Cold as Ice

Chapter Three

Disclaimer: I don't own anything from Wolf's Rain and I'm not making any money from this fic. Any character you don't recognise from the books or anime series, I probably own. Anything you recognise from another fandom, I probably don't own

Summary: After his daughter slips into a coma, a man starts hunting the wolves, believing that with them gone, his daughter will come back. In fact, her spirit has left her body – but only one person can hear her screaming...

Warning(s): Spoilers for the entire series of Wolf's Rain; original characters; strong violence; probable AU

Author's Note: Don't worry, this will diverge from the main storyline soon; probably in the next chapter, or the chapter afterwards

By the time it occurred to Miku to try and find the wolves again, most of the mess had been cleaned up; and she had no idea of where to go. She wondered if she should try to find her father again, in the hopes that he would lead her to the people who had persuaded him to hunt the wolves. But she dismissed that idea almost as quickly as it came. Her father would be more likely to leave straight away.

But how could she find the wolves? Or indeed that girl who had been taken from the laboratory?

As she headed down the steps, Miku slipped her hand into her pocket, feeling strangely relieved to find that the necklace was still there. She found herself moving, though there certainly wasn't the same strange pull as before. Still, something seemed to be guiding her steps. She could almost believe in fate – or destiny – after everything that had happened.

But why was this happening? And why was it happening to her?

Miku hesitated as she found herself approaching the border of Freeze City. The memories of getting trapped outside the city were still vivid inside her mind. However, ahead of her, she could see the two boys from before. They'd been joined by two others; but she could also see two men pursuing them.

Not giving herself the chance to dwell on it, Miku found herself running. She passed the two men – who couldn't see her – and got to the border just as the wolves started leaping down into the snow. She hesitated, glancing back over her shoulder.

But if she could go through doors and not get stuck, a fall – even from this height – wouldn't hurt her.

Miku closed her eyes, and stepped off the edge. When she opened her eyes again, she was standing in the snow next to the wolves – though she couldn't feel any cold.

She couldn't feel anything.

Miku glanced up at the cliff, noticing that the two men had paused, clearly unwilling to follow. When she turned back to the wolves, she saw that the human illusions had disappeared; and the wolves were showing their true forms as they padded across the snow. With one last look at her home, Miku sped up her steps, managing to keep up with the wolves without difficulty.

As they rested in the cave, Miku sat by the entrance, her hands clasped around her knees. In some ways, she was glad that no one could see or hear her. By all accounts, wolves were vicious, dangerous animals; which was why they'd been hunted, and still were. She still didn't know why she'd chosen to follow them out of the city. But she was here now; so she might as well make the best of it.

Several times, Hige paused and sniffed the air, glancing in the direction Miku was sitting in. Each time he did that, Miku stiffened, fully expecting him to be able to see her. Why could he only smell her?

Though... perhaps it was simply that they had a more powerful sense of smell than humans.

Miku let her attention drift as the wolves talked about being hungry. Or, rather, Hige and Toboe talked about being hungry; Tsume and Kiba just listened... or ignored them. Miku didn't start paying attention again until Tsume stormed out of the cave, closely followed by Toboe.

Miku blinked, pushing some hair back out of her eyes. "Huh? What did I miss?" She glanced at Hige and Kiba, but didn't get any clues from either of them. Leaning forward, she waved a hand in front of Hige's face. "Hello? You've been able to scent me... Surely you can hear me?"

But there was no response.

Miku sighed and curled up a little, pillowing her cheek on her arms. It was strange that she could feel tired, but not feel any cold. Hopefully, she would be able to wake up if anything happened; but really, she was too tired to care if the wolves did leave and she couldn't find them again.

Within moments, Miku slipped into sleep.

It was a howl that woke Miku up again. She jerked upright, looking around wildly, her heart pounding; and narrowly avoided hitting her head on the cave wall. She pushed herself up and glanced around in confusion, spotting the two wolves just as they disappeared out of the cave. "Huh?" she mumbled, before remembering that she was supposed to be staying with the wolves.

Miku started running after the two wolves – but by the time she caught up to them, they'd already joined the other wolves; and all she could do was watch helplessly as they fought the weird mechanical robot. Hearing a noise behind her, though, she turned; and saw her father standing there, his gun aimed at the wolves.

Flinching, Miku backed away, glancing briefly behind her. She'd never seen her father like this before...

Miku slipped her hand into her pocket, closing her fingers around the amulet. As her father cocked the gun, she squeezed her eyes shut and concentrated as hard as she could. "STOP IT!"

Her father flinched, almost dropping the gun. "Miku...?" He looked around, but clearly couldn't see his daughter.

What had just happened? Miku didn't dwell on it as she turned, and started after the wolves, who may have noticed her father, since they were quickly disappearing from view. Still, once again, she was able to catch up to them without much difficulty. As she walked with the wolves, she wondered what had just happened.

It seemed like her father had been able to hear her, but not see her. It had only been for a moment, though. What had been the catalyst? Wait... Hadn't she been touching the amulet when it had happened? Could that have triggered the... whatever it was? Miku slipped her hand into her pocket again, but hesitated against actually touching the amulet. What if it worked? Would the wolves attack her?

Slowly, Miku took her hand out of her pocket again. She didn't want to risk it, even if the wolves seemed harmless enough to someone who wasn't a threat. She might want to know where they were going, but not well enough to risk trying to ask. Not yet, at least. How could she know that they wouldn't harm her?

So, as eager as she was to talk to someone – anyone – Miku decided to stay safe; and not risk trying to get them to hear her.

"The technology in this amulet is quite powerful."

The people talking had the look of scientists – or perhaps doctors. At least, they were wearing white coats. The speaker was holding the amulet Miku had found around her body's neck. He wasn't looking at the other scientist, but down at the necklace as he traced his fingertips over the stone.

"It's powerful – but it causes a strain each time it's used," the other scientist commented. "It won't be long before the spirit wears out completely."

"By the time that happens, this will all be over."

Miku slowly opened her eyes, blinking a few times. They'd come to a town the previous day, and come close to getting into a fight; but it hadn't happened, and the wolves had paused to rest, after meeting an older wolf. Miku glanced around, noticing that Kiba was missing – but the other three seemed to be getting ready to move on.

It was strange how she always seemed to wake up at just the right moment.

Hige was saying something about finding food, and Miku had to smile in spite of herself. It amused her that Hige always seemed to be thinking of his stomach, even though Kiba had said that wolves could survive on moonlight. Miku was rather relieved by the fact that she didn't need to eat.

But what about when she woke up? Would she be really hungry then, given how much she'd been doing?

Miku followed the wolves as they made their way to the waterfront, where another wolf had said there was food. She hung back, though, as they leaned over the top of the bridge to look down. When she saw the way the wolves reacted, she stepped over to the side as well and looked down; then gasped and recoiled back sharply in horror.

Humans were driving wolves pulling carriages, hitting them with whips and shouting at them.