Parts 1 & 2 (still not in final draft form) are available by
email, or at my web page (http://www.emich.edu/public/llb/fanfic.html)
Comments and criticism welcomed.  *WARNING* This has some lemony
content, which I hope adds to the story and doesn't scare people away.
It is far from being a lemon story, focussing on plot as opposed to sex
(yeah, I know some of you are disappointed).

A Wolf in Samurai's Clothing part 3

by Lara Bartram


{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!}
	
	                       -------------------------
	
	His tongue worked its way up her sternum, then back down, detouring 
over to one breast. She moaned a little and clutched his fur again. And 
then he quickly stopped himself. Maybe, when she knew the truth, she 
would allow him to hold her, but not this way. He closed her nightgown 
and pulled the blanket back up.
	He stood back up and stroked her head; his hand was big enough to 
palm it. His fires had been extinguished for the night and he was 
content. He could head back home.
	He squeezed himself out her window and dropped to the ground. He 
jogged to the wall and leapt over it. He started running home, soon 
dropping to all fours. It was faster and felt more comfortable, more... 
natural.
	
	
	He cleared the wall around his home easily and stood up straight. 
He went inside and considered going to the kitchen, but went to his room 
instead. He was walking down the hall, which seemed much smaller than 
before, and was about to open the door when Kodachi came around the 
corner.
	'Ohhh shit' was what he was thinking, but it came out as a 
strangled whimper.
	Kodachi froze when she saw the monster standing before her. Her 
eyes got very wide in an expression that was most unlike her and it 
looked like she was going to scream.
	He shook his head and began patting the air in front of him, palms 
down, hoping she wouldn't blow his eardrums out. He grimaced and laid his 
ears flat, waiting for the inevitable.
	Unfortunately, that look was very similar to one that could be 
interpreted as 'fresh meat, prepare to die'. Kodachi seemed to be 
completely frozen at that point, so he took advantage of it and slipped 
into his room.
	He leaned against the wall and wished he was in his more normal 
form. Speaking of, how did he turn back? He panicked; he couldn't be 
stuck forever! He growled in frustration. He refused to accept it. But 
what if he was stuck? How would Nabiki feel about him? There's no way she 
would ever...
	There was an itching in his skull, and suddenly he was going 
through the reverse process of earlier, pain and all. After a few 
minutes, he was on the floor and human once again.
	He stood up, shaking his head and reacquainting himself with his 
normal weight and balance. He felt himself all over to confirm that he 
was wholly human, then sat back on the floor. How would he begin to 
explain?
	His door burst open and Kodachi charged in, barely containing 
herself. She almost struck her brother with her ribbon before she 
realized it was only him. "Where?" she demanded.
	He lifted his head, a sad, downtrodden look on his face. He shook 
his head and shrugged.
	Kodachi looked at him closely, critically. "Brother?" she asked, 
her voice not friendly at all. "What was that?"
	He looked down at the floor. He shook his head again.
	"You know something about that creature, don't you?"
	He didn't say anything, only continued to look at the floor.
	He didn't see her looking at the pants with the red sash. 
"Brother." She spun her ribbon threateningly. "You will tell me."
	He shook his head. "I don't know." He looked back up. "I don't 
know. I... just can't."
	She glared at him. "I have a right to know what is going on in my 
own house!"
	"I don't know what's happening to me!" he yelled back. "Just... 
just leave. Leave me alone and don't interfere. That way you won't get 
hurt."
	"That sounds like a threat."
	"Not a threat, just a warning. I don't want to hurt anyone. Not 
you, not..."
	"Nabiki Tendo?"
	He blushed. "I shouldn't have been so blind in the beginning. I 
should have done something. Things never would have gotten this far." His 
stupidity, his selfish desires... "She doesn't love me, yet she is bound 
to me. I have ruined her life. I had to destroy someone else's life along 
with my own."
	"Then... that was you?"
	He nodded. "I am sorry I yelled at you. It was all my fault."
	"What... what..."
	"I don't know. Just don't interfere. It will be better for you that 
way." He crawled to his futon and covered himself completely with the 
blanket. "Just go," he said, his voice muffled.
	Kodachi looked at his covered shape then left the room.
	
	***
	
	"Do you know what happened last night?"
	Oh, he could imagine. "No. Please inform me."
	"I was getting ready for bed..."
	In that sheer little nightgown that was every man's wet dream... He 
closed his eyes.
	"And there was this weird noise outside."
	"Of what type of noise?" He would have to control himself next 
time.
	"That's what was so strange. It sounded like a dog, but when I 
looked out, I could have sworn it was a person."
	"An intruder?"
	"I don't know. I don't think so. I went straight to bed after that. 
Though I did have a real strange dream."
	Uh oh. He had been found out. He opened his mouth to apologize, beg 
her forgiveness, and generally worship her...
	"But I can't tell you here." She smiled at him.
	Any man's wet dream. Or even a wolf's.
	
	***
	
	"Ranma, you moron! Look what you did to my homework!"
	"Huh? Oh, sorry, Nabiki. You know how Akane gets sometimes."
	"I know how YOU get."
	"I said I was sorry!"
	"You're always sorry, and it's NEVER your fault. Damn it. Look at 
this. Thanks loads, Ranma."
	Kuno almost got up to charge over to the confrontation, but Nabiki 
had plainly told him not to act as if they were a couple because they 
weren't. So he stayed where he was and simply glared across the yard. 
There would be another time...
	
