Memories Past

[Madoka Hamada]

Madoka’s heart pounded in her chest as body heat mixed in an erotic aura. Madoka craved Riku in an unknown lust. She could feel his tongue trace her lip, and then she felt an all new sensation. The taste in her mouth was like nothing she had ever tasted before. It was sweeter than any chocolate. Soft velvet ears twitched hearing the soft moan from deep in the male demon’s throat. She giggled softly in the back of her mind. This was the power only a woman could have: the power to drive a man to distraction and she loved it.

The grip on her body loosened, but it was still firm as her body was shifted onto the floor. In the back of her mind, she was becoming aware of Riku’s hands and where they traveled along her curves. Slowly, their moment faded. The passionate fire that was once a blazing forest fire, diminished to the spark they once had. Madoka enjoyed Riku holding her, the soft whispers of adoration, and the gentle touch of the foreheads. Her gentle gaze watched as azure eyes slowly took one last look at the world before closing. She smiled softly as Riku fell asleep.

The female wolf however wasn’t tired as she slid her legs out of the confides of Riku’s masculine legs. She gazed up at his face, making sure he didn’t wake. Knowing that he slept soundly, Madoka slipped from Riku’s arms and settled them carefully on the floor near his body. Standing up, she went to the edge of the kitchen table and picked up her wool blanket that was on the ground and placed it over Riku so that he wouldn’t get cold from lack of body heat.

Carefully, Madoka tip-toed to the door and slid outside gazing at the frost that was on the wet grass. The air was chilling and Madoka loved it. She loved the winter and the snow and the frost was the first sign of her favorite season. She crossed her arms and then reached up to her upper arms rubbing them gently with her slender hands. Gentle footsteps echoed on the porch as she went to the edge of the wood surface and gazed up.

The night sky had cleared from the past storm and now jeweled stars shimmered with a new shine. Wisps of clouds scattered about causing a bit of fog to dim the stars. Madoka’s silver hair had cascaded down her back and was over her shoulders resting on her folded arms. She looked down at the black sweater that adorned her body. Kaiya said that Madoka should keep it and it would be wise with the on come of winter. She gazed down at the tan capris that covered her legs, something she was happy for.

Her right hand reach down from her folded arms and crept down to her right thigh. With her thumb, she pressed gently upon the flesh, wincing. Riku couldn’t see what laid beneath. It would ruin her plan for getting Riku accustomed to humans. Purple tinted skin laid beneath the fabric and even though her beating by the villagers was years and years ago, the bruises never faded and still had that sting when pressure was applied. Her hand retreated from her thighs and then curved into the bend of her arm.

She closed her eyes in thought. Scars were scattered on her back, but stories could cover that up, but the bruises that were on her sides and thighs...those stories would be a little harder to make up. She opened her eyes and sighed as she gazed back up at the sky one last time before heading back into the house.

She closed the door gently behind her as she turned to see little Haruko standing in the doorway. A ragged doll was clutched tight to her chest as she rubbed her eyes with one fist. Madoka smiled as she went over Haruko and whispered.

“Something the matter?”

“I can’t sleep, I can hear Daddy snore, he really loud...”

Madoka snickered softly as she picked up Haruko and quietly made her way to Riku’s side. She slid down the wall and settled only a few inches away to watch him sleep. Haruko sat in her lap and rested her head against Madoka’s chest. Haruko’s brown yarn-haired doll sat in her lap as her eyes closed. The only noise was the soft breathing of the three. Madoka also began to drift as her head turned to the side to gaze at Riku still, but the vision blurred as she fell into a slumber.

[Riku Naoya]

Nothing comprehended in the wolf’s mind as he slept. Not the movement of Madoka as her legs slid out from between his, not her warmth leaving him as she gently laid his arms by his limp body, and not the sensation of a warmth other than hers blanketing his body; nothing. Azure eyes were shielded behind closed eyelids and his mind drifted. Unfortunately, it faltered to go peacefully. A draft of chilly air wafted over his facial skin, waking him slightly.

Subtly, the male wolf opened his eyes revealing only hints of his jade. Blurred, was not the best vision but he could still see. Riku looked for Madoka, but she was no longer in his arms. His eyes softened in a sigh. No wonder the warmth he felt now was not the same as before and no wonder her scent faded. The offered heat was only from a mere wool blanket instead of her body. A draft of cool air, just like before caught his attention as a chill shot up his spine.

His eyes found the disturbing source of the chilled air current. The door that led out on to the porch was open. Leaning his weight on his elbow, Riku sat up in the slightest way. As his body was readjusted his keen eyes could observe more. It was just curiosity, that’s all. Peering through the door without moving from his current position, Riku allowed his eyes to fall shut again when his curiosity was quenched.

Madoka was outside, standing alone on the porch soaking in the cool air. It sent shivers down his spine just thinking about it. Riku was not very fond of the winter, though it was one of his favorite seasons out of all of them. He could see her figure out on the wooden porch. It was just a shadow, but he knew it was her; a lover’s intuition. Now laying himself back down upon the wooden floor, Riku laid his head on his arm as a pillow and began to drift, zoning out in his thoughts instead of falling asleep. The mask of the wolf was gentle as he unknowingly thought. His body was still and his breath was steady. And yet, the demon was not asleep, but only gave the appearance.

What is she hiding?

As the thoughts made their way through the channels in the mind of the young demon, Haruko made her entrance. Though, Riku did not stir from his supposed sleep. On the outside Haruko was now comfortably in Madoka’s lap sleeping tenderly. And Madoka was on the verge of falling into a night’s lullaby.

The façade of Riku vanished as he broke free from his overrunning thoughts. Lips parted lazily as his jade eyes with swirls of azure were opened. Breathing patterns of the three filtered through the humans’ home. Riku slid his eyes open fully, breathing through his dry mouth, and looked around. It was still dark but light of the morning sun should be cascading soon enough. Silver wolf ears flattened at the sight of her sleeping. Her placid aura intrigued him to the sense of none. Eyes of the demon engraved the image of the docile picture of Haruko hugging the ragged doll in Madoka’s protective lap and arms.

Getting up on his hands and knees, the young wolf scuffed across the stilted floor, over to the sleeping females. Within his hand, Riku clutched the blanket. He silently tugged it to the front of his being, hoping not to rouse Madoka and the small infant in her delicate arms. Riku sat back on his heels and gently wrapped the wool cover around the two giving them the warmth that still existed from his body heat. He continued to keep his balance on his heels gazing softly at Madoka while she slept. The strands of silver hair that covered her one eyes bugged him so much. He wanted so badly to push them out of the way, and out of the sights of her hidden pool.

What the hell are you hiding from me?

Riku pressed his one hand on the wall she was supported by and leaned forward while the other one caressed the side of her delicate face ever so tenderly. His eyes watched her closed ones contently as he leaned in closer to her. Softly, the male closed his eyes for a second just to place a kiss upon her lips. It was gentle, so it should not stir Madoka from her sleep. Nor should it wake the small child curled in the female wolf’s lap. Riku was extra careful to support his weight to not lean in too far and bump Haruko, even it the slightest way.

The young demon stole one more glimpse of his beloved and the child before turning away. He left them behind as he little by little picked himself up from the ground and walk like a ghost over to the door leading to the outside. He grabbed the handle and put pressure on the door to keep him from opening it too fast and noisily. On his bare feet, he strode out the door, helping it close right behind him. Knowing the door latched without a trace of noise, Riku turned around to the edge of the porch. His head fell back to the starry sky.

The air was chilly, but not too bad. It was coming, winter. His eyes watched the frost give glimpses of light sparkles from the blades of grass. The cool air stroked his hair and porcelain skin. Its feeling was so refreshing. He exhaled a slow sigh taking a small step forward down the steps on to the earth. The ground was cool against his bare feet. His eyes clenched from a sudden gentle wisp of air. A deep breath was inhaled through an open mouth soothing his mind and body. Fog laid on the ground…signs of the soon to come morning; meaning the waking of humans.

His eyes looked deeper into the village as the still fog rolled across the fertile ground needing to be thawed. The scenery looked like a ghost town, and yet it was oddly familiar. It was like back at his village only slightly different. The fog that rolled across the ground was definitely alluring and mysterious to Riku when he was a pup. He could remember his mother always taking him out in mornings like this one just so he could fool around and dance with the harmless mist. He loved it. His father would be there too. That was about the only time Riku and his father could actually be father and son. But, there was that every so often that would come around.

The demon filled with memories was graced with a smile as he remembered those foggy and misty days. But now it’s all gone, never to return. Small puffs of white emitted from the Riku’s mouth as he steadily soaked in the oxygen them released it. He stole a few steps more, moving him out in the middle. His body was engulfed by the mist and coolness. His focus was still on the village and its ghostly image that it had for the time being. Jade eyes grew weary as they drifted to the semi-frozen floor. One thought crossed his mind. This one thought he lingered on; this thought consumed everything else; almost as if he was in a trance waiting for an answer to come to him, but…it never did.

I want see them…but, what about…

His eyes turned to the humble home of Kaiya and Taku. His eyes seemed to gaze through the solid walls of wood straight to Madoka and her sleeping face. They feeling of separation overwhelmed him coming from the deliberation of if he pulled through with what he longed to do. His head fell back to the sky and the stars. The master of the sky seemed to be fading into the barely lightened sky. Riku stood there alone amongst the midst and mysterious fog allowing it to brush and outline his legs.

[Madoka Hamada]

The sun began to creep above the horizon and tops of the trees that surrounded the village. The dark sky began to turn into creamy, pastel colors of pinks, oranges and vibrant shades of red. The sleepy village would begin to wake slowly, but soon. The sun was the alarm clock for the morning workers and it would be soon after that they would be out in the village. The frost that coated the delicate blades of grass shimmered with a light glitter from sunlight. The sun crept up half way above the line of horizon and the placidness broke. People began to bustle about as merchants began to open shop and men filter out from their cozy abodes. Their attire heavier than yesterday as they shifted heavy coats on their shoulders.

Taku left through the back door to head to the fields. The last of the crops would need to be gathered and the ground would need to be plowed for the springtime. He sighed as he shifted the heavy coat on his shoulders as well. Small puffs of white escaped his open lips as he walked down the road. He grumbled as he glanced at bare hands. Gloves would have been nice to wear this cool morning, but for now cupping his hands and blowing hot breath into them would have to do as he rubbed them together for the heat of friction.

Kaiya’s brown hair drifted down her shoulder loosely as she made rolls for breakfast. The dough had began to brown and the soft scent of fresh bread filled the house. She bustled about already getting ready for dinner as she chopped up the remaining carrots that she had set out. Potatoes were spilled on the counter along with celery, corn and pea pods. In order for dinner to be ready on time, Kaiya would need to start now. The fire that had died during the night was now burning brightly with fresh, new logs and was now helped rolls to bake and would soon help a vegetable stew come to a boil.

Madoka sat at the kitchen table on of the wooden chairs. Little Haruko was sitting on the female wolf’s lap. Rich brown hair fell down the young girl’s back about midway as Madoka ran a comb through the unruly mass of strands. Starting at the bottom, Madoka’s feminine hands worked out uncomfortable knots. Haruko’s face scrunched in a painful grimace when Madoka’s gently touch wasn’t enough and a little more pulling was required. Madoka’s soft silver hair cascaded down her shoulders and her back. Frustrated with it in her way, she tossed her head flipping it over on her back as she leaned back over Haruko to part her hair evenly.

Morning sunlight filtered into the wooden cabin of Taku and Kaiya. It cascaded in from glass windows highlighting the table, counter and the three females that were in the kitchen. Madoka’s silver ears twitched lightly upon her head as added heat began to warm up the fuzzy appendages. Haruko looked up at Madoka and giggled reaching for the wolf ears on her head. Madoka sighed, Haruko wouldn’t sit still very well, so her hair was as good as it was gonna get. She felt Haruko situate herself upon Madoka’s muscle filled thighs. Haruko wavered as she stood upon Madoka, but kept her balance as she loomed over Madoka slightly. Tiny hands grasped the funny-looking ears and rubbed them gently. Madoka giggled softly, tender strands were ticklish in her ears and she couldn’t help, but begin to laugh. Haruko giggled to as the velvet wolf ears began to swivel at the touch of the innocent little girl. Kaiya turned and glanced out of the corner of her eyes, giggling softly at the two girls.

Once Madoka and Haruko had finished playing, the female wolf set the young girl down on her feet. Kaiya turned to Madoka and held out a wicker basket towards her. Madoka blinked as she ran feminine fingers through her silver strands.

"Mind running into town for me? Just pick some things out for lunch. Take Riku with you. It might help him warm up a little more."

Madoka nodded as she got up and went to the door. She opened it slowly and gazed at the masculine male before her. Smiling to herself, she walked up to his side. Her head was tilted slightly causing her bangs to shift a little and the rest of the silver strands to move to the side.

"Would you like to come into town with me? You don't have to if you don't want to, but Kaiya suggested it might help you settle a little. It's just mostly women and children. The men are in the fields in the back of the village and there are a few men merchants, but they only want you to buy what they sell. The townspeople are really nice, they mean no harm."

Madoka's bittersweet expression was gentle as she gazed upon Riku.

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[Riku Naoya]

Eyes of alluring jade gazed at the horizon as pastel colors crept across the morning sky. Mist that surrounded the wolf rose and began to evaporate as the light of the sun caressed the earth. It was silent. Everything was surrounded by nature’s soothing sounds. Frost coated the blades of grass; it began to become dew as the light of the morning star shimmered its light on the plant. Winter birds chirped and chicks cheeped of hunger. A white cloud of air streamed through the morning’s air; Riku’s warm breath mixed with the chilly atmosphere. He was content, though, the pains coming from his stomach out of hunger did not help him much. His ears flattened to a sudden cramp in his abdomen.

Placidness broke from the sounds of opening and closing doors. Noises of humans caught Riku off guard. Silver wolf ears twirled on his head, his azure eyes on alert. Startled by the movements of the dreaded humans, Riku took a step back towards the home where he left Madoka. Bare feet stepped lightly against the ground as the male wolf saw the bustling humans. Riku could have been mistaken for a deer as his eyes scanned frantically. His ears were now laid flat; the wolf was officially on guard.

Riku’s body wheeled around when a slam of a door behind him echoed. Taku was exiting the house, but he did not know that. However, the wolf’s attention was easily drawn away from a small creature fleeing from under the porch. Taku’s actions of leaving the abode made just enough noise to scare a snow hare out of hiding. Wolf instincts kicked in. Silver ears went erect upon his black and silver tresses as his azure and jade eyes lit up. He shifted his weight to sprint but almost stumbled to the ground when he began to chase the small animal. Madoka’s voice entered his keen ears, catching him by surprise.

One ear bent to catch her voice even more as the other remained erect, listening to the dashing rabbit. Riku turned to look at Madoka when she asked him to go into the village with her. He was a little uneasy but his focus was on breakfast. Not contemplating her question fully, Riku perked to the sound of rustling leaves. The male wolf shot a look back to the tree line just in time to see the fluffy tail disappear into the brush. Depression settled into him. He heaved a sigh through his lips, his ears drooped, and his eyes lowered in fatigue and disappointment.

There goes my breakfast.

Slowly, Riku turned his full attention back to Madoka. He was kind of aggravated, but his mind returned to the unanswered question. His mind blanked for a second as he tried to remember her question. Jade eyes stared blankly into hers for a minute, attempting to answer. His eyes moved to the village. Stricken with fear from the sudden remembrance of her inquiry, Riku swallowed hard as his ears folded back. Riku’s query stuttered as his eyes never faltered their sight of the bustling village and its humans.

“You m-mean with—with all those hu-humans?”

More words that Madoka spoke filtered into his ears. The male wolf wanted to say something about her comment of the women and children, but he clamped his lips. The promise he made to her…he didn’t want to break it. Riku released a stressed sigh, combing his hair with his hand. His hand moved to the side of his neck, caressing the skin. The wolf shook it off for Madoka’s happiness.

“Fine…I’ll go. But…”

Riku gently slipped the wicker basket out from between Madoka’s delicate fingers and leaned it against the side of his rib cage in the grasp of his palm and underarm. The male then took her hand within his right hand and gave her a joy-filled smile, hiding all true emotions from her. His silver ears were fully erect as he gave the adorable, toothy grin. The ears twitched on top of his head as he spoke confidently.

“…I at least get to hold your hand.”

