Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy VIII or any of the characters
involved.
Author's Note: Heh, remember this series? I had intended to get this, the third in my werewolf story arc, out in January. Well, I was hit with writer's block when it came to this story. I rewrote the beginning three times. I still dislike this chapter, but I want to get on with the story, and I don't think I could do it any better right now. Maybe one day, I'll rewrite it and the final part of "When Darkness Falls." For now, though, you'll have to be satisfied with this. Rated for graphic images.
DARK LEGACY
Part One
The Beast Within
Rinoa ran, her heart hammering in her chest, her blood pounding in her ears. It drowned out the sound of the pursuit that she knew was there… She put on another burst of speed, aware that her strength was failing, that she couldn't maintain this pace, that death stalked her every move and she couldn't escape…
She sprinted down a corridor that blended Garden's high tech features with the thick growth of a forest's heart. She sprang over a root mated with a computer desk, wincing as her foot caught the edge and she tripped and fell, rolling on the rug of springy moss beneath her.
She tried to lurch to her hands and knees, but something slammed into her, knocking her sideways. She shrieked as a dark form towered over her, jaw full of teeth grinning down at her, eyes glowing a dull, bloody red.
She shut her eyes, awaiting the killing blow. But after a few moments, the beast still hadn't moved. It was staring at her, eyes fixed on her abdomen. Rinoa followed its gaze, and her breath caught in her throat.
Something was moving under her skin, pushing up and stretching her flesh. Rinoa screamed as the skin split, and a small, blood-soaked creature, a mirror image of the monster standing over her, climbed out of the ragged hole it had torn. The infant creature was joined by two others, tearing their way free. The pain was overwhelming, and Rinoa was so overcome by it that she failed to she when the first of the creatures crawled up to her face and plunged its muzzle into her eye –
* * *
Rinoa awoke with the scream still on her lips. She fought savagely with the covers tangled around her. She thrashed her way free, rolling off her large bed and falling to the floor with a cry, where she sat resting on her hands and knees while her head cleared.
"It was a dream," Rinoa whispered to herself. Her head drooped down between her elbows, eyes squeezed shut. "Just another nightmare."
Her eyes slowly opened, and her body shuddered. No… Not entirely a dream, she thought dully as she stared at the bulge of her belly, barely covered by her silken nightgown. That's the fifth dream like this I've had this past month… Everything's been going so well. Why is this happening now?
Rinoa staggered to her feet, hand to her belly. Six months along… with the figure of someone close to term… Triplets… With great difficulty, Rinoa lowered herself to sit on the edge of her bed.
Why are these dreams coming? Are they a warning? Are my children monsters? Are they… like Squall? Why didn't I take my father's advice and abort them?
"My lady? Are you all right?" The maid's hesitant voice at Rinoa's door interrupted her thoughts. "I heard you screaming."
"A nightmare," Rinoa said harshly. "Leave me alone."
The maid ignored Rinoa, coming into the room and smoothing Rinoa's disarrayed nightgown. "These nightmares aren't good for you or your babies," the woman scolded gently. She began to push Rinoa down onto the bed.
"Leave me!" Rinoa cried. "Just go away!" She hated all the pampering her father and his servants were giving her. She just wanted to be alone! She should have known that escaping from Garden wasn't enough.
If I were alone, no one would stop me from preventing these children from being born… Why did I wait? It's too late now… and I haven't found a cure. Only my death could end this now…
But she couldn't. She'd refused the abortion out of hope that her offspring would be normal, that Squall could live on in their children. Even now, she still prayed that they were normal.
Her dreams were becoming bloodier, more horrifying. She knew they had to emanate from a beast like that which had inhabited and destroyed Squall. At least one of her children would be a monster; she was convinced of that. But not all of them. Please, don't let them all be cursed!
Rinoa began to sob, and the maid came closer. "It's all right, my lady," she began.
"I said to leave me alone!" Rinoa screamed, backhanding the maid. The woman let out a cry and scurried out of the room.
Rinoa lowered her hand, mortified by what she had done. For once, she was grateful that pregnancy dampened a sorceress's powers, or she may have seriously injured the woman.
She collapsed onto her plush bed, trying to make her awkward body comfortable. She huddled under her covers, afraid the nightmares would stalk her again.
