Authors Note: First of all I would like to thank Princess happy, EmeraldYoukai, kate, beak beak. OSR fanatic, Scorpio princess, Ryo-chan wolf girl, LittleSkittle2342, no name poster, Jinta7777 and d-e-s-t-I-n-e-e-l-e-d-u-c for reviewing. I love that so many people read and review my work. THANK YOU!
Contest: I would like to congratulate OSR fanatic for winning the contest that I posted in my last chapter. OSR fanatic was the was the first person to answer the question correctly. LittleSkittle2342 also answered the question correctly also but was not the first one to answer. So since OSR fanatic answered the question correctly first. He got to read this chapter before anyone else did and he gets to name one of the main character that will show up in a couple of chapters. The question in the contest was where did I get the name Kudo (The baby pup) and Edigowa? And I will give you a guess it is from a different anime I watch. (which I also disclaim.) And the answer was the anime is called Case closed. I got the name Kudo because the main character in that anime name was Jimmy Kudo and in his kid form his name was Conan Edigowa. So congratulations OSR fanatic.
LittleSkittle2342: I am so surprised that you knew the answer to the question but OSR fanatic answered it before you did so he won. Sorry. But you were right I got both names from the show Case Closed. Thank you for the review. I am so glad that you like the story so far. And I am sorry for the grammar mistakes this is my second fanfic I have ever written and my first InuYasha fanfic ever written so I am still trying to get a hang on this whole thing. So I am truly sorry for any in convince that my grammar might have caused. Yet again though thank you for compliments it is nice to know that other people like my work. Thank you for read and reviewing!
Ryo-chan wolf girl: I am glad that you liked how I made the fight between Kouga and InuYasha good old fashioned hand to hand combat. I felt like it was only fair. I mean how fair is it when all InuYasha just has to swing his sword and yell wind scar. And it is his daddies sword anyways. So I felt that they should have for once a fair fight. Thanks for reviewing and reading.
Jinta7777 and no name reviewer: Thank you for wishing that I feel better and not sad anymore. You see my husband is in the war and I just heard that he was being sent away for ANOTHER month and I had to take care of our 2 year old daughter and 4 month old baby daughter by myself until he returned. And our 2 year old daughter is taking it harder then I am so I get really sad when he is away at war. That is why I don't like to write much when he is gone. But enough about me. Thank you so much for your concern and thank you for reading and reviewing.
Chapter Ten.
When Niko's weight was lifted off of my by Kouga. I just collapsed to the cave floor in a heap. With fresh tears streaming down my face. But through my tear filled eyes I saw a blurry vision of Kouga.
He was standing between myself and Niko never taking his eyes off him. I have never seen Kouga so mad before not even when he was fighting InuYasha was he this angry. His fist were balled at his waist while his body was shaking with anger and his eyes were a blazing chrisom red.
I happen to see Niko out of the corner of my eye and saw him pull himself up to a standing position and held a hand up to the back of his head. Since the back of his head had slammed against the cave wall when Kouga threw him. All Niko did was stand there with a smirk on his face.
"What's the matter Kouga are you mad because I got further with Kagome then you did?" Asked Niko with that same stupid smirk on his face.
Kouga just gave out a loud growl at his remark and lunged at him with his sharp claws aimed right at his neck. But Niko jumped out of the way just in time. Missing Kougas razor sharp claws by a mere centimeters.
"I will make you pay for touching my Kagome." Yelled Kouga as he got ready to attack Niko again.
"This is great. After I kill you. I will mark Kagome as my mate and then I will take over as alpha." Said Niko as he dodged Kougas attack again.
"Kagome is my mate no one else's. I will never let you have her. And my pack would never allow a pompas bastard like you become alpha ever. Even if you were the last wolf demon on the face of the earth. You will never become alpha." replied Kouga.
"You will pay for those words." Yelled Niko as he charged at Kouga. But this time Kouga was not fast enough even with the shards in his legs. His reaction time was not quick enough. And Niko slashed at Kougas already badly injured shoulder. Which made Kouga go to his knees doubled over in pain. Clutching onto his shoulder with one of his hands.
Then Niko walked over to Kouga who was still on his knees with his head bowed down looking at the ground. And like a coward Niko raised up one foot to kick Kouga while he was down. But that was a mistake because Kouga had a plan this whole time. He planned to act like he was doubled over in pain and defeated so Niko would let down his defenses. And Niko did. Because when Niko raised up one foot to kick Kouga.
