Recap: He pulled his hand away, glancing at her one last time before he exited her room, closing the *shoji behind him. He entered his room, slipping into his *futon, curling up under the covers, his tail covering his nose. As he drifted off to sleep, somewhere in the back of his mind, he knew, at least in the human part of his mind, that he'd need to confront this problem.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Chapter 3: Extra! Extra!
Kenshin awoke the next morning groggy and sluggish. When he pulled away the sheets, he discovered he was nude! (Gee I wonder why? -. -`). After quickly changing into a set of his normal clothes, Kenshin went to the kitchen to start breakfast. He was trying to recover from last night's "dream," feeling slightly sick to the stomach.
'That dream last night seemed so real; glad that can't really happen in real life. I should splash some water on my face, I'm so tired.' He thought groggily as he dragged himself over to the well.
He dunked in a nearby bucket, pulled it out and set it aside. When he saw his reflection, his heart stopped. He raised his hand to his mouth, tracing the dried blood along his jaw.
'Last night…I remember being by the river, and then I felt my flesh burning from the inside out. Could this really mean?' He thought, washing away the blood from his face.
He rushed down to the river's edge, his face still dripping. He searched around the place where he had collapsed, finding the torn remains of his clothes.
'This is impossible, it can't possibly be true.' He thought desperately, going into the forest, seeking the only thing that could possibly confirm his fears.
'If I've really become a werewolf, then that buck's carcass from last night's dream should be around here.' He thought, hoping it wouldn't be true.
As he came to the clearing, he slowed down, scanning the area. When he was just about to breathe a sigh of relief, he noticed a black hoof sticking out of the grass. Fearing the worse, he walked toward it, steeling himself. When he looked down, he felt like he was going to throw up. The buck's forelegs had been broken off, the bones bare of meat and thrown carelessly to the side; half of the stomach had been torn away, revealing the intestines. It's neck was broken as well, dried blood surrounding the large hole, where it had been torn open; half of it's face had been eaten, revealing the bloodied skull. (Gruesome…ain't it?) Kenshin backed away, the realization hitting him like a rock.
'It's true…I have become a werewolf, no normal predator could possibly have done this.' He thought dismally, walking back to the dojo, his head hung low.
It was still early, so this meant Kenshin was still the only one awake. He threw away the remnants of his ruined clothes before he went to the kitchen. As he prepared the fish, he started thinking about Madame Rei.
'I wonder if she has anything that could possibly help me?'
Kaoru soon woke up, dressed into her training outfit, and headed toward the kitchen with the medical supplies needed for Kenshin's wounds. Kenshin was just starting to grill the fish as she came in.
"Kenshin…it's time to change your bandages." She stated as she set down the medical supplies on the table.
"Understood." He answered back, cutting up the fish.
He sat beside her at the table, pulling back his sleeve so she could change the bandages. She slowly peeled away the old bandages, rubbing medicine onto the bite after she placed the old bandages to the side. She wrapped new bandages around his arm, securing it around the wound. She stroked the bandages tenderly, smiling at the fact that the wound was nearly gone from his flesh. He leaned close to her and quietly inhaled, loving the smell of her raven black tresses.
'Mine.' He thought possessively, wrapping an arm around Kaoru, pulling her close.
Kaoru stiffened at his action, but accepted it as she blushed, feeling a small sense of security by being near him. He soon released her, leaving to finish making breakfast. Kaoru followed him in, wanting to help him. As he worked, she grabbed bowls and cups from the cupboard, taking them to the table, returning to grab chopsticks and napkins. She noticed bags under his eyes as he worked, worried for his health.
"Kenshin, didn't you get any sleep?" She inquired as she came over to him.
"I went to bed really late last night Miss Kaoru, that I did." He answered, taking the food to the table.
As he filled up the bowls, he saw how Kaoru scooted closer to him by just the tiniest bit.
