The characters are still not mine. They are JKR's. I'm not making
money off them.
As ever dedicated to my muse and inspiration Bally, see you in Vermont hun!! Also dedicated to my lovely SIG, confidante and crony!!
The following are the lyrics from which the title was taken. Read them!! they are very appropriate, for this chapter especially!!
Off through the new day's mist I run
Off from the new day's mist I have come
I hunt
Therefore I am
Harvest the land
Taking of the fallen lamb
Off through the new day's mist I run
Off from the new day's mist I have come
We shift
Pulsing with the earth
Company we keep
Roaming the land while you sleep
Shape shift, nose to the wind
Shape shift, feeling I've been
Move swift, all senses clean
Earth's gift, back to the meaning of life
Bright is the moon high in starlight
Chill in the air cold as steel tonight
We shift
Call of the wild
Fear in your eyes
It's later than you realised
Shape shift, nose to the wind
Shape shift, feeling I've been
Move swift, all senses clean
Earth's gift, back to the meaning of life
I feel a change
Back to a better day
Hair stands on the back of my neck
In wildness is the preservation of the world
So seek the wolf in thyself
Shape shift, nose to the wind
Shape shift, feeling I've been
Move swift, all senses clean
Earth's gift,
Back to the meaning of wolf and man
- Chapter 3 -
Remus pulled off his robes so he was only wearing only his boxers. Unlike an animagi transformation his clothing did not transform with him and he liked to ruin as little as possible. If Sirius had not been there he would have been naked not to mention in the basement. But tonight there were no locks to keep him in, no bars and furniture to take out wolf frustration on. Tonight the wolf ran with the pack. Remus could feel it, so close to the surface now, anxious to be out in the wild.
Sirius stripped down to his boxers too, but Remus knew it was just so he would not feel exposed. It was the same thing Sirius and the rest of the Marauders used to do for him. Again the feeling of being back at school surfaced. Those had been the best days of his life and Remus was happy to feel that way again.
The two men stood next to one another. Sirius could change any time he wanted, but he waited for Remus to begin. Remus was glad of it. It was painful to change and the waiting was made less stressful by having someone to talk with. They were both standing outside the fence surrounding the house. Sirius was leaning against the fence, looking for all the world like the confident boy at school. They grinned at each other in anticipation.
Suddenly the change was upon him. Remus' head snapped back and he screamed involuntarily. His face elongated, fur sprouting all over his body. Somewhere beneath the immediate pain he sensed Sirius transforming to the huge black dog. When the change was complete the two circled and sniffed each other. The wolf was in the lead.
Stranger. Dog. New. Old. Friend? Enemy? Memory. Free. Pack. Pack. Pack. Pack.
The wolf remembered. This dog was his pack, the only member left. He took off towards the trees, black dog close on his heels. The wolf knew where the village was, where the fresh meat was. He made for it. The night began.
Later the wolf stopped, nose to the wind. The dog halted, following the gesture to sense what the wolf had. Wolf. There was another wolf. A she- wolf. The wolf raised his head to the sky and howled to the full moon. Far off the howl was answered. The dog nudged at the wolf, urging him in the opposite direction, but instinct took over. The black dog was forced to follow the bounding off through the trees, off towards the answering howl. The pace was gruelling.
There she was. The she-wolf bounded into view. Hackles raised. The two wolves began to circle each other, each sizing the other, but knowing that they must mate, being the only wolves of their breed available. The wolf knew the dog was still there, but the instinct in his blood was telling him to mate. The she-wolf moved in, sniffing at the wolf's face. Immediately the dog jumped in. His back was arched and he was growling at the she-wolf. The wolf growled at his pack mate. It was a reassuring note, intended to show the dog that the she-wolf was no threat, but the dog raised up more. The she-wolf backed off, confused. The wolf could sense the she-wolf's thoughts. Was this a new contender to mate? Was it a challenge? The She-wolf sniffed at the black dog too. If this was another contender for her then she would allow them to fight for her. It was clear that the prospect excited her.
