Disclaimer: This (piece of crap), my dear readers, is a fictional work of … something. All characters mentioned belong in the animé series Weiss Kreuss. The plot is taken from the book Scarlet Moon by Debbie Viguié. Please don't sue me…?
Notes: Err, for all sap lovers out there, this chappie is for you! For all gore lovers out there, this chappie is also for you. Whee! I'm baaaack! I deserve that vacation. Though I did NOT deserve this wooziness I have from my boat ride yesterday (or maybe those 2 shots of tequila were to blame. Hmm….) College is a major drag and I swear, my brain wasn't functioning for at least a day after Finals week. I read from one site or the other that Ran's fave book is "Being and Time" by Martin Heidegger. Wow. I've read "Being and Nothingness" by Immanuel Kant (or some other dead atheist philosopher) and I thought it made sense, but I could NOT even dare fathom being and time. (and for those in the know, forgive the musings of a deranged fangirl)
I've also discovered that all my Weiss Kreuz fics (yeah, all 3 of them) are archived in C2s! I am SO thrilled by this! This fic is archived in "Ken ai to kurushimi. I am SO honored, shikigami-kun! Arigatou! Although… is there angst in this fic? I didn't intend it to be that way… wow.
And of course, a BIG arigatou to my one and only beta reader Skyyler-sama! You did a great job, girl! (smoochies)
Scarlet Moon
By Ninetails
Chapter 4
A cold wind whipped through the shop and blew a shower of sparks about. Ken could taste winter in the air, hard and clean. It was coming, though not yet arrived. The sun shone for fewer hours a day, and its heat did not warm as thoroughly as it had a few weeks before.
Much had changed in Ken's life even as one season gave way to another. Sometimes it felt like his whole world was coming to an end. He turned his head slightly and stared at Kase from under lowered lashes. He asked to come to the shop to help him out, but so far the other man had mostly sat, staring off into space. Where does he go when he's like that? Ken wondered. He wanted so badly to question him about everything he had seen and done in the years he had been gone but every time he tried to ask, his cousin just shrugged and smiled weakly at him. Why won't he talk about it? He hasn't even told me about the battle where Yohji was captured.
Kase's body had begun to heal with rest and food, but his spirit still seemed wounded. Worse, there was no remedy, he knew, for that ailment.
He put down his hammer for a moment and plunged the strip of hot steel that would be a sword into cold water. It hissed and steamed as it cooled.
"I would like to go see Grandmother," Kase said, speaking suddenly.
Ken jumped, surprised by the sound of his voice. "Then go. I know she is eager to see you. You've been home three weeks and I know she is growing anxious."
"I know; I just wasn't ready before. Would you go with me?" he asked.
"Of course," Ken replied, wondering why. Perhaps he is not sure he remembers the way, or perhaps he does not wish to walk through the woods alone.
"We can go this evening if you like.
"That would be good."
Kase fell back into silence, and Ken returned to his work, tying to shrug off his concern for the other man.
It was nearly time for the midday meal before he spoke again. "How is she?"
"Who?" Ken asked, again startled and momentarily confused.
"Grandmother."
"She's well. I think you'll be surprised. She doesn't look any older than when you left."
Kase nodded. "I guess that's witchcraft for you."
Ken bristled. "She's not a witch! Kase, how can you believe such a thing?"
"Isn't it true?" he asked, looking genuinely perplexed.
"It is not. She has never had anything to do with witchcraft. It is only superstition and fear that made people misunderstand her."
"My folks included," Kase said. "They didn't let me see her much."
"I'm sorry, Kase," Ken said, softening. He had forgotten how narrow-minded his cousin's parents had been.
Kase stood up and walked closer. He leaned up against a table beside him. "So, what is she?"
"She's… just a person who is… interested in… studying," Ken said, finding himself at a loss for the words to explain.
"Studying what?"
"Everything - plants, animals, the stars in the sky. She's even done some wonderful work with medicine and studying the human body."
"Really?" Kase asked, his voice reflecting heightened curiosity.
"Oh yes, she makes wonderful salves for burns, cuts, all manner of things."
"So, she can make people better?"
"Absolutely."
"Then she also knows what makes them sick."
"Yes," Ken answered, not entirely sure where Kase was going with his questioning.
"I would like to learn that," he said quietly, almost to himself.
