The Pack

Disclaimer: I only own the plot!

Thanks so much for your reviews guys! Hopefully I'll get even more as I update. (Hint hint… review!) I know the first chapter was kind of an introduction so I decided I would update again.

Chapter 2

I woke to the sound of my alarm clock.

It was Saturday and I needed to go to the bakery for work.

I got up and went into the bathroom. I took off my clothes and put them in my hamper. I would have to wash that school uniform later. I took my shower and put on a pair of jeans and t-shirt. We didn't have a uniform at the bakery but we did have to wear an apron over our clothes.

I sighed and ran a hand through my gravity defying hair. Memories of yesterday night were making their way into my head… it made me a little uncomfortable when I realized I would have to go outside.

Would they come and find me… that guy, Squall, said they could hunt me down… like a pack of wolves.

I still can't even wrap my head around what the hell they were talking about! My people? They didn't really look any different from me… they looked like normal humans…

Normal humans! Am I going crazy? Of course they were normal humans, there's no other kind of human!

I sighed again and walked through the front door, but not before checking to see if the cost was clear. When it was I walked down the stairs and walked briskly towards the bakery… it was maybe ten blocks away from the house.

I looked at my watch, it was 6:45. I was supposed to open the shop at seven, so I walked a little faster so I wouldn't be late.

I took my key and opened the shop door, I then turned the open sign on and walked to the cash register. I turned it on and unlocked the drawer. When that was done, I went to the back to start on the breads.

"Good morning Cloud! I know you're in the back!" I heard a voice call from the front.

"Hey, Tidus!" I called in reply. "Can you just stay at the front and keep the customers busy when they come in? The breads are not going to be ready until around eight. But the muffins wont take long, once I put these loaves in the oven I can start on those." I said.

"Man, you are too dedicated to this job… but I admire the work ethic. Do you need any help back there?" Tidus asked and walked to the kitchen.

"Well, do you know when Nami's getting here?" I asked.

"Yeah, she should be here in around ten minutes." He said.

"Well, then I would rather you just stay in the front and have Naminé help me when she gets here." I said.

"C'mon Cloud! I burn the bread one time and now I'm banned from the kitchen! That is so wrong!" Tidus exclaimed.

"I just don't want to take any chances and besides, you have charm! You should stay in the front and talk with the customers!" I said.

"You know, you're right!" Tidus said with a toothy grin.

In some odd coincidence, every person employed in this bakery is blond. Tidus, Naminé, and I are the trio that works on the weekends. Rufus, Roxas, and Seifer work the weekdays… I really don't know how Roxas puts up with Rufus and Seifer… but for some strange reason, the team just clicks.

After needing the dough and forming the right shapes, I placed the breads in the oven. I washed my hands and started on the blueberry muffins. I was taking the blueberries out of the fridge when Naminé walked inside.

"Have you done the banana nut muffins yet?" She asked.

"No, could you make them?" I asked and rinsed the berries before placing them in the batter.

"Oh! You know what I saw this morning that I thought was so cool?" Nami started.

"What?" I asked.

"There was this guy that I saw on my way here. He had this really cute snow cap with doggie ears! It was so cool! The ears looked so real I was tempted to walk up and ask to touch them! But I didn't… that would be really weird." She said.

My eyes widened… They were really tracking me down… and so soon? "Really?" I said in an attempt to hide my surprise.

"I wonder where he got it… I want one…" she said and placed the pecans in the batter.

"Well, maybe the guy will come to the shop." I said. I hope not…

"That would be the perfect opportunity to ask him too." Naminé said happily.

I started to pour batter into the greased pan made for muffins. When that was finished I placed the pan into the oven and grabbed the bagels and took them to the front.

"Hey, are you going to buy something? Coffee maybe?" I heard Tidus say as I approached the counter.

If I hadn't already put the bagels down, I would have dropped them.

That Squall guy was standing there as if waiting for me to come out so he can abduct me!

