Ch. 1: Battle on snow.

I coughed, catching sensei's attention. He raised a nearly invisible eyebrow, blue-violet eyes watching me with concern. "I-i-I'm-m-m just c-c-c-cold." I stuttered. He rolled his eyes and lifted his front leg. I ran towards him and cuddled into his black and white fur, trembling like some hairless rat.

"Ichigo, you stupid pup. Why the hells did you cut your fur short?" "It-t-t-t-t was a b-b-b-bet; I l-l-l-lost." He laughed quietly. "Dumb ass pup. We live in the fri'gin land of snow. No blood shifter can live out here without fur." I sneezed and groaned. He grabbed my scruff and started to jump up the mountain, like any other ninja trained by my clan. I am the only inheritor to my clan, which, according to sensei, is the STUPIDEST thing my clan has ever decided.

I had to come to an agreement with him that time. I can't use jutsu without shifting to human, can't lift a ten ton boulder like my father. The only thing I can do is see stuff from afar in the dark and howl so loud it can cover half the world in less than a second. But that doesn't count because it runs in the family. Sensei skidded to a stop in front of a huge cavernous hole sticking out of the mountain. He set me down and pushed me into the cavern. "Get your semi-hairy ass in there." He scoffed. I sniffed the cave entrance, smiling as the warm air welcomed me in. there were two boys in the cave, along with a blazing fire that heated the place quickly.

"Damn sensei. What took you so long?" Hiko muttered.

"Guard duty."

"Pfft! Duty." Ryuu snorted.

The rest of my team started to crack up, collapsing in a fit of giggles. Ryuu, a dark charcoal colored mutt with a red mane of fur, was on the dirt covered floor, rolling around, the multiple beads in his fur making a light pinging sound. Hiko, a cool gray pup with dark paws and a tired expression was sniggering lightly. It looked like we woke him up from a nap.

"Ha-ha, hilarious. Now shut the hell up, we've got a whiteout coming this way, and fast." Sensei lifted his head in an oblivious way. "Can't you send Ichigo to tell her dad?" Ryuu grumbled, his eyes shifting to my shivering form. I snarled and lunged at them, getting caught before I could actually harm them.

"Ichigo, down girl." Oh snap. "Amaratsu what is this?" sensei stood, acknowledging alphas obligation. "Alpha, I apologize for my student's behavior." Sensei bowed low, his nose touching the ground. I froze. "Hmm… Amaratsu, take your squad outside for a while. I need to talk to my daughter." I waited for them to leave before looking up to my father's eyes. "Hey dad."

My father shook his head. "Ichigo what am I going to do with you?" "Throw me off a cliff? Feed me to the sea lions? You're the alpha not me. I don't have the right to order people around… yet." I turned my head and looked away. "Young Kuonichi, you should stop behaving like a male and learn your place as a female. Until you learn this you will be looked down upon." He gave me a stern look waiting for my response.

"Father… I refuse to change who I am just for the sake of your people's name." I snarled, barring my tiny fangs at him. He glared at me. I swathe ice in his eyes and wished I chose better words. He flicked his tail impatiently and began to walk out the cave. "Learn your place Ichigo. don't turn tail on your clan." He barked at me. I stood up, and turned tail on him, snorting as I did so. I didn't hear sensei come in so I jumped when he placed a paw on my shoulder. "You okay?" I glared up at him my eyes explaining my vehemence to him openly. "I thought so." I tucked my tail around my face snorting.

I'll never be able to live up to my dad's expectations. He was amazing. The leader of our clan, survivor to epic battles, warrior of the ice and the only one who can put me to shame of who I am; A naïve, ignorant, tomboyish Kuonichi who can't do shit.

I sighed, catching a warm sent. I opened my eyes and looked around.

'A village? How did I get here?'

I stood up on my paws. There were huge buildings in brilliant colors and a lot of trees. There was a mountain with faces carved into it, a forest surrounding the area. I sniffed the air catching the warm sent of… laughter? There were people, playing laughing, having the fun I can't enjoy.

"What is this place?" I asked loudly. There was a soft gust of wind, blowing leaves all around me. I walked with the wind looking around, not really heading to one place in particular. I bumped into a wall falling back.

