Night fell in a soft wave of stars and moonlight. As the gentle light streamed across the land, I stared out my window and gloried in it. Kairi, my distant cousin, just frowned at me from afar, saying nothing. A flip of a page caught his full attention.

I turned to him, my eyes shining with wonder. "Kairi, do you believe in werewolves?"

He merely shook his head, keeping his eyes lowered, devouring the book in his hands. I stuck my tongue out at him childishly, then returned my gaze to the glorious moon. "I like to believe they exist. It gives me chills when I think about them."

Kairi sighed in irritation, shutting the book angrily. "They don't exist, Amu, stop acting like a child."

I pouted silently, ignoring his harsh words.

As time passed, the moon rose full into the midnight sky. I found Kairi asleep on his plush, red armchair, a book plastered to his face. Giggling in silence, I stood, tiptoeing around my cousin to grab my cloak, one of a deep, purple color. Flipping the hood onto my head, I opened the front door, closing it softly behind me as I walked out into the chilly night air.

I took a deep breath, excitement overwhelming me. This wasn't the first time I'd disobeyed Kairi, and it probably wouldn't be the last, but this was unlike other times. Before had been much more...innocent.

This time, I was putting myself in danger. At least, that's what I liked to believe.

As I walked the cobblestone streets, with the oil lamps as my only light, I looked around carefully. My step was light; you couldn't hear me even if you were right by my side. The cool autumn air made me shiver.

"Hey!"

I turned, startled by the voice. No one had been outside only moments before.

I relaxed as my close friend, Kukai, sauntered over. "Isn't it a little late to be walking in the dark?"

Smiling, I shook my head.

"Not at all. It's better without all the noise there is during the day."

He raised an eyebrow at me.

"Right. Shouldn't you be going along home now?"

I tilted my head to the side, looking him over questioningly.

"Why would I do that?"

He sighed, shaking his head.

"You know my dad's the law around here. As well as that, he believes in werewolves just as much as you do. I swear, he's got the whole yard covered in silver and such. He'd go on a rampage if he found you out here by yourself in the middle of the night."

He seemed rather annoyed with this. He lowered his eyes momentarily before meeting mine again.

"I also don't want you to get hurt. You don't know what weirdos might be lurking around this time of night."

My eyes glinted mischievously. "I know; I'm looking at one."

He grimaced. "Haha, very funny. Good one. Now, go home."

I pouted, using his one weakness against him. "I don't want to. Kairi's been all bossy ever since my parents left me with him. It's really annoying."

Kukai sighed, and I could see his interior struggle through his eyes. Finally, he spoke.

"Fine, but I'm sticking by you until you go home, you got that, Kit?"

I smiled cutely at the use of my nickname. As I seemed to like cats so much, people in town often called me 'Kit' or 'Kitten'.

As we walked through the town, things began to appear quite eery. Kukai grabbed my hand, and I noticed the wetness of his palm. Glancing at him from the corner of my eye, I spoke up.

"So, um, why were you outside in the first place?"

He looked down at me, with an almost sad expression on his face. His green eyes seemed to glowing, making them appear radiant...wait, glow?

I stopped, turning to look him straight in the eyes. He was startled by my sudden stop. Laughing nervously, he looked away.

"Um, I was actually on my way to see you, Kit. I had needed to tell you something-"

"Tell her what?"

I started, turning to face the figure that had spoken. It was a guy about sixteen years old, our age, who was casually leaning against the side of a building. His hair looked black in the dark stillness, but his eyes glowed blue...and looked extremely angry.

Kukai stepped in front of me, leaving my hand to fall to my side. I struggled not to grab it back; I was frightened.

"Personal things, Ikuto. What are you doing in the village?"

The boy, 'Ikuto', didn't respond. I balled my hand into a light fist and began nibbling my knuckle. I always did that when I was nervous. The action seemed to attract the stranger's attention.

"Kukai, is she..."

Kukai growled, causing me to step back, trip, and fall to the ground. He looked down at me apologetically, then returned his gaze to Ikuto.

"There's no way in hell, and I'd know; I've known her since she was born. So why don't you just crawl back into the forest where you belong?"

The stranger chuckled, his eyes peering at me through the darkness.

"Maybe I don't wanna.", he cooed appealingly.

Kukai growled again. "I swear to God I'll rip your throat out."

Ikuto cocked his head, seemingly amused. "There's a god?"

Kukai straightened his figure; he'd been unknowingly crouching towards Ikuto.

"Enough playing around. Just leave, would you?"

Ikuto was still looking down at me, a wicked smiled playing along his face.

"I'll retreat, for now, but do you really think you'll be able to stay much longer?"

He took a light sniff, curling his lips. I shivered when I noticed the fangs that protruded.

"The girl smells lovely. Hope to see her again soon."

Kukai snarled in anger. "Over my dead body. Now leave."

Ikuto put up his hands in mock surrender. "Alright, alright."

He looked me over once more, a smirk planted on his face.

"See you later, little Kitten."

I covered my mouth, biting my palm anxiously. The boy chuckled and simply walked away, vanishing into a mist that had begun to rise.

Kukai turned to me, his eyes looking sad enough to make God himself shed a tear. As he approached me, I couldn't help but slide myself away from him. I regretted it instantly; he looked like I'd just torn him apart.

"Kit, I'm so-"

"You", I interrupted, "have a lot of explaining to do."

He nodded silently, offering me his hand. I took it, grateful for his strength. As he pulled me up, I found myself wrapped in his arms. My forehead creased in confusion.

What's going on?