Chapter 10

2 Weeks Later

When Kumiko awoke the following day, she had been informed that Koga had left the group. He had spoken with Ginta and Hakkaku prior and all they told everybody else was that they would be the ones to lead them the rest of the way. She winced at the reminder of their confrontation two weeks ago. She had fallen asleep on the grassy hill, having cried to exhaustion. The sound of her friends calling her name and the sun caressing her face woke her and when she returned to the group, that was when she had been informed that their group was down to five people. Though Kagome had been full of questions, Kumiko kept hers to herself.

"What do you mean he left?!" Kagome exclaimed to the two wolves left in charge.

"Sorry, Kagome," Ginta shrugged as both men avoided eye contact with Kumiko as he provided a phony excuse, "Koga is still a chief and he needs to make sure our pack is holding up okay."

Kagome bought the story. Inuyasha and Kumiko, however, had exchanged quiet glances. They both knew it was a bullshit excuse. Koga would never abandon the quest for any reason when it was the very tribe he was "checking on" that depended on him.

Surely Koga couldn't have left because of what she said? One would have to care about the other person to be affected. Then again, alpha males were very prideful and it was most likely his ego that suffered. Still, she couldn't imagine someone as proud as Koga to avoid her just because she had bruised his self-esteem.

She pondered this for the next couple of weeks as they continued to travel without him. The remainder of their journey was thankfully uneventful and they seemed to finally be making progress. Pleasant conversation were even had among them as they walked through open plains. It seemed as if Koga's absence had made for a more laid-back commute, bringing everyone's tensions down.

Then why does it seem like we're missing something? Kumiko thought to herself sadly.

There wasn't a moment in the day where Koga didn't pass through her mind. She was on an emotional rollercoaster as she experienced anger towards him, followed by bitterness before she was consumed with guilt and sorrow for her own words. Though he had hurt her without realizing, Kumiko was never one to hurt people in return. Knowing she had possibly hurt his feelings made her feel terrible, even if he did deserve it for using her.

When she didn't think of Koga, she thought of Bluto and what he would have to say were he here. She found herself often depressed but masked it well for the others.

"Whoa, what's this?"

Kumiko looked up at Inuyasha's words as they began to approach an eerie-looking forest. Up until now, they had traveled through sunny plains and grassy open fields, even passing quiet villages. The idea of entering this demon-infested forest made Inuyasha uneasy. The trees seemed to hunch over, completely shielding the forest from the sun. He could sense a demon within whose aura could only be described as pure evil.

"It's the fastest way to the Sacred Grounds," Ginta insisted, "It's just on the other side."

"Can't we go around?" Kagome questioned, eyeing the forest warily.

"That'll take weeks!" Hakkaku protested, "If we go straight through we'll be there in a few days!"

"I sense a demon," Inuyasha informed them.

"Oh, yes," Ginta nodded nonchalantly, "That's Nakuon'na. Don't worry about her."

"Don't worry about her?" Kumiko frowned at them confusedly, "How can we not?"

If even Inuyasha was uneasy about the demonic presence within the forest, surely it had to be a demon they should definitely be worried about.

"She's only interested in kids," Hakkaku clarified, watching as the women's eyes widened in horror, "We've passed several times, she'll leave us alone."

A demon who targeted innocent children... It was no wonder Inuyasha had sensed so much evil. Kumiko, too, felt her skin crawl at what she was hearing. Still, it was enough to appease Inuyasha.

"If you say so," Inuyasha began to walk forward, leading the way.

Kumiko and Kagome looked at each other nervously, walking side-by-side as Ginta and Hakkaku walked behind them.

"Don't worry, ladies," Hakkaku assured them as they entered, "No danger here!"

As the warmth of the sun escaped, Kumiko shuddered at the cold air that suddenly surrounded them. The wolves seemed so sure they would encounter no danger yet she felt a prickling on her skin, the hairs on the back of her neck standing straight. She could feel danger all around her but continued to remind herself that they had been the ones who had traveled here before. She had no choice but to trust their word.

"It's so creepy here," Kagome's teeth chattered as it seemed to become colder.

"You said it," Kumiko agreed, her eyes shifting anxiously.

