Chapter Text
The first thing the wolf noticed as he ran up the path were the Christmas lights. He didn't take his mom for the type to decorate when she was the only one home. Perhaps his sister was visiting? The wolf stopped in his tracks, just before the slight turn to meet the front door. He didn't think he was ready to face his sister yet. It took him enough time as it was to come visit, and only because he'd heard from the birds that they saw her leave for the city. He sniffed the air, just in case.
... No, she wasn't home. No matter how little she shifted, she still had a wolf's scent. Back in elementary it was apparently enough to get noticed by the new transfer, but for another wolf? Especially her brother? He could probably find that scent anywhere.
The house itself did have a smell though. His oldest memories of the place were the smells of rotting wood and bugs, only amplified when his sister took to finding said bugs and presenting them like treasures. It didn't smell as strongly in the winter, the snow having muted it down, but there was still the faint scent of warm clothes and fresh produce. The neighbors probably dropped by recently to deliver a share of their crops to Hana. He was thankful his mom had friends supporting her as both her children ran off toward their own lives.
The wolf could only hope she wouldn't mind if he ran back for a visit.
Approaching the door, he slid it open with ease. Finding the grooves in the wood from when he and Yuki would return from playing in the fields, often still chasing each other (though it was really him being chased most of the time) and not shifting back until Hana called them over for a bath. Closing it to make sure the house didn't get too cold, he padded his way inside slowly. If his mom was asleep, waking her up would not be the best way to open the conversation that would surely follow after.
Ame?" a soft voice rang from the kitchen, sounding much more older than he'd expected. The wolf stilled, mind racing.
How long was he away exactly? When his Sensei died and Ame took his place, he felt the seasons blend together as he patrolled his new territory. He left behind the human concept of days and months and let his time be marked by the birdsong.
Apparently long enough. The woman that came through the doorway was still his mother, that much was certain. Ame couldn't place it, but it almost felt like she was happy and sad seeing him here. It felt like eternity as wolf and mother stared at each other, confronted with a reunion neither of them were entirely sure what to do of now that it was actually happening.
And then Hana flashed her signature smile. "Are you hungry?" she said, in a tone as though she could never forget how to care for her children. Ame hoped that extended to one who left without so much as a goodbye. He nodded, still in his wolf form. "Wonderful. I was just about to start cooking. It shouldn't be too hard to add another serving." She stretched her back, and the popping noise that resulted surprised Ame.
"You're free to use the bath if you want, though could you be a dear and please wipe your paws first? You tracked some dirt inside." and with that she disappeared into the kitchen again, and Ame was stood there.
Back home.