The Beast Within
Chapter 8: Stepping Forward
I would like to thank GiveRussiaSomeLove for the review. Thanks for taking the time to read my story.
Tala woke at noon. For the first time, she'd sleep peacefully through the night. For a few brief seconds, she searched the room for Shiromaru, before realizing he was gone. Tala pushed down the urge to cry. It took so much out of her. She got up from bed and walked into the kitchen. Papa was sitting with Tsunade and Hiroshi at the table.
"Good morning", said Hiroshi.
"Morning", said Tala as she took a seat next to her Papa.
"Did you sleep well?" he asked.
"Better than I have for a while", said Tala.
"Are you still up for sparing?" asked Neji.
She frowned. Tala forgot that she told him that she would train with him.
"I'm afraid of hurting you. What if the power overtakes me?" she asked.
"Tala, I'm perfectly capable of defending myself", said Neji.
"No, I don't want to risk it", said Tala.
"What about me then?" offered Tsunade.
Tala shook her head again. Tsunade tried not show her anger. Did the little girl truly think that she would prove too much of a danger to her?
"Please don't get upset, Lady Tsunade. You are my friend and mentor. It's not that I don't think you aren't capable of handling it. I'd feel guilty if I were somehow able to hurt you. I don't need any more guilt weighing down on me", said Tala.
Tsunade's anger quickly faded.
"I have a solution. Why don't we see if the Seventh is free? I'm sure he'd like to check up on your progress and if anyone can handle your outburst it's him. Is that agreeable?" asked Hiroshi.
Tala couldn't argue. The seventh was one of the strongest Hokage of the Leaf.
"Yes", she said.
"I'll send a message right away", said Hiroshi.
Naruto sat at his desk going over some paperwork.
"Shizune, how much more of this do we have left?" he asked.
"Only a few more stacks", she said with a smile.
Naruto groaned. He craved a break from this boredom. Boruto should be coming soon enough. They would be having lunch together. There was a peck against the window of his office. A messenger pigeon stood outside. He slid open the window and a small bird flew in. Naruto untied the message and read it. At that moment Boruto barged into his office.
"Boruto what have I told you about barging in like that", said Naruto.
"It's not like you were doing anything important", said Boruto.
"Paperwork is an important part of being the Hokage", said Shizune.
Boruto rolled his eyes.
"Come on old man it's time for lunch", he said.
"I'm sorry, Boruto. But I have to cancel something came up that I have to attend to", said Naruto.
Boruto rushed to his father's desk caught the word Tala on the scrap of paper his father was reading before Shizune pulled him away.
"You're spending time with Tala again!" yelled Boruto.
Naruto nodded.
"Why?!" asked Boruto.
His form was shaking with anger.
"That's not for you to know", said Naruto.
"She's not even your child and yet you spend more time with her than you ever do with me!" shouted Boruto.
"Tala is your family", said Naruto.
"Barely", said Boruto.
"I don't understand why you hate her so deeply. She's done nothing to deserve it. Shizune, I trust you to watch over things while I'm gone", said Naruto before disappearing in a puff of smoke.
Shizune sighed when she saw Boruto he doesn't understand. His father is doing this to make the village a safer place for him and other children of the Leaf to thrive here. Not because he valued Tala more than him.
"Boruto-
He ran from the office before she could explain.
"Hopefully, he will understand one day", she said.
Tala waited for her uncle on the front steps of the safe house.
"Nervous?" asked Neji as he took a seat next to her.
"A little nervous but also excited", she said.
"You'll do fine", said Neji.
Naruto arrived a few minutes later. Neji gave him a nod before walking over to him and grabbed him by the arm.
"If you irreparable damage my child. You'll see the monster within me and it won't be merciful", whispered Neji.
Naruto shivered the man's voice was ice.
"Understood", he said.
Tala stood up and walked over.
"Are you ready go?" asked Naruto.
She nodded.
"Let's change our location first", said Naruto.
After a few miles, they reached a barren field. It was completely flat. The ground was packed dirt and lacked all green. The only signs that there was once life here were towering dead trees.
"Once we started the three of you must not interfere", said Naruto.
