A/n: Well been away for a long time. Just didn't feel like doing something for some time, but don't worry I didn't stop writing.
Disclaimer: Inu yasha does not belong to me, his older brother on the other hand is completely mine. (insert evil laughter.) the story is based on Alice Borchardt's 'the silver wolf' so I don't own it either.
THE SILVER WOLF
BY Panthera1984
Chapter 11
The villa was quiet, but for a few early wolves. Sango could be found in the kitchen, softly humming while kneading dough for fresh backed bread. From the oven a heavenly scent wafted throughout the entire villa, waking wolfs from there slumbering.
A soft breeze picked up, chasing leaves and dust in all directions. In the patio near Kouga's rented villa a couple of wolfs were chasing after the leaves, there bodies sleek and shinny. Like trained dancers they followed the intricate patterns of the wind. From afar it looked like they were involved in a strange sort of dance. Closer up one would see eyes shinning with delight and jaws snapping at the leaves. There coats had already started to collect dust and dirt.
In a back garden Kouga and Miroku were talking softly, the perverted wolf for once oblivious to Sango's cooking. "So we'll finally meet your bride-to-be today." It was not a question.
"Yes." Came Kouga's answer, his hands roomed over the steal table covered with golden chain's, silver trinkets and the most loveliest jewels. Kouga looked thoughtful while picking up one necklace only to drop it and pick up something else. Miroku watched his leader, his violet eyes shrewd.
"What are you planning to give her?"
Kouga continued to run his hand through the trinkets a few moments more before looking up. "I am going to see what this so called king has granted me with. And this is just play, she wont be able to hide her true self through her reactions."
Miroku nodded and handed Kouga the brown sack. The other male proceeded by shoving in the priceless objects. In complete silence they went back to the villa, but not even Sango's supreme cooking's could lift their spirits. Today they would find out what the king had set them up with.
"You know. You don't have to live with her. Just put her in one of the houses in the valley. You don't even have to look at her that way." Miroku voiced, eying the sack with care. He might not be particularly sensitive, but even he could feel the blood-soaked memories of some of the baubles Kouga had in there.
For the barest moment Kouga eyed Miroku, his blue eyes seemed like chips of ice. Unconsciously Miroku took a step aside from his leader. "That is not an option." Was all he said, before going inside en joining his pack at the long wooden table. First he would eat, then he and his captain would pay a visit to his bride to be.
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Kikyo stood on a slightly raised platform. For appearance she looked like an aristocratic high born lady of good wealth. Not one thing told of her early beginning as whore. Or how she had worked her way up, becoming a mistress of many whores. Her skin looked a lovely creamy white, her face held beauty and youth. Her eyes shone cold, while she ordered her servants around. Next to her stood Kagome. All this was for her benefit. Kikyo had been very persistent about teaching her how she would have to deal with those under her. How to voice a command, how to go about sloppiness or sickness. Not a thing was left out, and all the while Kagome took it all in.
In fact Kagome had been woken very early, had been forced in a hot bath and scrubbed till her skin was a soft pink. Then two maids had clad her in the finest of silk so thin one could look right through them. Layer upon layer had been put on her body until her outfit became fit for a lady. Each layer had been a different color, making the final piece a myriad of ever changing rainbows.
She than had been led to this spot and from there on she had been on the receiving end of Kikyo's ever flowing stream of knowledge. Kagome supposed she should be happy they had not yet approached the bedchamber secrets. Her ears turned a soft pink at the thought alone.
Kagome continued to listen to Kikyo but let her thoughts wonder every now and then. Thoughts about Shippo came to her, how would the little boy be doing. Also she had yet to see Inu yasha again. All Kikyo had told her was that he was doing something to her benefit. But what could it possible be.
Her pondering was stopped with the coming of a flushed looking servant girl. Kikyo too had noticed the arrival and eyed the girl what disdain. Kagome was sure this was due to the improper way the servant not only approached her, but also because her clothing was ruffled. And her face was surely not only flushed because she run all the way to here.
Looking at Kikyo from the corner from her eyes Kagome saw a small thinning of the lips before Kikyo pulled up a cold indifferent mask. Sometimes she and Sesshoumaru really could act alike. She had seen the pope do the same thing a couple of times. In just mere moments he would wipe all humanity from his face and leave nothing but a mask. It was… scary.
"My Lady the suitor is here. He is waiting at the front porch." The young girl whooshed out, further agitating Kikyo. "He says he is here to visit his attended. And to gift her with a present to seal their commitment."
