Happy Wednesday! I have many regrets, but this chapter isn't one of them. The original idea/chapter here was so... cringe. Like, you know, first romance fanfic with little to no experience as a writer kinda cringe. I've fixed it up and basically changed... everything? Yeah, everything.

And just in case some of you wonder at the end of this chapter, no, I am not Hirohiko Araki in disguise.

... Well, on with the "sho."

Feel the breeze?
Time's so near you can almost taste the freedom.
There's a warm wind from the south.
Hoist the sail and we'll be gone.
By morning this will all seem like a dream.
And if I don't return to sing the song,
maybe just as well.
I've seen the news and there's
Not much I can do...alone.

Is there anybody listening?
Is there anyone who smiles without a mask?
What's behind the words,
images they know will please us?
I'll take what's real. Bring up the lights.

-Anybody Listening?- Queensryche

The Secret of Chin-Po the Wanderer

I extended my senses as I crouched in the undergrowth, feeling for the safest path. The vines further in were wild, lashing out at whatever moved, and had already entangled three of the other competitors that I could see. They would not prove effective against me considering the nature of my energy, but they would indeed slow me down. Kurama might have had an advantage here, which was a thought that did not help me whatsoever. I would not be going in that direction, and I refused to give in to the possibilities presented by 'what-if' scenarios.

I could sense a path unimpeded, but following it with my senses took me winding in various loops and around obstacles. The path was long, as Yusuke had feared, yet it was the way Kazuma had gone and was likely much faster despite the length. He could safely avoid anything dangerous, I was sure. Still, it couldn't hurt to follow him, just on the off chance he was in over his head.

With a slight huff, I got to my feet and began making my way as silently as I could through the underbrush. The majority of the contestants had tried to go straight, as Yusuke had, but ended up going in completely different directions. It was simple enough to watch their struggles from afar and avoid them, or alternatively, allow them to trigger the obstacles so that I could pass.

The forest was a veritable minefield, but most of the dangers presented some form of energy I could sense, and steering clear of them proved easy, for the most part. I hadn't gotten the chance to ask if the demons here were Human World natives, or from the next world over. Depending on their origins, I may not have to expend any energy battling them. If they were half as amicable as the kamaitachi, there wouldn't be a problem.

The darkness surrounding me might have felt oppressive, and the fog may have been too thick to see through for any great distance, but I found I was not uncomfortable. Not to say that I felt at home here, or even that the place did not put me on edge. It most certainly did, and the paranoia kept my ears sharp.

It was the solitude, I think, and the lack of necessity to maintain my mask. I was alone, without the chance of anyone (no one important) seeing me. No one could pass me and wonder why I didn't smile, or greet them. It may have been cliche to say this place was liberating. I would, of course, be happy to leave it. While not uncomfortable, the silence and constant threat of danger was unsettling, and what was even more worrying was that I did not feel terribly out of place.

People like me belong in places like this, I mused to myself idly before banishing the useless thought. In the dark and the shadows, completely cut off. It was where I should be, but not where I would ever go willingly. Though, I wouldn't mind taking a vacation here.

CRACK!

I froze, dropping to a crouch in the fog. The past thirty minutes or so had been far too silent, aside from the distant sounds of suffering. Those had died out as I'd moved further away, however, and I could sense none of the other contestants.

But there was something, and that something had eyes, which were trained on me. One pair, then two, four, seven pairs of eyes, all from different directions.

I was surrounded. Whatever it was, it had no discernible energy signature to set it apart from the rest of the Dark Forest. Demons, most likely. Violet energy thrummed excitedly under my skin in wait, already organizing to take the form of a sickle. The first attack would come from the left, behind me. Slowly, subtly, I loosened the straps of my bag, letting it slide off my shoulders onto the grass behind me.

A rustle in front of me drew my attention for a moment, and what pushed through the thick leaves came as less of a surprise, and more of a relief. Despite the gleaming and dripping jowls and the hard-set murderous eyes, the large grey wolf before me gave a sense of security.

It took only a moment, as the pack sensed my attention was elsewhere, and the predicted attack came. Another larger canine threw itself from the treeline with a fierce snarl. I reacted, lashing out with my left fist and catching the wolf's side. I ducked to avoid the paws and flung the animal away from me. It crashed into the second attacker, who had come just a split second later, this time from my right. I spun, still crouched, noting the seven wolves had now formed a visible circle around me, forgoing the secrecy.

The two I had deflected shook off the blow like it was nothing, scrambling to their paws and snapping their jowls. I lifted one hand, my energy twisting and layering over my voice box rather than forming blades.

"Stop!"

The command rang with power, one that was normally reserved for my interactions with ghosts. However, it was a fair bet that these demonic creatures would heed the same feeling that the spirits required. It had worked during my initial confrontation with the kamaitachi, after all.

