Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Ibuki, do I look happy?”

It was one of those questions where Ibuki knew that he needed to be careful with the answer. It had been 18 years and he could still recall the first time that the chief had asked him that question. He reached down to the coffee table and picked up the ashtray. Then went up to the chief who tapped the ashes from his cigar as Ibuki held it for him.

“You look very happy, boss.” He answered honestly. Although, they had established a rapport after years of service, he knew when to lie, to tell the truth, and deliver that truth as delicately as possible. “Today’s a milestone for us. It has officially been twenty years since I’ve been Shishigumi Chief and incredibly it’s fallen on the day of depravity.” The chief got up, made his way to the window that looked out over the entire city.

“I want to show you, my inner circle and the elite members of the Shishigumi the appreciation that you’re owed. It hasn’t been easy, our rise was marked with violence, we lost some of our brothers and managed to take in even more. When we assert our authority tonight as the dominant force of the black market, you and the others will be first to claim the spoils that present themselves.” The chief firmly gripped the younger lion by the shoulder.

“The king of beasts. That’s what we call us, but with the way we had to fight to get to where we are, I’ve often had to question who came up with that shit, but today feels different. We should all be happy.” He chuckled. Ibuki followed as he made his way from the office, walking the long hallways and down the stairs to their meeting room. A couple of new gangs were trying muscle their way into the black market gumi hierarchy. The Waragumi and the Okamigumi. The Waragumi was an all female group that only consisted of hyenas.

They were 22 members strong, ran by their chief who moonlighted in polite society under an inconspicuous identity. They didn’t seem nearly as big a threat as the Okamigumi, their goal specifically was to take the major trades and businesses from the Shishigumi and reestablish this as their territory. This pride of lions was not about to let that happen, they were growing fast and already 20 members strong, led by their chief Mako. His game was taking kids off the streets and turning them into soldiers. As lions, as felines, they were even more determined to snuff out their flame.

-

“Come here, kid.” The older wolf beckoned from where he stood over a low ranking Shishigumi member. “There are a lot of things you’re gonna have to get used to if you want to ride with our crew. One of them is getting your hands dirty and the other is death.” He tossed the lion at the young wolf’s feet. “You’re gonna bleed him out and skin that pelt so I could wear him in front of those lions.

“We’re up to 30 members, they have idea and by tonight, they will never expect to be evenly matched out there. He handed the pup a knife, “Go on then, Miyagi.” He pressured. The youngster was just 15 years old and on his own, it was this or get eaten alive by vicious streets of the black market. He looked down at this lion who couldn’t have been much older than he was. “If you kill me…they’ll do more than just kill you. You’ll beg for them to kill you!” The lion looked up at him defiantly and Miyagi could feel the onset of a panic attack approaching.

“I’m sorry.” He whispered,craning the lion’s neck back and cutting across his throat. He jumped back as blood sprayed from the wound, his stomach turning as horrible gasps filled the room. It wasn’t long before he fell still at Miyagi’s feet.

“Good…but why did you apologize?” Mako took the knife away from Miyagi and turn him around, forcing him to face him. “I don’t know,” he stared up at the older wolf’s dark gray face. “It just came out, boss.” He gasped as Mako roughly gripped the back of his neck.

“That motherfucker would’ve ripped you from your mother’s belly and fucked the corpse. The Shishigumi are all about violence, show any weakness around them and you’re done for.” He warned, the young wolf heeded his boss’s advice.

“Where were you last night?” Yuma asked, he was a welp as well and Miyagi’s only friend since joining the organization. “I went out with this girl…I almost didn’t make it back because she slipped something into my drink. I know she did, I got up and she was gone but she didn’t take anything.”Miyagi muttered under his breath. “You got to be careful out there. Even carnivores aren’t safe back here, we target each other…eat each other, and once you’re in it’s hard to get out.” Yuma’s ears lowered sadly.

“I’m not worried about getting out. I made my peace…” Miyagi lied. He was terrified and each passing day in the back alley made him more and more fearful. There was nowhere else to go, he hoped that he could survive here. It had only been weeks and already they could see his weaknesses. He looked at his blood stained hands as he stood over the sink in the bathroom and held back a sob as they shook. Kill or be killed. He had to learn.

-

The torch ceremony was as big a spectacle as ever. Arriving first were the foxes of the Inarigumi followed by the Komodo dragons of the Dokugumi, their torch burning a purple flame as a result of their added venom. The leopards of the Madaragumi always arrived with a flourish, to the beat of a Japanese drum. And the crowd erupted with applause as the Shishigumi arrived. They knew to show respect to the ones whose flames burned brightest. “Alright, ladies and gentlemen.” The chief said as he stood at the forefront. “I think I already know the answer, but I’ll ask anyway. Who’s going to try and dethrone the king of beasts?” He asked, to the delight of back alley denizens. “We are.” The Waragumi approached with their torch beaming brightly, Amazons who had no problems standing up to males. “Of course…” Ten, leader of the Inarigumi shook her head. “You’re young and hungry, but let me give you a piece of advice. Pick your battles.” She sagely advised. “We don’t need your…” Loa, leader of the Waragumi trailed when all of their noses twitched with the smell of blood.

A lion approached with a faint torch that flickered as he walked. All the Gumi leaders faces showed the pure disgust as they realized that not only was that no lion, but a wolf dressed in the skinned carcass of who the chief recognized as one of his own. “You don’t deserve such a magnificent title. Hedonistic bastards that you are, you’re kings of nothing, and we’re here to take over.” Mako peeled the carcass off him and tossed it toward the Shishigumi. Ibuki leaned in. “What are your orders, chief?” He asked. “Kill them. Every. Last. One.” He ordered.

Chapter Text

The crowd of denizens quickly cleared out as chaos ensued. The smoke of gunfire filled the air, the other three main gumis knew better than to risk involvement. With a pride of 35 lions, even an opposition of a little over 40 lesser animals was no contest to them. First were the hyenas, although they wanted to take power away from the Shishigumi, the last thing they wanted to do was face the ire another gang had instigated. Brute strength and cunning quickly whittled their numbers down to just their lieutenants and their boss. When Miyagi and Yuma heard the screams of their comrades. They scattered. Yuma ran for his life, turning out the alley toward the clinic…but Miyagi hid. He made himself as small as he could, squeezed behind a filthy dumpster. Mako himself fell right next to him, his features riddled with brutal wounds, fur saturated as blood oozed from them. He looked at Miyagi wide eyed horror before being yanked violently back into the alley. There was a yelp and the high pitched whine only a canine could manage. They hyenas weren’t faring any better. “Please, you won just let us go!” Loa begged, tied up.

The remaining sat on their knees, lined up for execution as the wolves’ skinned and bloody carcasses were stretched out onto pikes. “No, you don’t get to beg now.” Free said with a laugh. “What happened to putting the men in their place?” He gave her a stiff kick to the face followed by a heavy right hand. The chief smirked as he looked around at his family’s handiwork. The pavement a sea of red. “Let my mom go!” A young hyena, no more than 10 years old ran up to him, stabbing the sharp end of a pin knife into his leg. “Tano, no!” Loa coughed, why was he here? To the mother’s horror, he snuck out and followed them to the turf way. Chief didn’t take kindly to being wouldn’t by a lowly hyena. He picked the kid up by the scruff. Miyagi watched through a cracked behind the dumpster as the sky began to drizzle. “This is a turf war after all, your mother there challenged us and now she’s as good as dead. Knowing that, I’ll give you one chance to apologize for stabbing me.” The child looked at his mother and back to the chief before kicking him in the muzzle.

“No! Please don’t hurt him. He doesn’t understand!” She begged, the others pleaded in vain. Slowly, the lion’s head turned back to the child. “Then he’ll learn today.” Chief Lion bit down hard into his back, tearing at the flesh as Loa screamed in despair, tossing the whimpering cub to the ground. They could see the severed spine protruding as he attempted to crawl towards his mother with useless legs. Miyagi had to hold both hands over his mouth so he wouldn’t vomit or scream as his vision blurred with tears. The child finally fell dead just feet away from his mother as she and the last of her subordinates wept. They didn’t have long to grieve before they were mauled, throat torn out by sharp fangs some of the heads falling away, severed. Ibuki stalked the alley as the others laugh at Sony standing over the kid to piss on the small corpse. Miyagi tried to steady his breathing, desperately trying to go unnoticed when a crack of lightning startled a yelp out of him and a big hand grabbed at his shirt, pulling him to his feet. “Found another one, Ibuki?” Free asked.

The Chief lit himself a cigar. “He’s the last one. Let him take us to their base, we’ll split whatever we find among the nine of us.” He said. “As a reward, he’ll only get a quick bullet to the head. “What about the hyenas?” Ibuki asked. “They didn’t have much, and they’re closer to Dokugumi territory. Let the lizards have it.” Miyagi was dragged to one of their cars, and seated between Ibuki and another with his hair styled in a pompadour, in front sat their chief who more than displayed why he was the most feared in all of the back alley market. “There…turn right.” He directed. “I must say, for someone who’s about to die, you don’t seem afraid at all.” The chief observed. “A simple bullet to my head doesn’t sound too bad. I’m 15, I was homeless but I lived a pretty good life up until a year ago when I was kidnapped on my way to school and sold into sex trade. I escaped, but my parents already moved on after they couldn’t find me. Ended up here.” He could feel Ibuki’s eyes on him, and met his gaze. Was that sympathy? It couldn’t be.

The chief watched the interaction from the sideview mirror. Ibuki was different from the others. He coveted beauty, more of a collector than someone who valued money or status. It’s what made him his most trusted subordinate. They got out, he took them straight to the boss’s office. There, the safe sat, open. About $650,000 in banded bricks of cash was stashed inside and records of one sex trafficking operation with a wide reach beyond the market limits, they left that alone and took what they could find on meat, drugs, and legitimate businesses under their control, they took all of it back to the boss.

