Chapter 15

Best Laid Plans

"I'm telling you, we should be increasing our patrols around the den," Ginta huffed as he made his way slowly over a nearby ridge, spear in hand. "It's too quiet."

"That's rich, coming from you," Hakkaku smirked as he scanned the surroundings. "Look, Koga ain't worried so we should just enjoy the chance to plan and stock up our stores for the winter."

"I'm not so sure Koga isn't worried," Ginta argued.

"Yeah, well, even if he is, we got other things to worry about right now," Hakkaku replied. "With Kagome's help, we'll win the war. But, first, she needs to get better."

"That's true…."

Ginta was worried for his new den sister but he still couldn't shake the unease from the back of his mind. Everything was so calm, now. And, after the blood battle that occurred with Koga's return, everyone had been prepared for another attack right after. But, instead, the Birds of Paradise had all disappeared.

It was as if they had returned to their nest to hide….or plan. That was what raised the hair on Ginta's neck. Kagome had changed the playing-field for the war. And, with the King Bird now in the area, there was no way the Birds of Paradise were just going to sit and wait for the tribe to take them out.

"You worry too much," Hakkaku continued, acting as if Ginta never spoke. "Koga has everything under control and sister Kagome will soon be back on her feet. Now, help me hunt so we can get back to the den tonight."

Ginta heaved a sigh of defeat. Whether he liked it or not, his brother beta had a point. They'd been sent out to find meat for the den, since Koga was going to hunt something special for sister Kagome's dinner. Koga had been simple in his orders. Find food and get back as quickly as possible.

Lifting his nose to the wind, the quiet hunter breathed deeply to track prey. It was faint but the distant tinge of boar and rabbit teased his senses. A proud smile started to brighten his face before something else tugged suddenly at his attention.

Apparently, Hakkaku had smelled it too because both hunters turned their focus in the same direction. Warm and pleasing to the nose, Ginta could feel his mouth start to water in anticipation.

Could it be?

"Come on," Hakkaku ordered as he started to stalk swiftly in the direction of the scent, his voice roughening with anticipation.

Ginta followed without hesitation after his fellow beta till they rounded a partially hidden bend in the rocky cliff-face. Sweeping back the over-hanging greenery, both males stared with joyous wonder at the treasure they discovered.

"Sake!" the two hunters cried out in victory.

"Now, this is worth the effort," Hakkaku beamed with a toothy grin.

"Where did it come from?" Ginta asked as he squatted next to the nestled jars.

"Who cares?!" Hakkaku scolded, giving his den brother a light cuff on the head. "Come on. Help me get these back to the den. The fellas are gonna love this!"

Rubbing his sore skull, Ginta just shrugged as he started to pick up the various jars, cradling them in his arms. Hakkaku was right. The tribe needed something to pick them up anyway. And, what better pick-me-up than a good drink with dinner?

SSS

Koga chuffed to himself for what had to be the hundredth time as he made his way back up the familiar path to the den's waterfall entrance. It had been a long day and he wasn't in the mood to deal with any more trouble.

The two yamadori birds slung over his shoulder were the testament to his efforts. With their bright colored feathers, they were easy to spot and quick to catch. Luckily, Koga had an easier time finding his prey than he did that damn plant.

If the kitsune was correct, the herb should be ready for his mate to take soon and the meat he found would be cooked just in time.

A grin of satisfaction spread across Koga's face as the possibilities of what that cure would mean for him. His mate. Koga had found his mate and staked his claim. Now, he just needed to free his tribe from this war and nothing would stand in his way from finally making Kagome his own completely. Koga just hoped he could hold out long enough to finish the job and not let his instincts run away with him.

A newly mated Ookami was a dangerous thing. They were fierce to begin with but, when the mating heat hit them, only those who had a death-wish went near them. And, the danger didn't subside for some time. Usually once the female was carrying a pup. But, there were always exceptions.

Either way, Koga didn't want to risk going into that state with their sworn enemies so close to the tribe. In a way, this sickness of Kagome's was a blessing. It was hard enough being around her without giving into the want to mate. But, as long as Koga kept his distance for now and finished the fight with the Birds of Paradise quickly, there shouldn't be any problem.

It would all go perfectly.

Defeat their enemies, retake their rightful home, and claim his woman once and for all. Easy.

With a final leap through the pounding water, Koga was surprised to see most of the tribe gathered in raucous enjoyment about the main den, the heady scent of sake hanging heavily in the air as another round of cheers went up in celebration.

"Koga!"

Rokurou's thunderous bellow echoed through the den as he lifted a cup in salute towards his confused alpha. Answering calls went up about the cave as another round was poured for all.

"Join us, Koga!" Jiro called, his weathered face starting to take on the amused glow of tipsy red. "There's plenty to go around."

Koga quickly scanned the room till the two figures of his stumbling beta's caught his eye as they sang boisterously by a communal fire. Growling low, he stomped over towards the two to land a hard foot against the back of their heads.

"What the hell is this?" Koga snarled as he kept the two males pinned to the floor.

"Koga!" both idiots cried out in pained surprise.

"Y-you told us to go hunting," Hakkaku groaned from his strained position.

