~ Magical Spirits ~
by Wolf Nightwind and Hippie Squirl
Disclaimers
See Part one for disclaimers.
Chapter 2
In the morning, the waterfall made rainbows dance on the cave walls. Shadow turned her head against the soft light, and got a face full of gray fur.
"Achooo!" She sneezed and sat up. A wolf. I'm sitting next a wolf. Shadow was still for a minute. I was SLEEPiNG by it! Panic took over and she jumped up screaming at the top of her lungs. The girl's terrified shrieks startled Wolf awake. Caught off guard, the Were bristled.
Shadow's eyes widened. She turned around, tripped in the remains of the fire, and stumbled through the waterfall and out into the river.
Confused, Wolf walked up to the edge of the cave and looked through the falling water at the figure splashing through the river. "Oh man." Wolf realized what must have happened to frighten Shadow so much. "Shadow! Shadow come back! I'm not gonna hurt you!" She yelled.
<You can't feel pain if you're dead, either.>
"Honest I won't hurt you. Don't you remember me, I helped you escape!"
Shadow was up the bank of the river now, sprinting as fast as she could. Wolf knew she could easily outrun the girl, but decided against chasing her because she didn't know what a terrified Jin might do. "Oh, of course!" Wolf had a sudden idea. "Aurora." Almost instantly, there was a hazy figure in front of Wolf. It took on the form of Shadow, swirling in green and purple. She looked startled and confused.
"Do you remember me now?" Asked Wolf.
Shadow blinked and looked at Wolf for a minute. "Oh yeah now I remember! Geeze, I thought you were gonna eat me or something! I'm sorry I ran off like that."
"Yeah, I guess I shoulda thought what you might do waking up next to a wolf."
"Whatever. Now shut up so I can come back." Shadow closed her eyes, and she became real again, only her skin still showed the green and purple swirls.
"You look pretty." Wolf grinned as well as she could for a wolf.
"What?" Shadow looked down. "Oops! That's not supposed to happen." She closed her eyes again, and managed to turn yellow and blue. Wolf laughed.
"What the heck? This isn't supposed to be like this!" Shadow screwed up her face, and the colors faded away. When she opened her eyes again, she became a deep orange and teal. "Grrr!" She rubbed her arm. "Why am I still rainbow? Maybe I'm just doing too much without taking a break. I'm really not supposed to do any magic, because things like this always happen."
Wolf tried hard not to laugh at the poor girl, who looked like an oxymoron in bright colors and slumped shoulders.
"I guess I'll hafta try again later." She said demurely. The cave was silent for a moment as Wolf tried not to laugh, and Shadow was feeling sorry for herself. "Ummm, Wolf? I'm hungry."
The Were mange to keep her furry shoulders from shaking from silent chuckles as she exited the cave.
"Ok. I'll be back soon. ...don't change colors on me now, ya hear?" With that she was gone, barely missing the stone Shadow had thrown at her. The Halfjin looked around the cave, then at her colorful skin.
"Mama said there be days like this." Noticing how even with the swirls her skin was filthy with mud and dries blood Shadow spoke to no one. "May I should take a bath." Walking outside the Jin heard knickers and raced over to the shrubs. There stood the mare, munching and the fresh green shoots of grass. Shadow grinned. "You stayed." Walking forward she gently rubbed the horse's nose. The paint snorted and bumped Shadow in the chest, licking at her hand. "I need to name you now, huh girl?" The horse seemed to nod. Shadow smiled.
Wolf trotted along a game trail, ears twitching this way and that listening for anything catchable. Up above a couple of squirrels chattered and cursed at the wolf. The Weres ears flattened. Annoying, no good rotten.... a twig snapped to her left. Wolf stopped, one front paw half raised. The sound of bushes rustling, and hooves stepping. A soft cry. Ah...breakfast Wolf grinned and pounced on the young deer. Damn it's only a baby. I hate killing younglings! Oh well, at lest I'm not leaving it motherless. Grabbing the carcass by the neck, Wolf began dragging it back to the cave. As she came out of the bushes the food dropped from her mouth as she took in the sight before her. Wow!
Shadow was standing behind the paint mare under the waterfall. The river was running just as before, only now it was full of bubbles streaming down from the cliffs. Wolf came up with the baby deer in her teeth.
"Oh, hello!" Shadow waved over the horse's back.
<Hi.>
"Poor deer. If I weren't so hungry I'd be mad at you."
<K>
As wolf walked into the cave, she saw Shadow moving the horse so it was always between them.
<You still afraid of me?>Shadow turned bright red.
