Return of the Prince

Thank you so much for all the reviews. You guys are great. And you are also the reason I keep going. Have no fear I will finish this story. Remember you are the reader and if there is anything I can do to make the story more enjoyable just tell me.

The sun was shining on the two wolves that where on guard duty. One of the guards, Ginta was smiling as he listened to the air. The sounds of the White wolves could be heard yipping and yelling with joy. The smell of newly opened rose buds filled the air, along with the sweet smell of the nearby stream. His nose twitched suddenly when the smell of old and new blood assaulted his nose. Sneezing twice he looked over at the other guard.

"You smell that?" Ginta asked.

"Yeah, I'll go warn the pack to stay by the dens." The other guard replied as he set off at a run.

Walking silently Ginta followed the scent. Searching the ground he spotted a small dark pool of blood. Sitting back on his haunches, he slowly scanned the area around. Just up ahead he noticed the grass bent toward a small thicket. It appeared like someone dragged himself over to it. Fresh and dried blood was on some of the branches. Grasping the limps of a dead tree Ginta pulled it away to reveal the opening. Peering in Ginta saw the form of a wolf demon.

"Oh no." Ginta moaned as he threw back his head howling for help.

Not to Far away in the Forest

"Hah can't catch me." Ayame yelled as she ran behind a tree.

"Last time you lost at this game." Kiro called after her.

"As I recall, you were the loser." Jumping back ward she steered away from his hand.

"You lie, I am undefeated at tag." With a burst of speed he slapped her on the arm. "Hah tag you're it."

"Not for long" She pivoted on her heels and ran after him.

"You're so slow." Kiro teased as he ran backward.

Reaching out she touched him on the chest. Kiro grabbed her hand and pulled her into his embrace. Slowing down they stood in each other's arms. Ayame felt chills go up and down her spine.

"Ayame…I…" Kiro began

"No" Ayame whispered putting her fingertips on his lips. "I don't want to hear it."

"Ayame it has been a month, he is not coming back. Ginta and I sent seeker wolves to look for him. Jass went herself but found nothing." Kiro said with a sigh.

"You have accepted it and so have I, now let's leave it at that." Ayame said resting her forehead on his shoulder.

"I know." Kiro sighed.

"AYAME there is a trouble at the dens." Fleet Foot yelled as she rushed to a stop in front of the two.

Breaking away from Kiro, Ayame's face turned red. "What is going on?"

"I don't know. Ginta brought in a wounded wolf. Mist and I need you to decide on what to do."

"Let's go then." Ayame said as she ran toward the dens.

Spotting the blood on the rocks Ayame ordered someone to clean up the blood.

"I want nothing to trail the scent of the blood to camp understood?" Ayame said looking at Kiro.

"I'm on it." Kiro said as he went out of camp to rid the trail of any blood.

"Ok let me see the wolf." Ayame said

She followed Ginta into the den. Her nose twitched with the heavy smell of blood and… a hint of, what was that smell? Stopping dead in her tracks she grabbed Ginta.

"Who touched him? Was it just you?"

"Mist and I have been the only ones to be near him." Ginta replied.

"I smell poison, kind that soaks into your skin, by just touching those that have it. Get some skins, do not touch the body and carry him out of here leave him far from our territory. I won't endanger the pack with one that is not our own."

"Ayame. It's… I mean we can't do such a thing… we should help any."

"Do as I say."

Tell her Ginta don't tiptoe around the truth. Jass yipped from behind them.

"What truth?" Ayame asked looking at Ginta.

"That wolf in there is… Kouga."