Without realizing the grip on her hand was tight from nervousness. Riku did not realize that he was showing it, he thought he could fool anyone; anyone except for himself of course. Truthfully, all Riku really wanted to do was go hide behind a tree or something. Most importantly, he really wanted to go hunt down the lucky rabbit that escaped him. Riku mumbled under his breath, complaining to himself about how hungry he was, and how he couldn’t believe he let his ticket to the end of his hunger get away. The wolf demon allowed a soft sigh to escape his lips. The sigh was intermittent. Once again, Riku could not recognize his own apprehension showing through.

Damn, I hope I don’t get too desperate for food…

Riku’s hypnotizing eyes eyed the humans as they ran about and worked at their shops. A thought crossed his mind, but Riku quickly shook it away, and deleted it completely from his mind. He bit his bottom lip from the thought. His eyes moved back to the forest’s edge, continuing to bite his lip, applying drastic pressure to the flesh.

Better not. Madoka definitely wouldn’t appreciate it if I did that. But, it wouldn’t be the first time a bit into a human.

A flash of the past came into his mind. It lasted for no more than two seconds. The imagery of him attacking ruthlessly. Teeth sinking into nasty human flesh. Blood running down the side of his mouth and in the crevasses of his canine teeth. He was young, and scared, what else was he supposed to do? They massacred him mentally and others physically, so it was only fair he returned the favor. Riku truly was a demon. He was ruthless and merciless when it came to “returning favors.” Something happened to him, something he can’t explain, he just…

…snapped.

Riku could still smell the blood he swallowed and shed. He could still feel its stickiness in his hair and on his flesh and on his teeth. He could still hear the painful screams he forced out of their lips. It was a drug to him. He had one taste, and he could not get enough. Full of bloodlust; that is the only feeling he can remember when he snapped. Appetizing. Intriguing. A drug. It scared him to pieces, because…

…he loved it.

[Madoka Hamada]

Feminine fingers grasped Riku’s muscular hand gently. Madoka gave him a hopeful smile as she nodded her head shifting her hair slightly on the top of her head. With her other hand she reached up and took the wicker basket once again. She began to descend down to the frosty ground, but once she was a step down she turned and looked back at Riku. Gazing gently with hazel hued orb she stood firmly at the bottom step. A small smile curved her lips as she spoke with a gentle tone.

“It means a lot that you trust me like that, but do me one favor? Don’t say that you ‘fail’ me. You could never ‘fail’ me...”

She grasped his hand firmly in hers as she continued to head down the stairs. Her grasp on his hand was tight so that he didn’t get away as she began to lead him into town. She slid the wicker basket up to her elbow as they headed into town.

Young women had baskets that were swung about. Melons and other produce rolled about in their baskets. Children squealed as other children came up and grabbed them playfully. Only for both of them to run through the crowds chasing each other. Merchants shoved their products in people’s faces, grunting towards them to buy the fruit. Madoka’s ears twitched upon her head as she looked at two children rush by her almost knocking her feet out from under her.

Madoka’s fingers slid from Riku’s hand as she linked her elbow with his to keep him at a closer range. She made her way towards one of the booths. Apples and grapes were covering the wooden table and near the end were a few watermelons. She went up to where the watermelons were and flicked it with her clawed finger. A thick, filled noise echoed lightly as she flicked the fruit.

“That means it’s ripe and if it makes a hollow noise it means that its not good anymore.”

Madoka said as she turned to Riku with a small smile. She reached over to the middle of the table and grasped a large apple and offered it to Riku. She could hear his stomach growling, but even though he was a carnivore the apple would hold him over until they got back home. She watched as an elderly man hobbled from his chair in a knitted blanket over to the two wolf demons.

“Need any help?”

The man scratched his prickly chin as he spoke. The elderly man’s voice was shaky as he held out a full bunch of grapes towards the couple. Madoka shook her head as she grabbed a couple more apples and placed them in the basket. Reaching in her pocket, she grasped a soft clothed bag. She pulled the drawstring with her canines. She set the open bag on the table and pulled out a metal coin and placed in the withered hand of the elderly man. A toothless grin appeared on his face as he went back to his chair and wrapped up in his blanket.

Madoka closed the small pouch and placed it back into her pocket. She leaned into Riku for a moment, her head against his arm. She gently began to walk, but kept Riku close to ease the situation a little. She looked at the other vendors as she helped guide the male wolf demon.

“Is there anything you’d like?”

[Riku Naoya]

Silver appendages with black tresses perked up to the familiar female voice. His hand was still unknowingly shaking in hers and his bottom lip was still being bitten. Azure eyes followed the wicker basket as it was taken from him. Riku felt his teeth sink into his lip getting a wince from the demon. It was unexpected for him, he cursed under his breath while licking the small trickle of blood running from his lip. The flashback of the thunderstorm with him and Madoka outside in it appeared in his mind. Riku could hear his own words. Back there he did fail her, just like before. Madoka would never understand unless he told her, but Riku was too egotistical to speak of his pathetic younger self.

The wolf demon just gave a smile to her words and nodded hesitantly. Riku held her hand with caution as she began to walk down the steps. Madoka’s grip was obviously tight as she began to lead him into town. She apparently knew of his nervousness. Footsteps of the nervous Riku were slow and cautious; the cool earth against his bare feet. The male demon attempted to tug and walk the other way from second thoughts, but Madoka’s grip was relentless. He did not want to do this anymore, it’s too much. Taku was enough to handle for Riku, but this is overwhelming.

Eyes on alert wavered in a bit of panic at all of his surroundings. Madoka was there, that helped a little, but he was too distracted to put his full attention on her. Riku scooted closer to the female demon as he walked. The poor demon felt so uncomfortable as he looked around and listened.

All the sounds tackled his ears all at once. Laughing and talking surrounded the air, so overwhelming. Azure and jade eyes looked at the humans with their produce, mostly stuff Riku would not eat. He saw the merchants selling their goods and egging them on people to by the food. Riku was so distracted. Everything, his eyes, his ears, his body, everything is on alert. He couldn’t help it. Thoughts from the past kept him on guard not to mention wolf instincts. A high pitched squeal captured the young demon’s attention silver ears perked up and bent back as his jade eyes set sights on the rushing children chasing one another. Riku inhaled sharply as the two immature and innocent human children ran passed Madoka almost knocking her off her feet. His hand came up to her shoulder to make sure her balance was maintained. Now he really wanted to go, he gave another tug on her hand to signal that. However, as Madoka hooked elbows with him bringing him closer to her, a slight calmness cascaded over his pulse. IT wasn’t a tremendous feeling, but it helped the wolf demon concentrate more on Madoka, at least until she managed to get him to one of the booths with an elderly man behind it.

Riku eyed the fruit. It was not tempting to him at all, fruit was never a forte for the wolf, when was it ever? Occasionally he bit into an apple or something, it was seldom though. However, his eyes moved back to the elderly man. He looked harmless, but old humans tended to loose their senses and become senile. Riku gave a slight smile as a memory of his past hit him by just looking at the man. It was a comedy scene. When he was a child Riku always wanted to have fun. Unfortunately, his definition of fun was chasing chickens that belonged to an old human farmer. The silver and black wolf found out the hard way that old geezers can be lethal with a wooden cane. As he was thinking back on the memory, his hand reached and rubbed the back of his head where the swollen bruise would have been if he was younger. The young demon then cracked a smile and laughed softly yet noticeably.

Thoughts snapped when he heard a thick thunk and Madoka’s voice. He blinked a few times and then nodded having no idea what she had just said. Riku smiled shyly in an apologetic way for zoning out on her. He hated himself as of now. Ever since that memory came back; Riku now has a craving for chicken, something on his mind to make him even more hungrier than he already was. He released a sigh of hunger then perked right after.

A large red apple was being held out to him. It wasn’t very enticing, but it was good enough for now. Riku grasped the crimson fruit gently from Madoka and bit into it. His ears fluttered from the feeling of food going down his throat. A silver tail even began to sway back and forth from the feeling. The apple hung from his mouth as his fangs bit into the apple only half way from the full bite. His silver ears twitched lightly as he watched the trade. His eyes were filled with curiosity more than alert. Madoka grabbed fruit and then made the trade with the man with a metal coin. It was a good trade apparently, the toothless grin on the old man signaled this to the watching wolf.

His teeth sank all the way through the fruit, falling from his mouth right into his waiting hand. The male wolf smiled as Madoka stayed close to him, he had almost forgotten he was in a village for a second. Riku walked with Madoka as she guided him. He heard her question and contemplated it for a little. He knew what he wanted; the problem was Riku did not want to feel like a burden for asking. Regrettably the craving would not cease.

“To tell you the truth, I’ve got this craving ever since I saw that old man back there.”

Riku looked to Madoka with a small grin and then realized what he had said came out sounding wrong. It sounded as if he had a craving for human stew or something. Riku quickly brought his hands up to in front of his face, releasing himself from Madoka, and waved them in a panic.

“I don’t mean like that, he just reminded me of something when I was young!”

The male wolf rubbed his head looking to the sky for guidance. He was thinking of what to say. Riku linked elbows with Madoka like they were before he broke the bond and heaved a sigh, taking another bite from the apple. Swallowing hard, the solver wolf demon explained himself. Lips parted with a comfortable voice streaming out between them. He spoke with a smile on his face as he continued to think of the comical past memory.

“You see, when I was younger and still lied in my village I tended to want to have fun. Let’s just put it that way.”

Red crossed his cheeks as he rolled his eyes away from her and scratched the back of his head out of embarrassment. He laughed subtly, speaking away from the female. Riku had a big grin on his face as dwelled on all the innocent and stupid things he did when he was younger. He was definitely a troublemaker back in those peaceful days before the massacre was even being planned.

“The things I did when I was younger…they were stupid and now it’s embarrassing every time I think about it. Thanks to that old man back there, every time I think about it I can’t help but to laugh and say that it was funny.”

Riku looked back to Madoka and smiled, nodding a bit to her. He spoke one more time finishing his explanation that might of possibly created even more questions for Madoka to ponder or ask and for him to answer.

“So yeah, I’m just going to shut up now, ‘cause I probably just made you curious. You can get whatever you want for all I’m concerned. This is your village, so you make the decisions.”

A smile spread across his lips as the redness of embarrassment faded. He then looked around and listened carefully to all the noisy commotion all around him.

[Madoka Hamada]

Madoka giggled at Riku as he tried to tell his story of his childhood. He sounded like her when she was little only when she was younger she had a thing for chasing the sheep of her neighbor. The elder man would yell and throw a fit on his back porch as he watched the young wolf girl run after the sheep, herding them to the outskirts of the wooden fences of their pasture. She could always remember giggling and chasing after the sheep only to be swooped up by the waist. Being the single minded child, it would take her a few seconds to realize her feet were no longer touching the ground. She would gaze up to meet the emerald green eyes of a very displeased Taku. He would apologize for her actions and take her home where she would sit in a chair whimpering as Taku reprimanded her about her behavior. Unfortantly for Taku, his speech fell on deaf ears, since the next day the sheep would be crying out as the young girl chased them once again.

Madoka gently tugged Riku around the vendors. Vegetables were needed for dinner and for lunch and the meat was already at home from what Taku hunted early in the morning before field work. She released Riku’s arm at one of the vendors that was at the beginning of the markets as she used both hands to skim the bruises on the produce. The elderly woman sat back as she watched the young wolf woman gaze over what she had on her stand. She held a glass ball in her hands and rolled it around in her palms. She began to whisper softly, inaudible to even sensitive wolf ears.

Madoka's eyes shifted to the elderly woman. If memory served her right, this was the town 'psychic', a crazy woman that preached about the future. Most of the townspeople didn't believe the woman as she yelled out prophecies from her fruit stand, but some she had managed to convince.

Silver ears twitched as she heard something come from the woman’s lips, but she could not piece together the words. The ‘oracle’ in the woman’s hands swirled as she rubbed it about in her hands. Madoka leaned in, much to her curiosity, to hear the old woman’s words, or maybe to see what was in the oracle.

“They’re coming! They’re coming!”

The old woman burst causing the young wolf woman to stumble backwards in surprise. As the elderly woman began to fling her arms about in her chair. Her grandson ran to her side from across the market’s main road to calm down his beloved grandmother. Madoka blinked slowly, her hazel orbs filled with confusion as the young boy apologized for the outburst made by his grandmother. Madoka smiled and nodded to show that she accepted his apology, but in the back of her mind thoughts began to trouble her.

Was the old woman just hallucinating or did she actually seeing something in the future? If so, what was actually coming? Or really, who was coming?

Madoka latched onto Riku’s arm once more as she began to guide him out of the dissolving crowd. Madoka’s thoughts were centered on what the woman had said, so much that her pace slowed as she continued to walk. The last time she was here she remember the woman from when she lived in town, sitting at that same table. She was guided by Kaiya and the woman would tell fortunes. Kaiya always said that she was true and believed in her. She had a right too, because when her fortune was told, she said she was going to have a baby girl of her own. Taku would always say that she was a load of ‘B.S’, to put it nicely for the young Madoka’s ears. Apparently she prophesied that Taku would grow rich and live in one of the giant castles that reside in the earth territory. Well that wasn’t true since he was hoeing fields for a living, and just making ends meet.

Silver appendages swivelled a little as she thought, maybe, just maybe this was another fake prophecy, or maybe that’s what she hoped. Heavy feet dragged causing her to loose her balance a little on the front steps of Kaiya and Taku’s house. She glanced at Riku and smiled at him, realizing she had completely ignored him the way back.

“Sorry, I was just thinking a little...”

[Riku Naoya]

Riku cautiously walked with Madoka as she pulled him along on her food gathering. The poor wolf demon felt so out of place. Not to mention, the young demon felt helpless. Madoka was there carrying a heavy basket of food while all he did was bite into an apple and watch. The ears on top of his head drooped and the tail that followed him everything dragged. He heaved a heavy sigh. It was still light out…probably noon. Doesn’t matter, Riku lost track of time a while back now. He felt tired just by looking at what Madoka was picking up. Every produce was in the family of fruits and vegetables. Nothing was in the meat family. That was about the only thing he ate.

Don’t tell me Madoka’s family is a herbivore family.

Riku sigh in a bit of disgust. This made him think even more of why he fell in love with her. He had so many questions for her, but he doesn’t even have the guts to ask them. Like, how did she wind up living in a human village? What is she hiding for him under those locks of bangs? What secrets is she keeping from him? Riku began to feel uneasy. He could feel a headache coming on. Riku put a hand to his temple and massaged it a bit. His eyes squinted in the pain. His ears pointed sideways showing signs of pain. His tail tightened. He bit his bottom lip.

The warmth on his arm disappeared quickly as he felt Madoka leave him. Riku quickly swirled around to stick by her. He didn’t want to let her out of his sight. The quickly movement caused a hammer to fall on his head. Riku jumped to the sudden pounding pain. He glued his hand to the side of his head and massaged his left temple. Too much thinking…lack of sleep…lack of food…fatigue, Riku thought over what was causing the headache. Common symptoms; no big deal.

The male wolf demon stood directly behind Madoka. Riku leaned his chin over her shoulder watching her eyes as they scanned the bruises on the food in front of them. Slyly, Riku slid his hands around Madoka’s feminine waist, bring her body closer to his. Every now and then his eyes moved to the woman behind the stand. Azure eyes wandered to the glass ball the woman held in her hands; rolling it around. He could see her lips moving, but…what was she saying? Riku ignored it and rubbed his cheek against his beloved’s. Riku eyed Madoka’s orbs from the corners of his. As Madoka leaned in closer to the woman, Riku too, was drawn in, pulled by Madoka’s leaning.

Riku eyed the glass ball. He didn’t pay much attention to it though. Riku leaned his head back and placed a kiss on the back of the wolf woman’s head. Unfortunately, right at that exact moment, the senile woman busted out in a loud voice. Riku’s heart jump, and apparently, the old woman’s sudden outburst startled Madoka as well. Riku felt his nose get bashed when the female wolf jumped backwards in surprise. His nose wrinkled in pain, his eyes closing from the hammers bashing against his head from Madoka’s head coming back against his face. Riku’s arms quickly unfolded from around Madoka’s waist. He brought his hands up; one to his nose and the other to his head. Riku cursed under his breath standing there almost doubled over, his back hunched.

