuki watched her carefully. The woman spooned out three portions of broth and meat. Natsuki studied her face and clothing. She was young looking, maybe even as young as Natsuki. Taking her meal across the hearth she moved on to her next question, "How old are you?"

Mai placed a bowl on the ground and the cat pounced to it. Natsuki was going to warn Mai that the soup was hot and the cat would burn its tongue but the cat waited patiently next to the bowl. Mai silently went into prayer before her bowl and Natsuki bowed her head in silence as well. Priestesses prayed before meals, witches did not. Natsuki mentally crossed off 'witch' on her list of what this Mai-person could possibly be.

"I'm two years older than you," Mai said after she finished her prayer. Natsuki dipped her spoon into the bowl, suddenly much hungrier than she thought she was. All was silent save for the crackling fire and light sipping.

"This is good…! What meat is in it?" Natsuki said. The broth was thick and the spices were ones that Natsuki had never tasted before. The meat was a nice treat as well. Even though she was a noble, red meat was not part of her diet commonly, especially in the winter.

Mai seemed pleased with herself. "Well, the herbs I've used are my own secret. I gathered them in the mountains. You would be surprised to know what delicious new flavors you can find between weeds. Let me ask Mikoto what meat she brought."

Mai looked over at the cat that had begun to lap at the juices. The cat turned its fat head and meowed. Natsuki's mouth was left open in bewilderment. Mai giggled and then nodded at her cat.

"Thank you, Mikoto." She turned to Natsuki. "We have a great treat today! She was able to get red deer. She says it's something nice to have for my last night."

Natsuki paled. "Heh…heh…" She looked down at her bowl then pointed at the cat. Mikoto looked back at her and meowed. The young Lord gulped before looking back at Mai. "You talk to the cat? I mean…I mean…it speaks to you? It's just a cat-…"

"Goddess. Cat Goddess," interrupted Mai. Mai reached out to pet Mikoto fondly. "She's kept me company for many years."

For a while Natsuki sat and did not say anything. The three went back to eating but Natsuki never tore her eyes away from Mikoto. Her disbelief had rendered her silent. Once she finished her meal she placed the bowl down and continued to stare at the two.

The woman, named Mai, was crazy.

Or…Natsuki was dreaming.

Natsuki stood up quickly while laughing. Mai did not seem surprised by this action and continued to eat. Natsuki placed her hands on her hips and declared, "I'm dreaming!"

"You're not," Mai said serenely. Natsuki made her way to the door at the same time Mikoto, the Cat Goddess, meowed. The furs rustled and in walked a large animal. A wolf. Natsuki yelled and backed away from the door.

"Well that was unexpected!" Mai laughed and nodded at the wolf who paced in and sat beside her. It was the largest wolf Natsuki had ever seen. It was unlike any wolf she had ever seen, really. It had a heavy built and it was gray, almost...silver. The wolf's fur was long instead of short and patchy like most wolves she had seen. It sat on its haunches but towered two heads over the priestess. It stared at Natsuki with its piercing golden eyes. Natsuki tried to calm herself, her instincts kicking in to kill such a beast. It was truly magnificent.

But no, Natsuki had learned her lesson today. 'Magnificent' creatures ended up being creatures protected by the divine or divine themselves. The wolf snorted and showed its fangs in some weird attempt at a grin. Had it heard her? Had it read her mind? Perhaps it was a good time to offer up a prayer to the Gods for her own protection.

Mai tilted her hand at the wolf. "This is Hiroto Okami, the powerful Wolf God of the Mountains. He's here to assist me in my journey tonight. I told him he should find a better form to take, like a regular sized wolf, but he likes to show off. Hiroto-sama, this is Natsuki Kuga. She's the daughter of the Kuga family. She has taken on the identity of her deceased brother and is the heir to the Kuga lands."

The wolf growled lowly, but not threateningly, back. Mai pouted lightly. "I just wanted to talk to someone before I had to finish up my work here. She's been really nice. She's very interesting!"

Mai turned back to Natsuki and winked again. "Hiroto-sama says he's pleased to meet you. He says your hunting skills are excellent and your aim is admirable."

