Chapter 1

Little Mischief-Maker

It was right in front of him. He could smell it. Just a little further and all of his hard-earned work would be richly rewarded. Hurried breathing bordering on erratic rushed through his ears as dirt continued to fly about his little burrowing body. Almost….there….

A cry of pure joy rang through the air as the tiny kitsune hefted his prize above his head. Clutching his satsumaimo in tiny hands, he scurried off into the thick forests. He wasn't letting some-other yokai steal his bounty when he did all the work.

The happy tune he hummed before the little fire roasting his dinner kept him preoccupied as he tried to wait patiently. Shipo wasn't sure he would find such a sweet treat this late in the season but he wasn't about to look a gift horse in the mouth, as it were. Better to enjoy the luck you're given, after all.

A passing breeze caused the glowing coals to flicker, encouraging the young kit to huddle closer to his fire-pit. Winter was getting closer. He'd have to find a den soon. That was what Otosan would do, right?

Swallowing the urge to cry, Shipo sniffed sharply to keep himself calm. He couldn't keep crying about it. His father was gone. He was on his own, now. He was a big, strong warrior who didn't need to be scared of anything!

The piercing cry of a wolf had the little kitsune bristling with fright, causing him to snap his terrified gaze one way than the other in frantic desperation. Except for wolves. It was perfectly acceptable to be scared of wolves! That was survival.

Crouching low to the ground, Shipo waited for the tell-tale signs of an approaching predator; heavy breathing, the rustle of grass or low branches. Anything could give a threat away.

However, not hearing anything to suggest danger, the little kitsune snatched up his cooked treat and bit into the soft, sweet flesh. There was no point in wasting good food….no-matter how terrifying the possibilities of what was out there.

Wiggling in happy contentment, Shipo started to hum to himself again. This was what made a good night. A warm fire, a clear night, and a warm sweet treat to munch on. Nothing better.

Suddenly, Shipo's ears caught the sound of hurried steps heading straight for him. Quick as he could, he hopped to his tiny fox feet and started kicking dirt frantically over the low fire. Within seconds, the warm glow died before him, shrouding the small clearing in shadow and moonlight.

Immediately diving into a nearby brush, Shipo watched wide-eyed as a tall figure skidded to a stop barely feet from the hiding kit. Glowing blue eyes glanced one way or the other, sniffing the air in quick experimentation.

Shipo didn't have to test the air to know the warrior before him was an Ookami. There was no mistaking those cocky brutes. Thankfully, Shipo's hiding place was down-wind. The idiot could search all he wanted, he wouldn't be eating kitsune that night.

Once he saw an opportunity, Shipo would slip away and find a new place to sleep…. unless the warrior moved on.

However, a distant call of the warrior's name killed that hope in the small boy before it had a chance to bud. Three others pushed their way through the surrounding trees, breathing heavily before they collapsed in a heap at the edge of the clearing. Judging by the reaction of their leader, it was obvious the small group wasn't moving on. They were staying.

Shipo felt his chest puffing up with proud consternation. Count of wolf yokai to barge in and assume they could just take over an area. Why should he be the one to leave? He was there first!

"I realize it would draw attention, Koga-sama, but I need to stay warm somehow. The nights are getting colder."

The soft voice was a surprise to Shipo, causing the young kit to perk up slightly as he scanned the group again. Ookami were brash and loud. They didn't talk like that.

Centered amongst the three male hunters, a small female sat quietly on the ground as she held the leader's gaze in calm challenge. Was she the leader's woman? On a second look, Shipo had to choke back his cry of surprise. The female was a human!

The leader snorted in frustration as he shook his head, bound hair flicking back and forth with his brown tail. "You'll be fine," he responded. "It ain't that cold."

"Maybe not for you," the woman countered, her pale brow puckering in irritation.

"Then, we'll sleep around you," the leader snapped, nodding in confirmation, as if that solved everything.

The woman, apparently, didn't agree with him. She looked like she was ready to swallow her tongue as she struggled with a response.

"You…..you expect me to sleep….with you?" she sputtered, horrified.

"With all of us," the leader explained, shrugging in easy acceptance. "We'll pile around you."

The confused expression on the Ookami leader's face had Shipo shaking his head. Idiot. That wolf had no idea what he was talking about. The woman's scandalized gasp made it plain what she thought of that idea but this Koga just shook his head and muttered low about the trouble of women.

Shipo had no idea what the woman was to the warriors. They would have eaten her by now if she was food. She didn't seem to be looking for a way to escape so she probably wasn't a captive. But, what else could she be?

