Chapter 1

The Face-less Priestess

Lifting his nose towards the approaching wind, Koga breathed deep of the crisp, mountain air. The seasons were changing again. A slight lifting of the corner of his mouth answered the relief he felt at the clean scent. This was where a wolf belonged. Open and free to do as he pleased. Anything else just wasn't right. Too bad that wasn't how life usually went.

Shaking himself from his musing, the Ookami Alpha scanned the surrounding area with sharp blue eyes. These weren't his pack's forest so he had to remain on constant guard. His pack in the Eastern caves had been under attack from their enemy, the Birds of Paradise. This wasn't unheard of. The giant winged monsters had been in constant conflict with the wolf yokai for years. But, lately the attacks were becoming more frequent, the filthy beasts becoming too bold. As much as it rankled the Alpha, they needed help.

That was why Koga was heading deeper into the mountains, towards the caves of the pack's Northern brother tribe. Rumors had reached the Eastern caves of a great power that guarded the Northern packs. They hadn't had a death in seasons, despite still fighting against the Birds of Paradise.

At first, Koga had written it off as wishful thinking but the last attack on his tribe brothers had been the last straw. The disgusting bastards had attacked the main den as the pack slept. It was unacceptable. So, the Alpha had made up his mind. He'd go to the Northern caves and find out what this great power was. And, bring it back to his pack.

He knew the Northern tribe wouldn't want to be separated from their little secret so easily but that wasn't his problem. They were brother packs but that didn't mean they weren't also rivals. Besides, Koga's pack was the closest to the Bird's main nest. If he had this power, he could wipe them out for good. This was what drove him as he and the few hunters he brought with him crested over the final ridge of their territory.

"Maybe we should have asked Shiro for a talk," Ginta suggested as he huffed to catch his breath. "I mean, sneaking into the pack's territory just sounds like it's begging for a fight."

"Yeah, we might want to wait," Hakkaku added, holding his throbbing side.

Koga growled low as he rolled his eyes. It was the same the whole way there. These two just needed to keep quiet and back him up.

"You wanna go back, be my guest," the Alpha challenge with a sharp snort.

"We're not saying we want to give up, Koga," Ginta reasoned. "This just seems…..rash."

"We don't have the time to ask for permission," Koga replied, eyes looking for any movement in the thick tree line. "The pack won't survive that long."

The heavy prediction had both males sitting in heavy silence. They knew things were bad but was it really that bad? Koga was reserved when it came to pack problems, prefer to correct them himself if the issue was big enough. For everything else, Ginta and Hakkaku were there.

They'd actually been surprised to hear him order they join him in this risky mission but, they'd sworn their loyalty to the strong Alpha. They would follow him anywhere. If the pack's future was truly this much at risk, then this was worth it.

Nodding in agreement to each-other, the two hunters looked to their leader.

"What's the plan, Koga?" asked Hakkaku.

The assuredness in the hunter's voice had the Alpha's grin widen. "Once we get into the pack's territory, we watch and wait."

SSS

"Lady Kagome! Come look, come look!"

The high-pitched call of little voices caused the young priestess to smile under the wrappings about her face as she stood with her basket. Making her way towards the small group of Ookami- yokai pups, she glanced over the youngster's shoulder to see what he found.

"That's Shiso, right?" Banu asked eagerly as he pointed at the clustered leaves on the ground. "I found it for you."

Kagome gave the small wolf pup an affectionate pat on his head. The smooth, wide leaves would be good for a tea.

"Very good, Banu," she cheered. "You have a good eye."

The pup preened under her praise as the others grumbled and giggled. Kagome could only smile secretly in amusement as she carefully gathered the largest leaves for her basket.

"I thought I saw Ginko over that rock," called Akemi, not about to be outdone by her younger brother.

"You did not," Banu challenged.

"Did so," she countered with a warning growl.

"Once I gather these, why don't we all look?" suggested Kagome as she kept to her task, keeping her voice calm.

The suggestion seemed to placate the feisty pups as they started to play and explore about the clearing. Kagome shook her head in amusement. Yokai or human, children were all the same. She'd been a guest of the Northern wolf tribe for only a few years and it still amazed her how similar the pack was to the close-knit families of human villages. It was a pity the two worlds forced themselves away from each-other. But, perhaps it was for the best.

Originally, she'd wandered into the mountains, believing the life of a hermit was a better fit for her. There was no way he would look for her there. However, the pack had found her. Kagome had no delusions about why they allowed her to stay. She was powerful enough to be of use to them. Any other scenario, they would have eaten her on sight. But, the longer she remained with the wolf tribe, the more she got a rare glimpse into the good in them.

The Ookami weren't a gentle race. It just wasn't in their nature. They respected strength and loyalty. They were honest and had no tolerance for deceit. They protected whoever they deemed as pack with a fierce ferocity and they held to their word, completely.

That was part of the reason she decided to remain with the tribe. They could keep her safe. And, above all else, safety was what Kagome craved, not only for herself but those she resided with as well.

Kagome was more than willing to aid anyone in trouble, and the Ookami were indeed in great trouble, but if she helped them she needed their word on one thing. They couldn't attack human villages.

There weren't hardly any this deep in the mountains but Kagome wasn't about to help in the massacre of humans. It went against her nature. Either way, once the pack had a look at some of her abilities, they were willing to make the small sacrifice for the safety of all.

