Chapter 4: A Dangerous Race

A thief loses their fingers. A liar loses their tongue. A traitor loses their life. Which should I see you as? Liar? Or traitor?

No! Stay away from me, you damn lunatic!

She laid on her side in just her shirt and trousers, leather armor removed so she could rest comfortably. Her chest rose and fell slowly, slumbering face almost peaceful with the chestnut locks pooled lusciously around her face. Long lashes fluttered open to show deep crimson eyes, still hazy from sleep.

Shizuru felt light and her arms even lighter, throat slightly aching. It was like lying on a cloud, suspended, but rather comfortable. Aware of being awake, Shizuru decided to overcome her feeling of weakness and drowsiness little by little.

She closed her hands and felt an immediate pain in her wrists, especially her right one. She deemed it most likely due to the shock that went through them while blocking the orphan's attack. Trying to roll her wrists around she just couldn't with her right, feeling nothing but pain. Smooth fur was under her palms as she closed her left hand and Shizuru rolled over onto her back.

The knight was in a small room. Rather a cave. A skylight let the sun's rays pool in and she could hear the early morning cries of insects and birds outside. Seeing nothing but a stone wall to her face when she peered left, Shizuru noticed she was in a rectangular alcove in the stone, lying on top of paddings and skins that made a decent bed. Peering right, the wall opposite was adorned with different styles and designs of bows and knives. A simple fire pit stood in the middle of the room, the embers burning weakly now as a thin trail of smoke rose and escaped from the open ceiling.

Natsuki lied alone at the fire pit, no one else present in the room. She was not asleep on the ground, rather just staring up at the open ceiling. Her hands were folded behind her head, cushioning it, and knees bent. The clothes she had on was similar to the night before. Designs of black and green adorned the baggy trousers, held by a black sash. The same styled vest draped the black bra she wore, exposing thick abdominal muscles. The blue-haired beauty appeared calmer compared to the other day, body completely relaxed and no scowl visible on her face. The far off look the young woman gave struck the brunette as rather adorable and she wondered the thoughts running through Natsuki's mind.

Slowly, Shizuru sat up.

The shifting cloth caught Natsuki's attention. Instantly, Natuski's head turned to face Shizuru and the wolf jumped to her feet. She approached Shizuru and instead of being met with the usual aggression she had become accustom to since their meeting, Natsuki's husky voice was a softer tone, not as rough, "How are you feeling?" Shizuru moved to throw her legs over the edge of the bed and her drowsiness made Natsuki think she would topple over. The wolf placed a hand on the knight's shoulder, supporting her, "Oi, take it easy until you fully wake up." She grabbed a ladle from a bucket and offered her water, "Here, drink."

Shizuru graciously accepted and hydrated herself, feeling some energy enter her body and wash away the drowsiness. She blinked a few times, feeling more awake, "Ookini, Natsuki." Shizuru's throat hurt slightly as she spoke. She had to soften it to lessen the irritation. She addressed her simply, aware that their people didn't have titles. Still, habits and upbringing of never addressing someone by their first name, unless permitted, made her feel it was rude. Did they even have last names?

Natsuki was confused, but took back the ladle Shizuru gave her, "You're welcome…?"

Curious, Shizuru had to ask, "How did you find me last night?"

"We have been hunting that damn monster for days. Too smart. It's killed a lot of kinsmen…" Natsuki looked to the side, maybe still in a period of grief for their tribe's loses. Shizuru apologized for the losses, but Natsuki just shrugged. She appreciated it, but did not want to delve into the subject, "Heard its sounds from a mile away. And Aoi and I recognized your scent." It was a good scent, too.

