Someday, Somehow

Nothin's wrong
just as long as
you know that someday I will

Chapter 4: Come as you Are

She stayed close to him as they entered the cave, her eyes trying to adjust to the dimness of the caves. All around her were rocks hanging from different angles, some of time even seemed to float on the air. Everywhere she looked were theses strange half wolves half-human looking beings. Some where cooking, other were lounging around, as the younger ones darted in and out along with a pack of wolves cubs. The cavern was full of with hundreds of these strangest beings, each staring at her. She inched closer to him, hoping to hide in his robes. He looked down at her, his one eyebrow raised.

"Scared?"

"No," she whispered, trying to get herself to stop shaking. "I just don't like being stared at like I am the dinner."

"You are," he said, acting like it didn't matter.

She looked around the cave again, she had heard that wolves' youkia favorite food was human meat. Being devoured by wolves was on her list of ways she wanted to die.

"Stay close, they have a taste for human flesh."

Nikki didn't say anything; all she could think about was not getting eaten. In one day, she had been taken from her home, by a youkai who had the same eyes as her stranger, dragged to who knew where, attacked by two foreigners, and then rescued by him again. Now she was walking in a place even the bravest human wouldn't dare. She half expected to wake up and find it all a dream.

She looked back up at Sugimi, why hadn't she noticed that he had the same eyes of the stranger before. There were so uncommon, bright gold, as if they had been just polished, with a glitter of red. If he was her stranger, then why was he at the palace that night. What was he doing? She knew those questions weren't be answered by him, she got a feeling he wasn't one for explaining himself.

He looked down at her, trying not to laugh. She was putting on such a brave front; most humans he knew would be shaking so hard that they would have peed more then once, on the trip. Yet if it weren't for the fact that he could feel a shiver here and there, he would have sworn she does this thing all the time. Nothing could put fear in a human faster then be surrounded by hungry youkai. Most of the time a human only entered a den of the wolf youkai because they were dinner, but he knew that Koug would honor what he said. Like it or not, Koug father held to much respect for him to let Koug go against his words.

What he didn't like was the why Koug was now looking at her, like she was more then just the next meal. He had touched her, something about that was rubbing him the wrong way. She belonged to him, she had given herself to him an exchange for her people, and now she was his; his possession and property.

But knowing Koug, he would challenge him to his right over the human bitch. Plus Koug liked good-looking bitches, and she was very good looking.

"Greetings old friend," came a voice that stops farther thoughts that he was having.

On one of the cave formations that looked like a throne then something that nature threw together sat, Koishia, ruler of the northern tribes of wolves. His two younger brothers sat on either side of him acting as his council. Not that a youkai really needs a council, they just need to be stronger and smarter then the rest.

Koishi looked at the human for a moment before turning his attentions back to him.

"I take it you are well, old man," said Sugimi stepping up to the throne. He wouldn't bow; he was the great dog demon of the west and bow to no one.

"As well as can be expected considered these old bones," said Koisha. "I see you brought us a gift."

Before Nikki could blur out anything about not being someone's position, he quickly said. "The human is mine, as I told your son, anyone who touches her I'll make the whole pack suffer.

The white wolf didn't seem to react to what was being said, just nodded his head. He got up and sat there looking at him and then her before announcing she was guess of their pack.

"Why have you asked me to come," Sugimi said impaciently.

"I sent a messenger to the North on a diplomatic mission," Koisha said. "To the Lunica clans."

Sugimi tensed up for a couple of seconds before relaxing. She could feel his reaction to the words and wonder what the Luncia were.

"They tell of one of theirs being held by you," Koisha continued not missing the reaction that was shown. Nikki wondered who the Lunica clans were. She had known from eves dropping on her father's conversation, that politics was a very twisted world of deals and breaking deals. She personally preferred the direct approached to a problem; none of this sneaking around and trying to get the better of a person.

"I believe that this is a private affair, and not one that needs to be dragged out by the council."

"It might be to you, but the council is getting restless, they know that the Lunica could sway with the Menomaru."

"And let me guess," said Sugimi indisguest. "If I hand over Sesshomaru then they will be convince to side with us."

Nikki wondered who this Sesshomaru was and who were the Lunica and why were they important. She knew about the invasion going on from China, but she didn't realize that another war was being fought.

"You know damn well all they care about is power. They are going to wait until who ever is at the verge of winning," said Sugimi.

A couple of wolves talked among themselves, whispering about what was being said. She could pick up bits and pieces of the conversation, putting together the pieces. Like her father, these creatures also make allies and treaties with each other, but she wondered if they did it like humans did. By selling their daughters into marriage to keep an alley.

"But the council."

"The council could kiss my ass for all I care, I will not have him dragged into this," he said and walked away leaving Nikki standing there. She didn't know if she should follow him or just leave him alone. Whatever was going on had hit a nerve with him, a very raw nerve.

"He's always been one with a short temper, said Koisha.

"So you noticed too," said Nikki.

Once you get past the whole part of these creatures live off humans, they weren't really so bad. They were actually kind of nice.

They live in tight groups that they called packs, which was made up of families, which reminded her of where she lived. It seemed everyone in the palace or the village was related to each other somehow. She walked through the cave with Koisha, as he and Myoga talked to each other.

The stopped at one of caverns entrance, which was a little cubby holes full of straw and deer skins. "You can sleep here for the night," said Koisha. "Feel free to wonder around, you are a guest among us."

"Thank you for your kindness milord," she said taking a bow.

"Don't worry, the pup will be back for you," he said and walked away.

"Who's worried," she whispered. She didn't want to outstay her welcome here; she might become part of their diet after tomorrow.

"Myoga," she asked the flea who was parched on her shoulder. "Who is Sesshamoru."

