I would like to state that there is no romance between Chazz and Syrus, though there is a closer friendship than one sees in the series, if there was any at all.

Chapter Nine- Anger Attack

Syrus stared happily at his hands and flexed his fingers. A week and a half had passed and Syrus woke up to find that his nails had grown long and looked like claws when he bent his fingers. They look so cool. I love them. He raised a hand to feel an ear; it was still rounded. I guess I have to wait some more.

He headed down to breakfast with his friends to find his fellow werewolf already there, feasting exclusively on fish. Syrus thought it was odd: He ate the way he did before getting bitten, but Chazz had gone in the other direction; being a strict carnivore. Maybe it's another trait that shows up after the second month of full moons?

Chazz didn't understand it. A week after the full moon had passed when he felt an almost insatiable desire for meat. The day after the full moon had been his usual meal of extra fish, but with other food and juice. Now he was having fish and water. Is this another trait? Fear welled up inside him as another question came to him. Will I act more like a wolf with each full moon? No, I mustn't. I'm a duelist and plan to be a pro when I graduate, not a wolf-acting human.

"You really think you'll act more like a wolf?" Syrus said as they headed to school.

"No. I'm just wondering if I will. I intend to resist any other traits or tendencies that may surface. I've already attracted enough attention with my recent eating habits."

"You can't resist that?"

"It's a bit too late for that. I'm a strict carnivore now- just like a wolf." Chazz smiled slightly. "I suggest you not give in to that trait if you feel it."

"I'll do that. Right now, I'm waiting for the other traits that you have." He held up a hand. "I love my long nails."

Chazz nodded. "They look good on you and something tells me that you'll look cute with pointed ears."

"When will that be?"

"Well, I know I cut my nails the day they grew longer and two days later, they grew back but I became occupied with my ears, senses, and strength."

"So, it could happen in two days, then?"

"It could, but it might be tomorrow or more than two days. Every werewolf could be different."

Syrus nodded, but inwardly he was excited. The rest of his features could surface in two days! I can't wait to get them.

Jaden noticed Syrus' nails, but made no mention of them. He also noticed that the nails were the only things different about his friend. Maybe it takes time to get the other features. Either way, Syrus will eventually look a little wolf-like. I look forward to seeing a confident Syrus. I know Sy is looking forward to it too.

Syrus gently ran his fingers across his nails which rested in his lap as he sat in class a few days later. All his features appeared two days after getting his nails and he felt his confidence beginning to grow. He felt sure of himself and it was a wonderful feeling. He watched Crowler call on students to answer review questions for their end-of-the-year test. Syrus had skimmed his notes beforehand and felt good about studying them.

"Syrus Truesdale," Crowler barked. "What is a field spell?"

Syrus stood and said clearly, "A field spell is a spell card that affects both sides of the dueling field. The card can either boost a monster's strength or provide special effects."

Crowler's mouth dropped at his smooth response before saying, "Uh…that's correct."

"Thank you, Doctor." Syrus sat down, suppressing the urge to laugh at Crowler's reaction. He thought I was going to stammer just like the last time he asked me that question. I'm not like that anymore and it's all thanks to Chazz.

Chazz put a hand to his mouth to cover his amused smile. He remembered Syrus stuttering and fumbling with that question before and Crowler had remembered that as well. He probably thought he'd catch Syrus off-guard again. Heh, not anymore; thanks to me, he's becoming confident and sure of himself. He removed his hand as Crowler said, "Chazz Princeton, name three weak normal-type monsters."

Chazz grinned at the question as he stood. "I'd be glad to."

Speaking of weak, those Ojamas haven't shown themselves since before I became a werewolf. Hmph, not that it bothers me. I like the peace and quiet. Chazz strode about campus, lost in thought. Was it possible that the magic of the ritual interfered with his ability to see Duel Spirits? As much as they annoyed me, it was a way to vent my frustrations, but maybe I could vent to Syrus and he could give advice or at least listen.

"Hey! Get out, Slifer Sludge!"

Chazz jumped at the sudden shout and turned to see the same three boys who shoved him two months ago. He further saw that he had inadvertently walked onto the Obelisk Blue boys' dorm. Whoops, he thought.

"Sorry about that," he said as he walked by them to leave the area. He didn't get far before one of them grabbed him and pulled him back.

"You don't get off that easy. You trespassed onto our dorm's campus."

"I didn't do it on purpose," Chazz protested.

"Accident or not, it's still trespassing."

"Fine, whatever. You gonna report me to Crowler? Or are we going to duel with me leaving peacefully if I win?"

"Neither," the tallest one said, seizing Chazz by the coat. He cocked a fist and slammed it into Chazz's stomach.

Chazz gasped at the force of the blow and fell to his knees as he was released, clutching his stomach. He growled softly in annoyance, but pushed that aside. I will not get angry, he thought.

He felt himself getting shoved from behind and landed face-down on the ground before being dragged into a nearby grove of trees. He was throwing face-down again before getting vicious kick in his side. He felt fists slamming into his sides for about a minute before being lifted off his feet and he felt fists hitting his face and hurtful names being hurled at him.

At last, he was tossed back onto the ground and heard one Obelisk say, "Next time, we won't go so easy on you." He heard them leaving the grove laughing, but the injustice of the beating pulsed through him. He opened his eyes to see their retreating backs and he growled in anger as his stomach burned. He knew he was changing again, but he didn't care; he wanted revenge for this attack! He planted his forepaws on the ground and pushed himself onto all fours as he quickly took wolf form and raced toward the trio, growling loudly.

He leaped into the air and plowed into the tallest one who had turned unexpectedly. Chazz slammed him into the ground and pushed his snarling muzzle into the boy's face. His claws were already exposed and he slowly ran them through the jacket sleeve and left shallow cuts in the arm beneath it.

The gasp and yell from the boy brought deep satisfaction to Chazz. He expressed this in another growl and slashed at the other arm. A long scream excited him and he raked his hind leg claws at the legs.

The other two started toward him and Chazz growled at them. "Stay where you are," he said, his voice a bit gravelly duet to his anger and the growl still coming out of his mouth.

"Wha-what do you want?" the shortest one stammered.

"Revenge," he answered as he leaped onto the boy, slashing and breaking some bones before turning to the last one and giving him the same treatment. He gave a triumphant howl as he continued to maim the boys before running off for the forest with another satisfied and vicious-sounding howl.