Oh dear, I'm almost done posting my story. Only four more chapters left.

Chapter 41

Everyone applauded as Lindow and Sakuya entered the Dance floor we rented out from one of the hotels in the city as husband and wife. The Ceremony was an interesting experience. To mark your mate not directly but with an object to symbolize your bonding together and placed on each others body. Making one not dominate over the other, but equals. But we all know that Sakuya is the dominate one of the mates.

Everyone looked so nice. All the men from the Den were dressed up in suits that looked good on them. And the girls had on lovely dresses ranging from long to short and all colors of the rainbow. Even I was forced to put on a one strap green dress that went to my ankles and damn sandal-like high heels given to me by Alisa. Well, a promise is a promise.

But Sakuya looked the most beautiful. She was so happy as she danced, she was radiant. To see her in such a state made all my internal sufferings worth it.

Soon others began to enter the dance floor as the bride-and-groom dance ended. Alisa, who Saki told was the 'Maid of Honor' walked on the dance floor with, who Saki said was called the 'Best Man,' Kota. I knew why Sakuya chose Alisa as her Maid of Honor since they've been through so much, but why did Lindow choose Kota? When I asked Lindow why, he said cause he thought Alisa and Kota would look cute together and the fact Kota will throw a better bachelor party than Soma.

Soma... He looked good with his hood down, or in this case off. His hair shined with the halls light, leaving all the girls with fluttering hearts. He was one of Lindow's 'groom's men' along with being my partner for the wedding. Looking at me he reached a hand out.

"May I have this dance?" I blushed at the jester.

"O-of course, you'll have to forgive me. I'm still learning so I won't be as graceful as the other girls."

As soon as I took his hand he led me onto the dance floor and pulled me into his embrace.

"Then just follow my lead." He said to me, pulling back a little to place a hand on my waist while the other clinched in mine. With my free hand I held on to his upper arm as he lead us in a waltz. My footing was off at first, occasional he would tighten his grip to stop me from tripping. But after a while I got the feel for it and began to enjoy the experience more.

"That dress..." Soma said, not having to look too far down at me due to the high heels as we continued to dance.

"Alisa gave it to me. She said it matches my eyes."

"She was right... You look beautiful." The way he said those words smothered me. I felt like my face was on fire.

"T-thank you. You look good too. You should show that pretty head of yours more often."

"Mph, keep dreaming."

"Okay, I will."

"Idiot, you're not suppose to admit that!" I tilted my head at this.

"Why not?" He just sweat dropped and lowered his head.

"Ugh, nevermind." Recovering he looked back at me. "So how are you enjoying your first experience at a wedding?"

"It's... very magical... and warm."

"Do you favor this way of bonding more than the Aragami way?"

"I admit the human way is more peaceful, but the Aragami way is still beautiful in my eyes. I was raised on that way, so to be honest... I like them both."

"I see..."

"Tell me, Soma. What happens after this 'Reception'?"

"Well after this the party's over and the bride and groom head off to their Honeymoon."

"Honeymoon? Is that..." Soma blushed at that and turned his head away.

"It's the same thing that probably happens after the marking."

"Ah... the physical bonding. So I take it the wedding will be over after this?"

"Yeah," I closed my eyes and took a deep breath before opening them again.

"It seems that I'll have my work cut out for me... Soma, I left something in your room. When this is over go check it out."

"You went into my room?!"

"It wouldn't be the first time and my room's always open to you."

"... Just shut up and dance."

****** Veteran's Floor ******

Man, that Reception was long, I'm beat. For some reason I didn't want to stop dancing with Okami. I felt like if I let go... she would disappear.

Still it felt good having that she-wolf so close to me. It made me wish to have that body under- wait, I have to stop this! This is crazy, I can't keep feeling like this. Ugh, I think I'll just lye down for now and clear my mind.

What the hell is that on my bed? Is that a... a mask? It's a Fallen Ogretail mask... this is Okami's. No way.

I ran out of my room to hers not even caring to knock as I thrust the door open. The lights were off, she wasn't there. And judging by the smell in the air she's been gone for a while. Looking around her room, I noticed a note on her bed. Walking over I picked it up to read it.

Soma,

The fact that you found this note means you found mother's mask on the bed. I'll only say this once... don't panic. Don't call out a search party and don't be mad at me. I'm going home for a while, I wish to visit my brothers and herd and also... take care of some family business. I'll be gone for a while, it might take a while. Maybe a week, maybe a month, I don't know. But know that I will be gone for a month at most, until then take care of mother for me.

Okami

Why... why is she always going off on her own? Then again... it's in her nature. She's a wild force that can't be contained, free with a will of her own. The untameable character... that I fell in love with.

****** Almost a month later ******

What's taking her so long, my patience is running thin. I want her back and I want her back now. So what if I cracked in the end, I did a pretty damn good job holding up until then.

The first week wasn't that bad, the others found out about her 'vacation' and began to worry until they realized she took her God Arc... and apparently all of her recovery items and New Type Aragami salvaged parts from her storage. She talked about wanting to bring some parts to her brothers, but we didn't think she'd take all of them. And the better question was how in the world did she carry all of them out of here in the time given to her after the Reception? Did she carry them in a large bag on her shoulder like Santa?

Either way HQ was not pleased about her whole 'vacation' time off or the fact it would be a month long. They got more upset when Doc refused to call her back or track her down with her armlet. He stood his ground, saying it was in her right to use up her day-off time that she hadn't used all in one swoop and that she'd come back when her vacation time was OFFICIALLY over. I got to admit, I have more respect for the Doc for that.

Sakuya and Lindow came back by the end of the first week. Sakuya began to worry at the fact that Okami had already been gone for a week and made no attempt to contact the Den since then. But Lindow had a knowing look, but then again he probably did know what she was up to since they've been in each others head. But he would say nothing, only telling Sakuya to relax and that she would be fine.

