Chapter 5

Out of the Frying Pan….

Kagome stared in startling horror as the tiny, shining bead that was the source of all her troubles shown like a pearl in the worn grass. Never had she imagine it was so beautiful to look at, and that she would be so terrified to see it.

It was like seeing a bone form your own body, or your stomach, or your own heart on the ground beside you.

The jewel had been within her since before she was born and now it lay by her feet, gleaming like the helpless babble it wished everything to believe it to be.

It was out. She had failed.

"You see?" Naraku's smooth voice replied with an oily victory that made Kagome want to hit him. "This is the source of your need, wolf. This is what makes you hunger for the human before you."

The sudden spotlight focus on the jewel had Kagome quickly snatching it up from the ground, clutching it to her chest protectively as she shakenly got to her feet.

Kagome locked wide pleading eyes on Koga, who remained as still as stone as his own speared through her. It couldn't be!

She'd prayed to the Kami, begged anyone who could hear her, that the suspicions she had weren't true. That Koga's affection wasn't stemmed from the Jewel's influence. But, why wasn't he saying anything? Why wouldn't he look away?

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Naraku continued in his sick amusement. "It can give you any wish you want. Any desire you could dream of, yours in a moment."

Kagome's hand shook as she tightened her grip on the gem in her palm. Say something, Koga! Please! Please!

"It's not your fault," Naraku replied with a slick understanding that turned Kagome's stomach. "The Jewel calls to anyone who will answer. Yokai especially. Who knows how many have already felt the pull of the gem's influence, drawing them to her?"

Kagome shook her head swiftly, teeth gritting in fury.

"No," she cried desperately. "Don't listen to him!"

"Can't you feel it?" Naraku prompted, ignoring Kagome's pleas. "That seductive pulse that begs you to answer?"

"Koga…" Kagome called, the threatening tears pricking the corners of her eyes.

"It is the truth," Naraku replied as smoothly as a snake. "You know it. The Jewel calls to your blood. The woman is merely a vessel."

"Koga, don't let him use you!" Kagome yelled in tearful pain. "That's all he does. That's all he's ever done!"

"See how she doesn't deny it," Naraku drawled. "She's known all along. A sheep hidden amongst your pack, using you for her own protection."

"Koga!" Kagome called but it made no difference.

The Alpha remained still; never moving, never speaking. His eyes hard as steel as they locked on her, no emotion given away.

"You wished to take her as your own and she used your affection to lead your pack to the slaughter," Naraku hissed low as he drew closer to the Alpha's back.

"That's not true!" Kagome yelled right before her eyes widen in horror, causing her to bring her bow up in defense.

She had to act quick!

"All you gave, all you lost," Naraku continued as he grinned in satisfaction. "And, she felt nothing."

"Enough…."

The ground whisper barely left Koga's fangs before a sudden flare of energy burst from about his clenched hand as he spun towards Naraku's form.

With a vicious swipe, half of the long furred cloak that hid Naraku from view was ripped from him, as well as the shadowed body beneath it. At the same time, Kagome released her arrow, taking the small swarm of insects trying to swoop in for the kill.

Black smoke billowed from the had to be fatal wound, causing Naraku to stumble backward as he stared in shock. Kagome felt her own confusion rising as she tried to grasp what she was seeing.

Koga stood, ready to lunge again for the attack as the glowing current of power rippled and sparked between his raised hand. A wide metal band wrapped about his wrist, connecting an intricate network of chains to long razor-like claws covering each of his fingers.

Even from her distance, Kagome could sense the deep power of yokai within the weapon, making her knees start to tremble. What was that thing?

Another pained groan from the prone hoshi beneath her caused Kagome to crouch next to him.

SSS

"What….." Naraku gasped as he seemed to nearly float away from the immediate danger.

It wouldn't do him any good.

"I under-estimated you before," Koga growled as he started to stalk towards Naraku's half-broken body. "But, I prepared for this. Your head is mine!"

Again, Koga leapt towards his prey, raising his fist for another strike. It would be the killing blow. He'd have his revenge and the monstrosity would be destroyed.

"This is for my pack," he called in victory. "For my brothers you slaughtered!"

