This is dedicated to Freemage, just so he knows who really is the
villain, and what is worse.  :)
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
	
                            by Lara Bartram
                            ---------------
	
Part 7, Chapter 4

	And she was very aware that Maxim knew about her trips. There 
simply wasn't any way he could remain blind to the things she was 
doing. She knew that now, and it made her very conscious of her 
behavior.
	Even though Maxim had warned her about leaving the protective 
enclosure of the walls, he did nothing to stop her from doing so. That 
was a small price she paid, knowing that she was openly defying him. 
And to feel Konstantin's presence hovering over her every time she 
left.
	Oh yes, Maxim knew, and Nabiki had given up hope of ever having 
true privacy.
	And she never went out at night. That's when it had happened to 
her...
	
	Darkness. Complete darkness, and she had no idea where she was. 
How she had been so foolish as to let herself get lost at that time of 
night was insane.
	She crashed through the underbrush, running blindly, not having 
any clue as to where she was going. If she had her wits about her, she 
would have realized how foolish it was to make so much noise and call 
attention to her presence.
	By the time she had tired and stopped running, it was too late. 
The glowing red eyes appeared in the darkness before her. Any cries for 
help were caught in her throat as she felt her will drain away. Her 
legs were like two stone pillars attached to her body, unwilling to 
obey any of her commands to run.
	The monster stalked toward, its huge animalistic body covered in 
coarse black and white fur, towering above her.
	She remained silent and immobile even as it tore off her clothes 
with long, yellowing claws. The only thing she seemed capable of doing 
was crying as it threw her to the ground and smothered her under its 
immense weight.
	'They are men, or used to be men, who have turned to the ways of 
wild animals. You are lucky you were not killed.'
	Nabiki woke up from her dream feeling all... wrong. It wasn't 
fear or loathing or terror; it was just wrongness. It took her a moment 
to orient herself, to realize she was in her room in the castle, 
feeling detached as well.
	The door abruptly opened then, and in strode Maxim. Nabiki got a 
glimpse of Konstantin standing outside, giving her a dark look before 
the door was slammed shut.
	"You enjoy this, don't you?" Maxim asked, barely keeping his rage 
under control. "If I didn't know better, I'd say the things Konstantin 
tried didn't work and you've been fooling us the entire time."
	Nabiki was frightened. This was Maxim's temper, the fire she had 
been warned about. But she had continued to test it, and now it was 
starting to burn her.
	She huddled deeply into the covers of her bed, fear plain on her 
face. This was the rewritten Nabiki Tendo, and she had no trouble 
admitting that she was very frightened.
	"What did you think you were doing!?" he roared.
	"I... I'm sorry, Master. I didn't mean..."
	"I forbade you to leave the castle for your own safety, but you 
are not even able to do that." He glared at Nabiki, who could only look 
at him with fearful eyes. "Maybe I should send you to Konstantin to 
break you of these unsafe habits."
	"No, Master! I'm sorry! I won't do it again! Please don't make 
me!" Konstantin... Konstantin was mind-rape personified. Whatever the 
monster in the forest had done to her, it was not as bad as what 
Konstantin could do.
	Towering over her at the side of the bed, Maxim frowned. "Why did 
you disobey me?" he asked softly.
	"I... I only wanted to be outside, Master. It's so... dreary 
inside all the time," she answered fearfully.
	Sighing, Maxim seemed to soften. "Next time you find it 
necessary, you need only ask. I will assign you an escort."
	
	"Was it necessary to use so strong an influence on her?" Maxim 
asked Konstantin once they were in private.
	"I'm afraid so. She seemed to be straying rather far and I 
thought boosting her fear would..."
	"Konstantin, if you do not show more restraint next time, I will 
be most unhappy. Eventually, she will join me, and if you damage her 
mind with your torturer's techniques again..." Maxim left the threat 
unspoken.
	Konstantin bowed deeply. "Of course."

[33 DAYS]

	"I wish to go out," Nabiki said tentatively. She wasn't sure how 
Maxim would react after what had happened before.
	To her surprise, he laughed. "Such spirit you have. You don't 
frighten easily, do you?"
	Nabiki shrugged, a little embarrassed and unsure of what she 
should say.
	"I shall arrange for an escort. Then you may venture out in 
safety whenever you wish."
	She bowed her head. "Thank you, Master."
	
	"Miroslav, do not let her out of your sight."
	The burly man bowed. "I understand."
	"My lovely, this is Miroslav. He will be your escort whenever you 
wish to leave the castle walls." Maxim turned back to Miroslav. "At all 
times," he said sharply, then walked away.
	Nabiki looked up at her protector and smiled tentatively. He was 
actually rather good-looking; somewhat tall, well-muscled, but not 
overly so, square-jawed, and clean-shaven with a head of brownish-red 
hair and a pair of sparkling green eyes. "Um..."
	Miroslav regarded her dispassionately. His instructions had been 
very clear. He was not to reveal his nature or to mention hers. He was 
not to speak of much of anything actually so he kept quiet.
	"Uh, can I go outside now?" Nabiki asked.
	"If that's what you want to do."
	Feeling a little shot down, Nabiki nodded. She was probably off-
limits anyway, though she was not too thrilled with her duties any 
longer.
	Miroslav looked down at her body for a moment. "Dressed like 
that? The weather is a bit cool today."
	Blushing, Nabiki nodded, having totally forgotten the state of 
near undress she was in. "Right," she mumbled before heading back to 
her room to change.
	
