Was this a nightmare I wasn't waking up from? Surely dreams like this don't last forever, do they? I thought when I had died, it would be the ending of my suffering, but I underestimated that this new world be a place of second chances. The hatred and discrimination would follow anyone anywhere, no matter how peaceful or beautiful a new place might look. It scared me to think what would have happened if I had let my full weapons do their full deed? It would have been worse than the killing of Tem, it would be much bloodier and much more horrific. I guess even on the outside, it could be as terrible as it was on the inside.

Calming down and splashing cold water on my face in the bathroom, I tried to make myself look like I had not just had a breakdown, but it only helped so much. I wish I had my backpack. It was too late to go back for it now, I would have to wait till tomorrow. Luckily, I was a week ahead of all my assignments and didn't need to turn anything in. My stomach growled with hunger, as much as I didn't have the appetite to eat anything right now, I needed to get something in me before I would be faint from lack of nutrition. I got myself some miso soup with tofu and a bread roll and went outside. Sitting on the concrete ledge next to the cafeteria, I let my legs hang over the edge as they swung slowly back and forth. As much as my body wanted me to eat, I couldn't bring myself to do so as I just twirled the soup around with my spoon mindlessly, too depressed after what happened today.

The sun began to set in the distance, painting the sky with pink, yellow, and orange streaks. It was gorgeous, nature itself was a masterpiece. "Hey, mind if I join you?"

I gasped a bit startled but to find the rabbit from the gardening club earlier with her own tray of food. "Oh, it's you, um, yeah I d-don't mind"

"Oh great! Thanks!"

She sat down beside me and began to eat in silence as I continued to stare down at my reflection in my soup, I hated seeing myself so miserable, it was getting to be too much even for myself. "Hey are you alright? You have such good soup, are you not hungry?"

"My stomach is saying yes, but my mind says no. It's just...a lot has happened today and I am just trying to process it"

"Do you want to talk about it?"

I shook my head, I would of just broke down again, I already cried all the tears out of my heart for one day. "Oh...um, I-I am sorry that you are hurt. But by the way, I am sorry for how I seemed a bit offended by your good deed earlier, no one has ever been that nice to me before. I wasn't sure on how to act"

"It's okay there is nothing to it, as long as those bullies didn't hurt you, that's all that matters to me"

"I haven't seen them since that afternoon, but I have a feeling that they will be back. Oh and by the way I never caught your name, I meant to ask you until the mattress nearly crushed us. My name is Haru, what's yours?" She turns her head to me and smiles

I looked at her with curiosity, I don't think anyone has ever asked me that question not since I have been here. My name meant something important to me, in fact the reason why it was that important to me it's because I named myself. But this was the highlight of my day, meeting this nice rabbit and getting to have some of her pretty flowers that looked beautiful in my window. I guess today wasn't all that bad. "Aayame, it's nice to meet you, Haru. Actually, you are the second person who has been nice to me since I got here, it's been nice to be able to talk to new people, your flowers really brightened up my dorm"

"Well thank you guess all that hard work really did pay off"

We both smiled but it wasn't long till I could sense someone coming up beside the two of us "Bullies approaching", I quietly whispered "Just keep quiet"

"Wow I am impressed. The whole's school ignoring you and yet you sit here still so strong, a little risky wouldn't you say? For a bunny rabbit like you just sitting out here with the omni-freak waiting to be devoured like your lunch"

Haru, being calm and collected stood up with her tray and I was ready to intervene if needed, I didn't want to risk her being hurt again. I was still tempted to tell administration about the earlier incident, I could get them expelled for damage to school property and harm to a student. That would really teach them not to bully anyone else ever again. "Instead of spreading rumors about me, maybe concentrate on getting back together with your boyfriend?"

Wow! She is brave! For being much smaller than the harlequin rabbit and her friends, she had fire in her soul. "Huh? Who do you think you are? None of that is your-"

"Why don't you just leave us alone? We already been through enough of your bullshit for today, or you all just got nothing better to do in your miserable time?" I boldly stood up and walked up next to Haru

The taller rabbit and her friends gasped in disgust. I had to admit that was a clever comeback, I am not one to insult anyone but for someone who clearly thinks that they can just bully someone else for their pleasure, she deserved it. I was proud of myself for that one. "Oh, I forgot to tell you Aayame he's the one who kissed me, besides, a guy who gets excited over one little kiss? Kinda tells you something doesn't it?"

