Machi o kayotte shinrin no dai abare Kemono chōkyōshi (The forest's rampage through the town; the beast tamer)
"Although nothing was ever proven about if they really died or not… but that's the story. The Sirius was last heard about heading to the island of Nakayama. After that no one really knows." I just finished telling the Yamato Legend to the wolves that were staying in my home for the week. They had listened intently and asked an occasional question here and there. Although from what it seemed like with their reactions they somehow knew this story or heard it from somewhere.
"That's quite a story." Christopher says smiling.
"You certainly can spin a tale Reisaki." Morgan comments from the comfort of my lap opposite of Thomas.
"Well it was a story Bāchan told me; all I was doing was copying what she told me. I mean I forgot all of the crew members names and I even slipped on a few parts where shouldn't have said anything at all."
"Let me guess…she used to call you little neko right?" darn it Eduardo isn't going to let me live that one down is he?
"Eduardo don't tease her…"
"Although you guys seem to act like you know this story already…" their ears twitch as if indicating that I was right.
"What the heck would give you that idea?"
"It's just a guess Nathan; I don't really mean that you do." If that doesn't indicate they know something I don't know what does.
"Now can I ask you guys a question?"
"I suppose…go ahead, shoot." I look the alpha male in the eyes,
"You guys aren't normal wolves are you?"
"What?" they all ask in unison.
"Well, no offense, but you lot don't act like the average wolf I've met ever. Were you all raise in captivity or something?" it's silent for a few minutes before Christopher speaks up,
"What would give you that idea, Reisaki?"
"W-well you guys act human in some instances. For one all of you show more personality than the average wild wolf; I mean they're usually loners they even act like that in their packs towards each other. Another thing you all treat each other equally not anything like as if you were in a pack with ranks. I mean you say Morgan is the alpha and you say Thomas is the underling in the group but still you guys don't act like that's not the case. Then there's the thing Nathan and Eduardo pulled in town with Toma…I mean it was funny and all but no normal wolf would have come up with that kind of idea. Any your names too, they're all human names." I had a plausible argument and the evidence to back it up; they couldn't seem to come up with any response, "And then now you all acted as though you knew the Yamato Legend just now."
"Well I can see how you would think that…" I look over at Morgan, "But really it's as you said, we were raised in captivity and released back into the wild. We probably picked up something here and there when we were there."
"I see and where is there exactly?" I smirk,
"Well…" I knew it I got him! "There's a reserve on the other side of the island right? When we were release we traveled over to this side." Darn it I thought I had them…
"Why the sudden interest anyway Reisaki?" Christopher laughs as he asks most likely seeing my face.
"Oh it's not all of a sudden Chris. I've been wondering this ever since I came across Thomas in the woods. I thought he was the only one at first then you all showed up; I've been curious ever since."
"Don't you humans have a saying: mind your own business?" Eduardo gives me a smug grin.
"Ok fine…keep your secrets. I won't ask any more." My hand waves in a manner stating that I don't really care at all. "But I know you guys are hiding something." I sing song.
"Sorry Reisaki it's not that we don't want to tell you…" I look at Christopher pleading,
"So you'll tell me?"
"Well…" he diverts his eyes playfully before looking back at me with a smile, "Sorry I'm afraid I can't."
"You bully don't lead me on like that and not tell me…"
"Hey she's pouting."
"Looks like we really hurt her feelings."
"Keep talking Russell and Nathan…" I shoot an impish glare at them. It's not just me…they seem to have open up too. It's weird but…in a good way. I wonder if they want to leave or if they want to stay. No…they aren't house pets. Even if they were raise in captivity and are familiar with humans… I shouldn't get so attached to them…when Thomas gets better. They'll leave. It will just be me and the forest again…but that's how it's been for the past three years ever since Bāchan passed on…so why does my heart hurt like this thinking about it?
"Hey what's with you all of a sudden?"
"What?" I answer Nathan, snapping out of my thought process,
"You went quiet."
"Oh I guess I'm just tired. Getting slapped around like that must have taken more out of me than I thought." A smile helps to put on a front. I move Morgan off my lap and Thomas raises his head allowing me to stand. "I'm going to bed. Night." There's no answer as I leave the room.