Neji, Hiroshi, and Tsunade nodded. Tala made her distance. She made the signs for beast mimicry but nothing happened. There was no beast for her to mimic. She wanted to cry. She was sent flying into one of the dead trees. Tala got to her feet.
"I won't go easy on you, Tala", said Naruto.
She scrambled to dodge his kick. The rest of his taijutsu attack she either dodged, blocked or suffered through.
"Why aren't you fighting?!" yelled Naruto.
She hadn't even activated her Byakugan. Tala was shivering not out of pain, but of fear. It wasn't of him, but of her own power. That's why she hadn't tapped into it. He would have to force her into her strength.
"Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Hundreds of exact copies of the Hokage surrounded. They piled onto her. Purple light streamed from the pile, shooting all the clones away. All them disappeared in a puff of smoke, leaving only the original. The whites of her eye were glowing light purple. A gleam of purple chakra made her skin glow. She shook her head and the glow from her eyes and skin faded.
"I've lost my will to fight", said Tala.
She untied her forehead protector. Tala dropped it.
"I quit", she said.
Naruto's hands fisted.
"I won't let you", he said.
"It isn't your choice", said Tala.
"I'll make you reconsider", said Naruto.
"Give your best try", said Tala.
Naruto came at her, punching her in the jaw. She skidded back a few yards. Tala spat out blood and a few teeth. She laughed.
"Is that the best you have?" asked Tala.
Naruto sighed. He would have to get her angry.
"Not nearly. Is that the best you have, Tala? No, wonder the hunter so easily captured and killed Shiromaru", said Naruto.
Tala anger overwhelmed her. The whites of her eyes went a dark shade of purple. Her claws lengthened and her teeth sharpened. Those powerful eyes of hers activated. A cloak of purple chakra appeared around her. It took on the abstract form of the beast within her. She went to all fours. The ground around her cratered. Large strands of chakra whipped wildly around the air around her, kicking window. The air stung at the faces of the onlookers.
She roared. The sound that left her throat was unlike any of the animal kingdoms. She disappeared in a flash. Then reappeared inches a from before disappearing again. Naruto was struck from behind and was forty meters in the opposite direction.
"She's fast",
When got up he noticed that he was unable to access chakra on his entire left side. He hadn't even felt her strike his chakra points. She stood in front of him. The purple chakra around her became darker. A wave of chakra burst from Tala, making Naruto fall backward again. She'd transformed again. The girl could no longer be seen. In her place was humanoid chakra beast.
Its skin was black with highlights of dark purple. A snake-shaped tail hissed in writhed in the air. A pair of large wings sprouted from her wings. One flap was sent power gush of slicing wind. What caught his attention were her eyes. One was a white iris surrounded by black. The other was normal.
Her jaw opened. A twisting angry twisting sphere formed in her mouth. She tilted her back and sphere grew larger. The wind grew harsh and harsher. She released the massive sphere chakra. There was no avoiding it. He entered his Nine-Tails Chakra Mode just in time to protect him from the heaviest damage.
When the dust cleared he stood in the center of a massive crater. The earth was scorched black from the massive amount of chakra that was just released. All the trees were slanted diagonally in the direction of the explosion. The chakra beast stood at the edge of the crater, staring down at him with her head slightly turned to the side. As if asking why aren't you dead?
"You guys alright?" asked Naruto.
"We're fine", said Tsunade.
The beast howled. A sonic wave of chakra echoed from her throat. He jumped out of the crater so he stood on equal footing with her. She circled around him. With each circle, she grew closer. Naruto allowed her tail to coil around him. It started squeezing. The others made a motion to help.
"Don't", he said.
He looked into those eyes.
"Tala", he said.
Her eyes focused on him.
"I understand how frightening power is. Fear has consumed you conquer it. You aren't a coward", said Naruto.
She blinked. Her eye returned to normal. The girl's tail released him. Naruto took a breath. She stood on two legs. The chakra form of the beast fell away from her. The whites of her eyes were still glowing purple, but she was herself.
