Nimbus

"Zypher, past tha time it be fer choosin a nexus ye." Xavier looked at his charge with a critical eye. "Nimbus o'de clan yur sire be. Choosin yur duty be."

Zypher nodded. He knew his duty, it had been ingrained in him. "Ach, Xavier, me Nimbus knowin why me nexus named not be." Zypher looked at the older clansman. "Chosen be he."

"What name be called he?"

"Cygnet, Cygnet Cylc."

"By the devels and daemans! a Cylc be choosin ye yur nexus to be?"

Zypher nodded. He had the same reaction from his sire.

"Mad ye be? Old blood be not aflowin in tha veins of he. Kilt he be by the bindin we will see." Xavier grabbed Zypher under the chin and force him to look up. "And yer nexus true be he, Kilt ye'll be alongside."

"Knowin' be me and we be true. Gads, Xavier it be hard enuf as it be."

"Knowin yet he yur nexus to be that chosen of ye he be?"

Zypher shook his head.

"Of a time in mind fer tellin him ye?"

Zypher shrugged.

"Tellin soon must he be. Be goin' here along with ye?"

"Aye."

"Flekka, be here yet too?"

"Aye."

"Afore a seven day passing ye count taken yer chosen ta Flekka be done ye. Ye'll be 'prenticin under him anyways, ye and yer nexus."

Zypher nodded.

"Ye'll make a good Nimbus, Zypher.... We of the clan trust ye all ready and ye be not yet full growed. If he be yer choice, and he be of the old blood, and he be willin, tha clan will accept him, Cylc or not."

"Thank ye Xavier. Ye've been a good stemere ta me."

Xavier held Zypher for a minute then dematerialized. Zypher laughed to himself. The clan was getting nervous for Xavier to come here in person. The clansman had been his surrogate father since his birth. The Nimbus sired the next Nimbus, but the Stemere raised him. Zypher stepped out of the shower, grabbed the towel he had placed on the sink, then proceeded to dry off before stepping back into his room. Cygnet was watching television, stretched out across his bed.

"You should be doing your homework Cyg."

Cygnet glanced up at his roommate, then back to the screen. "Yeah, I should, but this was smuggled in. I got it off one of the older guys. It's about cults. There have been some strange happenings in the hills. Some reporters investigated and this is the result."

"Cults huh? What kind now?"

"Oh, this one is really strange. It's said they worship the moon and believe they're lycanthropes."

Zypher sat on the bed beside Cygnet and watched.

The newscaster continued... "The leader of the group is chosen in a bizarre ritual where he weds the goddess they worship called Unara and commits a sex act while the rest of the group watches, children included." she went on to explain the other various rituals while the boys watched.

Zypher was intrigued, Cygnet wasn't sure what he felt.

"Do you think there are people who really do things like that?"

Zypher looked at Cygnet after Cyg asked the question. "Yes."

Cygnet rolled over and looked at his best friend. "Why do you say that, Zypher?"

"Because it takes many types to people a world. Many different beliefs and rituals. Does your family have any rituals?"

"My family is very religious, you know that."

Zypher nodded, he did know. "Have you ever thought about what it would be like to participate in a ritual like that?"

"Not really... You?"

Zypher nodded.

"Really? You'd want to be naked in front of a bunch of people and have sex?"

Zypher blushed. "Nudity is only a state of mind. I've been sitting on this bed beside you for better than an hour nude."

Cygnet blushed. "Yeah, but it's just us."

"I'm not ashamed of my body or it's functions. Are you?"

Cygnet shrugged.

"Can you take a piss while other guys watch?"

Cygnet shook his head.

"How 'bout a shit?"

Cygnet turned crimson. "Have you?"

Zypher nodded.

"Our bodies have certain functions that are natural. My clan..." Zypher wasn't sure how to go on, this was as close as he had been to talking to Cygnet about becoming his nexus. Cygnet waited, expectantly. "My clan has rituals that deal with the body's functions."

"Such as..."

"Are you sure you want to know?"

Cygnet nodded.

"Well, watching people urinate and defecate is normal. It's easy to potty train children if the whole of the clan approves of you taking a shit... And people come to watch. I learned to whiz standing up because all the men whizzed standing up. My stemere taught me about sex, by me watching copulation."

"That's weird."

Zypher laughed. "Yeah, I guess it is, when you've not been raised in it."

"So anything else?"

"You really want to know huh?"

"Yeah, are you like in a cult?"

"It's not a cult. Its not a religion, really, but there is some worship and rituals involved."

"Like what?"

"Like I have to choose a nexus."

"What's that?"

"A person to whom I'll be closer to than anyone else. When the rites are all finished my nexus will know my body inside out as I will know theirs."

"Really?"

Zypher nodded.

"When will you do it?"

"Do what?"

"Choose your nexus."

"I've already chosen him."

"A guy? I thought it would be a girl." Zypher shook his head, then drew his knees up to his chin and hugged them. He was fully exposed to Cygnet, who didn't seem to mind his nudity.

"No, the nexuses are the same gender."

"Are you excited about the ritual?"

Zypher nodded.

"Is your nexus excited?"

Zypher took a deep breath and looked at Cygnet.

"I don't know. I haven't asked him to join with me yet."

"Why not?"

"Because I wasn't sure how he would take the offer. I've been putting it off entirely too long."

"So when are you going to ask him?"

"Oh, I don't know..." Zypher blanked his face, preparing for rejection. "Cygnet Cylc, nexus o'me do ye willin be?"

"What would I have to do?" His tone was low, curious.

"I'm not sure. We would be 'prenticed together to learn to work together. You would be the stemere to my son, I know that much. But as to what happens to get us to the final ritual I don't know, except it takes years. You'd have to spend the summers with me and my clan."

"What's your clan like?"

"A huge family. The Nimbus is the head. Then there are the Elders and Stemere on the male side. I'm not familiar with the female side as the women are off limits to me."

"Just to you or to all the men?"

"Just to me until I am bound to my nexus."

"Will it hurt?"

"I don't know."

Cygnet closed his eyes and thought about it.

"What do I have to do to be your nexus?"

"Say yes. Then I'll take you to Flekka."

"Flekka? The councilor?"

Zypher nodded.

"Why him?"

"He's who I'm to 'prentice under."

"I'll be your nexus, Zypher, on one condition."

"What?"

"You never tell my family."

"Na' by me lips be they told."

Cygnet smiled at Zypher and wondered exactly what he had agreed to do... But he knew, what ever it was, his family would not approve, especially with a Strakus involved. Both boys finished their studies and waited until they could go to Flekka.

Zypher was knocking on Flekka's door an hour after curfew, their usual hour of getting together. Cygnet had grumbled at the hour when Zypher told him, but he followed.

"Who'es'et?" Flekka asked sleepily.

"Serys, it be Zypher." The door opened just enough for Zypher and Cygnet to slip through. "Serys, me Stemere tole me ta bring he ta ye." Zypher indicated Cygnet.

"An who he be ta ye, Kyomylis?" Flekka eyed the youngster with interest.

"Ach, ye wound me... Tha clan be awaitin his choosin. Tha nexus o'me he do be." Zypher smiled mischievously. The clan cant was difficult to follow until you were well used to it. This was Cygnet's first exposure.

"Wounded well ye should be, fer shame, Kyomylis. He no nexus ta ye can be. O'de clan he do not be."

"O'de clan not he be taday. If tha blood be in tha veins o'he, my nexus so shall he be." Flekka looked at Cygnet, sizing him up.

"Boy, know ye what yer choosin ta do?" Cygnet looked at Flekka as he tried to assimilate the language. "Do ye be knowing what he be asking of ye?"

"To be his nexus."

"And means that what to ye?"

"I don't know."

"Are ye saying that ye be agreeing with out aknowin what ye are ta do?"

"I think so."

"Kyomylis, do this wisdom be? He knows not of ye or me or we. Clan he be not. Much trainin fer he, an more fer ye."

"Wisdom it be. Cygnet me nexus to be. No other will me have... Less he be not o'de blood."

"Cygnet. Tested ye must be. Do ye agree?"

Cygnet nodded.

"Ach. Will it be yea or nay yet we to see... Strip fer tested ye will be."

Zypher had told him not to dress fully because he would be stripping, so this was slightly expected. Cygnet pulled off his shirt and pants. Zypher was already nude.

"Face ta face stand." They stood as directed and waited for the next direction. The testing ritual was very simple. Flekka mused as he rummaged in a drawer to find the charm. It was the tooth of an animal tied to a string, suspended from a metal ring about 12 inches across. Then he pulled out the Klaive -- a small dagger with spiritual significance made of silver. Flekka grimaced as he held it, the silver burned his hand he was so sensitive to it, although the old blood ran thin through his veins. "Ach... If'n ye not be true, Cygnet, we will try to save ye. If'n ye be true... No question will there be."

Cygnet paled at the thought of possibly dying.

"Cyg, tis better fer ye tested be. If'n ye stand as nexus and be not true, death will be fer ye and me."

