Howl
Disclaimer: Man, I gotta hurry. Dad's out of town and Mom insists on doing this movie night thing, so I have like five minutes. Okay, disclaimer: I DONT OWN THE MOTHER FUCKING SHOW, OR THE CHARACTERS!! Sorry. I just get fed up because stupid statements piss me off. By the way, I have bypassed Smile Empty Soul (don't own that either) for musical listening and traversed to "Ask DNA", the Cowboy Bebop song. Okay, it's actually only on the movie, but the song kicks ass, so shut up. Wow, this is a long disclaimer.
Rating: R, because my mind can't handle anything below PG13 and I love character torture. So, R. Ha.
Chapter Reviews: I have two new ones but no time to post them. (See afore mentioned movie night). So, thiswolflovesnoone and Kilala, I'll put y'all in the next one. Sorry! (Again).
Chapter Eight: Confessions
"You won't escape." Laughter and hoots of glee echoed behind her as Sou bolted down the street. Instincts guided her to a crowded intersection, where she slowed and entered a coffee shop in hopes of slipping out the back. Customers looked up, shocked, observing a panting teenager wearing tattered jeans and a close fitting tank top. Biker gloves covered her hands, and a long black braid trailed down over one shoulder. Wild green eyes searched frantically for an avenue of escape, but found nothing.
Her stomach in knots, Sou turned and started out of the shop. Her senses were in hyper-drive, and she saw every human on the street with startling clarity. A man wearing black leather spotted her and shouted, alerting the others. Sou swore and darted into an alley. Dead end. Shit.
She pivoted, encountering her escape route blocked by him. His red eyes were full of evil intent, and Sou backed away from him. His gang of meager humans closed in on her, corralling her into a corner of the alley like an animal. This realization made her temper flare, and she jumped up as high as she could over the humans. Luck was with her, and she made it to the street before gravity brought her down hard on her hands and feet, landing in the crouch of an experienced fighter. People on the street stared at her in shock, then ran when they saw the gang come out of the alleyway. Sou dashed right, heading away from the yelling humans. Wolf blood coursed through her veins, pulsing in her body and powering her steps as she sprinted down the street. No human could ever catch her. Sou was a wolf; and she would never be tied down by a human. Laughter echoed around her again and she growled, speeding up. Unfortunately, the leader was not a human, but a wolf like her, and he held the ability to match her step for step. Sou clenched her jaw in frustration, then jumped up again, landing on the rooftop of a building. The wolf followed, quickly accelerating as Sou ran along the tops of the shops and homes.
"You won't escape," he said again, malevolent laughter lacing his words. Sou knew what he wanted to do. He wanted a mate, but Sou refused to mate with a monster. To her, he wasn't a wolf, but a human, possessing the greed and hate and instinct to injure and pain others. His heart was corrupted by these things. Sou snarled.
She would never bow down to anyone, wolf or not.
The male sped up, lunging and trying to grab her pants. Sou dodged left, then pivoted again and started running back the way she had come. A flash of black leather trench coat filled her vision before she was caught in the stomach by the alpha's shoulder, bringing her down. Winded and shocked, Sou couldn't retaliate as he withdrew a long needle from his pocket and stabbed her in the shoulder with it. Sou immediately started feeling the serum take effect, drugging her into oblivion.
"I asked you nicely, but you refused. Now, I'll simply keep you as a pet. You will serve me as a slave, since you rejected the offer to be my mate." His red eyes glittered with malice and Sou felt cold fear curling in her stomach for the first time in years.
"Never!" She fought the darkness for a few more minutes, then gave in. Sinister laughter followed her down into the velvety blackness of the drug-induced pit of darkness.
"Sou! Wake up, Sou! Holy moon, wolf, snap out of it!" A large figure was shaking her, clothed in black leather, and Sou saw, superimposed upon the man, a picture of Mashin, wearing a large dark trench coat, accepting money from strangers as he let them into the room where she was tied up. Horrible images and memories, laced with feelings and sensations, shot through her and she started to struggle, trying to escape who she was sure was the man she hated. Screams wrenched from her throat and she whipped around, twisting from the man's grasp and kicking out.
