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After the merge a lot of shit happened, people missing and lost, it took ages just to find the rest of the Ninja. But when Arin mentioned seeing a white wolf in the crossroads Lloyd had to look into it.
Arin randomly mentioned during dinner that he saw a wolf while on a walk, and that it was particularly strange because they dont usually get animals around there. Of course there was fish people and skeletons and snakes, but they were all bipedal. This wolf was, just a wolf.
Lloyd's first reaction without thinking was "Was it white?!" A little too loud compared to the normal speaking volume at the table.
Arin just slowly nodded "white.. and .. red? I think?"
"Where was she going?"
"...she?"
"Doesn't matter! Where was the wolf going!" Lloyd sat up from the table discarding his food there
"She was on her way out of the crossroads!! Off to the snowy mountains in that direction probably, looked like an arctic wolf" Arin shrugged
Lloyd didn't even explain, just swiping up the map of the crossroads and getting in his buggy.
The mountains weren't that far. The merge made it infinitely harder to traverse the used-to-be Never-Realm. The mountains even more unpredictable, the snow no longer settled. Lloyd started to question if he should've gone in a better vehicle but he wanted to find Akita as soon as possible.
The other ninja spoke to him through intercoms but he just kept saying that he was on a mission and will return later, not explaining any further to them
The Never-Realm was confusing even with the map, the info for there was scarce. Lloyd having to sketch up whatever he could identify
He ended up finding the Ice Fishers on a fishing trip in an ice pond, questioning them about if they've seen the white wolf. Getting pointed in a direction and just driving aimlessly, after 2 hours he hung around the half rebuilt village, snacking on some cooked up fish as he walked around without using the buggy, stopping as he heard something. A familiar howl nearby. "Akita?"
The howl stopped halfway. 4 legged pitter pats through the snow. The wolf diving into him, pushing him over before turning back into her human form "Lloyd! I said our paths would cross once again!"
"..yeah.. Yeah. You did."
"...can I get up yet?" Lloyd mumbled, referencing to her still just sitting on his chest after pouncing on him, she got off, snatching up his cooked fish while she was at it.
"What brings you here anyway, green ninja?"
"...you? I guess?"
"Just me? No important ninja mission? Or to complain about another manipulative white haired princess?"
"God don't remind me. And honestly I only came here for you. Uhh.. I didn't really think what I was going to do after I found you... how's the Never-Realm been since... Well, it stopped being a realm?"
"Confusing. But not terrible. You learn your way around things. I can help with your map if you'd wish."
"Ah- uhm. Yes please?" He handed her his map, sitting beside her in the snow, playing with it a bit as she sketched landmarks.
"..Lloyd, have you seen other formlings? Most of them seem to have moved all around the world. I've mostly seen them at the crossroads and on my longer travels."
"Oh! Yeah, Cole practically adopted one of them, a bird boy, Fritz? I think?"
"Hm." She finished up sketching the main landmarks and warnings on Lloyd's map, handing it back "it's getting late, will you be going back to the monastery soon?"
"I just found you!! I don't wanna go just yet" the Ninja pouted like the wet blanket he is
"Do you wish to join me in my home?"
"..like stay the night? You have a home?"
"A cave. But yes."
"..then yes please."
They walked for a while in comfortable silence, Akita turning back into a wolf for the walk, Lloyd just running his hand over her fur mindlessly, petting her back.
Eventually they stopped outside a cave, Akita letting out a soft bark to indicate it was her home, wandering in, going through tunnels to a door, entering in to her cave, a couple old blankets from the nearby village, a solar powered lamp in the corner and drawings on the walls, quite a few of them are clearly based on her travels with Lloyd. A couple of her brother and a lot of etchings of random village folk and their stories.
"Cozy" Lloyd mumbled, sitting on the corner of the makeshift bed. Shivering a bit from the cold. Akita laying down, curled up.
Akita was a big wolf for what it was worth, coming up taller than waist height. Lloyd knew she was hefty enough to support him if he just.. laid down leaning on her, so he did. Burying his face in her fur. She didn't protest, just putting a paw over him and pulling him closer, preserving heat is totally the reason, not that they liked cuddling.
"You're soft." Lloyd sleepily muttered, Akita letting out a soft huff in response, her eyes still closed. "I love you..."
She yipped in surprise, but just settled back down as she realized he fell asleep. After making sure he was comfortable she fell asleep too.
Akita woke up first but didn't move, laying in for a bit since Lloyd was still asleep, when he did wake up he was really drowsy and just laid there petting her fur and rubbing his face against it, finding the texture comforting, her fur was never matted, she took good care of it. smelling like fresh snow and ice.
Eventually he kind of came back to earth, looking up at her, Akita staring right back at him.
"..Hey 'Kita... Sleep well..?"
She stared at him, giving a nod and rubbing her muzzle against him making him chuckle a bit, cuddling up closer to her face, petting her fluffy wolf cheeks.
After a while he woke up fully, straightening his gi and hair before going back to his buggy, wishing Akita a farewell, knowing he'll visit again soon. Driving back to the monastery with a better map, information, and new memories with his favourite puppy dog.
And after the day had passed back at the monastery he lied awake remembering what he said to her before falling asleep last night. 'jesus fucking christ I can never face that woman again'