*WARNING* Some lemon content (that's sex) is found in this story.
It's not a full out lemon, but there is sex and sexual situations.  I'm
always looking for spelling and grammar mistakes.  If you find them, let
me know.  Everything I have done so far with this story (yes, there's more
than this) can be found at: http://www.emich.edu/public/llb/fanfic.html



{These characters are not property of me.  I would never attempt to claim 
them as my own.  This story may not be used without my permission, and may 
not be used to make money in any way, shape or form.  Characters and 
certain situations were created by Rumiko Takahashi, so don't try any funny 
stuff!}

                       A Wolf in Samurai's Clothing 2

                              by Lara Bartram

                         -------------------------

	He stood outside in the cool night air.  Even though Nabiki had 
headed for home over 15 minutes ago, he could still feel her presence, as 
if she was still at his side.  He could smell the shampoo she used, the 
soap, the little dab of perfume she put on every morning.  It was almost 
eerie.
	He looked up at the sky; it was a clear, cloudless night with the 
waxing moon shining brightly.  His stomach growled and shook him from his 
quiet contemplation.  He headed back inside and went straight to the 
kitchen.
	He opened the refrigerator, leaving the lights off, and grabbed the 
first thing his hand could reach.  Without even seeing what it was, he shut 
the refrigerator, sat on the floor and began to eat.

	Kodachi heard strange noises coming from the kitchen and carefully 
approached the closed door, ribbon in hand.  They never had burglars 
before, but there was a first time for everything.  She opened the door 
slowly, trying to avoid making a sound, and turned on the light.
	The instant the light flashed to life, she snapped her ribbon, ready 
to use it on the intruder.  Instead of snagging a criminal, the ribbon fell 
from her hand.  "B... brother?"
	He was sitting cross-legged on the floor with his back against the 
refrigerator with a big bowl in both hands.  It was the leftovers from two 
nights ago that had been nearly untouched.  And her brother was sitting 
there with his face in the bowl.
	He was actually licking the bowl clean.  He had eaten it all and was 
licking the rest out.  "Brother?"  she asked again, confused by a number of 
things.
	He looked up at her, food all over his face, and stared.  It looked 
like he hadn't bothered with any eating utensils and had simply plunged his 
face into the bowl to feed.
	Kodachi recoiled from her brother.  For one thing, he looked 
disgusting.  Another thing was that he should have been incapacitated from 
the poisons in that dish.  And lastly, his eyes were red.  He smiled at her 
and went back to licking the bowl.
	She quickly exited the kitchen, hoping she would wake up from the 
strange dream she was having.  It couldn't all be happening; it was far too 
unbelievable.  Her brother having sex with Nabiki Tendo... a lot.  They 
never tried to hide it and they were loud too.  Like animals.  Then him 
eating her poisoned food and having red eyes.  It was then that she decided 
to give him his space.

***

	"Your lunch smells delicious."
	"I didn't bring my lunch today.  Risa owes me."
	"But I distinctly smell the heavenly odor of your sister's shrimp."
	"Yeah, Kasumi made shrimp, but I didn't bring any.  Akane and Ranma 
did, but they're on the other side of the building."
	Kuno inhaled deeply.  He could smell it like it was sitting in front 
of him.  And he could smell Nabiki.  He couldn't decide which smelled 
better at the moment.
	He leaned over and inhaled.  It was like smelling roses, hot 
chocolate and... and...  He couldn't quite put his finger on it.  Roses, 
hot chocolate and...  He inhaled deeply, closing his eyes.  A woman.  She 
smelled like a woman, which wasn't really surprising.  The extent to which 
he enjoyed that scent was.  And the fact that she smelled of every pleasant 
smell he knew was amazing.
	"Kuno-chan, what are you doing?"
	He looked up at her, his eyes a little wide.  "Nabiki Tendo, you 
smell...  intoxicating."
	She gave him a funny look, then said, "Whatever.  Could you not stick 
your face so close to me in public?"
	He pulled his head back.  "Pardon me."  He nonchalantly brought his 
hand to his face and sniffed.  There was nothing about himself that he 
smelled.  It was just... him.
	He looked at the boy in front of him and inhaled.  He immediately 
recoiled, getting a disgusted look on his face.  The boy, Hiragashi he 
remembered, stank of alcohol, tobacco, and was ripe with uncleanliness.

