Shadow

      Stiles looked nonchalantly at his father, who was sitting across from him, looking like he was ready for anything. His insides were ablaze with fear and uncertainty, but on the outside he just smiled with trembling lips and made as innocent a face as possible. He failed, as always. - Where have you gotten yourself into this time, Stiles? - The sheriff asked doomedly, interrupting their already long stare. Noah realized from the look on his son's face alone that he was in a big mess, something he would have to hear about, accept, and forgive. - I'm saddened by your distrust of me, Dad, - Stiles said, deliberately resentful, trying to stall for time. He knew they were going to have a tough conversation. - I just know my kid. Now, don't get sidetracked, Stiles. - It's really awful how little faith you have in me and my pure intentions. - You made me a red meat steak. - Noah gave him an expressive look and leaned closer. - Red meat, Stiles, - his whisper was genuinely frightened. It made Stiles wonder if he was being too hard on his father's diet. - Well, I wanted to make you happy. You know, get you to relax a little and get in a good mood. - I think he's about to have a heart attack, - Nogitsune grinned. - You're not helping. - What is this, drugs? Did you get involved with a... bad company? You know I'll take a lot of things, Stiles. And I'll help with anything. - His serious tone and direct gaze spoke of his honesty, and Stiles couldn't bear to look at his father without feeling a stunned guilt. - It might be more than what you're capable of accepting. Noah stood up and walked around the table where the untouched steak still stood. He sat down next to his son and took him reassuringly by the shoulder, sensing that something important was about to be told. Maybe something that had caused Stiles to change so much lately, to make new friends he'd never even come close to before. Something that had caused his son to disappear at night, to frequent crime scenes, and to have numerous bruises and scratches that he'd carefully hidden, but that still hadn't escaped the sheriff's scrutiny. - Try me. Stiles sighed heavily and slowly raised his head. Nogitsune materialized beside him, looking surprisingly serious despite his playful mood and the fun their bond sparked. Noah recoiled, viewing them with stunned shock and amazement. Stiles squirmed and awkwardly pointed to his date. - Meet Dad, - his voice was hoarse and he coughed, - this is Nogitsune.

***

- I've never been bitten by a werewolf, - Allison said snidely, shaking her glass from side to side. The idea to get together and "get to know each other better" was, surprisingly, Isaac's, who'd managed to move back into Derek's loft over the past few weeks, which had been filled with tension, uncertainty, and even fear. No one in the pack knew how to interact with Nogitsune, what he was even like, and how much Stiles had changed, having gained a new "roommate". Stiles and Nogitsune, after a difficult, long and emotional conversation with his father, which ended with a bottle of cognac and a hug, began to spend time in the loft, enjoying the silent, and sometimes frankly murderous company of Derek or a curious Peter. Isaac, who had unwittingly joined their small company because of the move, had also felt awkward at first, but gradually adjusted, though the fear that Nogitsune's very presence caused had not gone away. So the werewolf came up with the idea of building bridges between Nogitsune and the rest of the pack. They'd all agreed, and quickly: no one liked the tension between them and Stiles. And if that required tolerating Nogitsune around... Well. At first they'd planned to just order pizza and play board games, but Ethan and Aidan had brought alcohol flavored with aconite, and everyone had immediately decided to play "I Never". Even Peter joined in. And the alcohol lowered the vigilance of some particularly paranoid members of the pack and made the atmosphere more complacent. Derek, who had been skeptical of the game at first, grinned as he watched almost everyone except Peter and Stiles sip from their glasses. He drank, too, remembering the way Laura had playfully bitten him as a child, sometimes getting a little playful and leaving him with some pretty serious wounds. That was what he said when Isaac stared at him questioningly. - We had the same story, - Aidan smiled wistfully, shoving Ethan in the shoulder and shaking his head. - He was an awful biting kid. - I was just returning your bites with my own, - Ethan snapped languidly, then looked at Nogitsune, who was running his finger along the rim of his glass and looking distant. Ethan looked hesitant for a second, but looked at Stiles and asked. - What about you? You drank, too. When you were bitten by a werewolf? Stiles frowned, about to snap at that question, knowing how Nogitsune had been bitten by a werewolf, but the fox stopped him