Post by Siren on Sept 3, 2008 19:41:54 GMT -7
~Prologue~
Saya ran forward, not daring to stop for fear of being caught. The humans were right behind her, intent on making her their slave. She looked back again, crying out as she realized that she hadn't gotten any farther ahead of them. She turned her white muzzle ahead again, and tried to put on a burst of speed, but she was so tired. There was no way she was going to escape this time.
She spotted an alley ahead of her, and in one last attempt to get free of her pursuers, she turned into it, looking behind her to see if the humans had noticed her change in route. With her attention behind her, she didn't notice the leg trap that was set up just at the entrance to the alley. She howled in pain as her front left paw was caught between the metal fangs of the trap. She whimpered, knowing that she would soon be caught when she noticed a shelter at the edge of the alley. Creeping forwards, her leg still caught in the trap, she peered inside. It looked as if no one had been there for ages, but the smell of it made her wary. Beggars can't be choosers.. she thought, disgruntled, and limped inside to hide. She sat still as she listened to the sounds of the advancing humans. She was still unsure if they had seen her detour, though usually their eyes weren't as good as hers.
"Which way did she go, Bill?" she heard one yell, and the one named Bill responded that he didn't know. It appeared as if she had given them the slip, and she waited for the sounds of their footsteps to disappear. She sat still for an hour, her legs getting stiff and her left forepaw void of any feeling. There weren't any more human sounds when she started trying to release herself. The primitive trap was easy to escape, but it had crushed her wrist bones. In her human form at least, it didn't hurt so much.
She stood up, her blonde hair whipping behind her with her red scarf. It was beginning to snow, and soon the ground would be covered in the cold, white stuff. She had to keep moving, to keep away from the humans, and to keep warm. She didn't like staying in her human form, but it seemed that it would be useful in more than one way that night.
~Chapter 1~
Creeping to the end of the alley, she peered out to make sure that there were no humans and then turned the way she had come from. She had caught a scent earlier, more wolves, she was sure, but she hadn't seen any others like her in a long time. She was beginning to lose hope in ever finding what her soul was looking for, and she wished she knew what it was. Sighing she continued walking towards the area she had just left. It had had the strongest scent of wolf, and it was making her curious.
The look of the area changed. The buildings in front of her were in a state of disrepair, a mass of brick and metal pipes, and those behind her were all stone. The change made little difference to her though, and she continued forwards, hopping agilely down a set of steps that seemed to be the town's main street. She looked from side to side, paying attention only to what was in front of her.
Suddenly she heard a noise, and in front of her, a boy about her age, with jet black hair and curious looking grey eyes walked out of an old building. She could tell he was a wolf, and he changed before her eyes into a black wolf. He crept forwards, watching her suspiciously, and she sat down on the step to show that she wouldn't harm him. It was strange, but she knew that for some reason, he couldn't tell that she was like him.
"Do you need help?" Saya heard him ask as he shifted back to his human form. He seemed to sense her distress, but he couldn't see that she had a broken wrist.
"I'm looking for something, but I don't know what it is." she replied. He tilted his head in curiosity. "I need somewhere to rest, I've been running for a while. Do you know of a place that I'd be safe?" Saya watched the wolf boy's eyes light up as he smiled kindly at her.
"You can rest in my den. A couple of my pack-mates sleep there too... but i'm sure they won't mind you staying for one night." he replied, his form trembling in excitement. He reached out for her hand, then hesitated. "My name is Kito." he said, holding his hand out politely.
Saya took his hand and shook it, replying "my name is Saya. Thank you for offering me lodgings in your den. Do you want anything in return? I have.. some money and a little food.."
He shook his head in answer. "I can't take that from you. You need it for later. Save your food, too, I can give you that as well." His generosity was astonishing to her. Wordlessly she followed him as he navigated the streets and alleys of the seemingly deserted town. 'I must be able to offer him something..' she thought as they walked. It was only a few minutes before he stopped her. He turned towards her, looking at her contemplatively for a moment, and then turned toward a small opening. "Ladies first." he said, holding his hand out to the opening. She nodded and entered as he bid her.