	Finally outside, the castle at her back, Nabiki felt happy. She 
definitely felt more secure with Maxim's permission and Miroslav only a 
few paces away.
	She walked slowly, enjoying the outside air, the bare ground 
beneath her feet, and even the darkened sky overhead. She went to a 
moss-covered log and sat on it.
	Miroslav stood two feet to Nabiki's right, looking at the forest 
around them. Keep an eye on the girl and don't let _anything_ get too 
close to her; those were his responsibilities. They were turning him 
into a damn watchdog!
	He spared a quick glance at the girl. She was looking off to the 
left, and Miroslav couldn't help but think she was kind of cute. She 
belonged to Maxim though, and such thoughts were dangerous, even when 
they were innocent.
	"Why do you want to be out here anyway?" he asked, his curiosity 
getting the better of him.
	Nabiki looked over at him, surprised that he actually bothered to 
speak. "I just like being outside instead of being in that castle all 
day. You don't like being outside?" This was something she missed and 
hadn't even realized it: someone to talk to.
	He shrugged. "It stinks out here. And it is definitely unsafe."
	"Stinks? I don't smell anything." Anything to keep the 
conversation going.
	"You probably just don't notice it. It blows down from the 
mountains, where the hordes are. Once you know it, it's something you 
can always smell, no matter how used to it you are."
	"Hordes?" Nabiki wasn't sure she wanted to know.
	Miroslav looked surprised. "You don't... It's nothing you need to 
worry about." He shook his head. "We have adequate protection here if 
they do come."
	If he wasn't going to tell her, Nabiki was pretty sure she didn't 
want to know. But the silence that followed was uncomfortable. "How 
long have you lived at the castle?"
	"I was born here and I will most likely die here." His answer was 
brutal in its honesty.
	Nabiki looked at the ground and hugged herself. "I don't want to 
die here."
	"No one does," he replied. "Though it seems death is an 
unavoidable event here."
	Without an adequate reply to that, Nabiki kept quiet, feeling 
uneasy about the conversation.
	They waited in silence for a while longer, Nabiki just enjoying 
the outdoors, until she thought she saw something out of the corner of 
her eye. She didn't see the wary look in Miroslav's eyes.
	And there, another furtive movement, unlike that of a forest 
swelling animal. Miroslav moved to stand behind her protectively, the 
sensation of change rippling up and down his back.
	"I think it's time we return to the castle," he said, smelling 
the faint traces of an intruder.
	Nabiki nodded and stood. She had seen something that wasn't some 
harmless animal, and it was getting close to dark outside... "I'm 
ready."
	A sudden violent rustle of bushes from nearby, and several large 
birds flew straight at them.
	Nabiki let out a surprised shriek and was swept into Miroslav's 
arms.
	She could feel the alertness of his body, how he was holding 
himself, how intense, prepared, how... strong his arms were. She looked 
up at his face, feeling the heat in her own, and simply stared.
	Miroslav eyed the spot the rustling had come from, then began 
walking back slowly, his gaze never leaving the seemingly peaceful 
forest. He glanced down at Nabiki, still wary and not wanting to let 
anything surprise him. But the look on her face when he glanced made 
him look again, this time longer.
	When his green eyes met her brown ones, something seemed to 
click. Miroslav knew it was wrong because she was already twice 
claimed, but he was having a hard time controlling his impulses.
	As he moved his head down slowly, she lifted hers up and the two 
kissed.
	
	Tomas was having a hard time restraining Kuno. "If you go down 
there, you'll lose her permanently! She doesn't remember you," he 
warned harshly, holding Kuno's arms.
	"Release me!" Kuno hissed quietly, trying to pull away from 
Tomas. "I will not allow this! He can not..."
	"He can and will," Tomas said angrily, shaking Kuno a little. 
"Right now you can't do anything. You have to let them be." He held 
Kuno tightly until it seemed that he had simmered down. "There's 
nothing you can do. Not yet."
	"But... he..."
	"I know. Things won't get any easier either. You must realize 
this before we go on." He released Kuno and looked at him sternly.
	Kuno drew a shuddering breath and nodded, but could not look back 
at the two people in the forest.
	
	Nabiki's nose was filled with Miroslav's scent. His lips were 
warm and slightly moist against hers, and their tongues teased each 
other hesitantly. The overcharge of emotion finally made Nabiki pull 
away, excited and confused by what had just happened. She kept her eyes 
closed and inhaled deeply.
	"That was a mistake," Miroslav said in a most unflattering 
manner.
	Nabiki shook her head, still aroused by what had happened, the 
shared indiscretion.
	"It was. Maxim will be very unhappy with me."
	"No," she answered, opening her eyes finally. Miroslav's eyes 
took on a very different shade of green when he was worried. "He won't 
know if we don't give him a reason to suspect."
	"If it was only that easy..." He looked worriedly back at the 
castle. "This... We can't repeat this." He looked seriously at Nabiki.
	She leaned her head against his chest. She wanted to, really 
wanted to, but if Maxim caught her crossing him again... And there were 
strange feelings running through her for no reason she could figure 
out.
	As Miroslav carried her back to the castle, she stayed quiet. She 
was confused about the way the kiss had made her feel. It had been good 
as kisses go, but it had also felt strange, wrong. Wrong like she was 
betraying someone, and that someone wasn't Maxim.
	But until she knew who that person was, if they existed at all, 
Nabiki was thinking that Miroslav wasn't a half-bad companion.

