hello, my readers. ^.^ I Do NOT own the Wolf's Rain characters, only my OCs. I hope you guys enjoy this chapter, and sorry for the long wait. Also, thank you billabong100, Nixie the Bloody Pixie, and GyspyLass30 for following this story. please review .^.
-dream/flashback
I was running with my older brother. We laughed and continued to run in the open green hilly field not too far away from our village. All of us had a happy life; and all of us were already in 'Paradise'. Tripping I fell onto the dirt path.
"Oof!"
My brother came beside me as I cried like the little child I was. He smiled kindly, tearing his left sleeve and wrapping it around my right knee which bled. I stopped crying slowly as he helped me up. The breeze flew over us gently, swaying the ankle length grass. We stared into the endless blue sky. Then everything went dark, the feeling of my brother's hand in mine had gone along with it. Afraid, I tried to reach out for his hand, but there was nothing.
"Brother!?" no answer. "Where are you?" still no answer, only a small echo rang out in the pitch black of nothingness.
-end of dream/flashback
My eyes flashed open before I shot up. I'm on the couch, my blood staining my shirt and pants. Sitting up straighter I remember what happened. Shadow wanderers returned, I sent the wolves and Cheza away, then I fought the creatures until there weren't any left.
'I must have been half asleep waking back here.' I thought.
Laying back down I try to remember what I dreamt of, only a piece returned; darkness. A shiver ran down my spine. That nightmare seems to be occurring more often, either that or it's because of the shadow wanderers' appearance. Tears streamed from my eyes as I recalled my past I had once. The village people who had disappeared mysteriously without a trace. All of the wonderful, bright memories that are now beginning to fade into darkness, that frightens me. No matter how I searched for clues none was left anywhere. Shaking my head I scold myself, 'Don't live in the past idiot! Concentrate on keeping everyone at bay and Paradise in check!'
Pushing myself off the couch I go upstairs to change clothes and find bandages. Once I have new clothes on and a roll of a white bandage I wrap my wounds. Just to keep it closed. It won't get infected; did I mention that I'm an enhanced human? Well, it includes having better blood clotting and stronger immune systems to fight of bacteria and diseases, stuff like that. It was probably after that man in the lab coat, when I woke up there one day and somehow left the next. Though it never bothered me, in fact the changes of my body and strength haven't been a burden one bit. I use the powers I have only when I need to, and mostly alone. Typing the bandage I stand up, looking into the full length mirror, reflecting the living room along with my figure. Being still I stare at myself. My long black hair tied in a high ponytail, facial features clean looking almost child-like. The baggy blue pants hung from my waist, and the plain gray t-shirt fitting comfortably around my upper body. Taking a few more seconds to look in the mirror I leave to patrol the forest.
…
Jumping from tree to tree (like a ninja.) I scan the grounds and sky for anything unusual, like the return of the wolves. Though nothing showed up, so that's a good sign. Within an hour I located the location of the wolves. They're far enough away which is what matters most. Sighing I enter my house, again, and have lunch. Looking at what I have in the fridge I take out the sliced pork and heat it up over the stove. After the meat started smelling good I turned off the stove and ate the meat on a plate. Tearing the tender parts bit from bit and chewing I stare at the mahogany round table, thinking deep of the wolves and Cheza. There has to be another way of sending them back. Obviously they'll try to enter Paradise again. I thought for a while before coming up with a few options. 1. Wipe their memories away 2. Kill Cheza or 3. Trap them in a created space with an illusion and let them all go crazy. Okay, okay, I guess the 2nd and 3rd are a bit harsh but that's how I am. I don't interact with people a lot and they just don't want to interact with me. I only saw a small glimpse of what 'Paradise' really is, I was lucky enough to escape unscathed. It was like was being protected, oddly by someone I don't know. Aside from that if they really wanted to open Paradise the whole world will die, never able to recreate itself. That day I spent with the man in the lab coat was more than enough reason to keep Paradise lock up. That is my purpose in life. If it wasn't then I don't have a life to live for. No matter how lonely, I know it will be worth the feeling. But deep in my heart, I do wish that I have someone by my side; anyone to keep me from feeling that sad lonely feeling, anyone who I can trust. Walking back to the couch I lay down, falling asleep.
