Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha. But I will one day. You will all see…he will be mine…MINE….MINE!

Chapter 14: Wolf Fight Part 1

Akina huffed to herself as she stalked around in rage. That…that…MUTT had turned her down yet again. Where did he come up with the idea that he had such a right in the first place! Akina was a princess of the wolf pack, someone such as Makoto should be begging for her attention, much less her affection. And to top it off, he was falling for that half-wolf that just popped out of nowhere. She flipped her hair back over her shoulder and leaned up against a tree pouting. She had decided that couldn't go back home and tell Kouga about any of the events from the day before. She wasn't even supposed to be leaving the wolves' lands.

Her bothersome brother Kigai wouldn't be much help either. Knowing that moron, he would probably take Makoto's side over his own sister's. Akina couldn't go face to face with Makoto herself again. What had gotten under his skin anyway? For a few moments back there, she was almost scared of him. And why did it look like he had just been attacked? He may just be a half-breed but he was stronger than to just let a few rouge youkai beat him up that badly. She shoved that information to the back of her mind. She'll work out those details of the encounter later.

Right now she had to work out a way to get the competition out of the picture, if you could really even call the half-breed competition compared to Akina. What did that little girl have that she herself didn't have times ten? The pup wasn't that bad to look at but she definitely didn't have half of Akina's looks. She didn't look like she was much of a fighter either. And those ears? Augh. Pretending she liked Makoto's ears was bad enough.

That was how she had to get to Makoto, by going through his little tramp. Akina smirked to herself. That was a simple plan. Take out the little brat, show her who Makoto really belongs to. Then Akina would have Makoto all to herself again. If she beat the tramp then Makoto might just realize how useless the wannabe really was. With a snooty huff as she stood, Akina straightened her fur outfit and made her way back toward Makoto's hut. She always found it kind of sad. Even though he was only half youkai, he should at least have enough dignity and live like a youkai. But no, he lived in a hut…on the outskirts of a human village at that.

Akina approached and sniffed around. Makoto wasn't there. Neither were InuYasha, Kagome, or Shippou; but the little twit was there. Akina looked around silently, making absolutely sure they were the only two around, and that the others were far enough away that she wouldn't be interrupted. She found the half-wolf taking wood from a big pile to one side of the hut. She seemed fairly content, but all that would change…

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

It was a bright, sunny day. A few fluffy clouds loomed overhead casting friendly shade over the land. The soft wind created a cooling breeze blowing through the trees of InuYasha's forest, the swaying branches causing the rustling of leaves. The morning birds sung their sweet songs to the other inhabitance of the happy little forest, and the squirrels chattered back their good mornings as well. A small bunny with a big fluffy tail hopped into a small glade that was still filled with fresh green grass, clover, and small yellow flowers. It stood up on its hind legs, its fuzzy ears moving to and fro on its cute little head, its nose and whiskers twitching as it sniffed around.

A pleasant little blue bird landed not too far away, cocking its head from side to side before half flapping his wings and half hopping toward the bunny. The bunny looked down at the bird; the bird looked up at the bunny. The bird's wing twitched. The bunny's nose twitched. Then the whole forest seemed to shake with a loud wail.

"KA-GO-MEEEE!"

Kagome's eye twitched as she and Sango watched the small critters scurrying for safety just before InuYasha stormed into the clearing, ripping down branch and bush in his wake. Sango helped Kagome to her feet with an annoyed look. Brushing the dirt and grass off of her back side, Kagome rolled her eyes at the foolish hanyou's antics.

"Sango, can you…?"

"Sure, Kagome." Wilt one last annoyed glance toward InuYasha, Sango headed off in the direction of the village.

InuYasha sighed and stepped toward Kagome, wrapping his arms around her waist and nuzzling her neck. She sighed too, putting her own arms around her mate's neck and laying her head on his chest.

"What am I going to do with you wench? Hm?" he asked softly.

"InuYasha, I'm sick and tired of being forced to stay within ten feet of the hut! I want to move around more. Sango and I were just sitting here." She looked into his eyes. "Nothing is going to happen."

InuYasha held her close and thought to himself. "You want to get away for awhile? Just for the day?" Kagome looked up at him and nodded. "Keh. All you had to do was ask, wench." He kissed her cheek, picked her up, and took her back to the hut; telling her to grab a few things. Quickly explaining this to Makoto, the two were off on their getaway.