"We found these jars abandoned in the hunting grounds," Ginta replied. "Some human must have left them."

"Or, they were a secret stash of Katashi's," Hakkaku quickly added.

The mention of the traitor's name had the growl in Koga's throat swiftly die. After everything else Katashi did, Koga supposed he shouldn't be that surprised at the discovery. The fool had allowed the hunters to raid human villages and probably had hidden the spoils without anyone else knowing.

Looking about, Koga couldn't deny the men were certainly enjoying themselves. And, with the Birds of Paradise going quiet, one night of enjoyment shouldn't be too big of a distraction. Afterall, it wasn't like Koga had anything better to do that night.

Sighing in resignation, the alpha removed his foot from the two betas before he turned sharply on his heel. First thing was first. He had to deliver the meat for Kagome to the kit.

"We'll save you a jar!" Hakkaku called after him, causing Koga to smirk.

They damn-well better.

It didn't take him long to find the kitsune. Curled up tight, with a puff of fluff around his tiny body, the little shit had fallen asleep in the tunnels just between the main den and the private cave Kagome rested in.

Koga could only shake his head at the sight. Some guard he turned out to be. But, the Alpha was willing to concede, the kit was still young. Whatever he'd done that day had apparently warn him out. Still, Koga didn't have time to waste.

Nudging the kits side with the toe of his foot, Koga waited for the kid to rouse himself gently. However, when the little trouble-maker only rolled onto his face, away from him, Koga realized there was no point in subtlety.

A sharper kick to the kit's backside, caused the kitsune to jolt upright, an enrage hiss slipping between fanged teeth before the kid came to full consciousness.

"What was that for?" the kit snapped, green eyes flashing with indignation.

"For being a worthless guard," Koga responded before dangling the two birds before the little fool had a chance to say something stupid. "Here, take 'em."

The kit seemed to notice Koga's catch and immediately the fur bristling along the trickster's neck and tail smoothed considerably. A look of swift submission softened the kit's face and he carefully took the offered birds with a bow.

"Thank-you, Koga-sama," the kid replied, all anger drained from his soft voice. "This is perfect."

"How is she?" Koga asked, wanting to see how long the kit had slacked in his assigned duty.

He wasn't about to let the little shit do as he pleased as long as his woman was in pain. If the kit was staying, he was pulling his own weight.

"Her condition hasn't changed," the little guy answered with a slight drooping of his fluffy tail I contrition. "But, the medicine is almost done and these will certainly help. Of course, it won't be immediate."

Koga fought to ignore the ache of worry in his chest.

"But, it'll help?" he ventured in a stern warning.

The kit raised his eyes with a bright reassuring smile.

"I give you my word," he promised lightly. "Come morning, everything will be as it should."

Finding the answer more than sufficient, Koga left the kit to his job of preparing Kagome's food. He seemed to have a better idea about what human's ate, anyway. A problem Koga made a note to correct as soon as possible. For now, he'd let it be and join his men in the main den. He'd earned a drink anyway.

Once he found his place among the other hunters, Koga didn't have to wait long for a cup to be passed into his hand. The first drink was warm and satisfying, filling the young alpha with a warm glow he'd missed. It had been awhile.

Apparently, the others were already a good way ahead of him because, some already sported the joyous red cheeks and dreamy eyes of getting good and soused. However, Jiro must have claimed the first cup of the night because the old warrior was slumped against the rock he'd been leaning against, a deep snore rumbling from his chest.

Koga snorted in amusement as he extended his cup for his first refill. Jiro must be losing his touch with his old age.

SSS

9,275.

That was how many cracks there were in the ceiling overhead. Kagome would know. She'd counted them six times just to be sure.

Kagome had no idea how much longer she could take this. Being a miko, she was used to being kept busy. Whether gathering herbs, or patching up someone who was injured, idleness was not something Kagome had ever dealt with. But, for Shipo's plan to work, she had to remain out of sight.

A twinge of guilt shot through Kagome as she once again considered what she was agreeing to do. It wasn't like her to usually go back on her promises. She'd given her word to help save Koga's tribe from a vicious enemy. And, here she was, about to take the coward's way out.

A sharp shake of her head, snapped the young priestess out of her dark thoughts.

No. Koga changed things, not her. She'd agreed to help his tribe and then she'd leave. Koga was the one who went back on his word.

By claiming her as his woman, the big jerk had pretty much pulled the rug out from under her. What insanity had caused him to do that in the first place?

But, regardless, Kagome wasn't up to renegotiate their deal. If he wanted to raise the stakes, she needed to get out of there. It was too dangerous to stay, otherwise.

A chill raised down Kagome's back when she remembered the last time she'd tried to make a life for herself after she left her home village. She could still hear the horrified screams in her dreams at times.

There was no place she could stay and be safe. He'd seen to that.

Hurried steps rushing towards her caused Kagome to lift the nearby fur over her head, practically hiding herself from view of the entrance. She ignored the sweat that beaded her forehead as she waited with baited breath for whoever was coming to lose interest and leave.

