** Well … first off… I am SOOO SORRY THIS HAS TAKEN THIS LONG! I feel like the world is honestly against me writing fluidly enough _ I get going good with tons of ideas.. and the ground disappears under me… I've gone through yet ANOTHER computer and then it was so long, I was rewatching the anime to keep my ideas fresh, which is why I haven't updated lately. I know for a short time, while watching through the anime, I worked on other works. NOW though.. after this chapter I won't be updating for a few weeks…since I am going to try to work myself into a schedule of updating one story chapter a week without sticking to one story every time to keep me hopefully from any more writers block issues ... ^^ I also plan to go through and redo some of the previous chapters to correct spelling errors.. and tense issues… been really working on my tenses so just bare with me like the awesome readers you guys are! I appreciate you all and am glad you enjoy my story enough to keep reading it! Also, I had surgery before Christmas, so been mending from it…. turns out that I am in the rare 1-2 % of people who, when you have work on the bones in the body, any tiny particle left starts to regrow bone… so on my hip I have several places they had to go in and shave since I had bad impingement…. plus tons of debris cleanup in my socket joint.. I learned that my doctor painted my bones along that joint… awesome huh? Well I was doing good.. and now the last couple weeks been back and forth on pain pills since I seem to have a 24/7 kink in my hip…. so hoping he didn't miss any spots and I am still having an issue… hip surgery is TERRIBLE Something about having the hip dislocated to do the surgery makes for a very painful wakeup….. Anyways.. ON WITH THE SHOW… oh.. STORY! **

Disclaimer: Refer to Chapter One ^^

Italicised = Dreams

Chapter 12: Dreams and Shadow Terrors

With a new day dawning, Gin rolled over to snuggle further into the heater curled against him. A low soft hum slipped from his throat as he seemed utterly content…. until his shin was kick accidently. His eyes popped open as he grunted before taking in Tsukune wiggling around in the sheets. It wasn't long before Tsukune spilled from the sheets to dash into the bathroom just in time to appease his bruised bladder. Though Ginei was still groggy and was tempted to gather just another hour or two of sleep, one ear pricked up as he heard his little one's voice muttering through the bathroom door.

"... Yep… you can definitely tell who your father is….. horrible timing… honestly… I was so warm and having such a good dream before I felt like the hoover dam burst…. gah…. no more sweet tea before bedtime…." Tsukune yawned afterwards as he flushed the toilet and washed his hands.

Already snuggled back under the blankets and sheets, Gin peeked out to watch the other leave the bathroom. Tsukune seemed content once more to have an empty bladder and a destination in mind apparently. It wasn't long before the bed dipped once more and Tsukune snuggled up close to Ginei once more, almost purring softly. The warmth once more coiled around them both and lulled them into another round of sleep. It would be a good hour and a half before the alarm blared angrily at them to wake up and a get a move on. Gin managed to move a faint inch before he watched a pillow sail right over his head to smack into the ringing clock. Said clock was struck with enough pillow force to be smacked into the far wall, effective in the halted ringing.

"... Didn't know you had such a good arm Tsu…. " Gin replied dryly.

" Oh hush….. I don't wanna go to class…. so warm and .. cozy…. " Tsukune mumbled before rolling further under the covers.

" Now now… we have to go to class…. the break is over after all and we have exams to get prepared for… " Gin tried to coax the other out.

"...Fineeeee, but if I catch a cold it'll be all your fault….. " Tsukune pouted before sitting up from the bed. " But… I'm so taking a blanket with me to class…."

One brow arched curiously as Gin watched Tsukune curiously. His wolf easily knew that Tsukune was moving through the denning stage of his pregnancy. The wolf would be looking for warm, safe places to rest without worry. It was also how some wolves made a den, and it seemed clear as day that Tsukune rather be wrapped in their bed which was where he felt safest at the moment. Gin didn't think the school would mind the other carrying a warm blanket around with him…. after all, the school had seen far worse throughout the years. There was one year where a sea beast brought her eggs into class with her… in her backpack to keep an eye on them, so he was sure just a blanket would be fine.

