How Could This Happen...
Chapter One*
A pounding head and turning stomach wasn't the greatest wake-up call Ayame was expecting on this particular cold morning. Her mouth felt like she had cotton in it, and the taste was almost revolting. It was a mixed taste of salty meat and aged sake, topped with a vague flavor of sweat. She needed to rinse her mouth out, the sooner the better, but first things first; she needed to open her eyes.
Behind her eyelids, her eyes danced wildly, thinking of the previous night and trying to place the unwanted tastes with what she ate yesterday. The pounding in Ayame's head quieted to a dull roar, but her stomachs turning picked up the slack. Then memories of the previous night shifted their way into her brain.
Kouga and the remaining members of his pack came to the village. Every one of the traveling wolves was smiling, all except Kouga, who wore a look of uncertainty and resentment. She wanted to asked him if he remembered the promise he'd made, but then when the others screamed of the defeat of the disastrous half demon Naraku, cheers rang out along the her village. So as the older wolves decided it was time for a celebratory feast, welcoming the safe arrival of the Prince and his pack, but also the defeat of Naraku.
The meat was so salty, she remembered now, it could was a fresh kill that one of the first time hunters decided to prepare for the feast. And the sake, it was the aged on from the back room of the cavern, which the friends of her grandfather demanded be served as a toast. Kouga had stumbled with her out of the tavern, straight to her secluded cave...
Ayame's eyes snapped open this time, without much hassle. Her heart began a steady increasing thudding against her ribcage. 'The turning in my stomach is telling me I'm in trouble...' She thought to herself before she shivered at the chills she got, tugging the fur pallets closer up her body she was slightly confused by the feel.
"Kagome..."
Ayame's heart stopped briefly within her chest before it came throbbing back with a fire. Sadness etched its self on her heart and face at the moment, turning over on her side, she came face to face with Kouga, the man she loved, but didn't love her back. Who loved a human woman, who would just bring shame and disorder to the tribe?
Ayame shook her head. 'What am I saying? Kagome is a nice person, she never wronged me and here I am putting her down.' She thought shamefully. 'I need to bathe...' She thought shifting into a sitting position. This day was going to be in shambles once he woke and his memory of the prior events came back to him.
Shifting her body from underneath the bear-fur, she was presented with the nude body of Kouga. He twitched when the air touched his skin, but kept sleeping, without disturbance. She watched him for several seconds, before moving along to get her clothes on, looking for her weapon she moved toward the pile closest to Kouga's sleeping form.
"Wait!" Kouga snapped, a low growl sounded.
Ayame froze in her spot, her eyes widened as a sudden terror raced through her. "Kouga?" She whispered uneasily, slowly turning to glance at him.
His eyes were still closed and his breathing was deep and even. He was talking in his sleep.
Her eye twitched lightly at the thought of almost apologizing for something that wasn't completely her fault. "Ridiculous!' Her mind snapped. "I can't believe I love you," She whispered, sadness working its way into her voice.
"I love you Ka...go..." He stopped only to start snoring lightly.
Her face contorted with the thought of listening to anymore of his dream speeches. "I always hoped you'd love me. Mate with me. Realize Kagome wasn't the one for you, but your mind is set, as is your heart." She bent over his sleeping form, and pressed a kiss to his swollen lips. "I hope you live a happy life Kouga... and please don't remember this night anytime soon." She added on a sigh.
Walking out of the cave, she quickly made her way to the stream. Pulling off her clothes she began to wash them, quickly place them on a tree branch and run into the water. "Water, water, water, water, water..." She chanted splashing happily, her mind drifting away from the sad reminder at the cave, a reminder she could hardly remember, mind you.
After several minutes and the smell of Kouga off her skin, Ayame was ready to check in on her grandfather and the rest of the tribe. It was such a nasty thought, thinking of all lingering drunks she was bound to face and their snide remarks, if they remembered her leaving with the Prince last night that is.
"Argh!" She screamed out, hitting her head only to run her fingers through her hair and tug at the ends. "I can't believe I let that happen! How could I have been so scatter-brained? Oh that's right I was drunk!" She muttered sourly.
Her self questioning was stopped short when she heard rustling from a near bush by the river bank. "Who's there?" She demanded strongly, tightening the laces on her clothing.
Suddenly as if on cue, two of Kouga's pack members and right-hand men, fell from the bushes with sheepish grins on their faces.
Ayame forced down a laugh at their antics to stand before the other. They were good men and very decent friends to her, considering the few occasions she's been with them. "Ginta, Hakkaku, what do you think you are doing here at this river so early in the morning?"
