AAN: Yeah I am really into this story at the moment. I don't own "There's a Light at the End of this Tunnel" by Third Day. Please R&R.
Revelations and Realizations
Holly was the first up, she realized Rain Paws had joined them after they had fallen asleep; he was snuggled against her breast as he usually was. For a pup of 4 months he seemed very dependant on her. But she still knew so little of Garou. He no longer needed milk and was eating meat with the pack but every time he did Holly felt ill. She never could find the reason for this feeling though. Genki stirred behind her nuzzling her gently, and breathing in her scent.
"Genki, why are you sniffing me?"
"I missed your beautiful scent." She blushed profusely as he chuckled. Moving to nuzzle the pup waking him. Holly heard a very deep growl in Genki's chest, Rain Paws seemed to calm down and be content.
"Why did you growl?"
"It's a comfort growl, it helps pups to know they are safe. It's a form of reassurance for them. Perhaps you can learn to make a similar sound if you wanted."
"I doubt I could…"
"Humans can growl… they generally just don't try." Rain Paws got up and ran out their door, closing it on his way out. He had heard the others playing and left to join them. Genki had taken hold of Holly as the pup left. "Let him go, he is perfectly safe with the pack."
"Genki…" she looked back at him to see intensity in his eyes. He leaned forward and began to kiss her, Holly's eyes closed of their own accorded and her body relaxed and she returned the kiss. His hand gently caressed her side making her blush. After a few minutes the couple parted lips and looked into each other's eyes.
"Genki…" she sighed happily. He smiled, and then pulled her close to hold her and nuzzle her cheek.
"Holly, you complete me. You're the only one I could ever love." Her face turned colors again as she nuzzled into him.
"You're the only one I could love too, Genki."
"Did you read the book I left you?"
"Yes, part of it… I also read some of your holy book… but I didn't understand most of it."
"The Bible is not easily understood by… non-believers."
"Was it truly your Father… your God who saved you?"
"Yes, Holly it was. When the thunder rolled I heard him say to me… That I would be all right, that he would heal his child. He also gave me a message for you though." She pulled back to see if he were joking, noting he was serious.
"What did he say?"
"Do not use your magic to see inside me. He said like any Father he will chastise and punish you for it." Holly seemed surprised, she had thought about casting the spell upon occasion but Genki had never known about it past the one night she tried to bed him.
"Genki… Why do you think I will cast that spell?"
"I don't. But apparently my Father does and he would know better then I. Please Holly heed the warning. You saw the miracle of his power yesterday. Don't challenge Him." She nodded still seeming dazed. He let it go at that thinking she was just in shock. Does His God know that I want to search his soul? Or is he just making a guess?
"Genki… we should go down and make breakfast… though others are up by now I am sure." He nodded, releasing her to go change.
Several days later the full moon arrived, Holly had taken care to read the book he had given her. She noted that Genki seemed restless and ate with the pack that night. His muzzle covered with blood as he walked into the house. He got stared at by a couple of the monsters as he passed by to go wash up with Rain Paws in tow. He too had blood on him. It was a deep reminder to Holly how different her 'family' was. That night Genki and Holly spent the night alone; Rain Paws had learned to sleep with some of the others, often staying with Marie. Holly pulled Genki into a deep kiss knowing he would have a problem controlling himself. It didn't take long for the drug she had slipped him to take effect, and he slipped his thick Wolfen tongue into her mouth deepening the kiss, his paws comming up to her breasts. She closed her eyes not liking the feeling but knowing what she must do. Her hand traced a symbol in paint on his chest over his heart. A pentagram, then she pressed herself to him casting her spell. For a brief moment she saw Genki in his human form as a spirit with a bright shield of light and a sword of white fire. Her spell reflecting off of his shield and heading back at her. Her eyes snapped open a moment before her spell threw her into the wall. Granity rushed in finding her on the floor unconscious and Genki on the bed gasping for air. Tiger ran for a doctor as the others came in.
