Howl
Disclaimer: I don't own Wolf's Rain. But I own Sou, and Mashin, and the newly introduced chick with red hair whom I haven't named yet. And, I own this neat little SpongeBob plushie. But not SpongeBob.
Rating: R. Rated for language, graphic scenes, vulgarity, stupidity, sexual themes (which actually shows up a little in this chapter), and violence. Because I love character torture.
Chapter Reviews: I have finally accumulated enough reviews to reply to them all at once without appearing pathetic. Woo! Ahem. Here goes:
VASH THE STAMPEDE 63: I'm only going to review for you once, because I'm lazy and your reviews are the longest. Thanks for the compliments, they are greatly appreciated. And, just so we're clear, of course I'm on par with you. After all, I'm a child prodigy. (LoL, just kidding!) But really - your stories are pretty damn entertaining, Vash. Especially "Brown Haired Girl". Correct me if I named it wrong. And I totally agree with you about the time thing; I constantly have to email myself updated chapters to and from school - it's a big hassle.
Inuyasha and Snago Luver: Wow, thanks. But what exactly does "ja ne" mean? I'm not big on Japanese, sorry.
Kilala (Both your reviews are replied to here) : Thank you, thank you. I go on writing binges about four times a week where I just take a notebook with me and write instead of listening to my teachers. It works rather well, seeing as my stories are far more important than school to me. Wow, mom would kick my ass if she saw that. But seeing as she doesn't really know about this I hope I'm safe. (Cough, hope, Cough). And, I hope you're right about it getting better everytime. :) Wow, your favorite number is five? Mine's three! Who'da thunk'it?? (covers laugh) I love replies!!
Anonymous: Great name. :) Yes, actually, when you reviewed, I only had four reviews, and, to be honest, two were from Vash (Thank you, Vash!! :P). And I like the idea of "Acceptance" for a chapter name. Since you're the only one to suggest something, I'll put that in there. Thanks alot!
Before I start, I'd like any administrators/staff/people who design this website/etc and happen to be reading this to think about giving us writers back the last format in the document manager that we had. I for one hate this new format. It's very confusing and it makes my computer slow. Just a little comment I wanted to add. Thanks. And now, on with the chapter!!
Chapter Seven: Drunk Humans and Night Talks
It had been so long since that fated day in the city. Almost three months, and still Sou was recuperating. It had taken awhile before she could actually stay awake long enough to talk, but she had gotten there. She thought it despicable, though, that she couldn't gather the energy to run or even walk, but at least Tsume and the others were there to help her. At least she could accept their help now. It still bothered her that Tsume carried her on his back, but her pride had been stepping back ever since she had accepted that she couldn't get by without the pack. Her emotions were less rampant nowadays, and it seemed she was much calmer after what had happened. It was very comforting, the way they all helped her, never complaining. Hige always made jokes about a simple walk in the woods with Tsume making her docile, and Blue was comforting in a way that only a female could be. Toboe was a lot quieter after killing that man, keeping his opinions to himself and never complaining. The guys had stopped calling him a runt, seeming to accept that he was no longer a child, physically or emotionally.
Tsume and Sou were buying bandages in the city, the rest of the pack waiting for them beyond the walls. Toboe had wanted to come with, but one look from Tsume had shut him up. It seemed Tsume was a lot more protective of her now, taking great pains to make sure she was safe and unharmed. Blue said that the pack was just now seeing a side of him that he had never shown anyone else, and that it was odd for him to do things for anyone, let alone a person he carried around all day. Even so, he never made any statements concerning his helpfulness, only saying that carrying her was no problem because she weighted less and less now that she slept so much and ate a lot less food.
Tsume stayed with her always, never letting her out of his sight except on certain occasions when Blue went with her. It was as if he thought if he stopped watching her, something horrible would happen. Sou didn't say anything about his protectiveness, glad that he cared about her enough to watch out for her.