Containing her displeasure towards the maid Kikyo turned to Kagome. "It seems we will have to continue on a later date. I will accompany you and serve as chaperone." Kagome nodded and watched Kikyo turn around and order a few of the servants to get some refreshments for their guests. Then she turned around again and took Kagome by the hand leading her to the front porch.
The few minutes window was all the servants needed to bring out a table and several soft chairs. On the table stood a teapot surrounded by several delicate cups, a silver trey with fresh backed cookies was brought just when Kikyo and Kagome reached the table. With a tiny nod Kikyo gave one of the waiting servants permission to get their guests.
Settling down Kikyo swiftly poured tea for herself and Kagome, she just filled a third cup when she noticed that their guest had someone with him. Grimacing Kikyo reached out for a fourth cup. A servant standing behind her had the task of handing the gentlemen their cups. Then when everything quieted down each person on the table had their first good look at one another.
Kikyo's sharp eyes dissected the pair and was not surprised to find strength in both males. She had not expected anything less from a man who owned a fort guarding a mountain pass. It was a harsh life up there, and she could know. Having spend her early childhood with her parents up in a high deserted area. Food did not grow there easily, and since there had been many mouths to feet her parents had chosen to sell of their most pretty daughters. Kikyo had at that time been the youngest. She still remembered the feeling of utter abandonment when she was hoisted up on the auction block. The night at the brothel that followed that day had been even worse. But here before her sat too men who knew about life, and looked well. Their lives must be profitable, otherwise she would have been able to see the telltale signs. Both however looked well fed and their clothing was of the finest stitch and cloth. Sitting back picking up her cup Kikyo took a sip. She needed to think.
Kagome was just look Kikyo and the men sitting opposite her taking the other in. To say she was shocked would be putting it mildly. Her eyes were drawn to the tall man with black hair. It was pulled up in a pony tail making his features more pronounced. But what really struck her were his blue eyes. Never had she thought such a color possible to exist in eye color. And from what she could tell he was also very well build, even his clothing was not able to hide that. It was only when she pulled her eyes away from their downward travel that she noticed that he was giving her a treatment quite like her own. Blushing a soft red Kagome quickly averted her attention to her teacup.
Taking a sip she tried to soothe her mind. Tension was spreading within her like wildfire and that never bode well. If her tension kept rising her sixth sense would become painfully heighten. All she needed was those man, not an army of wailing ghost. Forcing herself to steady her breathing Kagome took another sip and watched the black haired man.
Next to her Kikyo set back and enjoyed her thee. It seemed that this lord Kouga was a lot more than he seemed. There was something about him that she had seen many times. All of those people had turned out to be unique. Be it in strength or intelligent, in the end they were something else. She wondered what it would be with this one. 'what do you have up your sleeve lord Kouga' Kikyo keen eyes moved over the dark haired male once again. It was time.
"Welcome to my house. I will introduce myself and the bride to be." Kikyo smiled at the two and ignored the rather perverted smile the brown haired male shot back at her. "I am Lady Kikyo, currently caretaker of all things concerning the lady Kagome." She pointed at Kagome who dove into her teacup and tried not to make eye contact.
Kikyo watched as the black haired male slowly eyed Kagome, his eyes hard and emotionless as jewels. This was a dangerous man, no doubt about it. Sitting back down Kikyo waited for there next move, it came with blue eyed devil standing up.
"Thank you lady Kikyo for having us at your house. We are honored. As for introductions, this is my captain Miroku and I myself am lord Kouga. Fiancée to lady Kagome." He bowed to both woman and Miroku smiled friendly at them all.
"I also have brought a gift for my fiancée to honor her." Kouga said after that. He kneeled down and picked up the bag next to his chair. Coming back up he placed the bag before Kagome and slightly nodded his head. His eyes shadowed and unable to be seen watched her keenly.
Surprised Kagome shot up placing her cup rather harsh on its platter. The plate protested and Kagome was afraid she might have cracked it. Forcing herself not to think about such things she looked at the bag. It looked rather soft and lumpy. She couldn't imagine what it could possibly hold.
Careful she reached out and pulled the bag closer. She had at this point completely forgotten about Miroku, Kikyo and Kouga. Her sole intent was at the bag. 'what could possibly in this thing, its so heavy.'
With care she pulled the string lose and opened the bag. Getting more curious by the second she lowered the bag and released the contents. Two gasped could be heard when a stream of jewels, necklaces and rings of gold and silver pored out. Silence ruled for the next view seconds while Kagome and Kikyo eyed the contents. Never before had either woman seen such riches displayed before them.
