Took long enough for an update I guess? So sorry, but back in the swing of things and looking to get the chapters up and coming. So lets buckle up and enjoy the fruit of my labor.

Don't forget your tissue folks. You might need it for this chapter!

Note For Review's :

Vita Rubella - I know its so complicated. A love triangle is pretty bad but I've made a sqaure! Oh the drama!

Kouga's Older Woman - Agreed.

Bluedragongirlhv - I know! That is the most horrible way to find out the truth but at least it came out! But on with the aftermath. Thanks for the review!

Guest - Not too soon but updated! Enjoy!

Sweetest Chick - Oh the best is yet to come. Or would it be the worst? Oh well cant wait to see! Thanks for the review! Much love!

Wolf Lover235 - Me and you both. Either way there will be one loser and a lot of heart break!

Inufan - Well I wouldn't write Inu off just yet, he is way to damn stubborn to die and stay dead lol. Thanks for the reivew!

Thebeastinsideusall - Can I come up now?

My will - Now that would be interesting to write *giggle*

Naruto4Sakura - Maybe I write to much? That would explain a lot lol Thanks so much for the support really happy you are back up to speed!

Animpnk88 - Thanks so much! Enjoy the update!

AmorFatiAhMi - That makes two of us. Keeping everyone in character can be quite a challenge but I do it for the love! And the reviews…lol Thanks so much for a great one!

LadyKimmiko103 - Thank you so much!

Cinnybuns - Done! Enjoy!

Chapter Eighteen

Collateral

How could the world seem so cold? Yet be bask in such warm illuminating light. Kouga watched silently as the path molded from the rock face of the cliff to his side began to expand.

He had walked this roadway thousands of times yet never realized how short the journey seemed while his mind traveled hundred of miles away. It amazed him that with the fading sun to his back the entire mountain seemed to be basked in crimson light. Yet he felt so cold and empty inside.

Everything was bleak even the towering rock of his home. Though the absence of life was partially his doing. He hadn't sent word of his arrival back to the east. He didn't feel like surviving another reception that only flooded him with more unrelenting guilt.

The solitude it was welcoming enough.

He had even sent Ginta and Hakkaku off so he could walk the road home alone with his thoughts. Thoughts that all revolved a single human girl.

Kouga's azure orbs darken slightly. Mere days apart and already her absence was creating a void inside him that only she was capable of filling.

The only problem was he wasn't sure she would ever fall into that desperately wanted role. Kagome had been so adamant about staying in her human village. He of all people knew how stubborn the priestess could be when set in her way. But what they shared…she couldn't ignore it.

Sighing to himself he could only hope at this point. He was beyond true to his word. He wouldn't pressure Kagome anymore than he already had. When or if she returned to him. It would be her choice to make.

Kouga so distracted by his thoughts didn't realize the sternly approaching figure closing in on him until it was to late and a shadow of a broad figure blocked the path ahead.

Breaking from his consuming train of thought Kouga peered up to meet a pair of suspicion and fury filled gaze glaring back at him.

"What the hell did you do?" Roiyaru demanded hatefully his sharp tone cutting through the once peaceful air like a knife.

Kouga blinked at the obviously furious demon planted before him in curiosity and slight uncaring.

"Nice to see you too pup. Still here?" He asked agitatedly brushing past the lone demon without a hint of hesitation.

That was until Roiyaru's hand gripped hard on to Kouga's shoulder causing him to pause mid step. He hadn't ever struck the runt out of respect for Ayame, but putting a hand on him? Adding to the fact what he had endured the last few days. He was playing a very dangerous game.

Angrily Kouga jerked out of the lesser demons hold spinning to face him. This had better be damn important, or this cliff pathway was going to become a little less crowded all to quickly.

Roiyaru sensing an answer was becoming silently demanded he spoke. Though his tone lost none of its obvious hatred.

"Ayame. She returned yesterday, yet hasn't spoken to anyone! Not even her grandfather!" Roiyaru snapped venomously.

Kouga paused with a short intake of breath. Piecing together what he had just heard.

"Returned? Returned from where?" Kouga demanded. He had bid Ayame farewell days ago, from the comfort of their cave. Had she left some place else in his absence?

Roiyaru laughed hard and dry, no sense of humor in his still brutal tone.

"She went after you! She was worried for reasons I will never understand! But since then she hasn't rested. Hasn't eaten. So I'll ask you again. What the hell did you do to her?" Roiyaru demanded. He had never seen the auburn haired demon in such a state.