"Fer ye an only ye, Zypher." Cygnet whispered.

"Hold the ring here and here." Flekka placed their hands, the soft underside of their wrists exposed. "Look yer nexus in the eye, Kyomylis, an keep him there."

Zypher had witnessed this ritual, but Cygnet had not. He found Cyg's gaze and held it as the blade slit his wrists. Ach! Tha pain! The silver Klaive seared his flesh as his eyes misted up. Then he felt the warm spurts of his blood oozing into his palms. Cygnet's eyes flared with the pain as Flekka slit his wrists as well. A single tear trailed from his eye.

"Steady now... Do'na let go, no matter wha' 'appens." Flekka cautioned. Soon the filament within the ring had absorbed much of the blood, but it dripped stickily off their fingers and onto the floor.

"Pray ye we, honor thy word, honor tha clan. Spirits o'de deep, arise and tell us true. Spirits o'de trees, blood be drawn . Spirits o'de air, blood do spew. Spirits o'de fire, blood o'de dawn. Spirits o'de ice, test ye these two. Mark he o'de blood by yur talisman."

Cygnet's face paled, but his gaze never faltered. Several Elders of the clan had been called to witness the ritual. Xavier stood behind Cygnet watching Zypher. Flekka finished the incantation and the ring glowed silver in their hands. Their hands burned as their combined blood burned away the resin over the silver that made it safe to handle. Blood from both boys dripped off the charm which swung in a wild arc, first to Zypher, then to Cygnet. Eventually it would settle to Zypher's side, but if it settled near the middle then Cygnet possessed the old blood. Minutes later the charm's arc had narrowed considerably, but was showing no indication of staying on Zypher's side.

A mist swirled up from the charm around the ring. The words began as a whisper, but was repeated thrice:

"Vagabond born, wanderlust bred, Blood be true truth be said. Kyomylis marked be this day, The other's life past be fey. Marked be he this day too, Power strong old blood true.

The ring became ice in this hands. Zypher held it yet, although he felt like he was going to pass out. There was nothing for him but Cygnet and the pain. Nothing else existed outside the circle they made.

Cygnet cringed at the cold seeping from the ring to his hands. His arms felt like lead, he wanted to go to sleep. He hurt. Maintaining eye contact with Zypher became difficult, but he managed.

At the end of the third circuit both boys collapsed. Xavier caught Cygnet, Flekka caught Zypher. They gently lay the boys down in the bloody floor.

"Who do the boy be?" One of the Elders asked.

"That one be yur Kyomylis, and this one his nexus." The elder's eyes shot up.

"The nexus be chose?"

"Chosen he be."

"Binded be they?"

"Nay. Binded not, tested just."

"Tha blood yet flow... Binded they could be." The elder looked up at Flekka. "Needed they be?"

"Nay, Elder, needed nor missed."

"Protect them will ye?"

"Aye."

"Bind Kyomylis to nexus."

Flekka nodded and turned to his drawers to find something to bind them with. In minutes he found a sheet to be cut into strips. An elder produced the salve and spread it on their slit wrists to aid in the healing. Xavier lay Cygnet on top of Zypher then began to wrap them like one large mummy, beginning with their wrists -- blood to blood. They were wrapped belly to belly, groin to groin. Zypher opened his eyes for a second while they were being wrapped.

"Be he true?" The weak voice was the barest whisper.

"Aye. He be true. Strong too."

"What ye do ta we?"

"Binding, Kyomylis to nexus."

"Classes?"

"Flekka be tendin it. Bindin is started, ye'll be binded afore ye return here."

"Binded true?"

"First bindin and awakenin, luna be right."

"Ach... Do me Nimbus know ye awaken me?"

"Nay, Kyomylis, yer Nimbus knows not. Yur nexus be o'de blood, knowin not we o'de clan."

"Nother clan? Morin we?"

"Ach... Morin we. Many morin we. Sleep now. Time fer talkin later."

Zypher closed his eyes and let the weakness flow over him.

The elders supervised the continued binding of the boys. When they were covered from the neck down, wrapped as one they were lifted very carefully as the elders stepped through space back to the clan's home.

The Elders carried them to a cavern deep in the caves. In the center was the alter all spiritual rituals used. They placed the wrapped boys on the alter and set up the circle, lighting the candles and each of the five Elders taking their place.

The Stemere took his place holding the cup and Klaive, "tha awakenin." He stated simply and clansmen began to fill the cavern. Only those awakened heard the call as it rode the spirits.

The first Elder, Anara, came to stand at the alter and the Stemere offered the Klaive. Anara took it and slit one wrist. As he watched the blood spurt into the cup he spoke:

"Awaken, awaken. Blood calls ta blood. Eklek -- as ye thinks so it be." Anara moved his arm so some of his blood splattered Cygnet and Zypher in the face. Neither boy stirred.

The second Elder, Flean, stepped up as the first retreated. He slit his wrist and spoke. "Awaken, Awaken. Mind calls ta mind. Alaka -- no limit bind ye." Flean also allowed some of his blood to mix in the cup and splash both boys faces.

"Awaken, Awaken. Spirit calls ta spirit. Kiama -- focus an flow." The third Elder, Mite, followed, then Ornet, the fourth.

"Awaken, Awaken. Power calls ta power. Nawama -- time o' power be now."

"Awaken, awaken." The last elder, Oxkan, slit his wrist. "Love calls ta love. Ohaal -- accept who ye be." His blood mixed with the other four and the red splashes trailed over the boys' faces. Cygnet stirred, as did Zypher. The clan began to chant.

"Awaken awaken. Kyomylis and Nexus. Awaken Awaken... Show us yer faces."

The stemere held the cup with the five Elder's blood mixed within. As the clan began their chant he dribbled the blood into the mouths of both Zypher and Cygnet. They only had to rouse enough to drink some. About half the cup was dribbled into their slack mouths as they were still passed out. They would awaken, but they had each lost so much blood already. Zypher began to stir only seconds before Cygnet. As he passed the cup from side to side most of it was drunk. The clansmen became louder as the cup emptied. Then Zypher turned his face away from the cup. The Elders fretted, because it was unusual for one so near the awakening to refuse fresh blood. The awakening caused a craving of it. The boys began to thrash and the binding around their wrists turned crimson. Then Cygnet turned from the cup as well and buried his face in Zypher's neck, lapping the blood the Elders had spilt there.

Something was rumbling deep within Zypher. A gnawing hunger. He never felt this way before. Ach... If only he could make it stop. A sharp tangy scent assailed his nostrils. He breathed deep and the smell seemed to trigger more insistent longings... A remembered metallic taste was on his tongue, more so when he parted his lips to lick away the substance on them. Familiar, yet new urges pushed him to licking his lips a second time. A warm scent mixed with the tangy one. His heart raced as he felt a second pulse near his face. He turned his head to ward the scent, toward the pulse. A dribble of the fluid trickled into his mouth from the other side. Zypher started to turn to the source of fluid.. But the urging longed for the warm pulse... Just to nuzzle it. Scent it. He buried his face next to the pulse, he could smell the pulse... His body reacted in unusual ways... It ached. Just a taste... A little taste. His tongue flicked beyond his lips and stroked warm, pulsing, willing. Groaning a new sound escaped his throat. A low rumble. His back arched and his body was in even closer contact with the warm flesh. He nuzzled in closer and felt a sound come from it. Zypher felt a nuzzle on his neck, and a wet flick. He groaned again. He licked, and was licked. He could barely move, but his body was doing something. The pulse grew more rapid, and stronger. He licked it again and could feel the strength under his tongue... His teeth scraped the pulse. A moan... A hiss? Something sharp raked his neck and he turned his head to allow greater access and in turn achieve better access of the pulse... To get it between his teeth...

"Nexus." The whisper came in Cygnet's ear. He whimpered as his neck was nuzzled yet again. So many sensations.

"Yeeesssss." Cygnet replied as he felt the pulse between his teeth. His body lurched as a sharp pain tore at his neck. He bit reflexively and the pulse was flowing in his mouth. He swallowed as it pumped in his mouth. His teeth still in the flesh. His body jerked and moved of it's own accord. He felt energized, alive as never before... He sucked and sucked. Slowly the pulse slowed, getting weaker. The scent was no longer as strong. The urge to suck waned, and his body stilled.

Zypher cried out first as his body arched. What they could see of his face was contorted, no longer human, not quite transformed, but he had the markings of one of the cats. He took after his dams side. Then Cygnet hissed as his body convulsed, and Zypher bare his neck to Cygnet. The elders cried out when Cygnet looked up just before he bit Zypher... A vamp. His fangs flared and Xavier watched horrified as they sank into Zypher's neck before he was awakened. Xavier staggered from the circle and vomited. The clan was confused. The elders gasped as Zypher finished the partial transformation and bit Cygnet back. Both boys' bodies seemed to be convulsing as the slurping sounds could be heard over the dampened chants. The entire clan knew something was not quite right.

