Chapter Four: The Alpha
Tougaou sat in his study, painstakingly schooling his Youki to stillness. This, he reflected sourly, was possibly the hardest meeting he would ever have with his old friend. He allowed himself a scowl, staring into the fireplace with enough heat to reduce even the ironwork to ashes. It had been a week since his son had found Kagome, but Mafuyu had been in Bali, dealing with a group of Neko-Daiyoukai who had committed some or other offence. He chuckled softly, irritation quickly turning to amusement as he considered the situation... really. Sending an Inu to discipline Nekos? Sometimes he wondered at the council's wisdom. He had not wished to explain the situation over the phone, so settled for calling his friend over at the earliest opportunity. It had been the right decision – the little onna was even more resilient than they had imagined, already merely slightly underweight and timid rather than the emaciated scrap she had been at the start of the week. Tougaou smiled broadly. His son was becoming incredibly protective of the girl, and it was obvious that she returned his affection full force. Once she had adjusted, he had no doubt whatsoever that he would be asking Mafuyu for a joining of the clans within a year – at the very most. The little onna had even managed to thaw his eldest to a certain extent, an almost unheard-of feat in such a short time.
He was broken from his thoughts by a clear knock at the door, and rose to greet his friend, mood darkening as he brought himself back to the present. Once they had settled into their accustomed positions, Mafuyu broke the silence, his face reflecting a measure of concern unusual to the normally contented DaiYoukai.
"Well, Tougaou? You need not tell me that this is serious. I have not seen your Youki this disturbed in almost a century... and yet I have heard of nothing that could warrant this."
"The situation is...delicate. I have yet to even inform the council." One midnight-black eyebrow rose, signifying Mafuyu's astonishment.
"You suspect their involvement." It was a statement, not a query. Togaou sighed deeply, once again reigning in his Youki.
"Yes and no. The code on the treatment of pups and mates has been violated, but we do not know by whom." Two Youki flared, as a stentorian growl rang through the dimly-lit room.
"Explain."
"A Hanyou was found six days ago, emaciated and unregistered. She is around 200 years old, at the most, 170 at the least. She is InuHanyou, but does not know her clan. My mate made an...informed guess, based on the clan mark on the back of her neck."
Tougaou hesitated slightly, feeling his friends Youki inflamed to the point of losing control. He pushed his own down once more, hoping that Mafuyu would not be sent feral by the knowledge of the girl's clan. Mafuyu whimpered almost inaudibly as he regained control, somehow knowing that Tougaou was holding back information. Once his Youki was restrained, and he had placed extra strength into its seals, he looked at his old friend.
"Which clan?"
"Yours."
The next dawn found the two DaiYouki in the dojo, covered in sweat and dried blood.
"Well, you have calmed considerably, Mafuyu. It has been too long since we sparred with such...vigor." A humourless chuckle came from the other Alpha.
"I could have wished a longer respite. My apologies Tougaou, I did not mean to lose control like that. Really, I should have learnt restraint after near three millenia."
"There was no damage done, so come. A soak, breakfast, then we shall go to InuYasha's to meet with your kin." At this, Tougaou broke into hearty laughter, causing consternation in the other Youkai. "I tell you, old friend, Kagome-chan must be seen to be believed. I guarantee you that your Youki shall accept her – instantly. Even Sesshoumaru has warmed to her, in one meeting."
Mafuyu smiled slightly, humour crinkling his eyes as he gently teased his friend.
"She has melted the Ice-prince of the Silver Inu? Ahh I knew one day my clan would surpass yours in power, Tougaou. I look forwards to meeting such a miracle."
Izayoi smiled from the doorway at the renewed blows between the Alphas, then turned away to ring her son. Knowing those two, they would turn up with no warning, bringing chaos in their wake.
InuYasha woke slowly, one eye cracking open as soft footfalls brushed the edges of his hearing. Registering the lingering heat of the bed in front of him, he smiled softly, closing his eye again. The onna was up, but obviously did not wish to wake him. Fine, he would play along for a while... those were his last thoughts before becoming lost in her lingering scent, easing him once again into slumber. Some time later, the bed sank slightly next to him, jolting him awake to the most delicious scent. Pushing himself up, he found himself staring into laughing bronze eyes as tiny hands offered him a tray. He raised an eyebrow, chuckling quietly.
"Breakfast in bed? What did I tell ya 'bout treating me like a lord 'Gome? 'Sides I'm s'posed to be takin' care of you... come 'ere wench, you need ta eat too." A laugh like golden chimes rang through the room and her soft voice replied
"I've got a tray here for myself as well Inu, I just thought that it would be nice to look after you for once, you've been so good to me. Besides, I didn't want to wake you." He grumbled at her good-naturedly, his Youki practically purring as the onna curled against his side. The peace of the room was shattered, however, as the shrill ringing of the phone cut the air, causing both hanyou to wince slightly at the unexpected noise. InuYasha groaned and slid out of the warm bed, shivering slightly as the chilled air hit his arms. A minute later, and he fairly flew back into the bed, causing Kagome to squeak as a cold foot hit her leg.
