~Forest and Sky~
by Paw85
Ch 21 – The Lunar Festival pt 1
Day - 15
"Ow..." Kouga winced from the pain of a badly broken wrist that he had gotten a mere couple of hours ago from the asshole known as Takeshi. Pulling off his furry gauntlet showed a very angry wrist swelling in a yucky black and violet color.
'How is this happening?' he growled to himself as he sat in his chair in front of a lively hearth.
His other hand was wearing grooves into the once beautifully carved wood of the chair arm as he continued to snarl.
'How in the holy hell can I be tied again with that idiot?!' he snarled to himself.
That wrist wasn't the only casualty either. His left side had gotten struck again as well. He was sure some ribs were at least bruised if not cracked.
'That damn asshole...he must've noticed...' Kouga snarled, tail swishing in agitation as he sat in his grand chair by the hearth.
It was smart to target any places on the body that were already hurt in earlier fights. Kouga was using the same tactic by going for the western alpha's head or throat in each battle. The strategy had been successful a few times. At this rate, whichever of them took too serious an injury would be the loser of the bet.
Here he was on day 5 of this blasted event and things only seemed to be getting worse with each sunset.
Lunar Festival begins begins day 11
Day 12
At the second day of the festival, he had made a deal with the alpha of the west. True to their word, he had been throwing down with Takeshi each day. The first fight happened in the afternoon on the same day the deal was struck. As expected, Kouga came out on top thanks his incredible speed and reflexes. He had seen that Takeshi was having some difficulty moving about in the snowy terrain and exploited it as much as he could. Kouga was more used to fighting in adverse weather and thus gained the upper hand quickly. Thanks to this advantage; he managed to get and keep Takeshi on the defense.
People from all packs gathered in droves to watch this fight. Brawls happened daily anyway during the Lunar Festival but watching alphas clash brought a higher degree of danger and excitement! Cheers and exclamations echoed around the snow laden valley surrounding the freezing waterfalls that gushed over the eastern den. Everyone was careful to give the fighters a wide berth to see all of the action without getting caught up in it.
Iori watched closely from his sitting cushion near the waterfalls' entry on a crop of rocks. He wasn't much of a fighter himself...but he always studied the fights closely. It was an opportunity to learn about fighting styles and possible weaknesses to exploit at some other point. He didn't know why these two got into it but he would seize any chance he could to stay several steps ahead of everyone. Kouga's victory in this fight was of no surprise to him. The southern alpha had studied his footwork and physical capabilities many times over the decades. In his mind, Kouga was swifter, a better strategist and had familiarity with the fighting environment. Takeshi was slower, but not by much, and he was stronger. A square hit from the lunkhead would really hurt. He surmised that if Takeshi was smart enough to learn the terrain, then, he would be back on equal footing with Kouga. The fighters were pretty even when all was said and done, after all.
Iori carried a small journal, brush and inkwell wherever he went. One never knew when notes needed to be recorded. These items usually rode inside his kimono sleeve or were stored away in a small satchel slung over his shoulder.
"Something you want to say?" he asked lowly without looking up from his journal as he felt a familiar presence approaching.
Once his observation was sufficiently written, he looked up to see the imposing figure of Suou.
The northern alpha stood silently nearby, expression as icy and dangerous as the worst blizzards of his homeland, watching the battle unfold below in the valley.
'Humph, ever the conversationalist, I see,' Iori turned to resume watching the scene, boredom beginning to set in.
The man that might as well be a wall of ice served as more of an interest to Iori than the fight. Suou was an enigma as he didn't speak very much. He always has been near impossible to read and didn't care for making any unnecessary movements. Suou was the very definition of "quiet power". "Silent power" was more apt, actually. In the north, a careless move could end in death and it was important to conserve energy. If he was on the move in battle conditions, one only had moments to react before he landed a fatal blow. The wise knew to always be aware of what the northern leader was doing in any situation, social or otherwise. Iori could respect that as he wasn't a fan of wasting time or resources either and being thought of as dangerous was a very advantageous position to be in...but more than anything, he saw Suou as challenging nut to crack. The southern leader was a patient wolf. He would bear witness to any secrets behind that icy scowl one way or the other.
Day 13
Kouga: 1; Takeshi: 0
The third day of the Lunar Festival began with a surprising, booming howl, shattering the quiet of valley! Those of the sleeping wolves that slept lighter suddenly bolted up awake, clearly not expecting such a racket! What was going on? Is danger upon them?
A varied bunch of wolves rushed to the entry of the den, past the waterfall and looked about the valley, trying to locate any sign of an enemy! Whomever had the idiotic idea of challenging the wolves would soon regret it with all of the packs gathered together!
Instead of an enemy to dispatch, they watched as the alpha of the east crashed into a big pile of rocks at the base of the mountain!
"Heh! Thought you had the upper hand, didja'?" Takeshi laughed big and loud in victory, "You may have got me good yesterday but today is mine!"
Slowly coming into consciousness; Kouga forced himself to sit up clumsily using pure adrenaline and sheer force of will.
'Wugghh... ...hapefffugk...endghh? (What the fuck just happened?) Muggkk...kgut..mmm...knowwwk...ooouuuww (Must've got knocked out...)...' Kouga tried really hard to think but bells were still ringing far too loud in his head.
His vision was having trouble focusing and thoughts were choppy bits of gibberish at best. Pain assaulted his senses from the left side of his torso to his shoulder and a particularly sharp pain radiated all over his face from a very sore jaw. He absentmindedly brought a hand to the side of his face as his vision began to clear. Damn it...his jaw is probably fractured at least. How did that fight go so wrong so fast? Kouga shakily got to his feet, balance still a fight to get a grip on. This round had started with him confident that he could use the snow to his advantage again like yesterday. He did not expect Takeshi to have gotten the hang of the wintery terrain so fast and paid for it dearly. Now they were tied in their bet over Kagome. This wasn't good. Kouga realized that he would have to be more clever and focused on these battles as the western alpha wasn't messing around. He had expected his opponent to bring his best but today was a surprise. Never again would he underestimate Takeshi. Once his brain and awareness came back in full; he would reflect over every moment of this fight to see where he went wrong.
"Good fight, brother," Takeshi slapped Kouga on the back, "Already looking forward to the next one! Now, onward to breakfast!" he strutted away with glee as Kouga glared daggers into his back.
"Goodness, that fight ended in an unexpected way," came a confident female voice, "Here," she offered a mug filled with water.
Kouga looked down at the mug and then into the face of a smiling demoness that he didn't recognize.
