Zhou Yu was glad to get away from Gan Ning so quickly; he was terrified that any moment he would have turned on his pirate friend.
Once again, he found himself on all four, practically gliding along the damp grass as he roamed freely away from the city walls. Now it was safe; he could bring no harm to anymore, nor to himself. Perhaps he could try to get used to this, if he had to.
'What am I saying?' He berated himself angrily, 'I am never going to get used to this! NEVER!'
He ran and ran until he found himself lost in the woods. At least no one else was there. 'Now what do I do? What am I supposed to do...'
His keen nose picked up the scent of water, so he followed it to a stream. He suddenly realized just how thirsty he had become from the running, and he paused to take a drink. He wasn't worried about letting his guard down, 'Why should I be? No one else is here...'
So, he did what he thought he'd never do. He lowered his tongue into the icy cool water, lapping it up contently, begging for more. It was hard to drink like this, but he did not care. He had to get used to this, for he wasn't sure how long it would take for Lu Xun to find the cure.
"How cute... the puppy takes his first drink..."
'You again...' Zhou Yu turned his canine shaped head to the one eyed general, snarling instantly. 'Be gone with you... and let me loathe my curse in peace!'
"That's not very nice, and why don't you speak using your own lips? I know you can..." Xiahou Dun did not advance, knowing best to keep his distance for now. "You'll have to get used to this, I'm afraid... as far as I know, there is no cure..."
The Wu strategist snarled, turning back to his water, "Lu Xun will find one... I have trust in him..."
That made him laugh, and now he took a step closer, against Zhou Yu's will. "I doubt it... smart he is, but if Sima Yi could not find the cure, then no one can."
He hissed, taking a step back, "Stay away from me, beast! I will not tolerate such slander against him. If ANYONE could find a cure, it would be Lu Xun..."
"We'll see... do you think I haven't searched for a cure myself?"
Zhou Yu answered truthfully, turning his back on the other werefox, "I do not believe you searched hard enough; you seem to enjoy this..."
Xiahou Dun struck with unmatched speed, and Zhou Yu could not quite describe the situation, as the one eyed werefox hurled himself upon him, pinning him down onto the wet bank. He howled, beginning to struggle as Xiahou Dun laughed. "Get OFF of me, demon!"
He attempted to scratch him and bite him to no avail, and he howled never ceasing his struggles.
"Settle down... you know Lord Sun Ce is hunting for the both of us, right? You wouldn't want to lure him here..."
Zhou Yu snarled, his ears flattening to his skull, "I DON'T CARE! GET OFF OF ME!"
It was a struggle indeed, as Xiahou Dun could hardly contain him. "Temper, temper... don't make me do something I'll regret..."
Still Zhou Yu struggled, slipping about in the mud beneath him, "If you don't want to do it, then let me go! I don't want you TOUCHING me!"
"How I wish you were more obedient!" Zhou Yu screamed when he felt the jaws close around his neck, in fear of a single movement would snap his neck in two. He knew what was going to come, but he was going to fight it! 'I bet that little one would be much more entertaining then this...'
'Leave... Lu Xun alone...' He would have growled if he could, and he wished he could continue to struggle. 'I will not let you touch him...'
The jaws around his neck only go tighter. 'Then stay still... this won't hurt a bit!'
'Maybe not for YOU!' Zhou Yu no longer cared about his own safety, beginning to struggle as best he could, attempting to scratch and bite his way free. 'I will NOT be used like this!'
'You will watch your TONGUE when you're around me!' Now the claws dug into his side, and he could not hold by the pain filled cry.
He whimpered, feeling the beast's tongue gently lick his face, and he cursed, 'You sick bastard! Let me GO!'
That did not release him, nor stop the tongue. 'You're too stiff... relax a little and accept the fact that you're no longer human...'
Zhou Yu gave a howl before their lips met, biting the invading tongue until he could feel the blood seep into his mouth. Strangely, it was an enticing, taste,, 'No... I'm human... I don't like the taste of blood... and I'm going to FIGHT to get this... BEAST OFF OF ME!'
The minute Xiahou Dun felt the stabbing pain, he released Zhou Yu, and the strategist took the opportunity to wiggle himself out from under the weight. He did not get far before being pounced and pinned again. "Damn you! I will train you, come Hell or high waters!"
"Train me? TRAIN ME?!" Those words made the strategist struggle all the harder, "You will NEVER train me! You will NEVER possess me!"
'I shall prove you wrong then...'
Zhou Yu howled again, again struggling against the uncannily strong grip of his assailant, again trying to resist the kisses, 'Why do you do this to me?! WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME?!'
'What do you THINK I want? I want what my cousin possesses, I want what his rivals possess...' Xiahou Dun spoke with true lust in his eyes. 'I want power...'
The claws dug into his flesh, and Zhou Yu could not contain his whimper, 'Don't do this to me...' His obvious fear did not save him. Nothing could.
'Why do you fight me so much, little puppy? It will be easier if you cease to resist...'
'Because, I know I don't want this... I never did!' Zhou Yu dug his claws into Xiahou Dun's chest, snarling viciously as his flames for freedom burned once again. 'I won't be disgraced in such a manner, not by you, not by ANYONE!'
'You don't have a choice...' Oh, how Zhou Yu feared that lustful look in his eye, and the hard, canine pants rapped his ears. 'Do you realize how many of us men envy you...'
He dug his claws deeper, drawing blood from Xiahou Dun's chest, and although it seemed to have little effect, it assured him his struggles were not totally in vain, 'Envy me?! What on earth for?!"
'You know why... look at yourself! Not only do the women adore your looks, but several others as well...'
Zhou Yu continued to try and push him away, though the obvious strength advantage belonged to the other werefox. 'I cannot help what I was born with...'
He could feel drool dripping onto his sleek fur, and he barked, 'Control yourself!!!! Don't you see how much of a beast you've become?! How can you not HATE it?!'
'How can you hate it?'
'Because this is NOT me... and this is not you! What would your cousin think, to see you behave so primitively?!'
'Do you think I care? You misunderstand, sweet puppy. I like allowing myself to be free...'
He was clawed in the face, and once again Zhou Yu was spared his virginity, this time getting a bit further before Xiahou Dun could recover. He snarled, prepared to use his claws and teeth as a weapon now, "Demon! Lu Xun will find a way to cure me, and then I'll destroy you! Mark my words!"
Xiahou Dun laughed, "Me a demon? I have heard you called the same. We are one and the same now..."
"Not... for long..." Zhou Yu growled, never turning from his opponent, "But we are not the same, though we share this curse. I am nothing like you, nor will I EVER be!"
Their argument was shattered by the sound of voices and feet rummaging through the bushes. As both werefoxes stood perfectly aware, it did not take them long to figure out who it was. Their acute sense of hearing had nothing to do with the fact that a deaf man could hear Sun Ce's voice from a distance of five yards. "Keep your eyes open... the beasts are damn tricky..."
'Sun Ce?!' Zhou Yu almost moaned in agony, but contained it. 'Why did you have to come out hunting?!'
