Sorry this chapter took so long. I just couldn’t really get motivated….

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Wolf’s Rain or any of the songs. I am not claiming that I do! However, I do own Shadow.

Chapter 7: Casting Off the Ignorance.

Silently and quickly, Shadow walked to the place that Tsume had thrown her Zune. She had to search among the dead leaves, over bearing roots and twigs to find it and her headphones, but she did. She looked the Zune over before stuffing it and the headphones into her jacket pocket.

The others were waiting for her, a lot more patient than before. Shadow turned, staring at the four wolves and Flower Maiden before she ran to her traveling companions.

Everyone seemed surprised that she was still there, that she had not yet given up the journey. Even Shadow herself was astonished by the progress she had made, despite being with the enemy.

Of course, the others often wondered when she was going to turn into a wolf, her true form, and why she hadn’t done so already. Her attitude confused all of them, besides Cheza, but they kept it to themselves.

The climate around them was constantly changing. A cold breeze began to pick up through the harsh terrain they traveled on, making Shadow wrap her arms around herself, trying to make her jacket cling to her body tighter for warmth.

Shadow looked ahead and saw that, once again, Kiba and Cheza were holding hands. Cheza looked like she wasn’t even bothered by the cold…as long as she had Kiba standing next to her.

Another strong breeze tore through the trees and picked up dirt and small leaves, causing Shadow to look down. It stopped, and she looked back up, letting her gaze go as far as the clouds that covered the sun above.

A storm was coming, and a big one at that. They had to find shelter, but what were a little rain, thunder, and lightning to a pack of wolves? Just a minor annoyance to the boys.

But Shadow saw it differently. In her mind, she could hear the loud booming and crackling of thunder. She could see the bright, eerie flashes of lightning. She didn’t like it.

Suddenly, a memory exposed itself. It was released from the chains that held it in the very back of Shadow’s mind. It began to play, refusing to be repressed again.

--Flashback--

Lightning lit the horrible scene as thunder shook the house, making the glass and cabinets shake in the kitchen. Rain fell heavily on the roof outside; it fell and bounced off the open back door in the kitchen.

Several figures blocked the door, along with three snarling, growling ones. Claws scratched at the linoleum tiles, spit and slobber following from the snarling mouths.

“The wolf! Give it to us!” A loud voice yelled as it rose above the thunder outside.

“She’s not a wolf! She’s a sweet, loving dog!” A middle aged woman shouted as lightning lit up her face from the kitchen window.

“Now leave! You’re not welcome in these parts! Not after the things you’ve done!” Her husband added as he held her. His eyes glared daggers at the armored men and their beasts.

“That is no dog! It’s nothing but a monster and a threat to the human society and to Lady Jaguara!” The soldier shouted back as he lifted his gun. “Your place is not to guard this menace to society! It’s to hold loyalty to the Nobles!”

The couple stood their ground as they held each other. They stood guarding the huddling black fur ball that sat shaking in the corner of the kitchen. They protected her like she was their own beloved daughter.

“She has done no harm to anyone! Now, leave her be!” The middle-aged man shouted as loud as he could.

Rain hit harder as the wolves began to snarl and get riled up to a point that they soon became bloodthirsty. They revealed their dangerous, sharp fangs as their eyes narrowed.

The soldiers did nothing but stand back as they watched their slaves do this. They looked up at the couple as one said, “This is your last chance, old man! Hand over the wolf, now!”

“Never!” The couple yelled in unison. Their eyes filled with determination as the wolves each took a step towards them.

The wolves attacked. They pounced on the couple, snarling with spit and slobber spraying from their large mouths.

Their head made unnatural sounds as they fell with a dull thud to the cold, unforgiving ground. Blood pooled around as the wolves bit down on their necks.

Lightning lit up the horrid scene as the wolf huddled in the corner watched. The third wolf stood watching as the couple breathed their last pain-filled breaths.

Shadow let out a small growl at the wolf, too stunned and frightened to do anything else. The watching wolf looked at her; it glared at her and growled, it caught sight of its next victim. A metal piece on the color it wore shone with the lightning.

The soldiers walked towards the bodies, shooing their little minions away from their fresh kills. They studied the messy bite wounds, though already knew that the couple was dead. They held no remorse.

As they gathered around the bodies, Shadow saw her chance. She hid in the dark corners of the kitchen, the only light that was on her was the few seconds of lightning.

She slipped out the back door, and was gone. She never looked back. Her paws treaded through the lush grass, marking it with the bitter blood of her loving caregivers. Her parents…Her family.

Only when she was a safe distance away, did she look back at the place she once considered home. She saw the intense flames and heavy smoke engulf her home.

Tears rolled down her face, only to be washed away by the freezing rain. Fear and sadness turned to guilt and hatred. Her black pelt was soon cast off for human skin and itchy clothing.

She turned her back to the house, knowing that the flames would soon die down and smolder out with the rain. But…the same could not be said for her hatred and anger.

--End—

“Shadow?” A voice asked in a loud voice. “Shadow!” It yelled.

“Huh?” Shadow snapped from her memory, only to find that she was now soaking wet. She looked around, seeing that Toboe was in front of her.

“What’s wrong? You just suddenly stopped and was staring into space…” His voice trailed off as thunder boomed over head. “C’mon! We have to get to shelter!” He yelled.

“Uhh…Right.” Shadow said as she ran with Toboe in a small cave that sat vacant in the side of the cliff they were near.

They walked into the mouth of the cave, seeing the others trying to dry off and get warm. Shadow stopped as she saw Hige in his wolf form, shaking his fur trying to get the excess water off. A metal piece on his color shone with the lightning as it flashed outside.

Suddenly, it clicked in Shadow’s mind. She knew.

“You….You’re one of them!” She said with a small gasp as she pointed at Hige.

“Huh?” He said as he looked up at her in his wolf form. “What are you talking about?” He asked in a confused tone.

“Don’t play dumb! That collar….You’re one of those stupid Nobles’ slaves! Don’t deny it! Your God Damn pack killed my family!” She shouted over the roar of the thunder overhead.

Hige stood and began to walk towards her, trying to get her to calm down. “Look, I have no idea what you’re—“

“Stay the hell away from me, you monster!” She screamed as she stepped back. She looked like she feared getting hurt. Shadow looked around and saw that everyone had a confused look on their face.

“Calm down, Shadow.” Toboe said as he tried to get close to her.

“No! You’re…You’re all the enemy! I should have never trusted you guys! Never!” Shadow screamed as she stepped back, tripped over a stray rock.

Shadow struggled to get up, but she did when she saw that Toboe and Hige were walking towards her to help her up. She stood, and, without looking back, she ran out into the cold rain.

The others did nothing but watch as she ran, confused.

Shadow ran as fast as her tired and aching feet could carry her, she looked back, fearing that the wolves were giving chase, but saw nothing but the blinding rain.

She didn’t even see the lone figures in her path as her ran right into them. Her head hit hard on their cold armor, causing her to fall to the ground. Dizzy and slightly confused, she lay there. Perfect prey.

This story getting to an ending. It’s also going to get really depressing, so brace yourselves. (Sorry about any typos or grammer mistakes, but I don't really have time to read it over, sorry)

Next chapter should be up soon :)