Instinct

The practice hall was a large circular room that could easily house up to 500 people though currently it was in use by only six, its walls and floors padded to minimise the chances of injury.1

Slam! Raph's head rebounded off one wall. He shook his head to loosen the cobwebs and eyed his attacker.2

"You try that again and you're dog food mongrel."3

Wild gave him an insolent grin but his eyes were cold and fierce, "Why'd you kill her Raph?"4

Raph ran a hand through his thick ash blond hair as a mocking smile slowly spread on his face, " What do you care mutt? She was just meat."5

Wild bared his teeth "You bastard she was innocent!"6

"She was weak, now she's dead. Live with it bitch."7

Wild's eyes narrowed, his dreads flying as he shook his head in anger, the irises beginning to shift color from their usual nut brown, to a more reddish brown shade. His body already instinctively crouching as he focused on Raph's throat, in response Raph spread his legs readying himself for action, even so he couldn't block the straight right that thundered into the side of his head as Wild rushed him. He staggered back and swung an uppercut at Wild's chin but he wasn't there. Sidestepping Raph's swing Wild swept his feet out from under him and drove an knee into his belly, seizing his throat he slammed Raph's head into the floor. Thoroughly incensed now Raph's irises also began to shift into a tawny brown shade, his canines growing larger and sharper as his body filled with power. Surging to his feet he forced Wild to leap back but only for a second as his canines also extended and his irises became more red than brown. They leapt forward together and clasping palms engaged in a battle of sheer strength as they tried to overpower one another.8


"Enough!" 9

They both turned towards the sound and saw that Markus was standing at the door to the practice hall. Breathing heavily they disengaged as they recognised the Prime's son. Now that he had a moment to notice Wild became aware of the others and realised how tense everyone was, Charity's hands were balled up tight, her straw blond hair shielding her face, and Evan's muscles were bulging straining the material of his black shirt.10

"What the hell is going on!?"11

Markus walked further into the light, the bulbs reflecting off his shaved head, his coffee colored skin flushed with emotion, but his gaze remained steady and appraising. His gaze was locked on Wild's.12

"I want an answer Wild."13

Wild looked away his dreads covering his eyes as he face changed back to normal.14

"They just had a misund.." Toni began, but stopped immediately when she caught the look in Markus's topaz colored eyes.15

Turning back to look at Wild, he continued, "What's going on little brother?"16

Wild's head came up in an instant at that, his face murderous.17

"I see." Markus tilted his head to the side, "Still letting your temper rule you huh?"18

Behind Wild Raph gave a soft chuckle as he watched the tension between the escalate brothers as it often did, until Markus turned his attention to him.19

"I can probably guess what happened." Markus walked towards them. "Who did you kill Raph?"20

Raph began to twitch slightly. While he knew he could handle any of the others Markus was the first born, the Prime's pride. He knew without doubt that he couldn't beat him in a fair fight.21

"Answer me," Markus said softly as he stepped past his brother. Raph was shocked at how the air seemed to burn around Markus, how power seemed to cling to his six foot frame.22

"It was just some pathetic human that's all."23

Markus stopped in front of him and gave him a warm smile, Raph smiled back slightly relaxing until he felt the air in his lungs escape his body in a rush. He fell to his knees his eyes watering as he tried desperately to breathe. Markus yanked him to his feet with one hand as if lifting a child and grabbing him by the collar suspended him in the air. Raph looked down in surprise at his feet which were only connected to the ground by the tips of his toes.24

"Raph look at me," Markus bid him, his tone casual and still remarkably steady. "Now I don't care about who or what you kill on your own time, but your orders didn't include killing any humans did they?"25

Raph despite his better reason was infuriated that he was being humiliated in front of his inferiors as his face began to change again and struck at Markus's hand to force him to let go, but his arm connected only to bounce off. His lids widened as he tried to pull at Markus's arm. Markus added his other hand to the one on Raph's collar and completely lifted him off the ground then turned around and threw him towards the entrance. 26

Raph hit the ground with a thud. Groaning in pain he tried to get up until Markus pointed his finger at him and whispering something under his breath released what seemed to be bolts of lightning which wrapped themselves around Raph's body causing him to scream before he passed out entirely. Wild looked at Raph's prone body then at his brother, "Was that necessary?"27

"A wolf that doesn't follow orders is no good to the clan," Markus replied as he came near Wild. Glancing down at his seventeen year old brother, he bent his head to whisper, "You should know that."28

Looking around the room at the rest of them who were awed by the sheer power of the man in front of them, he gave them a happy grin, "I trust you'll all follow orders in the future." With that he walked out.29

Evan came to stand beside Wild, who though he'd always reviled suddenly seemed a lot more reliable than the others who were younger than even him.30

"What do we do?"31

Wild stared directly into the other youngster's eyes then back at Raph's body, spitting on the ground he said, "Pick that piece of shit up and get him to the witch's quarters." As he left him standing there he said over his shoulder, "He's gonna need something for his head.32

Markus walked down the corridor with a small smile threatening to break out on his face.33

"You shouldn't have interfered."34

Markus stopped as he smelt her scent, "And you shouldn't sneak up on people Robin." He turned around and had to give his mind a hard shake as he took in her tall, curvy figure. Still it was her eyes, those eyes that were more beautiful than any emerald he'd ever seen and far more flawless.35

"You were watching?"36

She walked toward him her leather miniskirt like a second skin as it clung to her hips.37

"Oh yes." She paused as she stood in front of him, a wicked smile on her face, "Your brother's a killer Markus, and when he figures that out the wonders we'll see."38

Markus said nothing as he reached out a hand and cupped her cheek, "Not yet my love, and if I have my way the Brotherhood will never get him." Bending his head as if to kiss her he gently brushed her lips, "And neither will you." 39

Turning his back on her he made to walk away but behind him he heard, "He can't deny who he is, who his father made him, so watch your back my love."