Foxxtrot Chapter three

Odd-nose trailed behind Sagome, his mind going wild whilst the sent of her blood overwhelmed him. The wound on Sagome’s scruff seemed to have widened and was releasing more blood. He glanced at Kuro, no noticble wounds on him. It seemed that Kuro was more intent on getting Sagome home quickly. Odd-nose stopped at the entrance of the tribe borders. He barked softly, as three foxes dashed to the entrance, surrounded by bushes and low lying trees.
He smiled as Dark-paw, Norii, and Sanzo greeted them with warm gazes. Dark-paw gazed at him longlingly, a bashful look came from her as she turned away swiftly. Norii picked up ryo-mizu once Sagome set him down ,and he turned and placed him by black-claw and River-paw. “So Sagome, Odd-nose…Kuro, how was your little adventure? We could here you mawling those dogs from a mile away.” Norii glanced back at Sagome, his black pelt dotted with specks of white. He lifted his ears as the wind blasted past them, keep an ear out for any scampering prey. His bushy tail shifted softly in the wind. He glanced the three over once more and looked at Dark-paw.
“Dark-paw, Sagome’s wound looks pretty bad. I suggest we do something about it, she’ll worry the kits.” He held a stern look. Dark-paw stared back at him. A look of concern overwhelmed her, “Acutally Norii, Since winter seized the forest, all of the good herbs are dead, and our reserves are very important. We don’t have enough to heal every wound. I’m sorry Sagome, but you’ll have to let it heal on your own.” She folded her ears back and lowered her head.  Sagome smiled warmly, “That’s ok, a second-in-command needs to be strong. Besides, it’s Kuro I’m worried about, his wound oh his right flank looks pretty bad. “ She walked over to him slowly and licked his wound, a look of concern was held in her eyes.  Odd-nose snarled. Sanzo stepped forward, his aqua-green beads shuffled loundly with each paw-step. “Don’t worry, I’ll heal you both.” Norii and Dark-paw smiled. Sanzo sat himself down next to kuro and placed his paw softly on his wound. He closed his eyes and concentrated as the wound healed all together. He turned and did the same for Sagome.
Odd-nose shook his head irritably as he walked around the tribe, listening in on a few conversations here and there. Dark-paw trailed after him. He glanced back when she finally caught up with him. Shly, she held her ears back and smiled lightly.
“Odd-nose, what is it that bothers you.” Odd-nose shook his head, “it’s nothing, I just feel useless after the whole ordeal with the dogs.” He sighed with disappointment. Dark-paw smiled, hoping to cheer up the mood. “Well, Kankumatsu said we’re to have a tribe meeting today. Maybe then you won’t feel so useless. I’m sure you’ll get lots of recognition for you deed to the tribe. “ Odd-nose glanced back at her and smiled. “I hope you’re right.
* * * *
               Sagome walked into the dark den, only her senses were erect. She sniffed silently and spoke sternly, “May I come in,” a voice echoed back to her,  “you may.” Sagome trotted into the den, each paw step echoed by the emptiness that surrounded them. Kankumatsu rose to his paws, and harsh look seizing hers. Kankumatsu spoke loundly, “What did dog tribe have to say for themselves. “ Sagome looked away, a strong, hateful fire growing in her belly. “Dog tribe’s leader, Miakumatsu, said that he would punish the dogs that crossed our borders. He said the punishiment would be very painful.” Kankumatsu smirked. “We must tell the tribe of our victory.” Sagome glanced at him, a growl escaping her throat. “you can tell the tribe. I want nothing to do with this anymore.” She turned softly, her belt brisitling with hate. “This tribe is uselss, they don’t care about me, only themselces. You  should have seen the way Dark-paw was acting when I needed herbs for my wounds. This tribe doesn’t want me, not even you want me to be second-in-command.” Kankumatsu sighed irritably.