She was shorter than him, clad in furs of the north in the form of a kilt, fur boots that hit high on the calf and a cape draped around her shoulders held together by claws made of jadeite. An expertly crafted cuirass with red detail across the top protected her torso and each wrist was adorned by fluffy, white fur. Sparkling eyes the same color as the clasp to her cape contrasted beautifully with her porcelain skin and flaming red hair tied up into pigtails. A single violet iris flower sat tucked into her left pigtail. The presence of a sword at her waist denoted somebody of high standing...but...who the heck is this?
Kouga took the mug from her clawed hands and used some to swish his mouth and spit out some blood from the last punch he took from Takeshi. Son of a bitch...he was gonna be feeling this injury for the rest of the day at least...
"He got lucky, you know?" the mystery girl lightly giggled, "Had he acted a moment later, he would've missed his chance to get a combo off on you."
Kouga merely hummed in response as he waited for his head to stop ringing. Listening to this bitch wasn't helping either.
"I can help you, if you want?" she looked up at him from underneath thick eyelashes and red bangs that cascaded gracefully over a circlet and down both sides of her face.
She hoped that made her seem enticing or at least buy her more time to be near the former ookami prince of the north. As a cub, she had only gotten to go to the Lunar festival a few times before she was relegated to devoting her time to studies of ookami culture, leadership and etiquette. Several decades had passed since she used to watch the handsome wolf lord, dreaming of the possibility of being his mate one day. Being next to him after all of this time was making her heart flutter. He was even more handsome than the recent rumors had made him out to be, not to mention so strong and fiercely fast! The battle that Kouga had won yesterday made her swoon along with the rest of the unmated females.
"Don't need it," he stated flatly as he shoved the now empty mug back into her hands and made to re-enter the den.
"Huh? Er, wait!" she called in surprise after him!
What just happened? He didn't even bother to thank her or ask for her name! How rude!
She fumed in silence watching him walk away from her. Maybe this wasn't going to be as easy as she had originally thought...but! But! But! But! He was so amazing! An all around perfect package for a mate, she squealed internally! This interaction would not deter her from the plan to make the elusive eastern alpha hers. She resolved to double her efforts and keep trying different approaches until she found something that sparked his interest. This was only the beginning of the fight to win him over!
Kouga on the other hand forgot about her as soon as he started walking back to the den. He had more pressing matters to deal with such as doing something about his wounds. First, he would need to go someplace private to evaluate his condition. Maybe Kagome's cubs could do something about his injuries. Kouga still couldn't remember their names but he had grown accustomed to referring to the twins as "Kagome's cubs". They may as well be with how much time they spent together so far. They seemed to be stuck together like glue. Those cubs have shown some healing talent as well. He had seen that they mostly keep to themselves so he doubted they would spread any troublesome rumors around. He thought again about having them step in Kagome's post as pack healers for the season. They would see to any pack healing needs and he could keep Kagome safe back in his chambers. He didn't know what he would have her do to pass the time but something was bound to come to mind.
Several minutes later, he entered the medical cave and found the twins conversing with each other along with that other cub, what's-his-name (Kyo). All three of them got up and walked over to their alpha, gazes down cast to show deference.
"How can we help you..Kouga?" the girl asked with a bit more confidence than the last time she spoke directly with her leader.
Using his given name still felt weird but he had been very clear about using it instead of any titles.
"I need some of that paste that she makes," he responded, "and whatever she would do for a hurt jaw."
"This way," Kurou spoke up this time as he gestured to an empty pallet of furs, "Are you hurt anywhere else?"
"Maybe my shoulder," Kouga grumbled as he sat on the furs.
Sora grabbed a clean rag, soaked it a bucket of icy, cold water infused with mint and brought it back to her patient, "Here, place it where it hurts on your jaw. You're starting to swell."
Kouga took the minty compress from her small, clawed hands and winced at the sensation of the frigid rag against his skin. The girl cub was right...his jaw had started to swell. He could feel the telltale squishy feeling of it. That bastard had got him better than he wanted to admit...damn it. He would make sure to repay the favor ten fold in the next fight.
Kurou gingerly lifted the furry shoulder pad from Kouga's chest plate and hesitantly touched the eastern alpha's shoulder. From what he could tell, the shoulder was merely bruised. He left to make a second minty compress for it. Kyo watched from the side curiously. His friends really were becoming healers. Sora and Kurou and mentioned about learning from Kagome but this was the first time he had seen results from that training. He wasn't sure if he was more impressed with them healing or being able to approach, let alone touch, Kouga without wanting to run away. Was this a new side of Kouga or had they just gotten braver over time? Kyo suddenly felt inspired to follow their example and work on being less afraid of their alpha. If they could manage it, he reasoned, so could he.
Children and alpha sat in silence for awhile as he tended to today's injuries. There was still one more on his left side but he was fairly certain the twins would simply prepare a third minty compress for it. Taking some Kagome's herbal paste would probably be enough. Plus, he didn't want to stay in the medical cave any longer than necessary. He didn't need any of the visiting wolves seeing him licking his wounds.
"Oi," the alpha suddenly spoke, "give me a jar of that smelly herbal paste. I'll take care of the rest myself," he rose back up to his feet.
Kurou ran over to the Kagome's 'desk' and returned with the jar.
"Thanks..." Kouga mumbled as he took the jar, the minty compresses and left the medical cave.
Several moments after he left; all three kids breathed a collective sigh of relief.
Their alpha was scary even when he was calm.
Kouga spent the grand majority of the morning and early afternoon waiting for his demonic healing to run its course in his chambers. Or at least run its course enough such that evidence of his wounds were a lot less obvious. He absolutely would be present in time for the rest of the wolves to wake up in late afternoon. There were irritating political games to play and appearances to upkeep. Maybe tonight held a more likely possibility in rutting with a female. He could use an encounter like that to work out some of this morning's frustration. The first night's lack of interest had to have been a fluke. Not to mention it probably turned a few heads and cocked some eyebrows of suspicion. There had to be somebody worth banging in the crowd of drooling bitches.
The eastern alpha wandered back into the dining cave as scheduled in mid-afternoon that same day. A lot of the wolves were still snoring on the floor but things would be lively again by dusk.
"- and then I feinted to the right and kicked him real hard in the side! He staggered a bit and then I hit him with a few quick left jabs, a right uppercut and then a left hook to the face! Hah, hah! You all missed a good fight. Keep watching out for us though. There are more sparring matches to be had while the festival is on!" Takeshi guffawed to a captive audience.
"Why are you and Lord Kouga fighting?" asked one of the younger females in the group.
"'Cuz it's fun! Hah, hah, hah!" Takeshi took a happy swig of saké!
