Chapter eight

Premonitions and proposals

Ayame's POV

I opened my eyes, my limbs still ached…my head was light and I still couldn't recall anything that happened to get me in this state.

I was able to wake for about five minutes last night, before exhaustion took me again. When that occurred Koga was sitting beside me. This morning he was lying next to me, asleep and still holding my hand.

I gently squeezed his hand and he stirred awake. "Ayame….you're awake…ya feeling okay?"

I nodded "yes" I breathed, I shifted to my side so that we were lying practically nose to nose with our hands still clasped. "I feel…a little lighter, actually, like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders."

My husband smiled, "so that's what it took? I had to actually fight your pain to destroy it…so you don't hate me then?"

I shook my head and kissed his hand that held so tight to mine, "no….I hate what I did to you though, I promise I'll never lose myself to such ugly emotions and I'll never run away again."

He kissed my forehead, "good….remember, we're mated for life Ayame, whatever comes our way we have to deal with it together. You're not gonna run away and I won't pretend the issues not there. Time we started acting like adults."

I smiled weakly "I like that…I can do that…did you speak with Kei?"

My handsome chief smiled, "He's one of us again, he's challenged Hiro for Kotone's hand."

I but my lip nervously "I'm glad we have Kei back, but I know Hiro…he won't just let Kei win, he'll give his all as he does with every battle."

"I know...but Kei can handle it, it's not to the death and when it's all done everything will be as it should." He assured, instantly I felt better.

I snuggled in and he put his arms around me, "when does it take place?"

"In a couple hours"

I smiled more playfully, "so we have some spare time together?"

His eyebrows twitched. Before he grinned devilishly, "seems we do…"

Kei's POV

-Flashback

"You are a handsome wolf" the she demon whispered in my ear, she was a servant of the water goddess, a close friend of Yuna, Kenta's wife, and was given leave to visit.

She had probably been cooped up and had to remain innocent to serve her goddess, that would explain her friskiness. I was visiting Kenta with Kotone, she had been invited by her brother to stay for a week in his glorious lake side home. The water here looked enchanted; this was probably due to his water nymph wife. She was a timid thing, I expected her friend to the same…I was wrong.

She twirled my hair and sniffed me, "You really are very attractive! How old are you?"

"Seventeen."

She grinned, "so young…so fresh…so beautiful! I bet you're really rough and wild,"

This girl is crazy! Seriously! I wanna chuck water over her to cool her off!

She leaned forward, her face getting closer, her rouge painted lip got closer and closer. Suddenly there came a whistling sound and the water demoness pulled away, between us was and arrow, stuck right into the tree we were sitting under, close to both our faces.

Slowly we turned to see Kotone standing there with her bow and arrow, she was the culprit and I was speechless.

"Forgive me" she spoke, "my hand slipped".

-End of Flashback-

Can't believe it took me so long to see that she was the one for me…she's so…amazing!

I was in the arena, practicing my high kicks, Hiro was bigger than and stronger…but I was faster.

"Looking good wolf boy!" I heard a woman call; Kotone approached me with Abyss at her side. She still looked so good in furs, her hair was unkempt, she looked wild and ready yet there was still a proper lady beneath there.

"You checking me out princess?" I teased.

Kotone chuckled, "No! I was just observing….actually I was hoping we could pick up where we left off last night."

She stood on tip toes and kissed me, I recalled her by the light of the moon as it poured through the waterfall and how my animal instincts took over. Part of me was glad her insane, hot headed cousin interrupted, I wanted mine and Kotone's first time to mean something.

I took her smell in, "Kami you smell good K!"

She chuckled, "that's what I get for sleeping on flowers every night…you feel confident about the battle?"

I shrugged, "it's a 50/50 chance I'll actually win."

Kotone frowned at me, "we need to better those odds…remember, if you lose I will have no choice but to marry Hiro and there will never be a chance for us…you have to do this!"

"Stop pressuring me woman! I'm doing my best!"

She readied herself into a battle stance, "show me your best…attack!"

I stared at her with an eyebrow raised, "Uh….no"

Kotone scowled, "Show me your best! Give me all you got!"

"I'm not gonna fight ya K"

"Coward."

"What?"

She smiled wickedly "Coward"

"Now hold on-"

"-Whiny, childish coward!"

Damn she knew how to push my buttons! "Kotone! Don't push me."

"Are you worthy of this Kotone!

"I am!"

"Prove it!"

I leapt at her with my fist which she easily blocked, she punched me right in the face, "You're holding back, are you going to hold back on your brother? Fight for me Kei! My life depends on it."

