Kai: Hey guys :D Uhhhh O___O Sorry... Lightning is a wolf beast thing XD Like a werewolf, like the chapter said. But the cougar did give me a idea O.O.......*laughs evily*

Lightning: ....... don't even

Kai: *whistles innocently* In case you guys haven't figured it out..... CAO AND RUBY ARE MY FRICKEN STUPID OC'S!!!!!!

Cao and Ruby: That's mean. We ain't stupid.

Kai: Yes you are cause your my evil characters XD. Stupid. I have a evil plan for the next story O.o..... it involves.... Lightning with cat ears and a tail....

Lightning: WHAT?!

Kai: Lalalalalala on with the story!

Chapter 2: Encountering The Beast

Hope sighed as he finished his daily chores on his small farm. The days just seem to be boring as of late. He had read every book in the entire village, he had no one to talk to, and now his father was at the fair. He was currently hiding from Ruby, who was looking everywhere for him. Trying to get him to marry her, which wasn't going to happen. Cao was probably with her, ready to beat him up if he said no. Hope sighed again as he walked to a field of flowers in boredom. He sat down and picked a dandelion, fiddling it in his hands. He then blew on it, sending the white seeds flying through the air.

"I wished something interesting in my life would happen." Hope muttered under his breath.

Then, in that exact moment, Chocobo came racing over with the carriage still attached. Breathing roughly from all the running and the panic that it felt. Hope instantly stood up as he stared in horror at the large bird, seeing his father was not with the bird.

"Chocobo! What are you doing here?! Where's Dad?" Hope asked frantically.

Chocobo just kweh'd, while thinking in his head, "I told him so! Did he listen? No! No one ever listen to the flightless bird here!" as he shook his head.

Hope unhatched the Chocobo from that carriage and climbed on top of the bird. "Show me to him!" he said loudly then kicked the bird in the side gently to get the large bird to move.

The bird chirped loudly then started off down the path. Running as fast as he could with the boy on his back. Hope hung onto the reigns, looking around for any sign of his father. He soon was in a dark forest, blanketed by snow. He could hear the wolves howl and snarl, yet he could not see them. He looked around frightfully then halted the Chocobo when he saw a castle. Hope hopped off of the bird, then guided the bird through the gate, closing it behind him to keep the Chocobo safe from harm.

"I'll be right back." reassured Hope then looked up at the castle, hesitantly taking steps toward it.

He walked up the steps and knocked gently on the large door. It opened on its own though, so Hope took a few steps inside, looking around carefully.

"Hello? Is anyone here? I'm looking for my father!" Hope called out, wrapping his black cloak around himself.

Hope looked around as he wandered through the large hall. He didn't seem to notice he was being followed. The same animals from before glanced around the corner to look curiously at the boy.

"His father?" whispered the golden retriever curiously.

"That must be that poor guy who got locked up." said the crow, who was perched on top of the dogs shoulder.

The orange cat, who was on top of the dog's head, purred a bit excitedly. "And he's a boy! Maybe he can break the spell. And calm my sister down a bit." she said.

"Or he will be thrown into the dungeon like his old man." said the dog, which earned him a smack from the orange cat.

"Oh come on. Old Light might be a little softer on a kid." said the wolf with the flick of her tail.

"Isn't that it though? He's a boy! He looks too young for her!" said the crow with the snort. "Isn't that a little... gee I don't know... what do they call it now adays? Pedophile?"

The reddish cat giggled. "Oh love comes in all shapes and sizes!! It doesn't matter!" she said with a determined nod.

"Riiiight. Forgot about you and the wolf." the dog rolled his eyes but had some humor in them.

"Hey, don't knock it. You know you like staring, boys." smirked the wolf, with daring eyes.

"Uh guys.... I think we should head after the kid. Well, before he goes somewhere we don't want him to." said the crow then took off in flight.

The animals nodded then scattered and went up the steps, after the silver blonde boy. The wolf knocked a door open that led to the tower where Bartholomew was kept. Quickly heading inside along with the other animals before Hope could see them. Hope blinked at the door and quickly walked over to the open door.

