Feral

Chapter 5

Iwaizumi's POV

I sighed while pushing my way through all this snow. My jacket wasn't helping a ton, but it was better than nothing. I tried to hurry in case either of my parents for some reason today would decide to go into my room. Finally I got to the market, using what little money I allowed myself to spend on food. There weren't many merchants, but I managed to get some meat and more bread. 

After trekking back home, I was relieved to see my dad was just calmly attending to the fireplace.

"There you are. Would you bring in more firewood to dry." He asked of me. I nodded and went back outside, dragging in a lot of chopped logs so they could dry out and be used to burn. My dad thanked me as I went to my room, Oikawa still sitting on my bed. But You wasn't there.

"I'm back. Where's Yui..?"

"Oh, I told her to hide just in case."

"...So, where is she?" I asked, Oikawa laying down and peaking under the bed. His daughter giggled and climbed out from underneath it. Well, at least I know a place to hide her now in case I have to. Oikawa picked her up and set her on his lap before I rummaged in my bag.

"Well, I got you two something." I said, handing them each some of the food. Oikawa went to give his little portion to his daughter, but I reached over and grabbed his wrist.

"Oikawa. You have to eat something."

"Well yeah but-"

"Yui will be kept fed. You can't protect her if you starve to death." I said, Oikawa huffing but giving in. I knew he was starving, and it showed as he was quick to eat the food. Yui ate her as well and seemed satisfied with the little bit of bread and meat. But Oikawa still looked hungry, but he said nothing while patting Yui's head and looking outside.

"I should get going. I don't want to spend anymore of your family's money on us and besides, I'm sure you'd like your bed back."

"Are you certain? The snow is still tall out there."

"Yeah I'll be fine. As long as the snow isn't actually falling like mad it isn't bad. Animals come out to eat or drink, and even if they don't, I can find their burrows and homes to get them for a meal." He explained. Well, I should have expected that from a werewolf, but I was intrigued.

"Your hunting skills sound remarkable."

"Well a lot of it is from nature, I guess huh?"

"Maybe so. Would you mind if I came along?"

"Huh?"

"You know I hunt. It's for my family."

"Well sure you can, if you wanna try. It's a lot harder in this weather though."

"Than teach me how to hunt in this weather." I said, Oikawa smiling and agreeing. As long as he could take his daughter home first.

Oikawa's POV

Iwaizumi followed me back to my burrow. Normally, I'd never lead anyone here but I trusted him. Of course my burrow was snowed in. 

"Hey could you hold her so she doesn't get cold." I said, holding Yui out to Iwaizumi. Iwaizumi nodded and held Yui close to keep her warm since she was small and the snow was probably as tall as her. I sighed and got to digging out the snow until the snow that was in the entrance was all gone.

"Okay, come on in." I said, climbing into the home. Iwaizumi struggled a bit, both because of his equipment on his back, having a child in his arms, and because he was bigger than me. Finally he managed to get in, making me laugh at how hunched he had to be to avoid his head hitting the hardened dirt and rock ceiling. 

"Gee, you two live here?" He asked as Yui climbed out of his arms and over to her little spot. I nodded, watching her curl up and get comfy.

"Yeah. I know it isn't a house like yours but it's cozy and stays warm, ish, when it needs too and it keeps us safe." I said with a shrug. Iwaizumi nodding and climbing out. He stood in the snow while waiting for me to cover up the hole again.

"Why're you covering your home back up?"

"Because that's a way for others to find it. If you see snow mounds or random snow piles along a sunken bit, that's usually a burrow and an animal was just digging the snow out. But, since I'm more, I suppose 'advanced' than say a rabbit, I have the mind to cover it back up. and the trapped heat will keep it warmer." I explained, Iwaizumi nodding. After I made sure that the snow all looked even, I lead the hunter to where some good spots were.

I pointed out a hole that was sunken in to Iwaizumi, wandering over and digging further into the hole. A rabbit was in there asleep, but woke up quickly when I poked my head in. I felt bad killing, but it was for food and at least it wasn't like I was killing another human or werewolf. Quickly, I killed the rabbit and dragged it out of the tiny burrow. 

Iwaizumi looked, only slightly, impressed. But then again he always kinda looked like I guess. He offered to hold the rabbit for me, tying it to some sorta string or rope that hung over his shoulder. 

"Oh, look over there." I said, my tail swaying and ears perking in the direction of a large deer. That'd be a good meal for Yui and I.. But I felt too weak to try and take it down, I wanted it, but I was worried that I'd get myself killed. Iwaizumi glanced at me and pulled the bow from around his back and an arrow from his quiver.

"Okay.. I'll get it, stay here. And don't worry, I'll share it with you." He said with a small smile. I nodded and stayed in my spot in the snow while the hunter walked off slowly. The deer was quite far away, but I could still watch, just barely though. Once Iwaizumi was kind of out of sight since he veered off a little to get a good angle and to stay hidden, I smelled someone approach behind me.