He whimpered. His paws hurt, his throat seemed to be slowly drying out as it heaved back and forth, and his paws felt like they were scraped raw. His sister didn't look like she was in any better shape. "Si-s..." His mouth both felt dry and wet at the same time.
His sister slowly stopped, heaving, her tongue hanging out of her mouth. Even though the weather looked heavy, with thick, blackish gray, clouds smothering the bit of sky they could see through the trees, her tongue felt cracked and chapped. There was no water to be found, and they were lost in the twisting woods. They hadn't eaten or drank in an entire day. And to think that this had simply started out as a rebellious and lonely idea.
Sawada's house had seemed strange and empty without the customary sound of thick claws clicking over the floor, or the scent of bird feathers that had constantly hung around one of the lankier dog's matted bed. There was no one to tell them stories about hunting, or sound of a clacking chain dog collar. They didn't even have the far-away sound of chopping and splintering from where Sawada had cut logs in the back yard. Sawada had hardly been there, he'd gone out to help with the bear crisis, and would only come home to be cranky and exhausted, and fall straight asleep. Sawada was the master of hunting dogs, he had never had two attention starved puppies that had begged for petting and caressing for every breaking moment. There was a humongous lack of motherly instinct in their life, all they knew was Sawada was their master, and he expected them to just remain alive, not to help or claim petting from him. Finally, the two young puppies had had enough. The young female had dug a hole through the delicate screen door that headed into the backyard, and had accompanied her brother outside. They'd ran for the woods, wanting to find something, maybe, just maybe, another dog to groom them, and to comfort them.
When day had come to their little niche, they'd tried to find their way back home. By afternoon, the simple sound of a dog's bark or human's voice would have made them cry with joy. But they hadn't even heard an echo. And here they were now. "Sis...ter...What're we... gonna do?" Her brother's voice had slowly been dissolving the farther they had walked.
"I...dunno..." Her thirsty throat screamed at her for wasting precious saliva on speech. She walked for a few more steps before collapsing into the dead leaves on the forest floor. Her brother whimpered in agitation before immediately following suit.
Right now was the first time they'd thought of dying. Puppies never died in stories. But their chests felt so horrible, their throats so raw, it felt like they were going to. Plip. Plop. A small dot of moisture hit the side of the young female's jaw and the male's forehead. Water. Her throat would wouldn't scream anymore. Water. Now fully blinking in surprise, she pulled herself to her feet, more wetness dotting the two puppies.
"Bro...ther... RAIN!"
The skies split open, water flooding out. The pair shoved themselves up on their feet, opening their mouths wide and allowing the rain to cool them and their parched throats off. In those moments of swallowing water and gasping, they didn't even bother thinking about food. Who needed food when you had RAIN? After their ears and fur were plastered to their bodies, they felt better. Time to find shelter and FOOD. Feeling refreshed, they got up and headed for a thicker cluster of trees. There was a larger chance of finding rabbits there, or so they thought. Their hunger and rain prevented them from scenting the territory line and scrap of fur rubbed on a nearby tree.
They'd now gotten pretty far into the trees, and evening was falling. There was no sound of rabbits, or birds cooing. The rain had stopped a few hours ago.
"Hey, sis?"
"Yea?"
"Remember the birds mom used to bring back?"
"Yea. They were patriches, or something like that."
"Partridges. They were delicious, weren't they? They were so fat, and tasty..."
"Remember the Coyote who we heard last night?"
"I hated him."
"His weird voice creeped me out."
"He kept telling us to be good little dogs and come out."
"Bro?"
"Yea?"
"I hated him too."
The brother shuddered, then paused for a moment.
"I know."
"Now then, be good little doggies and come out~!"
They both froze, hair sticking up on their spines. Night had nearly fallen. They couldn't see where it was coming from, they hated the voice- "Here, little puppies, you two little furred partridges~!"
Her brother started shaking. "He... he heard us..." His sister started frantically looking for a place to hide, brambles, thorns, rocks, ANYTHING,
She dragged her stumbling brother behind a tree.
"You're both as white as dead huskies, don't try hiding, dear puppies." His sister started shaking, choking in fear. Then, for two long moments, there were no noises.
Silence.
The two burst out of the bush, running as fast as possible, they heard a branch crack from up ahead-
A mass of brown fur exploded in their faces, not a coyote, not a coyote, not a coyote-
With a crack of pain, they were both pinned to ground by two strong paws. A leering face with slightly glowing eyes looked down at them. "Well then, what do we have here?"