I ran at her with full fury, my claws razor sharp, as I swiped she shot up in the air and summersaulted back to the ground acrobatically.

"You're too aggressive," she told me, "My father…Lord Sesshomaru, taught me that if you come at your opponent too aggressively you will lack control of your movement and show no superior technique….too much brutality, they can easily turn your strength on you."

I groaned with irritation, "You told me not to hold back!"

She looked at me as though puzzled by my irritation, "Do you know the meaning of my father's name? It is killing perfection…you have to treat combat like an art form…that is what my father taught me. You can't rely on strength…you need agility."

With a role of my eyes I soared through the air…perfect grace, but she grabbed my ankle and swung me to the ground.

"What the hell!" I yelled as I lay upon my back, "you said no brutality."

Kotone offered her hand and helped me to my feet, "I said not to use too much that doesn't mean use none…balance Kei! Perfection is balance. A wolf should know this better than any creature, they are the perfect combination of strength and agility, channel the wolf in you."

I stared at her for a moment before smiling, "you haven't needed my protection for a long time now…haven't you."

She shrugged her shoulders, "I haven't needed your protection since I was fifteen…what have and always will require…is your presence."

She really is a true queen….a true daughter of Sesshomaru.

She got back into her stance, "Now…show me you are worthy of this Kotone…come at me wolf!"

She wanted me to channel the wolf huh? Fine!

My body bent and shook, fur appeared all over me till I became y truest form….a giant wolf just a little bigger than a horse. I charged at her and pinned her to the floor, snapping and snarling.

She didn't flinch, "Now that's cheating." She beamed.

I transformed back into a humanoid demon, I still had her pinned, "what'ya think…am I worth of this Kotone?"

She smiled and caught my lips with hers, our lips embraced and it was a welcome parting when we had to come up for air, "does that answer your question?" she breathed.

This was my woman…my woman! She was a puzzling thing, one moment so refined…the next…bat crap crazy!

I sat up and she straddled my lap, I embraced her again…I wish I had spent more time doing this, I wish I had opened my eyes sooner to see the strong, fierce woman she was and had been for a long time.

I heard her breath hitch and her limbs go limp, she fell back and I caught her. "K…are you alright?"

She seemed in a daze but she shook herself from this, "Yeah…just a little faint."

"How long till your night of weakness?"

She looked away before she answered, "four days…"

I had to control my breathing, she was getting weaker. "Do you think…that's when…y'know"

"My illness will take me? Yes…I do," she cupped my cheek, "it's going to be okay…I have time…we have time."

"That sounds familiar" came a voice, we looked round to see Hiro, he didn't look angry…more concerned.

He came and held Kotone's face and checked her, "the closer we get to her night of weakness, the more frail she becomes…battling with you has used all her strength." He told me.

He then took Kotone up in her arms, "Hey!" I called after him, "where are you taking her."

He looked over his shoulder, "until the battle…she is still my bride and I know more than anyone how to take care of her in this state…I'm taking her back to her chambers, she need rest…I'll meet you in the arena."

I had to watch him walk away, carrying her. Abyss nudged my hand and petted him on the head, "it's okay buddy….I'll make her mine…I won't let anyone take her from us."

Hiro's POV

"We have time!" that's what I told Junko, she died a few days later…Kotone was in the exact same condition Junko was in at the time. I laid her upon her bed and dabbed her forehead.

She stirred a little, "Yoshi?" she whispered.

I smiled a little; she thought I was her brother.

"No" I answered.

She took hold of my wrist, "Kenta…."

I dabbed her forehead again, "No Kotone…its Hiro."

Her eyes opened and she smiled at me, "I' sorry, this must bring up some terrible memories for you…you should let someone else tend to me."

I shook my head, "I don't trust anyone else…not even Kei. I used to do this for Junko…I'd even rub her feet. There came a time when I had to feed her and bathe her…"

"If it is any consolation…I am still able to bathe myself." She teased trying to lighten the mood.

I helped her sit up, "I have to say you're a lot stronger than she was, especially at this point."

She shrugged, "No disrespect to Junko…but I have the blood of a higher class of demon in my veins."

I had to agree this was indeed a benefit for her. There was a moment of silence…I had to speak my name, "Kotone do you recall what I asked of you?"

She frowned in confusion so I continued, "I did not ask for you to love the idea of marrying me, I didn't even ask for you to love me! All I asked was for you to be faithful…you are still technically my bride and you have not been faithful."

