I apologize for the lateness of this chapter. I was having massive writer's block and I was working on other fanfics instead. But I overcame it:) Enjoy the new chapter:)
The sun, colored in crimson orange, began to lower itself, obscured by the walls of the city that slowly covered it as it fell. The two young wolves continue to wonder about the streets nevertheless. For Yuna mostly, she favored the coming night. It was during the night that she truly felt at home. It was the night she truly felt like a wolf. Though she didn't mind her human form, it was just a illusion; nothing real.
Inhaling the scent of the cool air, a gentle smile crept on her face.
Toboe tugs on the sleeve of her jacket and look up at her with a silly smile. "Hey, Yuna?" Toboe asks.
"Yes? What is it?" Yuna answers.
Toboe wanted to see that human girl again, the same girl that directed Yuna when she got separated from each other. Before Yuna met him, he was given food by the human girl known as Leara. She was kind and gentle. In some way, the memories of the old woman that adopted him ran through his mind, taking in comfort of the memories: The nights by the fire, sleeping next the woman as she took in the warmth of the fire, the days she would coo and give him a good scratching. It was most likely after her death, he just wanted to feel that kind of affection again. But he didn't know how she would react if he asked.
She's just like him. She was raised by humans as well. But unlike him, she has seen more of the cruelty that humanity has to offer, but this he didn't know.
Yuna leans down to his height, tenderly smiling as she said, "What is it, Toboe? You don't need to hesitate, I won't get mad."
Blushing as Yuna's innocent beauty is shadowed by the dying sun, he says, "Um, you see... There's this girl... a human girl that I-I... wanted to meet. And I was wondering... if I..." Yuna could see his cheeks grow more red with each stammering word that he spoke. Hearing the hesitation in his voice, she couldn't help but chuckle, knowing that he obviously has a crush on this girl. Smoothing the wolf-boy's head, she giggles softly.
"You want to see her?" she finishes.
Toboe sheepishly nods, adverting his sight to his feet as he awaits her answer. She had her doubts. Yuna knew that not every human was a cruel person, but she wasn't about to give the benefit of the doubt on this one. However, one look on the pup's blushing face, she felt her heart soften. He was young, yes, yet he is still somewhat naive. With her hands on her hips, she smiles and says, "Well, if you really want to, I don't particularly mind..." With her answer, Toboe smiles with his mouth agape. How happy he was by her answer.
"Really? Thanks..."
"But I want to be there when you meet her. Is that a problem?" she interrupts.
Toboe shakes his head, "No, not at all. I think you might like her too, Yuna."
Toboe takes Yuna by her hand and drags her along with him. "I think her scent is this way. Lets go." he exclaims as he pulls Yuna with him. Yuna chuckled by the pup's excitement. Deep down, she really hoped that his happiness won't be short-lived. He was still so young. And the good thing that was in his life has passed away. She wanted to make sure that he won't become bitter like everyone else in this world.
Watching Toboe drag her along, she remembers the time when she was younger. The first time that she came to this city with her grandfather... she now understood from her grandfather's point of view, what it is like to be in his shoes...
~x~
White snow... bitter cold winds. An older man, dressed in a oversized robe, braves through the dropping temperatures and the raging snow and winds. His feet ached from the long journey, his throat was beyond dry. His hood kept most of the wind from bashing against his face, but he has been in this environment for sometime now. Despite the appropriate wear, it was worn, moth eaten, and torn to its point.
On his back, he carried a young child. The strings of her vanilla hair swayed with the winds from the edges of her hood. Her robe shift on occasion from the raging winds. When it did, it revealed numerous burns, cuts, and bruises on her tiny legs and arms. Most of her wounds were still fresh, and with the wind smashing against them, she whimpers in pain. The cold felt like the lite cigarettes that were once pressed against her skin. She tried her best not to scream, she didn't want to complain. The young girl knew, or at least thought, that this old man that was carrying her had it worse. His fingers were starting to freeze, he could feel the burning sensation of the cold, though his wasn't as bad as for her. Resting her achy head against his back, she prays for a relief from the fire-like cold.