"I would think so too, looks like he made the right choice, excuse us"

As we both walked away, my eyes widen seeing behind me the rabbit starting to go for Haru. I gasped and shoved her out of the way backwards, instead getting the hands pushed on my back making me be knocked off the edge falling face first on to the concrete below. But before I could get my head up off the ground, I could feel the water being splashed on my back, the familiar feeling of the cold uncomfortableness cling to my back and my hair now damp...again. "Oopsies, look what you did Haru. Getting someone else in trouble again for your actions. Don't forget that my boyfriend and I are harlequin rabbits. You are nothing compared to us Haru. A common dwarf rabbit who's trying to destroy a couple with obvious pedigree. I guess I am just going to have to tell everyone at school that you are fooling around with other guys, and the freak who is even lower than you on the totem pole. Let's go"

I slowly sat up after hearing the bullies had left, the sadness had yet once again returned. I saw Haru jump down from the platform and rush to my side, helping me sit up. "Oh my gosh Aayame are you alright? Why would you do that? Now your uniform is all wet and oh my gosh you are bleeding!"

Now in this moment, the pain seems to have made me numb all over and I couldn't feel it anymore. I looked down to see my knees were scraped and bleeding out slowly dripping on to the ground. I had finally hit my limit. "It's nothing serious, I will be fine, you should go back to your dorm, it's going to get dark soon"

I slowly get to my feet and began to walk away. "Aayame?"

"I...I need to be alone, don't worry about me, I can handle this..."

I leave the small rabbit alone and began to walk with no direction out into the growing darkness. Soon the night came over the campus grounds and as I walked along one of the many paths, I could feel the trickle of drops hit my head soon to be quickly followed by more. Now I was drenched from my head to my feet as the rain poured down. Some luck this was. But as cold as the rain was, it soothed the pain and headache from the assault, my head looked up as the droplets pelted my face providing me with relief. I could feel the dried blood from the scrapes on my cheeks gently be washed away. But my thoughts were shaken as thunder rumbled loudly, lighting struck with such anger in the sky. Maybe this thunderstorm was meant to show the school that it was angry of how I was treated today. How anyone badly was treated today.

Slushing in my soaked shoes, I ran to the nearest tree for shelter, wanting to wait till it would settle down some before I would go back to my dorm. As I sat watching the rain fall, I curiously looked down and ran a finger over where I could feel the skin concaving in. That was the one wound that would end of my suffering forever from the years of isolation and torture I had endured after making my so close of an escape. I shuddered as I remembered, feeling the chains dragging behind me as the shackles still clasped around my wrists. My naked body bloodied, the heavy metal helmet that hid my entire head that was hard for me to keep my vision straight. I couldn't even see in it, but I could sense where everyone had stood. Before the inevitable would happen, I had fully lost control and bloodshed had begun. Until that fatal shot, tearing through my muscle till it invaded through my heart. I lost all feeling in my body and that's when I collapsed, life had been drained from my soul, it seemed like it took forever.

So much for it to fade, after dying, I thought it would be gone like it had never happened. I wonder what would happen if I died here? Would I finally be rid of this pain? Or would I have many other worlds to suffer through too? Too tired and too much in pain to walk to the other side of campus to get back to my warm dorm, I slid down in the damp grass, laying my head down at the base of the tree trunk. My eyes began to slowly droop close. I was completely alone now, my optimism of making something work in this world was now gone. At least I would know that I wouldn't die having a chance at friendship with Haru, at least I think she would want to be a friend of mine. I counted that for something. As my mind slipped away, all I could think about, was Legoshi, the wolf that didn't judge me for one second, despite not knowing him much, I would be forever grateful for the kindness that he has given me.

The wolf had picked her scent, even with the distracting and similar scents that lurked in the air, he was able to focus solely on her trail and followed. He lost it for a while trying his best to find her again but was unsuccessful. Seeing the young girl burst out through Louis's meeting room, even without her saying anything he knew something terrible had been done, the scent of her fear and desperation filled his nostrils. She was hurt, he could only guess what had happened, he only hoped it wasn't what he had feared the most, did Louis do something to violate her? Sure he wouldn't have, he was the star of the school, but would he have the ability of doing so?

