,,There's gonna be a huge celebration!" I stated cheerfully after my twelfth birthday.

,,Oh?" I heard a amused voice from under the bed. ,,So you mean one like that is only once a few years, or so?"

,,Oh, you HAVE to poke me around every time I'm cheerful, don't you?" I kicked the bed, but I only heard another chuckle.

,,It's a celebration for ME. It's one for taking young girls among the adult ones, you know," I explained.

,,Ooh, a initiation... and what do you do on such occasions?"

,,I... duh... what do you think we do?" I shrugged, forgetting he can't see me.

,,Well since I never was on one myself, I don't have the slightest clue. What about you?"

,,They didn't tell me anything," I said a bit hesitantly, afraid he'll laugh at me.

Thankfully, he didn't, he only said-

,,I could've guessed."

,,What was that supposed-"

,,Who are you talking to, Gwen?" I heard mom call from outside.

I almost jumped out of my own skin.

,,No one! Just rambling to myself, I'm a bit nervous."

,,Oh, no need to be, darling!" mom laughed, getting in with a dress in her hands. ,,I've been through this as well, all the girls and boys too were. It's nothing hard! Well just all gather up and talk a bit, and you'll listen and ask if you want. Then there's a small dance, and we go home. Now I'd like you to wear this."

,,What's this?"

,,Oh, my old dress. Maybe it will fit you."

I quickly undressed and mom helped me put the dress on, then had me sit down on the bed and did my hair; coloring and this time also doing me a different hairstyle than usually. I probably wouldn't manage to sit there for so long if she didn't talk to me. Saying how it was on her own initiation, and also saying it was the place she fell in love.

,,With who?" I winked.

,,With your father, of course!" she chuckled. ,,Really, Gwen. And I'm soo glad, because I have such a pretty young lady like you! Noow, look in the mirror!"

She pulled out a mirror and showed me to myself.

For a while I couldn't believe the person I looked at was me. I winked, then for a change lifted hand to check.

,,Wow."

,,First time looking into a mirror?" mom laughed. I liked her laughter; it was like bells.

,,In a while. But this hairstyle... I somehow look different."

,,It's not even a hard one! I can do this any day."

,,Thanks, mom!" I hugged her. ,,Say, do I look like you?"

,,Very much!" she smiled, kissed my cheek and went out the door, leaving me alone. Well... almost.

,,Can I see, ma'am?" I basically heard the grin.

,,Whatever, you who-we-shouldn't-speak-to... but you first have to crawl out of under the bed."

Crawl? He didn't have to crawl, I knew. I just teased him. He was used to slip in and out from there with one smooth movement, keeping the red cape on him as well.

,,Oh, my." For a while he looked surprised – not in a bad way – but after a few seconds he was grinning again.

,,You at least look like a young lady, not being one," he winked.

If I wasn't afraid mom would hear, I'd punch him so he would fall out the window.

,,Oh, why do you think I'm not?" I asked instead, poking him.

,,Does a young lady crawl out at night or by day, better, into the forest?" he lowered head to my ear.

,,I- duh! I do it because someone has to watch over you when you're out training. I'm the more responsible one here."

,,Oh reeeeeeeeally?" he made a sarcastic face an inch from my own.

,,Geez! Get under the bed again, you've seen me," I said more childishly than I intended to. He only grinned again, lowered eyes and turned his back to me.

I took that opportunity to look on his stings better. Even flat like this; they've been certainly better.

This year, he trained so hard he sometimes came back with bloody claws and stings; this time it being his own blood. I often had to take care of him because of that, he hissing in pain – but it seemed it was worth it. They've been smaller than the adult ones; but they were impressive. Some ones that seen him near the edge of the forest made no difference in him and the others.

He seemed proud of his whole body as well. Certainly, he had nothing to be ashamed of...

I literally felt the rush of heat to my face.

What are you thinking about, girl?

I shook head and turned my back to him as well.

,,We'll be back in about three hours, mom said," I murmured.

,,I heard. Have a nice experience," he chuckled softly.

…...

We were back earlier than expected, but it was dark anyway. I checked the clock; nine.

I yawned, getting to my room.

Strangely, I didn't even notice I was tired before! It was such a... interesting event.

Mostly the talking. From some topics, I blushed even now...

It left me with mixed feelings.

,,Do you need any help?" mom called.

,,No, thanks!"

If with washing my hair and getting out of the dress, I didn't need any help. Scarlet went in, meowing and brushing against my legs.

,,How was your evening, kitty?" I smiled and stroked her back.

,,Are you talking to me or to the cat?"

,,To Scarlet, but if you want to reply, you can."

,,Oh, good enough. Are we going out today?"

,,We can."

I heard quiet purring.

As soon as everyone was asleep – which was, I can say, not long after this – I got out of the bed and got dressed in the dress I casually wore to the forest.

He was out already, sitting in the window, looking somewhat in thought. I knew, because usually he made fun out of me and similar things – now, nothing.

,,What's up?" I raised a eyebrow.

,,What?" he snapped.

I said nothing, and the trip to the forest was unusually calm as well.

But the training, wow! I've never seen him so determined before. He caught a rabbit almost lazily, so as making a scratch on a tree. His claw ribbed the tree bark like through butter.

,,Okay," he sighed more for himself and turned to the rock he also always tried to rip through.

I rather closed eyes; last time it didn't went well. I heart a loud crash – but no hiss in pain like before.

I slowly turned my head and opened eyes.

The rock was in half, and he stand above it, looking just as surprised as I was.

,,Oh. My. Gosh.

YOU DID IT!"

,,Yes!" his chin dropped down. ,,I... FINALLY!" he jumped up and caught me as well, spinning around – it made me laugh like crazy.

,,That's so great! See, I told you! I always said you'd get better!"

,,How could I NOT believe it?" he exhaled, looking on his claw.

It was long like half of me, and sharp, really sharp.

For a while we've been quiet, only believing what just happened.

Then we at once looked up, our expressions changing slightly.

,,You won't fit under the bed anymore, eh?" I made a grin and looked down again.

,,No," I heard a soft answer. ,,probably not."

,,Are you... then... going? To show yourself to the..."

,,Pack."

,,Yes."

,,I can try."

I scratched my head.

,,I.. uh..."

,,I'm gonna go to the edge of the forest with you."

Again, silence – this time slightly tensed.

At the edge, I stepped back into our land, leaving him a bit behind.

,,Good luck," I lifted a hand.

,,Thank you." He looked, as if not sure, what to do.

,,You know," I titled head to the side. ,,we have a certain tradition involving saying good-bye to someone."

,,What is it?" he snapped.

I leaned forward – not crossing the line – and pressed a small kiss on his nose.

,,Oh," he exhaled. ,,again a kiss."

,,Indeed," I chuckled.

,,GWEN!"

I snapped, looking up and seeing granny in the window.

,,What do you think you're doing out in the middle of the night? On top so close to the forest!"

,,I-" I turned to the forest.

Nothing was there anymore – he's been gone.

,,I can't sleep," I shout up.

Which was true – I didn't fall asleep the whole night after.