Disclaimer: Rumiko Takahashi owns Inuyasha manga, anime, characters, storyline, etc... The only thing I own is my love for the characters.
I've gotten so nice reviews for Chapter 9. OHHHH Some of you are some perverts he he he he he LOL. I've gotten a couple of emails that were very very very naughty lol. Thanks guys. Its because of all of you that I'm motivated to finish this story out. Ok here's chapter 10. Enjoy! Review your Thoughts
Chapter 10
"If I hear another insult mumbled behind my back, I'll find a very unpleasant means of entertainment for my poison claws." Sesshomaru said calmly.
"Yea but he started it," His younger brother complained, shoving his hands in his sleeves.
Koga gasped. "Oh you are such a liar! I didn't start anything you did!"
"And who's to say I won't come back there to finish it you foolish pups!" That threat stopped the undercover insults in an instant.
Koga and Inuyasha pouted like misbehaving children not getting their way.
The three continued their journey in complete silence, much to Sesshomaru's peace of mind. If he didn't know any better he'd swear he were still watching over Rin.
"We're here." Koga announced to the group. "Its that giant network of caves up there. Follow me and stay close. Wolves don't take kindly to strangers wondering into their territory. Koga ran off toward the caves with Inuyasha and Sesshomaru hot on his heels. The wolf and hanyou jumped from ledge to ledge as Sesshomaru floated up with ease.
'Damn show off,' Inuyasha thought pissed.
With a final hop and bound they made it to the top and were immediately surrounded by large white wolves. There were a dozen of the oversized canines snarling and baring their fangs at the party.
"Who are you to come into our territory?" The one from the far left growled. "No trespassers are allowed here."
Koga relaxed when the first one spoke. These wolves had the gift of speak indicating that they would be elders themselves as they got older. Getting down on one knee he bowed his head in submission not wanting to fight. "Calm yourselves. We are here to see the Northern Elder. I am Koga of the Eastern Wolf Demon Tribe."
"Koga you say?" Another asked curiously. "What business do you have here? And why have you brought outsiders to our grounds? That's forbidden law, wolf cub."
Koga ignored the comment of being called a wolf cub, because in terms compared to the twelve elders standing before him he still was. Even if he was a tribe leader. "I know its against the law elders and I apologize for the intrusion that these two are posing. But they're here to help with the Northern Elders tragic death."
"Stand Down," A loud voiced bellowed over the crowd of elder wolves. The arming aggregation parted immediately making way for a massive size wolf demon.
The large wolf stood as tall as Sesshomaru, looking all three young males in the eyes. "I apologize Koga for the rudeness of my followers. Everyone's been on edge since my mate's murder." She said.
Bowing before the elder she wolf, Koga smiled warmly. "You are Ayame's Grandmother aren't you."
She nodded. Although her muzzle wouldn't move when she spoke, every word was clear to hear. "Yes. I am Moro the Guardian of the forest surrounding." The elder wolf turned her sights from Koga to look behind him at the two white hair brothers. "Koga tell me. Are these two the Dog General's sons?"
The young wolf looked around behind him not sure on what she was talking about.
"You know of my father old one?" Sesshomaru asked stepping forward.
"Yes boy. I've had the honor of serving your father in the great war years ago. He was the reason I met my mate during battle." Moro pawed up to the two youngsters and sniffed them. "Yes you both carry his scent heavily. However," She paused looking at Inuyasha. "You are a half demon are you not?"
A dark pair eyebrows frowned. "Yea what of it?" Inuyasha snorted.
"Hmm. I see which has inherited your fathers brass behavior." She said amused.
Inuyasha glowed a hue of rosy pink and turned his face to hide his awkward pride of being compared to his father.
"I mean you no disrespect Elder Moro but we need to get back to the reason for our visit here." Koga spoke up.
"Yes." She agreed. Moro sat back on her hind legs and stiffened her front legs for a sit. "Tell me why are you three young lads here?"
"We're here to revive your dead leader." The hanyou blasted out rudely.
Mumbles and whispers rose among the pack of large wolves in hushed voices.
