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Hana stirred, her eyes fluttering open as she shifted within her sheets, the room still darkened from the early hours. Some primal instinct within her roused her from the comfort of her dreams, she had never been a light sleeper before, but since becoming a mother, her instincts had become sharper. Days of ease, prioritising herself, and working her part-time job as a student, those days were long over. Now she had a family to consider, small lives who relied on her. The lightest footstep, the uneasiness, always listening for her children, it was as if she had developed some form of superpower. A hidden gift within herself that was unlocked only after she had children. Since moving to the country, the stress of working in the city, and the claustrophobic feeling it came with. She felt as though she could breathe easier, and take her time. While country life still kept her busy, she felt an alleviated burden had been removed. The gentle sounds of the morning chorus filling her ears, the gentle chirps of birds and the rustle of the fields. It brought her a sense of peace she hadn't felt in so long, a sound she rarely ever heard having lived in the city for so long. No longer did the sounds of commuters, traffic and other loud noises start her morning, it wasn't a sound she missed in the slightest.

It was still early, but she had no means of charging her phone for the time being until they continued to set up the home. Without being surrounded by cell towers and the internet, her phone didn't vibrate with notifications like it used to. Being a housewife and stay-at-home mother until the children started to attend school, she had other preoccupations. But she would be searching for work when she was ready. They were still renovating and had only managed the basics, being first-time house owners, there was a lot to do. They still had to thoroughly unpack, declutter, clean and mend the house. Much of the old wood was rotten and needed to be replaced, preventing leaks and other damage. Throwing away any rubbish that had been left to fester, dusting and cleaning as much as possible. Fixing the roof to prevent leaks, preserving old tiling and more. The bath was unused but still worked, as did the boiler. There was so much to do, it was overwhelming, she wondered what sort of people had lived here previously. An elderly couple? A family like themselves? Maybe another young couple. What had their lives been like? The population in their current home was so much smaller, more community. Trying to prepare a garden, removing all the weeds and overgrowth, repairing and restoring what once was. There was plenty of space so they wouldn't get claustrophobic. Giving the children their rooms as they got older. But it kept them busy and they found ways of making it entertaining rather than draining.

She sighed softly, her head was fuzzy with sleep and stress, being a mother was already a full-time job. Being a wife she had to support her children and her husband. Somehow she couldn't seem to shut off her brain. Suddenly, she felt a familiar large arm wrap itself around her, the softness of his fur, the sharper joints. Burying himself closer to her, causing a fond smile to merge. She'd become all too familiar with the ways her mate showed affection. From bumping his nose with hers, be it his muzzle or his human nose, releasing quite whining sounds, and even licking her. The love language of wolves was very different to that of a human.

Ookami lay beside her peacefully, soft snores escaping from his lips. He'd transformed in the night, his hairy human form becoming a ball of fur. She'd become rather used to the habit of him shifting forms unconsciously, a trait he'd passed onto his children. To anyone else, they would wake up shrieking at the sight of a wolf beside them, wondering if they were in some form of nightmare; but not Hana. Instead, her heart was overflowing with fondness, memorising the man she had fallen in love with. His shaggy dark blue and grey pelt, his tussled black hair falling over his long snout and black nose, his snaggle tooth peaking from between his lips. His large paws kneaded at her flesh, claws brushing against soft skin. But he would never hurt her, he wasn't the monstrous beast he was made out to be. His means of showing affection merely differed from that of a human. For all his superhuman strength, for all his primitive instincts and natural weapons, he had never once turned against her. Whenever he was upset, angered or hurt, he would never react around her. He was a naturally mild-mannered person. She was his mate, someone he prioritised, someone he would protect for the rest of his life. He would forage, hunt and protect her. Driving away any predators or threats from their farm. She was the first person to accept him as he was, who showed no fear of him.

Instead, she simply rolled over in her sleep, burying her face against his warm fur, breathing in his familiar scent. He was nothing but an overgrown puppy to her, running her hands across him delicately. Feeling him growl softly in response to her touch, enjoying being touched by her. He was her anchor, whenever she felt restless or uneasy, he would be there.

"Mamaaaa!" Yuki called loudly, her feet pattering on the wooden floorboards. Today was the start of a new day, with all sorts of things to explore and more of the house to fix. She wanted to play, she wanted to eat and she wanted to show her mama all the things she found. She could barely contain the excitement stirring in her small body, she had woken up as she listened to the sound of birds, curious about the newfound nature around them. She could smell all sorts of new things, she could hear lots of new sounds. Before, when they lived in that small flat, they had to sneak out when it was still dark to play in the park. She had to keep a secret, so lots of mean and strange people wouldn't take her away from her mama. But here they had all the privacy and space they wanted. Nobody would invade their privacy, and nobody would complain about the noise. Rushing towards the scent of her mother and father, able to pick up their mixed scents. Slamming open the sliding doors eagerly, her brown eyes wide and eager, entering their room. Her hair still tousled and tangled from sleep, her ears poking out from her head. She hurried towards her parent's bed, barely able to contain herself, nearly throwing herself on the futon "Mama! Papa!" she called loudly.

Ookami's eyes slowly opened, his brown eyes watching his eldest curiously, worried she would wake her baby brother, Ame was still too young to sleep on his own. They had plans to purchase a cot for him, which would be built for when he got older. Ame still needed much more sleep than his sister, due to being so small. Yuki always had so much energy to burn off, when she finally exhausted herself she was out like a light. Hana remained nuzzled against him, but she stirred at the sound of her child, soft sleepy mumbles escaped her lips, still dreaming. He licked her face tenderly, before pulling the sheets over her, lulling her back into sleep. Hana was always awake for the children, putting her sleep schedule into a mess, and leaving her exhausted. Now was his watch, now it was his turn to take care of Yuki. He sat up, acknowledging Yuki, she was bouncing on the heels of her feet as if she was about to explode. He placed a finger to his lips urging Yuki to quieten her voice to not wake her mother.

"What's wrong honey?" he questioned, a yawn escaping his lips, blinking the sleep from his eyes. Did she have a bad dream? Was she hungry? Did she need to use the toilet Perhaps she just wanted a cuddle, she was a very affectionate toddler.

