Ginga Nagareboshi Natsuki
WARNING: This is still a super Alternative Universe Fic, I'm still SERIOUS!
Author Notes:
I had a very had time thinking on how to begin this chapter. I actually wrote three different drafts and concluded this was the best beginning of them all... I have nothing to say actually. That's weird.
I feel really happy with all the reviews I got for the previous chapter and I think I may take RevalisPyross' suggestion about Nao unless what I am thinking happens to work. I researched the breed and found it quite interesting and pretty accurate to the character. Thanks, by the way, for the advice.
And so, now the problems have began, the central issue of this story will start to develop. More characters appearing, more fights, more Gingaish violence and more Shiznat fluff... Enjoy.
LOOKING FOR A BETA READER: I am new to the BETA system and don't know how to find one so if any of you my dearest readers would like to play such role for this story I would thank you with all my fluffy heart.
My grammar corrector died in the middle of the correction but I didn't wantto take more time in updating so there may still be some awful grammar mistakes. Please I would very much appreciate if you point them out nicely so I can correct them (happy face)
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Chapter Two: Nightmares and Dreams
A brown body over white snow,
red eyes shut that give away no light.
Crimson patches that stain the scenery.
A black figure of betrayal stands upon the figure.
He laughs at the other one's pain.
And then he's gone.
In a flash of black and white.
She had closed her eyes a while ago, but even though she was not able to see, she could still listen very clearly. She heard the screams of the traitor dogs as her black and white guardian killed them. She heard when Hiro was attacked, and she heard the sound of a corpse falling to the ground. She knew by the smell it was her father, and she cursed herself for having thought that Belgian bastard would keep him alive if she surrendered.
"EVERYONE, THE WOLF KILLED THE LEADER!!"
What?
Shizuru tried her best to open her eyes, but she was unable to. She had lost too much blood, she didn't even have enough strength to move her eyelids. Then a horrid smell came to her nostrils, the smell of dirty blood. It came closer to her, and she feared for a moment it was Hiro.
But it wasn't.
The presence that got near her, gently but quickly raised her from the ground and she felt her body was placed on top of another one. But then, as she felt embraced by a pleasant feeling and a tender warmth, she recognized that back as as the one belonging to the half wolf, and allowed her body to relax, she felt Natsuki's did so too.
"I WILL kill you" declared the husky voice of the black and white one and then, at a speed that the Setter found amazing, she began to run. She heard footsteps getting closer and closer, and felt how her transport threatened to fall at anytime.
But her guardian kept her pace.
As for Shizuru, every second that passed she felt weaker and weaker. And so, just before she finally passed out, she thought she heard the half wolf whisper.
"Don't worry Shizuru, I'll save you"
And then it all faded to black.
..................................
I never really liked to dream.
Good dreams don't come true,
and bad dreams seem too real.
I never really liked to dream.
She was running with all she could. Blood dripping from countless wounds in her body. It was amazing she was not dead yet. She had no idea what was after her, but she could hear its breath on her neck every once in a while and its footsteps that always seemed to match her pace in spite of how slow or fast she ran.
"Princess, why are you running away from me?" the voice woke up something in her. Hiro, that bastard. She turned around and found the Belgian Shepherd face to face. He smiled in a way that gave her the creeps. She managed to keep her calm mask on. "Such a serious face, I think you look prettier when you SCREAM!"
She couldn't move her body, out of nowhere she had lost all control over it and she just fell to the ground when Hiro began to hit her with his paws.
Again and again he stepped on her and she screamed her lungs out, wishing for someone to help her.
And the everything vanished in flash of black and white.
She opened her eyes and felt her soul falling in her body (1). She tried to move but realized it was useless, it was too painful even to try. Just as her father had thought her she "made a quick analysis of her current situation in order to find a plausible explanation on how she got there and a possible way to succeed in whatever challenges may appear in the future as a result of it".
She was in some sort of shelter. It was probably a hole in the snow, due to the whiteness of the walls. Probably taken there by her guardian (Add a little smile at the thought of the half wolf).
She was hurt. Seriously hurt, and she could remember clearly the one who had caused her injuries. Fire built up every time she recalled when they were forged into her.
She was comfortable. There were actually some sort of skins under her that kept her warm. It reminded her of her home.
She was alone. The one who had saved her was nowhere to be seen (Suppress little smile).