Shipo didn't have to tell Kagome how important it was for her to maintain the ruse they had built that she wasn't feeling well. If one of Koga's men learned the truth, she didn't think there was any way she'd get out of those caves alive; alpha's woman or not.

So caught up in her terrifying thoughts, Kagome was startled at the tiny hand patting her cheek lightly.

"It's time, Kagome," Shipo's high-pitched whisper squeaked. "We have to go. Now."

Blinking in confusion, Kagome pulled back the fur and stared at Shipo's grinning face.

"Shipo, what are you—"

"I don't have time to explain, Kagome," the little kit interrupted. "It's now or never."

Not needing to be told twice, Kagome quickly sprang to her feet as Shipo started to scamper quickly from the cave and back down the tunnel. Blood pumping wildly in her ears, Kagome followed after his little body, keeping her ears sharp for any possible sign of one of Koga's hunters.

However, there was no sign of them. In fact, there wasn't any sound at all. The dark passages were eerily quiet, and Kagome swallowed low as she feared what the mischievous little kit could have possibly done to try and save her.

"Sh-shipo—"

"Shhh," the kit quickly threw over his shoulder as he continued to lope towards the leading tunnel of the main den. "We're almost there, Kagome. But, we have to be quiet."

The question burning on the priestess' tongue was silence when a thunderous rumble rolled through the main den as she cleared the shadowed hall.

Blinking in shocked awe, Kagome couldn't help but drop her jaw as she spied the whole tribe, both yokai and animal, sprawled about the den floor, loud snores and sharp snorts filling the air in deafening clarity.

They were all asleep. Even Koga was curled up with his two betas, mouth hanging open in a sharp, snarling snore.

Snapping herself back to the present, Kagome quickly and carefully stepped her way about the den after Shipo, swallowing low before she suddenly dove through the freezing water of the waterfall guarding the den's entrance.

The shriek of shocked terror at the water's cold assault choked her throat but Kagome refused to destroy all of Shipo's hard work. Scrambling to keep herself on steady feet, the young priestess stumbled quickly after Shipo's still retreating form.

She'd made it. She was now free.

Glancing back towards the hidden den, Kagome resisted the pull to retrace her steps. But, her guilt needed to be over-come this time.

'I'm sorry, Koga. I really wanted to help.'

With a final breath, she turned sharply on her heel and ran after Shipo's retreating form.

SSS

Shipo couldn't stop the thrill of satisfaction that roared through him as his face glowed with victory.

He'd done it! He had tricked the Ookami tribe and saved Kagome.

His father would be proud and honored by his great deed and Shipo felt some of the burden that weighed his heart lighten at the thought. He was a great and mighty warrior and would soon have Kagome safely among humans again and he could be on his way.

Surely, no kitsune had accomplished a trick so clever as this!

As he led Kagome down the over-grown hunter's path, Shipo was practically floating with joy when a sudden shadow swooped low over-head. Skirting to a halt, the little kit cried out in fright when the huge form of a Bird of Paradise dove down, gaping maw dripping in anticipation to snatch his up.

"Shipo, look out!"

Kagome's terrified yell went on deaf ears as the little kit sudden poofed himself into a small flare of blue fire. However, before he had a chance to regroup, the great winged monster gripped Kagome by her arm, ripping the priestess off the ground by her feet and flying off.

Shipo stared with petrified horror as he scrambled desperately after the great monster.

This couldn't be happening!

"Kagome!" he cried out in a pained wail.

"Shipo!" the priestess answered, the Bird of Paradise shaking his catch viciously between its hooked talons, causing her to groan in agony.

Unfortunately, the little kit was no match for the winged beast when its large wings catch an updraft, sending it further and higher into the frigid mountains.

The tiny savior could only watch helplessly as Kagome disappeared from sight, his little legs losing strength and causing him to crumple to the ground in defeat.

How could this happen? He'd been so close. Just a little further and she'd be safely in the human's village. But, he'd failed. He'd failed Kagome just like he'd failed to save his father. He'd used every trick he had and it wasn't enough. He wasn't enough.

Angry tears bit harshly at the little kitsune's eyes as he pounded his tiny fists in anger on the warn dirt path.

He hated being small. He hated being weak. He hated not being enough! Just once, he wanted to save someone and it make a difference!

A jolt of pain up his arm caused the little kit to whimper in self-pity as he cradled his smarting hand.

The problem was, he wasn't big enough. He was clever but strength wasn't his greatest asset. Not yet, anyway. He needed someone bigger to save Kagome. Someone stronger.

Realization hit like lightning through Shipo's little body as he went still with horror.

'Someone like Koga.'

ANOUNCEMENT!

Hey, everyone! Don't worry, I'm not stopping this story. Just letting you wonderful readers know, I have also have a fictionpress account now. Same author name, in the young adult section. Please, please, please! I need readers. I need critique and such on what you think of my own work, that's not fanfic. I'm thinking of trying to get this published one day but don't know what needs fixing. That's where you lovely people come in. The story is The King's Wolf. Please read and review. And, don't worry, update dates are still the same. I will update my fanfic every Thursday and my fictionpress story every Sat. This story is still continuing. Promise. Love you all!