"She would love to teach you," Ken said, laying a hand on his arm. "She has taught me so much and yet there is so much left to learn."
"Really?" Kase asked, his brown eyes probing into Ken's.
"Yes."
"Does she teach anyone else?"
Ken hesitated for only a moment, his thoughts on Ouka and Masafumi, before he answered. "No."
Kase smiled wanly. "Since I have come back, I have found that I am in need of something on which to focus my thoughts, my energies."
Ken smiled. "We will go tonight and you can speak with her about all of it. Now, I have to finish this by the end of the day or Father will be speaking to me about something."
Kase laughed, though the sound was empty and hollow to Ken's ears. They shared some cheese and bread Ken had brought from home, and then he returned to work.
Kase fell back into silence for the rest of the day. Ken glanced at him from time to time, wishing he could reach him. At last the day was over. They went home to say hello to Ken's father and to eat a quick meal before they set out into the woods, heading for their grandmother's house. Ken carried a lantern with them to ward off the gathering shadows. It would be fully dark when they returned, and they would be sorely in want of some light.
He shivered. The woods at night was not something to be taken lightly, and his thoughts raced ahead of him, mapping out every footstep of their way. He walked several steps ahead of Kase, inexplicably not wanting to be too close to him.
You're being silly, he chided himself. He's your cousin. There is nothing to fear from him.
From overhead he heard the flapping of wings. He glanced up and saw a huge owl silhouetted briefly against the sky. It then landed on a nearby branch and stared at them with great, unblinking eyes.
"Who, who?" the owl called.
He was reminded yet again of the young man he had seen in the woods and how he had called the same question out after him with as little answer as he was giving the owl.
"Ken," he whispered. At least he could answer the owl. Maybe one day he would help answer his question.
They walked quickly and soon arrived. The door was open when they reached the cabin, and Manx was standing outside with open arms. Kase went to her after a moment of hesitation and was folded into her embrace. Ken stood and smiled weakly, fighting tears. I wish Yohji were here for this reunion.
At last they all bustled inside. Candles were lit all around the room, reflecting eerily in the glass jars. The effect was that of a thousand flickering lights bathing the room in light one moment and plunging it into near darkness the next. Ken would have found it fascinating if he were not so uneasy from the trip through the woods and his earlier conversation with Kase.
They all sat in silence for several minutes. Kase stared around the room, taking everything in as Ken and Manx stared at him. Then he stood and prowled around the room, touching this and that.
"I would like to learn what you know," he said at last, picking up a jar of mugwort and examining it.
Manx glanced at Ken, a hint of alarm in her green eyes. "Why?"
"As a child my parents forbade me to see you. They said you were a witch. They were wrong, and I regret all the time we lost and all the things you might have taught me." He set the jar down and turned back to them. "I've lost everything," he said simply. "But being here, I'm beginning to understand that my greatest loss was the years I missed knowing you."
With tears in her eyes Manx rose to embrace him. "My darling child, you shall know me, and if it is within my power we shall work together to heal your wounds."
Ken averted his eyes to give them a moment of privacy. As he did so, he prayed that Manx might really hold the key to Kase's recovery.
They ended up not leaving until the dawn. As they hurried home along the path, Ken imagined that the trees were shaking their branches at him in anger.
Customers kept Ken and his father busy for the next several days repairing axes used for wood chopping, making hooks to hang meat in storage, and taking care of other things that needed to be done before the onslaught of winter. It was a week before he could return to his grandmother's, though he knew Kase had gone several times.
When he entered the forest, it seemed peaceful to him. He couldn't remember the last time he had actually felt at home in the woods, welcomed almost. It was a strange sensation, unnerving in itself.
He hadn't gone very far when he heard a voice behind him. "A young man shouldn't walk alone in the woods."
"Who says I'm not old enough to take care of myself?" Ken asked, pulling his dagger from his belt before turning.
"I have," Ran said, smirking at him.
Ken returned his dagger to its resting place and relaxed his fighting posture. "Oh, it's you again," he said dryly, unable to stop himself.
"Yes," Ran answered, striding forward.
Ken dropped his eyes quickly, suppressing the sudden fluttering of his heart at the sight of the tall man, before bowing hastily, his father's warning fresh in his mind.