Maybe she couldn't get away. Humans didn't last long with Ookami. She seemed nice and it was obvious she wasn't pleased to be with them, whatever the reason. Shipo really felt bad for her.

It wasn't fair! The Ookami were always taking everything from everybody. Food, land, whatever they wanted. When they had come into the area and declared themselves Lords of the Mountains, they'd driven off all other yokai from the territory, including Shipo's own parents. It would serve them right to lose something for a change.

The kit went still when a smirk stretched across his face. He could do it. He could soooo do it. The hunters hadn't scented him yet so their guard was down. They wouldn't expect him. Plus, he'd be able to kill two birds with one stone. Free the woman and give those Ookami what they deserve.

He wasn't helpless. Even a kit like himself had a few tricks up his sleeve for personal protection. And, if nothing else, he had his foxfire. Those blockheads would never know what hit them.

Patting his pockets full of toys, Shipo's grin widened. He'd do it. The perfect payback. Besides, he was a big, brave warrior who didn't need to be scared of anything! Not even wolves.

SSS

Kagome found herself completely lost for words. She understood that the Ookami were a close race as far as personal space was concerned but the fact that this alpha was suggesting she sleep in their equivalency of a dog-pile was unbelievable. She'd only ever done something like that with pups; once or twice with females when they were in a bind. And, this Koga was telling her she'd be doing this with warriors? Absolutely not!

However, his refusal to build a fire was completely destroying any hope she had of sleeping in warmth on her own. Well, two could play this game. If he thought she was going to just lay down and obey, he had another thing coming.

She'd been trying to be cooperative since he'd snatched her from the Northern tribe, with nothing but her sopping wet clothes to her name, to help his own pack fight against their enemy, the Birds of Paradise. But, from the very beginning, the alpha had been demanding and brutal in his pace. The other hunters hadn't complained but they seemed used to it. Kagome, on the other hand, was dealing with about as much as she could take. And, this was the last straw.

Right when she was about to tell the arrogant alpha where he could stick his idea, a sudden flash of blue lit the sky, causing the Ookami to freeze in preparation. What on earth…?

"Koga!" Ginta yelped as he and the other hunter leapt to their feet.

"What the hell is that?" the other hunter demanded.

Koga growled as he studied the swirling light above their heads. Kagome started to rise to her feet when she felt something suddenly smack hard against her back. Hopping the rest of the way, Kagome stared in stupefied shock as she felt her spine go ram-rod straight. However, as soon as she acknowledged it, the feeling was gone. What was that?

"Who are you?" Koga called up to the spinning light. "What are you doing here?"

However, nothing but silence greeted the group, causing the three hunters to grow more and more tense.

"Koga, somethin' ain't right," the hunter with the white Mohawk growled.

"I don't smell anything," Ginta added.

"Kagome, you sensing anything?" Koga asked, keeping his sharp gaze focused on the bright mass.

Kagome found herself slightly startled at hearing the alpha use her name for the first time but, she quickly focused her abilities to find what was close by. She couldn't be distracted now. However, what she found had her frown in confusion.

Whatever it was, its aura was everywhere. Above them, around them, behind them. On top of that, it was also….tiny? How was that possible?

Before Kagome had a chance to reply, thick smoke suddenly erupted all around the clearing, causing the Ookami to choke and cough as they struggled to breathe. Even Kagome could feel her eyes begin to water as she strained to see what they were up against.

Suddenly, Kagome felt herself be lifted slowly, shocking her with how gentle the motion was. However, as soon as she started to settle, Kagome sucked in a sharp breath as she realized she was sitting on something. The large round thing suddenly shot upward, out of the smoke and into fresh air.

Shaking her head to clear it, Kagome swallowed a cry of fright as she stared down at the ground below her. She was so high up. How did-?

"Don't worry, I got you."

The voice was tiny and high but Kagome couldn't spot anyone nearby.

"Who are….?"

"Down here," the voice replied. "Below you."

Glancing down, Kagome gasped in shock when she realized the big warm thing she was floating on had a face, large eyed and with a big smile.

"Just hang on," the thing instructed. "I'll get you to safety."

"But, what about—"

"Don't worry about those fools," the thing replied with a tight huff. "They'll be busy for a long time getting through my traps."

Without waiting for an answer, the thing suddenly thrust forward with a burst of energy. Kagome swallowed as she kept still on her perch. What had she gotten into now?