Chapter 10
Author's note: Hay all, I am not going to write a lot, so don't worry. Ok, so I have deserted you all for the last time. I promise to get these chapters out sooner, not like this last one. Let's all just leave it at: me now in a dorm at the college of my choice for a second year. So enough about me and my procrastination…on with the story…..
Disclaimer: I own none of the Wolf's Rain characters, though have received many of them in boxes as a gift from my friends because my obsession goes beyond the norm….Anyway, I do own Pice and the crows and owls (I actually can claim people, yay me!) ducks flying keyboard ok on with the story…
Recap(cause it has been such a long time since I have written this, a very long time): we left our wolves in the junkyard and Pice had been coming onto Toboe. Tsume had just walked in on them before anything could happen. But a las, the gray wolf picked up on the tension and decided to become the guardian for the young one meanwhile contemplating whether he loves him/her, my brown little wolf with mix gender issues. But does he have other intentions by taking on this role? Or does he just want to protect innocence and hope for the future? Will Kiba land the girl? Will Pice be the one to win her heart? So many questions (oh, I am so cynical)…
And so we start (at long last):
The mounds of garbage were not such a treacherous climb as one would expect nor was the path confusing. It was the eyes that seemed to fall on me with ever step I took and every breath I breathed. I felt so…so useless and uncertain. If it was not Pice checking me out, then Tsume seemed to be on the verge of getting extremely angry at my speed. Their signals were so entwined into one another that I felt like a porcelain doll, that they felt they must watch over. I did not mind it too much, but I did not want them to find me out. I did not want to know what would happen if they did…the dread was just too much.
"Hurry up" Hige joked as he waved us over to this run down corroding metallic bus that probably would fall apart if not for the strong frame and the age it had yet to reach.
We entered cautiously, dreading each step as though it might bring down the whole structure. "Come on, there is little time to dread this structure," Kiba lectured. "We are leaving tonight at the stroke of midnight. Hige, Tsume, Pice, and I will all go to get food and check out routes to escape. Toboe you stay with Cheza and keep quite."
No one argued. No one brought up what had happened in over the last few minutes. We knew the danger and knew the lies and deceit needed to escape in one piece. Danger was all around us slowly creeping in on us on each side and dragging our spirits down with each step they attempted. The thing was we were one step ahead of them; they just did not know this…
They left with ease and grace slipped out like snakes upon their pray. One would not believe that they were wolves and not humans, they were able to blend in so well with the ways of society and there was not a lot a fear of discover nor death with their graceful movements.
Kiba was the last to leave and with his movement, he left a string of words in the air, "There is not much to gain, but we can lose so much because of a well kept secret…" He was gone before I could even reply. His words pounded into my head a meaning I was so oblivious to. One that I wanted so badly to forget and just curl up in a ball to sleep an eternity away. Yeah I was one of those who preferred to hide and not face the reality…
I was going to. I was slowly lying down with my head on top of Cheza's lap and my tail wrapped between my legs. I closed my eyes and let myself fall into the dream world with Cheza's hand upon my head…all was going to be at peace with the flower maiden so near to me. But it was not my luck. Not my luck at all.
"Little one, why do you hide one's identity?" Cheza asked.
I was silent and scared. This was the one being that I was supposed to trust…I needed to trust. "I hide …I hide because I don't want to repeat the past. After all, are not wolves shunned by society?"
I tiny frown filled her eyes as she spoke with more compassion, "This one knows that you are a girl. This one just wants to know why?" Her hands ran along my spin deeply rooted in finding the core of my structure. It was soothing in a way and a reminder of a past I longed to forget. It had to be told…I just wished so deeply that I could have held it longer.
"Oh, that. Well, it goes back to when I lived with my grandma. She asked me to hide my identity as a present, almost. It was her last wish, so I continue to honor it." The words poured out as though they were the only truth that I knew. There was no lie in them, only a small hint of deceit.
"This one does not think one's grandma would want their grandchild to suffer so. This one wants to know? This one wants to help fix it." She seemed so persistent in knowing the reason…so sure that she could fix it. But there was nothing to fix, nothing that can be changed.
"Cheza, I am sorry, but there is nothing to fix. I just don't trust them. Any of them. Pice specifically. I fear they will reject me or worse fight over me. I just want to live happily among them. So please, please, don't tell them." My eyes watered as I stared at her in human form. My knees were tucked under me as though I wished to beg for mercy. And mercy was practically what I was wishing for.