They're just dreams… They don't mean anything, Rinoa thought desperately. She rubbed her belly, feeling the movement inside. You're all I have left of Squall… You can't be monsters! You can't!
* * *
Rinoa's face was pale and drawn when she unsteadily limped to breakfast the next morning. Her stomach was still nauseous, and she knew she would be unable to eat much, as usual. Her appetite had diminished when her dreams had begun. With a groan, she collapsed limply into her chair. Jana, the maid from last night, brought her the toast and juice Rinoa customarily forced down every morning. Rinoa winced when she saw the bruise on the woman's face, but she knew apologizing to the servants would do no good; they always pretended nothing had happened.
General Caraway was seated close by, his nose seemingly buried in the morning paper, but she could feel his gaze on her. He had begun leaving the house much later in the day, as though he were reluctant to leave Rinoa. The gesture both bothered and touched her. Bothered, because Rinoa hated being treated so delicately, and touched because he'd never shown so much concern for her before.
When she'd shown up at the mansion two months earlier, after a short time hiding in Timber, Caraway had welcomed her home. She may have been a witch and a werewolf's bitch, as she'd called herself, but he had gravely listened to her story and offered his help. Home had seemed the perfect place to hide; she doubted her friends would look somewhere she'd so obviously hated. Assuming her friends had searched at all… Garden had been in total disarray with the deaths of Squall, Headmaster Cid, and Xu, as well as several other severe injuries. Sneaking out had been simple, and she'd wandered around for a while before discovering the true nature of the illness that had plagued her before Squall's death.
What would they say at Garden if they knew? My friends have lost so much because of the beast in Squall. And now, it may return…
A tear slid down Rinoa's cheek. She wished she dared talk to her friends. She wanted to know how Zell and Quistis were doing. Or Irvine and Selphie… I'm all alone… A sob escaped Rinoa's throat, and she buried her face in her hands.
"Rinoa?" her father said awkwardly. "What's wrong?"
"It's nothing," she whispered. "I'll be all right." She knotted her fingers over her belly.
"It's not nothing," her father said firmly. "What's wrong?" He stood up and walked over to her, placing one arm around her shoulder.
Rinoa leaned into his chest. "I could be making the biggest mistake of my life; one that could endanger others. And I don't want to drag my friends into this! They wouldn't understand. They could get hurt. Most of them… already are hurt."
General Caraway squeezed her shoulder. "You're lonely," he said, his voice quiet and thoughtful.
Rinoa could only nod.
"It'll be all right," Caraway told his daughter fiercely. "You'll see. Your children will be normal."
Rinoa wished she could believe him. But she knew her dreams were telling her otherwise.
* * *
Blood. She wanted it, craved it, desired it. She needed it, from a still- living body, fresh and warm as it slid down her throat. She stalked silently down the hallways, hunting the prey she sensed nearby.
She didn't want anything too large, not like the soft-fleshed humans that would prove difficult to kill, but there were other, smaller bodies who could slake her blood lust.
There! Staring at her with wide green eyes, a creature with snowy fur watched her fearlessly. She'd teach it fear… Fear made the meat sweeter.
With a cry, she sprang, her heavy body barely managing to land beside the cat. Her hands lashed out, her nails biting into the cat's side. It yowled in pain, but she ignored the cries and drew it closer. She delicately lifted the creature and placed her teeth around its throat. The blood was close… she could hear it, smell it… She bit down savagely.
"Rinoa!" The horrified cried broke through her dreamlike state, and she dropped the limp cat, terror and disgust on her features. Blood ran from her lips and down her fingers where she'd grabbed the cat, and she automatically licked it off.
Her father stood before, his face white as he knelt down by her. "What are you doing?" His body was tense, prepared to spring if she attacked. But his face was concerned, and he cupped her chin with trembling fingers, meeting her glazed eyes.
"They wanted blood," Rinoa whispered. "They're monsters, father. Monsters. And there's only one thing I can do now to stop them."
Caraway pulled his quivering daughter into his arms. "You're not going to kill yourself," he said, sensing the direction of her thoughts. "You'll find a cure. You were looking, remember? You can find a cure." He paused, his eyes thoughtful. "But you'll need help." He had an idea, and decided to try it.