She was hungry. Seriously hungry.
Once again she tried to stand up. She had to find out where she was and most important, she had to begin planning how to take back Fuka from that black furred bastard Hiro. With all her remaining strength she managed to stand up.
One step was all she could acomplish before feeling pain all over her body. She let herself fall. But she never hit the ground.
"Shizuru!" she heard a husky voice and then felt a warm body prevented her from falling. The Setter smiled. Every time she heard Natsuki saying her name she felt electricity up her spine. "It's too soon for you to try to walk". The red eyed gazed upon that black and white fur and found her way to those beautiful green eyes.
"Has Natsuki been taking care of me?" she asked, with no intention of teasing but however achieved a gentle blush in the other dog's face.
"Yes. You did the same for me before" in the half wolf's face, a gentle gesture appeared.
"That's sweet of you, Natsuki...How long has it been? Where are we?" and then it was gone, Natsuki's face became serious as it usually was as she reported their current state.
"Two days. We are pretty far away from Fuka, I estimate we may have come into Garderobe territory at the South, but we haven't been spotted, we are safe for now" Natsuki moved Shizuru to the place she was occupying before and made her lay down.
"Hmm..." Shizuru enjoyed being over the pelts again, her injured body appreciating their softness.
"I treated your wounds with some herbs I found around, they smelt like the ones you used on me wishing for them to have the same healing effect" the Setter took a deep breath and felt a familiar smell coming to her nostrils.
"Yes, they are indeed Fujino herbs. You are a smart one, Natsuki" she smiled lightly at the half wolf but received no response.
"What do you want to do now Shizuru? Hiro has taken over Fuka. They probably think you are dead. And they... Think I killed Gohei so if we go back they will probably kill me. Still, I don't want you to worry about me, just think of you for now." Natsuki sat next to the brown furred and looked straight into her eyes for a moment. She then looked away, not able to hold those red eyes in her green ones for long.
"How can I not think of my guardian?" said Shizuru, trying to relax the conversation, but neither her face nor Natsuki's showed any sign of the desired condition "I... I need time to think" even though tragedy had stricken her, the girl still wore that emotionless smile in her face. Natsuki found it weird, but would not ask about it.
"As you wish" said the black and white one, as she walked out of the cave. She returned shortly with a dead rabbit held between her sharp fangs. "I thought you might be hungry"
"You thought right, my Natsuki"
The half wolf turned her face to hide a creeping blush.
..................................
Her black and white body moved swiftly between the trees as she scouted the area. She wanted to make sure no one was around. The dogs from Garderode were known for being strictly territorial and she was in no shape for another battle, and having to fight while protecting Shizuru would make things even harder. She jumped up a tree and rested herself on one of the highest branches. The area seemed to be clear. She felt proud of herself for having picked such a safe place for the Setter to heal.
Natsuki looked at the sky. The sun was no longer visible, it had already hid itself behind the mountains. The sight was beautiful, but the half wolf had no time to lose enjoying the scenery. She hurried back to the shelter, she felt uneasy knowing that her friend was alone. She had never witnessed her fighting skills and she did not doubt they were amazing, her muscle tone was really well developed, but in her current state even a small fox could pose a threat. Natsuki was not one to take an oath lightly and she was tied to the red eyed for life. Somehow the half wolf had never been so glad of her own loyalty to her promises. It had given her a friend.
Friend... When did I even began to use that word? She thought, and felt a smile taking her lips. Something is wrong with me... When did I became so soft? That Shizuru... All those years of training for nothing. My father would die if he saw me. If he wasn't already dead that is.
She was lost in her thoughts as she dashed back to the cave, running skillfully between the trees, never striking a single branch and enjoying when somehow leaves brushed her head. Natsuki had always loved the freedom it gave her to run as fast as she could as she was doing now. But suddenly, she froze. A smell came to her nostrils as she approched her goal. There were others close by. She took a deep sniff. Three dogs. However, she didn't feel the presence of blood. That was a good sign. Maybe this dogs were not even fighters. Natsuki walked slowly towards the source of the smell.
She was right. Three dogs.