[32 DAYS]

	"When? We must do it soon." Kuno was sitting cross-legged on the 
floor of the cave, staring out at the silhouette of the castle. "The 
longer we wait, the more danger..."
	"No. If we go without a plan, we will be in danger. Your only 
chance of helping her is to get rid of Maxim, break his hold on her. 
Even if she doesn't remember you, she still knows that she has a mate."
	Tomas shook his head at the angry look on Kuno's face. "Whether 
she has a physical relationship with another male or not is secondary 
to her well-being, is it not?"
	"I grow tired of your words. When will we be ready for action? 
Our time grows ever shorter."
	"You are impossible. Let me ask you, do you know where she's 
being held? Do you have any idea how to defeat Maxim? Do you know how 
to get through the castle's defenses?" Tomas glared at Kuno.
	Kuno shook his head, averting his gaze from Tomas'. "I do not, 
but there must be something we can do now instead of sitting here."
	"There's not. You don't know the first thing about any of this 
because if you did, you would know that you are nothing here. No one 
cares who or what you are because you don't belong." Tomas was fed up 
finally with it.
	Kuno was all action and no brain, and that would get them both 
killed. "Just forget it." He stood up and dusted himself off. "I'm 
leaving. I was stupid to think this would work. I should have known 
better than to try and help."
	Glaring one last time at Kuno, Tomas shook his head. "I should 
have remembered that it doesn't work to help anyone except yourself." 
And then he left, walking calmly out into the darkness.
	Kuno sat there, unbelieving, before actually getting up and 
looking out. There was no sign of Tomas; he was truly gone, and Kuno 
was forced to do it all on his own. And he had no idea how.
	
	"A minor scare. I was on guard the entire time, but didn't detect 
anything. It was simply getting late and the night life was becoming 
active." Miroslav stood straight and looked at the wall directly ahead 
of him.
	"Excellent work. Continue," Maxim said, dismissing Miroslav 
without looking away from what he was doing.
	Giving a short bow, Miroslav turned and left, not relaxing until 
he was well away from Maxim. Only then did his body relax and he 
allowed his mind free thought again. Even if his encounter with maxim 
hadn't been close, it felt like it; it was like he had been sized up 
all while he was in Maxim's presence.
	Away from Maxim, he had someplace to go.
	
	The sharp rap on the door startled Nabiki. She half-turned to it 
in the chair at the desk and said apprehensively, "Come in." Her eyes 
lit up at seeing who it was.
	Miroslav entered and closed the door behind himself. "Nothing. He 
barely noticed I was there. Though at any time he could..." He cried 
out in surprise as Nabiki was suddenly in his arms, holding him 
tightly.
	He pried her off and held her at arm's length. "No. If Maxim were 
to find out..."
	Nabiki made a disgusted face and shook her head. "I wish he would 
leave me alone. I hate him." She looked down at the floor between their 
feet; maybe that had been the wrong thing to say. She didn't actually 
know Miroslav that well; he might just go and tell Maxim.
	"I know," he answered quietly, dispelling her fears. "But these 
meetings are far too dangerous when he finds you so... appealing." 
Miroslav removed his hands from Nabiki's shoulders, sliding them down 
her arms. He took her hands in his and waited until she looked at him.
	She did and he smiled at her. "Another walk outside tomorrow, 
perhaps?"
	Nabiki smiled shyly and nodded.
	
	Still brooding in the cave, Kuno was angry that, in fact, it was 
the only thing he could do. As much as he complained about the inaction 
before, he knew if he made any attempt on the castle, he would be 
caught and dispatched slowly and painfully. He slammed his fist into 
the floor of the cave.
	Every time one problem got solved, another seemed to pop up, and 
this time was no different. If only he hadn't angered Tomas then maybe 
he would have a chance... Any chance at all.
	Again he was filled with anger with nothing to take it out on. 
Going out was too dangerous when he was so close to the castle, so he 
just had to sit and simmer. And his neck was still bothering him.
	Kuno scratched at the twin marks there. He had been... mildly 
concerned that they hadn't cleared up, but Tomas hadn't said anything. 
And if Tomas didn't think there was anything wrong, then Kuno wouldn't 
worry about it either. He scratched more. This was getting hard to not 
worry about though.
	Pulling his hand away, Kuno looked at it and the blood mixed with 
yellowish pus on his fingers. This was not good and not something to 
ignore. It smelled sour, like disease... rotting from the inside... 
Kuno's entire body shuddered violently. Not something to ignore.
	He leaned back against the wall and inhaled deeply, shuddering 
every few minutes. There was definitely some internal problem, and it 
felt like it wasn't going to work itself out any time soon.

[31 DAYS]

	Nabiki walked quickly through the halls with Miroslav following 
her. She tried to appear relaxed and in control, but wasn't sure if she 
was succeeding or not. Most of all, she didn't want to encounter Maxim 
or...
	Eye contact was important to avoid with Konstantin. He gave 
Nabiki a strange crawling sensation whenever their eyes met. And she 
could definitely feel him looking at her whenever her back was to him.
	But in the hallway, she had to keep calm and hope Miroslav did as 
well. If they were lucky, they'd pass him without any trouble.
	She felt his piercing gaze, but he said nothing as they walked 
past. And then they turned a corner, leaving Konstantin's presence, and 
Nabiki felt the weird sensation dissipate.
	When she saw the door to the outside, she released a shaky 
breath. Her excitement carefully controlled, Nabiki began to walk a 
little faster.
	