"Oh" Wolf said dropping the deer. "You're still changing colors."
"Very funny." Shadow didn't move.
"I'm not gonna hurt you." Wolf stepped down onto the river bank.
"I know. Now go away."
"Make me Jin."
"I would, but I'd probably make you into a turtle or something. The waterfall of bubbles is an accident, I wanted a bar of soap."
"That'd be great." Wolf suddenly jumped forward and let out a growl. Shadow jumped and let out a shriek, and the horse reared up and ran off into the valley.
"Uh oh." Wolf said. Shadow was standing completely naked with her eyes wide open. She made a little squeak sound and dropped down in the river. "I'm sorry Shadow, I didn't mean to scare you cover away." Wolf was very thankful her fur covered her blush.
" Thanks a lot. Now we're BOTH butt naked." Hey, we are. The thought just popped into Shadows head, catching her off guard.
Wolf looked ever where but the naked girl in the river. <Well you know it's not like you have anything I don't.....at least you better not Jin!>
Shadow made an indignant snort. "Well I don't have fur!"
Wolf grinned as evilly as she could with a muzzle. <That can be a matter of opinion.> A wolfy smirk followed. When Shadow caught on she blushed even redder. The Were decided to let the girl off the hook before the water started steaming from her blush. Wolf turned to go deeper into the cave.
"A-are you going to bathe too?" Shadow was still in water up to her chin. Wolf indulged in many indecent thoughts before shaking her head.
<Nah, fur takes too long to dry.> The Were picked up the deer and retreated out of sight.
A few minutes later Wolf heard a frustrated. "For crying out loud!" and rushed to the cave mouth. Shadow was fully clothed, what little that was, her hair wet and slicked back. Wolf let out a relieved sigh. Poor kid doesn't need a horny werewolf jumpin' her. Wolf thought ruefully. Shadow was frowning at the waterfall, Wolf turned her attention and jumped back. Instead of bubbles, small colorful globs were falling like little pebbles. Some were collecting by the cave entrance, while others floated down stream.
"What the?"
"I was trying to get rid of the bubbles and these things showed up!" Shadow look near to tears.
Wolf frowned, and walked to the girl's side. "Hey Jin, it's ok. Yer get there." Wolf look at the fall with a tilted head. "In the mean time it's…colorful?" The Were tried to keep her tone light, to cheer Shadow up.
The Halfjin smirked. "Story of my life." She bent down and picked up one of the globs. "They look like little beans."
Wolf not having hands, pick one up in her mouth and found it chewy. She bit into it and found it edible. "Hmm, this one tastes like strawberry jelly."
Shadow bit into one. "Hey this one like cherries!"
"Jelly Beans."
"What?"
"Jelly Beans. We're call them jelly beans. They taste like jelly and look like beans." Furry shoulders shrugged.
Shadow grinned. "Works for me." The girl went about collecting a few handfuls for later and then went to ready the deer. Cutting off a hunk out of the hind quarter she tossed it to Wolf, who caught it. "I still don't see how you can eat that raw." Wolf just mumbled before continuing to munch. Once meat was cooking over a new fire, the two sat down next to each other. Wolf began to fidget and paw at her ear.
Shadow smirked. "What's a matter, Were?"
Wolf glared at her. "I DO NOT have fleas!" She went back to pawing at the ear. "Unless you gave me some."
Shadow turned serious. "No I didn't. That would be mean."
"And having a snake bite me wasn't!" Wolf snapped. As soon as the words left her mouth she regretted it. The look of hurt and Shadow's face just made her feel worst. "Aurora, I'm sorry, I didn't..."
"No it's alright. I shouldn't have done that."
"Why did you?" Wolf asked softly. She didn't get an answer as Shadow stood and gathered the cooked meat. Wolf decided to change subjects. She doesn't know me, more importantly, I know nothin' of her other then she's half Jin, and can't really control her powers and looks really great in her birthday suit. Wolf mentally slapped herself for the last one. Give the kid time, hell, give yerself time. Yeah but do you know where THAT could lead? Maybe to having a friend. Yeah sure, wouldn't you love that. HEY! Who asked you! You did. GRRR. And why am I talking to myself. Ummmm. Oh shut up! By the time Wolf was done talking to herself, Shadow was finishing the last of the cooked meat.
"What do we do with the rest?" The Jin asked.
"Huh? Oh I know a fox den near here, be bout right for the pups to start eating meat. I'll drag it over there." Wolf picked up the carcass and began to leave. <After that we need to get going. We have bout two more days travel to reach WhiteTree.>
"WhiteTree?"
<My old friend. He's a Mystic Shaman. He's good at healing.>
"Oh."