“We didn’t do too bad, boss. They laid their findings out on the trunk of the car. A deep laugh rumbled from the chief’s chest. “Not bad.” He said with a plume of smoke escaping his lips. Free pushed the wolf to his knees. “Wait a minute now…bring him here.” He stopped him. Miyagi found himself dragged and shoved up against the bumper. “There you have it. Take your prizes, make it fair.” He stepped aside. Free took $100,000 for himself. As did Dolph, Miguel, Sabu, and Jinma. “We could split it four ways.” Agata suggested. “What about him?” Hino nodded to the wolf. “Nobody takes him, we shoot him.” Dope said. “I’ll take him. Take my cut.” Ibuki spoke up. They all looked surprised. Except the chief. They divided the money and all that was left was…

“Claim your share, Ibuki.” Said the chief. The lion picked the wolf up. “Why? Why won’t you just kill me?” Miyagi asked, gasping in surprise as Ibuki pulled the wolf to his chest, tearing the shirt’s buttons open and baring his slender shoulders. “You’re mine…no one will touch you but me.” He bit down into Miyagi’s flesh, breaking the skin. The wolf let out a pained cry as warm blood soaked his entire back. Ibuki used all of his teeth to leave his distinct mark. An irrefutable signature so that all who saw him would know who he belonged to. It was excruciating as he removed his teeth, Miyagi felt ill at the sound they made as they separated from his flesh. The lion rubbed his face against his, immersing Miyagi in his scent as well. He nearly fell, barely able to stand, his legs gave way, but Ibuki caught him and held him up on display for them all to see.

“Good. Let’s go boys. We’re done here.” The chief said as Free opened the door for him.

Chapter Text

The Shishigumi base reeked of death on the wind. The outside lined with corpses as a warning to anyone who approached. Miyagi looked out at them from the window. Some were decayed down to the bone, some were new. He was still shaking with sweat on his brow as the pain still lit up his right shoulder every time he moved. The whole time, Ibuki watched over him. They got out of the car, all eyes were on them as Ibuki dragged him into the otherwise magnificent mansion. “He kept one.” “What will he do with it?” “What do you think? He’ll have a feast!” The incessant chatter rang in the wolf’s ears as he was lead up some stairs. “Ibuki…” The lion stopped and turned to the chief. “You did well today, normal operations begin tomorrow. Rest and if any of you are wounded, look after yourself.” “Yes, chief.” They chorused before dispersing. Free followed after Ibuki. When they got to his room, the difference was night and day compared to what Mako had given Miyagi. There were bookshelves, tables, a television, a large closet full of clothes and shoes, and a big safe for his own personal belongings.

Ibuki picked him up and lay him on the bed, tearing away the rest of the tattered shirt. “You should be ashamed that you spared me. What will you do with me now? Eat me?” Ibuki said nothing as he took some gauze and a bottle of iodine from a drawer and put it on the table before heading to the bathroom where Miyagi heard the sink running. He came back with some rags and put them down as well before tossing his suit jacket onto the bed and getting to work. Miyagi lay exposed and barefoot as he was cleaned and bandaged. Ibuki got up and left the room, the wolf didn’t dare move until he came back with clothes. “Here’s what’s going to happen. Right now your body is in shock from being marked…” “Why did you do that?” Miyagi interrupted angrily. “It was either that, or violate you in front of them. What would you have preferred?” Ibuki retorted.

“No…” Miyagi swallowed dryly. “I couldn’t help but see myself at your age when you were telling your story to the chief. I’m giving you a second chance. It’s rare back here. You will listen to me, stay at my side, and be respectful towards the others.” The lion commanded. Miyagi scoffed. “And you’ll kill me if I don’t?” He smirked as he tried to sit up. Ibuki’s big hand easily shoved him back down onto the mattress, it nearly covered the wolf’s entire chest. He leaned in until his face was just inches from Miyagi’s. “You saw what we did to your gang. You saw those corpses. You should know by now that there are worst things I could do to you than kill you. Stay with me and you’ll never have to starve again.” He said.

Ibuki left. This is where he was now, there was no escape. This lion decided to let him live and for what? Never had he thought he would end up having dig himself into such a deep hole. His eyes became heavy and the only refuge he could manage was into the darkness of a dreamless sleep. When he woke up, he was dressed. To his left a huge weight beside him, he reached his arm out, touching the lion’s back, Ibuki jumped as though startled. His body wound up tightly from always being alert. “What are you doing?” He asked as he grabbed the wolf’s hand, sitting up. He was in a tank top and some sweatpants and still somehow managed to exude an air of authority. “Everything hurts, can I have something for the pain?” He really didn’t look good, Ibuki frowned, sniffing his bandages. “You’re not infected…” he muttered, getting up and going into the bathroom. He came back with a vial topped with a dropper. “What’s that?” Miyagi asked. “Golden Lion’s Mane Herb, Sabu is one of the lions with the Shishigumi, he makes all the medicine we can’t find in the market.” Ibuki explained as he opened the bottle. “Open.”

The smell was putrid, but the wolf obeyed and flinched as two drops fell onto his tongue. “You don’t need more than that, you’re not as big as we are. You should be feeling better in just a few minutes. When you do, we’ll both get dressed and go have breakfast with the boss.” Ibuki returned the covered onto the vial. Miyagi felt deep calm take over his body, he breathed out as he laid back onto the pillow. Even pain from well before he had ever encountered the Shishigumi was gone by the time Ibuki was dressed, Miyagi sat up, looking at the lion in amazement. “Thank you!” He whispered breathily. “Here, put these on. When we walk together, you walk behind me and keep your head low. If the chief asks you a question, address him by his title.” Ibuki instructed. “They won’t want me at their table…” Miyagi reached for the clothes. There was a knock at the door. “Hey! Ibuki! Breakfast! Or are you still full on wolf?” Free’s voice called through the door. “I’ll be right there.” He turned to Miyagi who had stripped and was putting on his clothes. “I need to get you some underwear…” he said more to himself than to the wolf.

The left the room, Miyagi felt completely dwarfed by the lions that surrounded him. “I see your pet has survived the night.” Chief said as he entered the dining room, taking his seat. “Yes, chief. Thank you, chief.” Ibuki bowed. “What’s on the menu?” Chief took the cloche off the platter. Beef sausages with a generous pile of eggs. “Well, dig in, everyone.” He said. There was no place for Miyagi, Ibuki took a chair and sat him to the right beside the Chief. He took the cloche from his platter and took an another plate, splitting his food with the wolf. “Victor, what are you doing?” Chief asked as he noticed the younger lion trying to open a bottle of champagne. “Making mimosas, chief. It goes well with the meal!” Victor broke the muselet, tossing it aside and trying to use his claw to pop the cork. “He’s going to hurt you.” Miyagi’s ear flicked. The chief looked at him. “Hush. Eat.” Ibuki reprimanded. “Who’s going to hurt me, boy?” The chief asked. The cork popped, flying right towards the chief’s face. Miyagi reached out and caught it just shy of the lion’s nose. He opened his hand, holding it out to him, “Here you go, Chief.” He said gently.

The chief chuckled as he took the offending projectile from the wolf’s smaller palm. “Not bad, kid.” He said with a slight chuckle, glaring down the end of the table. “Miguel, get him his own plate.” The chief ordered. “Yes chief.” One of the lions got up, rushing towards the kitchen. The chief poured the smaller plate back into Ibuki’s. “I value loyalty above everything else. It makes all the difference in this line of work. What about you?” He asked the wolf. “Love.” Miyagi answered without missing a beat. “Just the answer I’d expect from someone so young.” The chief chuckled with an amused grin. “I hope you find it.” He said.

Chapter Text

Two months later, Ibuki and Miyagi have settled into a routine.“Why is he here?” Free asked with a smirk. “Where I go, he goes, you should know that by now.” Ibuki said flatly with a slight shrug. “He always smells like you. We started a pot a long time ago to try and figure out what you were going to do with him, but all you’ve done was keep around and take him on jobs. What is he, your emotional support animal?” Ibuki grunted in exasperation, it was early and the lion was no mood for ribbing.

“That’s enough…open the door.” Ibuki grumbled with a furrowed brow. This was an exotic meat butcher. Civet, pangolin, aged tortoise and monitor lizard. Rare meat that could be extremely difficult to obtain and expensive. The problem was that they were victims of a huge robbery that left them with little to no inventory. “We gotta spend money to make money…” Ibuki heard as the got inside.

“We’ll pay to replace the inventory, but you’ll need to pay us back.” The chief explained. “Winter is our busiest season, we’ll be able to pay without a problem…there is one issue…” the female anteater who stood behind the counter dug a letter from her records. “Our supplier for civet was taken over and turned into a livestock farm.” She said as she handed him the letter. “Why wasn’t I made aware of this?” He asked as he opened it up.

“They took off after an operation was seized by the cops. They said they’d come back but when we called the tower, whoever picked up said it was under new management.” She informed. Chief looked at Ibuki, “Go there and find out what it’s all about. Let them know that if they want to operate on our turf they’ll need to abide by our rules.” He said. “Yes, chief.” Ibuki followed Miyagi who was already walking towards the door. “I’ll go with him, chief.”Free said, and followed them.

“Take Jinma and Sony with you.” Chief said, tossing the letter on the counter: “What are you doing?” Ibuki furrowed his brow. “Just giving you some back up, man. Your wolf here can’t carry a gun.” Free shrugged. Ibuki couldn’t argue with that. When they got the livestock tower, they could immediately see that the security had been increased. New fences, and guards laid about the structure. When they got out, they were greeted by a snake. “We’ve been expecting you. Come, I’ll lead you to the office. “Who are you exactly?” Ibuki asked. “You may call me Six-eyes.” It said. “Follow me.” The lions looked at each other.

Ibuki gave a subtle nod as a warning to be prepared. They were led down an open cellar door down into a long tunnel, none of the armed guards followed them, so that was a good sign. At the end of this long hall was a heavy metal door she had to scan a card for it to automatically open. “We haven’t fixed our elevator yet so we’ve been using that door as our entrance.” It explained. “We intend to make it accessible for our clients.” Jinma looked around making a mental map of the tower’s revised layout. The butchery remained but there was another door into what resembled a prison. Inside them…children.

