Title: A Feudal Era Fairytale

Author: C-Chan2 aka Neptunesdemon

Archive: For this, none yet.

Category: Adventure, romance, drama, mention of Mpreg

Pairings: Sesshomaru/Miroku, Kouga/Inuyasha

Spoilers: None at all

Warnings: OOC, yaoi, AU, child-abuse

Author's Note: Life has been kicking my ass, so my writing has suffered. Please, try to enjoy this chapter.

xoxoxox

Kagome walked carefully with her head down as she led Inuyasha and Kouga slowly through the demon village. She got many a stare from demon passersby, a mixture of shock, fear and anger at the presence of a miko in their midst. Kouga's injured state earned her some disdainful stares and Inuyasha was not immune from stares either.

Being a Half-Demon his reception was mixed. Luckily in this village he was looked at in amazement more than contempt. The crowds they passed through parted out of the way as they moved and Kagome nodded respectfully at each and every demon, even those who snarled.

It wasn't more than a quarter of the hour after reaching the village that they found an inn and Kagome turned to Inuyasha and Kouga just outside the entrance.

"This is as far as I go." She said sternly, trying not to let her frown wilt under Inuyasha's surprised, disbelieving gaze. "I have to return before sunset and I'm already too far from my own territory for comfort. If Kikyo were to find out, she'd probably unfairly take her anger out on any demon here that looked at her wrong."

"But, wouldn't it be safer if you stayed the night here and left in the morning?" Inuyasha was asking.

Kagome looked up and behind the two traveling companions to see a group of burly demons gathering and eyeing her up and down. Yeah, she didn't think it was a good idea.

"Um, no. I should really go." She insisted and Inuyasha frowned.

"Ok, well, wait here. I'll get Kouga settled and walk you back." He insisted and Kouga snorted, gaining their attention.

"You go back and her sister will make sure you leave with a sacred arrow as a parting gift." He told the silver-haired half-breed, sounding more exhausted than not. "No, you can't go with her. It'll be too dangerous."

"But, she's can't go alone, what if she's attacked?"

Kagome smiled and held up her bow, the weapon seeming to hum with power as she did so. It was reacting quite a bit to the surrounding demon auras and several demons backed away or avoided them with quiet gasps as she held it out. The group that had been gathering nervously dispersed and Kagome smiled in relief.

"I'll be fine. I have sacred magic and I know how to use it." She was putting the bow away again before she was looking at Kouga, feeling a bit guilty that she was leaving him here in such a state. "I'm sorry for what happened. I hope you get well, Kouga and I wish you two a safe journey."

The two thanked her quietly and then Kagome was leaving with a nod and a wave goodbye. Inuyasha watched her leave, wary of the other eyes watching the miko go and he almost ran after her, but Kouga's weight in his arms seemed to double and he focused on the Wolf Demon again.

"You're getting worse."

"No, I just need rest." Kouga insisted, groaning as he straightened and walked on weak legs.

Inuyasha nodded and began to pull him inside, but Kouga muttered a sound of objection.

"I can't." He said with a shake of his head. "I have to spend my nights under the stars. My Year of Solitude."

Inuyasha looked at the Wolf Demon incredulously. They had gotten the miko to lead them here for help and Kouga was refusing to go inside?

"But, your wound." Was all he uttered and Kouga chuckled.

"I'll be fine." He insisted, even though he had started to sweat. "I'm a demon. I'll be fine. I just need to rest. But not in there; you stay and I'll get you in the morning."

"But Kouga-"

He could only watch in shock as Kouga pushed him away, before taking a deep breath and holding out a small pouch of coins. When Inuyasha didn't take them, he lifted the Half Breed's hand so that he could rest it there himself, and then he turned without any other word and began a treacherous trek back to the forest outside of the village.

"I'll be back in the morning." He called back, Inuyasha not sure what to make of what was happening. "Go and buy a room for yourself."

