The Tattoo

Disclaimer: I don't own any members of the Inu cast. This was an idea I actually came up with based off a drawing my fiancee did for me. It was a picture of Ayame, looking over her shoulder, her hair down, and in the middle of getting dressed. Her backside was exposed, and a pretty green tattoo was decorating the small of her back. Since no one ever really sees Ayame naked, let along her back, who's to say a tribal tattoo couldn't exist? This fic was actually written by both myself, Lilz(aka White Wolf Ayame)and my really good friend B-chan. With later contribution from my fiancee YourouzokuAlpha. Enjoy ^_^

Chapter 10- Homecoming

The sun was rising in all it's orange and golden glory to the east, and it's soft rays rolled over the mountains and into the forests as two males burst into a clearing and into the sunlight. They ran side by side, as equals, they were the Northern White Tribes ambassadors to the other packs. The Elder was old, and could not make the trip, so in his place, Areku and Kaito made the journey to visit the smaller and more dispersed packs that were in between the larger territories.

Areku paused, his silver-white and shoulder length hair brushed into his face as the wind came in from the same direction of the sun. He sniffed the air lightly, and it didn't take much for him to pick up the familiar scents of home. Lavender eyes scanned the mountain that was just beyond the valley and a smile came to Areku's face.

"Whats up Areku?" Kaito asked, turning around just a few paces ahead of his companion. Kaito was only a few inches taller than Areku, but was built more of thick muscle. He was known in the Northern White pack as the 'Intimidator' for a reason. He was the symbol of force, it was the biggest reason that the Elder did not want Kaito around for the peace negotiations alone. It would only make the White tribe appear as if they were trying to intimidate the other packs into agreeing to a treaty. Instead, the Elder sent his best diplomat and the Intimidator out to the smaller rogue packs to convince them to join in with the cardinal ones. Kaito brushed some of his short and choppy black hair from his face, running his fingers over his scalp.

"We are almost home Areku," Kaito's voice was a small whisper, he could understand why Areku had paused to take a good look at their mountain.

It had been five full moon phases since they had been home. Kaito stole a glance over his shoulder, to gaze up at the mountain. A smirk spread over his lips as his thoughts drifted to what that mountain had to offer. In his mind, nothing would be better than seeing the Princess' face. Her titan red hair glowing in the sunshine, her jade green eyes sparkling with delight to see him, her arms encircling him in a welcome home embrace.

"I know you are eager to see Ayame again, Kaito, but you should also be excited just to be home. We have not been here in a very long time, it is truly a sight for sore eyes. Do you not agree?" Areku asked, as he closed his lavender eyes and reopened them to gaze upon the larger wolf demon, just ahead of him.

Kaito pouted, something he rarely did since he felt it was a sign of weakness. Areku was the only one who had ever seen him pout or be upset, not angry, upset. "Only the Princess can bring me a true smile. She is the reason I call this place home to begin with."

"Keep in mind Kaito, that Ayame is still spoken for by Kouga, and the Princess is probably really busy right now. You shouldn't expect for her to drop whatever she is doing just to run into your arms," Areku reminded his larger friend. Kaito's chest puffed out as he took in a deep breath, attempting to be defiant. Even if he was the Intimidator, Areku was never intimidated by the other wolf demon, simply because of them - Areku, Kaito, and Ayame - all growing up together and training together to become warrior ookami youkai since they had been pups.

"That Brown from the East does not deserve someone as loving and loyal as the Princess," Kaito snapped.

"You can not make Ayame's choices for her. She loves Kouga, and as her friend, you should respect that, Kaito," Areku chidded. With a nod, he dashed off again, leaving Kaito to come up behind him as they ran through the valley that lead towards their mountain dens. As they reached the entrance to the mouth of the caves, that twisted and winded inside of the mountain, Areku and Kaito were greeted by their white wolf brothers.

"It's great to be home," Areku nodded to the guardsmen.

"Areku! Kaito! We are glad you are back!" the first guard greeted to them, walking over to Areku and embracing him, and giving him a pat on the back.

"Be sure to tell the Elder that we have come home," Kaito sighed when he didn't see or smell Ayame anywhere in the general area of the entrance. He was hoping that she would have been the first one to welcome him home, not some measly guards who meant nothing to him. "And see that the Princess knows too." He added at the last minute.

"Yes sir!" the second guard saluted. Kaito humphed and with a small nod of his head he left Areku out at the entrance to wander the halls inside, to see if he could make it to see Ayame first. Areku shook his head as he watched Kaito retreat into the dens.

"He still has it pretty bad for the Princess doesn't he?" the first guard asked with a small sigh and a light chuckle. Areku reached up and started rubbing his temples with his hands,

"I am afraid so," Areku said with a sigh. "And even after she is happily mated, I still think that Kaito will be madly in love with her. Longing for something that is beyond his reach. He is rather thick-skulled, and getting a point across to him is like punching him in the gut. He has to see your fist coming at him, and feel the hit to the stomach before he believes that he was even punched in the first place. Even then, its only a half chance that he will stay down, or jump up and retaliate."

