The Tattoo

AN: Yes....yes...I know....it was an overdo post....but just think how long it was. Weeee ^_^ Me and B-chan worked on it together. Enjoy.

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 7- Ayame's Visit


It hadn't taken long at all before Ayame had finally been ready for the trip to the Black territory. As her grandfather had insisted, she had taken her beta Lyra with her, her trusted and loyal blonde warrior of a friend. Lyra had been like a sister to Ayame ever since they were little. True to her duty to protect and look after her princess, Lyra had always been there, doing exactly that. Especially with all the trouble the young wolf princess would get herself into in her younger years.

But Ayame was all grown up now, and she had a different kind of need of her friend. Lyra herself was grateful Ayame was moving on with her life, trying to get over that worthless brown bastard. She'd never liked him, ever since Ayame had returned to the mountains, rejected and heartbroken.

He had proven his true colors, and it just pained her to see the red head so enamored with him, and unable to move on. But finally, things were progressing, and Ayame had a new, and far more worthy suitor. This Mikhail... he had enough to be respected for. He was the son of the Black leader, and the next alpha. From the stories she had heard of him, he was strong, and loyal. He was brave and didn't give up easily.

And he was a gentleman.

He would make Ayame a fine mate, far better than that *brown* ever would. And Ayame seemed to be open to the courtship. That was one thing Lyra had been concerned about. She was certain Ayame would still have been so wrapped up in her feelings for Kouga, no matter now misguided they might be, that she might not give Mikhail a chance.

Lyra was happy to see Ayame was mature enough to know when to move on, and to take the steps she would need to find a happier life. Lyra was tired of the heartbroken and depressed princess moping around the pack. Sure, Ayame did a good job of hiding it from the others, especially her grandfather... but there was no hiding it from Lyra.

"We're almost there I think. We should be on the edge of their territory now," Ayame said, her voice breaking into Lyra's thoughts. The sandy blonde haired female blinked in surprise, before a serious frown set across her face, nodding her head.

"Hai, Ayame-sama. How long do you intend to stay and visit Mikhail-sama?" Lyra asked, crossing her arms over her chest as the two female watched silently through the forest.

"Not long... there are still things I would like to take care of back home and I don't want to be a burden to Mikhail. He's been so nice to me so far," Ayame said with a blush as Lyra nodded.

"I will want a few words with this Black Prince. I hope you understand, Ayame-sama," Lyra said as the red head chuckled and nodded.

"I wouldn't expect any less Lyra. I know you, and I know how protective of me you tend to be. But I keep trying to tell you. I'm not a little pup anymore, I *can* take care of myself," Ayame said with a smile.

"Hmmm. Yes I know Princess... but it's still my duty."

"I understand," Ayame said, looking around. "We should be just inside their territory. It shouldn't be too long before we reach their den I suppose."

~*~*~*~

Mikhail paced around his den, unable to calm himself. Ever since that conversation he had with Ayame back in her room, he couldn't help but wait until she had arrived. He had told his wolves if any from the white pack were to visit, they were to treat them with the utmost respect. But his wolves were loyal, he shouldn't have to worry. He stopped his pacing when he saw one of his betas come in and bow low in respect.

"Arise and report, Shiro," he ordered gently. Shiro nodded and stood up straight.

"Two white females were spotted, Mikhail-sama. One of them is the Princess of the Northern Tribe, Ayame," he answered. Mikhail's eyes shot up.

"Ayame's here?!" A wide, happy grin formed on his face, and he looked at his beta. "Do I look presentable?" he asked him. The beta blinked, wondering why he was getting so worked up over this meeting.

"Mikhail-sama, you ALWAYS look presentable. You're the future alpha of this tribe, nothing you could possibly do could make you un-presentable," he answered in slight confusion. Mikhail nodded and quickly ran out of the den, leaving Shiro blinking in confusion.

"Mikhail-sama!" he exclaimed, chasing him, but the black prince didn't stop. He wanted to be the one to greet Ayame to his territory, not Shiro or one of his other wolves. He trusted that they would behave, but still, he wanted to make a good impression on the lovely princess. The black prince stopped, seeing them in the forest and he grinned charmingly, bowing slightly when he finally caught up to the two females.

"Ayame-sama, you grace us with your radiant presence," he replied, ignoring the wolves that were just now catching up with him and quickly standing up in attention. Lyra eyed the male in front of them warily as Ayame blushed and smiled, bowing her head in respect.

"You flatter me Mikhail-sama. I came to fulfill my promise, just as I said I would. This," Ayame began, gesturing to the blonde beside her. "Is Lyra. My head beta." Ayame finished before looking back at Mikhail.

"We won't burden you long, I promise. But you did wish me to visit, and so... here I am."

Mikhail seemingly didn't notice Lyra's gaze at him, or if he did, he didn't pay it no mind. He simply bowed his head in respect at the blond, still smiling at the red head.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, and to welcome to both into my territory," Mikhail said formally. He returned his eyes to Ayame, his gentle smile growing, chuckling softly. "Ayame, your visit here is a blessing, not a burden to us."

"But how rude of me to keep you both standing out here... Come, let's go inside," he offered gently and took a step to the side to allow them to walk beside or in front of him if they chose to, his other wolves already walking back home. Ayame smiled as she nodded, sparing a glance at Lyra before falling into step with Mikhail. Lyra didn't waste a moment, picking up the slack and she too followed with the black wolves and her princess.

