Chapter 11:

Wind through their fur, Shinji and Hisagi jumped, following Hitsugaya across the open field. They were amazed how fast they could run and how enjoyable it was. This feeling of freedom was exhilarating. They wanted to go faster. Hitsugaya led them in a wild arch back to the forest and through the trees, calling out commands to help them navigate. After a few stumbles, Shinji and Hisagi were getting the hang of running through the rough terrain.

Hitsugaya jumped, landing in a thicket, and halted easily. Hisagi, who had already practiced the other night, was able to land somewhat gracefully while Shinji, who was learning all this tonight, stumbled on his landing and slammed into Hisagi after misjudging the power of his jump.

"Doing it as a Soul Reaper's much easier," he complained, picking himself up.

"That's because we're used to our normal form and running on two legs. Adjusting to four paws will take some getting used to."

Shinji's fur was the color as in Hitsugaya's dream, a brownish-tan. Hitsugaya's wolf form was also the same as in his dream, the same as his white hair. Hisagi's fur took on a similar color to his natural hair with some grayish undertones. That wasn't the only difference between their wolf forms. Hitsugaya was annoyed to see that both Hisagi and Shinji were similar in size and slightly larger than Hitsugaya. If they had been in Soul Reaper form, Hitsugaya's wolf form would have been just as tall as them if he were on two legs; maybe a couple inches more.

"We should probably turn in for the night," said Hitsugaya. "I think we blow off enough steam to get us through the morning at least. If we're up all night, we won't be able to do our jobs tomorrow."

"Sure thing. I'm looking forward to my bed," said Hisagi. "And you? Think you can make it back there?"

Shinji glanced at him with a halfhearted scowl. "I've never been in full wolf form before tonight. Give me a break."

"I'd recommend going back in our normal forms," advised Hitsugaya. "We don't want people to notice a couple of wolves walking around and crawling through windows."

"No problem."

The group changed back upon leaving the forest and walked back to their respective barracks as Soul Reapers. Hitsugaya was able to sleep well that night after running around as a wolf and hoped the others could as well.

Before drifting off, he decided to bring a couple of things to Akon's attention in the morning.

The next morning, Yumichika woke up and opened the sliding door to the veranda to observe the morning. The yard was quiet and inviting. The breeze through the tree gave a gentle shush, ushering its fragrance into the room. Yumichika brush his hair as he took it all in, this morning feeling somehow different from others. Every day was unique but there was something about this day that felt fresh.

Yumichika himself felt renewed. He was able to start off the day with a smile, contentedly styling his hair with the picturesque calm of morning and its rejuvenating scent before him. In his body, he felt this was going to be a good day. Everything about the morning was so pleasant.

"Good morning, Ikkaku," he called to the room beside his. "Rise and shine."

When he was given no answer, he slid open the door to peek inside, knowing Ikkaku liked to leave it unlocked since they had a private yard at their barracks. Ikkaku's bed was empty but it looked like he had slept in it. Perhaps Ikkaku had started his day early and already left.

Rather than be concerned, Yumichika shrugged and finished touching up his hair. He went over to the mirror to check his work. He turned his head left; he turned his head right. He looked up and he looked down. He gave his reflection a sideward stare and looked at himself straight on.

This was a good morning. He looked radiant.

Yumichika stroked his face, marveling at his reflection. He knew he was good-looking but today he looked positively gorgeous. His skin was so… He couldn't find the words. He was like a porcelain doll only fairer. He wondered what he had done differently last night to engender such an amazing complexion.

He managed to look away from his reflection long enough to realize he was going to be late if he didn't finish getting ready. He still needed to get dressed.

"So you're concerned that they're acting slightly different after being turned into werewolves?" Akon asked after Hitsugaya finished reporting his latest findings. "They are werewolves now. They're going to be a little different."

"I realize that but they're just a little weird. Not enough to call for alarm but enough for me to notice."

Akon closed the book he was reading to look at him. "I guarantee you wouldn't be able to throw a stone around here and have it land near someone who isn't weird. I mean, take a look around the lab. Who's normal? The other Divisions are the same way."

"I know everyone's a bit strange but I'm not talking about someone passing for normal. I mean those two specifically are different than they usually are."

"Weirder than usual, in other words."

"Yes."

"Hmm." Akon stroked his chin thoughtfully. "What strikes you as odd about them?"

"It has nothing to do with personality. It's just the little behaviors that stuck out to me," said Hitsugaya, pacing the lab. "For instance, they both complained about their increased hunger and Hisagi even needed us around to help keep him from eating all the food before he could cook it. But after everything was ready, neither of them ate. They just stared at it, after going on and on about their hunger."

