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Shadowdancer

By Dracon

[Notice: The characters and events within are inspired by the "Gargoyles" TV Series and as such credit goes to the creators of said series. If any characters appear in the story from said series, those characters belong to their creators.

Should anyone wish to use the characters or events within in their own works, permission is hereby granted to do so. I just ask that you let me know if you are going to do so and provide credit in your work.

Underage viewers should not read this series, and all readers do so at their own risk.

The characters of Shang Hua, Shu-lin Ming, and Xiang Tzao are copyright of Wren Silverfox. Permission is not granted for use of these character. Contact their player for permission.]

Previously on Shadowdancer...

Shang growled, drawing himself up to his full height, and replied, "That's because I am not human. I am Hengeyokai. I am Kitsune!" - "In Harm's Way"

Jamie spoke up. "Shang, do you think Logan could help you out?"

Shang looked at her guardedly, and asked, "With?"

She elaborated, gesturing for emphasis. "The search you've been working on. Looking for your family."

Logan piped up, his avaricious side showing, "Missing persons are a specialty, ma'am!"

Shang nodded, explaining to him, "Well, they aren't missing per say, just hiding real well."

Logan shrugged, showing him his pearly whites, and said, "Well, you guys were hidden pretty well, too. If there's anything I can do, I'm yours. I could use the business." - "Behind the Eight-Ball"

"Of Fox & Wolf"

Part I

----Chapter I----

Yes, I know quite well that this tale is a violation against the Veil, dearest one. Tzao-rhya _would be quite pleased, I think. One of our kind would already know of these events, and anyone who was not perhaps should not know. But, I feel that this story must be known by the whole world, as it does affect us all.

I know I can't match your power, beloved, but perhaps that was never my purpose. Perhaps I was here to chronicle the great heroes that will shape this world in coming years. Yes, I count you among them, how could you even ask?_

It would be best to start from the beginning, and to start quickly. Please, write down what I say, as I say it. I'd prefer to do so myself, but I don't trust my ability to do so. Don't change a word of it, for any reason. It must all be told, the way I saw it. Just... please, forgive me if I presume too much. I can only describe what I saw in you, cherished of my heart.

---

Rural Road C

Upstate New York

November 30th, 2027

2:46 P.M.

I grumbled with irritation as the Cast Iron Bitch rumbled down the deserted back roads, up near the border. We'd been rattling our bones down the rutted road for over an hour, now.

I glanced at my traveling companion, who had been acting as though he'd all the charm of a gila monster, and asked, "Where'd ya say we were goin', again? Someplace a lil' more excitin' than Hoboken was, eh?"

He glanced back to me, his eyes flat and unreadable, then turned his gaze back to the road. I was just about to turn down the Bitch's radio and ask again, when he murmured, "We're close."

Glancing around, I squinted a little as I peered into the forest, not seeing whatever it was that Shang was picking up. "Looks like the only thing we're close to is the ass-end of the universe, to me."

Shang raised his hand, a long, slender finger pointing towards a narrow trail that broke from the main road, telling me to, "Go down that sidetrack."

I growled again, mashing the brake to the floor to kill my speed. The brakes released a high, annoying squeal as I swung over onto the trail. I quickly realized that the C had been a freeway, at least in comparison, as I struggled to keep her steady. "Looks deserted. This the trail to some old loggin' camp or somethin'?"

Shang uncoiled his arm from the door, a slight grimace on his face, as he nodded his head. Talking to him wasn't worth the effort sometimes, I'd found out.

As I finally brought the Bitch under control, I slid a hand off the wheel and thumbed the window's switch, rolling it down. I smiled tightly, noting that something worked in this piece of junk, then inhaled, sucking in the scent of sodden marsh and woodlands.

I'm a city wolf. It's who I am. This wasn't my turf, and I couldn't say that I was too pleased with the stench.

With a frown, I told Shang, "Smells like the swamp cooler I had in my place, back in Phoenix. Yuck!"

As I scanned for oncoming traffic, a habit from many long years of urban driving, I saw Shang wrinkle his nose. He agreed with me, commenting, "Not the most pleasant of smells."

As my ride rattled and clanked down the rough, failing road, a new scent tickled my nose, and my eyes opened wide as I realized what it had to be. I turned to my companion and said, "Heeey, Shang, ya catchin' a whiff of that? Smells like smoke!"

As the woods changed around us, pines taking over the softly rolling terrain, the smell of swamp faded, but I noticed Shang's nose wrinkle as he tried to fix the scent in his mind. When he knew he had it, he replied, "Yeah, that does smell like smoke. We are very close."

I muttered a quiet prayer to Luna, imploring her to shine her line down upon us, asking her to ensure that my battered RAV4 would hold up just a little bit longer. As we broke into a clearing in the forest primeval, I slowed her down and asked, "This the place?"

Shang replied simply, "Hai," as I parked near a low-built structure, looking like nothing more than a small hill. He opened the door carefully, to make sure it wouldn't fall off, and hopped out.

I twisted in my seat as I cut the engine, grabbing my backpack from the back seat and slung it over my shoulder as I clambered out, calling out, "Hey, ya never said your Kin were hobbits, bro."

He grinned at me, chuckling softly, as he dropped to his knees in front of a hole in the mound, a couple feet across, and began to speak into it. I didn't recognize it, not knowing much about Asia, but if I'd had to say, I'd have guessed it was a pidgin, cobbled together from a few different languages.

I scrunched up my face as I tried to listen in, but its meaning completely eluded me. For all I knew, he could be saying anything from, "Hoi, chummers," to, "Help me kill the annoying gaijin."

A response came from within, as rapid and mysterious as Shang's own message. Looking pleased, Shang settled back on his heels as he watched several figures climb out from the mound.

I'd considered trying to find a hiding spot, on the off chance that Shang's meaning had been closer to my second guess, but I figured that any of his folks would be good people, so I merely hooked my thumbs into the loops of my jeans and watched, trying to get a feel for them. A little uncertainly, I said, "Um... oh-hiya?"

They continued to speak in that strange, almost musical language for a few minutes, then Shang turned to me and said, "Logan-san, I would like to introduce you to my kin."

He gestured to you, and I saw that you were a lovely woman, with Oriental features, but a more voluptuous build than usual for your people, and said, "This is my Cousin, Shu-lin. Lin_-chan_ for short."

Next to you was an older-looking woman, with the elegant features of an Empress, of whom he said, "And, this is my Mother."

I stealthfully flicked my wrist, shooting a business card into my palm, and extended it towards you, allured by your beauty, as I stepped forward, saying, "Hey, good to meetcha, sugar."

You smiled up at me, taking my hand in yours, your silky skin soft against mine. Far from the usual look of surprise I get when future customers realize my sleight of hand, I felt you return a card of your own!

I glanced down at my hand, no doubt looking like a goof as my mouth hung open, not recognizing the graceful character painted on your card. I realized that no one had ever sleighted me back.

Your smile grew wider as you revealed your perfect, ivory teeth, and I pocketed your card quickly, trying to cover my surprise. I turned to Shang's mother and offered up a similar greeting, though without the business card.

She simply bowed to me, a smirk on her face as she traded a look with you. I took a step back and grinned at the two of you, commenting, "Well, I'm glad to see ya two are okay. Shang's been his usual gloom'n'doom self, what can I say?"

I turned to see Shang speaking with someone else, who must have come out of the burrow while I'd been distracted. While the two of you looked be Japanese, maybe, and Shang was nearly impossible to place, the newcomer's origin was easily guessed to be the hills of Ireland. I looked at him closely for a moment, but realized, no, it wasn't him.

The florid-faced man glared at me for a long moment before sitting down on a fallen log, pulling a pipe from his pocket and lighting it with a practiced ease.

I raised an eyebrow as I glared back, trying to size him up, and discreetly took a sniff of the air. He was definitely a Were, no doubt of that, and I guessed that he was a Fianna, by the looks of him.

I winked at him, nodded my head a little, and commented, "Heya, bro... or is it Uncle? Good to meetcha," as I took another look at the multicultural posse, frankly a little overwhelmed.

He puffed away at his pipe, his face grim, and replied, "Aye, laddie, that would be uncle to you."