She entered cautiously, aware of the scent of others in the room. As she straightened, she looked around. The room was small and cozy and the main piece of furniture in it was a black leather sofa. From the sofa, a large russet wolf looked up, his dark eyes glaring at her. He was standing in an instant, and she froze, eyes open as she recognized the intent to attack. On her right, another wolf, brown, stood up, this one growling. Kito followed her through the entrance cheerfully, and looked up in surprise as he heard his den mate's growl.
"Its okay guys. She isn't an intruder." he said, raising his hands in a signal to stop. He stepped in front of her, just in case they didn't respond to his assurances. "This is Saya, guys. She just needs a place to rest the night. You can clean up in there." he turned and pointed to the door behind the brown wolf.
Saya glanced at the russet wolf, holding her eyes there for a moment as she noticed he had fazed into his human form. He was defiant, with dark brown eyes and black hair. Just behind him, Saya noticed that a window had been borded over.
"She doesn't belong here." he growled at Kito, who's demeaner hadn't changed. He still stood cheerfully, but protectively between him and her. The brown wolf had changed as well, and Saya looked over at her as she spoke.
"Oh, come on, Chi-an. She's cute. We could keep her as a pet!" She looked excited at the prospect. "My name is Kira, by the way." she said smiling. She had red hair and green eyes. She stepped sideways and pointed towards the door that Kito had mentioned.
Kito turned towards Saya. "You did say that you didn't know the identity of the object you were looking for. Perhaps you should stay here for a few days, to recuperate. I mean, if you don't have a time limit for finding the object of your search?" he offered.
Saya didn't know what to say. She didn't know if there was a time limit, though she noticed that it didn't feel as urgent anymore."Thank you. That would help me alot." she replied, deciding to take the offer. "But what about your pack? will they mind?"
"Of course they will." Chi-an stated, still looking at her angrily, "and I intend to tell them right now."
Kito looked at him. Clearly this news upset him. "Chi-an, don't do that. This is my den, and I'll share it with who i wish." Chi-an understood the threat that had been in Kito's words and sat down, defeated.
"Fine. I won't say anything, but I can't promise that they won't find out anyway." he said. He changed back to a wolf and layed down to sleep again.
Kito's attention returned to Saya and he smiled again. "So, you want to clean up now?" he asked cheerfully.
~Chapter 2~
After spending a few minutes in front of a broken mirror, washing the dirt from her face, she turned to her wrist. The wound had gotten a little dirty since she'd pried the trap loose. She looked down at the supplies that were piled along the counter and picked up a roll of bandage. As soon as her wound was clean, she would wrap it, though she'd have to do it carefully so that she could hide it from Kito and his den-mates.
"hey, Saya, do you like beef stew?" she heard Kira's voice through the door.
"Yes, thank you." she replied, and turned on the tap again. She washed her wound carefully, to prevent infection, and then wrapped the white bandages around it. When she was done attaching the bandage, she pulled on her coat, the long sleeves hiding her wound, and turned to the door. She felt refreshed as she left the room, though she was tired.
"Wow, much better." Kito commented when she appeared, smiling as always. He was leaned against a wall in his human form as he ate a bowl of stew that smelled delicious.
"I agree." she replied, smiling back. He pointed towards a bowl and she picked it up and started eating.
"You can sit down, you know." he said. Blushing she sat where the bowl had been set at a table.
"Where did Kira and Chi-an go?" Saya asked, noticing the absense of the other wolves.
"They went to a pack meeting. Kira said she would let my father know I wouldn't be attending this one. Besides, they'll fill me in when they get back. My father doesn't need to know why i'm not coming and its not like i'll be absent from very many." he replied, justifying himself before she could object.
"will your father be angry?" she asked cautiously.
"Maybe, but i've missed some before. He's the Pack leader, and if he really wanted to, he could order me not to miss any." Saya looked up in surprise as he said that he was the son of the pack leader. She was astonished that he would defy the pack leader even more when she knew their relationship. "Is it good?" he asked, pointing at her stew and looking at her anxiously.
"Yes, thank you. It's very good." she replied, smiling.
He smiled happily, and said, "I made it. I just hoped... that you would like it. I wasn't sure.."
She put her hand up to stop him. "Don't worry. I'll eat anything you give me. I'm not picky." she explained, smiling.
He sighed in relief. "Okay. I just wasn't sure what you would eat.." Saya looked at him, deep in thought. It seemed that he still believed she was human. She wondered why he couldn't tell she was a wolf.
