"He was here alright but he is wounded bad from the looks of the blood." Amber says sniffing the ground while Roxanne is tending to Vixen's wounds nearby.
"Was he taken away?" Kyoushiro asks.
"There's no scent of any humans here.." Hiro says as he sniffs the ground.
"Then.. who did it?" Weed asks.
"Hey! Over here! The blood-trail goes on even further! It's going towards the mountains!" GB shouts as everyone looks at him.
"Vixen won't be able to do much with her wounds. She's awake but she still needs to rest for a bit." Roxanne says as she comes over.
"It's okay Roxanne. You stay with her and catch up to us when you can. We'll go get Jerome. If you aren't with us then we'll come find you later." Weed says as Roxanne nods.
"Two of my dogs will stay here with the two of you. Stay safe until we meet again." Kyoushiro says before the group get going leaving.
"Rocket I wanted to thank you." Amber says as she slows down to run beside Rocket as he looks at her.
"Thank me?" Rocket asks.
"Yes my sister told me it was you that protected her so they wouldn't kill her. Thank you for that." Amber says kindly.
"It should be me thanking her. I'm grateful to be in her company whenever she is around. If it wasn't for her I would of been killed. She saved my life but got severely injured in doing so and so I did everything I could to do the same for her. I'm just glad she is alright." Rocket says as Amber smiles at him.
"Don't worry. Roxanne is the best of our litter who learned about healing from mom and dad. She's in good paws." Amber says.
*Timeskip*
"GB.. are you sure that Jerome was here?" Kagetora asks as the group is following GB through some hot springs as he is sniffing the ground.
"Have some faith in my nose!" GB says as Kyoushiro smells the air before gagging at the odor.
"What the hell is that rotten smell!?" Kyoushiro asks in disgust to the smell.
"It's an odd smell.. Who's that? There's someone on the other side of the rocks." Hiro says.
"What?" Kagetora asks as the group look over at the rocks before the group realize there's dogs around them up on the rocks.
"Who's there? What's your intention!?" A voice shouts before Kyoushiro chases after the dog in the steam causing the others to follow after the other dogs ignoring Weed telling them to wait. upon running into the steam the group then fall before falling into some water.
"Are you alright, Weed?" GB asks as Weed lifts his head out of the water.
"GB! What is this?" Weed asks.
"This is a hot spring." Hiro says as everyone looks at him.
"Shit, were those guys trying to trick us?" Ken asks before they hear a laugh.
"To fall for a simple trick like that.. your just too clumsy. And you lot think you can just win against Hougen?" A voice says as the group see the figures of dogs in the steam on the rocks.
"What did you say? Who the hell are you guys!?" Kyoushiro asks angrily.
"Don't get too excited, Kyoushiro. They're friends." A voice says revealing to be Jerome in the water.
"Jerome!" Weed says as he and GB go over to him finding out the dogs led him there before the steam clears revealing to be Tesshin as the lead dog.
"Tesshin, why are you here?" Weed asks.
"Weed, I met up with your father in the southern alps. I planned to rescue the leader that we're all concerned about, but it didn't work. I'm sorry. I'm unworthy." Tesshin says as he lowers his head.
"No, please raise your head!" Weed shouts.
"No.. I'm ashamed of my lack of power.. I'm truly sorry. I have some words that need to be relayed onto you. I want you to listen. I'll repeat the leader's message word for word. Weed, my life will probably not last until springtime. But, the problem at hand is not my own life. If Hougen takes over this world, it'll most probably return to a world that's based on survival of the fittest. We need to create a place where the righteous ones can live happily, even if they don't have the power to do so. Weed, you're going to take down Hougen, and rebuild paradise. Use your life for this one dog race. If you win this through with justice, and your own fair intentions, that ideal paradise will surely become a reality. Weed, forgive me that I'll be parting this world before the rest of you, but don't forget that I'll always be with you. The friends that have gone before you as well, and your mother, Trixie, too. Everyone is watching over you from the heavens. Do you best, Weed. You can't lose, Weed. Leader, I have delivered the message." Tesshin says as Amber and some of the others cry hearing the message.
"Weed, let's go right now!" Ken shouts as he goes over to Weed.
"Yeah! If we hurry, we can still make it!" GB shouts.
