In The Wolf's Rain
2- Blue Eyed Wolf – Part 2
"Wow Blue. That was amazing. I haven't seen a man, much less a woman with that kinda strength before. Are you sure you're human?" Hige asks as he and the three other guys meet her in the back entrance to the inn.
"Of course. What else would I be? Though sometimes I wish I wasn't," she says, getting the keys out of her bag to open the door.
"Maybe you aren't. Maybe, you're a wolf. Like us," Kiba says.
"What are you guys…What in the world are you guys?" she asks as she turns around and sees four giant dogs staring straight at her, a grey one, a red brown one, a light brown one, and a white one in front.
"We're wolves, just like you," the red-brown wolf that sounded like Toboe says.
"I'm not a wolf. I'm a human," Blue says as she slowly backs away from the four wolves.
"You are a wolf that has forgotten who you are. You are the blue-eyed wolf that will show us the gate to Paradise," the white wolf that sounded like Kiba says as he slowly makes his way towards Blue.
"This has to be a dream or else I'm going crazy. Maybe that knock to the head did more than I thought," Blue says, now grabbing her head and shaking it.
"Try it. Try to become a wolf. That song that you sang was full of yearning for your true self and the strength that you have is not normal for a human. Close your eyes and imagine yourself as a wolf," the white wolf says again.
"Try it. There's nothing to lose," the tanish wolf that sounded like Hige says.
"Oh man, I gotta get outta here." Starts to turn but the grey wolf cuts her off, growling and then lunges at her. She's able to dodge it and attacks back, this time as a black wolf. "Get the hell away from me," she says, bearing her fangs at the grey wolf.
"Not until you look at yourself," the grey wolf that sounded like Tsume says as he walks around her. Confused, Blue looks towards the ground and no longer sees her feet.
"What in the...I have paws. This has to be a dream," Blue says as she stares down at herself and starts to back away from the group. While in her thoughts, she doesn't notice Tsume sneaking in back of her, only to bite her tail.
"Ow! What the hell was that for?' she says, turning herself towards Tsume's wolf form.
"Now do you think it's a dream," Tsume says.
"According to legend, you are the blue-eyed wolf that can see what cannot be seen that will show us the gate to Paradise," Kiba says.
"So what I saw was really me?" Blue says to herself.
"What do you mean?" Hige asks.
"Right before I got hit, I had this vision I guess where I saw a black wolf with blue eyes. And then there were all those other times."
"What times?" Kiba asks.
"I've had something like visions for most of my life. Most of them being about this place. IT looks like nothing I've ever seen on this planet. It's the most beautiful place I've ever seen. There's grass all around filled with trees and flowers and other animals running free," Blue says.
"You must have been seeing Paradise," Hige says.
"That means that you really are the one. Now we can go open the gates. Our journey will finally be over!" Toboe says as he starts to run around Blue in excitement.
"This is all just too much right now. How is this even possible? They said that wolves were dead hundreds of years ago. How can they be humans?" Blue says, as she sits on the ground.
"We've learned to adapt to survive in this world. The humans soon got scared of us after we were let in in order to save them. So in order to survive, we were able to trick others into thinking that we were humans, so that we wouldn't all die out. And now, so many wolves are stuck in their human forms that they forgot who they really were. We want to open the gates to Paradise to return home and set all the wolves free. You aren't the only one who didn't know he or she was a wolf. There are hundreds out there just like you who are looking for a place where they fit in but can't. We need you Blue, in order to save our kind," Kiba states as everyone returns into their human forms.
"I don't know. It just seems way too weird and surreal. Are you sure this isn't a dream?" she asks, looking at them.
"I can bite you again," Tsume says.
"What am I gonna tell Pops? He hates wolves."
"You can't tell anyone about this Blue. If people saw you as a wolf, they would freak out and mostly report us to one of the hunters," Hige says.
"Hunters? You mean those guys who are always walking around in that armor? I thought they were just military people or something since weird things have been happening lately," Blue says.
"That's what they want you to think. They're really wolf hunters. Someone out there knows about us and wants all of us dead. Most likely because they want Paradise for themselves," Tsume answers.
"So now that we've found you and filled you in, we can get going on the rest of our journey,' Toboe comments.
"Wait a second. I never said I was going on any type of journey," Blue says as she gets up from the ground.