“Son of a bi…”

Riku tried regaining himself. He was oblivious at the time to what was going on around him. The apparent grandson of the old bat came over apologizing to Madoka for the sudden scare. Riku released his nose, wriggling it a bit making sure he could still breathe through it, checking to see if it was broken. He would gently pinch the nose between his fingers cursing when a slight wave of pain shot through the area. The male demon felt Madoka’s arm guiding him out of the crowd. Ad they walked Riku glimpsed back to where that elderly woman was.

Senile old bat! What the hell was she all worked up about?

Riku was a tad bit angry. He scoffed at the woman and then realized this whole time…the whole way back, Madoka, she hadn’t spoken a word to him. He eyed her, Riku’s eyes grew weary. There’s something wrong. Just what he needed; more secrets? A small gasp escaped his lips as he saw her loose her balance slightly. Riku reacted. He maneuvered to the front of her, grabbing her shoulders carefully. He gave her a questioning look as she gave him a smiled and told the male demon she was just thinking a little. Riku tilted his chin upward in a defiant manner. He had a questioning and agitated look on his face. Madoka should know that he knew her more than that.

“A little? Madoka…you were silent that whole way back. You didn’t look at me at all until you realized you were ignoring me. That old woman back there, what was she all upset about? You know don’t know? What are you hiding from me, huh? Tell me.”

Riku’s voice raised in volume as he spoke. He finally reached the edge of his patience. He needed to know something, not everything…he just wanted some of his questions answered. The male wolf demon’s grip on the female wolf demon’s shoulders tightened. The male, he was agitated, fed up with all the secrecy.

[Madoka Hamada]

Madoka’s body cringed at the sudden pressure on her shoulders. She gazed at Riku, her words rolling thoughtlessly off her tongue as she spoke to him. Her eyes widen at Riku’s angered words as he climbed over boiling point.

The old woman? Yes, her words did bother her, but she had always sided with Taku on such things. The elderly woman was senile. From what she had heard, the woman was blind and her hearing was deteriorating as well, some prophet....There was no reason to worry about the woman’s words. She was one of the psychics that told you were going on a trip and a few steps later you tripped over a rock. No, the so-called ‘prophet’ was the least of her worries.

Madoka’s eyes glazed over at Riku’s last words: What are you hiding from me? Truthfully, nothing, she thought, he has never asked about my past up front, but he has hinted at some times. Maybe it was time that her underlying colors were shown to the world, most importantly, to Riku.

Winter’s chill cooled her breath as it turned into wispy, stream-like air and her cheeks were flushed with the winter’s breath. Her visible honey hued orb gazed upon Riku’s facial features. An eye that had layers and layers to her deep mind, but guilt had surfaced upon the thick layers. It was not fair to Riku to hide such things from him, especially since he had vowed himself to her. She needed to sort through the layers of her mind. She needed to reveal to Riku what was hiding beneath her hair, beneath her mind.

She heaved a heavy sigh, the moment before releasing the heavy load on her chest. She reached up to Riku, her feminine fingers grazing the bridge of his nose that she had rudely ignored. They slid down gently across his cheek beneath his amazing azure eye to the side of his face where she held his face ever so gently. A relieved smile curved her soft lips as she gazed at him with a look of pure love and joy.

“There is a time and place for everything. Now seems to be the time.....”

She pulled his masculine hands off her shoulders and backed away. She raised her hand, her index finger erected to create the ‘one moment’ signal. She walked up the steps and through the creaky screen door.

The female wolf set the basket on the counter and went over to the stew that was brewing over the fire. Grasping a cloth off the counter, she began to pick out some of the meat chunks out of the stew with a two pronged fork. Riku’s stomach had been growling since they left the house, she didn’t need her sensitive wolf ears to hear that. Madoka picked and chose the rarest chunks, knowing that would be what Riku craved. Once a filling amount was on the napkin, she placed the fork onto the counter and tied up the ends of the napkin into a delicate bow.

Her footsteps were light as she made her way to the door, but her heart was heavy. She reached for the doorknob of the screen door and glanced at her shaking hand. She had been running from her past for so long. The only way to rid herself of the fear was to face it, and that’s what she was going to do. Madoka clenched her fingers, cautious of her nails, tightly into a fist to build up what little courage she had. Releasing the fist, she reached for the doorknob, turning it and heading outside.

She gracefully walked across the wooden porch and down the steps and over to Riku. She grasped his hand and placed her small gift in his palm. The aroma would tell him what was wrapped up in the faded brown cloth. Once that was in his grasp, she gently grabbed the wrist of his empty hand. Her lips moved to delicate words as they rolled off her tongue.

“Come with me...”

Madoka shifted her direction to behind the house. She led Riku through the tall, frosted grasses and down along a river that ran around the small human village. Grasses were sparse around the river. The bank was coated with frosted, fallen leaves instead of grass. Madoka’s feet caused the leaves to crunch under her weight. This was the only noise between the two, this was what she hoped for. Silence, long enough for her to ask Riku eight simple words. Her hands began to quake under such emotional pressure as her freed hand tensed trying to ease her obvious fear and anxiety.

“What is it that you want to know?”

There she had said it, now she had to wait. Madoka’s walking had ceased as the stood along the bubbling creek. She looked up from the icy edged creek to face Riku. Once again her hazel hued orb was glazed with guilt, but once everything was off her chest then maybe it would melt away like the snow in spring.

[Riku Naoya]

A winter chill set the scene between the two demons; The female demon with silver locks feeling pressured under the male demon's hands. Wisps of foggy airstreams lofted through the air from the nose of the man. Breaths of nature combed through the silver strands of both genders. Mother Nature was surely doing her job, in the morning, there was sure to be frost. That however, is far off from now. The temperature was dropping as the day grew old. Time seemed to stand still behind the two demons.

Azure eyes were unknowingly stern while a honey hued eye was startled. Riku could not take it anymore. There were so many secrets between them. There were so many unanswered questions that were piling up in his mind blocking his clear vision. They pushed him to the brink. He was always taught to be patient, but he waited long enough to hold off his questions. Riku, he desired knowledge. He craved for the truth. Gazing deeply into her he realized the guilt in her look. The wolf exhaled a sigh.

She is hiding something.

Silver appendages drooped to the thought. This whole time Riku had been hoping that it was just his imagination, but...it was not. Secrets were being kept; not just from him, but from her too. If she were tell him that would mean, he would have to tell her whatever she wanted to know about him. Riku's heart stopped for a moment...why did he ask that stupid question. Riku growled in his head, how could he be so reckless? Azure eyes darkened from the female's sigh.

Her fingers traced the bridge of his nose. Riku's lips curved into a silent yelp, his nose was still sore from the sudden collision. His eyes watched as best as they could, following her hand as it slid down his face. Her frail skin felt so warm to him. The demon didn't look into her eyes. He avoided them...her face. He did not want to look at her anymore. Madoka was such a gentle creature...if this conversation were to go any deeper into his past, this beautiful demon would hate him. Bitter hate. Riku could not bring himself to say it, that is why he avoided her as best as possible.

Silver ears twitched to her voice. The long waited conversation was going to happen. Riku's heart began to speed up. He could feel the thumping in his throat. His hands slid from her body as she backed away from him. The "one moment" signal was given to him. The male demon turned the opposite; patiently waiting out in the cold for her return. His eyes drifted to the sky. All of his thoughts seemed to be up there.

The poor Riku was drowning. How would he explain to her that he killed hundreds of humans? How could he say his hands have been stained with blood? How could he admit his bitter hatred toward the damn race of humans, that he could care less if he had to kill another? How could he tell her that he bit into human flesh? His breath caught in throat as the flashes of the past came back to him. Blood was everywhere. The smell of the liquid was lofting. Screams of innocent humans echoed through his sensitive ears. This is what he always smelled and heard. No matter where he was, that scent and those sounds followed. The taste of blood was always in his mouth. Every time he were to look at his hands all he saw was blood when there was really nothing there. His fists clenched, his eyes closed tightly, his head fell swiftly as he scoffed baring his teeth from the utter frustration he put upon himself.

Dammit...dammit...dammit, dammit, dammit!

White puffs emitted from his mouth as he turned to see Madoka. He watched her nervously as she neared him. Riku looked down, watching her moving hand. As she grabbed his hand, there it was. The crimson liquid plastered to his hand, dripping from his fingertips. Riku subtly shook his head and eyes the small gift left in his hand. the aroma drifted into his nostrils. It was delitful. Fresh meat, te one thing his stomach demanded from him. A hard swallow slid down the dry throat of the demon as he soaked in the beautiful scent. He put the thought of eating off to the side again. His attention was drawn by Madoka leading him to somewhere alone.

His footsteps were sensitive to the ground as they wolked through tall grass. The sound of water could be hard. The nature's water trickled its way on over rocks and the shore of lightly frosted leaves. Leaves crushed under the weight of the two wolf demons. An awkward silence made the male a tad bit uneasy. No voices were heard; only the forces of nature. Madoka's words sliced the silence. Her question...it was time. No more secrets, no more unanswered questions. Riku's heart throbbed. He avoided all eye contect with her. In a soft voice, Riku replied with one simple word. His eyes were shielded by silver bangs, his voice soft and low.

"Everything."

[Madoka Hamada]

It felt like her heart was in her throat as she stood before Riku. That one word made confidence dissipate like the morning fog. She bit her lip as she fidgeted with her slender fingers, tapping them against each other. Muscles tensed, making her figure rigid as she leaned against a frosted tree trunk. The wolf maiden’s chest heaved heavily with a deep, cleansing sigh. She had to tell the truth, the whole truth. She reached up with her chilled, slender fingers and pulled long silver strands back out of her face.

“I guess I should start at the beginning. I was born to my demon mother and my human father in Borran’s lands. My father met my mother when she was exiled from her pack. The reason for that, I’m not sure, I didn’t want to bring up such bad memories for her. My mother worked as a doctor in the village and my father worked on building houses. The women and children were fond of my mother, the men, not so much. They simply went there for medicine and for major wounds, but that was it, they kept as much distance from her as possible.

I was happy, but I was young and naive about my surroundings. Apparently, because I’m a half-demon, I age slower than normal demons, so I was little help to my mother. That one day, I was able to help her by gathering herbs. I was so happy so thrilled....”

Madoka’s words became caught in her throat. Tears wielded up in her eyes and began their course down her frail colored cheeks. She swallowed hard against her throat to clear her voice.

“There was so much blood... I-I opened the front door and my mother’s cold body was laying in a huge puddle. I ran over to her and shook her body, but there was no response. And then...”

Madoka bent at her waist as she leaned over. Her slender arms wrapped tightly around her waist and her honey hued orb was wide with pure terror. Chills ran down her spine as she shook. Silver stands ran down her off her shoulders and lined the curves of her pale face.

“My father came down the hallway. His warm aura...it was cold.....it was blood-thirsty. He was possessed by a small demon and he came after me. He...he was yelling at me..calling me an ‘abomination’ and ‘something that the village hated’. He swung at me with a blade and...he cut me...”

Madoka’s shaky fingers reached up and pulled her long bangs. Beneath her bangs, her scarred eye was revealed. The clouded blue eye had no pupil or emotion. The scar had withered with time and was about paper thin, but still visible. She brushed her bangs back so that her scarred eye stayed visible. Her eyes met Riku’s beautiful azure eyes as stared at him with a bittersweet glance.

“The villagers walked in when I went to run away from my house. My mother had been slaughtered by my father and my father had died from the demon’s possession. The villagers thought I had done it, that I slaughtered my parents. The evidence to them was on my hands. My hands were soaked with blood along with my clothes. They brutally beat me, leaving me to die with my parents. I escaped from them luckily and ran into the forest....”

Madoka’s back scraped against the tree trunk she was leaning against as she fell down on the ground. She curled her knees to her chest and began to sob. Her memories had been rekindled, the memories she tried so hard to forget, but always had there way of leaking back in.

“No matter how hard I try... I can’t find any hint of hating the villagers. They were just following what they thought was right and besides......my father was one of them....”

Madoka put her forehead against her knees and sobs rocked her heavy body. The last of her anguish had to be released and it could only be released in one way....bittersweet tears.

((ooc: I'm soo sorry!! I tried to get this up last night, but my computer refused to work!!. It's still having trouble loading faster))

[Riku Naoya]

Riku and Madoka, two wolves who were once independent creatures have now fallen to the one strong and fatal weakness; love. Since the day that they met enigmas were hidden and kept a secret from the most important person in their lives. For Riku, he hid them from Madoka, for Madoka, she was keeping from Riku. Seasons changed from fall to winter. The frost came out from hiding, and now the secrets are coming out from the darkness of each wolf’s heart.

Hearts were close to one another, but their bodies, their essences were no where close. Riku wouldn’t look his love in the eye. Madoka was caving under the pressure. Utter silence sank into the world around them. Time seemed to stand still once again. The whispering of the stream and subtle frostbitten wind were the only sounds. Noises from the village were fading as Riku tuned them out. The long strands of grass waved in the chilly breaths of nature; rustling emitting from them. Heaving breaths drifted into his sensitive ears.

Hs eyes looked toward the sigh. Strong azure eyes were now dimly cold. Her skin was fair as he looked upon her face, but the feeling of fear poisoned the gaze. Her elegant figure was rigid, lying against the cooled tree truck. Branches of the large tree were bare, leaves…there were none? Not even a bud signifying new life. The bark was chipped and rugged. It was such a dismal picture, nothing like the one he gazed upon back at the lake. Silver ears with black tresses drooped off to the side, overlapping his silky hair. The demon’s eyes averted to the creek. His lips relaxed to an emotionless state. Demonic eyes of jade and azure pulsed guilt. They watched as the water flowed naturally over the rocks. Some leaves were drifting on the surface, cascading on down the water.

Those leaves that drifted freed themselves from their home to begin anew. Perhaps Madoka soon too would free herself from the heavy burden, and then, maybe Riku would summon enough strength to tell his story. Corners of his eyes captured the slightest movement. Slowly, the demon wolf looked. Tresses of silver were being moved from becoming a burden. Her fingers curled her hair to the desired position so they were out of the way. Strands of silver were pushed back; finally…her words shattered the awkward silence.

As her words began to drift from her lips into the air, Riku could sense a long day ahead of him and her. Madoka’s words were carefully being soaked into Riku’s mind. Contemplation took root in his head as he went over the facts she was telling him. A wolf demon mother and a human fathered is what created the beautiful being that stood in front of him. Madoka, she is a half-breed. Riku’s stature seemed to shrink as he soaked in that bit of information. This whole time he was with her, Riku despised that race and here Madoka was one of them; half of her was at least one of those damned creatures. Riku looked away once again. His footsteps lead him to the edge of the shore. Dimmed eyes zoned out on the stream’s water. Silver appendages twitched honing in on her delicate voice again. So far her story did not seem like a tragedy at all. But surely, that part of her tale would come.

Men, they were the cruelest of the human race. Impure and arrogant. Selfish and greedy. Full of wrath and desire. Lust and gluttony. Riku could smell every sin in a man, all seven of them. That is why they did not like Madoka’s mother as much as the women and children did. Madoka’s mother was not human; she was filthy in their eyes. She was someone who could never give them what they really wanted. Riku cannot stand men. The sinful bastards.

Her voice continued to void out the silence. The worst of the story has yet to come. It was close though. Riku could feel it in his bones, from his nose to the tip of his tail. The demon agreed to her statement mentally about her aging slower than full fledged demons. That’s how it is. The past continued to reveal itself through Madoka’s words. Riku slowly raised his head breathing through his mouth as he heard her words catch in her throat. The worst part was here. Riku continued to stare off into space. For some reason he couldn’t look at her. The sight of her in pain and struggling made his heart shatter.

The salty scent of tears was in the air. The hard swallow of her throat grabbed his heart. It throbbed. He brought her so much pain just because of his damn curiosity. This was his entire fault. Why? Why did he want to know? It was none of his goddamn business. Azure eyes were shut tightly knowing the fact he was hurting her, not physically…mentally and emotionally. That was the worst way to hurt a loved one. Especially when their mind is already dragging them through memories they wanted to forget and leave behind.

Her words sounded so familiar to him. The sight of blood and the sight of corpses. Pools of crimson liquid…it was all too familiar for him. Riku looked down at his hands. Blood. He closed his eyes. Corpses and screams. He inhaled. The sickening scent of human blood. Both of these demons lost the most precious thing to them when they were but children. Naiveté yelled at them to think the cold body or bodies were still alive. It never works out like that. It was reality. The reality of evil existing. No god…not even Borran could prevent hatred and death.

