I tried not to be so obvious (as much as I could) when I gave him wolf characteristics… but I guess I went a little crazy.

Challenge #1

Wolfish

By Kaori

Challenge: Write a one-shot about Syaoran describing/comparing all his actions to those of dogs.

Genre: Action

Rating: PG-13

Canon: No; alternate reality. Infernal Affairs reality.

Length: 2,166 words.

Shadows lurked around every tree and bush; no human eye would be able to see more than one inch in front of them. The thick branches and leaves were merciless, shedding no light from the bright full moon to aid a lost wanderer. The only light came from around dilated pupils, the amber irises flecked with an alarming amount of gold. Narrowed eyes with a life of their own absorbed in what little moonlight that managed to seep through the mighty canopy. He could see everything perfectly, and his target was quite a distance away from him, something he had purposely let happen to allow his prey an ounce of hope.

With a sudden lurch, he was running. He knew his way well and not a single branch or leaf could touch him. His feet barely grazed the ground before it was off the earth once again. The rush of wind was like freedom, washing over him and releasing him of all constraints; he relished in it, especially since the onslaught of wind dragged back a sweet lingering scent of cherry blossoms. Snarling, he broke into a sprint. On was the game of the hunted, and he was no prey.

She was panting heavily as she ran, not fully aware of where she was going; all she could do was race wildly through the forest and not a coherent thought streamed through her panicked mind. She was naturally a fast runner, but now more than anything her life depended on it. If she hesitated, then it would all have been for nothing. The darkness engulfed her, and every single sound and moving shadow caused her heart to beat madly inside her chest, setting her on edge.

Trees arched menacingly over her and unforgiving branches lashed out, scratching at her soft flailing limbs, tearing through the flowing dress that adorned her petite body. Nimble feet tripped over rocks and protruding tree roots, snapping twigs and crushing fallen leaves. Her knees were scraped and thin trails of blood danced down her calves from the horrible gashes that were forming. Her lungs were burning and she was having trouble breathing. She ran on.

Fear clawed at her heart, threatening to rip it out. She could sense the menacing silence behind her, and felt him approaching. Through her guilt filled delirium she saw the glowing eyes of wolves piercing through her behind the blurred foliage. In the distance she heard a wolf howling, calling to its pack. She shivered.

And strong arms caught her from behind. The hunter forced her around and slammed her into a tree. A whimper escaped her supple lips as the rough bark cut into her wound covered back. She clenched her eyes and turned her face away from her assailant, unwilling to look at him, knowing that if she did, she'd be trapped in his hypnotic stare.

She wasn't submissive and that frustrated him. "Why did you run?" He asked in a low whisper. He tightened his grip when she attempted to jerk away from him. He nuzzled the crook of her neck and low growls vibrated from deep within his chest. "Sakura," he nipped at her ear warningly, "doushite?"

Glassy emeralds, bright like jewels, were drowned with sadness. "Syaoran-kun…" She gripped the sides of his shirt tightly, "Gomen nasai." She closed her eyes, trying to soothe her frantic heart.

Syaoran pulled her into his embrace, holding her snug in his arms and close to his heart. He was confused, she knew, but she couldn't stop trembling. "Why are you sorry?" He wrapped his aura around hers intimately, caressing her like a lover would and stroking her delicately, desperate to calm her down. "Kurako," he murmured affectionately into her ear, his voice was rough with his emotions and came out in a near growl. He hauled her up against him, his nostrils flaring when the scent of her, soft and feminine, drifted up to him. "What's wrong?"

His attempts of calming her failed the minute he asked that question. She immediately jerked herself away from his warmth and thrashed about violently. His eyes narrowed and he snapped at her, "Cease!"

She did, but he could tell she was trying her hardest not to tremble. It hurt to see her this way when he had no idea why. He felt helpless; he didn't know how to help her like he should. She suddenly tensed, and everything became so much clearer than before. From behind he heard the light crunch of dead leaves. The calm air shifted treacherously and became deathly still, heavily coated with tension. His muscles tensed and he gave a small growl of warning. She could almost imagine him with fur, his hackles raised in threat and warning.

He jumped to the left, swinging Sakura up into his powerful arms. Syaoran landed gracefully on the forest floor, a cold glare aimed towards the darkness in which the dagger came. His handsome face twisted into a vicious scowl and he snarled ominously at the intruder.

Then he heard laughter, mischievous and playful, echoing throughout the sleeping forest. He felt an undeniable chill creep down his spine. "Kisama," Syaoran spat. He would never let the distasteful name roll off his tongue, not when just the thought of it made his skin crawl. He saw a pair of glasses reflecting off the thin beams of pale moonlight, but other than that, the newcomer had shrouded himself well with shadows, yet nothing could hide the brilliant sapphire tendrils wrapped around his body protectively.

"Dear little wolf," his voice was deep and masculine, yet gentle and layered with sympathy. The male sighed heavily and a pale hand moved up to readjust his spectacles; light bounced off from a different angle. He stepped forward, revealing a smirk. "You truly didn't know did you?" This time it was truly mocking him.

Syaoran pursed his lips together to form a thin line. Feeling detached, he gently set Sakura down, a severe expression on his face. He pushed her away from him, unwilling to hear the choking sobs that racked over her small body. She landed with a thud against a tree and winced when she felt the bark digging into her bloody back. "Syaoran-kun!" She looked miserable, but not the least bit regretful.

