Tucking a strand of hair behind my ear, I look toward the setting sun. A warm soft breeze pushes more strands of hair in my face as I sigh in annoyance. I repeat the motion of fixing my hair, only for it to be messed up again. This ritual went on for several moments before the wind slowly died down and I finally got my hair out of my face. Looking to the opposite end of the sky I notice the barely visible full moon rising to its peak. I wonder if they'll be alright tonight. The white wolf could show up at any given moment, and with them slowly getting weaker… I shake my head and force the thoughts away. Well, they can do what they want. They'll be fine.

One whole week has passed since Tokiya went out of his way to become a werewolf. On the morning he came down to tell them, it turned out that they already knew. They spoke of how they knew he would get bitten as well, and when asked how they responded with, "It was just a feeling." Besides that, when Tokiya and Otoya did come down that morning, they commented on how he seemed to walk like a wolf. I couldn't understand what they meant by that, and despite Tokiya being made a werewolf just the night before, he seemed to understand it perfectly.

The following night was different compared to previous ones. For once, I felt entirely alone. Every single one of them left for Tokiya's first night as a wolf. The asked if I would like to tag along, but I declined. It felt wrong, being human surrounded by wolves for the night. In a way, I couldn't help but feel abandoned that night and the nights following. Anyone of them could spend the night inside, yet they all chose to go outside instead. They enjoy it far too much. I could never understand though, but they've made it their goal to keep me from becoming like them. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought about it, and they knew it crossed my mind at least once. They were quick to dispel the thoughts away, telling me I should never think that way again.

But why not? They said they want me as a wolf, yet now they're saying they don't? Even now, I remember the words they told me; "Please, don't think that way. We could never stand the thought of you being forced into the role of a monster like us." The first star of the night appears as I turn my back from it, intent on sitting inside my room once more instead of out on my balcony.

Lying down on my bed, I stare up at the ceiling for a moment before turning over onto my side. This past week, they've tried to comfort me. They would often stop by to cheer me up with stories or jokes, but I could only muster fake smiles for them. These seven days have been some of my worst, and I'm sure it's not just me. The feeling was similar to another I felt years ago; on the day I was told I wouldn't be able to compose for STARISH. I felt like run from it all, but even then I couldn't do it.

Despite the fact that my week was on a downward spiral, Otoya's was heading in the same direction. He never said it aloud, but I knew he regretted making Tokiya a werewolf. His usual cheerful air was gone, replaced with one of shame and guilt. I thought if he saw Tokiya as a wolf it would cheer him up, but from what I heard from Syo, it had the opposite effect. Otoya tried to ignore Tokiya throughout the night, only speaking to him when directly talked to. Natsuki mentioned that whenever Otoya thought no one was looking, he lower his head and whimper to himself.

I asked Otoya myself what was wrong, but he didn't give me much information. He did say to me, "Maybe it was a bad idea to agree with Tokiya. I shouldn't have made him a wolf. Even when I see him now, my wolf is ecstatic, but why am I feeling so much guilt?" He quickly excused himself after that, commenting on how he's already said too much. Something in my heart told me he wasn't telling the whole truth, but I decided not to pressure him. He'll tell us eventually.

Turning over onto my stomach, I let out another sigh as I press my face into my pillow. It didn't have to be this way. If only Ren hadn't come home late that day, then maybe things would be different for us. They wouldn't have to deal with these dark feelings, or their wolves, or instincts or anything. Life could've been normal for us. Why ii it that fate had different plans for us? Were we truly the only ones for the task?

I turn over once again to look at my room before me. I ask aloud, "Why?" but receive no answer. "Nothing makes sense anymore. It's all confusing for me. It must be worst for the others though, right? I'm not even a werewolf, and I'm going through a fraction of what they are." A single tear falls down my cheek. "Could it really only be us? And if it was, why does fate have to hurt such good people? Is that just life, or did we have a choice somewhere along the way? Did Ren really have to come home late? Did Masato really have to follow Ren? Did Otoya have to get up in the middle of the night?" Another tear falls down my cheek, followed by several more. "Was it fate that made Satsuki attack the white wolf? Was it really Syo's decision to be bitten by Satsuki, and what about Cecil and Tokiya? Was it truly them that wanted to be werewolves?" By now I'm silently crying to myself, as I try to gasp for air through my hiccups. "Why won't you answer me?"

