The evening was coming faster than I wanted to, I only wished that this day was over. It was the second night for the second performance of Adler, it wasn't the fear of making sure that things would go smoothly that clouded my mind. But the fact that I still had a little uneasy feeling in my mind that something could go wrong between Legoshi and Bill since they would be performing together for this performance after last night's attack. As much as I tried to erase that thought from my mind and stay focus on my tasks, I couldn't help but think, maybe I should say something to Louis maybe get him to pick someone else to do the role. I know it would be a last-minute decision, but at least it would ease my mind knowing that a fight wouldn't break out.

No just keep calm Aayame, don't get yourself overwhelmed, just focus on your sewing. Dear god, what if something does go wrong? What if they get into a fight during the performance? If blood gets drawn, someone is going to get hurt or even worse. No, no Legoshi isn't the type to be revengeful, but would he? No, no he is too good for that. I know him, he is pure, genuine, reliable, handsome, tall...

I began to lose focus on my task, not even realizing my hands were mindlessly sewing the air instead of material, my eyes wander to the side of me to see Legoshi was sitting in the corner, going over his lines on the script in his hands. Trying to find the right tone to his character, but due to his introvert personality, he would stutter and repeat his lines again with a different tone.

I couldn't help but giggle. He was so cute knowing he was trying so hard to get the character right. But I knew in my heart that this must be a big challenge for him, hell if I was in his position right now, I would be having a full-blown panic attack having to perform on stage. I'd be choking on my own words. He was acting way calmer than how I would be, I envied him for that. But then again, it was pretty hard for anyone to read on what the grey wolf was really thinking, even myself. Sometimes I wonder what was going on in that beautiful mind of his and what he really was thinking. Maybe one day I will have him figured out.

Going back to my task, I finished sewing Legoshi's shirt for his costume, since my shoulder was stitched up from last night's attack, Dom didn't want to risk me tearing my stitches open while doing the spotlights. So, I was put on costume duty and helping with other simpler tasks around the stage. I didn't mind it much seeing as I was able to talk with other members of the stage crew and not be up on the cold bridge from last night. Speaking of talk, I was getting more comfortable now in talking with the other club members and surprisingly I was able to hold small conversations without feeling awkward or scared. It felt like even in the short amount of time I decided to come back, more and more species were starting to accept me. I know not all of them have, but it brought such a wonderful feeling, a feeling of acceptance, a feeling of belonging.

Lifting up the finished costume, I smiled with approval, wow this turned out even better than I thought how it would look than it did on my sketch pad. The colors blended perfectly together! I couldn't wait to see on how good it was going to look on Legoshi!

As time passes away, it gets closer towards the evening, I was helping Mina and Moro with last minute preparations setting up the stage for the first scene, with us talking and laughing every now and again. After we finished, I peeked out between the curtains and could see that every seat was filling up fast as students entered the auditorium. Wow! It looks so much different when you are down lower than on the bridge, it's a full house! Every student in school must be here! We better pull this one off otherwise Louis was going to have our heads.

Don't worry Aayame just breathe and everything will be fine

I followed my own advice telling myself to breathe as I took slow heavy breathes walking back behind stage and joined up again with Dom and the rest of the crew.

Damn calm down girl, you already got stitches in your shoulder, you don't need to add a panic attack on top of it!

My thoughts were interrupted when Bill appeared dressed in the Grim Reaper's costume. "Nearly showtime", Sanu says "Sleep well?"

"Sure, why not?"

But then I saw Legoshi began sniffing the air, it's like something in the air caught his attention. I sniffed the air to see if I could smell what he was smelling, but I could smell nothing. But then again, the animals here could smell way better than I could, probably could smell each from miles away. I began to wonder what he could be sniffing out that I couldn't, but then he turns to stare at Bill, who was looking creeped out by the behavior. "Huh? What is it?"

The wolf raised an eyebrow to the feline and Bill chuckles nervously. "Louis and I were just down the hall gossiping about you, nothing bad!"

Legoshi began to stalk towards him and begins to sniff him aggressively. A look of concern comes to my face, and I could sense by seeing his body language that it wasn't good. He has found something, but what?

