A cold breeze carried snow across the land, covering the ground in a thick and deep blanket. The screeching calls of ravens spooked a pair of rabbits who bounded across the snow in search of a safe place, unaware that they were being watched. A large black and white figure stalked forward slowly, blue eyes intently watching the prey before it. The figure took another step forward and bolted after the rabbits, which leaped away. The large figure raced after the prey, only to stumble when a silver and blue figure dashed in and snatched one of the rabbits in her powerful jaws.
The silver/blue-furred female shook her head once, snapping the rabbit's neck. She turned towards the black and white piebald male, her littermate, who pinned his ears back and glared at her. The female's golden eyes shined mischievously, her tail wagging. She flicked an ear and turned her head, golden eyes going soft when they landed on a small black-furred wolf that was trotting toward the two siblings. The piebald male jumped up and whined, curled tail wagging excitedly. The wolf stopped in front of the young dogs, who licked her muzzle.
"What are you two young ones doing so far from the house? It's getting late," the black-furred wolf said, violet eyes glowing.
"Tensho and I wanted to go hunting and on a short patrol. Chigo-ji and grandpa Isshin where starting to get annoying," the silver and blue female said, glancing at her brother.
"That's right Mama. Mai and I wanted to get away from them for awhile. I'm getting tired of grandpa Isshin trying to attack me every time I trot into a room," Tensho barked to his mother, who rolled her eyes and shook the snow off her thick black fur.
"Your grandfather has always been like that. Your father was the only one, apart from your grandma Masaki, who was able to put him in his place," Rukia said, lowering her head and pinning her ears back in sadness.
Mai and Tensho lowered their heads, nuzzling their depressed mother. Rukia licked their muzzles, placing her head on her daughter's back. Two summers had passed since her mate was stolen from her, leaving her to raise their large litter of 15 pups without him. The mixed Kuchiki Pack fell into a depression at the loss of their protector, who their humans had yet to locate. Each morning Daiki and Kaito searched for and investigated all the possible places that the huge German Shepherd/Akita could be hidden. Every night the pack would sit outside and let out a chorus of howls, their ears pricked forward in hope of hearing Ichigo's howl in return.
Rukia backed up and looked at her pups, still amazed at how big they had grown. She studied the black and white piebald male first. Tensho had grown to stand 26 inches at the shoulder. He had white fur with large black patches on his shoulders and hindquarters. He had light blue eyes. He took more after the Akita in him, with a stocky build and curled tail. He was stubborn like Ichigo, yet sweet-tempered like his grandma Masaki.
Rukia turned her attention to Mai who had chased after the other rabbit and was trotting back over with it hanging limp in her jaws, her head held high and tail waving like a banner. Out of all Rukia's pups Mai was the only one to be mistaken for a pure wolf, regardless of the color of her fur. Once the smallest pup Mai now towered over her littermates, standing 29 inches at the shoulder. She had silver fur with blue/gray paws and a bit of white fur on her shoulders. She has bright golden eyes, much like her father. Mai has been by her mother and the rest of the pack that her temperament was identical to Ichigo's.
A sharp whistle reached Rukia's ears, making the 5 winter old wolf turn and trot in the direction of the house, Mai and Tensho at her side with the dead rabbits in her jaws. After a few minutes they went inside and trotted over to Juri, who was napping on the couch with one arm behind her head and the other draped over her stomach in a protective manner. Rukia walked quietly past the sleeping Juri, only to be playfully tackled by Yuzu and a pregnant Karin. Mai and her brother barked a laugh and trotted over to a napping Sai, dropping the dead rabbits in his lap and loping a couple wolf-lengths away. Sai glanced down with tired eyes, jumping up and yelling in surprise.
"Damn it! This is the third time this week that I have woken up to find a dead animal in my lap! I can… SHUT UP KOYA! It's not funny!" Sai whined, glaring at his laughing friend. Mai and Tensho pulled their lips back in a grin and barked, as if they were laughing at the human.