Wolf was almost out of hearing range. <Hey what you name yer horse?>
<Ummm, I don't remember.> Shadow started to follow Wolf. "Ya know, I don't think I even named it anything. Hee hee-I should name her Jellybean."
"That's a good name."
"Do you have anything that you could carry stuff in?"
"Sorry, no."
"Oh, well. I'll go get the horse now, and you can meet me back here."
<Okay. See ya.>
"Bye!"
When Wolf came back from the fox den, she found Shadow's clothes significantly smaller. She was sitting on the river bank braiding rushes. Already she had fashioned two burdock leaves together with the strips from her clothes. She filled them with jelly beans and tied two together and hung them over Jellybean's back.
"I'm beginning to think you like being naked, at least around me." Wolf said when Shadow heard her coming and turned around. Not that I'm complaining.
Blushing, Shadow shot back "This coming from the girl who has no clothes what so ever. Maybe that's why you aren't changing back to a human, huh?"
"No, it's easier to get around the woods like this."
<Sure it is.>
Wolf shook her head. "Come on, we still gots a long ways to go."
"Oh, wait. Help me get some of these grassy things. I can braid them into a basket on the way." Shadow ran around getting a giant bundle of rushes with Wolf's help, and tied them onto Jellybean's back.
Wolf set off on her own path, Shadow and Jellybean following. Shadow continued to braid the grasses, throwing them over her shoulder when the rope got too long. And she chattered on and on about whatever popped into her head. Wolf could see that the girl was happy to have some company. Not that the conversation was one sided either; The Were added her own opinions and stories whenever she felt like it. About noon, she stopped Shadow to ask if she was hungry yet.
"Umm, I was hungry before, but I'm not now." Shadow looked embarrassed.
"Why not?" Then Wolf noticed the saddlebag on Shadow's side was flat. "Lemme guess, you ate all those jellybeans?"
"Mhm" Shadow looked at her feet and started to laugh silently. "I guess the rest are all yours then."
"That's okay, but next time you're hungry, just say somethin, all right?"
"Okay."
<I'm gonna go get us somethin, and you can get firewood, unless you want to eat raw meat.>
"No, that's okay. Bye!"
Shadow set to work gathering a pile of wood, and when she had a sufficient amount, began weaving her grass rope into a basket using the remaining rushes. When she was half way done, Wolf still wasn't back yet. Where the heck can she be? It can't be taking that long to find something. I think I'd better go and look for her. I hope she isn't in trouble. Worried, Shadow got up and went in the direction Wolf had gone. Looking all around, she saw no sign of her, so went off to the left to search. A few paces away, she heard a whimpering sound, and ran towards it. Still she didn't see anything.
<Shadow! I'm stuck.>
"Where are you?" Shadow looked around frantically.
<Look up.>
Shadow looked up, and started laughing hilariously. Wolf was stuck in a net suspended from a large oak tree. Shaking with laughter, she managed to choke out some words. 'You look so pathetic. You're all twisted up in it!"
<I know.>
When she stopped laughing, Shadow spoke again. "How bout I climb up the tree and untie one end so you can fall out, cuz you're not that high up. I don't have anything to cut the ropes with, either."
<All right, just so long as I'm out of this stupid thing.>
Shadow easily got up the tree because it branched out in all directions, making a natural ladder. She reached out and untied one corner of the net, and Wolf rolled out onto the ground.
"Oof!" Wolf hit the ground and rolled. Standing up she shook herself. <Come on, let get out of here.>
"What about food?"
<You hungry now?>
"Well no, but I thought you were."
Wolf began to trot back towards the path. <I'll survive.> Gods! How embarrassing! Getting caught in a trap. Wolf continued to berate herself on her carelessness, knowing full well what was the cause of that carelessness. You were thinking bout the scene at the fall and never saw the signs till it was too late. For crying out loud Wolf, get yer head on straight! Shadow followed along behind wondering why Wolf was so quiet.
The silence continued on for awhile until Wolf stopped. In front of them the small wooded path met a more, well traveled road.
<Ya still changin' colors?>
"No."
<Good, don't do any magic then.>
Shadow look indignant. "Hey! I'm not THAT bad!"
Wolf looked at the Halfjin. <Sorry, it's just that if we ran into someone on the road it may not be the best time to go all swirly on us.> Shadow nodded that she understood and the two picked a direction and started down the road. <Maybe you should ride Jellybean.>
"Why?"
<Just to be safe if we need to run for it.>
"Who would we be running from. Vampri don't like being in the sun, you think they would really come after us out here?"