"Woah hey! You're making me nervous pal!"

"Bill..."Legoshi says, his voice cold yet demanding. This isn't how he normally talks, something was wrong "You..."

"Ah! I have to hit the bathroom real quick!" And with that the tiger took off running, Legoshi began to follow

"Excuse me for a second"

I quickly rushed up to the wolf, taking a grip on to his forearm

"Legoshi?"

"Stay here..." Giving me a protective look his hand pushed firmly, but gently on my shoulder back till he followed after Bill

"Hurry! We go on in 10!", Dom called out

Legoshi what's going on? What did you smell?

Inside of the male restroom, Legoshi had cornered the feline and every muscle inside of his body was filled with tension, something that was on the male tiger's person has triggered him. "Oh following me to the bathroom huh? You're in love with me now or something?"

"Tell me, what do you have?" The wolf held his hands tightly into fists, walking menacingly up to Bill

At first the big cat was confused as to what the wolf was on about, but then he just started to chuckle. "I should've known that a wolf like you would be able to sniff it out. Do you want a taste? Is that what this is?"

He reached for something in his costume coat and whilst Legoshi was trying to focus on the scent that was coming from the tiger, something about it smelt familiar to him.

What is that?

Then suddenly as the tiger takes a small bottle out of his coat, he realized what was triggering his aggression. How could he forget that smell? It was the smell of her scent. Honey and cherry blossoms.

Inside the bottle is a red liquid, tinged with an irony stench to it. "That's-"

"Mutant blood" The tiger finished his sentence

It's Aayame's blood. How did he get that?

"Hey, it goes without saying, but it's not like I intentionally hurt her to get it. Got samples of it while living the thrill of the chase and even more from the towels from the trash in the medical wing to squeeze out. According to a senior, who is a bit of a rebel, guess mutant's blood has more of a unique taste for carnivores than any species of herbivore blood. It just helps to get you going, you know? You have to understand, this was an emergency! Or was it simply just a chance of opportunity to be able to know what a freak tastes like!

Legoshi was an entirely different state of mind, as his blood furiously pumps through his veins.

That's her blood! That's her blood!

The same flashback flashed before his eyes yet again. That night when he discovered her and his instincts. Over and over again, he would see what could have played out had he lost control and let his predatory instincts take over his mind. The amount of blood was overwhelming, the gaping wound on her throat caused by the sharp fangs he possessed dripping with her blood and the amount of saliva leaking from the sides of his mouth.

He may not have let it get that far, but he still was the reason she sustained an injury on her arm, and that she still has no idea that he was the monster who had attacked her that very night.

Filled with an almost uncontrollable rage, Legoshi approached Bill and pounced on the feline, body slamming against the wall. His body rigged with aggression and violence. His sharp fangs exposed, and a loud growl escaped his throat.

"Hey take it easy! Hear me out! It's easy to live like you, lurking in the shadows. But unlike you, I want the spotlight! This is justifiable doping, that's all! But why would you understand, when you avoid the truth and act like a fool for the sake of the herbivores and that horned girl!"

With the power that he possesses, he quickly switched places with the wolf and threw him against the wall with a snarl. With carnivorous animosity, Bill adjusts the black cloak around his body and leaves with confidence, leaving the growling grey wolf alone.

He's got a point. I've got no right to judge.

He then remembers what Louis had told him before.

Why don't you take responsibility for your own strength?

I'm tired of running.

I hummed softly as I adjusted a spotlight, angling it right towards the center of the stage and checking the lighting was functioning properly. Perfect! The lighting was nice and bright!

I still couldn't help but be a little worried, I haven't seen Legoshi or Bill come back yet to the stage after they had run off as I looked back towards the door where they had left through, I wondered what all that was about. I only hoped it wasn't as bad as I thought it could be.

Kibi watched the girl from a distance curiously getting the last of the spotlights ready in the backstage area. The anteater had heard about the many rumors that had spread very quickly throughout the school about this unknown species and just from observing and watching her over the last couple of days, it proved him wrong of who she really was by seeing her interacting with students and doing tasks with the rest of the art department. She wasn't acting violent let alone aggressively, she actually sounded very gentle.

