InuYasha Fan Fiction / Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ Cry of the Wolf ❯ Meetings ( Chapter 6 )

Cry of the wolf

Part six: Meetings

By

Lance the Flamesniper

 

In the afterlife there are large fields. These fields are full of beautiful wildflowers that fill the air with a myriad of scents, making for a heady perfume. There is also food of every sort and wine that flows like water from fountains.

 

In the middle of one such field there stands a circular stone table. The table has six chairs four of which are already occupied.

 

In the first chair sits a beautiful woman, who is clearly not human. She has luxurious dark hair and piecing blue eyes. Her figure is that of a runner's: lean toned muscles that play demurely under her Kimono covered skin. There is where any comparison to humanity ends, as she also possesses pointed ears, claws and fang. This is Kawa of the wolf clans.

 

Across from her sits a severe man with an equally severe scowl. His eyes are gray and his hair as brown as the pelts that adorn his armor. He is a powerfully built man who in life was clearly a warrior of great skill, if one is to judge by the scars he proudly wears. Like Kawa, he too possesses pointed ears, fangs and claws. It is from this one that Kouga gets his temper. He is Benjira.

 

The other two at the table are sitting across from each other, simply because it was easier to talk that way. They had, in life had been Kouga's lieutenants, friends and lackeys. During the battles with the Black Moon, they'd fought and fell bravely. These were Ginta and Hakakku.

 

Into this circular group entered Ayame. She was admittedly a little confused as to why she was asked here. She hadn't wanted to leave her children but the messenger had said this was important.

 

The final member of this group entered after Ayame was seated. She was a tall otherworldly woman who smelled like moon flowers. Her hair was platinum in color and was done up in odangos. On her brow was a silver crescent moon that seemed to shine like the wisdom and concern in her Sapphire eyes. She was Queen Serenity of the Silver Millennium.

 

“I see that you've all arrived promptly,” Serenity stated with a smile.

 

“As ye well know, Serenity no kami,” Benjira rumbled. “We wolves have always been the most loyal of ye servants.”

 

“And as you well know,” Kawa added chidingly. “Serenity has scolded you many times for calling her Serenity no kami.”

 

“Aye, aye. I know. But ye must blame my father for that. He said she was a goddess,” Benjira added.

 

“Before this… domestic dispute goes further,” Serenity sighed as she looked at Ayame. “We should perhaps get to the matter at hand.”

 

Ayame looked confused for a moment then pointed at her self. “Me?”

 

“Yes, and no,” Serenity responded.

 

“It's more like what my fool son is up to,” Benjira growled.

 

“Dear, be nice,” Kawa warned. “He plans to follow you to death without continuing the line.”

 

“But,” Ayame began. “He can't do that!”

 

“I fear he's using the fact that your tribes mate for life, as an excuse. He does not wish to die, but he's claiming it's his duty. Fortunately, he's in the care of my daughter right now and may yet be swayed to stay in the land of the living,” The moon queen responded.

 

“How so?” Ginta asked.

 

“When's lunch?” Added Hakakku.

 

“Quit thinking with your stomach for a moment you fool! The boss needs our help!” Ginta sniped as he smacked his kin.

 

If this is a council of war including these two, my poor Kouga's doomed. Ayame thought sourly.

 

“To answer Ginta's question,” Serenity the elder replied. “We believe that he could possibly be convinced to stay alive, if we can get him to choose a new, suitable mate.”

 

Ayame nodded. That made a great deal of sense. “That would work. Since it would give him a biological imperative to live. But, who?”

 

The moon Dowager sighed. “I'd have liked it to be my daughter, but she married that moron Endymion. Still, I feel that my daughter may need help, or at least an idea. Thus Ayame you will be sent to instruct my daughter to help Kouga find a mate. Also she needs to be wary, there is some evil that will use this time to try a strike on her.”

 

“Very well your majesty,” Ayame said as she bowed, her form slowly disappearing to complete her mission.

 

 

The Neoqueen awoke slowly, but somehow still before her husband did. She was frustrated with him as well as his performance of husbandly duties to say the least. With her frustrations in mind she opened the door to her room to get an early breakfast… Only to find a lightly dozing wolf slumped against her door as if on guard duty.

 

Said wolf yawned slightly as he stretched. “Morning your majesty.”

