.: A HOWLING LOVE :.

Chapter Six xx Shifter

The little hotel that the kunoichi had chosen arched elegantly between two small, shabby-looking vending operations; a pearl amongst a few old pebbles. It had an old, Victorian style to the newly-painted woodwork, what with the arching doorway, the two thick pillars straddling each side of the entrance, and the beautiful layering of the shingled roof. The building was mainly a sterile white color with a deep, sky-blue lining. Windows upon windows lined its side, most of which then blocked with creamy-vanilla, silk curtains.

To the right of the main entrance stood a nice little wooden sign reading the establishment's name: The Traveler's Inn. Beside it was painted a pair of leather hiking boots, both splattered crazily with painted mud. Underneath the title, sprawled out in messy red ink, were the words: "We Allow Pets" with a corny little smiley face scribbled beside it.

Haruno Sakura stood with her hands on her hips, staring awkwardly up at the motel with a slightly raised brow. At her side was the raven-black canine, who stood with a very discontent expression etched on his wolfish features as he glared critically up at the building. They both were in need of entering, for they were half-starved and in need of showers, (well a bath in Sasuke's case,) and the ability to sleep in a warm, soft bed also seemed pretty nice.

Sakura, however, was nervous about waltzing in with a wolf at her heels.

Would they allow wolves? Or a single wolf? Being honest, the Uchiha looked like anything but a tame, house-hold pet to be allowed indoors. He looked feral, his fur un-brushed, thick, and tousled as it was. As if to agree with this thought the Uchiha let a low, submissive growl curl up from his lips.

Sakura glanced sideways at the creature, flashing him a warning expression. She then spoke quietly, so as not to arouse too much suspicious from the passing villagers.

"Best behavior, okay? Or I might have to break out the leash." She giggled at the last part, her little failed stab at humor amusing her to great lengths, though she only succeeded in making the Uchiha's expression to contort into a mortified look of resentment. She beamed broadly, completely ignoring his stale glare before taking off in confident strides toward the big double-doors of the inn.

The woman behind the front desk regarded them with a quizzical expression, her tight eyebrows raised as she surveyed their striding entrance: average-height woman with bubble-gum pink hair with a very large black wolf padding behind her. It would have been a surprising sight for any normal human being, but somehow this strange woman in the lobby didn't seem at all phased by the sight of the duo. She actually looked a bit bored. The Haruno mused silently to herself on what the woman must have seen prior to their own appearance that would a wolf look so nonchalant, though she put it out of her as she made her way across the lobby.

The Haruno sidled up to the front desk and smiled curtly at the woman behind it, keeping her expression bland but polite. "I'd like to request a room, please." She tld her plainly, tucking a loose strand of her bubble-gum hair behind an ear in a vain attempt to appear somewhat presentable. Being out on missions had that nasty habit of turning her into a wild child of sorts, and frankly hhe would do well to take a nice, long shower with lots of soap and shampoo.

The woman handed her a key and a couple papers for her to sign, and Sakura in turn handed her a few bills then signed appropriately. Sakura then thanked the woman before she turned and continued through the lobby and out towards the stairs. The Uchiha padded quietly at her heels, his mind apparently elsewhere.

The room was number 209: second floor and all the way to the left. They let themselves right on in through the door, and instantly the harsh smell of cleaning solution, washing detergiant, and air conditioning hit them in a giant wave of pungency.

The Haruno wrinkled her nose. The Uchiha growled in distaste.

It was a good sized room; more of a small-sized apartment really. It consisted of three rooms: the bedroom, the living room/kitchen area, and the bathroom. Sprawled out just past the door was the living room, equipped with a large TV set, a coffee table, a long couch, a couple chairs, and a tall lamp. Along the wall was the small kitchen space, which essentially was a marble counter with a stove and sink on top, an oven beneath, and a microwave built into the wall above.

The next room was the bedroom, which was visible through an open doorframe across the room. Inside was a large, fluffy-looking king-sized bed, a nightstand, a very comfortable-looking leather couch, and another TV.

The restroom door was off to the right, door open only slightly so that the corner of the toilet was all that was visible.

All around, the place was pretty spacious. The walls were a warm vanilla color, the carpet patterned with rich greens, creamy yellows, and hazy reds. The two stepped beyond the boundary of the doorw, say and shut it behind them, surveying the room with two expressions of satisfaction.