She looked sweet too but was shown to have a protective side to her. Almost like a mother figure. Like last night how she stood up to Bill, one of the biggest and strongest carnivores in the club. She sure was brave to do that. And even watching how she defended Legoshi in the cafeteria that morning when stopping a fox from punching at the wolf. He was amazed on how fast she got in between them and showed no fear against another carnivore. But despite being afraid of her at first, the horned mutant started to spark an interest in the anteater about her species and would like to hopefully get to know more about her.

"All good on your side Aayame?"

"Yes Kibi, all spotlights are ready to go!"

"Great! If this performance is a success, Louis will be pleased!"

"That's the goal!"

"Great, we are done up here! Let's head down!"

"Lead the way!"

Following behind Kibi making my way down the ladder the show was about to start any minute and already I could hear the excited muffled talking from behind the closed curtain. As my feet touched the ground and barely turning around, a soft gasp escaped my lips as my eyes fell upon the wolf that came walking out from the changing room.

Wow...Legoshi, you look so...amazing!

I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't even hear Dom calling my name, as my eyes were locked on to the wolf in the villain costume I created. I couldn't stop the wide dreamy smile that was forming on my lips looking at him with awe. Even with him looking so dark and mysterious, he looked so handsome.

"Aayame!"

Dom waved his feathered hand in front of my face making me snap out of my thoughts before looking to the peafowl. "Oh, sorry Dom, got a little distracted"

"I was saying make sure Legoshi's outfit fits him right before we send him out, okay?"

"Oh of course Dom, I will do that!"

"By the way, when you showed me your design from earlier this afternoon, I never would expect for a villain to look like the way you made it"

"Sometimes the most expected looks can be really unexpected, I mean take a look at me for example"

"You hold a good point, but I like it!"

It was now show time!

Despite acting all cocky from earlier practice, I could sense that Bill was obviously nervous, but he did a pretty good job of hiding it I had to admit. I know Bill was good at acting, but I just only hoped that Louis had made the right decision in choosing Bill for the part. But I tried to stay positive.

As Legoshi and I stood in the darkness on the side of the stage, I couldn't help but blush feeling him being so close to my side. It was so hard not to look at him because of how incredibly amazing he looked in the costume. I tried to focus on the play, but it was a losing battle as my eyes kept darting up to look at him. My mind was being consumed by this wolf. "Aayame?"

I flinched in surprise as I heard his deep voice so close to my ear, seeing he was bent over in direct eye contact with me.

"Oh s-sorry...It's almost my turn, how's the costume looking?"

The wide cut white shirt was exposing part of his strong chest, giving him an elegant yet fierce looking appearance. His dark baggy pants create a contrast to the clean shirt. I had decided not to give him any shoes, since I didn't want too much noise to be made while moving across the stage and to give him a better grip while doing the scene. Even the claws on his feet were even sharp as the claws on his hands. The dark red cape falls perfectly across his shoulders, and a final touch was the white linen bandage wrapped around his head covering his right eye.

Perfect...absolutely perfect

"Oh uh, l-looks great, do y-you feel comfortable? D-Did I make anything too tight?"

He shook his head and with that, it loosened the bandage around his eye, making me giggle seeing it landed on his snout. "Oh here, let me fix that"

I stood up on my tip toes trying to reach, but it didn't help that I was half the size of the tall wolf. "Here, is this better?"

He knelt down on his knees coming down to where now I was standing over him. Blushing immensely, I reached with my hands and was able to fix the bandage making it more secure. "Much better, thank you"

His eyes were focused on me the whole time I was doing my task; I tried so hard not to make it look like I wasn't staring at him, but after last night's events...

I noticed his tail wagging rapidly behind his back and couldn't help but giggle internally to myself.

Oh my god, I can't get over on how cute that is! He is so adorable when he does that!

