Thank you to all who reviewed! It made me feel so energetic today that I decided to release the next chapter ahead of schedule. Also, I'm anticipating a time that I might not have enough time to post stories as much as I'd like to.

So here it is… enjoy! And don't forget to review!!!

BTW, to my sisters: Are we clear on having Fujitaka and Sonomi getting together? I see possibilities….. Hmmmm….

~~~

Chapter Two : Meeting the Past


It had been two days after Charlie-kun's party, and Nakuru was feeling a little melancholy. It was bad enough that Mistress Tomoyo had to leave, but Eriol-sama  also allowed Suppi-chan to go with her!  Nakuru knew it was her duty to keep her master company, but seeing him so sad also made her a bit lethargic.

She missed Suppi-chan, too. Once, she was reminiscing their good times together and absentmindedly stirred in two heaping teaspoonfuls of sugar into Eriol-sama's tea. She didn't mean it. Really, she didn't. Eriol-sama didn't seem much to convinced, though.

Then there were the cookies… and the cake… and the clam chowder…

I didn't mean it. I was just too preoccupied. Really. The sugar was just a trained reaction… it reminded me of Suppi-chan. Ask any psychologist… Eriol-sama should trust me. I know these things.

Eriol didn't look too happy about her explanation.

He still keeps his eye on me when I'm cooking. That reminds me. We're out of sugar. I need to get a larger bag…

Nakuru sighed and looked at her master. He was reading some books from the library, something on love poems. She sighed again.

This time, Eriol put his book down. "Nakuru, why don't you go out and have some fun? Go to the park or watch a movie. You don't have to be with me all the time. I can take care of myself."

"Are you sure, Eriol-sama? "

"Yes, Nakuru. I'm not going to turn to dust the moment you step out. Really, I'm fine."

Nakuru was hesitant. "Oh, alright. I suppose I need to get to the grocery store now. We need another bag of sugar…"

"Noooo!" Eriol stood up looking alarmed, then sheepish. "I mean, we already have a lot of cookies and sweets in stock. Besides, a few days without sugar wouldn't hurt. We wouldn't want to get diabetic now, do we? "

"I suppose so."

"Why don't you go and visit the forest. I'm sure your animal friends have missed you."

Nakuru's face visibly brightened. "Oh, yes! I haven't seen them in a while. Okay then, I'm going to the forest. I'm taking my cellphone." Nakuru went for the door.  "Don't forget to call if you need me."

"I won't."

Nakuru slid out the door.

Giving a sigh of relief, Eriol sank back into the chair. "This is much harder than I thought."

@@@

Nakuru stepped out into the garden. It was a wonderful morning for a walk in the woods. She had checked in on Eriol earlier to say goodbye and found him writing letters. She had wanted to get a peek on its contents when Eriol had shooed her out of the library, saying she should hurry on to the woods and not keep her animal friends waiting. She had managed to tell him to give her regards to everyone, though, to which Eriol agreed to.

Breathing in the crisp, fresh air, she concentrated and transformed.

Ruby Moon took up the cellphone she left on the ground earlier and attached it on her hip. Taking one last look at the town house, she flew straight up in the air. Once up there, she cast a cloaking spell so that no human would be able to see her. She looked around, then flew to the direction of her favorite haunt.

@@@

Leaves crunched beneath Charles' old beat up sneakers. He was walking in the woods behind his Granddad's old house, up the path to their special place. Gods, it's been so long. The path is already overgrown with weeds.

Charles had gone to the woods despite his parent's appeals about having him go with them to see a polo match after church.  It was a charity event organized by Lyn and Everard Terrin, his parents, for the benefit of the local orphanages. Charles had begged off, citing that he had something REALLY important to do. He even promised to go to the Cameron's boring yacht party to make up for it. Add the charming smile, and wallah, his parents caved in. Well, it's not like I'm doing anything bad. I just need to be here today.

After church, he had hurriedly changed his suit and tie to a more comfortable faded jeans and sleeveless shirt. Peter had offered to come, but Charlie declined, saying it was his day off. Despite Peter's protests, he had actually looked relieved. Charlie was sure Peter was fit, but having Peter running around the woods following him wasn't really necessary.

