Chapter Eight: Realization! The Samurai Wolf!

A/N: Kenshin's mouth was dry. His tongue hung out and he was panting. He was back on the futon, but his body was so numb that it hurt to blink. Not that he could even tell if his eyes were open or not, for everything around him seemed dark. He heard something outside. It was faint, but he could hear footsteps. It wasn't coming from the hall, but outdoors. He smelt something as well; it was fire! Kenshin forced himself off the futon, but could only manage to crawl. He could now hear quick, sharp footsteps coming from the hall. Lynn opened the door, carrying a lantern.

Lynn: Kenshin! Kenshin wake up! The sho- (gasps)

Kenshin: What? What's wrong?

A/N: Kenshin's voice was odd. He was talking, but all that seemed to come out were growls. Lynn was staring at him petrified.

Kenshin: Lynn, what is it?

A/N: Again, all that seemed to leave Kenshin's mouth were growls.

Lynn: (whispers) W-wolf... (eyes wide and fearful)

Kenshin: Wolf? What are you talking about?

A/N: Kenshin crawled closer to Lynn; she stepped back, fearing for her life.

Lynn: G-get back!

Kenshin: Lynn?

Lynn: I said stay away!

Kenshin: Why are you afraid?

Lynn: STOP!

A/N: Lynn threw the lantern at him. It hit him and burned him. He groaned, but it sounded more like a whine. Some sparks from the lantern popped into the air and burned Kenshin in a strange area. It was at his behind, but it burned something passed it, like an extended body part on his tail bone. It seemed like... a tail? Kenshin turned his head and saw a wolf tail behind him. He turned and saw that the sparks also hit the shoji walls, causing a fire to spread quickly throughout the room. Kenshin thought fast and grabbed Lynn's sleeve in his jaws, trying to lead her away from the blazing inferno. Lynn was persistent at first, but let the wolf drag her out. Kenshin looked at his surroundings. Most of the village was burning! Kenshin sensed something that wasn't right. He looked around and saw them. Shogun! Kenshin let out a low growl, but stopped when he felt something tear from his fangs. It was Lynn, and she was scared.

Kenshin: Lynn, I'm not going to hurt you.

Lynn: (slowly steps closer to Kenshin) Why did you help me, boy? (stretches out her hand and pets his head)

Kenshin: Lynn, what's going on? Why are shogun here! And where's the rest of your family?

Lynn: (smiles and continues petting him) You're a good boy aren't you?

Kenshin: What's the use? She can't understand a word I'm saying...

Lynn: (sees something in front of her and gasps) Oh no! The oxen! (runs off)

Kenshin: Lynn? Lynn! Where are you- (sees Lynn run into a burning stable) Lynn! Get back here! (runs after her)

A/N: Kenshin entered the burning stable. He heard... voices? It sounded like an elderly man and woman, and about two other younger men and women. Kenshin peered through the smoke and saw that it was oxen! They were speaking! Lynn led the oxen out and many of them sounded relieved.

Old Male Ox: Phew! I thought I was a goner!

Younger Male Ox: You lucked out, old man. Looks like you get to see the light of yet another day!

Old Male Ox: Are you callin' me old!

Young Male Ox: Well, if the horseshoe fits.

Old Male Ox: Say that again, ya calf!

Young Male Ox: If the horseshoe fits!

Old Male Ox: (snorts) I'm goin' Spanish Bullfighter on your ass!

Old Female Ox: Honey, what are you doing?

Old Male Ox: He called me old!

Old Female Ox: But you are old.

Other Oxen: (laugh)

Old Male Ox: My own mate doesn't stick up for me...

Kenshin: Err... excuse me, but I was wondering if you could tell me-

Oxen: AHHH! WOLF!

A/N: The oxen start kicking up dust and trampling the ground. Kenshin is nearly killed under there hooves!

Kenshin: Guys! Stop! I'm not going to eat you!

