The following days fell into a similar pattern. Ame and Ren would get up at dawn and run through the forest, checking that everything was peaceful. Sometimes they would settle disputes between angry animals, while other times they would help a lost cub or fawn find its way back to their families. Ren absorbed an enormous amount of new information about the forest and about being a wolf. Her climbing, running, and hunting skills improved immensely.

"Yes, we are wolves," Ame had said, "but we are also people. And that balance between the two is what makes us different." Ren thought that Ame was wise beyond his years.

After making their rounds, they would hunt together, the chase just as exciting as the kill. Ren loved being with Ame in the forest, and she suspected that he enjoyed being with her as well. Wolves were pack animals; they craved the company of one another. Likewise, Ame and Ren were in better spirits together than they had been alone.

Some days, Ame would take her to hidden parts of the forest that she would have never found herself. He showed her sprawling caves and bustling ant hills, each spectacle unique in its own way. They howled together whenever they felt the urge to do so, and wrestled and teased each other constantly, bursting into laughter afterwards. Ren hardly worried about her mother anymore; she felt like she was really living for the first time.

At night they would curl up against one another in their den, or lay beneath the stars, hypnotized by the twinkling pinpoints of light. They would stay up talking for hours, sometimes discussing important subjects while other times just relishing the other's company.

"Have you ever felt lonely before?" Ren had asked.

"Honestly, before I met you, I was always lonely. I mean, guarding this forest gives me purpose and comfort, but I always wished there was someone else I could share it with," he had answered, his amber eyes staring intensely into her pale grey ones. "What about you?"

"Until I met you that day, I had felt like there was nobody else in the world who understood what I had to hide from the rest of the world," she had replied. "You make me feel complete." Ame gazed at her longingly, and Ren had thought for an instant that if they were human at that moment, Ame would have leaned in close and kissed her. Ren had savored that thought, enjoying it deeply. But she had shaken it off quickly. What am I thinking? she had thought. I've finally found a true friend, and I'm not going to risk ruining that.

After spending two consecutive weeks together in the forest, Ame suggested that they go visit Hana. Ren had agreed instantly, fondly remembering Hana's warm smile and loving eyes. They made their way through the forest slowly, making sure everything was in order before they left. As they walked, Ren picked up a strong scent, reminding her of the day she had first detected Ame's scent. It was fresh, meaning that the creature it belonged to had been here recently. She couldn't quite place the smell-but for some reason she thought that she knew what is was. She felt like she was missing a memory, and that disturbed her greatly.

"Do you smell that?" Ren asked.

"Yeah. And it's fresh," Ame said.

"I know this sounds ridiculous, but it almost smells like another wolf," she said.

"I was thinking the same thing. Let's sniff around, see if we can find anything," he answered.

"Howl if you do," Ren added. Ame nodded.

They split up, Ren going one direction and Ame going the other. She carefully looked behind bushes and trees, unsuccessfully trying to ease her nerves. Every little sound caused her to jump, the fur on the back of her neck standing straight up. Ren drew in large puffs of air, desperately trying to follow the unknown smell. Despite her best efforts, the scent ran cold, seeming to disappear entirely. How is that even possible? Her thought was interrupted by a howl splitting the air. Ame, she thought, streaking towards him.

Ren found Ame hunched over a patch of thick mud, deep in thought.

"What did you find?" Ren asked tentatively.

"Footprints," Ame grunted. "Have a look." She padded closer and examined the mud, seeing what appeared to be an imprinted set of human footprints. Whoever had left them had been barefoot.

"Did you find anything else?" she said.

"No, just this. The scent seemed to just vanish," Ame said.

"Yeah, exactly. I had the same problem and I didn't see anything at all. What do you think we should do?"

"Well, whoever was in the forest is long gone. Maybe Hana saw something that could help us. Are you still okay with paying her a visit?"

"Yes, of course."

They continued towards the edge of the forest, both wolves on edge and hyper-aware of their surroundings. Ame smelled the citrusy scent of fear emanating from Ren and noticed that she was deeply shaken.

"Are you alright?" he asked as they approached the last of the trees before Hana's property.

"I'm fine," she answered lamely.

Leaving the dense forest, Ren changed back into her human form behind a large bush, the warmth of her fur rapidly fading away. She gratefully pulled on the simple lavender sundress Hana had hidden specifically for moments like these. She stepped out to see that Ame had done the same. His face beamed as he looked her over, taking in her long silver hair, slender build, and playful grin. Ren thought that Ame looked strikingly attractive in his plain white shirt, pale skin contrasting sharply with his blue-black hair. They stood staring at each other for a few moments before Ren looked down, feeling her face deepen in color.

"Ready?"Ame asked. He reached his hand out, inviting her to take it.

"Yes," Ren replied, slipping her hand into his. Fingers entwined, they strolled up to Hana's front door, pushing the troubling scent aside.