Feeling the old man stop, she lifts her head up from his broad shoulders to see why he did.
Though the raging snow made her vision hazy, she could see the image of a large dorm-like city. The lights from the city seemingly pierced through the white that clouded their vision.
"Finally... we are here." The older man said, she could hear the relief in the tone of his voice. "Hang on just a bit longer, Yuna. We're almost there."
The young girl answers with a nod.
The old man approaches the city gates. A young Yuna watches in awe as they open slowly, perking her ears when the doors enact a loud creaking noise. As the old man sighs with reliefs, he hastefully walks into the city, holding onto Yuna evermore tighter. The long journey was finally over.
Walking into the city, the temperature quickly changed. Instead of the below-zero temperature, it was warm as the summer season. Yuna eyes widened as she scanned all the buildings and people that were out and about. Never has she seen so many people and many stone buildings before. This was very different from her usual environment, which consisted of a small four corner room behind steel bars.
"Are you okay enough to walk?" the old man asks the young girl, to which she nods.
He gingerly sets her on the ground, holding her by her shoulders so she could keep balance. She was somewhat weak, what with being starved and beaten by "them", but nevertheless, she didn't want to complain. Yuna gently takes hold of his large hand, shuddering upon feeling how cold it was. The old man looks down at her, lightly squeezing her trembling hand as he tenderly smiled.
The two flip off their hoods, thankful of the warmer change of temperature. The two then set out into the city.
While they walked around, Yuna became evermore fascinated by the size of this town. Often stopping and looking at all the stands that were set up on the streets, admiring all the wondrous items that were on display. Some of the towns folk in the square cooed at the young girl's excitement. Despite being ragged, she was of innocent beauty. She talked with child-like pronouncations and spoke in a refine manner, to which confused some of the folk. On the surface, she looked to be a low-class girl.
The older man picks up the doll-like girl and holds her in his arms, she wraps her arms around his neck to keep herself up. The old man smiles at the young girl, making the young child blush. He looked to be going on his golden years, but he was very big and muscular. For her, he was the most handsome man she has ever seen, or as she put, the most beautiful. He was different than the rest. He was one of them, the men that held her captive, but he was gentle, warm, and kind. Whenever they would refuse to feed her, he would sneak her food whenever he could. Whenever their beatings got too rough, he would stop them and, if provoked, fight against them. She could see, see the disgusted look on his face when the others tormented her. It was a curious thing, that someone like him is working with men like them.
She was afraid of him, no doubt, but she didn't know who to trust. He helped her after all, so he must be a trusting person.
He carries her as he enters into the town's inn.
After talking to the woman at the front desk, she hands the older man a key to his room. Yuna waves at the older woman as the old man climbs up the stairs to their room. The old man inserts the key into the keyhole and turns, pushing open the door and entering, shutting the door behind him as he did.
The room was rather spacious, only two large beds, a round table, and a fireplace at the far end of the room. The old man sits the sleepy girl down on the bed. Her eyes were barely kept open, she kept yawning and rubbing away the grogginess. Their journey to this city was a long one. Too long for young one such as her, they were both tired no doubt.
"Here, let me get in under the covers." the old man says as he pulls away the covers. Yuna was too tired to push herself up to lay under them, so the old man picks the young girl into his arms, laying her head against the soft pillow. Before he pulled the covers over, he stopped upon seeing her exposed skin. The child's leg and arms were riddled with every kind of wound: Cigarette burns, cuts from knives, bruises from the kicks of their steel boots...
He looks upon them in disgust, disgust in himself. The day that the young girl was thrown into her cell, everything he had done to honor his position as a soldier was questioned. He loathed himself for not prevent such abuse towards a beautiful child who has done no wrong.
Yuna saw a look of sadness in his eyes and she knew that he felt guilty.
Yuna opened her mouth to say something, she wanted to tell him not to feel bad. He has done nothing wrong, he righted the wrong by saving her, but is interrupted as the old man speaks while pulling the covers over her.
"Please, get some rest, Yuna..." he says with a sad smile, "I'm going to go get some things in the market. I'll be right back..." Before he turned to leave, the young girl quickly grasped his hand and hugged it to her chest, begging for him not to go.