“What is this?” Ibuki growled, a deep distaste at the sight. “Inventory.” He looked up as they were approached by a gazelle in cheap a suit. “Where did you get all these kids? Huh? Why did you close the butchery?” Ibuki’s agitation was growing, Free held him back while the snake took a loop around the gazelle. “Calm down. This isn’t about the merchandise. This is about dues owed to the Shishigumi. Here.” He said as he handed pushed a fat envelope against the lion’s chest. “A little advance on a strong working relationship.

Miyagi looked around at the terrified children that sat trembling behind iron bars. Alpacas, rabbits, deer. There were even carnivores. Lion cubs, cheetahs, hyenas…and the smallest wolf he had ever seen. It was like a magnetic pull, he found his face pressed against the bars as the baby fussed on the filthy mattress. “We’ll have to check with the boss. But I got to tell you, dealing with livestock could be tricky, especially when it comes to shipment.” Free said as he slipped the envelope into his back pocket. “They’re eaten on site for the most part, otherwise sedated before leaving with the customers.” As the gazelle spoke, a fawn reached his little arm through the bars and bleated towards the lions. “Shut up!” He yelled, slamming against them. The child ran away and cowered. Free could see the rage in Ibuki’s eyes, his anger was on its very edge and he looked ready for a fight. “We’ll keep in touch, let’s go, Ibuki.” He said, trying to lead him away. Ibuki saw as Miyagi knelt at one of the cells.

“Miyagi, we have to go.” He took him by the arm trying to pick him up. “I can’t leave! I can’t leave, Ibuki…look at it! It’s just a baby…” He cried. He was still young, and a victim of similar circumstances. Ibuki sympathized with his empathy towards the pup, but this display didn’t inspire confidence in the organization. “Ibuki take your bitch and let’s go.” Sony hissed. Ibuki shot him a cold glare. He bent down, wrapping an arm around the wolf’s middle, prying him from the bars. Miyagi sobbed as he was dragged away, he wasn’t even this upset when they were about to kill him. It hurt Ibuki to do that, but they had no choice. ‘Maybe I could…’ No, that would’ve been crossing a line. Besides, what kind of life would it have with the Shishigumi? It was a full time job just to look after Miyagi. But seeing tears in his eyes, he stopped and exhaled sharply. “How much for the pup?” He asked, slowly turning. “Take it. A little gift from me to the Shishigumi.” The gazelle opened the cell. “Go get it.” He let Miyagi go. “Are you insane?!” Free asked, lowly. “Chief’s not gonna like this.” Jinma warned. Ibuki ignored them.

Miyagi scooped the pup into his arms, the poor thing didn’t so much as have a diaper on, emaciated and thin. These bastards had stripped him of his dignity as an infant. He rejoined the lions and they were lead out by the Six-eyes. They were all silent as Miyagi hushed and tried to calm the baby.

“This is bullshit, Ibuki. You’re gonna just give him what he wants every time he bats his lashes at you?” Sony mocked. “I’ll deal with the consequences as they come. At any rate, this place should not be operating.” Ibuki said. “I don’t know, they’re already making profit. There’s nowhere else in the market where carnivores get to devour prey while they’re alive.” Free looked in the rear view mirror as Ibuki reached to pet the child. “He’s a boy…” Miyagi looked up at him, reaching up to cup his cheek. “Thank you, Ibuki.” He said softly.

Free held his tongue, as he noticed that they looked like a little family.

Chapter Text

Ibuki snuck the wolves upstairs. What was he to do now? He felt like he had made a terrible mistake and was not sure what to do about it. He looked down at this poor puppy who still had his umbilical cord, as Miyagi clutched him protectively to his chest. The kid was far too skinny and had a cough. The first thing he did was set them up in the room and go get Sabu. “I need a favor from you. It’s important.” He said as he stood at the door to the older lion’s room. Sabu gave him a questioning look. Sabu followed him to the bedroom. Inside sat the baby against Miyagi’s bare chest. The poor thing was calm but very lethargic. “Can you help him?” Ibuki sat at the end of the bed as he watched Sabu begin his examination. He touched the baby’s, looked at his eyes and inside his mouth. Sabu got out a pen and wrote down a list of items handing it to Ibuki. Tapping his shoulder urgently and wordlessly pointing towards the door. “Right,” he looked at Miyagi. “I’ll be back.” He said. The wolf nodded. “Please, hurry.” Miyagi gently replied.

Ibuki hurried down the stairs, once he was gone, Free snuck over to the room. “I saw Papa Bear hurry back out. Oh…little guy isn’t doing too good, huh?” He asked, going over to watch as Sabu swaddled the baby to keep him warm. “What do you care? I always hear you guys talking about Ibuki killing or eating me. I could imagine you’re gonna do the same for him.” Miyagi said as Sabu handed him the pup. Free rubbed at his neck in embarrassment. “Look, you’ve seen what we’re capable of. This isn’t a daycare, and Ibuki isn’t a merciful guy. The fact that you’re still alive and under his protection was…a surprise. Especially after your boss pulled his little stunt of literally WEARING one of our guys. I hope we got the bitch who killed him real good.” Miyagi swallowed harshly. “I’m sure you did.” He said. When Ibuki returned some of the boys were standing around in the living room, talking as he ran up the stairs. “Wonder what’s with him…” Victor mumbled. Sony scoffed, “It’s the craziest fucking thing! He bought a livestock baby for the wolf.” He raised his hands in a “mind blown” gesture.

Hugo snorted a line of silvervine and gave him a strange look. “What for?” He asked. “It’s a little BABY wolf, looks just like the kid. I think Ibuki’s going senile, he’s making all sorts of weird decisions.” Sony looked back at the stairs. “I never forgive that guy for making me look like an idiot in front of the boss. I think he and his little rut mate should find a new place to live.” Victor muttered. The others were silent. He turned around to see the chief looking at them. “Chief!” Victor jumped to his feet. “Where is Ibuki?” He asked. They looked at each other with worried faced. “W-why do you want him? I mean…!” The chief adjusted his stance, his brows shooting up. “I’m sorry, he’s busy. We don’t know where he is.” Sony intervened in an attempt to save his friend. “You better not be lying to me.” He warned. He hadn’t seen Ibuki since the afternoon, seeing and hearing snippets of gossip told him that something was going on and in this business, secrets among his subordinates that he didn’t know about were never a good thing. Still he had a trust in Ibuki.

“He’s dehydrated…” Ibuki realized Sabu nodded as Sabu mixed a cup of warm goat milk with some formula and put it to the baby’s lips. It took a little coaxing but Sabu managed to get him to suckle. From his throat was a strange sound like a half formed word that sounded like he was telling Miyagi “Here.” The wolf took the bottle and started feeding the baby Sabu also managed to clean him up, these extra small diapers were almost too big to stay on but they would do for now. It comes so naturally to you two.” Ibuki observed. “You’ve never thought about having kids of your own?” Miyagi asked. “No. Like you, I didn’t have the best childhood. When I got joined the Shishigumi, I had all the family I needed.” The lion’s eyes were fixed in the way the pup’s ears twitched with every sip. “I didn’t go around looking to join any gang since we’re being honest. They just snatched me off the street one day and put a gun in my hand.” The wolf admitted.

“I’m sorry. Back here, it’s killed or be killed. Eat or be eaten. I’m…glad that you were at least able to make it this far.” Ibuki gazed down into Miyagi’s eyes. These eyes had seen too much for someone so young and not a shred of weakness. He was beginning to think he had chosen the better reward. He sat on his side of the bed and pet Miyagi, scratching his chin. Sabu was aware of the affectionate gesture, but gave them the privacy of looking away. “You have this responsibility now. No more going on assignments.” He said. “Fine, I think I needed a break.” Miyagi chuckled softly. Their sights all snapped to the door as a heavy hand knocked. “Ibuki; it’s me. I want your report on the livestock farm.” It was the chief. “Quick, into the bathroom!” He helped Miyagi up and rushed him over to the bathroom, closing the door. Sabu tossed the needle and IV bag into the trash and stashed the formula and bottles into the drawer. Ibuki went over and opened the door. “What took you so long? I don’t like to be kept waiting.” The chief didn’t require permission to step inside. His eyes scanned the entire room. “I heard some disturbing rumors, I need to know what happened at that tower. Free gave me a sum of cash and said they were rolling in profit.” He noticed the wolf wasn’t around.

“They sell children to be eaten alive. It’s the first and only operation of its kind. They make a lot of money but I must advise you that the risk of such an operation is greater than the reward especially if you don’t want to get the attention of a certain horse. He’ll have no problem breaking the cardinal rule if it involves children going missing.” Ibuki’s fur puffed slightly as he noticed the chief’s nostrils flaring.

He found a scent.

“I heard that you purchased something. Is that true?” Chief asked, “No.” Ibuki was quick to answer, technically speaking, it wasn’t a lie. “Where is the wolf. He’s yours, but I want to see him. Bring him here.” The chief commanded pointedly. Ibuki hesitated, but the chief knew he was here. There was no way around it. He went and opened the bathroom door, Miyagi came out holding the sleeping baby while was still sucking on his bottle. “Ibuki…” “I’m sorry chief, he took one look at him and…” Ibuki stopped as the chief shook his head. “You’re usually so logical, Ibuki. You have two now and they could become two new ways to hurt you. What would you do them?” The baby opened his small eyes as the chief approached. “They could be twins.”

“Chief…”

“Get yourself situated, Ibuki. You wanted them, now that you have them, what are you going to do?” The chief looked at him with a stern expression. “I’ll figure it out.” Ibuki said.

