A Whole New World

Riku and Tazuna were already asleep; their quiet breathing and soft snores sounded soothing in the quietness of their room. Kira laid between them, his eyes focused on Riku. He was feeling restless.

I can't sleep. Kira sighed, staring blankly at the Grey Wolf. Maybe a walk will make me feel sleepy.

Kira slowly and carefully climbed out of bed. He gently kissed Tazuna's cheek before he crossed the room. Kira cautiously opened the door that led into the dimly lit hallway. Once Kira closed the door, he made the long, heart pounding trek down the hallway, the quiet muffled sounds of patients snoring and engaging in conversation made the child's heart beat even faster. Eventually, Kira found himself in a small room that had been turned into a small storage room. Stacked neatly in a corner of the room were wicker chests and baskets. These were full of strange items like medical tools, herbs, and a strange looking cauldron that had been polished clean.

“What is all this stuff…?” Kira whispered, as he gently picked up a bundle of herbs.

As he opened one of the chests, he was met with what appeared to be thin books. Taking one of them out, Kira was met with writing that he couldn't understand. But the book had dozens of pictures he could look at, so he was satisfied either way. Sitting in front of the chest, Kira used the natural moonlight that illuminated the room and saw all kinds of interesting pictures. Some were images of colored orbs. Others were strange looking creatures and herbs.

“This is so cool!” Kira gasped quietly, before he sat the book aside and grabbed a few more.

Taking his stack of books, he closed the chest and exited the storage room. He stepped onto the front porch of the clinic. The air outside the clinic was crisp and cool. The chill surprisingly soothed Kira's wandering mind as he tried to shed the remnants of the nightmare he previously had. And since he was alone, Kira could relax in peace and look through the manuals to his heart's content.

The silence of Dafu Mountain truly was tranquil.

“What are you doing?” asked a voice from directly behind Kira.

The child froze immediately, his heartbeat violently pounded in his eardrums. This voice filled Kira with sudden anxiety. The Red Wolf turned around and was met with a familiar pair of peridot green eyes. A lump in Kira's throat made it difficult for him to swallow his anxiety, even when he knew who was standing right in front of him.

“Riku...” Kira asked, his voice wavering.

“What are you doing out here?” Riku asked, his tone being stern and forceful.

“I… couldn't sleep.”

“Is it about that Human from earlier?”

“Is… he going to die because of me?”

“What?”

When did he start talking like this? Riku asked himself, as he was taken aback.

“I… didn't mean to hurt him! I… I just… and something just… woke up inside of me.”

Riku stayed quiet, as he noticed the naive Red Wolf Cub he helped raise since birth appeared to be tough and unbreakable, but he recognized the heartbreaking undertone. Kira fought back the urge to cry, even as his small body trembled from the tightening in his chest.

“You really are hopeless.”

Damnit. Why couldn't Tazuna be awake right now?! He's way better at this parenting shit than I am!

Riku sighed in frustration. He admitted he wasn't the best one to talk to when it came to feelings and emotions. But because he basically walked into this situation blindly, Riku gave a heavy sigh and walked towards Kira. He kneeled in front of him, as he casted his eyes towards the child, who’s eyes brimmed with tears.

“I… I just want to be strong like you and Tazuna..” Kira whimpered softly, as tears slowly fell.

“I know...”

“...What?”

Is this what parents go through when their kids are having a tough time?

Riku reached up and affectionately dried Kira's tears with his thumb. Despite Riku's aggressive stare, his voice seemed softer and more gentle. He sat down next to Kira. Riku always knew Kira enjoyed looking at the stars, so he gestured upwards. Riku and Kira casted their eyes towards the starry night sky. The stars began to reflect in Kira's eyes. A star sparkled ever so slightly, as he gazed with awe and wonder.

“See those stars up there? Each little star is a soul that has once lived on earth.. Their past lives are what shaped our future. It's because of them, they became a beacon of hope for those who continue to live.”

At that moment, a shooting star streaked across the sky, which made Kira gasp in awe.

“Riku! It's a shooting star!”

Riku eyed the Red Wolf with a faint, yet softened, grin. The way Kira's eyes always lit up with whatever expression he was feeling always made Riku feel inspired. He’d long forgotten the feelings of inspiration for what felt like years ago. Yet, seeing Kira, Riku wanted to experience what it felt like to feel wonder again.

“There’s a legend told in the Oracle of the Wolves, that tells of a star named Little Star. Little Star was small but he was brave and wanted to help everyone. So, he traveled to earth was sent to earth, And the everyone loved him. They were given Little Star.” Riku spoke, his voice resonating with Kira's curious nature.

“Really…?”

“Little Star filled everyone with happiness. As long as the world kept Little Star in their lives, the world continued to show glimmers of peace.”

“So that's what I'll wish for!”

“What?”

“ I wish to be Little Star. That way I can bring happiness to you and Tazuna too! And to everyone I meet in this world!”

You silly Wolf.

Riku placed his head on Kira's head and stroked his hair, as the jingling tassels from his hair ornaments sounded soft and gentle. Kira looked at Riku, his eyes widened with an understandable amount of shock and wonder. Kira had always known the Grey Wolf to be cold, violent, and aggressive. But to see and hear Riku express his “hope” for the future made Kira smile.

“I don't doubt that will happen.”

“Tazuna told me hope is one of the most powerful weapons a Wolf can have. Do you believe in that too?”

“... I wish I knew the answer. There's a lot of things I don't care to believe in. So…if I do have hope, my only hope is that you won't have to suffer like we did.”

He gave Riku's hand a reassuring squeeze.

“It’s ok! I don't have any hope for you either!” Kira acknowledged, as he looked at Riku.

What the hell did this Runt just say to me?! Riku growled in his head.

“Alright then, Mr. Smart ass.”– Riku pokes Kira's forehead– “And just where am I supposed to put my hope in?”

The Grey Wolf stiffened immediately, as he felt a small pair of arms wrap around his neck. Riku felt his body go numb as he was wrapped in warmth that could be felt in the pit of his stomach. He wasn't the type to show physical or emotional affection towards anyone. After all, he was trained by the most elite forest guardians. He was forced to close off his heart. It was his sole duty to protect that was most important. Riku didn't know what it meant to accept emotions. And even during this moment, he had no idea what was happening. He just simply let it.

“You can have hope in me…” Kira answered, as he buried his face in Riku's hair. “If you need Little Star, you don't have to look very far!”

“!”

The Red Wolf looked at his guardian's face that was still twisted with confusion, yet softness. He raised his hand and gently poked Riku's forehead, before he gave him a satisfied smile. Riku reached up and stroked Kira's head in return, a sign of affection that neither of them were used to, but knew this could be the change they needed.

“You… Never mind. Let's head back inside. Tazuna will get worried if we both get sick.” Riku announced, as he stood up and turned to walk away.

“If we didn't come back, he'd just chase us to the ends of the earth and drag us back, right?” Kira asked, as he cheekily sneered playfully.

“You damn right he will! And I'll blame you for it!”

“Next time you won't be so lucky!”

“I'm lucky enough without saying it!”

Riku watched as Kira hurried past him to run back to their room. The Grey Wolf walked after him, until he stopped and looked at the sky again. His eyes casted the starry heavenly reflection.