Lamarckism Troubles

From Shifti

Lamarckism Troubles

Author: Draven Darklight

I wiped the tears from my eyes. I looked in the mirror, and sure enough the cat ears were still there. I pulled back my extra thick hair to make sure my normal ears were still there too. Unfortunately they were far more likely to disappear than the leopard patterned things on the top of my head. Though the doctors say I'll just have both for the rest of my life, just like the tail.

"Nari, you in here?"

"Yea Gina, I am."

Gina has been my best friend since kindergarten. She's also just about the only girl who still talks to me other than when required to by school, and of course to say hate full things. Still even she admits she resents me at least a little. As she comes up behind me I'm reminded of why. I have a body many girls in this school would kill for. Maybe even literally if they knew they just had to kill me. Gina was almost a foot shorter, and I was much curvier than her now, especially my breasts. My increasingly bright blue hair also made her rich, dark brown look plain.

"Do you remember what I used to look like before the first heat. I was shorter than you, your b cups dwarfed my only almost a cups, and my brown always looked so dull compared to yours."

"And now you're at least a d cup, even if your hair wasn't blue it's got ridiculous body, and shine, and you're the tallest girl in school. You're also prettier than me, and no matter what anyone says the ears and tail don't hurt."

"Gina, I'm not…"

"But that's all beside the point. What I want to know is what stupid lie set you off this time."

"That's just it. It's not the lies that get me anymore. The lies I can handle. It's when they tell the truth. Someone said I've slept with every boy in the school."

"Oh come on, that's just stupid. I know when you're in heat, you're anything but picky but you can't really have slept with everyone."

"That's just it. When she said it, I realized it might be true. I mean with the pheromones even Tyrone has slept with me, and he's so gay that…"

"What, seriously?"

"Yes, that's why he's been avoiding me."

"Well I know you wouldn't sleep with Marco."

I sighed and nodded. I hated the egotistical jerk, but I'm almost sure I did. Just like so many others. If everyone over a certain age wasn't almost entirely immune to my pheromones, I probably would have slept with at least one of the teachers too. Its times like this I really want to hate my parents. I know it wasn't exactly their fault, but it still pisses me off. I mean if they just hadn't been so damn kinky, I wouldn't have this problem. If I didn't love them so much I definitely could hate them.

"You really…" she nearly stuttered "…but he's…"

"Yea, I know. He really is terrible by the way."

"I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault I'm in this mess. It's barely my parent's fault. I mean honestly, how were they supposed to know giving into some kinks and role-play when I was conceived would screw up my life."

"It's not really all bad."

"Yea, the reason I've never been sick is my body is just different enough that it's inhospitable for any real human disease. Which is a lucky break or I would be a huge walking disease vector by now."

"Nari, I wouldn't say…"

"What Gina? It's true. Personally I think it's more than that actually. I mean 3 guys have actually thanked me for getting rid of their crabs."

"Really?"

"Yea. Mom and dad were probably using some, I dunno…"

"What would do that. You really should ask them."

"Maybe, but it's obvious why I don’t want to."

"What about your uncle. He might know, and could be more, uh, discreet about it."

I shrugged. I straitened my rumpled shirt, smoothing out the band logo featuring a snarling demon, and looked back to make sure my tail wasn't causing my skirt to ride up. I looked at Gina and smiled. Gina was in all my classes now. That is one of the few good things to come of all this. I would have felt guilty if we hadn't planned to take all the same electives anyway.

"We should probably get back to class. But before we go, I didn't even hear anything, how did you…"

My cat ears twitched and I smiled.

"Oh, yea. I keep forgetting those things work, much less how well."

"Yea. I can't forget. Why did it have to be me? I mean I was normal, or at least I seemed normal. Sure puberty seemed to be largely passing me by, but…"

"Are you really sure that…"

"Yes. I told you, not a bit. I mean I can tell guys are hot, but if I'm not in heat, nothing. The last time I was reading porn for 4 hours and nothing. I have 2 speeds, cold fish and super slut, that's it."

She said nothing as she turned away. I sighed. I've never really been normal. I mean I may have looked normal, but I never really was. I started to cry again.

"Why did it have to be me Gina. Why couldn’t I have been conceived a few more nights one way or another, or this stupidity that caused this never have started." "I don't know. Nari, I just don't know. But didn't you decide that you might have gotten lucky. I mean we stole some of the tapes around then when you were in heat once, and one time your mom was wearing a strap on, and there was the time your dad was dressed as a woman, and…" I shuddered. "Yes, and the day before I was conceived dad was wearing that silly tentacle monster suit, so yes things could have been much worse." "Come on, that thing couldn't be…" "It was. 100% natural materials, down to every detail." "But that would mean that…" "Yes, I could have had much bigger problems. I love them to death, but they really are huge freaks." "At least they're not really furies. I mean have they even figured out if that kid is even sentient yet?" I shook my head. "No, and I imagine any weirdos who still have sex in suits like that are making damn sure their costumes are made of not just fake fur, but as unnatural a substance as possible." "Yea." Gina said, then giggled. "It still seems so weird that someone would…" "It never seemed that weird to me, but then again I'm pretty sure I had one of the most detailed birds and the bees speeches ever."

We both giggled at that. I looked at my watch. I had been in here for almost 10 minutes now. I really should get back to class. I don't want to, but I should.

"Uh, now we really do have to go."

"Nari, are you really okay. I mean you shouldn't take too much advantage, the but teachers give you a lot of leeway, and as long as I'm with you, me too."

"I dunno. Maybe I'm really not. But I don't think staying here is going to make it better either."

"Oh, okay."

She looked away from me. I couldn’t see her face, but she's done that enough I knew she was hiding how upset she was. I sighed and pushed open the bathroom door.

It was not a good day to begin with, and was only getting worse. Lunch always sucked because Gina was the only girl that would still sit with me, and the only guys not scared of sitting with me I didn't want anywhere near me. Which is ironic really, since despite it being a horrible idea I figured out I really have almost slept with every guy in the school. Gina was still talking to the councilor I'm sure. He gave up on getting much of anything out of me, so just talked to Gina instead most of the time. I was just laying my head on the table staring out into space when someone pulled on my ear.

"Hey!"

"Gah, it's attached?"

I immediately had my head up and looking at a fairly cute guy. He had nice blue eyes and black hair with blonde roots. Actually the tips weren't dyed either, which was pretty neat looking actually. He had on a leather jacket, blue jeans, and some red T-shirt I could only see a little of.

"What, are you surprised? How the heck could you possibly be surprised? Of course it's attached you moron. The ones my mom wore were more than removable enough, but I don't have that luxury. And let me tell you something else…"

He had taken a step back, and I suddenly realized I had never seen him before. I didn't just not know his name, but hadn't ever seen him before.

"And I just realized you must be new. Still, how could you not know?"

"I knew the cat-girl was in this state but…"

I cringed.

"What, you don't like being called a cat-girl?"

"No, that's accurate. I just don't like being reminded I’m…" I made air quotes "…the cat-girl, as in the one and only. It's not really entirely accurate, but still it is close enough. It's depressing, and this has been a far from red letter day."

"Why?"

"Well for one thing while it isn't overall as bad as I thought, I really have slept with pretty much all the available guys in the school. Though the age cutoff seems very pronounced now that I think of it. No seniors, and almost exactly half the 11th graders. You now make exception number 8."

"You can't be serious."

I smiled. "Oh, but that's the thing, I am. Plus when I'm in heat I can remember every male face I see."

"That's how you realized I was new?"

I nodded.

"Wait, does that mean you're Nari?"

"Ah, so you've already heard the brainless super bimbo rumors."

"Sorry, but it just sounded like it might be you, I'm sure you're not really…"

"I've only been going into heat for about 3 months, so it is half right at least. I do retain enough sense to keep away from anyone involved, because that would be mean, though I think I've failed to tell the difference a few times."

"But that's…"

"Yea, I know, some huge number. I could even tell you exactly I bet, but I'm trying desperately not to figure that out. To be fair there was this really wild party that I had the unfortunate privilege of going into heat during, but overall when in heat I'll do just about anyone."

As I would guess he gulped and tried desperately to look me in the eyes. He didn't entirely succeed, but he was cute enough I didn't mind. He even looked up the second I noticed, and blushed. I gave him a big smile. He recoiled.

"Oh, the teeth. I keep forgetting about the teeth. They're new."

"New?"

"Yea, wool boy has had a head full of high grade wool his entire life, but until I went into heat for the first time there was nothing. Then I was suddenly busting out all over, my hair started turning blue, and after a while the tail and ears came in."

"You mean your hair is naturally blue?"

"Eh, sorta. As naturally as someone's hair can resemble a sheep."

"Good point. All I seemed to get is the ability to twirl batons and throw darts."

"Lamarck's Curse has given me a lot actually. Some of it I even like. Mom's rack is a bit extreme, but I can deal with it. Her curves are good, especially since I was so sure for a time I wasn't getting any."

"Um…"

I laughed. "I just meant the curves, but yea, wasn't getting any sex either. I'm just glad I lost my virginity to someone I actually knew. Even if not really that well. Where was I."

"You were listing the things the curse gave you. I assume you just call it that out of spite."

"Yea, it's called Lamarckism Absurdism Syndrome, or LAS. I know, but I like my name better, even if I probably could do brain surgery with absolute precision if I had any real idea what to do."

"Uh, what?"

"My dad is a brain surgeon. I never thought much of it before, but I can carve a pumpkin like no one else. Recently I've had it reaffirmed how good I really am. Little playing around on a corpse you might say."

"Might say?"

I giggled. I was sure of one thing. I was in heat. But everything felt wrong somehow. I certainly had the surge in confidence, and I could tell he was hot, but I had no desire to sleep with him. I looked about for some other guys, and while the little part of my brain that told me if they're hot or not was awake, my libido sure wasn't. I wasn't sure of what that could mean, or if it was a good thing or not. I was sure I didn't want to bother explaining my sister's condition at the moment.

"It's complicated and personal, I'll tell you later maybe. It's not really the point anyway."

"So I have a steady hand when it comes to throwing things, and you have a surgeon's nerves and steadiness. That seems a bit unfair."

"Yea, but you don't halfway lose your mind at random intervals."

We both looked away for a moment. That really isn't where I wanted this to go. I don't really know where I'm going in this conversation, but that was definitely a wrong turn.

"Though even that isn't all bad really. I'm pretty sure it's thanks to mom that with the exception of the first time or so, if the sex has been bad it hasn't been my fault."

He nearly choked, and started coughing.

"Yea, just like anyone else it's not like a memory or anything, just a certain amount of inborn skill."

"But the effect is very limited, only those most practiced skills…" he paused, then blushed. I mean she would have to…"

"Be a former porn star?"

"Oh. Yea, I guess that might do it. It still seems like…"

"Mom and dad tape every time they have sex. There is almost always a tape or file for every day, if not more than one."

"Were the cat ears actually tame?"

"You catch on fast. I'd rather not talk about the details, but the more I see of their escapades the more I know how much worse things could have been."

"Why do you keep watching them? Or for that matter how? Doesn't seem like they'd just leave them lying around for anyone to watch."

I laughed. "Yea, you might think so, especially if you only met my dad, but honestly I actually asked them for the files. Dad was a little uneasy about it, and there are some gaps, but he let me have em."

"Okay, but that still doesn't answer why. I mean if my parents…"

He shuttered. I couldn't blame him. Right now I couldn't think of why it bothered me sometimes, but I knew most of the time I wasn't in heat it bothered me. Even when in heat I would mute the sound once they really got into it. Some of the fore play wasn't just interesting, but highly entertaining. I still think they would make great actors with a bit of practice. I sighed, remembering his question.

"Morbid curiosity mainly, though when I'm in heat I'm more looking for ideas I think."

"You think?"