with a quiet mental request. They wanted to know at least a small part of the ancient spirit's life so they would know what they could lean on. They needed to be told at least something so he would stop looking solely murderous and insane in their eyes. - I was in a Japanese mafia group at the time that had moved to America because there was too much competition in Japan itself. That was actually about two hundred years ago, no more. - Nogitsune took his time telling the story, trying to remember details that had been forgotten under the weight of years lived. - Once, when the kannushi was visiting the head of this faction... I can't remember his name. Anyway, when the kannushi was visiting, he told me that Inari had given the mortal world a great gift - a way to kill the wild fox that was wreaking havoc and death among the common people. - Nogitsune grinned, as if he thought the whole thing was amusing. Stiles beside him subtly moved closer, knowing how uncomfortable this story was for him. - He said the way to destroy Nogitsune could be found in the Shugendo Scroll. - I've heard of it, - Lydia nodded, looking interested. In fact, almost everyone was listening with interest, and Stiles understood: learning about something that had happened centuries ago firsthand couldn't help but be fascinating. - I immediately started looking for the scroll. I looked all over Japan, and finally found it in the hands of a Kyrgyz merchant who had robbed "some Buddhists" and didn't know what treasure he was holding. - The spirit set the glass of drink on the table, feeling slightly disoriented. - "The only way to exorcise a Nogitsune is to change the host's body." That's what it said. I was a little disappointed. - And what does that have to do with the werewolf bite? - Allison rushed him when Nogitsune stopped talking. He gave her a fake smile and continued, deliberately slow: - I thought then that this was the best chance I'd ever had in my entire life. Kannushi had said the scroll was Inari's handiwork, so there had to be at least some truth to it. - The fox bowed his head slightly, looking at the pack from under half-closed eyelids. - I had to change my host's body to be "banished" or, as I hoped at the time, killed. I possessed the first passerby I could find, found an Alpha werewolf and made it bite me - that would change the host body. As you can see, it didn't work. The bite didn't kill me - just banished me from that mortal's body. - You wanted to be killed, - Peter stated flatly as the awkward silence dragged on. - Does that surprise you? - Nogitsune looked at Stiles confused when no one answered anything, only looking at the spirit with concern and indecision. Stiles shrugged and smiled. - It still comes as a shock to them that you are not pure evil. Turns out there are a million shades between black and white. - That's funny, - the fox said aloud, then looked around the pack again. - I've never had sex in a girl's body. - What kind of sexual repression is that? - Lydia snorted, sipping from her glass and breaking the slight tension. Her flushed cheeks showed how drunk she was. - Why did you even bring it up? - It's hard to think of something I didn't do. It was the first thing that came to mind. Allison sipped from her glass too, looking very relaxed.       - Why didn't you ever do it? I got the impression that it didn't matter to you what kind of body you had. - She spoke sharply, but was clearly trying to be more friendly. Scott smiled at her when Allison awkwardly averted her gaze from the fox lazily scrutinizing her. - I really don't care. But in fact, I wasn't even interested in base pleasures until recently. It's more of a demon thing. - Until recently? - Scott asked hesitantly when the silence became awkward. Nogitsune talked about sex and other things without embarrassment, which was normal but confusing. It was hard to imagine that a dark spirit could think about sex like any other normal person. - I guess a couple months? Right after I met Stiles. Stiles instantly blushed, looking indignantly at the unperturbed fox. Lydia jumped when she saw the look on his face. Sober, she would never have made such an undignified sound, but they were all quite tipsy by now. - You did that on purpose! - What? - the question was asked so innocently that Stiles almost believed it. Nogitsune gave away the mischievous glint in his eyes. - It's simple human physiology, foxy. Aidan grinned suddenly and tapped his fingernail on the glass, drawing attention to himself. When several people looked at him, he lifted the glass and said: - I've never had sex with my twin. Ethan cringed at the mere thought of it. Stiles froze awkwardly in place, looking at Aidan with such betrayal in his eyes that he even felt shame. Just for a second. - Well, technically we're not twins, - Nogitsune sipped from his glass, enjoying the discomfort of his date and barely containing his laughter. Stiles