A sneaky suspicion

[Hitoban no Fokkusu]

Claws dug silently into the moist spring earth. No sign of the usually cheery season surfaced here. The occasional live plant would be quickly killed by the toxic water, the difficult-to-breathe air. I am perfectly at home. The imbeciles are sleeping soundly-they won't wake until my mission is complete. My dark fur bristled invoulantarily - this is a place of evil, of death, of carnage. It's only natural my instincts would respond. After all, I am one-third wolf and one-third angel. The bristling would mostly be because of the stupid angel. Kazumi.

Damn her! It is her fault I have not yet reached my full potential. My soul twin, if you will, continually sucks away my power. As Hitoban grows weaker, so we grow stronger. It would be only me and Hitoban would have long ago fallen had it not been for Kazumi. Half of Hitoban's power goes to her, the wretch, and she uses it to thwart me. But no longer. I am stronger. I have always been stronger. I am strong enough now to go unnoticed when I take away Hitoban's shell. I can force her inside without her even knowing. I can do as I please, as long as she is asleep.

A smirk flashed across my bloodied maw. I'd already killed once tonight, and I wouldn't mind it again. My teeth-those spears which had once been white as snow-have long since become yellow with past adventures. Oh the taste of sweet, delicious blood as it flows sweetly from one body to my own. I long for it, ache for it, wish to experience it again and again. I stopped. I have reached my destination.

As I stared at the den of the Heartless pack leader, I knew he was inside. It was, after all, his den. I sat, waiting for him; he would have already known I was coming. Demons can sense others on their territory from miles away. I simply called out softly, "Giga. Come to me," and awaited his arrival on Death's front door.

[Wahya Ayawisgi]

The cave was quiet, only a light breeze coming in and out like a breath from something inside. As the one came onto the land the shadow stayed in the same position, just remained hidden.

Who would dare walk on these lands...

As the wolf that entered the lands and came to the door of his home, he remained silent until the silence was broken by a voice. The only response at the back of the cave was the sudden appearance of two glowing yellow orbs.

"Who comes to my door step?" Giga remained in the dark, only having his eyes piercing the darkness.

[Hitoban no Fokkusu]

A smirk danced across my lips as I saw his eyes. He would have long known I was there, waiting for him. He chose to wait, lay quietly until I arrive. A smart choice. He would not want a fight with me now. He would have three bitches to deal with instead of one. I sat easily in front of the gaping mouth of his cave, my ear flicked back lazily. My crimson eyes shone in the dreary light of the crescent moon. The sky was cloudy-it would storm soon. My tail swished placidly, testing his patience. Finally I spoke, my feminine voice laced with poison.

"I have a proposition for you," I hissed, getting straight to the point. "You see around you your dwindling pack. You continuously kill them as though they serve no purpose save your entertainment. I have found another reason. Build an army. Keep only the strongest, fastest, most morally deprived among you, and join me." I grinned, licking my chops. Oh, the bloodshed to come should he accept. We could rule this land. "Missy is coming. This name means nothing to you, but I feel a hatred so pure for her, deep within my soul. I long to taste her blood. I feel her restless soul, and know she will come soon. She wishes to kill my shell. She wishes to kill Hitoban no Fokkusu. I say we join her. We kill Hitoban no Fokkusu's pack, along with the Full Moon twerps who are sure to join them, and then kill Missy." I silenced my raging thoughts, allowing him time to consider. I cocked my head to the side, the smirk replaced on my maw.

[Wahya Ayawisgi]

The wolf spoke as if fear was not in her throat, Hmm.. either this is one stupid wolf or one that might have the guts to stand up. The silence continued as he listened to her and her plan. As she came to a stop, only a growl came from the back of the cave as a couple thuds hit the earth surface, revealing only his muzzle out of the shadows.

"For someone much smaller than me... one to walk on my own lands... trying to tell me how to run MY pack and tell ME to join some wolf for some stupid conquest to kill someone killed Missy!" A snarl rolled across his muzzle as the eyes glared down at the wolf.

