Akiko looked at Max with a kind glance, "Yes it works rather well. Not use to being ale to touch anyone." She had a nervous glance about her as Vanity eyed her up, as if she was prey. "Nice to meet you." Although he seemed to just ignore her. "If you say so, Max."  She felt unsure of Vanity ever growing on her. He was much too rough and cold for her liking. Not that that would ever make her act curely she was a priestess after all. As Max entered the shadowy cave he decided to follow him in walking closely behind him. There was a nice cooling breeze. She couldn't wait to see how they all lived, what this cave truely looks like inside.

Akiko followed Max up to the branch once he requested she through him her bag. She backed up a bit and started to run up to the branch until she seen the new figure. His appearance was slightly uncomfortable and Akiko just ran against the branch. She paused and looked at the two. The way he acted, this Vanity man, he was arrogant.

Akiko started over, running up and swinging across from the branch. She grabbed Max's hand at the end for security but quickly walked forward and letting go. Her hand immediately moved to up against her chest as her eyes looked down to the ring. Akiko still wasn't sure about touching another being, she was unsure of the ring being truly able to protect others from her curse.  Akiko looked over at Vanity and bowed a bit, "I am Akiko, it is nice to meet you.." Akiko also gave him a slight smile.

Akiko bega to readjust her kimono, properly putting it on this time. As she worked on tying it she still felt uneasy. It wasnhe as not use to being without clothing I'm front of anyone.

"Sorry, I guess I am just a bit unsure yet. You are all still new to me. I usually waited to shift back once in the shrine..I suppose I am just a bit shy."

Akiko finished with her clothes but left off her shoes and socks. She had always loved to be bare foot rather then wear shoes. There was just something about being able to dog your toes into the dirt. Akiko looked over at Max then up at the  mountain's peak. It was coming up fast, and she could begin to feel herself getting nervous.

Akiko smiled to Max, "I can take my bag back now it you want."

As Max began to change back, his silky white coat disappearing and his bare skin now exposed Akiko averted her eyes to the sky looking up at some birds.  When he mentioned changing back she felt overwhelmed with an embarrassed feeling. Akiko sulked a bit and shook her head no at first. "He could just want to see me naked." She told herself giving him a sharp glance as he began to walk away from her. Akiko growled slightly and shook her head once more. "Them again he doesn't seem to be that type...I guess so." Akiko sighed as her mind pondered his request.

With the she began to shed. All her silky brown fur flooded from her body and her body shrunk in size; back to her human size. Her body completely exposed. Her face filled up with a tint of red as she knelt down to go through her bag to gather clothes to quickly put on. She pulled out a kimono and just threw it around her and quickly rushed up to Max.

"Hey, wait up! Are you still impressed? I trained hard. Can you hold this quick so I um can put this on? Please."

Akiko held out her bag while her other hand held together the front of the white and orange kimono. Her face still slightly pink.

"I don't want to meet everyone else...naked. After all they are all boys..."

Akiko tilted her head and said "well I guess so..." And she dropped her bags onto the path next to her. She backed up slightly and focused her energy, her body began to morph. Brown fur began to cover her body, which also grew in size. Her hands and feet became massive paws with black nails poking through the shiny brown fur. Her eyes were as golden as the sun.  Although she was slightly smaller then Max.

She left out a snarl exposing Max her pearly whites. Her fangs finely pointed and sharp as arrow points. Akiko shook her body off and picked her bag up by the strap using her mouth. With that she left out another snarl and streched. Barking out a slight 'woof' she darted ahead gracefully running along the trail before diving into the woods.

Akiko weaved in and out of trees. Darting through the woods making perfect time, avoiding the hunters and their prey so that she may not disrupt their game to much. She slowed down at the fork in the path that would lead up to the mountain trail. Akiko sat and dropped the bag in front of her to let out a howl so that Max may know her exact location. Akiko began to think to herself; "my control is probably the far best in the group...maybe I can help this Vanity learn his own."

Akiko looked at him left out a smile, the mask looked fitting for him. "Oh it looks rather...fetching." Akiko gigged a bit since having tried to make a corny joke. "Our village is a village of hunters. We make me memorabilia to honor the dead animals we hunt and kill. The wolf is a big part of this town's culture. Wolves fought by our sides so we honor them. For services rendered." Akiko tilted her head and itched her cheek.

"I can carry them, I am a big girl. Thank you though."

She looked to the mountain he spoke of it was a bit of a hike. She shook her head and looked at Max slowly walking around him and heading to the village path that led them outside into the wooded area. Most likely the hunters of the village would be out there hunting.

"Vanity? Oh that is right you did say something about another person. What's is he like?"

Akiko struggled to come to terms with her leaving the village she called home. Her village was peaceful and of course Grandmama was more then capable of handling the village. Only six of the children currently, who were moonborn, had little control over their powers. Young pups although are much easier to manage and clean up after then the fully grown ones. There of course was also the men of the village the ones who did the hunting and help protect the village who definitely had the village under control.

It was still so hard, she would be away from all she knows. She would be constantly worried as well, but she needed this to become a better leader for her people. Akiko wanted to be stronger. Not only that she wanted her village to not have to hide in fear. This man, Max, he seems to know how to make this all a reality. He even found her the ring she needed to conceal her curse. For the first time she could touch another person. Embrace them even with out hurting them..

Akiko swung her bag over her shoulder and made her way down to the main hall of the shrine. She was raised here. Her family lived here for years. Not one has left, until today. The kids ran in to say their good byes, for once she could hug them back.

"Be good everyone, don't give Grandmama a hard time okay. Train hard. I will always believe in you."

The kids all full of tears cried their byes. An old women embraced Akiko, the woman too strong to show her saddness fought back her swelling eyes.."I believe in YOU Akiko. Come visit. Take care."

"I will Grandmama. I will.."

With the long good bye or at least it felt that way, Akiko excited the shrine. She traveled down the stone stairs and over to the tree in the middle of the town. A man dressed in very weirdly compared to the local attire waited there. "I am ready to leave, where is it we are going first?"