Untameable Fires
Author: Lexa (yatenshiweb.de)
Date: 01/05
Disclaimer: a bone belongs to a wolf, and all our favourite wolves belong to Bones and anything related to it, isn't that easy? I'm only borrowing them to have a little fun with them and promise to return them (mostly) unharmed!
Rating: none. Might go up later.
Pairing: Kiba/Tsume. Shonen-air, non-yaoi (probably… I'm not too keen on writing it, simply because I'm unable to, but a hint of lemon-freshness might appear… someday… somewhere…)
Setting: between episode 20 and 21, after Kiba's trip to the Garden of Eternity but before reaching the Floating Ice.
Summary: After a nightly trip with Tsume, Kiba finds himself thinking of the grey wolf more and more often. And as Tsume gets trapped, it's time for the white one to decide just what his friend means to him.
Author's Note: yeah, when the Angel of Muse calls, it's dangerous to resist (alright, I've seen "Phantom of the Opera" one time too often ;;;) , thus I sat writing this till 5 a.m. OO;;; My first Wolf's Rain fic… how could I fail to notice this wonderful anime for so long?! Shame on me!
Chapter 1 Nightly Chase
Run, wolf warrior, to hide your hunger
In your eyes there are cold fires burning
Tongues of flame that can never be tamedIt's annoying.
All the while I'm sitting here, in this cave, something terrible might happen to Cheza, and no matter how much I want to, I can't go and search for her!
Toboe and Hige are exhausted, I can see that, which was why I let myself being talked into taking a cave for the night and resting, and still… yes, I'm also tired, still drained from my little adventure in the Garden of Eternity, nevertheless I don't find rest as long as I'm not on my way to her.
My life, my light, my purpose. Cheza.
It's only been one day since we left the Indian village that so reminded me of the place I was raised at, and I've not fully recovered yet. But at this rate, if this annoying itchy and nervous feeling doesn't go away soon, I won't find sleep tonight. Or any other night, for that matter.
Cheza…
Sighing, I shift a bit on the hard stone floor and let my gaze skim over my three companions, all in their wolf forms since it saves us the trouble of making a fire to keep us warm.
Toboe's curled up like a puppy, sleeping soundly, as is Hige, only that he's snoring slightly… never thought a wolf could snore.
Tsume, on the other hand, lies near the cave's entry, his ears even in sleep twitching back and forth every once in a while, always keeping watch, constantly alert and never letting his guard down.
That's how he is, his former life as a gang leader in the city we met in probably taught him to be always watchful.
I'd been a little surprised to find someone like him in a place like that.
Since my first encounter with Tsume, since our first fight, I'd always been wondering what this guy was doing in that filthy, corrupted place- far too unimportant and small a city to hold a wolf like him.
I tried to figure him out, to understand why he stayed there, so I hurt his pride- which I was sure he had plenty of- and he promptly reacted.
Yes, we've certainly had a rocky start- after all, our first meeting consisted of fighting and insults.
However, I believe to comprehend him better than he probably wants to see.
There's a wild, untamed look in his eyes that belies the life he led, his graceful swiftness and steely strength were entrapped in that petty town, and I could almost feel his aching need for freedom, to run with the wind like a wolf's supposed to do.
Perhaps it was seeing no way to unleash his spirit what made him so itchy when it came to other wolves and drove him to go over the edge again and again.
Because he, unlike Toboe, realises that a wolf is unable, no, inapt, to live with humans.
They are too fragile for the power we possess, too frightened of life itself, too… domesticated, for lack of a better word.
Hige probably doesn't care, and Toboe always tries to befriend humans, forgetting about his own strength and causing trouble time and again.
Well, he can't help it, I guess… though I was also rised by a human, the 'education' he received was as different from mine as can be, as a dog instead of a wolf… anyway.
Tsume, on the other hand, knows well about the dissimilarities separating us from the ningen.
In the beginning, there was a constant battle of wills between the two of us, he intentionally questioned every decision I took, denying anything I stand for… testing me, perhaps.
He's a strange existence, this grey wolf with the characteristic cross scar of unknown origin on his chest who fancies going in black leather and wearing golden earrings… he's tall and lean, agile and fast, strong and fierce, wild and untameable, with 'a dangerous feel to him', as Hige put it, and not even disguising himself as a human for so long could weaken his pride- something I'd thought of as impossible… until I met him.
Why, after all the quarrelling we were through, he made up his mind to come with me after all, follow me out of his town into an unknown hazardous realm, is still a mystery to me…
Though, as I have to admit, I had hoped for him to join me.
It wasn't that I suddenly minded going on my own, but I had found those three weird guys that obviously sensed the moon flower as well… and I simply wanted them to come along.
Nothing more.
And I have learned not to question my instincts.
