In the Shadow of Wolves
Chapter Two: Animal Instinct

The moon that bore down on the world this night was full, red, and hung lower than normal in the night sky. Omens and divinations pointed to bloodshed on the night of a red moon, but in many fables, it was also a sign of new life; it could signify the conception of a child whose fate would affect the world at large or the world around them. But just like prophecies, it really was up to interpretation.

The blood red of this moon, he believed indicated to a woman's blood flow. This meant new life was currently being created, and one that would determine the fate of them all. That was, if one put stock in the omens revealed to mortals by the gods. The menstrual flow was believed, among the higher tribes, to be the true origins of conception. Some of the lower tribes still followed the archaic ways of invoking spirits to lay a woman with child, believing such things to be above physical interactions-the stronger the animal of the spirit totem of the man over the one chosen by the gods for the woman, the more likely conception would occur.

He supposed sex was just a fun side interest for them-unimportant but enjoyed nonetheless.

Still, such things were just primitive superstition as far as he was concerned. Did the lesson the gods sought to bestow not teach anyone anything? Sexual intercourse, such as was highly covet by both the deities and the humans they invoke pacts with, was the true beginnings of motherhood.

The man, nay beast, staring up at the auspicious sight of this night's moon, had only paused to reacquire the trail he was following when its light fell upon him, drawing his attention. He was a beast in human form, most of the time, but underneath his current barbaric transformation, beat the heart of a man. He knew it to be true. After years of ridicule and being ostracised in his own clan for his lack of control over the power he'd been cursed with, he had been driven from his home, only to find a new one among the Uchiha.

The Ōkami, which was the name given in folklore to wolf yōkai was strong in the blood of Uchiha. An yōkai was a generalised term for anything from monsters, spirits, and demons (also called a mononoke).

The moon, looking like this, reminded him of the night he had been branded an yōkai himself.

Lowering his head to the ground, he sniffed the multitude of scents on the uneven forest floor, lifted his nose to catch a southerly wind, and was off again, sprinting through the woods. He always did his best to respect nature and darted between trees, avoiding the wildlife, as he followed the familiar scent. But he was still a simple creature, prone to the violent impulses of his inner yōkai. The bulk that was his body crashed through more tree bark and moss than he'd have liked to break. When hunting with the Uchiha, he was not much use with the stealthier aspects in this form, but had grown more restrained with age. He was doing better.

Uchiha hunting strategies were dominant and peerless-they would distract (or bait) and flank the enemy, while pushing or drawing them into a prearranged ambush or at least, dead-end. No prey ever escapes-unless it was a youngling pack still learning the ropes, so to speak. The list of reasons for why the Uchiha were feared, revered, and coveted was both long and varied.

The tall, lean-built man moved like a four legged demon, racing through the forest, his unruly, spiky orange hair a mess as he collided unceremoniously with a rock face hidden behind shrubbery, stumbled, and then carried on as though nothing had happened. He needed the heightened senses of this form to find his master, so continued on, regardless of the destruction he was causing.

He would pray for forgiveness from the spirits once his task was complete.

Uchiha Sasuke and his entourage were his concern now.

His father's army (both Uchiha and ally alike) was not far behind, but moving at a more orderly pace, and the man had no doubt that Fugaku was not encroaching on Valkyrie territory in order to rescue his youngest. Sasuke had been the bait, of that Jūgo was sure; it was typical Uchiha strategy. But unfortunately, Sasuke venerated his father and could not see that he was of no concern to the patriarch. He was expendable.

This was why Jūgo now raced through these forests. Even if it meant he too would be found and captured by the Valkyrie-he needed to find his master, and keep him safe from harm. He charged through the forest, breaking branches, uprooting small trees and skidded to a stop half a mile in.

The forest was filled with sound; fluttering birds, chirping insects and snarling predators. He himself was the hunter this time, though his quarry was safe from his crushing strength, as long as the man had not done anything foolish and angered the Valkyrie.

The beast inside Jūgo didn't agree with him.

