A Wolf's tale
The Transformation
(Oh, you kept reading...YAAAY! I still own nada, secondly you can find more of this story at Deviantart under my profile
I'll post the rest in time, but for now enjoy chapter)
This was co authored by: eblmeg at ...Apparently the links in the last chapter got eaten.
A few weeks later, Hinata was back in Konoha and things were going well.
Her Father was beginning to notice Hinata's new strength and confidence and had begun to train her alongside Neji, as if he wanted her to lead the Main branch once more. Also an unexpected result of her changes was that Kiba seemed to have a crush on Hinata, as he was flustered whenever she spoke with him, and stared at her when he thought she wasn't aware (but her Byakugan and heightened senses made it impossible for her not to know.)
Not only that, but it seemed like Hinata and Naruto were growing closer. The Hyuga girl was now brave enough to overcome her embarrassment around Naruto, which had caused a very happy event.
It happened midday, at the training field.
"Hey Hinata, there's been something I've been meaning to ask you." Naruto began.
"What is it Naruto?" Hinata asked, her heart began beating faster with anticipation.
"Would you mind...Y'know, going on a date with me this afternoon?" He asked, now it seemed like he was the shy one, as he blushed.
"Not at all Naruto!" Hinata said, hugging him. "So where will it be? Ichiraku?"
"Y-yeah, I'll pick you up around five." Naruto said, before he reluctantly broke the hug.
Hinata blushed as well and smiled even more, showing her wolfish teeth. "See you there..."
Once hinata got home she squealed happily, and mentally thanked Lady Xana and Aerore.
She thn began preparing. She picked out a nice, blue Chinese dress with gold trim, as well as a pair of matching cerulean heels. She also set out a pair of Obsidian earrings.
Just to be sure that she was perfect for Naruto, Hinata went into her tub and took a long, cleansing, warm bath.
When she got out and went to get a towel, she found that it was all gone.
'Oh, Father did say that he was getting the towels cleaned today...and I can't get a new one while I'm naked.' Hinata thought, before her eyes fell on Aerore's pelt.
'Maybe I could use it as a towel for now...That won't count, will it?'
The pale eyed girl picked up the legendary wolf skin and used it to dry off her skin, but contact with Hinata's naked body was all it needed.
Suddenly, the pelt fused into Hinata's skin, causing her to fall on all fours.
'Oh no!' Hinata thought, as she began to change.
First a tail emerged from her backside, much like any other wolf's, then her hands and feet began to become paws, as pads and fur emerged on her shrinking fingers and toes, as well as her limbs.
Her torso and main body began to get smaller, more streamlined, and finally her mouth and nose became a wolf's snout, and her ears lengthed and became pointed.
Finally fur grew all over, and a mostly white wolf was in the room. All that remained of the old Hinata was a faint trace of her old hair color in her fur, and her pale eyes.
"Great, can this get any worse?" Hinata said aloud, surprised that she could still talk.
Just then there was a knock at her door.
"Hinata! It's me Naruto! Open up!"
A shiver of fear went down Hinata's spine. What would Naruto say if he saw her like this? She needed to hide! Thinking quickly, she jumped into the bathtub and closed the curtain. Naruto was beginning to grow impatient and knocked even harder on the bathroom door.
"Come on Hinata, you ready? Your father said you were in here and I don't hear any water running! You gotta be done by now."
He was coming in! Hinata held her breath as the door slowly opened. All Naruto saw was her clothing scattered around the floor. He was puzzled.
"Hinata? Are you in here? Answer me."
"Please don't check the bathtub...Please don't check the bathtub." Hinata thought to herself.
The gods were less than kind today it seems, as Naruto made his way to the closed shower curtains. It seemed he had heard the dripping sound of Hinata's wet fur. He grabbed hold of the curtains.
"Hinata. If you're in there, I'm opening the curtains. Don't say I didn't warn you..."
The second the curtain were pulled open, Hinata made a mad dash out of the bathroom.
