Collide

By animechick262003

Chapter Seven

Attraction

"He looked a lot lighter from the balcony," Sango grunted as she and Kagome shuffled the unconscious Kouga into the rear seat of a cab they'd managed to flag down.

"He's pretty solid, but his weight is the least of my worries." Kagome remarked giving a quick sniff of her hand. "God he stinks!"

"The sooner we get him home the better. I need a shower." Sango brushed away the remnants of trash that clung to her clothing. "So what's the plan?"

"Well, I was thinking one of us could ride with Kouga in the cab, and the other could follow in his car."

"I got dibs on the car!" Sango chirped, grabbing the keys from Kagome's hand, and dashing towards the small black spider parked curbside.

"Hey! Why do you get the car?"

"Well, one, you have an injured knee, and this car is a five speed, which requires use of both legs. Two, he's your stinky beau, which means you're responsible for taking care of him." Sango quipped, hopping into the car.

"He's not my beau!"

"Say whatever you want, but the lip on lip action never lies." Sango giggled opening the sun roof. "Man this car is loaded. Leather seats, sixteen disc changer, and a drop top, with an incredible stereo system. This is going to be one hell of a ride." Sango chimed, cranking the car.

"Whatever!" Kagome grumbled.

"Oh, don't be jealous. You're going to get to ride in this car more times than I will."

"A, lady. You didn't say anything about him stinking up my car. How am I supposed to earn a living if my car smells like rotting garbage?" The cabby called redirecting Kagome's attention.

"What?"

"I said he's smelling up the place." The cabby came again as Kagome slid into the car next to Kouga, and nearly fainted. The smell of rotting debris was almost too much for even her to bear.

"Look, I'll make it worth it."

"There aint nothing you can do that's worth me towing this guy in my car. He stinks, lady." Kagome reached into Kouga's pants pocket and pulled out his wallet. Just as she suspected, there was a large wad of cash, along with credit cards she'd never even heard of contained inside. Kagome quickly counted off a couple hundred bucks and handed it to the cabby. "Does that make it worth it? And if you help with getting him in his place, there's another hundred to accompany that."

"Yeah, I guess this will cover things." The cabby grinned. "So, where to?"

"Good question." Kagome returned to the wallet and searched out Kouga's drivers' license. "It says here, 1875 Garden Estates, East Tokyo."

"I know the place." The cabby pulled onto the busy roads, and Kagome returned her attention to something that had caught her eye while she'd been sifting through Kouga's belongings. Kagome removed the small photo from within the clear compartment of the wallet, analyzing it. It was a picture of Kouga. But not just any picture. It was a picture of him with a very alluring red head seated on his lap.

Her hair was as bright and as red as rubies and spiraled across her shoulders and down her back in long flowing curls. And her eyes were large and colored emerald green and encased within a softly curved porcelain face. She was an enchanting creature whoever she was. So enchanting, she didn't look real. But she was very real. And by the look of the photo, very much enjoying herself as she sat snuggled close to Kouga.

Just who was she Kagome wondered? Obviously not a wife. Kagome glanced at Kouga's hands, which rested on his lap. He wasn't wearing a wedding band. Maybe a girlfriend? The thought had never crossed her mind that Kouga may be involved with someone. But she should have known someone like him would be involved. He was rich, smart and looked as if he'd just stepped out of a painting. Men like him were seldom single, at least not for long. Kagome slid the photo back inside the wallet, and returned it to Kouga's pants pocket.

She didn't know why, but the notion that Kouga actually belonged to someone, bothered her. It was possible the anxiety was the result of being kissed by him only an half hour earlier. Or maybe it was the fact she'd actually enjoyed the kiss. Although she'd never admit that she had. Kagome let out a hard breath and slid in her seat. This was just like her, finding interest in the most unsuitable of men. She'd allowed herself to be completely swept up into the moment when she should suspected that a guy like him was up to no good. Kouga may have been her idol but he was still very much male. Kouga probably did things like this all the time with women. And he probably had a harem of women. Kagome found her self completely goaded with the fact she'd nearly fell for this playboy.

But then again, she'd never been lucky where men were concerned. Not that she'd been with many, only InuYasha. Unfortunately he was her first experience with love in every sense of the word. And look where that had gotten her. In a relationship with a married man. And by the looks of the photo in Kouga's wallet she'd almost made the mistake of getting interested in a guy who was already involved for the second time in her life.