He held his daughter close the rest of the night, murmuring comforting words but refusing to speak of his idea. Finally, Rinoa fell asleep in his arms and, despite the urgings of his terrified servants, General Caraway stayed that way until dawn.
* * *
Rinoa lay on the sofa in the living room, the windows thrown open so she could soak up the sun. She was alone, as she had been for the past few days. All the servants were too frightened now to go near her, which she considered a mixed blessing.
At least their inane chatter had distracted her from her brooding thoughts, the foremost of them being a desire for blood… Hyne, she hated this! Rinoa had always prided herself on her nonviolent ways, but ever since she'd met Squall, her whole perspective of life had changed. She was no longer as innocent as she had once been. And now she craved battle, longed for the violence it brought. It wasn't just due to the children within her, either. She'd lost her innocence.
Her dark thoughts were interrupted by a soft sound at the entrance to the living room. Rinoa didn't bother to look; if the intruder wished to speak to her, they would come to her.
"Rinoa?" The familiar voice made Rinoa stiffen. No… It can't be…
A woman entered Rinoa's field of vision, small with long gray-streaked brown hair and achingly familiar blue eyes. She took in Rinoa's condition grimly.
"Raine," Rinoa said, fumbling for a sheet to cover her body, to hide her distended belly. "Why are you here?"
Raine seemed to pick up on Rinoa's fear because she suddenly smiled, albeit sadly. "Your father," she nodded towards General Caraway, who had come up behind Rinoa, "thought you would need someone around. Someone who will understand what you're going through and won't be frightened of you."
"How did you get a hold of her?" Rinoa asked her father sharply. "You didn't ask Garden?"
"Our president has been in contact with Laguna. It was a simple matter to reach her through him. Don't worry; Garden hasn't found out." Caraway sighed. "Now, I must get going." He gave Rinoa's hand an affectionate squeeze, then left.
"I hope you don't mind me coming. When your father told me about your condition, and your… actions, I knew I had to come. Laguna didn't protest too much." Raine's face was sad. "Why are you keeping them alive? You know what they'll become…"
"If there's a chance that one of Squall's offspring is normal, then I'll take it." Rinoa forced herself into a sitting position, wincing at the pain. The stretching of her skin was causing the scarred flesh along her side and across her breasts to ache painfully, and it often hurt to move.
Raine took a seat beside her. "You're right… I don't blame you. Once, I would never have thought about killing unborn children, either. Hang on to those sentiments; they will keep you human." Raine abruptly shook her head as if to clear it. "Your father says you have a lot of trouble at night. Not surprising, considering the curse. Would you tell me about it?" Rinoa hesitated. "I only want to help," Raine encouraged.
Rinoa poured it all out; her dreams, her violent emotions, her lust for blood and death…
Raine's lips thinned. "I suffered from something similar. I don't think you can fight it, just make it more bearable.
"How?" Rinoa cried. "I don't want to kill anything! What if I hurt someone? What if I become a monster?"
Raine winced. "You're not cursed. You may have some empathy with your children, but you won't become like that. You're not a monster." Raine's gaze was stony. She had been cursed for nineteen years, turning into a wolf creature every night. Because of that curse, she'd been forced to give up her son and her ward, both of whom she'd later seen die. And her relationship with her husband was forever scarred. Rinoa felt selfish complaining about her own life when Raine's had been one of misery for so much longer.
"I'm sorry," Rinoa whispered.
"I'm used to it," Raine sighed. "But, as your desire for blood and meat, you will need to satisfy it or it could drive you mad." Raine's voice softened. "Let me hunt for you. And I can feed you in private, so no one will be frightened of you."
Rinoa's stomach churned at the thought of eating raw flesh, but she found she was salivating as well. She hadn't felt this eager for food in a while. Could that be why she ate so little despite her condition? Because normal food would no longer satisfy her children?
"I'm sorry you had to get involved in this," Raine said. "I'll help you however I can. Maybe if I'd been able to help Squall, it wouldn't have turned out this way. I'm glad your father's supporting you, too," Rain continued. "Though I wonder if he'll be so eager once he sees me tonight."
