Disclaimer: I do hereby disclaim all rights and responsibilities for the characters in this whirlwind escapade, especially for the one who takes matters into her own hands. A nod of recognition is bent towards Rumiko Takahashi for her creative prowess.

Author's Note: Yes, yes, yes... I know it's been a long wait. I've carved out a little time I don't really have because I love this story even more than you do. So there.

Wolvish Blessings

Shippo was closest to the door and quickest to pick up on the first sign that trouble was brewing. "Uh... guys?" he blurted, his two tails bristling. "Are we maybe expecting a Peep's delivery?"

Inuyasha straightened, ears pricking forward. "Nope."

"Well, we've got an incoming wolf!" the kitsune warned, glancing uncomfortably at his boss.

"Maybe there's some kind of emergency?" Sango ventured.

"Phone's still faster than running over," Inuyasha said dismissively. He glanced at the clock and muttered, "Too early for Miroku to be here... which might be a good thing."

Sango moved to anchor the napkins as every eye turned towards the door, which burst open with a rush of wind that fluttered the stack of used newspapers. Their guest was most definitely a wolf, but she was most definitely not Kouga. Ayame's red hair fell in bouncy waves around her shoulders as her bright green eyes took in the coffee shop's startled staff members. Her keen gaze swiftly settled on Sango, and with a soft growl, she exclaimed, "You!"

"Me?" she echoed.

"Whoa!" Inuyasha protested as Ayame vaulted over the counter.

He moved to block the demoness, but the redhead bared her teeth at him and snapped, "My rival! My right!" Grabbing Sango's arm, she dragged the young woman towards the back door.

Kohaku dropped his broom and scrambled after them, but by the time he made it into the office, the girls were long gone. Looking anxiously towards the hanyou, he asked, "What's going on? Why'd she take Sis?"

"Not sure," Inuyasha admitted. The boy paled, and with sigh he explained, "Since it's just me and Sesshoumaru, I'm a little fuzzy on pack politics."

"You want me to follow them?" Shippo offered.

"Yeah... just as a precaution," Inuyasha replied with a sidelong look at Sango's younger brother. "I heard her agree to go along, so it's probably okay."

"Call Kouga?" suggested the kitsune as he ditched his apron.

The hanyou waved him towards the door, already dialing as he grumbled, "Spare me from wolves and their love for drama."

Sango sat on the edge of her seat in a strange apartment, trying to make sense of the last several minutes. The wolf demoness had issued a challenge she couldn't refuse, followed by a gravity-defying race over rooftops, along back alleys, and through an open window. Still catching her breath after the wild piggyback ride, Sango held her own while Ayame circled and sniffed. She's mixed up in that whole the arranged marriage debacle. That probably did make them rivals, but she hoped this wouldn't turn into a showdown. I can't compete with a youkai.

"You are Sango."

She nodded, and cautiously replied, "Ayame?"

The redhead's chin lifted proudly. "That is right. And you are the one Miroku wants?"

A dozen possible denials ran through Sango's mind, but the man had mentioned it was pointless to lie to someone who could smell one, so she answered, "That's what he says."

"Has he been displaying for you?" Wide brown eyes blinked, and the demoness's face scrunched in frustration. "Strutting? Howling? Grooming? Presenting his kills? Providing a den?"

"Miroku's not a wolf."

Ayame growled and pushed her way into Sango's personal space. "Do not insult me, human! I know what he is... and what that means for me!"

Sango's indignation sparked, and she retorted, "Then stop expecting Miroku to behave like a demon! It's silly!"

"It is not!" Ayame countered. "He does his pack proud. Human or not, he thinks like a wolf!"

Wonderful. Miroku's won over another admirer. Folding her arms over her chest, Sango briskly conceded, "Fine. He thinks like a wolf, but that doesn't mean he goes around howling."

"Then explain the human equivalent!" she demanded. "How does he court you?"

Courting. Alarm bells went off in Sango's mind because Sesshoumaru had told her that Miroku was courting her... and in a youkai fashion. If that's what Ayame's after, then we really are rivals. What a mess.

"Is it impolite to ask?" The tentative question took Sango by surprise, and she glanced up as Ayame backed down somewhat, crouching on the floor in front of her. "I do not know human customs," she admitted sulkily.

"No, no," Sango sighed, rubbing distractedly at her temple. "It's okay for you to ask. I'm not offended, and I don't mind answering. But why do you want to know?

A cunning glint lit the wolf-youkai's eyes, and she replied, "If that man takes you for his mate, then Kouga will be honorbound to pursue me."