Xavier stared at his dying Kyomylis and nexus, watching their bodies jerk. It was a few minutes before he realized they weren't convulsing... He wasn't watching them die... They were rubbing bodies bound as they were... It was a sexual motion... He scented to confirm his suspicions. Lust, sexual and blood was emitting from both boys. Ritual sex majik. Some of the older men in the clan also recognized the scents and were fondling themselves. Xavier began fondling himself, then the Elders caught the scent. Many of the younger clansmen began to change form, caught up in their lust. He wasn't misreading the scents off the boys.

Kyomylis and Nexus shuddered within seconds of the other, then they stopped sucking and lay lax having sedated both physical lusts. The clan would stay with them until dawn, riding the energy the two youngsters had called. Then they would be accompanied by clansmen in shifts until they woke coherent.

At dawn both boys were sleeping soundly, Zypher now laying on top of Cygnet. They would be rotated as necessary until they woke.

About noon Cygnet stirred, nuzzled Zypher's neck, rebit him and drank again. Less than an hour later, Zypher returned the favor. They slept on. They each gave and received a third bite as dusk fell, but their eyes didn't open. The white binding material was brown at their wrists and near their necks with the dried blood. Luna rose and cast her pale light into the cavern. As the first cold rays of light illuminated the alter the boys stirred.

Zypher breathed deeply and the sharp scents gagged him. Blood, stale blood, dead blood. Dead blood? He mused. How be me knowin if'n blood be dead? Another breath... Sweat, earth, semen. The scents were unmistakable and penetrating. Where do me be? He swallowed nervously. What that taste be? It was pungent, metallic, raw. He rolled his tongue in his mouth trying to determine it's source and savoring it at the same time.

It took a few minutes before he linked the smell of blood to the taste in his mouth. When he did, his stomach lurched and he gagged reflexively.

Ach -- what be happenin? He tried to calm down and think. He really wanted to open his eyes and look around, but he didn't want to alert the others he was awake yet... Others? He breathed deeply ignoring the blood scent. Many others. He was laying face down, on something lumpy and warm. Warm? He scented the warm next to his face, breathing deeply it's scent.

Ach... This be familiar. He groaned as the scent triggered memories. Standing facing Cygnet... Pain, burning, fire... Stemere... Binding... That be what... Tha bindin... Zypher relaxed and buried his face in the warmth of Cygnets neck... Things be well. we be abind an he be alive. Joy surged through his system and he felt a deep rumbling within that brought more pleasure. He let it grow, sighing as he drifted off to sleep.

Cygnet lay sandwiched between something inflexible and cold and something warm and yielding. He breathed shallowly, the weight on him wouldn't allow much. Every inch of his body hurt, ached. His face itched. He tried to move his hand to scratch, but couldn't, someone squeezed his hand reassuringly. His tongue flicked to wet his dry lips. They were crusted with something... Something putrid. The spoiled taste made him gag, and he chanced a deep breath -- distinct aromas stung his nose.

He had never smelled anything so crystal-clear before. Hundreds of very different smells assaulted him. Some had to be people or animals. Some were locators... His brain strained to catalogue them all. Damp... There was a water source near. Earth... They were outside somewhere. Sweat... He lingered on that one because it was the strongest and the nearest.

He breathed focusing on the sweat and found another scent mixed in... Blood. Fear surged through him and he fought the images that flooded his mind. He tried to push the blood away but couldn't move. He tried to open his eyes, but they were glued shut. A terrified scream erupted from deep with in him.

Stemere and the Elders stood watching the boys. It had been nearly a full day since they were conscious. That was not a good sign, especially with the amount of blood they had each lost. All six were on edge as Zypher stirred slightly, then of all things began to purr.

"By Luna - do any o'de otha cats purr?"

"Nay, me kitties do na'" Flean whispered listening to the boy purr. "Tis a beautiful sound is it na?"

"Yea." Nods of concurrence. They listened in rapture as long as it lasted... Then it seemed the boy was sleeping again. The majority of the clansmen were out of the cavern with only the Elders, Stemere and a handful of others when Cygnet began to struggle and scream. The six ringed the boys, with the clansmen forming a second ring. They began to chant. "Accept, accept who ye be."

The shriek in his ear jerked him awake. Zypher couldn't open his eyes, they were glued shut, but he could talk. "Nexus..." His voice grated the word as he licked Cygnet's neck. "Nexus," he whispered in his ear. The scream stopped but Zypher could smell his fear. He licked his neck and up around his ear again. The blood was old, the skin was soft. He purred in joy.

Cygnet stiffened at the voice by his ear. "Nexus." A rough, wet, sensation followed. He didn't scream again. Nexus was what Zypher asked him to be... His nexus. He remembered little except there was pain. But not all pain... At one point he felt wonderful. Powerful. He was afraid of the power. "Nexus." The rumbling whisper penetrated his thoughts, followed by the gritty wet sensation up his neck and ear. It felt... Pleasurable, appropriate, wonderful. A sigh escaped his throat... The wetness trailed up again, over slightly from before.

"Accept. Accept who ye be." The chorus of chanting voices flooded the cavern.

Joy welled up in Cygnet again as he felt the rumble in Zypher's chest. That was the warmth on him... Zypher. "I'm scared." He whispered so only Zypher could hear him.

"Ach -- me be knowin. Smellin yer fear be me." Zypher responded as softly as he could. Then nuzzled Cygnet's neck again.

"You're enjoying this?" Cygnet asked.

Zypher continued licking and nuzzling Cygnet.

"Aye... Bu' yur na. Ye needs be acceptin'. Telt Stemere it be'n too soon fer tha bindin. Till ye be acceptin we be abind."

"Abind?"

Zypher moved his body against Cygnet. "Yer body be atouchin mine." He chuckled. "Ye've tha ol'blood or'n we be na here. What do ye feel?"

"Sick. Like I ate something that didn't agree with me."

"Why do ye be afearin tha change?"

Cygnet stiffened.

"Ye changed beautifully afore."

"Before?"

"Ach-- a'tha awakenin."

"How did I change?" Fear swept through Cygnet in waves. "What did I look like?"

"Me eyes be shut, nexus. Felt tha change me did. O'er ye, o'er me. Accept yur self an ye'll feel better."

"I don't want to."

"Yea, ye do." Zypher began to purr.

"What's that sound?"

"Tha be me, methinks."

"How are you doing it?"

"Me be acceptin o'that within." Zypher had licked Cygnets neck and began on his face. The scratchy tongue ran over Cygnet's cheek. "Accept it, Nexus."

Cygnet let Zypher's obvious pleasure wash over him. Zypher was enjoying licking him, enjoying it so much he was... Purring? The tongue swept over his lips. Cygnet breathed deeply. Zypher's breath was fetid -- metallically sweet, spoiled smelling. Like that of an animal after eating something foul. The tongue swept over his chin and lips again just as Cygnet opened his mouth to protest. Zypher's tongue slipped in his mouth. He was shocked, surprised, but not repulsed. It's roughness caressed his own hesitantly. Cygnet groaned deep within and sucked it back when Zypher tried to withdraw.

The elders watched the boys as they both were awake now. They were talking. Under normal circumstances, with humans, their conversation would have been private. However everyone here was clan, and clan all had excellent hearing. Xavier turned crimson when Zypher told Cygnet about their conversation, but the Elders on each side of him reassured him this was the right thing to do. Zypher was licking Cygnet, who was not protesting at the intimacy the gesture portrayed, even if it was only his neck and face. Then they kissed. The elders were all shocked, kissing was not something a cat would do and so far Zypher had been exhibiting feline characteristics.

Their lips parted, Cygnet was breathing hard, Zypher was purring strongly.

"Accept it Nexus..."

Cygnet nipped at Zypher's bottom lip. He felt strange, wonderfully freakishly odd. He tugged it playfully. His body seemed to swell. He bit down on Zypher's lip.

"Ow!" Zypher yipped.

"I'm sorry, Zypher." Cygnet's voice was huskier than normal. A thin trickle of blood leaked from the twin wounds.

"It be a'right." The purr was back in his voice. Cygnet sucked the lip he had punctured. Zypher groaned in pleasure.

They watched as the kiss broke and Cygnet bit at Zypher's bottom lip. The blood shocked them. Then Cygnet sucked the blood and Zypher seemed to be enjoying it. His upper lip curled back as his bottom was trapped and they saw his canines drop. He was changing. Cygnet loosed the lip and they kissed again.

"I feel so different, Zypher. What's happening to me?" Cygnet had broken the kiss and was nuzzling and snuffing Zypher's neck.

"Ye be accepting tha awakenin'. Yer desirin' sumthin..." He nuzzled back, offering his all ready bruised neck to Cygnet. "What it be?"

"Blood." Cygnet whispered the word. "Yer blood."

Zypher groaned and began to purr.

"You don't mind?" Cygnet sounded surprised.

"Nay, nexus. Ye be told afore this all began. Afore it be done ye and me will know tha other inside an out, betta than we be knowin ourselves. If it be blood ye be needen, feed." Cygnet didn't wait for him to change his mind, but bit.