"There that should do it"

As my hands moved away after tightening the bandage, my eyes had forced themselves to look towards him and then it's when I noticed on how close we were like before. I honestly thought after last night that things between us would be awkward and maybe a little uneasy, I mean I know we kissed a little, okay maybe it was a lot, I mean after all there was tongue involved. But the way he was looking at me, he looked so intrigued; his eyes were solely focused on me. Was this the turning point? Was this true? That the feelings were mutual?

If it wasn't for the performance right now, my only want was to be able to kiss him again. To know if this really was real.

But as my mind was going through all these thoughts, I flinched slightly feeling Legoshi's hand gently brush up against mine. As big as it may be against my small one, it felt so strong and nimble, but yet gentle at the same time. My fingers mindlessly entangle with his, letting his claws encase around it, bringing me closer towards him.

Legoshi, are you-?

My feet followed his guidance willingly till my hands came to rest on his chest gasping internally. Wow his chest felt so strong, so toned. My fingers were able to get a small outline of his strong pectorals, even under his fur, they felt tight and so...manly. I couldn't help but look at the cream-colored fur of his chest my mind growing curious on how far it went down. Of course, my boldest of moves was that I began to lean over him, arching my shoulders slightly. I could see Legoshi was rising quickly up higher on his legs, I immediately began to panic and pull back thinking I had just made him uncomfortable. But he eased that thought as he stopped me by placing his other hand on my upper back, till we were perfectly face to face. His hand now moved from my back till it came to rest on the side of my head, his claws combing through my hair. "A-Aayame...is this?"

"Ok? Y-Yeah...more than okay"

Her hair it feels so soft and smooth like flower petals. Her scent is so overwhelming right now like when we kissed. Aayame I just want to-

But before anything could happen Dom was urging Legoshi forward saying it was almost his time to go on for his part. I could feel his hand leaving reluctantly away from me, his claws barely dragging along my skin. Dom looked behind his shoulder giving me a suggestive look before nodding towards Legoshi.

I couldn't help but blush deeply in my cheeks and smile coyly.

Legoshi's slouched stance now stood tall and strong in his powerful posture as he walked through the darkness, waiting for his turn on the stage, ready to face his opponent. "Legoshi...", I softly call out as he turns to look at me "You can do this, I believe in you!"

"Thank you"

With a nod he turns and steps forward, and without her knowledge and to the rest of the cast and crew, and the audience, his eyes were growing darker and darker filling with feral rage as he locked on to his target.

"Ellen", Bill says "If you're the thorn of the rose I desire to seek, even I, the Grim Reaper, would give up my life! It's okay, there's nobody after you now!"

"Is he okay out there?" Els asks, with worry on her face

"Yeah, I think he's doing wonderfully" Sheila claims

I noticed Legoshi was starting to move forward past Sanu, Els and Sheila. Wait he wasn't supposed to go on just yet! What was he doing? No Legoshi! Not yet! Your part is not on! Oh no, please don't tell me he is about to do what I think he is about to do!

But when he walked past the curtain and on to the stage, his gaze was solely focused on the tiger. My heart had dropped to my knees; my worst fears were about to be realized!

"Hey! Huh? Legoshi?" Sanu tries to stop him but to no avail, Legoshi just continues to walk on

And like a beast that any carnivore could be, born and raised in the shadows, he steps into the light with vengeance written all over his face. Like a god, his cape trailing behind him slowly.

What was his goal tonight? To destroy the false Grim Reaper bathing in the light of pride.

Okay Bill. If you say that consuming Aayame's blood is justifiable performance enhcament...then show me what it does!

"You must be the last demon" Bill drew out his sword, ready to face Legoshi

I'll destroy every part of you!

Against his judgement and the script, Legoshi lets his weapon fall to the ground and sprints towards the tiger, using his speed to his advantage. With powerful force, he punches Bill in the face and effectively knocks him back a couple of feet.

Oh no!

Gasping I rushed forward pushing my way through the others viewing the growing fight happening in front of us. Struggling to get back to his feet the feline, with the skull mask still on his head, he turns to the wolf, who was already approaching him with a deep feral growl. "Wait, hold on. What's wrong with you?!"

