Title: Demon ½
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters, and some characters are O.O.C
Pairings: Ranma/Kagome, Ryoga/Ukyo, Miroku/Sango
( ) means speaking telepathically
' ' means thinking
Warning: This chapter is not for Ayame lovers.
On the other side of the time traveling well in the Eastern lands of Japan, the two wolf-demons Ginta and Hakkaku were making their way up the pathway which led to their home in the Eastern Mountains. They had been on guard duty for the last few hours, scouring the mountains for intruders or any body that may have entered their lands, making sure that everything in the area and everyone in the tribe was okay. So far they had checked with every pair of wolf-demons guarding the dens, the training grounds, the gardening fields, the base of the mountains and the forest surrounding the mountain. So far nothing was out of the ordinary and everyone in the Wolf-tribe was accounted for. Well except for one important member of the tribe, their young leader.
When the two entered the den through the waterfall, after shaking themselves dry, they put away their spears and headed towards the elders cave to give them their report, "Everything looks peaceful today." Ginta pointed out.
Hakkaku nodded, "Yep we've checked the entire mountain and found nothing out of the ordinary."
"We even had the men double check the entire mountain and the forest just to be on the safe side." Ginta declared.
Hakkaku nodded but something about his expression told his companion that he was waiting for something, like he expected something to happen but nothing came. He stopped halfway down the path and lowered his head down slightly with a sigh, "You know I keep expecting him to just show up any minute now…"
"And then tell us to quit goofing around and say that we've got a lot of work to do." Ginta finished for his companion.
Hakkaku gave a small smile, "Well there's that and there was also the whole 'We need to continue looking for Naraku' thing too." No sooner had he said that, his smile faded from his face, "But even though he spent most of his time searching for Naraku, it didn't stop him from fulfilling his duties as a Prince and leader to his people, he would always come back and check to make sure that everyone in the tribes was alright." He lowered his eyes to the rocky floor of the cave, "I used to cringe whenever he caught us standing around and yell at us for goofing around, but now I'd give anything to hear his voice again."
Ginta nodded, "I know I do too." He said, he then placed a hand on his companions shoulder, "I miss him too Hakkaku. We all miss him."
--
(Flashback)
Ginta and Hakkaku were watching Kouga while he was in his den gathering everything he needed for the upcoming battle against Naraku. Just the other night he was visited by Sango's feline companion Kilala, luckily for her that Kouga had previously informed his men that she was a friend of Kagomes and ordered them not to attack when they spotted her. She told him what Inuyasha and the others had learned about Naraku's latest whereabouts and, as to be expected, they were going to follow his trail and put an end to the evil half-demon's rein of terror once and for all.
Kouga was amazed when he heard Kilala speaking to him in his mind because as far as he knew he didn't have the power to speak telepathically to cats. Wolves however, that's another story. Everybody in the wolf tribes can speak wolf, being wolf-demons it was their native tongue, but for some particular reason Kouga can not only talk to wolves normally and in wolf talk but he also possessed another talent. He can talk to wolves with his mind, in other words, telepathically. No one really knows why or how. Apparently his little feline friend also had an unexplainable talent, although he did wonder if the demon-slayer and her friends knew anything about Kilala's little gift.
The next day before Kouga went after Inuyasha and his friends to find Naraku, he announced to the elders that he was going to leave the den to follow his rival and his friends to another land called China in hopes to find and destroy Naraku once and for all. At first the elders were skeptical at the thought of their own prince traveling to another country to destroy the monster responsible for the deaths of so many of there brethren, but they all knew that as long as Naraku continued to share the same air as they do then their tribes will continue to at risk for destruction and Kouga's soul would never ever find peace. Of course that didn't stop the Northern Wolf chief's granddaughter Ayame from protesting about his decision about leaving without considering the importance of the wolf dens, meaning his promise to marry her. But he strictly told her that destroying Naraku was far more important then anything right now and if he missed this chance then Naraku will become too strong to stop and it'll be damn near impossible to defeat him.
After he grabbed his newly updated sword and placed it on his hip, he balled his right hand into a fist and within seconds sparks of energy crackled around his hand and he summoned the legendary treasure of the wolf clans, the Goraishi. He gazed at the gleaming metal razor-sharp talons encasing his fingers and wrist, he just hoped that the new power that he had acquired for it would be powerful enough to defeat Naraku, "It's time to end this nightmare, once and for all." He said to no one in particular before he made the Goraishi return into his body. He then lifted his head but didn't turn around, "Ginta, Hakkaku, I know you two are there watching me. So would you two come in here for a minute, I need to talk to you guys." He turned around and saw his two lieutenants and lifelong friends standing nervously before him.
Hakkaku cleared his throat, "So uhh… what'd you want to talk to us about Kouga?"
Kouga also cleared his throat, "Well first off, I'm guessing that you and pretty much the whole tribe heard about my discussion with the elders, that I plan to follow Inuyasha and his friends to where Naraku may be hiding?" The two wolves nodded, "I thought as much."
"So when do want us to leave Kouga?" Ginta asked, instinctly knowing that Kouga was going to want to leave as soon as possible.
Kouga frowned, "That's what I wanted to talk to you fellas about. To let you guys know what's going to happen from here on end."
Ginta and Hakkaku turned to each other with uneasy looks on their faces. They both had a real bad feeling about what their leader was going to say to them, "What do you mean Kouga?" Ginta spoke up.
Kouga took a long breath, if he didn't say it now then there's undoubtedly a good chance that he never will, "I mean that you guys ain't coming with me this time, instead I'm leaving you two in charge of the mountains to look after the tribe for me." The ebony-haired wolf told his two friends, not missing the blank-shocked looks on their faces.
Hakkaku recovered first from the shock, "But… but why? Why can't we come with you Kouga?"
"Because it's too dangerous for you guys to be with me when the time comes to face Naraku." He replied.
Neither of the two believed what Kouga was telling them, "It's too dangerous for you too and yet you're still going!" Ginta shot back.
