Disclaimer: I don't own or make money off the anime show Beyblade or its characters… I'm simply borrowing them in an attempt to amuse myself… John, Garnet and Mira belong to me though! As well as any other extras that may turn up…

Warnings: Swearing, yaoi (boyxboy love)

Woffy – Thanks for the reviews people! They're appreciated…

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Chapter 3

A young maid has to stumble out of the way as Johnny pushes past her, his face twisted into a most unbecoming frown. Her jerk causes the hot tea to spill onto the tray and the front of the girl's apron. Johnny takes no notice. He is angry. He is pissed off and the Beast will pay for it!

"Lupinex!" He yells through the door, faintly remembering that he shouldn't be yelling out the werewolf's true name. When he isn't answered, Johnny pounds his fist against the wood, still yelling and swearing, "Don't fucking ignore me! I'm coming in!"

Johnny practically throws the door open in his rage, stalking into the room with a frown and a look of pure determination on his face. His expression changes to confusion quickly, as he realizes with some surprise that Lupinex isn't here and that instead of looking at the Beast, he is looking at a tidy room that looks as though it hadn't been inhabited at all that week. "Beast?"

"Master Lawrence said he needed to visit his family." Johnny spins around to find Mira standing politely at the door, her usually squeaky voice, soft and subtle, neither annoying or hurting the young Lord's ears.

Johnny is confused. Family? Lupinex hadn't mentioned his family - he blinks with realization: the full moon. He sneers, his fists clenching by his sides. "That-" He isn't able to finish the thought, he doesn't have any insult befitting the werewolf now. "What are you here for?" He eventually asks, sending Mira a furious stare.

"I saw you walking here, sir. I didn't think you knew about Master Lawrence leaving."

Johnny nods, he'd only momentarily forgot, "Good, now leave." The maid nods and bows politely before she disappears from the door, leaving Johnny in a state of frustration, thinking of how he will kill the beast once he returns. He quickly realises that he can't kill him, for both moral and family reasons and settles for how he will deafen him when he returns.

It hadn't taken long for the news of Lupinex's words to reach him or the rest of the castle. It seemed a maid had been snooping though Johnny hadn't been able to find out whom exactly. He huffs and stalks to the bed, sitting on its side to absently glare out of the window, his chin resting on his upraised palm. It is dark outside and Johnny can see the moon lighting up the sky, almost eerily so.

He finds himself wondering about Lupinex's transformation; whether it was painful or if it was a smooth transformation from his human to his werewolf form, and what his wolf form looks like. He sighs. He may as well get back to his reading; there is no point in being angry now when he is unable to tell the Lupinex off. He should keep his energy for when Lupinex returns in two days.

He peers out of the window one last time before walking to the door and shutting it behind himself with a barely audible 'click'.

o0o0o

He howls and growls, baring his teeth. His body aches and he whimpers as he attempts to limp around the clearing. Bones crack as they set themselves into their proper place and he eventually manages to make a round of the clearing in a slow run, the aching in his limbs ebbing down into an uncomfortable tingle.

Smells cling to the air that is brushing against his face as he comes to a stop and takes a huge sniff. The wind picks up, tugging the fur from his eyes and his tail still. He peers around him with golden eyes, having little trouble making out the shapes of trees, rocks and flowers in the dead of night. He trots almost happily towards a tree, before sniffing at its trunk and continuing on his way, his nose twitching with every soft sniff he makes. This isn't his territory, but he can't smell any other wolves near by. He feels safe.

Suddenly he needs to run around, to dig and get dirty. He feels the need for blood and his mouth starts to water when he gets a whiff of something metallic, warm and rich. His gold eyes are seemingly glowing in the moonlight as he trots through bushes, around and past trees, stopping at a wide field. He whips his tail from side to side happily as he catches sight of his prey: a rabbit, sniffing at the grass. Then he starts to stalk towards it, head lowered and teeth bared.

o0o0o

Johnny cannot sleep and instead tosses and turns in his bed violently, twisting the blankets around his legs. He doesn't know why, but he feels troubled, almost disgusted. Johnny sits up, and can't help but open and close his mouth several times, lapping at the roof of his mouth as if he'd just eaten something he doesn't like.

He peers around his room, unable to make out anything in the darkness bar the furniture surrounding the spike of moonlight piercing through the darkness and across the floor and his bed. Johnny frowns and glares at it. Why must it mock him? Why does he feel like it's mocking him?

