Disclaimer: I don’t own Yu Yu Hakusho. Only the werewolf in the story is mine. Due to the content, no one under fourteen should read this.
Chapter One- Clues
Kurama tilted his head as his mother was heading for the front door. “Mother?” he inquired.
“I’m just going for a walk, dear. Don’t wait up for me.” Her words were normal, but the tone wasn’t. It sounded brusque, almost rude.
“Are you certain of going for a walk? You claimed you were ill this morning.”
“Of course I’m certain!” Shiori snapped making Kurama recoil. She opened the door, stepped out, and practically slammed it behind her.
Kurama blinked before heading upstairs, frowning thoughtfully. His mother had been acting strangely over the last couple of months. Her temper with him had become much shorter, she craved meat constantly, and was taking walks three nights a month. The walks did not worry him nor did the meat craving. Her temper and behavior toward him was worrisome. She had always been patient, calm, and kind. Now, she would snap at him and tell him to mind his own business. He was confused and wondered what he had done to upset her.
Shiori growled under her breath as she stalked into the woods behind the house and headed into its dark heart. Her son was becoming nosy, poking into her business which he had no right to do so. She was a grown woman and could take of herself. Humus were curious creatures, she could testify to that.
Ah, but Shuichi is not fully human, she thought. I smelled the scent of fox on him. Is he like me only able to control it? She growled again, only it was out of jealousy. She emerged into a small clearing and, as she stood there, the full moon rose shedding light into the area and onto her. Her eyes turned red and glowed as her anger grew. She threw back her head and gave a loud, angry howl as black fur grew over her body, her clothes melding with it. Her muscles bunched and enlarged while her limbs morphed into four legs. Her feet became paws with claws extending from them. A full bushed-out tail grew out behind her as her heels went up and her knees changed direction. She went to all fours and watched her nails lengthen into sharp claws while her fingers shrank into paws. A muzzle of sharp, flesh-rending teeth emerged from her nose and jaws. Her ears turned pointed and moved to the top of her head. She growled and snarled as the mind of a vicious angry wolf took over. She sniffed the ground and then the air before taking off as the scent of prey reached her nose.
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Kurama sighed and shook his head. “I do not know what to make of Mother’s behavior, Hiei. She’s become a different person these last couple of months.”
“Maybe she is a different person,” Hiei said. “Think, Fox. Did anything unusual happen around the time that she started acting differently?”
Kurama lapsed into thoughtful silence, his brows furrowed. “She went for a walk one night and got attacked and bitten on the leg by a large dog,” he finally said.
“A large dog,” Hiei said. “Could have been a canine demon or one from the same family?”
“Hiei, are you suggesting that Mother is a demon now?” Kurama chuckled. “If that was so, I would have smelled it on her immediately and her energy would have changed, but it has not.”
A loud howl penetrated through the window’s glass and the sound sent a shiver down Kurama’s spine. “I have been hearing that sound for two months and always on the full moon.”
“It sounds like an angry wolf,” Hiei commented. “Kurama, your mother went for a walk and you let her, knowing there’s a wolf out there? That’s not like you.”
“It is like me now, Hiei. Mother has become distant with me and that I should mind my own business. Besides, I heard this wolf last month while Mother took a walk and she came back unharmed.”
“Hmm. She has a temper, constantly craves meat, and takes walks every full moon. An angry wolf has been heard by you the same time your mother was bitten. Fox, I am not an expert in human literature or myths, but your mother’s new behavior and the appearance of a wolf all on the full moon would suggest a werewolf.”
“Hiei, you think Mother is a werewolf or rather a wifewolf as female werewolves are called?”
“Her behavior points to the angry aggressive side of such a creature. Wolves are also carnivores which would explain her craving for meat.”
“If she is a wifewolf surely I would have smelled wolf on her.”
“Perhaps that is why she is distant with you. She is hiding her condition, despite her behavior toward you. In any event, since it is the full moon, you should be able to smell the wolf on her.”
“Yes, the smell will be strong at this point in the month. I will try to smell her scent in the morning and if I catch wolf on her, I will confront her. Perhaps I will tell her the truth about myself.”
“Do what you feel is right.”
“I will and Hiei, please stay here tonight. We are just as vulnerable to becoming werewolves as humans are.”
“True. All right, I’ll stay here.” Hiei sat on the window sill while Kurama went to bed.
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Shiori seized a chunk of meat and chewed on it. She had taken down her prey with ease due to her vicious killer mind. She thought only as a hunter, did not remember being human. She believed she was a wolf. She swallowed her bite and then ripped the body apart to find something else to eat. Her prey in this case, was a stray demon, not that she knew that; to her it had smelled like delectable prey. She lapped up some blood before yawning, stretching, and curling up to sleep.