"Maybe if you paid more attention to them this wouldn't happen!" Koya replied, grinning at the disgusted Sai. A loud thud and the sound of racing footsteps made the two men turn to see Kaito running towards them, a young dark gray-furred male dog at his heels. Kaien, Ichigo's black-furred older half-brother, limped over and sat beside his niece and nephew. Kaien had retired from police work two years before, having never fully recovered from the bullet wound that he had received while trying to protect Daiki's little sisters and Juri. Ame, the dark grey-furred son of Ichigo, took his uncle's place as Kaito's partner and allowing the Akita to relax and enjoy his retirement.
"W..where is Daiki?" Kaito panted, trying to catch his breath.
"I'm right here. What's going on?" Daiki asked, walking in from the kitchen and handing his friend a cup of water who took the cup and drained it.
"We… We found him! In the next town over. The department just received a call from a boy who has seen him. It doesn't look good though. It might be too late to save him," Kaito replied. Ame barked and raced outside, leaping into the back of Kaito's squad car. Not wanting to waste time and possible lose Ichigo's trail, Kaito, Daiki and Koya jumped into the car and sped away.
Sai stayed at the ranch to help Juri, who had recently found out that she was expecting and had yet to tell Daiki. They had been dating for two years, but have been friends since their where 2 years old. Seina and Ayame where playing fetch with Toushiro and Momo, whom Daiki had brought back home to live with them permanently. Kaya sat on the porch, brushing Rangiku's fur and swatting at Gin and Hichigo when they tried to steal the comb from her.
'Ichigo. My dearest. Wherever you are, please come home,' Rukia thought, sitting on the porch and staring into the distance with sad violet-colored eyes.
Meanwhile in the next town over:
Yelling echoed throughout the large stuffy barn, the sounds of deep snarls and high-pitched yelps were followed by silence minutes later. In a kennel-run not far from the previous commotion a large light orange-furred male German Shepherd/Akita lifted his head off his huge black paws, faint white-furred lips opening in a low yawn. He felt something move slightly and turned his sharp golden eyes to see Nozomi, Senna and Riruka curled up close to him and twitching in their sleep. Ichigo stood carefully and stretched, joints popping and muscles rippling under his thick fur.
Ichigo paced back and forth in the kennel, glaring towards the commotion and growling in agitation. He glanced at the sleeping Kenpachi and Yachiru in the neighboring kennel before turning his attention to the three young German Shepherd sisters that he shared a kennel with for almost two years. Right from the start, Ichigo became their protector and father-figure, giving the young females advice and gentle discipline when needed. Each time that Ichigo was taken to the ring for a fight, he would ask Kenpachi to keep an eye on them.
The large German Shepherd/Akita stopped pacing and pricked his ears towards the normally not open barn door, the familiar scent of fresh snow with a hint of cherry blossoms caused Ichigo to whine. This mix of scents reminded him of home, where he hoped that his beloved mate was still waiting for him to return. He lifted his muzzle and let out a huff, a small cloud escaping his jaws. He pinned his ears and narrowed his golden eyes, deep in thought. Would he be able to find a way to escape, having tried unsuccessfully for two years? Would his pups be able to recognize him, having been so young when he was stolen?
He flicked an ear and glanced towards his three young kennel-mates, who groaned and sat up slowly. Nozomi, the youngest of the sisters, stood and stretched to reveal a distended abdomen. Senna and Riruka did the same, also showing the same bloated abdomen as their sister. Riruka trotted over to Ichigo, whining and licking his chin. The older male barked softly, nipping the young sisters gently.
Ichigo studied the three young females while trying to think of a way for them to escape safely, as the three young sisters had pup-filled bellies. He pulled his lips back and growled, angry that he was unable to stop the humans from forcing the young females to breed with males that they were terrified of. In the beginning there had been a few times when the humans had tried to get Ichigo to breed with different females, as he had turned out to become the best fighting dog they ever had.
