Title: Price of His Past
Author: Ladye Black
Pairing: KibaxTsume, we're getting there
Rating: R
Warnings: upcoming slashiness, implied child abuse, a bad word
Archive: If ya want it, ask.
Feedback: Always.
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters, I do however own this fic in and of itself.
Chapter 3
Tsume ran as fast as he could, legs pumping, filled with adrenaline. Behind him, he could hear the Humans quickly becoming tired of the chase, and he snorted with disgusted amusement. Weak Humans, he thought, so easy to outrun, especially now that he was older.
It had been ten years since his best friend had been killed. Ten years of hardship, of doing things he wasn't proud of, of posing as a Human. And it still wasn't over.
Now, he was the leader of a Human gang. They weren't bad, for a bunch of Humans. Most of them had lived through things quite similar to what he had, and without the extra strength that came from being a Wolf. And now, they had his protection.
Sometimes, Tsume didn't like that thought, having to protect a group of people from rival gangs, and the farce that was the law enforcement for their city. He had to help keep them fed by leading train robberies, and finding places that would pay for the goods they stole. Sometimes, he wondered why it had to him that took care of these people. Sometimes, he wondered why he stayed.
Well, he knew the answer to that last one. This group had quickly become his first pack since Te had died. Just over a year ago, he had met this group of starving, Human wretches that were without a leader and pulled them together, not really knowing why he did it…at first. As time went on, he realized the significance they held for him, they were his pack. Yes, they were Human, but all were strong in their own way, even the smallest and youngest.
That was another bad habit he really shouldn't indulge in, picking up strays. Perhaps it was because of his own past, knowing that he probably wouldn't have made it if it hadn't been for Te, perhaps that was why he had a soft spot for those children of the streets.
Tsume shook himself from his musings, knowing that it wasn't really the right time to think about such things. Continuing on, the Wolf almost didn't hear the sniffle that came from somewhere on his right. Slowly, Tsume turned in a circle, trying to locate where the sound had come from. He stopped about halfway around, spotting a lump of cloth shoved as far into the corner of the connecting buildings as it could get.
Cautiously, the Wolf approached the bundle, delicately sniffing the air. There was definitely a Human within that bundle of clothing, a child from the size the lump. Another sniffle emerged from it, definitely a kid.
"Hey, kid," Tsume said, affecting a nonchalant tone. "What're ya doin'?" Tsume winced at asking such stupid question, but he had to start somewhere.
After a moment, the lump answered, "S'none of your business!" Tsume grinned to himself, definitely a kid, and he definitely had spirit.
"It is since you're in my territory." This wasn't true, it was the territory of some minor gang Tsume had never bother to learn the name of. "C'mon outta all that shit, kid. I wanna see who you are."
For a few minutes, nothing happened, then slowly the layers were peeled away to reveal a young, brown-haired boy. Tsume crouched down so he was at the small boy's level. "So, what're you doing out here alone, kid?"
The kid shrugged. "Ain't go no family, ain't got no place to go." Tsume nodded, showing that he understood.
"All right…do you want some place to go?" The kid stared at him suspiciously. "I run a gang that robs trains, and more help is always needed plus you'll get fed more regularly. Ya don't have to, I'm just offering, it's up to you kid."
Tsume stood intending to go, but he hadn't gotten more than a few paces before the kid called to him.
"Hey, wait!" Tsume turned around. "If I go with you, I'll get food, right?" Tsume almost grinned--the offer of food always dragged them in--instead, he nodded. "And this ain't no scam? You ain't gonna sell me of to the first perv that pays, are ya?" Tsume shook his head.
The kid studied him quietly for a few moments with a surprisingly clear gaze. "All right, I'll help ya." Tsume had to consciously keep a neutral expression on his face, the kid reminded him a lot of himself at that age.
"Good," Tsume turned and started walking, the kid following him a few seconds later. "So, you got a name, kid?"
"Gehl," came the succinct reply.
"I'm Tsume," he introduced himself.
TBC…
Okay, we're gettin' there. Next one should be into Wolf's Rain itself.
