And here is the second short for my double posting. A bit of a continuation of "A Witch, A Wolf, And the Moon" since someone asked.
(And I was planning on doing it anyway lol)
Standard Disclaimer: I don't own Little Witch Academia.
When it came to perfect days to fly, there were a few Akko would say stood out to her. Those days the sun wasn't too bright, there was just the right amount of clouds in the sky, and the wind was "friendly" enough to add some push to her magic. Today definitely had all of those aspects and more. Unfortunately for the young Japanese witch, she was stuck indoors listening to Professor Badcock drone on and on about numerology and something or other. Normally she would take this moment to nap or day dream but there was also a bit of an issue with that.
An issue in the form of an irritation that wore down on her self control. It was like an itch she just couldn't scratch.
... Actually there might be an actual itch but that wasn't the point.
Instead, she turned her gaze to the window where a pair of doves casually rested. Akko bit her lip, watching as they fluffed and preened each other's feathers, their wings extended and flapping as a gentle breeze would ruffle them. A soft whine built in her throat as she shifted in her seat, wishing she could rush out of there and maybe yell at them or something. They looked so annoyingly comfortable and at ease - oblivious to the world and the dull, boring lecture she was forced to listen to.
How rude of them! They're just sitting there an— ACK!
The brunette snapped to attention eyes wide and alarmed as she frantically looked around the room. She tensed as she realized that she could no longer hear the professor speaking and instead a sudden silence had engulfed the class. Her cheeks burned as she noticed that nearly every student was staring in her direction.
(Nearly because Badcock was busy exasperatedly rubbing the bridge of her nose, Lotte was awkwardly looking down at her book, Sucy was slumped forward trying not to cackle, and Diana had her face in one hand while the other hovered out over the brunette after having reached down to flick her ear.)
"Miss Kagari."
Akko shrunk back in her chair.
"Y-yes professor?"
"Can you please, if it's at all possible," the older woman adjusted her glasses, "pay attention to the lecture?!"
Wincing at her shrill tone, the Japanese witch managed a small nod and "yes professor" before continuing to melt into a puddle in her chair from embarrassment. The whispers and soft giggles of her classmates only furthered her humiliation as another chastised whimper tingled in her throat. Unfortunately this only had Badcock clearing her throat loudly once more making the brunette realize she was still being vocal and prompted her to finally get a reign on her instincts and stop. Once satisfied, the professor turned back to her tomes, picking up where she left off.
Settling in once more, Akko sighed and slumped onto her desk, any motivation to take notes or listen gone. The professor's droning became white noise in the background as her thoughts drifted to her condition.
It had been a month since her first transformation and full confirmation of werewolf status. While she could vaguely recall the night other than standing outside naked except for an itchy robe and a beautifully bright full moon, she didn't stop thinking about how perhaps this all could have been avoided had she reacted differently to the attack in the dungeons. If only she had had a moment to think instead of reaching out to push Lotte with her arm bared to the ivory jaws of the wolf beast. Or at least they could have made sure the scraggly thing was down for good before celebrating their treasure find.
But there had been no time to pause and Akko supposed that at least her ginger teammate would not suffer instead.
(Which thankfully the bespectacled witch was able to get over her guilt after a hard talk from the brunette.)
So now a month later and another impending full moon had Akko's "symptoms" (instincts) acting up again. This brought upon an extra load of buzzing energy throughout her body that had her going stir crazy anytime she had to keep still. Not to mention causing a lot of grief for her professors who could barely understand the chaotic restlessness that plagued her. Even worse was the fact that she would wear herself out from her own energy - either napping randomly during the day or flopping down lazily only to spend the night tossing and turning until the wee hours of the morning.
If she had to explain it, she would say it felt like she was going insane.
Please just be done with the lesson alrea—
"And that concludes today's lecture. Now I expect all of you to complete the readings. We will be going over them next class."
Closing and packing away her tomes, Professor Badcock exited the classroom with haste. As soon as she was out, Akko snatched her things and practically flew out the door, ignorant to the yelps and cries of surprise from the other witches in her class.
"Holy—"
"What in—"
"Did she just jump from her seat to the door?!"
Lotte and Sucy just stared at the doorway in shock and boredom respectively. It wasn't until a throat clearing behind them had them spinning around to face Diana flanked by Barbara and Hannah. The blonde and even her companions looked concerned as they confronted the remaining red team members.
"Is she going to be okay?"
Sucy raised a brow at Barbara before shrugging.