"Ah! Speak of the devil!" he spotted Kouga entering the room, "How's that jaw of yours?" he asked with mischievous glee.
"Heh, better than the back of that rock you call a head," Kouga sneered in response.
"Yes, I still owe you for that, brother..." Takeshi grumbled as a subconscious hand came up to rub a badly bruised area that was still sensitive to the touch.
During the first brawl they had, Takeshi had the misfortune of slipping on some ice and lost his footing. Kouga seized the opportunity and landed a devastating side kick straight to where Takeshi's skull connected to his neck. The western alpha collapsed into the snow and didn't come around for about an hour or two.
"Come at me anytime," Kouga waved him off nonchalantly and set about getting himself a his first mug of saké of the day.
Thank the gods that Takeshi had taken him seriously about not disclosing what the fights really are about. He was certain that today's battle had been an unlucky stroke of bad luck. Tomorrow, he would emerge victorious and start building his lead. Once he won at least 3 more fights, their bet would be settled and Kagome would be safe from Takeshi's amorous intentions.
He did make a mental note to be more on guard when it came to the left side of his torso. After he made it back to his room earlier, removal of his cuirass showed an angry violet bruise larger than his hand. He inwardly cursed that the injury was actually more serious than he thought it was. Kagome's herbal paste was nothing short of miraculous when it came to open wounds but he found it less effective for injuries beneath the skin. Once she came back, he would find out from her what to do about situations like these. Oh, well. So long as he was more careful of his movements and guarded effectively, the injury wouldn't have a chance to get worse and it would heal on its own before anybody knew it was there.
The afternoon yawned into evening as the rest of the wolves woke up and continued with more raucous partying, drunken shouting matches and sharing of stories well into the night. Takeshi, as usual, had his harem hanging on his every word. The pack betas were having an arm wrestling fight along with a cheering crowd. Various groups sat about small campfires in the dining cave, eating and drinking away. Suou and Iori were each with a group of their own respective packs.
Kouga found himself, once again, barely interested in anything or anyone. His jaw had mostly healed and showed a barely noticeable memento of what happened earlier in the day. The side of his torso, on the other hand, was still aching up a storm. Thank the gods that his chest plate easily covered it so nobody would be the wiser. He couldn't allow himself to retire early again like last night. It was far too important to keep up his position of strength, dominance, virility and camaraderie with the sister packs.
"May I join you?" the red head from the north asked with a plate of food in one hand and two mugs full of alcohol in the other.
'Who is this bitch again?' Kouga pondered before memory turned up a vague connection, 'Oh, yeah...she's from this morning.'
The girl took a seat semi close to him as she had observed that he didn't like females getting in too close to him unless he made the first move. She handed him a mug with the cutest, most inviting smile she could muster. To her delight, he took it and took a hearty swig from its contents.
"I'm sure you don't remember me," she began while looking into her own mug, "but we have met before a long time ago," she looked back up into his face.
"True, I don't remember. Who are you again?" Kouga turned more to face her.
'You don't have to be so blunt about it!' she mentally growled in frustration!
"I'm Ayame," she continued to smile as best she could, "If you don't know me, then you must know my grandfather, Shiro. He used to lead the northern pack, but still remains a high ranking elder to this day."
'One of Shiro's brats, huh?' Kouga mused, thinking this may actually be decent information to hold onto.
She must've been born after he ran away from the north as he was sure he had never seen her face around the den back then.
"Yes, he and Gurou still talk at length about military campaigns," Ayame continued.
"What!? 'He and Gurou'!?" Kouga suddenly leaned in, shock evident on his face!
"Yes...'he and Gurou'..." Ayame blinked in surprise, "Your father and my grandfather have always been close since they were both high ranking wolves. Grandfather passed the leadership of the northern pack down to your father because he was getting too old, remember?"
'Damn it...after all of this time...' a dark shadow fell over Kouga's face as he clenched a fist.
So...his father had survived the assault from back then. He had thought that the bastard was long dead! How did he know nothing about this!?
Ayame was celebrating on the inside. She had succeeded at getting his attention! Now, all she had to do was keep it. Clearly, she had stumbled onto something good going by his reaction. She rapidly searched through her mind for any and all things related to Gurou. Being born of noble blood, she inherently got to know a lot of people and whom was connected to whom. She would impress him with her inside information and then entice him to want more. She took a covert glance around the dining cave and smirked at the envious looks from other women that had tried in vain to get the eastern leader's attention.
"Perhaps we should find somewhere more private to talk some more?" she lowered her voice as she leaned in towards him, "This information isn't known by everyone...but you have a right to know."
Kouga nodded in response, thankful that she had the good sense to keep this private. Since she was of high standing in the pack, she would know that some topics aren't for public ears. Kouga also didn't want anyone else to become privy to whatever she knew about this matter. He was really curious as to what else about his father, or mother for that matter, did he not know. He never saw his parents again since that night back in his cub years and had assumed them both dead by now.
He followed the fiery red-headed demoness into the darkness of the night.
Day 14
Kouga: 1; Takeshi: 1
"What's the matter, dumbass? You're moving slower than a slug!" Kouga masterfully darted through the snowy woods the fourth afternoon of the festival!
"Cram it and worry about your own hide!" Takeshi bit back, feeling extra steamed about being taunted.
Was it his imagination or was Kouga in much better form today? It didn't help that he had spent many hours drinking late into the night, followed by entertaining several females into the next morning. His mind was hung over, foggy and it was difficult to focus.
"You wanted to fight at this time, remember? Or is it that you can't hold your alcohol?" the eastern alpha goaded as he seemed to move in a blur of snow and frigid air!
Takeshi stopped in a forest clearing, trying in vain to get his bearings. This fight wasn't looking good. He knew Kouga was at least a little bit faster than him and more nimble on his feet but this was ridiculous!
'Damn it, I can't pin him down!' it was all the western alpha could do to either block or dodge Kouga's guerrilla tactics.
Each punch or kick Kouga managed to land on him were light but they were beginning to rack up as his body took on more and more of a beating.
"Come on, lightweight, put up a real fight!" Kouga continued building his speed with each pump of his long, corded legs, "What're you waiting for? Need me to slow down for you?"
Fed up with all of this nonsense, Takeshi let out a frustrated ROAR! and began thrashing through the woods, cutting down on valuable space for his opponent to keep up his speed! Kouga suddenly had to shift into defensive mode to evade the assault of falling trees!
"Who did you say was slow!?" Kouga barely dodged Takeshi's earth shattering fist into the ground!
'Shit! That was too close!' Kouga danced away on quick feet to increase distance from his adversary that seemed to be getting his head in the game!