"And where are we?" Shizuru asked, looking around the room again. Her memory of the things that transpired the other night began to return to her. The wolves killing the orphan. Their names despite the lack of an introduction from their side. The tense conversation before Takeda decided to allow her to go with them. Even Aoi's kiss. Shizuru covered her mouth remembering it and the feeling of being completely in someone else's control. "Ara, and she kissed me…"

"We are at my place." Natsuki answered and stood to take the bucket of water to the open entrance, covered simply by a blue woven cloth. She returned, leaning against the wall, arms crossed, biceps rather large for a small woman, "Aoi is one of the few with a Gift. I don't know much, but it's power."

"Power? Are they all the same as hers?"

"… No. The power is unique to oneself. Everyone that has it is different. Some people with a Gift can see memories of the person they touch. Others can bend some objects to their will. Scary stuff if you ask me. I don't have a Gift, I'm normal." Natsuki sighed. Her eyes lingered to the side, "Some can heal. In Aoi's case… she can command. Anything she wants she can make you do as long as your mind is bendable or willing to accept her words. And as long as it's sealed by a kiss. I've heard of some Gifts like hers that only require eye contact, but it's only stories."

Shizuru's brow raised, "Ara, just like we have people who can use magic naturally." Natsuki nodded, showing the gifts some individuals had for both sides were the same general idea, "Aoi's power sounds very dangerous."

Natsuki growled and instantly jumped to her friend's defense. Shizuru did not mean for it to offend, but Natsuki was like a ticking time bomb. Calm the next and not the other, "Aoi would never use it unless she has to!" She pushed herself off the wall, "Anyways, she actually hates it. If she weren't there with us we would have just knocked you out and brought you here. Which would have hurt." Natsuki pushed her face close as she spoke in the same low, husky tone. Then she took a few steps away, "You couldn't know the way to our home. Any human that ends up lost here is commanded to sleep and forget."

The knight understood. Never allow a prisoner to know the location of their captivity. Deprive them of their sight while transporting them or render them unconscious. That is what the knights did with messengers and prisoners of war. Only that Artai was in a time of peace. It is safer and convenient, especially in the tribe's case. Shizuru only hoped she was not their prisoner. They did agree to try to give her an audience after all.

Could it be Erstin and the others in Rein found at the entrance were put to sleep by Aoi? It made sense.

"I understand. I'm sorry, Natsuki. That was rude of me to say." Shizuru smiled and apologized.

The young woman was taken back by an apology. She covered her mouth, vainly hiding her flustered expression. Shizuru very obviously noticed the girl was not used to being apologized to. "W—Whatever. It's not like I care." Natsuki turned away. A stranger is a stranger, Natsuki thought. No matter how kind of an act they put up… or how nice they smelled. A light blush appeared, thankfully out of sight from Shizuru, as she thought of the scent.

Deciding to pull away from their talk, Shizuru asked, "Where is the rest of my things?"

Natsuki simply pointed to a low end table behind her. Shizuru slowly rose to her feet and made her way to it. Her leather vest and bracers, boots, as well as the parchment tube and bag were neatly folded and laid out on the beautifully carved table, covered in designs and symbols foreign to her. The people seemed to know woodcraft. Shizuru paused wanting to scold herself. She was underestimating Natsuki's people. All because of what? Where they were and how they lived? And how they lived Shizuru was still not entirely sure. Of course, they would know how to work wood, metal, and various other things. She just did not know much about the Kagean natives. Not one bit. She needed to stop being so surprised at every similarity she saw between the wolves and humans.

She searched through her belongings for a second and blinked. Of course. The map was the only thing missing, as well as her weapon. Ara, I can't blame them.

As Shizuru pulled on her leather, belt, and bag, she heard Natsuki speak behind her, "Good morning, Aoi."

The knight looked over her shoulder to see Aoi entering Natsuki's living space, brushing away the cloth that blocked the entrance. Bright sunlight shone behind the cloth and the brunette had the urge to be outside now.

