Note: Phew! -o- Here's the first chapter... sorry it took so long! ()

Chapter 1--Kouga

The tornado came closer, not stopping or slowing down. Sabriel had begun to crawl backwards, when the whirlwind suddenly stopped, right in front of them. Her breath hissed out between her teeth, but then sucked back in when she saw what was inside of the cylinder wind.

"What's up, Meeka?" he asked, strolling nonchalantly over to the pair. "Is this the last one?"

Meeka nodded. "Yup. She sure is, Kouga."

Kouga? So this is the great Kouga? The one who took me away... she thought, not really caring about the last sentance. Slowly, she got to her feet.

Seizing her chin between his thumb and forefinger, the tall wolf twisted her face up to look into her eyes. It was a long way up for her. "Tch... pretty... I can't wait to make her mine."

Sabriel growled, trying to jerk her face away. "I'm no one's!"

"Mmm... she's fiery, too!" He licked his lips, and leaned in to kiss her. His lips were surprisingly gentle as he pressed them to hers.

Biting his tongue, Sabriel snarled, "I said, I belong to no one, jerk!"

Kouga looked at her, shocked, wiping blood from the side of his mouth. No woman had ever denied him before... or, not until now. He looked down at her, and almost cowered at the glare she was giving him.

Her slender body trembled from the rage that she felt. "Stupid wolf! Never try to touch me again!" Suddenly, Sabriel found herself alone with Meeka, her black hair swirling in the strong wind.

"He's... gone...?" she whispered, looking around.

Meeka grinned. "Yup. And he says you're the one."

Slowly, Sabriel woke up, groaning and rolling over onto her side. My head... It hurts... She sat up, putting a hand to her temple.

"...ow..." Her hand came away sticky with blood. She and Kouga had gotten into another fight, and he had boxed her ears a little too hard.

I've really gotta stop irking him, she figured, getting to her feet and stepping daintily off of the pile of hay. She pulled on her short kimono--Kouga had ripped it up to above her knees--and as she was tying the sash, walked to the entrance to the cave.

"Hey!"

Sabriel stopped and turned at the call. "Hm?"

Haku, Kouga's favorite Brother, jumped down from a high platform of rock. "Did Kouga say that you can leave the cave?"

"Yes," she replied quickly, not even blinking at telling a complete lie.

Haku arched an eyebrow. "I'm going to ask him!" He ran out of the cave, yelling, "Kouga! Hey, Kouga!"

Oh... joy... Now Kouga's going to get mad at me again. I just want to go for a walk! Sabriel thought, continuing on her way outside.

"Kouga!"

Haku's yell caught her attention, as the sunlight poured over her. Looking down, Sabriel was met with the sight of Kouga pulling himself out of the lake the waterfall made, wearing nothing except his headband. She couldn't help it--she stared. Mouth hanging open, drool dripping onto the grass, she watched as the leader of the Shurri wolf pack listened to Haku while quickly dressing in his light, comfortable wolf-armor.

"She tried to leave the cave?" Kouga asked, tying his long black hair up in a ponytail. "Why'd you stop her?"

Haku looked taken aback. "Kouga! She was leaving without your permission!"

"So? If she tries to leave the territory, I'll go get her."

"You really like this one, don't you, Brother?" Haku was looking at Kouga with something like jealously shining in his dark eyes.

Eyes roving up the side of the cliff, Kouga spotted Sabriel standing on a ledge, drooling. "I think she noticed me taking a bath," he said, laughing. Quickly, Kouga gathered his legs under him and leapt up the cliff face. "So, little one," he said, reaching the platform Sabriel was standing on. "Did you like what you saw?"

"Pervert!" She turned away. "...maybe..." he heard her mutter.

"You were drooling."

"So?" Came the fiery retort.

"You want to go for a walk?" He sat down Indian-style, bracing himself on his arms, looking up at her.

Turning around swiftly, Sabriel tripped over the wolf, and found herself sitting in his lap. She tried to get up, but Kouga put his arms around her, holding her fast.

"Do you?" he prompted, his sensitive nose picking up the sweet scent of her black hair.

"...yes..." She sounded reluctant to answer him.

He grinned toothily. "Alright, then. See you later!" After gently kissing her smooth cheek, Kouga got up and ran down the cliff, into the forest.

Putting two fingers to where he had kissed her, Sabriel looked after him, wondering how he could be so gentle sometimes.

"Oh, one more thing," Kouga said, swinging around the corner, coming chest-to-chest with Sabriel. "You smell like a dog-type demon, just so you know."

"Is that a good thing?"

"Not really. Because, now demons like Lord Sesshomaru of the Fluff will be after you for a mate." He put his arms around her and pulled her close. "And you're mine."

Sabriel jerked away, saying, "I already told you, wolf-boy! I belong to no one!"

Kouga shrugged, unruffled, letting his arms fall back to his sides. "You can deny it all you want... But it's the truth and you know it..."

"Stupid, possessive wolf..." Sabriel cursed Kouga out under her breath as she walked outside for some fresh air.

Hey, Kouga thought. She didn't deny it!

Note: Kouga-packed--just as I said it would be! . I don't really think Kouga sounds like himself, though. Comment and tell me what you think, please! .