Warmth 1

Disclaimer: Yeeee-Haaaw!! Okay... I'm back!! As usual, I'm nothing but a mere fan!! Don't sue me cause I own no one in this fic!! Except for my own beasts of course! Ushio and Tora are (c) to Kazuhiro Fujita... and I'm telling ya' I've seen a lot of pictures, and downloaded many songs, and I must say... I just LOVE Tora more than ever now!! Especially the story with the kitten that I was finally able to see... as pictures only, not as in animation! Sigh... any way... I'm trying to write some thing short... though I know I could never do a 'short' fic!! So I thought of this... R&R people!!

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The cold night breeze blew silently against the forests trees... every thing was silent and peaceful... it was winter, with snow filling every thing in it's thick white cold blanket... the full moon decorating the sky, reflecting the whiteness of the land, flickering with it's beautiful sparkling jewels...

"Heads up!!!!" a voice hollered out in the middle of the dark... crackling thunder struck a tree turning it to ashes...
"DAMMIT!!" cursed an orange beast for the boy missing his target and yet for him getting splattered on the head with a cold chunk of snow...
"Oh great Tora... just great!!" in beast barrier form, wearing thick clothing...
"Oh yeah brat? I don't see you doing any better!!!" fur all puffed up to keep him self hardly warm...

Face to face they were hissing, name-calling, growling and cursing each other constantly... it doesn't seem that this will ever end... but then, the ancient orange beast stopped then turned back towards the target, which was actually a scarecrow!!

"Great! Not even a scratch!! So much for improving your skills Ushio brat!"
"Oh shut up!!"
"Ya' know (watching the boy walk away) all you need is concentration!!"
"As easy as it looks (the boy said quite mocking) eh?" the beasts face didn't change, cold, silent and absolutely quiet "sigh... forget it, I'm tired... what do you say we head back home and finish target practice tomorrow?"
"What ever..." murmured the beast... it doesn't seems to be an interesting option to him...
"Hey, what's the matter Tora? I thought you'd flip for that idea!!" questioned the boy, started from the beast reaction...
"I'm just sick of being trapped in the temple all week okay!!??" he growled...
"Well no need to be nasty!!" reasoned the boy with a smile...

Ushio couldn't blame the ancient beast though, he was getting bored from the weather too, as Tora kept on complaining about the weather ever since it started snowing thick... at the first few days, Tora was really into snow, but after he found out it was gonna be like that for three months he flipped his mane and went berserk!! Ushio chuckled lightly at the beast, then eyeing him again; he saw that he was busy sharpening his claw on a poor defenseless tree... there he sat back on his hunches, tail flickering, his orange fur, red and white forelock reflecting against the whiteness of the snow... his silver burning eyes... silently deadly, yet he felt no fear... Ushio had worked his problems with Tora now... they don't try to kill each other that much any more, unless they were desperately bored to death!! All what the boy had to do was to hit the beast on the head or simply pock him down the tender part!!

"What's so funny brat?" questioned the beast as he growled, after a seeping chuckle was heard...
"Oh... nothing!!" said the boy... trying to hold back a laugh... Ushio remembered that he once pocked Tora from the side, and the huge fur-ball fell from his spot on the temple slot roof only to fall flat on the soft snow... he got chased all over the house after that of course!!
"??" Cocking an eyebrow, the beast wasn't sure weather to plunge on the boy or not... he just didn't feel like it... "Sigh..."
"Sumthin' wrong fuzz-ball?"
"... No..." murmured the beast...
"You sure? You're looking down!" the boy felt some thing about the beast... something... uncomfortable...
"Bah... let's just go... I'm freezing my ass over here!!" pacing towards an open area near by...
"Yeah, mine too!!"

The beast stood in the open space, waiting the boy to come closer so he could fly out of there... but then... something caught his attention... something in the sky... it was huge, burning, and falling fast darting them exactly!! Ushio saw his friend gazing at the sky, but looking up, only to see the falling star, his eyes widened in surprise...

"HIT THE DIRT!! Err, snow... what ever comes first!!!"
"Oomph!!" O.O!!

The ancient beast jumped on the boy ducking him from the blow the falling object caused, it blew up strong sending the beast, with the temple boy in his embrace, slamming into hard rock... then snow fell covering them both... some thing sizzled in the snow... only to turn out to be a meteor... mostly glowing in fine fire red... melting all the snow around it...

~*~*~*~*~

There in the middle of the forest... covered in snow... the temple boy woke up from his daze, feeling muffled up and a heavy weight over him, yet enveloping him whole... squirming his way through, he was free and out in the cold snow... blinking the meteor, Ushio's jaw opened wide in puzzlement... he had never seen a meteor in real life!!

"Whoa!!!!! Cool!! A real life meteor!!" he stated in surprise... "Hey Tora, come here and take a look!!" Pause... "Tora??" turning around... his friend wasn't there... "Hey Tora! Where are you??" remembering the warmth he was in before coming out, he dug back through the snow, till he found some thing furry and orange "Oh-My gosh!!! TORA!!"

Digging through still, he was able to remove all the snow from his friend's body... but, some how, the beast seemed motionless... is if he was... No!! The boy shoved the thought out of his worried mind, slowly reaching to the beasts neck, he checked the pulse... it was there, and it was pounding fast and the beasts body felt awfully warm... he gave a sigh of relief... laying the spear on the snow, it protested humming, but then silenced... then Ushio tried to wake him up...

"Tora!! Tora!! Hey!! Wake up you old throw rug!! Get up!!" shaking the beasts shoulders, it doesn't seem that he'll be moving... "Uhh..." clearing his throat "T... Tora??" heart racing... "Tora get up!!" ......... "TORA!!!! Knock it off!! I don't think it's funny!!!" he shouted, thinking that this might only be a jock... it wasn't... Tora was knocked out cold!! And there was nothing Ushio could do about it!!

~*~*~*~*~

There laying on his side... snow started falling again... the temple boy eyed the sky with crystal droplets attending to draw their wet lined on his face... blinking for so many times, his sight went blurry, as his breath created a small cloud of fog in front of his face, but then, quickly taking off his mittens, he whipped his eyes and went back to removing the snow... after he was done, he crept behind the beast, attempting to move him some where warmer... good luck kid!!

"God!!! Tora! When you wake up! Your going on a straight diet!!" scolded the boy with a hardly heard voice, as he struggled as hard as he can to drag the beasts body to a near by cave... the cave wasn't far, but the beast was heavy compared to the boy's body!! Ushio felt like ten years were taken from his life!! Not forgetting the back pain!! After all that effort, he felt like he was burning in side, so he took off his heavy coat, curled it up like a pillow and laid the beasts head on it... the caves ground was dry, there was a bed of leaves there... Odd!! So Ushio leaned back on the stone walls... panting, trying to catch his breath... eyeing the beast, he was still motionless... creeping closer to him, he kneeled and laid his head on the beasts torso, his heart beats were normal now... sitting back, he eyed the beasts face... silent... eyes closed... lips somewhat parted, Ushio could faintly see the whiteness of his shark like teeth... now that he thought about it, the cave was now turning cold and dark... it was already night, so he assumed it's gonna freeze in a few hours... knowing that his friend would take time to awake, he propped the spear near the beast and went out to gather wood...

~*~*~*~*~

"Phew... I think this patch would be enough..." said the boy picking up one last piece of wood... turning back attending to go to the cave, he heard the sound of some thing coming closer... it sounded like... a car!! Laying the wood at a near by tree, he snuck his way to where the meteor was, and found a few men with equipment studying it...

"Ah... this is a magnificent discovery!!" one man said...
"Yes!! Quite extraordinary!!" another said...
"Hey!! My friends, come here quick, I found some thing!!" a third called out from a far...
"I wonder..." Whispered the temple boy, then sneaking after them, he saw them standing to where Tora slammed the rock, only now did he see the blood stain on the solid rock, staining the snow around as well... "So that's why Tora didn't wake up!! He's in a coma!!" he slurred to him self... slapping his forehead "F***!! What have I done!! I moved an injured person from his place!! I probably caused more damage to his body!!" he paused in horror "maybe even killed him by now!!" the horrible thought made him forget all about the people and the wood needed for the fire... a single droplet wheeled down his forehead... running as fast as his feet could go, Ushio rushed to the cave... just wanting to check on his partner... running faster and faster to the cave... the young boy didn't see the stained snow leading to the cave...

~*~*~*~*~

Standing at the entrance of the cave, the temple boy felt a massive heat in his soul, walking in, grabbing the spear, then kneeling to his friend again... little did he notice that he laid the spear down again and cupped his friends face... brushing back a few locks...

"Tora..." whispered the boy, somewhat in fright... "Tora... if you can hear me... please answer!!" he pleaded... brushing back a few more locks... his heart went up his throat... he shut his eyes, then rested his head on his friends chest... heart beats thumping fast... compared to the beasts rhythmic pounding...

Odd... the boy felt somehow warm and safe... laying there on the beasts torso... he couldn't understand it... but still relaxed with it around... breathing a bit slow now... he felt tired and in need of rest, yet, the cave was getting cold now... not wanting to move, yet feeling cold, the boy didn't know weather to go get the wood or just spend the night with out it... sleep is a master... the boy only found him self asleep within a few seconds... only hopping that there is some thing to keep his friend alive...

~*~*~*~*~*~

"Hey!! The blood leads to that cave!!" a man from earlier said...
"Do you think we should go in??" another asked...
"Are you two crazy!! Look at the size of the entrance! It's probably a bear!! And you know how dangerous an injured bear can be!" another one reasoned "Besides, we're here for the meteor, remember?!" he concluded...
"Yeah, I guess your right!" the first said...
"C'mon, lets' head back!!" the last one said turning around... "The car is running, and we need to get the meteor to the station for studying!!"
"I agree... let's go!" one said... heading to the car they left running, working with equipment moving the meteor from the snow and into the car... then leaving for their destination...

~*~*~*~*~

The feeling was really warm... comfortable... never did he ever feel it from the bottom of his heart... Ushio talked to him self, thinking of what he felt... "The flames of his orange fur... the whiteness of his teeth... the burning rage of his silver eyes... the heat of his soul... the calmness of his heart... yet, the stubbornness of his mind and total irritation of his attitude!!" the boy smiled to him self, falling half asleep, head on the beasts chest, listening to the heart beats... he wanted to sleep, but his heart didn't let him... was it worry? Did he really care about the ancient beast that much?? Ushio never admitted liking Tora... yet; he could never imagine life with out some one there to fight with!!

Remembering how they first met... down there, in the cold dark basement of his home... the way he and the beast first 'negotiated' about the simple stupid temple boy setting the great ancient beast free... how he became the beast lance user... he didn't want to lose Tora... now he would admit it to him self... but would never say it to the beast... he drew in a deep breath, held it in, holding, holding... then letting out a strong exhale... he felt like his heart jumped back in this throat... clearing his throat... he closed his eyes tight, thinking silently...

~*~*~*~*~*~

Deep in thought... things never would have been the same if he never would've met Tora... true his life would've been like the life of any normal 15 year old kid... yet... the life he has now... he could never think of changing it to any reason now... loosing a friend... like loosing a part of his soul... somehow, him, Tora and the spear are like one person... Ushio couldn't let go of the spear, yet not able to let go of Tora... at first, Ushio wanted Tora to stay with him in the temple so the beast wouldn't go eating people up and terrorize like he did in the past, and to teach him a few lessons in good behavior!!... And now... they built a bond between them, which they both would never think of braking, even though they would never admit that it existed... not now, not ever, no matter what the reason was...

His thoughts were broken... he felt something shift on his back, then cupping his head, as some thing like fingers drew its self in his hair, stroking back his short locks... quickly and startled, Ushio sat up and eyed the thing, only to see an orange stripped arm, with long talons, and a light chuckles... following his senses... his eyes locked with the silver burning plates, glowing in the dim light... with the faint whiteness of shark teeth drawing a bit wider now... with an ear to ear smile...

