Over Coming The Truth Chapter 10: Death Race of Time, a monster rancher series/モンスターファーム fanfic

AAN: Yay next chap, yeah I am sure you are dying to know what will happen with Genki. And I do not own "Testify to Love" by Avalon. Please R&R.

Death Race of Time

Genki kept a blistering pace up, following trails and visiting surrounding packs, only one pack knew of one old enough to know the information he was seeking. Along the way two young males were infected and died. Genki mourned them but knew he could not linger. Could Berry and Night Singer knew this all too well. It had taken longer then Genki had hoped to reach the elder, nearly 2 months of searching. Before they arrived they lost one young female as well leaving Genki alone with Cloud Berry, Night Singer, Lily Fur, and Sage Ears. Each night he howled a message home. Though now it was delivered by another pack for his voice could not reach his own small pack. When he reached the elder Genki was on his best behavior, noting their exhaustion the elder led them into her den. She was much larger then any of them, towering over Genki as well as the others. The fur of her mane braided with beads and feathers woven in. Her left ear had a bone earring and her right had a chunk missing. A nasty scar was over her left eye down her face to her throat. Her left eye fogged with blindness. Her fur reminded Genki of the autumn leaves. Her good eye a brilliant gold that pierced each young wolf with its gaze. Her muzzle was graying due to her age but her movements were just as graceful as a young bitch's would be, though she was well past the age of pup barring.

"Why do you come so far youngsters?"

"Elder we seek your wisdom. One of our pack members became crazed with rage, he bit us, we now to carry this illness."

"I understand. The cure you seek is a rare herb of these mountains." She rose and brought a book over to show it to him and speak with them on how to obtain it and use it.

Holly noted she was not the only one mourning their departure, all the wolves or Garou as they preferred seemed depressed after the pack elders left. Genki's contribution helped to feed the pack along with Tiger's hunting lessons. Holly indeed continued to read Genki's holy book. Finding it a comfort in his absence. But she also read the book he had translated for her; it was documentation on his race. As she read it she realized that some of the bad she had heard was true but she also realized that most Garou did not do these horrible actions the old folklore were based off. She also realized that he indeed had a strong sexual desire for her now, but was controlling it, probably in the way the book described. She did her best to lead the young pack members and even joined them on hunts as Feather Foot had recommended. She couldn't bring herself to eat raw meat though, or watch them ravenously gulp down their prey, bloodying their faces as they did. It sickened her deep in side, what also sickened her was that she had wanted to join them and even howl with them. She really didn't understand it. She took care of the pup, whom was later named Rain Paws by Feather Foot, the best she could. Marie desperately missed Genki and she didn't understand why he had left until Holly explained it for the 5th time trying a new way of saying it. She only prayed he'd return to them with a cure.

The wolves followed the elder up into the mountains; Genki showed signs of extreme fatigue and becoming more agitated after 5 days of trudging. These were clear signs that he indeed had contracted the virus. The pack banded together, the elder included to keep him motivated and moving. The elder reveled her name to be Autumn Harvest, and that she indeed was there elder at 400 years of age. Finally they came upon the plant they sought, Autumn Harvest wasted no time preparing the potion and gave Genki the first batch. He downed it with a little coughing, after which the others took their turns. The elder asked Genki about his chosen mate, finding his choice and the puppy and younger girl to raise an interesting decision indeed. She had never head of a Garou choosing a human female and child and a pup that was not his. He was odd even for one of his gentle bloodline. After she learned of them she suggested they pray for help along with the potion. All readily agreed, they erected and alter and circled it in prayer and praise to their Father in the sky.

Holly heard a fervent howling in the distance, Feather Foot raced up to her, bowing respectfully, "Your mate and the rest of the pack have returned…. But something is wrong with your mate." Holly spent no time in rushing out of the house to meet them. Rain Paws right behind her with Marie in tow. The monsters were the last to know and come. Holly was surprised to see a larger wolf with them. She noted that 3 of them had indeed died along the way and that the larger wolf was carrying Genki. Genki was placed on the ground by Cloud Berry and Night Singer as the bigger wolf went to the near by stream for a drink no doubt tired from carrying him.

