Me: Due to obsession, I am updating again! This has little to do with the Tales Characters, sorry! But I hope you'll like it anyway. It's much darker.

Genis: Eeeeeemooooooo...

Me: Oh yeah. Shut up braniac.

Genis: Whatever.

Me: I don't own ToS, or Genis, or even myself. On with the show!

A morning 14 years ago.

Meltokio.

A young couple, entranced by the city and young love, watched the sun rise from their apartment's balcony. They were in each other's arms, gazing into each other's eyes as though the entire world was there, and they were gazing on its wonder. Small noises sounded from the crib on the floor, but it didn't bother them. How could it? They were noises of new life, their only son. Nothing could break the magic of this moment…

Scratch Scratch… the noise was harsh and slow, akin to a teacher scraping her nails across a chalkboard. The father appeared puzzled, and broke the embrace. He walked to the door, scratching growing louder every moment. He reached for the handle…

Present Day.

Things were largely growing out of control in the camp. Raine was sweating in the heat of the fire. "Damn," she said loudly. She had managed to drop the batter into the fire, completely destroying it, and knocking the pan in along with it. She was fishing it out now, or at least trying to. She managed to hook the pan with the end of a stick, and launched it out of the blaze. Letting out a sigh of relief, she turned to the cookbook. Now where was the pancake batter…?

Genis was fuming. He clenched and unclenched his fists, along with his teeth. Why? Why did everyone get what they wanted, except him! He stomped along the path, sending small woodland creatures running for cover.

Woodland creatures of a whole different kind covered the floor of the forest. Snarling, they lashed at each other, making a terrible racket. The inhabitants of the house didn't notice, however. Cain picked over the remainders of a fox. It was very odd, as he seemed to have sprouted a very thick beard in the last few minutes. Chris looked at him oddly. He knew beards grew, as he was getting some hair himself. But surely not so fast… Cain was doing his own observing. He looked up from the fox and looked over at Chris. "My son…" he began slowly. "There is something I need to tell you… About our history, and our future." Chris looked over oddly.

"Go on…" he said.

"Do you know," Cain began, "about lycanthropy?"

14 years ago.

The knob turned, and immediately the scratching stopped. He opened the door, to see a postman with a magnificent beard. Actually, he was hairy all over… All of a sudden, he realized what was going on. He made to close the door, but the postman wedged an arm in, which was rapidly growing hair. "Your father, Cain, wishes to see you…"

"I have no desire to see him whatsoever!" the man screamed in a panic.

"A pity…" said the postman-creature. Then he leapt at the man's throat, teeth gnashing.

The police arrived around a week later, when the neighbors had noticed a funny smell. They investigated the apartment, and discovered the skeletons of two adult humans. The smell became obvious, as they were covered in saliva. Tests were sent to the downtown lab. And were discovered to have human DNA… But no human characteristics. There was nothing to compare, so there was no suspects. The investigators combed the entire apartment, but only found traces of blood that had been the couple's. They saved the balcony for last. Regal Bryant opened the doors. It was his first day as a CSI. The job was his father's passion. He sighed, but was cut off by a gurgling noise. He looked down at the crib, which was coated in saliva. Inside, he saw a tiny baby boy, who had apparently survived by drinking the saliva. "You're one lucky kid…" Regal said slowly. He picked him up, and toweled him off. "We got a survivor!" he yelled.

Present Day.

Chris looked up at his master's beard. "You mean to say that…"

"Yes." Cain said. "I am a lycanthrope. I have noticed you looking at my beard…"

Chris looked down, ashamed.

"No, do not be ashamed," Cain said, chuckling. "You are a smart boy. That was how I raised you." His beard retracted into his face. Chris stared in astonishment. Cain laughed.

"Father…" Chris said tentatively. "Does this mean that I… I…."

Cain smiled. "Yes, you are. Do not worry, it is mainly painless. Being a lycanthrope is a great thing, Chris."

"But… how does one become a lycanthrope? Is it genetic or… or what?" Chris asked.

"Very good question," said Cain. "No, it is not. The gene needs to be spread by an adult lycanthrope. Through saliva, or… other bodily fluids…" Cain said with a grimace.

"But, why am I not… well, you know…"

Cain smiled. "The effect doesn't take place until puberty. This, for lycanthropes, is age 14."

14 years ago.

Regal Bryant was infuriated. Not a normal mood for him. "What do you mean, hand him over! There has to be a choice! We can't just hand him over to a creepy old man like that!"

His boss frowned. "This is very inappropriate behavior, Regal."

"I don't care!" Regal screamed back. "That guy, Cain, kicked out his son for no reason! AND NOW YOU SAY YOU HAVE TO GIVE CAIN THE GRANDSON!!! This is an abomination! He could just kill the kid!

Frowning deeper, his boss looked up at Regal. "He has a home, income, and a livelihood. More than the child would have in an orphanage."

Regal fired back. "But that doesn't mean."

His boss cut him off. "No. I don't want to hear another word. You're a bright kid, but I won't stand for this. I don't want to fire you. So get out of here before I have no other choice!

They had a stare down, which ended with Regal ripping off his CSI badge. "Fine. I quit." He said, throwing it on the table. He walked out of the office and never looked back…

Present Day

Cain observed his grandson across the table. Any minute now...

Chris stared back. 14… that meant…

A searing pain ripped through every muscle in Chris's body. He let out a cry that was more animal than human. He fell on the floor, fur growing rapidly. His face extended, teeth growing fast, snout turning black. Moments later, the pain… stopped. Chris sniffed, and then howled. Cain laughed a laugh of unrestricted joy. Chris's fur was receding now, and was rapidly returning to human shape. He shivered on the floor. Cain walked over. The boy had had a rough night. This was proved by the fact that he was fast asleep on the floor. Cain picked up the boy and carried him into his bed. He smiled. Now, it began.

Hope you liked it, keep reviewing, it gives me strength. P