"Ayame sama?" the maid knocked on Ayame's door
"What is it?"
"Well it seems you have a visitor"
"A visitor?"
"Yes, Ayame-sama he says he goes by the name of Kouga and he has a very large clan with him…"
"Is that so?"
"Yes Ayame-sama… your orders?"
"Have him and his clan wait in the ballroom… tell them I will be down momentarily"
"Yes Ayame-sama"
Ayame couldn't believe it! Yes she had told him to bring his clan to visit but that had just been a polite way of saying goodbye! She had not expected him to actually come and visit… at least not this soon! That was only a week ago! What could he possibly want?
Ayame put her clothes on. She hated to keep people waiting so she left her hair go as is. Her long hair was wet and it reached down past her knees. She squeezed it out and brushed it to the back with her hand and left her private bathing quarters. She slowly walked down the hall as she approached the ballroom. She opened the door and peered inside.
In the inside there were about 200 wolf demons, and a few regular wolves. 'So this is the Eastern Wolf tribe?' She thought with a smile.
She walked up to a familiar looking face and tapped his shoulder
"Well if it isn't Ginta-san, you are looking too handsome for words…"
Ginta turned around and his eyes widened.
"Ayame is that you?!"
"And they say Kouga is the smart one of the group. It took him quite a while to figure out"
"You look… Different!"
"I will take that as a compliment, so tell me, what brings the tribe here?"
"You know how Kouga gets when something sparks his interests… he explores until he gets tired of it"
"I see" Ayame said with a smile
Although she smiled, the statement came as a reality check…. True, she had sparked his interests, but it is also true that he would get tired of her, and he would leave her just as he had done in the past. She knew that anything she was ever going to have with Kouga would be temporary and that is exactly why she would deal with Kouga in a professional and polite manner and she would most definitely keep her feelings in check. No more falling in love with this man. She had learned her lesson in the past.
"I enjoyed conversing with you Again, Ginta-san"
Ayame gave a slight bow. She caught a whiff of Kouga's scent and she wanted to find him.
She soon found Kouga talking to one of the members of the tribe and she waited patiently while he finished.
Kouga caught Ayame's scent and turned around to look at her. He wasn't prepared for her to look even more beautiful than she did when they last met. She wore a light green Kimono that matched her eyes perfectly. Her long red hair was down and it gave her an ethereal look, like she was surrounded in fire. She wasn't as made up as she had been when he had seen her last, now she looked more simplistic and natural he liked both sides very much. Her face was more relaxed because she was in a comfortable surrounding. A slight smile graced her beautiful lips and her green eyes looked at him patiently, they stood out more because her bangs had been pushed out of her face. She looked amazing.
"Kouga-san… what brings you here?"
"I was invited"
"This is true"
"So you just came because you were invited, or did you have a special reason?"
"A special reason"
"Really… what reason is that?"
"That's not important"
"I see…and will you and your clan be staying or is this a passing through visit?"
"We will be staying if that's not too much trouble"
"It is no trouble at all if you do not mind the tribe sleeping two to a room… the castle is big, but many of the rooms are already occupied by the servants and army that live here. No one is allowed on the sixth floor of the castle"
"Why is that?"
"It is where Fumiko and I lay our heads"
"Maybe that will be my favorite spot then…"
"No one has gotten past the stairs"
"Is that a threat?"
"More like a friendly warning"
"How many people have tried?"
"Why do you ask?"
"Well I want to see if I'm up for the challenge or not"
"Only fools have tried"
"I've been told I can be foolish"
"I cannot say I disagree"
"So?"
"Tell me Kouga-san, why is that you wish to visit my sleeping quarters?"
"I've been told women like a warm pillow"
Ayame laughed lightly. Kouga had always been outspoken, she wasn't offended or surprised, and she knew that it was just harmless flirting. He would never really say that to a woman he wished to bed. he would do it with much more class. She also knew he did not see her that way
"You are very silly Kouga-san"
Kouga watched her laugh. He was joking and she knew it, but part of him was wondering if he really was joking… Could he honestly say that if she asked him to her bed chambers he would not go? Would he refuse her? Of course he wouldn't. He did know for sure, however, that he was not well enough in her graces to be invited to such a sacred place.
