The Shape Shifting Bender

Chapter 1: My World

Chapter 1: My World

The mountains are so peaceful this time of year especially since the hunters don't venture this far in the winter. Walking with Xiara brought me peace whenever I thought of my parents disappearance so many years ago. I've lived alone in these mountains for too many years having no one, but the animals for company. Soon they all forgot I was even human as most of the time I was in the appearance of a wolf, I looked like a friend of my nine tailed fox more then her owner as humans would think. Many of the animals were protective of me, and in turn I was their voice when hunters or those who wished to destroy the forest appeared.

"Kazuki trouble," a fire-parrot called to me flying over my head.

"Lead me there," I said shifting to human form as I did so knowing it was better to respond quickly then to ask too many questions.

The fire-parrot flew towards the clearing that many of the animals were warned away from because it was often ground for hunters, and where I usually negotiated for them to stay off of our land. At first glance it seemed like any other hunting party, but these men weren't equipped for hunting. In a cage at their feet was one of Xiara's sisters Ayano and she was shaking in her fur looking absolutely terrified. They had weird gear about them that I didn't know for it was nothing seen in these mountains by me before.

"Looks like the information's correct harm the forest, or it's inhabitants, and the little mountain girl will show up," a man who sent shivers of disgust down my spine drawled out as two other men grabbed me before I could blink.

"Leave this forest now," I spat out at them angrily well Xiara whined at my feet.

"Only after you show us the mine girlie," another man said smirking at me well sharpening a tool that looked worse then a knife.

"What mine? I don't know what you mean," I said struggling over the unfamiliar word.

"Don't play dumb with me girlie there is a crystal mine in these mountains, and I'm told the little mountain girl is the only one who knows how to get there," the first man said as the two holding me pressed knives to my throat.

"I swear I don't know what you're talking about," I said starting to panic as I felt blood droplets start to run down my throat.

"Then I guess we have to kill you and this little foxling then won't we," he said as the second man went over to Ayano's cage and grabbed her by the scruff of her neck.

I knew that they didn't believe me and I was panicking on what to do. I didn't want to risk Ayano or Xiara's life, but I had no idea what a mine was. How could I save them when I had the feeling that Ayano would be held hostage until they were at this mine. Suddenly the guy holding Ayano was encased in rock and the two holding me were being attacked by fire and water. I was released with a shriek as I ran towards Ayano sheltering her as I looked at this new threat.

From the direction of the water and fire a group of four, three males and a girl walked out, two of the males seemingly in control of the elements. The ones controlling the elements and the girl looked to be around her age and the other male was many years older. The men being attacked paled as they looked at this group and leaving everything behind they fled. Xiara and Ayano growled at them not trusting anyone but me, especially since they could have only saved us hoping for us to lead them to this mine.

"Leave Kazuki alone," the same fire parrot who had warned me of trouble squawked at them.

"We mean her no harm nor any of the animals, we are only here because it is a shortcut to where our journey will take us in the future," the girl said her dark black hair and dark eyes would be good for camouflage at night.