Apart of the Pack - Chap 60

Linn groaned as she hung upside down on a bench in the village. Tatsuhiro was supposed to meet her, but was late. Figures. He was always late.

"He better have a good reason for being so late." Linn grumbled to herself, closing her eyes.

"Shouldn't be so vulnerable, little girl~" A man chuckled deeper before a sharp pain entered Linn's head.

"A-Ah!" She gasped, reaching for her hair. As her eyes opened she spotted two large men crowding her. The one who spoke, currently standing on her hair. "P-Please, get off of my hair..." She squeaked.

"It is such pretty hair~" The second man purred, crouching down to be at eye level with her. "Could play with it for a while, right Toku?" He looked to his buddy, grinning.

"Right, Rin~" The other man chuckled.

Linn narrowed her eyes. "I said... get off!" She shouted, rolling backward to kick Toku in the jaw.

With a groan he stumbled back and Linn rolled off the bench onto her hands and knees. She gasped as she tried to get to her feet, but she felt her ankle got snagged.

"Let go of me!" Linn screamed.

"That little bitch..." Toku growled, holding his jaw in his hand.

"Don't go breaking this one, Toku~" Rin shook his head, clicking his tongue. He put his hands on his hips and smirked at Linn. "We don't get pretty ones like this all the time~"

Linn clenched her jaw. "I'm not a girl you should be testing your luck with," She threatened.

Toku laughed as he easily lifted her off the ground, hanging her upside down by the ankle. "Pretty and feisty~"

Linn gasped as she dangled helplessly. "P-Put me down! I'm under protection by a God!" She cried.

Rin threw his head back and chortled with laughter. "A god, you say? Doesn't seem to be that impressive, girlie~"

"Oi!" Tatsu's voice could be heard as he was rushing down the road, running towards the men as he saw them harassing Linn.

Linn puffed out her cheeks. "I also have a boyfriend who will kick your asses..." She grumbled.

Toku dropped Linn to the ground before picking her back up, wrapping his arms tightly around her, locking her arms at her side. "Rin, cover me man. We're not letting this one get away."

"P-Put me down, dammit! Tatsu! Help me!" Linn cried.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Tatsu growled, his blue eyes shifting red for the situation.

The man named Rin prepared himself, beginning to ready himself for an attack. "Just having some fun, pretty boy~ Ease up~"

Linn whimpered as she looked down at her hands trapped uselessly at her sides. She couldn't do anything! Not like this!

Toku smirked at Tatsu. "She yours, man? We'll return her soon, I promise~ We just had a date with her first."

Linn looked over at Tatsu and shook her head. "H-Help me... Please..."

"I will tell you this one last time," Tatsu growled, his hands twitching at his side, "let her go."

"And if we say no~?" Toku smirked.

Linn looked down at Toku's arm wrapped around her, leaned her head down, and bit down roughly into his arm. The man let out a wail as he whipped Linn to the ground, looking down at his now bleeding arm. Linn scrambled to her feet and raced for Tatsu, wanting nothing more than his arms wrapped protectively around her.

Tatsu immediately took Linn into his arms before shuffling her behind him. He now stood between her and the two men, ready to attack at a moment's notice. He needed to create some distance between them and then they could just disappear like all Kasai could. "You won't get the chance to say it." He growled.

Toku growled, clenching his fists at his sides. "This isn't fucking over, you little bitch! I'll make you pay for that bite!"

Linn whimpered, pressing her face tightly into Tatsu's back, gripping his shirt tightly.

Tatsu wanted to remain strong, fearless for Linn's sake. He had promised to protect her and he was going to ensure that promise. But this was two against one. They were clearly shinobi themselves as he could feel the chakra coming off of them. Two against one and he had to shield Linn from these guys? Yeah, that was going to be difficult.

"I'm sorry... I'm sorry..." Linn kept whimpering. She knew she could fight, but she just... couldn't! She was too frozen with fear! Was it Koun's fault for aging her so quickly?