He turned to Xiahou Dun, only to see that he had already fled. Cursing, he did the same, jumping into the river and trying his best to go against the flow, to cover his trails. He knew that they would not recognize him, nor care, and he didn't want to risk any harm, especially towards Sun Ce.
He was lucky, for Sun Ce and his men were so engrossed with the sign of the recent struggles that he managed to get further upstream, though he could still hear his lord cry, "They must be close; don't give up men!"
'I suppose I will just have to test my own men... there could be some slight advantage to this situation...' Zhou Yu thought, slowly climbing out of the water and continuing on his way.
He paused briefly to shake some of the water from his fur, and he sneered, 'My poor coat... oh well; at least they won't have a water trail to follow...'
"Damn... if Zhou Yu was here, he could track him down easier..." Sun Ce sighed, breaking through the foliage. 'But I won't give up; I'll kill the thing that hurt him...'
If Zhou Yu knew his friend had thought this, he would have rejoiced. However, he crept on all four, praying that he was not caught. How horrible, to try to outsmart his own men! He hoped he didn't train them too well...
'Come this way...'
He froze, darting his eyes. 'Who's there?'
The voice was not harsh, deep, and gruff as Xiahou Dun's. Not, this mental voice was much softer and gentler, 'I won't harm you; I'm trying to help you...'
What other choice did he have? 'Where are you?'
'Over here; in the bushes.'
That voice was so familiar, and as Zhou Yu followed it into the bushes, he could not believe the sight he saw. "Zhao Yun!"
Yes, it was the Shu general. And it did not take long for Zhou Yu to see the fur, the ears, and the tail, and Zhao Yun whimpered, taking a step back, "Please... keep your voice down. Or talk through our minds, as I was doing..."
'Sorry...' Zhou Yu bowed his head slightly and wasted no more time, following the general into the bushes. It was so strange, and he could not help but ask, as they roved through the endless maze of bushes. 'You are cursed as well? Did Xiahou Dun do this to you?'
Another whimper rose from Zhao Yun, and Zhou Yu could smell the fear on him, 'Y-yes...'
Once again Zhou Yu apologized, deciding it was best to keep quiet until they were a safe distance from the soldiers. 'I'm sorry...'
'As am I. I do not mean to be so weak... please don't be mad at me!'
'Why would I be mad at you? You're helping me...' Zhou asked confused. 'It's not like I would hurt you...'
Zhao Yun stopped, looking at him, with eyes wide, 'You wouldn't?'
'Of course not. Why would you think such a thing?'
'Nevermind... I'll tell you later...' Zhao Yun looked back, his eyes narrowing, 'For now, we have to put some distance between the humans and ourselves... follow me...'
Zhou Yu followed without question, now beginning to wonder how many were affected by this curse. It was strange that Xiahou Dun had caught Zhao Yun, Shu's greatest general. He remembered Lu Xun's theory, and wondered if Zhao Yun was caught by mistake or not. Surely he wasn't as easy to submit...
The reached a clearing, and the Shu general sighed in relief, 'There... we're safe. They're miles behind us and have no way to follow our trail.' He seemed to feel Zhou Yu's eyes upon him, and he turned around, cocking his head, 'Is something wrong?'
'How many has Xiahou Dun affected?'
'Before you, or including you?'
Zhou Yu hated the question, but he answered anyway. "Before me... trust me, I WILL be the last infected by this..."
Zhao Yun sighed, "I pray you are correct. Before you, and not including... you know, there are three of us..."
Feeling a bit safer, Zhou Yu finally sat down, panting from the run he did. "You, Xiahou Dun... and the third?"
Zhao Yun shuddered, "How can you mention Xiahou Dun's name! I can hardly bear to! That's why I did not name him before! But there are two others besides he... Jiang Wei and Zhang He..."
Hearing the other two names, Zhou Yu's felt his ears flatten, snarling, "So that's why Sima Yi was looking for the cure as well... oh, how did all of this happen? Do you remember anything, or is it too much for you to say?"
"F-for you I will try," the Shu general half-whimpered, resting his head onto his paws. "I have been a part of this the longest; I was the first victim... of Xiahou Dun..."
"If you don't wish to talk about it, you don't have to..."
Zhao Yun looked up, tears sparkling within his emerald green eyes, "W-why are you so kind to me? You... you know you don't have to be..."
Zhou Yu was taken back by this question, and he returned it with another. "Why do you feel that I shouldn't be kind to you? I am no different from you now, and don't worry, Lu Xun is looking for a cure. He will have no problem offering it to you as well."
"But you're my superior now... like all the others..." The Shu general spoke, confusion and pain obvious in his voice, "So why aren't you cruel?"
"How can I be your superior if you were infected before me?" Zhou Yu asked, genuinely confused. "That doesn't make sense..."
Now he could see that Zhao Yun was embarrassed, and Zhou Yu caught on, nodding slowly. "Nevermind, I think I understand now... Lu Xun told me before..."
"H-how did Lu Xun find out?! Don't tell me everybody knows! No one's supposed to know... they PROMISED..."
"Calm down... only Lu Xun and I know, and we will be the ONLY ones to know." Zhou Yu hated to see a general so brave and valiant in war to be brought to this, and he tried to comfort him. "He knows that I am affected as well, and he'll do everything that's within his power to stop this madness..."
"I truly hope that he can; it is about time such a monster was brought down..."
Seeing that he was a bit calmer now, Zhou Yu asked, "So... where's the rest of our pack?"
Zhao Yun only remained in his place, "They are supposed to meet us here; I cannot imagine what is keeping them..."
As Zhou Yu went to sit, he heard a snap of a twig, smelling the presence of another werefox. He saw what he guessed was Jiang Wei before hearing his soft words, "I'm here... but Zhang He is out hunting..."
Zhao Yun immediately rose, nuzzling his fellow werefox gently in such a display of brotherly affection that it made Zhou Yu stare, "I'm glad to see you, Jiang Wei..."
He was much smaller than the other two, and though he did not seem as scarred as Zhao Yun, he still had his problems. Zhou Yu could see it in his chocolate brown eyes, almost pitying them more than himself. He shouldn't have been here, but it seemed now that it was for the best. At least for these two...
"Well, I hope everyone is hungry from all their exercise because I have a feast for us indeed..."
All heads turned, and by the remarkable beauty and graceful posing of this new, sleek black werefox, Zhou Yu just KNEW it was Zhang He. His violet eyes sparkled until they met with him, and he almost snarled, "You're new..."
Zhao Yun immediately rose, standing between the two, "Please don't fuss, Zhang He. It's hardly Zhou Yu's fault..."
"Zhou Yu... well, at least Alpha has good taste..." Zhang He said with a bristle of his mane. It did not take long for Zhou Yu to understand why he called Xiahou Dun Alpha. He figured, if Xiahou Dun was Alpha, then Zhang He was definitely the Beta of the pack. "How delightful..."
Jiang Wei broke the tension, playfully pawing the black werefox, before asking cutely "So what did you bring us?"
Licking his lips, Zhang He turned away, grabbing the freshly killed doe and dragging her towards the rest of his pack. He could see the look of disgust in Zhou Yu's eyes, and he barked, "Well, you shouldn't be too picky..."
