A/N: Chapter 8 of Ginga Densetsu Alayus. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters except my own. GDW belongs to the rightful owner.
A special thanks to the reviewers, I really appreciate it.
Chapter 8: Hougen of the Southern Alps
Southern Alps…...
The winter snow fell to the ground in little flurries, covering the bare earth like a blanket. The smoke from nearby towns rose through the chimney as a sign of warm and love. Far up in the mountains stood an abandoned log cabin, left alone by the previous owner. Its' wooden structure torn by the winds and snow of the past but it still stands and provides shelter to those who gives it a chance. From within the sound of snoring could be heard.
"Lord Hougen!" A dog barked, dashing up the steps and scratched the door. "Lord Hougen!"
"What do you want welp?" A threatening growl emerged and the dog lowered his body in a submissive manner.
"My apologizes sir but I have come with urgent news."
"Urgent news? What's so urgent that you had the balls to leave your post unattended? Come in here and tell me." The dog hesitated a bit and then eased his way inside, the door shuts behind him. A few minutes later the door opened and the dog excused himself, returning back to his post. Inside the building, some rustling noises could be heard before Hougen himself appeared. The Great Dane sniffed the cold air with displeasure, drawing his lips back.
"It's cold...too cold for the likes of me." He turned his attention to the town where the humans lived. "Humans are despicable. This world has no room for them."
"Lord Hougen...sir." His right-hand man padded up and bowed. "Is something the matter? You look irritated."
"I'm not irritated you nitwit." Hougen looked at the dog. "I'm in my thinking moment..." A pause...then, "Gather the troops. I have to tell them something."
"Yes sir." The dog bowed and left to round up the rest of the group. Hougen's soldiers gathered around their leader, ears perked to full attention. Before Hougen could start, the sound of paws could be heard and the dogs made way for three blurry shapes.
"Lord Hougen." A voice spoke and Hougen's ears perked up when he looked at his addresser.
"Ah! You must be the Borzoi brothers, Missile, Jet and Rocket."
"What?! The Borzoi brothers?! You're saying those dogs are the fastest dogs in this country?!" Some of the famous rumors starting to speculate around the army.
"I'm quite surprised that you three came ahead of schedule. I'm sure you know the task on hand? There is no option for failure."
"Yes sir. We'll get the job done. Come brothers." The one named Rocket replied and took off running. Jet and Missile followed their brother and the three of them disappeared just like that.
"Sorry for that important visit my friend but I have important news for you." Hougen begins, "It's time for a new era to begin. My spy informed me that the leader of Ohu has been spotted roaming around the vicinity with his subordinates, meeting those fools back in the day. We have heard the story of the great leader vanquishing the great bear Akakabuto . It's time for those northern fools to pay their dues and it is time for me to step up as ruler of Ohu. Troops, move out!" The dogs howled with pure joy as they followed their leader, chanting and shouting at the top of their lungs. Hougen grinned as he led his mindless minions towards his glory, leaving behind the run-down structure.
Somewhere in the Northern area...
"Everyone! Time to take a rest!" Weed looked back at his pack. They have roamed over mountains and rivers for a while, meeting different dogs and recruiting those willing to join them. Right now their numbers averaged around 250 dogs.
The dogs panted heavily as they rested, taking turns for water, use the bathroom or just hunt for food.
"Weed, how much longer till we get to where we're going?" GB asked.
"I don't know GB but I have a feeling that it won't be long." The young Akita looked at the mountain ranges that loomed in the distance. "Do we have to cross that?"
"I guess so." Jerome padded up. "If we want to increase our numbers, we need to overcome every obstacles, no matter how tough."
" I agree." Weed nodded, "It is our duty to protect the paradise and ward off anything harmful."
"HEY! WHAT'S YOUR PROBLEM!?" Shouts erupted and Weed made his way to the commotion. Two of the dogs started fighting, ears laid back and lips curled up in snarls.
"What's going on?" Weed asked.
"That bastard thought he was superior to others that he came over and stole my food!" One of the dogs replied.
"That's bullshit!" The other dog countered. "I saw that scrap first but you came over to my area without asking and took it!"
"Shut up you!" Both dogs stared each other down with so much hostility that the other dogs started to back up.
"That's enough." The dogs parted to let Alayus through. She's been out on watch duty but came running when GB called her about this scuffle. "Indeed food is getting a little scarce to feed this many soldiers but we have to do what we can. I won't tolerate any fighting with in this pack, it will lead to us fending for ourselves and then it will be misery for the rest of the journey. Do you understand?"
"Yes ma'am." The two dogs apologized to her and to each other before splitting the scrap equally.
"Once we reach a more abundant place, everyone can have a full meal." Alayus nodded curtly and returned to watch duty. The rest of the dogs decided to pair up and share a meal so that everyone had energy.
"I still can't understand why Alayus gave the leadership role to you Weed." Jerome spoke with amusement.
"She didn't want it." was Weed's reply, "I offered but she declined it."
"She has a good sense of leadership...but Weed you also have a good sense of being a leader. I'm surprised that these dogs follow your command with such obedience."
"They came on their own accord. I will lead them if they wish to be led but it's not my place to command them if they value their life and refuse to obey me. They already made their decision to follow and it is now my responsibility to care for them and to make sure they come out of this alive."
"Spoken like a true leader Weed, that's good."
"I'm just doing what I can Jerome. These dogs are my comrades." With that Weed padded over to where GB was and the two of them started a conversation out of earshot.
Elsewhere...
The swirling snowstorm baffled the leader as he trudged forward. John and Akame followed him without complaint, to them the frost wasn't much of a hassle. The three of them made their rounds, meeting the retired dogs of war and made quick stops to those who didn't make it.
"Um...excuse me!" A tiny voice called out to them and they turned to see a female dog standing outside of her home.
"What's the matter?" John replied gruffly.
"Could you be the leader of Ohu?"
"I am." Gin answered her. "and you are miss?"
"My name is Reika and my father fought as an Ohu soldier." She led them to where her father's grave was. "If my father was still alive, he would have been very happy to see you."
"He was a great soldier." Gin commented.
"This storm is getting bad, please follow me. There's shelter not too far from here, you can rest there." The three followed the Akita to some buildings that were abandoned by the humans, it was probably a research facility.
"I'll go get you all something to eat, I'll be right back." Reika padded back out and closed the door behind her.
A/N: I am gonna stop here, hoped you enjoyed it! Btw Nero wasn't introduced in this chapter and I know that he was killed before Hougen goes to find Gin BUT Nero will stay alive until later on. Hook and Sasuke weren't introduced either but they will be later.