Laying in my bed I can't seem to go to sleep so many things happened. Every time I close my eyes I see my mother Yūhi ready to attack my again. I close my eyes for the thousandth time and fifteen minutes later it happens again. Feeling defeated I sit up and look at the picture of Bāchan. It seems to put my mind at ease just a bit more before I try sleeping again. There's some sort of clicking sound on the wooden floor. My doors open and the dim light reveals a wolf shadow in the room.
"Thomas? What's the matter you really shouldn't be-"
"Can I sleep with you?"
"What?"
"…Just for tonight. I want to see what it's like…please?" it seemed cute to me to have him ask me something as if he was a little kid.
"Sure. I don't mind." I pick him up and help him on the bed when I hear other wolf paws on the floor.
"No fair…if Thomas gets to sleep on the bed I want to as well." Russell states.
"I agree." Eduardo says, "He shouldn't get special treatment just because he's injured." I laugh,
"You got enough room for all of us?" Morgan trots over and jumps onto the bed before I can even answer. Getting back under the covers I pat the bed,
"Come on there's enough room for every one." With Thomas taking up my left side and Morgan at my feet under Thomas, Eduardo lays down above my head, Christopher rests close to my face, Nathan Lays over my legs and Russell by my right side. Thomas moves round a bit getting under the covers, resting his head on my stomach, "You going to be ok under there?"
"Yeah, it's nice and warm." It was like he said what was all on their mind they moved a little closer before falling asleep, having a feeling of peace I too soon fall asleep.
…
I stir slightly from the movement in the bed. Arms…why do I feel like there are arms around me…? So many of them… 1…2…6… what? Why so many? My eyes open slightly I see a fuzzy shadow of something but make nothing of it and fall back asleep.
…
The late morning sun wakes me and when I open my eyes I see Christopher resting his head on the pillow still asleep. Sitting up I see the others and find Thomas' behind peeking out from under the covers with his tail twitching back and forth. I have to cover my mouth so not to laugh at the puppy like sight. Thinking about my dream last night I try to figure out what it means for a minute before I see Nathan rouse from his sleep. He stretches yawning so big that you could fit a watermelon in his mouth.
"Morning sleepy head." I chime.
"Oh hey, how long have you been up?"
"I just got up." soon the others start to stir from their sleep as well. Eduardo lazily lays his head on my shoulder yawning "Well hello."
"mh-hm…"
"Did you sleep well Reisaki?" Christopher sits up like a dignified wolf but keeps it friendly.
"Yeah I did…although…" I look over at Thomas still under the covers, "I think he enjoyed it the most."
"Unbelievable…" Nathan says before swatting the mound with a paw. "Hey, wake up already." Thomas finally stirs before he starts struggling with getting the covers off him. He somehow manages to get himself tangled up and falls on his side. "Only you Thomas…"
"Come on leave him be." Christopher laughs. I help the wolf out from under the covers and his fur is completely wild from his tousle with the sheets.
"Ow…hey who hit me?"
"You wouldn't wake up so gave you some help." Nathan sure doesn't mind admitting what he does…
I take a moment to stretch before pulling the covers off myself.
"Off the bed please; I have to wash the sheet today."
"What, just because we slept on them?"
"No Russell; I always wash the sheets this day. By the way Thomas let me take a look at your leg real quick." Checking the scar it seems pretty good. "You should walk on it now but nothing stressful you still need to take it easy.
"Alright; I can walk again!" he jumps down and start using it, "It feels kind of stiff."
"It will probably feel like that for the next couple of days then after that you should be all set." I explain pulling the sheets off the bed and heading to a different part of the house.
That was a strange dream…what was that anyway? There were six pairs of arms…and…and then…wait why would there be someone in my room anyway? It was just all of them so…was I just having a vivid dream? It sure felt real. I thought I saw someone sleeping next to me… but… oh well, I think I might just be thinking about it too much. But in a couple of days they'll leave…it was nice having them around. What is this feeling in my chest? It hurts…I don't want them to leave. I can't keep them though… they're wild animals no matter how much they act like something else.
A big sigh escapes me as I let the sheets sit in the hot water.
I refuse to go back to that village.
