Ainoko's Story
AINOKO'S STORY
The lost soul of the wolfclan "Ainoko's story (working title)
The omens point to the one who will either save or destroy the world. The one will be a part of us yet be apart from us, a friend, but a stranger. Friends, enemies, and demons alike will test them. They have great powers they have yet to discover. They will come to our clan on the harvest moon to one who has rejected their clan. Their path has been set; they will find their purpose and destiny after they have left the clan.
That was the prophecy that was foretold by the shaman of our clan many, many seasons ago. This tale is about the one who had great adventures, trials and troubles. Gather 'round and you will learn what happened. Many lessons were learned, and were taught when the one in this story is being told about.
~Chapter 1: Ainoko~
Our story begins many years ago in the frozen northern wastes, deep in an ancient forest that said to be older than our world.
Screams of pain emanating from a small, hide covered hut, shattered the quiet, peaceful night as a large, intimidating wolf paced worriedly outside. In the cabin, his mate is deep in the throes of childbirth, after going into labor far later than the clan's healers and Elders had figured, not to mention, that his mate was not supposed to be able to conceive any cubs due to the difference between their two species. His pacing stopped when one final, soul piercing scream rent the night asunder. He then slowly, so as not to disturb anyone in and around the cabin, crept to the window to look inside at his mate, what he saw inside shocked him beyond all reason.
The female feline lay in the hut writhing and moaning in pain from just giving birth to a large male cub. The sweat on her fur glistened from her exertions in the moonlight as the midwife and healer tried vainly to stop the bleeding. Hearing a small noise, the healer looks up to see a large wolf enter the room with a worried look on his muzzle. Shaking his head in resignation, the fox looks to the wolf with a pitying look. "I am sorry my liege, but your lady cat will not live to see the moon rise tomorrow. The stress from her labors, the size of the cub, and not to mention the bleeding has and is robbing her of her life energy. Sire, there is nothing I can do to save her life, all I can do is to ease her pain, this will only prolong her passing over to the other side. Once I give her the potion, it will take about an hour for it to reach full strength and to wake her, she will be awake for a few short hours before she succumbs and passes to the other realm. This is a choice you only must make, my friend."
The wolf looked over to where the feline was laying, as he desperately fought to keep from crying as tears streamed down his muzzle. "Do it Healer, I will wait outside while you give her the potion. Once she wakes and her pain is dulled come and get me, I wish to be with her and our cub before she dies. I only ask one thing my , please place our cub in her arms and tell her that I wish for her to name him before I return." At that, the wolf turned and exited the cabin. After he left the healer went over to the female and gave her the potion, making sure that the feline took all of it. Sitting next to the bed, the fox worried about the cub. Never in his years has he seen a cub born with blue fur anywhere on its body, yet the cub had a sapphire blue slash across his left eye, not to mention that the cubs was far larger than any cub born. The cub must weigh about 35 pounds and was about three feet tall if he was able to stand. The cub's fur was black with dark red spots, like his Mother's, yet he showed little if any of his feline heritage. In just about every way, he resembled his Father's bloodline, yet his lupine features were softened by the feline side.
Then he realized that the cub just might be the promised one foretold in the prophecies many, many seasons ago. If this was true, then the cub and his father were in great danger and should not return to either clan. So lost was he in his thoughts, he almost missed the female call for her cub. "Yes my lady, I will bring your cub, your and mate to you, but first your mate wishes for you to have the honor of naming your cub." He said as he left the room. Returning with the cub and placing him in his mother's arms, he said, "I will leave now while you name your cub and go call mate wishes you to have the honor of naming the cub."
The female looked as the healer shivering from the chill in the room.. "Thank you my friend, I want both you to witness our cub's naming. I know that I will not live to see the moon rise tomorrow." Looking towards her cub with tears streaming down her muzzle, and gently stroking his cheek, she said... "My sweet cub, you will never know me growing up, but you will have my legacy flowing in your blood. I will always be by your side in spirit guarding you as best I can. You have a destiny that is far greater than anyone alive, yet your destiny poses a great danger to you. I hope that you will grow into a strong male, and to have a life free of trouble and strife, however, if the prophecy is true, that will not happen for a long time. I hope that your father can protect you long enough for you to grow into a young adult. I pray that the spirits will help him in his journey. I know he will do what it takes to protect you. My cub, my sweet cub, my time grows near, and I must name you. I name you Ainoko. It means that you are a part of your father's and my bloodlines. Be a good child growing up and make your parents proud." She motioned to the healer to come and take the cub from her. "My friend, call my mate in. I need to see him one last time before I leave this world."
"Yes my lady." The healer said as he took the cub. Going outside, the healer called to the wolf, "My liege, your mate calls for you. She has named your son Ainoko. In her language, it means hybrid." The healer said as he carefully placed the cub in his father's arms. "Now go, she awaits you and your son."
Re-entering the hut the wolf cringed as he saw how worn and tired his mate was after giving birth to their son. It hurt to see her fur matted from the labors of childbirth. But despite the rigors she went through, she was still beautiful in his eyes. Sitting on the bed next to his mate, he nearly jumped when she whimpered from pain as his weight shifted her towards him. Cradling their son in one arm, he began to caress his mate's fur, and grinning when he heard a soft, rumbling purr emanating from her. "My sweet queen, what will I do once you are gone from our realm?" He said with tears staining his voice, "You have been my sole reason for living and now, I have lost that. How will I raise our son without his mother? He needs to be raised in the traditions of both our clans, and those of our world if he is to survive into adulthood. I fear that both our clans may not accept him as he is not fully a part of one clan. If that should pass, then I will flee my clan, and take him somewhere that he will be safe until he is old enough to be on his own."