"Yes I do wish to rid of that Full Moon Pack and the leader that I use to dwell in and eaisly walk through his friend's land, but why in the HELL-" A sudden bark at the end as he springed out further the cave toward the wolf, almost on top of her, "would I rid myself as the alpha here to just hand it to a wolf like you?!"

[Hitoban no Fokkusu]

I waited, unflinching, as Giga began to speak. His demonic voice rose with anger, and still I smirked. Even as I saw his muzzle poke out of the shadows, as I heard his thunderous snarl, still I did not move. He did not frighten me. I was confident for one reason and one reason alone. I knew I would not take him down now, but I was not intending to do so. I knew he would not attack me. He wanted to hear what I had to say. I knew, as long as I said what he wanted to hear, I would remain intact. So even as he lunged at me, I did not move. I sat perfectly at ease, the smirk ever-clinging to my maw, and gazed up into Giga's yellow eyes. His face was mere inches from my own, but it mattered not. I began to speak, my voice unwavering and strong.

"Indeed I am smaller than you. Your hulking form clearly proved that. Indeed I am on your land. All this I know to be true. But I was not telling you how to run your pack. I was merely suggesting something for you to do with your free time instead of kill the members of your pack. Now, about you handing your Alpha position to me..." I could feel it now, my essence writhing and swirling about me. As my anger grew, so did it. Black translucence, whirling around me like a small storm. Though my physical appearance didn't change, my presence grew to monstrous size, as large or larger than the demon before me. Surely it wouldn't have any fear effect on another demon, but he would know the power that lurked within me. "Never was such a thing mentioned. Never was anything said about my being Alphess of the Heartless Pack. Never were the words "Giga, give me your Alpha position immediately" ever thrust through my lips!" My essence began to slowly recoil, forming back to me like a fitted black stocking. "I was simply offering...a hobby, if you will." The smirk returned to my lips, my ever-present replacement for what others might call a smile.

[Wahya Ayawisgi]

The smirk on her face, oh the smirk on her face, Giga want to rip it off from that muzzle of hers and make sure it could not do such thing anymore. As he listened to her again, he could feel the ever growing presence in her, Hmmm.. must of said something to crawl under this ones skin.

As she finshed, Giga began to smirk then laugh lowly in his throat, "Well good, I thought for a moment you was dumb enough to try and take my title and you become my alphess?!" His laugh grew louder as he kicked his head back, "I would honestly love to see you try to be a alphess while I am alpha, would be a... shall we say interesting story."

He pushed his head closer to hers, "But this... hobby... does not sound interesting enough for me to side with someone I don't even know.. even if its against one of my very rivals I dispise. Now.. begon with thee unless you have something worth my time... if not, leave while you still can walk."

[Hitoban no Fokkusu]

He was amused. Good. Such a thought as my being Alphess to his Alpha was preposterous enough to make even I wish to laugh. I didn't, however-no need to intrude on his moment. I love only one, despise it as I may. I love Tsuki, as did Hitoban and Kazuki. And if anything were to happen to Tsuki, I would feel my heart rip in two. That's why I was planning on sparing him in the war. But first I had to win this battle. I could feel myself losing when he beckoned me from his land. I can't stand to lose. I stood, unwilling to move, but feeling it necessary. My tail was relaxed, no sign of dominance or submission anywhere near it. Instead of my smirk, my face was contemplative, chin tilted slightly inclined toward him. "You say you don't think it worthwhile to side with someone you don't know. Yet I venture to put in another point. Since when does you knowing them have anything to do with whether you would kill someone or not? I am merely suggesting you use the wolfess to kill the Wahya child. The only side you'll be on is your own. Why wouldn't you want to be on your own side?" I tried to smile, but it turned into a smirk as per usual. I proved an excellent point, and he must know that.

[Wahya Ayawisgi]

Giga growled noticing her still running her little mouth off from this deal, "I don't think I have made myself clear little wolfess..." He stepped forward having his body almost hovering over her.

"If anyone is going to kill that damn wolf that I was trapped in, it will be me! I don't care for this mockery of a plan on trying to slide in and take out the foes in my path. If I choose to kill, I do it upfront with full force!"