Yuki blinked, briefly confused in her childlike innocence before smiling back at him warmly "Good morning papa" she beamed. From the moment she was born, Yuki had been curious of her father's wolflike appearance, but never afraid of him. Running her fingers through his fur, softly pulling at his ears, and staring at his fangs in awe. When she began to show such attributes herself, she had bombarded her father with questions. Seeing him like this, was just another form, she even giggled about it sometimes.

He softened, admiring her soft brown hair, gentle brown eyes and beaming smile. She was an adorable puppy, and as she grew older she would become a beautiful wolf. She greatly resembled her mother, but in time she would adopt his attributes too. She'd already developed an interest in collecting things, from animal bones, bugs and other harmless things. Though he and Hana saw no harm in it, other children wouldn't see it that way. "Good morning Yuki" he smiled. Yuki was very much an early riser, he felt relieved there was nothing wrong with her. She had merely woken early, eager to greet the morning, unaware of her parents still needing rest.

She peered at the form of her mother, still sleeping soundly, had she not heard her voice? Hana was always at her children's beck and call, making sure they ate, making sure they didn't hurt themselves. Watching them play, ensuring they didn't watch too much television. But Hana had drifted off and taken naps when she was feeding Ame when she was too exhausted. More than once Ookami had placed a blanket over her and taken over nursing his son from a bottle and keeping him comforted. Taking Ame and Yuki on a walk, while he carried Ame in a baby carrier, while Yuki walked beside him, or sometimes rode on his shoulders. Hana woke up to find a note that he had taken the children out so she could have a break. Ookami softly explained that their mama was merely tired and needed rest. Her small face formed into worry, wondering if her mother was feeling unwell "Is mama ok?" she asked.

Ookami reached out to ruffle her hair, assuring her nothing was wrong "Mama just needs to sleep a little longer, but Papa will help you with whatever you need" he reassured her.

Yuki nodded at her brother's sleeping form pressed to her mother's breast, he was still very small so she had to be careful. Sometimes she got lonely without kids her age "I wanna play, but Ame is still sleeping" she pouted. He was still too young to sleep with her in the same room, so she was a big girl who got a room all to herself. But she got bored easily and had nobody else to play with. She'd seen other children when they arrived in the car and she'd overheard them when they walked home from school. But she was still too shy to approach them in person. Maybe when she started school, she could meet other children.

Ookami chuckled, the internal clock of children was truly a strange thing. The sky was still an inky black, darkened blue and tints of lightened hues, the sun had not yet risen and the last few stars were still lingering. Dawn hadn't occurred and sunrise was still yet to occur, but while the world slept, his daughter did not. He empathised with her boredom but now was not the time for playing. Maybe she was still settling into their new home, homesick of their flat back in Tokyo. "It's still early honey, can it wait?" he assured her, if she would rather sleep with them that was perfectly fine. Sometimes children sought the comfort of their parents.

Yuki pouted, her cheeks puffed out as all children do, her eyes turning watery from disappointment. She wasn't tired in the slightest, she didn't want to lay in bed, she didn't want to be lazy. She didn't want to sleep, she had too much energy and her heart was racing. She didn't want to go back to bed, she didn't want to hide in the covers. She wanted to explore the garden, find worms and flowers, she wanted to feel the dirt in her paws.

He sighed, when Yuki sulked she could do so for hours until she got her way. She would bargain, she would coax, she would pout, she would cry until she tired herself out. She had the selfishness of someone expected her age, purely out of naivety rather than genuine malice. She was curious about the world around her and she wanted to learn all she could. All he could do was compromise, appeasing her needs while also setting boundaries. "Let me put Ame with your mother, then we can go and play outside ok? Just don't wander too far it's still dark out" he warned. Ame was still young so he needed to be close to his mother, once he got older he would be in a separate room. Yuki couldn't be trusted on her own, the world was a dangerous place and she was honing her instincts. The last thing he wanted was for her to get lost, she could be hurt and mistaken for a wild animal by a farmer. She didn't know her way around yet, it was his job to keep her safe until she could stand on her own.

Yuki's pout morphed into eagerness, nodding happily as she burst from the room.

Yuki burst through the wild grass, her form hiding in the uneven shrubbery that was still growing around the home. The wet brush dampened her fur, the smells of mud and wet leaves filling her nose. They hadn't yet managed to start maintaining the garden area, no plot for growing vegetables or tending to the endless weeds and so on. There was much to be done since the neglect had been left to fester due to no owners. It was a matter for another day, and there were so many tasks to do. Her fangs bared as her mouth hung open as she panted, excitement filling her system. All the smells and senses around her, wanting to memorise all of them. To roll in the mud, to enjoy the feeling of being wild. Burying her nose into all things, to catch a bird in her teeth, to chase a wild rabbit until she caught it. Her claws delved into fresh dirt, her nose curious of every scent.

Ookami followed close behind her, watching within the shrubbery, keeping his head low. He was more experienced than her in hunting, camouflage and self-preservation. Before he had married Hana, before adapting to the human world. He had learned to survive like this, he had learned how to envelop himself in nature. These were all lessons he would pass on to his young, and their new neighbours were unknowing of their true nature. The last thing they needed was the hysteria of wolves in the area. In case any stray wanderers may pass by and see them. His fatherly instincts were on full alert, making sure Yuki didn't stand on any stray sharp objects and hurt herself. Thinking of all the plants they could grow, the still waiting transformation. Yuki was already settling in well, she was enjoying the newfound life of being a country girl, though she was yet to find a school and make friends. She would soon be of age to start nursery, for play dates, to meet children her age. These were the key socialising years of their developmental stage. Though as a wolf, she would soon be learning to fend for herself and find her pack. Ame was still too young and attached to his mother, trying to find a nursery for him, but being of frail health, it wasn't easy.

"Papa, papa come chase me" Yuki begged, she wanted to run until she ran out of breath. Until her heart was racing and her breath came out like smoke in the air. She loved the adrenaline coursing through her in waves. She wanted to play catch, she wanted to find sticks and chase all manner of creatures.

