A/N: Brief apologies if Kouga seems OOC in this fic. I promise, I actually ADORE him, and enjoy giving him more depth and nuance than I do here. I often write Kouga/Kagome fics, and never like portraying him as the demon he was before he met Kagome. The tale just sort of made him that way…

Also, anyone doing Camp Nanowrimo this month? If so, PM me your username, and we can be writing buddies! I don't usually have much luck with their July version (November always turns out better for me), but I'm giving it another go this year.


- CHAPTER NINETEEN – REVENGE -


Ayame stared at her former leader and a human girl wielding Kikyo's bow, trying to keep her face stern. The sight of Inu-Yasha, who'd once given her shelter and shown her such kindness, kicked her harder than she thought it would. It was easy to go along with Kouga's machinations when she'd been far from her old home, but up close, face to face with the man who'd saved her from a band of pitch-forked villagers when she was only thirty, was more painful than she'd imagined.

Inu-Yasha snarled and immediately surged to Kagome's side. "Get behind me," he hissed, lowering his hand to the sword at his hip. His gaze swept the intruders, jarring to a halt at Ayame. A flicker of grief flashed in amber, before steeling to hate.

The black bow still hung suspended from Kagome's hand, horizontal in the air, and Inu-Yasha's arm brushed it in his rush to protect her.

A hiss of seared skin and trail of smoke rose up into the air. Burned flesh stung Kagome's nose, and she whipped the bow upright, staring at Inu-Yasha's burned wrist in astonishment.

"What—?"

"Kagome," his voice was urgent. "Get. Behind. Me."

Kouga's grin grew cruel. "It won't help," he looked over his shoulder. "My brothers are keeping your brethren occupied," his tail wagged. "Long enough for me to end this, once and for all."

Ayame watched Inu-Yasha pale and pull the human roughly toward the tunnel, positioning himself between her and them. She caught more fear in his face than she'd ever seen in the decades she'd lived under his care, and tried not to let her shock show.

"I thought you were dead, Kouga," Inu-Yasha called, ignoring the pain in his arm, even while the smell increased. "Your wind witch hireling seemed to have done a thorough job."

Ayame glanced to her new leader, embarrassed as he rose to the obvious bait.

"I'm still here, Mutt!" Kouga spat, his tail puffing thick and indignant as it stilled its sway. "And I'm going to destroy you!"

Inu-Yasha managed a smirk. "Really?" His fingers closed around Tessaiga's hilt. "I have three more Ouja who'll quickly dispatch your pathetic allies," amber flicked up menacingly. "And then they'll be at your back."

Kouga rallied, cracking another wicked smile. "Ah, but you forget, dear hanyou. I know the softness of your heart," he moved suddenly, and Ayame felt strong hands around her throat.

"K-Kouga—!" She choked, stiffening. "What're you—?"

"Silence!" He ordered, pulling her against him.

Inu-Yasha crouched lower, emitting a growl without realizing.

The former prince leered. "I'll snap her little hanyou neck," he said. "It'll be easy."

Ayame felt fingers grasp the soft skin beneath her chin; they hadn't discussed this feint.

Is this for real?! Does he really mean to do this?!

"Surrender yourself," Kouga sneered. "Or I'll kill your traitor."

Inu-Yasha tried not to react, attempting to look bored. "Good," he managed a half-hearted shrug. "I don't care."

Even Kagome could see he didn't mean it, and realized with a sobering clarity the female wolf must be the hanyou Moegi had spoken of. "Wait!" She called, pulling an arrow from her quiver and loading it between trembling fingers. "If you harm her, I'll… I'll purify you," she stared at the arrogant youkai from the end of her arrow shaft. "It's the worst kind of death," she tried her best imperious glare. "If you sacrifice your comrade, I'll make you writhe in agony," she glanced to the other wolf, crouched, but starting to look uncertain. "I'll flood you with fire."

Kouga's smirk didn't falter. "You found yourself another miko, eh?" He drummed his claws against Ayame's throat. "You certainly go for a dangerous type."

"Shut up!" Inu-Yasha roared. "Kagome's no miko, and you have nothing over me!" He withdrew his father's sword, letting the zing of it leaving its sheath fill the air. "It's time I ended this feud," rage sparked in his eyes. "With your head at my feet!"