"A little formal, aren't we," Ran deadpanned
"I'm sorry, milord, you surprised me. I was just hurrying to my grandmother's. If you would excuse me…" Ken turned on his heel and started to walk off, his heart in his throat.
"I won't," the other man said, his dulcet voice growing stern.
Ken stopped but didn't turn to face him. "A dangerous man," that is what they called him. "Don't chase strangers in the woods," Grandmother said. What about dangerous strangers? Surely I should avoid them above all! he thought.
"What's wrong?" the earl asked, moving to stand in front of him.
"Nothing, milord," the younger man lied, not daring to look at the other man's handsome features.
"You know I don't wish to be so formal with you, but if you insist on being so, then I must insist that you tell me the truth. I command it," Ran said with all the pomp entailing his title.
Ken lifted his head at that, not knowing how to respond. Violet eyes bored into his own and he grew uncomfortable under the stare.
"Something is different. What is it?"
"I was overly familiar the day you came by our shop, and I apologize."
The smirk was back. "Don't, it was refreshing." Ran gazed at Ken's brown eyes more closely, and his eyes narrowed. "Did someone tell you not to speak to me? Your father, perhaps?"
Ken averted his eyes. "Where is your horse?" he asked.
"I'm afraid I'm alone today."
"The woods are a dangerous place," he warned. He was so close he could feel the taller man's warm breath on his face.
"Not for me," Ran said in a low growl.
The sound made Ken shiver. "They told me you are dangerous."
A strange look crossed Ran's face and for a moment, he looked in pain. Ken felt a slight stab in his heart at that look. "Whoever told you that was telling the truth."
"And I am alone in the woods with a dangerous man. If such is the truth, I would do well to heed their warnings."
Ran reached out quickly and grasped his forearm. Ken blanched as he felt his long fingers pressing into his muscles, the callused palm contrasting the rest of his smooth skin. "If you are the same boy I met a few weeks ago, then you have little to fear from strange men in the woods and even less to fear from me."
"And why is that?" Ken asked, unsure of his meaning.
The older man smiled slowly, and Ken felt that peculiar flutter in his heart once more. The Ran in his dreams could not compare to the Ran in front of him. "Because you can take care of yourself. And because I would never consciously harm you."
And what about unconsciously? Ken wondered, but he said nothing.
Ran took a step back and let go of his arm slowly, caressing the soft tanned skin. "Where did you say you were off to?"
"Grandmother's house."
"Then I shall escort you," he said, bowing a little, before gesturing for him to lead the way. He then placed a hand in the small of Ken's back, gently prodding him to walk.
Ken wanted desperately to trust him, but he also wanted to try and obey his father. "I'm not supposed to talk to strangers," he said finally, in a last effort to avoid prolonged contact.
"Hn, but you and I are hardly strangers, are we?" Ran said with a slight glint in his eye, giving him a slow grin.
Despite the strange sensations running up and down his body at the other's hungry look, he laughed and impulsively took his arm, akin to the way he and his brother traversed in the woods. "You promise not to bite?"
The smile left Ran's pale face instantly, and Ken shivered as he stared down at him. "Not today - today you are safe," he whispered into his ear huskily.
Ken felt a chill run through him, and something deep inside him told him that he had seen those violet eyes somewhere else. He shook his head to clear it and tried to keep his tone light. "In that case, let us go."
"Your grandmother lives in the woods?" Ran asked at last.
Ken nodded. "She was banished before I was born. She was falsely accused of witchcraft."
He felt the tall man stiffen, and fear brushed against him. "Of course that's ridiculous," he hastened to add. "My grandmother studies nature, medicine, the way things grow. Only the ignorant believe in witchcraft."
"I wouldn't be so sure of that," Ran said softly, a pained look in his now stony features. "There are more things in this world that can not be explained with reason."
"Spoken as a man who has seen some of them," Ken teased.
"That I have," Ran whispered so quietly he had to strain to hear him.
They finished the walk in silence, though Ken was acutely aware of the other's elbow where it brushed his side and the play of the sinewy muscles in his arms beneath Ken's own hold.
Just before they entered the clearing he suddenly stopped and turned to the shorter man. "I almost forgot, I have something for you."
Ken tilted his head to the side, puzzled.
