So sorry for the long wait I had internet issues for awhile. So here is the next chapter, please enjoy!
Chapter 9:
Knight watched as Toboe was lead to the nursery. He smiled to himself as he was happy to see the young wolf walk on his own, which meant he wasn't hurt too bad. The black wolf released a deep sigh of relief. As the young pup was being tented to, he noticed that Tsume and Kiba were not in sight. Which he realized was the best moment to go visit. So the black wolf waited until the wolves left, and he trotted slowly over to where he saw Toboe.
The brown wolf was lying down at the entrance of the nursery. As he looked out into the afternoon sky, he noticed that the light of the day was already starting to change into late afternoon. He sighed deeply as he tried to shift position, but flinched in pain from the movement. The brown wolf licked his injured paw, so he could clear it of the dirt that was on it. Toboe was so into cleaning his paw that he didn't smell, let alone hear someone approach him.
"Kiba I told you I was fine. You don't have to check on me all the time. Besides you said to have one of Hige's wolves to come get you if I needed you. So you can go back to Tsume and the others."
The figure in front of the wolf didn't say anything. Toboe noticed this, so he lifted his head to finally confront the figure that didn't speak. His brown eyes came face to face with a pair of deep blue ones. The same brown eyes became wide at the sight of the wolf in front of him. Knight finally showed up. He finally came to see him, which made him happy, but at the same time angry. Where the hell was he before? Why wasn't he in the cave with the rest of the pack? And why didn't he show up until now?
"Hello Toboe."
Toboe just stared at him as he watched Knight slowly sit down. The black wolf smiled at the other, but he just received a stare instead. Knight understood why he was being treated with the cold shoulder treatment. He would most likely do the same thing if he was in the brown wolf's shoes. So he decided to lay down in front of the pup, so there eyes were level with each other.
"Toboe...I know your mad at me for not being where I should have been...but I had a good reason. I promise."
Again silence and a cold stare was his response. Knight sighed once more as he lifted his head to face the pup in the eyes. He might as well tell the young wolf the reason why he was where he was. So with a deep breath, and a clearing of the throat, he began telling his tale.
"When I was a pup my parents and I were all that were left of our pack. We suffered from a severe lack of food. The animals we used to feed on, moved on to other areas, while we stayed were our clan was. All the while believing that the animals would return after the winter season was over. So winter came, which turned into fall, then turned to spring."
"But when spring became summer we noticed that the animals were nowhere in the area, or the territory. This meant that the leaders of our clan were wrong about the animals returning. So when this info was leaked out around the pack, the wolves of our once proud, strong, and wise clan began to attack each other. These fights were spread out all over the clan; they would even involve the pups that were just learning how to hunt on their own. My parents watched this madness from the den they had, which was located on a high mountain side."
"You see my parents were part of the pack council. They warned the leaders that the animals wouldn't return, but they wouldn't listen. Which of course lead to the packs destruction? So when they were certain they wouldn't be seen, my mother picked me up and carried me out of the clan's territory. But as we were a few miles away from the clan's lands, one of the hunting scouts saw us leaving."
"My father saw how fast they were gaining on us. He and my mother kept pace with each other as my father looked back once more, nuzzled my mother on the neck, licked her muzzle, and whimpered softly. My mother whimpered, and returned the gestures, but kept her pace. With one last look at each other, my father slowed for a split second and turned his body around to face the group of wolves that were heading his way. As the sounds of battle filled the air, my mother flinched when she heard my father's last howl."
"She closed her eyes to hide the pain of losing her mate, but kept moving. She wanted to find safety soon, but she wasn't stopping until she knew I was safe. So we moved over the land, and I watched as the days turned into night and back to day. We must have been traveling for weeks, until the day my mother finally clasped from exhaustion. I sat next to her as she tried to catch her breath, but with the shallow breathing she was making, I knew she wouldn't make it."
"I should have realized sooner that she wouldn't make it, considering we haven't eaten for a while. As my mother told me one last time that she loved me, I watched her life drain from her eyes. I cried most of the day until I cried myself to sleep. When the sun rose the next day I licked my mother's muzzle once more, and then began my journey alone. As I walked on by myself I ate some mice I found, and any other small animal that crossed my path."
"But one day when I was hunting in a forest I stumbled upon, I was on the trail of a rabbit that crossed my path. When I found it once again I tried to pounce on it, but a sudden movement to my left made me stop. A blue-tinted female wolf jumped out of the bushes and caught the rabbit in a split second. When she was finished with her meal she turned her blue eyes to meet my frightened ones. I stepped back from her as she slowly walked toward me, she extended her nose to take in my scent, and I kept completely still."
