"Kasumi! Kyoushiro-san wants to see you!" Rick called out. Rick peeked into the den where the pups were playing. Kasumi was more and more different as time went by. She was depressed and always in deep thought. It was worrying to the pack that she wasn't getting any better either. Jiro especially. They all cared for her and tried to make her smile but to no avail did she chuckle once at their jokes. Kasumi slowly looked up at Rick, he had grown so much. He was now a responsible male in only seven months. It made her sigh. "Rick..." she spoke out in a whisper.
"Ha! Gotcha Ena!" a pup pinned down a spotted pup in triumph. "No fair!" Ena, the spotted pup whined, "I want to play as the bear next time!"
Rick smiled at Ena and strode over to Kasumi. "Heh, Ena's getting more and more spiteful by the minute huh? It seems only yesterday when we took him in." he asked. Kasumi flinched at the memory. Ena was the pup of that bastard male that Kyoushiro killed. It's been a few months since that incident.
Rick sighed. "Come on Kasumi... let's get some fresh air... Kyoushiro-san's waiting for you..." Kasumi nodded and rose to her paws they padded along out of the den and into the clearing. It was autumn now and she could hear the birds tweeting into the trees. "Looks like the birds are making a fuss today." Rick thought aloud.
Kasumi didn't answer she stared at the ground in a hazy thought. She could still see blood on Kyoushiro's muzzle. The last time she had ever saw that much blood was when-
"Ahh!" Kasumi yelped as a rock made her trip. She planted into the ground groaning. "Kasumi!" Rick called out. He sprinted towards her in worry. "Kasumi! are you alright?! You've got to be more careful!-"
"I'm fine!" Kasumi snarled. Rick staggered back at her voice. She never snarled at him before. "I'm fine..." she said again softly, She slowly rose up to her paws and started walking leaving Rick in shock as he soon caught up with her.
Kasumi felt guilt creeping in her heart. Why did she lash out at Rick? He was just trying to help! Was the past of her mistakes so traumatizing, that she had to act like this? She felt so stupid for even existing.
She shut her eyes tight and gave out a wavering sigh.
"We're here..." Rick said solemnly. Kasumi opened her eyes at Kyoushiro's den. She gulped in worry, what did Kyoushiro want? She heard fading paw steps retreating back. "Rick! Wait!" Kasumi ran after him. Rick looked back in sadness.
Kasumi looked at him with sorrowful eyes. "I'm sorry... I just... I'm sorry..." Kasumi felt tears running down her cheeks. "Hey Kasumi," Rick nuzzled her cheek. "It's ok... I'm not mad or anything. I- we're all worried about you. Kyoushiro-san too..." Kasumi was skeptical about the mention of Kyoushiro. "We all care for you Kasumi. We want to help! To be a family again."
Kasumi pondered for a bit then asked, "Rick.. What did Kyoushiro do about your father when you were a pup?" Rick widened his eyes at the sudden question. In Kyoushiro's pack, it was considered to forget about your abusive past and move forward. "I'd rather not talk about it actually..." he answered. "But I was glad when Kyoushiro-san rescued me from him, I would never have been happy then I am now. The things that my father did were unforgivable. but that doesn't matter now. You're safe too! No one can hurt you here. We'll protect you Kasumi I can promise you that..."
Rick turned around and started to walk away. "That day Kyoushiro-san took Ena, he told me he had hoped that you could see his vision the way he does." Then, he ran off, leaving Kasumi to think about Kyoushiro. Kyoushiro... Kasumi thought... Why did you save me?
As Kasumi walked in Kyoushiro's den, she could tell something was off, it was too quiet.
His scent was everywhere but she didn't see him. Was he somewhere else?
I wonder if I should find him? Kasumi thought.
Kasumi was reluctant to trek deeper into the woods after what happened, but she knew Kyoushiro wouldn't disappear like that. She checked deeper into the forest from behind Kyoushiro's den. She sniffed around until she found his scent, but why did she feel tense? She could hear two other voices in the distance. Was he being ambushed?
"We don't any trouble here..." a strange voice reassured. Kasumi peeked into the bushes. Kasumi saw Kyoushiro bristling over three males facing him. Kyoushiro-san! Kasumi looked with worry. "Get to the damn point! What business do you have on these mountains?!" Kyoushiro growled.