"I have too!" Kouga barked but maintained control of his anger, "It's my fault for what happened that night at Naraku's castle, when he sent Kagura to slaughter our comrades and our brothers from the Northern tribe!" He spoke clenching his hands into tight fists almost to the point where his claws cut into his palm and drew blood, "It's my fault that they're dead and it's my responsibility to avenge their deaths."
"But Kouga it wasn't your fault." Ginta tried to reason, "They made the decision to follow the Northern tribe wolves to Naraku's castle just so they could get a piece of the jewel."
Hakkaku nodded in agreement, "Yeah that's right, and besides how were you supposed to know that it was a trap set up by Naraku?"
Kouga shook his head, "You two still don't get it." He said, "Naraku is the one who slaughtered them but I was the one who sent them to their deaths. Our men followed the Northern tribesmen because I told them that I wanted nothing to do with their plans to get the jewel shards, and when our men told me that they were going to join the Northern tribe I told them that I didn't care what they did." He cast his icy blue eyes down to the ground, "But even then I knew that the idea of someone having a large chunk of the Sacred Jewel in an unguarded castle was suspicious and that something was wrong, but I was too wrapped up in my own problems at the time that I ignored my duties as a leader and because of my neglect it costed them their lives." He lifted his gaze back up to his friends with deep regret and pain in his eyes, "Not a day has gone by that the night of their murder hasn't haunt me, seeing their bodies lying dead on the ground covered in their own blood, knowing that it's my fault because I was too self-absorbed to stop them from going. I'll never ignore my duties ever again nor will I ever let that bastard Naraku have another opportunity to slay another wolf again! Until that bastard is permanently gone forever, our tribes will never be safe and more of our people will continue to be sacrificed to Naraku's evil plot. And our fallen comrades will never be at peace. And neither will I." He muttered that last part quietly.
Both wolves gazed at their leader and friend in complete silence. They knew that Kouga felt responsible for the loss of their friends and they already knew that he was dead set on settling the scores with the one responsible for their deaths, but they'd never heard their stubborn head-strong Prince open up like that. Kouga was rough and ruthless and sometimes may appear like he doesn't care about anything, but when it comes to the tribe he cherishes everybody in the tribe like family and he would die to protect every single one of them and they knew that. Just like his father had done before he was killed.
Ginta was the first of the two to recover, "But… but what about Ayame? I mean she's the elder's granddaughter and…" He immediately stopped himself from finishing what he was going to say, he didn't want Kouga hitting him on the head for mentioning that he and Ayame were 'supposedly' engaged to marry. Though it wasn't entirely proven that Kouga even made such a promise to the fiery-haired wolf, all they had was Ayame's word against his, and it didn't look like Kouga even liked her or even wanted to marry her, "Well what I mean to say is… uh don't you think that she should be in charge of watching the tribe?" Ginta asked.
The cold look on Kouga's face told the other two wolves the answer. He knew what Ginta was going to say before he stopped himself from saying it, which was probably the smartest thing to do on his part. The truth is, as much as he hated to admit it, he did remember the promise he made to Ayame on the night of the lunar rainbow all those years ago but the problem was that he just couldn't bring himself up to live up to that promise. Mainly because he just didn't love Ayame in the way that she wants him too. Hell he didn't even like her. He thought that she was too immature and bossy to watch over the tribes, he'd also witness first hand that if Ayame didn't get what she wanted or if things didn't go her way then she would throw a pissy fit. He even told her flat out about how he felt about her and even that didn't work. It kinda reminded him of how he acted around Kagome and all the times he told her that she was his woman no matter what Inuyasha or anybody says, until he came to realization that Kagome will only love him as a friend and nothing more.
"First of all this is my tribe, I am the leader of this tribe, and I am the one who decides who I leave in charge when I'm gone." He told them, "Second just because Ayame is the Northern chief's granddaughter doesn't mean that she automatically takes over my den when I'm not here." He stated firmly as though he wanted everyone in the whole mountain to hear him, then his expression softened, "And third, I've already decided that my second in commands are going to take over the pack for me while I'm gone."
Hakkaku's face was now housing a frown, "Wait a minute, if Ginta and I are gonna be here taking care of the tribe then who's gonna go with you?"
"Nobody." He said bluntly, "I already said that it's too dangerous for anyone to be with me when it comes time to face Naraku. That's why I'm going to join Inuyasha and his friends because only then can we finish off Naraku forever."
Neither Ginta nor Hakkaku could believe what they were hearing, "But… but Kouga."
Kouga shook his head, "Look my minds already made up so don't even try to argue." He said firmly, then his face began to soften and he placed a strong hand on both of their shoulders, just like he did after his first encounter with Inuyasha's older brother Sesshomaru, "Listen to me, I need you guys to stay here and watch over the tribe for me incase Naraku sends his demons to attack the mountains. And incase something should happen to me, then I know that you two will do everything you can to protect our people and our home."
Ginta and Hakkaku turned to each other, neither wanted to do as they were asked nor did they want their leader and friend to leave the tribe to battle that monstrous bastard, but they knew deep down that there was no other way. If Inuyasha, his friends, and Kouga couldn't stop Naraku then no one would be able to stop him. They turned back to Kouga and both nodded.
Hakkaku gazed into Kouga's icy blue eyes, "Just do us all a favor Kouga."
"What's that Hakkaku?"
"Promise that you'll do everything in your power to kill that son of a bitch!" He said his voice breaking.
"And send him to hell where he belongs." Voiced Ginta.
Kouga blinked in surprise when he heard that. He had never heard Ginta nor Hakkaku talk like that before, yet at the same time he had a feeling that someone was going to say that to him before he left. He had already thought about the outcome for when he was to face Naraku and he already concluded that there's a very slim chance that he'll survive after the final battle. He didn't know what the fates have in store for him and Inuyasha and his friends, all he knew was that there's a 50-50 chance of survival. Without saying another word he pulled his best friends since childhood towards himself and embraced them, altogether forgetting that he was supposed to be the strong arrogant leader of the wolf tribe, that he was the Prince of all the wolf clans. For now he was just Kouga, a regular wolf-demon embracing his friends, letting forbiddin tears fill his eyes, cherishing the precious moment with them, because this might very well be the last the three of them are together.