	***
	
	That night, it happened again. Luckily, Nabiki had already left for 
home, or he would be in some considerable trouble. He had just had a high 
protein shake (no doubt one of the most disgusting things he had ever 
tasted) and was thinking about taking care of Ranma Saotome once and for 
all when it started.
	He immediately sat on the floor; if it was like last time, that's 
where he would end up anyway. This time, however, he found his voice and 
let out a bloodcurdling scream. He tried to watch, tried to see what 
happened to him, but his eyes were clouded by tears.
	
	
	Kodachi heard the scream and stood in front of her brother's door. 
It must have been happening to him right then. She had to look, she had 
to know if it was really him. She lifted her hand to open the door, but 
stopped. She wasn't sure she wanted to see it... But she had to know.
	She opened the door a little way and peered in. She saw him 
writhing around on the floor, clutching his head. His mouth was opening 
and closing, but he was only making strange gurgling sounds. She watched 
his body go stiff, inch by inch, and soon he was surrounded by a white 
glow.
	She stared with horrified amazement as he changed, his feet 
mutating and growing to an immense size, long claws on each toe. His 
thighs beneath the gi bulged and gained further definition. His waist 
remained the same, but his stomach... She could almost hear the popping 
noise as his abdominal muscles appeared and he seemed to get thicker 
through the middle. Then his chest seemed to inflate like a balloon on an 
air tank. Muscles that he shouldn't have seemed to strain against his 
skin.
	There was a crunching noise as he bent forward, his back bowing, 
reshaping itself. His forearms grew in length and his hands seemed to 
explode. Ivory talons jumped out of each finger as his hands widened, 
flattened out and lengthened. Then more crunching noises as his head... 
She couldn't make herself watch; it was too horrible.
	She peeked through her fingers and watched the hair... fur swarm 
over his body. His back, upper arms, stomach and head were covered by 
thick black fur, and he even had a big bushy tail. The rest of him was 
covered in, what looked to be, a very fine, almost downy, white fur, 
bordering on silver.
	Exposed skin, mostly in his ears, the bottom of his feet and his 
palms was a pale gray. His eyes met hers; angry red surrounded by yellow. 
They were not the eyes of her brother. A growling came from him as the 
white glow faded from around his body.
	She watched him get to his feet and struggle with his balance, his 
tail twitching back and forth. It was fascinating and frightening; she 
couldn't take her eyes off him. He held her gaze, still growling.
	Kodachi backed away when he started to approach the door. 
"Brother?" she asked with a hint of desperation.
	A series of growls, snarls, yips, grunts and barks came out of his 
mouth while he gestured wildly with his hands. It made Kodachi smile.
	"Why, dearest Brother, you're just as incomprehensible as you were 
before."
	He stopped his hand motions and looked at her. He snarled, which 
made Kodachi's smile falter. He stepped up to her so that they were toe 
to toe and face to... well, chest. He was at least a foot taller, and by 
the increase in muscle mass, 75 pounds heavier.
	He grabbed her by one shoulder and lifted her effortlessly. He made 
a little 'tsk'ing noise and shook his head. Then he set her down gently 
and walked away.
	He went to the kitchen, his stomach rumbling unhappily. He opened 
the refrigerator, careful not to yank the door off, and got out a rather 
large piece of raw meat. He had been saving it for a time much like now, 
when he was unable to make himself a protein drink.
	He sniffed the raw meat and began to drool. He ate it in five quick 
bites, the way most people eat an apple. Satisfied for the time being, he 
headed outside where he was more comfortable. He knew Kodachi was 
following him, but there was very little he could do about it. She would 
not listen to him (when he could speak) and he couldn't bring himself to 
injure her. If only she hadn't found out...
	He sat down in the grass, noticing his legs didn't cross so well. 
It was beginning to dawn on him that this wasn't so much an awful curse 
as it was a big nuisance. The transformation itself hurt like hell, and 
he was hungry all the time, and he couldn't talk...
	But there were some good things too. Like the incredible amount of 
energy he always had, enhanced senses and increased speed and strength. 
He was fairly powerful... Powerful... Power... Animals attract each other 
using hormones for mating. Mating means sex... with a girl (in his 
case)... to have offspring. All those girls had been attracted to him 
after he was attacked... until he had...
	If Nabiki ever found out she would kill him. Slowly.
	
