Fan Fiction / Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction / InuYasha Fan Fiction / Digimon Fan Fiction ❯ Tale of the Animal Spirits ❯ What's in a Wolf? ( Chapter 2 )

Tale of the Animal Spirits

`Chapter Two - What's in a Wolf?`

The new rays of the morning sun rested upon the Grey carpet of WindWolf's bedroom floor. The girl moved from beneath the ocean-drenched covers, getting over the fabric obstacles to sit Indian-style upon her bed. Her glassy blue eyes looking to the pendant she held in her outstretched palm. The silk blue ribbon witch usually attached the gem to her neck, was twirled lazily in an index finger. 'A spirit…Inside this thing?' She thought silently. "Sleek must be telling his tall tales again, right?" She thought aloud, quirking a brow to the small wolf sapphire. Baggy white sleeve of her sweatshirt went to claim her palm once more, causing the girl to replace up top the new fabric. "I don't know…" Her midnight eyes shone with curiosity however. "Maybe there's a spirit inside this little thing…" Slowly her index finger went to graze the soft jewel surface. An idea came to her though riddened mind, so the gem was hoisted into the air to bath in the morning light. "Um…If there's a spirit inside this thing…erm…" She looked oddly at the dangling pendant. 'I must be going nuts, I'm talking to an inanimate object. Oh well, here goes…' She sighed mentally. "If you cane here me…Please come out." The wolf-shaped gem just sparkled, as it always did when the rays of light hit it. 'Yep, I lost it.' She sweatdropped.

Before she could rectify the situation, the sapphire began to glow a bit brighter than normal. Having seen a change, she quickly dropped the pendant, allowing it to hit the floor with a soft 'tink'. "Must I come out?" The soft voice trailed into her room, her auds twitching forward to catch what the mysterious voice said. The wind soon broke through her window, whipping around her small room, causing paper to fly, and making her whitish blue tresses to flutter and what else that didn't weigh too much. "Are you alright?" The voice asked, seeing how the girl was too stunned to respond. "Perhaps I should come out…" It heaved a sigh, and with it the gem glowed it's brightest. Stepping forth a transparent blue wolf spirit, or seemed like it. The 'wolf' leaped onto WindWolf's bed, the light revealed the wolf's true white color, her ice-blue eyes glowing with a majestic light. The wolf kept gazing deeply at the girl, her airy voice coming again, "Are you alright, pup?"

"…I-Um…" She stuttered. And why not, there was an ancient spirit on her bed, it came from a pendant…And now it's talking!

The wolf grinned, "A bit overwhelming is it not?" The blue tipped tail wrapped itself around her transfixed paws. "I must tell you everything…right?"

"Y-Yes please." She stated, trying to get over all these facts, the main one, and the ghost wolf on her bed.

Glancing a glowing eye to the right, the gem lifted itself into the air. Again the wolven spoke, "…Have you ever wondered why you adapted with the name, 'WindWolf'? This name is mine, Arctica…You have grown my instincts…As you are with growing that tail and ears of yours."

'Really, I was always wondering about that…' She thought absently, nodding for the wolf spirit to continue.

The wolf nodded back, giving the best smile she could muster. "I am sorry I didn't show myself sooner. But, I must explain more about that gem you own. You have gotten this to do one task, and one task alone. You must give it back to the forest to restore order to this world once again. You must travel to the shrine deep in the Marcadia Woods. The shrine lay deep in the forest, and I can't begin to describe all the obstacles you will face. The forest itself however, is perched high in the eastern mountains." Spirit rested a moment, making sure the girl was following. Receiving another nod she continued. "The gems choose their owners; or should I say the spirit, such as I, choose them. You see, only the most qualified children will be able to do this task. We choose children for they seem the most adaptable; they won't try and explain the logic or truth to this situation into a real, scientific reason. I should say, hey have more imaginative spirits than adult you see…" She stopped, a soft sigh emitting from her maw. "You, Arctica…Is whom we are counting all, all of us spirits and all of your friends. The whole planet is counting on your abilities…" She stepped forth, averting her whole attention to the girl. The gem floated to rest upon her opened palms.

"Planet?" She said a bit confused.