"My dearest Wolf," the feline said softly, "I greatly fear for both yours and Ainoko's return to either of our clans. I wish for you to flee from here as soon as I am gone, never to return. I have the utmost faith in your judgment on how our son is to be raised. I have also promised our little Ainoko that I will be by his side in spirit guiding him the best that I can. Now I wish for us to talk about his future while he sleeps. Not to mention before I cross over to the spirit realm to dance amongst the Gods and Demons."
A few hours later, the wolf leaves the hut bowed in grief, tears streaming down his graying muzzle. Going over to the Shaman Fox trying not to cry, "She has passed over my friend." He said flatly as he placed the sleeping Ainoko in his arms. Walking over to the fire, the grieving wolf placed a torch into the flames, igniting it before padding slowly over to the hut. "May your journeys in the spirit realm be pleasant and happy. I ask that the Gods and Demons protect Ainoko during his walk in this life. I also ask for my friends forgiveness for what I am about to do." Then he took the torch and laying it on the ground and walking around the hut, he set aflame, burning it to the ground. Once the hut was fully engulfed in fire, he stopped and watched as it burned, not even noticing the stench of burning fur and flesh. Then with a loud woosh, the hut collapsed in on itself, sending untold millions of sparks soaring into the evening sky. As the sparks rose, a painful, haunting howl filled the still, quiet forest letting everyone and everything know of his loss. Then, he went over to the fox and taking his son and wrapping him in a sling across his back before turning and walking away from his life long friend.
"I do apologize for burning your hut down like that," He said to the fox, "But my mate asked me to do this for her once she passed. I am giving you my cabin to replace your hut. I also want you to inform our chiefs that I am not returning to either clan now that my mate has passed. All I ask of them is to give me a seven day to mourn and I will abide by their decision." At that the wolf began walking away in earnest towards the fridiged northlands, never to be seen in those parts again.
TWO YEARS LATER .......
Staggering down a well-worn wooded path down in the southern hot-lands, fighting off both starvation and the encroaching darkness. The bed-raggled wolf pushed his body beyond its limits in a desperate attempt to get to the small village he had seen earlier in the week before nightfall. He knew that if he failed to make his destination, then the cub's and his lives were in grave danger. He had scouted the village from afar a few weeks back as a possible safe haven if things went the way they did a few days ago. He looked down at the unconscious cub in his arms praying to the gods that the he was not seriously hurt in the ambush and vowing revenge on those that injured the cub.
Rounding a bend in the path, he stared blankly at the small, unassuming village, barely recognizing it for his ultimate destination. Staggering out of the woods and into the center of the village, the ragged and tattered wolf slowly collapsed from sheer exhaustion dropping the wounded, unconscious cub in front of an adolescent cub. "Please help...," He whispered faintly as the threatening darkness finally claimed him.
"ALERT! ALERT! THERE IS A STRANGER IN THE CLAN! ALERT! ALERT!" Cried the cub as he ran towards the village Elder's hut. Warily, the villagers began to appear slowly and cautiously to see what was causing all of the commotion. Seeing the two unconscious forms on the ground, the furs in the village began to slowly emerge from their huts to look at the strangers that were lying in the village center. A short while later the Elder emerged from his hut followed by the healer and shaman. Seeing the unconscious forms, the healer ran over to them to what was happened to them.
"These two furs are injured!" Cried the healer as she picked up the cub and heading towards her hut, "I need help getting the larger one to my hut so that I can get their wounds dressed and treated." Laying the cub on her bed, she paused briefly to admire his exotic features and checking him for any serious wounds before turning to assess his father's injuries. "Put him over here," She said indicating the cot in front of her. "Go tell Elder Iyami that his and the other Elders presence is requested once this Wolf is awake, now go."
Turning back to the wolf after making sure that the ones she sent to the Elder's hut were on their way, she checked him over noting that his injuries, though quite severe, were not at the moment life threatening, and could wait to be treated until after she treated the cub. Going over to the cub, she was surprised to see that the cub was already awake and watching her intently. "Well my little one, I see that you are awake and curious about where you are, eh?" She whispered to the frightened cub, "Let's see about your hurts and we will get them bandaged so that you can go out and play with the other cubs, that way I can tend to your father without you getting underpaw."
As she looked over the cub, she stared in disbelief at where faint, barely noticeable scars in the place of the cubs more serious injuries that she had taken note of as she carried him to her hut. Looking over the cub more closely, she was surprised to note that the azure blue slash across his left eye was a natural fur color, not a tribal or clan marking and the same went for the blindingly bright pink braids that he sported. As she continued with his examination, she noted that he was not a full wolf, like that of his father, he seemed to have traits of a feline. 'That's impossible,' she thought, 'felines and canines can't mate, it's just impossible. The gods would never allow something like this to occur.' Continuing with the examination, she confirmed that the cub despite him being a cross-breed, was in relatively excellent health. Once done, she led the cub outside to play with the other cubs she was watching. Soon she was deep into patching the wolf's injuries, when a soft cough interrupted her duties.
"Elder Iyami, I am glad that you have come." The healer said happy to have been interrupted, "Our two unexpected visitors are going to be ok. They were both dehydrated, with numerous cuts from knives of some sort. I only can tell you that much, the rest will have to come from the wolf."
"Sana," Iyami said, "I am not here by myself, the other four Elders are outside waiting to talk to the wolf."
"Well they are going to have to wait until he regains conscious later. He is suffering from extreme exhaustion and blood loss from his wounds. The rest of the Elders will have to wait for another three hours, at least." Sana said angrily. "I have given the Wolf some healing herbs to help his body recover faster than normal. Both him and the cub have been through a horrible ordeal and will need time to fully recover."
