Second chapter. This has a lot of hints to Nakoo's childhood and a character that will be very important later on. Also, John makes his appearance.

Chapter 2: Daring to oppose

Hissing in pain, Meika staggered backwards, glaring madly at the dog in front of her. A couple droplets of blood made their way out of a scratch on her chest, slowly running downwards. Shallow pants left her lips as she tried to focus. The figure of Cody stood before her, his eyes completely without emotions or pity. After all, it had been her choice to challenge him and she had to suffer the consequences.

Cody, of course, had made a short process of the fight. A few condescending words, then Meika's temper had gotten the best of her. She had attacked in blind rage, but due to Cody's personality, he had only blocked and dodged, never once trying to hurt her. The scratch on her chest was only to imply that it was enough; he had not wished to play with her anymore.

"Heh," licking her lips slowly, she cracked a cocky smirk to her older brother. Cody seemed to be doing something remarkable close to arching an eyebrow at her, but stayed silent.

"I'll get you someday, Cody. Don't forget that," Meika once again licked her lips, this time a bit slower.

"Hey. Small puppies shouldn't be out here alone," a deep voice growled lowly. Meika and Cody averted their eyes from each other, looking at the newcomer. A lean, lanky greyhound male with solid light brown, shinny fur. He had eyes in the same shade as his fur and both of his ears had been cut off once. On his left side stood a rather large Kishu male with the common snow white fur. He had bi-colored eyes; his right blue, his left brown. Both bore eerie grins on their lips and Meika's mind screamed: 'villains!'

Cody flicked his ears quickly and turned to face the two adult males with an unreadable expression. Concentration or concealed fear, Meika couldn't tell. She glanced at her brother, obviously not happy about the situation. She took a hurried glance around, cursing under her breath. They had come too far away from their parents and the others..

"Why does it matter to you?" Cody asked the males, his voice blank with a tint of anger. Meika knew that tone..

"No brother, don't! We have to get back to the others!" she barked, but Cody paid no heed.

The greyhound chuckled deeply, eyeing Meika closely. "Who said we would let you get away?"

Meika tightened her jaws together, glaring at the male, but he didn't even blink.

"Meika. Get away," Cody spoke darkly, only focusing on the two males. They radiated such confidence, so Cody had to be wary of their real strength. If they were as powerful as their aura seemed, Meika would have no chance..

"Don't be ridiculous! I would never leave you with these wanna-be villains!"

Cody glanced back at his sister, seeing her blue eyes sparkling in fury. Her words were contradicting, but it wouldn't be the right time to point that out. He knew all her courage laid in her words, not her abilities.

"Meika. Leave now!"

Meika flinched in shook, staring dumbfounded at her brother. Never had Cody raised his voice at her. Never!

Shaking with a mix between fear and rage, she spun around, halting. She took at last glance back at Cody, seeing him nod reassuring, before she dashed out of the glade.

Turning to the two males, he narrowed his eyes into slits. Two against one..

"Tch. I didn't think you were so confident about yourself, brother."

Cody looked over his shoulder, immediately setting eyes on the speaker; Kitsune. His little brother just stood there, eyeing the two males dully without any signs of fear or anything.

"Kitsune. Go back," he ordered, turning his gaze back to the greyhound and the Kishu.

"Meika wouldn't stand a chance, but I'm different," Kitsune spoke suddenly from Cody's right side. It never ceased to amaze Cody how stealthy and quick Kitsune actually was..

"Take the greyhound. I'm taking the Kishu," Kitsune droned coolly. Cody rolled his eyes at Kitsune's obvious arrogance, but shook it off rather quickly.

"Oh you're done now?" The Kishu asked, sarcasm drenching his elegant spoken words. Kitsune just scowled.

The Kishu smirked darkly, charging at the young male. Before Kitsune could even notice, the stocky white male crashed into him, knocking him clean off his feet. The only five months old husky let out a hoarse cry as the Kishu sent him meters away, by pounding his shoulder into the already airborne Kitsune. The husky puppy landed harshly, tumbling a few more yards on the dusty ground, making dust whirl up. But he recollected himself quickly and rose up on his paws, trying to hide his trembling legs.

"Kitsune!" Cody howled in desperation, striding towards his younger brother without paying any attention to the greyhound. Suddenly, a paw smashed mercilessly into his right temple, sending him shrieking to the left. He hit the trunk of a tree, with a bone crashing force, crying out in pain.

Kitsune stared shocked at his brother. He could understand that he had been caught off guard, but not Cody! Cody was twice as strong as him and had a much higher speed and endurance. So these males were no push overs..

Anger rippled through the young husky body as he realized that Cody wasn't moving.. The black and white male was lying limply on the ground after colliding with the tree dead-on. His dark blue orbs were blank and stiff..

"Brother!" The raspy cry just managed to leave Kitsune's lips, before he felt an overwhelming pain pierce through him. White spots clouded his vision before it all turned black.

"Heh," Chuckling darkly, the greyhound released the limp body of Kitsune, letting it drop down with a dull thud.