"What's wrong with him?" Holly demand from the elder pack members.

"We aren't sure. He was given the cure but he hasn't gotten any better." Genki seemed exhausted, unable to do more then lift his head and speak a few incoherent words. When the elder wolf approached Holly noticed them back out of her way bowing to her. She looked directly into Holly's eyes with her one good eye.

"You must be this young males mate." She gestured to Genki.

"Yes, do you know what is wrong with him?"

"Nye, but he request to be brought back here. It is not the crazed rage that's ales him now. We already gave him the cure, and more then one dose of it for near the end of searching for the herb he showed signs he had indeed been infected. Whatever this is now is not the sickness your other pack mate had." The elder lay down near the now shivering Genki, the villagers had come to see what the commotion was and seeing such a large werewolf stuck fear into them. The elder merely glanced their way. "I sense your fear, you have no reason to fear me. This is this packs territory not mine, I am merely a guest here for a time. Is there a doctor among you?" Dr Harvey came over to Genki, beginning to check him over.

"This isn't what he left with but its just as dangerous… and it has no cure. There is only maybe a ten percent change he will be able to fight this off this blood infection."

"So there is nothing that can be done?" Holly felt tears slip down her own cheeks.

"Nothing. I'm sorry." The elder wolf grunted.

"There is never nothing that can be done. Just because a human would give up does not mean we will. How do you think anyone learned of the cure for the crazed rage? It wasn't by giving up."

"Elder Autumn Harvest" Night Singer approached bowing to her in a different fashion then he did Genki. "How did the first of you elders learn of the cure?"

"From what I was told one elder dying of the sickness decided to pray and fast, he was given a vision of a plant in the mountains and of an herbal tea brewed of it. That was how he knew what to look for and what to do with it."

"Could we do that too?" The elder looked at the young pack members.

"Do any of you know how to do such on your own?" They looked at each other, each saying no. She grunted again, "Untrained pups. If Genki had not shown you how to dedicate the alter on that mountain you wouldn't have had one. And he was not even feeling that well at the time."

"We were never taught elder."

"You were not taught because you did not wish to learn, instead you ran away from your elders attempting to prove them wrong, only to prove your own foolishness as the spring time pups you are." Now Holly had read that book, but even without it she would have recognized that as an insult if she ever heard one. Even the villagers seemed to recognize it.

"But Genki doesn't know all that you do." One of the younger wolves whined.

"His situation is different from yours. He lacks training due to his mothers denial not because he was not willing to learn." Harvey was finally intrigued.

"Wait, Genki isn't fully trained?"

"No he is not, he has only 1/5th of the knowledge he should have for his age. Most of what he has done comes from his unique ability to improvise and make up a solution as he goes. Much harder on him then his training would have been." The villagers again spoke in whispers. "An elder wolf would have never been bitten by the rabid member of this pack, they would have been trained to noticed changes in their members and stay away from their sick if it was the rage affecting them. He also would have been able to handle it with out the rest of the pack and never gotten bitten." Holly seemed to understand, he had been anxious that day, clearly distressed and confused.

"Elder, Genki told me when he was young he killed a human girl, it wasn't on purpose. She had been his friend until she learned of his other side, he grew angry and had only meant to slap her, instead he broke her neck." The villagers seemed shocked, even Harvey seemed surprised.

"That does not surprise me. If a wolf is untrained, especially if they know little of their power, it can easily slip away from them in anger. It was not the anger that cause that slip in power though. It was pain. Garou show their true selves when they are hurt, and have full access to their power. Anger can give anyone more strength, but it cannot call our power to our human form. Only pain can. Her words caused a deep wound no doubt. This is not the first time I have heard of an incident like this with an untrained pup. Unfortunately humans who are changed and have children often cause the same problems by never teaching those kids to control their power. Instead they prêt along trying to act like they and their child are human, when they are not."

"So its usually an accident by a younger Garou when a human is killed?" The headman asked the elder wolf.

"Generally, though there are some rouges who hate humans and kill for that sake of killing. But a normal Garou would try to kill that brute if he was found out."

