Chapter 5

Thrill of the Fight

To the human's credit, she remained silent as Koga and his hunters planned their next moves. That was good. She knew when to be quiet. Now, Koga just had to make sure she stayed that way.

Nobu hadn't given her a first glance, which was for the best. He needed to make sure the tribe was loyal before he brought out his trump-card.

Kagome was an oddity. Even now, Koga had a hard time wrapping his head around the little human being the great power the Northern tribe hid from the rest of their kind. But, he supposed he couldn't exactly blame them. Who would believe it?

His own men certainly won't. But, that was why Koga needed to do this just right. There couldn't be any room for doubt.

"You two know what to do?" he asked with a quick glance about the wooded area.

Both hunters nodded swiftly.

"Sure thing," Hakkaku reassured.

"We follow your lead," Ginta added. "As always."

Nodding in agreement, Koga watched as the two males disappeared into the surrounding trees. Tomorrow will be an important day. If Katashi beat him, he earn his place as alpha. But, Koga was not letting him steal from him that easy. Let the fool earn it, if he wanted it so bad.

A high-pitched whine had Koga shifting his sharp eyes towards the kit cuddled tightly against the human woman's chest. The image brought about a curious sensation in the Ookami male's chest.

He knew what would happen to the two of them if he fell. The kit would be eaten, no question. But, Kagome….. there was no guarantee what would be decided about her. Perhaps Hakkaku and Ginta could convince Katashi she was useful but he'd be high on his newly gained power. That would make him unpredictable and there was no telling if he'd listen.

There was no way around it. Koga couldn't lose. Everything depended on it.

With a silent sigh, the alpha rose smoothly to his feet. He guessed he better find them something to eat then. No sense in the two starving before they even got to the den.

SSS

The next morning, Kagome didn't dare speak when she and Shipo had been picked up by Koga again and hurried through the mountainous forest. There was nothing to say, truth be told. From what she had heard, things were shaky amongst the Eastern tribe and that meant her place was on even shakier ground than she thought.

Truth be told, she didn't mind that they pretty much ignored her. It gave Kagome time to think of her alternatives. She didn't doubt Koga's strength but she'd never seen the male he was up against. Therefore, there was still the chance the cocky alpha could lose. If that happened, then Kagome knew she and Shipo would have to disappear, fast.

If Koga brought her to the tribe before this issue was taken care of, there would be no way she could slip away. Ookami usually ignored what wasn't obvious. But, if she could hide….

Before the thought fully formed in her head, Kagome was surprised to see feel Koga stop on a covered ridge and gently sent her down. The cliff face had an outcropping of stone that shielded anyone from view but looking out, Kagome realized it provided a full view of the surrounding area.

Kagome gasped when she was turned sharply by Koga's firm grip on her arm.

"There," the alpha ordered as he pointed to a clearing of packed earth and rock several yards downward. "That is where the challenge will be met."

Kagome blinked up at Koga with stunned shock. "Challenge?"

Koga nodded as he took a step away from her. "Katashi thinks he can step into my place. I'm going to see if he's willing to fight for it."

"But, you're alpha," Kagome replied, brow furrowing. "Wouldn't you coming back just mean you're leader again?"

The derisive snort from the young alpha had Kagome resisting to smack the back of his head. "You really don't know anything about Ookami, do you?"

Kagome pressed her lips together in displeasure. She wasn't a complete idiot. Shipo's sudden hiss had the miko tightening her grip on him to keep the kit from trying to lunge at the alpha.

"With any luck, this will be over soon," Koga continued, ignoring the reactions of both. "Once it's done, I'll send Ginta and Hakkaku up here for you. Stay out of sight, till then."

Kagome nodded in agreement. What else was there to say? If he won, she was no worse off. If he lost, she could sneak away. At least, he'd done her this favor, whether he was aware of it or not.

Hands on both hips in contemplation, the alpha scanned the area with serious eyes. Kagome figured he must be waiting for the right time to appear so, she merely settled herself and Shipo towards the back of the open-aired "cave." If Koga wanted to ignore them, they could do the same.

"There's a walk-way that leads to the other side of this cliff," the alpha replied, eyes never leaving the horizon. "None of the hunters use it. It'll lead you to a trail that will take you to the nearest village."

Kagome stared stunned at the alpha's back, opening her mouth but finding no words to speak. Was he giving her a way out? However, before she had a chance to reply, Koga leapt from the rocky cliff and started to race downwards.

Kagome and Shipo could only look at each-other in confusion. Well, that was unexpected.

SSS

What had possessed him to do that?

As Koga waited for the signal from Ginta and Hakkaku, he gritted his teeth to swallow the growl straining in his throat. He'd given the human a hidden route that would allow her to escape the Ookami territory.

Koga didn't know what idiocy caused him to give away such a secret but there was no taking it back now. She knew and he'd have to deal with it later, if she tried to run. Perhaps a part of him wondered if Katashi could win and wanted to give the human a fair chance. He was being cautious, protecting his efforts.

But, that wasn't going to matter. Katashi wasn't going to win and Kagome wasn't going to need to run. She and the kit were going to be safe because Koga was going to make sure no-one in the tribe went against his orders again!

The growing sound of grumbles and whispers came closer as Koga watched all the warriors who dared to venture out of the den to observe the challenge. Many he recognized as loyal hunters, but there was a growing tension in the air when Katashi's lean form come into view.

The male was sniffing and snarling, obviously looking for whoever was fool enough to challenge his right to lead. Ginta and Hakkaku swiftly raced to the other side of the packed ring, exchanging nervous looks. Just to the side, Nobu's eyes shifted about the ring, swallowing low as he struggled to keep his head down in submission at the same time.

Koga spotted more on his men's faces than anything Katashi could tell him. They weren't happy with their leader but were following Koga's orders, even after his 'death.' A satisfied smirk pulled at his lips. They'd fall in line easily. He just had to take out Katashi.

"Well? Where is he?" the other contender bellowed to the open air. "Where is this weakling who challenges me?"

The answering nods from his two seconds and a sharp huff, Koga leapt from the low cliff he'd been crouched in, to land across the ring in a cloud of dust.

"You want to say that again?" he growled with a wicked grin.