Ikoiyo = Let's go
Doshda? = What's wrong?
Broken Pack
Chapter Four
Recovery
Ayame's eyes fluttered open in the quiet morning. She heard breathing and nearly screamed remembering the previous day. She looked at the arm draped over her and recognized the fur as Kouga's. She turned around and found herself gazing at his sleeping face. He looked so calm. So gentle. As if he didn't have a care in the world. Usually when he slept his face was stern and alert. She set her face against his chest snuggling deeper into the warm hay until a blanket was formed over her. She felt her youkaichi taking effect in healing her wounds. Her ankle didn't hurt so bad anyway when she turned it. The only thing wrong, she was tired. Wolves slept during day, unless on a hunt, as Kouga was for Naraku.
She closed her eyes in hopes of going to sleep. As exhaustion as she was, she didn't see how sleep was eluding her. Her eyes opened as she felt a kiss placed on her forehead.
"Sleep," she heard Kouga's voice at a whisper.
"I can't," she whispered back. She felt Kouga tighten his hold as he pulled her closer.
"You need sleep."
"But-" Ayame sighed as she laid her head back down. Kouga reached a hand brushing a lock of her hair behind her ear.
"Sleep."
Ayame nodded her head as she stared out the cave. She closed her eyes in an attempt to sleep, but it wouldn't come.
As a loud crash was heard from the forest her stomach twisted into a tight knot.
"What was that?" she whispered out in a shaky voice as she lifted her head. She felt Kouga's warmth leave her body making another knot form in her stomach. As she started to sit up he stopped. She got the message and lay back down. She watched him as he walked out of the cave and went to a run headed for the forest to check out what ever had crashed.
Ayame looked around the cave as a few wolves snuggled against her to replace the warmth Kouga had taken away. She giggled softly at the sight of Ginta and Hakkaku. Each of their heads resting on the others. It was as if they were brothers. Of course, in a wolf pack, that's what it was considered. But those two just looked too innocent in their sleep.
She heard a yell and another crash. She heard a roar of many demons as a whirlwind suddenly formed headed straight for the cave. Kouga slowed as he shook Ginta awake.
"Ginta, get Hakkaku, we have to leave."
"Now?"
"Yes!"
Ginta stood quickly pulling Hakkaku onto his back. Kouga rushed over and hauled Ayame onto his back. The hay still clung to her hair and furs as she wrapped her arms around his neck. She braced herself as Kouga went full speed out of the cave. Ginta quickly followed with the wolves around him.
After a few minutes Kouga stopped next to a river, panting heavily as he set Ayame down.
"What's wrong?" she asked. Kouga lifted a hand signaling he needed to catch his breath.
"The demons from the forest were beginning to feast on all those corpses. A large one knocked a tree over causing the crash. When they spotted me they headed straight for me. I managed to kill a couple without getting hurt. I knew we would surely be killed if we stayed so we had to leave."
Ayame nodded her head clutching her stomach.
"Now, what's wrong with you?"
Ayame lifted her head holding back the urge to tremble. "I'm just a little shaken up that's all. It was all so sudden."
She let her head drop again. Kouga noticed the sad expression in her face.
"What was so sudden?" he asked talking slowly. "The force to mate, or the death of all our comrades?"
Ayame bit the innards of her cheek holding tears back. Her vision blurred as tears blocked out her sight. She blinked in an attempt to gain it again causing the tears to fall. She let out a squeak as she brought her knees to her chest inhaling sharply as a small cough erupted mixed with a whine.
"Both."
Kouga felt a pang of guilt hit him as the scent of her tears reached him. Ginta gasped for air as he finally caught up. He set the groggy Hakkaku down as he quickly fell back to sleep. Ginta fell flat on his rump next to him and sighed. "That was close."
Ayame took a slow and steady breath in as she lifted her head trying to cry further.
"I-I can't cry, I'm not supposed to. I'm supposed to be strong and-and..."
Kouga couldn't stand it. He stood a slight step toward her before in one smooth drop to the knee brought her into a warm embrace. Ayame felt herself suddenly stop as she closed her eyes letting her head rest on his shoulder.