He whispers to try not to make it too obvious for the audience and held up a hand in surrender. However, the grey wolf was relentless and pounced on him once again, now both landing further down the stage with Legoshi on top, his grey orbs filled with ferocity. "I won't ever forgive you, for what you did to her!", Legoshi growled, pulling a fist back

I gasped with fear as Legoshi brought another punch out to make it collide with Bill's face with a high velocity of speed and power. "Stop them! Now!" Sheila urging Sanu, who looked too scared to move an inch

"Why don't you try?!"

"Uh...I don't think so"

The bloodied skull mask is ripped off of the tiger's head and thrown back, landing in just right at the base of my feet. Looking down in horror, the familiar first blood curdling scream that I would always remember began to echo in my ears. That was the start of my reign of terror. My first killer move, I remembered it too well. How the sound of a monster's arm being torn away from its body as it landed on the ground with a wet splat, the smell of blood lingering in the air. Grounded defenselessly in my restraints before I...before I...decapitated them. I would never forget the sound of the head rolling towards me, the blood that pooled at my feet soaking my toes. That was the moment I discovered how truly dangerous I could be, and it would be the end of so many lives...

Gasping in fright, my eyes looked back up to see the fight growing more intense, tears began to roll down my face as see Legoshi punches Bill in the face over and over again. I could hear the sound of bone being crushed repeatedly, as memories began to flash in front of me to the senseless beatings I would receive on a daily basis, the huge leather gloved fist that would hit me repeatedly.

I would be that little girl crying chained to the wall, the degrading names that were repeatedly said about me every time I would receive a breath-taking blow. I don't even remember how many times any one of the monsters would hit me till I finally lost consciousness and hours later I would wake up feeling bones shift under my skin and blood pooling under my head, leaving huge bruises that pulsed painfully. The cruelty was unimaginable.

Legoshi...Legoshi! Please! Don't do this! Please stop!

The stomach wrenching sound of his knuckles hitting the flesh and bone echoed in my head, my fists gripped my hair painfully, trying to silence the noise. Falling to my knees, I curled up tightly trying to silence out all the noise the familiar sound of monsters screaming in horror, the sounds of gun shots, my crying child self, and the sounds of Legoshi grunting and yelling. I hadn't even realized that Els, Sheila and Sanu had surrounded me and trying to comfort me in this time of panic.

Please! Please! Stop this! Stop this! What do I do?! What do I do?!

Then a voice answers me.

So, you come to me for advice?

Don't fucking play with me like that!

My touchy, touchy...

Please tell me what to do! He is going to kill him! I can't let him!

I glanced at the violent scene and see Bill had stopped the wolf's attacks with his hand, engulfing the much smaller canine's fist. "That's enough Legoshi" Bill struggling to speak as his face was bloodied and beaten

Trapped in a never-ending battle, slowly standing up, pushing against one another, each determined to be the stronger carnivore. "Is this some kind of punishment? Do you think you're the perfect carnivore? Well, let me tell you that you're not!"

You know what you can do...

Anything but that, I just can't!

In a matter of a second, Bill was overpowering Legoshi and traps him in a life-threatening embrace. The wolf's face is illuminated by the spotlight with Bill's back cloak hiding his back and facing the audience.

Do you want that tiger to kill the one who you love so much? You feel the power coursing through your veins, how it runs through every part of your body. You are stronger than any of those carnivores without you even lifting a finger...

"You've smelled mutant blood before, isn't that right?"

Bill's hold tightens, forcing a gasp of pain from the canine, making me gasp in fright.

"Was it your prey? Did you kill it?"

As he struggled in the arms of the tiger, flashes of her began to flood his mind. Her knelt stance beside him as they visited Tem's memorial, her flowing hair blowing softly in the wind smiling up to him in the garden, and the first kiss they shared on the trail from last night.

I-I...

"Now, silence!" The feline resumes his lines "After all, remember, you've got blood on your hands too!"

Pain engulfs the wolf quickly as Bill dragged his claws across his back, penetrating through the skin and flesh.

"No! Legoshi!"

