Cold Hunts

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-Kris POV-

Ever since the night of Damon's... episode, it was smooth sailing. Tenebris recovered enough to go back to the shadows after she explained to Ahri and Hati what she is and how I know her. We'll just say that their faces were priceless when they realized the connection with the Shade Wolf, Lykos. The kids didn't know what on earth she's talking about and Hati promised them that I'll let them in on the story. The Damon was fast asleep for who knows how long. It makes one wonder what that man really does to be so exhausted because he's so deep in his sleep you could dump him in a lake and he wouldn't wake up. We eventually caught up with Red who was worried as hell. I sometimes forget how nice Red and his town are. They didn't have to worry or help. For all they could care, I'm just a stranger living in the wild.

"Kris~." Ahri had been using my lap as a pillow. She's so cute looking up with those sleepy, golden, morning eyes. I could feel myself blush while she stretched her arms and yawned. Her yawn was small but that only made it cuter. "Are we there yet?"

"Don't worry, we're getting close."

She thought for a few seconds before saying, "Hmm... wake me up when we're there."

And before I could even say anything she went back to sleep. Her slow rhythmic breathing only proved she was fast asleep. I was looking for any else to help keep my mind away from this very distracting fox. I turned my attention to the monitor, that shows the large container, to see how everyone is doing. Even though it's early in the morning, the kids playing with Hati. They would grab Hati's tail and hold on for dear life as they were lifted up and gently swung around. There was only one problem I can see or rather can't see. Damon is gone for view. Out of nowhere, a hand smacked the passager window scaring me and waking up Ahri immediately. Next came an unimpressed Damon. First off how the hell did he get out of the container and second why is he out there. He gestures to Ahri to open the door which she did hesitantly. "Sorry. I don't do well around kids."

Ahri grew a smirk and said, "Oh~ is it because they get on your soft side."

Damon actually looked embarrassed and Ahri noticed this as well but soon started to laugh.

"What?"

I was also confused and wanted to know what was funny. Ahri confessed, "hahaha the big bad monster can't handle some kids HAHAHA!"

I don't know how that is funny but Ahri's going to enjoy it for a while. I think it's alright if he can't handle kids, it shows a more humane side of him. Ahri started to settle down and wipe away the tears of laughter. One moment she was giggling the next she dead quiet with a look of excitement plastered to her face. Her eyes were gleaming like a child given a sweet and her ears stood straight as an arrow, pointing towards the sky. The reason for her sudden change lay in front of us. The Town was on the horizon. I let out a sigh of relief knowing we're almost home but then it hit me faster than a bullet. There is no home. Just a pile of ash waiting to be blown away never to be seen again. I looked over at Ahri who was too excited to even notice the pain on my face but Damon did. By the looks of it, he knew exactly what happened and.... who did it. We both kept quiet all the way into town where we were greeted by most of the townspeople except they didn't look too friendly. With men holding makeshift weapons and mothers ushering kids to get inside. I don't understand why they're like this. Is it the truck? Surly Red called ahead. Damon stepped out and said, "Let me handle this."

"No Damon wait!" I tried stopping him and of course, he didn't listen and stepped out, greeting the angry townsfolk.

"Now now can everyone calm down."

A random townsman shouted, "He is probably one of those bastards!!"

"The truck looks like one of theirs!!"

"GET HIM!!"

Unfazed by their threats Damon stood still while the mob approached. I had to stop this as a violent aura started emanating from Damon. I got out and went in front of him holding my hands out to stop the mob's approach. "Guys! It's okay, this man helped me!"

We were soon joined by Red confirming what I just said and also apologized for not calling the town. Although it was strong, the anger of the town was short-lived. They all surrounded Damon thanking him for his help. Seeing how the mood got lighter quickly I decided to introduce the town to Ahri and Hati. I wasn't sure how the town would react but they were very excepting of the girls. Ahri looked a bit uncomfortable around the crowd.

We were all treated to a big meal because Damon's food supply ran out thanks to Hati and the kids. Ahri seemed to be really uncomfortable now so I pulled her aside to find out what wrong. I've never seen her like this around friendly people or though I've only been with her for a couple of days. Now that I think of it, I barely know her. Maybe I need to find out what wrong. Doesn't hurt to start now. Wait! Am I attracted to her and how will I know if I am? Ahri noticed me approaching and asked, "What is it, Kris?

Snapping out of my thoughts I ask, "Are you alright?" She didn't respond. Ahri just held her arm. "Ahri?"

She took a deep breath and said, "It's just.... I've never been treated like this. Having so many people treat me like I'm a person and.... not like a freak of nature. In fact, it all reminds me of you. The first time I met you."

I chuckled, "I remember. You were ready to burn the house down."

"Yeah... you were the first person to help me and when I was kidn*pped you came to save me. I..."

I tilted my head. "... Ahri?"

