The Last Lycan
Set in an old, enchanted world, a young mage stumbles upon a reclusive Lycan, who has lost her powers of transformation. The Lycan distrusts humans because of its past and thus, the mage finds herself thrown into the topmost tower as a prisoner for trespassing.
A/N: Happy New Year everybody and thanks for your support and I hope you enjoy this chapter. Your reviews meant a ton to me and got me down to finishing this chapter! It seems mundane right now, but just bear with me.. The plot thickens in the later chapters. Cheers!
Chapter 5
Italics – Thoughts
That fateful night, sleep eluded the dark-furred werewolf. She had spent the night pacing around her room, passing the hours with nothing but confusion as her companion. Every single human that she had met only served to reinforce her staunch belief that they were vile and violet creatures that wrought nothing but destruction and decimation wherever they went. But yet..
Shizuru was nothing like them. Her words were warm and kind and her patience unparalleled. When faced with a certain icy death, she chose to keep her word of remaining in her cell when she could have easily saved her own skin. Natsuki didn't dare to wonder what would have happened if she did not check up on Shizuru that night. Just the thought of it alone made her heart ache.
Heartache.. she mused, why was it even aching in the first place? Why was it that I could not bear to lose her? She did not know how to deal with this surge of foreign emotion. She picks up her pen and starts doodling – something that she does whenever she felt stressed. As her pen flowed and the inky markings started taking shape on her paper, she realized that she was drawing that very girl that was on her mind. Her pen stops as she pauses in contemplation and it suddenly dawned on her. She had growing feelings for the brunette. She furrows her brow – that would not do! Years of experience and her painful past was testament itself. Natsuki growls angrily as she fights out her internal battle, trying to reason with herself but both heart and mind seemed bent on conflict. Which should I trust?
She glances out the window and realizes the sun was rising but she didn't feel the least bit exhausted. In fact, her heart was pumping fiercely at the thought of seeing Shizuru again. She curses at the traitorous organ before throwing on a new cape around her shoulders and preens her tussled mane in an attempt to look presentable. She then stalks out of the room, ready to meet the beauty that had occupied her mind the entire night.
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At the same time, Shizuru was already in front of the dressing table, running a brush through her long tawny locks. Despite turning in late last night, she found herself awake just as the sky was turning golden from the first rays of the sun. As she picks out her outfit for the day, she wonders when Natsuki will arrive. Silly me, Natsuki must still be sleeping and she must be tired from working the whole day in the forge yesterday.
*Knock* A barely audible knock came from outside the door at that very instant. Shizuru exhales in surprise, a strange feeling in her throat as she realized that the person she was thinking about might be right outside. Was it Natsuki already? She hurriedly runs a final stroke through her hair and gets up to open the door.
The wolf had her head bowed and was staring at the floor before her ears perked up at the sound of footsteps. "I'm sorry. Did I wake you..?" she mumbles, but seeing that the beauty in front of her already had a stunning new outfit on and her hair brushed perfectly, she stops herself from speaking further by gulping hard.
"No, Natsuki's timing was perfect," Shizuru replies, stepping out of her room and closing the door behind her. She notices that Natsuki was studying her cape and she tilts her head back, "Does Natsuki want her cape back?"
"O-oh, no, no, Shizuru. I just thought.. the cape is too big for you. I can get you a smaller one from my aunts."
Shizuru hugs the cape around herself tightly, "Ara, this is just right. Besides, it's Natsuki's."
An unreadable look crosses Natsuki's wolfish features and Shizuru couldn't tell if her remark had an effect on the beast, which was a rare occurrence. In fact, for the first time in her life, Shizuru was unable to tell if Natsuki was actually interested in her and it was the first time that she had actually taken interest in anyone at all. What an enigma, my Natsuki is.
Natsuki scratches her head absently, unaware of the amorous gaze that Shizuru had on her as she was staring at the floor bashfully, "I forgot that I have to head to the mines with the tools today. I just wanted to check if you minded coming along with me? Though, I think I can get it done tomorrow instead," she quickly adds with a nod.
"That's quite alright, Natsuki," Shizuru replies, smiling inwardly as she admired how absolutely adorable Natsuki looked right now, "It'll be interesting to take a look around the area."
