Animal Magnetism
Author's Note: Thank for the reviews. A political guide will be featured at the end of the chapter to clear up the differences between Governors and Senators.
Werewolf Cons: A guest reviewer said that becoming a werewolf seems like mostly perks, if you can survive the transformation. So I'm going to put a few drawbacks in this chapter.
Chapter 4
It was about two weeks after his transformation. Sasuke was finding out there were many perks of being a werewolf. There were also many annoyances.
Annoyance number one, the excessive need to mark his territory. A wolf might in the wild scratch on trees, rub against things, or urinate to do this. What this meant for Sasuke though was more bathroom trips than he really felt were necessary, his nails growing far too fast for his liking, and well… he tried to keep the rubbing against things to a minimum. (He had rubbed against a wall. Suigetsu offered to scratch his back. Embarrassing).
"Dammit." Sasuke mutters as he heads out of the bathroom again.
"Sasuke, are you okay? You've been acting a little weird lately." Karin asks.
"I'm fine." He reassures her.
Another thing that was driving him fucking nuts, was his sex drive just got turned up to an 11. He'd always thought he had a healthy sex drive. Sasuke wasn't one to hop into bed with every pretty face that smiled at him, but the desire had been there. But no. He had been a damn monk, compared to what he was now. Naruto didn't help either. The dark haired werewolf knew that if he asked, Naruto would ask Your place or mine?
He'd also invested in a new calendar. Said calendar marked the different phases of the moon. Tonight was a Full Moon. He wasn't really sure how much of that was Hollywood and what was real, but he was nervous nonetheless. Maybe he should stick closer to Naruto tonight than usual.
"Alright, if you're sure." Karin walks off.
Sasuke was extremely embarrassed to admit the next part. He'd made the mistake of shifting and running in the park. He'd gotten fleas. Uchihas did not get fleas!
Naruto had assured the mortified Uchiha that was just normal. No wolf, no matter how clean they were, was going to completely avoid them. Fortunately, there were certain vet products that many wolves used to kill them or prevent the fuckers from biting them. Flea bites for the record, were itchy as hell. He had no idea what evolutionary purpose those bloodsuckers served! That was one species he wouldn't mind going extinct.
"Oh stop pouting. We both enjoyed when he put the medication on us." His inner wolf said.
Sasuke feels his face heat up at the reminder. Naruto had told him to stay in his wolf form. He'd rubbed in some sort of flea medication. Sasuke's wolf form apparently liked being petted. He remembered his tail swishing and leg thumping. Again it was humiliating. How was he supposed to keep his masculinity intact, if he was thumping his leg like a domesticated dog?
"Ah just admit you like being pampered by our mate. He is very attentive. We are fortunate that way." his inner wolf continues.
And finally, the biggest drawback of being a werewolf of all, was the aggression. Well Sasuke didn't know if it was this way for all wolves. He suspected it was probably because he was an 'Alpha.'
Alphas didn't respond well to challenges. More than once on the Senate Floor, it was all Sasuke could do not to 'Wolf Out.' (Sasuke didn't have the best temper to begin with, add to that the wolf's instinct to be top dog, and you got fucking chaos).
Fortunately, the day was over. Sasuke was just waiting for Naruto to come bounding out. As if on cue, the blonde does walk through the doors and quickly strides over to Sasuke's side.
"Come on, let's get you home. I imagine the Full Moon is already driving you nuts." Naruto says opening the door of his car.
"That and I'm fucking starving." Sasuke mutters as he gets into the car.
"Yeah, side effect of the change. Your appetite increases because your metabolism speeds up. That's where the whole wolfing down your food thing comes from." Naruto explains.
"Makes sense. I'd kill for a steak now. Raw." He says.
"Yeah, you get used to that after awhile. The cravings are a little less strong over time, but we are carnivores," Naruto smiles at him.
"Mhm." Sasuke looks out the window.
Naruto drives them back to his place. He was surprised to see his parents were there. Now that was a mood killer.
"Hey, Mom. Hey, Dad. You guys remember, Sasuke," he says.
"Of course. We were worried about how his first Full Moon might be going." Kushina explains.
"So I guess this is a major concern in the werewolf community, for turned wolves." Sasuke raises an eyebrow.
"The Full Moon's effects are particularly potent the first time." Minato responds and offers him a smile.
"Noted." Sasuke sighs.
Sasuke sees Naruto heading to the kitchen. He could hear him getting some fast protein going. Sasuke's mouth watered. He was so damn hungry, he could eat a horse. (Which was saying something, Sasuke liked horses).
"So have you and my son mated or started dating yet?" Kushina asks.
"Kushina." Minato gives her a look.
"You'll have to excuse my mate. She is a very direct individual." The older blonde says.