"We can just avoid Kamakiri and Vixen will be alright until we're back. Let's hurry up and rescue the leader!" Kyoushiro says as everyone gets out of the water but Weed and Jerome.
"Enough, everyone! Let the child get a word in. We all feel the same way but the action is Weed's call. Let him speak." Amber says as everyone quiets down before looking at Weed.
"We can't. We can't forcefully make wounded soldiers fight or leave them behind to fight. My father's wish wasn't like that. My father's one hope is for peace.. The peace that all of us are wishing for." Weed says.
"Are you going to let your father die without trying!?" Kyoushiro shouts as Weed looks at him.
"Calm down, everyone. Like his father, Weed has his reasons. It's alright Weed, go on." Amber says as everyone looks at her before looking back at Weed.
"It's peace for everyone! My father's life compared to everyone's lives. Anyone should know which is worth more!" Weed says as Jerome goes over to him.
"Weed, it doesn't bother me. For my friends, I'm always ready." Jerome says.
"As am I." A voice says revealing to be Vixen as she is walking over with Roxanne and the two others that stayed with them.
"Vixen!" Amber says quickly going over to her sister with Rocket seeing she is still having some problems walking. Amber then hears the others barking at Weed to give them the okay to go before seeing him turn away from them.
"That's it, everyone leave the pup alone! If you don't you'll be dealing with me! His answer has been made loud and clear!" Amber shouts as the others look at her.
"But..!" Kagetora says causing Amber to growl viciously at him making him immediately go quite. Amber then growls slightly at the dogs before jumping in the water and going over to Weed sitting beside him as she gently nuzzles him.
"It's alright, Weed. They won't bother it anymore. Please raise your head. They understand now." Amber says as Weed raises his head out of the water remaining silent.
"This is the ninja-dog's secret health resort. Any wound will heal within three days here. Anybody who's injured should rest here." Tesshin says.
"So Jerome and Vixen's wounds will heal in three days?" GB asks.
"They'll be fine. However, we have to get the bullet out of Jerome's leg. If we don't, the wound will get infected, and eventually he'll be completely unable to walk." Tesshin says as he looks at Jerome.
"Alright. Your leader will state when we'll depart. We'll leave here in three days." Weed says as the others jump into the water splashing Amber as she quickly gets out to avoid getting splashed again.
"What's the matter Amber? Don't like the water?" Ken asks seeing Amber shake off the water before helping her sisters into the water.
"I like the water and the warmth but I don't enjoy getting a free bath by you lot splashing me." Amber says causing some of the males to laugh at her before GB gets out going over to here.
"Leave the lady alone Now. Besides we shouldn't ever laugh at a female." GB says.
"Huh. Is that so?" Amber asks as she smirks slightly before pushing GB into the water.
"Hey!" GB shouts as Amber laughs before he grabs her paw pulling her in causing her to growl slightly before splashing water at him.
*Timeskip*
"Hey uh Amber I wanted to speak with you." GB says as Amber looks up at him from her spot under a tree.
"Yes GB?" Amber asks curiously.
"Well I was um.. It's just.. Look I really care for you.. I was worried when you left with Jerome and it made me worry I might never see you again.. I wanted you to know how I felt just in case." GB says.
"GB what are you saying?" Amber asks giving him a curious look.
"I want you to be my mate.. If you want.. I understand I can be a coward but I would do everything to make sure your happy.. If you'll let me." GB says nervously as he lowers his head.
"I'd love to GB. I honestly kind of figured out you felt this way for a while now but I just didn't think you would work up the nerve to say anything. I thought I would have to bring it up honestly." Amber says getting up before she gently nuzzles GB.
"Well I'm glad I did." GB says as Amber smiles at him softly.
"Well it wasn't easy getting him over here. He wouldn't stop talking about you and it took forever getting him to go over and say something." A voice says revealing to be Rocket and Vixen.
"Your one to talk! You took as long as I did with Amber to tell Vixen you cared for her!" GB says as Amber and Vixen laugh slightly at the two bickering males.
"Hey where are they going?" Amber asks seeing the Kyoushiro, Ken, Kagetora, and Hiro in the distance before the group catches up to them and follows them to where they see Weed jumping at branches spinning on them before falling back to the ground.
"Weed, what's going on?" Ken asks as Weed tries again at the same branch before landing back on the ground.