"Yea, in heat I literally don't exactly know what I'm doing. The only motivation I still clearly understand is wanting to have sex. The rest is a bit, off. The doctors say in heat my bio chemistry is way out of wack and it's not surprising I have trouble reconciling my own actions."

"Look, I want to say something here. I came over here because you looked cute, but now you're making me nervous as hell."

"Really? Haven't you heard any of the guys complain about me being an ice witch. I seem to want it one minute, but could care less the next. I think that's the wording."

"So you don't think I'm attractive at all right now?"

"No, it's just I have all the sex drive of an ice cube at the moment. I'm still strait, and can tell how totally cute you are, but I just don't care."

Though I was beginning to care a little actually. Which meant even though it was just yesterday, I'm getting a repeat. Though things usually didn't work this way, and my libido is still pretty normal. Also he isn't sniffing the air, and he certainly doesn't have that drugged out look yet. Though it is getting worse. In fact trying to cross this guy and all the rest in one day is already starting to sound a bit reasonable. That isn't good.

"Well crap."

"Huh?"

"Oh, it's not you, I just think I really am going into heat again. Usually I get at least one day before it happens again, but it's pretty damn unpredictable. Today's seems odd, but seems to be heading the same place as the others. They say as my hormones calm down things should normalize, but they're not sure."

"You mean at the end of puberty?"

"Yea, that's real comforting, isn't it. Especially since I know these things…" I said, poking a breast "…are not nearly done yet."

"What? But even if your mom…" he said, blushing again "I mean silicone isn't…"

"Yea, but seems to mean they're full of air instead. They get bigger when I go into heat actually."

"Oh." said Gina from a distance. "So you're not just falling out of your clothes on purpose, the tops really don't fit you anymore."

Gina came over and sat next to the guy. She set one of the trays she was carrying down in front of me, and set the other in front of herself. I managed to focus long enough to realize this whole conversation seemed a bit off, but was having a hard time placing why, or why I should care. Gina smiled at the guy, but he was now turning beet red, and staring off into space. It wasn't that mindless glaze I've come to hate, just extreme embarrassment. He probably had quite the woody under the table. That I was simultaneously proud and disgusted seemed very strange to me. Usually I was clearly one or the other.

"So, you going to introduce me to your friend Nari?"

"Actually I…"

"Oh, terribly sorry." He then stood and made a slight bow. "I am Callum Joth, and it's a pleasure to make both your acquaintances. I came over here to properly introduce myself but your friend can be quite distracting."

"Yea Cal, Nari and the twins are quite a sight."

"Actually, I don't think that's what he meant. Cal here seems to only let such a sight distract him for a short while. I simply wouldn't shut up, and kept rendering him somewhat speechless."

"Um…"

"Hmm, I see what you mean."

All three of us laughed. I could kind of see the heat coming this time. That was something. I liked it when it starts slow like this, gives me a warning. Though this isn't the normal slow build, it's like my brain is already there, but the rest of my body hasn't caught up. I wonder if I have the willpower left to make it out of the school. I don't exactly want to leave, especially since I already sort of like Cal, but at the same time that's all the more reason to leave as soon as possible.

"Oh, by the way, I'm Gina Valencio. And since I doubt she's properly introduced herself, this is Narisetti Garrison, but not even her parents actually call her that."

"Unless they're mad at me. But you can call me whatever, anytime."

"Uh, Nari, you sound kinda…"

"Yea, a bit, don't worry, I'll just eat and go home."

"Okay, but maybe you should hurry, even if it is coming on slow this time."

I nodded. Cal was hot, and I was beginning have some very naughty thoughts about what I might want to do with him. If I eat quick I should be able to get out of here in plenty of time. Maybe I can still learn a little about Cal if Gina talks while I chew. I think I can control myself for at least a little while.

Now Cal was it. Well there were still a few gay guys. When in heat it doesn't seem to matter if they have a boyfriend or not, but it does matter if they have a girlfriend, even that guy I know is gay, but pretends to go out with someone. I should ask Uncle Will about that, it might mean something important. Staring at the ceiling wasn't helping anything, so I sat up. I was just in time to see mom enter.

After dinner she tended to wear nothing but lingerie and robes, but before then other than her oversized chest looked like the educated woman she was. Her blonde hair was even up in a bun and she was wearing glasses. I wonder how much longer she would be able to manage that with the way she was growing her hair out. The sweater she was wearing even did a pretty good job of hiding how huge she really was. The Jeans on the other hand just emphasized her butt. I used to be jealous, but now if anything she seems jealous of mine. Even said something about being lucky enough to get all the best features of her butt, and dad's. I smiled.

"That's something I missed seeing." She said, smiling

"Well it's not really, maybe you missed seeing something similar."

"You know you take this all too negatively. I mean you used to complain how all the guys would chat up Gina and completely ignore you. Now you have to almost literally beat them off with a stick."

She was smiling. I sighed and could feel my ears droop. I must look very cute right now. Mom came over and gave me a big hug.

"I'm sorry, I know this a big problem for you."

"I don't know if I would be that freaked out. I mean I was always sort of a furry. Though now I have to wonder why that is too. I always did gravitate toward cats." Mom just frowned.

"I mean I wanted this body, dreamed of it even. Maybe not exactly this body, but I wanted to be beating off the boys with a stick because I was hot. The problem is if there is any beating off is doesn't involve a stick."

Mom snickered. "Oh, I'm sorry dear, I know I should be more, well…"

"Don't worry mom. I figured out at a very young age I knew way more about the facts of life than I should, and you are way more frank about sex than any other kid's parents. Certainly Gina's."

"Yes, and I know how embarrassed you can get about it."

I smiled. "I do, but for the longest time I wasn't. I still remember how confused I was my first day of school when I got sent to the principal's office."

Mom released me and stood up. She always got in such a huff, even after all this time. Sometimes it could be very embarrassing, but most of the time all my friends agreed I had the coolest parents around, and the best house. I still sort of miss some of them despite everything.

"I mean, it's not like we taught you no decorum at all. You weren't going around saying tits and any other crude thing you might have picked up from us. Just penis, and you weren't even talking about sex in any thing but the most scientific way. I mean…"

"Mom, as funny as it is to still hear you rant about this, did you come in here for any particular reason?"

"Well, yes. Gina said you seemed somewhat tame today for being in heat, and considering all things it was amazing you managed not to have sex with some new boy?" "Yea, I guess. I mean I flirted with him, and I certainly wanted to have sex with him, but I resisted."

"That is good news."

"No mom, not really. It means I'm not as helpless as I claim to be. That I really am just not trying hard enough. That the suit was right and…"

"No, That isn't true. I'm not your uncle, or even your father, but I think I understand this thing well enough. In fact I might even understand this heat thing better than the two of them. Though as private as he can be, we both know he's really far more perverted than I am."

"Yea, and though I wouldn't have been able to guess otherwise until very recently, he's the truly insatiable one, though you're almost as bad."

Mom laughed. "And that is why I think I understand this heat of yours. Thanks to paranoia the male teachers have those little vapor masks of theirs, but I know you wouldn't take advantage of them even if you could. Though I think you have had sex with some of the seniors anyway."

I nodded. "Yes, I mean I'm still hot. To be fair when in heat pheromones don't discriminate, and it's not me taking advantage of them that is the concern. Though Uncle Will says my pheromones also seem to infer a bit of passiveness as well, so no matter how attracted they are, they won't act on it."

"That has always struck me as odd. Reminds me of something, but can never think of what."

"I couldn't guess what."

"Anyway, as I was saying, obviously it's an altered state, but there has always been limits, you do things you would never do otherwise, but not really ignoring all other concerns. I mean you make a lot out of it, but you didn't know any those guys were gay at the time, and you didn't mean to sleep with those girl's boyfriends, and I'm sure if you knew you wouldn't have."

"So, the fact I like Cal is enough to, not sleep with him?"

"It sounds odd, but you're looking for sex, not love. Even in heat you are still a moral individual, and that's why Cal is the last. I'm sure that's not really true though."

I rolled my eyes. Of course I had thought of more since lunch. I wasn't counting those that had asked me. Some I could have seduced, but knew they would regret if for religious reasons. Then there was the strait edge club members, which while they had never said anything, I had avoided without really thinking about it. Of course this also reminded me of some guy that mysteriously was immune to my pheromones. I smiled. Things were still pretty bad, but not as bad. I hugged mom.

"Thanks mom, that was a big help."

"So, why do you like this boy you just met so much?"

I pulled out of the hug and glared at her.

"Don't give me that look. Both your father and I take love very seriously. I mean it's one thing to have some fun before you find the one, but once you do, you shouldn't need anyone else."

"Except for threesomes." I said, and smiled

"You know we're not really into that king of thing."

"Yea, number one on that very small list actually."

"Uh, dear, you still seem a bit, how do I put this…"

"Yea, things started slow today, then there was a flash, but I'm still coming down a bit I think."

"Ah. William does want to talk to you about a few things tomorrow, so I'm bringing you in early. Make sure to mention that to him. Or am I wrong that is sounds like a slow ramp up, a fairly short and an even longer ramp down?"

"Oh, yea, I guess it is a bit odd. The monitor caught it all I'm sure."

"Enough of that though, tell me about the boy."

"Well, my first impression was basically good, and it helps that he's hot. He mainly just talked to Gina while I tried to wolf down lunch before things got too bad."

"Yes, though that clearly didn't work out."

"I don't know it he's the one or anything, but he hasn't run away screaming yet, and he seems to want more than to just get in my pants. He's just, interesting somehow. I want to get to know him. Maybe he's just some guy in the end I won't really like but…"

"Ah, that's enough for me. Just remember, I think it's kind of fun when you're in heat, but you're still daddy's little girl to your father."

"I know, always have been, always will be. He tries to shield me from anything involving sex if possible, but my first words were your actual names, and it's pretty obvious why."

"I told him we need really good interior soundproofing too, but did he listen, no."

"Mom, I don't want this though. I don't want to be that girl."

"You don't want to be a slut like me."

"Mom, it's not like that, it's just that…"

"No, I was a slut, I admit it, I was. But I decided I wanted to help people, and worked hard to make that career of helping as a nurse a reality, by using the fact I was such a huge slut to make money."

"Mom…"

"I'm not finished. That was the path I chose. My parents still don't talk to me, and all I got out of my own sister is a promise that she'll tell me if anyone dies, and she'll make sure I'm invited, but I don't regret it, because I met your father. I also know that you don't want to take that path, and with the money your father makes you have no reason to do anything you don't want to."

"Mom I really didn't mean…"

"Nari, I know you didn't, but as I said, I am a slut. I didn't enjoy just the sex with different men, but the danger and excitement of it. I could go into detail, but I'm sure you don't want to hear it."

I nodded very quickly. The truth was right now part of me was very curious, but I was certainly more in cold fish mode by now, so I resisted the urge. Especially since I had a strong feeling I would regret it if did ask for more details. Mom looked down, a tear in her eye.

"I'm so sorry dear. This thing has been forced upon you. You're being forced to do things you really don't chose to do."

"That's not exactly…"

"I'm not as smart as you or your father, and nowhere near your uncle, but I still know that. Still, I am so sorry this had to happen. If I had only know I never would have…"

"But you did, because you couldn't know. Even as all the weirdness began to come to light, you couldn't know. Even as a few realized there might be some connections, you couldn't know. It wasn't until uncle Will saw my problem, and knowing you two put it all together."

"But I'm still sorry, and…"

She looked down and rubbed her belly. She still couldn't see it, and would have to be quite a bit further along to even have a chance. I guessed she probably just did it as a reflex, not really thinking about what she would actually be able to see by looking down.

"Mom, you couldn't know. It was obvious Valsune and Yova were weird somehow, but it wasn't clear how. Heck, Mu's old enough she's normal. I admit there are times it really pisses me off, but I can't really blame you. He won't either, I'm sure of that. Whatever kink has messed with his life he'll forgive you, because you just couldn't have known."

