After All This Time

Ch.24 Win Some, Lose Some

Kouga took a breath of fresh air. The air by the wolf demon tribe was entirely different from anywhere else. The scenery was enough to make him feel at home. Sun was just beginning to set, purplish hues covered the sky. He absorbed the feeling of the familiar terrain under his feet.

Anything to remind him he was home.

Kouga entered through the waterfall into the wolf den. He didn't want any lingering scents to stay. Kouga looked up to his brethren expecting some sort of warm welcome as usual. Instead they were surprised. A slight gasp escaped their mouths when seeing him. It was a suspicious reaction to say the least.

As he moved closer to the center of the den each member stood up watching from the sidelines. Wolves and wolf demons alike. Kouga watched them all gawk as if he was new here. Ginta came running full speed toward Kouga. Hakkaku followed after him.

"Boss!" Ginta yelled, waving his hand in the air like an idiot. "You're back!"

They stopped right in front of Kouga.

Hakkaku pushed Ginta aside. "Boss! Bad news-!"

Ginta elbowed him before he could continue. "The Birds of Paradise are back, they are attacking us hard!"

Now Kouga understood why everyone was so abnormally quiet.

Hakkaku grabbed Ginta. "Hey! What gives?!"
Ginta pushed back. "I'm just telling the boss what's up!"

Kouga was irritated already. "Enough!" His voice echoed in the cave.

Ginta and Hakkaku straightened themselves out.

"Where are the injured?" He asked them but pushed past the two walking toward the usual treatment section of the den. His two lackies followed behind him.

Wolves cleared the way as their leader walked. Kouga's eyes furrowed.

Six.

Six of his brothers and sisters were injured.

He crouched down to take a better look at their injuries. They were struggling in pain. He clenched his fists and gritted his teeth.

"Boss.." Ginta said, testing the waters.

Kouga turned around abruptly causing the two lackies to lean back and brace themselves. Kouga walked up onto higher ground. Everyone's paying attention to him.

He clears his throat.

"I am at fault." It dawned on him how terrible he is. "I am the leader of our clan, yet I failed to fulfill that role. I am not in a position to ask forgiveness cause that won't do anything. Instead I will take responsibility. I promise to take revenge and defeat those birds of paradise, alone."

The room was full of gasps.

Hakkaku spoke up. "But boss-,"

Kouga walked past him to the injured. He looked to one of the wolf demons who specialized in medicine. "Take a large group of demons to scavenge for herbs. Bring at least five to defend yourselves while out there. Leave enough behind to tend to the injured before you go."
"Right!" The demon lady responded.

He then looked to Ginta and Hakkaku. "You two are in charge of defending the clan. Make sure to have 4 guards posted in groups of 2 with change in post every 8 hours."

"Yes boss!"

Kouga quickly headed to the armory. He was prideful, not ignorant. Without the Shikon jewels in his legs he isn't as strong as he once used to be. He learned that over time, the hard way. He grabbed two spears, four daggers and was about to pick up a sword. He paused. Kouga had been training a lot over there...he was pretty good now. Though a battle like this meant to prepare, he put it down.