Title: A Pack Needs an Alpha

Pairing: Kiba / Tsume eventually, Alpha/beta relationship for now

Warnings: Tsume abuse, mentions of past abuse, eventual m/m

Summary: Kiba finally realizes that he is tearing his pack apart by not acting like a proper alpha. Things go kind of sideways though when he finally does.

Author's Note: Story is WIP, so next update will be at least a few days. The pack structure always was more interesting to me in the show than anything else, so it is a little AU by who is not in the story. And in this world Kiba cares more about his pack than Cheza.

"I'm going hunting."

Kiba glanced over at Tsume and frowned, looking past him to the storm. "It's bad out, take somebody with you."

He barely noticed as a small growl escaped from Tsume, "I'll be fine by myself."

He finally took the effort to lift his head up and eye the other, "It's stupid and dangerous to go out by yourself, if something happens nobody will be with you. Take someone."

Tsume turned on him, teeth bared and growling, "Are you going to make me?"

Kiba felt that familiar need to put the other down and be the alpha of the group and for a moment he faced off with him, teeth bared for a fight, but he turned abruptly, not willing to tear their pack apart, "Do whatever you want."

He didn't see the startled look on Tsume's face, or the frown. Tsume whirled towards the exit, calling for Toboe to go with him over his shoulder.

Hige watched them go and strolled over to where Kiba sat and leaned casually against the wall. "You should have fought him."

Kiba glanced at him and away, "Why is that?"

"Because you're our Alpha and he was questioning you."

"I told you that isn't this kind of pack."

Hige shook his head, "Every pack has an alpha."

"Well then let him be it, he's the one that bares his teeth and gets ready to attack anytime someone disagrees with him."

Hige laughed a little as he slumped down, doing his best to act casual. "Funny thing about that, every time he bares his teeth at you he tucks his tail."

Kiba hadn't really been paying attention but he swung around, knowing the surprise showed on his face, "What?"

"Every time you face off with him he tucks his tail." Hige pushed off the wall, "Listen, I can't really explain this to you because as long as you keep not paying attention to him you'll never get it. Toboe and I know you're our Alpha, we don't need anything else. Tsume is… different."

He had Kiba's full attention, "You're saying he wants to be Alpha."

Hige looked like he wasn't quite sure what he wanted to say, "Just… you always bust on him for not acting like a wolf… but you have really been missing some major body language here, even Toboe has asked me about it and if he is getting it…"

"What am I missing?"

"The next time you guys fight just smell him Kiba."

"I know what Tsume's scent is."

"Just do it Kiba, alright? And don't tell him I talked to you about anything like this because he will kick my butt."

Hige tilted his head back, either really going to sleep or pretending, and Kiba thoughtfully leaned back, wondering what he had been missing.