"What do you mean by this?" Said one of the elders.
"Is this some means of amusement for you to get our hopes up like this? Because if it is I promise to end your lives here now!" Growled another.
"Be Silent!" Moro snarled angrily. "Let them speak."
"Thank you Elder Moro." Koga stood up from his bowing position to face each wolf in turn. "I was told by my comrade that his brother processed a sword that was capable of bringing the dead back to life. We're here to do that for the Elder."
More hushed whispers sounded around the group but non dared to speak out.
"Young cub, are you implying that this demon you speak of is able to bring my mate back from the dead?" She asked doubtfully.
"I know that it may sound strange to hear Elder but this guy here," Koga pointed to ward Sesshomaru. "He has the sword that can do it."
Moro turned her attention to the tall pale being standing silently. "Young one is what he saying true? Are you really capable of bringing the dead back to life?"
A few moments of silence passed before Sesshomaru answered. "If my sword, Tensaiga, deems them worthy of its power, then the answer is yes."
The Elder female pondered this for a few seconds before asking her next question. "Does it matter what state the body is in? As you probably already know my mate was skinned of his fur and his body lay with only the flesh remaining.
"It matters not the condition of the body so long as you place it over him when he's revived, the fur should return back to its original manner."
"Alright so what are we waiting for lets go and get this done!" Koga shouted excitedly. He couldn't wait to see the Elder revived.
"So where's the old wolf's body anyway?" Inuyasha yawned bored out of his mind. He was ready to get this over with.
"Follow me." Rising from her sitting spot, Moro turned to lend them to the largest cave in the entire mountain network. It was obviously the cave in which she and her mate shared while he was alive. They walked deep into the cave until a foul odor of rotting flesh sizzled through the canine males noses. The smell was horrific. Inuyasha gagged grossed out. Without a single ounce of sympathy he fanned his hand over his nose and blink the tears from his eyes. "Geez what died?" He asked foolish without thinking.
Koga groaned his embarrassment and Sesshomaru shook his head slightly. He was definitely going to have to teach his younger about subtlety.
Moro came to a stop in front of a large bleeding lump of flesh with flies hovering all around it. The fur was spread all around next to it like a shed rug. "Here is my mate's body. We held it here for Ayame's return to see her Grandfather one last time."
"Lady are you nuts? You can't show a little kid something like that! She'd be traumatized for the rest of her life!" Inuyasha hollered upset. "What kind of fucked up pack goes around showing mutilated bodies to children."
"Inuyasha shut up!" Koga shouted. "Do not disrespect the Elders. This is a wolf demon custom to show the body of the fallen to their closest members for viewing. Just be happy we won't have to show Ayame this at all!"
Inuyasha stood shocked at Koga's angry directed at him. He didn't mean to appear insensitive but still. That's rough to lay on a little kid.
"Do not be upset Inuyasha. You are unfamiliar with such customs therefore you wouldn't have known." Sesshomaru told his younger placing a hand on his shoulder. He gave the boy a squeeze then walked pass him to stand before the body. The smell was disgustingly raw but it didn't effect him. Nothing rarely did.
He starred at the body for a quick moment studying the damage of the mingled pieces. Whoever wanted to kill this wolf meant business. Sesshomaru walked around inspecting the body slowly then threw the fur skin over to cover it. Next he unsheathed his sword and pointed it to the lifeless wolf. Tensaiga stirred. The signal was clear. It wanted this wolf to live. So it pulsed from the feel of the underworld messengers coming for the wolf's soul. With a long swift sway of his sword he cut the 4 gray beings invisible to everybody eyes but his own.
Every soul in the vicinity waited patiently and quietly for any sign of movement or breathing. Suddenly the body glowed in a shimmering white light as the fur attached itself back to the wolf's body and he took his first breath of air back to life. He blinked his think eyebrow eyes and lifted his head from the ground. A feminine gasp drew his attention to the source and he stared. "Moro? Is that you?"
Warm tears slipped down the old wolfs' face as she nuzzle her mate with her head. "Yes my love. Its me I'm here."