Ookami smiled, walking towards his daughter and nuzzling her with his nose. He knew she was excited, the urge to learn, to explore and discover. But she was naive, unaware of the dangers, of being discovered. She wasn't aware of making a mistake yet. Both he and Hana had lessons to teach her, as a wolf and a human child. All he wished for, was that she grew up safe, happy and loved by someone, the same way he was by Hana. "It's too early, some people may be wandering around. I don't want to stray too far from your mother" he explained. Hana was still nursing Ame, and she would be watching Yuki like a hawk. The last thing he wanted to do was cause her unnecessary panic.

Yuki blinked, briefly disappointed but accepting. She had hoped for some alone time with her father, to explore the area and forests. But she knew her mother would worry if she went missing. She'd just never lived in such an open area before, with so much space and so much nature around her.

Ookami wouldn't spoil his daughter's fun, there was no need to hurry back inside so soon. But he needed to be watchful in case of any dangers that may come to pass. If anything were to happen to himself or Yuki it would break Hana's heart. The frantic tears and anxiety she had shown that day, during the rainstorm. The gnawing reality that she could have lost him. He never wanted her to feel like that ever again. Hana had already lost so much, he wouldn't make her face that again. "If you want to wander the grounds, stay where I can find you. But no exploring today" he warned. They were still in unfamiliar territory, they hadn't quite bonded with the locals yet.

Yuki relented, she wasn't of age to start school yet, she had nobody to play with and she got so bored. There were so many rules to follow and she didn't like it. She just wanted to have fun "Promise we can, another day?" she asked.

Ookami smiled "I promise"

Hana stirred, her eyes cracking open as the beams of sunshine pierced the crack of her sliding doors, a beam of light creating a line over herself and her son. The sheets wrapped around her like a protective cocoon, shielding her from the spring chill. She felt calm, well rested and refreshed, no alarms to set, no part-time job to worry about, no nosy neighbours. She had no schedule, she had no plans, she had no time limit, and she could just spend her day at leisure. She had peace, space and freedom, wondering why they hadn't moved to the country sooner. She rolled over, stretching and sighing in content, her sleepy limbs cracking. The soft hiccups of her son beside her warmed her heart, roused by the promise of milk and new experiences. She was relieved her children could grow up here, allowed to express themselves. The choice to live as a human or a wolf, rather than having to hide. She turned onto her side, stroking her son's face with her fingers affectionately "Good morning Ame" she soothed. Her son gurgled, his eyes cracking open, his reddish brown eyes focusing on his mother. Before he mumbled sleepily, reaching out for her with small hands.

Hana smiled, sitting up to scoop her son into her arms, pressing him to her chest fondly. The soft baby smell still clinging to him, his delicate skin and tiny features. As she focused on her surroundings, she found the bed empty, her husband nowhere to be seen. A brief curiosity filled her, wondering where he could have gotten to, it wasn't like either of them to wander off. She heard no sound from Yuki either, she couldn't still be sleeping could she? Had she slept in without realising it? Perhaps they had gotten into mischief or decided to spend the morning together. "Shall we find Papa and Yuki?" she suggested fondly, it was time for breakfast and her stomach was growling. She carefully got to her feet, grabbing a cardigan to wrap herself in against the chilly morning air. Searching the house curiously to discover the location of her family. Passing by the small bookshelves they still needed to prepare, the empty wooden kitchen table, and the dirty tiled kitchen sink. The transformation had only begun, but seeing the process was exciting.

Soon, she heard splashing and complaining and some occasional giggles. She had a feeling that she would find her daughter and husband, approaching the bathroom to find her husband wrapped in a towel. Scrubbing their toddler's hair carefully with shampoo, Yuki complained somewhat, while her father washed her, scrubbing at the dirt. Yuki had never liked baths much, perhaps it was her canine instincts or merely her age. But she tolerated it, knowing she needed to be cleaned. She was sure there would be a whole story to this "Good morning, what on earth happened to you two?" she teased fondly. She was sure the story would be an amusing one.

Ookami turned to his wife, seeing her peeking through the bathroom door, holding their infant. It was still early in the morning, but she had at least been able to rest a bit longer. She had been able to sleep peacefully instead of her sleep pattern being disturbed. "Yuki wanted to play in the garden this morning, but she got a bit too excited and forgot about all the mud" Ookami chuckled. When she became too dirty and the sun began to rise, he nudged her back in the direction of home. Making sure to avoid making a mess and dirtying the floors.

Hana laughed in amusement, Yuki was such an energetic toddler, she could imagine Ookami chasing her around before leading her back home. Carefully carrying her inside and away from the bedroom to get her into the bath. Making sure she didn't disturb Hana and attending to chores that needed to be done. She was glad they were finding a way to bond, helping Yuki ease into their new life. She knew Yuki was lonely, there were no girls her age to play with. Though there were local children, Yuki was too shy to approach on her own. While she was busy tending to their son while also acting as a dutiful housewife. Ookami was still easing into his transfer with the company, explaining that he was still setting up their home. They had been very understanding and eased him into his shift pattern as a newbie. She didn't know what she would do without him. "I've got to feed Ame, but I'll get started on breakfast" she promised, he was still breastfeeding, but they were easing him into bottle-feeding. Soon enough he'd be on solids and able to have his nursery. They all needed to eat and start the day, there was so much to be done.

"If you can wait a few minutes, I'll finish up here and give you a hand" Ookami smiled, he didn't want her overwhelming herself, and he loved helping her cook, and memorising her recipes. They would be done shortly, he could get Yuki dressed and then pull on something himself. Then he would let Yuki entertain herself with books or her toys, before getting the table set up. Hana hummed, nodding approvingly before closing the door to give them privacy.

Hana placed some bowls of Kayu in front of her family, having added a bit of egg and seaweed for protein. She would have liked to make eggs and other breakfasts, but they didn't have a lot of ingredients. There were so many mouths to feed and she didn't have the same income she previously had. It was the easiest thing to prepare and didn't create too much mess. It had a high nutritional level which was ideal for Yuki, while Ame was still being bottle-fed. Right now she needed to consider what would create less hassle while they were still settling in. Alongside some miso soup, only three portions as Ame was still too young, Tamagoyaki with cheese, plain bowls of rice, and some healthy portions of grilled fish. And some pickled vegetables.

