Caught Off Guard

Ch-3

Awakening

Disclaimer- I don't own Inuyasha but I'm looking at how much I got in my college fund. ::counts money::

The next morning Kouga was the first one up not that it was different than any other day but today he was pacing around like a caged animal. A thousand questions were racing through his mind. Looking to the sky every once and a while as though it would give him the answers he was looking for. Who is she? What happened to her? If she is the leader to a pack, where is her pack? Only one thing seemed to be able to take his mind from the injured girl, Kagome. Maybe I should visit her? You know she how mutt-face is treating her. That's it I'll go see Kagome! Kouga turned around and darted toward the cave entrance to find Ginta and Hakkaku.

Kouga looked around for his two companions. When he found them he was shocked at what he found. Ginta and Hakkaku were curled up next to the fire, arms wrapped around each other trying to stay warm. Kouga burst out laughing causing the two demons to pull away from each other and blush a deep crimson. Kouga slowly gained control over himself and looked out to the East where the sun was creeping over the horizon.

"You need something Kouga?" Hakkaku asked before rubbing his tired eyes that were still a bright red.

"I'm going to go visit Kagome," Kouga said simply watching the sun paint the sky beautiful shades of red, purple and gold. Ginta whipped around and his jaw dropped in shock.

"You don't know where she is, and what about the girl? What if her pack comes looking for her?" Ginta began ranting.

"There is a small village in the north Kagome and dog-breath visit every now and then. I'm going to go and see if they're at the village I'll be back in three days tops. So…you two coming?" Kouga asked looking at the two astounded demons. Ginta and Hakkaku turned and looked at each other before shaking their heads.

"We have double shifts this week. Plus Kelum can't do it since he's watching the entrance to Likio's den. Were short men due to the war with the birds of paradise Kouga, " Ginta began gesturing towards the den. Hakkaku looked desperate to go. He sat on his knees bowing his head with his eyes scrunched together.

"Fine," Kouga sighed, "I'll go alone but if anything ANYTHING at all happens while I'm gone come and get me immediately!" Kouga turned and bent down onto his knees he lowered his eyebrows and looked Ginta in the eyes. Hakkaku looked very displeased. "And I do mean immediately!" Kouga said turning his attention to the depressed Hakkaku. He made sure bot h understood and nodded before jumping to his feet and using the power of the jewel shards to dash away.

-With Inuyasha's Gang-

It was a rather crisp morning in Kaede's village. Many of the village women were outside starting the daily chores. Inuyasha sat in one of his favorite trees by the river watching a few villagers come and go. He was watching a particularly large fish jumping in the river when a small bundle of fur landed lightly before him on his branch.

"Inuyasha?" Shippo asked looking at the hanyou's golden eyes, "When will Kagome be back again?" Inuyasha snorted.

"I already told you like fifteen times, she'll be back by dinner," Inuyasha said leaning back on the tree trunk. Shippo leapt off the branch and began chasing a large yellow and black butterfly around the tree trunk. That's when a rather unmistakable scent met Inuyasha's delicate nose. Inuyasha growled, "What the heck is Kouga doing here?" Inuyasha stood up on the thick branch to spot the tornado rushing towards him pushing random villagers' aside. Shippo took a large breath his eyes grew wide and he ran off to fetch Miroku and Sango knowing Inuyasha would wish to fight. "What are you doing here Kouga?" Inuyasha snapped.

"Hey, mutt-face where's my Kagome?" the overly cocky wolf demon asked. Inuyasha put his hand on Tetsusaiga's hilt.

"Now why would I tell you that?" Inuyasha looked around, "Where's your pals? Surely you didn't find your way here on your own."

"You mongrel! Tell me where she is now!" Kouga shouted but was interrupted by Sango.

"What are you doing here Kouga?" Sango asked her giant boomerang on her shoulder Shippo smirked from her shoulder.

"I'm just surprised he made it here without his two lackeys," Inuyasha snapped.

Kouga snapped back beginning a long argue for sure. As Kouga and Inuyasha began their usual arguments Miroku slowly approached from behind his staff jingling in his hand. His violet eyes sparkled in the morning sun as he took in the situation. Kouga is ticked, as is Inuyasha, usual. Kagome's not here, that could be bad. Sango looks beautiful this morning… That's when Miroku's thoughts wandered off into the gutter and apparently got lost there.