I needed some advise so leaving the sheets to soak in the water I sneak out and head for a clearing not too far away. There's a grave with a tomb stone and wild flowers growing on the top of the dirt. Bāchan's grave was always a place I could go to in order to think things through. I wasn't entirely sure what I should do with the pack that was currently staying in my home... but to be quite honest I didn't want them to leave. With them around it felt like I was back with Bāchan. The void in my heart was gone… but now that Thomas' leg is better they'll leave and I'll be all alone again. It will be just as painful as when she passed away. I'll wake up thinking everything was just a dream and then come to realize that their being gone wasn't a dream and I'll finally see that I really am alone. Saying those things yesterday about having the forest it was only half true. I did have the forest and I did care for the animals but when they visit or I help them…they only fill the void temporarily. Eventually I had to let them go too. The same thing will happen again but it will only hurt more than what it has been this whole time.
"Bāchan…I need some help. Please what do I do?" my head rests on my knees as I listen to the birds chirping and the rustling of the bushes as the wind picks up every now and again.
"Reisaki." Morgan stands next to me with a serious look on his face.
"What is it?"
"Are you burning something out here?" I shake my head, "We can smell smoke."
"Smoke…?" the others trot up behind him. I look at the sky and locate black clouds churning in the sky. " The forest!" without thinking my legs carry me into the forest thinking only of the animals.
"Hey hold on!" one of them yells out after me but I don't listen. Animals run in every direction trying to get away from the flames. As I continue into the deeper parts the smoke gets thicker and becomes even hotter. Soon the forest changes to a bright orange. I find Fuzzy Claw trying to help her mother out from under a fallen tree. I try helping pulling on the tree trying to get it to budge but I'm not strong enough. Fuzzy Claw tries to help but only being a cub she can't do much either. Suddenly the tree becomes lighter and lifts up. Looking around Russell, Christopher and Nathan are helping to lift the tree up by getting underneath it. The others dig around Fuzzy Claws mother giving her room to claw her way out. By the time we finish with that task the smoke starts to become too much. Coughing isn't helping any at all. Looking around I try to see if there are any other animals that need help but don't get the chance; flames roar over the trees bringing the temperature even higher than what they were before.
"It's too much! Riesaki we have to get out of here!" This fire is out of control! How did it even start?
The smoke is so thick I can't even see anything. Suddenly I become very dizzy from the smoke and my knees give out on me. I can't breath…the smoke…
"Reisaki, grab hold of me!" Eduardo comes close allowing me to grab a fist full of his fur, he and the others lead the way out of the forest and back to my home. With some clean air to breath I cough out the smoke that's left in my lungs. Yet with the flames making their way closer to my home there's no way I can relax. Other animals make their way inside my home hoping to seek refuge from the fire when thunder suddenly rumbles from above. A few rain droplets hit my forehead before the downpour happens. With the help of the rain the fire soon dies down and disappears all together. The animals all come out timidly looking at the remaining smoke flowing from the forest.
"Miss Reisaki, are you ok?"
"I think so Thomas…"
"You damn idiot; what the hell were you thinking?" Eduardo… "You can't just jump into a situation like that. What would have happened if we weren't around to help you?" he sounds calm but he's clearly angry.
"But I couldn't just…I mean…"
"He's right Reisaki you could have gotten seriously hurt!" now Christopher too. They're all looking at me like they were scared or worried about me.
"I…I'm sorry…" my body starts to shake, "But…this forest it's not just your home; it's mine too…! I couldn't just sit by and watch it burn or the animals…"
"Reisaki…" the other animals suddenly come out of their hiding places and stare at what's left the forest.
"Our home…"
"Why?"
"It's ruined." They all start murmuring among themselves. Soon the murmurs and whines turn to growls as one speaks up,
"It was the humans in the village!"
"They did this!" what? "They've been trying to trap us in their contraptions now they try to burn our home!" others start to get in an uproar in agreement.
"I saw him! The one who did this! He was placing rope like things all over the ground before he lit them!"
"Get him! Get them all!"
"No wait this won't solve anything!" they don't listen to me as the charge for the near by village. Now what?
"No what just happened? This is really bad…they'll go after everyone in the village just to find that one person who did this." Someone nudges my leg and it turns out to be Morgan.
"You want them to stop?"
"Well yes but…"
"Then you stay here and leave it to us."
