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Chapter Text

“Finally!” Blue hair billowed out in the wind, accented by blacks and framing a furred face. Michiru, a tanuki currently riding atop a bus, let out a long building sigh of relief before dropping down from exhaustion. It had taken her five months but she was finally here, finally about to get to Anima city where she would be safe.

“…safe from the humans” the word was spat out of her mouth with vehement disgust as if saying it had somehow personally offended her. Clawed hands gripped at the brown cloak billowing around her in the wind while her mind conjured the last few months to the forefront of her mind

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Letting out a pained grunt Michiru fell to the ground, her ankle letting out a shrill protest in the form of pain. It had obviously just twisted. “Stupid beast, why don’t you just listen huh?” Jarringly a group of teenagers stalked around her, one tilting her face up with a barbed bat that bit painfully into her bruised skin.

“Huhhh?” Snickering, one of the cronies stepped on her tail forcing her to let out shreek shrill of pain and tug away from him. “This one must not know how to talk, just like the beast she is I bet!” Cruel curdling laughter ranging through her ears.

“Hey, hey no need to talk to her like that,” Another one piped in, kindling a small ember of hope within Michiru. “The beast probably can’t even understand you.” It died. The meager ember of hope died. Doused in the waters of their hatred.

Down came the feet, the fists, the weapons. All of them swung down on the ‘beast’. And yet despite her pleading, begging, praying no one came. Not a single human soul came to her rescue. Even as she lay there, the hoodlums long gone, drowning in a puddle of her own blood. No one came.

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The putrid memory sent tremors through her body, the cloak seemingly not enough to keep the cold at bay any longer. Pressing her ears flat Michiru’s hands pulled the cloak tighter hoping to stave off the cold pressing in on her. Her scars aching from the memories. The rough feeling grounding her pattering heart.

Off in the distance a gleaming city came into view. It was Anima city. The one refuge where Beastmen are free from prosecution and hate. The shimmering and glittering lights reflecting off the buildings nearly blinded her, however she couldn’t take her eyes off of it. Tears streaking down her face as she realized this was it, she was finally free.

Revving engines sounded out behind her as a pack of motorcyclists donned in protective gear and helmets swerved behind the bus. The one in the lead balancing a crossbow on their handlebars.

The humans who were hunting her had caught up. Taking her by surprise they managed to land a lucky hit with their crossbow lodging the bolt in her arm. Blood easily stained the cloak and shirt she was wearing as it pooled out from the wound. Tumbling off of the bus and falling off the side of the road she skidded down the hill eventually coming to a stop amidst a cluster of trees. Her arms sent hot spikes of pain into her brain with every movement jostling it before she landed sharply on the arm pressing the bolt in further and sending searing pain spiking in her brain.

Bringing her hand quickly to her mouth she bit into it despite the pain to stifle the screams and sobs forcing themselves out of her throat, hoping the humans didn’t see where she fell. Desperation and adrenaline flooded her system when she heard a branch crack to her left, ears angling themselves on instinct to hear it better. Body readying itself for battle, instincts drumming against inhibitions, begging to be set free. Begging to rip and tear apart these vile humans.

Pain that used to fill her mind’s every crevice dulled to a throb from the excess adrenaline fueling her tired and broken body. Michiru tensed, waiting, watching as the humans stepped closer to her hiding place. Predatory eyes glinting harshly while her instincts pushed past inhibition. Heart thrumming in Michiru’s chest loudly. Drowning out everything else. Eyes waiting for the perfect - now!

Readied claws sunk into soft flesh, hooking and ripping out chunks. Blood spewing viciously from the wound she inflicted on the first one. Leg kicking out to another one, a male, landing square between the legs eliciting a pained shout as he crumpled. Stalking eyes glinting as they turned on the final one. Strong legs carrying her towards her prey before claws met flesh yet again, ripping and tearing off more, more, more. The instincts demanded more, pushing her body for more.

The blood encircled the tanuki as the mangled corpses twitched slightly, the last breaths of life escaping them.

Putrid bile climbed into her throat. Mind reeling, the lack of instincts allowing her to think clearly. She just killed them, they deserved it, she was a murderer, an eye for an eye. Leaves and twigs ruffled underfoot while her unsteady legs carried Michiru away from the corpses, prey, further and further away. Trying to purge the memory from her mind.