When she ran out of the classroom, he realized she had left all of her belongings behind. Grabbing her backpack quickly, he ran after her to catch up to her leaving the others behind in confusion. But what surprised Legoshi was how fast she had ran, she was nowhere in sight by the time he had gotten outside. Looking down at the small backpack in his hand, he had lifted it up to his nostrils and took in her scent that was embedded into the material. Honey and cherry blossom, a succulent scent, it made his mouth water greatly. Focusing back on the task after picking up her scent, he ran after her. But soon had lost the trail, no matter how hard he sniffed, she had alluded him. For a wolf that would seem impossible for any living creature to escape his powerful sensory system, she must be clever. Looking all around the school, he checked anywhere where he thinks she might have gone too. Lecture halls, cafeteria, the gym, the pool, near the dorms and even the auditorium, nowhere in sight. Like she had just vanished, into thin air.

He was close to giving up, he still held on to her backpack, he didn't look inside, he wanted to respect her privacy. Why was he doing this for a stranger? He barely knew her, he didn't even know what her name was, and yet he was doing all of this for the girl with the horns that grew out of her head. But for some reason she drew his attention, she was the first person that treated him like a male animal, with dignity and respect. There was no ounce of fear in her face, her eyes were genuine and honest. She was shy around him, but he knows he can be too around others, but he found it to be...beautiful coming from her. Walking along the path to head to his dorm for the evening, the thunderstorm had caught up to him as he ran fast as he could to avoid being soaked. Passing through a puddle, the familiar scent flew past his nostrils, making him stop dead in his tracks as he sniffed curiously. She was close, but where? He followed it. Deeply inhaling it, his mouth watered as if he had been given the best meal in his life, the scent was addicting like his own drug.

Following further it got stronger and there she was underneath a huge oak tree. Lying face down in the mud, the young girl was not moving. Panicked, he ran up the hill to where she laid, dropping her backpack beside him, going down on all fours. Unsure of what to do, he held out his hand, his long sharp claws barely touched her before he flinched back. Wait was this, okay? He was the one who attacked her, why was he doing this? She was already hurt enough; he didn't want to hurt her more. He did hurt her, unintentionally, but it was all due to his instincts that he had gotten out of his control. He wouldn't forgive himself for that. Sure, he may be a capable carnivore able to take down any living being with one bite or swipe with his claws, but he knows deep down he wasn't a monster, despite no one believing in that stereotype. But no one would look at him the way that she had, like she knew he wasn't what everyone suspected him to be. She understands.

Slowly ever so slowly, he reached down again till the palm of his hand touched the back of her head, her wet tangled hair stained his fur. Turning her head carefully, mud stained one side of her cheek, cuts and scrapes littered her heart shaped face. Supporting the back of her head with his hand, the rest of her body turned over, her uniform was drenched, she was freezing cold to the touch. She shook unconsciously, shivering to keep her body warm. As he looked down further, he saw patches of dried blood on her knees, she must have fallen, or someone might of have done this to her. First Tem being killed in cold blood and now a new student had been hurt too? Why was this happening? It was like it was becoming a curse here at school.

He had to get her help, but no one was out and about during this hour. Not during this downpour. He wasn't sure if he should do this, but he couldn't leave her out here, the rain wasn't going to let up anytime soon. Following his morals, his arm slid underneath the girl's back till her head was now resting on his bicep, his other went under her knees being careful not to lift up the skirt of her dress. He carefully stood to his feet, as if the small body in his arms could break like a piece of glass with one wrong move on his behalf. She was so light, barely making him use any strength to hold her to him. With the pull of gravity, she fell face first into the right side of his chest. He flinched nervously; he was actually holding her! Like how a parent would to their child, consoling them. Her body immediately began to slow in shaking, moaning softly she huddled close as the thick warm fur that covered his body buried her in relief from the cold. If anyone could hear how hard and fast Legoshi's heart was beating, it would tune out a drum solo.

He wasn't sure how long she had been out here for, but he knew he had to get her someplace warm before she would be a goner. He could survive with having such a thick coat of fur, but the material of her body wasn't made to last out in cold conditions. Taking her bag in his hand before slinging it over his shoulder, he looked out seeing if the coast was clear, and made a dash for his dorm. He knows he is not allowed to have the opposite sex in the dorms during this hour, luckily the dorm mother wouldn't check in until later and his roommates were down at another room having game night. Giving him enough time to get her warmed up and get her wounds cleaned.