* * *
General Caraway took it better than they could have hoped. When Raine had transformed, her six-foot wolfish body had made Caraway's face pale, and he'd taken a step back. But despite the instinct to run, he held his ground when Raine bared her fangs in a sinister grin and flexed her claws.
Rinoa whimpered at the surge of memories Raine's appearance caused, and Raine dropped to all fours and sat, suddenly looking more like a large dog.
"My God," Caraway whispered. "I knew… But I never expected this…"
Angelo, who had been sitting by the fireplace, growled and placed himself by his mistress's feet. Clearly, the GF remembered his battle with Squall as well.
"She won't hurt us," Rinoa said, sounding unconvinced. She swayed unsteadily on her feet. "But she… needs to hunt." Rinoa couldn't bring herself to say why. "Could you show her the secret passage out of here?"
Caraway nodded and left the den, his eyes never leaving the following werewolf.
Alone, Rinoa limped up to her room, cursing the painful blow she had taken to her knee when Squall had attacked her. Raine, she'd noticed, seemed to have recovered from her own injuries from her final battle with Squall, the only indication she'd been seriously wounded being the scars hidden by her shaggy fur.
Rinoa slowly readied herself for bed. She didn't look forward to the grisly nightmares that were coming more frequently. Last night, she had clawed herself, drawing blood along her forearm during one such dream. But at least no maids would come to her when she screamed; her father, realizing they might be terrified of Raine, had dismissed them. They would only come during the day to cook and tidy up, but they wouldn't stay more than a few hours.
Rinoa was grateful for their absence. Though they had no knowledge of the truth, they must have had theories about her condition, from the rumors about the deaths at Garden and her feverish obsession she'd had with sorceresses and the supernatural before her body and mind became overwhelmed by her condition.
If only they'd have just let her end it, she could have spared everyone the trouble.
* * *
Rinoa was awakened from a horrific dream, in which she was so hungry she'd begun to devour herself while Squall in his wolf form looked on, by a cold, wet nose gently nudging her cheek.
"Go 'way, Angelo," she said thickly, struggling to pull herself from the gory images that haunted her mind. The nudging continued, and Rinoa forced her eyes to open.
At first, she thought her nightmares had come true and Squall had returned to finish her off. Then she remembered: Raine. The older werewolf stood above her, cradling something that smelled of blood in her arms. She held it towards Rinoa.
"I can't," Rinoa whispered, loathing the voracious hunger that made her reach out and accept the offering. How long had it been since she'd had a real meal?
With great gusto, Rinoa tore into the raw flesh, stripping the meat from the bones and licking up the blood that trickled down her chin.
Raine politely turned away, her ears drooping. Rinoa ignored the older woman's distress, ignored everything around her except the carcass she'd nearly consumed completely.
* * *
Raine left Rinoa's room, feeling ill. She had killed her own food before, true, but seeing Rinoa attacking the corpse like a savage beast sickened her. She cursed the sorceress that had brought this upon them as she padded down the hall to her room.
I should kill the children in her womb, end this now. She may not carry the curse, but Rinoa will never be the same again after this.
Raine sighed and settled herself on her bed, careful not to shred the expensive sheets with her claws. Her father says she's been listless lately. That she seems to have given up on everything. When she first came home, she was determined to find a cure; for me, and for her children. But she's lost her spirit. Did it die when Squall did?
Raine didn't get much sleep that first night, wondering. How was she supposed to help Rinoa? The task seemed impossible.
* * *
Rinoa felt better that morning than she had in months. While she was still nauseous, a part of her felt satisfied.
The rest of her just felt revolted. Her eyes were drawn to the pile of clean white bones on the floor, some of them broken with marrow extracted.
Hyne… I hate this! Why did it have to come to this? Her life hadn't been perfect before Squall's change, but she'd been happy. She'd found friends and love, and she'd been making a real difference with SeeD, not just a couple of small strikes like with the Timber Owls, but actually saving the world!
But now… She was starting to wish she'd never met Squall. Maybe she wouldn't have been as happy a she had been during those first few months with Garden, but she would never have found herself like this!
Following the direction of her thoughts, Rinoa began to wonder: When had a part of her started to hate Squall?
