Koda was purring and nuzzling Ichigo's mark, after the show of dominance Koda was relax and Ichigo was slightly annoyed, because he couldn't sink his fangs and claws into the other beta but okay with how things happened. Koda lick the mark and sat up completely his gaze was soft and lazy as it raked over Ichigo's face. Koda was about to nuzzle the beta again when his attention was snapped to the left; he sniffed the air and growl.
"Ichigo, go back to the community get Ishida and Szayel inside Stark's house and lock yourself inside our cabin. Tell Sado to stand guard and warn the alphas to be on high alert." Koda said with no emotion, Ichigo was puzzled he was about to make a comment about it when Koda growled. "Go!"
Ichigo scrambled to his feet and did as he was told. Koda shook his head and followed his nose deeper into the forest. When he came across a clearing he had to contain his growl. Four poachers had a slim white tiger surrounded, the tiger was beautiful to Koda and the scent was intoxicating. Koda slowly lowered himself down and crept around so he was behind the tiger and jumped over the tiger and attacked the poachers, Koda knew his instincts were showing off for this unknown unmarked beta but he didn't care a white tiger was in trouble, and poachers were not welcome in his forest. Koda maimed all of the poachers and sent them all out of the forest. The white tiger changed into his human form and was a built man with a baldhead and white tiger ears atop his head and a tail behind him. The man was wearing a tight white shirt with black shorts that went passed his knees. Koda shifted back into his form and towered over the small man.
"I suggest you come back to my village. My betas will take care of you. And you will have my full protection." Koda said, the unmarked beta raised an eyebrow and scowled.
"I don't need your protection." The beta growled. Koda rolled his eyes and gripped the back of the beta's neck pulling him to follow him, the beta struggling the whole way.
Koda pulled the beta into the middle of his little community and shouted. "Every to the circle now!"
Ichigo was the first on out in the middle followed by Ggio, and then Shuhei and then the alphas then the betas with their cubs. Ichigo stopped running when he saw the beta struggling against his alpha. Ichigo growled.
"NO! I refuse to give you to another incapable beta!" Ichigo shouted at the top of his lungs. "It's bad enough you have that one, who refuses to act like a pack beta. Now you bring in another!" Ichigo said pointing back to Shuhei who froze. The struggling beta stopped and looked at Ichigo.
"Ichigo. This beta is under my protection and will be treated as such. As you can see he is unmarked. Wondering around in the woods would be stupid for an unmarked beta. He stays here. Any harm that comes to him will be followed by consequences do not test my patience Ichigo." Koda growled out, all the betas shrank. "Introduce yourself."
The unmarked bate stumbled forward a little and stood tall. "My name is Ikkaku Madarame. And as you all can tell I am unmarked."
Ichigo crossed his arms and Shuhei huffed. Koda rolled his eyes at his betas and pushed Ikkaku towards his cabin. Ichigo growled and stopped Ikkaku from taking another step towards the cabin.
"He dose not stay in my cabin." Ichigo growled. Koda squared his shoulders, Ichigo followed suit.
"Don't defy me Ichigo." Koda said quietly. Ichigo puffed out his chest and stood his ground. Koda growled lowly, Ikkaku pushed against Ichigo. Ichigo pushed back snarling, Koda grabbed Ichigo and growled right in his face. Ikkaku was shoved forward by Koda's free hand but stopped by Shuhei.
"I agree with Ichigo-dono. I don't want another beta around." Shuhei said. Ulquiorra grabbed Ggio and ran to the other alphas. Koda and Ichigo looked at Shuhei.
"Please it's clear you have no standing in this pack." Ikkaku scoffed crossing his arms. Shuhei bristled.
"I am the mother of the cub of this pack's alpha." Shuhei growled.
"Anyone can bare a child." Ikkaku growled, Shuhei pounced and the fight began. Ichigo tried to break free from Koda but Koda tightened his grip while staring at the two betas. Ichigo understood, however that does not mean he was happy about it. This unmarked beta is up for grabs and he has a sinking feeling his alpha wanted to snatch him. Ichigo could tell by the way Koda was watching the two betas. Ichigo growled lowly in his chest. Shuhei better win this fight or there will be a third beta.
