Chapter four

Furs and Grooms

Kotone's POV

I smelled…flowers? Lillis, orchids, blossoms…I smelled fresh grass and pure water, I heard the water fall and echo around me. When I opened my eyes I saw where I was. I was in a cave, upon a bed of everything I had smelled, the entrance to the cave was covered by a sparkling waterfall, it fell in every shade of blue imaginable.

I sat up; some petals fell from my hair as I did so. I was still wearing the clothes I came in, so I was glad of that. I looked for Kei, to my great relief, my bog black wolf came padding in.

"Abyss!" I breathed and hugged him tightly, he had a guilty look in his eyes so I kissed his head. Abyss settled his head on my lap as I stroked his ears.

"You are very good with him….Kotone" came a voice I did not recognise, I looked up to see a towering figure, muscular and dark, a wild and rugged beauty that held me speechless for a moment. When I did not reply he continued "wolves have good instincts, they know who they can trust."

This broad shouldered wolf-man held a cup under the waterfall, when it was filled to the brim with the enchanting looking liquid, he offered it to me.

I realised how parched I actually was and gratefully accepted the cup. "Tell me who you are, where I am, how you know me and where I can find my second travelling companion, he is wolf demon like you" I demanded.

He raised his eyebrows as though surprised by me and smiled, "You're a she wolf at heart, certainly no sheep" he said, had I just impressed him?

I kept my face still and he continued to answer me. "I am half dog-demon, half human and proudly so, I am to be a ruler in my own right and you will speak with me in the appropriate manner. Now answer my questions and while at it, fetch me more water."

I had to be strong, I had to think of what my father would do, what my mother would do…what every one of my siblings would do.

Hiro's smile remained and he did fetch me more water from the waterfall. "I am Hiro, the next chief, son to Koga and Ayame, brother to your Kei. You are currently in the consummation cave, this is for newly mated pairs come and spend their first night together. It is by far the cleanest and most attractive of our caves; I thought it paired well with your own beauty."

He was charming, I'd give him that…certainly more charming that Kei. However, I easily saw through all this, his heart clearly belonged to another, I have witnessed many love-struck demons and demonesses, I was now an expert and picking up on all the signs.

I frowned and smirked at him, "flattery will get you nowhere, Hiro…have more respect for me than that, continue with more relevant things, tell me where Kei is before a make this cave collapse on you." I had said it so calmly, yet the threat was true.

His smile was unwavering, "Such a shame…such a waste of life and beauty. I saw you were a half demon, a very powerful one and I recognised the aura around you…you see you are radiating both a youthful and ancient energy. I have seen someone in your condition once before."

I frowned, "you have?" I mouthed.

He nodded, "I knew a woman…part frog demon."

I heard of those kinds, I had seen a half frog demon myself and I had to admit, they weren't pleasant to look at. "Tell me about her…what happened to her?"

Hiro sat beside me, "Her name was Junko, when you looked at her once all you would see was a pair of giant black eyes, bulbous bleak. Green skin that always looked wet. Long strands of black and damp locks hanging from her head. Her lips…long, thin and slimy looking, she was tall but large in build, her throat sometimes expanded and her tongue long and sticky….that is not how I saw her at first" he paused. "You see….Junko transformed completely on his night of weakness, she became the most beautiful of creatures, from head to toe she was utter perfection. It was on her night of weakness that I met her…it was on that night I fell in love with her. However she refused to meet me any other night…it was always on the night of a full moon, I thought she was an ordinary human. This went on for five years, till one day…I asked her to marry me and we spent the night together, when I awoke with her the next day…I saw her true half demon form."

I could only imagine the true horror of that moment, when he closed his eyes he was holding a great beauty, when he awoke he was holding….something else.

I was so engrossed with this story! "Continue" I demanded. That was the rule of a leader, we do not ask, we must demand…it is our right.

Hiro's eyes were flooded with memory, he did continue. "I was so confused…but I knew her smell, I knew the rhythm of her heart beat better than any song, there was no doubt in my mind that she was Junko. I gave her chance to explain. Junko had loved me…more than any woman ever had, she was terrified to lose me but finally wanted me to see her as she truly was, and I did. At first glance…Junko was on the surface…what most would say quite unappealing. However take a second look and you discover that she was kind, honest….she was funny and smart. I wanted to be with her, I wanted to marry her!"

He paused again, this story…it reminded me so much of Yoshi's tale. Also Katashi's general, Nagasumi, he fell for a woman many had unattractive but still loved her beyond belief.

