Saturday
"Ren? How are you?" Arhiyan sighs into the phone.
"I'm good. What's wrong? You sound upset," Ren responds with a yawn.
"I, uh. Have you seen or heard from Takeshi? It's been over three days since he's come home," Arhiyan tries to hide her emotions.
"No. I haven't. I only saw him right after we got in an argument. Is Maiman there? I didn't see Maiman with him when we talked," Ren lets out a sigh.
"Yes. She's in the living room pacing back and forth. Could you do me a favor and take her out with you and walk by the forest? She might catch his scent and find him," Arhiyan glances at Maiman as she paces back and forth.
"Yeah. Sure. I'll be right over," Ren hangs up the phone and heads to Takeshi's house.
As soon as Ren gets to his house, Arhiyan opens the door and looks her right in the eyes.
"Maiman, go find Takeshi but stick with Ren," Arhiyan looks down at Maiman as she steps out of the doorway.
"Ok. Let's go," Ren turns and starts to walk off towards the forest and Maiman runs up next to her.
As soon as Ren and Maiman step into the forest, Maiman takes off running through the trees, leaving Ren trying to run after her. Ren eventually runs out of breath and stops.
"Maiman!" She yells after the wolf but the forest is only silent in response.
"Watch out!" Someone suddenly tackles Ren to the ground. A big lion with a long tail like a husky's jumps over them like it was trying to pounce. It lets out a growl as it shakes dust off its head and turns to face Ren and the person. The person stands back up and growls back. The lion tilts its head forward so it's two big and two small horns were visible on the top of its head as it fluffs its large tan feathered wings.
"Go," the person growls at the lion. It snorts and walks off.
"What're you doing out here?" The person turns and looks at Ren.
"Wh… Takeshi? What are you…? What is going on?" She quickly stands up.
"I needed time off," Takeshi sighs.
"You can't just disappear! What's wrong with you?" Ren nearly yells at him.
"Could you not speak so loud, or yell in general. It's going to give me a headache," Takeshi rubs his head.
"No. I'm not the one who disappear without telling anyone!" She nearly yells again.
"I told Maiman," he yawns with a shrug.
"That doesn't count! She's a wolf! An animal. She can't speak human. We can't understand her! She's just an animal like the rest of these creatures out here!" Ren growls with a huff.
"Don't, ever, speak like that, about her, ever, again," Takeshi suddenly slams her into a tree with a growl, completely catching her off guard.
"She is not like them. She is not a monster. Or whatever you consider a "monster". Don't say she is like them. Don't ever say she's just an animal," his eyes are like a wild animal's. His breathing's uneven as he glares at Ren.
"Takeshi…. I…. I'm sorry…. I…. I didn't mean it. I swear. I really, really, really didn't mean it. I'm sorry," she locks eyes with him.
"You, you, you don't make any sense. None at all! Why… Why… Ugh!" He slams his fist against the tree then he turns and lets go of her.
"What…. What are you talking about?" Ren studies him.
"Why do you think I came out here? You know what? Never mind. I'm done," he turns and starts to walk off.
"Takeshi…. Don't leave me here. I have no idea where I am," Ren quickly walks off after him.
"Find your way back. I'm done saving your butt," Takeshi growls and continues walking.
"Takeshi!" She growls back and rushes to stand in front of him.
"What?" He slams her against a tree.
"Don't leave me," she whimpers due to the pain of him slamming her back against the tree.
"Then follow me. But keep up," he growls, letting go of Ren and taking a step back before turning and walking off.
After a while of walking, they reach the city.
"There. We're here," Takeshi stays by the forest instead of walking out towards the houses and buildings.
"Are you coming with?" Ren turns and locks eyes with him.
"Maiman is back at my house. Go," he growls.
"How would you know she even came with me?" Her eyes glare into his.
"Tell me," she growls as he stays quiet.
"I could smell her," he quietly grumbles.
"You could….. What? What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Confusion fills her eyes. "What the hell are you?" She shoves him.
"Something you should be scared of," A smirk crosses his face as he takes a step back into the forest.
"Takeshi…" more confusion mixes into Ren's voice.
"Bye Ren," he turns, his back facing her.
"Wait," she steps towards him then turns him to face her.
"What Ren?" Gold streaks run through his eyes as they meet Ren's.
"Come back, please," her eyes study his.
"No," his voice is sturdy and strong.
"Please," she moves closer to his face then carefully lays her lips on his. For a second, they both sink into the kiss then as soon as Takeshi moves his lips to kiss her neck, he suddenly pushes her away harshly.
"Ren, we, I, can't. No. I just. I'm not like you. I don't want to hurt you. Since we met, I've been a mess. I've been all over the place," he runs his hand through his hair. "Just, leave me alone," a deep inhuman growl mixes into Takeshi's voice as he turns and walks off back into the forest. Ren watches him go before making her way back into the city.
"Arhiyan? Are you here?" Ren walks into Takeshi's house through the unlocked front door.
"I've been waiting on you," a voice laughs in the shadows.
"Who's there?" Ren reaches for the light switch then the door suddenly slams shut behind her, making her jump.
"Nice to see you again," Jin stood by the door with a smug look on her face.
"You," Ren growls as her eyes meet Jin's.
"Pleasure," A smirk crosses Jin's face.
"What did you do to Arhiyan?" Ren growls.
"Nothing. She's at work. But, everything I would do to her, I'm going to do to you," Ren gets suddenly slammed against the wall.
"I'm not sure if I should kill you, or turn you. I mean, you did take him from me. Since you came around he's been all over you. He's completely forgotten about me," Jin walks over towards Ren as she stays pinned against the wall.
"You won't touch her," a deep growl comes from the front doorway.
"Ah. Takeshi. You decided to show," a smirk crosses Jin's face.
"Don't touch her Jin, or you'll never see the light of day again," Takeshi's voice peeped through the growl that filled the room. Ren suddenly drops to the floor harshly as Jin turns towards the doorway.
"You won't, and you never will, act upon those words," she makes her way towards the doorway where Takeshi stood.
"Who said that?" He holds his hand out then quickly moves it towards the wall. Jin slams against the wall without Takeshi even touching her.
"You won't, and you never will, touch her," Takeshi growls at Jin as she scrambles out of the house. He turns and makes his way over towards Ren. As he pulls her up to her feet, he pulls her close against his chest.
"Wh… What… What just happened?" Ren's voice slightly cracks.
"You don't need to worry. All you need is sleep," he picks her up and carries her up the stairs to his room. As he lays her down on his bed, he pulls his covers over her then turns to walk out of the room.
"Takeshi," she sighs but he leaves her alone in his room.