My theory was proven correct. The stillness that enveloped the wolves was instantaneous, and their frozen eyes bugged out as they stared unabashedly at me. I straightened slowly, hand still outstretched. They were decently large animals, their tallest reaching just below my chest. I doubt I would have been a very satisfying meal, perhaps enough for their youngest.

The wolf before me, muzzle flecked with white, took a hesitant, non-threatening step forward, its nose twitching and hackles gradually flattening out. It let out an 'uff', like a question, neck stretched out as far as it could go. It was curious, but not altogether trusting. I knew this was the alpha, and focused solely on him.

What are you? he seemed to ask.

"I am your friend," I said, the same energy buzzing in my voice. I let my arm relax somewhat, my hand flipping over to show the wolf my palm. It was a gesture of welcome, an offering as well as a summons. The wolf regarded me with a human-like intelligence in its bright yellow eyes. The rest of them had not moved, but I kept my senses on them just in case.

With a painstaking slowness, I took the first step forward, lowering myself to crawl, spider-like across the forest floor. The wolf backed away initially, lips pulling into a warning growl, but I snapped at him in a low grunt, which seemed to almost shock him.

"No, I am not your enemy," I half-growled, and stopped when I was a foot away. He took a cautious step forwards, sniffing my outstretched hand.

A warm-wet tongue tickled my fingers, then a cold-wet nose bumped the back of my hand. I buried my fingers into the soft fur of the wolf's neck, methodically rubbing and massaging the small muscle groups that elicited the most potent endorphins. I could see the effects almost immediately, and it occurred to me that these animals may never have been touched by human hand, least ways not in a gentle manner. Yellow eyes, softened by awe, stared back at me through a wall of fur.

Friend?

"Yes, friend," I told him, and it was like flipping a switch. He pushed further into my personal space and pressed his head against my chest, having to duck down to do so. I nearly lost my balance, but stayed crouched with both hands on his sharp shoulders. I grimaced as his tongue lapped underneath my chin, despite the apparent fact that I was no longer in any danger. One by one, the other wolves approached, pressing in on me with an aggressive curiosity, turning to forceful affection once they received the same treatment as their alpha.

Wagging tails and pushing snouts invaded, and I promptly collapsed under a pile of paws, tails and fur. I was sure when I stood up again, I would be covered in hair of various colors. For now, I allowed them to overwhelm me and gain confidence, inducting me into the pack by rubbing against me, leaving their distinct scent over every inch of my clothes. I observed their body language, following suit and running my cheek under the pack alpha's jaw and over the fur of his throat, sure to bare my neck.

He reciprocated, but on the top of my head, nipping and licking at the back of my neck and leaving my skin uncomfortably sticky and cold.

Pack, friend, they chorused in syncopated time. I let out a noise of disgust as more wetness invaded my face and cold noses began to nuzzle under my sweater and into my ears. My hands moved to push the invaders away as gently and firmly as possible.

"Yes, friend. Let me up," I ordered, and they reluctantly dispersed, but only so much that they weren't all touching me. I could feel the heat from each of their large bodies still. Now sure that they I was free to move, I stood. They did not back away or otherwise show any hint of fear, and their eyes followed every motion of mine attentively. This was good.

"I must pass through this forest, and quickly. Lead me through to the other side, toward the tree on the hill." I pointed in the direction I was meant to go.

Silent conference passed between the wolves, ears flicking down and questioning grunts sounding in quick succession. The pack moved away, giving me a little more space. One of the younger members, a ruddy colored pup with particularly large ears, bumped my hand enthusiastically, growling and grunting in a playful tone. He had been one of the first to move in and tackle me to the ground after Alpha's acceptance, and I rewarded his cleverness with a smile and pat on the head.

"Hello," I said to him as he gave my fingers a spirited nip with long fangs. I crouched beside him, pushing his snout away when he came too close to my face.

Friend! Back-Walker! Their language structure was different from those of any other animal I had come across. It seemed less refined, yet clearly an advanced intelligence reigned the intent behind the limited words. Perhaps context was in mannerisms that I was unfamiliar with.

Big Back-Walker kill. Big Back-Walker, not friend. He growled, looking almost wistfully in another direction with curled lips. Pack is less.

Their pack had been attacked, I gathered. Likely one of the other contestants had encountered the group before myself and cut their numbers. They probably did not intend to eat me, but perceived me as a threat. It was fortunate that they listened to me at all, considering what the last "Back-Walker" they met had done.

Friend Back-Walker kill? My lips twitched in an organic fashion. The pup wanted me to take revenge for his fallen pack mates. He looked hopeful enough, tawny-colored eyes wide and startlingly innocent. Was this what I was reduced to now? Taking vengeance assignments from animals?

"Maybe, if I find him," I told him as a compromise, and he seemed satisfied, resting his chin in my hand.

Find, find Back-Walker. A request, or an assurance?

