Exposed

Love Hurts

「Author's note: I just wanted to thank the new readers that have been voting for the story. I'm glad you've all been enjoying it! I'll try to update more often now that school is coming to an end. Anyways, enjoy the new chapter! (: 」

Dirt was flung from its resting place as Ki sprinted through the trees. She ran with such force she could feel the dirt filling the spaces of her paws, leaving deep imprints in the floor. The air felt weird around her. Something was different she was too distracted to notice before. It felt as if the forest itself was unsettled. Like the ground was softly trembling in anticipation. "It will be okay," she directed her thoughts to the place around her as if it could hear her. Then again, maybe it could. A crack ripped through the forest, Ki immediately stopped. Her ears slowly moved, listening. 

"There she is," a voice chuckled from the distance.

Turning, Ki saw three wolves she didn't recognize. They had frightening grins from ear to ear as they slowly approached her like predators stalking their prey.

"Hello little fox, you're coming with us."

Ki scoffed, "Like hell I am. I've had enough of all this random misfortune. I'll be on my way now."

"We can't let you go. We can't return until the threat has been eliminated and that means you have to go."

"I'm no threat! You're the ones hunting me and my family!" Ki cried out, distressed.

The wolves laughed as if on cue. 

"One of you always pops up and threatens our peace. So we have to make sure you don't wreck it."

"Maybe you've had a run in with a few bad kitsune, but I swear to you I am no threat."

"Whenever a fox appears everything else that could possibly go wrong does. You can't fool us, fox. We're not as dumb as our ancestors."

Realizing that talking with them would do no good, Ki turned and began sprinting once again. Barks and growls erupted behind her as the wolves began to pursue her. Nearing the river, Ki took a deep breath in, smelling where the water met the dirt. Ki laughed to herself, realizing that whenever anything goes wrong she turns to the water as if it would help her. She can't trust Suijin, so should she be going to him for answers? The wolves were catching up, so Suijin was her best shot. Ki stumbled as the ground stopped trembling and began to break. Stopping, Ki looked behind her to see a line tear through the forest floor. Trees began to fall and she lost sight of the wolves behind her. Thanking the gods, she made her way to the water less rushed as before. Stepping into the water she felt a calm come over her. Submersing herself she began her swim back to Suijin. The pack would no doubt see her if she went through the waterfall, but maybe it was time to go back. She had no answers, no idea what to do, or how she even got to this point. Stopping where she was, she let herself sink down to the bottom and called out for the water god.

"Kiwa," Suijin sighed in relief.

"I need answers."

"To what?"

"Everything! What am I supposed to do? I have this destiny that is so muddled that no one can remember it. Even I, with my memories didn't really know what to do."

"Calm down, Kiwa. I have no answers when you ask no questions."

"Fine. Tell me about Jae. What's Jae's destiny?"

"His is to protect you."

"and end the suffering of the pack."

"Yes, of course."