Chapter Text

“What are you gonna name him?” Ibuki sat at the desk cleaning his gun. He looked at the window as Miyagi stood there cradling the baby in his arms. “I don’t know.” Said the wolf. He kissed the infant pup’s head as they looked up at the moon together. “What are you doing?” Ibuki wondered curiously. “Bathing in the moonlight. It’s something wolves do. I thought it would help him feel better.” Miyagi returned to the crib Ibuki had delivered yesterday, laying the baby onto the soft mattress. “He’s really improved quite a bit. But…I’m worried. He fusses but he hardly cries, he’s always starving when he gets his bottle but it would help so much if he cried so we knew when he was hungry.” Miyagi sulked beside the baby’s crib. A baby that didn’t act like a baby was deeply concerning. Ibuki put the gun back into its holster and tucked it away into his bedside drawer. “Tomorrow we have a very important meeting. The environment is going to be a bit hostile, you’ll need to stay with him here.” Ibuki told him. “Who is the meeting with?” Miyagi asked.

“The Dokugumi. We’re trying to discuss how we’re going to get rid of the tower.” The lion explained, shutting off the lamp and getting into bed. “What’ll happen to the kids?” Miyagi got into bed with him, as time passed he began sleeping closer to Ibuki. Some mornings the lion would wake up with him curled around him, tail and all. “They’ll be taken to the doctor I told you about. He has connections that’ll get them a good home. Sabu says the kid is in good health, but we’ll try to get him to take a look.” Ibuki faltered a bit, Miyagi noticed. “Why wouldn’t he?” He pressed. “I was trying to avoid it. If he sees him and thinks we’re hurting him, he’ll take him away. We can’t fight him back either, he’s a valuable resource back here.” Ibuki turned onto his side and tensed a bit as he felt smaller hands on his back. He never chased him away when he touched him, actually he had come to appreciate the proximity. “I’ll do anything to keep him. I’m not on any lists, I’ve never been arrested. Maybe I could take him to a doctor on the outside.” Ibuki turned around, grabbing his wrist tightly.

“Was that your plan all along? Use the kid to get me to let my guard down. You know damn well that I can’t leave the black market. You go out there, you’ll just run off.” His eyes narrowed suspiciously. This kid had to think he was born yesterday if he thought he was going to let him leave the black market. “You’ve forgotten how content I was to let you shoot me. Trust me, Ibuki. I have no where to go and I want to keep him. Please, just trust me this once. I’ll come back.” The young wolf begged. Ibuki let go. “I’ll consider it.” He muttered before they both fell asleep. The next day, early that afternoon, they stood at an alley. That alley lead to the outside of the black market. “Ibuki, this is a bad idea, man.” Free mumbled, scratching his head as he looked between the two wolves and that alleyway entrance. “I’ll be back, I swear I’ll be back.” Miyagi picked up the diaper bag and made his way out. “You’re crazy, I hope you realize you’re never gonna see that guy again.” Free indelicately chuckled. Ibuki shook his head. “He’ll be back.” He said.

Three hours later, Ibuki was pacing back and forth as Free watched with sympathy. “You really trusted him that much? He saw us kill all his friends.” He said and looked at his watch. “We need to get back to the base, the meeting is in half an hour.” Free pat him on the shoulder. “Why would he run? He has the baby and nowhere to go. Plus he’s a meat addict.” Ibuki grunted. “I’m sorry, Ibuki. He’ll probably ditch the kid and try to find a shelter or something.” Ibuki shrugged his hand off him. “Fine, let’s go. They’ll be better off anyway.” He said, opening the passenger door. “Ibuki?” They turned and saw the wolf coming back through the alley with more bags than he left with. “Where have you been?” Was the first thing the lion asked. “There was a free clinic but the wait was long and this lady bought him some clothes and stuff. I told her I lost my job, we have enough formula and diapers to last a while.” The wolf said with a big smile. “Alright. Get in, we have to get back.” Ibuki opened the back passenger door for them.

Free snorted at the way Ibuki’s expression softened. Outside the hideout were plenty of cars parked in front of the driveway. They had to park on the street and sneak inside. Ibuki and Free arrived to the office just in time to see the boss arrive. “You? I thought you handed over the organization.” He said as he sat in front a huge Komodo dragon who nearly dwarfed his subordinates, beside him, the now former boss. The other Shishigumi were wary, this old timer didn’t like wearing a mask. “I lost my daughter not to long ago…so I came back.” He exhaled sharply. “I’ve returned, taking the helm of what was mine in the first place.” He said. “I’m sorry to hear that. As you know, we’re trying to do away with this livestock operation. It may be profitable but the risks of acquiring their main import aren’t worth the reward.” The chief took a cigar from the box and offered one to the Komodo who refused. “Children. I know. We’re on board. It will be gone before the month’s over, but understand that this will be the only time we collaborate our efforts.” The Komodo stood up to take his leave.

“I have no problem with that, Gosha. You’re straight to the point as always. My boys will show you out. Ibuki…” He motioned to the door. Ibuki nodded and opened it, they unceremoniously filed through, the lion made eye contact with the former chief as he stood at Gosha’s side. The thing about the offices location in the hideout was that you had to pass the bedrooms to get to it. Gosha paused, hearing a strange noise. “Savon…did you hear that?” He asked. “Sounded like a howl.” Savon replied. Gosha walked down two more doors until he found the source of the sound, he opened the door. “Hey! Wait!” Free went to stop him but was stopped by two Komodos who looked ready for a fight. Inside the room, a teenage wolf held a pup in his arms, rocking him gently. “Shh, quiet baby. Please, someone will hear!” He whispered. The pup decided today he wanted to learn to how. “What is this?” Miyagi startled at the sound of Gosha’s voice. “Um…hi. I’m sorry, he’s getting his energy back so he’s really happy.” He tried to explain. “Gosha, you shouldn’t be here.” The chief said as he held Ibuki back.

“Kazuo, I know you’re the true monsters back here, but I don’t want to begin to imagine what you’re doing to these kids.” Said the Komodo. The baby fussed at he felt the rising tension. “It’s not what you think…” the chief tried to defend. Gosha cupped miyagi’s cheek turning his face, he could see the healing bite marks. The baby reached for his hand and grabbed his fingers, squeezing. “How about a deal? I’ll give you the south street operation and help you get rid of the tower…in exchange for the wolves.” He said. Miyagi’s eyes widened. “Boss, that’s almost a quarter of our income.” Savon advised. Gosha was not moved. “What do you say, Kazuo? The only thing you perverts love more than killing is money.” He said. The chief sighed. “I would…but unfortunately, they’re not mine to give.” He replied, and turned to Ibuki.

Chapter Text

“No.”

The lions looks at him like he was crazy. What Gosha was offering was so much investment in the black market that practically everyone else would be at their mercy. This would truly make them the city’s hidden meat-eating society’s authority. When Ibuki said no, he shocked them all by shooting it down. “I heard what you did to all the other wolves and that’s okay, they knew what they were getting into when they challenged you at the turf war…but what use could you have for these kids? That baby shouldn’t have to be used to the smell of decaying corpses. I can’t imagine what he does to the older one.” As Gosha spoke, Ibuki moved past the chief to walk into his room, staring the old Komodo down, both of their stances aggressive. “N-no! It’s not as it seems.” Miyagi piped up. “Shh…” Ibuki hushed him, turning his attention to Gosha. “They’re mine, and I’m not giving them to you.” He pointed toward the window. “You left certain morals behind on the outside when you came back here. Or have you forgotten.” He snarled. “Ibuki…” The chief knew that the last thinking he wanted was to anger Gosha

It was too late, the damage was done. “My men and I will save the kids in that tower and burn the operation on our own. When that’s over with, I want you to know that I’m challenging you at the day of depravity for those wolves.” Ibuki stepped aside as Gosha walked past him. The pup reached the Komodo, fussing and babbling as he realized he was leaving. “The Dokugumi are under new management now, Kazuo. I have no problem using my venom.” Gosha clarified as me made his leave, the other Komodos following behind. When they were gone, there was animosity and tension between Ibuki and the others. “I can’t believe this…the only reason we’ve survived this long is because of Savon’s philosophy of not using their venom but Gosha is a different breed. He’s more like their father, he will cut us all down just for defying him. There’s no negotiating with him.” Dope said as he, Free, Hino, Victor, Hugo and Sony stood on the rooftop balcony. “The chief gave him the final say, we have to respect his wishes.” Free rubbed his muzzle in frustration. “Maybe…if they were gone. The Komodo would drop the beef he has with Ibuki.” Victor said lowly. Free chuckled.

“Vick, if the chief nor the legendary Gosha could get him to give them up, what makes you think you could?” He asked. “I didn’t mean that way, just think, do you really want all the shit we’ve done as an organization to come back to us in the most painful way possible?” Victor sat beside Free who looked at him as though he had said something scandalous. “So you want Ibuki to kill you instead?” He scoffed. Victor rolled his eyes. “No, you idiot. But if they get rubbed out by…let’s say, a shoot out, Dokugumi will have no reason to fight.” He explained and for a moment Free could see his reasoning. “No. He’s real attached to those wolves. Just leave them be. Please. We’d be fucked without Ibuki if he goes rogue.” Free warned. However, Victor already hatched a plan despite this. “The chief wants us to clear out the bodies tomorrow. Bury them all under the property and clean up the facade.” Hino said with a yawn. Sony sighed. “Looks like we’re a daycare now.” He muttered, snuffing his cigarette.

-

“I’m sorry.” Miyagi said. The baby was sound asleep in his crib. “Why? He had no business coming in here. You’ll keep the door locked next time we have company.” Ibuki toweled off his mane. He was facing away from Miyagi who admired the way the way his muscles flexed in his back. He made him feel so small and safe, the young wolf almost couldn’t remember the last time he felt safe. “When I was still with my parents…there was this old man who would let me work in his fish market for a few dollars everyday. And one day he told me that he was mourning me because he saw the way my parents treated me. When I asked him why, he said that he knew if I ever needed help…they be nowhere to be found.” Miyagi exhaled deeply. “How right he was.” He laughed. “Is that why you wanted him?” Ibuki went over to the bed, getting in and settling beside him. Miyagi liked the way his body sank the mattress and made him slide even closer. “I felt a connection to him…like he needed me. I don’t know what’s like to be wanted, Ibuki. But…I know what it’s like to need someone.”