Ginta looked around nervously, gray and black hair ruffling slightly with the small breeze. His gaze shifting between Hakkaku and Ayame. "Uhh..."
Ayame raised a brow, "Did you two spy on me while I bathed?"
Both males shook their heads vigorously in negative. "No-no-no!"
"Then would you care to tell me?" She asked patiently.
Ginta tried again, "Well we have a slight major problem back in the village..." He then broke off uneasily, unsure of what to say, or how to say it for that matter.
Hakkaku, standing two steps behind his friend, decided to help in being the bearer of bad news. "It's the elder Ayame..."
- - - - Elder - - - -
"Ay... a... me..." The elder rasped out without thinking, his voice raspy at best. You could tell the man was more than three-sheets to the wind, and not it didn't help that intoxicating him with sake was the only way to dull his pain and weaken him to the point that the healer needed him at.
Shuu, only 25 years-old and he had stepped into the line of tribe healer. Short hair, cut almost to the scalp, was tousled from the constant intrusion of his finger tips. Tan skin gleamed with fresh sweat as he worked wildly to analyze the elder and conclude his theory of the Elders health.
It wouldn't help that he needed to find an assistant; one both smart with medicine and strong enough for certain jobs. Shuu was nearing the end of his rope. It was almost embarrassing how the Elder had been calling for his granddaughter for more than several hours and she still has yet to come to the cave.
"Princess Ayame will be here soon, My Elder." Shuu said taking off his extra furs, the young healer began to wipe down the older wolf with cool water. "Please pardon me; I must retrieve more cool water."
"Ay... a... me!"
Shuu sighed softly, his heart breaking for the old wolf.
- - - - Chiaki & Ai - - - -
"Come on!" Ai yelled, annoyed at her best friend for bringing her here, to the middle of nowhere. "Let's go back; I have a plan to fulfill." She grumbled annoyed.
Chiaki sat cross-legged on the floor against an old oak tree. "That's not how this works, first you must sit across from me, and not stand and pace, such as you are."
"You, my dear, read too much..." Ai retorted, pushing fallen pale green hair from her face, she sat across from her dark haired friend. "Now what?"
"Study me, as I will study you." Chiaki announced softly, emerald eyes telling of her merit.
Amber eyes narrowed. "You want me to study you...?"
"Correct, study me and tell me what you see and I'd do the same." She tossed her long braid over her shoulder to lay flatly down her back. "It's an exercise for confidence."
A pale eyebrow twitched. "What are you trying to get at, Chi?"
"Please Ai...?"
Her face turned defeated. "Fine." She breathed out on a sigh.
A smile spit the girl genius' face in two, clapping her hands once she announced. "I'll start, let's begin." Chiaki's face turned thoughtful.
"Well...?" Ai snapped uncomfortable.
Chiaki grinned sheepishly. "I'm thinking still."
Ai fell backwards, her face contorted with annoyance. "That's the worst thing to say during some sort of confidence boost."
She waved her hand at her friend, "Don't be so mellow dramatic, I'm trying to start small and work my way up to the bigger things."
Amber eyes flickered with slight disbelief, but then dulled somewhat as she sat back up. "Alright give me your best shot."
Chiaki chuckled. "Give me a break, Ai. This is a confidence exercise not a shake down."
- - - - Ginta & Hakkaku - - - -
"Uhh should we follow her?" Ginta questioned confused at the direction she took.
Hakkaku scratched the tip of his head, at the base of his mo-hawk, and then shook his head. "Nah, we'll take a shortcut and by-pass her so we can tell her the rest of what the Healer told us."
Ginta nodded. "Got it, let's go!"
They began running; their mission to stop the Princess was soon was over-written with the desire to beat on another to the punch of it.
- - - - Kouga - - - -
Kouga slept on; unaware of anything that went on outside of his mind. In his mind he was still with Inuyasha and the others, he was still standing in front of Naraku, still looking death in the face. But this time it was different. He'd be the victor, not Dog-Breath. Kagome would be his woman. Everyone would be praising him... That's how it should always be...
Naraku laughed, his bitter sounding amusement traveling throughout the closed cave. Kouga looked around; he stood alone, no comrades, no loved one, nothing in his corner. Sesshomaru stood, the human child Rin and his toad servant Jakken behind him, whispering of their confidence in the demon.
Then there was Dog-Boy. The monk, exterminator, fox-demon child and Kagome, all stood behind him, calling out his name when they thought he was faced with a serious attack. It was ridiculous! Kagome was supposed to be his cheerleader, not the mutt's.
"Kagome!" Inuyasha had yelled, trying to get her attention as she held on to the small fox child, trying to shield him from any possible harm.
