Chapter 6: Love at full moon

A while later, Neji and Haku arrived at the river, where Sasuke was already waiting for them.

"Hey Sasuke." Neji said with a smile.

Sasuke turned to Neji and smiled before he spotted Haku. He narrowed his eyes. "Who's that?" He growled.

"That's Haku..." Neji said. Oh god.

"Why is he here?" Sasuke asked, a little less suspicion in his voice now. He stared at Haku, who was nervously trying NOT to look at Sasuke a whole lot.

"..Well.. he wanted to come with me." Neji said.

"...Why? He can't come too." Sasuke growled as he walked towards the two boys, his eyes still on Haku.

"Why can't he?" Neji asked, looking at Sasuke. He frowned. Sasuke'd better not try to hurt Haku.

"...Because he's not my mate." Sasuke said and looked at Neji now.

"So?" Neji asked. "You don't have to be in the company of only your mate, right?"

"..No.. But it's dangerous for him. He's not you." Sasuke stated the obvious.

"Why is it dangerous for him then?" Neji asked. He hoped Sasuke would stay patient like this, else he'd scare Haku.

"Because if I go all werewolf, I would eat him. Because he's not my mate." Sasuke said.

"And if I protect him?" Neji asked. "..Perhaps we could get him into a tree or something.."

Sasuke was silent for a while now. "I still don't trust him." He finally said and raised his head into the air. In Sasuke's terms, he had agreed on it though.

"So that's a yes?" Neji asked. He had to be sure.

"Yes. But you'll have to spend more time with me then with him." Sasuke said, still having his head raised.

Neji snorted. "Jealous already?" He asked, with a slight smirk on his face.

"No." Sasuke said, turning slightly red. Haku smiled. At least that Sasuke guy didn't eat him. Yet. Haku felt a shiver going down his spine. Hopefully Neji would be able to keep him away.

"Oh and that's why your face carries such a nice shape of red?" Neji asked and then, with a smile, placed a small kiss on Sasuke's cheek, moving his hand through Sasuke's hair once and then removed it of Sasuke's head again.

"Shut up. Can we go now?" Sasuke said embarrassed now and gave Neji a soft hit on the head, then smirked.

"Hey, you don't treat your mate like that." Neji said, smirking.

"I do." Sasuke said, smirking. Haku laughed. They were really nice together. But Sasuke was still a werewolf. And it would be full moon in two days.

Two days later, at the beginning of the evening, Sasuke, Neji and Haku were sitting around a fire, discussing a bit over where they would head to.

"I still think it would be the best to travel to the West." Neji said, with a stubborn look on his face. "The West is a lot safer then the East."

"But the East is closer now and we would need to buy medicine and food and stuff." Haku said, not quite as stubborn looking as Neji, but not giving up either.

"There are trees around us everywhere, there's food enough. And the medicines, where do we need those for?" Neji asked, while looking at Haku. "I don't see anyone who is wounded."

"We could be, in case you've forgotten 'I' have to go sit in a tree in a few hours." Haku said and then quickly smiled to Sasuke as if saying it was ok. They had befriended each other somewhat over the days.

"And in case 'you' haven't forgotten, we're elves for God's sake, and we can heal." Neji snapped. He was a bit irritated about Haku being dense sometimes, as he was nervous. No elf should be dense, not matter which time.

"Oh yeah." Haku said and stared into...well nothing really.

"He is right though about him sitting in a tree soon.." Sasuke said, obviously feeling guilty.

"...I know." Neji said. "Sorry Haku."

"That's ok. I'd rather sit in a tree then get eaten." Haku said and smiled again. Sasuke looked to the floor. "...You wouldn't mind if I go somewhere else then right? I don't really want you to see me." Sasuke said softly.

"..I already saw you Sasuke." Neji said. "...And I think Haku has to get into the tree, 'now'." He looked up to the sky and saw that the moon was already to be seen. The clouds that had shielded the light of it to them, were slowly driving away.

