NOTE: Sometimes Kagetora's name is shortened to simply "Kage" for short. This is done with all of the Kai-Kens of the Ginga universe. I learned this when I was watching a certain episode of Ginga Densetsu Weed. Kurotora would be Kuro sometimes, and the same would be done with Akatora and Chutora.

"The hunting patrol is returning!" howled Tesshin, to alert to the others that there would be food to eat. Everyone was very hungry; every dog knew that once winter came, which was very shortly, there would be a limited amount of food around. The smaller prey would hide under ground, and the bigger prey would be around but would be in search of nourishment as well, so would probably leave the mountains and go closer to human territory, where there were gardens and vegetables. Tesshin knew that they had to savor every bite of meat that they got, because they might not always have access to it in the months to come.

Kagetora, Akame and Sasuke were at the head of the three hunting patrols that day, and many well known males were among them, all respected and honored as the next. Kagetora's patrol brought in a small deer; Akame's patrol brought back a boar; and Sasuke's patrol brought back about five ducks. Tesshin went ahead to the three groups and congratulated them for their kills. "Great job, all of you," he said, ears perked and tail steady, standing tall. "I'm sure once the Leader returns to Gajou he will be proud of your efforts to keep the pack fed. Kage, Akame, Sasuke - drag these kills to the Pile. We will eat once the Leader gives the go ahead."

"HAI!" said the three patrol leaders. 'Hai!' means 'Yes!'.

Tesshin watched the males fulfill his orders. He was looking forward to eating the food that they had brought back, fresh from the hunt. He didn't know which he wanted most; the boar, the deer or one of the ducks. All sounded very good to him. He was glad to be filling in for Weed when he wasn't around; it was an honor to help out around Gajou.

"Tesshin," said a very familiar voice from behind him. Tesshin looked over his shoulder and saw Gin, the former leader. The male was like a father to him... a father that he never truly had, for Kurojaki had perished in the flames of the House of Iga.

"Gin-sama!" Tesshin bowed his head respectfully, turning his whole body to face the silver Tora-ge.

Gin smiled at him: "You are a great servant for my son. I am proud of you, and the male that you've become. You are very humble, and your sense of morality is nearly identical to Weed's. It's no wonder why I chose you to be next in line before I knew of Weed's birth."

Tesshin was very honored that Gin would say this about him. It wasn't the first time that Gin had complimented him for his attributes but this was, in fact, the first time that Gin had ever said something as deep as that. "Thank you... Gin. Your words mean a lot to me."

Gin's brown eyes shone with appreciation for the Koga dog, and in Tesshin's brown eyes was a flame of admiration for the old Bear-Dog. Tesshin had always looked up to him, even when he was a small puppy... even when Gin wasn't even the leader yet, and Ohu was still ruled by Riki.

Clouds covered the sun, and the land around them became dim. It was slightly less warm, and that was nice; anyone could use a cooling off once in a while. That would not be the end of the sun though, for surely it would reveal itself from behind the white fluff of the clouds sooner or later.

"If you don't mind me asking, Gin-sama... why are you choosing now to tell me this?" Tesshin inquired, full of genuine curiosity. "Why not at the end of the war with Hougen?"

Gin looked at him more seriously, but still his expression carried a hint of lightheartedness: "I am very proud of what you did then, Tesshin. Don't think that I am ignoring your efforts in the war. You were fantastic, and still are. However, watching you whenever Weed is not around, I see you show the side of you that would have made a superb leader after me."

Tesshin was still a little confused, but he understood a lot more now that the former leader had begun explaining.

Gin went on proudly: "You seem to have everything under control, much like Weed does. You seem to know exactly what you are doing when your duty calls. I know organizing patrols and making statements in front of the pack seems to be a very simple thing to do, but it's just... the presence about you. You are a natural at it all. You don't grumble when you get a more boring job like standing guard." Gin let out a subtle laugh. "I suppose I am eluding my point. Thank you for listening to the rambling of an old male, Tesshin. My point is that you are very, very valuable to Ohu... and I am honored by all the work you do. Weed surely feels mutual about this as well."

Tesshin's expression turned to surprise at this. "You feel honored by the works that... I do?" The words of Gin were good enough to not only make his day, but his whole life. "Thank you, Gin. I feel so honored, and saluted."

There was a moment of silence between the two males. However, it was interrupted by the call of the Leader.

"Father! Father!" Weed called, rushing up to Gin.

"What is it, Weed?" Gin asked, then looked around and spotted the German Shepherd and the... Tora-Ge Akita?! Gin narrowed his eyes at the newcomer. "Who are they?"

