Chapter 5

Journey to the Wolf's Lair: Day 1

Yukina's eyes slowly opened as the sun shined in her eyes. Was it all a dream? she thought. She sat up and saw a red coat in her lap. Guess not. Where's Riku? she wondered. The wolf couldn't be seen anywhere in the camp they set up. "So your finally up" a voice said from above. She looked up and in the tree she'd been sleeping under was Riku. "I was wondering if you'd ever awake from your sleep" he said. "How long have you been up there?" Yukina asked. "Well I started in that tree" he said pointing to one across the clearing, "but I later decided to move to this one." "You didn't sleep?" "Don't worry I wasn't the least bit tired" he replied. He jumped down from the tree and knelt beside her. "Here's your coat back" she said holding it out to him. "Didn't I say you could keep it until we reached my village?" he said showing his irresistible smile Yukina had fallen for.

"By the way I already prepared breakfast, we'll set out as soon as you finish." Yukina got up and put the coat on. It was a little baggy on her but was still comfortable. She went to where some fish were waiting to be eaten. She ate in silence as Riku sat on the log next to her polishing the Crescent Edge. When she'd finished, she went to a nearby stream and washed her hands.

"Ready to go?" Riku asked sheathing his sword. "Alright lets get going. The sooner we start the sooner I can… eep!" she was stopped mid sentence when Riku swooped her up bridle style into his arms and started running at an incredible speed. She clung to his neck as he picked up speed.

Riku felt her tighten her grip on his neck. I kind of like her hanging on to me like this. Riku get those thoughts out of your head he argued with himself. Yukina had gotten use to the ride by now and looked at the scenery as they sped along.

The trip went without interruptions until Riku abruptly came to a stop. He seemed to have sensed something disturbing. He gently set Yukina down and started to sniff the air and turn his head to detect any suspicious sounds. "Riku what is it?" Yukina asked with a mix of worry and fear in her voice. Suddenly the sound of birds sending out warning cries filled the air. Riku immediately grabbed Yukina around the waist and pulled her under a nearby tree his hand clamped over her mouth. He released her mouth. She looked up at him as he put a finger to his lips and pointed up.

She looked to the sky. For a few minutes nothing happened and she was starting to wonder if Riku was just doing this to scare her. But all doubt was silenced when she saw a shadow fly over the forest. As it disappeared more appeared in great numbers. She finally got a look at where they were coming from. In the sky were dozens of huge black birds with sharp beaks and blood red eyes. She pressed herself against Riku in fear and he squeezed her closer.

They stayed there in total silence until the last shadow flew by. After a few more minutes Riku let her go and walked out from the tree. Yukina followed suit. "What were those things?" she asked. "Those were raven demons" he replied. "Are they dangerous?" "I'm more powerful than any one of them but their numbers would overwhelm me. It's best to let them pass by unless I'm with at least four other pack members" he said. "So now what do we do?" Yukina asked. "If I ran on ahead, we'd run straight into them so looks like we'll be walking a little while. Come on" and with that he started walking in the direction he was running earlier. Yukina jogged to his side and walked next to him.

They walked without interruption until they came across a wide stream. The water was only knee deep and rocks stuck out of it. "We should jump on each rock to cross this. It shouldn't be to hard" he said hopping to the nearest rock. After he went to the next Yukina started as well. This is kind of fun she thought. Yukina looked ahead and saw Riku standing on the other end waiting for her. The last jump was the longest. She mustered up enough energy to jump and reached the bank.

When she landed she lost her footing and fell forward. She was stopped from hitting the ground when her head landed on Riku's chest causing him to take a step back. She looked up with her hands on his chest. Yukina and Riku's faces were just inches apart. Their eyes met and they seemed to be paralyzed in place. They stood there looking at each other for a few minutes before blushing and pulling out of each other's grasp. "We should keep going" Riku said scratching the back of his head and blushing. "Your right" Yukina replied blushing as well. "I think the ravens are no longer a threat so I can start running again" Riku said. Yukina nodded her head and let him pick her up again. They then started running to the horizon.

