He can talk. The wolf, I mean. This morning, I got up to talk to France. I found him downstairs preparing breakfast. As always, it was quite fancy, elaborate, and delicious. Once we finished, I spoke up.
"France, we need to talk."
He turned to look at me and sat down.
"Is something the matter?"
"France, you need to stop assaulting random people."
He stared at me blankly. "What do you mean? I don't assault people."
"Groping and stalking them is a form of assault."
"But I'm just showing my love!"
I sighed. He really wasn't getting it. I decided to try again, only differently.
"France, is love when your force yourself on someone?"
"Of course not! Only a bastard would do that!"
He needed to watch his mouth, but at least I wouldn't have to explain that topic as well.
"France, when you jump on people or 'show them love', did you ever think that they might see it as you forcing your emotions and feelings on them?"
He went silent. He was finally beginning to understand. I left him to think on my words. Now came the harder part: tracking down the shadowy figure.
I wandered around the forest, searching for a sign of the creature. I had last seen it near the riverbank, so I started there. I made sure to mark my paths, though. Wouldn't want to get lost in an unknown forest! Anyway, since I didn't see it there, I decided to head towards the meadow where I had found England yelling at a tree. I snickered, remembering that.
I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't notice the steep bank until my foot slipped and I went rolling down a short, dirty hill.
Shadow's POV:
I knew the girl was tracking me, or at least trying to. In reality, it was me tracking her. She was smart, this human. Smart enough to go where she knew I had been. There had already been a few times where she caught me off guard and almost found me.
"Dang it!"
I was startled out of my thoughts by a sharp cry. I followed it, quite confused. When I saw her, I realized that she had fallen over a steep hill. Well, now was as good a time as any to reveal myself. I leapt off the edge to land in front of her.
Ruth's POV:
That definitely hurt. I winced as I rubbed my back. As I made sure I wasn't bleeding, a dark form flew over my head and landed in front of me. It gracefully spun in mid-air so when it landed, it was facing me. It was a gigantic wolf with glowing orange-yellow eyes, and he - I felt fairly sure it was a 'he'- was staring right at me. I froze, unsure of what to do. It was obvious that it had been following me and not the other way around. His jet-black pelt rippled with strong muscles caused by living in a possibly dangerous forest, and I knew he probably weighed much more than me. I didn't know what to do. If I ran, he might see me as prey, and I would definitely be hunted down.
I lay there on the ground, wondering if I was going to die. I saw black paws nearing my head, and a black muzzle bent down to look into my face. I knew it was incredibly stupid to look a wild wolf or dog in the eyes, but my curiosity got the better of me once again. I glanced up, and was captivated by the gleaming orbs staring back at me. My mouth opened slightly in wonder, and the wolf backed up a bit.
"Are you alright, little one?" A rough yet sophisticated voice said.
I looked around, trying to find the source of the voice. I heard a chuffing noise from the wolf, who had sat down on his haunches. I could almost imagine that he was laughing at me!
"You look like a scared rabbit!"
I realized the voice was coming from the wolf. And yes, it was laughing at me. I relaxed slightly, now that I knew he wouldn't attack me.
"Uhh…who and what are you? Why have you been watching me?"
"I am Shadow. I noticed you when you began talking to the Kirkland man-who-isn't-human. I don't know why, but something about you intrigued me. As for what I am, well…that I will keep to myself. I am, however, capable of changing my form."
He demonstrated by turning into a horse. It caught me off guard, really. There was a talking wolf in front of me, then he began glowing and there was a huge black stallion in the place of the wolf! It was the look in his eyes that brought home the fact of how wild he was. Although his eyes were dark brown, borderline black, there were flames dancing in them. He gave an ear-shattering whinny, and reared up onto his hind legs. However frightening and large he was as a wolf, he was terrifying now. His front hooves towered over my head, and I knew that if he wanted to, he could kill me without any trouble.
"Wow!" I whispered.
He changed back into a wolf. He studied me, and he seemed to reach a decision.
"What should I call you? I cannot continue calling you little one, however little you may be."
I blushed slightly. It's not every day you get embarrassed by a wolf.
