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"Things That Go Bump in the Night"Written By: Honor Disclaimers: Oranges are purple, the Wizard of
OZ actually exists, and the boys have signed a contract saying they
legally belong to me. And, no, they weren’t under the influence
of drugs or alcohol when they signed it either…well, okay, not
much. ^_^ Pairings: 3x4, existing 5xM Rating: Velvet says it’s an R Spoilers: Nope Warnings: AU (so, SOOO AU), supernatural, lime,
violence, some language, my twisted sense of humor…need I say
more? Author’s Chaotic Rambling on No Particular
Subject: Yeah. No idea where this came from. Sat down
to work on the 4x6, and wrote thirty pages of this instead. Granted,
I was in the mood for some supernatural kinkiness, but I wasn’t
planning on writing it! Ah well. *emphasized*
" Things That Go Bump in the Night" Chapter 8 There are many shades of gray, yes, but there is
still white.
When I went to bed last night, I know I was alone. Positive of it, in fact. So someone explain to me why I have Trowa spooned against my back, and three werecubs sprawled along my outflung arm and snuggled against my chest. Do I have a sign somewhere on me that I’m not aware of? Something that says ‘I’m comfy, just come snuggle!’ Trowa shifted at my back rubbing his head against my temple for a moment. He does that a lot, actually—just nuzzles against me, or gives me a quick hug, or just touches me with a brush of a hand. I asked Meiran if that was part of the ‘physically demonstrative’ thing she had referred to earlier and she explained that was only part of it. To put it bluntly, Trowa was marking his territory, making sure that his scent was all over me. I’m not sure if it was unconscious or not, but it showed that he was serious about having me. And…it really felt nice whenever he touched me, so I didn’t put up an argument. I had no problems with belonging to Trowa. I was just hoping that we went to the next level soon. As much as I enjoyed snuggling with him, and getting hugs, I was really looking forward to hot make out sessions. As comfortable as this is, we had to move. I woke up Trowa and got him moving. The werecubs I left alone. I’m still not sure how they manage to sneak into my room all the time. Maybe I should investigate that… We made it to school on time, barely. I was still a little tired from yesterday, having stayed up until midnight doing all of those stupid math problems. By the time that fifth period rolled around I really wanted a nap. Ugh. I couldn’t focus at all. That was illustrated quite well when I sat down in Biology, opened my backpack, and realized that I had left my textbook in my locker. Swearing, I glanced at my watch and judged that if I ran like a madman there and back, I just might be able to get it before the bell rang. “Hilde, I’m running for my locker.” She glanced at her watch and smirked. “Run, Forest, Run.” “Ha ha.” I got up and quickly walked out of the room, and as soon as I hit the hallway I started sprinting. I made it to my locker in something under twenty seconds, fumbled the combination, and by a miracle got my locker open. I was just grabbing the text book when I felt something behind me. What?...werepanther. I spun around sharply to see Noin right behind me. I barely had time to register the feeling of determination and that strange greed again before she lunged at me. I tried to duck, but a panther’s reflexes are much better than a human’s and she managed to catch me. A white cloth was pressed roughly against my face, and something almost sickeningly sweet invaded my lungs. Oh shit—ether?! I did the only thing I could do before I passed out. With all my remaining strength I called for help. TROWA! + Uhhhh. My head was pounding, and there was a bitter aftertaste in my mouth. Swallowing was difficult, as my mouth felt swollen and dry. My mind was a jumble of confusion; I couldn’t remember why I felt like this, or why I was laying on something hard. “Packmaster, I think he’s coming around.” Packmaster? Duo? Fuzzily I reached out, trying to touch Duo. It was hard to focus my ability with my head pounding like this. I couldn’t believe how much effort was required to feel someone only feet away from me. Determined, I kept reaching. Wait…that wasn’t Duo! That was Zechs! Some of the fog lifted from my mind as sheer panic invaded my system. No one in the room with me was a