Chapter six

Feasts and Fury

Hiro's POV

-Flashback-

"Junko…." I breathed….she was huddled away covering her face, "I'm sorry I frightened you…why didn't you tell me?" I approached her.

She tensed at my shoulder on her arm, "because…" she sniffed, "you just discovered my true form; I am not the beautiful woman you met, not until the full moon…now you will never see her again, because of this horrible ageing illness!" she then began to sob, "I'm sorry…you could do so much better than me! I lied to you for five years…for the same reason I've lied for the past three weeks…I don't want to lose you! It's a miracle you stayed with me after my first deception."

I brought her into my arms, "listen to me…I'm going to save you, my father has a cure…a vile that grants immortality, it'll turn you into a fully-fledged demon."

She looked up at me with those big black pools she called eyes "But Hiro….that means I'll look like this forever…you will never see your moonlit maiden again…" the tears down her face were a strange yellow colour. I wiped them from her green face, ignoring the slimy texture and swept the oily black hair from her brow. It was there I placed a kiss.

"You're my wife…I chose you, I chose you in this form…I wanted to wait till you were with child…looks like you're meeting my family early. I'll be glad for them to meet you."

Her thin black lips stretched into a smile, "you think we'll make it in time?" she asked.

I smirked and swept her off her feet and kissed her lips, "I know we will! I'll make sure of that! You're going to live a Junko and share a long and happy life…with me"…

-End of Flashback-

She died…four days later…

Junko…

The feast approached, there would be large amount of various meats, and wine and sake we had stolen from human villages…would flow like the longest river.

I entered the stone chambers of my bride who had been readied for the celebration in her honour. From her hips cascaded a long fur train with a gold belt. Her fur shawl was added to with feathers, similar to the one laced in her hair. She did look quite fetching. Yet she aroused no passion in me, all I could do was think her very beautiful, but only in the way I thought my mother beautiful…I suppose that I looked on her as a sister. However I had to charm her and be a good husband to her, we mated for life…I would be till death do we part.

"You look wonderful" I told her.

She smiled, but there was no joy behind it, "Why do you look sad?" I asked.

She sent her attendants away; when they were gone she took me by the hand and sat me down. "You have been so good to me; you have been kind, charming and respectful to me…you have been so very sweet and supportive. For these reasons the thought of marrying isn't all that terrible…however, I feel I should be honest with you…I will never love you romantically. I am in love with someone else…"

A smiled touched my face "Kei" I stated, it wasn't a question, I knew the answers.

Kotone seemed shocked, "How do you-"

"-Know? The amount of times the two of you have argued and are still seem to care for each other more than your own lives, it was pretty obvious."

She looked away "you're not angry?"

I smiled, "you need to remember why I am doing this, I am doing this in memory of the woman I loved…the one who was taken away from me by the same illness. I am not angry or surprised by the fact that you love Kei, however…I will ask you not to act on those feelings, if you are to marry me…then you must be faithful, understood?"

Kotone didn't say anything, she leaned her head upon my shoulder, like a little sister. "I understand…tell me…did you and Junko ever argue like me and Kei?"

I chuckled and wrapped my arm around her shoulder, "Not really…she and I spent only on night together for five years, then after I discovered the truth about her and was able to spend all this time with her, it was like a we were in the first stage of love for five years, then when we took the next step…before we could fully bloom she was cut away from me….I would love nothing more than the chance to argue with her over petty things… so I could quickly make up with her and laugh it all off."

"I think that's something I'll miss the most" she confessed, "I will miss him making amends by doing something sweet and out of character, something to let me know that beneath that roughness he is quite soft."

I gave her hair one stoke and rested my hand on the back of her head, "I'm not one for arguments, but I'll do my best to make you laugh as much as he does…but he will still be a part of your life, I won't take him from you or you from him."

For a moment she gazed at me, her perfect features puzzled, but then her mouth stretched and she looked at me fondly. "You aren't what one would expect from a wolf demon, you don't seem the sort who would be content with a cave, you belong in a castle."

I chuckled lightly, "That's where you're wrong, caves suit me just fine. Have you not noticed the beauty of caves? They are natural shelters created by the earth, they lead deep into and under mountains that reach the sky, and they connect and lead you to unknown places. The pigments of the stone gleam like demons when the morning or moon light touches it. You should see this place at night, when the stars and moon shine through the waterfall…there is a reason why marriages are consummated in this cave."

Suddenly I felt her tense up and dare I say a blush painted her cheeks. "Is this where we'll have consummate ours?"