***

	She brushed her fingers through his hair.  "You think I smell good?"
	He nodded.  "Verily."
	"Is it the perfume?"
	"No, it is no artificial fragrance.  It is your natural scent."  He 
held her arm to his nose and breathed deeply, his eyes almost rolling back 
into his head.  It was so strong and heady, like a powerful drug.  "I can 
not begin to describe it."
	She smiled wryly at him.  "You really know how to make a girl feel 
special."
	"But you are, or we would not have the bond that we do," he said with 
all sincerity.
	"Oh please.  I don't believe this is some spiritual bond or some 
other crap like that.  This is just some..."
	"Force of nature?"
	"Possibly.  I suppose natural selection could get pushy if it wanted 
to.  Not that I'd put money on it."  She laid quietly for a moment.  "You 
know, with my brain and your thick skull, we could probably have a genius 
kid immune to head trauma.  Not that I plan on having any kids."  She was 
half joking, but it almost made sense.
	He nodded, not really listening to what she was saying.  "We have 
been speaking for far too long.  I must demonstrate what your scent does to 
me."
	"What if I said I didn't want to?"
	"Then I would say you are a very poor liar."  He just knew she wanted 
to, knew she was ready.  There was like a light that over her head that 
went on and off.  "We must make up for all the times in the day we were 
unable to find peace and solitude."
	"What times in the day?"  She tried to sound innocent.
	"Come now.  I could see your desire, your desperation.  During lunch, 
before math, when you left with your friends..."
	"Well don't you think you know everything?" she asked playfully.
	"Not as much as you."  He nuzzled her neck, inhaling her fragrance.  
"I'm surprised you haven't come up with an explanation for all this yet," 
he said, kissing his way down her neck.
	"How... how am I supposed to know what kind of weird things your 
sister feeds you?"  She dug her fingers into his back as they made up for 
missed opportunities.

***

	He followed her silently in the darkness.  She would never stand for 
his presence if she knew he was seeing her home safely, so he followed 
under the cover of shadows.
	Several times he lost sight of her and had to pick up his pace to get 
her in his view again.  It was strange.  He had told her he did not love 
her, and he most assuredly did not.  Yet, he was most concerned for her 
safety; the thought of injury to her person almost set him into a rage.
	She stopped and looked around which made him freeze.  Had he made a 
noise?  He didn't think so.  He set himself to concentrating on keeping 
himself hidden, and finally she moved on.  He followed, his footsteps quick 
and light.
	She turned down a darkened street and he drew closer.  He shouldn't 
have let her go alone so late at night; there was an unsavory element 
beginning to encroach on Nerima.  In fact, he could hear whispering from 
nearby and wondered why she didn't react to it.
	He got closer still, invisible to her.  The whispering sounded ugly 
as it died down.  The anger in his heart started to mount.  He could feel 
the heat rise to his cheeks and he couldn't stop his face from twisting 
into a snarl.
	Then he growled, from somewhere far back in his throat; how dare they 
prey on her.  She...  He saw a group of shadows approach her from an alley.  
She...  He saw her backpedal from the figures.  She belonged to him!
	He charge out of the shadows too quickly for the thugs to react; they 
barely got a look at him.  The first one was rendered unconscious before 
the others had moved.  Their fear hung in the air like a blanket.  Before 
they could confront their attacker, he was working over the second thug 
with animalistic rage.  One thug, with a shaking hand, opened his knife and 
stuck Kuno in the side.
	Kuno jerked away and turned his gaze on the thug.  His eyes burned 
with hatred.  It was a hatred so deep, so complete, a fury they couldn't 
comprehend; they ran off into the night.
	"Ku...  Kuno-chan!"  Nabiki ran over as he collapsed, the knife still 
in his side.
	He was still breathing steadily and his pulse was strong, but his 
eyes were glazed over.  She held him, careful not to hit the knife, a 
single tear escaping.  His hand moved weakly and touched hers.
	"Like no other," he said quietly.
	"Come on.  You're going to be fine.  You're too stubborn to let this 
little pinprick hurt you."  She looked at his side but couldn't see how bad 
it was.
	He gave her a weak smile.  "I'm not feeling so good."
	"Can you stand up?  We need to get you to the hospital."
	"I'm fine.  I just need to rest a little bit."
	She looked at his side again.  It wasn't bleeding too badly, and the 
knife didn't appear to be in him too deeply.  "Get up, Kuno-chan.  If we 
don't get you to the hospital, do you know what you're going to miss?"
	He blinked slowly and his smile widened.  "You... are such a 
temptress."  He slowly got to his feet, Nabiki helping him.  He looked at 
the knife jutting from his side, then yanked it out.
	He slumped against her and put his hand on his side over the wound.  
They walked down the darkened streets, both of them with blood on their 
clothing.  He was pleased to know how concerned she was for him, but knew 
she wouldn't care to hear how concerned he had been for her.  She liked to 
think herself independent, that she didn't need anyone, but he could see 
the truth in her eyes.
	"How are you doing?  Are you feeling OK?" she asked.
	"Yes," he replied weakly.  "It is not as serious as it appears."  
That didn't mean it was painless though.
	"I don't care.  You need a trip to the hospital."
	"No.  Just... take me home."
	She sighed.  "You're going to owe me big for this." 

***

	"We're going away for the weekend.  I won't be back until Monday."
	"I understand.  It's best that I am allowed to... heal anyway."  He 
was laid up in bed again, unable to even... help Nabiki.
	"Don't worry.  I'll survive.  Just get better and we can make up for 
lost time later."  She smiled and patted his cheek, already feeling empty 
without him.
	He shook his head.  "Like no other," he said and kissed her hand.
	"Stop it.  We can't.  Not while you're hurt."  Well, they could, 
but...
	"Forgive me.  Please enjoy yourself on your trip."
	"Don't give me those puppy dog eyes, and don't think we're any sort 
of couple."
	"I know we are not.  I merely enjoy our intimate time together."
	"Yeah, sure."  She tried to be harsh, but she enjoyed it too.  
"You... you just make sure you get better."