Natsuki beams, unaware that her tail was wagging a little more enthusiastically at Shizuru's affirmation, something that did not go unnoticed by the brunette who smiles silently. They walk through the doors into the dining room together. "Mai!" Natsuki calls when she spots a bobbing orange-haired girl bustling around the room, scooping potato salad onto the plates. "Is it alright if Shizuru comes with us today?"
It only took the sharp redhead a quick glance to notice some differences between the two – the most prominent one being that Natsuki's favorite cape was draped carefully around Shizuru's shoulders – and the fact that both had come to breakfast together – before she came to a quick conclusion and responded in line, "Oh right, Natsuki. About that, a-ah.. my parents wanted me to help with the stores today. It's great that Shizuru could go with you instead!"
Natsuki takes her seat along the table, shoveling a spoonful of potatoes down, "I'm fine. But doesn't Nao usually do it?"
"Ohh.. Heh heh, the harvest was just over the top this year, so we need more hands down there," Mai swallows and grins, praying someone would come and save her. A white lie, a white lie, it's just a white lie! She knew Natsuki could sniff out the fact that she was lying, but perhaps with all this food and a hungry lycan… perhaps she could get away..?
"Good morning, Natsuki, Shizuru!" Julia skips into the dining room, a large bucket tucked under her arms. She raises a thin eyebrow at Natsuki and Shizuru, silently noting that something was different and glances at Mai, who was shooting her a desperate look for help.
"Mother! Natsuki was just asking if Shizuru could join us in transporting the tools to the mines today, but I was just telling them that because of this year's larger harvest, I wouldn't be able to join them. So I told the both of them to go ahead."
Julia's eyes gleam with surprise and she waggles her brows at her daughter who shoots her another look. Chuckling, she nods, "Yeap! Mai's needed here today! Fill your bellies and go on ahead with it, you pups! I'll see you downstairs, Mai!"
Mai expels a relieved breath as Natsuki continues eating heartily, grateful that the person that appeared was her mother and not Nao. With a smirk, she silently pats herself on the back for being such a good matchmaker, unaware that a pair of crimson eyes was studying her with great interest.
At the same time, yet another redhead, but with a much less tempered nature was wandering the halls, searching for her favorite cousin to annoy. "Natsuki?" Nao sticks her head into Natsuki's bedroom, only to find an empty room. That's strange? "Oi Nats!" she bellows, cupping her hands around her mouth but there was no response at all. Puzzled as Natsuki was almost never an early riser, she starts walking down to the kitchen, only to find the missing wolf and Shizuru seated together having breakfast, as though it was the most normal thing on earth. Nao blinks and rubs her eyes again, just to make sure that she wasn't having hallucinations. She scans the room, only to find Mai nodding her head at both Natsuki and Shizuru. What the hell was going on?!
"Nao!" her cheerful sister chirps at her arrival but Nao doesn't respond, only shifting her lime green eyes uneasily at the couple. Her facial expression was priceless, in Mai's opinion. "Come, Natsuki and Shizuru will be heading off soon. We'd best be going as well."
"Go where?" Nao questions, blinking her eyes in confusion, still wondering why her usually solitary and anti-social cousin was behaving strangely.
"To get the rest of the harvest in storage, silly," Mai starts to usher the clueless redhead away, leaving the remaining two occupants of the room alone at last.
With a bemused smile on her lips as she realizes what Natsuki's family was up to, Shizuru finishes the remainder of her breakfast and turns to the still eating lycan, "Natsuki, would we need to bring anything else for the journey?"
"Uhm," Natsuki mumbles through her last mouthful, "It won't take longer than a day, so we just gotta pack some essentials. Hang on, I'll get the pickaxes and stuff from the forge." She leaves her seat and disappears through the doors. Shizuru nods, picking up a large cloth from the counter and packs a couple of bread loaves and a jug of water in before tying it into a sack. Natsuki soon returns with a box tucked under her arm and she picks up Shizuru's small sack with the other. "Ready?"
"Ara, I think so, Natsuki?" Shizuru hesitates, "But how are we going to get there?"