"I thought you hated Kouga."

"He angered me," Ayame huffed. "However, he is strong... and worthy of my consideration."

"You're in love with Kouga?" Sango gasped.

The demoness shrugged. "I could love him. It would be a good match." With a flash of fang, she said, "I am quick and smart; I will give him a good chase."

Interested in spite of herself, Sango asked, "You want him to chase you... literally?"

"Of course! Who would want a mate that is easily outrun?" she retorted, flicking her clawed fingertips disdainfully. Scooting closer, she whispered, "I wish to spar with him!"

"You want to fight him?" Sango whispered, further intrigued by the differences between what Ayame wanted and what she wanted.

"I would test his mettle," Ayame agreed with a smirk.

Sango tried to picture herself facing off against Miroku, and the mental image of knocking him flat was admittedly satisfying. A giggle bubbled up from out of nowhere, and she realized, This is girl talk! Inter-species girl talk! Rather pleased by the notion, she made bold to ask, "What are the other things for? You mentioned strutting and grooming?"

"Kouga walks with confidence, a desirable trait, for a wolf's territory begins with the ground beneath their feet," Ayame replied, sounding as if she were quoting a proverb. "Grooming encourages trust and allows a female to ascertain if a potential mate can be considerate." Turning the question around, the redhead asked, "How would you test a male's worthiness?"

"Humans go on dates," Sango replied. Noting Ayame's blank expression, she added, "We arrange ways to spend time together... getting to know one another... seeing if we can get along."

"You do not value strength?"

Sango paused to consider, then said, "Strength of character."

"How can you determine such things if you cannot read scents?" Ayame challenged.

"Well... you have to listen to what he says."

"What if he lies?" the demoness asked suspiciously.

Sango frowned and answered, "I might not be able to smell a lie, but I can decide if some guy is trustworthy or not."

"How?" Ayame pressed.

"If you pay attention, you can see if what someone says matches what they do," she offered. "Over time, you decide how much you want to trust them. But in the end, I guess you can just... tell."

"A human instinct?"

"Maybe so," Sango agreed.

"And what do your instincts tell you about Miroku?" Ayame asked eagerly. "Does your heart leap after his?"

"He's different than I expected," she hedged.

The demoness's nose twitched, and her smile broadened. "He is worthy of your regard. Give him a good chase!"

Sango snorted softly. "You're only saying that so you can have Kouga for yourself."

Ayame joined her on the wide seat, sidling even closer. "That is part of the truth."

"And what's the other part?"

Once more, the redhead's chin came up, and she haughtily said, "A rivalry with you would do nothing for my status within either pack."

"No one will be impressed if you defeat a human?"

"Wrong." The demoness gave Sango a long look before explaining, "I have no intention of starting a fight I have already lost. Miroku is saving his song for you and you alone."

"Oh," Sango managed, color creeping over her cheeks.

"That is why I will help you," Ayame announced smugly. "We shall add our strength to a most worthy pack... as sisters."

Sango slouched back in the chair, covering her face and laughing in what could only be described as relief. "I was afraid you were going to demand to fight me or something."

"Did you? That is good!" the demoness replied, clearly pleased. "That means you came here willing to fight."

"It's really important to you, isn't it?" Sango inquired thoughtfully. "You want to find a strong mate... someone you can't outrun in the chase... someone you can fight without holding back... someone who will bring you their kill... and howl at the moon?"

"Of course!"

"Which means you must have been really disappointed when your grandfather asked you to accept a human partner."

Ayame's expression clouded. "I was displeased."

"I can't imagine being forced to marry someone I didn't love," Sango said quietly.

"Do humans value love over suitability?" the demoness asked curiously.

Sango wasn't sure how to answer since her feelings could hardly be representative of everyone's. Finally, she replied, "I think it's possible to love unwisely, but I can't imagine allowing myself to fall in love with a man I didn't respect."

"And do you respect Miroku?" Ayame pried.

"He has his moments."

"I can see why Hakkaku says Miroku's chase may be a long one. You are evasive." The demoness's eyes widened in dismay, and she demanded, "Have you already refused him?"

"Mmm... not in so many words," Sango slowly replied. "He did finally back off a little, though. I guess even Miroku can take a hint."

"This is bad," Ayame declared worriedly.

"Why?"

"No self-respecting wolf begs!"

"And what does that mean," Sango asked suspiciously.

"He will not pursue you unless you invite the chase," Ayame announced authoritatively. "You must challenge him, and even more importantly, you will need to approach his alpha."

Sango weakly protested, "I couldn't possibly..."