Riku turned slowly to face the suffering female wolf. The sight was heartbreaking. Her body was bent at the waist. Arms clutching so tightly, as if she was fighting to hold her heart in. Silver hair fell caressing her skin. Her aura was displaying terror. Leaves crunched under his weight as he moved closer to his beloved. Her voice continued to fill the air between them. Riku closed the space between the two beings, their hearts were closer now. He stood in front of her silently as she explained the possession and the yelling. The brutal attack, everything was just about over.

The hidden mark was revealed. A lovely blue eye with no emotion or pupil was finally painted by the light of the world. A scar sliced down her skin. It showed age. It was thin but visible. Finally he could look her in the eyes. One of honey and one of a wonderful blue. Their eyes met for the first time and he gave a soft smile towards her bittersweet glance.

As she scraped down the bark of the tree, the male knelt down. The cool ground could be felt through the fabric of Taku’s pants. Riku had no words of reassurance as he watched the one he loves cry. Muffles of her voice were audible. After all the torture those villagers put her through she could not hate them? After the brutal attack she couldn’t find the slightest hint of hate towards that race? This was the one he fell in love with. An innocent and pure wolf demon. One who went through so much torment that can still wear a smile?

A sigh was released into the cool air. His breath came out in a wispy air current. Riku maneuvered behind the crying wolf. Gently, he scotched her forward leaving enough space for him. He straddled her, placing her closer to him. She sat in between his legs and his wrapped his arms around her. He leaned his face into her neck and placed loving kisses. His eyes averted to the sky. Sadness infiltrated his mind. The cloud of sorrow spreading into his eyes. His lips moved hesitantly. It was all in a whisper close to the silver ears a top of Madoka’s head.

“You’re too innocent to hate…I don’t even think you could pull it off if someone killed me.”

Relaxing, Riku nuzzled his face back into her neck and silky hair. He closed his azure eyes and breathed calming his heart rate. He swayed the young female in his arms gently, rocking her side to side hopefully offering her comfort.

[Madoka Hamada]

Earthen brown eyes contemplated the wintery scene around the humble home that Kaiya cared for. Light snow covered the frail grass blades and bare branches of looming trees. The soft calls of birds rang out as they swooped in and out of the tree branches. Smoke bellowed out of the surrounding homes’ chimneys and little children could be heard playing.

Kaiya’s mind drifted however from the peaceful scene. Her memories fluttered back to when she saw Madoka come in from the cold for a few brief moments. She closed her eyes clearly remembering the bittersweet expression upon her daughter’s face. She could remember the last time she saw that expression, but that was upon a young girl’s face. Kaiya opened her eyes and ran her fingers through her brunette strands to keep them out of her face.

Kaiya could remember the feeling of cradling a young wolf demon when they had found Madoka on a frozen night, like the one that was approaching. The feeling felt so close. Kaiya’s arm crawled with goose bumps at the memory of trying to warm up the frozen wolf demon’s body. She remembered turning and seeing Taku stand from afar, in the door way watching his wife and the young girl he found hunting.

The young woman that Madoka had become still harbored childhood horrors, but maturing slowly allowed her to bury her thoughts deep. She had overcome the looming fears she once had with the help of Kaiya and Taku. The fear of humans and demons.....Kaiya’s lips curled into a small smile at the relief of time passed.

“Riku, little do you know that had you met my dear Madoka years before, she would fear you.....”


---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Madoka curled into Riku’s chest. The soft scent of his skin filled her nose as she cuddled closer to him. The scent was his signature scent, only a demon with a sensitive nose like her would be able to pick it up. The scent of her beloved so close, calmed her slowly. Tears ceased to roll down flushed cheeks from the cold. Her face was chilled from crying in the cold winter weather.

Riku’s comment sank into her head as her slender fingers were bound tightly to Taku’s shirt. Her neck was bent causing silver strands to fall and cover her placid face. Chapped lips parted as she took in a ragged breath.

“I was young, Riku. Young children barely know the definition of hate. Riku, demons have their faults too, how do you know I didn’t kill someone? I killed that demon that possessed my father without a second thought. If I had the reason, I could possess the power to kill someone. I don’t doubt it....”

Madoka’s body was still limp in Riku’s arms. She didn’t pick up her head, but kept it against his chest. Her hair was damp with nervous sweat and melting snow. A shiver ran down her spine from being out in the snow. Goose bumps ran up the bare flesh of her legs. Teeth began to chatter softly from shivering. Madoka closed her eyes to ignore the shivering, but it didn’t leave. The temperature was continuing to drop and Madoka’s sweater and tan capris were not warm enough for her. She curled closer to Riku for body heat as she shivered more. But the moist sweat on her skin from retelling her horrors had cooled her body down. Her silver tail wrapped around her waist to conserve what heat that was trying to escape.

[Riku Naoya]

There is was again. The soothing sounds of nature swallowed the world around the two demons as they held each other closely. Bird of the winter chirped softly as the cool breeze stole their voice with the wind. The tall grass they sat surrounded by waved in the breeze. Frost began to coat the ground, moving up along the stalks of the grass. A think coat of ice began to trail itself along the surface of the babbling creek. White frozen areas on the bark of the tree trunk could be seen.

Azure eyes looked up to see one lonely leaf. It dangled by the stem using its last bit of energy to cling to its home. The frostbitten air rocked it, weakening the grip. Wolf eyes gazed blankly at it. The brown leaf, with a small crack, tumbled from the dead branch. Falling, weaving in and out of the wind currents, the leaf glided down.

Riku reached out his hand in the slightest way. The homesick leaf drifted into his palm. White streaks of frost crawled across its veins. Calm jade eyes looked at it. Subtle memories flashed in his mind as the leaf began to rock in his hand. Eyelids cascaded shut and the leaf was pushed out of his hand into a new beginning. With a small sigh, his head relaxed against the rough supporter behind him. His mind was drowning in thoughts as he held Madoka. His silver ears were bent to the side and his tail curled itself around its owner’s thigh. Soft sobs of the female wolf ceased and Riku was once again surrounded in silence. Ever echo of nature was filtered out. The sight of the wonders of this planet faded. The woman is his arms disappeared. In his mind, the male was sitting in an abyss. His eyes were emotionless, his lips cold, his breath…as if it wasn’t there.

There was a clutching feeling on his chest. The feeling dragged him slowly back to reality. His hand moved to where slender fingers gripped the cloth tightly. He curled his fingers around hers. Mildly tanned skin felt cold against placid fair skin. Riku gently pried her fingers from Taku’s shirt. He continued to hold her hands in his. The female’s face was being shielded from his sight, but her lips, those chapped lips could be seen.

Feminine lips opened speaking her voice. Riku’s thought process was slow. Her words were demonic but gentle. Madoka talking about her killing someone did not suit her. Those words were not meant for her lips. Riku doubted that she could kill someone. Her heart was too innocent and pure. After all, she couldn’t find the hatred to kill the damned humans who accused her and beaten her. If Riku was found in her situation, there would have been no humans left in that village. Only there corpses would be left behind. Riku leaned into her ears. He pressed his cheek against hers.

“I can’t see you killing anyone…I wouldn’t want you to either. I don’t need you to be cursed like me.”

With that last sentence said, Riku cut off his words. Her limp body was in his arms. Sweat glistened on her face along with the falling snow. Neither of them was dressed for this kind of weather. The chills running down her spine jumped to him. A slight chill shot up his spine, but he ignored it. His endurance for the cold had gotten stronger. He was full demon as well, so that made him stronger in dealing with the cold. Madoka on the other hand was but a mere half-breed, only having some wolf demon blood running through her. The signs of Madoka feeling cold grew. He looked down at her when the slight sound of teeth chattering was trapped in his ears. Her tail moved to try to keep her warm. Riku shook his head. He whispered to her in a heart filled voice.

“Aright…time to go in.”

Riku stood up, supporting the female’s body while doing so. He held her shoulders in his palms as he moved to the side of her body. Carefully, making sure her head didn’t hit the trunk of the tree, Riku moved his hand to the back of her fragile neck. His other hand scooped under the curve of her knees. Slowly gaining balance as he stood up, Riku’s hand moved gentle positioning Madoka’s arms around his neck. That hand moved to her underarms. Riku carried her weight easily. His footsteps crushed the leaves and grass under his feet. The male demon walked up the bank closer to the front of Taku’s and Kaiya’s home. He reached the porch steps. Riku’s ears were bent down just looking at the door to enter the house.

One foot at a time, the wolf demon climbed the steps nearing the door. Hoping his strength would sustain, Riku bent his back slightly, leaning her weight on him as he used the hand that was under her arms to reach for the doorknob. Fingers curled cautiously around the handle. Azure eyes shifted back and forth from the door to the woman in his hands. He turned the knob and through the door open, quickly catching it with his foot and catching Madoka’s weight fully in both of his arms. He pressed his back against the door and carefully moved into the warm home. The door accidentally slammed behind him and his ears flattened to the sudden crash. His eyes scanned the area where he came in looking for Taku or Kaiya…hopefully Kaiya. But knowing his luck it would be Taku who came to help him. All he needed to know is where to go with Madoka.

[Madoka Hamada]

Soft breaths turned wispy in the winter’s cold air. Madoka’s flattened ears twitched ever slightly, listening to the crunching of snow beneath Riku’s feet as he carried her back home. Arms were limp in her lap and her tail was still curled around her. Soft wheezes escaped her lips as she tried to clear her airway. The female wolf coughed harshly to clear her lungs and allowed her ragged breaths to cease.

She turned her head up to gaze at Riku. Honey hued iris stared contemplating her companion’s facial features. She blinked slowly as her thoughts began to form questions. Her story had been told, revealed from the closed doors that she had bolted shut. Yet, Riku had not revealed what had gone on behind his closed doors. She bit her tongue, it was rude of her to ask of something so personal. But....

“Cursed....like him? What does that mean?”

She turned her head towards the creaking of the wooden door that led to the entrance of Kaiya and Taku’s home. She watched as Riku struggled to open the door, yet keep her firmly in his arms. She gazed around the kitchen as Riku made his way into the house. She turned her head to look at Kaiya, who still stood in front of the kitchen window.

Kaiya turned to face the two wolf demons that came stumbling into her home. She smiled slightly at Riku carrying a chilled Madoka. Kaiya pulled her hair back in it’s loose bun and met the azure eyes of Riku.

“Come with me, I have blankets in the back...”

Kaiya’s slipper-like shoes scuffed the hardwood floor as she dragged her feet. She walked along the side of the wall, turning where the end of the fireplace stopped. She continued her way down the hallway for a bit and into the first door on the right. She reached out and turned the metal doorknob.

With a gentle push, Kaiya forced the door open. The room’s air was slightly cooler than the kitchen, but the door kept some of the warm air out from the heat of the fire. Kaiya went over to a set of drawers and kneeled down at the base of the drawers.

“Set her on the cot Riku, but stay close to her. The more body heat the better...”

Kaiya jerked the handle of the bottom drawer and pulled it open with grunt of frustration at the sticky compartment. She shuffled through the pieces of fabric with in the wooden compartment. As she dug for the blankets, she spoke softly to Riku and the fading Madoka.

“She has a habit of doing that, going out in cold with little layers. She doesn’t have the endurance for the cold like you probably do. She traveled from far away, it was probably summertime weather all year around. I only know that, because we had to tell her what the snow was when it first fell. Ha!”

Kaiya said, relieved when she found her thick knitted blankets. She went over to the cot and gave the blankets to Riku. Madoka had slipped from consciousness and was now completely asleep. Kaiya gazed at her with a small smile and a motherly gaze. She ran fingers through Madoka’s bangs and contemplated the paper thin scar.

“That scar....when we first found her it was more visible, but it seems time has allowed her to calm the memories that once ran ravaged in her memory. I know that she told you what happened. Promise me something Riku...I know she will follow you wherever you go....promise me that you’ll care for her....”

Kaiya’s earthen brown eyes met Riku’s azure irises with a loving gaze as she opened her lips once more to speak one last sentence before she left.

“Take care of yourself as well, I don’t want anymore heartbreak for her if she loses another....”

[Riku Naoya]

The scent of human drifted into the male demon’s sensitive nose. His ears flatten at the stench. Azure eyes were on guard as they shifted to the source of the smell. His head followed the slow movements of the eyes. Earthen brown eyes were staring. The slight smile that crawled across the woman’s face wasn’t very comforting; perhaps for Madoka, but not him. Riku dodged her gaze by looking down at the female in his arms. Riku’s wolf ears plastered themselves against the silky tresses as Kaiya’s voice lofted in the air.

Demonic eyes drifted to watch Kaiya lead the way. Hesitantly, Riku walked behind her. Madoka was firmly in his arms, her limp body and cool skin. The scuffing of her slippers made it easy for Riku to follow her even if he was cautiously watching her and her path. The warmth of the fire gained and then faded as he walked past it. A hallway led Kaiya to a door. The male wolf stopped and watched the woman’s fingers curl around the metal knob. A creak emitted from the wooden door opening with the slightest push from Madoka’s foster mother.

The open room’s temperature was cooler than the kitchen. It had a slight musty scent to it as well. Riku slowly walked into the room, carefully minding Madoka’s head so he didn’t clobber her head on the framework of the door. Keeping on guard Riku’s eyes, once safely in the room, shifted to the only human in his line of vision. She was taking care of the business she wished to. Riku’s ears twitched in the slightest of ways to the woman’s voice. She spoke of a cot. Jade eyes shifted to the cot that was near him. They averted back to Kaiya, sending a guarded look.

The male wolf demon gently placed the limp body of Madoka down on the soft cot. He pulled his arms out from under her, removing some of his heat from her. Rigid from being alone with a human, Riku sat cross legged on the ground leaning against the cot his loved one was slumbering on. Even if Kaiya told him not to stay by Madoka, he would have anyway. No sense telling him to stay near her.

Kaiya’s grunt of frustration captured Riku’s attention. Silver appendages perked to threatening sound. Azure eyes shot a look to the human. The one compartment of the drawer seemed to be giving her some difficulties. Knowing this, he gaze slowly drifted to the hard wooden floor. His eras relaxed, bending back and down. His look was half-eyes as eyelids began to cascade down. His look was no longer on guard but thoughtless with nothing to it. His hands were limp on his lap as he leaned full against the cot. Riku stretched his legs out, one leg was bent at the knee and the other was fully stretched. He laid one of his hands to drape on top of the knee and the other lay across his chest. The silver tail thumped against the floor at the tip only. Kaiya’s words faded in and out of Riku’s mind.

The last word woke Riku up a bit. His head turned to the human as she walked closer to the two wolf demons. Azure eyes wavered for a few seconds from the blankets to Kaiya’s essence before he took the knitted blankets from her hands. The demonic young man released a sigh as he held the blankets in his arms. Using only one hand, Riku pushed himself slowly from the ground. The gentle aura on Madoka’s face was the only comforting thing here to Riku. He watched Kaiya’s hand contently as she ran her fingers through the soft silver bangs of the female wolf. Riku set one blanket on the cot and unfolded another. Not wanting to awake Madoka, Riku tenderly spread the knitted blanket up Madoka’s shivering body. As he tucked her in, Riku’s ears bent towards the direction on Kaiya’s voice. His eyes moved to Kaiya’s earthen brown irises as she asked to promise her something.

He turned to Madoka and gazed upon her peacefulness. He nodded to answer Kaiya’s question. No matter what, Riku swore to do anything he could to protect this wolf. Kaiya’s words of him taking care of himself caught his eyes once again. The motherly look she gave him…he hated it. Riku looked away from her. That look was too motherly to him. It was just like the look his beloved mother would always give him. A flash of his mother appeared before his eyes. Silver ears bent back from the loving memory of his mother. When Kaiya left, the demon collapsed to the ground. His fists were brought down upon the wooden floor as his knee thudded against the coppice. Tears welded up in his eyes. Jade eyes shut tight against the tears and memories. His tail wrapped around his body and his ears were down.

Riku, placing the other blanket on top of Madoka, got up from the wooden floor and walked out of the room. He retraced the steps him and Kaiya took and found himself back in the kitchen. Riku looked towards Kaiya. His eyes were glazed with tears, his cheeks flushed. Small sniffling sounds emitted from the demon as he walked towards the door. Before he left, the tortured wolf spoke to Kaiya. His voice was choked.

“Keep her in here…don’t let her follow me.”