Kouga eyed the beaten blade and exchanged a look with Hakkaku. "We'd better retreat," he mocked. "I think he plans to beat us with a brittle hilt."

Inu-Yasha straightened, hefting Tessaiga high. "Just wait," he shot back, staring up at the sword. Kagome was here, and he was protecting her – surely the sword would transform again.

Kouga dug his claws into Ayame's neck in answer, pricking blood as she started to struggle and swear against him.

"Let… me… go!" She choked out, thrashing in his arms. "You can't… do this!"

"Shut up!" Kouga growled, keeping his eyes trained on the hanyou and human before him. "Why do you think I adopted you into my tribe in the first place, Ayame? This is all you've ever been to me!"

She ceased struggling immediately, her jaw going slack. "W-What?"

"I took you in knowing one day you'd be a weapon."

"LIAR!" Inu-Yasha shouted. "Seducing her away is what started ALL of this!"

Kouga shook his head. "Your youth is showing Inu-koro," he mocked. "I knew your arrogant, blustering father long before you were born. His ridiculous ideals of 'living peacefully among the humans' were spouted as far as the east, and suddenly my people were scorned for hunting and eating their flesh," he bent to Ayame's cheek and sniffed. "I can even smell the mortality on this one," he opened his mouth, grazing a fang down her face. "And although my hunger has abated," he straightened. "My hatred has not."

Kagome stepped out from behind Inu-Yasha, pulling her bowstring back. Without further warning, she stilled her breath and loosed her arrow, aiming for the mohawked wolf beside Kouga.

Hakkaku whipped his head up and launched himself out of the way, crouching down in a roll and coming up as it whizzed harmlessly overhead. His eyes widened at the tingle it left in the air, an uncomfortable prickling sensation that made everyone with youkai blood freeze.

The hairs on the back of Inu-Yasha's neck rose, and he gaped at the girl, stunned. "How did you do that?!"

Kagome didn't answer, plucking one of her last two arrows and fastening it between her thumb and forefinger. "Release her," she commanded, no longer needing to fake the authority in her tone. "Right now."

Kouga dug his claws deeper, and Ayame began to gasp as he cut off her oxygen supply. "That's not how this works," he said. "Drop your weapon, or I'll break her neck."

Kagome pulled the string back to her ear, aiming for his legs and released it without pause. Indignation flashed in Kouga's face before he threw Ayame aside and dove for a boulder. The feathers of the arrow shaft grazed his ankle as it rocketed past, and the acrid smell of singed fur wafted up.

"You WRETCH!" He howled, heaving himself at her, claws extended.

Inu-Yasha intercepted his dive, slicing the still inert sword forward. As he swung, a boom sounded and a clap rang out over the ledge.

Kouga veered left, suddenly faced with a gleaming fang of unbelievable breadth, vibrating with power. Inu-Yasha started to lift the heavy blade, and Kouga didn't hesitate, reacting with reflexes he'd honed over centuries of survival. He ducked around and plucked the human girl from her stance, shoving the bow from her hands and snaking arms around her back and thighs. The black wood burned his fingers, and he roared, scooping her from the ground and racing to the edge.

Pounding feet sounded behind him, and he leapt off the snow-strewn ledge without looking back. Kouga sailed with his astonished captive through the air, landing and bursting into a run. The hanyou would lose against him in an all-out sprint, especially slowed with his now gigantic sword. Kouga pounded across packed dirt that quickly gave way to flattened field and risked a glance back.

Inu-Yasha had jumped over after him, as if the two remaining wolves weren't still at his clan's doorstep, and Kouga managed a small smirk.

This one blinds him.

Kagome began to buck in his arms, recovering from her shock. Her quiver was empty, upended in their fall, and she pounded fists into his chests, glaring up in fury. "Put me DOWN!" She screamed, making his ears twitch in discomfort.

Kouga didn't answer, pouring more strength into his legs and barreling away. In the distance, he heard yelps and growls from his four-legged brothers, still embroiled in their diversion, and pursed his lips together, whistling high and long.

Weak fists continued to hit his collar and armor, and he glanced down in annoyance. If Inu-Yasha weren't still close behind, he would have snapped the girl's neck and been done with this whole debacle. As it were, he only needed a few more minutes of space. Letting the hanyou find her cold, lifeless form – from a safer distance – made him smile and push himself harder.