"You can ride on me," Natsuki shrugs, not realizing that Shizuru had a blush on her cheeks at her words, faintly recalling a book from afar that she had read before titled Kamasutra. "Come, Let's head to the western gate." Shizuru trails behind Natsuki, watching the large lycan's arms flexing as she lifted the boxes with relative ease. Even through the loose cotton shirt, she could still see the bulge underneath the sleeves and she wondered just how much power was packed underneath. "Shizuru?" Natsuki pushes the gates open with her free arm and calls for the girl.
Shizuru shifts her gaze off Natsuki's midriff, "Yes, Natsuki?"
"Uhm," she bends her head slightly, holding out her paw, "Can I pick you up?" she feels strangely nervous, even though she was used to her family seated on her powerful shoulders and a familiar feeling started growing in her heart. Green eyes eye the extremely alluring and graceful woman in front of her. There was no denying it – Shizuru was a heartstopper. Natsuki shakes her head, clearing all lustful thought of Shizuru and mentally scolded herself. Shizuru's such a stunning lady and has no business dealing with a brutish monster like me.
"O-of course, Natsuki," Shizuru finds herself a little lost for words at Natsuki's gaze but quickly composes herself and takes the outstretched paw. "Oh!" she exclaims as Natsuki picks her up easily and places her in the nook between her head and shoulders. She then places a furry arm securely across Shizuru's lap and picks up the box on the ground with her free arm.
"Just hold on to me, alright?" Natsuki mumbles, still feeling a little down.
"Okay.." Shizuru whispers from her elevated height, unknowingly weaving her fingers through Natsuki's paws and gripped on tightly.
Natsuki starts to move and Shizuru could feel the crisp, cold air against her cheeks and she pressed herself against Natsuki for warmth. When they reach the edges of the woods, Natsuki starts to weave between the branches with surprising agility for her large frame and Shizuru was beginning to see how Natsuki had managed to avoid her attack the first time. If Natsuki had been doing this for her whole life, it was no wonder she was so agile. She wondered just how much more this mysterious beast had to her. Lost in her thoughts, Shizuru barely had time to react when a stray branch comes her way and she instinctively used her magic, sending it flying in the opposite direction.
"Oops," Natsuki mutters sheepishly, turning her muzzle to face Shizuru. "But that was pretty cool."
"Hmm," Shizuru puts a finger on her chin, thinking. "Natsuki," Shizuru cups her hand around Natsuki's ear, "Do you mind if I try something?"
Intrigued, Natsuki nods.
Shizuru lets the incantation flow out of her lips, the very same one she used to get her to the castle. Almost at once, Natsuki feels the lightness in her step, as if guided by invisible forces. With her powerful and long hind legs, coupled with Shizuru's spell, they soon arrive at a frozen over lake that was up in the mountains, behind Natsuki's estate. Natsuki sets down the items that she was carrying before lifting the mage gently off her shoulders and places her on the ground.
"Natsuki," Shizuru breathes, misting the air. "This is so beautiful.." In front of her, the frozen lake reflected a myriad of colors from the sun and Shizuru gingerly inches toward the solid ice, examining the intriguing crisscrossed patterns that were fixated in the ice.
"It's safe, Shizuru," Natsuki senses her doubts and reassures her, "It's much colder up here because of the elevation. By this time, the lake is frozen solid." She gestures to the snowcapped tips of the mountain that was just a way off before stretching her body contentedly, pleased that they had made great time with Shizuru's aid. "So the entrance to the mine is there," she points across the large lake to a small opening, "We usually access it only in the winter because it's just too tedious to walk around the lake during other seasons." She bends down to open the chest, pulling out a cord of rope and secures it on the sides of the chest. "You ready?"
Shizuru looks at her hesitantly, "Natsuki.."
"Mm?" Natsuki responds, not taking her eyes off what she was doing as she fastened the knots.
"I-I don't know how to skate.." That caught the wolf's attention and she immediately looks up at Shizuru, mirth dancing in her eyes. Shizuru crosses her arms, a pout on her lips, "Ara. Is Natsuki laughing at me?"