I wasn't sure how long I was out for, I felt at peace. Probably the best sleep I had in a long time. I felt so warm, so comfortable, it almost felt like an embrace, something that I don't think I remember having felt in so long. Something must be different, all I remembered was being wet, feeling blood trinkle from my knees and feeling numb from all the pain of today. Surely something must have happened for me to be feeling this right now. I was almost too afraid to open my eyes, fearing that this wonderful feeling would leave me stranded, but my eyes slowly opened to see I was no longer outside. Confused, I looked down to see I wrapped in a huge navy colored blanket that was thick and heavy. A comfy white pillow supported my head, wait did I make it back to my dorm? If I had I certainly wouldn't have remembered it.

Turning my head, I looked to see I was in someone's bed in someone's dorm room. How did I get here?! Panicked I sat up but hadn't realized it was a bunk bed and hit my head on the top of the small space. "Ow!" I rubbed my head with my hand already feeling a small knot forming underneath my temple, that surely would push out later on

A door slowly opened and someone had stepped in. I could see the recognizable uniform pants and brown loafers walk inside, the sound of the door closing behind them. I backed up as far as I could tugging the blanket tight around me, maybe who brought me here had other intentions, maybe they followed me and saw I had passed out, would if they were here now to taken advantage of me? First Louis, now this student too?! I wouldn't be afraid to fight again if I had to, I was no longer going to be a victim to anyone. No matter what species.

"O-oh you are awake"

Wait I recognized that voice, how could I not? It was probably the most gentle and beautiful voice that I have ever heard. I slowly crawled forward to find...him. It was Legoshi! He found me? He brought me to his room? Oh god! The that means I was laying in his bed?! Oh this was so awkward! I suffered an assault from one of the most popular students, get pushed and hurt protecting someone from bullies, end up passing out in the rain, and waking up in a wolf's bed, what a way for me to end up here. "It's you"

In his hand he held a cup that was letting steam escape from the styrofoam material. His gaze was gentle like it was every single time he looked at me. He sighed in relief and handed me the cup carefully. "I-I thought you might be thirsty when woke up, I am sorry i-its green tea, that's all we had"

"T-thank you"

I took it carefully, my fingers gently grazing over his own. His fur was so soft and warm. I couldn't help but blush pink, luckily my now damp hair was hiding my face well, so it wasn't too obvious. I took a long sip; the warm liquid immediately provided my insides the heat it needed to relax and function properly. Kneeling down Legoshi, got to my eye level, resting his hand on the edge of the mattress for support, he was such a gentleman to do that. Does he do that just for me or for everyone?

"What were you doing out there? You were freezing when I got you in, are you okay? Are you hurt?"

His face was written with concern like before. My gaze shifted away from him. I just wanted to forget about today, it was probably the most painful out of all the days I have been here at school. I wouldn't have wanted to wish this on anyone, not even the bullies for injuring me. "H-hey, did something happen in drama club? Did Louis do s-something to you?"

I gulped quietly, I hadn't had anyone be this concerned about me before, it was so strange. It almost felt unreal that I wasn't sure what to do. No one cared of my feelings let alone wellbeing, I was so isolated from the world I didn't know what the feeling of being cared for by someone actually felt like. "I don't think...I don't think words could explain what happened."

Looking away I heard him gasp quietly as I pushed back my some of my hair, he now knew what happened in that room, the marks proved the violation of someone's safety and dignity that was littering my skin, were the fresh black small bruises, spaced slightly in between each other. "D-did he-?"

I hid the side of my neck with my hand, not even meeting the gaze of the horrified wolf. "It's nothing serious... I have had worse encounters, but I made my point clear, he won't do this again to nobody"

My eyes closed slowly; it wouldn't be the first time that I had been hurt by someone. In fact, all I knew about living was pain, it never seemed to be ended, nor give me any leniency. Even when I slept, the pain would give me no grace. I then felt my hair move back again and my eyes slightly open to see he had reached towards barely grazing his fingers over the bruises. "Oh!"

With a flinch he pulled back immediately holding his wrist with his other hand "Oh s-sorry I was just-"

"No I uh-s-sorry just still kind of shaken from earlier"

"I-I didn't mean to scare you I-uh"

"No!"

