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Moving purposefully under the dim light of flickering torches, Koga finished dressing himself, taking extra care.
Tucking his blade into his belt around his waist, he scowled as his fingers trembled without his permission.
He grunted and pulled the leather with more force than necessary, hoping aggression would chase out the weakness his body dared to show.
Today was an important one.
He needed to be strong. Be tough. Be unquestionably in command.
He had dreamed of the day he would finally lead his first patrol.
As the son of the chief of the Eastern tribe, he had looked forward to this day from the time he was a small pup.
Sure, his father had let him tag along on patrols before. Teaching him the ways, what to look out for, how to stand strong in the face of danger, when to pivot when it came to the safety and protection of his comrades.
But leading one on his own made him feel…
Man up, stupid.
Pack leaders felt no fear, didn't suffer from nerves.
No, they were steadfast. Unwavering in their resolve.
Today would show the rest of the pack what kind of chief he one day might be.
Koga gathered his hair, the dark strands now reaching his shoulders, and secured them in a low tail with a strap of leather. Pleased yet impatient with its growth, he wondered when it would be long enough to wear higher like his father did. Not that he would ever admit it, he wasn't trying to copy him or anything. It just did have a way of setting him apart from the rest which Koga liked.
At least he wouldn't have to worry about those he would be commanding for his first solo trip out.
Ginta and Hakkaku were unsurprisingly accompanying him. They had practically moved under his feet from the time they were first whelped. Sure, they grated on his patience from time to time, but their loyalty was undeniable.
And in the pack, that was all that mattered.
Taking a deep breath and schooling his face, he exited his sleeping chamber and walked towards the central cavern within the mountain.
The sounds of boisterous laughter and raucous conversation echoed down the hall, the celebration feast in his honor well underway even without his presence.
As he entered, he was greeted with a roar of cheers, clapping, and howls from the all the males of the pack.
Koga struggled to stop the sheepish smile pulling at his adolescent face.
Groups of yokai and wolves were scattered about the large hall, feasting to their hearts content. His father stood up from the ground, tall and proud, and beckoned Koga toward the massive, low wooden plank that served as a banquet table for the special occasion centered at the back of the cave.
Rough, burly hands of the elders clapped him on the back as he strode to his seat.
Finally stopping to stand at his place, his father lowered a hand on his shoulder with a stern look. Raising his head to meet his eyes, Koga stared back earnestly and determined, matching his sire's solemn expression.
Smirking with satisfaction, his father turned to face the rest of the tribe members and underlings.
"To Koga," his strong, raspy voice boomed within the chamber. "May his first patrol be completed swiftly and securely, a fitting beginning to your future leader of the pack."
A chorus of howls lifted from the crowd, echoing all the way up the walls of the cave and muffled only by the stalactites hanging from the roof of the cavern.
Koga straightened his spine and tilted his chin upwards as he looked out among the members of his pack. He fought the smile threatening to break through, wanting to maintain his air of confident nonchalance that he had modeled after his father for the last many years.
The cheering gradually ceased, and Koga and his father took their seats on the cushions of furs arranged on the ground.
A broad leaf piled high with meats was placed in front of him as the rest of the table resumed their conversations.
Koga dug into his meal and listened with mild boredom as his father discussed political alliances with the elder to his left.
On his right, another pair recapped the report for the latest patrol in the south.
But then the bellowing voice of his uncle rang out, turning his attention to the end of the table.
"…he went down quick, just like the time I bested the Inu no Taisho." Laughter erupted as his uncle sneered out the title of that despised yokai. Everyone knew the Northern chief's story, he could practically recite it himself. Koga had heard it dozens, if not hundreds of times in his young 50 years of life. He was only surprised it took this long into his uncle's visit for the story came up again.
"That insolent dog," his uncle continued on. "Too scared to even draw his weapon after I landed a blow on his pretty cheek."
Koga chuckled at the predictable retelling. Not that he would ever voice his thoughts, but he had his doubts about the facts of the encounter. His uncle had a tendency to…elaborate. However if the rest of the pack bought the story, then who was he to judge. He held no love for the stupid dogs of the West.
"Haughty, good for nothing. And falling in love with a human girl. Can you believe?"
The yokai sitting beside his uncle chimed in. "If you ask me, humans are only good for one thing."
The Northern chief chuckled. "Feeding or rutting?"
"Why pick just one?"
As guffaws erupted from the group, Koga felt his cheeks slightly warm at the vulgar turn in conversation.
"At least the Inu bastard's rotting in hell now," his uncle spit on the ground before taking a long drink from his cup.
Koga sneered along with the elders in disgust.
Copulating with humans wasn't unheard of in the yokai world.
But for a titled yokai, a daiyokai at that, to sink so low as that was unthinkable.
As far as he was concerned, Toga got what he had coming, forgetting himself like that.
One of the other elders placed an elbow on the table, leaning in and speaking low.
"Any word of his bastard running around these days?"
Koga's uncle matched his stance, cautiously scanning the room warily before responding in a hushed tone.
"Can't say for sure. Even if the ningen did pop one out, chances aren't good it survived. Woulda had a target on its back as soon as it whelped."
A sickening shudder ran down Koga's spine at the thought of a hanyo. He too was aware of the rumors that ran rampant about Toga's half breed spawn, but as of yet, no one had actually confirmed it existed.
Consorting with a human was offensive enough, but to actually impregnate and sire an abomination? It was an absolute disgrace.
What kind of alpha would turn his back on his people, his own mate, for a human?
There wasn't a single a scenario that he could imagine where one would tempt him. Human females were stupid, weak, and pathetic wastes of flesh in his opinion.
Did the dog truly have no loyalty?
He couldn't think of bringing such dishonor to his woman when he eventually took a mate. Duty, honor, and fealty mattered most above all else.
