A reflection of the moon glinted off a puddle of rain water. The surrounding trees glowed in the soft moon light. A still form sat huddled behind a fallen tree. His pained gasps echoed through the silence. The messy blonde spikes that served him as hair was now, as well as his clothes, damp from the steadily falling drizzle. His flawless pale skin was easily visible, even in the darkness. His large-bladed sword was driven into the ground nearby.

The figure, Cloud Strife, now sat panting with exhaustion and blood loss. A long gash on his side throbbed with pain. He tightly held one of his gloved hands over it in an attempt to slow the blood flow. Wincing, he closed his blue eyes, trying to recall exactly what had happened. He could remember seeing a flash of snarling silver fur, teeth, and claws barreling into him. As he fell a searing pain raged through him as its fangs sliced through his side like wet paper. Before he passed out he saw the thing, a huge wolf-like creature, a snarling laughter echoed through his ears as it loomed over him, green cat-like eyes slitted in hatred stared down at him.

Cloud knew what it was, but not who. A werewolf, a feared beast who's bite passed on the hellish curse that gave its victim the ability to transform into a wolf. But at a cost, the notorious pain of transformation was as well known. He was infected he knew, but he was to shocked and desperate to admit it to himself. Sitting up he tore a piece of cloth from his shirt, wrapping it around the wound after cleaning with rain water. The pain was duller now, but he could feel the curse in him, its fire burned through his weak body. He stumbled to his feet using his sturdy blade as a crutch, he began to make his way through the forest towards his home in Midgar.

In the darkness he managed to get to the church he called home unnoticed, even in the busy city. He sunk to the ground and instantly fell into a deep sleep. He dreamed of his transformation, some of those infected have been known to go insane from the pain, losing their minds and going on a rampage, killing everything and everyone that got in their path, friend or foe. In his dream, he was one of those few. He watched helplessly as his wolf-ish body ripped, tore, and sliced at innocent people, his friends, everyone. He was a mindless killing machine, nothing more. He was nearing the end of his victims when from the corner of his bloodshot eye he saw him. The long sword, the silvery pointed hair, he recognized him even in this state of bloodlust. Sephiroth. His muscles went taught under his thickly furred pelt. He leapt at his hated enemy. At the last moment Sephiroth pulled up his sword, driving it straight into his heart.

Cloud awoke from his nightmare with a gasp, beads of sweat rolling down his face. Looking down he was relived to see hands, not clawed paws. He ran his fingers through his hair, searching for wolfs ears and reassuring himself it was just a dream. With a foreboding whimper he remembered that his nightmare could still come true. Pulling off his bandages he gasped with shock to see that the long deep gash was almost healed. How long had he been asleep? Was it another ability of werewolves, quick healing? But that quick? He could scarcely believe it. Letting the matter drop he checked the time, he had slept through nearly the whole day. It would be night soon.

He still did not know when werewolves transformed. He had been told they only transformed once every month, during the three days revolving around the full moon. He had also been told they could transform at will. He only hoped he would be able to keep his mind once he was transformed. The thought of killing everyone he knew and loved wasn't a very nice one.

The next few days he grew restless. He felt a pent up energy deep inside him. Almost every night he had woken up feeling like getting up. During the day his muscles and bones cramped up and tingled. "How long is this going to last?", He growled to himself. Not much longer.

Almost a week and a half after he had been bitten he awoke with a painful jolt. Confused as to where the pain had come from he looked around. Another wave of pain came. He gasped in surprise, it was coming from inside him. At this realization once again pain filled his body. It felt like he was being ripped apart from the inside out, like some great animal inside him was trying to escape. In a way it was true, the curse was in effect. As this awful realization dawned upon him he groaned in agony and anguish readying himself a much as one could as he let the curse take him. At first the transformation just sent pain all though his body, it soon escalated to his physical features. His muscles tightened into place over his newly forming bones. Thick golden fur the color of his hair grew rapidly over his entire body. His feet and hands morphed into large paws. He fell to his knees griping at his head with his newly grown claws as his skull flattened and a muzzle grew from his mouth and nose. He roared with pain as his ears lengthened to furry points and moved up on top of his still spiky head.

Cloud lay sprawled out on the stone floor. Sides heaving as he panted through his wolf-like muzzle. His tongue lolled out between a mouthful of sharp teeth. Large white fangs glinted in the moonlight. Slowly, he got to his... paws. He carefully inspected the changes in his body. Thick golden fur covered him. He had paws, claws, a tail... but his appearance was not the only kind of change. He was startled at how different life looked through a wolfs eyes. The world was filled with blacks, whites, and greys. A little color could be distinguished, but the best part was he could see like it was day time. "Darkness must be just another type of light to a wolf", he reflected. He took a few steps, his black claws clicking on the floor. He liked the sound of it. Sound! He pricked his gold furred ears, listening. He could hear so many different things. Things he normally would have never heard. His senses felt so sharp. Taking a deep breath, he was overwhelmed with new scents. Including his own... He had a scent? So many new things.

He felt like he was ready to do anything. With a burst of energy he sped joyfully out into the streets of Midgar. He payed no attention to the few startled people walking by. It wasn't every day they saw an animal of his size, or any size in or around the city. After what seemed to be tireless ages of running, he skidded to a stop in front of a small building. Tilting his head he glanced up at the sign. A whine of confusion escaped his throat as he tried to read it. With a growl he took a frustrated step backwards. What was wrong with him? The letters were jumbled, he couldn't even read as a wolf? Shaking his head to clear it he concentrated on the letters. They slowly became readable. The letters formed into"The Seventh Heaven". Snorting, he attempted to recall why that sounded so familiar. Tifa! That was it! "Tifa lives here!" But only a howl came out. Springing to his paws he skipped to the door. Rearing up on his huge back paws he scratched at the solid door.

Inside the bar Tifa, the love of Clouds life unknowingly rolled out of her bed. She grumpily walked down stairs to open the door. She turned the handle and was nearly overwhelmed as something hit the door, almost knocking her over. "What the fuck?" she screamed as she slammed the door shut. Peeking out through the curtains she saw a huge golden, what seemed to be a dog, sitting on the door step. Its spiky fur reminded her of someone..."Cloud...?" The dog looked up. It tilted its large head at the sight of her and whined. It must be Cloud! But how could he be a dog? She opened her mouth in shock. Could this dog... be a wolf! As if it could read her mind the animal walked over in front of the small window and licked the glass. Its blue eyes seemed to be calling her. She pointed to the sidewalk, gesturing for him to go away. He turned, walked to the side walk and sat. It growled a little followed by a short yapping bark. She sighed. Walking to the door she opened it slowly. Eyes on the dog, or wolf..., she apprehensively stepped outside. They stood, eyes locked until the wolf got to his paws and silently stalked up to her. Tifa stood stone still as it inspected her. Finally it sat in front of her, licked her hand, then trotted off into the darkness. "Cloud!" She called after him. The only response she got was a chilling howl that raised the hairs on the back of her neck. "Cloud..."