"OK Sana, calm down, I will keep the other's at bay until later today. Please let me know as soon as the Wolf wakes, I do wish to talk to him before the other, preferably."
A few hours later after the Wolf regained conscious, the Clan Elders stopped by Sana's hut to pay a visit to the Wolf.
"Elder Iyami, it is a pleasure to finally meet you and the other Elders," Said the Wolf, "I do apologize for not paying you proper respect, but you little healer ordered me to move as little as possible due to my injuries. May I have the pleasure of learning the names of the other four Elders who have come to visit me tonight?"
"Yes you may," Said Iyami, "The quiet one in the back is Elder Sylden, the short, angry one next to him is Lintu, Garbin is the tall one at the door, and the lovely lady is Denara. Now, I would have wished to have met on much better conditions, but your appearance in our village has raised some concerns." Pausing for a moment, Iyami continued hesitantly. "To cut to the quick, my friend, we are curious as to why a Northerner like you is wandering in our lands sorely wounded."
"Before I answer you question, please answer one for me first." The Wolf replied with some irony. "What in the holiest of Hells makes you think that I am a Northerner. For all you know, I could be from this area."
"That has crossed our minds my friend, but," Said Iyami, "There is a thing or two that tells us otherwise. For one, your fur is far too thick and long for the grasslands. Another is that you are not accustomed to the heat. Lastly, to the best of our knowledge the only furs who have been sighted in this area have been those who are travelers, traders, and the wanderers. Now, let's cease playing games with each other and tell us the reason you are wandering though our territory."
"Well if you put that way, I will tell you. As you have already guessed, I am from the Northern Wastes, and was formally second-in-command in a Dire-Wolfpack. As for the reason that I am passing through your territory, that is a story for a later time, but I will tell you this, Last week, a party from my former clan ambushed me, sorely injuring my cub and I about a two days walk south of here. I managed to slay all but two before heading here to your village.
"DADDY!!!!" A young voice cried from outside, interrupting all conversation as a small bundle of black fur streaked into the arms of the Wolf.
"I apologize for Ainoko's enthusiasm; you see I have raised him since his mother died after giving birth to him. I have been the only..." The Wolf's voice trailed off into silence as he noticed the looks on the Elder's muzzles. The looks ranged from shock to anger to elation and to disgust. "W-w-w-what's wrong?"
"What's wrong?" Snarled Lintu savagely drawing a dagger from his belt before advancing towards Ainoko. "What's wrong is that you have the gall to bring that, abomination into our village as if it were nothing new... You should have killed the cub as soon as it was born. And to make thing even worse, you mated with a feline! Let me guess, there were no females in your clan for you to mate with."
"If you harm Ainoko in any way," Roared the Wolf in anger, his fur bristling as he drew his weapon, readying for any attack that Lintu might throw at either him or the cub. "You will quickly regret ever harming him."
During the commotion, a small, withered form slipped into the room, whereupon, he quickly took note of the situation. Then softly, he began speaking, reciting a few obscure verses...
The omens point to the one who will either save or
Destroy the world. The one will be a part of us
Yet be apart from us, a friend, but a stranger.
Friends, enemies, and demons alike will test them.
They have great powers they have yet to discover.
They will come to our clan on the harvest moon by the
One who has rejected their clan.
Their path has been set; they will find their purpose
And destiny after they have left the clan.
Slowly, the commotion died as the words he was saying began to register with everyone in the room as they noticed the small, aged but imposing fox.
"Aye, tis about time ye took notice of me," Said the fox as Iyami smiled secretly. "I was called tae this meeting by Iyami as he knew that me presence here was verra important tae all involved in this here room."
"Thank-you for getting here Garrou," Said Iyami, "Your timely arrival has prevented some unneeded bloodshed."
"Well, it seems that some of ye have fergootten yer lessons from yer cubhood." Garrou said sternly, "Ifn ye were tae think hard, ye would come tae realize that part of the prophecy has come tae pass." Turning to the wolf he continued, "My liege do ye know what tonight is?"
Looking at the fox with a puzzled look on his muzzle, the wolf replied, "Honestly, shaman Garrou, I have no idea as to what tonight is."
"My friend tonight is the Harvest moon, and if I am correct in saying this," Garrou said, "Ye have rejected yer clan, right?"
"Aye, I have rejected my clan and my former mate's as well. She pleaded with me to break away from both of our clans, if not for her, but for Ainoko. That is why I was traveling through these lands. Why are you asking me all of these questions?"
"Tae tell the truth," The fox said quietly, "I believe that ye and yer son are supposed tae become a part of this clan. Ye have rejected yer clan and have arrived here today, which is, coincidentally the night of the Harvest moon. There are other signs that confirm this, signs that have been passed down from shaman tae shaman over the years." Going over to where the cub was hiding from the angry adults, the Shaman carefully moved him from his hiding spot and sat him on Sana's table. "As I said, there are other signs that only we Shamans know. Ifn it weren't fer Iyami knowing these signs, I would have never known about this. Ye see the blue slash across the cubs left eye? In me entire life, I have never heard of a cub born with fur that color not tae mention the pink fur by his ears. His eyes are the telling point fer the prophecy, there is also the fact that he bears some traits of the feline races. I can say that some of the traits that he has will show once he gets older. I can honestly say that yer son is the one that the prophecy has foretold many seasons ago. He holds the fate of our way of life not tae mention the world's as well in his paws."