"...I think so too." Haku said and stood up. "You'll help me right?" He asked Neji. Sasuke in the mean time stood up and started walking away. He hated transforming, it was painful and embarrassing and he'd rather not show it.

"With what?" Neji asked. "Climbing?" He looked at Haku with a frown, while he stood too. "..And I guess that if Sasuke comes here, I have to stay on the ground to keep him busy."

"Yeah, but just give me a push." Haku said as he walked to the biggest tree near them.

Sasuke's head in the mean time snapped towards the moon. Damn. Werewolves really couldn't escape the moon. Sasuke stared.

Neji nodded and then helped Haku into the tree. "Climb as high as possible." Neji said, looking at Haku concerned.

Haku nodded and then quickly climbed into the tree, as high as he could. He then kicked of some branches so Sasuke wouldn't be able to climb it too.

In the mean, said werewolf's eyes were turning red and glowed. He then grabbed to his head and dropped to his knees with a howl. He was transforming.

Neji stood before the tree now, looking at Sasuke. It was both fascinating as scaring.

First, Sasuke's head started deforming, shaping it into the snout of a werewolf, growing big teeth, a different nose. After that Sasuke started growing hair all over his body faster then any would ever grow. Then his feet and hands formed into sharp claws that could literally cut through anything. Sasuke's ears started to grow and he gained a tail. It took him about five minutes and a lot of howls and growls to become his true werewolf form. Once everything was in place his head snapped up and he let out the loudest howl he ever made. He then glared at Neji.

Neji looked back, feeling a hint of fear through his body. How would Sasuke act towards him?

Sasuke suddenly hid his head in his claws. "...Don't look at me.." He mumbled or...growled. Or maybe both.

Neji's look softened as he walked towards Sasuke. He took a soft hold on Sasuke's chin and lifted the almost two times bigger head then normal up ways. He had to use both of his hands for it.

"..Don't be ashamed." Neji said. "It's your nature."

"...I'm ugly.." Sasuke said as he turned his head away with a growl. He felt so ashamed. So ugly now. Haku looked to them from the tree. He was scared, but Sasuke seemed to be ok with Neji.

"Sasuke you're not.. perhaps how you look at the moment, but the inside of you is still you.. and that's not ugly at all." Neji said, while moving his hand over Sasuke's back.

Sasuke growled again. "...I'm hungry." He said and showed his teeth in annoyance while looking around.

"I know, but we are going to eat after the full moon Sasuke." Neji said, while walking around Sasuke so he could get Sasuke's face in his hands again. He forced Sasuke to look at him. "Do you understand that?"

"I'm eating now." Sasuke growled as he sniffed around to find food. He softly pushed Neji away to walk around too.

"No you're not Sasuke." Neji said, while he grabbed Sasuke's arm. Sasuke had to hurt him to get loose now. And that chance was small, he hoped. He was Sasuke's soulmate after all.

Sasuke didn't hurt Neji. But he didn't let Neji stop him either. He just walked around with Neji at his arm. "I smell food." He growled as he started walking towards the tree where Haku was. Haku looked down scared and prayed for Sasuke not to be able to climb trees.

Neji glared at Sasuke and then gathered all his power and tossed Sasuke onto the ground again. Elves could be pretty strong sometimes.

"Sasuke no." He snapped. "I want you to pay attention to me instead of food." He hoped to hit a weak point here.

Sasuke stared at Neji then gritted his teeth. "Why?" He asked as he sat up a little.

"Don't show me your teeth Sasuke." Neji said. "And I want that because I'm your mate. Do you want your mate to feel miserable?"

Sasuke stopped gritting his teeth now. "No." He growled. "Then what do you wanna do?" He asked and sat up all the way now.

"I'm cold. I want you to keep me warm." Neji said. He wasn't cold at all, but it was the only thing he could think of. If Sasuke would just hold him, perhaps Sasuke would fall asleep after..

"Then come here." Sasuke said as he reached out one of his claws. He then quickly redraw it and stared at the floor. "...Or maybe not.." He added.