Gin didn't waste time over it as he moved from the bed to get ready for their classes. He tugged on his uniform after washing his face before he paused to see Tsukune still in bed. Tsukune couldn't stifle the yawn as he trailed his fingers through his messy hair. He knew he needed to get ready to head to breakfast, but he just… felt safe here. Outside these walls could be danger, which always lurked in Tsukune's shadow. He sent another hopeful pout to Gin only to deflate as he was once more told to get up and get ready to go since they would leave in about 30 minutes. Tsukune sighed out dramatically before he shuffled away from the bed to also get himself ready for classes. Due to his current…. condition, the school had given him permission to wear normal clothes. The whole situation had been decided when Tsukune nearly threw a door off its hinges in his protests of his uniforms being too uncomfortable to wear. Not wishing to keep the expecting male upset, the Principle made the exception since a comfortable Tsukune was a peaceful and nice Tsukune.

" Okay…. you ready to go Tsu? I hear there are some good choices for breakfast this morning… "

" Oh.. YES! Come on let's go… I'm practically about to starve….. can't you see I'm just skin and bones?..." Tsukune exclaimed happily, always being won over by food.

" Ah yes… you're just wasting away before my eyes!" Gin teased back and smiled as they stepped from their shared room.

Gin chuckled before he wrapped an arm around Tsukune and walked with him to the cafeteria for some breakfast. The line was short… thankfully, and they made it through with three trays of food. Two trays were Tsukune's alone, and he already stated he would not be sharing so everyone could keep their eyes to their own food! In a way, it was adorably hilarious to watch how defensive Tsukune could get when food was added into the equation. As they found a table, they settled down to enjoy their meals. Gin ate his slowly, savoring the flavors that danced over his taste buds while Tsukune inhaled his as though it would be his last and only meal ever. It was a good thing some of the creatures at school were messy eaters so that no one lost their lunch over the table manners displayed by Tsukune.

Mere minutes ticked by before Yukari came bouncing up with Moka. There was a clear feel of excitement to the point of Gin wondering if Yukari could rocket herself off the planet. Though Moka settled herself happily in a chair to eat her breakfast, Yukari planned to have none of that. Since she had found out about Tsukune and Gin having a baby, her mind had been blown away, quite literally. She already wanted to buy things… rattles, cute clothing, the list could honestly go on and on without the need to repeat anything! For now, she held her tongue and allowed Tsukune to continue his meal. Just another two bites had Tsukune's trays empty with a satisfied sigh slipping from his lips. He then proceeded to yawn before rubbing a hand over his tummy as though comforting the child he carried. Yukari could FINALLY speak, and he words tumbled out in a jumbled mess of a manner.

" Oh Tsukune… you will not believe the exciting news I have for you !" Yukari gushed happily.

" What news would that be? " His head canted to the side curiously.

" Mizore is demanding to throw you a baby show next month…. After she got over her shock, she danced around and made it snow in the dorm room… it was quite awesome. She wants it to be perfect since you are awesome and as she put it ' He Deserves the BEST EVER!' so she has been planning it out practically all night! " She finished in a high squeal of a voice, arms flailing around the place.

".. R.. Really? You guys really want to throw me a shower?" He felt the tears pricking the corners of his eyes.

" Well of COURSE silly…. you're our best friend… no way we could miss out of spoiling you and your baby Tsukune! " The large smile could have blinded someone.

" Y… You guys…. I don't know what I would do without you! " Tsukune proceeded to cry over everyone's food.