"Is there something that troubles you, Kouga-san? You seem a bit befuddled"
"No, nothing"
Ayame could read him like an open book. She knew something was on his mind she just didn't know if she cared enough to explore what it was. Sure, they were on friendly terms but that didn't mean they were friendly enough to start exploring each others thoughts and what not. So she decided to let it go. If it really bothered him, and he wanted to talk about it, she was all ears but she would not go out of her way to try to figure it out.
"sou desu ka?" (Is that so?)
"hai" (yes)
Ayame got a whiff of Fumiko coming and smiled. She knew the eastern wolf tribe would not be here long before Fumiko came to investigate. Ayame tried to interpret Fumiko's feelings about the wolf tribe being there, but the only feeling she could get out of the smell was curiosity. Ayame looked at Kouga in the eyes and broadened her smile and spoke.
Kouga was so occupied by her smile that he didn't hear what she had said. When he realized that she had said something he said
"I'm sorry, what was that?"
"Kouga-san, for a wolf demon your hearing is not so great, huh?" Ayame said jokingly
Kouga gave her a wry smile
"I said you will be meeting my second in command s..."
Before Ayame could get out the last word Fumiko came through the door and looked around. You could tell she was a bit irritated by the look on her face but Ayame knew why by her scent. It was because she had not been informed that they would have such a large group at the castle. Fumiko has made it clear to Ayame many times that if she was to be a good second in command, then she was to know all events that goes on in the castle and the Northern lands the minute Ayame found out the information. Ayame giggled a bit. This is why Fumiko was allowed to be the second in command and was quickly becoming Ayame's best friend. It was because they had similar work ethics.
"Excuse me for just a second Kouga-san"
Ayame walked over to Fumiko and smiled. Fumiko was not amused.
"Ayame-sama! What have I told you about…"
"Fumiko-sama these are all wolf demons so if you shout they will not only hear you they will quickly get on guard"
She said it so happily that Fumiko got more upset but she did check her tone
"what have I told you about telling me of the events before they happen Ayame sama! I am…"
"The second in command and should know all details of events before they happen" Ayame recited in Fumiko's queen like voice
"If you are conversant of my demand, then why is it that I was not informed of the attendance of the entire western…"
"Eastern"
"Right, Eastern wolf tribe?"
Then it dawned on Fumiko, the leader of the eastern wolf tribe was the wolf demon Kouga… That was the reason she had guessed western first. Why were they here? what business did they have with her Ayame Sama?
Ayame smiled and said
"An infant could smell the curiosity and detest wafting off of you Fumiko-sama. After I get to Eastern wolf tribe settled in come to my room and we will have girl talk, but until then come and meet the leader of the eastern wolf tribe"
"The leader? Do you mean the wolf demon Kouga?"
"He is the leader, is he not?" Ayame said with a giggle
"Lead the way, Ayame-sama"
"Oh before I introduce you to him, would you mind terribly masking the rage in your scent? You do not even know the story and you already hate him. That is not fair to him Fumiko sama"
Instantly Fumiko masked her scent Ayame could still smell it a bit but that was because her senses were above that of the strongest demons. She wasn't sure whether or not Kouga could sense it but she was hoping he could not.
"thank you Fumiko-sama" Ayame said with a giggle
Ayame walked away and Fumiko followed her. Not knowing who he was, Fumiko instantly took notice of a particularly handsome Wolf Demon. He outshined every male in the room by aura and appearance. His long black hair was glossy and you could tell that he thought highly of himself by the way he held his broad shoulders. When he turned and smiled widely at Ayame, and Ayame gave him a slight nod and a small smile back Fumiko knew who he was. Her curiosity instantly went from intrigued to disgust. She had never met nor seen this man before. She never even knew the story of what happened between him and Ayame but she knew that this main had caused some sort of crisis in Ayame's life and she didn't like anyone who hurts Ayame be it intentionally or otherwise. Ayame pinched Fumiko's leg subtly. And Fumiko instantly masked her aura. She had let some of her dislike for Kouga slip out
They walked up to him and he nodded his head. They both did the same in return.
