Home of the Animals
Chapter 1: Scared
The story is finally out. Please enjoy this. Leave a review I would love to hear what you have to think. Now that I'm back at college it might affect the updating of this story, but I will try my best to keep up.
Akamaru woke in the middle of the night. He raised his head, searching for a threat, nothing. Something was wrong. He got to his feet waking Shine and Pakkun in the process. He had to check on the pups.
"Akamaru?" said Shine.
He nuzzled her.
"Go back to sleep. I'm going to check on the pups", he said.
She nodded. Pakkun got up.
"I'll go with him", he said.
Pakkun hopped onto Akamaru's back. They went upstairs to the pups bedroom. The large dog pushed open the door. The two girls were sleeping peacefully in bed. Nothing seemed to bed wrong.
"They're fine", said Pakkun as he settled down on the soft bedroom rug.
Akamaru stared at Tala. She looked fine, but what if she weren't. Kiba entrusted him with Tala's care. He didn't want to fail his master in such an important task. Akamaru was about to jump onto the bed when Shine gently tugged his ear. Tala was fine there was no point in waking her. It was best to let the pup sleep. Akamaru settled on the floor with his mate.
Hana slowly woke. The room smelled of sex. She blushed of memories of last night flashed before her mind. Hana loved with the animalistic possessive side Kakashi showed when they were together like this. Kakashi lay unmasked beside her. She traced the lines of his. He smiled softly in his sleep. She quietly rose from bed. Hana placed her hand over her stomach. She'd be with child by the end of the week if she wasn't already. Hana slowly moved from their bed.
"Hana?"
She tensed. No matter how quiet she tried to be she always managed to wake her husband. She turned to face him. His silver-gray hair was a mess. The man's eyes were heavy with sleep. She sat beside him, placing a gentle kiss on his lips.
"Go back to sleep", she whispered.
"Where are you going?" he asked.
"Checking on Senna. I'll be soon", said Hana.
Kakashi nodded. His head fell back into the pillows. Hana went over to the main house. Her mom was at the table sipping tea. Kuromaru and the other dogs were resting on the floor.
"I'm letting the girls sleep in. There was just so much noise", said Tsume, smirking.
Hana went red and tried fanning away her blush. Her mother laughed.
"I'm going to wake them. Senna will sleep the day away if allowed", said Hana.
She went up the stairs to Kiba's old bedroom. It had been transformed into a little girl's room. She quietly creaked open the door. Akamaru, Shine, and Pakkun got up to greet her.
"How did they sleep?" asked Hana.
"Well", said Pakkun.
Hana sat on the bed with.
"Senna, it's time to wake up", she said.
She didn't respond, which wasn't odd. The girl could sleep through anything. When she touched Senna, there was puff a smoke. Her heart stopped as fear took over. A desperate howl broke from her lungs.
The desperate cry woke Kiba and Neji from their sleep. They raced to answer it. Anxiety flooded their veins. Neji forced himself to calm. It shattered when he saw Tsume's expression. He pulled away from Kiba and up the steps to the girls' room. Hana was on the floor crying with Kakashi cradling her. The bed was empty! The sheer weight of the of the moment would have brought him to his knees if Kiba hadn't caught him. He pressed himself against his mate trying to gain some sort during this impossible situation. There was little e could offer. In a matter of moments, the other Clan Alphas and some of the omegas joined them.
"We'll find them", said Barnard.
He and Otso pressed forward into the room. He hated the expressions of pure agony in the faces of the young alphas. Barnard took a deep breath, but there was nothing. No scent left by the intruder. He bit his lip. This wasn't a good sign. He turned to Otso, hoping the large bear picked up something he'd missed, but the old grizzly bear shook his head.
"Nothing", he said.
That further shattered the two omegas.
"There has to be something", said Kakashi.
"The intruder used a powerful scent blocker", said Barnard.
Neji raised his face from the shelter of Kiba's neck.
"The Hayashi had scent blockers", said Neji.
Barnard's hands fisted at the name.
"No-
"How can you be sure?!" growled Neji.
"There's has a chemical remnant to it. Difficult to pick up, but not impossible. This time there's nothing", said Barnard.
"Then how did you pick it up?" asked Kiba.
"I noticed what wasn't there", said Barnard.
"Or there was no one at all", said Kondoru.
"What do you mean?" asked Kiba.
His mind could hardly function. He couldn't use process correctly.
"The three of you are too dependent on your nose. Maybe something was used to draw the girls out", said Kondoru.