	
	Kodachi watched her brother sit in the yard, changing his position 
every few minutes, his tail twitching away. He licked his chops once or 
twice, his ears moving this way and that, listening to the night sounds. 
He used his forefinger to scratch his neck, the claw getting through the 
thick fur. She wondered if he was hot, or if he always ate raw meat, or 
if he felt compelled to kidnap virgins.
	Her brother was suddenly a lot more interesting than he used to be. 
She was contemplating him when he looked back at her. She grimaced a 
little, knowing she had underestimated him again. He waved her over, 
wanting her to join him. She hesitated, but when he repeated the gesture, 
she acquiesced.
	She walked across the yard to where he was sitting and looked at 
him. Under the light of the moon, his eyes glowed green, which Kodachi 
found a bit eerie. "What is it... Brother?" It felt so strange calling 
him that.
	He patted the ground next to him.
	She looked at the gesture with something between humor, disgust and 
fascination, then sat next to him. "Why did you want me to join you out 
here?" She looked at him again, noting a great deal of his attention was 
on the moon.
	He shrugged his considerable shoulders. He pointed at her, held up 
one hand and drew a question mark on his palm.
	"Do I have inquiries?"
	He nodded.
	"I suppose I do..." She evaluated his appearance, unsure of where 
she should begin. "I assume you are not locked in this form forever."
	He shook his head.
	"How... Was it from when you were assaulted?"
	He nodded his head more slowly. It was the only logical assumption 
since his appearance was very similar to that which attacked him.
	"Is it really you? You're not just some animal?"
	He shook his head emphatically and pointed at his chest.
	"I see. What makes your form change?"
	He shrugged and made a shoveling motion with his hands toward his 
mouth.
	"Eating makes you..."
	He shook his head. He patted his chest then held his hands close 
together. He separated them until they were a foot apart, then made the 
shoveling motion again.
	"You have to eat after you change?"
	He nodded vigorously.
	"Then the other night..."
	He nodded again.
	Kodachi put two and two together. "Those murders... Did you..."
	His eyes were very wide and surprised as he looked at Kodachi.
	"You mean you didn't know?"
	He shook his head, then started to shake his head violently, trying 
to deny it. He drew the question mark on his hand again.
	"Who were they?"
	He nodded.
	"The newspaper said they were common street criminals."
	He pounded his fist into his hand and nodded his head.
	"You know who they were?"
	He nodded again, then pounded his fist into his hand several times 
and made a stabbing motion.
	The ambushes were the top news and everyone knew about them, so she 
knew what he was referring to. "Those were the villains that were preying 
on..."
	He nodded. Suddenly, it didn't feel so bad.
	Kodachi remained silent after that. Her other questions required 
more than yes or no. She looked up at the sky, the stars hidden by the 
light of the moon. She shivered as a breeze blew through the yard.
	He scooted over to her and put his arm around her shoulders, 
curling his tail around her backside.
	"Unhand me, fie... Brother," she said pulling away.
	He pulled her roughly against him, so her back was on his chest, 
nestled in the warmth of his fur.
	The siblings stayed that way for an hour in the moonlight. They had 
never felt closer to each other.
	Kodachi stood up, no longer disturbed by her brother's appearance, 
and held on to his hand. "Come, dearest Brother. I will make you 
something to eat for your change."
	He got to his feet, her hand so tiny and delicate in his, and 
followed her inside.
	
	
	He sat at the table meditating. It wasn't easy when he could smell 
the food being cooked. It was all a matter of turning back to human now, 
a process he wasn't sure he knew how to begin.
	He took deep cleansing breaths (he hoped they were cleansing) and 
tried to clear his mind. He blocked all the sounds and smells coming from 
the kitchen out. The thing he wanted most at that moment was to return to 
his human form. He concentrated on that thought and tried to recapture 
the feel of his human body.
	
	
	Kodachi was cooking away, preparing several huge dishes, feeling 
far more content than she ever had before. Her brother had a very strange 
effect on her. It was probably the same way he affected Nabiki Tendo, 
with differing results, of course.
	It had been guiltily pleasant sitting outside with him, the 
incredible warmth and security she found with him... She had felt like a 
family for that time. She was shaken from her pleasant thoughts by his 
screaming; he was turning back to his usual self.
	She took one dish out to the table and set it down. She watched him 
sit up, looking quite exhausted, and gave him a smile. He looked back at 
her wearily and began eating.
	
	***
	
	"Please say nothing of my condition. It is the only thing I ask of 
you."
	"I won't, dearest Brother, as long as you do one thing for me."
	He looked at her with trepidation. "What?" he asked cautiously.
	"Spend more nights stargazing with me."
	"That I will do, Sister."
	"And, please, keep your private affairs private, Brother. A closed 
door will do wonders to maintain your... modesty."
	He blushed heavily. "Thank you. I will keep your words in mind."
	"Does she know?"
	"What?"
	"Does she know of your secret? Nabiki Tendo is smart enough to know 
there is something going on."
	He shook his head. "I only discovered the truth yesterday. She is 
aware of a problem, but... Please, I would prefer to notify her myself."
	"Of course. I would not wait too long though. She may not be very 
appreciative of your condition." Kodachi had been smiling the entire 
time, looking genuinely pleased. 
	
	***
	
	"I must speak with you tonight."
	"I know. Is your sister going to be home?"
	"Not in that manner. It is of the utmost importance."
	"Well, I'll be over anyway, so..."
	He nodded and turned his attention back to his lunch. He just knew 
she would mad. And she would never want to see him again. And he would 
rather die than live without her.
	
	***
	
	"She will be over very soon." He paced back and forth in front of 
Kodachi. He was wearing his most formal kimono and was scared witless. 
"How will I tell her? I know she will be angry..."
	"You must relax. If you are not at peace, you will ruin 
everything."
	He stopped pacing and looked at her. "You are correct. I must try 
to maintain my personal harmony." He took three deep breaths. "Sister, 
would you direct her to the garden when she arrives?"
	"Of course, dearest Brother."
	