"We don't even know for sure he's even a boy, how can you be so sure that…"

"Because I know his parents, and I don't want another sister, that's why."

Mom laughed and hugged me. I started to laugh too.

"Are you okay?"

My sister nodded. Val had a wooden steak in her chest, just above her left breast, and I'd guess right through her heart. If it was anyone else I wouldn't waste time asking and have already called 911, but as always there was no blood, and if Val said she was okay, she was. She even still had that blissful little smile of hers. The media dubbed them undead, and while not quite accurate, it was at least somewhat a step in the right direction. Her hair had been brown like mine, though with a little more body. Now it was mainly black, with a streak of white starting at each temple. Val had always been pale, but now her skin was literally white. The so called undead were mainly the result of not taking off all the makeup after a costume party, but Val happened to be born on Halloween. Most people don't seem to realize that means she must have been conceived about 9 months before

"How did this happen anyway, I figure if some nutcase had stabbed you like that guy that claimed to be a vampire, I would have heard about it."

"Lord Pain was discussing it with the others, and Shadow Lotus and he got into one of their arguments. She kept saying it must be an amazingly wonderful way to die, and he said it would be slow and painful, so I asked Wisp if he still carries around a wooden stake, and he did. So…"

"You took in and plunged it into your own chest?"

She nodded. The black lacy bra she was wearing made it real clear how tight her bras were getting. She was one year younger than I was, and finally looked like it, being somewhat shorter and less developed overall, but clearly hadn't stopped just because I finally really started. The small red shirt with a skull on it she had worn most of the day was next to her on the bed. She was wearing a pair of those baggy black pants with all the rivets and chains she likes so much. Like always she also had some red ribbons running through her hair. A few silver rings and chains, and her various piercings. Though lately she had taken out most of the ones on her face, and added a bunch in places that would normally be clothed. She had a bunch of small rings through her collarbones I noticed. In fact while she still had a line of rings covering the edge of each ear, a bunch on each eyebrow, and one lip ring, all the rest were gone, even the nose ring. I bet she still had the tongue stud though.

"It wasn't that painful at all actually."

"Val, you do know that your definition of pain is a bit different."

"I remember, I mean it really didn't hurt that much, it didn't feel like I even hit anything exactly."

"That sounds important, somehow. You're not going to just remove it yourself, are you?"

"Dad said he's going to take both of us Uncle Will's once he gets home, and not to tell mom."

"Yea, because she's a worry wart, and would panic. Even though that's my first inclination as well. I mean sure you've started dissecting your own arm for fun, but it's still freaky."

"I suppose, but you…"

"Yea, I'm freak too, and shouldn't talk. I know."

"No. I'm far more of a freak than you. You don't like thinking about it, but you know I am. I can do things that are impossible, and as odd are you are now, you still can't."

"Except this whole thing is impossible. I mean come on, if mom had used less organic hair dye and makeup you would at least look normal."

"I know, and for that you envy me."

I blinked. I did of course. I used to envy her because she looked more like my older sister than younger, and now because she at least seemed normal. If she had kept dying her hair we might not have even noticed most of her roots were now black. The white skin had now developed into a smooth milky white that was a bit odd, but there were at least 3 other goths she hangs out with that regularly wear white makeup, even though none of them look as good as her. Val smiled.

"It's okay. You don't like the way things are, you didn't before, and still don't, so of course you envy me. Just as long as you don't let it control your actions, or run your life, it's not a problem."

"Thanks, I needed to hear that, and know just what you mean."

We both turned to Yova on the bed opposite Val's. She was texting someone and giggling. Yova sure didn't look like she was that much younger than I was, and certainly not only 13. The hooves had always been there, but the fur that went up to her waist had been brown until recently. Somehow she got in her head that taking a massive amount of hormones would be a good idea. I think the fur on her legs was already developing into the white with black spots pattern when she did it, but Val isn't any more sure than I am about that. I do know that uncle Will noticed her having 4 nipples on each breast a while ago, and while she still insists she's a horse, I'm pretty sure the leather was plain old cow. The worst thing is the hormones she had gotten from that assistant of Uncle Will's were not human growth hormone, but bovine growth hormone. She stopped texting a moment to look over at us.

"Stop staring at me Nari. Don't you have anything better to do?"

The first amazing thing was the massive overdose didn't even make her sick. The second far more amazing thing is it seemed to actually have done what she wanted and jump started puberty. She wasn't a whole lot taller yet, but she was at least as busty as Val, and probably me. The rest of the curves she decided she should have as soon as possible had also come in. I still think this might come back to bite her in the end, especially since she refuses to acknowledge the black and white tail currently growing in is clearly not a horse tail. Ever since I first suggested this fact she has been increasingly hostile. Though I'm pretty sure some of that was my own overdue puberty finally getting started. Though I don't entirely understand how and why she became so obsessed with becoming grown up so fast.

"In fact, why don't you just get out of here."

"Yea, Dad will be home soon anyway. Put your shirt back on Val. Mom would definitely freak if she saw you like this."

"Gee, you think of that all by yourself?"

Val did put her shirt back on, and left the room. I followed, but with one last look back at Yova. The jeans were designer, the shirt the same, though the tiny little low cut thing didn't look it. She was also wearing earrings, and though I couldn’t see it, a belly button ring. Dad really wasn't happy about that, and mom was even upset, though mainly because Yova had promised her not too. I was worried she was going down a path she didn't want, despite her still having control of her life.

It had taken dad another hour to get home. Val and I were sitting in the back of the car. I figured dad would have to come up with an interesting excuse for us leaving. Instead he just avoided her and we left. He would probably just tell the whole truth after we got home anyway, so it made sense to just skip any half-assed excuses in the first place.

"Girls. You are doing okay right?"

"I'm having way too much sex, and Gina is still pretty much the only girl that will still talk to me, but other than that, yea, I'm fine."

"I'm good too."

"Other than the steak you mean, right dear." Dad said

"No, it's okay too. I don't want to keep it in there, it itches, but it's okay."

"Um, I see. Well, is there anything else?"

"There is a new student, I sorta like him. And thankfully I haven't had sex with him yet."

"Yes, you had another episode, correct?"

"Yea dad. Sometimes I think you should have just pulled me out of school like the school wanted."

"No Nari, I still believe it was the right choice. It's a medical condition, and one that doesn't really hurt anyone. It's not like you're impossible to resist."

I was glad dad couldn't see my face in the dark. My pheromones had increased in potency considerably since the court case. This did remind me that there was actually a significant group that just refused to sleep with me, even if it was pretty clear they sure wanted to. The more I thought about it the more I realized Beth was exaggerating. Though I also realized I had been systematically sleeping with as many guys as possible while in heat, and ranking them.

"Yea, though I sure wish those stupid pheromones were easier to resist." I said

"Well it's not too bad anyway. I mean how much sex can you really be having in school."

"Nari can manage quite a lot. She's gotten very good at it."

"Val." I said

I just heard dad sigh.

"Sorry, I know you don't like to hear it." I said

"I know it must seem so hypocritical, but you're my little girls. I still want to protect your older sister too."

"Dad, Mu is 23 and in college."

"I know, but she'll always be little Makhivotsu to me."

"Isn't Mu coming for a visit soon?" said Val

"Oh yea, isn't she?" I said

"Yes girls, she is. This weekend actually. We're almost there. Nari, why don't you go strait to the interns for the usual battery of tests. You were scheduled for tomorrow, but I'm sure it will be okay. Will and I will take care of you Val, then Will can talk to Nari about whatever it is he wanted."

"That sounds good." I said

"Okay, but maybe I should have some new tests too, I haven't really done this before."

"Hmmm, yes, good point honey. Will probably already has something planned actually, he sounded far more excited than I would have liked my daughter put a steak though her heart."

We all laughed a bit at that.

"So, how you doing kiddo?"

I turned around to see Will. He looked a lot like dad, good looking, but not model handsome either. His hair was a much lighter shade of brown than dad's was, and unlike dad he wasn't clean shaven, but kept his mustache and beard well trimmed. He was also a bit shorter and thickly built. He was wearing a white lab coat over slacks and a collared shirt. He usually left the jacket in his office if he needed it for a press conference, but tended to lose it other places when he actually did need it.

"I'm good basically. You know, same old problems. The interns need more practice drawing blood, school sucks, and I'm having way too much sex."

"Most teenagers wouldn't consider that a problem."

"Most male teenagers maybe. Though sometimes I wonder if at least some of the other girls are just jealous because they wish they were getting laid as often as I am."

"But…"

"Yea, I certainly don't want to be, and maybe I should say how much they think I'm having sex. If they had any real idea, I don't think they would, then again, it's not like I'm for slow and sensual when I'm in heat."

"Nari, please. Unless it's really necessary, you know I don't like to hear this kind of thing."

Will looked down. I had already plugged the wire into the box strapped to my leg. Beth said the ankle bracelet showed how much of a criminal I really was. It could be used to track me actually, but mainly it was the other data it gathered that was important. Will sat down at the computer on his desk, and making sure not to unplug the wire sat down myself.

"Hmmm, nothing especially interesting yet."

"You said you had something to tell me?"

"A few things. Though maybe discuss might be the right term in some cases. The first is of course another modification of your libido suppressant cocktail. That's close enough to my actual field I understand it, but why nothing works baffles me."

"Didn't you say that my going into heat seems to flush it from my system?"

"Yes and, hmmm, that was especially long wasn't it?"

"You were saying?"

"Oh, well one theory, which this data supports, is that the slower onset of heat might be a result of your body taking longer to burn off the suppressant."

"Okay, then why is it not consistent, and the come down longer too?"

"Yes, well it isn't perfect. Anyway, there are various modifications, your dad will take care of that once he finishes watching over some of the tests on your sister."

"Watching over…"

"You can ask one of them later, some of them are more than a bit unusual. Let's get back to you. The other thing data seems to confirm, and this time with no counter evidence, is that your period has once again coincided with an extended period where you don't go into heat."

"So what? Why does that…"

Then I smiled. I remembered now. Will smiled too.

"Yea, it is a good thing. It proves my initial guess that your first coming into heat was the beginning of what is almost a second puberty. Also one possible cause of the erratic nature of what is usually a very regular thing in nature, is the interaction between the two separate sets of instructions trying to play out at once."

"So now that they're in agreement things will get better."

"Well, hopefully. They should get more regular I think, but human beings don't really have a proper estrus cycle at all, so it's hard to say what will happen next. Besides we aren't really there yet. You are beginning to normalize, but it will be at least another week before anything much begins I imagine, probably much more. It is a good sign I think however."

I just smiled.

"However there is one bit of bad news. I have the specialists going over it now, but your most recent X-rays suggest the claws we keep seeing will make their presence known, and soon."

"Haven't you been saying that same thing for weeks?"

"Yes, but they're pretty sure, I'm almost sure, and it's probably going to hurt, a lot."

I sighed. "Whatever, it can't be that much worse than the sudden appearance of new permanent teeth, can it?"

"Well…" he began, then shrugged. "Honestly I don't know, but that's actually supposed to happen in humans, claws, just don't come into play at all. It could get messy."

"So, let me guess. I have a refill on that painkiller prescription, and should carry around a few pills with me at all times, just in case."

"Almost right, except they also added something even stronger to carry around if it gets really bad."

"How strong?"

"It's a single dose in something similar to an eppy pen, Martin, I mean your father, could tell you more accurately what it actually is. It will pretty much knock you right out, it's basically to stop you from going into shock from the pain."

I just stared forward. Will looked away, unable to meet my eyes.

"Anyway, I wanted to ask about…" he began

"Yea, that's just what I need. Not only do I have all my current problems, and that as far as you can tell this is all going to just keep progressing, but now I have mind numbing pain in my future."

"Well, we don't really know that. I mean the…"

"You're the one in charge, just tell me if you really think its necessary."

"Yes, I think it's necessary as a precaution, because I don't know Nari. The only reason I'm in charge is a fluke. Do you even know what my specialty really is?"