looked at him fiercely, then took a sip as well, not looking at his stunned friends. - Stiles! You...he...he...Stiles! - Scott was speechless for a second. Stiles fidgeted restlessly, afraid they wouldn't accept this as well. - You promised you'd tell me if you lost your virginity the second it happened! - Scott muttered resentfully as he regained his ability to speak coherently. Stiles opened his mouth in surprise at this statement, adoring his friend with all his heart at this moment. A silly smile spread across his face, but he didn't even think to suppress it. - You won't believe me, but it wasn't about calling friend at that moment. - He pulled himself together, secretly glad that Nogitsune was enjoying this party, which he'd been skeptical of at first. Derek's contrary gloom, though, but Stiles ignored it. He knew that Derek felt as if Nogitsune was forcing him into something. He didn't understand what was really going on between them, and Stiles didn't want to explain. - I want to stop discussing Stilinski's sex life right now. - Aidan groaned in agony, his face contorting in disgust. Stiles smiled wryly, moving closer to Nogitsune and placing a hand on his thigh. - You started it, man! You want details? - he stepped forward, opening his mouth to obliterate Lydia's boyfriend with the most intimate moments (fictional, of course-the real ones seemed sacrilegious to share; they were theirs alone), but he was interrupted by the panicked voice of Scott, who definitely didn't want to know anything about it: - I never wore a dress! - Again, what oppression, - Lydia snorted, sipping from her glass. Allison followed her example, as did Nogitsune, who had inhabited both girls, men, and animals in his long years of life. - Dear nephew, - Peter stretched sweetly, smiling so maliciously that his ears involuntarily flaccid, - why aren't you drinking? I thought we agreed to be honest. Derek's ears reddened, but he snorted and drank without changing his expression. Isaac, sitting next to him, jumped, hesitant to ask the question but clearly wanting to know the answer. Hale growled quietly towards his smirking uncle and confessed with a sigh: - Cora played knight as a child. And she needed a princess to save. - There was such nostalgia and warmth in his eyes that Stiles' heart skipped a beat involuntarily. He noticed that Peter looked away awkwardly; conflicting emotions emanated from him, the strongest of which was a muted sadness. There were a few chuckles, and Derek smiled, too: he missed him, but he was able to cope with the loss and thought of the past with warmth, learning not to get depressed at the mere thought of his family. This progress was, of course, aided by the pack. Or some specific members of it, because Aidan and Ethan were still hard for him to tolerate. - I've never eaten clams, - Isaac said when everyone had calmed down a bit. There were surprisingly few people drinking: just Lydia, Peter, and Nogitsune. In fact, there hadn't been a single time yet when the fox hadn't had a drink. Unless you count the times he started a "round".       - They look disgusting, - Allison shrugged, blissfully closing her eyes. She was already a little thirsty from the alcohol and the calm atmosphere. - I agree, - Ethan nodded. - I've never seen The Matrix. Stiles choked indignantly on his air when it was just Scott, himself, Allison, and Lydia. Then there was Peter, muttering something about Neo and great glasses. - It's a classic! You should have seen it. - Not a fan of technology, - Derek muttered, not remorseful in the least. - Never had the chance, - Ethan chuckled, and Isaac nodded. Stiles looked at Nogitsune, wanted to be indignant, but then closed his mouth with a clap. - Hmm, you're forgiven. You were under the Nemeton. - Stiles patted him on the back, and the fox rolled his eyes at that childishness. - I've never seen any movies at all. Only in your memories. When Noshiko locked me up, the movie industry wasn't as developed and I had little interest in it. - You're hurting me without a knife, - Stiles said, grinning. - We'll have a movie marathon next time. - I'll pick the movies, - Lydia pointed out, and surprisingly, no one dared to argue. - Not "The Notebook", - Nogitsune said and raised an eyebrow at the surprised looks. - Those are Stiles's thoughts. I'm just voicing what he's afraid to say out loud. - You don't have to set me up! - Stiles groaned, glancing fearfully at the nonchalant (but menacing on the inside!) Lydia. He didn't notice the pack members glancing over, still marveling at their unusual bond, which even included reading each other's minds. - Bro doesn't do that. - It seems we've come to a point where our relationship is more horizontal in nature. - Where did you learn such vulgarities? - Stiles smiled cheerfully, noticing the discomfort and smirks of the others. - You'd be surprised, but it's all from your head. I remember every