The guards nodded in agreement to Areku's words. He was right, Kaito was the stubborn sort, and also the type who didn't mind starting a fight if it meant that he was recognized as a dominant in the pack. The first guard smiled, trying to lighten the mood.

"Areku, perhaps we should go and let the Elder know you are back."

Areku nodded. "Good idea, I'm sure Kaito went straight to look for Ayame," Areku guessed as the first guardsmen, walked along side Areku, heading towards the main dens.

"There are a few things that have changed since you both have left," the guard brought up. Areku nodded, waiting and listening intently. He had expected some changes, it is what the Elder had planned all along. Try to change the pack for the greater good. Uniting instead of dividing. Sharing land and hunting grounds instead of fighting over it.

"The Princess has taken another suitor," the guard mentioned as he stared at the wall while walking. Areku stopped dead in his tracks.

That was hard to believe. Ever since they were small pups running around and playing in the woods, Ayame had bragged that she would one day be married and mated to Kouga, Prince of the Brown Tribe in the East. It was the one dearest thing that she held onto more than anything else in her life. Areku cleared his throat.

"You can not be serious. The Princess is head over heals in love with Kouga. Why the change of heart?"

The guard shrugged, "Rumor has it that Kouga has a human fiancee and even though Ayame continued to fight for her right to be Kouga's wife, he continued to turn her away for the mortal. Ayame was of course heart broken by this, but with the Elder's urging, she has decided to let the Prince from the Black Northern Tribe court her."

"Mikhail?" Areku asked, shocked to say the least.

"Yeah, I think that's his name," the guard nodded. "She has not made her final choice yet, but she has opened the door for other males to try and win her heart. It isn't solidly saved for Kouga anymore."

Areku stared in disbelief ahead of him. Kouga was his friend, and a very good ally, it was just so hard for him to understand why Kouga would throw away a beyond perfect relationship with a strong female warrior from his own clan, for a human.

"Why does Kouga love this mortal girl than the Princess?" Areku asked.

The guard smiled, "Some say that its because the mortal is a priestess and has certain powers that can break even the most powerful of demon's hearts. Others say that she can see the shards of the Shikon Jewel, and Kouga values that power in her so she can in turn help him become more powerful. There are other rumors, but I don't really remember them all," the guard finally said.

"I see," Areku nodded.

"I thought that you had heard of these rumors before Areku?" the guard asked, "It's been a long time that the Princess has been having to deal with a broken heart."

"Unfortunately, yes..." Areku answered with a sigh, "This is the first time I have heard any of this. I have been so busy lately working for the Elder that I find it hard to spend quality time with the Princess. To see how she is doing."

"Well now that she has made herself available," the guard grinned, "You can try to court her as well Areku. The Elder should have no opposition for it. The only requirement, is to be a strong warrior so that the rest of the pack respects you as Alpha. Areku, you have that strength. If you courted the Princess then you could be Alpha of the pack. When the Elder finally passes one day, it would be a relief to know that the pack was in good hands like your own," the guardman said.

Areku continued walking towards finding the Elder. "That would be an awkward relationship," Areku confessed. "The Princess and I have been close ever since we were pups. To me, it might be strange seeing her as my bride. She is more like a little sister to me."

The guard nodded slowly, "It was only a suggestion. Still I think you would make a terrific leader Areku." Areku smiled, and it showed on his entire face, from his lips to the shining happiness in his eyes.

"Thank you. That makes me feel like all the things I have done for the pack have not been done in vain. I hope that when the Princess does find her life mate that she will still turn to me for solid and good advice."

"I hope the same..." an older and more tired voice responded, as Areku and the guard had turned a corner to find the Elder resting and speaking with some of his own advisers. They had all gone silent when they picked up Areku's scent not to far off.

Areku smiled, "I'm sorry it's taken so long to get the job accomplished sir." He bowed at the waist, a form of respect that one normally gave to those they deeply respected.

"No worries, no worries Areku. It's good to see that you and Kaito both have made it home safely," the Elder white wolf moved his head slowly to nod.

"Yes sir. Do you wish for a report?" Areku asked, standing from his bow.

"All in good time Areku. I take it that Kaito could not wait to see my granddaughter. Why don't you go search for her as well, and greet her. I know that Ayame would be very happy to see you home safe." The Elder moved so that his aged eyes gave Areku an all knowing look. That even though Kaito was a respected dominant in the pack, it was not safe for Ayame at this point in time to be alone with him. Areku nodded, and gave the Elder the all knowing look in return.

"Yes sir, I will be back before mid-day to give my report on the smaller rogue packs surrounding the larger territories," he promised.

"Good my boy. Now, make haste," The Elder said, as Areku turned on his heels and started to head down the path that picked up Ayame's scent the strongest. The path towards her personal chambers within the dens.

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AN: To check out the cover art for "The Tattoo", specifically the image that inspired this story, please visit my fiancee's deviantArt page at the following link below. I want to thank YourouzokuAlpha for the time and patience put into this work. It's beautiful.

http://yourou.deviantart.com/#/d2qdp3f