Zypher purred louder as Cygnet fed.

"By the devels and daemans! He be encouragin tha Nexus ta feed!" One of the clansmen exclaimed.

"An' he be enjoyin it." Another added. Xavier watched unable to tear his eyes away. He could not believe this. He had binded with the Nimbus when he was a little younger than Zypher and never regretted a day of it. The clan questioned the wisdom of their pair as well -- a canine and an avian -- but this? A feline and a vamp?

Cygnet finished feeding and buried his face in Zypher's hair near his ear. "Do you need to feed?" He whispered huskily, sedated. Zypher turned his face to Cygnet and ran his tongue over Cygnet's chin.

"Yer messy." They kissed again and Cygnet discovered Zypher's canines.

"You don't have to take leftovers... Feed." He whispered after they broke the kiss. Then he turned his head and offered his neck. "Yur hungry."

"Aye, me be wantin'. Do ye be sure?" Zypher nuzzled, snuffed, licked the pulsing vein, massaging it with his sandpaper roughened tongue.

"I'm sure."

"Ach -- yur me Nexus true, an me yur Kyomylis be." The vein swelled under his stroking.

"My Kyomylis, yes, Nexus to Kyomylis, feed." Zypher bit down and began to feed. Cygnet felt the rush of joy in feeding his Kyomylis flood through him and a deep rumbling formed in his throat. An answering purr issued from Zypher as he fed.

"Which be purrin?" Ornet asked his neighbor.

"Both methinks." Flean responded. "Aye, both, tis two purrs hears me." Luna was directly overhead as Zypher finished his feeding.

"Stemere?" Zypher called out.

"Aye?"

"How long must we abind?"

"Why?"

"Me be needen ta pee." There was some laughter.

"Kyomylis, ye may pee."

"Abinded?"

"Abinded."

"Stemere... Why do ye keep we abind? Tha awakenin be thru."

"Bindin takes longer than just awakenin."

"Get me Nimbus, Stemere... Me wants unabind... Me gots ta pee."

"Me ca'not Zypher." Tears welled in Xavier's eyes. "Yer Nimbus be no longer with tha clan."

"Where do tha clan Nimbus be?"

"Abind to his Nexus."

"Stemere... Yer tha Nexus o'de Nimbus."

"Nay, tha Nexus o'de Nimbus be called Cygnet." Cygnet felt Zypher's body stiffen, then he felt the hot tears trailing down his neck and the sobs stifled as grief flooded through him.

"Whoever you are... What's happening?"

"Called Xavier be me, Cygnet. Tha Nimbus o'de clan be the Kyomylis' sire. The last Nimbus be no more walking among tha livin, so tha Kyomylis becomes tha Nimbus in seven weeks."

"I don't understand..."

"Zypher's father died. He is now the head of the clan. What the two of you had years to learn, you now have weeks." The sobbing against his next slowed. Cygnet longed to wrap his arms around Zypher, but bound as they were he could not.

"What must we do?"

"Ye be willin to go on?" Oxkan gasped.

"Yes. I can't go back, so we go forward."

"Normally there would be a year between the awakening and the binding, and at least several before the breaking."

Zypher stiffened.

"What is the breaking?"

"What you must survive to truly be the Nimbus and Stemere."

"Then broken we must be." Zypher stopped crying and shuddered.

"Ye mean it, nexus?"

"I mean it, Kyomylis."

"Thank ye. Be thinkin me, we abind for nought."

"Your father is dead, you are the Nimbus now, whatever that means."

"Nay, na dead, jus no longer with tha livin. Tha' be one o'de thin's ye've ta lern. Ach -- ye've so much ta lern."

Xavier smiled at their small talk. Anara held the two vials that would aide in the breaking. Inside was a powerful hallucinogenic and painkiller.

"This will help speed up breaking. Cygnet, other than your experiences here with Zypher, are you a virgin?"

"That's a very personal question, Xavier."

"We will be more personal than that before this is over."

"A virgin me be, Cygnet. Truly do ye be?"

"I do."

"If'n yur true fer tha breakin' ye must drink."

"Scared me be, Xavier, o'de breakin." Zypher whispered. The Elders understood the boy was scared, the fear scent was heavy in the room. Xavier touched his head, running his fingers in Zypher's hair.

"Ach -- we know ye be afeared. Look round ye, Kyomylis, only tha Elders and the Tenets be here. Protect ye they do, with their lives if needs be."

"We accept ye as Nimbus, Zypher, and yer choice of Nexus, too. He be not who we would choose, but ye and he be paired well." One of the older Tenets told him.

"Tha drink'll help ease yer fear. Yer young fer tha breakin, bu' no choice have we if'n yer ta be tha Nimbus." A younger one added. "No one needs be ta know but we."

"I'll drink it." Cygnet stated simply and opened his mouth. Xavier poured the contents of one vial into his mouth. He swallowed dutifully.

"Roll us over an give it." They waited a few minutes and did just that. After he swallowed Zypher kissed Cypher and they remained kissing until the drug took effect some minutes later.

"They be awful young, Xavier."

"We be knowing they be young, and virgins both, but what needs be done must be done." All the elders assisted in unbinding the boys using little steel knives to cut it off. When they were finished cutting the material the boys broke their kiss.

"Me gats ta pee." Zypher giggled.

"Me gats ta pee, too." Cygnet returned.

"Good because thats part of the breaking." Oxkan laughed. "Zypher, lay down on yer side."

"Ach, me jus got up!" The Elder laughed. Mite helped Cygnet stand so Zypher could be rearranged. Then he helped him lay back down. Face to groin each. "What we be doin?" Zypher asked, "me gats ta pee."

"Open yer mouth Cygnet." The drug had really kicked in for Cygnet, who was complacent in being moved around. "Are ye thirsty?"

"Yeah."

"Zypher be given ye drink, ye drink it all, for ye'll get no more till he gives it ta ye again." Cygnet opened his mouth and Mite placed Zypher's tentum inside. Cygnet's eyes saucered as his numbed brain realized what was going on just as the piss hit the back of his throat. He swallowed in reflex and felt his own tentum in Zypher's mouth. One of the Elders stroked his back and told him to pee. He did, knowing Zypher was drinking it. When both had relieved their bladders they were stood up. The drug wasn't enough to affect their motor skills, only their minds and ability to bear pain. "When ever ye have ta pee, tha other must drink it, do ye understand? Tis fine wine ye give each other, not a drop do ye want ta spill." Both boys nodded.

"Time it be fer tha breakin. Call in tha clan." The Tenets went to the halls and cried their various cries and the clansmen came. When all were assembled the five Elders assembled around the pair. Xavier stood between them.

"Clan-brothers." He paused until all were silent. "Kyomylis and Nexus be test, be awaken, be bind." Cheers rose round them.

"What faces show they?" A voice cried from the back of the chamber.

"Kyomylis be cat, Nexus be vamp. With a twist, me clansmen... Both be awaken together, with blood shared twinxt. Cat and Vamp they both be."

"Not possible." An older clansman argued. Xavier looked from boy to boy.

"Hungry do ye be?" Zypher smiled lazily and nodded.

"Feed? Ach -- all way." Cygnet nodded too. He held a wrist out to each boy, who smiled each and licked the offered vein. Zypher began the change first, the drug aided the transformation allowing it to go smoother, but Cygnet followed quickly.

"Just a snack, boys." Xavier grinned. The sandpaper tongues abraded his wrist just before twin bites sank deep. Their purring was heard easily by the nearest men, and as the room silenced, by those in the rear as well. They fed for only a few minutes, then released him as his pulse weakened. Xavier sagged as they let go of his wrist with their jaws, but they licked up his arms, to his neck purring the entire time creating an energy field that was almost palpable to those nearest them. They rubbed their bodies against his and he was revived, their purring creshendoed as he soaked up their energy. The licking continued up his face where they licked at his lips, then took turns kissing him as power flowed from the pair to him. Finally Anara pulled Cygnet and Oxkan pulled Zypher off Xavier, but their energy had filled the room for the second time in as many days.

"There be any question they be awaken or abind?" Ornet asked with a chuckle. Xavier righted himself and took a couple deep steadying breaths.

"They be fasten." He looked at Zypher. "Do ye desire ta be broken?"

"Aye." Oxkan stood behind Zypher and held his left hand to Xavier, who held it and asked Cygnet the same.

"Yes." Anara held out Cygnet's right hand. Xavier pulled out a glove looking device and buckled it around their hands.

"Tha breakin begins." The clan cheered. Neither boy felt the silver spike being driven through their flesh connecting them palm to palm. The elixir they had consumed along with the words being whispered in their ears provided them that protection.

Joined, they were lain back over the alter belly up. Mite had started a small fire and sat an iron pot on it to heat. Inside was the wax that would be used for the next phase. The Tenets were allowed in the circle to check the boys nearly healed wrists, the sign of their testing. It was agreed they were properly marked. The wax heated and the smells intoxicated Zypher and Cygnet even more.