"I'm sorry the spread isn't bigger" Hana apologised, she had to make do with what they had. She wanted to be able to cook proper meals as she had back in their old home, but while the fridge was running, groceries were expensive, and they didn't have all that much money yet. She could imagine how much worse it would be if she was a single mother. Once Ookami got his first paycheck, once they were better settled, things would begin to work out.

Ookami smiled, she was doing enough, and she was providing for her family. Out here he could hunt undetected, locals would be used to wild animals like foxes and the like. Here he could hunt rabbits and other animals. Being able to find meals in the woods, would lower their bills and still provide food. "It's enough to fill our stomachs" Ookami reassured her. If they managed to get chickens, that would give them free eggs, as well as vegetable patches, taking some weight off the bills. But they could worry about that later.

"Mama's cooking is always yummy" Yuki replied eagerly, spooning her meal eagerly into her mouth, though she had moments of being fussy, she had a ravenous appetite. She would always be drooling as she smelled the cooking process, eagerly watching with wide eyes until it was served up. She would always pester Hana about what was on the meal menu, pouting if it was a food she disliked.

Hana smiled, Yuki had always been an energetic child, which made her appetite healthy. She would need to pack extra snacks and servings in her meals when she started attending school. Warning the teachers of her appetite, in case she stole something from the other children. But she felt relieved knowing Yuki was eating properly and took delight in the recipes she made. "Thank you baby" Hana smiled, spooning the rice porridge into her son's waiting mouth while eating her meal.

Ookami eagerly took bites of the food, while watching Yuki closely and reminding her not to rush while eating. Her meal wouldn't run away, it wasn't alive and she had no reason to eat so quickly. Unlike the wild, where another predator could try and poach her food. She had no reason to guard her meals, as it was impolite and she would give herself a tummy ache. She needed all the energy she could get, she was after all growing, and as a half-wolf, she burned off more energy than a normal human child her age. The calorie deposit was stronger, she needed all that energy to grow and become stronger, which made it difficult to feed all four of them. If he began hunting in the area, bringing home game, such as pheasants, rabbits and more, they could make hotpots. Saving them a lot of money and allowing them to enjoy meals for free.

Hana stared at her bowl reflectively, wondering what she would do to pass the time today. Though it was nice to relax, she didn't want to merely sit around and do nothing. "I think I'll start the process of finishing the kitchen, and see if I can work through these boxes" Hana mused. That way there would be less clutter and easier to maintain, worrying less about keeping things in order and shaping their new home. She had quite forgotten about how much they had packed, and having an organised kitchen would make things smoother. The space and declutter would do them all some good, helping to slowly shape their new home.

"I'll start on the garden, get some of the weeds and grass taken care of. Maybe someone local can help with the vegetable plots" Ookami mused. He was happiest when he was around nature, connecting to his primal roots. He would be able to get it done faster, and he had a higher stamina than Hana so he wouldn't get as exhausted easily. Though he had some basic knowledge, the extent of their garden was out of his depths. He could ask about beginner plants and work his way up from there, maybe he could politely ask some of the locals for help. It would be a great way to blend in with the locals too, and feel less like outsiders. Once the house began to transform along with the garden, they would feel better removing all the weeds and being able to see their drive.

Hana nodded, there was never anything wrong with admitting you needed help, nobody was perfect. She'd lived in the city her whole life so she lacked the necessary green fingers. She could imagine she looked rather foolish, but she was willing to learn. She wanted to have a safe space for her children, she wanted to be able to give them good food. Growing their food from the ground would save them money and give them something to bond over. Working together to cultivate their new home. "I know a lot of the locals are farmers, they might have some pointers". They could help her maintain a garden, give her advice and educate her on how to better her skills. They would save money growing their own and maybe sharing excess stock with the locals. It was a learning experience for everyone.

Ookami's expression hardened, Hana often handled her loneliness, trauma and inner conflicts by hiding them behind a smile. Though he admired her bravery, sometimes it wasn't enough. He didn't want his wife to be heckled and isolated because she was out of her depth. "Just don't let them bully you, some older folks tend to be rather sceptical of young couples. Thinking we can't hack their way of life. We're just inexperienced, we aren't used to a labour-based life" Ookami warned. He was always grateful for his acute wolf hearing, it allowed him insights into secrets when locals thought they were being sneaky. He'd heard some whispers about them already, making fun of the newlyweds, the young folks. Assuming they would pack their bags and return to the city, quitting before they settled. Dragging their kids into the countryside, forcing them to adapt rather than thinking it was for their child's betterment. Calling them students, mocking him for his transfer and taking his family along for the ride. The last thing he wanted was for his children to feel like outsiders, and for his wife to regret her decision to uproot her life. As they got older, Yuki and Ame would need to learn to control their transformation around other people. The world was still a very ignorant place and couldn't understand change or diversity well.

Hana had been nervous about socialising with the neighbours, she was a naturally introverted person. But she needed to find community and find other mothers like herself. She couldn't rely on Ookami for help all the time, she needed to learn to stand on her own. "Well, I've got my pack to protect me, as long as I have you, I have nothing to fear" she smiled.

Ookami wandered down to the local shops, a bag in hand while Yuki followed closely behind, bright-eyed and eager to see more of the village. It was a perfect chance for her to explore and possibly meet some of the local children, whom she could befriend. He knew how lonely she was and how she needed to learn some independence as she got older, but part of him also wanted her to remain his little girl forever. Her nose sniffed the air cautiously, watching the people nearby closely, bashful but friendly, nodding and occasionally waving, but mostly sticking to her father. Once they found the gardening section, she allowed her instincts and curiosity to flourish, helping him to choose seedlings to plant and ask around the locals for potato seedlings and other vegetables. If they had tomatoes, they would be great in salads and other ingredients. The children needed all the nutrients they could get, as they were growing fast. They were somehow incredibly picky at times despite their appetite, if she disliked a food Yuki would refuse to eat her share.