"Yes, for if the spirits do not return to their rightful place…The whole world will be lost. The spirits are the things that keep nature and man in balance. Without us…It falls apart." The wolven said softly.

"This is very important, I'm not sure I can do this…" She said softly, her eyes looking down to the shimmering gem.

"You don't have to worry. I would not have chosen you to be my guardian if I think you not qualified. Young one, please do not doubt yourself, doubts will only leave to false hope and…death." The wolf said solemnly. She tried to boost her tone again, trying to sound hopeful. "You will be able to get to the shrine and you will save your life and your friend's lives…Just trust in your ability and your friends." The wolf smiled at her again.

"T-Thank you, I will try my best to get you back to where you belong.

Nodding her expression soon turned stern, her voice deep and thoughtful. "I must warn you though…But, once you transform too much your journey there will cost you your life."

"…Now wonder Sleek wanted to leave so fast." She mumbled to herself.

"Sleek? Oh my, the fox spirit has taken a host?" The wolf said, back up from the girl.

"Is that bad?" She blinked in confusion.

"It's well…It's just that-" She was cut short as another's voice rang through the morning air.

"Arctica, breakfast, come down!" WindWolf's mother called up to her, causing both to jump from alarm.

"I have to call, LoneHowl, right away…" She said gently, forgetting all that was spoken only moments ago on Sleek.

"You don't need to tell him of this conversation I am sure my mate has told him." She stated.

"Mate?" She repeated.

"Yes, the spirit that resides in his jewel is my mate in the spirit realm." She admitted sheepishly. "Ah, we did pick fine hosts to say the least."

She blushed slightly, "Um…Well, I have to get ready for the journey and call him so…"

"Yes." The wolf nodded and returned to her confinement. Leaving only bits of sparkles in her wake.

"Arctica, come down!" The angry voice rang out again.

"Coming!" She called back once more. 'I have no time for breakfast…Pack a few things, leave a note, and get out of here.' She thought quickly, jamming clothes, a small blanket and pillow into her aqua knapsack. 'Alright…' She thought, eyes looking around desperately. They finally found what she needed. Picking up the violet pen and emerald diary paper she began to write:

Dear Parents,I…Have to leave to do a very important task. I'm sorry I can't tell you more about it. But, I can assure you I will come back to you. I'll be safe, just trust me on this…

Love Always,Arctica =)

Satisfied with what she wrote, she taped the note to the outside of her door. 'I'll have to get some food later…' She mentally nodded, hoisting the pack over a shoulder and shutting her door. Swiftly she dialed the boy's number. 'Pick up…' She thought desperately.

"Hello?" Came his voice.

"Howl, meet me in the cave of Sleek's. Pack well for the journey, I'm sure your spirit talked to you as well! I have to go, meet me there, bye!" She said hurriedly.

LoneHowl looked down oddly to his receiver. "Um…Bye?" He blinked blankly at it for a moment but then took in all the girl had said. He again, began to pack up.

"Oh no! Arctica!" Her mother busted through the door as she had read the note. She only found an empty room, ransacked from her own daughter's doing in search of clothes and items. WindWolf had already climbed carefully out her window, and was already running towards the forest to Sleek's cave. "Arctica!" Her mother shouted out the still open window at her running daughter. She only caught a glimpse as she disappeared into foliage.

Her eyes shone like crystals, the tears failing to fall from her optics. She quickly wiped them away, banishing all thought of returning now. She stopped her rushed pace, coming to a slow mournful walk. "I hate to leave you, mother, but…I have no choice in the matter. My spirit, the world needs me." WindWolf whispered to herself. A few leaves carelessly falling to her slow paced feet. Quickly she looked up, only to catch a glimpse of a shadowed figure over head. The blur seemed to move expertly up in the branches. She grew low to the ground, growling softly as she glared upwards, slashing out a dagger from her waist pouch. "Anyone there?!" She called up, her ears flattening against her skull.