Of course he knows why. It's a constant reminder of what he'd supposedly done to Lupinex, though why he feels guilty for that beast he doesn't know. They'd both been more than a little hateful to each other since they'd first met and their behaviour hadn't changed in three years.

Finally, Johnny can't take the slither of moonlight's presence and tosses his blankets away to slide off the bed. He stomps to the glass sliding doors, not caring about his actions' results; Johnny doubts his parents can hear him from their room anyway. He reaches for the royal red curtains, stained blue from the moonlight. He yanks them slightly, pausing when he sees a glitter of gold from down on the castle's front lawn.

Johnny can't help but forget his frustration and stare down with utter amazement and he blinks with confusion and disbelief. There is a giant wolf staring up at him, its golden eyes illuminated because of the moon's glow. Johnny soon realises exactly what he is staring down at is dangerous and fear starts to swell in his chest… Yet he can't look away, can't make a sound.

Johnny realises that the wolf has to be at least twice the size of a normal one, its fur is grey, though tinted heavily by a shining blue because of the bright moon. That combined with its golden eyes makes Johnny find the wolf to be a breath taking sight. But the spell binding Johnny's eyes to the wolf is sharply snapped as the wolf bares its teeth and runs from castle's grounds and along the road. It speedily disappears from sight.

The young Lord wants to chase it, but there it a window and a 100 drop stopping him and he knows that even if he could, he wouldn't - couldn't - catch the beast. Slowly, as though learning how to move again, Johnny draws the curtains fully closed, hobbling on shaky legs over to his bed. He's suddenly feeling tired.

However, he remains sitting up in bed, just thinking, and trying to rid himself of the image of that wolf. He wonders why a wolf is in Scotland and how it grew to be that size. Johnny doesn't understand how the wolf seemed to glow. He yawns, surprising himself and he lies down. As his eyes fall closed, a vivid image of golden eyes straps itself to his mind's eye and falls asleep dreaming of them.

o0o0o

Johnny is distractedly reading over his father's legal books, his mind too abuzz with his thoughts to make him drift off to sleep like he usually did. He turned yet another page; barely blinking at the page got stuck under his shirt and ripped.

He'd seen that wolf twice now: While closing the curtains and the night before, when he was walking past the window, telling himself that he wasn't looking for the wolf. It had seemed much more hesitant last time, looking as though it was sniffing the air after every few steps it took. Johnny doesn't understand why that wolf captivates him so much, but he had watched and watched and watched that wolf until it raised its eyes then fled again. It had seemed like such a long time, though Johnny found it had only been a few minutes.

"Are you alright, Johnny?"

Oliver's voice startles Johnny from his thoughts, and the book in his lap snaps shut with a bang! His eyes rise to meet the worried eyes of Oliver, the thoughtful eyes of Robert and the annoyingly amused gaze of Enrique.

The blonde grins, "Yeah. I can't remember the last time I saw you with a book, let alone one so big." Johnny frowns, but admits it is a rather long and tedious book and that he isn't known for being a book type of person. He isn't, but he doesn't care.

"Father wants me to read it. He says I 'need to learn how to handle the family's fortune and business'." He makes a face of quiet suffering and lifts the book from his lap to drop it on the floor with a loud bam, causing most of the occupants of the library to flinch.

Robert sighs and takes a seat on the armchair opposite Johnny, looking more than slightly disapproving of Johnny's brashness. "I heard you owe someone a debt." Johnny doesn't need to try and pick up on the exasperated tone in Robert's voice. "What has your stubborn streak gotten yourself into this time?"

Johnny frowns and crosses his arms with an indignant huff at Robert's chastising tone, "I went for a walk in a storm. Father was being his usual self."

His friends already know about his and his father's disputes over Johnny's nonexistent marriage arrangements, though they don't all share the same opinion than him.

Enrique plants a hand over his heart and looks mortified, "Is he still insisting on you getting married? He's nuts!" This is the only time Johnny has ever agreed with Enrique and he is sure that it will remain such. He nods and his violet eyes flicker back the heavy book on the floor, pointedly deciding he's read enough of it to please his father for now.

Robert and Oliver look far less horrified than Enrique. Robert is shaking his head, effectively annoying Johnny quickly, "What? You know I won't marry a girl just because my father tells me too!"