Seeing Aoi now raised the hairs on her neck and she continued to lace her bracers together, pretending not to notice the woman enter. The kiss was not what got her. It was only a kiss. A kiss with absolutely no romantic motive or feeling behind it. Shizuru did not care about the kiss. It was just the power it had, the power Aoi had, and it gave Shizuru a sense of… helplessness. Complete and utter helplessness. Like her mind and body had been invaded and she could do nothing to stop it.

Shizuru, with people, was simple. Her upbringing called for her to show kindness and humility, even in the face of those that did not reciprocate it. She trusted until given a reason not to trust. Aoi's power gave her a reason to be alert, but if it was as Natsuki said, it would not be used again on her. Aoi's power, however, did not give her a reason to stop trusting her. She saved her from Natsuki and trusted her enough to return her weapon. The knight, with a barely audible sigh, decided to suck it up and finished off lacing her bracers and slipping on her boots.

Finished dressing, Shizuru turned to see the two sitting down, legs crossed and relaxed. The way they looked at Shizuru prompted her to sit down as well so she sat across the fire from them, legs folded underneath her thighs. Enough could be said by the way they dressed and sat that they were from different worlds. She was no longer on her own, but Shizuru still felt detached.

Aoi held a deerskin bag that she opened while Natsuki held wooden plates. The bluenette glanced up at Shizuru and took a plate, "Catch."

She threw it over the dying fire and Shizuru caught it.

Aoi smiled a friendly one and Shizuru returned a rather forced one. The young woman was obviously unbothered by the other night, but knew Shizuru was, "I apologize for the other night if it was uncomfortable. It must have been strange for you, but we had to do it."

She pulled out what looked like seasoned raw strips of meat from the deerskin bag and piled it on the plate Natsuki placed by them. Immediately, Natsuki began kindling the dying fire and soon enough it roared with life again. Only after the wolves began placing the meat to cook did Shizuru realize she was hungry.

Her stomach growled silently, but the wolves heard it clearly and grinned. Aoi tended to their cooking food and spoke, "Takeda spoke to our Guides. They agreed to meet with you, but only after you've eaten,"

In addition to the deer strips, Natsuki cooked up a delicious stew, completely filling and satisfying their stomachs. After finishing the meal Natsuki picked up after them, placing the wooden plates and bowls outside the entrance to clean later. Stepping past the clothed entrance they walked through a short corridor that wind funneled through. A nook to the right held a stick and log holder with an axe leaning against the wall. At the end of the corridor was the Kagean outdoors. Shizuru shielded her eyes from the bright sun, the sky clear without a single cloud in sight.

Eventually her hand dropped to her side and she saw the simple outside of Natsuki's humble little home. A small pond was outside with wooden archery targets at the other side of it, ranged from human to animal shaped. A few arrows were still pinned to the posts, hitting either dead center or on every vital of the respective creatures' body. The area was rather grassy other than the bare dirt ground just outside of the entrance. Several scuff, track, and scratch marks shown in the dirt—signs of fighting. Shizuru figured the young wolf was into sparring. Rubbing her aching throat, she thought, She is strong.

Walking into the forest directly ahead it only continued on for a few meters. Reaching its end Shizuru's eyes twinkled with fascination. The wood line opened up to a rather large agora, reminding her of a marketplace with the men, women, and children running about. Some were transformed, some in their human skin. She notice some were not wolves at all. Shizuru noticed felines prancing about and ravens with large wings carrying their bodies through the sky. In the background of the lovely village scenery was a mountain, towering proudly into the sky while the rest of the mountain range shamefully stretched along.

The marketplace-like agora was, however, not a marketplace. The tribesmen were either weaving baskets or speaking, sparring, or simply relaxing. All brought together in one area as a large family. Shizuru had to wonder if one alpha pair was responsible for such a large pack. The majority looked nothing alike. Natsuki and Aoi, as well. Being in the same pack they must have been sisters, right?

Natsuki was closer as Aoi led the way, weaving them through the numerous bodies walking about. Shizuru placed a hand on her arm and the wolf flinched. Still, she calmly looked over her shoulder, "What is it?" She mumbled, locking eyes with Shizuru. The knight was glad Natsuki was at least in the mood to talk.

