"Everything will change. Nothing will stay the same. Be ready."

-Unknown.


We had passed the barrier. After almost two hours of trekking through the woods in the darkness Gabriel had pointed towards absolute darkness and told me to look closely. I thought he was crazy but I did as told. When I peered closer I saw the barrier. It was emitting a dim white glow far from where we were. Now, we were wondering through the soft forest with certain peacefulness. This forest was very green and very thick. It was amazing. The trail was towered over by century year old trees. All sorts of critters were following behind us with curiosity.

It felt like a scene out of a nature film, to be honest. The air was amazingly light and I swear it felt like the air around us was glowing. I didn't even know how that was possible but it was. You could tell that this forest was completely untouched by any humans. I was absolutely star-struck. My eyes were wide with wonder and awe. I know Gabriel was extremely amused by my reaction but didn't comment on it as we continued to venture deeper into the thick forest.

"Why are they following you?" I asked Gabriel as a doe started to follow closely behind me.

Gabriel snorted lightly, "They are not following me, Lady Serena, they are following you." He clarified with a slight smirk.

I furrowed my eyebrows at him, "Why? Aren't you the Kitsune?" I pointed out lamely.

Gabriel threw me a slightly dry look, "Yeah but you're the human Kitsune: the first in our history. They're automatically drawn to you. Your presence gives him comfort. They normally ignore us so, I'm a bit surprised." Gabriel explained lightly.

I stopped walking and the doe behind me almost ran into my back. It snorted and gently nudged its black nose against my arm. I slowly turned around and giggled. The doe was lightly colored with pretty hazel eyes. I gently reached my hand out towards it and it automatically nudged her head into my palm eagerly. I grinned happily and stroked her softly as a few bunnies and squirrels crept up towards me with curiosity. They sniffed at my feet and I felt a raccoon drop down from a branch and onto my shoulder swiftly.

I laughed and stroked its chin. It chattered happily and placed tiny black paws on my face while chattering excitedly up to its other friends on the branches. "They're definitely taking a liking to you." Gabriel observed with a soft smile on his fox-like features. I sent him a happy grin and petted a few bunnies before walking over to him. The raccoon stayed happily occupied my shoulder by leaning half on its body over my shoulder so its face was near mine.

It was such an odd and lazy position for the raccoon that I had to laugh at its silliness. "Are their other creatures here as well?" I wondered from beside Gabriel.

I saw him nod, "Yeah, we have various other mythical creatures that reside within the safety of the barrier. They mostly tend to stick to themselves but we do see them from time to time. Some are friendly and others merely ignore us which is fine as long as they do not attack us." Gabriel explained breezily.

"Wow, so, we do act like their guardians?" I questioned with wide, excited eyes.

Gabriel chuckles, "Yes, although they don't like to admit it. We find more and more creatures asking for passage into our territory because humans are expanding into their homes and they have nowhere else to go." He says with a slightly sad tone.

"How large is this territory?" I asked curiously.

"Well, with each new creature our territory expands a couple of miles and with the amount of creatures residing here…I believe the territory is almost as large as Honolulu." He said with a thoughtfully.

I gasp, "Wow, that's so big!" I said.

Gabriel chuckles and nods I continue to ask him various questions for about fifteen minutes until a growl stopped Gabriel in his tracks. His eyes narrowed slightly as I heard the animals behind us scatter instantly all except the light colored doe and raccoon on my shoulder. "What was that?" I wondered quietly.

"Kokako," Gabriel answered very quietly, "The exiled beast from Heaven. His territory is from far here. I wonder if he sensed you and made the journey down here." Gabriel muttered quickly and I was lucky I was able to catch his words before something rustled from the bushes ahead of us. Exiled beast from Heaven? I thought with wonder. There was another powerful growl but it was low and rumbling. I felt the earth quiver at the sound. Slowly, something came forward and I was completely breathless as a magnificent creature revealed itself.

The beast was larger then anything I've ever laid eyes on and that was saying something. It took the form of a white tiger but had white wings that laid flat on his back. The beast also had massive, long, rugged horns on the top of its head and its tail almost seemed bird-like as it swayed behind him. Its obsidian eyes stared directly at me with blank emotions.

It released another low, non-threatening growl as it stalked forward silently. It surprised me. With how massive and heavy he looked I was expecting him to be so silent. Gabriel tensed in front of me and quietly murmured, "Kokako," Almost in warning.

The beast snarled lowly in reply and glared at Gabriel. The fox sighed rubbing his face, "I had suspicion that you were curious but you mustn't startle her. She doesn't understand you yet." Gabriel spoke quietly.