 

“Uh good morning Kouga,” She said. “What are you doing here exactly?”

 

“Well I couldn't sleep in my room, there weren't any comforting scents around so I followed my nose.”

 

“And you stopped at my door?” Serenity asked in a mix of curiosity and amusement.

 

“Yes. The scent of the moon is very soothing to wolves. We've often been known to spend long periods time in groves of moonflowers just for that reason.

 

“I…see.”

 

Just then a pink haired blur crashed into Kouga. The blur looked up with equally pink eyes and upon seeing Kouga's features responded in kind.

 

“EEK! Youma!” Chibiusa squealed.

 

“I'm not a youma,” Kouga responded calmly. “I'm a youkai.”

 

“Stay away from my mama you nasty youma!” the mini version of Serenity answered.

 

“I'm not a youma,” the wolf prince replied again. “I'm a guest of your mother's. My name is Kouga.”

 

“Well, you may call me Small Lady,” said royal replied before she noticed Kouga's tail twitching on the floor. Without a second thought she grabbed and pulled.

 

Kouga let out a yelp at that.

 

Before Serenity could chastise her daughter she heard a decidedly female voice behind her.

 

“No, no, no, this won't do. Not at all!”

 

Serenity turned quickly and saw in the floor length mirror she kept in her room a somewhat petite red head with green eyes. It was clear to Serenity, after a quick look at Kouga, that this woman was a wolf Youkai.

 

“Who are you?” The queen asked

 

“I'm Ayame, your majesty,” the she wolf answered somewhat cheerfully.

 

“I can see why Kouga would be upset at losing you. You're beautiful!”

 

“You're too kind your majesty,” Ayame blushed. “I've come to discuss my lord.”

 

“Oh?”

 

“Yes. I do not wish him to follow me to the after life yet. It is my wish that he live on.”

 

“I want him to stay as well. He's seems like a good enough soul,” Serenity agreed.

 

“I have spoken with your mother on this matter and we've come up with an idea.”

 

“An idea?”

 

“Yes, if you can find for him a suitable replacement mate, he would have no reason to end his life.”

 

“A suitable mate?”

 

“Yes. Wolves are kind of picky about who they mate with.”

 

“My husband and I were going to have a meeting this morning with the miko Kagome and the lead Taijya Sango….”

 

“They're both there?” Ayame perked up. “That's great news!”

 

“Huh?” Serenity responded in a very Usagi-like way.

 

“They both know Kouga and Sango knows about wolves! This works out very well! Though your mother did express some sorrow over you not being available. From the looks of you, you would have done nicely as a mate.”

Serenity blushed at the last comment then remembered the first. “They know Kouga? How?”

 

“It's… complicated. Have you ever heard of the Shikon no Tama?”

 

“Yes… It's a legend that someone wrote a book on. I have a copy in my library,” Serenity responded.

 

“I would suggest then that you read up on that. It would help you understand better. Also, I must warn you of a great evil that is close by and may wish you harm.”

 

“Ayame, thank you,” Serenity responded. “I will take your warnings to heart and do my best to find for Kouga a mate.”

 

Ayame smiled as her image faded leaving only Serenity's reflection.

 

“Excuse me, your majesty. Is there by chance a place I could go to do my early morning warm up exercises? I tend to like to do things like that before breakfast,” asked Kouga.

 

“Yes, there's a dojo two floors down from here. Endymion, Inu Yasha and some of my senshi use it to keep in shape.”

 

“Thank you. That will do nicely,” Kouga responded with a slight bow.

 

“Can I come watch?” Chibiusa asked having finally decided that the creature before her wasn't going to eat her or her mother.

 

“I don't mind, if you remain quiet while I exercise.”

 

“Yay!”

 

 

“So what's he like?” Makoto asked of her sparring partner as she threw her.

 

“He's male,” Haruka responded as if the word was both self-explicative as well as an insult.

 

“That doesn't tell me much,” the powered down Lightning Senshi responded.

 

“It's not like I had an interview with him,” Haruka growled.

 

“Excuse me,” Kouga stated as he walked into the dojo. “Would you mind if I practiced my katas here?”

 

“Yes!” Snapped Haruka.

 

“Not at all,” Countered Makoto.