Golden eyes watched the wolf drag himself away on unstable legs and he suddenly felt guilty, scared and alone. When Kouga had disappeared into the thinning crowd, he looked back at the inn before looking back to see if he could find the Wolf Demon. Kouga was already gone and he would not come back; not until tomorrow. Inuyasha slowly turned and headed inside, the bag of coins in his hands feeling as heavy as his insides felt at the thought of having left Kouga alone.

xoxoxox

Kouga hissed as he sat himself against the large roots of a tree, slowly flexing his injured shoulder. Inuyasha had been right; this was not going to heal overnight without medicine and he already knew an infection was inevitable. Kagome had done her best to treat him, but the herbs and medicines humans used rarely helped demons.

He sighed again, leaning his head back and closing his eyes as the late afternoon began to turn into evening. He was hurting, he was tired and now he was hungry. His stomach growled to punctuate his thoughts and he sighed again. There would be no hunting tonight, not with him in this state. He'd be lucky to grab a small nocturnal animal that came too close once the darkness settled.

He wondered then, what Inuyasha was doing. The lucky Half Breed was probably enjoying a cooked meal and a soft bedroll. He had given Inuyasha all of his coins, which should have been enough to make sure that the silver-haired male was taken care of.

His wound throbbed and he was suddenly wishing he had listened more when his mother was explaining medicinal properties of plants found in the forest. Oh well, at least he knew how to forage for things; what he needed to forage was the part he didn't know.

His ears picked up the sound of footsteps and he slowly opened his eyes, the blurred image of a silhouette catching his attention. He lowered his head and blinked, his vision clearing and he frowned at the sight of Inuyasha walking closer, his hands carrying a satchel and a basket.

"Inuyasha, what the heck are you doing?" He questioned, watching the golden-eyed Dog Demon kneel beside him. "I told you to stay in the village."

"I can't leave you alone." Inuyasha insisted, settling his burdens on the ground. "You'd never survive if something happened to you. I would never forgive myself."

"Inuyasha-"

"I can't lose you, Kouga." The smaller demon interrupted, golden eyes staring back sadly into wide blue. "You're all I have. I need you."

He was at a loss for words at that confession and he coughed to try and get his voice working again, but he had effectively been stunned to silence. As he tried to regain his composure, Inuyasha reached into the satchel and pulled out a jar and a bottle. The bottle he handed to Kouga, he took it without question, the jar he opened, a pungent smell escaping from it.

"Geeze." Kouga exclaimed, turning his head away from the overpowering scent. "What the heck is that?"

"The healer gave it to me." Inuyasha explained resting it down so that he could reach and begin removing Kouga's armor to get it out of the way. "I offered him the money to come and heal you himself, but when he found out you were a Wolf Demon, he insisted that you would never accept his help. I had to beg him and he only offered me this salve, a tonic for your strength and advice."

Kouga flinched a bit as he was jostled while Inuyasha carefully pulled off his armor. Soon his chest was bare and he had to smile slightly as the face in front of him was soon dusted lightly with pink. Even though Kouga still had his furs on, Inuyasha was still a bit embarrassed at his naked flesh.

"He was right; I would have refused his help." He said, Inuyasha settling his armor carefully beside them before dipping his fingers into the salve jar. "I should be refusing your help, but I'm not stupid. You'd probably knock me out and take care of me whether I liked it or not."

He hissed as the salve was applied and Inuyasha flinched as he did so. The burning sensation turned to a numbing sensation and Kouga was able to relax, not having been aware that he was tense to begin with. His eyes watched as Inuyasha focused on his work and he grinned a wicked little grin at the thought of teasing the Half Breed.

"Then of course, with me knocked out you can easily have your way with me."

He barely got to enjoy Inuyasha's deepening red cheeks before he was letting out a weird shriek as a hand snapped across his cheek.

"What the hell!" He asked, turning back to a blushing and angry Inuyasha.

"Why would you say something like that!" Inuyasha demanded his voice a bit high and flustered. "How could you accuse me of. . .of. . .you pervert!"

"Ow!" Kouga yelled, as he was smacked again. "Stop hitting me!"

Luckily he was fast enough to stop another hit, and Kouga pulled Inuyasha off balance, the adolescent gasping as he toppled forward.

"I'm sorry." Kouga apologized, his tone serious. "I was only joking around."

Gold eyes looked away, the owner quite flustered and trying to pull free from Kouga's grip.

"It wasn't funny."

"Well, just a little bit." Kouga said with a smile, and Inuyasha was turning back to glare at him.

