A heavy sigh left the wolf kings lips as he stared off into the direction of the priestesses village. A rainbow of autumn colors decorated the forest for miles with splashes of forest green. The sky was darkening with hues of purples and pinks with the faint specks of stars.
The wolf demon sat upon one of the many mountain cliffs of his home, his body facing away from the setting sun with his legs crossed and back lazily hunched forward. His azure eyes broke away from the horizon and glanced down at his hand.
Fingers gently clutched a delicate thin silver bracelet with moonstones set into it. The colors of blue and gray shimmered in the light as he slightly turned the jewelry in his calloused hands while his lips turned down into a frown.

Images flooded through his mind as he remembered the last time he visited the human village where the woman he loved resided in.

He remembered sprinting through the forest at top speed, his long dark hair whipping wildly behind him as his feet kicked up rocks and chunks of grass as he ran.
Azure eyes looked forward with determination as he clutched the silver bracelet wrapped in a simple white silk within his hand.

Today was the day.

He was going to confess his love to her.

He spent the last three days reciting to himself on what he was going to say to Kagome when he finally saw her again.

And he even had his mothers bracelet to present to her; a bracelet that was passed down through the generations of the Minatozaki clan.
This piece of jewelry was a gift to his mother from his father; when he had chosen her as his mate centuries ago.
Usually the first born heir of the Minatozaki clan would recieve this gift from their mother, so they could also bestow it upon their chosen mate.
He wasn't the first born, but his mother had chosen him to continue the tradition.

Suddenly Koga came to a stop when he reached the top of the hill; a special place where he would occasionally meet with his precious miko.
His eyes scanned over the tops of the hundreds of huts within the village and the countless rice fields scattering around it.

His hand went to his head as he shut his eyes, fingers tips kneading into his temples as images of his old life flooded his mind.

He would have to tell her about his past life.

He would have to tell her who he was.

A groan escaped his lips as his tail swished back and forth with irritation.
He was absolutely dreading that particular talk with her; having to bring up those old memories that he so desperately buried away inside him hundreds of years ago.

But, if she did accept his offer as his mate, she'd have to know everything.

Azure eyes snapped open with worry.

What if she turned him down...

Again...

His tail fell limp to his side as heartbreaking memories from years ago flashed before his eyes; the sorrowful day where she told him she was Inuyashas.

The confidence he once held dwindled away inside him.

"Ugh!" He shouted.

He shook his head suddenly, desperately trying to erase those agonizing images.

This time is different.

They've gotten closer as time went on and there was no one in his way stopping him from pursuing her now.

And he knew, that the miko held some sort of feelings within her heart for him.
The way her heartbeat raced within her breasts when her hazel eyes locked on to his and the way her porcelain skin would radiate that pretty crimson glow when he was near her... all these pure reactions gave her away to him.

His fingers tightened around the silver bracelet.

I won't give up!

With a slight bend of the knee, Koga pushed himself forward, jumping high into the air till gravity brought him back down to earth once again.
Bare feet slid down the grassy hill, blades of grass and dirt swirled around till he began to place one foot in front of the other and take off into running pace once again towards the human village.
His azure eyes focused on one hut in particular, Kagomes home, that was placed on the outskirts of the village closet to the hill.

He deeply inhaled the air around him as he ran, desperately searching for the calming aroma of lavender and vanilla that he was so addicted to.

His eyes widened in utter shock as his pace slowed and then eventually came to an abrupt stop just a few feet outside her little home.

Her scent... is faint?

He sniffed the air just to be sure, eyebrows furrowing when his suspensions were confirmed.

She isn't here...

"Kooooooogaaaaaa!"

Pointed ears perked slightly at the sound of his name being called.
His head turned to the side, eyes taking in the view of two young girls running towards him at full speed.

The girl in the mauve kimono held her hand up high above her head, ecstatically waving it back and forth as she ran. "Koga! You came to visit again!" Airi called out with delight.

He quirked a eyebrow as they finally came to halt before him, both girls huffing desperately trying to catch their breathe.
The girl dressed in the pale green kimono leaned forward placing her hands on her knees, "I beat...you... Airi." Seia said in between puffs of air with a triumphant smile tugging on her lips.