She finished eating as she was thinking, and looked around, there only seemed to be one place to sleep. "Where do you want me to sleep?" she asked, looking up at Kito.
"On the sofa. We can all sleep on the floor." he replied.
Remembering that Chi-an had been sleeping there, she looked up to protest,"but what about.."
Kito didn't let her finish. "Chi-an won't mind. He knows the terms of his staying here." he told her.
She still didn't feel right about it, but she didn't argue anymore. She was really tired, so she stood up and walked over to the sofa and layed down. It would be difficult for her not to change back into a wolf, but she was determined to keep them thinking she was human. She closed her eyes and fell asleep quickly.
***
When Saya awoke, Kito was laying on the floor in front of the sofa as a black wolf. The russet and brown wolves were curled up together across the room. The room was still lit as it had been when she had arrived, by a single lightbulb in the middle of the ceiling. She turned onto her side, to get more comfortable and Kito lifted his head, alert at once.
"Oh.. i'm sorry." Saya said, apologizing for waking him up.
"No, its alright." he said after he'd stood and changed to his human form. "I wasn't really sleeping anyway. I've been awake for a while. How was your sleep?"
Saya sat up and Kito sat down next to her, and leaned back calmly. "I slept well." she said, leaving out that her wrist had been pulsing all night with pain. They still didn't know that she was injured, and she wanted to keep it that way.
"Good. Are you hungry?" Kito asked. His voice sounded a little haggard, like he was upset about something. She nodded in reply and he stood up. She noticed that his step didn't have any of the usual bounce in it that morning.
"Is something wrong, Kito?" Saya asked. He looked at her, his eyes showing that he wasn't sure whether to tell her or not.
"No. Everything's fine." he replied, smiling at her, though his eyes didn't show any happiness in them. After a minute he brought her another bowl of stew and a spoon.
"Thank you." she said as he sat down again. He leaned forwards and put his head in his hands as she took a bite. "Are you sure that there's nothing wrong?" she turned her head towards him.
He sighed. "I wasn't being entirely truthful. There's been new development on the fate of our pack. We were told that we were doomed a while back, and well, no one took it seriously. We just heard that only a White Wolf can save our pack, but we haven't seen any white wolves in ages." he replied, sighing again.
Saya looked at him, her eyes wide. "How is the white wolf supposed to help you?" she asked. Her pelt was white, perhaps she could help, if she knew what the white wolf was supposed to do for them.
"We don't know." he replied, looking up at her. She looked back. Her need to find something had vanished in the night, perhaps she was the one who was supposed to save them. She wished she knew what was required of the white wolf.
"Oh. I'm sorry." she said, looking down at her bowl.
"It isn't your fault. Don't worry about it." he said, sitting back with a somber look on his face. "We'll find a way to deal with it, just as we always do." he paused for a minute and then turned to her. "How long do you think you'll be staying?" he asked, looking cheered by the thought.
"I don't know. You are so generous, i only wish I could do something in return." she replied.
"No problem. I'm just happy to help." he said, smiling again, this time it lit his whole face. "You'll probably feel cramped up in here... I don't want to risk you being able to stay here, but if you want I can take you out for a while." She didn't want to get him in trouble, so she shook her head.
"I'll be okay in here for a while." she said, finishing her food. "Thank you." He took the bowl from her and took it to a sink and rinsed it.
"Do you mind me asking you about yourself?" he asked, looking at her.
"Not at all." she replied, "What do you want to know?"
"Where were you born?" he asked.
"Not too far from here. About 40 miles." she replied.
"Theres nothing forty miles from here in any direction.. how did your parents manage that?" he asked.
"The same way yours would have. My parents are both dead now, along with my siblings." she told him.
"I'm so sorry. Is it too personal if I ask how they died?" he asked.
"No. It was hunters. They were sold as slaves and the treatment was terrible." she said.
"It must be hard for you alone." he said, looking down.
"Not really. There are some nice people like you, and I've been doing it since I was 6 months old. I've just learned how to get along by myself." she replied.
"But you must be lonely." he objected.
"I see alot of people, but I would have liked to have a companion in my roaming." she replied. He looked up, hearing the longing in her voice.
"It's too bad you don't have a pack... I mean.. a family to travel with." he said. His sad voice made her want to tell him she was a wolf like him, but she didn't think it would be a good idea yet.
