Meeting a Stranger with the Wolves

~~~
I was in the kitchen cave cooking up todays breakfast when I heard shouting coming from the dens.

"Chizuru!"

When I heard my name being called, I rushed out to see what was going on. Every one of the wolves was outside, a look of suspicion fell across their face.

I walked over to Hijikata. "What's going on?"

He lifted his wolf nose into the air. "A stranger has just entered the forest."

My eyes widened. There was another human in here besides me? I squated down to Hijikata's height.

"Where are they?"

"He appears to be down by the lake-"

His last words were cut off as I ran at full speed towards the lake.

"Chizuru!?" I heard Heisuke's voice call my name but I didn't slow down.

I need to make sure I'm not the only one stuck here!

Trees rushed passed me as I willed my legs to go on. The lake was coming into view. I spotted a silhouette standing beside the big rock, looking across the lake.

I stopped a few feet away from him, he had short blonde hair and a brown kimono, but what really caught me was the color of his eyes.

It was a mesmerizing red, almost as mesmerizing as Hijikata's eyes. He didn't turn to look at me, but I knew that he knows I'm here.

"U-um..."

His head slowly turned to look at me. My hands went behind my back. "H-hello. I'm Yukimura Chizuru."

He gave a cocky smile and walked towards me. Instincts took over as a took a step back. He noticed and stopped. "Heh. You already afraid of me when you've never met me before?"

I gulped and bowed my head. "I-I'm sorry!"

I felt fingers under my chin as it was lifted up. My eyes widened as I met up with his red eyes. It seemed to suck me into it's power, my mouth opened. "Ahh..."

He smiled and brought his lips onto mine. I couldn't get away, my mind was only focused on his eyes, how it gave me a chill of pleasure as it went down my spine. I felt a sharp pain on my lip; he bit me.

He kept looking at me with those eyes, then I noticed that I was beginning to get weaker, my breathing coming out shallow.

My legs gave way and I fell onto my knees, a headache began to emerge from my head. I snapped back to reality and stared up at him.

"W-what the hell?!"

He smiled and leaned closer towards my ear.

"Kazama Chikage. You will be seeing more of me my princess, Yukimura Chizuru." I slapped him across the cheek.

"..."

"Chizuru! Are you okay?!" I looked behind Kazama and saw the wolves running towards me. Kazama noticed too and suddenly pressed his lips onto mine again.

"Mhm!" I broke the kiss and he smiled at me.

Then, he was simply just gone.

All of the wolves saw what had happened and were in raged.

Heisuke shifted back into his human form and punched the ground. "Shit, who was that guy?!"

Harada walked over to me. "Shut up Heisuke, you're scaring Chizuru-chan."

He kneeled in front of me and placed a hand on my head. "You okay?"

I nodded my head slowly, still confused on what had happened.

Everyone shifted into their human forms and sat around me. I broke out crying. "I-I don't know what just happened!"

Harada pulled me into his arms. "Shh. It's okay, okay."

My fingers gripped the back of his shirt. "Harada-san... I-I'm sorry for getting your shirt wet!"

Harada laughed.

Hijikata spoke up. "Why don't we take her back to the dens so she can calm down." Kondou nodded and the rest of the men followed him back to the dens.

I rested my head on Harada's broad shoulders, my tears now dry. I felt a touch under my leg as Harada lifted me up. "H-Harada-san?!"

He smiled at me. "Hey, I don't like seeing a girl cry. Whoever that guy was, I'll kill him for sure."

I rubbed my head on his shoulder. "You don't have to do that for me."

"I'd do anything for you."

I looked at him. "Did you say something?" He gave a dry cough.

"N-nothing, let's just get you home."

I nodded then set my head back on his shoulders and fell asleep.

Something was tickling my nose.

"A-achoo!"

My eyes flew open and I found myself staring at the ceiling of the dens. I rubbed my nose and saw a furry tail over my stomach.

I followed the tail to it's owner. It was Hijikata's. I poked his tail. "U-um. Hijikata-san?"

He lifted his head and looked at me. "Oh, you're awake."

He flicked his tail up and shifted into human form. I sat up and pulled my knees together. He sat next to me.

"Were you worried about me?"

Hijikata said nothing, I began to fidget.

"I don't like seeing you hurt. You've already been with us for a week and now it feels like you're one of us."

I looked over at him. "Hijikata-san..."

He gave a soft chuckle. "Huh, I don't know why, but ever since you came here, I've been more at ease."

A breeze welcomed itself into the cave, A strand of hair fell across my face. I lifted my hand to wipe it off but I found myself touching Hijikata's hand which was already caressing my cheek.

"You know, you look better with your hair down."

My face heated up. "Y-you think so?"

Hijikata shrugged. "Women are strange beings. They do what ever it takes to get something. They can be greedy or wanting."

I narrowed my eyes. "Hey!"

Hijikata chuckled again. "But they are something a man can fight for." He looked at me straight in the eye, his violet eyes seem to glow with a warm color. I didn't know what to say. After that speech, you couldn't possibly respond with a smart comeback.

"U-um..."

He suddenly brought his hand up and moved a strand of hair behind my ear. "I found that someone to fight for."

My heart pounded furiously, threatening to tear out of my chest.

"H-Hijikata-san..."

He pulled away and stood up, brushing the dirt away from his clothes. "Well, I better get ready for patrol."

I looked up at him. "T-thank you for taking care of me up until now!"

He sighed and gave me his glare. "Don't forget to make the dinner and if you ever mention what just happened-"

I nodded my head quickly. "I won't!"

His lips softened and then walked out of the den.

I hugged my knees and smiled. Hijikata-san can have a sweet side too, huh, who knew?

I got up and noticed something shiny next to my mattress. I bent down and saw my silver pins.

I haven't put my hair up in a bun for a while now...

I grabbed the two pins and started to arrange my hair. I slid the two pins in and looked at my reflection in the bucket of water. Wow, after all this time it still looks good! I patted the bun and walked to the entrance of the cave.

"Hrrk!"

My headache returned and I clutched my head. W-why is it worse than last time?

My breathing came out quick and sweat poured down my neck.

"A-ahhh!"

I let out a scream and then suddenly, the pain stopped. I fell to the floor of the cave, gasping heavily.

What's wrong with me?! I heard a pair of footsteps coming towards me.

"Chizuru?! Why'd you scream?!"

I looked up and saw Nagakura-san with a worried expression on his face.

I shook my head. "I-It's nothing! I thought a saw a shadow in the corner of the cave. It turns out that it was mine."

Nagakura sighed. "After what happened today I'm not surprised that you're still shakened up. Just don't push yourself too hard 'kay?"

I nodded.

Nagakura smiled at me. "You look cute with a bun."

I blushed. He laughed and walked out of the cave. I sighed.

I had a strange feeling that the encounter with Kazama had something to do with my headaches, and if it was, then nothing will be the same around here again.

So... tired... of... typing... T_T Dont forget to review! (Gets motivated after just one review) ^o^