Miyagi slid his hand into the top of the lion’s waistband. “That’s dangerous what you’re doing, kid…” Ibuki warned, his voice husky. The wolf slid his hand all the way inside as Ibuki let him explore his curiosity. “Everything about you is dangerous. What about this?” Ibuki inhaled sharply as he felt Miyagi’s hand wrap around him. “After everything you’ve been through, I’m not going to take advantage of you.” He took Miyagi’s hand from his pants and flipped the wolf onto his back. “I know when you have nothing else, the value of your life is determined by whatever or whoever has you at their mercy…” he pinned Miyagi down, holding his arms to the mattress at his head. The wolf chuckled. “You want to, don’t you? And that scares you.” He teased. “Go to sleep Miyagi, you don’t want me. I’m just a tool to help take care of you and that child…we’re not-Mmph!” Miyagi pressed his lips to Ibuki’s in an awkward and chaste kiss.

When he broke the kiss, Ibuki just looked down at him, jaw slack in confusion. “I’m so fucking sick and tired of everyone telling me what I want. Aren’t you?” Sneakily, Miyagi opened his legs to allow Ibuki to slowly setting between them. “I…” They were disturbed by a gentle knock at the door, the knob turned. “Ibuki, sorry to bother you this late, but the chief wants you to…” Free was shocked into silence once his brain registered the lurid scene before him. “Free…” “What-! O-oh! Yeah, uh, chief wants you in his office bright and early. He says it’s urgent.” Free quickly hurried out. Ibuki sighed,climbing off of Miyagi. “This will be all over the hideout before the night’s over. Miyagi could help the giggle that escaped. Ibuki rolled his eyes shaking his head with the smallest smirk but inside of his mind was a wreck of conflict, he didn’t know what he was going to do with Miyagi.

Chapter Text

They were sitting outside in the car at the beach. The windows down, smoking and passing around a bottle of Copper Serpent whiskey. “So…you’re serious about this?” Hugo asked as Sony handed him the bottle, he took a swig before handing it back. “That’s right. They’re causing all sorts of trouble for him and it’s going to result in Ibuki or possibly one of us getting fucked up by angry komodos. Ibuki would never figure out it was us, he knows the risks of living in the black market. He should expect that something could happen to them.” Victor had his feet up on the dashboard, his hand hanging outside the window as he held a cigarette between his fingers. “I just feel kinda bad, you know? The way he looks at that wolf kid…and the baby. They mean a lot to him.” Hugo’s jaw tightened with anxiety. “Got to be super careful…he’d kill us if he ever found out we were even thinking about axing his prize and the little mutt.” Sony warned, blowing smoke out the window. Hugo rubbed the back of his neck, shifting uncomfortably. Victor looked over his shoulder at him. “You have any idea what Komodo venom could do to a guy? That’s Gosha, he kills first and asks questions later. Every time.” He reminded.

Hugo sighed. “So you kill them…then what?” He asked. “Then we blame it on the new up and comers. Toragumi. We would’ve had to snuff them out eventually anyway.” Victor took a drag on his cigarette. Hugo wanted to protest, but with Sony on his side and himself being outnumbered, he couldn’t find it in him to protest. He found himself standing at the bottom of the stairs and watching Miyagi head up after dinner. Ibuki had to go to the Shishigumi territory’s meat packing plant. The chief had very specific taste when it came to his diet and he only trusted Ibuki when it came to bringing him these special meals. With all the chaos surrounding Gosha’s threat and his fixation on Miyagi, he was on rocky terrain with the chief after his refusal to bargain. The chief couldn’t punish Ibuki knowing he was the one who gave him the final word, but his displeasure was apparent and Ibuki wanted to do what he could to please him until there was nothing more to do but to confront the situation…and the Dokugumi.

Hugo was tasked with knocking out Miyagi and getting him down to the garage before going back up and putting the baby in the black duffle bag Victor hid in the bathroom. He snuck up the stairs just as Miyagi went into Ibuki’s bedroom. Then he had to wait for what felt like forever before the hallway was clear. Free went into his room, Sabu walked past him and back down the stairs Jinma went into the bathroom. Hino went into the chief’s office. It was now or never, he hurried and opened the door to Ibuki’s bedroom where right there sitting on the ottoman at the foot of bed feeding the baby his bottle. “Hi.” Miyagi said, looking up at him with striking eyes. “Uh…” ‘SHIT, what the fuck do I do? I can’t just hit him, he’ll scream…’ The lion panicked internally. “I was just…checking on you?” His words suspiciously curled at the end like he was asking a question rather than stating a fact. “Oh! Sure, um…here. Could you hold him while I take a shower?” Before Hugo could say anything, Miyagi had laid the suckling infant into his huge arms. He nervously held the bottles and tried to be as careful as he could having never held a baby before.

“Uh…” He stammered. “Thanks!” Quickly, shamelessly, he undressed, pulling down his pants and boxers and then doing the same with his shirt. Hugo could immediately see the raised pink scars of Ibuki’s mark of ownership boldly displayed on Miyagi’s shoulder. For a moment, the wolf looked in the mirror and traced his finger along the imprint. It confused Hugo that he didn’t seem angry or upset. “What uh…what do you think of all this? Being here and uh…that Komodo thinking you’re being…well, you know.” Curiosity was a powerful thing when left unchecked. “Let’s just say…I don’t want to be anywhere else. I don’t want to belong to anyone else. Ibuki is the reason I’m still here, he’s the reason I have a beautiful family, he is my family now.” Miyagi turned around and Hugo’s eyes snapped up from where they traveled down the wolf’s body. “Oh! S-sorry! I-I was just-“ “It’s okay. I always catch him staring too.” He made his way to Ibuki’s three-quarter bath. “Well, you’re quite a looker.” Hugo bit his tongue. Miyagi laughed, his tail swishing back and forth over his exposed rear. Hugo blushed. “Thank you, Ibuki seems to think so, too.” His voice and the smirk he flashed over his shoulder made Hugo blush.

Oh shit. They went there!

He realized they were as good as dead if Ibuki were to get wind of their plan. He heard the slurping sounds of an empty baby bottle. He took it out and the baby looked up at him before his ears pinned back in a tiny toothless yawn, Hugo stroked the pup’s cheek with his big thumb. “Oh man…I can’t do this. I can’t. It’s one thing to kill a big guy like us…but you’re so fuckin’ little. Fuck you, Victor. If you wanted this done, you should’ve sent Sony.” He ran into the bathroom, pulling the curtain back as Miyagi was about to lather his fur. “I’m sorry! We need to get out of here, right now!” He said. Sabu was outside, smoking a cigarette under the little tree in the back ok the hideout where what would have been a yard opened out to a lot full of trees and bushed. Out the corner of his eye he saw Hugo with the wolf in tow, carrying Miyagi who had the baby in his arms across the lot and back around to where the chief’s cars were. Three vintage beauties that were more for display than use, but well kept. Sabu watched as he put them into the car. He couldn’t scream for them, he ran back inside to get his phone.

They ended up in the territory once occupied by the Waragumi. Gosha refused the Shishigumi’s gift after he came back to take over, seeing nothing of value but three story storefront apartment building that served as their hideout and a few businesses that now went without gumi governing. “Okay, the plan is that I have no plan and I need to figure out how I’m gonna get you back to Ibuki without him getting mad at us, so we’re gonna sit here and just…fuck, what am I gonna tell him?” Hugo beat his head against the steering wheel. “This place isn’t empty.” Miyagi said as he looked up at the building. “Do you smell that?” He asked. “What?” Hugo look mumbled. He looked up to see a tiger standing in the store’s window, another approached the driver’s side with a hand on his gun. “Who are they?” The wolf held the baby close to his chest. “Toragumi…” Hugo gulped. There was nowhere to go as they were surrounded.

Chapter Text

In the back seat there was a struggling albino donkey. He hadn’t a speck of color, bound and gagged he grunted with every bump in the road as he made it back to the shishigumi base. When Ibuki got there, he barely had time to get out of the car before Sabu grabbed him. “What’s going on?” Ibuki asked, Sabu was not an easy lion to distress. Sabu showed Ibuki the texts that he had sent him about seeing Hugo take Miyagi and the baby from the hideout. Ibuki didn’t look at his phone while running for the chief. “Free!” He grunted. The Indian lion, dropped his cigarette, startled. Sony and Victor came around corner as well. “That’s not good…” Victor mumbled. “Get the herbivore to the boss.” Ibuki said as he pulled the donkey out onto the pavement with a pained grunt and got into the car with Sabu, he put it in gear, backing out haphazardly and knocking the over a few trash cans before screeching tires sent them off. “Where the fuck is Hugo?” Sony asked as they slunk back into the hideout. “No idea, something must’ve happened to make him run. Don’t worry, Ibuki finds him, he’ll be dead before he could say a word. Keep your head down and don’t say anything.” Victor whispered.

-

Miyagi and Hugo sat at a table with cups of tea in front of them. Gon, chief of the Toragumi was…a far cry from the chiefs of other gumis of the black market. An anomaly. “What a darling baby! What’s his name?” He asked, doting over the sleepy pup. “He doesn’t have one.” Miyagi said sadly, his ears flattening. “That won’t do, he’s gotta have a name! Ako, what do you think?” Gon looked up at one of the tigers, a large male who stood over them, his tail swishing in agitation. “I don’t know. Where’d he come from?” Ako asked. “We saved him from becoming livestock, the was going to be eaten.” Miyagi looked at the pup who was sleeping comfortably, unaware of the danger they were just in. Hugo’s ears lowered. ‘I’m so screwed. If Ibuki doesn’t tear me apart, Victor and Sony will.’ He thought. “There was a comic book character I used to read all the time about a warrior, a carnivore who escaped being eaten and grew up to save a whole city. What was his name, Sho? Degosi? Legosi? Something like that.” Ako pulled up a chair and sat beside Gon. Miyagi’s ears flicked. “Legosi? Legosi…” He kissed the pup between his ears. “I like that name for you.” He said with a warm smile.

