WOLF WALKERS

Chapter 8.

A New Wolf Walker

 Kiyoko's wolf form glided through the forest, the unconscious body of Hiroshi carefully grasped in his jaws. The night was silent, save for the soft rustle of leaves beneath his paws. He moved with urgency, aware of the gravity of the situation. Hiroshi had been bitten by the grey wolf, and Kiyoko knew the consequences all too well.

As he approached the den where Thomas waited, Kiyoko's mind raced with thoughts of what this new development could mean. Thomas, with his keen understanding of their wolf walker nature, would know what to do next. The den, a hidden sanctuary deep within the forest, came into view. Thomas, already alerted by the commotion, emerged from the shadows, his expression a mix of concern and curiosity.

Kiyoko gently laid Hiroshi down, his human form emerging from the spiritual connection. Thomas crouched beside the unconscious boy, his eyes narrowing as he inspected the fresh bite wound.

"This is bad," Thomas muttered, glancing up at Kiyoko. "He's been marked. He'll become one of us." Kiyoko nodded, his gaze fixed on Hiroshi's pale face. "We need to help him understand. He won't be the same when he wakes up."

Thomas sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It's going to be a rough transition, especially for someone like him." The two wolf walkers worked quickly, preparing the den for Hiroshi's awakening. They knew the confusion and fear he would face, having gone through it themselves. As they settled Hiroshi onto a makeshift bed of soft moss and leaves, Kiyoko couldn't help but feel a pang of empathy for his former bully. Despite their troubled past, Kiyoko understood the loneliness and fear that came with this transformation.

Hours passed, and the first light of dawn began to filter through the trees. Hiroshi stirred, his eyes fluttering open. Panic and confusion flashed across his face as he took in his surroundings.

"Where am I? What happened?" Hiroshi's voice was hoarse, filled with terror.Thomas stepped forward, his tone calm and reassuring. "You're safe, Hiroshi. But you've been bitten by a wolf walker. Things are going to change for you now."

Hiroshi's eyes widened, memories of the fight flooding back. He looked down at the bite mark on his arm, realization dawning. "No... this can't be happening."

Kiyoko approached, his expression serious yet compassionate. "I know it's a lot to take in, but we'll help you through this. You're not alone."

Hiroshi's gaze flickered between Kiyoko and Thomas, confusion and fear battling within him. "Why are you helping me?"

Kiyoko sighed, meeting Hiroshi's eyes. "Because no one should go through this alone. Not even you."

 As the reality of his new existence settled over Hiroshi, the three young men prepared for the challenges ahead. They knew that the path would be difficult, but together, they would navigate the complexities of their shared fate.

As night fell once again, the transformation began. Kiyoko, Thomas, and Hiroshi felt the familiar pull of the wolf spirit within them. Kiyoko's dark, sleek form emerged first, followed by Thomas with his sturdy, brown fur. Hiroshi's transformation was slower, his new Blond pelt shimmering under the moonlight.

 The three wolf walkers emerged from the den behind the waterfall, their fur glistening with droplets of water. Kiyoko gently nudged Thomas with a smile, and they came to a halt. Hiroshi blinked at the two, still getting used to his new form.

"Can you smell me?" Thomas spoke in a playful tone.

"Of course, everybody can," Hiroshi replied, a hint of confusion in his voice.

"Well, close your eyes," Kiyoko piped up. "You don't need your eyes to see." 

Hiroshi did as he was told, closing his eyes. To his surprise, he could see everything outlined as it was, his new senses painting a vivid picture in his mind.

"And you can hear everything that moves," Thomas said, watching the new wolf walker tilt his head up, ears flickering to catch every sound. 

"And your paws can hear through the earth."

Kiyoko moved behind Hiroshi quietly. "And you have four legs now, so you run really fast and jump super high!" he said with excitement.
Hiroshi watched as Kiyoko ran up a tree and jumped over a branch to the ground, sprinting off. Thomas nudged Hiroshi to follow the two wolves before sprinting into the woods after Kiyoko.

"HEY, WAIT FOR ME!" Hiroshi whined with a smile, tumbling after them.

They raced through the forest, the wind rushing past their fur. Kiyoko led the way, leaping over fallen logs and darting between trees with effortless grace. Thomas followed closely, his movements fluid and confident. Hiroshi, still finding his footing, stumbled occasionally but quickly regained his balance, driven by the thrill of the chase.

As they ran, the forest came alive around them. The rustling leaves, the soft hoots of owls, and the distant calls of night creatures created a symphony of sounds that guided their path. Hiroshi's senses were heightened, every scent and sound painting a vivid picture of the world around him.

"Keep your nose down!" Kiyoko instructed.

"Be a wolf!" Thomas chirped in.

Suddenly, a large group of black and grey wolves appeared behind Hiroshi, following him. He shrugged it off and sprinted off a rock, jumping so high into the air that he landed on all fours between Kiyoko and Thomas.
 The three wolves continued running through the forest, their paws pounding against the earth in a steady rhythm. Kiyoko and Thomas exchanged smirks, a silent challenge passing between them. They began to speed up, their bodies becoming blurs of motion.
Ahead, a cliff edge loomed. Without hesitation, Kiyoko and Thomas leapt across to the other side of the forest. The large group of black and grey wolves followed suit, their leaps graceful and powerful.

Hiroshi, however, skidded to a halt at the cliff's edge, his eyes wide with fear. He looked down at the dizzying drop, his heart racing. On the other side, Kiyoko and Thomas turned back, their ears pinning down in concern as they watched Hiroshi hesitate.

Before they could call out to him, Hiroshi took a deep breath, summoning his courage. He sprinted back a few steps, then ran full speed toward the edge. With a mighty leap, he soared across the gap, his body flying through the air.

He tackled Thomas and Kiyoko to the ground as he landed, all three of them rolling down the hill in a tangle of fur and laughter. They finally came to a stop at the bottom, breathless and exhilarated.

Kiyoko was the first to get up, shaking the dirt from his fur. He looked at Hiroshi with a mixture of pride and amusement. "You did it, Hiroshi!" Thomas nodded, a grin spreading across his face. "Welcome to the pack, for real this time."

Hiroshi panted, a smile breaking out on his face. "Thanks, guys. I never knew I could do that."

They all stood up, the adrenaline still coursing through their veins. The black and grey wolves gathered around them, their eyes shining with approval.

Kiyoko nudged Hiroshi with his nose. "Let's keep going. There's still so much to explore."

Together, they continued their run through the forest, the bond between them stronger than ever. They leapt over fallen logs, splashed through streams, and raced through meadows, their spirits soaring with the freedom of the wild.

The night was theirs, and they embraced it with every fibre of their being, knowing that as long as they had each other, they could face anything the world threw at them.