Laughing, I continued to glance around, my eyes no doubt as wide as a tourist's as I took in the view, my gaze trailing across the thick woods surrounding the clearing. I commented aloud, "Hey, Shang, I can see why ya needed to get up here in person. Network's cruddy up here, I'm bettin'."

He chuckled as he replied, "That's one way to put it."

Figuring that the Kitsune might want a little time to be with his family after what I guessed to be a long absence, I fell back to the tree line and leaned against the trunk of a great pine. Not that I didn't try to listen in a little, of course. Old habits die hard.

My eyes lingered on your curvaceous form, perhaps a little overmuch as I watched the four of you, but it was such a lovely view. Your frame was slim, though decidedly not delicate, but there was both a strength and a beauty to the curves that lay beneath your golden skin.

I do still think so, by the way.

Aww, you're so sweet Dear.

Apparently, I wasn't up to my usual skill, as you noticed how I had been checking you out. You didn't seem to mind too much, though, as you just smiled at me while listening to the two elders talk.

With a sly grin, I began to edge closer to you, trying to appear as though I was just stretching my legs. I affected an air of surprise as I approached your seat and said conversationally, "So... Lin, was it? Ya, uh, mind if I ask ya a few questions?"

You patted at the log next to your hips, and leaned in a little as I sat down, telling me to, "Ask away."

I forced myself to look at your eyes, a lovely grey color, almost silvery, then asked, "Well, what do ya do around here, sugar? You're kinda outta the way, y'know."

You replied, with a voice that was musical in nature, "I am apprenticed to my aunt. She has recently been in secret negotiations with several of the _caern_s in the state."

My eyes widened a little as I asked, "Anythin' I should know? I'm with Washington Park caern, down in Chicago. I'd be more than happy to relay a message for ya or your aunt."

You leaned against my shoulder and replied, "Chicago, huh? We were heading that way soon, just as soon as we get out of here."

I shot you my winningest smile and offered, "Well, ya just give me a call when you're in town. I'd be happy to... put ya up for the night."

You snuggled into my side and replied, "I bet you would."

You looked over to Shang and said something in that odd language of yours. He smiled back at you and waved his hand at us. You translated for me, "Shang wishes to sit in on the conversation between his mother and Mr. Mcinnery. How about I show you around a little?"

I figured that, by now, little pink hearts were dancing around on my pupils, but I tried to play it cool. Rising, I held my hand out to you, saying, "I would be happy to accompany ya anywhere ya wanted, sugar."

You took my hand and braced yourself, standing with my assistance. Then, you dusted off the seat of the jeans that hugged your shapely rump, my eyes following your every move.

I quickly smoothed back my unruly black hair as I watched you with frank appreciation, hoping that neither the elders nor Shang were watching us too closely.

Shooting a quick glance to the others, to reassure myself, I gestured expansively to the forest and commented, "Lead on, fair maiden."

You giggled and led me through the tree line. I soon found myself in another clearing, smaller than the one the burrow occupied, with a babbling brook running through it. You asked, "What do you think of my sanctuary?"

I inhaled deeply, taking in the scents of the clearing, my ears twitching as I listened to the sound of the running water. "It's lovely, Lin. It suits ya, I think."

You purred in a sultry tone, and when I turned back to look at you, I found myself staring at a humanoid fox, roughly the same height as your body. The vixen was reaching behind her, and let out a sigh as her pants slid lower on her hips, her tails coming into view.

My jaw dropped, probably grazing the mossy ground, as I took in your changed form. How could I have not realized? I'd picked out Shang easily enough as a Were, but you...

You turned around slowly, letting me gaze upon you changed form from all sides. As your five long, fluffy tails swayed behind you seductively, you asked, "I take it you like the look?"

My mouth went dry as I watched you, but I heard a mantra ratting around in my head, one that had been beaten into me, literally, from early on. "Garou shalt not mate with Garou."

My eyes lingered on your graceful, fluffy tails. Were, you might be, but if you were Garou, then I was Jon Castaway.

I stepped toward you, my gait stiff and not a little unsteady as I nodded, not taking my eyes from your body. "I... yeah, I do!"

Ahh, the innocence of youth. I was so eloquent back then, eh?

I'll just keep my comments to myself.

Heh. Why should you start now?

Knowing my usual luck, I figured the only way this could be happening is if the Apocalypse was just around the corner. I began to pull off my shirt, fumbling with my belt as my heart raced. Let it come, I figured, just give us a little bit of time together, first.

You took a step back and slowly pulled off your shirt, baring your luscious, cream-colored breasts, capped with dark pink nipples, and I tripped over my feet, my eyes opened wide.

I wolf-whistled with appreciation, then grinned at you, trying to sound more confident than I really felt. "You're not the only one with that trick, sugar. Want to see... who I really am?"

With a low, lusty growl, you replied, "Bring it on."

Why am I going over this again? The world needs to know just how special you are, my dear. Besides, I thought you might like to hear how it felt from my perspective.

I tossed my clothes and gear aside carelessly, then closed my eyes and inhaled as deeply as I could, your scent tickling my nose. I tapped into my emotions, thrilled not to have to focus on my anger for once, and willed myself to shift my shape. Fur, pale white, but streaked with black, grey, and red, exploded from my skin as my lanky, wiry form filled out with sheets of muscle.

I was a little scrawny compared to most Garou, but, at the risk of tooting my own horn, I was an impressive sight compared to a stock Human.

I had to stifle the urge to howl in praise of Luna and Mother Gaia, for letting me have this little bit of happiness. I wanted to sing out, but I didn't want to call the others.

You murred and moved over to me, now completely naked, and rubbed your fur against my own. I opened my eyes and looked down towards you, my voice deepened with my growth, and smiled. My muzzle struggled to form the Human words, but I asked you, "I guess... you like?"

You murred louder, standing as straight as you could, and licked the side of my muzzle. Without struggling in the slightest, you replied, "I like."

You always did have an easier time with speaking out of Human form. Another place where you're my superior. I won't deny it, certainly not to you.

Practice, Dear Logan, practice.

I knelt, bringing myself closer to your height, placed one arm around your shoulder and another around the curve of your pert ass, and lifted you from the ground easily, my muzzle gaping in a toothy grin.

Your voice deepened into a purr as you continued to lick at my face, wrapping your arms around my neck.

Heady with emotion, I began to return the favor with teasing, anxious licks, and I'm sure that my eyes must have glittered with excitement. I held you close and squeezed your rump lightly, as my shaft began to emerge from its furred sheath.

You began to nibble on my shoulder as you continued murring, your tails brushing against my sheath. My back went straight and rigid as I felt the feather-light touches, and I started panting, my need trying to overwhelm me. All that I could feel was your fur and firmly curved flesh, all I could smell was your arousal.

I shifted your body a little bit so that the tip of my shaft could press against your womanhood, your juices starting to run down my hot, sensitive skin as you settled yourself around my tip.

Curling my arm around you, to stroke and tease your breast, I began to lower you, tantalizingly slowly, onto my shaft. You let out a soft yiff as you settled down onto me, wrapping my length in your hot, slick folds.

As though your cry had been a signal, I knelt, laying your back onto the soft moss that grew near the stream, then began to thrust into you, my breathing growing ragged as I growled in lust.

You moaned and continued to yiff softly, your legs wrapping around my hips, as you helped to pull my shaft into your depths, opening yourself to me as I thrust, squeezing as I withdrew.

I can't say that I was in my right mind right then, but my emotions still shone through, and among them were respect and compassion. I forced myself to keep from bucking too hard, too fast, as I tried desperately to heighten the pleasure that this lovely, loving vixen experienced.

I did try to look out for you, you know.

I know, and I appreciate it.

I heard you let out a soft howl as you convulsed around my shaft, gushing your fluids onto the fur of my crotch. My breath caught in my throat for a moment as I felt your release, the play of your soft, inner muscles against my malehood.

My muzzle opened wide as only a happy canine can do, I started to hasten my strokes, slamming my hips into you as my balls began to churn, pulling against my body.

I felt my climax nearing, my senses completely enveloped by your sexual frenzy, and I thrust harder than ever, hilting myself within you, just as my knot began to near its full size.