"Kouga-san this is Fumiko-sama, my second in command, and the former lady of the Northern lands. Fumiko sama this is Kouga –san the leader of the eastern wolf tribe"
"Nice to meet you Fumiko-sama"
"The pleasure is mine Kouga-san; tell me what brings you to our humble establishment?"
"Just a friendly visit, I was invited by Ayame"
Fumiko's anger flared and Ayame pulled her to the side immediately yelling an excuse us at Kouga
"Fumiko! You are supposed to be masking your anger!"
"How dare he not address you with the proper honorific!? I will have his head!"
"Fumiko please stop it. It is fine… he is a bit informal because we have known each other for a long period, not because he wishes to disrespect me."
"No, not disrespect you! Only bed you! I do not like him!"
"Fumiko –sama!" Ayame said messaging her temples
Fumiko crossed her arms over her chest and stuck out her lips
"Fumiko it would not be very respectable for me to tickle you here and now would it?"
"We would lose the respect of these people"
"then you would be wise to stop behaving as if you are a two year old, or it will turn into a tickle fest in this ballroom" Ayame said with her most superior voice
"Fine Ayame-sama, But I will not promise anything if he upsets me again"
"Fumiko-sama, stop it!"
"Fine"
"My god" Ayame said while shaking her head and walking back towards Kouga with Fumiko close behind
Kouga had one eyebrow raised. Of course he had noticed the extreme hatred the rolled off the snake demon Fumiko but he was not sure if Ayame had told the story or if it was for other reasons. He was sure however that he had to be careful around her because he was not well liked
"You look as though you have some questions Kouga-san, what is It that you inquire?" Ayame said calmly
"Nothing in particular" Kouga said with his eyebrow still raised.
"Well if you are sure Kouga-san"
Of course Ayame knew what he wanted to know but she wasn't giving up any answers unless he was brave enough to ask questions. Why offer unnecessary information.
"Well it is certainly getting very late the moon rose many hours ago. I will arrange sleeping quarters for yourself and the tribe. Shall we have breakfast together Kouga-san?"
"Sure"
"Will you be joining us Fumiko-sama?" Ayame asked with a slight smirk
"Yes I will be in attendance"
" I look forward to it"
"Kouga-san please inform the tribe they are welcome to join us if the wish to do so, Breakfast is at sunrise" Ayame Bowed slightly and turned to leave followed by Fumiko
"I take it you will follow me to my sleeping area"
"You are correct Ayame sama"
The girls walked to Ayame's room while Ayame relived the whole story about Kouga starting back from when they met.
"That was the most romantic, cute, and upsetting story I have ever heard"
"Kouga is not really a bad person Fumiko-sama, neither is Kagome they both are some of the sweetest people you will have the pleasure of meeting."
"But she is a human"
"I have no problem with humans"
"I still cannot forgive how he broke his promise to you"
"At first I could not either, but I have realized that when it comes to promises of the heart there can be no promises. I person cannot control the path in which their heart chooses to follow; you can only choose whether or not you will listen to your hearts choice. I am glad that he did not choose to marry me because he made that promise, it would have ultimately destroyed the both of us"
"How would it have destroyed you? You loved him"
"This is true, however there is nothing but problems in a relationship where the love is not equal, you experienced that first hand after your mating with Fuzen-sama, is that correct?"
"This is true; I have no choice but to agree with you"
"Fumiko-sama please do not judge Kouga-san based on what you have heard about him from me. I implore you meet him and decide for yourself what type of person he is"
"Yes Ayame-sama"
"Just think if I had mated with Kouga-san at the time I would not have been able to get where I am now, I would not have met you, and I would not have been able to meet everyone that I have come to trust."
"This is true, for that I guess I must thank him"
Fumiko looked around the room and spotted the newest picture that Ayame painted. When did you paint that?"
"Just finished it…. Do you like it?"
