My eyes drifted to Cooro's arm, where he had a tattoo. Not just any tattoo—a +Anima tattoo. Nana's eyes caught my gaze and asked, "You're probably going to freak out, huh?" I felt a tinge of sadness enter the voice, but why? I figured she must've had a rough past. I shook my head, confused. "No way," I said, and stepped closer. "But Cooro…is a +Anima?"
The others let out a sigh and nodded, while I smiled. Cooro's eyes widened. "Wow! You smiled!"
"Yeah, so?" I frowned at him, and he stammered, "U-uh, nothing…"
Husky clenched his staff tighter. "Let's hurry this up. We've got to get a move on, Cooro."
I held up my hand to stop them. "No, wait, I wanna tell you that I'm a +Anima too."
All of their eyes widened. "No way!" Nana gasped. "Show us!"
"Maybe your marking," Husky muttered, while Senri grunted. I blushed a bit, and bit down on my bottom lip. "No, well, I mean, I can, but…" My eyes drifted down, and Nana followed. After a few seconds, she realized. "Oh, personal," she said, sweat dropping. "Then—"
Cat ears and a tail appeared on me, and I pointed a finger at Husky. Each finger had claws on them now. "Told ya," I said, feeling like I should scratch him. He frowned and turned around. "Alright, let's just freakin' go!"
I laughed, and Cooro pouted. "Aw, come on, Husky! She's a +Anima!" He turned to Senri and Nana. "What do you think, should she join?"
Nana nodded joyfully. "Totally! We need another girl!" Senri shrugged, and stayed silent. Cooro talked for him: "He means yes. Okay, you're in!"
"Great, another girl," Husky murmured. I cocked my head at him. "No matter how low you may speak, I have good hearing," I scolded, grinning. Nana smiled, "Ditto that!"
"So what are you guys?" I asked. "What kind of +Anima?"
Turns out, Husky was a fish, Cooro was a crow, Nana was a bat, and Senri was a bear. "You remind me of Rose," Senri said in a soft voice.
I blinked. "Rose?"
"Rose is a cat +Anima, like you," Cooro explained. "She's a peddler and sells jewelry!"
"Sounds nice," I said, unsure. I wanted to meet this Rose person. She sounds nice!
"You never told us your name," he continued. I stepped back a few steps. "No, I don't think you would want to know…"
"C'mon, tell us!" He put on his puppy face, and clasped his hands together. It was hard to resist, but I gave in anyway. Today, I was being so forgetful and lazy…
"Slap," I muttered, looking away.
"Huh?" Cooro and Nana leaned in. "Wha-?"
"Slap!" I shouted, holding up a hand. "Don't even bother making me repeat it!"
Cooro stifled a laugh, and Nana stepped back, smiling thoughtfully. "What's so funny, eh?" I held up a claw near Cooro's face.
"Nothing," he said. "I think that's an interesting name!" He laughed again, and Husky just snickered. Senri still continued to stand there, silent as ever. I appreciated that.
"Don't ask about it," I said, letting my +Anima ability go away. "And don't even make fun of it."
I put my hands on my hips. "So where to? Where are you guys headed?"
"North," Nana said, pointing. Husky scowled under his breath, and I knew he hated having to be around girls. I just wonder why…
"Oh, me too," I said, making up a lame excuse. "I'm hungry anyway," I continued, digging out an apple and a jar of honey from my messenger bag. All of their eyes shined at me. "W-what…" I blushed a bit.
"I love apples!" Cooro used his "grabby hands" toward me. "Have any bread?" Nana shrieked. "Honey," Senri muttered, licking his lips. Boy, he really is a bear…
"I'll take whatever," Husky scoffed. "Why?" I asked, leaning toward him. "You don't even like me."
"Why, you—"he caught his breath when Nana saved him from being scratched. "He may not like girls," she explained, "but he really does his fair share. You should let him eat. He's not that bad having around."
"Nana…" I could've sworn I saw Husky blush.
"S-sure," I said, giving Senri the jar of honey, Nana a small slice of bread, Husky a pack of dried sardines, and Cooro a Granny Smith Apple. Once he had it in his hands, he looked back and forth at me and the apple. I raised an eyebrow, and he broke the apple in half. "We should share!" He grinned.
I blushed, and took the half. "Arigato…"