The two screamed. And five more glowing eyed dogs melted out of the woods.
The dog that had them pinned stared hungrily at them, jaws open and ajar. He was a medium sized mutt with a brown ridge of fur running down his back. Strings of spit splattered on their faces. He was drooling in hunger. He opened his jaws, they screamed, he leaned forward and-
a large brown and black dog rammed his head into the his side.
"HEY! DRAKE! We have to question them first before you eat them, bastard." The large drooling dog made a face, but quickly backed off. The two puppies bolted upright, terrified. The other dogs, the drooling one included, casually formed a ring around them.
The one who'd shoved the slobbering dog off of them approached them. "Who are you?" the female puppy squeaked out.
"I'm the one asking questions." the dog replied coldly. The look he gave her made both of the puppies tuck their tails even further in between their legs.
"W-we d-d-on't have names." Her brother whispered fearfully. The dog leaned in to sniff them. They both froze. His movements were oily and slithery, like an a snake creeping through the wet grass. After a few brief sniffs, he pulled back. "Nothing to get worked up over." he announced to the other four dogs. "They're just puppies who got lost." The slobbery one raised his lips and ran his tongue over his formidable set of fangs.
"Hey Cain, can I eat them?" He grinned wickedly. More strings of slobber hit the ground. The two puppies recoiled.
"No. No, you can't. We have to let the Grandmaster look them over, just in case." He flashed the other dogs a flat and cold look. The two puppies shivered when the dog the other had called Cain turned to them.
"A-are you gonna kill us?" The female squeaked out. "No. But we have to take you to the Grandmaster." He turned around. "Follow me, and stick close." As the other dogs silently moved out, the puppies had no choice.
"What if we don't stick close?"
Cain threw a glance at them. "Then you'll get stuck with Drake." The two puppies immediately crowded closer to Cain.
Drake hooted with insane laughter.
"Fall behind, puppies. You're going to be deader than icicles in hell if you fall behind."
The two puppies moved right after Cain did, shadowing his movements. Drake had one last sadistic smile. "Oh well." He muttered below his breath before melting into the bushes after them. "If the Grandmaster chooses you, you're gonna be dead, either way."
He disappeared into the bushes with a slight rustle.
The puppies stayed close to Cain, just as they were told. No longer were they in the woods. The strange dogs had led them further in. The farther they got the more dark and twisted the plants and trees seemed to become. Into a cave, they descended, hidden behind some bushes.
No light reached underneath, and the poor puppies had trouble seeing what was in front of them. The glowing of the dogs eyes lit their path, scary and comforting at the same time. Behind they heard a snicker of sorts. Curious, they both looked behind to find the one called Drake. Sadistically or hungrily, they couldn't tell which, but he looked at them. With a slight hiss, he let his tongue out. It wasn't a normal tongue- instead, it was long like a lizard's. The brother gave a whimper as he turned around, the sister kept silent.
"Silence!" Cain harshly shut them up. The pups said nothing more, only keeping closer to Cain. Several dogs passed them, all with the same glowing eyes and dark features. Mostly the pups kept their eyes away. Then they stopped. Looking above, they found themselves in a large cave opening. The dogs parted. The pups gave whimpered gasps as they noticed various bones dotting the room. Most were animals, but a few they could have sworn were human, not that they had ever seen a human skeleton before, but they had never seen bones such as these, either.
"So, Cain?" An elderly voice broke through the darkness. Each of the dogs, even Drake, bowed their heads in reveration. Cain remained in the center as a dog stepped into view. The pups could see it was a female, especially from the sound of the voice. Indeed, she was old. From her body shape, she seemed rather feeble. Ribs showed underneath the sunken skin along with a clear outline of a spinal cord. Dark bags hung under her eyes, which glowed a bright yellow. The dog had several bangs atop her head, spreading down her face and almost covering it. Her fur was an odd mixture of silver and brown. Looking closely, the brown appeared to be an animal hide of sorts, draped across her back.
The puppies shivered. Something was off about this old dog. They couldn't put their paw on it but it felt unnatural. "What have you brought me?" The dog asked in her ancient voice, continuing her question.
Cain looked up, yet still held the respect in his eyes. "Grandmaster, I found these two pups in the wilderness."
This was the Grandmaster they had spoken of earlier. Honestly, when they heard Grandmaster they expected a male, so a female was a great surprise. The Grandmaster looked over at the pair. The male seemed frightened where as the female looked on boldly, only swallowing once.