Charlie could see the clearing now and he picked up his pace. It would be nice to visit an old haunt. I should have done this sooner. Suddenly, he stopped. He could hear voices up ahead.

"Feeling better?... That's good. Try not to use that paw too much; at least till it's fully healed," a woman's voice floated over the dense bushes. Assenting wolf yawls followed.

Charles' brows furrowed. Who could that be? This is private property. No one should be here. Chanting softly, he cast a spell to deaden his footfalls. Creeping quietly to a bush with suitable cover, he peeped through its branches to see who was in the clearing.

Sure enough, sitting on a fallen log was a grey wolf with a bandaged leg. And beside it was a sight he had been longing to behold once again… the Butterfly Girl.

@@@

Charles' heart beat faster. He never expected to see her so soon. He ran his hands through his hair and looked down on his attire. I can't meet her like this. And what am I supposed to say? Hello, it's me. The kid you saved from certain death…

He looked at her once again. Her back was still facing him and she was stroking the wolf lovingly.

"Aren't you beautiful? Sorry, I don't go here as often anymore. I had a lot to do lately." Then she gave the wolf a hug.

Wouldn't I love to be that wolf… Hey… that gives me an idea…

@@@

Ruby Moon was excited. She had not seen her friend in months. When she saw her limping, she felt so guilty that she wasn't there to prevent it. She had ripped a piece of cloth from her leg and made a makeshift splint. She decided to come here everyday until her friend was as good as new.

Ruby Moon gave her friend a hug.

"I wish our other friends were here. I miss them so."

A rustle in the bushes behind her startled her. "Who's there?"

Out from the bushes came another grey wolf.

"Hey, there. I didn't know you had another wolf-friend, Luna. Come here, cutie. I'm not going to hurt you."

Ruby Moon scratched the back of Charles-the-wolf's head. He yowled in pleasure. No wonder my dogs like being scratched behind the ears. This is relaxing.

"Wow. I've never seen a wolf with hazel eyes before…"

Uh oh. Forgot about that.

"Kawaii! I'm going to call you… Timber" Ruby Moon hugged him.

Charles had no idea how much he missed this. It just brought back memories of that night his grandfather died, but oddly enough, none of the pain, only the warmth and security he had felt before. He buried his snout in her hair and breathed in her scent.

"My, my. Getting forward are we?" Ruby Moon laughed and moved away to get a good look at her new friend. What a handsome wolf, she thought.

Charles stared at her intently. She's beautiful. I finally see her, and she's beautiful.

Ruby Moon blushed. Somehow it felt as if the wolf was staring at her. Of course its' staring at me. I'm someone new.

"Well, boy. We're friends now, aren't we? Ummm… You are a boy right?" she tried to peer under him.

Charles was grateful he wasn't in human form. He felt so embarrassed. Still, he couldn't help squirm out of her grasp.

Well, that was new: a wolf that knows how to feel embarrassed. "Awww, no need to be shy. It's okay, boy. I just needed to confirm." She patted him on the head.

Ruby Moon stood up and went to the pile of flowers she had made earlier. "Okay, you two. Just stay put. I'm going to make you both flower necklaces." She began to hum a happy tune while falling into the task before her.

@@@

Charles lay down on the ground. He kept his eyes on Ruby Moon, drinking in her form and face. Odd, she looks familiar, feels familiar. Her energy just feels familiar… or maybe I'm just remembering…

Charles ears picked up. He heard someone laugh softly. Bewildered, he looked around. Who else could be here? His eyes focused on the other wolf. Is she grinning? Nah, it must have been my imagination.

*Took you long enough to get here, boy.*

Charles' eyes went back to the grinning wolf. *Did you just talk to me?* he thought incredulously.

*Do you see anybody else, boy?* the wolf named Luna laughed again.

Charles stood up on his front paws. *You did talk! Who are you?*

*Right now, I'm called Luna. But not so long ago, I was called by another name. Your grandfather preferred to call me Rose… *

*Rose… Grandma Rose?! But… you're dead! How…* Charles leaped joyfully over to Luna.