"How?" asked Kakashi.
"Don't have the answer to that yet", said Kondoru.
"Don't feel bad, Kiba", said Saber.
Kiba mind was in a state of chaos. He could hardly focus on what the older clan alphas were saying. Kiba forced himself to take a breath. He looked at his mate who tucked in his arms. Every part of him hated seeing the normally powerful and independent in such a state. Neji looked at him with such desperation. It pried at his already emotionally damaged heart. He leaned closer to his beloved.
"We'll find her", he whispered in Neji's ear.
In an old barn close to the border of Land of Fire were two little girls. Tala woke. Her vision was blurry. The heavy stench of blood filled her nose. It dulled the scent of grain and hay. She blinked a few times and her vision cleared. Thankfully, her cousin wasn't the source of the horrible irony scent. She couldn't move. Her hands and feet were tightly bound. They were in a barn, but where? How far was home? Where was Papa?! Where was Daddy?! Why were they here?!
"Senna",
Tala's sweet voice was only whispered. At the sound of her cousin, her ebony eyes opened. She was relieved to see her cousin safe and she wasn't all alone. The same questions went through her head. She couldn't stop herself from shivering. Tala was so calm compared to her. She didn't understand how. This was scary!
"Looks like our guests are awake", said a cool low voice.
They shivered. Tala turned to see who spoke. It was an older man with rugged features. A large black hat hid his face from direct view. When he raised his head, his ice blue eyes could be seen. Those eyes were the scariest part of him. They lacked emotion. He had long hair that had gone white with age. His pale skin made him stand out further in the darkness.
"Why don't you go greet our guests, Caine", said the older man.
He walked soundlessly toward them. Caine grabbed her roughly by the chin.
"LET HER GO!" yelled Senna.
"Shut up brat", said Caine.
The man's voice held a strong alpha tone, causing her to whimper. Tala didn't hide or whimper. She growled. There was no fear in her young cousin's expression. She shook out of his grip and bit his hand. There was a horrible crunch as Caine's finger broke under the force of Tala jaws.
"FUCK!" yelled Caine.
A deep rusty laugh could be heard in the background. Caine glared at his grandfather who was laughing his ass off. This old man was the leader of all hunters. The man of highest respect.
"How the hell is this funny?" he growled.
Caine grabbed the girl by the hair and tried yanking off her of his hand. She only bit harder, further breaking the bone.
"You allowed a two-year-old girl to get the upper hand you. How could you not find this funny?" said Orion.
"It wouldn't be so funny if you were the being bit", said Caine.
"That's the difference between you and me, Caine. I wouldn't be foolish enough to be bitten", said Orion.
"I think the bitch just broke my finger", he said.
"Most likely. Hopefully, you learned your lesson", said Orion.
Caine rolled his eyes.
"Get this mutt off me!" he shouted.
"Force isn't the answer to this situation.
"Then what is?" asked Caine.
"Patience", said Orion.
"So you expect me to wait for this freak to let go?" said Caine.
Orion shook his head.
"You're lucky you weren't bitten by an adult. Their bite can snap through a human femur", said Orion.
"Get her off me", said Caine.
Tala growled as the older man came closer. THREAT! Fear caused her bit to tighten. He smelled of blood. She flinched when he touched her cheek. He massaged her jaw, causing her teeth to retract. She tried biting his the older man, but only caught the sleeve of his jacket ripping. Orion laughed at her yet again.
"You have spunk little girl", said Orion.
Without any warning, the Caine slapped her, sending her to the floor. She whimpered but didn't cry. The old man smiled. Why was he smiling? She snarled when he cupped her face.
"Not a single tear", he said.
Tala huffed, trying to yank away. He tightened his hold.
"You're either extremely stupid or brave, Tala Inuzuka", said Orion.
"I'll go with stupid", said Caine.
"No", said Orion.
Inuzuka were stupidly brave, but this was different. She was testing them, seeing what she could get away with. The girl was exactly what he was looking for. Those innocent white eyes didn't stray from his gaze. He smirked. Brave enough to look him in the eyes. Not many adults couldn't keep it this long. He uncorked a bottle from his jacket, placing it under the child's nose. Her eyes closed and she went limp.
"TALA!" screamed Senna.
Did the man just kill her?!
"What did you to her?!" she yelled.
He covered her mouth.
"Now, now there's no reason for such a fuss. Your cousin is fine only taking a little snap. I have wonderful things planned for her, but you not so much. Your father's position has already brought too much-unwanted attention", said Orion.
