So a new story, again a crossover. Hope you enjoy.


A Slave Named Ichigo

It was a brutally cold night; harsh winds blew along the plains making it all the worse. There wasn't much to be done about it, not while being trapped behind Iron bars out in the open in nothing but a roughspun tunic covering his thin malnourished form. He was just a child yet he was still a prisoner for these cutthroats.

The small boy knew almost nothing of his past, all he had was his name, Ichigo. He'd been a prisoner most of his life to his knowledge, he was nine years of age now and from what he been told, he'd been a prisoner for years... but didn't know how he ended up here.

His arms and legs were scarred deeply from having grown up in the chains he wore, for the rest of his life those scars would remain, showing what he was and the life he'd lived. He curled himself deeper into a ball to try and warm up against the numbing coldness.

As of right now the cutthroats that held him captive were basing at a place called Swindlers Den. From what he'd overheard, it was close to one of the main holds of Skyrim, one called Whiterun, and he'd heard talk of joining up with some other people that were apparently close by in a fort, called Fort Greymoor.

The band of bandits that held him captive rarely moved areas, in fact this is only the third place they've even set up camp in all the years he'd been with them. Which meant Ichigo had barely seen anything from the world outside his cage, the only times when he was allowed out was when they made him do jobs like cleaning up after them, which meant dragging away the bodies of the travellers they've killed, or simply having to keep the den clean to a standard that suited them. He hated it obviously, but he had no say, it was either do what they said or starve, maybe they'd just kill him if he stopped doing what they say... though after years of dealing with it, he didn't have the strength to go against them.

One of the bandits came out the den, obviously drunk, though it wasn't a big change from their normal state. "Oi, brat! You got work, get to it!" he sneered unlocking the cage and dragging him out by his chains towards the den, it was probably warmer inside so he was in no position to complain.

The bandits weren't too far into the cave, they had the beds set up closer to the exit. The first thing Ichigo noticed was the body laid in a pool of blood on the ground. It was a women, he'd seen her dragged into the den a few days ago, from what he'd heard she was on her way to Whiterun from Markarth when the bandits had cut her off and taken everything she had before dragging her back forcibly. The most obvious change now was her face, tear streaks lined away from her now dull eyes, and her clothes were torn to bits, barely covering her modesty.

It was obvious what had happened to yet another innocent woman. Ichigo gritted his teeth and bit his tongue so not to snarl out in anger at the thugs. "Get rid of the body brat, take it outside, it's starting to stink up the place, they're no fun when they're dead." The bandit chief remarked from his seat at a close by table.

Ichigo didn't even nod as he walked to the now dead women, grabbing her wrists and with all his might he dragged the body, which for him was no easy task, he had no strength thanks to his malnourished state, that and the fact he was only nine years old meaning this women weighed more than him if he was at a normal weight let alone his actual weight.

Her wrists were cold as he dragged her body across the ground, silently he felt bad for the body, he knew that this wasn't the most respectful way to be moved, yet it was the only way he was capable of.

"Boss, shouldn't we feed him a bit more? He looks like he might drop any minute, if that happens it means we need to do this crap ourselves." One of the female bandits asked as he trekked past her he could feel his stomach ache at the sound of food. The chief simply scoffed at her waving his hand in a dismissive order.

"If he croaks then we'll just grab a new one, he lasted this long on the amount of food we've been giving him." The chief replied not caring in the least about Ichigo's health, Ichigo could feel his anger rising again but he bit his tongue, some food was better than no food.

It took him close to half an hour but he got the body outside where a wolf would more than likely swipe it. He heard footsteps behind him and he slowly turned coming to face the women that spoke up for him. She grabbed him by his chains and roughly dragged him back to his cage. She held out a small loaf of bread to him... it was an end cut of a larger loaf, most likely left over, but it was still food.

"Eat it quick kid, the others will probably bring you your food later, and if they see you with extra food I'll be the one getting the blame." She said throwing it on the dirt ground in front of him before walking back into the cave. He was quick to grab the bread and even quicker to eat it, he was grateful to the woman for the food... but it was obvious she was only feeding him to keep him alive so that he could continue following out their orders.

He sighed looking at the night sky, seeing the clouds were parted showing the whole sky in its glory. Again he curled himself up to try keep warm when another strong wind blew across the plains. He wondered what it would be like to have grown up like a normal kid... one with a family and friends...

He closed his eyes allowing himself to get at least a few hours sleep before a skeever or wolf came to his cage to wake him up in the middle of the night. When the darkness finally overtook him, he found himself in the same dream he found himself in most nights.

In every dream he had he'd be in a damp cave, there didn't seem to be an exit out of it, instead it was just a massive circular room with walls of rock and no sign how he could have gotten in there. He could see everywhere in the room, all but one space.

It was on the other end on the room, the complete opposite to his side. It was heavily shrouded in shadows hiding whatever was in them, he'd always wondered if the way out of the room was through the shadows but was unable to find out. Around his feet were the chains he was oh so familiar with, but this time they were connected to a boulder stopping him from moving around the room... stopping him from finding what was in the shadows on the room.