"Fasten be pain filled, young warriors ye be." Xavier told them as the first drips of hot wax touched their chests.

Zypher watched as the spike went through his hand and was shocked it didn't hurt, although it bled. Part of him cried out and another part laughed in pleasure. He looked at Cygnet who was grinning. Ach -- it must not hurt then, he mused, and watched at the ends were capped and they were joined. The elders helped them to lay back down on the alter. Ornet was by his head telling him that his body had to be denuded of the man hairs he had grown. They were going to wax them off. It would be uncomfortable, but he would like it, then the first hot touches heated his skin. His chest hairs were covered. Then his pits felt the warm of the wax. His body reacted in unexpected ways as Ornet told him how much he liked the feel of the wax.

"Aye, feels good." He whispered. His tentum grew tall.

The clansmen watched. Normally boys who were being broken cried out as the wax touched their skin for the first time, although they had been conditioned to pain. These two were getting an erection. Then the wax was dripped on their pubic hair, the satiny patch on either side of their tentum. Soft moans and a deep rumble erupted... They were purring and arching their backs.

Cygnet cried out first, then Zypher as the wax was practically poured over their sacs. Then the wax coated linen strips were being pulled off their chests and armpits. Zypher's eyes flared wildly in pain, but he kept his calm well. Before Luna sat both were denuded of body hair except that on their heads. Flean and Oxkan took pleasure in rubbing the sensitive bodies with the oils that would both soothe the skin and prepare them for the next phase.

With their hands securely fastened above their heads in specially designed manacles. The Cygnet gripped Zypher's hand partially in fear, partially in anticipation as their ankles were manacled and their ankles drawn back so far they had to lift their butts up off the alter to accommodate the pressure.

"Open yer mouth." Ornet told Zypher, who complied. A ball was placed between his teeth and strapped to his head, jaws open. His eyes widened in alarm. "Close yer eyes." He complied and Ornet placed rubber shields over them. "Ye be doin fine, Kyomylis, cry out if'n ye must fer the next bit... It be hurten ye bad, but ye'll enjoy it some." Then he placed the shields over his ears before dripping the hot wax on the shields over his eyes.

Xavier smile and attached the clips to Zypher's nipples. The boy flinched, but so did Cygnet when he was clipped.

Zypher screamed as any chance of seeing the next parts was lost. Then his ears were waxed over and he could hear nothing but his own breathing and heart beat between the screams. His tentum was dipped in hot wax to seal him from either jissin or peeing. He screamed out again and again. Terror ripping through him. He felt Cygnet's fingers around his, the grip terrified. He fought the position.

The elders calmly dripped the wax, knowing the boys would freak at anytime. Zypher began to scream first, then Cygnet. The clan cheered, breaking had begun in truth. The tubing was brought and the boys wiggled and cried as it was inched up their tight virgin sphincters.

Cygnet closed his eyes as asked. They hadn't hurt him too badly yet, nothing more than his brother had described to him during his man-rites. His entire body felt raw, but alive. Rayvn had died during his rites, but he was expected to, vamps weren't supposed to be alive. Cygnet chuckled to himself, his father was in for a shock. Here he was being inducted into a clan so different from his own. He waited, knowing they were going to be doing something soon he wouldn't like. The twin assaults on his face and tentum were a shock and he screamed. As his cries from the initial onslaught passed he felt another intrusion. Something was being shoved up his ass. His first instincts were to fight, he squeezed his ass cheeks tight and lifted it up. There were reassuring touches on his legs and belly... He relaxed a little and was invaded again.

Zypher wanted to cry, it would do no good though as his eyes were wax sealed, as was his ears and his tentum. He closed his lips around the ball and forced himself to breath deeply through the nose. What ever it was going up his ass, it didn't really hurt. Just uncomfortable as hell. He quit fighting it and relaxed. Someone stroked his belly and legs. It must be what they wanted him to do, relax and try to enjoy it. A few minutes later something warm was going up his ass. He moaned...

The elders tried to be gentle as possible with the tubing, then they fixed the warmed water bags and filled the willing rectums. Soon the boys began to squirm with the pressure and desire to expel. Ornet rubbed Zypher's stomach, to ease the pressure and work the water up higher into his bowels, Flean was doing the same for Cygnet. Anara pulled the rubber tube slowly from Zypher's ass watching him squirm. The water had been very warm, it wouldn't take long. The next batch was already being heated.

Ach- what they be doin? Zypher squirmed as the pressure built up in his gut. He had to pee, he had to shit. Hands were on his belly rubbing it, then what ever it was they shoved up him was coming out.... "AAAAhhhhh...." He moaned.

It felt good. Cygnet thought, deliciously, scandalously good. He felt like he was so full, but not in a painful way. Then whatever they had used to make him feel this way was being removed. Hands continued to touch him, caressing him. The rumble began again, the purr.....

Zypher felt rather than heard Cygnet's purr, they weren't hurting him. Someone forced his legs in a different position... His ass was even more exposed, and he had to shit... Well... They watched him when he was a boy. The hands on his belly pressed down slightly and he relaxed to let his bowels loose. The warm shit felt wonderful being expelled... He began to purr as the hands stroked his belly and his ass.

They moved him slightly, putting more pressure on his distended stomach, he had to crap. The hands rubbed his belly adding slight pressure as well. His belly cramped. He had to go soon. He clamped down on his sphincter and tried to tell them he had to use the bathroom.

Flean smiled as Cygnet tried to talk with the ball in his mouth. "Methinks he said he must toilet." The other's smiled. Of course he had to toilet. "Help tha boy, Oxkan." Oxkan slid his finger up the rectum. Cygnet cinched. Flean pressed on his belly as Oxkan slid the finger out. Cygnet's head tossed wildly from side to side. They repeated the pressures and when Oxkan removed his finger the second time Cygnet began to expel. Wracking sobs issued from the boy as his bowels emptied. The clan cheered, then most of the men went back to the duties they had been pulled from... It would be days before the breaking was complete. Some of the younger ones stayed to watch, especially those who had undergone their own breaking recently.

Anara and Oxkan prepared the tubing again. The second dose of water was nearly hot. The once purged sphincters opened more readily as the boys knew they would not be hurt, only humiliated. Their greedy asses gulped the water this time, each taking in more than twice as much as before. The rubbing went as before, but this time they made the boys hold the water longer by slapping their asses as they began to relax. Xavier gave the word and gentle pressure was applied to each distended belly. Both boys released and the elders were pleased. The third purge went better, then the fourth -- there was only water returned. The oil had been heated slightly and was now being ladled into the bags attached to the tube. The tube slid up the fifth and finial time with ease, neither boy fought any longer at the invasion. The oil was released into their bowels slowly until their bellies were as distended as they dared. Zypher squirmed indicating he was ready to expel, but Anara had other orders. He pulled the tubing out and slid a plug in, then practically poured the hot wax over the sphincter. Zypher screamed.

Sobs wracked Cygnet as the searing of his rectum tore through him. Then someone put something hard over his nose that sealed to his face. The only orifice he had unsealed was his mouth and that was stuffed. He bit into the ball and screamed, determined to scream until he passed out.

Xavier oversaw the next phase, wincing as the hot wax sealed the boy's rectums and they screamed. Oxkan and Ornet placed the masks over their noses. They had to be absolutely uncomfortable with full bladders and bowels and the elixir they had been given should have worn off well back. The balls were eased out of their mouths and a purge poured down their throats. They were allowed to sit up as they puked up the bile in their stomachs. Then being very careful of their attached hands they were repositioned face to groin. The wax was peeled off their tentums and put in their mouths. A tube was attached to the nose mask and pure oxygen was fed them, breathing out caused the sides of the mask to flare and release the pressure. They were getting air when their mouths were waxed to the other's groin. Zypher couldn't hold back the pee and flooded Cygnet's unexpecting mouth. He swallowed convulsively and pissed as well. They were wrapped in blankets and left not to be disturbed for a day.

Zypher knew he had Cygnet's tentum in his mouth, it felt good there. His ass hurt, he had to shit, but it felt good to be able to pee. He didn't know when he fell asleep, only that Cygnet peed several times and he swallowed it. Hands were on his back and ass again but he still had a mouthful of Cygnet which was hard and choking him. He fought it and Cygnet moved with him. He gagged, but there was nothing to puke. Cygnet remained large in his mouth. They were doing something to his ass...

The Elders checked on their charges. Both were sleeping soundly, they were accepting, now to change things a little. The wax on their rectums were removed and they were encouraged to expel, which both did. Zypher would be first as a twelve inch long teacher was eased into his rectum. The end to enter first was less than an inch around, further up it was nearly five in diameter. With gentle pressure Flean eased it up, he was pleased when it seated properly with about an inch protruding from the boy. The hose was attached, a steady pressure of hot water would be flooding his bowels, not too much, just steady. He squirmed as it slid in, and even more as the water began. There were nutrients in the water so they wouldn't starve. Then they repeated the process with Cygnet. This time they were given no blanket, the clansmen would be in to see them later. Xavier then ran his hand through Zypher's hair. They would be left like this for a couple days.