Makoto grabbed Kita's hand and pulled her close as soon as his parents were out of sight. He smirked and rubbed his forehead against hers. Kita smiled back and allowed his sweet scent to consume her. It made her feel protected, loved. It gave her strength and made her completely helpless at the same time. She was in love. Kita had figured out that's all it could possibly be. Kita was in love with Makoto. All his perks and flaws, his friends, his family, the way he looked at her, or even called her name. She loved it all.

It was hard for Makoto to see at first. His problems with Akina had blinded him from seeing his love for the girl he now held. Now it was as clear as it had even been, and he planned to let everyone know it. He growled sensually deep in his throat. How had he survived this long without ever knowing Kita? Where would he have been if he hadn't have found her that day and had taken care of her? He pushed the thoughts aside, not even wanted to dwell upon them.

The only thing that mattered was the present, the now, and the future between the two. He loved her, and he felt she knew though he still had yet to say as much to her, and he felt in his gut she felt the same way. For now, that's all Makoto needed. He slowly lowered his head, allowing his lips to gently brush against her soft cheek. Makoto reveled in how Kita's heartbeat started to soar, how her cheeks flushed and her breathing deepened. He loved how he had caused that kind of a reaction with such a simple touch.

Makoto, with a smirk to himself, decided to see just what other kind of reaction he could get out of her. He cupped one of her cheeks with the palm of his hand; Kita closed her eyes and leaned into his touch. Feeling a bit more daring, he fitted his other hand at the small of her back and moved to where his breath was hot on her neck. She took in a deep breath gazed up at the golden-eyed hanyou through half-closed eyes. Makoto could feel the girl shivering in his arms. He touched his lips to the pulse point on her neck, her shaking increasing until his hand on her back was the only thing holding her up.

He breathed in deep, inhaling her intoxicating scent. Makoto had to fight himself from falling to his own knees. Makoto licked his dry lips, readying himself for the sweet taste of Kita's lips pressed to his. It was too perfect. She was too perfect. The moment was all to perfect. And, apparently, the Faiths agreed.

"MAKOTO!" At Shippou's call the two released each other and stumbled apart, losing their footing and they both came crashing to the ground. "MAKOTO!" Shippou turned the corner of the hut and came upon the scene. He looked to Kita and then to his brother. "What are you two doing down there?"

Makoto narrowed his eyes and crossed his arms in an angry pout. "Keh. Absolutely nothing."

"Okaaay. Well then, I need you in the village for awhile. Think she can manage alone for half an hour?"

Kita smiled and nodded; a blush still evident across her face. "I'm fine. You go on. I'll just…stay here and…umm…yea. I'll be fine."

Makoto stared at her with a goofy grin across his face as he stood to his feet only to stumble as he was walking away. Shippou shook his head and pushed Makoto the rest of the way to the village. Kita couldn't help but giggle to herself. She stood and stretched her arms high above her head a twirled around in small circles. She was in seventh heaven. His eyes, his hair, his touch, his smell, his smiles and just the way he looked at her; what had she done to deserve him? How could she ever pay him back for all he had done for her?

Well, Kita thought to herself, since Kagome is gone, I guess I could cook. He's always thinking of food anyway. She rolled her eyes at her own thought and set off to the woodpile beside the hut to build a fire. Grabbing a few of the logs she walked to the door, but stopped. Suddenly something didn't seem right… a presence.

"So you're the little girl who thinks she can just waltz right up and take whatever she pleases." Kita dropped the wood she had been carrying and spun around toward the voice. "My, my. A bit jumpy aren't we?" Akina replied smugly, seeing and smelling the fear already building up in the wolf-hanyou.

"W-who are you?"

"I'm Akina. Surely Makoto has told you all about me?"

"No."

Akina's anger grew. "Well, as if that matters. I'm here about you. Whether you or he knows it or not Makoto is mine. I will not have such a half-breed tramp fondling all over what is rightfully mine!" She smiled and flipped her hair back over her shoulder. "It's sad, really. Sad that you thought you had a chance with him."

Kita shook her head, the words painfully sinking in, but she refused to listen to them. "You're the one who hurt Makoto before. And…he's not yours." Even Kita was surprised by her sudden boldness. She looked eye to eye with the she-wolf. "Leave. Don't come back. Makoto is mine now. Not yours."

Akina was shocked to say the least. From what she had heard the girl before here was meek and easily put down, yet she had stood up and called Makoto her own. She was going to have to do something about that girl's mouth. "Listen mutt," she retorted, using her father's favorite insult, "He belonged to me way before you even showed up. And, little girl," she flexed he claws, "I'm going to make sure he stays that way. And that means getting rid of you."