Neji looked at him and nodded, while he ignored that last thing. He walked towards Sasuke, while taking a hold of a part of the claw Sasuke had reached out for him. The claw was like three times bigger then his own hand.

Sasuke stared away now. "..I'm still ugly.." He growled and tried to softly pull his claw away.

"..It doesn't matter Sasuke." Neji said. "When this is over, you won't be ugly.. and you're not even ugly now, you just changed into an animal.."

"..Well it sucks...You're pretty and I'm an ugly animal.." Sasuke growled angry. He still secretly hoped Neji would snuggle up to him though.

"..It only means that you are warmer now." Neji softly said, and indeed, hugged him now, burying his head into Sasuke's hairy skin now. Sasuke didn't smell bad at all, he was just.. hairy.

Sasuke felt comfortable now with Neji close and safe. He softly put his arms around Neji, afraid of hurting him if he squeezed to hard. He then softly licked Neji's neck. It was a sign of comfort.

Neji frowned at this. Why did Sasuke lick him? Not that he thought it was bad.. but if Sasuke wanted to do anything sexual with him, he'd have a problem.

"..It's just a sign of comfort..." Sasuke growled as he sensed Neji being uncomfortable and nervous. Haku in the mean time felt safer by the minute.

Neji calmed down again. "..Good.." He softly said, relaxing again.

"..I'm still hungry.. can't I hunt?" Sasuke asked as he held Neji close.

"..No, the risk is too big.. we'll eat if the moon is gone Sasuke.." Neji softly said.

"I'm hungry now.. and I still smell food." Sasuke growled annoyed now.

"Shh.. ignore it Sasuke, please.." Neji softly said, while he grabbed Sasuke tighter.

"Why can't I eat now?" Sasuke growled angry.

"Because I don't want you to kill." Neji said. "Don't become angry at me."

"You should let me kill, I'm a werewolf, I need to kill. Let me kill that elf that is near." Sasuke growled, louder now.

"No I won't." Neji snapped. "I'm not going to let you kill one of my kind." He still held Sasuke, but now he looked into Sasuke's eyes, while glaring. He found it a bit hard, since Sasuke's eyes were so red and intense.

"But I need food." Sasuke growled as he stared back twice as hard as Neji ever would be able too.

"I know, and that's why we will eat after the full moon." Neji said, while he felt like he was getting smaller and smaller and Sasuke getting bigger and bigger.

Sasuke then suddenly put Neji away and stood up, sniffing around again. He had to hunt now. Had to eat. Had to taste something. He needed it.

Neji let out a very un-elf-like growl and grabbed Sasuke's arm again, pulling Sasuke onto the ground and sitting on top of him, pinning his arms down.

"I said no Sasuke." He growled and glared at Sasuke. He knew Sasuke could push him off him easily, but it was about the impression now. How Sasuke would react to this. And if this didn't worked, he'd have another triumph card.

"I. want. to. hunt." Sasuke growled as he placed Neji of off him again and gritted his teeth as he walked towards the tree Haku was in (begging again at that very moment). He howled loud as he was near the tree.

"Why won't you j-just listen to m-me?!" Neji yelled now, sounding hysterical. Ok, perhaps it was a bit too much, but tears would make Sasuke into a softie.. right?

Sasuke turned to Neji now and looked at him. Was Neji.. crying? Why was Neji crying? "..Why are you crying?" Sasuke asked, still growling.

"..Y-you should put m-me on the first place instead o-of food.." Neji sobbed. He was thinking of sad things now, which made him cry. Else Sasuke would smell or feel that the tears were fake. This was the last thing he could do.. the other thing he could do would bring himself into danger, probably.

Sasuke quickly rushed towards Neji and grabbed his hand softly. "...I'm sorry.. I wasn't thinking." Sasuke said.

"..You w-were.. you were t-thinking of your s-stomach.." Neji sobbed, now hugging Sasuke and clenched to him.

"...I'm sorry.. I'm sorry Neji.." Sasuke said as soft as he could. His voice always growled though. In the mean time Haku was staring at the scene before him. Neji was such a good actor.

