So I just realized that the symbols I use to separate one scene from another does not show up once uploaded here. I shall try and fix this and apologize for the confusion in the previous chapter. Thank you all for the feedback it's much appreciated. 3

xXx

"There's a Lion at your door

but a Wolf in your bed"

xXx

She couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. The run had been somewhat peaceful, rejuvenating, and much needed but the closer she got to returning to her host's home from the narrow path, the more she felt eyes upon her back. It made her tense, stopping and scanning the dark morning forest to see nothing. It haunted her, even as she slipped back into her bed after geting out of her running clothes just as the sun was peeking over the mountain tops. She lay there, staring at the wooden ceiling trying to keep her head clear. She heard everything, the soft subtle creeks of the wood as Hana moved across the floor, the chirping of bluebirds in the trees, the wind rustling frozen branches.

Anna lay there for another twenty minutes, just listening. It always brought her peace before so why wasn't it doing so now? Slowly, she rose from the warmth of her covers and pulled her hair up not really caring for what she looked like. Pulling on a long sleeved sweater and jeans, she entered the large main area of the house. "Good morning" She chimed to Hana who was already busy making breakfast for the two of them.

"Good morning Anna," She smiled back. How did she always keep such a cheerful demeanor? Anna almost envied her "Did you sleep well?"

"Like a rock" She approached the stone counter, watching as the eggs sizzled in the pan. "Do you need any help?"

"Stir this please" She handed the younger woman a wooden spoon, motioning to the pot of rice. It was silent for more than a few minutes, but not an awkward one. It was a content silence, both women seemingly alright with simply listening to the world as it woke up. The room filled with the fragrances that Anna had never missed more than she had in that moment, harkening back to a more peaceful, ignorant time in her early life. It had been years since a breakfast like this—or any meal for that matter—was lain out before her. Despite being so simple in nature, it was in fact, delightful beyond all belief.

It was then, taking the last few bites of fluffy egg and rice that her blue eyes met a peculiar site upon the small table behind her host mother. A small white plastic card accompanied by a vase of wildflowers and a small portion of the food both women had prepared. The picture looked strikingly like the young man who had been in here the day before—Ame. It didn't take long for her to put two and two together and a sudden heavy feeling rested on her chest. People in New York didn't do these kinds of things, and she guessed the rest of America was the same. Honoring the dead was just, different. Here, at least, it seemed rather peaceful in the way it was simply laid there with food and flower at its side.

"Anna?"

She must have been staring, because Hana looked slightly worried when her face finally came back into focus. "Hm?"

"Is everything alright?"

"Yes I was just getting lost in thought"

The hours seemed to pass by at an unusual pace, slower than she would have liked and yet she was content. There was something about being out in the country that always made her feel this way, and it was a stark change from the fast paced city life she had forced herself into. As they walked the several miles to the village, the two women began to get better acquainted now that Anna had managed a full nights rest.

"So you are from the city?"

"Yeah, New York to be exact"

"I used to live in Tokyo years ago" Hana started with a smile as per usual "Back when I was studying in school. I never thought I was going to live out here but" She stopped and took in a breath "I could never go back"

"It's hard to" Anna tucked a few stray strands up into her winter cap "I spent the first eight years of my life in a place much like this, but then I moved into the biggest city I could find" A laugh followed, gloved hand covering her mouth partially as the other woman chimed in.

"I have to ask, is that why you chose here?"

Anna thought for a moment, gazing out at the surrounding fields of snow "I suppose you could say that is one of the many reasons"

"I see well I am glad to have you" Her grin seemed to spread from ear to ear, showing the subtle wrinkles in her skin " Like I said, I rather miss having others in my home. Though I suppose once my grandchild is born things might change"

"How far along is she?" Anna asked "Yuki?"

Hana nodded as the two came up over the hill, now being able to see the small cluster of buildings that made up the village center "Six months or so now"

"It must be exciting—for everyone"

"Yes, I suppose it is"

"So where does your son live?"

Hana looked at her from the corner of her eye "Hm?"

"Ame was it? Where does he live?" She looked around again

"Ah, he lived up on the mountain far away from everyone else"

Well, that was different. "Really" She said, "It must be a far hike down to get here. I take it he must be a hunter, or something right?"

"I suppose you could call him that, yes" Hana sighed "He has always loved it up there, ever since he was a child. It only made sense that he stay"

xxxXXxxx

By now everyone would have shown up at his mother's house. He was late, but then again he was a wolf and in his own humble opinion, that meant not abiding by the rules of humans. But there was this strange feeling tugging at him, gnawing on his guarded heart like an angry rabid animal. He didn't want to go, but he had to. It wasn't right to be a no-show was it? Seeing his mother again after all this time made a little part of him happy. He had already said he'd stop but the thought of being in the same room with his sister and that idiot already made him tense.

He stood at the end of his old drive way, yellow eyes piercing the darkness and watching the shadows move in the house ever so intensely and with a rather heavy sigh; he made his mind up and forced himself to walk up the pathway. It seemed longer than he remembered, but then again it was a lot slower walking on two legs instead of four. He didn't knock, just wrapped his fingers around the door and opened it to let the air rush out along with everyone else's breaths. His eyes locked onto his sister's as he entered, as if to pass on a silent warning not to test his patience.