The biggest dog was a female collie, her long silky hair shone with the remaining sunlight, and she had dark forest green eyes. Behind her was a white and brown, actually it looked more like orange, female Akita. She had some pretty weird light purple eyes. Next to her was another dog of the same breed, obviously younger due to its smaller size. This was a male. He had the almost the same color, only that slightly darker, his eyes were almost blue but with a glimpse of purple.
For Natsuki it seemed as if they were following a trace. She hoped it wasn't Shizuru's or she would have to kill the three of them. It would be easy. The two Akitas would pose no threat. But the half wolf found it hard to determine the collie's power. She shook her head. If they were a threat to the Setter she would definately defeat them all.
"I knew I should have brought Ichi-kun with me! You two are no good!" exclaimed the collie in a loud voice that gave Natsuki the mental image of Haruka the golden retriver. For a moment she wondered if she was one of Hiro's followers.
"Midori-chan!" replied the female Akita with a loud voice "Me and Takumi are as good as him, right?" she said, turning to face the younger one.
"Yes, Onee-chan" said the male one with a gentle voice.
"Are you sure Ichiko-san said it was to the North east?" asked the sister to the collie, turning to face her.
"YES! You know he never makes mistakes when it comes to blood traces"
Shit Natsuki cursed her prepared herself to launch an attack, but froze as she heard what the orange haired one said then.
"I hope we are not too late to help this injured dog"
Help? They want to help? She hesitated. Would it be stupid to trust them? They didn't seem to have bad intentions and if they happened to have them she could kill them right away. They didn't look like strays, more like pack dogs, and protection of one would be useful for her and the red eyed. Natsuki took a step into the light.
"Onee-chan! A wolf!" cried the young Akita as his blue eyes gazed upon the black and white figure that had appeared from the bushes.
"Takumi there's no way, WOW! Takumi, behind me!" the sister stood in front of her little brother in a defensive stance. Natsuki didn't move.
"... What do you want, half wolf?" asked Midori. The alluded one felt like smiling, at least someone was smart enough to guess she wasn't a full wolf. However she repressed the gesture and remained serious.
"The blood trace you are following, leads to my... Friend"
"Your friend is hurt?" suddenly there was concern in the Akita's voice. That girl certainly changed her mood quickly.
"She was. I healed her" she took one more step forward and sat in front of the group, trying to look as harmless as she could.
"Take us to her. You two should not be in Garderobe alone. We'll take you to our pack"
.........................
"Should we trust her?" asked the female Akita to the Collie, talking as soft as she could. Natsuki had no trouble listening to what she was saying, but she could not hear the answer to her question. That Midori girl was pretty skilled and was probably aware of the half wolf's own abilities as they followed her to the shelter. "Onee-chan don't worry. We are with Midori-san after all" she deduced the Collie was considered as a strong dog in their pack and that was why they had sent the two youngsters with her.
"Yes Mai, no reason to worry" this time the eldest one's words did get to her ears. She knew it was on purpose.
And then she saw it. The entrance to the cave. Before she even said anything. The long haired had already stopped walking. Maybe fighting her would be more challenging than she thought, and perhaps even fun.
"Wait here" said the half wolf as she entered the shelter. Shizuru was apparently asleep, just as she had left her but, when she got closer to her in order to wake her up, the Setter suddenly stood up and licked Natsuki's muzzle lightly. She blushed.
"Who are outside my Natsuki?" asked the red eyed with a teasing voice.
"Three local dogs. They want to take us under protection of their pack"
"Ara, I didn't think my guardian was one to easily trust others"
"I trusted you immediately. I feel like we can trust, at lest, these three" Shizuru smiled and walked to the entrance.
"Just let me do the talking" Natsuki nodded.
The half wolf could notice the weird way in which the trio stared at Shizuru when they exited and recognized the eyes the three of the wore upon their faces were the same eyes she had when she saw her for the first time and knew they were impressed by her beauty. For some reason Shizuru's eyes looked extremely crimson that night.
Night, she hadn't noticed it, but it was already dark.
......................
From the cave had emerged a beautiful sandy brown Setter. Her red eyes shone in the darkness, so did the green ones of the half wolf. She silently prepared for anything.
"So, may we know who you are?" Midori asked the pair with questioning eyes, not wanting them to notice the huge impression the sight of them had caused in her and the two youngsters. The two Akitas stood behind her, trying to do the same as her but without success.