Natsuki smirks, the tip of her canines showing and she starts to chuckle at Shizuru's predicament, "Alright, alright. Why don't I show you how? We've plenty of time now thanks to you and besides, it's gonna be easy for you." Setting the crate down, she stands and offers her paw to Shizuru. The mage looks at her tentatively, but quickly decides to throw caution to the wind and grasps the outstretched paw, setting both her feet on the slick ice. "Alright, so you can start with either foot and just put your weight forward and kick back," Natsuki explains, trying to demonstrate the moves to the watching Shizuru. "Come, it's easier to learn when you do it."
Shizuru allows Natsuki to lead her slowly on the ice, slowly steading and balancing herself. She glances behind when Natsuki stops and realizes that they were pretty far from the banks. "Natsuki?" she calls for her cautiously, eyes on the ground as she tries to stop herself from slipping.
"I'm here, Shizuru," the husky voices comes from above her, "So you're just gonna do what I said. I'll be holding onto you, so don't worry."
Shizuru nods, planting her feet on the ice, wobbling slightly. Her crimson eyes glazed with determination as she accepts daunting task ahead of her and bites the bullet. Gathering courage, she pushes forward with her right foot. She soon gets ahold of the momentum, chanting it in her head. Right, left, right, left, right left.. "Natsuki! I'm skating!" she exclaims, earning a chuckle from the lycan that was beside her.
"Yes you are, Shizuru. Didn't I tell you it'll be easy for you?" Natsuki grins, bypassing her from the side and Shizuru suddenly realizes that she had been too engrossed in getting it right and that Natsuki had gently released her hold on her. She was actually skating on her own! An euphoric feeling washes over her as she comes to that realization. Natsuki zooms past, skating expertly ahead, adding in a couple of tricks. Natsuki turns her head, tossing Shizuru a smug look.
"Now Natsuki's just showing off!" Shizuru calls after her, changing her direction to go after Natsuki.
Natsuki turns around, skating backwards with a cocky grin, "But you're pretty good for a beginner, Shizuru. I'm surprised. You could probably take me on in a race, in maybe a decade?"
"Ara, now what is that supposed to mean? Is Natsuki challenging me to a race? If so, then Natsuki is in for a hard time!" She bolts off as soon as the words leave her mouth, leaving the stunned wolf behind. Shizuru lets out a laugh as she glances behind her, to find Natsuki hot on her heels.
Natsuki soon catches up and she glances at Shizuru who was neck in neck with her. She was already panting slightly from the tough challenge the brunette had put up. She pushes herself further and manages to overtake Shizuru, expertly cutting right into Shizuru's way a few feet ahead.
"Natsuki!" Shizuru exclaims when she realizes that she hadn't learnt how to stop, but it was too late. She barrels straight into the startled lycanthrope and both careened backwards from the impact.
Viridian eyes cast a quick glance behind her to realize that they were hurtling towards the banks and she instinctively grasps onto the brunette, turning her around to shield her from the oncoming impact. "Oooof!" she feels the breath knocked out of her as her back slammed into the snow, with Shizuru on top of her.
"Ara! Natsuki?!" Shizuru scrambles to pick herself up, worried for the now groaning Natsuki that was under her. She untangles herself away from Natsuki's protective grasp and bends over the large wolf, her hand gently brushing Natsuki's cheek, "I'm so sorry! Is Natsuki alright?"
"I'm fine, Shizuru," Natsuki groans, sitting up and brushing the snow off herself. "I guess I should have taught you how to stop before getting you to race, huh?"
"That would have been appropriate, but it wouldn't have been fun then, would it?" Shizuru giggles, forgetting that she was still straddling the large beast and she only realizes it when she feels movement below her. "Is Natsuki alright?" Shizuru asks, standing up and extending her hand to Natsuki.
Natsuki grunts, pushing herself off the soft terrain with an arm and grasping Shizuru's hand in the other. "Thanks," she smiles at the brunette as they get back onto the ice. "Okay, let's get back to where the tools are. We better get started on shifting the tools into the cavern."
She doesn't notice the brunette glancing at her, a strange smile on her lips. Natsuki was not the mean and crude werewolf who had snatched her and threw her in the tower. Shizuru knew, from the way Natsuki had taught her, the way Natsuki sensed and noticed her movements, that the large beast was just kind, and mostly misunderstood. Shizuru chuckles inwardly to herself, finding her attraction to Natsuki growing stronger. Natsuki was not a prince of any kind like in her fantasy books, but Shizuru realized that she really didn't mind. Natsuki has made her happier than she'd ever been. "Natsuki!" she calls, catching up to the busy lycan who was kneeling over the chest that they had brought along. "Let me help you with some of that," she places her hand on Natsuki's shoulder, a warm smile on her lips.