However, instead of terror, Koga saw irritation cross the filthy coward's face right before he released a large cloud of foul smoke from the gaping wound. The smell was rancid and sharp, biting into Koga's senses like an angry dog. It blurred his eyes and made his nose burn as he tried to push through the gagging pain.

But, when he landed, his weapon hit nothing but packed earth. Through the burning sting, Koga snapped his eyes one way then the other, searching for the slippery bastard. Only the constant buzzing had him glance upwards to see the swarm of insects carrying the cloaked body up into the air.

"Well played, wolf," Naraku replied, the hood of his cloak starting to slip from his head.

However, a portion of the swarm blocked Koga's view, shielding its master from sight.

"You took me by surprise," the coward continued. "I'll remember that next time."

With that, the swarm took to the wind allowing the strong current to carry them away from the village and from Koga's retribution.

Koga growled as he prepared to give chase. The bastard wasn't getting away that easi-

"Koga!"

The desperation in his woman's voice was the only thing keeping Koga in place. Every instinct was roaring for him to track, to catch, to kill. Naraku had to die. For several reasons.

But, Kagome needed him. And, something in Koga's head told him that if he left now, she'd disappear once again. That couldn't happen.

Turning with stern determination, Koga made his way towards the crouched figure of his woman, who was currently holding the still figure of another male!

Koga gritted his teeth against the urge to rip the male apart limb by limb. It was his instincts, as well as his more primal urges, calling for blood. He had to get control over himself.

Taking a deep breath, Koga called his weapon, his Goraishi, to return to its current resting place within him. With a crackle of power, it disappeared from sight, leaving only the wide metal band about his wrist. He'd been so close!

The sudden shaking of the hoshi had Kagome lifting pleading brown eyes up at him.

"He needs help," she implored. "I can't move him."

She couldn't but he could.

Even before Koga realized the decision was made, he immediately moved to scoop the hoshi's limp form in his arms and rose to his feet.

"Lead the way," he ordered calmly, waiting on his woman to stop staring at him in stunned silence.

Koga wasn't sure how long she would stay kneeling in the dirt staring at him but the approaching call from the rest of his group broke the spell over Kagome, causing her to rise to her feet.

Koga swallowed the stab of disappointment when he saw her look towards the others. He'd gone over the reuniting with his woman more times than he could count over the last few months. And, this hadn't been in any of them!

Still, he was glad she was alive and mostly unharmed. Even if his arms were currently full of the human male that had spirited her away.

The tearful reunion between Kagome and the taijiya was expected. However, when the woman snapped dark eyes in Koga's direction, the female hunter suddenly paled and raced towards them.

"What happened to him?" she demanded, glaring accusingly up at the Alpha.

Koga bristled at the implication she threw up at him as he glared in return. He'd showed plenty of leniency towards this stubborn female and she thought he'd just up and kill the human monk? Even if he thought about it, Koga certainly wouldn't turn around and hold him afterwards.

The fact he was, proved Koga didn't lay a finger on him!

"He was stung by a poisonous insect," Kagome quickly informed before the two came to blows. "Koga was helping me."

Koga lifted his head in lofty pride as he watched the taijiya actually blush in embarrassment.

"I just don't know if he can," Kagome quickly added, depleting Koga's previous bravado.

Really? She doubted him already?

"What do you mean?" the kit asked as he hopped up to perch on Kagome's shoulder.

Kagome gave the kid a bright smile and rubbed the back of his head like an indulgent mother.

Again, that bitter stab raced through Koga as he observed his woman's warmth towards everyone else but him. Even Ginta and Hakkaku had gotten a warm smile and a wave before she had returned her focus back to Koga, or rather what Koga was holding.

"I mean, the shrine is protected by a barrier to keep out yokai," Kagome informed. "I don't know if anyone other than Sango and I can pass through."

Koga's brow furrowed in frustration. That was a problem.

"Kirara was able to pass to deliver messages," the taijiya added. "Perhaps it will allow yokai that mean no harm."

His woman's hopeful eyes shot through Koga like an arrow. She seemed close to tears but refused to give into them. Did she care about the human male that much?