"It's okay... to be scared," he told her in his calmest voice.
"It's okay to cry," he added as she sniffled.
Ayame shook her head against his shoulder. "N-no, it's not! When I'm scared; when I cry, I'm weak!"
Kouga sighed as he whispered into her ear. "It's okay to be weak."
Ayame balled up her fists against his armor.
"Shh, it's okay."
Ayame slowly quieted as he whispered soothing phrases to her. She closed her eyes as she quickly became drowsy. She felt Kouga pick her up onto his back. She set her hands on his shoulders as she yawned.
"Ginta, ikoiyo."
"To where?"
Kouga looked down the river. "To find a new home."
He sensed Ayame fall asleep. He picked up his pace to a run where Ginta would be at his side. He noticed Ginta's smile at how it found to actually run along side him. He would always go too fast for the two to keep up. He knew how they always nagged at him to slow down. He would for this time. Maybe it would rise his spirits to know his surviving comrades were happy.
Kouga glanced around at the nearby places. There were plenty of caves and such, but he wanted a nice spot that was safe. Their old home had been in the mountains. That had been the first place of Naraku's attack, and as far as he knew, that's where Naraku was.
After a few tiring hours of running Kouga noticed Ginta start to slow down. Kouga slowed to a simple walk as he soon, too, became exhausted.
Ayame moaned against Kouga as she sheepishly lifted her head. The sun was just beginning to rise. She took a slow glance before letting her head drop back down. She mumbled something but it was unheard. Kouga smirked as he barely heard what she said.
"Kouga, look over there!" Hakkaku shouted piping his head up over Ginta's shoulder to point far off to their left. Kouga looked over seeing some mountains. Sure, they were mountains, but they looked nothing like the ones from before. He noticed a lake on the surrounding the outside parameter and a few water falls flowing down it. A few thin rivers went this way and that.
He unconsciously walked toward it, wanting a closer look.
"Ayame," he whispered nudging her head with his shoulder. Ayame looked up and gasped.
"It-It-It's..."
"Breathtaking?"
"Yeah..."
Ayame stared wide eyed at the small clusters of mountains with water falls surrounding it. She slowly slid herself off Kouga's back. She slowly walked toward it careful not to hurt her ankle again. When they reached the lake she greedily sank down to her knees cupping the water in her hands for a drink. Kouga took the time to survey the area looking for a way in.
"Hm," he thought out loud as he made it back to the small pack. "Be right back."
He dove into the water. He took a minute to adjust before swimming forward. He noticed a cavern like spot near the bottom of the wall. He curiously swam forward. As darkness surrounded him he frantically used his hands searching for a way out. As he raised it he felt it suddenly cool. He rocketed off a rock with his legs only to bang his head on jagged rocks at the top. He gasped for air trying to ignore the pain searing through his head. He felt something warm run down the side of his face. He lifted his hand wiping his face. From what the little light offered he could see a deep blood red liquid on his hand.
"Shit!"
Kouga found that the air pocket continued, so he continued. He saw some light ahead. His hands touched a stone wall with a crack of light seeping through it. He drew his fist back then drove it forward breaking the wall. He swam through the rest of the lake and pulled himself onto the bank. He took a minute to regain his breathe before leaning over the water looking at his reflection. Blood was still trailing down the side of his face, down his neck, and onto his armor.
He took a look around the place.
There were many caves, which he took to be quite large considering how long the tunnel underwater was. There were enough trees to be considered a small forest. There was a small hole in the top of the mountain offering its share of light. Flowers and herbs of many varieties sprinkled the earth with their beauty.
"My God Ayame's gonna love this place..." he smirked as he turned around diving back into the water. He surfaced as he headed back into the long tunnel. He took a large breathe for air before plunging deep into the tunnel. It was harder to find his way out. He felt his air slowly leaving him as he continued pushing past the rocks. He spotted light and sped for it, desperate for air. His vision started to blur as he reached his hand up. He felt himself sinking back down into the water.