"You mean besides growling at birds, whimpering when she's in trouble, vibrating in place all class, and then clearing five rows of seats in one jump? Eh it's in her territory."
Lotte gave her teammate a tired chastising look.
"Sucy..." The ginger witch sighed before shaking her head. "Akko has been hyper as of late and well... Tomorrow night is the full moon so..."
"Her energy levels are rising in preparation for the transformation."
Lotte nodded at Diana.
"It seems so."
The blonde frowned and brought a hand up to her chin in thought.
We need to find an outlet for this.
"Wait so like she's going to be like this every month?"
Both girls turned to look at Hannah who motioned to where the brunette had been sitting, pointing out small scratch marks peppering the edge of the seat and desk.
Diana's eyes widened along with Lotte and Barbara's as she bent down to run a finger along one of the marks.
"Oh my... She's reacting a lot more than last time. Not just instinctively but physically."
The blonde traced a particularly deep gash in the wood before shaking her head.
"We'll have to wear her down."
The other four witches looked on in confusion until Barbara and Lotte suddenly perked up.
"Like in Nightfall volume 103!"
"Pardon?"
Given that the ginger witch was better versed in the infamous novel series, Lotte took point.
"Yes! In that volume, Belle has to help a recently turned sect of one of the werewolf clans get a handle on their abilities and spends a whole week before the full moon delving into tome after tome of werewolf biology, history, and mythology. Then on the day of the full moon, she gets Edgar to run all these exercise and sport drills with the whelps and pups until that night where after the transformation, all the wolves are too tired to go on a full rampage!"
"Didn't Belle also realize after they collapsed that because the transformation itself took such a toll on their bodies, it burned so many calories that they weren't just exhausted but in a way starved?"
Lotte nodded at her fellow reader.
"That's true but remember they had that amazing feast afterwards to celebrate the successful night!" She turned to the rest of her companions. "We just have to make sure Akko eats well the day after tomorrow. That should help."
Hannah and Sucy scoffed at that.
"With the way Kagari could eat even before becoming a werewolf, I'd say we just need to recruit Jasminka into getting her enough cakes."
"I can probably whip up a potion to get the right nutrients in her too. It might turn her hair green for a couple of days but she can handle that."
Diana looked between her roommates and Akko's as she took a moment to consider the idea. Eventually coming to terms with the option, she nodded her assent.
"It seems this is our best option for the time being. We'll have to keep Akko active until tomorrow evening after which, Professor Chariot will be able to keep a handle on a more tame Akko."
She gave a slight smile as her companions nodded in return.
"Now, we will need to track her down since she did make haste out of the classroo-"
A sudden whoop and howl had all five witches turning towards the window to see the subject of their plans breeze by on her broom, scaring away a pair of pigeons nesting on the ledge below the glass. The girls blinked as she sped off further into the flying grounds, chasing after another flock of birds.
"Guess we found her."
An hour later had both red and blue teams along with green team witches hovering in the air on their brooms. While seven of the nine casually glided through the clouds, a particular pair of troublemaking girls were chasing each other through the sky.
"You may have gotten better at flying but you still can't out fly me Akko!"
"Just wait until I catch you Amanda!"
Both witches twisted and turned their brooms against the wind as they maneuvered themselves along the tree tops. Though it seemed many times that the smaller witch would catch up, Amanda would quickly readjust her hold and switch direction like a veteran flyer. However, Akko held her own as she pursued the experienced witch across the castle grounds. She came close a few times to passing the redhead only to lose ground when she couldn't smoothly transition a turn.
Though she idled with the other, more relaxed riders, Diana was prepared to zip off after both flyers should the need arise.
(Having been a constant support to Akko throughout her early actual flight training, the blonde was well versed in knowing how to react to the brunette falling at any moment.)
"She's gotten much better since she first started hasn't she?"
Diana turned to look at her teammate who had glided next to her once Lotte and Barbara started getting into their Nightfall talk. The blonde nodded as her gaze went back to the two speeding witches. It looked like Akko was close to being able to reach the straw on Amanda's broom until the redhead dived out of reach yet again.
"She picked it up quickly enough. Considering everything she had been through prior, luck was on her side as soon as she was able to get airborne."
Hannah hummed in assent as she continued watching the pair.
"Well... Do you think it will work? Wearing her down like we said?"
"If we maintain a method to keep her expending energy then it's likely she will rampage less on the full moon."
Hannah blinked.