I threw my head back, unable to control myself, and began to howl as I started cuming, my shaft rocking against your slick passage with the force of my release.

You joined in, your howl echoing my own, as you locked down, hard, and started milking me of all the life-giving seed I could shoot into your waiting slit.

A little disappointed with performance, I berated myself. I should have tried to keep my climax at bay long, hold back for your sake. My only excuse was that it had been so long since I'd last been with a bitch.

I know, I know. But, I still felt a little insecure about myself, back then, alright?

No need to apologize, I enjoyed it just as much as you did.

I felt as though every muscle in my body were at full tension, my senses overwhelmed by my climax. I can't say how long we lay together, my seed rushing into you with cataclysmic force. I honestly can't say if it was an eternity, or mere moments, or some indefinite time in-between, but far too soon, I felt my release begin to taper off, then cease.

As I tried to catch my breath, a task that you complicated for me, as you murred with delight, lapping at my fur with your tongue wherever you could reach. I growled softly back to you as my muzzle curved up in a broad smile. I embraced you, burying my sensitive nose into your soft fur, inhaling your sweet scent.

You purred as you nuzzled against my face and muzzle, squeezing my knot gently with the strong muscles within your womanhood.

I gasped, my breath catching in my throat as you coaxed out another gush of my seed. I tried to speak, knowing that my muzzle would distort the words, "Luna's... shadow, I need that. Thank, Lin."

You replied, panting, "I... needed that, too... It's been a long time since I've felt this full..."

I felt the white-hot intensity of my lust mellow, nuzzling against you as I spurted once again, less impressively than before, and wrapped my overlarge body around your smaller, more lithe body as you snuggled into my fur, cuddling close to me.

Switching into a mixture of English and Wolf, hoping to come off a little more eloquently than before, and whispered, "You've honored me, choosing me to be the one to satisfy you."

Ever wonder where my accent went? I never learned more than the formal syntaxes of Garou and Wolf. Besides, something in my mind... changes, when my body does. I'm almost a different person, in this form. I know you know how that feels.

Yes, and it takes a long time to get used to that...

You purred into my ear, your voice thick with lust, "And, you have honored me," speaking in an utterly perfect Wolf.

I ran the my claws along the back of your shoulders, not pressing the tips hard enough to draw blood, as I felt my tension begin to wash away, a sense of peace descending onto me. You arched your back against my hands, murring with delight, and pressed your bosom into my chest.

I felt the hardness of your nipples against my skin as they pierced my thick chest fur. Growling with lust, I came again, spurred on by your advances. I barked in Wolf, not sounding at all displeased with the idea, "We shall be here all day if you keep that up."

You played your muscles along my shaft again, squeezing my knot hard, and replied, "You say that as if it's a bad thing."

You always were insatiable. I'm surprised you've never yiffed me to death, honestly.

I've been holding back, for your sake.

I leered down at you as I felt your body tense around my shaft, my tongue lolling a little. Shifting my hips, I rolled you on top of me. Your lushly curved form was silhouetted against the green of the canopy as you murred, pushing yourself upright to straddle my hips, then leaned back with surprising agility to lay along my legs, placing a great deal of tension on my knot in the process.

My vision faded for a split-second as blood shifted through my lust-addled body. Looking at you again, as though it were the first time, I said, "You never gave me the chance to say, but you are a true vision of beauty, Shu-lin. Why... why did you choose me?"

Flexing the muscles of your back, you sat upright, then lay down against my chest once more. With a contented smile, you replied, "Because of the way you were looking at me. That, and you came with Shang. And, if Shang trusts you, then so do I."

I placed one hand along the back of your head, caressing the mane of black hair that spilled from your scalp, then placed the other against your rump, at the base of your tails, and smiled back. Still feeling unbelievably blessed, I nipped at your ear carefully, knowing that it was something that I liked.

Between nibbles, I asked, "You love him a great deal, do you not? I can hear it in your voice."

You purred loudly and tilted your head closer to mine, a shiver washing down your body as you replied, "He is my cousin. I've known him for a very long time."

I gulped as I felt you shudder against my shaft, another spurt of wolf-spunk washing down your cleft. You felt so warm against my body, a counterpoint to the cold feeling that gripped my heart. I whined piteously, nearly a whisper, "I wish there was someone I felt that strongly for."

You pouted and licked at the tip of my chin, all that you could reach at the moment, and the skin of my face went pale as ash, beneath the fur, when I realized what I'd just said. "I am so sorry, Lin, I didn't mean it like that."

My voice fell as I elaborated, "I just meant that I wish I had family... that I could trust."

You hugged your arms around me as you rubbed your cheek across my broadened chest and asked, "Have you no Kin you can rely on?"

I closed my eyes, cradling your head softly, and growled, "Kin and family, yes, but I'd trust them no further than I could scent them."

A grimace must have crossed my face, even though I tried to push the unwelcome memories away. You reached up to caress my cheek tenderly, as I growled menacingly with recalled anger. You asked, with concern, "Bad memories?"

I shook my head to clear it, my shaggy, inky mane rustling against the grass, then leaned it against your hand. "Yes. I thought that I had left them behind, but still they haunt me."

I smiled at you and began to nuzzle your hand, adding, "Not all bad, though. If misery loves company, then I am pleased to have yours."

I do hope my skill at wordplay has improved since then. Frankly, I sucked, I know. I never really needed it before I met you.

It has, you smooth talking devil you.

You started purring again as you curled against my chest, waiting for my knot to go down.

I inhaled deeply, scenting the light, almost floral scent of your body mingling with the darker, muskier scent of my own, as they mixed with that of Mother Gaia. I willed myself to relax, concentrating on nothing more than the feel of your soft fur.

I felt my shaft finally begin to flag, a faint hint of regret accompanying the realization, and hugged your curvaceous body against my chest, tightly, not wanting this to come to an end.

----Chapter II----

Once my knot had gone down, you slipped off of my shaft carefully. Rising quickly, you ducked behind a nearby bush, releasing the last of my seed from your womanhood. As you attended to your needs, I had reverted, regretfully, to my human form, feeling the hint of sadness that always assailed me as I lost the keen senses of my Crinos form.

When you had finished, you returned and snuggled into my side, placing your head on my shoulder, and asked, "Will you be returning to Chicago with us?"

I clung to your lithe body like a lifeline, felt your warmth suffusing my body as I responded, "Yeah, I'd planned on getting' back there. I've got a stack of bills the size of City Hall just waitin' for me, I bet. You need a ride? I'd be happy to take ya, sugar."

You hugged yourself close to me as the sun began to set, replying, "Well, we'll be heading out that way soon."

I watched the sun begin to slowly sink beneath the horizon, grateful for someone to share it with, and said, "So ya got your own transpo? Good girl," as I felt a rumble from my abdomen. A flush rose to my smooth-skinned face as I added, "But, uh, ya plannin' to leave before dinner?"

You kissed the side of my face as you cuddled me into your warm, fuzzy body, then said, "Stay here, I'll be right back," as you rose and began to run off towards the camp, butt naked.

Trust me, that was a sight that was burned indelibly into my mind.

*Laughs* I bet.

I whistled sharply as I admired the view, and I don't mean the sunset, following your curvy form as you slipped into the trees. Before too long, only a few minutes, you returned with a basket in hand, still fur-clad.

Even dulled in my human form, my nose began to twitch as the smell of warm food wafted towards me. With a chuckle, I said, "Ya musta heard that the way to a man's that was through his stomach, eh?"

You smiled and said, "I heard something to that effect."

I raised an eyebrow as I looked from the basket up to your softly furred arm, then from there to your shoulder, and so on, my eyes traveling along your sleek form. "I'm guessin' Mama gave ya an interestin' look when ya got back?"

You sat down next to me, placing the basket onto the moss, and said, "Not really. This is my natural form."

I grinned as I watched the sway of your breasts as you settled to the ground, and chuckled softly, "All natural, huh? Um, is she, y'know... one of us, too?"

As you started arranging the food, handing a plate of spring rolls to me, you asked, "Who?"

