disclaimer: no, i dont own inuyasha
a note: this storyline, plot, idea, and original characters are all mine. you steal, i sue...toodles!
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She had to admit as she watched Kouga's pack that she was envious. What will they do when they find out? Will they drive me out too? Before I kill them all? Should I stay? She missed her family so badly. Sighing in regret, she shoved that last thought aside and looked over at Kouga. He hadn't killed her for being hanyou. Or for taking the meat...or for anything else for that matter. Turning her face into the wind, she smiled. She had a new start…kinda. Here they didn't seem to mind her mixed breeding and the males were even beginning to eye her with interest. Blushing as she caught sight of one the bolder ones winking at her, she dropped her gaze to her hands. This is not going to be easy...not by a long shot.
Her thoughts were interrupted right then by a young pup trying to climb into her lap. Smiling gently at the brave little male, she picked up her meat again. Tearing off a bite, she chewed it a bit. When it was suitably softened, she lowered her head and nudged the pup. The little guy whined and licked her jaw in greeting. Opening her mouth, she pushed the chewed meat past her lips to be dropped into the pups waiting mouth. Startled, it took a moment before he started chewing. But soon he was whining and licking her jaw again in encouragement.
Blushing happily, she tore off a bigger bite and began the process over again. She was careful to give him no more then he could comfortably chew; storing any extra in her cheek for later as she chewed more. Soon she was out of meat and the pup was filled to bursting. Sighing in contentment, she let the pup curl up in her lap and go to sleep. Stroking his head, she leaned back and looked up for the first time since he had climbed into her lap. Everybody was staring at her, especially the mated pair that must be his parents.
"Um...did I do something wrong?" she whispered to Kouga as she edged toward him a bit.
He looked down at the pup; hiding the puzzlement he felt at the surge of pride that had welled up when he had spotted her feeding the youngster. "You fed him."
She blushed, "Of course I fed him. He was hungry after all. Is that not allowed here?"
He shook his head, a smile flitting about his lips "Most females don't let another feed their pups without permission."
Her embarassed blush immediatly faded to pale fright and she quickly scooped up the sleeping pup. Climbing to her feet, she slipped over to his parents. Flattening her ears in submission, she held out the sleeping male.
"My apologies, I did not mean any insult; please forgive my forward actions."
The male of the pair simply glared at her, but the female smiled and took her little one from the inu-hanyou. "It's alright, young one, I should have called him over earlier. He is a very curious boy."
Slowly, her ears came forward and her tail gave a timid wave as she looked up hopefully, "Really? Thank you, kind lady. Please let me know if there is anything I might help you with."
The female grinned, "You may call me Izumi"
Windsong smiled," Thank you. I am Windsong."
The next day flew by as Izumi taught Windsong what would be expected of her. Contrary to what she had assumed, she was not to be his woman, but his caretaker of sorts. Izumi quickly explained the difference (mainly that she would not be expected to share his bed) and then showed her what to do. They were soon good friends as she helped her clean Kouga's den, bring his dirty furs to the river to wash, and get his meal started. Windsong didn't talk much, but rather, let Izumi tell her about life with the pack and the latest gossip. Izumi's musical voice was quite soothing and by the end of the day, Windsong was as comfortable as she had been with her own family.
All too soon it was dark and Windsong had to bid Izumi goodnight. Slipping through the shadows, she followed her own scent back to Kouga's den. Stepping inside, she realized it was empty. Or was it? Closing her eyes, she sifted through the scents pervading the room. One by one, she discarded the irrelevant ones; just as her father had taught her when she was a pup. His scent was strong here, but the freshest one was overlaid with the tang of hot mineral water.
Ooo! There's a hot spring here! Thoughts of finding Kouga to make sure her tasks were done to his satisfaction flew from her mind at the chance to wash the past few days filth from her skin. Eagerly, she began to remove her wrist and ankle wraps as she followed the scent of the springs. By the time she had reached the entrance to the springs, she was in the middle of unfastening her fur skirt. Feeling the steam from the spring on her skin, she looked up just as the skirt came undone. "Oh! I-I'm sorry!"