Not even after she had become separated from Kouga on the pass all that time ago. She had never neglected herself this badly. What she had seen while in her pursuit of her mate.

It had been damaging beyond repair and left Roiyaru wondering one thing. What the hell had Kouga done in his time away to reduce his mate to this inconsolable state!?

Kouga's mind flashed thousands of possibilities but one outweighed all the rest. And it sent his entire being into chaos with the horrid realization.

If Ayame had tailed him, the things she could have heard. Could have seen! This was beyond bad, it was boarding on anarchy!

Without hesitation Kouga spun from the infuriated demon at his back marching forward knowing he had to address the situation now before it could spread!

His pointed ears filled with the calls of Roiyaru to explain himself and to stop but they died on the wind as Kouga found himself all but sprinting up the cliff path.

A few jarring turns and blurred movements and he was there. On the edge of the rock face. A long outstretched ledge attached to the off point of the cave entrance.

A place directly pointed towards the setting sun where often Kouga himself would go to clear his head when needed. A large stone boulder placed on the rim where even from this distance Kouga could see the silhouette of a feminine figure occupying the stone seat.

Cautiously Kouga walked forward doing his best to ignore the mass of eastern and northern mixed at the ledge base. No doubt all concerned for the well being of their clearly recoiled alpha.

Kouga swallowed hard, his heart pounding in his ears as he approached. The mass hoard of demons parting as he stepped through to silently walk up the carved stone.

He felt dozens of eyes burn into his back as he did so. All no doubt wondering what had transpired between himself and his jade eyed mate.

Kouga knew the likelihood, but prayed he was mistaken to what had led her out here to this desolate place.

Breathing deeply Kouga approached until he stood at Ayame's side. His azure eyes absorbing her stiffen appearance. She sat faced directly towards the setting sun. Her fierily hair ablaze with the basking warm light while her jade orbs remained hidden behind her overshadowing locks.

Her palms flattened on either side of her while she held tight on the flatten square shaped boulder she occupied.

Kouga breathed deeply. Besides being unbelievably tense she seemed to be otherwise healthy, which eased the burden growing on Kouga's shoulders only partially.

"Ayame," Kouga whispered down at her and instantly as if the sound of her name upon his lips was painful to hear she flinched.

Taking a slow and even breath Kouga braced himself for the utmost worst as he knelt down rocking onto the ball of his heels at her side as to try and look up under the concealing bangs.

It did little to nothing to reveal her purposely concealed features.

"What's wrong?" He whispered attentively. The gut wrenching feeling of uncertainly telling him he honestly didn't want to know the answer to that question.

Taking a shaky breath he watched Ayame begin to tremble at his side. As if she had been holding so much in and merely having Kouga once again at her side was causing it all to break free.

"You've been so distant…so cold." She whispered and Kouga absorbed her words cautiously, though grateful he had gotten her to speak at all.

"I kept asking myself why? What had I done to upset you?" She breathed shakily.

"Ayame-" Kouga began, none of this was her fault. The worst thing imaginable would be her even thinking that. But Ayame's voice cut him off to quickly from continuing.

"Ever since I came back from the north. You're not the same. You don't speak to me. You don't touch me. You cant even look me in the eye-" She cried tearlessly.

Adding insult to injury Kouga felt his head bow instinctively, everything she was saying burned with the truth and he hadn't realized just how hard it would be to hear coming from someone he cared for so deeply.

"All this time. I thought it was something I did. That it was somehow my fault you were so angry. That I deserved to be punished like this-"

Unable to bear the sheer amount of heartbreak pouring from the woman at his side Kouga gripped hold of Ayame's trembling knee tenderly.

He hadn't meant to make her feel this way. Not ever. She didn't deserve any of this. To suffer so secretly, had he known he would have never let the truth mask itself for so long.

Her entire body stiffening from the touch of the wolf demon kneeling before her. Her flatten palms gripping hold of the stone seat beneath her tightened. And the sheer weight caused splinters of shattering rock under her touch to spiderweb out.

Kouga unsure if his touch was helping the situation he retracted his hand and instantly Ayame's voice followed.

"I saw you. I saw you with her." She breathed and for the first time since retuning to this god forsaken mountain she peered up revealing her tear stained jade eyes to the wolf before her.

Kouga froze like stone in her burning emerald gaze. She looked so furious yet so hauntingly devastated it stole the breath from his lungs at the mere sight of her so visibly broken.

"Kagome-" She whispered.

