Sorry, I wanted to finish this earlier, but the last three weeks have been busy for me. I was out of town for personal business, and then I went to a conference.

Also, the chapter became longer than I thought it would be and may be filled with grammar errors.

Just to clarify, this is a fanfic about humans with animal traits, so to distinguish people from regular animals, I use the Japanese word to name the different tribes:

For example:

Ookami = Wolf

Hyou = Leopard

Kuma = Bear

Please enjoy!

I do not own Love Live

[10 years ago]

For the longest time, I always felt myself different from other people.

Maybe it is the fact that I was a Hyou with relatively bright red hair, which is a rare trait even among my tribe.

Another fact is that I was born into the Nishikino family, who was involved in political affairs of our nation. Moreover, both my parents are doctors and own a large hospital that serves the general public.

Being the only child of such an influential family, my parents were overprotective of me.

Because of that, I was never allowed to wander outside the house without someone to watch over me.

I spent much of my childhood in the house, so I never had a chance to play with the other children.

I often found solace in reading books, playing the piano, and looking at the stars at night through my bedroom window, but sometimes, I would wish to go on an adventure like the one in the story books I read.

One day, the unthinkable happened.

A group of strangers broke into the house while my parents were busy at work, and in the midst of the chaos, I was kidnapped by one of them. From I could tell, they seem to have grievances towards my family.

Luckily, I was able to escape capture while they were distracted and aimlessly ran through the woods, eventually hiding in a thick bush.

COME ON OUT, YOU BRAT!

SHE COULDN'T HAVE GONE THAT FAR!

When the voices and sounds finally subsided, I took a small peek through an opening of the bush and found myself in an unknown place of what I saw as an endless sea of trees, separated from my parents.

Mama….Papa… I cried softly as I crouched down, with my head and hands on my knees.

Meanwhile in another area of the forest.

A dark brown-grayish haired man in his 30s coupled with wolf ears and tail surveyed on top of a hill as he patrol the outskirts of the village where he lives.

As the man leaps swiftly between the trees, many thoughts ran through in his mind. He has come a long way from 20 years ago. His wife just gave birth to their third child and he would like nothing more than to be there by her side, but she assures him that she will be fine and sends him off to his work.

He eventually reaches the open border of Ookami territory. Looks like all is quiet in this area, no suspicious activity here, he thought.

Just when he decided to call it a day, he heard a weak cry from where he was.

Locating the source of the sound coming from a thick bush, he found a small girl with rounded, cat-like ears and tail.

She was wearing a short, lightly purple dress covered in dust with sandals and a black bow on her head.

Based on her scent and appearance, he determines that she belongs to the Hyou Tribe. Their territory was located near our village, so he was familiar with their appearance.

But, what was surprising to him was her appearance as the child had crimson hair and lavender eyes.

Now, what is a child like you doing in Ookami territory?, the man said as he slowly moved towards her.

In response, she let out a soft whimper, shutting her tear-filled eyes, folding her ears to her head, and wrapping her tail around her body.

The man smiled gently while crouching down and touching the top of her head with his hand. The child flinched from the touch, but gradually relaxes and looks up at him.

Do you know where parents are? he said.

The child spoke softly, I don't know.

Seeing as he couldn't leave the child by herself, he gently pick up and holds the child in his arms.

Moments after he took her out of the bush, three figures emerged from the woods, each of them bearing similar features to those of a leopard.

So that is where you were hiding, you brat.

And it looks like she is not alone.

I would ask that you hand over that child.

The Ookami stared at the strangers and then looked at the child. Do you know these people?

The child cling to him with her face buried into his arm, trembling violently.

The Ookami walked to the tree nearby and gently places the girl on top of a lower branch.

Wait right there while I deal with these fellows here, Okay?

The child nodded and gripped the trunk of the tree.

Facing the outsiders, the man made a smirk, showing his teeth. You three are trespassing in Ookami territory and I would like to ask you to leave.

Sounding kinda arrogant, aren't you buddy?

Hee, looks like this fool thinks he can take on all of us.

This punk needs to be taught a lesson.

