CHAPTER 12

THE LONE WOLF & THE SEARCH

2048.

Cherryton School.

A 16 year old female wolf with mauve colored fur was walking through the halls with a smile on her face. She walked into the drama club for the assembly that was being held and sat down, next to a male cougar.

"I had a good time last night." the wolf whispered.

"So did I." the cougar whispered and smiled at her.

"For the next topic, I hand the microphone over to Riza." said the teacher and sat down.

A young cougar about the wolf's age came up to the microphone.

"Thank you, Ms. Grizzle." she said before she spoke. "I would like to take a moment to give a round of applause to the drama club."

The audience claps for the drama club.

"Their acting has became incredibly exhilerating." said Riza. "For example..."

At this point, the wolf was smiling, proud of her class... until what would come next. The tech girl loaded up video from the laptop, of the wolf and the cougar guy having sex, the wolf letting out loud moans.

In the audience, tears started forming in the wolf's eyes.

"The slut playing oh so well the part of the shy virgin." said Riza. "It didn't even matter that the guy already had a girlfriend, because that's how much she wanted it."

"Alright, that's enough!" shouted the headmaster and got up on stage. "Shut it down! Riza, you're expelled!"

The wolf looked at the male cougar, who was smirking at her.

"HOW COULD YOU!?" she screamed and hit him, then ran off.

Three years later.

The wolf was at home, having dinner with her parents. She hadn't said a word the entire time. Unlike her younger self, she had on heavy eyeliner, a black shirt, black bracelets, red shorts and had in a golden nose ring. Her eyes were green.

"Honey, I really think you should start seeing someone again." said her mother. "It's been three years. You're a senior now."

Her mother was practically an older version of her, with only a different eye color. The father on the otherhand was a black and dark gray furred wolf, and had the same green eyes as his daughter.

"I don't wanna be in a relationship, mother." said the wolf.

"Jane, you have to find somebody eventually." said the father.

"That's easy for you to say." said the wolf. "You've never had to be humiliated like I did."

"Don't talk your father like that." said her mother. "He doesn't deserve that. He loves you and wants to see you happy."

"I'll never be happy again." Jane said and left the table.

Jane's mother sighed.

"Juno, you don't have to defend me like that." said Jane's father. "I can take it. She's just hurting."

"I know." said Jane's mother. "It's just... We used to be so close. It hurts to see her like this, and for her to take her anger out on you."

Jane's father sighed.

"I wish there was something I could do." he said.

"So do I." said Juno and put her hand ontop of his.

Back at Graywolf Manor, Louis, Legoshi, Hikari, Tamiko and Sarena were gathered, along with eight other members of the Hogo-sha-gumi.

"Afternoon, lady and gentlemen." said Louis. "So. We have had a few men in North America searching for Melon for a few months. There's talk that maybe he has been spotted."

"Where?" asked Sarena.

"Of all places, Los Angeles." said Louis. "I guess he thought maybe there was safety in numbers. Nevertheless, after he was believed to have been found, we were told he and some woman fled. It's been silent since."

"Why has it been three months and we just now found him?" asked Sarena.

"Well..." Legoshi began. "He had on a different style of clothing than he did the night he disappeared. It seems very likely he and that woman are disguising themselves and are changing vehicles quite frequently. And since there hasn't appeared to be any massacres lately... it appears we have lost them again."

Sarena scoffs.

"Why can't you do better than this?" she asked. "Does anyone here not recall he's a rapist and killer?" she said and got up.

"Sarena." said Louis.

"No, you of all people." said Sarena. "How could you have lost BOTH parents to someone and just allow my mother's killer to walk free? She deserves justice!" she said walked off.

"Boss?" asked one of the Hogo-sha-gumi.

"Leave her alone." said Louis. "She's just upset."

"Yes sir." said one of the Hogo-sha-gumi.

After a few minutes, Hikari walked into her room, door already open. She was sitting on the edge of her bed, crying.

"Do you wanna talk?" he asked.

She said nothing.

