~Chapter 1 – Golden~

Hey everyone! Onto another new story! But I promise this will be the last posted and started 'til one is finished! PROMSIE! But I really wanted to post this! This has been my way of ignoring NaNoWriMo while in Cali for Thanksgiving… So I have a LOT written. I just have to take the time to edit it and such but we're looking at about four chapters in the next week or so if I can get on to post them. I mean, this is being posted from an airport. I'm just going to post when and where I can.

Look forward to a new story!

Warnings: Warnings will be shown once. You get them now. Don't complain about me not warning you later. I'm warning you now. Yaoi, blood, war, rape, death of minor characters, non-con, a splash of OOC, torture, hurt, anything under the sun that I can think of and put in here. Seriously, anything. Except for bestiality. There are animals, but none of that.

Pairings: Sora x Riku, Axel x Roxas, Cloud x Leon, Zexion x Demyx, anyone else I want or what people want. Maybe even twisting a few around. TBD

Roxas

Leaves crinkled beneath his paws. Here and there a stick cracked when he was careless enough to step on one. This was a safe place. These woods were his and his families. Meat had been hunted earlier and he was still full from the buck his brother had brought down. He was just casually exploring now, making sure his kingdom was safe.

Nearing the edge of the woods he paused in the shadow of a large oak. There it was the human town. It sat in the center clearing of his forest. Not a large clearing, not even a fraction of the size of his kingdom. Yet there were enough humans here for a few packs of their own. Letting out a panting breath he felt his pelt tingle unpleasantly. His fur retracted back under his skin and his legs stretched and bent in awkward ways. Worse of all was how dull each of his senses got. He hated becoming one of the useless humans yet even now, after generations of his packs protection they still weren't used to seeing unnaturally large wolves walking around their homes.

Finding the canvas bag at the base of the tree he found the human clothes he kept there for himself. The humans were respectful enough to make sure he always had fresh clothes when he came to visit but only two of the juveniles actually knew where he kept his human trappings. Even he was still getting used to all of the different humans. He was still young as well, and new to this human world. Slipping into the pants and shirt provided he left his feet bare. He needed to keep some connection to the earth and forest.

Letting out a short yelp to let the town know he was coming he stepped out of the shadows. A few mothers who still didn't know him as well as the rest of his pack guarded their young. The humans who trusted him to be as good as his pack greeted him with waves and smiles. A few of the children younger than even him came up to him with smiles.

"Roxas!" His head snapped up and around to find the female voice that had called out to him. Grinning in the human way with teeth that didn't mean he wanted to attack her, he brushed the children off with promises of play-wrestling later. Now he needed to see his human friends.

"Olette," he called back in greeting. If she hadn't been a human she would've made a fine she-wolf. She had the look of the forest in her, with bark colored hair and leaf green eyes. She even wore a dress the color of autumn oranges. "You're here."

"I heard you call," she said, throwing her arms around his neck. Humans did his in affection, hugging. It was almost nice. He enjoyed the warmth another body brought. "So what are you up to today? Not hunting I suppose," she stated, pulling back to examine him for blood.

He removed himself from her grasp. "No, I'm just here to see how everyone's doing. I haven't been here in almost a…week." It always took a moment or two for him to remember the silly ways humans broke up time.

"But someone from your pack has been here every day or so to check up on us." The voice came from his side. A rounder human with a mess of black hair approached them with a smile. "Hey, Roxas!" He patted Roxas on the shoulder. "So what's the latest news from the far side of the forest? Naminé said you two were going to go check out the bears." Roxas tried not to snarl. He didn't need Pence reminding peaceful, happy Olette of the harsh reality outside of their protected town.

He hated to admit it, hated to even think about it, but there was a war being fought right outside his forest. Generations had gone by with all of the humans and animal kind getting along peacefully. It was just in the past few years of his life that the war had really taken shape. On the one side was his pack. The humans would call his pack the ruling family, kings of sort in their world. They had worked hard protecting the old human kings from the dangers of the forest with some other more peaceful creatures.

The dragons that had all but disappeared from the world of the humans were on the other side of this war. If they hadn't been so high and mighty, separating themselves from everyone else and all intellectual, magic animals of similar kinds, the humans might have remembered they were more than just beasts. Yet when just one fledgling had its scales ripped out those prideful creatures blamed everything on the humans. Yes, it was mostly the fault of the humans but wolves were just as prideful and the pointless slaughter of whole packs of humans was crossing the line. They were under the protection of the wolves which set the wolves and dragons against one another. All other creatures of magic picked their own sides, one of wolf blood from another pack even choosing to follow the winged fools.