"No! No! Never again, you mother fucking bastard! Never! I'll kill you all, you shitless assholes! No!" Finally, the shaking stopped, and the figures backed away, cautious and wary. Slowly, her vision seemed to clear, becoming sharper, and the blurriness faded and she recognized the wolves around her. Her green eyes sought out and focused on one, the man who had been shaking her, and then she whispered, "Tsume?" Her voice was rough from her screaming and she swallowed, trying to force words out. "I'm sorry." Her leg twitched, and when Sou looked down, her scar was red and angry, burning as if on fire and stinging like hell. Funny, she hadn't noticed it until now.
Tsume knelt down by her, and she sat up, looking around at the faces of her comrades. All showed the same emotions, shock and fear, worry and angst. Toboe was shaking like a leaf, watching her, and she swallowed again. Blue watched her with knowing eyes, and Kiba simply observed, silently, not saying a word or making a sound. His body was motionless, and he didn't seem to even be breathing. Sou marveled over his stock-still pose, wondering what control it must take not to move at all. His eyes were clear and honest, and they seemed to be speaking volumes to her, but in a different language, one silent and unknown. Sou tried to understand, but the instant she focused on it, it was gone, vanishing as if never there. Now Kiba's eyes were stoic, and blank, no longer vessels to see into his mind.
Hige was also silent, but was fidgeting, trying to come up with a smart-ass comment that would make the tension go away. Sou shuddered; the strain in the air was palpable and she could feel it, it was pressure behind her eyes and in her chest, and she suddenly stood up, looking down at the ground before muttering into the silence, "Sorry for waking you. I'm going to go take a walk." It sounded slightly foolish to say it, but she knew she had to get away before something else happened.
It smelled like rain, but Sou didn't pay any heed to it. She slipped through the trees, a black shadow of a canine that by all standards of the modern human world shouldn't exist, couldn't exist, and yet somehow did. Her paws padded on the damp ground and she started to jog, muscles stretching as she started to exert her energy. A single drop of rainwater splashed down on her snout, and she shook it off, slightly startled, continuing to run, determined to get away to some plane of existence where bad dreams didn't happen.
Eventually, she stopped, halting beneath a large oak tree with wide spread branches, and green leaves providing an umbrella against the rain. It's roots were gnarled, sticking out of the ground and twisting around in an unusual formation, but to Sou they invited her to sit, rest her weary body, so she did, lounging back in the makeshift chair. There was still room left over, the hollow of the roots wide and deep, providing ample room for her.
A gray wolf stopped in front of her, panting and watching her as she looked at it through lazy eyes. Tsume sat down beside her, then turned sideways and pulled her into the crux of his legs. "You have to stop running." His words echoed in the canopy of leaves, bouncing back to haunt her.
"Yes." No words seemed to follow through; her throat was tight and empty. There was nothing more to say, and Sou moved aside so her mate could slide onto the makeshift seat next to her. She let herself be arranged to his liking; settled between his legs so he could wrap his arms around her again. The dream floated through her mind again, and she said in a small voice, "Let me tell you."
Tsume's chest lifted and fell as he breathed in and out, vibrating beneath her and she inhaled his essence, the smell making her body tingle. "Go ahead."
Air whistled out between her teeth and Sou began. "I was born on the streets, grew up on the streets. I was happy then, because I was young and didn't yearn for anything but what I had. But I got older and saw that humans would be a danger to me, that the city which I loved in my own way would kill me eventually, no matter how much a fought, and I left. I traveled to another city, and instead of being a human illusion I lived as a stray on the street. It was all a game to me; see how long I could stay incognito, fool the humans. I was only 12 in human years, and I didn't want to travel beyond what was familiar to me at the time, so I stayed where I was, a stray.
"But it couldn't last, because I grew bold and began to show my human form. A gang discovered me. They had a leader, named Mashin. He was a strange wolf, pure white with red eyes, blood shoot eyes that chilled me when I saw them. He knew I was a wolf, and he wanted a mate. He wanted me. But I wouldn't mate with him, because he was more human than wolf. Mashin is driven by hate and greed, and lusts for money. He didn't necessarily want me as a mate; he wanted an object, something that caught his fancy. Something he wanted to possess. He wanted to own me."