"I'm going to enjoy snuffing the soul from your body in one twist of my wrist," he whispered. "So, struggle while you can, miko."

Kagome met his eye, glaring hatred. "It'll be the only enjoyment you'll have again," she spat. "Because if Inu-Yasha doesn't kill you, Ayame certainly will."

Kouga leapt a mound of gathered rocks, racing for the tree line. Inu-Yasha's heavy breathing was still close, but he could no longer feel the shadow of his father's sword at his back. "Too bad you won't be around to see it," he taunted.

Knuckles appeared out of nowhere, connecting with his chin in a surprisingly forceful punch. "I don't think you're horrible enough to kill an unarmed, defenseless woman," she retorted, managing to sound crisp.

Kouga turned his head back around, glowering down. His chest heaved, whether from the beginnings of exertion or outrage, and his steps slowed unconsciously. "You don't know me at all, miko," he hissed, shifting his hold around her and flinging her over his shoulder, raking her face and hands across his armor as he did so.

Kagome cried out, now staring at his tail and fur-covered legs. A cloud of dust had risen in his wake, and she stretched her neck, trying to see through it. No flash of haori greeted her, and she opened her mouth, needing to buy Inu-Yasha more time. "Oh no?" She made her voice mocking. "A youkai who sacrifices his own clan for a vendetta that runs deeper than his enemy even knew existed?"

Kouga gritted his teeth.

"Sounds like someone weak and fickle, who fixates on plans serving only himself," Kagome continued to speak, feeling his shoulders tense under her waist. "I don't think you have the strength or resolve to murder me."

Kouga burst through the trees, darting low hanging branches and boughs covered in needles, veering right and left, changing directions and muddling his trail. He knew Inu-no-Taisho's son had a powerful nose, but he might be too overcome to use it effectively. Up ahead, Kouga made out the sound of running water, and surged onward, pleased to have found something to dilute his pursuer's nose.

"Not only am I strong enough," he said, purposefully running her into sharp, leafless branches. "But I will gain a great deal of pleasure from it," his smile returned as she winced against him, the brittle branches raking long streaks of red along her bared legs and arms. She didn't cry out again, and he ran through several more, hoping to illicit a response.

"Ha," Kagome laughed mirthlessly, unwilling to give him the satisfaction. "What a pitiful creature you are, Kouga."

He reared, almost losing balance. "P-Pitiful?!"

"Do you think you'll be impressive or formidable in Inu-Yasha's eyes by taking my life? I'm defenseless and alone. When he catches you, he'll run you through; you'll die a petty coward who needed to flee before exacting his revenge."

Kouga recovered from his stumble and sprinted ahead, no longer seeing the trees or obstacles as well, vision blurred at the audacity of this frail creature. "I am no coward."

Kagome flinched as he knocked her against a trunk, pushing the breath from her lungs. "Then why…," she gasped. "Are you… running?"

He growled and plowed forward, breaking through a copse of pines and splashing into a wide stream. The sun was sinking in the west and refracted bits of light in the fast current. He paused in the river, wading through with a purposeful linger. Water would wash away his scent, and Inu-Yasha would lose the aid of his nose.

Kouga clambered up the banks, more careful when slipping back into the trees, not wanting to brush the girl and leave a new trail.

"I'll show you," he threatened, breaking into a tentative jog. "How wrong you are."


Kagura flew low in the gathering dusk, wincing at the effort it was taking to maintain her feather's form. It, and her fan had been returned, with explicit instructions on the steps of Naraku's estate. She was to kill the hanyou who had taken Kagome, and bring her back immediately. Her sadistic jailer had only squeezed the scroll once, and she had lifted off without further protest, wanting only to be away from his terrible mansion and his reeking city.

Rin hadn't been there – her smuggled water had been reported by one of the guards, and she had been punished. When Kagura inquired about her, that was when Naraku had reminded her of his childlike temper and delight in doling pain.

Kagura left the city limits, heading for the surrounding forest, mystified why her mind was drifting to the child. Her heart hurt whenever she thought of her obedience and manners, and the youkai wondered how deep the effects of Naraku's spell went.


