Disclaimer: I don't own any of the original Wolf's Rain characters or the anime Wolf's Rain or anything associated with the anime.

First I'd like to thank everyone that that reviewed my story, and secondly I need more people to start reviewing….after all what's the point in using my time to type this story and submit it if no one likes it? I need at least two or three more reviews if you guys want me to continue the story…sorry to be a pain (Oh and sorry if any of the characters are kinda ooc)

Chapter 4: Those strong arms that held me so tight…..

Where am I…?

Hicaru lay against a tree a few feet away from the other members of the group, Tsume had his legs crossed and was standing against a tree opposite of her, Kiba sat with his hands behind his head against yet another tree somewhat closer to her, and Toboe sat in the center trying to engage in a conversation with an obviously bored Hige. Everyone had the illusion of being up…probably just incase they happened to stumble upon a bunch of humans.

Hicaru blinked a few times weakly rubbing her forehead with her bandaged hand, attempting to sit up she let her injured arm lay in her lap pushing herself up to a sitting position with her one good arm then leaning back against the cool yet rough bark of the tree she had found herself under. She cringed as pang of pain shot from her collarbone to her wrist. Clutching her arm she glanced around at the group the memories of what had happened already setting in….along with the fact that she really was a wolf…or at least part wolf. Even so it appeared she was in her human form right now…but….after she was shot….everything that had happened…was it possible that it had all just been a delusion from all the pain? No…those memories were to painful to be imagined. But…it was still hard to accept her wolf lineage….and what about the rest of her memories?

Sighing quietly in attempt to gather her nerves she glances around the group again….one of them had saved her…she wasn't sure who but it had to be Hige, Tsume, or Kiba…Toboe was about her size and couldn't have carried her with such ease.

"Hi….so your finally awake. You got hurt pretty bad back there"

A sudden perky voice burst through her thoughts, startling her so much that she could feel her muscles jerk and she couldn't help but whimper as another pain shot through her shoulder. She grasp her shoulder and doubled over as the pain increased unable to keep her eyes from watering.

"Are you ok?"

Toboe asked kneeling down before her, a worried tone in his young voice. She looked up at him wishing inwardly that she could cut off the water works….but she had been shot…didn't that entitle her to cry at least a little? Her gray eyes shifted away from his own innocent ones….she had killed pups like him….so you and naïve, oblivious to the dangers in the world. Sure they had been dog….but dogs were only the evolved form of wolves. Mind you there was still a large difference.

"I'll be fine…"

She said quietly trying to keep her pain from showing in her voice. He continued to talk about how he was glad she had decided to come, where they were going, and about a whole bunch of things she didn't catch. The entire time Hicaru kept her face turned away from him as if hoping he would get the hint to leave….nope.

"Don't you take a hint?"

She said coldly, looking over at him she immediately wished she had kept quiet…..he hadn't meant any harm….just being friendly. And she could see it in his eyes that he was trying to hide the fact that she had hurt his feelings. He turned and stood as if ready to leave.

"Wait….I was rude, really you can sit"

He forced a smile and shook his head slightly.

"You need you rest, we'll talk later ok?"

Without waiting for an answer he retreated to go sit near Tsume taking upon a certain silence that definitely didn't suit his lively nature.

Great…these guys save my but and I offend the nice one…but do I really owe them anything anyway since I wouldn't have gotten shot if it wasn't for them? But on the other hand they didn't force me to come…I came willingly. I can already see that that was a mistake…

As night fell the pack hadn't moved much, merely to more comfortable positions to sleep, no one other than Toboe had really bothered to question Hicaru's health. Hige complained about being hungry a few times and Toboe admitted that his own stomach was growling as well, Tsume had told them to toughen up. Tsume and Hige both had smart mouths and neither liked being told to shut it so an argument between them arose, Kiba reasoned that they should save their energy for the journey and with a few mumbled remarks from Tsume the argument ended. By now sleep had claimed the two youngest members of the pack and Kiba and Hige were well on their way to dreamland as well. Only Tsume stayed awake…supposedly standing watch, but he eventually fell asleep to.

…………………………………………………………………………

Morning…

"C'mon everyone we better get moving"

What a wake up call…

Hicaru yawned as she pulled herself up by keeping her good hand against the tree for balance. She made an odd face as her stomach growled and tried to laugh quietly to show that it was no big deal. But no avail Kiba decided that they should eat as soon as possible, they were in some sort of wasteland right now and their wasn't much game. But at the next town they would have to stop and eat. She sighed frustrated wondering why he was making such a big deal out of it but didn't say anything…she was hungry after all.

"So….do you think you're a wolf now?" Kiba questioned.

She shook her head slightly " I should have listened…you guys were right"

"But how couldn't you have known you were a wolf?"

"…I lost my memory recently…and well I guess I hadn't reverted back to my wolf form since then…but that bullet sure did the trick…"

He nodded slightly dropping the subject and began to walk, Tsume and Toboe followed. Hige stayed behind watching Hicaru's weak attempt to walk with a worried expression.

" I'm hurt not dead, I can walk" she said sarcasticly, obviesly nor in the mood for any of his lines. She had only been around these wolves for a short time but she already had him picked out as being the ladies man….the type of guy she had little patience for.

He shrugged "Just trying to help you out" He crossed his arms behind his head and began to walk Hicaru following slowly behind.

But the question that still lingered in her mind was which of them had saved her?...she would just have to wait and find out.

(( R&R please ))