A mere 5 days after Okuri had become Shogun, the Wolf’s Lair was already packed to the brim with tenants. Every Samurai from every part of the massive Land of Snow had come, as they were ordered, to swear allegiance to their new Shogun. Problem was, despite being over 70 square kilometers, the Wolf’s Lair was just barely able to contain them all. Every bed or living room (except for those of the Okami clan) were packed full of the Samurai, and it was quite loud during the day. Fortunately for the weary travelers, the noise went down with the sun. But that did not help Inuko at all. SHE slept during the day.
Infants were bawling. Children ran around screaming at the top of their lungs. Adults spoke loudly about various topics. Merchants sold their wares, shouting about their good deals. And there lay Inuko in the midst of it all, trying to get some sleep with all this noise around her. She lay with her head beneath her pillow, but even that tried and true method didn’t help. After half an hour, she gave up.
Packing her belongings into a large bag, she decided it would be much better to lay down with the dogs than to stay here. Her father begged her not to leave. “Inuko, you mustn’t go! You’re the only heir I have left! Don’t risk yourself…”
“Relax. I’m not going to let him lay a hand on me.”
Then her mother asked her to stay. “Please, this isn’t the right way. I know it’s crowded and noisy, but it’s only temporary. It’s not worth giving yourself up to…”
“Didn’t you hear me? I said I’m not going to let him lay a hand on me.”
Maiko didn’t make a move to stop her. Jun and Aya had gone home 2 days ago when things began to get crowded. Ryota didn’t really care. The people in the hallways got out of her way as they saw her coming. In fact, no one tried to stop her again. She approached Kiba’s room meeting no security whatsoever. Okuri must’ve been very confident in himself to forgo personal guards even when he slept.
She slid the fusuma door open, waking Kiba from his slumber. He lazily raised his head to get a look at her. Inuko didn’t waste any time: “Look Kiba, I can’t sleep in the other rooms. But I told my parents I wouldn’t let you lay a hand on me, so you had better not…..”
Kiba’s head fell back onto the fur pile. At first, Inuko felt very insulted that Kiba was more interested in sleeping than he was in her, but the fact assured her that he wouldn’t try anything. Suddenly calmed, she put down her bag, walked over to the closet and pulled out a few furs for herself. Being careful not to wake Akamaru up as she stepped over him, she settled down in the corner of the room farthest from Kiba.