Ayame was silent for a while. Then she went deeper into the cave, sinking to her knees beside the body of Kouga. Careful not to touch him she peeled the fur away from his body. Long deep cuts ran down his arms, blood was caking up from the cuts. His chest was an ugly blue green. Taking a rag she pressed it on his chest and heard a sickening groan from his mouth, as blue poison seeped from his mouth. Taking her hand away she saw that some of the poison had gone onto the cloth. Throwing it from her she felt sick. Kouga's jaw was much discolored from the poison, that was draining from his mouth. Shuddering Ayame remembered the words that Kouga had said to her. Kill the weak to make room for the strong. Is this one of those times? She thought as she looked at his legs. Torn flesh hung from his ankles. It appeared that someone had dug the jewel shards from his ankles and replaced them with poison.

"I cannot help him he is dieing. There is nothing we can do." Ayame said in a monotone.

Stop it Ayame! Call in Mist and Fleet Foot. Jass growled angrily.

Ayame was silent.

"I'll do it." Ginta said.

"No I am the leader of this pack. We can not help him, he is dieing." Ayame said.

Enough of this Ayame every second counts. Call them in.

Ayame just sat there staring at Kouga. Her eyes were cold and uncaring as she watched him struggle to breath with the poison in his lungs.

Ginta get Kiro. Hurry. Jass ordered.

Ginta ran out calling for Kiro. A couple of minuets later he returned with Kiro.

"Ayame?" Kiro said softly at her side.

"Kiro! He returned. But it's going to be ok. Kouga is dieing and we can be together." Ayame said as tears rolled down her cheeks. Her voice broke into a whimper.

"Ayame you know he can be saved. I can't live with the thought that we let him die just to be together." Kiro said softly.

"I know…I know…" Ayame began to cry.

Kiro pulled her into his arms and gently stroked her fiery red hair. "We were not meant to be together in this world, but that does not mean I will ever stop loving you."

"…Call in Fleet Foot and … Mist." Ayame said in a whisper against Kiros chest.

Ginta ran out and got the two healers. Ayame had them first treat Ginta and Jass to make sure the poison would not get into their blood stream.

"This is going to be painful Ayame. Kouga may wake up and scream. Maybe you should warn the others?" Mist said as she began to tie up her long black hair.

"I'll do it." Kiro volunteered as he went out and told the rest of the pack that the wolf was Kouga and that he was seriously injured and to stay away from the den.

After a few hours of draining the poison from Kouga's body, and sewing up the cuts on his arms, he was now sleeping peacefully. Kouga had woken up twice screaming in pain when they had cut open part of his chest to drain the poison.

"Is he going to be ok?" Ginta asked.

"He is very weak. I wish we could get some food into his system, to help give him strength." Mist said.

"His jaw is so badly swollen; he would not be able to chew the food, if we gave it to him." Fleet Foot said.

"The worst is over. Now we just have to wait for a day or two." Mist said softly.

"You did a good job Mist." Kiro said encouragingly.

"Thank you Kiro." Mist said blushing fiercely.

Ayame did not even notice the light flirtation. No, she was busy staring at Kouga.

He is going to be ok Ayame. Jass said softly.

"I just can't believe how selfish I am. I was willing to let him die, so I could be happy. What kind of leader am I?" Ayame said shaking her head.

You're a fine leader. Moments of weakness befall us all. We just need to rise above that. And you need to realize that if he comes out of this, that you have a duty you need to fulfill.

"I know." Ayame said standing up and walking to the opening of the cave. "I think the worst is over. You can all leave."

Everyone got up to leave. Mist stayed behind.

"Do you want me to stay with him?"

"No I can do it. Make sure everyone is ok for me." Ayame ordered.

Mist nodded and left. Ayame leaned her shoulder against the wall of the cave entrance and watched Kiro wait of Mist. The two of them headed, she assumed toward the food den. A part of her hurt, as she thought about how much she wanted to be with Kiro. But another part of her felt ashamed of how she was so willing to let Kouga die for her happiness. She then turned her attention to the sun that was rising.

Another day. Another decision to make. Jass spoke from her side.

"That decision has been made already Jass. A long, long time ago." Ayame said with a sigh as she turned back into the den, to wait for Kouga to awaken.