"Nuh uh... I... did." Her sister said defiantly as her chocolate eyes peered up at the wolf king before her, "Tell her... Koga... tell her... I won."

"It was a tie."

"What!?" Seias head shot up, a glare plastered on her features as she stared up at the wolf king, clearly not liking his answer.

"Hmmm, a tie." Airi hummed playfully as her tiny hands pulled the short strands of hair away from her sweaty face. "Well, next time I'll be sure to beat you, sister." She turned her head to the side to face her twin, her tongue darting out between her lips in a mocking manner.

Seia rolled her eyes at her sister.
Crossing her arms over her chest, her large chocolate eyes stared mischievously up at the wolf. "Soooooo Koggggaaaaaa." She said with a grin on her face, "Are you here to see Aunt Kagome again?"

He sighed, his eyes glancing away from the giggling twins as a blush crept upon his cheeks. "What do you think?"

"Sorry Koga, but Aunt Kagome isn't here." Airi said, "Mommy and Aunt Kagome will be gone for a few days."

Bewildered eyes glanced back down at the twins. "Gone? What do you mean? Where did she go?"

Seia shrugged, "Warriors from far away came here three days ago asking Aunt Kagome for help."

Koga raised his eyebrows in confusion. "For help?"

"Yes, to exterminate a demon." Airi said as she twirled a lock of her hair around her little finger. "Usually Daddy goes with her or Uncle Kohaku when he is staying with us. But, Mommy wanted to go this time."

Kogas fingers clutched tightly around the bracelet within his hand.

Damnit.

I would have went with her if I've known.

"When did they leave?" He asked.

"Two days ago." The girls said in union.

He sighed heavily as his clawed hand ran through his hair. "When will they be back?"

"Hmmm, the warriors said they lived far away..." Airi replied, as she looked over at her twin sister for help, "Seia, when did Daddy say they'll be back again?"

"Two or three weeks, he said they should be back a few days before the autumn festival."

Koga felt his shoulders slump and his tail go limp behind him.

That's such a long time...

With a exaggerated groan the wolf demon fell back against the rocky service as the memory ended. His limbs stretched out around him while his cerulean eyes glared up at the darkening sky.

It's only been a week since the last time I visited the village... I still have a few more days to go...

The wolf kings ears twitched slightly when he heard hushed whispers not to far away from him.

"Do you think he's okay?"

"Obviously not... he's been depressed ever since he returned from visiting Sister Kagome."

"...do you think something happened happened between him and Sister?"

There was a moment of silence.

"I dare you to go ask him."

"Hell no, you go ask him."

Kogas eye twitched as he listened in on his two generals bickering amongst eachother off in the distance, "You know, I can hear you both, right?" He said with annoyance etched into his voice.

Suddenly the sound of foot steps made their way to the wolf king, "Their just worried about you, you know? You have everyone in the mountain worried." Tomoe said.

Tomoe must have given his generals courage to approach him, because he soon heard them trail behind her in hurried steps.

Koga rolled his eyes at her concern, "There's nothing to be worried about."

He heard his friend sigh heavily as she sat down next to him.
Not bothering to sit up from where he laid, his slightly turned his head to side to face Tomoe and watched as the cool breeze played within her mass of tight curls. "You're hardly sleeping." She stated.

"And you're not eating." Ginta commented as well, taking a seat on the other side of Koga.

Hakkaku remained standing, his black eyes staring off into the distance of where Kagomes village was located. With his arms crossing over his broad chest he said "And you haven't been visiting Sister Kagome." With a nervous gulp he bravely asked, "Did something... happen between you and Sister?"

"Nothing happened." He groaned as he pulled his arm up to shield his blushing face from his prying friends. His clawed fingers clutched onto the bracelet tightly when images of the pretty miko splashed through his mind.

He hasn't told anyone his decision yet; to make the miko his mate.

Dark amber eyes glanced down at the king that laid down upon the stoney ground.
They skimmed over his tense form, working their way up to the arm that covered his heated face, eventually landing upon the bracelet that was grasped tightly within his hand.
The demoness quirked an eyebrow as she watched the moonstones shine between his fingers. "Did Sister...turn you down?"