X
Ikkaku finally pined Shuhei with his teeth holding Shuhei's jugular. Shuhei went still. Koda grinned and released Ichigo. Ichigo crossed his arms; the other betas couldn't bite back their smiles. Shuhei is still the lowest in the pack. Ichigo turned and glared at the grinning betas, they shrunk behind their respective alphas. Koda grabbed Ikkaku and separated Shuhei and Ikkaku. Ikkaku was grinning madly and Shuhei was glaring. Ichigo smacked Shuhei on the back of the head, and growled deep in his chest. Shuhei shrunk under the growl and looked to his alpha. Shuhei was pissed! His alpha didn't even spare him a glance; Koda was wrapped up with the unmarked beta that wasn't giving the pack alpha the time of day. Ichigo noticed the glare on his co-beta's face and stopped growling when the glare was not directed to him. Ichigo opened his mouth to complain about the doting attention when he froze.
"KODA!" Ichigo yelled, he grabbed Ggio and ran towards the cabin. Shuhei follow after him unaware of what was going on but knew Ichigo was not begging for attention. Koda looked towards Ichigo and followed him with his gaze as Ichigo ran to the cabin. That's when Koda smelt it.
"That bastard." Koda whispered, as he pushed Ikkaku towards the cab
"I'm not going to submit to you!" Ikkaku yelled, Koda gave a pointed look and pushed him again. Ulquiorra quickly noticed the approaching Alpha and ran over to Ikkaku before Grimmjow could grab him.
"Ikkaku-san you don't understand, you need to go into the cabin. It's for your protection." Ulquiorra said grabbing Ikkaku's arm and pulled him towards the cabin's door, Grimmjow knew better then to trespass and yelled at Ulquiorra.
"Ulquiorra! What about your safety? I can't protect you while you are in Koda's domain." Grimmjow yelled holding Nel with one arm.
"I'll be fine Grimm, take Nel home." Ulquiorra offered over his shoulder still trying to pull the unmarked beta into the cabin. Grimmjow growled but picked up Nel and ran to his cabin. Ulquiorra over powered Ikkaku and shoved him through the door of the pack alpha's cabin following behind and shutting the door. Ulquiorra turned around and was shoved against the door with Ichigo growling in his face.
"What the hell did you do?" Ichigo growled, Ulquiorra looked down but responded anyways.
"The beta needs protection and you know it, Ichigo-dono." Ulquiorra said. Ichigo let go of Ulquiorra and turned around to the unmarked beta.
"So." Ichigo said, Ikkaku squared up to him.
"So what?" Ikkaku started Shuhei took Ggio upstairs before Ichigo could respond.
"What is your story?" Ichigo asked taking a step towards Ikkaku. Ikkaku instinctively stepped back.
"What story?" Ikkaku asked with hate laced in his voice. Ulquiorra tilted his head and looked from Ichigo to Ikkaku.
"You know, don't play daft." Ichigo growled and pointed. Ikkaku shrugged and raised his hand and dropped them again. Shuhei trotted down the stairs but stopped at Ichigo's next words. "Why are you not marked?"
The room was silent.
X
Koda was walking through the woods following the scent that had Ichigo in such a panic. Koda knew a lot about Ichigo, he isn't scared of a lot but there are a few things he is scared of. This scent belongs to something that stirs Ichigo's insides, and opens old wounds for Koda. Shuhei and the pack don't know how much this scent has done but know enough not to question the instincts of the pack alpha and pack beta.
Koda stopped walking when he reached creek and on the other side was a brute of a man with black-striped ears atop his head.
"I do hope you know what happens if you step into my territory, brother." Koda smirked and placed his hands in his pockets. The brute across the stream gave a large grin.
X
"Well, out with it." Ichigo pressed, the unmarked beta looked away from Ichigo to Ulquiorra to Shuhei.
"Why should I tell you?" Ikkaku growled. Ichigo pounced and pinned Ikkaku down with claws out and poking into Ikkaku's jugular.
"Because I am the top beta around here and I will not have my authority tested by a useless unmarked, pack less, wondering pathetic beta." Ichigo growled in Ikkaku's face, Ulquiorra moved to help but Shuhei stopped him by gripping his wrist.
"Fine." Ikkaku gasped out. Ichigo stood and allowed Ikkaku to stand. Ulquiorra relaxed but Shuhei kept his grip. "For your information I am not without a pack."
"Oh yeah? Then why were you wondering alone? Because Koda would never steal a beta from a pack." Ichigo spat.
"Our pack has been the target of many hunting parties. We aren't actually house trained." Ikkaku started, Ichigo motioned for him to go on. Ikkaku huffed and Ulquiorra smirked. This is why Ichigo was the dono, he always gets what he wants. "The pack alpha and I decided it would be best if I remained unmark. That way if either fell to the hunters the other could continue on."
"Doesn't sound like a confident alpha." Shuhei scoffed, Ikkaku snapped his attention to the beta a growled.
