Chapter 30

An Alpha's Fury

Hakkaku wasn't sure how much longer he could take this.

The waiting wasn't a problem, he'd done enough watch patrols to be able to handle the monotony of it all. It wasn't even being stuck on alert, in anticipation of the angry humans coming back.

No, what was driving the ookami absolutely insane was hearing Kagome's grandfather going on and on about his past adventures. The old man never seemed to run out of tales, and most of them Hakkaku was willing to bet was all bull.

Hakkaku knew he was ordered to keep his post but, if he had to hear one more accounting of how the old man "vanquished" another yokai, he was going to run for the nearby trees.

However, no-sooner was Hakkaku wishing for something to plug his ears, then another sound snapped him to attention. Someone was coming….a lot of someones, actually.

"So, of course, I just whipped out my homemade sutra and—Ookami, are you even listening to me?"

Without delay, the beta rose to his feet, hand gripping his spear. It was…..too many, too soon. The humans were back but they didn't just go for a walk in the woods. Their steps were…heavier.

"Yokai?" the old monk squawked. "Do you hear me?"

"I'm sure it's all he can hear," the village leader's voice called as he stepped out of the surrounding trees, a thick club in his hands as the group of men, that seemed to have grown last, gathered behind him. "We could hear your caterwauling practically a mile back."

Immediately, the elderly Higurashi stood to attention, eyes glinting like cold steel.

"Ueda," he greeted coolly. "Have a nice walk? I hear fresh air can clear the head."

"Don't play stupid, Higurashi," the leader chuffed as he tapped his club in his palm. "You don't need the help. You know why we're here. Now, get out of our way."

"Now, why would I do that?" Higurashi asked. "I have no-where better to be. How about you?"

"Higurashi," Ueda warned as he took a step closer.

"Ueda," the old monk countered, eyes starting to steel.

"You can't prevent this," the village head sneered as he lifted his chin to a lofty height. "It was inevitable the moment your grand-daughter brought them to the village."

"This," Higurashi corrected harshly, "was inevitable the moment you saw your son brought back to the village. Stop this before it's too late, Ueda. You still have time."

"You're all alone, Higurashi," Ueda answered in a clipped tone that had Hakkaku gripping his blade tighter. "No-one will stand with you."

"I wouldn't say that," a bright voice rang through the air, causing all the village men to turn in stunned shock as not one but three young females came to stand on either side of the old monk.

Hakkaku stared in stupefied silence as they stood as proudly as any warrior against the crowd of men. However, it also seemed to rattle them as well.

"Eri?" one of the men called in confusion.

"Yuka!" another shouted. "What are you doing?"

"Get home, Ayumi," another ordered, firmly. "Now."

"No, father," the soft-spoken female, Ayumi, Hakkaku guessed, answered with a determined set of her eyes.

"We're not going anywhere," another female with short-cropped hair called over the confusion.

"This doesn't concern you, girls," Ueda announced through gritted teeth as he glared daggers in Higurashi's direction.

"Sure it does," the third one argued, crossing her thin arms across her front in defiance. "We're Kagome's friends, afterall."

"Is this what you wanted, Higurashi?" Ueda snarled at the old man. "To manipulate these girls for your advantage?"

"If anyone's manipulating here, it's you," one of the females snapped.

"Why are you even doing this?" Ayumi asked gently. "Hojo needs you."

"Instead, you'd rather pick a fight," the third chided, "and drag our fathers into it, too."

Hakkaku was never more grateful for the loyal stubbornness of human females. However, this also presented a new problem.

The men were agitated and looked on the verge of desperation. If an attack broke out, he'd be able to defend the old man and the house's door well enough. But, these three girls were another problem.

From what he could tell, none of the females were warriors, though they had plenty of fight in them. But, still, he'd bet not a one of them had ever held a weapon in their hands, much less wielded one in defense. How was he supposed to protect them all?

However, apparently, Hakkaku didn't need to worry. The village barely had to take a step towards the girls before one of his followers, a wiry man with a surprisingly strong grip, held Ueda in place as he traded places with the rattled village head.

"Ando, what are you…?"

"You're not touching my Eri," the wiry male informed as he took his place beside the named female.

Immediately, another male, nearly as wide as he was tall, shifted to join him, taking the spot beside Ayumi.

"Imai!" Ueda crowed as he reached out towards the group.

However, another male extended the handle of his hoe, smacking the village head on the hand before he joined the others, beside the third girl.

"You too, Kageaki?" Ueda hissed as he rubbed his sore hand.

