Chapter seven

Kisses and confessions

Koga's POV

-Flashback-

"Koga?" Ayame breathed when she saw me standing before her.

"Hey Ayame" I greeted back "You look well." And she did…she had matured and became…dare I say it….beautiful.

She smiled in response, when her eyes observed me her smile fell, "You look sad Koga….I take it Kagome has yet to return?"

I nodded, "Yeah she's still gone…but that's okay, we said our goodbye's ages ago, she'll always be a friend to me."

There was a long silence; I was the first to break it, "I'm sorry to hear about your grandfather, he was one of the greatest leaders we wolves have ever known, he won't be forgotten."

A shadow cast over her face, "He died in honour, defending our tribe from a vile demon…he may have lost his life, but he was certainly avenged."

I raised an eyebrow, "One of the men from your tribe killed this demon?"

"No…I did."

My eyes went wide for a brief moment, "I see, you've become quite a woman Ayame…you learned how to sense jewel shards yet? You were certain you'd be able to." I teased.

She giggled and shook her head "No such luck, but there are two reasons why that doesn't matter anymore; one…word of the jewel's destruction reached these ears and two…I no longer seek to impress you….when a week has passed and I've had some time to grieve, I'll be picking a leader for this tribe. They'll battle it out, and then I'll have to be marry the winner… Gramps always wanted to see me married, should be interesting."

I couldn't explain why my stomach tightened and winced with irritation, "Not got your little heart set on me still eh?"

She turned and walked away, "I gave up on a long time ago Koga, if I kept my heart set on you…you'd just break it."

What the hell? "Hey! Ayame, where'ya goin'?" I called as I raced after her; it was like trying to catch a hurricane.

Why am I chasing after her? It's not like I care…it's just too dangerous for her to be out alone at this time of night.

Ginta called after me, "Hey Koga! Where are you running to? Can we come?"

"Will you two buzz off for like a minute?" I yelled back.

I tracked Ayame's scent into the woods, I could smell a stream. It was there I found her, bathed in moonlight, her eyes glittering as she gazed upon something we hadn't seen in so long, a lunar rainbow.

Quietly I came beside her gazing up at the painted sky, "Jog any memories Koga?" she asked dryly.

I was speechless, it was more beautiful than the last time I saw it. They were so rare, the only two times I would ever see them in my life, I was standing next to Ayame. It was like heaven was sending me a message, it was multi-coloured path painted on the night sky and it lead to one person.

I took hold of her hand, "I remember a promise…one I want to keep."

She looked at me, I looked at her. it was a long intense moment, till she pulled her hand away and smirked.

"You'll have to catch me first!" she teased and ran off, I was taken aback but then grinned.

I began racing after her, I would keep my promise and chase her everywhere if I had to.

-End of Flashback-

Kei may have my stubbornness but this whole running from emotional conflict thing was definitely from his mother!

Kei, Hiro, Kotone and I raced through the woods with a whole pack of wolves; we'd scout the entire area if we had to. I would find my wife or die trying.

"You ever come looking for me like this, father?" Kei asked smarmily.

Kami! He's such an ass! It's like looking in a frickin mirror!

Kotone scowled at him, "Kei not now!" she told him.

Sure he listens to her!

We carried on running, when I finally caught her scent I darted forward like a hurricane. I ran ahead of the others and came to a clearing.

There she laid covered in bruises, I was at her side in the blink of an eye and holding her to me. "Ayame! Dammit Ayame you wake up!" I commanded as I gently shook her.

Nothing, not even a murmur passed her lips, I gritted my teeth, "Don't you dare die woman! Don't think I won't follow you into that underworld! Don't you dare think I won't drag you out of there if I have to! WAKE UP!"

"Koga put her down and step away!" Kotone called to me.

I growled "Stay out of this!"

I didn't have to look to know all three of them were behind me. Kotone yelled again "You have to! Something isn't right! I feel it! Put her down and walk away!"

"Listen to her!" Kei yelled at me, "I sense it too! You can't because of your emotions!"

Hiro was the next to yell "put her down and walk away!"

Put her down? Walk away? I wanted to hold her till she woke up!

I defied them I held her tighter; suddenly I felt her arms lift up and clutch me, "Koga?" I heard her breath, I smiled with relief.