-wolves POV(Kiba's)
After dawn we decided to go to the northwest, where Cheza was staring at last night. For some reason Cheza was able to pick up the girl's aura from that direction while we couldn't. Though it's already past noon, the sun is starting to set. But we all stop abruptly, staring at the scene before us. Dead grass surrounding a giant round dirt area, the trees nearby seemed to be dying as well.
"Woah what happened here?" Hige stared.
I look to Cheza; she took a moment to let the scene sink in and continued walking. Slowly we all follow her, and the farther we went there were more dead and wilting trees and grass. Each of those places was scattered, with a round dirt circle in the middle. I didn't have a good feeling of this. We kept going forward until the sun had sunken into the horizon, leaving hardly any sunlight. Hige and Tsume were in front of Cheza, Toboe and I. When the two seemed to have bounced back a bit as if something was preventing them from going further we all knew he had returned. Back to where Sachi had transferred us from. Toboe walks up, I notice that he seems rather sad.
"Have any thoughts?" I asked. Toboe looked to me before gazing back to the barrier.
"I think we should leave Paradise alone."
I was shocked for a moment before growling back. "What are you talking about? Paradise is the only place where we can all go. It's the only chance of earth being reborn again for everyone and everything to live on." I say in a stern voice. He looked as if he was off in space but he replied,
"I know but why would she go to such lengths to keep us away? I'm sure we're not the first to come here or otherwise this barrier may not have been staying up." Toboe reasoned. I backed down a bit. That is a good point. But she won't say anything of Paradise she knows. It's too suspicious.
"What if she's hiding something worse than Darica?" Tsume began.
We turn our stares to him; he's also staring at the barrier, or maybe through it. "Don't say that. She's a nice person, I know she is!" Toboe defended. Hige and I stare somewhat dumbfounded, is Toboe going…against Tsume? Tsume only scoffed, "Whatever, I'm just saying you shouldn't trust her too easily. She's an unusual human, I don't like her scent." We just stand here, looking at the forest ahead. The plan was to get back here, but I never thought we'd return so quickly. We also hadn't thought of a way to get through the barrier either.
"Hey let's just stay here for the night. We can deal with Sachi later." Hige suggested. I nod. "Hige's right, let's rest here." I agreed. Before long we went back to sleep.
-Shikowe's POV (Sachi)
My eyes fluttered open, feeling a presence near the barrier. Taking a moment to register the feeling I recognize it as the wolves and Cheza. Sighing I say to myself "I didn't think they'd come back so soon." Getting my sword I head out to confront them.
-mystery POV
Looking at the top of the hill I feel nostalgic. I haven't been here for years. Ever since my sister had disappeared. That day we were chased out of our own village by creatures we call; shadow wanderers.
I sense a barrier up ahead with a few other presences. Wolves and…a flower? With a few more steps I do see wolves, and perhaps a flower maiden. I look puzzled, they had the same look. One of them pointed at me, "Hey, is that you Sachi?" he was the young wolf in the pack. I raise a brow, "Sachi? No, my name is Akino, by the way have you seen my lil' sister? She's probably 'bout this tall and looks like me a bit." I say holding out my left hand and putting it a couple inches down to approximate my sister's height. The wolves just stare at me, most of them with their jaws hung open. Then I heard a pair of feet landing not too far behind me. And guarantee that I can guess who it is.
-Shikowe's POV
Just a second later I feel another presence; it was very familiar too though I didn't really recognize it. "Who is that?" I quickened my pace. I feel very eager, the most eagerness or feeling I've ever felt in my life! I can't explain it though. Why am I excited to see someone I don't even know? The blurs of branches stop for a second, the wolves and Cheza are here all right. But that guy down there with them. He looks almost like…
Landing behind them about 5 tree width's back I stare at his back. I put the pieces together, tears soon falling down my cheeks. I feel so relieved, sad, happy, and a little distant. This person I'm behind is my brother. Turning around he faces me. His features I hardly remember long ago are more mature. And his smile still warms my heart. Even slightly I can see that he's hiding his sadness, but I ignore it. Letting more tears fall I run into his outstretched arms.
"Brother!" I cried.
Returning my embrace he softly pats my head soothingly, whispering my name, "Shikowe."