2.

"You probably have…questions," Natsuki sighed, sitting on her bed. She looked tired, even as the morning sun shone through her window.

"You don't have to tell me anything you don't want to," I reassured her.

She shook her head, "I want…I need to be honest with you. But…I need you to ask."

I nodded, with a sigh, "What's going on, Natsuki?"

She drew a deep breath, sighing, "When my Mom was a few months along in her pregnancy, she had a genetic test done. It revealed…that I had a rare genetic disorder that would result in my death. The combination of rare recessive genes from both of my parents."

"Then…you're dying?"

She shook her head, "My lycanthropy is not the disease that would have killed me. It's the cure. My Mom was a geneticist and she'd been working on trying to treat genetic disorders with recombinant DNA. She ran numerous tests, and devised a serum that showed promise. But she didn't have time to go through clinical trials to get it approved for human testing. She was successful…but at a price."

"Then I'm grateful that she succeeded," I said sincerely, "because it means I got a chance to meet you. But, Natsuki…it sounded like it hurt."

She nodded, "It's excruciating. And it always leaves me famished after the transformation."

I smiled, "In that case, let us get you some food."

We made our way down the turret stairs to the kitchen.

"Thank you, by the way," Natsuki said, sticking her head in the fridge as she dug out a small feast.

"I don't recall doing anything worthy of thanks," I replied.

She gave a soft chuckle, "That's just it. You didn't do what I expected. You didn't scream. You didn't run off into the night. You didn't try to bludgeon me with a blunt object. So, thanks. And you did a lot more than you know. You held me. You talked to me in that soothing accent of yours. You treated me like a person, not a monster. So again, thank you."

"I'm going to guess that it wasn't the full moon that triggered your transformation," I said softly.

She scoffed, assembling a large plate for herself, "No, it wasn't the moon. Hey, I'm hardly an expert on these things, but I'm sure you're hungry too. Did you want anything?"

"Tea and toast will be fine," I smiled.

"The transformation seems to come on during times of stress. I can usually feel it coming on, get somewhere safe and private before it takes hold. But last night…after we made love, it just hit me hard and fast, and there wasn't anywhere for me to go."

I felt a twinge of alarm, "Natsuki, did…did I cause that?"

She shook her head, "No. I did. I woke up in the middle of the night, and I was watching you sleep. I was so happy, but then I started thinking…"

"Thinking about what, Natsuki?" I asked.

"About you. About me. I wondered if you would still stay by my side. I wondered how you'd react if you knew my secret. I wondered if you'd sense that I was hiding something from you and leave me, because you thought I didn't trust you. And it just hurt so much to think I could lose you. I'd just decided I would tell you in the morning, and I was making myself sick with worry, and I…"

She started sobbing.

I raced to her side and rubbed her back comfortingly, "Natsuki, it's alright. I'm here. I'm still here. Like you said, I didn't run away screaming. So it's alright. You'll work yourself into another panic and then it'll happen again."

She smiled, "Thank you. It's good to have outside perspective. And…"

"Oh," a voice called from behind us, and I turned to see a young woman with scarlet hair and jade colored eyes, "This must be the woman Miyu told us about. I'm impressed, Pup. You got good taste."

The nickname she used was not lost on me, and I turned to face her directly, "Ara, and who might you be?"

"Li'l ol' me?" She struck a mocking tone, "Why I'm Natsuki's sister. Nao Yuuki."

She curtsied in the most sarcastic fashion I'd ever seen. But then her eyes narrowed as she observed her sister.

"Steak. Four eggs. Half a block of cheese. Four rolls. And enough mayonnaise to choke a horse. My God, Natuski, did it happen again?"

Natsuki sighed, "Yes."

Nao looked at me suspiciously, nodding in my direction while looking Natsuki in the eyes.

"She knows," Natsuki sighed.

Nao looked me in the eye, "What did you do to my sister, you…"

"She helped me come back to myself, Nao," Natsuki said softly, "It wasn't like that last time."

I blinked, "Last time?"

"Oh," Natsuki waved her hand dismissively, "Way different circumstances, Shizuru. This wasn't a girl I was in love with. There was a time I transformed in front of a classmate of mine, a girl name Akane Higurashi. She freaked out. It wasn't her fault, to be honest. But it was traumatic for her."

I nodded, "I was scared. But I was scared for you, Natsuki. The sounds of breaking bones. And that sound you made…"

Nao shivered, "I've heard it. I know what you mean."

"The let me ask you," I turned to face her, "Why do you call her 'Pup' if you're her sister? It's…"

"It's alright, Shizuru," Natsuki said, "She means it affectionately, and that's how I take it."

"Though you worrying about it is a point in your favor, girl," Nao said, "Means you genuinely care about her feelings. That being said, you ever hurt my sister…"

"Then she can tell me what to go and do with myself on her own," I replied.

Nao blinked, then laughed, "Oh, you're sharp. That was good. I like you. Take good care of my sister."

"You and Miyu doing anything special tonight?" Natsuki asked, slicing open a roll and shoving a good deal of meat into it before taking a huge bite.

