Sakura Souls

Chapter 3

Shell's POV - Aita Realm

"Dammit, they keep shooting me down!" Keaton growled. He sat with his legs crossed on the floor, as he watched the television closely. His fingers played with the buttons of his controller, in an attempt to win the video game.

Ray and I were sitting on the couch watching Keaton. After a couple times of him dying in game, Ray let out a chuckle. "Your little brother is very... different." He said. His eyes watched Keaton observantly.

"I guess, but I love him for it." I replied with a smile. It was true. Keaton had always been like that. He was protective, persistent, and--as Keaton would say--hardcore. I loved him for that, because it was what helped him make the decision for us to leave our wolf pack. If he was boring and obedient, we would never get as far as we did (because I myself would never make such a bold decision).

Keaton didn't take his eyes off the screen as he said "I heard my name! What are you guys talking about?!"

"Nothing!" Ray replied. We both laughed, then Keaton just rolled his eyes and continued his game.

Ray reminded me of Keaton a little bit, with the way he messed around with his friends. There was something about Ray that I found endearing though. I couldn't tell what it was yet, but I knew there was something. He was different. A good different. That only made me want to be closer to him, and learn more about him. Like why he ran away or what was wrong with his eye. I couldn't help but be curious about that stuff. I only wished he would let me know more about his life.

While Ray and I were watching Keaton throw a fit over his video game, there was a knock at the door. I got up from the couch to look through the little window on the door, and to my surprise, I saw two people who I hadn't seen in a long time. "Keaton!" I said happily "Fennica's here!"

Keaton perked up. "Really? She hasn't been here in a while!" He said, probably trying to recall the last time my best friend showed up. It was a couple months ago, before winter even began.

"Looks like she brought her little brother this time too." I replied while studying the figure standing beside her.

"Wait, she has a little brother?"

I ignored Keaton's question and quickly opened the front door, anxiously awaiting my best friend's arrival. "Fennica!" I said cheerfully. I wrapped my arms around her for a hug.

"It's so nice to see you again!" Fennica replied. Her deep blue eyes shining with joy. Fennica was a very beautiful girl with long brown hair and pale skin. She usually wore a soft purple sweater with a blue headband to accent her brown shoes. She was also a hybrid like me, but instead of a wolf she was a fox. Even though our species were different, we'd always got along well.

Ever since we were pups we played together in the snow and leaves to keep each other company. We never told our parents though, out of fear they would tear us apart for being different animals. Now that I think about it, I hadn't told my parents a lot of things. For example, Fennica was the only person outside of the wolf pack that I'd told about Keaton and I running away. That's how she knew where we lived.

After we stopped hugging, I looked down at her little brother, whom I hadn't seen before. He had reddish brown hair, piercing green eyes, and a light grey sweatshirt with dark jeans. Fennica occationaly told me about him, but I'd never met him before because of how young he was. "It's nice to see you too." I said to my friend's little brother. "What's your name again?"

The small boy looked too shy to introduce himself, so Fennica took the opportunity to talk. "His name is Keith! I finally convinced my parents to let him visit you guys today!" She spoke so quickly I could barely keep up "He's been wanting to meet you for a while now, but mom and dad claimed he's too young to go out into the forest. Like, seriously?! He's almost thirteen. I think he's totally fine!"