"What idiocy is this Garrou?" Said Lintu angrily, "That prophecy is nothing but empty worlds and you know it. You know that the cub's fur was dyed to fit the prophecy and their arrival was also meant to fit in with the prophecy. I am certain that the story of the wolf rejecting both his and his mates clans is a falsehood. This is just a ploy for this pitiful wolf to gain protection from those who tried to kill him and that abomination, nothing else." Lintu looked smug as a couple of the Elders nodded in agreement him.
"Ifn that is the case Lintu, how do ye explain the cub? I know that ye do know that no canine and feline species on our world can successfully bear a cub, tis impossible, yet before ye stands proof that it can happen. Only the Gods and Demons have the right tae say if such young as this cub are allowed tae be born, not us. This cub was given tae this wolf fer a reason and that is tae fulfill that prophecy. Ye know that our world is in the throes of a major change
"Ifn ye were tae look at the cubs features, ye would unnerstand why this cub has a right tae live." Said a wizened fox behind the elders, making them jump in surprise. "Look at him closely sires. The cub bears the mark,: pointing to the blue slash going from over the left eye and down to an inch below it. "He is the one the prophecy has foretold would come one day. Wolf, tell me, when was yer son born?"
Looking at the aged fox, the wolf replied, "My son was born under the Harvest moon two years ago today, why?"
"Because, Sire, a prophecy was foretold many generations ago of a fur who was born tae two furs from two different clans. He would come tae live in one of the clans in these lands, and will bring either peace or destruction tae our lands." He said to wolf. Then he went on to tell him of the prophecy concerning his son.
Thinking over what the fox said, the wolf replied, "I will leave my son in your care when I leave to finish the remaining two from my clan that followed us." Getting up weakly and putting Ainoko on his bed, "Ainoko, stay here till I get back, I have to talk to the elders about somethin." Turning around, he limped into another room with the elders, saying, "I have been sentenced to die for leaving my clan without my elders consent. I will return in a week and after I return, I ask to stay on as a member of your clan. If I do not return, that means I am dead. If that were to happen, I wish for this clan to raise my son as one of it's own"
With that, the wolf went back into the other room and sat with his son, telling him to be good while he was gone. "Ainoko, I am going to leave you in the care of the healer here while I am gone, be good and I will see you in a few days."
Getting up, he picks up his dirk, puts it in its scabbard and leaves the hut. "DADDY!" Ainoko cried trying his best to follow his father. He stopped at the door to the hut after his father gave a look that brooked no argument. A few days later, a hunting party from the clan rushed back carrying Ainoko's father's body. The hunting party said that they came upon the body an hours walk from the clan. What they found most puzzling though, was that the wolf still had his dirk locked in his scabbard. After Ainoko's father was brought to the healer's hut, he was allowed to see his father for the last time before the wolf was buried. The healer took the wolf's dirk and scabbard saying that it belonged to Ainoko as he is his father's son, and that he would get the weapon as soon as he came of age.
After Sana took Ainoko in as her son, she did her best to bring him up in the ways of the wolfclan. She knew that he was not held in high regard with the rest of the clan due to his background, and she made sure that Ainoko knew how unique he was. Growing up, Ainoko faced many challenges with the clan. The biggest problem he had was with the other cubs in the clan. The cubs knew that the rest of the clan did not like him, and they used that to their advantage. It seemed to Ainoko that he was always in trouble for something he didn't do. When he was caught fighting, the adults in the clan didn't care if he was defending himself from the other cubs that were beating up on him, they would accuse him of starting the fights. His biggest problem was Rasha, the oldest cub of Cantu, one of the Clan's elders.
Rasha was always teasing and beating Ainoko knowing that he would not get into a lot of trouble for fighting with him, and he knew how much Ainoko hated that.
18 YEARS LATER...
Ainoko woke knowing that today he will finally turn 20. A full-fledged adult in the wolfclan. Today, after 18 years of being treated like a thief and a murderer, He will get to prove his worth. He could barely remember the day when his father brought him to this village sorely wounded to be raised in the desert as a scavenger.
His father had carried him into the village, both sorely wounded from an ambush from some furs from his former clan. His father had explained to the elders saying that he needed to leave his son at the village for a few days, so that he can go out and repay the furs for the wounds that they inflicted on them. After the elders called a healer in to tend to their wounds, Ainoko's father went into a different part of the hut to talk to the elders in private. Shortly after, he came out and told him to listen to the healer. He was going out to find who hurt them and will come back for him in a few days, and left to hunt down the furs. A week later, a hunting party found his father lying in a ditch dead. What the party found strange was that his Father's dirk was still in its scabbard, unused. They brought the body back and buried the body with the others who passed. The Healer that had tended to his wounds adopted him and raised him as her own.
Growing up, Ainoko knew he was different from the other wolf cubs in the village as he was taller and leaner. He had noticed early in life that he didn't resemble the other cubs in any way. For one the cub's fur was a reddish-brown where his fur was shiny black. He also had noticed that he looked and walked different than the others. He knew that he was of both canid and feline stock, and that gave him an added advantage when it came to learning how to hunt. The other cubs more often than not teased and beat him because he was not a true member of the village. He had fought back many a time in self-defense, but the cub's mothers scolded and beat him for fighting with their children. His adoptive mother had told him just to ignore the cubs, and that they did what they were doing to him just because they were jealous of his natural talents. He listened to his mother and over the ensuing years, he became a shunned fur in the village because of his past. He had learned that his father was a Dire Wolf, and that his real mother was feline. But, today, he hoped that things were going to change for the better.