In the corner Chi-an and Kira were waking up. Chi-an stood up and left immediately, looking frustrated. Kira wasn't as cheerful as she had been the day before either.
"You should take our pet for a walk, Kito." Kira said, looking at him and sighing. She then got up and left as well.
"Have you eaten, Kito?" Saya asked. He looked up again and shook his head. "You should eat." she said, concerned. He nodded.
"Then I'll take you out right now." he said, standing up.
~Chapter 3~
Saya followed Kito outside, and looked around at the snow covered ground. She hoped whatever magic was preventing him from seeing that she was a wolf would also disguise her foot prints. She longed to run around and play in the snow in her natural form, but she couldn't reveal herself to Kito yet, and besides, her wrist was stinging still. So, she settled herself on following Kito quietly and calmly through the streets. For a while, he didn't say anything, the mood surrounding them somber, then he looked at her, his grey eyes pensive. "You said that you travel alot. Have you seen a white wolf in your travels?" he asked.
Saya looked at him in surprise. She would have to stretch the truth a little bit. "I have." she replied.
"Recently?" he asked, looking excited.
"Yes. Near here." she replied.
"When?" he asked, stopping and putting his hands on her shoulders.
"Before I met you." she said, "I wish I had known then what I know now. I could have helped you." she lowered her face a little.
"No, that's good news! The white wolf may still be nearby! Could you lead me to the place you saw it?" he asked.
Saya looked at him for a moment. "I think so, but today probably isn't the best day to do that. Food." she said.
He glowered at her and then rolled his eyes. "Alright, come on." Kito started off at a run, heading out of the buildings towards a small tree'd area. He stopped again, and turned to her. "Stay right here, please." Since it was probably better not to argue, she nodded and smiled.
"Go hunt." she said, sitting down at the edge of town.
***
Saya waited for an hour, her sharp wolf ears catching the sounds of his attack and her nose scenting the blood of his prey. He'd caught a rabbit. One he was finished eating it, he returned, walking towards her in his human form. "All done." he said, smiling at her. She smiled back. "We're going to have to go back to the room now. I can't risk my father seeing you."
"I understand." she replied and followed him back through the buildings.
to be continued
Saya ran forward, not daring to stop for fear of being caught. The humans were right behind her, intent on making her their slave. She looked back again, crying out as she realized that she hadn't gotten any farther ahead of them. She turned her white muzzle ahead again, and tried to put on a burst of speed, but she was so tired. There was no way she was going to escape this time.
She spotted an alley ahead of her, and in one last attempt to get free of her pursuers, she turned into it, looking behind her to see if the humans had noticed her change in route. With her attention behind her, she didn't notice the leg trap that was set up just at the entrance to the alley. She howled in pain as her front left paw was caught between the metal fangs of the trap. She whimpered, knowing that she would soon be caught when she noticed a shelter at the edge of the alley. Creeping forwards, her leg still caught in the trap, she peered inside. It looked as if no one had been there for ages, but the smell of it made her wary. Beggars can't be choosers.. she thought, disgruntled, and limped inside to hide. She sat still as she listened to the sounds of the advancing humans. She was still unsure if they had seen her detour, though usually their eyes weren't as good as hers.
"Which way did she go, Bill?" she heard one yell, and the one named Bill responded that he didn't know. It appeared as if she had given them the slip, and she waited for the sounds of their footsteps to disappear. She sat still for an hour, her legs getting stiff and her left forepaw void of any feeling. There weren't any more human sounds when she started trying to release herself. The primitive trap was easy to escape, but it had crushed her wrist bones. In her human form at least, it didn't hurt so much.
She stood up, her blonde hair whipping behind her with her red scarf. It was beginning to snow, and soon the ground would be covered in the cold, white stuff. She had to keep moving, to keep away from the humans, and to keep warm. She didn't like staying in her human form, but it seemed that it would be useful in more than one way that night.
~Chapter 1~
Creeping to the end of the alley, she peered out to make sure that there were no humans and then turned the way she had come from. She had caught a scent earlier, more wolves, she was sure, but she hadn't seen any others like her in a long time. She was beginning to lose hope in ever finding what her soul was looking for, and she wished she knew what it was. Sighing she continued walking towards the area she had just left. It had had the strongest scent of wolf, and it was making her curious.