"God I can be so gullible," Kagome muttered, resting her head against the window.

"Aya….Ayame," Kouga murmured as he slumped against her.

"Great," Kagome snorted turning so that Kouga's cheek pressed into her bosom. He had nerve. Make out with her and then dream about another woman. Jerk! Kagome was tempted to shove him to the floor, until she noticed the look on his face. It was hardly the look of a man locked in a blissful dream that was for certain. His face wrinkled and his brow knitted as his breathing picked up. Then as suddenly as he begun calling for the Ayame person, he stopped.

"Ayame?" Was this the name of the woman in the photo, or just one of his many lovers? Kouga nuzzled into Kagome's bosom, and Kagome gasped, but didn't budge as he settled comfortably against her. He positively reeked of trash, but for the most part she didn't mind the stink. She was too busy being entranced by the long and incredibly thick mane of meshed dark and golden brown strips of hair that crowned his head. His hair was positively amazing. Most women would kill for a healthy head of hair like his. Kagome let his bangs glide between her fingers. It was like expensive silk the way it shined. Flawless. "Is there any part of you that isn't perfect, Mister Akira?" Kagome questioned, trailing her finger along the chiseled lines of his cheekbones.

Kouga shifted slightly, but only slightly. He wouldn't be moving from his chosen resting spot any time soon. Kagome smiled as he let out a hard breath. Although he slept peacefully at that moment, Kagome found herself wondering about the name he'd spoken earlier. The expression his usually indiscernible face baffled her. Always composed he seemed completely disconcerted. What troubles had befell him in his minds eye as he slept. What thoughts had been going through his head earlier? At that moment, what was he dreaming of?

Dream

Kouga leaned up against the brick wall trying to steady himself. It was the best he could do for the moment to keep his balance. Already an hour had gone by since his little adventure in the park, and still the metallic taste of blood lingered in his mouth. It had been one hell of a fight this time between the The Pack and Satan's Angels, but he'd suspected as much. Grim, the leader of Satan's Angels had been making advancements into the The Packs territory. This was a violation that couldn't be tolerated. Being The Packs Leader, Kouga had to wrangle the situation before things got out of hand.

But Grim being Grim wasn't prepared to back down, and met Kouga and the other pack members with force. Unfortunately for Grim, that was the worst thing he could have done. If there was one thing Kouga loved, it was a good fight, and this had turned out to be a damn good fight, he thought curling and uncurling his battered fists. But there was no worse night for this having happened.

Kouga took an unsteady step forward and peered through the window of the diner. Just as he expected to find her Ayame stood gazing out of the opposite window. No doubt looking for him. He was supposed to have met her three hours ago, but instead he was in the middle of East Street Park in an all out brawl. It couldn't be helped. He had an obligation to the pack first, everything else was secondary. Even her.

Damn why was he giving himself these lectures? She was just some stupid broad that gave him a hard time for the most part. She was always on his back. Always. He didn't even know why he bothered to meet with her on Friday nights. Maybe it was the fact that she was one of the few people outside of the group he hung with that didn't look at him like he was nothing. Kouga leaned away from the window and took up alongside the wall again. The bricks dug into his back causing him some discomfort as he used them for support. Resting against the bricks was the equivalent off resting against pillows when compared to the sharp pain that shot through his side. It hurt just to breathe. A broken rib to add to his long list of problems.

He'd been looking forward to talking to Ayame tonight. Just to hear her speak was like listening to a soft melody. She was pretty and extremely poised like most those broads born into good families. She was nothing like the girls that he usually hung around with. Not that they weren't ladies, just ladies of a different sort. But he'd missed his chance tonight. There was no way he could go in front of her all bruised the way he was, but the temptation to do so was there. Kouga realized that the relationship with the red head was nothing more than a older sister, younger brother type thing, but it didn't keep him from dreaming…hoping that she could see him as more than a bad ass sixteen year old in need of her intervention if he hoped to get on the strait and narrow.