wolf, they were all panthers. Oh shit, this isn’t going to be good. I forced my eyes open, taking a bleary look around me. I was laying on the floor next to a couch, with three people looking down at me; Zechs, Noin and Relena. Relena was very distraught I was here, visibly shifting in agitation. She immediately came and knelt down next to me, helping me to sit up. “Where…?” I rasped past my dry throat. “You’re in our territory,” she responded with a pinched look to her face. “I’m so sorry, El-Szen. I had no idea—” “Relena!” Zechs barked. “Enough. Do you question your Packmaster’s decisions?” “This is wrong!” she snapped back at him. “He’s proven that he will help us, if we only ask! He did it before without even being asked! You cannot justify this and make it right, Zechs.” “I won’t hear another word out of your mouth. Either be quiet or leave.” I was hoping she would leave and call my Packmaster so someone could rescue me, but she didn’t. Grinding her teeth together, she glared back at her brother but stayed quiet. Darn, I guess I have to arrange my own rescue. I did call for Trowa right before I left, but I’m sure it took him time to figure out where I had gone to and then contact Duo for help. How far behind me was he? Zechs stepped forward, kneeling right in front of me. I didn’t like what I was sensing from him. If I’d had the strength (damn the ether’s effects!) I would have started running. He was boiling over with determination, and a twisted sense of exultation. I don’t know what he’s planning, but it does not bode well. “You chose them,” he ground out softly. “It was the wrong choice. I’d never hurt you.” “You have a funny way of showing it,” I retorted heatedly. “I don’t want to be controlled, or forced Zechs. Duo never twisted my arm. You can’t claim to have the same kind of respect for people’s wishes.” My answer infuriated him. The anger he felt nearly knocked me over it was so strong. If it weren’t for Relena’s hands keeping me upright I would have fallen. “I’ll make it so you can’t return to them,” he snarled in dark promise. For the first time in my life I was nearly paralyzed with fear. Even being chased by a chaos demon hadn’t made me this afraid. At least then I had been surrounded by allies—here, I had no one on my side. Zechs’ arms shot out, pinning me to the couch. Even though it was fruitless I struggled to get out of his hold, kicking him hard in the side, trying to upset his balance enough to wrestle free. He grunted in pain but didn’t let go. Noin came around his side, leaning over and with one hand ripped my shirt until a shoulder was bare. I didn’t think it was rape that was intended—but it was probably going to be just as bad. As Zechs started to lean in, his head closing in on my bare shoulder, I started frantically calling for Trowa. Even though the idea of hurting someone with my empathy repulsed me, I wasn’t going to sit here like some damsel in distress either. I built up all the panic and rage I was feeling and hit Zechs with it, hard. He flinched in pain, going white, but he didn’t stop. If anything he seemed more determined. I built it all up again, determined to use the only means of defense I had left. Before I could release it I saw a flash of what Zechs intended to do. Oh no…oh please no! He bared his fangs and quickly sank them into my skin. White hot pain seared through my body, lighting every nerve on fire. I felt like I was melting with searing heat and freezing all at the same time. There was the distant sound of screaming in my ears and a burning hoarseness in my throat and in the back of my mind I realized it was me. Agonizing moments later the pain receded a bit enough for me to at least draw breath although even breathing hurt. Just my heart beating hurt. Hell, thinking hurt. I turned my eyes enough to see my shoulder, seeing neat teeth marks in my skin. I was bleeding sluggishly, the blood seeping down my skin. Damn, but that burned. “You can’t leave now.” I looked back at Zechs, still fighting the pain, trying to remain conscious. Passing out, as attractive as the notion was, would not be a good thing at this moment. “You can’t leave now,” he repeated with twisted satisfaction. “A werepanther can never live in a pack of werewolves.” His words slowly sank in, realization dawning on me. He bit me…to turn me. I was going to become a werepanther. Another wave of pain hit me and I