"Not at all!" He insisted and Kouga chuckled, before rubbing his thumb over the wrist held in his grip.

"Ok, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have teased you like that."

Inuyasha merely cleared his throat before he was freezing as blue eyes looked up and he was then aware of just how close they were. He was all but draped over Kouga's lap, the hand not captured flat on Kouga's chest as he had tried to catch his balance when he had been pulled forward and if they leaned in any closer their noses could touch. His face was lighting bright red again as he realized it.

"Um, Inuyasha." Kouga's words were oddly kind of slurred and Inuyasha blinked as the Wolf Demon let him go to feel at his face where he had been slapped. "You didn't happen to slap me with the hand that had the salve with the numbing agent."

His flush of embarrassment was back and Kouga kept prodding at his now numb cheek.

"Do you know how long it mill last?" Kouga asked and Inuyasha chuckled nervously.

"All night." He meekly provided and Kouga groaned.

"You're hemping me thrink the tonic." He managed to say and Inuyasha sighed.

He supposed he had no choice; Kouga needed to drink it and was now drooling out of the left side of his face. He stifled a chortle of laughter at the sight and made sure to wipe his hands off before reaching for the basket and the tonic.

"I guess I'm helping you eat, too." He said and Kouga rolled his eyes.

Maybe it would have been best if he had just stayed in the inn and live with the guilt. It was better than the current alternative. He watched Inuyasha fidgeting and hoped the smile on his lips didn't look weird now with the effects of the salve was getting worse. He was sure there was a chance he started to regret it, but right now, he was enjoying the Half Breed's company too much.

xoxoxox

"Stop fondling me!" The words were said in an impatient tone and were followed by an irritated huff.

Sesshomaru merely chuckled and reached around his lover again, his hands rubbing the round stomach where their unborn pup was growing inside. Miroku growled irritably and shook him off again, but this time he refused to go, securing the human man in his arms.

"Our child begs for my touch." He told him, Miroku settling a bit. "His aura calls out to mine and he wishes to feel my presence. The closest I can get is with my hands on your stomach, and so, I must oblige our pup."

Miroku's snort was the key that he had seen through the obvious lie and he let Miroku go enough so that the human man could turn to face him.

"You just want to feel my belly." He said with a pout, and Sesshomaru moved forward to nuzzle him. "You're drawing too much attention to the fact that I look like a bloated sow."

He couldn't help the laugh at the words and Miroku hurtfully pushed away from him, but Sesshomaru didn't let him get far. He pulled him back into his embrace, Miroku objecting half-heartedly.

"You must understand, love, that you are pregnant. And you are no sow. You are beautiful."

Miroku only made a whining sound, but settled in his lover's arms and allowed himself to be guided to the bed. He was carefully placed in it and when he was comfortable, Sesshomaru settled himself in so that he was snuggled up close. They stayed that way for quite some time, Sesshomaru reassuring the monk that he was quite fond of his new shape.

Then Miroku was announcing the baby's movement, and Sesshomaru was feeling him up again. The two soon to be parents shared smiles and amazed laughs at the movement of the baby.

"What would we name it?" Miroku suddenly was asking, his hands stroking through Sesshomaru's hair even as he lifted his head. He had been busy listening to the baby's heartbeat when his lover asked the question. "Though, I don't even know if it's a boy or a girl."

"What does your heart tell you?" Sesshomaru was asking and Miroku only frowned at him.

"I hardly think my heart has the ability to know such a thing." Miroku told him and Sesshomaru merely gave a thoughtful hum as he situated himself with arms around his lover.

"You humans, never trust your instincts, it's a wonder how you are thriving so well." He stated and Miroku merely snorted. "I believe you know, or at least will know. But, you're not allowing yourself to rely on what you feel; you think it unreliable or wishful thinking. Your gut feeling is that closest I have known a human to have to demon aura, my mate, and it is rarely wrong. So, I ask you, do you know what you are carrying?"

Miroku paused for a few minutes, not exactly sure if he wanted to do what Sesshomaru was asking of him. There was no way the baby knew what sex he was . . .

It was then he realized that he had thought of the baby as "he" and his face softened with a smile. He could not believe it; in fact he wasn't sure if he should. There was no way that Sesshomaru was right. Was there?