"Did he hurt her?" Suezo accused.
"No… it was a spell." Suezo knew well what could happen if a spell was cast wrong or reflected. Holly had never been known to cast wrong though. Harvey came in interrupting their thoughts, Athena behind him. Athena took care of Holly while Harvey tried to help the gasping Genki. After knocking Genki out, Harvey checked his vitals instantly finding the drugs effects.
"Holly must have drugged him…"
"Yes, and it looks like she was casting a seers spell."
"Athena… you mean she wanted to see inside him?"
"Into his soul, yes. It looks like it was some how deflected though. She will be out cold for a while. However looks like while under the drug Genki has bitten her shoulder." Harvey rose and walked over to tend to the shoulder wound. Athena walked over looking at the pentagram that was evaporating off of Genki's chest. "Perhaps magic can't be used on werewolves."
"Because they are magical?" Granity asked.
"That maybe the reason, it could also be they are protected somehow."
"Wait you said she was bitten right? Won't she become a werewolf?" Hare asked.
"I am not sure if that's how it works or not." Athena answered, just then Autumn Harvest walked in. Looking at the couple she knew what had happened. "Do you happen to know if she will become a werewolf?" Autumn Harvest eyed the old woman before answering.
"That depends on whether the bite is deep and if he released any of the… venom required for that. If he was drugged I doubt the venom was released. I would say she aroused him, and drugged him knowing he would not easily be seduced. Foolish to cast such a spell though."
"Are your kind protected against magic?"
"Yes, we are. By our God or Father in heaven. More then likely… she will not get away unharmed." With that the elder turned and left leaving the others to wonder what she meant.
It took Genki a few hours to wake, his head pounded with the start of a migraine and he seemed very groggy. Harvey checked him over before telling him what happened. He seemed very angry with Holly but didn't yell at all, controlling that anger very well. When Holly woke she too felt horrible but she realized she was blind on top of having a headache and backache. Harvey couldn't find anything wrong with her eyes though. Athena understood what the elder pack member must have meant and brought Genki in to speak with Holly. Holly flinched at his touch, seemingly afraid of him.
"Holly, I'm not going to hurt you."
"You're not angry?"
"I'm furious at you but that is besides the point. I told you not to cast that spell did I not? Then why did you try to cast it, and drug me no less. I could have killed you… one bite to your neck Holly and you would have been dead. As it is we aren't sure if I turned you or not." His voice held some of the anger he felt but remained soft. "Why, Holly?"
"I needed to know that you were telling the truth…."
"You still don't trust me?"
"I do I just… you seem so sure of things that I have no way of being certain of. I couldn't… believe you…"
"So you did thee thing I told you not to do?" she didn't answer. "Foolishness, Holly!" He pulled her into a gentle embrace.
"Did you take my sight?"
"NO!" Holly flinched; he closed his eyes regaining control. "You were warned though me by my Father, He took your sight from you for your disobedience in not heeding His warning. I haven't the power to do such a thing. Since medically there is nothing wrong with your eyes." She began to sob; he held her close letting her cry it out.
"Genki, will I ever get my sight back?"
"You will, but only if you do what you're supposed to be doing."
"So I have to convert?"
"That I am not sure of." She looked down; he gently lifted her lips and gave her a very soft kiss. "Get some rest, from what I am told that spell hit you hard." He rose and tucked her in before leaving her to rest.
The next few weeks we hard on them both, Holly went into a depression and some of the villagers believed Genki had cast some sort of spell on her to take her eyesight from her. They called him names and even threw rocks at him. He took their violence in stride and assured the pack that their response to him was normal and to be ignored. Autumn Harvest agreed and took over leading the pack on hunts so Genki could spend much needed time at work and helping Holly. Larry was the only one besides Harvey and Athena who believed in him. Larry asked many questions and Genki was very much obliged to answer them. One day on the way home Genki in his wolf form was pelted with rocks by some villagers who had grown hatred in their hearts towards him. As he walked on one man even whipped his back, leaving deep cuts. Though in pain Genki merely disarmed the man and continued on. He came into the house with many bruises and cuts. He saw the others give him a look of worry but not ask him about the wounds. He walked upstairs and over to where Holly sat in her rocking chair. She heard him and sighed; she had shut him out since the incident but allowed him to stay by her for comfort alone. Their relationship seemed to be falling apart. Genki held her hand gently saying nothing at first.
