A/N: Chapter 24 of Ginga Densetsu Alayus. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters except my own. Ginga Densetsu Weed belongs to the rightful owner.
Special thanks to the reviewers as well as to the readers who Fav/Alert this story. I truly appreciate it.
Chapter 24: The legendary Battougas
Ninja dog resort...
The surgery went well and since Jerome updated Weed on the situation he extended the deadline to a few more days so that he may get the chance to speak to his friend. Rocket felt it was a good time if any to bring up what was in his heart and asked for permission to speak with the leader. After hearing what the collie wished to say Weed felt a bit angry that he wasn't aware about the scheme and lashed out at Rocket for a good minute.
"But...I'm also responsible for what happened..." He replied, "if I hadn't forced her to leave then this shouldn't have happened. I think I'll go and apologize."
"Then allow me to accompany you, I have to do my share since I was the one who started it." Rocket padded along side the Akita as they approached the cave where Tenshin was finishing up.
"Now make sure you rest and eat well." They could hear his voice from within, "I would advise you to keep your weight off of your leg for a while until it heals. You'll be fine in a couple of weeks or maybe 5 days if you're lucky."
"Thanks Tesshin..." Alayus sounded tired and as they lingered outside, they saw that she was busy sniffing her healing leg. Noticing the visitors, Tesshin padded out so that they could go in.
"Umm...uh...sorry!" Weed and Rocket spoke simultaneously, bowing their heads low. "We're sorry!" At first Alayus didn't understand what they were talking about so she just stared at them with a blank expression. Then she started to laugh.
"Ahahahaha! What's up guys? What's with those sad expressions?"
"Huh?" Weed asked since he didn't really understood her reaction.
"Y-you...aren't mad at us?" Rocket asked once Alayus stood laughing.
"Oh I'm just laughing at your reactions just now." She smiled. "But you know what, spending time away from the Ohu army was quite refreshing. I mean I had the time of my life out there by myself." Then she took a deep breath before gazing at them with honest eyes. "Thanks...for letting me know the truth. I forgive you for what you did but there are some things I need to do before I join you, Gin's orders."
"My father...he gave you orders?" Weed asked.
"He has." Alayus replied, "But don't worry I plan to return later."
"Very well. Let's go Rocket." Weed bowed his head before padding out.
"Thank you...Alayus, for saving Missile." She looked up since Rocket addressed her. "I...I'll make it up to you...somehow."
"You don't have too." She replied, "Just being a part of the Ohu army is good enough." Rocket thought about it before returning a smile and left to find his brother. Occasionally she would receive visitation from a couple of her friends but at night she receive an entirely new visitor. While the others slept she felt restless, scraping the ground with her paws as she continued sleeping. Soon the wind picked up from the outside and a figure padded into the cave, her paws skimmed lightly across the ground. Pausing before the sleeping dog, the mysterious figure smiled fondly at her with a hint of sadness.
My dearest daughter...Rue murmured as she gently licked between her child's ears with her tongue, brushing the fur back. It would seem that I can no longer hold any physical presence here in this world. I have already past into the heavens on my way to the Americas...I did not survive my trip and I couldn't keep my promise like I wanted to. I'm sorry.
"Mother? Is that you?" Alayus whimpered, paws twitching though her eyes were still closed. "Don't go yet...don't leave me..." Rue smiled softly as she nuzzled her child close.
I never wanted to leave you...She thought before laying down beside her daughter, burying her head against the warm coat. It just so happened that I was not strong enough for my journey.
"Who are you?" She looked up as Tesshin growled low enough for her to hear. He was doing his daily routine of checking up on Alayus's recovery process when he picked up the presence of an unfamiliar scent. When he made his way towards the cave, he noticed the strange dog and acted on his instincts. "Get away from my patient."
Tesshin. Rue said as she rose up to greet him. It's been a long time.
"Rue?" The ninja dog asked, perking his ears forward in surprise when he recognized her spirit. "Don't tell me...it can't be..."
I am no longer living for I have past on into the other world during my journey. The heavens allowed me to see my child once more...for I have yet to see if she bears the mark.