He could see something, outlines, a glint or sometimes movement from in the shadows but never clear enough for him to see what it was... all he could tell was, it was huge. He turned his gaze over to the shadows and just stared at them waiting for something, anything.

Time seemed to pass, though he couldn't tell since he couldn't see the sky, he knew though that he'd be waking up soon. But just when he turned away from the shadows did he hear it, a booming voice that echoed around the room.

"Can you feel it?" The voice asked, it was strong yet calm. Ichigo froze as he gaze instantly shot back to the shadows, but this time he saw something new, something that he'd never seen in his dreams before. Two massive piecing eye looking back at him, they had a reptilian slit and were a deep red contrasting deeply with the black shadows.

"Can you? Can you see what's happening, can you feel the change?" It asked again. Ichigo couldn't pull his eyes away from the two staring intently at him.

"No... I can't see anything... I don't feel any change..." Ichigo replied almost hesitantly. His back was against the rock he was chained to when suddenly he could hear something crumbling. He looked over to his left at the new sound, finding that a crack had formed in the wall and tiny rocks where crumbling to the ground.

"The walls are crumbling, our chains are rusting, the air is becoming lighter... something is happening, you can see it now." The voice replied. "Soon we shall no longer be bound, no longer be enclosed, soon we shall be free, I can feel it, I can see It." The voice finished.

Before Ichigo could ask what was going on, he found himself being woken up, whether that was a good thing or not he didn't know. He took in his surroundings and instantly noticed something was wrong, everything was quite, over the time he'd spent in this cage in the plains, it was never quite there was always some noise even the wind seemed to have stopped.

It was like the plains had stood still, waiting for something, Ichigo could feel the tension building in the air, maybe it was just his dream but it felt like something was watching him. His eyes shot around quickly looking for any changes, any animals... but he saw nothing.

That was until a howl pierced through the air, starting a chain reaction of howls all through the plains, all around his position in every direction he could hear what sounded like wolves howling into the sky some distinctly louder than others.

The silence had vanished stomping of paws sounded all around him and wolves jumped out of bushes or ran over hills looking for prey, wolves were quick to surround his cage, others started feasting on the body of the women he'd dragged out earlier. The wolves growled as they circled his cage looking at him like a piece of meat.

A distinctively loud patter of paws caught his attention making him turn around fully, and then he spotted what had no doubt organised the attack. A large wolf that stood on two legs had managed to get around his vision to get close enough to his cage that it could touch the bars... a werewolf stood before him.

Screams, blood churning screams filled the air from inside the den, the screams likely belonged to the cut throats that have kept him here. The wolves had likely gotten in through a rear entrance of the cave.

Men and women came running out of Swindlers Den into the waiting jaws of the wolves outside. As soon as the first man stepped out, he was thrown into a pack of lesser wolves by the werewolf and the ripped to shreds before he could get to his feet. The second man became a meal for the werewolf as the werewolf pounced on top of him, ripping apart his neck and chest with its claws.

A woman that came running out didn't even try helping her fallen friend as she continued to run not looking back to help him, but just as she ran by some bushes a second werewolf jumped out and ripped her head from her shoulders before she could react to him.

More wolves and werewolves poured out of the den with bloody claws and maws. Ichigo stood directly in the middle of his cage, hopefully out of reach of their claws and stayed there watching as they all devoured the bodies of the bandits. The lesser wolves soon backed off from the werewolves, now that he had time he counted seven of them in total and around twenty or so lesser wolves.

The seven werewolves let out a victorious howl into the sky, which was echoed by the lesser wolves who then ran back out into the plains leaving only the werewolves in front of him now. They looked at him curiously, but made no moves to break the cage open... not like he'd be much of a meal to them.

"What do you want? In the stories werewolves can turn back into people so then why are you still in this form, it's not like I'm much of a snack." Ichigo asked trying to sound confident in some futile attempt at save his life. The wolves shared what could only be described as a laugh. A Dark brown werewolf stepped forward, it's form shifting to that of a dark skinned woman

"You're a smart child, though you'd be wrong in some cases, some people can't handle the wolf blood and become savages and will have little control when they turn into wolves and less control when they try turning back. Only the strong can use our gift to its fullest like I can, others turn feral like some of these with me." The woman said stepping forward to his cage, making him step back nervously. Ichigo didn't reply to her, it was obvious she was in charge by the way she acted.

The woman was wearing some strange type of fur armour, a lot more extravagant then he was used to seeing, it was rather revealing and left her legs all but exposed until her shins where she wore leather and fur boots and also revealed a large amount of cleavage compared to most other armours. The front of the amour seemed to have a wolf face imprinted upon the leather with red eyes to match.

"I see you like my amour? It was a gift from our patron, Lord Hircine, it's called the Savior's Hide and was awarded to me for fulfilling a quest given to me by our Lord himself. Now then, how about we get you out of that cage, Apacci get this door open." The woman commanded, instantly a werewolf with one blue and one brown eye stepped forward shifting to the form of a young women with the same eyes pulled out a lock pick and quickly opened to lock.

