"Wow."
Snake-Eyes shrugged. I am who I am.
Scarlett groaned. "You could at least hold this in check, couldn't you?"
Not really.
"Snake!"
Snake-Eyes nudged her leg with his muzzle. They were being very rude to you.
"That's no cause to Change in front of them."
The werecat twitched his ears bemusedly. The more scared they are, the less they'll bug you.
"However true that may be, you still need to change back before we head to base." Scarlett turned and walked away. "Come find me in the car when you're human."
Snake-Eyes sighed heavily as he Changed again. Oh, Scarlett, why can't you understand…?
Ten years ago…
Snake-Eyes rushed through the Japanese brush. "Wait up! You're too fast!"
The white werecat in front of him stopped and smiled, showing his teeth. "No, you're too slow."
"Not funny, Tommy."
Tomisaburo snorted with laughter. "Yes, it is!" He suddenly stopped, sniffing the air. "Rabbit," he whispered.
Snake-Eyes came up beside his brother and scented the air. "That's a squirrel, oh great Master with the Ear That Sees."
"Apparently not the Nose That Sees, though, like you."
"Hush, hush, let's catch our dinner."
"My uncle will be angry."
"One squirrel? Between the two of us? We're the size of dogs, I think we'll still be hungry for dinner."
Tomisaburo sighed. "Very well, brother. You flush it out, I'll kill it."
Snake-Eyes grinned.
Present…
Scarlett shook her head behind the wheel.
What's wrong? Snake-Eyes, now human, signed.
"I just don't know if this whole werecat thing is working. I'm grateful you told me, but… it's causing problems."
Problems?
"Yes, problems. Like this whole thing with you Changing every time someone is rude to me. It's not working, Snake."
I am who I am.
"So you've said. But, I at least need that to stop. Also, well…"
Yes?
"It's just- It's nothing."
Are you sure?
Scarlett guided the car into the base. "Yes." She glanced up at the welcoming committee. "Can you tell what's going on?"
Snake-Eyes shook his head.
"Scarlett! Snake-Eyes!" Hawk pushed forward through the crowd. "Storm Shadow turned himself in."
What?! Snake-Eyes charged out of the car to where the white ninja stood. What are you doing here, Tommy?
Storm Shadow grinned. "I came to see my brother. It's time we hunted together again."