The dark desire to drop the hoshi was a tempting one. But, Koga fought it none-the-less. The sooner they helped the hoshi, the sooner he could get Kagome alone. And, get the answers he was craving.

"Either way, we need to get there," Koga answered with a chuff. "We'll see what happens."

As if encouraged by his words, Kagome nodded as she started to lead the rest of them towards the river, a distant cave looming at the mouth of it.

Koga and the taijiya took up right behind her and the two betas tailed to cover the rear. They wouldn't be taken by surprise again.

When the group reached the mouth of the cave Kagome stopped, looking back in expectant hesitation.

"There's a wide rim along the side of the river," she replied softly. "Just wide enough for someone to walk one at a time. The barrier starts here, at the mouth. If you can't make it in, it won't let you through."

Koga nodded in understanding as he started to slowly make his way towards the dark opening in the green rolling hills surrounding the area.

He could smell the reiki even back in the village. It was a sharp, almost metallic scent that warned of danger. Here, the bite was stronger than ever. Like smelling a harsh, winter wind blowing directly at him.

The hair on his neck and tail stood on end, telling him this wasn't yokai. This was reiki, holy power that could burn and dissolve. It was death to the dark energies that made yokai what they were. And, he was walking right into it.

He had to be insane. Or, in love.

At the moment, Koga didn't care to find the difference.

As the definitive edge of the barrier was right before him, Koga took a deep breath. It was now or never.

With a determined grit of his teeth, the Alpha stepped through the sizzling wall of energy, the hoshi clutched in his arms like a life-line. It wasn't till he noticed the darkness enveloping him that Koga realized he was on the other side.

He'd done it. He'd passed through.

With a collective sigh of relief, the others followed suit after him, making a straight sure line down the sturdy cave rim.

Koga shook his head as he continued down the path. Great. He was the guinea pig.

However, the sudden break in the darkness was promising to the Alpha as the scents of warmth and plants reached towards his nose like a bird's call.

Mindful of the rocky ledge he was treading, Koga carefully maneuvered out into bright sunlight, spying the single rounded figure of a monk standing in the middle of an open field.

Cocking his balding head to the side, the old male studied Koga with shrewd eyes.

"You're not what I was expecting," he replied calmly.

Too calmly for Koga's comfort. However, the Alpha stiffened his spine, narrowing his eyes in preparation.

"Master Mushin," Kagome called from behind him, rushing to Koga's side. "Miroku was hurt. He took some poisonous insects into his Kazaana."

Immediately, the older monk's demeanor changed. Like lighting a candle, he became the image of alert action.

"Bring him inside," he ordered as he turned on his heel towards the simple temple behind them. "Quickly!"

Koga knew better than to argue at this point. He was tired of holding the hoshi, anyway. Without delay, he followed after the old Master, the rest of their group rushing behind.

The Alpha didn't bother to study his surroundings as he carried the monk through the sliding door of a room within the structure. It was on the empty pallet that the old master knelt beside, indicating Koga should put him there.

Koga did so without complaint. Immediately, Kagome came to kneel beside the old man.

"Is there anything I can do to help?" she asked in the usual sweet firm tone she used when healing.

The old monk looked to be about to pass on instruction when those shrewd eyes of his spotted the red stain against Kagome's side.

"Tend to yourself," he instructed calmly. "And, send the taijiya in here."

"I'm fine," Koga heard his woman argue, causing his irritation to rise higher.

"You're not fine," Koga growled, jerking everyone's attention to his crouched form opposite the mat. "You were injured by Naraku and need to bind it. The rest of them weren't in the fight. Let them see to the hoshi."

Kagome looked ready to snap, which the Alpha found comforting, strangely enough. She still had that fire he recognized.

However, the old monk, Mushin Koga corrected, stopped her comment with a firm grip on her wrist.

"I've treated this before," he replied with a calm patience. "The taijiya would know how to best heal yokai poisoning. If the wound is as shallow as you say, it won't take long for you to see to it. We can't be distracted right now."

That was apparently the motivation it took.

Kagome was stubborn but she wouldn't let her own problems put another soul at risk. And, if the cold sweat that was taking over the shaking hoshi was any indication, he was at risk.

