The fool is actually me....

Veronica is not a talkative wolf. I'm a daydreaming tree. We live in harmony (I think so).

Most of the time, she ignored me. Ignoring is fine too. After all, the premise of ignoring something is knowing that it exists, only then can she chooses to ignore me.

Whenever I get bored, I turn into human form and follow her around. Sometimes I annoyed her too much that she forcefully planted me into my pit. But she never tried to drive me out.

I know she closed her heart because of her past, the past that makes her a lone wolf. But she is still a kind wolf. She looks annoyed at my mischiefs but I know she doesn't hate it.

It's nearly three months since I lived with her. Today is a sunny day. Suitable for sunbathing. I'm in human form, lying on Veronica's body, buried my face in her soft fur.

" Awoo....Awoo...ooo"

" Is this wolf's howl or puppy's?"

The howling we heard is just this deceptive. For a majestic wolf, this voice is really lovely.

" It's a wolf. He want to enter my territory. "

Veronica doesn't reply the howls. She just lays there and waits patiently. After a while, a majestic wolf with dark grey and white fur appear before our eyes. He is a very strong wolf with about 2.3 meters height.

" Long time no see... Veronica...Do you miss me?"

"No... Why should I miss you? And we met just four months ago. Don't be dramatic... "

Veronica replied with a indifferent tone.

" Veronica... You don't even give me a reply. How are you? Still don't want to come with me?.."

Well...he seems like a puppy than a wolf with this pleading tone.

" Daniel, I already said I don't want to. Don't come if all you want is about me moving into your pack.."

Veronica replied without even looking at the visitor. In those three months we're together, Veronica didn't come to contact with another beasts or wolves. I thought she is the only wolf around here. But meeting Daniel today proved that at least there was a pack of wolves.

" You don't have to be alone Veronica. Taking revenge is not just about you. It's all about us. We want to help you. Let me and my pack become your strength in your way to revenge.. "

" Get out of here.."

Veronica stand up and face the wolf. I thought I shouldn't be in their way if they want to fight. But I'm in their way now. When Veronica suddenly stand up, I fell down from her body, rolled twice and planted between them.

" Is this a human cub? Didn't you dislike human? Or is this your food reserve? Too small...it can only be a snack.."

Daniel looks down at me curiously. I glare back at him. A chuckle come out from Veronica.

" Not human...It's a sapling. I'm not a vegetarian to treat her like a snack."

Here come another round of sniffing!!!!

Are you a dog or what!!!

Nevermind, wolves are families with dogs.

" She look so tender..."

Daniel sits on his hind legs. He sits leisurely without the intention of getting out as Veronica said.

" Hello...I'm Gloria. I'm a companion of Veronica. "

I transformed my arm as a branch to show him that I'm not a snack. He gives me a nod.

" Hello.. Gloria. I'm Daniel, the alpha of the greyhound wolf pack.."

" Greyhound pack? Are the wolves from your pack all grey and white? "

" Yes, we are."

Daniel comes into Veronica's territory alone. His pack is waiting for him at the end of her territory. Interpreting their conversation, Veronica's past is a sad one. I don't know the details but Daniel want her as his mate.He and his pack wanted to take revenge with her together.

But she turned them down...again and again...

They are unwilling to let her go. She wanted to take revenge herself to avoid implicating the pack. Wolves are famous for their solidarity and for bearing grudges. Even if the wolves from other packs are killed, the entire race would take revenge together.

Veronica love the wolves from greyhound pack. As her own pack was destroyed, she was unwilling to let them die avenging her pack. After Daniel left, she slumped on all fours.

" You love him...."

" Yes...I do.."

Actually, I don't know. I'm just imitating the wise man in some novels. To my surprise, she admitted it.

"You don't want him to be heartbroken because of your death if you fail your revenge. So you don't accept him..."

She rolled her eyes at me..

" Don't think too much. What does a child know? You can't even wear your own clothes."

I push her bottom line because I think I fooled her. But no...she isn't fooled. The fool is actually me. She gave me some animal skins to wear. I'm lucky to be small(not). I not only can't sew but also can't drape the animal skins as clothes.

So I asked her to cut three holes for one head and two arms in the center of the animal skins with her claws. After putting it on, the waist is tied using braided soft vines. I feel like I'm a genius. The kind that no rebuttal allowed.

It's boring to keep teasing her. I left her sleeping on all fours. I walk slowly along the streamside and look down at the flowing water. The image is a little blurry because the water is flowing but I can still see it.

I don't know how I look like at first. I can only look at the blurry image to determine if I'm a great beauty or not. And I believe I am.

My hair is silver white, exactly the same color of my leaves. I suspect the hair is the transformation of the leaves. I can change my arms and torso as branches and trunk.

Thanks god, my skin color is normal milky white, not green. I don't know which god to thank for not turning me into green skinned goblin. Anyway the related god can take credit.

The only thing related to tree on my body is my green eyes.My tree form doesn't even look like a tree. It's really conspicious with silver white leaves, jade like green trunk and branches. No wonder that knights want to dig and take me away.