	Once outside and in the forest, out of direct line-of-sight from 
the structure, Nabiki stopped and turned. "Miroslav," she said 
breathily, surprising him with her faintly glowing eyes.
	He stared in amazement for a moment. Apparently she didn't even 
realize it was happening because her eyes continued to burn, and she 
walked toward him. "I warned you about this," he said in a non-
threatening manner.
	"I know," she answered, "but I don't care." She grabbed him 
around the waist and leaned against him. "What's the worst that can 
happen?" Nabiki asked, the glow of her eyes undiminished.
	"We could be killed or tortured if we're caught."
	"It would be worth it, wouldn't it?" she asked him and slowly 
leaned up, hoping he wouldn't refuse her. So desperately she needed the 
heat and passion, the lust and desire... She needed the pleasure 
without the pain.
	
	Kuno opened his eyes slowly, his head pounding. This was 
something else that was not all right; the pain hadn't been so severe 
before. Staggering to his feet, he could smell the disease all over the 
cave, all over him...
	Leaning against the rough rock wall, he threw up, splattering his 
bile all over the ground. He hadn't eaten since Tomas had left so the 
blood, his blood, was very visible in the mess. And why had Tomas left? 
And how was he supposed to defeat Maxim? And why did his head hurt so 
much?
	Letting out a strangled cry, a cry of pain and rage, he left the 
cave to go to the castle to... to... Hurt somebody.
	
	"Please, just this once..."
	Miroslav knew better. He knew he should say no for both their 
sakes, but... But he couldn't, couldn't refuse because she was right. 
It was worth the risk.
	When Nabiki reached up to undo his shirt, Miroslav didn't move, 
allowing her to have her way, no matter how dangerous.
	Bending his knees a little, he fell back to the ground and pulled 
Nabiki down on top of himself. So maybe he couldn't change, but being 
outside in the open held its own excitement.
	As Nabiki got his shirt open completely, baring his chest, he 
pulled at her loose blouse, pulling it off over her head.
	The two accommodated each other, removing clothing until they 
were each naked on the ground.
	Nabiki sighed as Miroslav's large hands caressed her skin. This 
was what she had really wanted.
	
	Good. She was out again. He could smell her. And she was with 
that... impostor. How dare he do such a thing when it was so obvious 
she belonged to someone else? The nerve... Not that it mattered because 
he would simply smite the foul villain and rescue the beautiful pig-
tailed goddess. And she would be so grateful...
	Kuno grabbed his head and fell to the ground. The forest was 
spinning around him, and his thoughts were so confused. His heart 
seemed ready to explode from his chest, and he could feel the burning 
in his veins, in his blood.
	The woman, when she had bit... It was because of her. Kuno knew 
it, knew everything he was feeling was wrong, but he was so angry 
still. Why didn't Akane love him? What had he done to deserve such a 
horrible family? And exactly how was he going to torture that bastard 
that was...
	Kuno listened and sniffed the air. The bastard that was fucking 
his mate!
	Somehow, Kuno forced himself to stand and ignore the pain and 
confusion, and headed for the couple.
	
	Nabiki could barely contemplate what she had done. It felt so 
nice, and Miroslav was so gentle. She murmured softly against his chest 
and felt him squeeze her gently.
	"Night approaches," he whispered. "We must return soon." The fact 
that it would be night shortly really had nothing to do with it. If 
they were gone too long, someone might start to get suspicious. If any 
of that suspicion involved Maxim or Konstantin a round of intense 
questioning would occur. Miroslav did not care much for the 
interrogative tactics used, and he most definitely did not want them 
used on him.
	A night bird called out softly above them, lending a sense of 
peace to everything.
	Nabiki and Miroslav slowly got around, redressing, picking the 
leaves off and brushing the dirt away. The best part for Nabiki was 
that there wasn't any of the pain or soreness that she was used to. 
Miroslav was really nothing like Maxim.
	That thought made her smile as she watched Miroslav pull his 
shirt back on. "How long?" she asked. "How long until..."
	Shrugging and doing up the clasps of his shirt, he answered in a 
business-like voice, "As long as he's happy otherwise. As long as 
nothing disturbs his routine, keeps him from what he wants, he won't 
care."
	Miroslav looked at Nabiki and smiled a little. "You worried him 
that day you strayed too far from the castle. That was why he was so 
angry; he didn't want to lose you."
	
	They were talking, and damn them, they were happy! She was happy 
without him while he was miserable. Miserable, and it was her fault 
because he had never wanted to come here, never wanted to do any of it. 
He had only wanted to live and survive and be alive.
	Be alive and just to do whatever he wanted. He was better than 
the rest after all. He had finally defeated Ranma, the on thing he had 
wanted more than any other. And the blood...
	The blood and flesh he should have feasted on, but had felt too 
guilty to do so. Guilty when it had been his right, the same way it was 
his right to deal with his mate.
	It was his right to deal with his mate and the interloper in any 
way he wished. Growling, changing, feeling the power surge through him, 
Kuno rushed through the darkness, pinpointing their position with ease.
	He tried to move quietly, but he was too infuriated to actually 
care. Instead, he moved instinctually through the forest, the white 
flame of anger building. When he found them, they would both be sorry 
they had ever crossed him.
	