A hand slapped itself over his. He instinctively grasped it as Ayame pulled him up. He gasped for air letting out a few coughs. He let himself fall onto his back as he regained his breath.
"Kouga, what happened?" Ayame asked as he slowly sat up. Kouga looked around.
"Right... Hakkaku, you first."
Kouga walked over to Ginta pulling Hakkaku off his back. He hung him onto his back as he stepped into the water. It was harder to hold up the weight without sinking but he managed.
"Hold your breathe, it's a long trip."
Hakkaku took a gasp of air in just as Kouga did and they sank. Kouga went as quickly as he could, but was slowed from Hakkaku's presence. He felt Hakkaku's claws sinking into his arm as he started to run out of air. Kouga finally found the air pocket. As he surfaced he lifted his hands as to not bump his head again. They both gasped for air. Kouga took Hakkaku into the inner mountain setting him down before going back.
He went back and forth until only Ayame was left. She grabbed his hand as he began the journey. Ayame felt nervous knowing that she wasn't that great at holding her breathe. But she took in the largest one she could muster. She tried desperately to follow Kouga but felt her body give out quickly for the need of oxygen. She mad a high pitched squeal making Kouga spin around in the water. He grabbed her arm pulling her in front of him. Ayame put a hand over her mouth keeping the water out. Kouga felt her go limp and wrapped an arm around her waist as he found the air pocket. As he emerged she gasped for air. Kouga picked her up into his arms as he walked out.
"I think I've had my share of exercise for the day..." he gasped out catching his breathe. Ayame chuckled as she coughed out a little water. She opened her eyes looking around and gasped. Her mouth slightly dropped as her eyes widened showing the reflection of the greenery.
"It's..."
Ayame slowly crawled out of Kouga's arms as she stepped forward. She balled up one fist setting it against her chest as she peered in and out of the caves and forest. She turned back to Kouga slowly walking back to him. He almost fell back as she jumped up wrapping her arms tightly around his neck.
"It's gorgeous here!"
Kouga smiled at her as she released her hold and began running like a child would throughout the field. Kouga suddenly had a childish thought and smirked as he sped off towards Ayame. She shrieked in surprise as he tackled her to the ground.
"You little-!"
Ayame grabbed his arms spinning around. Kouga felt a blush come to his face at their position. Ayame didn't seem to notice as she pulled him again resulting in another roll toward the small hill they were on. Kouga noticed this now.
"No! Wait! Ayame-"
It was too late. He pulled her close just as they slipped of the edge rolling down like a bullet. And, to top it all off...
Ayame was in a giggle fit.
As they stopped Kouga felt dizzy. When he stood he easily fell back. Ayame just laid there, all sprawled out, laughing like an idiot.
After a few minutes Kouga regained his sight and stood. Ayame was still laughing.
"Good God woman, shut up."
This only made her laugh harder. She covered her pink face with her hands as tears started to fall from having so much laughter. Kouga felt himself start to shake with laughter as his knees gave way. Kouga tried to resist the urge to laugh but couldn't resist any longer. He grabbed Ayame pulling her to him placing his head against her shoulder to muffle the sound.
After about half an hour they finally got control. Ayame was half way onto Kouga, her back to his chest, and he had his face buried into her shoulder. Ayame relaxed in his hold but felt a chill go down her spine when she felt Kouga's warm breathe on her neck.
Kouga sensed her squirm in his grasp.
"Doshda?"
Ayame stopped and laid her head back relaxing on his shoulder.
"I dunno, I guess I just felt a little awkward."
Kouga moved his head to the side setting it against hers.
"When will you be ready to mate?"
Ayame slowly reached a hand up touching his face. She tilted it as she turned hers. Slowly their lips met. Kouga was about to deepen it but Ayame suddenly stood. He watched dumbfounded as she walked toward one of the caves, a sly smirk on her face. Kouga felt himself become entranced with her movements. Grace and elegance. And her hips. Gods he wanted to touch them. He felt himself walk forward without trying to.
Ayame disappeared into the cave, he followed.
