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Chapter four: My familiar ate my homework?!

The semi circular lecture hall was packed full to bursting. With over one hundred students crammed behind desks and only one teacher to split between them.

And even he wasn't much of a teacher.

Professor Marcus Argyle was a small mouse of a man. More than a little worn around the edges, he was a paragon of order, a scion of cleanliness. In short, he was the sort kind of teacher. One who believed more in the system than in his students.

He was busy holding a textbook with one hand and writing on a chalkboard with the other. "There are five primary sources of energy available to all mages."

Shiro groaned inwardly. Of all the classes he took this was probably the most boring.

The way Professor Argyle talked. He sucked all the substance out of his lessons. Turning it first, into tasteless gray sludge doled out in lumps of absolute mediocrity and from there, transforming everyone who heard it into blobs of mindless conformity. To make matters worse, he was going to have to listen to it for another three hours.

Shiro could feel his brain beginning to melt already.

"The first is physical; this is the energy of the body. It is the easiest to access. Overuse can leave you feeling tired or fatigued." He under lined it. Three times. "The second is mental; this is the energy of the mind. As your bodies steep in the essence of the spells you cast the cost to yourself will lessen. This is because your minds are growing accustomed to the ethereal energies surrounding us. As water cuts a path so to does energy."

"He's not even looking at us." Someone whispered. "Maybe he expects the wall to answer."

People laughed.

"Those select few of you who reach this level" He kept talking, ignoring the growing chatter filling the lecture hall. "Will find your ability to cast spells grow exponentially. However. The strain on your body increases as well. You will no longer suffer from the fatigue of a tired body. This means that you could potentially expend your entire lives in the casting of a single spell. Magic is fickle, it cares nothing for you or your own personal desires. Use it judiciously not frivolously." He continued to drone on. "The third is spiritual."

Shiro stared at the window, its blinds were shut and he longed to feel the warmth of the sun that was so tantalizingly close, yet so far away. He looked at the clock. Only two hours and fifty-five minutes to go.

"Spiritual power determines the potency of whatever spells you cast. A wizard with weak spiritual power will cast weak spells and vice versa." Professor Argyle put his book down. A move that actually surprised most of the class into paying attention. "Now. Over the course of this first semester I'll be trying to impart on you all the finer points of these three energies. How to handle them and how to increase them."

"Professor Argyle." Shiro held up his hand. "You said there were Five. What are the other two?"

"We do not speak of them."

"Oh." Shiro lowered his hand.

"But since curiosity is as dangerous to the unenlightened as a little bit of knowledge is. I will permit you all a glimpse of the forbidden arts. Let it serve you as a warning." For the first time since class had started he had everyone's undivided attention. Doodler's stopped doodling. Talker's stopped talking. Koji, well, he was still being Koji.

"The first is death." A grim pall fell over the class. "The moment the life of a living being ceases all of the energy contained in its body is suddenly released. Unscrupulous mages have used this as a quick road to power throughout the ages. It stains the soul and forever taints the spells you cast. Magic born of death will eventually destroy its wielder. The other is sex."

Someone shouted out. "You mean Avalon is kept aloft by a bunch of mages boinking each other? Cool!"

"Avalon is not being kept aloft by."

"Its a clean and renewable source of energy. Koji could probably keep the island afloat all by himself."

"Enough!" Professor Argyle silenced the room by slamming his fists into his desk. "Sex magic is extremely unstable. Only the moment of climax will release any energy. And even then the opportunity to shape it into anything worthwhile is negligible."

"But couldn't you find a way to collect that energy. To store it in case of an emergency?" Shiro had no idea why he had spoken at all.

Professor Argyle smiled at him as if he had grasped a particularly difficult concept. "It is entirely within the realm of possibility. However, such actions lead to darker paths. We do not teach such methods here at Veil."

"Pity." Said Koji. "Some sex magic might make things a little more interesting around here."

Professor Argyle was suddenly standing in front of Koji's desk. "Am I boring you Mr. Fafnir?"

Shiro had to blink a few times to make sure he wasn't just seeing things. He wasn't sure, but the way Professor Argyle had disappeared and then . . . no; he was sure of if it. Professor Argyle had just used some kind of teleportation magic. One that didn't rely on invocation.

Koji's ears were laid back, subdued. "Yeah."

The entire class howled with laughter.

"As I recall, you were in my class last year. You failed, spectacularly. Do you know why?"

"Is it . . . because you're a lousy teacher?"

