:P  Well, here it is.  I decided to go from Danielle's point of view, but the next chapter will be Aaron's.  oWo

Chapter 4~

          Aaron stared after Danielle’s car, feeling a mixture of sorrow, confusion and anger.  The anger was directed at himself.  He shouldn’t have been so rash as to shift without securing the place.  And now, poor Danielle was confused and fleeing him.  He had cut off her engine once as she was getting ready to leave, but he didn’t want her to have another reason to hate him, so he let her go.  As he lay down in his dog form, he wondered how long it would be until he saw her again.  Her sweet eyes, willing smile and kind personality were like a warm tea to his soul, drawing him to her.  And now…  he had blown it.

          Sighing, Aaron took up a restless pacing.  When he finally stopped, it was because of the man who had caused this.  Or at least, that was what Aaron liked to think.  James had his hands shoved into his jean pockets, and looked everything bit as cool as he probably was.  But Aaron couldn’t help but harbor some resentment for the man who was all over Danielle.  Biting back a sharp bark, he crawled back into the bushes.

          James ran a hand through his hair, looking to be unsure of himself.  Finally, Aaron sensed him approach the door.  James gave an apprehensive knock.  When no one replied to it, he tried the broken doorbell.  Still no reply.  Cursing, James called out for Danielle.  Aaron smiled to himself, wondering how much of a fool James just might be.  When she didn’t respond, James sighed and walked back down the street, looking clearly disappointed.

          When he was gone, Aaron carefully shifted back into human form.  First, he felt his paws lengthen, span out, and become less furry.  His ears and tail came next.  As his tail made its smooth transition into part of his back, his ear shrank in size and the noises became duller.  His full-color vision came back, and he felt the rest of his body lose its fur and the canine anatomy.  When Aaron stood up, he looked fully human and was garbed in jeans and a black T-shirt.  Shaking his head, he continued up pacing, then stopped.  Finally, Aaron came up with a decision.  Turning on his heel, he began to follow Danielle’s path.

          Danielle sipped her mug of hot chocolate quietly, almost thoughtfully.  Looking up into Traci’s warm brown eyes framed by rich, dark hair, she almost felt safe.  Almost.  Taking a long swallow that drained the cup, she set the mug down.

          “So… Are you going to tell me what happened, Dan?” asked Traci.  “I understand if you’re uncomfortable talking about it…  But I’ve also heard it’s good to talk about your feelings.”

          Danielle smiled and rolled her eyes.  “You sound like a counselor, Trac.  And no, I’m not sure I’m ready to talk about it yet.”  Danielle heard the plead for privacy in her voice, and she also knew Traci would understand and respect that.

          “Okay,” gasped Traci in mock defeat, “I cannot act out against my queen!”  Danielle smiled.  Same old Traci, that was for sure.

          “Can I get you more hat chocolate?” asked Danielle’s host, eyeing the empty ceramic cup.

          Danielle shook her head and forced herself to her feet.  “Naw, I can get it.”  Padding into the kitchen in her fluffy, warm socks, Danielle peered out of the window.  Traci was in her summer home, a small, cozy log cabin in a small forest community.  It was a little ways out from all the other cabins, but not long enough to warrant a hike.  A five-minute walk was more like it.  Setting the mug down on the counter with a soft chink, Danielle sagged against the cool wall, letting it seep through her skin and calm her.  What had gone on at her house?  She wondered for the umpteenth time.  Ace—Aaron had changed from a dog to a human…  What was up with that?  Was he some kind of mutant?  A science experiment gone wrong?  Or was he something else?

          “Dan, I have to head out to the store!”  Danielle was jolted out of her thoughts by Traci’s voice.

          “Okay.”  She said softly, rubbing away chills.  Stepping away from the wall, Danielle went and gave Traci a quick hug.  “Thanks,”  she whispered softly.

          Her friend’s smiled glowed through her eyes.  “It’s fine, you know I love seeing you, Danielle.”  Then, glancing at her watch, Traci added, “But I do need to go!”  Pulling away from her embrace, Trace scurried out the door.

          Sighing and sitting back onto the couch, Danielle let out her ponytail and ran her fingers through her long blonde hair.  She lay down and stretched out onto the couch, then stiffened.  Was that a bump?  Approaching footsteps?  Traci couldn’t be back already.  Maybe she forgot something.  Getting up, Danielle peered out into the peephole.  And she knew that face.  And she knew she had never wanted to see it again.  Aaron.

Viola.  It might need to be touched up a bit.  or a lot.  oWo  I don't really know.

Put next chapter! -stares at cliffhanger-

Chapter 5~

          Aaron drew in another whiff of Danielle’s sweet scent.  He knew it was she by the rain and fresh spring gr*censored* scent practically radiating off of the small log cabin before him.  Aaron stopped, feeling a harsh glare narrow in at him.  Of course, he should have expected this.  But he had liked to think she would welcome him.  Another wrong answer.  Shaking his head inwardly, he paused at the steps leading up to the porch and door.  Danielle’s terrified squeak didn’t miss his ears.  Backing away slowly, Aaron thought of a different approach to try.  It would be risky, and he would have to approach her in canine form, another risky element to the chance.  But a chance was a chance.  And he would take it.

          Summoning up his power and courage, the clouds above Aaron grew darker and darker still.  Then, they were a great broiling storm.  Lightening began to flash across the sky.  Aaron felt his limbs go weak and the power of the storm sucked his energy and breath away.  Shifting into dog form, he felt his strength return.  Each of Aaron’s forms wasn’t affected by the other’s condition.  Stepping lightly through the undergrowth and a nearby thicket, Aaron approached the back door, which led to the kitchen, judging by the waft of stale bread and bruised apples coming from it.

          Danielle let out a relieved sigh as Aaron left.  So far, so good.  She just had to hope Traci would be back soon.  Plopping back onto the couch, she heard a door creak open.  Oh God.  Danielle cautiously left her perch on the sofa and made her way into the kitchen.  Starting at the lightening and accompanying thunder, she reached the doorway.  Peering at the open door, she wondered how it had opened.  Suddenly, another flash of lightening illuminated the shadowy kitchen.  A dog’s silhouette made itself known.  Like a whisper, one word ran across her mind: Aaron.  As the small room grew dark again, another flash showed a man’s silhouette.

          “Danielle,” a pained voice gasped.  Danielle saw Aaron clutching the doorway as if it was all that was keeping him upright.  Maybe it was.

          “Look, Aaron,” Danielle began cautiously, not missing the waver in her voice.  “I don’t know who--- or even what--- you are, but I want you to leave me along.

          “Danielle, you don’t understand.  Let me explain.”  Aaron’s voice was stronger, and he was no longer grasping the doorway in a white-knuckle grip.  His strength was returning.

          “No.”  Danielle’s sharp voice cut his off before he had a chance to speak.  “Leave Aaron, or I’ll call the cops.  I’ll get you locked up long enough that you’ll never find me.  Please.”  Blind panic was building up in her.  Danielle knew she needed to calm down.

          “Danielle, please.  Let me explain.”  Aaron took a few steps toward her, his powerful legs bringing him right up in from of her.

          “Aaron, stop this.  Go away.”  She knew she was moaning, and she also knew her fear showed, but Danielle couldn’t help it.  This man was so many things.  So different.  So mysterious.  So alluring.  Shaking her head, Danielle backed a step away.

          “Danielle, I’m sorry, but you leave me no choice.”  And then her world went black.

It's pretty short as well.  oWo  I'll probably add onto it later.

More!

Please.

And I still love it.

           ~Nya