Alpha returned, grey whiskers twitching as he made a loud, gruff noise to call the others to attention. I remained low to the ground so that I was looking up respectfully, and he grunted in affirmation, tail twitching and ears alert. He looked regal and commanding for a moment, the barest hint of sunlight breaking through the fog to glint off his fur. The energy of the entire pack enveloped me, pushing the oppressive mist away until there was a break in the vapors.

Friend, pack will help you.

That small speck of blue above was enough to erase any apprehension. It was all going to work out, at least in this moment. With their warm, friendly aura pushing against my own, the smile came easier, the calm evaporating instantly to be replaced with an unusual excitement. Their excitement. I could feel it as clearly as if it were my own, and it was... wonderful.

Alpha turned, leading the way swiftly. The others followed, pushing me to the center of the group as they began their trek. The ruddy-colored pup bounded around me in clear elation, prompting me to pick up the pace just as the others' steps began to quicken to a full on sprint. The young wolf yipped gaily.

Run with us!

I grinned.

I started to run.

The wolves formed a wobbly ring around me, and the air filled with howls and yelps of delight, huffing breaths just short of growls that cut through the mist like knives. Their paws and my feet thumped against the earth like rolling thunder, bestial calls the war-cries of an impending army hell-bent on complete annihilation.

The alpha took us through turns, and I trusted him to stay the course correctly. Though it was unnerving to be moving so fast that my senses could not adjust, I knew the wolves were familiar with the area, and would not lead me astray. As it was, the protective circle warded off any outside dangers, keeping me separate from the fog. It was as though the wolf pack existed in a bubble, and the mist would simply roll off the sides as they plowed through it.

The unrelenting pace was refreshing, the world passing me by in a dark blur as my new companions huffed and grunted alongside me. I took a great leap over a large boulder, hands landing on the cool grey stone to propel me further through the air. The wind caught at my hair and forced it back, but was not enough to sting my eyes, which were blown wide with the adrenaline.

The young wolf would weave in and out of formation, his youth giving him the advantage over his pack mates. He ran next to me at times, then in front of me, before falling back to nip at my thighs. Laughter bubbled in my chest, and I let a small ribbon of energy lash out, striking him firmly on the shoulder in my own approximation of a playful snap.

This went on as we ran, and it was good practice for me to focus on his antics while simultaneously navigating the bumpy and uneven terrain. It took my mind off the ache in my legs- how long had we been running? I'd lost track of time. We were beginning to ascend a slope, slowing down just slightly to compensate. The wolves seemed to elongate even more in their strides, pushing forcefully with their back legs and barely touching the ground with their fronts.

The alpha signaled, a loud and sharp howl as we crested the small hill, and he turned suddenly, bringing our charge to a jarring halt. I slowed gradually, jogging up to meet him by an aging aspen. I was unsure if he noticed me, so I slowed my pace even further and crouched low. He flicked his ears in acknowledgement, eyes never breaking from their intense stare as he surveyed the land before us.

A glance ahead showed a sprawling hillside, the trees thinning out and the forest itself becoming less dense. However, I did not proceed. The wolf was still, and a quick look at the rest of the pack showed them to be restless, staring ahead warily.

"What is it?" I asked. Logically, one would assume that he had lead me to the other side. The thinning of the woods and their hesitancy to move beyond the thick pine treeline would indicate as much. And yet, I knew this was not the reason. We had not been running for nearly so long, nor covered enough ground for this to be the end of the forest. We were close, but not too close. It had only been just over one hour total.

Now that I was stationary, I allowed my senses to reach out once more. The area immediately assaulted my psyche with foreboding, a thick, invisible string of tension winding around every tree, stone and exposed root. My eyes narrowed and I took a step forward.

Immediately, Alpha snapped a rough command that I understood, despite the difference in species.

Stop! Danger!

I glanced at him, then back to the sparse vegetation.

"I will be careful," I assured him, giving the universal gesture for 'stay.'

One foot placed carefully in front of the other, I crept out of the dense shadows and onto the noticeably greener grass. I maintained a steady pulse of energy as I went, but the atmosphere did not offer any changes or indications that anything would change. The ground was softer here, the grass more springy, and I knew that if I had to run here, I would not have steady footing.

I crept further, one meter, two, several paces away from the pack, who remained at the edge. I took one more step-

Several alarmed yelps sounded behind me as the ground moved, and I lurched forward, throwing myself to the ground and rolling onto my knees. I let out a startled cry of my own as the grass began to lift around me, like a carpet of green, and I lunged towards the thicker woods. My ankle brushed against the grass and I scrambled quickly to rejoin the wolves, who jumped and wailed frantically until I crashed to the ground beside them.

Pack is safe, there is danger, friend, here is safe!

I was immediately met with concerned wet noses and fearful whining. I looked back, my mouth falling slack as I beheld what exactly had made the ground move.

