Ginga Densetsu Kintora - Chapter 9

Chapter 9

-Japan-

“Get back here, enemy scum!”

“You want me? You’ll have to catch me.”

Gurē slipped through the forest undergrowth, his paws silent against the dirt. He leapt over logs and stones, and swerved around trees with impressive agility and speed. He glanced over his shoulder. The rustling of the foliage behind him let him know that Sunatora was hot on his trail. Gurē wasn’t worried, at least not about being caught; he was far faster than Sunatora was. Still, what Sunatora lacked in speed, he made up with in tenacity. Losing him was out of the question. He skidded to a stop, just as Sunatora emerged from the bushes behind him.

“Ha!” the young brindle said. “So you realized you couldn’t get away, huh?” Sunatora got into a fighting stance. “Get ready, ‘cause I’m gonna take you down, like a real Dog!”

Gurē simply stood where he was, watching and waiting. Sunatora took this as his chance to attack, and with a yell, he pounced. Suddenly, Gurē leaped into the air, over Sunatora’s head. Sunatora gasped.

“Huh?” he cried as he turned. Gurē had latched onto a tree behind him, scurrying up the side and onto one of the low-hanging branches. He stared down at his brother, smiling coyly. But Sunatora wasn’t deterred, and charged at the tree, jumping at it, trying to mimic his brother’s actions. Unfortunately, due to his bulky size, gravity pulled him to the ground much faster than he could climb. Sunatora landed on the forest floor, staring up at Gurē, who was lounging on the tree branch and looking very proud of himself.

“Can’t climb up?” asked Gurē with a smirk. “That’s too bad. Looks like I win.”

“You must be crazy if you think I’m giving up that easily!” cried Sunatora. He took a few steps back and tried again, scratching at the bark in an effort to climb up, but still, he fell back on the ground. He tried again, and again, and again. Gurē watched, genuinely impressed by his brother’s perseverance. Sunatora backed up once more, trying again...only to hit his paw on a small rock and end up tumbling on the ground. However, Sunatora didn’t stop. He continued to tumble, his body beginning to form into a disk of fur and fangs. Gurē’s eyes widened as the disk rammed into the roots of the tree with great force, tearing at the wood. Still, Sunatora continued spinning, and only seemed to go faster. He was cutting into the tree now, and Gurē gasped as he felt the tree jolt.

“S-Suna!” he called, but Sunatora kept going, cutting deeper and deeper into the tree until he shot out the other side. The tree began to tip over, and with a yelp,  Gurē leapt to the next tree, clinging onto a branch just as the tree he was previously on toppled over with a great crash. Meanwhile, Sunatora had come to a stop, finally, collapsing on the ground. He lied there, motionless.

“Suna!?” yelled Gurē. “Are you ok?”

“...That was…” Sunatora slowly stood up. He turned, looking up at Gurē. On his face was the biggest smile Gurē’d ever seen. “SO COOL! Did you see that, Gurē!? Did you see how cool that was!?”

“Yeah…” Gurē murmured, still recovering from what just happened. “Was that...a Battouga?”

“I think so,” replied Sunatora. “But...it was different what I saw Kintora do…” He looked back, seeing the tree he toppled over. “I didn’t know it was strong enough to cut down tree like that, though.”

“Gurē! Sunatora!”

Both puppies looked to see Akame and Gin arriving at the scene.

“We heard a loud noise in this direction,” Gin explained. “Are you two al--” He cut himself off, seeing the fallen tree. “How on Earth…?”

“I did it,” Sunatora announced, his chest swelling with pride. Gin and Akame went to inspect the damage to the tree’s base, while Sunatora continued. “Gurē and I were playing, and he managed to climb up that tree.” Akame looked up at Gurē, just now realizing the puppy was, indeed, up there. “I wanted to go after him, but I tripped and did this really weird Battouga, and I knocked down that tree.”