Unfortunately for his captors Ichigo would snarl fiercely and flat-out reject all the females who were presented to him and desperately tried to get his attention, remaining forever loyal to his beloved Rukia. Realizing that trying to breed Ichigo wasn't worth the hassle the humans resorted to breeding his kennel-mates with their second best fighting dog, an extremely aggressive and dominant Tosa Inu. This resulted in all three females having three litters each in a year and a half. The pups that the sisters now carried would be their forth litter, all sired by an imported Alaskan Malamute.
Suddenly a rancid scent and the crackling of flames filled the air, the loud sounds of a sire and the flashing of blue and red lights caught Ichigo's attention. He pricked his ears forward and his golden eyes brightened when they landed on the only human who ever showed him any kindness since he had arrived at the barn two winters before. The boy raced over and quickly unlocked the kennel doors before running off, not wanting to be caught by the people who ran the fights. The huge German Shepherd/Akita raced over and slammed into the kennel door, making it fly open and slam into the kennel side. Ichigo raced out and stood a couple feet away, waiting for his small pack to follow. In the next kennel over the scarred black-furred Kenpachi pulled his lips back in a feral grin and did the same, slamming to door open and racing out to stand next to Ichigo. Yachiru, Nozomi, Riruka and Senna raced over to the two older males.
Ichigo turned to look for the boy, who nodded and ran out the door. Ichigo lifted his muzzle and let out a deep triumphant howl before flashing out of the smoke-filled barn, the flames nipping at his hocks. His friends raced after him, dodging the chaos of people trying to run from the gunshots of the police who had surrounded the flame-engulfed barn. After almost an hour of flat-out running the pack slowed to a stop when they crossed the boundary onto a territory that Ichigo knew well.
Nozomi and Senna flopped down in the deep snow, panting heavily. Kenpachi sat a few feet away, Riruka and the young red and white-furred Border Collie collapsing next to the enormous Native American Indian Dog. While they rested to regain their strength the small pack watched the huge German Shepherd/Akita, whose golden eyes glowed in happiness. Then Ichigo did something that they never imagined they would see. He raced around the clearing, kicking up the snow with his huge paws while snatching fallen sticks in his powerful jaws and tossing them into the air, barking excitedly. A couple minutes later he skid to a stop in front of the others, covering them in snow. Kenpachi growled while the young females laughed. Ichigo pulled his lips back in a grin before he threw his head back with his muzzle pointing to the darkening sky, letting a deep howl escape his chest in hope that his beloved mate and pack would hear it.
"Come on guys. Let's go home!" Ichigo barked, trotting in the direction of his human's territory. The small pack glanced at each other before standing and following the one who had saved them from a horrible life, and giving them a chance at a better future.
"Is it safe there? We won't be driven away or beaten?" Nozomi whined, ears pinned and tail tucked. Senna and Riruka walked beside Yachiru and Kenpachi, waiting for Ichigo's answer.
"You don't have to worry. My humans won't hurt you. They are very kind," Ichigo barked, breaking into a slow lope.
They traveled deep into the heart of Yellowstone Park, passing through the territory where the large German Shepherd/Akita was born before reaching the hunting grounds that sat at the edge of Daiki's 600 acre ranch. Ichigo slowed down and stopped, ears pricked and nose twitching. His tail began to wag and his golden eyes started to shine, an excited whine escaping his throat. His companions tilted their heads in confusion, as they have never seen him act like this in the two years that they have known him.
"Why are you so excited? It's been hours and you have got to be tired," Kenpachi growled, getting annoyed.
"After two long years in that living hell, I am finally home!" Ichigo replied before lifting his muzzle to the night sky once again and letting out a loud deep howl, being carried by the wind.
Ichigo lowered his muzzle, ears pricked in hope of hearing a familiar voice. His companions glanced at each other before following the huge German Shepherd/Akita, who broke into a ground-eating gallop. After another hour of running Ichigo skid to a stop, his companions dropped where they stood in exhaustion. Yachiru crawled over to Kenpachi, curling up and pressing against his thick black fur. Nozomi, Senna and Riruka lay huddled together and fell asleep instantly.
