I open my eyes when the attack doesn't come and look around me.
"Get off me you stupid wolves!"
With Finn distracted, Black grabs my hand and pulls me further into the dark forest.
"Hey! Slow down a bit would you?"
For a minute, I think he did not hear me but to my surprise, he slows down and matches my pace and I finally catch my breathe. His grip on my wrist tightens with each step we take and I look up to his face.
"Black-"
He tilts his head slightly to meet with my eyes before looking away. We walk in silence till we arrive by a huge mahogany tree.
"This is..."
"Our way back to the human world, hopefully," Kahiki whispers into my ear and I jump back in fright.
"Get away from her you stupid worm!" Black shouts and Kahiki chuckles.
"So how do we get home?" I ask in an attempt to prevent the two from breaking into a fight.
Black nods and walks towards the tree bark his hand stretched out in front of him. I keep a safe distance behind him as a slight wind picks up around us.
"This is-"
A blinding light covers us and I shut my eyes.
"Nine?"
I slowly open my eyes at the mention of my name and look around.
"Luna?"
I rush towards her pulling her into a tight embrace.
"I thought I'd never see you again Luna."
She slowly rubs my back and I allow myself to sink into her touch. After a while, we head home and Black serves us some cold drinks.
"Thank you Black."
"Nine, why do you seem like a magnet?"
"Magnet?"
"Yes! Look at you going around attracting good looking men."
"I don't know what you mean," I reply suddenly overwhelmed with the attention.
"Oh come on, you managed to meet Kahiki. He's been your idol cru-"
I quickly cover her mouth and lean in closer to her ear.
"Don't say that out loud Luna!"
She chuckles and I slowly withdraw my hand from her mouth with a sigh.
"So what are you doing here Kahiki?"
"Oh? Are you implying my presence here is inconveniencing you?"
My mouth goes dry at this and I open my mouth to reply but Black beats me first.
"Yes, your presence is not needed so if you please."
He opens the door and bows.
"Black! He owes me an explanation."
He scoffs and closes the door.
"So... who was that guy who kidnapped you?"
"That's what I want to know as well," I say and turn my attention to the two men.
They share an uneasy look before looking our way.
"Is it okay if... your friend hears about what we are about to say?"
"Yes! She's my best friend, there are no secrets between us."
"But-"
"No buts Kahiki. She deserves to know the truth as much as I do."
"There's no changing your mind huh?"
I square my shoulders confidently and he lets out a defeated sigh.
"Wait! Are you seriously trusting this human girl?" Kahiki asks his eyes boring into Luna's.
"Do you have a problem with humans? Am a human too you know."
"No, not you. You my dear Nine, are special."
"Enough of this!"
We all look up surprised by his sudden outburst.
"If you are against her knowing the truth, why don't you use your magic and hypnotize her? She can forget everything we will talk about."
"What!"
"Am joking sister," he replies his teasing tone back.
"You are such a..."
"Maybe I should get going Nine, your friends over here don't seem very pleased with my presence. See you at work tomorrow?"
I grab her wrist and shake my head. She nods and slowly sits back down.
"It can't be helped then. So the guys you met are from the wolf clan."
We listen in silence as the two each narrate the tales from the ancient wars to the present. Once they are done, Luna and I exchange worried looks.
"We know this is too much for the both of you to understand. But believe me, there's more to this than just a modern day fantasy myth," Black says and I swallow the lump in my throat before speaking.
"So, if all you've said is true? How can I communicate with the wolves?"
"The thing is, we don't entirely understand what happened ourselves."
He claps his hands together and I nearly jump out of my seat.
"Let us not dwell on this any further, sister you've had a rough day, why don't you go and rest?"
"You expect me to just sleep after everything that happened? I need my questions answered."
"Maybe they're right, why don't you rest? We have an early shift tomorrow you and I."
"See you tomorrow then Luna, take care."
"Of course."
I turn my gaze to Kahiki and raise a questioning brow.
"What?"
"This is the part where you be a gentleman and take her home."
"What! No it's okay, I can get home on my own."
"I agree with the human, I have my principles straight Nine."
"What do you mean by principles Kahiki? It's late and you want such a beautiful soul to go home alone? What if something happens to her?"
"She was coping fine when I wasn't around," he murmurs and I stand from the seat.
"You-"
Luna chuckles nervously and grabs my hand pulling me back.
"Don't worry about me Nine, I'll get home just fine. Goodnight, see you tomorrow."
She bids us farewell and walks out closing the door behind her without waiting for a reply.
"You are unbelievable Kahiki."
"Nine I-"
I stomp out of the room and head into my room slamming the door behind me.
"Maybe I went too far?"
Black simply shakes his head at this.
Luna walks into her room and immediately rushes into the bath tub soaking her body. Her pacific blue tail splashes as she lets out a hearty sigh.
"Seems Nine has herself caught in a tight spot."