I had to stop this! I tried to make a run for them both, but the clasps of the goat, pelican and leopard hands behind me gripped my arms stopping me from doing so. "No Aayame you can't! You will be hurt!" Sanu says as I struggled in their grips

Like a moth drawn to the light, you know you want to...if you think shutting out everything will make it all stop, you are wrong. You held back for over thirteen years when you could of have everything you wanted back. You even could have saved your own mother...

My mother's pained cries flooded my ears as she bled from her wounds. My child self was screaming for her as monsters in heavy armored suits dragged me away in an iron vice like grip.

The first drop of blood from Legoshi hits the stage, the sound of it exploded in my ear drums. That sound, it sounded like the very bullet that took my life all those years ago.

"Legoshi!"

The girl tried to scream by the clasp of the leopard's hand muffled her cry as not to alert the audience on the other side.

D-Damn it. It's so warm...the blood dripping down my back.

"You need to calm down from my sake. This is the proof of our bond. We both have stripes we'll wear with pride!"

No Legoshi!

What's it going to be Aayame? Will you fight or hide?

My body began to violently shake, a breathy growl escaped my lips, as I continued to struggle against the restraints of the animals holding me back. My dilated pupils fixating on the tiger before me.

I have to get to him! I can't be the reason someone suffers because I didn't do anything!

The tiger's claws dug deeper into Legoshi's flesh, going nearly past the muscle. The spotlight is bright and hot on his face, it blinds him for a few moments, just like the pain he was suffering now. He groans in pain as more blood escapes his wound and hits the floor with a splatter.

The blood of a carnivore. I am just like him. It's warm...yet it revolts me. I have always struggled with blood...even with my own.

"Legoshi, you can barely stand. Give up now and the show will be back on track...just fall to the ground!"

And when the feline finally lets him go, with a heavy thud Legoshi weak from the pain and the injury, falls to the wooden floor of the stage. As he laid there barely conscious, a fallen version of myself flashes before my eyes as I laid on the ground, the heavy metal helmet around my head slightly cracked as blood began to pool from underneath my battered and bloodied body, my last stand in that world. My vision flashes back now to the fallen wolf, tears violently were flooding down my face as I began to hyperventilate, my fingers dug deep into the wooden planks of the stage to the near point of splintering from my uncontrollable anger.

"Pathetic wolf! Surrender to your fate!"

Leaning in closer, the feline whispered, "I'm the star, let me land the final blow, understand?!"

With an evil grin on his face, the tiger roughly places his boot onto Legoshi's chest, earning another painful breathy gasp as Bill lifts up his sword ready to strike!

I am not weak, I will not hide, I will...FIGHT!

With a high-pitched scream still muffled by Sheila's hand covering my mouth, I threw out my arm with a violent punch as two vectors emerged from my back and strike quickly seeking their victim. One grabbed a hold of Bill's wrist twisting it violently to the left, making Bill yell out in pain as his grip on the sword released as it toggled to the ground. The other vector forced him back gripping him by the neck as he hung in the air, his legs kicking violently gasping for breath. Legoshi slowly gasps for breath as the heavy weight relieves him. The crowd gasping in amazement as many loud whispers flooded the air.

My vector grabbed a hold of Bill's arm and with a clench of my fist, my weapons twist the feline's body in opposite directions, the scream Bill gave as I could hear the bones of his skeleton crack, before two more vectors emerge slithering on the floor underneath Bill's back before shooting up coming into contact with his spine, a breathing taking gasp escaped from him as I slammed him to the floor, the boards threatening to break under his weight.

As Bill's body landed on the stage, out of nowhere Louis appears on stage without his crutches, lifting the sword and skull mask in his hands. "You are having way too much fun"

Retracting my vectors back as they disappeared, the distraction gave me just long enough to escape the restraint of everyone as I grabbed a heavy black cloak from a rack beside me and throw it over my body, pulling the hood over my head as I ran on to the stage.

The audience explodes with awe and amazement

"Unfortunately, you're going to have to play the villain now"

"Louis..." I softly whisper

He turns slightly to see my disguised form under the hood, panting softly. He gave me a firm nod before turning his attention back to Bill. "My hidden but wise friend should have ended you, but it's my destiny, I know who you are!"