"Hey!! Don't you start crying on me brat!! I'm not dead yet, and I don't get killed that easy!!" the beast chuckled, whipping back a droplet form the boy's face... Ushio was crying and he didn't feel it...
"Huh??" a rush of heat burned his checks, he quickly drew his hands and whipped away the tears "Give me one good F***ing reason to cry over an over grown throw rug like you!!" shouted the boy in apprehension "I just got fur dust in my eyes!!" he concluded...
"........." Silently smiling, the beast sat up, but then something snapped and he started cursing "Dammit... every single bone in my body feels stiff as stone!!" drawing back a hand on the end of his spin, eyes shut...
"Tora..." the boy whispered, the beast craned to him... "You left blood stain on the snow out side!" he said...
"Blood?" he questioned, then if like remembering some thing, he drew back a hand feeling the back of his head "OUCH!!!" he squeaked, then started cursing again... "Dammit! My head has a bump as big as a mountain!!" drawing back his hand, it was lightly stained as well...
"What the..." surprised, the boy eyed his heavy coat, only to see it stained in blood as well... "Aw man!!! Tora!! Do you have any idea how hard it is to remove blood stain from clothing??" cried the boy in anger...
"Huh??" the beast craned to him, not focusing at all... "Wha 'didja say?"
"Err, Tora, you all right??" the temple boy asked...
"I dunno... I think my head sprung a leak!!" murmured the beast...

~*~*~*~*~

At the entrance of the cave, feeling movement, some thing came out, as it was a boy and a huge orange beast... walking on four, still wobbly... Tora didn't want to stay trapped in a cold dark cave at all...

"Are you sure you can fly us back Tora? I don't think your steady enough!!" reasoned the boy...
"Hey!! Who's the beast in this picture!!" questioned the beast, then felt his head spin "sh**! Even yelling hurts!!"
"I really think we should spend the night here Tora! We can go back home tomorrow!" said Ushio attending to walk back...
"There is no way I'm going back in there... it's not comfortable and darn freezing!!" Protested the beast...
"Well, I gathered up some wood to make a fire, I'll go get the pile!" said the boy walking away, spear propped in his grip...
"What ever..." murmured the beast, then a cold breeze blew hard, turning the beast blue and shaking cold... "Brrr!!!! It's freezing!!" rubbing his shoulders for warmth, the beast looked around to where the boy went... looking up at the sky, it was still snowing lightly, but then he frowned "a snowstorm is coming!!" he said...
"Tora!!" called out the boy, the beast craned to see him with a stack of wood "I think this should be enough to keep us warm for the night!!" said the boy with a smile "strange though, the guys that were here are gone, and the meteor is not in place!!" he concluded...
"A... mete-what?" asked the beast...
"A meteor Tora!! It's the thing that fell from the sky and knock you cold, remember!!" said the boy...
"Oh... well... you'll need more than that to kill me brat..." said the beast...
"Yeah!! Too bad!" mocked the boy, and then dodged a blow from the beast's hand, that's full of claws, but moving too fast gave the beast a dizzy feeling, as he swooped his hand, he lost balance and fell on his side on the snow...
"Hey!! Are you all right??"
"Yeah-yeah... Hey brat..." said the beast after he calmed down a little...
"Yeah Tora?" responded the boy, setting the wood to get the fire ready, as he set it in the middle of the cave...
"I don't think you brought enough, because soon a snow storm is gonna start!!" warned the beast...
"How do you know??" asked the boy... the beast only folded his arms over his chest with a mocking face "Oh yeah... you can sense the weather... I forgot!!" murmured the boy... "In that case, I'd better go get more wood!"

~*~*~*~*~

With that, the boy walked out again to gather more wood, an the beast didn't want to stay behind so he followed... Later, Ushio told Tora that he really doesn't have to follow him and that he can go back to the cave and rest but the beast felt offended and insisted on coming along to gather wood... it was faster and easier, because Tora's claws were sharp and quick... fast enough to gather the twigs and broken branches... Ushio warned him from cutting down trees, and all they need was wood enough for one night... not really seeing the point of it, the beast did what the boy said... but still, every now and then the beast would throw a snow ball at the boy, but Ushio fought back the urge to hit the beast... after all Tora was still injured with a nasty bump on the back of his scull, that finally stopped bleeding... and he kept complaining that his spine feels dry and stiff...

The two separated to search in a larger aria before the storm stared, so Ushio went in one way, spear gripped in his hand, and Tora went in the other... Ushio was busy picking up a few sticks and branches, when he heard the sound of foot steps on snow... ignoring, it kept of coming closer... in a sudden moment, Ushio felt something spring from behind darting him, so he quickly dodged it... facing it, it turned out to be a huge wolf...

"Hell??" asked the boy... "From where the hell did you come from??" he questioned... the wolf jumped him again, but the boy dodged it...
"Whoa!! Nice boy!! I don't wanna hurt you!!" he tried to reason... but it doesn't seem to be friendly at any case... looking hungry, the boy knew the wolf just wanted a midnight snack! The wolf jumped at him again, but then tumbled slipping over soft snow...
"No wonder your such a grouch!! Are you 'that' hungry??" said the boy... dodging another blow... "Hey relax!! I don't want to end up doggy food!!"

"I don't think it's cooperative Brat!!" chuckles a grisly voice, then suddenly out of nowhere, the orange beast plunged over the wolf, pinning it still to the soft snow... " Your not going any where buddy!!" he chuckled... "So? Why didn't you try to kill it?" he asked the stunned boy...
"Well... I dunno... I just didn't feel like I should!" he mumbled...
"So... what are you attending to do with it??" he eyed it trying to escape...
"Might as well set it free! Get of it!!"
"Why should I? We can skin it and use it as a coat right?" he suggested...
"Uh, Tora, get of it! Are you trying to kill it or something?"
"Not really!" he drew back from it, and in a case of fear for dear O' life, the wolf hurried in it's tracks, not wanting to encounter a beast like Tora ever again...

Ushio frowned at his friend chuckling... so the boy picked up the wood and gripped the spear, walking after the beast back to the cave, as the snow began falling strong and the weather got awfully windy... The fire was warm enough for them to rest...

~*~*~*~*~

"You all right?"
"Yeah... just cold that's all!!" murmured the beast, the last sentence more to him self than to the boy...
"Um... Tora!" whispered the boy, noticing the beast's absent-minded gaze as the snow out side...
"Hmm?" he simply answered...
"Are you 'Sure' your all right?"
"Yeah! Actually... I'm feeling kind of... like you say 'corny'!!" he oddly answered...
"O.o?? Err... now I'm defiantly sure your not okay!" said the boy totally feeling odd... "Must've been the hit on the noggin!" he concluded...
"Well... what ever it is... it feels odd!!" he chuckled... the boy's jaws dislocated...
"Uhh..." placing one hand on his forehead, the other on the beasts, he checked the heat "well, you feel normal!"
"Says who?? I'm feeling totally odd!!" holding the boy's hand carefully, still smiling, much to the boy's surprise... "But this ain't' the subject kid! We gotta get outta in the morning, remember?"
"Tora... your talking slang!!" reasoned the boy
"So?"
"You never talk slang!! You always talk like some English man or some thing!! Typical and boring!"
"Not any more I ain't!!" he chuckled... Ushio's eyes winded... "Yo!! Whaddya say one of us goes out side and gets sumthin' ta eat?"
"Yo??" asked the boy... "Uhh... I guess! Since the storm didn't start yet! You stay in here Tora, I'll go see if there's any thing a can catch!!"

Walking out side... feeling absolutely dazzled and somewhat corny, Ushio just didn't know what to make of the situation... all he could think of now, was to get something to eat, and to find a way to get Tora back to normal... however that could happen!!

~*~*~*~*~

"Hmm... Two or three snow rabbits would do a fine meal at least!" murmured the beast... he was huge, orange, and with the fire behind him, the shade and light flickering against his furry body, as he gazed out side... then his eyes snapped wide open as he gave a groan, clutching his head... he gave a little moan, then blinked a few times ... "Hell... what hit me?" he felt his head...

"I'm back!" said the boy holding two snow rabbits by the ears, somewhat dead "Sorry, this was all I could find before the storm started!" he reasoned "so? How're you feeling?" he asked the beast with a smile...
"F***ing odd!! One minute I was feeling merry, the second I feel like killing sumbuddy!" he growled nursing his scull... the boy only blinked...
"Um, Tora?"
"Yeah?" he said growling...
"What are you doing?"
"Huh?" craning his head to the boy, then noticing that he was still holding his head "Oh... that!"
"Yeah! That!! Wha'cha doin'?" he asked cocking an eye brow...
"Oh... nothing!" murmured the beast drawing back his hands...

~*~*~*~*~

Pacing past the boy, slurring a stream of light cursing, the ancient orange beast walked towards the fire, curling around him self for warmth, he folded his hands and rested back a little... Ushio simply blinked stupidly at him, shrugging with a shaking head, he eyed the flames again, propping the spear to the side, and then he eyed the rabbits...

"So, what am I suppose to do with these?"
"eat'em!" slurred the beast with a lazy face...
"Well... I think we should leave 'em for tomorrow... I'm not that hungry!" he stated eyeing the flames... but then, quickly facing the beast, he wasn't even looking... Tora seemed somehow, absent minded... again! "Hey strip face, sumthin' wrong?" he called out...
"?!" Tora had his eyes slit, in a sleepy face; he just shrugged and rested his head to the side, then closed his eyes...
"?!!" Ushio felt puzzled... he doesn't remember seeing Tora asleep... some times he doesn't even know if the guy actually slept or not! Putting the dead rabbits near a crack in the caves walls...

~*~*~*~*~

In a case of tiredness, Ushio didn't want to sleep on hard stone, so he turned to the beast and sat on the other side of the fire, as they now faced each other... silent, spear propped on his shoulder, somewhat hugging his knees as he sat there silent... Ushio eyed the beast, head down, eyes closed, breathing normal... a light smile drew on his face, now that his friend is a live, he shouldn't worry... though the ancient beast did act weird before, he assumed it was just a moment and passed... there sprawling in the cave... the storm went wild out side, as a few specks of snow went into the cave, yet not reaching them... wind blew hard... and yet, the fire flickered softly... the beast just laid there... Ushio wondered if he should see if the bump healed or not...

'Nah... it's only gonna turn on his siren!!' he though to him self... drawing a little closer, the beast didn't move 'probably fast a sleep!' thought the boy, slowly drawing closer and closer, till he sat back on his legs, right next to the sleeping beast... 'God... he's such a sound sleeper!!' he smiled, then carefully and lightly, brushed back a single white lock from the beasts face... Tora's nose lightly twitched with that, as Ushio froze solid... the beast mumbled some thing in his sleep, but didn't wake up... 'Phew! That was a close one!!' stated the boy to him self... a hand on his heart...

~*~*~*~*~

Fire slightly crackled, so Ushio added another branch... eyeing the fire then the beast again... there wasn't much difference! Colored in red, orange and white, both hot blooded, not forgetting hotheaded!! And both burn if your not careful! Releasing a tired yawn, Ushio drew a hand on the beasts body, really not noticing that he did that... eyeing the fire sleepily, his eye lids trembled... holding the spear a bit tight trying to stay awake, he failed... it was just too good... he was tired and bored, as the cave was cold, the fire was hot, and his friend behind him furry, warm and absolutely comfortable...

Ushio never knew what Tora does to his fur to make it so soft, since the ancient beast hates water and all, he didn't think he licked him self like a cat did he?? Giving another yawn, he found him self leaning back lightly, till he found him self laying half his body on the stone ground, as the rest rested on the side of the huge furry beast... still gripping the spear, he hugged it in his folded arms as he laid his head back resting on the furry bed he found 'it's only for tonight, I'm sure he wont mind... I think!' he thought to him self, hoping that the beast would understand...