***

	A day without her was like a week without food.  He didn't know why, 
he didn't care.  She had become a staple of his existence, and without her, 
if only for their brief encounters, his life was woefully incomplete.
	He laid, unsleeping, in his room.  He wondered if she was having as 
much trouble as he was.  He got up and removed his yukata; there was no 
need for it in the privacy of his own room.  He was restless and paced, 
walking the length of the room, one end to the other.  He felt so... 
contained, so pent up in the house.
	He went to the dresser and opened the bottom drawer.  He rooted 
through the clothes until he found what he was looking for.  He stripped 
off his shorts and put on the dark gray gi.  He hadn't worn it in years; it 
was a miracle it still fit.  It was a leftover from the days of making 
himself a complete martial artist; a goal he had given up a very long time 
ago.
	He tossed aside the belt, an empty symbol of his empty 
accomplishments.  There was only one thing he needed and she was gone.  He 
went to his window and threw it open.  There was a gentle song on the night 
breeze that called out to him.  The breeze carried a smell also.  His blood 
was dancing, his heart was crying out...  Crying out...  For blood.
	He looked up at the moon, the sky alight with its silvery glow.  It 
was so beautiful; the sun was no rival of it.  Staring up at it without the 
one thing he needed, he had only one thought: revenge.

***

	He woke up, sprawled on the floor of his room, surrounded by empty 
dishes.  He sat up slowly, feeling his head.  It felt like there was an 
freight train taking a shortcut through his skull.  He tried to get to his 
feet but could only make it to his knees.  He sat down and looked at the 
mess around him.  He didn't remember eating all that food; he didn't 
remember much of the previous night.
	He tried to get to his feet again and succeeded.  He looked at his 
unslept in futon; he desperately needed Nabiki right then.  He staggered 
out of his room and down the hall.  He should have been at school, but he 
didn't really care.  He was so hungry, he couldn't think very well anyway.
	He went into the kitchen and stopped.  It was a complete disaster; 
pots and pans were all over, cupboards were hanging open with their 
contents dumped out, and the refrigerator was left open.  What in the hell 
had Kodachi been doing?
	He was ready to shout and yell until he saw the half-thawed frozen 
dinner on the floor.  He picked it up, ripped open the package, peeled of 
the cellophane and shoveled the glom into his mouth.  It wasn't very good, 
but it was better than nothing.
	He tossed the empty package to the floor and began looking for more 
food.

***

	"Murders?"
	"That's the kind of thing you expect to hear about in Tokyo any 
more."
	"These weren't in Tokyo; they were here."
	"What?"
	"Yes.  Four young men, gang members most likely, were found brutally 
slaughtered.  Police think these were the guys ambushing people.  Guess 
someone didn't like being ambushed."
	"Guess not." 

***

	He paced, not knowing what to do.  If Nabiki had been there, he would 
have known what to do.  He grinned to himself and knew she would get an 
unexpected visitor when she returned.  His stomach growled in response.
	"I just ate!"  He threw up his hands and marched out of his room.  He 
had eaten everything in the house, and it had satisfied him for a short 
time, but not long enough.
	"Kodachi!  Kodachi!"
	She came down the hall in her nightgown, wakened from her sleep by 
his shouting.  "What is it, brother?"
	"I'm hungry.  Make me something to eat."
	She gaped at him.  "It's the middle of the night.  I'm not making you 
anything to eat.  Not after the mess you made last night."
	"I said make me something to eat!"
	She stared at him for a moment.  "Yes, your majesty," she said then 
walked back to her room.
	He growled at her, then headed to the kitchen.  Maybe he had missed 
something.

	"Nothing.  Not a God damned thing!"  He threw a pan across the 
kitchen.  No one could possibly imagine how hungry he was.  He put his fist 
through a cupboard door then ripped it off its hinges.
	He flung it across the room like a frisbee, then glared at the 
refrigerator.  The stupid box without any food in it.  What good was it 
then?  "What good are you?!" he yelled at it, then kicked it, knocking it 
over.
	He sank to the floor, almost in tears.  He was so hungry, so horny, 
so... thirsty.  He looked out the window over the sink.  The moon was 
there, staring at him.  He stood up and started to go out the side door, 
but stopped.  Something about the breeze...
	He went back to his room, got what he was looking for and tucked it 
into the makeshift belt he wore.  Then he went back outside into the yard.
	"So hungry..." he mumbled, walking through the dewy grass in his bare 
feet.  The breeze was carrying the song again, the one that was so 
beautiful, and...  There it was again.  Food.
	It was the smell of food, and it was close.  He ran over to the wall 
surrounding the estate and leapt over it, landing lightly on the other 
side.  He started running down the sidewalk towards the smell of food.