"I'm sorry but for the moment you'll have to make do only with our names. I'm Yukino and this is my guardian Haruka" the Setter said and the Collie thought she saw surprise in the half wolf's eyes. Those weren't their real names.
"SO! Yuki-chan, Haru-chan, follow us, we'll take you to safety"
Mai and Takumi smiled lightly and followed their companion. Yukino and Haruka did the same.
..........................................
As they walked further South, Natsuki was able to smell about a hundred different dogs and rarely a trace of blood. It seemed as if this was a really peaceful community. But she would not let her guard down. She had thought the same thing of Fuka and taking into consideration their current situation, she couldn't have been more wrong.
Shizuru walked next to her. She seemed completely healed but Natsuki knew she was still enduring some pain, she had seen how severe her injuries were and knew they wouldn't heal so easily. Noticing the half wolf was staring at her, the red eyed turned around and smiled at her. For some reason she did not fully understood she smiled back at the Setter.
Midori stopped and so did all the group. The black and white one could feel the eyes of many starring at her and Shizuru. She didn't like them looking that way at the brown furred. She passed her green orbs all over, making sure to catch all the looks in her. Natsuki had really got into that protecting Shizuru thing without really noticing.
"Ichi-kun!" callled the Collie. A white bloodhound, probably albino, approached the group, his eyes fixed on the newcommers.
"Did the trace led you to these two?" he asked, Midori nodded.
"They are Yukino and Haruka" she added.
"An Irish Setter and a... Half wolf I see" he got closer to Shizuru. The green eyed did not like that and moved to intercept him. She stood between the red eyed and the albino, looking straight into the transparent eyes of the bloodhound.
"It's okay, Haruka" said the one who stole the name of Yukino and the alluded one moved next to her. "She doesn't like when others get too close to me"
"I see... I'm Ichiko, leader of this pack, feel welcomed" there seemed to be no evil upon his strange looking eyes, but Natsuki had a doubt that needed to be dissipated
"You are not the Garderobe dogs. Who are you?"
"Pretty smart you are half wolf" he smiled lightly "We are a pack that live in the frontier between Fuka and Garderobe. We are called the Frontier Pack but we call ourselves the Aswald"
............................
"You can stay here. Right now there are no dogs occupying this shelter so don't worry" Mai, the purple eyed Akita had taken them to the living area. A little bit far from the rest, a fact that Natsuki actually really liked, and the cave seemed pretty nice. The green eyed thought that she should have brought the rabbit pelts with her and began to plan when to get new ones.
"Thanks Mai-san" said Shizuru as she entered. The half wolf followed her. The Akita left the two alone after wishing them good night.
The cave was not as cozy or big as the one they shared in Fuka, but it was definitely better than the hole in the snow Natsuki had dug for them. Now they were finally alone, the half wolf couldn't help but to ask her companion about something that had been bothering her for quite a while now.
"Why did you change our names?"
"Ara, I knew that was bothering you" she answered with a teasing tone "I thought they were from Garderobe. My father fought them two years ago and they may know who I am. They may have suspected who I was only because of my breed and my eyes but the name Yukino should have erased that potential danger. Now I know they are not enemies of Fuka perhaps we may tell them who we are in the future."
"But why change my name too?" she was really upset of having been named after that loudmouth but wouldn't allow herself to admit it.
"I wanted Natsuki to be with me in this game. I am sorry for giving you Haruka's name but after Yukino I could only think of that Golden" somehow the Setter had felt the other one was not actually eager to carry that girl's name. "I'm really tired my guardian
The Setter dropped herself over the ground, Natsuki rested herbody as far as she could from her. Shizuru frowned and placed her Crimson orbs on the half wolf's face.
"What is it?" the black and white one asked.
"Won't Natsuki cuddle with me?" the alluded one blushed.
"W-Why should I?" she turned her face to one side to prevent the Setter from notcing her blush. It was obviously too late.
"I thought you said you would protect me"
"I will, but right now I can fulfill my duty from here" Natsuki used her best cold voice to convince the red eyed.
"I want to sleep cuddling with you... Please my Natsuki come closer to me..." a gesture she had never seen upon the other one's face appeared. Her eyes shined as if she was about to cry and the red in them was not penetrating at all. Her ears bent backwards and her chin rested between her paws over the floor. The half wolf's ice melted.