The black dog growled even more deeply at her. The wolf was puzzled. The dog did not want the she-wolf, that much was clear. The she-wolf sat back on her haunches, clearly unable to see why this black dog resented her so. She again moved towards the wolf, muzzle extended. This time the dog snapped at her. He barked and placed himself in her path, between the she- wolf and the wolf. This time she backed way off. The gesture was clear. 'Mine.' The wolf also sat back. Though its instincts told it to mate, as must the she-wolf's be, the signal was clear. The Dog was claiming him as his own and was willing to fight the she-wolf away. The she-wolf whimpered slightly, still obviously confused, but backed away. She turned and ran into the trees.
The black dog turned and cocked its head at the wolf. Though seconds before it had been ready to fight, the moment it turned it was fully aware that the wolf was the Alpha. The dog lay itself in front of the wolf and raised its muzzle to lick the wolf's face. The wolf licked back. The wolf did not know what exactly had happened, but the she-wolf was gone and he was quite happy to head back towards the hidden house. The wolf and the black dog bounded away.
Remus awoke. He was lying naked on the dirt just outside the fence surrounding his house. For a moment he was confused. Why was he outside? Why was he not in the basement? He stretched, muscles rippling beneath his skin. A leg touched against something. Sirius. Sirius was still wearing his boxers, but else lying in the dirt like Remus. His back was to Remus' front, curled up like his canine self. Suddenly the night's events came back to him. He remembered the she-wolf. Another werewolf. He remembered the almost overwhelming desire to mate. And above all he remembered Sirius' actions. 'Mine'. That was what the gesture meant. Not a pack claim, nor a friendship, but a claim that this is my mate and you will not touch. Remus' eyes rested on the smooth back on front of him, body reacting involuntarily to the stake.
What did this mean? Sirius was dog-like when transformed, but he usually retained a lot of his human thoughts and feelings when in dog form. It had not been instinct driving him last night. Pack instinct would have been to allow the Alpha to mate, waiting some distance away. No. This was not instinct. Remus' tried to deny the inevitable thought. Sirius wanted him. Sirius saw him as his. Could it just be a side effect of the full moon? Was it just a bizarre reaction? Try as he might Remus could see no other reason for Sirius' actions the night before.
Remus listened. Sirius' breathing was still regular; he was still asleep. He let his eyes roam over his friend's bare flesh. Did Sirius like him? He had never had the notion that Sirius was gay. Was he? Again as his eyes touched all over Sirius Remus felt arousal. What was this!? Did he want Sirius? It could not be that way! Regardless of whether Sirius was gay, he was not!!
A voice spoke in Remus' mind. What about school? He pushed it away but it returned with memories to back it up. At school. Remus having a crush, an attraction to the dark and mischievous Sirius Black. Him telling himself that it was just a desire to be more like him, not to be with him. Knowing that he was not gay because he was attracted to women, but fantasising about Sirius when he lay in bed at night. Remus shook his head. It was absurd to be thinking these things.
Sirius stirred. Remus' eyes dipped involuntarily to his body, muscles moving beneath the smooth skin. Again he could not deny his arousal as Sirius leaned back and their skin touched. This could not be right. Sirius was his friend. Wasn't he?
Sirius stretched more and pressed more firmly into Remus' chest. Without thinking he wrapped his arm around the darker, slightly broader chest, caressing the skin. His breath halted. Oh God. What had he done? They slept like this, but only when Sirius had had nightmares. How would he react now? Remus tried not to think of how the feel of the velvet skin felt beneath his fingers.
Sirius touched his hand. Was he going to throw off his embrace? Stand up? Shout? No. Sirius ran his hands over Remus' arms. They were now pressed firmly together. Remus' head was spinning. This was all so new, but precisely what he wanted right now. It Ws like a dream. Sirius turned in his arms to face him more. Their faces were millimetres apart, lips almost touching. Remus' hands swept down over the soft skin of Sirius' back. He closed his eyes, trying to force the embarrassment away. As his eyes closed he felt a brush upon his lips. His lips parted slightly, his breath coming more harshly. The touch on his lips intensified. Sirius was kissing him. He kissed back.