Hana was going to work on clearing more of the house and then starting the process of the garden, they had a long day of work ahead of them. No doubt Hana would be exhausted and ask for a nap later on, she was inexperienced at farming and gardening. But she was resilient, refusing to give up. She wanted to make this work, she wanted to see their home flourish and their new chapter to begin.

"Papa, where are we going?" Yuki asked, they were a long way from the house, they didn't have a car yet but Mama said they were looking into one. So they could commute to school in the future. She didn't understand why they were going into the village, what was so important that they had to leave the house? People were staring at them and she felt uncomfortable.

Ookami averted his gaze to acknowledge Yuki, she was too young to comprehend finances and expenses. That on their current budget and income, they couldn't afford to eat from the local shop all the time. "Yuki, you know how much you like Mama's cooking?" he asked, every dish she made was welcomed with salivating mouths and growling stomachs. Hana was a wonderful wife and mother, her recipes always had love and care put into them, and he always enjoyed every dish she brought to the table.

Yuki nodded, she always remembered Yuki's favourite dishes and loved to surprise her with them. She wished she could eat them all the time but Mama said it wasn't healthy "Mama's the best cook in the whole world" she smiled.

He would pick up as many extra shifts as he could within reason, to make more money. But he had his limits, even he as a wolfman could become exhausted. Providing for his family would overexert him. "Well, mama works from home and Papa is the provider, so we don't make a lot of money including benefits. So if we grow our plants, we can save money" he explained. He was aware that his, Yuki and Ame's appetite compared to Hana's burned a hole in their wallets. They ate more than she did and burned off more energy, as a result, food shops got expensive. And feeding four people on just one salary was a lot of money, until Hana was able to get a job, they would be better off growing their food. Growing a garden would teach the kids some routine and responsibility, it would bring awareness and empathy. They would learn to respect nature and learn how to cultivate a garden. Teaching them some valuable life lessons as a result.

Yuki's expression formed to worry, she knew her parents had secrets they shielded herself and Ame from. Like the day daddy almost didn't come home on the day a rainstorm hit. She knew their move had something to do with keeping Papa safe, but now it felt like they were protecting them from something else "Are we poor?" she asked.

Ookami shook his head "No baby, we aren't poor, but we don't make a lot of money. We won't be homeless but we need to be aware of income and finances. So we're growing our food" he explained. They had income support as a married couple, thanks to his job, but also the almost accident that happened. He worked hard to ensure his family was provided for, and Hana made sure her children were educated on their parentage. As both a human and a wolf.

Yuki had no idea about gardening and growing things, but the grown-ups made it look easy "Can me and Ame help?" she asked. She thought about all the plants they would grow, she loved strawberries, but they didn't have any pots for them. She would be so excited when they got to collect the plants and harvest all the tasty treats.

Ookami imagined her in gardening wellies, a small hat and dungarees, her nose poking through plants and cheekily sneaking treats. She would be a good little helper and place all their harvest into boxes and crates. Ame would be riding his parents back on a sling, supporting in his way. "Of course you can, you're our little helpers" he smiled, the children needed to learn how to take care of each other and themselves. Valuable lessons learned here that they would take into their adulthood.

"Yaaay!" Yuki squealed

Ookami mused over varying seedlings, potatoes, tomatoes and of course some strawberry plants for Yuki. Remembering the delighted face she wore when she saw their white flowers and small buds. How could he say no to her when she made a face like that? He worried about roaming wild animals and maybe birds stealing their plants, but they would smell the wolves and wouldn't roam close to danger. The benefit of being recognised by other animals meant they could live in relative peace, compared to other locals who had chickens stolen by foxes, other animals stealing their fruits and more. It was an inside secret that nobody else would be aware of. He considered chickens but with Yuki's prey drive she would stress them out, and what would happen if they considered eating them? How would they explain that? It was best to avoid that sort of gossip. So they could just as neighbours for fresh eggs. Maybe some carrots too? What would be easiest to grow for first-timers and maintain a regular harvest?

"My, my if it isn't Mr Suzuki" a voice replied, he and his family had just moved in. Everyone had heard about it but nobody knew what they looked like in person. It was easy to tell strangers from locals in a small village.

Ookami turned, surprised to see one of his elder neighbours Mrs Nirasaki approaching, she was a middle-aged woman, with black hair and a very friendly nature. They hadn't had time to meet anyone yet, due to unpacking, cleaning and more. They were both too exhausted to consider being sociable with anyone. He had meant to somehow introduce himself via letters or some other form of greeting. Yuki clung to her father's leg, hiding behind him bashfully upon the stranger approaching.

Mrs Nirasaki nodded at his small hoard of shopping, compared to the city, the prices here were a lot bigger. Everyone was used to farming rather than having to rely on mass-produced food. It was often a shock for people used to living in the city "Are you out buying food? That's got to be expensive". Feeding small children too, they had to make their money stretch. They were still newbies in the village, still renovating the old house, with all that rotten wood, dirt and more, they had their work ahead of them.

Ookami scratched the back of his head shyly, similar to how a dog acted around new people. This woman didn't seem intimidating or threatening at all, but first impressions were key. He didn't want to come across as the deadbeat husband who made his wife do all the housework. Nor did he want to appear to be the negligent workaholic husband either. "Hana is busy clearing the garden and sorting through the rest of our boxes. I'm looking for seedlings and potted plants" he explained.

She gasped, a garden that big would be rife with weeds and overgrown mass, doing that all alone? They would have their hands full trying to sort it all. But it was sweet they were working as a team. "Well, why didn'tcha say sooner? Many of us are farm folk, we could help ya out" she smiled. They would know what was healthy plant life vs weeds, what should be hacked and what should be trimmed. They didn't need to be shy about asking for help, everyone relied on each other around here.