"Picnic on the beach," Nao said, "Further events to be decided. You good with watching Alyssa tonight?"

"Of course," Natsuki smiled softly, then turned to me, "I'll give you a lift back to campus in a moment. Still up for making this long term?"

I'm pleased to say that I didn't offer even a moment's hesitation, "I'm game if my Natsuki is game."

"Then…would you be up for a night in watching movies while I look after my sister?"

"It sounds like a delightful time," I said sincerely, "When shall I come over?"

"Make it about six," Natsuki said, "I should have Alyssa fed by then."

"Ikezu!" I pouted, "Natsuki doesn't want me to try her home cooking, as well?"

Nao tapped me on the shoulder, and when I looked at her, she shook her head, "Trust me, you're better off. The Pup does NOT cook well."

"Pot, this is kettle," Natsuki stuck her tongue out at her half-sister.

"Alyssa tolerates her cooking. Most others run in terror," Nao continued.

"Make it five, then," Natsuki said, looking at Nao, a vein throbbing visibly in her forehead.

"I'll be here," I grinned.

"You," Nao clapped me on the back roughly, seemingly her form of affection, "Are a braver woman than I. Or just too ignorant of what you're getting yourself into."

In a sense, Nao was correct. As Natsuki dropped me off on campus and I made my way to my dorm room to shower and change, I realized that I didn't necessarily know what I was getting myself into.

Although I certainly got what I expected when I entered my dorm room.

"Returning to campus in the clothes you left in yesterday," Haruka gave me a disapproving look, "Cheeks flushed, hair mussed, and you have the stink of sweat all over you. So, Fuuka University's top student isn't above resorting to one night stands."

I had my serene mask firmly in place, but I was able to say, with all sincerity, "Ara, but Haruka, it was not a one night stand. We agreed, even before the festivities commenced, that we were both looking for something long term."

"If you were looking for something long term, you could wait until you were married," Haruka grumbled, put off by my failing to be put off.

I couldn't help but give her a rueful look, "Alas, I fear that marriage isn't possible at the moment."

Haruka actually looked concerned when she turned to me, "Oh, please Fujino, tell me that you haven't fallen for a married man! I don't know what sort of promises he would have made, but it's nothing but trouble, and he won't actually keep his word!"

I had to chuckle, "Haruka's concern is touching, but no, I have not gotten involved with anyone who is married. I do have some scruples, in the end."

"Thank God for that," Haruka sighed, "You should really shower. You worked up quite a sweat. Guy was a real animal, huh?"

My eyes narrowed at that, "In fact, it was very tender, gentle, and soft. It probably didn't hurt that my first time was with someone as utterly inexperienced as myself. We…had to learn together."

Haruka shook her head, but she actually smiled, "Well, that sounds romantic, but go, clean up!"

"Yes, Mother," I quipped, causing her to glower.

"You're lucky I'm not your mother. I'd make you confess everything, if I were."

"Fujino?" she called as I headed to the bathroom.

"Yes?"

"I'm glad you're happy. Really, I am. You'll have to tell me all about him when you get done with your shower."

"Ara, but I can tell you now," I smiled, "My lover is 160cm tall…"

"Shorter than you? That's different."

"Luxurious blue-black hair. Emerald eyes. Pale skin. Very fond of red meat."

"He almost sounds like the lead in one of those vampire novels that I see around campus," Haruka quirked her lips.

"Not far off," I shrugged, "But I'll tell you more later."

The water of the shower was warm and invigorating. I luxuriated in the spray a bit longer perhaps than I should have.

When I emerged from the shower, Haruka asked me, "So, what's your mystery man's name?"

I considered lying to her, making up a name, telling her something that would appease her. But as I finished tying the ribbon at the collar of my blouse it occurred to me that if I could hold and comfort a woman who had transformed into a werewolf in front of me, what was there left to fear.

"Natsuki," I smiled, flipping my hair casually over my shoulder as I strolled out of the dorm room with a genuinely serene smile on my face at the sight of Haruka's slack jawed expression which was her response to my answer.

"FUJIN—" the closing door cut her off as she was about to launch into whatever tirade had come to her mind. Well, undoubtedly I'd hear about it later. Haruka doesn't calm down over time. She's more like a pressure cooker that you have to take the lid off of, from time to time. It was a real pity. She wasn't a bad person, from my estimation, but she was very tightly wound and with a very black and white sense of morality that was unyielding and uncompromising. Perfect for law enforcement. Not so good for interpersonal relationships. Still, I decided I would count her as a friend until circumstances necessitated otherwise. At the least, she was amusing.

As I strolled across the campus to the cafeteria, intent on finding a semi-decent cup of tea and a light lunch, I became aware of a young girl following me. She had short cut black hair, save for two long braids on either side of her head, and alert yellow eyes. And she was carrying something large strapped to her back.

I knew she was following me when I turned suddenly from my planned course towards the library, and she turned with me.

This was worrisome. She didn't look dangerous herself, but…

Just then, a long black sedan pulled up in front of me, and men in business attire and sunglasses stepped out, and the girl behind me spoke.

"Shizuru Fujino, we're with District One. We'd like you to come with us."