"Rampage less?" The brown haired witch gave a nervous laugh. "You make it sound like she does a lot of damage as a werewolf when she's only changed once."
Silence from the blonde.
"W-wait... Diana?" Hannah gulped. "Were you there for her transformation?"
Diana remained quiet, eyes focused at the distant witches before shaking her head.
"I was not but... I was awake for much of the night to overhear the Headmistress and the professors have to tie her down with high level spells."
"H-high level spells?"
"Professor Finneran and Chariot apparently had to hold her down with a variation on Luna Lana."
Hannah paled.
"And the next day I had to assist with clean up around the areas so none of the other students would see all the upturned trees and gashes in the dirt."
The blonde frowned as her teammate gasped in shock.
"S-she was that bad?"
"She didn't have the control she will eventually have to learn. From my studies on lycanthropy and werewolves, the first night is always the roughest. Only another occasional full moon comes close but otherwise as she becomes experienced in her new instincts and habits, she won't likely be as dangerous as the first year or so."
"We have to put up with this for a year?!"
"That is the average yes. It's usually a bit longer."
Hannah gaped at the blonde.
"But Akko may become more aware in less time."
"Diana. This is Akko we're talking about. The witch who nearly set the potions room on fire because she didn't remember that water does not mix well with acid."
A pause as the Japanese witch yelped in the distance from a mistimed turn. Diana pursed her lips.
"I concede to your point."
Hannah gave a slight grimace as she thought about their predicament.
"So then I guess if this all works out tomorrow, we just repeat until she learns this lesson huh?"
Diana shook her head.
"That's all we can do."
"WHOA! WHAT ARE YOU CRAZY?!"
Seven witches snapped to attention as Amanda yelled. Diana's eyes widened as she watched Akko crouch but settle firmly on her feet on the broom while it continued flying. From afar, she could see the Japanese witch's face contorted into a snarl as she prepared to pounce on the witch ahead of her. Amanda was barely able to shout her name to get her attention before she lunged with her own cry.
Diana panicked as she kicked herself into motion and zipped as fast as she could towards them. Her heart catching in her throat, she watched, a second too late as the brunette missed her tackle despite the redhead slowing down for her. Horror filled blue orbs met stunned red as Akko plunged into the crowded tree tops below.
"AKKO!"
A tense, dreadful silence choked up the rest of the witches as the only sound that cut through was that of snapping branches. The blonde hovered in place, arm still extended as she looked down at the thick canopy.
She had been too slow...
...And Akko had...
Diana grit her teeth and dove down into the trees wand held out at the ready and ignoring the cries of the other witches. If Akko was seriously injured she only had so much time to stabilize her before the nurse arrived. No matter her state, this time, she would be ready to do anything to make sure she was alright and safe.
She wasn't ready to be tackled off her broom.
"Gotcha now!"
Her scream was caught in her throat as a lithe pair of arms firmly wrapped around her. She could only gasp as the wind rushed past her, clenching her eyes shut as she waiting for the impact of the ground meeting her body. Instead, she felt an abrupt stop like the snap of a seatbelt after a rough brake press.
It didn't feel like she hit the ground...
Cautiously, she opened her eyes to find a familiar red pair looking down at her.
"A-akko?"
Said witch grinned.
"Hmm hmm! Didn't see that coming did you?"
Her expression turned sheepish.
"Well I mean neither did I but that's not important."
The blonde slowly moved her head around to gauge the situation. She quickly became aware that Akko was holding her and both of the were safely on the ground. There was also the fact that the burnette was fine and not too scratched up from her near six story fall. But what she noticed the most was the furry ears atop her head, the elongated canines, and the feral look in her eyes.
"Akko."
The witch perked up.
"That's me!"
Diana's eyes caught the motion behind her, blinking in disbelief.
"You... have a tail."
The brunette's head snapped towards the appendage wagging behind her.
"What?!"
The fluffy, brown wolf's tail straightened in alarm, reacting to the young witch's emotions. It swished and curled almost defiantly as she pouted and whined at it.
"Professor Chariot didn't mention this..."
Diana moved to get out of her friend's surprisingly strong hold, brushing her robes off as she steadied her footing. She sent the brunette an incredulous expression.
"Professor Chariot?"
Akko nodded as she reached around and grabbed at the appendage, giving a little jump in reaction to gripping it for the first time and experiencing the sensation of it.
"Y-yea! When she does my extracurricular study sessions, she's been having me learn up on more of the stuff that's happening to me as a werewolf."