Hiro smiled at the look on my face and went on with the story; "I told my father that I was going on a long hunt, however…I was planning on fleeing with Junko and returning once she were married and I were married and she was carrying my child." A shadow cast over his face. "But then…she started to change…the same thing that is happening to you….happened to her. I wanted the same thing you're looking for, the vile to eternal life. But I was too late, we had travelled too far and she died before we made it back."

It was a tragic tale, I pitied him greatly, Hiro took my hand and he held it tight, "for Junko…I'll save you, we must get you ready and show you to my father, I will speak for you myself, he is more inclined to listen to me than Kei…but I will need your trust, can you do that? Lady Kotone."

All I could do was nod. I wanted so desperately to meet this Junko for she knew what it was like when your own body became your cage, to be wrapped in the chains of your own existence. I wanted for her and Hiro to be together once again, I could see in his eyes, he didn't want to be leader, he wanted a humble life with a small family.

Hiro kissed my hands, "you will be dressed in our attire, the she-wolves will enter to prepare you." He then moved to take his leave.

"Wait!" I called out, my voice echoing throughout the cave "I want to see Kei! Where is he?"

Hiro still smiled at me, I was still talking to him like his superior, and this may be insolent of me, especially after what he shared with me. But I was taught that as a ruler I must be in constant authority, especially with the dog demon heritage, I believe that Hiro understood this and that is why he allowed me to behave in such a way.

"I will send him to you right away." He assured and with his leave I was suddenly surrounded by wolf maids, all pulling at my clothes and hair. I was wrapped in deep cream furs, my waist was exposed and a golden belt accentuated the tiny width of my waist. I was given golden wrist plates and tribal necklace, also gold. My hair was loosened and it fell just past my waist and touched the tops of my hips. The she wolves styled my hair by adding a few plaits here in varied sizes and laced with golden thread. My limbs were vigorously chafed with wisteria and pink moss so that I carried their fragrance upon my skin. The boots they gave me to wear upon my feet were sheathed with the cream furm the same shade I wore as a skirt and shawl.

Suddenly the she wolves scattered when my big brash friend stormed in. "Move it!" he demanded, they all squealed.

"She may not have been ready yet!" one called to him.

He scowled at the little wolf girl, "Shut up, get out all of you! Now, before I chase you out!"

Quickly they scarpered; it was just he and I alone. He looked at me, his eyes turned wide. He wasn't saying anything; he was just staring at me!

"Tell me what you're thinking" I ordered.

He smirked and walked closer, "I was just thinking how good you look in fur, how you look and carry yourself with more wolf bride than those pathetic females that fled from here, how no matter what happens next…this is how I want to remember you, for the rest of my life…"

I was stunned….did he really just say that to me? Kei…I would give anything to give you something to truly remember me by…a firm but gentle kiss to leave you as breathless as you have left me now. I wanted to leap into his arms then and there.

I acted on my instincts and rushed into his arms, "Kei, what if the chief refuses me? Why did they dress me up like this?"

Kei looked so frustrated, "I don't know, I'm not part of the tribe, they consider me an outcast and I'm not allowed to hear what they say or know what they are planning. I told your father this was a bad idea! There is no way Koga will listen to me."

I frowned deeply, "then it is a good thing that we have Hiro on our side" I said, pacing a little.

"Hiro?" Kei wore a look of disgust, "what the hell are you talking about K?"

I shrugged, "We shall see, come…I believe it's time we met with your parents" I hooked my arm around his, "Nervous?"

He scoffed at me, "no, they should be…if he doesn't hand you the vile…I'll be forced to take from him."

I held tighter to his arm, what an idiot he was to truly he could fool me. He missed his family; I could see that quite clearly.

Together we made our way to the chief and his mate.

"Kei…I have wondered something, you told me that these tribes do not select their heirs by birth…but strength, when the leader…the alpha needs to descend, anyone can challenge him, if they win they take his place? Why does Hiro believe he has a definite claim?"

"Simple…he is the second strongest of our tribe, the first born son always is…he will have to fight my father for his place, if anyone wishes to change this they have to not only defeat Koga in battle, but Hiro also."

"I think you underestimate your own strength, I think you should be the next chief."

"Not likely K, you have to be a member of the pack to be listened to…I was disowned."

Kei's POV

Seeing her in those furs…she looked like one of us, she was glorious to say the least! I was glad to have her cling so tightly to me, because I was dreading what was about to come.

We were under the open sky where the wolf leaders sat poised on their tribal thrones, my two brothers either side of them. I got so many glares shot my way, all vague yet threatening.

Koga had not changed, he was a true leader…he was someone I once idolised, who I was so determined to become.

Beside him sat my mother, the only one to have even the slightest love for me even still. She was trying to look at me as though I was a stranger, but I could see in her eyes that I would always be her son.