He placed the small bottle under her nose. Orion took extra precaution in binding Tala. He used multiple figure eight knots.
"Is that needed?" asked Caine.
"There's something different about this child", said Orion.
"Is that good for us?" asked Caine.
"Can't be sure yet", said Orion.
Orion gagged her. He didn't want to risk her making a sound if she woke early. Orion dabbed the scent blocker on Tala's neck. Caine did the same with Senna. The children in wooden boxes with false bottoms. They filled the boxes with fruit. They loaded the cart and harnessed the horses. Each of them used the transformation jutsu.
"She's perfect", said Orion.
Tala woke. Where was she? This time she was alone and it was dark. She desperately wanted her daddy to hug her and make the scary go away. Movement was impossible. Her arms were tied behind her back. They were moving. Where were they taking her? The motion of the cart made her tummy hurt. The smell of apples was unbearably strong. A dim light shone through a slim crack in the crate. She rolled so her forehead pressed against the wooden surface of the crate. They passed small farm homes. Were they even in the Leaf? She whined, but her voice was completely muffled by the gag in her mouth. The cart came to a sudden stop. It caused her to hit the other end of the crate. Footsteps came closer. She went on alert. From outside she could smell daddy. For the second time in her young life, her Byakugan activated. It shocked her. She saw Senna clearly in the box behind her. How was she doing this? And why could she see Senna, but not smell her? She always trusted her nose before her eyes like her daddy taught her.
Orion suppressed a groan. He didn't expect the Leaf to react so quickly. There were three days left of heat. Those animals should still be in sex crazed heat incapable of all things except fucking. All the anbu roaming around the village only made things more difficult. There didn't use to be so many. The shinobi who stopped them was the sire of the child they took. This child deserved, so much better than that foul creature. His hold on reins tightened.
"What is the matter of this stop?" asked Orion.
"It's just a check",
Tala knew that voice. DADDY! She could see him, hear him, and smell him. His scent made her relax. She was safe now that he was here. Something was wrong. Daddy didn't sense her. Why couldn't he smell her?! She couldn't stop herself from crying. She wanted him to save her. That's what daddies are supposed to do.
"Fine", grumbled Orion.
"Akamaru",
The large white dog jumped onto the cart. She tried screaming for Akamaru and Daddy, but the gag stopped her. The flow of tears only grew. Akamaru sniffed around her crate.
"You can go", said Kiba.
DADDY! She watched as the image of him grew further and further away. How could not find her? She was right there. Did he not want her? Did she do something wrong? If she did she was sorry. She would do anything to back in the safety of her village. Soon they crossed the border of the Land of Fire.
"Idiot alpha", laughed Caine.
"Losing child has the effect on a person. His stupidity is our advantage", said Orion.
He was disappointed. Inuzuka lost the challenge that once brought him such interest. This clan alpha had to be the least intelligent. How could someone allow such tragedy to happen to his family? This was the third time something like this has occurred. He allowed lust to stop him from protecting his own. That was a grave mistake in Orion's opinion.
Kiba's was shaking with chaos. He took off in full run hoping it would burn of the pain away or replace it was some sort of distraction if only for a moment. He didn't stop running until he collapsed. His body was covered in sweat. The physical ache did little to distracted from the agony in his heart. He let himself cry. Alone he could cry.
Akamaru whined. This was his fault. If he woke the girls then he could have discovered they were substitutions. He could have warned Kiba. They might have been able to track the pups sooner. His tail went between his legs. He walked to his master and licked his cheek. Kiba sat up. He rolled onto his stomach in front of his master.
"What are you doing, boy?" asked Kiba.
Then he realized what Akamaru was trying to get through to him.
"Get up, Akamaru", he said.
He did as told.
"This isn't your fault", said Kiba.
Akamaru whined. He was entrusted with the protection of the being most precious being to his master and he failed. Akamaru would never forgive himself for this.
"Let's find, Neji", said Kiba.
He needed his mate. They could lean on each other. Being with him would better than being alone. Akamaru nodded. His master wasn't the only one who needed the comfort of their mate.
Neji searched with Hana. He couldn't stay at home. It was too painful a reminder. Froze to regain his sudden loss of balance. Hana steadied him.
"Neji"
He leaned against a tree for better support. The nausea was horrible. Was it this bad with Tala? He was pregnant. This would normally be a reason for celebration, but now it was only an added stress.
"Why now?" said Neji through gritted teeth.