Weed stood catching his breath, having run all the way there from the woods. Then, once he felt recovered enough to talk, he explained to his father: "The Tora-ge is a male called Yukitora... he has some words for you. The other dog is Jarl, Yukitora's bodyguard."

"Yukitora..." Gin murmured, not giving any facial expression. Weed thought that he looked angry that Yukitora was here, but then again... Gin might have just been looking at him expectantly, wanting a reason for the dog's trespass into Ohu territory. After all, it wasn't every day that some strange dog entered Futago Pass. Or, perhaps it was a look of searching- searching as in, trying to remember who Yukitora was. Weed could not perceive what Gin was thinking.

Yukitora lashed his tail vehemently, his bright yellow eyes ablaze with a mixture of sadness (for having not seen his father Gin in so long, Weed guessed, if Yukitora was actually Gin's son) and anger (for reasons that Weed did not know yet). "Father... Father, do you remember me?"

Yukitora began to quietly sob, and tears streamed down his face. The drops fell to the hard ground below. He must be my father's son... Weed thought. He has so much emotion right now, meeting him again.

"Yukitora... I..." Gin said, tears forming in his eyes. It looked like the silver Tora-ge wanted desperately to go over to Yukitora and embrace him, but... something held him back. Weed was so confused... if Yukitora was Gin's son, how come he had never heard of him?

The minty colored Tora-ge lifted his head up to Gin, stepped a bit closer and stared at him. "Father... I have traveled so far... I've been through so much. I've... Father, I am so glad to see you again. I barely remember you, but I could never forget your name and the scent of Ohu. I remember the scent of this beautiful place, and to return I followed my nose." Yukitora did not seem to know the words that he wanted to say to his father; he did, and he had said what he'd said, but it seemed like he wanted to say so much more... but he could not get it out.

Weed looked to Tesshin and saw that he was even more confused than anyone standing there. "Gin... you... you had a son before Weed?" He asked with a very puzzled look on his face.

Gin looked almost ashamed to admit it. "Yes, I did..." he said quietly.

"How come you've never mentioned him?" Weed asked curiously, very eager to know the answers to everything that was going on.

Yukitora widened his eyes at Gin. "You mean, you've never told anyone about me...? Why?"

Gin looked down at his paws. He looked as if he regretted many things, all of which were foreign to Weed. "Weed, give the word for the pack to begin feasting. Stay with them, and eat. I will go and talk with Yukitora, alone."

Weed had no problem with his father giving him orders; he respected Gin, and looked up to him and savored his opinion. His father knew better than he did in most things, so he did as he said. "Yes, Father," he said and was off. He beckoned to Tesshin to follow him.

When Weed and Tesshin were gone to begin eating dinner with the pack, Gin looked at Yukitora with a sad face. "My son..." he said.

Yukitora rushed up to his father and nuzzled him, forgetting about the anger he felt. He was just glad to be with his father again, after so many years. "Father, we can take a walk, if you'd like. We have a lot of catching up to do." Yukitora suggested.

Gin dipped his head. "That would be... nice."

So the two walked off into the woods, conversing with each other about many things. Weed, on the other hand, did not trust Yukitora no matter how friendly and happy he seemed. Something felt wrong, and the blue Tora-ge felt that it was a must to keep an eye on him. He needed to... watch Yukitora and make sure that he did not try anything with his father in the woods. Gin could hold his own in a fight, but help was never a thing to be looked down on. Weed had already begun nibbling on a duck, but he could not be bothered to finish it. He was not hungry, but he was very distracted with all the thoughts coursing through his head, of Yukitora and all the secrets that had been kept from him... that were coming to light now.

Weed stood up from his meal: "Tesshin, cover for me while I am gone."

Tesshin looked up from his food and asked: "Yes, Leader. Where are you going?"

Weed began to stride away: "I want to keep an eye on Yukitora."

Yukitora and Gin walked silently, side by side, for a while. Somehow, it seemed like there was nothing to be said. So many thoughts and notions were on their hearts, but no structure of words to convert them into. For Gin there was regret, sadness and repulsion... but his love for his eldest son forced those negative feelings from reaching the surface. For Yukitora there was excitement and happiness; he was very glad to be reunited with his father, whom he loved. And the excitement was there because he had great expectations.

Finally, Gin broke the silence and got straight to the point: "I know you must wonder why you ended up separated from Sakura and I."

Yukitora glanced over at his father Gin, and flattened his ears. "I was kidnapped... wasn't I?"

Gin didn't say a word more, and simply stared down at the path they walked on. His countenance was very dark, and did not carry the light of contentedness he usually had.

Yukitora went on, his tail drooping low: "All I remember is that I was being carried through the woods by a strange male, in the middle of a harsh blizzard. He took me very far away from Gajou, and stopped when we approached a river. The kidnapper took me upon a log that crossed over the river as a bridge, and he dropped me in."