To Be Continued…
Author's Note: Heh, remember this series? I had intended to get this, the third in my werewolf story arc, out in January. Well, I was hit with writer's block when it came to this story. I rewrote the beginning three times. I still dislike this chapter, but I want to get on with the story, and I don't think I could do it any better right now. Maybe one day, I'll rewrite it and the final part of "When Darkness Falls." For now, though, you'll have to be satisfied with this. Rated for graphic images.
DARK LEGACY
Part One
The Beast Within
Rinoa ran, her heart hammering in her chest, her blood pounding in her ears. It drowned out the sound of the pursuit that she knew was there… She put on another burst of speed, aware that her strength was failing, that she couldn't maintain this pace, that death stalked her every move and she couldn't escape…
She sprinted down a corridor that blended Garden's high tech features with the thick growth of a forest's heart. She sprang over a root mated with a computer desk, wincing as her foot caught the edge and she tripped and fell, rolling on the rug of springy moss beneath her.
She tried to lurch to her hands and knees, but something slammed into her, knocking her sideways. She shrieked as a dark form towered over her, jaw full of teeth grinning down at her, eyes glowing a dull, bloody red.
She shut her eyes, awaiting the killing blow. But after a few moments, the beast still hadn't moved. It was staring at her, eyes fixed on her abdomen. Rinoa followed its gaze, and her breath caught in her throat.
Something was moving under her skin, pushing up and stretching her flesh. Rinoa screamed as the skin split, and a small, blood-soaked creature, a mirror image of the monster standing over her, climbed out of the ragged hole it had torn. The infant creature was joined by two others, tearing their way free. The pain was overwhelming, and Rinoa was so overcome by it that she failed to she when the first of the creatures crawled up to her face and plunged its muzzle into her eye –
* * *
Rinoa awoke with the scream still on her lips. She fought savagely with the covers tangled around her. She thrashed her way free, rolling off her large bed and falling to the floor with a cry, where she sat resting on her hands and knees while her head cleared.
"It was a dream," Rinoa whispered to herself. Her head drooped down between her elbows, eyes squeezed shut. "Just another nightmare."
Her eyes slowly opened, and her body shuddered. No… Not entirely a dream, she thought dully as she stared at the bulge of her belly, barely covered by her silken nightgown. That's the fifth dream like this I've had this past month… Everything's been going so well. Why is this happening now?
Rinoa staggered to her feet, hand to her belly. Six months along… with the figure of someone close to term… Triplets… With great difficulty, Rinoa lowered herself to sit on the edge of her bed.
Why are these dreams coming? Are they a warning? Are my children monsters? Are they… like Squall? Why didn't I take my father's advice and abort them?
"My lady? Are you all right?" The maid's hesitant voice at Rinoa's door interrupted her thoughts. "I heard you screaming."
"A nightmare," Rinoa said harshly. "Leave me alone."
The maid ignored Rinoa, coming into the room and smoothing Rinoa's disarrayed nightgown. "These nightmares aren't good for you or your babies," the woman scolded gently. She began to push Rinoa down onto the bed.
"Leave me!" Rinoa cried. "Just go away!" She hated all the pampering her father and his servants were giving her. She just wanted to be alone! She should have known that escaping from Garden wasn't enough.
If I were alone, no one would stop me from preventing these children from being born… Why did I wait? It's too late now… and I haven't found a cure. Only my death could end this now…
But she couldn't. She'd refused the abortion out of hope that her offspring would be normal, that Squall could live on in their children. Even now, she still prayed that they were normal.
Her dreams were becoming bloodier, more horrifying. She knew they had to emanate from a beast like that which had inhabited and destroyed Squall. At least one of her children would be a monster; she was convinced of that. But not all of them. Please, don't let them all be cursed!
Rinoa began to sob, and the maid came closer. "It's all right, my lady," she began.
"I said to leave me alone!" Rinoa screamed, backhanding the maid. The woman let out a cry and scurried out of the room.
Rinoa lowered her hand, mortified by what she had done. For once, she was grateful that pregnancy dampened a sorceress's powers, or she may have seriously injured the woman.
She collapsed onto her plush bed, trying to make her awkward body comfortable. She huddled under her covers, afraid the nightmares would stalk her again.