"I know what it's like to have a monster inside you. To have people afraid of you for reasons out of your control. And to be afraid of causing pain to those you hold dear and carrying the guilt of when you do. Your power can be turned into something useful that can be used to protect the ones you hold dear. If I can do it so can you", said Naruto.
"How can you say that after what I just did?" asked Tala.
"You were able to break free of its hold. At your age, I couldn't do that. No harm has been done your body. The power within you doesn't want to harm you don't be afraid of it", said Naruto.
Tala closed her eyes and took a breath. Her claws and teeth retracted. The Hokage returned to his normal state.
"You allowed yourself to be captured knowing the risk", said Tala.
"There was no risk I knew you were in there. And there's more to your power than that. Even in that state, you were holding back", said Naruto.
"What you said-
"Tala, what I said was only to make you angry to force you to fight", said Naruto.
From his pocket, he took a forehead protector.
"When did you pick that up?" asked Tala.
"When doesn't matter? All that matter is if you still want it", said Naruto.
"I want it", said Tala as he took it from his hand.
She tied it around her neck. Seconds later she passed out from exhaustion. Hiroshi, Tsunade, and Neji ran toward.
"Is she alright?" he asked.
"Only an overuse of her chakra. After some rest she'll be fully recovered", said Tsunade.
Neji sighed in relief.
"How about you, Naruto?" asked Tsunade.
"Only a couple of cracked ribs. Nothing to be worried about", said Naruto with a slight wince.
Neji picked her up.
"Honestly, that went far better than I expected. I thought her level of control will be far worse", said Naruto.
"That was good?" asked Hiroshi.
"Yes, that transformation was controlled by all the rage, sadness, and guilt she's been bottling up. I think she'll be feeling better", said Naruto.
"What's next?" asked Neji.
"Getting her to have faith in her abilities", said Naruto.
"How are you planning on doing that?" asked Neji.
"I think that's best kept to myself", said Naruto.
Neji glared at Naruto causing him to tense.
"Remember my warning, Naruto", he said.
When the returned to the safe house Neji tucked her into bed. Tsunade placed an IV in her arms.
"When will she wake up?" asked Neji.
"Most likely tomorrow. Unlike Naruto's transformed state it doesn't damage her, so there's a chance she'll wake up sooner", said Tsunade.
Tsunade left. Neji found a chair and pulled near Tala's bed.
"You truly are amazing", said Neji.
A few hours later showed signs of waking. She whined softly in her sleep. Neji took her hand in his and gave it a gentle squeeze.
"Shh, you're safe", he said softly.
She calmed. Her eyes slowly opened. She saw Papa sitting by her bed reading. Tala forced herself to sit up.
"Easy", he said.
"I'm fine. Actually, I feel a lot better. Not as heavy", said Tala.
"And Shiromaru?" asked Neji.
She frowned.
"He's gone there's nothing I can do to change that", said Tala.
"Naruto, will come by tomorrow to continue you with your training", said Neji.
"Papa?"
"Yes",
"Were you scared of me when I was like that?" asked Tala.
Neji closed his book.
"Tala, how many do I have to tell you? There's nothing you can do to scare me away", he said.
"Hungry?" asked Neji.
"Not really", said Tala.
"You need to restore all the chakra you used", said Neji.
"Okay", said Tala.
Papa left and returned a few moments later with a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Tala ate half of it before setting the plate down on the plate bedside table.
"Thanks", she said.
Tala yawned.
"Sleep you need time to recover. You have another day of training tomorrow", said Neji.
"Do you have any idea what he'll have me doing?" asked Tala.
"I don't", he said
She yawned again.
"Now sleep", said Neji.
Her eyes closed in a deep sleep. There was a gentle knock on the door. Tsunade stood in the doorway.
"You don't have to stay with her", she said.
"If you had a child you'd understand why I have to stay", said Neji as he held Tala's hand.
"You don't know how deeply I wish I had such a bond. If Dan and I did ever have a child I imagined she'd be like Tala. That's why I so enjoy spending time with her", said Tsunade.
"You are free to join me", said Neji.