Kouga reached out and grabbed Nikos ankle and yanked his body out from underneath him sending him crashing onto his back on the cave floor yet again.
And in a blink of a eye. Kouga was on his feet in a instant standing over Niko with his foot pressed against his throat.
"You didn't think that itty bitty scratch you gave me would keep me down did you?" Asked Kouga.
But unfortunately he didn't get a answer just a mere shrug from Niko and one of his stupid smug smirks.
"You better consider yourself lucky because under our law. I have every right to kill you right now for being a traitor by attacking my future mate your future alpha female of the pack and for attacking me your alpha and planning to kill me to take over as alpha of my pack. But I am going to be generous and not kill you. Instead you will be branded with the mark of a traitor so when I banish you from my pack that every pack will reject you and you will be forced to live out the rest of your life alone. I feel a wolf without being part of a pack is a fate worse then death." replied Kouga as he released Niko and pulled him to his feet and holding him by the throat he pushed Niko through the hallways and corridors to the main den and all I could do was follow.
When we got to the main den Kouga called out to Ginta and Hankuku. And explained to them what has happened and told him to prepare for Niko's branding as a traitor. Then he released Niko to Ginta and went over to me and gathered me up in his arms and carried me to our bed of furs on the floor in the back of the cave.
As we sat down. Kouga went immediately to work looking over my face and body to check for any and all injuries that Niko had caused.
"Well you have bruises on both of your wrist and you also have a couple of bruises on your face and you have a cut on your forehead." And with that Kouga opened up my medical kit I still had out from that mornings fight with InuYasha and he also ordered one of his men to get a slab of meat from the back of the cave.
Kouga first went to work on the cut on my forehead and with me showing him what to do he got out the same surgical glue I used on him earlier and he used on me.
"I guess we have matching cuts now." I joked giving him a smile. And he just gave me a small smile back.
And at that moment one of Kougas men came back with a big slab on meat and gave it to Kouga. And when he handed Kouga the meat he looked at me with a mischievous grin and right at that moment I knew why.
"Kouga don't you dare." I said but as soon as those words came out of my mouth. Kouga placed the big slab of meat right on my face.
"Geez thanks." I said sarcastically as I moved the meat from my face and placed it on the right side of my chin where I could already feel the swelling coming up from one of the many bruises that Niko gave me.
Then at the moment I heard the most horrifying sound coming from on of the sides of the main den. It was the sound of a man yelling and screaming that was so loud it was deafening. It was then followed by the sound of whimpering.
"What's wrong! What's happening! I said jumping to my feet ready for action. Ready to protect my pack at whatever cost.
"It's okay Kagome. That's just Niko he is getting branded as a traitor." Said Kouga as he grabbed my hand and coxed me to sit down beside him once again.
"What are they doing to him back there?" I asked curiously as I looked back into the back corner of the cave where it was so dark all I could see was mere shadows.
"Well in wolf demon society when you are considered a traitor they brand you with a mark or a sign so when another tribe meet the wolf they will see the mark and reject him from joining. There are two marks that Niko will bare that will show him as a traitor. The first is we have a red hot poker that is twisted into the shape of a snake in a circle. What they do is they put the poker into the fire and wait until it turned white from the heat and then they will remove the poker from the fire and place it on the right hind leg of the wolf. So he will forever be branded with that sign. That is what they did right now when you heard him screaming." Explained Kouga.
Then I heard Niko scream and yell again but this time it was much louder and much more horrible sounding. It was so loud in fact that many of the wolf demons in our den had to cover their ears.
"Now what was that?" I asked
" They just preformed the second branding. Remember I said that there are two marks they give a wolf demon who is considered a traitor?" Asked Kouga and without waiting for me to respond continued explaining "Well the second mark is they cut off the traitors tail with a butcher knife."
When I heard that my mouth dropped open in shock. I swear it would of hit the floor. I was so shocked. Just then I saw Ginta, Hankuku and about seven other wolf demon tribe members carry what looked like a dead Niko across the cave and the entrance and then they were gone as the headed out of the den.
"Is he dead?" I asked Kouga.
