I don't own Inuyasha or any of its characters.
"Koga!" Two figures yelled from a distance. They seemed to be running toward them and Kagome was able to quickly tell they were the two wolf demons who always accompanied him. The youkai slowed down in order to greet his two friends.
"Koga...where have you," Ginta was trying to question his leader breathlessly but stopped when he noticed the human in his arms. "Ah! Kagome! I'm happy to see you safe and sound after all," he nudged his brother. "I told you she was alright," Kagome climbed out of Koga's arms and stared at the two questionably.
"Why wouldn't I be alright exactly?"
"I thought you were being attacked since Koga went off without even a word to us," Hakkaku explained. "Plus I found your bow and arrow on the ground so I thought that maybe you got into another demon," he held out her weapon to her showing her it was unharmed. "But you seem fine so-"
"It means I was right!" Ginta interrupted gleefully. "So has our dear leader snatched up our little sister yet again?" his question earned him a low growl. Kagome shook her head quickly.
"No it's not like that. Not this time at least. Koga has offered to take me home, so I more or less accepted his help," she answered trying to defend the youkai to some extant though she didn't have a real say in it to begin with. She didn't really mind since this was a time to be way from her group and Inuyasha and clear her mind. She did have her doubt that being in a group of rowdy wolves would allow her a moment to think, but she could endear it until she was back home where it would quiet and peaceful. "So are we going to leave now?" she asked looking up at the tan demon behind her. Koga placed a hand on his chin and looked up at the sky thoughtfully.
"No," he responded plainly. "Not today. Me and my men have been running around all day and we could use a break. The sun should be setting in a few hours, we should use this time to look for a good campsite," he started walking forward leaving two very confused demons staring after him. It was rare that Koga gave them a chance and even more rare to see him calmly walking ahead of them instead of taking off like a rocket. It felt almost strange to watch their leader walking at a pace they could keep up with, it was as weird as seeing a dog move around on its hind legs. "Come on you lazy brats. Don't just stand there and gawk. Get a move on!"
The two flinched slightly before following after him. Kagome watched them all curiously before sighing. She was disappointed that they couldn't leave right away but she supposed that even the strongest of demons needed their rest. She looked behind her, silently staring off in the directions her friends were and trying to imagine what they were talking about or if Inuyasha had rejoined them. Perhaps she was making a much bigger deal out of this than she should have, but she was hurt and she didn't know how to react in this situation. Was there even a way to act when your half demon boyfriend had proclaimed his love to his fifty year old dead clay lover? She didn't think so.
The sound of her name being called drew her out of her musing and she turned back to the three demons before her. They waited for her up ahead with eager faces. She smiled at them pleasantly. "Coming," she called to them. She took one last glance behind her before catching up with the rest of them, where they immediately began to engage in animated conversation.
-
The sun was beginning to set in and the group of travelers sat quietly around their fire when a tall figure emerged from the woods.
"Inuyasha," Miroku started to speak to the hanyo behind him. "So glad you could finally join us," he got a 'hmph' in replay. Inuyasha sat down and stared into the fire.
"Where's Kagome?" he asked absentmindedly. He knew the answer of course. She went back to her time to get away from him and he didn't blame her.
"She said she was heading back home for a few days," the demon slayer told him as she pet Kirara. Inuyasha glanced at her and trip back had been fast enough that Kirara was able to return before dark.
"Yeah. She came back to get her stuff and left with Koga," Shippo said carefully as he watched his friend. Inuyasha's ears twitched and he looked back at the little fox demon for more explanation. "Yup! He picked her up from wherever she came from and brought her back, then he generously offered to take her back home to which she gratefully accepted," okay that was a bit of an over exaggeration on his part but Inuyasha didn't need to know that. "That Koga is a real catch if you ask me. He's really-OW!" Inuyasha smacked him on the head. "What was that for?"
He didn't get an answer since the hanyo was up and walking away. He knew he smelted something off.
"Where are you going now?" Miroku asked.
"For a walk," was his only response as he ran off into the woods.
"It was defiantly something he did," Shippo said rubbing his head.
"I think you need to have more faith in our friend. It is not his fault that fate has decided to give Kagome's heart to another. We should be there for him in his heartache," Miroku said trying to sound wise and knowing.
"You're only saying that cause you want to win the bet, you lousy monk."
-
"So then Koga tried racing us across the frozen lake and ended slipping and falling on his face," Ginta continue to tell Kagome who was thoroughly amused by it, however, Koga was not.
"If I'm remembering correctly I was the one who won that race," he huffed and crossed his arms. Leave it to the twins to start making him look bad right when they had sat down. He really needed to muzzle these wolves.
"Yeah only cuz you went sliding forward on your belly," Hakkaku remarked laughing. "You should of seen it! A little wolf pup flying across the ice and then landing face first into snow. He tried to save his pride by standing up and claiming victory but we were to busy laughing at him."
"If you remember the story so well then you must remember the beating I gave you afterwards," he raised his hand to strike them but they quickly hide behind Kagome who was having a fit of giggles. The youkai momentarily relaxed seeing his woman smile so freely and look so comfortable. He was glad she was enjoying herself even if it was at his own expense, yet the moment went sour as he sniffed the air. He looked into the forest and stood.
"Aw Koga we didn't mean to hurt your feelings! You don't have to leave," Ginta said peeking from behind Kagome's shoulder.