"Bears...the mark?" Tesshin asked as Rue nosed around the dark colored fur and came across a small star-shaped patch of cream colored fur on her daughter's right shoulder; the dark fur surrounding it made it hard to spot but it was there. "Is that it?" He carefully padded over to take a closer look.
It is. Rue said as beckoned for Tesshin to follow her out with a swish of her tail. The two of them trotted to a secluded location away from the rest of the sleeping pack members. I had a feeling that she would have it but at a young age it wasn't fully developed so I pushed it to the back of my mind. Now I'm certain that she is the one from my father's prophecy. She turned to look at the ninja dog and sat on her haunches. I mentioned this to John once...I only hope that he remembered our talk since he's so hot-headed, but I want you to remind him to tell her about our family lineage, it's only fair if she heard it from her father since I couldn't tell her.
"And you're fine with that?" Tesshin asked. Rue smiled at him.
I would wish nothing more than for my daughter to learn about where she came from. She tilted her head up with a frown. My time is up, I must return to my place in the stars...Sakura is waiting for me.
"Would you like me to pass a message onto Gin for her?" Tesshin asked when he heard the name of the Leader's mate.
I'm pretty sure she'll make her presence known to him in the near future. Rue spoke as she was slowly disappearing from existence. My only regret is not being able to reunite with my family so I shall forever watch over them from above. Goodbye Tesshin. Bowing her head, she faded away back into the heavens, leaving no traces behind.
Morning of the 2nd day...
"WHERE"S MY DAUGHTER!?" The dogs paused in their relaxation to see John running onto the scene, his fur all over the place and his eyes wild like he had not slept a wink that night. He scanned the area before jumping down and interrogating them. "Where is she?! Where is she?!" The dogs all shook their heads or tried to get out of his way as he ran approached every single one of them. Missile and another dog, probably the messenger, rushed up at their own pace.
"T-thanks." The dog said as Missile placed him back on his own feet. When he relayed an updated message to John, the leader took off running towards the Mountains faster than any of them have ever seen, maybe even faster than Akame. Since he could probably catch up with the German Shepherd, Missile knew that the messenger spent most of his energy delivering them an update and would not make it back without rest so he offered to carry the dog and the two of them followed after John at a much calmer pace.
"My pleasure." The Collie replied as he watched the dog lumber towards the hot springs to ease his muscles and rest. John was just about to give up and the irritation that was building up within him made him want to bite another dog. By now every single animal near him were cowering as they felt his anger rise.
"At ease John-san. Please, come with me." A calm voice spoke and he turned to see him stand there. The ninja dog was alerted by one of the guards and hurried back to the spring. Not wanting to waste anymore time, John followed Tesshin without delay and the two of them made their way to the cave while the others got back to whatever they were doing. "She's in here." The two of them entered to see Jerome laying beside the resting Shepherd, his head laying across her back with her head on his paws. At the sound of paw steps, Jerome lifted his head slowly to greet them casually but after realizing who came in he knew that this was serious business and he wasn't needed here at the moment.
"Leader...Tesshin..." Jerome slowly pulled his paws out from under Alayus's chin and rose to his feet. He made his way to the entrance, bowing his head low with respect as he past the two dogs.
"Do you love her?" John's question made Jerome pause mid-step.
"...I do." Jerome replied calmly as he stood facing away from the leader. John released a small laugh before turning to face him.
"You and I still need to talk about that but for now...I'll accept your answer." Jerome bowed his head once more and disappeared to join the others. Watching the other dog leave John was about to enter but Tesshin rested a paw on his shoulder.
"I need to tell you something important before you meet with her." Confused he followed the Ninja dog to a secluded place where the news he was about to receive was so unexpected that he felt his whole world crumble under his paws.
"WHAT?!" John whirled on Tesshin with an enraged look on his face. "RUE'S DEAD?!"
"She is." was the reply as the German Shepherd paced back and forth frantically, his mind wheeling from the horrible news. "She came to visit Alayus in spirit when she was in her recovery process."
She can't be dead...she can't be dead...John told himself over and over, his tail lashing back and forth as he hurried his pacing...it must be a joke...yeah a joke. When all this work is done, I'll go back to see her with my daughter. I get to see her smiling face waiting for us back at the shrine.