"He is his lordship son," said Myoga.

Something shot through her, making her go numb for a second. It caused her to stop breathing of a second, before regain it. Why did that announcement effect her like that? She didn't have a claim on him so why did that announcement leave her cold all over?

"I didn't know he was married," she said.

"He isn't," said Myoga.

In her mind she could figure out how one has a son without being married. A person gets married and then a couple of months later, or years they have children.

"But you said."

"Youkai don't have a ceremony like what humans call marriage," said Myoga trying to figure out how to explain this without going into too much details. She was untouched which probably meant that she knew nothing about what too place between a man and woman.

"So then how does he..."

"Hard to explain, but it isn't a marriage. Some take a mate for a while, like his lordship did. And others take one for life, not many though."

"I'm still confused, but what about the Lunica and why do they want his lordships son," said Nikki.

"They are a tribe of semi denities who one of them was taken as a short mate for milord."

"And let me guess, that one had his son, and they parted on bad terms and now they want the son back."

If you count him killing her, then yes that would be bad terms, though Myoga. "Yes, how did you know."

"Just good at putting things together, I guess."

"I am not sure of the whole linguistics of the affair but it is a delicate issue I wouldn't suggest discussing it."

"I'll keep that in mind.

He sat in a tree a couple of miles away from the caves, looking out into one of the valleys. He had been stupid. Against all arguments and logic he had fallen. He knew what they were like, had dealt with them before, but always thought she might be different. He found out how wrong he was.

He knew the issue would come, not that her family wanted revenged, they had been caught in her lie and to go up against them would destroy them. But now they got the council backing them up on their claim to his heir, and one day his young pup will grow up to be powerful as he was. Which make him very important in their quest for power.

He shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts. He knew his claim over the pup was stronger then theirs, and that the council wouldn't try to force him to give him up, but the council felt that they need the Lunica in this war, which he didn't agree with. They were power hungry, will stab you in the back, kind of demi who would sell their own children for their advancements.

He signed, letting some steam out, he hadn't thought of her in while. Not that it matters much anymore, he learned his lessons, one that he would reek the benefits of.

The rustling of the leaves in a nearby bush brought his attention out of the pass.

"You might as well come out," he said not looking down at where the sound was coming from.

The white wolf stepped out of the bush and sat at the base of the tree. He was too old to go between forms and preferred his original form.

"So this is where you came to stalk, pup."

Most being wouldn't dare call him pub, but he did allow this one too, mostly out of respect.

"You can't hide from it forever."

"Who says I'm hiding," Sugimi growled.

"No one."

"Then let's leave it lie."

Koisha decided to not say his council, he knew that Sugimi would have to face the issue again, one day. No one can run forever.

"You sound like your father."

"Can you save me the lectures, old man," said Sugimi looking down at him. "I am not some pup who's wet behind the ears." And with that he took off back towards the caves. The quicker he collected the human the quicker he could leave this and get on with what he originally planed to do. He would have completely have left, if he didn't leave her there.

She was different from Tayhamanla, smaller and much more easily broken. She was delicate and weak compared to Tayhamanla, and probably wouldn't last longer then the first time he took her, not that he cared. Bitches were only good for one thing, spreading their legs, other then that they don't have much use. He will probably dump her somewhere after the first time.

The kiss he had forced on her didn't leave his mind. The way she felt and the way her lips moved. She wasn't experienced as most of the bitches he has had, but her innocents made that taste much sweeter. He was looking forward to deflowering her, when the time came.

In his mind, thoughts about her echoed. After all this time, he refused to feel anything towards another female, especially a human. He knew better, human or youkai, females were all his same. His mother, Tayhamanla, and now this human, they were all the same.

She had wondered outside of the caverns and had come across a couple of young children playing in the grass. She had sat down to watch and a couple of minutes had been dragged into their game. She smiled and laughed as she chase them around, thinking how much they were like human children in their games. Every couple of seconds she looked up, waiting for Sugimi.

"If you are looking for a man, I can name even humans that would be better for you then that pup."

Koug was standing there, surrounded young males of his pack.

"Thanks but no thank," she said trying to sound like it didn't really matter.

"So how did you end up with him," he asked, walking over towards her.

"I'm not sure about that, it just one of those things that happens," she said, trying to move away form him. Something about the way he was watching her was making her nervous. He didn't seem to be picking up the hint that she didn't want him any more closer as he moves towards her.

He reached out and grabbed her marveling at how tiny she was. If he wanted to, he could have snapped her in half without much effort. She tried to move out of his arms, scared at what he might do to her.

"He hasn't claimed you yet," Koug whispered. "I might."

She stopped for a second before she pushed him away, sending her palm flying towards his face. The sound of her hand making contact with his face, echoed in the valley causing everyone to look up. Some gasped at the idea that this human had dared t hit Koug, others watched in anticipation, waiting for him to do something.

He looked at her surprised, rubbing his hand over the mark. No female, even those of his own pack, had ever dared.

She didn't back down or look away, but met his eyes directly. Burning in their depths wasn't a woman's soul but that of a warrior. She wasn't the type to become a damsel in distress without trying to get herself out of the situation first.

"You're a fisty one, aren't you," he said. "I like my bitches fisty."

"I am really meeked and mild," she said taking a step back. She always was ably to dig herself into a deeper whole and most of the time on accident.

He grabbed her around the waist and plodded his mouth down on hers. The kiss was different the Sugimi. Sugimi seemed to make her want to melt into his body, this one just felt wet and slimy. She struggled to get out of the grip, which was causing him to push harder.

He was standing there one moment and the next was thrown on the ground. Sugimi was standing between her and him, with his backside towards her. He turned to look at her for a second, his eyes were fired with an untamable wildness that would have lashed out at anyone.