Chapter 25: Strengthening Visits

Tsume paced outside the tent as the others sat on the ground outside with him, the moonlight the only illumination. The Chief and the Shaman were inside the tent with Ryooshi, and he wanted to there as well, but they said the 'Ritual of Healing' as they called it, was not for foreign eyes, and even if they were Ryooshi's friends, they were still foreigners.

"How long have they been in there?" Toboe wondered and Unaru only shrugged.

"She was out for three days," Hige remembered. "You sure she was even alive?"

"She still felt warm," Blue reported.

"Would all of you just shut up," Tsume growled, lowly.

"Don't get snippy," Unaru bit back and he stopped dead to send a burning glare at her. "And don't glare at me like that. You love her, right? Have a little more faith in her strength and quit pacing!"

"How long do you plan to keep her around, Toboe?" Tsume snarled. "Because she's really starting to get on my nerves!"

He started marching toward them but Nikita stood in front of him, placing a hand on his shoulder to keep him from advancing.

"Don't do something you'll regret," Nikita warned, and Tsume shot his angry gaze at him.

"Oh, I won't regret it one bit, half-breed!" he snarled back at him.

"I know you're worried," Nikita replied, calmly. "We all are. But try not to take it out on the rest of us, alright?"

"It's the Chief," Kiba called, and Tsume whirled around to see the Chief emerge from the tent as the rest of the pack stood behind him to hear the news.

"Well, Chief?" Tsume was the first to ask. "It's been four hours. If she at least awake?"

"She is resting," Runs with Horses replied. "She is out of danger now. Only one of you may go in and see her at this moment."

Tsume took a step to go in, but Blue stopped him by placing a hand on his shoulder, to which he responded with a glare at her.

"She probably doesn't have the energy for you yet," she explained. "Let me go in first, ok?"

"Why you?" Tsume growled, offended.

"Because I won't strain her," Blue retorted, standing face to face with him, and refusing to back down. "Because it's a female thing."

Tsume snarled at her, but didn't stop her from turning and walking toward the tent and ducking into it. The Shaman sat on one side of the small fire inside and Ryooshi was lying, now in her human form on the other side under a thick, woven blanket. Blue carefully stepped toward her and knelt beside her with a smile as Ryooshi turned her head slightly toward the other she-wolf.

"Hey, Blue," Ryooshi smiled, weakly, lifting a hand to take one of hers.

"Hey, Ryooshi," Blue smiled back, taking her hand. "You really scared us all, ya know?"

"I know," Ryooshi groaned. "I'm sorry."

"Nothing you could do about it," Blue scoffed. "You were nearly beaten to death."

"I know, but none of this would have happened if I hadn't---"

"Don't you dare start blaming yourself again for anything," Blue interrupted, then decided to change the subject. "Unaru and Nikita are here."

"Really?" Ryooshi smiled.

"Yup," Blue nodded. "They'll want to see you too."

"And Tsume?" Ryooshi wondered. "He's there too, right? I mean, he wants to see me too, right?"

"Of course, silly," Blue smiled. "I just thought I'd come in here first so you didn't strain yourself too much."

"Oh, you don't have to worry about that," Ryooshi assured her. "The Shaman here says that with each visit, my strength will grow. That's why the Chief is letting you in one at a time."

Blue nodded in understanding and leaned forward to suggest, "Maybe we should send Tsume in last then, so that you're in tip-top shape when you see him?"

"He'll get mad," Ryooshi guessed.

"I'm sure once I explain the situation, he'll calm down and see reason," Blue smiled, slyly. "In the mean time, I'll send in Hige, ok? He'll cheer you up, I'm sure."

"Thanks, Blue," Ryooshi smiled, and the other she-wolf could see the Shaman was right, her strength was getting better.

Blue stood and ducked out of the tent to be instantly bombarded by the rest of them asking how she was, how she looked, and who she wanted to see next.

"Hige," Blue replied to the last question mentioned, and Tsume was near to bursting into flames. Hige pulled back the tent entrance as Blue began to explain the situation to Tsume, and Ryooshi smiled as he walked in.