A/N: All the oxen stop, except for the old male who is still screaming...

Kenshin: (clamps the old male ox's nose ring in his jaws)

Old Male Ox: AHHH! I've been caught! Oh woe is me! My life is flashing before my very eyes! Did I ever know a sheepish lion named Lambert?

Oxen and Kenshin: (sweat drop)

Old Male Ox: If you're going to eat me, will you spare my face?

Oxen and Kenshin: (still sweat dropping)

Old Male Ox: Kill me quick please! I'm not very good with pain!

Kenshin: I'm not going to kill you!

Old Male Ox: I see a light- wait- you're not?

Kenshin: I'm not. Now I'm gonna let you go, and your not going to scream, got it?

Old Male Ox: Okiedokie hokiepokey!

Kenshin: (lets go)

Old Male Ox: (screams like an idiot)

Kenshin: (grabs him again)

Lynn: (whacks Kenshin on the butt) Bad boy! No eating the oxen!

Kenshin: (lets go)

A/N: Lynn walks down a hidden path, making sure that the oxen and Kenshin follow.

Kenshin: Ow... that really hurt...

Old Male Ox: That's what you deserve, dog!

Kenshin: I'm not a dog!

Old Male Ox: Oh right, wolf...

Kenshin: I'm not a wolf either!

Young Female Ox: Hm? Then what are you?

Old Female Ox: He's much too big to be a fox!

Young Male Ox: Maybe he's a jackal.

Young Female Ox: Now way! Jackals are much more ugly!

Old Male Ox: I think he's a Tasmanian wolf!

Young Female Ox: Aren't they extinct?

Old Male Ox: Really! No one tells me anything anymore!

Kenshin: I'm a human!

Oxen: ...

Kenshin: What?

Oxen: Yeah... sure...

A/N: They enter a clearing where there's a river. Behind them is the burning village; in front of them is the entrance to a forest. As Lynn led the oxen into the river to drink, Takiko and Kina ran up to her.

Kina: Lynn, (hugs her) we were so worried!

Takiko: Lynn! I don't want you ever running of like that again!

Lynn: But-

Takiko: There's no excuse! (crying)

Lynn: Mommy? Are you crying?

Kenshin: (thinking) Oh boy! If Takiko's emotionally unstable right now, then things must be bad!

Kina: (looks around frantically) Lynn, where's Kenjii!

Lynn: I thought he was with you!

Takiko: No, he ran off right after you did!

Kina: Oh no! Kenjii! (runs into the village)

Takiko: Kina! Wait! Stay here Lynn.

Lynn: Please Mommy; I want to help find Kenjii! If something happened to him, I don't think I'd be able to live with myself if I didn't at least try to find him!

Takiko: Fine...

Lynn: Thank you! (pets Kenshin) Look after the oxen, ok?

A/N: They both go after Kina, leaving Kenshin with the oxen.

Kenshin: Great! Now I'm stuck playing guard dog for a bunch of idiotic oxen...

Oxen: We're not idiots!

Young Male Ox: Only gramps here is an idiot!

Old Male Ox: HEY!

Old Female Ox: Just be quiet and drink, honey.

Oxen: (continue drinking)

Kenshin: How can you just drink at a time like this!

Oxen: (ignore him)

Kenshin: Well at least that weird smell's gone.

Old Female Ox: You mean the smoke?

Kenshin: No, it was different...

Old Male Ox: You never really do get used to the stench of human.

Kenshin: That's what I smelt?

Young Male Ox: Did it smell like dirt and wet fur?

Kenshin: Yeah! Yeah it did!

Oxen: Human.

A/N: Many screams are coming from the village now.

Kenshin: I can't just lay here and listen to this! I'm leaving!

Old Male Ox: You won't last three seconds out there, pup. Them humans will kill ya in no time with them sharp rock sticks of theirs.

Kenshin: You mean their swords? Nah! Those shogun aren't that tough! (runs into village)