Raising my hand, a wolf made of light pressed its muzzle to it. Its dark purple wisp like fur made it look majestic in a way. The wolf whines, as a red wolf wonders closer. Their fire like fur casted shadows across my room, the multicolored beings lit up the room in the most beautiful way. Both wolves look to each other before looking back at the wolves behind them. They whimper at my huddled and sobbing figure. "Will I ever get answers?"

"You will have your answers, but not today." The purple wolf wanders closer to me before pressing its snout to my forehead. All too suddenly, I start to feel drowsy as my eyes beg to be closed. The desire to sleep was too overpowering to ignore, though I still tried to force myself awake.

"Sleep for now," The purple wolf nudges my hand as I felt myself slipping away. "We will not be there tonight, but we assure you there is no danger. Sweet dreams, Haruka…"

A sharp rapping sound startles me awake. Bolting up in my bed, I take a quick look around my room, finding no sight of the wolves of light. I glance over at my clock, seeing that I've only been asleep for a few mere hours. Were they really here?

The sharp rapping sounds throughout the room again as I hesitantly make my way towards my door. Opening the door, I find Tokiya standing in my doorway, dressed in casual clothing consisting of loose pants and a loose shirt. He didn't smile, nor show any expression, but simply stood there stoically. "Good evening, Haruka."

Not bothering to hide the frantic tone in my voice, I ask, "What are you doing here? It's the full moon; shouldn't you be outside with the others?"

"Oh, yes" Tokiya frowns looking towards the floor and softly glaring at the smooth surface. "Well, everyone's off following their own agendas. Ren and Masato went to go track the other wolf, and insisted that we stay behind for their sake."

"Eh?" I tilt my head to the side. "What for? I mean, they'd have a lot more help if you all were there..." My voice trails off.

He shakes his head. "They claimed they're the reason this whole thing started, and wanted to find her themselves."

"And the others?"

Chuckling, he responds, "They're off playing together in a nearby field. Natsuki said it would be fun if they played while waiting for the others to come back; some ridiculous game of tag from what I can tell."

Furrowing my brow, I ask, "Then why come here? Do you not want to spend time with the others?"

Sighing, he leans against the door frame. "Haruka, I know my decision was a mistake. I should have never had asked Otoya to turn me… I regret putting him through that, but no matter how I look at it, being a wolf won't make him feel any better. So I figured I might as well try to hold him off for as long as I can." He smiles softly at me.

"No!" The smile disappears. "Tokiya, you've heard from the others. It's too much pain for one person to hold off their wolf on the night of the full moon. For you to suffer like that…" The thought of Tokiya writhing on the ground in pain briefly flashes through my mind. "I don't want to see you in that state."

He places a reassuring hand on my shoulder, smiling sadly, "It's okay. I'll be fine. I've suffered from stress and exhaustion through HAYATO. I think I'll be able to fight it for now." He removes his hand and coughs into it in embarrassment. "I hope you don't mind me being here with you. I didn't want to be alone with him."

Nodding, I step aside and open the door for him to come through. Hesitantly, he walks in and strides closer to the balcony. "Shall we talk outside? The fresh air might do us both good." Nodding, I follow his lead and soon find myself outside enjoying a cool night breeze. Tokiya remained close to the balcony, while I stood a bit closer to the glass door. Though he insisted he was well, the exhausted stance and shortness of breath did not hide from me. Despite it, he smiled softly and once again reassured me he was fine.

Nodding, I look out over into the vast sky lined by trees, and though the stars were not as bright as out in the country, they still dazzled like idols. "By the way," Tokiya breaks the silence. "How goes the song?"

Smiling, I respond, "I've finished it actually! It took me quite some time, but the final piece is wonderful."

He returns my smile. "I look forward to hearing the final draft of it. I hope you play it for us sometime soon." Before I respond, his eyes dart away towards the night sky only to quickly return back to my own.

Ignoring it, I nod. "Of course, when everyone has a chance we can listen to it together." A soft hum escapes me. "Oh, I've been meaning to ask, but how is everyone given the… circumstances."

He glances toward the night sky before responding with a sigh, "It looks like Cecil and I are the only ones who are remotely affected by all this. It's been a month for Cecil and just a few days for me," He pauses to look towards the sky again, this time holding his gaze a bit longer than before. "And it's been three months for Ren and Masato? They don't seem to really mind being werewolves at this point. The others… well they go on as if everything is normal."