I growled and jumped up the thing not really caring that it was about 8 feet high. There was what seemed like a school over there. I could sense their Chakra from here. I hopped to the nearest window and peeked in. they weren't even paying attention to the teacher. Some were talking and others were sleeping. There was one kid that caught my attention, a blonde, blue eyed boy, which seemed isolated from the rest of the class. He was glaring at a dark chicken butt hair cut kid, which seemed to be getting a lot of attention from the female students.

I sniffed the air. Was there a fox around here? I snorted. These children had no idea on how hard training was for my people was. Days without food, missions in which you weren't guaranteed survival; it was a hard life.

I signed and began to run with the wind, letting it take me all over the place, exploring every nook and cranny. Suddenly something slammed me into the ground. I yelped and started to run. Ichigo… I looked around, trying to find a way to escape. Ichigo… everything was turning black, I couldn't escape. I am trapped like a rat.

"DAMN IT ICHIGO GET THE FUCK UP!"

I yelped and fought to stand. We were outside out in a huge field. Apparently sensei carried me out here. When and how I did not know, nor would I like to.

"Ichigo, how the hell can you sleep, in the fucking center of a battlefield?" I paused and sniffed the air. He was right. The air was full of bloodlust and revulsion.

I listened the sound that was coming from the west. "Do you hear that?" I whispered. They all pricked their ears focusing on the strange sound. Suddenly it got high-pitched and it was almost intolerable. "Sensei!" "ALL OF YOU GET AWAY FROM HERE NOW!" I scattered, not really observing where I was going until something exploded behind me sending me flying into a snowpack. I starred at the huge snow storm heading this way. I focused my vision on the odd colored base.

"Sensei there's a bunch of ice demons at the base of the blizzard." He stood with his back to me. "Ichigo go inform the village." I nodded and shot towards the mountain range that protected my home. I scaled the alp stopping at half peak.

It seemed so tranquil… I planted my paws firmly then let out a level three howl. It echoed loudly through out the valley, getting everyone's attention for sure.

"Ichigo!" my father ran up to join me "what-" "ice demons attacking the western front. There ready for war." I panted, my lungs working for all the air I used up. He nodded. "Gather all the pups and take them to safety. Everyone else to war NOW!" he howled. The shinobi below howled in response and began to make way to the frontline. I was about to rush on with them, but my father held me back.

"Ichigo go help the rest of the pack."

"But dad!"

"Do as I say." He shot towards the blood lust roaring vociferously. I pouted then followed all the females and pups. "Ichigo…" I looked up at Hoshi her eyes filled with concern. "Go follow our father little sister. If you don't, you'll regret it." after thinking over her words, I smiled and rubbed my neck against hers in a thankful way. "Thanks big sis. I love you." "I love you too." She nudged me and picked up a nearby pup, winking at me as she led the pack. I grinned and started to run.

The bloodbath was just beginning. My people seemed to be out numbered. I looked around, trying to find some kind of distraction. I slipped on some loose snow falling on my face. Who put that there? I growled and kicked some snow down The mountain, creating a chain reaction. … Oh sweet my sweet Kami I just had an idea.

I sprinted to the snow covered peak and stared down at the battle field. They were losing… determination suddenly flooded me, giving me new found courage. Okay, paws spread slightly and firmly. Deep breath and… I howled loudly, letting the sound carry out to the mountain. The snow there started to fall and slide. I watched as the demons started to panic and got buried in the snow. I felt like doing a happy dance.

I was just about to jump down the hill when someone grabbed my scruff and threw me against the jagged cliff side. "Ichigo you dumb ass pup… LOOK AT THE FUCKING MESS YOU MADE!" I looked up at sensei. His fur was soaked in blood, a big kunai lodged into his back. I stood up and wobbled slightly. "It's nice to see you to sensei." I said, standing on unsteady legs. He hacked up blood and collapsed. I trotted up to him and heaved the peace of ice like metal out of his back healing the wound with my chakra. Suddenly sensei collapsed on me causing me to yelp loudly. "Stay fucking still…" he whispered.

An ice beast appeared out of nowhere, a strange gurgling sound coming out of its throat. It paused right in front of us and gave a strange choking sound. It kicked sensei and laughed some more. I could see through it completely.