	Nabiki adjusted her flimsy clothing. It was out and out insulting 
what she was forced to wear, but she had no choice in the matter. As 
Miroslav said, as long as Maxim was pleased, then her life would be... 
still hers.
	She pulled the gauzy long-sleeved shirt tighter to her body and 
shuddered. The air was definitely cooler, bordering on cold even. 
Miroslav's arm around her warmed her though as they walked back to the 
castle.
	Sighing happily, Nabiki leaned against Miroslav. She was happier 
than she could remember being. Far happier than the time after the... 
after she had been attacked.
	They walked slowly, enjoying the contact with each other, when 
the footsteps approached. They were heavy, plodding, decidedly 
unfriendly sounding. Miroslav felt Nabiki grow ridged beside him as the 
footsteps got louder. He turned to face whatever was approaching them 
and pushed Nabiki behind himself. "Show yourself," he commanded.
	Kuno emerged slowly from the darkness in front of them, his eyes 
glowing with fury.
	"You!" Miroslav couldn't believe it. The fool had come back. He 
must have had a deathwish. Didn't he realize how he was jeopardizing 
his mate's life?
	Behind him, Nabiki was frozen with terror. It was him; it was the 
monster that had raped her. "Kill it," she whispered. "Kill it. that's 
him. Kill it."
	Miroslav watched the trespasser approach. The posture was 
unmistakable; there would be bloodshed. "I've got no problem with you. 
It's Maxim you want," he said calmly. "Go to the castle and get Maxim 
if you want revenge."
	Maxim was the last thing Kuno was concerned with. The only thing 
in his mind, the only thing he saw were the two people in front of him. 
The male would have to die; there was no way around it. And as for his 
mate... It depended on how well she cooperated. He didn't want to hurt 
her, but if she refused him, broke the bond that they had formed...
	"Nabiki, run back to the castle. I'll keep him occupied while you 
escape," Miroslav said. "Warn Maxim that..." Warn him and completely 
destroy her happiness by giving her back to him?
	As much as Miroslav enjoyed Nabiki's... company, it was still 
hard for him, as a person, as someone with a heart, to put Maxim's and 
his own desires above what should be.
	Before he could say anything else, Nabiki said, "I'll go get 
help." And then she was off running through the forest.
	Miroslav had no choice at that point. At least with Nabiki gone, 
he didn't have to hold back at all. Not giving up anymore ground to 
Kuno, Miroslav changed, his clothes stretching to the very brink of 
tearing. Even though he knew he had to fight, it still felt strange.
	He had never had to fight one of his kind to the death. Miroslav 
had no idea how vicious a battle it might turn out to be, and he knew 
nothing of the ability of the one in front of him.
	Miroslav would not be intimidated by the possibility of death.
	Kuno watched him change impassively. He had expected that. And 
because he knew he was superior, he did not worry. He would let his foe 
call for all the help he wanted because it wouldn't make any 
difference.
	Without any posturing at all, the two attacked each other, Kuno 
in rage and Miroslav in self-defense. Almost immediately, Miroslav knew 
he was overmatched by the ferocity the other was displaying.
	Yet, that ferocity was also a weakness, and Kuno left himself 
open to many attacks. They exchanged blows furiously, not doing any 
serious damage, but as each of their strength began to level out after 
the adrenalin had faded, the potential for such damage grew.
	Miroslav thought he had gotten the stranger beaten down enough to 
finish him off, and went into a series of rapid strikes. The 
realization that he should have known better dawned on him too late.
	The battle ended in a most uninspiring manner with Kuno taking 
every hit and then thrusting his claws deep into Miroslav's chest. Kuno 
couldn't even feel the wounds on his chest through the anger festering 
in him.
	Blood exploded from Miroslav's mouth as he started to revert to 
human, and looked at Kuno with surprise. His mouth formed an amazed O 
as he slumped forward. "Mutant," was the word on his lips as Kuno 
wrenched his claws free.
	Miroslav dropped to the ground as Kuno watched him with cold, 
almost dead eyes. The fool had tried to steal his mate and had the 
nerve to call him a mutant? Death was a slight punishment.
	A noise pulled his attention away from the corpse at his feet. It 
seemed the help had arrived.
	
	Nabiki ran back to the castle, panicking. It had come back for 
her, back to kill her, back to do something worse... And she was too 
tired, the added weight of her pregnant belly not helping at all. 
Without thinking about who else might hear, she yelled, "Help!" as loud 
as she could.
	She could almost feel the thing behind her, breathing down her 
neck, just waiting for her to falter. "Someone help!" she yelled again.
	Gods, she couldn' even see the castle in the darkness. Sparing a 
glance behind her, she couldn't see any sign of the monster following, 
but there was no doubt in her mind that it was there.
	The footsteps were like whispers, gliding over the fallen leaves 
and dead sticks on the forest floor, moving to intercept Nabiki.
	She gasped and tried to run faster, but she just couldn't push 
her body anymore. "Help! Someone... Oof!"
	Nabiki tumbled to the ground as her ankle got caught on a fallen 
branch. Sharp pain ran through her stomach as she landed on the ground. 
Tears sprung to her eyes immediately, but that didn't stop her from 
getting to her feet.
	