"That was quick," the Kishu commented dryly. "Are you sure they are sons of Nakoo?"

"Yeah I'm sure. The black and white one reminded me so much of him.." The greyhound responded, licking some blood away from his lips.

"Kusamu? Ryu?"

The greyhound and Kishu turned to the right at the sound of their names. Both smirked viciously at the speaker.

"It's been a while, Nakoo. Actually we were about to give up on finding you," the Kishu grinned eerily; seeing Nakoo's fathomless black orbs fume.

"You have no business here. Leave!" Nakoo hissed; his voice threading and left no room for questions.

"Oh I think we do," the greyhound, Kusamu smirked again, glanced at the unmoving bodies of Cody and Kitsune. "After all, Urami-sama doesn't like when his possessions disappear."

Growling in pure rage, Nakoo strode a bit forward, hissing; "I won. Urami promised to release me and my brothers!"

Chuckling, the Kishu Ryu, responded: "Urami-sama changed his mind. You're coming back with us, filth."
Nakoo growled deep in his throat, lip curling back over his sharp teeth.

"Hesitating are we?" Ryu asked sly, a tone Nakoo had always detested. "If you don't come with us, your kids are dead." To prove his point, Ryu took a merciless hold around Kitsune's fragile neck, squishing a bit.

"No!" Nakoo barked, fear written all over his features. "Don't hurt them!"

Ryu smirked, letting Kitsune drop down again with a thud. "Then come with us."

Lowering his ears in defeat, Nakoo took some steps forward. "You can get me, but there's no way Blaze and Sid will succumb to you," he growled lowly.

"Heh, you think so? I'm sure Blaze and Sid is still the same obedient, frightened fools as they were back then," Kusamu grinned maliciously, walking a bit closer to the massive white male.

"Hm.. You've grown a lot Nakoo. Those years of freedom did you good, eh?" Ryu mocked, his tongue darting out to lick his lips. Hissing darkly, Nakoo glared at the two males as they closed in on him. He took a step back, snarling with an unbelievable anger running through him. The two males paused, still smirking. "Ah yes.. You were always the rebellious one.. Trying so hard to be like your fool of a father, hm?" Ryu seemed to be musing, his voice mocking kindness.

"Stop right there."

Kusamu and Ryu halted, glancing around. Nakoo gasped lowly, also looking around rapidly. From the dense forest a massive figure emerged. The three males laid eyes on a strongly build German Shepard male, with black fur with a dark brown underbelly and legs. Around his muzzle was black, and also two oddly shaped markings on the outer side of each eye was black. His dark brown eyes were narrowed sharply at Ryu and Kusamu, and a quiet growl rose up in his throat.

"Who the fuck are you?" Ryu snarled annoyed, yet puzzled as the German Shepard, whom was smirking slightly.

"I'm John of Ou."

Those simply words changed Ryu's and Kusamu's facial expressions completely. Their eyes widened in fear and they took some steps back.

"And I'm Hakuro of Hokkaido," a deep voice, with and edge of hoarseness said and Hakuro appeared from the opposite side of the glade, walking up beside John. Nakoo stared confused at his old friend. Hakuro had left Matsue right after his meeting with Cody and Kitsune. When had he returned?

"S-shit," Ryu stuttered, absolute fear drenching his before so cocky features.

John smirked a bit, lowering his head slightly, whispering darkly: "boo."

That did it. Ryu and Kusamu spun around as quickly as possible, yelping at the top of their lungs as they ran away, out of sight.

John's smile widened a bit, turning to Nakoo. Nakoo bowed his head down quickly, muttering: "T-thank you."

"Nakoo, raise your head," Hakuro demanded softly and Nakoo did so, although quite hesitatingly. The white male stared dumbfounded at the Shepard in front of him. That was John of Ou. The legendary leader of Ou's close friend..

Hakuro walked over to the limp body of Cody, nudging rather harshly to him. The young puppy's eyes regain their spark as Cody became conscious. "U-uncle Hakuro-san?" he murmured, pushing himself up. As soon as he regained footage, he shook his head, a heavy headache throbbing through his skull.

Meanwhile Nakoo had taken the task of awaking Kitsune. John seemed to be looking interested at the scene, but somehow; Nakoo doubted it.

"Fucking bastards.." The young puppy muttered absently as Nakoo continued to nudge to him. Suddenly his eyes shot open; debtless black eyes unfocused and disoriented. But before Nakoo could notice, they narrowed and were scowling..

The white male stepped back, letting his son have some space to get up. Kitsune did come up, but rather swaying and insecure. He locked eyes with John, frowning. Who was that guy?

"Let's go back," Nakoo spoke, his voice saddened and calm. Hakuro took a glance at his friend. Those dogs came for Nakoo.. But who were they and what relation did they have with the proud white husky..?

The five dogs made their way back to Taya and the others. John and Hakuro were walking a bit behind, muttering to each other of matters Nakoo couldn't hear.

Next chapter will be up soon, about next weekend, I think.

Drop a rewiew, will ya'? ^^