"I'll do everything I can guys, I promise." He spoke softly.
(End Flashback)
--
Hakkaku shook his head, "We never should've let him go without us! If he hadn't ordered us to stay behind with the tribe and let us go with him then maybe things wouldn't have gone so badly!" He choked, "Maybe he…"
"And what do you think that would've accomplished Hakkaku?" Ginta interrupted then after a while he put his hands on his companions shoulders to steady him, "Even if we had gone with him, then we would've only got in the way or worse Naraku could've used us to get to Kouga and then destroy him."
"I know but… I still feel that we should've gone with him. I mean we've always followed Kouga where ever he went even though we both knew that we weren't as strong as him and wouldn't have been much help, he still shouldn't have gone alone." The wolf with the mohawk argued while trying to keep his voice in control, but then let out a dejected sigh, "He was our best friend Ginta, not only that but he was also like a brother to us, always looking out for us when things got crazy, letting us tag along with him when he was dead set on finding Naraku… and… always being there… when we needed him." He said, tears welling up in his eyes.
Ginta nodded, tears were also blurring his vision, "He was the best friend anyone could ask for, even if he did act like a jerk sometimes." He said brushing the wetness from his eyes.
Hakkaku sniffed wiping the tears from his eyes and taking a deep breath, "C'mon Ginta, we have to give the elders our report." Ginta nodded and the two continued towards the elders cave but as they approached the den they heard angry shouting coming from inside the elders den.
They reached the entrance of the den and peered around the corner to see what all the shouting was about. They found the elder Gijin, the old wolf-demon who raised Kouga from when he was a pup, having a heated argument with Ayame and her grandfather. Well mainly with Ayame. The red-haired female wolf was angrily pacing in the elders quarters while her grandfather and Gijin watched her carefully.
When the Wolf tribe had heard from Kagome and her friends that Inuyasha and Kouga had succeeded in their goal and that Naraku was finally dead, they all raved in glory knowing that the monster that had threatened their people was finally gone forever and that their fallen brethren could finally rest in peace but their moment of celebration was halted when they realized that their victorious young leader wasn't with the young priestess nor was the half dog-demon Inuyasha. When he asked Kagome about the whereabouts of their Prince she presented Kouga's sword from her backpack and told him the horrible news, that Kouga and Inuyasha were killed after Naraku was destroyed, the old wolf became mute. He was always afraid for his vigorous grandson, he knew that Kouga would never rest until Naraku was gone forever and that he would die trying, but every time Kouga had set out to find Naraku he would always pray to their ancestors to watch over the young Prince and bring him back home to them. He still couldn't believe it, he didn't want to believe it, that his grandson, their leader and their only prince was gone.
When Gijin regained himself from his shock, he ordered that a commemoration take place later that day to honor the deaths of their Prince and the youngest son of the Dog General, Inu no Taisho. In doing so he gave Kagome Kouga's sword, something inside him said that it would be best if the young priestess held on to the sword for the time being and he trusted his instincts, just as he had taught Kouga to do.
After the ceremony, Gijin once again took command of the Wolf tribe with Ginta and Hakkaku by his side. Some time later the Northern chief elder and some members of the Northern tribe came down to help rebuild both of their tribes since both had been the victims of Naraku's plot. While some of Kouga's men appreciated the assistance of their brothers from the North, none of them however appreciated the chief's granddaughter Ayame coming to the mountains prancing around in the dens barking orders at them like she was the new alpha female of the tribe, and apparently neither did Gijin. This is why he was holding a meeting in his den with the Northern chief and his ignorant granddaughter.
Ayame had been trying to get her grandfather to let her take over the Northern Mountains because she felt that since she was the strongest wolf in their tribe and the granddaughter of the chief she should lead the tribe, but the Northern elder refused to allow her to take over. He told her that she wasn't ready yet and that he didn't think she could handle the responsibility of being leader of the North, but she argued that he was wrong and argued that she was ready. She even argued that Kouga was allowed to take control of the Eastern tribe at a young age, but the old wolf argued that Kouga was the Prince of the wolves and he was at the age where it was his time to take the lead of the Eastern tribe. That's why she kept insisting that when Kouga realizes that she was better suited to be his mate then that weak human Kagome, then she'd make her grandfather see that she was ready to lead the Northern mountain by becoming Lady of the Wolves. It was her destiny, so she thought, but now that Kouga's dead, it's brought up a critical flaw in her plan. Without Kouga around to marry that meant that she couldn't become Lady of the Wolves as she wanted… or did it?
Ayame stopped pacing turning on one heel to face the elder wolves, "I still don't understand why you don't just let me lead the Eastern tribe. I mean I've already proven that I have more than it takes to lead both the Northern tribe and the Eastern tribe, and I'm still entitled as Kouga's fiancé." She boasted, "If he had just married me like he was supposed to then none of this would be happening."
"I'm afraid it's not that simple Ayame." The Northern chief spoke shaking his head at his granddaughter's ignorance.
"What do you mean gramps?"
Gijin cleared his throat, "He's talking about the so-called promise that you say Kouga made to you on the night of the lunar rainbow. You say that Kouga promised to make you his wife when you returned from the Northern Mountains yet it remains to be a case of 'your word versus his word'. You have no proof that Kouga even made such a promise that night."
Ayame narrowed her forest-green eyes at the old wolf, "Are you calling me a lair old man? Is that what you're saying?!"
"Ayame!" The Northern Chief bellowed, "Watch your tongue, you're talking to an elder and I expect you to show the proper respect."
Ayame lowered her head to the chief, "Yes Grandfather, forgive me."