"Holly, I know things aren't easy. But please don't give up."
"Why should I? You haven't lost your sight…"
"There are many who are blind in the world. It doesn't make you helpless."
"No, but what good am I?"
"You can still do many things, more then you realize. But you need to try." She sensed something different in his speech and signaled him to kneel. He obeyed; when she felt his face she felt the welts and blood in his fur. She gasped,
"What happened?"
"It's nothing." He rose walking to the window. Holly rose and carefully made her way over to him, hands out stretched. She found his back, finding the deep wounds that still bleed there. Only now did she realize what had happened.
"Genki… I'm sorry this is my fault… the villagers hurt you because of me…"
"They blame me for your sight loss, perhaps it is my fault. If I had paid attention I would have noticed the drug…"
"No… I used one you wouldn't have sensed… this is not your fault." She held onto him sobbing into his back, getting his blood on her face and clothes. "How can you stand this pain and say nothing?"
"There are always worse things in life, Holly. Besides, do you want me to hurt the villagers? It's either take the pain or go after them."
"You don't deserve this… I should be dead…"
"No, I would never wish for your death or blame you for what they are doing." Genki began to sing a song he remembered, hoping to give her some hope.
"Well I won't pretend to know what you're thinking
And I can't begin to know what you're going through
And I won't deny the pain that you're feeling
But I'm gonna try and give a little hope to you
Just remember what I told you
There's so much you're living for
There's a light at the end of this tunnel
There's a light at the end of this tunnel for you
For you
There's a light at the end of this tunnel
Shining bright at the end of this tunnel for you
For you
So keep holding on
You got your disappointments and sorrows
You ought to share the weight of that load with me
Then you will find that the light of tomorrow
Well it brings new life for your eyes to see
So remember what I told you
There's so much your living for
There's a light at the end of this tunnel
There's a light at the end of this tunnel for you
For you
There's a light at the end of this tunnel
Shining bright at the end of this tunnel for you
For you
So keep holding on
Keep holding on
So remember what I told you
There's so much you're living for
There's a light at the end of this tunnel
There's a light at the end of this tunnel for you
For you yeah
There's a light at the end of this tunnel
Shining bright at the end of this tunnel for you
For you yeah
There's a light at the end of this tunnel ooh
For you, for you yeah
Shining bright at the end of this tunnel
For you, for you
So keep holding on
Keep holding on
Keep holding on now
You got your disappointments and sorrows
I'm gonna try and give a little hope to you"
Holly seemed to have calmed down while he sang. She listened closely to his words and knew exactly why he was singing this particular song to her. Genki had felt her calm behind him as he sang, his voice soft yet strong while he sang, after he stopped he very softly whispered,
"I still love you Holly, I always will no matter what you do."
"I love you too Genki… I'm sorry I disobeyed."
"You need to apologize to my Father not me. You have something to work out with Him if you want your sight back. I will petition Him on your behalf but you still need to talk to Him yourself." He smiled, "Besides I already forgave you, long before you asked."
"Genki… I don't know how to talk to him…."
"Just direct your words toward Him, he will know you are speaking to Him." He turned to hold her gently, "Would you like me to pray for you?"
"Yes, please." He gently moved around her and placed his hands on her shoulders.
"Alright, kneel on the floor, Holly." She did as asked but shook as she did. "Easy, no one's going to hurt you." She nodded as she felt him kneel too.
"Genki… I trust you." He smiled his hands gentle on her shoulders.