"Things across the forest are fine. We've got everything under control," Roxas replied tightly. Panic would only hurt their cause at this point in time. They needed the humans to stay calm. If they knew how badly things were actually going…. Another human royal family had fallen just a few summers ago. The last one under their protection was killed except for a small boy, a young prince who looked to be near Roxas' own number of years if they compared in human bodies. Yet he was still young and soft where Roxas was mature and hard. Life was different for them. Even now Sora still expected someone to bring him food. He was too helpless to kill his own. But many humans were. They lacked teeth or claws that Roxas used for everything.

A joyful yell, sounding almost like Roxas' own yelp of greeting, warned the three of another approaching person. A girl with lighter brown hair and the same green eyes as Olette trotted up to all of them. "Roxas! I didn't know you were coming to town! I would've brought you a snack had I known!" She was another sweet girl. She understood the risk Roxas and his family had but themselves in for the humans and she appreciated it. She always tried to have a snack waiting for him, or some cooked meat for him to chew on. He may dislike the cooked stuff but it was kind of her, none the less.

"Thank you, Selphie, but I don't need food every time I visit."

"None of the rest of your pack complains. They like the food."

He sighed at the slight pout in her tone. That was a reason to find the humans annoying. Wolves, no, any of the animals didn't pout like that. They didn't really act like the humans. They could copy the humans to a degree, pretend to follow the same social rules as them, but they had their own laws. They followed the strongest fighter. Those more dominant ruled over those submissive. If you won a fight you gained respect. If you lost you were pathetic. Of course plenty of wolves tried to re-challenge those they lost against, but the order would be set. One day Roxas' place as the alpha male's cub wouldn't be enough. One day he'd fight to secure his own place; maybe even against one of his own brothers. He'd say his sisters, but strong females couldn't rule a pack. At most his sisters would mate with others they've deemed worthy of having cubs with. He almost felt bad for anyone who wanted to mate with his siblings.

The oldest of the cubs was Cloud. Like all of the siblings, he had blond hair and a pelt of gold so light it seemed white in the harsh glare of the sun. They came from the oldest of the wolves who could wield magic to some degree. Cloud was expected to be the next alpha male of the pack, possibly mate with one of the she-wolves from another pack to make it bigger.

Next were the twins Larxene and Demyx. Younger only by a few winter seasons, they were as different as the moon and sun for all of their similarities. More than just the hair and pelt, they had the same eyes, the color of frozen water and strange hair when they chose to take on the form of humans. Yet Larxene was as cold as the ice in her eyes. Her interactions with the humans were limited as much as possible. She was more likely to rip their throat out as she was to protect them. The only thing that kept Roxas sure she would never leave their pack was the fact that she was fiercely loyal. Demyx was the sun the seemed to radiate from his pelt. He loved the humans and went to play with them every chance he got. He just loved walking around as a human. Demyx was the odd one who would be the omega if he wasn't the cub of the alpha.

Last of the cubs was himself and his own twin. They were as similar as any wolf cubs could be. She was a delicate she-wolf with a lot more bite that bark. Most didn't even know what was coming until she had their throat in his teeth. And yet… she was gone. Pence and the others couldn't know that. Naminé was loved among the humans. Observant Pence would of course notice sooner or later and it wasn't exactly in their nature to lie flat out. But he would for now. He would lie and say that she was just out on another scavenging mission, or doing recon like they used to together. Her capture had been just been recon on the bears who had been attempting to enter their forest. Funny how something so natural and easy could go so wrong.

"They like the food because they're more pig then wolf," Roxas jested thinking of how much his twin liked the snacks. "But I'm more wolf then all of them combined."

The humans laughed. "So scary, Roxas," Olette said, rolling her eyes. "We'll be sure to watch out for you."

"Come on guys," Selphie said giving her human friends a look. "So long as Roxas is around we'll be fine. He'll always protect us."

The blind faith in him was endearing. It made him proud. Yet how did they expect him to protect a whole town? Of course they meant his whole pack but if the dragons came down out of the hills and mountains they made their homes in they'd be in serious trouble. As a rule none of them, no species, could use more magic than it took to communicate with each other mentally so long as they kept their natural form. Yet as humans they could command the magic as its own force. Wolves could at least. And bears. But who knew what dragons could do. As a rule they were the oldest of the magical creatures. By all right his pack should listen to the rulings of the dragons. Yet when they chose to disappear they gave up that right.

"Your trust in me means the world, Selphie," said Roxas as kindly as he could. "I will do everything I can to keep you safe." Her cheeks got red tinges to them and he wondered if he should ask if she was feeling alright, but females of his pack didn't seem to like it when the males asked if they were weak so he kept his mouth shut. Or maybe that was just his sisters.

