Something new was in the air.

Tesshin kept his nose and ears on alert as he stalked through the foliage. Silent and swift, he kept out of sight. The birds fled long after he had passed them. The sun dappled against his fur, just barely amongst the space left between the leaves. He paid them no mind, seeing as they did not deter his mission. Yes; he wasn't out here on his own volition, but rather given the command by his leader. Tesshin didn't mind nor grumble, this is what he lived for; in skill that is.

Barely a sound he made as he continued to work his way through the path. Something was off-putting within the forest; that much he could tell. The Koga had a sixth sense for things such as this. Then again, he was a ninja after all. He could feel it in the air and the distant sounds of the wildlife. He hadn't been the only one present in the forest; the only dog to be precise.

Suddenly there was a flash of sound, a far off tweet in the distance. It reached his ears just a few seconds off from when it was uttered. It wasn't anything special, any dog could hear it. To him however, it held a specific meaning: he was being followed.

Silently he cursed. How could he have missed it? Turning back wouldn't be an option, not when he was so close. Those who had had come through here, and the one who was trailing him; they had to be together. It was a guess, but a guess Tesshin decided to follow. Another breath clashed against his own; distant yet near. He could feel a pair of eyes observing him, going up his spine to his very ridge of hair. Step by step they equaled two pairs of four. There were several openings present; the question was when they would be able to take it.

The feeling continued to expand, forming from caution into dread. Bloodlust entered the air, Tesshin could feel it; that wasn't good. Tesshin sprang his body back, eyes switching from left to right in anticipation. The time was now— there couldn't be a time for hesitation. And then they pounced, both sides facing one another.

Mina was silent the whole way, something Mayu anticipated. It couldn't really be helped. Besides, it was somewhat her fault. At last she and Mina had some time alone together. Now was as good a time as any. Mayu looked back at her daughter.

"Mina, keep up." She beckoned.

"Yes Mom." Mina responded, speeding up her pace.

The little puppy padded up to her mother. Mayu gave a tiny but unnoticeable smile; her daughter wasn't weak, not if she would have anything to do with it. But, that desire wasn't entirely beneficial, at least from what Bat had told her. Mayu sighed; how had she screwed up so much? If she had been more careful in the first place, she wouldn't be having this talk with Mina. Nothing could be done about it now, this was happening whether either of them liked it or not.

The mother and daughter pair sat by a swift moving stream. Curiously, the mixed breed pup looked into the water, observing her distorted reflection with a short giggle. She nearly did the same to her mother's reflection, but kept silent. Mom wasn't in the mood for laughing.

"Mina, I wanted to talk to you about some things." Mayu was direct with her intentions.

Mina lowered her head staying out of her mother's gaze. "I know Mom."

The tone of voice only furthered Mayu's frustration. She could feel her daughter's uncomfortably at this scenario. What kind of mother was she? Her own child didn't want to talk to her. If only she had noticed her actions, the way she was hurting Mina. It made her worry about her other children. Wing was a pawfull, always getting into trouble. Sometimes she wondered if she was keeping a closer eye upon him. Hell, if she had stayed awake a little longer that night during their trip to Ohu, Wing wouldn't have wandered off and gotten himself drunk on that beer.

Mayu had learned of the term and the drink from some other dogs in the Ohu camp. Apparently Wing wasn't the first dog (or puppy) who had sampled the forbidden nectar that was alcohol. Needless to say, the "hangover" that occurred afterwards had made certain certain soldiers would not get themselves soused again. Although Wing being Wing, nothing could be certain with her eldest son. The only pup of her's that seemed unscathed was Kuro.

Though, was she inadvertently harming her youngest as well?

Mayu banished those thoughts out of her mind. That fear couldn't deter her from what she had set out to do.

"Mina, please look at me," Mayu said with a hint of command in her voice.

Mina obeyed, knowing it was unwise to disobey her mother. Her mother had quite the temper; then again, she could very well be the same way if pushed enough.

Mayu and Mina's eyes matched one another. Although they looked different in terms of breeding, anyone could tell they were mother and daughter. The connection was too evident to be doubted.

"What did you want to talk about Mom?" Mina asked.

There couldn't be any delay, this had to be discussed.

"Mina... your father has brought to my attention some things that I haven't noticed before." Mayu stated with the utmost coolness.

Mina's eyes widened. Was her mother mad at her? The very thought frightened her, causing her to wince.

"I'm not mad Mina." Mayu said softly, hoping to reassure her child. It made her slightly ashamed to call herself a mother to see her child afraid of her.

Mina's body relaxed at her mother's words. It wasn't like her mother to lie to her.

"Look, Mina... I know I've been hard on you. But trust me, it's for your own good." Mayu explained.

