Chapter Two

"Follow at your own risk," he had muttered and continued. He wasn't running, at least, but walking quickly. Her wolves had caught up to her, and so had his. Kouga's wolves seemed anything but angry at the addition to the small pack, and Ginta and Hakkaku had even smiled.

"Nee-chan," (Sister) Ginta called like a small child, trying to look at Ayame's face. Ayame though, turned her face away quickly, her small hand pressed to her cheek. "Daijabou desu ka?" (Are you all right?) His voice lowered with each syllable, as though he was frightened that Kouga would hear.

Ayame started to nod her head, but knew even if she lied to the two wolves, as innocent as they were, they'd be able to tell. "Daijabou ja nai," (I'm not all right) was all she whispered. Ginta fell silent and slowed so that he walked back beside Hakkaku.

"Baka!" (Idiot!) Hakkaku spat, his hand flying over Ginta's head to smack him none-too-gently.

"Baaaka!" (Idiot!) Ginta whined back, glaring at Hakkaku, "What was that for?"

"You're so stupid! Kouga hit her, can't you tell?"

"Ee?" (Huh?) Ginta looked to Ayame, then forward to Kouga. "Kouga wouldn't hit a female."

"Not without feeling really bad about it."

"Maybe he lost his temper…"

"And Ayame lost hers?"

"Yeah, and now he feels like a—"

"Excuse me?" Kouga stopped and turned around, one brow raised. There was a pain in his eyes, though his expression held a half-hearted guise. "I feel like a… what?"

"…betsu ni," (…nothing) the two muttered in stereo.

Ayame watched the two, watched Kouga, watched the smaller wolves walking, a few slower than others. Her cheek wasn't so sore anymore, but her heart ached. Sure, she knew she was annoying at times, and even she had a temper to match Kouga's… but…

"Asshole."

His hand shot out like a viper, ready to strike. She flinched, though it didn't stop his palm from shooting across her face. It felt like fire, like ice, all at once. After her hand went to hold her cheek she let out a rush of air, then sucked it all back in and clenched her teeth.

"Are you gonna cry? Pssh, you're so pathetic." There was sarcasm in his voice, there was pain in his voice, but he pulled her up and she swallowed another cry. "Follow at your own risk."

…but he'd hit her. Kouga didn't ever hit females. It was a rule, wasn't it? For a male never to strike a female, unless she was dangerous. Was she dangerous? It didn't make sense for him to hit her, slap her… whatever it was called. It was against his own policy! So why—

"Gomen." (Sorry)

"What?"