Chapter 7: Flames
Saguru almost sat in the grass to think but between seeing Kaito going insane and his own nose twitching now, he wanted to explore as well and set off. He started with the trees, finding the different scents to be intriguing and memorizing them.
Akako followed behind the bounding children. They were still young enough they could be picked off but a few creatures so it was better to make sure they weren't than deal with more healing.
Kaito noticed Saguru behind him at some point. While he felt the same need to pounce on him as he did before, everything else was so much more interesting. He ran and ran until he didn't think he could run around anymore, only then turning to find Saguru, a strange want to nip at him also there. Time for revenge.
Saguru did not look up as Kaito came toward him, interested in a strange plant that smelled funny, until he felt a sharp feeling and jumped, making a high-pitched sound and turning as much as he could, barking at Kaito and trying to swipe at him.
Kaito let go, trying to bite at Saguru's paw, staying low to the ground.
Saguru turned, lifting a paw and swiping at him again, trying to bop him on the head or something, planning to run if he tried to get him back, suddenly thinking a game of tag would be nice.
Kaito shook his head, Saguru touching his ear feeling funny. He took after him when he started to run, making some weird barking noise while he did. Coming to get you.
Saguru dodged around a tree and ducked under a bush, spinning to watch for Kaito and hope he had hid soon enough that missed him.
Kaito ground to a halt when he couldn't see Saguru anymore. He looked around, sniffing the air. He looked back the way he came. Had he missed him turn somewhere? Saguru was smirking to himself for having hidden and confusing Kaito. He had try hard not to laugh, knowing it would come out as an animal noise and give himself away... or maybe that would be good. He carefully shifted to be ready to pounce and wait for Kaito to come back this way to tag him again.
Kaito's ears perked up and he took a few quicker bounds to where he thought he heard something, ears up as he looked around.
Saguru leapt out, landing both front paws on Kaito before barking happily to inform Kaito that he had tricked him and turning to run again.
Kaito turned, getting up and once more going after Saguru, smiling if he could and feeling his tongue hanging out of his mouth. This was fun.
Saguru dodged around a bush and circled it, knowing the same trick would not work twice but maybe he could go around and come up behind Kaito after he passed.
Kaito didn't let Saguru get out of his sight this time but his brother was slightly faster than him. He supposed it was because they were the same size and a hurt leg probably mattered, but he tried anyway. Usually he'd get up somewhere high and scare him but as a wolf he couldn't do that and he didn't really want to. He was having a lot of fun just running around after him.
Saguru pushed himself harder, trying to get out of Kaito's sight long enough to follow through with his plan but Kaito seemed to have figured him out and was not giving him the time. He looked behind him again, trying to figure out if he had the distance when he turned behind a tree and got tripped up by a root of all things.
Kaito had his chance and jumped Saguru, paws first. He didn't have much time to think what to do so he let his animal brain kick in, nipping at any part of his brother he could get to.
Saguru rolled, batting at Kaito and showing his teeth too, even though he knew it was in play it felt odd and hoped he took it that way. He ducked his head and tried to get a bit of Kaito's fur himself or pin him at least but Kaito seemed to still be more agile than him.
Kaito nipped and yelped and ran around and on top of and under Saguru with his brother messing with him. A few bites hurt like pinches but the pain was gone in the next second that it made it fun.
Saguru never had Kaito's stamina and eventually found himself on his back, paws down, head to the side and realized he had automatically figured out the submissive pose.
Kaito let out a few pants, standing over Saguru. He took his paws off of him and looked at him with his tongue out, waging his tail and barking at him to get up and play some more.
Saguru pushed himself up, shaking his head trying to get himself together enough to stand. He wanted to ask Kaito how he always had a ton of energy but still could not get his mouth to do more than bark, yip or huff.
Kaito knocked Saguru down once he was up and his brother didn't seem up to trying again. Tipping his head, Kaito sat beside him and, for some strange reason that had him grossed out after, licked him near his neck, getting a little fur on his tongue.
Saguru made a new sound in his throat before deciding he was glad wolves did not blush. The wolf, he guessed, liked it but he could not help but hope that he was not licked again. This was twice now. Did he have 'lick me' on his fur or something?