"You and Cecil are handling it though, right?"

He nods. "We… I mean, Cecil isn't a huge fan of dogs in the first place and personally I don't enjoy coming home smelling like wolf either… It's been a… trying few days…" His voice dies down and he looks out towards the sky again.

Tilting my head, I pause before asking, "...Are you alright? Are you sure you can-"

"I'm fine, Haruka." He sucks in a deep breath, pausing, looks at the sky once more and continues, "There's... no need to worry over... me…"

"Is it your wolf?" I ask.

He groans slightly in response. "I… I'm fine!"

"But-" Abruptly, Tokiya turns away from me, facing out towards the open sky, his back to me and shoulders looking tense. His hands stretch out to the railing with an iron grip. He looks up towards the moon, and appears to shake for a moment before freezing entirely. "Uh, Tokiya? You're not hurt are you?" He's yet to turn around and continues to keep his back to me. "Tokiya?"

"Tokiya?" A feeling like ice shoots up my back at the voice. Though it was Tokiya's voice, it carried such intense venom and coldness in it. "Is that what this human goes by?" Slowly, he turns around to face me as I let out a soft gasp. He looked normal at first glance, but I quick look into his face told me something was wrong with the setting. His eyes kept an intensely cold look in them. They had an almost glowing effect while sharpened fangs sat in his mouth. He grinned frighteningly at me, back a little straighter than before.

"Uh, Tokiya?"

"Tokiya's not here right now." He takes a small step toward me, slightly hesitant to be walking. He chuckles. "I must say though, I'm surprised. I had no idea that my persistent ways and his stubbornness would allow for our meeting; a wolf in the body of a human."

"I, uh…"

He takes another step forward, falling forward slightly only to catch himself before he hits the stone floor. He growls slightly, "Humans truly are a useless species. No fangs, no claws, nor a fur coat to keep out the cold." Looking up at me, he grins, "Though I suppose it isn't all bad..." By now, I've found myself no longer directly between the railing and doors. Instead, I was standing with my back pressed into the glass doorway, as I attempted to search for the handle. In one more stride, he's there in front of me; one hand grips my wrist and presses it into the glass above my head while the other reached for my chin. Tilting my head up, he brings his face closer to mine. The short distance was uncomfortable and made it awkward to breathe.

"Uh, Toki…" His name slowly dies on my lips.

"Well, you're no wolf," He leans down closer, lips just centimeters from my own. "But it seems this human finds you attractive." His nose brushes mine and he pulls away, grabbing my wrist and pinning it above my head. If I gave any effort, I could break away quickly enough to rush inside or to find the others, but my feet seemed to freeze in place as the chill slowly travels up the rest of my body. "And if you were a wolf… Oh, you'd make a fine mate." He grins before resting his forehead against my own and laughs at my obvious blush. "Perhaps leaving you human is the real problem these dolts face."

Though the blush on my face continued to rise, the fear shooting up and down my spine lessened slightly. Forcing myself to speak clearly, I whisper, "Tokiya…"

He moves his head down towards my neck, inhaling sharply before replying, "Your scent is appealing as well." He breathes in again; cold lips brush the side of my neck. Goosebumps form on my arms as he breathes in again. He growls, "Oh… Your female scent is maddening. I'm surprised these humans haven't broken down over you yet."

"Tokiya…" My voice was still weak, and though I'm sure he heard me, he ignores my plea and brings his face closer to the underside of my chin. I can't see, but I know he's grinning like a madman right now. He runs the tip of his nose along my jawline, inducing more shivers to go up my spine.

"He really wants you, you know." The uncomfortable feeling and rising blush stop momentarily as I absorb the words he's just said. He continues, "Compared to me, he has a weaker sense of smell, but I know he can smell that ripe scent you carry." His lips brush my neck again, this time closer to my collarbone, as he laughs at something. "It drives him mad with desire."

I try once again to gather my courage, this time mustering to say, "Tokiya… Please stop…"

Once again, he ignores me and continues with his light touches and barely noticeable kisses. He places his free hand on my hips before slowing driving it under my shirt to rest on my stomach. He rubs it in soothing strokes, another blush rising up my neck. "I'd love to see you with a pup or two by your stomach." He pulls back to see my flushed expression. He laughs darkly towards me. "Don't feel embarrassed. You would look lovely." His eyes lock with my own, ice cold fear striking straight through my heart. "Just the idea of seeing your belly round with our flesh and blood, it's too appealing. And I'm sure this person would agree in their own way."