	
	Being in the garden relaxed him. There was peace and serenity in 
the delicate machinations of nature that put him at ease. He was at ease, 
but struggling with what he would say to Nabiki, how he would explain 
things. He didn't believe she would be upset at his condition; it had 
been something he had no control over. But she would be upset to find out 
she was... stuck with him.
	His thoughts began to drift. How pleasant it would be to put 
Saotome in his place, take revenge on the heathen... He doubled over as 
his stomach revolted. "Not now..." he said through gritted teeth. He 
tumbled off the stone bench he had been sitting on and pulled himself out 
of sight, into the bushes.
	Nabiki walked into the garden a few minutes later and sat on the 
bench to wait. Kuno had been very serious about whatever he wanted to 
talk to her about. That concerned her. There were only three things he 
ever got serious about: revenge, honor, and love.
	She shuddered, only seeing two of those three choices he would want 
to speak to her about. She had seen the way he looked at her, and 
wondered if he wasn't getting just a little too attached.
	
	
	Kuno watched her from the bushes, barely stopping himself from 
tromping out, scooping her up and taking her to his room. Wouldn't that 
be a little bit of a shock? He had to suppress a chuckle. It was still 
awfully difficult to contain himself though. She was ready, she was 
waiting for him, she wanted him... and he was stuck hiding in the bushes.
	
	
	She waited impatiently for a while, getting more and more annoyed. 
"So much for his serious conversation," she said disgustedly.
	Just then, Kodachi came out with her hand over her eyes. "Brother?"
	"He's not here," Nabiki answered with venom.
	Kodachi uncovered her eyes and looked around. "He was here not more 
than ten minutes before you arrived." She saw a bush rustle behind 
Nabiki. "Though he did say... he wasn't feeling well..." The bush rustled 
again and Kodachi got sight of a black tail poking above the shrubbery.
	Nabiki looked at the girl, eyes narrowed. She didn't trust Kodachi 
at all.
	Kodachi looked behind Nabiki at the bush. A claw appeared and 
pointed up.
	"Uh, I'm sure you could wait in his room. I will inform him of 
where you are." She could tell Nabiki didn't trust her. "Your private 
business is exactly that. If you wish to wait in a place more suitable 
for... relaxing, then may I suggest you go to his room."
	"Maybe I'll do that then." Nabiki got up, went around Kodachi and 
went inside.
	Once she was gone, Kuno came out of the bushes, looking decidedly 
worried.
	"Poor Brother. And you don't know why?"
	He shook his head.
	"Maybe you should go up there as you are." Kodachi was smiling and 
being most unpleasant in a teasing way.
	He gave her a little snarl then went into the house. She was 
becoming more and more of a nuisance now that she knew the truth. He 
stalked around the kitchen, frustrated by the turn of events. He had been 
all set to tell Nabiki and accept the consequences when he had changed.
	And now all he could think about was how badly he wanted her and 
how hungry he was. Alright then, he would see what she was doing, then 
perhaps reveal his nature to her.
	He went back outside and around the house until he was below his 
window. He would simply jump up, grab the sill and peek in to see what 
kind of mood Nabiki was in. Then he'd work from there.
	He jumped up and grabbed the sill, then pulled himself up just 
enough to see in his room. His heart almost stopped. She was on the 
floor, completely naked. She had been too worked up to contain her desire 
any longer.
	She was cradling one of his bokkens, caressing it. She had it 
against her bare skin between her breasts. She moved it up and down, the 
cool, dark wood contrasting with her flesh. She shuddered as the bokken 
found its way between her legs, and she began to move it a little faster. 
There was no relief in it though; the hard shaft between her thighs, 
rubbing against her sex only heightened her desire.
	Kuno watched her with wide eyes, looking with a whole new light at 
the bokken in her hands. He squirmed, hanging from the sill, and whined 
quietly. If he could get any purchase with his feet, he would have dove 
through the window and taken her right there in his current form.
	She moved the bokken back and forth, the position changing to 
stimulate all of her at once, but did not allow it to penetrate her; that 
was reserved for only him. Though if he didn't show up soon...
	He kicked his legs, trying to propel himself upwards. He was having 
an awful internal battle over whether to give in to his desires, or to be 
smart enough to stop and try to become human. He could be a monster, and 
her and have his way with her, or he could be a man and stop and return 
to his humanity. Nabiki would be much more... agreeable if he was human.
	His hands cramped and he lost hold of the sill, falling to the 
ground. Immediately he began to revert, somehow stifling his screams. He 
vaguely considered if will was all that was required to change, but that 
was quickly forgotten when his internal organs were squished back down to 
their normal size.
	
	
	The bokken was enjoyable, but only to a point. It just couldn't 
replace a live human being... except in stiffness. If only... if only 
that stupid bastard had been there like he said he was going to.
	At that point, the door crashed open, revealing Kuno, his kimono in 
disarray and a large glass of brownish goo in one hand. He looked at her 
with unrestrained passion and downed the glass. He tossed it aside and 
ripped off his kimono.
	"It's about damn time, Kuno-chan." She set the bokken aside and 
glared at him.
	"I got here as fast as I could. Why don't you just settle down?"
	"You're the one that had something so serious to talk about and 
then didn't even show up. Don't try and make it look like this is my 
fault."
	"Well it's sure as hell not my problem you can't wait 20 minutes 
without my cock..."
	"OK. That's it. If I have to screw every cylindrical object I see, 
as long as it's not you I don't care." She put on her clothes and left 
without another word.
	"Bitch!" he yelled after she was gone.
	
