猟師、オオカミとキツネpt. 2

The hunter, wolf and fox

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.

We now continue where we left off. The room was dead silent. Naoko couldn't believe what she was hearing. She had tried so hard to prove that Ryoshi was worthy for Ryoko, and now she didn't even notice that he was the one who truly saved her. She kept blatantly glaring at Ryoshi. Come on already Morino-kun, tell her what really happened!

"Is something wrong Kitsune-san?" Ryoko asked. Naoko then glared at everyone else. They saw what had happened, why aren't they saying anything? She wondered in frustration.

"Um anyways, if you're feeling better now Ryoko, we can go out and get something to eat. I'm sure you'd want to forget about today." He offered. Naoko clenched her fists in frustration as conversing and happy chatter began filling the air. She finally snapped and grabbed him by his collar.

"Lying bastard…" she growled angrily through her clench teeth. The prattle ceased and all eyes fell on her. She gave him a strong tug, forcing him to meet her at eye level. Ryoshi met her eyes and saw the blue flames of anger that lit in her eyes. At that moment only, he wasn't afraid of being stared at, or staring.

"You lie to yourself, you lie to her… you think everything's going to be okay." She berated her voice ever so firm, yet she herself looked like she was about to collapse by her anger. She then stared at the floor, still gripping Ryoshi's collar. "Why can't you tell her, why can't any of you say anything." She began to whisper, almost to herself. He tried to reach for her hand, but she swatted it away and hurried out the door.

"Kitsune-san, wait!" Ringo called. Ryoko watched as Naoko run away.

"I'll go after her." she said, grabbing her clothes and shoes that lay beside her on a dresser.

"But you're still hurt, I'll go get her." Ryoshi interceded.

"I'm fine now, don't worry about it." she assured. "I don't know what's wrong with Kitsune but I'll find out for myself." She said, speedily changing behind the curtain and then sprinting after Naoko.

###

She was fast. She had already left the premises of the hospital and all the way to the dorms. Fortunately, Ryoko manage to keep up with her and soon confront her. She snatched Naoko by the arm, compelling her to halt in her tracks.

"Kitsune." She called. "Kitsune!" she shouted again, giving her a tug. "What's wrong with you, just tell me." Ryoko demanded. Naoko clenched her teeth, suddenly spun around and seized Ryoko's wrist harshly.

"How about you tell me." she said in a hushed voice. The grip on Ryoko's wrist became grew painfully tighter.

"Ryoko, you're glad that I saved you right, and now you're going off and pretending like nothing ever happened; because that solves everything right?" Naoko tongue lashed mercilessly, then pushing Ryoko around, wrist still in her tight grasp. Ryoko became still and frightened. She was bewildered by such behavior and the feeling was obvious in her mien, but Naoko didn't care. She continued her berating.

"Ryoshi was the one who saved you, he just didn't tell you!" she shouted hatefully, jostling her again, this time with more force. Ryoko began trembling in fear. "He didn't tell you because of what you said you liar! I'm not blind; your eyes were still open when the others came. Why Ryoko, why can't you tell the truth; why, why!"

The pain caused from the constricting hold on her wrist was growing unbearable. Small tears formed in her eyes. "Let go!" she cried, pushing Naoko away. She pushed away too forcefully and her back struck the brick wall near them. Naoko grabbed her by the shoulders. She couldn't let Ryoko get away, not until she was finished.

"Look at me Ryoko Okami, look at me!" she ordered loudly. She kept crying "let go!" or "stop!" but Naoko didn't want to comply.

"Listen to me Ryoko; Ryoshi is your friend right? You like him and he likes you, we've already established that! If Ryoshi was to tell you the truth, you'd shove it aside and pretend it was no big deal, even though you saw what happened with your own eyes. For the past few days I've stuck by your side and I've watched your back and so has Ryoshi. I don't think you're the type of person who rely on people to protect you, and shove them aside, or is that really the person you are!" she shoved Ryoko's back to the wall. She shuddered; her eyes were wide and constantly shifting.

"Th-that's not it…" she began her voice weak and shaky. "I want… I need to be stronger." Her voice steadied a bit. "I don't want to rely on anybody, I'm not relying on anyone!" she cried.

"Bullshit!" Naoko cursed loudly. "You and I both know it; you can't be stronger by yourself. If you keep this up you'll be weak forever!"

Suddenly the two broke apart. The two looked and saw Liszt the other Otogi members. Ryoko seized her chance and ran away.

"What the hell's your deal?" Naoko shouted angrily.

"It won't be good if you let her escape." He said suddenly, and then looked up at Ryoshi. "Isn't that right; anyways will you follow?" he asked. Ryoshi froze. He didn't know what that meant.

"Ryoshi, come we have to follow her. She's close to a breakthrough I know it. C'mon Ryoshi, follow Okami, chase after your prey!" she implored. He got it. With that the two ran in different directions and chased after the wolf.