Her eyes were wide and she looked so taken aback, "Hiro…I didn't think…I mean…I thought that…I'm-I'm sorry."

I sighed, "I'm not angry Kotone, I'm most definitely not jealous, I'm simply disappointed, I thought you and I had a deeper understanding, I thought we were friends…I will not hold back, I will give it my all so there is a chance we will still be married. I need to know that will be loyal to me…you can prove this by supporting me in the battle."

Her face grew a cold expression, "you want me to cheer for you? Against Kei? I thought this was what you wanted, he and I together…for the memory of the love you and your wife shared."

This is true, even still "You must remember Kotone, I am to lead these demons someday, do you wish to make me look like a fool? I still have my pride, we canine demons are proud creatures…you know this. Support me and I will go easier on him and he will have a better chance of winning."

I walked away and left her there, I wanted them together…but still, a part of me was a little downhearted. I may love her like I would a sister, still she was my only chance at having a mate and pups of my own since Junko. If I wed Kotone it wouldn't feel like such as big of a betrayal to Junko than if I were to allow myself to fall in love with someone else.

I tried so hard to write Junko off as a mistake, an impulse fuelled by youth's flame. I tried I even said the words aloud, didn't make them true.

"Everyone thinks me this wise wolf…I'm still young and I'm still foolish!" I growled to myself, it was ridiculous for me to ever believe Junko could ever be replaced.

A silvery giggle resounded, "Dear Hiro…it is the young and foolish who grow to be old and wise…you are half way there."

I shook my head and decided it was a trick of the mind. I walked through the cave passage ways, when a silver mist filled the entire passage way. I tried to swipe at it but the voice came again , a woman's voice "Now don't be so rough!" it spoke.

The mist then formed into a beautiful figure, a woman with strange eyes of both blue and green, her ears pointed like an elf and her hair a peach and cream colour. About her fell a snow and when it stuck to her hair it turned to diamonds.

"Who are you?" I asked softly.

She smiled at me kindly, "Dear boy I am Lady Takara, wife of Lord Katashi one of the great sons of Sesshomaru and brother to your current betrothed making me your sister-in-law to be!" she spoke so cheerfully.

I recall Kotone mentioning her "You're the Tenshi? I thought since your consummation with your Lord husband you only had the power to conjure ice and heal almost fatal wounds?"

She smiled and nodded, "you are correct, for now at least, my powers have temporarily been returned to me…so that my last task in assisting this family of mine can be carried out. Kotone was the last vision I had and I need to see it through. Now listen it is only a matter of time before my silver storm notices my absence and my children will miss me….be on your guard Hiro, do not lose yourself to sorrow when tragedy hits, for you still have a part to play in the future with the Sesshomaru clan."

I frowned, "what are you talking about?"

A sad look cast across her face, "lives will be given."

"Given? You mean taken"

"No…given" she insisted, "A life cannot simply be spared…it's as I told my husband upon our first meeting, a life must pay for a life…"

I tensed up, "You said I still have a part to play…in the future of Sesshomaru's clan."

She nodded, "I did."

"Am I to give my life for Kotone?"

She shook her head calmly, "no"

"Am I to save a life from sacrifice?"

"No."

"Then what is my purpose in all this?" I snapped, I didn't mean to get so angry with her.

She did not flinch or seemed at all taken aback by the rise of my voice, Takara remained perfectly serene.

"To wed the golden egg..." She answered and with that she was gone.

To wed the golden egg….the golden egg…what does that mean? What the hell is a gold egg?

Rin's POV

"So when do we leave?" Katsu asked, his arm snaked around Sun's waist and his daughter Ruby in her arms.

Sesshomaru and I sat upon our thrones; we had gathered our children and spouses into the throne room to read them Kei's latest report.

"We leave tomorrow morning" my Lord answered as he folded away the parchment. "Our Kotone weds in two days,"

"To who my Lord?" I asked, I could tell there was a change in the plan by the sudden change of mood in my husband. Sharing emotions rendered words superfluous, but for the benefit of our children, I asked he speak it aloud.

"Whoever wins the battle between Kei and Hiro, they battle this day, we won't know who wins in time. Also my brother and niece are there."

Our children seemed excited, well most aside from Kasumi who looked like she was about to burst into tears, it seemed only myself and her husband noticed, Sesshomaru due to our link realised also but he wouldn't say anything.

"I can't go" Kasumi blurted almost as though she were silencing a thousand voices.

We all stared at her in puzzlement, Sora placed his arm around her shoulder, "Kasumi" he uttered gently, "it's been three years now."