"Yea, though your doctorate says disease, your real specialty is in comparative biology, mainly in regard to how diseases might be able to cross species barriers, but also a general knowledge of the structure of different animals that makes you almost uniquely qualified to lead this project. Besides Uncle Will, you did make the discovery that pulled it all together."

"Uh, you remember all that. I didn't think…"

"As often as I hear it, of course I would be in heat one of those times."

"Anyway, I didn't really come up with the theory that…"

"Yea, yea, I know. You just found the evidence that proved it. The reason you got the credit it the other 8 guys that published their theories never even tried to actually prove anything, you did, and succeeded wonderfully. So, let me ask again, you really don't know?"

"No, I'm hoping for the best. One of the development experts even thinks the reason it's taking so long is to insure that it's not traumatic at all. Though she also said your fingernails and a good bit of each fingertip will just fall off, so in my book she's just suggesting a different kind of trauma."

"Great. Well, at least there are options, even if they all are bad."

"Well, it may not be any kind of traumatic. Besides, we know just because something is vestigial, it won't disappear immediately."

Will leaned across the desk and pulled the hair out of the way so he could see my normal ears. I wondered if it was more to show me what he meant, or assure himself they were indeed still there.

"Is that why my feet and hands are itching, because the claws are coming out?"

"Maybe. Is that cream the dermatologist prescribed working out?"

"Yea, but if I don't put it on it's pretty bad." I said, then looked down at my hands. "That really doesn't make any sense though, does it. It being a good portion of my hands and feet, not just the tips mean it's probably something more, doesn't it."

Will just nodded.

"So why don't we stop talking about me, and talk about Val."

"There really isn't much to say."

"Except it proves my point. It's not like it's just my point either. Lamarck's curse doesn't seem to be very consistent, and my guess would explain Val, wouldn't it?"

"Maybe, but intent of the person at the time makes even less sense. You can't inherit imagined alterations. That defies all logic."

"Yea, like this stupid curse doesn't do that already."

"Though the main mechanism is still completely eluding us, that does not mean it isn't readily explainable by science, simply that it has yet to be explained."

"Just like how undead, especially Val, make any lick of sense. It would explain a few things about me too you know."

"Yes, I know that, but…" he said, then stopped and took a deep breath. "Look, we can debate that some other time. I know Val isn't really the one you're concerned about."

I just nodded.

"Look, she seems fine. I don't like the amount of estrogen she's producing, and I especially don't like the way she's acting, but it's purely psychological. Yova might have some serious problems, but if things go bad, frankly it's all her fault. Speaking of the psychology team."

"No. I don't like them, so I'm sticking to the court appointed dates and times, and no more."

"They do want some extra time, but no, that's not it. It's something more, general. An observation in their most recent report that seems odd."

I rolled my eyes. I wish he would just get on with it. He smiled at me.

"Well, that actually."

"Huh?"

"You are well aware of how much more aggressive you are in heat."

"Yea, I mean if it was just sex drive there wouldn't be that many boys."

"Well the point is the most recent report talks about how that seems to be leaking into your everyday personality. Furthermore they fear it could progress."

"But…"

"Dr. Koda disagrees."

I grinned. "So, what does Miriam say?"

"She says it's just increased self confidance, and I'm inclined to agree. You've always been fairly direct, but something held you back most of the time. Gina said something about it's nice to see everyone else get to really know you. However Miriam, I mean Dr. Koda, said some other things that…"

"Yes, I am still trying to set you two up, and keep telling her nice things about you."

"Could you please stop."

"Not until it works, no."

He sighed, and I smiled. I honestly had no idea if the two were even remotely compatible. I liked Dr. Miriam Koda, and know uncle was at least a little intrested, so I tried to set them up.

"So…" I began. "Anything else?"

"Well there is one thing, and it's disease research, so I can really speak with complete authority on it. Namely that my initial supposition about your immunity is somewhat incomplete."

"Define incomplete. The one reason mom and dad aren't freaking is because you said that I'm just enough off human that nothing can effect me, and in fact seems to die out."

"You're still human, just…"

"No, I'm not human. Still close, but more in the same sense different breeds of cat are close."

"Clever."

"I try."

"As I was about to explain, while this hypothesis is still largely correct, the diseases are still considered foreign invaders and produce antibodies. This isn't important for most diseases, but you are still close enough that the anti bodies might be useful for research possibilities. Or rather should."

"Huh?"

"Well, though you are certainly immune, and your body is inhospitable to all forms of disease it is not in the way I originally assumed. Do you remember my little HIV test."

I glared at him. "You though I could cure AIDS, I don't know why, but for some reason that stuck in my memory just a bit."

"Uh, yes. The point is the test proved my theory wrong, though as you may not remember I could not understand the results of the test at all. Then Val mentioned someone thanking you for clearing up a case of crabs. That got me thinking…."

He stared off into space for quite a while. Uncle Will was a genius. Everyone said so, dad always says he got the skill and determination, but his brother got the real smarts. However he stares blankly off into space for no clear reason so often you certainly might think that isn't the case.

"Uncle Will?"

"Oh, yes. Sorry. The point is I needed some sweat to test. You got me far more than I needed, and really wish you hadn't told me how, even though some of its contents only make sense that way."

"Or, even though I didn't want to know, thank me for telling me you got that sweat form a marathon masturbation session Nari. It was helpful to know that."

He just nodded. "Anyway this revealed, along with the larger than normal amount of blood I needed that your immune system is more of a carnivore than a grazer."

"What?"

"Oh, well most immune systems passively wait, at least to a large degree. They're like sheep, they move around looking for grass, but don't really actively seek it out."

"Uh, I'm pretty sure sheep actually do actively seek out grass."

"Hmmm, well a better example might be defenses. Yes, that's much more sensible. Okay, most immune systems are like guards, they patrol, and try to keep thieves out, but they don't really actively try to reduce crime. Your immune system is more like policemen, or FBI agents really, they're very good at their jobs you know. I mean extremely proficient actually…"

"How exactly…"

"Well they actively seek out diseases and eat them. That's why I said carnivores at first. In fact the process resembles HIV to a degree, but in reverse. They devour anything that doesn't resemble things that aren't supposed to be there."

"That sounds really vague."

"Well, they ignore various required and benign bacteria, and most other animal cells."

"Further proving how inhuman I am."

"No, not really. I mean not just mammals, but birds, and insects, and reptiles are on the list too. In fact the only reason I say most is that most parasites are affected too. They're literally devoured by the antibodies in your sweat. It's frightening in a way really."

"So the curing crabs thing is true?"

"Oh yes, and more than that probably, whenever you are sufficiently sweaty…"

"Like after and during sex?"

"Yes, but any other vigorous activity, or simply a hot day, you will sweat, and it will contain considerable number of these antibodies. As I have hinted they almost act like a disease in their own way, they can infect others, multiply, and completely remove the foreign organism, no matter how large."

"Even if it's inorganic." "Oh no, but anything alive. I even sent a culture to a friend of mine for use on a patient with a very large stomach worm. Quite rare really, got it in the amazon somewhere I think. Or maybe it was Africa…"

"Uncle."

"The point is while it took a few days, but the parasite was essentially eaten alive. The small culture became sufficiently large to completely disassemble the creature. Amazing really."

"Then shouldn't this mean even if I wasn't infected, it would be a cure for HIV."

"Well no. See the reason there were no antibodies is obvious. Your system doesn't work that way, but at the same time while it's more than enough for you, it ignores healthy human cells, including infected cells. That’s why the monkeys always got sick again. Their immune system is not entirely ineffective against your infection of antibodies, so the required constant doses don't work, but there still might be something there."

"Infection of…."

"It's a rejection thing, your antibodies are very resistant to being fought off, but like any foreign invader they are eventually repelled."

"But not before acting rather like a disease, but simultaneously clearing out everything else. So not only am I not a disease vector of the highest magnitude, but I could lay on hands and…"

He nodded. Well, that's one worry gone I suppose. I giggled. Thinking of the time I'd be most likely to lay on hands, and picturing myself like in one of those portraits of the Madonna. Only of course instead of holding the baby Jesus when laying hands on someone, I'd have messy hair, be covered in sweat, and several tired looking naked guys behind me.

"Uh…"

"Oh, it's nothing. Just a funny image I'm sure you don't want to hear."

"Okay, but you might want to tell Miri…" He began, then suddenly stopped. "I mean you should tell Dr. Koda if you think it might be even remotely important."

I shook my head. "No, I really don't think picturing myself as our pornographic lady of Guadeloupe matters in any way."

Uncle Will scratched his head, and after a quick progression of weird looks on his face, shook his head. He then hit a few buttons on the keyboard, and briefly did something with the mouse.

"Well, for the moment I'll assume you're right and we'll move on to the real matter to discuss."

"That's it? It sounds like I'm the cure for literally everything but HIV."

"Well, possibly. There may be some side effects. If it wasn't for the extreme hazard of the surgery, I never would have suggested such a course of action. I don't think there should be any negative reactions, but more study is needed. Also I am very curious if any of your sisters share this oddity."

"You mean other than Mu?"

"Well she shouldn't, but it would be quite the discovery if she did. I do plan to ask her for some samples once she gets here actually. To act as a sort of third baseline beyond your parents, though obviously such a baseline is inevitably not entirely…"

"Reliable, yes. Because genetics didn't work that way, and now it's not really entirely clear how it works, since despite inheriting physical traits, I have DNA that seems to match those traits."

He nodded. "Yes. But in some ways this isn't really terribly important, at least to you. In truth I could have just said you won't get sick, and if anything others would get less sick, and that would have been enough for you to continue living your life. This other mater is actually far simper, but far more important, and you really should be informed of it as soon as possible."

"Then do it already. I mean if it's really that important, why not do it first?"

Will then put one hand on his chin and looked off into the distance. I could feel my ears pinned to the top of my head. That pissed me off even more. My throat felt weird all of sudden as well. Almost like I had something in it and needed to spit, but not exactly. He looked back at me and retracted, the chair sliding back at least a few inches, maybe even a foot.

"Ack. Sorry, sorry. Keep getting distracted. The genetics team has done a more in-depth analysis on your DNA and now suspect that your eggs are not entirely incompatible with human DNA as they first thought."

"So that means I'm not disease ridden slut, passing who knows what about the school, but I could certainly end up a pregnant slut wobbling around the place? You must be joking?"

"Look, their first analysis was at least mostly correct. It would be a one in a million shot, and probably wouldn't even be possible at all if it wasn't for the syndrome in the first place."

"Otherwise some seemingly normal guy out there might have just enough cat DNA because the pet cat sleeps on the bed, and a hair stuck to some sweat."

"Well, yes, that might be it, though cat like DNA might not be the key stumbling block."

"You aren't going to mention this to either one, right?"

"No, unless it becomes important, I won't mention to either of your parents."

"If that's it, I'm going to go check on Val."

"Yea, I think there was something else, but running this project can run me ragged at times."

"Have a good night Uncle Will."

It was bad news, probably could be worse, but still bad. Usually I have much more fun with Uncle Will, but every so often it's anything but fun. Also it seems to pressure to get some sort of useful result is getting worse. I wish he could find some cure too, but I don't see it happening.

I blinked. I had been wandering around as there was some delay with Val, and had almost run right into her. I blinked again. It really was Vanessa. She was wearing that long brown coat she started wearing a while back, and now seemed to never take off. In fact, she had also started wearing large T-shirts and loose jeans, where before it was always baby doll tees, and usually shorts. She wore some really tight jeans on occasion I guess, but the jeans she's been wearing are much looser. The dusty blonde wasn't especially busty or curvy, but it was enough, and she showed off what she had to good effect. For that matter she sure seemed to like showing it off to. I smiled.

"Now I get it."

"Gah!" she yelled, and turned around.

"Seeing you here Nessa, it suddenly all makes sense. I was so focused on myself I never really considered why you had suddenly changed dress codes."