Filtered sunlight fell on her face and she squinted at it as her eyes opened. She uncurled herself and stared coldly as the corpse nearby. She recalled last night’s events now that she was back in human form. The thing she had killed had not run from her, foolishly tried to engage her but her claws and teeth had struck and bit quickly. She had ripped his throat out and severed the main artery. Shiori felt no horror over what she had done. She had hunted and eaten her kills like this for two months and this cycle was the start of her third. She had given in to her vicious angry wifewolf side and knew that side was seeping into her human life. She did not care; she preferred to act hostile and aggressive. It all started one month before my first transformation:
She had gone out for a moonlit walk, her son telling her to have a good time. She had smiled as she thought of him. He was a sweet, good boy and she was proud to have raised him so well. He had never spoken angrily to her and she hadn’t either. She honestly couldn’t imagine ever speaking to him like that.
A howl had sounded through the air, making her freeze in her tracks. She had heard clicking claws and a low growl behind her but she didn’t turn; instead she had run and heard the animal chasing her. She had kept running until something hit her legs, making her hit the ground. She had looked back to see a large gray wolf with glowing red eyes. He had bared sharp teeth before latching them onto her leg and biting down.
Shiori had screamed and her other leg had wiggled out from under the wolf and had kicked out at it. The wolf had released, yelping in pain. It growled angrily and was about to attack again when a light overhead from an apartment window came one. The sudden light had startled the wolf and it ran off. She had gotten to her feet and limped home. She told Shuichi it was a dog, tended to her wound, and then got onto the Internet to research werewolves for she was convinced that that was what had attacked her for no ordinary wolf had glowing red eyes.
She had been bitten on the last full moon of that month and in the time between moons, her behavior and personality began to change. Her senses became enhanced and that was when she caught that fox smell on her son. I think it’s time to confront Shuichi about that scent. She got to her feet and headed into the house to wash up and change her clothes.
Chapter Two- Admission
She came down to find her son cooking breakfast. She inhaled deeply to absorb the smells on the air: Eggs, bacon, sausage, human, and fox. Yes, that last one was of particular interest to her.
Unknown to her, Kurama was also smelling the air. He detected his mother’s steps and sniffed. The scents of human and wolf reached him and he sighed softly. So, it’s true. She was bitten by a werewolf. He turned to see her by the table and, to him, it felt as if he was meeting her for the first time. He turned slightly, grabbed the plates of food, and put them on the table before getting glasses of juice and heading to the table to sit in his seat.
Shiori slunk over to her seat, her eyes narrowed in suspicion as she sat. “Shuichi,” she said in a low and almost deadly voice. “Why am I smelling a fox scent on you?”
Kurama looked calmly into his mother’s unnecessarily hostile face. “I have a fox scent because I am a fox demon in addition to being your son.”
“You’re a demon?” she growled.
“Yes. Mother, I smell wolf on you. You were bitten, yes?”
“I was. I’m a vicious angry wifewolf and I love it.” She bared a sadistic smile.
Kurama recoiled at her words and the smile. This person was no longer his mother, at least not the mother he had known. “I am assuming there is no cure.”
“That’s right,” Shiori said happily. “I will be a wifewolf forever.” She leaned forward. “Does that horrify you, Shuichi?”
“A little,” he admitted. “But you are still my mother.”
Shiori blinked as she leaned back. He still loved her in spite of her condition and how she acted toward him. She pulled the plate of meat toward her once Kurama had taken what he wanted. Now that her secret was out, she did not have to resist eating a lot of meat in front of Shuichi. After breakfast, mother and son headed for work and school, respectively. Shiori had called in yesterday as the morning of the first moon of the cycle did make her ill but it passed as the day wears on. She could tell Shuichi all about her condition, but saw little reason to do so.
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“She loves being vicious and angry?” Hiei repeated.
Kurama nodded sadly. “And there is no cure. This is who Mother will be from now on.”
“She smelled your demon half and confronted you about it.”
“I suspect she smelled it when her senses became enhanced. I think her preoccupation with her condition and her work are why she did not mention it until now.”
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Shiori swallowed a forkful of raw meat as she clicked onto the Internet. She made sure that her behavior didn’t show at work and that no one saw her lunch choice. She had learned that her stomach could handle raw meat in human form, especially during full moons. She brought up two search boxes, typed “werewolves” in one and “demon” in the other. She then cross-referenced them and the results led her to the website that she had come to when she had been bitten. She chewed more meat as she leaned forward to read the site thoroughly and then leaned back to reflect on what she had just read.
Hmm, yes. I have already experienced the mood change and personality change. I am more hostile and aggressive than before. I am more of a carnivore and can eat it raw. I am absolutely vicious and brutal when I take my wolf form. Hmm, I can attack and kill humans and if I smell a family member, I will be compelled to turn them rather than kill and since they’re kin, they will change immediately. Now, what’s this? She swallowed more meat as she focused on a subheading titled, Demons.
She leaned forward again to read and a cruel smile came to her lips. No wonder Shuichi was desperate for a cure. He is just as likely to be cursed as humans are. This was also what I was looking for. I will transform tonight and hunt humans to eat. I will tell Shuichi of this and he will likely want to stop me from eating humans and in my wild state, I will bite him. He will transform and his demon side will be suppressed during the full moon and in-between moons his human and demon side will become hostile and aggressive like me, maybe more so as he is a demon. Yes, Shuichi and I will be a vicious mother-son pair.