Mina knew that, least from what her mother always said. Mother's did know best after all. Mrs. Cross was a mother and she seemed to know a lot. The thought of the old saluki made her happy.

"If you say so Mom."

Mayu wasn't so convinced her daughter understood. "Mina you have to believe me. I only have good intentions for you. That's all I wanted."

Mayu's tone of voice took on a more serious tone. That garnered Mina's attention.

"The world is a dangerous place Mina. Life is hard, especially for a female."

"Females? Why?" Mina asked.

That answer was easy for Mayu. "Females Mina... we aren't viewed as soldiers. Some males think us weak, and I don't want that for you."

Mayu leaned in close to her child. "Look Mina. I push you because I want you to be the best you can be. I want everyone, especially males, not to view you as some kind of prize."

In this world, a canine world, females were simply viewed as weak breeding tools for popping out pups. The Ohu army had a few female soldiers, her included, and she wanted Mina to be one of them.

"As your mother, it's my job to make sure you grow up right, and that's what I'm going to do." Mayu declared. "I love you Mina, just as much as your brothers, no more no less."

Mina didn't know what to say. This was the first time her mother had spoken to her at length such as this.

"So you do all this because you love me?" Mina finally asked.

"Yes." Mayu smiled.

At last, Mina smiled as well. "Thanks Mom. I love you."

At that moment, Mayu was surprised and happy. Surprised this little talk went well, and happy she and her child were able to see eye to eye. Pleased with herself, Mayu turned around to take her daughter back home. It was only a few steps before a familiar scent reached her nose; her's and Mina's. Both females turned around to find a white shape on the opposite side of the stream. Mayu's body shook slightly while Mina brightened up immensely.

"Mrs. Cross!" She cried happily, lost in her childish emotions.

The moment Mina realized her mistake, her mother was looking down at her.

"What did you say?" Mayu asked, surprised at the familiarity of the adult's name to the puppy.

Mina backed down immediately, noticing her mother's expression.

Cross knew something had been broken. With reluctant eyes, she viewed the two females who shared her blood. Something inside her told her she should have stayed with Ben. The lull of a walk was too great however.

"Hello, Mina; Mayu," Cross greeted, hoping to break the ice.

Tesshin didn't visit the old Koga camp too often, only to check on things every once in a while. The elder and his budding orphans-turned-ninja handled things perfectly fine without him. There was no need to breathe over their shoulders as they worked.

So it was rare for him to find he was staring almost into a mirror outside the old Koga camp.

Tesshin couldn't help the sharp gasp that escaped him as he and the other dog circled each other, both of their crested heads bowed in concentration. His eyes widened before the other Koga's snarl quickly made them narrow in concentration again, keeping Tesshin on his toes as they continued their not-so-delicate circling, trying to find weak chinks in each other's armors. The smooth way they moved was almost identical. The smell of ancient hate and pure rage poured off the other Koga the longer he beheld Tesshin in his eyes.

"Kurojaki, you son of a bitch," the other dog snarled, his voice low and venomous. Tesshin was unsure of whether he was speaking to him or himself, but the younger Koga didn't give the question too much thought as he continued his on-guard circling. "You actually had some goddamn spawn."

"Who are you?" Tesshin said. "What are you doing in Ohu?" He and the older Koga made direct unbroken eye contact, the most aggressive and hateful measure to be taken short of a fight itself. Their golden brown eyes stared into each other, unflinching and unyielding as they still paced around each other.

Tesshin knew not to stop moving. If he stilled himself, the other dog would pounce, and he could be caught. Rule one of ninja combat: do not become tangible first. Do not be caught. Their making eye contact didn't matter; Tesshin could sense all of his surroundings with every fiber of muscle and fur in his body, and by the way the other dog moved, he could do the same. A strike could be made at any moment or countered in any direction.

Tesshin knew the limitations and talents of the Koga by heart; he wasn't about to underestimate one of the older generation that had waged bitter war on Akame before throwing themselves into a fire. The fact that he still lived without the hideous branded burn marks of the current Koga elder said something else altogether.

The other dog bared his teeth in a silent snarl and taunting challenge of fangs.

"Your oncoming death."

In a blur of movement, the two dogs launched themselves at each other, colliding in midair with a writhe of muscle, fangs snapping, and they tore apart from the ball of flying melee and crashed to the ground, landing on their feet and snarling as they rolled away. Tesshin barely managed to dodge a snap of fangs at his face as the other dog lunged at him, and both ninjas bobbed and weaved around each other's bites and blows.

Tesshin growled, ducking under a kick at his face and slamming his head into the other dog's chest. "Who are you?"