Kaito settled his face down over Saguru's fur he just cleaned, as if that was the reason he had licked him, and let out something like a breath but a lot shorter. His lungs were smaller now. It was such a nice day.
Saguru made a… yawning/huff sound and snorted. The wind had picked up, bringing more smells with it but nothing too attention grabbing. It was more of a peaceful scent and they were right in the sun so he felt warm and comfortable.
Akako walked over to the kids after they finished romping around. She thought they would never run out of energy. She placed herself besides them, against Saguru, and curled up there to take a little nap.
Saguru was sure he was blushing now and with her curled up on one side and Kaito half on him from the other, there was no way he could move. He let out a sigh and resigned himself to being a pillow for his brother this time and, he supposed a friendly, warm body for Akako.
The rest was far more peaceful than the long night's sleep had been. That had given him back what energy he'd lost the day before, not given him enough to get through today. He felt a lot lighter when he stood, looking around the forest again. He wanted access to all of it now but, not being able to talk and with predators and everything, he assumed it was better not to anyway. He had some fun slowly looking around this time, digging and liking the feel of the dirt under his nails.
Saguru watched Kaito digging and sniffing everything and would have shook hi head if Akako were no laying so close. 'At least Kaito is not getting his clothes dirty.'
Akako felt Saguru shift a tab after Kaito's presence disappeared. She licked him as best she could near his jaw line this time, since she couldn't reach his face. The small part of her she allowed to be a wolf enjoying it.
It took Saguru a moment to realize what was happening and ducked away, looking at the other wolf in surprise and seriously considering asking about that 'lick me' sign. He cocked his head, trying to figure out why he seemed to be the target.
Akako tipped her head, trying to make herself look as cute as he could. She tipped her nose towards him, blinking a few times and trying to look vulnerable, a small whimper instead of speech. Better to make him feel bad and come to her than come on too strong to a child.
Saguru blinked at her reaction and suddenly felt so guilty for making her feel bad. Kaito had licked him too so maybe it was like a wolf version of a hug. They could not exactly hug each other like this. He didn't feel right licking her back but he touched her lightly with his nose.
Akako snuggled into Saguru, licking him once more before happily staring at him and simply staying where she was, seeing if this was an easy way to bridge a few gaps.
Saguru was very confused as to why she was acting this way but it suddenly hit him that she had said she rarely had contact with other humans. True, they were wolves now, but unlike real animals, they had more than instincts. It hit him she must feel lonely too. He smiled to himself when he thought of something he and Kaito could do for her, when they were human and back with father.
Saguru caught his attention a moment but it was clear his brother wasn't getting up so he went off on his own little adventure around the house to see what he could find.
Akako stayed besides Saguru, happy he didn't pull away this time, waging her tail and feeling when it would randomly hit his. Fur was a bit of a deterrent but hopefully by tonight things would be moving forward. After all, she had given them a lot of help and they hadn't returned it.
Saguru worked on his idea, planning a few things and hoping something worked. He was sure he was smiling to himself as more ideas came to him. He looked over at Akako a few times, wondering if she would like the idea and if it would work out before convincing himself it would. He would work every detail out and check with Kaito so nothing like the cow happened again.
Kaito stayed playing around. He didn't know what time it was but he did notice when the forest started to darken. It scared him for some reason and he found his way back to the other two, wary of the trees now even though the light wasn't gone yet.
Akako stood. She hadn't has much time to prepare but she wouldn't need much longer. The other two could eat something quick while she finished the rest. She walked them both back to the house, hearing them yep and snap at each other. Kids. Turning when she got to the door, she shifted back into her smaller body, touching them both on the heads and returning them to their own as well. "Go shower or eat. Make whatever you want. I'll see you in an hour. I never finished the spells I would need tonight."
"Alright." Saguru smiled, grabbing Kaito's hand and leading him to the bathroom so he could tell Kaito his ideas.
"Woah." Kaito had no idea what Saguru wanted but he grabbed him. When they went to the bathroom and his brother closed the door, Kaito was ready to open it again. "I'm not helping you go to the bathroom. You're old enough to do it on your own."
