Chapter 2: A Visitor

Reminder: I don't own Wolf Children, see disclaimer on Chapter 1.

Yuki was just entering high school. 14 was a bit of an odd year for her. Her body was developing and puberty and being half wolf really don't mix well as she experienced many times since 13. She tries to forget the wolf part of herself by studying, exercising, hanging with Sohei, and other activities. She felt lonely at times in the dorm her high school. She missed her mother's smiles, cooking, the fields, the crops, everything she, Ame and her mother helped make and build with their two hands. She thought about Ame, who was still in the woods. Often she would convince herself that he made his own choice and didn't need him, but she still missed him. She was getting up for class on a day for classes. She got her uniform on after showering and getting organized for her school work. She went down to the cafeteria to get breakfast and see Sohei. She saw him with great enthusiasm and walked fast towards him. "Good morning Sohei san!" She said happily. Sohei was happy to see her with a bright smile on her; it always made his day despite the secret. He feels that the secret made them have a stronger bond and he would take the secret to his grave. "Hey good morning sunshine, how did you sleep? Well I hope." He said in a teasing voice.

"Sohei! Don't call me that!" She said embarrassingly as she sat down to eat.

"What? It's a great name hahaha!" He said while laughing.

Yuki's face turned red from the gesture but forgave him because he is funny. She began to eat and think about how the day was going to go. History, Math, Science, P.E., Government and Home Economics were her classes for the semester. She had Sohei in Science, P.E. and History. He dreaded school as well as the fact that his mother has the little brother of his. He wasn't jealous but rather sort of relieved that his mother has other things to preoccupy her rather than tenaciously looking after him. After breakfast, they left for the long day of school.

"Oh by the way I forgot to ask, what are you doing for the break coming up?" He asked Yuki.

"I'm just going to see mom. She's up there all alone ever since Ame left. I worry about her." She said with a sigh. They were 5 minutes early for class. Sohei looked at with a smile. "Your mom's so fortunate to have you, you know that right?" After hearing this, Yuki just smiled big and agreed with him. Class then began.

Joaquin decided to follow the road that led to the house. He saw the rickety old house that was surprisingly well kept. He pulled up to the house to investigate to see if there was anyone home. He turned off his bike and stepped off it to have a look around. He could only hear nature around the house. "Hello! Anyone here?!" He asked loudly. He saw that the door was open, he didn't want to intrude but curiosity caught the best of him. Inside the house looked clean and there was a sweet smell of tea. He continued to investigate; he passed by the book stand with the driver's license. He looked closely at it and thought maybe someone forgot their license, then he realized there was tea next to it, realizing this, it was a form of a memorial for the deceased. He decided out of respect to say a quick prayer for him. "Spider Woman, please have his spirit at rest, mother of all welcome him into the other world, for there is no death, but rather a change of worlds. I ask as a Navajo and as someone who knows his time in this world. Thank you great mother, Amen."

Hana could've sworn she heard a motorcycle nearby. She thought it just passed by, so she finished up gathering up the batch of potatoes she could carry. She then headed back to the house, then she saw the bike, a look of a WWII bike that looked modified to fit today's standards. She was wondering who it belong to, she put down the basket then decided to yell out hello. "Hello! Is this your bike? I didn't want to touch it, just thought you wouldn't find it approving." Valero heard the cries then headed to them. Hana then saw a figure come out of the house. She was surprised to see a person not from the town let alone the country even. She could tell he was a foreigner. They shared a glance at each other, then Joaquin proceeded to talk, "I'm very sorry for the intrusion ma'm, I saw the door was open and, well, curiosity killed the cat as they say. Once again I'm sorry." He said while bowing. Hana found it surprising that a man like him knew good Japanese and customs, she was astonished. "Wow, I must say you know your stuff mister, um, what's your name? I'm sorry." Joaquin stood up and introduced himself. "Joaquin Valero, I'm from the States ma'm." He said.

"Oh you mean the United States?" She asked while picking up the vegetables.

"Yes ma'm, that's the one, good ol' red, white and blue." He said with a smile, she smiled back at him. He looked on how much she gathered and decided to help. "Do you need help?" He asked her while grabbing another batch of the collected vegetable, "Oh no need to trouble yourself with that Valero san." She said rushing towards him, "No trouble at all ma'm, where would you like these?" He said helpfully, Hana pointed to the kitchen and Joaquin went. She was wondering about who he was and why does she trust him so quick. Maybe she was too trusting. She then looked around and saw that he took nothing, fearing he may be robber. She ruled it out. "So Valero san-"

"You can call me Jacky if you want. My friends do." He said while putting down the food.

"Well then 'Jacky' san, what brings you around these parts?" She asked him while observing his bike.

"Just passing through ma'm, I'll be out of your hair soon, like I said sorry for bothering you." He said while putting down the basket. He felt as if he should just go, but this place felt peaceful like heaven almost. Hana looked at the soldier getting ready to leave, and then she realized that the weather was getting bad. Rain clouds were forming and the weather report stated that a thunderstorm was coming. The roads are usually not safe during a storm. "Um, Jacky san, be careful on the roads. The clouds are telling me that a huge storm is coming." She said with concern.

"Oh its ok ma'm, I'll make it. Army training doesn't make one wait." He said starting up his bike. When he turned the key, the gas was going but the motor wasn't. He tried again but the bike wouldn't start. "Oh come on! You can't be serious!" He said aloud. He tried again and again while Hana was looking at this with a puzzled look on her. "Just put your bike in the shed, we can try to look at the problem after the storm passes." She said somewhat demandingly. She didn't want this man to go up against the storm knowing what has happened many times to people in the region, but on a bike, that's pretty much a death sentence. "Are you sure ma'm? I don't want to be a bother." He said unsuringly.

"Yes its fine Jacky san, besides I don't get many visitors from different countries." She said with a smile on her. He put his bike in the shed, looking around he felt like fixing the bike wouldn't be a problem seeing all the tools and knowing how well kept the house is. He walked back to the house as the rain began to start. Then it quickly picked up as he got inside. "Wow, its really coming down. Thanks for putting me up until it passes." He said happily.

"Its quite fine Jacky san. Oh yea, my is Hana by the way." She said with a charming smile.

Joaquin looked at her and smiled too. This was going to be a interesting afternoon he thought to himself.