"She wants you to tell Alayus about her lineage." At that John stopped and looked at Tesshin with a passive look on his face. "She told you about it once so you should know something about it."
"...I feared this would be the case." John sighed. "Rue and I have...discussed about the possibility of bringing up the family's lineage with our child but it never occurred to me that it would be this soon. Very well, I shall tell her all that she needs to know and all that her mother would have wanted her to know by the time she was old enough to understand." Standing up, he made his way back to the cave where he paused at the entrance to collect his thoughts.
"Come." Akame said and his followers obeyed, falling right behind him as they left the leader alone. Gaining his courage, he padded in. Alayus immediately locked in on him and the two of them stared at each other for a long time.
"...uh...well this is...surprisingly uncomfortable..." He spoke as he tried to make some conversation. Who know it was this hard to talk to my own child?! This is frustrating! He inwardly growled.
"I always wanted to see you...ever since I was just a pup." Alayus said, wagging her tail slightly. "When it was just Mother and I, she would tell me stories of your heroics back when Akakabuto was still alive."
"Did you..." John swallowed before continuing. "Did you see...your mother?"
"I...I thought I did." Alayus tilted her head to the side. "She said something about not being able to come back and she said that she didn't make it on her journey to the Americas."
"Now listen carefully to what I'm about to say." John sat down beside her and took a deep breath. "You...have been blessed with a gift that has been passed on by your mother. She discussed it with me once and made me promise to tell only our child if we ever had one. Well we did and so to honor her wishes I will tell you exactly what makes you so unique."
"I don't understand what you mean..." Alayus said, prompting him to continue.
"Have we ever told you the story about your grandfather on your mother's side?"
"...No."
"Way back before your time, there was a time when the Soldiers of Ohu went into battle with wolves. The elders called it the Great Wolf War. This happened after Gin was named Leader after Riki past. They kidnapped Cross and forced us into war with them. There was this one particular wolf named Hyouma, a blue-gray Japanese wolf with a dark muzzle and fluffy cheeks...oh and a mohawk on top of his head. He married a domesticated dog later down the road and together they mated and gave birth to your mother."
"How come Mother never told me about him?"
"He was...uh how do I put this nicely?" John scratched his ear lightly with a hind leg before the idea came to his brain, "He was an arrogant, aggressive, impatient, and a proud racist son of a bitch...especially when it came to dogs. Ooooh I saw his true colors when Rue and I started to date."
"Dad...that's not nice of you to say about Grandpa." Alayus frowned as John laughed.
"He didn't really approve of the relationship between your mother and I at first, always trying to find excuses to come between us. The great part after all that harassment though was that he attended our wedding and gave us his blessing! I had to earn it though, he was one tough git!"
"So then what happened to him?"
"He past away from old age but not before telling Rue about a prophecy he foresaw. 'The child born in a cross between the domestic dog and a half-breed will inherit the power of the stars and will become the true successor of my lineage.' At first I didn't understand what he meant but I realize it now."
"So...does that mean..."
"That's right," John replied as he smiled warmly at her. "you are that child he saw and you have the proof to show for, that star mark on your shoulder. Out of all the wolves, besides your grandfather Hyouma there was another called Goldeye and they were Metsu users. You have the ability to wield and master the Metsu Hen'i Battoga, just like them. This technique is considered the most dangerous out of the eight sacred Battoga techniques."
"Metsu...Hen'i...Battoga?" Alayus rested her chin on her paws, her eyes staring at the entrance in thought. "What exactly are these...techniques that wolves use?"
"The Battoga is a name given to the sacred and secret technique of the wolf clans. The Zetsu Tenrou Battoga is the most powerful out of its eight parts. Each part of Battoga can only have one true user at the time, if there are more than one true user than the technique will fail."
"Were there anyone before me who could use the technique that Grandpa uses?" Alayus asked.
"Well...Rue could've if she tried but apparently it skipped her generation and so you ended up with it." John cocked his head to the side, "Remember, Battogas weren't meant to be shared with non-wolves though some dogs could be, and were, true heirs of the original warriors. Like Gin for example."