Kagome was completely shocked. Before her an fortune that would support her for a lifetime lay carelessly displayed before her like it were nothing more than baubles. She could see rubies , emeralds and other stones glitter and sparkle between the silver and gold. Her breathing became short and her eyes widened in wonder. How could this be just a present, surely there must have been a mistake. No one would give this to a woman just to honor her. It was way too much.
Kagome was called out of her stupor by Kikyo's soft gasp and mutter. Looking up from the treasures she watched the elder woman. Kikyo's eyes had dilated, so there was barely any color to see but black and white. Her face had gone ghostly white under her powdered cheeks. Kagome was pretty sure not even Kikyo had seen such richest sprawled on one table.
Directing her attention back Kagome reached out to touch an beautiful golden necklace. It was an frail piece with very fine shackles connecting each other. An even finally shaped pendant was hanging from the necklace. Inside the fine golden wires rested a red stone, it shimmered prettily. The moment she picked it up Kagome regretted it.
An huge flash of white light followed with a headache the seize of Rome. With the headache came images. A woman receiving the necklace from what appears to be her lover, perhaps husband. The woman standing before a mirror looking at herself, wearing the necklace. Then that same woman crying, her lover had been found dead. The last image is of hands coming at her head with a knife. She killed herself Kagome thought while she recognizes the hands being those of the woman herself. Well that explained the headache.
Dropping the necklace like one would drop a red hot poker Kagome breath heavily. She didn't notice Kikyo's form hovering over her or Kouga's blue eyes watching her intensely, or Miroku raised from his chair wanting to help her but unable to do so. It is his voice that calls her from the remaining hold the memories have on her. Her fiancée's voice.
"I would be very much pleased if you would wear one of the jewels to our wedding. I would feel greatly honored." He whispers. Kagome could only nod and already her hand reaches out to pick up another trinket. By the time her brained kicked back into forward it was already too late. Crap.
This time the sensation is less intense, but that didn't mean the images were any less bloody. Another woman clad in nothing but a see through sheet is sprawled over a bed. Her body is outline on the white silk by a red line of blood, her own blood. Over her body hovers an man, his face contorted with rage, a knife richly splattered with blood goes up and down. Stabbing and keeps stabbing for hours more. Then at one point he regains his mind and sits up. Tears leak out of his eyes. And the next second he is screaming, filled with hurt and horror at what he had done. He killed the woman he loved, the only woman he ever loved. His friends had played him for a fool, and now it is too late. Stricken with grieve he bows over her dead form and places soft kisses on her bloodied lips. They make a starling beautiful picture, both beautiful humans clad in whites splattered with blood, kissing. Then he moves up and takes the small ring from her index finger. He leaves then, taking the knife with him. He stumbles outside not completely lucid anymore, not sure where he is going. He ends up by a river bank. He uses the same knife to kill himself.
Gasping hard Kagome throws the ring back in the table, her face covered with her own tears. She can feel Kikyo holding her and talking to her. Picking up a napkin to clean her face Kagome finally looks up at Kouga. Eyes clash and she knows, knows that he knows. That he had seen those images too. 'He is testing me, but for what.'
Shaken up but determined Kagome reaches out again, ignoring Kikyo's gasp and words telling her to stop. This time however Kagome carefully let her hand hover over the priceless objects. Many of them hold memories covered in blood and sorrow, not something she would want to wear. After a few minutes Kagome could feel a small tuck, not something she would have noticed if she hadn't been focused on finding something good among the rotten.
Hesitating Kagome hovered her hand over this particular necklace a little while longer. When she was pretty sure that it would not harm her she picked it up. Once again her mind was flooded with memories of a woman. She was laying on a divan her red hair spilling around her. She oozed contentment and happiness. Before her sat an black haired male. His hair was lose like hers and she lazily ran her hand through the silken masses. Just then he looked up and Kagome saw blue eyes like she had never seen before, until this day a few minutes ago. 'Kouga' her mind gasped. He looked at the woman with a heart warming smile and he lifted his head just a bit while the woman lowered hers. They kissed, just brushing there lips, and leaned back to their sides. The woman sighed and smiled, pleasure more intense then before. Kouga looked away again and woman kept up her patting. It was an happy memory, one that felt so good Kagome didn't want to leave. She had to of course.
When the last wisps of the memory left her Kagome put the hand which held the necklace close to her. Head lowered and bangs covering her eyes and nose she whispered. "I will were this one." She then looked up in those blue eyes of his. For the barest second she thought she saw satisfaction there, but it was gone so fast she might have made it up.