Doshda? = What's wrong?
Broken Pack
Chapter Four
Recovery
Ayame's eyes fluttered open in the quiet morning. She heard breathing and nearly screamed remembering the previous day. She looked at the arm draped over her and recognized the fur as Kouga's. She turned around and found herself gazing at his sleeping face. He looked so calm. So gentle. As if he didn't have a care in the world. Usually when he slept his face was stern and alert. She set her face against his chest snuggling deeper into the warm hay until a blanket was formed over her. She felt her youkaichi taking effect in healing her wounds. Her ankle didn't hurt so bad anyway when she turned it. The only thing wrong, she was tired. Wolves slept during day, unless on a hunt, as Kouga was for Naraku.
She closed her eyes in hopes of going to sleep. As exhaustion as she was, she didn't see how sleep was eluding her. Her eyes opened as she felt a kiss placed on her forehead.
"Sleep," she heard Kouga's voice at a whisper.
"I can't," she whispered back. She felt Kouga tighten his hold as he pulled her closer.
"You need sleep."
"But-" Ayame sighed as she laid her head back down. Kouga reached a hand brushing a lock of her hair behind her ear.
"Sleep."
Ayame nodded her head as she stared out the cave. She closed her eyes in an attempt to sleep, but it wouldn't come.
As a loud crash was heard from the forest her stomach twisted into a tight knot.
"What was that?" she whispered out in a shaky voice as she lifted her head. She felt Kouga's warmth leave her body making another knot form in her stomach. As she started to sit up he stopped. She got the message and lay back down. She watched him as he walked out of the cave and went to a run headed for the forest to check out what ever had crashed.
Ayame looked around the cave as a few wolves snuggled against her to replace the warmth Kouga had taken away. She giggled softly at the sight of Ginta and Hakkaku. Each of their heads resting on the others. It was as if they were brothers. Of course, in a wolf pack, that's what it was considered. But those two just looked too innocent in their sleep.
She heard a yell and another crash. She heard a roar of many demons as a whirlwind suddenly formed headed straight for the cave. Kouga slowed as he shook Ginta awake.
"Ginta, get Hakkaku, we have to leave."
"Now?"
"Yes!"
Ginta stood quickly pulling Hakkaku onto his back. Kouga rushed over and hauled Ayame onto his back. The hay still clung to her hair and furs as she wrapped her arms around his neck. She braced herself as Kouga went full speed out of the cave. Ginta quickly followed with the wolves around him.
After a few minutes Kouga stopped next to a river, panting heavily as he set Ayame down.
"What's wrong?" she asked. Kouga lifted a hand signaling he needed to catch his breath.
"The demons from the forest were beginning to feast on all those corpses. A large one knocked a tree over causing the crash. When they spotted me they headed straight for me. I managed to kill a couple without getting hurt. I knew we would surely be killed if we stayed so we had to leave."
Ayame nodded her head clutching her stomach.
"Now, what's wrong with you?"
Ayame lifted her head holding back the urge to tremble. "I'm just a little shaken up that's all. It was all so sudden."
She let her head drop again. Kouga noticed the sad expression in her face.
"What was so sudden?" he asked talking slowly. "The force to mate, or the death of all our comrades?"
Ayame bit the innards of her cheek holding tears back. Her vision blurred as tears blocked out her sight. She blinked in an attempt to gain it again causing the tears to fall. She let out a squeak as she brought her knees to her chest inhaling sharply as a small cough erupted mixed with a whine.
"Both."
Kouga felt a pang of guilt hit him as the scent of her tears reached him. Ginta gasped for air as he finally caught up. He set the groggy Hakkaku down as he quickly fell back to sleep. Ginta fell flat on his rump next to him and sighed. "That was close."
Ayame took a slow and steady breath in as she lifted her head trying to cry further.
"I-I can't cry, I'm not supposed to. I'm supposed to be strong and-and..."
Kouga couldn't stand it. He stood a slight step toward her before in one smooth drop to the knee brought her into a warm embrace. Ayame felt herself suddenly stop as she closed her eyes letting her head rest on his shoulder.