"Hey, there, Crazy," he joked with his crooked smile and plopped down next to her, making her giggle. "How ya feeling?"

"Better," she smiled, with a nod. "I knew you guys would come for me, even though I didn't want you to."

"You didn't want us to?" Hige echoed. "Why the hell not?"

"Because, I thought I wouldn't belong," she replied and wasn't surprised at all when Hige rolled his eyes. "I know, you're gonna tell me to stop feeling sorry for myself, and I have. I used the past tense. I'm glad you guys came for me."

"Well, we didn't need much convincing," Hige smirked. "Especially Tsume. He wanted to go after you as soon as you were out of sight."

"Were you all mad at me for doing what I did?" she wondered, slowly trying to sit up.

"Are you kidding?" Hige scoffed, helping her sit up. "We all knew why you did it. I, personally, didn't understand why you didn't let us all get shot rather than go back to that hell. Then I realized that what you did was actually really brave."

"Brave, huh?" Ryooshi scoffed, sitting up and twiddling her thumbs. "Thanks, I guess."

"You're welcome," Hige grinned, patting her hands. "I better let you see the others. Who do you wanna see next?"

"Could you send in Kiba next?" she wondered. "I don't think I'm ready for the others just yet."

"I get it," Hige replied. "I'll send him in. Tsume's itching to see you."

"I know," Ryooshi nodded. "I hope he's not too upset."

"I uses I'll find out," Hige chuckled, making Ryooshi laugh, softly.

Hige headed out of the tent and looked to Kiba, and without saying a word, nodded to the tent. Kiba nodded and headed toward the entrance as Tsume and the others now sat again. Tsume had his arms crossed over his chest and tapped one of his fingers on his arm, impatiently as Kiba entered the tent.

"Are you alright, Ryooshi?" was his first question as he sat at her side and she nodded, definitely. "You seem to be getting better very quickly."

"I am," she nodded. "I hope rescuing me wasn't too much trouble."

"Why would you think that?" Kiba wondered.

"I've been nothing but trouble for you guys since we met!" Ryooshi guessed.

"No you haven't," Kiba protested, gently. "If it weren't for you, I don't think the rest of us would have even tried to get our memories back. You had a big hand in helping us with that."

"Yeah, right," she scoffed, casting her eyes down and twiddling her thumbs again. "I talked Toboe into going ahead and trying to find you guys. And what happened after you all got your memories back? The Wolf Hunters showed up, and we had to leave the city. Toboe had to leave Liona and you had to leave Cheza. Then the Wolf Hunters came after us, took me away and you guys came and rescued me, risking your lives."

"I told you, Ryooshi," Kiba reminded her, "you're part of our pack. We don't leave one of the pack behind."

Ryooshi nodded mutely, still twiddling her thumbs.

"Tsume cares a lot about you," he assured her. "If he thought you were trouble, he wouldn't have gone after you."

"Hige told me he wanted to leave right away," Ryooshi chuckled then sighed and confessed, "I care about him too, more than he probably realizes."

"Don't tell me about it," Kiba smirked. "It's not me who needs to hear it."

"I know," Ryooshi retorted, smiling a little wider.

"Who do you want to see next?" he wondered.

"I think I'm ready for Nikita, now," she smiled, cheerfully. "He's probably almost as worried about me as Tsume."

Kiba nodded and stood to exit the tent. He stepped toward Nikita and said, "She'd like to see you next."

"Are you kidding me?!" Tsume snarled, ready to stand up but Blue placed a hand on his shoulder he flopped back down with another growl as Nikita entered the tent. He hurried to Ryooshi's side and she giggled as he leaned on all fours toward her.

"Are you ok?" he hoped, examining her closely.

"I'm fine now," she giggled, pushing him away from being so close. "Sit back and relax, already will you?"

He did as she told him and scooted closer to her as she still sat up.

"Why were so beat up?" he wondered. "Did you disobey Keiji?"

"Hell yes," Ryooshi scoffed. "Bastard wanted to breed me! You think I'm gonna let that happen when I'm in love with someone else?!"