"Alright. No and…not officially." Sasuke shakes his head.
Yeah they had kissed. But it's not like they had been out on a date. It wasn't like any formal declaration had been made. (Despite the fact that it took all Sasuke's self-control not to just let the wolf take over and engage in a little animalistic passion).
"And unofficially?" Kushina questions.
"Kushina, the boy has only been a werewolf for two weeks. He's going through quite the adjustment period. I don't think it's fair to subject him to the Spanish Inquisition." Minato protests.
"CAN IT! He's a Senator! I'm sure he's had far worse. Besides, if he had an issue with it, he'd say so." Kushina hisses.
Sasuke blinks. He was glad that Naruto wasn't as aggressive as his mother. He didn't think he could have been with someone who was that…blunt.
"Hey, food is done. I made enough for everyone." Naruto calls out.
Sasuke was relieved. He darts inside the kitchen. The dark eyed man was getting used to being at Naruto's home. He'd probably spent more time here since the change, than he had at his own place. So he knew where the table was and sits down.
Minato and Kushina follow Sasuke. Normally, he'd wait for everyone to start eating. But he was just so hungry. He takes a rather healthy bite out of his steak.
"Naruto, you aren't feeding him enough. He's clearly half starved." Kushina scolds him.
"It's just the Full Moon's effects, Kushina. I'm sure that Sasuke is perfectly well fed." Minato begins.
"That tastes so good." Sasuke hears his inner wolf say and agrees.
"I really hope they do not scare him off." Kyuubi says.
"Me too." Naruto agrees.
"We should reassure him. Put your hand on his knee, under the table. Do not let your mother see. She will make a grand production out of it." Kurama warns him.
Naruto decides to do exactly that. He places his hand on Sasuke's knee. Sasuke chokes on his steak.
"He's nuts. I can't believe he'd do that with his parents sitting right next to us." Sasuke says to his inner wolf.
"I think he's merely showing his dedication and trying to calm our nerves. Kushina is…intense." His inner wolf reasons.
"Sasuke, how are you liking being a werewolf?" Minato asks.
"Well I like the strength, the speed, the enhanced senses, faster healing, and it's kinda cool to be able to turn into a wolf. I could live without the bathroom breaks, the increased appetite, and extreme aggression levels. That and a couple other things." Sasuke answers neutrally.
"What other things?" Kushina inquires.
"Let me guess fleas is one of them?" Minato chuckles.
"…" Sasuke chooses to remain silent.
"Nothing that some over the counter vet medication can't fix. Everyone gets them at least once or twice." Kushina reassures him.
"Already gave him a rub down." Naruto chimes in.
Sasuke feels his face heat up. Dammit. He really hoped his parents didn't take that the way that it sounded.
"Ah good." Kushina nods approvingly.
Sasuke was relieved. The red head had already asked if they were married or dating. The rub down comment could have triggered an Inquisition.
"I didn't want to ask because Naruto was so concerned for your safety at the time, but how did you become a werewolf," Minato questions.
"I was attacked by some thugs. They were clearly paid off. I'm a politician. I expected people to fight me on the floor, try to primary me, comments online, and even death threats. I didn't think anyone would actually go through with it." Sasuke says as if discussing an unusual weather event.
"Do you know who was responsible for hiring the thugs?" Minato demands with narrowed eyes.
"I don't have any proof." Sasuke murmurs, grateful he had his food to give him an excuse not to elaborate further.
That was when Sasuke felt Naruto's intense gaze on him. Fuck. Naruto wouldn't let him get off that easy.
"But I'm handling it." He assures them.
"I hope you have gotten extra security." Kushina says.
"I have. Though it's a lot harder to hurt a werewolf, than a human. I'm a lot stronger than I was. Not that I was weak before. I'm a black belt in Karate." Sasuke says.
"Black belt is impressive. But no human stands a real chance against a werewolf, let alone several. It's a miracle you are alive." Minato responds.
"That's mostly thanks to Naruto." Sasuke says.
He hated to admit it. Sasuke hated being helpless. But if Naruto hadn't come when he did, he was about 90% sure they'd been paid for an assassination.
You really only need one werewolf to rough someone up. Six was overkill. He'd probably just narrowly avoided being greeted by the Angel of Death.
Here Sasuke feels Naruto's hand tighten on his thigh. The young Senator wasn't sure if Naruto was trying to reassure him or himself more. He decides to humor him, by placing his hand on top of the blonde's.
"I'd get the police involved. That might not be their only attempt." Kushina advises him.
"The police will only make them bulk. If it is who I think it is, they probably have at least five layers of separation between themselves and their dirty work." Sasuke replies and finishes his meal.
"Sasuke, we can't just do nothing. How can you sit there like that?! Those fuckers tried to kill you!" Naruto exclaims.
