One in the Same

Chapter Thirteen

   The morning of the full moon started much like it had every other day of his life. He woke to the first rays of light coming over the mountain. Listening to the good morning of nature. He glanced towards the woman that was still the biggest mystery he had ever come across. The bolts of fire coming from her head. She looked so peaceful he wouldn't dare disturb her. Reaching out, he stroked a strand of curls from her face and sat watching her. Just a moment, no longer. Not for fear of waking her. Who am I to take her from her dreams? He thought to himself.
   The aches and pains that coursed through his body were nothing new. Still, there was irritation with them. The simplest of movements could be agony if he allowed them. Not always something that could be controlled.
    With difficulty, he put his bedding away and gathered the hakama for the day. His initial plan was to do some minor farming on the small vegetable garden. But something seemed to stop him. He needed a bath. And I'm not going to make her do it.
   As he walked out into the early morning dawn, he looked towards the trail and frowned. He could sense something. A preparation of sorts perhaps. An unease that shouldn't have been there. He looked back inside at Cata. His Cata. The thought made him smile. He knew nothing of her. Where she was from? What had brought her here? What had brought her to him? What caused him to care so much? Whatever the reason, there she was. And he cared for her in a way that he had never cared for anything else. As he turned to step back out, however, there was still that unease in the air. Thick and heavy, he could almost taste it. As much as he tried, he couldn't shake the feeling. A bath. A bath will ease me, he thought as he made his way to the falls.
   The water did nothing for him though. On any other given day, the water didn't just cleanse his body. It cleansed his mind. Not today, not now. Nothing soothed until...he looked up and she was standing there. Was she watching me? Did he care? He smiled at her and waved. She gave that smirk, that smirked that always meant something more, though he could never understand what. She lifted her hand and wiggled her fingers back. His task complete, he turned and made his way back towards the shore. Towards her. As he did, she lifted the Naitoshatsu over her head and he couldn't help but look over her body. He did make note that her wounds were finally closing. A very good thing to see as well as...well. He smirked as he heard her hiss.
   "Feel...good?" He asked struggling slightly with the words.
   "The water? Fuck no. Do ah have a choice?" She gave him a look that told him he didn't need to answer.
   He shook his head with a smirk and a silent chuckle then took her chin once again in his fingers and turned her head. The cut across her cheek was the palest scar. It would disappear fully by tomorrow at the latest if he had to guess. He nodded pleased, "look good."
   She smirked and batted his hand away in a playful way. "I had a good medicine man," he replied in his native tongue. Her pronunciation was more than flawed but still understandable. He enjoyed listening to her. Even if he didn't understand.
   The comment, however, came through loud and clear. Flattery wasn't new to him but from this one? He smiled and rolled his eyes. "I have...good student."
   The smile that came over her was new as well. It was brighter, different than her usual smirk. She continued deeper into the water as he stepped out on to the shore to begin dressing. Again his attention was pulled to the trail leading to the village. Even from this distance, there was something hanging over the air. Hanging over him. Even if he wanted to, in this state, with the moon rising late that evening. He wouldn't make it in time to assist. And even if he did what could he do? He would be just as week as the other Senshi until the moon came up. What could happen in that time? What horrors would befall the women? The children? The-
   "Botan?" He could hear the urgency in her voice.

   "Hmm?" He turned to her.
   "What is it?"
   "Nothing," he replied shaking his head. "Nothing for you to worry about."
   She frowned back at him. He always told her. Even if it was simply a bug, eating the Kyabetsu. He knew this answer would do nothing for her but give her more reason to worry. To explain it to her...there are no words now.
   As he finished dressing, Cata came from the river. Her skin much paler from the coolness of the water. He enjoyed the way the spring water scented her skin. She already had some magical floral scent to her already, but after she bathed it always seemed to enhance it. In the most alluring way possible. He couldn't explain how. He wanted to pounder that more than the unease settling in his homestead. But he couldn't. There was no danger, of that he was certain. What it actually was though. He walked with his Cata back to the hut, but he was so lost he hardly uttered more than his growled "hmm" to her as she tried to start a conversation. All he could think of what was going on out there. Did they need him? Did Cata need him more? For a moment he thought of the buck she had brought home. And on her own at that. No. She was capable. If they called I will go. She will understand...won't she?