With those few words spoken, Riku turned the handle and opened the door leaving in a cold draft of wind. He closed his eyes to sudden temperature changed but continued to go out. His footstep creaked on the wooden porch and down the steps. Bare feet walked on top of the snow covered ground. Riku took himself back to where Madoka led him to tell him her secrets. The tall grass was pushed aside reveling the babbling creek. The small stream had a thin coating of ice on it. His footsteps stopped at the edge of the brook. Azure eyes looked down. The water showed a grief-stricken wolf in its reflection. The eyes of the demon in the reflection were glossed with tears and memories. He averted his look to the sky. It was getting dark. The sun was setting and the master of the night could be partially seen already.

As the wolf gaped emotionlessly at the moon, the picture on the reflection morphed into a female. Riku looked down at the miniature river. The woman was Kaiya. The motherly look was upon her face. Riku’s breath caught in his throat as his eyes squinted from agony. His heart throbbed. The picture then moved to a picture of an elegant wolf demon female. Kaiya wavered into a reflection of Riku’s mother. Riku couldn’t take it. His eyes shut, tears rolled down his flushed cheeks. A small yelp emitted from his throat. His knees caved out from under him. The demon collapsed on to the frostbitten dirt. His hands landed in the icy cold water causing some of it to glisten on his face. Warm tears fell into the brook as he cried out. A scream of painful memories emitted into the air. It was hoarse and full of choking tears. His tail bent in between his legs admitting defeat. Silver and black tresses tumbled down in front of his face.

The poor demon continued to cry out to the moon. His hands curled around the mud in the cold water. Pebbles were lifted from the bottom, and debris drifted down the creek. The old pathways the tears took down his face froze to his skin as new ones fell. Breath caught in his throat causing coughing to come out. He was finally letting all the pains of memories come out through bitter tears. Flashes of the past continued to penetrate Riku’s mind. Tears of pain, agony, hatred, love, want, and desire continued to fall from his azure eyes. The vulnerable wolf sat there by the brook, listening to himself cry in front of the water source and under the moon. Fangs clenched together trying desperately to hold the tears back, but every attempt was a failure. He pulled his hands from the chilled water. The flesh was red.

Riku’s glassy eyes looked to the moon, praying for its help. None came. The demon called out to the moon in a bitter howl of tears. Hard breaths were inhaled and exhaled as he yelled at the celestial body. His eyes showed pain and helplessness, weakness.

“You put this damned curse upon me! Now take it back! This was your entire fault! You and your sick games! You just watched with a smile on your face as your people were slaughtered!”

Riku shook his head frustrated. His mouth opened, fangs grew sharper, out from the pink gums of his mouth. Another cry of pain and hatred was let loose into the nearing night. Claws grew from his fingertips, growing sharper and deadlier. Whiskers pushed out from the skin on his tear stained face. Pupils narrowed into slits. Small tufts of hair began to cover the skin of the male demon. His feet were halfway transformed. The snout of the beast grew out halfway showing more wolf-like features. Riku sat there kneeling on the ground in a blank. His transformation was only halfway complete. Both human and wolf resemblances were visible. His eyes grew weary from crying so hard. His body shook from the dropping temperature. His tail wrapped around its owner’s body. The ears were bent in a fatigued manner. The wolf sat in isolation sniffling and blinking his eyes clearing away the fog of tears that was once there. His lips moved but only a shy voice came out. His eyes were on the water, but they were not focused. Only in his memories was Riku present. He was lost in reality…drowning once again in his memories that he did not dare to tell Madoka.

“I hate those damn humans…”

[Madoka Hamada]

Eyelashes fluttered opened as the female wolf heard Riku’s footsteps fade to the outside of the door. Her hazel iris rested on the doorway and silver ears picked up Riku’s velvet voice. Feminine fingers grasped the wool blanket that laid around her slender body as she fell back upon what she had heard before Riku had left the room. She felt the vibration from his fists smacking hard into the mildly dusty wood floor. The sounds of words being caught in his throat and the soft whimpers of desperation.

Madoka sat up on her bed, her eyes shallow and dazed as she thought. She heard Riku’s command to Kaiya to keep her confined in the house when he went out. She was stubborn, he should know that by now. Pressing on the cot, she gathered enough force to get up off the cot. She went to the door and opened it slowly, so that the creak wouldn’t be heard. Silver appendages twitched upon her head as she listened in to the conversation in the kitchen. Taku had come home and was laughing heartily as Haruko played with her ragged doll, yet Kaiya’s voice could not be heard.

With the stealth of cat, Madoka slid from the partially opened door and into the room across the hall. Digging through a drawer, Madoka found clothes that were dry and warm. Kaiya wouldn’t mind if she borrowed more clothes was her reminder as she slid into a knitted blue turtleneck and thick fabric black pants. Madoka glanced to a wall, jumping to see a person near the door. She sighed relieved to only see her own reflection. For what seemed like forever, she stared at her reflection in the mirror.

“With Riku, I feel like I’m only seeing his reflection. I feel like, I’m stuck on the other side of the mirror, unable to really see or feel what is real. If I cause a crack in the glass, will it just shatter the mirror, or will I be able to get through the glass to him?”

Madoka’s silver ears twitched on her head, listening to the conversation in the kitchen. This time she could hear the feminine voice that emitted from Kaiya. There was worry in here voice, and a motherly fear. Haruko waddled down the hallway, past all the doors and into her room, away from the ‘adult conversation’. Madoka’s footsteps were light and barely audible as she reached the doorframe and pressed her back against the wall.

“I must have done something wrong, Taku. I said something to him and he turned away, I could feel it my bones. I got him so upset. The next thing I knew, he ran outside and he was crying. I made him cry Taku....I feel so horrible!”

A body thudded against the floor as Kaiya’s sobs echoed in the house. Taku’s chair scratched against the hardwood floor as he went over to his wife and held her as she sobbed. He whispered softly in her ears to calm her down, but Kaiya just cried. It was the mother in her, she was overly worried about her children. And, it was in her personality, Kaiya took it upon herself to care for those within her home. Madoka held her face with her hands as she listened to Kaiya’s sobs and her words that slurred with her tears.

“Kaiya, please, don’t blame yourself....”

Madoka thought to calm her nerves. She ran her fingers through her hair as she went back to the middle of the room and grabbed a pair of Kaiya’s boots as she got up on Taku and Kaiya’s bed. Stealthily, she went from the top of the bed to the window that was above the mattress and slid open the door. Hoisting herself up, she slide out of the small window and into the frostbitten grass.

Madoka kept her footsteps light and soundless as she walked through the frozen grassland. She neared the creek that babbled as it ran over rocks and ice. She stood downwind, he wouldn’t catch her scent and with his screams at the heavenly moon, he wouldn’t hear her soft footsteps. She waited, listened to his last line: I hate those damn humans.

“You’re more like me than you realize...”

Madoka’s voice had a tinge of coldness to it, yet it had a sentimental tone to it. Tears stung her eyes as she gazed at her broken beloved.

“I know what you’re going through. You’re showing the same symptoms I did when I was little. You were wrong when you said I couldn’t hate. I did hate, I hated everybody. I hated the humans that were stupid enough to think I killed my own parents and I hated demons....for killing the family I had.”

Madoka’s tears were highlighted in the heavenly light of the hovering moon. A soft wind blew and stirred up her hair and tossed it around her body. She flicked her head slightly and caused silver strands to shift out of her face and blow behind her figure.

“Riku, the main reason I came out here was...I feel like you don’t trust me. I give you everything, my past, my future, my soul and I can’t tell what you give me because you take it away. I want to love you for everything you have, but I can’t love a reflection of what you really are. I want to know you and love you for you. I want you to be able to lean on me whenever you need to and I want...no I need you to show me that you care for me and let me in past your barriers.....”

[Riku Naoya]

The broken wolf sat in what he thought to be isolation. Little did he know, his beloved was watching him struggle and fight his inner demons. Madoka heard his screams to the master of the night. She heard his painful cries and calls of desperation. She heard his voice slice the silent of the night. The scent of the female did not drift into his muzzle, which is why he sat there so contently not caring if the excess tears slid down his flushed façade. Insect calls and winter birds’ chirps echoed through the night. The babbling brook continued to grew a surface of light frost. The tall grass behind him continued to rustle, being combed by the wind.

His ears folded back listening closer to the rustling grass. Something was odd. There were different layers of sound coming from the different sections of the weed. These layers could only be picked apart by the keenest of animals. One layer was cut short. There would be a pause in its rustling, as if something was there. Riku brought his frostbitten red hands up to his face. His ears folded back down into the fatigued manner. Her scent or footsteps might not have drifted, but her position disturbed the balance of nature’s sounds. The hands lightly rubbed the skin of the demon, wiping under his tired eyes. Tears dried, frozen to his flesh. The young demon inhale calming his broken heart and exhaled slowly.

On this one leisure exhale, more human resemblances came back into sight. The whiskers on his face slid back under the skin slowly disappearing from long lengths to stubs then to smooth skin. Worn eyes of jade, its pupils widened from the narrow slits they once were. Riku moved his hands to slide down the side of his neck. The deadly claws dulled and the small tufts of hair faded back. The hind legs morphed into human legs. Fangs that bit into the bottom lip giving him the appearance of a vampire seceded back into the pink gums of the demon. The transformation was no more. He was back to the regular demon Riku.

Riku was not surprised to hear the feminine voice of Madoka. The disturbed balance of nature’s sounds gave her presence away. But then again, Riku was not really expecting Madoka to respect his wishes. She was stubborn. If she wanted something, she knew how get it, one way or another. Riku sighed in disappointment. No respect was given to him on a request to be alone. Sniffing a little bit from the cold, Riku answered back to Madoka’s cold voice. His voice was also cold, but there was no sentimental value in it like the female.

“I told Kaiya to keep you inside and not to let you follow me.”

Jade eyes with swirl of azure did not look back to meet the hazel and blue eyes of Madoka. They were locked on the calm brook and the reflection it showed him. It reflected the night sky and the radiant stars that were captured in the large navy blue blanket. The moon hovered in the water as well. The shadows in its surface showing the man that gazed down upon this hellhole world. Eras flattened intensely as Madoka spoke to him. Her words irked him, the solver appendages showing this offense. His eyes narrowed and the corner of his lips curled. His voice interrupted the delicate voice of the female. It was harsh whisper, but it was still enough to cut her off.

“Don’t talk to me like I’m some sort of weak child. You have no idea what I am going through. You have no clue what pure hatred is…a hatred so strong that it could drive a creature to endless killing.”

Riku refused to look at the female demon behind him. All he wanted was to be alone. All he wanted to do was sit under the celestial element that he hated but always wanted to be with. He wiped hand across his eyes. Red, crimson liquid was seen. The scent of dirty human blood stained his sense of smell. Frustrated with his life, Riku dunked his hands back into the icy cold stream. He was sick of the smell of blood. He was tired of seeing it on his hands everyday. He hated seeing the stains in his hair, skin, and clothes when no one else could. He was drenched in the fluid. His body was hovering half way over the brook as he soaked his hand until they went numb. His fingers sank into the cold underbelly of the creek. Knowing the fact that Madoka was watching, Riku held in the cries he wanted to set free.

Her voice wafted though the innocent air. She spoke of the reason why she came out here…basically the only reason. Riku’s jade eyes slid closed and his silver ears drooped. His tail dragged lifeless between his legs. He let her finish this time. He felt so stupid. She gave him everything. Madoka…she even opened the gates to her horrible memories so that he could know. She suffered the almost forgotten memories just for him. And what did he do for her? Nothing.

Lips parted hesitantly to respond to her. Once again the voice was soft. He leaned back to sit on the snow covered ground, pulling his hands from the brook. Water dripped from the red fingers as they were pulled back on to his lap. He crossed his legs and let his head fall back towards the night sky. The night sky reflected in his guilt-filled eyes.

“At least you see a reflection.”

He released a stressed sigh from Madoka’s last statement about letting her into his past like she did for him. He blinked slowly, opening his eyes once again to reflect the beauty of the night sky.

“Madoka, I do trust you…but….I can’t. I just can’t. Not right now.”

The male demon slowly got up from the frostbitten ground, placing his bare feet against the snow. He brushed off the pants Taku lent to him and turned around revealing his face. It was still tear stained and flushed, but it was much better than it would of looked if he had turned around any sooner. Riku slowly walked up to the only one who ever saw he cry out fully. His ears were down and his tail sway with the footsteps and the chilled air currents. His eyes wavered from the ground and from side to side before he looked in her eyes. When his eyes met hers, Riku gave a partial smile that was purely fake. He scarcely nodded reassuring her that that time will come to pass.

“I promise….when winter breaks I’ll tell you everything. But only if we go to my home.”

[Madoka Hamada]

Madoka’s tears ceased to roll down her porcelain cheeks as she stood watching the broken, demonic male in front of her. Such harshness to his whispers did not faze Madoka, if she was going to make an impression upon him, such words would have to be ignored. She crossed her arms across her chest as she listened to the quaking wolf demon. His actions were clues to what he had tried so hard to keep from her.

“His family, they had to been killed by humans. That is the only reason behind his pure hatred towards humans. Yet, I cannot draw his entire past, because something more happened.”

She fell back upon his comment towards her about the hate speech she had given him. A hatred so strong it could drive a creature to endless killing. Her eyes turned cold on her resolution the word, could, should be changed to the word did. The wind that blew over that scene, made her jump as she pondered her horrid conclusion, but to her, it seemed like it was the right conclusion.

Madoka’s weight shifted on her legs as she watched the wolf demon turn towards her. His face was red, chapped from shedding tears and his hands were red as well from being chilled in the stream. A reassuring smile crossed his lips as her eyes met his, but she turned away. That wasn’t trust to her, you didn’t trust one moment and then decided to go back another time. Her right foot slid back as she veered her body around and placed her back to Riku. She needed to think this out.

“I just think no one should bear that much of a burden alone. By the way, Kaiya doesn’t know I’m out of the house. It’s not Kaiya’s fault I’m out here, I came out of my own accord.”

Madoka’s head turned a little so that she could glance over her shoulder. The black pupil in her hazel iris slid to the corner of her eye so that she could see Riku’s figure behind her. She then straightened out her head as she glanced at the cluster of houses that were in the field in front of her. She began to walk away from the broken wolf behind her.

“You can’t trick me with a fake smile Riku. I know you better than that. Let me know when you can trust me fully, because you can’t trust me one moment and not the next....”

Madoka’s stride didn’t break as she continued to walk away. She wasn’t mad at Riku for not telling her what was really going. She could understand that and as of now, she pretty much knew what had happen to inspire this despising attitude towards humans. What had gotten her worked up was the fact that Riku told her that he trusted her, but then said: but not now.

Madoka’s face scrunched in a dissatisfied manner as she walked with her arms cross. Moments passed and before she knew it, trees surrounded her and her footprint path had been wove around the trees in the forest. Beneath the trees, bushes and other ground decorations were highlighted since the branches of the trees were bare from leaves. She glanced around at her surroundings and took in the evening air with a deep sigh.

She walked up to a thick trunk tree and grabbed a lower limb. Pulling herself up, she got up on to the branch and stood up. Careful of the ice that coated the wood branches, she continued to pull herself up higher and higher until she could see over the trees. She sat down on the snowy branch and looked to the horizon. Clouds floated above, hovering, wanting to release the snow that was building up inside of them. Closing her eyes, Madoka let the cool wind blow through her hair and allowed her worries to be carried off.

[Riku Naoya]

The fake reassuring smile he held on his face vanished into nothing as Madoka’s eyes looked away from him. A face of guilt faded on to his tear stained skin. Riku hesitantly reached to hold her hand to beg for forgiveness and understanding but the reach was cut short. The heart of the wolf throbbed as the female shunned him. His ears bent back from the sudden movement of rejection, jade eyes narrowing to the lips parting in confusion. A short, silent gasp emitted from the lips as Madoka placed her back to him. Remorse filled eyes averted to the ground; his head turned slightly down and to the side as her voice was spoken harshly to him. His hand fell to his side. Ever since the massacre Riku depended on himself and no one else to carry this burden.

Why should anyone else carry it with him? It was none of their concern. That was the last thing he wanted; Madoka carrying the burden with him. This was a heavy burden. If the simple procession and slaughter of her mother and father wore her down this much, she would collapse from carrying Riku’s burden of knowing his whole clan was slaughtered and he avenged them by feeding on their flesh and killing all human life signs. He did not need her to see blood everyday and smell it everyday. He did not need her to hear the horrid screams of dying humans or the painful howls of skinned wolves.

