...here in my garden of shadows...

[yukito]

[glow=crimson,2,300]Speaking to the atmosphere
No one's here and I fall into myself
This truth drives me
Into madness
I know I can stop the pain
If I will it all away[/glow]

Renewed by the fresh fish and water the river had provided the bitter male walked further down river seeking out a place to bed for the night. The scent of pine and earth were heavy in the breeze and he turned , a thick pine would do nicely for the night. No fresh wolf scents came to him so he pressed on unconcerned either way, those who misjudged his power were left whimpering in his wake. He had not suffered fools since last summer’s heat only served to emulate his rage. Revenge had done nothing but return his sanity, for all the good that did him. Pain had a way of making you wish to spread it, infect those around you so they could see what in life really mattered. All that had been taken could never be returned no matter how much pain he inflicted, how much blood he spilled. Even the humans with all their power could not win against Death, he had reminded that cruel little family of that. The delicious taste of their fear had never been equaled, a few had come close but never as sweet. Rage made the pain go away for a while but it always came back like hunger or thirst, he had nothing in his life but pain and going through the motions. His will kept him going, forever trying to forget, slowly locking what was left of Recca’s Yuki away so he would not hurt any longer.

The thought of her stopped him dead, face contorting as if stung, time would never still the pain her memories caused him. He had been so happy, his last memory of her was her smiling face as he had walked past her telling her to wait around he’d be back with a surprise. Only to return to a scene out of some human Slasher, the horrid smell of blood and decay. Whelps bearing small holes hung from a few branches, dogteeth had torn the fallen open. His proud blood and the wise Nomine lay skinned and bloated, flies buzzing so loud around them he could hear nothing over them. Shock gave way to all consuming rage, growling he had run, the humans scent was clear as day still. A serpent’s trail through trees that had been his home, now nothing but obstacles to avoid. The truck was just sitting there, the dogs in the large cage sitting in the bed were pacing but unaware. The large man patted the side of the cage before going to get into his truck, family waiting, seeing him too late. Guns were very effective but surprised humans might as well be unarmed for how well they use them. Pouncing as he had many times hunting before he knocked the male over, teeth shredding his windpipe as the whelps had been. Turning his head he snarled at the frighten voices from inside the cab, more prey. Lunching himself through the driver’s side door he bared bloody fangs at the wife, her scent had also been there, she too would die. Brandishing a hunting blade she edged towards the other door frantic for the handle. Gnashing his teeth he growled when she slashed his face down his left cheek. Already wide eyes grew wider as he struck, her throat going even faster as she fell from the opening door, knife and wolf landing on the ground. A quick darting movement drew his attention to a teenage human male, the knife held in his shaking hand. Moving slowly forward he gnashed his teeth, human youths favored the type of weapon that had killed those too small to be worth skinning. The child lashed out clipping his cheek across the wound his mother had made, a scratch and the last pain he would ever inflict. Tearing the life from him as well he stepped back just gaping at what he had done. Panting he turned howling in pain as he had run from the lands that would have become his and Recca’s then their young, and so on. He had run until he could not take another step and simply fallen to his side too drained to even dream.

Dark red laced brown looked up when he noticed it was darker then it should be for the time of day, thick cover rather than clouds greeted him. Racking the earth with his claws he frowned, dark but void of life, fitting. The thick tree cover seemed to go on and sneered at the thought of a forest floor trapped forever in twilight’s shadows. Snickering he decided this place may just be worth hanging around in for a little while, perhaps even taking as his own? His endless wondering had brought little relief to him so why not try something new? Create a world where harming one of his own carried such a retribution none would dare, a world were he would never lose another to senseless violence. Placed with that idea he walked back towards the river to see if there were any decent fishing spots around were fresh meat might gather.

“Watashi no Morinokage…my Forest of Shadows.”