That made me momentarily tense up; neither of us could imagine being so intimate with each other…it felt wrong, almost incestuous. However, it was my duty to try and calm her on this, assure her and make her feel like the most desirable woman in the world.

"I will gladly wait until we have travelled back to the western lands, if it will make you more comfortable."

She looked around the place; I could tell that she was imagining the place lit by the glow of the evening, the gentle sound of the waterfall…the bed of flowers. But when she pictured the groom laying her down…it wasn't my face she pictured, it was Kei's. She would take part in this tradition for him without a doubt. However…not with me.

"I would much prefer that….thank you" she responded eventually.

I kindly took her hand and helped her to her feet; I kissed the back of her white hand. "Come now Kotone…we have a feast in your honour "

No matter what, even if I could not lover her as a husband should his wife, I would never be cruel to her or unfaithful, I would trust her as much as I wanted her to trust me. I would do my best to gain the favour of her family, show them the more civilised side of the wolf demons.

I think she would appreciate that…

We wandered down and into the open sky were I fire was lit, we were greeted with cheers. They all adored Kotone and threw petals at her. The drums were banging rhythmically and the glow of the torches brightened her smile.

My mother came and took Kotone by the hands and told her to sit with the elder wolves and share stories. It was nice to see them getting along so well.

I was greeted by many of my comrades who hooted and playfully tackled me, all trying to hand me drinks.

Zoki was nowhere in sight, this was foolish of him and made him look like he had something to hide. One brother was there…my youngest and most challenging one. Kei was just sipping at his drink and appeared deep in thought. There was a time when he and I were close, we went hunting together, he spoke to me about things he didn't want to speak to our parents about, I have to admit….I missed my little brother.

Kei's eyes were so transfixed upon Kotone as she laughed with the elders and mingled with our people. Since we were little we were told that dog demons were pompous and arrogant, that they thought they were better than us. They ignored their basic canine instincts to act superior, it was an insult for surly the wolf was mightier than the dog…but they referred to us as dog, just ones that were wild and flea bitten. Father said the only exception was Lord Inuyasha with whom he shared a grudging friendship and respect for. But he was wrong, Kotone…truly something special, she could be so dominate and regal, but then she would suddenly appear so humble and kind, a true ruler of every demon. She was more than that to Kei, she behaved differently around him, she didn't hold anything back from him, she insulted him because she they were close enough to do that. When Kotone felt his gaze she glanced up and there was a long moment where their eyes locked.

There was a spark there; Kotone was the first to look away, something seemed to di in him each time she turned her head away.

"They belong together…don't they" the voice that spoke was so sweet, it could only belong to one person.

"You took your time… I've awaited your visit for some time now…Junko."

Sure enough it was her, in her demon form, she was standing close…I couldn't even put my arms around her. "She's pretty…your new love."

I raised one corner of my mouth, "She is my new bride….I will only ever have one love,"

Junko sighed, "But she is dead Hiro…she lied to you then died on you…I want you to move on now, I was your first love…doesn't mean I have to be your last. However…if you want that happiness, It cannot be at the expense of another's…Kotone is not for you, deep down you know this."

I did…even still…. "What am I to do? She is relying on this marriage to save her, Kei needs to step up!"

Junko nodded and agreed with me, "You're right, he does….he's so stubborn, just like his father….neither of them will relent, it's up to you….my wise wolf, you must bring your family together again, you must bring Kei and Kotone together…then you can have your own happiness."

I turned to ask her how I was supposed to do all this, but when I turned to reach her….she had gone. I had once again imagined my wife to life, I had once again forgotten to hold her and ask her to stay. I was not taken aback by her sudden manifestation; I used to see her all the time for a month after her death, then her visits became less frequent till finally, a year ago…they stopped.

I watched Kotone for a moment, what would she think if I kissed, just took her face in my hands and kissed her? I cringed at the thought, it wouldn't be right.

Honouring Junko's memory would take a lot more than I thought. It was all too easy so far, marrying Kotone would solve nothing, no….I would ensure everyone had their happy ending, because Junko and I would never have our own.

I stormed over to my brother and towered over him, "What?" He demanded rudely.

I rolled my eyes at him, what Kotone saw in him I'll never know, I grabbed him by the arm and began dragging him away. "Come with me, you foolish child"

Kotone's POV

-Flashback-

"Kei you promised!" I yelled at him as I clung to the white sheet I had placed over my head. My body-guard had only been in our service for a month now, it was too soon for him to start disobeying me.

"I told you I'm too old for playing weddings! Leave me alone!" he argued back, I wondered if all eleven year old boys were this annoying!