The beast, Kokako, snorted but nodded his head and glared at Gabriel. Gabriel looked over his shoulder, "He's very curious. He won't harm—" I flew by Gabriel and stared up at Kokako with amazement. "Well, I guess you don't care if the beast rips your arm off." I heard his sarcastic mutter. I ignored him and stared up at the wonderful and amazing beast that was Kokako. He was absolutely beautiful and stunning. He stood tall and proud as he peered down at me with curious, black eyes.

"You are beautiful, aren't you?" I murmured with pure amazement as I reached out fearlessly to stroke the his chest since I wasn't even tall enough to reach his face. He froze and chuffed at me and I giggled.

"Lady Serena, you shouldn't boldly reach out to pet him. He isn't—" Kokako snarled at Gabriel. The sounds making the air around me quiver. "Fine, fine." Gabriel muttered with defeat opting to keep quite now.

Kokako chuffed again as laid down so our faces were somewhat leveled. Even when he was lying down, he managed to tower over me. He lowered his face so our eyes locked. I was completely and utterly breathless. He was truly beautiful. I couldn't get over the fact. I smiled happily as I placed my face against his forehead murmuring, "You are truly a magnificent creature, Kokako, I'm very happy to meet you."

He made a sound almost close to a purr. I pulled back with a massive grin, "I'm Serena Uley. I'm very pleased and honored to meet you." I introduced myself brightly. It chuffed again and rubbed its nose against my side. He was surprisingly gentle and I giggled stroking the size of his muzzle. I definitely felt tiny compared to him.

"We should keep on moving, Serena; we have to reach the village before midnight." Gabriel spoke up quietly with slight hurry in his voice.

I turned to look at him with a pout, "But I want to stay here with Kokako." I said sadly.

Kokako rumbled with a growl almost in agreement with my words. Gabriel gave a small smile, "You will have the rest of the morning tomorrow to explore our home but for now, we must make haste to the village." Gabriel explained as Kokako stood up to his full height growling something towards Gabriel.

"Yeah, I had a feeling you'd follow." Gabriel stated dryly as he began to walk forward. I laughed and happily followed Gabriel with a raccoon on my shoulder, a doe, and a banished beast from Heaven following very closely. This was definitely a sight to behold and I wished dearly that my friends and family were here to see this. It was absolutely amazing how quickly life for seem to turn out. One moment, I was having a goody bye party with some close friends and the next I was sent to live with Sam and finding out that werewolves and vampires existed.

Thinking back on everything that had happened this single week definitely made me dizzy; this was definitely a story to tell to mother when I got back home. It made me kinda sad that I would be leaving this place so soon but hopefully I could visit. With that thought, I allowed my eyes to peer through the thick cluster of trees and bushes. My eyes caught sight of a beautiful creature grazing around the tree line. It looked like a rhino but it looked ancient. It looked like it had slept in a cave for thousands of years and woken up. It had three horns that looked like tree branches and even had pink flowers sprouting at the tips.

Most of its body was covered in moss and mushrooms but it made the creature look so majestic and breath-taking and as if feeling my gaze, it lifted its head and its pale white eyes stared right at me. I smiled softly and it nodded its head in acknowledgment. I was thrilled.

"We're never going to reach the village before midnight at this rate," Gabriel sighed with slight annoyance, "You've attracted a harpy." He looked over his shoulder and towards me.

I blinked, "A harpy? Wow, really?" I said with bright eyes.

Gabriel shook his head, "Harpies aren't exactly kind creatures. We've had trouble keeping peace with them. They tend to be very cruel." Gabriel spoke softly eying the road ahead of us.

Not a second later did a rustle from the trees above us grab my attention. The little guy on my shoulder squeaked and swiftly hid his face in my hair. Kokako paid no mind but stopped walking just like I did. Hanging in the trees was a slender woman. She was partially naked with only a cloth covering her breasts and waist. Her lower body was in the trees while the upper half was staring down at us. She had no arms but in their place were dark brown wings. She had a long dragon-like tail with spikes. Her face was darkly beautiful and sorrowful with a pair of soulful dark brown eyes and long, wild dark curls adorning her strong face.

Her tail was extremely long and it was then that I noticed that her tail was gripping on the tree branch supporting her weight. Her wings were so long that they almost touched my face. She was dark but beautiful. Despite if they were cruel they were so breath-taking and stunning.

"Wow," I whispered awe-struck, "You're quite beautiful." I found myself blurting out.

She blinked down at me with curious, soulful eyes, "The legends were true then." Her voice was raspy and deep but it held certain elegance.

"Yes, even had Kokako traveling to see her." Gabriel spoke up.

Her eyes darted impatiently towards Gabriel before turning them onto Kokako and resting on me, "Your name, fox girl?" She asked in a softer more respectable tone.

I gave a small smile, "Serena and yours?" I asked.