	
	"It sounds like things did not go so well."
	"Shut up. I'm leaving."
	"But where are you going?"
	He paused at the door. "To get laid."
	
	***
	
	"Kuno-sama... What are you doing here?"
	"I came to see you. Should I leave?"
	"No! Please stay. Come inside." She opened the door wise and 
stepped aside so he could enter.
	"So how have you been?" he asked conversationally, looking at the 
decorations of her house.
	"I've been... fine... I just..." There were tears in her eyes.
	"Mariko, why are you crying?"
	She turned away. "Because you... you..." She began crying for real.
	He turned her around and put his arms around her. She smelled 
sickly sweet. He hugged her close and spoke comforting words to her. She 
worshipped him; she would gladly do anything to make him happy.
	"Kuno-sama, why... why did you come back?" she asked with her arms 
around him, her face buried in her chest.
	"Because I need what you can give me." He pushed her back and 
looked in her eyes. She was so desperate, so pathetic.
	"You need me, Kuno-sama?"
	"Yes, I need you." He looked around. "Why don't we go to your room 
for more privacy?"
	She nodded, still staring in awe at him. She led him through the 
quiet house to her room. It was decorated in all white, with cheerleading 
equipment all over.
	He looked at the white frills and lace that decorated the bed. He 
looked at the huge picture of himself that was on the wall over the bed 
and let loose a tiny grin. Mariko was truly pitiful. How twisted would it 
be to have sex with a girl while looking at a picture of himself?
	
	***
	
	How could she have messed it all up? Why had she said those things? 
She groaned and shook her head. She had constantly warned him about 
thinking they were a couple and not getting too attached... Now she 
thought she was getting too attached.
	The worst thing was that she knew she could do better. She knew 
there were a hoard of guys that would jump at the chance to spend time 
with her. And here she was, getting caught up with Kuno. It was enough to 
make a girl want to cry.
	She stopped at a bench in the park and sat down, staring morosely 
into the fountain. How did that saying go? Life sucks and then you die? 
That about summed things up perfectly.
	A ten yen coin dropped to the ground in front of her. She bent over 
and picked it up. She looked at it, then looked around. There wasn't 
anyone there.
	"We meet again," a voice said from behind her.
	She turned around and looked into the eyes of... "Kinnosuke."
	
	***
	
	"Kuno-sama, you're just going to leave?"
	He slipped on his shirt. "Yes."
	"But what about..." She looked at him pleadingly.
	"Us?"
	She nodded, tears in her eyes again.
	"There is no us. There never was, there never will be. I could 
never love you. I could never love any..." He closed his eyes, feeling 
unsure of himself for a moment. "I could never love anyone." He looked at 
her, the tears flowing freely from her eyes. "I'm sorry."
	He left with her tear-streaked face in his mind.
	
	***
	
	She felt so cheap, so dirty. She hated herself just then. The worst 
thing was that it hadn't helped at all. No, actually that was the second 
worst thing. The worst thing was that he was lousy. He hadn't been half 
the man that Ku...
	No, it wasn't necessary for her to think about him. She didn't need 
him. She didn't need to be taken for granted; she wasn't devoid of 
feelings like most people liked to believe.
	She was so completely miserable right then. She ended up back in 
the park, where she stayed until well after sunset, her misery and self-
pity getting the better of her.
	
	
	He started his walk back home and felt completely unsatisfied. His 
thing with Mariko, meant to relieve some of his... stress, hadn't worked 
at all. Sure, she had been loud, a real screamer, but frankly, Mariko 
just wasn't HER.
	He walked slowly, disgusted with himself, and detoured through the 
park. Nothing was working this time; even the song on the breeze couldn't 
quiet the voice that was screaming at him.
	Next time, why bother becoming human? He wasn't acting like a 
person, after all, he was acting like an animal. Maybe that was the 
answer. Just run away and forget everything. He could just live by 
himself in the wilderness and never care again about who he loved or who 
he hurt. He sighed and wished things were all back to normal.
	He walked aimlessly as the sun dropped below the horizon and the 
lights in the park went on. Consumed by his own self-loathing, he didn't 
hear the crying until he was less than 100 yards away from it. And then 
he smelled her. HER.
	He walked a little faster to where the crying was coming from. He 
stopped when he saw her sitting on the bench under a light. She had her 
face in her hands and was crying.
	"Nabiki," he said quietly.
	She lifted her head at the sound of his voice and looked at him. 
"Kuno-chan?"
	"What are you doing here? Why are you crying?" He had a pretty good 
idea, but he needed someone to say it to him; he needed someone to tell 
him he was acting like an asshole and didn't deserve to be human.
	"I saw him..."
	He walked up to her but did not sit. "Saw who?" He could smell a 
strange man... all over her, but refused to get angry or possessive.
	"Kinnosuke."
	The name itself meant nothing to him; he didn't have the slightest 
clue as to who this Kinnosuke was. However, he knew Kinnosuke's scent 
now, and it was all over Nabiki. Their two scents mingled. "He... he put 
his hands on you."
	"How did you..."
	"I can smell him! And..." Mingling scents, just like when the two 
of them... "I can't believe you did it."
	"Did what? And what do you mean 'smell'?"
	"I can't believe you had sex with him! I'll kill him!" He turned 
and began running, trying to find any trace of Kinnosuke's scent.
	"Wait! Don't..." Seeing he was already off, she followed as best 
she could. He was a lot faster than she remembered.
	