We came to the centre, the other members of the tribe circling us upon the mountain ledges. When we saw Hiro, he looked at Kotone in a certain way…a look of reassurance. I hated him for this, I was gonna be the one to save her! Not him!

Koga observed Kotone, looking her up and down, he then acknowledged me. "It's been nine years since I last saw you…nine years since you shamed your pack, and you come here….looking for my help? Why should I? For this mutt pup? Is this really what you've been doing all these years? You left your place as a prince to serve a half-breed pup?"

I was about to speak up, Kotone got there first "I am Kotone of the western lands, the next ruler! I have an empire practically mine already! I am the daughter of the great Lord Sesshomaru…and the niece of the priestess Kagome!"

Kagome! That name still irked me beyond belief! My mother for a brief moment cringed. The reaction I was most interested to see was Koga's, he seemed to soften at the mention of her.

Kotone stepped forward, "You would not heed Kei, but Hiro has informed you of what I want…what is happening to me, he has kindly offered to speak on my behalf" she paused; she looked more like a leader than ever before. "But I will speak for myself; I will tell you why you should give me this vile. If not for your son….who is my greatest friend, who I know would fall into a deep despair should I die, then for the love you once had for my aunt! Were she still alive she would plead to you…Kagome would tell me stories of her fighting days, she was a huge part of my life, she loved me, if you have any respect for the mere memory for her, after she and my uncle saved your life many times in the past…you will save her niece right now!"

I had never seen that look on my father's face, ever! For the first time in my knowing him…he was speechless.

Koga leaned forward, his legs were crossed, Buddha style "I once contemplated giving her the vile…did she ever tell you that?"

"She did not" Kotone admitted.

Koga checked his wife's face, she was like stone. "Yeah…I offered her immortality, to be with that mutt of hers forever….but she refused it, she wanted to be human, she wanted to die someday. I respected that wish of hers…I have done all I can for her. If you want this…you'll have to be a part of this tribe."

What did he mean? What was he planning?

"How do you propose I do this?" Kotone asked.

My mother was also now watching Koga carefully, unaware of what he was intending.

"It's simple" Koga answered, "you marry into it…you will marry one of my sons"

I heard her breath hitch, my heart nearly stopped dead in my chest.

This was chance! "I'll do it!" I blurted, "I will wed Kotone!"

There were whispers heard, this couldn't have worked out better…but then I was reminded of what she had previously stated, "I have no wish to marry Kei".

Koga scowled at me, "You forgotten? You're no longer my son! She will marry either Zoki or Hiro, whichever one she chooses and whichever one wants her."

Zoki licked his viscous little lips "I'll have her" he spoke, "now that the wrinkles are gone…she's a lot easier to look at."

Kotone narrowed her eyes at Zoki, "I would rather die!" she bit back.

Zoki only laughed, "That may be the case then pretty thing."

Hiro somehow appeared beside her without anyone noticing, "I will wed her if she will have me."

He took her by than hand, she watched him carefully, so uncertain as he clasped her hand ad knelt to her.

"Kotone…I promise you I will be good to you, a wolf mates for life…though we will do this out of duty…I will be good to you, I will respect you and live wherever you wish. I will be faithful, I will be supportive…I will be your partner…I will rule with you and not for you." Hiro paused and stood to his feet, still holding her hand, Kotone looked bewildered. "This will save your life, I don't want you to think that you are gaining back your life for nothing, I will make certain our life together…is a good one. I do this in memory of someone important to me."

There was silence…this was killing me! I wanted to look away I wanted to snatch her from him! But I knew Hiro. He didn't take after either of my parents…he was the echo of my great grandfather on our mother's side. I knew he would be good to her, he never hurt her and I knew she would be safe…and alive.

"She accepts" I spoke for her, Kotone's eyes snapped on me…she seemed both angered and hurt…but she could never be in as much pain as I was.

Kotone gave me a dirty look then turned to Hiro, "Very well."

Koga grinned and stepped down from his place and came to where Kotone and Hiro stood still hand in hand. "You will have your vile the moment you two are married…however it won't be that easy… you have to prove yourself worthy of my son. Tomorrow you will be put into the ring…you will tame wolves."

Kotone's eyes turned wide for a moment, I forgot about that stupid ceremony! She would have three trials, if she survived, she could marry Hiro. I would make sure she would survive!

Ayame then came to where the rest of us stood, "I had to do this also, I will try to prepare you...give you some advice."

I could tell Kotone was so grateful to her and so was I.

"Hiro" mother spoke "you should spend some time with your betrothed…take her on your hunt, keep her safe."