"This is a large village. Is this all one pack under one alpha?" She asked, curious and just wanting to break the silence of the trio.

"Yes, this is one pack, but what's an alpha?" Natsuki's eyebrow raised.

Shizuru brought a finger to her chin, arranging her words, and with a hum, answered, "What we know about wolves is they live in packs. Dominated by an alpha male and female."

The blue-haired woman's lips pulled to wry grin, "Are you sure you have not been looking at confused little dogs instead of wolves?" she said almost mockingly, "It is true most packs are small, but what you see here is many families and many people all united as one family. We aren't dominated by Gouu and Saeko, they're our Guides. When a decision needs to be made they help. They make sure we are happy and safe. Like parents." Natsuki's voice softened.

"That sounds wonderful, Natsuki." Shizuru smiled at her, "For everyone to be so close like this, you all must live happy fulfilling lives. I wish I knew what a family was like," the brunette said the last sentence under her breath.

She did not think Natsuki heard it, but Natsuki's eyes widened slightly. This woman doesn't have a family? She thought. Still, she decided to pretend she did not hear it and looked forward, "I—I guess…"

Feeling that was all the talk that would come out of Natsuki, Shizuru allowed the walk to continue in silence. She now had to battle the uneasy feeling of stares all around her. Anyone within visible range noticed her, her attire, her human descent. She paid no mind, not really expecting anything other than what she was getting now. Some poked at her like a foreign object though, making her rather uncomfortable. Natsuki noticed and deterred anyone from bothering their guest.

"Who you'll being seeing is Saeko and Gouu," Aoi finally began speaking, capturing Shizuru's attention, "They're our Guides and they'll see to your message. They're very kind, so don't worry."

Eventually a tree hut came into view, one of the few buildings around. The style of housing, she noticed, probably depended on the individual's taste. She had seen some tree huts at the other side of the agora, some on the ground. The tree hut was built on a tall species she could not identify, a small deck encircling the outside. The hut itself was not too high up, but Shizuru still wondered how they got up and down.

Natsuki answered her question by jumping on the tree, grasping a branch, "Well, come on, let's go." She made it look so terribly easy.

Shizuru could not remember the last time she climbed a tree. As a child she did, but never with a tree this tall. Aoi suddenly asked, "Shizuru, you're not hurt from yesterday are you?"

The brunette walked up to the tree looking up, "Ara, my wrists are in some pain and my throat as well," she answered honestly. Natsuki looked away at the mention of her throat being in pain. They could tell from Shizuru's tone of voice since waking that it hurt to talk. It was like being sick and having a sore throat, but the throbbing was always there. Even if I weren't hurt I still can't climb this!

"You're not climbing yourself then. No need having you hurt more," Aoi hummed, hands on her hips. Blue eyes peered at the blue haired woman, still hanging on the tree branch like a koala. Wolves climbing trees. Who would've thought? "Natsuki~ Carry her up."

"Eh? Why me?!"

"Because you're stronger." Aoi smiled casually.

Natsuki looked at Shizuru and back at Aoi, "Tch, fine, but if we fall and die I'm never talking to you again!" She pointed, still hanging on with an arm before hopping down.

Aoi giggled at the irony of those words. "You're so silly, let's not keep them waiting," she said and waved, hopping up a few meters and grabbing hold of the first branch. The brunette quickly ascended, leaving the two behind.

Natsuki just stood close to the tree and turned her back to Shizuru, bending her knees slightly. She used a thumb to point backwards, "Oi, hop on." The knight approached her and wrapped her arms around the werewolf's shoulders. Sure that Shizuru had a good grip, Natsuki immediately jumped up and grabbed hold of the first branch, swinging herself from one to the other.