Her legs continued to carry her farther and farther until she couldn’t anymore. The exhaustion from running and running away week after week and barely managing to scrape by in her desperate scramble to escape left her with little energy after her adrenaline high. Leaving her body with little to run off and even less to stave off the pain of the bolt lodged into her upper arm. Nausea onset quickly while her vision became swarmed with black dots. Trying to push herself further and further. She was so close… so… close.

Unfortunately for the Tanuki girl she couldn’t take anymore abuse. Her body shutting down and falling to the ground, her blood coating the slick earth beneath her. A piercing voice rang into her ears as she was dragged into the shapeless void of unconsciousness. “Hey boss, I found-“

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“Hey boss, I found one.” A small stout man was crouched over the form of a tanuki. Wearing simple clothing and looking none too out of the ordinary. At the beckon a woman with purple hair and wearing a lab-coat along with green sunglasses pushed atop her head stepped into the clearing looking at the girl before a coy smile alighted her features.

“Well what do we have here?”

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Michiru bolted upwards, her body shocking itself out of its unconsciousness. Hair standing on end while her eyes rake over the stale white room she was in. A door to her left along with several beeping machines scattered about the room mostly near her. This did little to calm her or alleviate any tension as she realized this was a hospital room and on the contrary she began to struggle with the wires connected to her. Causing the machine to begin beeping wildly as they lost the readings they were dutifully keeping.

A flurry of footsteps cascaded down the hallway. Her sensitive ears picked up on it and quickly noticed its increasing volume. Defend yourself. She managed to pull out the IV in her arm last after all the wires and began to shimmy her way over to the edge of the bed in an effort to stand. The footsteps still getting louder and louder with every second. Defend yourself. Her body screamed in protest as she stood. Sore muscles and ill-healed wounds aching with every breath. The constant numbing feeling of adrenaline not present but slowly beginning to flow into her veins. Instincts she knew little about driving her body into a fight or flight mode as the supposed threat approached her.

As the door finally flew open a humanoid lynx walked in looking immediately at the bed and seeing the tanuki dumbfounded at the sight of another beast man. Letting out a low sigh she begins to walk towards the bed holding a chart to her chest. “Ma’am, I understand it might be disorienting but I need to reattach those.” The lynx’s words reached Michiru’s ears but were never processed. The tanuki is still reeling at the sight of an openly transformed beast man. “Ma’am?” The lynx took another step forward which resulted in the bristling of the tanuki’s fur and a low growl emanating from her throat. Stepping back the lynx raised her hands in what appeared to be a sign of peace or surrender.

“I’m not going to hurt you ma’am. You were in really bad condition when you were brought in and we need to monitor your injuries and status.” Noticing her words were getting nowhere the lynx tried to come up with some solution to the predicament.

Unfortunately finding none and being met with more growling every time she tries to step forward the lynx slowly backs away and exits the room. The gentle sound of receding footsteps comforting the tanuki if only for a moment. Looking around the room again she notices a vase of flowers next to her bed. Stepped forward curiously she takes one of the lilies into her hand and slowly brings it to her nose. Twitching slightly her nose takes in the scent. Sweet floral incense filling her nose and calming her slightly. Something tugged at her mind’s eye but not quite placing it despite struggles to conjure whatever it was this reminded her of. Waves of deja vu cascading through her mind.

Leaning back down despite her body’s protests she nearly moans at the euphoric feeling of relaxing. The covers and bed are a stark contrast to the ground she had come to know during her life on the run. The soft and warm differ in the best of ways to the cold and hard. Her body relaxing into the softest thing she’s felt in a long time while her eyelids grew heavier forcing her body to yet again succumb to sleep.

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The lynx clad in nurse's attire sighed as she walked down the stale hallway. Rounding a corner she nearly bumped into a taller man with broad shoulders and glasses atop his nose. Letting out a surprised sound she backed up quickly so as to not run into the man. “Sorry, Doctor.”

The man readjusted his glasses slightly before giving the nurse a soft smile. “No harm no foul, however I was going to go check on our newest resident. Do you have her chart on you?” The nurse nodded and wordlessly exchanged the clipboard with the man.

“She was rather… uncooperative when I went to reattach her monitoring equipment. She even tore out her IV and by the looks of it she wasn’t gentle judging by the blood that was on her arm.” Nodding along with the story he looked down the hallway to the slightly ajar door before letting out a huff.

“Another troublesome one brought in from the mainland?”

“Might be worse than normal. From what we had conducted before she woke up she has signs of malnourishment along with several wounds that were never properly treated. Honestly it’s a wonder she hasn’t collapsed.”