Ichigo glanced at the sleeping dogs before loping away, having caught the faint scent of his pack. He pulled his lips back in a grin and picked up speed, flashing through his territory. He stopped at the top of a large hill that he had used as a look-out years before. Sharp golden eyes spotted the paddock where Kage, Sora and Fuyu munched on a round bale of hay and a 2 year old buckskin colt galloped around in the snow. Just as Ichigo was about to turn a familiar rancid scent reached his nose, making him look down to see a large bear stalking toward the horses.
The huge German Shepherd/Akita raced down the hill and into the paddock, startling the horses. Fuyu and Sora snorted anxiously, having not yet recognized who the large dog was. The bear crashed through the fence, letting out a loud roar. Ichigo pinned his ears back and snarled ferociously, golden eyes phasing to deadly silver-blue. Ichigo lunged forward, barely dodging the huge paw that swiped towards him. He leapt over the bear, grabbing its neck in his powerful jaws and flinging it to the side.
The horses whinnied frantically, but it was the terrified barks of his companions that caused Ichigo to lose focus and turn his attention toward them. It all happened in a flash. Ichigo crashed to the ground a wolf's-length away, the large claw marks on his right side and back stung painfully. He staggered to his paws, head low with blood pouring from his wounds and splattering the snow.
Ichigo lifted his muzzle to the night sky and let out a furious howl, hoping that it would reach his pack and have them come to his aid. He bolted forward again, ignoring the pain from his severe injuries. He flashed back and forth, confusing the bear, before lunging. The huge German Shepherd/Akita latched on to the bear's throat, puncturing the jugular and crushing its neck. He dragged to carcass out of the paddock before dropping it and limping away, his companions racing after him. The severe pain and blood loss became too unbearable, causing Ichigo to collapse. The four young females lay next to him to keep him warm while Kenpachi kept watch.
Meanwhile at the house:
"I don't know what we should do now. A boy approached us when we arrived on the scene and confirmed that Ichigo was being kept in a dilapidated building. The kid described our boy perfectly," Kaito said, leaning against the couch with his arms crossed. "We searched every were during the raid but didn't see him,"
"Don't worry. We will find him. He is real smart. I bet he was able to escape and is finding his way home as we speak," Juri said, running her fingers through Hichigo's thick white fur. The large dog whined, placing a large paw on Juri's knee. Daiki nodded before walking down the hall to check on his sleeping sisters, going straight to bed right after.
"I think it's time to call it a night. We will continue our search tomorrow," Sai said, checking the doors and windows before going to his room, Kaito and Juri not far behind.
Yoruichi trotted after Juri, Sui Feng and Izuru at her hocks. Kisuke and Shuuhei where sprawled out next to the fire place, snoring. Isshin and Masaki were curled up on Daiki's bed, Gin and Rangiku sprawled on their side next to them. Jinta and Yuzu slept in the girl's room, white-furred Jushiro curled protectively around a pregnant Karin. Brown-furred Shunsui and black-furred Nanao lay next to each other. Nanao flopped on her side and revealing a large pup-filled belly, much to the delight of her mate Shunsui.
Kaien and his mate, Miyako, slept at the foot of Kaito's bed. Zangetsu and Shirayuki curled up next to each other next to the bed. Toushiro and Momo lay on the couch, with Renji and Tatsuki curled up next to it. Byakuya lay next to Hisana while their sweet-tempered daughter was curled up next to one of Renji's pups, a 2 year old red and black male named Hikotsu.
Rukia quietly trotted past her sleeping brother and outside to stand on the back porch. The small black-furred female flicked an ear back before loping into the woods, ears pricked forward. Every night for the fast two winters Rukia would disappear, searching for her beloved. Each night the Kuchiki Pack would be awoken by her desperate howls, a plea for her mate to answer. It never came… until now.
"Kaa-san, wait for me," a soft voice barked, making Rukia glance back to see her large silver and blue-furred daughter race up to her.
"I will be ok by myself, Mai. I have done so for two winters," Rukia said, nuzzling her daughter.
"No. I will not let you wander around alone tonight. I scented a bear wandering around earlier and I don't want you to get hurt if you run into it by…" Mai growled before freezing, ears pricked and nose twitching.