I turned quickly and moved back into the kitchen. "I don't know Naminé, that guy looks like a murderer." I said and went back to starting the croissants.

"Well, I don't really think murderers wear cute hats so I'm going to say hi." Nami said and started to move to the front.

"Nami! I'm serious! That guy will kill you!" I whispered harshly.

"Stop being so judgmental! The guy is probably really nice." She said and walked out the kitchen door.

I followed her, hoping I could prevent her from getting herself killed.

"Hey! Welcome to The Bakery… I have to say that I saw you on my way here and I think your hat is really cool!" Nami said and smiled.

Squall nodded and said, "Father gave it to me." He looked to me and stared unblinkingly… my eyes were watering just watching him.

"Ummmm, do you need something…" I asked nervously.

"Outside." He said.

"Well, I'm kind of working so you'll have to wait until my break." I said.

He nodded and stood at the door, unmoving, like a guard dog. I gulped and walked back into the kitchen… I didn't think he was really going to wait for me! I'm so dead.

"I thought you didn't know the guy." Naminé said.

"Well, I met him yesterday in the park." I said, basically telling the truth.

"You mean that jungle they call a park? Do you really go in there?" Nami asked.

"Yeah… it's not that bad." I said and started rolling the croissants.

"Do you not like him?" she asked.

"Well, he's more than a little odd. I'm pretty sure he's crazy." I said and checked on the bread's progress.

"I think you're being mean… just because he's quiet and weird doesn't make him crazy." She said with a pout.

"If I humor the guy and live to tell you about it… I'll believe he's not crazy." I said and continued my cooking.

When everything was finally cooked, I took them all out and placed them in different baskets. When that was done, Naminé and I placed them in the window for customers to see. I had to say, if there was one thing I would proud about in life, it was my job. Being here made my life worth living, seeing all the happy smiles on the customers that purchase our warm breads and pastries.

The bakery and the park walks… they made me happy.

But right now, my happiness was being threatened by a strange man standing at the door.

What was I going to do about him? He obviously wasn't going to leave without me. I looked to the door.

He was watching me… I shivered.

"Excuse me, could I have one of these muffins and a coffee to go?" A woman asked.

"Certainly, would you like cream and sugar?" I asked.

"Yes please… ummmm, did you know that that man at the door has been watching you since I entered?" The woman whispered.

"Yes… don't mind him." I said and handed her coffee over with a smile. "That'll be three dollars." I said.

She handed me the money and I placed it into the cash register. I turned to Tidus, "Could you clean the tables?" I asked.

"No prob!" he said and grabbed a damp towel.

I heard the door open and I watched a woman walk inside. I cringed as the smell of perfume spread around the room.

That's when I noticed Squall wince, hold his nose and move to the other side of the bakery.

That was a little odd… I mean the smell was bad but it wasn't that bad.

"A caramel macciato please, and one of those precious looking croissants…" she said.

"Um, ma'am… we don't sell caramel macciatos. We have espressos, café au lait, hot tea, ice tea, water, and juices." I spouted the beverage menu off the top of my head.

"I don't want that. I want a macciato." She said.

"We don't have that… I'm sorry… but here's a croissant." I said and handed her a bag.

She knocked the bag out of my hands and scoffed. "A macciato." She said and glared.

"Ma'am… you're making a scene. If you won't buy anything you need to leave." I said.

"Well, what about him?" she yelled and pointed to Squall who stared at us blankly.

"He's waiting for the whole grain bread to come out of the oven ma'am." I lied quickly.

"Well, I won't leave until I have what I want! The customer is always right!" she yelled.

I was getting a little angry with this woman. I can't make you a caramel fucking macciato! I don't have the time or the equipment.

I turned and made a cup of coffee, put milk in sugar in it, walked into the kitchen and found the caramel. I heated it and poured some into the coffee. After that was done I went back out and put some whipped cream on top. I handed her the cup and gave her the bag again. "Ten dollars please." I said.

"What? Ten dollars!" she exclaimed.

