Disclaimer: I do not own Wolf's Rain or any character's from it. I do own Pice or Pernicious, most of the birds, and I think the girl form of Toboe.
Author Note: Hay, all of you. I am so sorry this took me forever to get this up. See, I decided as a new years resolution, I shall get a chapter up as soon as possible. Meaning that they will not be many months apart. I had started work over the summer as a life guard and my hours got messed up. Then when school started, Math was really tough because I had this insane teacher who thought that in order to challenge us, his tests had to be made impossible. Finally, I got transferred out and everything was well, until I got in a fight with my friend and everything collapsed. Then Christmas break came and well, here I am. So without any more blab about my life, I present chapter 9. So here it goes:
Story Starts:
The next day, I was the first to wake. It was weird in a way because I am normally last. It was just something in me did not feel right about this new guy, Pice. The thing was, with all the other guys, I always felt a form of bondage to them. Some a little more then others, but a type of bondage like we were meant opt meet. But Pice, well he gave me chills and looked so familiar. It feels like I knew him once before, but where?
Still, I rarely listen to my instincts. I mean, this new guy was hot. He was, or in other words seemed, different then the other guys. Something almost untrustworthy, yet alluring. Maybe it was his mesmerizing eyes or his muscular body. Either way, something in me shut down the warning switch. I am a girl and a kid after all. It can't hurt to look, right?
Anyway, I went scouting after waking from a peace filled dream. As usual, I tuned up no food. There were no deer in sight, smell, or sound. It was as though nothing inhabited this forest. Even birds were nowhere in sight.
I headed back to where the guys were. Kiba and Hige were just waking as I sat down upon the ground. The new guy and Tsume were still fast asleep dreaming undisturbed dreams. "Hay Kiba," I said in a low voice so as not to wake the others. "What do you think of the new guy?"
"Not now, Toboe," he answered. "We will talk later." I did not get it, but then again, Kiba was hard to understand.
Kiba walked over to Tsume and tried to arouse him. As he did this, Tsume did not move to wake. He just continued to be lost in his dream. From the expression on his face, it seemed to be a good one.
"This one will watch over these two wolves. You three go ahead to town," said Cheza.
Kiba put a lot of trust in Cheza at that very moment. "Hige and Toboe, you two go into town and see if you can get some food. As for me, I will try to scout a way out of here." So, while Hige and I headed to town, Kiba climbed the hill again on a search for a new route.
Hige and I got separated upon entry to the city. Thank God that ahead of time we had set up a meeting spot. It was funny, but I think in a way we were suppose to be separated, otherwise, I would have never found the coat rake with the interesting jackets. There was a pink raincoat, a yellow raincoat, and a furry coat. Of course all ye know that I picked the fur one. I thought that if she had something like us, fur in particular; that she would fell more welcomed. Plus, it looked warmer than the others on the rake did.
At any rate, I swiped it and then took off back down the ally to where supposedly I was to meet Hige. Is this the place? Oh, if I don't find him…before I could even finish the thought, He showed up right beside me. I had to stop myself from hugging him, but I think he noticed the large amount of joy that overwhelmed me upon seeing him. Weird, but I guess that I have grown close to these guys even though our journey had only just started.
"Hay runt," he said. Once he saw the thing in my arms, though, his eyes grew wide in question. "What is that?"
As I showed him my parcel I said, "I thought she might be cold. What about you?" In his hand, he held not only the food for the pack, but also pink rain boats.
"Oh these," he said while holding the gift out to show me. "I thought the terrain would be too rough for her delicate feet." I gave him a face of pure annoyance and awe, for he teased me for something he also did.
We ended up heading back; each lost in our thoughts and anger toward each other. The funny part was he is the type of guy to expect a reward, if you know what I mean, while I on the other hand just did it to see joy. I guess I just did not want to see another friend die.
Anyway, on the way back, I felt eyes on me, but they were not Hige's. Being as curious as I am, I turned around then turned back quick as a whip. "Hige, I think someone is following us."
"What are you talking about, Runt?"
"Before, when I talked to a cat, he said that there is a ghost in the city." As I said that, he turned around twice. His face looked ghastly and sickly when he spoke again.