"What?" before I can even say anything else all of them including Thomas race off after the pack of angry animals. Oh no what do I do now? This is all happening so fast but I don't want any of them to get hurt. I can't…
"I can't just sit here!" with out thinking I raced down the path I would take to the village. Already I can hear the cries of the villages and the beasts attacking them. The village is in total chaos when I enter it. Places are in shambles while animals chase people around trying to hurt them. Other humans have weapons trying to defend their families or themselves from other animals that attack. I even see Fuzzy Claw and her mother attack a few others. "No stop!" I stand in their way from attacking the child and her mother. "They haven't done anything! Please you have to stop this; if you continue this you won't be any different than the people who burned the forest!" Fuzzy Claw's mother seems as though she's listening then suddenly she lets off a roar in pain as a gun shot pierces her shoulder. "No stop!" I shout at the person reloading their gun. "Please stop!" A stag impales the man with his antlers dragging him on the ground and stomping him with his hooves. Blood stains it's antlers as it rears back ready to attack another innocent passerby. Looking in the chaos I find Christopher trying to protect someone that looks rather familiar from a mountain lion.
"Yūhi…!" my body moves with a mind of it's own as the mountain lion pounces to attack them. It was more to protect Christopher rather than my own mother but the only thing the loin gouges is my shoulder. Seeing what it's done the loin sets his ears down and places his tail between his legs. It's not enough to kill me but it still hurts.
"Reisaki!" Christopher tries to make sure I'm fine, "Why did you do that?! Your arm is-"
"I have to stop this…"
"What?"
"They'll listen to me if I could just get their attention."
"You need to go back; Captain said we will handle this."
"And what if you all get hurt?!" I find myself screaming, "I can't sit here and not do something; if you all get hurt…I wouldn't know what to do…"
"Reisaki…"
"You may just be wolves but there's something special about all of you…you're all the first actual friends I've had before ever. I don't want to see anything happen to you."
"You…you had something to do with this didn't you?!" I look at Yūhi. "You really are a wild child aren't you?!" I can deal with her later…
"How are you going to get their attention?" I think for a moment…
"Where are the others?"
"Handling other situations."
"Go find them quickly and tell them to meet me other there." I point to a fountain that I can stand at. With out any protest Christopher races off to find the others. As I try to head for the fountain Yūhi grabs hold of my arm.
"You little wretch, this is why you should have come back to the village! Look at the trouble you've caused everyone, that you caused me! Everyone will die because of you!" I slap her across her face shutting her loud mouth.
"Blame me if you want…but I had no hand in causing this mess; someone else did. I only plan to stop it." her words didn't even hurt me to be quite honest and I really didn't care if she other the others in the village accepted me all I wanted to do was what Bāchan would have done: help the village and save as many as she could. The others soon return,
"I don't believe it…why didn't you listen to me? Look at your arm…"
"It's fine Morgan; this is just a scratch. I can take care of it later."
"So what's your plan exactly now that you have us all here?" Russell asks.
"I need for you to howl." The look at me questionably, "I mean it; howl as loud as you can together! It should get their attention." Together they follow my instructions howling as loud as they could as if calling the moon itself to rise into the sky. Their howls carry on for quite some distance stopping all the animals and villagers in their tracks. Each of them look over here forgetting what they were doing. By the time the echo of the howls disappears the only thing that can be heard is the sound of the down pour. I stand on the fountain so they can all see me.
"Please all of you stop this. This is insane. All of the animals please listen to me…I know you're angry that the forest, your home was burned down, but you shouldn't bring your wrath down on all of the villagers for one person who caused the event to happen. I understand that you're angry. All you are doing though is hurting yourselves and innocent. You're no better than the person who caused this. You all need to go back to the forest now…I'm sure there are other parts that were spared from the fire that you could all go to. eventually the forest will grow back so please stop this…" there's a few moments before the animals one by one start to head back to the forest. "Every one else…I'm sorry this happened." It's quiet for a few moments before someone speaks,
"You're sorry? That's all you have to say?!" Yūhi shouts. "You're the one that told them to come after us aren't you?!"
"Yeah…that's right. You're that strange girl that always hangs around in the forest. You and that old woman used always stay up there!"
"You're a wild child aren't you? What did we do to you that gave you the right to do this to us?"
"My child got hurt because of you!"
"Many of our shops were destroyed because you sent them after us!"
"Why did you do this?!"
Suddenly the villagers start gathering around me shouting angrily at me.
"N-no it wasn't me!"
"Liar! You caused this didn't you?!"
"No I didn't. I only wanted to stop them; stop it so that no one got hurt!" I plead with them to listen. They get closer and closer almost within grabbing distance of me before Thomas and the others surround me and get the villagers to back of. "I…I'm sorry!" before anything else can happen I run for the trail that leads back to my home.