The wolf parted his lips allowing puffs of his breath to freeze in the cool air. He anted to tell her, he really did…but there was something holding him back. The lips of the demon mouthed silently the two words of “I’m sorry.” Riku looked up to hear footsteps moving further and further from him. The warmth he felt from the female that once stood in front of him faded. Riku took a step back as she verbally abused his pride; as she verbally damaged his self-esteem of trust.

His eyes widened as she spoke to him. His mouth parted in shock. She continued to walk away from him. There was no pause to her stride. Riku reached out a hand as if trying to grab her hand, but she was already too far from him. The open hand clenched into a fist as he brought it up to his chest. His eyes shut tightly and his lips moved to release only a whisper. This whisper wouldn’t reach the one he wanted to. She was long gone into the forest and brush.

“Madoka…”

The winter chill did not phase the broken wolf as he stood there alone in the dark. Eyes looked to where he last saw Madoka. She was gone. She didn’t come back. Riku’s ears dropped against his silver and black tresses. His tail dragged and swayed to the winter’s breeze. The male turned towards the brook. His footsteps were frostbitten as they crunched the snow underneath them. He stopped at the edge and looked across the stream to the other bank. It was higher than the one he stood at. Frozen grass clung to the side of the bank. Tall weeds draped into the water freezing at the surface, frozen in time.

He brought his frozen hands up into his sight. The red flesh was numb, but it was still there. Even after all that time he soaked them in the chilled water, that crimson liquid was present. The stickiness of the blood made like webbing as he spread his fingers and brought them together. His eyes narrowed in anger. His life was a disaster. Everything he tried ended up as a dead end. His family was slaughtered for the ugly sins of humans. He was cursed to hear them, smell them, and feel them for eternity, and now Madoka walked away from him the moment he needed her most just because of his stupidity of not telling her what he hid from her. Riku stripped Taku’s shirt from his body and dropped it on the ground. He was tired of smelling like a human. The pants slid off easily. He kicked them on top of the v-neck shirt and stood soaking in the winter chill as it stroked his skin.

Riku inhaled sharply, shaking his head in denial. He shot his head back towards the sky releasing a cry to the heavens. His mouth grew fangs, out from the pink gums of his mouth. Claws grew from his fingertips, growing sharper and deadlier, digging into his flesh as his plead continued. Blood dripped to the frozen ground. It was a strong scent that anything could pick up. Whiskers pushed out from the skin on his tear stained face. Pupils narrowed into slits. Small tufts of hair began to cover the skin of the male demon. His feet were halfway transformed. The snout of the beast grew out halfway showing more wolf-like features. His transformation continued. The silver fur grew thicker as the stature of the demon shrank. His hands transformed into paws. The snout grew to its full length and the scream shifted into a high-pitched howl; the same howl his mother gave when the fur was ripped from her very body. The blood continued to seep. It was dripping from the bottom of his front paws.

With a strong push from the hind legs, the fully transform Riku leapt across the brook on to the opposite bank. Luckily it was an open field on the other side. The wolf ran away from the edge of the bank heading deeper into the open range. The snow fell lightly open his fur as he ran. His four legs pushed and pulled his body. Muscles cramped together to keep the speed at the same rate. His claws dug into the ground as he pushed each time for a long stride. The moon hovered elegantly over his body. This is how it was. This is how it still should be; wolves running under the warm light of the moon. The pushing and pulling of his legs slowly came to a jog, then to a walk. A single silhouette sat in an open field under the moon. He curved his neck around to see the village in the distance. He couldn’t leave Madoka’s home just yet. They still had his clothes. He turned his head back and up. Beautiful azure eyes reflected the moon on their glassy surfaces.

Cool air was inhaled through his coal black nose. The next sound to be heard was the sad song of a wolf’s howl. Riku prayed Madoka would hear his howl. It was in a language only she should know. This story was for her ears only. The jaws of the beast came together emitting the lyrics. The howl would die but he would just pick up where he left off. His ears laid back. His eyes closed listening to his own words.

“I’m sorry. Please, please forgive me. I trust you. I trust you past, your future, and your soul. I trust your voice and your heartbeat. I trust your innocent smile. My trust for you never faded. From the very first time my eyes met yours to this very moment when you walked away from me, my trust never vanished. I trust you. Now please…please…I need you to trust me that I will let you into my past when winter breaks. I promised you that please trust me to keep this promise.”

The fading of the howl ended in a soft high-pitched one. His eyes opened to the moon. The wolf dropped its head and its ears perked up listening for any kind of response. He kept his ears erect as he sprawled his body out on the ground. Riku rested his wolf body on the ground and brought his right front paw to the muzzle. His pink tongue caressed the sole of his paw lightly. The blood smeared across the bottom of the pad and was eventually cleaned only for more to bleed out. Riku continued to pamper his paw until the bleeding ceased. His ears began to relax from hearing no response. The wolf’s head tilted off to the side in grief. Its eyes slowly slid shut as a tired sigh was let loose from the muzzle.

[Madoka Hamada]

Madoka sat curled up on the branch she sat on. Her forehead against her knees as she sat there. The wind rocked the branches and they creaked as they were bent more than wanted. Madoka solemnly looked up from her fetal position as she looked over the iced landscape below her. She shivered, feeling chilled from sitting on ice and feeling old man winter’s breath down her back. She pulled her face back down, looking down at her lap that was crunched from her knees being against her chest. She closed her eyes listening to the nature around her: wind blowing amongst the trees, owl’s calling out into the night, deer that were walking below and their feet crunching frostbitten leaves, a wolf’s howl...

Madoka picked up her head and listened to the wolf’s gentle lyrics. Tears ran down her cheeks as she listened to something that was meant just for her. She put her face in her hands as she sobbed to herself.

“I-I’m so stupid....selfish....why....why would I doubt him...?”

Her whispered words cracked underneath the pressure of her tears. Taku always told her the stubbornness was a curse wrapped nicely with a bow. She shook her head, she hated herself now. She truly hated herself for being so ignorant of Riku’s true feelings. He needed her, it would just take time to reveal what he harbored. She smacked her fist against the branch she sat on, causing the snow to fall off and splatter against lower branches. She looked at her hand, red from the force she used.

She blinked away the fog in her vision. Carefully, she began to slide down the branches towards the ground. Half way down, it was nothing, but ice. Slender fingers lost their grip as the branch became out of reach. Madoka corrected herself as she fell and grabbed a lower branch with her right hand. She looked down and mumbled to herself. It was only a couple feet to the ground. She released the branch she had finally grasped and fell gracefully to the snowy ground.

Madoka began to run through the frosty ground, through the dimly lit village. She retraced her footsteps that led her away from her beloved. The winter’s cold wind bit against her skin causing it to turn a flushed red. She skidded down to the creek, ignoring the clothes that were tossed aside. The boots she wore were not made for such rough events as she skidded across the ice. The ice was thick in spots, weak in others as her feet broke through the thin sheet and soaked her up to her knees, since she tripped and fell into the icy water.

She picked herself up, shivering, but kept running. Up the bank and to the field, she continued until she saw the furry mass in the field. Her steps slowed, faltering as she continued walking. Tears now coursed down her face as she kept walking. She finished her trek standing a few feet away from the silver and black highlighted wolf. She sniffled as she looked into his eyes.

“I’m so sorry.....I’m so stupid.....”

Madoka’s eyes closed as she fell to her knees. Silver wolf ears laid flat against her silver hair and her tail curled around her body. Feminine fingers were red from the cold and her porcelain pale cheeks were flushed from running in the cold air. Up to her knees were soaked and the pants she wore were collecting snow from kneeling in the fresh powder. She held her face in her hands once again, but continued to cry out to her beloved.

“I’m stupid, I’m sorry. I never should have doubted you. I-I-...”

Her sentence never finished as she continued more. She leaned over from her waist so that her forehead was touching the powdery ground. Her tears froze and plastered to her face, but more of the salt water just continued to fall from her eyes. She had never felt so pathetic. She would run a thousand miles, swim a thousand rivers and climb a thousand walls for this man. Why would something so strong be broken so easily? She sobbed even harder at this thought as she wrapped her arms around her stomach so that her hands rested visibly on her back. She continued to plead to Riku, her cries muffled from the position of her head.

“I’m sorry....I’m so sorry...”

[Riku Naoya]

The ears of the silver and black wolf fell off to the side. The head of the creature tilted off to the side. Another sigh was released into the night air from the cold muzzle of the wolf. Riku took one last look up to the sky with his azure eyes until he shut them. This last look was the last sign of hope for hearing a response. The poor wolf’s heart throbbed when so response filtered though his sensitive wolf ears. He blinked his eyes and slowly, with each slide shut and open, his vision faded. Madoka, she did not forgive him. She walked away from him, leaving him behind in the cold of the night.

He lost another beloved one. A fatigue whine filtered through the closed muzzle. His front paws crossed. His head rested on top of the furry appendages. The hind legs slid off to the side and the tail lay across the hind legs. Riku did not care anymore if he slept out in the cold. The fur that covered his flesh shielded him, protecting him from most of Mother Nature’s winter breath. The flurries of snow drifted down from the sky. White specks attached themselves to Riku’s warm fur. A chilled breeze swept across the ground stirring up a dust storm of light snow. The lone wolf brought one paw up over its snout. The ears of the mammal lay back preventing the drifting snow from going in.

Soft footsteps could be lightly heard. The footsteps were not a wolf’s. They were running. The footsteps seemed heavy in a sense. Silver ears perked up to the sound. The snout of the male wolf crooked around towards the village. A slender silhouette could be seen. Jade eyes honed in on the shadow. Wolf ears sat on top of the head of the running being, and behind a tail was dragged along. Wolf eyes opened fully as a breeze of wind carried the scent. Riku pushed his wolf body up from the frozen floor. The scent, it was familiar. It was a feminine scent. It was a warm scent.

Madoka.

The female wolf demon neared his furry bundle. Tears were streaming down her face. Her run slowed to a walk. Her sniffling drew the wolf closer to Madoka. His ears listened to her muffled words. Tears and sniffles made her words slur but he could still pick up her apologies and her insults towards herself. Jade eyes lost sight of hers as she closed them and fell to her knees. Riku, now that he was on all fours, trotted to her. His paws sank into the layer of snow that was collecting and the tip of his swaying tail scraped the surface. The wolf closed the distance between them and bent down his head. The hands she held close to her face, shielding her porcelain skin were red. His ears folded down from hearing Madoka insult her intelligence and pleading for forgiveness. Her voice was filled with pain, the same pain he had heard before when she cried from retelling her past memories. He watched her cry out to him over and over again.

A low whine emitted from his shut muzzle as he tired to get her attention. The wolf brought its head down. Its body followed the movement. He plopped himself down in an awkward hoping for a smile to appear on her face. He nudged her head up from the cold white powder with his muzzle. Riku wiggled his muzzle, moving it in to lie on her lap. He forgave her, he was never mad at her. Riku knew it was a misunderstanding. His tail thumped against the cold ground causing fresh powder to be picked up and carried by the wind. He sniffed her arms that she held crossed looking for the scent of Taku. His ears flattened in disappointment. He wanted clothes.

The young demon would gladly transform back to his humanoid state. Riku wanted to hold Madoka. He wanted to comfort her and tell her everything is okay. He wanted to keep her warm and carry her back to the warmth of Kaiya’s and Taku’s humble abode. Unfortunately, with no clothes, he was stuck like this. His transformation would be humanoid, but he would be in his birthday suit. A small imagery came into his head. If he were in his human form now, it would surely be red, and not from the cold either. Another whine, only higher this time came from the back of his throat. Trying again, his snout sniffed for the human scent. It was there, but it was not Taku’s mixed with his own scent. The thumping tail ceased and began to sway, skidding across the snow this time. The underbelly fur of Riku’s neck gave warmth to the wet clothes Madoka wore. She must have crossed the brook instead of jumping it like he did. Riku looked off to the side. There was no light. There was only a dim one from the light of the moon. His eyes shifted up to look at his dearly loved Madoka.

They needed to get back. Madoka needed more warmth other than his fur, and he himself needed clothes so he could give her even more warmth. He really wanted to hold her now. Riku desired to wrap his arms around her and kiss her chapped lips. The craving wolf wanted to hold her feminine hand in his. He wanted to whisper loving words into her silver wolf ears. Riku felt like the stupid one now. He was the idiot who tossed his clothes aside not even thinking about the future. A soft growl vibrated in the back of his throat from his idiocy.

[Madoka Hamada]

“Momma?”

Madoka’s silver strands of hair were shorter than her present self. Only reaching a little below her chin, the younger version was completely blinded when the wind came about. She sat squarely on the grass coated ground. The scent of fresh flowers was aloft in the summer air. The wind blew about the two wolf demons and caused their hair to rise gracefully into the wind. Madoka’s mother gazed upon her daughter with brilliant honey hued eyes, her blonde wolf ears were erect catching her daughter’s soft words.

“What is it my dear?”

Her words gentle as her eyes shifted back to the field of flowers that were before her. The new flowers had just blossomed and a new bouquet was needed to force the reminder of the musty smell of winter out of the house. Madoka plucked a clean, white daisy from the ground and went up to place it in her mother’s hair. Her mother smiled as she watched her tiny daughter place the flower in her long, blonde hair.

“What is love?”

Hazel eyes filled with confusion as they met with smaller honey hued eyes. Madoka’s mother pondered the question. Such a hard question for one so small. She sighed as she turned to the trees bordering the open field. After a few moments, she turned to met her questioning daughter’s eyes.

“Love? Love is when you feel like you cannot live without that person. Just leaving them for a second makes your body ache. When you love someone, just their name, makes you get butterflies in your stomach and you would sell your soul just to see them one last time. You share their emotions with them and you would do anything for them to have no pain. If they were lost, you would go to the ends of the world to find them. Love is an extremely strong emotion Madoka. One day, you’ll find it...”

Madoka plopped down by her mother and gazed at her. Such a wise woman, and yet her mother was so young looking. Little did Madoka know that her mother had hundreds of years behind her youthful mask. She fiddled with the blades of grass, before her mother pulled her into a warm embrace.

“Oh dear, Madoka....You ask too many questions for such a young mind. I’ll run out of answers by the time you age a year....”

Madoka shivered as the summer day drifted and she came to the reality of the harsh winter. She gazed over to see flurries falling down to the already coated ground. There was a hint of warmth near her legs. She was surprised she could tell that much, there was little feeling in her frozen legs. She picked her head up and looked at the silvery haired wolf that was by her side.

Eyelashes fluttered as her honey hued orb gazed upon the silver creature. She smiled slightly, but her mind pondered. Why hadn’t he changed back? Was he still mad at her? She shook her head, no, no that wasn’t true. Was he that revolted by humans that he refused to go into his humanoid form? That was when she remembered, passing the wad of clothes by the brook . Madoka’s face flushed into a bright cherry red as she turned away from Riku.

“He-he-he...Oh god....”

Madoka pushed herself up and began to walk towards the stream. Her steps still faltered and it was no wonder, there was little feeling in her legs as she walked. She opened her mouth, but muttered the embarrassing words to her.

“Let’s go get your clothes, Riku...”

The female wolf continued her trek through the snow to the stream. Her legs were already numb, so she just walked through the bitter, cold water once again. The flurried had covered the clothes, but the black fabric was still easily detectable. She picked up the shirt and pants and shook the snow from them. She went over to a bush and place the clothes on the lower branches. She started to walk away, but her steps were slow this time. She glanced over her shoulder and called out to the wolf, but it became a mutter quickly.

“I-I’ll just go ahead, while y-you...yeah...”

Madoka flushed even more, pulling her head down to hide her embarrassed face as she continued to walk slowly towards her warm home.

[Riku Naoya]

The falling snow was drifting elegantly down from the hovering clouds. Streaks of hardened snow danced across the frost-bitten ground. Silver and black fur waved in the chilly kiss. Wolf ears were bent tightly against the skull of the wolf. This wolf lay comfortably upon his frozen beloved who seemed to be in a trance of the past. Riku’s cold nose nudged Madoka’s arms. His craned his neck to meet her gaze upon him. The slight smile was a good sign that she cold still feel. But she needed warmth soon.

