Kai laughed as he pulled his packmates out of the arcade. "You two are going to make us late. Then Davie is going to kill us."
The other two men swallowed hard. "Sorry."
"Come on. If we catch the next bus, we'll make it." Kai headed for the stop, then froze.
Five men stood across the street with evil grins. One wiggled their fingers in greeting, then charged forward.
"Ah mou! Where are those three, dammit? They promised to help." Davie scowled as she unpacked another box, running the scanner over the item barcodes.
"Maybe the bus is late?" Yuri wondered.
"They are so closing for the next month." The punk growled, looking up as the doorbells tinkled. "Welcome to-" She let out a scream, racing around the counter to catch Kai as he fell.
Yuri watched for a moment before going to their side to help check him over.
He'd been severely beaten, blood everywhere. One arm was visibly fractured, and his ribs were almost black with bruising.
Yuri began pouring energy into him, wincing as pain rushed through her. She continued trying to heal him, ignoring the pain. As she healed his arm, she had to bite back a scream as pain erupted in her own arm. She froze for a moment before excusing herself. She headed into the bathroom and looked at herself, the bruising he'd had was now on her and her arm was impossible to move. She tried to figure out what was happening, but just bandaged her arm up under her shirt and headed slowly back out to the others.
Kimito was trembling with rage as he barked orders to the assembled group. "They're baiting us. But we know the area better, so we can attack and retrieve our boys. Get armed and ready. I'll bring the van around. Sho and Ryu are our priority, but if you get the chance to make the bastards hurt, do it."
The group acknowledged, scattering to the back rooms.
Yuri stayed quiet as she watched them.
He caught sight of her, approaching with a look of concern. "You okay?"
She nodded slowly, "Just go get them back."
"Don't worry." He kissed her hurriedly, then ran out the door.
Yuri checked Kai over again to make sure he was out of danger before going to sit on the couch. Her mind raced through the possibilities of what was going on with her, but nothing made sense.
Hours passed, then the van was heard as it parked with a screech of brakes.
Yuri went outside to check on them.
Davie was supporting a shaky Ro, others helping Sho and Ryu out of the van. Another pack member yanked a bound man out with a scary smile.
"You think he can still bleed red?"
"Tatsu, knock it off." Kimito grimaced as he climbed out of the driver's seat. His clothes were spattered with blood and he held his abdomen defensively. "Put him in the cage for now."
Tatsu roughly hauled the other man past Yuri and disappeared.
Yuri went to Kimito's side, "Are you alright?"
"Fine. Take a look at Ro, will ya? She took a header down the stairs after being kicked in the head." He kissed Yuri's cheek, limping into the store.
Yuri went to Ro's side and began healing her. Her head began pounding but she continued until Ro was better.
"I'm okay, hun. Take care of your idiot." Ro gave her a small smile.
Yuri went inside, moving slowly. She found Kimito and looked him over before pouring energy into him.
"Stop right now. You look like you're going to collapse. I'm fine." He grabbed her hands and glared at her.
"But.."
"But nothing. Now sit down before you fall. Everyone is alright, so you can just stop."
She nodded slowly before moving to the couch and curling up.
"Gonna go check on Tatsu. If he's done anything, there is going to be a problem." Kimito disappeared down the side stairs.
Yuri closed her eyes and drifted off.
"You are banished. If we see you, expect no mercy." Kimito's voice was icy, rage thrumming underneath the words.
"You will pay for this, Toya. I bet the Onimas will love to know what I do."
"Is that a threat? I will kill you right here."
"A promise."
The door opened and closed, then Kimito began explosively cursing.
Yuri woke, struggling to open her eyes. She went to Kimito's side and gently wrapped her arms around him.
"I fucked up..I fucked up and I got him killed. And now Tetsu is going to cause trouble."
"Got who killed?"
"Doesn't matter. Are you feeling better?"
"A bit," she nodded.
He kissed her temple, then winced. "I-I can't be here."
She took his hand, "Talk to me, what's going on?"