"Tokiya, stop this…" He brings his body closer to mine. His body heat slowly ebbs away the icy feeling but does nothing to stop the burning one. He brings his mouth to my neck again as hot moist air rolls across my skin. I'm sure I'm a bold red by now, but he makes little to no notice of it.

Something cold and sharp brushes against my soft skin, his fangs. "In fact, I think I could make you a wolf right now if I wanted to. These humans don't even know what they're truly capable of." Though I was still mortified at the current situation, I couldn't help but become curious at his statement. He senses this confusion, and without moving from my neck, tells me, "Of course, you don't know… Werewolves have a type of venom, much like snakes. Why do you think our fangs are so long? I straight shot into the bloodstream makes for easy work. Not only that, but our saliva seems to carry a healing property to it, which keeps the venom from escaping, and keeps our victims from losing too much blood." He hums softly. "Perhaps one needs a strong intention to make one a werewolf…" He pauses, his grip tightening on my wrist. "You… You know about that other wolf, right, the white one who brought us into existence, the real one who brought me into this world?" I can feel him shaking against me, but soon after, he stops and instead chuckles towards me. "She has the right characteristics for a mate, but she doesn't compare to you. She's too weak, and that sad air of loneliness she carries is depressing."

'Tokiya' continues his ministrations. This… This can't be happening! He takes my earlobe into his mouth and lightly grazes it with his teeth. Tokiya would never do anything like this! But if this is his wolf side… It… It makes no sense! Glancing over at him, he ignores the look and continues along his way. Tokiya, please snap out of it! Not even your wolf would do something like this. Is… Is it because maybe he doesn't consider me pack? A soft kiss is placed on my collarbone. No… Something is wrong. Tokiya would never hurt me, nor his wolf.

A firm kiss on my neck pulls me from my thoughts as sharp teeth graze the skin, this time much more fervently. "I could turn you right now. You'd love it I'm sure, being a wolf. The strong sense of freedom, the feeling of hunting together, and of course I'd be by your side…"

Blinking in confusion, I ask, "What are you doing?"

He glares at me. "What does it look like I'm doing? I'm making you mine, am I not?"

I tilt my head to the side, "...But...You won't…"

Growling against my skin, he pulls away and presses my wrist against the window, threatening to break it. Leaning closer, he growls ferociously at me, a look of anger caught in his eyes. "What nonsense are you spouting now? You think I don't want you as a wolf?"

Breathing more steadily, I respond, "Maybe you do, but you won't... In order to make me a wolf, you would have to hurt me, you'd have to bite me and make me bleed, right?"

"What would it matter!? It'll heal and eventually you enjoy being by my side! Who cares if you're hurt?!" He gasps softly at his words, just for a moment, before continuing his glaring and growling. "Don't tempt me. I will do it."

I shake my head. "You won't hurt me… Because Tokiya would never allow it…"

A short moment passes by, a permanent look of anger and pain written across his face. He looks away and forces a laugh. "You… You don't know our true feelings… It's not just me who says these words, but that stupid imbecile who continues to lie to himself! I-I showed him it; a picture of his future mate bearing his children! He showed such interest in it, you know. They all do, I'm sure!" His head falls onto my shoulder as he growls against my neck, the vibrations go down my body. "But... No matter how much I showed him… The idiot refuses to listen!" His shoulders start to shake as he whispers harshly. "How could someone want someone so badly, yet ignore their own desires for them?! Tell me... How?!"

I don't respond immediately, in fear that the wrong words could put my life in danger. Even though I wanted to get him away from me, I couldn't help but feel drawn to help him, or actually the way he's reacting to my words. Finally, I respond, "...We share a bond…"

Growling again, he removes his hand from my wrist and instead grasps my shoulders, placing his face only a few centimeters away. "What does that mean?!"

Gulping audibly, I continue, "By creating music for them, and by having them sing it, it binds us together. It makes us feel close to each other. Like… we're home…"

'Tokiya' gasp as his grip on my shoulders loosens considerably. He takes a hesitant step back, eyes wide in shock and for a brief moment, I could've sworn the real Tokiya showed in them. "It's… What binds you as a pack… It's not just the love that you all share that keeps you together… It's the music you make." He pauses, hesitating and trying to think of his next words. "I should have known… Packs are considered the most important to wolves, and I nearly forgot about that…"

Nodding at him in encouragement, I smile softly, "I've never mentioned this to anyone, but the howls you all make are beautiful. They're smooth and flow with a sense of rhythm. It seems like no matter what happens to them, they always feel a need to sing their hearts out."