"Hana was going to ask but she's a shy person, she's been like that ever since we met. I was out with Yuki anyway and she loves strawberries" he explained. She often came across as dimwitted, useless or rude due to misunderstandings. Hana was used to her own company and smiling in the face of adversity. When it came to their new neighbours, she was too flustered to even say hello. She would need time to expose herself and become comfortable, but by speaking about her to neighbours, they would know what to expect. And at least it would be good gossip.

Mrs Nirasaki smiled, being a shy person in such a small village would both be a blessing and a curse. Having privacy and alone time, while also knowing you would need to say hello at some point. How nice it had to be to have such a supportive husband to help with social anxiety "Well isn't she a cutie". "If you'd like some help, I'm more than happy to help you find some plants. If we have spares I can bring some over in the truck" she offered.

Ookami perked up, free plants? That would already save them so much money as it was. He couldn't thank this woman enough. It was amazing what small talk with strangers could do. He'd already made friends and an ally in this village, so they wouldn't be alone. He knew Yuki would get sleepy on the way back so he wouldn't have to carry it all by himself "I don't want to be a hassle" he apologised.

Mrs Nirasaki waved her hand, brushing off his worries "Nonsense, you're a young couple. Ain't much of you around here, and with your kids to feed. You'll need all the help you can get" she smiled. Many young families struggled, and many of the schools required buses and cars as transport. Many people had grown up around one another so plenty were childhood friends, looking out for one another. Outsiders weren't as welcome due to being strangers, but once familiar and comfortable, they became like family. Everyone looked out for their own around here.

"It would certainly be appreciated, I work as a delivery man, but Hana won't be working until the kids start school" he smiled awkwardly. Compared to bigger companies he had wondered what kind of work would be offered. But if everyone was a farmer, he had a feeling that mostly produce and other things would keep him busy. But he could help with the local schools and other businesses that required assistance.

Mrs Nirasaki gasped "Well, you'll be able to find plenty of work out here, it's always appreciated. There are some young mums local, but they keep to themselves. I'm sure some playdates can be sorted out. If you ever need help just ask". Delivery men were always appreciated, be it moving livestock, helping with deliveries of fresh produce, helping the local schools and more. There was always some form of delivery around here.

"This is much appreciated" Ookami replied gratefully, gazing out of the window, he never expected today to have so many adventures. This was supposed to be a simple visit to the shop. They'd managed to get the tomatoes, a small pack for a decent price, potato seedlings from Mrs Nirasaki, Yuki's strawberries, a fresh batch of eggs from Nirasaki, and some leftover vegetables from a fresh crop too. And they'd had enough money to even get meat. They would be eating well for a while, she'd saved them a very expensive food bill so they still had money to stretch out. Yuki gazed out of the window while sitting on her father's lap.

"It's no bother, it's a long way with all this stuff. Plus if you need help again we know where to find you" Mrs Nirasaki laughed. "So is it just this little one or are you expecting more?" she asked, nodding at Yuki. During blackouts, storms, and other accidents and occurrences, it was good to have familiar faces you could contact. She would write down their number too in case he needed to contact them, that way he wouldn't have to ask half the locals.

"Yuki is our eldest, she's just turned four years old. Then we have our youngest Ame, he's soon turning a year old" Ookami explained. One being a toddler and the other still being a newborn, they were at very different stages and yet somehow both a handful. Ame was quieter, slept soundly and just had an appetite. Yuki was loud, had a big personality and was very curious. He did worry about them fitting in at school, and whether their animal instincts would be triggered.

"My, they must be a lot of energy to deal with, so curious about the world and a lot of feelings to show. But they'll have plenty of exploration around here" she chuckled

"Yuki's of that curious age but we always ensure she doesn't wander off, Ame's clinging to his mother still. But we hope they'll make friends with other local children, or just find themselves out here" Ookami reflected. He wanted them to know they were normal, that they could find their place in the world. They would find people who accepted and loved them like he had Hana. Yuki had many odd habits girls her age would find strange, and boys would tease her about it. Yuki was the sensitive quiet type and most boys were teased for such a thing.

Mrs Nirasaki's expression became concerned "You get much bother in the city? I know a lot of them can be rather stuck up, a lot of hustle and bustle. Anyone gives you trouble, let me know" she warned. Being a working father meant he wouldn't always be home and often exhausted when he did get home. A wife alone for long periods meant that she would be subject to bullying and ostracism. Assuming affairs, marriage trouble and other reasons. Around here, many people had manual labour jobs, worked as teachers and more, everyone was familiar with one another. Working long hours, and noticing the small things, wasn't uncommon.

Ookami shifted "Back when we lived in Tokyo, one stormy night I nearly got into a car accident, Hana was beside herself with worry. When I finally came home after she assumed the worst, she was in hysterics. We decided to move to the country as a result. The neighbours were rather harsh due to the kids being energetic and loud. Due to Ame's weak disposition, he would cry a lot in the night. Which neighbours complained about" he explained. He'd come home to have snooty neighbours waiting for him, whining that his son's distress was causing them bother. They would bully Hana when he wasn't home, guilt-tripping her. Soon he grew tired of his wife's anxiety, isolation and his children being forced to hide. But the breaking point was seeing Hana so visibly broken, frantic, knowing he couldn't leave her alone in the world.

Mrs Nirasaki gasped "You poor thing, that must have been a hell of a fright for you both. And being such new parents too, I can't imagine. We don't get many accidents to that extent out here, mostly landslides, and occasional poor weather, but nothing to that extreme. Everyone supports one another, childcare, last-minute help, helping with remedies. Some people are too judgemental it's disgraceful" she scolded. No wonder Hana was so nervous after experiencing such a thing, she'd nearly lost her spouse to a truly traumatic experience. She'd been so traumatised, she'd uprooted her whole life and was adjusting after the near accident.

Hana came towards the porch, carrying Ame in her arms, to her surprise an unfamiliar car with her husband and daughter approached. She gently rocked her son in her arms to soothe him. Yuki burst from the car to eagerly approach her mother "Mama!" she called brightly. Hana breathed a sigh of relief, welcoming her daughter affectionately, before slowly getting to her feet again. They'd been gone for a while which had made her nervous, given Ookami had one of their children with him, she had two people to worry about.

