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Home

Finally, after five long years at the king's side, Kouga was home at Wolfeton. The grand castle was just as impressive as he remembered, if a bit under kept, but surely his father knew about the improvements needing to be made and would have things in order again soon.

Kouga stared about him in awe, glad to his bones to be back. He'd always loved Wolfeton, with its grand towers, the keep and its sturdy stone walls that he'd climbed as a boy. The castle stood tall, and proud, and someday it would be his.

Riding through the gatehouse he was greeted with many cheerful cries and waves from the people. It seemed everyone swarmed the lower and middle baileys to get a glance at the young lord, at long last returned from the dreadful fighting. He waved and smiled, recognizing old faces and wondering about some of the newer ones. He rode through the tower guarded inner gate and stopped before the great tower at last.

Old Samuel came out of it at the same time as Allister Shanes, the priest who'd grown up with Kouga, gone away to his religious schoolings, and returned to his home soon after, taking over when father Edmund passed. Mave was there too, stomping out and glaring at Kouga the way she had his entire life. She'd been his mother's servant and the head of the females since he could remember. She'd also been one of the only two people to ever raise a hand to him and keep it, the other being his father.

She was scowling at him now, even as he dismounted and jovially came to her side, "After all this time Mave, I'd have thought you'd be even a little happy to see me."

Kouga grinned and waited for a reply.

It was not as he expected.

What he'd expected was a slap in the arm, a good box to his ear, but not a hug.

And that was exactly what she gave him - a very tight, very motherly - hug.

"Its good to see ye alive m'boy," Mave held his arms and stepped back, inspecting him for scars or lasting marks from his time at war. He'd grown taller, much taller, probably surpassing his father, and sturdy. Aye, her lad was a fine man now, all muscle on those bones and only a single scar on his left cheek, rather small and dashing as well.

"There now, I just know all the ladies will be swooning over that new marking you've got there and all the men'll have to nick their own faces to keep up with ye," Mave rolled her eyes and finally gave him a smile, "But it's good to have ye back."

"You're the only one who'd call 'im a boy ya old bag," Samuel cackled and watched her turn red with a grin. "What a fine day 'tis my lord, to be hav'in ya home with us."

"Hard to believe I missed the old terror isn't it?" Kouga joked, grinning at Mave's indignant huff, "But I'd have given the world to have Mave scolding me rather than men slicing away at my head to tell you the truth."

Samuel scoffed and nodded his head, "Aye, I can believe that."

"You've been sorely missed Kouga," Allister shook his hand eagerly, "The lord has watched over you well."

"Must have heard all the prayers you and the people here sent for me," Kouga smiled widely at his old friend, glad to see him again.

A soft, feminine voice reached them then, making the group turn as one towards the doorway. Standing there wearing a soft gown of the finest yellow velvet, stood a young woman who could easily have passed as a queen. She wore a richly embroidered veil over long black tresses, her gown was simply cut, as was the fashion, and cinched at the waist, showing a nicely figured body beneath.

She gave a demure smile and walked down the steps, offering a mug of ale while she spoke, "You must be thirsty my lord, from all your travels."

"I thank you my lady," Kouga accepted the cup, drinking without removing his eyes from her.

She was fascinating, in a strange, provocative manner. Her eyes were an unnatural color, a dark brown with hints of red. Her lips, thin but nicely formed, were a bright red, contrasting well against her pale skin. She spoke, and his eyes again rested on those lips as they moved, barely catching her words.

"I must introduce myself, I am Lady Kagura De Laclere, and as you know my lord," she gave him a pretty smile, "Your betrothed."

Ginta gasped

His men stopped their movements, staring at the couple.

And Kouga...

Kouga choked on the wine, nearly spiting it out on her lovely gown.

After a moment of coughing to catch his breath, he managed to gain a hold of himself and frowned. "You and I, betrothed?"

Kagura laughed, a sound neither pleasing nor disturbing, and shook her head. "You are teasing my lord, surely everyone knows we are to wed. We have been betrothed since you left."

"We have not!" Kouga thrust the mug at Samuel, who easily took it and tossed back what was left of its contents.

Turning on Mave, he demanded an answer, "What the blazes is this stranger rambling about Mave? You'd better explain!"

"Your father signed an agreement with hers, you were leaving the day he gave it to you to sign," Mave actually wrung her hands and shrugged, "You were in such a hurry to get out and go that you signed without reading the document and took off."