Tsume's hands were resting on her stomach, and he nuzzled her neck, offering comfort. Her mate didn't say anything, just waited for her to continue. Sou swallowed hard past the lump in her throat and spoke again. "When he realized I would never be his mate, he set his gang on me. I ran, and when I took human form to blend with the crowds of people, they saw and also knew that I wasn't simply a dog that Mashin desired; I was a wolf. It fueled them, driving them to chase me faster ad faster. But I ran; I ran through the whole city, and they finally cornered me in an alleyway." Tsume tightened his grip on Sou, licked her ear, stroked her leg. Let her know she was his, not Mashin's.
"I got away on a chance of luck, but Mashin was a wolf, and he could run and keep up with me, unlike the others. Finally, he caught me on a rooftop, drugged me and handed me over to the gang as a prize. After they were done using me, he waited for the drug to wear off, so I could feel the pain as he carved a piece of my leg out. It was punishment, all of it, punishment for not making him my mate." Sou paused and rubbed the long scar on her thigh, feeling the bumps and torn skin tissue. "He said it was as much to mark me as to keep me as running. And I didn't run, because for months my leg and the constant blood loss kept me immobile. He let...let strangers from off the street come in, pay him to let them rape me. He kept me as a pet. But he knew as well as I did that it couldn't last, so he locked me up in an apartment and waited.
"Soon, it became apparent that I was pregnant, and he started to drug me again. One night, about six months after I had first gotten locked up in that rat hole, he came by with a baseball bat, and set it on the floor. He said that since the baby wasn't mine that it couldn't be anyone's. Mashin beat me again, and then picked up the bat. He-" Sou's voice finally cracked, giving into the pain of the memories pounding through her.
Tsume hugged her, his voice rough and full of uncommon sympathy. "You don't have to say anymore, Sou. I hate seeing you like this. Don't do this. Stop."
Sou shook her head, then lay back against him again and let his musky warmth calm her. "He beat the child out of me, then left. And left the door unlocked. To mock me, because he thought I would never be able to escape anyways. But something had snapped, and I crawled into the bathroom to let the worst of the blood seep out. Then I left.
"I didn't know how I did it, because if I had known how to summon that much resolve I would have escaped so much earlier. And I didn't know what Mashin would have done if he had caught me, but I didn't stick around to find out. I left the city as soon as possible, made it to a stream and bled out until there was nothing left. And I howled, because there was so much pain inside, and I couldn't take it. But when I heard other wolves howl back, it felt like I wasn't alone, finally. Like maybe there were good wolves and humans out there.
"So I pulled myself together and I lost my scent in the stream, so Mashin wouldn't be able to track me immediately. And then I went away, as far away as I could travel without dropping dead. I guess that's how I met Blue, when I was passing through a little town about five weeks after it had happened. She helped me out just because I was a wolf, and she fed me and gave me shelter. I wouldn't have survived without her. It took me forever; it seems, to heal, because I have an unusually low ability to recover. Even cuts stay with me for long periods of time. Because of that, whenever I run, my scar hurts, because it took such a large piece out of my muscle, and I don't think I'll ever be the same. When he was carving it, I remember him saying that my running was the most precious thing he could take from me, because he had never seen anyone, wolf or human, run like I had. He said I would never run like I did, that the winds of speed would never again whistle in my ears."
Sou stopped, all the words gone. There was nothing left to tell. It felt as if a huge burden had been melted off her shoulders with every moment she had told Tsume of her past, and the lightness of her soul was joyful. She breathed in deeply, and then swallowed convulsively. Tsume shifted against her, and the thought of having to move made Sou realize how tired and exhausted she really was from reliving her past. Tsume seemed to sense this, and muttered, "Let's just sleep here."
Sou felt her eyelids drifting closed as she managed to ask, "What about the others?"
"Hige can sniff us out. Sleep." Tsume's arms and legs wrapped around her, keeping her warm, and Sou smiled slightly before snuggling against his hard body.
"I love you, Tsume."