"..I t-thought I was t-the most important t-thing in your life.." Neji sobbed again. He kept holding Sasuke tightly. Shit.. how long was the full moon going to take..?

"You are.. I'm sorry.. You are the most important thing...Neji please stop.." Sasuke said worried. He felt so bad now.

"...I'm h-hungry too, but I'm i-ignoring that for y-you.. why c-can't you do that f-for me..?" Neji sobbed. Sasuke'd better be worried now, else nothing would help.

"...I'm sorry ok. I'm sorry...I'm already ignoring it.." Sasuke growled, starting to get annoyed now.

"..G-good.." Neji said, calming down a bit now. He could hear Sasuke getting annoyed by him now, that wasn't good either.

"..Are you gonna stop crying now?" Sasuke asked as he sat Neji down on the ground and sat down himself too.

Neji nodded, while wiping his tears away. He still let a few of them out, else it wouldn't be very real. He looked at Sasuke and smiled slightly at him.

"Are you ok now?" Sasuke asked and softly held Neji's hand in his claw, just to make sure he was ok.

Neji nodded.

"I am.. thanks." He said, still looking at Sasuke. "Can you hug me?"

"..I'm hairy.." Sasuke said but moved closer to Neji anyhow. He wanted to be close to him.

"..That doesn't matter.. it makes you warmer.." Neji said, while he laid his head against Sasuke's chest. It was strange.. Sasuke was so much more bigger then him now. And he wasn't afraid at all now.

"..Oh..." Sasuke just answered and then pulled Neji closer to him. It felt great that Neji wanted to be close to him anyhow. That he really cared.

Neji was silent now, while enjoying Sasuke's warmth. He hoped nothing would happen now..

"I still smell an elf.." Sasuke softly growled and let Neji be close to him.

"..I know." Neji said.

"...I still wanna eat it.. Is that really so bad?" Sasuke growled. He didn't do anything though.

"Yes it is." Neji said. "It's one of my kind. I don't want you to kill him."

"But I want to eat...and hunt.." Sasuke said as he suddenly laid down and pulled Neji with him.

"..I know." Neji said, while he kept calm. Nothing happened, so..

"Being a werewolf sucks." Sasuke growled and gritted his teeth again.

"..I can understand." Neji softly said, while he kept holding Sasuke.

"I'm glad I don't have a werewolf as a mate though...You're so much better." Sasuke said as he held Neji close.

"Thanks.." Neji softly said, while smiling. That compliment made him feel good.

"Can I eat now?" Sasuke asked again.

"No." Neji said.

"I wanna eat Neji." Sasuke growled, already annoyed. Werewolves never knew the term 'patience'.

"I know that, Sasuke." Neji said. "But I don't want you to eat elves."

"But I do." Sasuke snarled. He was getting angry again.

"Shut up." Neji snapped.

Neji knew that Sasuke probably would think of this as rude, but he didn't care. He knew Sasuke saw himself as the dominant one, but Neji couldn't just let Sasuke eat his best friend.

"No, I'm just gonna eat that elf now." Sasuke growled angry. How dare Neji speak to him like that? Just as a punishment he should eat the elf.

"You're not Sasuke." Neji snapped. "Or do you want me to hate you forever?"

"..No. But I want food too. If I just eat this elf, I'll be good after." Sasuke growled annoyed.

"You will get food, but not now. You have to wait." Neji said. He moved up now, since they were still laying on the floor.

Sasuke stood up now too. "I don't want to wait. And I don't want your apples either. I want meat." Sasuke growled and turned his head towards the tree Haku was still sitting in.

Neji turned Sasuke around again.

"Sasuke you have to wait." He said.

"Why? I can hunt now, not when the moon's gone." Sasuke growled and showed his teeth to Neji.

"Don't show me your teeth." Neji snapped. Ok, perhaps he had to be a bit more dominant. So he was doing that. "And you can't go hunt then, exactly. I don't want you to kill innocents."

"I need meat anyhow, who cares who it is, as long as it's not you." Sasuke said and still slightly gritted his teeth.

