The Dark Truth's in All Heart's
One
The wind blew hard that night. A storm was moving in. And a big one at that. A female Akita ran through the darkness. Her brown and white fur already wet with the little rain that had fallen. But her run was desperate. For in her mouth she held a small Akita pup. He had the same markings as his father. The leader Weed. And she was desperatly trying to get him to safety. They had been attacked by the strangest group of dog's she had ever seen. The leader's mate, Koyuki, had begged for her to get their son away safely. She agreed and ran with him, never once looking back. She could hear the growls and the screams of death. But she continued to run. She could hear both Weed and his father Gin urging their soldiers on. The veterans of tha battle with Akakabuto and those from the battle with Hougen and his brother Genba all fighting to push the invaders out. To the death if they must.
She cried as she ran. Wondering if she would see any of them alive again. The puppy whimpered, frightened by her crying. She recommposed herself and pressed on. Stopping only when she heard a noise from behind her. Voices.
"Just give us the pup female and no harm will come to you!" One of them called out. She turned quickly and ran again. This time towards the river. There she stopped and hid the pup in the dense brush.
"Listen to me Kenichi. No matter what you hear do not move. And do not cry out. If they find you they will kill you. Understand?" He nodded up to her. She gave him the smallest of smiles before heading back to the path and running again. He could hear someone calling out to her. Demanding her to stop. But as he was told he stayed where he was.
The female ran as fast as she could. She was being chased by two male huskies, one brown and white, the other black and white. They growled as they bared down on her. She tried to push herself harder. But she was tireing, and they were gaining on her. She kept looking back as she ran. Judging how close they were to her. They were getting too close. But it wasn't she should worry about. It was the one in front of her. She turned back just in time to see him standing in the path. She skidded to a stop just inches from him. A rather large German Shepard with a black and gray coat. He bared his teeth and smiled wickedly. The other two came to a rest behind her, out of breath.
"You two are younger than me and yet you are out of breath?"
"Sorry boss. It's because of that crap they put in us."
"I understand. Now as for you..." He said as he looked back to her. "Where's the pup?"
"I'll never tell you!"
"If you value your life female you will."
"I do have a name you know! And it's not female!"
"You have a bite to you don't you? Well I can't call you by your name if I don't know it."
"It's Mimi! And that's all you need to know!"
"So you won't tell me where the pup is?"
"No I will not!"
"Hmf. Have it your way."
She crouched as he lunged towards her. There was no time to run. Within seconds he had his jaws around her throat. "Last chance." He growled as he tightened his grip.
"Go...to hell!"
"Bitch!" With that he clamped down as blood shot out in all directions. She gave a final cry before all was silent. He reared his head and threw her body off to the side. "Fan out! I want that pup found! And when you do...kill it!"
"Yes boss!"
Kenichi stayed quiet where he was. He could hear the brush around him rustling. It mad his fur stand on end. He was so scared, and so alone. If they found him he knew there was nothing he could do. They would kill him and eat him like the Koga clan had done to other dog's. He had nightmares of those stories. The other puppies had told them to him to scare him. They had always said for a leaders son he was weak and scared all the time. He was starting to believe they had been right. He wasn't acting as a true male would at this moment. But what could someone his size do to defeat an adult. He had heard that both his father and grandfather had fought bravely at his age. But he just didn't think he had it in him. And the point was proven more when he heard footsteps nearby. Then a dog yelping as it died. And then another. He began to shake all over. 'This is it. I'm going to die. I've disappointed you father, mother, grandfather. I was too weak. I'm a shameful male."
Then the fpootsteps came closer and stopped just outside the underbrush he was hiding in. He closed his eyes tightly and awaited his shook even more, so much so he wet the ground.
"That is not how a male should any dog for that matter."
Reconizing the voice he slowly opened his eyes. "Tesshin?"
"I've been looking for you young one. Where's Mimi?"
Kenichi just turned away. "I see. I'll find her and bury her before we go."
"Where are we going?"
"Your father had us split up for the time being. Those strange dogs just kept coming and coming."
"Yea. They do smell weird."
"We have to go for now. Your father and mother had me look for you and Mimi. I was to stay with the both of you till we could regroup. I'll take care of you till that time."
Kenichi looked down to the ground. "What's wrong young one? It'll be alright."
"The other pups were right."
"Right about what?"
"I'm weak. And useless. All I do is whine. I'll never be a strong male like father and granfather."
"Don't say that Kenichi. It does take time. You have to work your way up. You will become stronger everyday. The only one that holds you back is you. Beleive you can do it and you will."
"Do you really believe that Tesshin?"
He nodded. "I do. One day you will be leader. And as strong as your father and grandfather. Just believe in yourself."
Kenichi smiled and walked out of the brush. "Thank you Tesshin."
"Thank me later. It's dangerous here. We have to move."
"Right!"
They turned and ran. But not back to the path. They had to stay out of sight. But as they ran they did catch the scent of blood. It was MImi's blood. They cautiously went back to the path. There, lying off to the side, was Mimi's body. They walked over and looked down at her, tears coming from their eyes.
"I'm sorry Mimi. I was too late." Tesshin said as he closed his eyes and looked away. "She was so could she have been taken down?"
"If they can make father and grandfather retreat then they are really strong."
"That's true Kenichi. We should get her buried. We have to leave Futago pass for a while. If you like, I will train you."
"Would you Tesshin?" Kenichi asked excitedly. Then went solemn again. He should not feal happy when Mimi was dead at his feet. "Sorry Mimi. I meant no disrespect."
"I'm sure she knows. And I'm sure she wants you to grow stronger."
Kenichi nodded. "Hm. I will do it for everyone. I will become strong as father and grandfather. And even great grandfather and great great grandfather."
"Don't push yourself young one." Tesshin said as he stuck his tounge out the corner of his mouth. "Now let us pay our final respects to Mimi and head off." Again Kenichi nodded and helped Tesshin dig a hole. They knew they didn't have time but they couldn't just leave her lying there. They gently laid her in the hole and buried her. Both stood quietly over the grave for a moment in silent respect before saying their goodbye's with a low bow and heading off. It had grown even darker still. And now thunder roared and lightning cracked. The storm would indeed be big. They ran on as the wind blew as though it were a typhoon. And soon the rain began to fall as well. It was becoming hard to see. And Kenichi had to squint just to keep sight of Tesshin.
"I don't like this Tesshin! I can't smell if other dogs are around!"
"That's good! That means they can't smell us either! This storm is a blessing!"
But Kenichi still didn't like it. He couldn't smell them, see them. or hear them. It made him even more fearful. On top of it all, he was afraid of thunder storms. That he kept to himself. The others thought he was wimpy enough. As he ran he thought of the stories the elders had told the young ones. About how Akakabuto was defeated. And Hougen and Genba. Even the fight with Kaibutsu. Those that had fought with Kaibutsu were sadened with how it ended. His rage had come from the cruelity of the humans that tested on him. They were sadened but they couldn't let him continue as he was. But they did not treat him with anger. He too was buried in paradise. Along with Smith who had died in the battle, and Jerome's friends. The pups were angered by the cruelty of man. But the elders told them that there were good humans as well as bad. Humans that would die for you. Kenichi thought about that deeply. He had never seen a human. But he heard his grandfather talk of the boy he grew with named Daisuke. Kenichi wanted to meet him one day. But with the current predicament he doubted he would.
"Kenichi? What are you thinking about?" He looked up as Tesshin stared back at him as they ran.
"Nothing. Just old thoughts."
"Keep your mind clear. We don't know when we could run into trouble."
"Right."
And so they continued on into the stormy night. Not knowing what lay ahead for any of them.