	"Why did you stop me?" Kuno knocked Tomas' hand away. "And why 
did you return? To mock me? To lift my hopes then abandon me? Foul..."
	Tomas' hand was on Kuno's neck, squeezing painfully. "This, you 
fool. You know nothing!" Pulling his hand away, Tomas showed it to 
Kuno, showed him what had happened. "This is what's wrong! You can 
barely control yourself!"
	Kuno blinked at the mess on Tomas' hand. "But I... You never..."
	"I know, but there is an advantage. I was hoping to be able to 
use it. After this, I don't know if it's possible."
	Kuno snarled. "You blame me for this? You act as if I wanted that 
witch in my mind! I killed that man and scared her away; you think that 
was my wish!?"
	"You did not scare her away," Tomas answered quietly. "Maxim did 
it. He gave her a fear of you. That is how he works. No w settle down 
and let me explain my plan. We may still have a slim chance, which is 
better than no chance at all."
	Kuno managed to reign in his boiling anger and nodded slowly. 
"You are correct. Now tell me why you left, only to return now."
	"I wasn't going to. Maybe I shouldn't have, but... this is as a 
good a time as any. Better maybe. I couldn't let it go to waste, and I 
know it wasn't entirely your fault..."
	"What will this bite do to me?" What had it already done? More 
importantly, what had he been about to do to Nabiki?
	Tomas shook his head. "I'm not really sure. Some things it can 
do, I know, like the rage. Emotions, powerful ones can be near 
uncontrollable. And your smell... Just like one of them. Temporarily. 
She didn't get enough of you to do any permanent damage."
	Sinking slowly to the ground, Kuno looked at his hands. "What can 
I do? How can I get her back?" he asked no one in particular.
	"Go to the castle and kill him. Kill Maxim," Tomas urged. "It may 
sound simplistic and insanely dangerous, it is, but there just isn't 
any other way."
	"none other?"
	"I said none. I won't say it will be that simple, but that's the 
basic idea." A simple plan was beginning to form in his mind. It was 
against his instincts to go to the castle since Maxim would learn of 
Kuno's return, and the formation of a plan... If there had been another 
way, he wouldn't have hesitated to go with it.
	
	The door. Finally. "Open up! I need some help out here!"
	Opening at roughly the speed of a slug, the door let loose some 
of the light trapped behind it.
	"Hurry up! It's out here!" Nabiki looked back again, not feeling 
secure even with her proximity to the castle.
	"It's about time you two got back. Maxim was ready to..."
	"You've got to help him! It came back! I think it killed 
Miroslav!" Nabiki yelled at the crack, wondering why they would not 
open it. She pounded on it, but it would not open further. "Please..."
	"Whatever seems to be the problem, my lovely?" Maxim asked 
through the door.
	Nabiki was in near tears having to explain it again and receiving 
no help. "The thing that... The thing that..."
	"That raped you, my lovely?"
	"Yes! It's got..."
	"I want to hear you say it, my lovely."
	What kind of game was he playing? She needed help right away.
	"Go on. Say it and I'll send help."
	"The thing that... raped me is out here!"
	Maxim smiled behind the door. "Yes, my lovely?"
	"Send some help! Miroslav's..."
	"He's protecting you. He'd never let anything harm you, it's his 
sworn duty after all, to not let anything hurt you."
	"Yes, now please..."
	"Let you in?"
	Nabiki was getting closer and closer to hysteria as the process 
went on; she was already in tears. "Yes, please let me in."
	"Are you frightened, my lovely?"
	A sob finally escaped. "Yes, I don't want it to happen again. 
Please don't let it happen again. Save me from it." She could almost 
imagine it running up behind her, ready to tear her throat open, ready 
to throw her to the ground...
	There was silence for a bit longer, during which, Nabiki had 
turned and put her back against the door, staring out into the 
darkness.
	"We'll let you in then, my lovely," Maxim said finally, and 
opened the door the rest of the way.
	Spinning off the door, Nabiki ran inside, past Maxim and the 
guard. She ran through the halls to her room and burst through the 
door.
	At first, she was ready to dive into her bed and hide there, but 
the thought of being in her bed if it came for her made her sick to her 
stomach. Instead, Nabiki huddled in one corner of the room and curled 
up into the tightest ball she could manage.
	That thing had hurt her (but there were the times that she really 
enjoyed)... She hated it for what it had done (but she loved him and 
couldn't admit it yet)... It was a monster (but he could be sweet when 
he wanted to)...
	The tears escaped finally, rolling slowly down her cheeks. Her 
body was wracked by sobs, as if each was a blow caused the violently 
conflicting thoughts and emotions, the terrible memories.
	She never even heard the door open as the servant entered 
hesitantly. "Mistress?" When she didn't receive a response, she entered 
the room the rest of the way and closed the door. She approached Nabiki 
carefully, mindful not to scare her.
	"Mistress," she repeated, kneeling next to the traumatized girl. 
"Mistress, there's nothing to be afraid of now. You're safe inside..."
	"No! He did it! I could have been killed and he let me wait out 
there! It's all his fault!" Nabiki shouted hoarsely, her eyes shut 
tightly. Her crying resumed then, worse than before.
	"Mistress, you mustn't think that about the master." She put her 
arms around the crying girl in an effort to soothe her. "He wouldn't do 
such a thing."
	When she realized Nabiki wasn't listening, to her, the servant 
began to gently rock her, making soft shushing noises.
	"Mistress, relax and I'm sure all will be well." She didn't know 
what had happened, but she was pretty sure not all would be well.
	The door was thrown open, revealing Maxim looking marginally 
satisfied. "Leave us," he ordered.
	"Master! She..."
	"I said leave us. This is of no concern to you."
	"But Master, she is unwell."
	"Irina, leave now or suffer the consequences of disobeying me. 
This is between her and me," Maxim warned.
	The servant, Irina, looked at him fearfully for a moment, then 
nodded. She squeezed Nabiki comfortingly and whispered, "Fear not, 
Mistress. I will be back later." She stood then and quickly left the 
room.
	Maxim watched her go and closed the door gently. "No, my lovely, 
I think we have something that needs to be discussed." He sat on the 
bed, looking down at Nabiki still huddled in the corner.
	"You know what I'm speaking of, don't you? Why you two ever 
thought you could hide it from me is a mystery. Did you truly think I 
wouldn't find out about your little affair?" He chuckled darkly. "My 
influence spreads far beyond theses walls. I see and I know."
	Maxim looked disinterestedly at his long nails. "Miroslav's dead 
now, and it's because of you. If you hadn't done such an idiotic thing 
in the forest, rutting like animals, it would have never come. It 
smelled you, you know?
	"It smelled your sex and couldn't stay away. If you hadn't 
seduced Miroslav, he would still be alive right now. But he's not, and 
now your m... that thing will be waiting for you." Maxim shook his head 
and tsked.
	He stood and started to leave when Nabiki asked quietly, "You're 
not going to..."
	"Punish you? No. Miroslav was still loyal to the end and I still 
have you. I think knowing what you've done will be punishment enough." 
He strode to the door and stopped with his hand on the knob. "Adieu, my 
lovely. I shall see you tomorrow night in my chambers."
	
