Disclaimer: This story is based on "Inuyasha," copyrighted by Rumiko Takahashi. No infringement of copyright intended or implied.
Runner, the Whirlwind
Koga left the caves, leaving everyone behind, accelerating quickly to full speed. Even without the shards, no one currently in the caves could keep up with him, and he wanted no minions to slow him up in his effort to catch up with Ayame.
His nerves were on high alert, his eyes roaming the ground ahead, his ears and nose and youkai senses alert for danger-and for the hints that would keep him on Ayame's path. Nevertheless, he was not unaware of other sensations as he ran.
It was the first time he had pushed himself to a full run, since he had lost the shards of the Shikon jewel. His legs had hurt for days after the loss, and he had felt heavy, diminished, even as he accepted the wisdom, that his part in the fight against Naraku was over, and that his most important responsibility lay with the wolf tribe. Merging the two clans, taking care of quarrels, making sure everyone was safe, had taken up his time.
As had mating with Ayame.
But, now, digging into his reserves to find a bit more speed, Koga began to feel a bit of that former exhilaration. Wolves were born to run, at a loping pace that could be kept up for hours, if mortal, or days. But, he wanted more than just the lope; he wanted to challenge the wind itself. He was more than wolf-chief, burdened with the concern over the safety of his people. He was the runner, the whirlwind, that could not be matched or stopped.
He lost himself to the run. Not losing the alertness, the readiness to dodge or fight, but worries and concerns submerged themselves into the moment, into the now. He was not the wolf-chief. He was only the whirlwind.
And had he breath to spare, he would have laughed for joy.
Author's Note: This piece was written for the prompt "Minions", for the LiveJournal community "Inuyasha FanFiction: A Drabble Community." It was originally posted on July 30th, 2012. It took 2nd.
(8/25/2012) - And as of this posting date, the serial here on fanfiction . net is up to date. I really need to sit down and outline what's going to happen, but I'm juggling so many stories, and so much else in real life, that I have no idea when I'll get to it. Thanks for your patience!