"Ma'am I just went out of my way to make you something that wasn't even on the menu. Believe it or not, but the ingredients to make caramel are pretty expensive so…" I trailed off.

She scoffed and tossed a ten-dollar bill in my face. When she left I sighed. Tidus walked over to me and laughed.

"Did you really make her a caramel macciato?" he asked.

"No… I made her a regular coffee and poured some caramel in it… I wonder how it came out?" I said.

"And you made her pay ten dollars for it?" he asked.

I nodded with a smirk.

Tidus laughed again and gave me a nuggie. "You are a genius sometimes."

"Thank you, thank you." I said and bowed.

"Excuse me? Can I have a banana nut muffin?" I small voice asked.

I looked around. "Who said that?" I asked.

"Excuse me." The small voice said again.

I leaned over the counter and looked down. There was a small girl with pigtails.

"Well, of course you can have one. Where's your mommy?" I asked.

"She just left… she forgot to ask for my muffin… she looked really mad." The girl said.

Wait, was the woman who just left…

"Mommy was mad because she said her ma-macci-macciano tasted bad." The little girl said.

This little angel was the child of that devil? I smiled at the girl.

"You wanted a banana nut muffin you said?" I asked.

"Yes please." She said.

I took out a muffin and placed it in a bag. After that I took out a small bottle of milk.

"Here you go sweetie." I said.

"Umm, how much do I have to pay?" she asked.

I moved from behind the counter and handed her the bag and the milk. "It's free, but don't tell anyone okay?" I said and winked.

The little girl beamed. "Really?"

"Yep. You have a good day okay?" I said.

"Thank you, mister." She said and walked out of the door.

"You really like kids, don't you?" Naminé asked.

"Well, the kid's mom paid ten dollars for a three dollar purchase, I figured giving the kid a muffin and a bottle of milk for free would make it even." I explained.

"That was nice of you." Nami said.

I shrugged and waited for the next customer. I noticed that Squall had returned to his normal spot at the door.

When the next person walked in I smiled. "What can I get for you?" I asked.

"Well, how much would I have to pay for a slice of you?" I guy said and wiggled his eyebrows.

I cringed. "Reno, that was a terrible attempt at hitting on me." I said.

"Well, when I try seriously I never get a reaction." He said.

"That's because I don't really like you like that." I replied.

"Well, I try." He smiled. "Can I get a bagel and cream cheese?" he asked.

"Sure. That's a dollar and fifty cents." I said.

He handed me the money and I handed him a bag. He grabbed my wrist and pulled me close.

"Please let go Reno." I said.

"I think I want a kiss first." He said and I started to struggle a little.

He moved his face closer… I winced and squirmed to get from his hold.

There was a growling noise.

Reno jerked back. "Did you hear that? It sounded like a dog was in here…" he said and looked around.

I shrugged. It didn't really matter to me… at least I was out of his grip.

Tidus and Naminé came back from out of the kitchen. "Hey, Reno! Are you harassing Cloud? Get out man!" Tidus said and moved to shoo Reno out of the bakery.

Reno glared at Tidus and left.

I sighed. "Thanks Tidus." I said and rubbed at my temples.

"Sorry, I was in the back looking for a cleaning product for the windows." Tidus explained.

"It's alright, he just grabbed me a little." I said.

"That creep really should find someone else." Naminé said and shook her head.

We all went back to our duties. As I was wiping the counter down I couldn't help but wonder what that noise was.

I looked to Squall. I wouldn't put it past him to make dog noises as well as act like one.

Crazy guy…

When my shift was finally over it was around six. I yawned and took my apron off. "Who's locking up?" I asked.

"I will, you go on ahead." Tidus said.

"Okay." I said and then I realized that I would have to leave with Squall. I looked to the door where he was waiting. I whined internally.

He did wait a good ten hours for me… I mean if he really wanted to kill me, would he really sit in this bakery all day for me to be done?