"Oh, Nari. I should have known I'd run into you eventually."

"So you're a freak like me too, aren't you. Something inhuman."

"Yea, yea, I am. It's not like I'm the one saying those things, it's all Beth."

"But you don't defend me either."

"Elizibeth Buckley is my oldest and dearest friend. I mean we were in kindergarten together. You really think I'm not going to chose her over you?"

"I suppose not."

"Though recently I wonder…" Nessa seemed to begin, but her lips didn't move. "If I made the wrong choice. You seem way cooler than her recently."

Nessa then covered her mouth and turned away from me. I heard "shit" muttered a few times, each time a bit louder. I wasn't sure but I thought for just a second there was a lengthwise tube-like impression in the fabric, and it passed across the coat before vanishing. I knew I must not be completely out of my heat as my first thought was that must be a pretty big penis. Then I realized the far more logical conclusion considering it seemed to be coming out of her butt, and she was girl.

"You have a tail?"

"What, no I don't. Who told you that? Crap, she knows. Crap, that was out loud again. I thought they said I shouldn't have anymore problems. Crap, that too."

"Nessa, what's going on here."

"Nothing, go away. It's so freaky there is no way I'm telling anyone."

"Did you get turettes or something, I mean it seems like you can't control what you say."

"No, it's not like that. It's sorta like that though. Crap."

She then ran off, cursing all the way. That was weird.

I looked at the wooden steak. It was like it was being devoured by termites, most of the lower section, the part that had been inside my sister, was half gone. The head of the steak was fine though, the finish even intact. Will had wanted to keep it, but Val insisted that Wisp would want it back.

"What are you looking at there dear."

"Oh, just something that Val borrowed from one of her friends."

"I see."

I turned around to see mom frowning. I don't think she realized that as much as they talk about death and pain, they're just about the nicest group at the whole school. They sure stuck by her more than my friends. Though goth's sticking by someone who can safely remove their own arm doesn't really sound that unlikely. Then again they are perfectly civil to me, almost friendly. Or maybe they were friendly, but I wasn't goth so didn't get it. I put the steak back on the table near the door. I was wearing the black and white checkerboard pajamas I bought with Beth one day. They were my favorite pair. Strangely mom was still wearing work clothes.

"Mom, why are you still in work clothes?"

"Oh, your father and I have some things we need to discuss, and while it's more fun, we usually don't get to really talk about the important things when half naked."

"Talk, about what?"

"Well you actually. Things seem to be getting worse, not better."

"Yea Mom, I know. But honestly things really have been pretty much the same for a while. I mean Gina will be about the only girl who doesn't hate me, more of the guys will be hostile because I won't have sex with them again…"

"Really, but I thought…"

"Hey, if they're bad, sex crazed or not, why should I waste my time."

Mom giggled. "Oh dear. If your father heard you…"

"But he won't. So just general stuff about me then."

"Well, there is also Yova."

"Yea, Yova."

"I don't think it's that bad, but I am a little worried too. Your father is very nervous about the whole thing of course. Why don't you say goodnight to Zelly, she said she had to talk to you and wouldn't go to sleep until she did."

"Yea, sure thing mom."

"Try to make it quick, it's already past her bedtime."

"Okay, probably some little thing anyway. She might not even remember what she wanted by the time I ask her."

Mom laughed. I walked though the living room and down the hall. First I passed my room. Then I looked in to Val and Yova's room to see Yova in there, this time talking on the phone. Mom and Dad's room was across the hall. I then walked past the bathroom to the door at the end of the hall. I opened the fairly small room to see it empty. I smiled and walked up to the empty bed.

"Hmm, I thought mom said a little fairy wanted to talk to me, I don't see anyone in here."

I felt a weight land on my back. I smiled, and pulled the little girl on my back off and set her down on her bed. The butterfly wings didn't allow her to fly, but it seemed to give her quite the jump. Zelly was wearing yellow pajamas with cute cartoon monkeys on them. Her wings were mainly purple, above, white below, and black spots here and there. Her hair was also that same pinkish white it's been since she came out of her cocoon. Temporary my ass. She had always looked cute, and now she was even cuter. She smiled.

"You got me again. So, what do you want to talk to me about?"

"Huh? Oh, I remember. I thought about asking Val or Yova, but then decided you would be best."

"Why not mom?"

"She wouldn't know."

I sighed. "So it's freak girl talk then?"

She nodded. I sat down beside Zelly. I suddenly had the feeling this definitely wasn't a little thing. I also had the feeling I wasn't going to enjoy it, unlike most of the time I spent with the little one.

"It's a bad thing, isn't it Zelly?"

She nodded. "Some of the girl's are being mean."

"I'm sure they're just jealous."

"Mom said the same thing, but she couldn't really explain."

"Well that's simple. You like butterflies and fairy's right?"

"Unicorns are better, but yea."

I looked around. There were indeed far more pictures of unicorns, and more than a few unicorn toys and stuffed animals. Cute little cats and dragons were also about. There were fairies, but usually they just happened to be with something else. Zelly was very fond of the cute. The only way the room could be any more girly is if she actually liked pink. I was quite happy that only Yova and mom could even stand the color. Mainly mom limited it to negligees, and Yova at least only to her wardrobe. Beth said I looked really cute in pink, and in a way I did, but I still hate it.

"The point is most girls do, at least a little, some a lot. Val does for instance."

"Really?"

"Yea, but most of her fairy stuff is too adult for you to see."

"So, it's porn?"

"No, that's not really the problem. It's more a matter of violence."

"Eww, I don't want to see a bunch of blood and guts. Why does Val like that gross stuff."

"I dunno either exactly. The point is they wish they had the wings, they wish their hair was weird, and I think they all wish they had the boys attention like you do."

"Really? One girl called me an attention hog, but none of them mentioned the boys. Most of them still really think boys are yucky, even if they act all grown up."

I laughed. "Yea, I suppose that is reading in my own experience a bit too much."

"Huh?"

"It means the girls at my school are jealous because the boys are paying attention to me so much, but you're a little young for that. They just want attention from anyone, though girls are supposed to mature a bit faster than boys, so maybe I'm not entirely wrong."

"Uh, shouldn't you know?"

"You would think, but no, I was what you call a late bloomer, and even then it wasn't a whole lot of blooming. But we both know boys and sex are things you can talk to mom about."

"Yea."

"Actually you already talked to mom about this, didn't you, so do you really want?"

She looked away. I shifted a bit on the bed, and looked her strait in the eyes when she looked back toward me again.

"Come on Zelly." "Why do I have to be so different. I like my wings but…"

She smiled, but was already starting to cry. I held her. She then began to really cry and I pulled her tighter. I was crying too. It really wasn't fair. There might be more to this, something she really wanted to know that I can tell her, but I don't think I'm going to hear it tonight.

The headache was a monster of thing. It was really getting steadily better, but it still sucked. The pounding had started the moment I had gotten up this morning. I had my head down on the recycled plastic picnic table. The grey plastic with multicolored flecks was strangely soothing.

"Ooo, you don't look well."

"I agree."

I briefly looked up to see Gina and Cal, as expected. I waved, and put my head down again. It was still almost dark as everyone mulled around the school grounds, waiting for the first bell.

"I don't feel well either. I'm thinking about taking some painkillers, but I don't want to use any of the new stuff, just in case my claws finally coming out really is as bad as they think it might be. Though if it's really, really bad I guess I'll have to use that pen looking thing, won't I?"

"You sure it's not the medication, like last time."

"Nah, if anything taking the new cocktail seemed to help. Though my breasts feel weird now."

"What do you mean weird?" said Cal

"So you are interested in her breasts."

"Just sorta tingly, hardly noticed it with the headache." I said

"Okay, let me see what I still have."

"Gina, what do you mean…" began Cal

Gina then dropped her backpack on the table. I didn't bother to look up, but I could guess why Cal had suddenly shut up. Her bag had a section full of pill bottles. Most were only technically prescription, not a controlled substance so much as specially formulated to fix some issue or another. I heard Cal gasp. I guess he might not know that, and maybe a few other things, now that I think of it.

"Are those all painkillers?"

"What, why would you even think…" Began Gina

"Most are not even restricted in any way. I'm not human, so need special formulations of stuff."

"But that still doesn’t explain…" he started, then, cut himself off. "I mean you can't just carry that kind of stuff around school."

"Actually, you can. The only reason Gina has it is she's my buddy. They started the program with me, but they've since expanded it as more people have issues. Though I'm still the most obvious."

"Oh yea, and they also altered the dress code. There are actually quite a few other kids who have fur, feather, or scales, or extra limbs, or whatever else. They just have the good sense to hide it."

"Wait, seriously?"

"I tried at one point, but I have a tendency to lose clothes, sometimes permanently."

I then laughed. It hurt. I really hope this isn't anything serious. I've had the occasional weird headache before, but this seems so much worse. If I'm lucky it will go away in less than an hour like all the others. Actually aren't they always in the morning like this?

"Oh, I remember the one time that guy hid your pants and then taunted you about it. If he ran just a bit faster I bet he would have kept his pants too."

"I think I still have those actually. Wore them the whole day, and for some reason he never complained."

"Probably just too embarrassed to say a girl knocked him unconscious with one kick."

Gina then handed me a bottle. It said to take two if pain becomes serious. I think it was for when my tail was still growing in. This felt way worse, but I only grabbed one and swallowed it. I then decided I need some water and quickly walked over to a water fountain, bumping someone a bit on the way.

"Sorry about that I…"

"I would expect no less from you."

I sighed, took a drink of water and turned around. Deborah Harrison had been a good friend once, but we had been drifting apart for a while. Longer than Beth and I had been, I think. It's so much clearer in retrospect. Then things got really bad. The prim and proper black girl was striking with her white hair. Her storm costume last year was awesome. Forgetting to take off your socks resulted in at least white hair so often it was actually a checkbox for hair color now. I'm still surprised other was also added as an option for hair so quickly. She was wearing a nice yellow dress that was anything but low cut, but still gave you enough of an idea of her curves to attract the boys. She wasn't especially curvy, but she was tall, and tended to look elegant, even in jeans and a T-shirt.

"Hey Debbie, sorry about that again, just took a painkiller and really wanted something to drink. Guess I should have thought of that before."

"Of course you should have you little whore."

I sighed. "Yea, yea. Doesn't matter how little control I have, it's still a horrible sin, and while you're no more a virgin than I am…"

"No more a…"

"Okay, so maybe you're more a virgin, but you sure aren't one."

"The point is you clearly…"

"I told you, heard it all before. Spare me Debbie."

"Stop calling me that. I am not a whore."

I tilted my head the side a bit. Rather to my embarrassment a little "mew" escaped my lips. But Deb looked much more nervous. I had started calling her Debbie by accident, and had kept doing it since she had said some really horrible things to me. It wasn't that long ago she had finally given up trying to correct me. I was thinking I might start calling her Deb again, but that was certainly an odd reaction. Deb then turned around and left.

"Hmm, why am I even wasting my time with you."

"Good question little miss perfect. I mean doesn't that lunatic preacher you follow say…"

"Pah. Please, that fool really is a lunatic, and I don't know why mom listens to a word he says. Ultimately this is still a failure of will power on your part. A test from god you are failing, and badly."

I glared at her. She took a step back. I don't know why she hated it so much, but I definitely wasn't going to be calling her Deb anytime soon.

"How dare you say that. How dare you accuse me of not doing everything I can? I don't want to be like this, I just am. I don't have a choice, I can't help it."

"Please, we know you don't…"

"You think if I was locked in a room somewhere I would care. You think I could stop myself if the only person available was that old letch Mr. Vander, I wouldn't do him?"

"Uh…"

"Oh, you don't, do you? That's one of the reasons they still let me go to this school you little moron, because things could be so much worse if they just tried to keep me locked up all the time."