She felt the need to grab Kagome's hand but refrained from doing so, reminding herself that she was not a child. But when she could hear rustling through the trees, she looked around frantically, her amber eyes catching sight of an immense, shadowy figure that slid through the trees like a snake.

"Something's there!" Kumiko froze, walking backwards until she hit Ginta's chest.

He brought his hands up to her upper arms, frowning down at her.

"Relax, Princess Kumiko," He tried to comfort her, "It's just Nakuon'na. She won't bother us-"

"No, no," Kumiko began to shake her head, her heart pounding, "She's coming-"

Kagome cried out, bringing their eyes forward as a large demon came bursting through the trees, lifting them right off of their roots as they began to drop. Kagome released a high-pitched scream, rooted to the ground as a heavy tree fainted in her direction. Inuyasha ran to Kagome, scooping her up and bringing her to safety as trees came crashing down their path. Kumiko watched wide-eyed as the demon Nakuon'na made herself known. Her body filled with dread, gooseflesh running down her arms as she gazed upon their attacker.

Kumiko turned Ginta with a gasp, gripping his pelts frightfully. Ginta looked down at her, tensing and cheeks flushed as she practically buried herself against him. Kumiko was petrified and she didn't know why. The demon was horrifying and immense. A long, snake's body was adorned with several arms throughout it, like a centipede. She had a human face but there was nothing calming about it as wild black hair covered half of it. Her eyes were red and bloodthirsty and were locked on Kumiko.

Kumiko shuddered as she peeked at her, clinging to Ginta who continued to hold her arms reassuringly.

"Give me the child," She demanded calmly and straightforwardedly, her voice as terrifying as her appearance.

"N-Nakuon'na," Hakkaku stepped forward, confused, "You're mistaken. She's no child. She's-"

"Give me the child!" She shouted now.

Inuyasha drew his sword as he felt Kagome bury herself against his back. Kagome's eyes scanned their surroundings, her blood running cold at the sight of human bones that had been scattered from the trees upon Nakuon'na's appearance; all bones of infants and children.

When they didn't immediately surrender Kumiko, the demon lunged forward with an enraged cry.

"Not so fast!" Inuyasha yanked himself away from Kagome, "Wind scar!"

A surge of energy escaped his mighty sword, aiming towards Nakuon'na. Her focus entirely on Kumiko, she was unable to dodge the attack fully, falling to the ground weakly. But she wouldn't go down so easily.

"The child..." The continued to speak desperately, "Give me the child!"

Kumiko cried out in horror as she felt something wrap around her ankle. She looked down to see one of Nakuon'na's appendages shoot forward, latching around her ankle before violently pulling her away from Ginta's grip.

"Princess!" Hakkaku and Ginta shouted in unison.

Kumiko's claws dug into the ground desperately, leaving trails of scratches on the ground as she was dragged towards Nakuon'na.

"Let me go!" She shrieked sharply, feeling more appendages slither their way around her other ankle and her wrists.

"Yesss," Nakuon'na hissed with almost a lustful greed, bringing Kumiko up to her face.

Kumiko came face-to-face with the demon who examined her with hungry eyes. Kumiko began to hyperventilate, her eyes dilating as she hung helplessly. She had never known true fear until this moment.

"Release me!" Kumiko demanded, having intended to sound threatening but ended up sounding pathetically panicked.

"You heard the lady!" Inuyasha shouted, pointing his sword threateningly at Nakuon'na, "We don't have any kids, you crazy old hag!"

"But you do," She hissed, her snake-like tongue slithering out and licking Kumiko's cheeks who turned her face away in disgust as she struggled against her grip, "It's inside of you."

Kumiko's eyes widened at her words, ceasing to struggle as her muscles froze at the demon's words. She looked towards Nakuon'na in disbelief, much to the other's amusement. A chilling chuckle escaped the snake demon as she took in Kumiko's expression.

"W-What are you saying?!" Kagome cried out without thinking, shocked, "That Kumiko is...?"

She couldn't even say it. It sounded preposterous. There was no way!

"Children are so much tastier fresh out of the womb," Nakuon'na addressed Kumiko who felt herself becoming sick at her words, "It's not often a prize like you comes wandering into my forest. I must have it!"