The Elder returned his love's affection but felt somewhat confused. "But my love how can I be back from the dead? I was killed."
Returning her attention back to Sesshomaru she bowed gratefully. "This young demon here is the son of the Great Dog General. He was the one who bought you back from the grave." She walked over to stand face to face with Sesshomaru but not close enough to touch him. "Thank you young one. Thank you for bringing my mate back to me. I am deeply honored."
Sesshomaru nodded and put his sword back in its sheath. "Do not think me rude but I didn't just come here to resurrect your mate." Placing his claws over the sword he continued. "Tensaiga only sends me to places where I am needed and in return I am granted some sort of benefit from it."
"I can understand that. But nonetheless you still have my eternal gratitude."
The wolf prince stepped forward and bowed to one knee in front of the Male Elder. "Elder please tell me. Who was the one that murdered you?"
The old male wolf attempted weakly to rise to his feet but failed miserly and was caught mid fall by a pair of small clawed hands. He looked to his supporter and saw a white dog eared person holding him up. "You…who are you?" He asked curiously.
Inuyasha signed angrily. "Listen old wolf can you take it easy? Damn you just came back to life so you gotta rest first before trying to stand." The hanyou sucked his teeth, lowered the tired wolf back on the ground gently and took his place by Sesshomaru's side.
Smiling to himself, Koga shook his head at Inuyasha's unique way of helping. 'That crazy mutt' he thought affectionately. He made a mental note to thank the hanyou later for all he'd done for him thus far.
Moro and her mate shared a knowing look and a secret smile. They would ask that question later but now it was time to get back to the issue at hand. "Koga where is my Granddaughter? Is she not with you?"
"No Elder I left her behind. I didn't think it would be safe to bring her here considering the situation."
"Hmm. That was wise of you to do young cub. It was best you left her behind for the one who killed me was a savage beast indeed."
The three males came closer to listen to the Elder's tale making sure not to interrupt. The elder cleared his throat and began. "I was drinking near the Kokoyu River a few days ago near the forest when I was attacked from behind by a large tiger demon."
"Tiger Demon?" Koga questioned.
The Elder nodded. "Yes he was a very vicious attacker. I never stood a chance against him especially considering my age. But there was something very strange about the demon."
"Like what?"
"Well…He was a orange tiger. Those breeds of tiger aren't native to this region. Not only that he kept asking me about my soul."
Inuyasha's ears twitched at that bit of information. "Your soul? But why would a tiger demon want your soul? You're dried up and near death already so what would be the point? Ow-Ow-Ow. "
A pinch to Inuyasha's right ear caused him to yelp in terrible pain. He tilted his head toward the hand to relieve some of the pressure being applied. "Oh God let me go, that hurts, that hurts, that hurts,-OW!"
"You are such a disrespectful whelp." Sesshomaru tugged the triangle flap harder, twisting it upward. "Be assured that upon our arrival back to that human residence you're having a lesson in subtlety, respect and other forms of mannerisms."
"Ok ok ok sure whatever. Just please let go! You're going to rip it off." He whimpered ailing from the soreness.
Koga was so embarrassed he didn't know how to react. He was definitely going to deal with Inuyasha later for his ignorance. "I apologize for that Elder. My friend is…well" he trailed off not sure how to exactly excuse the fools behavior.
"Its quite alright. That was what I was about to mention next anyway." The elder chuckled amused. "The hanyou was just quicker then I was to point it out. Anyway as I was saying that was the strangest thing. He kept saying he wanted a soul but why would he want my soul? What was ever more odd was the appearance of the orange tiger."
"What did he look like?" Koga asked.
"He was indeed orange in color but his stripes weren't black. They were greenish in color and his eyes were a deep red. Almost the color of blood."
"Saboro."
All heads turned to the voice that spoke the name. Sesshomaru nodded now understanding who they were up against. "Saboro is a tiger demon that battled our father over territory years ago when I was much younger. Father failed to kill him when he fled from their last fight."
"Ok but what does that have to do with his wanting to take my mate's soul from him?" Moro inquired laying next to her love.