"Naruto, we are Senators. We are leading political figures. Both of us have enemies. The vast majority of which are more bark than bite." Sasuke reassures him.
"That's not good enough, Bastard!" The blue eyed man responds.
"Would you prefer that I freak out?" Sasuke snaps.
"Well, a little! I don't think you understand how dangerous this situation is. You are a werewolf now. So you probably feel kinda invincible. Don't let it go to your head. We are wolves. We aren't Superman. There is no dodging a speeding bullet." Naruto responds.
"Naruto, you've been watching too much tv. " Sasuke chuckles.
"I was trying to illustrate a point."" Naruto flails.
"I know. It's cute." Sasuke says.
He didn't even think about it. He leans over and kisses his cheek. Naruto was too cute sometimes for his own good. Then he mentally kicks himself. He kissed the knucklehead with his parents right there! How stupid could he get? Why did he always act before thinking around the blonde?
"In all seriousness, you should be careful." Minato says to Sasuke and looks at his wife like, Don't freak out.
"I will." Sasuke promises the older blonde.
Meanwhile, Mei heads off for her weekly lunch with Tsunade. Both of them were still close as they had gone to the same university. So they had that to bond over.
Tsunade had continued her involvement with Konoha University, long after her graduation. The busty blonde, more or less ran the Sorority that Mei had been a part of. Despite the age difference, a strong friendship had sprung up.
"You look rather…perky today. Who is he?" Tsunade smiles slyly as she orders a drink.
"You are good. I barely walked in before you were on the case." Mei chuckles.
"I've known you long enough to realize when you have a new lover. So who is he?" Tsunade asks again.
"You wouldn't believe me, if I told you." Mei smiles slyly and places her order.
"Mei, I've known you for a decade. I know you don't lie." Tsunade offers.
"Itachi Uchiha." Mei answers.
"…Really? Well I suppose if you are going to be a cougar, you might as well go for the best." The busty blonde says.
"Mhm. Of course, I realize that he might have just have been buttering me up to help him in his scheming. But it was an excellent buttering. Besides, he's smart enough to know that sleeping with another politician just for political help and then backing out, is suicidal. We are attending a Broadway Play together next week." Mei laughs.
"And how big was the stick of butter?" Tsunade smirks.
"He is an exceptional specimen in ALL areas." Mei giggles.
"I'm happy for you. But what is he scheming? He has a sparkling reputation. I didn't think of him as a schemer." Tsunade chuckles.
"He wants to make Danzo lose his leadership position." Mei says casually.
"Well the man has balls. I'll have to give him that. Danzo's been challenged before. It never ends well for the challenger. Did he have someone in mind to replace him?" The older woman inquires.
"Yes. He wants his younger brother to replace him." She nods.
"Sasuke is a Freshmen Senator. Granted, he's enormously popular, but still. That's like a newborn kitten challenging a tiger. It'd be a slaughter. Even if he has the skills, no one is going throw away Danzo's experience for a newbie." Tsunade observes.
"I know. But given his approval rating, I doubt Danzo could primary him. Besides, it'll be fun to take him down a peg. Even if he doesn't win, it'll be a good base for the future." Mei counters.
"The old coot does have it coming. Alright. Besides isn't Itachi a fundraising machine? If he didn't give to Danzo, it could hurt him." Tsunade says.
"He is. Unfortunately, Danzo will never be hard up for money to run." Mei replies, as the two pay for their meal, and head out to cause some mischief.
Meanwhile, Kushina and Minato finish their meal. Minato decides to escort his lovely mate out of there. He didn't want her to scar the poor boy for life because he'd kissed Naruto's cheek.
"It's getting late. The pack will want us to lead the run. I don't think Sasuke is up to running with the pack on a Full Moon yet. It can be a very intense, though exhilarating experience." He says.
"Yes. Well maybe next month." Kushina smiles and kisses Naruto's cheek, before heading off with Minato.
"So you got your insane amount of energy from your mother. I'm glad you are mellower than her. She seems nice and all but damn, that's one feisty woman." Sasuke says once the mated pair is out of earshot.
"Yeah. She's always been like that. She's cool though. You just gotta know how to act around her." Naruto says.
"Yeah." Sasuke says and shifts into his wolf form.
Sasuke had decided practice made perfect. The more he shifted, the easier it would be. He had already shaved a couple minutes off his transformation time.
Naruto assured Sasuke that he was a fast shifter. That most new wolves took ten minutes to transform their first time. Sasuke had taken 7. But it still felt like a lifetime to the Uchiha. He could do better, he decided. He would do better.
"Damn. Even as a wolf you are still beautiful." Naruto says, as he strokes the silky jet black fur.
"Idiot. I'm a man. Men can't be beautiful." Sasuke says through wolf telepathy.