"No! Please, don't leave!" she shouts as tears began to swell up in her eyes, "If you leave... then the Mommy look-alike and those mean men will come after me..." Yuna presses her face against the old man's large hand.
"Please... stay... I don't want to be alone again... I don't want you to disappear like Daddy did..." she begs as she chokes back tears
The old man's heart swelled with pity for the child. She was only the age of five when she was taken away, taken away from the love that she needed to grow. He felt responsible for her misfortune.
The old man lets go of her hand and pulls back the covers, laying himself next to her.
"All right... I'll stay till you fall asleep, okay?" he says, earning a small nod from her.
The two lay down their head against the soft pillow, staring back into each others eyes. The older man smiles, gently rubbing her back as he waited for her to fall asleep. Yuna was blushing furiously from the alluring scent coming from him. Despite the long journey, he smelled of a sweet lavender scent. "Oh! Before I forget..." the old man exclaims. Reaching into his pocket, he pulls out a golden locket. Yuna's eyes widened, a large smile crept on her face.
She takes the locket from his hand and hugs it close to her chest.
This locket belong to her, given to her by her real father on her fifth birthday. It was taken away from her when she was kidnapped, and that was nearly five years ago. Every moment she was in her cell, she wanted to hold the locket again. The locket symbolizes the bond she had between her father and herself. She missed him terribly. Most nights, she would force herself to stay awake. Whenever she slept, she dreamt of him, making her miss him even more.
"Thank you, mister!" she says, hugging the old man tightly.
He chuckles from the young girl's happiness and says as he smoothes her silk hair, "Of course, sweetie. I couldn't have forgotten it."
The young girl kisses the older man on the cheek, hugging him around his neck while she layed on his chest.
"You were always the nice one... you remind me so much of my Daddy... I love you a lot, just as I love Daddy a lot." Yuna whispers, letting out a soft yawn. She took comfort in the arms of the kind man. She once again felt love for another. Closing her eyes, she imagined she was laying against her father's chest like she used to do when she was upset. This comfortable warmth, she hadn't felt in a long time.
The older man smiles sadly as he smoothed her hair.
"Good night... Grandpa." she mutters before rest snuck upon her eyes. The old man was humbled by what his title was. But at the same time, was thankful that this child beared him no ill-will. It may have been selfish to think that, but he felt joyful anyhow. He has long to have children of his own, and for those children to have children as well, but he missed his chance. So in a way, this was his second chance.. Humble and sadden, he forgets the errand he was going to run and decides to stay.
After he presses his lips against her forehead, he lays back against the feathered pillow and closes his eyes.
~x~
"Here it is." Toboe announces.
Entering into the grassy part of the city, Yuna found herself fascinated by the trees and the green grass surrounding the cottage home. She had never been in this part of the town, and almost regretted that she hadn't before. It had such a cozy feel to it, compared to the inn that she stayed in. After her grandfather's death, the coziness of it worn off.
Looking at the home, a young girl with tan-skin appears near the window, letting her arm out as a bird rested upon it. Yuna recognized her. It was that Leara girl that she bumped into. With that, Yuna sighs with relief. If this was the girl that he spoke of, then there was nothing to worry about. From that short time that she met her, she seemed like a kind person.
"Go ahead, Toboe. I'll just wait here." Yuna says with a smile.
Toboe looks back up at her and says, "You're not coming too?"
Yuna shakes her head, "No... but it's all right. You go ahead." she answers. Toboe smiles and nods, making way towards the home. Yuna could help but chuckle.
Laying against the wall of the building, she sighs as she lays her head against the wall. Staring up at the darkening sky, Yuna cups the locket in her hand and opens it, revealing a tiny picture in the oval shaped space. She just stares at the photo, smiling sadly while stroking the man in the picture with her thumb. How she did miss her family, now that she is reminded of them. For so long she tried to block out the memories of them. They're just too painful, but something always pulls her back.
Suddenly hearing footstep approaching her, she quickly shuts the locket and lets it fall back to her chest. The hairs on the back of her neck stood up when she caught a familiar scent.