~*~*~*~*~

Morning came fast... the storm stopped and yet, the entrance was half blocked with snow... yet the fire had turned off... the beast was asleep, as the temple boy moved lightly shifting in his sleep, the beast woke up, craning to the boy, he did nothing... then eyeing the entrance, as the snow was still blocking the way... looking around, he found him self going back to the boy... still snoring loud, the boy was fast asleep... spear still in his grip resting on the beasts side... he paused, then with the tip of a careful forefinger, the beast drew his finger down the boys shoulder, careful not to claw him, the boy awoke blinking still in sleep, then craned to the beast...

"Hey Brat! Do I look like a bed to you?" he lightly growled with a smile...
"Huh? Oh, morning Tora (yawn) man what a night" he slurred half asleep...
"Tell me about it!" slurred the beast; standing on his hind legs, then stretching like a huge over grown cat, with his mouth exposed yawing showing hit famous set of shark teeth...
"Ho-God (stretching his limbs) what-a-night!!" finally snapping out of sleep, the boy eyed the beast... he was still eyeing to snow blocking the way... "Say, how's you head today Tora? Feeling any better?" he asked...
"My head?" drawing back a hand "Oh... still snaps, but not like yesterday..." he slurred to him self...
"Let me see!" said the boy, one hand on the beasts shoulder, the other under his chin, as the spear stood between his arms leaning on his chest, parting him with the beast...
"Hey! What do I look like? A five year old?" hollered the beast, pushing back the temple boy... "It's a simple injury, just a few days and it would heal by it's self stupid!!" he cried out "besides, hits like these don't affect us!" he concluded...
"But it was bleeding!"
"So?!"
"What do you mean 'So'!? It needs to be taken care of Tora!"
"No it doesn't!!"
"Yes it does!!"
"doesn't..."
"does..."
"Doesn't!!"
"Does!!"
"DOESN'T!!"
"DOES!!"
"I Say DOESN'T!!"
"And I Say DOES!!"

They glared each other growling... then both turned around with a single voiced 'Humph!!!'... Silence came, both said nothing, arms folded, both irritated, angry and now hungry and cold... the boy looked to the entrance again to see the snow, walking to it, he shoved it away to make a path out side...

"What do you think your doing?" asked the beast...
"Moving the snow, what does it look like?!" he replied...
"I wouldn't to that if I were you!"
"Ho-really? And why not?"

Before Ushio could even get an answer, a huge chunk of snow fell splattering on his head covering him down, head coming out with snot dangling out of his cold nose, he gave a loud sneeze...

"That's why!!" Tora chuckled...

~*~*~*~*~

"Hatcho!!" sneezed the boy hard... "Geez, what a time to catch a cold!!" he whispered to him self, snuggled into his thick --yet still lightly stained in a beasts blood-- coat, sitting on the bed of leaves and shivering, yet with a stick, he moved the fire so it would stay on, spear gripped in the other, just for company... the beast had went out earlier to get more wood and find some thing else to eat... the two rabbits were eaten in a single gulp by the beast... Ushio didn't want to eat raw meat at any case... shivering there in his place, Ushio felt in need of a hot drink at that moment...

"I wonder what's taking fuzz ball so long!" he mumbled to him self...
"WHOA!!!!" a loud cry was heard, as the huge beast 'crash landed' into the cave, chin first... unfortunately, his landing was right next to the fire...and his dark orange tail tuned into flames!!

"F***! From where did that pine-tree come from?" he cursed...
"Uh, Tora!!" said the temple boy...
"I would've gotten that Deer if it didn't come in my way" he concluded...
"Err, Tora!!"
"What??" he growled
"Your tail is on fire!!"
"Huh? O.O;;;" turning around, it got his butt "YAW!!!!!!"

SD style mode on, quickly running out side, eyes wide open, he jumped on a huge smack of snow, butt first, to turn off his flaming tail... teeth showing, keeping in the pain, it slowly turned off... he gave a sigh of final relaxation, only for his eyes to snap at the smirking boy watching him from the caves entrance...

"What are you smirking at?" he growled, voice lost in embarrassment...
"Ho... Nothing!" he lightly chuckled, voice a bit gone from he cold, clearing his voice he tried to speak clearer "did you find any thing?"
"I found a Deer..." the beast stood up and felt his rear "but the darn thing got away..." he concluded...
"Well..." propping the spear "though it's still early, how about if we just skip it and head back home?"
"There is no way I'm walking brat!"
"But Tora, you're still un-stable! The 'Crash landing' proves it!!" he mocked... "Besides, I want some thing light to eat! Like fruits or some thing!! I'm not in a mood for meat!"
"Well I am!"
"Tora, your always in a mood for fleshy meat!!"
"So! It's not my problem you humans have dainty stomachs! You can't take strong stuff!"
"That's what you said when you tried alcohol..." smirk "... then you threw it up all over the kitchen floor!" he scolded...
"O_o;;;" he gave a pause, cursing under his breath in embarrassment "what ever!!" then he strolled back into the cave...
"Hell!!" cried Ushio blinking his friends tail "Geez, your tail is totally fried Tora!!" he pointed out... only to be paid with a deadly glare... "Uh, screw that!" he walked back to the dead leaves bed and curled in his coat again "God-it's freezing..."
"Tell me about it" slurred the beast...

Ushio turned to the beast silently, as Tora looked absently at what was left of the crackling fire, then he sat back nursing his burned up tail... silence crept between them again... dropping his gaze to the fire, Ushio wanted to start a conversation, but just didn't have a topic to start with... after a thought or two... or three! He eyed the spear, laid there next to him, so he picked it up, his fingers scrolled down it's haft... resting his forehead on it's wooden lance, he closed his eyes thinking, as his fingers strolled down it's tattered red silk... the beast saw him do that and frowned, disliking what the boy is doing...

'Stupid brat...' he thought to him self 'there he goes communicating with it again... well... it's not my problem at any case!' he thought angrily staring at the boy... 'Still... he doesn't even know what it might do to him, and he insists on keeping it so close...' he gave a sigh, then walked to the cave entrance... 'Some times... I just wish if there was some thing for me to do to stop this!' he sat back on his hunches, gazing at the snow falling again...

'Uhh!!' Ushio's eyes shot wide open, yet didn't make a sound with his eye slit like a cat, but then turned back normal... eyeing the spear in his hands blinking, feeling a bit confused, he shoved a few thought from his head and craned to his friend... 'What's he doing?' he wondered what the ancient orange beast was doing eyeing the out doors... adding a few more branches to the hungry fire, Ushio felt its heat against his cold finger tips... feeling gratitude for that, he added even more wood... with a simple grin Ushio gave out a breath then eyed the beast again... Tora was still looking out side...

"Um, Tora!!" Ushio called out softly... the beast only shifted to him, still not facing him "what are you doing?" he asked...
"What does it look like... stupid?" he somewhat growled, but his voice wasn't in an angry tone... then faced him, but his face was calm, with no sign of anger in any way... the pupilless white, silver burning slit eyes... odd enough, he smiled as he paced back to the dazzled boy...
"Uhh... O.o;;; T-Tora what're you doing?" the boy asked worriedly as his friend paced towards him with soundless steps...

Face to face the beast and the boy both froze... Ushio didn't know what to make of it... as for Tora, he had the most amazing smile on his cold stripped face... one thing the boy was sure of, the beast was planning on doing some trick of some sort...

"Okay, Tora..." he sounded if like he war warning "what ever you're up to, be careful for it not to back fire!!" he said with a grin, spear gripped in his clutches... Tora only widened his smile, then turned to the other side of the fire and sprawled like a huge cat... Ushio blinked 'hell? Isn't he at least gonna try and do sumthin?' the boy asked him self, odd the beast didn't say some thing at least...
"You thought I'd do some thing, eh brat?" the beast questioned with a smirk, head resting on his folded arms...
"Well... yeah!" the temple boy felt something different about the beast, as if... playing with his nerves!! Frowning, the thought got him prepared...
"Hey, don't wonder off into that silly little world of yours stupid! I'm not attending to do any thing!" the beast calmly stated... his err; almost burned orange tail lightly flickered...

"Does it hurt?" O.o?
"What does?" -O.O-?
"Your tail!" U_U
"........." -T.T- his tail tucked...
"Well?" O_o?
"No... Why do you ask!?" -U_0-?
"Just wanna know!" n_n!
"Well... it's none of your business!" -T_T- x

~*~*~*~*~*~

Long pause... SD style mode off...

~*~*~*~*~*~

Both said nothing for some time... but then, Tora's head spun quickly towards the caves entrance, startling the absent minded boy... Ushio stared out side, but saw nothing, yet craned back to the sound of crackling wood in the fire place... whipping his wet nose with his shirt's cuff, he really needed a handkerchief right about then! Tora stood on his hind legs and paced silently with cat-foot steps out side... crouching down ready to pounce, his senses all were up and ready... some thing walked between the shivering branches of the dead trees near by, it sounded steady and calm, as the sound of falling chunks of snow were heard as well...

"Tora... do you know what it is?"
"No... But it's not that huge!!"
"What do you mean?"
"I'd say... it's probably as big as me... or less!"
"Like what? Another beast?"
"Could be!"

The thing came closer... but the huge orange beast gave it no pause and quickly plunged towards it darting directly... all what Ushio heard was a shrike and then yelping, cursing and a slurred stream of a female voice!! Cocking an eye brow, he saw the beast dragging him self backwards startled... as it turned out to be Yami standing in front of him with a bag like a mail-man's over her shoulder... holding a snow ball in her hand...

"Y... Yami??" the boy questioned...
"No the pizza delivery!! What the hell are you two doing in my den??" she asked with a voice, where irritation and confusion mixed...
"Your den??" asked the beast, then stood up and brushed off the snow "but... I though you lived with the rest of your group up the mountains!!" he concluded...
"I do... it's just that this is my place when I want to do my studies!!" she explained... "Come to think about it, what are you two doing so far away from home?" she asked...
"Ho-we were just training... and well... things kind of went down the hill!!" the temple boy explained...
"Down the hill??" she repeated, and then eyed the beast "Nagatobimaru!! What the hell happened to your tail??" she blinked at his rear oddly...
"O__o;;;!!! Err... nothing!!" the rush of heat got him angry... reaching a hand to feel the back on his freezing neck, he touched his injury "Ouch!! X_O!!
"What's wrong?" she asked, then walked to him and noticing the dark blue mark on the back of his head "Eww!! You should really take care of that! It might grow sour if you just leave it like that!" she suggested...
"I told him, but he said it would only take a few days and go by it's self!!" said the boy, Tora shot him with deadly eyes...
"Says who? Injures like these need special care or they would go worse!!" she responded, then turned to the beast "C'mon! It's a good thing I brought the medicines with me, we're gonna need them!" she said walking to the cave...
"Hell??" the beast cursed, the glared the boy "you just 'HAD' to go and open your stupid big mouth didn't you!!" he scolded whispering to the boy...

"Hey! Are you coming or not?" Yami called out "or do you want it to turn from blue to green?" she reasoned...
"Green?? Eww!!" exclaimed the boy...
"I hate green!" said the beast "sheez, I cant believe I'm doing this!" he mumbled waking to the den again, Ushio followed...

~*~*~*~*~

"Yaw!!! Hey watch it with that stuff, it stings!!" cried the beast, pushing back the female beasts hands...
"Ho-Quit your whining all ready!!" she scolded, pushing his hands off her own "just a little more and I'll be done" she continued, pause, "Done... see! If only you were a bit patent, things would've been less painful!" she craned around towards the temple boy "well, are you feeling any better Ushio?" she asked the temple boy...
"Well..." he said after a sip from a mug in his hands) this stuff is really hot... I think the cold is gone!" he answered!!
"See! I told you a hot drink of ginger would do wonders!!" she exclaimed smiling proudly...
"Do tell!" he smiled taking another sip "This stuff tastes awesome!"
"Yeah... witch doctor!!" he beast slurred...
"Excuse me??" she growled "what did you just call me??" she hissed...
"Err O_O;;;!! Nothing! I didn't say any thing!!" he mumbled...