"Are you finally waking up?" Kouga sneered from across the carnage of the destroyed forest, "Look at the mess you have made! Like man like beast!"
"Shut up!" Takeshi yelled back with a tinge of red to his ears.
His beast had indeed destroyed a lot of territory during that episode with the parasite back in early autumn. Thanks to that rampage, his people lost valuable resources for hunting and foragables. They had to travel further from the den to do their own winter preparations. That was the headache that greeted him as soon as he woke up from being healed by Kagome. He lost some stock with his people over that.
"Destroy your own lands if you want," Kouga continued with folded arms and cocky smirk, "but this is eastern territory. Everything you destroy is food and resources taken from my people," he finished with a growl as he sprinted forward with all his might!
PUNCH! Takeshi blocked Kouga's strike at the last moment!
KICK! KICK! Kouga kicked Takshi's chest and face before somersaulting gracefully backward!
SWIPE! "Ooomph!" Takeshi suddenly found himself flat on his back and devoid of breath from Kouga's sweeping kick!
Kouga went for an axe kick but Takeshi rolled to the side, caught his foot and threw him against a nearby tree that was still standing!
One kick up later and Takeshi was back on the offensive!
"Heh! You thought you had this won, didn't you?" Takeshi lunged at Kouga's fallen form with an arm wound up for a reverse punch!
Kouga's sky blue eyes burst open as he coiled a leg!
Kick! "Ugghh! Gurgle! Ack-ack-ack!" Takeshi stumbled backward, gasping for air into the snow!
"Yeah, I did," Kouga chuckled above him with a smirk before he began walking away back to the den.
"Ack-hack-hack! Cough! Cough! Groan..." Was Takeshi's only reply as he reached for Kouga's retreating form, vision fading into black as he collapsed onto the snow covered forest floor.
'Damn it,' Kouga internally cursed, holding onto the left side of his torso.
That last strike from Takeshi added insult to literal injury from yesterday. Thankfully, he was able to decisively end this fight by landing a swift kick to the western alpha's throat. No doubt he had hurt the bastard's windpipe, causing him to pass out. That was how they judged the victor in their battles; whomever gets knocked out first.
"He's going to be feeling that one for a while," Ayame giggled, looking at Takeshi fallen in a heap in the afternoon snow.
"Tch! Not long enough," Kouga walked past her, returning back to the den.
Ayame smiled and followed contentedly a few steps behind him. Neither spoke another word as they journeyed back through the snowy wood and she was completely okay with it. Kouga was shaping up to be a complicated man that held his cards very close to his chest. If she was going to make any progress with him, then, she needed to use strategy and patience. She was gaining confidence in her plan with each interaction that didn't end with some form of "Go away/beat it" or a warning growl that other females got.
Kouga really didn't care that she seemed to be following him everywhere. She still had information that he wanted to hear so he would tolerate it. She was surprisingly not throwing herself at him over and over like the other females liked to do and was careful to give him space. Having her around may also be useful for another matter that was irritating him as well. He still had not laid with any female and hadn't really interacted with them until Ayame started hanging around him. Traditionally, he laid with a new woman each night of the festival in the past. If he kept her around and put up enough of a show, maybe he could preserve his sexual reputation and keep suspicion off of him for acting aloof.
His inner beast snorted in disgust as he lay strapped down with psychological chains. Kouga was in agreement with him but appearances must be maintained. Ayame is a high ranking wolf herself, also descending from an old noble bloodline if she's related to Shiro. A courtship with her, even a false one, would be easily explained and accepted by the rest of their kin. It made perfect sense logically. Was he really willing to go that far though? Anytime he looked upon her, he felt nothing. Not a speck of lust. He was more preoccupied about his skirmishes with Takeshi and trying in vain not to think about a certain priestess. The fights did offer some nice distraction from where his mind kept wanting to go, at least. Two weeks had almost passed. He just needed to stay the course a little while longer. He would win enough fights to send that western bastard home with his tail between his legs, never to bother Kagome again, and the other packs would eventually leave. Somewhere around that point, he would end whatever happened with Ayame and carry on. Kagome would come back in one piece and he would know peace once more. And sleep once more...
As expected, his sleep took a nosedive several days after she left. Each night was spent tossing and turning in his bed. He hated that Kagome had such a profound effect on him. He had always been in complete control over himself and didn't know it was possible to be so swayed by another until she came along. If he got any sleep at all, it was maybe a few hours at best and the quality of said sleep wasn't very restorative. He would while away the hours, staring at the rocky ceiling of his chambers, reflecting on different events over the past moons with her. It was torture and yet he couldn't stop without having a distraction to focus on. The next fight probably wouldn't be for hours yet and he had already taken care of his injuries to the best of his ability.
Last night was a break in that pattern though as he stayed up late into the night talking with Ayame on a moonlit balcony. It had been a shock to find out that his father still breathed air. Tonight, he had more questions for her to answer and the girl was only too happy to share everything she knew.
"Gurou stepped down from the alpha position a long time ago, though a reason why was never given," Ayame took a sip of hot tea from her cup, "I'm told one day he was the leader and a short time later, Suou had taken the position. It's odd since there wasn't a battle for supremacy or anything. I suppose not all changes in pack hierarchy have to be handled with violence but it is effective."
'He stepped down?' Kouga cupped his chin, not believing it.
Quietly standing to the side for another to take power wasn't in his father's character. There had to be more context to it.
'Was Suou the one that was aiming to overthrow father and that I was supposed to kill?' he pondered.
The timing seemed to fit. Kouga had dealt a lot of blows to Gurou back then so maybe that's why the alpha position went to the newcomer. A sitting alpha getting so badly hurt would be hard to keep secret and it would be a great scandal. The fact that his own son turned on him would have made the disgrace infinitely worse.
'If it was Suou I was supposed to kill...I would've been the one that was killed,' Kouga realized.
He was only a cub! How could a father send a cub against somebody like Suou, who was already a grown, dangerous man back then! He had literally saved his own life that night running away from the northern den!
"Ever since then, Gurou and Shinah have been keeping to themselves. Though Shinah is sort of our unofficial alpha female since Suou doesn't have a mate. Gurou and my grandfather advise Suou for military campaigns, among other things," Ayame continued.
'Mother is still alive too, huh...' Kouga mused as he looked at the half moon in the wintery night sky dotted with innumerable twinkling diamonds.
Far as he could recall, Shinah wasn't very motherly or warm. In fact, she didn't nurse him as a newborn. Another female posed as his wet nurse until he was old enough to eat solid food. He recalled wondering back then why did his parents have him if they had so little interest in raising a cub. It was commonly expected for alpha pairs to bear cubs to continue their bloodline and strengthen their pack. To his knowledge; he was the only cub they ever had.