Natsuki prostrated herself quickly in respect. "I do not deserve such praise, Okami-sama. I made a grave mistake in killing the boar."

There was a deep rumble that resembled something like a laugh. A male voice began to speak, "Mistake, yes. That brute deserved it though. It's very refreshing to know he's not in the forest for now. Always a thorn in my side- that boar and his God."

Natsuki tried not to look shocked as she sat back up. The voice had several layers to it which was something completely unheard of. The mouth of the Wolf God moved as he continued to speak, "If those protected by the celestials did not taste stale, I would have ate his innards for the fun of it. Hah...hah...hah..."

His laugh sounded like deep barks and a human's laugh at the same time. Natsuki did not find the comment as funny and neither did Mai.

"He's not as bad as you say he is, Hiroto-sama. He's quite funny when he wishes to talk."

The Wolf God snorted, "You are not going to be a kind and sympathetic Goddess, are you?"

"I strive to see the good in every creature because the bad is too easy to see."

Natsuki laughed this time but not because of what Mai had said. She brought a hand up to her forehead then pointed knowingly at Mai, "Okay, honestly, I must be dreaming. I have three Gods in front of me and I have not died yet or achieved enlightenment myself."

Mai brought a finger to her cheek. "Two Gods. I'm not a Goddess just yet."

"I am more worried as to what we will do with this human. Mai-dono, you get ahead of yourself sometimes," said the Wolf God.

Natsuki, fearing for her life, hastily said, "How about I just go home tomorrow morning? I'm sure you have the power to place me back near my father's house and even change my memory. And if you cannot, how about I just pledge not to say anything about this occurrence? Who would believe me anyways? Cat Goddess, Wolf God, and a priestess who might be a Goddess."

"Don't worry, Natsuki. I'm sure you wouldn't present much trouble to us. Hiroto-sama should not be scaring you like this," she said as she glared at the Wolf God. "You've been really nice to talk with. Thank you for your time."

The huntress shakily bowed her head. "It's been my pleasure."

Mikoto, the Cat Goddess, meowed several times as she jumped back into Mai's arms. Mai and the Wolf God seemed to be paying close attention to her. After some time Mai pet her companion.

"Mikoto has an excellent question! She wants to know if you have special person."

Natsuki looked confused. "A special person?"

"Someone you love and would possibly die for. Someone who means more than anything to you," Mai said and then Mikoto meowed again. "She says it can be someone you simply like as well."

Natsuki furrowed her brows. "No. I do not."

"Oh?"

"I do not have a 'special person'. Those feelings are useless to me. Those feelings dumb the senses and the mind. I do not think such a thing as love exists between humans. It's supposed to be an unhindered and steady devotion to someone. I have yet to see such an emotion or feel it."

Mai kept a soft smile on her face. "Will you ever have a special person?"

"No," came Natsuki's quick and certain answer. "To have someone I would do anything for is a huge liability. We've all heard the story of the harlot who convinced her Lord to not go to the battlefield. His army was crushed because no one was there to lead them. With his army devastated, his lands were lost. I have one objective in my life. That is to take over the Kuga lands and rule, like I was raised. My father is always distracted by women and 'love'. Rabble roams his lands and the peasants have become lazy. I can see why the other Lords are at our doorsteps, ready to strike at the most opportune moment. I will rule with an iron-fist. No one will question the prosperity and power that my family holds."

"She is truthful in her words. Her emotions run deep into her heart and mind," said the Wolf God.

Mai nodded. "Well it looks like my time has come to an end here. You've been very entertaining, Natsuki Kuga. I wish to bestow a gift on you."

Natsuki tilted her head. "I have done nothing to deserve a gift from yo-..."

"How about the gift of longevity?"

"Longevity?" Natsuki stammered.

"Yes, not immortality, of course, but longevity. To be resilient against the change of time, aging, and danger. It's something very important for someone who wishes to rule right? You can be a truly amazing individual, Natsuki. I think it will take you longer than one lifetime to achieve your greatness though."

