Chapter Seven- The Bullies

Zane watched the videos of himself from last night and smiled slightly. "So, I didn't go to all fours and it seems I walked instead of crouched except for when I was hunting and when I nosed your hand, Atticus."

"Maybe because there were two of us, you retained more of your humanity…or perhaps it was because it was the last full moon of the month," Atticus said.

"It could be a little of both," Zane said. "So, if I let two in on my secret, perhaps I won't act like a wolf as much."

"Going on the assumption that one will be your manager," Atticus said. "Who would the other be?"

"I'm not sure. Perhaps the limo driver?"

Atticus laughed while Syrus giggled. Zane had an amused smile of his own. "Don't worry. I'll figure someone out. I could have you during the summer break, Sy."

"Yeah and maybe I'll help you choose a second person."

"That sounds like a plan," Atticus said as he stood and stretched. "Well, I'll see you later. There's a beach with waves calling me and no doubt some pretty girls I can impress with my surfing." He gave a wink as he left.

The brothers exchanged rolling eyes, Zane with a little difficulty, before also standing and stretching. "So, what are your plans for today?" Zane asked.

"Ja will probably want to duel. I usually cheer him on as I watch or I end up dueling him and losing."

"Not to sound condescending, but that's to be expected."

"I know and afterwards, Ja and I look through my deck and find ways to improve it."

"Good. That's one way to get better at the game and so does having confidence in oneself and his cards."

"And that's why you're so good."

Zane chuckled. "Sy, I did lose when I first started playing. It wasn't as if I picked up a deck and instantly knew every strategy needed to win with it."

Syrus smiled at this. Zane and he rarely talked like this, so casually and friendly. Although they didn't talk much, Syrus knew Zane loved him and cared deeply for him. He had proved that when he lost to Camula in order to save Syrus' soul. It had been touching to know how much Zane cared for him and even being told that he did belong at the school. That had meant the world to Syrus.

Syrus didn't noticed that Zane had paused to enjoy the smell of the forest in his normal state of mind. He was busy re-thinking their recent conversation and was considering actually dueling Jaden when he felt himself being shoved from behind. He stumbled and hit the ground before turning over to see three Obelisk boys sneering down at him.

"Well, well, what do we have here? A trespasser," one mocked.

Syrus glared back. "I'd back off if I was you," he said. "Zane will be out here any minute."

"Zane? As in the half-wolf freak? You seriously think we're afraid of him? Once we respected him, but now he's a freak and representing our school. That is insulting."

"What?" Syrus said, confused. He knew that most students edged away from Zane the last three days due to the moon. Were three days really enough to turn his dorm against him? I doubt Zane's aware of that.

A sudden kick to his stomach made Syrus gasp and curl up in a ball. There were snickers above him and more kicks to his body occurred. Syrus put his arms over his head to protect it and more laughter was heard. He felt himself being grabbed and hoisted off his feet and he opened his eyes to see that he was being held by the tallest one, thought he wasn't as tall as Zane.

"How did Duel Academy allow someone as pathetic as you to get in? I suppose it's because of your brother who is just a beast now," sneered the only one who had spoken thus far. He slammed a fist into Syrus' stomach again, making him cry out and knowing Zane would hear him. There was more laughter that was cut off by a low, angry voice.

"Let go of my brother," Zane said from behind them.

All three looked back to see Zane striding toward them from the forest. He made an impressive figure despite his dirty uniform. His tail moved slightly as he made his way to the group. The three bullies exchanged looks before their spokesman said, "Actually, I don't think we will."

"What?" Zane was taken aback. He hadn't expected these three to refuse him; they had always listened to him before. What had changed?

"We don't listen to you anymore, Zane. Everyone in Obelisk has had three days to think and talk and the majority has decided that you are not worthy of representing the dorm or the school."

"Not worthy?" he repeated, hardly believing what he was hearing.

"That's right," a second one said before punching Syrus in the chest and he cried out.

The sound of his brother in pain and the bullies laughing at it caused a haze of anger to descend on Zane's mind. He growled in hat and his tail bushed out as he seized he one who had just punched Syrus. His claws punctured the jacket as he growled in the boy's face. "You will be sorry for hitting my brother," he snarled. "You will all be sorry," he added to the other two.

The one holding Syrus dropped him and Syrus hit the ground before scrabbling back from his brother and the bullies. Zane is really angry, Syrus thought. I've never seen him this mad. Oh, man! It's his wolf half that's making him this way! I need to stop him before he attacks them!

Zane's eyes stared at the bullies with all the intensity they possessed as he brandished his claws and tried to figure out which one would suffer first. Ultimately, it doesn't matter. They will all pay for hurting Syrus.

"Zane! Stop! Don't hurt them!" Syrus cried as he interposed himself between the angry half-wolf and the trembling Obelisks.

"They hurt you," Zane growled. "I will not tolerate that."

"But hurting them in return is not the answer. Please Zane; for me, let it go!" Syrus threw himself around Zane's waist.

Some of the intensity in his eyes faded as he looked down at Syrus clinging to his waist. He looked at the bullies and saw the holes in one of their jackets. His hands were still up and he brought them down. He closed his eyes and slowly exhaled before saying calmly, "You three. Get out of here." He heard them fleeing the scene and he reached back to his tail and smoothed it down.

"Zane?" Syrus asked.

"I'm fine now, Sy," he said in his normal tone. "I just…can't believe what I had considered doing."

"I think it was your wolf half," Syrus said. "They are protective of their pack. You were wanting to keep me from getting hurt further."

"I could have done that without losing my temper. I am usually very calm."

"But they weren't going to listen. They told me that most of the dorm thinks you're a…freak."

Zane's mind reeled at this. Freak? They see me as a freak? "How long have they been thinking this?"

"Three days they said."

"Three days. The full mon cycle." Zane shook his head. His dorm mates had edged away from him the last three days because of the moon and now they saw him as a freak. Zane inwardly whined.