Ach hungry. Zypher thought again. His fangs dropped for the second time, he was very hungry now. He had no idea how long he had lain so connected with Cygnet. But he knew Cygnet was hungry as well. Their stomachs rumbled. Cygnet ground his smooth groin in Zypher's face humping his face again. Sensitive flesh pressed against his fangs... Oh he wanted to sink them in and feed. He felt Cygnet's fangs pressing against his flesh, at the base of his swollen tentum. He pressed his flesh harder against the fangs. Cygnet did as well... Could he possibly mean to feed? Zypher bit down as gently as possible, Cygnet held very still as he felt the fangs enter his flesh, then bit down gently as well. As they sucked the blood they each fed from the tentums swelled and before long jissom added to the blood they were swallowing.

"They don't seem to be too disturbed being bound so."

"Ye can smell their hunger."

"Hunger, but no more fear."

"Time to move on... "

"Time to move on." The elders put out the call and ringed the boys when something changed. They were no longer hungry... They were feeding.

"Feedin they be." Xavier nodded, lust was seeping off the boys as well. "Let them feed, when they expel, they'll stop." The elders detached the hoses and began to slide the teachers out as well, but the boys began to buck. "Let them enjoy it." The two Elders fucked them with the teachers as the boys lust filled the room and their backs arched as they came.

"They no longer virgins be..." Mite chuckled.

"Aye, but do they know what they do, or was it instinct?"

"Does it matter? Tis done." The teachers were slid the rest of the way out and each boy expelled. Slowly and methodically they removed all the wax binders on the boys. They should be weak from no solid food for almost five days. They sat them up on the alter.

"How feel ye?" Xavier asked. Zypher shrugged, his eyes shining brightly in the half light of dusk of the fifth day since he proclaimed his Nexus.

"How do we feel?" His voice was rough. "Thirsty me be, and achy."

"Yeah, my bottom is sore."

"Kyomylis, ye need ta know yer Nexus inside an out, do ye be able to feel him yet?"

"Some. Practice and time be helpful."

"Neither do we have fer ye. Now ye must enter yer Nexus, give yer connection." They held out their studded hands. The stake was unscrewed in the middle and while not removed, they were disconnected. The wounds were still bleeding after all this time. Ornet helped position Cygnet.

"This be gonna hurt, but ye'll do tha same ta him later." Cygnet nodded.

"Tha Nexus must accept the Kyomylis in him totally. Do ye Nexus?"

"I do." Flean led Zypher in touching Cygnet's opened bung.

"Press yer hand in." Zypher did, amazed Cygnet's opening stretched to admit his hand.

"Don' fight him, he must enter ye fully." Ornet was by his head. Zypher had one arm in Cygnet to his elbow.

"Now the otha." Flean helped him. Cygnet cried out in pain as his muscles stretched beyond belief. "Hold still a minute." Flean poured oil over Zypher. "Now yer head, ye can do this, think small." Zypher tucked his head between his elbows and wriggled with in Cygnet. He felt hands on his body as they pushed him. His feet grabbed for purchase and he pushed into Cygnet's guts. Cygnet was in agony as Zypher's shoulders entered his ass, he felt him pulling at his guts, wriggling with in. His belly distended grotesquely and he screamed out his pain. Once his butt was inside Cygnet Zypher pulled in his legs, tucking them up under him. He was totally within, he couldn't breathe, but found he really didn't need to. Think small. He told himself... Think small. He was comfortable like this, he slept.

Cygnet was in agony. His belly hurt full of Zypher. His ass hurt were Zypher went in. "Please, let him out." He cried to Ornet.

"You will let him out when the time is right. Right now you protect him. Feel him." They eased Cygnet to his side and he rubbed his belly. He could feel Zypher's body. "You must always protect him like this. Like he is within you."

"I want him out. He hurts." The elders all shook their heads.

"He must stay with in. Try to sleep." Cygnet whimpered. Zypher began to purr with in him. The Elders rubbed his stomach and his ass. Mite touched the hole and Cygnet whimpered...

"Me must check his position." Mite slid his hand effortlessly up the extended hole and felt Zypher's ass. "He's perfect. Relax Nexus, ye be doing well."

"Can I get up?"

"Ye wish ta walk?" Cygnet nodded.

"Ye may eat nothing, drink nothing, but ye may walk." Cygnet was assisted in standing, he was very awkward, but it was better than laying. All the tenets wanted to touch his stomach. He let them. Zypher was purring and they felt it. After about an hour Cygnet looked down at his belly, but it was flat, no sign of Zypher within, even though he still felt Zypher within.

Xavier began his lessons about the clan. A day passed then another, he was allowed to blood feed, but no solid food or drink. Finally on the third night, Flean helped him lay, covered him with the blanket and let him sleep. Several hours later he woke the Elders chanting around him.

"Ye protect our Kyomylis well, Nexus." Mite smiled at him. The room was full of clansmen and Mite touched his bung... Reaching in and pulling out Zypher's foot. The second foot followed and soon Zypher was out of Cygnet.

"Ach -- it was wondrous, ye must try it." Zypher lay back on the table and held his ankles. "Try it me Nexus... I'll protect you." Cygnet nodded and with the help of the Elders he crawled with in Zypher, who purred through the entire process, then curled up and rubbed his belly as the swelling went down. He enjoyed his old life for three days, including combat practice, although his opponent was very careful with him while he carried his Nexus with in. When the time came he lay down to expel him. Mite went to assist but Zypher told him nay. Slowly Cygnet extracted himself from Zypher who pulled him to him and kissed him fully.

"It was wonderful."

"It be yer safety when ever ye be needed it. Me be feeling funny, bu' ye'll be safe."

"I have to pee." Cygnet whispered. Zypher leaned over and sucked him as he relieved himself, then licked him clean.

"You two need to sleep, at dark the real festivities begin." They lay down, Zypher spooning Cygnet they slept.

They lay curled one around the other all day as the various clansmen watched. "Do they be ready?" One asked Xavier.

"Do any Kyomylis be ready to assume duties o'de Nimbus?"

"He be not yet educated."

"We be knowin. He be goin back. He be smart and be able to learn while he be handlin some o'de duties."

"How be tha Nexus?"

"He a good one be. Afeared, yet doin all as asked. Work well they together." The darkness rose along with Luna in her fullness and flooded the alter and those who slept on it. Zypher and Cygnet stirred and stretched. They had slept the day through. Slowly stretching they sat up.

The hall was filled with men and women forming rings around the alter. All were grouped according to the animal they changed into. The cats in the foremost before Zypher because the Kyomylis was a cat. On the other side no one stood in the first rank, as there were no Vamps among them other than the Nexus. Xavier stood along with the five elders and a woman all in a straight line before the alter where the just waking pair sat up.

"Kyomylis an' Nexus, chosen be done." Xavier began.

"Testen be true." Mite added, followed by Anora.

"Binden be bound."

"Two fasten be one now." Ornet smiled at the two on the alter.

"Wholly broken and broken whole." Oxkan breathed the words. Then Xavier spoke again.

"Kyomylis an' Nexus proven true, desire they continue?" He looked at Zypher and Cygnet.

"Pray, me stemere, continue how shall we? There be no guide, no serys, fer he and me."

"Kyomylis, ye an yer Nexus be feelin yer way along the path chosen an be doin well. A guide fer ye, nay, ye be findin yer own way."

"Stemere, my Nimbus be not among tha livin', it be his hand that should guide. I be yet a boy, taken none yet as me bride."

"Ye be broken, yer virginity be given, freely to yer Nexus. We all witnessed it, Kyomylis."

Both boys blushed.

"Stemere, tha passin of body fluids twinx nexus bonded be nary a sexual function, but a function of their bond."

The Elders looked at him scandalously.

"Kyomylis, do ye be knowin what yer sayin?"

Zypher began to respond, but Cygnet stopped him.

"I'm not really sure of my place here..." He looked at the Elders, "but I have done all you have asked for the sake of my friend. I'm not really sure if I can explain what happened while we were sealed one to the other, but it wasn't sexual."

"Yer place be at the side of the Kyomylis, Nexus, ye be there just fine." The Elders looked at one another.

"Ifen it be not sexual betwinx ye, then what do it be?" The Woman with the Elders asked.

"I don't know." Cygnet blushed. "It was a hunger. It was erotic, but it..."

"Be a type o' feeden." Zypher finished for him.

Cygnet turned and looked at Zypher, then nodded slowly.

"Feeding. Yes, Zypher, it's an erotic feeding to satisfy a strange hunger." He smiled shyly and looked at the Elders, who were not very happy with that answer.

"Sayen be ye not finden each to tha other attracted?" Cygnet looked at Zypher and Zypher gazed back in his eyes.