"They ate nothing? At all?"

"Not until I initiated the first move. After I took some food, then they started eating."

Akon's face did not change but his eyes held understanding. "Interesting," he said, his mind already solving the puzzle.

"What?" Hitsugaya stopped pacing.

"That sounds like submissive behavior. According to what I know about wolves, there's a social hierarchy within the pack, with an alpha wolf in charge. Apparently, its customary for the alpha to eat first. No one eats until they do."

"Alpha wolf?" Hitsugaya pointed at himself. "You're saying that's me? How?"

"You are the one who bit them. That must make you the leader of the pack. They must be responding to subconscious stimuli brought on by the change. In other words, they're going on instinct and have no idea that they're doing it."

Hitsugaya looked at the floor. "So it's a subconscious behavior and they don't realize they're doing it. Wolf instinct. And I don't feel it because I'm the alpha wolf. So you're saying they might do or feel things I can't because of our difference in status?"

"Basically." Akon opened his book again but did not read. "Since you were transformed by an old fang, there is no wolf for you to answer to. You bit them and you're still around to give command. You can take charge of them."

Hitsugaya scoffed. "While it would be nice for people to start listening to me, I doubt they'll actually do that."

"It's not like Byakuya's bite where the person has no choice. I think it's more like our ranks. The Captains might argue but once the Head Captain puts his foot down, everyone listens. I think that's more what we're dealing with." Akon grinned slightly. "You could always test it."

"How?" asked Hitsugaya. "I gave them advice and told them certain things and they acted normal. They even questioned some of it. How are we supposed to know if they'll be obedient to me if they act the same way before and after I bite them?"

"That was a casual conversation," said Akon. "You didn't actually command them. And you still haven't used all your wolf talents yet. Try different things and see which thing does what. Experiment."

Hitsugaya was uncomfortable with the idea as well as curious. Since he wasn't sure what to expect, he was reluctant to experiment in case he made matters worse. What if he did the wrong thing and ended up making them turn feral? What if he was similar to Byakuya and took away their will?

"Those guys have their will," said Akon, knowing what Hitsugaya was thinking. "They're just devoted to him. The way you talk, you'd think they were mindless zombies. They're still the same just… different."

"That's an oxymoron for you," commented Hitsugaya, folding his arms.

"What I mean is their devotion is the only thing that's actually changed them. They still have their memories, their free will- to an extent, and can go about their day pretty normally overall. From what I've read and heard, they just have this strong emotional connection to Byakuya now. I guess, think of it as them being infatuated with someone. They're still themselves but slightly different."

"Yeah. And don't give me the lecture on different kinds of love. I'm aware that the love I have for my grandmother is different from the love one would have in romance."

"Good. Then I don't need to tell you that whatever love they feel towards Byakuya isn't necessarily romantic. But they are going to be very protective of him and have a strong desire to please him," said Akon. "I'm just wondering if your alpha status could bring about a similar devotion in those you have bitten. So far, I'm not seeing it, but that is why I encourage you to try different things and see what effects they have on them."

"I'm not sure I'm comfortable with that," confessed Hitsugaya. "What if I turn them wild on accident? What if the relationship changes for the worse? I don't want to make life worse for them or myself by doing the wrong thing just because you urged me to experiment."

Akon lowered his head, preparing to read. "Suit yourself. But eventually, you might find out while being wolves. And there is a full moon this week. Who knows know you'll behave then?"

Hitsugaya gulped. He had almost forgotten about the full moon. As if worrying about Byakuya and the werewolves he created wasn't stressful enough.

After binging on meat all morning, Shinji collapsed on the couch in his office to sleep it off. He didn't mean to eat as much as he did but couldn't stop himself after tasting the juicy, thin cuts of beef.

An hour into his nap, his Vizard friends stopped by to pay him a visit and stood around the couch watching him sleep.

"Can you believe this guy?" Kensei whispered. "Not even noon and he's snoring."

Rose sighed dramatically as if it were a sight he couldn't fathom. "Honestly now… I'd expect better of him."

Kensei smirked. "He looks too comfortable." He bent down beside Shinji's ear and bellowed, "Look alive, Shinji!"

Shinji sprang up with a yelp. Before he could fall off the couch, he spun to land on all fours and snarled at the one responsible for waking him.

Seeing such a reaction caused both Rose and Kensei to burst out laughing. "What kind of response is that? Rose, did you see him? What was that?"