"Longer...than one lifetime..." Natsuki's mind spun. To live longer than any human was a huge gift and it would make her the most powerful human on earth. It was the power over age and time. Who besides the Gods had that type of power? Not even the Emperor could live beyond his natural lifespan.

"Do you accept my gift?"

"Yes." Natsuki said eagerly. Nothing could slow her racing heart. She would be the most powerful human. Power!

Mai clapped her hands together and Natsuki felt a ripple of heat run down her spine. "Then it is done! I do have a better gift to give you though. It's possibly the greatest gift anyone could give you."

Natsuki flushed and placed up her hands. "The blessing you have bestowed on me is enough, Mai-sama. I could not ask anything else of you."

Mai shook her head and frowned. "I think this gift is very important. It is what will make you an extraordinary individual. Please accept it from me."

Who was she to refuse a Goddess's gift? Had Natsuki been any wiser, she may have reflected on the matter at hand but she was young. The young were reckless. Natsuki accepted the gift, still awed that she possessed longevity. The priestess fell into a chant.

First came the heat down her back, but then came an intense tingling sensation. The feeling moved throughout her body and intensified. Slowly it became painful. Then a sharp sensation hit her heart and she doubled over. Natsuki yelled as her stomach felt the same sharp pain. She rolled on the floor as the pain hit her spine, then her neck, and then her skull. From her position on the floor she looked up and over the hearth.

Mai had stopped chanting but the pain had not stopped. In place of the Cat Goddess next to Mai was young girl with messy black hair. And where the Wolf God had once been, sat a large man with short silver hair and honey-colored eyes. Natsuki's vision faded in and out as she howled out in pain. She cried out in a voice that was not her own. The howl was real, like a dog's. Her whimpers were high pitched whines. She lifted her head again but it dropped back heavily onto the ground.

As she slipped into darkness she heard the Wolf God speak, "I think I like this look on her better."

"Wakie, wakie, puppy..."

Natsuki opened her eyes slowly to stare at the ceiling. It had been a dream. A crazy little dream. She yawned and stretched her arms out in front of her. A black furry paw came into her line of vision. Then another...

Natsuki yelled and tried to sit up, but could not. She yelled again as she tipped to her side. She could not hear her own yelling though. Instead some damn dog was barking loudly.

'Oh Gods, please no...'

Natsuki looked down her body to see black furry arms, paws, a furry body, more legs, and...a tail?! Natsuki barked and barked as she jumped up. She tried to run but tripped over herself. She did not use her front paws to walk on the ground. Instead she fell face-flat onto the floor. Muzzle-flat, to be precise. She crossed her eyes as she looked down her face to see a black leathery nose at the end of a long muzzle. She barked and whimpered as she crawled on the floor.

She had been cursed. Cursed! She was a dog! She knew it!

"Would you like a mirror?"

Natsuki was on all fours in a second and looked behind her. Mai stood with an old wooden mirror in her hand. Instead of her black and gray priestess robes she wore a white kimono. She knelt down and placed the mirror in front of her. Natsuki took one careful step at a time until she could see her entire figure in the glass.

Her coat was black and long. She looked much like the the Wolf God. The wolves from the mountains were scrawny and thin boned, looking more like large foxes. Her bones were heavier and her form as filled out. Her muzzle was also thick instead of pointy like a true mountain wolf's. Both her ears were flattened against her skull in despair.

She started to bark and whine again. There was the heavy fluttering of the door than a deep voice.

"Stop making that racket. You can speak, if you try. Just not like how you used to."

She turned her head to see the Wolf God come into the hut. She silenced herself and from a distance measured herself up against him. He was still a large wolf from her point of view but she was quite large as well from what she could tell. She sat and opened her mouth to try and speak. Slowly she thought of the words she wanted to form and pushed them out.

"What...did...you...do...to...me?" It came out as growls and barks but she knew she had said it.

Hiroto Okami sat in front of her and tilted his head with a lop-sided grin. "Give it a few more minutes and you'll feel more natural in this skin."

"What did you do to me?!" Natsuki demanded, getting more furious.

The Wolf God growled back, "We gave you a gift."

Mai came around to face her, the cat nowhere to be seen. "The greatest gift I could have given you is the capacity to love."