"I wish but no he is not dead. Just unconscious. He probley just passed out from the pain. From the stories I have heard most traitors do pass out from the pain when their tails are chopped off. When their tails are chopped off it takes away their pride and dignity because our tails is what makes up who we are. With out our tails it makes us feel like we are less of a wolf." explained Kouga.
"What will happen now?" I asked
"Well my men will take Niko far from our den and out of our territory and then they will abandon him in the middle of the woods. From then on he is exiled. " answered Kouga.
I just nodded at his answer. But I could tell that something was bothering Kouga because he was looking into the distance deep in thought with a frown on his face.
"What's the matter mate?" I asked as I scooted closer and snuggled up next to him trying my best to comfort him. At that move he just gathered me up in his arms and sat me on his lap and wrapped his arms tightly around my tiny form and kissed the top of my head. While he inhaled my scent but when he did he let out a small deep and low growl.
At first I was wondering what he was upset about. But then it occurred to me that I must have Niko's scent all over me.
"I'm sorry Kouga. I should have been able to fight him off. Maybe if I could defend myself. None of this would of never happened." I said with my head hanging low as I tried to scoot off his lap but as soon as I tried to move off his lap his arms wrapped around me tighter. Then he put one finger under my chin and forced me to look up at him right into his blue eyes that I love so much.
"Kagome don't you dare say your sorry. You have nothing to be sorry about. It is the males job to protect his mate. I am your mate. I should have been there to protect you. Maybe if I had been a better mate and got to you sooner then maybe this wouldn't of happened. It's my fault that you got hurt. I have failed you Kagome. I am so sorry. Can you ever forgive me?" asked Kouga looking directly into my eyes and in his eyes I saw nothing but pure guilt and sadness.
I could not believe my ears. He was blaming himself for what happened. He has got to be kidding. No way was this his fault not by a long shot. If it wasn't for him I would have been raped and forced to be Niko's mate. He saved me and protected me. He was my hero.
I couldn't let him think this was all his fault. So just then I turned around in his arms so that I was straddling his waist and cupped his face in my hands and forced him to look me straight in the eye.
"Kouga don't you dare think for a second that this is your fault. The only one at fault here is Niko. You saved me and protected me just like a great mate that you are. Forgive you? I should be thanking you. I love you Kouga and nothing will ever change that." I said as I leaned in a gave him a long soft lingering kiss but Kouga had other plans. Before I could pull back from the kiss he pulled me closer and the once soft kiss turned into a rough smoldering hot kiss full of passion. And instantly I felt his tongue run across my lower lip and I immediately opened my mouth to let him gain entrance. And soon Kougas tongue was inside and taking the opportunity to explore. Soon we were so engrossed in each other that all our worries washed away and it seemed like we were the only two people in the world. Nothing else mattered just me and him.
But all too soon I was snapped out of pure heaven when Kouga broke away ending the kiss. At first I was dazed and confused as to why he pulled away but soon I knew when I felt one hand on my upper thigh and his other hand under my shirt resting on one of my breast but thank god I still had my lacey black bra on. He pulled away because we were getting carried away and if we didn't stop so he wouldn't be able to stop and we would mate there in front of everyone. Which is not exactly what I wanted to happen. Now don't get me wrong. I did want to mate with Kouga. I want to mate with him so bad but I just didn't want a audience. Also we had the wolf mating customs to go by. He still had to meet my family. And I think we better do that ASAP because I don't know how much longer we will have the strength to resist each other.
When we broke away from our kiss is when Ginta, Haukuku and the seven other male wolf demons that took Niko away came back and walked in through the entrance. So Kouga gently picked me up off his lap and sat me back down beside him and he got up and walked over to Ginta and Haukuku and started talking to them probley wanting to know how it went.
It was just then when I watched Kouga talking seriously to Ginta and Haukuku that I remembered the summer sausages and beef jerky that I had in the small bag that I had beside me this whole time. So I went to the kitchen like room grabbed a knife and then went back to were I was sitting just moments ago and started cutting up the summer sausage in slices.
But it was when I opened the first roll of summer sausage and started cutting it I felt like there were several pairs of eyes watching me. You know that feeling when you know you are being watched and you get this weird tingling feeling creeping up your spine. Well that was what I felt. So without moving my head I just looked up with my eyes and noticed everyone in the den was starting at me. Even Kouga who was in deep conversation was staring at me.