As ever dedicated to my muse and inspiration Bally, see you in Vermont hun!! Also dedicated to my lovely SIG, confidante and crony!!
The following are the lyrics from which the title was taken. Read them!! they are very appropriate, for this chapter especially!!
Off through the new day's mist I run
Off from the new day's mist I have come
I hunt
Therefore I am
Harvest the land
Taking of the fallen lamb
Off through the new day's mist I run
Off from the new day's mist I have come
We shift
Pulsing with the earth
Company we keep
Roaming the land while you sleep
Shape shift, nose to the wind
Shape shift, feeling I've been
Move swift, all senses clean
Earth's gift, back to the meaning of life
Bright is the moon high in starlight
Chill in the air cold as steel tonight
We shift
Call of the wild
Fear in your eyes
It's later than you realised
Shape shift, nose to the wind
Shape shift, feeling I've been
Move swift, all senses clean
Earth's gift, back to the meaning of life
I feel a change
Back to a better day
Hair stands on the back of my neck
In wildness is the preservation of the world
So seek the wolf in thyself
Shape shift, nose to the wind
Shape shift, feeling I've been
Move swift, all senses clean
Earth's gift,
Back to the meaning of wolf and man
- Chapter 3 -
Remus pulled off his robes so he was only wearing only his boxers. Unlike an animagi transformation his clothing did not transform with him and he liked to ruin as little as possible. If Sirius had not been there he would have been naked not to mention in the basement. But tonight there were no locks to keep him in, no bars and furniture to take out wolf frustration on. Tonight the wolf ran with the pack. Remus could feel it, so close to the surface now, anxious to be out in the wild.
Sirius stripped down to his boxers too, but Remus knew it was just so he would not feel exposed. It was the same thing Sirius and the rest of the Marauders used to do for him. Again the feeling of being back at school surfaced. Those had been the best days of his life and Remus was happy to feel that way again.
The two men stood next to one another. Sirius could change any time he wanted, but he waited for Remus to begin. Remus was glad of it. It was painful to change and the waiting was made less stressful by having someone to talk with. They were both standing outside the fence surrounding the house. Sirius was leaning against the fence, looking for all the world like the confident boy at school. They grinned at each other in anticipation.
Suddenly the change was upon him. Remus' head snapped back and he screamed involuntarily. His face elongated, fur sprouting all over his body. Somewhere beneath the immediate pain he sensed Sirius transforming to the huge black dog. When the change was complete the two circled and sniffed each other. The wolf was in the lead.
Stranger. Dog. New. Old. Friend? Enemy? Memory. Free. Pack. Pack. Pack. Pack.
The wolf remembered. This dog was his pack, the only member left. He took off towards the trees, black dog close on his heels. The wolf knew where the village was, where the fresh meat was. He made for it. The night began.
Later the wolf stopped, nose to the wind. The dog halted, following the gesture to sense what the wolf had. Wolf. There was another wolf. A she- wolf. The wolf raised his head to the sky and howled to the full moon. Far off the howl was answered. The dog nudged at the wolf, urging him in the opposite direction, but instinct took over. The black dog was forced to follow the bounding off through the trees, off towards the answering howl. The pace was gruelling.
There she was. The she-wolf bounded into view. Hackles raised. The two wolves began to circle each other, each sizing the other, but knowing that they must mate, being the only wolves of their breed available. The wolf knew the dog was still there, but the instinct in his blood was telling him to mate. The she-wolf moved in, sniffing at the wolf's face. Immediately the dog jumped in. His back was arched and he was growling at the she-wolf. The wolf growled at his pack mate. It was a reassuring note, intended to show the dog that the she-wolf was no threat, but the dog raised up more. The she-wolf backed off, confused. The wolf could sense the she-wolf's thoughts. Was this a new contender to mate? Was it a challenge? The She-wolf sniffed at the black dog too. If this was another contender for her then she would allow them to fight for her. It was clear that the prospect excited her.
