Sometimes I don't wanna be better

Sometimes I can't be put back together

Sometimes I find it hard to believe

There's someone else who could be

Just as messed up as me

Sometimes – Skillet


"Really, no car?" Void asked sourly as we wandered through the woods, making out way towards the school on a particularly cool afternoon.

"It would make things easier, wouldn't it?" I mused, stepping up on a fallen log and using it to propel myself up, catching an overhanging branch and swinging off of it, landing with catlike grace on the damp, earthy ground. "So are you going to tell me the reason behind this little trip, or am I just meant to cluelessly stand there and look pretty?" I asked with a sneer.

"You do it so well," he sneered back, no amount of affection in the words that, if said by Stiles, would have sounded charming.

"You really just want a personal cheerleader, don't you?" I teased, turning around and walking backwards, keeping my eyes on his as we walked. "That's the real reason you keep me around."

Void looked contemplative for a long moment.

"More of a body guard," he mused, talking to himself more than me.

"Like you need it," I scoffed. Void was stronger than me, and he was a better fighter than me too. The only way I could protect him better was with scathing comments or if assailants got close enough for me to bite – otherwise he was his own best line of defence.

"Okay, then it's more of a scare tactic," he allowed as we approached the tree line, the school looming in the late afternoon sun.

"Because I'm terrifying," it wasn't a question – I knew I could be quite scary without even really trying. I was a freaky chick, soul or no soul – okay, so slightly more with no soul. It helped that I dressed like a punk-rock-witch-doctor, eyes surrounded by thick black and lips the colour of the blood I so desperately craved. My clothes were leather, and my skin frighteningly pale, eyes dark and piercing green. My hair uncared for, flowing down my back to messy knots with dirt and blood caked on my hands and gathered under my nails.

I practically screamed creepy: do not approach.

I had a feeling that was exactly what Void was going for.

I was the Bellatrix to his Voldemort – a comparison I was wary to make, remembering when Stiles got me to read those bloody books. I'd enjoyed them with a soul, but without one they seemed pathetically pointless. It was an apt description though, I did have a sick kind of hero-worship for the dark kitsune, though I couldn't find it in my hollow chest to care.

"Was it part of the plan for someone to be here?" I asked as I grasped the shiny new chain to the front doors, yanking it down and snapping it like a toothpick. It pooled at our feet with a loud clink.

"I had considered the possibility," he admitted coldly, eyes on the path before us of shiny, slippery floors.

"It's that new history teacher," I told him, sniffing the air and tilting my head, listening idly to the wet thumping of his heart.

"Kira's father?"

"Correct."

He hummed in satisfaction, footsteps silent – such a contrast to Stiles' – as we made our way towards the classroom. Or, he did, while followed at his heels, really just along for the ride.

I had a brief stab of doubt, wondering if I was doing the right thing for me. Was following the Nogitsune around like a lost puppy really the best use of my time? I could be having so much more fun.

As I thought this, Void glanced at me over his shoulder, the shadows under his eyes seeming to deepen as his gaze met mine – his eyes wonderfully dead, his stare hollow and dark, completely addictive.

He was just as fucked up as I was.

Maybe this was my path to happiness after all.

The teacher was at his desk, distracted and senses so humanly dull that he didn't notice we were in the doorway until Void spoke. "Coming in on a Saturday?" he murmured, voice seeming so much louder than it really was in the all but empty room. "Now that's dedication."

He moved his head, the gesture so faint nobody would have been able to catch it but me. In the next instant I was beside the older Japanese man, perched casually on the desk, one leather-clad leg crossed over the other, head tilted innocently, my gaze apathetic. He flinched violently at my sudden appearance, and I took back what I was thinking before.

This was a lot of fun, and we'd barely even begun.

"Where's she hiding them?" Void asked him calmly, wandering further into the room while I glanced down at the chipped blood coloured paint on my nails, beginning to hum a chilling tune under my breath. The human glanced at me wearily, not quite sure which monster to give his attention to.

I knew some things, of course – I couldn't walk in completely blind, after all.

I knew that Noshiko – Kira's kitsune mother – had several of her tails hidden at the school. I knew we needed them located, and I was keen to see one in the flesh for the first time.

"Sorry, I don't know what you're talking about," the history teacher said innocently, and I cackled, head tilted back as I laughed.

