Just Like Old Times- Chapter 4
Immediately, all the able-bodied tribe members spread out and began searching for the murderer. Small, thudding footstep and low growls were the only things that could be heard amongst them.
They covered the vast area of the old village relatively quickly, not knowing that their enemy hid in the shadows just beyond their sight…
Prague couldn't believe his luck. After only becoming a Demon Hunter for about a month, he'd gone and found a whole brood of kitsunes! Upon discovering their village, he daydreamed of all the money he'd be counting after he sold off all their pelts to retail merchants, them believing it was some new breed of fox. They would never guess they were selling their customers the skin of a demon. Then again, people wear croc-demon skin boots all the time, so what was the big deal?
The only problem was that the Hunter had now become the Hunted. The kit he'd killed off managed to let out a howl before he bit, alerting the others. Now he was caught in a dangerous game of cat and mouse with his prey, him being on the other side of the fence.
The outlook wasn't good. The kitsunes had heightened senses; better hearing, keener eyesight, extreme tracking ability. Not to mention that this was their home turf. All he had was his little bit of training and experience, a few dirks and daggers, and a tranquilizer gun. The odds were obviously stacked against him, and he knew it. But Prague has always been a gambling man, and he wasn't about the ultimate chance to test his luck slip by.
Prague treaded as silently as he could through the forest, making the best use of the cover the trees gave. He'd not gone far when two of the kitsunes from the brood came from the trees in front of him. He quickly ducked behind a large elm and prayed that they hadn't seen him.
A quick glance at the two of them told him that one was a regular member of the brood, but the other held some sort of important rank and was much bigger than the other to boot. Prague smiled inwardly.
"Heh. If I take out the big one, then the little one shouldn't pose a problem. Just a quick slice to the throat would do him. I'd best shoot the big one, though…"
He quietly loaded his rifle with a bullet and took careful aim at the larger of the two kitsunes, waiting for the perfect time to strike…
Obari and the captain of the troops, Tenka, had been searching for the murderer together the whole time and come deep into the woods following his scent. Tenka was deeply focused on the mission, but Obari had his mind on other things, the main thing being Keita's well being. He remembered seeing her take a troop of privates herself to find the killer. The last thing he wanted was for her to end up dead herself.
He let out a concerned growl, which Tenka picked up on. The older kitsune looked back at him smirking.
"Worried about our new Brood Mother, are you?"
Obari was shocked that the other was able to tell what he was thinking. Tenka's smile merely widened at the sight on his junior's look of amazement.
"Everyone knows that you've been pining after Keita for a while now. It's not that hard to miss," he said chuckling. "It's only too bad that you can't be her mate. You two seem so perfect for each other. She's always been so quiet and you've been the only one so far who can make her sit and actually hold a decent conversation."
"Too bad they've only been about that thief…"
"Yes, I suppose you're right, Captain Tenka…"
Tenka saw Obari's face suddenly be overcome by sadness and sighed heavily.
"Well, you know… I am getting on in years. Perhaps it's time that I let someone else take over my place. Someone quick and strong that could protect the village with all his heart."
Obari's ears pricked up and his eyes widened at what Tenka had just said. He couldn't be suggesting that…
"Well? Would you be willing to take my place, Obari? Could you protect everyone with your whole heart as I have?"
"Yessir!" Obari said excitedly. He quickly composed himself at the look he received. "I mean, yes, I can, sir. I would give my all and more to protect my brood."
"Hm. Well, then. It's settled. Pending a review from the Elders, you'll be the new Captain upon our return." Tenka said smiling.
Obari was thrilled. In that moment, he was completely lost in his happiness and hugged Tenka heartily.
"Thank you! Thank you so much for what you've done…"
Tenka was taken aback at what Obari had just done, but smiled nonetheless and threw a caring arm around him.
"You're more than welcome…Son."
During this whole thing, Prague had been carefully waiting for the chance to take his shot, and now was the perfect chance. Smiling sadistically, he pulled the trigger and watched as the bullet struck Tenka in the temple.
Instantly, Tenka's grip on Obari loosened and he fell to the ground, slain. It took a moment in Obari's mind that his father was dead. As he stared into Tenka's empty eyes, he felt his own well up with tears.
"F-Father? Father?! FATHER!!"
Obari fell to his knees, too shocked to even touch his dead father's face. All at once, he was overcome by anger and sadness and let out a deep mournful howl. Prague knew then that the others would come running and there was no way he could get away from the entire pack.
"Looks like Lady Luck wasn't with me tonight…"
Prague quickly made a hasty retreat to the edges of the forest, only praying he wouldn't come across any frenzied warriors along the way.