I blushed hard at my quickness in response, hiding my mouth behind my hand. "S-sorry, you don't scare me, in fact I'm not afraid of you, if's that what you are thinking. I have no reason to be, after all you did help me when I needed it, no one has ever done that for me. In fact, you are not only the first student to actually talk to me but has been kind to me all this time"

Giving him a grateful smile, he looked unsure of how to respond. Was he supposed to be happy? Proud? Or acting all confident? But I couldn't tell, he was hard to read, I couldn't tell what he was thinking, I only hoped that what I had said had not made him uncomfortable. I was starting to feel worried when he hadn't said anything, but as he inhaled, his look changed. His ears perked, his nostrils flared open some, he had smelled something but what? His eyes closed with a look of curiosity, he started to sniff more frequently catching on to the scent, leaning forward and he was sniffing towards me. Wait towards me? Did I smell? Good god, I must smell musky and horrible from the storm why would he be smelling me?

But as his wet nose touched my skin, the sniffing actually tickled causing me to giggle voluntarily, causing me to hide coyly as he moved his long face past my cheek till it reached my right ear continuing his advancement. This actually felt really...nice. I know it may look like he was being weird, and maybe it was a bit perverted on his end, but in the moment, I just didn't care. I already felt all my anxiety and pain from today just starting to slowly melt away just being in his presence. "W-what is it?"

He gasped suddenly and pulled back immediately, looking horrified. When he was sniffing me, it looked like he was lost in a spell and he just had let his mind wander, in that moment it looked like he was at peace, but reality must have snapped something back when he realized what he was doing. "O-oh my god, I-I am so sorry, I-I d-don't know what came over me, I-uh-I just...you smelled nice...oh t-that's so rude for me to say...I-"

"H-hey it's okay" I gently grip his shoulders, trying to calm his nerves "It's okay, don't worry big guy...it's no harm done"

"S-sorry, I-I just"

"Hey no need to worry, i-it's okay, I am not offended, by the way your fur...it's i-is very soft" I giggle softly hiding my blush in my cheek, pulling the ends of my hair in front of my face

I reached behind my ear and forgot from earlier that I had placed one of the flowers I had picked there, revealing a small dark blue carnation. "O-oh this must be what you were smelling, beautiful isn't it? I got it from the gardening club today, I think maybe you would really like it there, it's got beautiful flowers of all kinds"

"Oh...yeah, um its nice"

"H-hey don't worry, I won't say anything, this is just between us"

Even with my words of reassurance he still looked uneasy, he must feel really bad about what he did. Funny, normally anyone who did anything to me had no regrets, let alone any remorse. But as I let my hand rest on his shoulder giving him a gentle smile, slowly and surely, he started to calm down, his anxiety starting to relieve him, giving me a shy smile in return. Then his gaze turned down. "O-oh I-I didn't want to do this while you were asleep, but I thought we should get those cuts cleaned up" His finger pointed to my dried blood-stained knees as I looked down, they were cakey and crumbling into little bits to the floor. He had reached beside him looking into the small cubbies as my finger gingerly rubbed at the damage

"H-here let me help you" He pulled out a metal box and inside was first aid supplies. Taking a rag, he gently squeezed out some saline on to the fabric soaking it. Carefully his hand took a hold of the back of my knee, he touched the entrance of the cut, but as the solution touched my skin it began to sting painfully. Wasn't that the opposite of what medicine was supposed to do? To heal not to hurt. Gritting my teeth, my body scrunched up some, almost wanting to get away from the treatment. Sensing my distress, he beamed and bringing his face closer to my leg, he gently blew a soft gentle stream of air against the wound relieving me of the uncomfortableness. I sighed with relief as I began to relax, and he chuckled a little. "I-I know i-it always feels better if someone blows on it, makes it more bearable"

Silently I watched him continue his work, he seemed to know what he was doing, was he studying to be a nurse or a doctor maybe? As he cleaned my knees free from the blood, he placed a clean piece of gauze on each knee and began to wrap each one in adhering bandages, letting the roll carefully slip in and out of his sharp claws.

"W-will I need stitches?"

"No, it's not that deep, close enough but you won't"

Tightening the bandages around my knee, I winced a bit in pain as he flinched back in response. "O-oh s-sorry just wanted to make sure they were covered so they won't get infected"

"N-no it's okay, just hurts a little that's all"

"There, all clean, they may hurt walking for a while, but they should heal in a few days" He started to put the medical supplies back into the box before placing it back in the cubby where it was stored.