"The little knives," Void said tonelessly, needlessly 'jogging' his memory as he idly pulled books from the shelves. The man took a step forwards, whether to attack him or make for the door, I couldn't be sure, but either way my hand snapped out, pressing against his chest, shoving him back several inches with laughable ease. "The daggers?" the kitsune continued without pause, as though nothing had happened. "I know what they are...the physical representation of her tails." He dropped another book, it hit the ground with a thud. "However the hell that works."

"Maybe you'd like to do some reading on it," the brave man suggested coyly, making me giggle once more, the sound echoing off the walls, chilling and brash. "I could direct you to the section of Japanese myth in the library," he continued on as strongly as he could. I wondered whether he knew that I could not only smell his fear, but hear his heart beating in terror.

"No," Void shook his head with a wide smirk. "No, I'd like to talk to you." He slowly made his way through the desks, deliberately walking towards the front of the room where we were positioned. I leaned back on the desk, pushing some of the materials off and onto the floor, though I cared very little. "The older the tail, the stronger the Oni," the dark kitsune mumbled, voice rough and gravelly, just as I liked it. "I know there's one left. I know it's the strongest."

He made it up to where I was perched, stretched out on the teacher's desk like a lazy cat. His fingers danced up my thigh and over my waist as he crept forwards, and I was glad I was covered so he didn't notice the goosebumps that broke out on my skin in eager anticipation.

"Unfortunately I don't know what you're referring to."

"Ugh!" the frustrated grunt was spat from my lips as I begrudgingly heaved myself up so quickly that it had him flinching backwards slightly. Funny – vampires seemed to make him more nervous than dark kitsune. That pleased me greatly, though not enough to erase my irritation. "Quit playing dumb, it stopped being cute ages ago," the words were more of a whine, but I couldn't have cared less.

"I really don't-"

Quicker than the human could process, Void lifted the book on the desk and the fly trapped under it flew up and into the man's mouth, instantly choking him. I lit up in delight, clapping my hands together like I was a child watching a skit at the circus.

"You'll talk," the Nogitsune assured him. The teacher sank to his knees, hands gripping desperately at his throat. "They always talk."

The sounds of my manic laughter bounced around the otherwise still room.

Let the fun begin.


"I could have made him squeal," I whined for the third time, hurrying along after Void, the fox in the boy's body walking quickly and surely, not an ounce of hesitation in his stride.

"Yes, yes," he tutted impatiently, eyes focused ahead, not giving me the attention I would deny that I craved. "Now shut up and walk."

I huffed but fell silent, picking up my speed and leading the way, this time knowing exactly where we were heading. "This is so naughty," I piped up after a long few minutes of nothing but quiet, a smirk sitting comfortably on my lips. "I love it."

"I thought you would."

"Why don't we make it even naughtier and give them a real show?" I asked hopefully as we turned into the Stilinski driveway, heading for the door in the slowly fading sunlight. I let my hand creep over his chest, my nails scraping against the cotton of his shirt.

"Not now, Juliet," he said scathingly, pushing me off with ease, though I wasn't so easily deterred. He slid the key into the lock as I pressed my face into his neck, inhaling his rotting scent with a small wince, but powered through it and followed him into the dark, empty house. He pushed me off again, and with a dramatic pout I decided to give the fox his space, instead creeping further into the familiar dwelling and making a beeline for the stairs.

Stiles' door swung open and hit the wall with a crack.

Void smelt like death and chaos, an intoxicating scent not unlike my own.

Stiles smelt like chocolate and mint, and his room reeked of his scent. It clung to every corner of the room, flooding my senses, and I felt an echo of a pang before all semblance of emotion was wiped from my body, replaced instead by an instinctive repulsion, the mere thought of the human making me angry and bitter.

"How about that show?" I asked playfully, glancing over at Void and raising my eyebrows invitingly.

He completely ignored me, moving further into the room, trailing his fingers over the gadgets sitting on the desk before making his way to the bed, sitting on the bed in a silent move, staring blankly out at the room, not a single emotion showing in his dead eyes.

I gave an impatient huff, walking over to the chair sitting by the bed and dropping into it, throwing my legs over the side and tipping my head back, staring up at the white ceiling in boredom.