Saguru rolled his eyes. "No, I want to tell you I think Miss Akako is lonely." He quickly explained how she had acted when Kaito was running around and what he thought. "I wonder if we could find her someone close to her real age. You played with more of the kids than I did, do you know if any of them had older siblings?"
"Mmm. Maybe. A lot of the older kids were working or helping in the feilds though. Unless we get them to accept her food I don't think we can ask them." Kaito showed off his teeth. "But we are going to look for dad. I'm betting since he isn't bad the town he went to is doing better than ours and we can look around there when we look for him."
"That was my second option. She will likely be lonely again after we leave but after what she has done for us, we owe her and I think this will be the best way." Saguru grinned even more, almost matching Kaito's.
Kaito stuck his fist out, waiting for Saguru to bump it. "I didn't know how we could pay her back and this sounds like a good idea. Nice."
Saguru shook his head and the silly method Kaito and others used but for once, he returned it without comment. "Good, you can go first and not a word to her about what we re going to do, I think it will be better as a surprise, and just in case it takes a little while."
"If it takes a while," Kaito shrugged. "Dad trusts us and we trust her. Maybe she can stay with us. Show the others witches aren't so bad."
Saguru smiled and nodded, not sure how well mother would take to that thought, but it was a great extra idea. "Enjoy your shower." Saguru stepped out of the bathroom and closed the door, going to find a notebook or something to write all Akako's qualities down. Pretty. Nice. Great cook. He thought for a moment before doing it in more detail, describing her as best he could.
Kaito washed himself, not sure he was really in need of a shower in so little days. He had been running around as an animal though and cleaned his hands and feet. He was comfortable when he gave the shower over to Saguru, getting himself some juice and looking over book titles while he waited for the others. He could get in a little of the one they were reading if Saguru beat Akako.
Saguru washed himself quickly and redressed before heading to the kitchen to get something for dinner before finding Kaito with a couple sandwiches. "Kaito?"
"Hmm? Yeah. What?" Saguru sounded surprised that he was still there for some reason. "Want to get through another chapter or so until Akako is ready?"
Saguru smiled and nodded, offering the second sandwich. "It did not look like you made anything so you can have on of these."
"Oh, thanks." Kaito bit into it, sure he could eat it fast enough that it wouldn't cut more than a minute or so into book reading. "I'm still not used to having whatever I want to eat, whenever."
"I know. I think if we were not reminded, I would forget until I was really hungry or a meal was made for all of us." Saguru crossed his legs and used a pillow to hold the sandwich, deciding they could eat it as a dessert afterwards as a 'clean up' of any crumbs that fell.
Kaito had always been a fast eater, could put away more than Saguru and sometimes even his parents. The sandwich was gone in no time and he finished chewing as he went for the book, opening it up and finding where he had left off.
Akako came up the stairs with a few charms in hand. She wanted to be protected but she always wanted to cast some magic. As simple as it looked there was very little a witch could do with thin air. She found the two kids in the bedroom once more with a book. "Coming?"
Saguru shoved the notebook under the blanket as he sat up, wishing he had heard her so he could hide it sooner. It would give away that he was writing out things about her and she may figure out what they were doing as there was no other reason. "Yes, be right there."
Akako nodded and edited her clothes a bit. It wasn't easy going out in a skirt so she added leggings and tennis shoes.
Kaito folded the book open so he didn't have to look for the spot next time. "We'll continue tonight after."
"Sounds good." Saguru was enjoying these moments and hoped they continued after they were home. He jumped down off the bed and headed for the bedroom door, excited about this, even though his past times in the woods at night were less than pleasant.
Akako waited, slipping a charm bottle over their heads as they made it to the door. "This is to ward off any animals that get too close. Don't take them off. Follow me." She opened the door and stepped outside. They would be walking a bit and she was sure neither would be too happy about it, but she wasn't about to waste magic flying and changing into animals would just distract the kids again.
Kaito liked the fact that the amulet bottle thing warded off animals. He was always afraid of going into the woods at night because of wild animals. Without that fear there was nothing to be afraid of. He did look down a lot more than he used to though, making sure nothing any hunters laid out got him again.