Professor Argyle slammed his hands into Koji's desk, making those nearby jump in surprise. Their faces close enough to touch, he began shouting. "You're a delinquent, a disruption to those who actually intend to learn."

Koji shrugged. "So? Even delinquents like me gotta be taught."

"Need to be taught. Mr. Fafnir. Need to be taught. Why the headmaster of this school let a no talent waste of space like you back for a second year I will never know."

"Maybe you should ask her."

There was a look of triumph on Professor Argyle's face. It was as if he had set the trap and Koji had willingly stepped into it. "Insubordination. Report to the headmaster's office." A piece of paper appeared in his hand. "I'm sure you know the way."

Koji took the detention slip. "With pleasure." He waved it in the air, garnering no small amount of envious looks as he did so. "Later boys and girls. This wolf is Ow-ow-ow-outta here."

In that moment more than anything else Shiro wanted to follow after his friend. Without Koji, the room seemed, emptier somehow.

"Now, for those of you with an actual future." Professor Argyle was suddenly back in front of his desk, writing on the chalkboard once more and talking as if nothing had happened. "Familiars will allow you to draw energy from them in times of need, but partnerships will form the basis of your ability to work in tandem with other mages. I cannot stress it enough. The partnerships you form now will be critical to your success in the magical world. Working together in concert two mages will be able to pool their strength, allowing them to overcome magics cast by a single stronger mage. Thus it is essential to form a partnership with someone who compliments your own abilities."

The sound of squeaking filled the room.

"A weak partner . . ."

It was getting louder.

"Will only drag you down." Professor Argyle put his book down and stared out at the class. "Who is making that sound?"

He was rewarded with bewildered looks and more than a few vacant stares.

"Professor. It's coming from outside." Said a girl in the third row.

People started getting up to see what it was.

Walking to the window Professor Argyle said. "Remain in your seats." And pulled on the cord that sent the blind soaring towards the ceiling.

A hushed silence fell over the class. No one made a sound. No one breathed even to whisper. Koji had his pants down and was mooning the entire class. The sound was coming from him pressing his ass against the glass.

One thought stood out in Shiro's mind. The cleaning crew is not going to enjoy cleaning that up. Then he noticed Professor Argyle muttering something under his breath. For a moment, it seemed as if the very air was charged with electricity.

An invisible current tugged on something deep within Shiro's soul. "Koji! look out!" He yelled without even knowing why he had done so.

The spell went wide. The blast of lightning striking the earth sent up a spray of dirt and charred rock fused into glass.

Koji looked at the crater, looked at Professor Argyle preparing another spell, gave Shiro a quick salute. Thanks. And was off like a shot.

Professor Argyle closed the blinds once more. "Mr. Tora." Shiro did his best to shrink into his chair to avoid notice. "Be sure to see me when class is over."

* * *

Koji was leaning against a wall. The top of his shirt was unbuttoned and he was using one hand to block the passage of a fair haired elf. "Maybe we should form a partnership." He did his best to look sad and lonely. A bad boy wolf with a heart of gold. "Howl at the moon sometime."

She pressed her book against his chest and pushed him away. "I'm flattered, really, but I have to go."

Koji watched as she caught up with some of her friends.

"Can you believe that guy?" Said one of them.

"I know." She looked back and smiled. "He does have a cute butt though."

Koji buttoned his shirt back up and slipped the note she had given him into a back pocket. Mission accomplished.

Shiro stepped out of the lecture hall. Surprise was written all over his face. "Koji. You didn't have to wait for me."

"Shiro I just wanted to say." He was beginning to feel distinctly embarrassed. "Listen, thanks for the warning. No one's ever put themselves on the line for me like that and . . ."

"Don't mention it. You would have done the same thing for me anyway."

"Yeah, I guess I would have."

They started walking, it was unspoken but both of them wanted to put as much distance between them and Professor Argyle as they could.

"So, what did ol' sweater vest want to talk to you about anyway."

"How did you?"

"Trust me. Nothing will piss that guy off like a whiff of independent thought. That's part off the reason why I go to such lengths to get out of that class. Gives me more time to study for my other ones. Shame his is mandatory."

Shiro just looked at his friend. "You actually study?"

"But what can you . . ." It took a moment for Shiro's words to sink in. "Of course

I study." He grabbed Shiro and started messing with his hair. "What, did you think I try an tick him off just for my health? Well, that and my sanity. But you've only sat through a few of his lectures, just wait till he gets to the ones on therianthropes." Koji shuddered. "So what did he say to you anyway."