"He just needs time... we all had to adjust..."
Zhou Yu looked at the others, as they seemed to hesitate towards the dead deer as well. Except they were not disgusted... they were waiting. He barked curiously, "What are you all waiting for?"
As Zhang He began to gracefully tear apart the skin, Zhao Yun answered. "We have to wait for Alpha and Beta to eat first... we get whatever's left..."
Zhou Yu blinked, "But what if it takes a while for Xiahou Dun to get here? You all just have to sit here and STARE at the thing?"
"I'm afraid so..." Jiang Wei was starving, and he nearly drooled at the sight of food. "That's just the way things are... we're not strong enough to oppose it..."
"Well, that's ridiculous! Why should all three of you have to wait for one person?" The Wu strategist snarled. "I say if one of us isn't here, no matter WHO it is, then that person misses out. That's so much more logical than this..."
Zhang He had no true objection to it, but he snarled, almost mocking him. "Then you can face his wrath... don't say that they didn't warn you."
"I hold no fear of him," Zhou Yu snorted, approaching the carcass. No one really stopped him from taking a piece, and he dropped it at Jiang Wei's paws, "There. Now I'll be the one in trouble; you go ahead and eat."
They stared at him for the longest of time, and Jiang Wei asked softly, "You'll take the blame?"
Zhou Yu nodded, "Of course. I was the one that gave it to you; why wouldn't I take the blame?"
Without another word, Jiang Wei dove into the piece, and it was not long before Zhou Yu tore another piece from the carcass. However, he heard a menacing growl, and Zhang He's graceful and calm nature had suddenly disappeared. "You won't touch another piece..."
Dropping his current piece in front of Zhao Yun, he nodded in reply, "You are quite right. I have no further desire to, since you can tear your own piece if you so choose."
"Zhao Yun, touch that piece and I will kill you..." Zhang He snarled with a warning glare. Zhao Yun backed away from the piece, not daring to disobey the Beta.
Zhou Yu's fur bristled, and he growled, "What did you do that for?! Let him eat it if he's hungry; I already said I would be responsible for it..."
"We have rules, and a person as cultured as you should respect them!"
"But the rules are stupid, and meant for animals, which we are not!" Zhou Yu hissed. "We are PEOPLE!"
He was struck with such speed he could not counter, and the others backed away as Zhang He pinned him to the ground, sneering. "Look at me, look at them, look at YOURSELF! We are NOT humans... and nor will we EVER be again!"
"Not if you think THAT way about it!" The Wu strategist's brown eyes flared with anger, "We are as human as we allow ourselves to be, even in this state!"
As he struggled, he continued, "Though you're trapped under that fur coat, you have the will to ACT as you once were, as human, correct?! Or do you PREFER to be this demon, this low animal that you've become?!"
"It's easy for YOU! You are newly made!" Zhang He snarled, his violet eyes twin flames. "You have no idea what it is like to lose yourself to this... but you will..."
Jiang Wei almost pleaded, "Stop it, you two... this isn't settling anything!"
Zhao Yun sighed, laying down, "You know it has to happen, Jiang Wei, eventually. It might as well be now..."
Zhou Yu asked, "What do you mean?"
The younger Shu general whimpered, "But does it have to be so SOON? I hate it when they fight..."
He was interrupted by Zhou Yu's fearsome growl, as he pushed Zhang He off of him. "There will BE no fight... I refuse to succumb to this primitive curse!"
"It doesn't matter, Zhou Yu," Zhao Yun said softly. "It eventually takes you over..."
Now those eyes of determination turned to him, making him tremble to its power. "No, it won't, because I won't let it! I am Zhou Yu, and I will NOT be defeated like this! You should all be ASHAMED of yourselves, to accept this!"
"Don't you think we are?" Surprisingly, it was Zhang He who said this, and all of his fury seemed to disappear. "But you make it sound simple... not to look at yourself and see what you've become and deny it..."
Jiang Wei begged, his ears and tail low, "Zhang He, will you please not fight him now? I... I know you'll have to eventually, but please? There's so much he doesn't understand..."
The Beta looked at the youngest, almost sighing as he returned to his station of guarding the food. Zhou Yu could see his anger and shame now, but he felt no more pity towards him then towards the others. However, he did speak up, "Lu Xun will find the cure... and soon, we can become our TRUE selves again..."
"It is nice to dream..."
With a snarl, Zhou Yu nearly pounced him, but he refrained, "It will NOT be a dream, but a reality!"
"As you say."
"If it helps, Zhou Yu, I have hope, too..." Jiang Wei said, wagging his tail slightly.
Zhou Yu sighed, "I'm glad someone besides me does..."
He did not doubt for a second that Lu Xun would find the cure, and he only hoped it was soon. He did not know how long the others had been under the spell, but he feared that too much exposure would destroy all that was human inside of him. He shuddered; he would NOT let that happen! He couldn't! His very sanity depended on it...
~*~*~*~
"How many books am I going to have to go through?!"
Lu Xun hardly complained when doing research, nor was it usual that he spoke to himself. But this was a different occasion. Never before had he researched when locked in the library, so hurt and pressured, until now. What was worse was that he would find a teardrop or two, smearing the words slightly.
He could not fail this task, no matter what. Zhou Yu was counting on him, and Sun Ce would surely kill him...
Not that he blamed his lord for his concerns... but he felt used and wasted, something he never felt before. Oh, how he wished he were not alone...
He turned his head when he heard a sound, but when no one seemed to demand entrance, he shook his head, "Now I'm imaging things..."
Alone again... he went back to work, setting the next book aside and making his way towards the bookshelf in another feeble search for the answers...
Sighing, he rubbed his eyes tiredly, "This is going to be a long night..."
Long indeed... for, if he was correct, it was only midnight...
MIDNIGHT?! Surely not! He began wondering if his men were safe, yet another problem for his weary brain, "Hurray for me..."
He felt miserable, completely miserable... but he sucked it up, found the next folk tales book, and brought it down with him to the table. It was a heavy book, one that showed promise. However, it would not be the first time he were to be disappointed...
He jerked his head up when he heard scuffling in the bushes beneath his window, and he called out, hesitantly, "Zhou Yu?"
No answer... except for a low chuckle, one that was not welcoming. Almost immediately, Lu Xun rose to his feet, knocking over a chair and doing the first thing that came to his mind. He grabbed the lit candle with one hand, and the bottle of wine with the other.
"Alone? How unwise of you... a strategist should know better..."
Bringing the bottle to his mouth, he replied, hoping to hear where the voice was coming from. "I suppose to... but how do you know this is not some trap and I only appear to be alone, fox demon?"
"I don't hear anybody else, I don't smell anybody else... and most importantly, I do not see anybody else..."
'He's right in front of me...' Lu Xun said nothing, pouring some wine into his mouth. Oh, it burned to take in so much, but he did not care, bringing the candle up now and spitting, letting the two mix and cause flames to arise. He heard Xiahou Dun snarl, using the extra bit of light to see his silhouette in the window. "Best for you to stay out of here... I will fight back."
"It seems to be the Wu flaw..."