In one quick movement he slips the skull mask on and points his weapon at Bill. Louis attacks at the tiger, purposefully missing him as the audience squeals with excitement. While Louis was busy dealing with Bill, I ran towards the unconscious Legoshi kneeling down beside him and carefully lifting his head up slowly till it rested on my lap, my hands coming to cradle his head and cheek. "Legoshi..."

"Aayame" Louis whispered "Leave the rest to me, don't let the audience see his back, keep him still"

Still shaken by the ordeal I was able to nod slowly, "Do what you have to do..."

"Let me show you imposter, who the real Grim Reaper is! Back down if you're not prepared! The many sins you've committed! I know about them all! Why don't you drink my blood too?"

His confidence was so strong, he really made himself out to be the hero of this story. I don't know how he got here and how he was able to stand on his leg but thank god he was here! As Louis went on with the performance, I turned my attention back to Legoshi, his chest rising weakly going up and down from the shaky breathing, I can feel some of his warm blood soak into the cloak that hid me from view against my thighs. How that feeling made me tremble.

His eyes slowly began to flutter open before they came into contact with mine. Horror flashed through the wolf's eyes as silent tears trickled down my cheeks.

I couldn't believe how violent Legoshi really could be deep down inside, it's like he became a whole other person, the wolf that I have come to adore, I didn't even recognize him. I guess even the ones who even look remotely innocent and harmless, can be even dangerous deep down inside. But who I am to judge? I am no angel; I am no saint. I used my vectors again and I almost took a tiger's life just to save Legoshi's, but even to my surprise I didn't. I still somehow managed to keep my promise. To not kill, to thrive, to be better.

Legoshi's ears lowered in shame, his eyes shut looking away from her frightened expression. Immense guilt washing over his mind and soul. How did he lose so much control? And for what reason? How could she even be near him right now?

But when he felt the soft tender hand of her touch his face, turning him back to face her. Her beautiful crystal eyes bore into his soul as her head lowered closer to him, till he could smell her sweet scent fill his nostrils calming his nerves. "Aayame..."

"I am so sorry; I should have done something...I"

"Mei, don't..."

His hand gently came to rest on her wet cheek, each both slowly moving closer and closer almost connecting lips till the sound of Louis's voice interrupted the pair. "That's how you'll become a true Grim Reaper!"

Bill staggers backwards as Louis words echo throughout the auditorium. "Now leave! I have no time for imposters!"

The feline leaves the stage with his midnight cloak swishing behind like a shadow, disappearing from sight. Only Louis, Legoshi and I are left on the stage...the hero, the villain, and the mutant.

The spotlight focuses on all three of us. "Now, you'll disappear along with the morning dew. Along with the withering me and my wise friend"

He turns to the both of us and eyes me. His honey golden eyes, filled with gratitude. His hand reaching out to me. I looked towards at it with awe, before Louis spoke. "My friend, seeing as you were the one who aided to vanquish the true evil, help bring him to me..."

Taking a hold of Legoshi's hand carefully and helping him to sit up slowly, my hand gently slid down gripping Legoshi's wrist guiding his hand up to Louis'. "It's okay, you're alright now"

Louis' delicate hands...ordering me to stand tall.

With little effort, the deer is able to pull the grey wolf to his feet as I slowly stood up behind the pair. "My friend, join us both"

I made my way forth and stood in between Legoshi and Louis as we stood before the audience applauding endlessly with amazement. In the moment, I was relieved that this nightmare was finally over, I was so grateful that this performance was saved just in time before becoming a true tragedy.

My instincts as much as I despise you, in this moment I am grateful for you.

Louis, Legoshi and I stood before the loud cheering audience as Louis stood bold and proud of his performance. He was getting what he has worked for, the audience was making sure of that. I then felt the grip of his hand taking my own making me look towards him. "This...this is for you too; you earned what you did"

What? Did he really just say that? The clapping was for me too? I wasn't so sure how to react. Should I be happy? Thrilled? Proud? Well, I mean I did stop a fight scene from getting out of control, but to be praised and cheered for it? I looked on to see the many faces of students cheering with bright smiles, some were even crying in awe. Even though they couldn't see who was hiding under the cloak, a sense of pride rushes over me, I couldn't help but smile.