"It's okay... to be scared," he told her in his calmest voice.
"It's okay to cry," he added as she sniffled.
Ayame shook her head against his shoulder. "N-no, it's not! When I'm scared; when I cry, I'm weak!"
Kouga sighed as he whispered into her ear. "It's okay to be weak."
Ayame balled up her fists against his armor.
"Shh, it's okay."
Ayame slowly quieted as he whispered soothing phrases to her. She closed her eyes as she quickly became drowsy. She felt Kouga pick her up onto his back. She set her hands on his shoulders as she yawned.
"Ginta, ikoiyo."
"To where?"
Kouga looked down the river. "To find a new home."
He sensed Ayame fall asleep. He picked up his pace to a run where Ginta would be at his side. He noticed Ginta's smile at how it found to actually run along side him. He would always go too fast for the two to keep up. He knew how they always nagged at him to slow down. He would for this time. Maybe it would rise his spirits to know his surviving comrades were happy.
Kouga glanced around at the nearby places. There were plenty of caves and such, but he wanted a nice spot that was safe. Their old home had been in the mountains. That had been the first place of Naraku's attack, and as far as he knew, that's where Naraku was.
After a few tiring hours of running Kouga noticed Ginta start to slow down. Kouga slowed to a simple walk as he soon, too, became exhausted.
Ayame moaned against Kouga as she sheepishly lifted her head. The sun was just beginning to rise. She took a slow glance before letting her head drop back down. She mumbled something but it was unheard. Kouga smirked as he barely heard what she said.
"Kouga, look over there!" Hakkaku shouted piping his head up over Ginta's shoulder to point far off to their left. Kouga looked over seeing some mountains. Sure, they were mountains, but they looked nothing like the ones from before. He noticed a lake on the surrounding the outside parameter and a few water falls flowing down it. A few thin rivers went this way and that.
He unconsciously walked toward it, wanting a closer look.
"Ayame," he whispered nudging her head with his shoulder. Ayame looked up and gasped.
"It-It-It's..."
"Breathtaking?"
"Yeah..."
Ayame stared wide eyed at the small clusters of mountains with water falls surrounding it. She slowly slid herself off Kouga's back. She slowly walked toward it careful not to hurt her ankle again. When they reached the lake she greedily sank down to her knees cupping the water in her hands for a drink. Kouga took the time to survey the area looking for a way in.
"Hm," he thought out loud as he made it back to the small pack. "Be right back."
He dove into the water. He took a minute to adjust before swimming forward. He noticed a cavern like spot near the bottom of the wall. He curiously swam forward. As darkness surrounded him he frantically used his hands searching for a way out. As he raised it he felt it suddenly cool. He rocketed off a rock with his legs only to bang his head on jagged rocks at the top. He gasped for air trying to ignore the pain searing through his head. He felt something warm run down the side of his face. He lifted his hand wiping his face. From what the little light offered he could see a deep blood red liquid on his hand.
"Shit!"
Kouga found that the air pocket continued, so he continued. He saw some light ahead. His hands touched a stone wall with a crack of light seeping through it. He drew his fist back then drove it forward breaking the wall. He swam through the rest of the lake and pulled himself onto the bank. He took a minute to regain his breathe before leaning over the water looking at his reflection. Blood was still trailing down the side of his face, down his neck, and onto his armor.
He took a look around the place.
There were many caves, which he took to be quite large considering how long the tunnel underwater was. There were enough trees to be considered a small forest. There was a small hole in the top of the mountain offering its share of light. Flowers and herbs of many varieties sprinkled the earth with their beauty.
"My God Ayame's gonna love this place..." he smirked as he turned around diving back into the water. He surfaced as he headed back into the long tunnel. He took a large breathe for air before plunging deep into the tunnel. It was harder to find his way out. He felt his air slowly leaving him as he continued pushing past the rocks. He spotted light and sped for it, desperate for air. His vision started to blur as he reached his hand up. He felt himself sinking back down into the water.
