Chapter Eleven- Epilogue
Yugi removed and folded his clothes while Kaiba and Joey did the same, yet kept his back to them. He felt self-conscious about being naked in front his best friend and his dueling rival. He also wondered about the transformation. Would it hurt like last time? If his experience was anything to go on, then yes. However, Kaiba and Joey both changed and it didn't seem to hurt. He looked at his hands and envisioned them as paws and a shiver of excitement went through him.
"You okay, Yug?" Joey called.
"I'm fine, just nervous and excited."
"Yeah, you'll be fine, nothing to be nervous about."
"I guess I'm just wondering if it'll hurt as bad as last time."
"It won't hurt anymore," Kaiba spoke up. "The pain last night was your body adjusting to the changes inside and out."
Yugi nodded, his eyes on the carpet near the window which showed the ruby red glow of the sunset despite the closed curtains. He watched as the glow intensified for a second and then gradually faded to darkness. At that moment, he felt his body tingling and glanced down to see his nails become sharp claws. He could feel his teeth turn sharp and his ears becoming pointed and fur-covered before traveling upward. His nose and jaws pushed out into a muzzle as fur grew all over him. His feet and hands became paws which forced him to all fours while his hair became fur and a tail pushed out behind him. He let out a howl as the change completed itself and his call was answered by Joey and Kaiba. He turned to see Joey lay down as Kaiba gently lifted each pup down so that they could feed. Once they were all down, Kaiba turned to Yugi.
**I honestly don't know how much we can teach you,** Kaiba said. **We don't need to hunt or run through a forest, for starters. The only things I can think of are being careful that you don't turn someone, try to resist any wolf instincts during the day, and I would advise about resisting any mating instincts, otherwise you'll end up like Joey.**
**You mean female and pregnant.**
**Exactly.**
**Hey, I didn't hear you complaining about any of that, Seto,** Joey spoke up.
**Of course not, Joey. I don't regret anything we've done one bit. I just can't imagine Yugi going through the same thing.**
**I don't think we'll have to. I've see how Tea and Yugi look at each other.**
Yugi felt his cheeks grow hot. **Is-is it that obvious?**
**It is to me. I've seen how you go all stiff and freeze up when Tea hugs you.**
Kaiba cleared his throat. **Now, about your grandpa.**
**Actually, the pharaoh and I already talked about it and we came up with a couple of approaches.**
**Like what?** Joey asked as Kaiba rolled his eyes at Yugi's words.
**Well, one approach is I tell him why I spent the night here because he's likely to ask.**
**And if he doesn't?**
**Then I say I have something to tell him. If he doesn't believe me after I tell him, I can transform to prove it.**
**What-what if he throws you out?**
Yugi was silent for a moment. **I'd like to think that he won't, that he'll love me the same as before.**
**If he does throw you out,** Kaiba said. **Then you're welcome to move in with us.**
Yugi nodded his thanks and prayed that Grandpa would accept him being a werewolf.
"Grandpa, I'm home!" Yugi called the next day as he closed the door and set down his school bag.
Grandpa came out of the kitchen and gave Yugi a hug. "Welcome back. Did you have fun at Kaiba's?"
"Well, kind of. We mostly talked before going to sleep."
"Really? I thought for sure he would challenge you to a duel."
"He had other matters on his mind."
Yugi, Pharaoh said. You're not supposed to be vague about last night.
You're right.
"Yugi," Grandpa said. "Why were you at Kaiba's last night? You've never spent the night there before."
"It's difficult to explain, but the point is that I'm…I'm…" Yugi's mouth suddenly felt dry. He thought it would be easy to say it, but faced with the moment, his words stuck in his throat. He felt his heart being gripped by fear. What if Grandpa did throw him out? He dropped his gaze to the floor and was shocked to see his vision starting to swim with unshed tears.
Grandpa was concerned by Yugi's actions. He tilted his grandson's head up and felt his heart break at the tears shining in his eyes. "Yugi, what's wrong? Did Kaiba hurt you?" A head shake. "Then, what? You can tell me, I'll still love you. You know that."
Yugi took a deep, shaky breath and blinked the tears away before saying, "Grandpa, I'm a werewolf now."
Grandpa released Yugi and took a step back. "What?"
"I'm a werewolf," Yugi repeated, finding it easier to say now that the moment of confession had passed. "Joey became a werewolf almost two months ago as did Kaiba. A couple of weeks ago, Joey and Kaiba had three pups and when I reached out to touch one a couple of nights ago, Joey bit me because of an instinct to protect the pups."
"So, this is Joey's fault," Grandpa said, sounding angry.