"No need to get mad kid we just want-"
"I ain't no damn kid!" Kyoushiro corrected one of the males. "I'm Kyoushiro the Silver remember that asshole!"
The males didn't flinch only stared at him. "So the rumors are true about you. Kyoushiro the Silver what an honor it is to be at your presence!" A spotted Great Dane strode towards them. Kasumi gasped lightly, he was huge! And intimidating. But Kyoushiro didn't show signs of fear.
"I have a opportunity for you and your pack that you can't refuse." the Great Dane said in a low voice. "We are looking for valuable males to unite in a great cause. Even with your many males you wouldn't survive long in these mountains. The climate is changing and natural disasters are bound to happen. If you join my pack we'll make it worth your while..."
"Tch! Sounds tempting, but I'm gonna have to refuse... I don't make deals with anyone if the entire pack isn't present. Also, you didn't tell me your name..."
The Great Dane chuckles at Kyoushiro's words. "You have a lot of spunk I'll give you that... Alright I'll humor you."
Kasumi stared at the large male in fear she didn't even realize two others were advancing towards her from behind.
"The Great Dane chuckles again at Kyoushiro, "You can call me Genba..."
Chapter 6: Chapter 5
"Genba-sama!" a dog called out from behind Kyoushiro and Genba. "Looks like this runt was hiding the good stuff..." Kyoushiro widened his eyes at Kasumi being pinned down by two dogs. One of the dogs leaned down at her and licked his chops. "Hey sweetie.. what's your name?" Kasumi cringed uncomfortably and whimpered.
"Get your fucking paws off of her!" Kyoushiro whirled around, eyes blazing in fury. The two other dogs next to Genba bolted after Kyoushiro and blocked his path. Sneering at him with cold eyes. "What's this Kyoushiro? I didn't know you had a little gift for me? Tell me, are there more females you're hiding in this lovely pack of yours?" Kyoushiro looked back at Genba who gave a sly grin. This guy... he's not like the others I've dealt with...Kyoushiro thought. There was a sinister aura in Genba that he did not notice until now. He kept his composure, he couldn't allow himself to break. "None of your concern. Though I advise your males to get their paws off of my mate before I get even more pissed..."
Mate?! Wait what?! Kasumi was both shocked and flustered. What was Kyoushiro planning, surely he didn't call her here because he wanted her as his mate?
"Mate, you say?" Genba asked in sudden interest. "Yeah..." Kyoushiro answered before hesitantly adding, "and she's pregnant with my pups."
Kyoushiro-san?! Just where is this situation going?! Kasumi blushed at the thought.
"Quit bullshitting!" one of Genba's dogs snarled. "The bitch don't even look like she's pregnant!" Without a moment's warning, Kyoushiro knocked down a dog blocking his way towards Kasumi. The dogs pinning her down, started to growl, "You-" The male didn't even begin his sentence when Kyoushiro's demonic speed made him tumble to the ground. The standing male couldn't register what happened when he too was kicked in the face and landed next to Genba, who stood motionless.
Kyoushiro towered over Kasumi, his scent oddly soothing her. "As you can see, she's properly taken. I took her last night as a matter of fact... and I'm certain her fertility's intact. She carries my pups and my males will not follow you if you harm her or me, they'll crush you like fleas. In these mountains, you will show proper respect, including my mate... fuck with anyone in my pack and you will have your throat out..." Those words gave out a icy chill in Kasumi and the rest of the males following Genba.
No one moved for a split second until Genba gave a glint of a glare towards Kasumi and Kyoushiro.
Genba gave out the tiniest of grins and scoffed, "Tch... Do what you want, I don't have time for used goods." Kasumi flinched at the insult given to her. "However, you should be more worried about coming alone here next time brat... Lucky for you, I don't have time to spend on this damn mountain. Me and my brother Hougen got bigger fish to fry. Genba turned heel then looked at his males. "Hey! you lot! we're out of here!" Genba barked out at his men.
The males looked uneasy at Genba's calmness and looked at each other. "Don't make me say it twice..." Genba growled. Immediately, the males whimpered and retreated into the other side of the clearing. Genba gave out a huff of laughter and sprinted away.