Kouga tore his eyes away from Ayame's burning gaze to rise to his feet his narrowed orbs staring down at the damage he had caused with such remorse it actually began to ache in his chest.

"I wish you hadn't seen that. I didn't want you to find out that way." Kouga confessed.

Was this what the truth actually felt like? Bitter and unsatisfying to unveil? He had hoped for some sort of relief or epiphany? Anything, but this. This hard unrelenting shame for what he had knowingly inflicted upon those he held dear.

Then again maybe it wasn't honestly making him feel so dammed. It was the realization of what Ayame must have witnessed. If she had seen him and Kagome together, then she had seen everything.

She had seen them locked in each others arms while in the midst of their love making. And he couldn't imagine a more gut wrenching sight for the auburn haired wolf at his side to take in.

He hated it. Hated that this is how things were now between them. Broken and painful.

"Tell me how." Ayame demanded staring ahead coldly to the dissipating sun before the two of them.

Kouga closed his eyes reluctantly. He wasn't inflicting more pain than he already had.

"Ayame you don't-" He began softly, she didn't want to know the reasoning or the circumstances. It wouldn't help anything.

"Tell me! You own me that much!" The auburn haired demon snapped furiously as she bolted to her feet. Her jade eyes searing into the orbs of her once trusted mate. The ache in her chest, it was inconsolable but only momentarily forgotten by her anger and fury!

Kouga eyed his mate solemnly. The last thing he wanted to do was to inflict more unnecessary pain, but he didn't see any other way to distance himself from said issue. Ayame obviously wanted to know the horrid details of his actions. Though he knew it would undoubtedly do more damage than good, he abided.

To long the truth had been hidden between them. If this was it final unveiling he would make sure no rock was left unturned between them.

"After we were separated in the north. I did stumble through the territories." Kouga confessed thinking to the last ounce of remote honestly he had allowed himself to share.

"Eventually I collapsed. Kagome was the one who found me." He breathed watching as Ayame flinched at the mere mention of the absent priestesses name.

No doubt it was agony to hear.

"I was to wounded to return to the east. So I stayed in that village to recover for almost the entire winter until I was fit to travel." Kouga breathed lowly thinking back to those fleeting moments he and Kagome had shared. How he wished he could return to that point in time. If even for a moment.

"We-" He whispered. How could he confess this? It was obvious his deception was now out in the open yet he couldn't form the words. How could he tell Ayame what he and the raven haired human had shared meant more to him than all the years she herself had been at his side?

It would devastate her even more so. He hated doing this to her. Hurting her, it seemed to be a twisted sort of punishment that he had to endure.

"It just happened," Kouga admittedly darkly. He hadn't meant for he and Kagome to develop into what they had. He had never planned falling in love with her. But it had happened all the same.

No matter the consequences.

Ayame absorbed her mates words like a blade was attached to every single one. Each jagged end stabbing into her chest with their lingering betrayal.

So what she had seen hadn't been the first time? He had done this before. Over the vast stretch of the brutal winter that she had endured alone.

All the while he took shelter in another arms? What's worse a woman in some way Ayame had always been fond of. Though she and Kagome weren't particularly close she did count the priestess friend. Or she had until this.

She would have never thought the raven haired girl capable of such malice. To destroy all that Ayame held sacred? It was blinding and cruel.

"Why?" Ayame whispered hatefully. The events had been revealed to her, but not the motive. What had done this to them? What had driven Kouga to such an unreachable place? It couldn't have just been one season apart!

What she felt for him, what she knew he felt for her! How could it all break apart in such a horribly fast pace?

Kouga took a deep breath wishing so badly he could ease the pain he knew he was hammering down onto the woman trembling before him. She didn't deserve to be treated this way. Yet he was powerless to stop the assault.

"I don't know Ayame. I don't have any answers to give you-" Kouga breathed. How could he give her a proper response when he himself didn't have a single one?

He didn't know why his mind, body and soul had betrayed him. Why it had fallen so devotedly in love with Kagome and not his already declared mate.

"Why did you do this!?" Ayame snapped taking a demanding step forward her emerald eyes burning into Kouga's azure ones with such determination and hurt it stole his breath away.

He had never seen such raw emotion from her before. Not even after all the years of them being together had she ever allowed herself to be so vulnerable before him.

"I never wanted to hurt you. I cant explain to you 'why'. I didn't want this to happen." He admittedly evenly. If he could change himself he would do it without a moments hesitation! If he could rip his very soul out and forsake all emotion he would! Gods knew it was doing nothing but causing those he loved hurt and dismay with every passing moment.