[misae]

Misae loved traveling, so many new things to see and sniff, it never got old to her. When Yue lead them to a river she yipped in excitement, she loved water. A sloppy lick got a mocking protest but she laughed near the end, Her uncle could be so formal but she knew he loved as much as her Daddy did. He really was the best, teaching her to use her speed while her father taught her strength, both had their uses. She was learning a lot from them about hunting and fighting, two things she’d need to know how to do by this time next year. Uncle Yue brought up packs and she listened for a little while, a pack of strangers sounded interesting to her. A big fat rabbit caught her attention and she waded through the water careful not to splash around and make a lot of noise. Nothing spoiled a hunt faster then making noise, she had learned that the hard way. Following the rabbit she ignored the growing darkness, she was black after all so she blended just fine. Lunging she missed but the fat critter did not escape jaws as white as snow and pink as fresh fish meat.

“How did you get across the river with out getting all wet? Teach…mep”

Eyes the color of drying blood turned to regard her like a hunter eyed possible prey and she lowered her ears and tail looking small like she had been taught to. The white male walked slowly towards her, jaws tithing their grip on the dying rabbit. When he stopped she watched him watch her, blinking when he dropped the rabbit before shaking his head chuckling at her.

“That’s rude you know?”

[/color]

[yukito]

[glow=crimson,2,300]Enemy, familiar friend
My beginning and my end
Broken truth, whispering lies
And it hurts again
[/glow]

Having decided to claim this little chunk of the world as his own he had wondered a bit more along the river, shadows were cool, underbrush not too thick so close to the water. The sound of rabbit feet drew his attention, teeth striking without having to be told. Hot blood tasted sweet even though he was not all that hungry having feasted on fresh fish not too long ago. A young sounding female voice drew his attention as a slow turn, her voice trailing off as it dawned on her he was not who she thought he was. Annoyance at some upstart hunting on lands he had so recently claimed was curbed by the fact she was still a yearling, safe from his fangs. Walking slowly towards he her watched her submit, dropping the rabbit he could not help but laugh at her. When she called him rude he snickered at her tilting his head, blood looking very red against his white fur.

“So is hunting on a Alpha’s land without their consent my dear, quite rude indeed, tsk, tsk, tsk. In fact if you were full grown we would not be having this little conversation Love. Bad things happen when you go traipsing around other people’s home, that they do.”

Shaking his head at her once more he sighed dramatically, she really was lucky she was so young or she’d have lost an ear by now. Yukito was not a forgiving bastard, hunting on his turf was bad enough, have the gall to call him rude was too much. The black female had talked to him as if she was expecting him to be another so she was not alone, a clanmate perhaps? Regardless they needed to teach the child some better manners, not everyone liked plucky.

[misae]

Misae blinked again when she realized she had not even bothered to check, the others had not reacted to anything but the water so this side of the river must be his borders. His chiding sounded more like teasing as he went on, Love confused her since it was not a confession. At the mention of bad things her ears perked up curious he didn’t seem like he was going to do anything bad to her. He had dropped his kill, was not attacking, was even teasing her a bit if his accent was read right. It was strange sounding but she rather liked it, it made him sound wise and a bit bold.

“What kind of bad things Mr. Alpha Sir?”

Retort was met with retort, banner banner, she did listen to her family talk, tone was very important, as was the way they stood. Relaxed meant he was not going to hurt her just yet, if even, maybe he could help them? Yue had said they could join a pack, no one had been against it, and here an Alpha. The fact he looked so much like her Uncle made it seem like a sigh to her, Uncle Yue said they were important if you could interpret them properly. She wanted to know if this Alpha was meant to help them or if was part of the claiming a land part of the plans? Yeping in surprise she blinked when she was pinned, bloodied mouth near her ear.

[yukito]

[glow=crimson,2,300]I'm still the same,
pursuing pain
Is it worth all that I have gained?
[/glow]

Yukito did not know if he should laugh or smack her, teasing a complete stranger like that was lunacy unless she knew he was harmless to her. Thinking about that his mouth curled into a wicked grin, why not play back? The child had to learn there were worst monsters out there then himself, ones who would not forgive her due to her youth. No it was best she learned from him then one of them, one of them would never be so kind. Lunging he easily pinned the still half crouching yearling under his three years of acquired mussel. She yelped in surprise but not pain, that was clear when she did not make another sound, rocks hurt with a full grown wolf pressing you into it. Leaning his bloodied lips to her ear he sneered as she froze, perhaps the fact she could be in real danger had sunken in? Snickering at her he gave her cheek a good sniff, family indeed.

