Hey everyone! Sorry this chapter is so late, I got kinda busy and it took longer than I thought to pick names for the new characters. After a recommendation, I tried making this chapter longer than the others, but its still sorta tough for me. My creativity comes in short bursts XD. I hope you continue to give me your support and enjoy the chapter!

Ame quietly sat at the tree line, staring at the tranquil house. His eyes followed his mother as she bustled around the house. He had been anxious lately and seeing his mom always calmed him down.

Every other week, Ame comes to check on Hana from the tree line to make sure she's okay. However, he only speaks to her a few times a year. He rarely visits in fear of his mother getting too attached and asking him to stay with her. He doesn't want to upset his mom again. What if she chases him into the forest? What is she hurts herself? Ame couldn't live with himself if anything happened to her.

Although he acts tough and independent, he worries for his mother constantly. With Yuki at boarding school, Hana is living in these isolated mountains by herself. Ame still feels guilty for leaving his mother and sister behind.

He's only seen his sister once since he left. When she found out that he had run off, she took off into the forest and gave Ame a good pounding when she found him. She yelled at him relentlessly for upsetting Hana. Once she tired herself out, she hugged Ame with all of her might and sprinted back down the mountain. Ame didn't even get a word in.

Although the forest called to him, it was a difficult decision to pick the forest over his family. He had always been anti social, but his family cared for him more than anyone and he missed their love and their smiles...he missed his family.

As Ame's thoughts wandered, two people approached the house. He immediately focused and observed them. He relaxed when he saw that it was two women, one carrying a small tray with cookies on it. They walked up to the house and greeted Hana. Hana took the tray from them and went inside, returning a few minutes later with a tray of tea and the cookies. Ame began to walk up to the house to hear their conversation. As he got closer he heard bits and pieces of what was being said.

"...came to introduce ourselves..."

"...just moved..."

"...beautiful countryside..."

"It seems their new to the neighborhood", Ame thought.

"...sick in bed..."

Ame was puzzled when he heard that, but he couldn't hear what else was said.

When he was about halfway to the house, an oddly familiar smell hit his nose. It smelled like...

cinnamon and old books.

Ame narrowed his eyes at the younger girl and almost fell in surprise...

it was the girl from the forest!

He froze, his heart pounding in his throat as he stared at her.

His mind was completely blank. If he had thumbs, he'd pinch himself to see if this was actually happening. First the forest, and now his house?! Ame was tempted to run into the forest and jump in the coldest river he could find, but he hesitated.

He might not get another chance like this to see her.

Before his mind had made a decision, his body snuck to the side of house, and transformed into human form. He walked to the front and approached the three women. The older woman saw him first and smiled.

"I didn't know you had any kids, Hana!"

"Kids...?" Hana questioned.

She turned around and nearly spilt her tea when she saw Ame. She gaped like a fish at him as he walked up. Ame smiled guiltily to her, then turned his gaze to the girl. When their eyes met, every moment they had in the forest flashed through Ame's mind and he did his best not to blush.

As he approached, the three women got up and Hana gathered enough of her sanity to introduce Ame.

"This is my youngest, Ame. His older sister Yuki is in boarding school right now."

Ame politely bowed to the two women and they bowed back. The older woman spoke up first,

"Hi! We just moved in about two miles down the road. I'm Asuka, and this is my niece Haru."

Asuka was an inch or two taller than Haru, with black hair, cut boy short. She had blue eyes and slight crinkles around her mouth from smiling. The only similarities about them was their height and their smiles.

As Asuka was speaking, Haru slowly approached Ame, staring intently at his face. Ame looked over at her and backed away slightly with a little blush on his face.

"Have we...met before?"

Ame was in utter shock. She couldn't recognize him, it was impossible. She's only ever seen him in his wolf form.

Haru couldn't place it, but she could swear she had seen those eyes before. Those amber eyes that seemed to draw her in.