doubled over, screaming with the pain. Distantly I heard Relena shouting, saying that it shouldn’t be hurting me this badly. Then there was the sound of the door breaking open, and low growls of rage. The next thing I knew, once the pain was somewhat manageable again, Trowa was kneeling next to me. He was staring at me with blatant terror in his eyes, his hand pressing a wad of cloth against my shoulder. The only thing I wanted in that moment was for him to hold me. I had this childish belief that if he just held me, the pain would go away and everything would be right again. “Trowa—it hurts.” My voice was barely above a whisper. “I know it does, sweetheart,” he whispered brokenly. “I know it does.” Gently he gathered me up into his arms, rocking me slightly back and forth. Even though every cell in my body felt like it was trying to erupt, feeling Trowa’s arms around me made it all a little more bearable. I sank into him, closing my eyes and trying not to whimper in pain. Trowa was already on edge, torn between killing something and holding me. He was nearly frantic to help me, but I couldn’t do anything to assure him. I could feel darkness eating at the edges of my consciousness, promising a reprieve from the pain and gladly I took it, letting Trowa catch me as I passed out. + “…what do you mean, he’s not going to—of course he will!” I’m developing the habit of waking up to people arguing. At least I wasn’t really in pain this time. Oh the pain was there, I could sense it in a sideways fashion, but there was a glass wall between me and it, buffering me. It felt like Meiran, somehow. It was an effort to open my eyes, but I needed to be awake, I needed to know what was going on. I’d barely turned my head before I had someone leaning over me. Trowa looked like death warmed over, skin sheet white and those beautiful green eyes dark with fear. “Quatre?” I reached up a hand, wanting to touch him, somehow smooth away the lines around his mouth and eyes. He caught my hand, pressing his face against it. Something wet and hot touched my skin…tears. I had to say something, anything, to drag him from that pit of remorse. I couldn’t stand to see him like this, it hurt my heart just looking at him. “Thanks for the rescue.” “I was too late,” he whispered bitterly. “I came too late.” “Stop it Trowa,” Iria snapped at him. She grabbed his shoulder, shaking him a little. “Blame-casting isn’t going to do any good here. We have to figure out how to help him. You can wallow in pity later.” Yup, that was my sister. Not shy about calling it like it was. I left my hand in Trowa’s and looked up at her. Despite her words, she was just as worried. That didn’t bode well for me. “What’s going on?” Iria glanced back, and Meiran stepped into my line of sight. It was only then that I realized I was back in my bedroom at Duo’s house. Good, at least I wasn’t in Zechs’ territory anymore. Meiran looked like she was chewing glass as she spoke. “Quatre, you’re not going to survive the change.” I stopped breathing. “…what?” “Being a were means inheriting the darker instincts that goes with that animal. Those instincts are at complete war with your empathy—the conflict is literally tearing you apart. By the time you’re a complete were, you’re going to be dead.” I think my heart stopped for a minute. This…was going to kill me? “Please tell me we have an Option B.” Meiran took in a deep breath, obviously trying to keep control. “I think I can change this, but it’s not going to be pretty. The only way I can think of to end the conflict is to have Wufei bite you and change you to a Shifter. There’s no distinct animal instincts inherited with his ability, I can alter your body to follow the influence of his power instead of that bastard’s.” I assumed the bastard was Zechs and nodded to show her I was following. “It means that we’ll have to ride herd on your change from beginning to end, but I think it’ll work. Frankly, Quatre, it’s the only way I can think of and the more we think and let that panther blood infect you, the less chance it has of succeeding.” I didn’t have an option. The die was cast. “Do it.” She nodded firmly back at me. “I’m going to have Iria inject you with an anesthetic. This is going to hurt, probably more than the first time. I don’t think you want to be awake for it.” “Not really, no.” As my sister rummaged in her black bag for the needed medicine