	"Mistress, please don't cry. It's not really your fault. The 
master, he... he's a cruel man. He knows what hurts you most and he 
won't hesitate to use it against you." She was still on the floor, late 
into the night when they should have both been asleep.
	"Leave me alone. I want to be by myself," Nabiki said and tried 
to push Irina away.
	"No, Mistress. I think you need me here more than you need to be 
by yourself." She would not leave even though the situation was a bit 
strange for her. Never before had she been required to play the role of 
a mother because all the others had simply accepted their roles. This 
one had defied the master more than once.
	And the others had died empty, lifeless shells after the master 
had drained them of their usefulness. "Mistress, you haven't eaten. You 
must eat before..." Before she had to go to see the master. "You must 
eat a little something before you sleep. It will make you feel better."
	Nabiki had her head down, face hidden in her arms, intermittently 
rocking herself. It had been... unpleasant before with Maxim. Things 
had gotten just plain bad, and now... Life didn't seem worth living any 
longer.
	
	Kuno sagged against a tree, hugging it. Why did it have to happen 
then and not later? The feeling was, at the same time, better and worse 
than the times before.
	He was suddenly, almost violently, so mind-numbingly depressed 
that even moving seemed too much of an effort. She wasn't d... but the 
utter blackness... The rough bark of the tree scratched his cheek as he 
rubbed his face against it, eyes closed, mouth set in a deep frown.
	"It will pass. It always does. It's not fun or pleasant, but 
those feelings will pass." Tomas' voice was quiet even in the stillness 
of the forest. He understood the cocoon of darkness that had enveloped 
his companion.
	If only he... he could repeat what he had done before. If he 
could draw on the link they shared, but he had no idea how. If, if, if. 
Everything seemed to be about if and not when. Well, _when_ Kuno saw 
her again, not if, when, he would make sure he never let her get away 
again.
	Never never ever. It had taken him too long to see, too long to 
realize the truth, and now he was in danger of never being able to do 
anything with that knowledge.
	His head began throbbing inexplicably until it happened.
	
	Nabiki lifted her head to look at Irina, maybe tell her to go to 
hell, to leave her alone, when the air on the other side of the room 
started to shimmer. A form started to take shape, and when it finally 
did, she gasped. "You," she said, staring.
	Irina looked at Nabiki, and, following her eyes, looked across 
the room. There was nothing there. "Mistress, what is it you see?"
	"Who are you?" Nabiki asked, pulling away from Irina and 
standing.
	
	Kuno hated the feeling. So close and so far away at the same 
time. "Nabiki," he said, his voice sounding airy and nearly 
insubstantial even in his own ears.
	He reached out to her, hoping that he would be able to feel the 
solidity of her her hand, the warmth of her skin. "Remember me, 
please." It was the only thing he could think of to say.
	
	"How do you know my name? Who are you?" There was something 
achingly familiar about the young man looking at her. "Tell me who you 
are!" she demanded.
	It was there, just daring her to reach out, but no matter how 
hard she tried, she couldn't remember who it was. The feeling was 
maddening.
	"Why are you here? Why were you here the other night?" Nabiki 
ignored Irina's continued questions about who she was talking to as she 
waited for the visitor to answer.
	
	"Why?" It was killing him. She didn't know how he was, she didn't 
remember anything about the two of them... "I love you."
	There was so much that he wanted and needed to say, but he 
couldn't; she wouldn't understand. "You do not belong here. I need you 
back." It was so true... Even though she didn't want him, he needed her 
so badly.
	Maybe if he had been a real man, a true warrior in mind, body, 
and spirit, he wouldn't be so desperate. But he was too entirely human, 
weak, and she gave him strength. Yes, he needed her.
	"I love you, and I remember that you love me as well. I shall 
never forget that." He watched her approach him and reach out 
tentatively. Just... one brush of their hands, something small, 
insignificant. Anything.
	"You told me not to forget, and I promised you that. I will free 
you, even if it costs me my life." Kuno waited for her to try and make 
contact, painfully aware that she might not.
	