"Elder" Cloud Berry bowed to her, "Please teach us to pray and fast so that we may help our alpha." Autumn Harvest looked her directly in the eye and then nodded.

"Very well, but I will only explain it once so if you do not pay attention its your own problem."

"Yes, elder!" they said in unison.

"The come hear and gather round I will explain in our language for you." They did so and she spoke with them telling them all they needed to know. Holly had read about theses prayers and fasting in Genki's holy book but wasn't sure what they entailed entirely. The headman came up beside Holly,

"What do these Garou speak of Holly? What is this prayer and fasting?"

"As far as I know headman, it's a ritual they go through to have healings and other miracles occur. I read it in Genki's holy book once. But I am not sure what it entails exactly."

"So, he does believe differently?"

"Yes, I think they all do. I haven't heard of him trying to convert anyone though. Only asking to be respected in return for his respect."

"Human Alpha." Holly glanced to the elder.

"Please just call me, Holly."

"Very well. Do you wish to join us in praying for your mate?"

"I don't believe the same as him."

"I am aware, then pray to your deity." She held her tongue as though she had more to say; Holly then noted that Genki had spoken to her. "For his sake I will say nothing further on the subject." The Garou moved into a circle around him, the elder looking at Holly one more time. "Are you certain you do not wish to pray with us? I don't care who you pray to, the question is do you wish to pray?" The villagers noted the statement surprised Holly,

"Yes, I will pray to the Mother for his sake." She moved inside the circle and laid her hand on him. The Garou began to chant in their own language as Holly began to pray. She was unsure if this would help though with Genki being an outsider but thought it was worth a try.

Genki remained at the den; one or more of the pack members was always with him praying. A week had passed and no improvement was made. Though the pack did not eat they didn't seem to lose that much weight. When asked why they refused food, each said they were fasting. Though she had stopped praying she did secretly read Genki's holy bible and spoke with the elder about why they were praying the way they were, and why they were fasting. Dr Harvey and Athena had taken a key interest in Genki's plight, though noting there was no improvement there was also no decline. And the infection should have been killing him by now. Holly too had noticed this but she though it was merely because of how strong Genki was. But one night, the villagers heard a commotion out near the den and went with Holly to see what was happening. What they say puzzled them. 4 wolves encircled Genki; the elder had her hands on him. The rest were dancing around them besides two wolves off to the side with instruments, one had a set of bongos the other a crude guitar. The whole group was singing a song of what seemed to be a prayer and praise to their God. Holly was surprised that they were speaking in a human language for the song. Genki too seemed to be singing but only at half their volume.

Drums Start bump bump bump-bump-bump Guitar plays softly.

"All the colors of the rainbow,

All voices of the wind,

Every dream that reaches out,

It reaches out to find where love begins,

Every word of every story,

Every Star in every sky,

Every corner of creation lives to testify,

Guitar comes in heavily.

Guitar plays softly again.

From the mountains to the valleys,

From the rivers to the streams,

Every hand that reaches out,

Every hand that reaches out to offer peace,

Every simple act of mercy,

Every step to kingdom come,

Every hope in every heart will speak to what love has done.

Guitar comes in heavily.

Testify, testify,

Testify, testify.

Guitar stops.

For as I shall live, I will testify to love, I will be a witness in the silences when words are not enough, with every breath I take I shall give thanks to God above, For as long as I shall live I'll testify to love. (Autumn Harvest starts slightly later and sings louder then the group holding the last word until the group starts the second verse of the refrain again). Guitar restarts.

With every breath I take I shall give thanks to God above,

Testify, testify,

For as long as I shall live I'll testify to love,

Testify, testify."

During the song the villagers noted the sky cloud up overhead and became dark as thunder rolled through the sky. I frightened a lot of them, but none stopped watching. At the end of the song and lightning bolt shot down amongst the Garou, hitting where Genki laid with the elder with him. Holly's breath caught, she thought for sure the bolt had been sent to kill him by the Mother for his blasphemous ways. When Genki jumped to his feet and the others crowded around him, taking turns showing signs of affection, the headman approached Holly.

"What just happened?"