"A good choice. That necklace suits you." Kouga murmured. Then he shifted his attention to Kikyo who still stood behind Kagome holding her right shoulder with her right hand. Hovering over the girl protectively.
"I am very sorry, but we have to go again. There is much to take care of, and almost no time to prepare. I will see you at the wedding." Kouga rose from his seat and walked over to Kagome.
Kagome stood as well and accepted the hand he held out to her. Too her utter astonishment he lifted it up and turned it around exposing the palm and wrist. Before she could even begin to think about what he was planning she felt a hot sensation on her wrist. His lips covered her wrist and Kagome's eyes grew big when she felt the tip of his tongue flick over the sensitive skin. Kagome stayed in her stupor all the way through saying goodbye's.
It was not until Kikyo pulled her back inside that her brain started working. It took longer still before her brain functioned enough for her to understand language. And even longer for her to follow what Kikyo was saying. 'goodie. Were back at getting instructions on how to run a household'.
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Kagome looked out of the window with longing only to be called back to attention by Kikyo. Letting out a pitiful sigh Kagome wild side receded and the wolf retreated in the back of her mind. They would find a way to enjoy freedom later. Ever since that one night were she had met others of her kind Kagome had been thrilled.
It had already been a day since she met her fiancée. Even now she could still see those vibrant blue eyes of his. And at this point Kagome didn't know what to think anymore. Her feelings were so mixed up, going from fear to giddiness to anger and sadness. All of related to one point. The wolf, she was Kagome yet not entirely so. Still Kagome knew no other way of living and frankly she didn't think she wanted too.
Kagome was vaguely aware of Kikyo talking to her about Inu yasha and Sesshoumaru. Something about how glad she was with his recovery and that a lot of problems could be gotten rid of because of that. Also there was something about enemies that wanted to use Inu yasha against Sesshoumaru, Kagome wasn't really paying attention. Her eyes were fixed on Kikyo but her mind wasn't.
From roaming on her own life she went to contemplating the life she had coming at her. That was were it got hard. Would she be able to keep the wolf from Kouga, could she live an almost normal life. And more important, what if he did find out. What would he do to her. Kill her ban her. Make her suffer. She didn't even dare to think about him accepting her other form. That was simply asking too much.
Later that same day Kagome found her self surrounded by female servants and at least twelve wooden boxes. These were all becoming fuller and fuller with clothing, plates, jewelry and other necessities Kikyo though a woman aught to bring into her marriage. Kagome was quite lost amidst these riches. There was even s small little box made for the jewelry Kouga had given her. Kagome had no idea how Kikyo got the box at such short notice.
She had to admire the woman though. No mater what was happening around her Kikyo kept on going and helping Kagome get ready. She willingly tough the girl all she needed to know and even went so far as to supply her with everything she could ever long for. Kagome felt an undying love for the elder woman. If there ever was something she could do for her she would. Of course she already had done something for her. Bringing back Inu yasha was something no one else could have done. So maybe, maybe she had repaid her debt a little already. This thought warmed Kagome a little and in the back in her mind she could hear the wolf growl in content.
The day itself passed smoothly, no problems arouse and none of the thing on the list Kikyo made were unobtainable. The female servants came and went and by the time night set in Kagome was left alone. Earlier a couple of servants had taken her away to be cleaned and dressed her in a flimsy nightgown. This time Kagome was glad for it, it was a warm night and she hadn't been looking forward to sleeping in her normal nightgowns.
Lying in her bed the last thought to enter her mind was that her wedding was vastly approaching. Then she closed her eyes and let herself enter the dream world where she and her wolf form were completely free. Pleasant fantasies about running in the wild and playing with others like her filled her night.
But all she remembers waking up the next moment is but one dream. It brings tears to her eyes and for minutes all Kagome can do is cry. Cry because what she saw in her dream could never be true. Could never be. Her heart feels heavy when she finally stops crying. All this misery because she wants to believe in that dream so badly, so much. For a moment Kagome could feel a pain greater than anything she had ever felt before. Maybe death had finally come for her. But no such luck. Not for her.
Why can't he be the grey wolf. Everybody deserves a good thing in their life. Why can't mine be that this dream be true. That Kouga is the grey wolf. Then she call herself back together. There are other things to worry about. Like Naraku, her uncle had been strangely quiet. It could only mean one thing though. He was up to something. Something far more greater than his last plan. But what. What could it be.
A/n: next chapter will begin with the wedding and the ending. Stay tuned. Hope you liked their very special first meeting. Although Kouga wasn't very nice playing such a game. But I think nobody imagined such a meeting.