"T-thank you, you know you didn't have to do this for me"

"I know I didn't, but would kind of person would that make me? I know what I am as a carnivore, in the eyes of others I will always be a beast, feared and hated. But just because many would think of me as a monster hiding in the darkness no matter what I do, I-I would be willing to help someone who needed it, e-even if the other party may not want it"

His words, they were so sad, I could tell by looking at him, he was in a lot of pain. Even if he didn't show it well, I could see right through him, he had been dealing with this pain probably for a very long time, longer than he should have had to. All because of simple looks that looked different, scary in the eyes of someone who doesn't understand he was given such a horrible stereotype right from the start. Why would anyone do that to someone they don't even know? Why did cruelty and hatred have to exist? Why did it find him? Why did it find me? Anyone that is cruel towards anyone without giving a chance or opportunity to show for their true nature, it proved that they wouldn't be able to see past their own arrogance and stubbornness that people like Legoshi and myself would have to pay the consequences.

"You met the wrong people first, if I had met you earlier on you wouldn't have been treated that way, nor I would allow anyone to treat you like that, you don't look like a monster to me, not to me you don't..."

"It will always be that way, even with your kind words, it wouldn't change anything...as much as I wish it could, but it's nice to know that someone views me differently" His mouth slowly curves into a sad smile, he knew she was right, he was so much more but as long as he was a carnivore, he would always be dubbed the monster, the beast, the predator. If more people could listen to her powerful and meaningful words of understanding and compassion, the world itself would be a happier place for carnivores like him.

At least he knows I see him who he is, Legoshi, the kind wolf who saved me and took care of me with a generous soul. Wanting to make lighter of the moment, my eyes wondered around the room till something caught my attention, a small clear container sitting on a nightstand right beside Legoshi's bed.

"What is that?"

He followed my gaze and eyed the container and shifted closer. I could see something crawl over a small piece of wood inside. I don't think I ever seen anything like it before, but why was it here in his room? "O-oh I know it might be strange, but it's my pet beetle...Beetly"

He made an insect a pet? That surely was strange, but I didn't judge him for it, as long as it made him happy then it was okay with me. It reminded me before on what connection I had with someone who couldn't even talk back to me, he may have not been able to talk, but his actions proved his loyalty and love that he had to me...before. Legoshi reached inside the container and the bug crawled ever so slowly up his finger till it rested on the top of his hand. I scooted closer curiously looking down at the six-legged creature, it sure was tiny but it looked calm even crawling over the wolf's paw. It was nothing like what I had ever seen before, it was different for me, but I guess that's how others felt when they looked me. Big or small, herbivore or carnivore.

"Hey Beetly, you are trying to walk more, good job" He cooed softly to the bug

"Was he not able to walk before?"

"No...I found him a few days ago out walking back to my dorm. I think a couple of his legs were stepped on and he couldn't walk right, I couldn't just leave him out there, so I have been trying to nurse him back to health, but it looks like his legs are healing"

Wow...what a kind soul, the beetle explored around some more before he crawled forward facing towards me, as if he was staring at me with his tiny eyes, my reflection could barely be seen in the tiny pupils. He then began to edge forward going towards the joint of Legoshi's finger towards the knuckle. As if he was reaching out for me. "Hey, I think he wants to say hello to you, d-do you want to-"

He held his hand up a bit higher towards me. He really wanted me to meet his pet? He had trusted me like that? I wasn't sure on how to handle something so small, what if he didn't like me? What if I accidentally hurt him? "I c-can? Are y-you sure?"

"It's okay, he won't bite, here hold out your hand flat"

He gave me a reassuring smile, he actually did trust me, with something that was so treasured by him even with him barely knowing me. I slowly held out my hand, are fingers barely touching each other's, the beetle sensing its extended path to move forward crawled forward till he reached the palm of my hand. My other hand consciously joined my other, cupping the tiny creature ever so carefully. It felt so strange feeling its little legs dance along my skin, I couldn't believe it was that possible for a creature to be this small, be so calm being someone's grasp. I must be enormous in the little insect's eyes, but even so with me being a monster, a freak, it at least felt good to know that this little creature wasn't scared of my appearance. "He's so little, but he looks in good shape, you are taking good care of him"

Leogshi's smile grew wider, and slowly his head lifted and without his eyes even shifting I could tell what he was looking at. I gulped quietly, not this again...I thought this was going really well, but now I feared it was going downhill, he would do the same thing many others have done.

