Chapter 10

Miracle of Miracles

Kagome knew it was too soon for her to be awake. She'd used too much power, drained too much energy. But, no-matter how much she tried to soothe herself back into restful sleep, something wouldn't allow it.

That wasn't quite right. She knew exactly what wouldn't let her rest. It was a feeling she got; a call in the back recesses of her mind that told her something was wrong. The Northern tribe referred to it as her instincts. Kagome didn't bother with calling it anything. She just…..knew.

And, when her tired brown eyes seemed to open of their own accord, Kagome knew death was nearby.

Ignoring Ginta's shocked squawk, she pulled herself up onto shaky feet. It wasn't here. Someone was in pain but they weren't in her cave. Breathing deep, Kagome forced her weak legs to move, despite Ginta's worried calls.

Kagome wished she could reassure him; tell him everything would be alright and he shouldn't worry. Unfortunately, Kagome couldn't even reassure herself on that. When this knowing took hold, her powers acted on their own. The only hope she had was whoever was at death's door didn't drag her down with them.

Somewhere in the back of her mind, Kagome heard Ginta's frantic steps racing away as she wobbled down a darkened passage. She figured the warmth of the central fire didn't reach the outer tunnels, otherwise Kagome didn't think she'd be shivering this badly. The cold bite of rough stone scraped against her bare feet. However, she wouldn't stop. She couldn't.

The horrified yowls of someone in pain sent a chill down Kagome's spine, causing her steps to falter. There it was.

Breathing deep, Kagome tried to steady herself as the dark cold seeped into her bones. Pain permeated the air as thickly as the scents of blood and infection. That was the killer. Wounds and blood-loss could be fixed easily among the yokai. Infection….. was a death sentence.

Swallowing low, Kagome forced her feet to move towards the abandoned cave. This was going to be a long night.

SSS

"What the hell do you mean you lost her?!"

Koga's snarl caused Ginta to flinch, the quiet beta scrambling to catch up with his leader's rushed steps.

"I had to find you," he puffed frantically. "She was wobbling and wouldn't answer when I tried to talk to her—"

"And, you left her to go who knew where!"

Koga wasn't sure who he was more pissed off at, Ginta or himself. While he'd been out on a ridge trying to decide if he should lie to his own men or not, something had happened to Kagome and no-one had any idea where she was. On top of that, Ginta was in such a panic, he'd decided to go find his brooding leader instead of following the one he was supposed to be watching.

This was not happening again!

"She was headed deeper into the caves," Ginta replied. "She couldn't have left the den."

That was the least of Koga's worries. While Kagome had proved herself capable of handling herself during the fight, there was no guarantee all his men had decided she was worth the risk of keeping around. They fought more against miko's than most Ookami did, after all.

If one of the hunters, or worse, one of the wolves, decided they wanted to get rid of her anyway….

The horrifying thought had Koga pushing himself even harder as he raced through the cold tunnels.

He wasn't losing her. Not now, not ever!

The faint whisper of a scent caused the young Alpha to freeze mid-step, head darting about to catch all he could. It was her. Kagome!

Without so much as a warning to his betas, Koga took a sharp turn, worry squeezing the back of his throat when he realized where she was headed. Ayumu was seriously wounded and weak for an Ookami. But, even a weak hunter could be deadly to a human, especially a human who wasn't at her full strength herself. He'd lash out to survive.

When the scent of wildflowers started to grow stronger to Koga's nose, so did the putrid cloying of disease. Ayumu was dying.

The realization was like a fist to Koga's gut. They'd lost enough men in battle. He didn't need this adding to his failures.

However, that was something he'd deal with later. Right now, he had to get Kagome out of there.

Bright eyes darting about, Koga searched the dark cave desperately for Kagome's small form. When he spotted her crouching by Ayumu's restless figure, Koga started making his way to snatch her away from the deadly claws that could shred her at any moment. However, a sudden pulse of power caused the young alpha's steps to freeze.