What would she have done had Tatsu not shown up? Prayed for Koun? It wasn't always a guarantee that he would show up!

Toku growled as he stepped towards the couple. "Give up the girl. Do it, and we'll spare your life, boy!"

"Spare my life...?" Tatsu repeated before his voice just seemed to ooze venom in his tone. "If she gets even the slightest mark, I should just give up my life right then. She is the most valued person in my life and I'd gladly give up myself before giving her over to you two," he spat in their direction. "How dare you suggest I simply let you have my most beloved." He hissed at them.

Linn blinked at his words, clinging tighter. Did he really mean that?

Toku smirked at Rin. "We could have a lot of fun with these two, man."

"Damn right we could." Rin grinned.

Toku formed a few hand seals before blowing fire at the couple, causing them to retreat backwards from the flames until they found themselves backed into the end of an alleyway with only one direction to get out; the opening the men stood in.

"T-Tatsu..." Linn whimpered, clinging tightly to his back. "Wh-What do we do?"

Tatsu shook his head as he kept her behind him. No matter what, he wasn't going to let Linn get hurt. He'd die before anyone could touch her. "Just stay behind me. I'll take care of these guys." He assured her, though he wasn't sure how he was going to do this. Their space was starting to close in, making them at a disadvantage with counter attacks.

"Big brave boy, aren't you?" Toku smirked. "But it's pointless."

Linn blinked as she looked over her shoulder, feeling a presence. Just as she turned, a fist came at her face, sending her flying.

"Lee, buddy, it's about time you show up!" Rin grinned.

"Saw you two needed some help." He smirked at Tatsu now.

"Linn!" Tatsu yelled, spinning around on his heel to attack the new guy. However, the moment he spun around, he let his guard down to the first two attackers. His complete focus was on Linn and no one else. A big mistake. The next thing he knew he was feeling the impact of someone's fist against the back of his head.

Linn felt like she was drifting in and out of consciousness. Where was she? What happened? As her eyes fluttered open, she spotted three men attacking someone. Who was it?

"Tatsu..." she gasped. "N-no... no!" She screamed.

"Stay there, girl. Your next." Toku growled.

"N-no! Get off of him! He's mine!" She cried. Tatsuhiro was hers! She had to save him!

Useless. When did he become so useless? Tatsu knew that his consciousness wasn't going to last much longer. As he felt each blow less and less, he knew he was going to succumb to the attack. Three against one...in an alleyway...yeah, this wasn't going to end well. Useless! He needed to protect Linn, or at least, if she could use this moment to get away...that would be the most he could ask for. "Run, Linn...Run..." he thought to himself as he let unconsciousness take him.

Linn began to shake terribly as an anger she had never felt before overcame her.

"I said... Get off of him!" Linn screamed, jumping to her feet.

When the men turned towards her, her eyes had changed colour, taking on a vibrant pink, as bright pink markings began to stretch across the left side of her upper-body. Her hands shook terribly, but nothing was going to stop her from saving him. It was her fault they were in this position to begin with.

A smirk stretched across her lips as she slammed her foot against the pavement, and a wave of force sent the men flying into the alley walls.

A rumble. That's what woke him. Was it an earthquake? If it was...he hoped Linn had gotten away. She needed to be safe. No matter what happened to him, Tatsu's only thoughts were of Linn's safety. Carefully, he managed to open an eye. What was going on?

Linn wasn't done with these scumbags. Not by a long shot. Rin and Lee were already out cold from the impact with the wall, but Toku was still conscious. He shouldn't have been.

Linn was grinning from ear to ear as Toku was currently hanging upside down off a pole coming from the wall. Linn giggled as she kept kicking him, and it was at that moment that Tastu realized that Linn was floating all on her own, much like Koun himself who had gifted her.

"How do you like being hung upside down? You can't hurt pretty girls like it's okay... okay!?" Linn giggled, kicking him harder. "And touch their protective boyfriend? That's a big line to cross!"