Then I realized my first mistake. I opened a very spicy and tasty meat in front of a pack of wolves. Not a very smart move on my part. But oh well it was for them anyways.
No one moved at first. But then Kouga came up next to me and asked "Kagome what is that? I know it is meat. But I have never smelt meat that mouth watering before."
"I got it for you and your tribe. It is kind of a thank you gift for being so kind and thoughtful. I got it from my time it is called summer sausage it is very good. Here try it. I promise you you'll love it." I said as I handed him a slice.
At first Kouga eyed the slice of sausage like I knew he probley would but after a couple of minutes he closed his eyes and squished up his face like a kid preparing to take his medicine and nibbled on the slice. But the second he tasted it his eyes got wide with surprise and delight and he wolfed (No pun intended) the rest of the slice down.
"That was heaven. I have never tasted anything so great in my life." replied Kouga with the biggest grin on his face.
"Well if you like that you are going to love this." I replied as I opened the bags of jerky and handed them to him. He tasted one stick of jerky from each bag. And smiled in delight as he tired the different flavors from the bags and as he tired each one he started handing out the bags of jerky for everyone to share as I started serving the slices of summer sausage I had already cut up.
Soon everyone in the pack was talking and laughing it up as they enjoyed the different flavors of beef jerky and summer sausage. As I watched everyone enjoying the treat. It made me realize how lucky I was to grow up in a time where we didn't have to hunt for our food and worry about starving if food got to scarce. All I had to do was go to the grocery store. Here was a pack of wolfs who thought that simple summer sausage and beef jerky was the best thing in the world. But in my time it was a simple treat that most didn't think twice about. It was amazing at the simple things I took for granted growing up.
Just then I was snapped out of my thought by Kouga's voice. "Is there anymore of this stuff at your village?" asked Kouga gleefully as he bit into another slice of bbq flavored beef jerky.
"Yeah. We can get some more if you like." I replied as I opened a bag of jalapeño pepper flavored beef jerky and bit into a piece. I held this bag back because I knew the peppers would be way too hot for everyone else. But not for me. I loved hot and spicy foods and it doesn't matter how hot either the hotter the better.
"That would be great! I really love this meat here." replied Kouga as he took another bite of our his jerky.
"When do you want to met my family?" I asked curiously
"I suppose we could leave for your village tomorrow morning. I want to do this as soon as possible so I can mark you and have you as my mate forever." answered Kouga.
"That sounds great." I simply replied as I took yet another bite of my fiery hot jerky.
"Hey I don't remember trying that bag there Kagome. Here let me have a piece." Said Kouga as he reached for the jalapeño pepper flavored beef jerky bag.
But I held it out of his reach as I tired to explain. "Kouga I really don't think that is a good idea. This meat here is really hot and spicy. It maybe to hot for you." I said as I tried my best to explain hot and spicy to Kouga.
"Well your eating a piece of it." Said Kouga with a huff.
"That is because I like hot and spicy food. I am used to it." I explained
"I am sure if my mate can eat that meat. I can too." Replied Kouga as he grabbed the bag out of my hands.
Men and their damn male ego's. Men always think that they can do whatever a women can. Well this will be a lesson to him that their will just be some things I can do that he can't. It's his funeral. I thought as I watched Kouga open the bag like a child at Christmas time and took a piece out and crammed the whole piece into his mouth. Then he gave me a big smug smile as if saying See I can eat it too.
But that didn't last long. Because his smug smile soon faded as he started to taste the jalapeños flavor. Then his eyes got wide as he opened his mouth and started to breath heavily in and out trying frantically to cool down his mouth. But failing miserably.
"Mway moth im om fwire." mumbled Kouga pacing back and forth in front of me. Then all of a sudden he couldn't take it anymore and he ran for the waterfall. He ran to the waterfall and stood directly underneath it and tipped his head up and opened his mouth so the cool mountain water could run into his mouth and sooth it.
He must of stood underneath that waterfall for at least ten minutes. I thought Geez it was only jalapeño flavor beef jerky. I wonder how he would of reacted if he ate a Bhut Jolokia chili pepper. And laughed at my thought of Kouga reacting to a Bhut Jolokia chili pepper.
(AN: This is a note for anyone who doesn't know a Bhut Jolokia chili pepper is by far the hottest pepper ever. This pepper will burn you tongue off.)
