Warnings: Mild Blood/Violence

Prompt IX: Stars

What do you mean the runt is going to be leading this hunt? Bakura snarled, wrinkling his lips back and glaring at Yami. The black wolf was sniffing at a stone nearby, ignoring them completely.

Exactly what I just said and you repeated, Yugi dismissed, shaking himself out. He wagged his tail as he looked over. Yami hadn't been allowed on pack hunts yet because his parents had thought he'd run away if he got out of the group's immediate sight. Yugi had told them otherwise more than once, arguing vehemently that Yami wouldn't do that, but he had been unable to convince them until now. His dad had finally folded, exhausted after another hour of argument, and his mom had rolled her eyes and taken out a book to occupy her time during their heated discussion.

Yami had been off at school when Yugi had demanded he was given the opportunity and privilege, as some of the other yearlings were getting frustrated they were supplying food for a wolf that wasn't hunting for himself. At twelve, Yami should have been able to run around and catch prey on his own. It was only because of their fear he would run that no one had bothered to teach him.

And he knew Yami hated being unable. He'd seen the way he sometimes watched with his head down and sulked as a hunting party left and he was stuck with his grandpa for pup-sitting.

He'd sit there, head down and ears folded, and just glare at their backs before huffing and lay down with his butt to Sugoroku. His grandpa always found it funny, because he loved yearlings. They were his favorite part of being in a pack; had Yugi's grandmother not died giving birth, they likely would have had more than one litter.

If Yami had not been a yearling when he'd come to the pack, there would have been much more argument and opposition. As it was, wolves were keen on seeing offspring survive, no matter if they weren't theirs. They would raise a rival pack's if the pup was on their own. In fact it was one of the only reasons for wolves to be able to drift from one territory to another without a fight starting. Pups were always the priority, no matter what happened.

And why is this happening? He's never even hunted on his own.

Exactly. I'm going to teach him. Yugi wagged his tail rapidly. The movement made Yami blink and turn his head to look over. Yugi opened his mouth in a sloppy grin and wagged his tail harder. The other wolf blinked again, tilting his head, and slowly returned the friendly gesture. He looked confused and mildly concerned, but overall just happy to see Yugi there. Yugi turned back to Bakura. This is going to be me teaching him to hunt.

Bakura peeled his lips back. Whatever. As long as that runt doesn't plan to try to climb rank, I don't care.

Yugi tilted his head and peered at him now, locking eyes with him. I'm sorry. Did I give you the impression you had any say in that? he growled, stepping forward slowly. Because I plan to have him move up in rank soon, regardless of whatever you're thinking.

Bakura peeled his lips back further and bristled, tail rising in challenge. Oh? And when did you come to that little decision?

I've always planned to move him from omega to beta.

The statement was met with a few startled glances. Some of them turned immediately to Yami as if in bewilderment. Others wagged their tails as if they'd always known. And a few watched them with growing anticipation.

I'm sorry if you were ever confused about that, Bakura, but when I take on this pack, Yami will be my second in command.

How loyal of you, Bakura sneered, to bring a damn outsider into the pack and then force him through the ranks. Will you be fighting all his battles for him then?

Yugi snapped his teeth. I might just do that. I've been wanting to kick your ass for a while now.

Finally! Kisara burst out laughing. Do it, Yugi, put him in his place!

Bakura snorted and wagged his tail before lunging. Yugi braced himself. Bakura was twice his size in muscle mass; he'd have to take on a more defensive approach.

But the gray male never got to him.

Something slammed into him.

Blood sprayed the air. Fur flew. Snarls made the air quiver.

And then they separated.

Yami was spitting, every hair on his lean body puffed outward. His tail was raised aggressively. His ears were pricked forward. Blood dripped from his teeth. His paws were placed to lunge again. His hindquarters were bunched slightly. A little line of blood trickled from his shoulder.

Bakura glared at him in surprise. One of his ears had been clipped. His entire right forelimb was slicked with blood. He bore his teeth and lunged again.

Yami met him head on.

When they separated again, Yami was panting. His entire side was slicked with blood. Bakura had a gaping wound across his left eye that Yugi was sure would scar.

There was a large patch of fur missing from his neck where it met his shoulders. And the gray wolf looked livid.

Between the two of them, Yugi wasn't sure who was hurt worse.

But abruptly Yami dropped his tail and shook himself out. Bakura snapped his teeth and looked as if he might lunge, but the black wolf never so much as glanced at him again. He'd turned to Yugi with his head tilted.

Where are we going today?

The white wolf blinked, startled, then wagged his tail and rushed forward to lick his cheek. You have little blood stars on your muzzle! You're so cute! he teased, wagging his tail harder. Thank you!

Yami flicked and flattened his ears as he continued grooming his face. Uh, thank you? he mumbled, looking bewildered by the compliment. Yugi pulled back, wagging his tail again.

I'll stay here with you so we can clean your side. The others can go hunting. Yugi glanced over at Bakura. You should stay and get your eye cleaned. Looks like a pretty nasty cut.

The gray wolf snarled low in his throat. He doesn't know how to hunt but he knows how to fight. Doesn't that come across as a little strange?

Yami huffed. My brother taught me how to fight, he growled, glaring at him spitefully.

Clearly not very well, considering you stopped paying attention. I could have killed you.

Yugi flicked an ear. Bakura wasn't wrong. A rank fight was usually one of the worst that could happen in a pack. If Bakura was fighting for his spot as theta, had Yami truly been going for it, the bloodbath could have been astronomical. But he didn't think Yami meant for anything really to happen. He'd reacted to stop him getting to Yugi.

Or at least he'd like to think that was why he'd have thrown himself blindly into a fight like that.

You weren't trying to kill me. Because then you'd have to deal with Yugi and he's future alpha. If you hurt him in a fight while he was trying to get you off me, you'd be ostracized and forced to the omega position until Yugi felt you learned your lesson. Yami wagged his tail and grinned sloppily. The little blood spots pulled and looked like stars about to burst. I was never in any real danger!

Yugi snorted. He was absolutely right. If Bakura had taken such a dirty shot, he would have gotten involved and then he'd be set to punish him until he either proved he could be around Yami again or the treatment forced him to leave of his own accord.

Yami turned on his heel and trotted away, toward the house. Yugi hurried after him. He'd clean the wound and Yami would change back. It would heal completely in the meantime. They just had to make sure there was no infection before then.