"But you can help it, you slept with…"

"Yea, I did sleep with Beth's precious Mark, but you know why, because like I've said a hundred times the jerk said they'd broken up. I wasn't even going after him. He came up to me when he noticed me eyeing some other guy. I still have freedom of choice when I'm in heat, but not having sex is not an option."

She looked at me, and just stared. Then I noticed a few tears.

"I'm so sorry. I didn't, I thought…" She began. "I have to go."

Deb then briefly hugged me, released me, turned around then ran in the opposite direction. Okay, now I'm confused. I'm clearly missing something here. The bell then rang, and everyone started off to their classes. I turned around to get my book bag. My headache was not any better.

The headache had finally gone away. For a while that odd tingling in my breasts seemed worse, but that seems to have faded too. Now it was despite putting on extra cream my hands still itched. It seemed to be getting worse. So far I was doing a pretty good job not scratching. On the other hand I hadn't gone into heat even a little. I seemed to be noticing guys a bit more, almost like I was, but I wasn't really thinking about having sex with anyone. Though that always makes history more interesting.

"Now class, can anyone tell me the event that triggered the most recent LA riots. You should all know this. It's simple as can be."

Ms. Harcourt was often called Ms. Hardcourt, and Ms. Hardass, but never to her face. She dressed conservatively, wore glasses, and was blonde. She's not someone who would make an impression if you met her on the street, but she sure does if you spend any time with her. I was happy to see Cal in the same class. I raised my hand and a long silence followed.

"Yes Ms. Garrison, I would hope you would. So class, with that little hint do any of you have an answer."

There was a long pause.

"Yes Ms. Valencio, I see your hand, you don't have to keep waving it like a mad woman. Obviously you should be well aware of this as well. Come now, anyone else. I've been more than generous with this question, so I hope one of you…" She the paused and pointed. "You there."

"Uh, it was the disenfranchised being fed up with the status quo and…" began Beth.

"That's enough Ms. Buckley."

"But…"

Elizabeth. I had called her my friend, though now I can't remember what I ever liked about her. Nessa had actually introduced us. I turned around. She was wearing a white jacket over some frilly looking pink shirt, and designer jeans of some sort that probably cost more than my whole outfit even though part of it had to be custom made. Her hair was brilliant red, and seemed to gleam. I was always jealous of her hair, and still am actually. My wild mane now has body and shine, but she still can get it to lie flat without any effort. I also know her hair still had to be just as soft. Silk stockings in her case resulted in beautiful incredibly strong hair. I can almost hate her just for that, but that would make me feel terribly guilty. Luckily there are plenty of other reasons to hate her, far less petty.

"An intelligent sounding answer isn't everything, and though such a generic statement could cover countless possibilities, and in this case it is utterly wrong. Now, since no one else has a remotely sensible answer, would you be so kind as to enlighten us all Ms. Garrison?"

"It was me."

"Oh please, how vain." Said Beth

"Possibly Ms. Buckley, but it is also far more accurate than your horrendous attempt. However it is a little brief. Surely you can clarify?"

I nodded. I looked back to see Beth scowling, and Cal staring at me. Maybe Cal being in this class wasn't such a good thing.

"As the first person to be confirmed to have visible animal traits, I was singled out as being a sign of god's displeasure by a preacher in LA. He also said some things about casting out evil, and uncovering darkness, and some other nonsense. Eventually he worked a crowd up so much they stormed out as a mob."

"Very good. They killed various people in the name of purging them. In only one case did anyone actually have any sort of outward sign, a small cow-like tail. There were also a very large number of rapes, but the chaos that descended upon the city made it unclear who was actually committing such acts, and why. This is far from old news, and when this class started you were told current events would be covered, and would be part of your grade."

"But who cares what that freak…"

"Ms. Buckley. I should not have to remind you not to say things like that. I have sent you to the principal for such things more than enough times. You should know better by now. Then again you seem to have considerable trouble actually learning anything, so maybe I'm wrong."

I briefly turned around to see Beth glare at Ms. Harcourt.

"Since all of you seem to be so utterly clueless, I will put at least one question about this incident on the next test, and it won't be the same question either. I trust at least two of you will get it right."

I could almost feel the eyes of all the kids in class boring into me. Cal wasn't glaring at least. The worst thing is it reminded me there was at least one college textbook that would have my name in it. Will had told me to try to cheer me up, but being mentioned as the cause of a riot is not the way I want to be remembered, especially not at the cat-girl that started a riot just by being such a freak.

"So this you being first thing really isn't right?"

Cal was sitting across from me. Gina was still in line. Cal had gotten here fast it seems, already eating his lunch.

"The key word there is confirmed. The real heart of the matter is doctors kept assuming everything was a weird birth defect. I mean Yova was born with hooves."

"Really, but I thought the chances of…"

"Remember, it's all sex, so with my parents only my older sister is unaffected."

"Because she's too old, right?"

"Right, they probably did some freaky ass thing when they conceived her too, but she was born before April 11, 2004, so it doesn't matter."

"No one has any idea why that day yet, do they?"

"No, though they did narrow it down to 3:26 PM Greenwich Mean Time. If you were born during that minute or after, you are effected, one minute earlier and you're not."

"Huh, never heard that before."

"That reminds me. Which member of your family has the problem, cuase you seem ill-informed to be a doctor's kid."

"Huh, what do you mean by that?" Cal asked

"Simple. The only two types of people that move here are doctors that want to get in on the research with uncle Will, or families that have a problem and think that living here will help find a solution faster."

"You mean that's wrong?"

"No, It's basically right, but they often confuse fast with faster. So who is it, little brother?"

"Yea, he has some issues. Dad said not to talk to it about anyone though. I figure you might know in a week or so despite that."

"Nah, Uncle Will is good with patient/client privilege. Wish he was a little less good actually. Nessa is having some weird issues, and I really wish I knew what they were."

"You mean Vanessa, that girl who's always wearing the big coat?"

I nodded.

"She's in one of my classes. She said a bunch of weird things today."

"Weird how?"

"Inappropriate, overly hostile, or just plain opposite of what she just said. She claimed it's nothing, but eventually the teacher sent her to the nurse anyway."

Gina then came back with both our meals, handing me my tray first. Cal put his hand on his chin a moment, then held up one finger.

"Wait, is there actually a good reason you don't get your own lunch?"

"Yea, some joker always pulls my tail. After awhile I just got sick of it."

"I'm happy to help. It's not like a big deal. I used to get her lunch sometimes before anyway. Though it was nice to have other people get my lunch too."

"Gina, if you really want to you could…"

"No, I'm sticking by you. Besides, I never liked Beth, not even a little. I mean I miss Reona and Nessa sometimes, but…"

"So do I. Sometimes I even miss Debbie."

"Yea, I don't so much."

I screeched as someone pulled my tail. I turned around to see Beth standing there smirking. I didn't like how catlike it wounded, even if it made sense for the instincts regarding my tail to be wholely wired like a cat. Debbie was behind her, and Nessa was also nearby. She seemed to be clutching her shoulders, and they looked strangely lumpy.

"Just like the little monster you are Nari. Can't even properly scream anymore."

"Oh shut it Beth. All this hatred over some lying sack of…"

"Be quiet, I know you seduced him."

"Mark came after me. I mean come on, what finally convinced me is smelling another girl on him I didn't recognize. Never have figured out who actually."

She glared at me. I ignored her and looked at Maria trying to hide behind Beth, flinching every time either of us yelled. Maria was short, had dark, nearly black hair, and thick glasses. She also tended to wear sweaters and long baggy pants. When she did wear short sleeves it was always a T-shirt, and almost always some comic book character, or some obscure geek quote. Basically she screamed nerd. She actually had a pretty good body, but was too shy to deal with the attention she got, so only her friends knew how good she could look if she bothered. She also happened to have recently acquired a pair of bear ears on the top of her head. She looked away as she realized I was looking at her.

"Are you bothering me for any particular reason Beth, or do you really just have nothing better to do."

"You deserve much worse, but I do have a reason, namely to warn that handsome boy sitting there about you. I want to warn him…" she began, then looked directly at him instead of me. "Oh, sorry dear. I really should ask your name first."

"Callum, and I have been well informed of the dangers, and fully understand them and some other dangers that have little to do with her condition. So, since there is no further need of your presence, I suggest you leave us all alone."

Beth took a step back, then clenched her fists together. Nessa started humming, something about it sounding very odd, and she turned around. Debbie looked away from me, and Maria as always looked away when the yelling started.

"Fine, stay with the stupid inhuman monster and her sidekick. Don't come crying to me when…"

I just began to laugh, so did Gina.

"What's so funny you stupid…"

"You're just as, inhuman as me you dumb bitch, that's what."

"No, I'm not, I may have the extra pair of chromosomes just like you but that doesn't mean…"

"The what now?"

Beth and I both stared at Callum. He has to be kidding right. I mean there is no way he couldn't know, is there? He seems like a smart guy, he must know.

"Hah, maybe you do deserve her if you don't know at least that."

"Cal, all human beings born since that day have an extra pair of chromosomes. They don't clearly do anything, and their position jammed in the middle makes no sense, and shouldn't be able to be responsible for everything, or at least…"

"Freaks like Nari here. Something as simple as my own odd hair makes some sense though."

"However it's position and structure, while different from other chromosomes making it clear it isn't just some error, otherwise makes no sense."

"I know all that, what I don't get is how that makes me less human." Said Cal

"It doesn't of course, Nari is just being stupid."

"No I'm not, a pair of chromosomes is a big deal. We're an entire generation far more removed from the rest of humanity than chimpanzees are."

"Yes, but most of us aren't freaks."

"Are you really sure, or am I just an early bloomer, and we're all freaks."

"Oh please. Foolish hopes to drag the rest of us down to your level. Giving into your urges and desires just like your deviate parents, and playing the price, just as they did."

Beth then turned and walked off. Maria, Debbie, and Nessa followed. Nessa was still humming, and was smiling. Only Reona was missing out of the group. Cal watched them leave and shook his head.

"She really used to be your friend?"

"Yea, but even since the fur started coming in things have been strained, and then that jerk Mark finished off what little good was left. She had already started ragging on me before then."

"Yea, but only after Mark did she start with the really bad stuff."

"I guess. Let's just eat okay, I don't really want to talk about anything for awhile."

She nods, and so did Cal.

Cal was looking at me funny. He still wasn't done, and neither was Gina. Both were close, but I had always been a fast eater. I had been explaining things for a while, with only the occasional interruption. He smiled a few times between bites.

"Okay, so that's a pretty good overview of the cases, which fits the pattern. First you have almost no deformities whatsoever. I mean I had a bit of a tail when born, but it just looked like a normal, albeit rare condition. My first younger sister joins the growing number of children mysteriously born without an appendix, but otherwise normal."

"Peh, she's anything but that now." Added Gina

"Yea, but neither am I, and that's jumping ahead."

"The, undead, you mean."

"Yea, that's a misnomer though, I mean nothing weird happens until you start sticking stuff in them, it's only then where they keep on living without a heart and such."

"Wait, I've never heard that before."

"Oops."

I felt myself blush. I really didn't mean to say that. I should downplay it and move on quick as possible. Uncle Will is trying to put off publishing anything on undead as long as possible to avoid panic. I don't think he's going to find anything to dull the panic, but the waiting can't hurt.

"Man Nari, that was a slip up." Said Gina

"So I'm not supposed to know?"

"Not really. Eventually it will get out, but for now, trying to keep it low key. However getting back on track, Val looked normal, but Yova was born with hooves. This is systematic of a progression. Also while Yova has been slipping a bit for years, now suddenly Zelly does this thing with the cocoon, and ends up with wings. I did tell you about that right?"

Cal just nods, having food in his mouth.

"That’s what that comment meant. It seems to me like a progression of something, lets call it magic for lack of a better term. It seem to be increasing since the incident, whatever it might be, though the actual nature of the damage doesn't change."

"Damage?"

