A/N: Well hey I promised to post whatever I had by the end of the month....i struggling here folks so bare with me...the story is coming....just very slowly. I'm not happy with this chapter at all, but it had to get out there so I could move on to the action in the next one. Things are gonna start coming together soon. I'll do my best to try to get it out faster then this one took. But you gys will have to tell me which you prefer. Shorter chapters with faster updates, or longer chapters with a longer wait, we;re close to the end here so it's your choice. Now on we go.
WARNING: seriously NOT betad and hardly proofed...just plain ran out of time.
MasterMark
Wednesday – Day 17 - Very Early Morning
The woods were dark and cold, but minus the thick fog that had always been present till now. In it's place was a bitter wind whistling through the barren branches. Sachiko did not acknowledge or even feel it biting into her as she stood, nude, with her face turned to the bright moon above. The ghostly beams of light filled her with such and sense of warmth and power, it was making her head spin, oh maybe the world was just spinning. In one moment she was Sachiko 18 year old daughter of the Ogasawara family, then next she was a totally new being.
Covered from head to to in thick, black fur and crouching on all fours. Canine ears flicked to and through picking up subtle sounds of leery wildlife. Golden eyes pierced the shadows as if it was midday. Muscles bulged and shifted beneath thick fur as she lifted a canine head to the sky and howled, feeling free and powerful like nothing in the world could stop her.
Sniffing the air, the now black werewolf caught the faintest of traces of a familiar and welcomed scent, strawberries and peaches. Yumi. As soon as recognition took place, the bite mark on her should, hidden by the black fur, began to dully throb. Yumi, my Yumi. Unconsciously she began moving on all fours in the direction of the scent. The closer she went the more an aching need filled her chest. Oh Yumi, how I want you to be fully mine. She began to pick up her pace as the trees around her became a blur. The scent of Yumi was becoming stronger, driving Sachiko's mind into more chaos. Beautiful Yumi, you'll be mine won't you? I will make you mine! If the small girl's scent wasn't so intoxicating Sachiko may have recognized how frightening her own thoughts were, but as it was, the werewolf spotted a flash of brown up ahead and all but the need to be one with the girl was left to fill her. A few more strides and she could clearly make out the girl of her obsessive mind. Yumi, also nude, was running for all she was worth away from where the canine Sachiko stood.
Yumi! Why is she running away! YUMI! The large beast leaped after the smaller girl. Yumi come back to me! Don't leave me!
As if she could hear, the girl turned a tear stain face back to glance over her shoulder, absolute terror written in her eyes. Despair spread through the black werewolf, Yumi was afraid of her, she was a monster and now Yumi would leave her forever. NO! Yumi and I are meant to be together! I just....I just... a dark thought enter her mind then and her golden eyes harden. Yes, I just need to make her like me, then she'll stay with me! With this thought Sachiko pounced, tackling her prey to the ground. PREY???!!! ....yes.... Prey. Yumi is mine....my prey....my mate....mine. Sachiko's larger fur covered form pinned the smaller girl below her. A smug grin of satisfaction arose on her canine face when she saw the fear in brown eyes.
"There's no escape from this Yumi, you WILL be mine." She growled out. Tears leaked out of small girl's eyes, but she laid unmoving, resigned. Sachiko lowered her head to dig her teeth into the creamy white neck before her, only to be stopped when her TurnMark began to burn furiously. The black werewolf howled in pain as she arched her back.
Suddenly Yumi was gone from beneath her and the trees all around her seemed to be alive. Their barren branches reaching out like bony hands to hold her, the cold wind that had sounded like a whistle before, now hissed out a word...but she was unable to understand it.
Sachiko fell forward as the trees griping her furred wrists and canine legs yanked her down into a spread eagle position. A heavy mass pushed down on her back from behind. The black werewolf could feel heat emitting from a larger fur cover form. The man, wolf, monster was laying on her in his own werewolf form, his erect manhood pushing against the back of her thigh.
