That which was lost

[Lyca]

It was an earily foggy spring morning in the land of Kai, the sun had not yet risen to wake the sleeping creature. Though the silence was more than Oni could bare, she stood silently waiting for another to come. She soon howled loud and clear, her howl calling all those who would like to join her in taking this land as their own and ruling in this quite land. The tails of the Kai brothers who once lived in this land filled the young she-wolf's heart with pride for even knowing the names of such brave and strong warriors. Her howl rang out all across the vast land, calling all who wanted to join her in joining as a pack and living in the land of KAI! Her howl simply said "COME!!!"

[shadow]

Skah was minding his own business as usual. The day was calm, not a sound about aside from his companion, Whatshername, snoring lightly inside his den. She'd appeared last night on a whim, as she usually did, when she stopped by for a visit. Skahmikaze didn't mind though. Whatshername was the only real constant friend he had, and he enjoyed her company... or at least he did after she opened up to him a little.

Skah stopped by the lake at the center of his territory for a drink. The ice on the water had thawed by now, as the weather had recently warmed a bit, but not enough for the snow to melt. Regardless, the cold waters refreshed the Dalmatian mix, and he was ready to trot about his territory for the daily rounds.

He took his time today, as he was in no rush. Whatshername would be asleep for some time, and the day was peaceful. He had company to look forward to for the next few days, or maybe if he was lucky, weeks, and the lonesome mutt really didn't expect any other visitors... And then, the howl echoed. A clear call to any surrounding dogs. Well... as far as Skah knew that was only him and Whatshername, but he was the one responsible for this land. It was his duty. He was The Guardian for a reason.

Taking off at a steady run to the edge of Kai, Skahmikaze composed himself. The call was distinctly that of a females', and only god knew how much he longed for a mate. In the back of his mind, he'd wondered many a time why he never considered Whatshername, given how important she was to him... but those thoughts quickly vanished as Oni came into sight.

"Miss?" he called. "Did you call? I am Skahmikaze, the guardian of Kai."

[Lyca]

Oni looked at the male who had come to her. She smiled at him as he said, "Did you call? I am Skahmikaze, the guardian of Kai." Oni dipped her head in greets to him. Her jet black pelt, shined in the sun as it rose in the sky. "Yes, I did call. I am Oni, a black wolf, if you can not tell by my pelt. I am looking to start a pack, to rule the Kai, I would like to know if you like to join me." Oni now sat on her hanches. A gental smile graced her maw.

Little did Skahmikaze know was that Oni had a friend with her. Zeal was wandering the land, looking to see if any others would like to join him and Oni in ruling this land. It was not long after Oni had released her howl that Zeal began to head back to find her. As he did, the scent of three other canines filled his scent glandes. The large white wolf raced off in the direction of the scents. The black circles around his eyes, allowed him to see better in the shadows in the day, but they did not help at all during the night.

[shadow]

"Yes, I did call. I am Oni, a black wolf, if you can not tell by my pelt. I am looking to start a pack, to rule the Kai, I would like to know if you like to join me." Oni now sat on her haunches. A gentle smile graced her maw. Skah returned the smile, joyed to see a peaceful stranger rather then a fighting one, but what she said concerned him. A pack? In Kai? The only pack he would allow to be here was if he could rebuild his own pack, the one that was sworn to guard these lands. Perhaps, if he explained it to her, they could reach a compromise.

"Miss Oni," he started. "I must let you know that these lands are not free for taking. As I said before, I guard this place. If any pack were to reign here, they'd have to follow some of my rules. I don't want to dictate, but this place is a holy land to my ancestors, and probably some of yours as well, and I am the last of my kind to stand here. You see, some years ago, there was a pack here called "The Kai Guardians", and I am the last remaining member. I do not wish to join a pack, because I am already loyal to my own. My kin may have given up on this place, but I have not."