"Heard his legitimate runt is in charge now, sounds like a real piece of work,” an elder added, continuing their conversation.
"I heard he ain't even at the palace most the time. Just walkin around."
"All by himself too."
"Not even dignified to roam with a pack."
"And all for what?"
"The power of the Western Lands, and only one heir to claim it."
"It's no wonder Toga had a single son, I heard his mate was one frigid b—"
The sound of a throat clearing to Koga's left interrupted the discussion, a tense and heavy hush falling over the table. Turning to face his father, Koga noted how tightly drawn his closed eyes were as he took a deliberate pull from his cup. A moment later, his icy blue irises shot pointedly towards his younger brother.
Koga watched as his uncle shifted uncomfortably under the weight of his older brother's stare, taking a hurried and ungraceful drink to diffuse the situation.
The underlying hostility between the two chiefs was well known, but never discussed among the packs for reasons Koga still didn't understand. Sure his uncle was more ruthless, blood thirsty in his quest to expand his territory. Koga admired the kind of power he seemed to wield compared to his father's reserved, quiet command.
It was hard to tell who's reign was more effective.
Recovering his bravado, the Northern chief wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and smirked.
"Well boy, what'll you do if you see that silver haired mongrel?"
Koga gulped at the sudden attention of several pairs of weathered, discerning eyes waiting to judge his response. His gaze shifted towards his uncle who gave him a subtle nod, encouraging him to speak.
"If I ever do," his juvenile voice cracked just slightly, and he coughed to clear his throat. "I'll remind him why he doesn't mess with the ookami of the Eastern tribes."
Laughter and howls resounded from the far end of the table, his audience obviously pleased with his remark. He didn't try to hide his smile this time, emboldened by the praise.
Turning his head to the left, he sought out the only face of approval he genuinely cared for. There was a sting of disappointment however when his father's smirk turned downward into a slight frown.
Confused, he looked questioningly to his father.
In a low voice so only Koga could hear, he shared his thoughts.
"Koga, gossip and tales of rivals make good fodder around the fire. But you would be wise to not allow idle chatter to influence relationships with other clans."
Koga's brows furrowed and he scowled, confused by his father's surprising remark.
"You wouldn't really still put up with the Western dogs, would you?"
His father paused, considering his next words to his impressionable successor carefully.
"Good alphas know to how choose alliances that will benefit the well being of the pack as a whole."
"After what his father did?"
"Yokai or human, a true leader judges others by their character and their actions, not the sins of the past."
Koga held his tongue, mulling over his father's words.
He wasn't sure he agreed.
What kind of despicable behavior or beliefs might have been passed down to the new Western lord? He was raised by the Inu no Taisho, was he not?
Koga shuddered to think of the rot that might linger in that bloodline. It brought down one powerful yokai, it could have the potential to bring down more.
Could he really look past it and accept someone like that as an ally?
The uncomfortable tingle of their conversation remained though, twisting through Koga's mind.
He shot a sideways glance back to his father who had quietly resumed his meal indicating he had nothing more to say at the moment.
His father was one of the wisest people he knew, and the strength of their pack was everything he had to show for it. They were more comfortable than most, enjoyed frequent peace thanks to the secure stronghold on their territory that had been carefully fostered by his father.
But this unnecessary display of mercy confused him.
What was the best way to treat an enigma like the dogs of the West?
Keep them at a hostile distance like his uncle did, or invite them back to the table?
Would a wise leader truly forgive such unspeakable sins?
He pondered the question silently and continued his meal, fueling himself for his approaching mission.
Time and rice wine flowed as the feast continued on. Then, without any announcement, just the subtle clearing of the remnants from the table, the feast came to its conclusion.
The aura in the cavern changed at once. With an instinctive hushed and somber silence, the males began to make their way toward the entrance of the cave to send the young prince and his crew off.
Looking over his shoulder, Koga eyed Ginta and Hakkaku trailing closely behind as they made their procession.
Koga diligently bid farewell to each member that had gathered in his honor. Just a nod to most, a couple of words to others.
Elders, mentors, trainers, all present to witness this important occasion.
The energy of the tradition, the ceremony of it all resounded deep in his blood, lifting his spirits and energy at the same time.
Confidence thrummed through his body, growing with each and every step.
His father stood at the mouth of the cave, shrouded in shadow from the late afternoon sun shining down.
Finally Koga reached the entrance as well, and he turned to face the chief. His father examined him, pulling at the straps of Koga's new armor and the furs on his shoulders, quietly fussing over him before sending him on his way.
Father and son spoke only with their eyes, as was typically their way. The chief seemingly able to say 'Do well today' with just the smallest shift in his expression.
Looking back to all the pack members still lined against the walls of the cave, he felt gratitude to be part of such a strong tribe.
And to Koga, that was proof of the power his father held. The kind that needed no words, needed no posturing to influence the health and safety of the lives he held in his hands.
He hoped one day he could emulate that same type of authority.
He had much to think on, surely still much to learn.
But with the help of his elders, the support of his pack, he would figure it out eventually.
He fastened his headband, a new set of fur from his most recent kill, underneath his shaggy bangs.
With one final look to his father, Koga seemed to say 'Don't worry, I'll be back.'
His father just barely held back a smile, carefully contained pride shining through his tanned and distinguished features.
'I know.'
A wordless nod is all Koga gave to his subordinates. His lips curled into a fangy smirk as his feet took off, practically floating off the ground with his speed.
"Hey, wait up!" he heard from behind, leaps and bounds already separating the burgeoning alpha from his pack. It was a familiar sound, the distant wailing of his friends.
Today he would make his father proud.
As the dust whirled behind him in a ferocious cloud, he narrowed his focus on the task ahead, and run toward the future that was handed down to him with everything he had.