"Feh, you stupid flea-bitten wolf. Can't you see Kagome's not here?"

"I can see that you mongrel!" Kouga's pointed ears were turning an interesting shade of red, as he grew only angrier by the second. Inuyasha took a deep sniff then began coughing.

"What's wrong with you today? I know you usually stink but have you gone a few weeks without a bath or what? You reek!" Inuyasha said smirking at the dangerous look Kouga was giving him. Kouga looked himself over carefully until his eyes landed on a small patch of dried blood on his left arm.

"Huh, guess it came off that girl," Kouga said to himself as he used a claw to scrap it off. Inuyasha tilted his head to the side.

"What girl?" Inuyasha asked looking to his left for the girl.

"That is none of your business!" Sango and Miroku began to chat in the background while Shippo sat and mimicked Inuyasha and Kouga's fighting moves routing both on.

"Do you think Kouga's wolves attacked another village, Lord Miroku?" Sango asked staring at the two fighting demons.

"I doubt it. Kouga would never attack another village. He wouldn't risk it. Kagome would never even consider loving him if he continued killing the villagers." Miroku said watching Shippo imitate the quarrel.

"He doesn't smell like humans to me," Shippo piped up, "It's wolves blood." Miroku looked up from the young kitsune to the two demons.

"Kouga!" Miroku called out.

"What do you want monk?" Kouga asked dodging a blow from tetsusaiga.

"How do you explain having wolves blood on your arm? I don't know of any females in your pack from what Kagome has told us she never saw any." Miroku's staff jangled noisily as he walked in between the two demons, not exactly the best place to be. The two demons stopped fighting and stared at the monk. Inuyasha placed tetsusaiga back in its sheath and waited for Kouga's response.

"I told you before! It's none of your business what my pack does. And to get you off my back about the blood, Ginta and Hakkaku found an injured girl in the woods. Our healer is trying her best to save her, now do you have a problem with that monk?" Kouga put his face inches away from Miroku's face. His eyes widened as he slowly backed away shaking his hands in front of him.

"NO, no, no, no, no." Miroku stammered. "Just curious that's all." Miroku put on a cheesy grin as he staggered back to Sango and Shippo. Kouga took a look around.

"Kagome isn't with you then?" Kouga asked to no one in particular. Miroku shook his head.

"She has gone home." Miroku started but was interrupted by an infuriated howl from the wolf prince.

"What? You let her go? Alone?" Kouga shouted his eyes flashing red. "She could get hurt!" Kouga continued babbling about how many different things could happen to Kagome. Miroku and the others rolled their eyes and sighed.

"You think we should tell him where she is?" Sango whispered. Miroku shook his head and Shippo leapt upon his shoulder.

"I really doubt if Kouga would understand," Shippo whispered listening to Kouga's ramblings, "Especially in this state." Sango nodded.

"Where is her home? Is it in the village?" Kouga began rambling off places Kagome might be.

"Will you shut up if I tell you where she is?" Inuyasha asked catching Kouga's attention. Kouga stopped rambling and slowly nodded at the hanyou. "The one place you'll never be able to find her or see her." Inuyasha smirked at the shocked look on Kouga's face. Kouga shook with rage.

'Take me to her!" Kouga screeched.

"Kagome will be back by dinner. Let's let them figure it out. Meanwhile, let's go have breakfast shall we?" Miroku said leading Sango and Shippo away.

Meanwhile at the Den

Likio changed the bandages on the girl's hands once more only to have them instantly soaked through. Likio picked up her herbs and replaced them on their proper shelves. After replacing all of her herbs she walked straight out of the den with a sigh. Standing at the entrance was Kelum.

"Where you headed Likio?" Kelum asked yawning from the long shift.

"I'm going to get some cool water to cool the girl's fever. I'll be back soon," Likio said walking off. Kelum watched her head for the entrance before turning to a whispering group of demons. They looked at him before whispering even quieter. They're probably planning how to get a look at the girl. Best to end it now. Kelum walked over to break up the group of plotting demons.