	"Slow night."
	"It is every night.  I don't know why we have to stay open 24 hours.  
It seems like a waste."
	"I'm here."
	"But you're the only one, each night.  Have been for the past two 
weeks."
	He shrugged.
	The door opened violently, causing both people to turn their heads.  
A young man was standing in the open doorway, clad in only a pair of loose 
gray pants.  He had his nose in the air and was taking deep breaths.
	"Hey kid!  No shirt, no shoes, no service!  Get out!"
	He ignored the woman's order and sat at the counter, staring at the 
sugar packets.
	"I said get out of here!  Don't you understand Japanese?"
	"I'm so hungry..."
	"Well find your handouts someplace else.  Go!"
	He reached down, and for a brief instant, the woman thought there 
might be violence.  Instead of the knife she thought he might pull out, he 
slipped his hand in between the belt and his pants and set the piece of 
plastic on the counter.  "I'm so hungry..."
	The woman looked down at the credit card.  "Well, I guess I can let 
it slide this time.  What would you like?"
	"Anything.  Everything.  As much as you can make..."  His stomach 
rumbled its approval.
	"OK..."  She was a tad frightened by the young man's eyes, but he was 
a paying customer after all.

	"Another one?"
	He nodded, swallowing another mouthful of chicken, biscuits, bacon 
and orange juice.
	"You know that's going to drive your cholesterol levels through the 
ceiling," the woman said, turning to make more.
	He shook his head, picking up a piece of chicken in his fingers and 
shoved the whole thing in his mouth.  He finished the glass of juice then 
downed some tea.
	The woman dropped a plate with a steak, some hash browns, a few 
pieces of toast and a stack of pancakes.  This was the most food the little 
Western-style diner had ever served at once, let alone to one person.  She 
had kept careful track and couldn't believe the size of the bill the kid 
had racked up.
	After the last plate was clean, he finished a glass of water and sat, 
staring at the counter.
	"More?" the woman asked.  The man was staring at him, wondering how 
much more he would eat.
	He sat thinking for a moment then shook his head.  "I feel much 
better, thank you."
	The woman nodded and took the credit card, surprised to hear such 
polite words come from the young man's mouth.  "It... it was no problem." 

	Stepping outside, he released a belch.  He was full and felt mostly 
satisfied.  He walked down the sidewalk, his feet cold on the concrete, and 
listened to the breeze.  It was silent this time, there was no song.  He 
looked up at the moon only to find it was a plain moon with nothing special 
about it.
	He sighed and headed back home.  Hopefully he would not be hungry the 
rest of the night.

***

	He woke up an indeterminate time later; it was still dark out.  This 
time though, he could hear the song.  He got up and looked out the window.  
He didn't feel any strange urges this time; only peace from the song on the 
breeze and the moon, high and glorious in the sky.
	He picked up his blanket and climbed out the window.  Finding a spot 
in the yard where he had an unobstructed view of the sky, he laid down and 
covered himself with the blanket.

***

	"Are you sick?"
	"I think so.  I wasn't feeling so great before we left."
	"Well you look awful.  It looks like the flu."
	"I think it's just a regular old cold, Kasumi.  Don't worry about 
it."
	"If it was just a cold, you wouldn't be so pale.  Now lay down and 
have some tea."
	Nabiki sighed and laid down.  She drank the tea and closed her eyes.  
It was a slight relief if she fantasized, but just barely.  She heard 
Kasumi leave the room and knew she had some privacy for a time.
	She breathed deeply and pulled the blanket up to her neck.  She undid 
her jeans and pushed them down past her hips.  It was hard to generate a 
fantasy about Kuno; there just wasn't anything there to work with...  
Except sex.  Hot, sweaty, screaming, orgasmic, animalistic...  She cried 
out, somewhat surprised at how quickly she had orgasmed.
	She never should have agreed to go on the trip.  At least, not until 
she discovered the nature of her problem.  She wished she knew what he was 
doing; if he was waiting for her, if he was... resorting to the same thing 
she was, or if he...  She swallowed.  Or if he had found someone to take 
her place.
	She started the process all over again.  His smooth skin beneath her 
hand, his body against hers, his heartbeat, his breathing, his lean, long 
lines, his thick...  She cried out again, her whole body tingling.

***

	"Do you hear it?"
	She nodded.  "It's beautiful."
	"It's for you.  Everything is for you."  He was dressed in a black 
kimono decorated with blue stripes.
	She nodded, his attentions making her shy.  She was dressed in a 
white kimono, patterned with roses.
	"If you are pleased, I am happy."
	"I am.  It's very beautiful out here."  They were standing in the 
middle of a field, huge and empty.  The moon hung overhead, seemingly close 
enough to touch.  There was a gentle breeze blowing.
	"Have I told you how much I need you?"
	She shook her head.
	"My life is..."  He looked up at the moon.  "So woefully incomplete 
without you."  He held her hands in his.
	"I feel the same."  There were tears shimmering in her eyes.
	He brought up one hand to stroke her cheek, the massive claw so 
amazingly sensitive.  "We should go."
	"Go where?"
	"To where we can be free."
	"I can't."
	"But I can't live without you."
	"I can't."
	"Please come.  Say you'll be mine.  Say you'll be mine because you 
want to be, because you can't live without me."
	Tears started to fall and she shook her head.  "I can't.  Look at 
yourself!"
	He looked down and couldn't believe it.  Bristling in his kimono, 
which was far too tight, was a... a monster.  He tried to say it wasn't 
really him, but he couldn't form any words.
	She backed away, horror on her face, and fled into the night.
	He tried to call out, to tell her not to be afraid, but it came out 
as howl.
	He woke up, still in the yard, curled into the fetal position with 
the blanket twisted all around him.  He could feel the tear tracks on his 
face, but couldn't remember the dream.  He only knew it left him filled 
with sorrow.