	
	He was so mad he was ready to kill. He caught a faint whiff of who 
he had smelled on Nabiki and began following the scent. As it got 
stronger and stronger, his anger grew in intensity. He could only think 
how he would punish the man who dared interfere in his rela... who dared 
hurt his wo... girlf... He shook his head. His mate.
	As little as he liked to think of like that, he finally accepted 
that, through some effect of his transformation, he had chosen her as a 
his mate. he grew not to mind the thought so much, but he knew Nabiki 
would never accept it, never accept him.
	But it didn't matter to him as he ran through the park. He hurdled 
a line of shrubs, his frustration and anger fueling him. He could hear 
Nabiki following, but she couldn't possibly keep up with him. When he 
thought of the tears on her face and how miserable she sounded, he went 
exploded.
	He charged through some trees and felt his change start. He managed 
not to succumb to the pain; he would not allow himself to. He tripped 
once when his feet changed, but got quickly back up then stumbled when 
his back bent. He half crawled until the change was complete then stood 
up and took off. He had completely forgotten about Nabiki following him.
	He could tell the man was somewhere among the houses of Nerima and 
not much further, but if someone saw him... Too bad. He had some business 
to deal with. He took off down the street.
	
	
	Nabiki stopped, breathing heavily, and bent down. She picked up... 
his shirt? It was nearly torn to pieces, like he had just been in a fight 
or something. She continued after him, thinking he might actually kill 
Kinnosuke.
	
	
	He stopped at a small alley. He couldn't believe it. This was where 
the wicked Kinnosuke was? Down a dark alley? No matter, if the cretin was 
on the moon, he would be punished.
	Kuno stalked down the alley and stopped in front of a large 
cardboard box. The villain was most definitely there... hiding in a box. 
He growled menacingly. He wasn't sure if he should jump right to the 
killing or torture the scoundrel first.
	A tired voice came out of the box. "Please come back in the 
morning. No visitors are being received at this time."
	Of all the... Kuno hadn't stopped growling and put one claw on the 
top of the box, jarring it.
	Much to his surprise, a small dummy was poked out of the box, 
pointed somewhat in his direction. The dummy was made to look like an 
English butler, complete with miniature bow tie and glasses. The dummy's 
mouth opened and it began to 'speak'. "Please return in the morning."
	Disbelief evaporated, Kuno grabbed the dummy and ripped it in half. 
The part he held in his hand, he crushed and ripped into little shreds. 
This was definitely the guy; he had Nabiki's scent all over him, though 
the box didn't. It was a small comfort to know that at least she hadn't 
had sex in a box.
	The remains of the dummy were withdrawn and there was a choked cry. 
Moments later, a young man a bit older than himself stuck his head and 
shoulders out to see who had committed such an atrocious act. He looked 
up at Kuno and barely managed to say 'Eep' before he was grabbed.
	
	
	Kuno had managed to disappear once he had made it out of the park. 
She looked down the street in both directions, but he was gone. "Damn it, 
Kuno-chan. What the hell is wrong with you?" She headed down the street 
where it sounded like a dog was barking; he might have disturbed it when 
he went by.
	
	
	"What do you want?" Kinnosuke asked in a strangled voice. Strangled 
because he was being strangled.
	If Kuno could have spoken, the words 'revenge' and 'your death' 
would have been the first things out of his mouth. Instead, he only 
growled and lifted Kinnosuke high into the air by his neck.
	Kinnosuke's face was slowly turning blue and he was desperately 
trying to beak the iron grip on his throat. Kuno was slowly tightening 
his hold, enjoying the watching the suffering the interloper was 
experiencing.
	