Drake's reflexes bounced back, and as the wheeze of air left his throat, he bared his teeth at Tesshin in a hateful snarl. He jumped and seesawed his front and back legs, avoiding the body sweep the younger dog tried to take his limbs out from under him with, and Drake brought down one hardened front leg down on Tesshin's snout as the other dog tried to catch him in the stomach. Another hard blow and slam into Tesshin's neck and ribs, and the Ohu warrior was sent away rolling. Drake gave a twisted smile of fury through the blood running down the side of his mouth from a scruff.

"The Undertaker's Sweep. Of course you'd know that move, wouldn't you? Trying to take someone's legs under them and making them leap to avoid it, then ripping out their entrails while their belly's open in the air. Kurojaki's little pet move." Drake circled Tesshin, a bloody leer on his face as the younger Koga hopped up, breathing harder as he tried to recover.

Tesshin was forced to dodge another lunge, but he was ready this time, sidestepping before hitting Drake in the chest with his shoulder. The older dog's teeth snapped together almost on top of his mohawk, Tesshin feeling the graze of teeth over his head, and the younger ninja grunted before spinning around and kicking Drake in the gut as hard as possible. Drake snarled before twisting away from Tesshin, but the Ohu dog cut him off, forcing Drake away from the trees and into the clearing.

"I said," Tesshin snarled, forcing Drake to dodge two swift strikes at his head, "who are you?"

Drake gave no response but a snarl, dropping into another crouch. Tesshin danced away before the older dog could strike. With all his scars and worn hatred out in full force, Drake was a walking remnant of everything the old Koga tribe had ever been. Drake almost leered at the growing frustration beneath Tesshin's composed mask.

"Shit. Seeing you're here, I have to suppose that Kurojaki kicked the bucket," Drake spat, his enthusiasm dying as he thought of the implications Tesshin meant. "That or he failed to bring up his successor… t'ch… wouldn't put either of them past him." Tesshin slowly began to circle Drake, staying low to the ground as he silently observed the other Koga's face darkening.

Drake paused, seeming to come to a conclusion, and he licked his lips, displaying his rows of fangs. His eyes narrowed on Tesshin. "But no matter. If I can't have the father, I'll just have the son—"

Tesshin rolled over as Kurojaki suddenly lunged forward, slicing at his face with a sweep of his front leg. Before Tesshin could retaliate, Kurojaki swerved to the right, driving his head into Tesshin's neck. The ninja choked as the head-butt crushed the air from his throat. He struggled to get his balance and weave away, but Kurojaki was faster, sinking his teeth into Tesshin's scruff. Bloodied fur splayed around Tesshin's neck.

With a grunt of effort, Kurojaki spun around, using Tesshin's momentum against him, and threw the smaller dog across the clearing. Tesshin slammed into the ground back first, leaving a smear of blood across the dirt. He rolled over, barely catching himself on his feet the second spin, and Tesshin darted to the side, barely escaping a bite aimed at his ribs from the charging Drake.

If he kept up the evasions, he might be able to tire the older Koga out and get the advantage, Tesshin thought, running towards the trees. He could hear Drake on his heels, scathingly muttering something about a coward beneath his breath— and sounding delighted about it— and Tesshin increased his speed, focusing on the large tree in front of him.

Drake was too distracted by his hateful, delighted rage to realize what was going to happen until Tesshin leaped.

In a powerful bound of legs, Tesshin jumped up the side of the large tree, pivoted when his feet hit the bark, and launched himself back towards Drake.

The younger Koga hit the older head on, they rolled, and then a painfully wheezing Drake was slammed against the ground with thud, Tesshin's feet firmly pinning his legs down. Drake coughed a few times as Tesshin leaned in, his teeth bared. The two ninjas were almost pressed nose to scarred nose.

"I said— and I will not ask you again— who are you?"

Drake sneered, staring up into Tesshin's face. "As if I owe my name to a whelpy son-of-a-bitch like you. Pfft, up close, you even look like your whore of a mother; I'm not surprised Kurojaki ended up rutting with her after all—"

The back of Drake's head smashed again the ground as Tesshin snarled, making him recoil. Drake swallowed slowly as he felt Tesshin's sharp, bared teeth only a hair's breadth away from his exposed throat. A thin line of blood ran down from Tesshin's temple and down his face, and a similar red streak leaked from the side of Drake's mouth.

"I am done having patience with you," Tesshin growled softly, digging his claws into Drake's legs. Drake remained silence for once, eyes wide as he saw the ghost of familiar face staring back at him from Tesshin's angry expression. "For the last time, before I paralyze your legs and drag you back to Ohu, who are you?"

Drake muttered something under his breath, his words almost a pathetic whimper. Tesshin frowned, unable to understand him.

"What?" he said.

Drake muttered something again, in an even lower voice than before as he squirmed uncomfortably under Tesshin's weight, and Tesshin was forced to lean closer to hear him. The older dog pinned beneath him looked almost pitiful now with his mohawk waywardly crushed into the ground and ears flopped back in submission.