***

	"I am so glad to be back."  Nabiki practically threw her bag across 
the room and headed for the door.
	"Where are you going, Nabiki?" Kasumi asked.
	"I've got some... business to take care of."  She waved and left.
	"She's always so busy."
	"She couldn't survive three days away from money-making," Akane said 
with a slight frown.
	She was walking quickly, her breath coming in quick pants.  She was 
feeling awfully... desperate.  Her quick walk turned into a jog, which 
turned into a run.  The fantasies, the masturbation hadn't been enough.

	She went through the gate and right inside without knocking.  She 
wanted to yell out his name so she wouldn't have to look for him, but that 
would undoubtably alert Kodachi.  Instead, she moved quickly and quietly 
through the house.
	She stopped in his room, and even though he wasn't there, she decided 
to wait.  She started to strip, then got an idea.  She looked through his 
dresser and closet until she found the kimono that he normally wore with 
his hakama.  She took off the rest of her clothes the slipped the kimono 
on.  It was long on him, so it was even longer on her; a perfect fit.

	He was taking care of the dishes in the kitchen when he heard it.  
Someone had entered the house and was walking around, doing their best to 
keep silent.  By the weight and pattern of the footsteps, he could tell it 
was Nabiki.  The soap he was using had masked her scent or he would have 
know she was there even sooner.
	Once he got out of the kitchen, he could smell her clearly, and she 
was just as ready for him as he was for her.  He followed her scent trail 
up to his room and opened the door slowly.  He was greeted by a sight that 
almost brought tears to his eyes.
	She was on her side, the kimono drooping open and covering her up in 
all the right places.  "Don't stand around there all day; we've got 
business to take care of," she said from the floor.  She gave him a smile 
fueled by intense lust and waited for him to join her.
	He dropped to his knees and crawled over to her.  He could smell that 
she was definitely ready and that there wasn't any need for foreplay.  He 
was having some trouble getting his pants off...  Definitely not a need for 
foreplay.

***

	She was poison.  It was so easy to tell; she smelled like death.  He 
never had any trouble locating her; she was like a black mark in a pure 
white room.  So when she approached his room, he knew it, but didn't do 
anything about it.
	And when she was standing in the doorway, watching them, he knew it, 
but didn't do anything about it.  He was content to let her think whatever 
she wanted; it didn't matter.  She didn't matter really, not to him.  There 
was only one person that was important to him, and she was pinned safely 
beneath him.
	He had discovered one night that he didn't love the pig-tailed girl 
or Akane Tendo anymore; he didn't love anyone.  There was simply one person 
he needed, and how he felt about her didn't matter.  But how could he not 
grow affectionate towards the one person his life centered on?  He didn't 
love her...?
	"Nabiki!" he shouted, as he had another one of his mind numbing 
orgasms, and fell on top of her.

	That was odd.  He had never done that before.  Usually, they were 
both reduced to simple grunts and moans.  Nabiki noticed that even though 
she hadn't had her usual orgasm, she still felt satisfied.
	It concerned her how complex the drug, or whatever it was, was 
affecting her was; it was working on many different levels.  
Intellectually, she was fine.  Emotionally, she was a little off-kilter, 
but nothing too drastic.  The jealousy was the worst thing, and she could 
handle that.  The physical desires spoke for themselves.  Physiologically 
was where the real scary stuff was taking place.
	Why should she be satisfied that he had gotten off while she was left 
waiting on the brink?  She shouldn't be, but she was.  So she simply held 
him, enjoying the feeling of his body mashed against hers.
	"I'm sorry," he whispered to her.
	"For what?"
	"For not helping you achieve your peak."
	"Don't worry about it.  I'm just happy you got yours." 

	She almost ran off when he yelled out Nabiki's name.  She watched 
them whisper to each other, then snuck away.
	There was something distinctly not right about her brother, but what 
it was, she couldn't say.