He paused, hoping that Oni would understand and that this would not result in a fight. Perhaps even, they could work together. The only part of Kai that really mattered to him was the parts located inside the shrine, which admittedly, was a large chunk of the territory, but then again, there might be enough land to split it for two packs. Still, it would be rather unfair. Just him with a huge stretch of land and Oni and her pack with a small space. Something else would have to be planned.

***

Meanwhile, back in Skah's den, Whatshername awoke... to the sound of rustling. Someone was here, and from the scent that filled her nose, it wasn't her only friend. No, it was Zeal, trying to locate other dogs. Well, little did he know that he'd found another dog...

"Aye!" Whatshername yowled, jumping in front of the white wolf with absolute persistence, cutting off his trail. "What are you doing in Skahmikaze's territory?! Get lost!"

[Montgomery]

The Kai Trio

The three Kai brothers, Kiiroitora, Buruutora, and Shirotora yawned sleepily in their small, cramped den. They were just about to drift off to sleep when a howl pierced the air.

Shirotora took in the noise before hopping up excitedly and began to practically bounce and hop around the den. "C'mon brothers! Someone is calling for everyone! Let's go! Let's go go go go!" With that being said, the young Kai dog sped out of the den to meet the one who howled.

Buruutora slowly opened his eyes only to catch a glimpse of his youngest brother dash out into the night. "Ugh...damn that pup...Always excited when someone new wants to make themselves known in our territory..." He slowly got up and shook his fur clean of the dirt before looking to Kiiroitora. "Hurry and get your lazy ass up...We better keep up with Shiro, 'least he be jumped by a bear or something..." He smirked a bit and shook his head. "Silly pup..." He bounded after Shirotora quickly. "Shiro! Wait up!"

Kiiroitora sat straight up from his near asleep state, missing his younger brother's absence and caught all of his scolding. He called after Buruu as he followed swiftly. "You know damn well it's just someone wanting to take over our lands...They ALWAYS do this..."

It didn't take too long for the elder brother's to catch up with Shiro. They ran side by side all the way to where the wolf had called everyone together. Within minute's they arrived in time to catch the wolf speak of building a pack to rule Kai. Kiiroitora let out a snarl at this, but was cut short when they noticed their Guardian standing beside them.

"Guardian-sama!" Buruutora bowed swiftly, not noticing that Kiiroitora bowed as well. Shiro, being the young and less thoughtful one, just stared at the bigger two wolves. "Bow, twerp!" Kiiroitora swatted Shiro with his tail.

"Ooooowwwww!" Shiro let out his cute puppy whine before bowing to their Guardian.

"Both of you! Stop it! You are being disrespectful," whispered Buruutora harshly at his two younger brothers.

The brothers had to hold in their growls and glares of detest they had for the two wolves, due to their Guardian taking care of the situation. It took everything Kiiroitora had not to say anything.

[Lyca]

Oni dipped her head in understanding Skah's not wanting to join her pack, and wanting to keep the land to himself. A gental smile spread across her maw, "I understand Skahmikaze-sama." Soon the sound of others filled her ear fur, she looked past Skah and saw three others, though one was now snarling at her, the gental smile did not disappear. Oni did not want to fight anyone for the land but hoped that they could come up with a compromise. "Skahmikaze-sama, I'll make you a deal. You have has land as you wish, I do not mind having little land. My pack will be a protective barrier for your pack, and if you like I think I can help you find some others like you and those three who would love to join your pack and recreate it. All I ask in return is that you allow my pack to enter your territory when we and only if we need to. What do you say Skahmikaze-sama??

Zeal haulted quickly and faced the young canine who had bite his tail. He stood dumbfounded, he not expected to see another canine for some time. "I did not mean to introde. I was simply following the scent of others. I did not smell your scent and I don't know my way around here, really." Zeal now had a waek grin on his maw for it was true that he didn't know his way around the land.

