The Pack

Disclaimer: I'm pretty sure that if you are reading a fanfic, it's almost self-evident that you are borrowing the characters from some fandom… in this case Square-Enix's Kingdom Hearts characters… also Final Fantasy too.

Chapter 28

The weekend soon ended and I was once again in school. I sat in my desk in homeroom and sighed. Another day of useless droning and sleep-inducing curriculum.

"Hey Cloud! How are you this morning?" I lifted my head warily to see John looking at me with a bright look on his face.

I frowned… morning people…

"No one should look like you do right now this early in the morning…" I said and my head drooped back down to my desk in fatigue.

To be honest, the reason I was so tired is because my idiot mate decided to reveal the enigma that was pheromones to me on a school night. If I thought the sex was good when I couldn't smell them…

It's good to know that you are so enticed by my scent. I groaned at the gloating voice of my mate.

"Are you okay Cloud?" John asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just really tired." I said and thought, 'Seriously, Squall, we couldn't have done that on the weekend? When I can sleep afterwards?'

I needed to take you by surprise. It worked too, you should have seen the look on your face when you finally smelled them. You looked as though you were in a trance.

I barked out a laugh. 'Yeah, more like you scent hit me like a truck going 80 miles an hour or a hard sock to the face.' I thought.

"You're sure you're okay, Could? What's so funny?" John asked and I shook my head again.

You loved my scent, admit it. And yours ain't half bad either. Last night was pretty explosive in the best way possible.

I smiled faintly. 'Yeah, I feel like we're even closer than we were before. And feeling close to you is the best feeling.' I thought.

I love you, Cloud.

"I love you too."

"WHAT?" John exclaimed incredulously.

I jumped when I realized I said that out loud. I growled inwardly when I felt my mate yipping at my expense. "I said I'm feeling kinda blue… to be completely honest." I said.

"Oh! Okay, that's good. I thought you said you loved me for a second." John said with a laugh.

"No… I didn't…" I said.

"Say Cloud?" John started.

"Yes." I said.

"Have you ever heard of Loup Garou?" John asked.

I remained completely calm and looked at him with a puzzled face. "You mean like werewolves?" I asked.

"Yeah… well not really. They are different from werewolves." John answered.

"But they don't exist." I said.

"They do! They're really good at keeping a low profile, but I definitely think they exist! I find them so fascinating! My mom does too!" John said.

"Wow, I hope you don't take this the wrong way… but I can see why you have a limited amount of friends." I said.

John laughed. "Yeah… my dad really doesn't like the fact that I like Loup Garou so much… he resents them. It's a shame because…"

I tuned out of John's ramblings and sighed inwardly. Today was going to be a long day…

I was only too happy when I finally could go home. I grabbed all of my stuff and didn't stop to talk to anyone as I left the school. I ran down the sidewalk and into the park.

When I was deep enough in the forest, I picked up speed and was in the clearing within minutes. I dropped my stuff on the ground and jumped into the bushes to take off my clothes before morphing into my wolf form and tackling Zack.

The brown wolf and I fell to the ground with a yip before we began to play fight. I nipped at Zack's ankles and he growled.

You know I hate it when you do that! Stop it you mongrel! Zack's voice sounded in my head and I yipped before pushing him with my body weight.

'You're the mongrel Zack! Fight me or forever be a mutt in my eyes.' I provoked.

Zack pounced and he and I tumbled around for about ten minutes until I found myself pinned.

I glared. 'I let you win!' I thought.

Uhuh… sure. You're still just a pup in play fighting. I've had many, many years of practice compared to you. Zack explained.

Momma! Can we go play in the forest? We want play hide and seek and it's easier to find a hiding spot outside the clearing. Zell's voice asked and Sora and Kairi were waiting eagerly behind him.

I looked over to my mate and Xemnas, silently asking if this was okay.

It's fine as long as someone older is with you. Xemnas deemed.

Can we take Hayner? He's old enough right? Sora asked.

I'm sure my son can keep them in line. Larxene said.

Are you up for that Hayner? Xigbar asked and Hayner lifted his scruffy head from his light doze to address the question.

Yeah, I don't mind. Besides, I haven't played hide and seek in years. Hayner said and stood.

YAY! HAYNER! The kids yipped and circled the older boy before running off into the forest.

Don't forget about traps! I called out to them and they all sent me their grunts to show me they understood.

I shook my head at the goofballs before moving over to Squall and lying down next to him. 'Can I sleep next to you?' I asked, mainly just to let him know that I wanted him to stay next to me.

Squall released a soft grunt before I laid down next to him and I let out a low grumble when I felt his warm body next to mine. Squall returned the grumble before laying his head atop of mine.

-The Pack-

Zell's POV

I ran through the trees searching for a hiding spot. When I noticed that tree with the hole at the bottom I ran into it and hid.

I looked around at the shaded dark walls that was the bark at the bottom of the tree and shivered.

The last time I was in this hole, Mommy and I were being hunted by a pair of dogs. I shook my head at the memory and waited for someone to try and find me.