He stayed there in the human town until the sun began to sink, doing silly human things. Yet when the sun's rays began to hit the tips of the trees he heard a howl calling him home. His father was calling him home and he needed to go. Excusing himself from the humans he wandered back to his oak to strip off his clothes. Pence would gather them up eventually and replace them for his next visit. Until then he needed to answer his father's call.

Slipping back into his four-legged form he trotted through the forest to where his pack was. When the alpha male called all answered. His father, the alpha male, was a huge wolf and a large man. Muscles rippled beneath his golden coat with every small movement. A grin showing each and every one of his sharp teeth left his tongue rolling out of his mouth. He had called for Roxas, but didn't desperately need him. All that meant was Luxord was worried about his youngest cub. He couldn't lose Roxas like he lost Naminé.

Sitting at the base of a large pine tree were two humans and Demyx pretending to be one of them. His brother playfully wrestled with the brown cub, Sora. Of course he had no chance, but Demyx was letting him win to build his confidence like you did with all pups. Watching with a smile was a slightly older female with short black hair. She was his father's latest addition to the pack, a human female who was just as fierce as any wolf. She called herself Yuffie and was slowly becoming a real part of Roxas' life.

It was possible for one of his kind to mate with a human but it wasn't often practiced. Pups from a human would be more man than wolf and would have only enough magic in them to make the change between forms. That was no kind of true wolf. Yet sometimes it happened. Roxas just didn't want to get any more siblings if they were more human than wolf.

Shaking an errant leaf from his coat he presented himself to his father. Hanging his head a bit he made sure to at least look bashful. Going into town was something that was supposed to be only long enough to check in on the villagers and return. Playing with them, getting attached was too human. They weren't pack. They weren't even wolfs. For all of the protection they gave the humans they were still meat on two legs. But they had a pact and would hold to it no matter what. Wolves protected humans. That was that.

Luxord growled slightly in disapproval of his day spent but remained lying down. I'm assuming you've had a good time with them, he said. It was strange, communicating mentally. Hearing another voice in your head that wasn't your own was hard. Knowing that voice could bend your spirit with a single command was horrible. Not that Luxord's word was absolute, but going against it went against instinct and would result in a fight for dominance later.

Good time, bad time, it doesn't matter. Some of them are wondering if we can really protect them. Not completely true, but true enough. Even Roxas wanted to know how well things were going. After Naminé's capture Roxas was kept far away from the boundaries of the forest.

To the west were the bears trying to enter their home. Far larger than wolfs they were a fearsome enemy, but nothing even Roxas couldn't handle. Wolfs were faster and were more nimble than clumsy bears. South was the desert of the hawks and eagles. North were the plains of the lions which left the mountains of the east wide open for the pig-headed, stubborn, demanding dragons to roam free. Regular beasts inhabited all other places except for the mountains of the dragons. Not even mountain goats dared try to live there. Any that did were eaten like wolves ate the forest deer.

We'll protect them as best as we can. But we're not going to lose any more of our pack for the sake of the humans. Of course not. But Luxord didn't care about them. Roxas might not find them as meaningful as his own pack, but they were still life. If he was slashed open from tail to snout for them at least he'd have died protecting those his ancestors wanted him to.

Roxas wuffed in noncommittal agreement with his father. Their views varied a bit, but Luxord was the alpha male and his father. Roxas would run and hide with his tail between his legs if his father ordered it. Padding away from him, Roxas went to where the humans were. Yuffie waved at him and even Demyx took a moment to acknowledge his little brother before Sora pounced on him. None of the other wolfs were watching over the humans. Where was Hayner? He was normally in charge of their protection.

Licking Yuffie's hand he rested his head in her lap, nuzzling her hand to make her scratch his head. He wasn't some common dog, but it felt too good to resist. Clawless human hands were good for something.

The sun was nothing more than shadows by the time Demyx called it quits with Sora. The young prince with the brown hair and watery blue eyes always wanted to wrestle with one of the wolves or the orphaned lion that had become part of their pack. Demyx settled down in his natural form to try to get some rest. Yuffie left him to go cuddle for warmth next to Luxord while Sora sprawled out, still hot from the activities. That was when Roxas really began to realize that no one was there. Normally all of his siblings were around at night to protect the pack and their human tag alongs. They might be some of the best hunters at night, but night was when the humans had to sleep. Protecting Sora until he was old enough and strong enough to take his human kingdom back was their first concern. But until he was strong enough and his scared humans came back to support him the bears were ruling his kingdom. So were was Sora's guard?