"A friend pretended to betray us to spy on the rival pack. It was a secret that Tetsu found out. He got angry because I picked my friend over him so he killed him. Now he's threatening to join them and give everything he knows about us." Kimito forced down his sorrow, taking a deep breath.
Yuri winced and took a deep breath, "Where is your friend? I might be able to help."
"Downstairs." Kimito slowly stood, then swayed and collapsed. One side of his shirt was drenched in blood.
Yuri knelt down and worked on healing him, ignoring the spikes of pain shooting through her as she worked.
When she was done, she moved downstairs and began trying to help Kimito's friend. She poured energy into him for a while before collapsing to the floor.
"Yuri!" Davie rushed to her side, patting her face gently.
Yuri slowly blinked her eyes open, "Sor..ry."
"Come on." The woman helped Yuri stand and moved her into the backroom, laying her down. "Rest."
Yuri wanted to argue but her eyes slid shut as she lost consciousness.
Hours later, she was still asleep, her body trying to heal all the wounds it had received from those she healed.
The next day, she woke feeling a bit better. She sat up slowly, assessing herself for injuries.
"You are the biggest idiot I have ever known." Kimito stated quietly.
She just looked at him, unsure what to say.
"Why didn't you say anything? You could have died because of us!" He stared at her, his hands clenched in his lap.
She sighed and looked down, "It just started.. I don't know what's going on.."
"Tegran. Ryon checked you over and found a curse."
She nodded slowly.
"He's trying to break it, but until then, you are not to heal so much as a papercut, understood?"
"But I need to help you guys.."
"You need to stay alive! The Onimas have asked for a meet. With luck, it'll stop the fighting and you won't have to worry."
She nodded again quietly.
"Good. Now Davie wants you home because it's girls night. So go have fun."
"Are you sure I can't help?"
"Everyone is fine. The meet is for six tonight and before you ask, no you can't come. The shop is closed today, so you don't have to be here." He sighed and stared at the floor. "I want to say thank you for trying though."
She sighed, "Why can't I go?"
"Because it's just us leaders." He took her hand and squeezed lightly. "Just going to talk. Got to take care of the burial first though. No need for you to hang around and I don't need Davie trying to make me over as punishment again. So go." He stood with a heavy sigh and turned toward the door.
Yuri wanted to argue but didn't want to start a fight so she just stayed quiet, slipping out the door and starting toward her apartment at Davie's.
Kimito stared at the graves for a long time, then turned and fled. He wandered aimlessly, vision clouded by tears until he found himself at the compound. He scaled the fence rapidly, then snuck into Yuri's apartment and curled on the bed.
Yuri entered her room and froze when she saw someone in her bed. She looked closer and noticed it was Kimito. She sighed, gently kissing his cheek.
"Sorry. Couldn't think of anywhere else." His voice was muffled in the pillow, the words sad.
"Don't you have a meeting to go to?" She asked softly.
"I wanted to see you.."
She wrapped her arms around him and held him close for a few minutes.
"I'm so thankful I met you. I was barely existing before. You came into my life and made me want to live. You're amazing." He kissed her softly.
"I love you."
"I love you so much. Remember that." He got off the bed and headed for the door. Turning, he stared at her intently for a minute. Then he disappeared.
Yuri sighed, wishing she could go with him. She got what she came into the room for before going back to the main room of the house where Davie and Ro were. She kept glancing at her phone nervously, waiting for any sign that the meeting was over and he was safe.
There was finally a soft knock at the door.
Davie opened it, revealing a somber Kai. He nodded once, then wrapped his arms around her as she burst into sobs.
"Where is he?" Yuri asked.
"The pack is taking care of him. The peace is secure." The dragon answered quietly. "He'll be next to Taga and Yuto like he asked."
Yuri quickly moved around them and slipped out the door. She ran as fast as she could, trying to get to Kimito.
Ryon looked up from the grave, motioning for the others to finish covering the casket. He sighed and grabbed her as she got closer. "Yuri. You shouldn't be here."
"I want to see him.." tears filled her eyes.