"Wha-What the-?" Was all Naruto had time to say, as he was not even able to get a glimpse of the embarrassed Hinata. She never stopped, even passing her father on the way out of the Hyūga mansion. This was probably the worst day of her life, she finally had the chance to go on a date with Naruto only to get cursed in the form of a white wolf for life. Tears were rolling down her face.
"Why did I have to touch that stupid pelt? I couldn't leave well enough alone could I! Why do I always have to mess everything up!"
The same self-hate and loathing that she had tried so hard to run away from filled within her again like a wave of hot air. She wasn't thinking clearly at all. She ran right under the cover of the dark forest outside of Konoha, wanting nothing more than to be alone.
Four hours later, dusk had finally settled but Hinata was not even out of breathe yet. She had stopped running at least, easily miles away from Konoha at this point. Looking around, Hinata had no idea where she was anymore. All of that running had given her time to think. She realized that by running away, she proved that she hadn't improved in the slightest. Still she was cowering away from her problems. Nothing had changed.
The starry sky at least gave her some ease, she walked up to a nearby pond to gaze at her reflection. An unfamiliar face greeted her, but even she had to admit as a wolf she was beautiful. Her pearl white fur softly blew in the wind, along with her black mane. Her eyes were red from the running in the wind and her tears. Hinata was lost, confused, and angry.
This seemed like a bad dream. A nightmare that she was sure to wake up from any second now. But nothing ever granted her relief. She saw in the pond a full moon peaking out from the clouds. Lifting her head to the sky, she took a deep breath and gave the saddest howl anyone had ever heard.
"Why did this happen to me...?"
A voice spoke out from the darkness behind her. "Because, you didn't listen to the rules."
Hinata turned and was surprised to see what looked like a near duplicate of her current self, the only difference was the ghostly appearance and lack of a lavender-black tinge in her fur.
"Are you Aerore?" Hinata asked. The ghostly wolf nodded.
"I am. You are Hinata correct?"
"Y-yes..."
"I see much of myself within you, and not just because of the pelt." Aerore said, trying to joke. "But in all seriousness I am sorry for your loss, however there is a way you can temporarily take human form..."
Hinata's ears perked up happily "Really?"
"Yes, There is a pond, much like this one on the outskirts of your village. My mate lives there with my descendants, and he has with him a special drink. Once you partake of it, every Full and New moon, you will be able to take on human form from sunset to sunrise, however upon sunrise, you will resume your 'true' form."
Hinata thought about this, having human form at all would be better than being a wolf for the rest of her life, even though it would only happen for two weeks out of every month.
"But...How will I know where to find the pond?" Hinata asked.
"In a sense you sould say that I am within you, so your body will 'remember' where it is. Just look for a stone shaped like me..." Aerore said as she faded.
"...Thank you Aerore..." Hinata said wistfully, before she ran to the Leaf's Forest...
Aerore was correct. Hinata's body seemed to move on its own, somehow she knew exactly where the stone was. With renewed hope and determination, she took off like lightning through the forest. She was already nearing Konoha in half the time it took to run away from it. But something on the wind caused her to stop. Her heightened wolf senses detected something familiar...approaching her fast! Thinking quickly, she dove into the nearby river and awaited whatever was out there to show itself. Naruto and Kiba both dropped from the trees above.
"Damn," said Kiba. "I thought I had a scent...but I lost it."
"Well come on dog-boy!" Yelled Naruto. "We gotta find her!"
"Cool your jets Naruto! Half the village is looking for her. You know how important a member of Hyūga main branch is, Lord Hyūga demanded the best trackers. We'll find her."
"Father..." Mutter Hinata to herself.
"I just saw her this afternoon...Dammit all to hell!" Naruto punched a nearby tree, causing it to snap in half.