Then Tesshin leaned too close to hear him.

"This technique might've worked when your father used it," Drake whispered. "But you're not Kurojaki."

In one brutal strike, Drake sank his teeth into Tesshin's muzzle, broke free of Tesshin's grip, and nailed him in the stomach with a kick from both his back legs. The world twisted, Tesshin felt his muzzle catch fire with pain as Drake's teeth twisted into him and the bigger dog flipped him over his head. With a thud, a gasping Tesshin hit ground, blood leaking from his face. He didn't have time to get up before he felt four paws being stomped down on his legs to pinion him down in a perfect mirror of the previous situation, and the bloodied, leering face of Drake was staring down at him.

"Surprise, Kurojaki's brat!" he rasped. Drake grinned, baring his all his fangs as he leaned closer to Tesshin, grinding his paws into the trapped dog's skin. "I guess I'll count this as one of the damn birthday presents I missed giving you over the years I was in exile."

Suddenly, Drake's expression twisted, and Tesshin barely jerked his already bloodied face back in time to avoid a vicious snap at his face. He panted in pain, already feeling Kurojaki's first bite aching and dripping blood all over his face, and Drake's face was distorted with hateful anger as he shoved it up into Tesshin's. All Tesshin could see was Drake's yellow, crazed eyes, his ruffled mohawk and blood-spotted snout, and the rows and rows of sharp, curved canines only inches from his throat. Drake's exerted breathing rolled again Tesshin's face, smelling of rotted meat and death.

"Did you really think that one was going to work?" Drake snarled, glaring down at his prisoner. "Years and years of hunting you and fucking father down and killing anyone in the way, only to realize he was DEAD— that someone else had the Koga— and you think a little trick taught to pups was going to bail your throat out?" Drake leaned even closer, and Tesshin had trouble keeping his breath level in his throat as he literally felt Drake's fangs brush against the side of his face. Some of the blood running down the side of his mouth dripped down onto his fur.

"Let me tell you just one thing before this ends, Kurojaki's son," Drake whispered, his hot breath curling down Tesshin's ear. He kept his eyes on Tesshin the whole time, making sure he couldn't attempt to pull the same trick he had just used, and Tesshin knew trying it would be useless. His throat would be ripped out in an instant if he so much as moved.

He was trapped.

"My name is Drake. And you and your friends are going to be meeting up in hell very, very soon after the Grandmaster is done with you."

Tesshin felt everything within his chest ice up as Drake pulled away from his ear, the koga's whiskers bristling and lips curling back as he opened his mouth to take a bite, and at the same time, the Ohu warrior's heart began thudding frantically as he realized that, this time, there really was no way out.

Tesshin's eyes almost closed when he saw the tiny flinch of Drake drawing back that meant a strike was coming, and—

A long, mournful howl sounded over the trees, echoing through the forest. Drake and Tesshin froze. The older koga looked up in the direction the howl had come from, his ears perked. Tesshin couldn't identify who it was, though he was having trouble doing anything at the moment.

"…well, damn," Drake said, sounding disappointed. He looked down at Tesshin, making sure to stomp one of his back legs again. "Looks like you got lucky, whelp. The lifesucker is calling me back."

For a moment, there was an increase in the pressure on Tesshin's legs, and then Drake had sprang away, neatly landing on his feet near the edge of the clearing. Tesshin instantly flipped back upright, panting as he licked the blood shedding down his face.

Drake didn't bother to lick at the line of dripping blood on his muzzle, letting it patter on the ground. He stood on the side of the clearing with a casual, almost dignified pose, watching Tesshin bristle and prepare for another attack.

"We'll settle this another time, Kurojaki's brat," he said. Drake bared part of his fangs. "And I hope you'll be harder to tear apart the next time around. You're pathetic and disappointing end for years of revenge seeking. Little shit. You're not even worth it at this point."

Drake grinned.

"But you did get my name."

In a few bounds, the koga disappeared into the trees before Tesshin could stop him, bounding over the ground before taking to the air. Tesshin could hear branches and leaves rustling long after Drake had disappeared from sight, and then, nothing.

It was at that moment that the Ohu dog realized how hard his heart was pounding, and how ragged and raw his breathing was.

Tesshin took a deep breath, closing his eyes and forcing himself to calm down and level his erratic pulse. He had never been so close to death before except in his duel with Kite, and even then, Kite had been no ragged, exiled Koga, who had known his father… and his—

Tesshin slowly opened his eyes, done calming himself. He felt in control of his body and reflexes now, and how much the bite across his snout had hurt was beginning to set in. He would need to have it looked at or nursed in private, Tesshin thought. There was no sense in dying from infection.

The wounded warrior gathered himself up, still licking his injuries, and limped home.