"This one will not say anything, but this one would like to say one thing. This one believes that with a family, one can always trust the others even if it seems most unlikely. To masquerade in a costume, this one believes that it will one day have to come off once trust is found."She spoke with compassion and comfort. I believed her words and trusted her to always keep this secret. But I also heeded her words with understanding, yet ignored that they would ever come true in the future.
"Thank you," I spoke with surety. Then I decided to find a new topic. As hard as it might be to forget that we had talked about my past, I was sure that there was a bright future ahead. "I like the idea of friends waiting on other friends." Cheza looked at me with the urge to know more. "What I mean is that when friends wait for each other, it shows true kindness and trust. What about you"
"This one likes the idea too." He smile light up her face that I had to look away for a second because deep down I knew that trust was something that I had been taking for granted, still I persevered…or at least tried till I looked up. But when I did, my eyes watched as she raised her chin to the little hole in the ceiling where the tiniest of light fluttered in. She was so angelic looking with her eyes closed and the little ray brightening her pale skin.
When she finally looked back at me with eyes of glimmering roses, the most unexpected words filled the air with their fragrance. "This one is full." This was a little surprising, but I did not know why. She was a flower after all. To her feeding on the sun's rays and drinking water from the pound are all natural steps to preserve her life.
I laughed at this small action. She looked at me concerned. "This one wants to know why you laugh?"
My giggles slowly subsided. "I just find it interesting that you are able to find some form of comfort in this small disastrous, run-down bus. So, what do you want to talk about, because I don't think the guys will be back soon."
"This one wants to talk about Tsume," she spoke with interest.
"Why him?" I asked all innocent like. I think a slight blush gave me away.
"This one wants to know your feelings toward…" she fell silent as the subtle sound of footsteps filled the air. They did not seem dangerous, but still slightly unrecognizable. So before anything happened, I lightly pushed Cheza down behind one of the seats. I was too late to hide and I knew it, so I stood my ground in human form readying any excuse that could explain my being there.
But they were not needed. There was nothing that could prepare me for what happened next…
Dear readers…I think I am going to leave you here for the time being. After all, I should get this chapter up before you all kill me for not putting one up in over TWO years. Sorry again about that. YIKES geez watch where you aim those Nerf gun darts, they hurt. I will continue. K? Are we back on good terms. Good. So here it goes again.
Ok, so we were at where Toboe was unprepared for an unexpected guest. Who could it be…
He walked with ease and mischievousness plastered across his face. He had the eyes and lips in the shape of a grin that spoke of knowing something I didn't know. His footsteps drew closer; I was the only one in is eyesight as if I was prey. This startled me a bit, more than anything else that could be spoken. I needed to prolong this, prolong it till they came back. Only the other wolves could be my protection.
"Hay Pice. What's wrong? You don't look that well." He kept moving closer and I was running out of space to back up. The wall was mere footsteps from housing my back. He wasn't loosing speed or sight.
"Nothing my dear Toboe. You look like you have seen a ghost." He spoke with concern, but his eyes deceived him. Deceived him so well, that I knew right away there was no escaping him.
My palms began to sweat. I hated this feeling of being closed in with no escape. It felt like something from the past, but the memory was so well hidden meaning it had not been a good one. I could barely breathe when I felt the cold wall close upon my spin. His hands drew up and grabbed a strand of hair. His fingers lingering on it like they were remembering its feel from way back. But I could not remember him for the life of me. That is what scared me the most.
"Tsume," I spoke in a low whisper as a warning. For behind us there was angel who had heard my silent cry, or at least answered my silent prayer. He looked annoyed in his eyes, but stood in the doorway like a statue unfazed by the scene.
"What's going on?" he asked in his normal tone. There was no sign of peace or trust when he spoke. He just wanted answers.
"Nothing, man. Just a bug that started this young boy. So you can get your testies out of a knot." His smirk told me all I needed to know. There was nothing kind in the things he spoke of. He was just doing everything to piss off this grown guy who was someone unable to be broken.