"Mom, I am going to the river to wash and get ready for the ceremony and hunt, I will eat something when I am done." Going outside to the river, Ainoko notices a bright flash in the north, but pays little attention to it. Little did Ainoko know that within the next seven days his life would be forever changed.
~Chapter Two: Adok~
"Adok, you have failed to find us the "promised one" that was mentioned in the outlander prophecies. If you can't produce him or her in the next seven days, I will be forced to replace you with somefur who can do the job at hand. The organization wants this fur NOW not tomorrow. As of right now you will have an elite group of furs that are loyal to the organization until your deadline; if you fail, they are instructed to remove you by any means possible. You understand?"
"Yes sire!" Replied Adok to the hooded fur on the vid screen, "There are only three more clans that meet the requirements in the prophecy. I will report back in four days, sooner if the objective is sighted." Turning off the vid screen Adok storms out of the truck in search of his new troopers. A tall imposing blue dragon Adok glares out at the area where he camped for the night. "FORM UP!" He bellowed watching as his troopers assemble before him. All right, you furs listen up, I want you to split up into groups of three and head out to the remaining clans and look for our objective. You are to head out on Paw with little tech. I don't want to alert the furs around here that there are strangers in their lands. I want to have your reports back in front of me by noon tomorrow. MOVE OUT!"
He watched as his troopers broke up and vanish looking for a scorned fur that matched the description in the prophecy. "I know he or she is out there, he is mine" Adok thought to himself, "My reputation and life hangs on one of the last three clans being checked out." He jumps as something pops behind him. "%@$#@#()$)#$@!" He said as Seph walks out of thin air. "Don't do that Seph, you know how much I hate it when you do that. Go tell our masters that I am doing my best, if I don't get this "Promised One" in the next seven days; my life is forfeit from the ones who hired me in the first place. As soon as they get this fur, how you get it from them is your problem. Now get out of here!"
"Adok, I have come to inform you that my masters have decided that your services are no longer needed. You will not speak of us ever under the penalty of death. We will be using you again sometime in the future, that is if you are still alive next week." With that, Seph disappeared the same way he appeared. "I really hate it when Seph does that." Adok muttered darkly as he sat down and pondered where in the world this scorned fur was. Why this organization wants this fur is not for him to ask.
~Chapter Three: Ainoko~
Getting out of the river, Ainoko wonders what he will be asked to do or to hunt for his trials. He wished that the clan had treated him better after his father was killed hunting the furs that wounded both of them when he was just a cub. Going into the hut, he grabs a few meat rolls to eat while he gets ready for his tests later today. Going into his room, he picks up his Father's dirk. He wondered who forged it, as the metal work was more intricate than what was forged by the clan's blacksmiths. The blade was nearly a foot and a half long, and sharp enough to cut a fur with little effort. The hilt was bound in black leather with a blood red pommel on the end, there were indentations on the hilt that showed were either jewels and or amulets were once mounted.
After making sure the blade was honed and well oiled, he slid the dirk back into it's scabbard, and then strapped it to his right thigh, within easy reach of his left paw. Picking up his ruck, he packed a couple of dozen meat rolls, fruit, herbs and potions, as well as other necessities for his test. He made sure that his fur was properly brushed. "Well, I am as ready as I will ever be." He thought to himself. Walking out of his room, he spied his mother in the bedroom crying. "What's wrong mother? Why are you crying?"
"Ainoko, I have a feeling that something might happen to you on your test tonight. I know the clan has never accepted you after your father left you here to die hunting the furs that hurt you two. I have always loved as the child I never had. I want you to have this." She said, as she reached under the bed. She pulled out a staff that she had made for her son during the past sevenday. "I made this for you to help you in your test. Please take this as a symbol of my love for you. Come, the time draws near for your test." Looking into his yellow eyes, she stood on her toes and kissed Ainoko for good luck. "Go and make you Father and Mothers proud." Together, the both of them walked out of the hut hand in hand towards the clan's meeting place.
Finding a spot by the fire Ainoko and his mother sat down to wait for the rest of the clan to arrive. A few hours later, Ainoko sat and listened to the elders as they told the six youngsters what the ritual they were partaking in consisted of. He was extremely nervous, as this was his chance to be fully accepted by the rest of the clan as a full member. He jolted out of his thoughts when one of the elders called his name.
"AINOKO!" Said Iyami sternly, startling Ainoko. As he was the oldest of the four elders, he was the one everyfur in the clan looked to for guidance and discipline. "Come here. You have come to this clan as a cub 18 years ago, and have endured the hate and distrust that would be accorded a common thief. Very few..." He indicated his adopted mother and the shaman, "Have accepted you as part of our clan, and I am pleased to say that I am one of them. However, you have yet to be marked as a member of the wolfclan. You will receive your mark after you have received your task. Now before we feast tonight lets give our youngsters their tasks"
Ainoko looked around nervously at the other five who will getting their tasks as well. Cantu, the second oldest fur stood up. He began to speak. "Each one of you will reach into this pot and pull out a piece of cloth. On it will be the task you are to perform in order to become a full member of the clan. Now, Rasha, come here and get your task." Rasha, a large tawny wolf a foot shorter than Ainoko reached in the pot and pulled out a piece of cloth.
"I am to go and retrieve an amber egg from the bloodflower, and then slay the flower." He growled unhappily. Everyone in the clan moaned in horror as the bloodflower is rare and hard to find. So it went, Sorba had to bring the head of a tubesnake. Skink was to bring the skin from a screecher. Gliffer had to kill a Mudshark, and Hermes, and to retrieve an egg from an ice vulture. Soon it was his turn. Reaching into the pot , he pulled out a piece of cloth and looked at it. He dropped it as his blood ran cold in terror.
