A: Now that Kouga and I are done playing gamecube (I stomped him) we can get to the story faster.

K: don't count on it.

A: that's what you think.

S: Lady Alex is there anything I can do?

A: Um, you can take a break and go eat.

S: excellent. Good day.

A: be back by the next chapter!

S: of course.

K: Okay. Anyone who wants to flame Alex has to get through me.

A: It's so nice to have at least one demon around. On with the story.

And More

"Mommy. Mommy." A small girl tugged at her mother's kimono.

"What, Dear?" She looked where the child was pointing. "Stay with your aunt." She stormed over to Tasha. "What are you doing?"

"Talking."

"To a demon?"

"So? Not all demons are bad."

Kouga watched the two bicker back and forth. Tasha could definitely hold her own. When he heard something about how the town watched out for her he blew up at the mother.

"The hell you do! You chew her up and spit her out then expect her to trust you! When her parents were kidnapped you didn't give a care if she lived or died! If one of my wolves and her kin hadn't found her she would've died! I'm surprised she hasn't died from the grief of loosing both parents! She's been on her own since age eight! She's made her own honest living for four years! That's a heck of an accomplishment for a girl her age! You of all people should realize that! Instead you treat her like a hanyou! She's lucky her parents' house is still here! She can talk to whoever she wants! She doesn't need your damn consent! She's been running her own life since she was sixteen! I think she can run it until she gets a mate! You're not her damn mother!" She looked horrified. Kouga was halfway leaned over with his hands in fists at his sides. Tasha put her arm on his shoulder and crossed one ankle over the other.

"Now, do I have to send my wolf on you or will you stay out of my business?"

"But he's just trying to take advantage of you!"

"No! He's not! He's my friend and my friend would never hurt me. I know him. Come on." Tasha gave a slight tug on Kouga's shoulder and he reluctantly followed. That's not before he spat at her feet.

Now this was no ordinary mother. She was the town gossip.

Tasha and Kouga sat in silence across from each other. The fire pit was the only thing between them.

"You didn't have to do that. I can handle myself."

"You would've ended up in tears."

"Are you trying to say I'm weak!"

"No. I just know that that woman would've pushed you over the edge emotionally. She would've had victory. Judging, she's already done that many a time."

"Mom said it was okay to cry sometimes." She crossed her arms like a defiant little child.

"I'm not saying it isn't." (This is so cute!) "That woman just said the one thing that would set any one of your friends off. Seeing as I'm the only one I took the responsibility. I don't want to see you cry over something silly."

Tasha eyed him. "Are you trying to say you like me?"

Kouga got an evil grin.

"What?"

"There's more than one way to make a girl cry." He slowly crawled closer.

"I tell you he's going to do something horrid to her."

"Get the men. Now!"

He slowly stalked her on his hands and knees as she inched farther away. She was scared to find out his plans.

"Quickly! We've got to get there soon." The village men slowly encircled the hut. Suddenly pleas were heard from inside. A female voice rang out for the demon to stop.

Kouga reached out with both hands and to here surprise started tickling her.

"No! Stop!" She playfully fought him. Her face quickly turned red and her eyes watered. Before she knew it one happy tear ran down her cheek.

"See? You can be happy and cry." He sat back on his heels and extended his hand to help her up. She had landed on her back. Tasha took it and he lifted her with ease.

Tasha then realized how small of a gap lay between them. Kouga was still holding her hand. "Why are you pampering me?" she asked seductively as she leaned closer.

"Because I want to."

"Is that so, Mr. Demon?"

Kouga gave a playful growl before capturing her lips.

"The pleas have stopped! Maybe she's okay."

"No. We must assume the worst. Tasha is dead."

No one looked grieved no one looked hurt.

Tasha's eyes widened. Was this a dream? This guy knew her, what? Three days? He was kissing her! Not that it was a bad thing, just unexpected. Her mother always said to expect the unexpected. She slid her eyes shut and began kissing back.

Kouga was in heaven when she began kissing back. He had felt her tense when their lips met but she was totally relaxed now. Kouga slid one of his arms behind her back. Tasha reacted by scooting closer. He put his other hand at the base of her neck and deepened the kiss.

Tasha felt him tip her head back. She knew where this was going. It was good and all but she wasn't ready. Besides she didn't even know his feelings towards her. She gently pushed on his chest.

Kouga felt her hands press against his armor. He knew she was scared so he broke the kiss. He still held onto her in case she lost her balance.

"Thank you for understanding." She slowly rose to her feet. "I'm going to go get some water."

"Look!" The men watched as something emerged from the hut.

"Tasha."

"Thank Kami."

"What? What's with all the fuss?"

"We thought the demon had stolen your soul."

"What? Oh." She began to giggle. "He was tickling me."

"Is he still inside?"

"Yes, but . . ." They stormed in to face the demon.

"How dare you torture her."

"Torture who?"

"Move! Out of my way! I didn't give you permission to come in!"

"Tasha, what's going on?"

"They thought you were stealing my soul. They want to kill you."

"I would never do that."

"I tried to tell them that, but they wouldn't listen."

"We'll just have to get rid of them then. Come here."

Tasha walked up to him.

"Turn around. Now close your eyes." He wrapped his arms around her torso, lending her strength. "Imagine all of them back in town. Don't concentrate hard."

The men began to glow white.

"What are you doing, demon?"

Before they could charge they disappeared. Kouga sighed in relief. He sniffed. Tasha's sent changed slightly.

"Where'd they go?"

"You used your miko powers to send them back to town."

"Huh? Anyway, I need to bathe." She began picking up her things.

"What is it that makes you smell so good?"

"It's this." She held up a bowl with crushed herbs. "It turns into a gel when it gets wet. I use it on my hair. It makes it soft." She headed out. "Don't spy on me this time."

Kouga sat and relaxed against the wall while she bathed.