"Me be willen ta share my fluids, aye, even me body with me Nexus, in he there be completion fer me, an' hopen be me he be finden me tha same." Zypher reached over and touched Cygnet's cheek.

"Yes, Zypher, I do find completion in you. You awakened the hunger in me. Not them, you and you alone." Cygnet's voice dropped an octave and rumbled slightly at the end.

The Elders smiled. There was a physical attraction there, and there needed to be. How ever they wished to describe it... Hunger, feeding, erotic... It was desire.

"Kyomylis ye be wedded taday, fer ye may not be Nimbus till it be done." The crowd parted and a white cloaked figure was being carried around the outer ring of clan "Yer wife, Kyomylis." Zypher slid gracefully off the alter and Cygnet followed. They stepped to the first ring of Elders who would not let them pass.

"Ye must wait," Xavier told him.

Zypher was curious about the figure. He scented desire, passion, and something else. His tentum raised of it's own accord and he felt the change coming over him. His heart beat erratically and his breathing became shallow. As she was taken in circles around the alter, coming closer, he followed.

Cygnet scented the desire in both of them and his body responded.

The Elders watched Cygnet carefully, both boys were untried and to do this the night of the Nimbus making was going to be even more difficult on the two. Slowly agonizingly she was circled yet.

Zypher came over to Cygnet the strain of her scent in his face.

"You want her?"

"Aye. Do ye?"

Cygnet nodded. "Her scent is strong, but she is to be your wife."

"Ye be me Nexus." Zypher's voice was husky. He crowded close to Cygnet. The air between them became nearly palpable as the two young men circled each other.

"I'm yer Nexus. If ya wish ta bed yer wife, I will not stop you." Cygnet's voice cracked as he touched Zypher's cheek. Zypher strained against the change rippling his body.

"Ye be me Nexus." Zypher rumbled at Cygnet.

"Me be yer Nexus." Cygnet fought the ripples under his skin and they continued to circle on another, round and round. "Ifen ye be wanten ta bed yer wife, me no stoppen ye be." The hand he had on Zypher's cheek trailed down to his chest. Cygnet was shocked to feel the smooth fur springing up under his touch. It was sleek and black.

"Ye be true. Nexus true. Ye an me." Zypher was still circling, but now his attention was on Cygnet alone, the female forgotten.

"Ye an me. True." Cygnet nodded. Cygnet watched the girl get closer to the alter - it would be soon.

"Ach, Nexus," Zypher looked at Cygnet, "what should we do?"

"She be yers." Cygnet's hands caressed him, pulling him closer.

Zypher allowed himself to respond, touching Cygnet's chest. Cygnet's scent of desire was strong in Zypher's nostrils. He knew the girl was out there, he knew she was getting closer, but Cygnet was here. He was now.

"As be me." Cygnet closed the distance between them claiming Zypher's mouth as his own. The girl and her bearers entered the circle of the Alter as their lips met. Zypher pulled Cygnet to his neck and bid him feed, which Cygnet did greedily. Zypher felt the desire well in him from the combined effects of the girl, Cygnet and the feeding.

"Ach, me be exploden." Zypher whispered loudly.

Mite suppressed a chuckle, this was the first and hopefully only Nimbus raising he hoped to witness, and it was nothing like what the others told him to expect so far. Ornet was shaking from the raw energy flowing off the two boys. The whole of the clans were here, those awakened and unawakened. There would be some interesting results from this display.

Tears poured from Oxkan's eyes. As Keeper of Ohaal, strong emotions effected him.

Flean smiled at Anara who was grinning from ear to ear, this was going better than they had hoped, better than the last time.

The woman, Arla, was shaking. She had the required seven days to prepare the girl for this ceremony, but she was still scared before the ritual started, so she had been given a sedative. She was awoken but scared of the change yet.

Zypher's eyes grew inflamed with the two sources of lust with in reach.

Cygnet felt Zypher melt into him totally giving over to the lust and Xavier whispered to him. "Nexus, guide him in what he needen be done, ifen stemere ye be wanten ta become."

Cygnet locked eyes with Xavier for a minute then loosened his jaws from Zypher's neck. Zypher nearly dropped, but Cygnet held him, turned him and bit him again. Zypher's back arched and his tentum rose mightily.

"Ach, what ye be doen ta me, Cyg?" His voice was husky, his eyes closed.

Cygnet reached around and grasped Zypher's tentum in his hand. The gurl moaned on the alter as Cygnet led Zypher to her, then while she lay complacent on the alter he guided Zypher's member into her body. Zypher went rigid as Cygnet loosened his jaws yet again.

~Mate ye to yer wife, Nimbus." He whispered in his ear. "Mate the moon's virgin sacrifice."

Zypher nodded and thrust forward. The gurl cried out, but Zypher caught her mouth with his.

Cygnet backed off and watched the two mate. Zypher was slow getting the idea, but soon learned. The gurl's drug wore off quickly and she fought him at first out of fear. Zypher stopped as she fought.

"Help him, Stemere." Xavier whispered. Cygnet nodded absently and stepped up behind Zypher again. The gurl looked at him and shrieked. Zypher turned his head and Cygnet moved around to get behind the gurl which put him on the far side of the alter and out of reach of Zypher who was staring at him imploringly. Cygnet climbed up on the alter behind her, and Zypher pushed her back so would be on the alter as well.

"Me wanten no be hurten ye." Zypher whispered to her as he nuzzled her neck. "Me nexus no be hurten ye." Cygnet nuzzled her neck from the back, meeting Zypher near her ear, they kissed.

"Me nexus be holden ye, so as me no be hurten ye." Cygnet positioned the gurl so she was nearly sitting her back on his chest. Cygnet wrapped his arms around her and cupped her breast. Zypher nodded to Cygnet and reentered her. She cried out again, but more in pleasure than in pain as she was caught between two forces of pleasure. Cygnet accepted Zypher's hands on his shoulders for balance as the gurl wrapped her legs tightly around Zypher. Cygnet closed his eyes trying to keep his body from responding, but Zypher's kiss shocked them open. The gurl was clinging to him now arms and legs while Cygnet supported some of her weight upright. His body responded forcefully to the kiss and the energy flows around them. His tentum saluted ramrod straight and Zypher smiled as he slowly and gently guided the gurls bottom to rub against Cygnet's tentum. Their sacs touched as they kissed.

"She be yer wife." Cygnet croaked out.

"Ye an me. Nexus true. Join us." Purred Zypher.

Cygnet stared in disbelief as Zypher controlled her movements driving him to distraction. He nodded once and slid his member inside her as well.

The Elders were not sure what the boys were up to when Cygnet climbed on the alter with the girl. Then they understood that he was assisting the Nimbus, holding the gurl so she could be taken. Then they rearranged. Cygnet had been sitting with his legs spread slightly, now his legs were straight while Zypher straddled him. The gurl was wrapped physically around Zypher, when he had resettled Cygnet bent his knees between Zypher's legs as well and supported both of their weight. Zypher pulled Cygnet up to him and they kissed. A few seconds later the gurl cried out and began to whimper. Cygnet and Zypher nuzzled her neck one on either side.

"What be they doen?" Ornet asked of Oxkan.

"Me noen not." Oxkan whispered, "thinken be me they both be maten she."

"Both?" Ornet sounded shocked, "how?"

"Me noen not."

Zypher was glad when Cygnet joined him in gurl, before it did not feel right, now it did. He nuzzled her neck scenting her desire, and Cygnet's desire. The blood scent was strong in her neck, the vein pulsed thickly under his tongue. She arched her neck, arched her back, held on tightly. Cygnet scented her blood as well and licked her neck on the other side. She ground her hips on them driving them deeper, more fully inside her.

"I be desiren ye." Zypher whispered in her ear. "I hunger, will ye feed me?" She nodded and moaned as Zypher's teeth sank deep in her neck, a second later Cygnet did the same. As the two fed, she shuddered in orgasm following orgasm, until they could take the pressure no longer. Together they exploded inside her their jizz mixing so thoroughly together no one would be able to tell if the children she conceived was the daughter of the Nimbus or the Stemere, or one of each.

As their lust was sated Zypher felt the power pooled around them yet. It was a lot of power. Cygnet felt it too, as did the gurl, Zypher's wife; he still didn't know her name. Zypher disengaged first and a few of the Elders saw that Cygnet had also been buried within her. Zypher looked out at the clans gathered and stood on the alter to see them all. He was standing over the gurl. He beckoned for Cygnet to join him and he did.

"Me be yer Nimbus, an he yer Stemere." Zypher looked out over the combined clans, "who be wanten ta argue?"

"By what right do ye be claimen ta be holden Nimbus?" Someone spoke from the back of the room. In the silence the words echoed through the room.

"By the right o' yer last Nimbus bein me sire, an me bein yer Kyomylis all me days."

"Yeran untried whelp, too young ta handle tha pressure!" Zypher looked at the man, who stood in with the rats...