Kouga was reclined in the pool, his back to the entrance, eyes closed in obvious enjoyment. At the sound of her voice, his eyes snapped open. Windsong cringed, her ears trying to disappear into her hair, as he turned to see who had disturbed him. Stammering another apology, she quickly bent over to retrieve the clothing she had dropped; unwittingly giving him a wonderful view of her generous cleavage. Straightening, she turned to face him fully.
"You missed this."
With a yip of surprise, she averted her gaze and blushed 12 shades of red. He was standing there holding out one of her wrist wraps wearing nothing but his hair, beads of water, and a wolfish grin at her obvious discomfort. "Thank you", she mumbled, trying to avoid glancing anywhere below his chest. With a self satisfied smirk, he turned and slipped back into the pool. Windsong sighed in relief as the water rose to the middle of his stomach.
"Aren't you going to join me?"
Windsong jumped, jerking her gaze away from his muscular backside to look him in the eyes. He had caught her looking; she could see it in his eyes and in the smug male attitude he radiated. So, you think I can be led about by a slick body and a handsome face, eh? Well two can play that game.
A slow smile curled her full lips as an idea rose into her mind's eye. Straightening, she looked him right in the eye as she tossed her wraps and skirt aside. Dressed in her bikini-like top, with a likewise abbreviated loin cloth, she flashed him a vulpine grin; fangs gleaming in the light reflected from the spring.
He swallowed hard as she slowly stepped into the spring. This was not what I meant to happen…aww, screw it… Kouga thought as he enjoyed the luscious eyeful she was giving him. Windsong blushed lightly as she watched him look her over from head to toe. Obviously he liked what he was seeing, but would he want her if he knew the truth? Immediatly shoving that thought aside, she continued with her strip tease.
When the water reached her stomach, she crouched till it covered her breasts. Reaching down, she undid the strings that held her loin cloth together. Slipping it off she removed her top as well. Turning her back to him, she stood and tossed her last bits of clothing up onto the sandy bank.
Kouga's eyes glowed as he continued to watch her taunt him from a distance. His fingers itched to reach out and trace her lovely curves. His hands ached to test the weight of her full breasts; the barest curve of which he could see even from behind her as he was. To see if her skin was a smooth and silken as it looked. To pull her into his arms and- A growl rumbled up in his throat as his inner beast began to stir and demand the female that taunted them so. Red began to tinge his blue eyes and he closed his eyes briefly, reining the beast in again before she could notice.
Flicking a glance over her shoulder, she saw him frown, eyes closed. Worried that she had offended him, she sank back into the water and made her way over to him. "Hello? Kouga?" Windsong placed a gentle hand on the wolf prince's shoulder. He hadn't even noticed her movement and jerked in surprise at her soft touch. A giggle from Windsong brought him back to reality and to the realization that things were not going as planned.
Cheeks just barely pink, he mock glared at her, "so, did Izumi show you what is expected of you?" Windsong stifled her giggles and nodded, "yes, she did. I begin tomorrow, but…" he leaned back and closed his eyes, relaxing in the hot liquid that cradled his body.
"Is something wrong?"
Windsong sighed, "where am I to sleep? I assume if I'm to care for you I'll need to stay nearby. Is there at least a place I can make a nest for the night?"
Kouga cocked a brow at her strange phrasing, "nest?"
"Well? What would you call it?" Windsong asked, folding her arms across her chest, enhancing her visible cleavage.
Kouga chuckled as she pouted, waiting for his response. "I'd call it a bed of course", he drawled as she began to look impatient.
Rolling her eyes, and trying not to blush at the emphasis he gave the word 'bed', she rinsed well as she could with out cleansing herbs or sand soap. Turning her back to him, she ducked under and then resurfaced with a gasp. Stepping out onto the bank, she shook dry. Flicking the last of the water from her tail, she bent over and quickly dressed again.
He watched through hooded eyes; trying to figure out what exactly had happened earlier. When had she gone from lost child to tempting woman? He didn't want this, not right now, or ever again. He didn't want to feel for another woman. Especially since Kagome had turned him away so forcefully. Better to just choose a strong female and get pups on her then to be hurt like that again. It just wasnt worth it.
"Kouga?" Windsong's musical voice called him back to the present.
