Ok, ok….I know I promised to update soon but…what d'yaknow! Haha….umm…. I'm so sorry for updating late. I really have lots of project recently; me being in the university and all! It's hard…but since I enjoy making this fic, I'll try my best updating…and updating…and updating….

Well, it comes a bit late though….

Better late than never, neh?

Sonnet Lacewing: Yeah, I know. Things must be getting a bit confusing. Don't worry, some things will be explained in this part though. Hehe, and I'll try not to make cliffies in the future chapter…that is, if I can help it (grinning evilly)!

Jules-Gemma: Thank you very much! I hope you keep reading and reviewing my fic (and bearing with my lateness in updating). I really love reading reviews!

Twilight Shades: Hehe, I'm glad you're excited! Thank you for your review!

Fauna Greywolf: Haha! That was really funny! Hmm, maybe Numair does need a dummies version. Well….you might hate Numy when you read what happens next…It really isn't his fault.

Anyways, whatever happens here is ONLY a piece of my wild fantasies over Tamora Pierce's The Immortals Trilogy! (sigh) I hate making this disclaimer. Wahh! Can I have The Immortals?

Anyways, happy readings! I hope you enjoy reading this chappie! So, sit, kick back, relax…and enjoy!

Don't forget to click the review button after you read this!

CHAPTER IV: Hairy Trouble

Numair had finished his conference with the immortal and accepted the offer for tea. As they drank peacefully, they chattered enjoyably over the developments in the kingdom, politics (it was definitely strange to talk of politics over a cup of tea with a basilisk), some animals and immortals, and then about Daine.

"Tell me something," murmured Tkaa, peering at him closely.

"What is it?"

"Daine is a daughter of Weiryn, correct?"

"Yes."

"And she definitely has an immense power."

"I must agree that—" said Numair but was interrupted by soft murmurs from Tkaa.

"Strange, very strange."

"What is it?" asked the black mage, greatly intrigued.

"You see, when I had first met Miss Sarrasri, I felt no god-like power within her. But somehow, though I did not immediately allay my suspicions, I felt that she must be part god as the wild magic that she had was beyond anything that I could have imagined. Not that I am saying that human beings cannot attain such wild magic. But then again, maybe they really can't. Her power was too strong, too powerful, too…god-like."

Numair nodded in understanding, and quietly explained the complications of Daine's magic. He gave a summarized account of the event long ago when he had placed a barrier help Daine control her powers. The basilisk's slit eyes widened a little in surprise.

"You mean to say," it said slowly as though the idea was too absurd to digest. "You mean to say that you created a seal on her magic?"

With alarm, Numair replied, "Why? Is there something wrong with that?"

"My dear mage! Wrong? By Minos, it is suicide!"

Numair stopped midway in sipping the tea and brought it quickly down so that it clanged. Some of the contents even spilt on his robes. Yet he took no notice and looked apprehensively at his companion.

Continuing, it said, "I cannot blame you for not knowing this as Daine has been the only living human being in your time, or even in the past times, that has the same degree of power as hers. Of course, it is because of her blood. Anyways, wild magic CANNOT be sealed."

"WHAT? But—but—" the world seemed to unfocus before Numair. He was sickened, but Tkaa continued.

"Wild magic is precisely what it is—wild magic. It is one of the main reasons why it was given the name. Any attempt to contain it within a barrier in order to control the release of power would, for a time, make an individual seem normal. But give it a few years, and the barrier would corrode, like ulceration, or like a dam with a tiny crack. And when it explodes, catastrophe ensues."

As the information seeped into Numair's system, he felt a very ill sense of stupidity and hollowness which he hadn't felt for a very long time.

"The past few days, I have sensed her strong powers. It was all over the place, but I don't believe the animals would have noticed it as they are so accustomed to Daine's presence. But I have. There was a leakage, but I don't feel it as much now. What did you do?" The basilisk, usually good-natured and scholarly, spoke now accusatorily, but not without just cause.

As Numair mechanically explained resealing Daine's magic and the state it was in. the snake tsked and shook its head. "An even graver act. The moment she undergoes moments of stress using her magic, it will explode. I cannot imagine what follows."

Sympathetically, Tkaa placed a hand on Numair's livid shoulder. "You must fix this, Numair Salmalin. I know you can. Find her n—"

Tkaa winced. Numair, who was looking dejectedly at his hands, looked up and saw a strange expression on the immortal's face.

"Tkaa, what is—"

"Numair, you must find her now; it has begun! I fear for the worst."

Kitten, all squeals and hoots, came in the room and tugged at Numair viciously. His mind reeled. Where is Daine?