Taking another sip, Lu Xun almost swallowed, letting out another spurt of flames when he tried to get closer. "Though your human instincts tell you not to care, your animal instincts rather fears it..."
"Somebody's done his homework."
Xiahou Dun smiled, as he stood perched on the window sill. He could see a little bit of fear in Lu Xun, but pure confidence as well. "And I suppose, if I were to saunter right in, that you would set the library alight just to be rid of me?"
"Surely you do not believe me so foolish," Lu Xun responded. "I need my books..."
That was when Xiahou Dun took another step into room, bringing his arms up to shield himself as the flames came again. If he could only waste away the wine... he sneered, leaping back onto the sill to buy time. "Clever boy... I see why Zhou Yu has so much faith in you now..."
"I am glad that his faith has not yet been shaken," The younger Wu strategist said coldly, preparing for another attack. He neglected to check the level of the ruby liquid, for he stepped forward, letting the flames get closer to the beast. "Now, go away..."
Ducking the flames again, Xiahou Dun barked, "Surely we can be friends? You treat me as if I was a scoundrel! I was once human too..."
"I treat you as you wish to be treated, as a beast," Lu Xun responded. "No one would doom others to their fate if they were truly human..."
"So do you think the one who's done this to me deserves the same treatment as I?"
This was an interesting question, and Lu Xun asked, "I HAVE been dying to know; what happened to the one who did this to you?"
Seeing his chance for sympathy slowly rise, he replied, a bit softer, "He still roams free, and I only get others so that I can challenge him... have my revenge for what he's done to me... is that such a crime?"
Lu Xun hesitated, but nodded, "Yes. Revenge is your own... you do not need to bring others into it..."
"But don't you see? His pack could kill me, and I only wished for protection..." Xiahou Dun continued. "What if I told you that I knew a cure..."
Those golden eyes burned into him, and Lu Xun spoke softly, "You've made a mistake..."
Seeing him rise to set the flames loose again, the one eyed werefox grinned, "And so have you..."
"I would have believed you, had you not added in the bit about a cure. If you knew it, you would have used it early on." Lu Xun said tightly. "As for me, I have no idea of what mistake I have made..."
When he brought the bottle to his lips, it hit him, and he mentally cursed, still wearing his poker face to hide the fact that there wasn't enough for even a little spat of flames. 'Damn you Gan Ning... had to take a few cups before giving it to me...'
"Now do you know?"
"I can improvise... how else do you think I was promoted?"
"I always supposed it was because Sun Ce or another higher up had a thing for you..." Oh, that was a harsh thing to say, and he could see the glint in those golden eyes, hinting anger. "Who are you with? Oh, yes, I remember... was it or was it NOT him that saved you in that battle a few months ago?"
Lu Xun clinched his fists, hissing, "Shut up..."
Now Xiahou Dun found his leverage, and he slipped into the room, but staying close to the window, crouched and ready. "I remember it well... he dove to save you from those arrows... I had a hunch from where I saw it."
He could smell the anger rising from the small officer, and his voice was venom, "I mean it, beast. Quit while you are ahead..."
"Tell me... was it him that bruised your arm, and hurt you so?" Xiahou Dun's voice was sly, almost frightening. "Before you noticed me, I could feel your sorrow... was it he who's hurt you so badly?"
"No... he would NEVER harm me!" Lu Xun practically shouted the words without realizing exactly what he had said. When he did, he flushed, cursing at himself mentally. 'Damn you... don't get distracted by his taunts...'
"Temper, temper... it's not wise for a strategist to lose his cool..." Xiahou Dun drew closer, but stopped when Lu Xun looked to throw the candlestick at him. "I smell your anger... and your fear... what is it that you fear, dear boy?"
He snorted, avoiding the question, "Not you, if THAT'S what you think..."
Another step was taken, and Lu Xun sneered. "You're walking on the narrow lines of death, beast... leave if you value your life..."
"What are you so scared of?"
Backing into the table, the strategist swallowed his nerves, searching the room for a weapon without taking his eyes off of his foe. "I fear failure in finding the cure..."
"How silly of you..." Licking his lips, Xiahou Dun asked. "But what is it really?"
Lu Xun sneered, "I have given you my answer; what do you feel I fear?"
Smiling, Xiahou Dun answered. "For one, you fear me, and don't deny it. And two, you fear of becoming one like me... and three... you fear what the pirate will think when he sees that you have become one of the beasts he's helping hunt down..."
"That is IT; I have had it with your taunts," Lu Xun screamed, his anger rising above all else as he gripped the closet weapon, which happened to be a book. "DIE!"
The book barely missed him, and Lu Xun felt the impact of the beast leaping upon him falling onto the table and crushing it with the impact of the blow and the weight of the werefox. Now he was pinned, and unconsciousness once again nipped in the back of his mind as Xiahou Dun laughed. "My, my... doesn't THIS look familiar..."
"Get OFF of me, you demon!" Lu Xun snarled, attempting not to lose consciousness.
"Now WHY would I want to do that?" A single claw traced down his cheek. "One little scratch... and you're infected..."
His heart rate increased, but the Wu strategist hissed, "You liar! You have to bite me to infect me!"
He was licked, and he groaned in disgust as the werefox laughed. "Don't believe the books... they never met a true werefox in their lives..."
Swallowing his fear, Lu Xun turned his face away, "If you are going to infect me, do it then. Stop these foolish taunts..."
He seemed ready to do so, but a rapping at the door was enough to catch their attention. "Lord Lu Xun, I've come with your tea..."
The door opened to reveal a common maiden, who spoke without ever looking up, "You are so silly to leave the door locked like that, sir. It was quite difficult to turn the key with the tea in my hands..."
She noticed the table had fallen, and then she noticed the situation, dropping the tea and screaming in horror. "WEREFOXXXXX!"
Xiahou Dun immediately leapt to her, teeth bare, and Lu Xun screamed, "NO! DON'T KILL HER!"
It was already too late; the animal within Xiahou Dun had completely taken over, knowing that the best way to silence a scream was to cut off its air passage. And that was exactly what he did, snapping her neck instantly in an attempt to silence her. Lu Xun heard it well, seeing the maiden fall limp in his jaws.
"YOU BASTARD! WHY DID YOU DO IT?!" Lu Xun fell to his knees, sobbing, not ashamed to let his tear flow. "You... you didn't have to kill her..."
Dropping her dead body to the floor, Xiahou Dun looked back at him, blood seeping through his lips until he licked it away. He snarled, "I did not want her catching the guard's attention..."
"There were other ways; I could have sent her away," The poor officer could not stop his cries, and he shook his head, "Gods..."
However, her short cry was enough to alert the guards, as rapid footsteps echoed into the library. Xiahou Dun was quick to his feet, quickly dashing towards the window and leaping out before he could be noticed by the incoming guards.
Lu Xun only whispered, "You shall pay for this..."
When the guards finally arrived, Lu Xun quickly gave orders, telling them to track the beast. He knew it was already too late, and as they ran to do their task, he looked at the body of the unfortunate woman, shaking his head as he picked her up into his arms. "She didn't have to die... but... at least she would not become a demon..."