He needed to be strong for his daughter, but his new condition made it more difficult.
"The trauma of lost pups has cause heat to end early. That why the signs are showing so soon", said Hana.
"That's not what I meant", said Neji.
"I know but we have to keep moving forward the sake of our children both born and unborn", said Hana.
"It will be a miracle if this child survives", said Neji as he put his hand on his stomach.
"That's only for the first pregnancy. Stress shouldn't affect this one", said Hana.
A bright bird blue with green tail feathers landed on Neji's shoulder. It was Cyan, Kondoru's bird. He took a strand of his hair in its beak. The bird tugged on the strand.
"He wants us to follow him", said Hana.
They followed him. Kondoru stood with Shaggy in his hand. His son Sparrow was with him.
"Snitch went to get Barnard", said Sparrow.
Kondoru instantly noticed the change in the two young omegas.
"Sit, you shouldn't strain yourself", said Kondoru.
They took the chance to sit. Both of them had been on their feet for hours. Neji had the added stress of using his Byakugan. Barnard and Kiba joined them in a few moments.
"I could only find the girls' scents no third source", said Barnard.
"What does that mean?" asked Neji.
"Tala and Senna left of their own free will", said Barnard.
What could have coaxed the girls from the bedroom? They'd taught them never to go off with strangers. Even if the person used a transformation jutsu the girls would be able to smell if the scent didn't match the person. Something seemed to have caught Kiba's attention. He wandered a bit further into the woods.
"Kiba?" asked Neji.
He took a white rag from a bush. The powerful scent wafting off it made him cringe.
"Chloroform, even if Tala or Senna were in of their range of our calls they wouldn't be able to answer. This stuff's after effect on their senses would last a long time", said Kiba.
"Take a minute to rest", said Barnard.
"How can we rest when our daughter is missing?!" growled Kiba.
"Look at your mate, Kiba", he said.
Neji was panting and wet with sweat. He was exhausted.
"We'll send a message if we find anything", said Barnard.
Barnard kneeled down in front of Neji. He gave Shaggy to Neji.
"I have your daughter's scent memorized I don't need this", he said.
Neji clutched the toy tightly. He fought off the urge to cry.
"We will find them", said Barnard.
Hana left with Barnard and Sparrow. Kiba's full attention went to Neji. He was sweating and was obviously in need of a break. He sat beside his omega. Kiba nuzzled Neji's neck and was shocked at the change in scent. How could he have not noticed before? He pulled away.
"Why didn't you tell me?" asked Kiba.
"When would I?" he said.
"What do you want to do?" asked Kiba.
"We're keeping it", said Neji.
He wasn't losing another child. Neji loved the new pup growing in his womb. He rested his hand protectively over his stomach. Kiba's arm wrapped around his shoulder. He leaned into the embrace
"How's the little guy doing?" asked Kiba in an attempt to get Neji's mind off current situation for a few seconds.
"Why do you think it's a boy? It could be a girl", said Neji.
His eyes watered. This time he couldn't hold back the tears. Kiba pulled him closer. They had to find her. Neji wasn't sure how long he could survive without her in his life.
"We will find her, Neji", he said.
"We need to. Our family is incomplete without her", said Neji.
He nuzzled closely to Kiba's neck. He just needed a few moments to collect himself. Kiba ran his fingers through his hair.
"I love you", said Neji in a soft voice.
"I love you too, beautiful", said Kiba.
As the horses pulled the cart forward. The village grew smaller and smaller. Her eyes gave out. Darkness surrounded her. She was in the box for hours. Tala couldn't hold it in and wet herself. They stopped. Tala and Senna were taken out of the boxes. Orion held her almost painfully in his arms. He untied her bonds and took out the gag. Tala was too weak to fight. She looked up. The sky was dark with clouds. Raindrops fell on her face.
"You know the plan", said Orion.
"Why not keep them both?" asked Caine.
"The Hokage's daughter is too high risk", said Orion.
"Understood", said Caine.
"Senna", whimpered Tala.
"Tala", whispered Senna.
They reached for each other. Orion wrapped Tala in his jacket shielding her from the rain and unwanted attention. He sold the horses and gave the fruit to a soup kitchen. He checked into a crappy motel that wouldn't ask any questions. He made a bath for the child since she had soiled herself. Her cheek was swollen. Orion healed the injury with his chakra. He couldn't have someone asking questions about the injury. After healing her, he dressed her in boy clothes. He set her on the bathroom counter. When he tried wiping away Inuzuka clan markings, she tried biting him. He grabbed her arm and squeezed. It wasn't enough to force to break it, but it was enough to cause pain.
