Title: The Wolves Den
Author: Priestess Skye
Word Count: 2,135
Pairing: Kouga/Rin UST
Genre: UST, drama
Rating: PG-13

The low growl did little to stop her descent as she entered the darkness of the cave. Hand on the hilt of her knife, she would not be afraid, Rin told herself. She was not afraid two years ago, she would not be afraid now, though it was different. Two years ago they stood upon a hill, in the open, where anybody could see them. If he had sliced her throat then Sesshoumaru would have been there momentarily to seek his vengeance. Now, she was entering his territory, his domain where his word was law and one signal to his companions and she would be their dinner without her protector nearby.

Though he had assured her that they no longer ate humans, he was still a wolf. There was very little he could say that she would actually believe, and furthermore trust.

Water dripped from the crevices, the dampness increasing and becoming suffocating the further she walked in. One drop hit a puddle next to her foot, echoing loudly as the backsplash bounced off her toe, causing her to tense. It was just a cave, she told herself again. She had spent time in many of them with Sesshoumaru-sama . She would not be afraid.

And yet, she was just that. There was no security here, no youkai lord who could rid themselves of the danger with just a flick of the wrist. She was open, exposed and on her own. It made her wary and nervous. Her last encounter with the wolf prince had obsessed her thoughts, her dreams and her every waking moment. The way his claws pressed against her throat both frightened and exhilarated her. His voice, the careless recklessness of it did little to hide the true calm and control he had within him. He did not shirk duties lightly, and he wasn't as foolish as she would have once believed. The power that exuded him, though different from her lord, was both dangerous and awe-inspiring. She had not walked away unaffected.

Kagome-chan had once spoken to her about him, and though she was unsure if she had ever wanted to meet the wolf prince, she couldn't help but be fascinated at his determination and will. There were very few in her mind who could stand up to Sesshoumaru-sama's presence, but she was sure he would. Torn between her fear and her fascination, she had vowed that she would stand up to the wolf and figure out what he was truly about.

"You pretend to be cool and confident on the outside, but on the inside I know you're trembling," a deep voice echoed in the darkness. Shivering, Rin struggled to recompose herself. She would not show this wolf her fear. She would show him that she had grown past their last encounter. She would show him that he no longer affected her as he once did.

"It is the cold," she lied, raising her voice just a little bit so the sound would travel.

"Then come on in and warm up."

Raising her hand along the wall, she felt her way through the cave, coming to a corner. Peering around, Rin could see a dull light further ahead. Knowing that was her destination, she moved forward, suppressing any lingering doubts she had. Her demons had haunted her long enough, her dreams had plagued her long enough. It was time to dispel them both so she could move forward with her life. She could not travel with Sesshoumaru-sama forever, though that was her wish. But she could not settle either until she was free to do so.

She was far from free right now.

A low growl echoed through the caves, bouncing off the walls. Clenching her fists, she fought not to run. A second and third joined, causing her to freeze and stand still for all of a moment, her breath caught in her throat. She could feel her heart pound faster and harder in her chest, and she was sure there was sweat dripping down her face, and not moisture from the surrounding dampness. Frozen with terror Rin wasn't sure if she was ready to deal with this yet or not. The wolf prince was one thing, but he was not alone tonight.

Yellow eyes peered at her through the darkness, three sets of them narrowing . She didn't need to see the teeth to know they were bared, to know they were sharp and eagerly awaiting their chance to sink into her skin and tear her flesh from her bones. She had seen it happen before, their non-chalant nature as they destroyed homes, families, lives. She had felt them upon her body, and though she wasn't torn, she knew she very well could have been. These were not friendly beasts and she wasn't sure if she was ready to face this particular demon yet. Twelve years after the fact and they still petrified her. If she didn't return to nightmares tonight, she would consider it a blessing. Reaching in for her knife in her obi, her hand stilled as their growling increased. Whimpering, she took a step backward, then stopped herself as she realized her retreat. This was not what she came here for tonight. She didn't come to run from wolves. She came to show them what she was made of instead.

Sesshoumaru-sama's words from years past trickled through her head, something about being defeated before she showed her strength, if she let herself, and relying on others to protect her. None of them helped to show her how to deal with a wolf. Taking a deep breath, she took a step forward, holding her knife in her hand, handle out, as a show of good faith. "You offer me your weapon. Are you that trusting?" Kouga's voice stated cooly as he stepped out from behind the wolves. The soft yellow glow from the small fire caressed him, giving him an ethereal look, one that made him seem more than human, more than youkai, more than a prince.

"No," she stated, trying not to let her voice crack. "Both you and your wolves could tear my throat out anytime you wish. I can't stop you, with or without a knife. You've already done it once. "

"I thought you said it was my wolves."