Bringing her outside to find a place to bury her, he sighed to himself, "Which is more than poor Zhou Yu can say..."
Once again, he found himself on all four, practically gliding along the damp grass as he roamed freely away from the city walls. Now it was safe; he could bring no harm to anymore, nor to himself. Perhaps he could try to get used to this, if he had to.
'What am I saying?' He berated himself angrily, 'I am never going to get used to this! NEVER!'
He ran and ran until he found himself lost in the woods. At least no one else was there. 'Now what do I do? What am I supposed to do...'
His keen nose picked up the scent of water, so he followed it to a stream. He suddenly realized just how thirsty he had become from the running, and he paused to take a drink. He wasn't worried about letting his guard down, 'Why should I be? No one else is here...'
So, he did what he thought he'd never do. He lowered his tongue into the icy cool water, lapping it up contently, begging for more. It was hard to drink like this, but he did not care. He had to get used to this, for he wasn't sure how long it would take for Lu Xun to find the cure.
"How cute... the puppy takes his first drink..."
'You again...' Zhou Yu turned his canine shaped head to the one eyed general, snarling instantly. 'Be gone with you... and let me loathe my curse in peace!'
"That's not very nice, and why don't you speak using your own lips? I know you can..." Xiahou Dun did not advance, knowing best to keep his distance for now. "You'll have to get used to this, I'm afraid... as far as I know, there is no cure..."
The Wu strategist snarled, turning back to his water, "Lu Xun will find one... I have trust in him..."
That made him laugh, and now he took a step closer, against Zhou Yu's will. "I doubt it... smart he is, but if Sima Yi could not find the cure, then no one can."
He hissed, taking a step back, "Stay away from me, beast! I will not tolerate such slander against him. If ANYONE could find a cure, it would be Lu Xun..."
"We'll see... do you think I haven't searched for a cure myself?"
Zhou Yu answered truthfully, turning his back on the other werefox, "I do not believe you searched hard enough; you seem to enjoy this..."
Xiahou Dun struck with unmatched speed, and Zhou Yu could not quite describe the situation, as the one eyed werefox hurled himself upon him, pinning him down onto the wet bank. He howled, beginning to struggle as Xiahou Dun laughed. "Get OFF of me, demon!"
He attempted to scratch him and bite him to no avail, and he howled never ceasing his struggles.
"Settle down... you know Lord Sun Ce is hunting for the both of us, right? You wouldn't want to lure him here..."
Zhou Yu snarled, his ears flattening to his skull, "I DON'T CARE! GET OFF OF ME!"
It was a struggle indeed, as Xiahou Dun could hardly contain him. "Temper, temper... don't make me do something I'll regret..."
Still Zhou Yu struggled, slipping about in the mud beneath him, "If you don't want to do it, then let me go! I don't want you TOUCHING me!"
"How I wish you were more obedient!" Zhou Yu screamed when he felt the jaws close around his neck, in fear of a single movement would snap his neck in two. He knew what was going to come, but he was going to fight it! 'I bet that little one would be much more entertaining then this...'
'Leave... Lu Xun alone...' He would have growled if he could, and he wished he could continue to struggle. 'I will not let you touch him...'
The jaws around his neck only go tighter. 'Then stay still... this won't hurt a bit!'
'Maybe not for YOU!' Zhou Yu no longer cared about his own safety, beginning to struggle as best he could, attempting to scratch and bite his way free. 'I will NOT be used like this!'
'You will watch your TONGUE when you're around me!' Now the claws dug into his side, and he could not hold by the pain filled cry.
He whimpered, feeling the beast's tongue gently lick his face, and he cursed, 'You sick bastard! Let me GO!'
That did not release him, nor stop the tongue. 'You're too stiff... relax a little and accept the fact that you're no longer human...'
Zhou Yu gave a howl before their lips met, biting the invading tongue until he could feel the blood seep into his mouth. Strangely, it was an enticing, taste,, 'No... I'm human... I don't like the taste of blood... and I'm going to FIGHT to get this... BEAST OFF OF ME!'
The minute Xiahou Dun felt the stabbing pain, he released Zhou Yu, and the strategist took the opportunity to wiggle himself out from under the weight. He did not get far before being pounced and pinned again. "Damn you! I will train you, come Hell or high waters!"
"Train me? TRAIN ME?!" Those words made the strategist struggle all the harder, "You will NEVER train me! You will NEVER possess me!"
'I shall prove you wrong then...'
Zhou Yu howled again, again struggling against the uncannily strong grip of his assailant, again trying to resist the kisses, 'Why do you do this to me?! WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME?!'
'What do you THINK I want? I want what my cousin possesses, I want what his rivals possess...' Xiahou Dun spoke with true lust in his eyes. 'I want power...'
The claws dug into his flesh, and Zhou Yu could not contain his whimper, 'Don't do this to me...' His obvious fear did not save him. Nothing could.
'Why do you fight me so much, little puppy? It will be easier if you cease to resist...'
'Because, I know I don't want this... I never did!' Zhou Yu dug his claws into Xiahou Dun's chest, snarling viciously as his flames for freedom burned once again. 'I won't be disgraced in such a manner, not by you, not by ANYONE!'
'You don't have a choice...' Oh, how Zhou Yu feared that lustful look in his eye, and the hard, canine pants rapped his ears. 'Do you realize how many of us men envy you...'
He dug his claws deeper, drawing blood from Xiahou Dun's chest, and although it seemed to have little effect, it assured him his struggles were not totally in vain, 'Envy me?! What on earth for?!"
'You know why... look at yourself! Not only do the women adore your looks, but several others as well...'
Zhou Yu continued to try and push him away, though the obvious strength advantage belonged to the other werefox. 'I cannot help what I was born with...'
He could feel drool dripping onto his sleek fur, and he barked, 'Control yourself!!!! Don't you see how much of a beast you've become?! How can you not HATE it?!'
'How can you hate it?'
'Because this is NOT me... and this is not you! What would your cousin think, to see you behave so primitively?!'
'Do you think I care? You misunderstand, sweet puppy. I like allowing myself to be free...'
He was clawed in the face, and once again Zhou Yu was spared his virginity, this time getting a bit further before Xiahou Dun could recover. He snarled, prepared to use his claws and teeth as a weapon now, "Demon! Lu Xun will find a way to cure me, and then I'll destroy you! Mark my words!"
Xiahou Dun laughed, "Me a demon? I have heard you called the same. We are one and the same now..."
"Not... for long..." Zhou Yu growled, never turning from his opponent, "But we are not the same, though we share this curse. I am nothing like you, nor will I EVER be!"
Their argument was shattered by the sound of voices and feet rummaging through the bushes. As both werefoxes stood perfectly aware, it did not take them long to figure out who it was. Their acute sense of hearing had nothing to do with the fact that a deaf man could hear Sun Ce's voice from a distance of five yards. "Keep your eyes open... the beasts are damn tricky..."
'Sun Ce?!' Zhou Yu almost moaned in agony, but contained it. 'Why did you have to come out hunting?!'
He turned to Xiahou Dun, only to see that he had already fled. Cursing, he did the same, jumping into the river and trying his best to go against the flow, to cover his trails. He knew that they would not recognize him, nor care, and he didn't want to risk any harm, especially towards Sun Ce.