“Well that’s just about everything I needed to hear. Now then if you’ll excuse me I need to go see if she’ll cooperate for some examinations so we can start her treatment as soon as possible.” The man continued on his charted path walking past the nurse and continuing towards the door.

“Doctor, just a fair warning-“ the nurse's voice was cut off as the man opened the door he was walking towards, quickly shutting it behind him as he walked inside. “She’s exhibiting signs of… why do I even bother.” Huffing indignantly the nurse stalks back to her station grumbling all the way. Inside the room however the doctor was running through the chart he was given before shifting his gaze towards the bed and seeing the prone figure of the girl. Setting down the clipboard he walks towards her, setting his hand on her shoulder to wake her up.

This action nearly immediately woke the sleeping girl much to her dismay as her eyes darted around the room looking for potential threats, something she has unfortunately gotten into the habit of doing. Turning her head slightly she meets eyes with the human doctor causing her to try and scurry away shooting pains tracing along her body. Stopping abruptly she tilts her head, nose quivering as she picks up a scent that was decidedly not human originating from the human in front of her. Thoroughly confused she tries the air again several times confirming both the scent and originating point each time. “You… look human but you smell…” her voice came out scratchy and hoarse from dehydration and disuse but the words were understandable nonetheless.

The man let out a small chuckle before settling down in the chair across the room. “I can very much guarantee I’m no human. I’m a beast man just like you.”

“But you’re not…”

“I’m not in my animal form at the moment.” The man gestured to himself as soft brown fur began to dance along his skin. His mouth elongated and ears changed along with two sharp antlers protruding from his head. The lower body, feet specifically, molding themselves differently. Hooves and furred legs replacing them. “As I said I’m a beast man just like you. No need to worry.”

As the girl, Tanuki, saw the man, Moose, shift himself something donned on her. “Where… are we?” The man regarded her curiously before adjusting his glasses.

“Well… we’re in the hospital but I assume you’re referring to the fact we’re in Anima city, correct?” The girl went still for a moment. Words bouncing around her head quickly and something snapped and the tension the girl was carrying fell down onto her. Her body finally willingly gives itself into relaxation.

“Thank… god…”

Chapter Text

Billows of cloud raced out of the wolf’s lungs as he exhaled. The biting chill of the night warmed by the ember spewing putrid scents into the air around him. Taking another breath in the wolf was met with biting pain tracing into his lungs warming him against the cold air. Stray thoughts being chased away like rabbits into a storm. “...fuck.” Pulling up his phone in his free hand he glanced at the contact name before pressing it against his ear. “What do you want, Rose.”

“Shirou-”

“Cut to the chase, I’m not in the mood for your theatrics.” The wolf quipped, already impatient and feeling rather snappish.

A sigh could be heard over the line as Mayor Rose grumbled something the phone didn’t pick up. “To cut to the chase, as you asked, the police received an anonymous call about a bomb threat for the festival in two weeks.”

“Humans?”

“Yes.” As much as she hated to indulge in Shirou’s… racist and frankly repulsive behavior to humans, warranted as it was, she still needed the wolf’s assistance. “From what I’ve heard there should be three or four beast men in cahoots with humans.”

“Traitors.” The wolf growled into the receiver. His phone case marred by numerous scratches has yet another one to add to the list as his fist clenched tightly around the black device. Spitting out the cigarette Shirou ground his heel into the floor. Putting out the embers. “Is there any more information?”

“Not currently, but I want you to look out during the festival. Can I count on your help?” Barbara held her breath for a moment as the phone paused, not receiving any confirmation or denial.

“Yes.” The phone line went dead as the wolf stepped over the edge. Claws digging into the wall and the stink of rock digging into flesh barely noticeable from the years of tolerance he built up. Before he landed silently on the ground. The full moon making his white and blue fur shine silver.

The wolf was on the hunt.

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“Please step onto the scale for me… Michiru.” The doctor, Moose, told her. Gesturing to the electronic scale in the room.

For the last hour she had been undergoing several tests so the doctors could get an understanding of her current status. Besides the obvious malnourishment she had several cuts, the lynx helped her to find all of them… (why did they ask her to shift to human form?), all over her body.

“40.3 kilograms…” scribbling on his sheet the doctor glances at the page for a moment. “Well… you have a minor bacterial infection and several of your ribs have hairline fractures along with the malnourishment and a sprained ankle that looks fresher than the other wounds.” Looking up, the doctor leveled his gaze with the girl “Are you sure you’re unwilling to assume your human form? We’ll have a much easier time locating surface wounds without the fluff in the way.”