"I think this will do," said the kunoichi smugly as she made her way to the bedroom, as if her exhausted body was being called towards the designated sleep area. She threw her backpack mechanically onto the couch , and flopped face-first into the lovely looking bed. Her whole body sighed into the pleasantly warm fabrics, and a large and blissful smile crept across the kunoichi's face as she closed her eyes just for a moment.

The faint padding sounds of the Uchiha trotting into the room forced the kunoichi to cave in to her pride and roll over to face him. He was eying her critically but didn't make a sound as he moved up towards the leather couchs, hopped up onto its shiny, milk-chocolate cushions, and laid himself down right on top. He perked his ears forward and lay his head upon his large paws and then continued to watch her carefully, though judging by his drooping eyelids he was fighting off slumber just as hard as she was.

The Haruno sighed and sat up groggily, kicking off her shoes simultaneously. She pondered what needed to be done before she could really enjoy a well-earned slumber, and she mentally began to tick the things off. They would need some food, and some more medical supplies and herbs. Oh yeah, and a shower. She grinned to herself as she fumbled for her backpack once more and retrieved an old pair of sweats and a little spagetti-strap, mint-green tank-top.

She glanced back at the Uchiha just as she was leaving the room, a smile spread across her lips. "I'm going to clean up a bit before I go get some food, will you be okay by yourself?" It was a silly question, of course the famous prodigy would be alright. But all the same, she found it rude to not ask, so she went ahead regardless.

Sasuke glared at her in response, flicking his tail irritably. The Haruno rolled her eyes and continued into the bathroom.

The shower felt amazing. Like all of the hot steam and silky-warm water was simply washing all of her troubles and worries away with the grit. She went ahead and washed her hair too, finding the pleasant smell of the melon and coconut shampoo and conditioner to be all-too inviting. She slipped on her clothes easily, ran her fingers through her soaked hair a few times, then quickly dashed from the steamy room.

The bedroom was exactly how she'd left it, spare the wolf. The creature was sound asleep, nestled between two cushions in a very canine-like fashion. His head was tucked comfortably between his paws, his tail curled protectively around his belly.

The kunoichi bit her lip as she surveyed her former teammate. He was frickin' adorable. God. She would definitely miss the whole animal thing. She smiled to herself sheepishly, crossing her arms thoughtfully over her chest. She felt a slight tinge of guilt at having the wolf sleep on the couch rather than on the much-more-comfortable bed, and felt her duty to at least offer the option to him.

Sakura approached the sleeping creature, surprised that her clumsy and not-at-all subtle footsteps didn't wake him. She frowned and crouched down next to him so that her gleaming emeralds were level with his closed onyxes. She watched his wet, canine nose flare and shrink with every come and go of breath and watched his pelt rise and fall along with the gentle rhythm...

The kunoichi bit her lip nervously and poked him right in the side with an extended index finger. His ear twitched off to the side for a moment, but quickly reverted back to its original position. Other than that he hadn't seemed to have noticed. She surpressed a giggle and poked him again, this time with a little more force to her jab. Again he didn't budge.

She really hadn't expected the Uchiha to be one for heavy sleeping.

So with a delighted grin spread across the contours of her expression, the Haruno scooped up the bundle of fur in her arms and deposited him lightly on the bed. Though the wolf did not open his eyes and hadn't seemed to awoken, a low subconscious growl passed through the cage of his teeth, and Sakura quickly backed away. But the creature merely scooched away from his previous position in the middle of the bed towards the pillows that leaned against the headboard. It was cute; the way in which he nestled himself between the pillows, burrowing his head into the comforter as he curled his legs and tail around himself.

Then his whole body seemed to release a large amount of tension, and his breathing shifted back into the calm and regular rhythm of sleep.

The kunoichi frowned at her sleeping conpanion, a soft expression glowing across her features. The poor guy must have really been exhausted, to be able to sleep as soundly as he was. She felt a tremendous amount of sadness for him, for she really only wanted what was best for him.

The pinkette reached out her hand and gave the wolf a good pat on the head before kicking on a pair of old flip-flops and turning away towards the awaiting door.