“Impressive…” murmured the old Akita. “These certainly are the markings of a Battouga… Amazing how a puppy so young can be so powerful…”

“And I’ve never heard of a 6-month old climbing a tree so easily,” Akame added, still looking up at Gurē. “I couldn’t even successfully climb a tree until I was at least a year old. Can you get down, Gurē?”

“I think so...Hang on…” Gurē jumped from the branch and landed on his paws on the ground. He joined his Sunatora and Akame just as Gin finished his examination.

“Perhaps the two of you could do with...more advanced training. Wouldn’t you agree, Akame?”

“Indeed,” the Kishu agreed. Sunatora’s tail wagged rapidly.

“Really?” he chirped. His grandfather nodded.

“I will talk to your father to see if it’s alright, but I think a strong puppy such as yourself would do better training not here, but in Shikoku, home to some of the strongest dogs in Japan, including Benizakura, my old comrade.” Sunatora looked as if he was about to pass out from excitement. Of all the dogs he’d heard about in the old war stories, Benizakura was one of his favorites. Known as the strongest dog in the world, Benizakura left Shikoku to aid his grandfather and the Ohu army in taking down Akakabuto and his army. He lost his life drowning the bear, Mosa, but his memory was never to be forgotten. To be given the chance to train in a place blessed by such noble paws...it was almost too much for Sunatora to handle.

“Yes…” the brindle whispered. “I want to go to Shikoku, grandpa. I want to become as strong as Benizakura was!”

“Good lad,” Gin nodded. “You’ll become a great man, just like him. I know you will.”

As Sunatora began to imagine himself as the warrior he was going to become, Akame spoke to Gurē.

“And you, little one, will come with me to the village of the Kouga. You will learn to be a ganin.”

“A ganin?” echoed Gurē breathlessly. Like Sunatora, he couldn’t believe that he was being given the opportunity to become something amazing, a true contribution to the Ohu army. But rather than being excited like his brother, Gurē’s mind was cloudy, filled with thoughts. Akame noticed a distant look appearing on his face.

“Hmm? What’s the matter?”

“Huh?” Gurē looked up. “Oh, n-nothing, sir. Thank you, I’ll become the best ganin I can be.” While Akame wasn’t completely convinced things were alright with the puppy, he decided to leave it alone. There were far more important things to worry about.

“Come now,” the Kishu began walking back in the direction he and the old Leader came from. “Let’s talk this over with Weed and Heizu.”


“Oh, my little boys are growing up so fast…” Heizu cooed. Akame and Gin had explained their proposition to the Leader and his wife, who agreed that it would be best for Ohu’s future leaders to have some extra skill in combat. The mother Kai licked her sons’ heads, tears forming in her eyes. “It seems only yesterday you were still nursing. Now, you’re going off to become real soldiers.” Tears began to roll down her cheeks, which Sunatora tenderly licked away.
“Don’t cry, Mama,” he said, smiling comfortingly. “You know we’ll come back.”

“I’m not ready to let you go…” said Heizu quietly. “Not after…” She trailed off, her ears falling back. A solemn silence fell over the dogs as Kintora came to mind. Weed walked over to his mate, giving her a nuzzle.

“Oh, Heizu…” he murmured. “I know you miss our daughter. We all do. But I believe she’d doing whatever she can to make it back home. While there’s nothing we can do to help her physically, we must have hope for her. We can’t spend our time holding on to the sad things; we have to keep living life as best we can. It’s all we can do until she comes back.” Heizu nodded.

“Mmm,” she said. “Alright. I’ll send my little soldiers off with a smile.” Heizu did just that, her tail swishing gently. “My sons...you have the blood of great dogs in your veins. I know you’ll do us proud. Take care of yourselves out there, alright?”

“Yes, Mama.”

“Of course, Mother.”

Heizu stepped forward, nuzzling her sons one last time, before standing by her husband. Gin and Akame walked to the puppies.

“We’ll leave today,” announced Gin. “Sunatora, I’ll take you to Musashi. He knows Shikoku and the fighting dogs better than anyone. He’ll get you the training you need. Gurē, you will go with Akame to the Kouga village. It will be a while before we all see each other again. Good luck, my grandsons.”