They're just dreams… They don't mean anything, Rinoa thought desperately. She rubbed her belly, feeling the movement inside. You're all I have left of Squall… You can't be monsters! You can't!
* * *
Rinoa's face was pale and drawn when she unsteadily limped to breakfast the next morning. Her stomach was still nauseous, and she knew she would be unable to eat much, as usual. Her appetite had diminished when her dreams had begun. With a groan, she collapsed limply into her chair. Jana, the maid from last night, brought her the toast and juice Rinoa customarily forced down every morning. Rinoa winced when she saw the bruise on the woman's face, but she knew apologizing to the servants would do no good; they always pretended nothing had happened.
General Caraway was seated close by, his nose seemingly buried in the morning paper, but she could feel his gaze on her. He had begun leaving the house much later in the day, as though he were reluctant to leave Rinoa. The gesture both bothered and touched her. Bothered, because Rinoa hated being treated so delicately, and touched because he'd never shown so much concern for her before.
When she'd shown up at the mansion two months earlier, after a short time hiding in Timber, Caraway had welcomed her home. She may have been a witch and a werewolf's bitch, as she'd called herself, but he had gravely listened to her story and offered his help. Home had seemed the perfect place to hide; she doubted her friends would look somewhere she'd so obviously hated. Assuming her friends had searched at all… Garden had been in total disarray with the deaths of Squall, Headmaster Cid, and Xu, as well as several other severe injuries. Sneaking out had been simple, and she'd wandered around for a while before discovering the true nature of the illness that had plagued her before Squall's death.
What would they say at Garden if they knew? My friends have lost so much because of the beast in Squall. And now, it may return…
A tear slid down Rinoa's cheek. She wished she dared talk to her friends. She wanted to know how Zell and Quistis were doing. Or Irvine and Selphie… I'm all alone… A sob escaped Rinoa's throat, and she buried her face in her hands.
"Rinoa?" her father said awkwardly. "What's wrong?"
"It's nothing," she whispered. "I'll be all right." She knotted her fingers over her belly.
"It's not nothing," her father said firmly. "What's wrong?" He stood up and walked over to her, placing one arm around her shoulder.
Rinoa leaned into his chest. "I could be making the biggest mistake of my life; one that could endanger others. And I don't want to drag my friends into this! They wouldn't understand. They could get hurt. Most of them… already are hurt."
General Caraway squeezed her shoulder. "You're lonely," he said, his voice quiet and thoughtful.
Rinoa could only nod.
"It'll be all right," Caraway told his daughter fiercely. "You'll see. Your children will be normal."
Rinoa wished she could believe him. But she knew her dreams were telling her otherwise.
* * *
Blood. She wanted it, craved it, desired it. She needed it, from a still- living body, fresh and warm as it slid down her throat. She stalked silently down the hallways, hunting the prey she sensed nearby.
She didn't want anything too large, not like the soft-fleshed humans that would prove difficult to kill, but there were other, smaller bodies who could slake her blood lust.
There! Staring at her with wide green eyes, a creature with snowy fur watched her fearlessly. She'd teach it fear… Fear made the meat sweeter.
With a cry, she sprang, her heavy body barely managing to land beside the cat. Her hands lashed out, her nails biting into the cat's side. It yowled in pain, but she ignored the cries and drew it closer. She delicately lifted the creature and placed her teeth around its throat. The blood was close… she could hear it, smell it… She bit down savagely.
"Rinoa!" The horrified cried broke through her dreamlike state, and she dropped the limp cat, terror and disgust on her features. Blood ran from her lips and down her fingers where she'd grabbed the cat, and she automatically licked it off.
Her father stood before, his face white as he knelt down by her. "What are you doing?" His body was tense, prepared to spring if she attacked. But his face was concerned, and he cupped her chin with trembling fingers, meeting her glazed eyes.
"They wanted blood," Rinoa whispered. "They're monsters, father. Monsters. And there's only one thing I can do now to stop them."
Caraway pulled his quivering daughter into his arms. "You're not going to kill yourself," he said, sensing the direction of her thoughts. "You'll find a cure. You were looking, remember? You can find a cure." He paused, his eyes thoughtful. "But you'll need help." He had an idea, and decided to try it.
