Chapter 5: Noise of Terror
Sesshomaru opened his eyes a bit, looking around the cave. He didn't realize he had dozed off, seeing the fire had slowly died down. He moved from the cave wall, stretching out a tad bit. He looked over, seeing a sleeping Kouga breathing quietly on his bear furs. Sesshomaru walked over to him quietly. He ran his pale index finger across his face, being able to examine Kouga's bare tan chest for a moment. He could not explain to anyone his attraction to the wolf prince. He had a huge selection of men and women who want to be the mate of the most powerful Inu, well other than his decreased father, InuTaisho. However, all of those people want a platonic relationship and all of his wealth rather than Sesshomaru by himself. Kouga, like Inuyasha, did not see him as the Great Ice Lord that everyone else did. He may not be as uncouth and barbaric as his half-brother, he was just as brash, hot-headed and stubborn. He remembered when he had first pursued the wolf. It was an interesting morning.
Kouga was mediating in a clearing just nearby his homeland. He needed to get away from the noise of the newborn pups, the annoying elders, and just relax. As he was listening to the waterfall, he could hear footsteps coming towards him. He sighed. "Can I not get some peace and quiet around here?" he said to himself, getting up from his spot. He crossed his arms, his tail flicking back and forth. His blue eyes were fixed in a glare, ready to scold whoever decided to come over to bother him. As soon as the bush ruffled, he was ready to shout at the intruder...until he realized who it was. "L..Lord Sesshomaru?!" Kouga was in pure shock. "What the hell is he doing here?" Lord Sesshomaru was in his usual kimono, with his stoic face. "Hello, wolf prince," his golden eyes focused on Kouga as he came closer to him. "I hope I wasn't disturbing you." "Um no. I was just..umm," Kouga didn't know what to say to the Ice Lord. I mean, what does someone say to him at all? He's never been alone with him, or even had a full conversation with him. There was a moment of silence, causing Kouga to try to figure out what to say."So...what are you doing here?" Sesshomaru gave him a look. "Am I not allowed here?" "No, I mean yes. I mean," Kouga took a deep breath, looking Sesshomaru in the eye. "Look, Lord Sesshomaru. You have never...ever come to this side and we have never had a conversation before. So unless you have come here for a friendly chat, which I'm sure as hell you didn't, just answer my question and get to the point." Sesshomaru may have had his stoic face but he was smirking on the inside. He could not help but be amused at Kouga trying to control and dominate this conversation. He clearly was extremely nervous in talking to him or did not want to speak to him at all. Sesshomaru was used to this so he decided to just say it.
"I came here for you, Kouga." Kouga's eye widened, backing up into fighting stance. "What do you mean you came here for me?!" Now Kouga was on alert. What the hell was going on? Sesshomaru sighed. "I'm not here to kill you, wolf prince. I meant as in I came to speak to you about something private." Kouga got out of his fighting stance, his eyebrow arch. "Huh..." Now Kouga was extremely confused now. "Which is?" Sesshomaru cleared his throat. "I have noticed that you have not chosen a mate yet." Kouga looked off for a second. "Well I mean yeah. I have to rebuild my clan and I have suitors but none of them are really suitable for me," Kouga looked back at Sesshomaru, "but what does that have to do with why you a-" Kouga's brain clicked as his eyes widened in realization. "No, you don't," he tried to find humor in Sesshomaru's face and eyes but no. He was serious. "You want to mate with me!?" He threw up his hands in disbelief, starting to pace a bit. "What is wrong with that?" Sesshomaru asked, not knowing what he will answer. "What...what's wrong with it?! You are Lord Sesshomaru. The Lord Sesshomaru! You are the most powerful person in the lands. I mean I believe I could take you but that's not the point." Kouga stop pacing and looked at him. "Why on earth do you want a wolf prince? There was thousands of men and women who have more land, money, or hell looks than me." He immediately pointed a finger at Sesshomaru. "Is this some kind of trap? Are you trying to take my land from me? Because I am not going down without a fight." Kouga continued to ramble for a moment, causing Sesshomaru to walk up to him. He placed his index on Kouga's lips, looking at him. "I am going to be pursuing you. No, I don't want your lands, and no this isn't a trap." He rubbed his finger slowly across Kouga's lip, getting dangerously close to them. "And you shouldn't view yourself so lowly in looks, Kouga." Kouga's face grew red, hearing his name being said so velvety tone. He backed away from him, not able to look at him. "Well…you better not take my lands and you can pursue me all you want." He crossed his arms smugly, trying to get his composure. "You'll have tons of competition." Sesshomaru started to walk away from the direction. "I know...and I shall deal with that." Before Kouga could ask about that, Sesshomaru was already gone...leaving him in total confusion. He won't be able to relax now.
