Chapter Four: The Monster and the Protector.

It was Sunday when every one woke up. Kasumi fixed every one a nice, hot breakfast. After everyone was done eating, Ukyo picked up her things, said good - bye, and then she left. She had to work extra time today, 'cause she had slept all Friday's evening.

The day went on as usual. She had lots of costumers. But she also had a lot of homework, so she had to close at 7:00 p.m. She had to do the model of a virus. A biology homework...

Ukyo found out that she had run out of glue. Luckily, she knew a store that was open. So, as quickly as she could, ran to buy some glue for her model. Without glue, she was unable to continue her work. But she was totally unprepared for what was waiting for her... if she knew what kind of spectacle she was going to witness, she would've stayed home, without thinking about it twice...

The sky was bright. It had a beautiful full moon. Ukyo walked as she looked at the beautiful sky. It had been some time since she last cleared her mind of questions and paid attention to what was above her. Ah, yes. It was a beautiful night indeed. She could see everything that was around her without trouble at all.

A woman and a man were sitting together on a bench, holding hands and whispering into each other's ears. Ukyo saw them, and sighed.

*That's what... I want to experience someday...* she thought, as she began to forget about the lovely scenery and focused her mind on Ranma... and as Ukyo thought about him, she began to think: *Is he really the one I should be with? Could there be anyone else that loved me not as a friend, but as... something more important...?*

As these thoughts raced through her mind, Ukyo began to get depressed. She felt very lonely. And she didn't want to continue feeling that way. A tear rolled down her face, but she quickly wiped it off. Ukyo sighed, and continued to walk towards the store.

As Ukyo walked down the street, she began to notice that the lights were beginning to grow dim. Clouds began to cover the bright moon. The wind began to blow. A cold wind that made Ukyo shiver. Suddenly, she found out that there were no people at sight. She was all alone in this dark street.

Ukyo quickly scanned the streets. She saw nothing suspicious. However, she was afraid; she knew something was not right. Then she felt it. She felt the evil presence.

Ukyo was about to face the other way and run, when she heard a horrible shriek that froze her heart. It came from the corner that was in front of her. Ukyo knew that someone was in trouble. All she wanted to do, was to head back home and to head back to safety. But she had to help. Ukyo took out her giant spatula, and headed, at a very slow step, to the corner of the ally. And as she got closer, she could hear the crying and desperate begging of a young girl. She heard how this defenseless girl was slammed against the walls again, and again, and again. She heard how her bones cracked as she hit the floor. She then saw a trail of bright red blood running down the corner. The girl's cries began to cease as Ukyo got closer. She heard how the girl's flesh was ripped apart. Ukyo knew that the girl was already dead. But she had to destroy the creature who had assassinated her. Ukyo breathed rapidly and heavily. She felt her heart pounding against her ribs. She could not see well, for her eyes were filled with tears of fear. She finally got to the corner, and raised her spatula, ready to deliver a deadly blow. But when she saw the hideous scene, she lost the grasp of her weapon. She was not prepared...

Indeed, there was a girl's body torn apart. Her stomach laid wide open, showing all her intestines. Her chest had been cut in half, and her heart and lungs were completely destroyed. Her eyes, though without life, showed fear and incredulity. And next to her dead body, licking the trail of blood that flowed on the ground, was a horrible creature. It was a huge gargoyle - like bat, covered with dark hair. It's eyes glowed red, and it's mouth was full of dreadful fangs.

Ukyo could not believe her eyes. She would've screamed, but her shriek got caught on her throat. She only opened her mouth and eyes widely, and stared in horror at this demoniac scene. The creature suddenly turned it's head to face Ukyo in the eyes. It stared at her for a moment, then got up to it's feet, and walked toward her menacingly. Ukyo took a step back, as a little pleading cry escaped from her mouth. Then, the creature opened it's mouth, full of blood. It spoke with a malevolent voice at Ukyo:

"It is a pity that you, who are so young and beautiful, have to die. You foolish children of light... thinking that you are lords of the world... you are all imbeciles!! It is good, however, that you serve a purpose: to ease our hunger. Come here now, little one. I promise your agony won't last long..."