Three enormous plants, each with four bright red leaves, were closing in the manner that a venus flytrap would. The red undersides flashed dangerously as they twisted and fell shut into crimson parcels, one after the other. They sunk to the ground, empty pockets of air all they had to show for their effort. After a few seconds, each of them opened with a creaking groan, and the leaves lay flat and invisible against the forest floor, grassy insides completely identical to the ground.

"Fascinating," I mumbled as the wolves pushed and leaned on me. I straightened my back, offering a few grateful petts to their heads. My hand still on the floor found a fist-sized stone, and I tossed the grey rock towards the center of where one of those plants had been. It bounced and rolled a little ways, but landed close to the mark. Almost immediately, the leaves dislodged from the grass and rose to envelope the rock, forming a bright red ball that did not immediately unfurl as the others had.

That was a start, I supposed, but the hill was expansive, and I would not be able to carry enough rocks heavy enough to set off every plant along the way. The trees were too far apart for me to consider jumping between them, and running was out of the question also, the soft and easily dislodged ground too unsteady.

"Can we go around?" I asked Alpha, who only looked both ways before growling.

Too long, you asked for quick.

I grit my teeth, then nodded. I had just under an hour left. My choices were few, and none of them held much appeal. I would have to go through, and move as quickly as I could from tree to tree. Hopefully, the roots of the trees would prevent these plants from sprouting too closely. I turned to the wolves, still in a crouch, and fixed Alpha with a grateful expression.

"Thank you for helping me this far. I must go through here, and I will not have you guide me any longer. Take your pack and go home." I let the power enter the sound of my voice, making the command one they would not question, or so I hoped. Alpha looked hesitant, glancing back at the grass where the leviathans hid, then back to me with a whine.

Pack?

"No," I told him firmly. "I am not Pack, I am Friend. I cannot stay with you." His eyes hardened somewhat, and his chest seemed to puff out.

Pack, he asserted, and I let out a groan of exasperation. I had misunderstood him, but that could be forgiven, as his thoughts weren't as clear as Mami's. Perhaps I had just been with the cat long enough to understand her better, but she seemed to have more range of language.

"You can't come with me, there are too many of you." He gazed at the rest of the pack in thought, then gave a silent huff. The others responded in kind.

Me, Spring, and Speaker. I blinked when the younger wolf bounded over, his jowls pulled back into an approximation of a smile. This had to be Spring, and I got the feeling that his name was more the action of springing than the season. It suited him. But which was Speaker, I wondered. No other wolves stepped up, all of them backing away to leave Alpha, Spring, and myself…

"I am Speaker?" I asked as my head fell to the side. I received an uff in confirmation. Two of them, both able to sense the plants location more than I, was far preferable to the whole pack of seven. I nodded, gesturing for Alpha to take the lead. He gave some other commands in yips and growls, which I could not understand, and the other five took off through the woods once more, presumably to return home.

His pace was a little faster than mine, though he stopped every few feet to scent the air and look around with hackles raised. He trotted ahead by a few feet and I followed his steps as best as I could, all the while keeping an ear out for Spring behind me. I could not turn around, or I would risk mis-stepping, or not seeing a particular paw placement, and that could end badly. I could not ignore Spring either, as I got the strangest feeling he would accidentally trigger a plant.

It was somewhat strange to be so focused on their safety, but both wolves had proven useful, and so endeared themselves to me. Their open and blatant trust and affection was moving, even if only a little bit.

As we moved, I could feel the ground shifting beneath me, as though some small being was shifting beneath the green blanket of grass, yet the giant leviathans never closed their maws over us. Perhaps it was the roots, or sensory receptors that made the plants ready to receive the prey at the right time. Like a spiderweb that vibrated and sent the message that prey was caught all the way to the center, where the spider waited.

Alpha gave a quiet yip, muzzle sticking straight ahead. I dared to glance up briefly, looking just beyond his grey shoulders, and noted the treeline was thick once more. We were still at least one eighth of a mile out, and the weaving path was adding time onto the journey. By my estimation, I had a half-hour left. If we ran the rest of the way, I should make it well within the time limit.

A sound behind me caught my ears, and I chanced a glance back, suddenly concerned that Spring had tripped a plant. But it was only a bat, flapping helplessly and shrieking as it was devoured by monstrous leaves. I sighed, relieved.

Then, Alpha yelped.

My body whipped around to see him attempting to force his way out of a plant, which had already trapped his top half. He must have looked back and made a wrong step! He thrashed and snarled, but it was to no avail. Spring let out a wail of despair and fear, and I darted forward.

"Alpha, stop moving," I commanded loudly, and my arms grew warm as energy sprung from my skin, bleeding out pleasantly. He complied, but just barely, still trying to pull away. His body was situated between two leaves, exposing his hind legs and tail. Perfect.

