A/N: Two chapters in such close timing! Go me! No Sesshy again but I think he may turn up again in the next two chapters.

Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha or any other characters that are in the InuYasha manga or anime. Any other characters are of my own creation.

~~Spoiler Alert~~

This fanfiction is based off the MANGA and takes place after the events. It is possible for there to be spoilers.

Narrator

She had been gone for much too long. He cleaned up the cuts on his neck and was sitting with Ginta and Hakkaku when he realized that she still hadn't returned. Kouga would get to his feet without warning as he begins walking. The two just look at each other confused and they get up to follow after him, the ever dutiful friends they were.

"Stay here, watch the pack and keep a close eye on Kotsuroki," he says without even looking back. Something wasn't right.

The pair stop in their tracks and there is a bit of confusion on their faces but Ginta nods.

"Sure thing Kouga," Hakkaku replies.

Kouga didn't miss a beat as he made his way to where he had seen Yumiko disappear earlier, his senses alert as he searches for her and any sign of Yoru. He stops several yards away from the river, it still not in view, as he feels an overwhelming power over him, demanding that he submit. He recognized it as Yumiko's youki from when they had first met. What could she be contesting over? But there was a scent of another demon, a demon that had to be powerful if it was able to combat the very power of a Daiyoukai's youki alone. This is where he would let instinct overcome him, his body starting to crouch slightly as he makes his way through the foliage of the trees, bushes and long grasses. Those blue eyes searching but he follows his nose above all else, as it is the most developed sense of a wolf anyway. When he arrives at the river bank, he is appalled by what he sees. There is a plethora of vines that are wrapped around her still form, still bare from having been bathing, but all was covered because of those vines that were slowly beginning to constrict around her. Then there is Yoru, he looks at least semi-conscious as he chews on the vines that are wrapping around him. He must have seen them coming if he was still conscious. Just seeing the wild look in Yoru's eyes he knows that he is suffering in one way or another, which meant that Yumiko was as well. A soft growl escapes his throat as he searches with his eyes for some source of the demon, that's when he sees it.

The creature carries a simple oval mask as it is covered in the vines, made up of the vines itself. The mask is a simple depiction as it is oval in shape and white all over. The eyes are painted on in black, blue lines running through them. The lips are painted black as well with fangs showing. The face, close to the ear of the girl as if whispering to her in someway or another. This is what really ticks him off as he steps from the brush and flex his right hand, the fingers curling slightly before they outstretch. A soft light shimmering as the Goraishi forms on his hands. He can feel the chains tickle the back of his hand and how natural it is to have it there. The creature's dead eyes look towards Kouga, the mask shifting to be looking right at him. The lips of the mask no longer moving as it is now focused on the wolf demon. The vines continue to shift and wrap around the pair and the mask smiles, a strange cackle coming from it.

"I am lucky today. I catch a pretty little Daiyoukai, a meaty wolf demon and what is this? Another wolf to give himself to Ranbaru?" the voice screeches. Kouga can't help but wince at the sound of its voice, it was like nails against a chalkboard.

"Actually, this is your unlucky day. You fucked with the wrong wolves," Kouga growls.

A chuckle that is actually quite feminine despite the fact that the voice is male emits from the mask, lips curling into a devilish smirk.

"I beg to differ," it replies.

The vines then shoot towards Kouga without warning but it is to be expected that the thing would attack one way or another. Baring his fangs he lets out a growl as he jumps forward and cuts through the vines easily with the sharp blades of the Goraishi. Moving quickly he knew that he had to destroy the mask, that was the source of the aura. So if he cracked the mask or destroyed it then he'd kill the demon. But he had to get there first. With a growl he would then shift and release the power of Goraishi, the winds crashing through the creature and destroying the mask seamlessly. Stopping he would look to the vines that no longer moved, but were covering most of Yumiko. Yoru had gotten himself together and was now chewing the vines from him. Kouga would move quickly over towards Yumiko, the Goraishi disappearing. Using his hands he would rip the vines from her body but she would not move. Her youki slowly dying down as she falls limp from the cocoon. Though now he can see all that God gave her. Flushing slightly he would then check to make sure that her heart was still beating and it was, though rather fast. Her breathing was quick as well as though she had been running or in a panic. He hears a growl and looks up to see Yoru baring his teeth at him and he just frowns.

"Would you rather her stay wrapped in the vines of that thing? I'm going to dress her damn," he shoots towards the protective male wolf.

A huff comes from the male as he goes to retrieve her clothing and drops it before the Alpha. Kouga gingerly covers her up with her clothing, opting to leave the arm and leg guards off. He would toss them at Yoru who would catch them with ease. A soft grunt is issued from the male wolf and Kouga gets to his feet, holding the girl bridal style. A soft groan comes from her lips and he just holds her as securely as he can, though he can't help but smile a little inwardly when she rolls towards him and grasps at his chest, a hand grasping at the edges of his chest plate. He would cradle her close to him and would allow Yoru to be the leader in this escapade to scout ahead. Soon enough they were back to where the den was and it would be Kotsuroki who would be the first to approach with Ginta following behind him at a slight jog since Kotsu was running at them. Then there was Taiyou who was right at Kotsu's side. She would bump her head against Yoru's and a soft whine would come from her as worry overcame her features. Kotsu on the other hand would look up at Kouga with those ever intelligent green eyes.

"What happened to my sister?" he asked with such a firmness that demanded an answer.

Ginta finally catches up and frowns a little at the sight of the unconscious Daiyoukai. Kouga gives a slight frown and shakes his head.

"A river demon got a hold of her when she was bathing. She should be alright," he answers.

Little did he know that the river demon wasn't just a demon trying to devour her. He had to break down her mind first before he could devour her, the fear and pain that he would cause her would make her weak and then that would make it easier for it to devour her. Seeing the concern in the kid's eyes Kouga just gestures with his head a little as he goes to carry her towards the den.