"I assure you" Kotone responded, "I am no stranger to a hunt."

With that Hiro and she walked off together, she didn't look back, that was deliberate…I knew that, she was angry with me.

I was watching them till they were out of view the only thing that snapped me out of it was my mother's hand on my shoulder, "come with us" she whispered.

This was it, time for a conversation I had spent nine years avoiding.

Koga's POV

-Flashback-

"How could you! He's our son!" Ayame yelled at me, she moved to strike me but I caught her by the wrist.

"I had to! He is on a path to ruin! I may be his father but I'm also his chief and he cannot disrespect me in front our entire pack! I had no choice but to disown him! He was threatening to leave, he was expecting me to go all soft and tell him to stay…I couldn't do that, I can't appear weak, we're not like those other noble demons in their pretty castles…we're tribal! What he said to us out there was considered an act of treachery, running of to run with dogs!"

Ayame looked away from me, tears brimming her eyes, "but….we may never see Kei again…he's still my little pup Koga…out of all our sons, he reminds me the most of you" she whimpered and allowed some tears to fall.

This got to me, I lifted her chin up so she was looking at me, "Come on now Ayame…ya know I hate it when you cry, please just stop…okay, listen to me, I promise you will see him again, he'll come back I know it and when he does he'll be a better wolf. You need to stop being so soft with him."

Ayame scowled at me, "Maybe if precious Kagome was Kei mother….and your mate….you would have shown more leniency." With that she stormed off.

"Ayame! Ayame get back here!" I called after, she did not look back. Ayame never mentioned Kagome, ever. Losing Kei really hurt her, but what she wouldn't admit was the Kei was hurting her a lot more with his foul attitude. He was always saying how I was being unfair to his mother, how it wasn't right that apparently treated her like nothing that a last resort. I had disown him for Ayame's sake, because truth was that I did love my wife, she wasn't the first woman I loved but she would always be the last. However what everyone had to understand was that I still always love Kagome, the very memory of her, because she was a part of what made me the great leader I am today, made me the man worthy of Ayame.

Kei had to realise what he was doing wrong, when he came back I could not welcome him until I saw a difference.

-End of Flashback-

He looked like me, he had gotten so big and strong…the father in me was glad to see he was well. The Sesshomaru clan had seen he was decently fed, I just hoped he'd hunted most of his food and not turned into some pampered pooch.

We were in the armoury cave, Ayame was at my side…Kei in front of us, striking the same arrogant pose I once used in my younger days, he had so pride in him even still, he wouldn't admit defeat, let alone apologise.

"You got anything to say to us?" I asked brusquely.

Kei shrugged, "I'm not here for you or me…I came here for Kotone"

He gave a brief HA! "I see…you're in love with the pretty half-breed, that was why you were so eager to marry her, well as I said…only a member of this tribe can marry her."

Kei growled at me, "You're wrong, I'm her guardian…I offered myself so that I knew she would be safe, however she seems happy with Hiro."

Fool, she wants you…she wanted you to fight for her! If you just submitted and admitted you were wrong, I would welcome you back and let you marry her without the trials! Just prove you've changed, prove you're a better wolf!

"Is that all you have to say?" I asked trying to get something out of him.

"That's all chief…if that is all then I'm going to find Kotone, she's probably really pissed at me right now." he paused for a moment, "it must have been mice to talk about Kagome again…I'm sure you havn't been able to do that for a while now."

With that he walked away, it was so brief and there was so much that needed saying and both of us were too stubborn to say it.

Ayame was staring at me coldly, "I never knew you were going to give Kagome immortality…you never told me."

I sighed heavily, "It's not what you think Ayame, it was when she gave birth to her first child…the mutt was getting all upset about the fact that she would grow old and die…I owed him, he avenged my comrades when he killed Naraku…that was the only reason why."

She looked so unconvinced, "Then why didn't you tell me? Is it because you were hoping that she would be so grateful to you, that you would have hundreds upon thousands of years to win her love? I'm sorry that even after all that the two of you went through…she still rejected you and loved someone else…I can't possibly imagine how that feels!" she stormed off.

Once again Kei had stormed in like a hurricane and was causing chaos amongst us! I can't understand why he is behaving this way even still.

Wait a minute…he's angry, I just gave the girl he loves to his brother…would he have stepped up and apologised if I allowed him to marry the little half-breed? Maybe, but still he had to show me he could be the bigger man, I had failed him as a parent, I was hoping Sesshomaru could have done better.

I ran to find my, last time we had an argument where Kagome was concerned, she disappeared for two weeks. I didn't eat or sleep the entire time, night and day I was out there looking for her. When I came back to see if she had returned ahead of me, she was there scowling at me, first thing she said was "where the hell have you been?"