He was lucky, for Sun Ce and his men were so engrossed with the sign of the recent struggles that he managed to get further upstream, though he could still hear his lord cry, "They must be close; don't give up men!"
'I suppose I will just have to test my own men... there could be some slight advantage to this situation...' Zhou Yu thought, slowly climbing out of the water and continuing on his way.
He paused briefly to shake some of the water from his fur, and he sneered, 'My poor coat... oh well; at least they won't have a water trail to follow...'
"Damn... if Zhou Yu was here, he could track him down easier..." Sun Ce sighed, breaking through the foliage. 'But I won't give up; I'll kill the thing that hurt him...'
If Zhou Yu knew his friend had thought this, he would have rejoiced. However, he crept on all four, praying that he was not caught. How horrible, to try to outsmart his own men! He hoped he didn't train them too well...
'Come this way...'
He froze, darting his eyes. 'Who's there?'
The voice was not harsh, deep, and gruff as Xiahou Dun's. Not, this mental voice was much softer and gentler, 'I won't harm you; I'm trying to help you...'
What other choice did he have? 'Where are you?'
'Over here; in the bushes.'
That voice was so familiar, and as Zhou Yu followed it into the bushes, he could not believe the sight he saw. "Zhao Yun!"
Yes, it was the Shu general. And it did not take long for Zhou Yu to see the fur, the ears, and the tail, and Zhao Yun whimpered, taking a step back, "Please... keep your voice down. Or talk through our minds, as I was doing..."
'Sorry...' Zhou Yu bowed his head slightly and wasted no more time, following the general into the bushes. It was so strange, and he could not help but ask, as they roved through the endless maze of bushes. 'You are cursed as well? Did Xiahou Dun do this to you?'
Another whimper rose from Zhao Yun, and Zhou Yu could smell the fear on him, 'Y-yes...'
Once again Zhou Yu apologized, deciding it was best to keep quiet until they were a safe distance from the soldiers. 'I'm sorry...'
'As am I. I do not mean to be so weak... please don't be mad at me!'
'Why would I be mad at you? You're helping me...' Zhou asked confused. 'It's not like I would hurt you...'
Zhao Yun stopped, looking at him, with eyes wide, 'You wouldn't?'
'Of course not. Why would you think such a thing?'
'Nevermind... I'll tell you later...' Zhao Yun looked back, his eyes narrowing, 'For now, we have to put some distance between the humans and ourselves... follow me...'
Zhou Yu followed without question, now beginning to wonder how many were affected by this curse. It was strange that Xiahou Dun had caught Zhao Yun, Shu's greatest general. He remembered Lu Xun's theory, and wondered if Zhao Yun was caught by mistake or not. Surely he wasn't as easy to submit...
The reached a clearing, and the Shu general sighed in relief, 'There... we're safe. They're miles behind us and have no way to follow our trail.' He seemed to feel Zhou Yu's eyes upon him, and he turned around, cocking his head, 'Is something wrong?'
'How many has Xiahou Dun affected?'
'Before you, or including you?'
Zhou Yu hated the question, but he answered anyway. "Before me... trust me, I WILL be the last infected by this..."
Zhao Yun sighed, "I pray you are correct. Before you, and not including... you know, there are three of us..."
Feeling a bit safer, Zhou Yu finally sat down, panting from the run he did. "You, Xiahou Dun... and the third?"
Zhao Yun shuddered, "How can you mention Xiahou Dun's name! I can hardly bear to! That's why I did not name him before! But there are two others besides he... Jiang Wei and Zhang He..."
Hearing the other two names, Zhou Yu's felt his ears flatten, snarling, "So that's why Sima Yi was looking for the cure as well... oh, how did all of this happen? Do you remember anything, or is it too much for you to say?"
"F-for you I will try," the Shu general half-whimpered, resting his head onto his paws. "I have been a part of this the longest; I was the first victim... of Xiahou Dun..."
"If you don't wish to talk about it, you don't have to..."
Zhao Yun looked up, tears sparkling within his emerald green eyes, "W-why are you so kind to me? You... you know you don't have to be..."
Zhou Yu was taken back by this question, and he returned it with another. "Why do you feel that I shouldn't be kind to you? I am no different from you now, and don't worry, Lu Xun is looking for a cure. He will have no problem offering it to you as well."
"But you're my superior now... like all the others..." The Shu general spoke, confusion and pain obvious in his voice, "So why aren't you cruel?"
"How can I be your superior if you were infected before me?" Zhou Yu asked, genuinely confused. "That doesn't make sense..."
Now he could see that Zhao Yun was embarrassed, and Zhou Yu caught on, nodding slowly. "Nevermind, I think I understand now... Lu Xun told me before..."
"H-how did Lu Xun find out?! Don't tell me everybody knows! No one's supposed to know... they PROMISED..."
"Calm down... only Lu Xun and I know, and we will be the ONLY ones to know." Zhou Yu hated to see a general so brave and valiant in war to be brought to this, and he tried to comfort him. "He knows that I am affected as well, and he'll do everything that's within his power to stop this madness..."
"I truly hope that he can; it is about time such a monster was brought down..."
Seeing that he was a bit calmer now, Zhou Yu asked, "So... where's the rest of our pack?"
Zhao Yun only remained in his place, "They are supposed to meet us here; I cannot imagine what is keeping them..."
As Zhou Yu went to sit, he heard a snap of a twig, smelling the presence of another werefox. He saw what he guessed was Jiang Wei before hearing his soft words, "I'm here... but Zhang He is out hunting..."
Zhao Yun immediately rose, nuzzling his fellow werefox gently in such a display of brotherly affection that it made Zhou Yu stare, "I'm glad to see you, Jiang Wei..."
He was much smaller than the other two, and though he did not seem as scarred as Zhao Yun, he still had his problems. Zhou Yu could see it in his chocolate brown eyes, almost pitying them more than himself. He shouldn't have been here, but it seemed now that it was for the best. At least for these two...
"Well, I hope everyone is hungry from all their exercise because I have a feast for us indeed..."
All heads turned, and by the remarkable beauty and graceful posing of this new, sleek black werefox, Zhou Yu just KNEW it was Zhang He. His violet eyes sparkled until they met with him, and he almost snarled, "You're new..."
Zhao Yun immediately rose, standing between the two, "Please don't fuss, Zhang He. It's hardly Zhou Yu's fault..."
"Zhou Yu... well, at least Alpha has good taste..." Zhang He said with a bristle of his mane. It did not take long for Zhou Yu to understand why he called Xiahou Dun Alpha. He figured, if Xiahou Dun was Alpha, then Zhang He was definitely the Beta of the pack. "How delightful..."
Jiang Wei broke the tension, playfully pawing the black werefox, before asking cutely "So what did you bring us?"
Licking his lips, Zhang He turned away, grabbing the freshly killed doe and dragging her towards the rest of his pack. He could see the look of disgust in Zhou Yu's eyes, and he barked, "Well, you shouldn't be too picky..."
"He just needs time... we all had to adjust..."