"You're…in love with someone?" Nikita breathed in astonishment and Ryooshi felt herself blush as she cast her eyes down and twiddling her thumbs again.

"Yes," she mumbled.

"Who?" he couldn't help but ask and Ryooshi felt her blush flare up a bit more.

"Tsume," she mumbled again and Nikita stared at her with wide eyes, then sat back, giving a little pout. Ryooshi frowned and looked up at him when he didn't say anything. He didn't look at her, he just sat there for a moment without saying anything and she knew right away why he wasn't talking.

"Oh, god, Nick," she breathed. "You don't…have feelings for me…do you?"

"Well, I did," he admitted, not looking at her. "But then when you escaped and I didn't see you I kind of…got over you. Then when we saw each other at HQ again I started remembering those feelings and…"

"I didn't mean to make you feel bad, Nikita, you know that, right?" she hoped when he trailed off.

"I know," he nodded, waving it off and pretending like it was nothing. "But Tsume seems like a…protective sort of guy. You're in good hands, and that's all that matters."

"You're not angry, are you?" she hoped.

"No," he smiled, finally looking up at her. "How could I be mad at you for this? You didn't even know."

"I know, but I still feel bad," she mumbled, bowing her head a little. He reached over and tilted her head a bit to look her in the eye.

"Don't feel bad," he said, still smiling. "I'm fine, see?" He placed one of her hands over his heart. "It's still beating."

Ryooshi giggled and nodded as he lowered her hand.

"Now, who do you wanna see next?" he asked.

"Unaru?" she wondered and he nodded, but before he stood, she gripped the hand he'd been holding. He frowned and she beckoned him closer. His frowned deepened as he leaned closer to her and she pulled him into a hug which he hesitantly returned.

"You're the best, Nick," she whispered before he pulled away and he nodded again as he stood and headed out of the tent.

"She wants to see you, Unaru," he called and she nodded, placing a kiss on Toboe's cheek before standing and heading toward the tent entrance.

"I'm getting really sick of this," Tsume muttered and Toboe patted the older wolf's shoulder as Unaru walked into the tent.

"Heya, Ryooshi," she grinned, stepping up next to her and plopping next to her.

"Thank you, Unaru," Ryooshi said, immediately. "I knew you'd find him. Thank you for your help."

"It was nothing," Unaru laughed, waving it off then leaned toward her with wide eyes and asked, "They didn't breed you, did they?!"

"No," Ryooshi smiled, shaking her head. "They just beat me up for being disobedient."

"Well, that's a relief, I guess," Unaru nodded. "It is, right?"

"It is," Ryooshi confirmed, nodding. "I wouldn't want to have a litter with anyone other than the one I love."

"I'm gonna take a wild guess and say that's Tsume?" Unaru smirked and Ryooshi grinned with a nod, unable to feel shy for her feelings toward him anymore. "I have to say, he seems a little mean. Other than saving your life and all, he was mean to me the whole time I was leading him to HQ!"

"Yeah," Ryooshi nodded. "That's sounds about right."

"What do you see in him?" Unaru wondered. "Personally, I'd like somebody adorable and sweet, like Toboe."

She gasped and threw her hands over her mouth as she and Ryooshi shot wide-eyed gazes at each other.

"You like Toboe?!" Ryooshi whispered, grinning.

"W-Well…" Unaru breathed, lowering her hands from her mouth. "Y-Yeah, I do."

"That's great!" Ryooshi smiled, taking Unaru's hands in hers. "He needs somebody to cheer him up right now. He's been feeling down since we had to leave the city and he had to leave his master behind. I don't think he could ask for a better girl than you!"

"You don't even really know me," Unaru reminded her. "How can you tell what kind of girl I am?"

"I can tell these things," Ryooshi assured her. "Trust me, you're just what he needs. You cheered me up a little back at HQ."

"I did?" Unaru smiled, hopefully and Ryooshi smiled with another nod. "Good. That's my goal in life: To cheer everyone up when they're down."