Gin shut his eyes tightly. Cold, salty tears flowed from his sorrowful face.

Yukitora began to speak again, looking up at the bright blue sky: "I managed to stay afloat for a while... my spirit was strong and I was not willing to give up the fight for my life, but my body could only handle so much, being a very small pup at the time. A female leaped in the river after me, and rescued me. She was a German Shepherd, and her name was Tsukiyama. She was already nursing three puppies, so she was glad to take me in. Jarl, who came with me here today, was among the litter. He liked me the most. The litter and I were all about the same age. We lived nearby the human territory until we were 2 months old; Tsukiyama took us on a long journey to Kofu. We always seemed to be in a rush, as if someone terrible were following us. One day, when I and the other pups were about 6 months old, we were attacked by a hunter. This hunter had owned my adoptive mother previously, and was very angry that she had left him. So... he shot her."

Gin perked up his ears in horror at the story. "Yukitora... I am sorry that you had to go through something so terrible..." He could relate to his son well, actually; Riki, Gin's father, had been killed before his very eyes by the bear Akakabuto. He knew how it felt to lose a parent. "What became of you afterward?"

"The hunter took the four of us back to his home, which was in Shikoku. He trained us to be grand hunting dogs, but he was a terrible, cruel man! If any of his dogs disobeyed him, even once, he would take them out and dispose of them. That's what happened to Jarl's other two siblings... they stood up to him one day, and literally tried to rip his throat out for what he'd done to our mother... but that failed, and he shot them just like he did Tsukiyama. I was enraged by that murderous hunter enough by my adoptive mother's death, but even more so now that my adoptive siblings had been killed as well. I swore revenge from that day onward. The hunter kept us locked up all the time in cages, and only let us out when we went out on a hunting expedition. I devised a plan with Jarl and the other abused hunting dogs; we decided that the next time we went out on a hunt, we would get him caught by his own prey. It turns out that the next time the man went out to hunt with us, he was hunting bear. It was perfect. He took with him many dogs, about 15; so, I ordered one of them to scout another route and find the bear that we were searching for. I told him to lure the bear out from the woods, and hopefully from behind the hunter. The plan worked and sure enough one of the dogs lured a very large bear from the woods, and when all of us scattered out of the way of the rampaging beast, the only target left was an oblivious hunter. Well... that murderer got what he deserved."

Gin was speechless. He felt terrible that his son had to endure so much. He looked over at him, and made eye contact: "I'm glad you avenged your mother and your brothers, Yukitora."

Gin didn't believe that murder should be repaid with murder. He believed in forgiveness. However, he understood how his son would deem it the only necessary action at the time. How else would they be able to escape the grasp of the deadly man? Gin was glad that his own owner, a hunter, had not been a bad man. That man sounded nothing like Takeda Gohei, the hunter that had trained Gin. He had been strict and harsh, but he wasn't a murderer... in fact, Gin loved Takeda and owed every battle move he knew to him. "How did you find Ohu again?" he asked quietly. A breeze picked up and fluffed up their fur for a moment, then settled down.

Yukitora smiled brightly, excited to tell this part of the story, as it was a time of greatness that had occurred in his life: "We had been with the hunter about 3 years when he was killed. Finally, we were all free. The hunter had about 20 dogs, and we went back to the cabin where he kept them and freed them all. I became the leader the pack, and we traveled far from Shikoku, swimming the sea in between. We lived nearby the Misty Mountains for the next five years... until we met up with a male called Moss. He saw me and said that the only Tora-ge Akita that he had ever seen around these parts was a dog called Gin, the Leader of Ohu... and that name... that name rang a bell with me. I remembered it... from somewhere. Gin and Ohu seemed so familiar to me. I know was barely a month old at the time of my kidnapping, and I had no real concept of words, but I did pick up on those two words... also on the name Sakura, but those memories came later. Moss said that I looked a bit like you. Anyway, these words must have awoken something in me, because that night I was staring up at the moon, and I had these flashbacks. I remembered your face, and Mother's face. I remembered your scent, and the scent of Ohu. I knew then that I had had a whole different life before Tsukiyama, and I knew immediately that I couldn't stay with the pack any longer. I set Arashi, one of the hunting dogs closest to me, as the new leader and set out to find you. Jarl came with me, as a bodyguard. And I found you, after so long."

Yukitora sighed with relief and nuzzled against Gin: "Oh Father, I am so glad to be here. I thought I would never feel the warmth of a parent again."

"I am too, son. I am too..." Gin said, resting his head on his son's shoulder as they walked.