Disclaimer: Insert usual disclaimery stuff here.

A/N: Wow, okay, sorry for the delay. This is why I don't like to post a story until it's actually finished. This is one of those cases where I knew how I wanted it to end, it was just a little trickier to get there than I though it was. That, and I have the hardest time writing action sequences…I think it comes from having no actual experience with being in a fight. Also, I apologize if there are any glaringly obvious typos…I haven't had a chance to have anyone other than me read it. That'll be remedied later this week, so hopefully if there are any I'll have them fixed by next week. So, here, without further ado, is the last chapter to What About the Wolf.

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Chapter 5: Bring it

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Ayame led the way back to Inu Yasha with Kouga in tow. She knew he could probably find his way there without her, and could probably get there much faster, but he allowed her to maintain the lead. The idea of him letting her stay in the position of the most danger was encouraging and puzzling all at the same time.

They were nearing the spot where Inu Yasha should be in the thick of battle, but up ahead she could hear nothing. She'd come upon Inu Yasha in the middle of fighting a large group of wolves and wolf demons. The group was large enough that she figured getting help would be the best course of action. However, as she came within sight of the half demon her eyes widened at the scene before her. Bodies lay strewn about the clearing with varying degrees of injury and in the center of the madness stood Inu Yasha with his arms crossed and a rather cocky look on his face.

"I guess he wasn't in as much trouble as you thought," commented Kouga from behind her.

"Keh, these guys were nothing," added Inu Yahsa. Ayame glanced around at fallen once more to find a startling discovery. They were all alive…unconscious, but alive.

"You didn't kill them?" she asked with a larger degree of shock in her voice than she had meant. Inu Yasha hopped over a pile of demons to come stand in front of her.

"These guys are just following orders and if I understand the situation correctly it's Akago that is the one that should pay for their leaders' orders, not them." Ayame smiled at him and held back tears of utter joy. It had hurt to see so many of her brothers fall because of a couple of rouge wolves' actions. Hopefully no more wolves would have to die because of some child's game.

"Thank you Inu Yasha," she said quietly. He only nodded and then turned to Kouga.

"There were more, but they ran off as soon as I started kicking ass," explain Inu Yasha. "Are we near their den?"

"No," replied Kouga, "Which makes the attack seem out of the ordinary." Kouga paused as surveyed the area. "It's possible they were ordered to try and take you out by Akago."

"Keh, Akago would know that it would take more than a few demons to take me out," commented Inu Yasha. While his voice was full of self confidence and pride Ayame knew it was probably not misplaced. If indeed that child demon had dealings with Inu Yasha then he should have known better. Kouga seemed to agree with the statement as well, but Ayame doubted he would ever say it out loud.

"Where is Sesshoumaru?" asked Ayame as she suddenly realized the lord was missing.

"I didn't see him," replied Inu Yasha and Kouga only shrugged. "Let's just continue. It's not like he can't find us."

"Indeed," said a deep voice above them followed by Sesshoumaru appearing in their midst. Inu Yasha mumbled some about a show off, but made no further comment. Seshoumaru ignored him and simply turned to look Ayame in the eyes. "You need to go back to your grandfather. The group that attacked Inu Yasha was simply a diversion. Their leaders and a larger force are going to, or already have, attacked your tribe."

"What?" Ayame heart tightened at his words. He delivered the news so nonchalantly, but the lives of her kinsmen hung on what he said. "How do you know this?"

"The cowards that ran from battle said as much as they made their way to safety with their tails between their legs," explained Sesshoumaru.

"And Akago, is he also attacking," asked Inu Yasha.

"That I don't know," replied Sesshoumaru.

"You two should continue to after Akago," stated Kouga. "I've told you where he should be, and if he is not there then you getting back to the northern tribe's den in a hurry should not be a problem for you two if it turns out he is with them." Sesshoumaru and Inu Yasha glanced at each other and then back to Kouga.

"You sure you can handle them?" asked Inu Yasha, "I mean a wimpy wolf like you will probably need some help." Ayame wanted to reach out and smack Inu Yasha for being so mean, but Kouga's word put all such violent thoughts out of her head.

"I've got all the help I'll ever need right here," he said gently as Kouga grabbed her hand. Ayame smiled at him and squeezed his hand.