"Have you forgotten already? I beat you so I would shut your trap before I decide to finish the job." Ikkaku growled out, Ulquiorra stood up straighter and Ichigo smirked and raised a hand to Ulquiorra.
"So why are you alone now?" Ichigo asked smugness in his voice. Ikkaku turned his attention to Ichigo.
"Why you so smug?" Ikkaku asked. Ichigo chuckled.
"Shuhei is the alpha's beta but he is the lowest in our rankings. It simply amuses me that you, an unmarked outsider, can put him into place." Ichigo said with light tone. "Now answer my question." Ichigo said in a heavier more dangerous tone. Ikkaku took a step back at the power display and looked away. Ikkaku saw the raw power in Ichigo, and why he was so easily the top beta.
"The hunting party found our den and smoked us out. My pack was separated and me away from the alpha. Some hunters caught sight of me and gave chase. Sending me into your territory-" Ikkaku was interrupted by Shuhei.
"You mean Koda's territory." Shuhei growled. Ikkaku froze and looked over to Shuhei.
"It's every bit his, as the alpha's mate." Ikkaku growled.
"Then it is mine to." Shuhei said puffing out his chest. Ichigo chuckled and Ikkaku turned his full body to the bottom beta.
"You're just a cub with a cub. Like I said before anyone can bare a cub." Ikkaku said, Ichigo stepped forward and Shuhei growled at Ikkaku.
"Back to our conversation." Ichigo said pulling Ikkaku's attention back to Ichigo. "Then why are you here now?"
"Your so powerful mate dragged me here against my consent." Ikkaku said and Ichigo stilled. Ulquiorra titled his head.
"Ichigo-dono?" Ulquiorra questioned snapping Ikkaku's and Shuhei's attention to him.
"What did you say your alpha's name was?" Ichigo breathed out.
"I didn't." Ichigo growled furiously. "but his name is Kenpachi."
Ichigo and Ulquiorra stood frozen. Shuhei tilted his head and glanced between his pack betas and the unmarked beta.
"I don't understand, who is Kenpachi?" Shuhei asked.
"Of course you wouldn't know. You were brought in after." Ulquiorra said slightly shaken.
"What does that-" Shuhei started but was cut off by Ichigo.
"Kenpachi is Koda's older brother." Ichigo said, Shuhei and Ikkaku looked confused.
X
The brute stared across the stream at the slightly smaller male. Koda stood taller and the brute laughed at the attempt to be more dominant.
"You haven't changed one bit Koda." The brute chuckled. "Still a cub trying to play alpha."
Koda growled lowly but loud enough for the brute across the stream to hear it clearly.
"You are close to stepping into my territory Kenpachi." Koda said. Thunder cracked above them.
"You have a territory? Did you find a sick elder alpha close to death and kill him for it?" Kenpachi laughed. Koda stood his ground and didn't move.
"I conquered this land with my own claws and I have a fit pack to keep it mine. Hunt elsewhere." Koda said evenly with no emotion.
"Not looking for food. You see, it seems I've misplaced one of my betas." Kenpachi said. The wind was picking up making the two shout to be heard.
"Ichigo was never yours." Koda growled loudly. Kenpachi laughed.
"How is the fiery beta you don't deserve? Still to much of a busy body to conceive? Or has he run off cause you cant sire him a child?" Kenpachi asked with a wide smirk. Koda growled again and hissed. "Never mind. That is not the information I require. A white tiger ran into your territory and I would like him back."
"The unmarked beta." Koda said. Kenpachi's hearing picked up the whisper through the wind.
"Aw, so you have seen him. A beaut isn't he?" Kenpachi chuckled, lightening jumped between the clouds and the rain began to pour down in buckets. Kenpachi stopped chuckling and turned serious. "My beta please."
X
"No, no. Kenpachi doesn't have a brother." Ikkaku said flatly. Ichigo scoffed and walked up to Ikkaku.
"Sorry to inform you but Kenpachi has a younger brother, and that younger brother is this pack's alpha." Ichigo growled.
"Why did the pack react the way they did?" Shuhei asked just as clueless as Ikkaku. Ulquiorra couldn't help but think how pathetic it was the Shuhei knew as much as and outsider did.
"Cause I can smell Kenpachi miles away. His scent as been haunting me for years." Ichigo said slightly breaking down little by little. Ikkaku perked up.
"What has Kenpachi ever done to you?" Ikkaku asked lowly. He understood Ichigo was heading to a dark place and did not want to be in the fire of the place.
"Ichigo you don't have to tell them. Koda would want you comfortable and calm with Kenpachi so close by." Ulquiorra said walking to Ichigo's side. Shuhei stepped closer with a spectacle look.
