7

He ran through the forest as quickly as his feet could carry him, his ever sharp eyes scanning the perimeter for any sign of movement, for any hint of his beloved. SNAP! His ears perked up moving any and all directions trying to find just where the sound had come from. North…forty meters…a rabbit. He snarled. That had cost him time! Letting out a large sigh, he closed his eyes, relaxed and took a deep breath taking in all the scents around him.

Southeast twenty meters…a caterpillar.

In the sky sixty meters…a flock of Red Spotted Cranes.

West ten meters…a frog jumped into the pond.

Northwest…three hundred meters…

His eyes shot open. Matthew's scent…a heavy dose to be so far…Narrowing his eyes he ran that way, knowing by the scent markings that it meant Matthew was protecting something precious and nothing, absolutely nothing was more precious than the young virgin Omega. Since that was most likely the case, he would have to be careful. To enter marked territory warranted hostility alone but to enter when there is an omega present warranted instant death. If Matthew was indeed keeping Alfred within the borders of the territory he had claimed, then he would need to present an offering to gain favor. The most appropriate would be a pelt, but he was not trying to impress Matthew no his goal was to win over the Omega's favor. Thus, he would hunt a Stag.

Stags were great beings of the forest. Stags were lovely beasts with pelts soft to the touch that any Omega would love to have in their nest, long legs used to run and jump at astonishing speeds, their antlers commonly made of ivory or metals such as bronze or copper but yet, the best thing about them was the rare Stag that bore golden antlers. They were the true prize for they were the elders, the Stags that lived for over a hundred years. The beasts were not only cunning but quick as well nearly difficult to catch even for a Kitsune such as himself. Though, Kiku was indeed the eldest of his demon kin and so held the great knowledge of how to track and kill one. He had a deep love for the soft, tender and juicy meat when raw but if cooked it was a rare delicacy. Licking his chops, the Kitsune set himself within a tree, watching, waiting for his target to show itself.

~/-*-\~

Matthew breathe deeply, inhaling the sweet toxic smell of the virgin Omega below him. His lips gently touching the others every now and again for through his half lidded eyes he could barely see the perfection that was the creature below him and often had to tilt his head to see him better. His body shook with the physical need to take and claim what was his, what was always his.

Slowly, he ground against the limp body, spreading the scent of his genitals over the unconscious blonde. The scent was strongest there and within his saliva. On an Omega, their scent comes from their ass and their neck. With that knowledge, he moved to spread the lovely legs apart. Oh how he had longed to rest between them. Somehow, this felt right, much like the pieces of a complex puzzle. It was warm and welcoming, soft and comforting, all he ever imagined and more.

The Alpha laid his body upon the Omega's, resting, feeling the other's chest raise and fall with his soft breaths. He would never admit to it but it was relaxing just to watch him lay there, peacefully breathing with the soft glow of the evening sun reflecting on the golden skin.

The Twilight barrier was set in place and would last until darkness dominated it. It would be dangerous, those of Darkness were ruthless killers and willing to claim any soul they could, human, demon or even a god. To them a soul was food, the need for survival. It was no different than if Matthew were to kill a lamb to feed his beloved. Yet, truthfully it held a great cost. To eat a soul meant you lost part of yours. Equal exchange, a soul for a soul.

He heard a howl and jumped from his place and moved to the entrance, violet eyes scanning the diming day for any sign of the beast that made such a sound. An Okami no Inu would be difficult to fight; they are wise wolves of the forest. Most stand as tall as a house and roam the forest at night, hunting Stags and unsuspecting humans. Often, they have been known to take the shape of a crying infant or young child, drawing a human near before sucking their souls from their bodies.

Another howl and he saw several eyes appear through the trees. His eyes narrowed and he let out a low growl, warning them that he meant to fight til his last breath be drawn. He heard a snarl as a response. They were aggressive, most likely due to his markings of territory. Matthew stood tall and emerged from the den only a few feet, signaling he wished to speak. The wind was the only sound heard for a moment before the ground quivered under massive paws. A large black wolf stepped forward ears in high alert, listening for any unwanted sound. His eyes locked onto those of Matthew, refusing to break eye contact and lose his dominance. That is just what happened. The stare from the human was too great, too bright and he was forced to look away.