I glared at him, "I won the bet! I bet Jaken would wash his robes after one week and you bet two! I was right so now you have to play weddings with me! I command it!"

He snatched the sheet off me, "what if we played hide and seek instead?"

"I'm not falling for that again! Last time Abyss and I hid for an hour before I realised you weren't seeking us! I don't know why you hate the game, my brother Yoshi and his wife Airi always play it and they're grown-ups!"

He rolled his eyes, "I knew where you were, I have to keep an eye on you, that's my real job, I'm not here to be you play mate!"

With a growl I kicked him in the shin, he didn't even flinch, I stormed away with Abyss following me, "Fine! You're mean! I'll go pretend to marry someone else then!"

I turned the corner, grumbling about how stupid he was and how I wish I hadn't insisted he be my guard. Suddenly I heard Abyss yelp, I tuned to see two strangers, all in black had him pinned with ropes. I moved to help him…but suddenly was restrained myself.

"We got her! Sesshomaru will do anything to get this one back….dead or alive!" I heard them say.

I kicked and struggled, it was no use…so many hands were clutching at me, I saw five faces….all angry and filled with greed!

"Daddy! Daddy! Help me!" I called out. But my father was not here, he was visiting Kenta….he couldn't save me this time!

There came a flash, one was dead….I felt his warm blood cool on my skin…then another fell , then another and I was dropped, I huddled away and closed my eyes, till I heard the fighting stop.

A warm and gentle hand laid on my head, I opened my eyes….and there was Kei…his eyes so green and unusually meek. I was crying as he swept me up.

He carried me through the gardens and headed for the castle, Abyss padded along, I saw by the blood around his snout that once Kei had freed him, he assisted with my rescue.

The only time I ever felt this safe when being carried, was when my father carried me. I never thought I would ever feel this safe with another person, especially a gross and icky boy like Kei.

"Did you kill them?" I uttered.

"I had to K." he answered, "I told it's my job to keep an eye on you."

I nodded, I hated feeling so weak! He saw how sad I was.

"Listen" he began with a sigh, "I'll take you to your parents, then….I'll play weddings with you."

I suddenly couldn't help but smile, "Really?"

"Sure…after all, it's only pretend."

I felt so much better, but suddenly a thought occurred, "you have to bath first…." I informed him as-a-matter-of-factly.

"No" he argued

"Yes" I insisted.

"No"

"I'll scream!"

"Fine! Little brat!"

Maybe having Kei around was a good idea after all…

-End of flashback-

I love Hiro, I love him like I love my brothers. He was so good to me; the thought of marrying him was not what repulsed me it was the fact that I would have to consummate it. My respect for him skyrocketed when he spoke of being faithful.

I would be faithful to him….physically. I could not stop my heart however, but I believe he knew this and accepted this, after all he felt very much the same. I couldn't imagine kissing him…touching him intimately, it seemed….wrong. Even though he was a wolf demon, I do believe that once my family had gotten to know him, they would approve, Kasumi especially.

I was currently surrounded by the elders of the tribe, all of them in their demonic forms, huge white, brown and black wolves. Abyss was at my side, a huge comfort to me, as was my future mother-in-law, Ayame. Abyss always looked so big to me, but when these demons were in their true forms he looked so small in comparison.

They all spoke with me so respectfully, sharing words of wisdom on marriage and children. They complimented me on my own family values; they had heard how tight knit my own pack was. I really did enjoy speaking with them.

Ayame's mother, Ume, was there too, her fur as white snow. Ayame had told me that when she was young Ume sent her to live with her grandfather, the wisest and oldest of wolves, so that she could learn from him.

Ume had a voice that was as gentle as morning rain in spring; her eyes were serene and full of wisdom. In some ways she reminded me of my own grandmother on my father's side. Actually I would like to see Ume and my grandmother in a room together, add my father there too.

Beside her was Kain, Koga's father, whose fur was a deep black. When they sat next to each other they looked like Ying and Yang. Kain and Ume had a respect for one another, but their views were very different.

"A she-wolf must be as great as her husband, you must never back down from him, and there is power in the female wolf" Ume advised.

Kain scoffed, "that's ridiculous, you must yield to your alpha, he hunts, he gathers and you must bear his pups and groom them to be as fierce as he."

Ayame and I giggled; my future mother-in-law laid her hand upon my shoulder and addressed her father by marriage and mother by birth.