Riku continued to nudge on Madoka, urging her to get up on her feet. His muzzle moved to the side of her face to her cheek. He caressed her cold skin with his pink warm tongue and continued to watch her intensely. His jade eyes watched the female as she fought her inner self about something unknown to him. Silver ears with short tresses of black perked up when he witnessed her face turn pink and her face quickly turn away from him.

A wolf smirk appeared on his face when he concluded what she was thinking about. Innocent virgin eyes picturing something not so innocent; Riku couldn’t help but smirk about it. The chin of the wolf lifted as Madoka pushed herself to her feet. Riku too, pushed his lower half up from the ground and began to pace next to Madoka. He trotted by her side at all times as they walked back to the warmth of the village.

He would turn his head up to her face and stayed by her legs to support her from stumbling. His tail wagged from Madoka embarrassed words and the male wolf grinned to himself. The thought of clothes excited him. With those he could hold her and do all to her that he wanted to do before. He continued to trot strongly right next to her that is until they reached the stream. It was almost frozen. Riku stayed behind Madoka and watched her along the bank. His eyes watched her as she crossed the frozen water allowing it to soak into her clothes. The male demon’s hair stood up on end just thinking about crossing the river like that.

He rolled his eyes when she safely reached the other end of the shore. Riku did what he first did to cross the brook before. He simply pushed off from the bank and cleared the frozen water with little problems. His back paw hit the cold water abruptly. Riku’s tail tucked under and her sprinted away from the evil brook. The wolf shook the cold water from the paw and walked up to the area Madoka had set his clothes. Riku quickly transformed back into his wolf form just to hear Madoka call out to him.

The male demon perked his head up with a goofy grin on his face and cupped his mouth with his hands calling back to the embarrassed female who walked away from him. His voice had a sarcastic tone to it and his ears were curled into devil horns.

“What’s wrong sweetie? You don’t what to see me naked? I promise you it’s not that bad of a sight.”

With that last sentence in the air Riku threw his head back and laughed. He threw a hand up against his forehead another against his stomach trying to calm his laughing. Riku shook his head and threw his clothes over top of his body. He came out from behind the shield of the bushes and ran up quickly behind the walking female wolf demon. He clutched her from behind and held her closely. Riku then scooped her up into his arms and shivered from feeling her wet clothes against his bare skin. His eyes looked down into hers giving her a grin from the last comment he made to her.

“Okay I’ll admit that was bad.”

He nuzzled his face close to hers.

“But you know I love you.”

Riku carried Madoka like a prince would carry a princess. He walked up to the place of Kaiya and Taku and up the stairs. Riku used the same method before to open the door and stepped inside once again accidentally allowing the door to slam behind them. Riku’s ears flattened to the bang and rolled his eyes knowing his missed something. Riku gently placed Madoka’s feet on the ground giving her the option of standing. He however stayed right behind her allowing her to lean on him and kept his hand placed firmly on her shoulders. The male’s body automatically began to soak in the heat of the fire. He stood there holding Madoka’s weight waiting for something to happen.

[Madoka Hamada]

Madoka ran her arms over her slender arms to conserve what heat still remained. Her steps were faulty, because of frozen, stiff legs. Silver appendages picked up on Riku’s comment. Her face flushed with pure embarrassment. The words she was about to say were caught in her throat and refused to emerge. When she tried to speak, the words scratched and she just coughed hoarsely. It must have slipped her mind to tell Riku that she aged slowly. Technically, she only matured fully about three years ago and Riku’s....obscene...comment she would call it.

It took her a few moments to gather herself up again and realize that she froze in place. He was a cruel demon. She ran her fingers through the froze silver strands on top of her head. Slender fingers grasped her forehead and began to think why she ended up with him. Her foot shifted forward, crunching the snow beneath the heavy boots.

Before she knew it, she was being whisked up into the air. Startled eyes, blinked, but then scanned the handsome face. Madoka could only giggle at the comment he made. She shook her head. She leaned towards him, her nose just barely missing his as she gazed into his eyes. A mischievous glint within her eyes as she held his eye contact.

“No, your not bad. You’re absolutely horrible...”

Heavy sarcasm fully saturated her voice as she spoke. She did, however, nuzzle him back when he nuzzled her. For that brief moment, she inhaled the warm scent of the male wolf demon. That scent reminded her so much of home; the wild scent of the pine trees and snow, mixed with the soon-to-be blossoming flowers. The wilderness was laced within his skin, but it had a bit of his own unique flavor to it.

The female demon leaned against her companion as he carried her across the frozen ground. Winter’s breath chilled her and made the wet clothes she had on frozen solid. A chill ran down her spin enough to make her body vibrate within her beloved’s arms. Her soft breath escaped her chapped lips. The wisps of breath were visible in the dark air. She nudged against Riku’s neck affectionately. A low, playful growl emitted from her throat as she nuzzled him.

She continued to lay against him until he had carried her into the house and into one of the bedrooms. A fire blazed within the fireplace within the room. Madoka glanced at it, she didn’t light a fire before she left. That would have left Taku to do so, and that thought caused her to smile. When Riku let her down, she gracefully slid out of his arms and, with the grace that would make a ballerina jealous, she walked over to the fire and leaned in.

Slender fingers had a slight tinge of blue to them from the cold, but with only a few available moments at the warmth of the flames, feeling was regained with movement. Her silver strands of hair, some brittle with ice and other still held the same silky texture as before. Her face was worn and flushed from the wind, but the fire light against her porcelain face gave her a new radiance. Her clothes, rather Kaiya’s clothes, still clung to her feminine frame, but more so than before since they were wet and now had froze in place. Her eyes shifted down to the icy clothes, she would need to change before she retired for the night.

She retreated from the fire, but only for a few moments. She glided over to the chest of drawers and slid the drawers open. With delicate movements, she shifted through the clothes that were in the drawer. A twinge of guilt had settled in her heart, she was wearing more of Kaiya’s clothes than Kaiya herself, but this was needed. She settled on a oversized white sweater that went down to Madoka’s knees when she held it up to her body.

She walked over to a corner in the room where there was a decorated dressing blind up. Madoka went behind the blind, where she was grateful for a cloudy night. The window would not grant Riku even a silhouette shot of her.

“D-Don’t look!”

Her voice was higher than normal with embarrassment, making her warning practically useless. With that warning in place, she made sure she was quick to change from the wet and cold clothes to the new warm sweater. She pulled the turtleneck sweater over her head, mussing up her hair more and slid the wet pants off and quickly reached for the sweater that she had tossed to the floor in order to change. She mumbled under her breath at the misfortune of having wet undergarments, but those would dry quick. Without a second thought, she slid the sweater over head, wet undergarments and all. She flung the wet garments over the shade to dry.

She emerged from the blind, looking as if she had just woken up. The hair that had been pulled from the collar was curled from being damp and frizzed from it being through rough situations. Some of the strands, however, were still sitting within the collar of the sweater. The sweater, although big length wise, was not as large width as Madoka thought it was. The material still clung slightly to show that she still had womanly curves, but was down to her knees. She glanced at Riku through her roughed up bangs and gave him an angelic smile.

Once again, with a dancer's grace, she walked up to Riku. She reached out to the handsome wolf's face, pausing halfway, but continued and reached out to caress his jawline. Her fingers only brushed the surface of his skin. With her other hand, she reached out to for his hand. Grasping it tenderly, she placed his hand against her face and leaned against his masculine hand. A dream-like expression was upon her face, just relieved that she could feel his touch.

[Riku Naoya]

Riku stepped into the bedroom he had left Madoka in once before cautiously. The wood creaked slightly as he pressed his full weight upon it. As the wood moaned, Riku’s ears perked not to the wood but to another attention grabbing sound. A small smile appeared on his lips as he heard Madoka’s playful growl. He took a deep breath in, his chest heaving against Madoka’s body. His silver wolf ears drooped as he released the breath and his azure eyes shifted to the blazing fire. The smoky charcoals burned brilliantly lighting the small room. The flames gave off an alluring scent. Tired eyes adjusted subtly to the light. His tail dragged behind him. Riku pressed another small kiss against Madoka’s temple before he let her go.

His hands followed her body, as the female gracefully left his embrace. His hands dropped to his sides as he watched the graceful creature walk over to the blazing heat source. Azure eyes watched over every detail of the woman he loved. They scanned her delicate fingers, to her fragile face, down to her frozen legs. The smile vanished as his gaze drifted down to the fire. Fire; Such a destructive element. To think, their four nations were at war and this area was untouched by any source of evil. A sigh of exhaustion was released once again from Riku’s lips. They were chapped and sore from the bite of winter. Silver appendages perked slightly to sudden movement from Madoka.

The feminine wolf being moved elegantly in front of his gazing eyes. He didn’t blame her though; the clothes she wore at the time were not fit for her. They were wet and frozen, clinging to her every curve. The wolf demon watched silently as she took care of business finding suitable clothes. The sounds from the drawers being opened and closed echoed slightly in the room; wood hitting wood gently but with a slight sense of force. Riku’s ears ducked to it. His mind was too tired for such noise. A quiet smirk appeared across the demons lips as he watched his beloved go behind a decorated dressing build up. The devious little demon watched her closely as she disappeared behind the blockade. Her voice shot uselessly across the silence, her warning wasn’t exactly the best warning. Riku’s ears turned up into devil horns as his grin became more apparent. Riku just shrugged sarcastically.

“And why not? I’m pretty sure that wouldn’t be a bad sight either.”

Wet garments were flung over the blinds. Riku shook his head and smiled crossing his arms out in front of him. The demon’s footsteps were light as he crept towards the blinds, assuming she was almost done with changing anyway. A hand rose to his mouth as he saw Madoka emerge from her hiding place. His eyes wavered back and forth from her to the fire snickering softly to him self from her ragged appearance. Her silver hair was a mess, and the long gown did not help the appearance. Although, it did show femininity. Riku’s heart jumped at the smile she gave him. He held out his arms to her with a smile on as Madoka approached him.

Riku curved his arms around her small waist as she caressed his face. The wolf demon released a small coo to the touch of her skin against his. It was soft, and delicate. Her scent drifted nicely into his senses. Riku soaked it in as if it were the rarest smell on the planet. He loved her so much nothing in this world could tear him away. A smile graced his lips again when he felt her feminine fingers wrap around his hand. A moment in frozen time, this is what it felt like. He caressed her face gently. His eyes memorized her expression. One of a goddess. One of an angel. Leaning in to her face, Riku pressed a kiss against her forehead. He rested his forehead against hers looking into her eyes smiling. He whispered lightly.

“You look beautiful.”

Riku pulled her closer to him and caressed her neck with his lips, placing tender kisses along her jaw line. His hand moved down to her back and hooked with his other, trapping her in his embrace. Riku trailed kisses up her jaw line to her silver wolf ear, bestowing one last kiss on the very tip of it; his warm breath caressing the fine fur. Retreating, Riku pulled back smiling lightly looking into her lovely eyes. He unlocked his hands and slid them along her waist to her slender arms, massaging them until his hands reached her hands.

Masculine fingers curled around her hands and pulled lightly. Without looking away from her Riku walked backwards towards the cot. He led her carefully across the room to the cot, and sat down on it. The handmade mattress formed to his features as he relaxed all on his weight on it. Azure eyes looked up into hers as he continued to hold her hands in his. His silver wolf ears bent backwards as he smiled. His lips moved slowly forming into words of stubbornness.

“I refuse to let go.”

Just like before, the demon slid his hands along her arms to behind her back, hooking his fingers together. Riku pulled Madoka closer to him smiling a devious yet gentle smile. He didn’t take his eyes off of her. They were locked on. Riku caved in to sleep in the cot since before he refused and now it was Madoka’s move.

ooc: Nice profile picture. ;D

[Madoka Hamada]

Madoka’s skin crawled as she felt the gentle tickle of Riku’s lips against her flesh. The sensation caused chills to run down her spine. She leaned her head in, against Riku’s head, closing her eyes. With one sense not being used, Madoka could feel every minute detail of his lips touching. Eye fluttered open when she no longer felt the gentle kisses. She watched his movements. His hands as the scaled down her arms in a gentle motion.

Sudden surprise spread across her face when Riku grasped her tightly. She struggled against his grasp, making his endeavor slightly harder. Though she was strong, Madoka couldn’t fight against Riku’s iron grip. Before she knew it, she was looking down at Riku as he sat upon the cot. His words of stubbornness caused her silver ears to arch up on her head. Her eyes narrowed slightly at what seemed to be a cheesy pick-up line. Luckily for him, she liked cheesy.

Madoka squealed slightly when Riku pulled her delicate body on to the cot, on him. Her feminine legs straddled his stomach and she sat on his abs. Pink paint was splashed her face with a rosy hint of embarrassment. Her slender fingers were pulled into loose fists. She had pulled her loose fists up to her chin to hide the expression of her lips. Madoka’s face reflected that of an innocent child. The face of a child that she had contained for so many years until she hit maturity.

“R-Riku...?”

Madoka’s body shifted slightly in her bashful position. Only one of her loose fists stayed near her lips, pressed gently against the flesh. Her left hand rested against her left thigh. Her eyes averted the gaze of the male wolf. Her pupils darted back and forth, if she met his gaze, she would look away. The rosy color across her cheeks deepened to a cherry red. The talk of her childhood had caused slight retrogress to her childish antics. Easy embarrassment was one of them.

“Riku...let me go...”

Madoka’s voice was slightly whiney when she spoke. She wriggled against his vice grip on her. But with her flexibility and the amount of several minutes, she slipped through his hands like butter and rolled to the side of the cot. She looked back to Riku. She scrutinized his face with her eyes, looking for a hint of disappointment of her departure from his arms.

She picked herself up off the cot and walked gracefully to the window. Her energy was waning, but she needed to stay awake a little longer until her body was ready to rest. Her mind kept her eyes wide as she watched the winter wonderland outside. The wind whistled outside the glass. The flurries of snow danced in and out, and up and down. Simple wonders, that’s all it was, she thought as she watched three deer walk about outside the line of trees. Hooves scratched into the soft fluff upon the ground. Large, dark eyes scanned for the littlest bit of grass and for predators that thought of an easy meal in the thick snow.

Soft flurries brought back memories of her first snow. Taku was the one to take her out into the cold. Her home of her real mother and father was too warm and mild winters never produced any snow. She could remember the taste of the ice upon her tongue when she stuck it out, imitating Taku. She loved the winter and the snow, but not when it made her socks wet within her boots. She could recall the first time ice-skating and the face of Taku’s jealously, because she had better grace on the ice than he did.

She giggled softly at the moment in time. She turned to Riku, her face was different. It didn’t contain the innocence of the child she had before. The innocence was still there, but the expression was that of a young woman. A woman who had lived for years and retained years of experiences and knowledge. She went back over to the cot and kneeled down before lying completely on the feathered mattress. She curled up next to Riku, her eyes didn’t close. Her hazel iris was glazed over with exhaustion though.

[Riku Naoya]

Riku smirked at Madoka’s squirming and squealing against his vice grip. His jade eyes had a evil twinkle in them as he stared into Madoka’s pools. Madoka’s legs incased his. They straddled his stomach. Riku closed his eyes to her warmth and scent. Beautiful. That’s what it was. The male wolf smiled to himself as he leaned in closer to his beloved. He placed tender kisses, craning his neck up to her collar bone. Riku made sure he did not do anything to deserve him a slap across the face, no matter how tempting it was at the time. Riku’s flesh turned red at the thought.

As he kissed her silky skin tenderly, Riku opened his enchanting jade eyes with swirls of azure, looking directly up upon Madoka’s face. The light pink that was splashed across her face signaled to Riku she loved it…she was just too embarrassed to admit it. How innocent. Riku’s silver appendages lay back as a smile crawled across his lips against her flesh. He could feel her every movement as he held her closely. Riku nudged her arms not willing to let go of her to remove her hands from her face. The seducing wolf did not want his beloved’s face hidden from him. Even if she was embarrassed, he wanted to see every detail of Madoka’s face.

The insistent male demon continued to lay his lips on her collar bone, and resting his forehead against the foot of her neck. His ears twitched slightly to her feminine voice. It was whiney in a sense, but oh so alluring. She might not mean to be, but everything about Madoka, Riku had no chance of resisting. He loved her too much for that to happen. He whispered a questioning response in a slight groan to her stuttering his name. Then movements started. He lifted his head to the movements and looked up at the bashful female wolf straddling him. A smirk remained on his lips as he looked into her pools. Madoka kept averting his gaze. The smirk morphed into the gentlest smile he could offer. He found her innocence so cute. But, Madoka was not all about innocence, oh no. There was more to her and he knew it from past experiences. She could be so seductive, so alluring, like a sailor to a siren…Riku of course being the sailor.