I inhaled deeply, my stomach growling again, and took a bite out of the roll before answering, "Shang's mom. I thought I was pretty good at picking our kind out, but ya sure gave me a surprise."

Setting a plate on your firm thighs, you started in on your meal before replying, "Yes, she is Kitsune. Eight and a half tails."

Having learned a little something from the taciturn Shang during the drive up here, my jaw dropped as I realized what you meant. Gesturing with the half-eaten roll, I asked, "So, she's, like... this far away from being a fraggin' deity?"

You smiled mischievously and replied, "Something like that."

A wide grin spread across my face as I popped the rest of the roll into my mouth. After swallowing, I laughed most unkindly and said, "I'd just love to see it when she meets with de Silva.

As you cuddled against me once more, wrapping yourself around my arm, you asked, "de Silva? Who's that?"

I found myself faced with the difficult task of trying to eat one-handed. In between bites, I answered, "de Silva runs Washington Park caern, down in the Windy City. He an' I... don't see eye to eye, ya see."

You began to help me, your breasts rubbing against my arm as you grabbed the plate, holding it up to help me out, and asked, "What is he like?"

Feeling like a king, I deigned to accept your aid, clutching you tightly as a reward when I had finished. "Y'know how Shang's mom's just about a goddess? de Silva thinks he is one. Well, a god. Whatever. He's every corrupt politician the city's ever seen, all rolled into one, and he's got a pack of Wise Guys and Gits to keep him on top."

As you began to put the emptied plates into the basket, you growled softly, "Not one we'll be liking to talk with."

I warned you, my voice taking on a strict tone, "Ya got that right, sugar. If you wanna deal in Chicago, you'll have to go through him."

My expression softened as I smiled at you, wrapping an arm around your furred chest, and leaned in to brush my lips against the soft, vulpine lips of your muzzle.

You sighed as your laid out on top of me, rubbing your soft, silken fur against my skin as you cuddled with me again. I brought up a hand to massage your breast as I tried not to reveal my concern, raging silently against myself.

I can remember my thoughts with perfect clarity, as I have never had need for them since. 'You're an idiot, Logan! Just try to take this chance while you have it, pendejo_, and leave the worrying! You wanna drive her away like the others?"_

Others?

Others. Merely the few Humans I had dabbled with. I thought I had told you of them. Perhaps at another time. Allow me to continue.

You murred softly as you nuzzled my bare chest with your cold, wet nose, saying, "You are a very honorable male, Logan."

I sighed sadly, a shiver rippling across my skin at the touch of your muzzle, and replied, "I wish. I only wish I felt that same way, Lin."

You crossed your arms on top of my chest, resting your head on them. The feel of your warm, furry body against mine was doing things to me that I'd never felt before.

It's not our way, my way, at least, to sleep with another of the Moon Children. The closest I had thought I would come to another Moon Child would be if I were to find a wolf in heat. Thankfully, it never came to that, my dear.

You asked, your voice sounding very sad, "You do not feel honorable?"

I could feel my ardor rising again, my human manhood beginning to swell as you brushed against me, much less impressive than it had been in my Crinos form, but a black mood still filled my mind. "I've had to do things I didn't wanna do, sugar. Always have. Honorable? Desperate, that's more like it."

You silenced me by pressing a furred finger against my lips, before sliding your body down mine. I quieted down and closed my eyes as I tried to focus on the moment, the feel of your muzzle against my pubes.

I found out just how long your tongue was, as you wrapped it around my hardening cock, pulling it into your hot, waiting mouth.

My eyes popped open with what I presume was an audible snap, as I felt myself become enveloped by your muzzle, and I bucked involuntarily against you, a soft groan escaping my throat.

You pressed your weight against my hips with your elbows, holding me down, as you continued to suckle me, cupping my sack with your paws. The sensation felt so primal, unlike anything I'd ever felt before, and I found myself tearing into the moss beneath us, struggling not to go off right then.

You started bobbing your head, the sides of your fangs pressing against my cock as you pressed the engorged head to the ridges that ran along the roof of your mouth.

I could feel my balls tighten and churn furiously as they readied themselves. I wasn't going to last long at this rate, I knew, and I felt again as though all of my senses had taken up residence in my manhood. I steeled myself, trying to hold out, but felt my climax draw nearer with each stroke.

You gently drove me over the edge, and my climax came easier this time, not as frenzied as the last time, but you drank deeply of my seed anyway, not disappointed by the volume I put out, relishing the salty taste.

I could feel your mouth rumble around my shaft as you started to purr, but it wasn't enough to keep the blood from slowly flowing out of it, your throat shifting as you milked me for all I was worth.

All I could do was pant for breath as I leaked my seed down your throat, my climax lasting longer than it ever had in this form, the rumbling of your muzzle spurring me to greater heights of ecstasy as you worked your tongue along my cock, cleaning it easily.

When you were sure that I was spent, you worked your way back along my side to cuddle with me again. I wrapped my arms around you, my body still trembling from my release, and buried my face into your russet fur. "Goddess, Lin, where'd ya learn to do that?"

You licked at my nose, smiling as you replied, "From plenty of practice."

I grinned back at you, as a mischievous light came to my eyes, and I gave my voice a hint of a lilt. "Y'know, if'n I was an honorable man, as ya claim... I'd be oath-bound to return the favor, now wouldn't I?"

You caressed my chest as you laid half on top of me, your warm, furry breasts pressing against my chest as you replied, "If you wanted to."

I nodded, then said in a sing-song voice, "Bet you've never seen this before," as I willed my body to change again. From the neck down, I told it to stay as it was, but my head began to take on a wolf-life cast of features as it weighed heavily against my shoulders, my eyes screwed shut in concentration.

When I opened them, I saw that you had sat back on your knees, tilting your head to one side as you watched me, and I rolled over, rising part-way to snuggle against your muzzle, then began to drag my cold nose along the vein in your neck, tracing my way down to your bosom.

You moaned softly as you clasped my head to your breast, throwing your head back as I wrapped my lips around your thick nipple, nipping at it ever so softly with my sharp teeth. I grasped the other diamond-hard nub with the fingers of one hand, wrapping the other around your body.

You gasped and arched your back, pressing your breasts towards me as your hands clenched in my hair. I began to stab my tongue, not as flexible as yours, against the hardened flesh, rolling my eyes upward to look at your face as the corners of my muzzle twisted in a pleased smile. You began to pant as you met my eyes, then brought down your head to nip at my ear.

My head rocked as your teeth grazed the sensitive skin, causing your breast to ripple against my muzzle, but I released the nipple after a moment, grazing it once more with my tongue as I began a slow advance down your body, as inexorable as the tides themselves.

You continued panting as you caressed my ears. I took a final look towards you, making out the look of pleasure on your face, then laid flat against the ground, pressing the tip of my muzzle against the soft folds of your sex, lancing out my tongue to tease your clit.

Your fluids began running freely as you started convulsing and yiffing loudly. I opened my muzzle, tasting your sweet nectar, then drove it in with a sudden thrust. I pressed my face as tight to your hips as I could, my senses flooded with the intensity of your arousal.

You howled softly, your hips bucking as your climax ripped through you, splattering my face with your pungent nectar. I drank as much of it as I could, not wanting to waste this gift, then pulled loose, meeting your eyes as you looked at me through half-closed eyelids, panting heavily.

Though I never told you at the time Beloved, that was the best tongue work I've ever been on the receiving end of.

Now I feel bad. I've never surpassed that first night?

I rose to my knees, my eyes drinking in your face, and spoke softly in formal Garou, "You have helped me to remember who I am. I am in your debt."

"Make me yours," you replied softly, also in Garou, making me wonder where you'd learned it, as your finger traced down my muzzle. "I need you, Logan, more than I have needed anyone in my life."

No one had ever spoken such words to me, nor had I to them. You are my first, and only, true love, Lin.

And I have never spoken those words to anyone before and meant them like I did that night.

My heart swelled within my chest as I heard those precious words, and the rest of my body shifted effortlessly into my full Crinos form, lust and love dueling for control of my heart, my shaft already fully erect. "Gladly, my love," I murred as I ran a hand along the side of your face, then clasped your flanks as I leaned over you.