"Oh those horns?"

"Oh do they bother you?" Instinctively I hid my left horn behind my hand, hiding it from view. These horns were one of the main reasons why anyone displaying these features, was feared and hated. Why would something so insignificant of something small growing out of my head be that terrifying to someone else? It's not like it was I pointing a weapon at them, they were just simple body characteristics I have. "T-that's not it all"

"I understand, they are not normal" I tried to move some of my damp to cover the horn the best I could, I didn't want to make him uncomfortable looking at the sinister looking trait.

"W-wait"

His hand gripped my wrist making my whole body freeze tightly in an uncomfortable way, my hand stiffened in his grasp, it didn't hurt even with his sharp claws surrounding my delicate skin, he held it in a caring manner. Slowly he pulled my hand down, my hair slipping through my fingers, revealing my horn again with me looking to Legoshi with confusion. "T-that's not what I meant; I mean that they actually look...kinda...cute. Y-you know I think they look like cat ears actually"

Wait? Did I hear him right? He actually just said...cute? He called my horns cute? His cheeks were dark red, almost looking embarrassed of what he had just said. It's like the words just spilled out of his mouth with no restriction. Looking up to a mirror across on the other side of his room, I could see my reflection. I normally would be disgusted seeing these horns growing out of my head, no matter how I did my hair they were not easy to hide, like the devil himself he couldn't hide his horns neither, you can't always hide what has been given to you. But hearing Legoshi's words, I could see what he was seeing, how he had turned a hideous thing into something more friendly, more likeable.

"Y-you know I never looked at them that way" My hand rose up to gently trace the outlines of them with my fingertips. From seeing other feline students here from a distance or sitting nearby, I could see how they actually were close in comparison. They may not be round like a lion's or a tiger's but were close like a domestic cats' were. How did he do that? He made me, proud, proud that I have these horns, that it was something to embrace and not hate.

"I guess I was so use to have everyone hating them, that I didn't realize they could be something like that"

"I-I don't see why anyone should hate them, they belong to you, they make you...you"

My heart began to pound hard in my chest, I was feeling that strange feeling again, was this what happiness could do to a person? Make them feel alive, like they have meaning? Purpose? This wolf, a stranger whom I barely knew apart from being in the same club, was actually bringing out something in me that I never had, confidence and self-love. That I shouldn't be afraid hiding in the dark, that I need to love myself despite being called a freak with freakish features. Even though he was down as low as I was, he didn't even try to bring himself up higher not at any moment, he had put me first. Silently I give him a look of warmth and appreciation, and everyone was saying how scary he was? No, that's not him at all.

My face looked back down towards the beetle resting now in the center of my palm, his little antenna twitching ever so slightly. My one finger gently moved over the beetle's wing case delicately stroking the strange pattern of vertical lines. Doing so, Beetly wings quickly opened, and the little wings flapped so fast you could barely see them, and he began to fly up from my palm and flew around in a slow circle above our heads. "Wow..."

"He did it, he's flying! I can't believe it, you helped him fly!"

"I-I did?"

"He has never flown before! I-I didn't think he would!"

"H-hopefully that's a good thing, right?"

"More than good, he will actually live, thanks to you!" The beetle flew down and landed back in Legoshi's palm hiding his wings back behind the protective shell. Legoshi looked at me with gratefulness, like I did something very meaningful to him. Even though it was being as simple of me petting his pet's wings that helped him gain back his ability to fly, I felt very proud inside. One of my biggest accomplishments that I would remember forever.

Placing Beetly back into his container closing the lid, I looked up at the clock it was nearly close to ten, that meant that dorm mothers would check for attendance soon, I would have to get back before I would get myself and Legoshi into trouble. I shimmed out of the navy blanket, as much as I didn't want to leave the warm embrace, I much more didn't want to leave being with Legoshi, but it would surely be a night that I would forever cherish.

"You did most of the work, you should give yourself credit too you know? After all you did save his life too"

"Y-yeah I guess you are right, I-I did"

I held out my hand to help him to his feet and slowly, but gently he took it. His hand was huge compared to mine. His claws were long and sharp, gleaming in the low light of his room. These weapons were more than capable of causing severe damage, but he didn't probably wouldn't take advantage of what these capable weapons could do. He was too good for that. He let his fingers wrap around my wrist in a caring manner, as I pulled him up to his feet. But for some reason we didn't let go, it's like our hands were trapped, interlocked in a friendly manner that doesn't want to break apart. His fur was so warm, so fluffy, wait I was actually holding hands with a boy?! Holy shit! Was this really happening? How could we still be holding on to each other?!