Its fur seemed to be pieces of thinly cut ice put closely together like needles on a porcupine. Its face was roughly scratched by what seemed like claw marks. I swear I could see its guts! It trotted towards the cliffs edge, looked back at us with violet-black eyes, cackling loudly. It let out a howl, sending a ringing sound al through the battlefield. I wanted to scream. The sound was hurting my ears. Once it stopped it trotted towards us and kicked sensei hooting loudly, then dived down the cliff side.

Sensei stood up after a moment and coughed up some blood. "What the fuck are you doing Ichigo? Shouldn't you be with the females and pups?" he sat down and licked a wound on his paw. "There okay. Sis said they didn't need any help so I came to join the fight." He froze and glared at me. "Ichigo… what can you do? Your useless as a team member and can't even defend your sorry ass without help!"

"But I know how to destroy them sensei!"

"Really? How then?"

"There ice wolves."

"I can see that. Can you tell me something useful?"

"Ice is ineffective agent's fire. It melts it down."

"Can you just get to the point?"

"If the pack uses fire jutsu agents the ice wolves they won't be able to survive. At least that's what I think."

Sensei was about to say something but hesitated, thinking about what I said. "You know that's not a bad idea." He looked down at the blood bath and watched as some of my clan chums used fire jutsu. The ice beasts seemed to avoided fire at all costs. There was one that yelped and tried to avoid a fire ball jutsu but melted its rear in the process.

"…you know for once I'm proud to call you the clan's heir." He pulled back and turned to look at me in the eye. "All right, lets tag team kid." He crouched so I could climb onto his back. I grinned and shifted to my human form and hopped onto my sensei's back. When we tagged teamed, our teams of four split up and teamed up in groups of two. One person remained in wolf form while the other stayed human, and both teamed up so they could use jutsu and physical attacks.

It usually takes months to perfect these moves, but it took me a week. I am a fast learner.

"Okay pup hold on tight were going at seventy." I clutched onto his fury neck and leaned forwards as he shot down the mountain side. "Ichigo, use fire shield, now!" I let go and preformed quick hand sign shouting, "Fire style! Flaming winds!" a burst of flames came and surrounded us protecting us from unwanted attacks.

We ran straight towards the strongest area, where my father was using advanced and powerful jutsu. I could feel his anger as he brought down all hell on the ice beasts. "Daddy! Hey papa!" I shouted. He looked around as he decapitated an ice beast. I waved wildly as sensei avoided all the combats around us. Alpha leaped up into the air, landing by our side.

"I thought I told you to stay with the village! Amaratsu you were supposed to keep her in check!" sensei gave him a guarded expression. "She's your daughter alpha; I can't keep her in check no matter how harsh the punishment is."

"Father, we figured out a way to damage the ice beasts!" he glared at us and quickly grabbed my sweater, jumping fifty feet in the air. We were just in time too; gangs of ice beast got past my father's defense and were standing exactly where a few seconds ago. We landed behind our army and were safe enough for us to actually sit and discus strategy. "All right then what's this plan of yours Amaratsu." Sensei pushed me forwards with his paw making me trip onto the snow covered ground. "She's the one you might want to ask alpha. She came up with the plan." Father looked at me surprised. "All right then Ichigo, what's this brilliant plan you came up with?" I grinned.

"While I was up on that cliff an ice beast came up as if to check if sensei was good as dead. I got a good look at it. Its fur was just tiny pieces of ice, and its whole body was completely transparent. Then it hit me. They were made of ice. Even now there avoiding the fire jutsu users and they aren't using any type of chakra attacks. We seem to be making them only stronger..." my father looked out at the battlefield, taking in the situation. He paused on a fire jutsu user and watched as he literally blew fire at one of the beast making it melt.

"I see your point Ichigo but not many of our people can use fire jutsu." "Then make them team up! We can't let them get to the village!" "No Ichigo. They want you. You can't stay here." I stared up at my father. They want me? I thought they wanted our family treasure… "Amaratsu, Take Ichigo and the rest of your team and hid out in the land of fire. I shall send you a message when we figure out how to deal with this problem."

