((A/N: This is AU, so you know. It's placed in the 1800s when they're only carts with horses and country.))

X.X.X.X.X.X.

The four animals ran out of the house and into the nearby forest. Then they parted into three different ways, with Minto accompanying Purin, as it was her first time on the hunt.

When Ichigo ran into the forest, she began snatching birds and rats and things and storing them in one of her secret hiding spots throughout the forest. Once the hunt ended, the girls would get all the things they killed from the hiding spots and bring them back to the house. They would only change back into their human selves if they were hurt or if they were in the house.

There were laws that were kept within the forest; rules which the humans took no heed to. The rules were you can't go on a total rampage throughout the place. You take what you need for a while and then let the place repopulate. The girls went once a year; and the animals were used to them by then and considered them friends.

The ways of the animal life were always "Eat or be Eaten", so the girls ate. The other animals understood, and if there were things that just died, the other animals would lead the girls to them.

But humans destroyed things. They took no heed to the law and were always killing, whether they called it that or not. Humans killed out of fear. Humans killed for sport, and humans killed to show their power. They also sensed the wrong things. When animals deemed respect to a person, they took it the wrong way and attacked. When a death in the forest happened and the animals mourned, humans would come through and kill the easy prey, not sensing their helplessness.

Ichigo ran up to a hollow tree with five birds in her mouth when she heard the one thing she dreaded most.

A blast.

X.X.X.X.X.X.

Chapter Two: The Fool

Kisshu wandered through the forest with his brothers and friends, not listening to their conversation, but thinking up ways in which he could meet that beautiful girl again. He fiddled with his two magic knives he called Dragon Swords and looked about the trees, taking in his surroundings.

Something was different about this day, though. The small and medium-sized animals seemed on-edge, like they were expecting death.

"Does it feel more cold than usual in here, or is it just me?" Ryou, one of his friends asked, rubbing his arms.

"It feels like it's been tainted by something, that's for sure." Pai, one of his siblings agreed.

"Hey, look at that!" Taruto, his other brother, pointed to a tree with a monkey and a hawk in it.

The monkey had a handful of small dead animals and the hawk had fish in its beak. But they were staring out into space, like they weren't paying attention to anything specific. Then they switched their attention to Kisshu and the others. They took off.

"They've been killing animals!" Keiichiro, the last friend, stated, startled. "We've got to do something!"

"Right!" Kisshu held his swords up and began chasing after the pair.

X.X.X.X.X.X.

Purin and Minto sat on a branch, resting from their finds.

You're doing good for your first time, Purin! Minto congratulated. It took me a while before I figured out how to get the hang of it.

I've heard your stories enough so I know how to do it by now! Purin explained.

There was a twig-breaking sound. The two girls looked up from their conversation and eyed five men.

Run! Minto screamed. She flew off, guiding Purin through the trees.

"We've got to do something!" One of the humans shouted.

"Right!" The other one said. They began chasing.

Minto, we're gonna die! Purin seemed so terrified.

No we're not, just keep swinging from the trees and they won't get us. Minto reassured her little friend. Though she wasn't so sure herself.

They stopped when they came up to the dead end.

Uhh…. Minto racked her brain to find a way out for the both of them. The trees were thick, so thick that Minto couldn't get through them. Go into the trees. She ordered Purin.

But you can't get through them! Purin pleaded.

I know that! Now go! Minto screamed. Purin jumped up higher and higher into the trees, so she was out-of-sight, and in safety.

"There, got one cornered!" The green-haired one smirked. He held his swords together. "Dragon Swords!"

"Wait, Kisshu!" The blonde screamed. It was too late, though, because the fireball had been set off and fired at Minto. It hit her in the wing, making her falling to the ground in pain.

HELP!

X.X.X.X.X.X.

Ichigo dropped all her food and began running towards the scent of burning feathers. Her cat legs pounded and jolted as she ran, leaping yards at a time, and not caring if she got scratched with twigs.

She was getting closer to the scent. And she finally saw five men, one with a shot-gun in his hands.

X.X.X.X.X.X.

"Kisshu, put those away and use your gun, it's more environmental." Ryou held out a shot gun to his friend. Kisshu took it and aimed it at the now helpless hawk. He clicked the trigger so it would shoot when he pressed it again. The hawk glanced at all the men, looking for a shred of mercy. It found none.

Kisshu pulled the trigger again just as he saw something jump out of the corner of his eye. It looked like a cat, but after he blinked he saw something different.

A girl.

X.X.X.X.X.X.

Ichigo jumped in the way just as the bullet was shot. She transformed back into a human—milliseconds before the bullet hit her in the arm. She cried out in pain and grasped the now bleeding arm.

"Ahh!" She winced and narrowed her eyes, shivering. "Fool!"

"Are you alright?" The green-haired one—the one who shot the bullet—asked. He stepped towards Ichigo and held out his hand to help her. Ichigo stepped backwards and growled a cat-like growl. A loud, mouth-opened-wide growl. Like a panther's.

"Don't touch me, fool!" She hissed.

"He's the fool?" The blonde shouted. "You're the one getting in the line of fire."

"I don't have to explain anything to fools." Ichigo fell to her knees.

"At least let us get that bullet out of your arm." The brunette insisted.

"Why did you shoot at them?" Ichigo asked, ignoring the polite gesture. "They were doing their own thing."

"They were killing other animals." The red-head stated.

"And you weren't trying to?" Ichigo countered. "Were you fools not trying to kill those two just now?"

"Well yes, but—"

"But you think that you were carrying out justice by messing with the ways of life?" Ichigo whispered, letting the pain tears drop.

Ichigo? Zakuro's voice screamed through the forest. Pant, pant…. ICHIGO!

Zakuro popped out from the opposite direction with a snarl on her face. She growled fiercely at the five men.

"A wolf!" Kisshu put the gun up again.

"PUT THE GUN DOWN, FOOL!" Ichigo demanded. She forced herself up shakily onto her feet and let go of her wound, showing the blood on her hand. She stood in front of Zakuro.

Ichigo! You're hurt. Zakuro said. I'll go get the stuff from out hiding spots, and find Purin.

Purin is in the trees, up there. Minto stated, looking up. I told her to go up there.

"I'll be going now." Ichigo snarled. She picked up Minto and began making her way across the woods.

X.X.X.X.X.X.

"I'll be going now." The red-head demanded. She picked up the hawk and limped painfully away.

"Well," Pai said, sitting down. "I think we've all had enough excitement for a while. Let's head back now."

"Kisshu," Ryou placed an encouraging hand on his friend's shoulder. "It wasn't your fault you shot her."

"Yeah, I know…." Kisshu was now thinking about the girl's words after he shot her.

"Fool! Don't touch me, fool!"

She looked slightly like the one he had seen the night before. Was that really her?

"Let's follow her, and then apologize tomorrow, once we know where they live." He suggested. He was determined to find out who she was.

THE END!

I'll have chapter three up a little quicker…. Review please!