“Didn’t Daddy ever teach you about what happens to little girls all alone?

[yahto]

A sense of panic seemed to constrict his lungs, making his heart pound in his chest. In one moment the peaceful feeling was gone, replaced by anxiety and anger. He had taught his daughter to stay close to the family---where she was safe from most danger. Misae rarely disobeyed what he said and so he tried to remind himself to not be to harsh with her. It was hard for him as her father to not want to disipline her severely for wandering off by herself. There were countless dangers in the world and she being only a yearling did not understand how dangerous the world could be at any given time. She had yet to encounter a pissed off bear or a male wolf that was out of blood and sex. Heedless of the scent signals that told him it was a pack territory, Yahto entered without a second thought. He followed his pup's scent trail with quick motions, aware that she could be in a lot of trouble. Hearing a loud yelp, he felt his blood run cold and his legs pushed him swiftly along, within a few seconds the large black beast came bursting through the brush. His gold eyes taking in the situation, a large male wolf stood over his daughter pinning her into the dirt. He saw her eyes rolling around in sheer panic and he felt his body quiver with adrenaline. Normally he wouldn't aggressively approach a stranger, but this was a different situation all together.

With a warning bark he charged at the stranger, intending on getting him off of his squirming pup. Yahto's stance was not showing dominance over this stranger only agitation for the the pain of his offsrping. Snapping his jaws in the white males face he hoped that he would back off just enough to get Misae up off of the ground. Long black hairs bristled along his back making his body appear larger than it really was. With his daughter safe again, he stood before her, ready to brawl should the male truly want to throw down with him in this situation. He'd do it in a heart beat, with his anger pushed through the roof. Absently, he hoped that his brother would show up so perhaps this would turn out in his favor. His eyes slid towards his pup for a moment and he frowned, feeling his chest relax with relief. She wasn't bleeding or anything.

"Normally daddy would be around to protect her so she wouldn't be all alone.."

He retorted to the male's earlier remark. Ears lowered as he stood before this unknown wolf, rather stoic but ready to unleash hell should it go down that road.

[yukito]

[glow=crimson,2,300]Forgetting
All the hurt inside
You've learned to hide so well

Pretending
Someone else can come and save me from myself
I can't be who you are
[/glow]

Years of hunting and fighting experience drew his gaze before his ears picked up a bark of challenge, a sound he was use enough to. Dark gaze regarded a solid black male charging at him out of rage rather then challenge for his lands, seemed her kin were close by indeed. Leaping back and to his right he dodged a charge that would have hurt to take head on, teeth gnashing in his face as he was faced. With the yearling safely out from under his pale frame the male seemed to calm down enough to address him rather then blindly attack. Taking a good look he deemed his initial assessment correct, someone about his size would hit hard. The advantage was his at the moment since his charge had cost him some stamina but Yuktio was not stupid enough to count on facing him and him alone one on one. At the other’s comment he frowned in thought, figured Daddy would growl at him before scolding her. The kid was cute and all but she either had insight like a shaman or she had great luck, either way he had to deal with Daddy here first before he could find out.

Angry males made mistakes, anger he knew how to provoke very well. The dark male was only protecting his child, noble, but a Jujika stood no challenge lightly and sole Jujika left or not he was one by purest of blood. Glaring his dark eyes he bare his own fangs in challenge, hints of pink still in place from his kill, he had never been one to be intimidated. Tail went up like a birch to show he was in fact in charge here since he doubted the other had bothered checking before charging in here like a bull. Lowering his tail back to balance him if he had to dodge or lunge he snarled gnashing his teeth back.

“Perhaps you should better train your cubs if you not care to lose them Mate. I do not take challenge well or lightly, I also only have my life to lose. You…so much more.”

[yue]

Yue had headed down river a bit, Misae could cover a lot of ground when she felt like being difficult. The strong scent of a male nearby made him worry more then Misae wondering off, males were often more savage then the smaller females. A familiar yelp drew his head up with a growl, she had better have just been being careless and nothing more or Yahto would hand her her hide. At the sounds of his brother’s rage he darted to his left spotting a wolf as pale as he was warning his brother of loss. Yue was not sure who this male was but Misae was flat on the groun and that was enough for Yahto and himself.