"Well, if that is so, then I guess Toboe can answer for himself. But from what I saw it didn't seem to be a bug. It looked to be a big rat that just won't go away. Just remember, man, there are many who are willing to kill if it ever came to that." Tsume, what was I to do with him. Even when it seemed so likely that he defended me, it was as though he just wanted to pick a fight. What is with the male species? They ALWAYS seem to find anything to fight over because they want to feel their claws ripe something. Or just to have the taste of blood on their tongue when their very fangs pierce the flesh. What was I to do but try to play peacemaker, though, I really wouldn't mind watching them ripe each other apart. Maybe then Tsume would…sigh.
"It's ok Tsume. It really was just a bug. Thank you for your concern anyway." I wanted to hug him, but knew better by now. I also knew that he would not unlock eyes with Pice for a while…at least until we started to move again. Yet this action was kind of refreshing.
Kiba and Hige eventually came back even though ice daggers were flying with greater force then an owl that plummets to the ground to capture its pray. I just wanted to think, and so I did when the others talked about the plan. Tsume never spoke a word about what had happened nor did any of them ask. It was as though there was this silent war streaming through the group and I felt I happened to be in the middle. Even when I was sitting with Cheza to just have some privacy, it felt even stranger and almost tense. Still, it would eventually blow over, right?
When night finally drew close, we separated into two groups and left the bus. Tsume, Hige and Pice went to the military camp to act as distractions. Kiba, Cheza, and I went back to the old lady's house so that Cheza could say her farewell. For once I was happy to have to have to crawl through sewer pipes in the city and scurry through the forest. It just meant that I did not have to be near Pice. What could be better than that?
We reached the place with ease and alertness. Cheza went in by herself. Even to this day, none of really know what happened in that tree when it was just her and the old lady. But I do remember that it was extremely silent waiting outside. Kiba spoke nothing and I just remained lost in my thoughts. Not to abnormal, but when I did finally find the nerve to speak, Kiba was already staring at Cheza.
Yes, Cheza. She had tears streaming down her face and a look of having seen death. "Are you ready?" Kiba asked.
She nodded then spoke, "This one is ready to go to Paradise." That was the cue, the sign that we were to go over the cliffs to meet the others.
So we headed there, with great speed, which lead us to have to wait for them. As all you all may already know, patience is not one of my better virtues. "Where are they?" I asked.
"Their already here," answered Kiba. As he said this, Pice, Hige, and Tsume jumped down. Their speed and grace surprised me, but still, I felt safer when they were all near. I knew that they would all protect me, well at least most of them would. As for Pice, there was no sure fire way to know. His name alone gave me chill that ran up my spine. This did not go unnoticed.
"Kid, what is wrong with you," asked Tsume in his gruff way. For some reason I didn't mind his attitude because he tried to be indifferent. Tried to be…
"It is just a chill," I responded trying to act like him. Strong and manly. It really did not become me.
"Here kid. Wear this." Pice handed me his sweatshirt. I really did not want to take it. Really did not want to have any of him on me.
So I shook my head. "No thanks. I am fine. Not cold at all."
"Just take it. We don't need anyone to get sick," He spoke in a lecturing tone. This was really starting to confuse me. One minute he was planning on jumping me. The next minute he is trying to take care of me. Who does this guy think he was? It was only when I took the sweatshirt that the original twinkle returned to his eyes. He had played me. Played me so well.
Still to keep up this stupid act, I put it on. It was huge. Two of me could have fit in this thing. The sleeves fell over my hands. Yet it was so warm inside that comfort filled my very soul. His sent, though, did nothing for me.
The rest just looked at me, expecting something. "Thank you," I spoke to quell their looks, but one still pierced me, Cheza. She wanted me to tell, them, but I would not. I would not let them know, it was not the right time. "Can we move on now? I want to find paradise!"
Twenty minutes of waking and we came upon the death forest. We just stood there looking at the depressing feel of it. It was tragic to see such a land, but even more depressing to know that we must venture through it. We were in this together till the very sound of death did us in.
This forest, though my description before was simplicit, actually was not much different once we got inside. The trees toward so high above that they were as dead bodies looming and waiting for us so that they too can sow what had been reaped upon them. It was such a new environment. Different. A part of me loved it was peaceful. There was no man kind's doing that would damage their home. It was one of most decent places that man was afraid to venture into. It was scary and creepy too, because there were neither animals nor plants beside the towering trees. It was a desolate area that man did not touch.
"Why are there no animals in this forest? It is supposed to be a forest, right?"
"It's the forest of the dead. Neither human nor animal live here."
"Still there are no birds," observed Pice.