Ah, but it was just that…a dream. After all, someone like her could never hold real interest in a gutter rat. Kouga withdrew the book she'd given him to practice his reading the week before. He'd taken extra care of it since Ayame said the book was her favorite. The Outsiders. Kouga flipped through the pages quickly, and then snapped the book closed. The Soc and the Greasers. Ayame actually said he reminded her of Pony Boy. As if. Still he enjoyed the book and what it represented. People were, simply people in the end, despite their social backgrounds.

"Kouga," The voice was soft as it connected with his ears and pulled his attention to the leggy red head that stood at the end of the alleyway.

"A…Ayame." He was caught.

"I thought it was you." She replied softly, as started towards him.

"Stay over there, Ayame."

"What? Why?" Ayame queried without breaking her stride.

Damn! She was getting closer. She was going to see everything, and know that he'd been in trouble again. Shit! He should have left when he'd had the chance.

"Stupid, woman, can't you do anything I ask?" Kouga hissed, and turned away from her. Little good that did. She merely side stepped, and ended up in front of him anyway. Ayame looked up into his battered face and her large green eyes seemed to double in size. Not even the shadows could hide the horrid mess he must have looked to her at that moment.

"Where have you been, Kouga?" Her voice carried the chastising tones of a mother, as she carefully eyed each and every bruise.

"Why the hell you asking a question you already know the answer to, woman?"

Kouga smirked and tucked his hands in the pockets of his leather jacket.

"Your face." Ayame attempted to touch Kouga, but he stepped aside-avoiding contact. If she touched him…if she touched him he wasn't sure what he would do. He may have been sixteen, but he was still a man. And like so-held desires that were broader than his youth. "I'll be alright."

"Are you sure?" She touched him anyway. His breath hitched in his chest at the sensation. Slow…subtly…attentively her fingers moved across his face. He could smell her perfume. The fragrance that wafted from her wrists was the expensive kind. The kind imported to their parts of the world. The kind sold in those ritzy boutiques that catered to the upper class. Kouga closed his eyes, sucking in her scent all the while denying the impulse to react to the gentle sensation her examination caused as she brushed over his battered lip with the tips of her fingers. Her hands were so soft, and she smelled so good…so damn good.

"Ayame!" A voice snapped pulling him to his senses. Kouga looked back towards the alley entrance to find a second red head standing there. He was just as leggy, just as pretty, but not equally welcomed as he fast approached the two of them. He was Ayame's older brother Silver, and Kouga hated him.

" Silver? What are you doing here?"

"What am I doing here? What are you doing here?"

"I came out for a while. I needed some fresh air." Ayame answered

"You should have told me you were leaving, I would have escorted you." Silver replied walking towards them.

"I'm not a child, Silver. I don't need to be escorted everywhere I go." Ayame returned

"You may not be a child, but you are the heir of the Ishida Family. Do you realize what that means?"

"How can I forget with you and father constantly reminding?"

"Well, if you understand what this means, you'll understand my need to get you back home…where it's safe." Silver said glaring Kouga

"I'm safe now." Ayame replied. "So you can just go back home to father and tell him I will return when I'm done with my walk."

"Are you stupid, Ayame? You're in the middle of the most crime-infested neighborhoods in all of Tokyo. I can't leave you here."

Ayame looked at Kouga and without warning took his hand in hers. "I am with Kouga. He wouldn't let anything happen to me. I'm safe."

Silver glowered at Kouga and grumbled. "I don't have time for your little infatuations with this rift raft. Father sent me to bring you home, and damn it, you're coming with me!" Silver grabbed Ayame by the forearm.

Ayame yanked free. "I don't want to go with you!"

"Don't make a scene Ayame. It's bad enough that you insist on hanging out with-"

'With what?" Kouga growled taking step out of the shadows. If the prick said what he thought he was trying to say, Ayame's brother or not, he'd place him flat on his ass.

Silver leered at Kouga. The animosity between them had never been a secret. And it was an animosity that went beyond his friendship with Ayame. Kouga and Silver hand a long-standing feud. It was simply by chance that Kouga met Ayame. And it was irony that she would be this bastard's kid sister. "Shouldn't you be somewhere stealing some old ladies purse?"