"What?"
"Where am I to sleep tonight?"
Kouga shrugged and strode out of the hot spring as he tried not to think of exactly where he'd like her to sleep. In our bed, curled up in our arms, whispered the beast, where she belongs. she is ours! Growling he shoved the desirable image from his mind as he ruthlessly surpressed the beast once again. This is getting out of hand, he thought as he reached the bank and climbed out. Quickly, he shook like she had and wrung excess water from his tail while she watched.
A low, rumbling purr caught his ear as he started to gather his discarded clothing. Turning his head just barely, he watched her out of the corner of his eye. Her eyes were glowing a blue-white color and he thought he could see a ghostly set of green stripes on her face; one on each cheekbone. She obviously wanted him, or rather, her inner demon did. Deciding he better snap her out of it before his own beast answered her unspoken invitation, he finished gathering his things and turned to leave. "You can sleep here in the den or with the other unmated females. It's up to you."
Shaking her head, she blushed. "If it's all the same to you, I'd rather stay here. I get the feeling that the others aren't happy with my presence."
He burst out laughing, "of course their not happy. They think you're my woman."
Windsong rolled her eyes, "gee, I wonder why? Look, why don't you just tell them the truth?"
Because I dont want to. He shrugged and strode out into the bed chamber. "It's not my problem they look for gossip where there is none."
"Isn't there?"
Dropping his things for her to clean up, he slipped into a pair of light sleeping hakamas. Growling in exasperation, Song stomped over and snatched up the discarded clothing. "Fine!" she snapped as he collapsed on the pile of silky pelts and tanned leather cushions that made up his bed, still ignoring her. Eyes bleeding blue, she snarled and stalked off to put his things away.
When she was finished, she stopped by Izumi's den to borrow some sleeping furs and cushions.
"How do you handle it? That arrogance of his?" Izumi smiled and shooed her pup off to bed. "He's mellowed out a great deal actually. He used to be much worse, but he was more open then too. He really hasn't been the same since Kagome left."
"Who's Kagome?"
Izumi sighed, "She was the human he fell in love with. But she loved the inu-hanyou she traveled with and turned him down. And when the hanyou died in the Last Battle, she left for good."
Windsong frowned, "he told me that he promised a hanyou that he would look out for others like him. Is that true?"
Izumi nodded, "the hanyou's name was Inuyasha. His half brother is the Lord of the Western Lands, Lord Sesshomaru."
Windsong gaped at her, "B-but he's a full demon-oh…I see."
Izumi giggled, "Yes, you do. Inuyasha also gave his mighty sword, the Tetsusaiga, for Kouga to guard. He said to find someone worthy and to keep it safe from his brother."
Song sighed, "That's fine, but whats that have to do with me?"
"You care about him. If you can bear the sword, you'll gain his respect."
Windsong flushed scarlet, "I-I, um…w-who says I care for him? I-I've only known him a few days."
Izumi winked, "you'll see child. Now, I must sleep, or my mate will not be pleased." A mischievous twinkle in her eyes told Song exactly what she meant. Her blush deepened as she quickly gathered up the borrowed furs, stammered a goodnight, and slipped back into the cool night air.
Ok, so maybe she's right. I do like him…a lot. And that scares me, more than i really know. But who would want a hanyou that can purify demons as a mate? I could kill the whole pack..or i could kill him. I'm not even sure which is worst…Hot, scalding tears stung her eyes as she tried to keep her emotions in check. Slowly, the tears subsided and she could breath again. With a sigh, she decided she had better head back now before something else happened. So, swallowing the lump in her throat, she headed back to Kouga's den.
Moving quietly, she quickly snuck through the bed chamber and a sleeping Kouga to set up a nest of furs and leather cushions for the night by the hot spring. Curling up on the pile of silky pelts she finally let the tears come and this time, she did not stop them. Sobbing quietly, she slowly drifted off into a dreamless sleep.
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author's note: so am i doing good so far? sorry the chapters arent long, but i'm kinda writting this as it flows. i'm not sure how long this story will be, or how often i'll update. and i know the romance is going a bit fast...so sue me, its the way i want it, lol
read and review please!
