I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I did coming up with it!
Prologue
Holo, the wise wolf of Yoitsu, had been through a lot in her years walking the Earth. She had lived long enough to watch the world change around her, and even had legends devoted to herself. As the god of the harvest in Pasloe, she had been worshipped for centuries, and was content for that time. But there was a deep-rooted desire that permeated her being...
She was alone. Yes, she was immortal but what was the point when there was no one to talk to, no one to confide in, no one that knew her not just as a deity to be worshipped but just as Holo... When she embarked on the journey that would lead her to Pasloe, she thought that she would meet her fellow wolves again. She hadn't considered that she may as well have been saying goodbye to everyone she once knew. This way of thinking stayed with her for quite a while, and looked as though it was going to stay that way indefinitely until one fateful night.
As Pasloe grew and developed, the festivals that honored the Wolf of the Harvest changed. They went from being genuine practices in faith to being lighthearted holidays for the townspeople to participate in. This was not done out of disdain for the Wolf, rather it was the erosion that time has upon all things. While she was not angry, Holo started to feel as though she was not needed anymore. She began to think about Yoitsu, and longed to go back. When a certain merchant came to town with fresh wheat, she made her decision.
That day was certainly one to remember. Holo may be a goddess, but she was anything but apathetic. Seeing Lawrence squirm around as he came to grips with a naked wolf god in his wagon was perhaps the first interesting thing that had happened to her in ages. He may have pointed a knife at her, but she was gracious enough to forgive this mis-transgression. Now at the time, their meeting was more convenient than anything else, as they both stood to gain something from it. Lawrence assumed that her presence would grant him some kind of luck in his pursuit of profit, and Holo was able to get started on their way to Yoitsu. She was also grateful to have a companion, even if she didn't admit it right away. Regardless, the beginning of their journey reinvigorated Holo's sense of fun and adventure.
She did not foresee their relationship evolving to the extent that it did. They started off as acquaintances who were grouped together, yet found themselves opening up to each other. Lawrence was stunned to see the wolf deity get emotional whenever he mentioned their journey ending, and decided to try to extend it at these points even if it meant losing out on potential earnings. Holo's stubborn yet caring nature got along nicely with Lawrence's more passive personality, and they rubbed off on each other. Now in any other love story, this would be the part where both people would realize their love for one another, and vow to be with one another till death do them part. But therein lies the key issue: Holo was immortal. She knew that a human lifetime was a drop in the bucket compared to herself, and that regardless of how well they got along, it was going to have a bittersweet ending. As such, their potential union was not one that nature intended.
But there was something about Lawrence that kept her at his side. Through all the trouble that they got themselves into with other merchants, the church, and any attempted intrusions in their relationship, Holo would end up back with Lawrence on his wagon. Even when SHE was the one who tried to end things between them to avoid causing herself any more pain in the long run, Lawrence follow her and say something that would make her heart beat faster and their attachment grow stronger. She would eventually come to accept this one fact: Holo, the wise wolf of Yoitsu. was in love with Kraft Lawrence.
Lawrence loved Holo too. Like Holo, he had grown to understand loneliness. All the years as a travelling merchant had taken their toll on the young man, and he did not have many people that he could genuinely call friends. He had hoped to fix this problem when he finally opened up his own shop, but he wouldn't have to wait that long after all. Holo changed his life in ways that he never could have foreseen, although seeing a sleeping wolf god in your wagon is a pretty clear turning point in one's life.
Over the years, Holo and Lawrence continued to experience new things. They took in a child named Tote Col as part of their entourage. They had made it to destroyed Yoitsu, where Lawrence comforted the heartbroken Holo. They got married, which was quite the occasion. Lawrence was stunned when he saw Holo in her wedding dress, and it was the greatest day of both of their lives. They invited all the friends that they had made along the way, which was definitely in part because of Holo's desire to brag, and consummated their marriage by dancing with each other under the pale moonlight. They opened up a bathhouse in Nyohhira, which was close to Yoitsu, which effectively achieved both of their goals. They would name it the Spice and Wolf.
Lawrence learned that the only thing more dangerous than an angry Holo was a pregnant Holo, especially one who was in the third trimester. Holo had especially fond memories of the day that she finally got to try the fabled honey-pickled peaches of legend. One day when she was feeling particularly irritable, she told Lawrence to give her some space. Lawrence left with a downtrodden expression on his face, and was gone for several hours. Holo felt as though she might have been too harsh on him for something that was no fault of his. Eventually, he returned with a package and a smile on his face. He brought it to Holo and told her it was a surprise. She unwrapped it and began to cry. They were just as sweet as Lawrence had described them as. She didn't know what was better, eating the peaches or knowing that Lawrence went out of his way to get them for her when she had already forgotten about them.
They had a beautiful child named Myuri. Ironically, Lawrence was more of a natural at being a parent than Holo, who had to learn how to interact with the first lifeform that she helped create in her long life. This young girl was born with a tail and wolf ears like her mother, and silver hair hair like her father. They went sightseeing around the world and felt truly fortunate to have each other. Now although Holo was mindful of the inevitable time limit in their relationship, she made sure to enjoy every moment to the fullest. She decided that she would deal with Lawrence's passing when the time came, but until then she would continue to tease her adorable little human.
And tease him she did. Although Lawrence grew more witty and clever as time went on, as a result of having the best teacher of course, he was no match for Holo. She wasn't the wise wolf of Yoitsu for nothing! Whether it was a lover's quarrel or a game of wits, Holo made sure to let Lawrence know that he wasn't with an ordinary woman. And in return, Lawrence made sure to let Holo know that she was loved and appreciated for who she was.