"He used souls as a type of medical age reversal to keep him in his youth. It was the only way he was able to stabilize his power at is maximum. As he grew older his power waned so in order for him to sustain it he had to gather souls from young demons; mostly children."
"But why children? That doesn't make any sense." The hanyou rubbing his sore ear to ease the stinging.
"Young demons are just beginning to live their lives in the world. He needs a soul that's fresh and pure. Untainted by the years of experience."
The older demons became worried then. There were a few young cubs in their tribe not to mention a couple of pregnant females expecting. "What will we do about this menacing demon? He surly return to gain more souls from our young."
"Elder do not worry. I will make sure to put a stop this demon as soon as I find him." The wolf prince vowed bravely.
"Yea me too!" Inuyasha promised as well.
"Huh? What for?" Koga was baffled. Why would the hanyou want to continue to help? It was none of his business what happened within the wolf tribes.
"Inuyasha you will do no such thing. What happens heist forth is no longer our concern." Sesshomaru stated calmly. "We've done our part with reviving the elder wolf from his death. Anything further has nothing to do with us."
"Umm the last time I checked I was old enough to make my own decisions Sesshomaru. And I want to help out!"
The daiyoukai narrowed his eyes dangerously. "Do not think to disobey me Inuyasha. Since we have made peace with one another, I have come to be your guardian whether you approved or not. And as such I do not wish for you to participate in this mission."
"Whoa it's a little late to take the roll of big brother ya know. I've survived for over two hundred years on my own just fine. I don't need you to order me around like some goddamn dog!"
A low growl grumbled from Sesshomaru's lips. "Step outside little brother." He turned around and walked off.
"Yea let's take this shit outside!" A fuming hanyou marched right on the heels of his older brother ready for whatever would take place.
Koga huffed amused at the crazy pair and stood to followed the two but was stopped by Elder tribe leader.
"Koga wait a moment please. Moro and I have a couple of questions ask you."
"Sure what is it?"
"Do you think that they'll help out with the demon causing us trouble? I know that its against tradition to ask for the help of outsiders because of our pride but that will have to be put aside for now. The lives of our little ones is at stake along with a couple of with-pupped females." The Elder was deeply worried that Koga, being young as he was, would be a possible target for Saboro and preferred that he be accompanied by the two white haired demons.
"Don't worry Elder it'll be taken care of. Inuyasha will help whether his brother wants him too or not. As for Sesshomaru it's a little iffy." Shrugging his shoulders he wasn't sure if Inuyasha would live long enough to help anyway.
"Also one more thing young cub" Moro spoke out. "What is your relationship with the hanyou?"
There was a stammered pause before the wolf prince answered. "Huh? What do you mean?"
"Are you fond of this hanyou, Koga?" She question on.
"Say what no no no no no. There's no way I'd be interested in that dumbass moron! He's too immature, selfish, a complete idiot, and just a pain in the ass." He ranted completely forgetting his manners in front of the elder wolves.
The old pair laughed wholeheartedly at the cubs reaction. "We wouldn't be able to tell from the way you look at him Koga. When he caught me before I fell on the ground your eyes brightened with so much admiration, we thought it might've went past friendship." He mused teasingly.
"Are you serious? There's no way would I be interested with that… that… that mutt!"
More laughter bounced off the cavern walls from the amused couple. Koga was being incredibly over reactive from a simple question. It made them wonder if the young wolf even knew how he felt. But the familiar feel of love surrounded them as they remember their own younger days.
"Koga you do know that it would be perfectly fine to mate with another male correct?"
The poor cub blushed as though he were having that 'important talk' with his parents. "Yes I know but even if I were interested and I'M NOT; Eventually I would need a cub of my own to take over when I step down as tribe leader. Inuyasha is a male and unable to produce offspring…so there would be no point." An immediate feel of sadness suddenly gripped his heart after making the statement. Even if he wanted to pursue a relationship with Inuyasha it wouldn't matter because all tribe leaders needed cubs to keep the bloodline going.
"My boy you are so naïve." Moro said wisely. "There is always a way for things to happen. Don't let something as trivial as childbirth keep you from the one you care for most."