"The hell you will!" came a voice all too familiar to Kumiko.

Ginta, Hakkaku, Kagome and Inuyasha watched as Koga ran fiercely in their direction with a speed they had not seen from him since he possessed the Sacred Jewel shards in his legs. Koga released a cry of wrath as he jumped into the air, swinging his legs and delivering a powerful kick to Nakuon'na's face.

Nakuon'na cried out in alarm, dropping Kumiko as a result.

"Hang on, princess!" Ginta and Hakkau shouted as they ran forward.

Hakkaku reached forward just in time, falling to the ground with a pained grunt as she dropped in his arms in a heavy heap. Kumiko looked towards Koga and Nakuon'na in disbelief.

K-Koga...?

But Koga only had eyes for Nakuon'na. He cracked his knuckles as he watched the snake demon recover quickly, hissing down at him, baring her sharp fangs.

"You meddling fool!" She howled in outrage, "I shall kill you first then rip the children out of her stomach!"

That had been the wrong thing to say to the alpha.

"It'll be a cold day in hell before you touch my pups!" Koga roared ferociously.

"His... pups?" Kagome whispered out loud, her eyes widening tenfold as it finally dawned on her.

The cave. They were alone. Kumiko and Koga's weird change in behavior. Koga's disappearance. It all made sense now! She watched as Koga stood before Nakuon'na with a ferocity she only remembered seeing the day his comrades had fallen at the hands of Kagura.

Nakuon'na stood no chance. If there anything stronger than a demon, it was a parent protecting its child. Weakened by the Wind Scar, they watched in amazement as Koga delivered powerful blows, furious fists lunging forward, kicking with every ounce of strength he had. His speed was fueled by the overwhelming desire to protect his offspring and the woman who would bear them.

It wasn't until they heard a gory snap that they knew the minor battle was over, watching as Koga delivered a kick so fierce to Nakuon'na's head that her very neck snapped in two. She was surely dead but Inuyasha was taking no chances and once Koga landed on the ground, he brought his sword up.

"I'll take it from here!" He called out to the wolf chief.

With a final cry of attack, Nakuon'na's body evaporated into nothing as Tetsusaiga's power obliterated her body.

She was gone.

They watched in wonder as the forest grounds suddenly began to glow, one by one, the souls of the children that had been devoured ascending into the after life; they would finally be at peace and no further children would be harmed in the hands of Nakuon'na.

Hakkaku took the time to stand, gently bringing Kumiko to her feet. When the last of the souls disappeared, bringing the forest back to its somber darkness, Kumiko jumped in alarm as Koga appeared before her, rage on his face.

"You stupid woman!" He began to shout harshly, startling everyone present with the unexpected display of aggression, "What were you thinking coming in here!"

He didn't give her a chance to answer, turning to Ginta and Hakkaku who recoiled as Koga stepped forward threateningly.

"And you two-"

"We're sorry, Koga!" Ginta cried out as he and Hakkaku clung to each other in fear.

"Yeah, we're sorry!" Hakkaku spoke desperately, "We had no idea!"

"We never would have gone this way if we had known!"

"Please forgive us!"

"Shut up!" Koga shouted so fiercely that his voice was becoming hoarse before he rounded on Kumiko.

She jumped as she looked up at him, still shaken from her near-death experience as well as the shocking news that nearly caused her to faint in Nakuon'na's grip.

"You're coming with us after we get to the Sacred Grounds!" Koga continued to bellow.

"W-What?" She squeaked, searching his eyes nervously.

"You heard me! You're coming with us and like it or not, we're getting married!"

Her stomach dropped at his words, her eyes stinging with tears.

"N-No!" She shook her head in a panic, taking a step backwards from him.

It only made Koga angrier who felt a sharp jab in his heart at the horror that came across her face. Kumiko's breath began to quicken as her tears threatened to spill.

"You will!" He continued to scream in such a manner that made everyone else uneasy.

"Hey, Koga, relax-" Inuyasha began, his brow furrowing; the sight of a pregnant woman in so much distress managed to disturb even him.

"Mind your business, mutt!" Koga addressed him but continued to stare down at Kumiko, "She's coming with us and you're going to be my mate whether you like it or not! I won't have you jeopardizing my pups!"