[shadow]

"I understand Skahmikaze-sama," Oni replied, though, Skah had a feeling this wasn't the end of their discussion. Things only got more exciting when his three other guests, the Kai Trio, stumbled into the conversation, bowing before him.

The Dalmatian mix sighed, but his smile was genuine. These three brothers reminded him of the old days, when he was still a pup, but he was not their ruler. He simply watched over their land. "Please, Kiiroitora, Buruutora, Shirotora, you do not have to address me as your master. I'm not your master. I simply guard the lands that were given to you by your ancestors. And Oni, the same goes for you. You may just call me Skahmikaze or Skah. No formalities are needed between friends, right?"

"Skahmikaze-sama," she spoke up despite what Skah had just said. He supposed politeness would stick, "I'll make you a deal. You can have the land as you wish, I do not mind having little land. My pack will be a protective barrier for your pack, and if you like I think I can help you find some others like you and those three who would love to join your pack and recreate it. All I ask in return is that you allow my pack to enter your territory when we and only if we need to. What do you say Skahmikaze-sama??"

"No, no, that's not necessary. I do not mind the use of my lands for a pack. You may even be alpha. I just need to follow several rules. Perhaps we can work together, Oni-san," Skah responded. "I'll allow you to use the land as you wish if you follow my rules. Does that sound acceptable?"

But of course, the tranquility was cut off as Whatshername appeared, chasing Zeal and nipping at his tail. She came to a halt in front of the party, panting as she looked up to see Skah. "What the hell? Who started a party without me?"

"I did not mean to intrude," Zeal pleaded. "I was simply following the scent of others. I did not smell your scent and I don't know my way around here, really."

"Don't worry," Skah chuckled. "She won't do anything to you. She just likes to be intimidating... right...?" he trailed off, staring at Whatshername for a few moments. It was a new day, and so, Whatshername had still not decided what her calling for the day would be.

"Today it's gonna be Red," she sneered. "Like blood."

Skahmikaze rolled his eyes and continued, "Red here isn't going to hurt you. We were just discussing what to do with these lands."

"Wait," Whatshername cut in. "You're giving away Kai?"

"Not quite," Skah responded. "But we may finally be able to rebuild the pack!" His voice was overjoyed, knowing that this was what he had worked his lifetime to accomplish. Whatshername, however, was less excited about this prospect. She liked having these lands to herself... with Skah, and the occasional visitor. The three brothers didn't count to her at this point. They were background noise she'd grown used to...

But would she be able to handle an entire pack?

Whatshername grew silent, sitting down. She knew her voice wasn't needed in this. It was Skah's choice and Skah's alone.

[Lyca]

Oni shook her head at the sight that Zeal had displayed, the thought of him being chased by a female, was just too amusing to Oni. A slight laugh escaped her mouth, her attetion now on Skah again. "I do not mind following your rules, Skahmikaze-sama. Oh and don't worry about Zeal, if he trys anything, he'll have to answer to me, oh, and if I continue to address you formaily don't pay it any attention, its a force of habit of mine." Oni said with a smile.

Zeal glared at her for laughing at him, he didn't want to fight, but then again he didn't like to be chased by females who imtimidated him, though Oni always seemed to do that. But it brought the best out of him. "I'll listen to the rules and do my best not to break them." Zeal said, forcing a smile.

[Montgomery]

The three brothers raised their heads to listen to their guardian as they speak. Upon hearing that there would be more dogs in their pack, as well as more dogs entering their territory, young Shiro's tail began to wag violently. "Did you hear that big brothers?! We will have new comrades! Maybe there will be some younger dogs to play with me!" He couldn't hold back his excitement anymore as he began to bound around his brothers before bumping into 'Red.' "Ooof! O-oh...Sorry!" He grinned warmly and wagged his tail at 'Red', gazing at her with his young carefree eyes.

Kiiroitora watched his little brother make a fool of himself before letting out a slightly annoyed scoff. The thought of more dogs, that weren't kai dogs entering the territory bothered him slightly. He was proud that this was THEIR kinds land and it seemed that anything else that was holding land there was wrong. He knew better than to speak as he looked to Skah then to Oni to 'Red.'

