Title: The Price of His Past

Author: Ladye Black

Warnings:

Disclaimer: Nope, charas aren't mine; I just have all the eppies!

Notes: I am soooooo sorry! To all of you! I got stuck. What more can I say? There was this massive block-growls-, but I've finally gotten over it, so I hope you enjoy this! Have fun, ne?

Chapter 13

The edges of darkness that had grasped Toboe when he was knocked against the tree slowly faded. His awareness started with his hearing, and once he realized what he heard, he remained still, not daring to alert his captor in anyway that he was conscious. It was almost time.

"Well?" Kei growled. "Your time is up. What shall it be?"

"Okay," Toboe heard Tsume say. "I'll come to you; release your hold on Toboe first, though."

The young Wolf heard the smirk in the other's voice. "Fine," and Toboe was unceremoniously dropped to the ground. That's my cue, thought Toboe as he heard Tsume's first step towards them in the snow.

And with that first step, chaos erupted; for Kei, at least.

From his place on the ground, Toboe leaped almost straight up at Kei. The other was taken by surprise, and his attention was taken by Toboe. Using that to their advantage the other three went for Kei, too, knowing the pup wouldn't be able to handle their opponent on his own.

Kiba and Hige had run to the one side of Tsume, to protect the Wolf from the onslaught they knew would come from the Others. As they took the brunt force from their one side, Tsume ran on, going for the Leader.

Kei threw Toboe, the pup's small body hurdled through the air, almost hitting Tsume as the larger Wolf ran at long-haired almost-Wolf. As Toboe hit the ground, Tsume bowled into the Leader of the Others.

They both went down in a tangle of long limbs and black hair. Snarling, they both sought purchase on each other with teeth and claws. Both were good fighters, but Kei had the advantage of being nearly fresh from not having fought much, while Tsume was nearer to his end from the exhausting fight that a five-minute break had not cured.

The grey wolf was easily pinned. Human lips were pulled back in a snarl as Kei raised a clawed hand to strike at Tsume's throat.


Kiba, Hige, and Toboe had their claws and fangs full. They fought ferociously, knowing that this was the one chance they had to defeat these Others from Another World, and that if they did not win today, they would be lost forever.

As Kiba finished off another opponent, he caught a glimpse of the fight between Tsume and Kei. Tsume was losing. The grey Wolf was pinned, and it looked like Kei was about to administer a disabling blow.

From within, Kiba felt a fire light. He could not let that happen. Tsume was perhaps the most important being to him. He had never known someone like the grey Wolf, and he doubted he ever would again. Tsume could not die. Kiba himself would go first, doing everything in his power to keep his friend, and perhaps more to him, alive.

With snow flying, Kiba ran towards the Wolf that made his heart well with emotions. Everything seemed in slow motion, the hand came down; Kiba wouldn't make it in time.


As the claws came down, Tsume used the rest of his strength to push himself. Not up into the claws, but around them. And to bury his fangs into Kei's throat.

The Leader made a surprised noise as he felt the crushing force of a Wolf's jaws close themselves around his neck, tearing through tendons and closing his windpipe with surprising ease. Tsume pushed himself up and turned Kei onto his back, the Leader's throat still in his jaws. Blood dripped down the grey Wolf's muzzle onto the ground below. It filled his mouth, and his teeth ached, wanting to rip this…thing into shreds.

He dropped him onto the ground instead.

Kei was barely alive, and Tsume noticed that all action around him had stopped. The Others had seen their Leader's defeat. It was time for them to leave. They ran, fast, back to where they had first come and from there they would leave. The four Wolves watched them go. Perhaps one day, they would be back, but for now, they were safe.

"Tsume…"

The Wolf looked down in surprise at where the broken whisper had comefrom.

"You know me?"

Kei gave the Wolf as good a smile as he could manage. "Of course. Don't tell me you have forgotten your brother, Tsume."

The memories came crashing back, and this time, one face prevailed; that of his older brother, "Atae."

"You do remember me. I'm glad." Blood stained the elder brother's lips, and his breathing was slowing. "I can die…happy now, for I have seen my brother one last time, and he has recognized me."

"No…" Tsume breathed, horrified.

"Do not worry," Atae comforted. "I am ready."

"Nii-san…I'm sorry."

"I love you, my little brother, and it is I who should be sorry. I only wanted…for you…to be with me, to live happily, but I guess….such things do not happen for those such as us. Please remember me, brother."

"I will." In his younger brother's arms, Atae took his last shuddering breath. And Tsume mourned the brother he had barely known, but always loved.

The Wolf barely noticed that three other voices had risen with his, joining him in his grief.

TBC…

Atae- gift, godsend (name of Tsume's brother before he became Kei for fic pruposes.If you'll remmeber,'Kei' meant 'prenalty, sentence,punishment')

Nii-san- older brother (less polite than Onii-san) I used it 'cause it sounds better than saying 'older brother', at least, I think so. And it's one of the few Japanese words other than a name I've used. I feel proud. –grin-

Um, there's probably one more chappie after this, and then that's it for this fic. But please review! Onegaishimasu!