"Come on kid, let's try and wake her up," he says as he starts to head towards the waterfall that is hiding the entrance of the den.

Kotsu is quick to follow behind, the two loyal wolf companions not far behind either. After seeing that Kouga had returned, Ginta had run off to find Hakkaku and let him know that their leader had returned. Going through the waterfall, Kouga would look down as Yumiko coughs and sputters. Her body shudders and a look of pain seems to come across her face. A pain that looked as if she had been physically hurt. Whimpers leaving her lips as she curls up a little within his arms. A look of concern is there as he looks down to Kotsuroki and he frowns.
"Go get one of the elders. They'll know what to do," he orders At first Kotsu doesn't move but he does as told after remembering what his sister told him. Kouga is the Alpha, not him. Giving an affirming nod he runs out of the den to search for the elders. Taiyou had followed after the boy while Yoru remained with Kouga and Yumiko. Kouga turns to the black wolf, he was her guardian after all.

"I'll give up my bed for her if you don't mind," he tells the wolf before going to move towards the separated cave that was suppose to be for him.

Yoru just let out a huff with the furs in his mouth and follows after, keeping his eye on the boy. The older wolf didn't trust the boy as far as he could throw him and well, seeing as he didn't have hands said a lot. Standing by and watching like a hawk, he watched as Kouga placed the girl down on the furs and straw that made up his bed. He would then kneel down beside her since she seemed to have a death grip on his chest plate. Bringing his hands to hers he gets her to release him but he can tell that her hands are cold and the muscles tense. Once he is released he sits down and leans back, watching as she curls into a ball.

"That couldn't have been any ordinary river demon," Kouga muses out loud as he just watches her.

Narrator

Writhing, oh she felt like writhing as the darkness consumed her. How had she not noticed that the demon had taken hold of her? She had simply turned her back for just that single moment, her guard was let down and the vines had gone to press against her temple, the powers of the river demon taking over. But while she was free and the demon was dead, the torment continued. She had been consumed by the vines in her own mind, the scent of blood around her strong. She ripped and clawed at them but they continued to wrap around her, the blood dripping against her skin and causing her to feel sick. It smelled like Kotsuroki and her stomach turned and twisted at the thought of being covered in her own brother's blood. Her mind is running and screaming.

"I did it! I didn't cover our tracks enough. They got him. They got him! What have I done?" her thoughts scream. "I lead them here, I killed them all. The whole clan and all they wanted was me. I'm the heir. I killed them. I killed them."

Though her mind was racing all the possibilities came to mind. Hands over her face and eyes wide she peeks through her fingers and she can see Kouga now. The gruff look on his face and she wants to yell, wants to scream and tell him to escape but not a word escapes her lips. It is then that she sees one of the vines pierce through his gut, through the plate. There is a look of pure surprise on his face and that is when the scream breaks from her lips.

The sound that comes from her is shrill and it causes the Alpha of the wolf tribe to jump back. Yoru gets to his feet and starts to growl but neither really know what to do. She is screaming and it echoes through the entire den, causing most of it to get silent. It was at that point that both Kotsu and an elderly woman come from around the corner, Kotsu with his hands over his ears and the Elder watching in wonder. Though the screaming finally stops as the woman breaks down into sobs, muttering something incoherent. The woman goes past the wolves who are present as Taiyou slinks in behind them all, wanting to go to the girl who was so much like a daughter to her. The elder would press her hands to the girl's face, a look of concern there. Old but experienced eyes look over her face until she sees the place where there was blood trickling from her temple. Such a small puncture but it was enough to give that vile demon access to her mind.

"It was a very powerful river demon. One that can invade the mind, only able to kill you at your weakest moment. She's been broken down as he used all her pain and fears against her and even now they torment her. She'll wake but only when her nightmare finally ceases," she explains as she wipes the blood away with her thumb.

"How do we make her better?" asks the voice of the small boy, worry for his sister was there.

The old woman looks to the boy and frowns, she knew that the pair had been through so much. The girl had taken so much upon herself just to preserve his innocence.

"Sing for her dear. Just like you use to back home. You are the heir are you not?" she asks.

The boy just watches her with wide eyes and nods. He would then furrow his brows a bit and turn to leave. Taiyou hesitates and looks to the older woman who just gives her a reassuring smile. Feeling that she is in good hands she follows after the child. However, her gaze turns to Kouga.

"Sing? What the hell?" he asks. There was no way that was going to fix her.

"The boy needs hope too Kouga. He would have died if it was him who the demon got a hold of. He is a strong demon but he isn't grown, his potential not known. If he believes in something it will prevent that from happening to him. But, there is a way to calm her nightmares. I need lavender, chamomile and honey. They are calming and soothing scents which should calm her dreams so that she can wake up," she explains.

Kouga gives an affirming nod and turns to leave but the old woman puts a hand on his arm and just smiles up at him. Oh how quick he was to go and try and rescue her. That would not escape her old eyes.

"Stay here with her and try and calm her when she cries out. I know where to find these things and I'll take little Sayuri and her mother with me. They aren't far and you know that Distara is a strong woman. She can defend an old woman like me," she explains.

Kouga stops for a moment and just watches her for a moment before agreeing and letting her go. He slumps a little and he looks to Yoru who is giving him that look. He is always giving him that damn look! Ignoring it for now he would go to sit down next to Yumiko once more and started rubbing her back a little, in small circles. Yoru just watches him with such daring eyes as he lowers himself to the ground and simply stares, which really does make the Alpha uncomfortable. He was just trying to keep her at ease and it seemed to be working a little, at least from what he could see. She wasn't crying anymore and she wasn't murmuring. This was going to be a long day.