"If they're still alive and with the pack, why haven't they shown themselves at any of the Lunar Festivals or inter-pack meetings?" he asked.
"I don't really know," Ayame shrugged white furry shoulders, "Maybe they just aren't interested?"
"Come to think of it...why did you leave the north?" she turned to Kouga, hoping to catch his eye but he seemed more interested in the starry sky.
"Meh, I didn't want to be there anymore," Kouga did his best to respond nonchalantly, "So, I left."
Ayame continued to regard him with curiosity. There was literally no information as to why Kouga, an alpha's son and prince of the northern tribe, would suddenly leave the pack out of the blue. In the end, she supposed it didn't matter. All she knew for sure was that he would be hers. What other information could she entice him with?
"So, Suou has been ruling ever since that time," Kouga stated more as an observation and piecing together a chain of events.
"Yep," Ayame nodded as he continued to gaze out into the night.
Kouga supposed that he was never spoken of again by his parents. The rest of the pack would've gone along with it if ordered to do so. It wouldn't be too farfetched to assert that he no longer existed as far as his parents were concerned. Yet, after all of that, people still knew of him, desired him, respected him.
'That's for the best,' he thought with a wry grin.
He didn't need his parents' approval or support in any way after all. It was never there from the start so he wasn't missing out on anything. At some point in his grand scheme, he would finish the job with Gurou and then take his mother's head as well.
'She would probably cry again,' he thought back to when he shared some of his cubhood memories with Kagome some time ago, 'And she would probably try to get me to reconcile with them or some shit.'
"Kouga?" Ayame's voice suddenly interrupted his musings, "Are you alright?" she took the opportunity to come a bit closer to him.
Her heart fluttered in her chest as he looked at her in answer. The contrast of the shadows of the night and moonlight falling perfectly over his beautifully masculine features combined with the glint in his cerulean eyes made him look almost ethereal. Words and brain activity failed her simultaneously as she looked upon him in reverence. Almost as if to tease her further, a chilling zephyr tussled his onyx bangs and made his long ponytail billow gracefully. He looked like a demonic Adonis.
Kouga rolled his eyes as he broke eye contact with Ayame; yet another bitch enthralled by his ruggedly good looks. Any other time and he might have taken it a step further which would have inevitably led to them fucking long into the night. She didn't do much, if anything, for his dick but he might have rutted with her simply to add a metaphorical "notch" in his stock as a highly sought after male.
He decided that this conversation would have to be tabled for now. He probably wasn't going to get any more information out of her and he had already reached his limit of tolerating this exchange. Maybe tomorrow promised more information that he could use. He left her standing alone on that balcony for several moments before her trance abruptly ended.
"Oh, wait, Kouga! Don't leave me here by myself!" she whined trailing after him back into the warmth of the den.
That was what he had learned the third night. Now it was night four of this damn festival and he still felt no desire to be social, despite knowing that he had to suck it up and persevere for the sake of power balance and image. His gaze landed on his shadow (Ayame) and he knew exactly how to innocently get out dealing with everybody else. When he caught her eye, which only took moments, he gestured meaningfully with his head towards the exit of of the dining cave. She smiled in understanding and they left the room to the rest of the partying wolves.
"So...anything specific on your mind that you want to know about?" Ayame asked as they got to the same balcony from the previous night.
She had been itching all day dreaming up possibilities that could happen as they spent more time together. He was still acting aloof and seemed to only want information but she could work with that. Already, she was making a record of how long he spent in any one female's company. It was progress, far as she was concerned.
"You said something about not remembering you earlier. When did we meet?" he asked as he sat on the balcony's edge.
'Gasp! He's actually asking about ME!' she squealed internally with delight!
This had to be a sign of him wanting to connect!
She hurriedly sat down a short distance away from him on the same ledge, "It was a long time ago. My parents died when I was young so Grandfather raised me. He used to tell me that, as a member of our noble lineage, I needed to be exposed to various factors of inter-pack politics and interactions. He also introduced me to a lot of people he deemed important to know. Only people of a certain standing. Everyone else are pawns to be used to achieve goals."
Kouga nodded, understanding that school of thought well. He operated very much the same in his own life. Relationships he bothered to maintain were those that would further his agenda. He only did the bare minimum to 'maintain' them and it has worked out pretty well so far. Dealings with Kagome were the only exception and he always had thought he was simply doing what had to be done to secure access to her skills. It had been exhausting to say the least to keep that access but it had been getting easier as he figured out what mattered to her. What made things difficult was the rest of the world that seemed out to threaten her life every damn day. He will admit that is hasn't been all bad. Her misadventures did secure information and opportunities he may not have had otherwise like getting his own pack back to full strength when the birds-of-paradise were threatening his people, getting to evaluate the western pack on a deeper level, securing new intel on the wildcat tribe by happenstance that was sure to come in handy at some point and her teachings would give rise to two new healers in her cubs. Then, there was the fun of annoying her, that perfect scent, having her next to him in bed at night-
"Kouga?" Ayame interrupted his thoughts.
"Hm? What?" he looked back over at her.
"You seemed to be miles away," the she-wolf responded.
"I was trying to remember if I ever saw you in the past but I'm coming up with nothin'" he lied without batting an eye.
'By the time this festival is over, you'll be singing a different tune...' she thought at him, brow furrowing and delicate mouth twisting into an unhappy line.
"Well, Grandfather only brought me here while I was very young. Once I got older, I was so busy studying pack hierarchy, etiquette, battle techniques and learning how to lead that I didn't attend the Lunar Festival for awhile," Ayame turned to look out over the snowy forest, "Since so many of our decorated wolves were going to the festival, somebody had to stay behind and keep things running smoothly at home."
If she was only going to the Lunar Festival as a cub, it made sense Kouga wouldn't remember a lick about her. He wasn't a fan of cubs in general until they could actually contribute to the pack in a meaningful way. Shiro probably did introduce her to him at some point but that was neither here nor there.
"Where did you get that sword?" Kouga's keen eye fell on the scabbard tied to her waist.
"This sword has been in my family for ages. Grandfather gave it to me when I came of age. It used to be his when he was becoming a leader. Great-Grandfather had it before him and so on. It suits me, don't you think?" she smiled at him, hoping to hear words of approval.
When he didn't offer any and returned his gaze back to overlooking the valley, she prodded further to keep the conversation going,"And yours? Did your father give it to you?"
"Something like that," he responded to the silent landscape and didn't seem to want to offer any more about it.
He really didn't want her to pry into his private life or past. Those were pieces of him best left sealed and hidden away. There was also the possibility that she may use it against him, regardless of her obviously being attracted to him (because, what bitch in her right mind wouldn't be?).