Shiro smoothed back his hair, but he left his ears visible. Since he had stopped hiding his tails he had become a little more comfortable with his appearance. "Oh, just that I reminded him of himself at my age." Koji pretended to gag. "And that I had a bright future ahead of me. Oh yeah, and that it would be a shame to see potential like mine wasted by associating with scum like you."

"Scum?" Koji sniffed and pretended to wipe away a fake tear. "He used to call me a waste of space. It's nice to know I've gone up in his eyes."

Shiro couldn't help but smile. "So I told him, I'd rather associate with scum than with pretentious peacocks who are only interested in social advancement."

"You told him off?" Koji's brown eyes were alight with mischief. Shiro could see the wheels turning, the plans formulating deep within the bowels of his twisted mind. "Shiro. That's brilliant! He'll be after you too now. Just think. With the two of us working together. We'll have him crawling up the walls."

"I don't know about that." What he really wanted to say was. Keep me out of your twisted fantasies! "But he already is after me. I have to make a working growth potion and present it at tomorrows class or he'll fail me."

"Sounds rough." Koji used his tail to lift a passing girl's skirt. Red panties. Very nice. She turned around and slapped him.

Shiro couldn't help but find himself admiring Koji's audacity. "What about you. Which is it tonight. Spying on the girls while they bathe? Hiding in the womens locker room to watch them change. Or just some good old fashioned cheerleader practice."

"Hey, hey, hey. Have some class Shiro. Those are all time honored traditions you're making fun of, held sacred in the hearts of men everywhere. And practiced by horny teenagers throughout the ages."

"Riiiiiight. So which is it."

"None of them." Koji held up the slip of paper with the room number on it. "Tonight. I've got a date." Koji started to walk away when suddenly turned around. "There's one more thing. If you ever need my help." He cocked his head back and let out a piercing howl. "Howl. Just like that. And I'll come running. Okay?"

Shiro nodded. "Sure Koji whatever you say."

* * *

Shiro stumbled from his Atelier and fell to the floor as a fit of coughing seized him. The air was filled with a thick acrid black smoke that stung his eyes and burned in his throat. He had failed in yet another attempt to create a growth potion.

He was sure he had followed the instructions to the letter. He had prepared the catalyzing agent, added the sophic stone, brought it to the right temperature and then . . . disaster.

In the end, all he had to show for his efforts was, crystallized gunk. Useful as a paper weight, but not much else. It was pretty though.

To make matters worse, he was running out of reagents and glassware. Both of which he had had to pay for out of his own pocket.

So that only left him with one question. Why hadn't it worked?

Undaunted by his earlier failures Shiro began to set himself up at his desk. Preferring to wait until after the the Atelier finished removing the smoke. A self cleaning workshop was a handy feature to be sure but one that he had discovered entirely by accident. The first time it had happened, he had still been inside. There was clean, and then there was clean. And clean was certainly an experience that didn't bear repeating.

Grinding the sophic stone into a fine powder he added it to a flask filled with some of the aqua vitae he had prepared earlier. Summoning a small flame in the palm of his hand he slowly lowered the ball of fire into into the flask.

The dull murky liquid blazed with a soft azure glow as the small ball of fire catalyzed the various elements. The potion was infused with a warm ethereal light that slowly began to dim as the aqua vitae absorbed the flame into itself. When it was done he was left with a clear viscous liquid that seemed larger than it really was.

"I think it worked!" Dipping a piece of litmus paper into the liquid he crossed his fingers and waited for a reaction. "Turn green, turn green, turn green." he said, shielding his face with a lead mask. Nothing. The potion did turn turn the litmus paper a weird sort of blue though.

Shiro tossed it into a wastebasket in disgust. At least this time it hadn't exploded like all the others.

"I need to face facts." Shiro slumped forward on his desk. "I suck at alchemy."

Desperate to find the missing piece of the puzzle he began re-reading the passage on growth potions in his copy of The Alchemists encyclopedia.

After about an hour without any success whatsoever he slammed the book shut in frustration. "This is impossible. Nothing the book says is working." His tails twitching in agitation he turned the book upside down. "Maybe it's written in some kind of code."

Slowly but surely, his mind began to wander. "I wonder what Koji's doing right now?"

In his moment of distraction Nelo pounced on his tails, her claws digging into the soft flesh beneath the fur.

"Sweet holy mother of the divine fucking dragon!" Shiro yowled in agony as daggers of crimson fire raced their way up his spine. He covered his mouth with his hands. Blaspheming against one's personal deities was never a good thing. You could never know when they might actually be listening.