"I think it is following us." Oy Vay. Didn't I just say something like that. I mean, come on, guys can be so funny sometimes. They always have to see something for themselves. Oh well. "Let's run."
"Already ahead of you," I spoke upon taking off on a sprint. Down the city streets we went. Then out into the trees and into the camp where we had slept last night. We were greeted by the very angry voices of Tsume and Kiba. Pice was the one who truly caught our attention.
"Hay Guys!" he spoke as though to break the tension. The funny part was that he was apart of their tension. Even I saw it and I am supposed to be the naive one.
"What took you so long?" asked Kiba after breaking away from the intense discussion Tsume and him were having. Well, that's what he told me it was as though to calm me. Still, death glares were being exchanged between them.
"Sorry," Hige spoke while tossing the bag of food at Kiba. "I kept losing the runt." Almost on cue, I walked over to Cheza with the jacket.
"Hay kid, what is that?" asked Tsume.
"Tis' a present," I said. When I saw he was slightly confused, I spoke again. "You know, something that you give to someone that you care about." I draped it over her shoulders, but she just ignored it. It was as though she hated it. No smile spread across her lips.
"Kid, she does not even like it," said Tsume. Then to Hige he directed, "She is not going to like those either." Hige shattered his prediction. Cheza slipped her feet into them with grace then stood up swiftly and danced around elegently. Her body swayed to a beat only she could hear, yet even the goofiness seemed perfect. Almost all of us watched in aww. The one exception was…ya you guessed it…Pice. And I bet you also can predict whom he watched instead, so there is no point in going in depth. The only thing I can say is, I did not like it.
Anyway, at one point in time during my eye exchange with Pice, Cheza had stopped dancing. She instead looked toward the trees where the ghost Hige and I saw, in the city, stood. I think it was her scent that first drew me, followed closely by her appearance. At that point, I just pushed the whole Pice thing out of my mind.
She, that is the lady, held the same sent as Cheza and upon closer examination, had a similar appearance too. Her pink eyes studied us all intensely while her long, very long, lavender hair was brushed lightly by the wind. The only difference in was their age. The lady looked old and withered like a tree, but appeared strong and young hearted at the same time.
"She looks like this one," spoke Cheza. Kiba moved protectively toward her, Cheza that is. He seemed to not trust this new comer. I had no idea what to think, for I am not quick to judge those that I do not know. There are exceptions though.
"Who are you?" growled Kiba. This was a new tone that only he used when hatred overwhelmed him by Zali.
"You are wolves," said the old lady. A branch snapped in the forest about a quarter a mile away.
"I think we got more company," Pice said. For the first time since the maiden danced, he had pried his eyes from me. A small sigh of relief filled me, but not for long.
"Follow me. We need to talk, " this lady spoke up. As though led by a sting, we followed her. We raced over through the forest and over rocks. We traveled new path after new path till we finally came upon a door in a flower that covered a large tree.
The lady opened the door and ushered us in. At this point, I could tell that Kiba had built up the ability to trust her, but for how long it would last was unanswerable. The room was quaint with only one chair that Cheza claimed and a window by which Hige took a stand next to. Tsume and I stood opposite him against the wall and Kiba took up being the bodyguard of Cheza. The new guy, no I did not forget him if that is what you think, took the place next to the window closest to the door, but he was not watching to see if the danger had passed.
The lady finally entered and hushed us all. We each stood as silently as we could, but each heartbeat seemed to shatter the silence. Finally, the voices outside moved away and everyone relaxed while uncertainty grew.
"My name is not a word nor a sound. I am a number. I too was created from lunar flowers, but differ from Cheza in many ways. She is perfection, while I have some quirks. I am a Hanabito, a prototype," she paused and looked at us all. Then she continued, "At one point in time, Darcia created many of my kind. We flourished greatly in his land and got along even better. We protected you and watched over you. As time went by, scientists from a research lab came and took you away. They destroyed much of darcia's keep and murdered a few of my kind. Those that made it out alive did not know what to do with themselves. Most of them withered away. As for me, I hide away in this place that you see before your eyes, awaiting the day that you would return."
"But why this one?" Cheza asked.
"Because you are the perfect flower. You have many powers and were created to help this world."
"Cheza, come on," ordered Kiba as he tried to pry her from the chains this old lady was placing upon her.