"Yeah I'm here, you're alright now" I assured and stroked her head, she moved to look at me…but her eyes, they weren't the dark green of my wife, but were blood red.

With an evil grin she then dug her claws into my skin and drew blood. I threw this thing down and leapt away. She shot to her feet.

"What's the matter Koga? Am I still not good enough for you?" she glowered at me.

We placed ourselves in a battle stance, "where's my wife?"

I smirked at me, "I am your wife! Or are you refereeing to the dead priestess you love so much?"

I cracked my knuckles, "don't wanna tell me? Fine I'll beat it out of ya! You will tell me where Ayame is!"

I lunged with my fist, she leapt back and threw iris leaves at me, I kicked them all away. "That's Ayame's power! What did you do to her?"

"Father that is her! It has her scent and everything! She must be possessed" Hiro called to me.

This is her? What am I supposed to do?

I reached out my hand to her, "Ayame…I know you're in there, whatever demon has taken over you fight it! I know you can!"

She scoffed at me, "it's my own demons that have taken over and I don't want to fight them!" With that she then lunged at me. Whatever was inside her made her stronger.

I tried to dodge her hits, but one socked me right in the face and I went flying across the glade.

"What's happened to her?" Hiro demanded.

"It's her own jealousy and anger!" Kotone answered, "I learned from a cousin of mine in the demo slaying trade that there are demons with the capability to heighten your darkest emotions, if we don't get through to her…it'll completely consume her!"

"Ayame!" I growled, I lunged at her and pinned her down she struggled against me "come back to me! Stop this….You know I love you!"

She head butted me but I kept her pinned, "I hate you!" she screamed "I hate you!"

How can I prove my feelings to her? Then it occurred to me, I tightened my grip, "No you don't! Ayame I'm going to prove to you that you're my woman…the only way your man can." With that I leaned forward and placed my lips on hers.

For a moment she struggled but then melted into the kiss, I was able to loosen my grip and when I released her lips I was able to look down on her face.

There was a war of red and green there in her eyes, "Koga!" She chocked, "get away from me please!" she pleaded.

"No!"

"I don't want to hurt you; you have to get out of here!"

"I told you no!"

"DO AS I SAY!" She screeched and kicked me away; I flew through the air and landed on my back.

Ayame shook as she fought her internal battle, with a loud cry, a red mist poured from her mouth and took form of an evil and mutated Ayame. It was the manifestation of her jealousy and hate of Kagome and the relationship the priestess and I once had, it was something she kept hidden for so long.

Hiro ran to Ayame and held her, "she's alright! She's just unconscious!" he called over.

"It's good to be free" the evil Ayame hissed, "I've been caged away for too long. Oh I want to slaughter you all! Hiro…you're a constant reminder of my grandfather! He was taken from me! Zoki…I don't know where I went wrong with him! Kei…you were my rock…but you fled because you're selfish! And you Koga, you're the root of all this!"

This was more than anger and jealousy; this was here pain and shame she dared not ever admit, even to herself.

"I want to kill you all! Even you Kotone!" with that she split herself into four separate beings, red, green, blue and yellow.

Yellow went after Hiro, green took on Kotone, Blue fought Kei and I was left with the burning red one.

Kotone's POV

This green-eyed monster was a vicious little wench! But she had Ayame's face and it was difficult to fight her, Ayame had been so kind to me.

"What is your issue with me?" I demanded as I kicked her away, she skidded along the ground.

"You're so pretty aren't you…such a pretty little thing…you've never known the horrible curse of unrequited love…just like your annoying aunt! She too had them all wrapped around her little finger! I hate you!"

As she yelled at me she threw punches, I dodged them. I remained calm, until she insulted my aunt. "You fool!" I screamed at her as I caught her fist, "Don't you dare speak about any member of my family in that manner!" I threw her down and started kicking. "My aunt knew your pain! She felt sympathised with you and pleaded your case! You know nothing of my aunt, you know nothing of her, Inuyasha or Kikyo! So keep your mouth SHUT!" I threw my hand right through her chest and she crumbled into green ash!

I turned to see that the yellow Ayame had knocked Hiro unconscious and was coming straight for me. She was a lot more fierce than her green version.

She was about to strike me when she was taken down by Kei, having thrown the blue Ayame at her, they were winded.