That was the last straw. Hell he didn't even recall doing it, but he had. It was over in a matter of seconds. He'd struck the fucker and sent him to the ground. Kouga watched as Ayame rushed to Silvers side and knelt beside him. Reaching in her handbag she withdrew her handkerchief and pressed it to his busted lip. He didn't need this shit. Ayame was pretty, and he dug her all right, but they were just too different. Bedside's she wouldn't want to see him or his drawings anymore after this. Kouga turned and started down the Alley.

"You see what happens when you play with rabid dogs, Ayame? You get bit." Kouga heard Silver say. Kouga smirked in response. Yeah, he was rabid. Had been all his life, and he wasn't going to apologize for it. He'd barely taken two steps before he heard her scurrying along behind him. The familiar sounds of those thin heals she loved to wear connecting with the pavement as she tried to make up the distance between them.

"Kouga, wait?" His mind told him to keep moving, but his legs were doing their own thing, and before he knew it, he'd stopped. That girl had this sort of affect on him, making him do the opposite of what he wanted to do.

"Ayame, what in the hell are you doing?" Silver, called after her.

"Shut up, Silver before I give you a fat eye to go with your fat lip!" Ayame paused and glared back at her brother, then continued forward. Her footfalls were shallower now, less urgent as she came up behind him. He could feel the burn of her eyes as she stood silently after him, but he pretended otherwise and put away his desire to turn around and look into her pretty face, and put to memory every detail so he could vision her at night…when there was no one around to interrupt thoughts of her. A flash of some the more sultry images he'd been having recently passed through his mind and caused his cheeks to flush. Damn not here…and not now.

"What do you want with this rabid dog?" Kouga barked trying to shake off the pleasant imagery he'd concocted. Last thing he needed was for his body to be doing things he'd spend the rest of the nigh trying to alleviate. Damn, an imagination like his was a hell of thing.

"So I'm the enemy now?" Ayame came from behind him and blocked his bath.

Kouga didn't answer but chose to stare at her blankly instead. "I was hoping we could talk about the book, and maybe I would get to see some of your new designs."

"Didn't you hear your brother?" Kouga snapped. "I'm a rabid dog. I may bite you if I stick around."

"I've never thought of you like that." Ayame snapped back. Ah, there it was that fire he'd come to expect from the red head. Although soft spoken, she had a mean streak to rival a pit bull when pushed. He liked pushing. He'd push a bit more.

"As if I give a shit about what people like you think about me." That should get her going.

"People like me?" Ayame cocked her head to the side. "We're not all that different, Kouga." Or maybe not. The fire faded fast. She stared at him her concern hardly masked. He'd unintentionally caused her to worry about him. Shit! But he'd spoken truth. They were different. As different as night and day.

"We're very different Ayame." Kouga's voice was lower. He had her feelings to consider after all. "Incase you haven't noticed, I'm the trash that blows over the street with no direction, and you… well you're like a fine painting in a gallery, beautiful, and worth a whole lot. More than I could ever afford."

Damn it! Where in the hell had that come from? Damn slip of the tongue. He looked away from her. Do stupid things and say even stupider things…it never felled when he was near her. Kouga looked back at her and saw evident of how much off guard she'd been when he'd dished his last statement. Her cheeks were as bright as the hair that spiraled from her head. Silly girl. Didn't she know how valuable she was to him? She was more valuable than any trinket, or money? She was that precious to him.

"I may be a painting, and you may be that wadded up piece of paper that blows aimlessly over the streets, but even a wadded piece of paper can have beauty hidden inside."

It was his turned to be red in the face with embarrassment. Wadded up pieces of trash could possess beauty? She was truly a silly thing…the way she thought, but Kouga couldn't ignore the way hearing her say such a thing made him feel…well…good.

" Tomorrow,"

"Tomorrow?" He parroted, still reeling form the notion that she thought he held beauty. She was a puzzle to him, but the fact that he couldn't quite place her was what kept him coming back…what kept him needing more of her. "What about tomorrow?" Kouga asked trying to clear his head of the juvenile sentiments.

"I know it's not our usual meeting day, but would you…I mean, I would really be happy if you would meet me here tomorrow?" Ayame continued, unwittingly helping him along with his efforts.

Kouga studied her face a minute. The sincerity in the depth of those green eyes was enough to make him do whatever she desired. So, if she wanted him to meet her there on tomorrow, he'd do it. They would meet, they would laugh and they would talk while he silently … in his mind confessed all the things he knew he could never say aloud. But that was enough. For now.