"You can! Males are easily seduced," assured Ayame. "As for his father, if you do not go personally, then appoint a go-between to speak for you!"

Before Sango could protest further, someone rapped lightly on the apartment door. "Ayame? Sango?" called a familiar voice. "May I intrude."

The demoness hurried forward and drew open the door, bowing politely to Hakkaku. "You cannot intrude upon your own den. Enter with our welcome, and thank you for your hospitality."

"There's no need to be so formal, Ayame," replied the demon with a distinctive silver mohawk. "I would have given you more time, but unexpected guests dropped by."

"Those males from the coffee shop?" the demoness guessed.

Hakkaku rubbed the back of his neck. "Nooo... and I think it might be best if we took the back way out." Ayame's face took on a look of concentration, and then her tail began to switch restlessly. With a nod, she beckoned furiously for Sango to join her. Smiling a gentle greeting, Hakkaku looped his arm through Sango's and breathed, "Hello, little sister. Don't be frightened; we're only trying to avoid trouble, not danger."

They tiptoed along a hallway, then started down a narrow set of stairs, only to be greeted by a gruff inquiry. "Trouble, am I?"

"Takeo-sama!" Hakkaku exclaimed, sounding sheepish. "I didn't think you would want to be bothered."

A lone wolf-youkai with thick black hair gathered in a lengthy plait leaned against the wall at the bottom of the stairs, smirking up at them. Sango was caught by his strong resemblance to Kouga, right down to the intense blue of his eyes, then realized that this must be his father. Miroku's father.

"I'm not bothered," Takeo replied, peering intently into Sango's face for several moments. Then, he turned his attention to the demoness and greeted, "Ayame. Your grandfather will be relieved to learn you're safe. He was most distraught when he called earlier."

"I will contact him," she offered stiffly.

"Do that," Takeo replied, and there was no mistaking the command in his tone. Ayame moved to pass him, but he reached out and touched her shoulder. When she looked up, he casually remarked, "I hear you eluded all of the wolves who were sent after you. Very clever."

The redhead flushed with pleasure over the compliment, her tail swaying in time with her steps as she hurried along the hall, presumably to place a call to her family. Thankfully, Hakkaku staunchly remained by Sango's side, and when they reached the bottom of the stairs, he made the introductions. "Takeo, this is Sango Sakamoto, who works with Miroku at Founder's Coffee Shop. Sango, this is Takeo. As you may have guessed, he is Kouga's and Miroku's father... and leader of our pack."

All the things she knew about this wolf-youkai ran through her mind and she studied his face. Miroku's grandfather had been his best friend in years past... and when Miroku was orphaned at the age of two, Takeo had taken him in and raised him as his own. Sympathy. Curiosity. Gratitude. Respect. The emotions swirled through her as the demon stepped forward and took her hand in both of his, greeting her in the same manner Kouga always used. Smiling in spite of herself, Sango said, "Hello, sir."

Humming thoughtfully, Takeo leaned down until they were eye-to-eye and returned, "Hello, miss."

He just stood there, holding her gaze, and Sango wondered what was expected of her under these kinds of circumstances. Since she hadn't a clue, she just blurted out the first thing that came to mind. "What pretty eyes!"

Miroku's father blinked, then exchanged a speaking glance with Hakkaku, whose dimples were showing. Sango half-wished she could read scents because the mixed messages were driving her crazy. Takeo's expression remained stern, but his tail began a lazy sway. After a few moments, he huffed and said, "Ayame was correct, young woman."

Sango glanced in the direction the demoness had disappeared and asked, "Sir?"

"No self-respecting wolf begs." Her eyes widened, and she would have ducked her head, but one of Takeo's big hands caught her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. She knew her scent must be thick with fear, but she wasn't sure if the wolf could tell why her heart was pounding... or what she was afraid of losing. The wolf-youkai hummed again, then inquired, "Do you think my son loves wisely?"

Did he overhear the whole conversation? Dismay gave way to a flash of indignation, and she quietly retorted, "Only if wolves are wise."

He surprised her with a low chuckle, but it wasn't as if he was laughing at her so much as at himself. Releasing her chin, he touched her shoulder and said, "You are also quick and smart. Will you give Miroku a good chase?"

Once again, Sango realized that there was no room for lies. Lifting her chin much as Ayame had done, she answered, "He is worthy of my consideration."

Takeo nodded and pronounced, "May his chase end in song."

End Note: Posted on February 8, 2011. 2,466 words. With many thanks to Janey-jane and to Terri Delgado, whose Froth-inspired artwork definitely helped coax this story off the back burner.