He bent down to her level and glared piercingly. His whole body was taut with anger, but he wouldn't let that get the better of him. She was his mate and he would forever stand by her no matter what she did, it was not the way of his people to abuse their females. He said something lowly so that the other man couldn't hear. "I'll deal with you later." Golden eyes became muted amber cloaked dimly with disappointment and sorrow. Sakura was stricken when she felt his mind embracing hers.

I gave you a chance.

Straightening, he pulled away from her, once again withdrawing into his shell. Abruptly he somersaulted backwards in the air, retreating into the darkness. He blended in with the veil of night deep inside the heart of the forest; it was his domain.

The stillness was unnerving, and the bespectacled man had a hard time discerning where the wolf went. Sharp eyes darted around, eyeing every single movement, every rustle with suspicion. His opponent was lurking about, waiting for the opportunity to present itself to him so he could attack. The man reached into his pocket. He walked forward a few paces, keeping one eye on his surroundings and the other on Sakura.

Syaoran crouched down low to the ground, prowling around the man cautiously, listening to his victim as he moved. He could see the male clearly, down to every last disgusting detail. He was approaching Sakura. Not wanting to give away his position, Syaoran growled quietly, murderous intent gleaming in his eyes.

When he saw the male's vulnerable back, he snarled and pounced. In a flash, a long polished sword was activated and resting firmly in his palm. He held it above his head, curling his arm as he readied it for a swift diagonal strike. His left arm was positioned horizontally in front of him as a makeshift shield. With a yell his sword interlocked with a staff with a jarring clang.

Vibrations of power emitted from the long golden staff as it repelled the blade. The man himself was still standing with his back towards the wolf. Again he laughed, walking towards the tree where his dagger lay. He pulled it out with little effort before he faced his angered opponent.

"Syaoran," an amused chuckle followed, "when will you ever learn?" Then, like lightning, the dagger was speeding towards him; because he was so close to the man with a tree just behind him, he barely had time to deflect it into another tree.

"I see your reflexes are still the same."

Syaoran attacked with a savage gleam in his eyes. Eriol whirled around and easily evaded the swift strikes. "Now why are you fighting me?" He ducked the horizontal swipe from his left and swung his rod around. "Isn't it the little cherry blossom that makes your blood boil?" He caught the tip of Syaoran's blade in a small solid gap between rays of his sun and slid the staff forward. Smiling he whispered into his descendant's ear, "Shouldn't you be… punishing her?"

Syaoran growled, twisting his body around and pulling his sword free as soon as Eriol lost his grip. He landed in a low crouch, immediately rotating around to swipe Eriol's feet out from under him before swiftly whirling around upright, freezing in a relaxed fighting stance, only to have Eriol catch his horizontal blade with his feet when he slipped back and rotated his body around forcefully. Eriol outstretched his palm flat on the earth and flipped backwards. This time he used the tree as a foothold as Syaoran tried to keep his balance. He bent his knees back, and rebounded off the trunk, flying towards the brunette. His staff shifted into a long thin blade.

A sharp metallic clang resonated loudly in the dying night as he stared with clear blue eyes at the interlocking blades. He smirked. "She betrayed you." He thrust up diagonally at the opposing sword, using the momentum that spun him around in the air to whirl back around to strike his sword at Syaoran's vulnerable neck.

It connected with a loud clang, and with a powerful push, Syaoran was back on offense, attacking savagely; his body moving like clockwork. The only way he would win this fight was to rely on his instincts, heavily. He executed countless lethal strikes, driving Eriol back with short, sharp attacks, continually changing his style. "Even when she told you that she loved you."

That was when smaller sword flashed back into the staff. Eriol twirled it around his body, bending and twisting with it, catching Syaoran's feet. Caught with surprise, Syaoran slipped; however, his feet lashed out, successfully kicking Eriol in the chest. The man flew back from the force a few feet, losing his grip on his weapon. Now in a handstand, Syaoran caught the tall rod and snake it around his ankle. He used it to help propel him around and he aimed an upside down spinning kick towards the disorientated elder.

The blue haired man blocked with his forearm and winced as the force fractured his bone. Ignoring the pain, he grabbed onto his weapon with the other hand and yanked it harshly away from Syaoran, smiling when it reverted back into a sword and sliced into defenseless ankles. "Even when you told her that you loved her—"

Searing pain raked over his feet and blood slowly flowed down by the flow of gravity. Holding back a cry, Syaoran threw his arms out, twisting his legs around in the air to land on his feet. He stumbled, his ankles unable to take the strain. "—would give the world for her, die for her."

Syaoran snarled baring his teeth threateningly as fury slammed into him full force. He backed away, putting more space between them to catch his breath and adjust to his burning ankles. Now it took effort to stay standing, but he wouldn't let that get to him, he couldn't afford to. Eriol didn't get away cleanly either, his good arm was fractured badly. He determinedly lowered down into another defensive stance, feet spread wide and sword held steadily at his side.

"Are you going to keep your promising?" The look on his face clearly showed that he was extremely amused. "Will you die for her?"

The only answer he received was a deep rumbling growl. Syaoran's knuckles whitened around the hilt of his sword. His shoulders were shaking with rage and his unruly bangs shrouded his eyes, eyes that were burning molten gold.

The eyes of a wolf.

I am strange.

o.0 Okay, so I went a little overboard for a one-shot, I normally always do. It's not my fault what I write ends up being a big gigantic wtf. –sulks-

And I have a penchant towards sadistic Eriol against powerful Syaoran with innocent Sakura stuck between, it's very obvious. –smiles-