“More to lose but more to protect it. Misae get up and out of here!”

Yue rarely snapped at anyone, when he did he meant it. Yahto would not wish to fight full out with his daughter nearby to get hurt. The white male turned his stare on Misae, taking a step towards her he lunged at the male, leaving Yahto to protect her. Blinking he found his bottom jaw held between the stranger’s dark stare ice cold and amused. Holding still he watched Misae get to her feet before walking up to the stranger and pulling on his tail to get his attention before she started yelling. Jaws relaxed out of shocked as the other turned and just gaped at her, he could not blame him.

[misae]

Misae opened her mouth to tell the stranger Daddy did, short of, when something flew at them both like frighten prey. The white wolf dodging before her father snapped at him, clearly not amused by his antics at all. Pink smeared teeth snapped back as the pale stranger returned her father’s challenge, tone so bitter and sad sounding to her at the end. She was not use to playing with strangers, she had never mean to get the stranger in trouble, and Daddy was as mad as she had ever seen him. Yue brust onto the scene behind the equally pale stranger not taking kindly to him either. At his order she snapped out of her shock, shaking her head she froze when Yue lunged in rage, his lower jaw caught and held but not hurt from what she could see. Getting to her feet she pushed past her father and tugged on a white tail to get his attention, which did not work.

“STOP IT! Males. LET MY UNECLE GO BRUTE HE WON’T HURT YOU! AND YOU DADDY, HE WAS JUST PLAYING HONEST, DON’T HURT HIM!”

Staying between her father and the pale stranger she turned her head when Yue walked slowly around her to stand beside his twin. Looking over her shoulder she watched the dark eyed male regard the twins with calculating annoyance but some amusement. She had been taught some wolves liked a good fight, he must be one of them. He remained still so she turned back to her father and uncle, she could tell she was in big trouble but that was not the stranger’s fault.

“He’s an Alpha Daddy, and his accent if funny but I like it. You think maybe you could say you’re sorry and we could stay?”

[maka]

It was amazing how quickly things changed. Maka watched her sons race off as the loud yelp of her granddaughter reached her ears. Without a second thought the female took off after her offspring, her daughter Zulekia was on her heels as they bolted across the river and into another pack's territory. Reaching the scene in a matter of moments she heard the growls and snaps of angry males, and then the harsh cry of Misae as she begged for them to stop. Moving from the brush the brown tinted female came up along side of Yue, her ears perked forward as she eyed the male before her. It was indeed quite obvious that he was the Alpha of this land, but where was his pack? Scenting the air she detected no other scent besides his, a tight frown crossed her face as she watched him closely. It was almost painful how her granddaughter acted, being so young she was very foolish.. They needed to teach her more about the darker side of life. She exhaled sharply but remained silent for the moment, she had no reason to really speak just yet.


She saw out of the corner of her eye as her daughter moved to stand beside Yahto and the four adults all faced this white male. It was very obvious that if they wanted to be monsters they could easily hurt him, but that was not the Anwe way. They had no desire to rule a pack land and this male was only defending what was his. Maka cast her eyes silently to the surroundings as she awaited what her dark son would say to this sudden twist in events.

[/color]

[yahto]

Yahto was pleased to see that the male did what he wanted, backing off so his daughter was not pinned so tightly to the ground. Of course he expected the stranger to snap back at him, and he gnashed his teeth in response, determined to not back down. It was not in his nature to back down from anyone no matter the circumstance. He noted the male's tail shooting upwards into the sky a sign that he was indeed the Alpha of this territory. Absently he took note of it but did not cower or submit in any real fashion. Things changed rather quickly as his brother appeared almost out of no where lunging at the male, only to have his attack stopped. Rage settled firmly into his breast and he took a step forward, tongue snaking out to lick at his teeth a rumbling growl making his throat vibrate. His daughter moved around to yank on the strangers tail, yelling at them to stop fighting. Gold eyes flashed at her, his anger at her beyond belief. First she runs off and causes them to defend her, now she wanted them to stop it, apologize and then join this male? Inhaling sharply he watched as his brother was let go and came swiftly to his side.