"I see whateverhernameis is awake. Are you tryin' to sound cool or something, girl?" asked Kiiroi teasingly before looking at Skah. "Skah-sensei...if we are going to be rebuilding the pack...Who will be the leader of the Kai dogs? No one has decided yet...I think one of us should do it...We are some of the only few left..." He found it that the more he spoke the less control he had. "I mean...this is Kai! This is OUR land...our breed's land...I think -"

Buruutora cut him off as he spoke. "No offense by this, Skah-sensei, but Kiiroi is right. This is Kai lands...Don't you think a Kai dog should rule these lands? I know there are very few here...but all three of us know, you and 'Red' know that our Ancestors...Chutora, Akatora, and Kurotora would want a Kai dog in leadership..." He sighed at the thought and looked to Oni. "Don't mind us speaking like this...We aren't saying we are against your pack having some land and coming through...We don't mind at all...Its just..." He stopped to think. "We should have a leader speaking and deciding about this...not just our Guardian..." He looked back to Skah. "No offense, sir."

Shirotora merely listened to his older brothers being dull. Although his young mind wandered, he caught the last of the conversation before speaking. "Burr! You should be the leader! You are wicked smart, and like...LIKE...You know all sorts of cool stuff and history...and AND!" his tail was wagging wildly as he hopped up and bounded to Buruutora. "You would know whats best for our land!"

Kiiroitora looked to both his brothers before grinning widely. "The runt has a point, Buu...I have to agree with him...You'd make a strong leader..."

Buruutora closed his eyes and thought about it slowly. "If I can become leader of these lands, I'd only want it temporarily until someone of more direct bloodline to Chutora, Akatora or Kurotora would step up and take it." His calculating eyes fell upon the guardian again. "Do you think I could take the leadership position...?"

[shadow]

"I do not mind following your rules, Skahmikaze-sama. Oh and don't worry about Zeal, if he tries anything, he'll have to answer to me, oh, and if I continue to address you formally, don't pay it any attention, its a force of habit of mine." Oni said with a smile, which Skah returned kindly.

"I'll listen to the rules and do my best not to break them." Zeal agreed.

However, before Skahmikaze could speak, his three guests cut in: "Skah-sensei...if we are going to be rebuilding the pack...Who will be the leader of the Kai dogs? No one has decided yet...I think one of us should do it...We are some of the only few left..." Kiiroitora trailed off, breaking Skah's train of thoughts. "I mean...this is Kai! This is OUR land...our breed's land...I think -"

Buruutora cut in, "No offense by this, Skah-sensei, but Kiiroi is right. This is Kai lands...Don't you think a Kai dog should rule these lands? I know there are very few here...but all three of us know, you and 'Red' know that our ancestors...Chutora, Akatora, and Kurotora would want a Kai dog in leadership..." He sighed at the thought and looked to Oni. "Don't mind us speaking like this...We aren't saying we are against your pack having some land and coming through...We don't mind at all...Its just..." He stopped to think. "We should have a leader speaking and deciding about this...not just our Guardian..." He looked back to Skah. "No offense, sir."

"None taken," Skah responded immediately. "I do see where you are coming from... but-"

And before he could finish, Shirotora cut him off: "Burr! You should be the leader! You are wicked smart, and like...LIKE...You know all sorts of cool stuff and history...and AND!" his tail was wagging wildly as he hopped up and bounded to Buruutora. "You would know whats best for our land!"

Kiiroitora looked to both his brothers before grinning widely. "The runt has a point, Buu...I have to agree with him...You'd make a strong leader..."

Buruutora closed his eyes and thought about it slowly. "If I can become leader of these lands, I'd only want it temporarily until someone of more direct bloodline to Chutora, Akatora or Kurotora would step up and take it." His calculating eyes fell upon the guardian again. "Do you think I could take the leadership position...?"