From a small bag hanging from his belt, Ran pulled out a rough cross, all four sides equal in length, attached to a chain of thin silver metal. "It belonged to my mother," Ran explained. "I wanted you to have it as payment, a thank you, for your help a few weeks ago."
"I did nothing more than what was needed," Ken said, aghast. "And you already paid me for that more than generously."
"No, this isn't for the horse. It is for your kindness. You did much more than you'll ever know. Here," the earl said, placing it at his throat.
He then fastened the clasp behind Ken's neck. Upon locking it, he slowly moved his arms back, caressing his skin once again. Reverently, he touched the cross where it hung low on his throat.
"Perfect," Ran said. "I want you to have this. My sister has one just like this and I pray that it will offer you the same protection it is giving her."
Ken stared down at it for a moment before looking back up at him. "You are a mystery to me still. A sister?" At the other's blank look, he continued. "They tell me that none who know you speak well of you. You yourself have admitted to being dangerous, but I don't see that."
Ran bent down suddenly and kissed him. Almost against his will, Ken closed his eyes and surrendered to his embrace. His lips were warm upon his own and it felt like his whole body was on fire. Long arms slowly went down to caress his body, bringing him closer to the warm body of the earl. His scent was suffocating him, and yet he couldn't get enough. Ken felt his own fingers convulse almost desperately in Ran's hair, although he had no idea how they got there. All he knew was that he had to have more.
He opened his eyes as Ran pulled away. Violet eyes pierced him as the other man whispered fiercely, "I am dangerous."
Ken blinked, and in a moment, he was gone. He turned around but could see no trace of Ran, as though he had vanished into thin air. Just like the man I found on the path. He jerked as realization hit him. Ran and the man I found sleeping in the woods are one and the same!
He cursed himself as he slipped into the forest, hiding from probing brown eyes. For the last month he had done nothing but think of him. For a week he had carried the cross with him, debating whether to try and see him, whether to give it to him. He had never thought beyond that. He had never anticipated kissing him.
He had looked so beautiful, so innocent and vulnerable, and like a wolf drawn to a lamb he had pounced. He could still feel the boy's lips on his, and he knew the memory would haunt him until he died. He tasted so sweet.
He was starting to lose control; he could feel it. He had spent years training his mind, learning how to control his thoughts and his feelings. Since the moment they had met he had been reverting, losing his ability to concentrate.
"I am a man, not an animal," he whispered to the forest.
The ancient trees shook in the breeze, denying his claim. They spoke to him, telling him that he was not what he wanted to be, that he was everything he feared to be. He covered his ears with his hands but could hear them all the same.
"No, I've fought so hard to control myself. I can't let go of that. I must not let passion hold sway." The words sounded empty and hollow even to him.
He turned and fled through the woods back toward the castle. He ran from the boy and from himself. All he knew was that if he stayed in the woods, he could not be held responsible for his actions.
That night Ran woke up shaking and covered in sweat. He had the dream again. He had been in a battle, fighting and killing the dark-skinned men who surrounded him. Their blood sprayed across his chest. His sword was slick with crimson liquid and he fought to keep his hand around the hilt. The fighting ceased for a moment and he stopped to catch his breath. A sound behind him caused him to turn, and he plunged his sword into another man's chest. It was only as he pulled it out that he realized the man was no warrior, just a simple farmer whose land was being desecrated. Next to him his wife stood, screaming in a language he could not understand. She pointed her finger at him, invective flowing out of her small, quivering lips. He knew that she was putting a curse on him, though he didn't know how he knew. A gray light flashed around him for a brief moment and he blinked. He stared at those sputtering lips, now flecked with foam. Her lips were still moving after he cut off her head.
Every time he had the dream it was the same. Only upon waking would he remember that it had not been he, but a distant ancestor who had committed the crime. "And unto your sons, for seven generations," he muttered, quoting from the Bible. The sins of his forefather that were being visited upon his head, though he had no such time limit. Every male in his family was cursed, until the end of time. The dead witch had seen to that.
"Forgive me," he prayed, as he always did upon waking from the dream. He dropped his head into his hand and sobbed. The dream was bad enough, but what was coming next was worse. The dream always preceded his three nights of hell. The full moon and the night on either side of it always bore witness to the price he paid for ancient sins.
The sun was streaming into his bedchamber, and he wished, as always, that it would last forever, beat back the cruel moon and rule the sky for eternity. Then he would be free.