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Kurama gaped at Shiori. “I’m sorry, Mother. I am afraid I did not understand what you said.”
“I doubt that,” she said coldly. “It is high time that I started being a true wifewolf. I will be killing and eating humans starting tonight.”
“No, Mother. Please don’t.”
“Silence!” she snapped. “I’m the adult and I will do as I want. The one who bit me planned to eat me if I hadn’t kicked him and he had gotten scared off. Plus, I am tired of eating animals and demons.”
Kurama’s mouth dropped. “You ate demons!?”
“I’m pretty sure they were demons. I thought of the strange corpses I wake up next to sometimes and while at work this morning, I am convinced of it. It makes sense especially when you told me you were a demon.” She stood, headed for the front door, and was out it before long.
Kurama put his face in his hands. He had a vicious wifewolf for a mother. She had shown preference for meat and a harsh attitude toward him. Before he scented wolf on her, he had been confused by her change in attitude. Now that he knew the truth, it horrified him. His mother becomes a vicious wolf three times a month and eats whatever appeals to her. She has no human thought those nights. She thought only as a wolf and its hostile, aggressive side showed in her human form. He hated what she had become and she was getting worse. She now wanted to attack and eat humans. It was likely he couldn’t stop her as he didn’t know where she was going to strike and she wouldn’t stay in one spot. She would be a wild animal who would follow her instincts.
“Fox.”
Kurama looked up to see that Hiei had come downstairs when the redhead hadn’t come up. “She’s getting worse,” he whispered. “She’s decided to eat humans now.”
“Stop her, Kurama. You can stop her from going down that path. She may be a wild animal, but an animal nonetheless, who can be caught and restrained.”
He tilted his head as he considered Hiei’s words. Yes, when Shiori took her wifewolf form, her mind reverted to wolf and she became an animal who was all instinct. She was able to kick the one who bit her and it got scared off, though she didn’t say what made it flee. I should be able to sniff her out and use my rose whip to bind her legs and mouth. I will drag her back and find a way to keep her from heading out tomorrow night. Then, I’ll have a month to construct a more secure means of imprisonment.
“You are right, Hiei. I can stop her and I have a plan.”
Hiei smirked as Kurama stood. “I knew you would once you put your mind to it.”
“I will need to keep her from going out tomorrow and then I will acquire a more secure and permanent means of imprisoning her on her full moons.”
“Perhaps some kind of wards on her door and windows.”
“Yes. Genkai may have wards to keep a werewolf or wifewolf restrained. I will also research the weaknesses to keep her down.”
“Hn. Good luck, Fox,” Hiei said as Kurama stepped out to a sunset already in progress. Once it had closed, Hiei allowed concern to show. Kurama may not restrain the wifewolf as securely as he should simply because it is someone he cares about. His compassion can be a strength, but in this case, it could be a weakness. Be careful, Kurama. She will not recognize you as anything but food. Use the necessary force and don’t worry about hurting her.
Chapter Three- The Bite
Shiori walked down the sidewalk, planning the next morning. She would walk Shuichi home, telling him to give in to the vicious werewolf he would be by that time. He will resist during the day, but once the moon rises, he will transform and think as a werewolf. He will also follow my lead as I am the elder. She smiled cruelly as she pictured the two of them hunting and eating anything they wanted. Soon, that fantasy will be reality. She slipped into an alley where she could change safely and have access to prey quickly. She licked her lips in anticipation of biting, feasting, and drinking her victim. She was aware of what she was thinking but she reveled in it and besides, night was almost upon her.
Her nose flared and her eyes locked on the entrance. She smelled fox; the same one from this morning. Shuichi followed me earlier than I anticipated. Oh, that’s perfect; better than I planned. He will definitely follow my lead. She backed up to insure that there would be enough room for her to change, bit him, and for him to change as well. Her kind, sweet son would soon be a vicious, angry werewolf. I used to be a nice woman and Shuichi became a nice person because of that. Now I am mean and he needs to be mean, too.
Kurama stepped into the alley, pulled a seed from his hair, and used his energy to change it to a rose and then a whip. “Mother, I beg you t reconsider your decision. You cannot and should not eat humans.”
“You cannot stop me, Shuichi,” she almost snarled. “You are about three months too late.”
“No,” he whispered calmly. “I can still stop you.”
Shiori emitted a low growl as her eyes glowed red and her fur began to grow. He should have used that whip of his earlier to restrain me. Ah, but maybe he knew that my muscles would enlarge and would have torn through it and I would be upon him before he could counter attack.