The rain beat down above them, mists forming and settling around the trees. The scene was so surreal to the wolves that it was heavenly, seeming to be of another world entirely. The haze swirled as tiny pellets of water drove down into it, making it seem alive. Tsume blinked away the moisture around his eyes and kissed the top of Sou's head. "I love you too. I love you."
Kiba shook Hige awake. The tan wolf rolled over groggily, then muttered, "Wu'? Go 'way."
"Wake up, Hige. We've got to find Sou and Tsume." Kiba stood and started to pace. Blue rolled to her feet, running hands through messy black hair. Toboe was still asleep. "Blue, will you stay here with Toboe?"
Blue glanced at the exhausted cub and nodded. Hige finally staggered to his feet, then yawned. "What did you want, now?"
"Find Sou and Tsume." Hige shook his head, trying to clear it, then inhaled. He took off, Kiba running after him. Hige's keen sense of smell was better than Kiba's; it was logical for him to lead. The two dodged between trees, feet and paws slipping on soggy ground. It had rained last night, and the gray sky foretold more precipitation.
Hige took a sharp left, then skidded to a halt. There, nestled in the roots of a giant oak tree, were the two missing wolves. Sou's hands were clenched on Tsume's shoulders, and she lay on top of the gray wolf. Both were damp, but not wet, the natural shelter of the tree having kept them relatively dry. Tsume's leather coat was draped across Sou's shoulders, keeping her warm, and the male had his arms and legs wrapped loosely around her, nuzzling her neck and ears in his sleep. Kiba had never seen Tsume look so peaceful, even after Sou had arrived and stayed with them. Gradually, over time, they had both changed, becoming less temperamental and more open with each other. Kiba and the rest of the pack had seen the transformation within the wolves, but not commented on it. Sou's braid had slipped off her back and was partly hanging down by Tsume's shoulder. The sight was oddly right, as if it should be this way always.
"Hey, wake up." Kiba had spoken softly, yet the two of them jumped and jolted awake as if he had been shouting as them.
"Mother fucking bastard! I'll kill every last one of you assholes! You little cunt --" Tsume sat upright, cradling Sou to his chest and looking around wildly. His blue streak was cut off in midstream as Sou pinched him, making his stop swearing. "Sorry." The gray wolf observed his two pack mates watching them. "What?"
Sou shivered a little, then wrapped Tsume's jacket more tightly around herself. "Wow, it's colder out here than I remember." She curled up against Tsume, drawing heat from him shamelessly. Tsume looked down at her softly, moving the hair out of her face, inadvertently revealing the welt on her neck. Kiba saw the bite mark, staring at it in shock before transferring his gaze to the male. Tsume looked up, sensing the alpha's eyes, then frowned and glanced down at his mate, seeing the mark. He swore again, then stood, picking Sou up.
"Let's get going." Sou seemed unaware that they had seen the weal, and snuggled into her mate, obviously content with having him carry her back. Hige scratched the back of his head, uncomfortable, having seen the bite but not commenting on it. He looked at the others again, then sighed and grumbled, walking off towards camp. Sou's eyes opened, watching him make his way out of hearing range.
Kiba studied her face. It held confusion, which rapidly turned to anger and realization. Her features had none of the serene calm that she had showed while slumbering. The albino shifted his intense gaze back to Tsume. "You mated with her." Sou choked, shock and embarrassment showing up on her face before she squirmed, making Tsume put her down. She stood, rubbing tired limbs, and faced Kiba silently.
"Yes." Tsume wrapped his arms around Sou, hugging her. The female seemed upset about something, abnormally quiet and flustered. Kiba looked at the two closely, studying them. Sou's eyes were wide and truthful, like his own, telling Kiba her feelings. Uncertainty and anger showed in her gaze, showing her upset at him seeming to threaten her mate.
"Mashin is looking for you. It's dangerous to mate when you know he could find you again." Kiba said.
Tsume growled. "He won't ever touch her again." His golden eyes flashed, emotions, strong and fierce, running through the orbs. The gray wolf tightened his hold on Sou, blatantly showing Kiba that he refused to give up his mate.