"A-ah," Natsuki stammers, feeling her heart beat wildly against her chest at Shizuru's touch, "It's alright, Shizuru." The look that Shizuru was giving her was so.. enchanting. And it gave her this elated feeling, as though she was floating on cloud nine. Not to mention the fact that she was having more fun that she had ever had in her lifetime. She was so confused with all these emotions that it was starting to give her a headache.
Shizuru shakes her head and picks up whatever that she can, leaving no room for protest as she starts skating across the lake. Natsuki hurriedly picks up the chest and follows the girl. They cross the lake easily enough, now that Shizuru had learnt a new set of skills and were soon in the mines, setting up the torches along the deep tunnel. "Is this what you do for the rest of winter?" Shizuru asks as she picks up another torch from the chest that Natsuki was carrying and fits it into the holder.
"Mmhmm," Natsuki replies, "We get whatever we need, for the tools and such. Sometimes we chance upon gems and we just make them into stuff – like the necklaces on aunt Julia, Mai's bracelet.. You get the drift." They finally reach the end of the tunnel after a while and Natsuki sets the box down, unloading the tools within Shizuru's assistance. She dusts her paws as the chest is finally emptied – pleased at the neatly laid out mining hats, pickaxes, a small supply of food and water. "Okay, I guess that's it. Let's head back out," she replies as she hands Shizuru's small satchel of necessities to the mage.
Shizuru nods, before taking a small sip of water from the canteen as they trekked down the tunnel. They walk in silence for a few steps before Shizuru clears her throat, "Natsuki. I think I should tell you this."
The tall beast glances at her with curiosity in her eyes, waiting for her to continue.
"I just want to make sure that there's no miscommunication between us," Shizuru explains, brushing a strand of stray hair out of her face. "The reason why I stumbled onto your estate was because I was trying to get away from the village."
Natsuki was confused at this point in time and looks at her strangely, "Why were you trying to escape, Shizuru? You're a smart, stunning lady. I'm sure the villagers loved you. I mean, at least.. you're not a beast," she bites back a laugh, indicating to herself.
"Ara. Natsuki is not a beast," Shizuru retorts immediately, a frown marring her face. "You have been one of the kindest person to me and your family as well."
The wolf's ears prick up as she hears that from Shizuru and she feels hopeful. However, she wonders what people did to make Shizuru leave. "I don't understand, Shizuru. Were the villagers unkind to you?" Natsuki growls, finding herself getting rather angry at the fact that someone had tried to hurt the girl in front of her.
"My parents had just left for a long trip for an annual meeting for mages," Shizuru sighs as she recalls how she was forced to leave with Tomoe's antics, "There was a rather persistent villager that waited for an opportunity like this to force herself into my home, unfortunately. My parents would be gone for a very long time and I really did not want to have to deal with her for the entire time so I just left."
Natsuki raised an eyebrow in bewilderment. What on earth was wrong with humans nowadays? "You should have blasted her away or something, Shizuru. Why'd you force yourself to leave your home because of her? I mean.. if you hadn't, you wouldn't be stuck here with me.. and as a prisoner.."
"Ara, ara. Unfortunately, we have to keep our identities under wrap. Humans fear what they do not know," Shizuru shakes her head. "I did leave her with an amplified slap though, if you must know," Shizuru adds on, much to Natsuki's satisfaction. "However, Natsuki is wrong to say that I am stuck here. In fact, meeting Natsuki is one of the best things that have happened to me. Look, I even learnt how to skate today!" she smiles happily, her carmine eyes shining in delight.
"O-oh," Natsuki was actually rather glad that she had met Shizuru herself.
Shizuru chuckles lightly at Natsuki's embarrassment, "But I just want Natsuki to know that I chose to stay here with you, not just because I was trying to escape the village. I'm really sorry I intruded on your privacy."