	
	Nabiki heard some commotion down and alley, and knowing Kinnosuke's 
living situation, figured she had found him. She sprinted down the alley, 
seeing some movement in the darkness. When she got a glimpse of the two 
figures she stopped.
	"Ku..." she started to yell, but then saw that it was most 
definitely NOT Kuno.
	It turned its head in her direction anyway and glared. a weakly 
struggling Kinnosuke suspended in t he air by one claw. There was a 
growling noise and the faint glow of red eyes.
	Nabiki immediately began backing away, finding Kinnosuke not more 
important than her own life. She covered her mouth to keep herself from 
making more noise than she already had. She just hoped Kuno wasn't down 
the alley, dead already; then she ran.
	Kuno watched her turn and run, then dropped Kinnosuke and followed 
her. She didn't recognize him, he hadn't exactly calmed her with his 
gentleness and calling out wouldn't help in the least.
	Nabiki listened to the footsteps follow her, gaining ground on her. 
She tried to run faster but she was not so athletically inclined like her 
father or Akane. She spared a glance behind her and gasped when she saw 
how close the monster was.
	That made her run faster. She exited the alley at full speed and 
crashed into some garbage cans. She crashed to the ground, tumbling off 
the curb and into the street. She lay still and groaned a little, having 
hit her hard in the fall.
	She tried to sit up, tried to force her body to run, but nothing 
would obey her commands. She was still trying to get her full functioning 
back when it was on her. She was able to get her first good look at it 
and completely froze up. It was the thing from her dream! Only this time, 
it didn't look so friendly.
	It had one claw on her shoulder and another on her arm. Its body 
was crouched low over hers, immobilizing her. It got its face right in 
hers but there were no mesmerizing blue-gray eyes; they were red, angry 
red.
	She felt paralyzed, barely able to breathe.
	Some bright lights and a honking horn shook Nabiki from her 
paralyzation and made her look to the right. A delivery truck was roaring 
down the street toward them and didn't appear as if it would be able to 
stop in time. She closed her eyes and said a silent prayer. If it wasn't 
one thing, it was another.
	She found herself scooped up in a pair of powerful, furry arms and 
was carried through the air, away from danger. There was a jarring shock 
and then stillness. The only sounds were her breathing, the fading sound 
of the truck engine and the breathing of...
	She opened her eyes and looked at the face of her rescuer. It was 
the face she dreamed about The rescue evidence that she would not be 
killed, she managed to summon her courage. "It's you," she said, a little 
in awe.
	Kuno flinched away from her. She couldn't know about him; it wasn't 
possible. He shook his head, trying to deny her, but he didn't want to 
let her go either.
	"No, it's you. From my dream... At my window." She was a little 
amazed; she had seen some strange things, but never anything like what 
was holding her. "Who... what are you?"
	He kept shaking his head and gripped her tighter. He whimpered, 
wishing he could tell her the truth, wishing it were not the truth. The 
only thing he could do at the moment was take her home, then he could 
work things out by himself.
	He began running down the street, holding her tightly to him.
	She grabbed his fur unconsciously when he began to move. "Where are 
you taking me?"
	He grunted and gestured down the street with his head. Once he 
reached the Tendo's property, he jumped over the wall, almost yelping 
when Nabiki nearly yanked out a handful of fur. he couldn't very well 
take her to her room through the window, not with as much trouble as he 
had getting through it.
	Stopping in the darkness near the front door, he set Nabiki gently 
on her feet. She stood, staring at him, making him feel very 
uncomfortable; she could see the secrets behind his eyes. She would find 
out eventually. He pointed at the door and pushed her away.
	"I want to know who or what you are."
	He shook his head and pushed her to the door again.
	She resisted. "No. Not until I know. I want to know why you were in 
my dreams." She crossed her arms.
	He whined and pushed her again. He couldn't. He needed her to go 
back to her room and stop tempting him. In his wolf form, there were 
things he was far more... susceptible to, things he had a hard time 
resisting. Food, for one; he always had a nagging hunger. As much as he 
didn't like to admit it, violence or battle; the very idea of bloodshed 
was extremely appealing. And sex.
	So far, his instincts were working overtime, screaming at him that 
he should take the female in front of him. He danced from foot to foot, 
shooing Nabiki away. He would probably end up traumatizing her is he 
kidnapped and... and raped her. It would have to be rape, since surely no 
one would want anything to do with a monster like him.
	"Look, I don't know what you were doing with Kinnosuke, but he 
deserved it. And you did save my life; I owe you a little something for 
that. I always repay my debts."
	Damn, she was stubborn. Just the way he liked them. He whimpered 
and pointed at the door.
	"So all you want is for me to go inside?"
	He nodded. A lecture was definitely out of the question. All he 
wanted was for her to go inside and forget she had ever seen him.
	Nabiki stepped back, still eyeing him critically. "You won't be 
able to run forever. I'll figure out your secret." She opened the door 
behind her without removing her eyes from her unlikely rescuer and 
stepped inside.
	Kuno watched her go inside then quickly bounded away, not wanting 
her to follow him. It had been a very close call on several counts and he 
didn't want any more.
	Nabiki watched him go. This was not just some animal; that would be 
like calling Uncle Saotome just a panda. No, there was most definitely 
human intelligence tucked in the animal body. Well, she couldn't call it 
strictly an animal body. Sure there were parts that weren't human, but it 
was mostly human... very impressive human...
	She chastised herself for letter her dream get the better of her 
and closed the door. "I will find out who you are."
	That night, the dream repeated itself, but there was no hesitation 
on her part...
	
	
	Kuno scampered home and let himself inside. He went to the kitchen 
and ate every egg in the refrigerator and a pound of beef to calm 
himself. He curled up on the floor next to the refrigerator and tried to 
gather his thoughts. Instead, to the humming of the appliance, he soon 
fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.
	
	***
	
	"Where's Kuno-sempai?"
	"Akane, how am I supposed to know? I'm not his keeper." Though it 
was a pretty good question. "Why do you care anyway?"
	"I don't know. It's just weird without him here."
	Really. It was very strange that he wasn't there. Especially after 
he seemed so concerned in the park.
	
	
	Kuno opened his eyes to the mid-day sun. He yawned and tried to sit 
up. His stiff back protested though; it did not appreciate being curled 
up into one position for 12 hours.
	He stretched gingerly then realized something. He wasn't human, he 
was still a wolf. He got immediately to his feet, ignoring the pain in 
his back. He was still in the kitchen, exactly where he had fallen 
asleep.
	He howled at his predicament before he stopped and forced himself 
to think. He sat down on the floor and considered his condition. So far, 
it seemed that returning to human was all a matter of wanting to, a 
desire to. Why he turned into a creature was a mystery though. He never 
wanted to change. Who would?
	Instead of dwelling on what he didn't know, he concentrated on what 
he did. He avoided thinking about his human self and focussed solely on 
his desire, his want to become human. It seemed to work, with him quickly 
shifting back, and he even managed to distance himself from the pain.
	Getting up slowly, he had important business with Nabiki. He would 
have to visit her at Furinkan since he couldn't wait any longer. He 
looked at the refrigerator. Well, maybe he could wait a little bit.
	