You brought your head up to kiss me before slipping loose, and rolled over onto your front. Raising your hips up, you pressed back against me. I could feel my balls writhing in their furred sack, swelling slightly in preparation, and knew that it would take almost nothing to drive me over the edge, my arousal that strong.

Your invitation unmistakable, I threw my weight forward, driving my shaft into your already moistened folds. You arched your back against my chest as you let out a deep moan, hissing, "Oh yesss," slamming back into me, your tails wrapping around my waist.

My breaths came in a series of deep, strained gasps as your flesh met mine, and my earlier caution, the emotion that had led me to struggle against climax before, was quickly abandoned as I gave myself over to my Passion.

You continued to slam your hips back against mine, pressing your head against my chest as you gave full throat to your lust. With an elegance that I've never been able to emulate in my human form, I threw back my head and gave voice to the song of my heart, harmonizing with your melody, even as I felt my knot begin to swell within you.

You drew me deeper into your depths, your muscles trembling around my shaft as orgasm ripped through you, one after the other. I felt the waves of your release crash over my maleness like the cresting waters of Lake Ontario. I closed my eyes and brought my bone-chilling song to a crescendo as I began to cum into you, jets of my seed breaking against the muscles of you cervix.

Your song echoed through the forest as you orgasmed harder than ever, blasting our combined fluids out around my knot, its girth not quite sufficient to keep your passage closed.

I slumped against you for a moment, my sense of self slow in coming, and asked softly, the extraordinary tones of the Garou language flowing from my mouth easily, "Was this what you wished, She-With-Eyes-Of-Umbra's-Veil?"

The name sprang into my mind, a complex melody of haunting tones, reflecting the mystery I saw in the liquid pools of your eyes. Unlike most of my kin, I was loathe to travel the Umbra, as I had a great respect, and frankly, fear for it. In a way, I felt the same from you. There was a deeper power in you, one that I could not comprehend, and I feared it even as I was drawn to it.

I still fear it, a little, even though my life has depended on it so many times. But, my love is far stronger than my fear, dearest one, never doubt that.

I never have, and I never will.

I clutched you to my chest greedily as you replied with a strangled, "Hai," your breath coming hard. I rolled to the soft moss beneath us, not trusting my legs to support us much longer, my breath coming as hard as yours.

When you regained your breath, you looked to me as we lay side-by-side on the moss, still joined by my knot, and reached up to caress my muzzle as you told me, "Never, in all my years, have I ever felt like that."

I nuzzled against your face, growling softly, "Though the span of my years is lesser than yours, my mate, I also have never felt such intensity."

You purred quietly as you snuggled closer into me, and said, "Hold me, Logan. Hold me through the night."

A tear ran down the fur of my face as I heard your tone, and I proceeded to do so, pressing you against my chest with all of the strength I could still muster, and glanced to the sky, seeing the faintest sliver of the moon, low on the horizon. Inspiration shone in my eyes as I asked, quietly but urgently, "Of what moon are you, dearest of my heart?"

You replied, "It's hard to describe, my beloved wolf. We Kitsune don't track the moon as the Garou do. It's not the moon that decides our fate, it is the elements that guide us down our paths."

I hugged my arms around your body as you added, "Though, I was born beneath the full glory of Luna."

I frowned as I glanced at the new moon once more, commenting, "It is odd to me that we would meet under the Ragabash's moon, yet perhaps that, too, is a sign."

You replied softly, "Perhaps."

Had I been thinking a little more clearly, I would have realized, when better to meet my beautiful trickster, than under the trickster's moon? I think I had a good excuse, though.

I think you did too. Not that I was doing much thinking at that point either.

I slid an arm free, carefully, and dipped my fingers into the thick pool of mingled fluids that lay beneath us, a small amount of dirt also clinging to my fingers. I looked to you and asked, "May I, beloved Shu-lin?"

You looked up into my face, then pressed your muzzle against my chest as you closed your eyes and nodded.

I stroked your tails gently with my other hand as I intoned, as though from memory, though to my knowledge, such a Rite has never been performed before or since. "Under Luna's watchful eye, upon the embrace of Mother Gaia do we rely, to unite together the soul of you and I."

Moving with a slow, steady hand, I drew the symbol of the half-moon into the fur of your forehead, small specks of seed-saturated soil sticking to the fur, then drew the sign of the full moon upon my own.

I am convinced, now, that this Rite was a sign of Mother Gaia's blessing of our mating. As I said, I have never heard its like, and given the problems my own people have with the union of two Garou, it is unlikely that I ever will. But, something happened when I did this, something I can't describe. I believe that Gaia herself placed the words, the motions, into my soul, that night. Beats the hell out of a wedding ring, eh?

Do you know how hard it is to put a ring on with fur? I loved that Rite, Beloved, and it holds a special place in my annals...

You purred and pulled my arm around your chest again after I finished, your head resting on my bicep as you drifted into a light sleep.

I clung to you tightly, rocking very softly as I scanned the night, too energized to consider sleeping, though my body felt worn to a frazzle. I vowed to keep a watch for as long as you would need.

You woke as the moon reached its zenith, and looked up to me with a soft smile, though it soon melted into a frown. "Logan, I don't know if you know; but I still have many, many years left in me. Please, don't grow bitter when you age and I do not."

In a melancholic mirror of our earlier actions, I smiled at you, then placed a finger against your lips. "I was able to learn a few things of your people from He-Who-Never-Speaks. I already know, my love."

You sighed and snuggled back into me as you asked, softly, "Shall we return to camp?"

I chuckled quietly as I stroked the flowing mane of your hair and said, "I suppose we ought, lest they think we were eaten by a grue."

You giggled softly as you slipped from my embrace and gathered our clothes, packing them away in the basket you had brought dinner in, saying, "Then let us return as we are."

I looked around at your sanctuary once more, inhaling deeply to fix the site in my mind, then said, "At our _caern_s, we would be shunned or killed for our actions this night... but I trust you, and I trust your family. I believe we should."

You smiled at me, saying, "Worry not, my beloved wolf. For the Kitsune breed true."

I had begun to kneel, to gather your body into my arms, but stopped, not even breathing for a moment as I realized what you just said. Light must have glinted in my eyes, as moisture began to collect on my lashes, and I looked to you with a wide smile, a stunned expression on my face.

You smiled and kissed me between my eyes, "Both Shang Lee and myself were born to Kitsune parents. We are true-blooded."

I spoke in a strangled voice as I threw my arms around you, pressing my head into your chest, "Luna has shone upon us! That was one thing He-Who-Never-Speaks neglected to mention."

"You probably didn't ask him about it," you said with a huge smile as you hugged me back with all your strength.

I rose and began to stride toward the camp, reflecting briefly, as I would many times in the future, that you were indeed correct. You walked along with me, our hands intertwined, as we basked in each other's presence.

We did not hurry towards the camp, instead taking one of the animal trails through the forest, and I felt more at one with its peaceful embrace than I ever had, in no small part, because I now knew I would not face it alone.

I could tell that you felt no reason for haste, either, and guessed that you wanted to linger in these precious, virgin lands for a little while longer. I asked you softly, a short query of barks and yips, "Did you discover other sanctuaries in your time here?"

You nodded with a smile, replying, "Many."

I opened my muzzle to grin back to you and asked, "Perhaps you would lead me to them, some day? Though, I doubt that they will become as dear to my heart as the clearing on the river."

I want to be buried at that clearing, dearest. I know, you don't like me to speak of such things, certainly not now, but facts have to be faced. It is what I wish.

Then it will be so, Beloved.

You purred softly as we entered the clearing that held the camp. I noticed a fox sitting atop the burrow, its eyes twinkling with mischief as we walked towards it. I grinned even more widely and nodded towards the fox, as my arms were currently clutched around you. In lieu of waving to the fox, I simply drew you closer to my side. The fox's eyes seemed to twinkle even more brightly as it hopped from the burrow and slunk off into the woods.

I chuckled softly as I watched the fox leave, then said sheepishly, "I have not known your people for very long... Was that Shang or his mother?"

You replied with an amused expression, "That was Shang. You can tell by our markings, once you get to know us better. Xiang Tzao Lee's markings are of spun silver. Shang Lee's are the color of charcoal."