As their figures launches onto the man, he takes a fighting stanch and unsheathes the short blade from his holster attached to his pants.

Within less of a minute, the three Hyou were laying on the ground with bloody gashes on their bodies.

You best be on your way unless you want more than just scratches, the Ookami said with a sharp tone.

This is not good.

The boss is not going to like this.

The three men struggled up to their feet and run into the woods, disappearing from his sight.

The man wipes his blade of blood and secure it on his person while turning his attention towards the child.

Well, for the time being, why don't you come with me until we can find your parents? he said with a calm voice.

The child looked the person for a few seconds, before nodding her head slightly and started moving from the tree onto the man's arms.

Oh, I almost forgot. We didn't properly introduced ourselves. My name is Yazawa Hiro, and what's your name?

The child softly replied, Nishikino Maki.

Maki was trying to process what just happened. Although she was safe from her kidnappers, Maki is still wary of this person. Even though this was her first time meeting an Ookami, Maki has heard many stories about them being dangerous and cruel, particularly to children. For now, she will trust this man until she can find her parents.

With the child in hand, Hiro begins a conversation with Maki to understand her situation.

After a few minutes, they reached a small old wooden house elevated by pillars of solid timber.

As they approach the house, Maki spots a small girl with black hair, who had ears and tail similar to the man, running out of the house towards the two.

DADDY!

The girl slams right into the man's shins with a whmmmmm, making him flinched.

NICO!, what are you doing in the outpost? It is dangerous for you to be here. Shouldn't you be with your mother and sister? The man said with a shocked face while Maki was observing their talk.

The petite girl looked up at his father with sparkling crimson eyes.

Mama told me that you were working so I asked Shirou-san to take me here. He said that you could use the company since he couldn't be by your side.

Shirou, that idiot Hiro thought.

The Ookami dropped onto one knee and placed Maki on the ground.

Nico, this is Maki. She got separated from her parents, so would you mind helping me look after her?

Ok daddy, Nico said as she moves closer to the new girl.

The girls stared into each other's eyes with curiosity when suddenly a grumbling sound came from Maki's stomach.

Well, it is almost noon. Why don't I cook us some lunch? Hiro said.

Yay! Daddy's cooking is the best, Nico said with her hands in the air.

That's fine, Maki said while avoiding eye contact.

Make sure you two don't go too far from the house, alright? Hiro yelled as he goes to the kitchen.

Ok! Maki and Nico said in a loud voice.

While Hiro was gathering the ingredients, Maki started exploring the run down house.

Something red on a table caught her eye when she went into the kitchen.

Is this your first time seeing a tomato? She saw Nico walking towards her.

Tomato? Maki asked her. Although she has eaten other plants, this is the first time of seeing this fruit.

Just give it a bite, you may like it, Nico moving her mouth and hands to perform the act of chomping.

With hesitation, Maki went up and grabbed one of the tomatoes off the table with both her hands and took a nibble at the strange fruit.

A sweet and pungent flavor spread into her mouth.

In a short moment, she proceed to gobble up the fruit until it disappear from her sight.

It seems that you like it, hmm? Nico said with a smile.

Maki's cheek turned a shade of pink and turn her head to the side. It tastes just fine.

After finishing their meal consisting of pasta with tomato sauce, grilled chicken and salad, both Maki and Nico gave a wide yawn, unable to keep their eyes open.

Seeing the girls looking sleepy, Hiro went to another room and got a futon and some pillows from a nearby closet.

The two girls climb into the futon and rested their heads on a pillow while Hiro sat on the floor next to them, keeping watch.

As she laid on the futon, Maki is engulfed by fatigue and drifted into slumber.

Maki woke up from what sounded like a guitar being played.

When she opened her eyes, Maki realized that she was hugging Nico's back in her sleep.

She turned her head to see Hiro leaning against the wall and seemed to be writing something on a piece of paper on the floor with one hand and the base of a guitar on the other.

Maki crawled on all fours out of the futon and towards him.

Oh, I'm sorry, did I wake you up? the man said when he noticed the girl.