The second week began to weigh down on me. I was bored and I was starting to miss her. All we've been having to encounter were weak Aragami for the pass two weeks. When we asked Hibari she said apparently all the Arda Nova, Fallen Arda Nova, Tsukuyomi, Sariel, Fallen Sariel, Aether, and the occasional Hannibal, Fallen Ouroboros, Zeus, and Amaterasu have been taken down by Okami before they could get a team to respond. The Doc wouldn't use her armlet signal to track her down, but that didn't count when she entered Aragami infested areas.

Hibari also said that her signal was always followed by two Aragami signals. This woman is beyond me, only God knows what goes on in that insufferable woman's mind.

The third week was madness, I couldn't stop thinking about her. I dreamed about her, only to wake up and realize she wasn't in my reach. I missed her. I longed to see her and those damn lively green eyes. It got to the point I'd run off to areas, after my missions, where reported Fallen Arda Nova were spotted. But in the end the Aragami would be dead, core extracted, and she would be gone. My only solace at night was holding her mask as I slept, she's had it with her for so long that her scent was permanently attached to it. It would soothe me and my inner Aragami to awaken with her scent so close after having another dream about her.

The fourth week gave rise to hope, knowing that she would be back soon. By the end of the week everyone was excited at the prospect of her return. Although, that excitement was slightly dwindled when HQ sent its Director to our Branch to ensure her return at the appointed time. If she were a day late, even a minute, from the appointed time she would be deemed as AWAL and a search party would be sent out for her. Eventually her armlet signal will be tracked down and she would be put to trial. But since most at HQ were skeptical of her the trial would most likely not be fair. They'd probably make it were she'd never be able to go anywhere on her own.

After all, she was a 'BEAST' in their eyes. Raised by Aragami, she'd turn on mankind at anytime giving into her wild instinct. They'd always see her as that no matter how many lives she's saved, that will never be taken into account.

****** The next day ******

Today was the appointed day of Okami's return. She had until noon to get to the Den or else she was considered AWAL. Everyone had gathered in the Entrance, waiting for the mission elevator doors to open. It was already 11:45 and that guy from HQ was just itching to give out the sentence and not a second later. But he wasn't just anybody, he was Garland von Schicksal... my uncle. He looked just like a younger version of my old man but with an eye patch and longer hair that reached passed his shoulders. And if he was anything like my old man he would be manipulative and calculative.

Damn it all, why does she always do this? Making us worry until the last second, she's starting to almost be as bad as Lindow.

"Why hello Soma. It's been a long time." He said addressing me. "My how you've grown since the last time I've seen you. To think you once barely even reached up to my chest."

"Don't get so familiar with me. You're as much of a manipulative bastard as my father use to be."

"Ah yes. My older brother... I weep for his lost and the son he left behind. But I didn't come here for personal visits. I have official Fenrir business to take care of with Beast."

"Don't call her that you bastard!"

"My my my, Soma. Do I detect a hint of fondness in your voice. How unlike you."

"We've detected her signal. Okami has just entered the Den." Announced Hibari.

Hmph, so she made it in time. And with company too I could sense. I have a good idea who two of them are, but who was the third?

"Ah, so she has returned on schedule." Uncle said disappointed. "Pity, I was looking forward to tracking her down and caging her like the animal she is. It would have been lovely to see the legendary BEAST bare its fangs."

"Don't talk about her like that you piece of trash." I growled at him. I must still have my touch since he flinched a little in surprise but quickly gathered himself and grinned at my reaction.

"My good sir. May I remind you that you are a guest in my Branch and I'd appreciate it if you didn't make such ghastly comments about my God Eaters." Doc said with a never before seen icy stare which quickly faded back to his cheerful grin. "You needn't worry. Okami has been a loyal member to this Branch since she arrived and would return on her own without any trouble. Besides, I think this is just the result of her personal plan coming to greet us with her."

"And what plans are they?" Asked Garland with amused curiosity.

But the Doc didn't have a chance to answer him since the mission elevator doors opened. Out came a two young boys, by the looks of it they were 12 in age, both with skin as white as porcelain. Both were ragged with only the shredded cloth of a black Fenrir flag to cover their bottom half and another shredded Fenrir flag to act as a cap/shawl to their top. Their nails were long and pointed almost like claws. And the hint of muscle could be detected on their developing slight bodies from what could be seen.

One had a stone-like calmness expressed on his face as he exited the elevator with his arms crossed. His hair was white as snow and spiky with a length that barely touched his shoulder. What got me was his familiar crimson eyes, his pupils had the slit of Aragami eyes.

The other seemed more curious and awestruck as he looked around the Den, soaking everything in excitedly. He had a more happy complexion compared to the other one. His hair was white also, but straight and long, coming to a stop at the middle of his back. The bangs that covered his forehead were calm and laid flat on his head while the others was wild and spiked. His eyes were Aragami-like and yellow.

Ignoring the expressions they both had similar faces, almost like twins. Same small noses, same mouths, same medium sized grayish-white eyebrows. And even the same facial shape that was still in the process of losing all its baby fat.

After that came the woman that's been plaguing my mind for the past month, Okami. She too sported a ragged Fenrir flag outfit. Hers was a white flag, her bottom cloth was longer and acted more like a skirt than the boys'. Her top was only covered by wrappings of the flag around her chest, almost giving her a tribal-like style. It made her look exotically beautiful.

But what came out with her shocked us all. It was a wolf-like Aragami that didn't even reach pass her waist in height, a large feather hung as an ornament in a cloth wrapped strand of its long fur, while the boys barely made it up to her chest. My God, was that... a Marduk?!

She looked around and giggled, "I'm baaaccck."