With one final goodbye to their parents and to each other, Sunatora and Gurē parted ways with their older guides. Akame and Gurē left for the Kouga village immediately, while Sunatora and Gin found the old Tosa. Musashi agreed to take Sunatora to Shikoku, knowing a special friend that could train any dog into a champion fighter. The heat of noon had come when it was Sunatora’s time to leave Fatugo Pass. Despite going in different directions, both brothers’ hearts were filled with determination. But only time would tell if they’d become the great men they dreamed of becoming.


“Finally...Toshimitsu...we’re here…”

Tears of joy fell from Tesshin’s eyes as he saw Gajou, the light of the moon reflecting off the stone. It’d been nearly three nights since the ambush from the shinobi bears, and, despite being battered and bruised, the two remaining Kouga dogs had finally returned to Fatugo Pass. Still carrying his comrade on his back, Tesshin staggered towards the rocky structure.

Weed, he thought. I’m almost there.

A group of sentry dogs, who were standing on the fortress’ wooden supports, spotted movement from the edge of the forest. They sprinted towards the approaching dogs.

“Who goes there?” one of them barked.

“It’s me, Tesshin,” Tesshin called. “And my comrade, Toshimitsu.” Tesshin collapsed as the sentry dogs surrounded him and Toshimitsu. The other Kouga slipped off Tesshin’s back, lying by his side, equally exhausted.

“Tesshin?” echoed another dog. “You’re back?”

“Yes,” Tesshin replied with a slow nod.

“But where are the other Kouga?”

Tesshin looked down, unable to bring himself to retell the tragic events of that night. Toshimitsu decided to speak up.

“They...they’re all dead.”

“What!?” The sentry dogs exclaimed in unison.

“How can that be?” cried a dog. “The Kouga are very powerful!”

“We were ambushed,” explained Toshimitsu, shivering at the memory. “The bears...they weren’t regular bears like we thought...they were shinobi like we are.”

“How dreadful!”

“It can’t be possible!”

“It’s true,” Toshimitsu continued. “But the worst of it all was...they were led by...by…” He trailed off, gritting his teeth and struggling to hold back tears.

“By?” a dog repeated.

“Chukabuto!” Tesshin suddenly cied out, tearing up. “The second Demon Bear!”

The sentry dogs began to panic. One Demon was bad enough, but two? And shinobi bears that could wipe out nearly all of the Kouga? There was no hiding it now; a new threat had formed in Mount Azuma, one that could no longer be ignored. One sentry spoke.

“Taiyo,” he said. “Relay this message to Weed. We’ll take Tesshin and Toshimitsu to the hot spring.”

“Yes,” the appointed dog, Taiyo, replied. He turned tail and headed back to Gajou, going inside and finding Weed and Heizu’s den.

“Boss!” he yelled, startling the young Leader awake. “Tesshin and Toshimitsu have returned...and they’ve brought grave news…”


The dogs of Ohu were now gathered before Gajou. With the news of the unprovoked ambush and the second Demon,  Weed realized what had to be done: he had to declare war on the bears. Weed stood atop Gajou, Heizu and Gin at his sides. Gin’s eyes wandered over the pack, counting the numbers of dogs they had. During the war against Hougen, the Ohu army managed to gather 100 dogs, thanks to Kyoshiro and Moss. After Buruge, Bat, and Kite joined Ohu, their combined armies brought the total to nearly 1000. But Gin knew this wouldn’t been enough. In the
old war, 1,8000 dogs came to Ohu, and only 700 survived in the end. That was just against one Demon. This was a far worse enemy, and hundreds, if not thousands more dogs would be needed if they wanted even the slightest chance of victory. The old Akita talked this over with his son. Now Weed would have to decide what the army’s next move would be.