Kei was at my side, his arm around my waist, "You alright K?" he asked me.

His face was so close, I wanted to grab it and kiss it, I restrained myself and simply nodded. Yellow and blue got back up.

"What'a ya say K? Wanna die together?" I teased.

"I'm not going to die Kei!" she informed me as-a-matter-of-factly.

A corner of my mouth twitched and I cracked my knuckles. "Damn right you're not!"

We clashed again yellow and blue, the two of us fighting in perfect sync. We moved at the same pace and our fighting techniques identical. Yellow and blue clashed together as we destroyed them and mingled into green dust like their other part.

For a moment Kei and I gazed at each other, I was feeling lightheaded. I had used too much strength and as I fell he caught me.

"It's alright K, I've got you…I've got you!" he whispered to me as he stroked my hair, I felt so safe,

Koga finished off red and when he did he ran to Ayame, she was unconscious.

Kei and I joined him, "Are they okay?" I asked.

Koga didn't know who to hold first and for how long, I loyally went to Hiro's side. The older wolf demon traced the side of his wife's face. "I can hear her heart…it's beating more gently, she's calm…I can tell."

Kei placed his arm around my shoulder and squeezed it, Koga looked up and saw how close we were.

He opened his mouth to speak when suddenly the ashes upon the ground rose up in a gust of wind and took form of one giant mutation of pain, sadness, jealousy and anger.

"Dammit! I thought we were done!" Koga cursed and readied himself for another battle.

The mutation went straight for him, just as its giant fist was about to crush him, Kei leapt forward and moved him out of the way.

"Don't touch my pack ya freak!" Kei yelled up at it, he looked to his father who was stunned, "that's what you all are.…my pack."

Koga nodded, the demon of emotions looked like it was about to erupt, "Come on son, lets end your mothers pain…together!"

They stood united, my heart swelled to see them stand together.

A fist that swirled with red, yellow, green and blue went to crush them both when an arrow that glowed a radiant light shot through it. The demon was destroyed and fell like glitter.

The arrow had hit a tree and when I pulled it out I noticed what its, "It's a sacred arrow…like one of Kagome's…but who shot it?"

"That would be me cuz" answered a voice, there in the light of the moon, stood upon the peak with night breeze in her hair, was my beloved cousin Mana.

She smiled down on us, Hiro came to and when he saw her there he grinned, "Hello Mana…long time no see."

I looked at them both, "so you know each other?"

Mana laughed, "Koga was very keen on making a match between Hiro and me…"

Hiro also chuckled "But she chose the life of a priestess."

And you fell for a half frog demon.

Mana shrugged "That's right…well until I fell for a scaly, shirtless half-demon with a huge ego but an even bigger-"

"-okay Mana we get it!" I interrupted quickly afraid of what she'd say.

My cousin frowned at me, "heart…I was going to say with an even bigger heart…get your mind out of the gutter Kotone"

I laughed, it was so good to see her, I had almost forgotten the whole ordeal. I had missed my family in the time I was away from them. I was glad I Mana was here.

"Anyway, speaking of your big hearted husband, where is he?" Hiro inquired "and what brings you here?"

Mana leapt down, "my husband's got his scaly ass comfortably on his throne, he's with my brother Kioshi, who by the way sends his love, to you Kotone." Mana stepped closer to me and laid a hand upon my shoulder. "When I found out what you were going through…it near broke my heart! Plus there is no way I'm missing the wedding of my favourite cousin."

"So I'm your favourite?"

"Don't tell the others" she winked at me.

I shook my head and smiled, "Mana…always showing up when least expected and always wandering off alone."

Mana chuckled and tapped my under the chin, "almost Kotone…but this time I didn't come alone."

Who else is with her?

Blur of red and white came to view and stood before Koga "Alright ya mangy wolf! Mind telling me why you're blackmailing my niece into marrying one of your wolf-cubs?"

Inuyasha! I could have cried to see him…my siblings and parents were faraway, but seeing my uncle and cousin standing there just for me, was amazing!

Koga ignored him, he swept up Ayame, who was still unconscious, and began walking away.

"Hey! Don't ignore me! Get back here you-"

Mana took her father by the arm, "not now dad….you'd think old age would have mellowed you out, you're more restless and riled up than your grandchildren were at bath time!"