“And he’s about the same age as my Bill.” Gon noted. “Bill?” Miyagi asked. Gon got up and went downstairs, coming back with a bundle in his arms as well. “This…is my nephew. Bill.” He moved the blanket to reveal the face a fussy little cub. “Unfortunately, my sister wanted out of the organization. But the only way she could leave was to give us a male child, he’s going to grow up to inherit the position of chief.” Gon looked more like a proud father than an uncle. Legosi’s eyes opened, it was probably the first time he had ever seen an animal his own age before. He reached for the cub, babbling, Bill’s pupils grew large as he reached for Legosi and once those tiny hands were in each other’s grasps, they held on tight. “They like each other!” Miyagi giggled.

They sat down to dinner. Surf and turf, with a whole lot of sides. The babies were laid in Bill’s pack and play. Legosi really loved all these toys. Miyagi made a note to ask Ibuki to help him find some to buy for him. “Mm?” Bill’s pacifier was too large for his little face, he took it out as he Legosi the rings to the stacking toy. Legosi tried to put it the ring on the stick and babbled happily when it fell into place. “You’re the prize of a Shishigumi lion, huh? They’re notorious for their brutality. The fact that not only did you survive this long, but you were given a child to raise and you’re being protected. Whoever that lion is…he must have a real soft spot for you.” Gon poured soju into Miyagi’s glass and Hugo stuck to just beer.

“His friends don’t seem to agree. I don’t want to leave him. I feel like he’s been lonely a very long time, he understands how I feel. I think choosing to keep was his chance to not be alone anymore.” Miyagi took a bite of his rare steak. He had become accustomed to eating meat everyday. As a welp for the Okamigumi, that privilege was preserved for higher ranked members. He only had meat three times a week, but when he did, it was as much as he could eat. It encouraged obedience. “They’ll be looking for us and I’m not sure what to do!” Hugo said, the lion was panicked. They were on the turf of a rival gang to get away from their own. It was a situation he wasn’t sure how to handle. Ako’s phone rang, the voice on the other end of the line immediately urgent as he picked up. “I’ll let him know.” He hung up. “There’s a car on the way here. Shishigumi.” He informed.

Miyagi and Hugo looked at each other. “That could either be Ibuki…or Victor and Sony.” Said the lion. “What do we do if it’s them?” Miyagi asked, worried. “They’re outnumbered. I like you two, and my nephew has taken quite a liking to your little friend. We won’t let anything happened to you while you’re my guests.” Gon turned to address his subordinates. “Jin, Ren, Sho, be prepared to meet whoever it is before they could cause any damage.” He ordered. “Yes boss.” They drew their guns just as a pair of headlights shone through the store front window. Two tigers positioned themselves at either side of the door. A moment passed and nothing, no knocking or anyone calling out. They looked at each other in confusion. “What’s going on-“ Sho was interrupted as the door was kicked in, a lion in glasses grabbed his gun and elbowed him in the face before the punching Jin and knocking him out cold. All the other tigers jumped to their feet, drawing their guns. The lion was not the least bit phased and neither was the one who joined him. “I-Ibuki…Ibuki, I could explain…” Hugo was trembling. He knew that to Ibuki, having practically an entire army drawing their guns on him was business as usual.

“Why the fuck did you take them? And why here? You have three fucking seconds to determine how painful your death is going to be.” Ibuki stalked toward him. Hugo dropped to his knees, bowing deeply. “I’m sorry! I didn’t want to do it! Victor and Sony wanted them gone, they thought it would make Gosha back off. I didn’t want to help them but it’s two guys against me and I couldn’t walk back out there without the wolves being dead so I took them and ran! I swear that’s the truth ’buki please believe me, I never wanted to hurt them!” Hugo was at this point begging not only for Ibuki to believe him but also for his life. “It’s true, Ibuki…” the lion looked at Miyagi, wrapping his arm around him and pulling him close, rubbing his face over Miyagi’s cheeks and muzzle, possessively marking him with his scent. “He has a lot to answer for. They all do.” He growled.

Chapter Text

“I’m okay…you don’t need to hurt him.” Miyagi went to Ibuki, slowly reaching for his face. Ibuki grabbed him by the hand and pulled him into a crushing embrace, pressing his lips to Miyagi’s cheek. “It doesn’t work that way…where’s the baby?” He asked. The wolf went to the pack and play where Ibuki saw the two children playing. “He made a little friend! This is the first time I’ve seen him so happy. It…makes me realize just how much he needs that we can’t give. Like being able to play with kids his age.” Miyagi’s ears pinned back as he bent down to pick up the pup. Legosi reached for Bill as the cub began to cry. Gon picked Bill up and began to try to soothe him. Ibuki frowned. “What are you saying?” He put a comforting hand on the wolf’s back. “I…just want what’s best for Legosi.” Miyagi said, trying to quiet the crying baby. “Legosi?” The lion’s head tilted in confusion. “That’s right. They helped me name him.” Miyagi explained. “I think…that I have a solution to all of our problems.” Gon suggested as the babies began to calm down and Hugo hesitantly got to his feet. Ibuki's eyes went from Miyagi to Gon with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion. "What do you mean, you have a solution?" he asked, his voice heavy with wary interest.

“Where is Ibuki? He and Sabu are nowhere to be found. These are troubling times, I don’t want my closest allies to fall victims to those scaled speciest vermin.” The chief questioned Free as he sat in the living room with Dope and Jinma. Sony and Victor stood at the door to the kitchen listening in on the conversation. “I’m not sure, the last time I saw him was when he brought your dinner. After that they just sort of...” The door opened and they all turned around to see Ibuki enter with Sabu and the two wolves…as well as Gon, chief of the Toragumi and his highest ranking members. “What is this, Ibuki? Why have brought these tigers here? What’s going on?” The others got to their feet, surrounding the chief.

Ibuki turned around, “Come here.” He said, making a signal to approach. Hugo ran inside, standing beside Ibuki. “Speak.” He commanded. Hugo took a deep breath as he felt the eyes of his comrades boring into him. “Victor, Sony and Me thought we could get Gosha’s eyes off the Shishigumi by killing the wolves. But I couldn’t hurt the baby, I panicked and ran and we ended up in the territory of the Toragumi.” The chief's eyes widened in shock and anger as he listened to Hugo's confession. He had always suspected that the younger lions had been up to something, but he never expected the truth to be so severe. He turned to Ibuki, his expression livid. “And you brought them here? Are you out of your mind?” He stepped forward.

There was silence for a moment as Ibuki stared down the two lions in the kitchen doorway. “They tried to take something away from me…something that I earned because they thought it would deter the Dokugumi.” He said. “We’re a group of 30 tigers. We need territory to expand so how about this…you help us with becoming one of the main gumis running operations in the black market and we’ll help you with your Komodo problem.” Gon’s demeanor changed. He had gone from a caring uncle doting over his baby nephew to a proper gumi boss. “Suppose we refuse? Say we just killed you where you stand?” The chief gruffed, taking the cigar from it mouth.

“You’re not going to do that.” Gon said with a smirk. “Chief…”Free looked up. Chief did so as well, seeing the dot of a laser from a sniper’s rifle on his forehead. “We are not trying to be your enemies. We’re trying to be your allies. Do this for us, and you’ll have at least one friend in this hell hole. It’s not something we take lightly and it’s not something we’re always willing to offer. Now is your only chance, but if you refuse, you’ll let us walk out of here and you’ll deal with Gosha on your own. Without back up, without information.” Gon was thorough. He knew better than to walk into a lion’s den without protection. “Information?” The chief perked at the word. “That’s right, we know why he’s so fixated on your wolves…why he really returned to the market. Tragic, really, but it could be used to your advantage if you’re smart.” Gon watched as Chief signaled his men to stand down. “

“Fine, we’ll accept your offer. You’ll get some of our territory to give you enough power to have a stake in the market. The rest you’ll have to take over on your own. From what I’ve seen so far, you’ll have no problem.” The chief relaxed a bit as Gon extended his hand. “I appreciate the foot in the door. Now, shall we have a seat and talk business?” They sat in the living room across from each other, coffee was made and the chief offered Gon one of his cigars, which he accepted. “Gosha…had a complicated past. He left when he was about to take over the Dokugumi.” “I know that much. But why is he threatening a war over these wolves?” The lion pressed. “It’s why he left…he fell in love with one. Had a kid, too. She was…the deciding factor. When his lover died, he was left alone to raise her. Unfortunately…she died, my sources say it was child birth. No one knows what happened to the pup.” Gon sat back, lighting his cigar.

The chief looked at Ibuki. “You don’t think…” “There’s no way, chief. What are the odds that we’d come across the kid he lost?” Ibuki was baffled. “How do you know all this?” Free asked, suspiciously. “When we were waiting for an opportunity to seize black market territory. We saw when the Dokugumi ceased all operations temporarily before the turf war that took out the Waragumi.” The tiger explained. “They were making the transition.” Ibuki realized. “That’s right. I had my men gather intel. Savon had to help him grieve and now he wants to unleash that pent up anger as chief.”

“If that pup is long lost grandson of the Dokugumi chief…then we hold in our hands his heir.” The chief didn’t know what to make of it. It was something so bizarre and it could either be their biggest advantage or their undoing. “He wouldn’t be too happy to find that out.” Free laughed nervously. “No he would not. This is good…”the chief decided. “That baby would be the very thing that saves the shishigumi.” Kazuo got to his feet while Ibuki looked on worriedly. “Chief…I don’t think-“ “There’s no need to worry, Ibuki. I know how fond you are of them. If we were to reveal what we know and hold it over his head, we could take everything from him.” Gon could see Ibuki’s panic rising at the chief’s words and intervened. “It won’t come to that. There’s strength in numbers and together, we are many. No other gumis have alliances back here, he would either have to back down…or be put down.” Gon said, gesturing across his throat with his thumb.