"Mai, what's wrong?" Rukia barked, violet eyes studying her daughter who reminded her so much of Ichigo. She froze when her nose caught a familiar scent, violet eyes going wide as soon as she recognized it. Letting an excited yet panicked whine escape her chest Rukia loped as fast as she could toward the scent, her fleet-footed pup right on her hocks.
Mother and daughter raced through the snow, following the scent that Rukia desperately missed and that Mai vaguely remembered from pup-hood. Their eyes glowed in the moonlight and landed on what appeared to be snow-covered bodies, making the pair skid to a halt and sending the snow flying. The small black-furred mother took a step forward, freezing when a enormous scarred black-furred dog suddenly jumped up and snarled at her.
"Who the hell are you, Wolf? Here to kill us for trespassing?" Kenpachi snarled, towering over Rukia and Mai with hackles raised. Red and white-furred Yachiru bounced up to stand next to Kenpachi, Riruka and Senna not for behind while leaving Nozomi next to the barely conscious Ichigo.
"Not gonna answer? Ok then!" Kenpachi sneered before lunging at Rukia, only to be slammed to the ground by a flashed of blood-covered orange and black fur. Kenpachi pinned his ears as he stared up at Ichigo, whose eyes were still silver-blue with slightly white-furred lips pulled back in a snarl with fangs bared.
The small black-furred wolf slowly walked towards the huge German Shepherd/Akita, her body trembling. Her silver and blue-furred daughter followed a few paces behind, pinning her ears and pulling her lips back in a warning when the strange females took a step toward her mother. Mai froze when the large dog lifted his head and stared at them, his gold eyes softening and his white-furred lips pulled back in a grin. She glanced at her mother, whose violet eyes shined with the long forgotten affection as a soft whine escaped her chest.
"Hey," the male's deep voice barked, causing Mai's ears to prick forward and her tail to wag once she heard the familiar voice of her long lost father.
"I…Ichigo? My Dearest?!" Rukia whined loudly, racing over and burying her muzzle into his thick-furred cross-shape scarred chest. She let out a whimper, nuzzling him affectionately and taking in his scent.
"Rukia, My Love. I'm home. So please don't cry," Ichigo growled soothingly, licking her muzzle before placing his head on top of hers.
Ichigo shifted slightly and suddenly collapsed, snarling in pain as the wounds he had received from the bear tore open further. Rukia dropped down next to him, nudging him gently and frantically licking the blood that poured from his wounds. Mai, knowing that her father needed help immediately, lifted her muzzle to the dark sky and howled. Right when she turned to help her mother a chorus of howls answered her, causing Ichigo's old kennel-mates to panic slightly. Flashes of black, silver and red caught her attention, as well as the distant shouting of her humans.
"Mai-chan, what's wrong?" a huge red-furred male wolf asked, glancing at the strange dogs and growling.
"What's going on here? I have never heard you so panicked before," a large black-furred wolf asked, standing beside the red-furred male. Mai lowered her head and stepped to the side.
"Renji. Nii-sama. It's Ichigo. He needs help," Rukia whimpered, licking her mate's fur before placing her head on his large black paws. Renji's and Byakuya's eyes widened as they landed on the pack's severely injured protector, the one that they has desperately searched for two long years had finally made his way home.
The shouts of the humans got louder until they ran into the clearing, startling the former fighting and bait dogs. Black-furred Kenpachi snarled, hackles raised when he saw the humans. The German Shepherd sisters whined and tried to seek comfort from the unconscious Ichigo, only to be chased away by Renji and Mai. Byakuya kept a sharp grey eye on Kenpachi, letting out warning growls each time the hyper-active Border Collie tried to get him to play. Hakuren, Ichigo and Rukia's light silver-furred daughter, lay next to her father and helped her mother clean Ichigo's wounds.
"Rukia. Hakuren. Go back to the house. We have to get Ichigo to Juri now, or he won't make it," Kaito said, carefully gathering the badly injured German Shepherd/Akita in his arms and racing to the house. Sai ran after him. Rukia, Mai, and Hakuren flashed past him. Byakuya and Renji trotted after the humans, stopping to look over their shoulders at the newcomers.