Ushio chuckled lightly, watching how Tora doesn't like encountering females of his own kind... ever since Kage/Shadow back at the Island story, Tora had thought twice before arguing with females, counting in Asako!! After a pause... Ushio eyed his reflection in the hot drink, then eyed the two beasts glaring each other... Yami's cave was full with cracks in the walls, with many hiding spots he and Tora never noticed before, except for the ones he put the dead rabbits in before... since Yami likes working with plants than battling over a land, she had worked up a bond in making medicines... she wasn't bad when you got to know her... not hot tempered like Tora, actually she was mostly calm... only thing to make her flip her lid was to touch her Forbeddan spots... do that and she'll kick you where the sun don't shine... depends if she leaves them where they are that is!!

"Say Yami!" Ushio called out, after she attended to start nursing the orange beasts head again...
"Yeah Ushio?" she simply replied with a smile...
"How's every one back home?"
"Every one? Oh-they're doing fine!!" she said, while taking out a little pouch from her bag she opened it, poured some sort of liquid over it, then spread it over a few bandages and laid them on the orange beasts injury...
"Ouch!!!" Tora yelped in pain...
"Why do you ask?" she continued...
"Oh, well, I haven't heard from Kage ever since the Island thing... I was just wondering how things are going!"
"Not bad right about now" she lightly laughed...
"What's so funny?" Tora asked...
"Oh... you simply have no 'idea' how 'crazy' Kage could go when it snows!!" she laughed...
"Oh!!" Ushio simply exclaimed... then took another sip from him mug "well then... how are things between you and Kyofu going?"
".........??" Yami froze with her eyes lightly widening, and her smile faded away in a glimpse of an eye "I really don't wanna talk about it" she lightly growled to her self, and went back to her pouch, as if looking for some thing...
"Uhh!" Tora mumbled seeing the sudden change "you just had to ask didn't you!!??" he scolded the boy whispering again with a growl...
"Uh, S-sorry Yami!!" he quickly responded... "I didn't mean any thing!"

"Sigh... it's all right..." she tied to smile... "Kyofu and I are getting alone quite well right now... I just..." and she stopped... then shook her head "that doesn't matter!" she turned back to the beast with a faint fake smile "you two might have to spend the night here, you'll be able to go back home tomorrow! It would give Nagatobimaru's injury enough time to heal!" she said with a motionless voice...
"You know, you can just call him Tora!!" said the boy...
"Tora... Nagatobimaru... it doesn't matter!! As long as it's a name!!" exclaimed the beast to both of them with a shrugging smile...

~*~*~*~*~

"YAMI!!!!!" a faint voice far a way called...
"Huh?" the female beast craned around to her den's entrance and stood there, awaiting the one summoning her...
"Who is that?" asked the temple boy...
"??" Shrugged the ancient orange beast...
"That sounds like... Jiaaku!!" she exclaimed confused, cocking an eye brow "funny, I wonder what he wants!!" she walked out of her den and stood in the empty space in front of her lair, waiting his arrival...

"Yami!!" the young beast exclaimed as he saw her standing there, running fast towards her with a smile "God! You have no id--(he slipped over the snow)--EA!!!!"
"Jiaaku!!" Yami cried "watch out for that--(THWACK!!!!!)--Tree!!"

~*~*~*~*~

Sprawling there, up-side-down, head spinning, eyes swirling in a daze, the young beast slowly snapped out of his sudden blow, and eyed the female in front of his, up-side-down as well...

"You crazy child! What were you trying to do? Commit suicide?" she cocked an eye brow and scolded...
"Um, Yami!"
"Yes?"
"Is it just me, or do your breasts look bigger??"
"!!!!"

Suddenly a huge chunk of snow splattered on the young beasts face, causing him to jump gasping for air, and a wet line went down his nose... he sneezed after that of course...

"Geez!! You females simply have no sense of humor!! Can't you at leas take a jock?!" he sat back up-right and whined...
"Not from you that's for sure!!" she lightly growled... "Besides, what are you doing here??"
"Well, I--" and he paused, after he saw the temple boy and the ancient beast standing at his female friends den... "Well color me blue and call me hedgehog!!" he exclaimed "Ushio!? Nagatobimaru?? What on earth are you two doing here (pause) and in Yami's den??" he cocked a suspicious eyebrow at her... he was then gifted with a pinch down the rear "Ouch!!"
"Don't you dare think about it!!" she growled...

"It's been a while, eh Jiaaku!?" chuckled the temple boy...
"Yeah! A while!" he repeated feeling his butt... standing up on his hind legs "ya' know, I'd love to stay and chat, but Yami!!" she turned to him "I hate to say this, but Kyofu and Muma fought with flames again at the frozen lake..."
"... And?"
"And... Well... it's not frozen any more!!" n.n '
"What?? Again??" -O.o-
"Sadly, yes! Again!!"
"Ohh!!" she growled in anger "they 'NEVER' learn, and it just so happens that I'm fresh outta mint and cinnamon!!!" she concluded...

"Mind if we join?" asked the temple boy... he got gawked by them all! "Err O_o;;; if you don't mind that is!!
"I think the cold got to your brain brat!!" pummeling the temple boys forehead with his knuckles "HELLO!!!??? They live 'all' the way up the mountains, remember stupid??" he growled...
"X" the boy fought the need to smack the beast on the head with the spear... but then settled with a hard core spank using the flat side of the spear, down the ancient beasts butt...
"Ouch!! F***!! What was that for??" he growled in sudden pain, really puzzled why the boy did so... as his hands felt his tender part...
"Um, Nagatobimaru... what the F*** happened to you tail??" asked the young beast, as his five silver locks danced with the faint breeze with the rest of his reddish-orange burning mane...

~*~*~*~*~

Some time after...

~*~*~*~*~

"God my feet are killing me!!" whined the ancient beast!! "I old you flying would've been faster and easier!!" he complained...
"Oh-Suuuuure!! Try flying between 'those' trees with out scaring your self!!" mocked the female leading the way...
"I never wanna even think of what could happen!" slurred the young beast walking after the female... yet staring oddly at her as she walked... then he smirked...
"I'm with Jiaaku!" said the temple boy turning to his friend...

They all were walking in a thin path hardly showing sun light as it was morning by then... snow shimmered with the colors reflected by white... as three beasts and a boy walked silently up a slippery snowy hill side going up... Tora felt like his hands were frozen solid in a way that he couldn't even feel them any more! Stopping, then giving a hot breath to his cold hands, he sat back on his hunches and decided to glance around the surroundings...

"Hey! This is no time to look at Mother Nature Tora! Hurry up!!" cried the temple boy, shifting the spear from one grip to another...
"Hold your horses... Sheez... what's the hurry for any way?" he growled, as he now walked side by side with the temple boy...
"Honestly, I dunno, but Yami said that we should hurry just to make sure they didn't get hurt bad!"
"Heh... see if I care..."
"If you don't care you'd you come in the first place??"
"Hey! I go with the spear! Where ever the spear goes, I go!!"
"So you just follow me just because I have the spear??"
"It's simply no pleasure brat!!"
"So... if I just pinned it to a rock and left, you'd stay here with it??"
"I guess!!"
"That's' stupid!!"
"Just like 'you' if you ever 'think' of leaving it behind brat... because you cant, even if you tried!!!"

In a rage of anger, Ushio shifted the spear right towards the beast head... the beast quickly shut his eyes teeth showing, waiting for the hit to happen... it didn't!! Cracking one eyelid slightly opens... the space between the spear and his scull was no less then a few millimeters!! His eyes shot open in startle mixed with puzzlement, as the boy's face showed that he really wants to hit him, yet, some thing showed as if he shouldn't... the beast blinked him oddly, confused that he hadn't been swatted like usual!

"Hey!" they both craned around "What are you two doing back there? Hurry up, we're almost there!!" cried the female to them, standing on her hind legs at the end of the path, that is now open...
"Say Yami!" grinned the young beast sitting back on his hunches next to her, with a wide ear-to-ear grin...
"Yeah Jiaaku?" she responded yet not looking at him, watching the two partners walking their way...
"I like your butt!!"
"???" She craned to him in startle... "Why you little---!!!!"
"Ha-ha!!!" he laughed running off...

"What's with them??" asked the boy watching Yami curse the young beast as he skipped off laughing...
"Beats me!" slurred the ancient beast...

~*~*~*~*~

After some more time... they reached their destination...

~*~*~*~*~

"Hatcho!!!" sneezes a dark brown beast, as a single gray lock from his mane dangled in front of his sight... "God... what's taking them so long? I'm freezing!!" he shivered in place...
"Try to keep in the heat Muma!!" exclaimed his light brown mate as she brushed back his dangling lock "Yami and Jiaaku will be here soon!" she softly said nuzzling him...
"Don't come too close Kage, you might catch it!!"
"Ho-don't worry over me! You're the one who we should worry over!" she smiled cupping his face, and then kissed him tenderly on the check "stay here okay! I'll go check on Kyofu and see how's he doing!!"
"Take care!" he said lightly blushing...
"I will!" she smiled and walked out...

Kage walked out of their den towards another near by only a few feet away... her hand on foot prints on the snow... we see the old black beast sprawling there lightly shivering, but then stopped and craned to her as she stepped in...

"Hey Kyofu, how do you feel?" she asked merely...
"I feel like crap..." he responded with his voice almost gone "any sign of Jiaaku or Yami?" he asked weakly, she shook her head in respond... "I could really go for some of her hot drinks right now!" he whispered to him self...
"What 'ja say?"
"Nothing!!"

~*~*~*~*~

"Dad!! How're you feeling?" asked the little beast walking into the den... she lightly changed, as she grew up a little more -shall we say- female!!
"Tired!!" he said feeling sleepy... "Ann, dear, where's your mom?"
"I think at Kyofu's den... why? Do you want me to call her for you?"
"Oh-no... I just wanted to know where she was" he mumbled to his -almost grown up to be a rather lovely female just like her mother- daughter...
"Dad, you don't look so good, want me to get you sumthin ta eat?"
"Nah... I don't feel like it!" he slurred...
"You sure?"
"Yeah..."
"Defiantly sure?"
"Yes!"
"Truly?"
"Ann!! I'm fine!! Really!! Just tired that's all!!"
"Err, sorry dad!!"

~*~*~*~*

"Hey!! We're back!!!" sung the young beast as he walked towards the near by dens... then eyed Kage walking out of Kyofu's den "Yo! Kay!! Guess who I found!!" he pointed a thumb back at our two friends...
"-O.O-!! Tora and Ushio!! -^__^- What a pleasant surprise!!" she smiled pacing on four towards them, her crimson tail flickering...
"Hey Kage!!" smiled the temple boy as she walked to him...
"........." Tora said nothing...
"Well, it seems to me sum-buddy's got him self hurt!!" she said eyeing the ancient beast's tail "what on earth happened?"
"X" Tora just growled...
"^__^ ' Long story Kage!!"
"Yeah, any way, where are they?" asked Yami...
"There at their dens, who would you see first?" asked Kage...
"I think Kyofu, since he doesn't have any one to look after him" Yami responded...

"Yeah!! Go ahead and do that!!" smirked the young beast, Yami only shot his with a deadly glare, as her light blue eyes burned in a pitch dark color of blackish blue!! "Err... screw that!!"
"Say that again and I'm gonna screw 'you'!!" she growled...
"-O.O-() okay!!! I'll keep that in mind!!"
"Good... I'll go see Kyofu, wait for me at your den all right!?"
"Okay Yami!" said Kage, and then turned to the two friends "C'mon! Your staying at my place, okay!?"
"Oh-No thanks Kage!" interrupted the temple boy "we just came along to make sure every one was all right!"
"........." Tora said nothing...