He stood staring down at the wolfess as he grind his teeth, "Now I will not repeat myself... make this worth my time before I put you in the earth itself..."

[Hitoban no Fokkusu]

"No, no, no. You've got it all wrong." I was beginning to lose patience, as my aura revealed. It grew and writhed, and try as I might to settle my temper, it is in a demoness's nature to be a bit hot-headed. I didn't want to be hot-headed in this situation, so I tried to calm myself. It worked for the most part. He just didn't seem to understand. I would attempt to put it in more laments terms, but male demons always are a bit thick...

I took a deep, calming breath, and started again. "I have made the wrong impression on you, friend. I do not mean to say this will interfere with you in any way. You will kill the Wahya child, alone, up front. I am merely asking your assistance. What demon would turn down an offer of war?" The word itself made my blood roil and bubble with delight. Everything within me yearned for war-the ultimate bloodshed, killing spree-a glorious playground for any demon, male or female alike. "Helping me in achieving my goals sets, for you, the perfect backdrop for which to slay the so-called imprisoner. You would have your fun with the Wahya child, and then you would join me in the fun of slaying Missy and all others who oppose you." Surely I must have put it in clear enough terms for him? Surely he would not lose his temper. Perhaps a different approach would be wise. I sat again, my tail curled comfortably around my legs.

"If war is not what calls to you in dreams, what could I do to make it worth your while? Why not let me in on your other desires, save killing the wolf? Mayhaps I could help to fulfill them." If my asking open-ended questions didn't work, I hadn't the slightest clue what would. I was getting tired of this game. Either he would help me or he wouldn't. I would be glad of his numbers and skill, but they weren't exactly necessary. All he had to do was stay out of my way and I could take care of Missy myself. But I had hoped to win his good graces, so perhaps things could be arranged more easily if he was direly needed in the future. One thing was sure-he would be around for a long time yet to come.

[Wahya Ayawisgi]

Giga stood there still, like a statue as he stared down at the wolfess without even letting out a single breath as he thought about her words. Hmm... maybe she is not as stupid and innocent as she seems by the eye.

Giga stood still quiet after she finished for a good length of time before he cocked his head back with a smirk of his own. "War is almost the best word to hear..." Giga then walked around the wolfess behind her looking out to the forest.

"I will help you..." He slowly turned around with those yellow eyes staring down at the wolfess with a mischievous smirk toward her, "But... you must prove to me that your going to last that long." His body began to shrink down to the same size of the wolfess as he turned his body in the direction of her.

He rolled his head at the same time of his shoulders as he kept those yellow eyes on her, "If you can place a mark on my muzzle I will help you... but don't suspect me to play fair." Giga smiled deviously as he awaited her movement, his shadow seem to blend with the nearby shadows as he stood there staring at her.

[Hitoban no Fokkusu]

Oh finally! I almost breathed a relieved sigh when he agreed to help. Of course, things are not always as they appear. Of course he would answer to the call of sweet father War. What self-respecting demon would not? An evil grin split my face when he shrank, and I knew what was coming. Of course he would want to fight me! And I was eager to duel him. I had, after all, never quite seen him in battle, and I didn't want a wimp on my side. I braced myself, watching those yellow eyes all the time, waiting for him to move. It became clear he was giving me an in-the first move. So my grin shrank and a smirk replaced it. The gears in my mind began to turn. If I got in any serious trouble, Hitoban and Kazuko would wake, and we surely didn't want that. So I had to make sure not to get seriously hurt, while going for his muzzle. His muzzle...the most dangerous part of him, of course. She would have to use all her tricks to bring down this one. Of course, she would never let him know it would be that much trouble.