I reached the plant, Spring hot on my heels, and lashed out at the base of the nearest leaf with my violet blade. The leaf fell away with a fleshy noise, and the severed area began to ooze a sickly purple liquid. The rest of its vegetative extremities immediately unfurled, and Alpha fell away from the deadly embrace. The leaves writhed and snapped, but eventually lay still. The illusion of grass was ruined by the blood, marking the plant easily.

Alpha was panting heavily, and one leg was curled under his chest. Spring was nuzzling him and whining worriedly. The old wolf was injured, but there was no blood, and no break that I could see. He struggled to his paws with only three good legs, but managed to stand without shaking.

Pack, he seemed to say as he looked at me.

"Pack," I confirmed. He limped past me, and though our pace was considerably slower, we managed the rest of the Leviathan field without incident. Reaching the treeline, I allowed us to take a quick break, crouching down beside the old canine and reaching for his paw. He gave it without complaint, but flinched when I touched a sore spot. I gently pressed down everywhere over the foreleg, then returned it to him.

"You will recover, given rest. You must not run," I told him, making it an order. He dropped his head, anger flashing briefly in his eyes. Spring trotted over, sniffing his Alpha with a worried whine. Alpha growled, something I did not understand, then Spring looked up at me with a slow wag of his tail.

I will run with you, was what I sensed from his lopsided smile. I looked back at Alpha, who only dipped his snout in a nod.

Run, Speaker.

I reached out both hands to give his ears special attention, and he closed his eyes with a happy sigh. I thanked him, digging my fingers into the fur around his neck, throat, cheeks, and finally with a last scratch under his chin.

"Thank you. Goodbye."

With that, I rose, and Spring took the lead. He wove freely in and around patches of greenery, clearly without concern. I, however, was less comfortable without the entirety of the pack surrounding me. As it was, I could not utilize my senses reliably, and this left me completely at Spring's mercy. Not that I believed the young wolf would lead me into danger purposely, but he may neglect to pay enough attention to his sides.

Looking ahead, however, I could see sunlight breaking through the canopy, and it brought a sense of ease to my mind. I had made it, with twenty minutes to spare by my estimation. Spring began to slow, and I tempered my pace to come alongside him.

That was when the attack came.

I barely had time to dodge, rolling to my left as what seemed like a missile came rushing at me from the right. I bared my teeth in a snarl and extended my senses. Now stationary, I could tell that my attacker was human. One of the contestants staking out the finished line to dispose of the competition before they made it to the next stage. I would have been impressed, if it hadn't been me in the line of fire.

Violet energy emanated from my arms, the current running in a shapeless flow. Spring, after yelping and jumping out of his skin, stood before me with teeth bared and fur standing puffed on end. He growled menacingly, eyes locked on something or someone I couldn't see.

Slowly, a figure emerged from the underbrush, and my eyes narrowed.

"You move quickly for someone with your… dimensions," I called to the portly man. He wore a muted magenta uniform in the Chinese style, a matching cap atop his bald head and a thin, curling mustache on his upper lip.

"I was hoping your reliance on the wolf was enough to keep you from using your senses," he admitted after a moment, and I could see my jab at his weight had no effect. "Alas, you seem not to fall prey to the complacency of youth these days."

He bowed deeply, and Spring snarled.

"I am Chin-Po the Wanderer. It's nice to meet you."

I did not respond, or give him time to react. The moment his back straightened, I struck, taking a running leap in his direction and lashing out with twin sickles of energy. They both sliced through the air where his head had been. He ducked, rolled onto his hands, and flipped himself out of harms way with more dexterity than he looked capable of. Unfortunately for him, this put him with his back to Spring, who took full advantage of that and lunged for the man.

The young wolf made contact with the mans arm, back paws scrambling for purchase on the thick body. I wasted no time, reshaping my sickles into simple double-edged gauntlets and making another attack. I landed a blow this time, across his shoulder as he spun to avoid me. He flung Spring in my direction and I dropped to the forest floor to avoid collision with the animal. I heard a yelp, but did not look back.

"Your alliance with the wolf is a surprising development. I did not think demons would willingly serve a human, even ones as old and primitive as these."

I narrowed my eyes, adjusting my stance. I took a step forward.

"What is going on here!?" Chin-Po and I both looked away, and my eyes widened when I beheld the old man, the elderly contestant who had not stopped watching me the entire day. I blinked, my arms falling to my side in a non-threatening way.

"She attacked me!" My head whipped around, my eyes frozen wide. Chin-Po gave me a wicked grin. "She waited here with that demon wolf, her familiar I believe. She sprung a trap to eliminate me from the competition!"

I stared at the Chinese man, a rage beginning to boil within me. The old man drew my attention for a split second as he stepped forward with a glare.

"I knew it, I knew you were an unholy thing! The moment I got a look at your eyes!" I glanced between the two, wondering briefly if this was an act and they were in this together. I decided, based on my gut, that they were not, and took a step away.

