To Be Different Than Expected
A/N- Here is Chapter 1, hope it's okay, I was up late working on it!
Chapter 1: Free Spirited
Ayame felt her heart beat crazily as she quickly leapt out of her father's path, moving with great ease she leapt into a flip, landing behind her father she lashed out with a powerful kick, causing him to go flying and land in a heap upon the ground. Standing ready to fight, Ayame watched, waiting for him to get to his feet and fight back. Getting up and walking over, Keva held out a hand to shake hers, "You are ready! You've surpassed even me Ayame, I'm so proud of you!" Ayame smiled, "Thank you..." as he reached for her she flashed him an evil grin. "... But, I'm not going to let you off that easily pop!" she continued grabbing his outstretched hand forcefully.
Ayame pulled him as she purposefully fell back, in turn sending him sprawling over her shoulder, he landed easily upon his feet and bowed deeply. "Very good! You anticipated my lie and acted quickly, that is highly commendable. Well, the hunt will start soon and we should prepare, let's head back." With that he turned about and began heading back towards the den, Ayame followed along stuck in a deep secluded silence. Nearing the den Ayame could smell the other's close by, "Father?" "Yes Ayame?" Keva turned about to face her, an eyebrow raised lightly as he awaited her question calmly. "Can I go wrestle with the guy's for a little while?"
Keva remained completely silent for several moments before he waved a hand, "Sure, but remember they aren't as highly skilled as you are, so go easy on them. I'll call for you later when it's time to leave for the hunt, alright?" He had turned to face her with a serious look marring his brow, "Thank you father," giving him a quick hug Ayame, turning about she began running off towards the nearby ravine. Running along the edge of the ravine for several moments she finally reached it, leaping over the edge of the river; she landed lightly upon the other side. All around her were males form her tribe, they looked over and smiled at her presence, she was a frequent visitor.
"So, who want's to fight!" demanded Ayame as she brushing the back of her legs off with her tail, "Hey! Ayame, forget about these guys it's one on one, you and me! I can take you all by myself! So what do you say?" voiced a male as he came out from behind a patch of trees, cracking his knuckles all the way over to her. "Well, if it isn't Hikogi! Yeah, you'll do, bring it buddy!" Ayame smiled as she saw who had spoken, watching him as he came towards her, as he stood before her he popped his neck in a couple places ready to rumble. Ayame smiled slightly as she cracked her knuckles too, standing still for several moments they glared at one another before they began, remaining in place Ayame watched as Hikogi ran at her at top speed.
At the last moment before he reached her, Ayame leapt straight up into the air over Hikogi's head; she landed directly behind him and tripped him up. Landing roughly upon his back dazed, Ayame straddled his chest pinning his arms to the ground and completely immobilizing him, he struggled to get up while one of the males counted, "1...2...3...4...5...6, Ayame wins, again." Loosing her grip upon him she still remained sitting upon his chest as she shook her head, "Heh, you call that a challenge? I've seen better!" getting off his form she stood over him and reached a hand down at him.
Taking her hand Hikogi let her pull him to his feet letting him stand at her side, "I just went easy on you, you are after all still a female! It's wouldn't be right to use my full strength on you." "Hmph! You males are such babies; I am the only female. You know that as well as anybody! I still don't get why after all these years you guys still treat me fragily, it's just so disappointing!" groaning Ayame began to run back the way she had come, jumping across the river making her way back along the ravine.
"Ayame! Wait up!" Hikogi yelled out as he ran after her, slowing to a stop she waited for him to catch up all the way before she began running again. "Where are we going Ayame?" Hikogi could barely match her speed as they passed the outskirts of the territory about the den, "to get Miharu!" as she sped up Ayame smiled to herself, 'just a little further, then I can ditch this place!' Moving across a small brook Ayame finally came to a stop before a small stone cave, Hikogi stumbled up behind her gasping for air as she leaned down before the cave. Letting out a light cooing noise, Ayame backed away and leaned against a nearby boulder to wait, hearing movement inside a smile lit Ayame's face.
Out of the cave came four shabby looking wolves, looking through them a frown lit Ayame's as she didn't see the one she was looking for, "Where is Miharu?" One of the wolves scratching behind its ear yawned, "She's still inside, I'll go get her for you milady," moving slowly the wolf went back inside the small cave. Ayame nodded her head as she paced back and forth before the entrance, until a voice came from behind her, "Ayame? What are you doing this far away from the den?" Recognizing the voice Ayame turned about to face the person, "Hello mother, I'm just getting Miharu, what about you?" "Your father sent me to gather some fresh herbs for the hunt, that reminds me, you had better be heading back soon. Your father will be angry if you're not back in time to join him in the hunt." Smiling Ayame's mother continued onwards leaving Ayame and Hikogi alone in the small clearing.
"Milady, you wanted to speak with me," another voice drifted from behind her this time, turning again Ayame smiled when she saw the well-groomed form of her companion wolf, "Yes Miharu, are you prepared?" Giving a shake of her form Miharu came to stand at Ayame's side, "How long are you going to try running away, you know it's practically impossible!" Ayame stooped down and began running her hands gently along Miharu's form, a gentle smile lighting her face, "always, I want be treated normally you know that and that can't happen here, I'll always be the 'prized' possession of the tribe. If I leave I'll at least have a chance to lead a normal life." Moving her hands expertly Ayame massaged Miharu's back muscles as she leaned close cuddling, sniffing the air with a heavy sigh, a familiar sent hit her nostrils. Launching herself to her feet Ayame's expression automatically changed from one of contentedness to one of pure shock and frustration.
"What's wrong Ayame?" Hikogi was at her side his blade drawn in defense, while Miharu sniffed about on alert. "Put that away, it's just my father…" glaring angrily at Hikogi, Ayame felt like breaking something and she was eyeing Hikogi's neck. "Crap!" yelped out Hikogi as he replaced his blade quickly, Miharu stopped in her tracks and stood tall, trying to look respectable. Coming around the boulder Ayame had leaned against before, Keva glared at Ayame angrily, "Let's go," he muttered and automatically turned about. Ayame felt a lecture coming on, 'Oh great! Now he's mad at me, I can be so stupid sometimes' complaining angrily to herself she did as told and walked at her father's back all the way back to the den, Hikogi and Miharu trailed after her.
Reaching the den, Ayame felt even worse when she saw all the males that had crowded about the den's entrance, they parted as Ayame and her father walked through. "This is why I hate the hunt's," muttered Ayame as they stopped at the den entrance and turned about to face the males of the tribe. "Now to choose a partner…" Keva glanced about studying each male as he went about making his decision, sighing heavily Ayame stood tall next to her father letting all the male get a good look. "Yurani! Come forth!" sounded Keva's voice as it resounded over the mob of males; one of the males came forward in reply and bowed respectfully before Keva and Ayame. "You may be my daughter's hunting partner tonight, now let the hunt commence!" 'Here we go again!' echoed Ayame's thought's as she took Yurani's arm and started forward, heading out into the night.
A/N- There you go! I decided to cut chapter 1 in half because it was far too long but, you'll get to read the rest next chapter! See Yah, and please review!