"You must both realise" she began "that Kotone is a leader in her own right with a castle and all…her and Hiro have agreed they are to be a single unit, perfect equals…much like Koga and myself"

Kain cackled at this "You and Koga equal? No, you're his little woman and everyone knows it, still I'm glad you at least managed to turn his head away from that whiney priestess, I don't know what he saw in that pathetic human, or why he still clearly loves her, maybe more than you. Our demonic blood would have been diluted, luckily when this half breed marries Hiro, she'll become a full-fledged demon with the vile, we've never had dog and wolf together…should be interesting."

Kain was very outspoken….I could respect that, but not when he referred to me as half-breed in such a manner or my aunt as a whiny human, or still stating that Ayame was nothing more than a last resort.

I was about to say something when Ayame again spoke for me, "priestess Kagome was a wonderful person and the aunt of Kotone. She and her husband avenged Koga's comrades and for that we will always have nothing but respect for her. As for the half-breed thing, you're right…but half demons should not be underestimated…Kotone here is a perfect example, given her illness also, she still survived the three trials….she is the reason we feast tonight…speaking of which me and Kotone are off to get a drink now."

With that she took my hand and led me away. She fetched two shots of sake…I assumed one was for me, but I assumed wrong, she shot them both down.

"Hiro has strict instructions to not give you alcohol, it weakens you and we don't want you wrinkling up at you own celebration" she explained, still I could tell something else bothered her.

"Ayame….is everything alright?" I asked her.

She feigned a smile, but when she saw I was not convinced she dropped the act. "I hope that you never know what it's like to live in the shadow of another woman…it's cold and dark there."

A little piece of my heart broke for her, "I don't believe you live in the shadow of another, Ayame, it's a shadow you have cast yourself, you only need to step out to bask in the warmth and light."

Ayame chuckled, but it was a sad little laugh…even slightly irritated, "this is not a conversation you should be having on your special night, I'm going for a run….goodbye Kotone."

I didn't like the way she said that, "Ayame…you will be coming back right? You always do…"

"I always do…." She uttered sadly and sped off….I had this horrible feeling that this time she was leaving for good.

I had to find Kei….no Hiro! He is my betrothed after all; still Kei was the one I wanted to run to. Better yet I should find the chief himself.

"Where are you going Kotone?" asked a soothing voice, I spun and there was Ume, Abyss followed beside her, when he saw me, he joined me at my side.

"It's Ayame…I think she's upset." I answered.

"You shouldn't concern yourself too much…this family always ignores issues, we bury them like corpses….no body, no crime….that's how we deal with it and if you wish to belong here, you best follow this."

I could not agree with this, "That is not how I was raised; I was raised to always be honest with family, that there was nothing that could break our bonds! I don't know what really has happened between you all and Kei, but he hasn't been the same since the moment we arrive here. He's miserable, he's distant! It doesn't have to be this way, if there is one thing I've learnt throughout my life, is that there is nothing that can break family bods!"

"Well aren't you fortunate…still you are marrying into this family now and we are a firm believer of unspoken truths, we ignore those issues. For instance, my grandson Zoki is a psycho and a pervert who despite being told not to, still feast on humans. Hiro married a half-demon frog who died of a rare aging disease….yes dear….we all know that, he thinks he's clever and can keep it from us but wolves always smell the lies and dig up truth…before we bury it away again. Koga loved a human, Ayame secretly resents that and tries to make the world believe she is happy when all the world knows she is miserable. Kei is in love with his brother's bride and you Kotone are in love with him…you even lied about the poison in your cups….you'll fit in very well here, so long as you keep it all to yourself and don't get too involved."

I stared at her with wide eyes, "How do you know all this?"

She sat down, her long white tail circling her "I told you…wolves smell lies…dig up truth and then rebury it. I myself have a little secret that everyone knows of….you recall lord Morio?"

"I do, he is married to my cousin Mana, daughter of Kagome and Inuyasha…he is a great ally to us."

A smile was in her eyes, "Well…you recall after his mother was murdered by his father, he was then raised by a half wolf demon, Satoshi who was also in love with Morio's human mother?"

All I could do was nod, I vaguely remembered Satoshi, "He was half demon raised by his human father, because his demon mother chose her pack over him."

Ume nodded, "Yes….I was that very mother….you must understand, times were different then, we were not under Koga's rule and mating with a human was unspeakable. My pack came first….I wanted to be the mate of the tribe leader, last time I saw Satoshi, he was a new-born baby, I left him crying in his father's arms…to this day I feel no remorse. You see… we cannot dwell, my Ayame knows of her half-brother but will not speak of him, we all have secrets…if you don't like it, don't involve yourself."