The wind's hissing continued to rise into a combination of shouts and whispers, "MmmaaaaSSSSSSTerrrr... MmmmaaaaAAASSSSsssssterr..."
...can you not hear it my mate...I have marked you as mine...
He leaned down to nuzzle her TurnMark through her fur with his snout. Pleasure shot through her body, the burning fire of earlier be replaced as he continue to nuzzle and caress her back. The trees retracted as Sachiko found her body no longer listening to her. Instead it reacted to the sensation coming for her shoulder and the presence behind her. Then the world began to grey and fade around her but Sachiko still heard the last word screamed on the wind.
"MaaAASSSSSSTERRRRMAAAARRRRK!"
Sachiko finally fought her way to consciousness. Sweat rolled from her face and her pajamas and sheets were soaked through. Her body was over hot, but unlike her other dreams...this sweat felt different. A glance at her clocked show it to be 2:04am. Slowly pushing back the sheets and standing a way of dizziness hit the tall girl and she swayed on her feet. Taking a shaky step forward she regain her equilibrium, making her way to her mirror. With shaking hands she unbuttoned her top and let the damp material drop to the floor. Thinking back to the first dream she had after the attack, Sachiko glared into her mirror. He said the MasterMark took. What did he mean?
Another wave of dizziness hit the girl. She began to stumble for the nearest form of support as the world spun and began to dim. Falling to her hands and knees in the middle of her room the darkness at the edge of her vision continued to close in until at last her arms gave out and she laid chest down on her floor, where she would stay until a maid sent to wake her a 6:30am would find her. A quick call to the family doctor showed she was running a temperature of 104 degrees.
Evening
Yumi sat doodling in a notebook instead of listening to Rei explanation of what the Yamayurikai needed to accomplish next week. Her Onee-sama had not been at school today. At lunchtime Yumi had snuck a phone call on her cell to Sachiko's house and was informed by her mother that the girl was running a high fever, the cause of which was a mystery, though Yumi suspected she had a good idea. The small girl had been all set to leave after school to come over, but Sayako had insisted that until they knew what was causing the fever and if it was contagious, that none of the girls should visit. To say Yumi was disappointed was an understatement, but is was Sayako parting words that had truly lead to her distractions.
"Yumi..." Sachiko's mother had paused searching for the best words. "Do the words 'Master' and 'Mark' mean anything to you?"
"Master and Mark? Hmmm no, not that I can think of? Why Sayako Oba-san?"
"Oh nothing I'm sure, it's just...that...Sachiko has been repeating those words off and on, that's all, probably just some dream due to the fever."
Yumi had to frown then, feeling like there was something on the tip of her memories that she SHOULD be recalling, before shaking her head. "I'm sorry Sayako Oba-san, I really can't think of anything.
The older woman came back with a soothing voice. "It's alright Yumi-chan, I must be going, please inform the other girls will you? And take care. We'll talk again soon when the doctor knows more."
"A-ah yes, Good Day!"
Back in the Rose Manson those words continued to bounce around in her head. Absent mindlessly Yumi's hand began scribbling on the blank page before her. The small girl was sure the fever had to have something to do with her Onee-sama's transformation into a Wolfkin. Worry for her sister filled the girl. What pain and fear of the unknown Onee-sama must be going through. I wish I knew more to help her. Thoughts of everything leading up to now tumbled through her mind: the attack, the changes in Sachiko, the old book Cat had lead her to... the book... again Yumi felt something important was tickling the back of her mind.
Finally looking down, brown eyes opened in shock to see her hand had scribbled the word MasterMark in English. I've seen this...where...?
...It will be one of three possible scars they shall carry that is inflicted by another Wolfkin, the other two being a 'MasterMark' and a 'LifeMateMark'...
THE BOOK!!! Yumi stood up as the realization shot through her, her chair skidding back so forcefully it nearly tipped over, the others in the room falling silent at the outburst. Yumi, caught in her own world yet, began franticly gathering her things.
"Yumi-chan?" Rei finally broke the spell that had fallen over them.