"She asked me what I was doing there and I said that I lost my father and mother in a two week span. She felt sorry for me, so she invited me to stay with her, her mate and there pack. I soon learned her name was Blue, and her mate was Hige. They took me under their wing from then on, even though it really was uncommon for a wolf pack to take in other wolves. But I fit in pretty well, but when it came to sleeping I had a hard time sleeping with other wolves."
"Hige and Blue noticed this and asked me one day why I had trouble sleeping with the rest of the pack. I couldn't think of a reason really, I guess it had something to do with the fear of the other wolves attacking me in my sleep, like my pack mates did in my other pack. Or something so they decided to make me my own space to sleep, and from then on I slept by myself in my own den."
Knight finished his tale as he sighed deeply, and looked out into the valley. Toboe sniffled as he listened to the story. He couldn't believe what Knight went through in his life. How could anyone want to go through anything like that? He watched the black wolf as he slowly turned his eyes back to the pup in front of him.
"Now you know my life story Toboe, and why I wasn't in the cave with the rest of the pack. I did watch your match though; I was very impressed with how you handled it. You did great, especially with the evading tactics."
Toboe sat in silence again as he listened to the black wolf, and never letting his eyes leave the other. Knight waited for the young wolf to say something, but nothing came. So he sighed and started to get up to leave. The brown wolf watched Knight walk away, but deep down he didn't want him to leave. With a deep breath he called out to the black wolf, who stopped in his tracks and turned to face the pup.
"Knight please don't leave...I want you to stay...I'm sorry for not speaking to you. I was just so surprised about your story that I couldn't say anything. So please come back and stay with me...if you want to of course."
The black wolf smiled at the look of sadness in the brown wolf's eyes. He then trotted back to his friend and lay down next to him. Toboe smiled for the first time since the black wolf arrived, and snuggled closer to him. Knight nuzzled the pup's cheek and rested his head next to Toboe's. Both wolves enjoyed the shared warmth so much that they moved closer to each other.
"I was really scared facing Zeal on my own like that you know. I was expecting to see you, Kiba, or Tsume to come help me."
Knight licked Toboe's cheek in apology for not being there when his friend needed him. Toboe smiled at the feel of the caress, and closed his eyes in contentment. The black wolf whispered into the pup's ear as he listened to the slow steady beating of the brown wolf's heart.
"I'm sorry about not being there Toboe; I swear it won't happen again."
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As Kiba was walking back to where Tsume and the others were, he noticed his mate sitting alone on a hill overlooking the valley of Hige's territory. He smiled as he walked up next to him and nuzzled his shoulder to get his attention. The gray wolf glanced at the white wolf next to him, and smirked. He knew Kiba would be up here after he finished making sure that Toboe was taken care of. So he turned his head to face his mate and licked his cheek.
"How's our little warrior doing?"
Kiba chuckled at the nickname he had for the pup. He rested his head against Tsume's shoulder as he looked out into the valley. As he sighed in contentment he decided to answer his mate's question. He knew the gray wolf was worried about their pack mate, but he would never admit it out loud.
"He's doing fine he just has a few cuts and burses. The wolves that took care of him said he should be fine by tomorrow. So we just have to stay here one more day, and then we can leave as soon as you are ready ok."
Tsume nodded in agreement. He knew they would be overstaying there welcome if they stayed another day. But he was also proud that Toboe won his first fight, how that runt won the match, was still a mystery to him. The gray wolf decided that when they returned to their territory, he would teach the pup how to improve his fighting and hunting skills. He just hoped the young wolf would be up to it.
"You know Tsume it's been a while since we hunted together. So what do you say? Want to go on a hunt with me?"
The gray wolf snapped out of his thoughts by the sound of his mate's voice. He smiled at him happily, and couldn't really remember the last time they had a hunt. But this time the alpha would make sure that this hunt was a very good one. Kiba watched his mate as he waited for an answer, but couldn't help the smile that crept up on his face. Which meant only one thing, Tsume was just as excited as he was for this afternoon hunt.
"Alright Kiba we can go on a hunt. But should we bring the pup something back?"
Kiba thought for a moment. They could but at the same time the white wolf had a hunch that Toboe was in good hands at the moment. He smiled at that thought and shook his head.
"No it's okay I think Toboe is in good hands. So we don't have to bring him anything. Let's just go and find as much food as we want; besides I've been dying for a good run for a long time now."
Tsume smirked at the look in his mates eyes. He still couldn't believe how mischievous Kiba could still be after all these years. But that was one of the things he would never want to change. The alpha loved his omega with all his heart, so why mess with perfection. Tsume nodded his head and stood, Kiba did the same, and together the two wolves ran down the hill and into the forest to look for some lunch, and to have a little fun for old time sake.