"The snow is really beautiful here around here," she changed the subject to keep him talking, "and your den is really nice too," she added, hoping to stroke his ego.
'She would say something like that about the snow too,' he thought wistfully without responding.
Ayame couldn't help but feel a bit worried. The information angle didn't seem to be getting as good results as last night and he seemed to be slipping further away from her. What else could she talk about to get his attention back where it belonged: on her and only her?
"How is your injury on the left side of your torso?" she spoke lowly to him, trying to keep it secret as she knew he would want.
"Huh? What makes you think I'm injured? I feel fine," Kouga was suddenly looking at her again.
"I'm not blind, Kouga, and I have been watching your magnificent fights," she giggled in response, "I know you're hurt and if my observations are correct, as they always are, it is a bad injury that you have had since your last battle."
'Shit,' Kouga cursed to himself, 'Who else saw that?'
"Don't worry," Ayame piped up, "I won't tell anyone. It'll~be~our~little~secret~," she finished with a shushing gesture placed against her lips and a wink for good measure.
Kouga fought with himself to not show the immediate displeasure that his body felt in response to that sing-song voice. Annoying bitch aside...if she kept her mouth shut, then, that was all well and good.
"I'm going to bed," the eastern alpha rose to his feet and made to go to his room, over and done with this conversation.
Once he was out of sight, Ayame broke out in a a flurry of giggles, highly pleased at what felt like more progress made tonight! The girls were going to so jealous of her accomplishments! Another step closer to claiming the ookami prince as her own! She couldn't wait to boast about how close she and Kouga were getting!
Present day Lunar Festival
Day 15
Kouga: 2; Takeshi: 1
"And then what happened?" an excited, blond headed eastern female asked once the packs arose for day 5 of the Lunar Festival.
"Oh, he took me by the hand and lead me to a balcony with a beautiful view of the valley. The snow was sparkling underneath the half moon," Ayame regaled dreamily to a very captive audience of Kouga fans, "And we sat down at the ledge together talking throughout the night. Just him and me. "
Some of the women and younger girls had a collective dreamy look look in their eyes as they marveled at what sounded so romantic. Others were either seething in jealousy or disappointed that their chances of mating with lord Kouga seemed to be slipping away.
"What did you talk about?" the same excited female asked.
"Oh, you know...this...and that...a lot of things, really," the northern she-wolf smirked in victory, "He was so handsome with the moonlight hitting his face. I almost fainted on the spot!" she finished with blush stained cheeks.
"Oh, come on, you expect us to believe any of that!" one of the southern females with brunette hair exclaimed in disagreement!
"Lord Kouga isn't one for long talks. He's more of an authoritative sort that just takes what he wants when he wants it, like a real man," she finished getting lost in her own reverie.
"You don't know Lord Kouga at all!" a third female, this time from the east with coal black hair, cut in!
"He wants the very pinnacle of strength, beauty, leadership and grace! As what fits a true alpha female. None of you fit that description at all," she objected with folded arms, "But, I'm on my way, though. I caught his eye the other day and yesterday too," she grinned in challenge.
Giggle! "Indulge in your fantasies all you want," Ayame sat back on the raised rock, crossing a confident leg over the other, "You can't refute that he and I have been spending lots of quality time together each night. Catching his glance now and then can't compete with that."
The three squabbling females only growled and glared daggers at Ayame in response. Many more of the ladies in the group followed suit. Ayame drank it all in; internally cackling at their dismay.
It was true that she and Kouga have been spending a lot of time together. Their conversations were a lot more casual than she was letting on to the girls but they didn't need to know that. Having the eastern alpha's undivided attention was trophy enough. Not to mention it offered bragging rights! As a highly dignified she-wolf , Ayame felt it was necessary to be the envy of the lower ranking females. They should aspire to be her. Beautiful like her. Be like her in any way possible. It was also important that the men regard her in similar reverence but in a more carnal way. They should be falling over themselves to talk with her, bring her food and drink and fight amongst each other for the honor of her attention.
She hoped to catch the handsome alpha again but he seemed more scarce today. It was already early evening with delicious food getting served and the saké was beginning to flow. He wouldn't be absent all night would he? There was word that the pack union howl would be taking place tonight and it would be bad if he didn't show up for it. The she-wolf did everything she could to keep her regal composure as she internally worried over the situation. Kouga is a brilliant leader that would know how important tonight is. He was sure to make an appearance and that's when she would steal him away and keep working on getting closer to him. She had already come this far and would not risk losing any more ground if she could help it.
Earlier today, she was dismayed to hear that he and that western oaf had gotten into and finished another skirmish. Why did it have to happen during her beauty sleep!? Being there to watch and greet him afterward was an important piece of her plan to coax him into a courtship! What was worse is that Takeshi had won this one. Being there to offer words of encouragement to Kouga might have gone a long way to catching his eye! What if he had gotten injured? Was he okay? Admittedly, she knew he wouldn't be too receptive to outpouring of support like caring for an injury. If she had been magically there as she would have wanted, he probably would still have isolated himself like he has been doing so far.
Oh, well, that ship had sailed so she must wait to make her next move. It was common knowledge that the surly eastern alpha didn't entertain anyone in his personal chambers and thus thought it best not to go there. She wanted him to know that they are the perfect match and she would give him all due respect that he was entitled to and she was sure he would do that same for her...once he figured how perfect she was, that is. She had to keep showing up as such for him until he got it through his head, past the male need to fight and dominate.
She sighed and took in the scene around her while the rest of the girls around here continued to debate about Kouga's preferences. Some of the others in the dining cave were enjoying the afternoon's hunt or drink. A group of men were having an arm wrestling match in one of the room's corners. A group of older women were gossiping about their mates' greatest hits/mistakes. She could see a lot of heated glances bouncing about the room as well (some of them directed at her, as it should be). There was a subtle sexual energy charging the air that was growing as the sun dipped further below the horizon. The pack union howl was often the herald to many a lustful encounter. Many flirting couples had been building their attraction and sexual tension up for this night. Even the ones that had already indulged in carnal pleasures felt extra psyched for another romp of passion. Once the howl was over, many would sneak off to "celebrate pack union" in other ways.
'Hurry back, Kouga...' she thought silently towards the entry to the dining cave from deeper within the den.
The man in question was fuming back in his grand chambers.
"Ow..." Kouga winced from the pain of a badly broken wrist that he had gotten a mere couple of hours ago from the asshole known as Takeshi. Pulling off his furry gauntlet showed a very angry wrist swelling in a yucky black and violet color.
