After running with the flower maiden on my back for about half an hour, we come upon an old abandoned house. I myself had never seen a house built outside of the domes. It was risky for humans to live on the outside, to rely on themselves to survive. I figure at least it would keep them out of the cold long enough for her to regain her energy after running for so long in their frozen stiff clothing.

The flower maiden's arms now hang loosely around my neck as I make my way up to the front door. I draw in a long breath but this place has been abandoned so long than not even the previous owner's scent lingers. I gently set the little maiden down and give the frozen shut door a hard shove with my shoulder. After the third attempt, the door finally gives in and swings open. I take her hand and together we enter the small, wooden house.

Besides a broken window that I sealed up with a tarp I found in the house, the place is actually is pretty good condition. It was obvious that no one really ventured out this far because everything inside was still exactly how the owners had probably left it. And from the looks of it, they were either forced to leave rather quickly or had died somewhere out in the forest judging from the contents inside. They even had a couple cans of food in the cabinet which was pretty exciting since it had been a little over two days since I had anything to eat. I strip the both of us out of our frozen clothing and give us each new outfits. Surprisingly enough, I was able to find clothing that fit the both of us moderately well.

Now in a thick red coat with black boots and jeans, the flower maiden twirls around obviously in love with her new outfit. "This one feels warm now!" She exclaims with a wide grin on her face. I can't help but smile myself as I pull on a white long sleeve shirt. In the glint of the fire I had made in the old fireplace, I can see her short pink hair frame around her face as she looks up at me. If she were a human she would resemble a 6 or 7 year old. "This one is called Cheza." I get down on my knees in front of her and smile. "I'm Sora." She holds out both of her little arms out towards me and I don't even hesitate to drop my human shield as she embraces me. My heart flutters in my chest and I remember my mother telling us of the flower maiden and how all wolves, no matter who they were, couldn't resist their touch. She feels so warm against my fur and I'm put at ease. That's when she begins to sing.

Immediately my eye lids begin to droop and I lay down on my belly with my head resting in her lap. I force my eyes open, against her beautiful song, for fear that if I fall asleep those scientist people will find us. Cheza must feel my uneasiness because she lays a gentle hand over my head and begins to pet me. "They won't come now, not in this weather. Rest now. This one will watch over you." It's almost kind of funny hearing the flower maiden, whom it is my job to protect, comforting me. But her voice is so sweet, so soft that I find myself drifting into a deep sleep that I cannot pull myself out of.

I'm awakened out of the best sleep I have had in years by Cheza gently nudging me. I prop myself up on my shoulders as she speaks.

"They are close." I'm immediately on my feet, ready to sprint out the door. "The guards? The scientists?" I ask as I run to the window and peak out through the tarp.

Cheza simply shakes her head and smiles, grabbing my hand in both of hers. "The others." The others? "Who? Other wolves?" She nods her head and her smile grows. "Finally, this one can be together with everyone once again." I still don't feel comfortable. I take a deep breath. She's right, there are others defiantly close. Should we run or should we hide? I know she's the flower maiden but how could we be sure these people could be trusted, even if they were wolves. I knew, no matter what, I would keep her safe. She seemed to know what was coming and I knew I could trust her.

As the others began to near, I could make out four different scents. They were close enough now they could probably see the house they were in and it wouldn't take them long to get to it. Cheza held my hand and her smile seemed to grown by the seconds. "You know them?" I ask gently. She turns to me with a distant look in her eyes, though her smile doesn't fade. "Once, this one knew all of you." I'm confused by her statement but my thoughts are interrupted as the others voices are heard. Faintly, at first, but then slowly louder and louder as they neared.

"Someone's in there with her." One voice says. It sounds strong, even from a distance.

"I can only smell one. With the four of us it shouldn't be hard to take them down." A rugged, almost harsh, sounding voice responds.

"Hey Kiba, I have that fluttery feeling in my chest! Is that what you are talking about?" A much younger voice exclaims. There is no response so I can only assume he was given a nod in response.

"Well whatever we end up finding, let's try and find something to eat next. I'm starving." The last one complains and I can already tell this is something this one does often.

All four of the others are males but it didn't matter to me either way. If they intended on hurting Cheza in any way, I would take them down without a second thought.

They were out front now and I stood on my feet, preparing for whatever was about to come through the door.

None of them are speaking anymore and all I can hear now is the sound of their footsteps crunching in the snow and the blizzard winds that continue to howl furiously.

Cheza rises to her feet in her usual, graceful way and takes my hand in hers again. "Finally." She breathes.

Almost immediately after that, a tall man who appears to be my age with long brown hair and piercing blue eyes enters. He, just like myself, also seemed to be ready to attack whatever is was that was inside with Cheza. But at the sight of me, he seems to relax in the slightest but never loses that fierce look in his eyes. I keep Cheza behind me and meet his eyes with the same look. He shifts his attention to the little maiden behind me and I feel her begin to move forward.

"Kiba, who's in there with her?" The rough voice demands from outside.

Kiba stays silent. Cheza, still holding my hand, makes her way to Kiba. Not showing any signs of letting go, I let her lead me to him. He gets down on his knees and he seems to be speechless. He looks at her with such care it almost similar to the way a father would look at his daughter. She lets go of my hand and embraces his wolf form just as she did to me and he accepts. The two look and act as if they hadn't seen each other in a very long time though this was just their first time meeting. The others outside are all frozen until the smaller one of the group speaks quietly to the other two. "That is her, isn't it." The one next to him, with a collar hanging loosely around his neck, stands with his jaw hanging wide open. "I can't believe Kiba knew…" They must have forgotten I was even there, hidden behind Cheza inside the others outside probably couldn't even see me.

The two finally separate and Cheza takes his hand in her own and grabs mine with the other. She looks up at the two of us and in that moment, I don't think her smile could have been any bigger. I look up to see Kiba looking at me. For a moment it's silent and we just stand there, looking at each other.

"Are you searching for it too?" I ask softly. He gives one, small nod and it's the first time I can see undoubtable determination in his eyes. "And now we can find it, together." He responds back, the corner of his mouth barely lifting to form a smile.

Sorry for the delay but expect a chapter a week now that I'm back to writing again! :) Comment and review, let me know what you would like to see!