"Keh, then don't get killed," commented Inu Yasha as he turned to leave. Sesshoumaru stared at her a moment longer and then almost in the blink of an eye jumped to the nearest tree branch and sped through the forest.

"Hey! You aren't going to get all the credit for that brat's death," shouted Inu Yasha as he sped off after his half-brother.

"Let's go," said Kouga and with a nod they sped off to hopefully put an end to the madness that Ryoku and Takeo were causing.

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Takeo watched helplessly as Ryoku dragged the Elder of the northern tribe out of the cave by the scruff of his neck and unceremoniously tossed him to the ground. The rest of the Elder's tribe was held at sword, spear, or claw point, unable to come to the aid of their leader. With Kouga and Ayame gone there was no one left to rally their men's spirits, and with the help of the half-demon and his assistant with the magic mirror he and Ryoku had known exactly when that would be. "Kill the old demon. Take what is rightfully yours." The orders still rang in his ears and the more he resisted them the more painful they became.

"You old fool," spat out Ryoku. "You couldn't just give us what we wanted, and now look at you." Ryoku slowly circled the old wolf's body and then squatted down next to his head. "You're nothing but, a weak old fool on death's door step." Takeo looked away from the scene in shame. How could Ryoku enjoy this? The Elder had always been kind to them when they were younger and now he is enjoying causing him pain. Even under the control of the small demon Takeo could not bring himself to say such hateful things. Ryoku had truly gone mad with power.

A dry laugh, however, caused him to turn his head back to the elder. The old wolf was laughing. Could it be that he was delirious with pain?

"You let yourself be controlled by a half-demon, and I am the weak one?" said the old wolf in barely more than a whisper. "You must think very highly of doing the bidding of a child." The old wolf laughed once more. Takeo looked at the faces of the men that were standing close enough to hear the old one's words. It was clear that they did not know what to think. The whispers of what had been said began to grow louder as the words were shared through out the ranks.

Takeo wondered at how the Elder knew of their plight, but figured it had to do with the arrival the two dog demons. Akago told them as little as possible and seemed to delight in it. Yet, Takeo had been weak. Just as the Elder said, he had been too weak to resist the child. The little brat thought Takeo and then waited for the pain to come that accompanied such thoughts. But, nothing came. He tried to call out that the Elder was right, but found that he couldn't get the words out. However, he felt that the bonds that held his will were weaker somehow.

"Shut up you old fool," shouted Ryoku as he stood and kicked the elder in the side. "Don't listen to him men. He has no idea what he is talking about."

"Oh I think he does," shouted a voice from the back of the circle that now surrounded the leaders. The men and wolves parted as Kouga and the Elder's granddaughter made their way to the center of the circle. Takeo inwardly smiled. They'd made it back and they know the truth. It won't be long now before this is all over.

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Kouga followed Ayame as she led the way into the clearing. Her voice was strong and proud as she came to the defense of her grandfather. When they made it past the sea of men and wolves he knew that she wanted to run to her grandfather's side, but she held fast. She stopped a few feet from Ryoku and her grandfather and stood proud with her arms crossed over her chest.

"The Elder speaks the truth," she said in a loud clear voice. "Your leaders have been possessed by a half demon bent on tearing our nation apart." She spoke to the assembled men, but never took her eyes from Ryoku's. Kouga stood by her side and watched quietly as she denounced Ryoku and Takeo. Takeo, where was he? Kouga thought it strange that he was not standing by Ryoku's side. Scanning, he found his one time friend standing a few feet behind Ryoku. His clenched fists and heavy breathing were accentuated by the look of utter determination on his face. Takeo was trying to fight Akago's hold over him.

"Of course you would take the old fool's side," screamed Ryoku, "You are his granddaughter and just as weak as he is." Kouga watched as Takeo managed to take a step towards Ryoku and then another. "I've had enough of you and your whining. Men, kill them," commanded Ryoku with a dramatic wave of his hand. But, no one moved.

All eyes were now on Takeo as he dropped to his knees and clutched his head between his hands. The half growl, half scream that escaped Takeo's lips as he turned his head to the sky a moment later almost made Kouga flinch. The wolf demon dropped to all fours and panted heavily for a few minutes. Kouga looked to Ryoku then, but instead of any hint of joy at his friend regaining control there was nothing but murder written on his face.

"No," whispered Takeo as he regained his breath and then louder, "No, don't harm them. The old one is right. We were being controlled. This whole war is the conniving scheme of a hateful child."