"Listen to me, sir," I began earnestly, looking at the old man. "He attacked me first. He is the one staying by the exit to keep others from moving on, and if he should be lucky enough to kill me, you will be next."

I let out an exasperated sigh and rolled my eyes internally as the man shook his head vehemently.

"That's a poor story, child. If you even are a child! And why would I believe you when you so openly cavort with demons!?" I grit my teeth, eyes flicking back to Chin-Po's malicious grin. If the old man could just look to his right…

"I have a talent with animals, the demonic variety included. That wolf was my guide."

"Lies!" Talking, it seemed, was useless.

I lowered myself to a crouch, pushing energy into my legs for a sudden leap towards Chin-Po. He wasn't expecting that, his eyes going wide. He only just narrowly avoided my blade, but I didn't let him recover. I lashed out again, only to find my arm blocked by a silvery kunai that slipped from his sleeve.

I pushed against him, forcing him to stumble back and began my assault anew. Every strike was countered with his own small knives, and though I tried to disarm him, he would always procure another.

The old man joined in the fray, his staff coming down harshly over my head, but I levelled him with a kick to the stomach that sent him flying back. He fell to the ground, and I know I didn't imagine the hearty crunch when my foot connected.

He was enough of a distraction for Chin-Po to gain a slight advantage, forcing me to somersault away to avoid being sliced open.

I crouched low to the floor, preparing to make some move to get under him, when he was suddenly slammed from the side by another body. A furry, ruddy-colored body, with sharp fangs flashing.

Spring had bitten down on the mans shoulder that I had already cut, and the man let out a scream of pain. I stood and took a few quick steps forward. The blade flashed before I could move to intercept. A high wail of agony pierced the otherwise silent woods, and a grunt as the man threw the wolf away.

Spring landed on his side with a hard thud. He did not get up.

I growled and surged forward, lashing out at Chin-Po without reservation. He hollered as he stumbled back, barely blocking every blow as my arms came down in quick succession. I was unbridled fury by this point, and I knew it was only a matter of time before his arms gave out. Mine felt like they never would.

One hand, clad in the angry purple, finally sliced clean through his blade and left a deep incision in his stomach. He cried out, falling to the ground with one hand to catch himself, the other gripping the now bleeding injury.

"Your energy is strong, and you have decent skill, but your body doesn't allow for what you ask of it," I told him blankly, voicing what I had analyzed during our brief fight. "As such, you dedicate most of your energy to speed and neglect putting any real power behind your strikes. Someone like you could never have killed me."

He made to move again, his legs starting to fill with energy, but I did not let him proceed. I moved forward quickly, stabbing my glowing arm straight through his gut.

"In the end, all you succeeded in doing… was pissing me off."

At that moment, the bushes before me shook, but I was unconcerned. Alpha pushed through the leaves, still limping, but using all four legs now. I stood, removing my hand from my prey and taking a respectful step back.

"He's yours. Kill him." Alpha regarded me for a brief moment before his entire demeanor changed. His lips pulled back in a feral snarl, eyes filling with more hate and bloodlust than I'd seen on any living being, and he lunged.

I turned, not willing to give Chin-Po the respect of seeing his demise, and his agonized screams were cut off in a wild roar and a thick gurgling. I instead made my way slowly to the fallen wolf, kneeling beside him and scooping his entire torso into my arms. His chest rose and fell weakly, and blood flowed freely from the large hole in his chest.

"Spring," I said quietly, and his brown eyes fluttered open. He whined pitifully, jaws working to draw in breaths and tongue flicking in and out slowly. Drool and blood dripped from his lips. A high keening was all he could manage.

Speaker?

"Yes," I answered. I was acutely aware of the bright red blood staining my sweater, but I didn't care at that moment. Red and pink looked good together anyhow.

Pack? The thought was almost stammered. He was fading.

"Yes," I repeated. "Pack."

Behind me, I heard the lumbering, off-kilter steps of an animal limping, and soon enough, Alpha had joined me. Spring whined again, earning a gruff noise of confirmation from the old wolf. Spring's legs moved, as though he were trying to stand, but his body ultimately gave out and he slumped back onto me, his breaths coming shorter.

Alpha leaned in, pressing his muzzle into the fur of Spring's neck. I followed suit, our breaths all mingling unpleasantly. Yet I was still not in the state of mind to care.

"Thank you, Spring. Pack," I said, my voice unnaturally thick with the emotion I recognized as grief. My throat felt full, but any tears that may have come were hidden in the ruddy brown fur. Spring's breaths grew more labored, his head twitching, neck stretching out. I felt a warm tongue lap my exposed collar bone.

Then, his breathing stopped.