The tanuki’s eyes narrowed at the doctor in response before she shook her head. Snapping herself out of whatever had afflicted her. “Y-yes..”

“Hmm… well we can treat the bacterial infection with antibiotics and the fractures just need to be monitored and we can help with the malnourishment too.”

“I uhm…” she cleared her throat for a moment, taking a drink of water. “I don’t have a lot of money.”

“Oh, right. You came from the mainland.” He clicked his tongue for a moment. Sifting through some papers before handing a few pages to her. “Well you can apply for the assistance program which will cover these expenses and provide you a place to live so you can get on your feet.” The doctor said these words with ease, obviously practiced and said time and time again.

Michiru took the pages and held them in her hands, just now noticing how shaky she was. “I-I’m really… I’m really here.” The doctor got up, stretching out his legs before moving towards the door.

“I’ll give you a moment of privacy to collect yourself.” And just like that the doctor was gone and Michiru was alone with her thoughts again. Scrambled as they were, her mind was racing.

“I-It took so long to get here…” Her voice was quiet and weak. “So long… but now I’m finally here… I’m in Anima City.” Her eyes widened. “I’m safe.” Salt stung the corner of her eyes as she made that realization. She cried and she cried and she cried. Michiru was finally safe away from the humans

A howl rang out and pierced Michiru’s ears. Wide teary eyes looked through the window to the moon. It came again as others rang out in the symphony. It was beautiful, animalistic, and primal. It felt right, better than the unnatural plastic mold of humanity. The tanuki girl smiled.

It’s been a week since she arrived at Anima Island and she was still stuck in this sterile room. She didn’t like it at all. It tugged at her brain in ways that made her think in ways she didn’t want to. It brought memories she didn’t want to see.

The doctor had stopped visiting after the third day and the nurse only came in when she pressed the red button by her bed. She wanted to talk to somebody, anybody really. She also wanted a shower, she could still feel grime and dirt on her body and wanted to boil it off of her fur. Michiru was so caught in her day dreaming that she didn’t notice the door opening.

“Heyyyyyy~, Tanuki~” Her pupils turned to slits as she bolted around and up, claws ready to tear. A woman with purple hair crouched by the bedside stayed there unperturbed. “So rude, I’m hurt.” She stood up and stuck out her hand. “Names Marie, Marie the Mink. I’m the one that lugged your sorry ass to this hospital.”

Michiru stared at her for a moment before smelling the proffered hand, it didn’t smell human. “I’m Michiru…” she put her own hand out awkwardly before weakly shaking Marie’s.

“Cool, cool, now that we have that out of the way…” Marie paused for a moment for dramatic effect. “You owe me big time little Tanuki.”

Michiru blanched. “What?”

“I’m the one that saved you from the forest where you would have bled out.” Michiru’s fur bristled as memories were brought to the forefront of her mind that she was trying her best to ignore. The Tanuki growling as she remember the scent and taste of the humans. Michiru snapped out of it as soon as she fell into that momentary stupor and stammered her way through a response.

“T-thank y-you-“ She looked over to Marie again, but she was gone without Michiru even noticing. A faint beep irregular from the other monitoring machines sounded from just outside the wall as Marie slid her phone back into her pocket, sighing and walking away.

“Little Tanuki girl was on the run, huh? Yet there’s no registry of a Tanuki beast man by the name of Michiru…” Marie smiled. And glanced back at the door. “Who is this girl exactly?”

Chapter Text

To the wolf his sense of smell was invaluable and to his prey it was a snare. The pittering of hearts and the pattering of feet sounded through the alleyway as a man with short cut brown hair ran as fast as he could. His eyes were wide and he was breathing heavily. He could no longer hear the growl in the shadows as his footsteps were accented by the splashes of puddles as he neared the pier. A boat sitting idly with two other men, each with their own bag of some sort. One carrying a large duffle bag slung over their shoulder. “Get us the fuck out of here!” The man’s voice was loud and panicked as the other two looked over. One yelling something he couldn’t hear. “What?!”

“B—h—n-.. y—u!”, “BE—H—— YOU!”
“BEHIND YOU!”

The man stopped cold in his tracks as something dripped into the puddles he was standing in. His face highlighted in the moonlight as he looked down and saw a hand sticking out of his abdomen. The man screamed before his lungs gave out and he collapsed to the ground. Viscous red liquid pooling onto the ground.