He started to nurse his wounded appendage. "That really hurt."

Nelo jumped up on the desk and butted his chest affectionately. "Mrowr?"

He scratched her behind an ear. "Guess I can't really blame you for that can I? I'm the one who wasn't paying attention."

Nelo pawed her empty food dish. "Mrow."

"I'm sorry Nelo." In his rush to make a working growth potion Shiro had forgotten about it entirely. "I'll get something for you right away." His own stomach growled as well. He grinned. "Guess we're both kinda hungry."

Shiro counted the coins in his wallet. There wasn't much left, just a few bronze coins, maybe a silver or two.

He stood up in a rush to leave, accidentally knocking over the flask as he left. The only thought on his mind was. I wonder if I can steal something from the kitchens.

* * *

The kitchens were located deep within the basement of the Academy. It had seemed like an odd place to put them to Shiro. Until he had learned that it was because the heat from the ovens was circulated throughout the rest of the castle in order to keep it warm. Something about amplifying existing resources in ambient magic. If he started to think about it too hard he would get confused and have to find his way back to his room. And starting all over again was hardly an appealing thought.

He knew that the kitchens of Veil academy didn't shift around of their own accord like some of the rooms did. But the endless halls and multiple doors he had to pass through just to get to them; they made Shiro wonder if whoever originally built Veil was some kind of architectural genius, or just a raving lunatic. Although, he was forced to admit, when you could use magic to build something, you tended to be a bit of both.

But to make matters even worse, the design was actually starting to make a strange kind of sense. And that alone made him want to question his own sanity.

Shiro was exhausted by the time he found himself standing outside the doors to the kitchen.

When he stepped inside he found Freida sitting behind a table, helping herself to a wheel of cheese and a large plate of roast beef. "What are you doing here?" She said acidly. Her tone had lost none of its venom.

"Same thing you are I suppose, I felt like getting something to eat. That's all." Shiro started inching towards the larder.

It was stocked with all manner of delectable foodstuffs. Exotic meats, fragrant cheeses, fish.

He could hear the cooks in the nearby rooms shouting orders to each other. No doubt they were preparing tomorrow's breakfast. Feeding an entire castle was a considerable amount of work.

Not getting caught by one of the cooks wasn't his only problem either, Frieda was watching him like a hawk as well.

He could feel her eyes boring into him from behind. To get to the food, he was going to have to distract her somehow.

Then he had a thought.

What would Koji do?

"Compliment her." Said Koji's voice. "Tell her that: Her eyes are like the stars. And you dream of a world where people worship the night. Women love that sort of stuff. Makes them all hot in the crotch."

Shiro groaned inwardly. Now he was even starting to think like Koji. Still . . . it might divert her attention a little bit. "Um, I." Shiro tripped over some of the words but it came out all right. "I dream of a world where your eyes are the stars and people worship the night."

Her voice sounded like thin ice breaking, the kind that you were unfortunate enough to be standing on when it happened. "What did you just say?"

Shiro lifted a container of cream and slipped it into a pocket while she wasn't looking.

"Is that damn werewolf still feeding people that garbage? When I think about the amount of women who've fallen for that line."

Shiro grabbed himself a loaf of bread. "I guess you must know Koji."

"Know him! If I ever get my hands on that self centered, egotistical, chauvinistic, asshole." Freida grabbed the knife she had been using to eat with and slammed the point into the table. Curls of wood began to pile up as she twisted it with terrifying force. "Castration is too good for a bastard like him."

From out of the corner of his eye Shiro noticed the knife was now conveniently being pointed towards him.

Freida was suddenly sweetness and light once more. "Now, what did you say again?"

Grabbing as much food as he could carry, Shiro dropped a handful of coins onto the table. "For the food." He said. And ran like the nine demons of hell were hot on his trail.

* * *

The door closed behind him with a soft click. Shiro let out a sigh of relief. Fearing to look over his shoulder even once to see if the harridan might be following He had run all the way back to his room.

Shiro dumped the food he was carrying and emptied his pockets onto his desk. Sorting his pilfered treasures into neat little piles.

Nelo would probably enjoy the cream most of all. He poured half of it into her dish and sipped some himself. He figured she wouldn't mind sharing.

It was the perfect spit take. A fine spray of white mist filled the air leaving behind an opaque rainbow.

He gaped in open mouth awe at the naked woman standing in the middle of his room. The mere sight of her reduced him to a drooling idiot.

She was a raven haired beauty, with skin the color of pale moonlight and a tail that seemed to go on forever. Shiro felt his jaw hit the floor as she turned around. Her exquisite body was a perfectly sculpted blend of human and feline attributes.