"O-Okay, if it means so much for you Shizuru" trying to prevent all the blood of her body from taking her face in assault, she walked towards the brown furred and rested herself next to her, their bodies lightly touching.
"Ookini, my half wolf" erasing every distance between them, Shizuru cuddled with the creature at her side, their muzzles brushing. She couldn't see the green eyed's face, but knew she was blushing ten shades of red. "Good night"
"G-Good night" Natsuki said.
Their bodies pressed against each other, their faces so close they could feel the other one breathing. The warmth that the brown one's body emanated was nothing compared to the feeling that had taken control of her. Even thought she was seriously embarrassed, she had never felt more comfortable in her entire life. She raised her right front paw and placed it over Shizuru's body, pulling her closer. The half wolf couldn't see the Setter's face but predicted she was smiling.
They both slept deeply the whole night, for some reason not worrying about anything. That night, for the first time, they felt as if only the two of them existed.
.............................
"YUKINO-SAN! HARUKA-SAN!" the voice came to their ears in a scream and both of them quickly stood up and peeked out the cave. The red Akita known as Mai rushed towards them with a worried gesture pasted on her face.
"What's the matter Mai-san?" Shizuru asked with a calm voice, trying to ease the purple eyed.
"We are under attack"
Both Natsuki and Shizuru froze. If they were from Fuka they would recognize them and that would lead to inevitable chaos one way or another. Natsuki stepped fully out of the cave.
"Who are attacking?" she had to ask before she took any action.
"Garderobe"
Not wanting to let their emotions show in that moment both fugitive dogs mentally sighted. The Setter left the cave as well and stood next to the half wolf. She looked straight at her eyes and they both knew they would have to help the Aswald defend themselves. Shizuru intended both of them to go, but the black and white one would not allow such thing.
"Shi...Yukino, you wait here. I will help them out" the green eyed declared with a cold voice.
"But..."
"You are still hurt. I don't want you to expose yourself to more injuries" she spoke as serious as she could. It was not her duty to give the red eyed orders but she felt that getting into a fight with the dogs from Garderobe would be pretty harsh. Also, as Shizuru herself had told her, her father had fought them before and they may be able to recognize her.
"Ara, you are so considerate Haruka. Ok, I will stay here. Don't overdo it" Natsuki understood perfectly what she meant. It would be better if the Aswald dogs were not aware of her full power. She nodded and with a movement from her head indicated the Akita she was ready to leave. They both dashed towards the place of conflict.
Natsuki, when you are not with me I get really lonely. Please return safe to me...
..................................
Midori moved to her left to evade the attack that was launched at her but only ended in a worst situation. Her hind legs sank in soft snow. As she struggled to get them out of the newly dug hole, her neck was caught by a fierce grey Pitbull. The Collie screamed in pain as the other one's fangs pierced through her flesh. Blood began to drip from the injuries in her neck. The grey one pulled up, standing on his hind legs, and smashed Midori's body against the ground.
"ARGHH!!" she let out another cry. Her front leg had crushed against a rock, her bone breaking in half, had separated her skin and was now exposed. The snow around the two dogs was dyed in deep red.
"Midori!!" a blue eyed Border Collie rushed to help the green eyed and hit the Pitbull with a headbutt, causing him to fall over the ground. A drop of blood came out from a wound on her forehead.
"You bitch!" the dog from Garderobe licked a wound on his shoulder-blade and charged at the newcomer with another five dogs. The female stood in a defensive stance in front of her fallen comrade.
"YOUKO MOVE!" the red one screamed with desperation.
And suddenly all five attackers vanished.
In a flash of black and white.
Two of the Garderobe dogs couldn't stand up. Their heads were crashed open against a group of pointy rocks, their brains and blood emanated a horrible smell.
"Midori, are you ok?" Mai got close to the injured one.
"What was that?" the Collie managed to say while the blue eyed inspected her wound.
"That's Haruka-san" they all gazed towards the half wolf as she fought the remaining dogs.
Natsuki was aware that she could not let her full power show, but those guys were really strong. She saw what that Pitbull had done to Midori and, being aware of the long haired's strength she could guess how strong the grey one was.
One of the dogs, a brown doberman, jumped and tried to bite the green eyed's neck. She evaded him easily jumping to one side. The half wolf then charged at her enemy and took his ear between her fangs. With one simple pull she ripped it off.