"How did Gin learn that technique?" Alayus asked, intrigued to hear the story.
"His father Riki had that technique taught by the original warrior himself, a wolf named Fuuga. According to Gin, Fuuga was caught in a fight against this hound's minions and Riki drove them off. In appreciation Fuuga taught him the Zetsu Tenrou Battoga."
"How come we've never heard about these techniques before?"
"After the war, Gin made sure to uphold tradition and banned the use of the Battoga before Riki's death. The remaining survivors of the wolves also tucked their secrets away and never used them again...in fact I'm pretty sure some of them were never seen again so they probably died and their technique went along with them."
"I want to learn!" Alayus rose up, making sure she didn't put too much weight on her injured leg. "Teach me that technique that my Grandfather had."
"Shouldn't you be resting?" John placed his paw on her shoulder. "If you force yourself too hard, it won't work."
"I understand but I need to know if I can actually do this technique. How would I ever know if I don't try?" She replied determinedly and the two of them continued to stare at each other.
"...Very well..." John said and stood up, "follow me." Alayus wagged her tail happily as she followed her father out of the cave.
"Weed!" The young dog looked up as he heard Tesshin call him. "There's something I would like to talk to you about." Leading him away from the others they walked together into a nearby forest where the trees have been dead since the start of winter. "I would like to talk to you about how to do the Leader's technique."
"Technique?" Weed asked when they came to a stop.
"That's right. The technique that he used to bring down the giant bear, Akakabuto." Tesshin smiled as Weed looked at him in surprise. "I'm going to teach you, the true successor-how to do the Leader's technique. I'll show you how to do it. Watch carefully."
"Yes." Weed replied as the Ninja dog took a running start. Boosted by his speed, he jumped and latched onto a dead branch and started to spin his body forward, rotating around the wood as he held on with his fangs. Letting go, he landed on his feet and the branched snapped off, showing a clean cut.
"That's the Leader's special attack. The Zetsu Tenrou Battouga." Tesshin spoke as he looked at Weed.
"The Zetsu Tenrou Battouga?" Weed repeated in awe. "This is the Zetsu Tenrou Battouga?"
"Yeah. The Battouga isn't about hitting, it's about cutting. If your bite is too strong, you won't spin. If it's too weak it won't cut. Give it a shot, Weed. Show me the Bear-Hound abilities you've inherited from your father!"
"Yes." Weed nodded and set his sights on a high branch. Steeling his nerves he took off running, gaining speed with each stride. Jumping up he latched on and started to rotate however it wasn't enough and he was sent flying back towards the ground. Looking up he noticed that he made good marks on the branch but it didn't break off like Tesshin's did.
"That's a good performance for your first try." Tesshin remarked, "It's hard to reach that level."
"I'll try again." Weed replied and tried again and again to perfect the technique.
It's not perfect, Tesshin thought as he watched over him carefully. But there's no doubt he's the Leader's son. What took me 5 years, he'll be able to grasp it instantly at this rate.
"Tesshin!" One of the ninja dogs ran up looking very scared. "Alayus-sama is not in the cave and she's practicing with John-sama out in the training grounds!"
"What!?" Tesshin asked in confusion. "She shouldn't be out, she needs to rest!"
"I told him that but John-sama sent me away."
"Weed, continue your training. I'll be right back." Tesshin said.
"I want to go too." Weed stated eagerly. Knowing that he couldn't get rid of him that easily, Tesshin agreed and they rushed off towards the other training ground.
"We'll start by focusing on the first step." John said as he sat casually with his tail over his paws. "Now I have not witnessed this technique first hand but Rue has and her father told her how this is supposed to be done...or so she told me. The most important weapon for this Battouga are your fangs. I am proud to have passed my genetics onto you."
"Thanks Dad." Alayus said as she stood a feet away from him. "Okay I'm ready."
"Rue explained to me that this technique needs to have a lot of spin...like a vortex of some sort. Then within that vortex you create this illusion in the shape of a star."
"A star-shaped illusion..." Alayus looked at him confused. "I wish you could show me instead of describing how it's done."