"I care who it is." Neji snapped. "And don't show me your teeth I said!" He'd raised his voice for the first time to Sasuke.

Sasuke growled at Neji's dominance. He was used to lower his head to those who yelled at him, so he did the same with Neji. He didn't answer to it though.

Neji was surprised and taken back by this. He had expected Sasuke to get really angry at him because of this. He didn't knew what to say.

Sasuke just kept growling softly. He didn't like it to be over dominated, but frankly, he had gotten used to it. Whoever speaks louder then he is the dominant one. At least for that moment. So Sasuke kept his head low.

"...Do you promise you won't hunt elves?" Neji asked, his voice low. He should better take advantage of this.

"..Fine..." Sasuke growled. Neji wasn't as dominant as his old pack of werewolves. So he'd still growl at him.

"Good." Neji said and looked at Sasuke, feeling a bit guilty. He now sat down onto the floor, not realising that this was exactly the opposite of being dominant.

Sasuke kept standing and looked at Neji. He then gritted his teeth at Neji and roared once. Neji had just given him pretty much permission to go and hunt. So that was what Sasuke would do. He turned around and stormed to the tree and howled. "GET OUT!" He roared to Haku, who was sitting in the tree, almost having a heart attack.

Neji was startled and then jumped up, grabbing Sasuke by the shoulders.

"What are you doing?!" Neji yelled.

"Hunting, you gave me permission." Sasuke growled as he pushed Neji away and scratched the tree. "COME DOWN!" He roared and howled again.

"I didn't gave you permission!" Neji yelled. "You just promised to not hunt elves! Haku get the hell out of here!" Neji grabbed Sasuke's arms and then pushed him onto the ground, pinning him down again.

"You sat down!" Sasuke growled. "You sat down, that means you're not in your dominant position and I can do what I want!" He tried to get Neji of as gently as he could, but it was hard. In the mean time, Haku kept shaking in the tree. He didn't dare to move.

Neji kept holding Sasuke to the ground tough.

"I didn't realise that, but you can't do that!" Neji yelled.

"You allowed me to!" Sasuke roared as he pushed Neji off and gave the tree another slash. He would get his food.

"I didn't! Sasuke stop it!" Neji yelled, pulling Sasuke back again, this time standing before the tree, glaring at Sasuke.

"But you gave me permission!" Sasuke growled at Neji, staring back.

"I didn't! I only sat down because I'm tired!" Neji yelled, looking furious. Perhaps he even looked like a werewolf now.

"It means something else where I come from!" Sasuke yelled back, looking equally furious now.

"Well then that's your problem!" Neji yelled, going into the dominant mode again.

Sasuke was silent, except for the fact he was breathing rapidly. "...Fine.. let me starve." Sasuke snapped and walked a good part away and then sat down against a tree.

"You won't starve after a day you idiot." Neji snapped, surprised that it had worked again. It was almost a bit weak.

"I'm not gonna eat anything with you around." Sasuke growled as he let his nails trail over the tree, scraping it.

Neji grabbed Sasuke's hand now, pulling it away from the tree. He said nothing, but glared at Sasuke.

"...I can do what I want." Sasuke growled and pulled his claw away to trail the nails down the tree again.

"You can't." Neji said, but then let Sasuke do what he wanted. As long as he didn't hurt Haku.

Sasuke kept ruining the tree for a while before he calmed down. He then pulled Neji close again. "...The moon's going away.." He softly growled.

"..Good.." Neji said and sighed. Finally.

"You hate me like this, don't you?" Sasuke growled, a little louder this time.

"..It's not hating, you're just a bit scary." Neji said, shrugging.

"..I'm sorry.." Sasuke growled as the moon slowly went away. Sasuke somehow felt relieved.

"It's not your fault." Neji said, looking at Sasuke.

"..I'm still the scary one." Sasuke answered and stared back.

"Not if you are normal again." Neji said.

"This is normal for me." Sasuke growled and looked away.

"I know.." Neji softly said.

"...So.. sorry." Sasuke said letting go of Neji now, since he didn't get much in respond.