The large wolf sat down growling at himself. "You smell nothing like a human." He barked. "Nor are you demon!"

Matthew lowered his head slightly; respecting the other's position within the land and that he could very well have just killed him. "I am neither. I am the offspring of heaven and hell. The bright hope for all in this world." Dare anyone to forget.

The wolf chuckled. "Never in my life time had I thought I would see the sky god in such a form! You look absolutely horrid as a human!" in an instant he transformed into a human like creature with a black tail.

"I could say the same for you. You look better when you are covered in fur, Mathias!" In that moment he smiled.

The wolf demon bowed slightly. "It's been long my friend; it seems you have gotten younger. No doubt you had failed once more." Worry was within his voice. The last he had seen him was a hundred years ago. At the time of the meeting, the sun god had been searching for his love. Mathias had yet to meet him in all the years that had passed since his creation. Curiosity peaked when he caught the scent. "You have him…don't you?" he asked taking a step toward the helpless sleeping Omega. Matthew snarled at him before taking a swipe at him. Mathias dodged easily and the attempt only served to rile his pack up. He raised his hand to silence them. "So defensive…and human like, wild and savage." He scuffed before wagging his tail. "He truly must be something! The virgin God of the Moon, Darkness, Death and Omegas!" he clasped his hands together in excitement.

The deity narrowed his eyes and bore his teeth. "He is not that foul bastard! He is the God of the Dead not of Death!"

The wolf god shrugged. "Either way he is of Darkness, as are we." He motioned to his pack. "You are outside your realm…my lord." It was true. He could easily kill him for such, had he been in his godly glory.

"I am aware. Yet, I am no god. This form is human and such laws are void." He looked back into the cave and to his beloved who stirred in his sleep. This allowed Mathias his chance. When he turned back, the wolf was already at the entrance of the cave overlooking the Omega. Matthew turned, angered beyond all reason and heading to kill the god.

"Amaterasu…be still…" he narrowed his eyes and held tightly to a leaf that he pulled from the other. A light dust sparkled about it, the color of an eerie green. His eyes narrowed once more.

"O-kuni-nushi!" he barked as he destroyed the leaf. Without his godly powers, he was useless!

"Amaterasu…If he remembers who he is…"

He growled. "Don't you think I know that?! I sealed his memories centuries ago! O-kuni is a formidable man when he could remember his incantations!" His barrier had failed. No doubt the man would be coming soon.

Mathias scanned over the blonde. He was nothing like what he had heard, he was by far better! His eyes fixated on the shining metal around the boy's neck. A collar, ownership. "O-kumi's handy work." He barked, enraged by the mere sight of the collar. "He is lucky to be a virgin still after being with him!"

Matthew looked down sadly. "We were too young…he had forgotten everything…Do you know what it's like to wake up to your beloved asking who you are?" he balled his fist. Someone or something was responsible. He would find out whom if it killed them! Why anyone would harm such a kind, caring, loving, beautiful creature was beyond him. "O-kumi was drawn to him…he held no memories but he was still drawn to him!"

The Wolf God shook his head. "Instinct is something mysterious to us. We know little of why but so much on do. It's all we know and so we follow it." His tail flicked slightly and he wrinkled his nose. "You've scent marked him?! My Lord that will not cover up his scent for long…"

"It will be enough to cover the fact he is a virgin!" He growled out moving between the Wolf and his Alfred. "I have not kept him alive this long for nothing!" He held his head higher then Mathias, asserting his dominance above him.

One wolf, a young one by the looks of it growled. "How dare you! What right does a human have to dominate our leader like that! We should kil…" he was cut off.

"Taika! Silence yourself at once!" The Alpha wolf barked out.

The other lowered his ears in respect. "My lord this seems pitiful to bow and obey a hu…" In one swift movement, Mathias had transformed back into a wolf and held the other to the ground, biting his shoulder and drawing blood. He whimpered and cried out as he struggled to be free of the powerful jaws.