…
As I finish tending to my arm the others stay close to me. I start remembering what I told Christopher as I make sure the bandage is secure. A sigh echoes slightly as I lean against the wall. Well this has certainly been a fun day… first the forest catches fire, then the animals go after the villagers and now they think I had something to do with it all…
Christopher lays his front paws along with his head on my lap resting comfortably. The others soon follow suit coming near me. Feeling hot I brush my hair to one side over my shoulder to cool down. Relaxing my mind and muscles I let my mind wander for the time being at least until something crosses my mind.
"Hey Thomas your leg, let me take a look real quick ok."
"My leg is fine Miss Reisaki… you should relax for now."
"But you really weren't supposed to be doing anything stressful so I just-"
"Reisaki…" I look a Christopher, "You can't tell that we're more worried about you than ourselves? If you really want to help us then please stay still for a while and rest." His sweet tone makes me forget about Thomas' leg and slightly blush at the same time. "Just as you said, you are our friend too. We don't want to see anything happen to you either…"
"Unfortunately he's right so sit there and shut up already…" Eduardo rests his head on my shoulder as he did this morning; his breath leaves a warm spot on my neck and as I reach for him to stroke the top of his head he allows me to pet him like a dog. "…Don't get too used to that…I'm a wolf not a house mutt." He says it sternly but I catch the indirect stare and slight smirk on his face. Resting my head against the wall I start to drift off into a nice sleep.
"Reisaki. There's a part of that legend that I think even your grand mother didn't know about…concerning the other person who was charmed by the spell cast on the Sirius crew." Morgan says as I begin to drift into unconsciousness, "The person would be able to talk to animals and would be the only person who could understand the Sirius crew; when I say understand I mean it in more ways than one…they had each other but at the same time they wouldn't really have any contact with others don't you think?"
"Mm…" is all I'm able to indicate that I'm still awake.
"The person would be able to understand that loneliness and pain because they experienced it as well… but also that person would become something else besides their friend…" before he can finish his explanation I fall asleep.
When I open my eyes the soft glow of the moon dimly lights the room. The room is empty making me think that they probably went out to hunt for something to eat. Still groggy, I stand and start to take care of the mess I made cleaning the gash on my shoulder. Looking at the clock instead of outside it reads 11. I had been asleep for a while and yet I still feel pretty tired. One thing is for sure after the events of today I won't be able to go back to the village for quite some time. Oh well… there's some sort of sound from outside like something is moved out of place or a couple things bang into each other. I stop what I'm doing to listen for a minute yet there's no other sound to indicate what I head was real or not. Nothing happens so I go back to what I was doing before. Turning the faucet on I allow the sink to fill up. Waking away from it I take out a match and light an incense to fill the room with the fragrance of cinnamon and cherries. The water shuts off by itself which wakes me up from my half sleep daze. I turn my attention to the room. Someone stands in the shadows yet their eyes seem familiar. I try running out the open door but they grab hold of me and pull me close. Struggling turns out to be pointless as they keep me in their grasp.
"Stop struggling Reisaki it's only me…"
"Toma?! What are you doing here?" he doesn't answer me at all with words but I feel my shirt being lifted up. "What are you doing?!" I try getting out of his grasp once again but he continues to keep a tight grip on me.
"You cause a lot of trouble in the village today; you very bad aren't you?"
"What does that have to do with anything?"
"I thought I liked you before…but that was just the icing on the cake. You're really something you know."
"Let go of me you creeper…!"
"Oh come on now stop playing already. You've got my attention."
"I'm not playing! Let go of me!" he jerks me around so I'm looking him in the eyes,
"You know Reisaki, every one is talking about exiling you from the village…you wouldn't even be able to make your occasional visits like you always do."
"T-that's fine with me; the forest is all I need. I don't need their approval."
"You say that now but what about later? What about when that does happen…?"
"What?"
"You'll be alone won't you? You won't have any one to talk to. I mean the animals can only give you so much company…a girl has certain needs right?" I don't like this… where is he going with all this?
"What are you getting at?"
"You don't have to choose that life Reisaki. I can help you…"
"You help me…?"
"Yes I can make it so that they all accept you. You just have to do one thing for me." he tries lifting my shirt even more exposing my stomach to the cool air. "All I ask is that you be mine."
"No!" my hand makes contact with his face but he still doesn't let go.
"It's cute when you reject me like that…but tonight I'm not going to let you go…I'll make you see just how much you are in love with me." he…he's insane!