"I wish I knew headman…" It was right then Holly noticed even Rain Paws had been with them. No one was hurt, and Genki seemed to be feeling better. Genki glanced her way noticing her reaction. He made his way over Rain Paws beating him there. Holly glanced over him noting there were no burn marks or injuries from the lightning. "Genki… how did you…"

"Not everything is as it seems." He chuckled then noticed Dr Harvey and Athena come over to check him out. He allowed this knowing his Father had used him as a testimony.

"You cured… the infection is gone… but how… it was bad enough that it was attacking your heart before?"

"Diligence in faith can cure much." Holly watched as some of the young members raced around in the field. "They may be a bit…. Hyper for awhile." He barely avoided being tackled by the elder. Who merely yipped at him, Rain Paws chased after her.

"Genki… are they playing?"

"Yes, haven't you read that far yet?" He grinned wolfishly, "All Garou play. No matter what age they are. It's a way of keeping bonds strong. We are a family." After a few more youngsters yipping to him he shrugged, "I am wanted." He took off towards the elder who side stepped him rather gracefully, Genki merely jumped the young Rain Paws and in a smooth movement went from two legs to four while still running. Genki managed to faint a movement and tackle Night Singer then leaped away gracefully as the young male tripped over his own feet. Autumn Harvest tackled Genki from the side; though the way he went down the villagers though he would have broken his leg but his gate show no sign of damage. Genki showed he had a lot of skill of dodging but let others get him from time to time; he even let Rain Paws tackle him and sit on his head. Genki looked toward Holly and Marie with the pup still on his head. "Come on Holly, Marie." Marie didn't even have a second thought of joining in. Surprisingly the Garou never injured the girl. Cloud Berry managed to smack her head against a boulder in the field. Raising she merely shook her head and took off again. Dr Harvey had to laugh at that one.

"Amazing how durable they are." Genki decided to pick on Holly for not joining and came around quickly and gently swept her off her feet with a scream on her part. She looked down to find herself on his back, riding him. Dr Harvey again laughed, even Athena thought that was amusing.

"What do you think you are doing?"

"Including you alpha female."

"Why, I don't want to play."

"Want to or not you should play. All alphas are supposed to play with their pack." He stopped letting her off. Tagging her with his paw "you're it." He jumped to the side and waited for her to move. After the others whined at her and darted around her she sighed.

"You're not going to take no for an answer are you?"

"Nope. So stop whining and have fun." It took a bit more teasing but she finally gave in and chased Marie and Rain Paws, Eventually chasing the other pack members and being chased.

After the pack had calmed, and the villagers went to bed for the night Genki went back to the house with Holly and the monsters. Alone in his room with her, Holly did something he never expected. She pulled him into a deep and passionate kiss on the bed. Genki let her do so but he could feel his desire for her rising. He too had dearly missed her. Some of that desire slipped and his tongue entered her mouth, Holly groaned but accepted this new form of kissing. When they released each other both panted heavily in the darkness of their room, the only light was from the waxing moon outside.

"Genki, I was afraid I would never see you again… then when you returned… I thought you might die."

"I probably would have if the pack had not prayed for me. I was afraid too, Holly." He held her close enjoying the feel of her again. And enjoying the beautiful scent she carried.

"Genki… was it really prayer that helped you?"

"Yes, it was. The thunder you heard… was not thunder to us; it was our Father's voice. The lightning was his hand coming down to heal me." Holly seemed to be at a loss for words.

"Genki… I'm not sure I can believe that…"

"You don't have to, I won't force you. Just consider that it is the truth." He pulled her into another kiss, this one a lot gentler. Holly removed his shirt, her hands tracing over his chest. She could feel that he was hard on in his pants, but he made no effort to undress her.

"Do you desire my body tonight, Genki?"

"My body does desire yours, yes, but I do not."

"We could do something special, in celebration…"

"No, I just want to rest here with you my soul mate." She knew better then to argue, even though she desired his body. They lay down together, her safe in his arms once again after a 3 month absence. Genki drifted off to sleep rapidly, making Holly realize that he was indeed tired. She too decided to rest after such a long day.