He held his daughter close the rest of the night, murmuring comforting words but refusing to speak of his idea. Finally, Rinoa fell asleep in his arms and, despite the urgings of his terrified servants, General Caraway stayed that way until dawn.
* * *
Rinoa lay on the sofa in the living room, the windows thrown open so she could soak up the sun. She was alone, as she had been for the past few days. All the servants were too frightened now to go near her, which she considered a mixed blessing.
At least their inane chatter had distracted her from her brooding thoughts, the foremost of them being a desire for blood… Hyne, she hated this! Rinoa had always prided herself on her nonviolent ways, but ever since she'd met Squall, her whole perspective of life had changed. She was no longer as innocent as she had once been. And now she craved battle, longed for the violence it brought. It wasn't just due to the children within her, either. She'd lost her innocence.
Her dark thoughts were interrupted by a soft sound at the entrance to the living room. Rinoa didn't bother to look; if the intruder wished to speak to her, they would come to her.
"Rinoa?" The familiar voice made Rinoa stiffen. No… It can't be…
A woman entered Rinoa's field of vision, small with long gray-streaked brown hair and achingly familiar blue eyes. She took in Rinoa's condition grimly.
"Raine," Rinoa said, fumbling for a sheet to cover her body, to hide her distended belly. "Why are you here?"
Raine seemed to pick up on Rinoa's fear because she suddenly smiled, albeit sadly. "Your father," she nodded towards General Caraway, who had come up behind Rinoa, "thought you would need someone around. Someone who will understand what you're going through and won't be frightened of you."
"How did you get a hold of her?" Rinoa asked her father sharply. "You didn't ask Garden?"
"Our president has been in contact with Laguna. It was a simple matter to reach her through him. Don't worry; Garden hasn't found out." Caraway sighed. "Now, I must get going." He gave Rinoa's hand an affectionate squeeze, then left.
"I hope you don't mind me coming. When your father told me about your condition, and your… actions, I knew I had to come. Laguna didn't protest too much." Raine's face was sad. "Why are you keeping them alive? You know what they'll become…"
"If there's a chance that one of Squall's offspring is normal, then I'll take it." Rinoa forced herself into a sitting position, wincing at the pain. The stretching of her skin was causing the scarred flesh along her side and across her breasts to ache painfully, and it often hurt to move.
Raine took a seat beside her. "You're right… I don't blame you. Once, I would never have thought about killing unborn children, either. Hang on to those sentiments; they will keep you human." Raine abruptly shook her head as if to clear it. "Your father says you have a lot of trouble at night. Not surprising, considering the curse. Would you tell me about it?" Rinoa hesitated. "I only want to help," Raine encouraged.
Rinoa poured it all out; her dreams, her violent emotions, her lust for blood and death…
Raine's lips thinned. "I suffered from something similar. I don't think you can fight it, just make it more bearable.
"How?" Rinoa cried. "I don't want to kill anything! What if I hurt someone? What if I become a monster?"
Raine winced. "You're not cursed. You may have some empathy with your children, but you won't become like that. You're not a monster." Raine's gaze was stony. She had been cursed for nineteen years, turning into a wolf creature every night. Because of that curse, she'd been forced to give up her son and her ward, both of whom she'd later seen die. And her relationship with her husband was forever scarred. Rinoa felt selfish complaining about her own life when Raine's had been one of misery for so much longer.
"I'm sorry," Rinoa whispered.
"I'm used to it," Raine sighed. "But, as your desire for blood and meat, you will need to satisfy it or it could drive you mad." Raine's voice softened. "Let me hunt for you. And I can feed you in private, so no one will be frightened of you."
Rinoa's stomach churned at the thought of eating raw flesh, but she found she was salivating as well. She hadn't felt this eager for food in a while. Could that be why she ate so little despite her condition? Because normal food would no longer satisfy her children?
"I'm sorry you had to get involved in this," Raine said. "I'll help you however I can. Maybe if I'd been able to help Squall, it wouldn't have turned out this way. I'm glad your father's supporting you, too," Rain continued. "Though I wonder if he'll be so eager once he sees me tonight."