"Shut up you," screamed Ryoku, "You may have been controlled by the little brat, but he only made me stronger. And with that strength my tribe will control these mountains."

"He blinded you with power Ryoku. Don't you see that you are only pitting brother against brother," pleaded Takeo.

"I've heard enough from you," growled Ryoku as he pulled a dagger, "you're nothing but a weakling like the rest of them." Kouga watch in slow motion as Ryoku leaned in to throw the dagger at his former comrade. Kouga was too far away to stop Ryoku, and Takeo still looked too weak from battling Akago's hold over him to dodge it. To his left he heard Ayame cry out and followed her gaze to her grandfather as he threw himself at Ryoku knocking him to the ground and pinning him.

"What do you think you are doing you decrepit old fool?" cried Ryoku and he battled the one time warrior that held him to the ground.

"Takeo was like a brother to you and you would end his life in such a shameful manner?" asked the old wolf. Kouga could hear the anger in the Elder's voice and was amazed at his renewed strength. However, as he and Ayame made their way to help him Ryoku managed to find the dagger that had been knocked out of his hands and in one swift motion plunged the blade into the old wolf's side and threw him several feet from him.

"NO!" screamed Ayame as she ran to her grandfather's side. Kouga, however, decided that Ryoku needed to be taught a lesson.

"You BASTARD!" cried Kouga as he kicked Ryoku fully in the side causing him to land several feet away from him. Kouga began to advance on him when he was halted by a gentle touch on his arm. Glancing over his shoulder he saw Ayame staring off at Ryoku with an eerily calm look on her face.

"Ryoku is mine," she simply said and walked towards him. Kouga wanted to stop her, hold her, keep her from coming to any harm, but she had to do this. She had to discover her own strength, and this was her battle not his. He took a deep breath and turned to find that Takeo had moved to look after the Elder who appeared to still be breathing, but for how long Kouga could not tell.

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Ayame walked calmly towards Ryoku, though she was anything but calm on the inside. She had only held her grandfather's limp form for a moment before realizing what she had to do. Ryoku finally stood and stared at her defiantly.

"You think you've won this?" he said with a low growl as he wiped blood off his mouth. "My men out number both yours and Takeo's. Your pitiful tribe does not stand a chance against mine." Ayame glanced around at the faces of his men and saw a mixture of emotion playing across their faces. Some would do what Ryoku said without question, while others were clearly confused about the whole situation.

"No Ryoku, I don't think I've won this," she said calmly. "This is far from over." She then turned to face the assembled men. She would not let this turn into a blood bath. "I am formally challenging Ryoku leader to leader. The victor will decide what is to be done." There was a murmuring through the crowd as her words were repeated and debated. "No one is to interfere or offer assistance to either of us during the fight." She looked over at Kouga as she spoke these last few words. She saw him breathe in slowly and set his jaw, but he offered no objection. He knew the importance of this fight.

"Do you accept?" she asked looking back to Ryoku.

"Hah, you think you honestly have a chance against me little girl?" sneered Ryoku as he spread his arms wide in a gesturing motion.

"Answer the question," stated Ayame simply. Ryoku folded his arms across his chest and stared at her for a moment. Ayame could only imagine what was going through his mind, but the confidence in his stance meant that he saw no point in the fight. It meant that it would be a waste of his time to even bother. She had to make sure that he did not decline. "Or, is it that you are afraid of me?" she said with a sweet smile as she placed her hands on her hips.

"Fine girl," spat out Ryoku, "you want a fight, you have it."

"And you agree to the terms of the outcome?" Ayame had to make him agree vocally for his men's sake. That way some of the more loyal didn't decide to take up arms if …when she won.

"Men, you heard her. These weaklings will bow down to us once I kill her," replied Ryoku with a twisted smile. Ayame saw Kouga lurch forward out of the corner of her eye, and made a small gesture for him to remain where he was. Ryoku was just trying to scare her. "There, are you happy now?" Ayame nodded. It wasn't quite what she wanted, but it would do. "Good," he added, and then he was gone.

Ayame jumped as his leg swung under her and turned to face him, only to dodge a blow to the head a moment later. Guess he doesn't waste any time she thought as she readied herself for the next attack. But, to her surprise, Ryoku stood with his arms crossed and a bored expression on his face.