He instantly felt exposed and took another step back from the now open door, his arms were shaking and his fists clenched.

"Mila, Sung-sun you two go and gather what goods there are inside that little hide out those bandits had, take any gold, jewels anything worth a few coin and gather some food for the boy." She ordered and two more wolves shifted to a Redguard and an imperial before they took off back into the Swindlers Den.

"C'mon whelp, we haven't got all night if we wanted to kill you we would have already now get your arse in gear and get out here before I change my mind and make a meal out of you." Apacci growled, and against his better judgment he obeyed stepping out of the cage.

"Good, now time for introductions, what's your name whelp?" Apacci asked Ichigo bite down on his tongue not to make a remark at her calling him whelp.

"My name is Ichigo..." he muttered, he felt like he was under each of their gaze, and with a quick glance to the others it seemed true, they were all looking at him like they expected something of him.

"Well, Ichigo. I'm Tia, and this is my pack. Apacci, Mila Rose and Sung sun are my second in command. These wolves are feral, they no longer are able to revert from this transformation, they are simply beasts now." Tia introduced while Ichigo just nodded unsure to why they were even introducing themselves or why they seemed to be helping him.

"Right, I wish for you to listen to me for now. Once my other two pack members are back we'll be leaving and you'll be coming with us. We'll be heading past Broken Fang Cave into an opening in the side of the mountain known as Bloated man's Grotto on the edge of the plains." Tia replied motioning in the direction they were heading.

"Why aren't you eating me? I don't get it... are you helping me?" Ichigo asked, his voice barely a whisper as he took a half step back... he didn't understand, werewolves come and kill everyone yet save him?

"We were asked to save you by Lord Hircine, it was after I had finished the quest he gave me. He told me to gather my pack and find you, he claims that you will be a great hunter one day if you allow us to raise you and share our gifts with you." Tia said kneeling to lower herself to his height.

"How long have you been held captive for?" Apacci asked crossing her arms, though her voice seemed somewhat softer as she spoke.

"I don't know... I don't remember a time before this... They said I was nine though and I think I have been here for several years..." Ichigo said his quivering slowly stopping as he grew used to there presence.

"But... why would Hircine want me? I... I'm weak, I couldn't even scare a skeever... and you said share your gift, you mean to become a werewolf? I... I don't know why this is happening." Ichigo froze when Tia placed a hand on his shoulder.

"You are mistaken, you are not weak, you are simply young and inexperienced. They kept you malnourished and in poor health so that you couldn't oppose them, my pack and I will bring you to a level where no one will be able to control you." Tia began standing up gesturing over the plains.

"We'll build you back up and give you the power you need to hunt whatever prey you wish to hunt. So will you join us, accept this power we offer and prove that Lord Hircine was right to put his faith in you?" Tia asked her eyes locking with his burning with a fiery determination which made him flinch.

Hircine... the Deadra had placed faith that he'd become a great hunter, the only person in his life to believe he could be something other than a slave.

"I will join you... I don't wish to be worthless... I want to become great like you!" He cried out, as the last of his fear left him and he took a strong step towards her.

"I will not disappoint the only people who have ever believed in me!" He claimed his eyes now burning with the same determination.

"Heh, the kid has spunk. This might not be a chore after all." Mila Rose said as she walked out from the caved swinging a pouch on coins around her fingers. Sung-sun behind her with a small sack in her hands.

"Indeed, and these plains are quite nice so hunting should be plentiful unlike up near Winterhold. We could gather bounties from Whiterun, maybe even sell hides to buy some food which isn't just meat." She stated with a small smirk.

"Idiot's we'll only be able to stay in this Grotto for a year maximum, Guards will have sightings of us and soon enough they'll mobilise and try kill us." Apacci stated rolling her eyes.

"All of you shut up. I've already considered this, the fact that Skyrim has just entered a civil war means people are on edge, Falkreath has sided with the empire, while Whiterun remains neutral or at least pretends to be. So if the Jarl sends to many troops he risks Falkreath thinking he's sided with the Stormcloaks." She started turning fully to face them.

"But if they send any less then, lets say fifty men then we'll rip them to shreds. These plains are filled with amazing game and I for one think it's about time we claim our territory, for now we'll claim from here to Bloated Mans Grotto, then expand west and east to both Fort Sungard and Fort Greymoor." Tia finished before she began walking with the others following her, it didn't take long for Ichigo to realise they were leaving so he quickly joined them.

"We'll have a few worries to start off with, the vampires in Broke Fang cave which is central to the area I want to claim, we'll have to wipe them out, as well as any bandits that are holding up in the forts and probably the giants too if they will not submit, the road from Rorikstead to Whiterun is something we should avoid while in our wolf forms, traders will often use it and we don't need people hiring the companions to attack us. We'll most defiantly have to increase the size of our pack now that we are finally going to claim area." Tia finished with her hand to her chin as she took in other considerations.

