To Be Different Than Expected
A/N- I know it took awhile, but here's chapter 2, it's my New Year's present to you, my reviewers! Enjoy!
Chapter 2: Living up to Expectations
The air was slightly stale as Ayame moved forward into the darkened woods of the mountains that were located behind her father's cave, heaving another deep sigh, Ayame turned to look at her hunting partner for the night. He looked just like all the other males that her father had paired her with over the last month and a half, 'ever since I've come of age, all father can think of doing is get me mated off to some male. I know I'm one of the few females there are, but can't he let me make my choice on my own...I mean at least once.' Ayame felt a slight tug upon her arm and was brought out of her daze. Letting her eyes focus, Ayame saw that Yurani was staring directly at her, "Milady Ayame...where would you like to start looking for the kill?" 'He's asking for my opinion...oh how original...' stifling a snappy reply, Ayame decided that she would go along with it and play nicely, 'for once.'
"Let's start over by the old den, we just might get lucky and have some prey cross our path..." receiving a nod from Yurani, Ayame started moving forward passing by the tall tree's that she used to climb when she was just a pup. A slight smile crossed her lips as the memories, 'those happy memories,' came flooding back.
'Father was mad at me one time because I had refused to play nice with the other pups, I had gotten into a big fight with Hikogi and ended up almost killing him. I know that I was probably very misunderstanding, but my father was so mad at me, I didn't know if he'd ever forgive me. He tried to punish me but ended up yelling at me; I was so frightened that I ran for my life, climbing into the trees that sat near our home. No matter what he did I refused to leave the trees, I ended up staying in them for a whole week straight, not eating or saying a single word while my father sat below me protectively. I knew that I was acting immaturely but as I sat there I watched my father, he had some wolves bring him fresh meat every night and proceeded to eat it in front of me, as if he was mocking me. Eventually I became so hungry that I tried to sneak some of the meat away from my father, it ended up that he knew I was there. Before I knew what had occurred my father had me in his arms as he started to tickle me causing me to squirm uncontrollably. Soon after my father and I were sitting happily underneath the trees, he shared the meat with me while he talked to me, he told me that I was stronger that the other's naturally because I was born a female. I never really understood what he meant by that and I guess I still don't but I try, I know that I was to blame for harming Hikogi like I did, I've learned though to control my abilities so that I would never harm my comrades again.'
'Those words that my father said to me will forever stay with me,' Ayame felt another slight tug and was brought out of her little reminiscing moment, causing her to turn and look at Yurani. He was looking into the distance, following his gaze Ayame's eyes focused upon the form of a bear, it was crunching through the tree's nosily paying them no attention at all. At her side Ayame heard a light chuckle, "I will catch this meal, just for you milady Ayame," Yurani kissed Ayame's hand lightly before he left her sitting there watching as he approached the clueless animal. 'Smooth one...but it won't work on me, sorry Yurani,' slipping behind a tree quickly, Ayame watched as Yurani made his way closer to the bear. Removing a small blade from his side, Yurani leapt directly at the bear catching it off guard, when the bear noticed him it flipped about slashing it's claws at Yurani.
Moving to the side Yurani landed upon the bear's back, after positioning himself quickly he moved his wrist that caused him to bury his blade into the side of the bear, twisting it deep into the soft flesh of it's exposed neck. Hearing the loud resounding snap of the bear's spine, Yurani leapt away from the bear and replaced his blade at his side, Ayame only watched as they waited patiently for the bear to collapse. The smell of the bear's hot blood made Ayame's heart race, she felt her desire to rush over and devour the fresh bloody meat, watching the blood pool at the foot of the bear as it slowly sank to the ground. Yurani approached the fallen form of the bear, kicking it lightly to see if it was still living or not, once he was sure that the bear was dead he bent down next to it gripping it's lifeless form in his claws.
Pulling it onto his back he pulled it along with him towards Ayame's waiting form, Ayame studied him as she looked to see if he had been wounded anywhere upon his body. Being the female and all, any sign of weakness was unappealing to her, so she had to make sure weather he was wounded or not. Sighting the cuts that were on Yurani's upper arms, Ayame smiled to herself, 'good, it's just as I thought, none of the males in my clan are strong enough to catch my appeal which makes leaving to look for one that can is just that much more appealing.' Stopping before her Yurani smiled openly, perfectly proud of himself, Ayame just smiled back warmly as she pulled part of the bear's body onto her shoulder as well helping Yurani with it's weight. Yurani's smile only widened when Ayame's body slightly grazed his, noticing the look he flashed her Ayame knew that he actually thought he had a chance at having her as his mate. The very thought of that made Ayame want to snap Yurani's scrawny neck in her claws, 'Heh...yeah right like I would let that happen,' mocking him mentally Ayame only continued to smile trying to keep up appearances.