The Northern Chief sighed, "What Gijin is saying is that when he and I talked to Kouga about the promise he made to you he said that he vaguely remembers the events of that night and Gijin knows how forgetful Kouga is." He says, Ayame's eyes shined with rejoice, if Kouga had confessed to her grandfather that he remembers the promise he made to her then there's a good chance that her plan can still work and she can still be Lady of the wolves, "But when he told me the week before he left to kill Naraku that he remembered the night of the lunar rainbow, he said that he just couldn't bring himself to fulfill that promise."
The fantasy bubble forming around Ayame head suddenly popped when she heard the last sentence, "Wh… what?" She asked hoping that she had heard wrong.
Gijin took a deep breath, he knew from the start that this wasn't going to be easy and understood why Kouga had a difficult time with this girl, "Ayame… Kouga had no desire to marry you, he even told you that he didn't love you and he has been telling you for a long time that he didn't. And he told you that he had to defeat Naraku before he did anything else in his life."
Ayame shook her head, she didn't want to hear this, she looked to her grandfather for help but got nothing from him, "But he promised me. I'm the strongest female wolf in all the tribes and the laws of our people state that the Prince of the wolves must marry a strong female in the tribe to produce an heir to lead the tribe."
Gijin narrowed his eyes at the red headed wolf, "Your grandfather and I are very aware of the laws Ayame, don't forget that my great-grandfather was one of the wolves who voiced some of those laws. Yet despite the laws of our people, I couldn't force Kouga into matrimony with someone he has no intention in marrying or doesn't even love for that matter. And quite frankly I can see why he didn't want to remember his promise to you."
That last statement hit Ayame like a stone fist in the face, she couldn't believe what she had just heard. Her own grandfather and Kouga's grandfather already knew that Kouga remembered the promise made on the lunar rainbow and now they're telling her that Kouga had told them that he never wanted to marry her and they accepted it. No, no, no, no, no, that's not how it was supposed to happen, they were supposed to be on her side, at least her grandfather should be, and agree that she was the only one who was strong enough to lead the tribes now. Everything was falling out of place, nothing was going according to her plan, then a thought accrued to her.
"This is all that no-good Kagome's fault." She declared, "If that no-good, name stealing, fiancé stealing hussy hadn't interfered in Kouga's life then none of this would be happening!" She said, "It's because of her that Kouga is dead! She seduced him into falling in love with her, she changed him, she made him forget his promise to me and abandon his duty to our people!"
Before Gijin could bellow in anger at Ayame's derision of the young human priestess who captured Kouga's heart, he and the Northern elder heard, "SHUT UP!!" from the entrance of his cave. Three pairs of eyes were settled on the two wolves and maybe more judging by the volume of their shouting. Both Ginta and Hakkaku were shooting death glares at Ayame that could possibly rival Sesshomaru's coldest glare.
"How dare you bad mouth sister Kagome like that and how dare you blame her for what happened to Kouga!" Ginta snarled.
Hakkaku nodded, "After all that she's done for our people this is how you thank her, by putting the blame on her because Kouga wanted nothing to do with you!?" He bellowed.
Ayame stared at the two wolves in astonishment then her stun was replaced with anger, "It's true though!" She retorted back, "If that stupid wench hadn't intervened with us in the first place then Kouga wouldn't have been so stupid as to let himself fall in love with a weak mortal like her and he would have married me like he was supposed to!"
"If Kouga hadn't met Kagome then we'd still be fighting the Birds of Paradise and probably be dead by now, you selfish bitch!" Ginta bellowed.
Ayame was taken aback, "What… what did you just call me!?" She seethed.
Hakkaku narrowed his eyes, "You heard him. If Kouga hadn't met Kagome we'd still be at war with the Birds of Paradise, that's why he brought her back to the mountains so that she could use her powers to help us. She could've refused to help us even though she knew that if she did she'd be killed, but she didn't she agreed to stay and help us. It was her courage and loyalty that caught Kouga's attention and the reason he wanted her as his mate, it wasn't just because of her ability to see the jewel shards. Maybe that was the reason at first but then he started to see her as something more then just a shard detector."
"And what's that?" Ayame asked.
"He saw her as a warm caring person who would do anything to keep the people she loves safe from harm. It didn't matter if they're human or demon or, in Inuyasha's case, both." Ginta said, "Which is more then I can say about you."
Ayame clenched her hands into tight fists, "You can't talk to me like that! I'm a higher rank than both of you!"
"Not here you're not!" They shouted.
"THAT'S ENOUGH!" Gijin roared, the sheer volume of his voice caused the four wolves in the cave to turn away from each other and turn to him. Gijin took in a deep breath to calm himself, he shot a cold glare to Ayame, "Ayame I have tolerated your ignorant childish behavior up to this point and now my patience is wearing thin. I thought that after Kouga's tragic death you would've grown up and taken leading the tribes more seriously, but now I see that all you really wanted was to take control of the Northern and Eastern tribes for your own selfish reasons. For power."
"What?! Elder I would never even think about…" Ayame tried to speak to make herself look innocent.
"Silence!" Gijin ordered, forcing Ayame to be quiet, "Don't even try to lie to me Ayame, I maybe an old wolf but I can still smell when a person is lying to me." He pointed out, "Not only have you sullied your grandfather, myself, and my men but you've also sullied the memory of my grandson and the priestess who helped save the lives of our people. Were you a member of this tribe Ayame I would have you exiled from this mountain right now, I don't care whose granddaughter you are or who's blood you share! So consider yourself lucky you good-for-nothing rotten scamp! Now get out of my sight before I have Ginta and Hakkaku throw you out!" He ordered.
Ayame was at a loss for words, she wanted to yell, she wanted to scream, she wanted to tell off the old wolf that he shouldn't talk to her like that, but nothing came her mind was totally blank. She looked over to her grandfather hoping that at least he would come to her defense and perhaps scorn the other wolf for saying those things to her but when her forest-green eyes gazed into his she saw nothing but disappointment and shame reflecting in his black orbs. Without saying a word she made her way towards the entrance and walked out of the cave, tears building in her eyes that she dare not shed infront of the other wolves.