Sesshomaru moved his index finger from Kouga, letting out a sigh. Even after all of his gifts and persuasion, he still could not seem to get Kouga to come to his castle and see the garden he had made just for him. He knew many people feared him, even hated him, but it was starting to annoy him when it came to someone he actually wanted to mate with. The only person he knew who wasn't afraid of him from the start was little Rin. He could only imagine what she was doing without him around the castle. He looked back down at Kouga, trying to think. "What will make you make you come visit me?" Sesshomaru said thinking out loud. "You not creepily looking over me and talking to yourself is a start," Kouga opened one of his blue eyes looking directly at him. Sesshomaru gave him a look. "Then what?" Kouga sat up for a moment, thinking for a moment. "Well considering Naraku nearly wiped out half my clan, and we are regrouping," Sesshomaru's eyebrow twitched, already knowing what he was going to say. "You want me to send support and provide additional housing just for you to come visit, correct?" Kouga gave him, his own smirk. "Well if my visiting is so important, then it shouldn't matter," Sesshomaru gave him a look. "You're despicable." Kouga started to laugh at Sesshomaru's frustrated face. It was the first time he ever laughed in front of him, causing Sesshomaru to relax a bit. Kouga looked up into Sesshomaru's eyes for a moment, just staring at one another for a moment. As blue meet gold, their faces seem to get closer together. Kouga's heart was pounding loudly as their lips grew closer, trapped in a warm trance. Suddenly a loud scream rang out, causing them both to stop. Kouga immediately backed away, concerned about the scream and also realizing what almost just happened. Sesshomaru cleared his throat. Another scream rang out, this time causing Sesshomaru to listen closely. "That sounds like that miko in Inuyasha's group." Kouga's eyes widen, hearing the scream one more time. "If Kagome's screaming..." Sesshomaru immediately got up. "That means Inuyasha's in danger." Sesshomaru turned around from Kouga. "You should...probably get dressed so we can investigate." Kouga looked at him confused, then remembered he slept nude. He got up and quickly got dressed, wondering what the hell is going on and trying to forget the almost kiss.
Inuyasha and Shippo finally arrived to Kaede's hut, seeing the shack in shambles. "Inuyasha, over here!" He looked over to see Miroku calling for him nearby. He ran over to them, seeing Lady Kaede laying down a bit. "Is the old hag okay?" Inuyasha was worried about her and was angry that someone almost hurt her. "She's fine," Miroku looked at him with a serious face. "Two strange men came and kidnapped Kagome. They caught us by surprise but we were able to get out of the hut before anyone else got hurt." He pointed out towards the forest. "Sango is in pursuit of them right now. If you leave now, you should be able to catch up." "Alright, I'll head out then." Shippo looked at him. "I'm coming with you." "No, you stay here with them." "But…" Inuyasha put his hand on Shippo's shoulder. "If they come back, I need you to be able to get Miroku and the old hag out of here," Inuyasha smiled down at him, "you have gotten older and a bit stronger so I know I can count on you." Shippo looked up at him with determination in his eyes, nodding. "You got it!" Inuyasha ran off into the forest, hoping he could catch up to Sango and save Kagome in time….