"Miss Kaoru…did you want to say something to me?" He asked as he passed her a bowl.
She blushed slightly as he looked at her, continuing his work.
"Well…I don't really have anything to say. I just worry about you, that's all." She said as she started on her food.
Kenshin just nodded in understanding, a tiny smile on his face.
As they ate, Yahiko soon joined them. The young boy gazed at his hero's arm, still worried over the wound.
"Is that wound healing up okay?" He asked around the food stuffed in his mouth.
"First off, don't talk with your mouth full. Second, yes, the wound is healing nicely, it should be gone soon enough." Kaoru answered as she scolded her student.
Soon enough, Sanosuke came, a newspaper in hand.
"Hello Sano, you brought the paper today I see." Kenshin stated as he sipped his tea.
"Yeah, you guys should check out the cover story, it's really weird." Sanosuke said as he passed Kaoru the paper.
As Kaoru looked at the front cover, Kenshin felt himself panic slightly as he saw the picture: the buck's carcass.
"Early this morning, this deer carcass was found in a forest clearing near the local river. The gruesome picture shown is bewildering; it doesn't seem to be the work of any well-known predators within the area; large paw prints were found near the body, but the trail soon went cold. Large claw marks were found on the hide, as well as colossal bite marks on the bones. Police are unsure about what they might be dealing with, but citizens are advised to walk the streets with care at night." Kaoru read; feeling a bit scared as she gazed at the picture.
"Yeah I know, something this gruesome had to be done by something big." Sanosuke stated as he sat at the table.
The rest of the time was spent in silence, with Kenshin panicking on the inside.
'I really need to see Madame Rei about this.' He thought, horrified by the prospect of his situation.
After cleaning and putting away the dishes, he went outside to check on the others, only to be bowled over by two excited little girls.
"Uncle Ken, will you play with us?" Asked Ayame, snuggling into his chest.
"Play with us!" Squealed Suzume, doing the same as her elder sister.
Kenshin chuckled before agreeing, letting himself be pulled along by the two little girls. Ayame took out a small beanbag and threw it to her sister. As she did so, Kenshin kept his eyes on the moving object, a peculiar instinct kicking in. Suzume then threw the beanbag as hard as she could toward Kenshin, watching as it sailed over his head. Before he knew what he was doing, Kenshin turned around and ran on all fours, jumping up and catching the toy in his mouth. He turned around to look at the two little children, their toy hanging from his mouth. He immediately spat out the toy, spitting on the ground to try and get rid of the taste in his mouth.
'Not again!' He thought as he tried to explain the reason for his display.
But before he could even start, the two girls broke into applause, which confused him, to say the least.
"That was amazing Uncle Ken!" Ayame screamed as she jumped up and down.
"Amazing!" Shouted little Suzume, doing the same.
He chuckled at their amazement, picking up the toy.
"Did you really like that you two?" He asked, tossing the little beanbag up and down.
"Yeah, yeah!" They shouted together, clapping their hands.
"Really? Shall we do it again?" He chuckled, tossing it back.
"Yes! Uncle Ken, can we ask you to do something for us?" Ayame asked, shuffling her feet.
"Of course."
"Uncle Ken…could you pretend to be a dog for us?"
"Sure." 'Not like I have a choice.'
Kenshin sat on his haunches, rolled over and started whining. The little girls immediately ran up to him, scratching his stomach. His leg automatically started shaking, while Ayame and Suzume laughed at his "acting."
'Oh yeah…this is paradise.' He thought happily, enjoying the treatment.
Kaoru soon came outside from her session with Yahiko, wiping off her face with a towel. She soon caught sight of Kenshin and the girls, laughing a little as she saw Kenshin barking and begging like a dog as Ayame "kept the beanbag out of reach." She then threw it with all her might, Kenshin giving chase as he bolted, catching it with ease in his mouth. She nearly lost it when he shook his head, growling as he did so. Kenshin dropped the beanbag when he caught sight of her, blushing as he did so.