"L-Linn...?" Tatsu croaked out, shakily reaching out for her with a cut up hand. What was she doing? How was she...floating? And was she...glowing?

Linn giggled as she finally gave one last kick, knocking the man unconscious. She slowly floated back to the ground, and turned towards Tatsu.

"You're still awake!" She gasped, floating off the ground to his side. Unaware to her, the left-side of her upper-body had changed, though her eyes did revert to normal.

"W-What...?" Tatsu couldn't finish the question before falling unconscious again. His hand hitting the ground as the darkness took him. Damn. He was so useless.

Linn whimpered, kneeling down next to him. "Tatsu... Tatsu please... I can't heal!" She cried, pressing her face into his back, feeling the blood get on her skin.

"K-Koun! Help him! Please!" She screamed, lifting her head to look up at the sky.

As if a breeze gently swept through the alley, Koun's presence became known and he stepped forward. The Fairy King grinned as he took in Linn's appearance. "My, my, my~ You always keep me on my toes~" He practically sang.

Linn whimpered as she looked up. "K-Koun you’re here! Help him! Please!"

Koun crouched down and reached out to cup her face with his hand, gently turning her head from side to side to see her new pink marks. They matched his. "I knew you were special, my dear~"

"Wh-What... do you mean?" She blinked through her tears.

"Well, you aren't the first to be my link," he told her, grinning. "However, your soul - our link - is exceptionally strong~ You're the first to develop these markings of all my children~"

Linn blinked, touching her face. "Markings...?"

"Take a look~" He waved his hand and a reflective pink smoke appeared to show her what she looked like.

Linn gasped, touching her face as she felt along the pink markings that had grown across her face. They matched the ones Koun possessed.

"What... does it mean?" She asked, blinking up at him.

"Perhaps we share a deeper bond than I initially thought~" He smirked at her.

Linn pouted at him. "Koun... Please help Tatsu... you didn't gift me with healing..."

Koun laughed, tossing his head back. "Only because I already stole from one goddess to give you abilities~ I didn't think it would be fair to steal from two," he winked at her.

"Koun!" She snapped. "Help him!" She growled, her eyes flashing pink again.

"My, my, my~ Such authority, my dear~" Koun purred, his eyes gleaming at her tone. He hovered his hand over Tatsu's body, taking away the man's wounds instantly.

Tatsu groaned a bit before his eyes fluttered open. He was...healed? Oh great...that could only mean one thing...He lifted his head to see Koun kneeling beside Linn. Yup. There he was. "Koun..." Tatsu sighed, fixing himself into a sitting position.

Tears brimmed in Linn's eyes as she threw her arms around Tatsu. "You're okay!" She sobbed.

Tatsu blinked, allowing her to embrace him. He smiled gently as he hugged her back and stroked her hair. "I'm okay..." He breathed, reassuring her.

"I was so scared for you!" She cried.

Though she knew Tatsu was jealous of Koun, she barely acknowledged the Fairy King now. All she cared about was that Tatsu was okay!

Tatsu frowned. He felt as if he had let her down. "I'm sorry to have worried you...and to not have protected you..."

She shook her head, whimpering. "N-No... it wasn't your fault... I-I'm just sorry you got s-so hurt!"

He gently touched her cheek before brushing her hair behind her ear. "I would rather be the one beat and bloody than see you suffer that fate or worse." He told her.

Linn shook her head. "T-Tatsu... I-I'm s-so sorry... I'm sorry I-I doubted your f-feelings for s-so long..."

Tatsu blinked. "My...feelings?"

Koun smirked. There it was. She was starting to realize just how powerful being with the one most precious to you really was.

Linn pressed her face into her hands, nodding. "I-I'm s-so sorry..."

"Don't be..." He shook his head. "I'm the one who should be apologizing..."