"Lord, my Father, in heaven I beseech you on behalf of Holly. She knows you are angry with her for her disobedience; please reveal to her what it is you want her to do to obtain her sight again. Just as when you cursed Gehazi with leprosy for his disobedience, you removed it later when he did obey you. And you showed him what he was to do. Please Lord do the very same with Holly, show her what you want her to do so she may have her sight once again. In Jesus precious name, amen." Genki noticed Holly was still after he had prayed. But he was unsure why; he remained kneeling with her nonetheless. Lord please, I know my life style and Your power to give her sight back will eventually allow her to see the truth. I know You will heal her in time, when You feel she is ready. Holly relaxed in front of him, tears trailing down her cheeks washing some of the blood from his wounds off her face.
"Genki… I saw something… in my mind."
"Oh? Do you know what it was?"
"It was a man stand with other men. All of them had alters. They were in a foreign land…"
"Did you see anything else?"
"Only that one alter was caught ablaze."
"Elijah against to prophets of Baal."
"You know what I saw?"
"Yes, it's a record in my holy book. The Bible is God's living word, it doesn't surprise me that he answered the prayer with a scripture."
"Can you read me that record?"
"Yes, I defiantly can."
Genki helped her to the bed and picked up his bible from her dresser. "First Kings chapter 18 and I'm starting at verse 20." She nodded reaching over to hold his arm as he read. 'So Ahab sent word throughout all Israel and assembled the prophets on Mount Carmel. Elijah went before the people and said, "How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him." But the people said nothing. Then Elijah said to them, "I am the only one of the LORD's prophets left, but Baal has four hundred and fifty prophets. Get two bulls for us. Let them choose one for themselves, and let them cut it into pieces and put it on the wood but not set fire to it. I will prepare the other bull and put it on the wood but not set fire to it. Then you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the LORD. The god who answers by fire—he is God." Then all the people said, "What you say is good." Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, "Choose one of the bulls and prepare it first, since there are so many of you. Call on the name of your god, but do not light the fire." So they took the bull given them and prepared it. Then they called on the name of Baal from morning till noon. "O Baal, answer us!" they shouted. But there was no response; no one answered. And they danced around the altar they had made. At noon Elijah began to taunt them. "Shout louder!" he said. "Surely he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or busy, or traveling. Maybe he is sleeping and must be awakened." So they shouted louder and slashed themselves with swords and spears, as was their custom, until their blood flowed. Midday passed, and they continued their frantic prophesying until the time for the evening sacrifice. But there was no response, no one answered, no one paid attention. Then Elijah said to all the people, "Come here to me." They came to him, and he repaired the altar of the LORD, which was in ruins. Elijah took twelve stones, one for each of the tribes descended from Jacob, to whom the word of the LORD had come, saying, "Your name shall be Israel." With the stones he built an altar in the name of the LORD, and he dug a trench around it large enough to hold two seahs of seed. He arranged the wood, cut the bull into pieces and laid it on the wood. Then he said to them, "Fill four large jars with water and pour it on the offering and on the wood." "Do it again," he said, and they did it again. "Do it a third time," he ordered, and they did it the third time. The water ran down around the altar and even filled the trench. At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: "O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. Answer me, O LORD, answer me, so these people will know that you, O LORD, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again." Then the fire of the LORD fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench. When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, "The LORD -he is God! The LORD -he is God!" Then Elijah commanded them, "Seize the prophets of Baal. Don't let anyone get away!" They seized them, and Elijah had them brought down to the Kishon Valley and slaughtered there.' Holly leaned against Genki for comfort, feeling a deep fear and guilt in her breast.
"Genki… The prophets of Baal… worshiped a false god right?"
"Yes, Holly they did."
"Then is your Father telling me that I too worship a false god?" She seemed distraught by this, but Genki had expected such a response when he heard of the scripture he was to read to her.