Suddenly she was pounced, her head coming in contact rudely with the hard earth. She blinked dizzily up to the boy above her. His crimson gaze was slightly hidden under his reddish brown locks. She growled once more, her shoulders were pinned as his talon-clawed hands kept them there. The feathers that adorned his arms tickled her pale flesh as she kept an angered gaze to him. "You are the first ever to spot me." He said, his scratchy voice carrying through the trees. She noticed all his features in her mind, the weird red markings under his eyes, on his bare tan shoulders, and cheeks. Tattered brown trousers clung to his lower form, not that she could see much of him besides his face, and they were basically nosed to nose. However, she spotted the obsidian sword that clung to his back as it lazily dropped to his left shoulder. She gasped, and struggled again, growling more fiercely. "What's wrong?" He smirked slightly, but a glint caught her eye. By a thin sinew string around his neck of a red hawk-like pendant.

"You have one too?" She mumbled, as she looked now to his pendant only.

"What?" He snorted, but followed her eyes. "You mean you have…one as well?"

"Yes!" She snarled, a comrade of all things was attacking her.

"I see. Then, you must be, WindWolf." His lips turned into an amused smile. He slowly got off her form, as not to startle her anymore with quick movements. She watched him warily but noticing his posture shot up. She eyed him but nodded to his question.

"And you, FlameHawk." She said.

"That is correct. Sorry for startling you." He mumbled, raising to his bare feet as well.

"…It's fine." She said softly, she wasn't once to hold grudges…

"You must be heading to the cave?" He inquired again, walking in the cave direction as she followed his pace.

"Of course, the journey must start soon, hm?" She said, keeping her gaze to the path ahead.

"Yes. From what I know, they were waiting on you last I checked." He explained.

"Yeah…I had a few things to do at home you know…" She mumbled softly. As the hidden cave came into view they both crawled through the small opening and were gifted with the sight of the spacious cave once more.

Sleek glanced over to the newcomers. "'Bout times you two showed up." The rest of the group was scattered about the cave, their prevision packed or being packed.

"Now we can get on with our business." ShadowKat growled in her usual; uncaring tone.

"What bizziness ish dat?" The bright-eyed young girl asked the darkened female. The bigheaded kitten doll held close in her tight embrace.

"The reason we came to this stupid cave, the journey out cat spirits told us about." She replied coldly.

"Ohs." She said softly, looking down to her teardrop eyed doll.

LoneHowl went to take the pack from the wolf-girl. However, a scent he caught was upon her. He growled instantly, glaring at FlameHawk who raised his hands in defeat. "It's alright…He simply startled me." She stated simply, waving off the over protective boy. He snorted his growl away and went back to sit upon the couch as WindWolf followed.

"Now, to see if anyone will vote on starting during the day or night please speak up now." The fox-child chimed in.

FlameHawk hovered over and took a seat upon a fallen log, witch they used as a chair. "Night is best." ShadowKat replied more of a statement.

"But, sissy, I don't wike the dark." MistKitten whimpered to her.

"Well, we don't always get what we want." She spat, glaring down to her.

"…I guess I'll be o.k…With you, Jazzy." She said softly, focussing on her kitten doll.

"Well that's one opinion." He said, oblivious to the conversation the sisters had. "Anyone disagree?" He asked simply, looking around the blank faces. "Then we head out at night." He stated finally. "Any last minute food gathering, or 'good-byes'. Get them done with before dusk."

He soon headed off to his usual secret cave area. A soft snort as a 'C'ya' from him before he disappeared from view. "I'm going to get some food…Meet up later." FlameHawk said simply and crawled out of the cave entrance.

"Kitty, I need help packing, help pwease?" The child asked.

"Fine, let's go." She snorted, grabbing her sister's paw roughly and reluctantly the two headed off into the depth of the cave.

"…I'm heading off to get food as well. Bye, Howl…C'ya at night." She smiled. He reluctantly let go of her paw, pleading with his eyes as she smiled nervously. "Ah, I won't go near Flame. Don't worry, Howl."

He snorted and she left through the cave exit. "…Well, I'm all alone." He sighed softly, leaning back against the soft couch cushions. He watched the ceiling until he dozed off in the silence of the cave…

A/N:

Sorry for shortness/Spelling errors. Oh! And if you like feel free to use these characters in your own ideas for stories of One-Shots or whatever. I don't care what pairing. All you have to do is e-mail me first for permission… My e-mail: brittany_pikachu@yahoo.com Thank you and Ja Ne!