As Madoka struggled against him, and averted her gaze to something that was not into his eyes, Riku made sure to keep his grip tight. It seemed the more she struggled in her position the redder her face got. Riku released a slight snicker to these observations. The male demon’s smile turned into a pout as he heard her request to be set free from his grip. He didn’t want to let go of her. Riku’s head fell back looking up at the ceiling; he closed his eyes and began to whine mimicking her playful whines.

“Why? I don’t want to.”

Riku ducked his head back into Madoka’s neck and held her tighter. Now he was being the child. But behind all of these whines, he held a smile on his face, on the inside of course.

“I want to hold you.”

Slowly pulling his head from her, Riku gazed deeply into Madoka’s gentle eyes and pouted. The puppy dog look worked very well for Riku. He had the ears, the eyes, and the tail. His eras danced backwards as he whined jokingly to the one in his arms.

“Pleeeaase let me hold you.”

Riku knew in the back of his head, throughout this whole struggle he was going to lose. That was proven in several minutes and constant wriggling delivered by Madoka. His fingers came apart unwillingly and her frail body slipped through his strong hold. Riku’s silver ears drooped and his eyes followed her as she shifted to the side of the cot against his pleading. The depressed demon looked away disappointed. His eyes looked down to the floor and his tail was dead. Before it was wagging, but now…Madoka crushed its spirit. The image on Riku’s face was priceless. There was nothing there. His whines and begging ceased and he just sat there empty handed. A long sigh was released between his lips.

The winter chill outside howled slightly against the windows. The scent of the female dwindled down in strength as Riku felt her warmth leave and go farther away from him. He did not bother looking up. The vision granted to him from the corners of his eyes was good enough to see where she was. The winter wonderland outside apparently was a lot more important at the time to her than he was. The temporarily broken demon just sat there in utter silence. His eyes drifted to the blazing fire. It was warm. Riku blanked out.

There was a figure standing there. A small child. This vision was the same as before. The one that gradually got clearer each time he saw it. It was a reminder of something. His past was trying to remind him of something that he desperately wanted to forget, but he didn’t know what it was. That’s what his mind is trying to remind him of. Riku stared blankly into the fire looking at this imaginative figure there. In the arms of the child there was a heap of something. Liquid was surrounding the child. It glowed from the flames of the fire. The stench of human blood and wolf demon blood was combined. It filled Riku’s sensitive nose. It was sickening. A feeling gaze broke his thoughts. The gaze was Madoka’s. Riku was snapped back into reality.

He brought his hands up to his face and rubbed them gently against his face. He released another sigh. He hated the fact that the vision continued to come back to him. He was getting the feeling if it was fully cleared, Riku wouldn’t like it. For that one moment in time, when Madoka was on him, Riku had almost completely forgotten he was surrounded by humans, that he was sharing a home with three humans, one being a male that he did not particularly care for…Taku. There was a slight glare in Riku’s eyes. His hands rubbed the back of his neck and he bent over placing his head between his legs. Riku sat there for a few moments longer thinking.

The wolf turned back up to Madoka when he felt her weight shift the cot underneath them. Riku placed his arms around Madoka’s essence as she curled up next to him. He didn’t look into her eyes though. Riku grimaced at that damn vision. He picked his feet up from the floor and rested, laying fully down on the cot. He peeled his arms away from Madoka and laid on his side looking at the bland wall. One last sigh of exhaustion streamed through his nose. He shifted onto his back and looked at Madoka. There innocent side of Madoka apparently became bored and hid itself away for the time being. Grasping her on hand gently, Riku curled his masculine fingers around hers and brought it up to his lips kissing it gently, pretending nothing was wrong. Let’s see if he could fool her. He smiled a shallow smile and whispered gently, motioning with his head as well.

“Lay down.”

[Madoka Hamada]

The female wolf demon sat up when her companion turned away from her and laid on his side. Madoka gazed at Riku with compassionate eyes when he rolled back over to face her. Her slender appendages played with his masculine fingers as he kissed her hand. But her gaze never faltered. She sensed something wrong with Riku, but she decided not to ask. She tilted her head as she looked down upon him. The slight movement caused the silver strands of her hair to fall around the delicate curves of her face. She ran her fingers through the silver filaments, smoothing them.

Madoka listened to Riku’s command and laid down next to him. She laid on her left side, her arms gently bent up. Her left hand rested near her forehead, her fingers bent gently and comfortably, and her right hand rested below her left elbow. Her shoulders were slightly hunched up, causing her hair to gather around the frame of her face. The light of the fire gave her porcelain skin a healthy glow on her cheekbone. Her hazel iris withheld her suspicion on Riku’s previous cover-up and was patent with her exhaustion. Her eyes fluttered fighting against her will, but eventually she gave in to what her body wanted. A restful night’s sleep.

Summer air brought the scent of lavender over the hills of a village within The Valley Of Stones. The village was one of the few green areas of the valley, not coated with in the steely gray of rocks. The river ran along the side of the village, making a natural border. Farmers nestled their houses close to the river where the soil would be the most fertile. The other villagers had spread out in the grass and one of the houses sat on a higher plain like a lookout.

Kiza Hamada sat on the outlet that looked over the village. Her blonde hair was blowing in the gentle breeze, her keen hearing picked up the laughter of children below playing in a grassy field. Hazel eyes wandered picking up the sights of the summer day. Green grass swaying with the breezes, the chatter of people outside their homes, birds twittering and other wildlife waking from wintery slumbers, not to mention all the scents of summer.

Kiza picked herself up off the grassy earth and walked back to her log cabin home. Brushing the blind back that served as a door. Upon entering her home there were two hallways to take. The left led to her home; the kitchen and bedrooms and the right led to a large room with five cots for patients of hers. She turned right.

The five cots to her pleasure were empty, except for one. The white sheets had been washed recently, the scent of summer was laced within their fibers. Her daughter was curled up on one of the cots that she had recently made. The pillows were still propped nicely, but the sheets were crinkled from Madoka’s violent sleeping. Her lips curved into a small smile. Her blonde ears picked up Madoka’s heavy breathing.

She sat down and gently picked up her daughter’s light body and cradled her delicate frame. She smiled ever so sweetly at her sleeping daughter. Her fingers brushed lightly against her daughter’s skin to brush away her silver hair. Silver hair, she had inherited from her grandfather. The hazel eyes, Kiza’s as well as her grandmother’s. What she loved most though, her disposition, was exactly her father’s. Every stubborn hair on her head, contrasted with her charismatic, glowing personality, but she was still shy at moments. Kiza smiled, Madoka was a female version of her father and she had a feeling that would never change. Kiza bent down and nuzzled Madoka, her skin smelled of the forest outside. She smiled, her exhaustion was due to her escapade outside early in the day.

An older Madoka stood watching the scene before her. The same dream happened over and over again, but it was calming in a way. She could hear her mother’s thoughts as she gazed at the younger version of her. She didn’t want the moment to end, but it did. Young Madoka opened her eyes and was greeted by her mother. There was a brief moment together, before it was interrupted by a familiar male voice.

“Papa...”

Though Madoka’s body outside of the dreamworld gave no clues to her dream, within it tears began to stream down her face. Her father, a brown haired green eyed man stood in the doorway waiting to take his daughter out fishing. Her father was handsome within the face and had a masculine build from heavy work in the village. A scene more heartbreaking than her and her mother. Her and her father.

His strong arms held her firm, afraid to let her go, but with the gentle touch of a father. Younger Madoka leaned against her father’s brawny shoulder and smiled. Madoka’s heart wanted to shatter, she had never smiled like that, only within her father’s arms. He began to laugh as Madoka animatedly told him about the deer she saw that morning

“His laugh....it warmed me so, but now...these are just memories, they’re in the past. No, they’re not just memories, they’re desires. I want them back. I want to feel the warmth of my father’s embrace. I want my mother’s caring smile to be the first thing I see when I wake up. I want....I want them back....”

The image of her and her father was burned into her memory. The heartbreaking feeling was beginning to set in. The feeling of yearning and desire of the family she use to have. Within her dreams, it felt like she had shattered. The dream had gone that far. It normally stopped when she opened her eyes in her mother’s arms. Maybe that was why she missed her father so much. He was in her dreams only a few times and each time....

[/i]

Madoka’s eyes fluttered open, she had turned away in her sleep and now faced a wall. The sun was just peeking over the mountains, but it was patchy with an overcast of clouds. It was early, meaning Kaiya and Haruko would not be up yet. But the person she needed to see was. She rolled out of the cot and got to her feet. Her stealth still had precision early in the morning, so she wouldn’t disturb Riku as she got up. She went over to the wardrobe and soundlessly, grabbed a change of clothes. Her bare feet patted lightly against the wooden floor as she exited the room.

Taku sat at the kitchen table finishing up his breakfast before heading out for the day. The slight rustle of someone walking down the hallway caught his attention so he looked up. Madoka came into the morning sunlight that had filtered into the house. Her silver hair laid strewn over her shoulders and eyes red from crying. Her honey shaded sweater was pulled over her hands and was used at a tissue to wipe away tears. Her brown pants dragged on the floor as she walked barefooted.

Taku smiled sadly as Madoka went up to him. Taku hugged her tightly as Madoka began to sob. Taku whispered gently to her, trying to calm her down. Taku’s fatherly embrace helped to ease the empty pain within her heart. And Taku’s gentle voice made her grip him more as he whispered in her silver ear. Madoka’s sobs became lighter as Taku reached the end of his small speech, but she still refused to let Taku go[/color].

“One of those dreams again, huh? Shh, it’s okay. It’s okay, it’s okay. I love you. Remember that. I love you.”[/center][/size]

[Riku Naoya]

Clouds sheeted the night sky. They caged the moon’s light from shinning down upon the land. No light was shown through the fogged window. It was kind of depressing. The fire’s blaze dimmed to a minimum. The charcoals glowed and the embers burned. The smoky scent filled the room. Riku’s eyes glowed in the light of the kindling embers. His face was turned to the right. His chest heaved up and down from another strong inhale. As Madoka lay down upon the cot next to him, he situated himself so that his one arm was under her neck and hooked around to her side. Apparently Madoka knew that nothing was wrong. Good. That was how he wanted it.

However, perhaps she did know, she just did not ask. Either way is fine with this male wolf demon. His jade eyes looked into hers right before they were covered by exhausted eyelids. The suspicious gaze she held…yup…she knew. Riku scoffed silently and looked away. He placed a kiss to her forehead when she drifted off into a dream. It was silent. It filled the room. It filled Riku’s ears. There was nothing to be heard. That was even more depressing. The gentle songs of the insets and birds were not even present. Riku hated the winter time. It ruined everything. It was suffocating. The waters were all frozen, the vegetation died, the wrath of Mother Nature was know as cruelty during this period of each year.

As Madoka dreamed, Riku dazed off, looking into nothingness. He brought his free hand up to his face. He placed it across his face covering his eyes. The joint of the elbow lay across his nose. His fingers lightly caressed Madoka’s hand. From the corners of his jade eyes Riku peered at Madoka’s gentle expression. He didn’t know if she was really dreaming or not. There were no signs of it though. If she was, hopefully it was a decent one. Riku looked back to the bland ceiling. He remembers how both of them had rotten pasts. He didn’t know whose was worst. At this point and time, it didn’t really matter. Flashes of their day appeared and disappeared like the wind in front of his azure swirled eyes.

He could Madoka’s cries. He could see her face clearly. She was an absolute mess. Madoka was scared to show him her hidden eye. Her strong façade was beaten into a frail one when she pried the past out of her system. Why did Borran wish this upon one of his people? That damn god has the power to do anything, to help and to save, to cause sufferings and to cause blessings; why did he bestow that hardship upon Madoka? Karma is bad…but this incident happened when she was but a child, what could she have done to deserve that happening…nothing. Nothing! Frustration was overcoming the male demon.

The hand slid down his face wiping away the frustration. Riku resituated himself. He turned on his right side to face the sleeping woman. He kept his arm underneath her heck, but wrapped his other one around her shoulder. He cradled her softly laying there silently on the cot. Riku gently rested his forehead against hers. The scent of both demon and human drifted into his nose. Her scent was the only thing reminding him that she was indeed half wolf demon half human. He hated the humans; they were the cause of the pain in his heart. He hated them. Riku shut his eyes tightly and grimaced, baring his teeth to all the hatred built up within him. It doesn’t matter. Humans are humans…they were all born the same way. They are all traced back to being sins of Adam and daughters of Eve. Their bloods are all the same. The sins are hosts in their hearts.

Riku’s face became quite relaxed as he drifted into a slumber. His mind roamed for hours in nothing. There was no dream and there was no nightmare. It was all black. Time on the outside lapsed by unknowingly. The Moon slid across the sky and the clouds became nothing but slivers in the sky. The sunrise was coming. The feint light was becoming visible. However, even though time passed, Riku slept soundly.

A few more hours passed by as if they never existed. One wolf demon slept soundly while the other unknowingly was up and about. Madoka was very good at not disturbing Riku as he slept. Her movements did not awake him. Nope. Her movements did not, but the leaving of her warmth did. A few minutes after Madoka had taken her leave from the cot and he, Riku’s moved subconsciously to search for the one he loved. When feeling nothing but the bedding that laid on, Riku’s eyes slowly open to find the bed empty next to him. He propped himself on his elbow and his eyes adjusted to the dim lightly beginning to arise over the mountains. A yawn escaped from his mouth as he glanced over the whole room. He was the one inhabitant in it.

Thinking he had slept long enough, Riku swung his feet over the edge of the cot and sat there for a few moments. His hands draped between his legs and his tail was pushed along his side. Riku’s ears were low. They were not alert right now. He ran his tongue along his bottom lip to moisten it. It was still chapped from last night. Riku relaxed for a few moments. That was long enough. He pushed himself up from the cot and stepped silently towards the door. His hand rubbed the back of his neck and then placed itself on the framing of the doorway. He poked his head around the corners of the frame and looked up and down the hallway. His silver ears with black tresses twirled on top of his head catching a slight voice. It was a male’s voice; Taku’s. Mixed with the male’s voice there was sobbing. Riku’s eyes quickly glanced over to where the noises were coming from. He knew those tears. Rubbing his hand along the wall as he walked towards the kitchen, Riku stayed silent. His stealth was far better than anyone’s right now.

He curled his fingers around the corner and slowly peered around to the kitchen. His eyes watched silently upon the tow figures. It was Madoka. She was crying on Taku, for the reason of something Riku knew not. The male demon heard Taku’s words. They were fatherly and gentle. Spying wolf eyes looked down at the floor. He turned back to the way he came from and leaned his back against the wall. His ears sagged. His eyes were sadly dilated. There was guilt swimming in his eyes, but it was mostly depression. The wolf demon silently walked back to the room they slept in. He made sure there was no sign of him seeing the two. Madoka wanted her privacy with her “father.” Riku could give her that.

Taking his steps into the room, Riku pulled the door shut behind him. He was quiet about it too. As the door closed, Riku rested his weight upon it. His eyes drifted to the dying fire. Releasing a sigh, the wolf walked over to the fireplace and kneeled in front of it. There was a small pile of logs next to the fireplace. He grabbed two logs and threw them into the burning embers. It cracked slightly, the embers eating away slowly at the fresh bark. Within time the fire should build up once again. His knees became sore from the hard flooring so Riku pushed himself up to stand again.

Bare feet tapped lightly on the floor as he made his way back over to the cot. His weight formed the cot underneath him. Riku rolled back and lay on his side. His knees were slightly bent. Riku used one of his arms as an extra pillow and the other rested nicely in front of him. The silver tail tucked itself closely between the crevasses his legs made. The ears were bent back, pressed tightly against his silver and black hair. Illness fell upon the demon. He could feel himself becoming warmer. It was from all the stress. He pressed a hand to his forehead and let it rest there. Strands of hair dangled between each of his fingers. Riku closed his eyes. He felt like vomiting. It was sickening. He was sickened by himself. The way he hated humans and the way he always saw Madoka crying. He felt like a disgusting pig. A low-life mangy mongrel. The poor demon pressed his face into the pillow and groaned slightly. He didn’t know what was wrong with him. His voice was hoarse and muffled by the pillow as he spoke in it.

“Ugh…I feel like shit.”