Chapter 17

Just A Peek…..

"Ye are sure, honorable hoshi?" Kaede asked as she passed the monk another cup of her freshly brewed tea. "I mean, ye have witnessed this, yerself?"

It wasn't that Kaede doubted the holy man's word but, after all they had dealt with, it was almost unthinkable to consider.

"Of course," he answered with a serene smile. "The Alpha's weapon was quite impressive. It injured Naraku to the point, I would almost believe to have killed him."

"Almost?" Kaede asked, quirking her one good brow.

The question seemed to almost startle the hoshi for a moment before he just presented that calm smile all over again.

"There are….clues to the contrary," he replied as if that explained all.

A part of Kaede was tempted to press for more but she knew better than to push for secrets. Her own face was a testament to that.

However….

"Did ye witness this, taijiya?" Kaede asked, focusing her attention to the other young guest in her home.

The young woman, Sango, just shook her head. "I was too far behind the battle to see anything," she replied. "But, I have seen with my own eyes just what Koga's weapon can do. The hoshi's account is correct."

Kaede nodded thoughtfully.

When the taijiya had first come to the village about a year ago, Kaede had been skeptical. Word of the taijiya village's destruction had spread to even their obscure settlement. But, the woman had no deceit and no yoki about her to show this was a trick. And, when she had mentioned encountering Kagome, Kaede knew this woman was the one chance she had to possibly make right what she had mixed up so many years ago.

Even now, the shame of her mistake hung about the old priestess' neck like a yoke. She had to make this right. The fate of all could depend on it!

Seeing Kagome had Kaede over-joyed and relieved. But, the yokai traveling with her…..

Leveling her one eye on the two seated before her, Kaede decided it was time to shift the matter at hand.

"Tell me about this…..Koga," she instructed, steeling herself for the possible worst.

SSS

This was not what he expected.

When Koga had heard Kagome wanted to show him a nearby bathing pool, this was not what he thought it would mean at all.

While she was dragging him at nearly break-neck speed through the trees, Koga had been wracking his brain on how to best tell his beta's to get lost. However, when they'd broken through the tree-line, Koga had been surprised to see his woman immediately step away from him and gesture towards the large cold-water lake in front of him.

"I know you and the guys are probably tired of being dusty," she replied with a slightly embarrassed smile. "It's cold, very cold, but I'm sure ya can handle it."

Of course he could. Koga had bathed in pools of melted mountain snow. But, when his woman had immediately turned on her heel and left the three males standing in the small clearing, blinking at each-other; Koga couldn't help the growl of frustration as he started to unstrap his chest-plate.

Looked like his bathing wouldn't include his mate, afterall.

"How long do we need to stay, Koga?" Hakkaku asked as he dunked himself into the water again.

Koga shrugged as he threaded his claws through his long hair again. "As long as we need to," he answered.

Once he'd gotten a good whiff of the cave the Taijiya sworn was around here, they'd hopefully be able to track down Naraku's scent. There was no-telling how long that would be. Till then, they would just have to live with the humans, and not cause any trouble.

"Yeah, but….."

The hesitation had Koga turning towards his betas, quirking a brow as he waited. It wasn't like Hakkaku to hold back. Ever!

"Yes?" he asked, crossing his arms.

"Well, you see," Hakkaku started before turning towards Ginta.

The other beta shook his head sharply, obviously un-willing to save his brother beta. Hakkaku huffed before looking back at Koga's unamused expression.

"The village looks like it's having a hard time trusting us," Hakkaku admitted. "We just….need to be cautious. You know?"

"Yeah, Koga," Ginta added softly. "If they attack us then—"

"Then, we'll defend ourselves," Koga informed with a huff.

"But, what if they don't attack just us?" Hakkaku added quickly, causing Koga to freeze. "Humans aren't like us, Koga. There's always exceptions like Kagome but, you know as well as the rest of us how quickly they'll turn on each-other, given the chance."

Koga had seen it. When a village was attacked, or even one of the pack was spotted nearby, there were always those who were willing to throw others in the way to save their own lives. Koga had seen husband trip their wives on purpose so the pack would attack the fallen human first. He'd seen mothers offer squalling babies as a sacrifice in trade. And, brothers arguing over who should die first.

Humans would always turn on each-other if the situation called for it. Every human Koga had ever known had….except for Kagome.

Kagome was strong and noble; but trusting. She would welcome anyone who needed her and would probably never think her own people would betray her. That put her at risk.

"Koga?"

"We don't make a move against these people," Koga orders, his voice grating to his own ears. "But, if they endanger my woman, we know what to do."

Nodding in solemn agreement, both Ginta and Hakkaku returned to their washing as Koga leaned against a nearby rock on the pool.