There was a howl in the air as the wolf found his prey and their pack. Whipping his head forward Shirou eyed the boat as its motor whirred to life. The boat veered away from the dock, a small dinghy leaving a heavy wake in its bath while the engine was pushed to its max. The other two men ignored the strangled and wet cries. More focused on their own survival and getting out of there before the wolf caught them.

Nearing the edge Shirou watched the boat for a moment before crouching down and gathered strength in his leg to leap. The boat tipped over when Shirou landed on the bow, the ever present growl louder with each frantic beat of their hearts before they too met the same fate as the man from before. More prey for the wolf.

Turning away from the bodies Shirou gathered the two bags and slid into the water. The biting chill centering him as he wound down from the hunt. Blood on his claws and pristine fur inking off while he swam, leaving the hunter mindset for now.

Once he began to near the dock he glanced back at the capsized boat, noticing the swarm of fish as they picked at the remains of the bodies he left behind. In his throat a scoff mixed in with a growl, feeling vaguely insulted that they thought they were allowed to feed on his prey. Tossing the bags up he gripped the edge and pulled himself up next, settling down on the edge and opening the bags the men carried. As expected the larger of the men was carrying bombs and the shorter one carried the wiring. Looking back at the briefcase he noticed two things. Firstly that it was opened and secondly that the man that he was certain would have bled out by now was trying to grab something from inside.

Easy enough to solve Shirou took his time walking over and crouched in front of the man before picking up his hand and moving it away. “Vile human.” Shirou latched the case and lifted it away from the man. Leaving him to bleed out suffering as Shirou walked away, closing the case as he did. Once the items were secure and the straps on the briefcase were pulled tight he broke out into a jog that quickly developed into a full on sprint.

This was his domain. The wolves were born for the night. To hunt and stalk prey. To howl at the moon. It was in his very blood.

Shirou quickly found his perch atop a nearby one story building and let his instincts guide him, leading his snarling snout to tilt up to the moon and let out a howl. Many others joined him as the moon reached its apex in the night, Anima City was alight with the nocturnal denizens. To Shirou, this sound was beautiful and it calmed the rest of his nerves.

A soft breath and a gentle inhale through his nose, smells from all over the city. The grime and muck and the sweet candies, savory snacks and meaty delights. Even at night Anima city was so alive. Shirou wants to keep it this way, regardless of what it costs him.

Taking his lighter out of his back pocket he scowled, the damn thing was out of fluid again.

Stuffing his hands into his trench coat he stepped over the edge, and delighted in the thrill of weightlessness before calling forth his vile human flesh and entering the convenience store right below his howling spot.

A frown drew on his lips as his ankles flooded with a fuzzy static from the drop. An annoying feeling but one he would forget about in a few moments. The door chime reached his ears as he stepped into it, surveying the store and finding the section with cheap lighters before grabbing the first one he saw. It ended up being an electric blue zippo lighter, after he dug change out of his trenchcoat and counted out however much he needed. Not caring if he was over he handed the clerk the money and walked out, no words exchanged between the two of them. None were needed.

Shirou lit his cigarette and sat down on the corner of the street. A sigh tumbled past his lips as he pulled his fur to the surface. Like a well worn favorite sweater that was all too comfortable. The acrid sting of the nicotine helped to dull his hyper attuned senses. Filling his nose with its scent that promised relief.

Chapter Text

Home is where the heart is, but currently Michiru’s heart was beating out of her chest.

She had been discharged earlier the next evening from her impromptu arrival. As long as she took the supplements and ate enough she shouldn’t have any real lasting injuries… at least that’s what the doctor told her, but that doctor was also human…?

Her thoughts were a spinning epitome of chaos and disorganization as she wandered her way through the city. Trying to find the nearest government building to register herself, but her head was constantly being bombarded with new emotions as every step had a new scent and every time she looked around she saw new things at every corner. New people and new snacks and new beverages, it was all very overwhelming for the poor Tanuki.

She had been wandering without direction for some time now, and with the sun encroaching rapidly she was beginning to worry, and her legs were hurting from how long she had been walking without a clue where she was heading.

“Heyyyy Tanuki~” Michiru felt a hand on her shoulder and a familiar, yet new, scent greeted her. Marie the mink, the one that saw her at the hospital, was behind her. “You lost or something? I’ve been watching you wander around for the last hour, kinda funny.” Marie laughed a bit before putting her hands in her coat pocket.