Turning her head, she saw the thuggish looking Tsume approach her with his hands tucked in his pockets. Tsume stops abruptly and lifts his head, locking eyes with the she-wolf.
"Oh, it's you." Yuna says kindly.
"Oh, it's you..." Tsume replies sarcastically
Yuna's cheeks puff in indignation. She was just trying to be polite, why couldn't he do the same she thought. Before she could let her temper go out of control, Yuna smiles at him and says, "What are you still doing here? I heard that an order to arrest all gangs was issued out... They're arresting anyone on sight who are part of the gangs."
Tsume leans his back against the wall next to her and replies, "Hm, should I care? It really doesn't matter to me."
Yuna rests her back against the wall with Tsume and says, "I can't tell whether you're confident... or just prideful."
Both Yuna and Tsume lock eyes with each other. Though his eyes were covered with black shades, a glint of his eye color she could she. Yuna couldn't help but feel drawn to them. She tried to imagine a smile on his handsome face, though it was somewhat difficult what with his gang vibe and attitude. But her grandfather always told her to give people the benefit of the doubt, yet sometimes, it was easier said than done. Tsume didn't say, but seeing her face glowing from the dying sun, he had to admit that she was very pleasing on the eyes. The flower that rested in her hair seemed to almost give her beauty a more of a innocent aura.
"What about you?" Tsume says, "Why are you still here? I'd figured you would have left by now." Yuna opened her mouth to answer, but she didn't know her exact answer. Maybe it was fear that kept her from leaving, she didn't know.
"...Not like I have anywhere else to go." she replies, "Is it the same for you?" she asks kindly with her attention to him. Before Tsume could answer, they both are startled by the sound of howling. Fearing the worse, Yuna and Tsume jolt their heads in the direction of the sound. Yuna gasps, feeling her muscles tighten up and her stomach knot.
Toboe was sitting in front of Leara, in his wolf form, howling to the sky. Leara was holding her blood covered dead bird in her arms, staring at the exposed wolf with shock.
Both Yuna and Tsume push themselves off the wall and kick it into gear towards the two. With each running side by side, the two grab Toboe by the skin of his neck and pull him with them. Toboe lets out a yelp as they two carry him away.
~x~
"What in the hell were you think!?"
Toboe flinches to Yuna's raised voice, keeping his hands clasped to his sides.
"Why did you reveal your true form to that girl!? You know very well how people react to wolves!"
Tsume tries to ignore the two, rolling his eyes as he watched the sun finally disappear, laying on the window sill of his hideout.
Toboe didn't know what to say. He tried to speak, but it would just come out as stammering. Feeling Yuna's angered stare upon him, he lowers his head and sits against the wall. Bringing his knees to his chest, he says,
"I'm sorry... It's just... I never meant to kill anything. I-I..."
Yuna brushes back the ends of her hair and sighs. She had to remind herself that Toboe was still very young. Unlike Yuna, and most likely Tsume, he hasn't see the stupidity of the fears humans have. Fear can drive a person to do foolish things.
Yuna sits besides Toboe and wraps her arms around him, giving him a tender look.
"I'm sorry. I don't want to yell at you, but you must understand, Toboe, that I just don't want you to get hurt."
Toboe looks back at Yuna with a sadden expression and says, "I... I know. But still, I..."
Toboe turns away from her and continues, "You know, Granny... she found me outside the city gates. She said that I was so little, that my eyes were bearly open." Toboe raises his arm that was decorated with the sliver bracelets and says, "She gave these to me. And we been together ever since."
Yuna felt her heart break with every word Toboe said, mixed with the sad expression on his face. Yuna rests her forehead against Toboe's head, tenderly smiling at him, "... I understand, Toboe." she says kindly
"You do understand that woman tamed you. She kept you as a pet..." Tsume says harshly. Yuna looked back at him with her face twisted in anger.
"I don't expect you to understand, Tsume. But don't add your input when you DON'T understand..." she growls, to which Tsume scoffs and turns his head back to the night sky.
The memories of the old woman began to tear at the young pup. Her death wasn't his fault to be sure, he's still just a pup. What could he do? But nevertheless, he still blamed himself.