It was understandable, since the inevitable deaths of his wife and friends had made him extremely protective over his family, this was me included.

My uncle sighed, Hiro came to him "Lord Inuyasha, I'm the one your niece is to marry…it's good to meet you, we'll have somewhere comfortable for you and your daughter to stay, we're heading back to a feast, will share a drink with me?"

Inuyasha smirked, "I could never say no to a drink."

Hiro and my uncle walked on after Koga, I was grateful to Hiro…for a man who was brought up in a cave he had some good manners.

Mana came beside me and placed her arm around my shoulder, "Wow, even my father seems to like him…Sesshomaru may need more convincing but still…I approve. Come on, there was mention of a feast ad I'm starving."

She moved to walk us on but I told her to go on ahead, Kei looked disturbed and a little annoyed. Eventually it was just us two.

"Kei…your mother is going to be alright, whatever demon did this to her, it's gone now…I don't sense it anywhere nearby. You act like you've never faced a demon before"

He frowned at me, "that mean everything's okay? Don't you get it? I got a report from your family that something very similar to this happened to Kasumi and Sora when they were looking for the white feather to cure you. It's too much of a coincidence. I'm not gonna just forget about it, something really weird is happening, go back to your wedding feast."

I sighed, "very well, I'll see you there." I turned and walked away knowing how confused he'd be when I didn't argue back.

"Kotone! Are we really going to ignore the fact we almost kissed?"

I briefly looked over my shoulders, "Are you really going to pretend you're not in love with for the rest of your life?"

That certainly left him speechless.

I wanted to forget what just happened and return to the celebrations. However, Kei did have a point, I wonder who did this, and perhaps we'll find out once Ayame wakes up.

Kei's POV

We were back at the feast as though nothing had just happened; my father was at my mother's side, he'd have to appear soon, the tribe would get restless if he was out of sight at a feast for too long. Koga wouldn't care though; he'd stay with my mother and tell the rest of the tribe they could go to hell.

I guess it was lucky for him that he had Hiro there smoothing things over, Zoki made an eventual appearance.

I still wanted to kill him, he came straight to me, "I've just seen mother, she's okay…father thinks she'll be awake by morning and that she's just physically drained."

I glared at him, "I know what you did to Kotone…I know what kind of person you are. Father is just starting to welcome me back, so I won't start anything….but if you ever even attempt to harm Kotone again….I will kill you, because you are not my brother!"

I went to storm away but Zoki halted me, "I won't ever harm her again….she saved my life, I'm gonna be better, I won't let her act of kindness be in vain."

I didn't know how to respond, luckily I didn't have to, father came between us. "Your mother awoke, only for five minutes….she doesn't remember anything about what happened to her…at all. However, when I asked what I could do to make things easier for her, she told me to swallow my pride and to do the thing I've wanted to a long time…."

He then cleared his throat, "HEY EVERYONE! SHUT UP!" He yelled and everyone was silent, then placed a hand on my shoulder "I want you all to welcome back your prince of the tribe, Kei….he is the third in command, you'll listen to him."

That was it I was back, they all cheered….I couldn't express the emption that overcame me. I felt almost complete now I had my family and tribe back…there was still one piece missing in the puzzle of my life, Kotone.

She grinned and raised her cup to me. Inuyasha stood, "hey Koga! Come drink with me…we got a lot of catching up to do."

Koga agreed and joined his old friend, neither would admit the comfort they gave each other, so many of their friends were gone now and they were glad to still have their friendship.

Mana, I had met her many times, though she was often with her husband. She looked like Kagome…but her spirit was that of her father's. I liked Mana a lot, she was my favourite cousin of Kotone's, I found Kioshi too serious.

Mana stood, "About time Kei…you were always too disobedient to be a decent servant!"

I laughed, "That's prince Kei to you, my lady!" I mockingly bowed to her.

She chuckled and guzzled down her drink "you and I both know I'm no lady…my husband wouldn't love me nearly as much if I was! You know who is a perfect little lady…" she paused and gestured to Kotone who sat beside her. "My lovely cousin….little mistress of song was what we used to call her…hey who wants to hear your future queen sing?"

They all hollered in agreement, I have to admit I liked the idea…it had been awhile since I heard something Kotone had composed; she took up weapons and almost forgot about her harp and flute.