Void suddenly let out a something that sounded dangerously close to a purr, and I tilted my head, watching him as he glanced up at a small camera in the top left corner of the room, the light on the side blinking rhythmically.

"They're watching, aren't they?" I asked eagerly, narrowing my eyes at the lens, a restless energy in my gaze as a wicked smirk spread across my lips, the expression as easy to form as it was to breathe. Void didn't answer verbally, instead lifting his hand and slowly wiggling his fingers at the camera, tilting his head and remaining eerily silent.

A peal of uncontrollable laughter left my lips, my head thrown back as I struggled to rein in my amusement, my ruby red lips pulled back to expose pointed fangs.

"I still say we give them a show they won't soon forget," I murmured once I'd calmed down, the smirk stubbornly sticking to my face.

"Patience, you harlot," he barked, suddenly sliding to his feet in a smooth, graceful move. I rolled my eyes, lips twitching as I reclined further in my seat, kicking my shoes against the wall as I waited for him to finally do what he'd been wanting to do since we got here. He moved out of view of the camera, wandering over to the chess board sitting on the desk, little sticky notes attached to each piece, declaring them the local members of the supernatural.

"What's the plan, you glorified ghost?" I asked in response, watching him closely from where I was lazily draped, eyes following the movement as he started shifting the pieces around the board.

"I'm sending a message," he murmured back distractedly, back turned to me as he fiddled with the board.

I grunted, reluctantly forcing myself to my feet and slipping silently across the room, appearing at the Nogitsune's side, one hand curling around his shoulder possessively, though he seemed to barely notice.

"You're putting Derek into checkmate?" I asked through a smirk. "That's quite the threat, you ancient-and-powerful-trickster-spirit," I mocked, but he didn't spare even a beat to send me a glare, which was oddly disappointing. All I wanted was to stir a reaction, was that too much to fucking ask for?

"From what I can tell, their little pack," he spat the word with absolute disdain, "isn't nearly as stupid as they look. I know they'll eventually figure out what I want them to, and they'll get themselves into place and be none the wiser."

"You're an evil genius, you are," I commented flatly, my tone wholly conveying how unimpressed I was.

He looked over his shoulder long enough to shoot me a glare that made me shiver with dark anticipation, and I smirked back, turning my attention back to the board when he did. "We have somewhere to be," he said quietly once he was finished toying with the chess pieces, stepping back slightly to assess his work. "Besides, they'll be arriving soon, and it's best if we're not here when they do."

"As you wish, master," I retorted slyly, brushing past him deliberately, making his dark eyes narrow at my teasing. "So," I began as we stepped out into the cool afternoon air, heading away from the house quicker than humans could track. "Where exactly, pray tell, are we leading them?"

"To the loft," he responded blankly, slowing to a regular walk, though keeping to the edge of town, where we weren't likely to run into trouble. "This is where things are really going to start getting fun."

"Will there be blood spilt?" I asked with a hopeful pout.

"That, little one, is entirely dependant on you."

I wasn't sure I liked the nickname, or the condescending way it was spat, but I decided to go with it, not in the mood to bicker with a trickster spirit. I supposed it was a valid one, he was several centuries my senior.

I liked what he was implying, and the question had to be asked – now that I had the chance, who was I going to take a bite out of first?


"They're going to have a plan, you know," I told Void, reclined in a chair in the loft, one leg dangling off the side as I leaned back, alternating between glancing at him and the (so far) silent doorway.

"That's what I'm counting on."

I hummed interestedly, observing him closely. He was so still, so lifeless, he could have been a vampire. "Why am I here?" I asked, eyes narrowed, head tilted as I waited. "Surely it can't be protection."

"I told you," he said impatiently. "You can be quite scary when you put your mind to it. Your presence will throw them off – intimidate them. Besides, you're fast, and that could come in handy; especially for what I have in store."

I paused, realising something I hadn't considered. "The Oni will be coming after us tonight, won't they?" I asked, though I already knew. Void said nothing, a cold, lazy smirk dripping across his features as he shot me a superior look. So that was the plan. "You really know how to romance a girl, huh?" I murmured back sarcastically, but he didn't so much as twitch, keeping his eyes on the setting sun. Footsteps echoed through the halls outside the loft, and my spine stiffened, my whole body snapping to attention. "Ooh," I breathed in excited anticipation. "The red coats are coming," I sang the words, gleeful in my expectation.