One quick memory registered in his mind, one spoken with a sweet and playful tone...

—I promised to meditate with Onua…

Without another word, Numair flung himself out of the room, Kitten and Tkaa following closely at his heels. Meditation, he knew, was both for relaxation and exercise of the mind. But then again, hadn't he placed the seal on her in the first place because she had trouble concentrating during meditation? A douse of coldness tickled down on his spine.

Gods, please no, He prayed inwardly. Please let nothing happen to Daine. It is my fault, all my fault…

If something happens to her…Daine, please be safe!

With a murmur, he was instantly at the hallway leading to the dining area with the frantic Kitten. As they approached, the shouts of panic, the commanding voice of Alanna and the others, the strangled tone of Onua's voice became clearer and sharper. Aside from that, Numair's nerves tingled as he sensed Daine's copper energy flowing in every part of the castle. Vaguely, he knew that this was causing disarray amongst the animals. The far-off sound of frenetic horses, birds, dogs, and many more supported this most recent idea. But at the moment, nothing mattered but Daine.

As they were about to enter, they heard a scream.

"Daine!" cried Numair as he hurled into the room. A hideous sight met his eyes.

Daine, his sweet and precious Daine, was writhing uncontrollably on the floor, screaming madly whilst froth burst from her lips. Only the whites of her stormy eyes could be seen, and her curls were all thrown in wild array. With another wild scream, she transformed and, unlike her previous transformations, this was a mercilessly slow process. Hardly anyone could bear watching and yet no one could look away either. Alanna seemed close to throwing up; Onua, though equally sickened, looked worried; the others were as shocked as well. Thick brownish hair sprouted from her arms and legs while her hands and feet changed into tensed paws. Her bared teeth lengthened into glistening fangs. With a growl, she tore off her clothes to reveal the body that Numair had so recently coveted. As instantly as the clothes were discarded, it was covered once more with a thick mat of hair. In a matter of minutes, Veralidaine Sarrasri lost her humanity and was wholly wild…and wolf.

Nobody could move. Nobody could tear their eyes away from the beast that used to be a beautiful and sweet young woman. Without a sound, Numair approached his fallen lover—yes, fallen. And it was his entire fault. A disastrous anomaly on his part…and Daine was suffering the consequences.

"Daine," he whispered softly. The wolf licked her chops vigorously and growled. "It's me, Daine. Numair Salmalin, your—" he hesitated. Should he say lover or teacher? He chose the latter. "—your teacher. Do you remember me?"

She growled even louder and she narrowed her eyes angrily as Numair neared. In a split second, the wolf bounded and pinned him with her claws. That is a big "no", I guess, thought Numair with gritted teeth. Pain seared on his right shoulder as her jaws closed on the area. He screamed in pain. But as everyone ran to his aid, weapons out, he shouted in a strangled tone.

"STOP! What are you doing? It's Daine! Don't—don't touch her!"

"Numair!" screamed Alanna, "We have to take her out—at least make her sleep, or else—Daine or not—she will eat you!"

"No! Just…just stay there…DAINE!" he shouted her name as the wolf clamped her teeth tighter and looked at Alanna dangerously. Surprisingly, she pulled her head back, but not without tearing a few muscles, and looked into the face of the bleeding black mage.

"Daine…Daine…kill me if you want to," he murmured, eyes earnest and pleading, "If that will get you normal, then do it."

Something flickered in those stormy wolf-eyes. With his uninjured arm, he reached out to stroke her whiskers…

The wolf's eyes flashed back to hollowness and it opened its jaws as if to bite off the offending hand. Numair closed his eyes, readying himself for more pain; instead, the weight was lifted from his body. Opening his eyes, he saw that Alanna had used her magic to throw off Daine to the far wall. He was not surprised to see the lady knight's eyes clouded with suppressed tears.

A low growl brought everyone's attention back to the Daine. From the way haughty way she growled and threw her neck, the wolf was not hurt; merely stunned and if possible, angrier than ever.

A few trainees created some noise. One had the gall to throw a rock at her. "Monster!" he shrieked.

Alanna swiftly turned and slapped the erring boy across the face. "Don't—you EVER—NEVER say or do that AGAIN! I swear—"

Daine bounded for the trainee. Alanna, though surprised, protected the boy with her body and was pinned against the ground.

"Daine! Stop! Please!"

Fuzzy…what am I where am I? There was snow…wasn't there? Why is it warmer here? Where am I?

Memories suddenly rushed into her head. She had been chased into mountains…there was snow…her wolf friends…her family…

Family?

Her eyes focused sluggishly as she looked around her. She sensed fear. She licked her chops. Fear. Potential preys are always afraid. But one approached her; a tall man which oddly resembled a stork. Hmm, stork.