"It will be tough to maintain mistress but we will stand by you. What about our last camp? We left our belongings there and you said we should increase our pack size, what do you suggest?" Sung-sun asked as she walked slightly behind Tia with both Mila and Apacci in toe

"Tough to maintain yes but not impossible, Sung-sun You should travel back to our old encampment and gather our items and bring them to the grotto. Mila, Apacci you two and one of the feral wolves gather as many wolves you can and travel around Falkreath before coming back up to these plains gathering new pack mates, normal wolves, ferals, or any sane werewolves. Sung-sun, you have two weeks and you two I'll give a month while I'll take Ichigo and the remaining pack to the grotto and claim it in the mean time." Tia stated casting a glance over her shoulder to her pack mates, receiving nods.

"Understood mistress." The said together bowing slightly. Instantly the three began to shifting, arms extending and fur sprouting as there bodies expanded, the process looked painful but was over quickly as they took on wolfish features and within a few seconds three wolves stood in front of him rather than three young women though they all took off in a sprint with Sung-sun splitting from the rest as they ran and one of the feral werewolves followed the other two.

Ichigo walked faster so her was next to Tia, the other two Werewolves and the normal wolves kept their distance but remained close enough to hear Tia's orders.

And so it went, it took a half a day of walking but they arrived at the grotto in the side on the mountain he and Tia stopped outside while the pack halted around them, hiding in nearby cover since it was day now.

"It's been just over a mouth since I was last here, it was the end of that quest for Lord Hircine. No doubt others have set up camp in here and you are still much too thin to be fighting so we'll leave it to the pack and we shall get set up." Tia stated, she'd gown quiet protective of the young boy in there short time together... their situation's where almost identical, she'd been born into slavery but had escaped almost ten years ago now.

"All of you go and kill any inside, take any bodies to the back of the Grotto and one of you come inform me when you're done." She ordered while looking over her shoulder, instantly the wolves did as ordered all of them charging as a pack with great speed into the grotto.

"What if innocent people are hiding in there?" Ichigo asked looking up to the older woman who stood up straight with an aura of power that seemed to follow her.

"The only people who would choose to hide here are those who are running or hiding. So I doubt there are any kind people inside, not that it matters those who have seen us so soon can not be allowed to live otherwise they'll tell others." Tia said as she turned to face him. His roughspun tunic replaced with pelts of fur tied crudely around him which was the only clothes they could offer until they could get to a store to buy him something.

Ichigo nodded reluctantly, he didn't like the idea of killing but this was the life he had now and it was by far better then what he did have, and these where the people who rescued him so he'd never judge them.

"So what was the quest you had to do for Hircine? You mentioned it a few times but never said what it was you did." Ichigo asked as he looked up to the now bright sky.

"I had to kill another werewolf, he'd killed a small girl in Falkreath and stolen the Ring of Hircine, in an attempt to tame his transformations, but instead of hiding himself away he tried to continue his life like an idiot. Because he couldn't accept that he'd never control his transformations a small girl died, to me his life was forfeit." Tia said coldly, clearly not happy at the girls death.

"What about me? Will I be able to control it?" Ichigo asked his small voice quieter then usual.

"I have no doubt, the lack of control is only something that bothers those with a weak mind and body, we'll be training you and in a few years we'll grant you the gift, and you'll be a great hunter of Hircine." As those words left her mouth one of the werewolves came out of the grotto and nodded, indicating it was done.

"Come Ichigo the grotto is clear, we'll set up base now, there is a small spring inside for us to wash in and lots of space for us it build in. We won't be living a life of luxury Ichigo but to be pampered with an easy life makes us weak, so this is the perfect place for us to live." Tia explained as they both walked into the grotto.

The initial opening after the small rocky passage held the small spring with a small waterfall as well as a large enough opening for several tents. He'd thought he'd entered a cave at first thanks to the high rock walls on all sides but the open celling of the grotto allowed for natural light to shine in all corners of the grotto.

Tia spent an hour walking him around the surprisingly large area of the grotto, it was mostly one massive pathway which led in a circle but with many open spots where they could put beddings or storage areas, even a stone walled room at one point which had held a statue of Talos at one point according to Tia. Soon enough they arrived back where they started.

"Well then, today you rest, tomorrow you start your training by helping me clear as much of the area as possible, we'll set up our tents now, and in a week the lesser wolves and ferals will have enough room cleared out for themselves and any new wolves that will be joining." Tia stated as she began setting up camp with Ichigo quickly starting to help.


Six years had passed since he was rescued, and no longer was he a frail little boy helpless against the bars of a rusty cage, no now he was fifteen built with lean muscle trained to wield a blade and a bow, able to take down giants on his own and fast enough to keep up with fleeing prey.

He was stood under the cold waterfall in the spring within Bloated mans grotto, washing away dried blood around his most recent wound, a slash across his chest from a angry sabre cat which he'd hunted and brought home for dinner.