"Uncle Tora??" a female voice squeaked "Hey!!" Ann smiled as they turned to her... "Fancy seeing you two here!!" she was as half as big as Tora now, almost as tall as Ushio perhaps!!
"A... Ann??" Ushio gawked her "is that... really you??"
"None other!!" she bashfully answered... "Why do you ask?"
"It's just that... you've changed!!"
"To the best or worse?"
"Best of course!! You're looking HOT!!"
"Why thank you!!" she smiled...
"Hey! How come what I say some thing like that you hit me?" cried the young beast, brushing back his silver locks...
"Because you're a jerk Jiaaku!" she growled, then craned to the ancient beast, only to see him eyes wide open in a stunned face, jaws exposed almost touching the snow, blinking stupidly... giggling, she put his jaws back in place "it's good to see you too Uncle Tora!" she smiled...
"Uncle? (Frown) I thought I told you not to call me that!!" he said...
"Yo! I have my ways!" she smiled "so, why are you tow here?"
"Well, we heard Muma and Kyofu had a fight again, so we thought we'd drop in and see if every thing is okay!"
"Ho-Dad in gonna be pleased, right mom!"
"I'm sure he will!!"
"Bah... girls!!" growled the young beast...

~*~*~*~*~

"Fancy indeed!! You came all the way out here just for a visit!?" said the dark brown beast in wonder... "By the way Kage, where is Yami?"
"Probably still with Kyofu, want me to call her?"
"With Kyofu? In that case, no!! Let her be where she wants!! They've got a lot of making up to do!!"
"Yeah, I know what you mean..."
"Making up?" asked the temple boy, only to be pummeled with an orange-handed knuckle...
"Do you 'have' to ask so many 'questions' brat??"
"It's not that much Uncle Tora!!"
"Ann, I told you not to call me that!"
" Oh-I'll call you what I want... Uncle!!"
"Grrr..." (Many X's pop out)
"Any way" said the temple boy "what gives??"

"Well!" Kage eyed her mate, then her daughter... a moment of silence came, as she drew in a deep breath... "Kyofu had asked Yami to be his mate!!"
"Oh! (Baffled) Really??" O.O!!
"...And?? What did she say??" -O.o-??
"She didn't answer him yet!" said the young female... "She's been holding him back for about a week now..."
"Is that good or bad?" asked the temple boy...
"I dunno!" responded the female beast...
"Oh...well... let's change the subject okay!?" asked the temple boy, simply feeling the need to do so... "How are your eyes now Muma?"
"My eyes? Oh... not bad... though Yami said I've turned color blind!"
"Color blind?" repeated the ancient beast "what the F*** does that mean?"
"Well... It means that he can't tell the difference between the colors red and green Uncle Tora!"
"Why so?"
"Don't know! It just happened! He said that all he sees when he looks at any thing in green or red, it turns gray or one of it's scales!"

".........!!" Ushio said nothing, but then looked around him "say! Where did Jiaaku go?"
"Does it matter?" asked the young golden furred female...
"Your really not interested in Jiaaku are you?" mocked the ancient beast...
"Like hell I am!" she hollered, "I wouldn't like him even if he was the last jerk on the face of the earth!"
"Now Ann!" her mother scolded softly "so he doesn't know how to treat you like a lady! It's not his fault!!" she reasoned...
"What ever..." the golden female slurred to her self... "I'm gonna go and check on Yami and Kyofu, need any thing?"
"No honey!" said her mother "but ask her to hurry up, I think your fathers cold is going worse!"
"Okay..." and with that she walked out...

~*~*~*~*~

Somewhere else... in Kyofu's den... Yami was feeling the older beasts body, sensing it just to make sure he was all right... both were silent, but then she rose her head, and their eyes locked... Yami was silent, and then she somehow shied off and smiled, then looked back at him with a dazzling smile... Kyofu felt a rush of heat, really not knowing why, but hoping it was a good reason... but then, she slowly crept near him, and for his surprise, they nuzzled, only to hear her whisper 'I agree' in his ear... then they embraced each other... still both silent...

~*~*~*~*~

"Dammit... what do I have to do to get her attention?" questioned the young beast, slurring to him self as he walked through the snow... he was at a cliff side, silently swatting the snow sending it like splashing water against his sight... a speck of snow landed on his nose, he shock it off and brushed back his silver locks... "I guess she's not the one for me then..." he thought desperately to him self "but if it isn't her... then who? She's the only single female that actually fits!!" he continued thinking making his way through the frozen forest "I mean Kage has Muma... wait a f***! They're her parents! They don't count!" he scolded him self still strolling down a path... "Kyofu asked Yami to be his mate... so I guess she counts out too... though I personally admire her grooves! Especially her breasts!! Their so... well... round!!" he chuckled to him self... "All what's left... is Ann... sigh... and she hates me!!" he frowned, then stopped at an open space, showing it as acutely the clear tip of a huge snowy cliff...

Sitting there silently, Jiaaku closed his eyes in silent thinking... he really had a crush over Ann, but it only seemed that she only felt exact the opposite... his silver locks danced with the soft cool breeze, a he took in a deep breath of fresh morning air... the redness of his long silky mane flickered as well with the blowing wind... then he opened his eyes lightly to feel a soft movement from behind... craning around, his yellow eyes locked with pupilless silver eyes burning lightly with a faint smile, as the ancient orange beast stood there on his hind legs, leaning against a huge tree, arms folded as one of his shoulders rested on the tree...

"Need any company?" the orange beast questioned mocking... then softly paced towards him on four legs and sat back on his hunches next to him... Jiaaku was now as half as tall as Tora was when they sat side by side...
"Not really..." downhearted, he didn't feel like talking to any one, especially about the subject that is refusing to leave him mind alone...
"..." Tora only shrugged and eyes the horizon from where they sat... every thing was like a huge white blanket right about then, as every thing was colored yet covered with a shade or pure white...
"Why are you here?" asked the young beast, yet not looking at the ancient one... there was a slight pause...
"No reason... I was just passing by and saw you here that's all!" he exclaimed, not looking at the young one as well... "Why are 'you' here?" he gave back the question...
"I come here when I want to be alone and think... if like that would do my any good..." he said, then looked yet not shifting his head much to the beast "where's Ushio?"
"Back with the others..." he fully craned to him now "why do you ask?"
"...!" Jiaaku simply shrugged then looked back at the horizon... "I dunno..." pause... a single cool breeze blew again... "Nagatobimaru..." he said with a questioning voice...
"Yes?"
"Why have you decided to live with a human than with others of your own kind?" the young one really wanted to know...

The ancient beast jerked his head to the young one in surprise, blinking at him strangely... after a short thought; Tora really didn't know what to say... Jiaaku was calm, waiting for an answer, yet not sure if the older one would give it or not...

~*~*~*~*~

"Uncle Tora!!!" the young female called out, trying her best to hold back a smile... "Hey, Uncle-!" then she eyed the younger one, and she frowned "uhh, Uncle Tora, we want you to come back to the den please! There is some thing we want to tell you!!"
"Is it necessary?" he asked, she gave a nod... eyeing the young beast...
"You go ahead... I'll catch up later..." looking back at the horizon "when I feel like it!" he said the last sentence more to him self...
"As you wish!" then craned to the golden female "lead the way!"

~*~*~*~*~
*~*~*~*~*

You have no idea how much it hurts... to want to see you... to feel you... to feel you there with me, in the good and bad... in the sweet and sorrow... in the light and dark... every where I go, I need to know that you'll be there... in my heart, my soul, my life, my whole world... because I know... if your not there... my life is just not worth the living... and yet you neglect me... as if nothing to you but a measly creature that has nothing to do with life... if like having it around or not would not affect this world we share... only when you loose some thing would you know how much it's worth... alas, some times, even when it's too little too late, you refuse to admit how you feel... how you really want the others to see you... you try to show your self, but only end up feeling like you made your self go lower than you hoped for... because you didn't get what your heart desires... and yet, other extend their hands to help, and you push them back, not wanting pity by no one... but then... when your thinking that there is nothing left for you... some one comes and picks you up... holds you close... so close, you'd think its for eternal life... but every thing comes to an end... reality defeats the unbelievingly un award thing that occur in life... yet we go on... when we find what we long for... no matter how long it takes... we always find it... if it's written for us to find...

~*~*~*~*~
*~*~*~*~*

Every one gathered around the entrance of Kage's den waiting for Tora and Ann to arrive, Tora felt puzzled to see all the happy faces in front of him, as they all seemed to hold back a ticking bomb of laughter...

"Geez you all should see your faces!!" he exclaimed, "You look like bombs about to explode!!" he concluded...
"Oh... not really!" exclaimed the temple boy with a wide smirk... "Guess what Tora!"
"I hate guessing games brat, and you know that!!"
"Okay... I'll skip that" deep breath "Yami and Kyofu... are from now on..."
"...Mates!!" smiled the adult light brown female brushing back a few of her crimson locks...
"You're kidding me!!" the ancient beast asked with a grin "really?" he craned to the young golden female, and she gave a nod holding back a smile...
"Yup!!" the temple boy felt a rush of heat with in him... really not knowing why, but not giving a damn care, he just felt glad... "So, do you beasts have wedding ceremonies or something?" he asked the adult female...
"Now that you though of it... I don't know!!" Kage craned to her mate "I think Yami and Kyofu ought to have a special night, right!"
"I agree!!" Muma eyed his daughter "what do you think?"
"I'm with you guys all the way!!" ^w^!!!

Right then... a few feet away, we see Yami escorting Kyofu out of his den... now that he's in the sun light, we can see his face and body have grown pale and weak, some how shabby even... Kage eyed him with pity; she didn't notice his figure earlier because he didn't want to come out... Muma rose his head a little up, then walked towards them, helping Yami...

"How're you doing?" he asked...
"I could never be any better!" Kyofu answered with a weak smile, and then eyed his new mate, as she lightly blushed and smiled "now that the circle of my life is closed!"
"So..." said Yami smiling to the dark brown beast "what gives? You guys look like your gonna explode or sumthin!" she exclaimed eyeing the rest...
"Yami!" grinned Kage as she walked to her friend "How about if we celebrate this wonderful occasion and have some fun?"
"Celebrate?" she and her new mate asked in a single voice...
"Yeah!!" exclaimed the temple boy walking to them "this is going to be a cool party, trust me!!"
"........." The ancient beast eyed his young partner, spear propped on the shoulder, and laughing as he chatted with the rest of the beasts... he didn't even notice that he let go of a sigh...

"Uncle Tora?" the young female asked, "what's wrong?"
"?" He eyed her with his silver slit eyes... silver to crystal blue... she blinked once before giving a sad face...
"There is some thing bothering you... isn't there?" she whispered to him...
"I dunno... some thing just... doesn't feel right..." eyeing the laughing group, then forking back a few of his dangling locks "if only I knew what it was!!" he whispered back to her, yet still facing the beasts and the temple boy...
"What do you mean?" she whispered again softly, then eyed the others, fixing her gaze at Ushio laughing loud...
"I'm... I'm just not sure..." then he paused "we should've been back at the temple by now... but for some reason, every time we attend to head back, some thing happens and we change our course!" his tail lightly flickered...
"Well... at least stay with us for the celebration then? Please?" she hopefully asked... he eyed her slowly with an odd face... where a sad and an irritated feeling mixed...

"Yo!!! Strip face!!!" the temple boy called out with a wide smile "We're staying here for the night and we're gonna PAR-TEE!!" he cried...
"!" Tora didn't have any sign of a happy emotion on his face... it was cold and silent, till a light brush on his forearm got his attention...
"Don't think too deep about it Uncle Tora!" the little golden female said softly "it's some thing like mom once said to me... you'll only feel right, when you know where every thing belongs!!"