"I'll meet you here tomorrow, Ayame."

Fade to Black

They'd arrived finally. She'd begun to worry after they'd turned onto the winding, unpaved road if they'd somehow gotten off route…if the cabby indeed knew where he was going or just maybe he was up something. In this day and age a girl had to be on constant guard. Crime was an unwanted but very constant companion of modern society. And she'd read some pretty weird stuff. If he dared to try a thing she was ready for him. But then they'd surfaced into open terrain. Rows and rows of large and extremely luxurious houses set side by side. It was an architectural feast, wetting, and sating her appetite for breathtaking creations of the human mind.

To anyone else the houses would have been nothing more than homes of people who had more money than they knew what to do with, but to the trained eye…to the eye that could see beyond the expensive bricks, large arched windows, and marbled fountains, there set a masterpiece. Masterpieces like that of which she someday hoped to create. And she would with his help. Kagome glanced back to Kouga. He was good and into his sleep, snoring like he was calling the pigs home. Kagome bit back a burst of laughter. Poor guy. He must have been exhausted. The cab stopped, and Kagome realized they'd reached the end of the road.

"We're here, lady." The cabby said parking the car near the front entrance of the largest home.

"This is it?" This was the place Kouga called home? Kagome could hardly believe her eyes. Out of all the homes she'd seen, Kouga's was the most unique with its rustic log cabin appeal. Homes of this nature were not common to their parts of the world. The theme was totally American Wilderness with the tall oak trees that guarded the home, and the huge lake sat against the backdrop of mountains. It was if she'd stepped out of her time, and into a time when Buffalo and Antelope ran free over tall grass, and over wide open plains. And if she listened hard enough Kagome was certain she could hear the bay of the wolf as he sent homage to the full moon. It was romantic and wild all in one.

"Damn and I thought it couldn't get any better." Kagome glanced to the woman that had come up alongside her. She'd been out of it for a moment and never saw Sango park the car, get out and head her way. "That's something."

"Yes, it is." Kagome rubbed her hands over her arms. Just looking at such an exquisite piece of work sent chills through her. Would she ever be this good? She'd never had vision of anything as wondrous, but would she some day? Would she be able to pull out and put to paper something just as miraculous as the house in front of her?

"A, lady, I 'm going to need a hand getting this guy inside," The cabby called ending her reverie, and drawing both she and Sango's attention back to the fact they had a very drunk male that they had to get inside that wonderful piece of two story artistic genius. Kagome let out a hard breath. Her knee throbbed like hell. But the guy was right there was no way he could get Kouga inside the house without some aid. If not for the two guys walking by earlier, Kouga would probably still be in the trash where he'd fallen.

The cabby tossed Kouga's arm over his shoulder and prepared to lift him out of the car. The old guy looked as if he would be able to pull it off at first, but then he stumbled. That lean body of Kouga's was a lot bulkier than it appeared upon first glance. Not to mention he was dead on his feet. Kagome let out another hard breath. The temptation to go over and whack him over his stupid head was almost unbearable. How could he let himself get this intoxicated? Kagome raised and lowered her shoulders, worked her head from left to right and back again. This was going to be one hell of a chore. And being pissed over Kouga being smashed wasn't going to solve a thing. A girl had to do what a girl had to do, but he'd damn well pay for it when he woke up.

Dream Continued

Electricity crackled on the air as dark clouds rolled in. A hard wind rushed through the alley, tossing of bits of trash and sending empty cans clinking against the hard ground. Kouga let out a hard breath, watched it gather in a small white cloud then dissipate. The temperature dropped, and what had been a warm summer night suddenly turned cold. Kouga hugged himself and pinched his eyes close. The blood that pumped through his veins went icy and caused goose bumps to rise on his skin.

"Please," He just barely choked the words free, before opening his eyes again. It had been a long time since it had happened, but here he was, once again. He would watch it once again, same as he had so many times before. He stared from the shadows of the alley, over the hard wood floors, past the large cobblestone fireplace and ended at the red head. Silently she sat in front of the large glass window, her eyes turned to the full moon just on the other side. Her red hair fell over her shoulders. Her emerald green yukata rose up her slender thighs and slipped off her shoulder, exposing one full breast. Kouga swallowed hard. He'd been here so many times before, and knew what awaited him if he continued to view the reels of his mind, but he couldn't look away. He dared and let his eyes travel lower to the swells of her abdomen.