Standing he sniffed the air. Not a scent of them. At least no recent ones. The earliest were from this morning, probably from about the time Roxas left. Growling low in the back of his throat he drew the attention of everyone in his pack except for his father. Luxord was too busy making sure his tail was draped over Yuffie to keep her warm at night. What is it Rox? Asked Demyx, lifting his head from where it had been resting on his paws.

He snarled at his brother. Where are the others? What is Cloud doing? He probably could guess but he really hoped he was wrong. If anyone was going to try to get Naminé back home he wanted to be a part of it. It was his fault and he'd solve his own problem. Cloud and Larxene didn't need to do this. He would save her.

He's just having some fun with the bears. Relax, Rox. You might scare Sora with that puppy snarl. Setting his head back down Demyx went back to ignoring Roxas. Snarling at his lazy brother Roxas padded off, back through the dim forest, back to the human's town. The forest was exceptionally large. If Cloud had really left with Larxene and a few others then they wouldn't even make it to the closest edge where the bears were by the time the sun next rose. Maybe by midday if they kept at a steady trot, so he had at least a few days before he'd find out if they got his twin back.

Circling around the town a few times he made sure most of them were in their own hovels before he settled down beneath his oak. Pence had already replaced the clothes for him but he wouldn't need them. He really just wanted to be near the humans. He wanted to remember why he was so determined to protect them when he knew him and his pack, all of the packs, should be following the dragons in their quest to kill all humans. Dragons used to be the final rulers of his kind. Before them were the phoenixes. After the dragons came the wolves. Since the dragons should have stayed gone Roxas' pack had been the rulers of animals for generations. Hawks and eagles flew for miles at their call. Bears had bowed their heads in deference. Now the dragons were back and many animals wanted to follow them. Who needed the humans anyways?

But humans were good. And the balance of life was working. Sora would one day be a good king if given the chance. If he didn't forget how to live among humans after spending so much time with wolves.

Settled down he let himself drift to sleep. His dreams were full of past hunts and good kills. He could taste the fresh blood dripping down his muzzle and feel the flesh part at the lightest touch from his teeth. It filled his whole body with warmth that only a good kill could. Every bit of him could feel the warmth. It leaked from him to warm even the ground beneath him. Almost like the rays of the sun to wake him… But he didn't feel rested enough. That couldn't be the sun waking him. And the warmth was real as well.

His eyes flew open and he surged to his feet. The whole sky above him was lit by fire. Not the human's small fire to cook meat, but long tongues of fire that seemed to want to reach down and devour the trees he slept under. Feeling his chest rumble he realized he was howling to warn his pack before he ever made the conscious decision to. Humans heard his call as well and he saw candles being lit and people staggering outside, rubbing sleep from their eyes before gasping at the sky. From far away howls and cries of different animals answered him. He could make out his father's commanding tone even from this distance. A familiar roar of a lion told him that wherever his lion friend Wakka was, he had heard the call and was on his way back to the pack. After all of the calls had died down a last roar rumbled through the forest. One of the only bears who had remained loyal to the wolves was on his way to find Roxas. Lexaeus was a ferocious fighter and would help protect Roxas.

In response to all of the calls of the forest a strange roar made the earth roll and the sky shake. It was as a loud as thunder and had the crack of lightning in it. Like lightning, it made his whole pelt stand on end. His claws dug into the earth for support. Never before had he heard such a terrible cry. Never had he been so afraid of just a sound.

Cries of panic and yells of distress got him moving. The humans were scared worse than him. They had no clue what was coming. He at least had an idea and it was more just his wolf instincts that told him to crouch low to the ground with his tail between his legs until the dragon came down to force him into submission. His human mind wanted to do nothing more than protect the people. Racing from his cover of trees he made the shift from wolf to human midstride, not stopping for a second to adjust to the new feeling of two legs. "Get into the forest!" he yelled to anyone he saw. "It won't burn down the trees!" At least he hoped not. If this dragon burnt down the whole forest many animals would lose their homes. The nearest other forest was a few full moons away from here from what Cloud had once told him.

"Roxas!" He spun around towards Olette, not minding his nakedness in front of her one bit. Now was not the time to worry about silly human sensibilities. "Roxas! What's going on?"

"Get into the forest," he said as calmly as he could. "You'll be safer there."

"But what's going on?" Small tears of panic leaked from her eyes. "Roxas, I'm scared."