"I have waited five years for you my lord," Kagura sounded determined, not at all sweet and feminine, and he found he disliked that tone. "I was already fourteen at the time and had been betrothed before, but alas, the first lord I was to marry was killed in battle. My father struck a deal with yours and promptly died. I have been here at Wolfeton since your father sent for me two months ago, when he heard of your pending return."

"I am to wed you later this day," Allister softly admitted, "All is ready. We have been waiting for your arrival to have the ceremony."

Kouga seethed, "Bloody hell! I knew nothing of this, not a damned thing!"

Stomping upstairs, he burst into the great hall and looked about, "Where is he? Damn his eyes, where the hell is my father?"

"In his room my lord," a serving wench answered, pointing up towards the next floor, "He's sick in bed, dying he is."

Kouga froze, staring at the girl in shock, "Who're you?"

The girl lowered her head, "Ayame my lord, you knew my brother Colin as a boy. He died of the fever years ago, before you left."

"I remember, he was a good friend," Kouga sighed, running a hand through his hair, "What'd you say about my father?"

"He is dying my boy," Mave waved the wench away and took his arm, leading him upstairs, "It was the fever, hit us pretty badly, many families have lost kin. He's been abed for nigh a week."

"He shouldn't be too long now," Allister added quietly.

"Be damned my luck," Kouga rubbed a hand over his tired eyes and called over his shoulder for Ginta.

"Yes my lord?"

"Have the horses tended to and see that the men are settled in, we will be eating as soon as food's available," Rolling his shoulders, he dismissed him with a wave of his hand.

Mave had Allister take him up to see his father while she went about to her duties, ordering for the food to be prepared and the men's rooms seen to.

Kouga followed the churchman upstairs to the room his father had occupied since his childhood. He'd always disliked the lord's chamber, both because it housed his father, and because it brought painful memories of his mother back to mind. Upon reaching the master's chambers, Allister opened the door and let him in.

Like Kagome's room had been, it was dark and gloomy; this room even more so with its heavy furnishings and black bedding. That was one thing he had liked, the dark bedding, it suited both his father and himself. Making his way over beside the figure on the bed, he briefly saw another woman in the room, older as well, probably his father's nurse. Stopping by his side, Kouga was shocked by the frailty of the man before him. Could this truly be the man who'd terrified him for so long? The heartless brute who'd thrashed him, even as a man of seventeen years?

"So you're finally back?"

Yes - that was him.

"The king sends his greetings," Kouga shrugged, getting down to the important matter, "What is this business about me being betrothed? What nonsense was that wench spewing?"

"I am not a wench," came her voice from the doorway, "Nor do I spew my lord."

Tsume chuckled, gasped at the pain of it, and glared in the girl's direction, "Tis the truth, I arranged it all before you left. You were so eager to get out of here that last day that you signed the document without paying attention. All I had to tell you was that it was about your inheritance and you signed immediately."

"Damnation how dare you?!" Kouga stalked away from the bed and came back, "How dare you interfere with my plans? Who I marry is none of your affair!"

"How stupid can you be? Of course its my affair, you will soon be in my place, I had to make sure your wife was a worthy one. A woman who will bear you plenty of children, keep the place running smoothly, and be pleasing in bed as well." His father snapped.

Kouga glanced at the girl with her hand on a bedpost, "What made you so sure we'd work well together?"

"Just look at her, she's a comely wench, perhaps even beautiful," Tsume smirked, "Even as a girl of fourteen years, she had an adequate pair of breasts and a set of promising looking hips. She'll do as well as any other, and at least you'll be sure she can birth plenty of babes. Her father assured me that she took after her mother, and she gave him three strapping boys and two girls. Popped them out like a regular chicken she did, laid them out real quick."

"My lord!" Kagura's eyes widened but she merely shook her head at him, "You really shouldn't say such things about a lady."

"Lady shmady, you're a female like any other," Scoffing at her annoyance, he focused again at his son, "I haven't got much time left boy, you'll get married tonight and have her with child by the end of the week. I want to make sure my grandchild's on his way when I leave this world."

"I don't think so father," Kouga shook his head, "This is too soon, I need time to think on it."

"Think on it?! What's there to think about?! You say the bloody words, put on the ring and plow her belly, easy enough I'd say."

"I must agree with your son my lord," Kagura lowered her head a bit, looking down at the coverlet on his bed, "I have just received word that my sister has taken ill. She requests my presence at court as soon as possible."