Tsunade took a seat next to Tala's bed. She woke at eight in the morning. Yet again she found herself searching for Shiromaru. When would she stop searching for him every morning when she woke up? She was surprised to see Papa and Lady Tsunade sleeping in the chairs near her bed. She quietly crept out of bed and went to the closet and took two blankets from it. Tala wrapped them around the two sleeping adults. She changed into her training clothes and walked into the kitchen. Tala was surprised to see the Hokage waiting in the kitchen for her.
"Good morning, Tala", he said.
"Morning, how are your ribs?" she asked.
"A little tender but fine", said Naruto.
"So what kind of training do you have in store for me today?" asked Tala.
"Can't start with a good meal first", said Naruto.
"And what would you suggest?" asked Tala.
"Ramen", offered Naruto.
"That means we'll have to go into the village", said Tala.
"Is there something wrong with that?" asked Naruto.
"I'm not ready to do that yet", said Tala.
"Okay, that's fine", said Naruto.
Tala took out a bowl and poured herself some Cheerios. Naruto took the empty seat next to her. The girl's access to that level of powerful chakra is dependent of extreme emotion. In needed to force her use, show her that she could trust in it to save her life.
"Where's your Papa?" asked Naruto.
"Him and Tsunade are still sleeping", said Tala.
Naruto gave a sigh of relief. It was best if those two didn't know what kind of training he had in store for her.
"Hurry up and finish", said Naruto.
"Okay", she said.
Tala finished her breakfast and placed the bowl in the sink. She followed him into the woods. In the background, she heard the sound of a waterfall.
"This seems good enough", said Naruto.
"For what? You still haven't told me what we're doing yet", said Tala.
Naruto tapped her on the forehead. She was sent flying through the through bramble bushes. Then there was nothing. She plummeting downward. Tala screamed. Calm down! She channeled her chakra to her hands but the edges were slippery.
Naruto watched from the edge.
"That won't work, Tala", he said.
She was falling at far too fast of a rate. He wasn't worried about the girl. Gamakichi was laying at that bottom of the cliff to cushion her fall if she couldn't figure it out in time. But it would be some time before she saw him.
Tala was terrified. Is this how she was going to die? Her eyes closed. NO THIS ISN'T IT! There was so much left for her to do. At the moment she was no longer falling, she stood in front of a cage. This is the beast. It was nearly as terrifying as she thought. It looked more pathetic and pained. The scent wafting off the creature was and abuse. How long had it been chained up?
"Hello", she said.
The beast's eyes opened and got to its feet. It was so thin. Every bone could be seen protruding from its skin. It pressed its paw the door.
"Accept", it said.
This was her power, rejecting it would be cruel. It was her responsibility. Hiroshi was right. She could use this power for her own good and the good of others.
"I'm sorry this happened to you", said Tala.
She touched her hands to the door. The locks and seals fell away but the beast still remained chained.
"What happens when I do?" asked Tala.
"I become part of you. You will have complete control", said the beast.
Tala touched her hand to its muzzle. The beast disappeared and it power flood. Tala eyes opened. She was still falling. NO! Wings sprouted from her back with single flap they sent her upward. Soon she was soaring above the cliff staring downward. Fuck! She didn't know how to land!
"You did it, Tala!" yelled Naruto.
She crashed into him sending him backward.
"Sorry, Uncle Naruto. I haven't gotten the hang of landing yet", said Tala.
Tala got to her feet but stumbled forward. It was difficult to stand correctly with heavy wings. She leaned forward eventually regaining her balance.
"You did wonderfully", said Naruto.
He looked at her. Large black-feathered wings sprouted from her back. They were beautiful and glisten in the sunlight. Tala hair had taken on a more feathery appearance. The wing-like markings of the Kaze clan painted her cheeks.
"You look like an angel", said Naruto.
"Angels have white wings. Mine are black", said Tala.
She ran her fingers over feathers. They were downy to the touch. She plucked one of the feathers. Another swiftly grew in its place. Tala ran her fingertips along the edge of the feather. It cut her fingers. The wings disappeared from her back as well as the markings on her cheeks.
"How are you feeling Tala?" asked Naruto.
"Stable, I've finally accepted my power. I'm no longer afraid of it", she said.