"Good doggie!" Ayame said as she picked up the beanbag, patting Kenshin's head in an affectionate manner.
Kaoru giggled at this, walking up to Kenshin as he stayed on the ground.
"Good boy Kenshin!" Kaoru cooed teasingly as she pinched his cheeks.
Kenshin just blushed harder, averting his eyes.
"Auntie Kaoru, do you want to play fetch with Uncle Ken too?" Asked Ayame, holding out the beanbag.
"Sure, I have some free time to spare." She said, patting Kenshin lovingly on the cheek.
He just blushed, trying to ignore the close contact. Kaoru took the toy and stood up. Kenshin's eyes were back on the beanbag, eager to play.
"Go get it boy!"
Kenshin was off like a bullet, jumping up and barely managed to grip it in his jaws. His canine instincts kicked in; he turned around and ran back to Kaoru on all fours, his teeth clutched tight around his prize. Kaoru backed away slightly, taking notice that he was gaining speed.
"Kenshin slow down! OOMPH!"
Kenshin knocked Kaoru over, landing on top of her in the process. He dropped the toy before he started licking at her face, making her blush as she tried to pull away.
"Kenshin, get off of me!" She squealed, trying to push him away.
He soon regained his senses, jumping away from her in an instant.
"My apologies Miss Kaoru!" He said anxiously, running back into the main house.
Kaoru wiped off her face, blushing from the experience. Her blush remained until after lunchtime. She then noticed Kenshin making his way to the front gate.
"Kenshin…where are you going?"
"I have some business downtown Miss Kaoru, I'll be back in a while, that I will." He said reassuringly as he went out the gates.
He was soon back at the same familiar tent, its sign showing brightly in the afternoon sun. He went inside without invitation, calling for the old gypsy.
"Madame Rei! Are you here?"
The gypsy came out of the back, a crystal ball in hand.
"I assume you are here for help for your condition." She stated, putting the sphere back in its place.
"Yes…please."
"Very well then. Follow me."
Kenshin followed the old woman to the back once more, feeling a bit anxious. He watched as the old woman pulled out a blue bottle from a set of shelves.
"This will help you. It will ensure that you keep control of yourself when you transform. Just take a mouthful of this potion on the days when the moon is visible, before midnight, and everything will be fine." She said as she handed him the bottle. (Okay I admit it…I got the idea from Harry Potter, seemed to fit this story, after all…Kenshin isn't a killer anymore.)
"Is there any way to stop this? Is there something I can do to get rid of this curse?"
"From what I can see…you can either kill the werewolf that bit you, or…"
"Or what?"
"Or…you have someone shoot you with a silver bullet."
This made Kenshin gulp nervously, his face turning a ghostly white. He left swiftly, still trying to forget the second "solution" to his problem. As soon as he was back at the dojo, he hid the bottle away in his closet. Everything else went the same as usual, that is if you forget the fact that Kenshin tried to bite Yahiko for whacking Kaoru on the rear. As Sanosuke went home, the rest of the gang decided to tuck in as well.
"Good-night Miss Kaoru, Yahiko." Kenshin said as he put away the dishes.
"Good-night Kenshin." The two echoed.
They all went to bed, hoping for a peaceful night's sleep. However, Kenshin only slept until ten minutes to midnight, pulling out the hidden bottle silently from his closet.
'A mouthful is all I need. I just hope it actually works.' He thought, taking a huge mouthful.
Its bitter taste almost made him puke, but he forced it down. He then checked the clock, seeing that he only had a minute left to go.
'I hope it doesn't hurt like before.' He thought desperately, loosening the tie to his *yukata.
But it was just as painful as before, the burning sensation he felt searing him. He grabbed at his chest in desperation, trying to find some sort of relief. The fur soon engulfed his body, his legs and head taking on a wolfish quality, the razor sharp teeth sprouting forth, his nails turned into the long, curved, deadly claws he had used the night before. As the transformation stopped, he slowly opened his eyes, blinking out of his daze. He looked down at his now fur covered hands, taking in the sharp, jagged claws.