It was the tail he first recognized. "Nelo?"

Her ears twitched as she heard her name. Smiling the way only a cat can she tensed her body and pounced.

Shiro found himself staring up at her from the floor, she was a full head taller than him now. A fact he was quick to point out. "You're. You're taller than me."

Three thoughts occurred simultaneously in his mind. The first. You're just realizing that now? The second. And that's a problem how? And finally the third. The view is just fine.

However, somewhere in the rational part of his mind not controlled by his anatomy. A little voice suddenly yelled out: oh shit; there went the neighborhood.

"What the hell am I saying! This, this just can't be happening!" Shiro pinched the bridge of his nose between two fingers. "Stay calm and think, there must be a logical explanation for all of this." Nelo was already busy unbuttoning his shirt. "I know. This is all a dream and I'm still asleep. I'm going to close my eyes now, and when I open them again, everything is going to be normal."

Nelo pried open an eyelid, her head cocked to the side. "Master?"

Shiro found himself suddenly staring into a pair of stunningly beautiful gold eyes. "Nelo? You . . . you can talk?"

"I could always talk." She had his shirt undone and was in the process of pulling it off of him. "You just didn't know how to listen."

"Oh. Well that makes sense." She unzipped his pants. "Wait a minute." His brow drew together in confusion. "None of this makes any sense. You were just a cat when I left."

"And I still am. A cat." She tossed his pants aside and admired her handiwork. "And so are you."

"But I'm a . . ." She kissed him. "How did you . . ." She kissed him again. "You know you're making it really hard to concentrate."

"That's not the only thing." She said seductively. "I'm making hard."

Shiro was surprised to find himself standing at full attention. "When did?" He finally noticed the pile of clothes on the floor next to him.

Nelo licked her lips hungrily as she stroked his chest, working her way to things, lower. She paused briefly as her fingers touched upon fine silver scars. His arms were covered in them.

He stopped her by grabbing her hands. "You don't understand. I'm a Nekomata. If I lose control, even for a moment."

"You won't. Because when you're inside me, I'll be the one who keeps you safe." She leaned in close and whispered. "I know what you are." The breathe of her whisper against his ear made him shudder in anticipation. "And I'm not afraid."

His other half whispered sweet words, haunting in their melody. You should be.

He strengthened his control, reinforcing the bonds that held his other half in check. "Can it, can it really be that simple?" He was afraid to hope, lest the other seize its chance and break free.

"It can be. If you let it." She reversed his grip and placed his hands against her breasts, the result leaving him speechless. "Your need, your desire." She kissed him deeply, softly, awakening the feelings he fought so hard to keep buried. "Let me have them."

* * *

Nelo leaned against the bed and lifting her tail invitingly, called out to him without words.

The sight of her sent his heart racing, his blood pounding. Her scent played upon his senses, a sweet fragrance born of jasmine and vanilla, he wondered idly if she would taste as good as she smelled.

He ran his fingers gently across her skin, eliciting a soft purr from Nelo. He was afraid, afraid that if he was too quick to grasp her she would disappear.

Sensing his hesitation she took his hand in one of her own and placed it against her vagina. "Like this." She said, pushing his fingers inside her.

He could feel the waves of sensation his touch awoke within Nelo. They spread like phantom echoes throughout his own body. He felt what she felt. And as intimately as if it were his own body, he knew exactly how to please her.

Using slow steady motions he worked his fingers into her. There was resistance at first, but she became moist to the touch and his fingers slid in with greater ease.

Her scent was growing stronger as well. Wanting to taste her he placed his mouth upon her lips . . .

Nelo shuddered as Shiro's tongue joined his fingers. He was using them both to spread her. To explore her. To do things, things with both that he couldn't do with either alone. Things that felt both wonderful and incredible. It was a feeling that couldn't be described. And it was happening to her.

Shiro pulled his fingers out slowly and gave her lips one last lick.

Nelo was breathless with anticipation, she had been so close, it had felt so good. She needed to know. "Why did you stop?"

"Because I want to be looking into your eyes when it happens."

He surprised her with his strength. The way he lifted her as if she weighed nothing at all and laid her across the bed was no small feat.

He lay down next to her, kissing her breasts, her throat, all the while teasing things deep inside her with a gentle passion.

Sensing her moment of climax Shiro pressed his mouth to hers.