"Well, here's your chance to do it again," Ryooshi smiled. "He needs it."

"Gotcha," Unaru grinned with a wink and a thumbs-up. "You want me to send in Toboe or Tsume next?"

"Tsume's gonna hate me, but send in Toboe next," Ryooshi replied.

"I get it," Unaru nodded in understanding. "You look better already, Ryooshi. I didn't even have to ask how you were, you look so much better!"

"Thanks, Unaru," Ryooshi smiled and the blonde girl stood to head out of the tent.

Tsume stood, but she quickly called out in a sing-song voice, "Oh, Toboe!"

He looked up with wide eyes and she nodded to the tent, telling him he was next. Toboe exchanged a glance with Tsume who glared back at him as he shrugged and headed to the tent entrance. Unaru kissed his cheek as he passed, making him blush and look at her before ducking into the tent.

"H-Hey, Ryooshi," he sputtered, standing in front of the now closed tent entrance, still in shock from Unaru's action.

"Hiya, kid," Ryooshi smiled, knowingly. He finally stepped closer and sat next to her.

"Are you ok now?" Toboe hoped. "You look a lot better."

"Unaru said the same thing," Ryooshi smiled. "I am feeling better." Toboe bowed his head, making her frown at him in wonder and ask, "What's wrong?"

"It's my fault," he mumbled. "If I had kept you with the villagers, you wouldn't have---"

"Don't you dare think that, Toboe," she cut in and he looked up at her with wide eyes. "It's not your fault that I ran off to the others. You did what you were told, and I rebelled. None of this was your fault."

"But---"

"Don't!" Ryooshi snapped, holding up a scolding finger. "Do I look like I blame you for my stupidity?"

Toboe opened his mouth to reply but opted for shaking his head.

"Did Tsume get mad at you?" she wondered, and he only shook his head again. "Well, there you have it! If he didn't react at all, then there's nothing for you to feel guilty about!" Deciding to change the subject she smirked slyly, leaning toward him and murmuring, "Hey, Unaru kissed you before you came in here, didn't she?"

Toboe's eyes shot wide at her as his blush returned and he breathed, "H-How'd you know?!"

"Lucky guess,' Ryooshi shrugged. "You like her?"

Toboe gave a small smile and nodded shyly, saying, "She's honest and a lot like you, Ryooshi."

"Really?" she chuckled. "She seems a little crazier than me, no?"

"Maybe a little," Toboe admitted with a small shrug, still smiling. "She's kind of a flirt, too. At least with me she is. She's not afraid of Tsume at all, either!"

"I'm guessing since she's here, the rest of you didn't mind her, huh?" Ryooshi smiled, adjusting her blanket.

"I didn't mind," he replied. "The others didn't mind either, and Tsume didn't seem to care at all whether she came with us or not. He was just worried about getting help for you here."

"He must be furious out there," she guessed and he nodded. "I'm surprised he hasn't just barged in here himself."

"Every time he tried to, Blue stops him," Toboe reported.

"Well, I guess I've kept him waiting long enough, huh?" she smiled, mischievously. "And I've kept you from Unaru long enough, I'll bet, right?"

Toboe smiled, shyly and Ryooshi only giggled, tousling his hair and making him laugh as well.

"Send in the Big Bad Wolf," Ryooshi smiled and Toboe nodded, but before he turned to get up and leave, he threw his arms around Ryooshi and she returned the hug.

"I'm glad you're back, Ryooshi," he smiled, pulling away again.

"Thanks, Toboe," she smiled back and he stood to leave. Ryooshi frowned when the Shaman stood, having stayed silent through the coming and going visitors, and he headed to the tent entrance as well.

"Shaman," she called and he turned to her. "Thank you, for everything."

He remained quiet, nodded that she was welcome and passed through the tent entrance after Toboe who looked to Tsume.

"She wants to see you now, Tsume," he reported, heading back to Unaru who was sitting on the ground.

"About time!" Tsume growled lowly, marching toward the tent and throwing back the flap of the entrance to step in and stand next to the fire, still lit and stare at her with a burning gaze. She stared back at him with wide, jade eyes and after a moment she burst into a wide, warm smile.