***

	With her curled up against him, he felt like the king of the world.  
This was the way it was always meant to be.  His whole life before had been 
a lie.  He nibbled on her ear, stirring her into wakefulness.
	She mumbled a little, pulling her head away from his.  "No, Kuno-
chan...  I'm too tired..."
	He sighed and laid back.  After a few moments, her breathing changed 
and she was deeply asleep again.  The breeze was carrying the song, but 
this time it was soothing and urged him to find sleep.  He closed his eyes 
and nearly did, but there was something he had to take care of first.
	Reluctantly, he separated himself from Nabiki and slipped his pants 
on.  She mumbled and tossed a bit, missing his presence even in her sleep.  
He covered her with a blanket and watched her settle in.  He left his room, 
silently closing the door.  Hopefully, she wouldn't wake up while he was 
doing this; she wouldn't like it.
	He padded through the house; he could hear that his sister was still 
awake, which would make things easier.  He went to her room and stood in 
the doorway.  She was preparing for a match in three days and was quite 
distracted at the moment.  "Kodachi."
	She jumped and whirled around.  There was an angry look on her face 
which quickly changed to wariness.  "Brother."
	"I suggest that you do not look in on us again."
	Kodachi's face turned red, then she got really angry.  "Why you...  
How dare you...  Won't the Tendos be pleased to know..."
	"You won't say anything to anyone."
	"And you plan on stopping me?"
	"If I have to."
	"You could never defeat me.  Your skills are far too path..."  She 
stopped speaking and backed away when he advanced.
	"I won't need to defeat you.  You just won't say anything.  Ever."
	Kodachi stopped backing away; it was only her brother after all.  
"You will not stop me."
	"I ask for common courtesy and you return my request with hostility."  
He was still walking toward her.  "Where are you manners, Kodachi?"  He 
stopped when she brought her ribbon out and twirled it threateningly.
	She laughed quietly.  "You know your skills are an inadequate match 
for mine."
	"Kodachi, do not make me..."  He took another step forward.
	Kodachi flicked her wrist and sent the ribbon toward her brother.  
She wasn't planning on pulling any punches with him either.
	He did something completely unexpected though.  As the ribbon flew 
towards him, he swatted it away, as if it were a bothersome fly.
	Kodachi jerked her arm back, meaning to snap the ribbon at his head.  
Instead, the ribbon was almost slack as she pulled it back.  Most of it was 
ripped, torn into three strips almost the entire length of it.  The look on 
her brother's face hadn't changed.
	"Now, Sister, please give us our privacy.  And do not speak of this 
to anyone."  She looked at him, dumbfounded.  "Both of us would appreciate 
your cooperation.  I would like to keep you as my sister, not an enemy."  
He turned and left her room.
	She watched him go, the ribbon falling from her hand.  She had 
dangerously underestimated him, and nearly paid for it.  So what if he 
wanted to have an illicit affair with Nabiki Tendo?  It was his business 
after all; she decided to just keep out of it once and for all.

	He checked his pants to make sure he hadn't made a mess in them.  His 
sister was very good at putting up a front, but he could tell...  She had 
been frightened.  Of him.  The deadly flower had been reduced to a wilting 
weed.  That had been something he enjoyed.  He liked seeing her covered in 
a thick cloak of fear.
	He walked silently back to his room and opened the door.  "You're 
awake," he said and closed the door behind him.
	"Where'd you go?"
	"I needed to have a talk with my sister."  He sat next to her.
	"What about?"
	"Nothing you need to concern yourself with."  He leaned over to kiss 
her, but she pulled back.
	"I think I do.  Just tell me."
	He sighed.  She could make him do whatever she wanted.  "She saw us."
	Nabiki's eyes got very wide.  "Oh no."
	"I convinced her to say nothing of what she's seen.  She agreed."
	"What?  She just agreed?  With no catches?"
	He shook his head.  "I was very persuasive."  He leaned over and she 
allowed him to kiss her.  "Now how can I persuade you?"  He rubbed his 
crotch against her leg so she could feel his erection.
	"Where'd this come from?" she asked and grabbed it through his pants.
	"My sister was as frightened as a kitten; it turned me on."  He 
kissed her neck and felt her hands work his pants off.
	They both reached their peaks... multiple time.

***

	"Where is that coward, Saotome?"
	There was an audible groan from the students around him.  He glared 
at each one, those meeting his gaze backed away in fear.
	"Yo, Kuno!  Finally healthy enough for me to kick your butt?" Ranma 
called as he entered school grounds with Akane.
	Kuno whirled, his bokken at the ready.  "Saotome, today is the day 
you meet your end!  Akane Tendo, please clear the way; you do not want to 
be injured."
	Akane moved out of the way in a daze; Kuno seemed to have just lost 
it.
	"Now, Saotome, it is time."  He studied the younger man in front of 
him.  He could see Ranma's strengths, and they were numerous.  The breeze 
carried Ranma's scent to him.  It was clean and pure; exactly what would be 
expected of a healthy young man.  There was also the smell of a large 
animal and... a woman.  He wasn't sure why those two scents were so 
prevalent on Ranma.
	Ranma waited for Kuno to charge; it was what he always did.  Instead, 
Kuno walked up slowly, and the two began to circle each other.  Ranma was 
getting impatient at Kuno's lack of predictability and threw a lazy punch 
to get Kuno's guard open.
	Kuno moved aside as Ranma's fist flew toward his face and got his 
first good whiff of his nemesis.  Fresh pine wood was his first impression.  
And a cold sea breeze.  And a woman.  Ranma didn't just have the scent of a 
woman on him, he smelled like a woman.
	Confused by the new information, he missed Ranma's incoming foot and 
was sent sailing across the school yard.

***

	"What was that show this morning?"
	"Hm?  You mean with Saotome?"
	"Yeah... oh... do that again..."
	"You would not understand."
	"You impressed a lot of people... right there..."
	"Is that so?  From a basic sidestep?"
	"Yes... yes... Oh God yes..."
	He smiled at her.  "May I?"
	"Kuno-chan, after that, you can do anything you want."
	He smiled wider.  "I hope you have recovered then..." 