He didn't need to guess where it came from. Koga kept himself still, the hair on the back of his neck standing at full attention as every muscle in his back tightened in preparation. His instincts were telling him to run, to distance himself from what he was so close to. A rival was nearby and his yokai didn't like it. However, he forced himself to stay as Kagome glanced back over her shoulder, thick black hair spilling like smooth ink down her back with the movement.

Her eyes were tired but he didn't spot any fear in them. Was it resignation he saw in them?

Koga didn't like it. He'd seen that look before in warriors who knew they were going to die but refused to run. She was tired and drained, her powers would never be strong enough to handle this. Ayumu was as good as dead. Koga hated it but it was the truth. To try and save him would kill them both.

Before Koga had the chance to order her away from the hunter, Kagome's trembling hand took Ayumu's. With a deep breath, her palm began to glow with a light. It started soft, concentrated in their joined hands, before spreading in a slow progression up Ayumu's arm and chest.

Koga waited for the crackle of reiki to snap through the air, the pain growls and snapping jaws of a hunter in agony before he died. Instead, Ayumu's pitiful whines softened to whimpers before quieting altogether. Frantic breathing eased to a relaxed tempo as all the tension flowed from the young hunter's body, his face smoothing as all his pain left.

He rested as if he hadn't a care in the world and, for a moment, Koga felt a stab of envy in his comfort. All the while, Kagome remained by his side, the glow of her hands illuminating a face holding an expression of concentrated serenity.

Koga had never seen anything more beautiful in his life.

Suddenly, the sharp rise of power caused Koga to step back in surprise as Kagome's brow furrowed in effort. The harsh snap of reiki bit Koga's nose as the glow from her powers grew to near blinding, causing him to shield his eyes. Ginta and Hakkaku's shocked yells told Koga they had caught up with him and were as surprised as he was.

However, the final swell of power only lasted seconds before the cave was again encased in shadows. Blinking back the stars behind his eyes, Koga barely had a moment to clear his vision before he spotted Kagome starting to topple again.

Faster than even he thought possible, Koga swooped his arms under her, clutching her closely to him as he listened. She had to have survived. Kagome was not dying on him now.

The light but steady drumming beneath his ear gave him more comfort than Koga ever thought possible. She was alive, if not unconscious again.

"Koga!"

Snapping bright eyes over his shoulder, Koga spotted both Ginta and Hakkaku staring in open shock towards the pile of furs behind him. Shifting focus to what had them speechless, Koga found his heart knocking hard in his chest.

Ayumu rested peacefully, his breathing steady and calm as the other males could only watch in absolute awe. The scents of new blood and disease were gone, and the young scout wasn't whimpering in pain or fear. He was…..cured.

"Get Jiro," Koga ordered, barely able to get the words out. "Now!"

Snapping out of their stupor, Hakkaku quickly spun on his heel and raced off the get the old healer. There was no doubt in Koga's mind Ayumu was saved but better safe than sorry. Meanwhile, Koga adjusted his hold as he rose, Kagome turning slightly to bury her head against the warmth of his chest.

The action brought a grin of satisfaction, as well as cinching his decision once and for all in his head. If there was one thing, Koga trusted his instincts. And, right now, there was only one thing his instincts were telling him.

Ginta's raised hands to take Kagome from his arms had Koga side-stepping the beta as he walked out of the cave and back down the tunnel.

"Koga, where are you going?" Ginta called as his hurried steps followed after his Alpha.

"Where do you think?" Koga responded, never looking back. "She needs to rest."

"Don't you want to wait for Jiro?" Ginta asked. "I can do this for you."

"No!"

Ginta froze a step behind his alpha, blinking in shocked confusion. Realizing his temper, Koga stopped and gave his beta a proud smirk.

"Go back and tell Hakkaku and the others I got this handled," he replied with a flash of fang. "No-one takes care of my woman but me."