Chapter 4

Who's to Blame?

'Should have run when you had the chance, you little rat.'

It took a moment for the world to stop spinning for Shipo. But, the pair of blazing blue eyes glaring at him was like a splash of ice water on the little kitsune's senses. What did this wolf just call him?

"How dare you!" he shouted with heated indignation. "You know full well what I am, you brainless barbarian!"

A dark brow cocked in contemplating amusement, causing Shipo to go still with fright. He had expected the Ookami to growl and lose control at the insult. But, this one was staying calm….somewhat.

"You're right," the warrior replied with a wicked smirk, sending a chill down Shipo's back. "You're feed for the pups when we get back to the den."

"No!"

The high-pitched yell had both yokai breaking eye-contact to stare at the human woman rushing towards them, both ookami hunters scrambling behind her.

"Koga-sama, please," the woman begged, eyes wide with frantic worry. "You can't do that. He thought he was helping me. Just let him go. He's a child."

"He's a trickster and a thief," the Ookami countered, grip tightening on Shipo's tail, causing the kit to tremble slightly. "Besides, he's prey. Wolves have to eat, after all."

"Not him, they don't," the woman argued, anger growing more prominent in her every pore.

Shipo wasn't sure whether to be amused or put-out that the two were arguing over his fate. He'd been on his own long enough to know how to survive. However, the human was eager to save him; that was something in his favor.

The kitsune tried not to think too much on the irony of the situation. He didn't think his warrior's heart could stand the humiliation. And, would this wolf let go of his tail already?!

Quickly summoning a small flare of his foxfire, Shipo tried to toss the blue flame towards the ookami holding him. However, the wolf seemed to anticipate the move and Shipo found himself flat on the ground, pinned in place by a firmly placed foot on his back.

"Enough of your tricks," the warrior muttered as he turned his attention back to the arguing woman.

Shipo clenched his fists in frustrated fury. He was tired of being pushed around by bigger yokai. He was a kitsune! He was supposed to be a master of manipulation and illusions. Instead, he was stuck under a wolf's foot, being humiliated in front of the human he was supposed to be saving. His father would be appalled at the sight of him!

Angry tears burned his eyes as the kit ground his young fangs. He wasn't giving up that easy. This wolf would pay for mistreating him!

"I mean it, Koga! You eat him and our deal is off!"

Bright green eyes popped open in stunned surprise as Shipo shifted under the ookami's foot. The woman stood against the wolf, dark eyes sharpened in the moon's glow as she met his captor's gaze in open challenge. What was happening here?

"You want my help, right?" she bargained. "I won't do it if you hurt him."

"And, why would you care?" the warrior countered, cocking his head slightly in curiosity.

"Consider it my price," the woman replied without hesitation.

"Price, huh?"

Shipo held his breath as the silence dragged heavily. The ookami leader continued to study the human woman with sharp eyes. Was this a good thing? Was the human about to die with him? Shipo had no idea but he wasn't sure how much longer he could stand the suspense. Since when was an Ookami waiting to make a decision? Just say it already!

"Fine," the wolf replied as he quickly kicked up Shipo into his hands like a ball. "He's your problem, now. Got that?"

The woman nodded as she carefully but firmly took the small kit, cradling him against her warm chest. "Thank you, Koga," she breathed cautiously.

The leader, Koga, nodded sharply to his hunters and turned back towards the way they came.

Shipo blinked in confusion as he kept himself alert in the woman's hold. Was it really that easy? He wasn't going to be eaten?

"The bodies will attract more Birds of Paradise to the area," Koga growled. "We gotta keep moving."

Without further explanation, the wolf scooped up the woman and started to race through the thick forest.

SSS

Koga was grateful for the silence as he ran through the trees. It allowed his mind to focus at the task at hand. With his instincts clawing at him to keep going, the Ookami leader planned to not stop till he reached the familiar waterfall shielding the entrance to his men's den.

Even though he couldn't explain it, something was nagging at the back of his mind to hurry back; a deep seeded hunch that just wouldn't leave him alone. Koga had learned long ago to trust that feeling. It was what kept him alive more times than his speed. And, that was what made the kitsune's stunt that much more irritating to the alpha.

While the traps and distractions had been easy enough to defeat, they wasted time. It had been sheer luck that Koga had made it in time to save the human in his arms. And, now he had the little brat, who wouldn't stop glaring up at him, to deal with. Of course, the kit would be ungrateful for the rescue.

Kitsunes were always like that. Their stupid little tricks and noses up in the air gave them a belief of superiority amongst the yokai. All because they could play and live amongst humans if need be.

Koga chuffed low to himself, ignoring the human's confused look. There was no competing with an Ookami's strength. They were unbeatable in battle. That was why the kitsune were forced out of the mountains in the first place.

Then, how did the kit get back in?

The question had Koga's brow furrowing in displeasure. There weren't many options for answers and he didn't like any of them. If a kit could slip passed their defenses, then what else had gotten through?

