Pale, blue eyes scanned the ceiling of the empty cave. searching, longing for someone. It had been three days since he's heard anything from a single member of his pack and he grew concerned. Not even Ginta, as faithful as he was to his leader, returned after the last time he had seen him.

Tired and extremely hungry, Kouga slowly rose to his aching legs.

'Damn it! Where the hell is everybody?'

His nose twitched as he sampled the air, hoping, praying, that he would be able to pick up the scent of someone close that could help him.

Kouga knew, with the condition he was in, he wouldn't be able to hunt by himself. He also knew that no food equals a promised death with in days.

Unable to detect any scents, Kouga decided that he would have to rely on himself to find food.

Slowly, he made his was to the den's exit. He could feel his joints cry out with every step he took.

'I got to leave this place...i can't die here...not alone like this...'

Pale knees shook unstably as he made his way out of the den. A rush of fresh air slapped him gently in the face as it ravished his nostrils. He took a deep breath, taking in the fresh air. It's been three entire days since he was able to breathe like this.

As soon as he began to feel at peace, it ended. A sharp pain in his head, followed by a wave of dizziness reminded him just how sick he was. He pressed his hands against his for head tightly, leaning against the outer walls of the den's entrance for support.

"Damn it!" He spat as he began to slide down the wall until he was seated on the ground.

"Do you know what your name means, Kouga?"

Bright-eyed and full of vibrant life, Kouga shook his head frantically, causing his father to burst into hysterical laughter.

"It means 'Steel Fang' son..."

Young Kouga's eyes widen in awe as he gazed up at his father, "Steel fang?"

"That's right!" His father exclaimed as he ruffled Kouga's thick, shoulder-length hair, "...Son, I have to tell you something...Something I wish my father told me when I was your age."

"What's that?"

"Once your leader of this tribe...Don't take any shit from anybody."

Shocked by his father's vulgar choice in words, Kouga quickly nodded his obliged, causing laughter to erupt from his father once more.

"I mean that!" His father's face suddenly took a more serious expression, "This will be your tribe. You are their leader! There will be others to try and put a end to that but you can't let them! Don't let anything hold you back! When things get tough, you have to get even tougher!"

Kouga stared into the distance as the pain slowly began to ease.

'When things get tough...you get tougher...'

Slowly, Kouga began to rise. He had to find out where his tribe went.

Suddenly, there was a pause. He began to sniff the air vigorously as a strong scent filled the air around him.

'Huh?! What's that? It smells like... honeysuckle...could it be?'

His pale blue eyes suddenly shot open in shock, "San...go?" His eyes scanned the sky quickly, wondering just what brought the taiji-ya back his way. Had she come on some type of vendetta? He had called her names and sent her away with the hanyou, after all.

Kouga thought back on that day. The emotion that swam in those hazel eyes of hers was enough to make his heart drop. He had hurt her badly, and it was plain to see. But why? The taiji-ya had no feelings for him, so how could it effect her so badly?

Kouga pondered on the idea for the longest. He couldn't figure the taiji-ya out. She was good at hiding her emotions, damn good.

Kouga was abruptly brought back to reality as a large nekomata, suddenly, landed just inches aaway him. He stumbled back, tripping over his own feet, causing him to fall and land flat on his back.

Hearing the thud, Sango peeked over Kirara's head. Her eyes went wide as she saw the poor wolf-youkai layed out across the ground. She wasted no time unmounting her feline companion as she rushed to Kouga's side.

"Kouga?" Sango's eyebrows drew together in concern, "Kouga are you alright?"

Sango watched as the wolf-youkai peeked open his pale blue eyes in shock, "You are sick...I'm so stupid."

Quickly she placed a hand to his forehead, checking to see if he had a fever.

He was cold, ice cold.

She drew her hand back quickly. She had never felt anything that cold in her life.

'This is bad...youkai's just don't get sick like we humans do...'

"Sango?" Kouga groaned, placing his hand over hers, "You haven't come to kill me...?"

Sango's eyes grew in shock from the question Kouga asked, "No. Why would I want to kill you?"

"Because I treated you..." Kouga winced in pain slightly as he squeezed his eyes shut tightly, but some how found the strength to continue, "Because... I ...treated you badly..."

A knowing smile spreaded across Sango's features as she leaned closer to him, "You meant how you called me a bitch?" She suppressed a giggle as she watched Kouga take on a perplexed expression. She knew exactly what he was thinking and that was 'Just why the hell was she smiling?!'

"It wasn't the first time you've called me that..." Sango continued as she slipped a supporting hand beneath Kouga's neck, "Now let's get you back to the others. I'm sure Kagome will know just what to do about you illness..."

"Y-You mean I have to go near that damn mutt?"

Sango giggled as she motioned for Kirara to come closer, "Yes, you have to go near that 'damn mutt' " she teased, almost mockingly.

Kirara obliged, kneeling down beside the pair making it easier for Sango to lift Kouga against her and slide him onto her back.

Mounting her nekomata companion also, Sango gave Kirara the command to go and before long they flying just below the clouds.

"I hate how that mutt smells..." Kouga said as he layed his head against Sango's back for support, causing her to immediately respond with a blush.

"Funny, he's said the same thing about you..." She managed to speak through a rising lump in her throat. She smiled at the sound of him scoff, but her smile withered once she heard him groan in pain afterward.

Reaching back and taking his hand, she gently wrapped his arm around her side, "Hang in there..." She spoke lightly as she brushed her finger tips against his cold knuckles.

A gentle smile graced her lips as she felt him snuggle closer against her back in response.

"Love is like the wind...you cannot see it but you can feel it..." She repeated slowly as she stared off into the distance.

Kouga was silent for a moment before speaking in a low, soft, voice. "What's that mean?"

Sango smiled softly, looking toward the sun which was beginning to set in a display of orangey-reds and pinks. The wind tugged gently at her hair, as she rested her hand over his."You'll know soon enough..."

XXX

A/N: I'm sorry this took so long and I'm really sorry about the lengeth! . I promise longer chapters and sooner updates from this point on.