The grocery store was absolutely jammed with customers. The villagers flocked from aisle to aisle like bloody flies, picking things up from the shelves and then frowning before replacing them messily. The kunoichi had to push and shove her way through just to get to each section, and then once more to get her hands on the actual produce. Her little open-toed shoes proved to be very un-useful as well, and her little toes were all stepped on a good number of times.

Sakura managed to snag the very last jug of 1 milk before she dropped it in her shopping basket quickly and snaked her way through the throng without a second glance.

Milk, eggs, cheese, some instant ramen, and a large package of chicken to cook up for dinner. She paid the cashier quickly before flitting out the large sliding doors of Bargain Mart, jamming her few groceries into her shoulder-bag without a word.

Next was the medical store. The place was just a few houses down from the market, so it wasn't much of a walk. It was a shabby little store: a one-roomed building with two windows and one small front door. The Haruno pushed through this little green door and peered around the place nervously, raising an eyebrow at the layout.

Bottles and medicine jars took up about every inch of the darkened room's shelf space, cluttered and cramped together to conserve as much room as possible. Hanging from the ceiling with herbs in their raw state, all tied tightly onto the hanging ropes. Sakura had to duck to avoid running into them. There were a few candles illuminating a small table, on top of which a very large black cat sat, staring at her with gleaming yellow eyes. Its pupils were mere slights, practically glaring across the room at the kunoichi with a menacing aura of hate.

Sakura shrunk back, gripping her bag tightly.

"Excuse me? Is there anyone here?"

It happened so fast.

At one moment there was a cat, sitting very still on the table. It was jet-black, its fur thick and glossy. It's ears were straight and slightly cocked forward as it stared with beady yellow eyes right at her, and suddenly its expression tightened. And then a very small silver ring, which previouslyhad been looped around the end of its tail, was flicked right off to clatter to the wooden floor.

And then there was a woman, sitting very easily on the table in its place. Thin, model-like legs were crossed underneath folds of a dark-green-and-blue dress, delicate shoulders were hidden beneath a very expensive-looking, black jacket. Her hair was a golden, sun-kissed blond, falling in loose rivulets about her glowing face. She grinned a toothy grin at the Haruno, revealing a pair of two pointed curved and pointed kanines. Her eyes were a startling yellow, just as the cat's had been.

Sakura took too staggering steps back, her mind whirling as she fought to assess what the hell had just happened. She narrowed her eyes accusingly, her thin lips tightening into a thin line. "Who the hell are you?" she barked, her voice steady and defiant, yet with an underlying sort of caution.

The lady regarded her for a moment before running an idle hand through her river of locks, a deep pucker of of faux concern forming between her light brows.

"Well that's not a very polite way to address a shopkeeper," she mused in a high, chiming voice, her glossy lips turning upwards into an amused smile. She had a slight -- was it British? -- accent that became most prominent on some of the vowels, and the curt manor in which she addressed the kunoichi implied that she musn't have grown up in the Fire Country at all.

Her gleaming hues suddenly gave an ominous flash, catching the pinkette's attention once more. The blond then continued in a more friendly tone: "But my name is Yui."

The Haruno didn't move an inch as she scrutinized this strange, and possibly dangerous, shape-shifting individual. Was this woman to be regarded as a foe? Or was she trustworthy? Sakura's mind flickered to the very manner of the woman's shifting and the way in which she had almost faded into her current form from that of a cat. She stood very still, her hand grasping a hidden kunai in her weapons pouch as she strained to match this Yui's introduction.

She pointed to her self slowly, speaking in a distrusting voice. "Sakura."

The woman nodded, a very pleased expression spreading across her glowing face. She looked off to the side, now looking slightly dreamy and far-away. "Like the tree whose blossom are just so marvelously beautiful during the spring... What a charming namesake." She fingered a lock of hair before hopping off from a top of desk and flitting easily over to retrieve the ring that had bounced away earlier. She stuffed it quickly in one of her pocket before returning her watchful yellow gaze to her... customer.

"Since this is a shop, and you did walk in here on your own, is it safe to assume that you're looking for something...?"