"Why Johnny, you're more romantic than I ever thought." Johnny blushes a scarlet red at Oliver's teasing, though he is glaring heatedly at the giggling French man.

"What? No! I just don't like being told what to do!" He blushes brighter when the Oliver attempts to hide his giggles behind his hand. Enrique is now laughing beside him.

Robert chuckles quietly to himself for a moment, before turning serious again, his scarlet eyes narrowing, "To whom do you owe your debt?"

The cheerful atmosphere turns electric as Johnny's eyes quickly fall to the floor. "Lupinex saved me." He replies quietly, though savagely, as a small burning anger flickering inside his chest. He feels ashamed to admit that he had been saved by his most dangerous rival, though at the same time he doesn't understand why his team hasn't said anything. After a moment he raises his eyes again, shocked by his team's faces.

Oliver's crystal eyes are wide, his mouth opened in surprise, though he is still managing to look as graceful as he does with everything else. Enrique looks much the same though much less poise, his gapping his mouth uttering short 'what's and 'eh's. Robert doesn't look at all surprised bar the raising of his eyebrows and slight widening of his eyes. All in all their reactions have Johnny aggravated.

"What are you all staring at? It's not like I haven't done anything stupid before!"

The other Majestics exchange quick glances before they turn to glare at Johnny, "You've had a Dark Blader living in your home? Are you crazy? He could eat you alive!"

"Johnny! How could you allow him to stay here?"

Johnny frowns and crosses his arms indignantly, his head hurting from the barrage of questions, "It's not like I have a choice! It's either that or I go with him and live with the Dark Bladers."

Oliver and Enrique's voices peter out into silence immediately. They didn't think of that, and they suppose it is safer that Johnny remains in his own home. They blink and nod slowly in understanding.

"Lupinex hasn't been causing trouble has he?"

Johnny glances at Robert, before mumbling sulkily, "No." He looks almost jealous, "He's been perfect. My mother's practically in love with him." He finds it a strain to keep a pout from his lips.

Oliver looks the most surprised, "Your mother is kind hearted…" He allows the sentence to trail off as the huge oak doors swing open and Garnet waltzes in a big smile on her face.

She spots them and is quick to run over, "Good morning boys, I hope you're having fun." Oliver smiles as they all nod. He finds it cute that Garnet still thinks of them as children, though they are 17, 18 and 19 years old. It can get frustrating though he doesn't mind. "Johnny, have you seen Lawrence? I said I'd take him shopping for a few sets of clothes. He only has a couple and some of his clothing is either too big or too small."

"No, mother." He can't help but feel bad. Lupinex still hasn't returned from hiding. The full moon shouldn't be in the sky tonight though, and he is sure he'll be back before dark. He hopes so.

"Oh." Garnet's eyes take on a determined look, "Well, when you get a chance to, go and see if he's in his rooms. I know he said he'd be back from his trip this morning." She looks around absently, her dress billowing out behind her as she sets off to look in another part of the castle.

Johnny is smirking and practically crackling with a sense of smugness as his friends look as though they've seen the most awe-inspiring painting, girl or compliment they've ever heard. Johnny decides it's the exact opposite feeling that has rendered them speechless. He stands, ignoring their probing glances and questions as he moves towards the doors on the other side of the room. He might as well go and check that Lupinex is home now. His friends won't be making good conversation for a bit, he's decided.

He could make the journey to the Beast's room with his eyes closed he's walked there so many times within the last few days. He can hear Enrique and Oliver chattering quietly to each other as they following him quietly, feeling the hair on the back of his neck stand to attention with every 'Do you think Lupinex has grown on Johnny?' and 'Maybe he's finally lost it.'. Robert's been too quiet for Johnny's liking, but he ignores him for the most part.

They hear a piercing rattle as they near Lupinex's door, and Johnny bursts into a quick run before anyone can think to try and stop him. He doesn't want to dishonour his family; he needs to make sure Lupinex is alright, that he's alive.

He flings the door open and stares around the room, shocked into stillness as he realises that Lupinex is covered in blood, gashes and he can't seem to move, except for the heaving of his chest, but Johnny realises that it must be painful. He is sitting raggedly against the glass doors on the opposite side of the room, some of the glass stained red from where he'd most likely slid down it.