The beast too knew that Uchiha Fugaku had sent his youngest son to search for the elusive city, but never believed he would succeed. It believed Sasuke had to have known he'd gone to his death-he was too intelligent not to have considered this a possibility. But what could make him throw away his life so carelessly? It wasn't like him.

And again, that was where the beast and Jūgo disagreed. It thought the Uchiha above emotions, above believing in fairy tales-it did not see the man apart from his upbringing. The reasoning was clear to the troubled man.

He resumed storming through the evergreen, the scent of his master stronger now, and Jūgo's fears of Sasuke's capture were now confirmed. He came to a screeching halt, almost going over the edge as his trampling brought him to a cliff. The scenery was forgotten for an instant, as he fought to keep from losing his equilibrium; he fell backward, his head lifting toward the night sky once more, and he panted in sweet relief. The fall would most likely have killed him.

Jūgo closed his eyes to regain his senses and calmness. In his haste, he could very well get himself killed before he was of any use to his master. His heart slowed until it eased off into a natural rhythm and he allowed his body a moment to recover before opening his eyes again. Like the beast within him, he was easily distracted. Now in human form, he was also more prone to physical injury, and needed to be careful.

The sight before him roused his thoughts and the tall, lean-built man climbed to his feet once more. The valley was deep, lush, and its inhabitants well camouflaged by the high rise of surrounding mountains-the slopes leading into the sweeping basin gave nothing away to the structure nestled at its base. From here, Jūgo could not see the Valkyrie city-if he could've, then the home to the warriors of Valhalla Valley would've been found and raided generations ago.

But there was no denying Sasuke's scent. His master was in the belly of this beast, and if he wanted to see him free and safe, he needed to keep moving.

Fugaku would be, no doubt, no more than a day behind him.

Jūgo looked around for footholds, bracing himself as he attempted to climb into the jaws of the beast beneath. He had a natural affinity with animals and could call an aid in his descent, but the chances that Uchiha spies (or scouts from any of their allies) could be nearby shot down this idea-they would definitely spot him if he went by the wind or sky. He would not make it easier for Fugaku to follow and attack the Valkyrie city-not until Sasuke was safe and out of their way at least.

This was the safest course of action, crashing through forests and uprooting trees notwithstanding.

So Jūgo retained his human form, which while it wasn't so practical in hunting, didn't weigh him down so much. Freefalling down a cliff-side was delicate work-one wrong move and he could topple to his death. Still, there wasn't much time.

His unruly, spiky orange hair matted his head; hours later, Jūgo reached a flat, traversable wetland within the gorge. The change in scenery was a godsend-here, he would not be toppling trees or destroying the homes of the native wildlife. Despite the thick canopy, shrubbery was sparse at ground level, and he found it easier to navigate. Sasuke's scent became intermittent however, since this was more like swampland, but never led him off course.

Jūgo found a natural hovel, the opening of which he'd never have spotted if he hadn't known his master had definitely passed through here less than twenty-four hours ago, and brushing aside the camouflage, he quickly discovered what haters of the Valkyrie had been searching for centuries-the entrance to their city. It wasn't grand, just an enclosed, forestry lined path-the perfect hiding place.

Jūgo stopped at the edge of the path, wondering if he was doing the right thing after all-not to belittle his master of course, since Sasuke's life was more important to him than his own. Whose scent was Fugaku following, really?

Perhaps the Uchiha patriarch was relying on him racing after his master-no-one could track Sasuke quite like Jūgo.

The Valkyrie were not evil, no matter what the Uchiha were raised to believe, and despite their qualms with men, Jūgo held no hatred for them. It was just a society far removed from the rest of the world, and he was no-one to judge. But could he willingly lead Fugaku to them just to save one man?

And the more Jūgo wallowed in indecision, the more likely Sasuke would be executed before he could find him.

He made a decision: he would warn the Valkyrie, after ensuring his master's escape. Surely they had an army of their own, and were not helpless cubs?

Jūgo stared out over the darkened night, the sight of an illuminated city, and sighed. Bricks, mortar, and clay seemed to be the predominant building materials, but despite their roots in more ancient construction, the city was as large as any modern settlement, especially rivalling the ones created by the Uchiha. The Uchiha Citadel would tower over this place, but only in height. It was truly magnificent.