But before the shopkeeper could continue the Haruno fired off a single question, her expression serious and still in quite a bit of shock. "How did you do that? How the hell did you change into a human from an animal?" Her voice was loud and slightly frantic. She felt like she was actually doing something now, like if she was able to get an answer it would bring her one step closer to helping her companion. She would be able to prove herself as more than just a mindless hindrance to him...

The woman sensed the urgency in her voice, and her playful expression became very serious. "I am under no obligation to tell you such things, and all I can rightfully say to you is that it is a sacred technique known only to members of my family -- and I have no intention of spelling the secret." Her voice was sharp, dagger-like. It sounded to the Haruno like she'd said that line many times during her lifetime. Now it was time to be very persistent.

"I need to know how you changed back. How you turned into a human without any hand-signs, seals, or scrolls!"

"Why would a simpleton like yourself care of such things?" The woman raised an annoyed eyebrow, examining one of her perfectly manicured nails boredly.

The Haruno was at a sudden loss for words. Could she tell this stranger? Explain herself to someone who might pose as a potential threat? But if it would save her old team mate, the caged raven that awaited her return back at the inn... Her expression shaped into one of confident determination. She would trade her own safety for his welfare. That was what it meant to be a teammate, a friend.

"I travel with a companion who has undergone a similar sort of transformation against his will, and though he is not a cat, I believe that the same restrictions may apply. I need to change him back." Her voice was thick, strong, and laced with a fierce, almost underlying sort of threat. The woman watched her briefly before another large smile erupted across her features. She giggled to herself, flicking that same old ring out of her pocket once more. Her eyes flicked open after being closed, filled with a sort of sly wit, the little slits that she had for pupils narrowing out until they were but slivers.

"Watch, little Blossom." The woman snaked her pinky finger through the jewelery quickly, grinning smugly.

A white flash, and the cat sat perfectly still on the floor, its tail flicking back and forth nimbly, the silver trinket now fitted perfectly around it. The Haruno watched with a fixed fascination.

Then the cat slid the ring right off and Yui again stood quite plainly in the room, her perfect hair and clothes the same as they'd been before. Sakura slowly connected the dots.

Ring on, animal, ring off, no animal. Sasuke-kun must have something... And then it hit her. His necklace. The clan necklace. The chain he'd had around his neck since he was just a kid. Could that...?

"Arigatou, Yui-san!" She bowed her head quickly before dashing out the way she'd come, her grocery bags swinging loosely at her hips.

The room was just as dark and silent as she'd left it.

Sakura placed her groceries on the small kitchen counter before hurrying into the bedroom, immediately slowing to a tiptoe as her eyes took in the sight of her sleeping companion. He was in almost the same position as how she'd left him in, only that he'd somehow nestled his way beneath a few sheets during his slumber so that he was nestled between a warm layer of blankets and a nice set of pillows. He seemed to be sleeping rather soundly, so the kunoichi was hesitant to wake him and tell him the news...

It suddenly occured to her that this plan of action might now work, and that her frantic run here might not have been the best solution. What would happen if the removal of his trinket wouldn't spell the end of his transformation? What if he didn't change back? What if...?

The pinkette held her breath. She would try. If she failed, then she would try something else. She would keep going until she succeeded. Her expression became lanced with her fierce willpower as she knelt down beside the bed.

The canine didn't stir, the only sign of his life being the gentle rise and fall of his chest. So the kunoichi reached out and with trembling fingers, latched onto his necklace and yanked.

-holds up shield- No killing author please. D:
I actually hate it when fanfiction-ers leave cliffhangers at the ends of their chapters when they update as sporadically as I do... so I apologize was my hypocrisy.

Sorry for such a late update, school has been really busy for me. I'll try to update with next chapter within the next few weeks.

As for the completion of this fanfic, I'm starting to have my doubts. I've got loads of other ideas that I'm keeping all bottled up because of this one, and I'd feel guilt if I started a new one just to leave the fans of this one out to dry. So I'm letting you know in advance that this story will most likely not be finished, and that if it does it will be over the next break from school. i.e. Christmas. I will still update every so often, but it will be a lot less often than I'm currently updating.

But NO NEED TO DESPAIR. I'm looking to start another fic that'll be even better and updated regularly! Woo! ;D

Are you guys okay with this predicament? If I get enough people who really want this to be finished I may just take it to heart.
Please review and thanks for reading!

--xxIndigo