"Are you coming?" Renji barked, surprising them.
"What do you mean? Why do you want us to follow you?" Riruka growled, tail flicking back and forth in irritation.
"It's the least we can do, as thanks for bringing Ichigo home," Byakuya said, flicking an ear before racing to the house.
"Why is it so important that Ichigo is home?" Senna asked, head tilted curiously.
"He protects the humans who live here. He protects and hunts for the pack. Not only that. Ichigo is the mate to the Alpha's sister and has practically raised every pup born into the pack," Renji said, dipping his head to them and loping to the house.
Kenpachi watched as the red-furred wolf raced off, letting out an irritated huff and loping after him. Riruka nudged her sisters and whined, before following after Kenpachi. Senna and Nozomi pinned their ears and tucked their tails, fearful of what might happen to them. The normally hyper Yachiru was unusually quiet, upset that Kenny's "friend" had been badly injured while protecting them and the horses from the bear.
As soon as Kenpachi and the young females reached the yard behind the house, they found themselves surrounded by male wolves and dogs of the Kuchiki Pack. Rukia and Mai were currently inside the house whining and scratching at the door, trying to get inside while Juri and Koya treated Ichigo's injuries. White-furred Hichigo and silver-furred Gin stood in front of Kenpachi, snarling and blocking him from approaching the front door. Black-furred Kaien sat on the porch, making sure that the strange dogs didn't try to slip past his younger half-brothers. Red-furred Jinta stood behind the newcomers, white-furred Toushiro to his right and Hiro, Toushiro's brown and white-furred son, to his left.
"Why are you here? What have you done to our big brother? Well?" Hichigo snarled, hackles raised and golden eyes flashing angrily. Gin glanced at his littermate then back at the scarred black-furred dog before him, light blue eyes narrowing slightly. Not one to back down from a fight, Kenpachi took a step forward and pulled his lips back in a snarl.
"Please don't fight. We came here with Ichigo, who helped us escape from a group of bad humans. He would tell us stories about this place and it made us want to have the same nice life as him. Please don't send us away," Nozomi whined, crawling over to Hichigo with her tail tucked tightly. The large white-furred German Shepherd/Akita looked down at the trembling young female German Shepherd in surprise, eyes softening as he lowered his muzzle to nudge her gently.
The sound of paws crunching the snow caught Gin's attention, making him turn to see the large graying form of his grandfather and the still youthful form of his grandmother trotting over. They backed away to let the elder dogs through. Hichigo sat next to Nozomi, feeling the need to protect her for some reason still unknown to him. Riruka and Senna whined, standing next to Kenpachi and Yachiru.
"Come inside young ones. It is too cold out here for the ones carrying pups. Our grandson is finished being treated and is resting now," Zangetsu said gruffly, noticing that the mixed pack was already racing into the house and yipping excitedly. The young hyper Border Collie jumped to her paws and yipped, running circles around the elder dogs. Zangetsu rolled his eyes and trotted inside, his beloved Shirayuki at his side.
Hichigo stood and shook the snow from his thick white fur and trotted inside, stopping briefly to wait for Nozomi to join him. Kenpachi raced the eternally puppyish Yachiru, who got way too excited and slammed into the front door. Riruka and Senna barked a laugh at the pup's antics, following the white-furred German Shepherd/Akita and their sister inside. They froze when they saw Daiki sitting on the couch with his head in his hands. Brown-furred Isshin licked his face while his mate, Masaki, placed her head on Daiki's lap and nudged his arm.
Ichigo's 2 ½ year old sisters, Yuzu and Karin, were curled up next to each other. Jushiro, Ichigo and Rukia's sitter while they were still small-pups, was sprawled on his side next to the sisters. The rest of the pack were scattered throughout the house, Renji and Byakuya guarding the door where Ichigo was resting. Kaito and Sai walked into the room, after tripping over the obstacle course of the napping pack, with Juri not far behind. Seina, Ayame and Kaya had stayed in the room with Ichigo, talking to him and gently scratching his ears to let him know that he was safe. Seeing the strange humans Kenpachi pinned his ears and growled, only to be slammed to the ground by a snarling small black-furred wolf. Hichigo took a step forward to help his brother's mate, stopping when he heard Nozomi's panicked whimper.