Gijin watched the redhead exit his cave, not feeling at all guilty that he had said what he said in front of the Northern chief. He honestly never liked the idea of Kouga marrying her because he knew it would only bring misery, to his grandson and their pack. He'd rather Kouga marry that human girl he was always chasing after if she'd let him court her, at least he liked the young priestess even if she is human.
The Northern wolf elder lowered his head when his granddaughter left the cave, he always knew that Ayame was stubborn and can be childish at times but he never thought that she would go this far, all because he wouldn't let her take control of the Northern Mountains. He also knew that he never should've pushed her into forcing Kouga to marry her because she said that he had already promised her, but he only did it to form an alliance with the tribes when things were looking grim at the time. And now he sees that it was a horrible mistake to make and he prayed that he would be forgiven in time.
Gijin turned to the two young wolves and his scowl softened a bit, "Ginta, Hakkaku, what're you two doing here?"
"We came to give you our report of the patrol when we heard all the shouting." Ginta answered.
"We were going to turn back but then when Ayame started bad-mouthing sister Kagome and calling Kouga an idiot… well…" Hakkaku said trying to keep his anger in check.
Gijin held up his hand to stop them from saying anything more, "It's alright boys, you don't have to explain yourselves. In fact I'm happy to say that you two showed up at just the right time. If you two hadn't shown up when you did, I would've strangled her with her own pigtails." He said then turned to the old Chief, "I'm sorry Roshi, I know she's your granddaughter and all but I will not sit around and do nothing while she disrespects my grandson and the priestess Kagome in or out of my presence. And her behavior towards the men is also intolerable."
Roshi kept his eyes on the stony floor of the cave, his expression had not changed at all since Ayame exited the cave, finally he lifted his head and gazed at the old wolf-demon, he nodded, "I agree with you Gijin and I'm ashamed to say that I am responsible for Ayame's rude behavior. It's been hard on all of us since Kouga's untimely death but you're right that doesn't excuse her for her actions."
Gijin took pity on the old wolf, one thing that he and the Northern chief had in common was that they both had to raise their grandchildren when their parents died when they were young. Kouga's mother died shortly after he was born and then a few years later his father was killed while protecting him and the pack from the first Harpy King. He did the best he could for Kouga in raising him but it's not easy when your grandpup is just like his father in every way, impatient, stubborn, short-tempered and arrogant, but Kouga also had a big heart when it came to the ones he loves just like his mother. And also like his father he would always put his pack before himself in any situation and he loved everyone in the pack like they were his family, and he never had a chance to tell him how proud he was of his grandson.
Ginta and Hakkaku watched the two elders for a while before Hakkaku cleared his throat, "Uhh… Elder Gijin?"
Gijin turned to the young wolves who always accompanied his grandson, "Yes Hakkaku?"
"Ginta and I were wondering if we could visit Kagome's friends at Kaede's village, to pay our respects and all?" He spoke softly but just loud enough for the old wolf to hear him.
The room became silent, for Ginta and Hakkaku it felt like time had just slowed down as they waited for Gijin's answer. Gijin stared at the two for a while and then a small etched onto his face, "Of course boys. You may see the priestess and her friends."
Ginta and Hakkaku didn't know how to react by the elder's answer, but in the end the bowed respectfully to the elders, "Thank you Elder." They said as they turned to leave the cave.
"One more thing." Gijin spoke causing the two to stop dead in their tracks, "When you see Kagome, give her my regards will you?"
The two wolves nodded, "We will Elder." They said and they both left the cave, they gathered their pack of animal wolves and headed towards the direction in which Keade's village was.
--
Back in the present…
"AH-CHOO!"
"Whoa, gesundheit Ryochan." Ukyo said handing the wolf Saotome a tissue out of nowhere.
"Thanks." Ryoga said with a sniff, accepting the tissue from Ukyo and blew his nose, 'Someone must be talking about me somewhere, either that or I'm getting a cold.' He thought.
Ranma, Ryoga, Ukyo, and the rest of the group including Sesshomaru and Rin stood outside the Higurashi house waiting for Kagome to finish getting ready, apparently it had been some time since the young priestess traveled through this special well of hers since she was running all over the place to find certain thing to take back with her. After they announced that they agreed to go with Kagome and her friends back to the Feudal Era to see Kaede and that Ukyo was coming with them, whether they liked it or not, the travelers from the past nodded their approval then Kagome said that they would leave as soon as she gathered her backpack and with that she ran upstairs to her room whilst her mother said something about preparing lunch boxes for everybody. The boys stood beside their best friend anxiously waiting for the time-traveling priestess to hurry up and get ready, all three dressed in their usual attire. Red sleeve-less Chinese shirt, black wristbands, and teal pants for Ranma, and golden yellow sleeve-less Chinese shirt, black wristbands, and dark green pants with black leather laces tied around the shins for Ryoga. Both still wearing their individual bandannas and had their new swords tied to their sides on their belts. Ukyo was dressed in her purple Okonomiyaki attire with her battle spatula strapped to her back as well as her unending supply of mini spatulas.
While they continued to wait the little puppy ears on Ranma's head began to twitch with anxiety, this didn't escape his younger brother's notice, (Getting kinda tense aren't you big brother?)
Ranma grunted, (What makes you think I'm tense Ryoga?)
(Well for one thing your ears are doing that twitching thing again.) Ryoga pointed out, (And you're also doing that leg bouncing thing.) He said pointing at Ranma's bouncing left leg.
Ranma grunted again while trying to stop his bouncing leg and twitching ears, (Hey I'm not the only one getting tensed up little brother. That tail of yours hasn't stopped shivering since we got out here.)
Ryoga's cheeks turned bright red and he tried to still his shivering wolf tail, (Well can you blame me for feeling a little nervous? I mean I haven't felt this nervous since we came back from China and had to explain to mom about our curses.)
Ranma nodded, he remembered how he and Ryoga were scared shit-less when they were about to face their own mother after they had returned from their training journey in China, mostly on how she would react when she saw them and about their curses. I mean let's face it, the last thing you'd expect when your husband comes back with your children from a long training journey is find out that your husband transforms into a panda when splashed with cold water and your children are no longer human anymore. Ranma and Ryoga remember all too well about the beating that their father had received from their mother after they had arrived at the Tendo's.