Kurama watched calmly and a bit scared as Shiori transformed. He kept a close eye on her limbs. Once she is on all fours, I will strike. He saw her muscles grow larger as her hands and feet became paws and his hand tightened on his weapon. Come on, drop down. He watched her forepaws headed toward the ground. Now! His whip snapped forward and wound around the she-wolf’s legs, sending her to the ground. She growled angrily at the restriction and began to gnaw quickly at the plant, ignoring the thorns that pricked her muzzle and face. Kurama dug into his hair for another rose seed but found none. I’m out of rose seeds! Why didn’t I realize that before? he asked himself before Shiori got free and leaped onto him, pushing him to the ground. He looked into her snarling face and sensed that he was going to die. She lunged down, seized his shoulder, and bit down. He screamed and she released, backing up as he sat up, gripping the injury. She…bit me! That means that next month I will be- His thoughts broke off as red fur sprouted over his body and his nails became claws. What? I’m changing now!? A haze of anger and vicious nature clouded his mind as he stood up briefly before dropping to four paws. His eyes glowed red as the transformation continued. A long low growl and his mind reverting to wolf ended his change and he locked eyes with the she-wolf before him. He stared into her eyes and deep down, knew she was kin and an elder as well. He would follow her lead. He bent his head and growled to acknowledge her authority. She growled to accept his submission before charging out of the alley to hunt for food, the red wolf doing the same as they terrorized the area.
Green eyes blinked opened and focused on Shiori lying beside him, awake and smiling cruelly at him. He sat up quickly and scrambled away from her. “You bit me!” he said angrily; an anger that was quite appropriate for his statement.
“I know. I learned that demons could be turned which was why you were desperate for a cure. I further found that if I encounter family, I will be compelled to turn instead of kill and they would then transform immediately.”
Kurama’s eyes then widened and a sick feeling was felt in his stomach. “I…killed,” he whispered in horror. “I actually ate a human.”
“You did and so did I. I would guess that humans taste better than anything else as I barely left anything behind.”
Kurama said nothing as he stared at the ground. He had been bitten and ate a human! I will end up becoming like Mother: Vicious, angry, and aggressive. My scent will include wolf and Hiei will know I failed.
“Come along, Shuichi. You don’t want to be late for school.”
Kurama stood and followed Shiori home where both changed clothes and gathered their bags, Kurama handed a boxed lunch before they left for the day. The redhead bowed his head as he walked. Now that he was a rational-thinking person again, he was able to recall last night’s events clearly. He had been angry from being bitten and being a werewolf. He remembered looking into Shiori’s eyes, feeling a sense of kin, and him submitting to her authority. He had followed in her paw prints when it came to hunting. She had launched herself at a human and tore him apart brutally and efficiently. He too attacked a human and he recalled toying with his target by chasing him before leaping upon him and biting him on the neck, instantly killing him.
Tears welled up and he rubbed his arm across it. I couldn’t stop myself. I had no rational thought, no moral code. I was a vicious, wild animal and I will continue to be so for life.
Kurama felt distracted and restless though no one could tell. His attention on his teacher didn’t falter so Kurama assumed his feelings were imaginary. He had gotten a shock when he slightly lifted the lid of his boxed lunch: In addition to his favorite food, there was raw meat in it! His shock gave away to anger. She is trying to change me quickly, but it takes time for anything or anyone to change. I, however, do not want to change and I will do what I can to resist any urges while I am in control of myself. He looked at his lunch. I should eat all of it, but I will tell Mother not to do this again.
He walked home after school and hopped onto the Internet. He began looking for werewolf signs and, more importantly, weaknesses. He needed to know what would keep him from attacking and protecting humans, animals, and demons from himself. If I can lock myself up and have water and dog food nearby that should do it. But what would resist my new strength? He brought up several windows on weaknesses to draw up a list of similar weaknesses and then he wrote down likely other weaknesses. He looked it over and felt a bit better.
So, silver is not the only fatal metal. Any sharp object that strikes a vital organ can kill us. Wards can keep us restrained and Wolfsbane can weaken us and curb our aggressive tendencies. The cultivating of the Wolfsbane will take time even with my affinity for plants. The wards I will have to get tomorrow as it will soon be night. Luckily, this is the last full moon and tomorrow is Saturday.
Kurama looked around to locate something sliver, but could find nothing. He sniffed the air, picked up his mother’s scent and he growled in anger. Mother was here and took any kind of silver in my room. He took a calming breath. Okay, that is fine. A simple steel knife or sword will still kill. When I go to Genkai’s for the wards, I will inquire about Wolfsbane. I will ask for a cutting to raise if she has any.
I wonder if Hiei will come by tonight or if he will stay away until tomorrow night. If it was me, I would wait until tomorrow.
“Shuichi!” shouted Shiori and there was such force in her voice that he found himself unable to resist; not that he ever ignored her calls to him before. He rose, left the room, and headed down the stairs to see Shiori waiting. “Ah, good. I intend to kill another human. If you desire to stay home and hunt, you are welcome to do so.”
“Yes, Mother.” He followed Shiori out the door, but headed toward the back while Shiori headed for town. He headed into the woods, hoping he ate an animal. He hated that he had followed Shiori’s lead last night and swore that he would not let her turn him into an angry werewolf who would be hostile in human form and eventually eat only humans. I will not let her.