Johnny hears Oliver start to ask him something, but doesn't bother to listen as he launches himself at the werewolf, lifting his face to see if he's conscious. His face holds a number of scratches, some large, some larger, but Johnny doesn't care about the blood.

"Oi! Beast? Lupinex?" He shakes the werewolf's shoulder slightly, still holding his right cheek in his left hand.

His chest nearly bursts when he hears Lupinex's shaky rumble, "W-What?"

"We'll go get the doc-"

Johnny cut's Oliver off, "You idiot! Why didn't you tell me you'd look like you had been put through a blender? Ma was looking for you! Bloody beast. To bad if you died…" Johnny's rant trails off as he hears Lupinex's chuckles.

"Someone might think you care, Brat." He smirks slightly, his eyes half-lidded, though it looks like it hurts.

Johnny flings Lupinex's arm over his shoulders, wrapping his arm around his waist, quickly asking Robert to do the same for Lupinex's other side. Lupinex doesn't fight against them as they struggle to lift him up. He isn't as tall as Robert though and the noble must stoop to carry him to the bed. Johnny shocks them all when he reaches for the end of Lupinex's shirt. Lupinex looks as though he is almost asleep and he knows the blood will stain.

"Don't let any of the staff near here, tell them to stay away, ask mother to too. She'll probably argue, but don't let her near." Johnny orders quickly as he strips Lupinex of his shirt. "Grab a few bandages and antiseptic cream; we need to clean these wounds before they get infected."

Oliver and Enrique are quick to go and do just that, as Robert helps support the near unconscious werewolf as Johnny strips him down, his face heating up slightly as he reaches the werewolf's loose pants. The Scot nearly doesn't want to as more and more wounds are bared for his eyes. Lupinex is still panting.

"Johnny, we'll need to get the doctor." Johnny nods and allows Robert to lean Lupinex against him, his head on his shoulder as he uses his already bloodied shirt to wipe away the blood he can from his back, arms and sides, then stomach and thighs as he growls in embarassment.

He would have bounded away, had Lupinex not been leaning on him, when the werewolf speaks, "N-No, doctors." He rasps. "They'll ask questions." Johnny nods though he wants to yell, as he feels, more than hears, Lupinex's breathing even out. Oliver and Enrique turn up a few moments later, their arms full of first aid equipment.

Johnny is thankful his mother made him take that stupid first aid course now, as he reaches for the water he has Oliver fetch, he cleans away the blood with a gentle touch that surprises his friends as they watch him. Enrique goes to pace outside the room as Oliver moves to clean the blood from the wall, hoping the cleaning staff won't ask questions about the blood stained carpet. He's sure he can come up with a lie to tell Garnet, though he loathes too do so.

Robert helps Johnny shift Lupinex as he starts to bandage him up, having cleaned his wounds and covered them with a pink antiseptic cream. He doesn't bother with bandages for the smaller gashes, they seem to have closed up properly anyway. Robert lays Lupinex down properly after Johnny manages to wriggle Lupinex into a pair of light blue pants.

Johnny gently touches his hand to the werewolf's head, swearing violently, though quietly, as he realises Lupinex has a fever. He could wait for it to break by itself, he realises as he begins to chew on his bottom lip, but he knows that it will take a lot longer. Johnny remembers when he was sick and his mother used to sleep with him until his fever was gone... But this is Lupinex and Johnny doesn't want to think of touching him again, let alone sleeping beside him for a night.

"Swallow your pride," Johnny is surprised to find Robert is still standing beside him and his head shoots up to look the tall man in the eye, "It is the honourable thing to do." The noble nods slightly, almost to himself and leaves the room, bombarded by questions from Oliver (who had left the room as soon as he's finished cleaning) and Enrique (who hadn't been in the room in the first place).

It takes Johnny a moment to get himself to move as he grudgingly removes his shirt and kicks off his shoes. He carefully climbs into the bed, making himself comfortable under the blankets before hesitantly reaching out and pulling the werewolf towards him. He now has his head resting on Lupinex's shoulder, and carefully moves the werewolf's bandaged arm so that it is almost wrapped around him and not squashed between them. Unconsciously, Johnny is sure, Lupinex moves into him, letting out a soft growl that sounds almost like a purr, almost content.

He sighs and closes his eyes. It will be a long time until tomorrow. But he might as well get some sleep.

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Woffy: Another down! Weeee... Review please!