"Grandpa, please. Joey already feels bad about what he did, but I've already forgiven him. He reacted out of instinct and sometimes it's hard to fight instinct. It's not bad being a werewolf. I'm not dangerous or anything."
Grandpa looked at Yugi, his anger fading away. He pulled Yugi into another hug. "All right. If you've forgiven Joey, I do too. You're still you; you just turn into a wolf around the full moon."
"Actually, I can change whenever I want. I have to change on the full moon, I have no control over that."
"You can change anytime you want? Well, that's different from the werewolf myths one usually hears."
Yugi laid on his bed as he stared up at the ceiling. It was too early to go to bed and he was feeling restless, but not sure what to do with the extra energy. His eyes drifted to the window to show a clear moonless sky. It looked like a nice night and perhaps a walk would get rid of the energy. He got up and quietly crept downstairs and out the door. He took a deep breath and let the scents wash over him; some were pleasant while others weren't and Yugi focused on filtering out the scents. He started walking while focusing on his senses every now and then. His footsteps soon guided him to the park and as he walked, he soon heard the Pharaoh's voice in his mind.
Yugi, don't you think we've walked enough? We should be heading home.
I don't know. I still feel so restless and besides tomorrow's Sunday. Grandpa will let us sleep in.
In that case, I have a request.
What is it?"
Do you think I could have a turn at being a wolf?
You?
Yes. I might even get rid of the excess energy.
Okay. Just let me find a place to undress.
Yugi soon found a deserted area where he removed his clothes and neatly put them under a bush. He now wore only the Millennium Puzzle and he focused on switching places with the Pharaoh, which was done quickly and quietly. Pharaoh opened his eyes and quickly looked around before closing his eyes again and focused on transforming.
A tingling sensation ran through him and he opened his eyes to see his body completely covered in fur. Yugi never wore the puzzle during his changes, so the Pharaoh never saw Yugi's wolf form. He admired the unusual magenta-tipped black fur when he felt his knees change direction and he dropped onto the four paws that had replaced his hands and feet. Odd. This doesn't hurt at all.
I know. It didn't hurt last night, either. It's like Kaiba said. The first night it hurt because my body was adjusting to the change.
Ah. Pharaoh was soon aware that he didn't feel any other changes happening and came to the conclusion that the transformation was complete. He took a few steps forward before breaking into a run. He savored every movement as he ran. He couldn't believe how fast he was moving; the way the wind moved through his fur, the feel of concrete and grass beneath his paws, and the smells he was picking up. He felt truly alive and he couldn't resist letting out a short howl to express these feelings.
Another short, high-pitched howl reached his ears before a gold wolf came bounding up the path and came to a stop. **Hey, Yug,** said Joey.
**Actually, I'm not Yugi.**
**Oh, hey Pharaoh. Heh, I should've known. You're actually a bit longer and bigger than Yugi. But, what are the two of you doin' out here?**
**Yugi was feeling restless and I wanted to experience being a wolf. Why are you out here? I thought feeding the pups would be exhausting.**
**It wasn't as draining as it usually is and Seto suggested I go out for some fresh air.**
**How about we get that fresh air together?**
**If you're talking a race, I'm in.**
**That's exactly what I mean.**
Joey drew up next to Pharaoh. **Okay. One, two, three…GO!**
The two wolves took off at dead runs and ran a full circuit before collapsing next to the bush where Yugi stashed his clothes. They both lay there panting before Joey recovered enough breath to say, **I…win.**
**Of course…you did. You've…been a wolf…for months.**
**I'm also bigger and lighter since I'm female at the moment.**
**I should change back and let Yugi have control so he can get dressed and head home.**
**Sure. Go ahead.**
Pharaoh shifted to human before handing control back to Yugi. Yugi pulled on his clothes and then stroked Joey's head. "Joey, I know I won't be able to understand you right now, but I think I'll get to like being a wolf, especially if we can get together and play like this."
Joey put a paw on Yugi's forearm and nodded her understanding. Yugi scratched behind her ears before saying, "Good night, Joey." He turned and walked out of the park and towards home now feeling ready to get some sleep.
**Good night, Yugi. We'll definitely play again at some point. Maybe even with Seto and the pups once they're old enough.** Joey turned around and ran for home, eager to spend time with her children and mate. A mate to whom she was glad had confessed his feelings those few months ago.
The End
Okay, I know Grandpa's being a little too accepting, but honestly think of what this guy's already seen and been through. So, that's it for Yu-Gi-Oh stories for now. I have a couple of one-shot ideas, but I have to work out the details. I've already started posting a Harry Potter story and I've already got favorites and follows after one chapter!