TO READERS...ENTIRE CHAPTER CONTAINS FLASHBACKS
"Come on, Tenshi! Give it back!" she cried out, chasing after her friend. It was rare that they got to spend time like this together, and she intended to take full advantage of it. Ninja training had taken a huge chunk out of their normal play time, and she missed being able to enjoy his company.
"You'll have to catch me first," he said, laughing over her favorite bone which he slobbered on continuously.
"No fair!" she barked, racing after him. She watched him move, her eyes taking in the playful look on his face. The fact that he was human didn't bother her in the slightest. She had been a rather weird and lonely pup. An outcast. So by finding him, she'd found someone close to chat with. A sudden force stopped her in her tracks, and she snapped out of her thoughts, to notice Tenshi had dropped the bone and was sitting at the edge of the cliff. She lifted her favorite bone up a little, and noticed he was watching the clouds drift by lazily. The orange and pink sunset bathed them with warmth, and she shook her fur to get rid of any leaves that had gotten stuck in it.
"I think I might go hunting tonight, Tenkei-chan. Wanna come with?" he asked.
Her stomach growled once, and she knew that the answer was stated in that single sound. She nodded once, shifting onto her haunches. She would miss this part of their daily games. He was leaving for Konoha in less than a year, and she already had lost much of that time what with him training everyday.
She glanced back at him, licking his cheek once.
"Gross, man!" he complained.
She smiled, and wagged her tail harder. She would miss him.
AFTER TENSHI'S DEPARTURE
No life partner? He didn't choose any wolf from the pack? There were several high end pack members who would have suited a combat lifestyle.
Tenkei lay on the ground, her stomach empty for the fifth day in a row. It didn't make sense. She had thought it through and for the first month it hadn't bothered her. She had known that he wasn't going to choose one of them. She let out a low whine, and sat up, shaking her fur free of dust. It was time she got outside and did something. But what? Where would she go?
She laid back down, indecisive. She glanced up to notice a large male stood in front of her. He nipped her neck gently, and nudged her. She knew what he wanted and currently wasn't in the mood to be disturbed. She was still a virgin, and though she had turned down all advances, she was getting to the age where she wouldn't have a choice.
"Mate me. Now, Tenkei."
He was one of the senior and higher ranking males. An honor that she should accept with little to no objection.
"Leave now, Ayumu. I'm warning you once," she growled, feeling him tense at her rejection.
"It's cause of that mutt, Tenshi isn't it?"
The hair on her neck stood on end, baring her teeth at the harsh words. She could bare slander on herself. But she couldn't stand for Tenshi's good name to be dirtied. Within a second, she had turned on a former brother, her teeth aiming to rip the skin from his juglar. He barely avoided her advance, tumbling and attempting to get back to his feet. Before he could regain his footing, she was there, slamming him into rock. She heard a single bone crack and was satisfied with the yelp that came from his muzzle. She felt him push back and she skidded, digging her claws into the granite.
"He'll die. He's one of the weaker ones…They'll pick him off like a sick lamb."
This caused her rage to peak, and she dashed forward, biting, only to realize her mistake too soon. She'd rushed in, which is what he had wanted. She barely had time for her teeth to come together, before her shoulder muscle was cut. She winced in pain, but turned, throwing a single claw towards his maw, scratching the skin deeply. The two combatants circled each other, testing the other's reflexes. Tenkei was smaller which gave her an advantage in speed but not in power.
"I'll kill you!" Tenkei growled, focused on the fight in front of them.
"ENOUUGHHHHHH!"
The howl from the alpha caused both wolves to lie down submissively. The pack had gathered around the two, unbeknownst to them. Tenkei glanced at Ayumu, and felt her heart pang with sorrow. She missed him, and couldn't believe she had let herself get so riled up.
She watched Sarah step down, glaring at her.
"I miss him as much as you do, but you WILL remember your place in this pack, Tenkei," her elder commanded.
She whined.
My place is not in the pack…but by his side!
At the thought, she stood up, realizing the truth in it. She wouldn't stand by idly while she waited for her friend to return. She would go to him.
"Where do you think-"
"I will be his life partner," she replied, barking softly. She turned and started towards the exit, only for all of the pack to block her path.
"That is forbidden! You know this! The Yudashi pick their wolves, not the other way around."
"You will not stop me, Sarah-san."
Tenkei glanced around at the others, before she flattened her ears. She would blow past them and to Tenshi, without as much as a glance behind her.
"Last warning. Leaving the pack is a death sentence. Please…I do not wish to do this," Sarah pleaded.
Tenkei knew that. This was her choice though, and it was right. Everything in her body and soul told her it was meant to be. So she wouldn't let a single obstacle prevent her from seeing her only friend.
"Sorry, Sarah-senpai." Their eyes met and in that instant, the Alpha's eyes widened in understanding.
She dashed forward, dodging the first wolve's lung for her throat. She dashed right, jumping up the rock. A second wolf got in her way, and she lunged forward, biting his paw, breaking past him as he hobbled in shock. She was almost to the exit, when the pack's most experienced hunter, appeared. She hesitated, which was all he needed to close the gap. Her eyes widened, and she tried to retreat, only to find that she wouldn't be able to avoid it. Her throat was exposed, and he was aiming for it.
Tenshi…Sorry.
A blur rammed the canine, slamming him against the far wall.
