Part 12

The Pride of the Prince

********

Sesshoumaru was still walking his borders that following evening, when he picked up the scent of his enemy. It wasn't the one he was looking for but an enemy none the less. His eyes narrowed in delight. He would now have the chance to dangle his brother's woman in front of him and the idea of taunting the half-demon sent a delicious feeling through him.

He followed the obvious trail that his brother had left and found himself in a hurry to meet the half-wit. Inuyasha, this will be the second mate you have lost. You do not take care of what you claim. Now she is lost to you. How will you take it, I wonder?

He leapt into the clearing that his brother was in the process of marking. His sudden appearance caused three expected gasps and one he was not prepared for. I never rush in. Damn it, I was too hasty.

"Sesshoumaru-sama! You came for me! I knew you wouldn't leave your servant in the hands of the enemy! Oh, this Jaken is so happy!"

"Sesshoumaru!" Inuyasha growled. "I'll not give you the sword!"

Sesshoumaru ignored his brother and glared at the toad youkai instead. "You lost her."

An audible gulp came from the green throat. Sesshoumaru then turned his back on the terrified creature. "Inuyasha, why do you have this Sesshoumaru's servant in your possession? You must realize that I have the better part of the trade."

Inuyasha halted his swing of the sword in mid swipe. "Huh?"

"Did you really think I would give you back the woman just because you have picked up this worthless creature?"

"Sesshoumaru-sama..." Jaken squeaked. His master glared him into silence.

"He can not even follow the simplest of commands."

"What woman?" Inuyasha looked confused.

"..." Sesshoumaru almost smiled. That idiot didn't even know yet that the human Miko was missing. "Your ignorance astounds me. Jaken, wash that stink off yourself before you return to my presence. You smell like my brother."

Inuyasha dumbly watched his brother walk away. "Hey, you Bastard...What woman?" Inuyasha's frustration was easy to scent.

Sesshoumaru turned back to look once more at the befuddled group. "Your woman. Surely you haven't forgotten her already? Aren't you missing a Miko?" He actually did smile now.

"K-Kikyo!" Inuyasha sputtered. "What have you done-"

"My, my...Still wound up on that corpse. That is even more disgraceful then taking a second mate and losing her too."

"What?" Inuyasha's voice had dropped to a whisper. "I have no other...Kagome..."

"Indeed."

"You-you-you-" Inuyasha couldn't seem to grasp his brother's meaning. "WHAT?! I don't believe-"

"Do not continue that thought. This Sesshoumaru does not lie, as well you know. The woman is beyond your reach now." His smile was playful and terrible. He turned to leave. "Oh, and keep the sword. Your need of it is much greater then my own."

"SESSHOUMARU-SAMA! Don't leave me...." Jaken whimpered as his master disappeared in the forest.

"You ASS! Tell me where you have Kagome!" Inuyasha yelled.

"No...not Kagome too. I can't have lost her too..." Sango cried shaking. Miroku wrapped an arm around her and steadied her. Kirara stood all her fur on her back up and hissed at the empty place that the youkai lord had just stood.

********

Kouga shifted his weight from his toes to his heals and regarded his assembled tribe in wonder. The mismatched group of warriors and pups stood tall and proud in front of him.

"We're with you, Prince Kouga!" a wolf man shouted from the back.

"She has already proven herself to be an asset to her pack and has helped yours as well." An elder wolf spoke from the council. "She has our approval if you are truly determined to mate with the girl."

Kouga grinned. This was just as he always imagined it would be. The council would give in gracefully to his choice and he would then leave to find his mate and return with her to his tribe. He had just not counted on the girl being human. Most wolves don't choose a mate from other species, but this girl was special and had already played a big part in his life and the lives of all his pack members.

"Kagome, I'll be there soon to save you from dog-breath..." his tail wagged in pleasure and anticipation.

Nothing had prepared him for the elation he felt when the whole of the tribe supported him. Kouga was the leader, but that is not why they follow him. They respected the wolf prince and he was a worthy youkai to lead them all!

Kouga stalked on his long legs to the entrance of the cave and took a deep breath. The clean air added a sense of vibrancy and action that triggered a need to revel in his world. He howled loudly and was rewarded by the laughter and joint howling of the other wolf youkai.

"Happy are you?" one of the elders grinned. Kouga let his joy in life show and cuffed the nearest youth across the head gently. A friendly scuffle was a welcome distraction in these times of war. A full out brawl was sure to evolve from this, but he intended to be long gone in search of the woman he had chosen to bare his pups and continue his line.

Kagome was the perfect creature to match him. She was strength and beauty. She was mother and mate and was going to be his as much as he was already hers. Wolves mate for life. He would never choose another.

Kouga found himself daydreaming about the changes in his life that would be coming soon. Some of them he agonized over for the wait while others...he was uncertain how drastic the change in lifestyle would be for both himself and Kagome.

Could Kagome handle the pack responsibilites? She will be the pack mother...I wonder if she even knows what that means...

Crash!

Kouga looked up suddenly. His instinct told him something was wrong. Something was coming. All the previous joy melted away from him leaving him hard and tense.

The dog fight behind him was ignored and the soft growl that he issued from between clenched teeth sent the fur standing up on the back of the neck for those who could hear it.

Naraku...I smell Naraku. I'll kill that bastard hanyou. All thoughts except for his desire to avenge his slaughtered pack members and end the disgraceful existence of the cowardly demon spider fell from his mind. He was consumed by his need to kill that half-demon who had proven over and over again how he lacked any honor.

Kouga put himself into a more defensive crouch and warned the others with a long steady howl. "Return! Return! You are needed!" It seemed to say. Wolves and wolf youkai trotted from the woods and from inside the caves. The warriors started to gather and watched the hard cold eyes of their leader.

Kouga bristled and scanned the treeline. "Naraku!" He growled loudly, his voice oddly gruff and gravelly. "Get the council members out of here." He demanded. "And send an escort...with our youngest..."

"But Kouga..." one young wolf whined.

"Now!" he snarled.

He looked into the eyes of the oldest council member for a long moment, icy blue eyes meeting amber. "If anything happens to me..."

"She already has the protection of the pack. That can never be taken back." The old wolf said.

Kouga nodded once and faced the forest. Kagome...I'll find you later. But first, I'll kill this monster for you. It'll be my gift to you. Proof that I care...I'll bring you Naraku's head and dog-turd can say nothing then, and you will finally be free to come with me.

He howled once more in anger and challenge. It was a wild call that was taken up by the remaining warriors and resounded through the forest, shattering the stillness of the evening.

Naraku, I'll kill you...or I'll die trying.