Drowning in the twin sensations of the kiss and her own pleasure she came with an intensity that stole her breath away. . . and just when it seemed like it would go on forever and she would never draw breath again Shiro broke the kiss. His pale blue eyes had faded to deep silver.

Nelo touched his face. "You're eyes."

Shiro turned away from her. "They've turned silver haven't they?"

"Yes."

"It means my demonic half is rising to the surface." He sat on the edge of the bed. "I have to."

She was suddenly stroking his chest with one hand. "I think they make you look handsome."

"You do?" He leaned into her touch, it felt so good.

She was using both hands to hold him now. "Mmm hmm." She loved the definition and contours of his body. The way she could feel the strength of his muscles tense as she massaged him. It had been more than just potential for magical ability that had made her choose him. There was also raw physical attraction.

She was reveling in the joys of having a body once more. One that could touch others, talk with others. It had been so long since she last satisfied the needs of her body. Not since her accident had left her in the form of, well, a cat. And his was driving her to distraction.

More than anything she wanted to press herself against him. Him and his wonderfully tight, hard body.

Shiro was insistent. "I really have to."

She frowned. "You don't think its fair to let me have all the fun do you?"

"You don't understand. I could feel everything as if it were happening to my own body. I shared your pleasure as if it had been my own. I." He stood up. "Thank you."

"Not good enough." She had him by his tails and wasn't letting him get away. "I want to feel you inside me. Not just your fingers." She nipped his ear playfully. "Although that was good too."

* * *

Shiro lay back on the bed. He asked her one last time. "Are you sure you want to do this. I don't know if I can hold back my other form." He was quick to add. "I might shift while inside you."

It was a very real danger. Most shifters had three forms: the human, the animal, and the beast. They each had their own needs, their own wants. And not all of them were what he would exactly consider pleasant.

She kissed him, silencing his doubts. "I told you before." She straddled his hips holding his penis with one hand. "When you're inside me. I'll be the one who keeps you safe." And then she pressed him to her, pressed him inside her.

He gasped as he felt her tight depths envelop him. She was lowering herself slowly. Drawing out the moment, drawing out the ecstasy he was feeling as she swallowed his length with her body. And then he was inside her. And it felt incredible.

"See, was that so bad?"

He fondled her breasts. "No."

She smiled, and began to lift herself until only the tip of him remained inside her. Squeezing him tightly she lowered herself again. Drawing out the motion, repeating it. Increasing her pace each time. She was showing him how good it could feel. And he was loving every minute of it.

She mewled in surprise when, grabbing her by the waist he pulled her down and held her there.

He was meeting her halfway now, his need catching up with her own.

They switched places. With Nelo underneath him his pace was becoming more insistent. He wanted to join with her. To lose himself in her.

He began insinuating himself against her in silken waves, pushing deeper with every thrust. She returned his need with her own desire, pressing her body to his. Her hands exploring, teasing his tail. Making his gasp in surprise as she learned just how and where to touch in ways that would drive him wild.

He thrust forward one final time, going farther than he ever had before.

She wrapped her legs around him so tightly he couldn't pull out even if he had wanted to.

With Nelo's claws digging into his back, gripped both from without and within He came Spilling his seed inside her in a warm rush.

She was purring as she nuzzled his neck. The smile on her face was one of triumph.

Shiro was panting from exertion, panting from exhaustion. He was too drained to even consider the meaning of that smile.

Where Nelo seemed energized by their lovemaking he felt tired; tired in a way that left him wanting more.

Shiro pulled himself free of her embrace.

But sex is a release. True release that sweeps away all boundaries. All thoughts of self and time. And in the sweet confusion when identity gives way to instinct and we burn in the fires of need and passion. There the darkness seizes its chance.

Breaking beyond his strict control the beast surged upwards through the cracks in his soul, his carefully laid defenses. And in his moment of weakness, seized him.

Shiro howled in agony as the shift hit him with the all the force of an sun going nova. Liquid fire burned in his veins, like molten agony rivers of black fire twisted inside him, pain that was such in its intensity that it matched that of the pleasure he had felt mere moments before.

Suddenly he was falling. Spiraling ever downwards into the depths of the tranquil darkness deep within his soul.

Its calming embrace a soothing balm, Shiro felt the familiar power of change begin to wash over him.

Muscles and sinew grew as wicked daggers black as night burst from his fingertips. The tips of his tails exploded into twin flames of pale ghostly fire.

The shift was happening to fast for him to control. Or even to pull back. He had denied his other side too long and now, now it wanted its due.

In an act of desperation he threw himself away from her. Staggering to the other side of the room.