It was easier for Sou to travel in wolf form, and since Tsume had refused to leave her, and none of the others had wanted to go, she was walking beside him, pretending to be his dog. The thought made her pride rise, but she pushed it down by telling herself it was Tsume who was being cheated, because he had to travel in a form that wasn't natural.
Passersby looked at her oddly, scooting away and keeping as far from her as possible. Sou's head was held high, despite the pain in her lingering wounds and that damn scar on her leg twinging. Breathing was getting harder as she pushed herself to her limits, hoping they got there soon. Just then, Tsume turned to his left, walking into a store. Sou caught herself from continuing on straight and followed him, seating herself by the doorway, and ignoring the glare from the store clerk. "Yo' dog will havta sit 'side, mista. No mutts 'llowed." The man's speech was slurred, as if he were drunk. Well, he might be, too, thought Sou. Her sensitive nose could smell liquor, and she wrinkled her snout. The drunken man noticed and added, "Yo' dog betta not bite nobody, mista'. Coz' if 'e does, I'll make sure you pay fo' dam'ges." The man hiccupped, making a mockery of his statements.
"My dog is a female, and she won't bite anyone unless you piss her off. Or me, of course." An evil smile graced Tsume's thin lips, making him look even more sinister than the image he projected already did. The man nodded, then took a swig of a whiskey bottle that he had hidden beneath the counter. Tsume glanced back at Sou before quickly walking through the aisles to find bandages. She sat back on her haunches; panting slightly and watching the salesman get drunker. He cast an evil eye towards her black self, and then disregarded her as he stuffed a hamburger into his mouth. Sou's nose wrinkled again; this man was disgusting. Another customer entered, a long trench coat on her shoulders and a bandana covering long blazing red hair. Bright blue eyes flicked over Sou, then to the clerk, who was swigging more alcohol.
"Heh. Stupid human." The woman paused, watching the man some more, and then walked back to collect a bundle of bandages, passing Tsume, who was stopped dead in his tracks. His yellow eyes met Sou's, making sure she was okay, and then watched the woman. She swaggered – there was no other word for the confident gait she exhibited – to the clerk, smacking his head with one hand to awaken him. "Wake up, buddy. Or I'll just take the stuff and not pay for it." This threat roused the man, making him shake himself and grunt, then wipe some drool off him face and groan. Sou's mouth closed and she turned away, trying to hide her disgust and nausea. The woman, now watching Sou as the clerk rang up her purchase, laughed. "Yeah, disgusting, isn't he?"
This woman was a wolf. Sou's eyes could see past her human form, and she observed a silver wolf, with startling blue eyes, watching her with knowing. Of course, she could tell that Sou was no dog, but a wolf, and that was why the silver wolf was addressing her. Sou laughed silently and nodded her head up and down, making the clerk squint and mutter, "Goddamn whiskey."
Tsume got in line behind the woman, and she looked over her shoulder at him. "Hey, handsome. Buyin' bandages for your wolf?" Tsume said nothing, but Sou growled low in her throat, belatedly hoping they assumed it was because the woman had called her Tsume's wolf, and not for the real reason – she didn't like the woman calling Tsume handsome. It made a flare of jealousy erupt within her.
The woman laughed, winking at Sou. "Well, the silent wolf speaks. What, you don't like being owned? Or is it something else? You don't like me calling your mate handsome?" This made the woman laugh more, and the clerk looked at her oddly before poking her and handing her the bandages she had purchased. Not bothering to wait for an answer, she sashayed out of the store. Sou pondered snapping at her ankles, but the knowledge that she couldn't fight anyways stopped her, so she simply stared straight ahead while the woman strutted past.
As soon as the woman was gone, Tsume turned away and quickly bought their supplies, then opened up the door for Sou. She walked out, and then headed for the city wall, not bothering to wait for Tsume. The woman had infuriated her, but she knew it was unfair. She had been that way a few months ago, setting up barriers before a person could hurt her. Slowly, her anger faded, and she became aware of Tsume walking beside her. His warm hand rested on her head, calming her, smoothing her ruffled fur and letting her know it would be okay. Sou sighed, and then slowed down, noticing aches and pains in her muscles and wounds – and that goddamn scar – that she had been ignoring.