"..Don't be sorry Sasuke." Neji said, again.

"...I know you don't like me like this.." Sasuke growled and stared at the moon.

"..Who would?" Neji asked. He hoped that the moon would be really gone fast.

Sasuke swallowed. "...People who would take me for who I am.." He growled.

"..Sasuke I do take you for what you are.. but you being a werewolf.. well.." Neji softly said, looking away.

"..Is not what you want...So you don't take me for what I am.." Sasuke growled annoyed and turned away from Neji.

"..Don't turn away from me Sasuke.." Neji softly said and grabbed Sasuke's arm. "..It's just.. difficult if you're in that state.."

Sasuke growled and pulled his hand away. "..You don't want me like this." He said, really annoyed now, still having his back on Neji.

Neji turned him around.

"..Sasuke I still want you, more then anyone. But it's difficult to be around you in that state.." Neji said. Couldn't that moon hurry up?

Sasuke suddenly stood up, leaving Neji alone on the floor. He then turned around and started walking away. That would be best.

"Sasuke come back." Neji said and then stood, followed Sasuke and grabbed his arm again.

"No." Sasuke growled. "It's difficult to be around me like this, so I'll leave." With that, he pulled his arm back violently, almost throwing Neji to the ground. He started walking again.

Neji regained his balance, and grabbed Sasuke's arm again, a bit rougher this time.

"Sasuke shut up." He snapped. "Just stay here with me ok."

Sasuke stared at Neji for a while. "...I hate this.." He then growled.

"..I can understand." Neji said, and then pulled Sasuke closer.

Sasuke put his claws onto Neji's back softly and hugged him. Apparently, Neji really wanted him close.

Neji ignored the claws pricking in his back, he just hugged Sasuke, holding him close. He sighed softly. He felt comfortable.

At that moment Sasuke started to shrink. His hair pulled back until it was gone and his claws weren't as painfully as before as they turned into regular hands again. Sasuke turned back to normal faster then how he transformed, and it didn't hurt either. The moon had gone.

Neji sighed, gladly. Good.. Sasuke was normal again.

"..I'm sorry.." Sasuke softly said, with his normal voice this time and buried his head into Neji's neck.

"...Don't be sorry.." Neji softly said, for the third time this evening.

"..Thank you...for staying.." Sasuke said and moved closer to Neji, enjoying Neji's scent, Neji's presence even after having been a werewolf.

"..Don't thank me for that.. it's logical.." Neji softly said. "Haku, you can come out again."

Haku nodded and then started climbing out of the tree. Uncomfortable since he broke some branches that night.

"..Neji...I love you.." Sasuke whispered as he kept holding onto Neji.

Neji smiled, even if Sasuke couldn't see it.

"..I love you too Sasuke.." Neji said. "..I really do.."

Sasuke smiled slightly too now and then kissed Neji's neck softly. Then Haku walked towards them. "You two can be all lovey-dovey later kay?" He said and smiled at them. He had to admit, they were cute. At least when Sasuke wasn't all big and scary and trying to eat him.

Neji smirked at him, still not releasing Sasuke.

"Alright, alright." Neji said, after having enjoyed the little kiss Sasuke had given him.

Sasuke finally let go of Neji now, giving him a quick kiss and then just holding his hand tightly. "We should get moving again..." Sasuke said and Haku nodded.

Neji nodded too.

"..Yes, and we should search for a place to stay." Neji said. "..Or we will travel around.."

"..As long as we stay together it's all good right?" Sasuke said and smiled at both Neji and Haku. He really wanted to stay with those two. He trusted them. More then anyone before.

"Indeed." Neji said, smiling back. "It has to be."

"Let's go then." Haku said and smiled his smile at them before he started to walk. Sasuke turned his head to Neji first, smiled and started walking too, pulling Neji with him. He knew they would be ok. Sasuke for one had gone through worse and Neji was strong enough to keep him from killing. They would be fine. Even at a full moon.

Nothing's better then a happy ending! What did you think of it?