"Look..." he said, in a comforting manner and sat down beside her. "We're doing everything we can. My father wants this taken care of just as much as you do. He's afraid for my safety. The problem is, this guy has been doing this for 47 years. Almost 48. If there's things to be learned, it's a safe bet he's learned them... But if he thinks people's no longer looking for him, he could come back. Your mother will get justice. I don't know how long it's going to take, but it will happen."

"Thank you." said Sarena. "I... I didn't mean to say some of the stuff I did, I just..."

"You're trying to heal." said Hikari. "It's just some of the news is like salt in the wound."

"Yeah." said Sarena.

"Look, it doesn't appear my fathers are angry with you." said Hikari. "You can rejoin the group again once you're feeling okay again."

"Okay." said Sarena. "Thanks again."

"Anytime." said Hikari.

In the evening, Sarena was watching news on the TV in her room, waiting to hear anything that could indicate Melon's location. Louis stops in her doorway.

"I need to talk to you." he said.

Sarena paused the report and looked at him.

"I know that you are hurting." said Louis. "You're upset, angry and lonely, and while I wouldn't throw you out while it's still dangerous, sooner or later, you would deal with the consequences. If you want to make a difference, don't ever talk to me or my family like that ever again."

"I'm sorry, sir." said Sarena. "I won't let it happen again."

"Good." said Louis. "Hikari and Tamiko are going out tonight. You might think about going with them, doing something less stressful."

"I'll think about it." said Sarena.

"Alright." said Louis and left.

While Sarena didn't go with them, she would find her own stress relief. At the club, the boys sat at a table, drinking wine. Feathers by Coheed & Cambria was playing over the speakers as Hikari noticed Yuki at the bar. She was wearing a yellow dress. He then walked over to her.

"How you been?" asked Hikari.

"I've been okay." said Yuki. "How's Sarena holding up?"

"She's hurting." said Hikari. "She wants to find her mother's killer really bad."

"I wish there was something I could do." said Yuki.

"We don't mind if you visit." said Hikari.

"Thank you for everything you've been doing for her." said Yuki.

"It's nice to help people, you know?" asked Hikari.

Yuki smiled.

"You're a very kind person, Hikari." she said. "I'm sorry if I seemed a little rude last time we met."

"You and Sarena are good friends." said Hikari. "You need a little time to comfort her. I get it."

"I've been thinking about you a lot since you took Sarena in." Yuki began. "I don't know how eccentric that makes me, considering we've only been around each other twice before now, but... If you still want to... and you're still single... I'd like to... get to know you more..."

Hikari smiled warmly.

"It would be my honor." he said.

Up at the stage, one of the members of spoke up. Upon hearing him speak, many folks, including Tamiko, Hikari and Yuki looked.

"You asked for more, you got it!" he said. "Jane and The Outcasts!"

A ran of applause was given as a curtain raised. Tamiko, however went back to his drinks, before silhouettes of animals started playing a song, increasing light showing more and more what they looked like as Jane, wearing the same clothes as earlier walked up to the microphone and sang Cool Kids by Echosmith. After first hearing her voice, a few words in, Tamiko had become mesmerized, having admired Jane through the rest of the song. Just after it ended, the crowd gave the band a round of applause, cheering them on. They then began Girl Next Door by Saving Jane, this time with Jane on guitar and vocals. Just like before, another round of applause was given. After playing a few more songs, Tamiko walked up on the stage as they were packing things up.

"Hey." said Tamiko.

"I don't do autographs." said Jane. "I'm not exactly famous."

"Actually, no." said Tamiko. "Really, it had nothing to do with the band, it's just... I was wondering if you would like..."

"What?" asked Jane. "To suck your cock? Maybe add a little money to sweeten the deal?"

"I didn't say you were a hooker." said Tamiko.

"Just a slut, right?" asked Jane.

"I don't even know you." said Tamiko.

"Let's keep it that way." said Jane.

Tamiko rolled his eyes and walked off.

Jane then sighed as she thought to herself.

"I wish I could believe the guy had nice intentions." she thought. "Maybe he does... But I'd rather be alone than find out I was wrong. Why does it have to be like this?"