Ryon grimaced, then waved a hand. "You guys go back. I'll handle it."
The pack members exchanged glances, then melted into the night.
Ryon muttered a spell, the dirt moving away and the casket lid opening.
Kimito lay there, looking calm.
Yuri let out a sob, the tears streaking her cheeks.
"He asked us not to tell you. He didn't want you trying to stop him. Said your safety was more important. And he wanted to atone for getting Yuto killed." The wizard looked over at the other grave.
Yuri shook her head, "He's more important.."
Ryon hugged her tight, his own tears falling. "I managed to break the curse by transferring it. Forgive me?" He sagged in her arms, blood spreading across his chest.
Yuri closed her eyes for a moment then opened them again, they were glowing green as light poured out from her into both Ryon and Kimito. Light coated both of them as she continued to work.
White light burst from Ryon, burrowing into the other grave before the wizard lost consciousness fully.
Yuri continued to force energy into them for a long time before the light began to dim.
There was coughing from the open casket. At the same time, the covered grave began shaking.
Yuri used what strength she had left to uncover the other grave and open the casket.
The young man from before blinked confused eyes at her for a minute before passing out.
Yuri moved to sit down, feeling a bit dizzy from all the energy she'd used.
"Where?" Kimito sat up in shock.
She looked over at him and gave him a small smile.
"Yuri..I'm supposed to be.." He inhaled sharply.
"Don't care."
He laughed shakily, then froze as he saw the other men. "What did you do ?"
She just shook her head, "Ryon did that, I think." She pointed to Yuto. "I healed Ryon."
Kimito blinked. "He's full of surprises, ain't he?" The wolf climbed out of the casket, going to her side. "Are you alright?"
"Just used a lot of energy."
"Why did you do it?"
"Do what? Save you?"
"Yeah. You have no consideration for your own well being."
"I love you and you're the most important to me."
He chuckled slightly, cupping her cheek and giving her a slow kiss. "You're amazing, you know that?"
"We better get them inside.." She looked over at the other two.
"Are you sure you're okay?"
"I'll be fine. Just need to rest a bit," she smiled and tried to stand.
He helped her up as Ryon stirred.
The wizard stared at Kimito with shocked eyes. "Mito…?"
Yuri smiled slightly, "Yeah, that's him."
Ryon swallowed hard. "Are you angry at me?"
"Me or him?"
"You.." He shrank from her gaze, trembling slightly.
"Not really.. I wish you had figured out something else with the curse though.."
"I tried everything I knew. I'm not very experienced yet." He stared at his hands dejectedly.
"I'd rather have lived, or died, with it than someone else have to deal with it."
Ryon shrugged, then paled as a new voice was heard.
"Someone want to explain why I'm in a box?"
"Well.. you were kind of dead," Yuri said quietly.
Yuto shot upright, his eyes wide as Kimito froze and looked at the wizard.
"You brought him back ?"
Ryon surged to his feet, then ran.
Yuri tried to run after him, losing her balance soon after and falling. "Ryon! Come back."
Kimito picked her up with a sigh. "Let him go. Let's get out of here."
She nodded, hugging Kimito tight for a moment.
He smiled softly, wrapping an arm around her as Yuto came into view. He looked anxious and out of sorts, but remained quiet as he followed the couple.
Two hours later, the shop door quietly opened. Ryon poked his head in, then carefully slid in after seeing no one.
"Ryon?" Yuri said softly from the couch.
He jumped, his body shaking as his eyes darted toward her. "Yuri.. thought everyone was gone.."
"What's wrong? Why did you run?"
"I..I revived Yuto.. It's forbidden to us.. If my Master finds out.."
She nodded, "It's not like we'll tell. If anything I could say I did it."
"You are not a sworn wizard.."
"I know. Which is why it's okay if I did it, right?"
He shrugged. "I do not know. The fact remains, I must leave."
"Why?"
"If it was discovered you harbored me, your life would be forfeit."
"I don't care. You belong here with us."
"I will not risk anyone to save myself!" He took a deep breath. "Just protect my brother."