"You're not angry?" asked Naruto.
"No, you helped become settled", said Tala.
"I prefer you not tell your, Papa about this", said Naruto.
"You're asking me to lie to my Papa. It makes me feel guilty and I don't need any more guilt on my conscious. I can't do that. I won't tell him unless he asks", said Tala.
"NARUTO!" yelled a deep voice.
A giant old brown toad with red detailing jump from the deep crag. Tala cringed at the disgusting smell leaving his long pipe. A younger orange and purple toad of the same size joined him.
"See pops I told you. The Queen of the Wild", said the younger toad.
"Gamakichi why is your father here", said Naruto.
"You threw our queen off a cliff. I kinda had to inform the old man", said Gamakichi.
"How dare you treat her with such disrespect!" yelled Gamabunta.
"Wait, he was only trying to help me. There's no need to get angry", said Tala.
"As you wish", said Gamabunta.
The two giant toads turned their attention to Tala. She didn't know what to do. They both bowed deeply to her.
"It is a true honor to meet you. I'm Gamabunta and this is my son Gamakichi", he said.
"Yeah a real honor", said Gamakichi.
"It's nice to meet you my name is Tala Inuzuka", she said.
"The pleasure is ours", said Gamabunta.
"Please don't bow. If anyone should be bowing it should be me? You and your son have done so much for the village", said Tala.
"As you wish", said Gamabunta.
The two toads stood straight.
"Why so polite, Gamabunta? When we first met you treat me like a bug", said Naruto.
"You are no Queen of the Wild, Naruto", he said.
The scroll of summoning appeared in Gamabunta hand. He placed it in front of her.
"What is it?" asked Tala.
"It's our summoning contract. I would be honored if you signed it", said Gamabunta.
The scroll unraveled. Great names marked the paper.
"I can't possibly sign this", said Tala.
She wasn't worthy.
"Please do if you don't ever summon us just having your name on our contract is worth the world to us", said Gamabunta.
"I don't even know how to perform the summoning jutsu. If it means that much to you I will", said Tala.
"It can be learned. Now sign", said Gamabunta.
Tala bit her finger and wrote her name in blood next to Konohamaru Sarutobi. She pressed her fingertips against the paper. Tala wrapped a small bandage around her finger. With that, the giant toads disappeared with their contract.
"I might as well teach the summon jutsu", said Naruto.
Tala smiled. She loved an opportunity to learn a new jutsu.
"The hand signs are boar, dog, bird, monkey, and ram. You need to offer blood for the summon", said Naruto.
Tala did the hands signs and slammed her uninjured hand against the ground. There was a puff of smoke. When it cleared large orange and blue toad stood under her feet.
"What's your name?" asked Tala.
"Gama", he said.
She petted the toad who leaned happily into her touch.
"I'm Tala", she said.
Naruto was amazed. On her first try, she summoned a toad the size of Gama. He walked over to her and took her hand. There was no blood on her hand. She's summoned without a blood offering. He'd only seen one other do that was Pain's animal path.
"Tala, I want you to try that again but without the hand signs", said Naruto.
Her brow furrowed.
"That doesn't make any sense", she said.
"Humor me", said Naruto.
"So how do I do this?" asked Tala.
"Picture the animal you want to summon in your head", said Naruto.
Tala closed her eyes and focused on the image of the toad. She placed her hand on the ground. There was a large puff of smoke. A large purple toad with yellow eyes sat underneath her.
"Gamagoro at your service", he said.
Tala jumped down from his head. She smiled.
"I don't understand how this is possible", said Naruto.
"It very simple Lord Hokage. Her being the Queen of Beast any creature who she signs a contract with her will come without hesitation or without signs. Working under her service is such a great honor that we use our own to reach her", said Gamagoro.
"So that's why I don't feel tired", said Tala.
"Yes, you should head back", said Naruto.
"Are we done with training for today?" she asked.
"The two of us are. I know your papa will be happy to train with you. I'll walk you back", said Naruto.
Neji woke up to see Tala's bed empty.
"Don't panic, Neji. She probably got an early start to training with Naruto", said Tsunade.