"Calm down, Sou. We'll talk about it later, okay?" Tsume's voice was rough and soothing, flowing over her nerves and into her mind, and Sou again nodded. "Good, let's get back. They'll be waiting."
That night, after the others had all drifted off the sleep, Sou rose and padded away from camp. A tiny flare of anger still flickered inside her, making her edgy and short on patience. In the blackness, her body melded with the night, and she drifted over the small hills, enjoying the feel of the tall grass brushing her coat. Sitting at the crest of a hill, she sighed and flopped over suddenly, thinking of the situation with her and the pack. Was she part of it? Was it her pack, too? Or was she simply just a parasite, tagging along like she felt she was? Doubt and worry nagged her mind, making her sigh again and stop thinking. She would travel on her own two feet tomorrow, no matter what Tsume said.
Sou rolled over onto her back, curling her paws up against her neck and spreading her legs. It was a classic pose that dogs did a lot, when they were being "cute". Sou knew from experience that it worked well; if you achieved a cutesy enough form, humans would give you food, or pat your head. Of course, Sou had never received any response after she grew to a certain age and it became apparent to humans that she might not be a dog. It worked well before that, though, and she had made it through her childhood quite nicely that way. When it wore off, though, she had had to resort to stealing and working slimy jobs to get by. She had hated it; but what choice had she had? Long ago had she accepted that fate, and it didn't bother her anymore.
Sou laid her head back, exposing her throat and relaxing. Though she was still on guard, she didn't worry about it. She would smell and hear an unfamiliar wolf long before it got close enough to attack her. Sou sighed again, and then watched the stars, thinking about her past and future. Absorbed in her musings, she didn't hear the faint rustling until it was closer than she wanted it to be. Quickly flipping over and then getting to her feet, she spread her legs and crouched, then tackled the figure emerging from the grass.
Womp.
She connected with a large hard body and they both hit the ground, leaping up and growling before Sou's eyes registered who it was. "Tsume?" She blinked, then relaxed again. "What are you doing out here? And don't sneak up on me like that."
"Well, maybe you should smell before you act, woman. Jeez, you almost hurt me." His voice turned gentle, and he too relaxed, then climbed back up the hill and sat, almost invisible with the black leather he wore. "What are you doing?"
"I asked first." Sou sat herself next to him, careful not to touch him, afraid it would muddle her thinking like it usually did.
"I was looking for you, you snuck off and I was worried." Tsume said.
"Oh." Sou looked down. "Well, I was just trying to get some alone time."
"I don't want you to have alone time." Tsume said, then shut his mouth quickly, as if he had blurted that out and hadn't meant to.
"Really now? What kind of time do you want me to have, then?" Sou's curiosity sparked.
Tsume didn't answer, but evaded by asking, "What happened between you and Mashin?"
Sou's blood froze, anger and fear flowing through her and immobilizing her. She couldn't move, couldn't breathe, couldn't escape the images flickering to life in her mind. Memories bloomed to life and overtook her, making her sick to her stomach. Cold, everything was so cold all of a sudden, even though the night was unseasonably warm.
"Sou?" Tsume turned to look at her, yellow eyes concerned and surprised at the look of horror on her face. "Hey, calm down, Sou. Just tell me. It's over, okay? It's the past." His words sunk in, soothing her and letting her breathe again.
"I...I don't want to tell you. Stop asking me." Sou rose and rubbed her scar absently, then started walking, wrapping her arms around herself.
"Sou, come back."
"No." She would never go through that again. She would sooner die. "No."
Tsume's soft steps sounded behind her and she walked faster, then started ran, because she couldn't let herself relive it. She felt as if it would kill her. Tsume was following her, keeping up with her pace easily. Her jeans rustled and she didn't want to change into a wolf, so she kept going as a human. Her sight wasn't as good, images blurred and out of focus because of the night, but she ran on regardless. Tsume was calling her name, but she ignored it and kept sprinting away. It tore at her heart to leave this new pack, because she had grown to love them all, and she didn't want to give up this new feeling of companionship. She didn't want to give up Tsume.
