Chapter 3
Probing Questions
"He's quite handsome, don't you think?"
The question had Kagome looking over her shoulder as she struggled to slip her stiff arm into her haori sleeve. Spotting Aiko, she gave the Alpha female a relieved smile.
"Who did you think I could be?" the Ookami teased as she stepped closer to aid her friend.
Kagome chuckled lightly as she waited, accepting the assistance with a shake of her head. "It doesn't matter."
"You're a terrible liar," Aiko argued. "But, ignoring that, you didn't answer my question. Do you find him handsome?"
"Who?" Kagome asked, her pale brow furrowing with confusion.
"Old Taiso," the female quipped with a roll of her eyes. "Who do you think? I've heard little else all last night and this morning about our new guest."
Kagome had to admit, she was grateful for missing the feast the night before. They were enjoyable enough but with guests, there was no way she could be present without raising questions. Especially, if every female in the tribe was eyeing the visiting Alpha. The priestess could only shake her head in amusement at her friend's frustration.
"I pity your burden," she joked.
"You should," Aiko lightly scolded as she brought over Kagome's hakamas. "Apparently, there's some ridiculous rumor going about the den that this Koga has come to find a mate."
This caused the priestess to freeze in her dressing. Remembering the challenging jab the other Alpha sent Shiro's way, there was no question why he was here. Kagome just hoped he wasn't too disappointment when he found out the truth.
"He's here for other reasons," Kagome replied as she knotted the waist ties of her hakamas.
"Yes, he's here for you."
Despite the truth of the statement, Kagome couldn't help the flushing of her face at the implication. This was the other big adjustment she had to make with the Ookami. Did they have to be so bold?
"He doesn't know what he's truly here for," the priestess argued. "He's looking for power."
"Power takes many forms," the alpha female countered. "Look at his arms."
Kagome just shook her head. Really, Aiko had no shame. "Must you be so scandalous? This isn't some epic romance."
Aiko shrugged as she sat herself on Kagome's bed, or what functioned as one, anyway. "Perhaps I'm not satisfied till I know every female is panting after this new warrior."
"I have no interest," the priestess replied as she reached for her bundle of wrappings.
"So, you don't find him handsome?"
Kagome sighed. She wasn't going to let this go. "He isn't ugly, if that's what you're looking for."
Aiko giggled in teasing amusement as she shifted for her friend to sit. Leaning back, she watched the priestess carefully and methodically wrap her head and neck.
"He's observant, as well," she replied, her tone suddenly heavy. "Shiro has yet to respond to his curiosity and Koga knows it. It would be best for you to…..remain out of sight."
"Do you think he would harm me?" Kagome asked.
"The Eastern tribes are harsh. He's proven himself quite capable and Shiro is not sure how he can deny Koga should he find out what you are."
Kagome nodded in understanding. This Koga wanted something and he didn't seem the type to hesitate in claiming what he wanted. She had to lay low.
"What if there's an attack?"
"That can't be helped," Aiko agreed. "But, in the meantime, keep yourself hidden as much as possible."
"I've heard some talk of a patch of Gotu beyond the hunting grounds," Kagome replied. "It will help with the wounded later on. I'll go there and gather as much as I can. The walk should take me all day."
"Shall I send Taro out with you?" Aiko asked, a joking gleam in her eye.
"Not if you don't want to raise suspicion," Kagome countered. "I'm just a human, after all."
Aiko snorted as she walked about the room. "You're many things but 'just a human' isn't one of them. It still amazes me how quickly you heal. You could almost be a yokai."
Kagome chuckled as she secured the end of her wrappings behind her head. "My powers have grown with training. I still have a ways to go but, if need be, I should be fine."
Aiko just shook her head as she watched the priestess grab her hooded neneko. The Faceless Miko the human villages called her. To this day, the alpha female had no idea why the beautiful girl covered her face so thoroughly but many mikos had their quirks, she supposed. It was what Kagome wanted but Aiko still found it strange.
"Well, if you're not back before sundown, I'll send someone out to track you," she answered with a chuckle. "Maybe Koga."
"I'll be sure to be back then."