"Yes, they can. Trust me, I know you are a guy. How's it feel? You getting more used to being furry." Naruto asks.
"Better. It's a little less disorientating now. Mostly, I just feel hyper." Sasuke sighs.
"That's because of the Full Moon. I'll shift too and we can go out on our own run." Naruto says.
"Alright." Sasuke says.
The people of Washington D.C., had started to grow used to seeing wolves roaming the streets. There was a fairly large werewolf population in the city. Werewolves were the second largest group of supernaturals in the city, after witches. Vampires came in third. (Hell there was even a small, but growing zombie population).
Sasuke follows Naruto outside. It was quite the striking sight. Two rather large wolves, roaming the city streets. Naruto's golden fur and Sasuke's pitch black fur, contrasted startlingly.
"We got company, be cool." Naruto says to Sasuke suddenly.
Naruto was correct. There was another Alpha wolf approaching. His fur was pure white and he had icy blue eyes. Naruto knew him as Kovu. He lead one of the D.C. packs.
"Naruto." Kovu greets.
"Hey, Kovu." Naruto says, feeling a bit wary.
He normally got along pretty well with Kovu. But Kovu was an Alpha. Sasuke was a new wolf. He'd want to establish dominance. It wouldn't be a fair fight to say the least.
"So this must be the new werewolf, that I've heard about. I can see why you'd turn him. If he looks like this as a wolf, can't imagine what he looks like as a human." Kovu offers.
"Sasuke, this is Kovu. He leads a different pack. Kova, no funny business. He's too new." Naruto warns.
He shows his fangs and circles Sasuke. Sasuke bares his teeth right back. The new werewolf instinctively knew that being circled like that could end very badly.
"Well maybe a friendly match in a month or two. Got some nice fangs too." Kovu offers.
"Thanks." Sasuke says, as much as asks.
Naruto was about to correct Kovu. He hadn't turned Sasuke. But he thinks better of it. The dark furred wolf might not want others to know the circumstances behind his transformation.
"Well judging by the way your scents are all over each other, I'm guessing you are sharing furs." Kovu says.
Sasuke looks at Naruto like WTF did he just say? Naruto chuckles at this. Well as much as a wolf could chuckle.
"We are getting there. He needs more time to adjust before that." Naruto offers.
"Well if after he adjusts you ever want a threesome, look me up. I have to get back to my pack. I just wanted a look at the new wolf. Werewolf population is growing and I like to stay on top of it." He says and trots off.
"…Sharing furs? Was that wolfese for screwing?" Sasuke asks.
"Yeah." Naruto answers.
"And he wants a threesome." Sasuke says, rolling his eyes.
"Yup. I can't blame the guy, but I'm not into sharing." Naruto answers.
"What makes you think that you are going to share furs with me anyway?" Sasuke demands.
"I know you. You aren't exactly the touchy feely type. We've kissed. You've stayed at my house. That means something for you." Naruto says cheerfully.
"Dammit." Sasuke says, he couldn't argue that.
Naruto nuzzles the darker wolf, his tail wagging. He knew that he had won that "argument." Sasuke shakes his head but returns the affectionate gesture.
"What am I going to do with you, Loser?" Sasuke asks.
"Admit that you love me and share furs." Naruto laughs as he darts off.
Sasuke twitches. He takes off after the blonde wolf. Naruto was surprisingly fast for his massive size. But Sasuke was a bit lighter on his feet. Just wait until he got his paws on that wolf. Naruto was going to pay for that crack.
Political Guide for those not Familiar with U.S. Politics
Senator: One of 100 members in the Senate. These people vote on all sorts of issues. Their votes affect the entire country. But as they are only one vote out of 100, their impact is somewhat diluted.
Governor: You can essentially think of this as a "Mini President." These people are in charge of one state for x number of years. They have a lot more direct control over their state than Senators have over the country.
State: In the U.S. there are fifty states. Basically our country is divided into fifty states plus some territories. States are under the control of the federal government, but do have the ability to function somewhat independently. For example, different states might have different labor laws, environmental laws, and so forth. Each of the fifty states has a Governor.
Itachi and Mei: Hence why Mei was surprised Itachi, as a Governor, was getting involved with the Senate. It can happen, but usually these two aren't going to overlap that much. Though some Senators later run for Governor and vice versa.
Anti Establishment Year: The "Establishment" is slang for people who have been in power for a long time. It currently carries a negative connotation to most people. Anti Establishment means that someone is running against the Establishment and/or voting against them. So basically, when you hear someone say it's an anti establishment year, that means that the voters want to boot out the old politicians and get some new ones in there.
I'm glad that at least a couple readers are enjoying the guides ^^. If you have any other questions feel free to PM me or ask me in a review. I hope that clears it up.