But he didn't live in the realm of fantasy. What was rooted inside him, his entire being. Loved one woman, and it wasn't the demon currently crumbling before him.

"Was she a mistake?" Ayame questioned hot tears forming inside her shimmering orbs only adding to the misery Kouga currently felt.

"Ayame-" Kouga began lowly, what could he possibly say to make this easier for her? Could this be made easier in anyway? He doubted it.

"I love you Kouga! Tell me it was a mistake! Tell me it wont ever happen again! That she didn't mean anything to you!" Ayame demanded unable to contain herself a moment longer! Despite this unbearable pain that Kouga had inflicted between them. She could look past it!

They could overcome this together! He just had to be willing to try! To forget about what he had so foolishly allowed himself to do!

She could forgive him!

Kouga stared down at the breaking woman before him with such remorse the look of tragedy could be clearly seen spread across his handsome face.

This was cruel. To know Ayame loved him so damn much. To know she was unable to do anything but crave him despite the torment he had unleashed upon her!

It wasn't her fault, it was the way they were created. Wolf demons fell in love, once. And only once. And he foolishly thought that is what he had towards Ayame until Kagome had truly opened his eyes.

His lips parted to speak unsure of what he was about to say or admit, but before a single word could form Ayame's body came crushing against his own in a devastated embrace.

Her frail arms coiling around him as she began to sob into his chest.

"Tell me, please-" She cried the feeling of hot tears against his skin filling him with an even heavier dose of misery.

"Ayame I am so sorry I've hurt you this way. I wish I could take the pain away from you-" Kouga vowed as he allowed his arms to cradle around the shivering woman clinging to him.

He rested his head on top of hers as she allowed herself to surrender to his hold. So desperate to feel him against her it was numbing to all the pain he had personally inflicted upon her.

"But I cant lie to you anymore." Kouga whispered holding Ayame just a bit tighter against himself as she began to still at his cold words.

"What happened between me and Kagome. Wasn't a mistake. I don't regret it." He breathed.

Ayame's quivering form stilled, stopped solid in place at the admittance.

A frozen moment passing between them before ever so slowly Ayame stepped back allowing Kouga's arms to fall away from her all to heavily.

"I know you love me. I don't deserve it. I never deserved your devotion. If I thought it would ease even an ounce of your suffering I would gladly jump into hell itself." Kouga promised whole heartedly. He had put a great deal of thought into what sort of punishment would fit his unforgivable crime when judgment finally came for him.

"But I cant stand here and tell you what I did was wrong, because it wasn't." He stated even and calm. Watching till this point as Ayame evaded his gaze, that was until he confessed the root of all misery he had created.

"I do not love you Ayame." He swore coldly.

Ayame's darken orbs watching her mate put into words all the horrid nightmarish thoughts she had attempted to brace herself for all this time. From the very moment he had distance himself from her.

This was it. Her own personal version of hell itself.

"I love Kagome." He vowed.

The absolute moment those words leaving his lips a sharp sting following. It took him a moment the source had come from Ayame's trembling hand that still remained poised in mid air from the assault.

Kouga's head forcibly turned to this side his cheek now reddening with the throb of her hateful slap, but he remained motionlessly staring towards the fading sun.

Until her venomously laced words brought him back to face her.

"You have never tired to love me!" She spat hatefully.

"I've given you everything to you! My heart, my body, my soul! But it was never enough! Not once did you ever look at me they way I saw you look at her!" She hissed mournfully the haunting image of Kouga's loving eyes glowing down onto Kagome's face making her stomach lurch even now with disgust and absolute hurt!

"Why!? Why do you love her and not me!? What more do I have to give!?" Ayame demanded her hand striking again for a second time only for her wrist to be caught by Kouga mid air.

"There is nothing you can give! The years we have spent together have been hollow! I tired damn my soul to hell I tired to love you! But I cant! I didn't chose to love Kagome! Just like you didn't chose to love me!" Kouga shouted hatefully. The anger she felt towards him, he wanted to feed that to make her hate him past the undying love even for just a moment!

All this misery! It was blinding! He just wanted it all to stop!

"I cant lie anymore Ayame. I love her." Kouga swore forcing Ayame a step closer until his eyes seared into her own in an inescapable glare. Forcing her to absorb his every word, no matter how devastating they might be.

"She is my mate." He whispered.

