"But, I like the way she smells more."

Kogas right eye twitched.

He was currently crouched to the ground in front of Taka, his back facing the pup waiting for him to climb on.
His tail flicked with irritation.

"What did you say?" He snapped.

His patience was thinning.

He was just trying to get back to the mountain.
Back to his pack.
Back to the worried parents of these bratty ass pups.

And the only reason why he didn't want to get on his back was because he preferred the smell of miko over him?

Kagome was standing next to them, holding her satchel and bow in her hands, quiver strapped to her back already ready for the journey to the mountains.

Orginally the miko offered to carry the little pup on her back, just like how she did yesterday.
Koga quickly dismissed her offer.
Hell would freeze over before he would allow a woman, especially Kagome, lug this little brat on her back while he was perfectly strong and capable of doing it himself.

"He basically said you smell."

Kogas eyes shot a warning glare to the other sniggering boy hiding behind Kagome.

Koga growled.

"Taka, we don't have time for -."

He stopped in midsentence as the miko next to him bent down close to his face.

Her eyes were closed, behind thick lashes. Locks of raven black hair cascaded over her shoulders as she bent over, the smell of lavender and vanilla now engulfing his nose.
He heard her do a couple quick sniffs, watching the tip of her nose twitch ever so slighly.

Was she smelling him? His eyes widened in surprise.

She's so close...

His tail snapped straight up, dark fur standing in attention.

He could feel his face burn up, dark blush now covering his cheeks.

He was already sweating from the morning summers heat, but his body felt like it was scorching hot now.

She opened her eyes slowly, making contact with his azure ones.
"I think you smell nice Koga." She smiled warmly, "the smell of pine, earth and musk. I like those smells."

He gulped.

She didn't know the wolf ways and traditions.

And if she did, she would have never did what she just did now- he knew.

Smelling each other was common within a wolf pack, a form a familiarity and comfort.
But, there was a certain ways of doing things just like in any culture.

She was so close, just mere millimeters away from his face. He felt the warm puffs of breath leaving her little nose. He could even see the clear droplet of sweat from the morning heat slowly dance it's way down her creamy skin.

The fact that she was so close, taking in his scent; obviously enjoying it, and still standing in front of him with no intention of backing away soon... was a sign of interest that she just proposed towards him.

A interest for a mate.

He didn't know what to say in this unexpected moment.

Instead he just stared at her with wide eyes as he felt his beast jump joyfully within him.

"PFFFFFTTTTT! HAHA!"

Loud obnoxious laughter erupted through the once quite forest.
Kai holding up a little clawed hand pointing directly at Koga "You're face!" He managed to say between laughs, "And your tail! haha!"

He felt mortified.

That's it!

"Why you little -"

"Did I say something wrong?" Kagomes eyes were etched with worry, darting between all three demons before her not quite sure what was going on.

Takas face was flushed, "Sister, you just -"

"Nothing!" Koga roared. "You didn't do anything wrong. Now Taka climb your ass onto my back right now! We're heading home. Now."

The little pup yelped in surprise by the sudden demand, but quickly climbed onto the crouched King before him. His skinny arms wrapping around Kogas thick neck, as Kogas hands went underneath the pups thighs pushing him slightly higher onto his back.

With ease Koga stood up and started marching towards the mountain.
Kagome and Kai following in his footsteps.

They walked in silence for a while, for probably an hour or so

And Koga welcomed it with open arms.

Then he heard it.

"Pine, earth and musk. Pft."

Koga stopped dead in his tracks, anger radiating from him.
He felt Taka hide his face in the crock of his neck, for fear on what the King might do to his friend.

Kogas turned slightly around, azure eyes glowing with irritation.
Taking a deep breath in, his chest expanding against his plate of armor.
That's when he realised something...

"Speaking of scents," he said through gritted fangs, "hand those talismans back to Kagome."

"Huh?" Kai gawked at the tall wolf king before him " Why?" His hand immediately went to his fur armband defensively to where the talisman was securely tucked away. "What about the demons?"

"I'm here now. Now give them back."

Koga knew he was forgetting something important... Those damn talismans.

He didnt need these two sneaky brats disappearing, causing the pack to go into utter chaos once again.

He felt Taka shuffle slightly, his hand going to his wrist band, pulling out the crinkled paper from within it.
Holding the paper out to the miko, "Here Sister."

She simply smiled, taking it from his hand, "Thank you."

As soon as she took it from his hand, the pups scent hit Kogas nostrils at full force.

Now for the other one.

"Kai." Koga said sternly.

Kai frowned, chest puffing up in defiance.

Koga growled in warning. He didn't have time for this.

With a roll of his gray eyes he pulled the paper from his wrist band, holding it up to Kagome. "Here" he sulked.

She took it from his little hands, placing it with the other talisman that Taka had given back to her. And to everyone surprise, except her own, she began to tear them up.

"What are you doing!?" Kai shouted in surprise as he watched the white torn pieces of paper leave the mikos hands and flutter to the forest floor.

"I tore them up." She simply stated, her lips tugging into an amused smile from the pups reaction.

"Why?" He groaned.

"They did their purpose; they've protected you when you needed their protection. Now we don't need them anymore."

"Ugh. Such a waste." This boy huffed crossing his arms across his little chest. All his future plans he had for the talismans now ruined.

Koga snorted.

He knew that boy would have caused havoc in the caves if he didnt remember about those talismans. Thank the gods he did remember, it saved him from constant headaches in the future.

"Come on, we have to keep moving." Just as Koga was about to turn back around and make his way towards the mountain, a wolfs howl erupted through the forest.

"Howlllllllll"

Everyones head in the group snapped in the direction of the howl.

Hakkaku..

He took a few quick sniffs, faintly picking up his packmate and the others.

Their just a few miles away..

Kogas tail swayed behind him with excitement as his head leaned back, face towards the sky. His mouth opened to unleash his own powerful howl.

The pups joined in with their King, creating a almost calming melody.

Then all of a sudden the whole forest seemed to erupt in hundreds of howls.

A smirk formed on his lips as he could hear his men make their way towards their King and his comrades.

"Koga?"

His eyes looked to his side to where the miko stood next to him. Hazel eyes glittering with curiosity.

She never heard me howl before..

Is she okay with it?

"My men are on their way to us." He simply stated, as the chorus of howls got closer and closer.

He watched her eyes widen slightly, now leaving his form to stare off into wooden forest ahead.

Within minutes large muscular wolves with furs of gray, brown and black stalked towards the little group. Their muzzles wide open showing their sharp fangs as tongues flapped out of them. Loud panting could be heard as they tried to regain their breath.

Wolf demons following behind them, cladded in silver and black armor with wolf furs. Spears, maces arrows and swords were held in their hands while their eyes glowed demonically.

They stepped out of the forest one by one until at least forty of them stood before the little group.

He heard Kagome take a nervous gulp, her little form shifting closer to him.

She probably never seen so many of us, he thought.

Wait till she got back to the cave... his tribe grew immensely since the last time she was inside the caverns.

"King Koga!" The group of wolf demons shouted, wolves howling in union.

Facing his men with a smirk on his lips, "Took you all long enough."