A hot rush of tears rushed from the corners of his eyes and down his cheeks. He took and uneasy step forward bringing the room closer. If he could just touch her…just once more." Ayame…"

"How much longer, Kouga?" The question stilled him.

"Not much longer. Maybe a few minutes more." He heard himself say only he hadn't said it at all. He turned his head slightly watching as another figure came into view. It was him. He sat behind his canvas, lifting his eyes ever so often to catch sight of his model.

He saw Ayame from the corner of his eye raise from her seat, adjust her cloth and walk towards the other him. It had begun.

"We've been cooped up in this place for nearly a week. Let's go out."

"Stay over there." Kouga raised his hand motioning for her to stay put. "I don't want you to see it until it's complete."

She pouted her small pink mouth pinching tightly as she tossed her arms over her chest. "Oh, come on. I wasn't trying to look."

"Yeah, right." Kouga grinned glancing at her from behind the board.

"It's been awhile hasn't it…since we last visited that place?"

"So," Kouga shrugged.

"So, don't you miss it?" She took a step towards him.

"No."

"Liar." Ayame giggled. "You yourself said that there's no meat pie like the ones served at Sakura's"

"We're not going there." Kouga snapped looking up at her.

"Why?"

"You no why," Kouga answered resting his pencil in the tray and getting to his feet. "It's not safe, Ayame. Things have gotten a lot worse since the days when I was there." He cupped her chin and titled her head back until those soft green eyes of hers connected with his blue ones. "If anything were to happen to you two, I could never forgive myself." He said looking at her belly.

Ayame wrapped her arms around his wait and rested her head against his chest. "I am not afraid as long as you're there. And besides, we won't be there long. Only to get a good meal, and then we'll come back home."

"Our car alone will make us a target." Kouga pointed out, hoping to get some sense into that thick head of hers. West Tokyo had become an extremely dangerous place. A place no decent guy and his girl should travel alone to during the day and especially not at night.

"We'll park it in a garage and take the subway the rest of the way." Ayame looked up at him." Please, I need the fresh air after being stuck in here all week. And I'm dying for some of Sakura's home cooked meals."

Kouga studied her a second. Damn her and those eyes. One look and he was putty. Kouga looked towards the window where she'd been seated only minutes before. It was a full moon tonight. Not good. Something about a full moon made people crazy. Shit! He had a bad feeling, but she wouldn't let the matter go. It was his old territory, but most that had enough sense to fear him had either been killed through recent gang wars, or locked up. There was a new breed running the streets of West Tokyo. It was dangerous. Kouga looked at Ayame. Relentless. The matter was settled in her mind. Whether he took her or not she would have that meat pie. Damned cravings. It was best he escorted her.

"Alright!" Kouga sighed. "But in and out. Got it?"

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

He heard the sounds of bones being broken as the wind escaped his lungs. Sharp pain shot though his gut and his legs nearly buckled beneath him. Fuck! He should have followed his first mind. He should have talked some since into her and took her somewhere else. But they'd come here.

"Kouga!"

"Stay Back, Ayame!" Kouga barked peering at her through the one eye that wasn't battered closed.

"Don't worry, missy. We'll get you soon enough." Kouga heard one their attacker chuckle.

"Like hell you will." He grunted as he pushed his aching body upright. He could hear Ayame's frantic breaths ragged behind him. There were eight of them. He'd taken on more, but never with so much at stake. Kouga glanced back at Ayame, and then towards the bundle hidden beneath the oversized coat she wore. It didn't matter what happened to him, as long as they were safe. He had to make sure they were safe.

Kouga looked past Ayame tunnel a short way behind them. If he could just hold them off until she got there. There train would come in three minutes. She could get on. There was security on the trains. She'd be safe. They'd both be safe, but he had to keep these bastards here. Kouga looked back at Ayame, and saw her face drop. She'd read his face, and knew his plan.

"I won't!" She shouted at the top of her lungs, sending her voice echoing through the still of the night. "I won't leave you here."