Maybe I was giving them the purpose in life they were missing- I could feel they were tired of constantly acting human, drifting in the current of a human environment that denied their very existence.
They had nothing to loose.
And suddenly, I had a pack again- with me being the alpha.
Not even Tsume has complained about that, mostly because only I knew something about the path that lay in front of us.
He's cool-headed, almost cold-blooded most of the time, his dripping sarcasm can really hurt … and sometimes I need him to remind me that I'm not travelling alone anymore and that, no matter how I try, I'm still only a wolf, especially when there's nothing but finding Cheza on my mind and I tend to forget about anything else.
Since he's more experienced in leading a pack than me, even if it was a pack of humans, this is quite understandable.
Although… lately, he has changed, you could almost say, mellowed.
This process has been going on for a while, mostly since Cheza joined us- only after we'd left the Forest of Death I noticed how protective he had become around her.
Then again, we all changed basking in the scent of the Flower Maiden.
Yet, the most impressive shift in his character happened just when I wasn't there, when I was busy enjoying for the first time true peace in that dreamscape called Garden of Eternity.
After I returned and woke up that night, I went out to look for my friends and found them peacefully- that alone seemed like a miracle to me- talking…
Wait a second… Tsume? Talking normally? Teasing his companions gently? … Laughing?!
As I watched his interaction with Toboe I couldn't keep the image of an elder brother off my mind- such a thorough turnaround in his behaviour that I almost couldn't believe my eyes.
No need to worry, though- he's still cold, sarcastic and able to snap irritably at anyone… but it's like he's found some kind of peace with himself, a purpose and a conviction.
I sigh again.
That itchy ache in my stomach just won't go away, it makes my claws clench… I need to get away from here! Maybe a little walk will soothe my restlessness
I cast a quick glance at Toboe and Hige- both firmly asleep. No way I'll get them to continue our journey at once, and if I try to leave on my own, they'll probably have my hide.
Then, already rising to
my feet, I take a brief look at the object of my recent musings- and
I stop in mid-move at finding my gaze locked with golden
eyes.
"Exactly where're you going?"
I meet his look. "Just a little walk, that's all. I need some fresh air."
All right, a lame excuse, since the cave we're spending the night in is drafty as hell…
He realises it, of course, and gets up quickly. "I'll come with you." No further comment, as always.
"Might it be that you're worried?" I just couldn't keep the teasing question to myself.
His look is unreadable. "I've got no intention to search for you for days on end again," he states calmly and heads for the cave's entrance.
With a small smile, I follow.
Maybe a walk for two won't be so bad- I certainly enjoy his company.
And so I find myself walking next to him beneath the starlit sky over the rocky plain.
I glance up briefly- no moon tonight. No moon… a bad night for Cheza…
Cheza…
"You just can't keep still, can you?" His voice, somewhere between amused and annoyed, demands my attention.
Unwillingly, I smile a bit. "Not really." Then my eyes drop, and I shake my head quietly. "I'd love to simply start running and looking for her… my body is practically aching for it. Sitting around like this drives me crazy."
"Fine with me, only that the Chibi and Hige can't go on… you've seen how tired they are."
"Yeah… I know. It's just that I can't rest at all…"
He eyes me for a moment, than a small, mischievous smile grazes his features, and suddenly he quickens his pace, trotting first, than jogging, until he's running, his paws whirling up a cloud of dust in his wake.
I hurry to keep up with his pace, chasing after him and, still running, call out: "What are you racing like that?!"
He gives me a wicked grin. "You want to run? Then do so- the others may rest, and for us the night is young!"
With that, he speeds up further, and I simply follow him, catching up with him, and soon we're chasing each other through the night.
I'd almost forgotten the enthralling feeling of just running, not hunting or being hunted, but by one's own free will, enjoying the pure freedom of the plain motion, until you feel every fibre of your body with an acuteness that comes only with reaching and surpassing your limits.
The cold night wind hits me, caresses my sides and cools my heating limbs, calling me to follow him, a midnight black sky stretches over us in all its infinity, and only far, far away the plain meets the horizon, the only border limiting us tonight.
Rocks go flying beneath my paws, yet I do not stop, running in long strides with all my strength, stretching my body, running free of the tenseness and all regrets, loosing myself in the sensations of a hunting wolf.
Roaming, straying, and Tsume is right next to me, and the thought of chasing him, being chased by him is incredible exciting.
Obviously not intending to slow down the least and give me the chance to overtake him, he flashes me that provoking smirk again, and this time I answer it, answer his unspoken challenge. Yes, he certainly relishes our chase through the starlit night as much as I do.
Maybe this was what he followed me for…
Our pace leads us to one of the high, narrow rocks the region is abound with and almost simultaneously we push off from the ground, sinking our claws in the rough surface, feeling it splinter beneath our paws.