Ayame's eyes flashed something dark and sorrowful. As if he had taken her very soul from her body and ripped it apart right before her eyes forcing her to witness her own internal demise by the hands she once loved.

She couldn't stand it. She loved him, loved him so damn much it was crushing her. But at this moment, mixed with everything else she felt something else while in her arms.

Hatred. She hated him, and no matter the amount of devotion she still held towards him. She knew here and now, a small part of her. Would never forgive him for this!

Not ever!

Hatefully and with all her might she shoved against Kouga making him stumble a step backwards uneasily as she ran from his arms and into the solitude of the caves.

Kouga watched her dissipate down the cliff ledge shoving herself through the mass of on looking tribesmen that had gathered to witness the spectacle. It was only when she vanished completely did he realize with the dozen or so of eyes glaring up at him. Did he realize.

The secrets he had so carefully hidden away, had been brought to light. Not only for his mate, but every single demon under his rule.

And the misery he felt at this very moment, he knew was nothing in comparison to what was surely coming.

A soft little voice asking repeatedly softly on the humming wind did little to drown out the all but deafening sense of confusion and fear welling up inside the currently on looking priestess.

She sat there crumbling under the weight of her unsustainable thoughts while over looking the village just below the hill side. Such a serene day with warm glowing sunshine and the sweet smell of flowers wafting her every sense, yet her mind remained as heavily clouded as ever.

Or at least it was until finally the small voice that had been chiming in her ear became impatient and finally outreached to her currently mentally distant caretaker.

Sa's tender little hand gripped Kagome's sleeve tightly with a small sigh of exhaustion. Her soft voice finally breaking through the spell the hazel eyed beauty had cast herself under.

"You look sad again," The rosy cheeked child admittedly timidly.

Kagome blinked away her plaguing thoughts shaking her head swiftly as she forced herself to face the standing little kimono dressed figure staring at her side.

Instantly her expression softened to a mixture of reluctance and apologetic.

"I know. I'm sorry." She breathed sincerely reaching out to welcome Mi who stood beside her staring sister until this point into her unoccupied lap.

"It seems like that's all I know how to do lately." She breathed swiping Mi's slightly messed locks behind her dainty ear.

"Why are you sad aunt Kagome?" Mi asked up to the woman currently cradling her.

Kagome sighed tiredly hugging Mi softly while resting her head onto the child's head. There was a million ways she could respond to such a simple question. But none really came to mind in perfect clarity.

Nothing did these days. Only more conflicting borderline suffocating thoughts and regrets.

"Its complicated," Kagome sighed heavily with a weary smile.

"Can you give us a hint?" Sa asked lightly taking a seat at her aunts side along side her sister. Their matching eyes never faltering in their want to know.

Kagome smiled weakly. So young but nothing ever got past them. She never feared for their future being so in tuned with their surroundings. Nothing would ever remain a secret with their sharp minds constantly probing for answers.

"I was thinking about something. Something, that makes me sad." Kagome explained as best she could. How could she express her own feelings towards such youth when she herself didn't comprehend what was really at work within her.

"What is it?" Mi asked sweetly. Her curiosity actually stemming from a deep place of concern seeing someone she loved so much become so melancholy.

Kagome sighed to herself. What advice could be had from such innocents might not be the best counseling but at a moment like this, any sort of shedding of the unbearable on her weight would be appreciated.

"Well," She began reluctantly glancing at both the girls she loved basically as her own.

"How would you both feel if I couldn't live here anymore? If I had to live somewhere else?" Kagome asked timidly trying to hold back tears at the mere thought.

Kouga's offer of leaving the village behind had never sat well with her. But that didn't mean it hadn't crossed her mind, and more often than she cared to admit.

She had found herself day dreaming in quiet moments what it would be like to live at the wolf demons side, far away from the village and those she loved beyond the telling of words.

But that idea hadn't plagued her mind near as much as the events that were bound to unfold once the truth of all she had held beneath the surface came to light. Inuyasha's reaction would undoubtedly be catastrophic. So much so that the idea of actually being forced out of the village had come to mind as well.

What if he actually did make her leave? Where would she go? She would never turn to Kouga out of desperation, that would be unfair to them both. But the idea of relocating to another village had been revealed as a possibilities. After all there were plenty that required the aid of skilled healer.

She was sure she could find a new place to call home, far enough away to give the half demon the space he most likely would desire. While still being close enough to lend aid to Keade when ever she required it.

But the idea of being parted from all those she loved. It was heartbreaking, and in an entirely new way then she was use to experiencing.