Her eyes filled with slight wonder as she ignored my question and tried my name out on her tongue, "Serena…" My name sounded so foreign to her as she pulled herself higher into the tree branches but kept eyes on me, "Fitting." She said quietly that I almost didn't hear her before she vanished swiftly into the thick tree tops.

"She's gorgeous." I muttered.

"Yes, yes, hopefully none others will interrupt our trip. We're already late." Gabriel grabbed my hand and started walking at a brisker pace. I kept up easily as Kokako rumbled from beside me most likely directing a question to Gabriel. I was correct when Gabriel spoke up, "Would you rather have her transformation go wrong?" His tone was sarcastic.

Kokako gave a warning snarl but didn't make another sound. Much to Gabriel's relief, no other creatures made their presence know. I soon catch smell of cooked meat and herbs as we neared a clearing that half a giant fire in the middle. As we came closer I was huts and small clay houses soon I saw figures. This is when I started to get nervous. What was going to happen now that we were here? My mind was racing with worst case scenarios. I felt Kokako brush his nose against my forehead almost reassuring me that I would be fine and I was very grateful for the gesture.

As we came into the entrance I saw an elderly woman that resembled Gabriel, only, she had soft green eye instead of baby blue. She smiled kindly in welcoming, "Welcome home, Gabriel and our kindest greeting, Lady Serena." She said in a soft, powerful voice.

I smiled at her shyly, "Hello and thank you."

The elderly woman looked behind us to our extended company, "Kokako," She said softly with a warm smile and I felt Kokako snort in reply, "Amie," The doe made a noise of greeting, "I see the thief who has been stealing our jam and berries is here as well, Ekko." Her kind eyes were set on the raccoon on my shoulder. Humor was evident in her tone. Ekko pointedly ignored her and took interest in playing with my hair.

"I sense the harpy, Jinx, is also following." I was surprised. I had thought the harpy left because she lost interest.

"Come, midnight is only a few minutes away. We've already prepared everything." She gently took my hand and led me into the village. I saw a few fox Kitsune's and some in human form all staring at me with awe-like wonder and curiosity. I was extremely nervous. "No need to be afraid, Lady Serena, no ill will will come to you." She assured gently as we walked past the village and down a path decorated with all types of gems that were large in size. Small and glowing dust particles fell from the sky and drifted slowly towards the ground.

I wish Jacob was here. Despite all the excitement I was feeling I felt like huge part of me was gone. Jacob wasn't here and that made me very sad now that I thought about it. I really wished he had been able to come along.

A few minutes of walking and we came to a meadow. The meadow was breath-taking. Flowers of all sorts grew here and some looked different and odd which I was assuming was the Kistune's own flowers. A small waterfall was nearby and also a quiet river. Willow trees decorated the meadow as well and the biggest one was in the middle of the meadow. It kinda reminded me of the willow tree in Pocahontas.

"Come," She beckoned me as Ekko jumped off of my shoulder and landed on the shoulder of Gabriel, "The transformation will start soon." She murmured as she led me towards the large willow tree. I noticed that the others had stayed behind. In front of the willow tree, on the ground, were roots forming a large circle. The woman beckoned me to sit in the middle of the root circle. I quietly abided.

"I will be giving you this," She took out a small bottle from her fur coat. The bottle was very small but held unknown pink and purple liquid, "It will dull the pain of the transformation and make you fall into a sleep. This way you do not feel any pain or are awake. If you wish to stay awake you could but the risk of you hurting yourself would increase." She spoke as she handed met he bottle.

I blinked at the bottle and nodded at her in understanding, "It's probably better if I slept." I found myself saying. Gabriel did mention this part but I was still confused on many things that were going to happen. The woman saw my look and gave a gentle and kind smile.

"You're questions will receive answers but for now, let us get through this part of your journey, sweet Serena." She nodded towards the bottle. I swallowed uneasily and nodded before popping the cork and bringing the small bottle to my lips. The strange and thick liquid tasted like fruit and medicine but it went down my throat quite quickly. I coughed slightly and wiped at my mouth ad s a certain warmth began to caress my body. I felt immediately hazy and warm. I found myself being lured into a promising sleep as I sleepily laid my head on the ground without a second thought.

_break_

"Did she die?" A child-like voice asked.

"Why are you still here, thief?" That was Gabriel.

"Quit it before I eat you both." A slightly demonic voice snarled quietly and I felt the snarl shake the ground. What was going on again? Did the transformation really happening? Were the voices I was hearing Kokako and Ekko?

"She should've been awake by now, Gabriel." A soft, feminine voice whispered a bit worriedly. Was that the doe, Amie?