“My friends!” Weed called out, bringing the chattering soldiers to a silence. “I’m sure by now you all know that, unfortunately, the Kouga clan was attacked by another Demon Bear and his shinobi.” He paused, seeing Moss shaking in the crowd, most likely infuriated at the thought of nearly losing what could be considered his second son. “I see now that we can no longer be civil. We have to destroy this new enemy, for the good of dogs and humans. And to do that, we’ll need more dogs to help us. I’ll split the army into four groups, one for each direction, and you will all journey across the country to gather soldiers. I’ll give you all one month, and we will meet in Mount Azuma when that time has passed. Is this understood?”

“Yes!” the unanimous cry rang out.  With that, Weed proceeded to break up his soldiers. Leading the groups would be Weed, Gin, Kyoshiro, and Ken. Staying behind to look over the Dog Paradise would be the most of the Ohu veterans, as well as 100 more soldiers at their command.

“This is bullshit,” Kurotora snapped as he watched the four groups leave the stronghold. “We may be old, but we’ve still got our warrior’s strength. We should’ve been allowed to go.” At his side, Ben chuckled, glancing in the direction of his friend’s voice.

“Settle down, old friend,” he said. “Fatugo Pass still needs protecting. And who better to keep the peace then the killers of Akakabuto. It’ll be just like old times.”

“Hmph,” the old Kai huffed. “Well, when you put it that way, then I suppose that’s fine. But the battle against the new Demons will be in Mount Azuma. We’re not getting any action.”

“You never know, Kuro,” Cross spoke up. “Someone may try to take advantage of most of the army’s absent. We’ll need to be prepared for that.”

“We’ll see,” grumbled Kurotora. “We’ll see if anyone’s stupid enough to attack while the great Kurotora’s here.”

Ben playfully bumped into him, knocking him over, and Cross laughed.


Meanwhile at Mount Azuma, Chukabuto’s head lifted off the floor of his cave, his eyes two glowing emeralds in the darkness. Ohu was on the move, he could sense it. Excitement swelled within him as he stood up, exiting the cave. It was now time to begin the bear’s first true attack. He looked up at the trees, spotting his sleeping shinobi.

“My shinobi,” he roared. “Awaken!”

Slowly, the ninja bears stirred, and seeing their commander, they quickly jumped out of their resting spots to meet him.

“Yes, Master Chukabuto?” said the shinobi.

“The Ohu soldiers have left Fatugo Pass unprotected,” explained the Brown Demon. “I believe it’s time we take the next part of my brother’s kingdom. I will send some of you to Fatugo Pass. If there are any dogs foolish enough to be there, kill them. We can’t leave a single Ohu soldier alive. Is this understood?”

“Yes, Master.”

“Suzumebachi,” Chukabuto called. The bear in question stepped forward. This bear was the same bear whose eye had been stabbed when Tesshin made his escape. While many other warlords in Japan would kill their follower for such a mistake, Chukabuto perfered to give him a second chance. After all, Suzumebachi was his top student, and the Brown Demon didn’t want to lose a valuable contribution to his clan. “[b]Suzumebatchi, this is your chance to redeem yourself. Take ten shinobi with you to Fatugo Pass and obtain it. I will not accept anything less than a victory. Return when Fatugo Pass has been siezed...or don’t come back at all.</b>” Suzumebachi bowed.

“I will not fail you again, my lord,” promised the one-eyed bear. “Fatugo Pass will be taken.”

“Very good,” Chukabuto nodded. He began to walk off. “You’re all dismissed.”

Suzumebachi began to gather his ten shinobi, while the remaining shinobi returned to their trees. Chukabuto walked along the mountain trail, following his brother’s scent. He was up now, and he didn’t feel tired, so he decided to pay the Black Demon a midnight visit. After a few minutes, he arrived at the clearing his brother ate and slept in. Kurokabuto was there, sleeping on his side. Surrounding him was his personal guard, the top fighters in his army. Quietly. Chukabuto made his way around the guards, and rested beside his brother, watching him sleep. For a moment, Chukabuto thought the larger bear looked almost peaceful...until he noticed Kurokabuto’s claws digging into the dirt, his his teeth were biting so hard into his lip, a small pool of blood was forming at the base of his chin. Sighing, Chukabuto wrapped an arm around him, holding him close.