I pressed my fingers deep into his throat, feeling for the last of his heartbeats. Then, soon after, they too became silent. Alpha pulled away, and I felt his old body jerk. A heart-piercing howl split the air, the sound of pure pain somehow unpleasant to my ears. I winced, sitting up straight to look Spring's corpse in the face. His tongue lolled between two rows of the now horribly dull-looking fangs, and his eyes stared ahead, glassy and still. It was unbecoming of the lively beast to look so undignified, and I pushed his tongue back inside his mouth, shutting his jaws gently.

Alpha's cry ended, and his grey-white head fell to my shoulder, pushing into my chest. An ache began from the contact point, though I knew it had nothing to do with the living wolf.

Pack is less, Alpha thought, and I nodded.

"I am sorry." I meant it. "He was brave."

Alpha licked my cheek, and I leaned into his face. We stayed there for only a few seconds before he stepped away. I set Spring down as carefully as I could, only closing his eyes when he was laying down flat. If not for the gaping red wound, he could be sleeping. And if not for the stillness of his chest, and the now lifeless and limp quality of his coat.

No, such foolish imaginings were exactly that. Foolish. He wasn't sleeping. He was dead. But... he was also avenged, and that was the best we could have done.

Speaker, hurry. Time is close. Alpha nudged at my ribs, prodding me to go towards the cracks of sunlight in the treeline. I nodded, offering him a final parting press of my forehead against his.

The sound of struggling and a groan made me turn again, and I regarded the old man coldly.

"S-stay back, demon child," he spat, and I began to walk toward him, my pace painfully slow and measured. He shuffled back with one hand to the ground, the other clutching his broken ribs. I felt no remorse for that, kicking his staff away as I drew near. Alpha stalked behind me, a growl rising in his throat.

"You and your demons, filth of the earth! You evil, vile thing! Genkai won't fall for your trickery!" I stopped before his pathetic visage, charging my right arm with the same purple blade that had plunged into Chin-Po. It reflected in the prey's eyes, and the prey stared at it fearfully. I lunged. The prey shut his eyes. The blade connected.

…

…

The prey opened his eyes, staring straight back into mine. I looked at him, my entire body feeling suddenly cold, and I know that ice had taken over my eyes.

"Go home, old man," I said in an eerie, calm voice. "This is no place for you."

I pulled my hand out of the earth and stood, taking a step away.

"Don't harm him," I said to Alpha. "Lead him out of the forest, then return to your pack."

I received a half growl, half sniff, but he had accepted my order. I nodded, then gave the old man a last look. He was in shock, eyes wide and lips trembling. Without a word, I turned and ran, the wind whipping over my cheeks no longer feeling quite so freeing. Despite not knowing them long, I missed the pack surrounding me. They had been a safety net of sorts, more limbs to a body that functioned smoothly, one unit. It was almost familial…

I shook my head, clearing the thoughts. Now was not the time.

I crested the hill with what my internal clock told me was five minutes to spare. Several men were already there, my brother included. They all turned to watch me, and I could see the identical looks of shock on all their faces as they beheld me. Were they shocked that I had survived as a young girl? No, because Kazuma was staring too, with… fear?

"Ru-Ru! What's all that blood!?"

I stopped a few paces away and looked down. Red splotches soaked the front of my pale and the top of my left thigh, likely soaking through to the grey fabric of my shirt. Wolf blood. Spring's blood.

Kazuma rushed to me, grabbing my shoulders in a firm but gentle grip as he looked me over worriedly.

"Don't worry, Zu," I said, pushing him away and stepping back. If I couldn't be rid of the blood, I would use it. "I'm quite alright. None of it is mine."

I let that comment sink in, allowing that gathering to draw their own conclusions from that vague statement of fact. They didn't need to know that it wasn't human blood, and they didn't need to know that I had held the wolf as he took his last breaths. I think, if I recall, this was the first time I'd been covered in blood that I wasn't the one to spill. It made me feel dirty, somehow more so than when the blood was from my victims. It felt wrong that I should be the one to bear it.

"You're sure you're okay? Whose is it?" Kazuma's rapid fire questions lightened my heart a small bit. His worry over me was reassuring.

"No one terribly important," I said, but the words felt hollow. "No one who will be around to miss it." Again, I hoped for conjecture by the others. Let them come to their own conclusions. Let them be cautious. Let them be afraid.

I looked them all over, then returned my gaze to my brother.

"Yusuke?" I asked, and he shook his head.

"I thought he was with you."

I scoffed, said: "The idiot left me soon in the beginning. He was planning on making a run straight through the center."

A grunt sounded from the center of the group, and I glanced down to see Genkai's face go slack in surprise.

"You say, he tried to go straight through?" I nodded, and she gave a dry laugh. "Then I'm afraid your friend is already dead, or worse. He will have encountered a lethal man-bat that would drain him dry in minutes."

Kazuma let out a distressed yelp, but I stood my ground, staring the woman down as she smoked her half-burnt cigarette. My eyes lit on the thing for a moment before flicking back up to her scowl.