"It was, but on your orders." She visibly shuddered, remembering the day she died. It wasn't something one forgot easily, and she had never told Sesshoumaru-sama how much she actually did remember. The pain of the event was terrible and so traumatic she had nearly erased it from her mind.

Nearly. There were just some things that weren't so forgettable. It was the one weakness she couldn't openly admit to, the one nightmare that would send her trembling and wandering in the middle of the night until she could calm down. She knew she couldn't hide that from her lord, but he didn't need to be aware of the reasons. Instead he just provided a way for her to fight and become stronger.

The near silent shifting of clothing signaled his rise from his seated position against the cave wall, and he made his way over to her, wolves at his side. She held her breath and forced herself to stand still. She needed this. She wanted this, she realized. She wanted to come to terms with what had happened years ago. The tip of his index finger pressed against her throat, the sharp claw digging into her skin. "My claws have been known to be sharp weapons," he said idly. "My teeth are sharper. But you don't see them pressed against you now, do you?"

"No," she breathed. With his other hand he took the knife from her, and slipped it back into her obi, in the same spot he had seen two years ago.

Slowly, he shifted his hands, pulling the claw away from her skin and instead replacing them with the pads of his fingers. They were rough and worn, no doubt from fighting and basic survival. Kouga was not the type to sit around and do nothing. There was a restless energy about him, a recklessness that she found both nerve wracking and interesting. She didn't know how to channel it or control it like she did with Jaken.

Kouga was wild.

"I've seen your wolves. I need to go," she whispered, suddenly feeling the need to get away. Taking a step backward she found herself blocked as Kouga inserted himself between her and the exit. Turning to try and go around him, she found his wolves surrounding him, edging ever closer to her. She found her body beginning to quiver then shake uncontrollably when one got too close. Air caught in her throat and no amount of breathing could help.

The walls were closing in on her, the wolves growing closer. Rin thought she could see them baring their teeth, Kouga holding her still for the onslaught. Panicked she pushed back against him, knowing that he was the safest of all the creatures nearby. Later she would wonder why she thought so. For now she simply acted.

Feeling a wet, cold nose press into her side, Rin shrieked and screamed, eliciting a whine from the wolves due to the sheer volume. She braced her arms against Kouga behind her, twisting her body away from the four-legged animal before her, only to find another wet nose pushing into her other side. Slowly she took deep breaths, trying to focus on the air around her and not the demon behind her who chose to hold her in place with his arm across her upper chest as the wolves poked at her. Turning her face away from the sight she did the only thing she thought she could do at that moment, and turned and pressed her head against the wolf prince, seeking security and shelter from the one man she knew would have no quarrel in killing her.

"I'm not afraid of you," she mumbled, steeling her strength. They weren't hurting her yet. Glancing behind her she saw ice blue eyes dancing in mirth and humour, a sardonic smile crossing his face as if he didn't believe her. Snaking her hand down to her obi, she searched for her small blade. She wouldn't be wearing it now if she felt confident enough in her abilities to fight the ugliness without putting up much of a fight. But her guardian would have no difficulties in dispelling her fear.

"Looking for this?" Rin looked behind her to see the blade buried hilt deep in the stone of the cave. When did he get it? Had he not returned it only moments before? How did she not feel him remove it once more? "Fear blinds you to many things. However, if you face this now, next time you won't be so unaware." She felt his claws encircle one of her wrists, and hold it out in front of the wolf next to her. She saw the black nose edge closer, moving and sniffing, and though she knew instinctively Kouga would not hurt her, she wanted to pull back. Biting her lip, she held her hand still as the wet nose pushed into in it, before sliding past it and allowing her hand to rest upon its head.

"So soft," Rin murmured as her fingers bent and lightly clutched the fur. The wolf was far from docile, nor was it in any way affectionate, but it didn't appear to be a threat either. She could feel the power beneath the soft, downy brown fur, she could feel its strength, just as she was equally aware of Kouga's strength around her. "Are they always like this?"

"They are just as dangerous as I," he replied, letting go of her wrist, brushing his claws against the underside of her breast before resting his hand flat on her stomach. This time it rolled for an entirely different reason. She had thought herself immune to his charm, had ignored the warnings Kagome once gave her. Instantly on the alert, she stilled her hand and tried to take a step forward, struggling against him, finally breaking free. She could feel her face flush as she heard him chuckle.

Heart pounding, she took two more deep breaths before turning her glare on the wolf prince. "I have faced my demons," she declared, staring him in the eye. "You will not touch me again."

His chuckle turned into a full laugh and to save face, she turned and walked away, feeling along the damp walls of the cave. "Rin," she heard him call. "Next time I see you, you will not walk away from me again."

"I'll not see you again," she countered, refusing to look back.

"Don't bet on it."