He waited outside for his daughter to returned. Neji smiled when he saw Naruto and Tala walking back. She rushed toward him. He was surprised when he saw two large holes in the back of her shirt.
"What happened to your shirt?" he asked.
"I grew wings", said Tala.
"And why did you do that?" asked Neji.
"Um Uncle Naruto threw me off a cliff so I had to fly", said Tala.
"He did what?!" growled Neji.
"I promise Neji she would in no danger", said Naruto as he raised his hands.
He had little chance to avoid the chakra-powered wind sent him flying through several trees. Naruto got to his feet. He tensed when he saw Neji. His Byakugan was activated. The man's pointed teeth were bared and he was growling lowly. Tala ran between them. Neji's gaze instantly softened and he soon returned to his normal self.
"Papa, you okay?" she asked.
"Yes, Tala I just lost my temper for a bit", said Neji.
"I learn a new jutsu", said Tala.
Tala force himself to relax.
"Show me", said Neji.
Tala closed her eyes and pictured a smaller toad. A purple toad about the size of a soccer ball in her hands. It gave a loud ribbit. Neji was amazed. Tala summoned without any hand seals. That should be impossible. She soon became distracted by the toad.
"How this possible?" asked Neji.
"Since she's the Queen of the Wild. She has the ability to summon without using chakra or hand signs. Since it's considered to be such a great honor", said Naruto.
"Tala, how are you feeling?" asked Neji.
"At balance, I finally accept the power with power within me", she said.
"And emotionally?" he asked.
"I still miss him. Every morning I search for him", said Tala.
"Can we put that to a test?" asked Neji.
"Sure", she said.
The spark was back in Tala's eyes. They each took the same stance. Tsunade, Hiroshi, and Naruto watched in anticipation. The two pairs of Byakugan activated. Seconds later they were sending blasts of chakra into each other. It was a mixture of purple and blue chakra. Ten minutes later Tala was panting. She was sweating and took a seat.
"Very good", said Neji as he patted her head.
Her chakra control was even better than before. She was posing more of a challenge.
"I still can't predict your movements", said Tala.
"It will take time but you'll see more clearly as you grow older", said Neji.
"I want to go home", said Tala.
"She's ready to go home", said Hiroshi.
"Tala, go to your room and pack your things", said Neji.
Tala rushed to her room and quickly packed her things. She ran out and joined her Papa.
"Are you sure you have everything?" asked Neji.
"Yes, I'm sure", she said.
They started their walk home.
"Tala, what did you mean when said you accept the beast power?" asked Neji.
"Exactly what I said. Me not accepting the power was what caused me to be so unstable. I'm still me", said Tala she took his hand.
Her chakra was stable. It wasn't like before. The chakra used to be wild constantly straining against her seal. Now it was tame and settled.
"Acceptance is a powerful thing", said Tala.
"How much have you accepted?" asked Neji.
"You mean me being Cernunnos mate. I'm not willing to take it that far. I don't want to be with a person whose only bound to me by fate. I want to fall deeply in love with a person who chooses to be with of there own free will not because of fate. You were the one who taught me there's no such thing", said Tala.
Neji smiled. He was extremely proud of her at that moment.
"I never took you as a romantic, Tala", said Neji.
"I might have read some of grandma's book", she said.
Actually, it was all of them. Sometimes she would place a cover a medical book of the cover the romance novel.
"That explains it. I never took you the romance novel type", said Neji.
"I like them they give me an idea of something I might never have. I know it exaggerates some things", said Tala.
"What makes you think you won't find love?" asked Neji.
"Just a gut feeling", said Tala.
"Those can be wrong", said Neji.
They made it home. Tala smiled when she saw it. As soon as she opened the door Dad locked her in a powerful embrace.
"Dad, let go", she said.
She struggled against him, but his hold on her was too tight. Tala had to wait for her to free her.
"I'm so glad you back, Sunshine. I missed you so much", he said before kissing her on the forehead.
"I was only gone for a week, Dad. Now let go", said Tala.