Chapter Four- Precautions
The sounds of animals and a sparse number of demons were clear and sharp as usual. His senses had not been enhanced as foxes are kin to wolves. He shifted on his feet, feeling restless and anxious for his last change of the month. The forest grew darker and he saw shafts of moonlight on the ground in a few spots.
He then threw back his head and gave an angry howl before growling as his eyes glowed red and fur began to grow again. A bushed-out tail sprouted as his heels moved up and his knees changed direction. He fell to his feet and hands, the former forming paws and claws extending from them. His fingernails grew into claws as his hands formed paws. His nose and jaws pushed out into a muzzle of sharp teeth and his ears formed wolf ears on the top of his head. The muscles on his limbs and body grew larger and he howled again as his mind reverted to the mindset of a killer. He sniffed for prey and then sped off when he found one.
Shiori went to the park, knowing it was best not to hunt in the same place all the time. Yes, she had hunted at home until last night, but that was safe as it was her property. But now that she had gone dark, she had moved on to different prey. She had had her first taste of human flesh and it was clear that she loved it. She couldn’t go back to her previous kills. She would follow her sire’s example.
Speaking of which, I haven’t seen him for three months now. It makes sense as I stay home to hunt. If I see him while wild, how would I react? What would I do? Oh, wait. I think I know. If I see him, I will kill him.
She moved into the shadows of a grove of trees and watched the sky darken and the moon rise. She growled angrily as she shifted to wolf form. She was about to charge out to attack and kill when the scent of another wolf caught her attention. It wasn’t her kin member, so it had to be a stranger, a competition for food. She whirled around with her ears flat and legs crouched. She bared her teeth as a gray wolf slunk into view, also ready to attack. For a time, they just stood there, waiting for the other to move. The gray one moved first, charging and leaping toward her. Shiori ducked the leap and lashed upward, her claws catching the belly. He snarled in pain as he landed and turned just as Shiori plowed into him. Her claws flashed out as she slashed with both forepaws. One furious slash caught the throat and ripped it open. The gray wolf laid dead on the ground, blood pouring from its throat. Shiori howled in triumph before tearing into the dead wolf to feast on him. She only ate a little before stepping away. This did not taste as good as last night’s meal. She scented her preferred kind of meat and raced toward it, the screams of her chosen prey rang through the night air.
Kurama awoke and his eyes focused on the remains of squirrels and rabbits. I made the right choice of eating at home. I’ll head inside, wash up, change clothes, and head for Genkai’s. Kurama was soon cleaned and dressed and was about to leave when the door opened and Shiori entered, looking very pleased with herself. She flashed a cold smile. “Morning, Shuichi,” she said. “I had a wonderful evening. I learned that I far prefer human flesh and cannot eat anything else. Oh and I killed the one who bit me.”
“You did?”
“Yes. He was competition for food and he started the fight. I simply finished it. I ate a little of him and that was how I found I’d rather eat humans.”
“I was happy eating animals and by the way Mother, I did not appreciate the raw mean in my lunch yesterday.”
“I suppose raw meat in school would be frowned upon but we will consume it otherwise.”
“I have an errand to run, Mother. I will see you later.” Kurama slipped out the door and headed for the station to begin the trip to the mountains.
Hours later, Kurama was reaching the top of the stairs, hope in his heart that he could receive help in handling his condition. He had acknowledged that his mother was too far gone to help. She’s been a wifewolf for three months and absolutely loves it. I have only been a werewolf for two nights and I am determined to keep myself from going dark as well.
He reached the compound’s gates and as he headed toward the house, he smelled a repugnant scent, felt weak, and calm too. His eyes raked the area around him and he spotted the source: Wolfsbane. He stared at the plant. Does Hiei know that I was bitten and warned Genkai or is it just coincidence? He walked onto the porch and used his still sharp nose to track Genkai’s location. He found her and caught Yukina and Hiei’s scents as well as he knocked. “Come in,” came Genkai’s voice.
He slid the door open and entered. “Master Genkai,” he said as he knelt before her. “I need your help desperately.” He saw Hiei’s nose flare slightly and the eyes widened for a second. Kurama waited for him to speak.
Hiei didn’t disappoint him. “You failed, Kurama.”
“I was caught unprepared,” he admitted.
“What help do you need?” Genkai asked.
Kurama exhaled slowly. “Mother is a wifewolf and she bit me two nights ago. I would like to have wards to restrain me during the full moons and perhaps a cutting from a Wolfsbane plant.”
“I can provide wards but you will not be able to touch them as they will hurt. As for the plant, I will do better and give you a whole plant that you can cut and plant to grow more.”
“Thank you. I plan to lock myself up next month and perhaps Hiei could put up the wards.” He saw the fire demon nod.
“When you say lock up, are you referring to a cage?” Genkai asked.