"It's our choice if we want the risk."
"I will risk no one else.. This is not my first transgression."
"I don't care! You belong here with the rest of us. We won't just let you leave."
"You don't understand! I have broken wizard law twice now. I have the burden of death on my conscience due to others trying to help me. I can not allow anyone else to die. Either I must leave or.."
"Just trust us to protect you. I know you are worried about us, but let me take care of that. Just relax, okay?"
He shook his head, withdrawing a capped vial. "If you will not see reason.." He swallowed the contents, then winced and fell to his knees. "I must be punished."
She shook her head and began pouring energy into him.
His green eyes stared at her as his body contracted and he hissed in pain. They began to quickly dim as he wrapped his arms around himself.
She continued forcing energy into him, praying to help.
"Let..me.." His voice was weakening. He outstretched one hand. "Don't feel sad."
"You're my friend, Ryon! And you have so many others here who care about you. You can't just leave us." She forced a massive amount of energy into him, working on trying to dissolve what he'd taken.
"My brother..understands. But thank you for being my friend.." His eyes were closing as he fell over and lay quiet.
She growled and shot out a bright green light across the whole room.
He jerked once, shaky breathing evident.
She continued forcing energy into him until she felt dizzy. She sat beside him, watching him carefully.
He opened his eyes and stared at her, the green depths despairing. "I am unworthy." His voice was soft.
"No you're not."
He allowed the tears to fall. "He will come. And if you try to stop him, you will die."
"Let me worry about that, okay?"
"Why do you care? We are not true wolves."
"You're a friend. That's the important thing."
"I do not understand you. We are not pack. We are worthless fugitive wizards."
"You don't have to be part of the pack to be a friend. We all care about you and I'm going to do what I can to protect you."
"You really are selfless." Yamae appeared with a wry smile. "But this is not your problem."
"I don't care. Any problem of a friend is a problem of mine."
The twins exchanged glances and laughed quietly. "And what says Kimito?"
She shrugged.
"We're dead." Ryon fought a grin. "He'll turn us into sandwiches."
She chuckled softly.
" I'm going to do that if you three keep talking." Yuto came out of the back, scratching his head. "Loud enough to wake the dead."
"Sorry," Yuri winced.
Yuto dropped his hand and shook his head. "No, I am. This is all my fault. My bright idea to spy on the Onimas, which led to me getting killed and now this.."
"Don't worry about it. If I had been stronger, I'd have been able to revive you myself.." Yuri said quietly.
"I shouldn't have gotten myself killed in the first place! My fuckup has caused more problems for everyone. It might get you killed if Tatsu does what he's threatened. I should leave."
Yuri growled, "I just got through with this with Ryon. No one is going anywhere. We'll take care of everything somehow, okay? We're all friends and friends help each other no matter what."
Yuto raised an eyebrow. "You don't know me."
"Well, Kimito does and if he cares about you, so do I."
A half smile appeared. "You know, that's not an endorsement. Mito knows alot of shady characters."
She chuckled, "I don't care."
The twins shook their heads. "Now we know why you two are perfect for each other."
She gave them a small smile in response.
Yuto tensed as the front door began to open, then relaxed when Kimito was revealed.
The wolf's eyes widened. "You four planning trouble or something?"
Yuri smirked, "We might be."
"And you didn't invite me. I'm hurt." He grinned as the others rolled their eyes.
Yuri chuckled and went to kiss his cheek.
He wrapped an arm around her waist, whispering "What is really going on?"
She sighed, "Convincing everyone to stay even if it risks danger.."
"Is that all? Idiots, all of them."
"That's what I tried to tell them, but nicer," she chuckled.
"You have a woman's delicate touch. I'm a brute." He kissed her lips with another grin.
She smiled and looked back at the others.
The twins were speaking quietly to each other, while Yuto was staring out the window.
Yuri sighed, "Everything will be alright guys. Just let me worry about everything." She gave them a small smile before yawning, "I think I'm heading home now though."
"You want an escort?" Yuto asked quietly.