Every thing was sharpening, his sense of smell, his sense of taste. Fur exploded in a wave across his body, solidifying his form. He was almost finished, almost complete. And he knew, that when he was done. He was going to kill her.

"You have to run." He cried out.

To rip and tear, to devour everything. The beast's desires were overwhelming. He shut his eyes against the pain it caused him to think such thoughts.

But he could still hear her, still smell her. Her presence in the room was as intoxicating as the finest wine. The soft beating of her heart called to him, he had already tasted her. And she was sweet.

* * *

The battle was being fought in his mind. The two aspects of his self; one the beast, one the man. Were divided into personifications of his identity, locked in a desperate struggle for control.

"She wanted this." The beast refused to be denied. "She wanted us!" It paced within its cage of flesh, its way to the world lay open before it. If it escaped. It would wreak untold havoc before it was done.

"I won't let you hurt her." Shiro spread his arms to bar its path. "I won't let you hurt Nelo!"

"We are what we are." The beast snarled. "Why deny us this!"

It was the same argument. One he had heard more than a thousand times before.

"Because I'm more than just a demon." He shouted the words in defiance of the world. "Because I refuse to become the monster that people think that I am!"

The beast attacked him. "And that's why you're weak!" Utilizing his fears and his doubts. "You beg the humans for acceptance." It sought the cracks in his armor. "Hiding your form just to please them." The wedge that would open the door of its cage. "You even began studying magic." The beast's lips curled back in a vicious smile. "Just to get rid of me."

Shiro covered his ears. He knew what was coming next.

"You want to be like everyone else. A weak."

He didn't want to hear it. "Stop it."

The beast was drawing closer. "Pathetic."

He didn't want to listen. "Stop it!"

It bared its fangs in triumph. "Human!"

It laughed at him then the sound of it a cold and calculating thing.

It was true. He fought to deny it but in his heart of hearts he knew it was. For so long he had desired acceptance, to be wanted, needed. Not as himself but as how he thought others would want him to be. It was the only way he had even found a modicum of acceptance.

But now. Someone had reached out to him. Wanted him for who and what he was. And he wasn't going to let anything take that away.

* * *

He was crouching in the corner of the room. A massive white cat shaped like a man. He was holding himself in place, his body trembling with the effort born of desperate will. "Run!" He was shouting it. Desperate to make her understand. "I won't be able to hold him forever!"

Sensing his inner struggle Nelo wrapped her arms around his neck and began to purr. "Your form may have changed, but inside your heart still remains the same." Her words reached out to him in the deep darkness, a light to lead him home. "Come back to me Shiro."

That she would dare touch him, hold him. It gave even the beast pause.

The words: When you hold each other so close it feels as if you share a single heartbeat, echoed softly in his mind.

Its steps slowing, its path unclear. The beast hesitated.

Confused by the sudden desire to tear out its own heart Shiro seized the moment, and with the discipline born from a lifetime of practice he forged the words into a wall of light, a barrier to seal the darkness within the depths of his soul. It did not go willingly, resisting him with all its might but still it went.

The battle won Shiro opened a single silver eye.

He looked at Nelo, who, more than anything in that moment seemed to him a goddess of victory.

"You're not afraid of me?" The hope in his voice was so brittle, so fragile. That Nelo knew. His was a heart that had been broken before.

She tightened her grip, refusing to let him go. "Of course not. No matter what you look like on the outside." She nipped his neck affectionately. "You're still Shiro on the inside. You're just a little bigger now, that's all."

Bigger was an understatement. He was taller than her in this form and could circle her waist with both hands.

Shiro nuzzled her neck. She laughed as his whiskers tickled her throat. Then she noticed the look of sadness in his eyes. "What's wrong?"

"There was, a girl back in Seirei. We, dated for a while. Got to know each other and . . ."

"You shifted."

Shiro nodded. "I was still inside her when it started." He couldn't cry in this form, but if he could he would. Such was the bitterness of the memory. "She screamed so loud. Half the temple came running. She was calling me a monster and a beast. She swore to everyone who would listen that I had forced myself on her." He was shaking his head that it wasn't true. Even now, years later he was still trying to deny the whispers, even if only to himself. "It wasn't until later that the truth finally came out. She had used me. Because she wanted to know what it was like, to lie with a shifter."

"Bitch." Said Nelo with feeling.

Shiro chuckled. His chuckle slowly became a full throated laugh. He felt the past begin to fall away, like some tattered old cloak he didn't need anymore. Who cared about some long ago ghosts! Nelo didn't hate this or his other forms.