Void didn't move a muscle until the door was sliding open, a familiar face appearing in the gap, a wary, devastated look on his lined face.

Void turned, finally looking away from the setting sun and meeting his host's father's eyes. "Hi dad," and shit he was good. He even sounded convincingly vulnerable, and I bit my lip to stifle an amused chuckle.

John hadn't noticed me yet, his full attention on what was left of his son. I watched giddily as the sheriff pulled out a pair of handcuffs, the metal glinting in the fading sunlight.

"You wanna handcuff me?" he asked meekly.

"If my son is still here," the man began, slowly walking further into the room, hesitantly approaching the Nogitsune. "If there's still a part of him standing here in front of me, then he'll put these on willingly, and he'll come with me, because he knows I'm here to protect him – from himself, and from others."

Void held out his hands, ducking his head as he allowed himself to be cuffed.

Laughter tickled my insides, like a pressure at my chest, desperately screaming to be released. I curled my hands into fists, my nails biting into my palms as I held my breath, trying as hard as I could to keep from laughing.

Void looked up, every ounce of Stiles wiped from his face, and I broke.

I trilled with giggles, throwing my head back as the chilling sound filled the room. I sounded manic and deranged even to myself, but I couldn't stop, the situation so damn hilarious that I couldn't find it in me to try and smother the sound. I opened my eyes, my dark ones meeting the Sheriff's, who had only just noticed me, his wary gaze flickering between his son and I, not quite sure what to make of us.

I grinned at him toothily, the expression all venom and no affection.

He understood then.

"You're not my son."

Void snapped the handcuffs with a flick of his wrists, the metal clinking on the floor, the sound echoing around the empty room. Heartbeats met my ears a moment before the pack strode into the room, serious expressions on their faces, chins tilted up bravely.

I laughed again, though the sound was quieter this time. Derek's eyes slid across to me, and there was a spark of something in his gaze before it was covered with a glare.

Allison was the first to act, aiming a taser at the calm looking Void, who caught the end with ease, snapping the wires like they were made of paper.

Derek acted next, lunging for the fox, only to be quickly and efficiently put down. I saw Argent reaching into his pocket, and knew what was coming before I saw any hint of the weapon.

In the next instant I was in front of Void, head tilted innocently, barrel of a gun aimed between my eyes. "Do it," I goaded the hunter enthusiastically, my eyes alight with eager anticipation and dark amusement. "Go on," I sneered in his direction, wagging my eyebrows playfully, vaguely reminded of the night Void had all but reached inside me and flicked my humanity switch. "Do it."

Without further fanfare he pulled the trigger a split second after he re-aimed, the bullet slipping through the skin of my shoulder, and for a moment I felt nothing but the familiar ache of a gunshot, but then I felt the vervain as it trickled through my insides like acid. I dropped into a crouch, bracing myself on the ground and taking a beat to process the pain before I let another giggle escape my lips.

"Big-bad hunter can point a gun and shoot," I sang condescendingly, staring up at him with a manic grin, eyes glinting with dangerous mischief. "How brave."

I stayed where I was, however, crouched on the ground, one hand braced over my bleeding, agonising wound, refusing to show a hint of weakness. Argent adjusted his aim so the barrel of the gun was once more pointing at Void's skull. The Sheriff was quick to jump in, heart leaping in his chest. I licked my lips at the sound of it.

"Argent, listen to me," John said quietly, his tone forcibly calm. "Don't do this."

"Why not? I've done it before."

"Werewolves, berserkers, vampires," he glanced down at me, disgust on his face as clear as day, something like a sneer curling at his lips. "I could easily add a Nogitsune to the list." Argent didn't like that, and a beat passed before the sheriff himself was lifting a gun, taking off the safety and aiming it threateningly at the hunter.

"Ooh," I gasped like I was at a play, watching a plot twist unfold in front of me.

Nobody paid me an ounce of attention, making me pout.

"You're not gonna shoot my son," the sheriff told the hunter, and I used the distraction as an opportunity to dig around in my wound, fishing out the bullet still lodged in my flesh and yanking it out with a silent hiss, dropping it to the floor and rolling my shoulder before sliding to my feet and taking my place beside Void, ready to jump in if I needed to.

"You said it yourself, sheriff," Argent said darkly. "That's not your son."