Kouga looked away from her. He couldn't stand to see her cry. No matter the reason. "The train will arrive in those tunnels in two minutes. I want you to go."

" No!"

"Ayame!" he looked at her captured her eyed, and then took them lower reminding her of just what was at stake if she chose to stay there at his side. Ayame touched her belly nodded then turned and rushed towards the subway tunnel.

"Where the hell do you think your running off too?" One of their attackers prepared to give chase, but was stopped when Kouga jumped in his path.

"I wouldn't try that shit if I were you." Kouga hissed his voice lowering to lethal decibels. He scanned the group. Eight to one and the last swing from that guy's bat had busted his elbow. Fuck. The odds were bad, but he had little choice. Kouga ripped the remains of his powder blue silk shirt and tossed it to the ground.

"What the fuck is this? A strip show?" One of the men blurted drawing the group into all out laughter.

Kouga smirked and narrowed his eyes to slits. "Nah, I just don't want anything holding me back from kicking your ass. Now bring it."

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

" Mother….er…Fucker Talking…Shit!" Kouga took the blow, grunted and crumpled onto the ground. He couldn't move. Fuck he'd tried. But the last blow from that bat had done some mean damage to his leg. He was completely at his attacker's mercy. Well, fuck, at least his body had shut down from the shock. He couldn't feel a thing. He could only hear the crunch of his bones, and wonder where in the hell that sound had come from. "You aint talking shit now, are you?" The men chuckled.

"Fuck you," Kouga mumbled, drawing another round of kicks and punches. Fuck at this rate he'd be dead by sunrise, but at least she'd made it to safety. Ayame and the baby were safe that was all that mattered. He could taste his blood thick, and metallic pooled in the back of his throat. Every part of him from the top of his head to the tips of his toes had received some sort of injury. He was in bad shape. If he made it through the night, he'd be in the hospital for at least two weeks after this. That much he was certain of. But it was worth it.

Kouga heard a shrill to make his blood run cold. His entire body went rigid over the concrete slab where he lay. Had she? No. He swallowed hard; hoping his ears was lying and that Ayame had heeded his command and boarded that train. The shrill came again, pulling him onto his stomach. With what little strength he had left, he lifted his head and felt his heart plummet to the pits of his stomach.

"Don't touch me!" Her voice was panicked her eyes wild with fear as she stood surrounded by a group of five near the tunnel. She hadn't left when he told her too and now she was in peril. Kouga pushed up to his knees, to feel the hard steel of baseball bat being swung against his back. Another crack and he went down, his forehead striking the hard cement floor so hard he saw sparks behind his lids. She screamed again and he moved again to have the act repeated.

"Kouga...Kouga!" She was calling for him and his body wouldn't move. Fuck! His body wasn't answering him.

"Move god damn it!" He strained. He heard the swing of the bat cutting against the air and steeled his body in preparation for the blow. Numb from head to toe he couldn't feel a thing anyways. Kouga heard her frantic call again and looked up in time to see one of the men take hold of her arm. It was if the world stood still and the reel in his head went slow motion as he watched the final scene. He pushed to his knees, and somehow to his feet. Kouga's eyes darted between the men and Ayame, his own panic rising with each passing second. She didn't realize how close she was to it. He had to get to her. He had to reach her before she-

"Let me go!" Her final word rung through the night as she lost her footing. Ayame tumbled backwards her green eyes locked with his as she vanished through the tunnels opening. The shrill of her voice echoed through the night as she plunged through the darkness to the lower levels, and from his sight. Time stopped, and so did his heart. Pain ricocheted through his chest, and sucked the breath from his lungs. Their attackers vacated, and he wasn't sure when or how, but his strength returned and he found himself at the top of the steps gazing down into the hollow of the subway tunnel. . His legs gave out sending him to his knees. Hot tears fell from his eyes and splattered on the floor beneath him as he took her the sight of her body fetal like on the hard subway floor.

Kouga took a gasping breath…then another and another tears coming more urgent, his voice buried beneath the lump his throat. Blood pooled around her body, and she wasn't moving. Images flashed in front of his minds eyes. Their history and their future. Their future…their future…His eyes widened as the reality soaked in, clenching his heart and slicing through his soul. Ayame…Ayame was gone for his life… forever.

To Be Continued...