<No,> Wolf sighed. <Please Shadow.> Shadow chewed her lip for a bit, then walked Jellybean off the road to a fallen log so she could climb up on the horse. As she got comfortable, a nut fell from the tree to hit her shoulder, followed by chattering in the tree. Looking up the girl saw a couple of chipmunks chittering down at her.
"Aw, how cute. Wolf look!" The Were walked over and looked up in time to get an acorn on the nose.
"Grrrrrrrrrrr." Wolf growled. The rodents fell quiet. Snorting, Wolf turned back to the road. <Come on let's go.> They had gotten three steps when Wolf stopped again. This time with her ear cocked and listening. <Someone's coming.> a pause. <A lot of someones, coming hard and fast!> Before Wolf could tell the Halfjin to hide, a band of five highway men appeared in front of them. Two of them were on black, sweating horses, the other three on foot. The smell of unwashed bodies, sweat, blood, and stale beer attacked Wolf's nose and she snorted. <Crap. Just keep still ok?> Wolf beamed.
<Ok.> Shadow answered.
"Hey dere purdy young thin'. What's ya doin' out here all by yer self." The apparent leader spoke. The others chuckled.
"Just passing on my way boys." Shadow spoke. She got a glare from Wolf but ignored it.
"Well now, it's not safe to be travelin' alone, wisp of a thin' like you, How bout we's gentlemen here escort ya on ya way, for a fee of course." Nods from his cronies.
"I'm sorry, I don't have anything to give..."
The leader interrupted her, "Oh ya got plenty ta give us. Hey boys." Looking her over like a prize cut of meat, the others cheered. The Wolf bristled and growled.
"What ya got dere?" Ask one of the cronies, looking at Wolf. "Looks like a damn o' wolf ta me."
"She's my pet wolf." Shadow looked smug. <Sorry.> she beamed.
<It's ok. Just be careful, yer playing a dangerous game.>
"Pet wolf! Ain't no wolf tamed enough to be a pet!"
"Oh but she's well trained....Smokey, Sit girl."
Wolf looked quizzical at Shadow while she sat on her hunches. <Smokey?>
<Grey fur. I couldn't think of a name.> Shadow mentally shrugged. The men looked a little wide eyed, Shadow smiled. "Smokey, lie down." Wolf laid down. "Roll over."
Wolf did as she was told but beamed. <Don't get too cocky now, I'm gong to get you back for this as is!>
Shadow looked at the men. "Wanna see what she does when I tell her to attack?" Two of the cronies, one on foot, one on a horse, had had enough and took off running. The leader narrowed his eyes.
"Enough! Get her!"
Wolf sprang for the throat of the nearest man, taking him down, permanently. She began growling and snapping at the leader who was taking swiped at her with his sword. Wolf dodged him. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Shadow fighting to be in control of the dancing Jellybean as the third came up behind her. <Shadow look out!> She called. Distracted, one of the leader's blows connected, slicing through her right shoulder. Wolf howled in pain.
Meanwhile Shadow tried to calm the mare, who was panicking from the smell of blood and shouts. With Wolf's piercing howl, Jellybean reared up. Shadow screamed. When the mare landed it kept it's momentum going to buck out behind. Shadow went flying over the mare's head and landed hard on the ground, unconscious. Jellybean's back hooves connected with the third man's chest, sending him flying back against the tree. The two chipmunks fell when the tree shook from the impact. One chipmunk had the misfortune of tumbling down the man's shirt. He leaped up screaming and running into the woods pulling at his clothes while the rodent did laps around his waist.
Seeing Shadow fall, Wolf had had enough. Morphing to Were, she grinned at the lone leader's shocked look. The naked werewolf leaped at the leader, pulling him from his horse. He hit the ground and quickly climbed to his feet, running for all he was worth. Wolf knelt down and touched Shadow's temple, feeling the fresh warm blood and sighed.
Later Shadow awoke to find the sun setting and herself being held by to wiry arms. She was on Jellybean, leaning back against someone. Groaning she looked over her shoulder to see Wolf in human form behind her. The Were was dressed in a ragged, blooded shirt and loin cloth. They were from the dead man, but the Were figured Shadow didn't need to know that. She also figured the Halfjin didn't need to know that not all of the blood was the man's. Some of it was hers from the wound on her shoulder.
"Hey you, ya had me worried." Wolf said softly. Shadow just groaned, her head feeling like dwarves were hammering away inside, and leaned her head on Wolf's shoulder, the uninjured one luckily. Wolf began to hum a soft tune and within minutes the Halfjin was asleep.
Continued in Chapter 3
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