"Relax idiot...Here I picked up something from this way. Hurry." The two set off on the path Hinata had come from, she took the chance to leave the river and head quickly to the pond. It wasn't far from where she was. In mere minutes she came face to face with a stone statue that greatly resembled her wolf form. A large pond and cave were behind it. She was compelled to go running into the cave, but instead proceeded cautiously. Darkness covered the tunnel but in the distance stood a small light. Hinata started heading towards it but felt something with teeth grab her! She gave a yelp of surprise when another mouth bit her on the back, she tried rolling over to throw whatever it was off when a bright light illuminated the cave. A giant orange scarred fox was walking towards her.
"Who is it?" Spoke the fox, getting a good look at Hinata. "...By the gods...Aerore?"
Hinata had the chance to see what was biting her. Little gray and orange wolves playfully nipped her, each of them crying "Momma! Mommy!" The fox shook his head.
"This is impossible...That witch took you and...You look...different."
"I-I am not Aerore...I'm-"
Hinata could not finish, a cloud of white smoke began to pour out of her mouth. It began to take the shape of a wolf, it was Aerore's spirit. Her kind eyes opened and fell upon the fox, who looked shook up.
"My love..." Said Aerore.
"Aerore...What is going on? If that's you then who is this?"
"Let me explain..."
It was midnight by the time they had finished speaking with each other. Aerore introduced Hinata to her pack and explained what had happened with Lady Xana. The great fox growled at her name.
"A thousand curses upon that witch! She and her treachery will pay dearly for the damage they have caused!"
"I don't understand..." Said Hinata. "Why do you hate her? It was my own fault that it happened..."
"No Hinata, the first pelt she gave you was a fake. It was merely enchanted and boosted your confidence and strength. My real pelt was the one you found the next morning. It was her intention to curse you all along. She tricked you, just like she tricked me."
"W-what?"
Aerore sighed. "You recall that story? The one of me saving those children? I did save them, but it was from her. She kidnapped them for they were members of a respected ninja family. She had the intention of holding them hostage, but I foiled her plans. She then cursed me...into the form of the pelt. I suspect...you were another one of her targets Hinata Hyūga."
"But that's impossible! Who would want to target me?"
"Who indeed." Said the fox. "But this is not the time to think this through. You came here for the moon-water, right my girl? Drink from this. You have until sunrise tomorrow until you return to normal, use that time wisely to set your affairs in order. Afterward...You can stay with our pack until we decide the best course of option."
He handed her a jar of water with his teeth. "T-thank you-"
"Go, you're wasting precious time."
Hinata drank as quickly as she could from the container. The water tasted sweet...like lemon tea. She felt cooler, fur was falling off of her in clumps. Soon she could stand upright again. The snout and tail had completely disappeared. She was back to normal (though naked).
"I mean it, thank you..." She bowed to the fox before running as fast as she could to Konoha.
Daylight would be in a short six hours and there was so much she needed to do!
Hinata prepared herself by deciding what she'd do first. She'd need a plan of action before she just rushed into things. If someone was seriously trying to take her as a target then Hinata had to proceed as cautiously as she had before.
'Alright...I can do this, I should head to te village and stock up on supplies, and maybe send my Father a letter...But I need to find Naruto first.' She thought, her heart tugging. The eldest daughter of the Main Branch had worked hard to get closer to him, and she wasn't about to throw it all away just because she was cursed.
With her resolve affirmed, Hinata was ready to set out and find Naruto.
Fortunately, Aerore had used some kind of magic to turn Hinata's shed fur into a simple dress for her to wear, so she wouldn't have to go around nude.
Hinata then activated her Byakugan and tried to find Naruto. He and Kiba shouldn'tve been too far off.
Hinata's Kekkei Genkai gave her nearly 360 degrees of vision, and she could see things that were over 200m away.
The pale lavender eyed girl quickly located her blonde heartthrob, as well as her wildman teammate and his pet.
'Okay, they're to the east, I think I can catch them if I hurry.' Hinata thought as she jumped from branch to branch hastily.
It took about ten minutes, but Hinata made it to her object of affection. He was alone waiting by a river and eating some instant ramen he had brought with him.