Around sunset

Riku came to a stop in front of a cave. Yukina was let down and looked up at him. "Are we staying here for the night?" she asked. Suddenly a growl could be heard coming from the cave and soon more growls followed. Out of the cave came twelve wolves. The pack consisted of 7 with gray fur, 3 with brown fur, a white one, and a black one at the head. Yukina ducked behind Riku in fear. He simply smirked and walked toward the black one. When he was two feet from it he extended his hand to the wolf's nose. The wolf took a few sniffs then stopped growling and licked his clawed hand. The others stopped growling as well. Yukina was further shocked when the wolf allowed Riku to pet its head and scratch its ears like a timid puppy. Riku knelt down and let out a growl. The wolf looked at him and growled back. They seemed to be talking. After about a minute of this Riku finished a growl and pointed to Yukina. The wolf looked at her and approached her along with the white wolf. She backed away a little as they started to sniff her.

She looked at Riku. "Don't worry their just making sure you aren't a threat to them" he said reassuringly. The white wolf then rubbed its snoot against her hand. "Go ahead she won't bite" Riku said as two gray wolfs walked to each side of him. She nervously started to rub her hand over the wolf's head. She smiled in relief when it started to wag its tail. The other wolves then turned and went back into the cave. The black one went to Riku's side and the white one stayed near Yukina. "It seems they've accepted you" Riku said happily. "Come on we can go into the cave now" he said holding his hand to her. She grasped it and they walked hand in hand into the cave with the white and black wolves behind them.

Yukina looked around the cave. It was wide with a high ceiling and the temperature wasn't to hot or to cold. She saw the wolves in various places in the cave. The pack actually numbered 24 wolves total. "These are wild wolves" Riku said sitting down on a rock after starting a small fire near the center of the cave. The other wolves placed a few more logs into the fire. Yukina sat next to him. "They are one of many wild wolf packs that populate my pack's territory. All packs in the territory are friends of my pack. They provide us with shelter when we go on long hunting trips. We'll be safer spending the night here than in the forest." He explained. Yukina looked at all the wolves as the black one approached them and lay down next to Riku. "This black one is the leader of the pack the alpha male. The white one is his mate the alpha female." He said as the white one approached Yukina and lay its head on her lap. She gently patted it. Riku smiled at the sight. "Seems you've made a new friend" he said smiling.

The black one let out a soft growl. Riku's eyes widened a little. "She is not!!!" he said almost yelling causing all the wolves to look at him. "I'm not what?" Yukina asked suspiciously. "Uh nothing it's just talk between wolves" he said with a nervous smile. "Hm" "Honest." I really need to teach that wolf to keep his mouth shut he thought. Yukina started to giggle. "What's so funny?" he asked. "Your just so cute when you look guilty" she said. This caused Riku to blush. If you looked carefully at the black and white wolves you could have sworn they were smiling slyly. Yukina turned her attention to her latest friend.

Some high-pitched barks could be heard from in the cave and out of the other wolves came five adorable wolf pups. They scurried toward the four and stated to snuggle against the white wolf. "Their adorable" Yukina said. Riku looked down at the black wolf beside him. "Yours I take it" he said sarcastically. The wolf grunted in replied. "These pups are the alpha male and female's litter" he explained. Yukina eyes softened as the pups cuddled around their mother. A little black one jumped onto her lap and curled into a ball. "I think he likes you" Riku said. Yukina stroked the pup's soft fur smiling. "I won't mind spending the night here" she said. "Good" he replied.

A few minutes later Riku got up and headed toward the entrance. "Where are you going?" Yukina asked. "Remember when I said I wouldn't have to eat till tomorrow night, yesterday?" Yukina nodded. "Well I have to hunt now if I'm going to be in traveling shape tomorrow." "Be careful" "I will. Stay here" he said. He then ran into the darkness. Come back soon Yukina thought.

In the Forest

Riku was crouching down sniffing the ground for deer. He picked up one's trail and followed it. He found it eating grass in a clearing. With his demon speed he swiftly killed it. He made a fire, skinned his kill, and set it over the flames to cook.

He sat on the ground to think on the current situation. If we continue without to many interruptions then I'll reach the village in a day and a half He thought. Then the embarrassing moment in the cave came to mind.