Her heart ripped at his words. Just a few moments ago, she would have been overjoyed at the idea of Koga proposing her. But it was clear that he was doing so out of obligation. It wounded both her heart and her pride as a woman.

"I refuse!" She stomped her foot, her tears finally falling, "I'll bear your pups and you can have them but I won't go with you and I will not marry you!"

Her words were like poison to his blood, bringing a grimace to Ginta and Hakkaku's face. It was difficult for any man to hear such a thing from the woman who would be the mother of his children. If they thought Koga couldn't grow more aggressive, they were wrong.

"You think I want this?!" He exclaimed brutishly, "To have a half-breed bear my children?!"

"Koga!" Kagome gasped in absolute outrage.

Inuyasha flinched internally. As a half-demon himself, he could only imagine the pain his words would bring the sensitive wolf maiden; whether she loved him - which Inuyasha suspected not - it was no doubt difficult to hear. Koga found himself immediately regretting his words - as he often did with Kumiko - when her face crumbled in sheer pain.

But he was still angry and he continued to glare down at her even when she hid her face in her hands and began to sob, heartbreak and humiliation washing over her; it was heart-wrenching to have heard such cruel words but even worse that they had an audience.

"You're terrible!" Kagome scolded Koga as she rushed to Kumiko, bringing her hands to her shoulders comfortingly.

But Kumiko shrugged her off and began to run down the forest, her vision blurred by her tears as she ran with as much strength as her legs carried.

No, she thought, horrified, This wasn't supposed to happen. I'm supposed to go back with Kagome and Inuyasha. I finally found a village that accepts me. I was going to bury Bluto in that village where we were going to finally live peacefully! Why? Why?! Bluto... Please save me from this...

As she pleaded uselessly for Bluto, terrible sobs escaped her chest, each sob that echoed through the forest was like an arrow to Koga's heart. Her fate had been changed and decided for her; in her mind, she would end up marrying a terrible man who didn't love her and returning to a pack where she could be looked down upon for being a half-breed. She had been freed of such a fate only to be imprisoned once more.

"Kumiko, wait!" Kagome called after, running after her.

Inuyasha began to run after the women with a low curse. Ginta and Hakkaku stood awkwardly behind Koga. He looked over his shoulder at them as they avoided his gaze. If they didn't fear Koga's temper so, they would have told him themselves that his words were too low even for him.

To use a harsh slur on someone who would become his mate was unheard of. They all knew it.

"Let's go," Koga barked at them.

He wanted nothing more than to run after Kumiko as Kagome was doing and provide the comfort she so needed. As prideful as ever, he opted for walking in their direction, in no rush to subject himself to the sight of Kumiko in tears.

The two other wolves remained silent as they obediently followed their leader. Koga was back and he was not leaving this time.

Koga remained with the group after that and like it had been before his disappearance, it was a tense and awkward travel. Thankfully, they managed to reach the Sacred Grounds in a few days as Ginta and Hakkaku promised. They were all relieved save for Kumiko who knew that once this quest was over, she would likely never see Kagome, Inuyasha or anyone else from the village again.

Her mind fleeted to Miroku and Sango's children, her heart breaking at the last thing she said to them. She had promised to return and would unfortunately be unable to keep it. It seemed as if her life knew nothing but despair. She grew up hated and rejected, she lost her father then her best friend and now she would lose her freedom.

She constantly thought of the terrible treatment she would recieve upon arriving to Koga's tribe. She didn't doubt they would be just as unwilling to welcome a half-demon to their pack as her old pack did. Her children would also suffer though probably not as worse as she as they would possess less human blood - or at least she hoped so.

I can't believe I ever let him touch me, she thought to herself as Koga's hateful words would continuously flow through her head.

She wondered if he would even care for her children as a father truly would. He had expressed such disgust at the thought of Kumiko bearing his children that she feared the worst. She feared abuse from him and from the tribe towards her and the litter she would bring into the world. Irrational or not, her fears were very much real.

I only ever dreamt about having my own children... I never wanted it to be like this.

"We're here."

She looked up as they began to approach an ancient den, the caves of their ancestors still in tact. The group began to walk through, Kumiko's eyes scanning the deserted area. Though they were alone, she felt a presence surrounding her. It was warm and pleasant and no doubt that of Kiba's. For a brief moment, her heartache and fears were put to rest as she basked in the glorious aura of her ancestors.