"You'll behave", he said.
She growled but let him clean them away. He wiped away the markings. Hiding her eyes would be difficult. She was drained. He set her on the ground and took a seat by the door. She searched her surroundings. The child stopped by the window.
Tala looked out. The sky was clouded and it was pouring. Tall towers, unlike anything Tala, had ever seen ruled the landscape. What was this place? Wherever she was it was too far away from home. Tears streaked down her cheeks. She wanted to go home! Tala didn't bother asking the man. He wouldn't tell her.
"I want Daddy", cried Tala.
"Your daddy doesn't care. He would have gotten you if he did", said Orion.
It had gotten to the girl.
"He loves me. I'm his sunshine", said Tala.
"Why couldn't he smell you? The Inuzuka have a great sense of smell. He must not want you", said Orion.
"Daddy and Papa love me", whimpered Tala.
"You're an omega-
"So?" she said.
"You're a weakling. Why would they want you when they can have the alpha son they want", said Orion.
Tala started crying. She didn't know how to respond to this new flood of information. Her mind was so caught up in thought she didn't fight when Orion picked her up. He placed her in bed.
"Sleep, you have a whole new life waiting for you", said Orion.
Tala didn't respond. She was so numb with shock.
"What did you do to Senna?" she asked.
"I did nothing to her", said Orion.
"Where is she?" asked Tala.
"She's going to a better place. Now go to sleep", said Orion.
Tala was so tired she didn't fight the idea. As soon as her head hit the pillow she was out. In the middle of the night, she woke up. Orion sat in his chair close to the bed. With his ice blue eye open. For five minutes Tala waited, but the man didn't even blink. She slipped from bed and walked to the door. Tala stood on her tippy toes, reaching for the doorknob. Before her hand could even touch it a kunai lodged in the door.
"What were you planning on doing?" asked Orion.
"I have to go potty", said Tala.
"The bathroom is the other door kid", said Orion.
Tala walked into the bathroom. This girl was slightly different from other Inuzuka he'd observed. His words seemed to have more of an effect than his actions. Suffering was the quickest way to break one of her kind. It must be from the Hyuga in her. That would either make her easier to break or make it more difficult. A few moments later Tala came out of the bathroom.
The animal clans once again met up in the Inuzuka main house. Shikamaru joined the group too. Kakashi was in a cloud of chaos just like Neji and Kiba. Their children were being kept under intense supervision. None of the news was good. They couldn't catch a scent.
"We have an idea of who took the pups", said Tsume.
"Who?" asked Kakashi.
"Hunters", said Saber.
"The only people could escape my nose", said Barnard.
Most of them thought hunters were an extinct threat.
"What is a hunter?" asked Neji.
"The natural enemies of the animal clans. Neji the who attacked was a hunter. They are no longer legends", said Tsume.
"How did this even start?" he asked.
"That's an ancient story", said Saber.
"I'll you really need to know is they hate us for we are. They believe were unevolved and imperfect", said Kondoru.
Neji tensed. His every muscle tensed as he tried to keep himself under control. He was in so much pain.
"What are their fighting style?" asked Neji.
"Depends on the branch", said Saber.
"Legend says there was one a brother for every animal clan. They specialized in killing those of that clan. There are only five animal clans there should only be five brothers", said Kondoru.
"That doesn't answer the question", said Saber.
"For example, the brother meant to hunt my clan would be a specialist in long-range combat", said Kondoru.
"Supposedly their senses are better than ours to make up for their lack of animal counterpart", said Barnard.
"Who knows how much their population has grown or shrunk", said Tsume.
"We could be outnumbered for all we know", said Saber.
There was a loud hissing growl. Everyone stared at Saber. He pulled a senbon out of his ass.
"What the hell, Kondoru? This is not the time for jokes", said Saber.
"Would it kill you to think positively?" said Kondoru.
"I'm being realistic", said Saber.
"Can we get back on topic", said Kiba in a low tone.
Everyone in the room took a breath.
"Why did they only take the girls? There was plenty of time for them to take children of the other clans. That are in Tala and Senna's age range", said Neji.
"It's part of their belief system", said Barnard.
"They think male omegas are abomination and daughters born of those are in need of rescue. This isn't the first time something like this has happened", said Tsume.
"Then why did they take, Senna!" yelled Hana.
"Isn't it obvious", said Shikamaru.
