Chapter Three:

Respect The Power Of Love

There wasn't enough soap and water in the world that would cleanse Okamio's skin of the feeling of Long's body against hers. No matter how many times they met and shared passionate nights, he would always leave her feeling as though she was filthy.

It hadn't been like that when she hadn't been cursed and sometimes, she missed it. Then, perhaps, sleeping with Long wouldn't make her feel dirty anymore.

Okamio ducked her head under the roaring water of the waterfall as she bathed, trying to put the encounter with Long, (who never failed to complicate her life) out of her mind.

She was thankful that Gou wasn't as powerful as she was otherwise, they'd never make love again. She'd be lucky if he would EVER touch her again; the smell of Long on her was so strong.

She cringed and scrubbed harder.

Okamio gasped suddenly, a familiar presence creeping into her mind. She shivered. She could sense her father now. His Dorinki was stronger than ever before. Some moron HAD revived her father.

"Father, you live…." She shuddered, sinking into the water. "Rio DID revive you and knowing you, you're probably treating him like shit." She didn't care much for that, but she knew how dangerous her father could be. And Rio probably had no clue how her father was. That was perfect. Maybe he'd kill him for her so she wouldn't have to worry about it.

But that was probably unlikely.

"Looks like I may have to step things up a bit." Okamio murmured as she rinsed herself off. "But first… I gotta find Gou and make sure he's okay."

A bath always makes me feel better. Ran thought to herself as she ran the bathwater for her tub and leaned against the sink for a moment. She was worried about Gou. He seemed to be lost in thought all the time. I wonder what's been bothering him…. It has to be more than just stress from being awoken.

She sighed. I kind of wish he'd open up more. We're his friends and in one case, his family. He can trust us.

After a moment, she turned off the water and dropped her robe. She sank into the water and closed her eyes. She wondered why she was thinking about Gou so often. It wasn't like she liked him or anything… right?

She was just worried about him.

You just keep telling yourself that, Ran. A little voice murmured in the back of her mind. He's handsome, single…eligible… and you didn't take care of him. He's perfect.

Ran sighed. She had a feeling that this wasn't going to go away any time soon. But, she wasn't sure what she should do. What if Gou had a girlfriend or something?

Suddenly, Gou's behavior made perfect sense. He was lovesick.

But for whom?

Mele had long since fallen asleep before Rio entered their room, lost in his thoughts. Maku approving their marriage had a suspicious air to it. He sensed that there was more to it than it seemed.

Maku was anything but kind and his brutality and arrogance had more than proved that. He'd truly earned the title of the Rin Jyu Den's strongest member and Rio was eagerly awaiting the day he could knock the bear off his pedestal.

Rio was beginning to regret resurrecting him.

The fury in his heart melted when he saw Mele, curled up against a pillow, fast asleep. He smiled. She was dedicated, loyal and loving… the perfect bride to be. He regretted not loving her sooner.

His hand gently caressed the bare skin of her shoulder and she made a little sighing noise in her sleep. "Rio-sama…" She murmured, a tiny smile on her face.

The sight of her warmed what little of his heart he had left. The only reason why she'd lived while he killed off those who'd defied him was her loyalty, her devotion and her passion.

No man should be without someone like her. Perhaps agreeing to this wedding would turn out better than he could even imagine.

For Okamio, the trip to Tokyo seemed to take entirely too long. She felt like she'd been walking forever by the time she reached Osaka.

But the smell of Gou kept her going. She was sure that he was in Tokyo, possibly with that artist brother of his. She figured he'd made some nice, comfortable living for himself.

That sounded much like something Gou would try.

It didn't take her long to find the train station and she found herself, once again, on a train bound towards Tokyo. This time, she wasn't leaving until she got there.

An hour out of the bustling capital, the train came to a sudden halt. Okamio was thrown to the ground and then she could hear cackling…and she sensed something.

Rinki… and lots of it…being absorbed by a nearby Rin Rinshi. She'd know those sensations anywhere.

Acting against her common sense, Okamio broke open a window and crawled onto the roof of the train. She had to make sure.