"Hello? Is anyone there? I'm looking for my father....." Hope called as he stepped inside and walked up the flight of stairs. Grabbing a torch that hung from the cold wall.

When Hope reached the top, he spotted a row of prison cells. "Dad?" he called and he heard a sharp cough from the nearest cell and he quickly ran over.

"Son?" coughed Bartholomew as he weakly grasped the cell's bars and looked at Hope. "You've got to get out of here."

Hope shook his head. "Who did this to you? We have to get you out of here!" he said worriedly, concerned with Bartholomew's cough.

Bartholomew shook his head. "No! Get out of here! Before the bea---" he started but was soon interrupted when the the torches in the room went out.

Hope's eyes widened and turned to look around. He couldn't see anything in this dense darkness. He slowly glanced around, trying to see but he couldn't.

"W-who's there?" Hope asked timidly, his jade green eyes glancing for any sign of life.

There, in front of him, he saw a huge figure, looming towards him. Hope stared at the figure, trying to see through the darkness.

"What are you doing here?" the figure said coldly, glowing blue eyes piercing into Hope like ice fragments.

Hope gulped a bit. "I-I came for my father..." he said.

"Your 'father' has trespassed on my property. He is not permitted to leave." came the cold response, with unblinking eyes.

Hope looked at his sick father then at the stranger. He took a breath. "Then.. take me instead." he suggested. The stranger pausing at that.

"Hope! No!" Bartholomew coughed but Hope didn't listen.

The stranger was about to answer till another voice came into ear shot.

"I think it would be a good idea.... After all... The boy might be more useful." said the orange cat that sat next to the stranger.

Hope couldn't tell who was speaking but he listened to the voices carefully.

"He's just a boy. He doesn't need to be here to begin with. And if I let both of them go, they are sure to tell the village." the stranger replied to the cat, quietly so the two intruders wouldn't hear.

"But the boy is young, he might be able to break the curse. And do you really think that anyone would believe a old man?" replied the cat quietly..

The stranger growled then looked at the boy. "Alright... I accept your offer for one condition. You must promise to stay in this castle forever." she said calmly.

Hope stood up, glancing up at the hole in the ceiling, moonlight seeping through it. Then he looked towards where the voice came from.

"Step into the light..." Hope asked timidly.

Then he saw, a great reddish fur wolfish beast come into the light. With crystal blue eyes and razor sharp claws ready to tear. Her muzzle lowered so her eyes can look at him. Hope gasped then closed his eyes, looking at his father who begged him not to do it. He took a deep breath, then walked closer to the beast.

"You have my word." Hope said bravely.

"Deal." the beast answered as she went passed him and opened the gate door.

Hope went inside and knelt down by his father. Bartholomew grabbed his sons shoulders and shook his head disapprovingly.

"Listen, Hope! I've lived my life and I'm old! You're still young and have a life ahead of you! Don't throw it away like this!" Bartholomew begged but Hope just looked at him sadly.

"I'm sorry, Dad. I'll be okay.... Goodbye..." Hope said as he looked at his father.

The beast had paused for a moment, giving them some time to say goodbye then she swooped in and grabbed the older man by the collar of his shirt.

Bartholomew wiggled under the beast's grasp. "No! Hope! NO! Let me go!" he yelled. Hope watching his father go.

When the beast dragged the man to the gate, she threw him on a black stallion. "Take him to the village." she ordered and watched as the stallion nodded and bolted off with Bartholomew on his back.

The beast went back up to the tower and saw the boy softly crying. She sniffed a bit then looked down at the orange cat from before.

The orange cat ears twitched as she looked at Hope. "Maybe you could give him a better room?" she suggested carefully.

The beast looked at her with a blue gaze then the boy. She took a breath then said calmly, "You coming?" she asked.

Hope wiped his tears away and looked up at the beast with confusion. "But.... I thought...." he started till the beast interrupted.

"Would you rather stay here in the tower?" the beast said coldly and Hope quickly shook his head.

"No."

"Then follow me." The beast ordered then led the way down the tower.

Hope gulped then stumbled a bit when he stood then quickly followed after the beast. Waiting to know what will happen to him. I guess his wish came true, things did get interesting.