"Well, aren't you a quick little one, but this is no fun if you're just going to run away," he taunted. Ayame said nothing and remained in her defensive stance. "Eh, have it your way," he said with a shrug, and was gone once again.

However, this time Ayame was ready for just that. Ignoring his words, which very purpose was to distract, she followed his movements and instead of dodging a kick that would send her careening to the side she blocked and grabbed his left leg. The surprise on his face was evident as she pushed his leg up with enough force to drop him on his back.

"Who ever said I was going to keep running," she breathed as she dropped a knee into his gut. But, the blow never made contact. Ryoku grabbed her knee and rolled, pulling her into the ground in the process and knocking the wind out of her.

"Perhaps you should have," sneered Ryoku as he loomed over her. Ayame glared up at him, but only long enough to take a deep breath and kick her legs up and out in effort to both attack and get back to her feet. The pinwheel like motion did nothing to hurt Ryoku, but it did cause him to back up which was at least something. "Those are some fancy moves you've got there little girl, but you actually need to hit me to win." Ayame let him talk and crouched into a lunging position. "Oh a head on attack is it? Well then, come at me," called Ryoku as he motioned her towards him with both hands.

Ayame rushed forward with all the speed needed to strike, but just before she reached him she skidded to a stop pushing up dirt into his face and then jumped back away from him. She could see him blocking his face as he jumped away from the cloud of debris she kicked up. But, before he could get settled she repeated the process, but this time jumped over him. He seemed more disoriented this time and didn't have a chance to turn before she rushed him again, and this time she didn't stop.

Her arm held out she connected solidly with his head knocking him hard to the ground. She skidded to a halt and turned to go in for another strike. Ryoku was already trying to stagger to his feet, but she didn't intend to let him. However, just as she was moving in to strike he pulled a dagger from his legging and hurled at her. Ayame had to throw her self to the side to avoid the strike. Damn it, I should have know he'd pull a stunt like that, she yelled at her self as she got back to her feet and turned to face him once more.

Ryoku eyed her and grinned wickedly as he wiped a trickle of blood from his chin. He looked pretty smug for just having his face smashed in and missing his target. It was too late for Ayame to realize why this was as the dagger flew back past her slicing her arm in the process and finally resting in Ryoku's hand. A mixture of cheers and hisses could be heard from the surrounding crowd, but Ayame tried her best to block them from her hearing.

"Interesting what toys we pick up in our lives isn't it," he said lovingly as he looked his blade up and down. "Pity it didn't take more of you," he shouted as he let the dagger fly again. Ayame was ready for its tricks this time and dodged the first attack with ease as she pulled the flower from her hair and charged Ryoku. The dagger was hot on her heels and she only had one shot at this.

"Ha, you think you can use my own weapon against me," shouted Ryoku as she drew near. Ayame only smiled and jumped over him as he waited to collect his toy. However, the delay was just long enough that he didn't have time to block the flower as it connected and pierced his forehead. Ryoku dropped to his knees and went crossed eyed trying to see what brought about his end. "A…flower…" he weased, "impossible."

"Very interesting toys," commented Ayame as she eyed his now still form. While the flower itself was probably not enough to kill him, the poison on its tip brought death almost instantaneously. She then turned her attention to the assembled.

"It's over," she called. "This pointless battle will not take place." There was a mixture of cheers and muffled curses through the crowd. "Who was Ryoku's second in command?" The worst that could happen at this point would be several wolves claiming the position, however, that was not the case.

"Sachio was his man," called out Takeo from his place by her grandfather's side. Her grandfather, she spared a glance for him, but she knew she needed to get other matters settled first.

There was a stir within Ryoku's men and then a parting as Sachio made his way towards her. He was an older wolf demon, but still in his prime. His receding shaggy brown hair was kept out of his face by a band of similar color fur around his forehead, which made eye contact with him very easy. He stopped his trek towards her once he was a couple of paces in front of her.

"Sachio," she started in a strong voice in hopes that it would carry to all assembled, "as winner of this duel it is my decision to the fate of your tribe." Sachio maintained eye contact with her, but did not say a word. "It is my hope that life might return to the way it was when all our tribes lived in harmony with each other. You and your men were only following the orders of your leader, and while they were the orders of a madman, it is commendable that you all show such loyalty to a leader. Sachio, will you take up the mantle of leadership in your tribe, and work with Takeo, Kouga, and myself to restore the balance we all once had?"