Kurama nodded. “A kennel cage for large dogs with the wards on the door and some of the bars should do the trick.”
“What about your mother?” Yukina asked.
Kurama shook his head. “She’s too far gone. She was bitten three months ago and loves what she’s become. I will not follow her lead.” Kurama did not mention that last night’s kills did not taste as good as the human he ate, as much as it sickened him to know he ate human flesh. I will not do that again. I will stay caged and surrounded by Wolfsbane.
Kurama snuck the plant and the disassembled cage into his room and once accomplished, began to care and cut a piece of the plant so he could grow more. The smell was still unpleasant and he felt weak, but it also calmed him and he considered the two negatives a worthwhile trade-off for the positive. He then put the cage together and hoped it was big enough for his wolf form. And if it isn’t, the wards should prevent me from escaping.
A tap sounded at his window and he turned to see Hiei there. He opened the window and stepped back. Hiei entered and said, “So, what happened?”
“I had her legs bound and was going for another rose seed to bind her mouth, but I did not have one. She chewed her way free and pounced on me. I thought she was going to kill me, but it turns out that when faced with family, they will turn instead of kill. I changed soon after the bit and since Mother is the elder, I was compelled to follow her lead. We both ate a human that night for the first time.”
“I can’t say I’m sympathetic to the loss of human life, but I am to your shame of it.” He went over to the cage, gripped a bar, and shook it. He nodded. “Seems sturdy.”
“I hope so. I’m thinking of having my bedroom door and window warded as well should the cage prove inadequate.”
“I’ll see to it. I can ward every door and window in the house to keep both of you from escaping.”
“No, Hiei. Mother would find a way out, most likely by going out during the day and staying out so she can change and kill. She would want to hunt while I do not. I will need to buy either meat or dog food for those three nights.”
“I suggest the meat. You’re a wolf, not a dog.”
Kurama sighed. “You are correct, but I will cook it. Mother insists on raw meat for dinner and lunch when it is not a school day.” Kurama turned to his homework he had been unable to do because of the full moon. It is going to be a long month before I get to test my precautions.
Chapter Five- Between Moons
The first week of the month kept Kurama busy with the caring of the Wolfsbane, schoolwork, maintenance of his cage, and keeping it secret. The flower couldn’t be kept secret as Shiori could smell it, but Kurama kept her from destroying it by claiming it was calming to him. She let that slide and gave his room a wide berth. He felt grateful for its unpleasant scent as he knew Shiori would not approve of the cage.
“She wouldn’t understand that I am protecting others from myself. I will not kill anymore and not be a dangerous beast,” he told Hiei.
Hiei nodded. He was impressed with Kurama’s determination and measures he was taking to keep others safe from him. He hadn’t encountered Shiori much but Kurama’s description was enough to convince him that he’d rather not have Kurama act the same way.
The second week proved to be trying as his demon side began to urge him to give in to his werewolf personality and moods. Kurama was surprised at Yoko’s encouragement.
“Why would you want me to give in?” he asked him. “We should be resisting it, not surrendering to it.”
“No,” Yoko said. “Resisting it is the wrong way to go. It is better to give in to the inevitable. Your mother knew that and surrendered to her aggressive and hostile tendencies.”
Kurama probed Yoko for a moment before saying, “Oh, no. My werewolf side has infected you. You are back to your cold-hearted self before we merged.”
“That is correct. I am back to my old self and I will work with the wolf side to encourage you to give in, Shuichi.”
“No. I will not.”
“You will not be able to fight it forever.” Yoko faded into the back of Kurama’s mind and the redhead worried about how his two halves would try to break his resistance.
Of course, they weren’t the only ones pressuring him to give in. His mother would talk to him every night at dinner. She was true to her word of serving raw meat alongside vegetable and some type of potato side dish. She admitted that their human bodies needed more than meat for a food source. She also didn’t just serve raw hamburger; she sometimes served steak, chicken, roast, or pork and of course all were raw. He felt a little sick of the raw meat, but as his stomach was handling it, he ate it while tuning out his mother’s words. She would speak of her past moon nights and how she did not resist her mood changes and personality shift. She stated that resisting to be a vicious killer was futile. “You’ll eventually be like me, so why not let it happen now?”
“No,” he replied calmly.
She scowled at him. “Shuichi, be sensible,” she snapped harshly. “Werewolves and wifewolves are aggressive, vicious, angry creatures day and night. It is our nature to act this way whether in human form or wolf form, especially when in wolf form. So, it makes sense-,”
“No, it does not make sense!” Kurama snapped back angrily. His eyes went wide as a hand went to his mouth.
Shiori’s eyes glittered in triumph. “That’s it, Shuichi. Let your anger out. Let it control you. You are a werewolf and need to act like one.”
Kurama swallowed back the angry reply he wanted to say. He would not rise to his mother’s bait again. Control it. You can control it. If you can get through this coming cycle, Mother, Yoko, and your wolf side will stop pestering you. Won’t they?
“You can do this, Kurama,” Hiei encouraged.