The look of the area changed. The buildings in front of her were in a state of disrepair, a mass of brick and metal pipes, and those behind her were all stone. The change made little difference to her though, and she continued forwards, hopping agilely down a set of steps that seemed to be the town's main street. She looked from side to side, paying attention only to what was in front of her.
Suddenly she heard a noise, and in front of her, a boy about her age, with jet black hair and curious looking grey eyes walked out of an old building. She could tell he was a wolf, and he changed before her eyes into a black wolf. He crept forwards, watching her suspiciously, and she sat down on the step to show that she wouldn't harm him. It was strange, but she knew that for some reason, he couldn't tell that she was like him.
"Do you need help?" Saya heard him ask as he shifted back to his human form. He seemed to sense her distress, but he couldn't see that she had a broken wrist.
"I'm looking for something, but I don't know what it is." she replied. He tilted his head in curiosity. "I need somewhere to rest, I've been running for a while. Do you know of a place that I'd be safe?" Saya watched the wolf boy's eyes light up as he smiled kindly at her.
"You can rest in my den. A couple of my pack-mates sleep there too... but i'm sure they won't mind you staying for one night." he replied, his form trembling in excitement. He reached out for her hand, then hesitated. "My name is Kito." he said, holding his hand out politely.
Saya took his hand and shook it, replying "my name is Saya. Thank you for offering me lodgings in your den. Do you want anything in return? I have.. some money and a little food.."
He shook his head in answer. "I can't take that from you. You need it for later. Save your food, too, I can give you that as well." His generosity was astonishing to her. Wordlessly she followed him as he navigated the streets and alleys of the seemingly deserted town. 'I must be able to offer him something..' she thought as they walked. It was only a few minutes before he stopped her. He turned towards her, looking at her contemplatively for a moment, and then turned toward a small opening. "Ladies first." he said, holding his hand out to the opening. She nodded and entered as he bid her.
She entered cautiously, aware of the scent of others in the room. As she straightened, she looked around. The room was small and cozy and the main piece of furniture in it was a black leather sofa. From the sofa, a large russet wolf looked up, his dark eyes glaring at her. He was standing in an instant, and she froze, eyes open as she recognized the intent to attack. On her right, another wolf, brown, stood up, this one growling. Kito followed her through the entrance cheerfully, and looked up in surprise as he heard his den mate's growl.
"Its okay guys. She isn't an intruder." he said, raising his hands in a signal to stop. He stepped in front of her, just in case they didn't respond to his assurances. "This is Saya, guys. She just needs a place to rest the night. You can clean up in there." he turned and pointed to the door behind the brown wolf.
Saya glanced at the russet wolf, holding her eyes there for a moment as she noticed he had fazed into his human form. He was defiant, with dark brown eyes and black hair. Just behind him, Saya noticed that a window had been borded over.
"She doesn't belong here." he growled at Kito, who's demeaner hadn't changed. He still stood cheerfully, but protectively between him and her. The brown wolf had changed as well, and Saya looked over at her as she spoke.
"Oh, come on, Chi-an. She's cute. We could keep her as a pet!" She looked excited at the prospect. "My name is Kira, by the way." she said smiling. She had red hair and green eyes. She stepped sideways and pointed towards the door that Kito had mentioned.
Kito turned towards Saya. "You did say that you didn't know the identity of the object you were looking for. Perhaps you should stay here for a few days, to recuperate. I mean, if you don't have a time limit for finding the object of your search?" he offered.
Saya didn't know what to say. She didn't know if there was a time limit, though she noticed that it didn't feel as urgent anymore."Thank you. That would help me alot." she replied, deciding to take the offer. "But what about your pack? will they mind?"
"Of course they will." Chi-an stated, still looking at her angrily, "and I intend to tell them right now."
Kito looked at him. Clearly this news upset him. "Chi-an, don't do that. This is my den, and I'll share it with who i wish." Chi-an understood the threat that had been in Kito's words and sat down, defeated.
"Fine. I won't say anything, but I can't promise that they won't find out anyway." he said. He changed back to a wolf and layed down to sleep again.
Kito's attention returned to Saya and he smiled again. "So, you want to clean up now?" he asked cheerfully.