That earned a roar of growls from the people who surrounded him. That sent a shiver down his back.
"They took her as a distraction. I'm betting they'll get rid of her soon enough. Carrying the daughter of the Hokage is too much of a risk", said Shikamaru.
"Get rid of her", whimpered Hana.
"Shikamaru!" growled Kakashi.
"I'm not going to sugar coat this situation", said Shikamaru.
She cried into her husband's shoulder. Kakashi hugged her close. He rubbed her back trying to soothe her, but there was no soothing away this pain until their daughter was back in their arms.
"I'm not going to sugar coat this she's in danger", said Shikamaru.
"What will they do to Tala?" asked Neji.
"Train her to be a hunter. It's extremely clever if you think about it. Using one of us to try to kill us. Once she grows older she'll carry a hunter's pup", said Saber.
Neji felt sick. Katsuo took him for the same exact reason. He didn't want that kind of suffering his daughter.
"We have to focus on Senna for right now. Her life is in danger. Tala is safe for the moment", said Shikamaru.
Neji's hands fisted.
"How is being trained to kill us and being turned into breeding stock as soon as she comes of age safe?!" he yelled.
Everyone was staring at him. He couldn't breathe. Neji ran out of the main house. He heard Kiba calling for him, but he ignored him. His heart was racing. Neji couldn't breathe. He ran out of the house. Kiba wrapped his arms around him. He crashed into their house. The scent of their pups' was strong there. A pair of protective arms wrapped around him.
"Calm down Neji you need to breathe", said Kiba.
"HOW DO YOU EXPECT ME TO BE CALM!" yelled Neji.
"I'm sorry", said Kiba.
He couldn't allow Neji to bottle this up. It would only make him worse.
"Neji, look at me", said Kiba.
Those white eyes slowly met his.
"Let it out", he commanded.
The stress, fear, and sadness all came out. He cried into his husband shirt. It hurt so badly. Why did it have to be his little girl? Why did things like this keep happening to his family? When he pulled away, an hour had gone by.
"I'm sorry Neji, but I couldn't let you keep that in", said Kiba.
"No, I understand. I needed that", said Neji.
Kiba knew just how scared his mate was. This must be one of his worst fears. Their daughter was taken for the same reason as Neji had.
"I'll get permission to keep looking to keep searching for her", said Kiba.
"I'm going with you", said Neji as he regained some of his composer.
"You're with child", said Kiba.
"I'm going with you. You can't stop me", said Neji.
Kiba knew there was no fighting this. It would be unfair of him to ask Neji not to come. The two were an equal amount of pain. Now more than ever they needed each other's support.
Tala groaned when Orion woke her up before the sun was even up. She watched as he used the transformation jutsu. Now he looked like an old farmer. Her eyes went to the door. She desperately wanted to go home, but she had no idea how to get back.
"Put these on, kid", said Orion.
He handed her a pair of blue sunglasses.
"Why?" asked Tala.
He wasn't given an answer. When she didn't put them on, Orion put them on for her.
"You will call me grandpa", said Orion.
"You're not my grandpa", said Tala.
Then she remembered something her daddy told. Scream if a stranger takes you.
"Don't you dare", warned Orion.
She was only able to get out a small yelp. Orion put his large hand over her mouth. She dug her teeth his hand. He pressed down on two of her pressure points. It felt like she was suffocating. She couldn't catch her breath. Her eyes watered.
"Behave and I'll stop", said Orion.
She nodded her head. Tala whimpered. He picked her up. They joined a group of traveling merchants.
"Who this cutie?" asked one of the women.
"This is my granddaughter", said Orion.
"May ask why she's wearing sunglasses in this weather", said the woman.
"She was born blind, so her eyes can easily be damaged. So its best for her to wear them", said Orion.
"I'm so sorry", said the woman.
"I miss Papa", she whimpered.
"Hush little one", said Orion.
They separated from the group when they reached one of the forest swamps that boarded between the lands of Hidden Grass Village. One of the many reasons hunters chose the Hidden Grass Village as their sanctuary was the swamp. The gasses it produced was repulsive to those of the animal clans.
Tala's gag reflex kicked in as soon as the smell hit her nose. Her eyes started watering. Her nose started running and soon she started coughing. To escape the scent she buried her nose into Orion's coat. She raised her head from his jacket when they left that horrible smelling place. He stopped her in front a large compound far outskirts of the village. She struggled in his arms.
"I wanna go home!" cried Tala.
"This is your home", said Orion.