Chapter 25

Deal With the Devil

Koga grunted as he tried to redo the stretches he'd been told to do from Jiro. The wound in his chest still pulled but he found the pain was dulled considerably. A part of him wondered if Goraishi had something to do with that. It certainly wasn't his own healing abilities that was for sure.

What the hell was that junk that had been in the wound?

It had delayed his body's natural healing that all yokai had and Koga was quite certain if it wasn't for Goraishi, that was now an intricate part of himself, he'd still be on his back waiting to heal.

Again, the urge for Naraku's blood surged through Koga, making him grit his teeth through the next set.

He would make that bastard pay for this! For the wound, for the attack. But, mostly, for the delay he'd caused in this mess with the tribes. If it wasn't for the fiasco the tribes now found themselves in, he'd have tracked down his woman and brought her back to the safety of the den by now.

Instead, he was stuck in the snow trying to keep his people from destroying each-other over a lie. A lie that monster had fed to all of them and they had swallowed it whole.

Yes, Naraku was his. Once he'd cleaned up this mess.

The problem was going to be proving it. Killing a Beta, especially from one of the other main packs, was a weighty offense. Even Alphas weren't exempted from punishment. Betas were necessary for the packs' structure. To kill one without provocation….

Koga wasn't dense enough that he couldn't see war on the horizon. Afterall, wouldn't he do any less if the roles were reversed? Shiro was just doing what an Alpha is expected to do.

"Koga," Hakkaku called from the cave entrance, causing the Alpha to freeze through his stretches. "It's ready."

Straightening up to his full height, Koga rolled his neck before grabbing the back of his new chest-plate and pulling his arms through to strap it on.

"Has Kaki been moved?" he asked, tying the straps on one side.

"Yes," Hakkaku answered. "And, he has no idea why. I posted Ayumu to keep him there."

"And, Kenta?" Koga asked, shifting to the straps on the other side.

"He's being confined," Hakkaku half-growled. "And, not liking it. He keeps saying he wants to talk to you."

Koga snorted. Of course, he did.

"I'll deal with him later," Koga answered as he turned to his last remaining Beta and headed out the door. "Let's do this."

The walk down the halls was a surprisingly calm trek for Koga. Despite several warriors asking what was going on as they passed, Koga kept his gaze forward in fierce concentration. Did the pack need an explanation? Yes. But, only after he was sure what he was going to tell them.

For now, there was only one thing that needed his attention.

Jiro met Koga a good turn from the cave he was aiming for, a long bundle wrapped tightly with a ceremonial fur held reverently in his weathered hands. The old healer met Koga's gaze before handing the bundle off to his Alpha will all the consideration of a babe in arms.

Koga took the bundle and released a slow breath before looking back at Hakkaku.

"Stay here," he ordered, the chill in his voice not brokering any argument.

Thankfully, Hakkaku knew better and just simply nodded solemnly.

Tightening his jaw, Koga stepped into the room for a final attempt of fixing this debacle. He just hoped it worked.

As expected, Kaki was pacing about the space like a caged cat. Koga couldn't blame him. When he stopped at the entrance Kaki suddenly froze, every bone in his back tightening as if in preparation for the killing blow.

Koga, however, remained exactly where he was.

"Well?" the hunter demanded. "Are you going to do it or what?"

Koga resisted the urge to roll his eyes as he waited for the male to unwind himself. It seemed to take longer than Koga thought necessary but Kaki finally looked back over his shoulder. And, when he spotted the bundle in Koga's claws, the male went even more still if that was possible.

Seeing no way around it, Koga slowly walked towards the hunter and carefully lowered the bundle into his waiting hands.

Kaki stared at the furred package for some time, not saying a word or moving a muscle. He just continued to stare at it as if it would suddenly answer every question he had.

"How did it happen?"

Koga crossed his arms as he leveled a challenging gaze on the male. "Would you believe me if I told you?"

Kaki tightened his hold on his brother's remains so hard Koga wondered if he'd snap the fresh bones between his fingers. However, he then relaxed his grip and nodded sharply.

"Try me," he answered.

Koga took a deep breath. It was now or never.

"The first time we found Taro was on patrol," Koga stated, lifting his chin in silent challenge. "He said he was there on Shiro's orders."

Kaki nodded, encouraging Koga to continue.

"We offered him a rest in our den but he denied it and said he needed to head back to the Northern tribe," he said. "We sent him on his way and thought that was the end of it.
'After that, we were attacked. The river was poisoned."

Kaki bristled at the obvious implication but Koga quickly pressed on. "It was killing everything, driving game away right when we needed to stock up for winter. It got to the point we had to scavenge anything and everything within reach.
'While I was looking to see if I could find anything to add to our supply, I found Taro again."

"You can't think—"

"I did," Koga stated, watching the male look ready to lunge at him. "Wouldn't you, if you found a hunter from another pack in your territory? If I had been found in the Northern lands during an attack, I would expect you to be the first to go for my throat."

The male scowled in frustration but nodded tersely.

"Then, that doesn't matter," Koga declared, before quickly adding. "But, I didn't kill him. I attacked him, I admit that. But, we were taken by surprise. Another enemy had gotten into my territory and waited for the right time to strike. He is the one who did it. Naraku killed your brother."

"Naraku?" Kaki asked. "Who the hell is Naraku?"

"I don't know," Koga said. "Not really. But, he attacked us and killed your brother. And, that is barely the start of all he's done. He's made himself my greatest enemy. And, I need to hunt him down and kill him for it."