“I’m not lost!” Michiru’s fur bristled at the remark, then she relaxed and looked away. She was rather embarrassed to have to ask for help yet again. “I just can’t find where I’m going…”

“Right… totally two different things.” Marie nodded and tried to hold in her laughter but ultimately failed and started laughing yet again, causing another wave of annoyance to pester Michiru. “So, what is it that you can’t find?”

Fishing her hand into her shorts pocket she pulled out a small folded piece of paper. Crouching down onto the pavement to smooth out before handing it to the mink. Said mink took a few seconds to glance at it before bursting out laughing yet again. “What’s so funny?” She was quickly being fed up with this woman’s shenanigans.

“It’s right there, dude.” Marie pointed at the building right across the street. The three story apartment-esque building that indeed did have the address she had been looking for.

“Are you kidding me?” Her ears dropped as she deadpanned.

In another part of the animal-filled city there was a particularly gruff looking wolf that was busying himself alone in a corner, accompanied by a bottle that had no effect on him, as much as he tried.

Michiru crossed the street quickly to the building that Marie had pointed at, making sure to look both ways of course. Once there she doublechecked the note she had with the address before knocking once and waited. Just as she was about to knock on the door again it swung open and a rather short woman with auburn wavy hair and a relaxed expression was on the other side of the door.

Seeing the girl her eyes opened marginally wider and she gave Michiru a smile, “Come in dear, you must be tired. I received a letter just a few hours ago about you.” The woman gently took Michiru’s hand and pulled her inside the cool building before closing the door behind her.

“Did you have trouble finding the building? I was expecting you earlier and you didn’t show up. I was getting a bit worried, my heart can’t take stress anymore.” She looked over at Mihiru and gave her another small smile while leading her to the kitchen. Michiru, on the other hand, was entirely shocked by how… nice she was. How motherly she was.

“Are you hungry, or thirsty? What am I saying, of course you are.” Melissa opened the fridge and pulled out a Tupperware of leftovers. “Do you have any allergies?” This time, her endless stream of questions and statements stopped and she gave Michiru a chance to answer for herself.

“I don’t… think so..” She was too rattled to give a more thought out answer.

“That’s good!” She smiled again, it came so easily for her, as she took the lid off of the Tupperware and put a healthy serving on the plate before popping it into the microwave for a few moments. “It’s a bit simple, but I haven’t gotten groceries lately. You’ll have to do with leftovers.” The woman hummed and grabbed a bit of cheese and spices and added it to the bowl and mixed it all together.

Once that was set in front of Michiru she went back to the fridge and took out the carton of milk along with a cup. Setting that in front of Michiru as well.

“I’m Mellissa, dear, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” Melissa set the cup down, along with a fork she picked up along the way

“I’m… Michiru… thank you…” She looked down at the food as heavy salt fell from her eyes.

Melissa was so nice.

Chapter Text

There was a raccoon in his living room.

Shirou stared at the sleeping figure after opening the door silently. It was near four in the morning now and he had just arrived back to his primary residence with the Horners.

And there was a raccoon in the living room, why was there a raccoon in the living room?

Shirou sighed and mumbled something under his breath before crouching down and shaking the girl awake, trying his best to use his ‘customer service’ personality. Which was just him… with less sighs and grunts.

The first thing the tanuki saw when she woke up from a rather strange dream was teeth. Two long rows of sharp teeth and breath that smelled god awful. Leading her to jump backwards, falling off the couch, and covering her nose and grimacing. Her hackles raised and her body ready to run at a moment's notice while a growl emanated from her throat. Before quickly she seemed to relax, seeing it was just a beast man, embarrassed at the sound she had just made. “Sorry… uhm, who are you…?”

Shirou was… impressed? Maybe. He was certainly surprised by how quickly the raccoon moved away to run. “I’m the one who’s supposed to ask you that, not the other way around.” He ignored the apology and crossed his arms over his chest. His eyes narrowed and his nose twitched.

She smells like a human.

While she is likely a refugee or similar who just came from the mainland to Anima city, he still held onto his suspicions. The beastman across from him scratched her arm idly before coughing and clearing her throat. “Mrs. Horner took me in… I’m uh… I don’t really have a lot of money right now and I just got here. I didn’t know anyone else lived here.” She looked down at her hands and picked at a claw idly. It was rather obvious she was embarrassed. “…sorry.”

Shirou sighed, partially annoyed with the raccoon and partially annoyed with himself, “Do you have a name… or do I just keep calling you Raccoon in my head?”