He'd been healed by Sung-sun, she was highly proficient in alchemy brewing strong potions to heal him but it always left a scar and it still hurt. Tia hadn't been happy and had scolded him for being stupid for letting the sabre cat land a hit on him.

The pack had grown greatly while they've been here, over a hundred wolves as well as two dozen feral werewolves had been found and tamed. Feeding them had been the biggest worry so it was pretty often that Sung-sun Apacci or Mila Rose took half the pack to hunt either near Falkreath or Morthal while the rest hunted the plains of Whiterun.

They'd been careful not to cause too much trouble for the Holds but they had easily put all the local hunters out of business. Many of the giants had fled up to Dawnstar after they'd hunted down their mammoths several times and killed many giants, though some still stayed around.

He stood from the spring and glanced around, they'd built several wooden frames with leather acting as walls to give anyone bathing privacy. He grabbed his clothes and armour from the side of the spring and quickly clothed himself. He wore leather armour everywhere apart from the steel gauntlets.

He stepped out fully clothed and was greeted by the group of Ice wolves which normally stayed around the entrance, they acted mostly as guards killing any bandits that walked in while most of the werewolves stayed further back in the grotto, it helped keep them a secret.

The open area was much larger then it used to be, they had used pickaxes to break down most of the bigger rocks that cluttered the place and cut up the fallen trees which opened up the areas much more giving more space for the wolves.

He walked along the cobblestone pathway they put down running up to the shrine room, the only place in the grotto with proper walls, the old room which had held a shrine to Talos which was broken to rubble when they first arrived. But they replaced it with a shrine to Hircine, it wasn't as grand or as big as some of the other daedric shrines but it stood at twelve feet tall with polished marble.

Tia had spent most of the packs savings on it, she had a contact in Riften who had the connections to have it built discretely for the right price. But it was the only shrine to Hircine in Skyrim and it allowed them to make offerings and have some limited contact with the daedric prince.

It was every few months Hircine would get into contact with him specifically asking him questions and sending him on solo hunts to test him. It confused both him and Tia why the god had such and interest with him, but he knew it was close to the time for him to receive his gift and hopefully he'd get some answers then.

He entered the Shrine room and sent a long gaze to the shrine, it depicted Hircine with a spear raised high and a werewolf at his side bowing it's head. At the foot of the shrine where some small totems that he'd collected from his hunting quests from Hircine, they had granted enhanced powers to the werewolves that prayed to them.

On the other side of the room were several large chests filled with gold and gems as well as any other valuables they gathered when wiping out bandit camps or handing in bounties. They didn't spend much money since most of their needs could be taken from the wild, wood from the tress they cut down, food from the animals and water from the streams. The only thing they needed to go to cities or towns for was some alchemical ingredients, some different foods and weapons and armour whenever they needed new sets.

He continued out of the shrine room till he saw Tia and Sung sun talking as they sat next to a campfire while they drank some Alto wine between them. When they spotted him come they welcomed him over.

"It's almost time you know, Lord Hircine said he wanted to speak to us all once more before you are given our blood. We are discussing who will be with you when you change and where to lead you till you regain your control." Sung-sun stated smiling slightly.

"I don't mind who but I know that Fort Greymoor has just been reoccupied by a group of bandits, you said that I will get the urge to hunt so maybe lead me there?" Ichigo asked sitting with them Tia was the next to reply as she finished her drink.

"Not that easy to lead a newly created werewolf, but remember it lasts about eight hours so we can't just choose one place we need an entire route to lead you on. But for today we need you to head to Whiterun and sell our pelts and buy some supplies." Tia stated making him raise an eyebrow in confusion.

"You want me to go to Whiterun? I thought we normally sold to Flakreath since their security isn't as high?" He asked, but she chuckled slightly.

"The Civil war just got serious, the High King was just killed by Ulfric Stormcloak. Apparently he was shouted apart using The Voice. So now all Imperial supporting Holds have doubled up and are likely to be attacked as well not to mention they'll be wary of any new faces." Tia stated seeming uncaring that the High King was dead.

"Whiterun is still neutral so they won't be as worried about new faces not to mention they get a lot more traffic compared to Falkreath. Anyway Apacci can't go since she's banned from Whiterun for a fight with some noble guy and Mila is out with some of the pack so I'm leaving the job to you. You shouldn't be complaining, how long was it since you was last there? At least a year so you'll have to let us know what's changed." Tia stated standing up quickly followed by Sung-sun and Ichigo.

"I have a list of items for you to pick up, about two hundred coins should be enough plus what you get from sales." Tia said walking over to her tent picking up a small note from her small table and handing it to him.

"Sure I'll go but I don't get why I can't go to Falkreath since I don't have the beast blood yet." Ichigo muttered taking the note and glancing over it, vegetables and alchemy ingredients plus a large amount of steel arrows meaning Tia intended for a serious hunt soon... then of course was drinks, wines and ales galore which was no doubt mainly for Mila and Apacci.

"You're a Nord and unfamiliar, it's unlikely but they could see you as a spy but I'm not willing to take the risk. Now hurry up, you need to arrive before shops close I suggest you sell items today and buy the foods tomorrow so you should rent a room for the night." Tia stated crossing her arms as she spoke.