"No I think our new friend here should know what has happened in his unmarked alpha." Ichigo said to Ulquiorra who backed away a couple steps. "Tell me Ikkaku does Kenpachi still have a scar going down the left side of his face?"
"How could you possibly know that?" Ikkaku asked.
"Because I was the one to inflict it on him." Ichigo said staring out the window watching the community become flooded. Ikkaku titled his head and remained quite thinking. "He hasn't told you?" Ichigo chuckled.
"No, I just can't recall how he got it." Ikkaku snapped back. Ichigo looked over his shoulder at the three other betas.
"Well sit down, you are about to hear about it." Ichigo said motioning to the couch. "You should hear it to Shuhei. That way you can know why you will never out beta me." Ichigo smirked at the young beta and at how Shuhei stumble to the couch. Ulquiorra went to the door to listen for intruders, this was the dono's story and only those welcome can hear. Ulquiorra may not be the second in command via strength but he knows Ichigo better then anyone.
X
"Go ahead. Step across the creek, give me a reason to rip you to shreds." Koda growled crouching down. Kenpachi chuckled.
"I have no intentions of fighting you brother, I simply want my beta. Ichigo or the unmarked one, either will work." Kenpachi said with a straight face.
"Come back at dawn. I'll have your beta waiting here for you." Koda said turning towards his home.
"Very well brother. See you at dawn." Kenpachi said turning away from the creek.
X
"I was once like you Ikkaku. Young, wild and I never wanted to be tied down to any alpha. I thought I was stronger then every alpha I came across, including Kenpachi. The first time I fought him was somewhat of a fluke, I used my surroundings not strength to bring him down. He never accepted it and kept coming to claim me again and again. I beat him every time of course." Ichigo started, Ikkaku shook his head and raised a hand.
"That doesn't make any sense. How can a beta beat an alpha?" Ikkaku asked.
"Certainly not with brute strength." Shuhei piped in. Ichigo glared at Shuhei.
"It took me a lot of strength to knock him out long enough to run and find a new hiding spot. Almost always I would leave these fights with wounds and completely batter up. One time I stopped at lake to heal myself, little to my knowledge an alpha was present."
"Kenpachi." Shuhei said knowingly. Ikkaku snapped his attention to Shuhei. Shuhei was staring at Ichigo. Ulquiorra shook his head at the dumb young beta.
"Shuhei you once asked me how I met Koda." Ichigo said looking at Ulquiorra.
"Yes I remember that was the first time you showed your dominant side to me and towards me." Shuhei said. "But what does that have to do with anything?"
"Koda was the alpha that was at the lake." Ichigo said. Ikkaku looked back at Ichigo.
"What does this have to do with the story?" Ikkaku asked holding a hand up.
"Koda helped me heal some wounds with that magical spit of his and I fell in love with him. I knew Koda wasn't the strongest alpha in the woods but he was kind enough to grow into his power. We were both young and wanted everything but power." Ichigo said looking away from Ulquiorra and the younger betas.
"So you weren't drawn to Koda's power?" Shuhei asked.
"Back then he didn't have much." Ichigo half chuckled. "However getting back on track. Koda and I became great friends and then a little more. He took me to his father's community and Kenpachi was there. When Kenpachi made a pass at me I rejected it flatly and their father didn't quite approve of my choice in his sons. So Kenpachi jumped at me with the intent of marking me. I clawed him down the left side of his face and ran off with Koda. We haven't seen Koda's original pack since." Ichigo said, his eyes were watering at how close he was almost marked unwillingly. "For 2 years Koda and I were on the run from his father's pack. After 2 years we ran into Grimmjow and Ulquiorra, Koda was so on edge about his father's pack he attacked Grimmjow and over powered him with his new found strength. They've been with us ever since. That's when Koda and I agreed to be mated and we marked each other. The others sort of found us and we made this spot ours about 4 years ago. Koda and the other alphas protecting this unclaimed territory as ours." Ichigo finished and wiped away a few stray tears.
"I came 3 years ago. I saw how powerful Koda was when he was hunting and sort of followed him back here." Shuhei said with his head bowed. Shuhei now knew why he would never beat Ichigo. Koda and Ichigo have a true bond not just a power bond like Shuhei and Koda have.
"That's why I despise you Shuhei. You are so wrapped up in how powerful an alpha is you would spread your legs for the strongest of them. The only reason you stay is because you haven't found one stronger then Koda." Ichigo growled, Ikkaku leaned away from the growling pair and looked to Ulquiorra for help. Ulquiorra just shrugged.