“Fine. Now that that’s settled…” The chief looked to Sony and Victor who sat on their knees in the middle of the room on the floor in front of Ibuki. “What are we going to do with you two?”

Chapter Text

“It didn’t have to be like this, Ibuki…but you chose a stranger and someone’s bastard you found abandoned and left for dead over the Shishigumi.” Victor said as he and Sony circled their former friend. It was the time honored tradition in the organization to settle disputes that went beyond reprimand. Blood in, blood out. If they could manage to kill Ibuki, then they would get to leave the Shishigumi unscathed. However, if Ibuki killed them, it would be retribution for what they tried to do to Miyagi and Legosi.

“You never gave a damn about the organization before they came.” Ibuki tore off his jacket, tossing it to the floor. “You only hate that you couldn’t kill this one but he is MINE!” The others did the same.

“You should have taken the money!” Sony pounced, grappling Ibuki and hooking his arms and trying to hold him back. Victor nailed several hard punches to his midsection, he roared, reaching behind him and grabbing Sony, pulling him over his head and throwing him into Victor. They fell to the floor in a heap. Chief Lion and the Shishigumi looked on. Upstairs, Legosi clung to Miyagi’s shirt as they heard the mortal struggle happening downstairs.

The knob turned and the door opened, Sabu stepped inside. “Oh…” Miyagi relaxed a bit. “What are you doing here?” He asked. Sabu took out his phone and typed a message into the notes app for him. “I know you must be scared. I’m scared too. Ibuki is a brother to me.” He said. Miyagi sighed, wiping at his face with his hands. “I think…I feel things for him that I shouldn’t. Things that…I can’t even say out loud.” He confessed. Sabu typed again as he sat beside them.

“He has always been lonely even surrounded by us. Now he has someone he holds dear in a place that’s operated by cruelty. He told me that’s he has plans for you, to find a place for you where you can raise your pup safely.” It was something the pair had never discussed. The whole time that he felt like property, he had simply been a comfort to Ibuki’s loneliness. But why would he send him away? There was a scream and the sounds of roaring and snarling, it sounded terrifying.

“What’s gonna happen to us if they kill him? If it were only me, I wouldn’t care, but…” Miyagi looked down at the whimpering up in his arms. Sabu had a soft and thoughtful look in his eyes for someone with such a rough and intimidating appearance, it was far away as though he were recalling a memory. He typed again. “You should care. Shouldn’t throw yourself away just because your life was hard. Before he asked for satisfaction, he told me that if anything happened to him, I would take care of you. I promised that I would never let anything happen to you.” Sabu said. He looked at the wolf and could see what Ibuki meant when he said his eyes were intense and bright sparkling with the light. The kid could’ve been a movie star.

“Why are you doing this for us? Your own men just tried their damnedest to kill us.” He wondered. Sabu made a thoughtful hum. His keystrokes were slower now, more deliberate. “I know what it’s like to lose someone I love. I would want him to rest easy knowing I carried out his plan.” There was a scream and then silence downstairs, followed by a frightening bellow and a second agonized cry. “Let me take him for a while. I have some experience with children, Ibuki will appreciate your full attention.” Said the lion.

“You have children…don’t you?” Miyagi asked. Sabu tensed for a moment and the wolf was about to apologize before Sabu nodded. “I did…perhaps one day I’ll tell you about it.” Was all he said before a reaching for the sleeping baby. Miyagi gently passed Legosi to Sabu. Downstairs, two corpses lay before the battered and beaten Ibuki. His eyes wide with rage as he caught his breath, straightening his glasses with his bloody fingers. “How unfortunate,” the chief shook his head, stepping over Sony. “However, with our newly formed alliance, we’re still more than prepared for next Friday. You’ve had…quite the day, Ibuki. Go get patched up. I’ll give you the next few days to heal up and then we’ll talk strategy. We must decide if we’re going to reveal that we have the Dokugumi’s heir in our possession. If the Dokugumi succumb to our demands, we will be the governing gumi of the entire black market. Hell, we’ll never have to fight a turf war again.” The chief’s mind was swirling with possibilities as well as worries. He knew it was a risk.

When Ibuki got to the top of the stairs, he went to the room, the door opened as he leaned against the frame. Miyagi gasped as he saw the lion’s wounds. When Free got to to the top of the stairs he saw the moment Ibuki wrapped his arms around the wolf and walked him back into the bedroom, slamming the door shut. “Where’s the child?” He asked, looking around. “With Sabu…he told me about your plan.” Miyagi helped Ibuki onto the bed.

“I…knew after we found you at the Toragumi base that I would need to try to find a way to make a better life for the both of you. You said so yourself, after all…there are things that we just can’t give him back here.” Ibuki groaned as he pulled the buttons of his shirt open, pulling the shredded fabric off his blood stained body. “No…you can’t be serious!” Ibuki said nothing, enraging the wolf. Miyagi took his foot and kicked Ibuki off the bed. The lion would’ve fallen face first if he didn’t catch himself. “What the fuck!” Ibuki looked at him, Miyagi pulled his shirt up over his head, tossing it to the floor as frustrated tears fell down his face.

“Look at these scars. Look at what you did to me! You put for signature on me. And it’s forever! You don’t get to save me when I was ready to die, just to throw me away!” He was breathless as he watched Ibuki slowly get to his feet. “I’m NOT throwing you away.” He grunted. Miyagi attacked him, trying to hit him, Ibuki caught his wrists and held him back. When he tried to kick him, the lion picked him up and laid him down on the bed. “Everyone just leaves me…I’m supposed to be yours!” Miyagi cried still trying to fight. Ibuki’s heart still hammered with both pent up aggression and something that’s been boiling to the surface for quite some time. He pressed his lips, tearing his pants down, the wolf’s stare like defiant daggers into the lion’s heart. “I’ll be damned if you abandon me…” he sobbed.

“You’ll always be mine. This feeling I can’t explain…” he held the wolf’s arms out like a crucifix as he towered over him, staring down at what he spilled shishigumi blood to remain by his side. “It could be that I haven’t claimed you properly.” This kiss was possessive and Miyagi accepted his display of power. Naked and spread bare at the lion’s mercy, he felt that finally he was where be wanted to be. Ibuki unzipped the fly of his trousers pulling out the rock hard cock, throbbing and leaking in his hand.

Miyagi gasped his eyes wide and his breaths short as Ibuki claimed him, sinking into him with something that was almost too much to take. “Miyagi…” his quick, forceful thrusts were emphasized by his growls, teeth bared, his expression dark and hungry. “I know who I belong to, Ibuki.” A long barbed tongue lapped at the wolf’s throat as he keened in utter bliss. “Oh god! Ibuki! Ah ahh ohhh God…” The lions opened their doors, looking out into the hallway and at each other as Miyagi’s desperate cries echoed through the hideout.

Chapter Text

When Ibuki came downstairs he was patched up well, Free noted the very noticeable spring in his step. The others quietly watched as he strut past them and went into the kitchen. Free grinned cheekily as he jogged playfully behind him. “Heyyy, ‘Buki…you uh…you’re looking like you cheered up quite a bit.” He said, approaching cautiously. “I didn’t need cheering up, I already got even. What happened with Victor and Sony will never happen again. Hugo is lucky that all he had to give up was a finger.” The older lion was preparing a bottle. Meanwhile he had a few eggs boiling in a pot. When the bottle was heating up, he put some bread into the toaster. “It sounds like…you had a real good time getting your wounds nursed.” Free chuckles. He was pleasantly surprised when Ibuki laughed as well.

Ibuki turned around and gave Free a smirk when he saw that the young lion had been watching him. “Something like that I guess,” he said, looking down as he shook the bottle. He had a noticeable flush on his cheeks, but there was a hint of embarrassment mixed in with the happiness in his expression. “You heard that, huh? I had to wake up for another round.” Ibuki said. “So I guess that means you’re a couple now? You pretty much have a wife and kid to take care of now.” Free’s amusement had a tinge of concern that didn’t go unnoticed.

“Well…how was it? He’s a young guy like that? He’s so small too compared to you.” Free pointed out. Ibuki frowned as a bit of guilt tugged at him. “I…I’m careful but I said something I shouldn’t have, and…he got paid. I saw tears and hated that I put them there. He’s fierce, he was never once afraid of me even after he saw what I was capable of. I’ll protect him with my life if I must.” Then the eggs were peeled, ibuki seasoned them with salt and pepper and buttered the toast. Free listened intently as Ibuki spoke, his expression becoming more curious. "What did you say to him?" Free asked, raising an eyebrow. “He found out that I wanted to find him a way out. Get him a place in the city so he could go straight. You know, for the kid. I was shaken up after what happened with Sony and Victor.”

Ibuki's guilt was apparent, which only made Free more sympathetic. He knew how blunt and harsh he could be when he wanted. "He thought you were trying to get rid of him didn’t he?" He asked tentatively. He could see how serious the older lion was about his wolf and pup. “He did, and what you heard was…reassurance.” Ibuki confirmed. "You really care about him, huh?" Free mused. Ibuki nodded. "With my life," he said, his voice firm with conviction. Free chuckled. "You're whipped," he teased, but there was admiration in his voice as well.

“I won’t delude myself into thinking that it’s going to be easy. But…I don’t want to give him up.” Ibuki tested the bottle and it was perfect. Not too hot. He was impressed with how quickly he had gotten better at it, usually Miyagi was the one who made Legosi’s bottles. Later today, Gon would visit with his nephew Bill to let the children play while he talked with the chief. It was the first time the Shishigumi had accepted a partnership with another gang. There was power and territory to be divided. The chief wanted the Toragumi to take its first steps into taking becoming a black market leader.

Free took note of the tone shift, seeing the concern on Ibuki's face. He was trying to be supportive, but he knew raising a family back here was a huge risk. Free smiled seeing how serious Ibuki looked about his budding relationship. It wasn’t too long ago that he would have never believed the cold lion could get close to anyone, other than the organization, he kept his trysts casual, but it seemed the little wolf had changed that. He chuckled to himself. “Well…I’m happy for you then.” He said sincerely, leaning against the wall. Ibuki seemed certain about this, and Free knew how stubborn he could be once he made up his mind. He was happy for him, but worried at the same time. "Just...be careful, okay?"