"Understood I'll head out now, be back before noon tomorrow. I'll be careful not to draw attention to myself." He stated folding the note and placing in his pocket, he heard Sung-sun chuckle be hind her hand.

"With hair the colour of fire it would be a great feat for you not to draw attention to yourself. I fear that once you are given the gift your beast form could also be that bright." Sung replied amused, Tia smirked slightly but didn't give a comment.

"If that happens I'll roll around in ash before I get spotted as a giant orange wolf... by Hircine I'd be a embarrassment to hunters everywhere." He stated shuddering at the thought to be trained as a hunter for six years to end up like that was something he couldn't allow.

The women laughed it off as they left to tend the pack, he was quick to gather his belongings. He didn't own much, but he had a hunting bow he carved himself a hooded cowl that he wore when hunting to stop his hair standing out. But his prized weapons were his twin blades.

One was hollowed out in the centre and large enough he wore it on his back while the other was only slightly longer than the average dagger and he wore it at his side, though both blade shared their pitch black metal apparently forged from the same clump of metal. Duel wielding was something uncommon among hunters but it was his preference when fighting.

He'd received it as a gift after he hunted down several cave bears for a family with no gold to pay him. The family where once famous traders and had bought the blades many years ago but they where not fighters so instead they gave the blades to him.

After suiting up he was quick to grab the furs and other oddities they had gathered to sell and folded them all into a bag which hung on the opposite side to his blade. He knew he'd likily need to use a cart to bring the supplies back and luckily Mila had made one a while back so he was quick to find it and start wheeling it out of the grotto.

In truth no matter how hesitant he acted towards going to the holds he couldn't deny enjoying visiting them, he didn't have much contact with people outside of the pack so seeing how other people lived was amazing. He couldn't remember much of his life before he was a slave only bits and pieces but he always wondered if he'd ever lived in a house like the ones he saw in Whiterun.

It was early morning as he walked along the dirt path pushing along his cart, he wasn't running but he was walking at a fast pace since he knew he had to arrive by evening. The last time he was in Whiterun he'd kicked up a bit of fuss.

A girl with hair like his was cornered by bandits near one of the farms outside the main city, they were stealing when she and her brother had spotted the thugs causing the thugs to attack them, the brother was wounded mortally by the time he was able to help.

He killed two with his bow before dispatching the last through impaling him with his blades. He was quick to try and save the man, Sora he learned the man's name to be, but it was useless the man was beyond help.

The girl had been incredibly distressed begging for her brother to come back to her. Some healers from in the city had taken her in last he heard. He hadn't stayed more then a day, he was only there to check on Mila Rose who was a day late getting home.

The girl hadn't said a word to him so he never learnt her name, it didn't matter he reasoned. She would bounce back he was sure, if he was able to make a life after what he'd been through he was sure she'd be able to as well.

In the distance he could see Fort Greymore, it's walls littered with fake guards to make the fort seem filled with people. He couldn't wait till he was given his gift so he could wipe them off the map, he had no mercy when it came to bandits and cutthroats, not after what they put him through.

He picked up his pace, it wouldn't do to alert them and get attacked. For hours he walked, spotting several wolves in the plains which watched him. He recognised some of them, they were probably sent to keep an eye on him.

They tailed him but kept far enough away so as to hide from any people who could be useing the road, they only stopped when they got too close to the farms so he guessed they'd be waiting and listening in case he needed help like they always did. Most of the pack treated him like this, making sure he always had backup making sure he was always had an escape route... they cared for him, and he them.

The whole pack he saw as a family, his only family. Even in the early days when he was weak and thin the wolves brought him food from their hunts to make sure he was eating or maybe it was to help him grow, either way they had always been mother hens when he was young, they only started letting him fend for himself when he was able to fight for himself but they always made sure he had help if needed.

A caring family, that's what he had now... and it was all thanks to Hircine, the one who thought his life was worth more outside a cage rather than in it, the one to give him a chance to grow and prove himself.

Hircine had even told him personally that if he didn't want the beast blood he didn't need it, he would be a great warrior either way and would be welcomed to the hunt. Though he would gladly accept it, he'd do anything to repay the kindness given to him.

He was brought out of his musing at sound of a massive boom, he recognised it instantly and readied his bow. It was the sound of a giants club hitting the ground at great force, he ran forward an just over the hill he spotted it, several people fighting the giant... he could lend a hand.

He drew back his bow and readied his arrow before letting it fly, the arrow cut through the air before lodging itself in the giants neck, he didn't stop instantly firing three more all once again hitting the neck.

It's how he'd been trained, giant skulls were think and had a chance of deflecting an arrow but their necks were kill shots just the same filling their lungs with blood and suffocating them. The other warriors charged forward cutting the giants legs forcing it to it's knees before a large burly man brought his blade down on the giants neck decapitating it.

He put his bow back on his back next to his blade. Then he realised it... he was supposed to be keeping a low profile while here. He silent cursed himself as the warriors came to greet him.