(I know, I feel the same way brother.) Ranma replied, (But remember we doing this to better understand ourselves and to…)
(I know, I know, to better understand our bodies and hopefully control our demonic powers. I know why we're doing this Ranma but it still doesn't ease the butterflies in my stomach.)
(Just don't throw up okay little bro?) Ranma teased.
Ryoga shot his brother a glare, (Oh shut up Ranma.)
"Ranma? Ryoga? Are you guys okay?" Ukyo asked.
The boys nodded, "Yeah… we're fine Ucchan."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah." They answered.
Ukyo still wasn't convinced but shrugged her shoulders, "Okay if you guys say so."
Miroku, Sango and Shippo had been watching the trio the whole time they were waiting for Kagome, "I wonder why they lied to Ukyo just now?" Shippo asked from his usual perch on Miroku's shoulder.
"They probably don't want her to worry about them since they're probably already worried about her coming along." Miroku answered while trying to keep his voice low enough so that the brothers sensitive ears couldn't hear him.
"Well then why don't they just tell her not to come if they're so worried about her coming along?" The fox wondered.
"It wouldn't matter anyway Shippo because even if they did tell her she'd still want to come." Sango answered, "She's head-strong but she's also faithful to her friends and she wants to help them in anyway that she can."
Miroku smiled, "You know she kinda reminds me of you in a way Sango." He pointed out causing the demon-slayer's cheeks to turn red.
Sesshomaru shook his head slightly, having overheard Miroku's ridiculous humor while he stood on the other side of the Higurashi house watching Rin play with the Higurashi's overweight pet cat Buyo. He really didn't know why anybody would want a cat in their home. To him he always believed that cats couldn't be trusted. This may have had something to do with his previous encounters with the Panther Diva tribe in the past. While watching the young child play in the yard he was also waiting patiently for Kagome and her friends, though he didn't even know why he was bothering himself with waiting for his brother's friends to hurry and get done so that they could leave this world. He already knew that the well allowed him to come through the first time, surely it would let him pass again, but that was only one of the reasons he was standing outside in the first place. Nodoka had spoken to him not too long ago and he was still baffled by what she had said to him. The auburn haired mother had asked him to watch out for her sons while they back in the Feudal Era.
'I don't understand it.' Sesshomaru thought, 'Why would a human place her own children's lives in my hands? Surely she knows that should I decide to I can end both of their lives in seconds without so much as an effort. So then why would she ask me to watch over them?' He pondered.
The idea that a human would ask him, the son of the Great Dog General, to watch out for her children was unheard of, he was a demon Lord for crying out loud not a babysitter. Then he remembered that her children were the reincarnations of his half-demon brother and a wolf prince who, according to the monk, was now his brother too, which Sesshomaru still found it hard to believe.
Nodoka had told Sesshomaru that she didn't care about his past relationship with his half brother Inuyasha but asked him as a concerned mother to watch out for her boys and guide them on their quest. Sesshomaru didn't fully understand what the Saotome mother was talking about and didn't give her a direct answer but somehow his silence gave her reassurance, whether it was intentional or not.
He looked up and found Kagome standing on the back deck with her mother and Nodoka standing beside her by the door. Her yellow overstuffed backpack sat right beside her feet.
Ranma noticed that she was having a hard time getting her unusually large backpack off the ground, with a small smile he walked over to her and took hold of the straps, "Here let me get that for you." He said, lifting the pack easily off the ground and slung it onto his back with very little effort. He looked over his shoulder at the pack, the bag wasn't heavy, well not to him anyway, but it definitely felt too full to what an ordinary pack should be able to take. He turned his amber eyes to the raven-haired priestess, "Geez Kagome, what'd you stuff in this thing?"
Kagome chuckled sheepishly, "Well there's the binto boxes that mom packed for everybody, there's my extra change of clothes, toiletries, a first-aid kit, extra snacks for Shippo, my school books, my sleeping bag, some extra blankets, my CD player, some CD's, and let's see there's also…"
Ranma lifted his hands to stop her from saying more, "Okay, okay, I think I get it now." He sighed, "Well I hope you packed enough stuff." He joked.
Kagome couldn't stop the blush from reaching her cheeks, "Well it's been awhile so I hope I did too." She said, 'Plus I had to pack something really important that I hope will come in handy.' She thought, "And uhh… thanks for helping me with my bag." She smiled.
Ranma's puppy ears twitched while a light blush covered his cheeks, he coughed once and turned away, "Uhh… don't mention it."
Ukyo was a bit taken aback by what Kagome said she stuffed in her bag, "I didn't know a person could stuff so much stuff into one little backpack."
Ryoga smirked, "You think that's crazy, you should meet the guy that Ranma and I met in China." He shook his head at the memory, "He called himself the 'Master of Hidden Weapons' and true to his name he had every weapon you can ever think of hidden inside his robes, even things that aren't considered weapons."
This caught Ukyo's interest, "Oh yeah, like what?"
Ryoga's cheeks flushed slightly, "Uhh… I'll tell you later Ucchan." He said quickly.
"Ryoga, Ucchan, c'mon we're leaving!" Ranma called back as he followed Kagome to the well house with their mothers and her friends following behind them.
When they all reached the old shrine containing the time-traveling well, Kagome reached out and pulled open the sliding wooden doors to the well. A small sense of rejoice filled her entire being as she stepped into the ancient family shrine. The last time she set foot in this well-house was when she came home from Feudal Era after that horrific battle in China with Naraku, her face had been stained with tears and she still had tears streaming down her face that was accompanied by a sharp stabbing ache in her heart. Since then she could never bring herself to go near the well shrine for it instantly reminded her of Inuyasha and Kouga and how she had lost them.
Sango noticed a change in Kagome expression, "Are you alright Kagome?"
