Chapter 11

You've Got to Be Kidding!

A shriek of horror had Kagome racing down one of the long tunnels towards the main den. The rest of the tribe was dashing about in a mad frenzy, trying to get a look at what was going on. While Kagome didn't sense any Birds of Paradise nearby, one of the hunters had returned early but no-one was able to explain why. And, since the small woman wasn't making much progress as far as getting through the crowd, she wasn't sure if she'd find out any time soon.

Thankfully, Aiko's presence caused a wide berth to open up towards the open mouth of the den. Being quick to slip in behind the alpha female, Kagome barely stifled a scream of horror as she saw Emi, one of the smaller Ookami females, clutching a small, bloody form to her chest as she practically howled in despair. Riku, her mate, looked like he was torn between the urge to kill something or wanting to be killed himself as he crouched beside her, a tense look of desperation on his face.

"What happened?" Aiko demanded in a strong, forced tone. "Who can tell me?"

No-one dared speak as Emi's cries echoed about the cave, tension rising with sorrow in the air.

"Well?" Aiko challenged. "Does no-one have a clue how this happened?!"

"Those winged bastards are what happened," snapped Riku, glaring fiercely at his alpha female. "The nest was still occupied. It was a trap."

Questions erupted like wild-fire about the cave as everyone frantically asked about their loved ones but Riku ignored it all as he held Aiko's gaze with his own burning one.

Kagome desperately wished she could voice her own worries but she found herself unable to tear her gaze from Banu's still form. How could this have happened? Were the others injured as well?

A deep red bandage was wrapped tightly about his tiny waist and his arms and legs hung loosely about his mother's tight grip. She had to get a look at him to see if he was still alive. Tugging sharply on Aiko's elbow, the priestess was relieved to see her friend nod sharply in agreement.

"Get the pup to the healer's rooms and prepare for anyone else who may be injured," she ordered as a handful of the females made their way towards Emi, gently easing her injured pup from her desperate hands and leading both away.

Kagome bowed in thanks to the alpha female before she rushed out behind the group. Aiko would get information of the others and take care of it. But, right now, the only one that needed her was Banu.

SSS

"What the hell happened out there?" Aiko demanded, eyes flashing at the lone hunter still crouching on the stone floor.

Fist clenching in barely restrained fury, Riku stood to his feet, popping a stiff shoulder.

"Like I said, the tip we got was a lie. It was a trap to kill us all."

"How is that possible?" she asked.

"That's what we all want to know."

Swallowing low, Aiko forced herself to remain calm. She couldn't lose control now. The tribe needed to keep from panicking.

"And, the others?" she asked, keeping her tone even. "Where are they?"

"Shiro and Koga stayed behind to ensure none of the nest would try and follow us back to the den. They sent me back with my son ahead of the others."

Aiko felt a wave of relief wash over her at the hunter's words. He was alright. Her mate was alive and would return soon. Till then, she'd take care of the tribe. He'd be proud of his mate.

"Alright," she replied with a nod. "We'll be ready for the others. Any-other injured?"

Hanging his head with shame, Riku shook his head. There were no injuries, none that weren't already healing…..none but his own pup.

"Go find your mate," Aiko ordered gently. "She'll need you."

Not needing to be told twice, the hunter leapt to his feet and raced off down the tunnels in search of his female.

SSS

Kagome had barely secured the end of her last bandage around Banu's middle when Aiko's determined stepped echoed down the tunnel. Seeing Hanako's stooped form just behind the young alpha, Kagome turned to face her friend.

"Something wrong, Aiko?"

It had been months since Kagome had seen the old healer but Hanako usually preferred solitude nowadays.

"Hanako will take it from here, Kagome," Aiko explained in a steady tone. "You've done enough."

This caused Kagome to shake her head in disbelief. Aiko couldn't be serious. Banu was patched up but she'd not used her reiki to knit his flesh together over the wound yet. She hadn't even given him a tea to soothe his sleep.

"Enough?" the priestess asked. "Aiko, I haven't even—"

"I know," she interrupted. "And, that won't be necessary. Hanako will take good care of young Banu.'

Kagome found herself lost for words. What was she supposed to say to this? Better yet, why was Aiko doing this in the first place? It made no sense. She was the perfect one to heal him. In fact, she might be the only one who could. So, why would Aiko say she couldn't….

Bright brown eyes flashed with recognition at the alpha female, anger starting to heat her belly. The slight shifting of the Ookami's feet told the young priestess she was right.

"Aiko, I can't hide now," she replied. "I don't care if Koga is back or not."

"You may not care but this is not up to you," Aiko returned with a slight toss of her head.

"Banu will die."

"You don't know that," the female answered, her tone brokering no argument.

"Aiko—"

"Kagome, this is not up for discussion. You are here under our protection and therefore, you are subject to our ways. I am still alpha here and you will obey my wishes. You've done enough."

Kagome stared in stunned shock as she struggled to believe this. What was going on here? Aiko really expected her to just abandon a dying pup and stay out of sight. It went against every instinct she had. Unfortunately, Aiko also had a point. Kagome was only there as long as she remained in their good graces and right now the pack's alpha female was giving her an order, and expecting obedience.

Biting the inside of her cheek, she quietly rose to her feet and made her way from the cave back towards her room. This wasn't right. It was wrong on so many levels but there was nothing she could do. Not yet, anyway.

SSS

Biting back an infuriated growl, Koga stomped through the entrance of the tribe's main den. That had been the hunt from hell! Every inch of him was practically vibrating with how angry he was and the worst part was there wasn't any more of those damned birds to vent his pent up frustrations on.

A pup had been injured on his watch. A pup! It was unacceptable.

The swinging fist he slammed into the cave wall sent several cracks scattering along the hollowed out stone. This wasn't over. He didn't care who gave them that information. Koga would skin him alive with his own clawed hands.

"Ah, Koga-sama, you're back."

Piercing blue eyes snapped over his shoulder to spy to lowly male from earlier slinking slowly from the shadows of a nearby tunnel.

"What do you want?" Koga ground out, popping his stiff knuckles.

"I just wanted to check on you," Gorou replied in his oily tone. "The other returned long ago and some wondered where you were."

"I was patrolling," Koga snapped, fangs clenching under the irritation at the lowly male. "Which is where many should have been. Instead, you all hide in these caves, waiting for an attack."

"We're well protected," Gorou answered with a slight smile. "Care to know how?"

"You truly will grab at anything, won't you?" the alpha warned, taking a step towards the crafty male. "My patience is growing tired of all these games. Games that may well cost a pup his life."

"Oh, I doubt it," Gorou quickly replied, taking a more submissive pose. "After all, he's in the human's care."

"Why would that matter?" Koga demanded.

"Because she's—"

"Koga!"

The sudden yell had both male's startling as two hunters lunged at their leader, clinging with tears of joy in their eyes. However, Koga found he didn't have the patience to deal with it twice in one day.

"Get off of me!" he yelled, flinging both to the ground as he made his way down a side tunnel.

Today had been a shit-filled kind of day and he was done with it. He decided he was going to bed and then heading back home in the morning, hidden power or not be damned. His tribe needed him and he wasn't about to lose them all to those winged bastards like they'd probably lost the pup.

However, before he tried to shut his eyes and sleep, he was going to check on the pup. The kid deserved that much, at least.