His mind envisioned a baby boy and he took Sesshomaru's hand and rested it on his stomach again, this time enjoying it there.

"A boy." He gently announced, happy to see Sesshomaru's face light with happiness. "I'm carrying your son."

Sesshomaru leaned in to place a kiss to Miroku's forehead before he was pressing in closer to murmur in his ear.

"You mean to say you are carrying our son." His hand curled a bit more securely on the roundness of Miroku's belly and he smiled at his lover after kissing him." "I will name him, Inuyasha."

"Inuyasha." Miroku repeated it, testing it on his tongue. He was soon smiling and resting his hand over Sesshomaru's. "It's perfect. A fine name for the son of the Demon Lord of the West."

Sesshomaru smiled and planted a kiss on waiting lips, before pulling his human lover closer.

"He will not only be the child of a Demon Lord, he will be ours."

xoxoxox

Miroku opened his eyes with a soft gasp, his hand reaching down to his flat stomach. It had been so long ago since he had been pregnant and at times his dreams felt so real he was certain he'd wake up swollen with child.

But it never happened, and this time to realize that made him sad. Inuyasha was not settled safely in his womb, let alone his arms. His son was out there, somewhere, hopefully alive and hopefully safe.

Beside him Shippo groaned in his sleep before cuddling closer and Miroku carefully adjusted the furs that were given as bedding by their Wolf Demon hosts. When Shippo was settled and lightly snoring again, he carefully stood from the bedroll they were given and wrapped up in an extra fur skin to take a short work.

Now awake, he couldn't go back to sleep. His mind was too busy thinking of his lover and pup. He made sure not to wander too far away from the campground he had been limited to and sat himself on a fallen tree, staring up at the night sky and wondering if he'd ever get to see his family again.

The bushes to his right rustled and he stood, turning to face the direction and readying himself for anything that came his way. He relaxed a bit to find it was only the Wolf Lord's mate and he sighed in relief as she gave him a concerned look.

"Monk, you should be asleep and close to your pup." She told him, stopping in front of him and looking him over. "Is there something wrong?"

The innocent question had opened something unexpected and Miroku found himself unable to stop the tears from spilling. When the female Wolf Demon reached for him, he was crumpling in her arms and found himself sobbing. It was odd how he hadn't realized that he was so close to falling apart, but now that he had someone willing to ask him how he was managing through all this, his walls crumbled.

The demon woman only shushed him, comforting him in gentle arms and with soft words of understanding. He had quieted after sometime, but enjoyed the embracing for a while longer. When he had finally settled, the Wolf Demon lifted his head to look him in his now bloodshot eyes to offer him a sincere smile of understanding.

"It's hard to hide your hurt when someone is genuine about your feelings, isn't it?" The Alpha female was asking him, and Miroku gave a breath of a laugh, wiping the already dried tears from his face. "As a mother, I understand. When my mate was gone, at least I had my child. And with my child now gone, at least I have my mate. But you, dear monk, the two are gone for you. I wish there was more that I can do."

"You have done enough, Lady Wolf." Miroku assured her, offering her a soft smile. "You have given me shelter, food and a place to rest. And moments ago, you gave me the shoulder I so desperately needed. Thank you for your help."

"Miroku!"

The two were looking back to the human's man small camp where the scared voice had come from, and soon Miroku was sighing at the sound of a fox kit calling out for its mother. The Wolf Demon merely chuckled and let him go, watching as Miroku hurried off. She drew closer and watched as the kit was quieted, the human man laying next him and cuddling him. This human man was a mystery, but he was a human with a pure heart and an accepting mind. It was quite obvious that he saw people and demons alike for who they were rather than what they were. It was a shame that he had been dealt such bad luck.

She relaxed into the body that pressed against her from behind and let arms wrap loosely around her waist. Her mate growled soft and deep, a sound of comfort and contentment all at once.

"You are certain that he is a human that can be trusted?" He asked her, and she kept silent for some time after, studying the human man now humming a sweet lullaby to the demon kit.

"He would not have made it this far if his intentions were untrue." She told him, her mate humming in thought as he rested his chin on her shoulder. "Tomorrow, I'll show him the way to Fukurokuju's shrine and hope it will keep him off his path to the West."

"You fear what will happen if he gets to Naraku."