* * *
General Caraway took it better than they could have hoped. When Raine had transformed, her six-foot wolfish body had made Caraway's face pale, and he'd taken a step back. But despite the instinct to run, he held his ground when Raine bared her fangs in a sinister grin and flexed her claws.
Rinoa whimpered at the surge of memories Raine's appearance caused, and Raine dropped to all fours and sat, suddenly looking more like a large dog.
"My God," Caraway whispered. "I knew… But I never expected this…"
Angelo, who had been sitting by the fireplace, growled and placed himself by his mistress's feet. Clearly, the GF remembered his battle with Squall as well.
"She won't hurt us," Rinoa said, sounding unconvinced. She swayed unsteadily on her feet. "But she… needs to hunt." Rinoa couldn't bring herself to say why. "Could you show her the secret passage out of here?"
Caraway nodded and left the den, his eyes never leaving the following werewolf.
Alone, Rinoa limped up to her room, cursing the painful blow she had taken to her knee when Squall had attacked her. Raine, she'd noticed, seemed to have recovered from her own injuries from her final battle with Squall, the only indication she'd been seriously wounded being the scars hidden by her shaggy fur.
Rinoa slowly readied herself for bed. She didn't look forward to the grisly nightmares that were coming more frequently. Last night, she had clawed herself, drawing blood along her forearm during one such dream. But at least no maids would come to her when she screamed; her father, realizing they might be terrified of Raine, had dismissed them. They would only come during the day to cook and tidy up, but they wouldn't stay more than a few hours.
Rinoa was grateful for their absence. Though they had no knowledge of the truth, they must have had theories about her condition, from the rumors about the deaths at Garden and her feverish obsession she'd had with sorceresses and the supernatural before her body and mind became overwhelmed by her condition.
If only they'd have just let her end it, she could have spared everyone the trouble.
* * *
Rinoa was awakened from a horrific dream, in which she was so hungry she'd begun to devour herself while Squall in his wolf form looked on, by a cold, wet nose gently nudging her cheek.
"Go 'way, Angelo," she said thickly, struggling to pull herself from the gory images that haunted her mind. The nudging continued, and Rinoa forced her eyes to open.
At first, she thought her nightmares had come true and Squall had returned to finish her off. Then she remembered: Raine. The older werewolf stood above her, cradling something that smelled of blood in her arms. She held it towards Rinoa.
"I can't," Rinoa whispered, loathing the voracious hunger that made her reach out and accept the offering. How long had it been since she'd had a real meal?
With great gusto, Rinoa tore into the raw flesh, stripping the meat from the bones and licking up the blood that trickled down her chin.
Raine politely turned away, her ears drooping. Rinoa ignored the older woman's distress, ignored everything around her except the carcass she'd nearly consumed completely.
* * *
Raine left Rinoa's room, feeling ill. She had killed her own food before, true, but seeing Rinoa attacking the corpse like a savage beast sickened her. She cursed the sorceress that had brought this upon them as she padded down the hall to her room.
I should kill the children in her womb, end this now. She may not carry the curse, but Rinoa will never be the same again after this.
Raine sighed and settled herself on her bed, careful not to shred the expensive sheets with her claws. Her father says she's been listless lately. That she seems to have given up on everything. When she first came home, she was determined to find a cure; for me, and for her children. But she's lost her spirit. Did it die when Squall did?
Raine didn't get much sleep that first night, wondering. How was she supposed to help Rinoa? The task seemed impossible.
* * *
Rinoa felt better that morning than she had in months. While she was still nauseous, a part of her felt satisfied.
The rest of her just felt revolted. Her eyes were drawn to the pile of clean white bones on the floor, some of them broken with marrow extracted.
Hyne… I hate this! Why did it have to come to this? Her life hadn't been perfect before Squall's change, but she'd been happy. She'd found friends and love, and she'd been making a real difference with SeeD, not just a couple of small strikes like with the Timber Owls, but actually saving the world!
But now… She was starting to wish she'd never met Squall. Maybe she wouldn't have been as happy a she had been during those first few months with Garden, but she would never have found herself like this!
Following the direction of her thoughts, Rinoa began to wonder: When had a part of her started to hate Squall?
To Be Continued…