	"Here, let me."  She got on her knees behind him.  She still didn't 
love him, didn't believe she ever would.  She did care for him deeply, but 
not just because of the lust, though that had most definitely started it.  
She had gotten closer to him than anyone, and she knew a little bit about 
how he really was.  Of course, the changes he had undergone had helped 
quite a bit, but she had never thought him completely unbearable before.
	They had gone from the simple act of sex to something a little 
deeper.  She didn't just leave when they were done, and that made her feel 
a lot less guilty.  They did things more like lovers than just sexual 
partners.  She enjoyed the baths together and was surprised to see how well 
he could cook.  And the massages were fantastic.  It seemed like he could 
massage her entire back at once.
	She prepared to pour the oil on his back when she noticed his skin.  
The scars... the scars were all gone.  The bottle fell from her hands.  She 
looked at his side.  The scar was gone there too.
	"Is there a problem?" he asked.
	"You... your back."
	"Is something infected?"  He turned his head as if he could actually 
look at his back.
	"No...  It's...  It's..."
	"It's bad, isn't it?"
	"They're gone... they're all gone..."
	"What?"  The tone of her voice was getting him frantic.
	"Your scars... they're gone."  She ran her hand down his back, 
expecting to feel the familiar lines of scarred flesh.  There was nothing 
but smooth skin.
	"Please do not make jokes!"  He could feel her hands on his back, a 
sensation he was used to.  "There's nothing..."
	"I said they're gone!"  She grabbed his hand and put it against the 
back of his neck.
	"What are you...  I don't feel anything," he said, exasperated by her 
actions.
	"Exactly."
	He stopped, then moved his hand around a little more.  She was right; 
it was as if he returned to his state before the attack.

	"I'll see you tomorrow?"
	"All of me."  He smiled, but felt too distracted to be completely 
sincere.
	She smiled, gave his crotch one last affectionate squeeze, and left.
	He couldn't imagine what would have caused his scars to disappear.  
Disappear... or heal?  

***

	He woke up in the middle of the night, his body aching all over.  The 
ache was beginning to escalate, spiraling into intense pain throughout his 
body.  He sat up, gasping for air.  It felt like his chest was too small 
for his lungs.
	His stomach was in total upheaval, and he doubled over to try to stop 
himself from vomiting.  He tried to listen to the song on the breeze, 
hoping that would soothe him, but it was harsh and grating on his ears.  He 
leaned over and dry-heaved, sweat standing out on his skin.
	He groaned and laid back down, listening to the blood pounding 
through his temples.  He rolled over and curled into the fetal position in 
an attempt to alleviate the cramping in his gut.  He swallowed, choking 
back the nausea.
	Shooting pain in his back made him unfold and clutch at his blanket.  
He kicked out at nothing, feeling like he was losing control of his body.  
Then his room was filled with the smell of fear.  His fear.
	He managed to get to his feet, his body shivering and twitching, 
threatening to pitch him to the floor.  He lurched over to his dresser and 
put his hands on it to steady himself.  He looked up into the mirror and 
was frightened by his appearance.  His hair was limp and sweaty, his eyes 
were bloodshot and his skin was very pale.
	And then it began.  There was a tingling sensation in his toes that 
slowly traveled up his legs.  Following the tingling was a cold wave, like 
he was slowly being covered in chilly water.  He thought his body was going 
numb... until the pain started.
	It wasn't just an ache or a cramp, or even a shooting pain.  It was 
the feeling of having every tendon, every bone, every muscle stretched 
between two cars, and then having the skin peeled off.
	The tingling passed through his thighs and kept going.  His face was 
screwed up in a visage of agony and fear, his breathing was quick and 
shallow, and his eyes were open their widest.
	His hands lost contact with the dresser as it seemed he grew in 
height.  There was a complete loss of equilibrium and he toppled to the 
floor.  The tingling kept going, followed by the cold, followed by the 
pain.  He wanted to scream, but it was as if his vocal cords were 
paralyzed.
	Time became an unknown as he found himself wrapped in a cocoon of 
anguish.  Wave after wave of pain assaulted him, most of it centered in his 
chest and head.  It felt like he was being turned inside out.  His brain 
felt like it was on fire, caught in a press, being squeezed and reshaped.  
Even his teeth hurt.
	Suddenly the pain ended, and the assault on his senses began.  The 
worst was the noise.  Just laying on the floor was like standing in the 
middle of a construction yard.  His heart was pounding, his breathing was 
labored, his joints creaked, the house settled, his sister walking around, 
a fluorescent bulb was humming, and the refrigerator was running, and it 
was all doing it at 100 decibels.
	He brought his hands up to cover his ears and immediately noticed 
a... development.  His head was not the proper shape, he seemed to have a 
great deal more hair, and his ears were long and pointed.  He opened his 
eyes and the room came into focus in black and white.  The room, and a long 
snout.
	He sat up and knew there was something wrong.  His whole body just 
felt... wrong.  His balance was all out of whack and his weight had shifted 
drastically.  He put one hand down and stared at what used to be his normal 
human appendage.
	It must have been twice the size of his... human hand.  Each 
elongated finger ended in a yellowing claw that looked deadly.  He turned 
it over and looked at the palm.  As best he could tell, his skin was 
grayish (though lots of things looked grayish) and quite soft.
	He got unsteadily to his feet, wavering in his new body.  He took one 
step, staring at the floor in front of him.  One immense claw stepped down 
on the carpet, looking quite similar to what used to be his hand.  He took 
another step and tottered dangerously.  There was an unconscious twitching 
at his back and his balance was regained.
	Figuring out what had happened to him and learning how to walk in his 
body had made him completely forget the deafening noise.  He walked around 
a little, adjusting rather well to his new state of being, and had no clue 
as to what to do.  He had tried to look in the mirror, but what had looked 
back had been too horrifying.
	He inhaled deeply, his massive chest expanding farther.  How had it 
happened?  It must have been that evil sorc... He looked back in the 
mirror, not turning away this time.  The red eyes that nearly glowed in the 
dark, the fur, the... teeth.  The creature that attacked him.
	He snarled, a frightening sight even to himself.  A row of gleaming 
white and deadly looking teeth appeared, in stark contrast to the black fur 
on his face.  He stared at his reflection, his eyes burning with hatred.  
He raised his hand...  No, it was a claw now.  He raised his claw and 
smashed it into the mirror, fracturing his image.
	He stalked out of his room, unable to keep himself from growling the 
entire time.  Someone... someone would pay; someone would suffer.  But 
first, he had to see someone.