"I think they might have some use." Added Cain.
The Grandmaster walked over, Cain stepping out of the way. The Grandmaster's neck craned down, an audible creak giving out. "Now what are two fragile little children doing out in the wilderness?" Her voice took on a haunting tone. The female pup was the closest and the breath hit her. Old dog breath made her gag.
"We were looking for our Mom and we got lost." She admitted. Uncomfortable as the sour breath was she didn't mention it. Especially with the nudge her brother gave her.
"Your mother?" The Grandmaster repeated.
This time the male stepped out from behind his sister. "Yes m-mame." He piped. "We-we got lost looking for her." The male found himself repeating what his sister had said. Probably from nervousness.
Another creak gave out as the old dog rose up her head. A look of sympathy crossed her face. "Oh my poor dears, with nowhere to go."
"We're not homeless!" The female rose. Bad mistake, as all the dogs seemed ready to pounce upon the child. Drake did so.
"Sis!" The brother called. He nearly stepped in to defend his sibling, but stopped as Drake darted out his long lizard like tongue. He ran it across the child who shuddered under the wet touch.
"You should watch it little puppy." Drake hissed in a snake like tone. "This here is the boss so you should show some proper respect. Just then, a growl sounded out. It was not a vocal one but an intestinal one.
The Grandmaster waved her paw sending Drake away. Yet he seemed disappointed. "Hungry?" She asked the two pups.
Remembering they hadn't eaten the pups nodded. The sister still lay on the ground for a moment. With no immediate danger now, her brother helped her, staying close. Twin growls gave out as the pups racked under the hunger pains. Their thirst had been quenched, but it didn't please an empty belly, not entirely. A smile crept upon the Grandmaster's face. Not the pleasing kind their mother gave them.
"Not to worry. Our clan is open to all. If you want food you merely must ask." Said the Grandmaster. The pups opened their mouths to ask but were cut off once more by the elder female. "However, one must pay a price." The youngsters looked up. They were too hungry to really argue. "More than likely your owner wasn't too attentive- that's why you found you would tread in our territory." She was right- Sawada hadn't been the most loving owner. "Before we even consider filling your bellies, you must join our little family."
Family? That was something the two had longed for since their mother had disappeared. Truly, they had no place to go but staying here was something they didn't like the sound of. Still, hunger gnawed at them, lulling with the promises that were offered. Minds of children were easy to sway. The Grandmaster knew this as the pups slowly nodded. It was almost an involuntary response for the two.
"Good." The Grandmaster said pleasingly. "Now there are a few initiatory duties we must undertake. First what are your names?"
"We don't have names." They both said.
The Grandmaster raised her eyes. "Well, that makes things easier. All new members must cast off their old names and receive new ones. Now what to call you?" The old one thought for a moment pondering over what could come to mind. At last suddenly did. In order, she pointed to the boy. "Mao." Then the girl. "Mayu."
Mao and Mayu, they had names, something they were never used to. "Brother Cain." The Grandmaster called. Cain disappeared into the back where the Grandmaster had entered from. Moments later he returned carrying a sharp piece of metal, a knife dried with blood. The pups watched with curiosity. Perhaps they were going to slice open whatever food they were bringing? They thought. That wasn't the case as Cain took it to the Grandmaster outstretched paw. Running it across and over the leg, blood dripped down upon the ground.
The puppies whimpered backwards at the sight. The Grandmaster hardly looked pained. In fact, she looked pleasured. "Drink it." She ordered.
"What?" The female, now known as Mayu, answered.
"All new family members must drink the blood of an elder. It bonds us together as dogs of the clan." The Grandmaster answered.
Suddenly the puppies lost their appetite. What they were being asked was crazy. "I forgot to mention, refusal is not an option." The Grandmaster warned. "You two are lucky we stumbled across you offering shelter. To show us such ingratitude…. Well, let's say if you refuse it, it would be as if we never found you."
Drake gave out a laugh, running his tongue across his slobbery muzzle. The puppies got the message. Especially as they noticed Drake's look was shared amongst the other dogs. Hesitantly, they took a step towards the blood, as they were stuck, they both knew it. It was either this or death.
Seeing her brother's discomfort, Mayu took the first lap. Shuddering a thrice time, the blood ran down her tongue warmly, but hardly comforting. Mao went next lapping it quickly to get it over with. They had pleased their elder, The rabbits they offered proved it.