"Sadly I can't show you but I'm sure you'll figure it out. Now here's where it gets interesting. When you create that illusion you are actually drawing your opponent into the center; that way you can use your fangs to shred em' to pieces because he cannot escape. But for now let's see if you can figure out how to create a vortex." He then pointed to a bunch of sticks that he picked up along the way. "When I feel like you have mastered that, I'll throw these 'fake' targets in so that you can figure out how your fangs are supposed to factor into this technique."
"John!" Tesshin's voice interrupted them as the Ninja dog burst on the scene with Weed in tow. "My patient needs to rest! Have you lost your mind?!"
"Quit your yapping!" John snapped impatiently, his paws still wrapped underneath his tail. "She wanted to learn this technique and I agreed as that is what her mother would've wished!"
"This technique..." Tesshin watched as Alayus braced herself, her eyes narrowed in concentration. "you don't mean the same technique that Gin experienced that time with the wolves..."
"See? You catch on quickly!" John smiled before shooing him away. "Now begone so that we may continue, she hasn't figured out how to create that vortex yet."
"What techniques?" They looked to see that some of Weed's friends had gathered around to watch.
"Oh great, more distractions." John glowered with annoyance.
"I'm trying to learn the technique that my father used against Akakabuto from Tesshin." Weed told them.
"What? Is there such a technique?" Kiroshiro asked with excitement.
"Yeah." Tesshin replied, "However it's not a technique that just anyone can learn. The sharpness of the Leader's technique..." He paused, remembering that memory of watching Gin use it against the giant bear, "...Even with great effort, one may not get it perfect, just like I haven't. Mine is not a real Battouga."
"Then what are you doing Alayus?" GB asked her.
"I'm trying to learn the technique that my grandfather used back then." She replied before an idea came into her mind, "Hey you! Kai dog!"
"You talking to me?" Kage asked. "I have a name you know."
"How would you normally attack a bear?"
"Huh? Why would you ask such a thing? Here, I'll show you how we Kai dogs attack." He sniffed disdainfully before looking around for some kind of target. "Ah! Now this is what I'm talking about. Take this rotten log for example." He ran over and dragged the object over. "Imagine a bear's body when he's laying down. The first thing you want to do is go for the stomach, that should always be the first. Then," Leaping forward he grasped the log and started to spin. Once his body stopped spinning he let go, leaving behind a nasty gash. "Like so. What's important is the spin, if you don't have enough spin your attack will probably be ineffective."
"Thanks!" She smiled as he trotted back to the others before crouching low till her stomach brushed the ground, "Here I come Dad, I might have figured out a method."
"That's the spirit!" John smiled. "Give me your best shot!" Taking a deep breath she ran towards him to the best of her ability, even adding a little hop because of her recovering leg. Jumping towards him she started to rotate her entire body, creating a small but distinct vortex. John watched mesmerized at the incoming attack, watching her with his sharp eye-sight. However just when she was about to create the signature star-shaped opening she fell against the ground immediately in a tangle of paws. Untwisting her body she shook the dirt from her head and frustrating pawed the ground before checking her leg to make sure she didn't break anything.
"You almost had it...a little more rotation and less emphasis on the bite." John said as she shook the dirt from her pelt. "However I think it's because of that leg of yours. Maybe we should try again once you're fully healed."
"Can I try it a few more times?" She begged. "I want to make sure I got this down."
This is the first time I've seen this technique...Tesshin watched as she tried again and again but each time she tried she couldn't get that last rotation. Perhaps she has the same thing Weed has when it comes to learning the techniques from the wolves...something that I don't have. Finally calling it quits she retired with John beside her, limping steadily back to the cave. Watching them go Weed decided to go back and train himself as well as getting Tesshin to properly teach his friends how to use their fangs. Over the next few days Tesshin and his team worked with the army, training the basics of using their fangs on objects until it became natural to them. Weed and Alayus both managed to train alongside them and, thanks to their determination and stubbornness, managed to perform their respected Battogas.
"Finally," Tesshin breathed with relieve when he witnessed Weed's growth. "you have mastered it Weed."