"Yes, Holly he is. The planet has life yes, it is alive; however, it is not a source of life. It does not create seeds or animals. Plants and animals create their offspring. As they have from the day they were made from the firmament and soil in the beginning by the Father. You are worshiping creation rather then the creator at the moment. And I think that is why he spoke this scripture to you specifically, to illustrate that." Genki held her close as more tears flowed from her blinded eyes. Taking a near by cup of water he dipped a handkerchief in the cup and carefully washed the blood from her face. Then he nuzzled her softly knowing this would be hard for her to accept that she had wasted time serving a false god.
"Genki… I'm not sure I can believe like you do…"
"Holly, I know this isn't easy and no one said it would be a fast process."
"But you believe so readily and forgive so easily."
"I am not certain I forgive easily but I do forgive, yes. But it takes my Father's help for me to do that."
"Do I have to do this now?"
"All I want you to do is think about things and sincerely decide your path Holly. I am not forcing this upon you. Nor is God. But you must understand that when you ask for Him to reveal something it usually is the hardest thing for you to do that He will ask of you." He kissed her softly, "Just take some time out to think through things. I will get diner ready the best I can." She nodded and returned to her rocker with his help, after which he left to cook dinner leaving her to her thoughts.
By the end of the month Holly had indeed thought about what was read from the scripture and Genki's words. Genki had let her be when she wanted to be alone, knowing this would be a very rough patch but also seeing that they could make it through anything if they could get through this. Each night he was by her side holding her close, trusting her as he always had. Holly's sight had not returned but with encouragement she had ventured outside the house, Genki or one of the pack was always there to help her. The villagers finally stopped throwing stones or harming Genki only after seeing the care he took with Holly, and realizing he had no desire to harm her. Holly feared that in the next few days she might shift into a werewolf, but kept this fear to herself. Genki and the others seemed to sense the fear nonetheless.
One night, Holly had stayed outside at the den with the pack and Genki. I have never felt so safe or secure. Is it because I am a wolf now? Or perhaps because they accept me without question and protect me despite what I have done. None of them seem to hold a grudge, not even the elder. What is it about that makes them so strong? Genki pulled her closer making her blush as he snuggled with her, already asleep and content in her prescience beside him. Rain Paws, Sage Ears and Lily Fur all rested around her with their heads resting on her in some fashion. At first this had felt uncomfortable but now it seemed second nature. Genki stirred in the middle of the night, noting she wasn't asleep.
"What's wrong?" he whispered in her ear, she gasped surprised that he was still alert in his sleep.
"It can wait till morning, get some rest."
"If you have not rested I will not. Now what's on your mind?"
"The…full moon is in three days."
"Holly…"
"I'm scared of becoming a Garou. You said it would be painful if I become one."
"It will be, but I doubt I infected you."
"And what if you did?"
"Then I will help you through it the best that I can." He nuzzled her again; Holly had noticed he was more physical about his affection now. She presumed it had to do with her blindness. "Holly, I will never leave you." She nodded and buried her face on his chest sobbing silently. He held her stroking her back very gently, unsure of how to relieve this pain or fear in her heart. "Holly, try to get some rest, when the moon rises I will be with you no matter what."
In three days time the full moon rose, Genki and Holly were along in the near by woods. Genki had insisted they be alone for this, and the pack readily agreed though the monsters seemed worried. Holly stood next to him trembling in fear as the moonlight beamed down on her. Genki remained by her side gently nuzzling her with reassurance. Genki sensed a change in her scent that alarmed him. Holly fell to her knees in pain, as her body changed. But Genki noticed she did not shift all the way. It was a form that was only partially changed. Holly felt her half transformed face and became hysterical. Genki pulled her too him holding her firmly,
"Holly relax, relax you're alright."