"A brilliant shot I must admit, what is your name?" A women asked a bow on her shoulder and a light armour making her also look the part of a hunter.

"My name's Ichigo, just coming to Whiterun to sell some pelts and buy some supplies." He stated politely, he already drawn their gaze so he should at least be polite. It was then her eyes narrowed, he saw her discreetly sniffing the air. His eyes slightly widened when he realised it, they smelt like wet dogs.

"You must be the companions, a pleasure to meet you I have heard much. Some of the people I hunt with normally come to do the selling and buying but they were all busy today meaning it fell to me. They told me about you." He replied smirking slightly her eyes remained narrowed.

"Ria, Farkas. You both go ahead and get the payment I wish to speak to this one for a while." She ordered getting a huff from the man and a nod from the woman. They waited till they were out of ear shot before she spoke again.

"My name is Aela, you have the lingering smell of those with the beast blood on you yet your are not one yourself." It wasn't a question causing him to raise an eyebrow.

"Yeah, they took me in when I was young and have been training me till I had enough strength to accept the gift, which is soon as in this week from what they tell me." He admitted, he knew she wouldn't speak to others about it since she herself was a wolf.

"And what is it your group wishes by being in these lands?" She asked while he shrugged and walked over to his cart once again beginning to push it towards to city.

"Nothing really, they only settled down here since this is where I was saved and at the time I was too weak to travel. We keep to ourselves for the most part, I'd think you'd be happy more of your kin were in the area, I do assume you follow Hircine." He asked as she walked beside him, she nodded hastily.

"I do, and so do most of the others but there are some of us that do not. We keep our blood a secret from even to those inside Jorrvaskr. If you are found out by those inside Whiterun you'll have no help from us, that goes for if you cause trouble as well, just because we follow Hircine doesn't mean we'll be letting you do what you like. After all we have an image to up hold and a city to protect." She said before walking off into the Whiterun gates, he followed into the city.

He briefly wondered what had changed since he was last here honestly it wasn't much. He made his way to the Drunken Huntsmen to sell of his gear. It was only a business interaction no friendly chat, after all they were not on friendly terms. When their pack had claimed the land they drove the other hunters away putting them out of business meaning less sales to this shop but the owner was in no position to refuse trade.

It didn't matter what the man thought of him as long as he continued his business, Ichigo walked out his pocket a fair bit heavier. He wheeled his cart over to the Inn leaving at the side of the building before walking in.

"A new face, welcome take a seat we've just stoked the fire." The owners voice sounded causing him to turn to see her washing cups behind the bar.

"Not a new face, I just haven't been here in a while." He said taking a seat across from Hulda and pulling down his cowl with a small smile, the woman was a kind person from what he could remember.

"Oh my, Ichigo wasn't it? It has been a long time and you've grown into quiet a nice young man from the looks of it. What have you been doing then? Can I get you anything?" She asked. He smiled, to think an innkeeper would remember the name of someone she's only met a handful of times.

"I'm still with that band of hunters, Mila was too busy to come today and Apacci is still not allowed within the city, so it's just me this time." He replied giving her some coins for a drink which she was quick to slide over to him.

"And look at your weapons, you're no longer the small frail boy I remember coming here all those years ago, still just a boy mind you." She added smirking causing him to roll his eyes but he still smiled.

"I was hoping you had a room? I'm staying the night since it'd be dark before I got back to our newest campsite." Campsites, lies the pack told people to make it sound like they were constantly moving and not just hunkered down in a grotto.

"Of course, ten gold and it's yours for the night." She replied getting a nod and he dug out a few more coins. "It must be better than sleeping out in the cold plains, you should come to the city more often." She said while he just shrugged.

"Nah, I think my place is in the wilds much more exciting than a comfy life." He replied subconsciously rubbing his new wounds along his chest. It was far from healed but it wasn't to serious now that he'd had a few potions.

"What's that then?" She asked motioning to his actions causing his eyes to widen when he realised what he was doing. He chuckled nervously brining his hand away from his chest.

"Nothing just a wound from my latest hunt, I prefer fighting with blade rather than bows and well I tend to get hit more thanks to it." He admitted sheepishly, it's not that he couldn't use his bow, no he was a good shot but it wasn't as thrilling to him it wasn't satisfying.

"I suppose all Nord men are the same in that regard." She admitted almost annoyed. "You should get it checked out in the temple of Kynareth, we have some of Skyrim's best healers in there, in fact I'm pretty sure you know one of them already." Hulda stated smiling causing him to frown.

"I don't know any healers from Whiterun." He replied causing the woman to grin.

"No but you know about a young woman with hair as bright as yours, don't you?" She asked it took a second but he realised what she'd meant.

"The girl from a year ago? She became a healer did she, well I'm glad she was able to move on from what happened." He said smiling somewhat, happy for the girl.

"Girl? Did you not get her name when you rescued her? It makes sense she did come here a few weeks later asking for your name now that I think about it. She'd be happy to see you, she hated that she wasn't able to thank you for your help." Hulda stated, he hummed in thought glancing away.