“I know I can, but it is not easy,” Kurama admitted. “My fox half has been infected by my wolf side. He is back to how he was before merging together. He plans to work with the wolf to break my resistance. Mother is doing her part, too. I lost my temper once at dinner tonight.” He took a deep inhale and the stench of the Wolfsbane filled him with peace and contentment. Yes. Hiei is right: I can do this. I will not break.
Kurama snuggled in bed, his usual weak feeling from the Wolfsbane sent him into a deep sleep. Inside him, Yoko was lending his strength to the weakened wolf side. It looked exactly like Kurama during the full moon. He panted exhaustingly as the flower made him dizzy and weak.
“That damn human,” he growled. “He is actively fighting me.”
“He is ignoring my words,” Yoko told him. “He knows that you have influenced me to return to my cold-hearted self and that I love being this way. We must break his resistance.”
“My best chance would be while I am away from that flower, but I swear he carries a sprig of it in his school bag.”
“I will help you. I can give you my strength like I am now and you can merge with him while he is at school. If he is carrying a spring in his bag, it should not be as potent as the entire plant, particularly if I am helping you.”
“Yes, Yoko. That’s what I’ll do. But not now. We both need to reserve our strength. Let the human think he is winning his fight and when his guard is down, we will strike.”
“We cannot wait long. The full moon is less than two weeks away.”
&&&&
Kurama checked the cage again. Still sturdy. Good. Mother has not discovered it and sabotage it to fail. He checked that his Wolfsbane sprig was still in the bag and still potent. All system’s go. He gathered up his bag and headed off to school. His breakfast had consisted mostly of raw sausages with some eggs and juice. He had tuned out his mother as usual, focusing inwardly on his demon and wolf halves. He found both of them asleep and was glad. It was easier to have a calm day when they were sleeping. He turned away from his inner focus and Yoko cracked open an eye and smirked. Yoko sat up, stretching, and saw the wolf do the same. “It is almost time,” the fox said.
“Good,” the wolf growled. “The moon is now a week away. I feel stronger than before, but still weak. However, your strength will make the merging a little easier.”
“Shuichi’s guard is down as well, thanks to us being quiet.”
Both fox and wolf watched as Kurama went about his day, the former lending strength to the latter. When Kurama headed into the bathroom, Yoko said, “This is it. Go and merge with him.”
The wolf stalked toward the boy’s spirit and soul before leaping forward and flowing into Kurama.
Kurama gasped in shock as he felt angry, mean, and hostile. His green eyes glinted evilly. Mother was right: It would be better to give in. I should not fight it. I am a werewolf and I need to act like one. Kurama exited the bathroom and went through the rest of school like his usual self while heeding his newly awakened hostile side. As he left school, he tossed the Wolfsbane sprig in the trash can. He no longer needed his precautions. He had given in to his vicious nature and was ready to embrace it.
He entered his room and disassembled the cage, intending to return it. He then gathered the plants, took them outside, and destroyed them. He opened his window and burned some candles to clean the air of that distasteful smell in his room. His lip curled into a sneer at how pathetic he had been acting since being bitten. I shouldn’t have tried to resist. Resistance is futile when one is a werewolf. I will be vicious, angry, and aggressive. I will run loose and attack as I desire. I too will develop a taste for human flesh.
&&&&
Shiori grinned at the cruel smile on Kurama’s face that night. “You finally gave in.”
“That’s correct. You were right, Mother. Resisting it was pointless, I see that now. I am like you now and I will follow your lead.”
“Excellent. We will hunt together next week and we will not let anyone stop us from being the killer wolves we are.”
Chapter Six- Killer Wolf
Kurama breathed the clean, fresh scent of the forest through his open window. It was finally the time of the full moon and he was anxious to head out, change, and feast on a human for dinner. He would follow his mother and do what she would do. It is only right that I do so. She is my elder and has authority over me. I have been treating her with respect since surrendering to my wolf nature. I have followed her every word and it all makes sense to me now.
He breathed deeply again. He had allowed his supernatural abilities to grow and strengthen and he sensed that he was now stronger and faster than before. He could probably give Hiei a run for his money in terms of speed.
Speaking of Hiei, he will be here with the wards and I will tell him that they will not be necessary. Kurama knew that Hiei would not believe him when that time cam and prepared himself for an argument. He turned his attention to other matters. He hadn’t noticed it with Shiori as she was female, but his nails had gotten longer and sharper, bearing a resemblance to the claws he would soon have. I wonder if they have been that way for a little while and I am just now noticing.
“They’re only that way on the days of the moon,” Shiori told him at lunch. She had been ill this morning and said that it always happened to her on the morning of the first moon. Kurama had felt no ill effects and chalked it up to his demon side.
Kurama was looking out his window, running his fingers lightly over his claw-like nails. Hiei would be here soon and the absence of the precautions would snag his attention. He sniffed the air and caught Hiei’s scent seconds before said demon appeared and entered the room.
“I brought the wards and…where’s the cage and the flower?”