Yumi blinked, only now coming back to herself, finding her friends all staring at her in shock, curiosity, and a good dose of concern.
"I-I'm sorry, I need to leave, please excuse me." and with that she ran from the room. Rei, Yoshino, Shimako, and Noriko exchanged concerned glances before Rei called a close to the meeting. As they began to clean up Yoshino gazed at the window, a contemplating look on her face.
Yumi ran as fast as she could to the Lillian University Library. Something inside told her this MasterMark was very important, that learning everything she could about it could potentially change everything. This feeling, fueled by an underling sense of panic and desperation, pushed her to run faster then she had even in the relay in the Sport's Festival.
By the time she made it to the door step she was completely out of breath. The fresh scars on her back pulled and burned from her run. Not pausing to catch it, she stumbled in and quickly spotted the tall foreigner behind the desk. Cat saw her come in and was quick to meet her half way, nearly holding up the small girl as Yumi all but collapsed into her arms.
"Y-y-yumi-chan, what's w-wrong?"
"B...bo-bo...ok...I...need..." the small girl tried to get out through her abused lungs.
" Shhh, ok, ok, I g-get it. Just catch your breath." The redhead said quietly as she led/carried Yumi into an empty room and away from the curious looks of other students in the library. Cat left the small girl with her head resting on the table, still gasping for breath. By the time the tall foreigner returned with the book, Yumi's breathing had mostly calmed down. The redhead set the book on the table and the younger girl wasted no time in opening it. Conscious of the condition they were in, Yumi frantically, but carefully, flipped through the pages of the aged book . Cat opened her mouth to say something, but looking a the slightly panicked look in brown eyes, thought better of it and silently left.
The book was very unorganized, Obviously Éadaoin ó Séaghdha, had simply wrote down things as they came to mind, with no real planing ahead time. Thus, Yumi had to scan each handwritten page for the word 'MasterMark'. Finally after about ten minutes she came across the section she was looking for.
Sadly there are dark spots in Wolfkin history, some of which carry on to this day. One such mar is that of the MasterMark. It is a mystery where this binding seal came from, but it's legacy is still felt. In essence the MasterMark binds one Wolfkin to another, a slave to a master, the bind being emotional and sexual in nature. A MasterMark is distinguished from a MateMark by being on the right shoulder, as oppose to a MateMark's left, and the bite occurs when the 'master' is behind the 'slave'. Again opposed to a MateMark, which is done with both Wolfkins facing each other and biting at the same time.
Yumi's eyes widen as she read the words scribbled on the page. No! oh no! Onee-sama's TurnMark! The wolf had bitten Sachiko's right shoulder from behind, he had MasterMarked her.
Now even more panicked Yumi read on.
The MasterMark is certainly sexually charged, the slave becoming emotionally and sexually drawn to the master, eventually becoming fully dependent on them. Once bitten with a MasterMark the bound Wolfkin will begin to grow feelings and desire towards their masters, their bodies craving their master's touch. It must be noted these feeling are not their own natural feelings but emotions forced on them by the bind. The MasterMark will become permanent the next full moon if the master mates with the slave. After this the bind is fully formed and can only be broken by the death of the slave. Killing the master will only drive the slave into madness, often leaving them in a vegetative state.
Yumi stared at the book in horror, before shutting her eyes in despair. . Onee-sama, no, Sachiko, this is what he plans to do! Oh Sachiko, what are we going to do.
Outside the library, two figures cloaked in shadows stood conversing in English.
"It's definitely her."
"That means we were too late, damn it!"
"I still don't see why we can't interfere, make it easier on ...." The shorter of the two figures said, tossing there arms in the air. The other, taller one, encircled the smaller one in their arms, holding them close.
"I know, this whole thing is going downhill. But we can't let him know we're here. As much as it pains me, we have to sit back and let it unfold until all the players are gathered, then... then we can stop it."
The small one snuggle in closer, "You very well know we're too late to stop it from happening, the first of the Trine is in two nights."
"I know." said sadly.
