Hybrid

~Chapter 4~ "Nova..."

In the forest, Jade and Himiko embrace each other in the dead of night. Himiko asks Jade while in her arms,
"Was the thing you mentioned before? Was that a werewolf...?"
"I don't know, I... thought they weren't supposed to be real..."
Jade looks up to the sky and notices something odd,
"No, it couldn't have been..."
"What do you mean?"
"Look at the sky," Jade points up at the moon, it glows faintly and is barely visible, "As the legend goes, a werewolf looks and acts just like a human. But on a Full Moon, the moon light causes them to reveal their true forms as giant wolf-like creatures. They kill and eat anything they find, and even if you somehow survive an attack from them, their claws and teeth will infect you and you'll inevitably become one yourself..."
"Oh I remember that. You told me about that on our first day. You also said that's why you didn't think I was one either. But if it isn't a werewolf, then what even is it?"
"I have no idea... I've never seen anything like that ever in my life. Maybe it is one, but the legends were just wrong... I don't know..."
"I'm glad... that I'm not one of those..." Himiko looks at Jade intently, "Thank you Jade, for believing in me."
Jade smiles, "How could I not with a face like that?"
Himiko gets flustered, "What does that mean?!"
Jade giggles, "You're adorable."
The wind starts to pick up and howl through the forest.
"Let's go home, Himiko. We don't want mom and dad finding us gone and start to worry about us."
Himiko nods her head, and they begin making their way back home.

Once home, they find that their parents are still asleep. Himiko goes to her room and shuts her window. Jade notices her looking down at herself with her ears and tail hung low.
"Are you alright Himiko...?" Jade asks sincerely.
"I'm alright, I'm just kinda overwhelmed..."
"I don't blame you..."
"But, I also feel kinda relieved too. If that monster was the one causing these deaths, then it won't be hurting anyone else anymore."
"Yeah... imagine just how many other people it could've killed. I guess I wasn't the only one you protected... "
Himiko feels a warm feeling in her heart, easing the tension in her chest,
"How are you feeling?"
"Very shaken, but I'm fine..."
Himiko suddenly yawns, exposing her dainty fangs,
"I'm really tired..."
Jade anxiously fidgets with her hair,
"Yeah, it is pretty late. You know, if you want... you could sleep in my bed with me tonight."
"Really? Are you sure?"
"Well... I want to make sure you're okay after all that's happened..."
"If it's alright with you, then I can join you."
They go into her room, and Himiko lays down on Jade's bed after taking off her pants. She immediately feels herself begin to sink into the soft mattress, "It's been awhile since I've been in your bed, it still feels just as comfy..."
Jade takes off her pants and puts them in the laundry basket in her room. She lays next to Himiko. Jade almost has a sad look in her green eyes,
"Is it okay, if I hold you...?" Jade asks feeling embarrassed.
"Of course you can, you know I love being held."
Jade wraps her arms around her, and Himiko lays her head against her chest. Being this close to her, Himiko can feel Jade's anxiety, and also some sadness from her. Himiko starts to feel even more remorseful,
"I'm sorry Jade, for running away... and leaving you behind..."
"It's okay... I'm just happy you're home..."
"I have you to thank for giving me a place to call home"
Jade's anxiety fades into happiness and relief. Jade closes her eyes smiling,
"Goodnight Himiko..."
Himiko curls her tail close to herself and Jade,
"Goodnight Jade..."

Jade wakes up the next morning, and in her groggy state feels something draped over her face. She feels it with her hand, and it's very soft and fluffy. Without thinking, she holds it close to her and rests her head next to it before falling back asleep. Sometime later, Himiko wakes up next to Jade's stuffed animals on the side of her bed. It reminds her of her first day living with Jade and her parents, and she feels warm and safe. Himiko notices her tail is stuck, and no matter what she can't seem to move it at all. She looks over her shoulder to the right, and sees Jade hugging her tail. Himiko smirks,
"Normally I'd be waking you up just about now... But since you look so comfy..."
Himiko lays back in bed, and recollects the night before,
"That wasn't a dream, was it?" she wonders to herself. She remembers running away to the forest, but then after Jade finds her... and she sees the monster... nothing. The next thing she remembers is standing in front of Jade, with the dead monster laying before her. But everything in between is just blank.
"I killed it, I killed that monster, I know I did. But why can't I remember it?"
Himiko sighs,
"Still... that had to have been what killed those people, and it came after us too. At least it's been all put to an end, but I still can't help but to think the first death was when Jade found me..."