"Hi," she smiled.

"Don't 'hi' me," he snapped, crossing his arms over his chest and staying in his place. "In case you didn't notice I saved your life…again! What the hell kind of person doesn't ask for their savior they've claimed to care for before everyone else?!"

"I called you in last because I knew I'd want to spend a little more time with you than the others," Ryooshi explained, unaffected by his anger. "And I know you saved my life…again."

"Good," he snapped. "Don't you forget it!"

"I won't," she smiled and he stood there for a moment, glaring at her as she only smiled back.

After a moment he sighed in defeat and lowered his arms to his sides as he stepped toward her and sat next to her, leaning on one hand to face her, his legs stretched out in front of him. She smiled at him the entire time.

"You really scared us, you know?" he scolded. "We thought you were dead when you passed out like that."

"I was near it," she admitted. "But the Shaman brought me back."

"What the hell did he do to you in here?" Tsume wondered. "He wouldn't let us in."

"Tsume," she murmured with a smile, inching closer to his face. "If I told you that, I'd have to kill you."

"Very funny," he smirked back, but she stayed where she was, only a few inches from his face. He swallowed before asking the question he was dreading the answer to. "Did they end up…breeding you?"

Ryooshi smiled a little wider, keeping him in suspense by not answering for a second then replied, "No."

Tsume let out a breath he didn't know he was holding rather dramatically, making Ryooshi giggle and he said, "That's good."

A pause passed between them as they stared at each other for a moment. Knowing this was the perfect moment to tell him how she felt, Ryooshi took in a deep, silent breath and prepared to voice her emotions.

"Tsume," she called, meekly and he nodded that she had his attention. "I have to tell you something. Something important, and I won't blame you if you freak out a little, just don't get scared."

"Pfft. Me? Get scared?" he retorted and she gave a little giggle before he asked, "What is it?"

She took in another deep breath and cast her eyes down, thinking if she didn't look at him it would be easier to tell him.

"I…" she tried, but trailed off. Not looking at him was only making it worse! He didn't say anything as he took her chin into his fingers and tilted her face toward his again. Their eyes met, and Ryooshi didn't wait another second before blurting, "I love you."

Tsume scoffed, making her frown. Did he think she wasn't telling the truth? Was he laughing at her for feeling the way she did? That was meaner than mean, even for Tsume.

"You thought that would scare me?" he murmured, suddenly pulling her chin toward his face. "Not by a long-shot. You know why?"

All she could do was shake her head, mutely in her confusion and daze at being so close to kissing him.

"Because I love you too," he admitted in a whisper, and Ryooshi's eyes shot wide before he planted his lips to hers.

Instantly melting into the kiss she slid her hands up his chest and around his neck as he lowered his hand from her chin and settled it on her waist. They pulled away at the same time and she smiled, widely.

"I still owe you a good scratch," he murmured. Ryooshi nodded as he gently pushed her back so that he was leaning over her as she lay on her back.

"Will you stay with me for the rest of the night?" she hoped, breathlessly.

"Sure," he smirked, moving a small strand of dark brown hair from her face. "I planned too anyway, fur-ball."

"I like that nickname," Ryooshi smiled as Tsume slid himself under the blanket and pulled his arms around her.

"I thought you wouldn't like anything," he retorted and Ryooshi gave him a punch in the arm, to which he unenthusiastically muttered, "Ow."

"Just shut up and pet me," she smirked and he smirked back, lifting a hand to scratch under her chin. She sighed in contentment then asked, "Now can I call you fluffy?"

"No," Tsume replied, instantly, making her giggle.

"Fine," she sighed. "You're just no fun."

"Shut up and let me pet you," Tsume muttered and she did until she fell asleep to the feel of his touch.

A/N: yeah, talk and some fluff. ok, maybe a lot of fluff. i couldn't help it! Tsume needs a tender, sweet side! just a little bit of a tender, sweet side. he's still moody, broody Tsume, though. anyway, reviews?