DISCLAIMER: The characters belong to Sai Yukino and Kairi Yura, Kadokawa Shoten, Madhouse Studios, etc., i.e., not me.
I'm just borrowing them for a while to spin a tale.

This Flash Fic was written for the Week 1: Challenge taking place on the Saiun Challenge LJ.
Word Count: 300 Words. I won joint first place in that challenge.

Gifts and Motives
By firewolf
May 2008

"She's what?" Kouyuu stared from the white wolf pup, deposited on his lap, to his uncle.

"Your guard dog--wolf." Shouka corrected himself smoothly as he thought of the original accompanying message.

'I did not raise Kouyuu for the Kou's nor for the Ran's, disinherited or not.'

"Your father heard about your refusal of a bodyguard."

Kouyuu spluttered in outrage. Having Seiran and Shuuei constantly hovering was annoying enough, but this--? He looked dubiously at the cute pup staring adoringly up at him.

"Shiro!" Little white ears perked to attention as the pup turned towards Shouka.

"Guard." The tiny wolf instantly adopted a stance of alertness, its eyes sweeping the area to scan their surroundings for enemies.

In spite of himself, Kouyuu was impressed. More so when the pup started growling before the humans noticed the approach of visitors.

Shouka lifted a foot to casually block the pup from attacking the Prime Minister and his guards. "Friend, Shiro. Stand down."

Yuushun started laughing as he watched the wolf pup return to his aide and put its paws on his knees. Predictably, Kouyuu wasn't resistant to the pup's blatant request for affection.

"It appears your position as attention and affection seeker has been usurped." Seiran smiled teasingly at the frowning Shuuei.

"Reishin-dono sent this to guard his son?" Shuuei wasn't impressed.

"At least she'll be quiet and less disruptive than some others." Kouyuu shot back before giving Shiro a last scratch and pushing her off his lap.

Wolf pup and demoted general immediately started sizing each other up. Still, her action of approaching and pissing on Shuuei's boots surprised them all.

Shouka, Seiren and Yuushun observed the laughing Kouyuu, the yelling Shuuei and the totally unrepentant pup, and exchanged meaningful glances. This looked like the beginning of an interesting relationship.

owari

Thanks for reading.
Cheers, firewolf