"I might see about getting my wounds tended by a proper healer, if I see her there then I will, if I don't then I don't" Was his reply before drinking the last of his drink and standing up. "I'll be back later." He added before leaving.

He had to ask around a bit to find the temple, but when he entered he instantly smelled burning incense probably to calm the people in need of healing. He was quick to take off his Hircine charm from his neck and put it in his pocket, it wouldn't do good them seeing it.

As he looked around he could see a guard sat with his arm being tended to by some male priest, the guard seemed have been bitten by something it was hard to say at this distance. He took a seat and almost instantly after he heard a voice behind him greet him.

"Hello young one, how is it Kynareth can be of aid to you?" It was a feminine voice, he turned his to look at the Nord priestess, waring normal robes and her necklace of Kynareth on clear view. He nodded his head in greeting.

"My names Ichigo, Hulda said I should come here to have a wound checked out. It's mostly healed thanks to some potions but I'm still in pain from it." He replied getting a warm smile in response.

"I am Danica, the head priestess of this temple. Will you allow me to see the wound?" She asked walking over to him, he unclipped his leather armour and pulled off his tunic revealing the four large gashes running down his chest.

"This must have been quiet serious, please lay down let me see if I can stop the pain." He followed without question as the woman's hand glowed with magic. A startled yelp broke the woman's attention though causing them both to turn to face the new arrival.

Apparently only just having walked in stood the girl he'd come to see, long orange hair clipped back by hairpins her eyes were wide as she held a hand to her mouth, instantly she came running to them.

"What happened have you been hurt?" She asked quickly, he couldn't hide the shock on his face as she began working he turned a questioning glance to the smiling head priestess who was trying her best to hide her laughing.

"I was hunting a sabre cat, it got a hit on me before I subdued it. It's good to see you again." He replied smiling slightly as he felt the pain in his chest vanishing. He swore the girl was blushing as she tried her best not to look him in the eyes.

"It's good to see you as well, I never got to thank you for your help and I've felt horrible for it you must have thought me ungrateful after you risked your life for me." She replied making him frown and wave her off.

"It was a tough time for you I didn't think less of you, but you can do me one thing though. Introduce yourself, I never did get your name." He asked again she seemed about to burst from her embarrassment.

"Yes of course! Sorry... I'm... well... My name is Orihime. After everything that happened that night I was taken in by the temple and raised as a healer and it would seem you have become a hunter." She replied. Orihime, it was nice having a name to a face.

"Similar story for me, I was taken in by hunters and they raised me as one, was a slave before that." He replied gesturing to his wrists which were badly scared from the chains he once wore.

"I'm sorry to hear, it must have been hard." The pain was all but gone now and Dinica had left his treatment to Orihime. He nodded.

"I believe hardships make us who we are so I wouldn't take back my past no matter what it was." He stated, as if felt the last of his pain subside he sat up brushing his hand across his chest feeling the scar on his skin but no pain resonated from it.

"So this is what magic capable of, I'm impressed. If I get an injury like this again I may have to seek you out." He admitted impressed at it's effect. Sure potions were amazing and he'd carry a few with him but this was some else entirely.

"You are welcome here whenever you're in need of healing. Before you go, I really must thank you for what you did for me back then..." She started but before she could continue he once again waved her off.

"No need, you just paid me back by healing me so no need to thank me." He replied pulling his clothes back on he heard a door open and a sigh sounded as Danica walked back in frowning deeply. Orihime seemed to know what was wrong though.

"Is the Gildergreen still dying?" Orihime asked getting a sad nod from her tutor. Ichigo had no idea what they were talking about.

"Gildergreen?" He asked causing the two to turn to him, Danica again nodded.

"The tree drying outside, you must have saw it on your way in here. It was planted in the early years of Whiterun but was recently struck by lighting and has not been able to recover. We'd need some sap from the Eldergleam for the Gildergreen to recover but even that is impossible." The woman stated.

"And why's that, collecting sap sounds easy enough if this Eldergleam tree is far out I wouldn't mind traveling to it for you." He replied, it didn't sound too difficult.

"It's not so simple, to be able to cut the Eldergleam you'd need a blade called Nettlebane but some Hagravens down at Orphan rock have it and I'm not strong enough to defeat them and take it." She answered making him smirk, Hagravens could be tough but that meant they'd make a good hunt.

"I'll get it then, I've never hunted a Hagraven before but I'm sure I'll be able to make some profit from whatever I'm able to from it so I could argue it will be a hunt to my friends so they'll allow me to go." He mused. "Orphan rock right? Give me a week." He stated.

"I cannot ask you to do this you are much to young to be able to fight something like a Hagraven, but maybe one of the other hunters in your group might be able to." The older woman replied though he stood up still smiling.

"I've already decided it's my hunt, as I said give me a week I have some other things to sort out first."


Updates for this story will likely be every month or every other month, any comments about it's future and what not feel free to ask in the review section.