Saguru noticed Kaito looking at his feet a lot and nudged him. "Afraid you may trip as a human?" Saguru smiled before frowning as he thought of something else. "If your ankle still hurts, you should have kept that branch."
Kaito shook his head. "I noticed I don't look down a lot. I stepped in a trap once, it's not happening a second time." He pushed Saguru lightly, towards one of the trees. "Don't you go stepping in one either."
Saguru had never heard him say what had happened and felt bad. At least he knew what the injury looked like when it was a trap now. "Right, I won't." Saguru even crossed his heart so Kaito knew he would keep it.
Kaito laughed, skipping ahead a bit. "I'm looking down anyway and I'm sure Akako will see it first too." She was leading them but where they were going, he had no idea.
Akako stopped when they got to a small pond. She was doing all of this purely for aesthetics. Taking the pouch by her side she held a fist. "This is some spelled blasting powder. I'm better with fire so," She shrugged. "This kind of thing is a specialty of mine." She threw it out towards the water, watching it explode in millions of tiny flames before it touched the surface. From the sparks fly tiny flames, like fireflies, only actual fire. They floated around, over the water and towards them. "Don't worry, they won't burn you."
Saguru's eyes were wide all over again and, at her words, he reached out carefully to touch one of the sparks. "This is incredible."
Kaito was laughing, running around the pond before just stepping into it, catching one of the fires. It was warm but, like she said, it didn't burn him. He didn't dare pinch it and put it out, but it was fun to watch and there were easily more that he could hold in his hands.
Akako twirled her finger, watching some of the flames dance and come towards her. She shifted it, those she called and the ones around Saguru circling, lighting him up in the darkness. She kissed him on the cheek. "Pretty, isn't it?"
Saguru was not sure how to react to that and blushed a little, lit up by the flecks of flame around him. It was hard to not tell her that she could make a lot of friends with this when it was something he wanted to surprise her with but maybe she needed the encouragement now. He nodded and held out his arms to the entire thing. "I bet you could a lot of people really happy. Some may be scared but they don't matter."
No, they don't matter, and right now I like making you happy." Akako went next to him, leaning lightly on him, her cheek near his shoulder, letting him play with fire.
Saguru knew he had been right when he thought she was lonely and held some of the flecks circling him, trying to get tem into a a crown, like they had done with flowers a year ago for Mother's Day. It took a bit to shift them correctly so they landed on her hair. He knew if he said anything, it would ruin their plan to surprise her so he just smiled.
Akako was a bit surprised he was trying to do something for her. She liked flame and fire and told them to stay where they were as he worked with them. It made her smile and she took a few seconds to tell dozens of the other flames to make him a crown, more to float around. She leaned forward to kiss him on the lips quickly. "You look beautiful in firelight."
Saguru was surprised by the extra kiss when he was looking at the flecks and blushed. "You... you are very pretty too."
Akako went further behind him, putting her arms under his own and around him, letting the firelight circle both of them. She put one hand up to his face and lightly stroked his cheek with her fingertips. "You know, you could stay here forever. You, Kaito, even your dad if you wanted. I could make the house bigger. Or," she whispered quieter. "Just you and me. Maybe we can have some fun, like this but better."
Saguru was confused now, not sure what about he holding him was fun and feeling funny about it.
"Oh, come on." Akako moved her other hand that wasn't touching his face, putting it in front of him and creating flame, making into the shape of the animals of the forest, once by one, the house, candy. "I'm a witch. We can do whatever you want. What do you say? Stay with me?"
Saguru watched the flames, mesmerized for a bit before blinking. "This is all great and maybe we can visit but I don't think we would be able to stay here. It would be up to father."
Hm. Very well. Saguru, Kaito, and their father. That shouldn't be too hard. She flicked the flame off her palm, watching it multiply quickly and little flaming animals dancing through the blades of grass around them. "Okay, I'll ask. You two can make you're own choices too. You won't be little boys forever."
Kaito sat down, taking off his shoes and trying to dry out his socks. He snickered at his brother. "You two playing some kind of game over there?"