Her breathing was harsh in her own ears, and she felt fatigued. Sou ducked behind a tree, tears running down her face, and she crouched, hiding her face in her hands and trying to bite back sobs. Tsume ran past her, then stopped and turned around, looking back behind him. He backtracked, then saw her, and put his hands on her cheeks. "Hey....don't cry, Sou..." His voice rumbled through her and she cried more. He had changed so much, because of her, the same way she had changed for him, and she mourned ever losing him. Her mind was still tied up at that bend in her thinking, still stuck believing that she had to leave. Sou pressed her eyes closed, avoiding his sharp penetrating gaze, and let her tears fall.
She felt arms around her, and she opened her eyes to see Tsume scooting behind her, moving her so he could cradle her. The feeling of being enveloped in his warmth and comforting presence was good, calming her, and she stopped crying, laying her head back against his shoulder. "I'm sorry..."
"Shhh, it's okay. Don't worry about it. Just forget what I said. You don't have to tell me." Tsume's lips pressed into her hair, and silence fell over them as he comforted her, and Sou felt bombarded by emotions. Lust crawled up her spine as Tsume's chest pressed against her, and affection for him also crowded her body. "Sou?"
"Mmm?" She was too deep into relaxation to say anything else.
"Don't leave me." Tsume's eyes were fragile and open, for the first time, when Sou looked up at him. "Please." It was so out of character for him to say something like that, Sou was speechless for a bit.
"I won't, Tsume. Don't worry." Sou's speech was soft, caring and as open as Tsume's eyes. She flinched slightly as Tsume's hand glided over her pants leg and traced the scar visible through the tear in her jeans. His touch felt good, and heat flared up her leg to her center. "Uh..." Sou groaned involuntarily.
Tsume chuckled and said, "I guess...you've been through a lot. Even I don't have this many scars, Sou." His voice held awe and respect, and was rough with traces of lust.
Sou nodded. "Yeah. That scar bothers me a lot still. When I run, it twitches and burns. So does my stomach," she added thoughtfully. The words slipped out of her mouth before she could stop them, and she shut up quickly, angry with herself. She waited for the question she knew was coming.
"Why your stomach?"
"I lost a baby once." Oh, what the hell. It's not like he hadn't heard it all while she muttered in her sleep next to him anyways.
Tsume's voice registered surprise, not at the statement, but at the fact she had told him. His finger continued up her thigh, tracing other small scars. It distracted Sou. "Why?"
"Mashin..." Sou's voice choked out, then she cleared her throat and resolutely kept speaking. "Mashin...he hit me...with a baseball bat. In my stomach, and I got sick and had a miscarriage."
"Did it hurt?" His voice was thick with sympathy and understanding. His hand went higher.
Sou noticed this, but kept silent about it. She liked the fact that it made her stomach flutter. "Yes. It made me howl."
"We howled back."
"I heard you. You helped me make it through the night."
His hand slid upwards again, then avoided her center and slid along her stomach. "I'm glad we could... be of assistance." Tsume sounded like he was being choked, and Sou felt his erection rising against her lower back. "I think we should get back. Come on." He shifted against her, but Sou didn't move.
"I don't want to."
Tsume's questioning gaze flicked over her face, and Sou leaned in closer. "I like it when you touch me. I don't want you to stop."
Tsume groaned, then said, "Don't make me chose, Sou."
"Between what?"
"Between taking you as a mate and not hurting you like Mashin did." He grunted and shifted again. His hardness brushed her again, and his Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed.
"A mate, huh? I can't say I object. And besides," Sou kissed his mouth lightly before continuing. "I know you would never hurt me." Tsume looked at her, silent for a long time, before he closed the small distance between them and kissed her back.