"No one should willingly go in that direction." She told her mate with a sneer of disgust at the thought of the evil demon. "Leading him to Naraku is the only aid I refuse him."

"Which is your right to do so." The Alpha male said, placing a kiss to her cheek. "Let us go to bed, my mate. It is late and the night will not wait for you."

With a soft snort, she agreed, allowing herself to be led away. Grey eyes looked back at Miroku, now sound asleep with his adopted child in his arms, and was content at what she saw. Then she was looking up at the moon and wondered if Kouga was staring up at it, too.

xoxoxox

The sound of Rin fussing had Sesshomaru looking to the human girl. She was tossing and turning in her bed roll, probably the result of a bad dream. His hand reached out to rest on her head and she instantly stilled. She had merely needed contact. He let his hand slowly stroke her hair as his golden eyes turned to look back up at the moon.

He vaguely remembered comforting his small pup when he had nightmares, holding the small one in his arms and reassuring him throughout the night. He had to find his pup, which was hopefully being comforted by his mother. He frowned at the thought of his mate and had to wonder why he couldn't see a face in his memories. He heard the man's voice, knew how soft his hair felt, how sweet his kisses tasted, but he did not know how he looked.

Rin whimpered again and he chose to settle down next to her, drawing in the human child close until she was calm and breathing evenly. He lay there, lost in his thoughts and wondering what his best course of action was. He had to go to Edo, which was all he knew. There he would find answers he was certain.

There he'd be led to his child and mate. From there he would be led home.

xoxoxox

Bankotsu growled again, his brows creasing in a frown as in the building housing the bathing room of the public onsen a man screamed in horror and pain. Jakotsu had spotted the place on their walk and after coming to tears when the younger demon had refused to bend to his whims, he had gotten his way. The scream came again and Bankotsu opened his eyes with a louder growl. Why didn't his brother just kill the damned man already?

Something in the water tickled at his naked side and he glared down at the lifeless, naked body of a female floating past him, her face frozen in a scream of fear. Her hair was long and spread out in the water and it what was the thing tickling at him. He pushed her away and pulled himself out of the comforting hot water. Jakotsu liked to play too much with his toys, he'd put an end to the insufferable screaming for good.

Half way there a gurgling gasp floated out from the curtained doorways. He was about to walk in when Jakotsu exited, covered in blood and focused on the task of cleaning his finger nails.

"Brother, I'm bored!" He whined, pouting up at the angry demon, whose blue eyes were glaring down at him. He ignored the mood and giddily wrapped his arms about his brother's neck before smiling up at him. "Can I play with the woman next?"

Bankotsu's snort was all the answer he needed and he was back to pouting.

"You never share!"

Bankotsu only grunted, allowing Jakotsu to snuggling up to him and continue his whining. He was too busy trying to figure out how it was that they kept missing the Half Breed. He was tracking him well enough, but they were always a day or two late. Even when he thought that he was right on Inuyasha's tail, he'd discover the Half Breed was already gone. There were many innocent victims that he slated his anger and frustration on, and Jakotsu suffered a bit of abuse, too. But the older man had a sick, twisted mind and actually enjoyed it.

The nip to his shoulder, or rather harsh bite that broke skin and bled, had him hissing and pulling at Jakotsu's hair. The older man merely laughed in delight and Bankotsu glared down at him.

"I don't have time to play." Was all he said, throwing his brother to the ground and leaving to submerge into the water again. He needed to relax again, he was far too tense. "I need to find the Halfling whore and take him back to the Western Kingdom. Then I can tear him apart right in front of Naraku's own eyes"

"Ooh!" Cooed Jakotsu, and then the large splash informed the braided man that he and the dead body were no longer alone in the pool. "Let me play with him first! I want his ears, they're so cute! Please brother!"

He was chocking to a halt as Bankotsu's hand clamped around his throat and he barely struggled, more seemed to writhe in pleasure. Bankotsu glared at the man he tolerated and squeezed harder, enjoying the purpling tinge to the pale skin of Jakotsu's face.

"You can play with him after I'm done with him." Was all he said, before he was pushing Jakotsu back and under the water. The older man flailed and splashed erratically, hands clawing at the one around his throat hard enough that it would be bruised for some days after. It was several minutes before the body that was struggling slowed down and then grew taught. When it finally relaxed, Bankotsu let go and Jakotsu's body floated up to break the surface.