"Untried, maybe true, but born an named, trained to lead. Bonded, awaken, fasten, broken, mated, wed, and raised all in the span of a fortnight and yet me an me Nexus be astandin afore ye. Bein a mighty trial me be thinken." Zypher coiled the power round him winding it round and round him. "Ye be knowen the rite of challenge... Ifen ye be wishen, come."

The man stayed where he was.

"Methinks he be nay sayen, but no be wanten ta fight." Zypher nodded at Cygnet's words, then looked at the Elders.

"What say ye? Aye or Nay we be Nimbus and Stemere?"

Xavier stepped forward.

"Ifen ye can do the simplest task of the Nimbus, then ye be he." Xavier stepped into the circle and bowed. "An what do that be?" Zypher asked quietly.

"Ye must be able an willen ta feed yer people. Ye can only lead as many as ye can feed, ye alone."

Zypher nodded his eyes round as saucers... He remembered tales of feedings he had never been allowed to attend.

"Tell me how, and it will be done." Zypher climbed down off the alter and stood before Xavier.

"Touch me, give me a part of you. Share your essence with me."

Cygnet sat down on the alter next to the gurl, who still lay unconscious. Zypher stood before Xavier trying to figure out how to do what he asked.

"He don no how.... He canna do it!" Whispers from the far sides of the room. The coils of power tightened around him and he winced. Tentatively he lay a hand on Xavier's face and sought the power. His body arched as he released the first little bit and Xavier fell, in that second Zypher knew Xavier more intimately than he knew anyone outside those on the alter. He was within Xavier and without in the time it took for Xavier to begin to fall so they lost skin contact. Ornet moved up beside Xavier where he fell. It was a few minutes before Xavier's chest rose and fell in a breath. Then a few more seconds before he sat up.

"Ye be me Nimbus." He whispered a broad grin spreading on his face.

"Now me, then the other elders, Nimbus." Zypher nodded and touched his face. The world exploded for Ornet in the best orgasm he had ever experienced and Zypher was within and without imploding and exploding all in the same instant. Zypher touched each of the other Elders, pausing at the Woman.

"Ye must do the women too, me Nimbus."

He nodded and touched her gently. Her eyes widened in shock then fluttered as a smile bloomed across her face. Zypher moved through the ranks feeding his people on his power. In the back of the room there were a group of boys a little older than himself. He touched the first one and as Zypher entered he felt the tug of the unawakened animal within follow him out... As he watched the boy physically changed form with the power flow, he was a tiger.

"Nimbus, me bein scared o' tha change." One whispered.

"Then ye need not change yet." Zypher touched him ever so slightly feeling within for that veil that would leave him yet unawakened, but known. The veil was pressed against, but Zypher pulled back with out calling the animal with in. When he decided to change he would be a cat. The boy shuddered, but did not change. Then the others grabbed at him to get Zypher to do him next. Zypher held still and explored them all at the same time. Two rats, another tiger, a wolf and a lizard of some sort all at the same time. The one who had not wanted to change stood saucer eyed.

"Do ye be wanten tha change now?" Zypher asked quietly.

He nodded.

"Come here."

The boy did, he was the youngest in this group.

"Ye be needen ta prove ta me ye be wanten tha change now." Zypher pulled his hair back off his neck the bite marks from Cygnet were the slightest of scars now and all but one set would be completely gone soon. "Ifen ye be wanten, bite. Ifen ye hurt me, ye'll change, ifen not, nay."

The boy nodded, closed in to bite and of all things bit.

Zypher closed his eyes and felt the blunt teeth tearing into his flesh and his blood, warm and oozing roll over the boy's tongue. The boy went to pull his head back, but Zypher kept it there, holding him tightly and whispering in his ear... "Awaken, awaken. Me blood be acallen ye -- blood, mind an spirit too, learn o' yer power, learn ta love, live tha life yer meanen ta be aliven truth under tha light o' Luna."

The boy's body went stiff, then lax as thick dark fur sprouted up and bones and joints rearranged. The panther's jaws loosed from his neck and Zypher stepped back.

The people he hadn't touched yet crowded around and he was swarmed with touches. He opened up more fully to the power and flooded those touching him, and through them the ones touching them.

It took time, but soon everyone in the hall was known to Zypher. He was shaking while the flood of emotions worked their way through his numb mind and pulsating spirit. He could feel more clan calling to him through the walls and away at school, not all had been able to attend his ascension. He flung out feeling the ties of his people with the people yet to be his and followed them. Some women with child had been unable to attend. Zypher felt them and flooded them with his presence and had barely enough restraint to only whisper of the power to their unborn. Several near to term began the first pains of labor, gladly, for this as a birthing day would bring good fortune.

Flekka felt the new Nimbus' touch from far away, as did those of the clan he had gathered to his room for this occasion. Zypher felt each member of his Clan as a separate thread of power, each with it's own name and scent. He would be able to recognize each from here on out. Holding tightly to those threads he made his way back to the alter where Cygnet waited.

"Nexus." The word was whispered.

Cygnet eased off the alter and stood before his Nimbus.

Zypher touched him, but restrained from "touching" him, pulled him close, turned him around and allowed full body contact. Zypher's chest to Cygnet's back. He slowly ran his hands down Cygnet's arms and clasped his hands, the gesture was very intimate.

"This be yer Stemere, me Clan. Know him." Zypher spoke in a low even voice as he took the individual threads and wove them into a fabric between himself and Cygnet, wrapping them both in it.

Cygnet absorbed it a single strand at a time, flinging them back out to return to the person from which they came, and he followed them, learning each Clansman. When the cycle was complete Cygnet sagged against Zypher and Zypher sagged against the Alter.

"Mayhap ye should find yer bed, me Nimbus." Mite whispered.

Zypher nodded and the Elders escorted the two to the Nimbus' bedroom. As they hit the mattress they slept, exhausted. It was late the next day when they woke to a sound in the room. A young clan's man was bringing in a tray of food.

"Bright Blessings, me Nimbus, me Stemere." The youngster spoke quietly when he realized they were awake.

"Bright be the day, Airt." Zypher greeted him back, wearily. "Me wanten ta feed."

Airt grinned.

"Aye, the Elders be thinken ye might be hungered." He placed the tray down on the table near the bed.

"Ach, me be hungered." Zypher looked at the tray, then at the boy. "Ye be sent, or ye asken ta come?"

"Asken." Airt blushed. "Anara be thinken ye may be wanten something more fresh than be on tha tray."

"Aye." Zypher nodded weakly. "That be true."

"Ye awaken me yestereve. Ornet be sayen ye feeden willna' be hurtful." He sat on the bed next to Zypher. "An me feelen yer hunger. Feed."

Cygnet looked at the boy with interest.

"You do understand that it will not hurt after the first few minutes, but there may be side effects."

Airt nodded.

"Ye be hungeren too."

Cygnet nodded.

"Yes I'm hungry too."

Airt looked back to Zypher.

"Ye be me Nimbus, he be me Stemere. If ye be wanten feed, me will no deny ye." Zypher pulled Airt down beside him.

"Ye be sure?" Zypher could smell his fear, but the boy nodded. Zypher's hunger swelled up and he nuzzled Airt's neck. The pulse was rapid, but heavy under Zypher's tongue. He bit.

Airt cried out in shock and pain. His back arched as the realization of what he was doing registered in his eyes. Then the pain was gone and a surge of pleasure washed over him.

"You don't mind being food?" Cygnet asked.

"Nay, stemere. Feed." Cygnet nuzzled the other side of the boy's neck, then bit as well. Together they fed until the pulse weakened and Airt became still and cold. Cygnet and Zypher loosened their hold on Airt, Cygnet sat up and Zypher snuggled around Airt.

"I need a bath, Zypher." Zypher gazed at him through heavy-lidded eyes...

"I'll stay with him until he wakens." He practically purred. "He will need to know it was good."

Cygnet nodded, stood and opened the door. He wandered the halls until he found a room containing hot springs, and eased into the nearly boiling water to relax.

Zypher didn't have long to wait for Airt to stir. "Are you feeling all right?"

Airt nodded slowly.

"You should eat." Zypher put the tray next to him and together they cleared it.

Finally Airt felt well enough to speak.

"Did you know it would be like that?"

"No. How do you feel now?"

Airt grinned.

"Wonderful, it was unexplainable what happened to me, but it did not hurt."

Zypher grinned back at him.

"I would do it again."

"I'm glad." Zypher nuzzled his neck, licking but not biting. He purred at first, then suddenly sat up. "I think I need a bath, too."

It was midday before the Elders came to take Zypher to the clan room. Cygnet followed as was his place. Zephyr sat on the chair used by his sire and his sire before him.

"Nimbus, you have need to go back to school. You must name someone to rule in your place, by proxy. Whom would you choose?"

"Xavier." Zypher understood their confused looks, normally the nexus of the previous Nimbus was retired and held no power in the new Nimbus' reign. Zypher could not do that. The elders bowed in agreement once they saw he would not be swayed.

Later that day the gurl they had bedded was brought into the chamber. Xavier and Nola stood behind her...