Tora didn't respond to that, but settled with a fake faint smile... then went back watching the two new couple nuzzle, as the two old couple smiled... Ann seemed a bit worried over her favorite Uncle so she thought she'd keep him company... a few feet away, Jiaaku was perching over a huge stone watching... he heard about every thing, but felt pain as his love one preferred to hang out with some one as old as her great grand father than to be with him... he gave a sigh, and though that if it was ever written for him to have her, then he will... but maybe it just wasn't time yet!!

~*~*~*~*~

"Uhh... are you sure brat?" murmured the beast with his eyes shot open as the temple boy cracking another opening in the frozen lakes ice "do you wanna kill your self that bad? You could've just told me! I'd save you the effort and time" he grinned, "it would be a pleasure, really!!" he smiled wickedly...
"Ha-ha-ha! Veeeeery funny Tora!" slurred the temple boy smiling "I'm just gonna catch some more fish, so don't over do it!!"
"Over do what?" -O.o-
"The eating! I know how much you love anchovies!"
"Don't tell me you know how to make pizza brat!"
"I don't! Well, I know, but never tried too actually make one!!"
"-T.T- you really know how to disappoint a person!!" he growled...
"Sorry Tora!!" ^.^ '

It was almost sun set by then... the ancient beast and the temple boy volunteered to help for the preparations of the celebration... they go and get fish from the frozen lake; Kage and Muma went hunting a small heard of antelopes... Jiaaku went to hunt down some thing he refused to say what it was, claming that it's gong to be a surprise... as for Ann, she stayed behind to help Yami look after Kyofu, who was gaining back his strength again... both he and her father got rid of their cold, both are doing just fine, thanks to Yami's hot drink of ginger roots!!

"Tora!! Ushio!!" the young female cried out as she ran to them...
"Hey! Ann! What's up?" he said, picking up a pile of fish tied to a rope... earlier Tora tried to snatch one, or two... or three! But Ushio didn't let him...
"Okay every thing is ready! Are you two done?" he gave a node showing her the fish "Cool! C'mon! I'm sure 'this' is gonna be 'so much fun'!!" she exclaimed with an excited voice...
"It sure will! Right Tora!!" said the temple boy eyeing his friend...
"......... Uhh... yeah......... fun!" it was all he said with a faked smile...
"O.o?? Say... is sumthin wrong Fuzz Ball??" Ushio felt some thing bothering his partner, and for him, it felt terribly wrong...
"......" Tora said nothing then paced silently pass them both "C'mon... we need to hurry, they aren't gonna wait for us all day... or night!!"

Cocking a confused eyebrow at the golden female, she shrugging and said nothing either... blinking at the ancient beast waiting for them a few feet away, she smiled a bit and quickly paced to stand on four feet next to him... Ushio eyed them at that moment... the young golden female standing next to the huge ancient beast, surprisingly enough, Tora smiled to her... and more surprising than that, she slightly nuzzled him and he didn't mind it!! Then, she whispered some thing then skipped towards her home faster... Ushio eyed his friend again, with that little smile on his face slightly widening, almost releasing a chuckle, his tail flickering, now that his tail got back its lovely color of dark orange... Tora silently sat back on his hunches, thinking to him self, with that smile lightly widening even more...

Tora smiled as she went of full with excitement and the energy of the young youth she had... only to be startled with the spears head resting softly on his shoulder... humming it's dangerous song... blinking it, his fur stood up in fright as his heart thumped fast and up his throat... slowly shifting his head to the temple boy, Ushio gawked him with a puzzled look, as if saying 'you know some thing I don't, so spit it out or else!!' shifting the spear lightly towards his face... Tora's body froze solid, as he saw the spear moving in a slow rage, still humming up his shoulder, slightly touching the furry surface of his stripped face... he couldn't help but close his eyes... he could've jumped away like he used too, or skipped off and cursed the boy, or dodged it as well, but he didn't... he just... sat there!! Leaving it feel his body, silently, his heart beats rung in his ears now, eyes closed... it tasted his blood, his flesh before, in that dark cold 'lonely' room... why fear it now? He didn't know...

'He's not reacting??' the temple boys eyes widened, surprised that his friend didn't even move when it touched him... odd enough, it sensed his fear, yet did nothing to him... slowly it went silent, so he drew it back, eyes still fixed on the ancient beast... the ancient beast didn't move after that, so Ushio drew the spear closer, feeling he wooden haft...
"Why??" a harsh voice asked, sounding like a rumbling volcano... the beasts eyes flashed in a silver blazing fire... shooting a deadly glare at the boy...
"I ... sorry!" Ushio truly didn't know why he did so! All he remembered is that he felt like teasing the beast... yet regretted doing such a nasty trick... obviously; Tora wasn't in a mood for a laugh...
"........." The beast growled to the boy, but didn't sound like he meant it... Ushio saw something... desperate, in the beasts silver eyes... "Bah..." he cursed, "let's go... the rest are probably waiting for us!" and with that, he walked away, leaving the boy puzzled...

~*~*~*~*~

"Hey!! What took you guys so long!!??" cried the little golden female with a grin cupping her waist thumping her foot on the snow, faking as if she was angry at them or something "you were gonna miss all the fun!!" she concluded... after a short pause, she ran up to the ancient beast "feeling better?" she hopefully asked...
"It felt good..." he smiled, then glaring the boy "and it would've stayed that way, no thanks to him!!" he glared!
"?" She eyes Ushio smiling sheepishly; she shrugged "I don't even 'want' to think about it! We're here to have fun, right? Right!!" she turned to the rest "So lets celebrate all ready!!"

Every thing had it's course... so was the way every one had, the point of view that is!! Every one was enjoying them selves, except for Jiaaku, who was silently sitting back on his hunches staring at the fire, which was in the middle of the open space separating his den from Yami/Kyofu and Muma/Kage and their daughter... Tora and Ushio were together as well, more likely arguing than having fun, glaring and cursing each other every now and then, with only Kage and Ann parting them from killing each other...

'I hate being alone!' Jiaaku hummed to him self silently... glaring them all, then slipping his way out of the little noisy place they call a celebration... he went to his special spot to think... watching the nights beautiful sky shimmer with it's gorgeous diamonds...

~*~*~*~*~

To be alone... that is some thing I cant stand... though some times, I wish every one would just get out of my life, and never see them again, I regret that thought... I don't want to be alone! Ever since I was little, I've been alone... strolling down those empty docks... all the humans there thought that I was just some creature living in the dark, cold, wet, really damp, stinking sewer system, a dog or something, never thinking that I could be a beast... slumping my way from one battle to another... mostly I fought with ally dogs and cats over measly smacks of food, or leftovers for that matter, I even got picked on the head by some mangy seagulls! I thought that there was no one there like me... until I met up with that -nutcase air craft loving- Michel, he took care of me for some time, I still remember how he convinced me to take a hot bath! I felt like my fur was gonna fall right off me!! And he then introduced me to Muma and Kage... she took me in! Raised me like her own... she even wanted me to be like a big brother to her daughter... my love that neglects me... Ann... how I wish I could show her how much she means... !!!... Heck... I'm talking mushy stuff again!! F***... why do I keep talking to my self??

"Jiaaku??" a soft voice called out...
"Huh?" turning around with a cocked eye brow, it turned out to be Kage, with a concerned face pacing towards him, he somewhat blushed and turned back 'Aw man!! Here she comes! Calm down Jiaaku calm down man!! Chill!! There is nothing wrong! Even if there is, don't let her sense it... F*** what am I saying!! She can 'always' sense it!!' he rubbed his forearm in need of self control...
"Jiaaku, dear..." she stated sitting back on her hunches, she softly said to him... "If there is some thing bothering you, you can tell me, cant you?" she asked... he didn't respond, more like shying off... smiling, she went back to her motherly way of talking "Jiaaku..." she whispered softly, brushing the back of one hand on the side of his forearm... "Talk to me... it might make you feel better!"
"I ... uhh..." he lowered his head, his silver locks danced with the faint breeze 'F***!! I cant tell her about this!!' he scolded him self drowning in embarrassment, eyeing her, she smiled waiting for a respond... 'Ho-God... I know Kage, she wont leave till she finds out what's wrong' he looked away, hoping that she'll just forget about him and go back to the party... there, he paused "Um, Kage!"
"Yes Jiaaku?" she answered smiling...
"Why aren't you at the celebration with the others?"
"Well... I don't like to have fun, knowing some one isn't having a good time!" she answered, then wrapped one arm behind his back, he somewhat jilted in startle and shyness "it's all right!!" she laughed... then drew back her arm "I'm sorry, didn't mean to startle you dear!"
'Damn... why does she keep calling me that?' he blushed feeling the heat in his face, then he drew his hands brushing back his silver locks from his crimson ones... looking a little away, he closed his eyes and wished that if he opened them, she'd be gone...

"Jiaaku!" she said as she laid a single forefinger under his chin, shifting his head, leaving his eyes to lock with hers... but then, they both said nothing... she withdrew her finger, eyes still locked, as she yet still smiled...
'I cant tell her this... I cant tell her I love her daughter and want her to be my mate... she probably thinks that I like Ann like a little sister or some thing... she'd kill me if I told her how I really feel!!' his mind moaned in pain... he couldn't help the pain but to let it happen, he dropped his gaze to the ground, as the wet crystal droplets made their way through his face, as it was stained in hot wet line... he tried to hold it back, but only ended up whipping his face with the back of his clawed hands lightly and soundlessly sobbing...
"Jiaaku!! Honey, what's wrong? Why are you crying??" Kage had her heart pounding in her ribs and stuck up her throat, she cupped his face and lifted it to face her, as a few more hot tears fell dripping down his furry chin...
"Kage... I-h... I can't ..." he couldn't stop it, and she knew he couldn't, so she simply embraced him...
"It's all right... let it all out..."she whispered, and he wrapped his arms around her, his hands flat on her shoulder blades, his head on her shoulder, sobbing, he buried his face in her chest, as he staining her light brown fur, and her white blaze that was braking her chests brown beauty, with his hot tears... she closed her eyes brushing back his mane, resting her head lightly on his... both in silence... both said nothing...

~*~*~*~*~

"Say, is it just me, or did Kage take awful long?" asked the temple boy as he turned to the golden female next to him...
"I dunno... I'm sure mom will be right back!" she smiled... then turns to the ancient beast gazing absent mindedly at the crackling fire "Hey, would you like another fish Uncle Tora?" she asked tapping him on the shoulder...
"Nah..." he slurred to her, still gazing at the fire "you go ahead..." he concluded... deep into thoughts...
"??" She cocked an eye brow and gazed back at the temple boy, who gawked her and shrugged as well...
"Hey, you all right Tora?" he asked, "What's on you mind?"
"..." Tora simple craned to the temple boy... then blinked a few times before sending a sigh, then shook his head and tried to smile "it doesn't matter..." pause "where is Kage?"
"I think she went to see where Jiaaku went, why?" Ushio felt some thing wrong about Tora, if only he would ask... but was I the right time, or place?

"Hey what's the matter with you guys?" grinned Yami as she leaned against her mate "you act if like you were in a funeral or sumthin!!"
"Tell me about it, I mean look a them, they look as desperate as dieing fish in a bowl!" chuckles Kyofu...
"Like Ushio says 'lighten up you guy! There ain't nothing worth getting down for!'!!" the dark brown beast chuckled... Muma was sitting back on his hunches with a half eaten fish in his claws [as you remember from my fic "Trouble Island", Muma just loves seafood! As Ann despites it!!]
"Uhh, yeah!" lightly blushing, Ushio really didn't remember saying that...

