Kouga nearly skipped in happiness as he skirted up to Serenity who was playing. Intending on having her as his mate, he sat right beside her, laying his head on her knee. His tail swayed lazily as he listened to her play before wrapping it around hers. Serenity smiled down at him before her nose picked up on intruders, one smelled remarkably like the fallen InuTashio and the Lord Sesshomaru she had met earlier. Still, she tensed in fear and concern which alerted the one resting on her whose instincts kicked in.
Her eyes lifted from the flute and immediately fell on the woman who had caught Kouga's attention days ago. Her tension was reaching a pitch, causing Kouga's beast to rise within him. It was warning him that something was threatening his intended mate. Forgetting it was the Inu-tachi that had alerted Serenity, his eyes bled a little into their demonized gold. Standing protectively he raised his hackles in warning.
Luckily it was about this time that Haruka appeared with Setsuna and Dante. They immediately leapt in front of the raging Kouga and the curious Serenity. Growling in warning at the approaching group, they calm the tensed Serenity. Which in turned calmed down the almost vicious Kouga. However, it is well-known that InuYasha does not respond well to threats. He drew his mighty fanged blade and pointed at the wolves. "Back off flea-bags." InuYasha warned, and Kouga roused from his staring.
"Hold off Mutt-face." Kouga yelled back, and that caused Haruka, Dante, Setsuna, and Serenity to peer curiously at him.
"Do you know him Kouga?" Serenity asked, tugging on his hand, drawing his attention back to her. He nodded, and lost himself to staring at her eyes again. Haruka huffed and was going to initiate herself to have a more definitive answer had not Setsuna cut in.
"Ah, Kouga could you be a little more specific?" Setsuna asked, and Kouga nodded.
"Yeah, Mutt-face there is InuYasha." Kouga commented. InuYasha yelled at him to stop calling him Mutt-face or he'll skin him alive. To which Serenity growled at the upstart pup, which had Kagome assert her will.
"InuYasha, Osuwari!" Kagome ordered, and the beads did their magic. To which Haruka smirked, and ruffle her mane around her neck.
"I like her." Haruka commented, which in reaction had Kouga laughing. To which InuYasha leapt up, cursed angrily at Kouga while brandishing his claws. Which had Serenity standing in warning beside Kouga who wrapped a tight arm around her waist. Which made InuYasha threaten her instead, to which Kagome did her tag line.
"InuYasha Osuwari!" She yelled again. Setting Haruka off again, along with Kouga. Rinse and repeat, this would of went on for several hours if not had Michiru, Hotaru, and Marilla shown up. Along with Setsuna they regained some semblance of control. Serenity invited the Inu-tachi along with Kouga to camp to hear their stories.
Serenity led them back to her camp and settled around the fire. However, she was unsettled by Kouga, who sat beside her and dragged her into his lap. Haruka protested this violently along with Dante, but both were silence by Michiru's glare.
Day passed into night as each told their story. They were interrupted by the arrival of Ginta and Hakkaku, who reported movement on Naraku. This sent a roar up in the camp, and they were forced to reiterate what was said. As the groups realized a common enemy, the night slid from the sky which meant time to sleep. Marilla glared at the arm of Kouga around Serenity, and happily pried it off as she dragged Serenity off to talk.
Marilla was aware of the constant eye of Kouga as they talked, but this was needed to be said. "Serenity, he is no good for you." Marilla warned, protective of her friend.
"Oh, Marilla, you have it all wrong, Kouga explained everything to me." Serenity stated. Marilla sighed as her anger built, Serenity was too forgiving.
"Serenity, he couldn't spare you some time to apologize and explain that one morning." Marilla gritted out. "All of the sudden he can't think about nothing, but you?" She asked. Placing a gentle claw on her friend's knee. "It just seems suspicious after hearing the story between him and that ningen." Marilla stated, trying to catch Serenity's eyes.
"Marilla, he has changed." Serenity stated happily. "I think he is chasing me." She added with a blush.
"Oh, Serenity, I hope your innocence doesn't get you hurt." Marilla said standing up.
"You don't understand!" Serenity yelled out, turning away from her friend. "I don't want to talk about it any more." Serenity whispered. Marilla sighed angrily, and turned to walked off if not had Kouga stopped her.
"What did you do?" He growled in warning. Marilla glared at the source of her anger, hauled back and socked him clearly in his face.
"Serenity may not see it yet, but you aren't worthy of her heart." Marilla hissed back and walked off, ignoring Kouga comforting Serenity.
She knew it was foolish to get angry with her friend, but she just didn't want to see Serenity heartbroken. Her family flashed in her minds-eye for a minute before she shoved it away mentally. Serenity had become like a younger sister to her. Her steps took her away from the camp and directly into the path of a certain Taiyoukai.
Sesshomaru spared a bit of interest and the stalking cat demon, especially since she nearly stalked over him. He growled lightly to gained the angry cat's attention. His nose also picked up on the association with that wolf demon that he was in dept to. Figuring that she would probably not want one of her pack murdered by Naraku, he silently invited the cat demon to travel with him. At least until he could return her back to Serenity.
Marilla nodded her thanks, preferring her space from Serenity for a while. Kouga's presence was making her slightly sick to her stomach.
Kouga nursed the small bruise forming on his cheek, but nuzzled Serenity with his other cheek. He kept the bruise from her so she wouldn't feel guilty over her friend's protectiveness. Finally she fell asleep after worrying over Marilla for a couple of hours. Tired she curled into his arms and allowed him to hold her in her sleep. It made Kouga's heart soar because she trusted him so much already.
InuYasha kept his lips from twitching as he recalled the sight he had saw. He would be sure to congratulate the cat demon when she came back. Kagome had ordered him not to keep watch tonight, as the wolf demons could do it. However, he just couldn't relax enough to do so. Frustrated Kagome had drugged him over to where she laid and curled into his embrace. InuYasha was left without the ability to argue, because he had fallen asleep as soon as Kagome curled into him.
Naraku watched this all with an angry sneer, his body preparing another detachment. Currently all his minions were on errands for him. Kagura was being held for punishment because of her actions with Kaguya. Kanna had been forgiven, and had been sent to toss Kaguya's mirror into the tip of Mountain Fuji. Kohaku still rested from his full possession of his awesome power. So he waited, biding his time as more and more practically fell into his possession.
There the next chapter of lupen's heart. I am trying to pick up my yasha crossovers. I don't think this one will be as long as Naraku's Consort. 'Shrugs,' Oh well. Please Read and Review. Much Care, WolfchildBlazer.