She knew what that bracelet was; the one that he was holding.
He showed the rare piece of jewelry to her when they were just pups while telling her a story about how his future mate will wear it one day.
And she'd admit that she looked for it on Ayame on occasion when she and the Northern tribe would come and visit the Eastern lands; always surprised when she never saw it on his betrothal.

And now here he was... protectively clutching it within his hand.

With a sudden jerk of surprise at her blunt question, the wolf king shot straight up, his back straight as a board while his tail whipped wildly behind him; the brown fur standing straight up in attention.
His usual bronzed skin was tinted with a red glow while his azure eyes stared embarrassingly into curious amber ones. "What makes you think she turned me down?"

"That bracelet, you told me in the past that it will be a gift to the woman you would choose as your mate..." Tomoe said as she pointed to his hand that clutched onto the silver jewelry. "And after all these years you finally dug it out of your belongings, only to look dejected all the time. So I just assumed..."

"Oh my King!" Ginta mourned loudly, "Please don't be so glum!" His clawed hand reached up and gently placed it on his kings shoulder, finger tips giving it a light squeeze for moral support.

Hakkaku looked up at the darkened sky, "Shouldn't you be used to this by now? She rejected you so many times in the past... I've lost count on how many..."

With a aggravated growl Koga shrugged off Gintas hand, "Will you guys just shut up already."
His eyebrows furrowed with irritation as he cleared his throat, softly he said, "I... I haven't even asked her yet."

With hands placed on his crossed legs, Ginta leaned forward to get a better look of his Kings face. Midnight blue eyes stared up at Koga in shock as whisps of black and gray hair swayed against the light breeze. "You're really going to ask her?"

The king turned away from his friend, the shade of crimson highlighting his cheeks. "Yeah, I plan on it." He whispered.

Ginta laughed full heartedly at his friends bashful face, his hand once again reaching up and giving his kings back a few encouraging pats. "In that case, I will be rooting for my King as always." He said ecstatically. "Sister would make a fine mate for you; she is loyal, strong and beautiful! The whole tribe will welcome her with open arms!"

"Yes my King!" Hakkaku said with glee, "And this time I'm sure you will win her over! Now that Inuyasha is out of the picture..."

"Oh? I didn't stand a chance when that muttface was around?" Azure eyes snapped over to his standing general.
Hakkaku ran a nervous hand though his white hair, "M-m-my K-k-ing... I-I-I was j-just..."

"What about Ayame?"

The wolfmen fell silent as they turned their heads to face their curly haired friend. Amber eyes stared intently at the wolf king as she once again asked, "What about Ayame? What about the North?"

She watched as Kogas features hardened and a frown form on his lips.

So this is why he's been acting the way he was... She thought.

"My King, if you are planning on taking Sister Kagome as your mate, you must have something planned." She said.

"I do." He said flatly.

"Tomoe," Ginta said softly, "Our King..."

Amber eyes snapped over to the kings general, "I know, Ginta. I know how he feels about Kagome, it was quite obvious how he felt when she stayed here with us those few days during the storm."
She sighed heavily, her eyes glancing back to Koga, "I want you to be happy, my friend. After everything that's happened in your life, I do believe you deserve it the most. But, Aoki and Northern wolf tribe aren't going to care about your happiness and what you want. And I'm sure as hell Ayame isn't going to be happy either when she finds out that you've chosen Sister Kagome over her."

"Again..." Hakkaku whispered under his breath.

Tomoe ignored the generals comment and lightly placed her hand upon Kogas, "My King, my friend, you will lose everything."

Hakkaku spoke up, "I doubt he'll lose everything..."

"You will lose your land and titles that was promised to you from the North as well as the trade agreement that you worked so hard for. And also, any type of alliance with the northern tribe will be no more." Tomoe said sternly to Koga.

"I am well aware, Tomoe."

"Though all the Eastern wolf tribes is as one under your rule and I'm pretty sure no one who lives within this mountain would go against you choosing Sister Kagome as your chosen mate, but, the other wolfs scattered in the eastern territory might revolt and think of you as weak for choosing a human... no, a miko, an enemy to us demons by nature, as your chosen mate and Queen."