                “I suggest you stay, I have something important to address to you, something you need to hear.” Sagome glanced back once more at him, and she nodded her head softly. “Alright, but it better be important.” Kankumatsu lifted his head. “now, out, we have important business to disscuss”
* * * * * * *
                            Odd-nose sat down stiffly next to kuro, he lifted his ears, waiting for Kankumatsu to address the tribe. Sagome walked out of his den and leaped across the sand filled  area to a large Oak tree. Kankumatsu followed slowly behind her, taking each stride with pride. Sagome settled herself comfortably on a low root as Kankumatsu lept to a root that was three feet higher then sagome’s root. Kankumatsu stood proudly, lifting his head, his gaze swept over the whole tribe. “We have won quite a victory today, assuring our strength once more. It turns out that Sagome,Odd-nose, and kuro have all delt with dog tribe very well. I must say, I’m very proud of kuro,” He glanced at kuro as kuro raised his head proudly, “ For taking out the large dog, blue, she has always been a menace to fox tribe. And I’m also happy to say that odd-nose dealt well with the dog Goku, but as for Sagome,” he glared harshly at her, “I’m very disappointed in you. To think I made you second-in-command.” He shook his head pitifully. “None the less, I have some disappointing news. Sagome….i’m afraid…..you’re mother passed away today.” Sagome stared in sheer horror. Her pelt bristled and her mind flooded with thought numming ideas. She snarled and tore at the root she once stood proudly on. “How, why?!” Kankumatsu looked her sternly in the eyes.
                “She died  while giving birth to your new younger brother, Dark.” The tribe bursted into an uproar. Sagome’s harsh bark drowned all the noise out. “you mean that Half wolf MUTT?! I knew my mother was a slut, but to even mate with a wolf, she deserved to die! She tainted our pure blood, She got what she deserved!” She leaped off the root and dashed swiftly away, her blood pulsing with rage. Kuro stared after her, concern overwhelming him. He rose to his paws and bared his fangs at Kankumatsu. “You always make her feel worthless! What did Sagome do to deserve what she gets now.” He turned and pelted after her. Kankumatsu shook his head, “It’s because they both have demons greater then our own powers sealed within them.”
*    * *
Sagome layed down softly by a small creek. The silent flow of water calmed her mind and the setting sun reminded her that it would soon be to dangerous to be wandering alone. She buried her head miserably into her paws, wishing at the moment that she didn’t exist. Her heart sank, and emotions flooded her. She didn’t understand why the tribe would betray her, let alone, her own mother. Fire flies fluttered around softly around her, lighting the distant lavender sky that surrounded her.  She listened silently  to the murmuring stream. She almost forgot all her troubles, but one thing kept pulling her back. Reality. A rustle sounded and kuro emerged from the patch grass land. He looked at Sagome regretfully. He trotte to her, wishing to do more. Sagome glaced up to him and rose to her paws. The next moment, she was nuzzled tightly to his chest, whimpering like a young pup. Kuro licked her forehead softly, pushing her closer towards him. “I’m sorry Sagome, the tribe doesn’t understand you like I do. Don’t let them get to you.”
                “why do they treat me like I’m some sort of monster.” She folded her ears back and glanced up to him with painful eyes. Kuro frowned, pressing his nose softly against hers. “Who knows. But I know you’re no monster. You’re a very smart, strong, and loving fox, better then all the rest. No one will ever understand that like I do. No one will. Besides, I’m here for you, you don’t need them.” He nuzzled her ears  and licked her cheek, a warm smile siezeing his face. Sagome looked warmly into his eyes a pawed his ears softly. She felt safe with kuro. She felt happy, joyful, all because of him. What would the tribe understand of them. She didn’t need anyone but Kuro, she didn’t want anyone but Kuro.
* * * * *
Odd-nose trailed around heavily. His hate grew stronger for kuro each waking day. Now he recived more praise, he was taking the fox that he cared most for, he was the one getting all the honor, and what was left for odd-nose? Nothing but a puddle of shame to wallow in.  The tribe seemed to bussle with anger at the death of their recent comrade. And what irritated them the most was that they lost there member to a wolf in birth. Odd-nose growled, he didn’t think that even a pup deserved that much hate. For the same reason Sagome didn’t deserve hate neither . He trotted gloomly around till he reached his den. He glanced up to the sky, the waning moon lighting bits of the forest. He hoped that Sagome would return to the tribe, he hoped that she wouldn’t betray the tribe. And he hoped most that she wasn’t alone with Kuro.