He sank to his front paws and looked me in the eyes. "Ichigo… be a good girl and listen to your teacher. I… I'm proud of you my daughter." He shook his head and slipped off his prized necklace. He picked it up and gently put it around my neck. "Protect this with your life daughter. The Ice Fang of our tribe is in your possession from this day forward. Until you pass it on to the next heir." He licked my face and spun to look sensei in the eye.

"Take care of her. And don't worry, she won't completely emerge." With that he shot off, barking orders to all the fire users. Sensei was frozen for a while, staring at my father with what looked like shock. "Sensei we have to go now! They're getting closer." He blinked and looked at me. "… Fine. Climb on kid. We're going faster than wind." I sighed and hopped onto sensei's back. "Sensei I'm running low on chakra. I don't think I have enough to do that fire shield jutsu…" he grunted and shot off, heading for the sea. "Don't worry kid I'll lend you my chakra." He panted. I sighed and sat up. "Okay sensei." I inhaled and started to perform the hand signs for my fire type jutsu. "Fire style, flame wind jutsu!"

A sudden increase of temperature occurred followed by bright white flames surrounded us protecting us from the ice beasts. "Hey Ichigo, sensei! Wait up!" I looked over my shoulder and saw Ryuu and Hiko trying to keep up with sensei's ninja speed. "Sensei slowdown they can't catch up!" sensei snorted and lowered his pace a bit.

Suddenly there was a high pitched grating sound. I yelped and looked over my shoulder one more time. The ice beasts found us out and were now stampeding towards us snarling and letting out rough high howls. I panicked 'sensei there catching up!" "Shut up Ichigo. I'm trying to focus."

They were now more than forty feet away. "Sensei they're getting closer!" I looked around wildly. There! Over those mountains, to the boat port. I yipped and felt myself transform into my wolf form. I dug my claws into sensei's back and struggled to stay on. "Sensei that way, to the boat port!" "I said SHUT UP!" he's going in the wrong direction. He's heading to danger! I threw my self-off sensei. He snarled and caught me by my scruff. "You stupid pup!" he rumbled. "Let me go, let me go, LET ME GO!"

Suddenly something stirred in my mind. Eh? God, what the fuck happened? How long has it been?"Sensei let me go now, you're going in the wrong direction!" who the fuck are you? Where's me? What the fuck did you do with my body? I howled. "Let go sensei!" I shouted. "Shut the fuck up Ichigo!" Amaratsu? What the fuck man. "Let her go you retarded little fuck."

That wasn't me. It came from my mouth, but it wasn't me. Sensei stumbled and dropped me. The moment my paws hit the ground, I was off running for the boat yard. "Damn it Ichigo wait up!" run you weak thing! RUN!

i had no idea where the boat yard was, since I lost track of where it was. You really are useless aren't you? Turn here now! The voice literally forced my paws to move in its chosen direction. I stumbled and tripped on my paws but kept moving in the direction of the sea. Keep running fur ball! Almost there! "Who are you? What do you want?" shut the fuck up and keep moving those furry little legs you runt! Suddenly I saw the light. "It's on fire!" I shouted. And it was. The boat yard was up in flames, creating an inferno of its own. Shit. Keep running! I'm too young to die! I ran along the snow covered cliff edge, trying to see at least a few feet in front of me. Suddenly the ground flew out from under me.

I screamed loudly, my paws trying to stop in midair. Keep moving your legs runt! Move! My paws were flailing wildly, sending me onto my back. I landed with a loud thump and my paws were still moving. Roll over and stop moving. Were safe… for now anyways. I sat up panting loudly. "What are you?" I asked. But the voice did not respond. I huffed for a while and settled into a ball, my tail covering my nose and closed my eyes. This is the worst night ever…

Sparky: Bwaahhhh! Sorry I had to edit some words and re-do the whole story-ish.

Okami: bitch, you're running out of inspiration. Just admit it.

Sparky: yeah, but after reading Hush, Hush I got some inspiration back. Patch is hot.

Okami: yeah I know. I was in your head commenting 24/7.

Sparky: whatever. If you guys have anything to say, I would appreciate it in a review.

Okami: so with that being said, read and review!