"If it's bloodline that makes a land, then I would be the one to be alpha, and we all don't want that," Whatshername spat. "Or did you forget who I'm related to? Akatora you numskulls. Now shut your puppy yaps and listen to Skah. I think he deserves to lead these lands, as he is the only soul that stuck around here after your kind and other abandoned this place. He would be the one to remember how this place was run before any of us stumbled back upon this land!"

Skahmikaze walked over to Whatshername and poked his nose into her shoulder, causing her to trail off of her rant and look at him inquisitively. The only one that could keep Whatshername calm was Skah, and so it was his duty to mediate things. Once everything was silent, Skah looked up, staring between his two new guests and the Kai brothers, "You all make valid points, and so, here is what I am going to propose. Buruutora, I would be happy to train you in the ways of a Kai Guardian. Oni and Zeal, feel free to bring any pack you like into my grounds. We will be allies. I have no problems sharing these lands for those in need, but it will be run as if it two separate packs sharing the same land. We will have to work together and plan, but I think it could be possible. Does this sound fair to everyone?"

As he awaited answers, he felt Whatshername shift next to him. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see her lip curl up in a snarl, as though she did not agree or like his plan. Why? Because he hadn't chosen her to be an alpha? No, Whatshername knew she wasn't alpha material. So what was the problem?

[Lyca]

Oni smiled at Skahmikaze and the three brothers. "I agree with your propusial Skahmikaze-sama. Zeal and I will go and find others to join your pack and if the brothers would like we would be happy to find some that have Kai bloodlines. I hope they don't mind if they do have a bite of other canine breeds in them. But I'll do my best to gather pure Kai Dogs for the pack, as well as canines for my own." Oni smiled at the three brothers and Skahmikaze. Though soon her smile faded as the look on 'Red's' maw. The black she-wolf could see that 'Red' was bothered by something, but knew that it was none of her business.

Zeal walked over to Oni and stood beside her. He dipped his head in agreement with Oni and Skah. "I'll be sure to gather as many as I can. Of course Oni and I will have to separate to gather a great deal of canines, for both packs." Zeal said, his muscles tensed at the thought of himself away from Oni. He had deep feelings with her but did not know how to express them to her.

[Montgomery]

Shiro grinned widely and his tail wagged happily as he bounced up and down where he stood. "Awesome! Alright! Alright! Did ya hear that Bur!? You are gonna get trained to be a guardian! How cool is that!?" He laughed and began to randomly roll on his back in the grass.

Kiiroitora grinned and watched his little brother roll around before gazing back at Buruutora. "You would do a good job...You should take him up on it. Guardian...you should train me and Shiro as well. I know Buruutora can think and plan better than us, so he should get the position, but he can't fight like me. And as for Shiro's case...Well he's more social and...easier to get along with than us...So he should learn as well..." He tried not to smile as he went back to watching Shiro roll in the grass.

Buruutora nodded at his two brothers before turning to Skah. "They have a point...You are our only guardian...our lands would benefit from four guardians...We could be on top of everything easily..." His mind wandered off at the thought of his ancestors, smiling firmly. "Is that ok with you, Skah-sama?" He looked at him with determined eyes before looking to Oni. "Thank you. Any Kai dog would be welcome here as long as they do not harbor hatred for our ancestors and can live peacefully with both packs."

With that being said, Buruutora sat on his haunches watching Oni and Zeal, listening intently to anything else they had to say to Skah. Kiiroitora busied himself with unsheathing his sword and swung it expertly at the air, making sure to stay use to its weight in his mouth. He aimed to keep his skills honed and prepared in case he ever needed to wield it in combat. Shirotora grinned happily as he began to chase his tail swiftly, barking happily from time to time, laughing for the entirety of his random attack of his tail.