	He stood below her window, in the shadows.  Her light was still on.  
He wanted to call out to her; damn whoever might find out.  He just wanted 
her to know how badly he needed her.  He tried to say it softly, but it 
only came out as a wheezing breath.  He tried again, louder, but that came 
out as a series of grunts and yips.
	He couldn't believe it; the time when he most needed to talk, he 
couldn't.
	He tried it one more time, at the top of his lungs, but it came out 
as a despairing howl.

	Nabiki was working out the next days interest when she heard the 
strange noises from outside.  It sounded very much like a dog sitting 
outside her window.  She did her best to ignore it until the howl started.  
It was loud, but low pitched and sounded almost... sad.  "What the..." 

	He tried again, letting out the same pitiful howl.  It just wasn't 
fair!  Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Akane's light go on, then 
Kasumi's.  Someone had to understand...  Again with the howl.
	Then she appeared, looking annoyed, at her window.  He wanted to say 
something along the lines of 'I need you' but stopped when it came out only 
as growls.

	Nabiki looked out her window.  In a pool of shadow beneath her window 
was a figure.  It was too dark to get a good look, but she could tell it 
was large.  And did she see faintly glowing eyes?  Nah... couldn't be.  She 
started to close the curtain when it made a noise.
	Though it was humanoid shape, the noise was most definitely not 
human.  It was a quiet, inquisitive sound, somewhere between a grunt and a 
bark.  Who... whatever it was down there wanted to see her.  She didn't 
plan on complying any time soon.
	She shut the curtain and turned off the light, leaving her 
calculations until the next morning, and got into bed.  She pulled the 
covers up to her neck, listening to the... thing outside 

	He watched her close the curtain and wanted to cry.  How could things 
have gone so wrong?  He called out again, this time to anyone who would 
listen.  His answer was a howl from a dog someplace close by.  He would 
have to take desperate measures.

	Nabiki listened to the howls, getting more and more creeped out.  
Very soon, the howls stopped though and she closed her eyes in an attempt 
to find sleep.

	He looked up at the sill.  He could make it, it wasn't too big a 
jump.  He could hear by her breathing and heartbeat that she was already 
asleep; she wouldn't mind.
	He crouched down then uncoiled the muscles in his legs and launched 
himself at the window sill.  He got his feet on it, but had to cling to the 
side of the house because he was far too large to slip in through the 
window easily.  He put his head and one arm through the window.  Difficult 
or easy, he would make it.
	He folded and squeezed his body until he was finally in her room.  He 
went to her bedside and looked at her sleeping form.  At that moment, he 
knew, love or hate, he would protect her at all costs.  He got on his knees 
and laid his head on the bed.
	She rolled over and practically forced her chest into his face, then 
put her arm over his head.  He snorted contentedly, fluttering her 
nightgown, and stared at her sleeping face.
	She mumbled something and clutched at the fur on his back.  "But I 
wanna keep him..."
	He nuzzled her between her breasts and she clutched him tighter.  He 
nosed open her nightgown and enjoyed the sight of her bare skin, even if it 
was in black and white.  He pressed his nose directly against her bare skin 
and breathed deeply.
	"But I wanna puppy," she mumbled and pulled his head closer to her 
body.
	He pulled away a little, leaving her hand on his head.  He pulled the 
blanket down so it was on her hip and carefully opened her nightgown.  The 
brutal looking claws could be as gentle as they were cruel.  He ran one 
finger down her chest, feeling things he never felt before about her skin.  
He could feel its complex texture, its warmth, the slight sheen of sweat on 
it...
	She sighed and hugged his head.  Mommy and Daddy had finally agreed 
to let her keep the puppy.  It was so cute and she knew it would be no 
trouble at all.  At least, that was how her dream started.
	He snorted again and licked his chops.  He could imagine how nice it 
would be to taste her, how much sweeter it would be.  Suddenly, his tongue 
was trailing over her skin, leaving a wet trail behind it.  The sensation 
was almost too much; not only could he smell the roses and hot chocolate, 
he could taste them too.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-