'How is this happening?' he growled to himself as he sat in his chair in front of a lively hearth.
His other hand was wearing grooves into the once beautifully carved wood of the chair arm as he continued to snarl.
'How in the holy hell can I be tied with that idiot?!' he snarled to himself.
That wrist wasn't the only casualty either. His left side had gotten struck again as well. He was sure some ribs were at least bruised if not cracked.
'That damn asshole...he must've noticed...' Kouga snarled, tail swishing in agitation as he sat in his grand chair by the hearth.
It was smart to target any places on the body that were already hurt in earlier fights. Kouga was using the same tactic by going for the western alpha's head or throat in each battle. The strategy had been successful a few times. At this rate, whichever of them took too serious an injury would be the loser of the bet.
Here he was on day 5 of this blasted event and things only seemed to be getting worse with each sunset.
'She would hate that this is happening...' he let his head roll back against the chair back with a soft thud. Shutting his eyes in agony from freshly broken bones.
As certain as he was about that, he also knew what it meant to lose this bet. If he lost...he could already hear her screaming in terror from the bastard trying to force himself on her. He could only see two possible outcomes from such a thing:
One, that Kagome would have to finally use her holy power and everyone would learn what she is...which would lead to a really bad confrontation between her and all wolf demon kind...which she wouldn't survive.
Two, he refused to let her go and would use all strength at his disposal to save her...which would have its own consequences...like forfeiting his ambitions, losing leadership of his pack and he may have to run off with her in order to save both of their necks.
'Let me free and I will settle this easily!' his beastly half snarled in their mind as he struggled futilely against his chains.
'No!' Kouga thought back to him, 'You'll win the fight, yes, and then you'll tear off to go find Kagome. Which would make all of this for nothing.'
There was also the matter that both men agreed to leave their beasts out of this and win on their strength alone as an added challenge.
'I have to win this bet abiding by the rules we agreed upon. I just didn't expect him to be fighting as well as he has been,' Kouga rose from his chair and walked slowly over to the rocky balcony at the back of his chambers.
He took but a moment to find some snow that had collected on some of the rocks framing the balcony. He grabbed a mighty handful of frozen fluff and placed it on his angry wrist to help with the swelling as he took a seat near the ledge. The icy cold temperature helped bring some relief for his pain. It had been awhile since he had an injury like this one. His side hurt worse but one problem at a time...
'It's like he's a completely different fighter than I've ever seen,' he reflected on the most recent battles and those in the past.
Takeshi seemed much more determined and focused to win. He wasn't any stronger than before but he was a lot more strategic during this festival.
'Hmph, he must've not been fighting seriously before,' Kouga thought with a wry grin before his side stung in pain again, 'but...he didn't walk away from this fight unscathed either, heh, heh. Where's he gonna get help for that?"
"Huh, well whaddya' know? Twin cubs!" the tower of Takeshi loomed over Sora and Kurou in the medical cave, "You don't see many twin cubs!"
"Erm...who are you?" Sora stumbled back a few steps to get her bearings.
One moment, she and Kurou were taking stock of the herbal supply and the next this guy wanders into the medical cave.
"I am..." he stood tall and proud with a gesturing thumb to his chest, "Takeshi! Great alpha of the western pack!"
' 'Takeshi...?' Kurou exchanged a quizzical glance with his sister before understanding took hold.
Oh...that guy...They both regarded him warily. He was the one that had felt Kagome up back in the summer...and he's that guy wanting to take Kagome for himself and away from the eastern pack. They automatically didn't like him.
"You two are healers, right?" he peered down at them from his great height of 7 ft, "I heard that from some of your pack."
"Yes.." Kurou began with uncertainty, "Yes, we are. What hurts?"
Kurou felt weird calling himself a full fledged healer when he and Sora were still needing a lot of guidance from Kagome. There was still much to learn but they could handle simple everyday things.
Takeshi suddenly turned a shade of green and barely managed to vomit into a bucket that Sora had fetched just in time!
"Hack! Cough! Pant...pant...Many thanks, little one," he smiled in gratitude to Sora, who now took the bucket with a grimace before she left the room for somewhere to dump its disgusting contents.
"Come over here and lay down," Kurou directed his new patient to a fresh palette of straw and furs.
Takeshi seemed to pour down onto it, fatigue suddenly catching up to him all at once.
"What happened?" Kurou sat down next to him.
"Ugh...I was in a fight and that leader of yours slugged me pretty good," Takeshi lamented, "but don't tell him I said that."
"Where?" Kurou began perusing the western alpha's image.
"Right around here..." Takeshi gestured around the side of his face, "It hurts here most..." he pointed to his temple, "and all I wanna do is puke."
"I see. I'll brew some chamomile tea and you should rest awhile," the young boy surmised as he left to get a kettle going over a fire.
"Did...did Little Flower teach you?" Takeshi asked as he lie there on the soft, furry pelts.
"Yes, she taught me and Sora everything we know," Kurou responded as he filled up a tea kettle with near freezing water from the mountain.
He gathered some kindling for a fire and managed to coax a small blaze into life after adding some larger sticks. When the fire was sufficiently going, he set up two vertical bars and a horizontal one to hold the kettle over the fire. This was one of many tricks he had learned from Kagome. She said that she heated food and things this way all the time when out traveling. He didn't have to guess whom Takeshi was referring to as "Little Flower". It was obvious the man was really fixated on her.
Sora came back into the medical cave with a clean bucket several minutes later. She decided to leave it by Takeshi's side in case he had to lose his stomach again.
"She really is something, you know?" the alpha mused to nobody in particular, "Always caring, never faltering, standing strong. I can't believe I'm the only one that sees that."
"You're not the only one," Sora sat at his side in case he needed anything.
One of Kagome's many lessons was one that she stressed the most: listen to the person you're helping.
'Getting them to talk and really listening to what they have to say...even things that seem unrelated...can lead to crucial information for treating them,' she smiled gently to the twins back then.
"We have seen her be really strong over and over, " Sora smiled at the memory of Kagome's teachings, "And she's very good with her bow, can sew, hunt...she can do a lot of things."
"You get it!" Takeshi suddenly sat forward before lying back down when nausea gripped him once more, "Ugh...," he grimaced, "That's why I'm fighting for her. I know she'll make a good mate for me."
''Fighting for her?'..' the twins exchanged a suspicious look.
Something was up here...
There was talk all over the den and the valley about the alphas of the east and west brawling over and over. Kouga had been in once or twice seeking their aid. A mix of members from all packs spent a night in the medical cave during this festival so far because of fights or over-drinking. The drunks had been spouting about how exciting these fights were but there was a lot of speculation about the 'why?' behind these fights. Supposedly, it was ''cuz it's fun!'. It was hard to miss such a statement as Takeshi's laughing, along with others, echoed around the den and spilled into the nearby passageways.