	***
	
	'Ah, shit. What am I going to do?' Nabiki watched several male 
students walk past. They were all either too skinny or too fat, too 
stupid or too plain. Not that any of them would have helped her anyway. 
What she really needed was a quick trip to the bushes or the PE storage 
shed or the kendo equipment shed with Kuno. 'Damn it, Kuno-chan. Why did 
this have to happen now?' There was a big test coming up that she needed 
her full attention for.
	"Nabiki Tendo."
	She looked around then turned behind her. There was Kuno, hiding in 
the bushes. What a twit. "Kuno-chan, what are you..."
	"Sh. Please do not bring my presence to attention."
	He looked very nervous. Why, she couldn't imagine. She got up and 
went over to him, ducking down with him. "What is it? Why weren't you in 
school this morning?" The previous nights events had been nearly 
forgotten, even with the mysterious figure. Her desire was far more 
powerful than her memory.
	"I'm sorry that this could not wait."
	"What wait?"
	He wanted to tell her right there at school and get it over with. 
He didn't want to keep it a secret any longer, not from her. "I..." He 
was looking deep in her eyes. "I..." She was staring back, waiting for 
him to speak. "I need you, right here, right now."
	She looked out of the bushes to see students still milling around. 
"Not here. Somewhere with more privacy."
	"Come. The kendo room can be locked from the inside."
	
	
	Nabiki was pulling several mats out and laying them next to each 
other. Kuno slid the deadbolt in place and covered the windows.
	He turned and watched Nabiki, with her back to him, pushing two 
mats together. He walked up behind her and slid his hands up her sides 
and around to grab her breasts.
	The contact surprised her a little and she jerked away. It reminded 
her distinctly of her dream; the way he was pressed against her, the way 
he was holding her. She could feel his heart beat a slow, steady rhythm 
against her back as he pulled her tightly to him.
	"I told you I needed you," he said in her ear. "I did not mean what 
I said yesterday. Please do not hold it against me." His lips closed on 
her right earlobe.
	"I... oh... Kuno-chan... It doesn't matter. No one satisfies me 
like you." At least no one outside of her dreams. She began removing her 
uniform while he was holding her.
	He kissed behind her ear and down the side of her neck. He moved 
his mouth to the back of her neck as she removed her shirt, his hands 
falling away. He stared at her skin as her shoulders and back came into 
view. His hands moved back up and under her bra, squeezing lightly.
	Nabiki was mostly just enjoying the sensations. He had always 
managed to get her warmed up, and this time was no exception. She groaned 
as he started to knead her flesh gently. She rolled her head back and to 
the side as everything else was forgotten.
	He started kissing the back of her neck, his hands still working 
gently. Pure animal instinct was beginning to take over though, and he 
licked her neck teasingly. Without thinking, he moved his head down and 
lightly bit her shoulder, then he returned to the back of her neck.
	His teeth closed delicately on a portion of flesh as he trapped her 
nipples between his fingers and squeezed. Nabiki gasped and pulled away 
from him. That had been far too close to her dream for comfort.
	She turned and looked in his eyes. His blue-gray eyes... with the 
thatch of black hair and the predatory smile... He looked... almost 
wolfish. "I don't believe it!"
	"Believe what? What is wrong? Do you not want me to..."
	"My dream. That's exactly what... in my dream."
	"A dream? What are you talking about?"
	"N... nothing." She hurriedly put on her clothes. "Nothing, Kuno-
chan. I... I can't do this right now."
	"But what about..." He didn't get a chance to ask his questions 
because she had already left. "What did I do this time?"
	
	***
	
	Kuno trudged back home, feeling even more frustrated than before. 
It wasn't just the lack of sex though. It was his own inability to tell 
the truth; there always seemed to be something that stopped him.
	He opened the door to his home and headed to his room. He needed to 
somehow get himself back in his everyday routine. He couldn't sleep until 
noon, he couldn't continue on his messed up schedule.
	He opened the door to his room and stopped. "Kodachi, what are you 
doing in here? Are you not supposed to be in school?"
	"I could ask the same thing, Brother."
	He frowned. "I was indisposed this morning. Now explain why you are 
here and not at school."
	"I was thinking about things and would like for you to do something 
for me."
	"Such as?"
	Kodachi seemed to hesitate for a moment, then stepped forward and 
tugged at the neck of her kimono. She pulled it down until the top half 
was around her waist, her arms still in the sleeves. She had a nervous 
but determined look on her face.
	"Kodachi! What do you think..."
	"I know exactly what I'm doing, dearest Brother." She advanced on 
him, her eyes locked on his very wide ones. She could see he was trying 
very hard not to look anywhere but her face. "I want to ask you to do a 
favor for me."
	He shook his head unable to form words.
	"Why not? You don't even know what it is."
	He shook his head again. "I don't want to know. Please... redress 
yourself. It is inappro..."
	"Please dearest Brother. Let me speak." She stood about two feet 
away from him, her bare skin shining with nervous perspiration. "I want 
you to... make me powerful. Like you."
	
	->->->->->->->->->