"Welcome to the family Brother Mao and Sister Mayu." Said the Grandmaster. More to the clan.
xxx
"I don't see why I couldn't eat them." Drake complained. He wasn't happy with the recent turn of events. He had had been looking to nice little pup, or partridges in a spin of humor.
"The Grandmaster has spoken, those two are now members of the Clan." Cain answered in a high tone.
The koga dog gave a scoff of clear disrespect. One that Cain didn't approve of, as his growl implied. Drake chuckled, turning into a cackle at the response. "What? You think you have any real authority over me? In age, I trump you. Besides those little brats are outsiders. I can already hear the whining now!" Drake placed his right paw to his ear emphasizing his point.
Cain narrowed his eyes. "Remember, Brother Cain. We found your half drowned corpse and offered you a new life- so I would watch your tone." Cain kept his voice low, not wanting to let his emotions get the best of him.
Drake chuckled licking his tongue slightly across. "Is Mama's little boy angry? Going to tell on me? Well she's right here. No offense Grandmaster." Drake bowed respectively. "Unlike this pup I don't rely on emotional attachments blind me.""
A button had been pushed, enough to break Cain's emotional control. "Watch your tongue you disgraced!" Cain lunged forward thrusting his face into the older dog's face.
Drake laughed. "Now that's more like it! Anytime you're ready, puppy!" Drake dared and Cain nearly fell for it.
"ENOUGH!" The Grandmaster bellowed. Despite her age her voice could carry if need be. Both males stopped, Cain returning to his previous spot.
"Brother Drake, you would do best to remember that Cain trumps you in rank." Drake cursed silently under his breath. That information was true about the younger dog. "As for you, Brother Cain, I expect one of your ranks to act his age. You're both males not puppies!" Both males didn't argue with their leader. Doing so would be the utmost disrespect, and disrespect was not met favorably amongst the Clan.
The Grandmaster kept her back turned to her. Even without her face to them, they could sense her moods. "Now then, Brother Cain, what have you to report of the outside?""
Upon mention, Cain raised his head up proudly. Delivering reports to his Grandmaster was something he honored. "The bears have been advancing their reign throughout the area. The patrol I sent barely made it back.""
A curse uttered under the ancient dog's breath. "Rage filled beasts. Their time won't last forever." It wasn't a threat- more like a belief. "Akakabuto's rage will be his downfall.""
"The humans have been trying to deal with them, but…" Cain trailed off at that point. He had seen much of those beasts' handiworks on the humans. Not a very pretty sight. "Yet there is an army." Cain remembered.
This piqued the Grandmaster's interest. Her neck craned over, the joints creaking as if they were falling under poor support. "Army?""
"Well perhaps army isn't the best word. More like a…." Cain waved his paw, trying to search for the correct term. "Rag tag group." At least he found a proper term.
The Grandmaster's curiosity didn't end with that answer. More she wanted to know. "Are they such as us?" She asked.
Cain shook his head. "No. I saw mostly males, caught a scent of one female however. Recently I imagine."
A sigh of relief breathed under the old one. There was no desire for another competition. "It seems their purpose is to battle against a demon." A smile crept upon the Grandmaster's face, one devious to all who could see. "Whichever way, one side shall crush the other. All we can do is wait."
Hearing that brought on a surprised whine from Drake. "What? So were just going to sit around while they do all the work? I just say kill em all!"
"Brother Drake, you know our time to move is not now. The Conclave has so commanded." The Grandmaster replied. Her voice becoming reverent in mention.
Drake scoffed again at the mention however. "Waiting on a bunch of dead geezers really isn't why I joined up." He gripped.
"Enough! Brother Drake, you are dismissed. You have other duties to attend to." The Grandmaster harshly cut.
Drake bowed. "No disrespect, my Grandmaster." With that said and done, the koga dog left, leaving Cain and the Grandmaster alone. Cain watched Drake as he departed. His eyes never left his fellow, a sign of clear distrust. When the insane dog vanished from view he turned to his leader.
"Grandmaster, why do you allow one such as Drake to walk amongst us?" Asked Cain.
Another series of creaking followed, and Cain's ears pricked up at the sound. It was almost disturbing to him. Yet he found some call to it, a pleasure. Actually he found this sickening feeling pleasurable. Perhaps it was his own reverence to the Grandmaster, for she was more than his leader. He couldn't remember much of his childhood, early wise that is. Whether he himself was an outsider or naturally born within the clan wasn't known. All he could remember was that he was an orphan that he Grandmaster took under her wing. She herself had no children; a long illness had left her barren.