Kiba stood silently as the mists dissolved into rain, down pouring heavy teardrops from the sky, sorrowful pellets of melancholy. Sou tilted her head up, eyes closed and her muscles tensing and relaxing at the same time as she was pelted with cold raindrops. Her hair soaked to her skin and her tank top molded close to her body, showing off her figure. Sou's jeans, already baggy, shifted as they slid lower on her hips, and Kiba saw new scars visible as his eyes traced newly revealed skin.
Tsume stood next to her, love shining inevitably in his eyes as he watched the rain trace rivulets down her body. Sou was an undeniably attractive female, but Kiba felt nothing for her but pity. A killer, a predatory male, stalked her. Until one was dead the hunt wouldn't stop. This morbid knowledge pained Kiba, and with a passion rare for the albino, he hated Mashin more than ever. "He will hunt you down, Sou, and punish you for running. He will kill you if he gets half the chance." The black wolf's eyes were closed still, tears mingling with crystalline rain as she subconsciously tried to hide from the inevitable knowledge, that undeniable truth that they were both aware of.
"I know." Her voice was harsh, soft but grating with emotions as she faced him. "I know." Tsume wiped at water dripping down his face, pushing a strong calloused hand through short white hair, then frowned.
"How do you know, Kiba? What makes you an expert on Mashin?"
Kiba didn't answer, only speaking to Sou as he asked quietly, "He marked you, didn't he? Because you refused to be his mate." She stared at him silently, then nodded. Sou traced her most prominent scar, a gesture she often exhibited when thinking or in pain. The scar was a thick white line, twisting from high up on her thigh to just above her knee. It was so deep that it had healed into a groove, nearly half an inch down into her skin. The whiteness stood out in stark contrast to her tanned skin, visible through a tear in her jeans that aligned with the marking.
Sou's voice cracked again as she said in a desolate tone, "I used to run like the wind. No one, human or wolf, could ever catch me. But --" Sou inhaled, then continued, her green eyes corrupted by red lines. "—he caught me, and he drugged me, and he did it, and he made me know--"Her eyes closed again, and she stopped, then slipped her arms around Tsume, sobbing into his shoulder. Sorrow and bad memories hung in the air around them, like a thick fog, fermenting and giving the karma a despairing tone. Tsume's eyes bore into Kiba, hard with pain of seeing his lover in such turmoil, looking at Kiba over the top of Sou's black hair.
Gradually, Sou calmed, and Tsume asked quietly, "How do you know so much about Mashin?" The gray wolf's tone brooked no argument and Kiba closed his eyes as he revealed a part of himself that he had kept from the world for so many years.
"I used to have a sister, named Shonagar. She was all that I had in the world, and I took care of her as best as I could. I made sure she was never in danger, and I taught her all I knew. But she wanted more knowledge, so much more, teachings that I couldn't give her. So Shonagar and I went to the city. I hated it, but Shonny loved it and wanted more. We disagreed, because I wanted to go home and she wanted to stay and explore. So, in a fit, I left her side, and returned home. After a week, I grew anxious when she didn't follow me. I went searching for her, ready to reconcile because I didn't want her to get hurt by herself. Shonny was my world."
Rain pelted his mop of brown hair, and Kiba looked at the soundless mates in front of him, wet and naked to the truthfulness. He was just about to continue when Hige came crashing through the undergrowth, appearing in front of them as a tan wolf, then a panting youth, resting his hands on his knees as he bent over double to catch his breath. Desperation, fear, anger, helplessness, angst, all reflected themselves upon his drawn features as he sputtered.
"Spit it out, Hige." Tsume shifted and watched the wolf intently.
Rain dripped off of him in tiny little streams, splashing onto the ground and making miniscule tidal waves. "Blue – Blue and Toboe are gone. There's blood everywhere, and it reeks of city humans."
Ha. I rock - I'm on my eighth chapter and I already have over 17,000 words. Also, just to add to the disclaimer : Shonagar? Yeah, I own her too. Fuck anyone who was hoping that I wouldn't remember to cover that. :) Have a nice day. (I'm in a bad mood - sorry for anyone who was offended by my bad language and insults. It's all in good fun.)