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Blue stretched her legs out as she woke up from her nap. She noticed two wolves head into the forest, and at a glance she knew exactly who they were. The blue-tinted wolf smiled happily for her friends. She was happy that Kiba was back to his normal self, and that they could enjoy some time together as mates. As Blue looked out into her territory, she heard Hige wake up and head in her direction.
"Afternoon Hige dear."
The light brown wolf yawned, stretched his legs, back, and toes. He shook out his fur and the sleep from his system. The alpha then walked over to his mate and nuzzled his head against Blue's. She returned the gesture and smiled lovingly at her mate. Hige lifted his head and looked out at where Blue was, and wondered what held her attention for so long.
"So what may I ask had your attention for so long?"
Blue looked at the male next to her and chuckled. Did he really need to ask? But then again it was Hige after all, so she sighed and decided to enlighten him.
"I was watching Tsume and Kiba head into the forest. They seemed to be going on an afternoon hunt. So I just wanted to see them off was all."
Hige was a little surprised at the news. He would have never thought Tsume was the type to go on a hunt in another packs territory. The light brown wolf always thought that Tsume kept his hunting to his territory and that was it. But he guessed since he had Kiba with him, he would make an exception this time. Then a thought came to him, what about Toboe?
"Well that's nice, but what about Toboe's share aren't they going to bring something back with them?"
Blue chuckled, she really couldn't stand how dense he and Tsume were sometimes. How her and Kiba could stand it, they had no idea. But when it comes down to it, they would probably say that they love their mates no matter what flaws they have.
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Kiba and Tsume ran for miles after they left the valley and their friends behind. Both of them couldn't remember the last time they were able to just let go. To feel the wind in their fur, to have their paws become one with the earth, as they ran side by side over it. Neither of them couldn't even remember what it felt like when their voices rang in the wind. So they decided to let a song free, and listen to the song as it went sailing over the hills. Man it felt wonderful to just let loose after a while.
"This was a wonderful idea don't you think Tsume?"
Kiba asked as he approached a creek to get a drink, after their well-deserved run. The gray wolf nodded as he too placed his muzzle in the water to get a drink. He felt so refreshed from that run, he really had to hand it to his mate. The white wolf really knew how to relax from a stress filled day. After the alpha finished his drink he looked out into the forest, listening, watching, and smelling anything that was worth hunting for.
"Yea I think it was, a very good idea."
Tsume said as he turned his eyes to his mate. Kiba smiled back and sat down next to the gray wolf. The two wolves then continued to watch the forest in front of them, waiting for any signs of life. Soon a sharp smell came to the wolves strong noses, it was the scent of deer. Kiba and Tsume were on their feet in a moment, they watched and listened for their pray to come closer.
"Alright Kiba you go one way I'll go the other."
The white wolf nodded his head and both wolves took off in separate directions. They wanted to surround the animal without giving away their location. When both wolves were in their positions, they stood silent and watched closely as the deer approached the creek. The young deer walked slowly toward the water, all the while keeping a sharp eye out for predators. With no sign of disturbance or danger the animal began drinking, and also began to relax.
But that was the wrong thing to do, because Tsume jumped out of his hiding spot at full sprint. The deer was so startled he froze on the spot, which the gray wolf took as a great thing. So Tsume squared his shoulders, showed his fangs, and took to the air. But at the last second the deer moved out of the way and took off across the creek. The gray wolf was shocked at what just happened but he shook it off as he knew his mate was there to back him up.
"Ok Kiba now it's time to show me what you got."
Tsume said as he followed the deer but at a slower pace. He knew Kiba would show himself soon, so why hurry. Kiba watched as Tsume missed the deer, he couldn't fathom what happened, but he knew he had to catch this animal no matter what. So when the deer was approaching his hiding place, Kiba jumped out, fangs bared, and landed on top of the deer. The animal thrashed and kicked, trying to get the wolf off of him, but was failing.
Kiba just locked his jaws around the animal's jugular and held on. The deer released a high pitched grunt, as the white wolf's fangs dug deeper into its throat. Soon the deer's energy and blood loss got the better of him, and he fell with a thud to the ground, with Kiba still on top of him. As the deer released his last breath, Tsume trotted up to see what his mate had done. The gray wolf saw the animal dead and his mate slowly releasing the jugular, which made the head drop with a heavy thud.
"You did great Kiba I am very happy for you."
The white wolf gave his mate a wolfie smile while his muzzle was still covered with blood. Tsume returned the smile and licked at the blood that was slowly drying on the white wolf's face. He loved the taste of fresh blood from a kill, it was like tasting the last moments of the animals life. After enjoying the taste of the blood, Tsume and Kiba began eating their long awaited lunch.