"With all due respect, Master Genkai, you have no idea what that boy is capable of." I turned to look back at the forest. "He will come."

"Well, he'd better make it before the time runs out, which is in three minutes, by the way," she snorted, and I heard the sound of a pocket watch clicking shut.

I stood stock still, staring over the expanse of the forest. My mind was a jumble of conflicting thoughts and muted, but still present, emotional responses. My senses would only extend so far before snapping back into my body like a rubber band pulled too tight, so the one emotion overwhelming the rest was curiosity.

Where was he? How had he fared against the supposed lethal man-bat? Would he be able to withstand whatever came next if he had survived?

Worry was second, concern over his state of health. I didn't want to have to return to find him dead on the unbeaten path. Yet beside my worry, there was the small hope that he would not make it in time, and leave the way clear for me to defeat Rando.

Two minutes.

That small desire in the back of my mind, so prevalent before, was little more than a whisper now. Where earlier that day I had been keen on besting him at every turn, here I was less concerned for my own potential achievements and more for his safety.

I still wanted Genkai's ability, did I not? Of course I did, that was unquestionable.

However, it was possible I didn't want it as much as I wanted him to be alright. The situation didn't feel quite as foreign to me as I thought it might. He had been growing on me for quite a while. We were partners, and I even felt confident in saying we were friends. Perhaps that feeling was not as one-sided as I had been aiming for. Of course, I'd been attached to him for quite a while, but I hadn't understood why.

One minute.

I was attached to Kazuma in the same way, yet him I had known for my entire life. Yusuke's presence was relatively new, practically two months. Yet I already spent so much of my free time with him. Enough to have shared my most well-kept secret.

And he barely bat an eye!

Thirty seconds.

He was not permitted to fail. If I had to go back into those woods and drag him out bodily myself, I would.

Twenty seconds.

I had put too much effort into this friendship. I relied on it, stupidly, and I was paying the price.

Ten.

Over the crest…

Nine.

There was movement…

Eight.

An almost neon green…

Seven.

Standing out from the Dark Forest…

Six.

Moving towards us…

Five.

Becoming a figure…

Four.

Running frantically…

"Wait for me!"

Three.

Two.

One.

Huffing and gasping for air, Yusuke doubled over with his hands braced on his knees. He had made it, on the exact last second. There were rips and tears all over his favorite jacket, and a new cut on his cheek. Other than that, he looked perfectly unscathed.

He straightened with a grumble.

"You know, suddenly I'm reminded of a fortune cookie I ate that said the straight way isn't always the fastest." Kazuma approached him, and I noted his eyes were assessing as mine had been. He was concerned for Yusuke too? Strange, but at the same time, not really that strange.

"You actually went in a straight line?" Genkai asked incredulously, her eyes looking him over with a new sense of curiosity. "What of the demon bat?"

Yusuke blinked, not expecting to be addressed by the small woman, and looking slightly confused.

"You mean Baldoc?" She nodded, and he shrugged. "Yeah, he was hanging out with me for a while. That guy was fast, but not nearly as fast as Hiei. Taru probably coulda took care of him faster than I did, but I still got him real good, you'll see!"

And he laughed. And I smiled. And The gathered men stared. And Genkai smirked.

"Well then, congratulations. You eight have made it to the next challenge."

Before you all go off on me about how weak Hotaru was and how she should have beaten Chin-Po so much more easily, do keep in mind a few things. Hotaru is conserving her energy for Rando. She doesn't want to use it all, then not have enough when the real battle comes up. Also, despite her unquestionable experience in the field, the majority of her victims were untrained civilians, who were taken down with little effort.

Chin-Po is older and more experienced, and also a completely blank character, so I can do what I damn well please with him! I mean, he died to Rando, so there isn't much we actually know about him. Not that I really gave him much of a backstory, but at least he had a little more to his character than Okubo's dad turning and walking away into the darkness. Brownie points for anyone who gets that reference.

So, short little thing. I need to apologize for killing Spring. I didn't mean to! But it had to happen, either he had to die, or Hotaru had to kill the old man, and I already knew I wanted him to live. Believe me, I did not want to kill the pupper! It broke my heart more than you know, and I had to stop multiple times because I was crying. The reason?

Around my birthday (July 2019, the time I wrote that scene), my family had to put down the dog we have had for the past fourteen years. It was a miserable time, and I unconsciously designed Spring after my family dog, like an idiot. So of course I couldn't picture it in my head without seeing my own dog there. It was not an easy scene, as it hit a little too close to home for the particular time.

That being said, if any of you have pets or animals you wish to feature, because animals are so important to Hotaru and her story, let me know! Even deceased pets, like my Grizzy, are welcome.

Meow for now, and make sure to give your animals a whole lot of love. We don't have them nearly long enough, so make their time with you the best time of their lives.