The third male grunt with a shrug before he brandished the hoe like a staff in front of him, a clear warning.

The other men gathered behind the village head were shifting with unease as they through questioning looks about. Hakkaku felt himself release a relieved breath, even if he didn't relax just yet. The need for blood was dying out of them. They didn't know how to handle the change in events and the goal ahead was clouded to them.

Perhaps they'd survive this, afterall.

"Go home," Higurashi called to the leftover crowd. "There's nothing here. Go home and let Ueda see to his son."

Unfortunately, the old man's well-meant words was exactly what it took to send the irate leader over the edge. With a battle-cry, the village head raised his club and rushed towards the old man like a man possessed.

Hakkaku shoved and pushed the others out of his way but the enraged male was closer. He wasn't going to make it in time.

However, as soon as Ueda was within striking distance, a thunderous boom ripped through the air, scattering all the birds from the surrounding trees in fright. It also caused all within the village to freeze.

"W-what was that?" one of the men stammered as he jerked his head all about, desperate to spot the danger.

"That," Higurashi replied with a heavy tone, "is what we should be worried about. The yokai and my grand-daughter are in battle. If they fail, it could come here."

"Get the others," Ueda ordered, eyes sharpening with the possibility of coming battle. "Tell the men to gather any weapon they can. And, get the women and children secured. Now!"

The previous fight forgotten, the men scattered like leaves in the wind as they rushed to follow their leader's orders. Even the fathers' standing around him, snatched their girls by the hand and dragged them away to whatever safety they could provide.

With a deep breath, Higurashi slumped against the house's frame.

"Well, that was exciting," he muttered. "Let's hope that's all we see, today."

And, for the first time all day, Hakkaku was in complete agreement.

SSS

The rush of power was instantaneous; a surge that ripped and howled in Koga's ears as yoki crackled from his finger-tips.

A growl like thunder rumbled in his chest as he raised his hand in the air, power rippling and snapping. The witch never even saw it coming!

Koga wasn't above flaunting his power but there was no-way he was giving this enemy a warning. Thankfully, the annoying kitsune was more observant and able to get out of the way in time.

The waves of Koga's attack slashed through the rock and dirt, causing the surrounding ground to crumble and groan in near agony. It was the headiest feeling Koga ever knew. And, their best shot of finally getting down off of this damn ridge again.

And, if the scorched claw-marks were any indication, the witch was done for.

"Did you get her?" Ginta asked, head snapping one way or the other.

"Of course, he did," the kit chirped as he bounced over to land in Kagome's out-stretched hands. "Nothing could survive that. Especially not a crumbling old witch. Thanks for coming to save me."

"Save you?" Kagome asked, cocking her head to the side.

"What were you doing up here, anyway?" Ginta added, causing Shipo to cry out in stunned horror.

"You…..you didn't even know I was captured?!" the kit cried, enraged.

"You disappeared on us," Kagome informed, slightly embarrassed. "We thought you were laying low somewhere in the forest."

"I can't believe this!" Shipo raged, tiny fists waving in his agitation. "I risk life and limb to help you guys and you didn't even know I was in danger! What kind of friends—"

Koga abruptly cut any interest in the kid's tirade when he heard a slight shift in the surrounding rocks.

Every instinct in him was demanding he cut and run but he couldn't tell why. The witch was either dead or gravely wounded, no threat to him any-longer. Other than some unfinished business and clean-up, they were done here. Weren't they?

The kits continued chattering had Koga sniffing the still air in a desperate attempt to identify what had every hair on his neck standing on end. However, the floating dust and rubble from his Goraishi's attack had his nose irritated. He couldn't pick anything out.

Another shift in the surrounding rocks though had Koga snapping his sharp gaze towards the remaining piles of stone.

"Fools…" a voice rasped from the pile.

Koga leapt towards it, pulling and kicking the offending rocks blocking his view. It wasn't till he removed the final one that he saw the witch's bloodied head.

"Fools….all of us…" she croaked in humorless amusement.

"What do you mean?" Koga demanded, as he glared down at the ogress' last moments.

"It's all….for nothing…." Urasue groaned.

"You died for power," Koga huffed, unwilling to feel regret for the greedy hag.

"So….will….you…."

That was when he heard it. A rumbling that shook the ground and thundered in his blood. It grew like a drumbeat, syncopated and steady.

"What is that?" Kagome yelled, gripping Kaede's teetering form.

"Will pay….." the witch rasped as the beat continued. "You will….. all pay…. My army….my great….work…..will break….them…all…."