Kagome nodded, "Yeah I'm fine. It's just been a while since used the well that… you know it brings back memories. The good… and the bad."
Sango nodded she understood what Kagome was saying, it had been hard for all of them but not as hard as it had been for Kagome, "It's going to be alright Kagome, because you have us with you this time and we'll always be there to help you." She assured the young priestess.
Hearing those words of encouragement brought a smile on Kagome's face, "Thanks Sango." Sango nodded. She took in a slow deep breath then exhaled slowly, 'Okay I can do this.'
Nodoka turned to her boys and smiled, "You two be careful over there now, both of you listen to everything this Kaede tells you about your heritage and make sure that you watch out for each other and keep each other safe, alright."
Ranma gave his mother a reassuring smile, "You don't have to worry about that mom."
Ryoga nodded, "Yeah me and Ranma have always got each others backs. Always have and always will."
Nodoka nodded, then she opened her arms and took her boys into a warm embrace, she held them as tightly as she possibly could. A big part of her really didn't want her only babies going into another world where demons and monsters exist, but she knew that they had to. What if their demon blood suddenly became too great for them and it took control of them? She didn't want to think about it. She just hoped that she was doing the right thing this time. "I love you Ranma. I love you Ryoga." She whispered with fresh tears spilling from her eyes.
Ranma and Ryoga embraced their mother, "We love you too mom."
Ukyo smiled as she watched the tender moment between Nodoka and the boys, it instantly reminded her of the moments she used to have with her own mother before her mother died. She could feel the tears building in her eyes.
Ranma eased out his mothers embrace and turned towards the young chef, "Hey Ucchan whatcha standing there for, get over here." He gestured.
Ukyo blinked in confusion, "Huh?"
Ryoga also turned towards the Okonomiyaki chef and smiled, "Yeah c'mon Ucchan, you're part of this family too."
Ukyo could only stare at her best friends but then she looked to Nodoka and she saw the Saotome mother just smiling at her with the warmest smile she had ever seen. When Nodoka nodded her head the tears that had been building in her eyes spilled over and she walked over to the Saotome trio and became included in the family hug. Nodoka held all three of her children as tightly as she could, she kissed each of them on the forehead before letting them go. She stepped back and joined Kyoko by her side infront of the shrine.
"Okay guys let's go." Ranma said.
"Right behind you brother." Ryoga said following after Ranma.
"What he said." Ukyo said following Ryoga and Ranma.
When the trio met up with Kagome and her friends from the past they gave one last wave of goodbye to Nodoka and Kyoko and all of them entered the old shrine. Kagome led everybody down the stair until they all surrounded the old well. Acting on instinct Ranma, Ryoga, and Ukyo peered down the old well, none of them really sure what to look for or how this was going to work, surely Kagome didn't expect them all too just jump in all at once did she?
"So uhh… how exactly are we gonna do this?" Ranma asked.
"Well in the beginning the well has allowed me and Inuyasha to pass through and since then we thought that we were the only two people who could get through since my brother Souta couldn't get through when he tried to use the well." She looked up and saw that everyone including Sesshomaru had their eyes on her, "I'll explain why he was trying to use it later. Then one day Inuyasha and I found out first hand that the well allowed Kouga to come through when he tried the first time. And now I know that my friends and Sesshomaru can get through." She cleared her throat, "I think we should do this in pairs, we each pair up in twos and go through the well."
Everyone turned to each other and nodded, "So who's going with whom?" Shippo asked.
The shrine fell silent for a moment with everyone looking at each other with blank stares then Ukyo took hold of Ryoga's right arm, "I'm going with Ryochan." She spoke causing everyone to turn their heads towards her.
Then Miroku smiled and wrapped an arm around Sango, "I'll be more then happy to go with Sango again."
"You would." Shippo remarked sarcastically.
Sango sighed, "Just watch the hands Miroku." She warned.
Kagome looked over to Sesshomaru and knew right away that he was going to have Rin along side him and that Rin would want to go with him, so that just left one person, "Then I guess that leaves us." She said.
Ranma shrugged his shoulders, "It's alright with me."
"Then let's be on our way." Sesshomaru spoke and without saying another word he carefully picked up Rin in his arms and gracefully leapt into the well. As soon as he descended into the well a shimmering blue light emitted from inside the well but there was no sign of the Western Lord or the young child.
Ranma blinked, "Boy he's a cheery guy." He said sarcastically, "Does he ever smile?"
"If he does, run like hell." Miroku advised before he and Sango climbed onto the edge of the well with Kilala and Shippo in their arms, once again he wrapped his free arm around her shoulders, "Here we go." Sango nodded and they both slid into the well and just like Sesshomaru and Rin they vanished.
Ryoga looked to Ukyo and smiled, "Looks like it's our turn Ucchan." He said.
Ukyo nodded then peered inside the well again, she still couldn't get over the fact that the others had just jumped in and now they were gone. She shook her head, took a deep breath and nodded, "Okay let's go." She said but before she could begin to climb onto the edge of the well, she felt a strong arm wrap around her waist and pull her in close into a warm body. She looked to see that Ryoga was the one holding her and smiling down at her. Then in one quick motion he hooked the back of her legs with one arm while the other shifted to her shoulders and picked her up bridal style. "Ryoga what're you…"
"I think it'll be easier if we travel this way." He said with a fanged grin, "You don't mind do you?"
Ukyo tried not to look embarrassed and turn red but failed, "Well no… but I wish you'd give me some warning before doing that, you jackass."
"Where's the fun in that?" He joked before turning to his brother, "See you guys on the other side." Then just like Sesshomaru the wolf Saotome leapt into the well and he and Ukyo disappeared in a flash of blue light.
Kagome blinked then turned to Ranma, "Is there something going on between Ukyo and your brother?"
Ranma just smiled, "There's been something going on between those two ever since we were kids, only back then I didn't really think anything of it because both Ryoga and I thought that Ucchan was a boy. Now that we know that she's really a girl it makes a lot of sense."