"But..." He looked at the broken object with doubt, "practicing on a piece of motionless bark...can I really defeat opponents like this?"
"No sweat. You just need to learn the basics right now. After, you improve when you're fighting." Tesshin commented.
"Well done, my daughter." John praised Alayus as she ripped through a tree branch, tearing it into ribbons with her fangs. She looked back as the pieces fluttered to the ground before looking at her father, her chest rising and falling as she tried to catch her breath.
"My leg is still a bit stiff but," She turned to sniff her leg, nosing the new fur that was growing over the wound. "it seems like that last rotation is a breeze to me. I'm still a bit off with my fangs, with the way I'm attacking I wouldn't leave but a mere scratch on the opponent."
"With time, you would be able to use that technique effortlessly." John nodded his head. "But for now I guess you have to get use to feeling fatigue after you perform the Battouga."
"You bunch of mutts!" A furious voice roared from the direction of the spring, catching their attention immediately. "Who told you that you could come here?! This is my health resort!" Concerned the two German Shepherds ran back to see the others being cornered by three wild boars.
"Those aren't normal wild boars," John told her as they watched the intruders. "they are known as the Dog-eating three."
"Dad..." Alayus said as she eyed the boss boar with interest; he was definitely bigger than the other two which made him the prime target. "I want to try it, my Battouga."
"Wait, don't be too hasty." John replied as he noticed that not all of the dogs left the water. "We need to save some of those dogs first. Considering the bulk of their bodies they might look slow but don't underestimate their speed."
"You're a bunch of tasty looking dogs..." The main boar commented, licking his chaps with delight, "you're not getting away." Getting into the water the three boars advanced, causing the dogs to quickly climb onto shore.
"Heh. Think you're so important?" One of the dogs replied hotly, swimming forward for the challenge. "I'll turn you into a wave!"
"Jiro!" Rocket yelled as his brother helped some of the other dogs out of the water. "Come back!" Jiro didn't listen as he charged. The main boar dove underwater and threw the dog into the sky with his tusks.
"Now!" John roared and Alayus dashed forward, leaping off the rocks to catch Jiro by the scruff as he was falling and somersaulted over the boar's back before his mouth could snap around the dog's neck.
"What?!" The boar snorted as she crashed into the water. Surfacing, she quickly dragged Jiro out of his reach and onto shore. "How dare you steal my prey away?!"
"T-thanks." Jiro spluttered as he shook the water from his fur.
"Don't jump in on your own accord okay? Now's not the time to throw your life away carelessly." Alayus quickly nudged him towards the others before seizing the boar up. "What's wrong big guy? Mad that I took your food away? Awwwww, what a big baby you are!"
"You bitch..." The boar growled as he stormed up to her, his fur bristling and his nostrils flared up. "you won't get away with this!"
"You leave her alone!" Jerome barked angrily, standing by her side with his own fur bristling. "You have to go through me first!"
"HA!" John laughed as he sauntered up to his daughter's other side, "I bet I can get a bite in before you can! No one has ever escaped my jaws before!"
"I don't care if there one or three, I'll kill you all!" The boar squealed with rage after being taunted.
"Hold it!" Weed's voice rang out and they all looked at him. He looked breathless since he ran as fast as he could to where they were. "What's going on here?"
"These boars suddenly attacked us and they would've killed Jiro too." They told him and he glared at the intruders with fury. No one was going to mess with his friends while he was around.
"Tesshin, I'm going to do it. The Battouga is the only thing I can use. Hey!" He barked at the main boar, grabbing his attention.
"What do you want, kid?" The boar growled as he turned to face Weed. The Akita quickly gained speed before spinning in a disk-shape, his fangs cutting the boar right between the eyes. The boar stood there for a split second as Alayus quickly got into the water to help Weed who fell into the water.
"Brother..." The other two boars stated worriedly as the eldest one turned to aim his beady eyes on his pray.
"You...You little shit!" He roared and advanced before he felt his skull crack. Suddenly blood exploded from the top of his head and he fell backwards, turning the water red. His younger brothers crowded around his dead body in fright.
"If you two want to keep your lives, get out of here!" Tesshin ordered and they scampered off. After dragging Weed out, everyone crowded around him. "You showed it to me. The real Battouga."
