Disclaimer: I live! I'm back from the dead, woo-hoo! Please enjoy this long-overdue chapter by yours truly. Oh, by the way, did you notice how freaking similar Koga's and Toga's names are?! I can just tell that's going to piss me off later on. But anyway, SO SORRY FOR THE DELAY!!!! Gosh, somebody just kill me now so I don't put my readers through a wait again; don't you just hate that? Grr. I know it's short, but at least you're getting something!
Fearless
Chapter VI
Previously: (since ya'll probably can't remember)
"Ah, Koga, how nice to see you again!" Toga smiled, wrapping his forearm against the southern lord's. Koga, with his long black hair pulled back in a pony-tail and wolf-skin clothing, was tall and muscular. He had electric green eyes that pierced through the skin to see into the mind. He could actually be quite creepy with those eyes.
"Glad to see you actually left the castle to escort me. Is this a first for you?" Koga joked, grinning easily.
Toga flashed his fangs. "Careful, Koga. You may be the southern lord, but that doesn't mean I can't still kick your ass into oblivion."
Koga laughed; Toga never failed to amuse him. They were actually old friends; they'd grown up together. (a/n: For those of you who are wondering, this is Koga's FATHER, not the Kagome-chasing Koga we know. I gave him the same name, because some families do that; they pass a name down through the generations.)
"Come on. I came here with a friend of mine; her name's Kagome. She might be a little odd at first, but you'll get used to it." Toga led the way back to Kagome, who was now holding a small bundle close to her stomach. "Kagome, this is the southern lord, Koga. Koga, this is the ward my mother took in, Kagome."
Kagome turned with a smile, but it froze on her face. "K-Koga?" She whimpered, dropping the bundle with a look of horror on her face.
Present Chapter:
Toga glanced at Kagome with something akin to suspicion in his eyes, not unlike the look Koga was giving her. Both were wondering what could have possibly put that shock and almost fear into her eyes; she'd been living with youkai for a while now, so why would seeing one more frighten her so badly?
Kagome shook her head, noticing how the two youkai stared at her. After a few seconds she'd begun to realize that this wasn't the Koga she knew; the eye color was different after all; but it was so hard seeing something so close to the wolf youkai! She'd begun feeling more homesick as the days past, and seeing him was like an electric shock through her body. She could only bow her head in shock and shame, continuing to shake her head.
"Toga, you said she was weird but I didn't think it was this bad. Perhaps she's been hit in the head?" Koga wondered, frowning minutely.
Toga frowned. "She wasn't this excitable before. Maybe something in the village upset her."
Kagome shook her head harder. "It's nothing. It's an honor to meet you, Koga of the Southern Lands." She bowed appropriately, placing her hands on her knees.
Koga was still looking at her strangely but nodded, acknowledging her submission to his power. "Perhaps we should go ahead and make our way to the castle, Toga. Maybe your mother will be able to help her." His tail unwound from his waist as he got into running stance; he was ready to go anyhow. He missed the smell of his wolf pack; the scent of ningen was clouding his senses and annoying him.
Toga agreed rather reluctantly. "Alright. Come on, Kagome. Will you want me to take you to my mother when we return?" His answer was a nod against his back as Kagome settled herself on him. He sighed before beginning the short run back to the castle.
xx
Kagome ran as fast as she could into Ayaka's arms, tears streaming down her face. It wasn't even that she was so sad to have seen Koga's father. It was simply that she had such a feeling of nostalgia and homesickness that she needed someone to comfort her, and Ayaka was the perfect woman to do it.
"Come, dear, what is it? Are Toga and Kiyoshi picking on you again?" Ayaka asked, enfolding the young miko in her strong arms.
Kagome shook her head, the words tumbling from her mouth. It all came out; the constant "proposals" from Koga, the fights between he and Inuyasha, how much she missed him, and how much he and his father looked alike. It felt as if she'd been holding back her emotions for weeks and was only now letting them out, releasing all of the stress and anxiety that was holding her down.
