Guess who is back! That's right, here is an update and the next chapter of Wolf's Rain. I am sorry it's been so long for university life, adulthood and I was struggling with depression and self-hate of myself prevented me to do a lot of productive things. I am still coping but who knows if I will be cured. So, I'd like to thank you guys for waiting so patiently for me.

Plus, I have a new favourite movie to watch to make me smile and giggle:

The Shape of Water.

Best love story ever! If I ever paired up my female OCs with any monsters, creatures, I won't make them turn into human or the girl turns into a minster. Not my trend!

So, hope you enjoy the story!


Chapter 27: Under the Dome

Okay, this is unexpected. This gruff grey wolf suddenly licks me across the face like some pup from a pound? What the hell is going on?! We could be spotted by someone had Tsume not tackled me to the ground to show the affection.

I know he is a wolf but this….this is something so unexpected and so wrong on some levels.

Not that I mind…

"Tsume," I poke his neck lightly. "We can't do this."

"Why not?" he growls softly, deciding to lie down on top of me. His fur feels nice and warm. I could snuggle all day. But we have to be on the go and Cheza and Blue's lives may be at stake. As much as this is taboo and wrong…

"You're a wolf and I am a human," I sigh. "It will never work out. Besides, we don't really know each other well. Despite being on this journey together."

The grey wolf stops and slowly backs away, allowing me to get up. I look at him, his eyes boring into mine. "I want to know you. I really do but we don't really have the time for that. Not with Paradise to go to and our lives at risk. Tsume, I may like wolves but I damn well know you all are dangerous."

"Then why don't you run away every time we attacked you?" Tsume flicks his tail as he circled me like a I am cornered caribou. I'm cold, hungry and tired but I stood my ground to stare back at the wolf. Our eyes stare down at each other, if I had a tail it should be between my legs to show submission.

"Because I trust you," I said to him. "I knew one day you might eat me or maul me but something inside me, instincts maybe told me to trust all of you despite knowing how unpredictable you guys are. Also, I am not from this world. The past is not the same as where we are now."

Tsume stops and sniffs my hand. Seeing him not tense but curious, I gently pat his head, smiling that he likes it. We decided to enjoy each other's company without saying a word. I'm glad because I am exhausted with minimal food and a long foot journey ahead of us.

Both me and him sit down for a while, my body sprawls across his. He's so warm and comforting. It's cute to see his ears flick every time I scratch his head in an affectionate manner. All I want is peace and a bed with food on the pate. But in this environment, I need to at least sustain myself with something edible enough to keep me going.

We walk back after our little time together, relief and happy. I know he is gruff but his tail was wagging a bit. A sign dogs would do if they are content. We both saw Toboe having a little nap with Mya curling up next to him. Aww, I bet their wolf cubs would look adorable! Hige is still gnawing a bone from the walrus carcass and Kiba is staring out into the distance.

Probably thinking about Cheza.

I wonder if he remembers that Cheza is technically a flower and he is a wolf. Oh well, I guess all of us will need to stop and smell the flowers before we continue the journey.

"Canista," Kiba's voice breaks the silence. I stop my tracks and turned my head. "A word with you. Alone."

My stomach suddenly churn out of worry. What does he want to talk about? I hope it had nothing do with me causing trouble. If I was, I wasn't aware as I'm too busy trying to survive. With nothing else to do, I followed him. I just hope he doesn't bite my other arm, even though it was an accident.

We stood in silence, listening to the howling wind. Kiba could easily blend into the surroundings with his white pelt. He bumps his head to mine softly.

"How are you coping with the journey?" he asks. There wasn't a hint of hostility in his voice.

"Okay I guessed. Honestly, I just want to save Cheza and Blue just as much as anyone. You?"

"The same," he sighs, his tail swishing irritably. "I just want to go to Paradise, safe away from those that killed us. Where we can hunt, sleep, run wherever we want."

"Sounds wonderful," I murmur, watching the distant with him. It's been a long journey for the both of us. Seeing that Kiba is not going to attack me because of me being human was already a good deal for me.

"Did he-"

Oh, he's referring to the grey wolf.

"Tsume did not hurt me," I shake my head. "If that's what you're asking."