And so they continued to laugh with each other as time marched on. Lawrence's hair began to thin, and new wrinkles began to appear. He became weaker, as Holo noticed that she would always win their wrestling matches. He began to use a cane to walk, and had to squint in order to see things that were further away. As he groomed Holo's tail, his hand grew thinner with more visible veins. Holo was now almost as tall as Lawrence, but Lawrence swore that she was growing rather than him shrinking.
Lawrence would joke that he looked like a wealthy old merchant who had hired a beautiful young woman to be his wife. Holo would laugh, but be troubled with these jests. Lawrence and Holo watched as Tote Col and Myuri went on their own adventure, just as they had done many years ago, but they were just as content living a quiet life with each other as they were riding a wagon and discussing market trends with other merchants.
Everything was going smoothly, until the fateful days finally arrived. Lawrence grew ill.
End of Prologue
The sun beamed in through the windows into the master bedroom of the Spice and Wolf bathhouse. Holo was the first to awaken. She got up with a yawn, and stretched her arms as she glanced around. She noticed that Lawrence had yet to rise, which was very peculiar for him. He liked to be awake in case any potential customers came by. Lawrence was not as hungry as he used to be about making a profit, but he still wanted to provide for his family to the fullest extent.
Holo stared at Lawrence and considered waking him up, but decided against it as she smiled and got up silently, although her tail swinging almost sabotaged her efforts. She then slid the blanket up to cover more of Lawrence's body. She decided that she would do the honors and get breakfast ready. She got dressed and walked down to where their chef, Hanna, stayed and knocked on the door.
"Hanna, are you awake in there?" A short pause followed.
"Yes, ma'am." It was clear that she had woken up not too long ago.
"If it's alright, could you make some breakfast for me and Lawrence? Nothing too fancy, just something to get the day started."
The door opened and Hanna's face appeared. She had been working at the bathhouse for about 30 years at this point, and she too was no stranger to old age. While she wasn't a human, time seemed to go by quickly for her as well.
"Alright, I will see to that right now."
"Thank you very much, Hanna."
Holo walked down to the dining area, where she began to wait for Lawrence to show up. Time went by, as Holo began to think about what they were going to do today. She and Lawrence had decided a few weeks ago to start riding horses. Holo was actually the one to bring it up, which surprised Lawrence. She didn't think it would be too hard, although Lawrence told her that it was a lot harder than it looked. To be completely honest, Holo was willing to try anything new if it meant that she and Lawrence could make new memories. Myuri and Tote Col would be visiting tomorrow as well, and perhaps they could join them.
"HELLO!"
Holo jumped as she looked up at Hanna's amused face.
"I'm sorry, but I've been trying to get your attention for a while now. Your food is ready."
Holo composed herself before she thanked Hanna.
"You know, I do admire how that face of yours stays so young and gorgeous." Hanna was being genuine. She had known Holo since she started to work at the Spice and Wolf, and her face had barely changed. She looked a tad bit different from how she looked before she gave birth to Myuri, but the stresses of childbirth would surely change anyone.
"Well I would have to thank my parents for that. They also never seemed to age!" Holo laughed as she made light of her family's seemingly immortal lineage.
" Anyways, what were you thinking about back there? You looked like you were having quite a bit of fun."
"I was thinking about learning how to ride horses with Lawrence later. Have you ever done it before?"
"Aye, I used to do it for leisure several years ago. Is it alright if I joined you later?"
Holo smiled. "Of course. The more the merrier." Truth be told, it was probably better if someone experienced came along.
Hanna smiled back. "Thank you. I can't help but notice that Lawrence still isn't here. Is he feeling well?"
"He was still sleeping, but I think enough time has passed. If he's not awake by now, he would probably want me to wake him up. Excuse me."
Holo stood up, and walked up the stairs towards the master bedroom. She got to the door and stood outside and listened with her perked up ears. Nothing. Well it looks like he is still asleep.
Holo opened the door, and walked in. She went to the side of the bed that Lawrence was on and gently shook him. It took a few nudges, but his eyes opened.
"Well, you really took your time today Sleeping Beauty. Maybe you were waiting for a kiss? All you had to do it ask."
Lawrence sat up from the bed, and yawned. He looked over at Holo and opened his mouth as if to retort, but he began to cough.
"Lawrence, you just woke up. Let your throat relax first."
Lawrence kept coughing, and Holo began to get concerned. She ran to get some water, and came back with it. She handed the mug to Lawrence, who drank from it. It seemed to ease his affliction.
"Well princess, you really saved my life right there." Lawrence dramatically took a deep breath.
"Of course. You are the mate of Holo, the wise wolf after all. If anything was going to hurt you, it would be me!" Holo pointed at herself with a grin, before lightly flicking Lawrence on his forehead.
Lawrence laughed, but his laughs turned into the same hoarse coughs as before. Holo was very concerned at this point. She went to go get some more water, and came back as quickly as possible. She entered the room, and went to hand it to him. Lawrence was covering his mouth with his hand, so Holo took his hand and moved the mug towards his chin. However, she dropped the mug when she noticed what was on the palm of his hand.
Blood.
I felt like writing this after finishing the anime of Spice and Wolf. I really enjoyed it and the relationship between Lawrence and Holo really resonated with me. Feel free to drop a review, since I would like to know if I'm handling these characters well. The next few chapters will hopefully be more interesting!