~Chapter 2~
After spending a few minutes in front of a broken mirror, washing the dirt from her face, she turned to her wrist. The wound had gotten a little dirty since she'd pried the trap loose. She looked down at the supplies that were piled along the counter and picked up a roll of bandage. As soon as her wound was clean, she would wrap it, though she'd have to do it carefully so that she could hide it from Kito and his den-mates.
"hey, Saya, do you like beef stew?" she heard Kira's voice through the door.
"Yes, thank you." she replied, and turned on the tap again. She washed her wound carefully, to prevent infection, and then wrapped the white bandages around it. When she was done attaching the bandage, she pulled on her coat, the long sleeves hiding her wound, and turned to the door. She felt refreshed as she left the room, though she was tired.
"Wow, much better." Kito commented when she appeared, smiling as always. He was leaned against a wall in his human form as he ate a bowl of stew that smelled delicious.
"I agree." she replied, smiling back. He pointed towards a bowl and she picked it up and started eating.
"You can sit down, you know." he said. Blushing she sat where the bowl had been set at a table.
"Where did Kira and Chi-an go?" Saya asked, noticing the absense of the other wolves.
"They went to a pack meeting. Kira said she would let my father know I wouldn't be attending this one. Besides, they'll fill me in when they get back. My father doesn't need to know why i'm not coming and its not like i'll be absent from very many." he replied, justifying himself before she could object.
"will your father be angry?" she asked cautiously.
"Maybe, but i've missed some before. He's the Pack leader, and if he really wanted to, he could order me not to miss any." Saya looked up in surprise as he said that he was the son of the pack leader. She was astonished that he would defy the pack leader even more when she knew their relationship. "Is it good?" he asked, pointing at her stew and looking at her anxiously.
"Yes, thank you. It's very good." she replied, smiling.
He smiled happily, and said, "I made it. I just hoped... that you would like it. I wasn't sure.."
She put her hand up to stop him. "Don't worry. I'll eat anything you give me. I'm not picky." she explained, smiling.
He sighed in relief. "Okay. I just wasn't sure what you would eat.." Saya looked at him, deep in thought. It seemed that he still believed she was human. She wondered why he couldn't tell she was a wolf.
She finished eating as she was thinking, and looked around, there only seemed to be one place to sleep. "Where do you want me to sleep?" she asked, looking up at Kito.
"On the sofa. We can all sleep on the floor." he replied.
Remembering that Chi-an had been sleeping there, she looked up to protest,"but what about.."
Kito didn't let her finish. "Chi-an won't mind. He knows the terms of his staying here." he told her.
She still didn't feel right about it, but she didn't argue anymore. She was really tired, so she stood up and walked over to the sofa and layed down. It would be difficult for her not to change back into a wolf, but she was determined to keep them thinking she was human. She closed her eyes and fell asleep quickly.
***
When Saya awoke, Kito was laying on the floor in front of the sofa as a black wolf. The russet and brown wolves were curled up together across the room. The room was still lit as it had been when she had arrived, by a single lightbulb in the middle of the ceiling. She turned onto her side, to get more comfortable and Kito lifted his head, alert at once.
"Oh.. i'm sorry." Saya said, apologizing for waking him up.
"No, its alright." he said after he'd stood and changed to his human form. "I wasn't really sleeping anyway. I've been awake for a while. How was your sleep?"
Saya sat up and Kito sat down next to her, and leaned back calmly. "I slept well." she said, leaving out that her wrist had been pulsing all night with pain. They still didn't know that she was injured, and she wanted to keep it that way.
"Good. Are you hungry?" Kito asked. His voice sounded a little haggard, like he was upset about something. She nodded in reply and he stood up. She noticed that his step didn't have any of the usual bounce in it that morning.
"Is something wrong, Kito?" Saya asked. He looked at her, his eyes showing that he wasn't sure whether to tell her or not.
"No. Everything's fine." he replied, smiling at her, though his eyes didn't show any happiness in them. After a minute he brought her another bowl of stew and a spoon.
"Thank you." she said as he sat down again. He leaned forwards and put his head in his hands as she took a bite. "Are you sure that there's nothing wrong?" she turned her head towards him.
He sighed. "I wasn't being entirely truthful. There's been new development on the fate of our pack. We were told that we were doomed a while back, and well, no one took it seriously. We just heard that only a White Wolf can save our pack, but we haven't seen any white wolves in ages." he replied, sighing again.