	He sounded so convincing, looked so sincere... Nothing at all 
like Maxim with his smug smile and dangerous eyes. Nabiki reached out 
to touch his hand.
	Her solid hand passed through his slightly translucent one while 
she watched curiously. There was nothing, no sensation, no feeling, 
nothing. Nabiki had been expecting something, a tingle, a cold spot, 
some sense of this person.
	The young man made a small sound of... satisfaction. The look on 
his face definitely changed, and he looked happier. Why that made her 
feel better, she wasn't sure. And she still didn't know who he was.
	"Please..." Her hand moved back through his, and this time there 
was some heat and tingling. "Tell me who you are."
	"Tell me who you are."
	Nabiki stopped and looked at him. "Me? I'm Nabiki." She had the 
distinct impression that he knew more about her than she knew about 
herself.
	"Nabiki what? What is your family name?"
	What was he talking about? "My family name? I don't know what 
you're..."
	"Tendo. And your sisters Akane and Kasumi. Remember."
	The whole thing was giving Nabiki a terrible headache. "I don't 
know what you're talking about," she whispered, frowning at the same 
time. Pulling her hand back, Nabiki stepped away. "I don't know you."
	
	"Fear not. All your confusion will be removed. I will save you 
from that beast, my love. I will return for you." At that, the room 
around him faded, Nabiki faded.
	Returning to his surroundings, Kuno slumped to the ground, 
emotionally drained. He wasn't totally sure what to make of the 
encounter. It hadn't been great, but it had gone better than he had 
expected.
	He hadn't really been expecting anything, but either way, the 
next step was to have a face to face confrontation. Maybe that would 
jog her memory enough. Maybe. Hopefully.

[30 DAYS]

	Irina stared at the spot Nabiki had been talking to. There was 
nothing there, still nothing there. She hadn't seen anything out of the 
ordinary the entire time Nabiki had been talking. There wasn't any way 
she could tell anyone about it either. There was no telling what would 
happen, and she wasn't willing to take the chance with her own life or 
anyone elses.
	Taking three small steps toward Nabiki, who was still staring at 
the spot, Irina opened her mouth to speak. What to say though? Act as 
if nothing had happened? That would probably have been easiest, but it 
was obvious that something had. It might have complicated things as 
well.
	Or she could simply wait until morning and put everything aside 
until then. Even then, her near confrontation with the master was 
enough to give her nightmares.
	"Nevermind the food, Mistress. I think it would be best for you 
to get some sleep now." She stood and placed her hand on Nabiki's 
shoulder.
	Flinching at the contact, Nabiki looked unhappily at Irina. The 
look of confusion on her face was obviously not from what had just 
happened. "I don't feel right."
	"Of course not, Mistress. You need sleep. When you have your 
rest, that's when you'll feel better." Irina tried to steer Nabiki to 
the bed, pulling her gently.
	"I won't. I won't go. He can't make me," she said obstinately, 
resisting Irina.
	"He can, Mistress. He will." She spoke as if she was dealing with 
a disobedient child. Disobedient, but not incorrect. She really 
shouldn't have the Master's attention forced upon her when she was in 
such a state.
	The same way all those others shouldn't have. The time she had 
spent in the master's service had changed her in that way. The things 
he did didn't bother her the way they had 20 years ago.
	Not until then.
	
	Asleep at last, Nabiki's dreams returned in full force. All those 
people and places were back, haunting her. The dreams were so nice, 
they were on the verge of being nightmares because she knew she would 
never experience peace like that while she was awake.
	Irina shut the door slowly, hearing the quiet click of the latch. 
She needed sleep badly, but just didn't feel right leaving the mistress 
alone after everything that had happened.
	The entire situation was starting to get confusing.

***

	"I think I have a plan. It will be dangerous in all aspects, but 
it may be the only way."
	Kuno looked angrily at Tomas. "When?"
	"Soon."
	"How?"
	"Listen."
	
	"I do not know if I can wait that long."
	"You don't have a choice. That's how long the preparations will 
take to make. If you don't want to nearly ruin things as you did 
before, you'll learn to control your emotions until they will serve 
you."
	"Against Maxim?"
	"Possibly. There will be others as well."
	"What did you say the name of the villain that..."
	"Konstantin. You might encounter him as well. If you do, do not 
hesitate to destroy him. Beheading, then fire. The sunlight here is 
inadequate to kill them. Fire will work. Fire will kill even the 
strongest of them."
	Kuno suddenly wasn't sure about the tone in Tomas' voice. "No 
mercy, no hesitation." He matched the intensity of the other's gaze.
	"As I said, save your rage. Save it, but don't be afraid to let 
it go when you need it. It can help if you are in control."
	"You sound as if this is something you are familiar with." Kuno 
turned away quickly, doubt running through him, and looked out at the 
forest.
	"Not to me, but someone I knew. We didn't know until it was too 
late and he was consumed by his own uncontrollable rage. He was a 
friend." Tomas' eyes softened for a moment. "It is indeed a waste of 
life when it can be put to use for the good of us all."
	Kuno subconsciously put his hand to his neck. It still hurt, and 
was still oozing pus, but since he knew what was going on, it was 
easier to keep himself under control. "When?"
	Tomas looked up at the sky, as black as the rest of the 
landscape. "It depends on how willing you are to make it work. But it 
should only be a few days before we can lure them down."
	"Them?"
	Tomas took a sharp breath and exhaled through his nose. "The 
hordes."
	
End Part 7, Chapter 4