Chapter 9. Only One

"We got one life to live. One love to give. One chance to keep from falling. One heart to break. One soul to take us, not forsake us. Only one…"
-Alex Band, "Only One"

She followed him back to the sewers, unsure what to think. She was angry at the wolf; she'd ruined a lot for her. Now that Bane somewhat knew her, what would he think now? Was she weak in his eyes? Canis kept her head and ears low, not bothering to meet his gaze. She didn't want to. She still suffered the pangs of guilt from when she'd hurt him.

He knew Canis was back again when they found his entrance into the sewers. Thankfully they hadn't been spotted. But she was awfully quiet now and it was making Bane oddly uncomfortable. He nudged her a little.

"Are you alright, Pequeña Lupa?" he asked.
I'm fine. Just thinking…
"About?"
Many things.
"Mind sharing?"
When I was out there…in that graveyard, I thought I was gonna die. But I wasn't really thinking of that.
"What was it you were thinking of?"
Can I ask you something?
"What?"
If you had to choose a way to die, how would you do it?
"Hm…that's an interesting question. You tried to freeze yourself to death. Personally I'd rather die in the heat".
So you'd give yourself a heatstroke?
"If that's what killed me then yes".
Huh…not exactly the answer I was thinking of but okay.

They made their way into the sewers and back to where they had met the scene of her…betrayal. Canis' ears pressed back against her head and she let out a soft, nearly inaudible whine. But Bane caught it.

"What?"
Nothing…again, just thinking.
"You sure do think a lot".
I think, therefore I am.
"Touché, Lupinotuum"
Yep…
"But what were you thinking about?"
She hesitated a moment before saying: You.
"Me? Why's that?"
I don't even know. When I closed my eyes all I could think about was you and…and what I did.
"I don't hold it against you anymore if it helps. So you can get off the guilt trip".
Still…I just feel bad. I know the wolf has told you some things. God, you must think I'm stupid now.
"Stupid? Not really. Naïve, very much so".
Why?
"Because you don't see me as I really am and that could possibly lead to your downfall".
How do you see yourself?
"As your tamer"
Honestly? Canis rolled her eyes the best she could in her wolf form.
"In that case, I see myself as others see me and that, Pequeña Lupa, is someone to be feared".
I don't fear you.
"And that's why I think you naïve. You've heard of the things I do. You know what I could do to you and yet still…your either fearless or foolish".
Both perhaps…but we're all fools in certain areas. I don't see you as someone to be feared. You're probably gonna hate this but, but in actuality I pity you.
"Why?"
You're almost as much a denizen of the dark as I am. You spent your whole life living in darkness and misery. That's no way for someone to live and for that I feel sympathy for you. Trust me, if I could trade our pasts I'd do it…just so that you wouldn't have to feel that misery.
"What is it with you and sentiments like that?"
What? It's called honesty.
"Well to me, it's called confusing".
Why? Has no one ever…said anything like that to you? 'Cause if not that just shows how...oh what's the word I'm looking for…care deprived, I guess, you are.
"What do you care?"
Look, this is an unusual situation for both of us here. I should hate your guts as much as you hate mine. And trust me, for a while, I did. But after you saved me from Conn…everything changed. It was like, I felt like you actually cared about me, even though I knew your only reason for keeping me alive was to fight. But still, something told me that maybe, just maybe, there was a chance you'd grown to maybe like me a little. If that was the case, then I really wasn't indifferent. I started off pitying you, but as those three days went along and you talked to me more, yes I could hear everything you said, I grew to care. And when I saw the scars…that only made me care more. Finding out what that mask does for you didn't help either. I should've known it was there for a reason…

All the while she was talking, Bane was somewhat struggling to process it all. In three days alone, she'd grown to care…about him of all people? Why? That didn't make sense? Was that even possible? Maybe it was a werewolf thing? To him, it didn't really make sense, but one thing was clear: He already had Canis Lupa wrapped around his finger and he hadn't even tried yet. She was already tame for him. Or at least that was his thought process.

"So what do I call you now? Canis? Sarantha?"
Canis sighed. Sarantha died ten years ago. Canis Lupa is all that remains.
"I don't think so. The way you talk now isn't like those of the Canis Lupa I first met. Sarantha's still alive somewhere in you".
I'm weak I know.
"Not weak, just human".
Well, at least a part of me is human.
"Why would you even want to be human? You wish to be like everyone else, pitiful, naïve, dishonest…humans are terrible creatures".
And this coming from someone who's lost faith in humanity. Hm…how strange.
"What?"
The fact that I'm a werewolf that hasn't given up on humanity and you're a human who has. I find that sadly humorous. Is that wrong?
"Not really, because it's true. It's sad, but your right, humorous all the same".
When we first met, did you think me evil? Did you think me wrong?
Bane let out a little chuckle. "Using my own questions against me. If you must know, no. I've never seen you as either one. But I will admit, you're quite a wild card, Lupinotuum".
Well my kind normally is. Tell me something Bane, have you ever really cared for someone, besides yourself?
"I did".
Who?
Bane sighed. "Talia".
Oh god…this isn't gonna turn into some kind of tragic love story is it?
"I grew up with her" Bane told her, pretty much ignoring her question, "Well, more like she grew up with me. I saved her when her mother was killed back in the Pit"
Oh wow…don't tell me: She managed to get out but you didn't and basically stabbed you in the back?
"You got the first half right. She did escape eventually, but came back for me. That's how I got this" he looked down at his mask.
So…did you like her?
"For a time yes, but she never saw me that way. I was more like a brother if anything else".
Ah…so you've never…um…oh god, how do I bring this in without getting too personal? Um…crap…I can't bring myself to ask, but I'm sure you already know.
"Yes I know what you're implying and besides Talia, no".
So…ever since Talia saved you, you've loved nor cared for no one and no one's ever loved or cared for you?
"When you put it like that you make me sound pitiful".
Well, to be honest, you kinda are.
"Well, what about you?"
Hey! I have my reasons for not…loving someone else.
"I'm pretty sure I already know some of those reasons, but do tell".
Canis sighed again. I'm too scared to get close to anyone. I don't wanna hurt them.
"What if it was another werewolf?"
Do you realize how rare my kind are? We're legendary Bane. Everyone believes that we're just myths. And soon, we may as well be.
"What are your plans? Where will you go when you leave Gotham?"
To be honest, I'm a wolf without a pack and territory means nothing to me. To be honest, I've never belonged anywhere.
"You could belong here".
I doubt that. I don't associate myself with killers normally.
"Well you yourself are one".
Only when necessary. I only kill what I need to survive or if someone threatens me first, which is normally the case. I have morals when it comes to the kill.
"I see, you go by honorable ways".
But yet…I think it's strange how I no longer find the idea of staying here anymore repulsing. Do you think I'm strange because of that?
"I think you're strange for a lot of reasons, Canis".
Wow!
"What?"
You actually called me Canis! There's a first!
"I have before"
Yes, but you put my last name with it. So I guess we're on the right track, don't you think?
"I'd assume so".

Canis curled herself up to rest. Well, it's been a long day and I could use some sleep. Hopefully I'll be me again tomorrow morning.