"How is he doing? I have never seen him get an injury that bad," Daiki asked, standing and walking to the room where his dog was resting. Rukia growled a final warning at Kenpachi before letting him up and racing to her mate, laying down next to Ichigo and licking his muzzle.
"He is doing fine, but he is still weak. Whatever attacked him had crushed a rib that punctured one of his lungs. He also had some internal bleeding is his abdomen that I had to drain. He will be in a lot of pain for awhile, so try and make sure that the pack doesn't play rough around him and try to keep him as quiet as possible. Other than that, I think that he will make a full recovery. He is definitely strong. I didn't even have to sedate him to treat him. I guess, even after being away from us after all these years, that he remembered us. The poor boy was wagging his tail and licking my face the whole time," Juri replied, walking over to the sleeping German Shepherd/Akita and running her fingers through his thick winter fur.
"Ok. I'm relieved to hear that. That poor boy is gonna be spoiled rotten again. Its late and we should get to bed. That includes you three," Daiki said, looking at his younger sisters who started complaining. Juri laughed and walked to the room she shared with Daiki, falling asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow. The others followed her example and fell asleep quickly.
Rukia placed her head next to Ichigo's large black paw, letting out a happy sigh. After two long years of searching and waiting, her beloved was finally home. A series of whines reached her ears, making Rukia open her violet eyes and see all 15 of her now full-grown pups sitting before her. Mai trotted over and lay next to her father, being careful as to not hurt him more.
"Mama, is Papa going to be ok?" one of Rukia's many pups, a tan-furred male with light blue eyes, asked.
"Why did Papa leave?" another asked, a male with light orange fur with black paws and gold eyes.
"A group of bad humans stole me when all of you were just small-pups. They forced me to fight and kill other dogs. But I will save that story for another time. All that matters to me is that I am finally home with my adorable pups and their beautiful mother," Ichigo's deep voice said, followed by a coughing fit. The grown pups pinned their ears and whined.
"My Dearest. Please don't speak. When that bear attacked you a rib punctured one of your lungs. Please relax," Rukia whimpered, nuzzling her beloved.
"My Love, I will be fine. I was strong enough to survive the past two winters in that barn. This is nothing," Ichigo growled softly, licking Rukia's muzzle before turning his bright gold eyes towards the two pups who had spoken minutes before.
"Tasuki, Akira. Would you go and bring the dogs that came with me here? I would like to speak with them," Ichigo asked tan-furred Akira and light orange-furred Tasuki, wincing slightly in pain as he started coughing. Hakuren flinched when she heard the harsh cough and trotted over to lay by Ichigo's hindquarter, her white-furred sister, Yuki, and Taka, her silver brindle brother, doing the same.
"Yes, of course. Please try to rest while we fetch them, Papa," Tasuki replied, touching his nose to Ichigo's cheek before trotting out of the room with Akira at his side.
The huge German Shepherd/Akita slowly rolled to his belly, Mai getting up and placing herself on his uninjured side to prevent him from falling. She gently placed her muzzle on her father's back, whining happily with her tail thumping on the thick soft blanket. Rukia buried her still black muzzle into her mate's thick-furred cross-shaped scarred chest. Tensho flopped down next to Mai, ears pricked and tail waving happily.
Getsu and Ame lay on either side of their parents, guarding them. Getsu looked more like his German Shepherd grandmother, his long fur the color of silver with the typical black saddle marking on his back and a black mask on his face. His eyes were a deep wolf-gold. He is very protective of his mother and sisters. Ame, like his sister Mai, looks like a pure wolf. He is dark gray in color with a white belly and paws. He has the same gold eyes as his father. Apart from taking his uncle Kaien's place as a police dog he is also the packs third best hunter, with Mai being second and Ichigo being the best.