"What did you get Ainoko?" His mother asked, not noticing the look of horror on his muzzle. Reaching down, he picked up the cloth and read, "I-I-I-I have to kill a family of Ishmas and bring the fur from them back to the village." He stammered in fright.
The silence that greeted him was so intense that you could hear the stars sing if they could. Ainoko heard his mother gasp in horror and start to cry.
Standing up, Iyami said... "In my life, there has been only one other fur who had that particular task, and that fur is your mother, Sana. Ainoko, your task is a true task of adulthood as this is no easy task. If you complete this task, there will be no doubt what so ever that you are a true member of this clan." Turning to the other youths, he said, "You all have a sevenday to complete your tasks and to prove your worthiness as adults and your position in this clan. Now before the feast begins, I have one other task to perform, and it should have been done years ago." Turning towards Ainoko, he continued to say, "Ainoko, you are a unique fur amongst us. You possess both the best and the worst of feline and wolvine clans. So that means you have more to prove than the others here."
Grabbing Ainoko's right arm tightly and with no warning, Iyami picked up a gold and silver rod. Before Ainoko could do anything, the rod was run through his arm with such force that little blood was drawn. He howled in pain from the sudden intrusion as he fought to keep from blacking out from the pain as Iyami started to carefully mold the hot metal around his arm. "Ainoko this band is now and forever a part of you. You are now a member of the Wolfclan for life, good or bad. I am sorry we waited until now to do this, but it has to be done before you partake for task. Now go and join you mother and enjoy the feast. All six of you will start your tasks once the sun has cleared the horizon tomorrow, May the gods and demons have mercy on you"
~Chapter Four: Adok~
"Team Charlie to base, this is Sarafina. I believe that we have located the "Promised One". He is with the Wolfclan of the Blue paws." Sarafina said over the radio. "Commander Adok, you won't believe this, but it seems that this "Promised One" is a hybrid of some sort. It looks as if he is part Wolf part Feline. Adok, when you get here you can't miss him, he is by far the tallest one in the clan."
A warm wave of relief swept over Adok as heard the report. "Stay where you are at Sarafina and keep me posted as to his movements." He said into the microphone. "All teams, this is base camp. You are to head towards the wolfclan of the blue paws. I want every team to be post themselves around the clan without being seen. You are to observe the clan and report anything that happens. I want to know every move that hybrid makes from now on. I will be joining Sarafina's team within the next few hours. Base out."
Going over to the vid panel, Adok keys in the code for his employers. "Sir!," He said to the masked and hooded fur on the other end. "I believe that we have found the one you were looking for. He is part of a clan that is not too far from here. I heading over there after I am done talking to you to verify that is who we are looking for. From what I have heard from the scouting party that found him, getting him will be a bit probmatic. The Wolfclan is very close knit, and getting the one you desire will be difficult."
"Very good Adok. You have just saved your life today. You are to do what it takes to capture the one we desire, but heed this warning. You are not to harm the one in any way. If one piece of fur is broke, you will be punished severely. I would suggest that you use a sleeping agent on this fur. If that doesn't work do what it takes, BUT, don't harm him in any way." With that, the vid screen went dark.
After his conversation with his superiors, Adok went to his cabin to prepare for journey to Sarafina's position. Once in his cabin, he strips off his uniform and begins to don clothing that loosely resembled what the local clans wore. Once he was dressed, he went over to a locked cabinet and opened it. Reaching in, he pulls out sleeping agents, nerve agents, a stun gun, and other non-lethal weapons. As he goes through the weaponry, the weapons and equipment he chooses is put in various hidden pockets on his clothing. Picking up a comm. Unit, he keys in the code for Sarafina. "Base to Team Charlie, this commander Adok. I am heading to you position right now. I will be there in a few hours. I want to be notified if anything major happens in the Wolfclan. Base to all teams, you are to keep observing the wolfclan, I want to notified as soon as anything major happens. Base out."
Pocketing the comm. Unit, Adok exits the command module, locking the unit and activating the security system. Once he is satisfied that everything is in order, he turns and walks towards the Wolfclan's location.
~Chapter Five: Ainoko~
In Ainoko's mind, it seemed like eons has passed since Iyami ran the rod through his arm. It felt as his arm was being ripped out as the Elder formed a ring around his arm. He barely heard Iyami's chant about him being a part of the clan, through the haze of pain as his mind drifted to the first time he got into trouble...
15 Years earlier......
Crouching in the shadow of a dead tree, Ainoko did his very best to stay as still as possible listening for any signs of pursuit. He was in deep trouble for fighting with another cub. He was in class with the other cubs learning the basics of hunting. It all started when the adult teaching the cubs how to track their prey told them that their first exercise was to track one of their parents the next day. Rasha the eldest son of one of the clan's hunters spoke up. "Ainoko will have it easy tomorrow, all he has to do is go to the graveyard to his father's grave and his task is done. Also he has no mother." Some of the other cubs in the class giggled at what the cub said, making Ainoko blush in shame.
"That was not called for Rasha, we all know that Ainoko's father is buried in the graveyard, however, he will have to track the shaman, as the healer is out with hunting party tomorrow."
"Well, he will still have it easy," replied Rasha, "All he has to do is follow the smell of burnt fur."
At that, all the cubs started laughing at Ainoko. Then without realizing what he was doing, Ainoko lunged at Rasha knocking him to the ground. Soon both cubs were kicking and punching each other furiously. The next thing he knew, the teacher was pulling the two apart saying, "Ok boys stop fighting. Ainoko you had no right to attack Rasha like that. Rasha you are to apologize to Ainoko for what you said."
