New Beginnings

Christmas Eve: Memory Lane

It had been a week after she told him. Both of them could tell that something had shifted, but neither were sure of what to do. Danny started calling on her more often and Fire found it hard to even consider saying no. This just kept getting worse over time.

Fire would do what Danny wanted and leave with a neutral expression. He'd kept pressing her, going for everything he used to do to get answers, but she said nothing. It wasn't until a few weeks later when Danny found her covered in blood that something snapped. It had been a warning shot. That's all it was meant to be, but in his anger he'd aimed wrong.

Everything had been just right. Fire had started to raise her hand, gesturing for him to wait, it wasn't what it looked like. The blast grazed down her arm, cutting down her wrist and digging into the vein just enough. The wolf girl's eyes widened, looking down at the red and green gushing from her wrist.

Danny hadn't thought anything of it. She'd heal, but for now he had to let her cool down. The ghost boy flew away, unaware that his former friend was close to dying after refusing to eat for over a month. That knowledge didn't come until much later, when it was already too late.

The next day at school, Fire ignored him. She didn't even glance in his direction. The wolf girl ignored him and cursed his name whenever she thought he couldn't hear and when she knew he could.

After school, he cornered her, demanding answers, but for once, she said nothing. Tears came to his eyes when he saw the scar on her wrist and he set his head on her shoulder. Fire dutifully rubbed his back, but not a word left her lips. The wolf hissed when a few tears landed on her skin, the flames dancing just under the surface evaporating them immediately. The salt left behind burned more than she'd ever admit out loud.

Fire kept doing as she was told. It was a month before Christmas and it was only then that Danny saw the hatred in her eyes. She was angry. She felt trapped. She had to do what he said due to the shift in her obsession. They were no longer considered friends so everything shifted accordingly. Danny just figured her silence was a punishment while her compliance was out of annoyance and frustration.

That Christmas he kissed Sam. Danny hadn't noticed the wolf girl in the window, her ears down. She scowled at them, shaking her head before leaving. Fire refused to acknowledge the slight ache in her core that wanted her to go back and tear that goth to pieces. No, it wasn't worth it. He'd figure out that she wasn't a good match for him in that way later.

The wolf girl frowned as she walked through the woods, her paws melting the snow with each step. She sighed and opened the door to her little cabin, shutting it behind her and listening to the wreath on the other side hit the door. Fire's ear flicked and she looked up, coming face to face with a mistletoe. She tilted her head, brow furrowed, "What-"

Then, she was falling.

O.o.O

Danny frowned, tilting his head when he saw his sister glaring at the mistletoe. He quietly walked up to her and tapped her shoulder, causing her muscles to twitch as if getting ready to fight. Fire blinked and looked back at him, smiling softly, "Hey, Goldy."

"What are you thinking about?" He asked, draping himself over her shoulders. The wolf girl purred lightly and kissed his cheek, "Nothing important."

Danny raised a brow at her, but let it go, "Merry Christmas." He said sincerely with a grin. She sighed in exasperation, "Merry Christmas."

Her tail smacked his side and he got off of her. Fire stood up and stretched out, scratching her head as she started walking toward the kitchen. In the door way, Wes bumped into her because he'd taken the shadows in order to get to FentonWorks.