She scowled at him her eyes fierce with anger, "I don't care if it's been three hundred years! It will still be just as painful! You wouldn't understand Sora…you had to accept this hundreds of years ago its all part of being a crow demon, well I'm not a crow I'm part dog and our instincts are different! So don't you dare talk down to me…three years it's been but it's as raw as three hours!"

My child stormed out, our Kasumi was often so composed, yes she had a temper but she never exploded like that at her husband.

Kenta and Yoshi moved to speak with her but I halted them, "I'll go..." I insisted.

I found my eldest daughter in her chambers, it had not changed since she was little, the white balcony was still its best feature. Kasumi had always loved the wind even before her power to manipulate it began so we had her in a high tower where it blew the heaviest. She was laid upon her bed sobbing.

"Kasumi" I breathed a sat beside her, I stroked her hair as I did when I she was a little girl. But she wasn't a little girl anymore, she was a fully grown woman with a son who had recently found a good woman, they were now expecting their first child, making Kasumi a grandmother me a great-grandmother of five now and still counting.

Kasumi sat up and dried her eyes, "I sob like a child…even my little sister was more composed when she found out she was dying."

I hushed her and brought her in close, "darling girl…what happened three years ago…my guess is the anniversary of this tragic event fall on your sister's wedding day, what happened?"

She seemed reluctant to tell me, "You can't tell anyone" she uttered.

I sighed, "dear you know your father will know, he and I promised to be honest with each other always."

"Fine…" she took in a breath, "you know that….Crow demons usually only have one child in their entire lifetime. Well I accepted that, but I had hopes that there might be some loop-hole, after all I'm half dog demon and half human both sides are highly fertile and Sora was a twin! Something that is exceptional amongst his kind and was considered a miracle. However he and his brother were still just one birth, two separate births has only occurred twice in the entire crow existence! These Crows were known as the…the golden eggs."

I frowned, "Kasumi…I have heard all this, still I'm still not understanding why you're upset, you have Shinobu."

My daughter smiled, "Yes mother I know, but Shinobu has grown up now…he's a man, a husband, leader of an army and soon will lead an army and take over his father's domain. But I'm not done mothering and though I adore my son…I've always wanted little girl." Kasumi paused and began to choke up again.

I handed her the handkerchief Kenta gave her, the same one he used to wipe her tears with when she was a child. "Go on" I spoke softly.

She took in a breath and dried her fresh tears, "in two days it will be three years exactly that my last chance to have a little girl was taken from me. Mother I was again with child…I was to give birth to the third golden egg in history! It was a girl I could feel it…Sora and I both could, he would kiss my stomach each night and I drank all the ritual tears for a strong beautiful child just as I did with Shinobu." Kasumi broke into more tears; I couldn't believe what she was telling me!

"Oh Kasumi!" I breathed and squeezed her.

"Mother! She died! My child died inside me! My little girl….we were going to name her Tenma… its means Pegasus…because she too would be a beautiful creature of flight, turns out…she was also just a myth…"

Tears were now in my eyes…my daughter lost her daughter, I had lost a grandchild and I never knew of it. "Why didn't you tell us?" I asked.

Kasumi hiccupped, "We didn't tell anyone really, not even Shinobu…the only person we told, was Kenta…the day she died was the day I was going to tell you. The anniversary of her death is on the day Kotone weds…I know I'm being selfish, I know I'm being a bad sister…but so far all I've done upon that day is hide away for the entire day….locked away until the next sun rises then I can pretend it didn't happen. I know I shouldn't have yelled at Sora…he as devastated as I was."

I kissed her hair, "he loves you, he understands…"

"No! He's in just as much pain as me and yet I act as though I'm the only one hurting and I push him away, I'm being so cruel….I just wanted to give him another child."

I didn't know what to say, all I could do was hold her.

A strong breeze swept through the balcony, we looked up to see that it was Sora who flew in through the window.

He stood there, his black feathered wings shimmering in the light. Kasumi left my arms and ran to him.

"I'm sorry!" She sobbed, "I'm sorry I spoke to you like that! It was wrong of me and unfair, please forgive me."

He held her gently, "I'm the one who should be sorry…I'm sorry I'm a crow demon, I'm sorry you have to bear the burden that comes with marrying one."

She held to him more tightly "no Sora! That's not it! I promise you I never blame you for anything, tell me what I must do."

Sora cupped her face, "You need to be there for your sister, it scares me when you hide yourself away, this time you won't mourn a death…we'll celebrate life, can you do that?"