"Put it down," the unspoken threat was clear. "Put. It. Down."

Void shifted uneasily, slipping into Stiles's physicality like he was slipping on a pair of shoes. "Dad, he's gonna shoot me," he said shakily, tears appearing in his eyes. I giggled amusedly, watching everything eagerly, soaking up the strife, wondering how much longer it was best to wait before I sank my teeth into a human's neck. "He's gonna kill me, dad."

"Put it down."

"Come on, do it."

"PUT THE GUN DOWN!"

"COME ON! SHOOT ME!"

Father and son's screams battled each others, and I couldn't resist adding my own creepy laughter to the mix, one hand curled possessively around Void's arm, leaning forwards, just waiting for the hunter to pull the trigger.

As they fought for control and I basked in the chaos being created, I realised the room had suddenly gone dark, shadows appearing where there had only just been light. Allison's heartbeat picked up, and the wet sound made me turn my head, eyes alight with mischief as I met hers, an eager hunger in mine that briefly made her eyes widen.

"Stop!" she shouted suddenly, panic in her dark gaze. "Stop it! This is what he wants! This is exactly what they both want!"

"Not exactly," Void corrected. "There'd be much more blood if Juliet had her way," he mentioned, and I grinned wickedly, fangs on full display. "And I was kind of hoping Scott would be here." He paused, glancing around the room. "But I'm glad you all have your guns out – but you're not here to kill me." He turned around, and I shifted to the side, glancing over his shoulder at the bay of windows were the shapes of four distinct Oni appeared in the darkness, their cloaks as dark as the shadows surrounding them. "You're here to protect me."

The Oni attacked in a swoop of shade, swords glinting in the moonlight pouring in through the frosted windows. The loud sound of gunfire filled the space, the bangs echoing off the walls and making my sensitive ears ring.

Oni dashed around our protectors, but we'd chosen well, and they had a difficult time getting by.

"Now that everyone is sufficiently distracted," Void said in my ear, his cool breath tickling my skin. "I have somewhere to be."

I figured that was my cue and took the initiative to sweep an arm around his angular, familiar body and disappeared from the room quicker than any human or werewolf could see. The Oni noticed us move, and much to my annoyance, they attempted to follow us. I could feel their presence licking at my neck, the creatures desperately trying to stay on me – but it wasn't that hard to shake them.

I sped up, my feet only just barely touching the hard ground, not stopping until I'd gotten Void a good block away from the loft, hidden behind the looming wall of an old gas station and out of sight of the anxious Oni.

"Now," I began quietly, dropping his weight from my side, leaving him to slink to the ground like a giant, evil fox. "Where do you need to be?"

"We," he corrected blithely, "have a date over at Eichen House."

"Is that so?" I asked rhetorically through a sneer. "Well, I hate to burst your bubble, but Eichen House is the permanent residence of the staff." For a long moment he looked frustrated, and I realised with glee that he didn't know what I was saying. "I can't get in without an invitation, you dolt."

He didn't look like he appreciated the name calling, but was too distracted by the kink in his master plan to punish me for it.

"I have to go," he said but didn't move.

"I'll be awaiting your orders, captain," I chirped sardonically, the expression bitter on my lips.

He hesitated, eyes calculating. "Actually, there's something you can do for me right now..."

I tilted my head, cursing my inherent curiosity.

"You can use your snazzy little parlour trick to help break the beta out of the hospital."

Though I wasn't sure why this was necessary, it sounded fun – and I was nothing if not eager for fun. "But Void," I said with a fake gasp, reaching forwards to press my palm to his vessel's clavicle. "That's against the rules."

He smirked wickedly, and hunger reared it's beautiful head from deep within my gut. "Haven't you figured it out yet, Juliet?" he asked slowly. "There are no rules."


I was to wait until the perfect moment to arrive. Void had said I'd know it when it came. He had every moment planned, every move already plotted within that brilliant head of his.

I wasn't sure what I was looking for, of course – until I got a call from a distressed sounding teen wolf. I almost didn't answer, peering down at the name splayed across the screen with unrestrained disdain.

"You've reached Juliet's Wolf Spaying Clinic," I finally picked up the call, keeping my tone light, one leg kicked up on the table opposite me, the sounds of the lottery numbers being called out on the screen behind the counter of this town's sorry excuse for a casino. It was one storey, and didn't even have a happy-hour.