"But you have to. You're the blue-eyed wolf," Hige says.
"If you don't come with us, then this whole world will be doomed," Kiba states as they watch Blue open the door.
"Alright. At least give me sometime to think about this," she says as she goes in, closing the door behind her.
"I can't believe this is actually real. Wolf. Human. Wolf. Human. If this part is true, maybe everything else they're talking about is true as well," Blue says as she stands in front of her mirror, switching in between forms.
"It is." Blue turns around and sees Hige enter.
"Hige. How did you get in here?"
"I've learned a few things over time about lock picking and stuff," he says giving one of his goofy grins. "It looks like you've gotten the whole turning into a wolf and back to human thing down."
"Yeah.
It's not as hard as I thought it was going to be," she says,
looking at herself in the mirror.
"I wouldn't be so sure.
Usually when you get spooked or really angry, you automatically
transform into your real form which can really be a bad thing. Just
make sure to keep everything in check."
"I guess I need more practice controlling it then."
"I would suggest it. So, are you coming with us or not?"
"I don't know. I've spent most of my life with Pops and I'm used to it. But then again, no matter how much I tried to fit in, I never did feel right. Going out like this would be a huge step for me."
"Come on. You're a big girl now. You have to go out into the world at some point. You just can't sit around and only leave to fight. There's a lot of stuff that we encounter when we travel that you couldn't get if you just sat around in one town. So this is what you should do, get a neighbor or something to take care of your Pops and then come with us. If you come with us, you'll be helping to save Pops and you can't forget the fact that if he hates wolves, what's gonna happen if he sees you?"
"Maybe…" she says, looking at the ground.
"Why don't we go out for a run? You can see what it feels like to be a wolf," Hige suggests.
"Wouldn't that be dangerous though?"
"We can take to the rooftops and once we find a more barren area we can go on the ground. How about it? It would be like a test run?" Hige says as he grabs both of Blue's hands in his.
"Alright. I just gotta do one thing, so give me a few?" she says as she takes away her hands.
"I'll be waiting in the lobby then," he says as he leaves her room.
"Kiba, do you think Blue will come with us? She really didn't seem to want to when we asked her," Toboe asks as he sulks on the bed.
"It's hard to tell. She's lived her whole life being raised as a human. But you heard her say for herself that she felt like she never fit in anywhere," Kiba comments.
"And if she still doesn't agree, we'll just kidnap her. It's four against one anyways," Tsume says as he cracks his knuckles.
"You can't be serious Tsume?" Toboe asks.
"Of course I am. We need her to get out of here."
"So, what do you think?" Hige asks as he and Blue run from roof to roof in the night.
"I can't believe this. It feels like I'm flying. It's the most amazing thing I've ever felt," she answers, laughing. Hige flies off the roof onto the ground, Blue following as they continue their run down some of the darker and more deserted streets.
"I knew you would like this. It'd the only time that I ever feel truly free, even when I am running to save my own life."
"I wish I knew I was a wolf earlier so I could have done this earlier."
"Hey. Why don't we stop and get something to eat? I smell some really delicious food near by," Hige says as he sniffs the air.
"You probably mean Tony's. HE has good food every now and then, but at this time, it's usually bar time. But I think a friend of mine is working there tonight, so I can probably get something." The two take on their human forms as they walk towards the building.
"Another good thing about being a wolf is the whole sensitive ear and nose thing. Of course, yours won't be as good as mine or Tsume's. We're special. I'll have to show you sometime."
"Sounds like a plan to me," she says as she and Hige take a seat by the bar.
"Hey Gabe. I thought you might be working here tonight," Blue says to a blond haired man behind the bar.
"Blue? It's been such a long time. I didn't get a chance to see you fight, but I heard it was a fantastic match and that you won once again."
"It was probably the hardest one," Blue comments, grabbing her jaw. Gabe turns from her to look at Hige next to her.
"And who is this? You've never brought a man with you anywhere."
"This is Hige. He's a guest at the inn and wanted a tour of the town," she says, pointing towards Hige.
"Nice to meet you," Hige says, holding out his hand. Gabe takes it and shakes.
"Same here. Do you two want anything?"
"Anything that's edible, if you don't mind," Hige says.
"Not a problem. I'll be right back."
"Damn it," Hige says as he looks towards the door and watches two men clad in black armor enter.