He didn't like the idea of attacking this village. He knew it would break Kagome's heart to see her home harmed. But, Koga wasn't about to let her get hurt, even by her own people. If they moved one step towards his woman, even the Kami themselves couldn't spare them Koga's wrath.

SSS

Kagome had no idea what she was doing. After leaving Koga and Ginta and Hakkaku at the spring for them to wash, she'd tried to go a safe distance where they could bathe in peace. And, now,….she had nothing to do. Nothing but to sit and wait.

She'd been told to show Koga around and what had she done? She'd dumped him and the others to wash and now could only twiddle her thumbs impatiently. What had she been thinking?

"I told you I wasn't lying!"

Kagome snapped her head up as she searched desperately to spot whoever was approaching. She was sure she recognized that voice!

Suddenly, three familiar faces poked through the nearby trees, causing Kagome to leap to her feet in joy.

"Eri! Yuka? Ayumi!"

All at once, the three young women rushed at Kagome, crushing her in a strong but comforting circle as they cried, laughed and fired question after question at her in quick succession.

"It's you! It's really you, isn't it?"
"We didn't think we'd ever see you again!"
"Is it true you're back to stay?"
"When did you defeat Naraku?"
"Where are the yokai that came with you?"
"Do you need to free yourself from them?"
"I think you've gotten taller."

Kagome knew she should try and answer the repeated questions flinging about but she just couldn't bring herself to break the moment as tears once again pricked her eyes. She hadn't seen her best friends in too long.

"Kagome?" Yuka asked in tense panic. "Kagome, what's wrong?"

Kagome hiccupped as she realized a tear had broken free down her cheek. Good ole Yuka, always the observant one.

"I really missed you guys," she answered wetly. "I just….can't believe I'm here."

The three women instantly calmed and the embrace turned more gentle and comforting as they took in the fact their friend was home. Kagome knew she had good friends with Sango and Miroku. But, there was something about the known comfort of those who'd been with her since childhood. It was almost surreal but still there for her to take. And, she wouldn't give it up for anything.

"Well, now that we've gotten that out of the way," Eri replied as she quickly stepped back, breaking the circle. "We need to get to the important stuff."

Kagome couldn't help but snort in amusement. Affection always made Eri uncomfortable. She was the practical one, the sensible one that had to take charge of everything. And, Kagome found she wouldn't miss this one scheme of hers for anything.

"And, what would that be?" Kagome asked with a smirk.

"Come on, Kagome," Yuka quickly huffed. "We heard about you traveling with yokai. Are you alright? Do you need to purify them?"

Kagome blinked in stunned surprise. "No," she answered. "Koga and the others are my friends."

"So, his name is Koga," Ayumi replied with a sweet smile. "Is he the Alpha? That must be so exciting."

"It's not exciting," Eri snapped before Kagome could answer. "It's dangerous!"

"Yeah," Yuka added. "What if he decides to attack her? Or, eat her? He's a wolf, afterall."

"Whatever help you need to get rid of them, Kagome, I want you to know, we are here," Eri stated as if she was a general giving orders. Her confidence inspired both Yuka and Ayumi to nod in agreement.

Kagome's heart warmed at their willingness to help but she still couldn't help but sigh.

"Guys, we're not going to war," Kagome sighed. "I don't need saving. Koga and the others would never hurt me."

"Where is he, anyway?" Ayumi asked cheerfully.

"Oh, they're…..cleaning up," Kagome informed, face flushing slightly.

"Well, I say we get a look at this Alpha," Yuka declared as if the pronouncement decided everything.

"Agreed," added Eri.

"What?" Kagome squeaked, absolutely horrified. She had to have misheard.

"If these wolves are nearby, I want to see what we're dealing with," Yuka stated with confidence.

Ayumi immediately gave a small giggle. "This sound down-right scandalous."

"You can't be serious!" Kagome squeaked. "They're….they're….."

"Bathing?" Eri answered. "Are you saying you've never been curious?"

"Eri!" Kagome cried. "Do you hear yourself?"

"Sounds like the smartest thing I've heard all day," Yuka stated as she grabbed hold of Kagome's arm and dragged her towards the nearby bushes.

"This is so exciting," Ayumi cheered softly as she crouched down beside the others.

Eri quickly put a finger up to her mouth in a signal for silence. Meanwhile, Kagome was struggling to breathe as she tried to grasp how this could be happening.

How had they gotten to this point?

"Alright, let's be ready for anything," Yuka announced. "I've heard yokai can sometimes take an animal form."

"Then, maybe we should leave them alone," Eri suggested.

That sounded like the best suggestion Kagome had heard all day.

"Oh, my….."

Ayumi's gasp had the three others looking towards the top of the bushes in front of them. And, Kagome's breath caught in her throat.