Jūgo sniffed the air, keeping an eye and ear out for the patrolling guards as he attempted to ascertain the direction of Sasuke's scent before going any further.

His master had sought this place for more than power, for more than glory, and something far more elusive than either of those things. Jūgo believed the man ill. It was a sickness according to their clan, to love a woman so much that they'd forgo multiple lovers: especially one he'd never met before. The Uchiha ancestors called it the soul mate principle, but many of them were now closed off to the ancient ways. It was the reason behind their desire to pull free from the hold of the gods. They believed in a structured society, but one ruled by their own kind, not others.

Still, Sasuke was a traditional Uchiha, and more than most, he valued his heart… he believed in fate. After all, this night marked the four year anniversary of the beginning of his master's task to find the elusive Valkyrie, and it was destiny in particular that Jūgo believed now held Uchiha Sasuke's dreams captive.

Six months ago.

Valkyrie history spoke of the legend of the goddess Ashanti. Outsider information on this wasn't exactly forthcoming, but Uchiha Sasuke believed he had a rough idea of the myth on how their people had come into being.

Ashanti was a heathen goddess, an ostracised queen that ruled over men, with female, mortal warriors as her army. Born of fire and her mother raped by a demon, she was unfit to preside on the higher planes. Cast onto the earth, she instead walked amongst the humans, teaching women self-reliance and independence from men. She laid the first laws of equality and objectivity in the law of nature. But Ashanti soon found love amongst the men who came to work with her followers and sought to make the mortal man who had captured her attention her mate.

But the man tricked her, stole her crown, and escaped the clutches of her warriors, never to be seen or heard from again. The Valkyrie believed the man justice was done to him by one of the lower demons, one loyal to Ashanti, despite her banishment. This demon-definitely male-went unnamed, but Sasuke believed it was most likely one of the demigods responsible for the curse on the Uchiha: a wolf spirit. And if his reasoning was indeed true, then it meant that the Uchiha and Valkyrie were more than polar opposites. They were natural enemies.

It would explain his father's attitude. When Fugaku spoke of them, it was with disdain and avarice, never the reverence their legends would otherwise inspire, despite a man's natural distaste to a society so controlled by women. It lay deeper than the superficiality of envy.

But Sasuke himself had never felt anything but fascination and excitement at the sound of the Valkyrie on another's tongue. He loved tales of their exploits from the time he was capable of understanding what they meant. His mother read to him, without his father's consent of course, and Itachi would regale him of stories passed on to him from his men in the field. His aniki commanded the Uchiha armies (no matter its size, it was still called that) as preparation for his rule once Fugaku either retired or died.

Like that man would ever willingly give up the crown while there was still breath in his body.

"Master?"

Sasuke was not startled by the sudden appearance of his personal guard, but had not expected the large man to come into his study so carelessly. Jūgo was more than a guard; he was surrogate family.

"It has been four years now, my Lord," Jūgo said, reverting to the official title with which he was supposed to address Sasuke. "When will you accept that this is a fool's quest?"

"Three years," Sasuke corrected him, not looking up. "It has been three years and six months."

"Three years and six months, wasted."

Sasuke growled. "Don't say that."

Jūgo bowed his head subserviently, but did not retreat. "Many a man has wasted years looking for them-this will take over your life, until you have nothing left to waste. Please…"

"Leave me," Sasuke interrupted, finally lifting his head to take the large man in. "Leave me Jūgo, and do not return until the morn."

"Yes my Lord." Dismissed, the man bowed and left.

Ordering him out like that left a bitter taste in Sasuke's mouth, since they were more friends and family than master and servant, but Jūgo didn't understand-it wasn't as simple as that. Nobody understood. But he hadn't told anyone about his desire to find the Valkyrie. His father had tasked him with it, but Sasuke had actually been looking far longer than the past few months. Sasuke wondered if Itachi knew (his aniki saw through him when no-one else could), and mused over that for a few seconds before returning to his reading.

While the Uchiha were Ōkami (wolf demon spirit), Valkyrie were bakeneko (cat demon spirit); the animal yōkai they depicted being their worship.