Apparently, he was going to have words with Katashi when he got back. Koga had left the male in charge while he was gone, to make sure the others didn't lose their shit. But, from what Koga could see, some things had grown lax in his absence. This was going to be corrected.

"Ho! Stop right there!"

The harsh order had Koga stopping short, the human tensing in his hold. The ookami didn't bother looking down at the scolding look she no-doubt threw him. Where did that come from?

"State your business!" the voice demanded loudly. "Why are you here?!"

Koga rolled his eyes once he realized who that was. Count on this one to try and intimidate from the trees.

"Why the hell do you think, Nobu?" Koga barked back in annoyance. "Get your ass out here, now!"

A lean body hopped down from the surrounding trees, confusion open on his sun-browned face.

"Koga?" the hunter asked in disbelief, causing the alpha to huff.

"Who else would it be?" Koga snapped with irritation as he lowered the human to her feet and stepped towards the male. "What's the matter with you?"

"Nothing!" Nobu defended, eyes wide. "We just….. didn't expect you."

Koga crossed his arms in annoyance, that hunch returning again. "Since when do I have to warn my own men I'm returning?"

"You don't, Koga," the male replied quickly.

"Then, what the hell is up with you?!"

Nobu's cringing and suddenly dropping to his knees soothed the smarting wound to Koga's pride. The hunter still knew his place. But, submission didn't get him answers. Not the kind he needed.

"Nobu," the warning growl had the male tensing, down-cast eyes widening in hesitation.

The reaction had Koga glaring sharper, even as he heard Ginta and Hakkaku puffing up behind them. Nobu was a good enough warrior but he was a follower. Whoever was in charge, he obeyed without question. And, his hesitancy to obey was troubling to Koga. What the hell happened here?

"We got word you were dead," the male answered in a low tone, keeping his body unmoving.

Despite his two hunters sputtering in horrified disbelief, Koga remained still as stone as he took in what his warrior meant. They got word he was, what?

He had heard of some alphas being deposed by trickery or false claims but he didn't expect his own warriors to fall for such deceit. They were dealing with their ancient enemy, after all. Who had time for this cowardice?

Nobu, apparently, took Koga's silence as permission to continue. "We were told you fell up North; struck down in a Bird of Paradise nest. Katashi said since he was the last one you placed in charge that made him the new alpha. No-one's argued it since."

"And, who told you this?" Koga asked, his tone deathly calm.

The warrior shrugged stiffly. "You'll have to ask Katashi. I wasn't there."

"And, where is your 'fearless leader'?"

Nobu swallowed as he kept his head down. "Back at the den, I think. Hasn't left there since."

So, the coward returned to hide in his hole. Fitting.

"And, what are you doing out here?" Koga demanded. "Last I checked, you were on patrol duty along the border."

"Katashi called us all back," Nobu explained. "Said there was no point in guarding a border with humans since we were just raiding them, anyway."

"What?!" Hakkaku squawked in fury.

"Why would we be raiding humans now?" inquired Ginta, brow furrowing in worried confusion.

Again, Nobu shrugged. "Ask Katashi. He ain't telling us anything. Even though we know something's up."

Koga cocked a brow. "What do you mean?"

Suddenly, the hunter went still, lowering his head to the ground. "Again, you'll have to ask Katashi."

Quicker than expected, Koga snapped the male's head back up, clawed fingers digging painfully into his scalp.

"I'm asking you," he growled, blue eyes blazing with warning.

To his credit, the male started to shake in Koga's hold. Nobu wasn't stupid; just a little foolish, it seemed.

"It ain't like that, Koga," the hunter explained, his voice shaking. "I can't tell ya because I don't know. The other day, one of the scouts came back. He was wounded bad and raving about something. I didn't catch it. But, Katashi had him brought into the back dens quick and hasn't let him out. None of us knows what going on, Koga. Just Katashi. I swear it!"

This had Koga easing his hold on the warrior's head before he rose to his feet. So, Katashi was keeping secrets. That was interesting. However, they didn't need this right now. The days were getting colder and the Birds of Paradise were swarming to fill up before the snowy months.

Unfortunately, this meant the ookami also had to prepare for winter. And, it would seem Katashi decided the answer to that problem was the humans. Raiding was nothing new. They'd done it before. But, it divided the tribe's attention. They needed to kill their enemies so they could den up for winter in peace.

Besides, if the raiding was as bad as Koga suspected, it would turn the humans against them. Not the biggest threat but still. The less enemies they had, the better their chances of survival were. It would seem there was a lot to correct with Koga's return.

"Scout ahead," he ordered to the still kneeling hunter. "Keep watch over the others. Remember everything you see but don't get caught by anyone."

Nobu nodded swiftly before rushing out of sight.

"What are you going to do, Koga?" asked Hakkaku once the male was gone.

"You tow just do what I tell you," the young leader replied with a cocky smirk. "Katashi won't see this coming."