~*~*~*~*~

"Ho sweet heart... why didn't you tell me?" softly said the light brown beast, still cupping the young beasts face "I could've helped!" she smiled...
"I ... I didn't know if..." he shied off again...
"If I'd except it or not?" she smiled and brushed back his silver locks "Jiaaku, dear... if you thought, even for a single minute, that I never noticed the way to look at Ann, then you probably don't know me at all!" she scolded softly "it was obvious for me that you like, or should I say, loved my daughter..." he dropped his gaze and turned away embarrassed, wanting to escape her embrace, but she only held him tighter... "Jiaaku... if you really wanted to worry about it, you should've worried about Muma! Since he's the one you always fight with and all!" she concluded...
"What am I suppose to do?" he asked, still his face desperate and feeling a deep empty hole in his soul...
"I'll take care of Muma, you should try and fix your relationship with Ann that's all!" she smiled "I'll talk to Muma, and you talk to Ann, it's all that simple!" she reasoned... "Every thing will work out, I'm sure of it!"
"I ... I guess I could give it a try!" a spark of hope smiled to him...
"That's good! Now C'mon, the others are probably waiting for us!" she advised softly walking back, so he followed... but before going through the frozen forest, he took one last look at the full moon rising up and glowing in the beautiful dark blue sky...

~*~*~*~*~
*~*~*~*~*

When you think that your all alone... there you'll find your friends and family... when your down... they always come when you really need them and lift you up... high up to the pure blue sky above, among the clouds... where you can feel the suns heat against you skin... it's true then... your never alone... even if you want too... they wont let you, because... they know... if some one is alone... he wont survive... so they want you to live... to carry on your way... your role in life... your part... that can never be done by any one else... hope smiles to you... because as long as there is love and understanding... your life will find away to make it though... no mater what happens... no matter what any one says... every thing... every one... will find the way...

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*~*~*~*~*

"Hey!! Where have you two been?" scolded the ancient beast, really irritated for being left behind with a corny group of party animals...
"Sorry!!" simply answered Kage, as she turned to the young male next to her, still looking a bit down in the faint light of crackling fire...
"You all right kid? You're looking shabby!" whispered the beast to him...
"Just... tired!" he faintly answered in a bit of a weak voice... Jiaaku cleared his throat then walked back to his place, in need to be somewhere warm... all the crying from earlier wore him out, he didn't even feel like eating, all he wanted was a place that's warm and cozy to sleep the night though...
"...!" Ann blinked his desperate face, and for once in her life, some thing snapped as something... cold! It splashed in her face... "Jiaaku!" she found her self calling him, he blinked, eyes wide open as if stunned by her calling him, and slowly their eyes locked "aren't you hungry?" she asked weakly, not wanting to show how she felt...
"Nah... I think I'm gonna skip the party!" he carried on walking to his den "... I'm really feeling tired!" he finished before vanishing within the darkness of his den...
"Oh..." Ann felt something towards Jiaaku... she didn't know what it was... it just felt... painful! She couldn't help but walk after him into the den...

Muma attended to stop her, but only felt a clutch against his wrist, quickly blinking his mate with hopeful eyes and a faint smile, with her eyes saying 'leave them!' pulling him carefully back to where he sat earlier... Tora saw that and understood what was wrong with the young ones... then craned to the temple boy who was totally puzzled not understanding a thing... 'Humans!!' the beast thought to him self lightly chuckling...

"What's so funny?" asked Ushio, knowing that the beast had something in mind... the beast craned to him now, but then, slowly... the wide smile faded away... Ushio was frowning, and yet, with his friends smile fading, his frown faded...

There they were face to face, yet sitting right side by side... eyes locked... the silver burning plates reflected the color of burning fire... Kyofu, Yami, Kage and Muma eyed them now... Kage laid a hand on her heart... but then; Muma cupped her shoulders, comforting her, as he was standing behind her... Kyofu nuzzled his mate softly then she eyed him... after a pause she gave him a questioning look and he gave back a nod... but before she could talk, Jiaaku with a faint smile walked out of his den led by a wide smiling Ann, she walked to fire place and sat down, and Jiaaku paused for a second, but then sat a little far away...

"So? Did we miss any thing?" Ann questioned, almost blushing her face out...
"Not really!" Kage smiled, as she eyed the young male shying of to even look at them, settling by just gazing at the crackling fire...
"I see you changed you mind eh kid?" mocked the ancient beast...
"Well, he shouldn't go to sleep on an empty stomach, so I asked him to at least spend some time with us and eat" the young golden female said softly to every one...
"Oh-Yeah?!" Muma walked to him and placed a hand on the young startled beasts shoulder "you should try the fish, they taste awesome, trust me!" he smiled extending one to the young beast...
"Um, th-thank!!" Jiaaku responded...
"Nagatobimaru!!" Yami exclaimed... the ancient beast broke his gaze at the two young ones and looked at her... "Kyofu and I were wondering about some thing for some time now..." she said... every one eyed them wondering... "Well... we-uhh..." she didn't know how to finish...
"Allow me!" her mate said "Nagatobimaru! I have been wondering for some time about this... and I would like to ask you some thing, and please answer me with what you truly feel!"

Tora felt like he was getting prepared for the battle of the life time with those words, eyeing the temple boy, gripping the spear tight in his hands, then eyeing Kage and Muma, they shrugged not knowing what their leader was talking about, then the young ones, who didn't know either...

"Why have you decided to live with the human race than to live with others of your own kind?"

The question froze... so did the ancient beast... not knowing what to make of it, he frowned with a questioning look at the leader who now stood back on his hinds legs...

"Why don't you leave the humans and live here with us?? You're a beast like us, not a human, you should live with ones from your own kind!!"

Tora stood back on his hind legs as well... his silver eyes locked with Kyofu's yellow glowing plates burning and reflecting the fires red orange and white... Yami wanted to protest, but Kage held her shoulders and shook her head... Tora's heartbeats thumped hard and painful in his chest... he craned to Kage, as her eyes were hopeful, yet doubtful, as saying 'it's your choice, and your choice alone!!' And Muma, he said nothing, but his eyes told him 'I wouldn't mind!!' he eyed the young golden female as her eyes cried out 'oh-yes yes please stay with us!!!' and a faint smile on her face... but Jiaaku, his eyes were shoot wide open... almost as if glaring at Kyofu... last, but not least... the worse selection of all... he craned to the temple boy...

~*~*~*~*~
*~*~*~*~*

*You'll only feel right, when you know where every thing belongs* now that was a saying that had it's echoes... is this where I belong? Here with others of my own kind?? Here... where the out side is in side... and I have my own place among them?? But... every thing would be simple! Ordinary! In a pack, I'd have to hunt with the others in groups... the idea sounds... good, yet... it doesn't feel right... the brat needs me around, still... he can't hunt by him self! He's just a child! He hasn't finished all his training... but still... to be with others like me! Others who would understand how I feel, what I want! How things should be! But still...

*~*~*~*~*
~*~*~*~*~

"Lord Nagatobimaru... I know how much you hate to be led by some one so, if you want, I'd gladly step down and clime you as own new leader... if you wish to be so!!"
"!!!" Tora snapped his eyed wide open... 'Leader? Do the want me to be with them that bad?' the beast almost smiled in surprised, but then snapped and quickly faced the temple boy...

~*~*~*~*~
*~*~*~*~*

Leader? Do they want him that bad? Well, Hell!!! They can have him... if... if that's really what they want... it's not like I'm gonna miss him... F***! Miss him? What am I saying? Geez, life would be way much better with out him around! No more food loses! Broken furniture! Scratched walls and stuff! Sharpening his claws over the house walls! No one goofing and rearranging around my stuff... no buddy trying to eat me when I sleep and then climes that he was just trying to see if there was a way to stop my snoring -once and for all- like!! No one perching on my shoulders making them feel like their gonna fall right outta their sockets!! Nothing following me everywhere I go... snatching food from others and eating it in a single gulp... but... still... I'd miss having some one to fight with when I'm angry... some one to talk to when I need some thing to be explained to me about other beasts that I might battle with... I really... could live with out him for a while but... not forever!! Only now... I would admit it... but only to my self...

~*~*~*~*~
*~*~*~*~*

"Well?" asked the temple boy with a shaking voice, but then settled calm "it's your choice strip face!"
"!!" Tora said nothing... his eyes fixed with the temple boy... he drew in a breath "I wouldn't mind it!"
"!!!!" The answer shoots right though his chest like a flaming arrow... "Congratulations than!!" he tried to smile "but don't come crying to me when you don't like it!!"
"What??" Tora growled, "at least here I'm appreciated! And I don't get pounded by a stupid brat like you for a few F***ing measly thing!!"
"Oh?? Well... it's not like I'm the one who wanted you around the temple in the first place!"
"Oh yes you were!!"
"Stupid!! I just wanted to keep you away from eating my neighborhood!!"
"Geez!! Don't blame me for some thing 'your' ancestor did! It's not like I wanted to stay with a F***ing little a** h*** like you any time of a day!!"
"Well he should've killed you when he had the chance, being pinned to a rock was a dumb idea for a punishment!!"
"!!!!!" He almost gave out a gasp...

"Now boys!!!" Kage broke in trying to calm them down...
"Stay outta this Kage!!" growled the ancient beast as he glared the temple boy; she backed up in start, only to be held by her mate... "Well, if you think your so good brat, see how long you'd live with the spear with out me around!!"
"Like F*** I will... actually... you can keep the stupid thing!!!"

In surprise for every one Ushio darted throwing the spear away and it pinned to the entrance of Jiaaku's den... they fixed their eyes on it, counting in Tora, who quickly craned to the temple boy and cried out in frustration...

"Boy are you MAD!!??"
"Why? You said you'd go where the spear is right? So there it is! You need me no more!!"
"STUPID!! You'd die with out it you like it or not!! It has you!!! You can't let go of it just like that!!"
"Oh really? Watch me!!"

Ushio ran off towards the near by forest in a case of total raging anger... the beasts all watched him go... then Ann turned to her mother with a hopeful look on her face... Kage drew in a deep breath and walked after the boy, but Muma gripped her by the wrist attending to stop her... right then... her eyes flashed in a blaze of Ivy green... his light yellowish-gray eyes blinked... her determined glare told him to back off just this time and let her do what she wants... Muma respected her motherly feelings and left her have it the way she wanted... she lightly smiled and ran after the temple boy...

"So... now what?" the young beast asked "What about the spear?" Jiaaku had his eyes fixed on the weapon pinned to his dens entrance... they all craned to it... except for Tora who was still gazing at where the temple boy had went...
"Do you think we should move it?" asked the golden female...
"I dunno... I don't think we should!" responded the old black beast, Kyofu carefully walked to it, and it hummed oddly, but slowly it started crackling thunder, shooting it every which way, as if calling out, more likely protesting about her beholders betrayal...
"IDIOTS!!" Tora cried... "Coming near it 'now' is like asking the guardian of death to take you away!!"

They all turned to him startled yet amused of his cold un-emotional voice... Tora walked to the spear as it crackled thunder... a few bolts hit his shoulder and feet scaring them, blood lightly seeped down, but he didn't stop pacing... it shoot another bolt sending him sliding backwards on his feet a little... the females gasped and went to him to see if he was all right, only to have his blood stained hand showing them to stay away... he glared it with his rage... then stood on his hind legs again and walked to it... it kept on crackling thunder... slowly as he paced forwards closer to it, it slowly stopped... until he stood right next to it, it was silently cold...

"He'll be back... you'll see..." he whispered to the spear, yet not touching it... then turned to the group blinking him oddly, he didn't smile and settled by just walking back to the fire place, sprawling down and taking care of his cuts... they weren't deep, yet they were lightly bleeding... Yami just had to go and see if he needed any medical care...

~*~*~*~*~

"Ushio please listen to me!!"
"Go back Kage..."
"Ushio, dear, listen... it's just a simple misunderstanding..."
"Just go away..."