It's ok. What are you doing?

I am just writing music for a new song. Most of my songs have an upbeat tune, but I am trying my hand at a ballad.

You write your own music? Maki was surprised.

Of course, all great musicians must create their own works at some point of their life, Hiro responded with a smile as he placed both hands on the guitar and started playing his incomplete piece.

Even though the melody sounded rough, Maki was captivated by the simplicity and flow of the song, depicting a past memory with a sense of melancholy and longing that she knew all too well.

Maki snapped out of her thoughts as the music stopped.

That is what I have so far, Hiro said with a sigh as he puts the guitar against the wall.

It's beautiful, especially when you made that vibrato at the middle. Maki said.

Thank you, do you perhaps play music? Hiro asked.

I can play well on the piano, Maki said with confidence

Well, why don't you try writing your own music? Hiro said with a smirk.

Ehhh? It's impossible for me. Maki was dumbfounded. She never thought about music as something other than a pastime.

As if he knew what she was thinking, Hiro replied, Nonsense. After all, music allows us to reach the hearts of others that words cannot and anyone can create music if they are passionate about it. Speaking as someone whose dream is to make people smile through music, I am able to create songs like the one just now because what I write about comes from my heart. Hiro made a thumb-up gesture and placed his thumb on his chest. Hiro got down to her level and stared at Maki's lavender eyes with a probing smirk. You should give it a try. I want to hear a song composed by THE Nishikino Maki.

Yeah, I want to hear Maki-chan's song too. The two turn to see Nico approaching them, who woke up from the song.

Nico and her father faced Maki with pleading eyes, which made Maki cringed from the attention.

I-I don't mind. It's not like I want to write music for you. Just don't expect too much, ok? Maki's cheeks blushed with red as she made a cute pout. The two gave her a wide grin and broke into laughter that shook the old wooden house.

We look forward to it Maki-chan, Nico said.

Refreshed from their nap, Hiro offered to take Maki to where they can get a better view of the land.

The girls climbed on top of Hiro's back and the man started navigating through the maze of forest on foot.

As he walk along a riverside, the man suddenly stops his walk.

What's wrong, daddy? Nico looked at his father.

You two get behind me. Now, He said with a serious voice.

The girls quickly hid behind his back.

From the woods, four men of the Hyou tribe emerged out into the open, one of whom Maki recognized immediately. The man was a Hyou with dark brown hair tied in a low ponytail. He looked relatively young, wearing glasses with a long, sleeved, white shirt and blue pants.

PAPA!

Maki jumped down Hiro's back and ran to her father as fast as her little legs could take her.

MAKI! The man cried as he ran to meet her.

She leaps into his arms and buried her face in her father's chest being filled with sobs and tears.

Thank goodness you are safe.

The father and daughter hold each other tightly.

As the two parted from their warm embrace, the father turned his head to look at the Ookami in front of him with an intense glare.

Papa, this man saved me, Maki said, tugging on his shirt, trying to convince his father. He looked at her daughter and then stared at the Ookami with the little girl on his back.

The Hyou silently signal his men, in which they retreated until he and the Ookami was left.

Thank you for looking after my daughter. The Hyou slightly bowed his head, and Hiro responded by mimicking the same gesture. Not a problem.

And now, we will take our leave. The person holding Maki turns and walks into the trees, disappearing without a trace.

Nico and her father stood there, still thinking about what happened awhile ago.

Ne, daddy.

What is it, Nico? Hiro said as he looked at his daughter.

Do you think we will see her again? Nico asked.

Who knows. If we do meet her again, why don't we show her our secret spot next time? Hiro said with a wide smile.

All right! Nico exclaimed.

As the sun started to set, the two turned towards home and started singing with joy.

Nico ni nico nii nico nico niii

Nico ni nico nii nico nico niii…

Their playful tune echoed throughout the forest, loud enough to reach Maki, who turned her head in response. She recognized the voices and gave a small smile as she rested her head on his father's shoulder as he carried her on his back.

Thank you everyone for the feedback.

Tune in for the next chapter.

Reviews are welcomed.