“Relax,” he whispered into Kurokabuto’s ear. “It’s alright. I’m here. Don’t be afraid, I’m right here.”

The combination of Chukabuto’s voice, scent, and embrace eventually calmed the Black Demon down. His uncovered eye opened, staring directly at Chukabuto.

“Ch-Chu…” He began, his voice quivering. “Y-You’re here…”

“Of course I am,” replied the smaller male gently. “You know I’m always here for you, brother.” Kurokabuto was quiet for a moment. Chukabuto carefully licked at the fur covering the Black Demon’s other eye. “Was it...that dream again?” Kurokabuto nodded. “I thought so. My brother...There’s nothing to fear now that I’m here. I know I wasn’t around before, but I’m making up for that now.”

“I know,” Kurokabuto rumbled. “It’s just...the nightmares just won’t stop...No matter how much I tell myself I’m free from those humans, I just keep thinking about what they did to me...what their dogs did to me…” He rested his paw on his covered eye, shuddering. “...I just want to kill them all…” He breathed heavily as tears began to flow, the anger and pain from long ago overpowering him.

“Shh...shh…” Chukabuto nuzzled his brother. “You will get your revenge soon enough, brother dear. Listen...I have sent some of my men to Fatugo Pass. The Ohu army has left it unattended. Any dogs still remaining there will be killed easily, and you can have a new mountain to call yours, as well as some tasty dog meat."

“Really? You’d really do that for me, Chu?”

“Of course. Consider it my gift to you for all those years I’ve missed with you.”

“Chu…” Despite his tears, Kurokabuto couldn’t help but smile. “You’ve done so much for me...I wouldn’t be here now had it now been for you. Thank you.” He and his brother affectionately butted heads. Even though they were demons, they had the ability to feel love, and truly, there was no greater power than a love between brothers. The rest of that night, Chukabuto stayed with his brother, and Kurokabuto dreamed not of the pain from his past, but of the his new kingdom, one where humans and dogs were could never hurt him again.

-???-

“Hello? Who is there? Who was the one who summoned me?”

…

…

“Oh...hello, sir. Who might you be? Wait...that aura...that fighting spirit...You are Riki, are you not?”

“Indeed. Greetings, young shaman. I have a request to ask of you.”

“Very well. What do you need of me?”

“My great-granddaughter was brought to your country several days ago. Right now, she’s making a journey across America to make it back to Japan. I feel she may pass through your territory.”

“Ah...she must be the source of the powerful energy I have been feeling...a powerful beast rests here in this realm. Could it be tied to her?”

“I believe so. That’s why I’m asking you to awaken it. A danger has come to Japan, and I feel this power will save my people.”

“I will do what must be done, sir. I look forward to your greatgranddaughter’s arrival to my tribe’s territory.”

“Thank you, shaman. You don’t realize what a great service you’re doing for us.”

“I am happy to help, good spirit. I must return to the world of the living, now, just as I feel you must return to watch over your people.”

“Of course. Farewell, shaman.”

“Until our paths meet again, Riki of Ohu.”



-America-

The smell of fresh kill filled Kintora’s nose, pulling her out of a pleasant slumber. She opened her eyes to her pack of City Dogs sitting and eating breakfast in the forest they’d settled in the night before. The puppy yawned, getting to her paws. Nearby, Mona and Blue Moon looked up from the fawn they were sharing.

“Awake, dear?” said Mona.

“Mmm-hmm,” Kintora nodded, padding over to the duo. She licked her lips, looking up at them expectantly. “I’m hungry.”

“Well, there’s a whole forest full of prey you can hunt in,” replied Blue Moon.

“I don’t hunt back in Ohu. The older dogs do it for me.”

“So, you can fight, but you can’t hunt? Kinda odd for a wild dog, don’t you think?”

“So what? A pack’s supposed to take care of its princess.”

“Look, kid,” Blue Moon leaned forward to look her in the eyes. “Everything can’t just be handed to you on a silver platter. If you want to eat, you’ll have to do it for yourself.” Kintora pouted.

