What is your name? Also, you emanate a presence about you like those in the military. Your a warrior by design, aren't you? Yuichi lowers his head a bit at his forwardness, waiting to be hit.

Saito was caught off guard by Yuichi's question Do I really seem like the military type? He thought to him self, pondering a bit. Then he smiled at the little fox. My name is Saito Machida. And yes, I am warrior. I began when I was 15 so I guess the mannerisms just come naturally. He thinks for a moment. Do i really come off as the military type? I dont really want to. It has a tendency to scare villagers.He said in a light hearted tone, trying to make the fox a bit more comfortable.

Not really, it was more your stance when you came up. Also, I have a tendency to see into people about what they hide.....it used to get me into a lot of trouble in my village, while it existed. Yuichi tilts his head a bit as he hobbles forward, moving towards the direction Saito had come from. By the way, it is nice to meet you, Mr. Saito....the reason you scared me is because you carry the scent of blood upon you, you have killed in the past, haven't you?

Saito smiled a bit at the young one's talent but gritted his teeth a bit. Well, I did hunt not too long ago, and I helped an acquaintance with her wounds. His ears flattened a bit and he looked to the ground. Or are you referring to an older smell... Saito himself felt like he could still smell the blood from the battles and it bothered him often. He really did hate taking a life but his reasoning kept him sane. 'Better to kill than be killed.' was what he told himself many times. One thing he could say for sure is that his hands have never slain an innocent.

Yuichi turns his head to look back at Saito. The only thing I have to say to it. It is not the blood of an animal. But no worries, even though you have the mantle of a warrior, you have the heart of a kind person. Either that, or you are very talented at hiding the truth. Yuichi turns back and starts heading the way Saito had come from, hobbling a bit as he walks.

Saito smiled at yuichi's comment. Thanks. Hey let me help you. Also I have a couple of aquantances over there as well but they are kind. Saito transformed into his other form once again. "Sorry. This is easier for me. Would you like me to carry you?" he bent down to welcome him into his arms.

Yuichi looks at him as he changes and whimpers. Must be nice.....But yeah, I guess it would be easier if you carried me back. We would probably make it back faster.

Saito scoops up Yuichi in his arms and starts to walk towards the others, but stops. "Actually, lets get you cleaned up and bandaged. Plus I would like to know more about you, if you dont mind." He turns around and heads off to the stream where he helped Sikura clean up.

Yuichi looks down a moment after being picked up. It would depend on what you would like to know...to be honest, your the first person I have spoken to since the war. Yuichi turns his head to look up at Saito, sadness showing in his eyes.

Yuichi's sad eyes made Saito look away a bit. Ya he is a warrior, but still a big softy. He took a deep breath and composed himself. "Well, lets start off simple. Do you remember where your home was? Or what it looked like?" The stream came in view and the sound of the running waters soothed Saito.

Yuichi turns away from Saito and stares off into the distance, his mind wandering a moment as he gets his thoughts in order. I remember a little, but it doesn't really matter, its gone now. During the war they came through and ransacked my home, nothing was left standing that I could see. A few tears trickle through his fur as he think back to the wolves that led the attack and shudders slightly.

Saito held on to the little fox a little tighter just before kneeling next to the stream. "What attacked you? Saito sighed as he ripped off a piece of cloth from the bottom of his shirt and soaked it in the water. He then started to dab it onto Yuichi's left leg. "I know its difficult to remember, but I might be able to take you to people who are from the same area."

Yuichi winces a bit each time the cloth touches his leg and yelps softly. One of the few surviving members from my village, or at least, that is what it felt like. They attacked me while I was sleeping but the recognition I had of my attacker.... Yuichi suddenly goes quiet, cringing at the thought of the fox that attacked him after his escape.

Saito looked at Yuichi confused. "Why would someone from your own village attack you? That doesnt make sense." The blood was almost all off his fur, so he soaked the cloth again, wrung it out and wrapped it tightly to keep it from bleeding. Then laid Yuichi gently on the ground to look for the plant he used before. I know there were some around here..

Yuichi shakes his head a bit confused himself. I don't know, thats why it bothers me so much, I knew him.....I grew up with him. But when he attacked, it was so strange, there was a glint in his eyes that I had never seen before. It was something.....feral. Almost as if he didn't recognize me. Yuichi shudders again as he looks down at the water. Was it right for me to kill him? He looks up and glances at Saito a bit quizzically, unsure if he did the right thing.

Saito looked back down at him and sighed. "Possibly. Maybe the shock of loosing his home and having to live in the wild, locked him in a feral mode. Maybe all he saw was another fox trying to take over his territory." Saito found the leaves and started to ground them in a paste. Once done, he gently lifted Yuichi's leg and unwrapped it. "Sorry this may sting a bit." Saito softly rubbed the ointment onto the wound. While doing so, he got lost in thought, almost re-bandaging it by muscle memory. "Perhaps, there is more to it...Dark arts were involved...could it be...?" He thought aloud.

Yuichi growls in pain from the ointment. He starts to fight himself from trying to snap at Saito. I-I guess that is a possibility. It just really hurts, we were best friends...he was the one that got the bell for my collar. Yuichi lowers his head in a bit of sadness. I can't believe I killed him.

Saito shook his head out of his trance and sadly looked at the pup."I'm sorry that I cant say anything to make the pain go away. Unfortunately, the burden killing another, friend or foe, is a heavy one. You just have to come to terms with it." His eyes looked just as sad as Yuichi's as well as a pained look. "I'm sorry to keep asking painful questions but could you answer one more? After that you can ask me some questions if you would like. Its not fair for me to know so much and you know nothing."

Yuichi nods his head slowly. With everything you are doing for me, the least I could do is answer your questions. Yuichi tilts his head a little bit to the right as he stares at Saito. After all, it would only be right, it is strange to help someone and know nothing about them.

Saito smiled a bit. "Ya, I guess you are right." He takes a deep breath, afraid of the answer. "Could you tell me who or what attacked your town and bout how long ago was it."

I wish I could say for certain who attacked us, but all I can remember are the wolves they brought with them and running for my life. Yuichi looks at Saito a bit uncertain. Y-Your not going to....to turn me over to them, are you? Yuichi jumps to his feet, still unable to put much weight on his front left paw. He starts to slowly back away from Saito, his eyes full of fear.

Saito looked at him with worrisome eyes. "No, please. I wouldnt do that. I couldnt do that. Saito was slightly panicked but took a deep breath. "I was mainly wondering because I was seeing if something linked. Please, calm down. I dont want you to hurt yourself."

Yuichi breathes a sigh of relief as he continues watching Saito. Thank you. I would much rather die than have to deal with them ever again. Yuichi slowly walks back over beside Saito and sits down on his haunches. May I ask something, Mr. Saito?

Saito let out a sigh of relief then looked at Yuichi curiously. "Feel free to ask. That was the deal."

There is someone around here.....that has the same scent as you. Yuichi looks at Saito a bit warily again but still at ease with the knowledge Saito wouldn't betray him. Do you know them?