CHAPTER 4

In The Wild

I had finally left. I knew it was a dumb idea, but I had to. I couldn't keep on being "The Soft One", as Mom called me. It was so annoying. I hated every second of being treated like that. Even when I was a pup, I didn't like it.

But, I knew Sensei had taught me some of how to survive. Maybe I should go to Sensei first? Okay, that's what I'll do. I'll go to Sensei first. Do I want advice on where to go? Or do I want advice on how to survive? I think I'll get advice from Sensei about both of these things.

What should I ask Sensei first, though? I think I'll ask him for more advice on surviving in the wild. That would make sense, wouldn't it? I kept thinking about these things when I approached the mountains. I knew I had to choose one, but which?

I turned into my wolf form and climbed the big rocks that were on the mountains. Where would Sensei be at this hour? I tasted the air. No scent of Sensei. I need to keep searching. So, I kept climbing. I wonder what Mom and Yuki are doing right now?, I thought.

I climbed some more. I took a sniff. Yuki? Is she nearby? I could smell Yuki's scent and it was getting stronger. I took a deep sniff. I could smell Sensei! He is not that far. But neither is Yuki. Which way was she going?

"AME!"I heard Yuki's voice. Yuki was dangerously close. Was she in the mountains? How could she have been? I was just there! How is that possible?! I heard a howl. It was Sensei. I wanted to, but I knew I could not howl. That would give me away instantly.

I leaped up a very big rock. I slipped. NO! I went rolling down the mountains. My head hits something. Everything goes black.

I see Yuki. I see Mom. Am I dreaming or confused? How did I end up in the house? I began to cry. What the heck, man? Why am I crying?, I asked myself. Yuki looks at Mom. They say something. I don't hear it.

I try to say something, but nothing comes out. What is going on? How will I get to the mountains now? I blink and I am in a room with Yuki. I try to open my mouth to talk, but nothing comes out. Again.

I look at Yuki. She smiles. I try to frown, but can't. I am forced to smile. I take a look at my surroundings. All that's there is a brown wooden table. Why is that here? I look at Yuki. She rears back, about to hit me.

I try to move, but can't. Yuki slaps me. I go flying across the room. Everything comes at me in slow motion. It feels like an eternity before I slam onto the ground. Yuki punches me. Blood splatters across the floor.

Yuki jerks me up. She punches me with her claws out. Blood was splattered on her hands and claws. Yuki was going to kill me. She grabs me by the shoulder. She slams me on the table. I look up, frozen from shock.

I stare in horror. Mom walks up to me with a knife in hand. "Bye bye, Ame."Mom says.

I jump awake. I am laying on some rocks. I feel my body all over. I am alive. I look up. Sensei stands above my head. I stare, forgetting where I am for a second. Then I remember. I am here to ask Sensei for advice on how to survive and where to go.

I turn to my wolf form. "Hello, Sensei."I say. Sensei growls at me. I look up at him with a worried look. Has Sensei found out what I have done? Why is Sensei so angry with me? Is he angry? Sesei jumps at me. I dodge the blow.

"What is it, Sensei?!"I scream at Sensei.

"Why have you put your mother and sister in such distress?"Sensei asks.

"What do you mean?"I ask.

"Have a look for yourself, Ame. Have a good look around you."Sensei says. So, I do as I was told. I stop, staring hard at Yuki and Mom. I do not know what they are saying. But I knew that for me, it could not be good.