The Fading Wolf

Disclaimer: I don't own The Wolf Children. The Wolf Children is owned by Yū and Mamoru Hosoda, Funamation, Studio Chizu, Madhouse and Toho. Please support the official release.

Chapter 1. From the Distance

Life on the country side can be tough, especially for the residence outside of Tokyo. With all the heat and poor drainage of water, they have to make do with what they have. Mr. Nirasaki was out making sure everyone was doing their job. He caught one of the workers taking a short break without permission. "HEY YOU! GET BACK TO DIGGING! YOU WANT ALL OF US TO STARVE BECAUSE OF YOUR NEGLAGENCE AND INCOMPITANCE TO WORK YOU DAMN FOOL?!" The man, hearing him and grapping the shovel out of fear began digging again as if he had energy again. Mr. Nirasaki then began to patrol his workers again. From a distance, he could hear a motorcycle arriving to the town. As it got louder, he could almost see the rider and the type of bike he had. The rider was tanned, looked to be about in his early to mid-twenties, built, wearing a U.S. army jacket, jeans, combat boots, dog tags with the name Specialist Joaquin "Jacky" Valero, and sunglasses. Mr. Nirasaki was annoyed and distrustful of the man as he pulled up to him. "Excuse me sir" Valero said in Japanese, which surprised the others on how a foreigner knew the language that well. "What is it young man?" Mr. Nirasaki said to him with a distrustful look on his face. Valero got off his bike and walked up to him with a map. "I'm trying to find a place to stay for the night; do you know any where a hotel or motel might be?" He asked while unfolding the map. Mr. Nirasaki then toned up his voice and said "In this country young man we say who are first." He said abruptly.

"Oh my apologies sir, my name is Joaquin Valero, former U.S. Military." He said respectfully.

"That's better; now let me have a look at that." He said while glancing at the map. He took the time to look at the possible destinations for the traveler. He then looked at him with an answer. "If you keep going straight for about 5 to 6 miles, you'll find an Inn that'll house you for the night. Gotta warn ya them folks are kinda cheap and rude to everyone. So if I you, I would just keep driving to the next town." He said sternly. Mr. Nirasaki then handed back the map as Valero got back on his bike. "Thank you very much sir, by the way I didn't get your name sir." Asked Valero.

"Just call me Mr. Nirasaki." He said as he was going back to work.

"Well thank you very much Mr. Nirasaki." Valero said as he began to ride out to the distance.

The workers were curious on the man who just rode into town. Who was he? An American here? Why not in the city? Some thought maybe he was just on a trip through the place. The workers didn't reminiscent on the subject for too long. They went back to work.

Joaquin felt the wind the in his hair, the sound of the motor, the sight of nature all around him was thrilling and calming. He decided to stop to take a break from riding the miles into the countryside and take whiff of the nature. The scent was like a mixture of melon and mint together, it made him feel at ease. He then saw what looked like a garden with potatoes and other assorted vegetables. He always came to appreciate the hard work of others that put themselves through the strain yet can go on to create the life of edible necessities of life. He got a closer look and could tell that it took both a hard worker and a delicate hand to grow such beauties. The farmer must have been a woman, amazing how she can go through all this. He found it hard to believe yet didn't rule it out. He then continued on.

Hana was in her room getting ready for the work day. It had been two years since Yuki and Ame went on their separate ways. She felt lonely at times, remembering the days on how she raised them. All the good and bad, yet always seem to make her smile. She made tea for her beloved who died years before, the father of Yuki and Ame. The feeling of loneliness was resolved with reading, garden work, and cooking. She would try to listen out for Ame's howls to know he was close, and Ame would howl for her. In a sense, he never really left. She was ready for the day. She went up to the driver's license to say see you later as she left for the house. She would not realize that today she would receive a visitor that would add to her family's life.