'So…this is what it's like to be a werewolf. I feel…strong…powerful…like I can take on anything.'
He removed his *yukata from his body, folding it up and placing it on top of his unmade futon. He opened his room's *shoji, stepping outside. His nose picked up the faintest scents, his ears pricked up at the faintest sounds, even his eyes pierced through the shadows surrounding him.
'These new abilities could actually come in handy. Maybe…being a werewolf can't be so bad.'
He was pulled from his thoughts by his stomach growling. That's when he decided that the first thing he needed was food. He leapt the front gates with ease, landing soundly on the other side. He lifted his nose to the air, breathing in deeply, trying to scent out something to eat. Soon enough, the smell of beef, vegetables and sugar filled his nostrils, wetting his appetite.
'Looks like I might be getting an easy meal tonight.' He thought, dashing in the direction of the scent.
As he came to a stop, he noticed that he was in the backyard of the Akabeko. As he hid himself away in the shadows, he saw Tae come out with a large wok; apparently she was going to throw out the leftovers. But his eyes caught sight of a few shady guys leering at the young woman.
"Hey Baby…how about coming along with us for some fun?" One of them asked, winking.
"We guarantee that you'll have one hell of a time."
"No thank you, I have better things to do than hang out with a bunch of lowlifes like you." Tae sneered, ignoring them.
"Oh really? Hey guys…let's show this wench some manners."
Three guys slowly surrounded the young businesswoman. Before they could even consider harming Tae, Kenshin leapt from the shadows, teeth bared and growling.
"What the hell is that thing?!"
"I don't know, but I'm leaving before it decides to eat us!"
They ran away from the scene, fearing for their lives, the werewolf still growling menacingly at them. Tae was trembling at the sight of the mammoth creature, gazing fearfully at the sharp claws and razor teeth. As the beast turned toward her, she flinched fearfully as it came toward her, saliva dripping from its mouth.
"Don't come near me, I have a weapon." She threatened, holding up the wok defensively.
Kenshin stopped in his tracks, feeling a slight twinge of sadness at Tae's reaction. He then rubbed circles on his stomach, opening and pointing at his mouth, pointing lastly at the wok in Tae's hands. She stared at the beast's crude sign language in surprise, looking down at the leftovers she had.
"Oh…you're hungry?"
Kenshin nodded vigorously, glad to know she understood what he meant, wagging his long, flowing tail.
"I guess giving you the leftovers won't hurt anyone." She stated, holding out the food.
Kenshin took it gratefully, bowing his head in thanks. He ate in silence, chewing slowly, trying to ignore Tae staring at him. When he was finished, he gave the wok back to Tae, turned and walked away, tail swishing behind him. Tae gazed at him as he walked away, still amazed by the incident earlier. Kenshin, on the other hand, was feeling happy with himself.
'I managed to use my new abilities for good. If I can't find a cure for this, then doing this sort of thing will make up for it.' He thought happily as he walked across the bridge that led to the Kamiya dojo.
He then gazed up at the moon shining above him, feeling at peace.
'Eh…why not?'
He threw back his head and howled, telling the world that he was there, and that he was planning to stay. He was soon back in his room, slipping underneath the covers of his *futon.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dragonlover71491: Yes! Chapter 3 is complete!
Kenshin: I'm going out of character, that I am.
Dragonlover71491: You'll be back to normal soon enough. But next chapter…well, I won't ruin the surprise.
Kenshin: I don't like where this is going, that I don't.
Vocab:
*Futon – a padded sleeping mat, placed directly on the floor, originally used in Japan.
*Shoji – sliding door made of wood and paper.
*Yukata – a long sleeved sleeping robe worn in Japan.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________