"And he will come," Sasuke muttered, tracing his fingers over the worn text of yet another scroll. It was in ancient Sanskrit, but being an Uchiha, he was learned. The words fell from his lips with practised ease. "The man obsessed, the man seduced, the man destroyed. Where none other can find, he will revel in. What none other can comprehend, he will see with eyes unseeing. He is the harbinger, the lover and the fool."

Another prophecy?

The thought died on his lips and Sasuke continued to read. A few hours later, he rubbed his eyes and the candle sputtered and died. Jūgo was right; though he'd never admit it, this was bordering on obsession. And he didn't care. That must make him the "fool". His eyes flickered over the line about the lover and the fool. It got his blood racing, and he wondered what the chances were that he was the one spoken of in the prophecy. He had not seen any Valkyrie before, but the one called the Leaves of Cherry Blossom sounded, from vague descriptions, like the epitome of beautiful.

And then there was the other thing.

Sasuke relit the candle and stared at it, his eyes blurring. The Uchiha Coven Seer (a title within their clan given to the man with the greatest sight, regardless of accuracy) had told him his soul mate was both hidden and surrounded, and when Sasuke first heard of the Valkyrie, he just knew-he knew she was one of them. His interest in the fanciful tales may have been a constant source of discomfort for his father, but made him feel as though he was a part of something bigger than himself.

He must have drifted off.

Sasuke always dreamt of the same thing-the temptress in an exotic headdress, her body enticing, her scent overpowering, and his need to lay with her unbearable. She danced in candlelight, in moonlight, but never in daylight. His aniki called her a Jorōgumo, a seductive goblin/trickster: no better than a demon.

And she danced. Hips swayed, arms rose and twirled; her mask kept her identity from him, and even her hair was hidden, under layers of woven fabric, beads, and animal skin. Her body was what entranced him now, like the porcelain skin was a spell cast upon his person. He knew what was coming, but was as usual, powerless to stop it. She sashayed, teased him, and invaded his mind. Some might say she controlled him. But her face wasn't the one he'd hoped for. Sometimes she'd remove the headdress and the most beautiful woman he'd ever laid eyes on would devour him, her body becoming his temple.

But this Leaves of Cherry Blossom had no face.

The bakeneko yōkai descended on him and raped him of his pride and dignity; unable to move, Sasuke fell. He could only feel pain as he screamed; no voice, no pleads for his life... just death. And when he woke, he forgot, because if he had remembered, even someone as naïve as Uchiha Sasuke wouldn't have been stupid enough to waltz straight into the waiting jaws of a bakeneko yōkai.

She woke in pain. Her skin lit on fire, her senses dulled, she couldn't even open her eyes. For a moment, Sakura thought she'd died, and Valhalla had denied her entrance. But the sensations now building in her body were not possible when dead. At first, the pain was confined to her throat, like a dagger pressed to her skin, drawing blood, and then moved lazily toward her sternum, as though tracing the outline of her form. It paused at her breasts, and after a moment's hesitation, released the pressure that had her so enflamed.

"Sakura," he whispered, realising she'd woken in the middle of his probing.

Uchiha Sasuke… he wasn't the submissive type, nor did he intend, now that he'd had his goddess and deflowered her, to give up his life so easily. He wanted more of what last night had brought to him, and as any man truly satiated by the consequences of his lust, had slumbered like a babe. She held a power over him, but he would not let her know this. She would come with him, no matter what.

She noticed the dagger in his hand and eyed him warily. "What are your intentions?"

He smiled lightly, now running his hand over her flat, toned stomach, and she realised they were both still naked and uncovered. Sakura could still smell the scent of their encounter in the air, and though the natural fragrance was arousing, it was a reminder of her failure. She was supposed to tie the prince up upon his slumber and kill him once he woke. Warrior to warrior, there was no honour in killing a sleeping opponent. But here he was, holding her weapon and gazing at her with both lust and curiosity. She clearly intrigued him.

"I asked you of your intentions," she said, when he refused to respond. "Speak."

Sasuke just smirked, lifting the dagger to rest the tip of the blade on her left breast. "To take you with me when I escape here."