"Personally, if I lived in another area of the East and was told that the Eastern King was choosing a miko to be his mate, I'd be amazed by his bravery." Hakkaku said, black eyes sparkling with admiration.

Ginta stared up his friend in confusion, "Um, why?" He asked curiously.

"Because she could literally turn him into dust whenever she wanted." The wolf general said with full seriousness, "He could look at her a certain way one day and she might not like it... then poof. That's it. No more Eastern King."

"You know I never thought of it like that..." Ginta said as he glanced back at Koga, his eyes widening as he imagined his King turning into purple purified dust.

"Both of you are idiots." Tomoe said, clearly unamused. "I hope you realise you chose idiots as your trusted generals."

"Yes, I know." Koga said, as his eyes stared into her amber pools. "And I already took into consideration of everything that you have just stated. And that will still not deter me away from what I want."

"I see." She hummed, "So then, my King, what is your plan?"

Azure eyes stared off into the horizon with determination.

"First I'll be sending messengers to other tribes that are located in the lands that I rule over, telling them what my plans are. I'll be nullifying the treaty agreement with the Northern Tribe and will also be choosing a human miko to be my mate and their Queen. Their chiefs will have the option to continue to follow me under my rule or if they find me to be unsuitable for the title of King, they are welcome to challenge me for it."

Kogas stomach turned with uneasiness. Their were over fifty wolf tribes in the East, and he conquered them all over the years, which granted him the title Eastern King.
Now, he was hoping that the tribes he ruled over would still follow him and not want to break apart from what he had worked so hard to create.

"Second, I'm sure everyone is well aware that Aoki isn't liked much as the new leader in the North."

"Well yeah, he's a bit of a ass." Hakkaku said aloud, his features contorting into a frown as he thought of red headed demon.

"His personality is overbearing, agressive and arrogant, but he is still a skilled warrior and extremely intelligent." Koga said with a sigh. "What lands that his late father and him acquired over the years, and the lands that the old northern leader, his grandfather, passed down onto Aokis are quite vast. And even though the warriors that live under his rule might not care for their new leader, they will remain loyal to him."

"So what are you going to do to break that loyalty?" Ginta asked.

"Nothing." Koga shrugged, "There's not much I can do. But, what I plan on doing is going after the tribes and land that he doesn't have under his rule. Aoki is ambitious and at one point in time, when the old northern leader was still alive, he did attempt to go after those lands that weren't under his kins rule, in hopes to attain the title of Northern King. Those tribes fought him of course; they felt that Aoki wasn't deserving of the title of King and to rule over them. And Aoki lost every single battle against them which resulted him in losing countless warriors in the process. This is why the old northern leader, Aoki and Ayame came here all those years ago offering me titles, lands and Ayame as a mate once again. They were desperate and needed a strong alliance so no one could overthrow them and they wanted peace with me so I wouldn't go after them either."

Hakkaku scratched his head, pondering what his king could have planned, "Soooo what about the other tribes not under his rule?" He asked.

"It's simple really, I'm going to take them."

His generals eyes widened, as Tomoe just stared at her King, obviously not surprised, "I figured you would." She said.

"I'm hoping I will not have to resort to battling those tribes for what I want, instead I plan on negotiating with them. I will offer them my protection, trade and a opportunity to live in my Eastern territory if they so wished. They would in return have to profess me as their King."

"And what happens if they don't accept your offer?" Tomoe asked.

"I guess I would renegotiate the terms till they are satisfied, and if they still don't accept me then I'll have to challenge their chief leader for rule of his tribe then."

Ginta gawked at his king in amazement, "You're territory would be vast if this all goes according to your plan."

"I suppose."

"What about Aoki, Ayame and the tribes under their rule?" Tomoe asked softly, her amber eyes studying her King before her.

She watched as Koga remained silent under her gaze, azure eyes saddening at the thought of what he would have to do.

He didn't want to start a war.

He didn't want the powerful warrior, Aoki, as a enemy.

He sure as hell didn't want to hurt sweet Ayame either.

He sighed heavily as he imagined the pretty demoness with long auburn hair and stunning emerald green eyes.

"I will conquer their lands and tribesmen... and they will fall under me. I will then attain the title of King of the North."