Sachio took a deep breath and survey the wolves and wolf demons gathered around them. His eyes then settled back on her, almost as if he was making his own assessment of her capabilities.

"Ryoku was indeed not the leader we had all come to depend on," stated Sachio in a rather deep voice, "his death, while a pity, was inevitable. If the men agree, I will be glad to work with you and the others as the new leader of the western tribe. Men," he called out over his shoulder, "what say you?" The general cheer was answer enough. Ayame smiled, she had hoped it would be the case that the men would come to depend on the second during their leader's reign of madness.

"Ayame!" the frantic call erased all such happy thoughts as she looked to see Takeo wildly gesturing for her to come to him. Wasting no more time with formalities, she rushed to her grandfather's side.

"Grandfather?" she question in a small voice as she knelt at his side. "I'm here grandfather." Takeo had removed the knife and had attempted to stop the bleeding, but her grandfather's old body didn't have what it took to deal with a wound like that anymore.

"Ayame," said her grandfather in a barely audible whisper, "you have …become everything …I …could hoped …for in a granddaughter …and heir." Ayame's eyes welled up with tears, but she tried to keep them from falling. "Child…a leader…should be strong…true…but that does not mean…devoid of emotion." Ayame smiled at her grandfather and bent to hug the old wolf one last time.

"Kouga," rasped out the old wolf.

"Yes Elder," he replied as he knelt beside Ayame.

"Take …care of …each other," stated the old wolf as his heaving sides finally ceased.

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Kouga squeezed Ayame's hand at the Elder's last words and nodded. Speaking would do no good at this point.

"I will miss you grandfather," stated Ayame quietly as she shed silent tears. Kouga wanted to hold her, but he knew she was still trying to be strong in front of the men and other leaders. There would be time in private for consoling her later.

"I'm sorry Ayame," stated Takeo as he stood and stepped away from the Elder's body. "If I had been stronger this would not have happened. Perhaps it is time for a new leader for the eastern tribe as well?" There were obvious sounds of disagreement from his men.

"No Takeo," replied Ayame as she dried her eyes and stood. "It was you who broke through Akago's hold over you that allowed us to get to this point." She walked over to Takeo and stretched out her hand. "My grandfather died protecting you and it was a warrior's death. I know he preferred it over letting old age take him." Takeo clasped her forearm and Ayame reciprocated.

"Then I will continue on and work with you all," he replied.

Kouga watched as Takeo repeated the action with Sachio and finally took part in them as well. Their task was not going to be an easy one. Regardless of the leaders' resolve there was still bad blood amongst some of the members of the various tribes. The blood of friends and brothers had been spilled by one time comrades and Kouga knew from personal experience that feelings of betrayal and vengeance run deep.

After initial agreements and promises were made the eastern and western tribes made their ways to their respective dens, but it wasn't until after the Elder's body was laid to rest and a feast held in honor of the heroes of the day ended that Kouga had a chance to be with Ayame in private. Late that night, after the rest of the men had past out from drink or exhaustion, Kouga made his way to the cliff above the entrance to the cave where Ayame stood surveying the land in front of her.

"I knew that leadership would be mine one day," she said softly as he approached, "but I don't think I was ever really prepared for this feeling."

"You get used to it," he replied as he wrapped his arms around her careful of the wound on her upper arm.

"I couldn't have done all this without you Kouga," she said as she leaned against him.

"Yes you could have," he answered, "I'm just glad I was here to see it."

"Hmph," was all she said in return.

"I have to leave tomorrow," he said a moment later causing her to turn and face him. Her eyes asked what she did not voice. "I need to tell my men what is going on." She nodded and looked down at her feet.

"When will you be back?" she asked softly. Kouga tipped her face back up to face him and placed a soft kiss on her lips.

"Just as long as it takes to gather my men for the ceremony," he replied with a wry smile. "Your grandfather did say we should take care of each other after all." Ayame smiled brightly as she wrapped her arms around his waist.

"True," she replied, "and who knows what trouble you'd get into without me around to get you out of it."

"Hah!" laughed Kouga, but he said nothing in his defense. She was probably right.

fin

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So, this seemed like a good place to end Kouga's Story, but wait, there's more. That's right, there's an epilogue and it's finished. So read on if you'd like.

Reviews are always welcome.