She scoffed. "Then you are a fool."

His eyes narrowed, remembering that damn prophecy. He was no fool. "I am your lover," he said softly. "And I will not be going willingly into the beast you intend to devour me."

Sakura frowned. "Devour?"

The other prophecy-the one where the Valkyrie were the salvation of the Uchiha-played on his mind also it seemed. Sasuke removed the dagger from her breast, replacing it with his free hand and tracing the outline of her skin. She inhaled deeply, still wary of him, but not fighting him as he lowered his head. He kissed her, moving down her abdomen, his tongue leaving a wet trail as he travelled toward the apex of her inner thigh and womanly treasure. Dagger still tightly in hand, Sasuke dipped between her legs, intending on rising her so high that she would not notice he was gone until she came down.

He'd had enough of prophecies.

In a city so well guarded by Valkyrie, he would have little chance of finding Naruto and getting out of here without wound to himself or any of the warriors his Leaves of Cherry Blossom held dear. The only hope either of them had was for her to be compliant. The knife she had so carelessly used to cut his bindings prior to their joining was no ordinary knife it would seem. The dagger was emblazoned with the script of her goddess, Bast. It also bore an insignia Sasuke didn't recognise and found himself curious about.

But first, he needed to find Naruto, and make sure his Valkyrie hadn't already woken and carried out his execution. He would return for his cherry blossom, his megami, and convince her to aid their escape.

Momentarily, as his tongue divested the pink haired woman of her choral dignity, Sasuke remembered his father's last words to him before he'd set off to find the Valkyrie. He wondered now, how that man intended to find him, given that he'd been captured. But his concerns fluttered and flew away when Sakura moaned once more (a guttural sound unlike what she'd so far made), her hips rising as her body arched and he reminded himself of his current concerns.

Sakura wanted to rage at him, to demand a reason behind how he was able to tear down her guard, when she'd been killing since she was young, and had been preparing for the moment she would kill the future father of her child since she hit puberty. He had cast some sort of spell on her-there was no other explanation.

She came down from her high faster than he'd anticipated and mildly disappointed obsidian eyes bore through her; Sasuke waited for the sister to the Valkyrie Queen to recover, noting the way she was forcing herself to keep watching him.

"Hm." She licked her lips, drawing his attention to the motion. "Did you intend to distract me, Uchiha?"

"Of course," he said, now running his hand along hers. "You would not let me leave if I merely asked."

And with that, she stood abruptly, gathered up a dressing gown, and turned away from him. Sakura didn't hear him leave, but guessed that the shuffling of him hurriedly dressing did indeed precede his flight. A part of her was glad that he would leave, because this meant that he would survive and she didn't have to kill him… the other half of her brought a choked sob that she couldn't stop in time, her vision of the city that lay outside her window distorted by tears. She didn't want to turn back to see if he had indeed gone, chastising herself for caring, when her true misdemeanour had been to let him go in the first place.

He obviously cared nothing for himself, regardless of his claim to want to take her with him.

It was a good five minutes before she managed to force herself to glance back at the now empty bed they had shared; as expected, there was no-one there. Sakura glanced at the window as the curtains billowed against a sudden wind, distracting her. Sasuke wasn't where she left him... of course. She closed the door he'd opened and moved back to the window, trying to sense him; she wasn't without her own tracking skills after all. But all she could detect was the aroma of fire and sandalwood on the air.

In the distance, a deep, reverberating toll sent chills through her body and the bad omen had her reaching for her weapon (another dagger, as Sasuke had actually taken the one he'd been holding before). The sound of klaxons confirmed her fear; they were the horns of war.

Thank-you so much for the reviews the first chapter! I was so worried about posting it, but the reviews, favourites, and alerts, left me grinning like an idiot. Thanks so much. n_n

The storyline IS building, but I'm not going to force it. Not sure whether that means that this is a slow burn or not, since Sasuke and Sakura are already smitten with each other, and the war is on their doorstep, but nothing about this is going to be rushed. Hopefully, you guys will love the way I plan to do this.

Please review. (:

TBC

megami: goddess.