"Ame, I'm glad you came" Without warning, he was wrapped in a hug—something that had not been given to him since he was twelve, maybe even younger. He couldn't exactly get mad at his mother for doing it, but he did tense ever so slightly.

"I'm glad you are glad" It was almost inaudible, in fact he was half worried she didn't hear it as she stepped away. She smiled up at him, and he could see the age in her now. Her brown hair wasn't as brown and now it was streaked with gray. Her youthful skin sagged just a little and her eyes wrinkled. It just confirmed the fact he had been gone for longer than it felt. The previous night, he had not gotten a good look at her, but now he could see it plain as day. Silently, he cursed himself for not visiting more often.

He moved and sat across from his sister, next to his mother. Most of everyone continued eating as he did so, making it less awkward than it already was. On the other side of his mother was the new one, the westerner from the night before. It was bazar really, every now and then he'd get a hint of a scent from her. Usually this wouldn't bother him; the world was full of smells for his nose to take in. But this, no this was not ordinary scent. He knew it, he knew it too well. Did she have a pet back in her home country? Last time he checked though, dog didn't smell like wolf. His hands reached out and took the fork, trying to awkwardly remember the way he used to use them. Piece by piece he felt his human instincts kicking in, making him all that more uncomfortable in the presence of a stranger. But he managed, eating at the chicken pieces in the curry.

"How are things on the mountain Ame?"

He was torn from his sudden thoughts by his sister's voice "Hm?" He gave her a slight raise of the eyebrow but nothing more.

"I said, how are things on the mountain?" She crossed her arms "You could at least pretend you are trying to listen and be part of this dinner" She mumbled under her breath

He just looked at her, deadpanned. "Fine." He finally spoke.

"I was thinking I might go visit the mountains when I get done with my classes for the week" Anna suddenly jutted in. "I mean, It's been a long time since I've gone on a good challenge hike—" She looked over to him, smiling "You live there right? What would be a good route to take?"

And suddenly, all attention was on him. Perfect. "The trails I'd suggest you couldn't even come close to finishing or even attempting. You'd fall to your death, be eaten, or get lost—it's no place for someone like you"

"Ame—"

"I'm just speaking the truth. You wouldn't want to get lost out there. No one would find you" He scooted his chair back from the table, standing. "I think I have overstayed my welcome, Mother…" He looked down at her "Thank you" and he moved toward the door with purpose.

"Well, that could have gone better" Souhei muttered

"I am terribly sorry about my brother's behavior"

"No no it's alright." Anna managed a smile "I've dealt with much worse before"

Hana by now had begun to pick up the dishes and take them to the sink, prompting her daughter to come and help after Anna had tried she simply told her to stay put. She looked across the table to the spot on shelf again, looking at the picture of the man.

"So, New York eh?"

She focused back to the man across from her "Yeah" She grinned

"Been there a few times on business trips. It's a nice place. " He muttered, "Why on earth did you pick here?" Souhei laughed at his own question "Surely there were other places in the city right?"

"I just wanted a change" she spoke "I mean, the city is great and all but nothing beats the peaceful quiet of somewhere like this"

"You could say that again" He leaned back "Been thinking about moving back once the kid is born"

"I bet it was a wonderful place to grow up"

"That it was" He sighed as Yuki walked back into the room, a tired look on her face and in her eyes. "Ready?"

"Yeah" She rubbed the back of his neck a little as she passed to grab their coats. He stood, putting his own on and assisting his wife with hers. They were the cutest couple Anna had seen. It made her happy when she saw them, but also reminding her how everyone she knew back home was either married or engaged whiles she remained the outlier. Being single wasn't that bad though. She didn't have to worry about anyone but herself.

"It was good seeing you again" Yuki smiled at her as Anna stood to see them out as Hana was still preoccupied

"Likewise."

"Sometime we will have to get together, just us girls. Let me know when you are free okay?"

"Will do" She gave them a wave as they slipped into the car, backing out of the driveway and disappearing into the dark.

Hana was strangely quiet the rest of the night, and Anna felt bad about it. The older woman simply washed the dishes refusing to let her help, and went to bed with a soft and rather defeated goodnight. All Anna could think was that it was somehow her fault, that she should have stayed silent. But she was just trying to get to know him better. His action made her stomach burn with fire she hadn't felt in years. The moment he told her that her kind didn't belong on the mountain it took every fiber of will she had in her soul not to leap across Hana and rip into him.

But then her secret would have been out.

And she'd be killed or worse.

With a sigh, she rolled over in her bed. She wasn't tired, but Anna knew if she didn't force herself to sleep the morning ride to the city would be hell. She let her eyes slowly shut, and tried to clear her mind. It must have been pure karma or luck, because she finally fell asleep.

xXx

Morning sun hit her in the face gently, eyes fluttering open to a once again empty house. She'd been so tired from the night before that she didn't even hear Anna leave. Stretching and cracking her joints, Hana crawled out of her bed feeling good about the day despite the events the night prior. As she made her way to the main area, she stopped and rubbed her eyes for a moment. "Ame?"

He sat there, chin resting on his hand as he played with the spoon in his cup of tea. He took a deep breath and looked up at his mother "Goodmorning"

"Is everything alright?"

"Yeah" He muttered.

"It's been a long while since you visited me like this" She stated with a yawn, sitting at the chair across from him with a tired smile "I miss it you know"

"Yeah, I know"