Funny, the paths that life took. Kagome never thought she'd ever be eager to be in the company of yokai, although she never held open animosity towards them. However, she'd known since childhood that yokai's first reaction to humans was usually destruction. But, being amongst yokai was safer. That was a truth Kagome learned the hard way. Yokai could take care of themselves and Ookami yokai took care of all they were responsible for.

"Lady Kagome, we want to help!"

And, that was the other reason she stayed. A handful of little ones raced over to join the already eager to explore group. The priestess rose to her feet with a soft chuckle. The Ookami pups were always a joy. However, before Kagome had a chance to answer, a pulse ran through her. It happened whenever something made contact with one of her barriers. A new yokai had entered the Ookami territory. This one was powerful but, was able to pass through the barrier. Did that mean it was another Ookami? Were they friend or rival?

"Lady Kagome?"

The confused worry in Banu's question had the priestess rubbing his back in comfort.

"It's alright," she reassured. "I think I've gathered enough. Why don't we head back to the caves?"

It was then that Kagome noticed the shadow moving swiftly over-head. Immediately, she pushed the pups towards the trees.

"Get under cover!" she ordered, dropping her basket to free her bow from her shoulder.

A bone-chilling screeched ripped through the air right before Kagome spotted the glint of claws above her head. The force of a swift dive knocked her back as the little ones screamed in fright. She had to help them. Pulling an arrow from her quiver, she nocked it against the string as she aimed up. A Bird of Paradise could die as easily as it could kill, if you hit it just right. Besides, if nothing else, pack hunters would be there soon. She just had to keep it busy.

"Over here!" she called, moving away from the tree-line.

That was when she noticed the shadow split. There were two!

Screeching at the top of its lungs, one of the creature dove for the kill, never believing a single arrow could end its life. However, the gleam of victory in its feral eyes changed to horrified shock when Kagome released her arrow, the flying shaft glowing with the bright pink light of miko reiki. The hole that ripped through the flying predator gaped with black blood as its body crashed to the ground.

One down, one to go.

Unfortunately, it was the one to go that took Kagome by surprise. The ripping sound of fabric and flesh rang through her ears as pain shot up her back. The force of the attack sent the priestess sprawling to the ground again as she struggled to look through her thick hood and wrapping. She kept her face concealed to avoid further trouble. But now, Kagome wished she could rip the irritating material from her face. She was going to die because of it.

"Lady Kagome!"

The tearful scream had Kagome reacting on instinct as she strengthened her senses. The Bird of Paradise was right above her. Right when she was about to reach for another arrow, the pain in her back had her seeing stars. The blow had wounded her shoulder as well. Struggling to take a breath, she gritted through the pain to nock another arrow. She had to hit it. She had to. However, before she had a chance, another aura suddenly flared and lunged through the air.

The screams of enraged pain and the stifling scent of blood overwhelmed Kagome's senses as she tried to focus her arrow. But, the more she tried, the more confusing she got. The fight was surreal to her. A single Ookami warrior, one she didn't recognize, had flung himself against the great winged predator, wounding and attacking with all the vicious intent she'd come to recognize from the Ookami tribes. They were merciless when they were out for blood.

The battle was over almost as soon as it began as the hunter ripped through feathers and flesh to cleave a looming wing from the great beast. With a final swipe, the head was removed right before the body crashed to the ground.

Kagome could only stare in shock as she cupped her throbbing shoulder. She needed to get the pups back to the caves, needed to keep this hunter away from them and herself, needed to move. But, Kagome found herself pinned in place as the male landed lightly on his feet, beside the fallen body of the Bird of Paradise. Never had she seen a hunter do that on his own. Who was this wolf?

Cracking his neck and with an irritated growl, the male spat loudly on the large carcass.

"Here too," he muttered low with a shake of his head. "Still, ….less than I expected."

Turning on his heel, the male turned sharp blue eyes in Kagome's direction, causing the priestess to stiffen.

"What are you? Some pack slave?" he chided with mocking sarcasm. "A lot of help you were."

"Don't talk to Lady Kagome that way," Banu ordered before the priestess could stop him.

Jerking her head about, Kagome spotted the young pup standing just out of the tree-line, fists raised for a prepared fight.

"You will show her respect," added Akemi, coming to her brother's aid. "Besides, she took down the other Bird of Paradise."

Kagome could feel her face reddening as she thought of the pups coming to her defense. She hardly needed to brag but this was a warrior from a different tribe. The Northern tribe gave her respect but that didn't mean the others had to. And, from what she saw, this male wasn't anyone to take lightly.

"Yeah, I guess," he replied with a sniff. "Still just took down one. If you'd taken cover with the others, I could have handled them both."

"You…. Could?" asked Banu, his previous anger dissolving into something akin to awe.

The others were swiftly following after him in open adoration to the new hunter. This caused the male to cock his head in open amusement. He was clearly enjoying the attention.

"Easily," he answered. "These aren't so bad. You should see the ones we face at the forefront."

"The forefront?" the pups called at once.

"You're from the Eastern caves?" asked Jun, eyes wide with hope.

"Who are you?" added Katsu as she clapped her hands.

"KOGA!"

The distant roar from the trees had Kagome sigh with relief. Shiro was here. Immediately, the large male dropped between the male and the pups, hard eyes showing displeasure.

"Koga of the Eastern Ookami tribe, is there a reason why you've come sneaking into my territory?"