It looked like Ahri was fighting something in her mind. Like she was trying to say something but didn't know what to say. Then out of nowhere she pulled me closer and smashed her lips with mine. I didn't know what else to do so I embraced it. After a short while, we pulled apart. She blushes while saying, "Thank you... for caring about me."

After the kiss, Ahri scurried away, back to the others leaving me in complete shock. I couldn't move or even think. I just stood there like a statue. Before I was able to reply to the event in my mind but was still unable to move. It's like my body wanted my brain to realize something it doesn't know. I was able to look down to the floor only noticing a tent. Realizing this I was finally able to move and did what I could to make sure no one notices. In the back of my mind, I knew what that meant and it got me thinking about what life is going to be like in the future.

After the kiss, Ahri's been more.... clinging, holding my arm, or sleeping on my lap. It saddens me to you how Ahri is going to act when we get so close to the site of destruction and the problems that we're going to have to endure. I'm already running into a problem. The whole way I couldn't think of anything else but the pain I went through running on that road. Sometimes I would even see myself running on the side keeping up with the truck. The only problem is that I look dead. The pale skin. the silver eyes and the crimson blood trailing behind him. Unlike the other times I hallucinated this one looked straight at me and in an instant I felt a searing pain in my abdomen, I lost all feeling in my legs and arms and I started to panic. Screaming for someone to help me. Shortly after my screaming started it was stopped by a hand on my shoulder. I looked to see who the owner is and the futuristic material hand was evidence enough to know Damon is helping. "Shhhh, keep it down. You almost woke up Ahri".

Those were not the words I was expecting to hear nor were they the ones I wanted but they worked in calming me down. The dead me was no longer there. He must know what I'm going through or seeing. He probably went through something similar. I took a few deep breaths before noticing a few familiar landmarks indicating that we're close. "The remains should... be... here?" What I expected to see was a giant pile of ash but instead, there was a beautiful log house bigger than my last. I turned to Damon who just gestured to a car parked outside. A man stepped outside the house and approached the truck heading for the driver's side. Damon opened his window before the man got here. I recognize him, it's Dave. He came up to us and said, "So you finally got back huh?"

"Dave w-what's this?"

"Well before you and Red left he told us we should get started on rebuilding your home. To pay for our mistakes."

I was beyond confused. "Hh-how did y-you?

"When you live out here, you pick up a thing or two but when a town lives here, miracles can happen."

I was speechless, to say the least, and a few moments later I felt something move. Damon leaned over to him and asked, "Why are you here all along?"

Dave leaned over placing one of his hands next to his mouth like he's telling a secret. "Between us, I think the town is sick. I don't know why they'd leave a handsome, funny, and well put together guy like myself."

Damon turned his head to me giving sarcastic eyes. "I wonder why?"

Ahri shuffled and sat up, rubbing her eye. "Are ...we there yet."

A smile grew across my face. I wasn't going to relive those nine months of misery with Ahri. "Yes, we're here."

"Onmygoshimsoexcitedletsgoletsgoletsgo!"

"Jeez calm down."

I opened the door and strangely Ahri turned into a fox and raced towards the house.

Even Damon was confused about what he saw, "That... has to be the weirdest thing I've ever seen."

Dave tried making a stupid joke, "I can do that as well."

Both Damon and I shouted at Dave, "Shut up Dave!"

We all looked at each other before bursting into laughter. We were laughing so hard we began to cry tears of joy.

Dave chuckled, "haha well... if you'll excuse me... haha I got to back home."

"Give Red and the town my thanks."

He nodded in response while heading for his car and headed off. Damon and I both went to the back to let Hati and the kids out. The kids rushed inside and Hati slowly followed taking notes of all the changes. I started walking to my new house when I noticed Damon wasn't coming. "Aren't you going to come inside?"

He shook his head turning his attention to the door of the driver's seat. "I'm going to need you to look after Paula and James. I can't take care of them, not with my line of work."

"...Are you coming back?"

Damon nods, "I'll visit now and then." I gave him a nod saying that I understand and that I'll take good care of the kids. He started the truck and spun it around but before he drove off he looked at me and asked. "Is Kris your first name?" I gave him another nod but also a look of confusion. "The next time we meet.... call me Ethan."

Without waiting for a response he drove off slow at first but he picked it up.

"NOOOOOO UNCLE ETHAN COME BACK!!!"

Paula and James both ran out the door following the truck for a few meters. I walked to them pulling them into a big hug. "It's alright. Uncle Ethan just has things to take of and has asked us to take good care of you." They both embraced my hug and we stayed there for a little while. I turned my head only to see Ahri and Hati watching us. "Come on. It's time to go back inside."

The two ran back to the house and Hati guided them inside leaving Ahri on the porch giving me a small but beautiful smile. At that moment all I could think about was the new life ahead of me.