Swinging through the air as they were, movement free and completely unhindered because of Natsuki's beastly strength was an experience for Shizuru. She trusted the woman she held on to, knowing her strength was more than any human. The only conflict was to avoid looking down. If she did she would probably tense up and accidentally choke the poor girl and get them killed. Instead, Shizuru focused on relaxing.

In the endeavor, the knight unconsciously rested the side of her face in Natsuki's long hair, tied in a low ponytail. Her hair was soft and smelled of wild pine, a scent she had never noticed from afar. She again unconsciously rubbed her face deeper into the soft mane, drawing a stifled sound from Natsuki. Shizuru realized what she was doing and just froze, suddenly regretful of what she did. She could only imagine Natsuki's face currently and seriously hoped the unconscious action did not anger or discomfort the girl.

Still, Natsuki continued climbing without a word. All the rapid climbing did not seem to tire her out. Her breathing was stable, showing no signs of ever picking up. Soon enough, Natsuki stopped on a branch. They reached a part of the tree that had no branches. It was an area of a few meters completely devoid of support they needed—a danger zone that Aoi was only half way finished with crossing.

"Oi, Aoi." The younger brunette looked down at the sound of Natsuki's voice. Natsuki's face was smug—yet another new expression Shizuru had had the pleasure of witnessing, "We caught up pretty fast, getting tired are you?"

Aoi let out a shaky laugh, "In your dreams. I'm just trying to be careful here." She, too, did not show signs of fatigue. Perhaps she was shaking because of the heights. She was a denizen of the ground, after all.

Natsuki grinned and began crossing the hazard zone, one leap after another, resting for a period in between each before continuing. Soon, they were past Aoi and the brunette felt pressured to catch up. Natsuki felt competitive and was then drawn into a race with the brunette.

Aoi did begin to close the distance, using the reserved energy she had taking her sweet time earlier. They were eventually neck and neck, Shizuru merely watching as a spectator from Natsuki's back. She had a feeling Natsuki would breeze her way up the tree if she were not burdening her.

Branches appeared once more and soon they reached the foundations of the hut. Maneuvering through the foundation beams, they aimed to reach for the edge of the deck. Natsuki reached it first, followed by Aoi just a few seconds later.

On the safety of the deck, Shizuru released her hold of Natsuki, "Ara, that was an interesting race," she laughed.

Both Aoi and Natsuki were keeled over, hands on their knees. Clearly, racing wore them out. They were worried they would drop and plummet to the ground just before reaching the foundation. "I won…" Breathed Natsuki, "Next time we babysit… you're watching all those little brats."

"I wasn't aware we made a bet… but alright." Aoi straightened up.

Immediately after Aoi composed herself, a gigantic werewolf burst through the door of the hut and nearly broke it, bellowing lowly, but loudly, "What in the world took you two so long?! It's rude to keep the guest waiting she has business here!"

The younger brunette and bluenette both jumped while Shizuru simply stood there in bewilderment of the size of the gray and white-furred werewolf. He wore trousers similar to Natsuki's dark green and black ones and had no shirt, rather just bracers around his wrists. A gemmed necklace dangled from his neck. The young wolves looked terrified, but suddenly the large wolf's posture relaxed and his lips pulled back in a toothy grin, "Just kidding~" his voice was suddenly soft, "I just wanted to see what would happen, you two are priceless," He laughed and turned to Shizuru, bowing, "My name is Gouu. One of the Guides of this pack."

Surprised he knew the customs of greeting in Artai, Shizuru bowed back and he stood straight again, towering almost two feet above Shizuru. "My name is Shizuru Fujino, it's a pleasure to meet you." She smiled.

"I understand you have business here. Please, come in." Gouu motioned for the door.

"I—Including us?" Natsuki pointed at both herself and Aoi. She did not understand the purpose since the business had nothing to do with them.

"Of course, pup! You two brought her here after all." Gouu motioned with his head towards the door, "There will be no secret about this. We can discuss this openly. Come."