"Sorry 'Gome, that was Okaa. 'parently Pops and his friend are planning on stoppin' by sometime today. We need to get up, 'cos knowin' him we won't get any warnin'." Kagome nodded, wriggling out of the bed and slipping on an old T-shirt, jumper and jeans. InuYasha sighed. "'Gome, why won't you let us get you a change of outfit? It's no problem, seriously." Kagome blinked up at his irritated gaze and smiled.
"You've done so much already Inu... I would feel bad letting you do more before I have some way to repay you."
"Keh. Ya don't need to repay me, 'Gome... I told ya, us hanyou gotta stick together." InuYasha muttered, trying desperately to ignore his cheeks flushing. Kagome smiled at him gently, almost whispering
"But I want to." Inuyasha laughed, dispelling her uneasiness.
"There's no talkin' to ya wench, you're as stubborn as I am." She laughed, turning away from him with a flick of her head, before taking the tray back to the kitchen.
It was nearly midday before a loud banging on the door announced Tougaou's arrival, along with the brush of an unfamiliar Youki which instantly had Kagome retreating to the bedroom, ears flat to her head. InuYasha opened the door, and grinned at his Otou.
"Hey pops, Mafuyu-sama. You should really learn to call first, if it wasn't for Okaa you might've turned up to an empty house. I'm guessin' you're here to meet 'Gome, so if ya go fix up some coffee I'll try and coax her out of hidin'." Mafuyu smiled.
"Ah InuYasha-kun. I've missed your banter these last few weeks. I hope you and Sesshoumaru did not damage each other too much during my absence." InuYasha snorted
"Could ask the same 'bout you and pops. Okaa said you really ripped him a new one last night. Anyway, come in, and I'll bring 'Gome out." The two Alphas settled in the living room, Mafuyu giving curious glances towards the doorway from which the unfamiliar Youki emitted. He could already tell that it was much purer than any other Youki he had sensed in centuries, and he found himself wondering... maybe...he shook himself. There was no way that Tougaou would have missed a connection like that, and if he had suspected it, he would have mentioned something. He surfaced from contemplation as InuYasha emerged from the far room, a tiny dark lump glued to his back. InuYasha turned, disentangling the desperately clinging hands from his shirt and pulled the girl in front of him, rumbling soothingly as he walked forwards, keeping close to reassure her as her Youki began to brush against the others tentatively, learning the unique signature as she matched it to the scent of the new Inu. Mafuyu felt his Youki surge protectively to surround the girl as soon as it felt her presence, and reigned it in sharply, wondering what had caused such an extreme reaction... until he saw her, frail, with luminous brown eyes and twitching ears that sent his paternal instincts into a frenzy. He waited patiently for her to calm, making himself as unthreatening as possible, before holding out his hand, much as one would to a timid puppy he mused, saying quietly but with the confidence of a pack Alpha
"Come here, child, Tougaou has told me much about you." Timidly, the girl edged forwards, glancing back at InuYasha for reassurance as his comforting warmth left her back, until she was standing before him, head bowed in submission. "Now, little one, Tougaou says that you have my clan's mark on the back of your neck, may I see?" Alarm shot through her Youki, but was reigned in quickly, and the girl pulled her hair away from her neck, and presented her back to the Alpha, ears flat against her head. Mafuyu was amazed at the amount of control the girl showed, and kept his Youki on a tight leash, resisting its urge to lash out as he saw that the girl did indeed bear his clan mark. He resettled her hair, and turned her to face him, gesturing to the seat next to him as he lowered himself again.
"Well dear, Tougaou was right. You share my blood, although I cannot quite place your scent. Can you tell me anything about your sire? I am sure that I could narrow down who he is from even a brief description." Kagome looked to InuYasha, who stepped up behind her, pulling her back into his hold, giving her a silent reassurance as she nodded slightly,
"Hai, Senpai, I remember his hair was long, down to his hips, and that his eyes were black... it was like looking into a void. I also remember a long green mark that wound up his arm, and seemed to glow when he struck me." Mafuyu sucked in a breath.
"There is only one in my clan with such a marking. I should have known." Tougaou looked at him, realisation dawning as he began to frown. InuYasha looked between them, confusion rising as he realised that his Otou had already guessed which of Mafuyu's clan was responsible.
"Who?" Mafuyu and Tougaou both growled venemously, Youki rising quickly, causing Kagome to whimper and cling to InuYasha.
"Gekidoku."
A/N: Naming. All characters whose name is debateable (E.g. Inu no Taisho) and all characters of my own (Mafuyu, Gekidoku etc.) are named according to a complex little system that involves finding an appropriate adjective and translating it. Mafuyu means Midwinter, whilst Gekidoku means deadly poison. Tougaou of course means "War Fang Ruler"... or variations of that, and is a slightly different transliteration of the generally used name "Toga / Touga" for Inupapa. I like to be different.