They didn't have to walk long before they approached Kiba's Shrine that rested in the center of the den. They stopped several feet away when Koga brought his arm out. He looked down at Kumiko, speaking to her for the first time since they left Nakuon'na's Forest.

"You ready?"

She responded with a quiet nod as he handed her the necklace that carried Kiba's fang. She gulped as she began to walk forward alone, glancing around warily. She stood before the shrine, pausing for a moment. She exhaled shakily, praying that Kiba would not reject her and her tainted blood.

Please accept me, Mighty Kiba...

She gently placed the necklace around it before she brought her flute out from her skirt.

She licked her lips, swallowing nervously before she brought the flute to her lips. She was unsure of what song to even play but from the moment she blew the first note, she closed her eyes and an unknown song escaped from her as if it had been buried deep within her memory and only remembered now.

The beautiful music filled Koga's ears as they watched the Fang of Kiba begin to glow. Amazed, the group watched Kiba's spirit began to appear as a gentle wind picked up, blowing Kumiko's hair elegantly. Her eyes remained closed as warmth filled her, enveloped in a deep sense of comfort that had only ever been brought to her by Bluto. Koga eyed his future mate intensely, the sight of Kiba's golden aura surrounding her only making her more beautiful. He could have listened to her play forever.

When she finished her song, she opened her eyes, slowly bringing her flute down from her lips with a gasp when she realized she wasn't standing alone. She looked up at none other than Kiba himself, her knees trembling at the greatness of his presence. The wolf was massive, larger than any wolf she had ever seen, even more so than her father. His eyes held great wisdom and kindness as they seemed to be smiling down at his descendant.

"Kumiko..." His deep voice rumbled through the grounds, bringing a gentle tremor through the earth, "The protection and strength of the wolves has been restored thanks to you."

She remained speechless, still star-struck by his illustrious presence. He knew her name... and he addressed her with such... love.

"Consider this a token of my gratitude," He continued as he slowly began to disappear.

She frowned confusedly until his image completely disappeared and standing behind him was the glowing presence of Bluto. She dropped her flute, her eyes widening at the spirit of her beloved companion.

"Bluto?!" She gasped breathlessly, her eyes stinging with tears as she approached him in disbelief, doing so hesitantly with the worry he would just vanish.

The Siberian wolf stared at her with eyes as white as snow, his body almost transparent as he graced her presence with only his spirit. Kumiko wanted to reach out and touch him but felt an inexplicable fear that she would wake up from a cruel dream if she did so.

"Bluto..." She spoke shakily, her tears running down her cheeks as she was brought to her knees before him, "Oh, Bluto... I'm so sorry..."

"Do not be, princess," He finally spoke.

The sound of his voice sent goose-flesh down her arms. Heavens, how many times since his death had she wished to hear it again and now that she was, it was so overwhelming that she was unable to hold back her tears.

"I died in peace knowing you will continue to be protected by another."

She looked at him confusedly. What was he talking about? She brushed it off, fearful time would run out before she could tell him what she wanted to tell him.

"I miss you so much," She exclaimed as she finally lunged forward, half-expecting herself to fall through his image but when she did not, she began to sob furiously as she fell against his warm fur, taking in his familiar scent.

It was as if he were truly here. She clung to him desperately, wishing more than anything that he would stay.

"I will always be with you," He assured her, nuzzling her hair affectionately, "So long as you remember me."

She wanted to tell him she would never forget him. She wanted to tell him that she only ever knew true happiness when he had been alive. He had been her only friend, her best friend and the kindest wolf she had ever known. But her tears had grown so violent that she choked on her words. Everything she had rehearsed in her head suddenly left her.

"Now go," He stated gently as the voice of Kiba was calling him back to the afterlife.

"I... c-c-can't..." She stammered emotionally, gripping his fur for dear life, "I n-need you... Please don't lea-leave me alone."

"You're not alone," He reminded her but Kumiko wasn't hearing it.

"Don't go," She begged as he slowly began to disappear, unable to grip him any longer.

