Chapter Thirteen-Bonding Time

"Okay,now, crouch low…don't make a sound." Kouga stood behind his daughter, and his and Achika's fosterling, whispering instructions. "Okay,Kyoko, you can get this one."

Saraku stayed in position, even after Kyoko successfully conquered her prey. "Can I get the next one, Kouga?"

Kouga looked up at the sun. "I think we better halt for the day, girls. You two head back with Ginta now, okay?"

"Okay." The chorused and followed the head guard back to the den. It had been nearly two months since Kouga had convinced Saraku to live with them for a while, and the ten-year-old was really getting close to the wolf demon prince. She found out pretty fast how much he'd changed. Jewel fragments didn't matter to him anymore, as long as his friends and family were safe. And she was considered both by everyone in the den. Kyoko, his real daughter even had suggested making her a part of the den by ceremony, but Kouga wasn't ready for that yet, and Saraku wasn't sure she wanted that tie either, especially if she was to ever return to Inuyasha or Sesshoumaru. Still, life was good with the wolf pack. She even had her own wolf cub, which she'd named Kilala, after Sango's cat creature. The cub was growing fast, and she adored it.

When they returned, the den celebrated Kyoko's first kill, while praising Saraku for trying. They didn't really expect her do too well,considering she was human. Kouga had other thoughts on the subject. Even though it came off like food hunting, truly, he was teaching the girl how to defend herself properly. For if the time did come that she would leave them, he wanted her to be able to defend herself from assailants. It was obvious to him that was one thing both Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru had both neglected to teach her. He watched her and Kyoko now, as they told the pack all about their little adventure.

"Saraku's getting pretty good." Kyoko boasted. "She almost caught a rabbit this morning."

"That's wonderful!" Achika grinned at the human girl. "Next time, take Kilala with you. Maybe she can find something for you."

"I don't really want her to do it for me, Achika. I can't learn that way." Saraku replied, petting the fur of the wolf in question. "But if she wants to come for companionship, she's more than welcome to."

Kouga laughed softly, joining the three now. "I daresay, if you bring her with you, she will want to hunt. She's been little more than a den-dog since you took her in, Saraku. What good will that do us?"

"She doesn't like it out there, Kouga. It's scary for her." Saraku informed him. "Besides, I'm always going to look out for her."

Kouga looked like he would protest to this, but Achika changed the subject. "So, are you learning well, Saraku?"

"A little bit. If the spears weren't so long, I'd do better. I'm really small for my age."

"You hear that? Make a few shorter spears!" Kouga ordered his weapons master.

"Yes sir!" The young man replied, and went to work, doing so.

Saraku's eyes widened. "Thank you, Kouga!"

"Don't mention it. Can't have you lose another rabbit tomorrow, can we?" He smiled at her when she giggled. I can't believe how much I've changed… She must be thinking the exact same thing. I don't want to let her go…I want to take care of her now that I've begun. It wouldn't seem right to let that mutt Inuyasha take her again. Not after all that she's told us he said to her! And Sesshoumaru. I'm surprised he hasn't sought her out by now. Could it be that he really doesn't give a damn about her? I can't tell her that. She still longs for him. I can see it in her eyes, even now.

"Kouga? Love? Are you alright?" Achika looked up at him, worriedly.

"Oh…yes, I'm fine." He replied. "Alright, girls. It's bed time."

"Now?" Kyoko looked up at her father.

"Yes, now. If we're going out again tomorrow, you need your rest." He and Achika tucked them into their beds together, and then they too went to bed.

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Rin looked up at the sky as it darkened. "Ah-un, can you move faster? I don't want to be in the middle of nowhere when it gets completely dark." She nudged the beast gently, and it began to move swifter. She had fled the comfort and safety of the castle at midday when Jakken wasn't looking. She intended to find Inuyasha, and appeal to him to speak to Lord Sesshoumaru about Saraku. She hoped with all her heart that Saraku had been recovered, and that she was with them, safe and sound. Over the bridge the beast carried her. "I must find Inuyasha. You two have seen him, I know it. Go find him!"

The hanyou was en route to Sesshoumaru's palace at that very moment. He had left without telling Kagome where he was going. With any luck, he'd get there and back again without anyone noticing his absence. This was between his brother and him.

Up ahead of him, he heard the sound of hooves, and he leaped to the side, and waited. A moment later, the heads of Sesshoumaru's beast appeared, and with them, the other human girl that he took care of. "Rin,isn't it?"

The girl was so startled, she nearly let go of the reins. "Inuyasha….." She stared at him, with wide eyes.

"Yeah, that's me. What are you doing, creeping around at night? Where's my brother?"

"I was actually looking for you, Lord Inuyasha. He won't come out of his room, and he won't look for Saraku."

"He needn't bother. I know where she is." Inuyasha told her.

"Is she with you then?"

"No. She's with Kouga and his demon tribe. Kagome and Shippou told me earlier today. I'm not going after her until after I talk to Sesshoumaru."

"Then we should hurry. How come Kagome let her stay with him? I thought you all hated Kouga?"

"She sees something in him I have yet to see. At any rate, she is going to get Saraku, after I talk to my brother. We have to come to some mutual agreement about her."

"You might as well just take her then. He says he's given up on her." Rin looked sad. "I only ask that you do talk to him first."

"Alright then." Inuyasha jumped on to Ah-un, and took the reins from her. "Let's go."