"What is it Hige?" Blue asks.
"Some hunters just came in."
"What should we do then?" Blue whispers so that the hunters that just sat down a few chairs away from them.
"I think that we should get ourselves outta here before they figure out anything."
"Can they figure out who is a wolf and who isn't?"
"Not really sure. Sometimes they figure it out and sometimes they don't."
"Then we should leave before they find out," Blue suggests as she and Hige get up from their seats. They slowly make their way out of the place, hoping not to be suspicious. One of the guards though catches a glimpse of them walking out and motions his partner to come follow.
"Hige, maybe it's just me, but I think we're being followed," Blue says, hoping only Hige can hear.
"It's those hunters from the bar. They probably have some idea of what we are then."
"What should we do?"
"Duck into the nearest alley and then we'll surprise them. Get ready to fight with all you can." Hige grabs her hand and pulls her into the next alleyway. The hunters watch them and talk into what resembles a radio, and then follow the two into the alley, only to see nothing.
"Where do you think they went?" asks one of the guards.
"Who knows?" The two try to go in deeper, but suddenly get ambushed as two wolves.
"Damn it. They're wolves." As one goes down, the other pulls a small device from his waist and aims it at Blue as she comes around to attack again. He pushes a small button as a wave is sent out, knocking Blue backwards into the wall.
"Blue!" Hige screams, as he knocks down the second guard. HE picks up Blue and then leaps onto the rooftop.
"Hige, what in the world was that?" Blue asks as she starts to get up, only to be pulled by Hige as they start running.
"One of the hunter's secret weapons. Some kind of spell that sends out a blast that can knock us out. You gotta be careful about those next time. It wasn't as powerful as the one they usually use though."
"Okay. But I don't think we exactly left on good note with them," Blue says.
"Which is why we gotta go to Kiba and the others and tell them the bad news now."
"I wonder where Hige is. He's been gone for a long time," Toboe complains again.
"Probably stealing food from some place or even bothering some of those human girls," Tsume comments.
"Maybe he's trying to convince Blue to come with us," Toboe suggests, sounding hopeful.
"Then there's probably an even smaller chance of her joining us then," Tsume says as Kiba and him suddenly become alert.
"Something's wrong," Kiba says as Blue and Hige come running into the room.
"Hige! Blue! You're back!" Toboe exclaims, getting off the bed.
"Yeah, but there are more important things right now. Like the fact we gotta get our asses outta here," Hige says, as they try to catch their breaths.
"What did you do this time Hige?" Tsume asks,
"We were out when we realized that those hunter guys were following us. So Hige decided that we should hide and take them down, but it didn't work so well. And then they contacted some of their friends and right now are hunting us down."
"And that's why we need to leave now," Hige says as he opens the window as an escape exit.
"They know about you now Blue, you know that?" Kiba says.
"I know. I'm not stupid."
"Now what's the best way out of here?" Tsume says.
"There's a small reservoir on the side of town along with a pipeline that leads out of town. I don't think that many people know about it, plus the pipe is small enough that a normal sized person can't fit in it, but maybe a wolf can. There are pipes on the edges though for some cover, so there may be times when we're more vulnerable than others."
"Then we'll just have to make a run when the time comes. You think you're up to it runt?" Tsume says, looking at Toboe.
"Of course I am. Let's go."
"Since you know the way Blue, you can lead the way," Kiba says.
"Ladies first," Hige says, motioning her towards the window.
"Maybe they've already escaped. I don't see any traces of wolves anywhere," says a hunter from the ground. Above them on a nearby roof, 5 wolves look down at them, thinking about their next move.
"There are two Hunters below us and who knows how many around."
"All we have to do is make it into the reservoir and just be extra cautious for when Hunters come. When they do, we can just hide in the pipes. At the end is the pipeline that should lead out of town."
"Tsume and I will take the Hunters down. You guys stay here until we're done." With that, the grey and white wolves jump down from the roof, onto the unexpecting men below. As they attempt to shoot, they are unsuccessful, giving the wolves a chance to take them down. At that moment, the remaining wolves jump down, Blue taking the lead as they run down the cement slope.
"How far until we reach the pipeline?" Hige asks.
"It shouldn't be that far," Blue replies as she continues to lead.
"I hear more Hunters coming this way," Tsume says, stopping in his place.