"If what you say is true," Kaki snarled. "Then, why would this Naraku kill Taro? Especially if his fight was with you?"

"For this to happen," Koga answered, throwing his arms wide. "To make the tribes ready to turn on each-other. We're doing exactly what he wants, right now."

"So, you're explanation for my brother's death is that an unknown enemy of yours snuck into your territory and killed him to set you up and make us fight?" Kaki asked, his teeth obviously on edge.

"Yes," Koga answered, seeing no way around it.

Kaki blinked at him in open disbelief. Koga swallowed the sigh rising up his throat. He knew it was a long-shot. He just wished this hunter was more gullible than he thought. If anything, Kaki looked ready to either take his head off or smack some sense into him. And, Koga couldn't even blame him.

"I need to speak with Shiro," Koga replied, keeping his gaze level with the furious male. "Your brother's remains will be returned to the pack. I give them to you, freely. But, you need to be my guide into the Northern territory."

Kaki took a step towards Koga, his glare burrowing into the Alpha with a burning intensity.

"And, what if I don't believe you?" he growled. "What if I think you killed my brother and are just trying to cover your ass?"

Koga didn't move. The slightest gesture would send the hunter on the attack and Koga didn't have time to try and pound some sense into the male's head.

"Then, you can watch as your Alpha guts me himself," Koga replied, causing the male to practically stumble back in shock.

"You mean you'd—"

"I want this over," Koga stated as he took a step in Kaki's direction. "All the tricks and deceitful bullshit. I want to talk to Shiro, face to face. And, if you are the only way I can then fine."

"And, if I refuse?" Kaki challenge, raising a clawed hand.

"You tried to kill me in my own bed," Koga answered. "You're blood is mine to take. Now or later."

He wasn't fooled when the male suddenly relaxed his tensed shoulders in an act of open submission. Nor did the sardonic smile on his face soothe Koga's reservations. Kaki wanted his head but the idea of possibly letting his Alpha take it was too tempting. He'd take Koga to the Northern tribe just for the chance to watch him die.

It wasn't ideal but Koga had learned years ago it was better to work with what he could get. Whether Kaki wanted to kill him or not didn't matter. Koga just needed him to do the job.

He just hoped this worked. Otherwise, he was done.

SSS

He was digging. In the snow.

Sango knew what she was seeing but she could hardly believe it. She'd seen yokai do many odd things but Ginta was digging his claws into the snow like a male possessed and he didn't look like he'd be stopping any time soon.

If she took a wild guess, he looked like he was searching for something. But, what that could be, Sango had no idea. Nor did she really care. What mattered to her was that his mad-search was drawing him closer and closer to her hiding place.

When she'd first heard him coming, Sango had dove behind the nearest drift of snow, thinking he'd either pass by or stay long enough to check the area and move on when there was nothing to find. Unfortunately, she wasn't so lucky. Instead, Ginta was going through the clearing like his life depended on it.

A sudden handful of snow zipped by Sango's head, causing her to swallow the curse leaping up her throat. She had to give Ginta one thing, the guy could dig fast.

As another yell of frustration echoed through the air, Sango could only guess that whatever he was looking for, it didn't look like he was finding it.

Kirara's back arched in anticipation, her fur beginning to ripple with the start of transformation. Sango knew that look in the neko's large eyes. She was ready to go on the attack.

"What am I even supposed to find?"

Sango's ears sharpened at the exasperated question. The sheer honesty in Ginta's voice had the taijiya's brow furrowing in confusion. Didn't he know what he was looking for?

"I need to do this," Ginta grunted as snow continued to fly about him. "I have to find it. I have to."

What?

Sango glanced towards Kirara, hoping for any hint that her little companion knew what the ookami was talking about but her wide eyes met her with just as much confusion. What could be so important that Ginta would put himself through this insanity?

"Gotta find it, gotta find it, gotta find it," on and on he repeated the phrase as he dug.

Each mantra seemed to grow more frantic to Sango's ears. So much so, she wondered if the hunter had flat-out lost his mind.

"It's gotta be here," Ginta practically moaned. "It's just gotta be. Where else could it be?"

Another yell rang out, this time with Ginta kicking at the snow with the anger of an infuriated child.

"Come on!" he demanded. "Once, just once, could this go my way? I just need proof, a little bit of proof. Koga needs it. So, how about a little help?!"

Sango had no idea who Ginta was shouting to, or if he even knew. However, another swift kick of snow sent several of the frozen flakes down the back of her armor, causing her to yelp in terror and leap up to her feet, trying to dislodge the biting cold off her back.

The sudden silence caused her to freeze and Sango scowled to herself as she turned slowly to meet Ginta's wide eyes blinking directly at her.

Crap!

"You!" Ginta shouted, pointing a clawed finger at her.

Double crap!

"You're coming with me," Ginta demanded as he marched towards her.

Sango spotted Kirara ready to lunge towards the hunter but a quick shake of her head had the neko delaying the attack.

"Oh, yes, you are," Ginta countered, obviously misunderstanding the gesture. "You're not running away from me this time."

"Now, wait a second," Sango argued, putting her hand up as he practically stomped to her.

"I've waited long enough," the hunter snapped. "I've chased you all over this mountain and I don't have the time to run after you, now."

Sango was about to tell him that maybe he should then give up trying to catch her. However, before she had the chance, her foot caught and Sango felt herself pitch forward into the snow. When she lifted her head to spit out the frozen flakes, she met Ginta's furious gaze.

"You have a lot to answer for."