*Hold your horses, boy. I'm not as young as I used to be, in wolf years that is. Plus, I had a slight misadventure if you noticed.*

*What happened? How come I didn't know?*

*Well, to keep the story short, I couldn't bear to go without your grandpa for long so I reincarnated to this wolf.

Your grandpa visited me often. I watched you play here when you were a boy. He didn't want anyone to know for some reason. Maybe he thought they'd think he went crazy or something. You know how it is nowadays.

It's wonderful to see you again, Charlie boy. I didn't know you had mastered shape-changing.*

*I, uh, yes I did. But… Grandma…* he licked her face and wagged his tail.

"Ooooh. The two of you are getting along rather well, methinks." Ruby Moon had looked up from her handiwork and smiled.

*Ooops.*

*Ooops, indeed. You're making her get the wrong impression. Now stop licking me and start telling me about your life. I've got ten years worth of stories to hear.*

@@@

*How come Granddad didn't reincarnate into a wolf, too? Then you'd be together.*

*Oh, tosh. Wolf years are too short. Mine are already numbered. He told me he'd rather wait it out.*

*I missed you grandma.* Charles laid his head on her paws.

*Same here, baby. Same here.* She nuzzled the top of his head.

"Awww, aren't you two just so cute?" Ruby Moon stood up and stretched her arms and wings, causing a slight movement of wind. She had just finished making her garland.

*Beautiful* Charles lifted up his head and looked starry-eyed at Ruby Moon's form.

*Ah, so you fancy the lady, don't you?* Luna fixed a sly eye on her grandson.

*I… uhm… she…*

*Oh, I can tell. You've got your grandpa's tongue, boy. A sweet talker he was, but always tongue-tied around me.*

*She saved me once… when Granddad died… *

*And that's where destiny starts…*

"Come here, Timber. I want you to have this." Ruby Moon was now kneeling and smiling, holding the garland on her lap. Then suddenly, she sang softly.

There's a somebody I'm longing to see…

I hope that he turns out to be…

Charles remembered the song. It was the song he danced to with Nakuru on his birthday. Someone to Watch Over Me. He fell entranced to the song. Slowly he stood up and padded across to Ruby Moon. Ruby Moon kissed his snout.

Someone who'll watch over me…

She sighed and put the garland over his head. And like the mythical unicorn to the gentle maiden, Charles lay down and put his head on her lap.

"Kawaii," she put her head on his back and put her arms around him. "I really like you. You're sweet."

*Oh, dear. You've got it bad. Well, I suppose you're old enough… Sigh. Kids grow up so fast…*

Charles rolled his eyes toward his grandmother. *Grandma, you're spoiling the moment.*

*Okay, okay. Frail old me is going to keep quiet now…*

Charles savored the feeling. It's wonderful to feel wanted… and loved… maybe. I'd better transform back to human form. I want her to see me as I am… or maybe later… He was still enjoying the hug.

Finally, Ruby Moon released her hold and stood up. She shook her wings again.

"I think I'd like to run today. Oh, I'm sorry, Luna. You can't come. Your leg has to heal first. But I promise I'll be back. I just need to stretch my legs, plus it's a lovely day for a run. I have to change though…"

Visions of a naked Ruby Moon ran through Charles' head. *Uh oh. I better transform now before she does anything she'd get embarrassed about later.*

*That's not what she meant, Charlie boy. Remind me to wash your brains with soap later. Watch and learn.*

Slowly, Ruby Moon's wings closed in around her.

*What's happening? Is something wrong?* Charles whined anxiously.

*She's transforming, boy, can't you see? She doesn't go around like that all the time, you know.*

*She doesn't? *

*You'd be surprised.*

And surprised he was. He was so surprised he tumbled backward in shock. For there in front of him, in the place where Ruby Moon once stood, was Nakuru Akizuki.

~~~

I've decided to name my next chappie "Chasing Butterflies"… heeee heee. Get the picture? I can't believe how evil I've become… but then again, my sisters and I share the same gene pool. ^_^