"The sun is almost up on, fox, why is she taking so long to wake? Have your people poisoned her?" Kokako accused angrily. I felt something shift and I groaned in protest as I sat up rubbing my eyes—wait. I frowned—wait why did I feel weird? Opening my eyes I saw my vision was clearer then before. I felt weird. Why did I feel weird? Why did I feel small? Why was I small?!

Gabriel was sitting criss cross in front of me with Ekko in his lap. Amie was rested against Gabriel and all three of them were looking intently at me with amazement and wonder. I scurried back and felt my legs—wait, no, I didn't have legs. I had paws. With a small shriek I fell back against a wall of solid fur. Shyly I looked up and saw Kokako's obsidian eyes peering down at me with amusement.

"Easy there, ilit kulass, do not freak out." Kokako soothed.

What the hell did he just call me? Why did I have fur? Why did I have paws? Why was I so small? Ekko was bigger then me! I glared at Gabriel and marched wobbly over to him growling, "Why am I so small?" I demanded fiercely in a tone that wasn't quite mine. It sounded too powerful for my liking.

Gabriel looked a bit wide eyed as Ekko sniggered, "Someone's in trouble with Lady Serena."

"She's so small it's hard to find her truly scary." A new, familiar voice scoffed from the tree. Looking up I saw the harpy from earlier, Jinx, but despite the sarcastic tone in her voice I saw the pure wonder in her dark brown eyes.

I turned to Gabriel and demanded answers, "Now." I added.

Gabriel rubbed the back of his head, "Well, we weren't sure if you would transform into your mature fox or your baby fox. It seems that you shifted into your baby form but rests assure that you can simply wish yourself bigger in the size and bam, you will." Gabriel explained with a goofy but nervous grin.

"That's not what the old hag said," Ekko pointed out with a mischievous tone, "She said Lady Serena would have to stay in this form for a few days before her mature form can take place." Ekko bluntly stated.

"Why are you here, thief? Maybe I should make a nice fuzzy hat out of you!" Gabriel snarled with his ears lying flat on his head and his human teeth beginning to take a sharp point.

Ekko squeaked and quickly sought shelter behind me. I huffed and said, "How long am I to stay in this form? Can I transform back into a human?" I demanded as I took curiosity in my twin fox tail. Oh, I bet I looked pretty damn cute as a fox. I wonder what Jacob would say.

"Well, you have three forms," Gabriel explained, "One if your fox form, the other is your human form, and the last is your foxed out human form. All other Kitsune's only have their fox and foxed human form. You have three because you were born as a human." He said with a thoughtful expression on his face.

"You have to remain in this form for at least twelve hours which is why we are returning to you to your home around afternoon. We can't return you in a baby fox form they'll surely throw a fit and try to skin me alive." Gabriel finished.

"Oh," I mumbled and looked down at my fiery orange and white paws. Damn, they looked fuzzy. I probably did look adorable, "What color am I? I'm probably the normal color of a fox, huh?" I wondered as I pranced around trying out my new form.

"Well, you were pure white earlier when Kokako moved to warm your tiny body and then you were a light muddy brown when you first woke so; I'm assuming your fur changes colors to your will. This is delightfully odd." Gabriel furrowed his eyebrows down at me as I looked up at Kokako's gigantic form.

He had been huge before but now, he was massive. Kokako looked entirely amused as I stared up at him in complete wonder. This was so cool but man, I couldn't wait until I went back home and told everyone my journey. Although, I did feel a bit sad that I had leave such cool friends behind; maybe they could come with? No, that would put them in danger and I don't want them getting hurt because of me.

"What time is it?" I wondered as I compared paws with Kokako.

"Around eight in the morning," Gabriel responded, "We should've left but since you woke up late I believe my grandmother is going to transport us back to L.A Push so you can return in your human form." Gabriel answered sheepishly.

I was too observed looking between Kokako's insanely huge paw and my tiny one. It was absolutely scary but amazing. I was certainly having too much fun with this. "Here, Lady Serena, I bought you berries in case you were hungry." Ekko said shyly as he shoved a pile of berries towards me.

"You mean berries you stole from the village, thief." Gabriel remarked sarcastically.

"You say potato I say tomato." Ekko waved him off.

"That's not the saying." Amie replied wittingly.

"Like you would know Bambi." Ekko retorted.

"Bambi? Oh, you think you're a clever one, aren't you rodent?" Amie hissed narrowing her wide eyes at the raccoon. I found myself laughing, well, I thought I was laughing but I was pretty sure I was doing something between squeaking and growling. I contently ate the berries and wondered what could possibly be next on this journey. I was more then eager to get back home and boy, was I ready to tell my family everything that happened on the few hours that I had gone. It was amazing that it hadn't even been a day and yet it felt like this journey took a lifetime.

I was conflicted but I was very eager to see my family but I would return soon to visit my new friends here in the Kitsune territory.