This strange race of ours goes from horizontal to vertical, and now, unfortunately, Tsume has the upper hand. He's quicker and more agile than me, so I've got a hard time keeping up with him.
Despite this I'm determined not to be shaken off… not by him!
I reach the peak only moments after he did, clawing at the rock in order to hurl myself on the plateau .
It's evident that the hunt took its toll at Tsume's body as well, for we face each other panting, nevertheless smiling.
"You tired already?" he taunts me, despite the cross-scar rises and sinks rapidly with his hectic breaths.
Feeling the blood still racing through my veins, I smile. "Maybe I should ask you that?"
He snorts with contempt. "You must be kidding. But…" Again, his eyes twinkle impishly. "…if you want to test it out, our score isn't settled yet!"
Our 'score', the first time we me and fought…I'd probably have won if it hadn't been for that kid protecting him, something he, as I could clearly sense, despised as hell.
Yet, I'm pretty sure it was an exception that I had the upper hand in fighting him… He's taller and undoubtedly stronger than me, plus, looking at the life he led, he must've much more fighting experience than I do.
To that time, I had the conviction he lacked, what gave me extra strength. Anyway, a real fight between us might end in a draw, if I was lucky, or with me on my back, if I was unlucky.
I have still to react to his challenge, and somehow, unlike my normal self and though I know that we actually should save our strength, I feel like playing his games tonight.
"Fine with me," I reply and crouch my body, tensing every muscle and watching him intently to predict his attack.
No warning is given before he moves, rushing at me with fangs bared, and with a growl I jump aside, only to try to snap at him as soon as he's turning to me again.
Our barks and growls break the nightly silence as each of us struggles to get the upper hand, dodging and attacking, retreating and rushing forward.
Yeah, it's mostly show, since none of us really wants to hurt the other, it's kind of like the play fights I remember from childhood days, and to soothe my aching ego, I could say I wasn't taking him serious enough, for inevitably, I find myself pinned to the ground on my back with his paws on my chest holding me down.
All right. He won. Figures.
As he hovers over me, his ferally gleaming eyes, so close to my face, bore into mine… his untameable eyes that seem to glow on their own in the dim starlight.
Definitely attractive.
Where did that come from?!
Yeah, Tsume's an unusual existence- he's the one people notice first wherever we got. Not cute Toboe with his almost feminine features, not Hige that looks like the nice guy from next door, not me… but him. With his style of clothing, the confident way he carries himself, his rather dark skin, the remarkable scar, handsome face and the strangely silvery hair… maybe his way of, even in human disguise, screaming at the world that he's different.
Certainly different.
Perhaps the fact that the adrenaline still makes me feel light-headed is partly his fault…
He smirks. "I won."
"I noticed that."
Slowly, he retreats and watches me climbing to my feet quietly.
My body now reminds me that I've just been paralysed for some days, I'm panting heavily and my aching limbs demand to grant them rest.
Anyway, I'm still feeling excited, my chest seems to be bursting with energy despite the fact that I'm pretty exhausted… I inhale the cold, pure night air deeply, lay my head back and start to howl.
The hollow, low tune
echoes over the plain, and almost instantly another voice joins me.
When looking to the side, I see Tsume standing next to me, eyes
closed, his howl deeper and rougher than mine, yet also with all his
soul as we both allow the animal instinct of the wolf to claim us…
My breathing has calmed
a little as we finally stop, and from up here I can see a faint ray
of silver at the Eastern horizon.
"Dawn's approaching," I
say though I know that Tsume must've noticed as well. "Let's go
back."
He nods. "Fine." Then, once again, that unnerving grin of his makes the corners of his mouth turn up. "That was fun, Kiba," he steps closer to me until our noses are almost touching, and beneath his intense gaze, I find myself shivering involuntarily. With cold, of course. "We should repeat that… someday," he murmurs, the sound of his voice low, and with a hint of seduction.
With that, he turns and starts his descent from the mountain top.
Our return is far less frenzied than our way here, and we walk side by side in companionable silence.
It's kind of strange, if you think about it.
That the two of us, who nothing short of despised each other in the beginning, have reached a point where we can walk, fight and travel side by side…
We're pretty different from one another, and yet Tsume is the one you could call my counterpart in our crazy little pack. I have to admit, it made me feel warm when my friends told me that they'd searched for me for days… that Tsume hadn't given up on me as I had expected him to.
Friends. Strange concept… but they make me feel that there's more to life than struggling to achieve one's purposes. Living without purpose is unnatural, of course, but still… you need a break from time to time. Friends you can rely on. Like mine. Like him.
Don't know how he knew what I needed tonight, that hunting and fighting would calm my restless mind and raise my spirits. The two things that are engraved deeply into ever wolf's soul… maybe he understands the nature of wolfs better than I thought.