I sighed and walked to the door. Squall opened the door. I nodded and walked out.

He grabbed my arm and started to pull me down the street.

"Um, where are we going?" I asked, gearing myself to run if I felt I needed to.

"Home." he said.

"What? My parents will not let you in the house." I said.

"No. My home." He said and we crossed the street.

"Um, I don't really feel comfortable going into a complete strangers house." I said nervously.

"You're coming with me." He said simply.

I wrenched myself from his grip and started to run down the street. I didn't want to go with this freak! He scares the shit out of me!

I looked back to see if he was chasing me only to bump into someone and fall back.

"You're not getting away this time." Squall said.

"H-how did you? W-when did you get in front of me?" I asked in confusion.

He pulled me up and kept a tight grip on my arm. "Stop, running away. You're like a small animal… even your heartbeat is racing." He said and pulled me in the right direction again.

When the forest came into view I started to squirm again. "You are not taking me in that forest! I don't want to go!" I yelled.

Squall whipped around. "Look! I'm tired of your whining! If you don't shut up yourself, I will make you shut up!" he snapped.

I quieted. "Let go of me. I won't run." I said.

Squall gave me a skeptical look.

"You're really hurting my arm." I said.

He growled before letting go.

"Ummm, I know this is probably a stupid question but were you the one that growled when Reno was bothering me?" I asked.

"The man smelled like he wanted to eat you." Squall said.

"Well, thank you…" I said.

There was probably about an hour and a half of walking before Squall stopped.

"Where are we?" I asked.

"Squall, you caught the guy!" Zack said and I turned to see three men behind me, all wearing hats with ears.

"Of course I did. Xemnas ordered me to."

"Well, the sun is setting, I would love to get this meeting over with." Xigbar said.

"Why do we need this guy anyway?" The third man asked.

"Well, Riku we're about to find out. Xemnas is almost here. Along with Sora and Kairi." Zack said.

"Those pups are growing like wildflowers. Sora and Kairi need to stop getting older… it makes me feel like an old dog." Xigbar said.

"Well, the last time I checked Xiggy, you were an old dog!" Zack said.

There was a yelp when Xigbar banged his fist on Zack's head.

Zack whimpered as he rubbed his head.

My eyes widened when I realized the ears on Zack's hat were lying flat on his head.

The ears move?

"Squally! Squally!" a small boy yelled as he bounded towards Squall.

"Sora, the meeting is about to start, I need you to keep it down." Squall said, unamused.

I looked to see a large silver haired man situate himself on a large boulder and stare down at all of us.

I gasped when I looked at the top of his head.

Silver ears were there, but there wasn't any hat.

"W-what is g-going on? That guy has dog ears!" I yelled.

"We all do silly!" a little girl, Kairi, said.

I watched as they all took off their hats and wiggled their ears.

Was I going crazy! This was not normal.

"Don't be alarmed. We don't mean you any harm." Xemnas said.

"Who are you? No… what are you?" I asked.

"We are loup garou."

"Y-you m-mean l-like werewolves?" I asked in disbelief.

"I guess you could say that." Xemnas stated.

"I can't believe this! This is crazy!" I yelled.

"Well, Squall may you do the honors?" Xemnas asked.

Squall nodded and started to take his shirt and pants off.

"What are you doing!" I asked with a blush.

The next thing I know, a large midnight blue colored wolf stood before me. Stormy grey-blue eyes shining as it came closer.

I opened my mouth to scream but someone covered my mouth. "C'mon kitty, we're not that scary. We're not going to hurt you, we just want to talk. Calm down." Zack said and then let go of me.

I took a deep breath to calm myself. "Okay…" I said.

Squall reverted from a wolf and I immediately averted my eyes from his naked form.

There were a couple of wolf-whistles (literally) as Leon put on his clothes.

When he was finished I looked to Xemnas. "You wanted to talk?" I asked.

"We need your help." Xemnas started.

A/N: Ohhhh! What's going to happen next! Review to find out!