Keita and her troop being the closest to them, were the first to arrive at the spot where Obari kneel howling and Tenka lay dead. Keita was horrified that Tenka's life had been taken just as Kyu's had, only much more viciously. She felt an overwhelming wave of sadness and pity wash over her as she listened to Obari's mournful howls.
"Obari… What happened here…?"
Obari turned at the sound of Keita's voice, his face strewn with tears and grief. He couldn't bring himself to face her for very long looking as he did and merely turned away, not saying a word. Keita walked over to him and knelt beside him, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. Obari shied from her touch slightly and tried to move so that she wouldn't see him continue to cry, but Keita only took him into her arms and hugged him firmly.
"It's all right, Obari. I'm here for you. I'll always be here for you."
At that, the gates to Obari's emotions completely broke and he sobbed long and hard into Keita's chest. Keita herself felt tears come to her eyes as she glanced at Tenka's lifeless corpse and held her best friend in her arms as he wept for him.
"If only Yoko were here… He'd know what to do… But he's not. So I have to handle things."
"I want all of you to find that man. I can smell his scent here. He can't be too far away. Go, Now!"
Immediately, all the troops that had stood by and watched what had happened between Keita and Obari rushed away tracking the scent of Prague. This left Keita and Obari alone for a minute, as all the others got closer to them.
"He was holding me…" Obari whispered.
"What?"
"He was holding me… Almost just like you are now. He'd just given me the greatest gift. We were both happy. Then he got shot. That bullet rang out as loud as a thunderclap… Now he'll never be happy again…"
"That's not true, Obari. He'll be happy as he watches down on you in the years to come. You have to remember that."
Obari looked up at Keita with his tear-reddened eyes and looked back down at his hands in front of him.
"Yes… He'll be happy when I kill the bastard human that did this to him with my bare hands…"
Obari felt Keita's grips on his shoulders tighten, and he looked up at her confused.
"I know how much you're hurting right now. Though it was a long time ago, I can remember when I lost my parents. But as much pain as you feel, you have to remember. No amount of revenge will bring him back."
"But…"
"No buts! You can't let rage and hated take over who you are, Obari. You'll only end up destroying yourself. All you can do is make sure this doesn't happen to anyone else."
Obari lowered his head again, taking Keita's hands off his shoulders and holding them in his.
"I will. I vow to you here and now that I won't let anyone else be killed by a hunter. It is my duty as Captain…"
"What do you mean?"
"My father… Right before he died, he relinquished his position over to me…"
"I see. I will take your word for it, Obari. I trust your words with all my heart. I officially name you Captain of our troops. Now go. Lead your men and find the murderer."
"As you wish, my Lady."
With a quick bow and renewed confidence, the new Captain trotted off in the direction the killer's scent went. As he glanced over his shoulder to get one final look at his father, he saw Keita bow deeply and mourn deeply for Tenka. He quickly turned away from the scene and set about the business at hand, dead set on getting his man…
***
The troops returned home later that night empty-handed. The human had gotten away. An emergency council meeting was called and it was unanimously decided that the village would have to be moved. No one was safe now that someone knew their whereabouts.
The next night, under the cover of darkness, the entire village moved to new location and settled down. Not soon afterward, however, they were found again and a massacre followed. Many of the kits were killed and their pelts stolen where they were slain. The village mourned the loss of most of their young ones, none more so than Keita, though none were hers, but everyone was soon on the move again, finding a new place to settle down. This went on for several years until the elders finally found a way that it was impossible for humans to track them using mere human means. After they cast the magic, the entire brood moved to place far away from their last location, hoping it would be the final place they would have to live. And it was. Until now.
Keita was fortunate that Obari had sensed something was wrong and came looking for her when she was off walking by herself. During all the years they had lived together in the same den (as the Captain and the Brood Mother must), he felt an even more special bond form between himself and Keita. He knew when she was sad, angry, happy. He pretty much knew how all her moods were. But during all that time, they never once mated. Every time it had come up, Keita would become agitated and go off on her own, leaving Obari feeling rejected but not down for the count. He knew that she'd see eventually.
It was during one of Keita's walks that the hunter had come across her and gave chase. But now, not only did they come across another hunter, they come across the object of Keita's desires. That damn thief…
"Why did he have to still be alive? Why did he have to come back here?!" Obari growled to himself.
"Did you say something, Captain?" asked a private that had fallen back to check on the Captain and overheard his grumblings.
"Nothing to concern yourself with. Go back with the main body."
"Yes, Captain."
As the young private ran off towards the main body, Obari seethed under his breath.
"We'll see who wins Keita's heart in the end, Thief…"
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ooo, it looks like a rivalry is quickly forming between Obari and Kurama for Keita's affections. Who will win indeed win in the end? Will Keita finally give in to Obari's love? Or are first loves always the best? The only way to find out is to keep reading! ^^