Wow! So I guess that's what it feels like...to be in the spotlight

"Are you two out of your minds?!"

Louis was sent back to recover and rest after saving the performance. Now along with me and the rest of the cast and crew members, we were able to get Legoshi and Bill down to the medical wing to get their wounds treated. Dom was currently wrapping Legoshi's back whilst Dolph was treating Bill's beaten face. "What were you two thinking?! To go out there and to rip each other apart like savages?!"

Sheila was infuriated as she scolded the two carnivores sitting on the medical beds. Even though I wasn't injured, after we had gotten off the stage when the curtain dropped, the aftermath of my panic attack had caught up to me making me fall out of exhaustion and unfortunately throw up from the stress of it all. I was made a bed, a heavy blanket was wrapped around my body to keep me warm, a cup of warm tea was in my hands that Els made me to calm my nerves and stomach.

"In front of the entire school?! In front of your herbivore classmates?! In front of Aayame!"

She comes to my side her arm going around me protectively as if to shield me from anymore kind of stress that could come my way. My eyes wandered towards Legoshi, my body still shivering from the shock as I held the blanket tighter around me with my fist. His ears dropped further on to his head and without others hearing it, I heard him whimper quietly, sounding like a sad and lost puppy.

He sees how emotionally distraught she looked, her body shivering uncontrollably. How red her eyes and cheeks were from distress.

I-I'm the cause of that...I never want to see her like that again...ever

"Did you see how Bill was floating in the air like that?! What was that?!" Els said

Oh no she is talking about me! "Yeah, you were floating in the air, and nothing was even there! Maybe it was a ghost or something!", Dolph says

A ghost? Right...no one had the capability to be able to see my vectors, only I possessed that advantage, like a snake, my vectors were a silent predator, able to strike at any given moment and disappear without a trace.

"Well, whatever it was, I am glad it happened, Bill you nearly could have killed Legoshi, you were out of control! You are lucky no one had seen the blood that was Legoshi's back otherwise everyone would have been running out of that auditorium in a panic! Aayame here, we couldn't even help her due to her having a full-blown panic attack, I thought any of us could have possibly hurt her for how hard she was fighting to get out there! We all wanted to make her feel welcomed into the club and this is what she gets?! A full-on blood fight?! She is probably petrified of you two now! Now drama club is probably going to get shut down for sure because of you!"

"Sheila..." I place my hand on her hand around me as she panted heavily with anger, before she could speak another word. I set my tea down on the table beside me and I slid down from the bed till my feet touched the floor, wobbling as I nearly lost my footing again. With the help of Sanu, I was able to stabilize myself as Els came to my other side, helping me stand properly. Giving each a grateful smile, before my exhausted expression returns, I continued my way towards Legoshi, still keeping the blanket wrapped around my frame as it dragged on the floor behind me.

"Aayame, I-I'm so sorry, I didn't-"

But I ignore his apologetic words, as my arms wrap around his shoulders, letting my face bury in the crook of his neck, being mindful of his injuries. Hearing the quiet whimpers emit from the wolf, only made me tighten my embrace, his soft fur tickled my face. The soothing scent of oak and cinnamon of the wolf calms my nerves as it fills my nostrils. "I thought...I thought I had lost you...I should have never let you out there"

I can feel fresh new tears forming behind my closed eyes as they trickled softly down my cheek. "It's my fault..."

Slowly I felt his arms held me close to his injured body, his face buried into my hair, his hands holding a grip on to my shoulder and back of my head. "I'm so sorry...", He whispered softly

I sniffled softly as we held on to each other for the longest time, neither one of us letting up, comforting each other from the trauma we just faced. I have seen many horrible things in my life, been through the worst kind of torture, but nothing as much as what I had seen tonight could compare. I thought I was going to watch someone whom I have come to love be killed right in front of me and I almost didn't do anything about it. In this moment, I was glad my instincts were there, to give me back my strength to fight, I realize now he was my reason to do more, to protect, to defend. Maybe my instincts were in fact not only a curse, but a blessing in disguise.