   The day continued and nothing changed. He wouldn't sit. Couldn't sit. No matter what he tried doing, what chore he tried to assist her with, the feeling only grew stronger and stronger. Every time he looked at the trail. The one he knew all too well. The one that was a lifeline if you will that connected directly to his heart. Or is it now she's here? Every time he looked to it, nothing was there that would cause any alarm. No Eihei coming to ask for aid. Not even a bird or a rabbit. All was well...so why couldn't he be. His attention went back to his Cata. Could it be her? No. That thought was more than most certainly unlikely. She was herself. Less loud-mouthed than normal...but that is my doing. I'm the one making her uneasy. For her sake, for my Cata. I need to settle. Meditation. Yes, meditation would solve everything as it always did. But even that was difficult. As the sun lowered, the unease grew.
   "Ya need ta eat. Even if it's just a little bit." She said laying a hand on his shoulder.
    He grunted and gave his "hmm" before joining her inside. For the first time really through the day. He thought for the moment.
   The meal was simple, not unlike the other nights. She was learning more and more about how to cook his way. She tried giving her own take on it, which he enjoyed and introduced him to flavors he would never have thought of. He cleaned his bowl in a matter of minutes. His joints ached more and more with every passing second. Muscles that were normally so nibble and relaxed were now tense and painful. But something came through the pain. The Pack has come.
   He turned to the door and gave his warning growl.
   "What is it?" She asked slowly. He heard her set her bowl on the table.
   "Stay inside the house," he growled to her. Stay safe, my Cata.
   "What is it, Botan?" She asked again as he walked to the door. There wasn't fear. No. Never fear with my Cata.
   He held his hand out behind him and stepped on to the porch and there they were. Coming up the trail. All eight of them. This will not end well. Stay inside, my Cata. Stay safe.
   "Hello," Shin said smiling to him.
   "What are you doing here?" He asked in a rough voice shadowed by a growl. Control yourself.
   "Can we not come to say 'hello'?" Daichi asked.
   "On the night of the full moon? Not likely." He replied crossing his arms. "What brings you here?"
   They all came to a stop and Shin studied Botan with an arched eyebrow. I'll take that arrogant look from your face. "There have been reports." He finally said. "There is something here."
   "Yes," Botan replied with his own smirk now. "Me."
   "Something else. Something you are hiding." Shin replied.
   "You can't lie to us. We can smell it." Hideo added.
   Are you trying to be brave? Or foolish? He thought for a moment. He stepped off the porch to move closer to them. If I can mask my Cata. "There is nothing here."  But even as the words left his mouth, he heard a commotion behind him. He turned in time to see Cata tripping over her geta and catching the front pillar supporting the roof for the porch. The sun was set, there was little to no lighting now. But these were human-wolf. They didn't always need light to see. And if he could see her, the Pack could see her as well.
   He reached a hand back to push her back into the house, but he was at the beginning of his shift. Instead of simply moving her back through the door, he launched her through two walls and the ceiling collapsed.
   As he turned, he felt every bone begin to snap. Every joint move out of place. He felt his legs stretch, his ribcage explode into oblivion just to be pieced back together in different positions. His teeth grew out from his gums. His skull collapsed and elongated into a muzzle. His ears pulled up the side of his head. Knives slid out of his fingertips. His feet were no longer planted firmly on the ground, but instead were stretching ever upward, forcing him to balance on the balls. Balls that were now rough and coarse pads. His tail moved behind him. Hair covered every inch of his body. He threw his head back and screamed in pain. The scream came through as a howl. As he leaned back down, now everything was in place, and looked down at his hand he smiled and turned to Shin. Shall this end in violence?
   If that's what it comes to, Shin's voice reverberated through his mind. Connected by the bond all Ningen no ōkami shared.
   Without hesitation, Shin lunged forward. He stood firm but bared his fangs and held up his claws blocking the view of Cata.
   She is mine! He snarled to Shin.
   Shin snapped his jaw as his ears twitched, showing that he heard. He shook his head. She is not one of us! You know what she is!
   I don't care. She is mine, brother. And I love her.
   Shin froze and turned and looked at where Cata was. Brother please, he tried. But Shin was no longer listening. Shin moved for Cata. His Cata! Botan turned and caught him by the throat and threw him back. He moved right into his face. Don't do this!
   Not one of us. Different kind. Enemy. Blood drinker. The others called out. None of them moved, though. None of them dared.
   You would choose that over your own? Shin demanded.
   I have chosen her already, he replied. As calm as he possibly could.
   Shin lunged once more and again he pushed him back. Enough of this! I won't let you hurt her! She is mine. I have chosen her! And there is nothing you will ever do that will change that. You can't stop this. You know what it is.