Ushio was pacing slower now, as he walked though the trees and snow, hardly moving through the thick snow... he was heading towards Yami's cave... he remembered where it was, so he thought it would be better if he just went there, spent the night and then headed back home to the temple... though his heart swarmed in pain, he didn't want to show it... he meant to say the harsh words because he believed that it would be better for Tora to be with his kind... he wanted him to be some where he felt like he was wanted... obviously he was... though he knew Kage didn't understand that, and she just wanted to fix every thing up, he appreciated her reaction...

"Kage... please just go back... I'll be doing fine!!"
"No Ushio! I cant just leave you here in the middle of no where facing the unknown and with out even a weapon!"
"I learned some fighting arts Kage! You don't have to worry!"
"Fighting art, and with out a weapon??"
"Well, yeah!"
"I doubt that! But if it's so (battle position) fight me, prove to me you can look after your self just fine!!!"
"Err O.o;;; maybe later!!"
"In that case I'm not leaving..."
"Kage please! I-"
"-Ushio just listens to me DAMMIT!!!!!"
"O.O;; !!"
"Uhh... sorry, didn't mean to curse..."
"Kage maybe you should go back home and rest!"
"Hey!! I don't leave my friends behind even if it killed me!!"
"Kage please!!"
"I'm only asking you as nice as I can!!"
"Kage! Tell me the truth! Do you want Tora to stay with you or not?"
"!!!!"
"Well?"
"I ... I have no opinion on that Ushio!"
"I see..."
"Ushio..."
"Yes?"
"Why didn't you tell me Tora was actually Lord Nagatobimaru when we first met?"
"Well... I never thought it mattered!!"
"Is that why you laughed at me back on the island?"
"Ho-C'mon Kage! It's not like we meant to!!"
"..."
"What?"
"Feeling better?"
"...?" Chuckle "you got me there..."
"-^__^-"

They stood like that for a while... Ushio asking her to go back and forget about him, and Kage glaring him with her ivy green eyes... finally, she won... Ushio agreed that he'll go back, but only to take back the spear... he told her that he had no intention of asking Tora to go back with him...

~*~*~*~*~

"We're here... say! Where is every one?" asked the female, eyeing the dead campfire... obviously they all went to sleep... then blinked the temple boy walking to the spear, holding it after it slightly hummed for his return and plucked it out of it's pinning point, it slightly protested and went hot...
"Ouch!!!" dropping it with a clatter, Ushio felt his hands and they were somehow burned... eyeing it again, after a pause, he picked it up carefully, and it then did nothing...
"I guess they all went to bed!!"
"Good... I'm heading back home then..."
"What? At least spend the night here with us!! Maybe, you and Tora could make up in the morning??" she hopefully smiled...
"No!! I'm heading back home right now even if I had to walk it!!" the temple boy growled as he walked back down the path leading to the forest...
"No, Ushio wait..."
"What!!!?"
"If... if your really insisting on going back then... my soul wont leave me rest till I'm sure your safe!!"
"??"
"If you don't mind... how about a ride though the country side??"
"But... Kage, you can't fly!! Your afraid of heights!!"
"I know! But in case you have forgotten, I'm faster in running than flying!!"
"But... wont it take long?"
"An hour or so! No need to worry!"
"Aren't you tired?"
"Are you kidding me!? I keep having sleeping problems all the time! Some times I stay awake for three days none stop just because I cant sleep for not feeling sleepy!!"
"You should see a doctor!!"
"We have Yami!!"
"What'd she say?"
"Too much adrenaline and enthusiasm in my blood!! What ever that meant!!"
"-.- ' !!! Well any way, I'm off!!"
"C'mon, hop on my back, it would be faster!!"

Well, it's better than walking!! Kage was standing on four as Ushio steeled him self on her, no problem there because he had enough practice with Tora when he was ready to fly... as for Kage, it was a bit of a problem because she was firstly a female, she was thinner, smaller than Tora, with too many grooves to stay a distant from... when Ushio settled on her back, he wanted to wrap his arms on her chest to have a grip, but ended up cupping her soft molds... she yelped of course!! He kept apologizing every second for each wrong move, but in the end, he was able to find the right position and they were ready to go... still, he felt like his face was burning up hot and not just his hands, he even forgot it was actually snowing...

"Wait!" she stated "don't you want to say goodbye for Tora?"
"Nah... I think it would be better if never see each other again... now that he's where he should be... where he rightfully belongs!"
"You sure?"
"Yeah... right now... I just wanna go back home... where I belong!" he held the spear tight in his grip, careful not to touch the female...
"If you wish to do so... hold on!!"

And they were off... it was only a mere few second after they left when the huge ancient orange figure crept out of the darkness of the silenced forest, watching them fade into the horizon... the ancient beast stood on his hind legs and walked to where they went, laid a hand on the stone walls, as just stood there watching till they vanished... his face cold, motionless... yet somewhat sad and pained... silver pupilless eyes reflecting the moon light...

~*~*~*~*~

"Here we are!! The temple!!" said the female as she stopped at the temple gates, almost panting her breath out...
"Thanks Kage!! (Yawn) God, I'm so tired!" he slowly stepped off her, looking half asleep...
"Good night Ushio!" she whispered to him as she sat back on her hunches watching him walk in side...
"G'night Kage!" he slumped his way in...

Ushio took a few steps into the temples front entrance... but stopped in his tracks and craned around to see the female still sitting there, probably waiting until he went to his room... she cocked an eyebrow for the way he was looking at her, and then he smiled and drew in a deep breath...

"Kage!"
"??"
"When you go back, tell old fuzz ball that (pause) the girls are gonna miss having him around from now on!!"
"Oh-I will!" she smiled, understanding what he really wanted to say to her "don't worry, I will!!"

Ushio walked into his home, walking in, he saw his father the priest, Shigure, at the living room, arms folded as if waiting, Ushio only smiled faintly, knowing that he'll have a hell of explaining to do... Kage headed back to her home... both knowing a pain that wont easily get healed... only time could tell...

~*~*~*~*~

A few days passed, forming up two whole months... winter has ended, and spring began its love song... Asako and Mayuko were shocked by the news of Tora not being there with them any more... mostly Mayuko, it pained her to know Tora wont be there, yet she was happy to know he was with others of his own kind... Ushio hadn't cursed much ever since the beasts left... actually, he was mostly silent... yet more irritated and edge, any simple mistake would turn him flaming hot...

~*~*~*~*~

"So, Ushio, what are you doing this week end?" asked Asako as she walked with him side by side down the side walk...
"I dunno... I think I'll just go back to spearing with my self I guess" the temple boy shallowly answered...
"Oh... um, any news about Tora?"
"Well, Kage dropped by for a visit yesterday and she told me that he was doing just fine... I guess he's enjoying him self!"
"I see... well, I gotta go back home now, see you tomorrow!" and with that, Asako hurried up towards her house...

Ushio sighed then walked to his temple... slowly slumping his way thought, his feet hurt from all the walking... he kept remembering how he used to ride on the orange ass's back all the time... finally reaching his residents, he eyed the roof top... it was clearly empty... feeling desperately lonely he sighed and walked in side and took off his shoes...

"Dad! I'm home!!" he cried out, spear propped in it's white cloth on his shoulder, as he walked passing though the living room...
"Welcome home!" Shigure simple answered, as he was busy reading a book in his hands, his son shrugged then walked out to his room to slip out of his school out fit and into some thing more comfortable...
"How was your day?" Oji-san asked his son as he plopped him self on the couch next to him...
"Like any other day..." whined the temple boy... "Boring!! Sigh..." Ushio couldn't stand sitting on his ass doing nothing, so he thought he'd go out side and take a smell at the springs fresh air...

There was still some snow around, but most have melted with the suns heat... Shigure smiled as his son waked out, but then lightly chuckled... Ushio held the spear in one hand, stretching his hands upwards eyes closed, stretching hard almost made his limbs snap outta place... until he felt some thing cold slip though his clothing... jilting in surprise, it was snow!! It slipped off the roof of the house and went right though the back of his neck lice... feeling the chilly feeling, Ushio took off his shirt and shook out the snow...

"Aw man! It got wet!!" he whined eyeing his shirt... Frowning lightly, he eyed the rooftops... then his position... they didn't match!! He was a few feet away from the rooftops, so how did...

"Wait a god-damn minute!! How did-!!" the temple boy's ears lightly moved as a familiar light chuckled seeped out... "Could that be...?" hopefully, he felt some thing shift near by, craning around, a snowball splattered right in his face not so nicely!! He shoved it away cursing "What the hell??" looking around he saw nothing, but then, some thing over his shoulders perched causing a massive weight, nothing he couldn't handle though... the spear lightly hummed...
"So? Did you miss me??" a shadow chuckled perching on the boys shoulders, orange tail flickering...
"Like hell I have..." the boy tried to growl, but the smile took away every thing "why have you come back?" he curiously asked...
"Let's just say... life with them just wasn't that much fun... they were nice... 'Too nice' for me to take!!" the orange beast exclaimed "besides! I haven't eaten you yet! How can I go with out having you for lunch!!??" he reasoned...
"Oh-I'll make sure that never happens..."
"Wanna bet?"
"Huh?" suddenly some thing cold seeped down the temple boys back...

The ancient orange beast had a huge chunk of snow in his clutch, and then simply smacked it against the boys naked back to cause a heart attack!! Ushio quickly jumped in start...

"F*** you Tora!! That hurt!!"
"(Only chuckled loud after jumping off the boys shoulders, sitting back on his hunches) I need some thing fun brat! It just so happens to be you!!"
"Very funny!!"
"-n__n-!!"
"Tora (pause) tell me why have you come back, really!"
"Okay... they have no TV, no junk food, no burgers, and absolutely no Coffee... it was a living nightmare!!"
"In other words, no modern entertainment??"
"Bingo!!"
"Well, why come here?"
"Hey! It's my home!"
"Says who?"
"Says me!!"
"Prove it!!"
"Hey!! I was stuck down a stinking basement for 500 years with that piece of wooden sh** stuck to my shoulder, what more proof do you want?! It's more my home than yours brat!!"
"Oh yeah??"
"Yeah!!"
"Oh-yeah??"
"Yeah!!"
"OH-YEAH!!"
"YEAH!!!"

Feeling the rage of having his old friend back, and the joy of battle, he cursed and attended to swat the beast's head with the spear, only then did he snap in remembering that...

"Oh-by the way Tora... how is your head?"
"You mean my scull? Oh it's doing fine!! It healed completely now!"
"Are you sure?"
"Hey!! Try me!!"
"All right!!" Ushio smiled wickedly and thwacked his friend on the noggin with the flat side of the spear...
"Urgh!!! (His ears stared ringing out loud) God-Damn little Bit***ing F*** of an a** h*** sh**!! Why the F*** was that for??"
"Well, you said to try it!!"
"That wasn't what I meant, stupid!!!"
"I know!!"
"......!! You know?? (Growling out loud) Why-I-outta-"

Finally things were back to normal... Tora chased the temple boy all round the house, making over twenty laps... finally both glad that they were somewhere they both could call home... every thing had it's odds and ends... and this was differently an odd end... yet the end of what seems to be a happy ending... in the distant, we see Kage with a smile lightly giggling, then smiled deeply and turned around, walking back to her home, knowing that an old bond had been fixed, only to face her mate waiting for her a few feet away, as their daughter sat back nuzzling the young male next to him as well... every one got what they wanted... life was good, when you believe in it, and work hard for what you want... life was always good...

=====================================================
A/N: okay... most of this fic was mostly in P.O.V 's so sue me... not!!! All right you fiction readers... you did the reading so review all ready!! It's only a chapterless story so don't fool around!! If you want to see pictures of my beasts, visit http://photos.yahoo.com/landrosworld and don't forget to e-mail me as well if you ever need any info!! ^__^ R&R at any case...

A/N: (again) I went back on my story and fixed a few mistakes, if you see that I missed some thing tell me... I'm thinking of adding a second chapter to this story telling about what Tora did while he lived with my beasts... it's still under work, but I might post it soon... review it when I uploaded it won't you?? ^___^ See ya!