Even so the leaf's No. 1 Hyperactive Knucklehead Ninja didn't seem to be enjoying the meal. He ate swiftly and stony faced.
"I can't believe Dog-boy left me here to set up a camp while he kept looking!" He yelled to himself "I don't care how strong his nose is...I need to find Hinata!"
Hinata sniffled a bit. She was absolutely touched that he was this adamant about finding her. It would be hard for her to tear herself away from him after this.
"Naruto..." she said, stepping out of the shadows.
The blonde turned to see his dark haired sweetheart "Hinata!" He yelled hugging her. "What happened to you? I went by earlier a-" He began, when she cut across him.
"Naruto...I don't have much time. I need to tell you that...Some things have happened and I can't stay at the Leaf, but I needed to let you know I'd be fine." she said, on the edge of crying. Naruto looked at her and could tell that her leaving wasn't voluntary.
"Hinata, please tell me why."
The brunette shook her head no. "I can't...My time is short and I have to hurry." she said, before she kissed his cheek softly and turned to leave.
"Wait!" Naruto yelled, Hinata paused and looked at him.
The Jinchuuriki was certain that he didn't want her to leave again, not without him!
"Wait... Let me go with you! Whatever it is, let me do this with you!" He said more softly. "You can tell me everything and I'll do whatever you need."
Naruto didn't know about everything that was going on, but Hinata could see the determination in is eyes.
Hinata was torn. He truly cared about her, she could trust him. But she couldn't let him see her as a wolf, as a monster. Naruto would never accept her, not even her own family would. It hurt beyond belief, but she needed to do this alone. Naruto was slowly approaching her, his eyes filled with confusion and pain.
"I'm here for you Hinata, now please just stay."
She shook her head. But he gently placed both hands on her shoulders. His calm blue eyes looked deep into her tear filled ones.
"Please," He said. "You're an important person to me Hinata."
She would not be able to get away from him. There was only one thing she could do. With her Byakugan activated she struck him in the heart, causing him to cough out blood and fall to ground. Her eyes were being to hurt from the tears. Naruto looked up at her but was unable to move. She had only done enough damage to keep him from following her.
"W-why Hinata? S-sasuke...and n-now you...w-why can't I s-stop anyone I c-care about?"
"N-naruto, please forgive me...I will see y-you again the n-next new moon...Wait for me until then."
He grabbed onto her ankle and passed out. Hinata stood over him for awhile but had to leave, the night was growing short and she could smell Kiba returning. But in her heart, she desired nothing more than to stay there with him.
Dawn broke over the treetops of the forest. Hinata had been able to write a letter to her father and gather enough food to last her for a month. It hadn't been easy, avoiding being seen with squads of ninjas looking for her, but her new wolfish traits granted her superb stealth. The tasks had granted her some relief from her aching heart and she had managed to complete them all before the sun rose.
It was time for breakfast, and the great fox had bought a giant deer to feed the pack. Hinata, who had returned to her wolf form, stuck to eating the supplies she had brought much to the disapproval of the fox.
"My pardon Ms. Hinata. But you must learn to adapt to your new form. Eating human food as a wolf will not strengthen yourself for the fight against the witch-seer."
She wasn't in the mood to argue so she changed the subject. "Is there anything you guys learned about Xana?"
"She's moved from the lair you discovered her in, so we've been thinking of areas she could possibly be. The witch is not someone who pays no heed to caution. When we find her she WILL be expecting you."
Hinata sighed. "What should I do?"
"For now? Rest. Aerore told me you had a troubled night."
"She knew?"
"She is as much a part of you as your flesh and blood Ms. Hinata. What you know, she knows."
Groaning, Hinata thought to herself. "So no privacy, huh?"
"Go take a walk." Spoke the fox. "Some adjusting and exploring might take your mind off things."
She happily obliged and set out into the woods.
As Hinata romped around the forest she began to feel free and alive.
Running through the trees as swiftly as she could helped her to forget her worries, if only for awhile. As the white wolf with black hair ran she heard someone screaming.