A hand slapped itself over his. He instinctively grasped it as Ayame pulled him up. He gasped for air letting out a few coughs. He let himself fall onto his back as he regained his breath.
"Kouga, what happened?" Ayame asked as he slowly sat up. Kouga looked around.
"Right... Hakkaku, you first."
Kouga walked over to Ginta pulling Hakkaku off his back. He hung him onto his back as he stepped into the water. It was harder to hold up the weight without sinking but he managed.
"Hold your breathe, it's a long trip."
Hakkaku took a gasp of air in just as Kouga did and they sank. Kouga went as quickly as he could, but was slowed from Hakkaku's presence. He felt Hakkaku's claws sinking into his arm as he started to run out of air. Kouga finally found the air pocket. As he surfaced he lifted his hands as to not bump his head again. They both gasped for air. Kouga took Hakkaku into the inner mountain setting him down before going back.
He went back and forth until only Ayame was left. She grabbed his hand as he began the journey. Ayame felt nervous knowing that she wasn't that great at holding her breathe. But she took in the largest one she could muster. She tried desperately to follow Kouga but felt her body give out quickly for the need of oxygen. She mad a high pitched squeal making Kouga spin around in the water. He grabbed her arm pulling her in front of him. Ayame put a hand over her mouth keeping the water out. Kouga felt her go limp and wrapped an arm around her waist as he found the air pocket. As he emerged she gasped for air. Kouga picked her up into his arms as he walked out.
"I think I've had my share of exercise for the day..." he gasped out catching his breathe. Ayame chuckled as she coughed out a little water. She opened her eyes looking around and gasped. Her mouth slightly dropped as her eyes widened showing the reflection of the greenery.
"It's..."
Ayame slowly crawled out of Kouga's arms as she stepped forward. She balled up one fist setting it against her chest as she peered in and out of the caves and forest. She turned back to Kouga slowly walking back to him. He almost fell back as she jumped up wrapping her arms tightly around his neck.
"It's gorgeous here!"
Kouga smiled at her as she released her hold and began running like a child would throughout the field. Kouga suddenly had a childish thought and smirked as he sped off towards Ayame. She shrieked in surprise as he tackled her to the ground.
"You little-!"
Ayame grabbed his arms spinning around. Kouga felt a blush come to his face at their position. Ayame didn't seem to notice as she pulled him again resulting in another roll toward the small hill they were on. Kouga noticed this now.
"No! Wait! Ayame-"
It was too late. He pulled her close just as they slipped of the edge rolling down like a bullet. And, to top it all off...
Ayame was in a giggle fit.
As they stopped Kouga felt dizzy. When he stood he easily fell back. Ayame just laid there, all sprawled out, laughing like an idiot.
After a few minutes Kouga regained his sight and stood. Ayame was still laughing.
"Good God woman, shut up."
This only made her laugh harder. She covered her pink face with her hands as tears started to fall from having so much laughter. Kouga felt himself start to shake with laughter as his knees gave way. Kouga tried to resist the urge to laugh but couldn't resist any longer. He grabbed Ayame pulling her to him placing his head against her shoulder to muffle the sound.
After about half an hour they finally got control. Ayame was half way onto Kouga, her back to his chest, and he had his face buried into her shoulder. Ayame relaxed in his hold but felt a chill go down her spine when she felt Kouga's warm breathe on her neck.
Kouga sensed her squirm in his grasp.
"Doshda?"
Ayame stopped and laid her head back relaxing on his shoulder.
"I dunno, I guess I just felt a little awkward."
Kouga moved his head to the side setting it against hers.
"When will you be ready to mate?"
Ayame slowly reached a hand up touching his face. She tilted it as she turned hers. Slowly their lips met. Kouga was about to deepen it but Ayame suddenly stood. He watched dumbfounded as she walked toward one of the caves, a sly smirk on her face. Kouga felt himself become entranced with her movements. Grace and elegance. And her hips. Gods he wanted to touch them. He felt himself walk forward without trying to.
Ayame disappeared into the cave, he followed.