"I'll be okay," she smiled. "Thanks though." She kissed Kimito softly before heading out the door. She was almost home when she heard growls behind her.
"If it isn't Kimito's main squeeze…" Tetsu's voice was surprised.
She turned, "What do you want?"
"To escort you home, of course." His smile was mocking. "Can't let the alpha's mate get hurt in this dangerous world, can I?"
"Leave me alone," she started walking faster.
He raced in front of her, shaking his head. "Now, now don't be like that."
Several rival wolves appeared, forming a ring around her.
She shifted and tried to jump over them.
Tetsu shifted, lunging for her throat as the others stood still.
She let out a loud howl, narrowly avoiding him. She bit into his leg roughly.
He yelped, twisting to bite into her back. He began to shake his head viciously.
She let out a whimper as she tried to kick him off.
Suddenly, a blur rammed and sent him flying. A massive blue wolf snarled from his protective position above her.
She struggled to stand, growling weakly at the rival wolves.
The blue wolf guarded her as she moved, it's growling growing louder as Tetsu recovered. It pushed Yuri into an open doorway, then launched itself toward the banished wolf.
Yuri tried to watch, laying down and keeping her eyes alert.
The blue wolf was steadily conquering Tetsu. The banished wolf howled suddenly. As if it was a cue, the other wolves leapt onto the blue, completely hiding it from view. Tetsu reverted, laughing as he began advancing on Yuri.
Yuri stood and growled at him before trying to get to the blue wolf. She bit into the other wolves, trying to pull them off.
They howled and thrashed, but finally released the downed wolf.
"I think we've made our point, boys. Let's go." Tetsu motioned and the group disappeared down the street.
Yuri nudged the blue wolf with her nose before sitting down and forcing healing energy into it. After it's wounds were healed, she laid beside it, keeping an eye on it until she lost consciousness.
She woke quickly, sitting up and grimacing.
"Take it easy." Davie touched her shoulder softly.
"The other one, are they okay?"
"He's fine. Currently trying to reign Mito in before he goes nuclear."
She nodded slowly, "Sorry.."
"For what?"
"Not being strong enough to fight them off.."
"Honey, they took down Yuto . He's the strongest wolf I've ever met. There was no way you could have taken them out." Davie ran a hand through the other girl's hair.
She nodded slowly again, "Okay.."
"Davie! Come calm him down before I do something I may regret!" Yuto's voice was angry as it rang from the next room.
Yuri shook her head and tried to push herself up.
"You should be resting." Davie said disapprovingly.
"I'm fine.. I want to see Kimito." She moved to the door and looked into the other room.
Kimito was in wolf form, snapping at Yuto who was trying to hold him back and growling dangerously.
"Kimito?"
He stilled, blinking at her. He barked plaintively as Yuto refused to meet her eyes.
"Calm down guys."
Slowly Kimito reverted, racing to wrap his arms around her.
"Everything is okay," she said softly.
"I'm going to kill them all.." His voice was muffled in her shoulder as he trembled.
"It's alright," she rubbed his arms gently.
Yuto moved past them without a word.
"Hey, Yuto?" Yuri said quietly.
He paused, his eyes making contact with hers for a brief second.
"Thank you.. and sorry."
His face registered confusion, then he shook his head and kept walking.
She sighed and hung her head.
Kimito took a deep breath, then released his hold. "I don't know who is more angry, me or him."
She nodded slowly and moved to sit down.
"I'm sorry I didn't protect you. I should have suspected tetsu would try something." Kimito sank to his knees in front of her.
"It's alright. I should be stronger and should be able to protect myself.."
"Are you kidding me? Half the Onimas were there, according to Yuto. You stood no chance. I'm just thankful he was able to fight them off. Tetsu would have killed you. He almost paralyzed you according to the twins."
She sighed, "I just feel useless. I don't want to have to be saved."
He clasped her hand tight. "You're not useless. Being overwhelmed is not weakness. You're the one who keeps saying we need to rely on each other. Rely on us."
She searched his face before nodding. "I'll try."
He gave her a small smile.