"But I'm not Garou… or human… I'm a freak…"
"No, you're not! More then likely this came about because I was not trying to change you and I released only a minor amount of venom in the bite when I was drugged. Calm down." His right hand moving to her cheek, which was lightly furred, to caress it. He looked into her blinded eyes seeing life still in them making him smile. "Holly, you will always be beautiful to me." Tears formed in her eyes as he leaned in and kissed her. After a few minutes she deepened the kiss slipping her tongue into his mouth. He allowed this knowing she needed something to distract her from the pain in her heart. When he broke the kiss and pulled her close she rested against him, much calmer now then before.
"Genki… how do I get rid of this form?"
"The only way I know of is for me to fully change you. There is no way for you to become fully human again. Though if I fully change you, you will have a human form… with this form I am not sure if you can change back to a human or not." She was silent for several minutes.
"Genki… I trust you. Complete the transformation… I'd rather fit in some where then nowhere at all."
"The others will still accept you without a full transformation, Holly."
"Please… I don't want to be a freak… just make me a Garou."
"If you are sure, then I will do as you ask."
"I am sure, Genki." He moved to kiss her neck softly making her blush; she realized he was planning to bite her neck. She relaxed trusting him; as soon as she was completely relaxed he gently bit down and released his venom to complete the change. Holly gasped as she felt the change come over her. He released her neck and held her gently. "Stay as relaxed as you can, it will relieve some of the pain." She nodded, crying as the shift over took her. She could hardly cry out during the change, the pain so overwhelming she thought she might faint. She panted as the pain faded from her body, her joints and muscles still aching dully.
"Genki…." She felt her face and slowly down her body, noticing her cloths were torn in several areas of her body including over her chest.
"Easy, the fur is covering your chest don't worry. Though I will have to help you replace these clothes. See isn't it good I had you take your boots off?"
"Yeah, I guess so. Can you tell me what I look like?"
"Well, you have brown, red, and tan variegated fur. Tan is the under coat with brown and reddish fur on the top coat. Your eyes are still dark brown with a slight hazel effect. There's dark reddish fur around your eyes and on the top of your snout. Black paw pads, and a very fluffy tail." He found her very attractive, her form testing the limits of his control. "Your beautiful, Holly." His voice softened. She leaned against him seeking his embrace, which he gave without a word.
"Genki, do you like how I look?"
"Yes, so much Holly. It's hard for me not to…"
"You desire me?"
"Yes, it's hard to stay in control."
"Perhaps… I can help with that."
"I some how doubt that's a good idea." He shivered as she stroked his abdomen, and then moved her hand lower. "Holly, you're playing with fire."
"Perhaps I'm attracted to fire like a moth to a flame." She whispered in his ear as she continued to touch him erotically.
"If I lose control I could hurt you…"
"I'm willing to take that chance, besides I have an idea of how to help you with that." She knew he was aroused by now; she smiled using her sense of touch to give him a good time.
When the couple returned Granity noted they seemed to be more trusting with each other.
"Holly, are you alright with being a Garou?"
"Yes, actually I was only half changed and I had Genki complete the change. I would rather be a Garou then some hybrid." Autumn Harvest smiled,
"He probably was too drugged to fully change you the first time."
"Yeah, that was what I thought too." Genki piped up. Autumn Harvest knew by scent what the couple had been up to but thought nothing of it considering they were mates after all.
"Holly, are you sure that…"
"Tiger, I don't have a choice. Besides I still have a human form. I just need to change once a month; doesn't have to be for too long either."
"Holly" The elder spoke again, "I and the pack would be more then happy to teach you what you need to know about your new form."
"Thank you, Autumn Harvest."
"Get some rest, Alphas." With that she left them. Genki smiled to the others and lead Holly up stairs to his, their, room. Holly slipped into bed with him grateful for his embrace.
"Genki thank you for being here for me, even though I was treating you badly."
"You're welcome Holly." He noted she dozed off in a few minutes time, knowing the change had taken a lot out of her. Lord please help her to see what you ask of her, And please forgive me for allowing myself to be seduced earlier tonight… in Jesus name, amen. He soon drifted off, holding the one he loved close.