"This way," Blue signals as she ducks into a nearby pipe along with the others.
"How far are they Tsume?" Kiba asks. Tsume closes his eyes as his ears twitch around.
"I think they're getting closer."
"Hige, get ready to attack," Kiba tells Hige since he is the one closest to the exit. A few moments later, an armored leg appears and Hige bounds out from the hiding place, attacking the enemy. As soon as he hits the first, the second starts shooting at Hige, but he's able to dodge them and goes for his shooter. The first guard, still alive, makes a reach for his gun and shoots it into the air as Hige finally kills the second enemy. Tsume leaves the spot now and goes for the first guy's throat, making sure he's dead.
"Make a run for it," Hige says as they all make there way towards their destination.
"Why didn't you make sure he was dead Hige? That way he wouldn't have signaled for others!" Tsume shouts as they sprint down just as more boots running are being heard. Suddenly, shots are fired at the gang.
"I would've if that other guy wasn't shooting at me," Hige comments back.
"Stop fighting you two. The pipe is straight ahead of us. All we have to do is make it in," Blue says as they soon arrive at the pipeline they've been going for. One by one they run inside it, escaping from their enemies. The Hunters stop their firing.
"Just don't stand there you idiots. Get down their and try to get into that pipe. We need to see where it went to."
"Hey. There's a light up ahead. I can see it," Toboe says as he starts running towards the exit, only to suddenly stop.
"Why did you stop Toboe?" Hige asks.
"Blue never said anything about a huge jump into a river or anything.
"Man, that does look kind of down there," Hige says, as he pushes his way towards the front to look for himself.
"How was I supposed to know this would lead to here? I just knew it led out of town," Blue tells everyone in self-defense.
"We can argue later. Just jump," Tsume says, starting to get aggravated.
"You heard the guy Toboe," Hige says as he pushes Toboe out, making him scream in fright as he goes plunging into the water. The others soon follow after, all landing with a big splash into the water below.
"Lady Jagara. It has come to my attention that our Hunters have lost the wolves they were after."
"Did any of them report a maiden with them?"
"I don't believe so my Lady."
"I see. Order them to go and continue their hunt. We have nothing to worry about as long as they do not have the flower maiden."
"Blue. Blue. Where are you?" Pops screams in his little home as he heads towards what was Blue's room. He approaches the door and sees a note addressed to him tacked on. He takes it down and starts to read.
Dear Pops,
If you are reading this, it means that I have left for a while. After meeting some people, I've felt the need to go out into the world to discover who I really am, because to tell the truth, I've never truly felt like I've belonged somewhere. I hope that by going out into the world, I can discover who I really am. I hope to return as soon as I have figured things out. I'll never forget your love. Also, I have another note to give to Mrs. Sage. She'll help with the cooking.
-Blue
After reading, Pops takes the note and crumples it into a ball. "IT was those boys. Those damn wolves posing as boys. They took away something from me again. But this time, I won't let them get away."
"Man, I never want to do that again," Hige says as he and the others get out of the water and shake themselves off.
"You know you can never go back now Blue. They'll at least have a few guards in the town since there's been a wolf sighting there," Kiba says as he watches the girl dry off.
"I kinda figured that out already. But now what am I supposed to do?" Blue asks, knocking any water out of her head.
"Travel with us of course. You're one of the chosen wolves. It's your destiny to travel with us," Tsume says as the four guys start to gather into their pack.
"IT isn't so bad. We get lots of freedom and all we have to really worry about is getting killed or dying of starvation," Hige mentions.
"Plus you've been awakened. IT means at any time you could change into a wolf and then the hunters would be after you again. At least in a group, you're safer and we can teach you things," Kiba finishes off and the four wait for her answer.
"I guess I don't have much of a choice then do I?" she asks, looking at them in their wolf form.
"Not really. Welcome to the pack," Toboe says.
"Let's head out. It's best not to stay around here too long," Kiba instructs. The four guys start to walk off as Blue stays a minute and looks back at her old town.
"Stay well Pops. I'll miss you," she whispers to herself.
"Hey Blue. Come on," Hige shouts. She turns around and sees that they have already gotten some distance away.
"Alright. I'm coming," she says, taking one last look and then heading up to the others.
I really hope you guys are enjoying this story. I am really having fun writing it, but I still want to know what everyone else thinks, so please review.