"I'll protect you," he promised solemnly, "Now get your pack and go hide. I'll find you when it's safe to come back." Watching her run away he sincerely hoped he could keep his promise. How was he, a pup, supposed to protect three packs worth of humans from a dragon? Why was the beast even here? Couldn't it have stayed up in its mountains?

The humans continued to scatter into the forest. Selphie and Pence made it out as well, both running in separate directions. When he went to find them he'd probably need his pack's help so it wouldn't take forever. If he could find them. If they didn't find the dragon first.

Roxas! Lexaeus' deep voice boomed through his head. Where are you? Sending back a mental picture of the village he waited until the bear scrambled into the center of the town where Roxas stood as a human. The brown bear was the biggest creature Roxas had ever seen. Even the few enemy bears he'd caught a glimpse of couldn't compare to Lexaeus' height. And his strength was incredible which made Roxas feel far safer.

"I've never seen a dragon, Lex," Roxas said quietly staring up at the flames that still crossed the sky. "And now I'm afraid to."

Then run back to your pack. Its fight is with the humans.

"Who I've promised to protect. If the dragon is going to come then I have to do something to stop it."

Then fight with claws and teeth, not soft human hands.

"I can't. Did you feel it? The dragon's command to submit?" He shivered in the warm night. "No animal can ignore such a command if given directly. Dragon's used to rule for a reason you know."

I know you're going to die as a human.

"I think you're right." And as much as that thought scared him he wanted to see the beast. What sort of creature could breathe fire? Was it more like a lion or bear in looks? All he knew was that it could fly like an eagle. But such a sound had been tremendous. It was something from something larger than even Lexaeus. And thought his father would disapprove he was willing to fight for the humans. He would die for his silly human friends.

The line of fire in the sky disappeared, blown away by a heavy gust of wind. It tore against Roxas, wiping his hair against his face, making his eyes squint. Lexaeus growled in the back of his throat. Roxas shielded his eyes as best he could. When he gasped at the sight before him the wind knocked it back into his throat and he coughed like he was choking. Dragon was no longer just a vague idea. Dragon was a lizard, larger than ten bears put together with wings more like a bat then eagle. Each brown scale was like the gems humans found so precious. Orange eyes glared down at the two in front of it like Roxas looked at a squirrel. When a new voice entered Roxas' mind he hung his head in deference. It was a deep voice like his father's, yet it held no room to be argued with. Where are the humans?

The bear beside him was more animal than Lexaeus. His head was ducked low and swung back and forth. The animal in his was completely willing to do whatever the dragon asked. Roxas felt a moment of pride for remaining as a human and not submitting to the dragon who clearly wanted him to. "They're gone." His voice cracked in fear. Those large orange eyes fell upon him. Clearly the dragon could tell he was more wolf than human, but right now he tried his best to be human. "They've done nothing to you. Please leave them alone."

Brave dog, said the dragon. Roxas would've snarled at the mocking tone had he not been so afraid. To be called a dog, a human pet, was one of the greatest insults. Tell me where they are and I'll ignore your pack. When Roxas refused to say anything else the dragon roared again. Mentally Roxas felt as though there was an unrelenting pressure trying to force him back to a wolf. He cried out and fell to his knees but refused to change back. He couldn't ignore the dragon if he was a wolf. The right for dominance would be won before it was ever fought.

A far off rumble had the dragon looking towards the west. Roxas didn't know what it was but the attack on his mind let up. Gasping he looked up in time to see a satisfied look in the dragon's eye before its huge wings unfurled. His legs shook but Roxas forced himself to stand. Lexaeus whimpered a warning at him but Roxas was already running towards the dragon. Whatever had made him forget his desire to find the humans was nothing good. Grabbing onto the hind leg of the dragon he wrapped his arms and legs tightly as he could and held on. As they rose off the ground Roxas tried not to look down. Wolves were not meant to fly. Not. At. All.

Far enough above the forest Roxas was sure he'd die if he fell, the dragon tried to shake him off. Spinning as he flew, rising suddenly only to drop into a dive from the clouds made Roxas hold on all the more. He really didn't want to die just because he was born a wolf instead of an eagle. The dragon tried to burn him off but the flames couldn't directly reach him where he was. Eventually the beast gave up and flew straight back towards its mountains. Small tears of fear made their way into Roxas' eyes. He brushed them away against his arm but that didn't really stop them. The wind was too harsh on his eyes. They kept coming back.

What was he doing? When the dragon got him off he'd kill him for sure. This was not what he'd wanted. Not at all.

So I'm sorry that was so painfully slow. But I wasn't quite sure how to just dive right in so I took a bit longer to start this off. But things will move far more quickly from here! Expect the next chapter in a few days!