Days passed by... I think I grow up a little bit but no. My proficiency on nature magic is better now. I don't need the animal skin to wear. I can create any dresses I want with magic. My hair is longer too.

Daniel is a frequent visitor. He visited two times a month, carrying various preys and fruits as a tribute for us. Veronica acts like she disdains him but I guess she's happy inside.

When I say I guess, I really mean it. Even the omnipotent chinese, japanese and korean novelists can't teach me to read the the pie charts. Unless a pie chart is slapped directly on my face, I would only think that she is showing off her large eyes. Because all the novels I read lead me into thinking that a large eyes are standard configuration of international heroines for authors. I tell you, even the werewolf and vampire literature can't escape from this configuration. So.. want me to read the meaning from the eyes? I proudly declare that I can't.

Oops....I strayed from the topic again. I can't read the expressions from their eyes but I can read the atmosphere. Actually, with Daniel's shameless pestering... if she doesn't like him, beating him up and kicking him out will be just a starter pack. She is stronger than him anyway. She seems to enjoy his accompaniment.

I can finally eat with Daniel help. I said I don't need to eat to Veronica and she took it literally. She never gives me or asks me whether I want some when she eats. This unreliable relationship!!! Daniel really is a good wolf. Daniel's beast power is fire while Veronica's is thunder. Means Daniel is a must have for our small kitchen.

However, none of us can cook. Barbecue is the best achievement for us. The worst part is we only have the original flavor as we don't have seasonings.

" Why does a tree even want to eat? Can't you just survive with sunlight and water like all trees? "

That's Veronica's stupid question.

" I'm not the same with these trees. I'm different. These trees don't have human forms but I have. It's not that I need to eat!!!.It's just that I want to eat!!!"

And that's my reply....

" Veronica... you changed. Am I not your favorite cub anymore? I'm still growing.. "

" I'm worried about you. A tree wanting to eat meat... You are not a carnivorous plant...you remember? "

"What do you know? A tree eating meat is the right way. Won't I become cannibal if I want to eat vegetables? "

" Then, with your logic, what about the fruits you have eaten? Aren't you eating the children of your fellow trees?"

" How can that be? The fruits can only be called eggs at most. Not as bad as direct flesh like vegetables. The fruits don't have life yet."

Amidst the playful quarrels, four years passed. My guardian beast also wakes up from the slumber. I'm in this world for a hundred years but I'm still a short little girl. Meaning I'm still an immature sapling. I don't even know the exact time needed to mature because I pulled my roots out and transform with the help of Pegasus's divine power. My growth is stunted.

My body is small but my magic power is growing steadily. I can't rely on my guardian beast as he is just for auspiciousness. In my parents thoughts, "as a gods we believe in fate and luck". Yes, he run fast and he can bring luck to me. Even so he is a guardian beast with no combat power.

My parents are really wise. They know the truth of outrunning the enemy is better than engaging in fights. I'm such a weak chicken. Veronica thought I'm a big disgrace as a companion of wolves. Hence, she gave me fighting lessons with Daniel. As she is the ceiling of fighting power among the wolves I know, we're tragically beaten by her...in every single lesson...

" Hmm...weakling.."

" Huh...as if you're better.."

Daniel and I despise each other.

" Strong limbs and simple mind... You, the dignified alpha can't even beat a female with your long legs. Just cut them off if you can't land a single blow on her body."

I glared at his limbs viciously... It's my one sided discrimination as a short person.

" You're the bottom of the food chain among us but you dare to attack me verbally. Who give you the courage? "

He counterattacked me verbally.I glared at him again. Can't win an argument? Then, take my mental attack...

" I haven't seen a male with a tongue as sharp as you. Are you secrectly a female?"

" Who told you being sharp tongued is an exclusive talent for female? Can't I have it? "

Okay...you win. You get my respect. No wonder Veronica can't get rid of this plaster. His skin is simply too thick.

" Husband is really a feeling not a gender. Veronica is so handsome like a husband. But you don't look like a reliable and stable male. You look just like a shrewd wife."

" So what?"

"What do you mean?"

" I mean...why not? Wife or husband doesn't matter if I'm with Veronica. As long as I'm not son or daughter.... Hehehe"

" Perish!!!..you bastard !!"

" Why should I listen to you? You fool...."

Both of us get stars from Veronica paw punch. She looks like a single mother with a pair of naughty kids. I don't know why, but every time I get beaten together with this bastard, I've no good words to say. It was beyond words.

I'm very polite while I'm eating the fruits and preys he brought over. Maybe I've selective politeness disease.

Oh no...Veronica looks angry. I know it because she is baring her teeth. She even let out threatening growls from her throat. Maybe she get headache because of our argument.

" Ah...We're.... sorry?"

" Why do I feel like you're saying that as a question?"

" Because I'm not sure if we should apologize you or not? You're clearly enjoying our performance."

Then...I got another paw punch...