Breakfast blurred by after that with Tsukune sniffling and tearing up every chance he got. The rest of their group eventually piled around the table as food was devoured and baby conversations ran rampant. All in all, the day had started off on a high, cheerful note! With breakfast being finished, the troupe made their way through the hallways towards class. Already, Gin was doting on Tsukune all the more since their classes were different. In a way, Ginei had turned into his father, pouting while he stomped his foot over how it simply wasn't fair to be separated from his love for as long as a demanding school day! Tsukune just sighed and shook his head before he stepped into his first class and moved to take his seat at the back. He knew he would be in good hands with Moka and his others friends being there with him for protection and support.

Gin sighed dramatically before his shoulders slumped. He stood in the doorway for several long moments with a look of a kicked puppy upon his face. As the door closed in his face, he whined pitifully before he drug his feet to his own class. This was how the classes went for the next few hours and Gin was more than irritated at not seeing the other for three WHOLE classes! With lunch just around the corner, he skipped along the hallways humming joyously. His step faltered though as he noticed a few students running in a panic. One student held a few bleeding cuts upon his cheek and neck, but skittered to a stop in front of Gin. The poor ogre panted and bent over at the waist from how much he had exerted himself just to get here. When he spoke, his arms waved around frantically as though they would assist in the storytelling as well.

".. G.. Gin gotta come quick…. there's a battle going on in Tsukune's classroom! "

Gin hardly needed to hear anything else before his feet were moving on their own rapidly. He trampled down a flight of stairs and turned down another long hallway before he reached the classroom. He halted in shock as he noticed one entire wall of the classroom was gone, reduced to nothing but ashes it seemed. Smoke rose upwards as a body crashed right through the opened space to smack into the opposite wall of the hallway. Kurumu slumped with a low groan to the ground after she smacked into the wall. One of her wings was limp beside her, indicating it had been broken moments before. Blood seeped from several wounds upon her body as she struggled to get up to no avail. Her eyes flicked to Gin as she noticed his presence before giving him a small worried look.

" G.. Gin… Tsukune's… they have him cornered….never seen these things before…. " With that, she passed ou, blood seeping from her lips.

Ginei knew his heart was on overload and pumped furiously within his chest as a wave of anger spread throughout him like molten lava. He stepped into the room and growled threatening within his throat at the sight before him. The classroom was nearly destroyed with the desks slung all over the place and the windows busted out. There were a few shelves on fire as well as bodies from students. It was easy to tell that some of the students were just knocked out, but some were not as lucky due to their lives being stolen. For now Gin had little time to worry for those already fallen as his main focused shifted to protecting Tsukune and destroying the threat.

As Gin stepped fully into the room, his eyes took in the various positions of those he knew within the damaged space. Moka was fending off two of the odd looking beasts while Mizore froze at one along its paws slowly as she tried to buy them time. Yukari seemed to be struggling with her own beast as well as she cast spells that were being easily deflected. All three looked exhausted from the fight that had been going on for several moments give or take. His chest tightened though as he snapped his gaze to Tsukune as he heard a startled gasp. One of the beasts moved in closer, paw for paw, long dripping fangs that itched for a bite. It was the final straw, and Gin refused to just sit and perfect the art of doing nothing. Gin felt his body snap, the change into his werewolf form taking over as he kept his eyes locked upon the furred brute before him.

Before Gin could go and help Tsukune, he felt a sudden bite into his side and growled out loudly. He turned his eyes down to get a good view of these… beasts. They stood much like a Panther with a long feline like tail and rounded feline ears, but that was where it ended. Their fangs were large and protruded well past the lower jaw, with four pair of glowing, pupiless yellow eyes. Fur covered the beast from head to tail and… paws…. all three sets of them. Gin couldn't recall off the top of his head what creatures had six legs. His attention was pulled to the quivering long spikes that raced down along the creature's spine to the tip of the tail where a giant stinger swung around lazily. Gin had no idea what these things were…. but they were absolutely terrifying… like they crawled from some demented nightmare.