"So, Mikhail... I hope you don't mind me coming at such short notice. I realize you only asked me yesterday... but there were some things I had to get off my shoulders... so I decided to just jump forward and take you up on your invitation," Ayame said shyly. She thought back to the fight she had with Kouga, shaking her head as she forced the thought far from her mind. So what if he was the reason she was here? She had to move on.

And she intended too.

The Black Prince grinned, chuckling softly as he shook his head at her. "Now, Ayame, I said you were welcomed any time to visit my tribe, and I meant it. This isn't a bother at all. I'm glad you came," he replied, smiling at her.

"But, are you alright? You seem troubled Princess...."

Ayame blushed in embarrassment as she shook her head furiously, her face as red as her hair.

"No, no, I'm fine. I was just thinking. Don't worry about it," Ayame blurted out. The last thing she wanted to do was tell Mikhail about the fight she had with Kouga over him. "I'm happy you are so glad to see me. Truthfully, I'm pleased to have been able to see you too. I sincerely apologize for the way things turned out in the North. And I'm sorry we didn't get to know each other better during your visit."

"It's alright. There were... other things happening up there, and it was important to get them settled," Mikhail replied.

Ayame chuckled lightly as she nodded. "True... I appreciate how you handled things too. Kouga's attitude was bad enough. I don't know how my grandfather would have reacted if you both had reacted the same way he had."

Mikhail grinned, laughing at the mental picture of him running around, screaming his head off, like a rabid dog, which is how he thought Kouga had acted. "Let us just thank the gods, it DIDN'T happen. It was not a problem. It wasn't a big deal to get worked up about, one thing I have learned about politics is that a silenced tongue is better than a open mouth. But enough of politics, I want to get to know more about you if you don't mind."

Ayame smiled sweetly at him as they walked side by side, oblivious to the fact that Lyra was silently studying them both carefully.

"Well....what is it exactly you like to know?" the red head asked.

"What was your childhood like?" he asked gently. "If it's not a problem to ask." Ayame sighed, looking down at her feet. The only thing that really stood out about her childhood was when she was saved by Kouga. And she highly doubted Mikhail would like to hear about that.

"I guess... there's nothing really good to talk about. My parents died when I was really young... so I don't exactly remember them much. But my grandfather raised me most of my life. He trained me in the mountains. There's not much to tell really...." She trailed off.

Mikhail frowned slightly, noting he had asked the wrong question. 'Baka! Way to go!'he thought to himself with a frown.

"I know what it's like to lose a parent," he replied softly, hoping that with her knowing he could sympathize, it might comfort her to some degree. "My mother died while my sister and I were still young, so my father raised us." He smiled, his eyes having a faraway glint in them before he turned and smiled at her gently.

"But your grandfather did a wonderful job raising you, and I have no doubt Ayame, that your parents would be proud to see what a beautiful young woman you've become," Mikhail stated. Ayame blushed furiously at the compliment, her cheeks burning. She could feel how hot her cheeks were, averting her eyes so she wouldn't have to look at him and he wouldn't have to see just how embarrassed she was by what he'd said.

"Mikhail..." Ayame trailed off before Lyra rolled her eyes, cutting in.

"Very charming, Mikhail-sama... but perhaps we should discuss more pressing matters? Like the treaty the Black and White packs have decided to put together? The civil disputes between the packs has got to come to an end," Lyra said.

"We know that Lyra," Ayame said, before looking back at Mikhail. "Grandfather and the other Elders are working on a truce as we speak. I know Grandfather intends to visit with each of the other leaders in the next few days. But this was a personal visit. Nothing to do with pack matters. Right Mikhail?" Ayame asked with a soft smile.

"I'm sorry to hear about the loss of your mother. I know that pain all to well. But..." Ayame trailed off before lowering her head.

"You see, I should explain my past in more detail. I mean... my childhood was when I met Kouga. And it would help you understand why I can't just... rush into any sort of relationship with you, Mikhail. You see when I was young, I stumbled upon a nest of the Birds of Paradise demons and Kouga came along and saved me. If it hadn't been for him, I would have been eaten."

Mikhail frowned slightly as he heard a change in her voice, the way her voice ached with old pain. His brown eyes widen in horror. "I... I had no idea. Your Grandfather didn't tell me about this," he whispered, his voice very soft as he growled softly under his breath.

"Kouga took me back to my pack and on the journey there," Ayame paused softly. "He told me he would take me for his wife. But that was such a long time ago, and I was just a silly little girl. I should have realized it wasn't serious. It was merely something to make me feel better so he could cheer me up and take me home," Ayame finished sorrowfully.

"But when I grew up and went to search for him, he rejected me for another. And so, like my grandfather probably told you my... engagement... with Kouga was dissolved."

"That arrogant brown..." Mikhail growled darkly under his breath. Ayame blinked as she looked up at Mikhail curiously. She was confused at Mikhail's reaction as well. Was it to what she'd said about Kouga? Mikhail sighed and shook his head.

"No one ever told me what that brown did to you," Mikhail said cooly. Ayame blinked in surprise.

"Was that a problem? I don't understand... So Kouga saved my life... it's in the past Mikhail. He doesn't want me for his mate. It's something I've come to accept," Ayame said softly.

"But to string you along like that Ayame! There was no reason for it! He shouldn't have promised it to you if he didn't mean to keep it!" Mikhail replied, mad that he could tell the brown had hurt her. Ayame took a step back in surprise before smiling softly, her green eyes soft and kind.

"It's very sweet of you to be so considerate of my feelings, Mikhail. Thank you."


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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