Diana's brows rose in surprise, impressed with the ex-idol's forward thinking.
"I've been learning a lot about my strengths and weaknesses as well as the things I can and can't do at certain points in the month." She gave a fanged grin to her companion. "Like the closer I am to a full moon, I get pretty sturdy and invulnerable to some damage."
"I see. So that's why you look fine from the fall."
"Yup! My cuts and bruises healed up before I hit the ground!"
The thought of Akko's small body crashing into the earth still didn't sit well with the blonde witch. She shook her head before managing a soft smile at her, pride gleaming in her eyes.
"I must say, I'm very proud and impressed to hear you're taking steps like this to remain knowledgeable and aware of your condition."
Akko rubbed the back of her neck as her tail swished back and forth in response to the praise.
"I try my best! If I want to perform like this, I gotta know how to take advantage of it right?"
"Take advantage?"
A smirk appeared on the brunette's face.
"Yea. Sucy did say that people sometimes enjoy a good Halloween scare!"
Diana expression became deadpan.
"Please don't tell me you did all this for fear factor."
Akko shook her head vigorously, her tail lowering in slight panic at possibly incurring the blonde's anger.
"Nope nope nope! This was an accident. I was actually meaning something else."
She chuckled as Diana shook her head in exasperated affection.
"Seriously though, thanks for still trying to catch me. I'm really sorry I made you worry."
The blonde laid a hand on her shoulder giving her a light squeeze. Akko watched as she closed her eyes to take a calming breath and exhale it. Her heart stuttered when blue orbs gazed into her own with relief slight trepidation.
"I'm just glad you're really safe."
Against her wishes, her tail started wagging wildly once more.
"T-thanks Diana."
Both witches shared a gentle smile before Akko's ears twitched and she smirked.
"Oh! Let me show you what I meant by a good scare!"
Before the blonde could respond, Akko grabbed her fallen broom and with another fangy grin, wink, and swish of her tail, took off back into the sky.
Seconds later Diana overheard Amanda screaming bloody murder.
"AKKO WHAT THE F-"
It looks like they didn't need to worry about Akko and her new aspects as much as they thought.
"HA! Is that a tail!? HAHA! You look like one of your half assed transfor- AH! Did you just try to bite me?!"
Or maybe not.
Careful Amanda, just because she's a puppy doesn't mean she can't bite hard. Well that's it for double posting but that's not the end for me. Again, thanks a bunch for reading these and I hope you're having as much fun as I am. Leave a review and tell me what you think or if you're brave enough, (cuz I most certainly ain't) say hello to me on tumblr. I go under the same name more or less (via-arterus). I don't talk much there (if at all) - just reblog and tag everything. EVERYTHING. But yea if you're not a bot and just wanna say hi and receive an awkward squack in return, then go for it. (Look at me shamelessly plugging).
Notes:
- I had fun with this one and I actually had to restrain myself from over extending it. Like this is another short series I wanna play on and off with but not all at once like the Summoning a Star shorts you know? You'll probs see more of these bits down the line along with others of the shorts. I think I mentioned this earlier on.
- I've looked into a bunch of werewolf ideas here on different sites and one that I enjoyed was that maybe werewolves rampage cuz like the transformation is a hyper calorie burn and they get hungry and the adrenaline is like GET FOOD BY ALL MEANS. So how to handle? Either burn out or feed the pup so much that post change they're not hungry and can just chill. Obviously and for shenanigan's sake, Akko's friends decided that burning her out would be fun. But like... A hyped up, super strong/fast/puppy Akko vs 8 cautious witches? Hmm I think she has a chance to turn the tables on them. Especially with Chariot having her keep up with the details of her condition.
- The Nightfall stuff was literally bs-ing a random explanation/story on the spot. I wrote this in a day guys... WHILE I WORKED (it was my lunch break).
- This chapter was also inspired by me just wanting to write down a wolfy-Akko on a broom and as always falling but like this time not being caught by Diana for the 216984654684th time. Come one she's gotta miss at some point.
- Not written in the previous chapter but touched on here - Yes Akko did go on a first-time-werewolf-rampage and wreaked havoc. It was like any other werewolf movie where she wanted to attack everything and anything and just feast. But three powerful, competent witches against a wild, young beast? They had a handle on her. Now it's just a matter of she herself getting a handle of all them instincts.
- I had to finish writing this chapter today cuz tonight is a full moon :D
- Poor doves.
- I proofread this, but again, not beta'd.