"Why, Ainoko will never be a part of the clan. Who wants a stinking crossbreed in our midst? He will never be a hun..."
Rasha never finished his statement as Ainoko jumped back on him and started beating him in pure anger. Suddenly Rasha yelped in pain as Ainoko had, in anger, unsheathed his claws and had slashed the other cub's nose and jaw badly. Seeing the blood dripping from Rasha's muzzle, Ainoko turned and ran away as the teacher yelled for him to stop.
And this was where he was at now, hiding from the clan in shame for letting his temper get the better over him. As he looked around, he relaxed seeing no sign of any pursuit. Taking a peek around the tree for one final look, he failed to notice a dark shadow approach from behind. As the shadowy figure placed it's paw on his shoulder, Ainoko let out a terrified yelp and spinning around he saw the shaman.
"Ye know Ainoko, ye are verra hard tae see in the shadows, ye know. Ifn it weren't fer ye moving, I wouldnae have seen ye."
"Just tell, the clan I am not coming back, old one. I am running away because nofur wants me there." Ainoko said hotly to the fox as he tried to get away from his grip.
"Now me young cub, jest where do ye think ye were going tae go? Ye are jest a mite too young tae fend fer yerself. And just tae let ye know, yer mother is lookin' fer ye right now she is worried about ye."
"Sana ain't my mother. She just adopted me because my real mother was ashamed of me and died from shame."
"Now who told ye that?"
"The other adults and cubs in the clan"
"That is nae true me cub, let me assure ye of that. Yer mother died giving birth tae ye, and yer father died trying tae protect ye. Ask Sana and Elder Iyami. They will tell ye the same thing."
"Yes Garrou, I understand."
"Good, now let's get ye back tae the village and get this matter between ye and Rasha taken care of. Jest tae let ye know, ye will have tae be punished fer what ye did tae Rasha."
"I know."
"Good, jest tae let ye know, Rasha will now have a scar tae remind him of yer claws. Now, ye are going tae have tae go and face the elders fer what ye did tae Rasha."
"Ok, Garrou."
A half hour later, the shaman walked back into the village with Ainoko trailing behind him with his tail between his legs. They both head to the center of the village where the elders are waiting.
"Ainoko," Said Iyami sternly, "I want you to tell me why you thought that you had to fight Rasha today."
Ainoko told the elders what happened during class and why he had fought with Rasha. As he told his version of what happened he kept glancing over to his mother, who looked ashamed at what he did. After he finished his story, Iyami said, "Ainoko, you know that fighting amongst yourselves is not allowed, not to mention you fought dirty using your claws. So, as for your punishment, you and Rasha are to spend the next seven days together, that way you two can get to know each other better. I promise you two that the next time I hear of you or any cub fighting, your punishment will be more severe.
~Chapter Six: Adok~
A few hours after he left the base camp, Adok arrived at Sarafina's position eager to start making plans for capturing the hybrid. Before checking with her for any updates on the hybrid, he scouted the camp and surrounding area for any signs that the local clans might be in the vicinity. Picking up his comm unit, and activating it, he starts to call Sarafina when a howl pierces the night. "Sarafina, report!" He barked into the comm as he started running towards Sarafina's position. "What just happened? Did anything happen to the hybrid?"
"Adok, it appears that the hybrid is going through some sort of ritual. I am waiting for the other teams to report in and I will update you upon your arrival."
"Damn!!! Nothing better be happening to the hybrid." Adok muttered to himself angrily. "Sarafina, do you have any remote surveillance devices in your possession?"
"Yes, I have a dozen flyeyes. Why do you ask?"
"I need you to send two or three of them out to record anything that is going on at the ritual, and to the hybrid as well. I don't want any trouble heading our way if the hybrid get's injured before we capture him. I will be at your position in a few minutes. Adok out." A short while later he walked into Sarafina's tent, noticing that she had brought more tech than he had specified.
"Sarafina, Have any teams reported in yet?"
Jumping at the sound of Adok's voice, Sarafina cursed under her breath for paying too much attention to the comm and comp units. "Yes Adok, Delta team is reporting in right now."
"Who is in charge of the team?"
"Garbin is the team leader, Adok. Do you wish to speak to him?"
"Yes, patch him over to my comm unit."
"Ok. Garbin, I am patching you over to Adok, he wants you to report to him."
"Garbin, this is Adok, report! What is going on with the hybrid?"
"Commander from what I have been able to see from my position, the hybrid is getting inducted into his clan. The senior elder has run what appears to be a gold rod through his right arm. From what I am able to discern, this was supposed to have been done to the hybrid when he was a cub. The howl we heard earlier was from the hybrid when the rod was run through his arm. Just to let you know sir, every year at this time, the oldest cubs in the clan go on a weeklong rite of passage. The cubs are given a task to complete during the week in order for them to be fully accepted in the clan as adults.
"The tasks the cubs are given are never easy to complete, and most cubs are injured during their tasks, occasionally a cub will be killed or will fail their task. I know this as I used to be a part of this clan forty years ago; I failed my task three times, which meant that I was expelled from the clan. The hybrid seems to have drawn the worst task any cub could ever get. If he is to accepted into the clan, he has to kill a family of Ishmas and return to the clan with their pelts."
"Good. Garbin, I want you to head over to Sarafina's and my position, I want you to give me a full account on how things are run in your former clan. Adok out." Turning to Sarafina he asked, "Sarafina, about these Ishmas. What are they, how nasty are they, and how can we use them to our advantage?"
"Well Adok, I would prefer that we capture the hybrid before he encounters those animals. Ishmas are very formidable and intelligent predators. Garbin and I barely escaped with our lives after those animals killed most of our unit. Ishmas learn from their and other's mistakes."