"Close." Tesshin says.
"What are you doing?" GB asks.
"Ah, everyone.. I'm learning my father's technique from Tesshin. The one that took down Akakabuto." Weed says shocking the others except for Amber and Vixen having known already of the attack.
"Yeah, it's not an attack anyone can just learn. The sharpness of the leader's technique... Even with great effort, one may not get it perfected, just like i haven't. Mine is not a real battouga." Tesshin says as Weed looks at him.
"Weed, what you did just now, is that the technique?" GB asks as he looks at Weed.
"Yes." Weed says as he nods.
"Isn't that the same technique that you did when you first met Amber and me?" GB ask.
"But, I don't remember what I was doing. I was desperately frantic that time." Weed says.
"I see. You'll be able to do it. You have something I don't have. You'll definitely master how to use the leader's technique." Tesshin says as he goes over to Weed.
"Show me some techniques, too!" Kyoushiro shouts.
"Yeah, shouldn't we be training up too?" Kagetora asks.
"You're right. Tesshin, will you show them how to use their fangs properly? Amber could you and your sisters help? I remember you telling me a while back your mother taught you and your siblings how to have an iron like jaw grip making it near impossible to escape and your teeth are as sharp as knifes." Weed says.
"Of course Weed. Our pleasure." Amber says kindly.
"Yes. No problem." Tesshin says.
*Timeskip*
"Help! Everyone, come back please!" A voice shouts revealing to be Roxanne as she comes running over in a panic.
"What's wrong Roxanne?" Weed asks.
"There's a bunch of dog-eating bores at the springs." Roxanne says as everyone quickly heads back and sees the bores getting closer to Jerome as he is in the water.
"Hold it!" Weed shouts as the bores look at him.
"Weed!" Jerome says seeing Weed.
"What the hell is going on?" Weed asks.
"Kyoushiro! Amber! Jiro.. They just killed Jiro!" A dog says.
"What the hell! You damn pig!" Kyoushiro shouts angrily.
"You'll pay for that!" Amber growls as she and Kyoushiro get closer to the bores.
"Amber, Kyoushiro, don't be so hasty!" Weed shouts as Amber and Kyoushiro don't listen before jumping at the bores only to get pulled down into the water by Jerome.
"What is wrong with you, Jerome?" Amber asks.
"Look at them!" Jerome shouts seeing the bores coming at them before the three dive under the water to avoid them and rise up as Jerome pulls Kyoushiro along with Amber quickly following only to get cornered by the bores.
"Wait!" Weed shouts as he comes running over.
"What do you want, kid?" The bore asks before he heads towards Weed.
"Weed, no keep away!" Amber shouts before Weed then uses his father's attack to crush the skull of the bore killing it as he then falls into the water with Amber going over to him.
"Brother!" The two other bores shout seeing their brother die.
"If you two want to keep your lives, get out of here!" Tesshin shouts as the bores leave while Amber pulls Weed out of the water before the group run over seeing he is unconscious.
"He's conscious!" Ken shouts seeing Weed open his eyes.
"You showed it to me. The real battouga." Tesshin says as he looks down at Weed.
"Battouga..? So.. I did it?" Weed asks.
"Yes. You did it greatly against the dog-eating three." Tesshin says.
"Then, everyone is safe?" Weed asks.
"Yeah, that's right." Amber says.
"I see, good.." Weed says as he falls asleep.
"You did good as always, Weed. You've earned some rest." Amber says.
"The battouga uses incomparable amounts of psychical strength and concentration. He's probably over gone his limit." Tesshin says.
"If you all don't mind, we should let him get some sleep.." GB says.
*Timeskip*
"The wounds really did heal in three days." Kagetora says seeing Jerome is walking and Vixen is walking well again.
"Yeah, we can walk." Jerome says.
"When did you take the bullet out?" GB asks.
"During the night, Tesshin did it for me?" Jerome says.
"Everyone ready?" Weed asks.
"Yeah!" Ken shouts.
"I'm ready anytime!" Kyoushiro shouts.
"Let's go to the alps and rescue the leader!" Kagetora shouts.
"Yeah, Weed. Give the order to depart. It's your duty!" Jerome says as Weed nods.
"Everyone, let's go!" Weed shouts as everyone gets moving.