Moments later his mother and sister were there as well. Maka went to stand beside Yue, Zu moved to his side. They stood there silently for what seemed like forever before he stepped another step closer. His body rigid but no longer did it scream out for blood like it had earlier when they first met this stranger.

"I will not apologize for acting on instinct Misae. If you ever have your own offspring you will understand where I am coming from. However I will apologize for your actions since this situation happened because you wandered off without thinking of the consequences. Have I not told you.."

Trailing off he turned his gaze back on the white male, honestly he didn't see why they couldn't join his pack. He had no real pack members so perhaps they could start fresh here as long as he was willing to let what happen go.. If not then he would turn and leave and take his clan elsewhere to find another home.

"Well stranger what do you think of us joining your pack.."

[yukito]

[glow=crimson,2,300]I'm strong on the surface
Not all the way through
I've never been perfect
But neither have you
[/glow]

Dark eyes blinked looking down at the yearling as if she was as insane as he was, she had to be…didn’t she? Insane or not her clanmates did not come charging past her, he too stayed where he was stare icing over daring them to try it. Yukito could not help but to provoke nowadays, his playful side had become rather dark and morbid since last summer. Gaze turned when two new fae appeared, full grown but not as incline to attack as their male counterparts had been. Lips curled into a bitter frown as he weighed his options, the youngest fae would go down easiest, elder fae after the, pale then dark male after the fae were all crippled or dead. He could kill the yearling before the others tore into him, beyond that he could only cripple them if he was lucky. Not fearing his end did not mean he cared to met it anytime soon, Death had yet to close it’s icy claws on him just everyone he loved and hated.

The dark male chided his daughter as only a father could, relief she was safe with rage she had put herself in danger. Dark eyes closed as he spoke pain playing with the mussels in his throat, damn his still caring side and how it still effected him. The last thing he wanted was to have an emotional breakdown in front of these strangers. They meant nothing to him, so what if the yearling liked him? The father seemed to be of slightly more forgiving mood then he was just then. Addressed he weighed his options once more, he would need a pack someday wouldn’t he? It was clear this clan did not care to take his lands, easy enough to do with a group of five to one. Yukito was a savage demon when he fought but if more then two of them died before he was crippled he would have counted himself lucky. Licking dry lips he scowled off into the darkness rather then at the clan. Clan was everything, everything that he had ever had and now…pack was not clan but could it not fill some of the same void in his life? Would Recca or any or the others really want this life for him? To be so utterly alone memories hurt like festering wounds? Sighing softly he turned his dark stare back on the clan, never his but perhaps not so different after all.

“I have no clan left to protect, but I do remember that desire, as much as I have tried not to. That hardly matters right now. Misae is it? Well Little Mouse you are lucky I have a soft spot for yearlings, or your father likely would have found you bloodied. I am not known to be all that forgiving…anymore.”

Yuktio shook his head at himself before nudging the yearling towards her clan, clearly telling her to go to them. The pale male needed no one to fight for him, he had not since he was her age oh so long ago or was it? Lifting his head to it’s full height he regarded each clanmate slowly, nothing stood out as a sound reason to reject any of them. Personal feelings had no place in command decisions, bitterness towards his loss was hardly their fault. Nodding to himself he tilted his head at the dark male, clearly the voice of this clan, if not for the moment.

“Besides annoying me what affront have you commit against me really? The child will hopeful learn not all white males are her uncle, if not perhaps the next one will not be so gentle in their lessons hm? I am Jujika Yukito, last of the Jujika clan and recent master of Morinokage, the frosts of shadows. How is that for funny sounding my dear? You wish a home and I have no wolves in which to help me defend this land, yet you do not care to take it for your own clan…why is this? It is not logical to ask to follow when you have the force to take what you need, is this the way of your clan?”

The Jujika never surrender what was theirs without combat, even then never easily, it was not their way. The Nomine had offered his father Beta rather then chase the Jujika from their home after winning, were these wolves so like his almost father my mating? The idea was a strange one, he had never tough other clans like that existed out in the world. He had only met those more like his own, far less noble but the same concept. Frowning in thought, his dark stare curious, he waited for an answer before giving them his own.