Michiru’s fur bristled slightly, annoyed at being called a raccoon, “I am a tanuki not a raccoon, Michiru the Tanuki.”

“Michiru….?” Shirou quirked an eyebrow now, probing for a full name.

“Yes, Michiru.”

“Right, Michiru who?”

“Michiru… who?“

The wolf was growing impatient with the raccoon dog, “Your full name, what is it?” His voice came out clipped and twinged with a fraying nerve.

“I just told you it…?” The tanuki stood there silently, looking in every direction except at him. A full name? But, her name was Michiru.

The wolf growled lightly before turning around. Walking away towards his study on the other side of the building, annoyance was building like pressure in an enclosed space with a series of fire crackers set off.

Closing and locking the door once inside his room the wolf sat at his desk, Kuro, his loyal crow companion, perched atop the faux wood he had set on his desk for him.

Shirou gently caressed the crow, running his claws down the feathers of his avian friend. It helped him, as much as it annoyed him as well, having a companion.

It helped to quell that itch beneath his skin when he ignored his instincts. Ignored his instincts to purge that tanuki from his territory, piece by piece if he had to. Limb by limb, a trail of rancor and blood discouraging any future would be invaders; but, the wolf was bound by law just as much as any other animal. To be peaceful, and to be calm.

The wolf scoffed and leaned back into his chair, Kuro hopping onto his chest and settling in. Softly making noise and preening himself to distract Shirou from his thoughts. A self destructive circuit worn well into his brain. An imprint into his thoughts. If sleep takes him, that was between him and his friend.

Michiru was too shaken to sleep.

After her interaction with the wolf she was unable to fall back into the arms of sleep. It simply refused her and she was unable to relax, so she did the only thing she could do in this foreign place where she knew no one and hadn’t established herself yet. She tossed on her beat up sneakers and put on her ratty sweatshirt and picked a direction and ran.

The repetitive motion and the constant pitter patter of her sneakers on the cement walkway was calming to her. It was simple and helped her to quell the restless energy in her body, and it helped with that feeling in her stomach and the itch beneath her fur to get out of that house that smelled of the wolf.

She kept running.

It was dawn when she returned to the Horner residence. She had her mouth open and she was absolutely panting and all the fur on her body didn’t help her to regulate the amount of heat plaguing her after her run. All but collapsing into a crouch outside the door she just sat still and attempted to collect herself. The burn in her legs and the heat in her body felt good. Something she could control, she could run. Run away from it all, just like before.

Suddenly a rooster’s crow broke her out of her stupor. It sounded like it came from above and looking up she saw bright feathers and a sharp beak atop the building, holding a cup of coffee as several other roosters joined in on the morning ritual.

The little tanuki listened to the sounds of the animals around her and smiled before standing up and knocking on the door, and within a few moments the same rooster she saw had answered the door and gave her a big smile, “Horner residence!” The bright and chipper personality this early in the morning was jarring to Michiru, and Melissa stood behind the rooster who she turned to and waved.

“Hi…huff… Mr. Horner? I’m Michiru, uh…huff… I went for a morning run, but I don’t have a key or anything…” She kicked a random pebble on the ground as she was still panting from her run and pausing between every few words to catch her breath.

The man smiled and waved her in, “I’ll show you to the showers while Melissa gets breakfast ready.”

Michiru stepped into her burrow for the second time, closing the door behind her and smiling brightly as the wolf had been purged from her mind.

Chapter Text

The shower had been incredibly refreshing for the stressed tanuki. Something small to most was divine for the poor girl. Especially the detangling shampoo that Mr. Horner handed to her for her fur. Getting the mats out of her fluff and detangling it all was wonderful. It was a long time after entering the shower that she had finally left the water.

Gathering her old clothes she set it to the side and looked at the note on the sink. Mrs. Horner set clothes for her on the counter to change into so she wasn’t wearing those same old rags. It wasn’t anything special, just a sweatshirt and some old pants but…

The Tanuki braced against the wall and hugged the clothes to her chest. Her freshly cleaned fluff was stained with salty tears. It was so soft and it smelt so nice, and for the first time in a long time she felt… incredibly happy. Happy enough that she was crying. It was beautiful to her.

Focusing herself and taking a deep breath she wiped at the tears on her face, letting out the deep breath her frame shuddered before pulling the clothes over and onto herself, they didn’t fit the best admittedly, but they were still something clean.