"Ah."

We stood in silence together. To break this awkwardness, I place my arm around his neck. Kiba did not react but he leans close to me. I'm glad I am not a punching bag for his hate for humans anymore. "Thank you, for accepting me."

"No," the white wolf corrects me gently. "Thank you for fighting for us despite the odds."

We both know that we have to keep moving. Eventually, Toboe and Hige found a secret tunnel which leads us into a city. Well, Hige mostly since he has the better nose out of the pack. This must have been a lost city or a Utopia like in Stephen King's 'Under the Dome' novel that was so popular. It seems like the future must have been like this:

Cyberpunk, more technology and an easier lifestyle to work and live in.

"It's so warm!" Toboe whined happily.

"What the hell is this place?" Mya asks, still a bit suspicious.

"Heart of the city," I murmur, still looking around in wonder. At least the wolves are using their human illusion. Jagara may have been as ruthless as Darcia. If not worse. For an ideal city, it looks bleak.

"It smells awful," the red wolf complains.

"Hey, stop that!" Hige cuts in. "It's not too bad of a place."

"How do you know?" the Arctic wolf questions. Yeah, how does Hige know of this place?

The tawny wolf shrugged. "I don't know. Let's just chalk it up on instincts. Come on, guys!"

He runs off first, leading us to follow him. Something about Hige is off. I can't tell but I will just have to roll with it.

"Instincts, huh?" I heard Tsume scoffing at the idea. We'll just have to see what it is.

We just walked, still unsure where to find Cheza in this mess.

"Why the hell do humans love high walls?" Mya asked. "Pretty ridiculous if you ask me. How are you guys going to hunt or send messages?"

"We do that because we like our privacy," I explain to her. The other wolves' ears are perk up to listen too. "Plus, most of us are antisocial due to the rise of technology and internet, even if it's something we've created to connect people together. But then there are outsiders that don't belong on our territory so we either kill them to be safe or force them to pay if they want to get past the wall."

"Humans are strange," the grey wolf grunts. "It's a wonder how you came out, Canista."

"Eh, maybe I am too late."

"Alright," Mya rolls her amber eyes. "Where do you think the flower chick is?"

"Maybe that way," Hige points to one direction."

"How would you know?" I ask. The answer was the sound of his tummy rumbling. Mine too.

"Why don't we split up into two groups?" Hige suggests, suddenly shifting his gaze. All of us look at him. "Mya can come with me and Toboe to gather info while Canista goes with the both of you to look inside."

I wasn't so sure. We might get lost and may not see each other again. But Tsume places his tanned hand on my shoulder, reassuring me. I place a hand over his, thanking him.

"You're gonna snack while you're at it?" the grey wolf questions. Mya snorts in laughter. Hige also laughs too.

"Don't worry. I'll save some for you guys. Right, Toboe?"

"Right! Leave it to me and Mya!" he yips.

"Fine," Mya rolls her eyes. "Don't blame me if your plan's gonna fail."

Tsume exchange glances with me and Kiba. "We might draw less attention if we split up."

"Good idea," I nod. "I hope we can meet back at some point."

"We will," Kiba's eyes lock onto mine. There's something kind yet stern about those eyes. "Just trust your instincts. Hige, we will investigate inside the castle."

"Okay," the Mexican wolf grins. "We'll meet back here by moonrise!"

With that, he sprints off with the red wolf and timber wolf following behind. The three of us nodded, I hold onto Tsume as we jump from ledge to ledge. I gasps at the sudden jumps. I bury my face into his warm chest. It feels nice.

"You'll get use to it," the grey wolf chuckles.

We've reached the top of the platform where we could see identical buildings with hues of light green and white. Almost like a Utopian suburb. I hope there isn't a Big Brother watching us or a Great Benefactor that made us people dependent even if we claim we are independent. I am standing between the grey and Arctic wolf.

We are looking down at the gate where two cyberpunk guards and a tank is in place.

"What do you want to do?" Tsume asks.

"Getting through the front is suicide," I mention.

"I'm not asking because I am afraid," the grey wolf huffs. "I just don't want to do something useless."