I nodded as I reached the burrow, scruffling your hair in reply as a wide yawn split my muzzle abruptly. I held you close as I smiled down at you, commenting, "I had traveled for some time before I came to this place, I am afraid."

You shifted into your fox form and replied, "Then, let us rest," as you slipped into the burrow.

I slid into my wolf form, more smoothly than my usual halting transition, as I'd never been overly familiar with that shape, and glanced at the entrance, wondering if I should enter or not.

The fox from earlier, Shang, walked up alongside me, nudging me closer to the entrance.

With a quick yip of thanks, I trotted inside wearily and saw that it was dimly illuminated by something, though I couldn't tell what. You came up to me, pressing your flank against mine, as an elder fox looked up from where she was resting. Her muzzle markings, ears, and her socks and gloves looked as if they were made of Luna's hair.

I held my head high, to bare my throat to Tzao, and asked, "May I come within for the night, Exalted One?"

She smiled and nodded, apparently pleased with my courtesy, before curling back up. Her son laid next to her, then you laid down next to him, all three of you touching one another.

I glanced around for a moment, then curled myself against your tails, not contacting the others, as a feeling of nervousness hovered in my mind.

My fears were soon laid to rest as they welcomed me into their den, curling their smaller, more finely built bodies around mine, and I remember you snuggling up around my head, purring softly.

I felt as though I were lying on a cloud, my spirit lighter than I could ever remember it, and I spoke a single bark of thanks before closing my eyes, luxuriating in the feeling of warmth around me. Soft barks and yips answered me as we began to drift to sleep.

On most nights, I would have had to struggle to fall asleep, as memories of the past often haunted my dreams, but on this night, I felt nothing but a sense of peace and belonging, and found myself able to rest quite peacefully.

----Chapter III---

The Burrow

Upstate New York

December 1st, 2027

7:30 A.M.

Dawn came all too soon for my tastes, and I was roused from my slumber by someone gently nibbling on my ear. I murmured softly, still half-asleep, my mind translating from English to Garou by sheer force of habit, "No, my dam, I do not wish to go to the Athro this morning..."

My eyes snapped open as I heard a playful yip and felt a nip on the tip of my tail. You told me, "Wake up, lazy tail!"

I leapt to my feet in surprise, instantly awake, my eyes opened wide for a moment before my fur began to lay back down along my body. "For a moment... I did not know where I was."

You murred and ran your body along mine, circling me once, and your tail wrapped around my head briefly, blinding me for a moment, as you completed your circuit.

I rubbed my shoulders and face against you, then growled softly with pleasure, "When I saw you, I knew I was home, my beloved," as I squinted at the sun, which seemed to be focused by the burrow's entrance.

You walked with me, out into the glorious light of dawn, something that I must confess I have not seen too often, and said, "Let's go for a run, before we must return to civilization."

My tongue lolling with pleasure, I nodded, then began stretching my legs and hopping from paw to paw to limber myself up. "Perhaps you could show me some of those sanctuaries you found."

You stretched, almost like a cat, raising your long tail in the air, presenting me with quite the view, and true to form, I locked my eyes to your body, not even stopping to wonder why you only had one tail now. You replied, "I would love to."

Now, personally, I prefer you in your Koto form, the one you'd shown me last night, but still... let's just say that I had little trouble following your smaller form with an inspiration like that as a guide. You looked over your shoulder with a grin, then began to shake yourself, growing until you were almost my size.

I barked with laughter, then my legs began to stretch with every stride we took towards the woods, my chest deepening, until I grew to stand nearly as tall as a man. Eyes twinkling with delight, I stuck my tongue out at you and said, "Anything you can do, my beloved."

You stuck your own tongue out at me as you said, "I changed sizes to match your own."

I do hope I grew out of being, well, such a putz. Sometimes, I look back at myself and wonder how it is that I ever managed to live this long. I must have been quite the sight, my feet stuck in my mouth so often.

Still grinning, I reverted back to wolf form as I moved to your right flank, my tail waving behind me like a banner. Your tail beckoned as you led me off into the woods, and we spent the rest of the morning just running around, enjoying the feel of the elements against our fur, the ground beneath our feet.

For better or for worse, I've been a city wolf for most of my life. Ever since my First Change, I'd feared that my blood ran too thin for me to truly become accustomed to the deep woods of my ancestors, but with you to guide me, I felt quite at home in the peace of the forest, nearly as much as I usually was in the back alleys of my home.

We returned well after noon, my nose full of new scents that I had never even dreamt might exist, but our stomachs were demanding attention. I found that I couldn't recognize the smells from the camp. I knew it was some sort of cooking, but beyond that, I was clueless. My eyes were greeted by the sight of Shang and Tzao in their Koto forms, fixing a late lunch.

My fur and flesh began to flow and warp as I took my near-human form, the one we call Glabro. I looked as if I'd just come from a two-month trek in the back country, and asked, my voice deeper and rougher than normal, "Is there anythin' I can do ta help ya out? We've been off messin' around an' leavin' ya with all th' chores. That ain't right."

I never liked how I sounded like such a redneck in that form, but I didn't exactly get around to working on it, either. Oh well. Another opportunity missed.

What is a redneck?

I'll leave you to ponder that, my dear.

Shang just handed me a bowl of soup as he replied, "Just sit back and enjoy the repast, Cousin."

As I sniffed at the rich broth, I grinned and answered, "Well, I can prob'bly do that much for ya, at least."

Shang handed a bowl to you as well, and sat down to one of his own. I sipped the soup, the warm broth flowing down my throat, as I asked conversationally, "So, what's th' plan? Lin says y'all be leavin' here 'soon', but I dunno much more than that."

Xiang Tzao eyed me, then said, "We'll be leaving on the morrow."

With a nod, I felt my mood darken, and a worried expression crossed my face as I said, "Tzao, I've got to warn ya about Eckhart de Silva. I dunno what your negotiations are all about, but you gotta watch out for him. He's a shark, and he'll take you fer everythin' he can get."

Her expression inscrutable, she replied, "If he proves to be trouble for me, he will not like the consequences."

With a wistful smile, I replied, "I wish I could be there ta see. That'd be... so very satisfyin'."

Tzao cocked her furred head and offered, "Then, join us. You are already mated to my apprentice, so why not join us on our travels?"

I grinned in response, and gestured to the Bitch with my bowl. "There's enough room for ev'ryone, if ya need my help. I'd be happy ta hang 'round longer."

Before she could answer, I looked around for a moment and asked, "By th' way, where'd ol' Mcinnery get off ta?"

Shang set his bowl on his seat, rising as he added in, "He returned to his caern."

I grumbled with sudden irritation, "Aww, nutbunnies. There was somethin' I wanted ta ask him. Ah, well."

You chipped in, hearing the annoyance in my tone, "I know where his caern is."

My slightly tufted ears perked at those words, and I said, "Oh, really? Well, I should prob'bly make meself known formally, even if I am a lil' late. Ya mind showin' me th' way later?"

You finished your soup, and I held out my hand out for the bowl as you replied, "Sure will."

I rose, taking Shang's bowl, and also Tzao's when she had finished, as I commented, "Least I can do is help with th' dishes. Never let it be said that I didn't do th' very least I could do."

Tzao began to pack as I walked over to another part of that stream that I had become so familiar with, then began to clean off the dishes. The rustic pottery took little to clean off, not that much had been left to clean in the first place, and I returned quickly, balancing the dishes carefully to keep from dropping any.

Xiang smiled at me as I returned to her, then packed them away for later use. I returned the smile, then headed off to find you, shifting to my wolf form and my four feet as I strode away. I found you packing away some of the items in the den.

I barked a greeting to you, my voice echoing slightly in the burrow, "Do you require aid, dearest one?"

You turned to smile at me, and ruffled my ears as you replied, "I am almost finished, my beloved Wolf."

I growled softly, with no menace in my voice, as I felt your touch on my sensitive ears, then rubbed my head softly against your leg before heading out of the burrow to give you the room you might need.

You came out after a few minutes, rump first in your fox form, dragging a heavy pack with your teeth. I stepped towards you, quickly shifting a forepaw into a hand, and grabbed the pack as soon as enough of the strap showed for me to grip it, pulling it loose easily.