"I don't know any songs." Kotone answered.

Mana scoffed and brought her to her feet, "don't lie to me cuz, when you were younger all you ever did was sing to me and play your instruments….you audience awaits."

Silence filled the place, Kotone knew she wasn't getting out of his; she took in a deep breath and sighed. "Very well…this is something my mother and I wrote together…when I was feeling sad."

She opened her mouth again and heaven poured from her lips;

"Dry your tears….clean away

And stay with me all through day….

My love you see, there's no need to be

Alone and sad when you're with me." She sang so lovely, I remembered this song, she was sad because she had overheard a servant say that her beauty could never compare to that of Kasumi's. she loved her sister but did for those three hours of sorrow, envy her older sibling greatly.

"Darling dear…I wish you'd see

How beautiful you are to me.

You're smile makes my life complete,

Your laughter is…a song so sweet.

One day you'll know, a love so true

And he will see, what I see in you.

Beauty and a soul so clean,

You really are the perfect dream."

Mothers held to their daughters and I saw before me an image of the lady Rin holding a young Kotone protectively and singing the song to her as she gently rocked her little girl back and forth.

"But when he comes, dear don't forget,

The arms that held you when you wept.

Because someday you may know,

How deep a mother's love does go.

So dry tears…clean away,

Your prince come for you one day."

She ended the song and she was met with a clap. I too clapped…to think she ever cried for something like that. She had her mother there in her heart as she sang that song, when she sang it, it was like Rin was with her once again holding her safely.

"Your mother was right Kotone!" one of the tribe members call, "you prince came!"

They were referring to me brother, I was her true prince and I came to her days after this song was written and I heard her sing it many times. Soon they all began chanting "Kiss her, kiss her, kiss her!"

Kotone looked like she wanted to run and was about to panic. I wanted to start throwing punches when Hiro approached.

She looked to me almost pleadingly….Kei stop this! Her eyes spoke to me, Kei save me from this!

His lips inched closer and closer…what could I do? I'd have to live with the nightmares. His lips met hers and something inside me shattered.

Voices filled my head, my mother's, Father's, brothers….Kotone's….all of them shouted in perfect unison "be a man!"

I jumped to my feet, "get your damn lips off her!" I ordered. All the crowed watched in silence, stunned and shock.

Mana's voice was the only one that briefly heard, "well this just got interesting" she said, her father told her to shush.

Hiro didn't seem angry, he looked kind of glad. "Do you have something to say brother?" he goaded.

I swallowed down my pride…y pride wasn't worth losing Kotone. I looked directly at her as I said this, "Kotone….I'll make you my woman! Because I'm done….I'm done pretending I'm not in love with you!"

Her eyes lit up and I could see she wanted to run to me, but at this moment she was still betrothed to Hiro and should remain loyally by him until I claimed her as mine in battle.

Hiro removed his arm from about her waist and smirked at me, "You know this means we'll have to battle."

I nodded "I would die for the chance to be hers!"

Hiro supressed a grin, "does the chief consent?"

Koga raised his cup, "He certainly does! At sunrise….they will fight for the right of Kotone's hand….the mistress of song, heir to the western lands…the dog that runs with wolves!"

While everyone cheered, Inuyasha stood up, "my niece isn't cattle!" he slurred, he had too much to drink, "you treat her with more respect."

Mana rolled her eyes and pulled her father down to his seat now between her and Koga, "sit boy" she sighed.

It was settled at sunrise…I'd fight for her.

Kotone's POV

-flashback-

"Katashi…may I ask you something?" I asked my brother.

He simply nodded and put down the blade he was sharpening, I cleared my throat, "why do people kiss?"

Katashi tensed up, "is someone trying to kiss you sister? You're fourteen" he had his sword now gripped in his hand.

"No one brother! It's just I'm always seeing my brothers and sister kissing their wives and I sometimes see mother and father kissing when they think no one's looking. I just want to know why."

Katashi put his sword away but still looked uncomfortable "you should speak to Yoshi about this."

"He's not here."

"Kenta"

"Neither is he"

"Kasumi"

I frowned "Katashi!"

He rolled his eyes, "then speak with our mother."