"You must not go with the wolves. There is an old story that was handed down to me," spoke the lady. She took a deep breath, and then continued. "The wolf seeks out the flower and the flower seeks out the wolf. Neither shall meet for destruction shall fall."
"Come on Cheza. This lady has no idea what she is talking about," said Kiba.
""Please, do not go. You have the ability to be trained as a hanabito and take my place when I am gone. Do not go with these monsters." I could not believe my own ears. Ya, we were wolves that prayed upon other living things just like human, but monsters. What was she trying to imply with that word. I was going to ask Tsume, but it was not a good time.
A hush had fallen over all of us. Every one of us could not find an explanation, a comment to retract her words. Finally, Cheza spoke up, "This one wants to go to Paradise." The old lady filled with pain and sorrow.
"If that be your decision, then all I can offer thee is what is left of my sent. I wish thee much luck." With that, the old lady practically pushed us out her front door. We saw another lady outside the window as we made our way outside. This lady had blond hair and glasses. Her white lab coat told us that she was the one looking for Cheza. Her name, only know through over hearing, was Cher.
Four of us decided to block her while Kiba and Cheza made their way along the side of the cliff. Cher was greatly surprised and frightened by our bold move, but made no sound. She just stood stunned and shocked in one spot. She could not react. I felt bad for her, but knowing that there was a greater risk of her getting Cheza, I held strong.
When Kiba and Cheza were a safe distance away, we followed leaving behind the lady and shouts of others. Shouts so loud that one could tell from them that their holders were enraged.
We all split up upon reaching the city. To make it less conspicuous, once I got Cheza the pink jacket, I disappeared from them. A designation had already been set. We were to head to the junkyard to regroup. But when I got there, new meaning to fear came to me. The only person who was there at the time was Pice. How I hate him in my gut, but for no exact reason.
"So, where are the others?" I asked while trying to hold back the other words that wanted to pour out.
"Their on their way," he said. "How old are you kid?"
I did not like the way he asked it. It seemed almost sly like. "There is one thing about this pack that I am in. We don't ask questions about each other. When a person is ready to come out, we all listen."
"Jeez kid," he spoke. His body grew closer to mine as he spoke the next part. "Just thought…" Before he grew too close or finish his sentence, Tsume arrived. At that moment, a huge sigh of relief filled me. I felt so overwhelmed by his sudden appearance that I almost fainted, but held strong in the end. This new guy was really getting me nervous.
"Hay Tsume," I said. I was not sure if it was the desperation in my voice or the pleading look upon my face, but for some reason he knew there was something wrong. For the first time, he did crack a slight smile in response as thought to say everything will be okay.
"Hay guys," said Hige while coming over a different mound of garbage. "There is a rundown bus located here. Kiba and Cheza are already waiting, so hurry up."
Quitely we made our way toward it. Tsume's expression was already back to normal as though what I saw was only a figment of my imagination.
Tsume's POVI can't quite get this kid anymore. It was really odd when I came over the mound and he greeted me. His voice seemed off as though pleading me for help. I really don't get it, but then again, he was left alone with Pice, the new bastard of the group.
This new guy just does not seem all that trustworthy. Since he had arrived, he has been eyeing my Toboe. Did I just say my? No, I did not for I anin't gay. I am telling you all that if you have a problem with it, bring it on. Anyone feel like arguing with me. No takers, good, because I don't love the kid. He is just…what is the word…innocent and can easily be corrupted.
I just feel for him more then others. After all, I am the only who notices these little details. I guess it is my turn to play guardian. Wish me luck for there is not true love in me. I can't love, for the scar on my chest is proof of that. Maybe I can just protect. At lest then I can keep the big bad wolf, Pice, away from the little one. And I tell you all, I do not love Toboe. He is too young for me and I am defiantly not gay.
His hair and sent is so similar to a girl. To defenseless and easy to corrupt. Such large eyes and small cute nose. NO! NO! NO!…I am not gay!
Author's note again: Sorry about such a delay, I hope the next one is up earlier. Wish me luck and please please review. It will be greatly appreciated. Thank you! I had to add the Small Tsume POV. I just wanted to have…what's the word…a little fun. Oh, and just so you know, things are not always what they appear to be….