"It is a lovely painting Ayame-sama. It fits you well. I wish I was born with such a talent"
"All women have an artistic talent Fumiko-sama and yours is dancing. You dance like an angel though you prefer to move in secret"
Fumiko loved to dance but when she had mated with Fuzen he had ordered her to never do it again because she was tempting other men. Before she had met him she had danced for her clan as their entertainment. He was the prince of the sister snake clan and had come to visit her father who was the King of her clan. Her father had ordered that she dance for sister clan's entertainment, she was happy to oblige. After her dance was finished Fuzen walked up and said to her 'you will be my wife' she had agreed because her father said that it was best for the clan.
At the time Fuzen was a good man. He did not have a fetish for eating humans or sleeping with hoards of women, so she had gradually fallen in love with her mate. When Fuzen decided to overthrow the ruler of the northern lands at the time, which was an old raccoon demon named Ren, she had supported him wholeheartedly. It was after he had gained power that he started to go mad. But she learned to cope with it because she still had her dancing.
One night while she was dancing Fuzen came to the garden where she danced and violently took her body ordering her to never dance again, calling her a vile temptress and all of the other names he could think of. After that night she had never danced in public and stayed as far away from Fuzen as possible. But that did not stop him from coming into her bed chambers and taking her body mercilessly nightly. She began to change. When she had met Fuzen she was a vibrant woman who danced with glee and smiled at everyone and was loved by all. After Fuzen started to treat her that way she became something of a hermit only leaving her bed chambers when summoned and her words though elegant, where always the politically correct answer never her true opinion.
Though she was mistreated by her mate she still held on to the memory of the man that she fell in love with and that was what kept her from taking her own life.
The night that she heard Fuzen was murdered by someone she walked down the stairs slowly trying to figure out if she was happy or upset. But when she saw the person who had did it, she new that it was a woman she could befriend.
Gradually after meeting Ayame, Fumiko began to regain some of her former self she began to dance again but only in a garden that no one visited. She preferred not be seen. She danced to the music of nature and her body moves with the sounds creating an ethereal scene of beauty. Her dancing was incomparably and Ayame would come and watch her in secret. Fumiko was so enthralled with her dancing Ayame did not even have to really hide her presence.
"I had no idea you had been watching me Ayame –sama"
"That is because that is the way I wanted it Fumiko-sama"
Fumiko began to see Ayame as a little sister. She had a real sister but she did not keep in touch with her after mating with Fuzen. As far as she had heard her real sister was killed in a raid by their natural enemy the hawk clan.
That is why she looks after Ayame so closely, she sees Ayame as the sister she was never able to protect before, though she knows Ayame is capable of taking care of herself, more so than anyone she has ever met.
"I am humbled by your comment Ayame-sama. It truly makes me happy that you would spend your valuable time watching me dance"
"The pleasure is mine, it rare to see such beauty, wait here"
Ayame got up and walked away coming back with a picture in her hand. It was a picture she had painted of Fumiko when she was dancing. She was standing in a pond at night with the water splashing around her. her head was thrown back and her back was arched she had her arms in the air gracefully and a peaceful look on her face. The stars in the sky were glowing brightly and there was the light form various fireflies just above the water that was in the air.
"This was my favorite scene when you were dancing. I thought while watching you, I wish I could dance in such a way."
Fumiko looked at the picture and smiled it was beautifully painted she looked at the back and in beautiful characters it said "wattashi no oneesan" (my sister)
She pointed to the words and looked at Ayame
"If there was anyone on the earth that I would consider my sister it is you Fumiko-sama, you can have that picture if you like though it is not the best I have drawn"
"No this happens to be my preferred picture Ayame-sama"
"Thank you very much Fumiko-sama, you should get some rest we have breakfast with Kouga-san soon"
"oh yes Kouga-san"
She said as she got up and left Ayame's part of the room
A/N: first let me apologize for the late update. Second I want to explain this chapter. It was more about Fumiko than anyone else that is because she is an important character in story so you needed some background information on her that is what I provided in this chapter. For those of you who are wondering why the romance is moving so slow it is because I don't like to rush those things. It is my firm belief that love takes time but don't panic now that they've met up again things between Kouga and Ayame are going to move pretty smoothly please continue to read my story! Please don't forget to review! I cannot express how important they are to me also thanx for all the past reviews
Look forward to the next chapter!