His eyes were glazed over and his mouth hung slightly open. The tan-skinned individual hmphed before he was settling back against the stone, closing his eyes to relax again. The water shifted and he tried his best to ignore the shaky fingers that grabbed onto him, and the cold lips pressing appreciative kisses over his chest and face.

"Thank you, brother." Jakotsu's voice was soft and raspy, but weighted with the unmistakable sound of post coital bliss.

"Get out." Was all he said, the older man obeying effortlessly. "And leave the girl. She's still useful to me."

Jakotsu could only smile at the distorted image of his brother's arousal through the steamy, murky water and he left Bankotsu behind. He had enjoyed himself; it was only fair his brother got his turn. They would begin tracking the runaway Half Demon when Bankotsu had satisfied his needs.

xoxoxox

The soft singing had blue eyes slowly opening and Kouga was greeted by the early morning light of the sun, peeking through the treetops. He was lying down next to the tree he had been treated by Inuyasha last night, the soft grass a bit damp from the early morning dew.

He sat up, his shoulder a bit stiff, but he could tell the wound was closed. It would be right as rain after another day. Inuyasha had done a good job of medicating him with the demon medicine. After rolling his shoulder a bit, he stood with a stretch and turned toward the sound of the singing. He went carefully and quietly, his eyes catching the sight of silver hair shining in the sunlight. He came to a stop, hidden behind some tall underbrush and couldn't help but smile. Inuyasha was singing by the stream, his body gracefully moving in a dance to match the song. It would seem that even though he had been forced to learn such things, he quite enjoyed doing it.

Kouga merely crossed his arms and watched, studying the smaller Halfling and enjoying the sight. Each flowing move was precise, every turn done just so, and the soft tenor sang the foreign words sweetly. It sounded like a happy song. He hoped it was a happy song, because the one that had captured Kouga's heart sounded as if it would break it if he knew the words.

The song ended and Kouga figured he should reveal himself, but he was stopping cold at the subtle movement that was revealing a pale, slender shoulder. The younger demon was singing again, this time his movements more sensual; his hips swayed teasingly as he seemed to sing a song of playful seduction. In the back of his mind, Kouga was quite angry to know that it was songs like this one that Naraku had forced Inuyasha to entertain him with, but at the moment he was far too distracted by the careful reveal of pale flesh and coquettish movements of the lithe figure in front of him.

Perhaps he was too distracted by Inuyasha's dancing that he didn't sense the approaching aura. Inuyasha's song came to an abrupt halt as an imposing figure parted the surrounding brush on the other side of the stream and Kouga stiffened, taken off guard by the sudden appearance.

"Well, well. What's this?" The new demon said, smiling broadly and cockily at the now blushing Half Demon across the small stream. "Hello, pretty. Please, don't stop on my account. Do go on."

Inuyasha's eyes never looked away from the creature in front of him, recognizing the familiar scent of Wolf Demon. This demon smelled similar to Kouga, only where as Kouga smelled of open sky, fresh grass and male musk, this Wolf Demon smelled like wet earth, autumn leaves and his musk was heavier. He saw dark eyes run over him and he quickly fixed his clothes, holding his kimono closed but never turning away. Kouga had said countless times to never look away from a demon; that translated to weakness, especially to a Wolf Demon.

"Aw, don't do that, pretty." The taller demon tsked, before he was slowly crossing the water to close the distance between them.

Inuyasha slowly backed away, stopping only when the demon stopped and waiting for his next move. He could turn and run to Kouga, but there was a chance that this demon ran just as fast as Kouga, which still meant faster than Inuyasha could.

"All alone?"

Inuyasha kept quiet and the Wolf Demon tsked, crossing his arms over a broad chest and looking about the area.

"It seems that you are." He said, brown eyes looking back to Inuyasha, loose, beaded hair gently moving in the wind. "That can be corrected."

Inuyasha jumped at the growl behind him and he stumbled back as Kouga was suddenly landing in front of him with a bark in a tone he had never heard before. The Wolf Demon ahead of him had crouched into a ready stance at the sudden entrance, eyes narrowed and teeth bared. He seemed to falter in shock as he saw Kouga, seeming to recognize him and then growling anew.