"Oh, I wouldn't dream of it. Just as you can expect the same of me." A demon playing fair? The idea was preposterous. A demoness, however, has a few more tricks available than a demon. But, they hardly work on a demon, only on the dumb mortal wolves. I paced back and forth, watching Giga's shadow blending with the bare trees around him. My aura stretched and writhed, reaching out to caress his cheek. It pulled back at the last second and danced in his face as I laughed. My playful nature was beginning to show as I inched imperceptibly closer, my aura doing all the heavy lifting by distracting Giga. Finally, it flicked at his cheek, cutting his fur, as I lunged. I was close enough that if I didn't get his muzzle, I would at least clip his ear or neck. My claws and teeth were both working for me tonight, and I went for any opening I could find. If I missed, I would turn as fast as I could to avoid being hit.

[Wahya Ayawisgi]

Giga's teeth showed gladly as he smiled deviously to her remark. I can't wait to see what she can do... lets push the envelope. As her aura began to outreach from her body toward Giga, he remained unmoved as he lurched forward slowly in his direction.

He only shot back a flirtatious wink as she played around his face with her little aura fingers. As it cut his cheek pulling away quickly he saw he actions unfold as she lunged forward with teeth barred.

The shadows that attached to the trees soon engulfed him in a blink bringing his body into the earth disappearing almost instantly right before her teeth could sink into his muzzle. As the shadows settled, one tree had those familiar yellow eyes pierce through it before he launched himself from the tree like a catapult with his body weight pushing toward toppling her.

[Hitoban no Fokkusu]

I could tell this wasn't going to be easy. The shadows engulfed him and he was gone, and it was all I could do to keep my teeth from clacking together. Damn... I snarled and wheeled to face him as he lunged at me. My aura danced and flicked, and willingly obeyed my commands. I was lurched into the air, avoiding Giga's attack my the fur on my back paw. Too close for comfort. I fell lithely to the ground and turned to stalk. We were both motionless now, and I smirked. I thought I would tease him just a bit more-after all, the banter was sometimes more fun that the blood. My aura teased with me, repeating its face antics. This time I tried nothing under its distraction-he would see through it too easily. Instead I kept my distance, speaking calmly.

You have some nice moves, my dear Giga. It shall be a pleasure to have you on the same team. I paced back and forth slowly, trying to figure how I could hurt him. An aerial attack might prove most effective...My aura was much better at extending upward, or so it seemed. I would confuse him by attacking by ground first, then go for the spine from above. My aura danced in his face, walking itself up his nose and gently fondling his ears. It patted his head before engulfing it and tightening. All my concentration was on squeezing the opening in my aura closed-severing his head. There were, of course, ways out of this deadly headlock, but I was hoping he knew none of them.

[Wahya Ayawisgi]

Giga smirked cheekily as she commented about being on his side, he just lightly bowed his head as a insult more than a friendly bow, "What can I say, many fall before me. I know how to get under their fur."

As the Aura started coming toward him again, he merely rolled his eyes again. "You know... this little trick of yours is getting old quick..." As he finished his sentence, the Aura grabbed a hold of head holding him in place, even though he wasn't moving in the first place.

He just laughed as he looked to her, "I guess my shadow tricks are about the same... no?" At the time a shadow lurched forward from behind her and latched onto the back of her legs and hips dragging her lower half to the ground.

"Tell me.... do you know who this wolf is?" Giga smiled deviously as his fur and eyes changed to a very familiar wolf that one of the wolves Wahya knew would immediately know. It was Hito's old pack mate.

[Hitoban no Fokkusu]

Akio... Instantly my heart squeezed. I may be a fierce demoness, but I love as Hitoban loves, and Hitoban did indeed love that wolf. As he took shape before me, it was a struggle not to call his name. I fought back the emotion, fearing it would wake Hitoban and Kazumi from their slumber. My plans cannot be foiled so easily, no. I swallowed my pride, and put on a show.

My face contorted and I gasped softly. I fought back the tears. "Akio..." Just saying his name brought a stab of long-buried pain, lobbing my throat and stinging my eyes. I blinked back the tears as I was forced to the ground. My aura released him ever-so-slightly, and I struggled to put it back in place. The other end, however, was sneakily working on releasing me from his grasp. The sooner I was free, the sooner I could end this charade and attack. Our auras had not yet touched, so he knew nothing of this plot. He knew only that his trap was working, and that seeing Akio was affecting me. Too bad he really knows nothing at all.