Mrs Nirasaki smiled "You must be Mrs Suzuki, I've heard all about you" she chuckled. She wondered if the baby had woken up from their nap while Mr Suzuki was absent. She saw the look of relief on her face as they appeared, after hearing about the accident from her husband. She could imagine all the thoughts filling the poor woman's mind.

"I hope we didn't put you to any bother?" Hana apologised quickly, she had hoped to meet the neighbours soon but not under these circumstances. Anything could have happened while they were gone, offered a ride home? Maybe gotten lost? Was there too much to carry? Had Yuki thrown a tantrum? She hoped Ookami would fill her in later about what had transpired.

"Oh don't pay it any mind, I offered. Your husband and daughter were such sweethearts I couldn't help but offer a hand" Mrs Nirasaki beamed. She could sense the worry in Hana's tone, Ookami hadn't been lying when he said Hana was bullied by neighbours. The way she so quickly apologised and took responsibility, even when she had done nothing wrong. The poor thing must have been busy pottering around and preparing the house while laying their son down for a nap. She hadn't been expecting visitors and must have panicked.

Ookami approached, giving Hana an affectionate nuzzle, and kissing her cheek fondly. Reassuring her as he always did when she was anxious. He reminded himself to send her to soak in the tub by herself while he made dinner tonight. "She gave us a bunch of vegetable sprouts, extra crop and such. She's going to send her father and other friends to help us out" Ookami smiled. Hana would appreciate the extra help and more would get done, and knowing Hana wouldn't be alone was a relief for him.

Hana gasped, the house was so large and the extra help would be appreciated, but she didn't want to bother the neighbours too much. But she truly was out of her depth with the garden area. "That's so kind of you, we're not much of gardeners as you can tell" she joked. She had kept some small plants in jars, but she wasn't used to such vast fields and hands-on labour. She probably looked so foolish buying a country house with no prior experience.

"Everyone's a beginner somehow, don't you worry about it. You'll get the hang of it eventually, but starting with small plants is a better idea, you'll get plenty of potatoes once they sprout, however," Mrs Nirasaki laughed. Everyone shared crops, be it extra eggs, potatoes, rice and more, everyone had way too much produce left over that they didn't sell. No doubt Hana would be sharing some of her stocks with others, given she wasn't in the selling trade. She would have more food than she knew what to do with eventually.

"We'll have to send you some as thank you" Hana laughed, she would feel better doing so, she didn't know how else to thank them. With strawberries, she could make some form of jam, tart or cake, and invite some locals to tea. After such kindness, she would feel bad if she never returned the favour.

"She really is a sweetheart" Mrs Nirasaki chuckled, patting Ookami on the back "If you folks need anything, please don't be a stranger, Dad can be rather intimidating but he's a softy".

Hana sighed, pouring herself a cup of tea, placing one in front of Ookami, Mrs Nirasaki and making sure Ame was laid down for a nap with his sister. Yuki had tired herself out on her adventure with her father, it was getting warmer in the afternoon and the heat had exhausted the last of her energy. Putting a four-year-old down for a nap wasn't an easy task but she managed it. This was the brief respite of quiet she and Ookami got to themselves while their children rested.

Mrs Nirasaki's gaze wandered around the room, taking in all the changes. For one afternoon she had certainly accomplished more than she would have assumed, she was certainly a homemaker. She'd put a lot of care and consideration into restoring the home. Most would have replaced it with a more modern interior, ruining the older design. It had the homely feel of a young family, while also keeping the original restoration. "You've done a wonderful job so far, I barely recognise the place".

Hana blushed with pride, the tiling in the kitchen was truly beautiful, and how this place had been left to rot mystified her. The blue tiling reminded her of the shellac of nail polish or mother of pearl almost. The sheen, delicate colours and stone-like shapes were beautiful. It was hard to tell if the resin used had covered glass or ceramic, the sink still needed polishing of most of the dirt and rebuffing. The sliding doors needed some repairs with wood cleaning and paper, the table was useable, and she had found a box of bulbs and some candles. She'd found baskets, buckets and wooden tubs, she still had a lot of dusting to do but progress was being made. "I think the roof has some leaks and the floor is rather old. But it's cleaned up pretty well" Hana reflected.

Mrs Nirasaki gasped, worry forming on her face, that was a lot to take on herself. Especially if you had no experience in craftmanship or tradesman work. The right kind of wood, nails and more. "You should have mentioned earlier, I know there are a few handymen in the village, I'll send someone over. Can't have you or the kids falling through the floor can we?" Mrs Nirasaki replied. It would barely take an afternoon and many would do the job for free, saving them money. They'd helped out the local schools enough times.

Hana sighed in relief, she would feel safer having wood replaced and worrying less over leaks. And she didn't want to unnecessarily replace something that didn't need mending. Though she needed to learn some minor repair work and useful hacks, there were some things left best to professionals. "That would be so helpful, I honestly feel at a loss sometimes. Even Ookami isn't entirely a handyman either" she laughed.

"There's a lot of pressure on you young folks, we forget sometimes that repair work isn't installed into you like it was our generation. Asking for help isn't a bad thing" Mrs Nirasaki smiled apologetically. Many young people worked in medicine, offices, teaching and more modern forms of work. Many other careers were becoming outdated or a last resort. It was strange seeing so many old traditions being phased out of modern life. It was nice to have new people moving in and keeping tradesmen in business.

Ookami reached out to squeeze Hana's hand "Hana does all the housework, cleaning and cooking. I was raised in the country briefly with my family before I relocated to the city to study. I love helping in the garden but even I can be useless sometimes". He was a keen hunter and forager, he knew how to find meals, prey and protect his family. He knew poisonous plants and other matter, where it mattered. But there were some things he wasn't taught to do.

'It's good you communicate and support one another, you'll need each other during the settling-in period. But please never feel like a stranger" Mrs Nirasaki smiled. Communication was key in any relationship, including marriage, and soon you developed psychic conversations. Understanding patterns and habits from memory. However, the early stages of a marriage vastly differed from the early courtship stages. If they ever hit trouble or needed help, asking for outside help was always welcomed.