"Back off, Ikijou." Came Kouga's warning and Inuyasha then realized that the two knew each other.

"It figures that you couldn't manage long on your own." The other Wolf Demon said with a scoff, his snarl turning into a smug smile. "The poor, wittle prince alone in the big, bad world."

Inuyasha watched wide-eyed as the two continued to stand off, the unmistakable sparks in the air caused by building Demon energy. These two were going to fight soon, and it would not be pretty. This would be a battle until the end and that meant there was a chance that Kouga would get seriously hurt or end up dead. He couldn't let that happen.

"Kouga, please, don't do this." He was begging, trying to catch the blue-eyed wolf's attention

"At least you have good taste in your whores, my prince." Ikijou taunted, meaning to get a reaction and Kouga took the bait.

Golden eyes widened as they both jumped toward the other, forms changing in mid-air and suddenly two larger than normal wolves were fighting each other. One was jet black and the other a dingy gray, claws and teeth gnashing, growls and barks echoing in the trees.

All Inuyasha was worried about was Kouga getting hurt again. This would be his fault, too. There had to be something he could do. His only thought was to get the other Wolf Demon to back off, but he had no idea how.

The sound of howling in the distance had the two stopping suddenly and Inuyasha didn't need to keep worrying. Whatever that howling meant, it had the two back in humanoid form and gazing out of the trees into the distance at the plain ahead of them. The howls came again and the demon called Ikijou looked back to Kouga with a sneer. He held a bloody lip and a bruising cheek, his arms were littered with long claw marks and on his thigh was the imprint of teeth. He merely spit out some blood tainted phlegm in Kouga's direction before he was glancing back at a still shocked Inuyasha and then he was gone.

Kouga growled as he left, wiping at his own busted lip before he was turning back to look at Inuyasha. His chest held a long track of claw marks diagonally across it and Inuyasha gasp quietly at the sight.

"Kouga, are you alright?" He was questioning.

The Wolf Demon didn't respond, he only continued to wipe at his still bleeding mouth as he walked to the water's edge. That meant he had to pass Inuyasha, the Half Breed reaching out for him as he did. He roughly pulled away and Inuyasha was hurt by the action. What had he done wrong?

He watched Kouga kneel by the water's edge and begin to rinse his mouth, before moving on to washing blood off of himself in other places. Inuyasha figured he needed his space, as he had yet to say a word to him and figured he'd head back to where they had been sleeping last night. He had barely turned away when Kouga's voice stopped him dead in his tracks.

"Don't move." Were the only two words and they made Inuyasha freeze on the spot.

"Kouga, I-"

"Keep. Still." The authoritative words had the effect they were probably meant to have, because Inuyasha stayed put.

He merely watched as Kouga finished washing his wounds before standing and looking over his shoulder at the smaller Halfling.

"You can't go off on your own like that." He was saying, Inuyasha feeling as if he were being scolded like a child. "You don't know what's out there. You could get hurt."

"I was just-"

"You weren't thinking." Kouga interrupted him. "What if I weren't there to help you?"

That had Inuyasha bristling with anger and he frowned then, a glare aimed at Kouga's stern, disapproving look.

"I'm not a baby! I don't need you treating me like a little kid!" He went to storm off, but Kouga was fast and grabbed his wrist before he could go. He struggled against the hold, not the least bit happy at the fact that Kouga could probably overpower him if he wanted to. "Let go of me, you idiot!"

"Don't you understand that every time you end up in a stupid situation where your life is in danger, it scares the hell out of me!"

Inuyasha stopped at those words and slowly looked back at Kouga, whose frown slowly melted away. He released Inuyasha's wrist and idly rubbed the back of his neck with a sigh.

"I'm sorry I yelled, but I was afraid of what could happen to you." He admitted, blue eyes carefully looking up into shocked golden ones. "What if what little I taught you wasn't enough? And who the hell knows what that sick bastard had planned."

"You know that guy?" Inuyasha was asking then and Kouga snorted.

"Bastard from my pack." Was how he chose to explain it, obviously irritated by the mention of him. "He and I were enemies since we were just pups. It felt good to finally have a go at him."

