狼の狩り

Hunt for the Wolf

You block your dream when you allow your fear to grow bigger than your faith. ~Mary Manin Morrissey

Now, let us pick up from where we left off. Ryoshi and Naoko took separate ways. He dashed down the street which led to the school and dorms while she took a sharp right turn and broke for the main streets where shops and traffic were. They had hoped that either one of them would catch Ryoko, or that they both could catch her if their paths met. Ryoko… I know now. Like Kitsune-san said, since I love you I'm obligated to hunt you down. Ryoshi thought to himself.

Meanwhile, Naoko sprinted and dashed down the pavement, pushing, jostling through passerby and on great speed for someone in heeled Mary Janes. She tore through like the wild fox she knew she had in her. I won't let you… she began thinking. I won't let what happened to me happen you Okami! She swore to herself as she ran. She picked up speed and harshly pushed a very fair haired high schooler.

"Sorry." She said curtly with a pant as she continued forward. Little did she know, she had run in to Ryoko Okami's ex-boyfriend, insufferable tormentor, and biggest fear, Shiro Hitsujikai. He smirked deviously as he watched her sprint.

"Go ahead and run little fox. But soon enough both you and the hunter will become my prey." He said in a hushed voice to himself. He then took his phone out of his pocket and made a call.

"Reiko, Kamiko is with you correct?" he inquired.

"Yeah, she's right here." She replied, handing over the phone.

"Everything's all prepared." Kamiko's voice informed.

"And we have sights on Okami-san too." Reiko said.

"Good everything's going according to plan." He said in a smug tone.

"Hitsujikai-sama, remember that you better hold up your end of the deal." Kamiko said, her voice stern.

"Yes, yes don't worry Nori-chan. I already have your school exchange form for Onigashima ready. All you have to do is complete this task and you'll rule Onigashima with me and Reiko like a princess. Also, I think I have another reward for your assistance. How about you go get yourself a pet fox?" he said, alluding to Naoko. She chuckled slightly.

"Now that's an offer I can't refuse." She said contently. With that he ceased chatting with her.

###

Naoko ran tirelessly for about an hour, but she wasn't even out of breath. She looked around. She was at the Otogi Academy now but there were still no signs of Ryoko. Dammit, where is she? I knew I saw her go this way. She thought to herself as she paused for a moment to catch her breath. She panted for a few more seconds and then spun around and started running again at full blast. That is, until she slammed hard into someone and fell to the ground.

"So sorry about that Kitsune-chan, are you okay?" Kamiko asked glibly with fake innocence. Naoko looked up and scowled.

"What do you want Baka Hebi?" She questioned through her gritted teeth.

"Are you looking for Okami-san?" Kamiko enquired instead. Her blue eyes sparked a fire of hatred. She growled.

"What did you do with her?" she interrogated. Kamiko kept her lips sealed. Frustration in her grew more intense.

"Tell me!" she demanded.

"What makes you think I would know?" Kamiko inquired, turning around and walking away. She clenched her fists tighter and snarled angrily.

"If you won't tell me…" she began to say as she reached for her wooden kodachi. "I'll just beat the hell out of you until you tell me!" she exclaimed, drawing forth her sword and dashing towards her. Kamiko continued nonchalantly strolling away until Naoko was just close enough. She then turned around to face her with a smirk on her face. When Naoko was close, she suddenly felt a sharp, electrical pain surge through her. She then felt light headed and collapsed to the floor.

"Alright we caught her." Kamiko then called out. Several delinquents from Onigashima emerged from their hiding places in the bushes.

"Looks like we've caught ourselves a little fox." One of them said with a chuckle. All of the sudden, they heard what sounded like a struggle not too far away.

"Hey what's going on?" she asked as she heard a few more screams.

"Some guy started a fight with us!" one of the delinquents shouted. Kamiko squinted and saw who it was when the fight became closer.

"Shit he found us!" she yelped with panic. "Quick get her in the truck and let's scram!" she called.

"Don't need to tell us twice!" yelled another. Two of the thugs bounded Naoko's hands together with rough rope and then covered her mouth, preventing her from speech. The person picking a fight with the delinquents was none other than Neko-san accompanied by Kitsune-san's cute fox pup, Rei. He fought his way through several more of the thugs until they dispersed and retreated to the truck. He tried to run after them, but the truck sped away, with Naoko in it. He threw his hat on the ground in anger and smashed it under his heavy steel toed boots.

"Dammit." He cursed under his breath. He then heard Rei's barking cease and turn into melancholy whimpers. He looked down and saw her circling around Naoko's kodachi and then resting her head on it, her eyes glistening with sorrow.

"Don't worry; you did a good job tracking her." Neko soothed as he scratched behind her ears. "We'll get her back, promise."

###

Ryoshi continued his search but then his pace slowed a bit as he began succumbing to fatigue. He had searched numerous places in the past hours but still didn't find Ryoko. Ryoko where are you? He asked in his conscience. He then heard barking. He spun around and saw Saburo Nekomiya and Naoko's pet Rei.

"Ryoshi!" he called out.

"Huh, Neko-san, what is it?" he asked.

"Okami-san and Kitsune-san… they're in trouble, big time." Saburo informed as he panted. Fear started to grow in Ryoshi.

"Wh-what happened?" he demanded.

"Onigashima delinquents kidnapped the two." He replied. Ryoshi clenched his fists with anger, worry and fear. He remembered him, Shiro, Ryoko's terror. Dammit, I… couldn't protect her…