You purred, rubbing your head against mine, as Shang came over and took the pack, heading for the Cast Iron Bitch. You spoke in the Wolf tongue, leading me into the woods as you said, "Let us be off."

Happy as I was to be with you, I forgot for a moment that my forepaw was still transformed, which gave me a distinctly odd gait. It took a few hundred feet for me to realize the problem and fix it, and you barked an amused laugh as I began to regain my usual speed.

I followed you easily as we traveled through the unspoiled countryside, still unused to the virginal purity of the landscape. After a time, I felt a change in the air, and knew that we were beginning to near the caern. I barked sharply, as a warning, then asked, "Does Mcinnery know about the Kitsune? That their blood is so strong?"

You turned your head back to speak to me, replying, "He does. That was one the things Xiang Tzao talked to him about, while she was here to gain his help."

I heaved a sigh of relief. "I had not wished to hide our love, dearest one. I am thankful that this will not need to be the case."

It always pains me, when I've needed to claim you as 'just a friend'. It's not right, it shouldn't have to be, and I hate it, pure and simple.

As do I when the situations are reversed. I would much rather tell the truth.

You stopped at the boundary of the caern, laying on the ground as you smiled to me, saying, "I can go no further until invited in."

I looked at you, my amber eyes lidded with sadness. "I'll come back for you, as soon as I possibly can," I sang, then stepped into the bawm, and raised my head to howl a melody that I felt described myself.

You see, the tongues of Garou and Wolf are not precisely like those of Man. I worked in sounds similar to that of "Logan Starr", yes, but I also sang of myself and my deeds. Suffice it to say that a fair abbreviation would be, "He-Who's-Nose-Finds-Truth". Pretentious, perhaps, but that seems to be the way of a Garou naming.

I began to walk into the bawm, very slowly, and continued to howl with every few steps as I scent the marks, trying to catch Mcinnery's scent.

A large, silver-furred wolf met me along the way, growling at me in challenge.

I sat back on my haunches as I regarded him, then barked back an answer, "You have heard who I am, and where I am from. I seek entry for myself... and for my mate."

The large, argent wolf narrowed his eyes in confusion, asking, "Your 'mate'?

I closed my eyes as I felt my anger attempting to bubble to the surface, I replied, "Yes, the fox-kin, She-With-Eyes-Of-Umbra's-Veil."

The wolf shook his head, a challenging growl entering his tone as he asked again, "Fox-kin?"

I took a deep breath, then said, "Perhaps you could ask Mcinnery to speak with me. It may be easier for me to Crack the Bone with him, I come to believe.

The wolf growled as he turned away, warning me to wait. I sat there in silence, as motionless as a statue, as I prayed to Luna for guidance, Mother Gaia for strength... and Xiang Tzao, for good measure. I thought that last wouldn't hurt. As I whispered in Garou, I wondered how one could have half a tail.

An older wolf came back, the silvery one nowhere in sight, and sat a few dozen feet away. He asked, and I recognized Mcinnery's tones in his voice, "What do you wish to speak to me of, Logan of the Washington Park caern?"

I replied in a firm tone, not quite the proper submissive form of petitioner to elder, "I first ask that my mate, the fox-kin, She-With-Eyes-Of-Umbra's-Veil, be allowed to enter the bawm."

After a moment, Mcinnery replied, "She may enter. She is welcome in our caern."

With a deep sigh of relief, I howled joyfully into the forest, asking you to join me. When I had finished, I regarded Mcinnery again, changing my tone to the submissive form, I said, "I wished to make myself known to the elders of the caern, and ask their forgiveness in my late arrival."

Mcinnery chuckled as you appeared out of the bushes, sitting next to me. He grinned as he told me, "You are forgiven."

I nuzzled against your body for a moment, pleased to have you at my side, before continuing, "Might I be allowed to ask, Mcinnery_-rhya_... do the Fianna claim this caern?"

He replied in a cautious tone, "They do. Why do you inquire thus?"

I laid on the ground and held my muzzle between my forepaws, and began to explain, in halting tones from the pain of memory. "I sought knowledge of an old companion of mine. Please, tell me, have you heard word of the Cursed One, the one who called himself Apocalypse?"

Mcinnery nodded, replying, "A Galliard passing through made mention of him, but it was in passing, only."

I exhaled sharply with surprise. Usually, these queries net me nothing. "Did it sound as though... he yet lived?"

He smiled, a faint cheer entering his tone as he answered, "It did. Seek out the one who calls herself Moonsong. She may have the answers that you seek."

I rose slowly to my feet and bared my throat in deference to the great wolf, saying, "Thank you, Mcinnery_-rhya_. I shall do just that, and not keep you from your duties any longer. Thank you for your aid."

Mcinnery grinned as he climbed to his paws and began to stride away, but he stopped for a moment, looking back and barking, "Best of luck, laddie, in the search for your companion."

I didn't return the grin, but stared into his eyes for a moment instead, before saying, "For all our sakes. Keep a nose to the wind for news of his passing."

Mcinnery continued to walk way, replying solemnly, "We will."

I rubbed against your side once more, trying to calm myself with your warm presence, then loped into the inner caern to search for this Moonsong. You followed slightly behind me, helping me question the other Garou that were at the caern, but we soon found that the Galliard had headed off again, not staying for long.

I must have had a panicked look in my eye as I tried to ascertain her next destination, judging by the glances I got, but I felt as though a terrible urgency hanging heavily on my shoulders. The only clue I was able to discover was that she had headed back to the west, but there was no word of her objective.

You returned to me, concern evident in your eyes, as she asked, "What is so urgent, beloved?"

I asked you to follow me as I loped back towards the camp, explaining along the way, "Apocalypse, for that was the only name that I knew him by, had been cruelly twisted by agents of the Wyrm. They cut him open, and placed pieces of argent metal and," I hesitated for a moment, searching for the words, then recalled a term the Random Interrupts sometimes used for the Human concept of 'electronics', "spark rivers into his body, robbing him of his memory."

You whimpered as I told my tale, evidently picking out my meaning despite the obscure wording. You asked, "And, you hope to save him?"

Feeling even more worried, I shook my head, a mournful tone entering my voice as I replied, "I met him after he had escaped. He was a true beast in battle, but only when he was well. Oft, the spark rivers rebelled against his body, wracking him with intense pain. That was hardly the worst problem he faced, as well."

You whimpered again, wordlessly, as you pressed against me for comfort. I nuzzled your face, my eyes opened wide in concern for you, as I continued, "He believed that he was the bearer of prophecy. That he would win every battle except his last. On that day, he would die, and the Apocalypse would come to claim all of the Children of the Moon. That is why I always ask of news of his survival."

Your steps faltered as you shuddered in shock, my words greatly disturbing. I slowed my pace and turned to you, nuzzling against you in slow circuits. "I... howl to my other companion, Karma Keplova, every time I get the chance, for news of him. This is the closest I've come to finding him again."

You looked up to my face, your silvery eyes opened wide, and said, "Let's make our best speed back to the Camp. Tzao will want to hear of this."

I yipped an agreement, then began pumping my legs as fast as I could, taking the straightest possible path back home. Funny, that I'd come to think of it as such so quickly.

It wasn't so much the burrow that I considered home; it was anywhere that you called yours, I would come to realize. As long as you stand with me, I am at peace, my love.

Then you will be at peace for the rest of your days, my beloved wolf.

When we returned to the camp, you shot straight towards the burrow, diving into it as quickly as you could. Shang and Tzao turned their heads to watch you pass, then shot looks of curiosity and worry to me. I looked back at them, then lowered my head in shame, and began to explain what I had heard at the caern, emphasizing the importance of the information.

Shang looked to his mother, who nodded, then told me, "Then, we should leave right away."

I nodded back, then poked my shaggily furred head into the burrow, concerned for you, and found you curled up in one corner, your back against the wall, shivering.

I quickly slid in through the narrow entrance and laid down next to you, licking at your face to show my sympathy. You whimpered in response and buried yourself against my form, your trembling growing even worse, an uncontrollable force rising in your body.