Their leader scoffed. "Don't flatter yourselves you overgrown puppies. I'm just going to go pee. I think she wouldn't be to keen on me going right in front of her," Kagome nodded hurriedly. "Be back," he started walking to the shadowy part of the forest where he had smelt that awfully familiar sent. Emphasis on awful.
He scanned the area and sniffed the air once more, scrunching up his nose at the remembered smell. "You can come out now, mutt. I could smell you from a mile away, which is also how far away you should be- if not further," he continued to search the area until his eyes landed and a very unwelcome half demon in a tree. "What the hell are you doing here, dog? Want to cause more trouble?"
But Inuyasha was ignoring him, his gaze focused on the girl just across the way but still out of reach. He watched as she talked happily with two demons, joking and probably exchanging stories of their travels. He just wanted to be near her and talk to her and offer some sort of comfort, but it seemed she was doing just fine without him. Inuyasha finally decided to acknowledge Koga and jumped down from the tree he was in and face him.
"I was just making sure Kagome was alright, wolf."
"Of course she's alright. She's in far more capable hands than she was before when you were watching her, you good for nothing mutt," this caused Inuyasha to growl and his hand instantly fell on tessaiga. "Ha! Think you can take me on?" Koga immediately got into a fighting stance.
Inuyasha looked back at Kagome and didn't think it was wise to stir up trouble and get on her bad side any further. "Keh! You're not worth my time," he put his hands in his sleeves and started to walk away. "Listen you rotten wolf, you make sure Kagome gets back safe, if anything happens I'll kill you," the hanyo jumped back into the trees and was off in the direction he came from.
"As if I would let anything happen to my woman!" Koga yelled at Inuyasha's retreating form. The nerve of that lazy stupid...
"Hey Koga! Who are you talking too? Have you finally lost your mind?" the youkai heard Ginta say to him. Koga rolled his eyes making his way back to his small pack. "Yo! What happened to you Koga? You were back there for a while. Did you eat some bad meat again?" Koga did not hesitate to smack Ginta on the head.
"Alright smart mouth, since you're so full of energy you can go get our dinner," Hakkaku began to snicker at his twin brother. "And you can join him."
"Wha- why me?! I didn't do anything!"
"Guilt by association," he pointed his thumb toward to woods. "Now get going," both get up reluctantly and grumbling beneath their breath. "And stop your whining you lazy pups," just before they walked Hakkaku kneeled down next to the Miko.
"Be mindful of this crazy wolf little sister, he tends to have wondering hands if you know what I mean," before he could even chuckle the alpha of the group kicked him away from Kagome. "Alright! Alright! I'm going," the two demons eventually went off into the forest in search for food.
"And bring back some firewood on your way back," he got a barely audible 'sure' before he plopped himself down next to Kagome, who was eyeing the whole situation with an almost pleased look. "What? Is something wrong?"
She shook her head. "No. The opposite actually," his bemused looked urged her to continue. "It's just...so nice to see how playful and carefree you guys can act even after all you've been through, even after all you've suffered. I think it's great you can still smile is all," she sighed and looked up at the darkening sky. Her group was essentially the same way, perhaps less playful, but they still had a kind of happy air around them. They had all been hurt by Naraku and found some way to continue to live. It gave her a strange feeling of hope for the future.
Koga stared at the woman next to and regarded her with respect with the way she spoke so calmly. This human was always so bright to him. He was mildly amused that Kagome could be so pleased with the smallest of things.
"Same could be said for you, Kagome. You always have a smile on your face and I admire you for it," he gave her a sincere smile and for the first time she genuinely smiled back at him. It seemed like this was the start of their first real conversation in a while and the miko would gladly accept it. She enjoyed the calm smooth talking Koga she had seen when they first met and perhaps he acted this way in his down time as well. "This is why I know you will defiantly be my wife one day," and the moment was ruined. He grabbed her hand and looked into her eyes with a serious and almost hopeful expression. "Your good heart, strong will, and great power make you the perfect mate for me."
"Really?" She asked now with a more uncomfortable smile. "I'm sure there are plenty of female wolf demons that are exactly the same as me and are more um suitable to be your wife."
"No. No one else could ever take your place."
"I'm sure there are rules against marrying a human though, right? And I could never be accepted by your family," she continued to try to convince him she was not the best choice.
"What are you talking about? They love you," his eyebrows raised. Kagome made a small 'huh?' as if asking him to continue. He let go of her hand and pointed in the direction the two other youkai went off two. "Ginta and Hakkaku. They have fully accepted you as a pack member. To them, you are just another part of our family. That is why they act so freely with you. They acknowledge you as their leader's choice and are respectful to it," Kagome blinked mildly surprised. She simply thought they were doing as their leader did and nothing more.
"Well what about the rest of your people? I'm sure some of them would like to have a bite out of me."
"The others will accept you too. Most of the pack already has much respect for you since you aided us with or battle against the birds of paradise. Besides as their alpha they don't really challenge my word."
Kagome nodded in understanding. It made sense really but she knew she wouldn't have to worry about being accepted by the den of wolves in the mountain. She knew she'd never marry the wolf prince so in reality there was no problem. For right now she felt content in being with this small group of wolves whom she knew wanted her to be around. It gave her a sense of glee to feel wanted and loved. In this small pack of traveling wolves she was welcomed and for that she was grateful.
Wow a new chapter already? I didn't like how short the last chapter was so I made this one a bit longer. I felt this was a good place to end it for now since Kagome had dealt enough with the wolves for now.
I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and it would be greatly appreciated if you review and tell me what you think so far.