Without loosing the slightest instant, Ukyo turned around and began to ran as fast as she could. Her speed increased even more, when she felt the evil presence chasing her. Luckily for Ukyo, she was incredibly fast for the monster.

Ukyo saw her house, and she then knew that she could soon be safe. All she had to do was enter the house, and then it would all be over. But the monstrous creature wasn't going to let her prey to escape that easily. As Ukyo got closer to her house, the evil creature began to catch up with her. Ukyo got in front of her door, and desperately began to search for her keys. But it was too late. The monster was right next to her. To make things even more pleasant, Ukyo couldn't tell were the demon was. Then she heard the growling behind her.

Ukyo turned around very slowly. Her face was pale and her eyes were wide open. She finally turned her head around. And when she did, she saw the wolf. It was growling at her, and it was showing it's teeth. These were incredibly long for a wolf, and shined in the dark night as if they were flares.

Ukyo got convinced that the evil creature was the wolf. It had been following her, and making her believe that it was her friend and that it would protect her. Now she knew the truth. This wolf was a hideous creature who could change into various forms... the perfect monster. Now it had it's defenseless prey right in front of him.

The wolf continued to growl as foam began to come out of it's mouth. Ukyo knew it was too late for her. She began to cry. She pushed herself against the door, and got into a fetal position. She covered her face with her hands and waited for what would be her horrible death. She knew she wasn't dreaming, because her heart was beating so hard, that her chest hurt.

Ukyo waited, without stopping her crying. And waited. And waited... suddenly, she felt how the evil presence got terribly mad. Then... it began to get away. And as it did, it cursed Ukyo and another name...

The evil presence disappeared. Ukyo lift her head up very slowly, only to see the wolf facing it's right side. It had stopped it's growling, but it's eyes were full of rage and fear. It was still showing it's teeth. Ukyo wiped her eyes, and got up very slowly. Everything was clear to her know. The wolf was not the evil monster. It wasn't there to kill her. It was there to protect her. It had saved her life. It had driven the monster away.

Ukyo took some steps very slowly towards the wolf. The wolf still hadn't turned it's head. It kept it vigilant, ready to protect Ukyo again if the fiend dared to return. Ukyo extended her hand and put it under the wolf's mouth. The wolf snapped out of his guard stance and turned to face Ukyo.

"...I - I... I don't know what to say..." she stammered, "but.. thank you... thank you so much..."

With that being said, Ukyo threw her arms around the wolf's head. The wolf licked Ukyo's face over and over again, as if to say: *Do not worry. I am here to protect you from all kind of harm.*

Ukyo cried and cried. She was safe now, but she was still very scared. When she let go of the wolf, it took some steps towards the front door of Ukyo's house. The wolf scratched the door, as if it were trying to get in. Ukyo got the idea, and without wasting time, she opened the door and got inside her house along with the wolf.

Ukyo immediately got inside her bed, like a frightened child. She pulled up the covers up to her chin and curled up between her sheets. She was still very scared. The wolf climbed up to Ukyo's bed and lied beside her. Although Ukyo was terrified, it didn't take long for her to fall asleep. The fear had been so intense, that it had finished with most of Ukyo's strength. But she didn't have to worry much, because the wolf was watching over her, and it would not abandon her. It would give it's life before anything bad would befall Ukyo.

But... why was the wolf protecting Ukyo? Was there any reason at all? Was it just because it wanted company? Was it some kind of angel? Or was it another thing...?

When Ukyo woke up, it was 12:00 P. M. Obviously, she had missed school. But she was still alive, so it didn't really matter...

The wolf was not on Ukyo's bed. She saw this, and desperately began to look for it. If the wolf was gone, then there would be no one with it's strength to match the power of the monster. Ukyo would be unprotected, and she would be at the demon's mercy.