"Thank you, we'll bear that in mind" Hana responded gratefully.

"The view of the mountains and the forest is truly amazing, but I bet the storms are chaos out here" Hana reflected. There would be a lot of wild foods they could forage on to save money. She was sure the locals also had the hobby of doing so, but she would need to ask around or maybe find books. The last thing she wanted was to accidentally poison her husband and children with inedible mushrooms. But the image of this place would remain burned in her memory, her soul felt at peace for the first time in a long time. She'd never seen them up so close before, merely in pictures or nature reserves. To live so close to nature, was an entirely different feeling, humbling almost.

She sighed pleasantly as the hot water soaked her skin, the children were still asleep soundly but she and Ookami had sneaked away for a hot bath. She remembered all the leisure she took for granted upon being a student, all the things she never seemed to have time for these days. The endless cleaning of the house, unpacking, moving and fixing the house to become more liveable. She'd become so fixated on tasks she hadn't realised how much time had passed, she hadn't realised how exhausted she was. It wasn't until Ookami became firmer that she realised he was worried about her. He was gently coaxing her into resting.

"If you're prepared, you can weather just about anything. The roads and such should be a hassle, but most houses out here have shutters and more built-in for that" Ookami assured her. Country folk would be used to such matters and would warn them of any precautions to take. All they could do was take it one step at a time, slowly acclimatising to the world around them. Developing their new life in their own way, learning from mistakes. City life was adapted to hustle and bustle, while country life was calmer but still busy.

"We should explore as much as we can, get used to the place. Maybe even get some bikes as the kids get older so they can get to school or travel" Hana mused. She wanted her children to adapt to their new home, to memorise it, so they never got lost. If they ever strayed they could find their way home again. This was a new adventure for all of them, this was where they would raise their children as they grew and changed. She wanted them to breathe different air, have different values, connected to both their identities. To choose to be a wolf or choose humanity.

"Thinking ahead are we?" Ookami teased, he knew human puberty vs wolf puberty were different, something he was prepared for but Hana was not. It was unknown territory, but he would support her through all the changes. They would attend human school while learning all about their wolf heritage, choosing which world made them more comfortable. It was something Hana was scared of, losing her children, and saying goodbye.

Hana laughed "I can't help but imagine our future, it's so much more peaceful here. We don't have to hide, you don't have to hide". They could wander around as wolves, be mistaken as husky dogs or just stray animals. She wouldn't be suspected, harassed or ostracised, they could be peaceful here. Ookami was back in his roots, where he was raised and grew up, something he could teach their children. She could find work without overloading herself, Ookami could find balance. A weight was alleviated from both of them. She couldn't imagine doing this all alone, buying a new house, trying to adjust all alone, doing what she felt was right.

Ookami wrapped his arms around her "I know you were scared about fitting in, about being harassed again" he reflected. She was scared of making a bad impression, being the weak one out. She wanted to be a doting wife while also having her individuality. She needed to be kind to herself, she needed to breathe, it would be different. The people here were kinder, they weren't as judgemental, he could sense no malice from them.

"I'm not good at confrontations" Hana admitted sheepishly if she was late to class if she was scolded by the teachers. The gossip that followed her around was relentless, the whispers, the jokes, the rumours. She had never been the kind of person to speak up, she had never found her voice. She was no weakling, but she hated involving herself in situations she could easily avoid. But she was slowly finding the courage within herself, to speak her mind better and become more confident.

"If you ever get into bother with other parents, if you ever need help. I need to know you'll have support when I'm not around" he mumbled. Once the kids were attending school, then it would pile up. They would be different from other kids, they would need to protect them. Even the smallest incident could blow up. If the kids became overwhelmed, transformed, or something else. Hana would have to handle that alone if he was busy working or delayed. He would be keeping tabs on other parents, just to ensure none of them bullied Hana passively or outwardly. He wanted to know someone would be in Hana's corner that wasn't just comprised of him. Mrs Nirasaki had been so kind, having her watching out for Hana would be a relief, so she wasn't ganged up on and isolated. An older woman who wouldn't tolerate any venomous behaviour.

Hana leaned against his chest, feeling the low growl emitting from it, his protective nature was on full display. She still remembered the night he transformed in front of her for the first time, revealing his features. The first night in which she gave him her virginity.

Ookami was not an aggressive or violent person, but he showed his dominance and protectiveness in other means. A wolf protecting his pack from outside threats, warding off danger. But what about when the children started to attend school? As they got older they would still need their parents, just in different ways. What about when Hana had to work and he wasn't around? He didn't want people to think they could take advantage of his absence to bully her.

Hana blushed, she could sense the shift in his tone and language. It was subtle but she had learned to recognise it, the way his eyes shifted from a sense of calm to a darkened primitive glance, the sharpened rage and fixation. The soft gruff tone in his voice became harsher and more passive-aggressive. His shoulders and back would arch, similar to when a dog's heckles would form when being protective. He was thinking like a wolf, watching for preemptive danger, warning signs of threats, warding off those that would harm his mate and puppies. Mrs Nirasaki had proven herself to be a trustworthy person, she had offered moral support and community. She would send people to help fix their house and welcome Hana into their home. But she was just one of many faces in the village, if anyone were to harm Hana, they would be the first person to see Ookami's intimidating nature. She leaned towards him, turning her head to kiss his cheek, feeling him settle under the gesture "It would be nice to meet some other younger mothers, and maybe find some playdates for Yuki and Ame. We should be able to find nurseries for Yuki, though Ame is still too young" she mused.

Ookami relaxed as she kissed him, his rage dissipated while he continued to hold her closely "Give it time to settle, but we can always ask around" Ookami reminded her. Sometimes he just wanted Hana all to himself, though he adored her as the mother of his pups. He did often crave her special attention. But he couldn't help feeling a little jealous occasionally. To back when they first met and it was just the two of them. He was never happier than the moment he let Hana in, when he formed a life with her. There was no reason to rush, no rational explanation to panic, the future was still blurry and their days were still early. Many memories were to be made, this was just the first chapter of their new life.