[shadow]

"I agree with your proposal Skahmikaze-sama. Zeal and I will go and find others to join your pack and if the brothers would like we would be happy to find some that have Kai bloodlines. I hope they don't mind if they do have a bite of other canine breeds in them. But I'll do my best to gather pure Kai Dogs for the pack, as well as canines for my own."

"It is highly appreciated, Oni-dono. You will be in charge of the pack, and I will be in charge of the Guardians, at least, until someone more fit is ready to take over. We will act as two separate packs, but will be allied in everything we do. But please, before you and Zeal leave, let me at least show you everything within this land. It would be wise to scope it out before leaving."

Skah's attention shifted as the three brothers requested that they all be trained. Well, they were sure a handful, but Skahmikaze would not mind an extra hand at his duty. A warm sense of nostalgia washed over the Dalmatian mix, and he wondered if his parents and grandparents would be proud of him. He was doing it! Kai was returning to its glory!

"I'd be happy to train all of you, but you do realize, being a Guardian is not the same as being the Alpha of a pack. It requires different duties. This is why I think we should leave Oni and Zeal to run the dogs who wish to live in a normal pack setting, and I will specially train those that wish to be Guardians. This way, we will have two sects within a pack. One for the old tradition and one that will deal with normal pack duties. Does this sound good to you?"

"No," Whatshername muttered under her breath. No one heard her, thankfully, but she couldn't help but feel bitter about this whole thing. Everything that she'd grown to love about this place... and Skah... was about to change. The akatora-kai shot a glare at both Zeal and Oni; it was their fault. They were responsible for changing her life.

"Skah," she spoke up. "I will go look for comrades as well."

Skahmikaze turned to Whatshername, his eyes reflecting concern. He knew her well... well enough to know that this was a total lie. Whatshername was going to leave... and possibly not return. The Dalmatian mix gave Whatshername a meaningful look, one that begged for her to speak with him later, but Whatshername wanted nothing to do with him right now, so she continued:

"I'll leave now. I already know this place like the back of my paw... give them a tour without me..." she trailed off and sat down, looking at her paws for a moment before giving a stern gaze to everyone around her. She would wait for them to get out of her sight first.

"Okay... Red..." Skah replied at last. "Come on everyone," he gestured with a tilt of his head. "I'll take you to the heart of the territory first, where the shrine is."

[Lyca]

Oni and Zeal glanced at 'Red', Oni could tell that something was bothering her. As she was about to speak, Skahmikaze told them to follow him to the shrine that was the heart of the land. Zeal walked over to the dalmation mix, looking back at Oni, he tilted his head for her to follow, though in pained her heart to leave 'Red' the way she was. Oni got to her paws and looked at Zeal and Skahmikaze. "Skahmikaze-sama, please give Zeal the tour. I'll come back with other canines and then Zeal can show me and the others around when we return." Oni said to the males.

Zeal turned and stared at her, not being able to read her now dull, cold eyes was like trying to a brick wall down. "Oni, if you go now, how will you be able to find your way back?" Zeal asked with a tone of a fear raising in his voice. Oni gentally smiled at her friend. "Thats easy my dear Zeal, I'll just follow my sense of smell and my heart to get back." Zeal stood speechless, he did not expect to hear this from the female wolf who wanted to express his feelings to so badly. He dipped his head and looked at Skahmikaze. "I'll do as Oni asks. At the moment, I'll follow you and remember well what the land is like. Then I'll leave and head to the south. Oni will probably go to the north." Zeal said as he faced Skahmikaze.

[Montgomery]

Shirotora frowned at 'Red' hating to see someone upset. He slowly trotted over to her and gently licked her muzzle before jumping back, in case he would be swatted or bitten. He looked to Skah and became happy again, following him excitedly. "Whoohoo! We are going to be trained to be Guardians!"

Buruutora and Kiiroitora looked to 'Red' and sighed, nodding at her as if they were trying to understand before turning their bodies with Skah and followed him. They were more than prepared to learn their place as Guardian with him.