Mere seconds later, the fights broke out and turned even more severe. Gin was wrestling with his beast, jaws snapping and breaking bone as blood splattered all over the remaining walls. Yukari was down for the count, her body battered and damaged badly. Mizore looked about ready to hit the floor as well. She had long teeth slashes along her arms and sides, her own blood falling as crystallized ice pearls before being scattered all over. Moka was still holding her own, having killed one of the beasts and still working on the second. Even through her pain, her red eyes were murderous and told clearly that she would rip the beast to shreds. With the fight forging onwards, time seemed frozen for several minutes as Tsukune looked from the beast the the others in the room.

His soul cried for his friends… for Gin and even his classmates that had died…. because of him. These creatures had just morphed from the shadows and attacked, hardly leaving room to run or fight. He felt an odd sensation, as though his body savagely refused to give in to such creatures. In a way, Tsukune summed it up as his stubborn loyalty to never back down when those he cared about were in trouble. Though, in a way, this was far different in many ways. It wasn't just his friends who were in danger, but also his unborn child. The mere thought caused him to run a smooth trembling hand along his stomach as an after-thought. Tsukune was still getting use to his inner wolf, but he felt how it clawed against his skin to come out, to protect and defend. It left him confused though at the same time. He was worried for everyone… but.. what could he even do against these creatures that would make a difference? He felt like he wouldn't be able to even dent the enemy with how… weakened and puny he was.

"..T..TSUKUNE! …. NO! "

Tsukune was so wrapped up within his many thoughts that the sudden scream startled him bad enough to cause his body to jolt. His eyes snapped opened and locked upon the panicked look that was plastered upon Gin's face. There was shock and… a hint of tears within the older male's eyes. It confused Tsukune to see Gin looking so worried… shocked almost it seemed. Time had been frozen, but slowly his eyes moved and lowered to his chest to take in the crimson that seeped through the fabric of his shirt. It was then he noticed the sharp claws that digged through the fabric and into the tender flesh of his chest. Thankfully, it wasn't in an area that would kill him, but the sudden crunch of his collar bone caused a scream to tear from his lips. The same pressure rose to the surface as he continue to scream as the claws were shoved deeper within his body.

Before anyone in the room knew just what was going on, the beasts were struck by a strong force and thrown back roughly. A wind sliced through the room, striking the beasts and shoving them into the walls. Yelps rose as the creatures were sliced in several sections and left along the floor scattered, blood trickling over the floors. It all happened within a mere blink of an eye, but the attack clearly came from Tsukune. Everyone in the room still standing was shocked at the outburst, even Gin had a mouth hung wide open. Gin didn't think over it for very long before he rushed to Tsukune's side as he began to slide down the wall, still bleeding and about to fall asleep it seemed. Gin was still worried though…. he didn't know what the power wave was, but he felt Tsukune's presence along with another. Their child perhaps? He wasn't sure, but he pushed it from his mind as he reached Tsukune in time to catch his unconscious form.

" G.. Gin… was that…. Tsukune that just did that?" Moka asked in shock.

" Yes… that wave of power was from him…. I need to get him to the nurse… I'll send some help here for the others… "

With that, Gin was up and walking swiftly from the destroyed room. His feet were swift as he moved, glad to see other students sliding out of his way. All Gin could smell was the blood that continued to bubble to the surface, showing Tsukune was still injured. Just what were those creatures back there anyways? Where had they come from and just who had sent them? So many thoughts were running man inside Gin's mind that he snapped his head suddenly to shake it about in hopes of it making any more sense. When he reached the medical ward, he found the nurse, who sent teachers to the room to help clean up the mess and take care of the other wounded and deceased. Tsukune then became her main focus as she tended and patched up his body. She had to reset the broken collar bone and presented a ling which wound around Tsukune to keep him from moving it around. Thankfully, the claws had missed nicking anything important and he would heal in time. Soon enough Gin and Tsukune were left to themselves, one awake and watching over everything while the other remained unconscious in the throes of darkness.