"We would be sad too." Sa confirmed with a sympathetic sniffle while laying her head against Kagome's arm.

Kagome smiled weakly while laying a tender hand on top of Sa's soften locks.

That was the answer she had expected all this time.

"But we would also be happy." Mi added causing Kagome to pause in her comforting action. Staring down at both girls who met her gaze all to quickly.

"What do you mean?" Kagome asked unknowingly.

"Well if you were happy somewhere else. That would make us happy." Sa whispered up at the hazel eyed priestess finishing her sisters statement as the two of them often did.

They loved their aunt, and if being a little far away would return her to the radiant sprit she once was. They would be happy for it.

Kagome felt her eyes blear with tears. Maybe she had misjudged the whole counseling thing to quickly. How was it such innocents always had a way of making her feel better even in these dire of days?

It was something she was more than grateful for. Kissing each other their softens crows sweetly Kagome whispered a thank you into their darken locks.

Maybe there was a way she could pick up the pieces of her soon to be shattered life, after all.

If the words of waging tongues could feed catatonic flames then the mountain Kouga called home would have surely been engulfed in the most scotching wildfire only crumbled into blacken ash.

Word of his deception against Ayame had spread like a plague amongst his people and beyond. It had shaken the very foundation of the east and now the chaos was spreading.

With an expression of stone and a heart beating like it was trying to escape his very chest Kouga made his way into the council chamber of his own making.

Only had day had passed since he and Ayame's imploding conversation yet only now were the consequences of his actions coming to light.

A messenger representing the northern tribe had addressed the elders desire to mediate the travesty that he been committed against his granddaughter. Trying to make this process as painless as possible Kouga had agreed to meat under the northerners terms. It may have been his mountain, under his rule but he wasn't willing to drag this misery out a moment longer.

It ended today. No matter what.

With Ginta and Hakkaku at his side as was custom Kouga made his way into the dome like chamber. Lined with lit torches and a large circular carve out at the top of the room to allow even more harsh light from the outside glow of day.

Three cushioned pillows laid in a single row on each side of the room so each party could face one another without delay.

Surprisingly Ayame's grandfather was already seated center, at his right side Roiyaru sat visibly tense and entirely focused on the trio now entering the cavern. Opposing him along side the elder an older wolf Kouga recognized as one of Yorozoku's council men.

Just the sheer amount of thick tension in the room Kouga could already tell this did not seem good in any shape or form.

Taking a stern seat opposite to the elder her stared ahead to the aged wolf he had come to respect above all others. Waiting patiently for the meeting to begin, and with it. The outcome of his fait.

"Kouga you know why we have asked you here." The older wolf sitting beside the elder began sternly and dry.

Kouga only nodded in agreement. His voice wouldn't carry much weight, not with so much clear animosity glaring back at him.

"Very well, let us begin." He bowed towards the whiten face of the elder submitting the floor to him and him alone.

"Kouga. You have openly admitted to committing heinous infidelity on your betrothed mate?" Yorozoku began roughly but with no clear emotion in his even tone.

Kouga hesitated for a response. What he and Kagome had shared was far from heinous and he would rather die than have it deemed so. But it did ring with truth solely from the point of infidelity, right as it might have felt. It didn't change the fact he had betrayed far more than his values.

"Yes." He responded lowly.

Unable to avoid watching as Roiyaru tensed at the mere admission of his guilt. It was no secret the pup absolutely radiated disdain for the azure eyed wolf sitting mere feet before him. He could only imagine his full response once all Kouga had hid came to be revealed.

"As I'm sure your aware we cant allow such actions to go unpunished." Yorozoku responded callously and without any sure sign of emotion. No glimpse what so ever into his inner workings at all.

"Whatever you deem fit elder, I will except. I don't deny my treason. I knowingly and willingly betrayed my mate, my vow to you and your territory." Just the mere memory of uttering such a vow to uphold the northern land as if it was his own seared Kouga's memory. He could remember it perfectly even now as he sat here being bombarded with hateful gaze and exuding malice.

The day he had taken Ayame as his mate, he had promised not only to cherish her. But what their union meant, to love the north as his own. Which only now did he truly realize he never actually had held true to either of those vows.

"I see," The elder whispered lowly. To betray them so, yet to be accountable to his actions it redeemed the wolf demon sitting before if only slightly.

Thos his decision had already been made.

"Then from this day forth the treaty between the northern and eastern territory is dissolved. All natural born northerners will return to the north as will the eastern born." Yorozoku proclaimed strongly and without hesitation.