The black dog growled even more deeply at her. The wolf was puzzled. The dog did not want the she-wolf, that much was clear. The she-wolf sat back on her haunches, clearly unable to see why this black dog resented her so. She again moved towards the wolf, muzzle extended. This time the dog snapped at her. He barked and placed himself in her path, between the she- wolf and the wolf. This time she backed way off. The gesture was clear. 'Mine.' The wolf also sat back. Though its instincts told it to mate, as must the she-wolf's be, the signal was clear. The Dog was claiming him as his own and was willing to fight the she-wolf away. The she-wolf whimpered slightly, still obviously confused, but backed away. She turned and ran into the trees.
The black dog turned and cocked its head at the wolf. Though seconds before it had been ready to fight, the moment it turned it was fully aware that the wolf was the Alpha. The dog lay itself in front of the wolf and raised its muzzle to lick the wolf's face. The wolf licked back. The wolf did not know what exactly had happened, but the she-wolf was gone and he was quite happy to head back towards the hidden house. The wolf and the black dog bounded away.
Remus awoke. He was lying naked on the dirt just outside the fence surrounding his house. For a moment he was confused. Why was he outside? Why was he not in the basement? He stretched, muscles rippling beneath his skin. A leg touched against something. Sirius. Sirius was still wearing his boxers, but else lying in the dirt like Remus. His back was to Remus' front, curled up like his canine self. Suddenly the night's events came back to him. He remembered the she-wolf. Another werewolf. He remembered the almost overwhelming desire to mate. And above all he remembered Sirius' actions. 'Mine'. That was what the gesture meant. Not a pack claim, nor a friendship, but a claim that this is my mate and you will not touch. Remus' eyes rested on the smooth back on front of him, body reacting involuntarily to the stake.
What did this mean? Sirius was dog-like when transformed, but he usually retained a lot of his human thoughts and feelings when in dog form. It had not been instinct driving him last night. Pack instinct would have been to allow the Alpha to mate, waiting some distance away. No. This was not instinct. Remus' tried to deny the inevitable thought. Sirius wanted him. Sirius saw him as his. Could it just be a side effect of the full moon? Was it just a bizarre reaction? Try as he might Remus could see no other reason for Sirius' actions the night before.
Remus listened. Sirius' breathing was still regular; he was still asleep. He let his eyes roam over his friend's bare flesh. Did Sirius like him? He had never had the notion that Sirius was gay. Was he? Again as his eyes touched all over Sirius Remus felt arousal. What was this!? Did he want Sirius? It could not be that way! Regardless of whether Sirius was gay, he was not!!
A voice spoke in Remus' mind. What about school? He pushed it away but it returned with memories to back it up. At school. Remus having a crush, an attraction to the dark and mischievous Sirius Black. Him telling himself that it was just a desire to be more like him, not to be with him. Knowing that he was not gay because he was attracted to women, but fantasising about Sirius when he lay in bed at night. Remus shook his head. It was absurd to be thinking these things.
Sirius stirred. Remus' eyes dipped involuntarily to his body, muscles moving beneath the smooth skin. Again he could not deny his arousal as Sirius leaned back and their skin touched. This could not be right. Sirius was his friend. Wasn't he?
Sirius stretched more and pressed more firmly into Remus' chest. Without thinking he wrapped his arm around the darker, slightly broader chest, caressing the skin. His breath halted. Oh God. What had he done? They slept like this, but only when Sirius had had nightmares. How would he react now? Remus tried not to think of how the feel of the velvet skin felt beneath his fingers.
Sirius touched his hand. Was he going to throw off his embrace? Stand up? Shout? No. Sirius ran his hands over Remus' arms. They were now pressed firmly together. Remus' head was spinning. This was all so new, but precisely what he wanted right now. It Ws like a dream. Sirius turned in his arms to face him more. Their faces were millimetres apart, lips almost touching. Remus' hands swept down over the soft skin of Sirius' back. He closed his eyes, trying to force the embarrassment away. As his eyes closed he felt a brush upon his lips. His lips parted slightly, his breath coming more harshly. The touch on his lips intensified. Sirius was kissing him. He kissed back.