After a while I frowned and poked my head out of the hole to listen for the others. I walked out of the whole and yelped when I felt someone pounce on me. I kicked whoever was on me and whined.

That's not fair! You waited till I left my hiding spot!

Hayner, Kairi, and Sora were snickering at me and I growled.

It's totally fair Zell! I had already found everyone else. You were my last hunt! Sora yipped.

How come I couldn't smell you guys coming? I asked with a pout.

The air is too muggy, it's masking our scents. It's actually going to rain soon. Do you guys still want to play? Hayner answered.

Sora, Kairi, and I looked at each other and grinned. YEAH! We yelped together.

Hayner huffed a little and we laughed before running off. Hayner followed close behind us and I pulled ahead.

Race ya! I yipped and picked up even more speed.

Hey no fair! You got a head start! Kairi whined but sped up with Sora.

We continued to run around and I was happy to find that I could always remain ahead of them. I think it was all of the races I had with my dad. It made me a better runner than everyone else.

My dad was so cool. I was gonna be just as fearless as he was.

The rain started softly and I yipped at the gentle sound of the cold droplets falling onto the branches of the trees and the ground.

I ran and jumped onto a fallen tree trunk, morphed into my human form and looked down at Sora, Kairi, Hayner. "I'm the fastest pup in the pack! And I'm the bravest too!" I boasted and Sora growled.

You can't say that Zell! You had a head start in the race and you haven't faced enough danger to brag about being brave. Sora said and Kairi nodded.

Hayner just yawned and looked bored.

"I've faced plenty of danger! I've faced wild dogs and people who plan to hunt us down. I escaped their pathetic attempts to capture me! I could laugh in their faces! HAHA!" I yipped and Sora turned into his human form.

"Zell, those situations aren't ones you should laugh about. Someone could have really gotten hurt. I wouldn't brag so much." Sora said.

"You're just weak! I'm fearless, just like my dad and I can take on anyone who tries to take me down. Go ahead and challenge me Sora, I can win easily!" I said hoping he would take my challenge.

"No Zell… in fact, I'm going to head back into the clearing. It's not really all that fun to play in the rain. The last time it happened, momma got hurt." Sora said and moved towards the clearing.

"Come back here you coward!" I yelled and Sora just kept walking. Kairi gave me a meaningful look before trotting off after Sora.

"Not you too? You guys are just a bunch of scaredy cats. I'm gonna play some more, with or without you!" I yelled before jumping off the log and continuing my play.

Hayner walked over to me and I looked up at him.

"We should go back too." He said in his human form.

"What? I just started! Come on! I'll race you too!" I said and took off as fast as I could into the forest.

I kept running and running, and soon, I could no longer hear Hayner's footsteps running behind me.

I smirked. I had won!

I took another step forward and yelped when suddenly walls came up around me and I realized.

I was in a glass cage.

I stomped down my panic and thought about what I could do to get out of this myself. Then I could show everyone how clever and fearless I am in the face of danger. I jumped at the wall and yelped when the cage fell over and I was sideways. I laid down and started to kick at the top of the cage, hoping that it would give. When it didn't I took a deep breath and looked out through the small holes in the cage to taste the fresh air. I was starting to feel a little suffocated in the cage.

I changed back into a pup and ran at the top of the cage, when that didn't work I ran at the bottom of the cage. When none of the sides would budge I began to realize I was really in trouble and panic began to sink in permanently. I began to scratch at the glass while whining and crying for someone to get me out of there.

Mommy! Daddy! Help me! Help! I whined and I began to tremble in the cold and in fear. The rain began to get heavier and I whined louder as I called for any one.

Zack! Riku! Xigbar! Sora! Kairi! Hayner! SOMEONE! ANYONE! G-GET ME OUT OF HERE! I howled, realizing that no one could hear me in the rain.

I howled again and scratched at the cage. Was anyone going to get me?

"Well, well, well… I figured these cages would come in handy. Hello there, little guy. Something tells me you're finally what I've been trying to catch!" I turned at the sound of a rough voice and I yelped at the sight of the hunter.

I growled, hoping that would scare him.

The man laughed. "You're a little spitfire. I can't wait to reveal you all to the public so that everyone can see how abominable you are! You and you're kind are gonna pay for what you've done." He said and I whined at his vicious sounding tone.

I could feel fear overwhelm me when he began to approach. I howled as loud as I could. DAD! MOM! HELP ME PLEASE!

"There's no use calling for help. They can't hear a small voice like yours through this rain and it's also masking your sent. When they finally sense the danger, it will be too late." The man chuckled maliciously.

I slumped to the bottom of the cage in misery. I was never going to see my pack again, all because of my foolishness.

I was such an idiot.

-The Pack-

Cloud's POV

Squall and I woke when Hayner came running back to the clearing.

'Where's Zell?'I asked when I looked around three out of the four young one's in our pack.

I was trying to get him to come back to the clearing with us, but he ran off and I couldn't catch him. He's too fast! I don't know where he is! Hayner said.