What the hell! Do I really want to marry into this family? I now understood why Kei wanted to leave them, why he felt he didn't belong, this family was so dysfunctional, and the whole thing with his father and my aunt was merely the straw that broke the camel's back. I was going to make all this better!

I had to find all three of them! Kei, Koga and Hiro….Zoki could drop dead for all I care.

Koga's POV

I stood there looking at what could have been my reflection….only with eyes green and shoulders broader.

"Why did you bring me here?" Kei demanded as he glared at Zoki.

"Because, little brother….it's time you started acting like a real man, there is someone who needs you."

Kotone…it didn't need saying aloud, it was obvious. However I couldn't believe Hiro was saying this….I thought he was really starting to fall for Kotone…just like his mother, he knew how to wear a mask.

Kei blinked, but then glared, "How can I be there for her when you stand in my way?" he then glared at me "I hate this family! I hate everything about it! The secrets, the scandals, all of it! I used to think you were on my side dad…then I realised your just like Ume, Zoki….even Hiro, all of you liars! We're a pack…a tribe, I wanted a family! When I discovered your thing with the priestess, I realised mother and I….we were alone."

I stared at him long and hard, I wanted to punch him! "So you ran like a child!" I scoffed.

Kei growled, "I was a child! I was eleven!"

I wasn't letting him get away with that, "You know our customs! Pups become full grown on their first hunt! You hunted a year earlier than most pups your age, so don't gimme that excuse and stop bad mouthing your pack!" I had grabbed him by his clothes. Suddenly I saw the young boy I used to know, the one who followed me everywhere and hung off my every word.

Hiro calmly laid his hand on my shoulder and I lowered Kei. I had to calm myself.

Hiro looked down on Kei "Perhaps you're right…you were a child…but it's time to be a man now, because there is woman who needs you to be!"

Where did my eldest get all this wisdom? Certainty not from me, it had to be on his mother's side.

They were my boys, they were my pups…they were my legacy. I don't think Kei even believed what h was saying, I think these wounds of his had healed a long time ago, but just like me…he was too stubborn to let his anger go.

"What are you saying Hiro? You'll give Kotone up…then what? Will she still get the cure?" he asked.

Hiro looked to me to answer his brother, I shook my head "she has to marry a member of the pack…show me you still have loyalty to us and I will accept you back…then I will let you battle it out with Hiro for the right of her hand."

Kei didn't like this but he had to realise, we did things differently, if you wanted something in this tribe you had to fight for it and be strong, it was survival of the fittest. Yet at the same time, when there is an attack on even just one of us from an outsider, as a pack we would form together. Kei, even though he was my son, is still technically an outsider, he would have to tread carefully now.

Come on son! You've got it in ya! You love this girl…I see it, just stand up for the both of you! Sacrifice your damn pride! This is a lesson he must learn.

Kei opened his mouth to speak, but then then Sesshomaru's pup ran in barking at us. "All of you quick! We have to find Ayame!"

I rolled my eyes, "Why's she so upset this time?"

Kotone frowned at me, Ayame always ran away when she was upset, she'd always come back….even still, I would go and look for her.

"It was your father, Kagome was again mentioned. He told her…that you still loved Kagome….more than you do Ayame." She told me.

My stomach tightened, my stupid father would say that! Bastard! I knew Ayame was trying her best to hold it together; this could be the thing that broke her faith in me completely.

I had cleared my throat of the nerves that were forming in my throat, "She'll come back once she's cooled off, you don't need to worry about it."

Kotone shook her head "no you don't understand, I sense something…something is out there and I fear that Ayame might actually be in danger!"

Me and my sons all tensed up, for years she was the only female in our lives….if anything happened to her, there is no way this family could ever be repaired.

Instantly Hiro, Kei and I prepared ourselves, Zoki was still nowhere in sight, we had no time to locate him, Kotone was insistent that she came too. I told them to ready the wolves for a hunt. It's funny all that time she spent chasing after me…now I was the one chasing after her, I should have had the sense to love her from the very beginning.

Ayame's POV

Koga….Kagome, even their names sounded better together. I was by the stream where I approached Koga for the second time, when I demanded he marry me.

It all seemed so long ago, well…it was. I won't go back again, I don't want to…I'm done making a fool of myself.

"Hey there pretty little wolf" spoke a voice.

I turned and there was a demon there before me…a dog demon, tall and handsome. However, though his face was perfection…the look in his eyes told of an inner distortion.

"Who are you? What do you want?" I demanded.

He stepped forward, the back of his fingers brushed my cheek, "I am Taro…" he answered, "and I want to send Kotone….a little message."

With that his hands clasped around my throat….

Next chapter 7