Flashback

The alpha male started to growl softly. Riku understood each word it said. The wolf had said 'A fine mate you've got their Riku.' "She is not!!!" he blurted out. 'Sure' it said calmly. Then everything went from there.

Flashback Ends (Short huh?)

Riku sighed to himself. He didn't know any better I mean if I were him I'd probably mistaken Yukina for my mate as well. Well its not like she wouldn't make a good mate. She's kind, beautiful, smart, selfless, and pretty good with pups and wolves. OKAY REDLIGHT! I can't think of her like that. Once we find her friends I'll probably never see her again so we could never be together. She probably doesn't like me that way anyhow. *sigh* I have to admit though, I do have a crush on her and don't really want her to go but if she wants to go I can't stop her. I just wish that… oh deer's ready. He picked up the meat and chowed down. Maybe I'll fell better after I eat. He ate the rest of the deer but kept seeing images of the girl he was protecting. When he finished he put out the fire and headed back to the cave.

Back at the cave

Yukina placed the sleeping pup next to its mother and brought her knees to her chest. I wonder what Riku's pups would be like if he had some. She closed her eyes as a daydream started. She could see it now, a little boy with black hair, a tail, and golden eyes holding a wooden sword as Riku trained him. A little girl with aqua green hair would run to him and hug his leg begging for playtime. And Yukina herself would walk to him as he picked the girl up, her little tail waging in her daddy's arms. Yukina would take the girl into her arms look at her then set her down and let her run into a field with her brother. Then Riku would loop his arm around her as they watch the two pups play. His golden eyes would look lovingly into her crimson eyes as their faces went closer together.

Yukina opened her eyes back up blushing madly. Where'd that come from? Riku and me have kids together, no way. Well he is the cutest guy I've seen. Lots of girls would throw themselves at him. He's handsome, brave, strong, fast, and has a cute tail. Yukina girl, you have a crush on Riku. I wonder if he fells the same way?

Just then the white wolf looked toward the entrance. Out from the darkness came Riku. He had a little bit of blood on his lips but wiped it off with a handkerchief from his pocket. He sat back in his place next to Yukina and looked at her. "So how was your meal?" she asked still embarrassed by the thought she been having about him earlier. "Uh, it was good" he replied still asking himself whether Yukina liked him the way he liked her. "We should go to sleep, I plan to travel nonstop tomorrow" he said lying down. Yukina nodded then took the cost off and used it as a blanket. She soon fell asleep.

Yukina's dream

Yukina opened her eyes and sat up. She was now in a field covered in a blanket of flowers. She then stood up. Wasn't I just in a cave? "Yukina" a voice said from behind her. She turned around to see her friends running toward her. Hiei was up front, then Kuwabara, Yusuke, Keiko, and Kurama and Boton holding hands. "Yukina" Hiei said again. Tears of joy went down her face as she ran toward them as fast as she could. She was about to embrace Hiei when he disappeared. Yukina looked at the others and they disappeared to. Suddenly the whole field disappeared and she was standing in total darkness. Then out of the shadows came none other than Domaru. "But your dead" "That wolf, kill me, don't make me laugh. This time he's not here to save your" he said walking toward her. She was paralyzed in fear. "Even if you survive this time you'll forever be alone until your death." He brought his claw down. "NOOOOO!"

The cave

"NOOOOO!" Yukina yelled jolting up from her nightmare. The entire pack looked at her. Riku jolted up to when he heard her scream. He rolled to her and sat on one knee with his hands on her shoulders. "Yukina what happened?" he asked worriedly. "Alone" "What?" "I'm all alone in the world" she said tear gem hitting the ground. "Yukina, look at me" she met his eyes "As long as I'm here you'll never be alone" he said. He hugged her and laid his back on the wall with Yukina's head resting on his chest. "I'll always be here for you" "Promise?" she asked. "I promise" he replied. Yukina slowly calmed down and in a few minutes fell asleep again. "Sweet dreams Yukina" Riku whispered. He kissed her forehead and soon fell asleep himself.

Didn't I say things would get mushier between them? Yukina's already dreaming about having kids with Riku. Anyway the next chapter will see them on their second day of travel and they met new danger. Love the reviews so far keep sending them. I may not update till Friday but I'll try to sooner.