Zhou Yu looked at the others, as they seemed to hesitate towards the dead deer as well. Except they were not disgusted... they were waiting. He barked curiously, "What are you all waiting for?"
As Zhang He began to gracefully tear apart the skin, Zhao Yun answered. "We have to wait for Alpha and Beta to eat first... we get whatever's left..."
Zhou Yu blinked, "But what if it takes a while for Xiahou Dun to get here? You all just have to sit here and STARE at the thing?"
"I'm afraid so..." Jiang Wei was starving, and he nearly drooled at the sight of food. "That's just the way things are... we're not strong enough to oppose it..."
"Well, that's ridiculous! Why should all three of you have to wait for one person?" The Wu strategist snarled. "I say if one of us isn't here, no matter WHO it is, then that person misses out. That's so much more logical than this..."
Zhang He had no true objection to it, but he snarled, almost mocking him. "Then you can face his wrath... don't say that they didn't warn you."
"I hold no fear of him," Zhou Yu snorted, approaching the carcass. No one really stopped him from taking a piece, and he dropped it at Jiang Wei's paws, "There. Now I'll be the one in trouble; you go ahead and eat."
They stared at him for the longest of time, and Jiang Wei asked softly, "You'll take the blame?"
Zhou Yu nodded, "Of course. I was the one that gave it to you; why wouldn't I take the blame?"
Without another word, Jiang Wei dove into the piece, and it was not long before Zhou Yu tore another piece from the carcass. However, he heard a menacing growl, and Zhang He's graceful and calm nature had suddenly disappeared. "You won't touch another piece..."
Dropping his current piece in front of Zhao Yun, he nodded in reply, "You are quite right. I have no further desire to, since you can tear your own piece if you so choose."
"Zhao Yun, touch that piece and I will kill you..." Zhang He snarled with a warning glare. Zhao Yun backed away from the piece, not daring to disobey the Beta.
Zhou Yu's fur bristled, and he growled, "What did you do that for?! Let him eat it if he's hungry; I already said I would be responsible for it..."
"We have rules, and a person as cultured as you should respect them!"
"But the rules are stupid, and meant for animals, which we are not!" Zhou Yu hissed. "We are PEOPLE!"
He was struck with such speed he could not counter, and the others backed away as Zhang He pinned him to the ground, sneering. "Look at me, look at them, look at YOURSELF! We are NOT humans... and nor will we EVER be again!"
"Not if you think THAT way about it!" The Wu strategist's brown eyes flared with anger, "We are as human as we allow ourselves to be, even in this state!"
As he struggled, he continued, "Though you're trapped under that fur coat, you have the will to ACT as you once were, as human, correct?! Or do you PREFER to be this demon, this low animal that you've become?!"
"It's easy for YOU! You are newly made!" Zhang He snarled, his violet eyes twin flames. "You have no idea what it is like to lose yourself to this... but you will..."
Jiang Wei almost pleaded, "Stop it, you two... this isn't settling anything!"
Zhao Yun sighed, laying down, "You know it has to happen, Jiang Wei, eventually. It might as well be now..."
Zhou Yu asked, "What do you mean?"
The younger Shu general whimpered, "But does it have to be so SOON? I hate it when they fight..."
He was interrupted by Zhou Yu's fearsome growl, as he pushed Zhang He off of him. "There will BE no fight... I refuse to succumb to this primitive curse!"
"It doesn't matter, Zhou Yu," Zhao Yun said softly. "It eventually takes you over..."
Now those eyes of determination turned to him, making him tremble to its power. "No, it won't, because I won't let it! I am Zhou Yu, and I will NOT be defeated like this! You should all be ASHAMED of yourselves, to accept this!"
"Don't you think we are?" Surprisingly, it was Zhang He who said this, and all of his fury seemed to disappear. "But you make it sound simple... not to look at yourself and see what you've become and deny it..."
Jiang Wei begged, his ears and tail low, "Zhang He, will you please not fight him now? I... I know you'll have to eventually, but please? There's so much he doesn't understand..."
The Beta looked at the youngest, almost sighing as he returned to his station of guarding the food. Zhou Yu could see his anger and shame now, but he felt no more pity towards him then towards the others. However, he did speak up, "Lu Xun will find the cure... and soon, we can become our TRUE selves again..."
"It is nice to dream..."
With a snarl, Zhou Yu nearly pounced him, but he refrained, "It will NOT be a dream, but a reality!"
"As you say."
"If it helps, Zhou Yu, I have hope, too..." Jiang Wei said, wagging his tail slightly.
Zhou Yu sighed, "I'm glad someone besides me does..."
He did not doubt for a second that Lu Xun would find the cure, and he only hoped it was soon. He did not know how long the others had been under the spell, but he feared that too much exposure would destroy all that was human inside of him. He shuddered; he would NOT let that happen! He couldn't! His very sanity depended on it...
~*~*~*~
"How many books am I going to have to go through?!"
Lu Xun hardly complained when doing research, nor was it usual that he spoke to himself. But this was a different occasion. Never before had he researched when locked in the library, so hurt and pressured, until now. What was worse was that he would find a teardrop or two, smearing the words slightly.
He could not fail this task, no matter what. Zhou Yu was counting on him, and Sun Ce would surely kill him...
Not that he blamed his lord for his concerns... but he felt used and wasted, something he never felt before. Oh, how he wished he were not alone...
He turned his head when he heard a sound, but when no one seemed to demand entrance, he shook his head, "Now I'm imaging things..."
Alone again... he went back to work, setting the next book aside and making his way towards the bookshelf in another feeble search for the answers...
Sighing, he rubbed his eyes tiredly, "This is going to be a long night..."
Long indeed... for, if he was correct, it was only midnight...
MIDNIGHT?! Surely not! He began wondering if his men were safe, yet another problem for his weary brain, "Hurray for me..."
He felt miserable, completely miserable... but he sucked it up, found the next folk tales book, and brought it down with him to the table. It was a heavy book, one that showed promise. However, it would not be the first time he were to be disappointed...
He jerked his head up when he heard scuffling in the bushes beneath his window, and he called out, hesitantly, "Zhou Yu?"
No answer... except for a low chuckle, one that was not welcoming. Almost immediately, Lu Xun rose to his feet, knocking over a chair and doing the first thing that came to his mind. He grabbed the lit candle with one hand, and the bottle of wine with the other.
"Alone? How unwise of you... a strategist should know better..."
Bringing the bottle to his mouth, he replied, hoping to hear where the voice was coming from. "I suppose to... but how do you know this is not some trap and I only appear to be alone, fox demon?"
"I don't hear anybody else, I don't smell anybody else... and most importantly, I do not see anybody else..."
'He's right in front of me...' Lu Xun said nothing, pouring some wine into his mouth. Oh, it burned to take in so much, but he did not care, bringing the candle up now and spitting, letting the two mix and cause flames to arise. He heard Xiahou Dun snarl, using the extra bit of light to see his silhouette in the window. "Best for you to stay out of here... I will fight back."
"It seems to be the Wu flaw..."
Taking another sip, Lu Xun almost swallowed, letting out another spurt of flames when he tried to get closer. "Though your human instincts tell you not to care, your animal instincts rather fears it..."