"We wolves… Music is unfamiliar to us. Our howls are nothing more than ways to communicate thoughts and feelings… I… Would you play some of the music you created? Please? I want to see this bond for myself…"

Smiling, I nod my head and slowly take his hand, leading him towards the door and to the piano in my room. With much focus, he slowly makes his way inside, taking a look around in slow strides. When we make it to the large instrument, he runs his hands along the side of it, admiring the smooth surface as I guide him to take a seat on the bed. As he sits down, he feels the blankets and sheets, a small smile gracing his features. It's as if this is his first time seeing these things.

I move to the piano, pull out the sheet music from the folder in front of me and begin playing. Within moments, soft silver light snakes its way across the wooden floors of my room, falling over the sides of the piano and the bed. It wraps delicately around my fingers, also wrapping around 'Tokiya' as well. As I continue hitting key after key, the silver stream of light slowly forms into a cool wind, one that gives me a soft comfortable feeling, not an icy cold one. 'Tokiya' makes no movements as I play through the song, and says nothing as I play more and more enthusiastically.

But all too quickly, the song was over, silver light dissipating as I slowly lift my hands from the keys. And before I can turn to 'Tokiya' and ask him about it, warm arms come up from behind me and envelope me into a tight hug. A soft kind voice whispers, "You never cease to amaze me…" Instantly, I knew the real Tokiya was back here with me. Though the hug was warm and comforting in comparison to the night, something small and saddening made its way into my ears. And if I didn't know any better, I'd say it sounded as if someone had been crying. But-

"What happened to-?"

"He's gone. He no longer has a hold on me." I expected Tokiya to be glad that he now has control over his own actions, but the sad tone he held in his voice told me otherwise. Standing from my seat, I turn around to face him only to see him looking towards the floor, a hurt expression showing clearly in his features, though not a single tear was on his face.

"What's wrong? Aren't you glad you can control your body now?"

He shakes his head. "He's… sad. He understands what it means to share a bond in music… but it hurts him. He tells me…" He stops, perhaps to find the right words. "He never wanted to be here, inside me. He says he's been suffering since the day I became a werewolf, that he was forced into life. And that the suffering the white wolf carried had been passed on to him."

Unable to respond, I remain quiet and listen to what seems to be a soft mournful howl, one that was neither close nor far. A long, sad note that told me someone was releasing all the pent up emotions they were feeling and were trying to dispel it from their bodies. The howl continues for a moment more, as it's soon replaced by the weeping I heard before. And I knew who it was.

"Haruka…" He slowly pulls me into a hug, arms wrapping around me securely as he leans his head against my own, a wave of anguish pours over me. "Haruka… He's crying… He's in pain, but I can't help him…"

While I don't say it, I can hear him crying too. Before I knew it, I had my face buried in Tokiya's shoulder, delicate hands gripping soft cotton, as every sob and tear rids my very being of the pain, cruelty, and grief I've been holding onto for so long.

Oh, it seems like my chapters are never as long as they look on Word. Ah well, but on the bright side, it looks like I'm a bit ahead in writing the chapters so updates will be much more frequent! Ah, I wanted to mention some important stuff as well!

So I recently noticed this when I reread the first couple of chapters, but it seems I made the characters a bit OOC. (By OOC, I mean scenes where Tokiya and Cecil willingly became werewolves, which they would most likely have enough logic NOT to do in canon.) Sorry about that to those who can't stand it when characters are written out of character, but the story must progress somehow, right?

A very big thank you to everyone who's been reviewing, reading, and has liked this story! I'm just really happy and lucky to have such loyal readers like all of you! And thanks to all of you, I'm nearing 100 reviews on this story! (I'm about 25 or so away but hopefully there will be 100 by the last chapter.) Again, thank you all so much for sticking with me and being kind enough to leave your comments and speculations about this story. It makes me so happy to see what you guys have to say!

And now for the last announcement: The end is near. Or at least the end of the story is! Yup, in less than 10 chapters, this story will be wrapped up and done with! Please continue to read and finish this fanfiction with me!

Until next time, please read, review, and like!