"My, my, what a reaction. So beastly. What, were you dreaming you were a dog or something or are you just mental?"

Shinji calmed down and stood up, trying to play it off. "Is that any way to wake a guy up from a nap? What's wrong with you?"

"Aw, you just looked so peaceful," teased Kensei.

"When you startle a guy like that, it's only natural for him to freak out a little. You're lucky I didn't draw my sword."

"What are you doing napping at ten in the morning?" asked Rose.

Shinji looked at the clock on the wall. "It's 11:37," he corrected.

"Yeah, but you've been there a while, haven't you? I could tell by the drool on your chin."

Shinji wiped his mouth off on the back of his hand. "Don't you guys have better things to do than wake me up so roughly?"

"Nah," said Kensei. "Slow day. I take it that was why you were sleeping."

"Actually, I had a big breakfast. Probably ate more than I should've and needed to sleep it off. I was also up late last night so all around I'm pretty tired this morning."

"What were you doing up last night?"

Shinji shrugged. "Just getting some work done." It wasn't a total lie.

"Well, we wanted to ask if you wanted to go for drinks tonight. Just the three of us," said Rose. "It's been a while."

"Oh, yeah. Uh…" Shinji looked to the side. "Uh, maybe not tonight."

"Why not?"

"Yeah, got plans?"

"Uh… Not exactly."

"Then why?"

Shinji tried to think of an excuse. "I'm not sure if I'm feeling up for drinks is all."

"Why not?"

In truth, there were a number of reasons. First off, he wasn't sure how he would react to alcohol as a wolf. He was worried he might do something reprehensible while impaired. Revealing himself and biting his friends were the first possibilities that popped into his mind. Secondly, he was still learning how to be a wolf with Hisagi and Hitsugaya and didn't want to miss out. Not only was it fun but it served a purpose. If he didn't unleash these animal urges, it would start to take an effect on him during the day.

On the other hand, refusing might raise suspicion among those who knew him best. Also, if they were going for drinks in the evening, that meant they might be prime targets for a hungry vampire. They didn't know about any of this and even if he told them there was a good chance they wouldn't believe him. The best way he could protect his friends and keep the secret was for him to join them.

"Well, alright, you twisted my arm," he told them with a smile. "Let's do it. What time were you thinking?"

"Eight tonight," declared Kensei. "How about we meet you here and we'll walk over together?"

"You're picking the place, aren't you, Kensei?" Rose asked in a dreary tone. "What did you have planned tonight, exactly?"

"I'm not telling you. It'd spoil the fun."

"At least tell me the place we're going to."

"That's the fun part."

"If I end up hungover tomorrow, I'm picking the place next time," said Rose.

"It'd be your own fault if you did," retorted Kensei.

"No, because I know my limits and you usually end up making me drink more than I can if you're in charge of the plans."

"I do not."

Shinji counted off his fingers. "There was the pub in the World of the Living that sold the really strong stuff you knew he couldn't handle, the place that held a competition to see who could win a free meal, and the time you were in league with the bartender who swapped our drinks for water while Rose got wasted on the real stuff."

"Part of the fun," Kensei insisted.

"You think we got trust issues?" Rose asked with a shake of his head.

It was almost the end of the afternoon when Yumichika finally found Ikkaku. As he approached, he slowed to a stop, unnerved by the look on Ikkaku's face. He was completed zoned out and smiling as if anticipating the punchline to a joke.

"Ikkaku… are you ok?"

"I'm amazing, Yumichika. I feel whole again. No more empty feeling. I'm just great."

"That's… good." Yumichika wasn't sure if this was a better alternative. Before, he was concerned. Now, he was just creeped out a little. Ikkaku was like a lovestruck teenage girl and it wasn't a good look for him.

Last night, Ikkaku enjoyed the embrace of his master. He wasn't sure if it was the blood-loss or giddiness that had him so weak-kneed he had to be carried home and tucked into bed by Byakuya but he enjoyed every minute of it. The last image he saw before passing out was Byakuya looking down at him and when he woke in the wee hours of the morning, ceiling. Byakuya was long gone and Ikkaku yearned for him, so he went looking.

He spent the day sun-proofing Byakuya's office while Renji did all the paperwork and deliveries. Ikkaku even tried to make Byakuya's sleep more comfortable by adding some extra pillows and blankets to the couch. There wasn't a thing he wouldn't do for that man.

"Nice to see you're feeling better. I'll catch up with you later." Yumichika hurried off, cringing a little when he saw Ikkaku wave at him with that dreamy look on his face. "Some creepy lovebug bite him or something? What's with him?"

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