"ARGH!!" the doberman backed off, screaming in pain. Not satisfied with having taken his ear off, Natsuki rushed towards him and bit his neck. When she was about to bite off his jugular, she felt a pair of fangs piercing her flesh. She moved her green orbs and gazed at the grey Pitbull who had caught grasp of her shoulder-blade, blood dripping between his lips.
"I am a Pitbull, once I bite I don't let go" his voice was deep, with not a single trace of tiredness even though he had been fighting for quite a while. Natsuki smiled and with a quick movement, finished the doberman before turning around to bite the grey one's back.
"Haruka-san!" Mai ran to her and took down the third dog, who was getting ready to lauch an attack. He fell over the pointy rocks that had killed the other two from Garderobe. His head broke in half and a bloody substance emanated from the crack in his skull. Mai had successfully evaded the rocks and rested herself over the snow.
Natsuki was still being bitten by the Pitbull, her grasp on the grey one's back weakening every second, while the one one her shoulderblade never seemed to lose pressure. I'm sorry Shizuru, but if I don't go all out now, I may not be able to go back to you...
The half wolf backflipped, hitting the dog's head against a tree, his fangs began to loose. She repeated the action several times, while the Pitbull cursed her and tried to live up to his reputation. And then it happened. His fangs separated from his gums.
"YOU BITCH!! DAMN Y..." he couldn't finish. The black and white one's jaws closed over his nose. He struggled to release himself from her grasp but was unable to. A few seconds later his body stopped moving and the green eyed finally let go of him. She walked slowly towards the Akita. The red one stood up as the half wolf approached. Both of them then walked together until they were next to the Collie.
No one could say a word.
And then someone did.
"Amazing fighting skills" the voice was old and wise and when Natsuki realized who it belonged to, she smiled. It was Ichiko, the albino bloodhound. "You young half wolf have a very great potential"
She didn't answer him.
"Are you okay Midori?" she asked. The Border Collie was the one that answered, but it wasn't to her that her words were directed.
"I must treat this wound immediately or you will lose that leg. Why must you be so careless?" the forest eyed smiled.
"Sorry Youko"
They all helped carry the injured one and then Natsuki had a chance to ask about the attack.
"How many were there?"
"Not many, about twenty. Most of them ran away, excpet for the ones you killed. It was probably a reconaissance mission. They want to see how strong we are" Ichiko answered with his solemn voice tone.
"Was there anyone injured?" Youko asked. The Border Collie seemed to be the official doctor of the pack.
"No, just Midori"
"Lucky me..."
............................
"Shizuru I'm back" the half wolf's husky voice came to her ears and she could not repress the smile coming to her lips.
"Welcome back, my Natsuki" she walked towards her guardian and began sniffing all her body. The green eyed giggled and blushed.
"What are you doing?"
"I'm seeing if you are hurt. You have a wound on your shoulderblade..." she said and the lightly licked the wound "I don't like you getting hurt" Natsuki blushed over her previous blush.
"Its okay, I'm a fighter after all" she smiled tenderly at the Setter. The red eyed stared at her happily.
"You smiled your true smile"
And then Natsuki realized she actually had. Some force she couldn't resist took possesion of her and her head moved towards the brown one's. The half wolf could not contain the impulse that had taken her hostage, not that she was really trying to. Once close enough to Shizuru's faec her pink tongue brushed her muzzle. The brown one's face turned slightly red.
"You blushed" she said with a teasing and then walked towards the cave "I'm tired, I'm going to rest for a while"
"Mind if I cuddle with you?"
The half wolf didn's answer and Shizuru took that as a positive. She entered the shelter drowning the sudden urge to burst in tears.
愛しています
君が欲しいんだ
あなたが必要です
(this is to see if this can
actually be read in )
Author Notes:
I like this chapter... Well, I don't have much to say except for DAMN THE IB!! Now my classes have started I will not be able to write for a long period of time so excuse my delays. Sorry readers I really love all of you for reading and commenting this story but I will really have a busy year.
PLEASE READ AND REVIEW!
Breed suggestions are still being accepted. The truth is any kind of suggestions are accepted. Smiles.
Notes:
(1) "She opened her eyes and felt her soul falling in her body" ........ It is believed that when one sleep their soul lifts from the body. When you wake up suddenly your soul falls violently in your body many times startling you.