and syringe, Meiran ducked her head and called for Wufei. I took advantage of their distraction to focus on Trowa. He was even paler than before, if possible, and was already starting to beat himself up with guilt. If this didn’t work—although I was really hoping it did work because being a Shifter was vastly preferable to being dead—if I didn’t survive this, I didn’t want him destroyed with guilt and what-if’s. I tugged at his hand, bringing him down to my level until his head was only a few inches from mine. I made sure I had contact with his eyes before speaking, trying to impart complete sincerity with every word. “I do not blame you. You did everything you could to get to me, and I know that. Okay?” His eyes glanced miserably at my bound shoulder. “But—” “No buts,” I refuted sternly. “Zechs is to be blamed for this. Not you. This isn’t going to kill me, Trowa. I’m too stubborn and I have too much to live for. Believe that.” He nodded jerkily, visibly struggling to remain calm. I knew that no amount of words could make this situation right, and just stayed quiet to give him the time he needed to regain control. After a few moments he leaned in, pressing his lips softly to mine for a sweet kiss. Mm. I liked that. I’d like a lot more, too. I grinned up at him and teased softly, “Was that for good luck?” His smile was barely there, and didn’t reach his eyes, but his tone was light and teasing. “No, that was enticement. You have to live through this if you want me to kiss you again.” I pretended to think about that for a moment. “Do I get more than one kiss if I heal faster than I’m supposed to?” “Do you negotiate everything?” “Pretty much, yeah.” “Hn.” The smile was more genuine this time as he brushed light fingers through my hair. “Then yeah, I’ll kiss you indefinitely if you wake up faster.” I waggled my eyebrows at him saucily. “Then I shall do just that.” “If you two are through, I’d like to stick a needle in Quatre’s arm.” I glanced beyond Trowa’s shoulder to give my sister a cocky wink. “You’re just jealous because I have someone sexy to flirt with and you don’t.” “Ha.” Iria pulled Trowa out of the way—or tried to, all he really did was shift to the side to give her room to work. I have this feeling that Trowa isn’t going to leave me at all until I wake up again. I would have said something to him…but odds were, nothing I said would make an ounce of difference. As Iria swabbed a vein in my elbow, Duo came in with Wufei at his heels. He came directly to me, kneeling down beside the bed. There was a strain in his eyes that was becoming very familiar. Everyone had the same expression. “Hey. Meiran told me what she’s planning. I wanted to tell you before you go under, Zechs and Noin are dead. I killed them. It wasn’t just because of what they did to you, although that’s enough in my books. I think they were a little insane towards the end.” As pissed as I was at Zechs, I felt a little torn at this news. I was angry, yes, but not angry enough to want the werepanther Packmaster dead. Or Noin. Still…the deed was done, and I just accepted it and moved on. “Okay. Duo? Do me a favor.” “Sure, kiddo. What?” “Look after Trowa for me? He’s carrying enough guilt to leave depressions in the ground. Don’t let him dwell on what-if’s. Kick him out of any funk he might slide into, just until I get back on my feet and can knock some sense into him, okay?” Duo’s face lit up in a genuine smile. “Okay.” With a gentle squeeze to my good shoulder he stood up and backed out of Iria’s workspace. My sister leaned over to insert the needle into my arm. I needed to say something to her, too. She was just as worried as everyone else. As the drug did its work, I could feel my vision fading, but I struggled to stay awake enough to ease her concerns. “Hey, sis?” Her voice was hushed. “Yes?” “Remember when I was little, how I always wanted to be a cheetah in my next reincarnation?” “I remember. Although sometimes you wanted to be a lion.” “Yeah. Well, when this is over, I can be either one. How cool is that?” “Pretty cool,” she whispered with tears standing in her eyes. “Just no play stalking me like you did back then okay?” “Awww,” I groaned fuzzily. “Taking all the fun out of it.” She actually snickered, a little amused and exasperated.
Her laugh was the last thing I heard before I was out like a light.
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