Arashi, Strider and Kai curled up next to Sakura, Kiriko and Tobiume, Toushiro's daughters who had snuck into the room earlier to see their favorite uncle. Akira looked like his great grandfather Zangetsu, with red fur and brown eyes. He loved to tease his grandpa Isshin and was extremely protective of and was affectionate with Kiriko, much to the annoyance of her father, Toushiro. Strider and Kai looked a lot like their uncle Byakuya, both having black fur with Kai having a diamond-shaped marking on his chest. Kai had brown eyes while Strider had gold. They enjoyed being around Byakuya, who doted on them and taught them how to be Wolf. Kai had recently become Tobiume's mate while Strider was Sakura's.
Yuri, Arisa and Tsuki sprawled on their sides near their mother, tails thumping the ground. Yuri looked identical to her mother, with jet black fur and violet eyes. She is a little skittish around new things, but is very playful and loving with the pack. Arisa also looked like Rukia, small in size with jet black fur and white paws. One of her eyes was gold and the other was violet. She can be stubborn but absolutely adores her mother. Tsuki looked and acted like the litter's aunt Yuzu, her fur a gold color and her eyes a sky blue.
A low warning growl made Ichigo lift his head, turning his golden eyes towards the door. Rukia licked her mate's chin, tail wagging happily. Tasuki and Taka trotted into the room, being flanked by the former fighting dogs. Getsu and Ame pinned their ears and pulled their lips back, fangs bared to warn the newcomers to not come close to their father. Hichigo trotted past them and to his older brother, licking his muzzle and whining happily. Ichigo took his brother's muzzle in his powerful jaws, reassuring the trembling white-furred dog. Hichigo nudged his brother gently before sitting next to Rukia, keeping a watchful golden eye on Nozomi.
"Tou-san, we brought them just like you asked," Tasuki said, walking over to his father and nuzzling him, Taka doing the same. The injured yet powerful German Shepherd/Akita pulled his lips back in a grin, playfully nipping his sons' ears. The brothers licked Ichigo's muzzle before flopping down beside him.
"Wow. You sure do look like hell," Kenpachi said, pulling his lips back in a smirk.
"What did you just say?! How dare you talk to our Tousa like that?!" Hakuren snarled, leaping to her paws with hackles raised.
"Ha-chan, it's ok. That's just how Kenpachi is," Ichigo reassured his light silver-furred daughter, letting out a cough. Hakuren froze and lay back down, whining and nuzzling Ichigo's shoulder.
"I will allow you guys to stay with my pack. However, there are rules that you must follow. There is usually a steady flow of humans who visit on a daily basis. They will most likely show some interest in you and want to play with you. Do not try to bite or go after them, especially Daiki's little sisters. I also do not tolerate fighting in the pack. Since I am not able to do so right now Byakuya, the pack's Alpha and my mate's brother, will be the one to discipline you," Ichigo growled in warning. Feeling his remaining energy leave, Ichigo placed his head on his black paws and closed his eyes.
"I ask that you do as Ichigo says and there will be no problems," Rukia told the newcomers, placing her head on Ichigo's thick-furred neck. The newcomers dipped their heads and trotted out of the room to find a place to sleep. Nozomi flicked an ear before trotting over to Hichigo, whining and flopping down next to him. The large white-furred dog lay next to her and placed his head on her back protectively, groaning in embarrassment when he heard his brother's laugh.
All of Rukia's pups fell asleep where they lay, huddled close to their father for comfort. The clicking of nails on the hard-wood floor caused Rukia to open a violet eye, tail wagging slightly when Byakuya trotted in and flopped down a wolf-length away. Her sister, Hisana, and her niece, Hinata, weren't far behind the large Alpha male. When Juri walked in a couple hours later to check on the huge orange and black-furred German Shepherd/Akita, she was greeted by the ENTIRE mixed Kuchiki Pack barricade sleeping around Ichigo, as if protecting him. Juri smiled softly, taking a quick picture, before quietly walking out of the room and back to bed. She knew that Ichigo was being well protected by the Pack, who weren't going to let anything happen or anyone take him away again.