minute of your life. Even the things you don't remember yourself. - Nogitsune wanted to say it mentally and only to Stiles, but Stiles was so desperate for him to be even remotely nice to mortals. It meant that it should at least be said out loud more often. - You're almost comparable in creepiness to Peter. - I'll take it as a compliment that I'm creepier than the spirit of a wild fox, - Peter said dryly, ignoring Stiles's childish language. - I've never met the Wild Hunt Riders. - You could have just asked, Peter, - the fox snorted when he was the only one drinking. - They're sad stories. Every single one of them. I don't think it fits the atmosphere. - All your stories are kind of sad, - Lydia said distantly. - What's the Wild Hunt? - She clearly didn't like not knowing something. - When it happens... If the Rider has come for you, it will erase you from the very matter of the universe. All your personal belongings, your memories, other people's memories of you, it all just disappears and you're never remembered again. It's like you never existed. The voids you left behind will be filled with something else. It's a magic so powerful that sometimes the Riders would create images of long-dead people so as not to arouse suspicion. - Nogitsune sighed, refilling his nearly empty glass. - It could be fought with some supernatural powers. Certain species of kitsune, banshees, dryads - they can remember the person the Horseman took away, but even that requires an emotional attachment to the forgotten mortal. I've met the Horsemen three times, but I haven't stayed long. There is no chaos or pain near them: they take the person, turning them into an empty shell that feels nothing. And the people around them don't remember anything, so there is no grief, sadness or pain. This is not a place where I could make a profit.       - Can't they take you away? - Allison asked thoughtfully. - I'm too different. Not like mortals. If they took me, I could get out and break something in their system along the way. They know that, so they've never taken that risk. - That's very modest of you, - Stiles smiled, to which Nogitsune only raised his eyebrows smugly. - I've never been an Alpha, - Stiles said the first thing that came to mind to avoid talking more about the Wild Hunt. It gave him a vague sense of unease at the mere thought of it. The twins, glancing over at each other, sipped their drinks. So did Peter, Derek, Nogitsune, and Scott. - We've got a bunch of former - and current, Scotty - Alf's here, - Stiles stretched out. Derek growled at him without malice, then looked at Nogitsune a little confused. There was still hostility in his expression, but the more he watched Stiles - happy and free - the less angry he became, coming to terms with Nogitsune's presence. - I thought foxes didn't get along with wolves. You've possessed a werewolf? - Many times. I had a period when I liked to experiment. I took on all sorts of supernatural creatures. From the common werewolf to the dragon. Being a dragon, by the way, is more pleasant than being a werewolf. - I wouldn't say that, - Aidan grinned. - But I'm not one to judge - I've never been a dragon. - Was that part of the game, or were you just talking about not being a dragon? - Stiles looked at him uncertainly. His eyes were a little blurry in front of him: he wasn't used to drinking a lot. Aidan shook his head, snorting cheerfully. - I said that for nothing. - I've never been skydiving, - Lydia shared almost lazily, tossing her red hair behind her back. Neither of them had a drink, for the first time that evening. Stiles grinned cheerfully, feeling incredibly connected to the pack. - Does jumping out of an airplane without a parachute count? - Nogitsune asked thoughtfully, remembering the poor guy he'd once possessed and who'd rather jump out of an airplane without a parachute than share a body with an ancient spirit. - I don't even want to know, - Scott blinked tiredly, smiling. His brain was really full of incredible stories from the fox's life, and he didn't want to hear any more, especially when he was drunk. Even though they were entertaining. - I also don't want to drink anymore. I don't like this dizziness. - You've only had a glass and a half, Scotty, - Stiles laughed at the Alpha's sullen look. - But you're right. Maybe we should watch a movie tonight. - It's a better idea than getting drunk out of your mind, - Derek agreed, getting up and heading for the big TV he and Isaac had recently bought. The loft was no longer empty when the young werewolf started living in it permanently. - What are we watching? - I don't want to hear any arguments, so I'll decide, - Lydia said firmly, looking over to Allison and smiling placatingly. She looked so relaxed that just looking at her made her feel cozy and comfortable. - Wouldn't you agree? No one dared to argue. But, to the relief of many, they weren't watching "The Notebook".