"I'll keep that in mind...but not now...We have to get back, and we're at least three miles away. I don't want you to --" He was cut off as Sou bit his lower neck. Tsume groaned again. "Now?"
"Yes. Nothing else, just...make me yours." Sou felt an urgency to know he meant what he had said about mating with her. The thought of him wanting her made her skeptic, and she needed physical proof. "Do it."
Tsume looked at her hard for a few moments, then sank his teeth into the skin and muscle of the junction between her neck and shoulder. Warm blood trickled out and into his mouth, and he growled with feral lust. Finally drawing away, he licked his lips. "You taste good."
Sou laughed, then said, "Wow, I never knew. Tsume...?" Her voice trailed off, and she looked up at him through her eyelashes. Tsume nodded, then leaned back against the tree as she bit him back. Lust rolled through both wolves as Tsume groaned at the force of her bite. She sucked on his wound, then drew back. Mimicking Tsume, she said huskily, "You taste good."
Tsume's own laugh echoed through the trees, and he said, "Smart ass. Come on, let's go."
Tsume's fur ruffled as he ran. Sou was lagging, so he slowed down, pacing himself to stay by her. Her face was screwed up, and her long pink tongue lolled out. Toboe was behind them, slowed because of his wound, and he too was fatigued. Tsume flicked a glance behind him and saw the young wolf stagger, then collapse.
"Kiba!" Tsume had stopped, then run back to Toboe. "Hey, Toboe. Jeez, what's wrong with you?"
"It burns." Toboe's chest heaved and he whined a little. "Can we stop for a while?"
Kiba walked up and nodded. "Can you make it to that stand of trees? There's water over there." Hige agreed, and then jogged towards it, sniffing out danger. Blue followed at a slower rate, not hurrying anymore.
Sou also slowed, then stopped, her breathing labored and whistling through an open mouth. She took human form, trailing after Blue and Hige. Tsume walked beside her, telling her that she had to slow down. "I'm already holding you guys back, Tsume. I'm going to pull my weight."
"I don't want you to hurt yourself."
Sou laughed weakly, still not admitting defeat, and sat down beside the lake Kiba had directed them to. "I'm fine, Tsume. Don't worry about me, okay?"
Tsume glanced around, then knelt beside her and whispered in her ear, "I love you too much to risk it." Sou's eyes went wide, and she turned to look at him. His eyes were serious, and then he leaned in, kissing her. He moaned, then pulled back. "We have to get some alone time." Sou laughed, then rubbed the bite mark on her shoulder from last night.
"What happened to control?"
"Screw control." Tsume kissed her again, pulling back when Hige coughed behind them. "What?" He turned, annoyed, to look at the tan wolf.
"Hey, don't be mad at me. I just want a drink."
"Go somewhere else. There's a whole lake, Hige. You just wanted an excuse to annoy me." Tsume's eyes narrowed.
Hige folded his arms behind his head and laughed guiltily. "Yeah. You're right."
Tsume glared at him, then shook his head and turned around to sit beside Sou. "Well, now that you've accomplished that goal, go away."
"So you can kiss Sou some more?"
Tsume bolted upright, but Sou beat him to Hige. "What did you say? Hige, I'm warning you, I'm tired and exhausted. So don't piss me off." Sou stepped closer, raising her voice. "Besides, it isn't even any of your business what Tsume and I do. Got it?"
Hige stared at her, shocked, then stepped back. "I'm sorry." He turned away, starting to walk back to where his mate was sitting.
Sou sighed, then said, "So am I. Just...don't." She left it at that, not adding anymore. Kiba was watching them, a curious look on his face. Tsume fought back the urge to laugh, pride at his mate welling up inside him. It felt good to be able to feel it, such love, and he reveled in it. Sou sighed again and plopped down beside Tsume. She took off her shoes, dangling her feet in the water. Tsume put his arm around her, feeling content for the first time in a lifetime.
Sorry it took me so long to post it. I've actually had it written for a while now, just haven't really known when to cut it off and haven't had very much time to post. So, if you're one of the very few people actually reading my story, sorry.