"Drake is an impatient one. He still desires to outs his former leader and rule his old clan. But his skills have been useful to us no?""
Cain couldn't deny that. Drake's ways were already being instilled into the younger dogs, teachings for the next generation. As much as he hated to admit it, Drake hadn't done anything would necessarily imply betrayal. Outside from the occasional comment, the koga seemed bound to them.
"Master?" Cain dropped the beginning of the title. That was what she was to him, his master, his life was to hers. The Grandmaster turned to her protégé, she could sense the desire in him, an unquenchable knowledge that needed sating. "Will our time come?" It was a question that many member of the clan held, outsider or natural born.
"Yes. Soon the Conclave shall tell." Answered the Grandmaster. Her paw ran to her chest. Yes, the Conclave knew all. It was what she had been born and raised to follow. Time would soon come, and when it did, they would be ready.
xxx
Drake shoved the dog against the wall. He let out a whine as his spine connected to the rock. The others sprang at him all at once. Yet Drake threw them all off just the same.
"You call that a sneak attack!" Drake bellowed.
One of the dogs, a mutt just like all of them, brought himself up. "S-sorry Drake-sama we'll try harder!"
Drake growled, sending the dog cowering back with his companion. "You better," he threatened. "the Grandmaster may want me to train you, but to me you're all sacks of shit!" Drake readied himself in an attack stance. "Again!" He ordered.
The mutts ran to different sides attempting the same thing over again. His own Koga Dogs, that was what the Grandmaster offered, it was really more for the clan than himself. Being of the infamous ninja clan he knew their skills, skills that could pass on. Leader of the Koga, It was his dream come to life, more like an avarice desire. Kurojaki. That name alone filled him with rage. It was that same dog who lead him to commit his faux suicide. But by fairness, Drake himself had attempted his own coup. A coup which backfired on himself horribly. Now here he was, training a bunch of ninja wannabes, over eager pups who wanted to be cool. As much as he felt disgusted at their presence, Drake did what he was ordered.
With a last cry, Drake threw them off. One by one they connected to the wall, sliding down like little drops. "Work on some new maneuvers and for your sakes you better get it right." Drake warned looking back at them with a threatening eye. "Or I'll kill you myself." He added with a grin.
"Yes Drake-sama!" The dogs chorused.
Drake looked away, he need some alone time. "Kurojaki, you better not be dead before I kill you." Drake grinned at his thoughts.
xxx
Fate smiled upon her. Death would not claim her soul yet. The rumors were true, the dogs of Ohu existed and she was among them. Each of them had different reason for leaving their old lives but they all had one goal, taking down Akakabuto. Finally, her friends would be avenged. Their leader had assembled various dogs throughout Japan, they were a rag tag group but there was nobody else who would stand against the demon bear.
One problem stood out. She was female. That alone made her the oddity amongst this group for she was the only one. A fragile twig they initially treated her but she made her purpose clear. Their leader, a shiba inu with crimson fur, saw something in her, potential. A few of the males still viewed her as a mere female, but she would prove herself one of the boys if it killed her. Being the new recruit, she was given duties pertaining as such. She took them up without complaint, though they were long finished for today and now she had time alone. The moon shone down on her, coating the saluki in its light.
"Cross?"
She looked behind her. "Ben?" Someone had carried her to Ohu and Ben was that dog. He was a strong looking great dane, his brown fur mixing in well with the black around his eyes. A red collar hung around his neck signifying former human ownership. For a moment Cross found herself fixating on his strong body. It was the longest time since she was taken in by a males looks, not since hi-.
Cross stopped herself right there. That was long ago, an ill-fated attempt at love.
"Are you alright Cross?" Ben asked.
Apparently, he had come to see how she was so she assumed. It was more a chivalrous action than anything. "I'm fine, Ben, thank you."
Ben wasn't convinced, and Cross knew she wasn't fooling anybody. "You're thinking about your kids aren't you?"
Cross let out a gasp. Of course she had told her story before being accepted amongst their ranks Every detail from the abandonment by her owner, then the act she committed.
"Ben?" She turned back to him and he looked right back. "Promise me you'll never mention that again." Weakness couldn't be shown, Cross fought hard to keep the tears at bay.
"I promise." Ben immediately said.
A smile played upon Cross's muzzle. It was easier not to think about them. Every time it brought her nothing but heartache. There was no choice.
"It's better this way." That was her mantra.