Ibuki nodded, appreciating the genuine concern. "You don't need to worry about me, I can protect them," he said confidently and reassuringly. "I know that," Free said with a smirk, "but I mean…just because he gave it up, doesn't mean everything will be all sunshine and rainbows. We have a lot of enemies, one of them wants them for himself." Ibuki’s expression softened, he knew that Free had been worried about him. He gave him a small smile. "Trust me, come hell or high water, no one is going to lay a hand on him." He said softly before glancing to the door where the other lions were chatting in the living room. "I’ve got a family to think about now...I won’t do anything to put them in harm’s way. This is for them, excuse me.” Free stepped aside for him.

Ibuki went upstairs and got to his room just as the chief was leaving his office. “Hey!” Miyagi smile brightly at the lion as he cradled a fussing pup in his arms who eyed the bottle hungrily, his tiny hands grabbing for it. “You eat, give him to me.” Said the lion. “Sure,” They traded, Miyagi took the plate while Ibuki took the pup. Legosi suckled eagerly from the bottle as it was put to his mouth. He ate in almost the same fashion as the fully grown wolf in front of him. He had Ibuki’s oversized shirt hanging loosely from his slender frame. Ibuki felt something stir in him, a slight arousal, a protectiveness, ‘this is mine. Only mine.’ His mind screamed. The door opened. “Chief…”

“Good morning, Ibuki. I need to have a word with both of you.” Miyagi was unashamed of his partial nakedness as he took Legosi from Ibuki, flashing the chief who cleared his throat. “What for?” The wolf asked. Ibuki wanted to reprimand him for his informality. “I’ve decided. We’re telling Gosha that we have his heir.” Chief said. “Why?” Ibuki questioned. “You helped me decide, family is a rare commodity in our line of work. We have the very last piece of his daughter in our grasp. Gosha is ruthless, but he would never endanger the child.” The chief approached the wolf who held Legosi to his chest. “There’s no need to fear. You hold on your hands…a legacy that will become ours.” He said.

The chief's words left Ibuki with a mix of unease and intrigue. He knew that Gosha was a powerful and ruthless figure in their world, and the thought of having anything to do with him was dangerous. The chief's eyes never left the small pup in Ibuki's arms, as if he saw more in him than just a defenseless child. "You really think that he won’t fight for him?" Miyagi asked guardedly. The chief nodded. "He is the last living connection to Gosha's daughter. He’ll fight like hell. But we’ll be ready.”

Chapter Text

The last turf war was a true display of the brutality of the Shishigumi. This one would be no different as the Chief had the elite secure Miyagi and the child that would turn the tide of power in the entire black market. On their side, an upstart gang of tigers. The combined strength of the two would be no match for any of their rivals. The Chief was very confident as they lit their torch. Ibuki took Miyagi aside, gently petting Legosi’s head before leaning in to whisper. “If anything goes wrong, remember what we talked about…the plan.” He looked behind him nervously as Dolph was handed their now lit blood soaked torch.

“I’ll do it, but whatever happens, if you need to choose between me and Legosi…choose him.” Miyagi‘s eyes were pleading as he looked up at the lion. Ibuki’s expression was pained, there was no safe way to be a gangster. Families were for animals who know better than to give up stability and decency. Ibuki wanted to be a father and a partner, but if he couldn’t even promise Miyagi this one thing. “You saved me when I was getting swallowed up by the darkness…” He said.

He kissed the wolf, deeply and firmly, but it wasn’t a goodbye. It was a promise. “I’ll save him.” He swore. Miyagi nodded and with that, the Shishigumi proceeded to the crossroads where all five gumis gathered. “Wow, Shishigumi has expanded. Wolves, tigers, are you trying to build anarmy?” Ten of the Inarigumi observed, it made the group wary. “That we did.” The chief nodded. “We have something the Dokugumi want. They’re here to help us keep the peace.” Even as the chief looked out over the group of Komodos, they didn’t seem phased at all. Gosha responded by removing his mask.

“It doesn’t matter how many of you there are…” the other Komodos followed suit. “Sure there’s no honor among thieves, but you not only lack honor, you lack dignity.” He snarled. “We’ve already agreed to help you get rid of the livestock operation. I’m sorry that you don’t think our hearts bleed enough, but such is the reality of life in the black market.” Chief lion said, Gosha scoffed. “It’s already gone, Kazuo, once I saw the wolves, I knew I couldn’t trust you to keep your word. You kill, rape, and take everything you could get your hands on…that’s all you’ll ever be, shishigumi, monsters who destroy everything that they touch.” Gosha pointed to Miyagi and the whimpering pup in his arms. “Look at them! Where do we draw the line?”

Legosi reached for him as he saw his face. “We won’t make it easy for you to take them, Gosha. Especially, knowing what we do now.” The chief went over to Miyagi, and Legosi began to cry as the lion took him from the wolf. “You see…recently, you told me yourself that you came back after you lost someone important. Your daughter.” He said. Gosha’s eyes lit up with burning anger, “Don’t you dare…” He hissed in warning, his voice sounding terrifyingly distorted. Legosi wailed as though he could feel the pain and the anger that made him change. “Leano, right? Your hybrid daughter that you had with your wolf mate. Every time you look at Ibuki’s wolves, you see the daughter you lost to childbirth.”

Gosha’s eyes widened. “Childbirth? They told me it was suicide.” He said, brows furrowed in confusion. “They told you that because they sold the child to the livestock farm to be sold as meat…and he would have been, had my subordinate and his property never found him.” The chief steeled himself as a look of horror flashed on the faces of the Dokugumi members. “No…” Gosha was in complete shock. “That’s right…the Shishigumi has what’s left of your daughter.” The chief held Legosi up for Gosha to see. “Your flesh and blood. Your heir, belongs to us!”

Gosha looked at the pup in the chief's hands, the pain was almost too much to bear. "Give him to me…" he muttered under his breath, the anguish in his voice palpable. “Give him to me, now!” He had thought his daughter's fate from his own failure as a father, but to find out she had died giving birth and that child ended up here...it was more horrific than he could have ever imagined. Gosha's face twisted in anger and despair. He could see his daughter, Leano, in this puppy’s face and eyes and the way Legosi reached for him told him that the baby somehow knew.

And all this time, he thought he lost everything that he changed himself for, everything that made him abandon his old life to hold his cruelty at bay. Now he learned that his grandchild had been taken and sold as livestock to the Shishigumi, only to be saved by a twist of fate. And now the lions were holding his only living family member hostage, using the past tragedy as a weapon against him. This could not stand, but first he would try to negotiate.

“What do you want, Kazuo? Tell me!” His voice was desperate, unbecoming of a gumi chief in front of. “Wait!” Savon stopped him. “How do you know this to be true and not some kind of trick? The shishigumi are bastards, they could be making the whole thing up!” He reasoned. “If it isn’t true, don’t accept that level of disrespect, Dokugumi! It’s been a long time coming for someone to finally dethrone the so called ‘king of beasts’!” Miso the chief of the madaragumi jeered.

Slowly, the old Komodo began to nod. “They just prove that carnivores are no more than savage meat eaters. They brought these outsiders in now, what kind of brutality will they inflict on everyone that lives here? If they could kill children in front of their mother and then piss on the corpse; what will they do to a wolf baby?” Ten, chief of theinarigumi stepped forward. “They wanted to play strength in numbers, I propose that we do the same…what do you say, Miso?” She asked as she stood beside the leopard.

“We’re with you, Gosha. We don’t need anymore shishigumi! We need to free the black market from their tyranny! And your wolf as well.” Miso stood with Ten at Gosha’s side. The chief held Legosi to his chest thinking they wouldn’t advance. They did. Gosha’s eyes were full of righteous anger, he never anticipated this. “Shit…” Chief hissed, handing the child back to Miyagi. “I don’t want a war Gosha! Neither do you!” Miyagi disappeared behind the lions before an all out brawl began. The Komodos abandoned their philosophy and let the venom flow.

Lions and tigers were falling, they were outnumbered. Gon’s snipers took out a couple of Komodos. Gosha snapped, tearing off the fleshy end of his tail and tossing it up onto the roof of the decrepit building. Everyone took cover as the ground shook with an explosion. The building fell, onlookers running from falling debris. Ibuki ran around the alley in all the confusion under cover of the cloud of dust, Gosha pursued. The chief was at his knees in front of former chief Savon, a decades long rivalry never put to rest.

“That child is Shishigumi, he would never be harmed if not by your wrath…” he rasped, licked blood from his busted lip. “You don’t mess with family…” before Savon could deliver the final blow Free tackled him. He knew he didn’t have the strength to knock him out, instead he used his gun to shoot his leg out. “ARGH!” The Komodo cried out. “Chief!” “Go! Fall back, all of you! Don’t try to fight!” Kazuo ordered.

When Miyagi made it to the end of the pier, he heard foot steps behind him. “Ibuki!” He turned to see Gosha walking towards. “Tell me, wolf…where did you get such a convoluted story?” It was like an otherworldly thing had taken over the old Komodo. “Please…don’t do this. Don’t take us from him.” Miyagi begged. Gosha reached into his venom ducts, coating his fingers with poison. “Stop!” Ibuki said as he held a gun to Gosha. “Why? Why would you want to stay in servitude to them when all they know is violence? It’s not right.” He reasoned. “Because they’re capable of love as well.” Miyagi replied. When Legosi reached out to Gosha this time, “His name is Legosi.” he held him out to the Komodo. Gosha took him into his arms. “Love without mercy…isn’t love.” He said as he put his venom covered fingers into Legosi’s mouth. Miyagi’s heart sank and Ibuki’s widened as the pup looked up at Gosha, unaffected by the deadly venom.

He let out a sob, nuzzling the baby affectionately as he wept openly. In the background the sounds of violence wrought by an animal whose heart was hardened by loss.