   No! Shin snarled and tried moving a third time. This time, he had had enough. Brothers or not. Alpha or not. It was time to put this to an end. And if this didn't get through to him...if he gets ahold of my Cata...there would be blood spilled this night. He pushed him back one final time.
   Shin moved right into his face and raised his lip, baring all of his teeth. You cannot choose that...that thing. What would Otōsan say about it?
   That was the wrong thing to say. He leaned forward right back into his face and took a step, forcing Shin to take a step backward. What would Otōsan say? Does he even know you are here? He took another step. Shin followed suit but kept his face right in his. What would he say if he knew his son went against his other without instruction?! Without information?! With the whole Pack intending violence! Shin's ears began to flatten as they twitched. Shin shook his head. I have not yet mated with her. But the imprint is there. The bond is in place. There is no stopping it. He was still advancing and Shin was finally catching the hint. He heard Shin's spine begin to snap and pop as it curved, lowering him to the ground.
   You can't-
   But I can. And I have. You cannot, will not change it. And if you come near her again. I will kill you where you stand.
   What an honorable thing to say. Shin attempted.
   It would give me honor defending her! He snarled.
   That sealed it. Shin was fully on the ground, ears flattened, tail tucked so to speak. There was no fight left. He had won.
   Are we at an agreement?
   He could sense the reluctance in Shin, but he looked up and nodded all the same.
   Then leave, and the next time you return? It better be for tea or an assignment. Nothing more.
   He stepped back and Shin scampered to the rest of the Pack. The barked and snipped at him, but he paid them no mind and continued down the trail. He huffed one last time before turning to his Cata. What he saw instead was something much different. She had flames on her head, yes. Flames and bits of his home. But her eyes. His Cata's eyes held fear. Fear he never wanted to see. Fear I have caused. He looked down at his hands and withdrew them to his chest. My Cata. Even in her fear, she was standing. Stepping over pieces of the rubble he had also caused. She moved towards him. Her eyes held fear, but she was smiling. A gentle kind smile. He stepped away from her. Not of me, my Cata.
   "No. No, it's okay. It's okay." She said to him still smiling that kind smile. "It's alrigh'."  The closer she got though, the more he tried to hide from her. Not of me, my Cata. "Shh, Botan. It's alrigh'." She reached up, far above her head stretching as far as she could, and laid her hand on his heart. The way she had in the falls. The way she had when I imprinted. He looked down at her slowly and relaxed. He gave her a shy smirk, though he wasn't sure why he still felt so reserved. He reached down and stroked his hand over her hair. For the first time, she leaned her head into his hand. He felt his spine ache in sharp pain as the rage left him all at once. He bent down to the ground. Every bone in his fingers completely dislocated from their knuckles and began to curl in towards his palms. His claws exploded from his knuckles as padding covered his palms. His face repositioned as he shifted from humanoid to animal. His Cata smiled and reached her hand up for his nose. All I want is to kiss you. Take this instead. He slipped his tongue out and licked her hand before leaning his nose into her hand and closed his eyes.
   "What you just did," she whispered lowly.
   He looked up at her and suddenly her confusion, compassion, and fear...so much fear filled his mind. And he filled hers. I did for you.
   His Cata's eyes widened as they looked down at his and the realization of what had just happened overtook her.

   Cat fell back on the grass, gasping for air. Botan blinked as he watched and gave a wince. Forgive me, his voice said in her mind. But a whimper filled her ears.
   "Am ah ta understand...tha'...the brown...tha' was yer brother?!"
   Yes.
   "And he's the alpha?!"
   Yes.
   Her chest heaved wildly then she bolted right back up staring at him. "Hold a tit! Wha's imprinting?!"
   He huffed as he laid down, crossing his paws out in front of him. My life is no longer my own.
   She blinked as she collected her thoughts. "Soshite, anata wa sore o seigyo dekinai nodesu ka?" She asked slowly.
   Can a mother control her instinct for protecting a child? He tilted his head giving her a look.
   Cat smirked then shook her head. "Is it true?" She looked back up at him. "Do you really love me?"
   Have you ever known me to not speak truth?
   Cat melted into the brightest smile Botan had ever seen on her face. In all honesty, it was the biggest purest smile she had ever given. She knew what love was, of course. She had known it all of her life from her parents. This, though, was deeper than any of that. Anything she had ever felt before. This was what she had been looking for and waiting for all of her life.
   "And I love you."
   For the first time in her years, Caitlin Ó Catháin felt like she belonged.