"Oh, yea, that the incident caused some sort of damage to the universe, which caused Lamarck's curse, and the leak of magic powering the odd bits of the curse, such as allowing cloth and wire to be confused for flesh and blood ears. As time goes on increasingly odd bits of our inheritance activate, possibly earlier as well, in Yova's case since birth. Though it was only a few years ago Will figured out they were actually hooves. It took a while before they really configured themselves right."

"So things could get worse for me."

I nodded.

"The really scary thing is they could get worse for anyone at all, and much worse." Added Gina

"But it's just your little theory right?" asked Cal

"It's not mine, just one I like. I forget who came up with it, but I unfortunately think it fits."

"Wait, doesn't that mean in a way the human race is going extinct?" said Cal

"Technically, though I bet we won't accept that until they're all gone, so it won't really matter."

"I mean I never though about it that way, but it makes sense. It's really a weird idea to think I'm not human. I knew all that stuff about the extra chromosomes, but never thought that."

"Yea, well being visibly lacking in humanity makes me think about it a lot."

Cal laughed. I smiled too. Val then came up to us. She was holding her right arm. I sighed and bent down to rummage through my backpack. I pulled out a spool of thread and a needle a moment later. Val sat down at the table and placed her arm on the table. When she took off the hand there was as I expected a huge gash. The cut was even halfway through the bone. I took a quick peek, and sure enough Cal was staring. As I thread the needle I looked at the veins in her arm, still full of blood, just mysteriously unmoving. I held one half closer, and she pushed the other half together. I then began to stitch it together.

"Really Val. I mean I know you've become fond of this sort of thing, but try to think of the consequences beforehand. If you cut the tendons in your right arm you can't really sew yourself back together."

"Are you okay Cal?" said Gina

"Yes, you look pale, and didn't look so before." Added Val

"How can that not hurt, I mean I know that…"

"It hurts, but that's okay." Said Val

"Yea, Val here sorta routes most pain through her pleasure center, so it hurts, but also doesn't. Right sis?"

Val nodded.

"Okay, then second question, shouldn't the blood…"

"Yes, but it doesn't." I said

"Ah, I think I see…sorta."

I finished stitching up the arm. Val held it up, and after a few seconds started flexing her fingers. She then smiled and ran off. I shook my head and put the thread away. Cal stared in her direction a few seconds, then shook his head.

"I don't think I'm really dealing with this all that well. Why should she have her pain routed though…" he began, then got a wide eyed look as he trailed off. "Wait, but that doesn't make any sense, why should what they were doing make any difference?"

"State of mind. I may be with the minority that it makes a difference, but I say it does."

"But wouldn't that mean just about any role-playing even with no weird props could result in…"

I nodded, and he paled again. I think he finally got the point I was getting at. I then scratched my head. Why the heck did I feel it necessary to impart that information to him? I mean he didn't know, but that alone isn't really a good enough reason. I noticed Cal had pushed his food tray a bit I saw a chance to lighten the mood a bit.

"So, a little bit of gore is enough to put you off your food?"

"Yea, so what."

"Well it didn't stop Gina."

Gina let out a confused "mruph?" holding the last of her pizza in one hand as she chewed. Cal started laughing, as did I. Gina just looked even more confused.

Reona was trying to ignore me. Mark being the only other person at the table made that difficult. I was trying to ignore Mark. Strangely he definitely looked good, but I didn't feel like I was really going into heat. He was a blonde guy with movie star looks, but so generic as to be forgettable. He was also the star power forward on the basketball team, and wore the jacket everywhere. I would say he never took it off, but I knew better. In fact as far as I could tell if anyone was having more sex in this school than I was, it was him. He was staring at me, or at least my cleavage. There was a time he wouldn't give me a second look, and I missed those times at the moment. Reona had seemed to dislike Mark the moment Beth started dating him, and from the glare she was giving him, that hadn't changed.

"I know it's tempting with the way she dresses lately, but just stop it already."

"Oh, miss high and mighty is suddenly defending her? I thought Beth said to hate her, and aren't you her crony. Or have you finally realized when she says jump, you can just say screw you?"

I turned to see Reona frown. Her skin was slivery, but truly black hair and face made her asian heritage obvious. Her being unusually tall was probably the result of her last name being Masters, and her dad being as old English as the name suggests. She was one of the few girls almost as tall as I was. Her hair was long, and she had such delicate features, but like me she had wanted to be a bit more busty. In fact there were even a few people who called names for being so thin.

"Just shut up Mark."

"The stick is telling me to shut up? Tell me why I should listen to some bulimic…"

"I'm not bulimic you ass."

"Yea, she's just naturally thin, if you really cared at all."

"Oh please, like you'd really know."

"Are you kidding, of course I'd know. Your grades are good, but I have a 4.3 average. Next year I might even do better than that with a full honors load. Let me tell you, having almost all your friends abandon you really frees up time to study."

Reona laughed, then frowned. The funny thing is Reona was mad at me before my first heat, so it was no surprise she sided with Beth. Over time she seems to slowly be forgiving me, but she's not there yet. I didn't understand what I had done at the time, but know that I do I don't blame her for hating me for it. It was a really stupid thing to do.

"Sorry again, I really am. I really should have known better but…"

"Save it. You've apologized enough. It tires me." she said

"Come on girls, lets all get along."

"Shut up Mark." we both said in unison.

"Jeeesh, why you harshing on me."

"Why?" I said

"Maybe because despite being smart enough, you're lazy." Said Reona

"Yea. Your lazy ass didn't contribute anything. We never actually really talked over things, but Reona at least brought some research."

"Hey, it's like you said, we never really discussed it, and you just went and did the whole report one night, so now whenever we get time like this we can just chill."

The weird thing is I remember why I did it quite clearly, but at the same time it doesn't make sense. I know after the first day of us being paired up Reona or I would end up doing it ourselves, and I couldn't count on actually talking to her, so I would probably have to do it myself. She handed me some research the next day, and would for a few days. Then one night I went into heat when I was thinking how long it would take. I remember thinking it was too late to get out of the house, and then decided instead of just looking at porn all night like normal I'd do the report. I finished the whole project that night, and it's even already been graded. It was an A, and supposedly one of the best papers Mr. Caldore had ever seen.

"Be that as it may, you are still a louse."

"Yea, and liar. Beth is just as responsible for believing you over me, but you're still at least half of the reason things ended up this way." I said

"Yes, and you well know what you did to me."

"What are you talking about I didn't…"

The glare she gave him silenced him. I couldn't really see her face, but Mark could, and he went pale at the sight. I'd never really heard her say he did something to her specifically, but she has implied it. I wonder what he did exactly. I suddenly had a fun idea.

"Oh, and another thing, despite his good looks, and skill in bed…"

Mark beamed at this. I smiled too.

"…he's surprisingly small."

"Really, you mean it's…" began Reona

"What!"

Sucker. Everyone briefly looked at him, and though I couldn't see him Mr. Caldore probably wore a disapproving glower. The weird thing is Reona seemed to know exactly where I was going. I really wouldn't expect her to know, but people do change, and I've only known her since high school. He was a little small, but only because as far as I could tell the average penis size had gone up. Novelty condoms and similar things could be responsible for a few things, though mostly I had to assume it being the mental effect I expected to exist. Most guys would imagine themselves a bit bigger I bet. He has already turned a bit red and has his brow all pulled together.

"Look it's not…"

"Yes, it is. I've seen smaller, but it is undersized."

"So it's not my imagination, huh." said Reona

"Look, would you two just shut up."

"Oh Mark." I said, and smiled. "It's really not that big a deal. I mean you use what you have so much better than those twice your size. I mean if you weren't such a doucebag and still dating Beth, I might actually have sex with you again."

"Shut up you bitch it's not…"

"She would know, don't you think Mark." added Reona

"Damn it. I don't have a small dick!"

This time he hadn't just raised his voice a little, he had yelled. Everyone was staring at him. He turned beet red, and hunched forward, pulling his shoulders together. Reona and I started laughing at almost the same time. I think the rest of the class soon followed.

The gang was all here. Reona and Deb were standing there looking varying degrees of aloof. Deb stood as far away from Reona as possible because she knows how short it makes her look. Nessa looked a little out of place with the coat now, but whatever oddity the curse had given her, most probably still remembered her before the coat. Maria looked like the token nerd the girls kept around to do their homework, especially the way she always seemed to hover behind Beth. Only Deb might actually need any help. I still don't get the hypocrisy of calling me a freak, but never turning on Maria, but maybe they really are as good friends as Maria thinks they are. I decided to never call her on it, as I really don't want to do anything that could mess with that poor shy girl. Beth was glaring at me. Stupid Mark.

"So let me guess, he told you how mean I was to him?"

"Yes, you stupid little whore."

"It really was his own fault, we were both talking at a low reasonable level." Said Reona

"Reona, I don't want to hear it. Especially since you won't even tell me why you don't like my darling Mark. What could you possibly have against him?"

Reona just shrugged. Nessa was humming again, though she seemed to be having a hard time keeping the tune. It was weird, she was usually pretty musical, why have trouble with something so simple? It was some classical music piece. She wasn't very fond of humming though. She whistled various tunes, but rarely hummed. Even weirder it almost sounded like someone else was humming the harmony. Beth shot a nasty look at Reona, then was glaring at me again.

"Why can't you just stay out of my life you little freak. You've already…"

"I'm not the one who won't leave you alone." I said

"Really, then what to you call…"

"I admit I was baiting him a bit, but it really was Mark's own fault."

"Hmm, I suppose I shouldn't expect anything better from you. Your whole family is perverse."

I growled. It was especially deep this time. Beth just smiled and raided an eyebrow. Debbie took a step back. It sounded less like a tiger, and more like something else, something even bigger and scarier. Everyone else in the hall seemed to stop and watch us.

"Nari." Said Gina from behind me

"It's okay Gina, really."

"Oh, I wouldn't say so, I mean just look at your first sister, she's fallen in with those loser goths, and while isn't half a big a slut as you are, she does seem to be doing her best. I guess she just doesn't have your natural talent for it Nari."

"What did you say?"

I was pissed, and my hands suddenly felt numb somehow. Other kids were slowly forming a circle around us. I felt Gina grab my left arm.

"You heard me, or are those extra ears you're so proud of less functional then you claim."

"No, I mean I must be mishearing. Because you can tease me all you want but…"

"Aww, you care about the rest of your slutty sisters? How sweet."

"Beth, you are taking this too far." said Reona

"Yes, this is rather rude." Added Deb.

Nessa hummed louder.

"Beth." Began Gina. "You really should lay off, don't you remember when…"

"Oh please. I suppose it is a bit rude, but it's the truth. This is a planned community, and the schools even share an athletic field. It's really obvious that hoofed sister of your's…"

"Yova." Added Deb

"It doesn't really matter. It's clear she's a slut in training."

At this I just hung my head. I wasn't happy about it, but it almost seemed to be true. I still looked up again and sneered at Beth, but I had limited hope that it wasn't true.

"Of course it looks like even the youngest, Zelly was it, is the same. She's such a cute little girl, but she already has a trail of boys chasing her. I wonder how long it will take for her to lose her…"

"How dare you!"

Gina had a good grip on my left arm, but I was still pretty close to Beth. I slapped her with my right as hard as I could. Beth didn't take the hit well, Reona and Maria kind of caught her as she fell to the floor, but she still ended up on her butt. She held her left hand over her right eye, but I could see where I had struck her was not just a red mark, but four deep red bleeding slashes. Four slashes that went from her lower left cheek, under her hand where I couldn't actually see them, up to past her right eye. I held up my right hand to see thick white spikes sticking out the end's of my fingertips.

"You bitch. What the hell did you cut me with? I can't believe you were carrying around a weapon just so you could…"

"Beth, that isn't it." said Reona

"What do you mean that isn't…"

"She means, it took awhile, but kitty finally has her claws." I said

I closed and opened my hand. They didn't seem to retract, though thinking about it, I could just not know how. Beth pulled her hand away from her eye and blinked. It didn't look like I'd nicked it, and the cuts had already stopped, so they probably weren't really that deep in the first place.