Kasumi looked panicked, "I-I don't think I can Sora, I-"

"-He's right Kasumi" I cut in, I had risen from the bed and walked closer to them, "you can't shut yourself away, you need to be around your family, you need to be there for your sister."

Kasumi nodded, "Okay…mother, could you give us a moment alone please?"

I did as she asked and left them, when I reached outside the door I ran to the nearest window and gasped for breath, releasing all my tears. All their faces came into my head…all the faces I will never see again. My parents, my brother, Keade, Kagome, Sango , Miroku and even Kohaku. Old age took them all from me. Old age should have taken me too by now; instead it took my unborn grandchildren. It's unfair that I live forever…what gave me the right of immortality when all my love ones will fall.

Soon time will steal Yoshi, I don't believe I'll ever have the strength to bury him or the grandchildren he gave me or the great-grandchildren I was blessed with. What did I do that was worthy of such a life I have lead and loved as I have. I knew Inuyasha felt the same…he missed them all too, like me we had our children and grandchildren to cling to. However I was more fortunate than he, the love his life was gone, I would always have Sesshomaru to comfort me.

Suddenly I felt his very presence, I tingled every time he was near, I turned and there he was. His eyes read me, his heart felt mine, the cold space on our chests gave a twinge.

I needed no words, for we both were weary of this world and we were tired of losing people and the knowledge that we shall lose more. He came to me, took my hand and wordlessly laid my hand on his shoulder.

I would have to tell him how we had lost a golden egg…

Kotone's POV

The arena filled and I was upon the right hand entrance with Hiro, I could see Kei on the opposite side. He looked to me, our eyes connected. I wanted to be with him before the battle, but that would disrespect my current fiancé.

He was so near yet so far, but I could hear his voice in my head, not long now K, he assured me we'll be together, I promise.

Our gazing was broken when I heard Hiro come in, he looked out of sorts.

"Hiro, is something wrong?" I asked.

He started stretching, he could hear the crowed calling for him, "you're sister-in-law, does the Tenshi always speak in riddles?"

My eyes widened, "you spoke with Takara? How is she? What did she say? Are my family alright?"

Hiro sighed, "It's nothing, forget I mentioned it…it's time I got out there."

Before he stepped outside I grabbed his arm, "Hiro…please, please go easy on him…I beg you! Remember, he's your little brother."

Hiro pulled away, not roughly or horribly, before he left he said "Kotone…you will be with Kei, but he has to show me his strength first."

With that he walked into the setting sun light. I watched nervously, so nervous! He and Kei met in the centre.

"Hiro, I don't want you to go easy on me…I need to prove my worth to Kotone, I need to prove I'm strong enough to be her mate."

No Kei you don't have to prove anything!

Hiro smiled, "Are you sure brother?"

Kei nodded "I am"

They readied themselves, they were fighting for my fate….it felt wrong, I should be the one fighting, not them! Koga announced it time to begin.

Hiro threw the first punch, Kei blocked it, but Hiro was so persistant and threw Kei across the arena.

Get up Kei! Please get up!

Suddenly wolves appeared by either side of them, Abyss was on Kei's side, it was like a war zone! They clashed together. The wolves were a demonstration of the control their leaders had, both sides were doing so well.

"Why do you want her?" I heard Hiro ask as they battled.

"What?" Kei responded as he ducked from a high kick, the then summersaulted though the air and landed behind Hiro. Hiro was fast and turned before Kei could sneakily attack him.

"Why do you want?" he repeated, "is it just for her beauty?"

"No!"

"Her wealth?"

"No!"

"Her Kingdom?"

"No!"

Hiro could see he was getting to Kei and smiled.

Does he wish to provoke him so he'll fight harder?

"Then why?" he yelled and sent Kei across the arena once again, I told Kei not he had to balance himself but he still used either too much swiftness or too much brutality, never a correct amount of both.

Get up Kei! Why isn't he getting up? I wanted to race out there, Hiro was being too fierce, he kept kicking him, repeating the same thing, "why do you want her? WHY!WHY! Why!"

I restrained my sonic scream, I held my hand over my mouth, with one piercing sound I could save Kei. Something was different in Hiro's eyes…they were red, something was wrong!

"Because….I love her!" Kei shouted for all to hear before fiercely kicking his brother away and jumping to his feet.

Kei' eyes were red too…something was taking over them, just like Ayame. The crowed that had cheered for so long was too stirring with worry, they looked like they were going to kill each other.