"Please, someone help me!" a feminine voice cried out.
"Shut it brat! No one's gonna save you." A man's voice boomed.
"Now come along and we won't harm you." another man said.
Hinata headed towards the noise and saw a young, eight year old with green hair being harassed by two men with knives.
One was big and burly, while the other looked lean and calculating.
The burly one had the girl by her arms.
"Lemme go!" the child cried pitifully.
Hinata was about to rush in, but realized that this might be a trap.
'Even so... I can't leave a girl to get hurt.' Hinata thought.
"Boss, this little pipsqueak isn't going quietly." Said the larger man. "Should I 'convince her' a bit?"
The thin one sighed. "Only her legs Yasuo. The hag wanted the girl alive."
Yasuo laughed sinisterly as he brought the knife up to slice at the poor girl's legs. Hinata couldn't stand by any longer, she jumped out of the forest to attack. Her sudden appearance startled Yasuo and the young girl took the opportunity to her advantage. It seemed she was a skilled fighter as she was able to disarm the burly man before delivering a swift kick to his groin. While Yasuo doubled over in pain, Hinata charged at the thinner man who looked positively frightened. He guarded himself from Hinata's teeth as she violently bit down on his arm. With the ferocity of a true wolf, she easily picked up the man with her teeth and tossed him aside.
"S-shit, Yasuo run!"
But the girl was already sitting on top of the giant man, giggling away with a knife pointed at his neck. The skinny man cursed again and took off, his arm was badly maimed so Hinata let him go. The girl began to tie up the fallen giant before turning to Hinata.
"Aerore! I knew I'd find you eventually! The old hag wouldn't have gotten rid of you that easy!" She gave Hinata a giant hug.
"U-uh, I'm not Aerore..."
"A-and that's what happened Lady Xana..." Said the man.
Xana merely laughed, preparing a cup of tea. "I know that already; for I, Lady Xana, Witch of Myth, Hag of Knowledge know what you know. I merely sent you and Yasou out to find where that little wolf had been hiding. I knew the girl would lead me right to her, she's so inspired by Aerore the Mutt after all."
Xana poured a packet into the cup and handed it to the bleeding man. "Here have some tea. It will make the pain of your wounds end faster."
"T-thank you m-my lady." He took a sip. "W-what do we do now?"
"We? You mean 'I'. I will find a way to lure out the Hyūga girl. I never expected her to flee to the safety of that mutt's pack. You, on the other hand don't need to do anything...ever again."
The man suddenly started coughed blood. Hacking, he collapsed to the floor. Xana laughed again.
"Too much poison, huh? Sorry, I'll get that right next time..."
Hinata couldn't explain to the girl who she was and what happened to Aerore. She figured the best course of option would be to return to the great fox and have him tell her everything. Hinata was surprisingly able to carry both the girl and the giant man on her back with ease and made it back to the cave in no time. The girl seemed familiar with the fox and cubs as well, hugging them all when she saw them. Explanations began and the girl was properly introduced to Hinata.
"I'm Kohana! It's a pleasure to meet you Hinata Hyūga."
"Um, it's nice to meet you too..."
"She's one of the children that witch was after." Said the Aerore's mate. "A member of a royal family from the north and a skilled fighter...and thief." The girl giggled. "Kohana witnessed Xana's curse upon Aerore."
"Yea, I thought it was odd that you looked so much like Aerore. You're cursed by the hag too huh? I'm sorry to hear that."
"It's alright..." said Hinata.
"Why did you come here, Kohana?" Spoke the fox in an angered tone. "That witch could have been following you, you know. We're trying to find a way to fight her without her realizing it. You could have single-handedly jeopardized our chances!"
The great fox seemed to do a good job of scaring her. "S-sorry Mr. Vulpes...I j-just wanted to s-see Aerore again...Besides, we found someone working for her..."
Vulpes turned his attention to the unconscious man still tied up in the corner of the cave. He smiled.
"So you have...Shall we find out what he knows?"