Kagome couldn't help but smile, that meant that her earlier suspicions were right that Ukyo does have feelings for one of the brothers she just wasn't sure which one it was, but now she does, "Well let's not keep the others waiting." She said climbing onto the edge of the well.
Ranma followed Kagome's move but then something made him pause, "So uhh how're we gonna…?" He didn't have a problem with girls, unless they were like an un-cute, butt-ugly, no bust, hot-tempered, dumb as an ox, sexist, tomboy bitch like someone he and his mother and brother knew, but he didn't want to do anything that would offend them and he especially didn't want to do anything that would make Kagome uncomfortable. In the end he wrapped around her waist and turned to her, "Is this okay?"
Kagome's face started to flush but she nodded her head, "Yeah…" She took in a deep breath to calm herself down and slowly let it out, "Okay, ready?" She asked.
Ranma nodded, he did notice a change in Kagome's scent when he put his arm around her waist. It was almost similar to Ukyo whenever Ryoga did something and she blushed, but Kagome's scent was different from Ukyo's, he didn't know why but he found her scent to be… comforting. He decided that he should worry about it later and focus on the matter at hand, "Let's go." And with that he and Kagome slid into the well and were engulfed in the same shimmering light.
Nodoka and Kyoko stood infront of the ancient shrine for a while longer before both turning to head back into the house. When the two mothers reached the entrance of the Higurashi house Nodoka paused and turned back towards the well shrine.
--
(Flashback, a while ago in Nodoka's guest room…)
"So you boys are really going to go through with Kagome's plan aren't you?"
The boys nodded, "Yes."
Nodoka nodded, "I thought as much and that's why I wanted you boys to know that no matter what you both decide in your future I'll always be proud of both of you. I know that seeing this Kaede person is for the best for both of you and I know that you two will do everything that you can to learn about your new bodies and how to control your abilities." She said with a smile on her face, "You know as hard as it is to believe it, your father actually did live up to his end of the promise."
"Huh?" Said Ranma, "What're you talking about mom?"
"What I mean is despite everything that your father did and for everything he's put you both through, none of his bad influence had rubbed off on either of you and I'm deeply thankful for that. You boys did the exact opposite of your father, you didn't give up and you both continued to do the right thing."
"Well mom let's not forget that Ranma and I have you also to thank for that." Ryoga said.
Ranma nodded, "That's right mom. You were the one that taught us that we should always do the right thing. Pops may have taught us techniques and how to fight…"
"But you were the one who taught us the true ways of honor and right." Ryoga finished.
"So in a really big way, you helped us become the men among men that you wanted us to become." Ranma smiled.
Crystal tears were swelling in Nodoka's dark brown eyes, she truly felt that she had been blessed from the heavens for these wonderful boys that were her own. No words could even begin to describe how happy the auburn haired mother felt or how their wonderful words have touched her heart. Yet some part of her didn't think that she deserved their kind words, "That may be my children, but a big part of me wishes that I could've done more for the both of you when you were younger."
The boys turned to each other, both looking puzzled, "What do you mean mom?" They asked.
"I mean about the day your father took you on that training journey and promised to make you both into men among men." She told them, her smile was replaced with a sad frown, "I know that I can't change the past and nothing I say can change anything that's happened but I want you both to know how sorry I am. For letting Genma take you two on that horrible training journey and putting you in this situation." She went down on her knees and bowed to her children, "Please forgive your foolish mother, even though I don't deserve your forgiveness."
Ranma and Ryoga turned mute for they didn't fully understand why their mother was doing this, then it occurred to them. Their own mother was blaming herself for the way things had turned out, for being weak for believing Genma and letting him take them away from her when they were little, but most of all she was blaming herself for them being cursed and having to go through all of this.
Ranma crouched down and gently took hold of his mother's hands, "Mom you have nothing to be sorry for." He said softly but loud enough for her to hear. Nodoka looked up into her eldest sons eyes and saw no regret or any trace of angst, instead she saw love and understanding in those golden orbs, "None of this was your fault."
Ryoga crouched beside his brother facing his mother, "That's right mom, there's nothing to forgive because you haven't done anything wrong."
"I don't understand how you boys could forgive me so easily." She wept, "After everything that's happened, I thought you two would be furious with me."
The brothers both shook their heads, "Mom Ranma and I could never be angry with you, not in a million years." Ryoga said embracing his mother's right side.
Ranma nodded and followed his twins actions taking his mother's left side, "That's right, you made a mistake it happens to everybody, but you tried to make it right by interfering with Pop's so called manly training and staying connected to us, in doing so you helped us learn how to become men the right way."
"Yeah if you hadn't stopped Pop from teaching us that stupid Cat-fist technique who knows what could've happened to me and Ranma. And the same goes for that stupid engagement pledge with the Tendo's." (A.N. We know though, don't we?)
Nodoka's eyes swelled with tears, their words had touched her heart in a way that it has never felt before, and she could feel the cracks starting to heal from all the years of being away from her children and the blame she had put on herself since the boys came home from China. She wrapped her arms around her children and held them close, letting her tears fall freely down her cheeks, "Thank you boys. It means a great deal to me to hear you say that. I love you boys so much that I don't know what I'd do if I lost you again."
"You'll never lose us mom." Ranma assured her.
"Just like we'll never lose you mom." Ryoga added.
Nodoka sniffed, "I truly am blessed to have sons like you two."
Ranma and Ryoga both smiled, "Well we're blessed to have a mom like you." They both said, their own tears wetting their cheeks. Together the three Saotomes held each other in the small guestroom shedding tears and sharing their strengths with one another, never wanting to let go.
(End Flashback)
--
Nodoka smiled still facing the old well shrine, "Gook luck my children." She said before entering the Higurashi house.
A.N. Alright chapter 14 is done! Ranma, Ryoga, and Ukyo have gone through the well to the Feudal Era, what awaits our heros there on the other side? We'll have to wait and see. And just to let everyone know I don't have anything against Ayame I just needed someone to cause some trouble between Ryoga and Ukyo in their developing relationship. Sorry for the long wait, please enjoy.