"Ichigo, weren't you worried about hunters? Why would you place yourself in such a venerable state?" Ikkaku asked.
"One, Koda and I left humans alone. And two, I wouldn't want to go on without Koda. He gave up his family for me, know I'm all that's left." Ichigo said, Ulquiorra stepped away from the door with hurried steps. The other betas looked at him with puzzled expressions.
Koda pushed open the door, he was dripping wet. Ulquiorra quickly bowed his head. Ichigo stood slowly, Shuhei shrank into the couch Ikkaku sat taller but did not move.
"Ulquiorra, Grimmjow is waiting on the outside of my domain. Go to him." Koda said, his words were sincere but the tone was a command. Ulquiorra left quickly and quietly. "Shuhei would you check on Ggio." It wasn't a question and Shuhei stumbled up the stairs to obey.
"Where's Kenpachi?" Ikkaku asked in a whisper. Ichigo snapped his attention to the unmarked beta and stared. Koda remained silent glancing between to the two betas. Ikkaku wasn't meeting Ichigo's eye and refused to stand. Koda smirked. This is why Ichigo was the alpha beta in his pack. Ichigo takes a challenge and defeats it head on.
"Kenpachi has returned to the hole he crawled out of." Koda said watching the beta carefully. Ikkaku snapped his head up and looked straight at Koda.
"You can't be serious." Ikkaku asked almost hopeless.
"Kenpachi does not give up that easily. He will return. If you know where he went you had a run in which means he knows I'm close by. What did he want?" Ichigo asked, Koda sighed and closed his eyes and tilted his head to the side.
"Observant as ever Ichi." Koda said looking at his beta. Ichigo had his arms crossed and his hip cocked.
"Koda." Ichigo whined. "What did he want?"
"Either you or the unmarked beta." Koda said crossing his arms. Ikkaku jumped up with a smile. Ichigo didn't relax, he knew it wasn't going to be that easy.
"Great! We can't put this all behind us and Kenpachi and I can be on our way." Ikkaku said walking towards the door. Koda growled and Ikkaku stepped back and looked over his shoulder at Ichigo. Ichigo's tail was lashing back and forth.
"Kenpachi just wont over look the fact that I am so close to him." Ichigo said, Ikkaku spun around and growled at the beta.
"Kenpachi doesn't need you." Ikkaku growled. Ichigo growled back and snapped his fangs at Ikkaku.
"Why do you think you were never marked?" Ichigo yelled stepping closer to Ikkaku.
"I told you!" Ikkaku yelled back. Koda was confused, Ikkaku face was bright red and Ichigo's ears were turning red and real sign that Ichigo was pissed.
"Ichigo." Koda growled. Ichigo's eye darted to Koda before glaring back at Ikkaku.
"You were never marked because Kenpachi is still counting on conquering me. If we give you back to Kenpachi now he will know that I dominated you and I'm still the best beta he can find." Ichigo growled out.
"Don't toot your own horn now." Ikkaku grumbled. Ichigo hissed and stepped closer.
"Kenpachi does not care about you. You may have been top beta in your own pack but here you are beneath me. Kenpachi is a power seeking alpha, he will want the most power beta of all." Ichigo growled darkly. "Denying him was a shot at his pride, running away with his kid brother made him insane. This is why you are unmarked."
"Ichi, you are marked now. Kenpachi can't get to you." Koda said softly. Ichigo snapped his attention to the alpha.
"Unless he kills you." Ichigo said with a straight face. Ikkaku stiffened.
"Kenpachi wouldn't do that." Ikkaku mumbled, Ichigo scoffed and cocked a hip at Ikkaku.
"If you are so sure, we will take you back to Kenpachi at dawn and we shall see how the days in." Ichigo turned his gaze to Koda. "The other alphas won't be able to help you defeat Kenpachi when it come to battle over a beta."
With that Ichigo stalked up the stairs and turned to his own room. Koda sighed and ran his hand through his hair and down his face. Ikkaku stiffened when blue eyes narrowed in on him.
"Don't mind Ichigo. He gets really stiff when it comes to safety. Wants to protect everyone." Koda says.
"That's what his name means right?" Ikkaku asked with a tilt of his head.
"You're welcome to the bedroom behind the stairs. I recommend you get some sleep. The storm is to strong for you to find your way back to your pack." Koda said walking up the stairs.
X
Here's the next chapter! Sorry there hasn't been an update. I sort of loss where I was going with story but I found some new inspiration! As always please review! I'll try to post some more updates on other stories to so review your favorite one! And what you think is happening next, its always nice to see what others think!