Chapter I
Childhood
Ashimu had to quit his duties to the family sooner than expected, due to health conditions. No patrolling the territory, no hunting for him. He just took long walks, enjoying the surrounding nature, meeting old friends. Somehow he lost seeing a reason to be alive. Not being of help to the family, to his small pack, wore him down even more than his health state. His daughters were now all grown up, had their mates and their routine. His beloved was gone. Long before her time. He just felt useless...But it all changed when Gennosuke saw the light of the day for the first time.
Gennosuke was born into a wolves family somewhere in the northern foothills of Mount Ohira, Isle of Hokkaido – Japan -, during the Edo Period. His family was not big, yet not small. The pack they belonged to was scattered throughout the Shimamaki district. And the pack was part of a bigger clan. As a pup, he enjoyed the love and nurturing of the entire family. But foremost the spoiling of his grandfather, Ashimu. His parents had to go about their daily routine: patrolling the area, hunting, scavenging... So Gennosuke was left big parts of the day in the care of the now old Ashimu. Ashimu found a new strength in his old bones. He now had a reason to feel alive again. He was useful again. To his family. To this little and helpless pup, first born of his older daughter. He needed to nurture him. Protect him. Guide him. Be a mentor for him. Prepare him for a life to come.
Gennosuke and Ashimu spent the days playing, fooling around, discovering the surroundings. Ashimu used to tell him stories. Or they would make up their own stories. In everything they made or said, was a lesson to be taught by Ashimu and a lesson to be learned by Gennosuke. Ashimu became the light in Gennosuke's eyes, same as he had been for his grandfather. He looked up to him. Respected him. Was afraid of disappointing him. Tried to copy him in every aspect he could: his judgement, kindness, and rightfulness, proudness, respect. As the pup grew older, Ashimu took him on his long walks, meeting his old pals. Gennosuke, although still at a very young age, was always welcome to these meetings. He adored listening to the old and wise wolves talking. And it made him feel very proud seeing the respect the other old wolves showed Ashimu. Gennosuke new this was what he needed to become when he grew older. He used to compare him to the odd dressed humans who sometimes roamed the forests on their horses. They seemed to live in harmony with the surrounding nature. They were respectful. True to themselves. And to others. Protecting them. Honoring their duty. And one another. They lived by a code.
Although life ripped Ashimu much too soon away from Gennosuke, it was enough for him to learn what needed to be learned. Ashimu's departure left however an empty spot in the young wolf's heart. An empty spot no one could ever fill again. But he had more urgent needs. He felt lost. Needed to be part of something. Something that would occupy his troubled little mind. So he joined a new youngster pack that would come regularly together and exercise specific movement techniques, roaming around from time to time, having adventures. Much to his surprise, this pack was growing further. Soon new young wolves joined. Between them, someone who would be dear to him.
He had known Oboro for quite some time now. They were pals. Good and close ones. How could he not have told her about this new group? She most certainly would never forgive him for this... The deed was done. What mattered was she was now here. It was an opportunity to spend more time together. Roam the entire Shimamaki region. Adventuring. And growing their bond even more. Not only between them, but with some of the other young wolves as well. Slowly, they grew older and had formed a pretty tight pack.
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At some point he fell in love with Oboro. He needed to get all his courage and start a long discussion with her. They were not alone, yet somehow he managed to drag her aside. He doesn't know how long they were separated from the rest. All he remembers is her. Laying there. Looking at him. Talking. Him asking for more than her friendship. Her blocking it. Not because of not wanting it too, but because being afraid it could not work the way he dreamt and that in the end it might ruin their beautiful friendship. She knew him then already. She was afraid that he would withdraw to himself. He was still young and foolish. Afraid of being mocked by others, especially his family. So he would want to keep their relationship hidden. And this would keep him away from her. More than he was now, while being just friends. He remembers trying and trying. And in the end convincing her to give their feelings a shot. He remembers their first kiss... and as life is, someone took again a place of its own in young Gennosuke's heart. A place forever hers, not to be occupied by someone else, like the empty space that remained empty after Ashimu's departure. To each his own. And yet...she always had managed to make him feel loved. And protected. And understood. And somewhat important to someone else. The same way Ashimu did.