"Battouga..? So I...did it?" Weed responded groggily.
"Yes. You did it greatly against the Dog-eating three."
"Then...everyone is safe? What a relief..." He trailed off and soon he was fast asleep.
"The Battouga uses incomparable amounts of physical strength and concentration. He's probably gone over his limit." Tesshin said.
"If you all don't mind, we should let him get some sleep." GB spoke as he rallied them up so that Weed could rest.
Southern Alps...
Kamakiri was furious, so furious that he killed one of his subordinates without mercy in a nearby river. The poor dog drowned before his boss ripped his throat out. "Any weakling that can't kill another will be killed by is the law of Kamakiri!" Releasing the body, Kamakiri watched as it floated downstream before yelling at his group to move out towards Hougen's place, his hatred for Weed heightened when Stone reminded him about the wound to his neck.
"What?! Does he plan on making me wait?" Kamakiri stated with authority as he bickered with the guard. They managed to make it to Hougen's territory but the guards refused to let them in.
"Like I said," One of Hougen's guards snapped at him, "Hougen-sama is taking his nap. You may not disturb him!"
"Even after we came all this way, get out of the way!" Pushing the door open with his snout, he padded into the dark room. "Hey, Hougen, wake up!" He ordered when he noticed a dark shape on the floor, which he presumed to be the Great Dane.
"Entering at your own convenience?" The door closed and he heard Hougen's voice in the dark. Turning around he noticed the gleaming eyes in the corner of the room and a pair of massive paws. "You've got some guts, Kamakiri."
"So you're Hougen, huh?" Kamakiri responded nonchalantly as if he still owned the place. Noticing the way he was being spoken too, Hougen rushed forward and pinned the dog down.
"You've got some guts," He said as Kamakiri trembled underneath him, "but you've also got too many openings. Do you want your followers to see how embarrassing you look?" He smiled as Kamakiri stared at him in fear. "Or..." Outside the followers of both Hougen and Kamakiri waited anxiously for the end result. Soon the door opened and both of the leaders stepped out to greet them.
"I've kept you all waiting." Hougen addressed them, "Let me introduce you. From today, number 2 of our group will be Kamakiri. Alright, we've gathered enough. All of you, let's go to Ohu, immediately!" The subordinates all cheered loudly as they followed their leaders faithfully.
Ninja Dog resort...
It was time for the group to head out. All of the dogs were well rested and had their strengths replenished to the fullest extent. Tesshin and his team waited outside to sent the group off.
"Everyone ready?" Weed asked.
"Will you be fine on your own?" John asked Alayus as she was ready to depart. The two of them were chatting off to the side while they still had time to talk. She nuzzled him affectionately, drinking in his scent."You know I could join you and let Missile stay with them instead..."
" That won't be necessary." She replied as she stood back. "Look. They 're waiting for you." He turned to see that the Ohu army indeed was waiting for him. "See? I can take care of myself."
"Don't be reckless okay? Look at me." He ordered sternly, making her look at him. "I don't usually make promises but promise me you'll try to stay safe?"
"Same to you Dad." She replied and looked to the side as Jerome padded up. Touching her cheek with his nose, John walked back to the group making sure to look at Jerome in the eyes before disappearing.
"I just wanted to give you my...uh...two cents as well." Jerome licked his paw.
"You didn't have to, but I would be glad to hear them." Alayus smiled. The two of them talked briefly before Weed called Jerome's name.
"Coming!" He replied before looking back at her. "When will we see each other?"
"I don't know." She said in all honestly. "Maybe during the battle with Hougen for sure but until then...we'll just like fate take over from here."
"Then," Stepping closer, he touched noses with her and for an added bonus, licked her cheek. "here's a good luck charm from yours truly." Smiling he turned and followed the Ohu Army out, his tail wagging back and forth like a flag. Alayus stared after them, a blush on her cheek as she couldn't shake off the feeling of Jerome's tongue running across her fur. Saying goodbye to Tesshin and his ninja dogs, she took off in the direction where Moss lived and couldn't help but add a little spring to her step.