Ukyo looked for the wolf all over the house. But she didn't find it. She realized she had no means of protection whatsoever. The only thing that came to her mind, was to lock herself in her room and hide under her covers. She began to cry. She was terrified. If the monster came, it would surely tear her apart without any problems at all. So, she stayed in her room. All her crying exhausted her, and she soon fell asleep.

Ukyo woke up when she heard someone knocking on her front door.

"G - God..." stammered Ukyo "c - c - could it be the m - monster...?"

Her question was immediately answered.

"Hey, Ucchan... you there?!" Yelled Ranma, who was behind the door.

Ukyo sighed relieved. She went downstairs and opened the door. Out the door, were standing Ranma, Akane, and Ryoga. The three of them stared at Ukyo, puzzled.

"...Why are you still on your pajamas?" asked Akane.

Ukyo sighed as she invited them in.

"...You wouldn't believe me, even if I told you." She said.

Ranma and Akane looked at each other, even more confused. Ryoga, worried, looked at Ukyo.

"...What happened Ukyo?" he asked.

Ukyo sighed and sat down in a chair. She said nothing. Ranma looked at her face and asked gently:

"Were you crying, Ucchan?"

Ukyo closed her eyes, and nodded.

"Why?" asked Ranma, Akane, and Ryoga at the same time.

Ukyo didn't answer.

"Ukyo, we just want to help you..." began Akane, "but if you don't talk, we won't be able to - -"

"If I talk, then you'll think that I'm crazy." Interrupted Ukyo bitterly, beginning to loose her patience.

Akane, surprised at Ukyo's reaction, stopped talking and bit her lip.

Ranma sighed, and went next to Ukyo.

"Ucchan..." he said softly "I'll believe you. I swear. No matter how incredible your story is, I'll believe you, and I'll do everything within my power to help you."

Such gentle and friendly words did not convince Ukyo. She turned around, without saying anything.

Ranma sighed. She looked at Akane and Ryoga and shook his head.

It was 8:00 P. M. now. The last rays of the sun shone over Nerima one last time, and then it was gone.

Ukyo, Ranma, Akane, and Ryoga stood quietly in Ukyo's living room. Nobody said anything. Ryoga sighed.

"If we can't help you, then we shouldn't be here, right?" asked Ryoga at Ukyo.

Ukyo gasped.

"No! Please, don't go! Please!!" she begged, as she began to cry. Tears rolled from her eyes. "Don't leave me!!"

Everyone else looked at each other, puzzled and concerned.

"What's wrong??!!" asked a desperate Akane.

"...Don't go..." sobbed Ukyo.

"We won't leave, Ukyo!" said Ryoga, as he tried to comfort her, "but please tell us what's wrong!"

As Ryoga finished his sentence, someone began to... scratch on the front door. Everyone stood quiet. Ukyo's face turned pale.

"Who's that?" asked Ranma.

"Don't open!" pleaded Ukyo "it could be the mon - -" but before she could finish her sentence, she heard whimpers... some very familiar whimpers.

Before anyone could say anything, Ukyo rushed at the door, and opened it. Indeed, the wolf was standing outside the door, happy to see that Ukyo was ok.

Ukyo smiled and threw her arms around the wolf. The wolf licked her face over and over again. When Ukyo let go of the wolf, she turned around, and saw Akane, Ranma, and Ryoga staring at both her and the wolf in shock. Ukyo smiled at them. She petted the wolf's head and said happily:

"This is the wolf we were looking for. He saved my life yesterday."

"...Saved your life??" asked Ranma, even more shocked.

Akane and Ryoga looked at each other.

Ukyo closed her door and signaled them to sit down.

"...All right... I'll tell you..." she began.

She told them the whole story. Everyone listened to Ukyo's words.

"...And that's what happened..." finished Ukyo.