Ayaka murmured softly to her, rubbing small circles on her back. Kaemon wandered over from the flowers he'd been planting and adding his own means of comfort, his soft pelt slithering up and offering her warmth and soothing energy. "You poor dear. That must have been exhausting for you. And to think the day started off with such promise too. Tell you what; why don't the two of us take a long soak in the hot springs? It will help you feel better and get you clean. What do you say?"
Kagome sniffled and nodded, her face pressed against soft fur and cloth. That actually sounded pretty nice.
"This Kaemon will leave you two to it then. Have a nice soak, mate. Release your troubles, Kagome; it will help immensely." He kissed first his mate then Kagome's head before wandering off, his twin daughters hanging under each arm.
This time Ayaka allowed Kagome to use her personal springs, the ones reserved for only her that had the best healing properties. And personally, she was glad to be able to spend this time with the girl; her son seemed to always hog her to himself. She let a smile slip past as she directed the miko.
Xx
"Toga, my pup; brought the lord, did you?" Kaemon came foreword to greet the two, a glint in his otherwise stoic eyes.
"Father. I am no longer a pup; do not address me as such." Toga complained but he relished the attention all the same. It was more practice for when he took over than an actual order.
"Ah, the great Inu no Taishou, off of his throne for the first time in centuries. It has been too long. You should really come visit me in my lands sometime." Koga grinned, slapping the inu on the back, earning himself a small growl.
"You are joking, yes? As if this Kaemon would dare to spend even in a day in a wolf-infested cave, the likes of which probably have flees and ticks." It wasn't an offense for him to insult the other lord; not only was he the most powerful of lords and therefore unanimous leader of them but they were also old friends. And what's a little argumentative banter between friends?
"Well, whoever said I wanted to spend any length of time in this hole stuffed with too many over-grown inu, but you do not see me complaining, do you?" Koga shot back before he released a loud guffaw. "Still as silent as ever, Kiyoshi; I didn't even hear your steps! Why don't you say hello to your guest?"
"Hello." Kiyoshi deadpanned, a blank expression on his face.
Before Koga could say something else Kaemon turned to Toga. "Your mother has taken Kagome to her springs; I am afraid she isn't feeling very well at the moment. However you can expect her at dinner. Now walk with me, you two. Let us take up sake in my office and brag as old friends do about our exploits, exaggerating that which has happened in the past." Feeling jovial and already slightly giddy he slung his arms around the shoulders of the other two men, leading them away with the promise of that strong drink.
Xx
Elsewhere there was a creature that stalked in front of what seemed to be a bubbling cauldron. Hissing filled the air around her; strong winds blew inside where there were no windows. There were markings all over the walls, senseless babble to those untrained in the way of Dark. Talismans hung from the ceiling and the robes the creature wore. A woman played in room, her voice that of the crows as she whispered curses to herself. Her true calling, her dark power that was a secret from everyone else in the world, even the ones she called family, was in full force now.
Rippling on the surface of the cauldron was a pleasant face, wet, glossy black hair shining in the reflection. Cerulean eyes closed as the face lit with mirth at something most likely being spoken before the image disappeared, disturbed by the sharp-nailed finger dipped into the water.
"Soon. Soon I will come destroy you for seeking to take my youkai away from me. You will pay, bitch, and I will be the one to take your life." A mirthless cackle erupted after the promise, as dark as the very air that stirred around her.
Hm. Hm hm hm hm. Can you guess who our little enemy is that just decided to show herself? If you can, cookie for you. And a plot shows itself once more! Lessee, we get some catfights going on in the next chapter, some more lords coming to meet and perhaps their children, the identity of the mysterious woman revealed, and a lovely moment between our resident couple. I know it's been a long wait but please review for me and I promise the next chapter will be out soon! Especially now that I can already sorta see where it's going! R-E-V-I-E-W PLEASE!!!
Ayame