A/N: I had to do it. Maria needed her own little story. Hope you like the late addition. 8)

Origins: Maria

Papa had told her from the very first time that she could understand, that she was special. Just like him, just like her mother. Mama had died when she was very small and Maria could only remember a scent or a touch. Father had died most recently protecting her from the Mistresses. He didn't want her used to harm others. He wanted freedom for her.

The last she remembered of him was when he'd told her to disguise herself as a puppy, and then he left the little cave they'd been using as shelter. She did as told, she then ventured from her hiding place to discover what Father had been hiding from her. Sadly, all she discovered was his broken and beaten body. His last words to her were of love, telling her to travel in the direction they had been running to, and to not stop until she saw the trees with pink flowers that only their eyes could see. From there, the animals would show her the way to safety, to a small tribe that would take her in. He stroked her hair and kissed her forehead, the light left his eyes and she howled from the pain in her heart as she transformed back into the small puppy that she promised him that she would remain until she was safe.

For many months the talented child of only eight years, traveled until her small paws bled. She fed from the scraps tossed into the streets, and slept in caves, under brush, and in the open fields in the rain. As she approached what others called the Forbidden Realm, her eyes went wide.

"This way Maria... You're almost home." The specter of her father beckoned.

"You've been so brave my Love." The beautiful female spirit told her proudly, as the pair escorted her to the border of Meadolake.

"P-Papa? M-Mama? Is that really you or am I just seeing things that aren't there?" She asked with tears in her eyes.

The spirits smiled softly. "Come daughter. It's not much further. We are not a vision." The told her. "Hurry Sweetheart, they're waiting for you." The pair motioned to the dark wooded area.

Her small puppy ears, flattened. It had been so long since she had met or seen a human that didn't mean to cause her harm. Could she trust that these two phantoms were her parents? It had been years since she'd seen her own father. Two or three, she couldn't remember. She'd been a puppy for so long.

Once she crossed the border, her eyes opened to the lush forested lands of Meadolake. She collapsed beneath a cherry tree, in the soft grass, where the morning sun filtered through and caressed her soiled skin and fur.

"Poor pup... She's been through so very much..." She heard the motherly voice sigh out.

"Should we bring her to the Dark One, Mother?" A male voice asked with concern.

"That would be best." The female decided, and Maria could feel as a large mouth, filled with sharp teeth, gently clamped around her small neck, and carefully began to carry her to her final destination.

"Mama! Mama! Come quick!" Sora called out as he watched Spirit approach with the small puppy in her mouth.

Kuon looked up from the garden and saw what his son was calling Kyoko for. He quickly arose and brushed himself off, the ran to the large wolf as Kyoko emerged from their home with a small blanket.

Spirit released her from her grasp into Kuon's large hands. "Her journey to you has not been kind to her Light one. She's spent, underfed, and wounded in the body and soul. We discovered her on the path from the outer realms." She finished, giving Maria a light nuzzle and a soft lick to her little face.

"Papa?" She murmured, cradled in Kuon's arms.

"Shh... Shh... It's alright. You're safe now little one. We'll take care of you." Kuon murmured as he stroked her fur with a healing hand. "Just sleep now." He told her, carrying her into their home and placing her on a soft cushion near the hearth.

"Thank you Spirit, Nightfang. I doubt she would have made the last of her journey to us, without your aid." Kyoko commended them.

Spirit nodded. "I will never hesitate to help one so young. I will return later. This one interests me. Her talent is... unusual."

Kyoko's brow furrowed, and she nodded. "Is there anything you and the pack need?"

Spirit smiled. "I wouldn't object to that potion that you made for me last time. It seems as though my bones feel my age." She chuckled.

Kyoko giggled. "You needn't ask good friend. Come and enjoy the warmth of the hearth while I mix it for you." Kyoko motioned and the elderly wolf followed her in.

She awakened from her nightmare, wrapped in warmth, before a large hearth, with the smell of fresh cooking meat, vegetables, bread, sweets, and tea. It was like nothing she'd ever experienced. There was also a strange, but familiar scent that filled her tiny nostrils. She snuggled further into the warm comfort. "There, there little one... You are safe in this home. Rest." The familiar female voice softly cooed. She returned to a comfortable sleep.

"Is she ready to eat, Spirit?" Kyoko asked quietly.

"Just a little more time to rest. She suffers from the terror of tainted dreams. I will wake her soon to dine." Spirit assured her.

Kyoko nodded. "Very well. I'll set aside a meal for both of you." Kyoko turned to go back to the kitchen and glanced behind. "Thank you for caring for her, Mother."

Spirit smiled. "I do it with pleasure, Daughter."

Maria wakened with a start. The familiar scent had been a large white wolf cradling her in her soft fur as she slept. "Shh... Shh... There, there my little cub. You are safe. No harm will come to you."

Maria slowly nodded. "Wh-Where am I?" She murmured.

"You are where the fae call Meadolake. We are in the home of the Dark One and Light One. You may stay as long as you like." Spirit explained.

"Who are you?" She asked quietly.

She nuzzled the small child, disguised as a pup. "My pack calls me Great Mother Prizrak. Your kind call me Spirit... It is the same, I suppose." She began bathing the pup.

"Wh-What are you doing?" Maria asked nervously.

Spirit giggled. "I'm bathing you, cub. You mustn't dine with fur so filthy. You'll fall ill." She explained.

"Oh..." Maria snuggled back into the large female. "Thank you Great Mother..." She said quietly.

"But I don't want to go with them, Great Mother." Maria plead with Spirit.

Spirit sighed. "Child... They love you dearly, as do I, but I cannot provide you with what you need. You need to be with your kind. You need to learn their ways. You cannot be a cub forever and the one called Lory loves you as his own." She explained. She sighed once again. "I will not leave you yet my Pup. It is not my time." She reassured Maria.

"Are you sure?" Maria asked in a small voice.

"Yes, my Pup, but first you must don your true form. You must meet with them as yourself." Spirit encouraged. "I promise that you will be safe. I will make it so."

Maria nodded. She knew deep in her heart that if anyone ever tried to hurt her as they did her mother and father, Great Mother and her pack would rip them to shreds.

It had been many years since she had donned her human form. She nervously shifted from foot to foot as Spirit approached. "You are very lovely, but first you must bathe my little pup." She motioned for Maria to bathe in the small lake. Less than an hour later, Kyoko and Kuon would be shocked by the beautiful nude teen being led to them by her lupine Great Mother.

"Dark One, Light One... It's nice to finally meet you..." She murmured shyly. "Great Mother Prizrak tells me that you shelter our kind in your tribe."

Kyoko smiled softly and nodded. "You must be Maria. Welcome to our tribe."