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Light shone off the snow while the moon illuminated the earth as it peered down through rocky ranges. A rust-colored wolf howled up at the lingering lunar companion, his lonely song echoing across the valley. It reached more ears than the wolf was perhaps aware of, but he was too caught up in other sensations; snow crunching beneath his paws, wind whistling through the trees, littler creatures skittering and hiding upon seeing him. He didn’t chase any, having learned better a while ago.
As the moon dipped below the mountains, his fur receded, fangs became only canines, rust colored fur became only hair. The dulling of his senses did nothing to combat the bitter cold that rushed him like a feral animal, biting into him with fangs like icicles and fur like frost. He shivered nearly violently, wrapping his arms around him in a sorry attempt to warm up.
He thought he’d wandered far from any potential saviors–this valley was vast and people tended to live in their own little spheres, with the most likely wanderers being hunters, whether that be of vampires and werewolves, or the monsters themselves–but yet, pulling himself up to his feet and dragging himself further, even after his bones felt like they’d frozen over and his blood chilled like a spring stream in the first winter frost.
He smelled the scent of fresh food wafting from an open window, an undertone of burning lantern oil accompanying it. He was too hungry to not follow his stomach, as a gnawing sensation had started up and it was almost worse than the frostbite.
He felt like he'd succumb to hypothermia before he arrived, but he managed, collapsing at the door. He didn't have to knock, his head making a plenty loud thunk as he crumpled like paper. The last he saw was the door open, hearing soft voices as he was pulled inside.
-
The halls were still as grand as he remembered on the fateful night he’d met Higuchi and Gin. or, well, it was more like a morning. He’d woken up on a soft bed with sheets that smelled like ash, but it wasn’t an unpleasant scent. No, in fact, in all the times he’d stayed over, he’d grown to quite like it. It wasn’t like the almost earthy, sweet smell of the bed–Den? Nest?–at home with his pack. He would have been happy to lay in the bedroom he normally did when visiting the two vampires on all other nights.
But not tonight. Because tonight, he could feel the need to run and howl and experience all the valley had to offer slowly creeping up his spine. He could feel how his canines had grown, his molars a little better suited for crushing bone, and he ached to feel it happen. He had to get out of here, but it seemed like the world was against him.
“I don’t think the snowfall is going to stop any time soon,” Higuchi said, glancing back at him. He went over, looking down through the window, eyes widening. They were on the fourth floor of the mansion, which was tall enough they could see far, far across the valley from here. It didn’t help to mention that the mansion’s height was already extended by the ballroom on the first floor; which Tachihara had always thought distantly could have a house put in it and still have a few inches left.
This night, this unlucky evening, snow was up to the second floor. Even from the warm inside of the mansion, he shivered. He knew the door would open for no one, even if someone dug, or used a torch to melt through it. There’d be too much to dig, the flame would go out too soon, and there was, of course, always the risk of the snow collapsing on top of the would-be escapee, bringing them to a slow painful death by freezing.
Tachihara then turned his attention to the sky, staring at the mountain range. The moon hadn’t shown itself yet except for a small sliver peeking out, shining as if a warning ember burning before the blaze of a wildfire. He wanted to listen, could feel the fur forming on his back in a layer so painfully light that it itched. His nails got a little longer, as if whispering, go on. Claw your way out of here, claw your way out of this form. Destroy yourself and go on anew. It was all he could do to block it out, force a calm smile at the two he adored.
“Well, we can hope.” He told the pack he’d be there tonight, looked up at Fukuchi honestly and told him he wouldn’t stray from them like he so often tended to do. He didn’t think about the soft embraces of Gin or Higuchi, about how he always wanted to spend a little more time with them, about how he never felt unwanted here–
Not that his pack made him feel unwelcome, he didn’t mean that. He liked being with Fukuchi and the others, he liked trying strange combinations with Tetchou, chasing game with Teruko, carefully hunting with Jouno, the group sleeping pile they all assembled during the night like they always had; it was easier–safer–like that. They couldn’t freeze to death if they were all collectively warm, after all.
It was strange to sleep here, and it had taken him a bit to get used to initially letting drowsiness take him without the lullaby of his family around him, but he’d tried to let other things fill in. The quiet steps of servants and creaking of wood, the wind crying outside, the ways trees creaked as they bent outside.. They weren’t pleasant songs to beckon him into his dreams, but as long as they didn’t make him linger on the edge of consciousness, he supposed.
Again, the call of the wild tugged on his mind; silent and yet so loud. He wondered if anything was noticeable yet, but quickly shut down that train of thought, not wanting to worry about how Higuchi and Gin were this close to learning he'd been lying when he said he was only human. He'd played the role of a scared traveler well, he thought. Maybe because plenty of that fear was real and tangible at the time. Now though, when he stared at those oh so sharp fangs in their mouths, fear was the furthest thing from what he felt.