"We had better head back now so that my father can see your catch," nodding his head Yurani allowed Ayame to lead the way, the whole time trying to support most of the bear's weight upon himself but he was failing miserably. Ayame could easily tell that he was tired from carrying the bear, making Ayame hold more and more of the weight herself, 'still he is trying, even thought it's not helping much.' Moving back the way they had come, Ayame could hear the calls of the wolves in the distance, 'they are sensing someone close-by, we're to have a visitor...I wonder who it is.' Reaching their destination, Ayame was rather relieved at what she saw, her father had told the men to make a fire so that they could cook parts of the meat from the night's catches, there were many surrounding the fire already when her father noticed her presence.
Reaching the main fire Yurani helped Ayame as they sat the bear's carcass next to the fire, stretching her back Ayame moved away from the fire as she came to a stop next to her father's smiling form. Yurani had followed her over to her father's side and knelt behind her giving the expected response to Keva. "Well, I see that you've caught a good catch, how did it go down Ayame?" hearing his question Ayame shook her head as she motioned to Yurani. Giving him the permission to stand, "I did not make the kill, Yurani did, he was very fast in the kill but he has sustained cuts upon his upper arms. He will need them to be taken care off," raising his eyebrows Keva turned his eyes from Ayame to Yurani, understanding was present in his eyes he knew that Ayame had decided against mating with Yurani.
"I see...well done Yurani, you are dismissed..." pausing, Keva waited for Yurani to get up and join the other's around the fire, leaving Ayame and him standing alone together. "Ayame, you need to be a little more lenient on the men, I know that they are not as strong as you would wish them to be, but they are the only one's you have to choose from." Ayame clenched her fist angrily as she eyed her father with sheer disdain, "Father, I understand that but...I have to leave the clan, I can't stand staying here much longer. Nothing ever changes here, I am tired of the same damn thing everyday, I want...more..." hearing her father sigh, Ayame knew that she had said too much. To her surprise her father didn't scold her like he usually did, instead he placed a hand upon her shoulder comfortingly, leading her away from the others and into the den behind them so that they could talk in private.
"Ayame...I have just received news from our comrades in the western mountains, their new leader has sent one of his men to meet with me, I am sure that their new leader seeks our allegiance. I know that you wish to leave...so I have decided, I will allow you to travel to the western clan as a sign of our approval of aligning with their new leader, the only thing is that you travel with the messenger that was sent. What is your reply, Ayame?" 'I can't believe my ears, did...did my father just give me permission to leave?' Ayame felt as if she was going to fall over from shock, turning around she placed a hand against the wall of the cave, trying to keep her balance. Moments latter she felt a soft touch upon her shoulder, turning to look at her father she could see that he had more to tell her, bracing herself Ayame turned about to face him completely again.
"The messenger has yet to arrive yet, but when he does I want you to be there, it's important for you to hear what their leaders wishes are since you are after all going to travel there. For now, I want you to rest, tomorrow we will speak with this messenger and then you may start upon your journey. Do you understand my daughter?" Continuing, Keva lead Ayame into the den more, taking her to her sleeping mat. Ayame was completely at a loss for words, she was in a sheer state of shock, 'my father was serious, he's really going to let me leave our den.' "Father...I...I don't know what to say, I will make sure to do my best to ensure peace between our clan's, and... Thank you, for giving me the chance to experience something completely new, I will always be grateful for this..."
"Umm, Milord...there is someone here to speak with you, may I allow him to join us in our feasting?" a voice from outside the den hit their ears, hugging her father, Ayame smiled as she laid down upon her sleeping mat. Nodding his head, Keva turned about and walked towards the entrance to the den, leaving Ayame to rest up for the night. When her father had finally disappeared, Ayame allowed a contented look to appear upon her face, trying to settle herself enough so that she could sleep she let her mind linger on her father's request. '...Their new leader seeks our allegiance...I will allow you to travel to the western clan as a sign of our approval of aligning with their new leader...' sleep finally took her as she settled into a deep, deep sleep.
A/N- The end of this chapter was hard to write, I didn't know exactally how to leave you hangging for more, but I hope you liked it anyway! Please remember to review, they reallt help me out! Till next time!