Kouga continued dragging around the den until Ginta finally asked him what his problem was. He'd been biting everyone's head off since he got back from the village. He even brawled with another wolf, who he had wounded pretty bad. Enough was enough. "Uh... Kouga...what's up with you?"
Kouga snarled at him, "Don't try me Ginta, I ain't in the mood." He kept playing the events over in his head.
Flashback
Kouga knew he was in no shape to fight Sesshomaru. His wounds from Kagura's blades still were not healed. Sesshomaru was not to be taken lightly. His canine instincts told him to flee, which he had. The day after leaving the village he was intercepted by Kagura once more.
"Come to try and finish me off bitch? Well, I'm not going down like that," Kouga snarled at the wind sorceress.
"You're such a bore, wolf boy. I simply thought you would be concerned about the present state of your little priestess," Kagura could see she had gained his attention. She began, again, "It seems that she and the Great looking Lord Sesshomaru of the Western Lands are on a quest. It also seems that he has taken a liking to your woman. I would be willing to bet he's planning to mate her very soon." The witch was pleased with the furious look that flew across Kouga's face. "They are heading North East." Her feather took her higher and then she was gone.
End Flashback
"Come on Kouga, your driving everybody nuts," Ginta suspected it concerned a certain human girl so he decided to try it. "It's Kagome, right?"
"That mutt face has turned human and his bastard brother has got the hots for my woman! Stupid Inu-trasha can't even protect her anymore," the wolf prince practically shouted to Ginta. "That fucking bitch, Kagura, told me he was even considering taking her as his mate!" After he paced to and fro several times he began again, "That piece of shit dog is after my woman."
"Well, what are you gonna do?" Ginta hoped Kagome was safe, but he was afraid of what Kouga would say. Lord Sesshomaru wasn't going to be easy to take down.
Kouga turned swiftly around and said with anger in his eyes, "We're going to go get her! Round everybody up. I think I have a plan."
Sango returned to the group. She had been to a nearby village and questioned the people about any recent strange happenings. There were two new people in the village who claimed to have once been youkai. After discovering that her group hunted the beast, they graciously offered food and shelter for the night. Most of the other townspeople she talked to shared no love for demons.
Kagome listened to Sango as she relayed the happenings while she was in the village. Night was creeping in and they needed to set up camp soon. When Sango said they had been offered shelter, Kagome was happy her friends could rest peacefully that evening, however when the Taijiya said they should move on Kagome became a little confused.
Kagome asked her why she didn't want to stay at the village. Sango couldn't look her in the eyes, but was honest with her about the villager's dislike of youkai. Kagome had to admit, it hurt her feelings a little. 'They don't even know me, yet they reject me because of being youkai. I'm a victim of racism.' The thought was a little un-nerving. She looked to Sesshomaru who didn't seem to care in the least, but stopped when he spoke.
"Rin needs a good meal and a bath. Taijiya, you and the houshi see to Rin and the kitsune," after Sango nodded her acceptance of his orders, Sesshomaru turned his attention back to Kagome. "Follow me, miko."
Sango looked hesitant when she realized she and Kagome would be separated. Kagome hugged her and assured her she would be fine. "Enjoy a hot meal and a roof over your head, Sango. Don't worry about me."
Kagome watched as Shippo and Rin skipped off behind Miroku and Sango. "See ya later Kagome," Shippo yelled back to her. She waved Sayonara and turned to follow Sesshomaru.
"My Lord! My Lord! What would you have this humble servant do... my Lord," Jaken was upset that he wasn't included in any of Lord Sesshomaru's plans.
"Ah, Jaken. Hmm....," Sesshomaru looked to Kagome then back to Jaken. He looked back to Kagome paying close attention to her shapely legs, which were all to obvious in her strange clothing. It had angered him when he noticed the cat demon staring at her legs as she wrapped his wounds. He decided her attire needed adjusting. He walked to Jaken , handed him some gold, and sent him on an errand.
"What was that all about," Kagome asked suspiciously? He took a little too long staring down at her legs, for it not to have anything to do with her. As usual, though, his stoic countenance did not waver as he turned to walk away. Kagome sighed and followed. It wasn't like she had all that much of a choice, anyway. Night fell around them and once again she reveled at the activity normally unseen.
She became aware of the sound of rippling water in the distance ahead. Kagome hoped that this meant she could bathe. The long walk made her feel dirty and it would be wonderful to shampoo her hair. Sesshomaru led her through a narrow deer trail until they passed through the thicket into a small clearing. The grass bordered a pond, which had willows all along one side. Even at night it was a lovely sight to behold.