Maybe… he understands me better than I thought.
"Don't worry, Ker," the man whispered, pressing his gloved hand closer against the cold, shimmering glass that contained his most precious treasure before turning his head to the large monitor to his left that, together with the bluish light emanating from the large glass tub, bathed the large room in a dim light.
"That man is here, Kares-sama" reported a black-clad soldier from the other end of the room.
The elderly, emaciated man in the unkempt, once dark-green robes of a priest nodded and waved his hand impatiently. "Bring him in if he's got something useful to tell me."
"He claims that he's seen the wolves, Kares-sama," the soldier said before opening the door that had been hidden in the twilight up to now. Two of his comrades led a nervous young man into the room who seemed to have had numerous hysterical fits- all the time he was looking around anxiously, his whole withered appearance was the form of one that'd once inherited courage and strength and was now reduced to a trembling wreck, barely a shadow of what he might have been.
Kares' two soldiers pushed the man into the middle of the room before delivering a quick bow towards their master and leaving quietly.
The small rustling of heavy robes accompanied the older priest approaching his guest and scrutinizing him for a long moment, obviously disapproving of what he saw. "What could you possibly know that'd be of any interest for us?"
Still trembling, the younger man clenched his hands and stammered: "I've… I've seen them!" His voice ended in a panicky squeak.
The priest sighed before addressing the former warrior once again. "Your clothes… have you been a soldier?"
"Y-yes, I've been in that ho-horrible war!" came the rushed reply.
"Which side were you fighting for?"
This time, the answer came even faster: "No-not necessary for you t-to know! B-but I've seen the wo-wolves! They f-fou-fought our men… a-and… and ki-killed them! Like d-d-demons!"
"Wolves have the tendency to kill, dear friend." The young man flinched and hurled around to look at the large glass tub the cold voice had come from. His eyes widened and he became, if possible, even more jumpy.
Inside it he could see the head of a hard-faced man who was glaring at him with a steely expression on the scarred features. The body belonging to this visage, however, seemed to be a burned, crippled… mess, floating in the bluish liquid that filled the tub, only the head remaining outside.
"Yes, dear friend," the cold voice continued, "what you see is the result of said war- it turned my body into that thing here," the disgust in his tone was clear, "and you into a stammering wreck. Now tell me, what do you know about those wolves?"
As the young soldier only gaped at the bodiless human, the green-robed priest turned impatient. "Tell my son what he wants you to now, otherwise…"
The other man didn't really want to know what 'otherwise' meant, so he gulped before continuing: "T-there were four of them, a-at first look they would s-seem like humans, b-b-but… as we f-fought them," the stuttering turned even worse, "t-they s-sudde-suddenly were beasts, with g-g-gleaming eyes a-a-and fangs and c-claws and all, a-and…" Here he faltered, gulping heavily before opening his shirt to reveal a horribly scarred chest- clearly recognisable were the four parallel slashes. "The br-brown one w-was small, with a silvery ring around his foot, the s-second b-brown one was l-larger and had kinda collar. Th-then there was the w-white one, a-a-and then t-there w-was the grey w-wolf w-with t-the c-cross-scar o-on h-his chest," he clutched his upper body, his face contorting in frightened memory and his voice turned higher, almost shrieking, "h-he w-was s-s-strong l-like a d-devil, a-and s-suddenly h-he w-w-was i-in front of m-me a-and s-slashed m-my che-chest a-a-and h-his f-fangs w-were a-a-at my throat…!" His eyes rolled back and it seemed as if he was close to breaking down- Kares didn't wonder what had reduced a strong warrior into that blubbering heap anymore.
"So… he was the strongest, you say? The grey wolf?" The voice from the glass tub had taken on a greedy edge. "The grey one?" the man urged.
A shriek was his answer: "YES! DEVIL HIMSELF!!"
The green-robed priest waved his hand at the guard still positioned next to the door. "Take him away." The man obeyed at once, opening the entrance and calling his two comrades who came in immediately, grabbing the still stammering man's arms and dragging him out. Even as he'd left the room, his frantic cries could be heard: "THE GREY WOLF! THE DEMON!"
"So, Ker, what do you think?" Kares broke the silence after some time.
His son remained quite for a long moment, pondering, before calling the addressing. "Find out if there have been any records on those wolves' recent whereabouts. Also send someone out to ask around the enemy's troops."
"Hai, Ker-sama," with that and a deep bow the soldier left the room.
"What I think, Father? I think that a new life has just fallen into my lap," the scarred one laughed, however the sound had nothing friendly to it and echoed hollowly through the room.
So, what do you think?
English's not my mother tongue, so there might be mistakes in here I didn't notice… please leave me a review if you find something (and even more so if you don't )
I'll reward your reviews with an update… . And yeah, last paragraph was necessary to ensure your attention XD