"I am sorry about the cuts Beth, but you deserved that slap."

"Yes, I must agree. It was most improper, even if you are right." Said Deb

"Thinking twice about it would have been a good idea." Added Reona

"Yea, stop being such a moron."

Beth turned to Nessa. This time she started whistling, and someone seemed to be harmonizing with her. I just looked at my own hand again. The flesh near my claws looked flayed, like I could just peel it off. Is that why my hands feel sort of numb, because I can? The odd thing is they look like strait spikes, instead of curved blades. They don't look like cat claws.

"I'll get you for this freak. I'll get you arrested. You think you can get away with this just because your parents were huge perverts?"

"Beth, it doesn't take that much. I mean Reona's mom was just fond of some chain-mail jewelry."

"Don't compare her to you. Your parents were different. You're different. You're a monster. An inhuman thing, not some…"

"Oh shut it." I said

"Beth, that's way too harsh."

Reona and Deb nodded as Gina said it. Nessa was whistling again, and this time I was sure she was the source of a three-part harmony. Somehow she was doing three separate tones, yet they were in harmony. However it cracked a few times, and then stopped altogether, all 3 tones hitting a sour note at once. I scratched my head.

"Oh fuck it. Forget it. It's just not worth the effort." She said

"Nessa?" said Beth

"Forget it Beth. I've had enough of this bullshit. You're being such a bitch. I can't believe you actually said that. So ya know what…" she said, then seemed to interrupt herself. "I am so mad right now. I don't care anymore. I'm not going to…" she began, but again interrupted herself "fucking hide it anymore, and I'm not going to hold my tongue because we've been friends for so long."

I then realized only part of the time her lips were actually moving. Then she took off the coat and threw it over Beth. Everyone else gasped, including me. Nessa had 2 extra heads. They weren't human heads, more like snakes coming out of her neck. I had figured it was more than just the shoulder pads and collar that were hiding things, but not only was the big collar the point, the shoulder pads weren't really that at all. They had yellow scales, and even had eyes and teeth. I was also fairly certain they could talk. I had sudden questions about exactly why they said what they did, but knew I wasn't going to get the chance to ask them. The two heads had been lying quite flat, but now they reared up.

"Man, let me tell you is this ever a relief. I mean do you have idea how uncomfortable that coat was?"

"Are they real?" said Deb

Nessa and I both glared at her in response. Nessa with all three heads. Deb took a step back. Beth seemed to be struggling with the coat not finding a good way to remove it. Except the coat was fairly big, but not particularly complex and had landed on Beth lining down, so all the fasteners she could catch her hair on would be on the outside. What was the problem?

"Seriously Deb…" began Nessa "That was a really dumb question." she continued, one of the side heads finishing the thought. "You really should be able to just tell, and even if you couldn't why would I hide these babies under cover all this time if they weren't real. They are awesome, don't you think?"

None of us moved or said anything, except Beth, who was still struggling with the coat. One of the heads then snaked in front of Nessa and she gave it a good scratch under the chin. She smiled as she did so. I found myself nodding. The heads really were impressive looking snakes, and I had a feeling would get even more impressive. I also noticed their scales were beginning to cover the area around the base of her neck as well. I imagine they will continue to spread as time goes on.

"Please don't tell me all this time you've just been hiding a second pair of breasts under this coat Doubbletree. That would really piss me off."

We all laughed at that.

"No Beth, that's not it." Siad Nessa. "If you would just stop being such a phyco about messing your hair…" like before, one of the snakes added, before the other interrupted "I mean seriously, you've been crazy paranoid about your hair lately. You could see for yourself."

Nessa then pulled off the coat with a flourish. Sure enough Beth immediately covered her head, then began messing with her hair. Her literally silky hair rarely ever tangled, and even when it did they would usually come apart with a single brushing. But there was something off about the hair on the top of her head. I couldn't figure out what exactly before it just went away on it's own, but there was definitely something that messed with the part on the top of her head. At first Beth held up a fist, clearly to yell at Nessa, but then she went wide-eyed.

"You're a bigger freak than she is."

"That's it. Look, I'm hoping it changes, but for now. We're not friends anymore Beth. You've said to many stupid things, and done too many things they are just plain mean. When you appologise to everyone, and I mean not just me, but Gina, and Nari, and all the rest, then maybe we can be friends again, but until then, we're not."

Nessa then stormed off, throwing the coat over her shoulder. The head on that side was looking backwards, and barely managed to dodge the coat. But it did dodge. Those eyes definitely worked, but I have to wonder exactly whose brain their connected too.

"Now look what you've done you stupid bitch, you drove my friend away."

"What?" I said

I wasn't the only giving Beth an odd look. Reona and Deb looked just as skeptical as I felt. But then I noticed Maria. She was frowning. She was just looking at Beth frowning. Beth then got up and stormed off in the opposite direction Nessa had gone. The crowd had parted for Nessa, but there still wasn't a lot of elbow room. Beth still didn't have to push past me in the way she had. I stepped to the side so the others could pass more easily. Maria immediately followed, Deb with only the slightest hesitation, but Reona lingered for a bit at looked at me. She followed fairly soon as well, but had to run a bit to catch up. The crowd quickly thinned out once it was clear nothing else interesting was going to happen. Though a few boys hung around a bit longer, probably hoping I might come on to them.

Principal Gessir looked tired. Most of the time I saw him in this office he looked a little tired, but I had seen Beth leave right before I was called in. I could guess the gist of things. Beth's mom wouldn’t come in person on such short notice, but I bet she called. I can clearly picture Beth sitting there pleased as her mother yells at the principal through the speakerphone. The principal was a big man, broad shoulders, and a scar that went over his right eye. The eye that looked real enough, but never really followed you like the other one. The medals in a case hung on the wall were real. The college all star trophy on the desk was real. Gessir was in so many ways a real man's man.

"Darling, I know this isn't your fault, not really, but you do know how this was going to go right."

But he sure wasn't a ladies man. With his gruff voice and military precision still drilled into all his movements he seemed like anything but the type, but he sure wasn't kicked out of the military for a lack of courage or inability to do the job. The only things I had ever noticed is he used darling and dear more than any other man I've ever met, and when he's upset he tends to tap on his desk. It's not always a show tune, but I think they mostly are, even the ones I don't recognize. Right now it was something fairly dour I'd heard somewhere before, but no idea where. He kept having to stop himself from humming along as well. He hadn't done that before. I felt it was a bad sign.

"So how bad is this." I asked

"Well, one of the caveats of you still being here is you're not really a danger."

"Except to virginity."

He laughed. "Yes, there is that dear girl. But no kind of real physical danger, at least no more than any other unarmed 16 year old is dangerous."

"But now, it's different."

"Well, yes, but…"

He was staring at my arm again. I was picking at it, and now I had punched my claws through it. The claws on my other hand had worked themselves out as I was wringing my hands in the waiting room. I suddenly realized Beth's mom might not be the only thing upsetting the man. Gessir wore a cross around his neck. He told me the true Christian way, is a way of service, service to man, and service to god through that service. I didn't exactly have the most religious upbringing in the world, and recent events have done anything but cement my faith, but I could respect that. I could respect him. So I frowned once I realized I was causing discomfort to our poor noble overworked principal.

"You want me to stop, right?"

"It reminds me of things I would rather forget. Very bad things. Your sister is bad enough, I didn't think you had…"

"I don't, or at least didn't, though I don't think that's it. It's more like it's not quite there anymore."

"What do you mean?"

"Well I don't feel it when I poke it like this…" and pushed a claw into my skin just below the wrist. "…at all, but then I hit some sort of resistance, and I feel that."

"That almost sounds like a large amount of your outer layer of skin just died off and below that is…"

"Yea, but that almost makes it sound like I'm shedding my skin like a snake."

"Yes, in a way that almost…"

I think we both got it at the same moment. I sighed and slumped forward on the desk, and lay my head down. I hit it against the desk a few times, but the large calendar encased in plastic that covered most of the desk was a decent cushion. It almost didn't hurt at all.

"Nari, now don't be too…"

"Come on, we both know with my luck that's exactly what's happening. It's only really a question of what I'll find underneath, and if since the numbness is only on my hands and feet, does that mean they're the only places effected."

"Your feet too?"

"Yes, I didn't really notice till I walked in here though. Didn't really think much of it. After all, it only makes sense I'd get claws on my feet too, right?"

He nodded.

"So basically, I'm a danger now, so I'm screwed."

"Not necessarily. There is a case of a boy with vampire fangs, if it's in his favor..."

"My fangs are pretty impressive themselves, why were they not…"

"Well partially, they weren't an issue, because they weren't made an issue, and partially because you can't use them to actually suck the blood out of a person."

"Oh."

"I suggest you just stay away from Beth as much as possible. I'll even try harder to get her out of that last class you have together, though at this point switching classes is not remotely ideal."

"Well she's the one who seems to find me most of the time, and the one who always starts things."

"Yes, I'm aware of that, but…"

"I know, takes two to fight, both are responsible, and in this most resent one I'm the one to get in serious trouble because I slapped her first. Hopefully she's stay away for a while just out of fear."

"Hopefully. Things could get very bad if you were to hurt anyone again, no matter how accidental, or how minor. Even if it's in such a way it has nothing to do with your condition."

"Cuase then they call me a liar, and have evidence to back it up?"

He nodded. Just great. One little mistake and an already bad situation goes completely down the tubes. More stress, just what I need. I guess it's time to see what's under the skin.

Gina looked about ready to throw up. I was a little queasy, but that had very little to do with cutting into my own skin. It was all about the nervousness of not knowing what's underneath. There was a lot of blood and some pus or other unidentified things than flowed out as I cut. I decided a circle an inch or two below the wrist would be a good start. The clean cut was immediately made jagged as my skin cracked. I couldn't see too clearly because all the blood, but there was something I thought I could see clearly enough.

I washed off my right hand. Sure enough, underneath were scales. Dark green scales. They glistened in the light, and I don't think it was just the water. From a distance they would probably be a fairly unremarkable green, but close up they looked cool. I actually smiled. Sure I didn't really want them, but what's a little more physical transformation really? It's the mental effects I couldn't stand. I laughed.

"Nari, you okay?"

"Oh sure, I mean really, what's a few scales here or there. No big deal really."

"Nari."

"Gina, I'm serious. I really am. Well, maybe not entirely, but I just don't really care. Hell. I think they look pretty, lets see how far they go."

"Nari, what do you mean see how far…"

I grabbed and pulled on the edge of the dead skin. It tore a few places, but still came off in one piece. The scales almost reached my elbows at which point they petered out in a somewhat irregular line. Most the blood had clearly pooled near my hands. I don't know why free blood and whatever else ended up under there in the first place, but it clearly had. I guess not exactly like a snake. They don't lose any fluids when they molt, or not much at least. Or at least I think they don't. Gina suddenly turned and ran into one of the stalls. The noise was very familiar, and made me laugh. I frowned right after though. I really shouldn't be laughing at causing my friend to throw up.

"Ugh, Nari how can you stand…"

"I've watched a bunch of operations. How many I was supposed to watch is another matter, but I've spent a lot of time in that hospital since I was a little kid. Besides, you seem to have forgotten I have little miss fall apart as a sister. Just because she has to be separated quite a while to start actually bleeding doesn't mean I haven't seen her internal organs more times than I can count."

"Ugh…" she muttered, then clearly threw up again

"Sorry, but you asked. Obviously more so lately though. She's never been able to feel pain, but I'm not sure the stitching thing always worked, and I know her blood used to flow normally."

"Could you please change the subject. Urk."

I waited, but heard nothing else.

"Stomach empty?"

"Maybe, or maybe a close call. Please, something else, anything else."