Nodding in grudging agreement, Koga watched his woman slowly rise to her feet and walk out of the room. Barely a second later, the taijiya rushed in and took her place.

Seeing no point in sticking around, Koga swiftly rose to his feet and followed out of the room, shutting it quietly behind him.

However, Koga found himself conflicted on releasing the frame. The moment he did, he'd be face to face with Kagome. There was nothing to stand between them, now.

All this time, he'd dreamed of this moment. Begged the Ancestors to grant him this boon and now she was right there. Right there and waiting for him.

With a fortifying breath, Koga snapped his glowing gaze towards his woman and all thought left him as his eyes met hers.

She was here. Right in front of him. He could smell her scent, hear her breathing. He could reach out and touch her if he chose. This wasn't a dream or a fantasy cooked-up by his lonely imagination.

Taking a step towards her, Koga found himself at a loss of what to do. She'd been away from him for so long, he ached to hold her. But, the pain of the separation still burned in him, much like the wound left by Naraku. The very memory of it still made his chest twinge.

Though, the memory also brought to light the faint scent of old blood in the air. Kagome's blood.

Blue eyes snapping downward, the Alpha frowned when he spotted the red mark marring his woman's otherwise white haori. The wound had to be seen to.

"It's not bad," Kagome quickly replied, as if guessing where his attention went.

"Then, let me see it," Koga countered with a challenging lift of his chin.

Amusingly, Kagome's face suddenly reddened in embarrassed horror.

"No!" she squawked as she clutched at her injured side.

The tips of Koga's ears heated as he grasped the implication of his demand but he forced himself not to care. He was seeing to her injury, not trying to sneak a peek at her body. As her male, it was entirely within his right see it.

"You will show me where you sleep," Koga ordered as he suddenly grabbed hold of his woman's arm, causing everyone present, including his two betas, to stare in horrified stupefaction. "And, I will see to it there."

"I don't think so," Kagome snapped as she dug her heels in against the smooth hall floor against his dragging her away from the stunned group.

However, Koga ignored her struggles as he continued down the hall, deciding to go by her scent in the air to find her room.

"Koga, stop it! I'm serious," his woman demanded, jerking slightly in his hold. "You can't just walk in and take over. This is a temple. There are rules!"

Koga took a sharp turn towards another of the connected buildings of the temple, grateful that at least he didn't smell the male scent of the injured hoshi anywhere near it.

"And, one of those rules is, you can't go in my room," Kagome continued, indignation rising with her temper. "I mean it, Koga! You stay out. I can do this myself. Koga!"

When he came to a door that held the strongest concentration of his woman's scent, Koga quickly slid it open to reveal a neat but modest room inside. And, only Kagome's scent filled the space.

It was comforting and gratifying and the greatest joy Koga had felt in too long. Now, if his woman would just stop hitting his wrist over and over.

Without warning, Koga quickly but carefully pulled her into the quiet space of her own room. Releasing his hold on her, the Alpha quickly spun on his heel and sat in the open doorway of the room, facing out.

At first, he heard nothing. Probably had stunned her into silence again.

It was a fact that had Koga smirking on the other side of the door. Apparently, he could still surprise his woman from time to time. However, delaying wasn't helping anything.

"Go ahead and do what you need to do," Koga ordered calmly. "I'll keep watch."

Again, he heard nothing for a time. But, slowly, carefully the shuffling of socked feet moved across the floor.

"Th-thank you, Koga," she replied sheepishly.

Koga merely straightened his spine as he tried to get more comfortable in his designated spot. There was no-telling how long this would take but, it was better than waiting with the others and losing his mind.

"I…. I'm sorry," Kagome quietly added, causing the Alpha to tense slightly. "For my reaction. I should have known you'd respect my wishes."

"You're not off the hook just yet," Koga answered tensely. "While you're in there, you can also answer some questions."

"Am I your prisoner, now?" Kagome asked after a moment's pause.

Koga crossed his arms in his usual business-like manner, making himself look as intimidating as possible even though she could only see his back.

"Depends on what your answers are," he replied with a cock of his head.

The silent sigh behind him was a caress and a worry to him.

"Alright, what do you want to know?"