Kouga felt his harden azure orbs soften even for just a moment in regret. He had feared such a ruling but respected it all the same. Despite the heartache that would undoubtedly spread from those who were soon to be parted.

"As for the violation of the treaty an act of war is usually declared between the tribes." The elder began lowly causing every soul in the room to tense with his decision. Kouga included fearing that what was about to transpire would only cause more chaos and pain to ensue.

"However I have decided a lasting battle between our lands will do nothing to ease the grievances caused." Yorozoku whispered calmly.

"But elder!" Roiyaru fury filled voice cut through the void of the cave like a knife as he glared at the elder in sheer disbelief.

It was instantly clear to Kouga, the pup had wanted blood to flow despite the casualties it would cause. A brazen wolf indeed to put his want for vengeance above all others.

"Silence Roiyaru! The elder has spoken!" The other wolf seated beside the elder demanded angered by the brash behavior of his counterpart.

Sinking his fangs into his lower lip the navy eyed wolf did as he was commanded shrinking back to his seat but with no less exuding of hatred than before.

"Kouga you are stripped of all northern lands and titles and are now disinherited as my assigned heir." The elder continued as if Roiyaru's outburst had never taken place his aged gaze never faltering off target. Each blink and withered gaze aimed towards Kouga and him alone.

"Understood." Kouga nodded in agreement far to relieved that an act of war had been so narrowly avoided to be bothered with such a lesser punishment.

Yorozoku watched as Kouga absorbed his words silently before he finally allowed himself to breathe of sigh of relief. Then all of this madness, was finally over

"The matter is settled then." He breathed nodding to his tribesmen for their dismissal.

Kouga doing the same as he began to climb to his feet his face just as experiences as it had been from the moment he had walked into the cave. Though the sheer amount of relief that was written on both Ginta and Hakkaku's face mirrored his buried emotions inside with mirror like clarity.

The cave slowly began to empty both Kouga's comrades being the first to exit only to have the elders voice cut him short of truly escaping.

"Kouga, I would have a word. Privately." The gray faced elder asked softly a much more level headed tone than Kouga thought him capable of at a time like this.

"Of course." Kouga agreed without hesitation biding Ginta and Hakkaku to go ahead without him. Though each of them doing so timidly and with slight hesitation.

"Elder! I don't trust you alone with him." Roiyaru began angrily never mind the fact he was standing mere inches from Kouga's side. His harden gaze glaring at the azure eyed wolf with nothing but sheer unrelenting hatred.

"You are dismissed Roiyaru." The elder stated bluntly cutting the youthful wolf off all to abruptly and warning him on his own accord he would not be told a second time.

Kouga stared at the raging wolf demon to his side watching as he shot him a glare that would have crushed stone given the change before brushing past him into the darkness of the awaiting tunnel exits.

Kouga sighed lowly. He didn't begrudge the pup. It was no secret he harbored desire towards Ayame, and seeing her treated so had undoubtedly left him boiling with animosity.

But it didn't matter now. Walking calmly back towards the elder Kouga seated himself once more on the cold stone. The chamber feeling so much more lighter and less suffocating with just the two of them placed within it.

Though he feared what the outcome of a private meeting between leaders would bring.

"Kouga, I have walked this earth a very long time. And through my many years I have learned one thing. Family, and honor is what we wolves breathe." The elder began calmly and with that aged tone Kouga had come to admire through these past years of mutual encounters.

"The decisions you have made, I know you didn't make them lightly. But I don't suppose an explanation is possible?" Yorozoku asked lightly his darken eyes gleaming towards Kouga with a softens he recognized instantly.

Edgily Kouga shifted for he wasn't currently in the presence of an northern leader, but something far more intimidating and heart wrenching.

A grandfather.

Bowing his head heavily unable to maintain the elders drowning stare of both disappointment and confusion Kouga glared towards his balled fist currently occupying his lap.

"I cant give you what I don't have…I don't have any answers." Kouga admittedly lowly. It was as much of the truth as he could muster. What else could he say? There was no explanation to what he had done. What he was still doing.

"I see," The elder whispered calmly his own eyes falling to the stone floor separating the both of them.

This weight was unbearable. Not for himself, but for the one person he loved more than life itself. What Ayame, his precious granddaughter was suffering through. What he would give to have it taken away from her, to remove this crushing burden from her undeserving shoulders.