"Then... you know what we have to do don't you?"
"Yes, we can't let that bastard have her. At all cost."
Thursday - Day 18 - Morning
A paler then normal Sachiko tossed and turned in bed. Her hair was plastered to her forehead and her sheets soaked from sweat. She had ran a high fever all yesterday. Her body was changing in ways modern medicine would never be able to see or explain. But finally in the early hours her fever broke, leaving her weak and drained, but on the mend.
It was with relief that her mother, who found herself looking into blurry but conscious blue eyes when she enter to check on her daughter later in the morning. After offering the girl a glass of water to quench her thirst, Sayako contented herself with watching the exhausted girl fall back to sleep, this time in a calm, healing slumber, without dreams. The older woman ran her hand through tangled dark hair the spread across the pillow, unable to voice how scared she had been for her only child.
As she stood to leave to was stopped by a scratchy, horse voice. "O..kaa...sa..ma?"
Sayako was quick to seat back down and take her only offspring's hand. "Yes little one?"
Sachiko cleared her throat before continuing in a whisper. "If...if something were to happen to me...wou....would you look after Yumi?"
"Oh child, always the strong one. Of course I would, your father too." Off of her daughter skeptical look she continued. "You have no idea how you've frightened an aging woman, you are my most precious one, your father's too. I know he doesn't show it often but you are he his true joy. We would do anything for you, no matter what happens and of course we would look after you adorable peitie soeur, she is family."
Satisfied Sachiko relaxed, drifting back into sleep. At lest no matter what happens Yumi, you will be ok.
Sayako sighed as she rose for a second time after leaning in to kiss her daughter forehead. "Yumi is already family, Little One. Even your father can see how she holds your heart in her hands, just as you hold hers, even if you can't see yourself." silently the older woman left.
Outside, hidden in the branches of a tree, the man watch the scene play out with a sinister grin.
...tomorrow you will be mine...
Lunchtime
Yumi sat in the Rose Mansion picking at her food. Thoughts of what she read bounce around her head. If I don't do something Onee-sama will become the beast's slave....his se... She couldn't even finish the thought. Yumi was facing a brick wall. She knew she couldn't tell Sachiko what she had found out, the older girl was under enough stress, not to mention her dislike of men...and what will happen tomorrow night. No! I can't let him....i can't let him...hurt her...i won't allow it.' but this put her back at square one. Despondently, Yumi noted it was time for class and packed her untouched lunch. Shimako and Yoshino watched in concern as Yumi listlessly left the room.
Yoshino turned with determination in her eyes. "This has gone on far enough, I WILL find out what is going on." The braided haired girl got up a left as well, leaving the lone Rosa Giantiea to bite her lip in worry.
Evening
Yumi rubbed her eyes, the scribbled words on the page were starting to blend together, but the small girl refused to give up. There must be some way to stop this, I have to help Sachiko, I can not fail...no.. I WILL not fail. Nodding with new resolve she turn but to the aged pages, scaning each one carefully. Finally, the word MasterMark caught her eye.
As I said the MasterMark is a dark spot most Wolfkins would like to forget, and mostly the practice has been eliminated as it is deem the greatest form betrayal among Wolfkin, but a few still dare to practice it.
Yumi sat up straighter as she kept reading.
Also note the MasterMark should never be used as a TurnMark, every known case of a non-wolf being turned using a MasterMark, has, once the bind is fully formed, resulted in the Turned becoming emotionally unstable and dangerous to themselves and others, ultimately resulting in the Turned dieing, or succumb to a coma from which they do not wake.
Oh Maria-sama NO! Yumi cried in her mind. Her heart thumping in her chest, Yumi couldn't stop her eyes from tearing up when she read:
However after first being bitten there is a small window of time in which to break the bind. For this, again, a death must occur. Generally in the case of Turned by MasterMark, putting the Turned out of their suffering is usually the only option.
With shaking hands Yumi red the rest of the passage before numbly closing the old tome. So that is is...that in my only choice, but can I...do it... She asked herself as she gather up her things and left the room. The mere thought of what those words had said brought a stab of pain to her heart. Can I really do it?