I wish someone would give me a break on this whole Kagome thing…I am always honest, they know I will always love her that doesn't mean I don't love Ayame or our pups!

Ginta and Hakkaku appeared, they still couldn't keep up with me.

"Hey Koga, want us to help you catch Ayame?" Ginta asked.

"Yeah, we'll help!" Hakkaku joined in.

"Buzz off will ya! I got marital issues!" I yelled at them and ran on ahead.

I swear Ayame…I don't get while you still doubt what I feel for you, why you're so insecure…after all the crap I put up with from you!

Kotone's POV

"So was that your plan all along?" I asked Hiro, "what about Junko…your first wife?"

He tensed up, "Junko is gone…I would give anything to bring her back but I can't. I chose to do this for you because…there is something about you that is a comfort to me. I have grieved every day since her passing, I laid eyes on you and my pain eased. That is why, immortality is a curse when you live it alone, everyone needs a partner Kotone."

Hiro was a wise wolf indeed, he would be good to me…but I know I gave him some relief from the pain of losing Junko, it would only eventually be replaced with guilt. But Kei…he accepted for me, I was angry with him for that!

"Well we'll have to see how my first trial goes" I spoke as we looked at the view from the mountain.

Hiro chuckled, "you know you'll be fine…you don't look the slightest bit worried."

I smirked, "I am the daughter of Sesshomaru…I will survive no matter what."

Hiro nodded, "I've no doubt my pretty bride-to-be, no doubt at all." He cleared his throat, "good night now, we will need rest, shall I escort you to your cave?"

He was so unlike any of the other wolf demons, he had manners and I bet he didn't eat with his hands.

I shook my head, "I'm not tired yet, just a little while longer."

He agreed and left.

I sighed heavily, Kei….I really wish you had fought for me….I wish you had insisted to be the one to marry me.

I heard someone approach, a familiar smell and warm hands grip my shoulders I turned and there he stood. Zoki, his red hair tied and his blue eyes piercing.

"You look good fur, tribal suits you. It's not too late y'know, you can still have me…fight for my hand in the ring. You want excitement in your life…Hiro, he's too boring for you." Zoki's face was close to mine, his breath smelled blood and meat from the hunt. "You caught boar for us today….they say they've never seen a woman hunt like that…the she-wolves tend to stay at home watching the pups and grooming their fur…you impressed us all today."

I furrowed my brow, "I would stand back now Zoki…soon you will be my brother by marriage. Hiro strikes me as the possessive type too."

Zoki laughed, "All wolves are possessive, it's in our nature, once we want something we must have it and no one else can, that is in all of us and it's difficult to fight especially when we're told that what we want is something we can't have."

There was something about the gleam in his eyes…it was like when light flashed across a silver blade, I found him both frightening and compelling. Perhaps it's because no one had looked at me that way before, like I was a sultry and teasing temptress, like he hungered for me. However I knew that it was unwise and impractical to feel this way, my honour and dignity meant more to me. I was no tool or object! Suddenly I was angry and I kicked him away.

"Control yourself or better yet find yourself another woman to focus your attention on, you waste your time here." I went to walk away but he grabbed me by the arm.

"Not so fast!" he spoke and then checked my face, "you're in love with someone…not Hiro…who is he?"

Such an interfering wretch! He is really starting to bug me! "come closer….and I'll tell you" I uttered.

He did just that and I put my lips close to his ear to tell him my little secret. But when I opened my mouth it was not a soft whisper, I released my sonic scream…only a little, it pierced through his ear like a thin sharp needle and pricked his brain. It wasn't anything that would kill him, but it knocked him out.

"Kotone?" Kei uttered in disbelief, I turned and there he stood, wide eyes and staring down at is unconscious brother. "What happened?"

I shrugged, "I didn't appreciate the way he was speaking to me…I don't like any of this! I'm being treated like a child or an object! You especially shocked me, I thought you defend me not hand me to your brother!"

"I did that to save you! Besides you may not need to, I'm sending word to your family, for all we know they found other ways to help you. You may not need to marry Hiro."

There was silence, "I would have preferred to marry you…just so you know" I admitted, it took every bit of my courage to do so.

He didn't say a word, he opened his mouths but no words came out. He looked so shocked and it panicked me.

"I suppose it doesn't matter now anyway." I said nonchalantly before walking away from him.

I wanted him to stop me from walking away, I wanted to race up behind me and hold me, to whisk me away. I shouldn't have said what I said!

I'm such a dumb ass!

Chapter five coming soon.