Saguru looked over and pointed at the tiny flame-animals in the grass. "She was showing off what she could do. What do you think?"
"I don't know," Kaito said with a roll of his eyes. "It looks like you're hugging to me."
"Kaitoooo." Saguru blushed. She may have been a little but he did not have to say it like that.
"Oh, come on, Saguru. What's wrong with hugging?" Akako didn't really care if she was touching him or not but he would help her grow powerful far more quickly if she was able to get someone to love her. She kissed him on the cheek again, hearing Kaito laugh and knowing the other boy would have been far too hard to win over. He was too immature. She let him go, sure she had gotten far enough tonight to have at least swayed him in her direction.
Saguru was still blushing and trying to work out how to say nothing was wrong with hugging without making Kaito tease him more when she kissed his cheek again. Kaito laughing anyway made that a moot point. "Nothing." He was sure he was redder now than before but he had answered at least. "Just Kaito being silly."
"There's one more thing I thought you would like." Akako bent down and touched his shoes, a small orange glow appearing around the bottom. "Just don't trip." With that she put her hands on his back and pushed him towards the water. "It only works with your shoes."
Saguru expected to step into the water, thinking that soaking his shoes like Kaito was not something that he would like. He half turned, ready to ask when he noticed his feet were not wet. He looked down, expecting them to maybe be water proof or something only to see he was standing on top of the water instead of ankle deep. "Wha- " He took a step back, wondering if he was suddenly going to drop through the surface before crouching carefully to touch the water, making sure it was still liquid he was standing on. "Wow."
"Cool. Me too, me too." Kaito quickly got his socks and shoes back on, going over to Akako.
Akako laughed quietly, going down and touching his shoes as well. "No pushing now. You've both bathed and it would be uncomfortable for both of you walking back cold. I refuse to dry you off if you mess around."
"Sure." Kaito touched the bottom of his shoe, feeling nothing. He jumped at the water, landing as if it were mud. "This is so cool." He watched the water shift ever slightly as he took steps, the ripples there. Bending down he swirled the water a bit more, feeling it move under his shoes.
Saguru smiled and straightened up, walking a few steps before stomping a few times, making ripples flow out. "Can you believe this? Kaito, watch this." He started moving his feet like he would on ice, arcing them to send water into designs. Basic ones like both together to make a sun, standing on one foot and sweeping the other and calling it a rainbow, he even started jumping to mark out stars for constellations, watching the ripples meet and bounce of each other.
Kaito tried moving and kicking the water too. It was really fun and, while watching Saguru was fine, he liked doing it on his own more. The little flames around them made it bright enough that he wasn't afraid of the dark and there were enough stars out without trees to hide them that it was like dancing by a campfire.
Akako sat and waited, letting the boys play around until they tired themselves out. She could and likely would be up all night. "If you keep this up you'll keep the whole forest awake."
Saguru smiled, feeling worn out anyway as he slowed and the excitement from playing seemed to leave him fairly tired. "I guess we could go now. Would we be able to come back again tomorrow?"
"If you want." She could always show them other, new things, though mostly she was aiming to hook them in so they wouldn't want to leave at all. The their with their parents was screwed up. She could always... make it so their father wasn't interested in being with them at all. That would give her the perfect opportunity. She had plans to make.
Kaito was sad to see the light fade off of his shoes when he stepped back on bank but, as fun as it was, standing on the water gave him no opportunity to sit. He was going to bed the second they got back. It was nice here, and the days boring, but the nights still took what was left of his energy.
Saguru smiled at Kaito and stifled a yawn. "Good thing we read earlier, I think I would be asleep before you finished a plate."
"I don't think I would have even gotten that far in reading." It was so nice not to have any expectations, to just fill time with fun and books. It was something they both liked, be one more so in one aspect and one more so in the other. Witches had a lot of good to go with the bad stereotype.
Saguru still wondered about some of Akako's comments but maybe he could ask father when they reunited with him.
Kaito was slower walking back to the house than walking there. He was tired now and his leg hurt a bit more. He was still careful about looking down and it felt great to finally get to the door and push it open. If beds could talk in a witch's house he was sure it would be calling his name.