Hana's eyes flicked nervously between the two of them, utterly confused and bewildered at the tense atmosphere.

Suddenly, Asuka started laughing loudly, breaking the pin drop silence and causing the other three to jump.

"HAHAHA! You've only just met him and you're already hitting on him? I underestimated you Haru, you work fast!"

Asuka threw her arm over Haru's shoulder leaned on her as she laughed. Haru's face lit up with a blush and turned to yell at her aunt.

"That's not what I meant! I really thought I had seen him before! Stop laughing!"

Asuka reigned in her laughter as Ame and Hana stared in shock.

"Sorry, sorry. I'm only teasing you. You don't have to get so upset."

Haru glared at her aunt, then stole a glance at Ame. When their eyes met, they both quickly looked away and blushed. Asuka, taking a hint at the atmosphere, dragged Hana off yelling something about a tour of the house.

Ame was reminded of an energetic squirrel that frequently falls out of trees in the forest.

After Hana and Asuka left, they both stood awkwardly, avoiding each other's eyes. Finally, Haru cleared her throat and looked up at Ame.

"Ummm...How long have you lived here?"

Ame somehow made his mouth form a reply.

"Since I was kid. We lived in the city when I was really young, but I don't remember much of it."

"Do you go to school around here?"

Ame tensed at the memory and Haru looked at him questioningly.

"I did for a few years, but it didn't really work out."

Haru didn't pry on his weird attitude. Instead she relaxed and sat down to drink some of her tea. Ame sat down on the other side of the table, stiff with nervousness.

"Uh... Is it just you and your aunt in your family?"

"No, my mother and younger siblings are also with us. I have a brother and sister, they're twins. They were so exhausted from the move, so we left them at home and came to greet the neighbors by ourselves."

Ame gazed at her and saw a smile on her face from the thought of them. He blushed slightly and hurriedly spoke.

"W-Why did you guys move here?"

He saw her whole body tense and the smile disappear from her face. She was quiet for a few moments and opened her mouth to speak.

"We..."

At that moment Asuka and Hana burst into the room, Asuka chattering nonstop and hanging onto Hana.

Ame and Haru both jumped in shock at their sudden entrance, and stared while they sat down. Hana looked exhausted, while Asuka smiled happily. Haru giggled at the contrast of their expressions.

While Hana recovered, the other three chatted and ate some of their tea and cookies. They talked aimlessly for a while, until a thought suddenly occurred to Haru and she turned to Hana.

"That reminds me, I wanted to ask. Do you know anything about wolves living in the area?"

Ame choked on his tea and Asuka started pounding his back unnecessarily while he coughed loudly. Hana simply froze in place.

"Why are you asking about wolves?" Asuka questioned.

"Uhhh... I just heard a rumor that wolves lived nearby, that's all."

Ame wondered why she lied. Was there any reason to?

Hana composed herself and answered with a slightly shaky voice.

"Nope, no wolves live here. That's absolutely impossible."

Asuka and Haru looked at each other, weirded out by their behavior, but didn't question it.

After that, the atmosphere was extremely awkward, so Asuka and Haru headed home, claiming that they had lunch waiting for them.

Hana and Ame waved at them from the porch until they disappeared from sight. Hana sat down quietly at the table, and Ame prepared for the absolute shit-storm of questions he was about to get.

"Ame..."

He winced and slowly turned around with his eyes glued to the floor.

"Welcome home."

Ame jolted in surprise and looked up to see a smile on his mom's face. He smiled back and kneeled down to give her a hug. She squeezed the breath out of him and whispered quietly in his ear.

"...You are in so much trouble"

Well...he couldn't get away now.

It took me a realllllly long time to decide on Haru's names. I wanted the girl's name to match Ame. Haru means "sun" and "spring" in Japanese and Ame means "rain". I've already picked out the names for the other characters and Im super excited to introduce them. Reviews greatly appreciated and thanks for reading!