The girl stirred on the small pallet of furs. The den was very dim yet so bright to her eyes. The light came from a single lit torch and a small beam of light from the doorway. Where am I? She thought trying to sit up but instantly regretted it. Pain shoot up her back and stomach causing her eyes to water. She winced when her back hit the soft furs once more. She lifted her right arm and examined the bandages. What happened to me? Oh yeah those traitors Kuri, Makaio and Matsu did this to me! They'll pay for their incompetence. Another wave up pain went through her body as she flexed her bandaged arm.

Her throat was terribly sore and she wished nothing more than to have a drink of cool water. Moving only her head she gently investigated the small den. Herbs lay on their shelves neatly grouped together. She yelped when the pain shot through her again. Suddenly she heard hurried footsteps coming her way. With each footstep her head felt like it would burst. She turned her head to see who was coming. "Who is there?" She snapped. She could see the silhouette of a woman carrying something. The person stared at her a moment before entering the den.

"Don't give me any attitude girl! I've taken care of you all night! You are in no position to harass me!" Likio snapped nearly dropping her water bucket, "Now I need to be able to address you properly. Now tell me your name. Mine's Likio." Likio used a calmer tone now.

"My name is," the girl began before coughing, "My name is not a concern of yours, Likio." The girl practically spat Likio's name out. Likio straightened up. "How'd I get to this place anyway?" Likio sighed.

"Two of our warriors Ginta and Hakkaku found you bleeding to death in a clearing. They carried you here and put you in my charge. Oh, that reminds me." Likio said before yelling for Kelum.

"Kelum? Who's that?" The girl asked looking down the tunnel after her head stopped thumping from Likio's yelling.

"Kelum is the packs best warrior besides Kouga .We recently lost a few hundred men so Kelum is playing guard duty for a bit.

"Ok, now tell me one more thing."

"Ok, shoot," Likio said placing the water bucket down and getting a clean rag.

"Who's Kouga?" Likio's jaw nearly dropped, as did a whole shelf of herbs.

"Kouga is the new leader of the Eastern Wolf Tribe. He is currently out on business but he's sure to return once he hears you have awoken," Likio said laying a cool rag across the girl's forehead, "Now you must tell me two things as well."

"Fine."

"One tell me your name, two what happened to you?" Likio saw different emotions flash in the girl's eyes, fear, pain, confusion and anger stuck out like sore thumbs.

" I will give you my name and rank. But I will not tell you what happened to me until I have spoken with this Kouga," A certain venom was used when she said Kouga's name, " My name is Tala and I am the leader of a diminutive pack to the West. Likio nodded.

Kouga said you were leader of a small pack. So I guess his assumption was indeed correct," Likio turned to see Kelum standing in the doorway.

"So your name's Tala. Well Tala, I'm Kelum head Mercenary of the Eastern Pack." Tala nodded at the redheaded demon. Kelum gestured his head toward Tala and two more demons entered the already packed Den.

"You're awake!" Hakkaku chirped. Ginta smiled gently before sitting against a wall.

"Yes and wondering who the heck you two are," Tala snapped irritably. She was getting terribly annoyed at the number of people in the den talking making her head pound.

"Sorry, Tala this is Ginta," Likio gestured to the demon with multicolored hair sitting against the wall, "And this is Hakkaku," Likio said pointing to the demon with a Mohawk on his head. Tala nodded and tried to sit up again. Pain shot through her like lightning across the stormy sky. Tala's eyes rolled back as she fell back onto the pallet. Her head lolled to the side as she fainted. Likio fell to her knees and pulled the cloth of Tala's forehead, it was nearly dry. Likio placed the back of her hand upon Tala's forehead but pulled back in fear of scalding herself.

"She's burning hot," Likio whispered in to the dead stillness of the room All eyes were on Tala. All that was heard was Tala's raspy breathing. After a few long moments Kelum broke the silence.

"Hakkaku, Ginta, go get Kouga. His orders were clear to get him if anything happened with Tala." Hakkaku and Ginta were like statues.

"NOW, WHILE WE'RE STILL YOUNG!" Likio snapped. The two demons scrambled out of the den bumping into numerous walls and other pack members along the way.

Lupe- So I let you know her name. Happy?

Carmen- You still left a evil cliffy

Piper- Yeah you finally typed it up!

Lupe- Now if I'm lucky I'll get some reviews! (Hinthint winkwink nudgenudge) OH YEAH! D.A YOU BEST READ AND REVIEW THIS THING!