"Are you guys hungry?" I asked. Hige and Pice both gave me faces. "It is just a suspicion." Neither answered me. At that moment, this huge bug came flying at my head. I screamed, but right before it made contact with my face, a strong, muscular arm covered in leather reached out and caught it. "Thanks Tsume."
He just nodded in my direction. A simple movement that meant a lot more then he could express in words. Then he turned to Hige. "Hige, if you are so hungry, here." He handed the bug over, though Hige didn't accept it graciously.
"Hay, Tsume, why do I have to be the taste tester?"
"Because you have the strongest stomach. Plus you are hungry," responded Tsume.
"Still, why do I have to eat it? Why don't we give it to Cheza? She is probably hungry," said Hige in a sinister way. He was going mad and all any of us could do is watch. As he started to hand it to her, Kiba moved like lightening and smashed it out of his hand. We all watched this scene in amazement.
"CHEZA DOES NOT EAT BUGS," spoke Kiba on the verge of losing his patience.
"Then what does she eat?" asked Pice in pure confusion.
"Ya, we haven't seen her eat anything. She only drank some water from the last city, that is all."
"This one does not eat. This one basks and drinks," she explained. She looked up and then tried to continue to speak, "But now this one…" she could not say anymore, but there was no need for it.
"Oh Cheza," I spoke. The others looked bewildered. "There are no sun's rays because of the trees."
"Oh," was all Pice and Hige were capable of saying.
"Come on," said Kiba. "It is better if we keep moving." So one we trudged walking over roots and branches. Time was starting to run out, meanwhile I was getting weaker.
When we came to another root, everyone was able to get over it with out much trouble, but I was falling behind. Before I knew it, I slipped. Yeah, just leave it to me to get injured. It was as I well that I felt my ankle twist and spoke, "Shinzer!" I fell on my butt because I did not want to hurt my ankle anymore than it already was in.
I was looking intently at it when the others came over. I was starting to take my boot off when Kiba reached me. He stated to examine it, my left leg. His touch was cold to the feel, but it was also gentle. He moved his hand across my ankle, lightly caressing it. When he reached the most injured part, my ankle flamed up in pain causing my leg to twitch and tears to well up in my eyes. "Ouch!" I uttered pretty loudly when I closed my eyes. Tsume came over next.
"Let me have look, Kiba," He stated. He moved toward me which made me extremely uncomfortable. Not only that, but Pice was still staring at me. His eyes twinkling. Cheza on the other hand was trying to hold in some giggles I was sure would have been unleashed if this had been under other circumstances.
Tsume's hand moved along the area around were Kiba touched and pain occurred. His hands were rough, yet they were so much warmer on my flesh. In modern day, I guess you could say it was like having a werewolf's tough in comparison to a vampires. Heat verse ice. There was only pure warmth radiating up my leg. What was more interesting was that Tsume's hand was larger, but more equipped to handle this type of a work. There was less pain that reeled through me with his tough, but more importantly he was able to quell it before it exceeded anything else.
"It's not broken. You want to try walking kid?" Tsume asked. I just nodded in response. It was funny how Kiba was the one to give me hand up. When I got my balance on the right foot, he took his place on my left, meanwhile Tsume moved in position to the right. As I stepped down upon my left foot, pain radiated through my ankle. I tried to put the pressure back on my right, but lost balance and started to fall toward Tsume. He was able to catch me with his arms that wrapped their way around my waist and into his chest. The warmth of his body started to travel toward mine. It felt good to be held in strong arms. For once, trust and comfort filled my soul. I wanted to snuggle into his body and become one. I never wanted to let go.
Many of you have seen my story before and know that I did not fall that hard, but it was a lie that the people told. I did fall and I did also realize the reality of the situation. The pain was so bad and my body was already weak that even if Cheza could have healed me while I was awake would have been lie. I found that when the pain hit, my eyes blacked out and there was nothing but the feeling of limpness and the loss of everything. The only thing that seemed to stay with me was the words spoken by the one simple and most complex being. "Don't close your eyes, Toboe." Then it was all gone.
Author's note: Hay all. Sorry again for how long it took me, but as you can see, it has gotten to be a lot more different then what it was. I am sorry to say that some of my writing styles havebeen altered with the time lapse, but please continue to support me. I promise not to let you down….or at least not to destroy what you believe to be right. See you all in the next chapter!!