After his mouth finally cooled off a soaking wet Kouga came over and sat beside me without a word but after a couple of minutes he was finally able to speak.
"What the hell was that?" asked Kouga
" It was pepper flavored. I tried to warn you. But you didn't listen." I said
"Ahhh your dripping wet. Don't get me wet." I said as I scooted away from Kouga as water continued to drip from his body.
Then I knew I would regret my words because the second I said them Kouga got a mischievous grin on his face and I slowly backed away from him knowing what he was planning.
"What was that Kagome? Did you say don't get you wet? Well you know me I don't listen." replied Kouga.
"Don't you dare!" I yelled and then the second after I said that Kouga shook his body like any canine that got wet would do. Then as he got done shaking all the water off of him he stood up and grinned one of his famous grins at me.
He wasn't wet anymore just damp but now I was wet. "That's better. You needed a bath you still had some on the bastards Niko's smell on you." said Kouga with a grin on his face.
"Well mister Kouga now that you already got me soaking wet. I am going back to my room and finish the job and take a bath in the hot springs." I said as I turned on my heel and went back to my room. And that is exactly what I did.
I Must have been in the hot springs for quite awhile because when I finally got out the room was dark except from the few candles that Kouga left lit for me. And as I looked over at the bed Kouga was already fast asleep under the covers of the bed.
I don't blame Kouga falling asleep waiting for me. I was in there for awhile but only because I was scrubbing my skin raw trying to get the stink of Niko off of me. No matter how much I scrubbed I didn't feel clean. But finally after scrubbing my skin with soap for the twentieth time and brushing my mouth, tongue and the inside of my mouth with toothpaste for the forty time I finally felt clean enough.
With the towel wrapped around me. I tiptoed across the room to my bag and got out my pj's which were a pair of blue boxer shorts and a white spaghetti strap shirt. And since Kouga was already asleep I decided to change in front of him instead of changing in the makeshift bathroom.
After I changed into my clothes. I quietly slipped into bed and as soon as I lied down. Kougas arms automatically wrapped around my waist drawing my close. From behind me Kouga was hugging me and started nuzzling my neck. Then very quietly he leaned up to whisper in my ear "I liked the show you put on for me when you got dressed." and then I felt him smile against my hair.
"You pervert. You pretended to be asleep so you could watch me get dressed." I said accusing him as I gently slapped one of his arms that was wrapped tightly around me.
"I didn't pretend I was asleep. You just assumed I was asleep. Anyways I have every right to watch my mate." replied Kouga
"But I am your future mate as in not you mate yet and until then can you refrain from secretly watch me get dressed and undressed?" I asked not even turning around.
"Okay I won't secretly watch you anymore. Now I will watch you out in the open instead of secretly." joked Kouga.
"Ha Ha really funny." I replied sarcastically.
"Who said I was joking." said Kouga trying to act all serious but I knew he was kidding.
"Yeah right." I answered back.
"Well then maybe this will make up for me watching you get dressed." replied Kouga as I felt something being put around my neck.
I then sat up and took off whatever Kouga put around my neck. It was a necklace. It was a chain necklace with a wooden crescent moon on it.
"Do you like it?" asked Kouga as he sat up in bed with me.
"I love it!" I said as I put it back around my neck. And gave Kouga a big kiss.
"I made it while I was out hunting today. This way no matter where you go. You will always carry a piece of me with you." Said Kouga.
"Oh sweetheart. That so sweet. Thank You! I will never take it off." I said as I gave him another kiss.
I couldn't believe Kouga was so gifted. He made this wonderful necklace for me from scratch. I absolutely loved the necklace. I thought as Kouga and I laid back down in bed.
That night I slept using Kougas bare chest as my pillow and Kouga held me tight through out the night. But what I didn't know while I slept in pure bliss was that Naraku was out there and he had something planned for Kouga, myself and Kudo.
Authors Note: Well that it for this Chapter. It took me forever to write it. I hope you like it. Believe me when Kouga and Kagome come back from visiting her family. Things will start to really speed up and a lot of secrets will be reviled. But I felt I had to have them go back to visit her family because I felt her family and friends and a certain guy that won't leave Kagome alone and take a hint had to meet Kouga. Also on a side note I did not forget about InuYasha, Miroku, Sango and Shippo they will also show up in the future chapters.