Mathias released his bite, but kept him pinned, fresh blood dripping from his fangs. "That human out ranks all but the Holy Mother herself! He is the great shining star! Amaterasu god of heaven and the embodiment of light! So show your respect boy and get up, bow and beg for forgiveness lest I myself kill you for treason!"

The injured wolf limped over to him, bowing lowly with his ears back and tail between his legs. "F-Forgive me, my lord…I meant no offence…"

Matthew waved him off. "With youth comes ignorance, go you are forgiven this time but remember your place mutt." He growled out. No one and he meant no one was going to disrespect his birthright. He watched the young wolf limp to a larger she-wolf who began to lick his wounds; no doubt she was his mother. Though he disrespected the Prince of the Gods himself, she still loved him. A mother's love held no boundaries. One day, his beloved would finally mother younglings…

There was a faint howl in the distance causing Mathias to shoot his head around and perk up his ears. He howled back and waited. When he received the response his clan became unsteady. "Rivals…within our lands! They have never crossed the boundaries of the river before…Not since the great Earthen War!" he growled as he turned to his lord. "The Eastern Tribe has never been so bold; rumor has it that they haven't birthed an Omega within the tribe since their leader's son." He sighed heavily. "It maybe war. Omegas, no matter what race, are being sought after. He is going to be in danger. I advise you move him quickly, if things go sour…They will claim what they can and the Eastern Tribe is known to…" he cleared his throat and took a step back. "…to share their spoils among the entire Tribe."

Matthew was well aware of that. He looked to his young Omega, fearful of another failure. "I will protect him. I cannot risk a reincarnation without him." With that he turned to the Okami no Inu and bowed slightly. "Try to reason with them, before you start a war." He advised. Sometimes such could be solved through reason.

The demon turned back into his true form and bowed lowly to him. "Be safe my lord. These are dangerous times for human, demon and god alike." He howled and his pack was on the move. Once the last one was gone he turned once more to his Lord. "I wish you both the best." His eyes flickered toward the sleeping blonde before he fled into the forest.

~/-*-\~

Toxic green eyes smiled as he motioned his hand to destroy the image before him. "O-kuni-nushi, hn?" The Alpha threw himself back upon his horse and looked to the North. "So, thou art heading to Winterhollow, toward the Great wall of Snowdinn to which divides the North Kingdom from that of the south." His smirk was wiped from his face. He rode quickly, mind expanding as he thought of ways to retrieve his stolen property. Few men within the wall of Snowdinn have seen an Omega, so few less in Winterhollow.

After sometime, he came to a small village made mostly of mud huts and straw tents. He looked around at the people all of which eyed him for his valuables but none dare to make a move against a sorcerer. Arthur was grateful that no one was that stupid as to attack him so carelessly. He nearly jumped for joy when he saw a young woman selling herbs and ingredients. She was young, no older then her twenties and nursing one child while the other slept on her back. He looked through the supply, first the fresh and the sundried to the dry ones that were about to fall apart.

"Is there sum'ten I can help with sir?" she asked. Her voice was strained, tired as if she was denied sleep. Arthur looked her over once more and determined that she was not a single parent.

"Do thou have hemlock root? I hear tale it is in abundance this time of year. Perhaps even Dragonis stems? Snapping Tigerlillies? Ah! I lay eye upon some dried sage and Wormwood!" he was growing excited. These were rare in Deutschland and oh so expensive. Yet, here they were fairly priced and full in stock. "Thou doth not grow all this thyself do you madam?"

She nodded. "Yes 'um. I grow 'em me self sir." She held a prideful grin.

He turned to his purse and quickly examined his finances. "What price for the lot of it?" He asked as he opened a large and empty sack on the back of his black stallion. The Beta looked at him awestruck.

"F-Fifty gold coins me lord." She whispered in disbelief.

He raised a large eye brow to her. "Fifty…no no that shall never due. I shall pay no less than sixty! These are hand grown with care! Tis not some wild filth any half witted inbreed can pick and sell. What do you take me for?" she smiled happily and quickly set to wrapping each in individual leather wraps as o keep them contained.