"You don't have to go," the old man glared, "She'll die with or without you there if the good lord wishes it."

Kagura nodded, "But she's sent the queen's escorts for me, if I do not accept, her majesty will be affronted."

"We don't need that, curse her," Tsume shrugged, "Get wed and then go."

"Certainly"

"Not"

Kouga shook his head; "Father you'll have to trust me and die in peace knowing you did your best to ensure the line will continue. I will not wed on the day of my return, it is too soon and I know nothing of my intended. Although that is a common enough occurrence, I have my own troubles to deal with, troubles I cannot share with you. Lady Kagura will go to court and when she returns, we shall see about this wedding."

"I won't be around then," Tsume shivered, a sheen of sweat appearing on his forehead while his eyes glossed over, "Leave me now."

"Aye, you'd best not stay my lord, I have survived the fever, thus don't risk getting ill, but you cannot take the chance," The old woman came over and gently shooed him out of the room.

Following Kagura out, he walked with her down to the great hall, "You just received a letter from the queen? How is it they arrived at the same time as I?"

"The knights came from the direct route, I hear you made a few stops along your journey," Kagura sighed. "My lord I will make you a good wife, I might have been offended but your father was correct, I can give you heirs."

"We shall see," Kouga mumbled, joining his men at the tables, surprising them by leaving the lord's seat alone. He took a seat on one of the long benches between two of his men and proceeded to joke and laugh with them through out the meal. Samuel was accepted into the group and the older man made for great entertainment.

Lady Kagura left not long after the meal had finished, after trying and failing to get a kiss from her betrothed, she'd been assisted onto her mare's back by one of the queen's guards and left with a slight huff of indignation. Kouga did little to hide his amusement, glad to see the back of her, even if only for a while.

For the rest of the day he went about the castle, greeting old friends, seeing the improvements needing to be done and going over things with Derek, his steward. Heading up to his chamber hours later, he was relieved to see Mave had a tub sent up for him to bathe. Removing his clothes while the tub was filled, he waved out the serving wenches that brought up the water and sighed as he settled in.

Gentle hands scrubbing his back startled him, and he turned to see the serving wench, Ayame, kneeling beside him. "What are you doing here?"

"My lord I thought you might need someone to tend to your... needs," Ayame glided her nails across his shoulders seductively.

Grabbing her hand, Kouga fought down his lust, realizing he'd been without a woman for over a fortnight. Looking over the girl, he frowned, seeing how young she looked. "Ayame do you even know what you speak of?"

"My lord I am a woman of seventeen, I was wed at the age of fifteen and my husband died six months ago," Ayame bent her head forward and licked a droplet of water from his shoulder, whispering against his skin, "I could please you my lord."

Shuddering under her touch, Kouga inspected the girl, seeing she had cleaned herself well for him and stepped out of the tub, revealing his taught body and the evidence of his response to her. The girl's eyes widened but she stood as well and dropped the shift she'd worn to the ground, "You are so large."

"Aye," Kouga grinned, followed her to the bed, and watched her lay back and hold her arms out to him. With his wolfish smile still in place, he joined her and began to kiss and caress her body.

She was docile and submissive at first, but he wasn't surprised soon after to learn she was as experienced as any doxy. It did not take long for him to throw his head back and feel his body find release. Rolling off her, he lay on his back and crossed his arms beneath his head, smirking as she curled up next to him.

"May I remain my lord? It is rather cold out and my room is far below," Ayame waited for him to nod and smiled when he did.

He was magnificent, this handsome young lord, much better than her disgusting old husband or any of the lovers she'd taken since then. Ah, and life would be better for her now, surely that witch Kagura would think twice before yelling at the master's mistress.

"But do not expect to rest much this night, I am not quite done with you yet," Kouga warned, raising an eyebrow at her when she made a sound very close to a purr.

"I hoped not..."

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Beauvoir Castle:

"No matter what happens, you stay in there!"

Onigumo pushed her into the small opening, glancing over his shoulder as the screams came closer.

"But Papa!" Kagome's breath was knocked from her lungs as she was crushed into his chest for a desperate hug before he shoved her back again.

Onigumo fought down tears, cupping her cheek for what would likely be the last time. "May the lord be with you sweeting, remember always that I love you."

Shutting the wood paneling in front of her, he gave her no time to reply and moved away from her hiding place. The doors slammed open seconds later and he was face to face with the man behind the attack.

"How did you enter my home Naraku?"