He rose and dressed, taking his time, as though that would somehow slow the progress of the rest of the day. He had preparations to make, though, before night fell. He felt himself slowly crawling back into the familiar cold, and his face was blank.
It was growing dark as Ken reached the edge of the woods, setting out to take a basket of food for his grandmother. He glanced skyward anxiously, seeing that the moon was already up even though the sun had not yet set. Full moon, or nearly.
He had hoped to be on his way home by now, but he had needed to stay at the shop longer than he had thought in order to complete an ax. He should hurry if he wanted to get there while there was still some light. I'll probably have to stay overnight. He was about to pass the first tree when his foot stopped, hovering in midair.
Something is wrong. He stood, staring, eyes and ears straining. He couldn't see or hear anything amiss, and yet there was. He looked up at the trees, but they stood like silent sentinels. Whatever secrets they had, they kept.
Move forward! He screamed at himself. No matter how much he wanted to, he couldn't will himself to step on the path. Slowly he lowered his foot back to the ground, next to the other one.
The hair on the back of his neck rose on end. Then, with a swiftness that left him breathless, a wave of fear stronger than any he had ever known washed over him. Death is in the woods tonight. He turned on his heel and walked quickly away. I'm sorry Grandmother; I will see you tomorrow.
His father looked up, surprised, when he entered the cottage. "I didn't expect to see you until the morning."
Ken thought for a moment about telling him what he had felt, but he was afraid his father wouldn't believe him. Still, he wanted him to know. "It would have been dark before I got there, and, somehow, I had a strong feeling that I should just turn around and come home."
His father stared at him for a long moment, and Ken wished that for once in his life he could read his expression. Reiji turned back to the fire he was tending. "Then it is good that you came home," he said quietly.
Ken stood staring at his father's back, wondering what exactly he meant by that. He decided against asking and instead put down his basket and changed for bed. "Where's Kase?" he asked after he had lain down.
"He left for your grandmother's several hours ago."
"I'm worried about him," Ken said before he could stop himself. He held his breath, unsure how his father would respond.
For a long moment he didn't say anything. Finally he sighed. "He's been through a lot. Any man who has seen what he has needs time to rest, recover. He'll be fine."
He heard his father stand up, suddenly enough to knock over the stool on which he had been sitting. He swore quietly as he picked it back up.
Biting his lip, Ken rolled onto his side and stared at the wall, a feeling of unease still lingering with him like the smell of burnt food. He heard his father preparing for bed. Shortly he blew out the lantern and he heard the creaking of the wood as the older man lay down across the room. He could feel himself drifting off to sleep when very quietly he heard him say, "I'm worried too."
Ken opened his eyes but didn't say anything. He couldn't remember a time when his father had ever admitted something like that. He found it disturbing and yet at the same time very comforting. At least I'm not making that up or reacting to nothing.
He closed his eyes again and drifted back toward sleep. Then, from way off, he heard the howl of a wolf. He sat upright, heart pounding in fear, and he screamed.
The moon rode full and high in the darkened sky. He could feel it calling to him, illuminating the night, throwing light upon his deeds.
The tanner deserved to die for what he had done to Ken. That was why he killed him. Alone in the forest there was no one to hear him scream. He was a fool to be out here alone. He's a dead fool now. He clawed at the body, slashing clothes and flesh. He picked up an arm and gnawed great chunks out of it. Must blame it on the wolf. If it weren't for the wolf, it wouldn't have happened. I'm not responsible for the wolf, no man is.
Ripping, slashing, tearing, rending. See how the claw draws blood, see how the fangs rend flesh. Smell the blood and decay. Already the corpse begins to rot, and all the tiny woodland creatures come to watch. They're all afraid of me.
As they should be.
TBC
Author's Notes:
Now the only taste of winter I had was about three years ago when my family went for a 2-month summer vacation in Edmonton, Canada. When our plane landed, it was negative 4 (again with the four… Wheeee!) degrees and I swear my face was frozen in a grimace for a few hours after.
I made Ran talkative. Oh the horror! Gomen nasai, avid Ran lovers!