Opening the door her nose was ambushed by the smell of freshly cooked eggs and buttery toast, and perhaps she had a bit of drool running down her mouth. Wiping the aforementioned saliva away she took a deep breath and walked out of the bathroom, meeting the Horners in the main room where Melissa was meandering about setting the table with portions already on the plate.

Looking up she spotted Michiru and gave her a smile, “Tea or Coffee?”

Michiru stuttered for her answer before finally managing to spit it out, “Tea please…”

Melissa nodded before walking back towards the kitchen, settling a kettle full of water to boil before placing several cinnamon scented tea bags into accompanying cups. “Top each off with a drizzle of honey before pouring the water in as it reaches an adequate temperature.” Melissa nodded to herself before escorting each cup to the table.

“Gem, could you be a dear and wake our other friend?” Melissa leaned over the table to where Gem was reading the newspaper before pecking his cheek.

“Of course, Mel.” Gem stood out of his seat, placing the folded newspaper in place before quickly walking up the stairs.

“Other friend?”

Melissa looked over to Michiru, sheepish perhaps, “Did I forget to tell you? We have a friendly wolf staying with us as well, he’s basically a moody pup in the mornings, don't mind him.”

The one thing that Michiru thought of when presented with the fact that a wolf lived here was fear, remembering all too well the bouts of last night. Feeling her heartbeat increase as her hair stood on end she stared at the creak of the stairs journeying down to the ground floor, only to blink in surprise at the white haired man wearing a collar.

“I… thought you said he was a wolf?” Michiru turned to Melissa, her face a tapestry of confusion.

This, in turn, confused Melissa, “Well, he is.”

“He’s a wolf Beastman.” Gem happily chirped, the first one to meet the ground floor.

Michiru looked at the man, his tired eyes gazing right back at her. What will the poor Tanuki do?

Chapter Text

Michiru flopped onto the bed in the room Melissa showed to her. It was sparsely furnished, but the futon she was laying on was soft and comfortable, so she didn’t have any complaints about that. Letting out a heavy breath she grabbed the pillow and quietly screamed into it. Breakfast had been an absolute disaster!

The wolf had done nothing but glare at her the entire time, as if she had pissed in his cereal! It just frustrated the tanuki to no end, it seemed her merely existing had rubbed him the wrong way. Maybe he was just a grumpy old man, but he looked so young! 

Kicking her feet into the air and rolling around she let out a growl before biting into the pillow, silently cursing the damn wolf. 

Throwing the pillow away so she didn’t end up tearing it apart Michiru put her head on the futon and sighed. Hopefully they could get along, Michiru did not want another situation where she constantly had to look over her shoulder and make sure she didn’t have an angry guy trailing after her.

Turning over and flopping onto her back she stared up at the ceiling for a long moment before closing her eyes. This was going to be a long day, and she could already feel the fatigue in her bones. Dragging her consciousness deeper into itself, enveloping itself within itself like that of a bear swaddling itself within its fur to prepare for hibernation.

It was comforting to fall into such a deep sleep so quickly. She felt calm, and the Tanuki’s fur fell and her breathing slowed. Relaxed, slow breaths escaping her body. Melissa came in at some point, but Michiru wouldn’t know, the only thing she would notice when she woke was the light was now off.

She felt as though she was free falling slowly down deeper and deeper. Melting away into the abyss that was her inner mind, the unknown which makes the likes of dreams. Misunderstood and complex, yet with no true goal or meaning. She sunk deeper and deeper into the comfort of the unconscious. She enjoyed it, for once.

But, of course it was never that easy… not for her, she didn’t deserve it.

The comfort quickly turned to suffocation and Michiru’s eyes snapped open. It was dark, too dark for her to enjoy. It was as if the light had been stolen, taken away from the entire world leaving her in nothing but vitriol darkness. The comforting warmth burned against her skin, her human skin. She felt naked, she felt bare. She felt as if she was without part of herself.

Her body felt wrong in too many ways, clammy skin smooth to the touch that sweat horridly, dripping salt down her skin. Claws met flesh, tearing into the weak human meat. Tearing it away, off her body where rather than blood, fur burst from the seams and her mouth elongated, shaping and bursting with canines and sharp teeth. Beautiful brown fur dripping with putrid blood.

The Tanuki turned her head, staring at Michiru. Eyes bright and piercing through the horrid darkness. Michiru stood, constricted within herself and writhing as fur fought against skin. Battling to be the one on top. 

The Tanuki’s maw opened and it lunged for Michiru.

She woke up screaming.