Saya looked at him, her eyes wide. "How is the white wolf supposed to help you?" she asked. Her pelt was white, perhaps she could help, if she knew what the white wolf was supposed to do for them.
"We don't know." he replied, looking up at her. She looked back. Her need to find something had vanished in the night, perhaps she was the one who was supposed to save them. She wished she knew what was required of the white wolf.
"Oh. I'm sorry." she said, looking down at her bowl.
"It isn't your fault. Don't worry about it." he said, sitting back with a somber look on his face. "We'll find a way to deal with it, just as we always do." he paused for a minute and then turned to her. "How long do you think you'll be staying?" he asked, looking cheered by the thought.
"I don't know. You are so generous, i only wish I could do something in return." she replied.
"No problem. I'm just happy to help." he said, smiling again, this time it lit his whole face. "You'll probably feel cramped up in here... I don't want to risk you being able to stay here, but if you want I can take you out for a while." She didn't want to get him in trouble, so she shook her head.
"I'll be okay in here for a while." she said, finishing her food. "Thank you." He took the bowl from her and took it to a sink and rinsed it.
"Do you mind me asking you about yourself?" he asked, looking at her.
"Not at all." she replied, "What do you want to know?"
"Where were you born?" he asked.
"Not too far from here. About 40 miles." she replied.
"Theres nothing forty miles from here in any direction.. how did your parents manage that?" he asked.
"The same way yours would have. My parents are both dead now, along with my siblings." she told him.
"I'm so sorry. Is it too personal if I ask how they died?" he asked.
"No. It was hunters. They were sold as slaves and the treatment was terrible." she said.
"It must be hard for you alone." he said, looking down.
"Not really. There are some nice people like you, and I've been doing it since I was 6 months old. I've just learned how to get along by myself." she replied.
"But you must be lonely." he objected.
"I see alot of people, but I would have liked to have a companion in my roaming." she replied. He looked up, hearing the longing in her voice.
"It's too bad you don't have a pack... I mean.. a family to travel with." he said. His sad voice made her want to tell him she was a wolf like him, but she didn't think it would be a good idea yet.
In the corner Chi-an and Kira were waking up. Chi-an stood up and left immediately, looking frustrated. Kira wasn't as cheerful as she had been the day before either.
"You should take our pet for a walk, Kito." Kira said, looking at him and sighing. She then got up and left as well.
"Have you eaten, Kito?" Saya asked. He looked up again and shook his head. "You should eat." she said, concerned. He nodded.
"Then I'll take you out right now." he said, standing up.
~Chapter 3~
Saya followed Kito outside, and looked around at the snow covered ground. She hoped whatever magic was preventing him from seeing that she was a wolf would also disguise her foot prints. She longed to run around and play in the snow in her natural form, but she couldn't reveal herself to Kito yet, and besides, her wrist was stinging still. So, she settled herself on following Kito quietly and calmly through the streets. For a while, he didn't say anything, the mood surrounding them somber, then he looked at her, his grey eyes pensive. "You said that you travel alot. Have you seen a white wolf in your travels?" he asked.
Saya looked at him in surprise. She would have to stretch the truth a little bit. "I have." she replied.
"Recently?" he asked, looking excited.
"Yes. Near here." she replied.
"When?" he asked, stopping and putting his hands on her shoulders.
"Before I met you." she said, "I wish I had known then what I know now. I could have helped you." she lowered her face a little.
"No, that's good news! The white wolf may still be nearby! Could you lead me to the place you saw it?" he asked.
Saya looked at him for a moment. "I think so, but today probably isn't the best day to do that. Food." she said.
He glowered at her and then rolled his eyes. "Alright, come on." Kito started off at a run, heading out of the buildings towards a small tree'd area. He stopped again, and turned to her. "Stay right here, please." Since it was probably better not to argue, she nodded and smiled.
"Go hunt." she said, sitting down at the edge of town.
***
Saya waited for an hour, her sharp wolf ears catching the sounds of his attack and her nose scenting the blood of his prey. He'd caught a rabbit. One he was finished eating it, he returned, walking towards her in his human form. "All done." he said, smiling at her. She smiled back. "We're going to have to go back to the room now. I can't risk my father seeing you."
"I understand." she replied and followed him back through the buildings.
to be continued