Turning my head to the entrance, I barked a loud summons, my cry of warning carrying an overtone that indicated sickness, then buried myself around your form, quietly whining, "You are not well, my beloved. What can I do to help you?"

You continued to shake as you pressed against me, replying between clenched teeth, "I am frightened. I have seen this Apocalypse in dreams."

Shang and his mother quickly entered the burrow, in fox form, and moved over to us before taking their Koto forms. They tried to console you, and eventually you calmed down and took Koto form as well.

I paused from nuzzling you, even as I watched your body shift, and a low growl echoed from my throat, "That is how the Cursed One spoke. He claimed to scent the future in his dreams. Have... have the agents of the Wyrm harmed you, as well?"

You hugged me to your chest, as you replied, "No. It's one of my gifts."

My paws flexed involuntarily, cutting furrows into the dirt floor with my claws, and I growled, "It sounds more as though it was a curse, my love."

Why does our world call for such sacrifices? Your gift is a wondrous thing, do not think otherwise, but I can't abide the pain it has caused you. I sometimes wonder if agony is not the medium through which we travel, joy a fluke aberration in its swirling eddies.

I closed my eyes as you continued to hold me close, and tried to will my anger away before it could overtake me. I would have rather died than harm any of you accidentally, and still would, don't worry. The purr of your voice entered my mind as you tried to calm me down, a cruel mirror of our actions a moment ago.

I still felt a blind urge to shift to my war-form, to rend and tear apart anything that moved in my path until I fell in battle, but the three warm, furry presences laying against me reminded me of what I would lose if I did so. I began to relax as my rage ebbed, and nuzzled my face against your bosom as a touchstone. While you cooed in a wordless tune to me, Shang and Tzao left us, sensing that the danger had passed.

I brushed my paws against your flanks, a few tears clinging to your fur as I barked quietly, "Would that I could relieve you of this burden, dearest one. It pains me to see you so frightened. Had I known, though, I would still have told you of my packmate's story. I never want to hide anything from you."

You shushed me as you scritched behind my ear, saying softly, "Be at peace, my beloved wolf. Please, shift forms."

I looked into your eyes, seeing the remarkable worry the dwelled within their depths, then began to stretch out my limbs, willing myself to take the Crinos form, but also to retain full control over it. You curled around my body as the shift completed, purring softly while caressing my massive chest.

I cradled you in my arms, laying my muzzle against your shoulder as I took in the feeling of your warm body pressing against my own. You turned your head, cooing to me, then whispered an affirmation of our love into my ear, helping me lock away the rage that burned within my heart.

Chuckling softly, I took stock of myself, then told you ruefully, "I should have been an Ahroun, the way my emotions take hold of me, sometimes. I do not mean to worry you so, truly I do not.

You stroked my hair, as you replied softly, "You have good control over your rage, and that's what matters most."

I growled softly as I rubbed my head against your hand, drawing my arms tighter around your body, but then stopped after a moment, releasing you as I said, "Forgive me, my love. I came to the burrow to tell you that Shang and Tzao have decreed that we should leave immediately."

You sighed as I made my declaration, apparently quite happy to be with me like this. I scratched your sensitive ear carefully as I smiled, muttering sadly, "All good things, my love."

You purred at the feel of my fingers, then sighed as you began to return to your human form, saying, "Yeah, let's return to society, then."

I regained my usual, lanky form, and peered about the burrow with my weakened eyes. I twisted my face in a sly grin and said, "Um, love, ya mind tellin' me where ya stashed my threads?"

You simply laughed evilly and bolted out of the burrow, butt naked, and I licked my lips, my grin broadening, as I followed your luscious ass out of the mound.

You walked over to the Bitch, totally at ease with yourself, then dug around in the pack we'd pulled out earlier, then tossed me my clothes. I laid the bundle on her hood, shuffling it around until I found my holster. I checked it intently, watching out of the corner of my eye as you found some fresh undies and a silk, Chinese-style dress.

As you began to put it on, I made sure that nobody had touched my revolver, fast-loaders, baton, or portable. The former and the latter were as I'd left them, but one of the fast-loaders had been moved. I picked it up carefully, holding it to the light. I could see some strange symbol carved into their metal-shod heads. I squinted as I said, "Hello, there. I don't remember these bein' here before."

I jumped as I heard Tzao's voice from behind my back, quietly informing me, "They are a gift."

I looked at them appreciatively, then smiled to the elder Kitsune. "I hope ya don't mind my askin, but what in Gaia's name did ya do to 'em," as I tapped a finger against the symbol, shrugging as I added, "It's Greek to me."

Tzao smiled slightly as she replied, "These will work against all of the supernatural races as well as they would work against humans. And, that would be Japanese to you."

I smiled menacingly as I replied, "That quite the trick. I don't even wanna think of what kinda spirit ya'd have to hunt down to pull that one. I'll make sure these go to... good homes."

Tzao grinned, adding, "See that you do."

Shang strode up, grinning as well, as he replied, "Plug a leech with one of those, and they'll know it."

I tucked the 'loader away carefully, then pulled a pair of mirrorshades from my shirt pocket, after donning my favored casual clothes, and put them on, noticing the "CARRIER SIGNAL LOST" message in the corner of the left lens. Gesturing towards the Bitch, I said, "Last call for civilization! All aboard!"

Shang pulled open the door, slid into the driver's seat, and slammed it close with one easy movement, as Tzao slipped into the passenger seat. You looked to me with a loving smile, and said softly, "Looks like you got relegated to the back, with me."

I climbed into the bucket seat with you, pressing against your side, but my foolhardy grin turned into a frown as I heard Shang try to start the engine. It tried to turn over, but failed to catch, grating with effort.

Shang frowned as he climbed out of the Bitch's cabin, moving around to her hood, which he opened up, practically climbing into it. I stepped out with a final caress of your smooth, golden skin, and came around to the front, just in time to catch a foul look from your cousin. He asked me, "When was the last time this got an oil change?"

I scratched my head as I poked my head into the engine compartment, wanting to check it over for myself. "Uh, well... I've been a lil' busy, t'know. Money's been tight."

I addressed the engine, peering at it intently, and began to check the starter as I said, "Look, sugar, just do it for me, huh? I'll get ya to a full-service joint as soon as we get home, how 'bout it, babydoll?"

I pulled my head out for a moment and said to Shang, "Gimme a mo', then try to start her up, okay? We gotta talk business, the Bitch and me."

Shang nodded, then slipped back into the driver's seat again. I muttered angrily to the Bitch, "Alright, ya Wyrm-spawned bastard of a fork-lift and a toaster oven, get with the program," then hopped back out after a few adjustments and shouted, "Hit it!"

The engine chugged hard, whining in protest, but still failed to catch. Shang let out a string of eloquent curses in at least a dozen languages, then flew out of the cabin, and began sweet-talking the engine in an unfamiliar language. After a few minutes, he strode back to the driver's seat, looking cocky, and fired it up, the engine catching instantly.

I glared at the engine block, then slammed the hood a little harder than needed, commenting drily, "Ya know I don't like it when ya start for other men, babydoll."

With a resigned shrug, I climbed into the back again, and snuggled up to you, knowing that you'd be faithful to me, anyway.

I still believe that. I've never doubted it for an instant. Just promise me, when I'm gone, that you won't hold yourself to my memory. I couldn't hurt you that way, I couldn't stand it.

You smiled to me, a mirthful light shining from the grey depths of your eyes, and cuddled into my side. Shang chuckled from up front as he turned the Bitch around, commenting, "You see, Logan_-san_, you just have to speak her language."

I grinned as I wrapped my arms around you, commenting to Shang, "I guess ya did alright, bro. She just doesn't like other people touchin' her wheel, 'sall."

Laughs chorused in the cabin as you rested your head on my shoulder, managing to fall asleep as we drove the back roads to civilization.

I stroked your hair as we drove on, watching the miles tick away. Every so often, my connection display would flash for a moment, but then fade as we passed the small towns by.

I feel so tired, beloved. I should try to press on, but I simply can't. The rest of my tale will have to wait until I've gotten some rest. Could you... stay with me? I don't want to be alone.

Forever....

----The End----