I sent Squall a worried look and Squall grunted to show his discomfort. I let out a small whimper when I realized I couldn't hear or smell him.

'Squall… I have a bad feeling about this…'I thought and stood. 'I have to look for him!'I said.

I agree. Squall said and we both took off into the rain to look for our son. I could feel my heart pounding with anxiety. I pressed my nose to the ground for any sent with even a hint of my son's on it.

When I came to the tree with a hole at the bottom I ran over to it hoping that maybe he was inside.

He wasn't and I let out a whine. Where was my son!

I ran around feeling my heart rise up to my throat in fear.

Any luck? I heard Squall's voice and I let out a series of whines in panic.

'I can't feel him, I can't smell him, and I can't hear him! Squall we have to find him! I w-won't be able to live with myself if something happened!' I whimpered before stuffing down my panic. It wouldn't help in this situation.

I took a deep breath and focused. I listened for anything.

And that's when I heard the tiny, desperate howl. The fear in it hit me like a freight train and I immediately felt rage flow through me as I took off full speed towards the sound.

I let out a loud howl in response. I didn't care if it blew our cover. My baby needed me and I wouldn't fail him!

I ran, letting my howls ring through the forest, praying that they would reach my baby.

And that's when I saw it. My son was trembling, soaking in a cage and that hunter was getting closer and closer.

I snarled and picked up my pace towards my son. I quickly slid in front of him, snarling at the hunter before me.

BACK OFF! My growls sent the message loud and clear.

"So mama comes to the rescue, huh? Today is just my lucky day! I never thought I'd be able to see too of you in one day. It's unfortunate that I only need one of you for now, and I'd prefer the pup. It'll be much easier to handle unlike you, who's full grown. I'll catch you eventually when I'm getting paid to do it." He said and pulled out a baton.

He took another step forward and I snarled bearing my teeth. I would bite him if he came any closer.

"I see that you are going to make this difficult." The man said and took another step. I lunged to bite at his leg and when I did, I completely forgot about his baton.

The most excruciating pain hit me when the baton came down on my head and I sunk my teeth deeper into his leg before a second hit took me out.

-The Pack-

Squall's POV

I could feel my fear begin to overwhelm me when my mates voice began to fade away. I growled. It was the damn rain and a new moon cycle that was dampening all of our abilities to locate each other.

I ran through the forest searching for anything that could tell me where my son went. I grunted and shook my head to prevent myself from whimpering in panic. I was a beta; I had to remain calm.

I focused every once of my energy blocking out the sound of the rain but jumped when I heard my mate's howl loud and clear.

Anxiety struck me sharply at the sound. Cloud must have been desperate if he was howling, he knew something like that could blow our cover.

It sounded again and I tried my damnedest to locate his whereabouts. It was so hard with dampened abilities.

I wasn't sure where it was but I new the general direction so I moved as fast I could.

I growled when I heard a very faint cry from my son. It only made me push harder towards them. I could hear Zack and Xigbar behind me as I ran.

I slid to a stop when I saw my mate whimpering and trying desperately to get up. Just from looking at the miserably pained look on my mates face, I knew what happened. I felt the most rotten sense of fury and rage claw it's way through my veins.

Someone had taken Zell.

I ran in the direction Cloud kept dragging himself towards. I ran, praying that I could catch up to the culprit. I ran all the way to the gates of the park. I jumped over the gate and started to whimper when I couldn't pick up not even one scent besides rain.

I let out a loud snarl before heading back into the forest. There was nothing we could do in the rain.

I found the other's trying to keep Cloud still. I moved over to him.

'D-did you g-get him back? Please, tell me you got our baby back.' Cloud looked in my eyes desperately.

I let out a small growl. This rain masks everything… I couldn't find any sign…

'B-but, he was j-just here! Y-YOU HAD TO BRING HIM BACK!' Cloud cried and I let out a small whine.

I couldn't bring him back…

'N-no…' he whimpered. "N-NOOOOOO! NO! MY BABY! NO!" Cloud screamed as he changed into his human form. His head was sporting a large gash that was dripping blood. He didn't seem to care as he cried out for Zell.

The sound of it began to break at my self-control. I was having so much trouble containing my misery and hatred.

"I LET HIM PLAY IN THE RAIN! I DID THIS! I DID THIS!" Cloud screamed in agony.

I snapped. THIS ISN'T YOUR FAULT CLOUD! WE'RE GOING TO GET HIM BACK! AND WHEN I FIND THAT MAN… I'LL RIP HIS FUCKING THROAT OUT! I snarled with rage before falling into whines of despair. If he does anything to my son… m-my son…

I felt my heart sink at the sight of my mate falling to pieces with anguish. I walked over to him and pressed my face to his, taking away some of the pain.

Cloud began to relax as I felt some of his distress sink into me. But I didn't let it get to me. I had to be strong for Cloud…

And for Zell.

A/N: Hehe! I bet you guys want an update, review and you might get one!