Wolf's Rain: Paradise Ghost (Completed)

Chapter Eight

Ikira

Throughout the raging storm, there was still nature at work. Small critters were scattered around scavenging the forest floor in search of whatever morsel they could eat. Groups of deer and moose were huddled together trying their best to be shielded from the storm.

Suddenly, a sparrow gave a shriek, signaling all of the animals to lift their heads. A scent came from beyond, causing the critters to scramble to the trees and the herds to sprint away. The sparrow, high in its perch, could see the lumbering wolf trotting towards the shelter of the trees.

“Ugh, can’t seem to get any worse than this," groaned the wolf, shaking rapidly to get rid of all the water that was beginning to slither into his skin. He approached the bottom of a nearby tree and laid down. He sighed with relief, finally resting his exhausted legs.

As he laid there, he noticed that not far from him was a small pond with growing vegetation inside. At first, the wolf didn’t give it a second glance. He was parched and a little hungry, but the water could be filthy.

Then he saw that the vegetation wasn’t like seaweed or the lily pads that normally infested bodies of water. Growing from the ground and stretching into the pond were glowing white flowers with multiple petals.

“Lunar flowers!” the wolf exclaimed, jumping to his feet and skipping forward. He came to the pond and began to lap the water greedily. His throat burned with every amount of liquid, but it quickly became refreshing.

Finally, after lifting his head and licking his snout, he padded to the flowers. So pretty, he thought. Maybe I’ll take some back to the pack. The elders could use it as medicine. He puffed his chest lightly, feeling proud that he would bring something useful to his family.

He bent down and gently plucked at a flower, when his sharp sight caught a dark color. With the flower still in his mouth, he turned his head to see that there was another lunar flower. But this one was different. It had the same shape and form of the white flowers around it, but it burst with a vibrant violet color. It was strange, since these flowers were only seen to be white in color.

“Woah, a mutation!” The wolf barked happily, excited to find something interesting around. He gently padded around the other flowers and came upon the purple one. He bent down and sniffed at it. It smells like the rest of them, he thought to himself, but it’ll bring some use back home.

So, without hesitation, he opened his jaws and snatched the flower from its location. With a hefty bundle of lunar flowers now in his mouth, he turned around and began to walk to the direction that he came from.

The young wolf didn’t realize that what he had just done would be the start of a dangerous plan, and he was now the bait.

                                              ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was the rainy season, where days seemed to get cloudier and more wet than before. The ground was muddier in some places than others, but it was mostly frustrating when you entered your dry den with muddy paws or shoes.

This day was no exception. Rain was cutting through the trees and drenching us to the core. I was ahead of the pack, keeping my head low and squinting my eyes in frustration. I tuned in to the voices of my patrol as they mumbled.

“I don’t suggest that we changed into our human forms. I wouldn’t want to be more cold and wet than I already am.”

Another member barked, “And who’s grand idea was to go out and patrol the borders in these conditions?”

“Tsume and Kiba gave us an order, you guys. We have to check the northern territory and see if anyone needs our help,” I replied in a matter-of-fact tone. After a few grunts and mutters, the patrol was silent again. I sighed softly and continued on ahead.