The guy behind the bar shot me a bewildered look, but I didn't respond, merely jerking my head for another refill.

"Juliet," Scott's voice answered, sounding more shaky than confident as he completely ignored my unorthodox greeting. "We need your help."

"Is that so?" I asked, the boredom obvious in my tone. I lifted my full glass, tossing back the shot like it was water, slamming it back onto the bar and ordering another.

"I know you're not...yourself right now," he hesitated, stumbling over the words awkwardly, making me chortle with unrestrained amusement. "But you need to come to my house and you need to do it now."

"Why's that, teen wolf?" the nickname wasn't said with affection, but rather a sour contempt at the ordering tone he took with me.

"I can't explain over the phone," he said, sounding out of breath, and I briefly wondered whether or not this was a trap. "Please, put aside whatever's going on with you right now, and come help. It's for Stiles."

I wanted to say no, more out of principle than anything else, but remembered Void's parting words. I'd know the signal when I saw it.

This was it; I was being invited across enemy lines – as an honoured guest, nonetheless.

"Well," I said condescendingly as I dropped my feet to the floor, ignoring the sound of the slot machines whirring in the background, "if it's for Stiles, then I'll be right there."

With a look in the bartender's eyes my tab was erased, and I slinked from the casino, stepping out into the cool autumn air, enjoying the blast of it across my face. The run to Scott's would have only taken about two minutes tops, but I decided to walk it at a slightly faster pace, stretching it out to five.

I could smell Void's decaying scent from outside the large two-storey house, and I swallowed as I knocked on the door. It was pulled open within moments, and I didn't so much as blink at Scott, stepping passed him immediately, our arms brushing – burning hot against freezing cold.

Nothing was said as I entered the house, and I instantly noticed Lydia, Deaton and Melissa standing off to the side, their eyes narrowing suspiciously in my direction, like I was a bomb just waiting to explode and take them all with me.

I followed the scent through to the next room, meeting Void's eyes across the space. The familiar dead pools were watering slightly, but there was a comforting flatness in them that assured me everything was going exactly according to plan. "Hi honey," I greeted him sarcastically, my boots clicking against the wood floor and my ruby red lips glistening in the dim light. "I like the bondage look on you," the words were purred, and I felt more than saw the watching group cringe in thinly veiled disgust.

"Can we speak with you, Juliet?" Deaton asked firmly, gesturing pointedly to the door leading through to the kitchen.

"Hm," I hummed, the smirk appearing on my lips naturally as I swaggered over to them. "Are you going to tie me up too?" I questioned slyly, a cruel and teasing glint in my eyes.

They said nothing, though Melissa's eyes looked slightly glassy as she assessed me. I purred again, snapping my jaws together suddenly, making her flinch ever so slightly and filling me with a sick pleasure.

"Why am I here, gang?" I asked the second we'd all filed into the kitchen, glancing over my shoulder to peer back out at Void, whose honey eyes were locked onto the doorway, watching everything with a glint of intelligence and superiority.

"We read something," Scott – the elected leader – began. "The only way to get rid of the Nogitsune is to change the body of the host."

I was silent for a long moment, taking the time to creep across the tiles and across to the sink, letting my nails trail over the counters with a sharp scraping sound. It was obvious what they wanted, how couldn't it have been? The question was, how did Void want me to respond?

They took my silence as confusion, and Lydia – ever the know-it-all – was quick to speak up. "To change Stiles, he needs to be turned," she told me quickly, a frown marring her pretty features.

I tilted my head, peering out the window for a beat before turning back to face the group. "Why me?" I asked curiously, crossing my arms over my chest and tapping my finger against the pearly expanse of my arm. "Surely you could do it yourself, alpha," I spat the word with scorn, and was pleased to see Scott flinch ever so slightly.

"Because," he began once he'd recovered, "Stiles doesn't want to be a werewolf."

He paused, and I got the feeling it was more for dramatic effect than anything else.

"He wants to be a vampire."


A/N: This chapter has a lot of details in it that will come to pass later on. Also, for those of you interested, I've decided to definitely continue with the next few seasons of Teen Wolf. I've just started season 4 now, so things are underway – and it will all be posted under this story.

Send me a review or message and let me know your thoughts about this chapter and where you think the story is going to go! I love you x