His nephew laughed, "You always were too trusting with travelers dear uncle, the tinker who came yesterday had more in his cart than mere robes, ribbons and such foolishness."

"You will get nothing from this attack boy, she is already wed." Onigumo reminded him.

Naraku's visage darkened, from where she hid, Kagome watched through a small peephole hidden by some intricate designs on the mantle. Her father had shown her the castle's secret passages years ago and she'd hidden here from the priest and her nanny as a child. Looking out at her enraged cousin, she trembled at the thought of marrying him.

"Wedded but not bedded old man, whoever plows her belly first can lay claim to her still. You know a marriage that is not consummated can be easily undone." Naraku snarled and looked about. "Now where is she?"

"Gone"

Ordering for the castle to be searched thoroughly, Naraku waited for the reports and was angered each time they came up negative. When one man reported her being seen escaping earlier, he growled, turned against her father, and wordlessly unsheathed his sword.

It happened so quickly, Kagome stuffed a fist in her mouth to hold back a scream as she heard the sickening sound of his blade slicing through flesh and bone. A small thud, followed by another larger one, left her shaking with the realization her father had just been killed.

Leaning heavily against the wood, she felt her teeth sinking into her skin but ignored it, overwhelmed with the pain of his death. A familiar scream caught her attention and she felt her blood freeze, looking out again and rubbing the tears blurring her vision.

Claire, the ten year old daughter of Marie, had run into the room to get away from other soldiers and been caught by two of Naraku's guards. Kicking and screaming she was shoved onto the table, and held down while her skirts were thrown over her head, muffling her cries.

Horrified, Kagome watched as first her cousin, then his two guards had their way with the poor girl before gutting her. Sinking to her knees as best she could in the confined space, she struggled to keep in her own screams of terror as the sounds of killing and death filled the air.

(- Lord above help us please... -)

Busy with her silent prayers, she lost track of time and was caught off guard when her hiding place was opened. A hand covered her mouth as she prepared to scream and she wept to see Kaede kneeling beside her.

"Come child, we must get thee away from this place," taking her hand, the old woman led the way to another of the secret passages, this one leading to her home.

Before they entered it, Kagome took a quick glance around the room and felt bile rise in her throat at the sight of blood covering the walls, the overturned tables, and Claire's mutilated body on the ground. Not wanting to see what had been done to her father, she was turning towards the passage when she saw it. Hanging from his hair, her father's head sent a powerful warning through one of the windows facing into the front courtyard.

With a stifled cry, she hurried away, tears cascading from her eyes. They crept carefully through the dark tunnels, both knowing them by heart, and were soon out in the forest away from the manor. To Kagome's surprise, two strong horses waited there, packed with a few necessities and ready to go. Helping the older woman onto her steed, she struggled onto her own before they headed out through the forest.

"We cannot risk the roads, but my pets have their own ways through these woods and we can be at Wolfeton in three days' time if we ride hard." Kaede explained, following a small fox that led the way.

"You and your animals are truly a blessing Kaede," Kagome whispered, forcing herself to focus on making it through the trip and not on the horrors going on in her home. Going back would only make things worse, she needed help and she needed it now.

They traveled almost constantly, despite Kagome's weakness and Kaede's age, and true to the woman's words, they arrived at her husband's castle at the end of the third day. Seeing the grand walls and the safety they offered, Kagome felt what little strength that had been keeping her going, quickly drain away.

All her life she'd been overprotected by her father, never seeing to a serious injury, never being allowed to help in a birthing or with a death. She'd never seen anything near the amount of gore that she'd been exposed to in the past days, and even that had been minimal.

Riding up to the gate, Kaede spoke to the guard, who after a brief glance at Kagome, whistled and led them inside where it seemed something important was going on. When she was assisted from the saddle, Kagome felt her legs nearly give way beneath her and held onto the guard for a second before attempting to walk.

"You are here just in time m'lady," the young man told her, "My lord was to re-marry today."

Kagome gasped, her voice tremulous when she spoke, "Re-marry?"

"Aye, you barely made it because the service began some time ago, you can probably still stop it." He led her into the church, urging people out of their way quietly as the priest's words rang out.

(- He was going to re-marry! And here I've come to ruin things and bring nothing but trouble! -)

Kagome followed, feeling miserable, sick, alone, and terrified of what was to come.

(- What will he say? He expected me to be dead! If not for Kaede I would be dead! -)

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"My lord, are you sure about this?"