“That’s not fair!” she complained, stamping her paw. Mona, taking pity, began to stand up. Blue Moon rested a paw on her shoulder.

“No, no,” he told the Akita. “She’s Gin’s granddaughter. This shouldn’t be problem for her.” He looked at Kintora. “Well, kid? What’s it gonna be? Will you hunt like a true wild dog, or starve? It’s your choice.”

Kintora stamped her paws in annoyance, but Blue Moon wasn’t swayed. Seeing as she had no choice, Kintora reluctantly rushed off into the woods, muttering under her breath. Mona looked back at Blue Moon in concern.

“I hope that wasn’t too harsh…” she murmured. “She still quite young.”

“She’s not like other puppies,” the old Dane pointed out. “She has the power of a full-grown dog inside her. She just needs to use it. I doubt anyone’s ever made her do anything on her own before, if those stripes are anything to go by. But just giving a kid everything they want never ends well.”

“Well…” Mona sighed, remembering Cujo. “You’re not wrong there...Still, I’d like to keep an eye on her and make sure she doesn’t get into trouble. After everything that happened back in the city, I…”

“No need to explain yourself,” interrupted Blue Moon. “Go on ahead.” With a nod, Mona got up and walked in the direction Kintora had gone. But before she disappeared into the woods, she stopped and turned back.

“That doesn’t mean you get to eat all the fawn while I’m gone, alright?” she said, giving the Dane a serious look. Blue Moon chuckled.

“Alright, alright, jeez…”

Mona disappeared into the flora, while Blue Moon watched with a thoughtful smile.

She’s becoming so much like you every day, Halia, he thought.


“Hmph...stupid old man...making me hunt…” Kintora kicked over a pebble in her frustration. She sniffed at the ground, trying to pick up a prey scent. “I’m too special to hunt. My stripes’ll get all dirty if I have to chase something down. I’m already a mess from the city. Ugh...I can’t wait to get home…”

Kintora picked up the scent of water, and ran her tongue over her lips. Where there was water, there was fish, and Kintora hadn’t had fish in quite some time. It seemed something good would come out of this day. After a quick job through the forest, Kintora came across the river. As she hoped, there were fish swimming in it. Licking her lips, Kintora dove her head into the water, her jaws snapping.

Come on, you dumb fish, just jump in my mouth and make this easy for both of us, she thought.

But as Kintora tried to fish, there was movement in the shrubs nearby. The dark eyes of a female Whippet peered out of the shadows.

“Silver pelt, golden stripes,” muttered the Whippet. “Yes, this is the one the bosses are looking for.” She glanced back at her three followers, a Beagle, A Yellow Labrador, and a massive Newfoundland. “Annabelle, can you pick up her scent from here?” Annabelle, the Beagle, nodded.

“The smell of human garbage is all over her,” she commented, her nose quivering. “Not to mention blood...and a very faint scent of lavender dog shampoo. I can track her easily if she runs.”

“Very good,” the Whippet said. “Now...on my signal...we rush her. We won’t give her a chance to react. Get ready…”

The Whippet stepped forward, followed by her team. She counted down the seconds until they’d launch their attack in 3...2...1…

“Excuse me!”

The Whippet froze, watching as a small group of dogs approached Kintora. The puppy’s head shot out of the water, her eyes wide in surprise. The Whippet cursed.

“Great…” she sneered. “Now we’ll have to think of a new strategy…”

“Shall we rush out and kill them?” asked the Newfoundland.

“No. Let’s see how this goes first.”

“Who are you?” Kintora asked the newcomers. A male mutt stepped forward, bowing his head.

“My name is Snow,” he replied. “My pack and I come from New Jersey, south of this state. Word’s been going around across the country that Gin’s granddaughter is here...we wanted to see if that was true, so that we might go to the Dog Paradise with you.”

“Really?” Kintora beamed excitedly. “Yes, I am Gin’s granddaughter, and of course you can join me. The more, the merrier, right?”