"Somebody's done his homework."
Xiahou Dun smiled, as he stood perched on the window sill. He could see a little bit of fear in Lu Xun, but pure confidence as well. "And I suppose, if I were to saunter right in, that you would set the library alight just to be rid of me?"
"Surely you do not believe me so foolish," Lu Xun responded. "I need my books..."
That was when Xiahou Dun took another step into room, bringing his arms up to shield himself as the flames came again. If he could only waste away the wine... he sneered, leaping back onto the sill to buy time. "Clever boy... I see why Zhou Yu has so much faith in you now..."
"I am glad that his faith has not yet been shaken," The younger Wu strategist said coldly, preparing for another attack. He neglected to check the level of the ruby liquid, for he stepped forward, letting the flames get closer to the beast. "Now, go away..."
Ducking the flames again, Xiahou Dun barked, "Surely we can be friends? You treat me as if I was a scoundrel! I was once human too..."
"I treat you as you wish to be treated, as a beast," Lu Xun responded. "No one would doom others to their fate if they were truly human..."
"So do you think the one who's done this to me deserves the same treatment as I?"
This was an interesting question, and Lu Xun asked, "I HAVE been dying to know; what happened to the one who did this to you?"
Seeing his chance for sympathy slowly rise, he replied, a bit softer, "He still roams free, and I only get others so that I can challenge him... have my revenge for what he's done to me... is that such a crime?"
Lu Xun hesitated, but nodded, "Yes. Revenge is your own... you do not need to bring others into it..."
"But don't you see? His pack could kill me, and I only wished for protection..." Xiahou Dun continued. "What if I told you that I knew a cure..."
Those golden eyes burned into him, and Lu Xun spoke softly, "You've made a mistake..."
Seeing him rise to set the flames loose again, the one eyed werefox grinned, "And so have you..."
"I would have believed you, had you not added in the bit about a cure. If you knew it, you would have used it early on." Lu Xun said tightly. "As for me, I have no idea of what mistake I have made..."
When he brought the bottle to his lips, it hit him, and he mentally cursed, still wearing his poker face to hide the fact that there wasn't enough for even a little spat of flames. 'Damn you Gan Ning... had to take a few cups before giving it to me...'
"Now do you know?"
"I can improvise... how else do you think I was promoted?"
"I always supposed it was because Sun Ce or another higher up had a thing for you..." Oh, that was a harsh thing to say, and he could see the glint in those golden eyes, hinting anger. "Who are you with? Oh, yes, I remember... was it or was it NOT him that saved you in that battle a few months ago?"
Lu Xun clinched his fists, hissing, "Shut up..."
Now Xiahou Dun found his leverage, and he slipped into the room, but staying close to the window, crouched and ready. "I remember it well... he dove to save you from those arrows... I had a hunch from where I saw it."
He could smell the anger rising from the small officer, and his voice was venom, "I mean it, beast. Quit while you are ahead..."
"Tell me... was it him that bruised your arm, and hurt you so?" Xiahou Dun's voice was sly, almost frightening. "Before you noticed me, I could feel your sorrow... was it he who's hurt you so badly?"
"No... he would NEVER harm me!" Lu Xun practically shouted the words without realizing exactly what he had said. When he did, he flushed, cursing at himself mentally. 'Damn you... don't get distracted by his taunts...'
"Temper, temper... it's not wise for a strategist to lose his cool..." Xiahou Dun drew closer, but stopped when Lu Xun looked to throw the candlestick at him. "I smell your anger... and your fear... what is it that you fear, dear boy?"
He snorted, avoiding the question, "Not you, if THAT'S what you think..."
Another step was taken, and Lu Xun sneered. "You're walking on the narrow lines of death, beast... leave if you value your life..."
"What are you so scared of?"
Backing into the table, the strategist swallowed his nerves, searching the room for a weapon without taking his eyes off of his foe. "I fear failure in finding the cure..."
"How silly of you..." Licking his lips, Xiahou Dun asked. "But what is it really?"
Lu Xun sneered, "I have given you my answer; what do you feel I fear?"
Smiling, Xiahou Dun answered. "For one, you fear me, and don't deny it. And two, you fear of becoming one like me... and three... you fear what the pirate will think when he sees that you have become one of the beasts he's helping hunt down..."
"That is IT; I have had it with your taunts," Lu Xun screamed, his anger rising above all else as he gripped the closet weapon, which happened to be a book. "DIE!"
The book barely missed him, and Lu Xun felt the impact of the beast leaping upon him falling onto the table and crushing it with the impact of the blow and the weight of the werefox. Now he was pinned, and unconsciousness once again nipped in the back of his mind as Xiahou Dun laughed. "My, my... doesn't THIS look familiar..."
"Get OFF of me, you demon!" Lu Xun snarled, attempting not to lose consciousness.
"Now WHY would I want to do that?" A single claw traced down his cheek. "One little scratch... and you're infected..."
His heart rate increased, but the Wu strategist hissed, "You liar! You have to bite me to infect me!"
He was licked, and he groaned in disgust as the werefox laughed. "Don't believe the books... they never met a true werefox in their lives..."
Swallowing his fear, Lu Xun turned his face away, "If you are going to infect me, do it then. Stop these foolish taunts..."
He seemed ready to do so, but a rapping at the door was enough to catch their attention. "Lord Lu Xun, I've come with your tea..."
The door opened to reveal a common maiden, who spoke without ever looking up, "You are so silly to leave the door locked like that, sir. It was quite difficult to turn the key with the tea in my hands..."
She noticed the table had fallen, and then she noticed the situation, dropping the tea and screaming in horror. "WEREFOXXXXX!"
Xiahou Dun immediately leapt to her, teeth bare, and Lu Xun screamed, "NO! DON'T KILL HER!"
It was already too late; the animal within Xiahou Dun had completely taken over, knowing that the best way to silence a scream was to cut off its air passage. And that was exactly what he did, snapping her neck instantly in an attempt to silence her. Lu Xun heard it well, seeing the maiden fall limp in his jaws.
"YOU BASTARD! WHY DID YOU DO IT?!" Lu Xun fell to his knees, sobbing, not ashamed to let his tear flow. "You... you didn't have to kill her..."
Dropping her dead body to the floor, Xiahou Dun looked back at him, blood seeping through his lips until he licked it away. He snarled, "I did not want her catching the guard's attention..."
"There were other ways; I could have sent her away," The poor officer could not stop his cries, and he shook his head, "Gods..."
However, her short cry was enough to alert the guards, as rapid footsteps echoed into the library. Xiahou Dun was quick to his feet, quickly dashing towards the window and leaping out before he could be noticed by the incoming guards.
Lu Xun only whispered, "You shall pay for this..."
When the guards finally arrived, Lu Xun quickly gave orders, telling them to track the beast. He knew it was already too late, and as they ran to do their task, he looked at the body of the unfortunate woman, shaking his head as he picked her up into his arms. "She didn't have to die... but... at least she would not become a demon..."
Bringing her outside to find a place to bury her, he sighed to himself, "Which is more than poor Zhou Yu can say..."