"But how would I know if I was even in love anyway? I mean really in love?"
The Northern Elder glanced over at his lifetime partner and snuggled against her face. "Believe me. You'll know when you can't stand being away from them even for a moment. That feeling of utter completeness will surround you whenever they're near by."
Moro returned her love's snuggle with her own. "They'll make you feel warm inside. And make you do things you'd never imagine you'd ever do for another. Trust me Koga you'd know it as soon as it hits you."
Koga stared at the loving old pair, thinking over all that they'd told him. The two were thousands of years old and wolves mated for life. All of those years and they were still very much in love with one another. He envied their relationship. It was something that he wanted for himself someday when the time was right. Wanting to give some privacy to being reunited once more, he bowed respectfully and turned to take his leave.
Even if he were interested in the hanyou, would he return his feelings? They'd spent a lot of time together and have grown closer. Hell they've even been a bit intimate when Inuyasha gave him the best tail stroke he'd ever had.
The sunlight broke through his eyes as he made it outside. His baby blues scanned the area but didn't see the brothers anywhere in sight. A loud boom sound traveled from below the cliff and he looked down and nearly died from laughter. Sesshomaru leaped up from the ground and narrowed his eyes at the wolf before walking past him back into the caverns.
"Sesshomaru! Get back here you fucking jerk! Get back here and fight me dammit!" Inuyasha shouted tangled with his limbs twisted awkwardly. Sesshomaru had his hands and feet tied on his stomach upside down with his ass high in the air. "Untie me you stupid jerk."
Koga jumped down from the high cliff snickering. "Geez mutt remind me not to piss of Sesshomaru again. Other wise I'll look like you do."
"Ha ha ha very funny asshole. Do you think that you can stop laughing long enough to untie me?" He wiggled around but the ties were tied tightly with no give to relieve him.
"Hold on I got ya."
Koga turned the tangled hanyou onto his back and set to work on releasing him from his bondage.
Inuyasha pulled his hands loose and stretched out on the ground with a flop. "Thanks man. I owe ya one."
"Yea yea whatever. Anyway I need to ask you something." Koga crossed his legs to sit next to his rival, looking his way. "Were you serious back in the cave earlier about helping find the tiger demon?"
Sitting up right, Inuyasha turned his head and gave the wolf a curious expression. "Yea I was serious. Why would I volunteer to help only to turn it down?"
"Well…I dunno. Its just…weird. Why would you want to help the wolves? To help me?" Koga looked away mumbling the last part low.
"I guess because…you know…I mean… we're friends. We've spent a lot of time together. And you're not so bad to hang around with. So why would I want to let you do this on your own? That would be pretty selfish for a friend right?" Inuyasha patted Koga's shoulder and awarded him with a soft smile. "Don't think that just because we fight a lot that I don't care wolf. You've become someone important to me. So naturally I want to help."
That smile. That warm gentle smile twisted something inside of Koga's chest as he look in the hanyou's face. He meant every word. He really cared for him.
Koga raised his hand cover over the supporter and looked him deep in his golden eyes giving his own sweet smile. "Thank you… Inuyasha. I mean it. You didn't have to help me in anyway yet you did. I promise to make this up to you someday. I promise."
"Naw just forget it. Beside all this mushy bullshit is making me sick. Its not like us." Inuyasha laughed.
"Yea its making me nauseous." Koga did a mock gag and fell over knocking Inuyasha down with him.
"Hey watch what you're doing!" He yelled pushing the wolf's arm off his chest.
"Aww Shaddup! I didn't hurt ya or anything."
"Keh, like you're be able to hurt me."
"You just don't learn do ya? Come 'mere!" Koga jumped on the unsuspecting Inuyasha and they tussled around in the grass wildly. The wrestling consisted of rolls, bounces and laughs but surprisingly no punches or kicks. Like before the victor of this little bout was Koga pinning Inuyasha's hands on the side of his face. Inuyasha wasn't angry this time though as he laughed happily playing with the wolf.