I shook my head, "No! If I talk to mother she'll get all weird, father will feel her emotions ask why she felt that way, she'll tell him and I'll never have contact with a boy again!"

Katashi thought for a moment, "that sounds like a god arrangement."

"Katashi!" He could be so annoying sometimes.

At that moment his wife Takara walked in holding their four year old son Rinmaru, she was also five months with child. She chuckled at us.

"Be calm my silver storm" she leant forward and kissed his temple and handed their son to him. "Kotone, how about we take a walk"

She then guided me out of the room and took me into the gardens; mother and I were visiting them. Of course my two body-guards, Abyss and Kei were with me, they were rough-housing in the gardens, getting all kinds of dirty looks from the servants.

Takara smiled at me as I looked on at Kei, "So tell me Kotone, why this fascination with kisses?"

I shrugged, "I don't know…I know that you kiss someone when you love them, but why?"

Takara had such a lovely smile, she truly was an angel, "A kiss speaks a thousand words…words you cannot bring yourself to voice….or words that can't possibly exist because there is no real way of describing the way you about someone. It is like its own language that the entire world understands, its voice box is the heart."

I frowned, "Airi said something different" I divulged.

"What did Airi say of it?" Takara asked with genuine curiosity.

"She said a kiss is nothing if it holds no meaning to you. She once kissed someone before Yoshi and it was nothing more than a touch of flesh…but when she kisses Yoshi it goes deeper and it's like their souls are touching."

Takara's lips stretched further, "She's right; our lovely sister-in-law is a lot wiser than she lets on."

I nodded, "but I'll ask you what I asked her…please don't tell my parents I asked about this."

Takara nodded, "I promise you it's a secret between sisters…tell me though, is there someone you want to kiss?"

I looked over my shoulder where Kei was still playing with Abyss. The big black wold leapt up at my body-guard and pushed him on the ground. Kei started cursing playfully at my wolf.

I couldn't help but smile, "no Takara…no one in particular."

-End of flashback-

"Hey, Kotone…you here?" I heard him whisper and I stirred beneath my seets.

The moonlight poured through the waterfall casting the cave in a silvery-blue light. The feast had ended and I was escorted back to cave chamber.

I scurried to my feet, "Kei? What are you doing he-"

I couldn't finish my sentence, because his lips snatched mine. It was like I was hit by lightning…something inside me zapped to life. His fingers twisted in my hair as he pulled me closer.

Our lips were entangling at a passionate pace, my hands clasped at his hair and clothing. Kami smells good…and tastes good….so good!

I pulled away, "Hang on…I need some air" I said between breaths, he did not give me long, his lips again crushed mine. In clumsy passion we fell against the wall, my back was against the stone, Kie's mouth moved from mine and buried itself at the base of my neck, his hot breath sent chills down my body.

I clasped at his beautiful black hair, "Kei…we need to calm down…I'm still technically betrothed to Hiro.

Kei grinned at me and kissed my lips again, "not for long…you don't know how long this has been building up inside me…I'd explode if I didn't do this now."

He then proceeded to embrace me, "Kei…I love you" I told him.

He held my face in his hands, "I love you….I'm not gonna fail you, you will be mine I promise…I'll make you mine…right now!"

I released a little moan as he swept me up and I wrapped my legs around his waist. He laid e down upon y flower bed. All rationality fled me…at last I had him; at last I was kissing him. Our kisses did speak a thousand words and our souls were touching! I didn't want this to stop!

Suddenly the heat was cooled when cold water drenched us; we broke apart with a yell. There was Mana with a bucket in her hand and a glare on her face.

"What the hell Mana!" Kei cursed as he was soaked and I rang the water from my hair.

Mana placed her hands on my hips "If you want to get so intimate with my baby cousin then you'll marry her first wolf boy! Now get out before I wake my father and let him deal with you!"

Reluctantly Kei got to his feet, he smiled down on me "We'll pick where we left off…right after I marry you." He promised.

I smiled up at him, "I'll hold you to that."

"Get out Kei or I'll throw another bucket over you!" Mana threatened.

Kei hurried away; when he was gone I scowled at my cousin.

"Don't look at me like that Kotone, I have your best interest at heart, I'm looking out for you. You should wait till marriage, it's the honourable thing to do and you know it."

Mana…how my father and brothers would adore you for this.

Next chapter 8