"Just how bad can these animals be? You make it sound as if the Ishmas are as intelligent as us." Said Adok.
"They are as smart as we are. That is why they are very formidable predators. If the hybrid were to encounter them before get him, I predict one of three outcomes..." Replied Sarafina holding up three fingers.
"One, He successfully kills the Ishmas without getting injured.
Two, He successfully kills the Ishmas, but is seriously injured. Or, Three, He is killed while attempting to kill them trying to complete the task."
"I see. Do you think that we can use the last two scenarios to our advantage? Preferably the last one. I also need to know if his clan would believe he was killed while hunting these animals?"
"The clans in this area are very intelligent Adok. If we make it look as if the hybrid was killed fighting the Ishmas, we will have to make no mistakes, otherwise his clan will know that something is not right." Said Sarafina as she began calling up data on the comp to determine the best scenario for capturing the hybrid.
"I see what you mean Sarafina. I see you are already looking for a way to capture the hybrid. I am going to catch a few hours sleep. Let me know the moment that Garbin arrives, and I also need to know when the hybrid heads out on his task. What is the status of the flyeyes?"
"They have been deployed Adok. One is programmed to hover around the hybrid, that other two are programmed to observe at a distance."
Characters:
Ainoko Ironrose: Wolf/Black Cheetah hybrid: Ainoko is a 7 foot tall crossbreed otherwise known as a Cheolf whose shiny black fur is medium length with dark near black red markings (just like a cheetah's), there is a sapphire blue slash across his left eye and he has a pair of shoulder length pink braids, his tail is long, barely dragging the ground before curling up. From a casual glance, he appears to look like a wolf but that is misleading. Although the wolf is dominant in his genes and body, there are feline characteristics that do show. The most striking feline feature you would notice about him is his eyes, they are bright intense yellow bordering on gold. His muzzle is shorter than other wolves and is feline in appearance. His wolf stature is softened from his feline bloodline; he possesses both the grace and agility of both bloodlines. Unlike all of the wolvine stock, he can retract his claws, making him a formidable opponent in any fight. He possesses special powers that few furs realize. He has the ability to control the planets electrical field with a mere thought, and he also has the limited ability to read others minds (Though at this time, he has yet to discover these powers). His two primary weapons of choice are a 7.5' long staff and a dirk, the blade is 30" long and 1.5" wide with barbed edges, the blade has a blood channel running most of it's length with ornate etchings on it as well, it also has two 9" whip-like blades flanking the main blade. With the hilt, the dirk is 35"long. The hilt is bound in leather with various small gems and filigreed gold thread woven in it and a blood red emerald set on the pommel.
Some would say that his personality is aloof, but that is quite misleading. Due to events in his life, he tends to observe everything before making any decisions or comments to friends, family, and acquaintances. He gives the appearance of preferring to be a lone wolf in the world, by deep inside craves the company of strangers, friends and family, but hates being in crowds, being in large crowds makes him extremely uncomfortable. Although he hates being in crowds, you can never tell it from his attitude, he will give the impression that he knows what he is going to do and what he is doing at all times. Once he considers you a friend, he will be there for you for moral support.
He is protective of those whom he does consider his friends and will fight for them if necessary. He loves to cook and if given the chance he will show off his skills. He is very clean and organized where he works, but unfortunately, that doesn't translate to him keeping his living area clean and tidy. He prefers the company of other males over females, especially when they are getting intimate. When he is in bed with another male, he is very submissive and rarely dominate. He does enjoy most things that his lovers are into, but draws the line at some things. He is very protective of children, especially those of his family, basically, if your hurt a child, you hurt him. He has few things that he enjoys in his life. Give him a good book, and he will curl up in a corner reading it. He enjoys music as well, but is horrible at keeping in tune when singing along with the music.
Ainoko's Father: Dire-Wolf:
Ainoko's mother: Black Cheetah: She hails from a cheetah clan where she is regarded as something of an oddity. She was born with black fur with white spots. Her clan made her their healer so that they would not lose her to hunting or other males, which they failed at terribly when she fell in love with a dire-wolf.
Adok: Blue Dragon: Adok is a tall and imposing creature. He stands 9 feet tall and strikes fear and respect in all who come into contact with him. All anyone knows is that he comes from the Deep South near the equator preferring the desert heat over the cold, frigid north. He does have wings, but rarely uses them preferring to walk most anywhere he goes. He is a formidable fighter and commander. All who have served under his command do so with unswerving loyalty. He never orders anything to do anything that he wouldn't do himself. He has a hatred for those afraid to the power they were elevated to use.
Adok is what one would call a career oriented fur.
Iyami: Desert Wolf: Iyami is one of the five Elders of the wolfclan of the blue paws. He is the oldest of the five and is the head Elder, and commands respect from all in the clan. He stands five ½ feet tall and of average build. His fur is sand colored with various patches of white, brown and dark brown, as is the rest of the wolfclan. He is one of the few furs in the clan who has accepted Ainoko as one of their own.
Sana Black-stripe: Desert Wolf: Sana is the adoptive mother of Ainoko, she is also the clan's healer. She stands at 4 foot tall and is one of the shortest in the clan. She has the same colorations as the rest of the clan, but with one difference, she has a black strip that runs from her nose to the tip of her tail.
Garrou: Red Fox: Garrou is the clan's shaman. He is your average Red Fox, red fur over most of his body, white fur on his belly, with black fur on his tail and ear tips and paws. There is a rumor that he has relatives who moved to the cities to provide a better life for their cubs.