Inu-Yasha ran, Tessaiga heavy over his shoulder, vaulting fallen logs and crunching down on old, curled leaves as he chased after the retreating wolf. His mind was paralyzed, even as his body acted, thinking only of the roaring drone that Kagome's surprised face sounded in him. Her scent was heavy in the shadowed forest, lingering on branches and an occasional trunk, and he surged onward, wanting only to catch a glimpse of her, to know she was safe. He thought of his angry words on the ledge, and felt a hot lump of choking regret in his throat.

Don't let them by my last to her, he thought, coming upon a stream.

His enemy knew him well. Inu-Yasha stopped, chest and shoulders swelling for breath, searching for the new direction he had gone. Kagome's scent had been washed away, swirling down and becoming muddied in the coursing water. Inu-Yasha tried to inhale long and slow, forcing himself to scan the area over succumbing to panic. Terror pooled in the strengthening night around him as his imagination conjured her bloodied, unconscious form in every knoll and bush-lined dip.

A wolf howled in the distance, and he wished suddenly for one of his telepathic brothers, so they could reach out for the minds of Miroku and the others, assuring him they were dealing with the enemies he'd left alive.

Amber eyes caught a purposefully snapped twig hanging from a low branch in the dim gloom, and he rushed through the river, bending down and sniffing it tentatively.

Kagome had reached out and broken it, leaving a scent behind that filled him with hope.

She's alive, and she knows I'm still here.

He rushed onward, keeping the knowledge like a flare in his chest. "I'm coming," he whispered. "Just hold on."


Ayame sat numbly, her head heavy, her bruised neck unable to support its weight. Hakkaku took a knee beside her, and she felt him palm her back.

"Are you alright?" He asked.

She felt his eyes jump from her marred throat to the rest of her, searching for further injury. Although his full youkai senses far surpassed hers, she could still see him clearly in the darkness. "Did you know?" She asked hoarsely, ignoring the pain the words caused in her abused windpipe. "That I was only ever a pawn?"

The hand was joined by another, and she was suddenly enveloped in arms. "You weren't," lips spoke by her ear. "You were – are – as much my sibling as Shoka or Ginta," his words hitched at his friends' names, and he drew her into his chest. "None of us knew."

Ayame sniffled, trying to swallow down the rush of tears that threatened to well. "I've lost everything," she whispered into the fur of his shoulder. "I have no one now."

Hakkaku slid his hand up to the back of her head, threading fingers through her hair. "No. It's Lord Kouga who's alone," he pulled back, looking earnest. "He's led us to ruin, and his disregard for our loyalty is now obvious."

Ayame met his gaze, hoping the sincerity she saw was authentic.

"I am with you," he assured, brushing her cheek with a calloused thumb. "And we won't let Shoka's son grow up with a leader like him."

She started to nod, when a form flew through the air and landed before them. "Hakkaku," she pulled on his arm, pointing at the koumori who was straightening, bleeding from her forehead and wing. "The Ouja are back."

He turned as a purple mist carrying a furious hebi appeared. "Oh shit," he shot to his feet, and Ayame copied him, rising and lifting her chin. The situation worsened as a large cat, flames blazing around her limbs and twin tails, materialized above the ledge, straddled by two human taijiya. The pair sported multiple cuts and bite-marks, brushing tufts of wolf fur from each other's armor. They squinted down in the dancing light cast by their stead, warily dividing their attention between the hanyou and them.


Kouga brought the human to a small, shallow cave, nothing more than a shadowed dip among the dense, dark forest. Dropping her dispassionately, he crouched before her, scanning her like the quarried prey she was.

"You dole judgement freely, mortal," he growled. "Allow me to do the same before I extinguish your light."

Kagome held back the shiver of fear that wanted to take hold, lifting her chin instead. He was hard to make out in the moonlight, but she wouldn't give him cause to know how diminished her eyesight was. She had to keep him talking – every minute he wasted was one Inu-Yasha could use. "I'm eager to hear it," she said, proud there was only a slight tremble in her voice. "One with as little self-examination as you must have grand insight into the workings of others."