Both the wolf and the girl were flushed red in the cheeks, each almost too afraid to make a move, it was just a simple act of affection. Why couldn't either of them let go? But what they didn't know is that this was the start of a new chapter in each of their lives.

I blushed with a shy giggle, slowly letting go of his hand, as he brought his hands together, his thumbs twitching nervously together. "S-sorry about that...I-I should be heading back now, it's getting late"

"Oh r-right, h-here let me walk you backjust in case"

The rain had stopped leaving the paths slippery and gleaming in the now clear sky free from clouds, the moon full and glowing beautifully white. It amazes me how something that is millions of miles away from our world can be so beautiful. Anytime I felt scared, alone, or sad I would look up to it, sometimes I imagined it being like a friendly face staring back at me. I learned now that I wasn't the only one had to suffer at the hands of cruelty, I realized that many others themselves were in the same predicament. Even with us all being so young, we had to wake up and face these demons just to make it to the next day. I had been put through it all, the worse things possible a person could do to another. It made me wish that I would have just died sooner than later, the hope or dream of living a better life had vanished more and more as each year had passed.

During my captivity, I did have dreams, dreams of happiness that only appeared rarely pulling me away briefly from the hellish of a nightmare I had once lived, where I had found my purpose in life doing what I love, finding that soulmate who accepted for who I was despite my past and my capabilities, who would be waiting for me when I came home to give me a loving kiss to welcome me back, and to have my own offspring. My dreams of love, children and joy didn't seem possible, it would always be out of reach. I always wondered if there was a world out there where I didn't have to worry about anything and I could have those dreams come true?

But I was here, walking along side my hero, my wolf of shining armor. Or should I say uniform? Shining uniform. Leaving one world and being brought by somehow an impossibility here, sometimes I believed I was still dreaming, and I wasn't waking up. We walked in silence, the pain in my knees was bearable but still could feel it sting starting the healing process. His long legs would make it easy for him to get ahead of me, but he kept steps to a minimum allowing me to keep up with him. Despite it being quiet, it couldn't have picked a better night than doing this with him. We made it to the double doors opening up to a quiet hallway, everyone must be in their bedrooms right about now waiting for roll call to start. Getting to my room door, I stopped and gripped the door handle but before I do open it, I turned back to Legoshi. "I really want to thank you, y-you know for everything...you really made a difference for me today, if everyone could see the real side of you, I think they would have some very nice things to say about you"

"W-why t-thank you, and t-thank you for allowing me the opportunity, y-you would be the first one who would give me the chance to, I-I know anyone else wouldn't, but I am g-glad it was you" That same warm smile had returned, he looked so much better with one, it made him look full of life

He was so shy, but I didn't mind, tonight he made me feel safe, comfortable, and cared about for the first time in my life. "W-well I will see you tomorrow in drama club?"

"Oh, uh y-yeah I'll see you there...goodnight"

"Goodnight..."

As he quietly left down the hallway, I watched as he walked towards the door. Looking back as he pushed the door open, I give him a small wave, and he flinched back with a blush and waved shyly back before disappearing. Slipping into my dorm, getting out of my damp uniform laying it on my heater hoping it to be dry by morning. I slipped into my rose-colored nightgown and putting my hair into a loose low ponytail and snuggled under the covers. His bed was even comfier than my own, I guess for being a tall wolf, they need all the support they need when it comes to sleep.

As I laid in bed, my hands interlocked over my chest, I could still feel the hard beating of my heart, it was still this powerful even after he was gone for an hour now. This wolf was changing me, but...in a way that I have never thought would happen to me. He was making me feel like a whole new species, one that shouldn't be ridiculed let alone feared. Even with him facing the same struggles as myself, he had the decency, the kindness, the moral of bringing me to my feet when I am down to help me in a time of need. I could feel my heart beating faster in my chest, a smile was slowly spreading across my face. Wait? Why I was I feeling like this? Every time I have been around him, I get this strange feeling, I am happy and feel comfortable being in his presence, like I can just let the walls of my fear and anxiety come down. I now feel butterflies erupt in my belly fluttering around with excitement. Oh I get it now; I have a crush on him.