Kiba let go of her. They settled into things. It was good to be home but Tala still avoided dogs of her household, which was an extremely difficult task. She sat on the living room couch. Her attention was focused on a thick medical textbook. Akamaru rested his head on her chest.
"I miss him too", he said.
Tala couldn't look at him for long.
"Shine can't look at me either. I remind her too much of him", said Akamaru.
"I'm sorry, Akamaru I just can't look at you. Give me time and I'll be able to", said Tala.
He whined but left her alone. Dinner came soon enough. Dad made her favorite, hamburgers. She took a few bites but craved something rarer.
"What is it, Tala?" asked Neji.
"I'm not hungry", she said.
"You mean not hungry for this", said Kiba.
"I'm sorry", said Tala.
"It's fine, Sunshine. Do you want one of us to go with you" asked Kiba.
"No, I'll be fine on my own", said Tala.
"Are you sure?" asked Neji.
"I am. Last night was the full moon and hunt. This should be almost as good", said Tala.
She took off her shoes and ran into the woods.
"Why does she always go alone?" asked Lycan.
"She doesn't want us to see her like that. Tala is allowed to have that privacy and she more comfortable with it", said Neji.
Lycan followed went to his room, but he couldn't help being curious about where his sister was going. He slid open the window and crawled out. Keeper followed after.
"Your parents told us to leave her alone", he said.
"Aren't you curious?" asked Lycan.
"Not in the least", said Keeper.
"Are chicken?" asked Lycan.
"I'm no chicken!" growled Keeper.
"Then prove it", said Lycan.
Keeper followed him out the window. It didn't take long for him to track down his sister scent. He found Tala standing in a small meadow on their territory. Her eyes focused on the moon. Lycan turned away as Tala took off her clothes. She went to all fours. Black fur spread across her body. Wings sprung from her back. A king cobra tail swung back and forth hiss as it moved. The face remained human. He could see clearly the facial feature of his sister. Those eyes were Tala's. She sat back on her haunches and howled. Tala caught a familiar. Her brother. He'd never seen her like this. She was about to run when he grabbed hold of her hand.
"Don't run", he said.
He wasn't scared.
"I told you I wanted to be alone. You didn't need to see this", said Tala.
"You are still you, Tala. My sister", said Lycan.
"I should take you home", said Tala.
It would cut into her hunting time, but she didn't have many more options.
"Get on", she said.
Lycan climbed onto her back. Her fur extremely soft.
"If you yank out my fur and feathers you'll pay for it later", said Tala.
She took off in a run and then jumped into the sky.
"This is amazing", said Lycan.
"Flying is wonderful. Landing is the difficult part", said Tala.
Tala slowly circled down to her house. She skidded across there back yard tearing up the grass. Their parents came running out.
"Lycan", said Kiba.
"I'm fine", he said.
"I would never hurt him", said Tala.
She whined. Did they really think she would hurt Lycan? Before she had a chance to cry her Dad locked her in a powerful hug.
"We didn't think for a moment that you would hurt, Lycan. It just you had a rough landing", said Kiba.
She relaxed into her Dad's arms. He released her.
"Go on", said Kiba.
Tala disappeared into the woods. She tracked down a deer and ate her fill. Tala ripped out his throat. She ate the entire deer before returning to her den. Tala yawned loudly. She rested her head on her paws. Her tail wrapped around her. She soon fell asleep. In her sleep, she transformed into her human state. Tala opened her eyes. She was naked resting in a nest of rabbit pelts. Blood coated her mouth and traveled down her neck. Her hands and claws were stained too. She grabbed the spare clothes. Tala put them on. She growled when she sensed a presence outside her. Only her parents knew where her den was. She came out to see Lupa standing in front of her.
"It's been a long time, Lupa", said Tala.
"It has been. You've grown. I'm sorry for your loss", she said.
"I don't want to talk about it", said Tala.
"Here's something that should ease your pain", said Lupa.
She placed a small white dire wolf pup in front of her. It whined. The pup gave a weak cough. It obvious
"Its mother rejected him", said
"I don't want a new dog", said Tala.
"Then let him die. It's all part of the circle of life", said Lupa as he dropped the pup on the ground.
Lupa walked away from the two of them.