She looked apologetic, but Natsuki did not care. "To love?! Did I not explain how useless that is for me? What have you done?!"

"Every once in a while a child is born into this world that cannot love. This is you. The only thing you loved was power. I like you, so I wanted to give you this gift. Not only did I save you from a horrible fate, but I saved those around you. You would have brought about nothing but destruction."

Natsuki snorted and shook her head hard. "Why am I a dog then?!"

The large wolf chuckled. "You're not a dog. You're a wolf, stupid child. Wolves are known to be great judges of character. Mai-dono thought it would do you good to be imbued with this."

"I want to change back. How can I change back? I want to go home!"

Mai sighed. "You can't. You can't go home and you can't change back. Well, not until you fulfill the necessary requirements to change back. You may return to your human form once you find someone to love. Until then you will be gifted with longevity. Mind you...you can die before you fulfill this gift."

"I can die...in this form?"

"Yes, but I trust that you'll find someone to love. Natsuki, you have to realize that love is something very important. It is not a weak emotion. The world is founded on love."

"Couldn't you just have told me that? Now, now I have to go around as a freak! What happened to my destiny? What happened to ruling my father's lands? This is a fate worse than death! Change me back!" She brought both paws up in front of her and let them come crashing back down on the floor in front of her. She was frustrated and everything about the wolf body she was in made her want to scream.

Mai crossed her arms. "I cannot change you back! What is done is done! Not many people get this chance that I've given you."

Natsuki growled angrily and pounced at Mai with her fangs ready. She would kill that priestess and that damn Wolf God if she could. How dare they change her life like this! She yelped as she fell through Mai's figure. She turned around and tried again but she ended up hitting the floor. Mai smiled.

"I died last night. You can hardly do anything to me anymore. You can try Hiroto-sama if you want. I'm not sure it will end well for you though."

Natsuki barked and growled. "I will find a way to get rid of this curse! There has to be someone in Japan that will help me!"

Natsuki dashed past the two and out of the hut. She tore through the snow, her paws hitting the floor naturally. She ran and ran faster than she ever could as a human. She ripped through the forest, painful howls rising from her throat.

In her mind she heard Mai's soft voice, "There is only one way. When you are ready, Hiroto-sama and I will be here to help you in what you need. This is your destiny. You cannot run from it."

Natsuki cried out and kept running. She would run up and down Japan several times before she would regain her senses. It would be many years before she would accept her fate. It would be even longer before she would realize the meaning of what took place that night.

A/N: Hello again! Thank you for reading the first chapter of my newest story! This chapter is somewhat like a prologue.

Yes, Natsuki did get turned into a doggy.

The chapter takes place around 1000 CE (AD) if historical accuracy makes any sense. This is in the Late Heian Period in Japan which is before the Feudal Era and at the beginning of the rise of Samurais. This also means the next chapter (in the present) takes place 1000 years after this chapter.

Shizuru appears next chapter! As well as the rest of the plot. XD

Thanks to my great BETAs Graceful Amethyst and Lahren. Much love for them!

So please review and tell me whatya think about it! The next chapter will be out in two weeks. 'Three Wishes Or You' is shorter than this fic so it'll have priority until it ends.

Chapter Two Sneak Peaks:

On the outside of the door, a brass plate read: 'Private Investigator Fujino'. Shizuru could hear Yukino call in the guest. Turning her attention back to her desk she pulled out two files from her drawer and opened up the case file on the computer.

Haruka looked pleased with herself. "It's confirmed that Nagi Homura will be at a dogfighting tournament in Ichikawa, Chiba Prefecture."

"Is Black Demon the champion dog?"
"Seven years running. I tell ya, Tsuji-san, that's a darn long time for any dog to be fightin' and winnin'. His handler, Yosuke Michin, came across the dog in Nara. He'll tell ya some pretty amazing stories on how he captured the beast. "

"I heard Michin-san has been calling for PBB."
"PBB?"
"Pentobarbital. Injectable anesthesia and we use it in large amounts to put a dog to sleep."

Enjoy your week! Thanks for your amazing support!

-Nimara