Koga laughs died down as he looked at Inuyasha's messy state. His hair was spread around like a cloudy halo, all soft and pale. He stiffened when Inuyasha lifted his hand to brush back a locket of jet black tresses that fell over his shoulder. If it had been a while back he would have knocked the hand away but this time was different. He wanted the touch. Inuyasha's face looked so peaceful and soft up close like this. It was unreal. Like a cozy dream.
The wolf placed his hand on the side on Inuyasha's face causing him to look up at him curiously. Big gold eyes blinked upward marveling at the blue slanted ones staring back down. Koga lend in closer until they were nearly nose to nose. "Inuyasha I…"
"Inuyasha." Sesshomaru appeared out of no where startling both of the males to seating positions. The daiyoukai cut his eyes distastefully at the wolf demon before landing on his younger. "Inuyasha if you wish to help with the wolf demons then so be it. But I will accompany you on this quest to ensure your safety from anything tempting to lure you into harms way." The last part being a double meaning toward Koga.
Koga grunted and stood to walk pass the overprotective demon lord making sure to sneak a glare in before passing along.
"What the hell you coming along for? I can take care of myself." Inuyasha got up dusting off the grass and dust from his robes and glared at his older brother. "What reason do you have for coming? I thought you said it wasn't any of our business."
Sesshomaru burned a hole in the wolf demons' back, then turned his attention to the young hanyou. "It isn't any of our concern but since you insist on meddling in other peoples affairs, as your guardian I have no other choice then to accompany you and that wolf ." He said in his usual cool tone but his eyes revealed more.
"Fine I don't care if you come along. Just make sure not to get in my way alright?" The younger gushed nonchalantly. Secretly Inuyasha was thrilled that Sesshomaru wanted to come along. He hadn't wanted their three man squad to split up just yet, as it was more comforting to have both demons around. He wasn't alone.
"Alright you guys let's head out!" Inuyasha ran on ahead of the two males unbeknownst to him they were holding back a bit to have a stand off.
"Listen I don't know what your quarrel is with me but lets get one thing straight I care for Inuyasha as much as you do and you have no right to try and prevent us from being friends." Koga spouted angrily.
"Is it friendship wolf?… Or perhaps something more?" Sesshomaru spoke with poison dripping from his every word. "I see how you gaze at my younger. That look speaks for more then friendship." Sesshomaru walked up until they were eye to eye with each other "Whatever disgusting vendetta you have toward him I suggest you release it. I won't allow such a disgraceful coupling to take place."
Koga's body pulsed with growing rage as he stared the daiyoukai down not once faltering his eyes from the blazing amber orbs. "So tell me Sesshomaru what reasons do you have for me not to be with your brother? Could it be because you probably want him for yourself?"
A swift stiffen tempered in Sesshomaru's features but Koga caught it right away. "Oh I see. You're one of those pureblood types who think that any other would be a disgrace to the clan right? So you want the little puppy all to yourself to make sure no else can touch him." His spat bitterly. Koga brushed pass Sesshomaru to catch up with the running hanyou.
Sesshomaru didn't reply. He knew what the wolf spoke of was only the half truth. He didn't want another soul entering into their family but he wasn't interest in his younger brother like that…was he? The decision to not pursue such a relationship was made to leave it be as a sibling one and nothing more. But his desire to protect Inuyasha from the wolf's discreet advances was overwhelmingly powerful. And he would be damned if he let the wolf demon win. Without even knowing it the two powerful demons had mentally entered a competition for the hanyou's wellbeing and only one would be the victor.
A/N: Whew geez. Sorry guys my laptop had crashed on me earlier while I was typing and I had to retype the whole thing all over again. Ugh I was mega pissed about that. Anyway that's the end of chapter 10. Hmm it looks like Koga's running up ahead faster than Sesshomaru. Sesshy had better make a move before Inuyasha falls for Koga LOL. Oh yea for those who might've forgotten remember that Koga's hair is hanging down because he lost his hair tie in the last chapter. If you've got a cursed imagination like me then you know that every detail counts when reading. I hope you enjoyed it, Review your thoughts.