Toboe presses his knees closer to his chest, "I-I wanted to protect her, but she still..." Toboe says with tremor in his voice.
"She still threw you out?" Tsume finished.
"...She still died." Toboe presses his face into his knees as he weeps silently, "I let her die..." Yuna's heart continued to break from the pup's regret. If anyone could understand how he felt, she could. Wanting desperatly to soothe him, Yuna hugs him tighter, gently stroking his head.
"Shh. It's all right, Toboe. It's all right." she whispers tenderly, trying to hold back her own tears.
The three hear distant footsteps approached the front door of his hideout. Yuna tried to sniff for the scent, to see if she could recognize it, but it wasn't familiar at all. Tsume jumps off the window sill and walks toward the door.
"Tsume, who is...?" Yuna asked.
"Just stay there and be quiet." Tsume interrupted.
Standing in the doorway, Tsume began to talk to someone that sounded like a man. Yuna lets go of Toboe and pulls herself up to see who it was. She saw some thuggish looking man that wore goggles over his head. And from the way the two talked, they must know each other. Curious, she slowly took steps towards them to have a listen.
"...I'm sorry, Tsume. But you're just too different from us." she heard the man say. Standing behind Tsume, she watches the man leave in the opposite direction.
"Who was that?" Yuna asked.
Tsume turns his head and looks down at the doll-like girl.
"...Nobody." he says very stern. Yuna could see something behind his expressionless face. Though she couldn't outright tell, she got the feeling that Tsume was sinking into loneliness. Yet, he didn't look like he cared, and even if he did, she didn't know what to do or say.
Pausing for a moment, Yuna rests her hand on Tsume's arm, staring back at him with a kind face. Tsume just stared back at her with no expression.
"Listen, Tsume..." Yuna was about to say, but suddenly, a loud, high-pitched screaming reached the wolves ears. The scream pierced through her eardrums, causing tremendous aching pain. Yuna covers both her ears and falls to her knees, whimpering in pain.
"Hey, what is it!?"
Tsume asks in a panic as he kneels down to Yuna and grabs her shoulders, but Yuna didn't answer back. Her whimpering intensified with every second that pasted. However, that was overshadowed by Toboe's pained screams. Toboe was covering his ears as well, yelling in pain from whatever was making that noise.
"Toboe, be quiet! Just shut up!" Tsume screams, but it did no good. Toboe continues to yell in pain while Yuna begged for the scream to stop. She didn't know what but, whatever was making that noise, it made her heart ache badly. Tears from her eyes fall to the ground, she couldn't take it anymore.
Lasting for a few seconds more, the scream was finally silent.
Yuna, becoming aware of the silence, uncovers her ears and wipes away the tears that streamed down her cheeks.
"You okay?" Tsume asked.
Yuna looked up at him and nods while smiling.
"Y-Yes... I'm okay." she replies. Yuna stands to her feet and looks back at Toboe. His screams stopped too, but he still had his ears covered.
"Are you all right, Toboe?" Yuna asks.
Toboe slowly uncovers his ears and looks back at her.
"Yes, I'm fine, too." he says, earning a smile from Yuna. Yuna turn back at Tsume with a concerned expression on her face.
"What do you think made that noise?" she asks him. He doesn't answer upon hearing a low pitched screeching noise outside. Both Yuna and Tsume look out the door and found a large ship, flying over head. The ship was massive, it was most likely the size of 30 houses in the city combined, maybe more. Yuna smelled a familiar scent from the ship. There was a strange scent of flowers coming from the ship... but also from someone else.
"What in the hell is that?" Yuna asks.
"... A Noble ship." Tsume replies. Upon hearing his answer, Yuna eyes widened in shock. If it is a Noble ship, then she knew right away who the other scent belonged to. Tsume then says, "Come on, get back inside." as he walks back in the hideout.
Yuna instead watched the ship go by. She wanted to watch it till it was out of her sight. Yuna clasped her hand close to her chest, holding back to urge to call out to the ship. The other scent coming from the ship, she knew who it belong to.
It belonged to him... It belong to her Father...