The earth seemed to tremble, Kei and Hiro transformed into their true wolf forms, snapping, snarling and foaming at the mouths.

They began circling each other, Koga stood, "enough! Back to your other forms and have a fair fight!"

They weren't listening, suddenly they leapt at each othe, each drew the other blood with their biting and scratching, I had to do something, or they'd kill each other.

I raced through the arean, across the blood splattered sand and wolves that lay there, Abyss came to me limping, I ordered my companion and the other wolves still standing to retreat. I heard Kei yelp as he was tossed by the neck.

Hiro pursued As Kei lay weak and struggling to get up, he almost got him till I appeared and my foot met his snout.

The crowd gasped, as I stood between them "Hiro…snap out of this! This isn't you! Think of Junko…hear her voice!"

For a moment I had hope as his eyes began to clear, but he winced with some pain and his eyes burned red again.

Hiro came at me, he had me pinned, like Kei did earlier, but his eyes weren't as playful as Kei's had been, they were blood thirsty.

If only he could speak to me, if only he wasn't in his wolf form. His jaw snapped close to my face, I squeezed my eyes shut. But then I heard a yelp an pressure being taken off me. Kei had hurdled himself and Hiro and they began battling again.

Inuyasha entered the ring, he came and swept me up, "You have to help them!" I pleaded as he carried me away.

"No I need to get you somewhere safe!" he shot back, "Somethin' aint right with these guys!"

Over his shoulder I saw Zoki and Koga enter trying to pull them apart, but they were too possessed.

Suddenly I could see…Zoki and Koga…their eyes changed too, it was about to be a blood bath.

"Where did I wrong with you!" Koga growled.

Zoki struck him, "where did you ever go right? Old man you failed every one of your offspring."

"Dammit!" Inuyasha cursed, "They're all possessed, Kotone stay put!" He too then joined.

"No uncle!" I called after him "it'll get you too!"

Sure enough, it did, he turned to Koga, "You know how much of her heart you took up wolf!" he sneered, "she always said you were nothing more than a friend to her...I didn't want her to care for you at all!"

"Stop it father!" Mana pleaded…he did the unspeakable, he struck Mana to the ground. I had never seen Inuyasha in his true demon for when his demon blood would take over to protect him…it was terrifying.

"You look just like!" Inuyasha rasped, "you remind me of the one I lost!"

Mana's eyes changed too and looked at Inuyasha with hate pure hate! "You! What kind of a father are you! you should have used the shikon jewel to become human! Don't blame me!"

Inuyasha had dropped Tetsaiga upon the ground, they were all fighting like animals.

I had to do something, channel… your father…be Sesshomaru. With my head held high I went through and struck whoever was in my way. I grabbed Tetsaiga, it felt good in my hands.

I opened my mouth and released my screech, I drew the poisoning emotions from their bodies, till it was a giant one eyed mutation from all their ugly emotions, all anger and pain they held in. I would destroy it!

"I will not lose to a pitiful thing like you!" I told it and leapt into the air, "Tetsaiga!" I called and slashed through it.

The thing vanished away and a silence came…

"Wh-what happened?" my uncle spoke weakly, he then saw Mana's red cheek, "Mana! I'm sorry!" he held her.

"I-it's alright" she breathed, "it wasn't us."

They were all so confused, from the crowed Kei emerged. "Kotone! Kotone!"

He embraced me, he was back in his humanoid form, he was covered in bruises and bite marks.

"You're okay!" I gushed and kissed both his cheeks.

"You saved us K…I knew you had it in ya!"

Koga came to me with Ayame at his side. "You took on all that….you saves us, as a reward…you choose your mate, it's all in your hands Kotone."

I squealed happily and again embraced Kei, my decision was clear. "Marry me Kei!" I proposed.

He playfully rolled his eyes, "fine if ya gonna be a brat about it!" he kissed me again.

Hiro came to me smiling and he too hugged me, "You were always meant to be my sister…I'm glad for this match."

He then acknowledged Kei, "I'm glad I have you back little brother."

Their brotherly love was there, I was seeing this family come together, they all hailed my name. I was lifted up and they all called to me. I was the Queen who ran with the wolves!

Suddenly my head was light, my limbs heavy and my heart began to beat rapidly. Their voices became a blur… my skin visibly crawled. I wrinkled my hair turned grey and I fell back.

The many hands caught me and laid me down…so many voices called to me in concern, the one I heard most clearly was Kei.

This had happened before but it felt different, I felt drained…I feared I wasn't going to wake up…

Next chapter coming soon