"My name's Ruth."
"Hmm. It fits you."
Shadow got a glint in his eyes, and I knew that he had had an idea. He moved closer to me and pressed his silky head against my chest, listening to my heartbeat. It actually felt very comfortable. After a minute, he raised his head and backed away. I watched, sensing that something was going to happen.
Once again, he changed. This time, though, he became human. Standing there was a tall man with mid-neck length black hair and soul-searching black eyes. He looked to be in his early twenties, and he was wearing a white t-shirt with black jeans. I stared in shock. I seemed to be doing that a lot today.
"H-how…?"
He laughed, his voice deep, yet musical. "All creatures carry their life inside their hearts. I just bonded mine with yours and copied the part of you that makes us different."
I thought about that. "So, like when a computer shares info with another computer from the hard drive?"
He stared blankly at me. I kind of forgot that Shadow was a wolf, due to his human form. He glanced at the sky, the back at me.
"It is getting late, little sister. You should be getting back."
I noticed his change in title. He had called me 'little sister'.
"Why did you call me little sister?"
He shifted back to his original shape. "I feel a strange connection to you, akin to the bonds I feel with my litter-mates. I do not know why, seeing as you are a human, but I've learned not to question things. All things happen for reasons we do not know, so I will trust in what my instincts tell me; that you are my sister in heart and mind."
Wow. Points for the whole philosophical thing. That was seriously deep. It also made a lot of sense. I had known from the start that Shadow was different from other creatures, and I hadn't been too afraid when he found me. Most people would have fled, but I felt something.
I heard singing, and I looked around. I realized that it was the wolves howling at the moon, which had made its appearance during my thoughts. What I couldn't understand was how I could understand what they were saying.
Wolves howl in the dark of night,
To the moon we cry our tears.
Though dark things hunt in the black of the night,
The moon takes away our fears.
I asked Shadow, and he told me that when he had bonded with my heart, I had subconsciously bonded with his. Apparently, it worked both ways. Most humans were just too dense to know.
I knew that although I wanted to, I couldn't stay here all night. France would panic, if he wasn't doing so now. I didn't recognize the forest around me in the dark, though.
"Um…Shadow?"
"What is it?"
"I don't actually know the way back."
He laughed, and turned his side to me.
"Hop on. Your weight can't hurt me."
I was a bit annoyed about the joke about my weight, but I was also excited. I was going to get to ride a wolf! How many people have ever done that?!
When we reached the edge of the forest, I thanked Shadow and said good night. He nuzzled me, then left. I noticed that he didn't smell like a dog. He smelled like rain, or grass. It was very nice.
I went into the house, and France came running towards me, shouting in a mixture of French and English.
"Où étiez-vous? I have been looking all over for you! Are you alright?"
"Yes France, I'm fine. I just…got a bit distracted."
I proceeded to tell him about Shadow and everything; although I kept the fact that I could now understand wolves to myself. France stared at me, then began chuckling.
"Ohonhonhon! What an amazing imagination you have, my dear!"
It was obvious that he didn't believe a word I was saying. I know understood how England felt while telling the other countries about his magical friends.
My day had tired me out, so I headed up to bed with a promise that I wouldn't stay out so late without letting France know. For all his faults and flirting, he was very protective of those he cared about. If only the others could see that! I plan on staying close to home tomorrow. I haven't been spending a lot of time with France, and I want to get to know him better. Maybe, armed with that, I can convince the other nations that he isn't as bad as everyone makes him out to be.
Shape-shifting wolves! I actually made up Shadow long before I even began to think of writing. He has featured in many of my dreams as a companion/mentor. All I did was type him out so everyone can see him, instead of just me. That's how you know that you're a good writer; when you (and your readers) can literally see and hear the characters in your mind. That's what I am trying to do. I apologize for not featuring many countries in this chapter. Also, that verse the wolves were singing? That came directly from my Friend/Sister. We were coming back from camp (hence the long waiting), and she handed me a piece of paper with that poem on it. She doesn't think she's any good, though. I hold no claim over that inspiring piece of work!