Kouga snarled, baring rows of sharp canines. "You speak as if you know me, know what I've endured, what I've overcome," he reached out and grabbed her waist, dragging her close. "But you're a fool who's time alive compares to moths and mosquitoes," he smelled her terror, relishing in its dark spice. "Want my observation?" He leaned down, speaking at the round shell of her ear. "You were a prisoner of Inu-Yasha's, yes? Held hostage against your will?" He needed no nod from her. "Now, you've been convinced and conditioned by your internment," his lips moved against the girl's skin, tasting the sweetness of tainted innocence in her. "He's embedded his desires in you, and now you think them your own," the wolf smiled as she jolted, bucking against his words. Pulling away enough to see her face, he caught wide, shocked eyes, filling with hurt and incredulity.

Call me a coward, miko. My words can bite as well.

"T-That's not—!"

"It is true," he interrupted, pleased as emotion charged her scent, pooling a heat in his belly. For a moment he forgot they were being pursued, interested only in eliciting more reaction. "Now that I've captured you, you will invariably fall for me. Your will is as weak as your human form."

Kagome's face flushed in outrage. She jerked her arm up from her side, whipping it through the air, connecting a wide-spread palm to his cheek. Red bloomed from the slap, and it was the youkai's eyes that now widened.

"You and Inu-Yasha are both late to the abduction scene," she rebutted in a near-snarl. "It's not theft that promotes feelings in me! Trust me."

Dimly, amid shock, Kouga wondered what did promote them, and how one might accomplish such a feat. The female before him was far too opinionated and vocal, but her scent and visage were enticing. With the right male guiding her, she could prove… pleasing. His thoughts were swiftly interrupted as the sound of rushing feet and gulping inhales struck his ears. Inu-Yasha was nearing.

"You and I will continue this conversation shortly," he said, unaware his voice had a husky, strained quality to it. "Do not call to your hanyou if you want to reunite with him alive."

Kagome immediately opened her mouth and shrieked at the top of her lungs. "INU-YASHA!"

A breeze picked up high overhead, batting the trees about them wildly. Kouga glowered down, vision going red.

Her alluring taste will never compensate for such deliberate insolence!

"Y-You dare—!?"

Another gust interrupted, causing him to stiffen. He recognized the first tendrils of stench on the wind, and a curl of dread wound through him. Grabbing the girl, he wrenched her over his shoulder, preparing to take off at a sprint.

"INU-YASHAAA!" She cried again

"We must flee wench," he growled. "Be quiet!"

"HURRY!"

"Silence!" Kouga ordered. "The wind witch approaches!"

The steps grew loud, and a seething form swathed in red burst from a wall of rocking trunks and thrashing branches. "Let her go, you bastard!" Inu-Yasha shouted, holding Tessaiga high.

The hanyou's presence held little sway over the dread spreading out to his limbs – Kagura's genocide of his entire tribe took up all concern.

"No," Kouga's brow furrowed as he stared up at the sky. "I think I'll keep her," at Inu-Yasha's audible growl, the former prince managed to sneer, despite the panic screaming for him to bolt. "Maybe put a few pups in her belly, along with some humility."

Inu-Yasha swung Tessaiga low, aiming for fur-covered legs. Kouga leapt away easily, the strike rushed and sloppy.

"Careful Mutt," he called. "With that aim, you might hit your little human," he clutched Kagome's upper leg, claws stretching to her inner thigh, knowing it would further derail the Ouja leader. "Of course, if she's simply property to you, you would only care that she's not possessed by another, not that she's actually safe."

Fury splotched Inu-Yasha's cheeks. "I'll KILL you!" Tessaiga whistled through the air, arcing for the wolf's side.

Kouga evaded again, jumping high and landing on a sturdy tree branch. "You see, miko?" He whispered, setting the girl against cool bark. "If he cared for you, why does he attack with you in the blade's path?"

Kagome answered by rising to her knees and giving him a sound shove, pushing him from his perch.

His wide-eyed surprise was her last glimpse before darkness swallowed his outline. She heard him land, and Inu-Yasha and he began exchanging terse threats, filling the air with snarls and near-barks. Kagome craned down, trying to make them out, when pale arms materialized from behind. Hands flew for her face, covering her mouth and jerking her back into a small chest.

"You're coming with me, human," a woman's voice hissed in her ear. The rustle of a silk kimono sounded, and Kagome craned her neck, trying to see. Red eyes flashed in the gloom as fingers lifted from her mouth, pressing on a point at the base of skull. Kagome's eyelids fluttered as the world disappeared, and she slipped from consciousness.