"GET GOING!"
It was Sarah-chan, telling her to follow her heart. She dashed forward without needing any further encouragement, hearing her yelps behind her.
"I'm coming Tenshi!" she howled loudly.
SOULBIND JUTSU FLASHBACK
The world faded from view as bone, sinew and skin were rent by the cold steel. She had been beyond relieved to see her friend, only to smell the danger a moment too late. She tried to warn him, only to be silenced by the tool. As the weapon was removed, she shivered in pain.
Damnit! If I had been here only a month earlier I might have been able to warn him.
She hit the ground hard, her world spiraling out of her control. Her breath came in gasps, and she attempted to stay conscious.
Darkness closed in and Tenkei hated herself for being so weak.
Death should have been the end. She didn't know what to expect. What she didn't expect was vision to return. Hearing, taste, smell…all to be restored. But not her own senses, but the senses of the man who stood only a few feet from her. His rage became hers and she could explore his memories, learning from the different experiences he had. She realized now that she was bordering the line between the living and the dead. She fought, aiming to return her body. With a huge intake of air, her consciousness returned, and with it a throbbing pain in her side. She felt it subside, with relief. She attempted to stand up, her body complaining with the effort.
"LIAR! Why, Shinase?"
Because she is an Yusrai. She did it because she didn't want you to find out that the woman who you thought cared for you, was an Yusrai. That the Okamikage had sent her on the mission to kill you. And that she planned to take you out.
Her eyes flickered over to the woman, with a sense of loss. She knew that the feelings weren't her own, and she searched her heart finding some rather surprising thoughts. She sat down on her haunches, wagging her tail.
Wherever he goes, I will follow.
AKATSUKI LAIR
"Are you trying to make me mad? Things can get really ugly if you are."
"Not at all, Sasori, my man. But art exists only for a moment before it is gone,hmph."
Tenkei's eyes glanced over her shoulder. The two shinobi had been arguing for the past hour and it was starting to grate on her nerves. She felt the urge to attack them rise up in her chest, but quickly pushed it down. She let out a soft huff, when she glanced to her partner. The several years had done him kindly. His body had toned out, as his strength increased, and his face had gained a steely look which she could get lost in for hours. His thoughts remained rather quiet, save when they spoke to each other. More often than not, she spoke for him, due to his disinterest of speaking. Something the Uchiha and he had in common. She stood up with him, as it became apparent as to what he was thinking.
Come.
I follow.
Her heart sang out in glee, hoping for either a sparring session or a silent hike with him. Though he'd never know it, she lov-
A glance backwards stopped her thoughts, and she hid the emotion behind an emotionless facade she put on around him.
You ok?
Fine. Let's go. This pair bothers me more than anything else.
He turned away, and she admired him, following his footsteps as he exited the damp cave. Before she could escape it, a single comment reached her ears.
"See. You've made the children leave the room with your immaturity, Deidara," Sasori spoke. A low growl escaped Tenkei's lips, only for reassuring thoughts to inforce themself upon her. She glanced back to Tenshi keeping up with him.
My apolo-
Don't. I understand where they are coming from.
She sped up to decrease the gap between them, catching sight of his pearly smile towards her. She returned it, only for another irritant to materialize.
Give me the chance...the time...I'll kill her!
She hid the thought quickly, as Konan approached the pair, her eyes unwavering. It was no secret that Konan secretly admired Tenshi, and it often made hidden meetings awkward. Tenshi himself, admitted that though she was beautiful, he would never pursue a romantic relationship.
"Hello, Tenshi-san," Konan purred, stopping a mere six inches from Tenshi. Tenkei watched her partner, afraid he might return such affection in kind.
"Konan-sama. What task do you have for me now? Another intel run?"Perhaps we could speak somewhere...a little more private. Away from prying eyes and ears." Konan spoke, turning as if to lead Tenshi deeper into the forest.
"You know that my partner sees and hears my thoughts and emotions. She will know whatever you say to me."
A small pout formed on Konan's lips, causing Tenkei's rage to almost peak. She inhaled, and realized why the woman was being so bold at the moment. She was in heat, and needed relie-.
Over my dead body!
What is it?
Tenkei watched the woman, who glanced between him and her, confusion filling the air.
"Tenshi-san. May we go?"
"What does this concern, senpai?" he asked, his eyes never leaving her own. Tenkei closed her eyes, and calmed down, flexing her claws gently.
"I was hoping for some time with you. As a friend," Konan said, glancing at Tenkei.
"I have no friends. Only enemies, and those who I serve. Again, I ask-" Tenkei watched his gaze turn ice cold and return to the woman who watched him.
"How may I be of service?"
"I see. So you take no pleasure in living?" came the response.
"None," Tenshi responded.
Tenkei felt her heart sink a little, and knew that he was speaking the truth for the moment.
"I'm glad you are dedicated to our mission then. I have some matters to attend to. I can sense that our leader requests my service. Until we meet again-"
Tenkei watched the woman leave, only for something more important to enforce itself upon her.
Shall we go for that walk? Or perhaps, I miss hunting a little now. What do you say, Tenkei?
She hid her glee, behind a mask of indifference.
Whatever suits you, my partner.
She hid the next thought from him, letting her gaze wander to the ground for a minute.
I bring no joy to you, Tenshi-koi? I will strive harder to.