Kasumi sighed in relief, while Kyoushiro was left spiraling in his thoughts. What had gotten over him? Why was this one female driving him to the brink of insanity? He wanted to protect her, he wanted to protect all of them. He couldn't afford to make any mistakes like this again. If he wasn't careful, he could have lost her... Calling Kasumi his mate might have been dangerous alone. But it worked. They were safe. Mate... Kyoushiro scoffed. Like anyone could love someone like him...
"Kyoushiro san." Kasumi's gentle voice broke him out of his thoughts. "I don't mean to be rude but... can you let me get up now?"
Kyoushiro jumped in embarrassment "S-Sorry..." he stuttered. Kasumi slowly rose to her paws and shook the snow off of her fur. "Are you all right?" asked Kyoushiro. Kasumi shyly looked away from Kyoushiro's gaze and nodded.
"Good." Kyoushiro sighed. "Let's get out of here there's something I want to talk to you about."
Kasumi followed Kyoushiro back to his den. The sun was starting to set, and then the sky soon blackened into a dark hue as the full moon shone under them.
"I noticed you weren't acting like yourself." Kyoushiro stated. He stared at Kasumi who didn't answer. "Could it be that you're not happy here?"
"Of course I'm happy!" Kasumi replied. "I just, don't want to be a burden to you all... when you killed that male, it...reminded me of someone that I wished would not exist..."
Kyoushiro nodded in understanding. "You don't have to worry, you're not a burden to anyone... your father can't hurt you anymore"
But I wasn't talking about my father... Kasumi thought grimly. Then another thought crept in her mind. "Is my father dead Kyoushiro-san?"
Kyoushiro flinched at her hollow voice, he wasn't sure if she wanted him to still be alive or not, nonetheless, "I'd rather not say Kasumi. It's best if we don't talk about that."
Kasumi gasps softly. So it's true... he really is dead... she gave out a wavering sigh. All the things her father has done, the nagging voices were slowly fading one by one, but the memory still lingered. She shook off the thought and changed the subject. "You told Genba that I was your mate..."
Kyoushiro gulped nervously. "Yes, I said it to protect you. There are many males in the world who wouldn't hesitate to claim a female, whether it be for pleasure or power... It's not safe." He then looked at Kasumi with pleading eyes. "Kasumi, promise me you won't take us lightly. Me and my pack will do anything to make sure you and the pups are safe, even if killing is the only option."
Kasumi stared at him, his eyes giving off a gentle aura. "Ok... I promise. You can do what is necessary and I won't disagree. I'll follow you Kyoushiro-san to what ever extent you take..."
Kyoushiro said nothing and nodded in approval. "It's getting late, you better go back to the den with the other pups." he said. Kasumi scoffed, "I'm not a pup anymore! I'm almost a year old like you!"
Kyoushiro chuckled, "Right... sorry..." Kasumi trotted out of the den and looked back at him, "Kyoushiro-san... you... you're not like most males and I'm thankful to be in your pack. So... thank you." With that she sprinted off before Kyoushiro could utter a word, leaving him to ponder at this strange and remarkable female.
Meanwhile at the edge of Kyoushiro's territory, Genba had rallied more followers and regrouped with the remaining males.
"Genba-sama! If you don't mind me asking..." a dog walked up to him tail curled in submission. Genba tilted his head to the male. "What is it? Spit it out!"
"Y-Yes of course sir! ...You could have easily crushed that Kyoushiro fella with one bite from your fangs. Why let them go? Your brother Hougen-sama would have been pleased to find out about a female in the midst."
Genba scoffed. "Is that all your worried about? It's true that brat was begging to be ripped to shreds, but I prefer a sort of tactic that will satisfy me dearly. You see, males are very protective of what's theirs, take it away and they'll do anything to get it back. I want that bastard to think they're all safe in their little cozy home before I take his precious bitch away from his grasp. I want to hear him lament over and over as his males are eradicated one by one, until then he's left to stare in horror as I fuck his mate to dust."
The male was flabbergasted at Genba's words. "U-um." he stuttered. "Quit yelpin'." Genba snapped. "Our objective is to gather more males to take over Ohu, those Northeastern pack of idiots won't know what's coming to them. But don't worry, we'll be back at the mountains soon enough. Until then Kyoushiro..." Genba's cackle echoed throughout the trees, the birds flew off at his evil laughter as his plans to come back would threaten the pack, unknownst to Genba, the tides were already turning as his brother Hougen made his first move at the Northern Alps.
