• "Who's there?" Janice called out. She looked about frantically in the darkened hall. The pit-patting continued. For only seven, she was taking this quite well.
    "Janice?!" her mother's voice called. She sounded releived. Yet the pit-patting continued. It sounded like it was growing closer, because it was louder and louder each second that passed. Janice felt frantic.
    "Mother!" she called out. "Something's going to get you! I think it's a wild animal, Mother!" Janice ran towards the sound of her mother's slight chuckle, pouncing into her arms.
    "Dear, I have something---someone---for you," her mother replied. A small, black and red dog popped out from behind her mother. Janice gasped.
    "Mom, that's a...that's a WOLF! Oh, mom!" she exclaimed, leaving her mother and heading to the dog. He jumped into her arms. "What should I name him, mom?" she asked. Her mom shrugged. Janice looked at the wolf carefully. "Toby." she stated affectionatly.
    * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
    Janice and the wolf were together for years. Our story starts on Janice's fifteenth birthday.

    CHAPPTER ONE::
    "Happy birthday, Janice!"
    Janice grinned, heading outside to discover how the weather would be. It was her coming-of-age day, when she could decide whether to become a mother and stay in one place or travel and be a village-wide hero. Janice was sure she wanted to travel, because Toby wouldn't stand around waiting for any kid to come home from school.
    Toby ran from the house, chickens running for dear life. Toby was a full-grown wolf, and often used his natural instincts. This was another reason Janice wanted to travel. Toby had to hunt sometimes.
    The sun was shining brighter than she had ever seen before. She decided it was such a beautiful day, she would accept her gifts early and set out sooner than she--and her mother, for that matter--expected.
    "Mother!" she called, running into the house again. Her mother was busy over the stove.
    "Yes, dear?
    "I would like my presents now, so Toby and I can leave early."
    "Really? Well, if that's what floats your boat, dear..."
    Janice's mom went into her room and returned with three boxes. One was thin and very long. Another was a rectangular shape. The last was a huge box, which was very light.
    "Open the bigger one first," her mother said. Janice obeyed. She took the lid from the largest one and smiled. Her mother had gotten her some new clothing for her journey. It was schoolgirlish, but it would work. She could probably move around easily in these clothes.She took the longer box. Inside were dual sheathed katanas, which were swords the Japanese usually used. She saw two slits in the hip of the skirt of her outfit, and guessed they were for these. She also noticed that there were knee-high boots and black things that went around her thighs. She immediatly got dressed, putting the black leather things on her thighs. She noticed that there was one little pocket-like thing on the side of each, facing away from her body. She shrugged and pulled the leather-like boots on.
    "There's another gift, Janice," her mom reminded her. Janice muttered a thanks and opened the smaller box. There were dual black custom pistols inside. She placed them into the pockets of her thigh garments. They fit perfectly.
    "Thank you, mom!" she exclaimed, running towards a mirror. She took her hair down from its ponytail and placed a studded collar--another gift--around Toby's neck. It also fit perfectly, and there was extra room so he could grow into it.