Sure enough, it was a Rin Rinshi… but… this one had an odd smell. Okamio sniffed and then, her rage kicked in.

The Rin Rinshi had traces of Rio's smell all over it… no… make that her. It had a figure similar to a human woman's, but she was covered in eagle feathers with a definite bird motif going on.

An Eagle-fist? She thought. Interesting…. how very interesting…

"I am Rin Jyu Eagle-Fist, Shiwa!" The Rin Rinshi roared. Apparently, she caused enough random destruction to allow her to obtain the beast man form. "The winged goddess of the skies!"

Okamio rolled her eyes. Modern Rin Rinshis seemed to be so full of themselves.

But, a new smell made its way into Okamio's nose and it nearly drove her into a blind rage.

She smelled chameleon… but there was enough of Rio's smell all over the being that there was no doubt in her mind that this was whomever Rio chose as a bedmate.

An overly confident girl in green, silver and black was sauntering over to Shiwa, a smile of pride on her face. "That's right, Shiwa. We must gather more screams and despair so we can properly prepare for my wedding to Rio-sama!" She laughed. "Make the humans scream!"

Wedding? RIO-SAMA?! Okamio was shaking with fury.

"Your wish is my command, Mele-sama." Shiwa said as she took to the sky. "The day of your marriage to Rio-sama will be a most glorious day for our Rin Jyu Den!"

Okamio's fury had now reached a fever pitch and her Rinki was rapidly becoming Dorinki. Not only was Rio alive, but also he was the LEADER of the Rin Jyu Den.

What bullshit is this?

For her, that was the final straw. No more hiding.

It was time for the Daughter of Maku, Rin Jyu Wolf-Ken Mistress Okamio… to make her grand reappearance.

For Ran, being around Gou had taken on a slight awkwardness in the last two days, as she had finally managed to admit to herself that she was growing fond of him… even if he did take her spot. But he'd cared for her after she'd been hurt and made sure she could get back on her feet.

Maybe that was when her feelings towards him had begun to change…

"Ran?" Gou's voice broke into her thoughts. "Is everything all right?"

"Oh!" Ran dropped her mug, causing it to shatter. "Oh, dear…I… I… oh, I'll clean it up." Rather awkwardly, even for her, she got on her knees and began to pick up the pieces. "I don't know what's gotten into me lately."

"Is your leg bothering you again?" He asked as he helped her pick up the pieces. "Maybe we should have a doctor look at it before we have to finish training. You wouldn't want to get hurt, now would you?"

She looked up at him, a blush tinting her pale cheeks.

He paused, for a moment, just a moment; he thought he saw Okamio's face instead of Ran's. Ran was lovely, young with a pure, kind heart… just like Okamio had been. Maybe it was time for him to move on.

The room seemed to stop in time as Gou's face moved closer to Ran's and gently… just gently… their lips met in a soft kiss.

Suddenly, something in Gou's heart tugged urgently and Gou's eyes flew open.

"It can't be." He murmured.

"What is it?" Ran asked. "Was it the kiss?"

Gou shook his head. "It's not you… but… it can't be who I think it is…."

Ran began to panic. "What? What is it?!"

"It's Okamio." He murmured. "But that can't be…" His heart throbbed… their bonding as an alpha pair intensifying.

"Who's Okamio?" Ran asked as she followed Gou to a nearby window.

And just then, as Mele and her latest sidekick Rin Rinshi came into view, a woman appeared.

She was clad in a black and silver Mandarin style dress, with fur accents and long black boots, a cape of silvery-grey wolf fur adoring her shoulders. Her black hair, streaked with silver flowed behind her as she walked towards Mele with confidence.

Gou's heart soared.

"Who are you!?" Shiwa asked. "How dare you put a stop to us! We are celebrating the union of Mele-sama and Rio-sama and you are not to interfere!"

"I do as I please." The other woman replied. "I am the daughter of the Kenma of the Earth, Rin Jyu Wolf-Ken Okamio… sole mistress of the wolf-fist!"

Gou gasped. He couldn't believe his own eyes.

Okamio… you're alive!