He grabs hold of my face and forces me to look at him as he tries to force a kiss to happen. The second I feel his lips touch mine I bite as hard as I can. He cringes away letting go of me. Sliding the door closed behind me I race into the forest hoping to find something in the burned ruins that will hide me from him. As my feet crunch in the ashes so does his. With nowhere to hide he's able to keep up with me easily. A hand grabs hold of my arm and pulls me back. "Haha! I love it when you put up fight Reisaki it makes me want you even more!"
"Let go; let me go!" he pushes me to the ground before he pins me down, unable to move. "Stop it! You're hurting me!" by now tears filled with fear begin to trail down my face.
"Oh don't worry I'm not going to hurt you much Reisaki. I'll just leave a mark here and there…" he's really going to force me! I don't want this! Someone please, anyone HELP!
He tugs my shirt up and starts to go for my skin when I stop struggling at what I see behind me. Is…is that…?
"Hey what's with you? You get tired of putting up a fight?" There's a snarl from behind him making him jolt upright and releasing me. Morgan, fur standing on end, hackles raise and clearly pissed slowly moves in between me and Toma. The others soon gather around me protecting me from any further harm.
"You alright Reisaki?" I hear an angry Morgan ask.
"Yes…"
"What did he do?" Nathan is the second to say something coldly,
"N-nothing…"
"Don't lie if he did Reisaki…" wow I don't think I've seen Christopher so angry before…
"He tried to force me but he didn't get the chance…" their attention goes back to Toma.
"H-hey! Call off your dogs or what ever!"
"No…! I should let them tare you apart for what you tried to do… do you even realize how traumatizing something like that can be fore a girl when you do something like that!"
"What are you talking about? I'm offering you a way to be accepted by the village and you're doing this?"
"I don't need your kind of help you pervert! Your fan girls may do that for you but I have more dignity and respect for myself than that. …and you…you don't even respect me as a woman. You just see me as a way to relieve you own tension; I'm not like that!" in reaction to my anger the wolves begin to corner him like prey growling low. "Just stay away from me! I don't need you and I don't need the village! For all I care you can be wolf chow…" they take it as a signal they can attack; I look away as I hear the attack go on. Toma screams in agony as they continue to dig their teeth into his flesh. I didn't care what happened after this, even if he was dead after this mauling. I plan on leaving this area soon anyway. With this part of the forest the way it is now there was no way I could sustain myself food wise. Bāchan had another place on the other side of the forest closer to another village and the cave of moonstones that she and I got out gems from for trading was more over that way too… it would all work out. Soon the mauling stops and I look over at the mangled body with the wolves trotting away from it. Only when I saw Toma move slightly was I aware that he was still alive... something that slightly relieves me a bit. I kneel down to hug Thomas who's the first to reach me and Christopher nestles against my cheek as I stroke his fur. If they hadn't come along Toma would have gotten farther than he did.
"We can't leave you alone for a second can we?" Christopher sounds relieved.
"Sorry." I laugh slightly, "I didn't think he would try something like that though."
"Well we weren't about to let him have his way right in front of us." Eduardo says, "We can't let anyone hurt you."
"What?"
"You fell asleep before I could finish explaining things Reisaki." Morgan gets my attention,
"Explain what?"
"Let's head back first then we'll talk."
(Back at the house)
"So you remember what I said about the Legend and about how there was more to it than what your grand mother told you right."
"Yes before I fell asleep you were saying something about how there was more to the person who was charmed along with the Sirius crew…"
"Yes that's right." Morgan for some strange reason finds it more comfortable to lay on my lap completely as he tells me this story even though it just so happens that he's the heaviest out of everyone…not that he's chubby personally I think it has to do with muscle mass."
"So did you know the crew; is that how you-" a yawn escapes me interrupting my question. "Sorry…"
"Haha! Well it has been an eventful day. Tell you what how about we pick this conversation up to morrow." That sounds good to me and I don't argue at all. After he lets me up they follow me into my room.
"You guys don't have to stay with me if you don't want to."
"What you don't want us to be with you?"
"No that's not it Nathan! It's just well…I mean…"
"Look if you don't have any problem with it the stop yapping about it." just like the night before they all take their pace around me. It comforts me that they all want to stay by me so much. It's so nice that I even snuggle up closer to Christopher; the others in response move closer closing the distance between us. It doesn't take me long to fall asleep.
