Chapter 7: Daily Life

Days with Ash and her family were great. I never knew how stressless the life of a pet was, it really was like a vacation after the wild ride that was the last month. Who knew even when not having a body you can build up a lot of stress?

The first day Ash showed me around the small single story home her parents, brother and she and now I shared. It was a classic cabin style house, a bit larger than one you might see at a camp grounds. It had only a couple rooms as heating for the entire house was done from the kitchen wood burning stove.

Ash and her brother shared one of the two rooms while her parents were in the other. The main room consisted of a simple olden kitchen and a table for four. In the theme of the house, the restroom was an outhouse 30ft from the house as plumbing appeared to be non-existent in this world. For better or worse I had to go outside anyways for my business so it didnt matter to me.

A few days passed; I would spend my time on ash's heels following her around while she worked on her chores. Tending to the chickens, ducks, pigs, ect… While her parents did the more labor intensive work themselves.

On the third day, Ash and I wandered around the pasture and came up to a lake. Taking the chance to drink, I also inspected my reflection. And I must say.. I look adorable haha. I'm a light gray all over, I appear to be around 40-50lbs; about the size of a medium sized dog. I have a majestically bushy tail and bright purple eyes.

Jarvis had told me beasts in this world go through evolutions, since I'm still in stage 2 of the growth cycle I will evolve naturally to a full grown wolf either over time, through combat, or with the help of natural treasures apparently.

According to Jarvis, when he made those stashes back before the reincarnation… some held mystical natural treasures like 1,000 year primordial ice, lightning jade, origin flames, ect… I honestly zoned out half way through his spiel. Hey, dont blame me! He was explaining them for several hours, I cant be that attentive.

Back to reality, after enjoying the sight of my majestic figure we set off back to the house. On our way back we stopped by the village butcher Gordon to pick up some scraps for me and food for the family. Thankfully, my palate changed with this reincarnation so eating raw and fatty meat isn't actually that bad.

"Ash how's the family? And who's this little guy?" Gordon says as we walk into the shop.

"Fine as usual. This is Kaito! He's new to our family. We think he's a wolf cub, but we found him a few days ago horribly injured and I nursed him back to health!" Ash mentions while puffing out her chest in pride.

"Really now? Well nice to meet you Kaito."

"Ruff!" I bark in reply.

"Wow! An intelligent one huh? You said he was hurt pretty bad a few days ago right? He seems fine now though huh.."

"Kaito is super duper smart! I dont even need to train him and he listens to all my commands!" Ash excitedly explains, not even hearing the ladder part of his statement.

"Hmmm…" Gordon eyes me inquisitively before saying, "Alright, if you can get Kaito to a few commands I mention I'll add some extra to your order" Turning his head to me, "And something nice for you as well" He says slyly.

I already notice something is off about Gordon, he appears to be far more aware of me or maybe just a genuine skeptic. Either way, I dont really care. I might be a young wolf but I'm daily certain I could take Gordon down if needed much less escape if need be. So.. I decided to play along with this game. Why turn down free food right? I need to evolve! So I bark back in reply to his statement.

"Ok. Ash, please have Kaito go over to the counter and bring back the broom that's in the corner. After that, if he completes the first task. Have him walk around the building to the back and bring back an apron that's hanging up out there. Don't mind any damages if they happen since this is my idea."

"Alright Katio! You heard the man, start with task one." Ash states pridefully.

"Wooof!" I bark back in reply before quickly dragging the broom that I quickly spot.

"Great work Kaito! On to the second task"

I walk out the cracked door before heading to the back and yanking an apron off the cord it was drying on previously. Well… Gordons gonna have to wash this again as I'm about to drag this through the dirt as I am much too small at the moment.

"Amazing!" Gordon states as I walk through the door. "Do you mind if I take Kaito in the back to give him a treat? Feel free to pick a couple choice cuts as a reward from the rack, Ill have him back to you in a couple minutes." He states.

"Yeah! Yeah! Go ahead, Ill be here waiting for you. Thank you again Mr.Gordon!" Ash replies back, almost vibrating in happiness. Just imagining the smile on her family when she brings back all this extra food is overwhelming her emotions.

After Gordon leads me into the back room that appears to be where all the butchering happens I get a bad feeling and keep my leg in the door frame so I can exit at a moment's notice.

Seeing that I stopped following, Gordon turns back to me, looks around, and then turns back with a sigh before saying, "I don't have any other place to speak quietly, just close the door for the most part if possible. I swear I mean no harm Kaito"

Eyeing my surroundings I shift backwards pushing a bag of sand over to prop the door open enough for me to sprint out without opening it further before turning back to follow him.

Gordon, seeing my obvious movements in response to his statement gives a sly grin that he just as quickly masks with a smile. "Come, we can speak over here." Pointing to an empty space near the far wall.

After walking over I sit down and eye Gordon up, knowing he has deduced I have far more intelligence than I should, I need to know his intentions. I have a couple options if things go horribly wrong, I can escape with the propped open door or kill Gordon… Not the best options but I can pretty much guarantee the first option will work so I'm not concerned.

Gordon, after making it to the corner with me, falls into a sack of potatoes like it's a top of the line couch from my previous life. "We don't have much time but I don't think we need it, I have deduced you are a very intelligent wolf type beast as you can fluently understand human speech… So I have a few questions in response to that."

He continues, "Bark if yes, growl if no. My questions are as such.. Do you have any malice toward anyone in this village?"

*Growl*

"Do you intend to stay in this village?"

*Woof*

"Will you protect Ash?"

*Woof! Woof!*

"Will you protect me?"

*Growl*

"I guess that was a long shot, hehe" He says and scratches his head in embarrassment. "If I assist in your development do you mind assisting me in the future?"

*Woof.. Growl*

"Im going to assume thats a maybe?.. Or depends on the circumstance?"

I interject with a bark at that point to state my opinion, "Woof."

"Hmmm, even a supreme ranked beast at your age wouldn't have this level of mental capacity…" He mumbles. "Sorry I'm merely curious as to what levels you will reach in this life and wish to bear witness. This is entirely out of curiosity. If you provide me with unique materials, plants, or treasures. I will assist you in obtaining food, or whatever is needed at that time. Obviously in your current state you cant do much more than pull weeds or bring back a rabbit." He says chuckling to himself

Feeling irritated I pull my ears back and bear my teeth, "grrrrrr" I growl at him in reply.

"Alright alright… Not one for jokes yet, or you don't understand them.. Anyways. Since your still in your juvenile form I will supply you with plenty of food to get to evolve. I do hope you can reimburse me in the future for this. Know that feeding a wolf is no easy matter, you lot eat a ton and I'm going to be losing money for a while as a result of this whim… Well enough of this, we ought to get back before Ash hurts herself out there, hahaha" He jokes and rises from his sack of potatoes like a newborn calf and almost falls onto a nearby workbench.