"Live," He requested of her, his voice diminishing into nothing more but a ghostly echo, "Allow yourself to be happy. For me."

Bluto glanced behind her in his last moment, his eyes locking with Koga's. Koga's face hardened with what looked like determination. He provided a curt nod to the spirit, a silent reassurance that he would protect Kumiko as long as he lived.

"Bluto!" Kumiko cried out in a panic, looking around frantically as he disappeared, nothing more but a whisper of the wind.

Bluto...

The others watched somberly, expecting Kumiko to burst into tears once more as she continued to kneel down, her hands coming to her face.

She did not.

Instead, the wolf princess slowly brought herself to her feet, wiping her tears away. Though her heart would always be missing a piece, she silently thanked Kiba for allowing her to speak to her friend one more time. It was an odd feeling to have both closure yet still feel the despair of losing him.

She stood that way for a while until her face and eyes were dry, turning to face the group. She kept her eyes averted as she walked to the flute she had dropped, picking it up and sliding it into her skirt. Kagome's hands were clasped against her chest as she eyed Kumiko sympathetically.

Oh, Kumiko, Kagome thought to herself, her heart breaking for the wolf who had suffered so.

Koga waited until Kumiko approached the group before nodding them towards the exit. Ginta and Hakkaku exhaled in unison, having to hold back from expressing their great joy and relief at the success of their quest. Their pack - and all the others - were saved. But one look into Kumiko's sorrowful eyes and they knew they would have to reserve their joy for a more appropriate time.

Everyone walked as a group one last time, a quietness surrounding them. When they finally exited the Sacred Grounds, they paused and faced each other. There was a moment of silence as what should have been a celebratory moment of success was reduced to a saddened dismissal.

"I guess this is goodbye," Inuyasha finally spoke up, looking at Kumiko.

She said nothing.

Kagome felt a tightening in her own chest. How could she leave Kumiko like this? She looked so sad, so defeated... To just wave goodbye and jolt felt so wrong but what could she do? She was powerless.

She opted for lunging towards Kumiko, embracing the woman tightly. Kumiko's back stiffened at first, caught by surprise. But she soon returned the shorter woman's embrace, closing her eyes tightly as a desperate whisper escaped her.

"Can't I just go with you?" She pleaded.

Kagome looked over Kumiko's shoulder and at Koga whose back was turned to them. She could see his shoulders tighten at Kumiko's words and for a moment she actually felt sorry for him. Kagome pulled back and looked up at Kumiko with a gentle smile.

"You're going to be fine," She promised, "I know it doesn't seem like it but you will."

Kumiko grit her teeth, providing a silent nod as she willed herself to not cry again. She hesitantly let Kagome go, watching the girl walk back with Inuyasha.

"Thank you for your help," Kumiko finally addressed Inuyasha.

The dog demon acknowledged her with a silent nod and knowing look. She was unsure of what he was trying to say through his eyes and would never find out as they group bid their final goodbye's.

Kumiko watched painfully as Inuyasha and Kagome retreated back into the dark forest, Koga walking in a different direction.

"Let's go," He ordered firmly, walking ahead.

Ginta and Hakkaku ushered a very upset Kumiko behind their leader. They wanted nothing more than to assure her that Koga wasn't so bad, that the pack would welcome her with open arms but with Koga closeby, they lost their courage and instead allowed the princess to dwell on her fears in silence.

"Poor Kumiko," Kagome sighed as they exited the forest.

"Yeah..." Inuyasha shrugged, "She'll be fine."

"Oh, I know," She smiled up at her husband gently, "I just wish she realized how much Koga really cares for her."

"What do you mean?" He frowned confusedly.

All he saw were two people constantly at each other's throat. They had a moment of weakness, surrending to sexual tension. But aside from that, he saw absolutely no care in either of them for the other.

"Don't you see?" Kagome's smile widened, "He loves her."

"How do you come to that conclusion?" He blinked down at her.

"I just have a feeling," She stated smugly, staring ahead with a confident grin.

Inuyasha rolled his eyes as he reached for Kagome's hand, their fingers entwining as they headed home in a comfortable silence.

Author's Note:

Before the Point Dexter's come with their extensive knowledge of gestation: Relax and enjoy the story.

~ Laruto