…
huh…what's going on? Am I dreaming again. Why do I feel arms around me again? Someone is holding my hand over my head…and I'm holding it back… another one is draped across my chest to my shoulder. Someone is holding onto my waist under the sheets there's someone on my other side wrapping their arm around my waist…what is this? Someone else is on my other side holding on to my left arm and someone else is laying on my feet. What is going on…? I open my eyes and see someone with whitish black hair is sleeping next to me with his arm wrapped around me. I realize he's quite handsome and blush slightly.
Wow who is this guy? He's really cute… wait a sec. Why is there some black guy in my bed…and why is he naked?!
"Uh…um…" I look up at my hand another hot guy with an eye patch is curled up above me with his hand caressing my hand and arm. "EEE…"
Wait a sec, so the other hands and arms I've been dreaming about are real!
The first one begins to stir from his sleep; he opens his eyes and they turn out to be gorgeous and familiar; although at the moment I'm more terrified of the unknown people in my bed. He looks at me and smiles kindly,
"Good morning Reisaki." Wait a second that voice…
"C-Christopher…?"
"Yes something wrong?"
"Um…why are you-" the male above me suddenly looms over me,
"Stop hoggin' her Doc." Wait was that Eduardo?
"I'm not hogging her at all." The person who sounds like Eduardo moves closer to me,
"Good morning Mistress." His hand caresses my cheek,
"M-mistress?!" I shout.
"Hey quit shouting will you." Ok why did that sound like Nathan? Every time I look at another one of these strangers they turn out to be a hot guy. I have no idea what is going on. His arms suddenly go around my waist as I sit up not sure what to do.
"You sleep ok?"
"Uh…"
"Hm, what's wrong with you?" suddenly someone else shoves the Nathan sound alike in the face,
"Hey get off already it's my turn to say hello to her."
"R…Russ-" he wraps his arm around my shoulders and pulls me close, "Wah?!"
"Good morning Master."
"You realize she's a girl right?" says the Eduardo sound alike.
"Shut up I know; but master makes her sound cooler."
"Not even up five minutes and you guys are already bickering?" an older male sits up by my feet and looks at me. That sounded like Morgan… "Morning Reisaki, you look like you slept well." He then lunges at me flinging his arms around my neck stretching his body completely and grins up at me just like the wolf I know, "You look cut with that blush on your face." The covers start moving before a head pops out from under the covers and the youngest looking male grabs hold of my hand and nestles against it.
"Good morning Miss Reisaki."
"Thomas…is that you?"
"Yeah. Who else would I be."
"But, but- you- and them and- how- I mean…" it was like it finally set in that there were six naked men in my bed treating me like I was their master or something and then I did something in a panic,
"Yeek!" my arms fling around hitting them all trying to get them away from me. Finally I get out of the bed and turn to face them with a seriously red face. "But you…you all supposed to be wolves!" I scream as the all rub their new bumps. "How is this possible!"
"Hahaha…ah that's right we never explained it to you did we." Morgan stands up
"Yeek!" I spin around keeping my back to them.
"Why are keeping your back to us?"
"Your naked…"
"But you've seen us naked plenty of times."
"Being wolves and being humans are two completely different things! Ugh….! Never mind just explain what's going on!"
"As you with Mistress." Morgan shrugs off my uproar. First off the Yamato Legend you know it's real. The Sirius Crew was transformed into animals all those years ago and given immortality to wait for their master to come along."
"Wait their master…? I thought they were pirates; they had no master."
"Well when I say master I don't mean per say they were slaves to the person who was also charmed; it was more that they would become extremely…loyal to that person." Loyal…?
"No offense but that doesn't really explain things to me." I say.
"You're the person who was charmed by that spell as well; you're ability to talk to animals is proof enough of it."
"I'm the person who is the master of the Sirius crew?"
"That's right."
"But how are you all human and what's going on?"
"We've always been able to change into our original human forms ever since the day we were charmed. We just never really had a reason to change back…until we met you. I guess we wanted you to see our real selves." Real selves? Wait so then that means…
"Wait you mean you guys are the Sirius crew from the Yamato Legend?"
"Yes..." six diffent pairs of arms wrapped around my body in different locations making me tense "But you know what this means too though right Reisaki?"
"Wh-what?" someone's lips caress my ear,
"It means you are our master now...master of the Sirius crew."