"Kouga?" The elder asked hesitantly reconnecting with the azure orbs of the demon he had once trusted.

"Was my granddaughter a deserving mate? Loving? Caring? Loyal?" He questioned, no real confusion in his tone. It was almost as if he was merely stating Ayame's characteristic.

"Of course." Kouga confirmed, slightly wondering what other matter the aged wolf sitting before him needed to discuss.

"Then you have no objections recalling your claim to her as your mate? So she is free to mate another more worthy of her." Yorozoku asked bluntly. It was obvious the time for pleasantries has passed, it was no secret Ayame would make a suitable match for any suitor that now sought her hand.

Kouga hesitated to respond. It was strange feeling to realize an entire life together could be so easily undone. He held nothing but admiration and caring for Ayame and of course wanted the best for her regardless of the circumstances. He didn't have a single sour memory between them, even after all this turmoil caused by his hand.

It was that thought alone that made him want to make this scenario as painless as possible.

"No, I don't object. Ayame deserves someone who can love her the way she deserves." Kouga proclaimed behind an emotionless mask.

"You are aware the burden this situation has placed on her? The grief?" The elder questioned with a narrowing of his aged darken eyes. He wanted to make this clear and direct as possible.

Ayame would mate again, but love would not be there to comfort her. That heartbreaking realization, Yorozoku wanted to make sure Kouga was aware of that fact. The pain he had left in his wake.

"Yes." Kouga said coldly. He knew what his love for Kagome would cost him in the end. Forcing Ayame into a loveless marriage was never something he wanted. But he had made his peace with that decision. And the consequences it would cost him in the end.

Yorozoku watched as Kouga's face shifted from hollow and cold. To solemn and guilt ridden no matter how skillfully he hid it. It was enough for the aged wolf to realize, what he had done truly hadn't been done without thought.

And that was all he could ask for in the end.

"Very well," He breathed climbing to his pawed feet. Then let this matter finally rest , it was over and a distant new future awaited.

No matter how clouded it might seem currently.

"Elder?" Kouga asked calling after the aged wolf as he was just about to vanish down the winding tunnel of the cave entrance.

The white fur covered figure pausing mid step to turn ever so slightly over his hunched shoulder. His darken eyes meeting the widen orbs of the azure pair staring back at him.

"I know it makes no difference now. But please? Will you tell Ayame something for me?" Kouga asked pleadingly with surprisingly sincerity.

The elder's only response was to nod in agreement to his unexpected request.

"Tell her…" Kouga began softly, remorsefully.

"I wish things could have been different." He whispered with a darkening of his inhuman eyes.

All the chaos, heartache, and pain aside. Love for the auburn hair demon remained and if he could change one thing. It would be the love he felt rooted in his chest towards Kagome turn to someone who actually felt the same.

But that wasn't what fate had decided for him. No matter how cruel it seemed.

The elder witnessed the silent turmoil revealing itself from beneath the soften stare of the wolf demon currently meeting his gaze, and with such a heavy heart clearly pounding beneath the surface. How could he refuse such a small gesture.

With a promising nod the elder silently agreed, before vanishing down the cavern hall.

Leaving the still lingering wolf demon inside to the icy void of silence and the even more colder torture of sheer and punishing guilt.

The pounding of a fearful heart could block out the entire world, each impossible beat increasing with every heavy step as the source to such terror slowly began to increase in size.

With exuberant hazel orbs and trembling hands Kagome approached Inuyasha's staring off figure. Watching as the half demons amber eyes took in the sight of the distant village fading in light as the sun slowly began to set on the horizon.

With the bending of the grass under Kagome's feet his attention broke from the tranquil scene to the approaching figure of the clearly petrified priestess.

"Hey," The half demon turned calmly towards the all but quivering girl now standing before him.

This was a welcomed surprise. Considering the two of them usually didn't meet up until night had finally fallen and it was time to call the days hard labor at last finished.

Though the look written over Kagome's beautiful face told him this was far from a pleasant visit.

"What wrong?" The half demon asked totally unaware of the depths of secrets that were about to begin spewing forth from justifiably terrified priestess.

"Inuyasha." Kagome whispered reluctantly. This was it. The moment she had dreaded and avoided for countless days now.

Everything. Everything she had held inside for so long. It was at last coming forth and not a soul on earth could stop this rapture.

"I have to tell you something." She breathed.

At last we are here. The revealing to both parties. What can I say? Took long enough! But, I work at a snails pace lately…my apologies. Until the next update! Hang in there guys!