Yumi was putting up a valet fight to keep her tears at bay as she walked up to the front desk where Cat sat. The redhead's heart nearly broke at the stricken look the girl gave her, yet her eyes begged for some kind of reassurance that the her world wasn't crashing down. Those pleading browns finally drew soft word from the tall foreigner.
"H-hang in there Yumi-san, whatever is bothering you, it'll get b-better, I promise. It's always d-darkest before the d-dawn."
"Not this time Cat-san, everything is going to change." She handed the aged book over. "Thank you very much for allowing me to read this book. But, I don't think I will be needing it anymore."
Ignoring the taller girl's shocked look she left the library only to be confront by Yoshino standing in the walk way with her hands on her hips.
"Y-yoshino-san! W-what are you doing here?"
"What's going on Yumi-san?" Yoshino wasted no time in asking. Yumi attempted to walk around her but the other girl step in her path. "Yumi-san!"
Yumi, her head tucked low, fighting to keep her emotions in check whispered. "Please Yoshino-san, let me by." The small girl again tried to push her way past her friend.
"Yumi-san!" Yoshino grabbed the girl's wrist before she could escape. "Tell me what's going on!"
"I CAN'T!" Yumi screamed, before breaking into tears, and falling into the other girl's arms.
Yoshino, caught by surprise lost her balance.
The golden wolf watch from the shadows as the two girls fell to the ground, holding each other, before turning away and disappearing into the night.
A/N and Teaser:
Eriko standing with arms crossed and tapping her foot. Bug sweat drops.
BUG: Well I only took 4 months this time...that better then a year right????
Eriko only arches an eyebrow
BUG: B-b-ut but, I really tried!!!
ERIKO: It's REALLY short!
BUG: Ummm, yeah I kinda just don't have my heart in this story anymore....b-but hey! I'm still getting chapters out!
ERIKO: mhmmmmm....(not convinced.)
BUG: Oh hey look! A teaser!! (innocent look)
ERIKO: uhuh... (finally give Bug a reprieve and turn to the readers.
...Next time on Night of the Wolf:
(Rei slips Yumi a small letter opener before opening the door.
"O-onee-sama!")
ERIKO: ...Yumi must make a difficult choice...
(Sachiko screams as hands hold her down)
ERIKO: ...which will change Sachiko's...
(The massive werewolf let out reared but on his hind lands, towering over the huddled form.)
ERIKO: ...and her life....
("Sachiko...Sachiko! I...I..." Yumi couldn't finish her sentence, as lips pressed firmly against hers.)
ERIKO: ...Forever....
(Loud crashing could be heard, that of a large animal running through the brush.)
("That Bastard tried breaking a soul mated pair!")
(Sachiko form twisted and thrashed in the pale moon beams)
("Sachiko..." All movements stopped as three sets of eyes turned to Yumi who stood bared from the waist up.)
(She looked firmly into yellow eyes, seeing the answers she seek.
"Do it." )
(Sachiko lunged for the small body, her open jaws aimed for the bare exposed neck of Yumi.)
Eriko finishes but now stands in a tight black leather catsuite with killer high heeled boots. And riding crop is held in her gloved hand which she taps lightly on her thigh. A dangerously serious look is on her face.
BUG: O_o;; WTF??? Eriko??? What are you doing??
ERIKO: (giggles totally ruining the look) It's it great?? I'm going to be a slave driver to make sure you write faster this time!
BUG: (sweat drops and slowly starts creeping away) Ahhhh, thanks, but I don't think I need that...I mean the readers do a good enough job keeping me on task and all.
ERIKO: Nope, it still took too long for too short a chapter, so a little more.. incentive... (smacks Bug on the behind before she can get of of range
BUG: T_T … (Starts running) HEEEELLLPPP!
ERIKO: (waves to the Readers.) Don't forget to Review! See you next time! (Runs after Bug swinging her riding crop.)