"Daine," he murmured.

Delicious morsel, she thought, not listening as she licked and grinned to herself, growling at the prospect of food.

"It's me, Daine. Numair Salmalin, your—" the man hesitated as though pondering over his words, "—your teacher. Do you remember me?"

Daine? What is that? Is that some treat? No can't be. Why does it sound so…familiar?

Suddenly, she remembered running in cold snow, humans bearing pitchforks and knives running after her, hunting dogs set upon her. She had been wounded then. What had happened then? Why had she been chased?

The present fogged before her and she snarled. The…stork-man…must be one of those chasing her.

I won't let you hurt me again!

She lunged at the tall man. With a gasp, he fell down on the floor with her on top of him. His shoulder looked too alluring…tasty…

She took a bite and heard him scream. There was a commotion. Some were approaching with sharp-looking weapons. She bared her teeth, not letting go of her quarry.

""STOP! What are you doing? It's Daine! Don't—don't touch her!"

"Numair, we have to take her out—at least make her sleep, or else—Daine or not—she will eat you!"

She looked at the red-headed woman who said this and gave her a piercing glare. How dare she?

But, wait…familiar, too.

"No! Just…just stay there…DAINE!"

And Numair…what is Numair?

Slowly, her fangs released his shoulders and she looked squarely into the man's pleading eyes. He was good-looking and…way too familiar. How could that be? What is this feeling?

She saw his hand reach out and growled.

No, filthy wretch! I don't want you TOUCHING me!

There was a blast of violet light and she was flung against the walls with a nasty crunch. Slowly, she recovered and saw that it was the red-haired woman who had done this.

Somehow, she was puzzled to see her opponent's eyes misty with tears. But why? She hit me. Does she…pity me?

No matter. Nasty ANIMAL!

A growl reverberated from her throat and everyone looked back at her. She threw her head in laughter as she felt fear in each heart. The young-looking cubs were screaming; some were crying. Shameful, indeed!

One boy took a jagged rock and threw it at her. This took her by surprise and she narrowed her eyes. The red-head approached the boy, and to her sheer amazement, slapped him squarely across the face.

Why was she defending her? What is happening?

"Don't—you EVER—NEVER say or do that AGAIN! I swear—"

Still confused, she jumped towards the boy in a mad fit. Instead, she fell on the woman who had shielded the boy with her body. Pinning her, she snarled and glared at stubborn violet eyes stained with sadness.

"Daine! Stop! Please!"

She turned her head and looked at the sorry man, bleeding furiously yet struggling to remain standing.

"Numair," shouted the woman under her paws. "She doesn't remember you! Don't come near!"

"I don't care! Daine! Stop this, please!"

That stubble on his chin…

High cheekbones…

Warm-brown eyes…

Now that she noticed it, he smelled faintly (aside from blood) of cinnamon…

You must be…Numair.

Wait….then, I must be….

Daine?

No! But then…

Who am I?

That thought was enough to frighten her wolfish instincts.

What is wrong with me?

With a howl, she jumped and bounded to the castle grounds! An explosion of overwhelming sounds met her ears; fowls and birds screeching wildly, the horses in the stables could be overheard neighing and stamping as though caught on fire, the cats…the dogs…she couldn't care less though.

Suddenly, a mare, joined by a large dog, blocked her way to freedom. Dodging them agilely, she sped up. Her pursuers ran side-by-side with her.

Daine! It's me, Cloud! Don't you remember me!

Don't call me that! Stop that!

Daine, interrupted the dog, it's me, Tahoi. Please be calm and turn back. Numair will help me.

I don't need help! I don't need anything! Let go of me!

Please! Snorted the horse, you need every ounce of help right now! If you leave, you will solve nothing!

I need nothing solved! I am a free wolf!

How sure are you of that? Barked the dog incessantly.

In a few more leaps, she finally reached the lush green forest. Her wolfish smell told her that the two animals still pursued her. She went on running even when she was dead on her feet.

Finally, she reached a small cave and collapsed on the ground. From there, the smell was no longer apparent; finally, she lost them! But why did they seem to know her? Why do they keep addressing her as…Daine?

Gods! Please help me! She prayed before succumbing to sleep. Please help me!

SO…..how was it? I know, I know….the turn of events sound crazy enough….

Let's make a deal…tell me whatcha think on this one…and tell me whether or not I should continue this fic. I won't get angry, really! Please! Pretty please! Haha, I probably sound like some desperate idiot. Well, I do have those tendencies. Unavoidable, really.

So, please, before I get any more mad fits, click the review button and give me reviews!

I'll be waiting….