#72: Spooky Season #11 (Where's the Wolf?)


Prompt: ghost story, unearthly, werewolf

Ichigo and his friends discover that (a) werewolves are a thing and (b) they're much closer than anyone knew. Starrk's just surprised that they are surprised.


"Wait, what did you say?" Ichigo's yelp is a squawk and Starrk just shrugs and yawns.

"I said, that makes sense?"

"No, before that."

"I don't think this is a good idea."

"No, after that."

"…I'm a werewolf?"

"…Yeah. That."

The tone of the younger man's voice is enough to finally drag Starrk's attention away from the mug of hot chocolate he's absentmindedly swirling. It's too sweet for him, but they don't have any coffee left so it's chocolate or nothing until they return to civilization tomorrow. He sets it aside without protest and cocks his head at Ichigo in question.

"I believe what Kurosaki means to say, is that that is a very bad joke, given the circumstances." Uryu adds while Ichigo's still gaping like a fish. His skeptical glare seems to reassure Ichigo…and Chad and Orihime who are sitting behind them and leaning out to look at Starrk with wide eyes.

"What joke?" Starrk finally grumbles. It's not like he's keeping it a secret. The whole area is claimed by were-creatures of varying shapes and sizes. Wolves might not be common, but it's not as strange as their expressions make it out to be. "I'm a werewolf. Is that what you want to hear?"

"Dude, we were just telling stories." Ichigo tries again. "I mean…werewolves aren't real."

"Um!" Orihime cuts in, voice high and nervous. "Actually, I think maybe they are…?"

"Ridiculous. We would know if there were werewolves among us." It's Uryu who tries to be the voice of reason again. "Especially you. You've been with us for a week – we'd know."

…His tone is far too accusing for someone who thinks the situation is a joke.

Starrk rolls his eyes and cracks his neck. "It's not exactly a secret, kids."

"We're not kids!" Ichigo and Uryu squawk in unison, making Orihime giggle. Now that the initial shock has worn off, she looks the most relaxed out of the four teenagers. More relaxed than she's been the entire hiking trip, actually.

"Were-coyotes are real." Is Chad's first addition to the conversation, said with such conviction that even Uryu draws back.

"But…that's not…"

"Yup." Starrk yawns again and stands up, stretching. He tries not to notice how the kids flinch away from his actions now. He thought they already knew what he was. "There are lots of were-creatures out in the woods. "He raises an eyebrow at Ichigo, and then at Uryu who glances away with shifty eyes. Dishonest eyes.

Clearly he doesn't know just how good a werewolf's sense of smell is.

Looking hard at Uryu, Starrk makes a show of huffing and speaking clearly. "Some of them can even fly."

The kid -the Quincy- goes dead-white and instantly shuts up.

"But…but…how can all of you be so calm?!" Ichigo practically wails. "That's not possible! This has got to be a joke!"

"Um." Orihime squeaks. "I think my dad was a were-snake?"

"…What?"

"I mean, I didn't know him very well, he was a bad man and Sora took me away when I was little, but I think so?"

Before the orange-haired boy can figure out how he's supposed to respond to that, Chad nods serenely.

"In Mexico, there was a man who could become a rattlesnake. And a thief who became a coyote to steal lambs. The farmers shot him, as a man."

This time, it's Starrk's turn to recoil and he frowns in disgust. At least Chad doesn't seem happy about it; he seems disapproving. That's a step up from most humans in his position, in Starrk's experience.

"So…So werewolves are a thing? A real thing?" Ichigo looks on the verge of losing it, but that's not enough to pacify Starrk, who instantly frowns.

"We're real people, yes." His voice is heavy with disapproval. When Ichigo stammers an apology, he waves it off and turns away from their small campsite. "I'm going for a walk. Don't worry, I'll be back by morning."

With a thought and metaphysical push, he's on four paws instead of two legs. Ignoring the new surge of chaos behind him, he darts off into the undergrowth.


Just in case you were wondering, Uryu is a were-falcon and he's lived his entire life believing it's a shameful secret.

...And yes, I gave into temptation on the stupid title. I just couldn't resist.