"Thank you m'lord! May the Holy Mother bless you!" she cried as she took the money in her hands. "This will set us up for months!"

"Tis no better herb then those grown with care. They react more predictably." With that he bowed slightly and set to leave the village. After all, he had his Omega to find before he ended up beyond the northern wall.

~/-*-\~

Blood dripped from his kill as he dragged it across the ground and toward the den where his beloved lay. Golden antlers reflecting in the moon's light. It had been a difficult kill, the beast had charged him causing a small cut to his arm but leaving an opening for the Kitsune's powerful jaws to come down upon its throat, crushing its airway and killing it. Six hundred years, known for the fact its antlers were gold and it held six points, all ended in an instant.

Through the trees he could see the soft glow of a fire and the familiar smell of a cooking rabbit. His mouth began to water. He had not eaten all day. Just a little more time and he could be reunited with them, with his beloved.

It took Matthew no time to catch whiff of him. He stood quickly, crouching down waiting for the moment to attack him. A low growl erupted from him, violet eyes seemed almost red. In that moment, the golden prince of light looked much more like a demon of darkness.

Kiku did not say a word. He simply bowed his head, pulled his ears back and submitted to Matthew. It did nothing to help his pride but in the long run it would win him favor and trust. Another low growl was heard and the Kitsune laid upon his side, waiting for the other to come and inspect him. The large Stag was enough to impress anyone. Had Kiku not been in his four tailed form he would never have been able to capture it.

The Sky Prince looked on at the other with curiosity and rage. Kiku had left Alfred alone though he had specifically told him not to. The child had almost been claimed forcibly outside of his heat cycle, an extremely dangerous time. Not only that, he had not waken since the incident that morning. To make matters worse, O-kuni-nushi was heading their way. The Demon of Darkness was going to pay for his insolence! For his neglect of a direct order and the endangerment of the future Queen of Heaven! Kitsune lord or not the bastard would pay. "Avert your eyes demon!" he barked when the dark eyes turned to face him. How dare he gaze upon his glory?! "Such disrespect warrants death!"

The Kitsune sucked up his pride. "I meant no disrespect my Lord, simply I wished to look upon your reaction to my gift. A brilliant Stag of Six Point." Truthfully he was staring at the sleeping Omega behind him.

Matthew snarled. "What a waist! What are we to do with it now?! There is no time to properly prepare it for anything!" Truthfully he was impressed. He imagined his beloved in the pure white leather outfit. Tight leather boots…a lovely corset…A light dust covered his cheeks.

Kiku sat up, keeping his head lowered. "It will take no time to skin and prepare. I could do such and watch over the Prince if you go to find some hors…" He was pinned to the ground; hand around his neck squeezing tightly.

~/-*-\~

A/N

Okay I know it's been a long time but here it is the new chapter! Mathias is an Okami no Inu or Okami for short meaning Wolf Demon with a deep hae for collars. You will see more Japanese mythological creatures as the story progresses as well as others from other countries.

Just a note, all the gods and such are loosely based off the Shinto religion in Japan. I have added some of their duties, such as Tsukiyomi's title as God of the Dead, to fit the story. In the actual mythology he kills a goddess because of how she prepared food, she vomited it and shit it out, as he was standing in for his sister Amaterasu and out of rage of the action she turned her back to him causing the night.

Later on you will also find that Kiku and Matthew are actually closer than anyone else would truly think. Hint: Fire=Kitsune + certain Japanese god.

Arthur is back! Lol, I used the sticky leaves in Hetalia (seriously look at how many times leaves stick to the various characters' heads!) as a tool to spy! Neat huh? No?! Oh well Suck it Losers. Speaking of which he is coming into the story soon as well. Anyway back to Iggy. He is O-kuni-nushi a Shinto god of Sorcery or so Google tells me. Anyway, like stated Matthew locked away his memory why? Who knows? I do! Lol so anyway what is the reason Arthur is so drawn to Alfred other then the fact he is a gorgeous Omega?

Okay I bother you enough for now so I go bye-bye for nowz at this hour in time. So, Jaamata!