Ranma looked at the floor, in deep thought. Ryoga stared at Ukyo silently, shocked by her story. Akane stared at the wolf, trying to smile to it.

"You know what's the worst part of this?" began Ranma "...that this might actually be true."

Ukyo looked at Ranma puzzled.

"...What do you mean?" she asked worried.

"A woman disappeared yesterday." Said Akane "...a young girl..."

Ukyo felt a chill run down her back.

"If Ukyo is telling the truth, then we have to be very careful." Said Ryoga.

Akane began to get scared.

"It's very... it's very late now..." she said in a tiny voice.

"It's only 8:30..." replied Ranma.

"But I'm scared..." insisted Akane.

Everyone was silent. Nobody spoke or moved. There was a bloodthirsty monster out there, ready to kill anyone who crossed it's path. It was very risky to go out in the darkness of the night.

"...Maybe you should stay..." said Ukyo, after a long silence.

"...Are you sure?" asked Ranma.

Ukyo nodded.

"You can call your parents and tell them..." she said.

Akane smiled and nodded her head.

"Yes, please!" she said before both Ranma or Ryoga could answer. They had no choice but to accept Ukyo's invitation.

Ukyo smiled.

"If we are all together, then there's nothing to fear!" she exclaimed happily.

Akane giggled. But Ranma and Ryoga showed a doubtful expression.

"If that monster is as powerful as you say, he won't have any trouble entering the house..." said Ranma.

"I don't think so..." said Ukyo, giggling, as she looked at the wolf.

Akane giggled along with Ukyo. Ranma looked at the wolf.

"You mean that bag of fleas is going to protect us?"

Ranma regretted his words as he was slapped by both Ukyo and Ryoga.

"This bag of fleas saved my life." Scolded Ukyo.

Ranma rubbed his head.

"Ok, ok... sorry..." he said, as he looked at Ryoga angrily.

"It's huge..." said Akane, as he got near it. "Can I touch him?"

Ukyo shrugged.

"I think so..." she said.

Akane petted the wolf's head as it wagged it's tail. She giggled.

When Akane stopped petting the wolf's head, it walked towards Ryoga and Ranma to sniff them both. When it was done sniffing Ranma, the wolf licked his hand. Ranma wiped the wolf's drool on his pants. When the wolf began to sniff Ryoga, it stopped and began to bark happily.

Ukyo laughed.

"It seems that it likes you, Ryoga!" she exclaimed.

Ryoga laughed nervously.

"Heh, heh... it seems that way..." he said.

Obviously, the wolf recognized him by the smell. It didn't know how exactly, but it knew that by some way, the little pig had transformed into a human. And Ryoga knew it.

Ukyo yawned.

"Well..." she began "I suggest we all go to sleep now..."

Everyone agreed.

Ukyo took out some sleeping bags and gave them to Ryoga, Akane, and Ranma. The wolf, Ukyo, and Akane slept in Ukyo's room, while Ranma and Ryoga slept in the living room. No one had any trouble during the night. Nobody woke up during the night. Nobody got lost in Ukyo's house in the middle of the night...

At the next morning, when they all woke up, the wolf was gone. Akane, Ranma, and Ryoga began to call and look for it. But Ukyo stopped them.

"It's no use." She told them "it's gone."

Akane looked disappointed. Ranma looked at the ceiling in deep thought as Ryoga scratched his head trying to figure out the wolf's behavior...

"But don't worry" began Ukyo "It's the third time this happens. I have a feeling that it'll return again tonight. So I'm not disappointed anymore."

There was truth in those words, for Ukyo's feelings did not betray her. Indeed; the wolf did come back when the sun went down. And it left at the next morning. But it came back at night. It always came back at night.

It was more than clear: the wolf would leave Ukyo when the sun rose to go and live it's life, and he would come back in the night to protect her from the evil creature. Ukyo was very happy and felt very secure with the wolf. It kept her company. And it protected her. But the question still remained in Ukyo's head: why did this wolf protect her?