"Look, don't tell anyone, okay, but..." Takeshi waved them off, "Kouga and I made a little bet: The wolf that takes the most victories gets to keep Kagome."
Gasp! "Don't take Kagome away from us!" Sora emphatically leaned forward, looking worried!
Takeshi looked in surprise between each twin. The girl looked worried and the boy looked apprehensive.
"Are you worried that she won't teach you anymore?" he chuckled after a moment, "If you all are that close, I bet she would keep teaching you no matter where she is. You can come with her, if you like!"
Now, they looked conflicted.
"I'm not saying desert your pack. I'm saying you're welcome to come visit us in the west. She would probably like to see ya'. She'll be having cubs soon anyway so they could use some playmates," he finished, lacing his hands behind his head.
"Whaaaat!?" Sora shrieked in alarm, thinking Kagome was already pregnant!
"Wait, Sora!" Kurou barked at her, "If she was, her scent would've changed! She smells the same as always..." he finished, suddenly unsure if that held true for humans as it did for wolf demons.
"Hah! Hah! Relax! Relax, little ones!" Takeshi laughed, "She isn't pregnant...yet" he added with a heating gleam in his eye, "If all goes to plan, she will be with cub by next spring."
Sora slumped into herself after hearing that, feeling tired from this interaction.
"That won't happen!" Kurou's determined voice grabbed both of their attention, "Our alpha is strong and fast. He won't lose to you."
Takeshi blinked a few times, surprised at the conviction from this little boy cub.
"Heh, we shall soon see," he replied, smirk firmly back in place, "He's losing more of his edge with every fight. We're tied for now for victories but I'll pull ahead. Little Flower is worth it."
"Then, I'll fight you for her!" the boy got to his feet, fists at the ready!
"Hah! What do you think you're gonna do, squirt?" Takeshi responded, entertained by the boy's moxy.
"No! You're not fighting him!" Sora rose with the same determination!
"That's right, listen to your sister, squirt," the western alpha gestured to her being the voice of reason.
"We'll both take you on!" that same voice of reason turned in his direction with fierce determination!
"Heh...heh...A-ha-ha-ha-ha! You both are too much!" Takeshi burst out laughing, "Your little fists won't do much against this," he gestured to himself, clad in full armor and rippling with muscle, "What do you expect? I'm many times your size and have been in more fights than you'll ever know-...URK! Hack! Cough! Gak!"
"Maybe so...but we're not the ones puking in a bucket," Kurou fixed the retching alpha with a steely glare.
Sora mirrored his expression, glaring down at Takeshi.
"Hack...cough...pant...pant...little brats..." Takeshi stewed at a zinger from cubs of all people.
Maybe he should rethink that invitation to his den...but, he knew he would let them come anyway if Little Flower desired it. At least nobody else was around to have witnessed this little scene...
The moon was climbing high in the night sky as wolves crowded into the valley and on the various rocky outcroppings of the mountains surrounding the crashing waterfall. Flirting pairs slipped though the throngs of wolf demons, looking to be closer to their object of desire.
'Where is he?...Where is he?...' Ayame looked around worriedly, eager to locate Kouga to share the pack union howl next to, or at least near-ish, to him.
She was sure that howling together would bring them closer together. Having an intimate foray, she had to admit to herself, seemed too much to hope for since they were still getting to know each other...and...he didn't look upon her with lust like other males did. Sharing a few stories or bits of information probably wouldn't he enough to convince him to get into a courtship with her...or even a rut. Did that mean she needed better, juicier information to help move things along?
'Ah! There he is!' she saw the handsome alpha moving through the crowd to a clearing on the valley floor so everyone could see him.
Tradition dictated that the hosting pack alpha makes a speech of pack unity and begins the howl. Their pack would join next, followed by the sister packs to combine all voices into a lupine symphony that would radiate for miles around. Anyone nearby would be able to hear their song carried throughout the crystal midnight air. It also informed other nearby youkai of the might of the wolves; that they were many and strong.
"Brothers and sisters from the north!" his voice boomed out clear and sure to cheers from the northern clan!
"From the south!" he raised an arm, gestured to the group of southern wolves answering with their own hurrah!
"From the west!" he gestured with his other arm in the general direction of western wolves howling and whistling in response!
"And, of course, from the east!" he opened his arms wide, voice ricocheting off the winter scenery to raucous applause and chorus of cheers from his men and women!
"Tonight, under the watchful eye of our lunar mother, we come together as one to honor her and our pack bonds. I'm gonna get straight to it since I know there are many of you eager to show how united we are!" a rumbling of snickers ran throughout the crowd, "Not only are we one," he continued, bouncing his eyes all over the crowd, "but we are strong! We are to be feared! Anybody that screws with us, we make them answer for it in blood!" A chorus of agreement answered him and fueled the growing energy of the valley, "Join me, brothers and sisters! Let the land of Japan learn once more who we are!"
With that all said and the packs sufficiently hyped up, Kouga breathed deep and threw his head back as a loud howl tore from the depths of his chest!
"Aarooooooooooooooooooooo!"
His howl sliced through the air like a perfectly sharpened katana, deep, long and full bodied!
In response to his lead, his pack followed suit, followed by the west, south and finally the north! The animals also joined in!
All of the voices coalesced into a booming:
"Aaroooooooooooooooooooooooooo!"
Their song of unity surged far and wide, stretching for miles!
"Hm?" a certain dog hanyou's ears twitched, hearing a faint yet strong chorus of wolfish howls.
"What is it, Inuyasha?" Kagome walked over to him on Minato's front porch.
"Don't you hear it?" he asked without looking at her, still listening.
"Hm..."Kagome cupped a hand around each ear to hopefully catch more sound, "Yes...I can hear...sounds like...wolves howling?"
"Yeah, a bunch of those mangy fleabags must've gotten together," Inuyasha continued to listen.
'It must be the howling thing Sora and Kurou were talking about,' the priestess thought with a smile.
'Kouga...' a soft warmth began to bloom in her chest that she nestled within her furry mittens, 'I hope you're well and not doing anything stupid.'
"What're you smiling about?" Inuyasha interrupted her thoughts.
"Huh? Er...uh...I like hearing wolves howl. It's beautiful, isn't it?" Kagome tried to recover.
"Nope, not really," the hanyou flatly responded before walking back into Minato's house.
The priestess stayed out several minutes longer in the frosty air, listening to the nocturnal song of the wolves until their cries dissolved into the night.