“Haha...thank you, miss…” Snow licked his chops. “Truly, you are Gin’s granddaughter…” He glanced at a Papillon standing beside him. “Cot C...thank her for us, will you?”

With a shrill bark, the Papillon attacked, his jaws claming around Kintora’s neck. Kintora yelped in panic. Snow snickered.

“Stupid bitch…” he spat. “Someone related to Gin wouldn’t be so nieve. Still, imagine how much respect I’d get with the pelt of a legendary’s granddaughter in my possession.”

“You...you asshole!” Kintora snarled. “Try and kill me! I’ll end all of you with my grandfather’s technique!”

“Put a sock in it, brat,” Cot C snarled, his fangs beginning to sink in. Kintora let out an angry bark as she twisted her head back, grasping the Papillon’s neck. They were now in a death grip, one trying to kill the other. The Whippet watched on, an idea coming to mind. But suddenly…

“Kintora!”

Mona suddenly appeared from the bushes, diving at Cot C. She snatched the small male in her jaws, ripping him off Kintora and flinging his body away. She stood over Kintora, growling.

“Just stay behind me, dear,” Mona said. Kintora stamped her paw.

“No fair!” she barked. “I was gonna take care of these jerks!”

“Heh,” Snow scoffed. “Well kill both of you. Doesn’t matter to me as long as I get that pelt.” He looked at his followers. “Surround them.”

At Snow’s command, the two females were surrounded. The Whippet’s ears perked.

“This is our chance,” she whispered to her comrades. “Let’s go!”

The team of four charged out of their hiding place just as the battle began to start. Snow glanced over at them, snarling agitatedly.

“Who the hell are you?” he snapped. “This is our battle! Unless you four want to die as well?” The Whippet shot at the mutt with lightening-fast speed, darting past him. Before Snow could realize what happened, his throat suddenly exploded in a fountain of blood. With a weak croak of death, the mutt fell over, forever motionless.

“Boss!” Snow’s dogs cried. The Whippet stood over Snow’s body, casually licking blood from her claws.

“Folks like you sicken me,” she muttered, more to herself than anyone else. “Stooping so low as to attack innocent women and children. And for what? Recognition based on some old Japanese tale? How pathetic. You all should leave, or else you’ll suffer his fate.” The Whippet kicked Snow’s body to emphasize her point. Snow’s dogs, terrified, decided not to take any chances and rushed off in a panic.

A few moments passed as things settled down. The four strangers faced Kintora and Mona, who stared at them in a mixture of shock and suspicion.

“Er...thank you…” Mona said slowly. “Who are you?”

“Former guard dogs,” replied the Whippet. “But the humans we worked for were cruel to us, so we left them. We’ve lived in this forest for the last four years, protecting any innocent dog passing through. Are you both alright?”

“Yes,” Mona said, holding a protesting Kintora closer to her. “We’ll just be heading back to our group now.” The Whippet stepped towards Mona.

“We can accompany you back,” she offered. “Not many dogs can let go of their boss being killed. They could come back and cause trouble for you.”

“We have more dogs than them,” Mona said, scooping up Kintora in her maw. “We’ll be fine.”

“Perhaps, but still, wouldn’t it be better to be safe rather than sorry?” The Whippet looked down at Kintora. “For the child’s sake?”

Mona was silent for a moment, also looking at Kintora. Kintora looked up at Mona, shaking her head. There was no way she’d be stupid enough to make the same mistake twice. Mona stared at the Whippet.

“No thank you,” she said firmly. The Whippet stared at her, causing the Akita to feel somewhat intimidated. Still, Mona was ready to defend Kintora with her life, her stance proved that. The Whippet decided to back off.

“Very well,” she said. “But my team is constantly patrolling this forest if you ever need help.”

Mona nodded, before taking Kintora away.

“But, Mona, I’m still hungry!” Kintora cried as the older female vanished into the undergrowth. The four dogs stood where they were for a moment, before the Whippet spoke again.

“Annabelle, track them and report back to me.”

“Yes, Mielikki.”