"I appreciate your honesty, Shizuru," Natsuki pauses, contemplating. Could she trust in Shizuru enough to let her leave and reunite with her family when the time comes, even with the knowledge of the lycans existence and location?
"Natsuki does not have to worry about me," Shizuru smiles, reading the lycan's thoughts. "Even if my parents return, I will inform them that I am in safe hands. They will understand." I know I'll have to earn Natsuki's trust slowly and I think that it's worth waiting for. "Oh look, Natsuki, we're almost out," Shizuru points at the light at the end of the tunnel, diverting the conversation altogether.
Viridian eyes glance up from the ground and she sniffs the air tentatively as soon as they emerge from the mines. Natsuki turns her large head toward the peak of the mountains just a distance away – it seemed that fresh snow had fallen in the time they were occupied. She frowns, "Shizuru, we'd better start heading back."
"Something wrong, Natsuki?" Shizuru picks up the worry in Natsuki's voice. She suddenly held her tongue, noticing that Natsuki's pointed ears were twitching slightly.
The short silence between them was broken when emerald eyes turn to regard her, apprehension evident. She scoops up Shizuru wordlessly and starts running. She puffs in between breaths, "Shizuru, cast the spell. We need to get out of here."
The brunette immediately does so without question, as she had turned behind and noticed the shifting of smooth white snow that was now tumbling toward them at breakneck speed. A light lilac beam was released from Shizuru's fingertips, blasting aside a stray tree branch that was in their way, allowing Natsuki to breeze past it. "Thanks," Natsuki breathed heavily, her eyes locked ahead, trying to find a way to escape. She knew it was a matter of time before they got buried in the avalanche, as it was increasing in velocity with every second and there wasn't a way to outrun nature.
"Natsuki!" came Shizuru's muffled voice, "There!"
The wolf looks towards the extended finger and spots a dark cavern, a distance off on the left. A quick glance behind tells her that if they missed this chance now, they might never have another one again. Natsuki glances down at the woman in her arms and there was no need for words as they came to a quick understanding on the next course of action. Natsuki dug her heels deep into the snow, making a sharp directional change and angled off to the left; just as Shizuru turned behind Natsuki's shoulder and let loose a large ball of arcane energy, propelling them straight for the safety of the cave.
As they tumbled into the rocky shelter, Natsuki instinctively wraps a protective arm around Shizuru, shielding the young mage from the precarious edges. She knows that an ill placed stalagmite would possibly impair Shizuru and quite possibly kill her. But the speed at which they were catapulting through the darkness was just too fast and by the time she caught a glimpse of the spearlike tip, she barely had time to move Shizuru's form out of harm's way.
She lets out a snarl of pain as the icicle shaped stalactite pierces through her shoulder, effectively stopping them from the impact. Natsuki's arm buckles and she almost drops Shizuru onto the ground but thankfully her other arm was still able to save Shizuru from a nasty fall. The worried mage immediately sets her feet on the ground, letting out a gasp as she feels fluids running down Natsuki's shoulder.
"Hang on, Natsuki," Shizuru quickly digs into her satchel, lighting a small torch. In the glowing embers, she finds Natsuki half bent at the knees and the only thing that was holding the wolf up was the grotesque piece of mineral that was sticking through her shoulder. "Natsuki! Natsuki!" Shizuru tries to get the attention of the lycan who had her head bowed and was struggling to stay awake due to the loss of blood, "I need to get this out. Can you focus on me please?"
Natsuki grunts her assent, snapping her muzzle shut in anticipation of the pain.
Shizuru inhales, slicing the stalactite off with the energy she wielded and Natsuki collapses into her arms. The brunette lays the large beast down gently and purses her lips. Shizuru knew she had to do it. Bracing herself for the recoil, she bravely tugs the offending object out of the lycan's shoulder, her heart aching at the stifled roar from the panting beast below her. Steeling herself, she quickly shreds the skirt of her dress, pressing it against the gaping wound to stop the profuse bleeding. "Natsuki, look at me!" Shizuru finds herself crying out.
Natsuki tries to refocus her gaze to the sound of Shizuru's voice, but the last thing the large lycan saw was the sorrowful gaze of a young brunette as unconsciousness overtook her and everything turned black.
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