I jolted awake, forgetting I was curled up on a couch as I fell onto the floor. It took me a while to register that I had hands, not paws. Skin, not fur. "Shit," I breathed, seeing Yukina from the corner of my eyes. I couldn't just run through the neighborhood naked, and I figured it was too late to hide and hope she didn't see. I just grabbed a pillow off of the couch to cover what I needed to. "Um... Good morning?" I said, trying so hard at being casual and failing at it. I felt my face heating up as I blushed, the reality of the situation sinking in. I was naked in front of the new girl.

I flushed."uh um g-g-good morning h-howl",I said calmly. I was so confues. Howl was beside me naked. Lat night the wolf was beside me,now howl took his place. Why? was he the wolf?my geandmother told me stories of were wolfs, but that couldnt posibly be,could it?

I cleared my throat awkwardly. "I'm, uh... Sorry." Still holding the pillow around myself like a censor bar, I ran to her bathroom. I searched around until I found a towel and tied that around my waist. I came back out, scratching the back of my head. "I'll, uh, go home and get dressed... Still want me to drive you to school? We're both gonna be late anyway."

I slowly nodded.'Uh huh..y-yes please......",I said still in shock.

I nodded shortly before slipping out her back door, staying in the trees as much as possible. When I got home, I really wasn't surprised to be immediately confronted by my father. As I got ready for school, he laid out all my punishments. I was grounded for a month in my wolf form, which meant I was stuck in my house at night. I also had no more computer or Xbox time, not that I played on those too often anyway. When he asked if Yukina had seen me human, I lied easily and told him she hadn't. He seemed to relax, but lectured me on how close of a call it had been. I eventually got out to my Jeep and left, having no idea what I was supposed to say to her when I picked her up.

I sighed gettong dressed.I had a few questions for Howl when he got here. I was now in a change of cothse ,grabbing my school back pack i went out and sat on my pourch ,still thinking about what had happened.

I pulled up in her driveway, spotting the house from her sitting on her porch. I rolled down my window. "Coming?" I called, unlocking the doors.

I blinked out of my thought and quickly got up an got in."th-thanks for driveong me",I said calmly.

"No problem," I mumbled, not looking at her. I pulled out of her driveway and headed to school, half tempted to turn the radio on but not able to get my hands off the steering wheel. I wasn't going to start this conversation, that was for sure.

I slowly looked to Howl."w-why ... are ... ",I sighed not knowing how to ask."are you a werewolf?"

I had to admit, her question surprised me. I hadn't been expecting that to be her first assumption. Of course, it wasn't like I could just deny it. "I... Yeah, I am. My dad is too. That's who that black and gray wolf was... He's... not very happy with me."

I frowned."oh",I said relizeing those stories my grandmother had told me were true."h-how much trouble are you in?",i asked.

I laughed, a little bitterly. "Loads. I can't go anywhere at night for the next month. Other than that, just typical grounding-type things. No computer, the works." I shrugged. "That and he's pissed that I did that... And he doesn't even know that you know what we are."

I smiled some."then i'll be sure not to let him catch on that i know....mind you i only guessed,my grandmother use to tell me stories all the time when i was younger .. i never truely thouhgt they were true .....until now...."

"Thanks." I smiled a little. "At least you're educated. Last time a werewolf got caught... Ugh, it wasn't pretty at all." I scowled a bit, remembering the article I read. "So... How's your head?" I decided to ask. "You had a pretty nasty fall. You're lucky I was nearby and saw it." I wasn't about to tell her I had been following her.

I blinked. Forgetting he had found me."oh, still a little sore but ,other then that okay for the most art"

"That's good," I said softly, trying to think of anything else that had happened last night. "So, um, when's your birthday?"

I blinked."oh uh, friday, but your grouned so i guess the plans i was going to make with you are out",i said with a small laugh.

"Oh yeah," I mumbled, scowling a bit. Then I realized something. "Actually, I think I could hang out then. My dad's going to a three-day painting expo for the weekend, so he'll be out of town."

i sighed."yes, but i dont want you getting into more trouble"

I grinned. "Oh please. My dad's a softie. I'll be surprised if this little grounding even lasts until then. Besides, what else am I supposed to do? Stare at a wall?" I pulled into my parking spot and hopped out, tucking my keys in my back pocket and carrying my books under my arm.

I gave a smile and also hopped out."in that case i cant wait until friday",I said smileing brightly. Glad that i wouldnt be spending my irthday alone like i did most years.Then walked beside him as we headed for the school."thank you for last night Howl",i said in refurence to all that he had done, especialy getting me off of that ledge when i had fallen.

I smiled. "Me neither. I've never been invited to a birthday party. Even though this isn't really a party, but... still." I held the doors open for her, noticing that we were late to first hour by twenty-odd minutes. "It's no problem. Thanks for the steak. It was really good."

"no problem", I said calmly.As we walked I llaughde."wow we are late",I said laughing some.

I shrugged a little. "Mr. Marin won't mind. He's pretty laid back."