Tsukune blinked opened his eyes before he closed them rapidly once more. The sun… it was shining too brightly for him to handle, which caused a pain to flash behind his eyes. He didn't recall being outside…. he had been in the classroom… right? He was pretty sure he hadn't dreamed it…. then again.. could this be a dream possibly? He looked utterly confused as he looked away from the bright side towards the ground in confusion. Tsukune took note of his bared paws and faltered, his head tilting to the side suddenly. PAWS? He was in his wolfin form? His ears flattened as he padded in a complete circle to make sure.. just for the sake of his sanity.

" Do not worry young one… you are not going crazy….. I brought you here…." Came a soothing voice beside Tsukune.

" W.. who are you? " Tsukune asked as he took a step back from the large wolf.

" Pratifus…. over there is my mate, Valiantes…" He spoke kindly. " Come with me Tsukune…"

Tsukune just blinked and stared at the large white wolfin. The others name sounded.. familiar and yet not. He blinked a few times before his smaller wolfin form moved to pad after the other. When they came close enough, Valiantes looked up to watch them both. He was larger than Pratifus and held a dark brown fur coat with black streaks through it. Tsukune knew he had to be dreaming…. this wasn't how it was suppose to be… he had just been in a battle after all… and here he was.. enjoying the butterflies and sunshine? Once all three wolfin were together, Pratifus nestled himself down against Valiantes before he sent an expectant look to Tsukune. Tsukune seemed to take the hint and slowly lowered himself down to his belly subconsciously to keep it safe and hidden.

" No need to be worried Tsukune, we do not wish to harm you or your unborn pup, just wish to speak with you for a bit… " Valiantes muttered, head tilted to the side.

" H.. How do you know about me? " Tsukune stuttered out.

" You are mated to one of our daughter's descendents…. Though we are not alive any more, our spirits still watch over our family, especially the Morioka Clan. Though, we have not been alive in many generations, but my mate and you are the same… or.. similar…" Valiantes offered.

" The..s..same how? "

" We both were chosen for something far greater…. Tsukune… in all the years other than yourself, I was the first male to conceive and have pups with my mate…. and now, the time has come where such a deep bond has been found and you conceived your mate Gin's pup. It is a glorious time to celebrate, but your child, your pup will be very important to peace for both our kind and the humans. " Pratifus commented softly.

" Y.. You mean with the evil side that's been out there causing trouble?" Tsukune asked in confusion.

" Exactly! Today the Shadow Terrors were sent to try and kidnap you after injuring you, but your protective instincts lashed out at them when you were cornered… " Practifus nodded thoughtfully before he continue, " But they will try again…. we brought you here to offer our protection to you… times are about to become very hard and dark…. there will be a time where your family…. and your mate won't be able to be there to save you… when it happens, we will give you our power to help you out… but you mustn't tell anyone. It's a pact we made when we were foretold of the prophecy long ago. It's taken hundreds of years for it to start coming into play… so our spirits were brought forth from our eternal rest to be here with you. "

" You make it sound like something bad is going to happen first…. " Tsukune felt more than a bit nervous by what he was hearing.

" That time where you will be alone…. you will be captured.. there won't be anything that can be done, but you are stronger than you even realise, and when the time is right, the war will be ended because of you.. and of your mate. Now then… it is time for you to wake from your dreams, your mate is calling out for you… until we next meet little one…"

With that, Pratifus bowed his head and Tsukune felt a tug around his stomach as he yelped. He was scooped up by the darkness that danced around him until there was nothing there but himself and a warmth coiled around him firmly.

"... Mmm.. Gin? "

~ End Chapter 12 ~

*Author's NOTE: ANYWAYS! Hope you all enjoyed the chappie! Sorry if there are some mistakes, I ended up writting half of this while being quite sick.. and I am still recovering from my surgery.. ahh it never ends for me, but I do hope the wait was worth it at least and YES! You all got to meet Pratifus and Valiantes instead of just reading about them in a boook ^^ Next chapter is going to be a cute fluffy sort of chapter... before darker times lol THANKS all for sticking with me through this! I appreciate it! *