“They were no longer required and neither are the wards.”
“No longer…? You gave in.”
“Correct. I surrendered last week.”
“Kurama, I can’t let you leave the house. I will ward every door and window.”
“I will find a way out as would Mother. I suggest you burn those wards and let Mother and me roam free.”
“Forget it, werewolf,” Hiei said, the last word spoken with contempt and making Kurama very angry. “You and your mother are not leaving this-,”
Kurama lashed out, his claws a blur and slashed at Hiei’s throat, slicing it open and severing the jugular. Hiei’s eyes went wide as he fell out the window, hit the ground, and died.
Kurama smiled sadistically as he licked the blood off his claws. He felt no guilt or horror over killing his friend. He would have done everything to keep Mother and I trapped to keep others safe, even killing us. So, to prevent that, I had to kill him. He gave a snort at Hiei’s intentions. The humans don’t need protection. They are prey and at least six people will die every month. It does not matter who it is; what does matter is filling my stomach. He left the room, making a mental not to properly dispose of Hiei later.
“Two demons and one human know of our condition?” Shiori asked as they walked toward downtown.
“Yes, but I just killed one so that’s one demon and one human.”
“Good. We don’t need anyone trying to stop us.”
“Of course, Mother. So, we will hunt in downtown tonight.”
“Yes and tomorrow too, I think. Uptown will be our grounds on the third night.”
“Okay. It is good you eliminated the one who bit you. We don’t need competition for food.”
“Right, Shuichi.” The pair entered an empty alley, watching the sun go down. The sky darkened and the black sky lightened slightly as the moon rose. Shiori’s eyes glowed red as her existing anger grew higher and she growled loudly as her fur grew out. She glanced beside her to see her son with red eyes and fur. He clearly was enjoying his transformation. He is as eager to be vicious as I do. She dropped to her paws, her claws extended. Her muzzle and tail grew out and her ears appeared. She howled as her mind reverted to wolf and she heard the howl of her junior kin before growling softly at him and he responded in like before she led him to the alley entrance.
Kurama growled as his anger grew and his red fur grew out. The anger of his werewolf nature felt good to him and he wanted to hold on to that feeling more than just in wolf form. And I can hold on to it. I have surrendered to the wolf within me and Yoko will help me to be an angry human. He felt his tail grow out and he swished it happily at the thought of being angry almost all the time.
He fell onto all four paws as his nails hardened into extended claws. His nose and jaws fused together and extended into his muzzle. His ears turned pointed and moved upward. He heard Shiori howl and he answered her as his mind turned wolf. She growled softly as him, reaffirming that he would follow her lead. He growled back to say he would as she was his elder. He followed her to the alley entrance and stood behind her to await her order to attack and kill whether by verbal or physical action.
Unknown to Kurama, Yoko had reverted to a fox complete with the mind of one. The influence of the wolf that made him cold-hearted also fed his desire for death and destruction. His gold eyes flared and he poured that desire into Kurama. He was unaware of this; all he knew was that he longed to bite and slash his prey with extreme brutality.
Shiori suddenly charged out of the alley, a sign that Kurama could attack as well. He heard high-pitched terror that excited him and he leaped out of the alley, his extended claws ripping at the skin of a panicky human. The scream of pain drove him into a frenzy. His eye glowed brighter and he snarled at the woman, baring his teeth. She screamed again as she ran toward a crowd of people who were also fleeing the vicious wolves. Kurama ran after his chosen target, his legs enabling him to cover large distances and in a short period of time. He leaped forward with a thrust of his powerful limbs and his forepaws hit her back, sending her face-down. His jaws seized her neck and delivered a killing bit. He heard the death rattle, tilted his head up, and howled at a successful kill before tearing the body open to eat what he wanted. A couple of people tried to attack him but they were killed brutally and without mercy or hesitation. He was then left to eat in peace.
&&&&
He opened his eyes to weak sunlight and he blinked as he sat up. The events of last night came to him and he felt satisfied. “I killed three last night and ate from all of them,” he said softly with relish to Shiori who was also awake.
“Very good. How did it feel?”
“Wonderful. Using my claws teeth, and strength to kill felt great and I look forward to doing so again.”
“That is good to hear. That is exactly how you should feel. We are vicious killers in wolf form and we should indulge in it as we want.” Shiori bared a slightly sharp-toothed smile.
Mother is right, Kurama thought as he approached Hiei’s body. I should indulge in my wolf nature when I want and I will do so by eating Hiei’s body. He summoned some vines to remove the wards and crush them to render them ineffective. He then got to his hands and knees, stalked up to the body, and used his nails to rip open the body. He ate the organs, muscles, meat, and skin before lapping up some blood. He seized the heart in one hand, pulled it out, and then laid on his stomach to enjoy his treat. Once he had consumed the heart, he padded to the door on all fours, growling slightly as he did so. He washed up and went to bed to rest. The full moon would rise again tonight and he needed to be well-rested to attack, kill, and terrorize.
