Kouga was walking along the stream reflecting on what Ginta, Hakaku and the other members of his tribe had told him.

"What the hell are you doing in The White Wolves pack?" Kouga had half screamed.

"Kouga we are to small to fight against these demons. We had to go some where or we would have died." Mist tried to explain.

"Don't give me excuses. You already know the tension between Ayame and me. Yet you go to them seeking help." Kouga had turned his anger on Mist. He was to the point were he had to vent his anger but Mist two black wolves stepped between them and bared their fangs at Kouga.

"Kouga don't blame Mist. It was my decision I could not protect the pack any more. I was not meant to be a replacement leader." Ginta said shamefully.

Kouga looked at his friend. Ginta did not look so well he looked skinner and he walked with a limb when he had once strutted around with confidence.

"I do not blame you. It just makes things more complicated to have you join the White Wolves. But there is not much I can do I have to continue my search for Narku. SO I will take Ayame and train her as a replacement leader for The Black Wolves. DO you understand a replacement? When I kill Narku I will come back and you all will come back to The Black Wolves and I will again lead you. Do I make myself clear?" Kouga said in a deadly whisper as he glanced around to the group.

"Yes Kouga we will do as you say." Hakuku and Ginta chimed in together.

Looking back on how he handled it he did lose his temper but now he had to train Ayame. Sitting down on a rock he looked into the running water watching the setting sun turn the water red yellow and orange.

"I can hear you Jass. What do you want?" Kouga asked with a sigh as he watched Ayames wolf come into view.

Good evening Kouga. Jass greeted as she sat down in front of Kouga.

"What do you have instructions on how I am to treat your precious little Ayame?" Kouga asked with a sneer on his face.

Ayame is not weak or by any means little. She is more than ready to take her stand as the alpha wolf. And that is more than I can say about some wolf demons I know.

"I am already the alpha male of The Black Wolves. So don't you dare talk down to me." Kouga said angrily the hair on the back of his neck was raising.

I beg your forgiveness. Train her well Kouga but don't you dare break her spirit. She has suffered enough losses for one year. She needs no one especially not you to tell her that she will fail. I'm warning you Kouga she is a lot stronger than the last time you saw her.

"Ayame strong? Jass surely your eyes are not going on you but last time I saw Ayame she had no backbone. I even heard that she could barley kill a boar when she was on her first hunt. I take your advice though I won't break her spirit besides I need her to take care of my pack until I return. I will return and I will take my pack and lead them. Make sure you and Ayame both understand that." Kouga said.

Agreed. And with that Jass walked away.

The First Day of Training

I bet she's still asleep Kouga muttered to himself as he walked into her den. Walking over to the bed of furs he sat back on his heels and waited for his eyes to focus in the dark. All of a sudden Kouga found himself on his back paralyzed. What the hell.

"Who the hell are you?" Ayame growled as she stood over the Kouga.

"Ayame… What are you doing?" Kouga choked out his throat felt constricted.

"Kouga… I am sorry." Ayame said in surprise as her hand darted out and hit the soft muscle of his neck.

Kouga could feel his legs and arms relax and he was able to start moving.

"What was that?" Kouga growled angrily as he staked after her.

"I don't trust any one Kouga. I am sorry I wouldn't let you die." Ayame began to stutter as she stepped backward away from his advances.

Don't let him know your scared Jass's words ran through her head.

"Stop it right there Kouga." Ayame said firmly pushing against his chest with the palm of her hand. " I assume you are here to start the training. Lets go than." Knowing she had shocked him she quickly moved away and ran to the den's entrance.

Turning around Kouga watched Ayame run out Maybe she is not as weak as I thougt.

Some Where in the Forest

"Ok Lesson number one. Every Wolf Demon has to be able to smell everything. So." Kouga began as he stepped behind Ayame and blind folded her.

"What I don't like this idea Kouga… wait this thing won't come off." Ayame cried out in fear as she tried to untie it.

"Ok Ayame see if you can find your way back to camp see ya later." Kouga laughed as he took off in a whirlwind.

Suppressing the feeling of screaming at him, which was probably what he wanted Ayame set to work trying to pick up a familiar sent. I smell wetness the stream must be close by. Straining her ears she could hear the sound of running water. Turning she began heading that way. Stretching her arms ahead of her for balance and in case she ran into a tree. "Ooo that is cold" She yipped in shock as her feet met the cold water. Ok this is good now if I can just smell the wolves. Mm nothing but the smell of dead fish. Wait dead fish the tribe is that way. I can do this. Ayame smiled to herself as she walked in the stream following her nose. Stupid Kouga thinks he's all that. Well I'll show him… "Ouch." Ayame cried out as she tripped over a stone and fell hard into the stream. The cold of the water soaked into her armor. Standing up she smelled her blood running from the gash on her knee. Ok stop daydreaming and focus. After a few more trip ups Ayame found herself back in her territory and then eventually back in camp.

"Ah Ayame finally made it back. Alive even. Wow even I have to say that 6 hours of wandering in the woods isn't bad. However when I went through that test I was back in 2. But hey what can you expect from a inexperienced one." Kouga taunted as he untied the blindfold.

Hold your tongue. "Thank you for your Support Kouga. I look forward to the next lesson tomorrow." Ayame spoke with confidence.

"What do you mean tomorrow we start again right now?" Kouga stated.

"Um no. As the lead of this tribe I have certain duties to perform, which I will be doing right now." Ayame said in a crisp voice.

"Um no I don't think so your not the leader yet and there is still daylight left." Kouga argued stepping in front of her.

"Wrong Kouga. Now get out of my way." Ayame growled showing her fangs.

Remembering his promise to Jass of not hurting Ayame he relented. "I feel sorry for any wolf demon that takes you as his wife." Kouga spat out angrily.

"Is that so. Well I feel sorry for any women that was to have you as her mate." Ayame sneered at him as she walked away.

"Stubborn bitch." Kouga muttered as he watched Ayame go into the sick den. "What is she doing there?"

"She goes there every day to see how Kiro is doing." Mist stated as she walked up to Kougas side.

"Kiro? But he's just a pup." Kouga said in shock.

"No he's not." Mist said.

Ignoring Mist Kouga followed Ayame into the den and stood at the entrance watching her.

"Kiro are you feeling better?" Ayame asked as she knelt down beside him.

"Much better now that you're here." Kiro said.

"Humph… I feel much better now that you're here." Kouga mimicked to himself as he rolled his eyes at that pick up line.

"I… That is… Ayame I love you." Kiro stammered out.

"I love you to Kiro." Ayame said as she bent over him and kissed his lips.

"I think I'm going to be sick." Kouga muttered as he walked away. "Lesson number two never get emotionally attached to any one in your pack. She's going to learn the hard way." Kouga laughed to himself as he walked to his own den to sleep.