Okees, the world, specifically the Roman Catholic Church abhors homosexuality, it being the sin that was the destruction of Sodom. Being one of the biggest hypocrites, I love yaoi (not yuri though, don't have the stomach for it) and am very accepting of almost all gay people. I don't think yaoi is accepted in medieval times, especially in the era where my Ken and Ran seem to live. Just… go with me on this one, 'kay?
I've been unusually graphic here. Nyaha, must've gotten the vindictive streak from my best friend… or maybe I had it in me all along. Sorry if I made anyone, um, sick up out there.
Now, this chappie explains why wolf Ran becomes Wolf Ran. Many of you might've wondered why Ken hasn't bee turned into a werewolf when he had been bitten twice already. Here's the answer. Ran's family was cursed, and all men would turn into wolves at the event of the full moon. He's not a werewolf, people… or at least, not the conventional kind. Gah, even I don't make sense to me.
And what's up with relatives asking if I have a boyfriend? The older generation are like: "You don't have a boyfriend yet? Good. You should prioritize your studies… blah blah." And the younger generation are like: "You don't have a boyfriend yet! You're deprived." Relatives. Geez.
Replies to Reviews (Chapter 3)
Little Fox KitErr, I hope this chappie answered your questions. Nope, Ken wasn't bitten by Ran's father. Ran himself was the wolf who bit Ken when he was a child. As for why, well, wouldn't you like a bite of Ken! Even just a tiny, little bit? I do! Nyahahaha! Gomen for making you wait for so long. I really hope this chapter alleviated you somewhat and thanks for being the first reviewer of chapter 3!
Chitoshiya no TohmaRan's not dangerous! He may be evil, sadistic, and totally perilous but he's not dangerous at all! Err, gomen, still feeling a bit dizzy from my boat ride yesterday, ehehehe… Chapter 3 was long? Oh… I guess so. And yeah, Ran is SO sextastic. Did I use that right? (blushes) Thanks for the review!
RuByMoOn17Nyahaha! I like your penname! Your style is like my cousin's and she takes too darn long when typing things. Oh well. 'Nyways, thanks SO much for the review!
SilverfrostNyahaha! I get too lazy to sign in too sometimes. And no, I'm not the only Filipino around. Westkitsune is too. She has such great fics! Wai! Long live RanKen! And thanks, I DID have a fun vacation… discounting the fact that I was surrounded by nosy, irritating and totally annoying relatives. You know the like. Geez. Kaya lang, nangitim ako 'coz it's SO fun to, err, splash around in the sea (yeah, not good at swimming). I could be so vain sometimes. Oh well. Thanks for reviewing! (smoochies)
Brokn InnocenceWhee! Thanks SO much for thinking this crappy fic is intriguing! Thanks SO very much! I hope that I've met your expectations with this latest chapter. Oh, and if you find any mistakes or contrasting facts, feel free to tell me, k? arigatou for reviewing!
Ru-chanWAAAAH! I AM SO EMBARRASSED! Thanks SO much for pointing that out to me. My beta thought I did it on purpose so it wasn't her fault. I've fixed the surnames and thanks again for that tip. Waaah! Kase? Nice! Perish the thought! Of course, you're expecting that he's gonna change as the story unfolds, ne? I've left a few clues here and there and it would be better to withhold judgment as to who really did the killings in this story. Oops, I think that was a spoiler. Oh well. Yeah, Ken wouldn't possibly make the connection with Ran and the wolf, but in an era where witch hunting/burning (or in Manx's case, exile) is prevalent, werewolf sightings are pretty numerous too. Oh well, Ken is probably still in awe with Ran's pretty purple eyes (and who could blame him!) so… And yeah, expect regular updates now (weekly or so) 'cause it's summer and I have nothing better to do than write, practice driving, write, go to the mall, write, hang with my friends, oh, and did I say I was gonna write? (although I won't write fics exclusively for WK though.) Thanks for reviewing!
HeatherRNyahaha! I'm back from vacation too and I feel so refreshed! Scratch that. I feel lazy and still woozy from the boat ride yesterday (it was raining so hard and the waves were pitching the ship quite hard and I thought it was SO cool but my mom didn't. Oh well.) Waah! Even with all your support, I'm still unsure about my portrayal of Ran. There is so much more of him that I can't properly grasp, hence the inaccurate rendition of his character, but oh well. I hope this chappie answered some of your questions and alleviated your curiosity somewhat. Thanks for reviewing! (does The Baka Dance)