Linn whimpered and nodded slowly. When she lifted her head, she turned red, realizing Koun was still floating there, watching them. She nibbled her bottom lip as the tears pooled in her eyes once again.

"K-Koun... th-thank you...f-for healing him!" She cried, jumping up to throw herself into his arms.

Koun simply laughed, his voice sounding like wind chimes in a breeze. He stroked her hair before kissing the top of her head. "Of course, my pet~" He winked at her and then his eyes fell onto Tatsu, thinking to himself for a moment.

Tatsu blinked as he noticed the god watching him. What was he up to?

Just then, Koun waved his hand in the air and necklaces appeared around both Tatsu's and Linn's necks. They were made of a matching pink crystal. "Perfect~" He grinned.

Linn blinked as she pulled back, wiping her eyes. She glanced down at her necklace before looking at Tatsu's. "What... are these?" She asked. "And will you explain better, why I have tattoo's like you?" She puffed out her cheeks. "Now I look... God-ish... when I'm not~" She whined. "I'm not pretty anymore, Koun! I look weird~" She whined more. So childish.

Tatsu blinked. "Not pretty...? That's not true..." He shook his head, touching the tattoos along her cheek. "Not one bit...You're absolutely gorgeous, Linn." He breathed.

Koun grinned. "I gave you gifts~ Do you not like them, my dear?"

Linn blushed at Tatsu's words as she looked to Koun again. "I... I don't not like the gifts, Koun. I just want to know what they mean." She pouted. "You... You said something about a deep bond between us?"

Koun nodded. "The deepest I've had yet with anyone connected to me~ Even beating out some daughters of mine..." He mumbled the last part before laughing. "Those tattoos just let others know - mainly other spirits - that you are under my protection~"

Linn smiled gently. "A-And the necklaces? What do they do?"

Koun pointed to Tatsu. "The necklaces are actually for him." He grinned.

"Me?" Tatsu blinked.

"Of course~ I need you to keep better track of my favorite pet~" He winked, looking between the couple.

Linn gasped at that. "I don't get lost anymore! A-At least not as often!" She frowned. "I don't need to be tracked!" She whined, stomping her foot.

Tatsu laughed gently, shaking his head. For once, he was grateful for something the god did. He liked Koun just a tiny bit more now. "Thank you, Koun...Really."

Linn pouted. "Am I really that bad?" She asked, looking up at Tatsu.

Tatsu kissed her forehead. "You've gotten much better...but once in a while, you do wander off," he smiled at her. "These will just be for an 'in case' basis~"

Linn sighed. "Fine..." She mumbled, crossing her arms over her chest. Without even realizing it, she began to float off the ground again, much like Koun was currently doing.

Tatsu cocked an eyebrow. "And that's staying? 'Cause that's new." He pointed out the levitation.

Linn blinked at Tatsu before looking down. "I... I didn't even realize..." Her lips slowly curled into a smirk. "I like it~"

He chuckled. "Of course you do..."

Linn blushed faintly before smiling over at Koun. "Thank you for everything, Koun." She floated to his side as she took his hands. "Really, thank you. You've... given me everything I ever wanted... even bringing me to Tatsuhiro~" She giggled. "If there's ever anything you need from me, Koun, you know where to find me, okay~?"

Koun grinned back at her before ruffling her hair. "Do not fret, my pet~ I simply wish you are happy and healthy~" He winked at her before looking over at Tatsu. "And please keep an eye on her~"

Linn smirked. "I could wander off much easier now that I can float~"

Tatsu shook his head. "I should just tie a string around your ankle..." He mumbled.

Linn giggled as she flitted over to Tatsu, taking his face in her hands as she leaned in to kiss him. "Want to go home~?"

He nodded, looking a bit exhausted. "Yeah...we'll go out another day...I think staying home would be best today."

Linn allowed her feet to touch the ground again as she gave a wave to Koun. "I'll see you later, okay~?"

Koun blew her a kiss and winked once more before disappearing in a poof of smoke.