Kita closed her eyes, sighing to herself. I'd hoped I'd never have to fight like this again. I'd hoped beyond hope that I could live without fighting. But…Akina…why does she even bother with Makoto! She doesn't love him, she doesn't even think he deserves her! Letting out a deep sigh, her arms held tightly by her sides, knuckles white with the tightness in her fist, she opened her eyes.

Akina instantly felt a shiver go down her spine. The 'little girl' in front of her suddenly became a very big threat. The weak, submissive facade was thrown away, replaced by an intense glare from the girl's emerald-green eyes that could pierce through to the soul of the foulest beast. Suddenly she wasn't too sure of herself. Maybe she had made a mistake by challenging the girl? No. She had already come this far, turning back now would be useless and senseless.

Kita pulled a ribbon that was looped around her waist with a sash on her green kimono, taking it and wrapping her hair tightly in the back. Makoto had fought for her, now she was going to fight for him. She slid one foot parallel behind her, hiking it up so her heel was hovering over the dirt. She brought one arm straight out in front, palm out and low near her thigh. Her other hand she brought closer to her chest in a fist bent at the elbow.

'Hmph'. Akina put herself on her toes on her back foot, bringing both her hands out in front of her with a smirk. "Save the pleasantries, let's get this over with." Akina pushed off with her back foot and swung one clawed fist toward her adversary. Kita was quicker, and just plain out a better and more experienced fighter. Straightening her front leg and bending the back, she was easily able to avoid the attack without moving from her place. As soon as Akina pulled back Kita hand-planted her front palm on the ground in front of her, swinging her back foot through the air. It came in direct contact with Akina's side, causing her to double-over. While Kita twirled back around, her fisted palm clipped Akina just below her left eye. That was going to leave a bruise.

Akina stumbled back, cupping one hand over her rapidly swelling cheekbone and her other arm wrapping around her side. Her eyes suddenly became very full of anger as she growled out her humiliation and readied herself once again. Kita swiveled her leg back behind her in the same stance as before. This fight was going to be all too easy for her. Though Akina was more confident and older, she had absolutely no discipline needed to be a true threat. She was blindly going into a battle she could not win.

Akina growled loudly and threw herself toward Kita, who used the palm of her hand to push the wolf to one side while side-stepping to the other. Akina turned back around and charged again. This time she was able to streak her claws across Kita's forearm before Kita dropped to her back, using her strong legs and feet to propel Akina into the air, sending her spiraling into the side of the hut. While she was down, Akina grabbed a broken piece of bamboo from the wreckage of her fall. She stood back up and lunged with one of her clawed hands extended while the other hid her make-shift weapon behind her back. As Kita blocked the attack using the palm of her hand, Akina pulled out the broken bamboo and shoved it in between Kita's shoulder and collarbone.

Kita didn't allow the sudden pain to affect her focus. She gritted her teeth and growled painfully as she took the bamboo from her own shoulder, tossing it aside and folding her injured arm inside her kimono. The bamboo had separated her shoulder from its joint, effectively making one arm useless. Making sure to keep that arm out of further danger, she changed her stance, standing sideways with the good arm in front bent at the elbow in a fist and her front foot pointing toward the other she-wolf.

Akina hated that she had to stoop down to cheating in her fight against the half-breed. She, after all, was the one to insist on the fight by challenging the girl. And she just wouldn't stop! How was this the same girl from before! The one that cowered in fear at the very sight of Kouga and Ayame not long before! No. This girl was going down. With renewed vigor and confidence now that her opponent had a strong handicap, Akina attacked relentlessly. Claws met claws, growl for growl, and blow for blow. Kita was starting to have a little trouble keeping up with her injured shoulder, allowing Akina to get in more than just a few good hits and slashes.

Kita fell to one knee, breathing hard and gripping her shoulder. She was bleeding from various wounds, none of them all that serious, but some reopening older and deeper wounds from before. She had not expected to wear her energy out so soon. Kita still wouldn't give up, not this soon. Makoto would never give up on her. She had no doubt that Makoto would accept her even if she did lose this fight, but she had to prove to herself that she did deserve him, and that she wasn't useless.

Akina surveyed her prey with predatory eyes, circling Kita like a vulture sighting its next meal. Now she had the mutt precisely where she wanted her. On her knees, head bowed low in front of her. Akina lifted her clawed and brought them down hard…

"KITAAAA!"

A/N:

….bad cliffy::hides: I wasn't even gonna make this chappie, or the next. I had something completely different lined up, but got struck with a lightning bolt of inspiration. XD

Anyway, sorry again for taking so long. Promise the next chapter will be out within the next few days.

As always,

www dot freewebs dot com slash kachikitsucasa

for points and check out the links page and the fanart.