Yet, that didn't reassure him, because he had his own teeth. Despite how before he'd been at their mercy, knowing his life depended on if they saw through his lie or not, realized he was a wolf wearing human skin or only saw him as a lost fool.. he kind of now wished they'd turned him away, because he hated the thought of the wolf pouncing on them, merciless when he was gentle, seeing only enemies where he saw friends.
Part of him desperately wanted to believe it would see them as he saw them, but learning not to chase squirrels and to not maim people were extremely different lessons. There was a reason his pack lived so far away from most people, even for the regular standards of the valley’s inhabitants. He knew humans whispered about them, hearing them string tales that were so inaccurate he didn't know whether to be offended or laugh his ass off. He often told them back to Teruko, who got a kick out of them too—
Right, the current situation. He couldn’t leave, the outside was dangerously snowy, but he couldn’t stay here either or else he’d be the danger. He put his hands behind his back as he prayed he had enough time to think up a solution.
“Michizo?” Gin went over to his side, gently grasping one hand. Higuchi looked over. He tried his best to prevent his claws from scraping Gin, letting her quiet the lull in his mind. He focused on her and held onto his humanity a little longer.
“Yeah?” He didn’t dare squeeze her hand, even if the comfort of her doing it back was so desperately wanted right now.
“Are you okay?” She tilted her head, concern so visible in her gaze. He wasn’t sure how to respond to the question. He hated lying to her.
“I’m.. I’m good.”
Gin didn't look convinced, but she didn't push, merely nodding. Higuchi fidgeted with her sleeves, “I’m gonna.. go make the bed- I’ll see you in a bit.” She said.
Every creak of the floorboards as they walked only made him flinch. It felt as if those furred ears had already sprang from his head, amplifying everything. He just tried to focus on Gin as they headed to the sleeping hall, but he was far too consumed by thoughts regardless.
The area where the bedrooms were was humbler than the rest of the mansion. It was smaller, the doors simpler with less decor, but it didn’t quite comfort Tachihara. All he could think of was the wolf destroying the polished wood floors, ripping paintings off the wall, prowling through the halls after. He took a slow breath.
“Hey, Michizo?” Higuchi glanced out of her and Gin’s room, “Do you wanna sleep with us tonight?”
Although he didn’t show it externally, the question gave him pause. Not tonight, he couldn’t. But he didn’t want to make them think something was wrong–
Gin squeezed his hand.
“..Nah, not tonight- sorr-” Tachihara started.
“It’s okay!” Higuchi interrupted, going over. He hugged her, closing his eyes tightly for a moment. Gin hugged the two as well, Tachihara smiling softly. Higuchi reached up, touching her forehead against Tachihara’s own. They stayed like that for a moment before he pulled away, doing the same to Gin.
They stayed like that for a bit, Tachihara able to properly quiet his mind for once before he headed to his room. It was customized by now, the bed covered with fluffy blankets and too many pillows then he worried was polite. Gin had assured him no one else had been using them, but tonight as he stepped in, he winched at what he imagined their fate would be. Even if they weren’t clawed, he’d still get fur on them.
The moon was higher, as if a beacon taunting him. He swore he could hear howling from outside- or was that from him? He looked down at the snow through the window, the light it was reflecting almost blinding. If there were pawprints, he couldn’t tell. He backed away, rubbing his eyes. Fur greeted his face. Shit. He looked to the door frantically, falling to the ground as he tried to run over and lock it.
A howl echoed through the halls, drawing Gin and Higuchi out from their room quickly as the wolf slammed into a wall, pawing at the splinters it had gained from breaking the door. It was easy to recognize the wolf; they’d seen that rust color before and those amber eyes.
“Michizo??” Higuchi ran over as Gin followed silently after. The wolf lowered himself into a defensive pose, ears folding down.
“Hey- hey, it’s alright.” Higuchi held her hands up, watching him study them. She moved closer, not fast enough to startle him.
Gin held her hand out, Higuchi moving and grasping Gin’s other hand in her own. The wolf sniffed her hand- then tackled both of them. Higuchi bit back a yelp, but Gin stayed calm, patting him. He didn’t bare his fangs, didn’t try to bite them, didn’t try to sink his claws into them. Higuchi reached up, moving to experimentally pat him, watching the wolf lean closer.
They didn’t stay on the ground for very long, carefully pushing him off and standing up before Gin scooped him into her arms. Higuchi laughed a little, ruffling his fur. He seemed very caught off guard, his tail wagging at the contact. Higuchi opened the door as Gin re-entered their bedroom, letting him flop onto the bed. They sat next to him, managing to get him to fall back asleep with them.
As for the morning, Tachihara had a lot less to worry about then he thought.