They seemed to pass a look between them, and that just pissed him off even more! How dare that mutt make goo-goo eyes at his woman AND share looks with her. Worthless dog.
Naraku laughed again, "You think to kill me, but all you do is stand in your rightful corners like servants to me."
Rin looked disgusted at the demon, her hands tightening on Sesshomaru's pants. "Lord Sesshomaru is no one's servant, you take that back."
"How hypocritical of you Sesshomaru, to hate your father for something that you seem to be doing also."
Inuyasha glanced at his brother, his thoughts apparent on his features. "Feh, I shoulda known."
"Enough of this." Sesshomaru said coldly.
"Nice try..." Kouga muttered, his fist flying towards Naraku.
Naraku once again laughed as he moved out of the way. "A mere punch, that's what you think will..."
"Listen Wolf!" Inuyasha began, ignoring the devious demon. "I don't know what you've been sniffing, but the only people that will be defeating this piece of crap will be me and maybe Sesshomaru."
Sesshomaru's eye twitched slightly, which was the only sign that showed he was listening to his younger brother.
"The hell you will do anything you mutt, I need to protect my woman!" Kouga snapped.
Naraku watched with amusement, "It would be so easy to kill all of you while you squabble."
"Shut up!" Inuyasha screamed, pulling out the Tetsusaiga he began in a dead run at Naraku...
- - - - Shuu - - - -
"Elder...?" Shuu questioned softly, his hands checking for a pulse, and finding a weakening one. "Elder, do you hear me?"
"Ay... a... me...?" Was his answering question. Trying to raise his hand but finding his body crippled, "...water..."
Shuu quickly grabbed a bowl with water, "Sir." He said placing the water bowl against the old wolf's dry lips.
'Ayame, please hurry.' Shuu thought desperately.
- - - - Kinadi - - - -
"Hello Miss Kinadi," A young wolf called out, running at the slender body of the flirt.
Short brown hair was ruffled as she turned and waved at the younger boy. "Hello there, aren't you getting handsome?" Kinadi added with a wink.
The young wolf blushed, holding out his hand to her he gave a shy smile. "These are for you, Kinadi."
Kinadi smiled at him, took the flowers and smelled them. "Thank you, have you seen my sister?"
The boy stared at her blankly before shaking his head negatively. "I haven't seen her since this morning."
She laughed suddenly, before retorting with, "She must be off trying to prove herself to some man." With a wink and wave the beauty was off.
- - - - Chiaki & Ai - - - -
"How long is this going to last?" Ai whined, her hands digging into the dirt and grass.
Chiaki grinned, ignoring her compliant. Tugging on her fur skirt, she looked at her best friend through long bangs. "I think it's great that you don't take anything to serious." She taunted.
"I do to!" She countered with annoyance. "What do you take me for, some joker?"
Chiaki giggled. "Yes, I do."
"You can't hold the past over my head, Chiaki." Ai stated with a pout. Her long fingers drawing little figures in the fresh dirt she'd dug up. "It's a rude thing to do."
"I don't technically hold the past, it's more so as in earlier this morning." Chiaki retorted with a smirk. "You did play a joke that ended with two of Miss Kinadi's suitors running away with fleas, bald spots AND several missing teeth."
Ai suddenly perked up, smiling she showed a row of pearl white teeth and glinting fangs. "It was an awesome sight, you can't deny that."
"The men running away toothless or them itching themselves into the village well?" Chiaki giggled, her arms wrapping around her torso.
"Both!" Ai announced laughing gleefully. Her fur skirt lifted slightly with the movement she made doubling over laughing. Pale green hair fell over her shoulders as she continued laughing. "Oh man, was that priceless." She said around her laughter.
Chiaki shook her head. "I do feel somewhat sorry for them."
Ai sobered slightly and with a shrug said, "Serves them right, they didn't have to be mean to Suki."
"True, but Suki did ask for it, she shouldn't have tried beating..." Chiaki began.
Ai interrupted. "She was doing what any of us would have done in her position. She's the older sister, not Kinadi. She should be starting a family already, but her sister ruins everything. I was just helping the cause."
Chiaki nodded her understanding. "It's almost noon, aren't you supposed to be helping Isuma?"
"Crap!" Ai yelped jumping to her feet. "He's going to be pissed." Turning quickly she begin running towards the village. "I'll see you later Chi."
"Bye!" Chiaki yelled, slowly moving to the bag at her left, she pulled out a scroll and began to read.
Ai shook her head when she glanced back at her friend. 'That girl always has a sick obsession with knowledge.'