SSS
"He's playing with us," Koga ground out as he muddled against the smooth stone he was leaning against. It was how he had stayed for most of the previous night, seeing no reason to roam about and make trouble. At least, not yet.
The main den was mostly emptied as wolves and yokai alike wandered about in the early morning light before a hunt. A few groans drifted about the cave as some hunters struggled to stand. Apparently, the party last night had been too much for some, his own included. It caused them to spend the night where they dropped. Now, they were paying the price in the activity of morning.
The first patrols had already begun their rounds for the day and Koga found himself grinding his teeth as his patience was waning fast. He'd endured the whole night ignoring the obvious but enough was enough.
"Koga?" Ginta whined as he held a no-doubt throbbing head.
"Finally woke up, did you?" the alpha grumbled, tossing a good sized stone towards Hakkaku's still snoring form.
The sudden smack caused the other hunter to jump upright, squawking in shock. "I'm up! I'm up! Where's the attack?!"
Koga rolled his eyes as he rose to his feet. "Get up," he ordered. "Time to get to work."
"Work doing what, Koga?" asked Ginta, starting to stand on wobbly legs.
"What do you think?" snarled the irate Ookami. "We're getting answers."
"Already?" Hakkaku groaned. "What about breakfast?"
"You two knuckle-heads slept through breakfast. Now, come on. We're finding Shiro."
"You think he's still here?" Ginta asked as he struggled to follow after his determined leader through the dark tunneled passageways. "I mean, he might have gone out with a hunt."
"Besides, he seemed pretty occupied last night," commented Hakkaku, stumbling in the back. "He might not be ready to talk."
"He's delayed long enough," Koga snapped, fists clenching as he moved through the deeper tunnels.
"We know but, there might be other ways to find out what we want," Ginta suggested, desperate to calm his alpha down. The last thing they needed was to pick a fight from a rival tribe.
The option had Koga stopping mid-step as he considered the hunters words, forcing the two to fall backward to keep from running into him. That was true. Shiro was keeping the source of power to himself thus far but that didn't mean others in the tribe would. After all, every pack had a weak one. He just had to find it.
Just then, the sharp scent of herbs reached his nose as Koga spied a small figure making their way carefully about the back tunnels. A wicked smirk pulled at the alpha's lips. There was the weak one. If no-one in the tribe would talk, maybe the human would.
SSS
A stiff breeze caused Kagome to wrap her neneko tighter about her form as she carefully watched her footing along the rocking ridge of the lower mountain. Not many knew about the back entrance to the tribe's den and the path was steep to trek. She had to be careful if she didn't want to plummet over the edge. Thankfully, her healer bag wasn't a heavy pack for her to carry.
Keeping her hand on the mountain, she maneuvered her way towards the thick forests that dotted the snowy peaks. Winter was soon approaching. That would mean more gathering and staying out longer and longer to restock her supplies through the snowy months. It made sense she would have to go out all day, right?
Unfortunately, the reassurance did little to lift her spirits at the prospect. She hated doing this like this. It made her feel like a dirty little secret to the tribe. Then again, Kagome supposed she probably was. Despite her help, the Ookami were very proud. It was difficult for them to admit they needed a human for anything. Especially, a miko. She wasn't even supposed to be there. But, it probably couldn't be helped. She was human. There was no changing that. She had her freedom and was helping those that needed it. So, she wasn't abandoning her duties as a miko. There was no reason to feel left-out. Besides, the alternative was too painful to think about.
The sweet scent of pine drifted on the wind, causing her to relax. This was far more than she thought possible for herself. Kagome just had to be satisfied with what she had. No sense in making trouble where there wasn't any.
Nodding in agreement, she continued on her way, more determined than ever. However, in her haste, she didn't spy the loose rock that caused her to stumble towards the edge. Desperate to try and catch herself, the priestess through her arm wide to scramble for a grip. When a firm grip wrapped around her arm, she nearly sighed with relief. One of the hunters found her. However, instead of pulling her back, Kagome felt herself turning as the one who grabbed her threw themselves off the cliff-side.
