Realizing the Truth with the Wolves

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My heart stopped. "What? Stop making up crap!" He continued to glare at me, "You think I'm the kind of guy who does that?" Kondou-san frowned, "Stop it Toshi. Let's just explain this to her." Hijikata-san took his word seriously and sighed.

I sat, facing every member of the Wolves of Mibu, my heart pounding in my chest.

What was I going to hear?

Kondou-san cleared his throat and began. "Well Yukimura, you may have already realized that we are indeed, not regular humans. We have been placed under a thousand-year old curse that have prevented us from leaving Mibu Forest during certain times. It also forces us to transform into wolves."

I listened carefully. "But what does that have to do with me not leaving?"

Hijikata-san looked at me. "Anyone who goes into Mibu Forest, is also effected by the curse. That's why we made up rumors about the creatures of Mibu Forest." I bowed my head.

"So I can never leave here..."

The other men looked away, trying not to sense the utter sadness of this lost girl.

I'll be stuck here forever... This curse is... Oh I guess I'll transform into a wolf too... My head shot up. "D-does that mean I'll start craving for animal meat?"

Kondou-san cocked his head to the side. "Hmm? What do you mean?"

I looked at the ground. "I mean, does this curse turns me into a wolf?" Silence filled the room until Hijikata-san coughed.

"Not quite. You're just prevented from leaving, that's all."

I sighed in relief. Thank god... wait that still means I'm stuck here! I looked up at everyone. "I understand your situation, but have any of you tried to break the curse?"

Heisuke-kun put both of his hands behind his head. "It's not like we have any reliable resources in Mibu Forest."

Oh, I forgot about that.

"Now then, if you're gonna live with us, you'll have to abide to our rules, got it?" Hijikata-san asked me.

I nodded. "Yes."

I figured they would offer me protection and help me survive in this forest of who knows what's out there. I guess I'll have to get used to sleeping on the ground and eating grass.

It was until Kondou-san gave a dry cough that made me come back to the present. "Um Yukimura? Are you sure you can survive long in those clothing?"

"What?" I looked down and sure enough, I was still in my white tank top and black booty shorts. My face flushed red. "U-uh yeah. I'm sure I'll survive."

Kondou-san coughed again, Hijikata-san frowned, Okita-san put on his fox grin, Saito-san blushed slightly keeping that cool expression, Heisuke-kun looked away equally embarrassed, Harada-san smiled at me, and Nagakura-san chuckled.

I sighed heavily, I guess this is my new life now with all these men. How awkward can that be?

I decided to go take a bath in the nearby lake.

Hey, after being told that you had to stay with a group of men who were under a thousand-year old curse, and can turn into wolves, its nice to just relax and have some alone time.

They were kind enough to give me back my basket, but all it's contents were gone courtesy of Heisuke-kun and Nagakura-san, the only things left was the large pink cloth and pink bow. I took the cloth with me to the lake and thanked the gods that I had it with me or else I would have nothing to dry myself with.

I took the pink bow and tied my hair up with it. After all the tedious walking on the rocky path, I made it to the lake.

I placed the cloth on top of which seemed like the biggest rock there and looked around to see if anyone was watching.

When it seemed like the coast was clear, I took off my clothing and wrapped the cloth -which I will now call an official towel- around my body. I sighed to myself that I can no longer use any of the bath accessories that father got me from the States. Oh come on girl! Pull yourself together!

I shook my head in frustration and took two steps when I noticed a shadow behind a tree on my right.

I backed away and called out.

"Who's there?" The figure didn't move at all and that annoyed me. I took a somewhat large stone and chucked it at the figure.

It gave a high-pitched yelp and jumped right next to the large rock.

A wolf.

I immediately flushed red, I examined the wolf's fur coloring to see who it was.

"Is... Is that you Saito-san?"

Of all the wolves out there, Saito had to be the one who had seen me strip. Saito the wolf gave me a surprised look and suddenly changed back into his human form.

I squealed and pressed my hands to my cheek. "Ahh Saito! Why did you choose to change back at this time?!"

He raised his hands up and began to turn red, even redder than me. "Y-your mistaken! I just arrived here not too long ago!"

I sniffed. "You didn't see me strip?"

He quickly shook his head. I sighed then realized something. "H-hold on! Why did you change back to human form?"

He looked away, the red now being replaced by pink. "I thought it would be rude to talk to you in my other form. Why I am here is because I patrol this area at exactly this time."

I looked at him. "Oh... I'm sorry I yelled at you!" I stood up and bowed, my hands wrapped around my midsection to keep the towel from falling. Saito-san also bowed back,

"I'm so sorry that I have intruded on your... Um... Privacy."

He began to walk away. I held out one hand. "Wait!"

He didn't turn around but said, "Yes?"

What am I doing? He was just doing his job and I happened to be here at that time. I don't want to make a first bad impression.

I opened my mouth to speak. "U-um, I was wondering if you could stay here with me?"

He turned around, a surprised expression on his face. "Is there a reason why?"

I pressed my two pointer fingers together. "Well I just... Wanted someone here. It seems lonely with just me being here, the fact that I have always lived alone doesn't help either..."

He took a moment to think about it and then changed to his wolf form.

"Alright, I'll keep an eye out for any danger."

I gave him a mischievous smile.

"No peeking alright?"

Saito-san's tail flicked back and forth. "Of course." He bounded up the hill he came from and sat down with his back to me, but is still in view from the lake.

I smiled at his wolf form which his tail is still twitching due to his uncomfortableness. I made my way down to the lake, let my towel drop, and jumped in with a splash.

I'm starting school again tomorrow T_T so i won't be able to upload the chapters earlier. Sorry! I'll try to upload them A.S.A.P! :O