Ginta held up Kouga's fur-lined cloak.

It was a question he'd asked himself enough times already, but Kouga was pretty sure that he was. He'd sworn to his father after all, that he'd wed and have an heir soon. Although he was not entirely pleased with how the wedding had been arranged, there was little he could do now. If only he hadn't been so damned impatient all those years ago this wouldn't be happening.

But no, he'd just had to sign and rush out to battle, without a second thought to his father's gleeful smile.

Yes, he remembered that smile now, remembered briefly thinking that his father was up to something, and shrugging it off in his foolishness. He'd been too foolish then, but he couldn't break his word. Kagura was alone in the world, her only sister, Kanna, married and happily at court with her own family now. He couldn't just leave her on her own when she'd been expecting to marry him for so long.

Taking the cloak from his man, he set it over his shoulders and gave a nod, "I'm sure about this Ginta, the wench isn't too bad, her features are comely and she does seem to know how to run things as a lady should. She'll make a good enough wife."

Ginta nodded, knowing better than to bring up the subject of his recent marriage back at Beauvoir. Kouga had spent hours in the chapel praying for his wife's soul, more so than for his father's. He'd explained that while his father had lived a full life, Kagome had been nothing but good and honorable in her short time on this earth.

"Odd to think of her as my wife to be honest," Kouga told him now. "Do you know that we never once kissed?"

"I doubt that," Ginta grinned, "I recall a certain kiss in the back of the garden."

Remembering also, Kouga gave a laugh, "That was years ago, she was eight and I thirteen. She only reached to my chest back then and I only tapped her lips with mine as a result of that bet about her climbing skills."

Laughing as well, Ginta sighed, "A fine lass that one was."

"Fine indeed," Glancing one last time into the looking glass, Kouga shrugged. Turning to the door, he made his way outside and down the hall to the stairs, where Mave waited for him. "Is everything in order? No last-minute troubles?"

"Of course it is, do you doubt me now?" Mave huffed, brushed some bangs from his face and glared at his locks, loathing the ponytail he wore it in.

With a grin, he hugged her about her shoulders, "Lead me to the church dear Mave, lets get this over with at last."

Over an hour later, Kouga stood at the altar, holding the cold hands of his betrothed between his, wondering if they were always thus while Allister gave a grand tirade in Latin, which no one quite understood but would not dare interrupt. He found himself imagining what his life would be like now, with this cold woman at his side. He was wondering if her body would be as cold between the sheets when Allister spoke and waited for some type of reply.

Looking around the chapel, he waited, expecting no one to answer, and was about to continue when a soft voice from the back answered in perfect Latin.

The astonished crowd moved aside, and a small figure in a heavy cloak was led forward by a guard, coming to a stop only a few paces away.

In his shock, Allister spoke in English again, "Pardon me, you must have misunderstood."

"I believe you are the one who misunderstood father," the voice sounded young and ever so weak. "I must speak now, I would have held my peace forever, but I survived and came in search of help."

"Help?" Allister asked.

"From my husband," the figure lifted its head and the hood of the cloak fell back, revealing a young woman, with ebony tresses and large, terrified brown eyes.

Recognizing the girl immediately, Kouga released Kagura's hands and turned more fully towards the newcomer.

She was still pale, dirt marred her cheeks, and she was obviously weak. Her body trembled visibly from the effort to keep standing, but she held her head high and forced her muscles to hold as steady as they could.

"What is the meaning of this?!" Kagura shouted, turning against the girl who dared claim her betrothed.

Kouga came to stand before his wife, ignoring the murmurs and speculations that swirled around them. Kagura was demanding to know what was going on, Samuel, damned old man, was laughing his head off at this new development, and Mave was scolding him and ordering he shut his yapper. Ayame was also laughing, pleased that her lord would not marry the witch who'd discovered their relationship and bullied her even more in the past days.

Kagura now stood beside the couple, demanding an explanation from Kouga, "If she is another one of your whores..."

Kagome gasped, scandalized by her accusation, and looked around at the myriad of voices and faces surrounding them. Feeling weak from her journey, her grief, and overwhelmed by the tension in the room, she looked again into her husband's icy blue gaze, an odd heaviness overcoming her, and managed to whisper one meager phrase before her world went completely black.

"I'm so sorry, please... forgive me..."

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How did she survive? I'll explain that next chapter, this one's long enough I'd say.

So what'd you think?

Thanks to everyone who reviewed the previous chapter, you guys are so great!