But the Arctic wolf has a twinkle in his eyes. He smiles and said, "If that's what you want, then why don't you ask 'Let's find the back door?'"

We all couldn't help but laugh. Let's find another way in.

As much as I am alright with Tsume and Kiba, they seem to have a tension over something. I want to comfort both of them but we have a Flower Maiden to save. As we try to find the back door, we talk for a bit to pass the time.

"I wonder if Paradise will close once I step in," I muse. Kiba looks at me. After all I am only human and I don't have raw instincts like a wolf. And it may be a fantasy and all but this is real. These things are real yet why do I want to do it?

"I don't know, Canista," Kiba sighs. "Paradise is only for wolves but you….you have proven yourself to be wolf just like us."

"True," Tsume grunts. "A little wobbly but fine to me."

"Thanks guys," I smiled. Just then, we heard someone shouting "thieves" and two boys are running off with a sack. Probably filled with food. I chuckle as it reminds me of Tsume and his group back at Freeze City.

"I guess even in this kind of city has people like your old self," Kiba smirks. Tsume shoots him a wolfish grin.

"Yeah…." the grey wolf smirks again. "But you know those kind are the ones who know the back routes best."

"So shall we catch them?" I ask. Both wolves nod as we try to catch our prey. Two boys maybe my age. One is skinny with bright clothing and a hat while his companion is the sturdy, fat type that doesn't talk much.

Tsume leaps in front of them while Kiba and I cornered from behind.

"Who the hell are you?" Skinny demands. "We don't have any food here!"

His companion grunts in agreement.

"I want to ask you something," Tsume said to them.

Skinny was about to turn around but he was face-to-face with Kiba and me with a hatchet.

"Whoa! Who is this? Your partner and girlfriend?" I am going to choke back my gasp at that comment. "Look, if you are looking for a fight, I accept your challenge."

Oh boy, he's in for it now.

With a swift motion, the grey wolf evades the attacks. I placed the hatchet close to the sturdy guy. "Let him be," I whisper to him to which the guy nod and obeys my order.

Even when Skinny took out a gun, Tsume evades it again and has Kiba to help him. Wow, both of them look strong….

Shit, I hate this feeling in my chest. It hurts like hell. It could be me being malnourish from not eating or drinking for several days. I don't recall how I survived this long.

After the fight, we got what we wanted. Apparently these guys are wandering around different domes, saying this dome has all of the best resources. They don't seemed so bad now.

"How do you get into the back doors of the castle?" Tsume asks.

Both boys look at us with confusion. "Castle? Oh, you mean Lady Jagara's castle! It's impossible. Even with the likes of you guys. Besides, what are you going to do once you get inside?"

"Our friends are trapped in there," I explain. "We're going to rescue them."

"From the lady!" Skinny exclaimed. "It's best you don't want to get involve, sister. Jagara is like a witch who uses weird spells. You may get yourselves killed."

Now I am worried but Cheza and Blue need us.

"Whoever our opponent is," Kiba growls. "It makes no difference. That's why we came this far."

Skinny sighs. "You guys sure have your work cut out for you. Good luck and you could put on some weight, sister."

"Why?"

"You looked like you've been starved for years," he said. His companion nods. "Fine, we'll show you the way but don't blame us if things go wrong."

They lead us to a corner where it looks like there are vines of thick red cables. They explained that they will lead to the castle.

"That should do," Tsume nods. "Let's go. Thanks for your help."

"Thank you," I thank them. Both of them wink at me. But Kiba and Tsume look back with hostile glares. Alright, let's get going before anyone else catches us. With a swift motion, I hold onto both of the wolves as we descend into the abyss of cables.

"Good luck, wolves."

I swear I heard it from that sturdy guy! We continue to surge forward to the castle. I wonder if Hige, Toboe and Mya are okay?

Nah! I'm sure they'll be fine since they are wolves after all.


Well, I wonder if Canista is aware of her surroundings! If you know what I mean ;) So I will be taking a long time to update due to my condition but I will. While waiting, try and read my other stories if you want a "Beauty and the Beast" vibes. I will also have a movie marathon for Halloween by watching Shape of Water and Pan's Labyrinth again.

Love you guys and please review!