A scream of fright sticking in her throat, Kagome felt herself to go weightless before a hard arm wrapped around her middle as both plummeted down towards the trees. In a blur of twists and the howling of wind in her ears, Kagome brought her hands up to shield her eyes as she waited for the painful contact with the rocky ground below.
However, when everything went still, Kagome found she felt nothing. No pain, no rocks digging into her, no broken bones or blood. Instead, she just felt what reminded her of a steel bar across her middle and a flat hard surface against her back.
"You're determined to die, aren't you?"
The gruff remark had Kagome snapping her wide eyes open in surprise. Looking up, her brown eyes met with bright blue, causing her to stare stunned. Koga? A warning growl caused Kagome to realize she was clinging to the thick arm around her middle and she quickly released him before she stepped away.
What was he doing here? He was supposed to be in the main den with Shiro and the other hunters. Looking anywhere but at the irritated alpha, Kagome desperately searched for anyone else that might be around. No-one was there. This was bad, very bad. She had to get away from here.
"Stupid humans," the Ookami muttered just loud enough for the priestess to hear. "Can't even keep from falling off a cliff."
Kagome gritted her teeth to keep the fact he threw them both off the ridge to herself. She had to keep her head down and get out of there. Who cared if he thought she was stupid?
"Thank you for your help, Koga-sama," she replied in a tight but calm tone, bowing in thanks. "If you will excuse me, I must be on my way."
The same arm that she had clung to suddenly threw itself in front of Kagome, blocking her way into the forest.
"What's your hurry?" the alpha demanded.
"Winter is approaching," she replied, trying to remain civil. Would he just leave her alone?
"I have to gather herbs for the tribe."
"Since when do Ookami need herbs?" Koga remarked with a slight snarl in his tone.
"Even yokai need help when healing," Kagome countered sharply before quickly catching herself. "Koga-sama."
This caused the Ookami male to quirk a dark brow. "You're a healer, are you?" he asked as he moved his arm away from her. "I'm surprised any here would let you treat them."
"I've proven myself useful," Kagome replied carefully. She had to remember, she was just a human. Just a human.
"Then, you must know what goes on here," Koga ventured as he started to walk behind her, a cocky smirk pulling at his lips.
"What goes….. I don't know what you mean," the priestess answered, her instincts going on guard. Something wasn't right.
"You might," the alpha countered as he continued in his trek about her. "No doubt, you see everything in this tribe. Especially, if you can roam freely like this."
"I go as far as the Alpha allows me," Kagome corrected, swallowing low.
"What I'm looking for isn't far from the den."
A chill shot down Kagome's spine. He was talking about the power he came for. Had he figured it out? That was impossible. There was no way he could have—
"You know this tribe has a secret," the Ookami male accused against her ear. "Tell me what it is and I'll let you live."
Immediately, Kagome went still. He didn't know. But, he thought she would— The priestess gritted her teeth as anger heated her belly. If he planned to get her to betray the tribe, he had another thing coming.
"You can't kill me," she argued in a deceptively calm tone. "I'm under Shiro-sama's protection. An attack against me is an attack against the tribe."
"You really think Shiro cares about a weak little human like you?" Koga snapped as he brought sharp claws around her to press against her wrapped neck. "I could snap your neck with a flick."
"Go ahead," Kagome challenged. "And, then you'll have to explain to Shiro-sama why you tarnished his word. I don't think you could come up with a good enough excuse. After all, I'm just a 'weak little human'. It's not like I could be a threat to you."
With a biting snarl, the male pulled his hand away, pushing Kagome away from him. Spinning quickly, she leveled guarded eyes in his direction. There was no way she was giving him her back. While his face was still as stone, there was no missing the irritated flicking of his long brown tail behind him. The alpha was furious.
Holding her head high, Kagome refused to be cow-towed. "You'll find I don't scare easily, Koga-sama," she replied in a cold tone. "Nor, can I be bullied. Especially by someone trying to betray his host."
With that, she turned on her heel and made her way quickly through the trees. She wasn't a coward but she wasn't a fool neither. Koga wouldn't follow her. He had to get back to the den and she needed to get the heck out of there.
Nodding in agreement, Kagome finally made peace with the exertion. The more distance she put between herself and the visiting alpha, the better.