"Over me?" The teasing tone was hard to miss and Kouga cleared his throat before turning his back to Inuyasha to hide his blush.

"Don't read too much into it." He said with a sniff, Inuyasha smiling behind him. "I just didn't trust the guy. He could have tried to do unspeakable things to you. Of course, if you weren't so busy dancing around-"

"You were watching me dance?"

Whoops. Busted.

Kouga laughed nervously before marching off back to their make shift camp.

"Well, we best be off!" He announced, Inuyasha smiling after him as he left. "Keep up, brat, don't want you to get caught unawares again."

The Half Breed followed, chuckling to himself as he watched Kouga try to do everything but look back at him. It was fun to be on the teasing end for once.

xoxoxox

Kagome sighed in irritation as she scrubbed at the wooden floors of the dining area in the living quarters. She had reached home well after the sun had set and Kikyo had been quite livid. After several minutes of a tongue lashing from both older sisters, she had been sent to bed without supper and when she woke the next day had been informed of the extra chores that would serve as her punishment over breakfast.

It was all Inuyasha's fault. If she hadn't given in to those damned pretty eyes, she wouldn't be doing back breaking labor. She blushed at the memory of those golden eyes and scrubbed harder at the floor as if it would scrub the memory right out of her head.

The sudden bright shimmer of the Shikon Jewel had her staring at it and her eyes unfocused as her mind's eye travelled a distance away. On a large feather, a demon woman was flying in their direction. She blinked when she came into herself again and quickly stood to make her way out to the courtyard.

There Kaede was practicing her archery and she stopped at the sight of Kagome rushing out of the living quarters, obviously worried.

"Kagome?"

"A demon!" Kagome panted as she stopped beside her, Kaede's lone eye widening in shock. "Coming this way. . . from the West!"

Kaede lifted her eyes patch so the her demon eye could look out over the spanning distance and what she saw confirmed what Kagome was telling her. A demon was indeed coming. And it wasn't just any demon.

"Kagura."

They turned to their oldest sister, who was exiting the temple with a frown set on her face, her hands tucked neatly into her sleeves.

"It would seem Naraku has a message for us."

Moments later, they were heading out on horseback to meet the demon woman. Kikyo never did like demons too close to the temple grounds and made sure that any who drew to close where stopped. Half a mile or so from the compound they stood and waited, Kagome holding tight to the Shikon Jewel, which was reacting wildly to the demon woman's impending presence.

No more than ten minutes later, Kagura was touching down in front of them, her feather shrinking and being placed into her pinned-up hair.

"My Lord Naraku demands your presence in his court." She announced her placid face and cold eyes disturbing the youngest priestess. "He promises great consequences if you disobey."

"Naraku does not control us, Kagura." Kikyo told her, her own eyes narrowing on the stony woman. "Go back and let him know that we have graced him with our presence not too long ago and do not wish to repeat the unpleasant experience."

"You will do well not to displease him." Kagura warned them, he even voice sounding more threatening than any tone of anger would. "It will not bode well for you and your sisters."

"Lord Naraku has wasted his time sending ye to us. If thou wish to be sent back to his lands unharmed, then ye shall leave without objection."

Kagura looked back at them calmly before she was slowly nodding her head in understanding.

"Very well." She said pulling the feather from her hair. "I will let my lord know that his wedding invitation had been declined."

And then she was gone, leaving the three women behind sharing confused looks with each other. Kikyo looked to Kagome, who stiffened a bit as her sister's eyes narrowed on her.

"Didn't you take Inuyasha to a demon village yesterday night?" She asked and Kagome nodded.

"Then who can Naraku be preparing to wed?" Kaede asked, looking after Kagura who was now nothing more than a dot in the distant sky. "Surely he did not catch the poor thing so quickly."

Kagome felt the Shikon Jewel pulsing and she pulled it out to look into it. She nearly dropped it at the sight of bugs and maggots wriggling from the inside; that is until she realized it was only an image being shown to her. Kaede saw as well, and her frown deepened as her worried eye turned to look at Kikyo.

"Izanami." The eldest easily deducted and the three girls shivered at once. "May the gods have mercy on us.

T.B.C.

This is harder to write than I had first thought. Le sigh. But, I will go on. Please, let me know what you think. I love hearing feedback. Thank you!