She tweaked his ears. "If you're going to laugh at least share the joke."

"Because you're holding me. It means you're looking at me." He lifted her with both hands and spun in a circle. "Because you're looking at me it means you're not afraid of me." Nelo dug her claws into the thick fur of his chest, holding on, just in case he did that again. In response he traced a line down her back, she was shivering by the time he reached her tail. "And because you're not afraid." He held her close. "That means the world to me."

Nelo closed her eyes as she let Shiro hold her. Wrapped up in more than just his arms even his scent had changed. There was still a wildness to it, a hard rain edged with the scent of danger but it had softened somehow. Where it had been threatening now it was inviting. It welcomed her and mingling with her own made the air between them smell of jasmine after the rain. With blossoms of dark vanilla sprouting everywhere.

Her eyes opening in surprise she felt something long and hard press between her legs. "You know Shiro." She smiled coyly at him. "You are kind of poking me."

"Hmmm?" Then he felt it too. "Yeah, I guess I am."

She placed her hands on his shoulders. "Maybe you should do something about that."

He responded by baring his throat. "Did you have something specific in mind?"

She bit his neck gently. "Oh yes."

Supporting her with both hands he lifted her into the air. "So did I."

* * *

Shiro pushed and Nelo pulled, their bodies moving together in a rhythm in sync with their heartbeats.

It was a dance as old as time itself.

Shiro's purr became a steady rumble. A vibration that sent thrills of pleasure throughout Nelo's body. Her own purr a heady counterpoint.

She pressed her mouth to his. Her tongue pressing past his lips, seeking his.

They were losing themselves in each other's passion, each other's fire.

The sweet confusion became so intense, their bodies so mixed up. That for a

moment, a brief shining wondrous moment, they forgot who was who and what was what.

It was all the heaven they needed; found, within each other's arms.

Closing his eyes Shiro released himself into the flow. Their rhythm was slowing, abating, like the tide pulling away from the shore.

But the wave was coming. Building with such force and intensity that he was afraid it would sweep both of them away. And when it hit. She was his anchor.

Shiro spilled himself inside her, emptying into her his thoughts and feelings.

She soaked them up, transmuting them, adding to them her own. And in return.

She filled him with something. Something beyond mere words.

He felt it. As something subtle clicked into place like the lost piece of a puzzle. So to had joining with Nelo completed something long missing from his soul.

He kissed her. Enjoying the simple pleasure of holding and being held.

A satisfaction deeper than any he had known washed over him. So that is what it feels like. He had shifted while inside her, pulling the beast back into himself. His bright blue eyes were reflected in Nelo's soft gold.

Then he noticed the bed.

The bed was a mess.

"Later." She whispered, tightening her grip on him. "For now, I want you to hold me."

And Shiro ever willing to oblige his newfound lady love. Did just that.

* * *

Shiro was busy changing the sheets when he remembered something he had read in _Basic magic for beginners.

Familiars require physical contact to strengthen the spiritual bonds with their masters._

Well, things had gotten pretty physical there for a while. The thought made him smile.

Nelo was sitting on the floor with a spare sheet wrapped around her. She was watching him smooth out the comforter.

He was going to have find her some clothes to wear. Or make them. Or . . .

She interrupted his thoughts. "Master?"

That made him pause. "Nelo. Why did you just call me master?"

She looked at him as if the answer should be simple. "Because you're the one who saved me. You even gave me a name. Besides, I'm your familiar aren't I? Why shouldn't I call you master?"

"Because my name is Shiro." He enunciated it. "She-row. Got it?"

She was shaking her head playfully. "Master."

"Shiro."

She touched his nose. "Master."

"Shiro!"

She let the sheet fall and shoved his face into her breasts. "Master!"

Shiro knew when he was beaten. "Alright. You win." He felt like nine times a fool for trying to win an argument against a woman and talking breasts at the same time. For a moment there, he'd actually thought he could win. Then he remembered that he was male and something like that just didn't happen. Extricating himself from her breasts he said. "Just. From time to time, when it's really important. Call me Shiro, okay?"

Crawling into bed she pulled him in close, letting her tail wrap around his. "I think I might be able to do that." Shiro found himself fast falling asleep as, for the first time in a long time, the warmth of comfort and safety enveloped him. He was content, just to be held in her warm embrace. She watched as he closed his eyes. "Shiro."

* * *

Nelo. . . She and I . . . we. Purrrrr. I wonder if she'll want to do it again? Also, we're going to need a bigger bed. So we have more room to . . . purrrrr.