 

“Aunt Mako-chan! Aunt Haruka!” Chibiusa squealed as she bounded into the room. “Kouga-youkai promised he'd let me watch him practice!”

 

“I said I would if you were quiet,” Kouga countered.

 

“Oh! Oops! Sorry Kouga-youkai,” The small princess said.

 

With that, the two Senshi sat down with the child; deciding to take a break from their own sparring.

 

Kouga stood perfectly still for a moment allowing Makoto to take in his features. He possessed a body that was well muscled without being overdone. The word she would use was lean. His hair was a lustrous black done in a similar style to hers. His eyes were an enchanting blue-gray. From there she took in the things that made confusing for a human difficult: the claws on his hands, his elf-like ears, the fact that he seemed to have a tail and his fangs. Though for some reason they seemed to add to his allure rather than detract.

 

He stood in an at rest stance for a few moments before flowing into a graceful and fluid dance of punches and kicks. His audience stared in amazement as he executed high leaps, twisting in the middle of them to deliver what would be devastating kicks. Added to this were not a few, one, two and no handed cartwheels, back flips, and rolls that ended in powerful, momentum charged strikes.

 

“Wow!” Chibiusa sighed. “I want to learn to do that!”

 

“If your mom gives you permission I could teach you,” Kouga responded though he was on the far side of the dojo.

 

“You heard that?” Haruka responded in disbelief.

 

I wonder if I can get him to train me too, his moves are so fluid and graceful. Yet at the same time they're not of any one style, Makoto silently added. “What fighting style is that?”

 

“Ikani Sagyouba,” Kouga replied.

 

“The `whatever works' style?” Haruka asked skeptically. “Never heard of that one.”

 

“I'll explain it better later,” Kouga answered giving out a dazzling smile, that caused Haruka to scowl and Makoto to blush. “For now I must get cleaned up. I have a lot to do this day.”

 

 

The Neoqueen and king had just finished breakfast when their guests arrived. Serenity had not told Endymion about her ghostly encounter, but felt that that was probably for the best. Better to turn her attention to the Taijya and the miko advisor she'd asked in.

 

The Taijya was typical of all her demon slayer kin. She was dressed in black and armed with many weapons either hidden or in plain sight, the most notable being her katana on her hip and the massive bone boomerang slung to her back. Unlike her brethren she was deceptively thin yet at the same time attractive. She had black hair and soulful, dark brown eyes.

 

Kagome for her part decided to dress the part of a Miko for the meeting.

 

“You summoned me, your highness?” Sango asked as she bowed. And why do I sense a strange yet familiar demonic presence in the palace?

 

Before either Endymion or Kagome could interrupt the queen spoke. “Yes, I did. What can you tell me about Wolf youkai?”

 

“Quite a bit, actually. They're similar to wolves. They possess enhanced hearing and smell, as well as increased strength and endurance. They live in packs ranging anywhere from twenty to one thousand twenty. They tend to be territorial, but won't go looking for a fight unless provoked. Intelligence wise most aren't known for their brains, some however, are quite intelligent and can be very cunning,” Sango supplied. “They mostly live in the northern parts of Japan but at one time could also be found in the United Kingdom, Most of Europe, North America and also in Russia. They're a cousin species to dog, hyena, jackal and coyote youkai.”

 

“I see,” Endymion replied. “That's a lot to know off the top of your head.”

 

“Actually, all of this was in a report I sent to Dr. Wilks before she left on her expedition. The report was sent back to me with a nicely worded note attached stating that such `superstitious nonsense would not be tolerated', that there was `no such thing as hanyou or youkai' and that I should `stop living by such antiquated beliefs'.”

 

“What can you tell me about their,” Serenity pause to find the best word. “Mating habits?”

 

Sango blinked. What in the name of all that is holy is going on here? “W-well… they tend to prefer strong mates. They are said to mate for life and with youkai, life can be a long time. They've been known to mate with humans, though, but the human would have to be possessed of strong spiritual power or some other great strength. Also, wolves tend to like things of great beauty.”

 

Strong, beautiful, basicallyt a warrior… any of my senshi would do! Serenity thought. “In theory, if a pack was depleted what would the survivors do?”

 

“The strongest members of the pack would most likely take mates to replenish the pack. They might also request others in the pack to take mates as well,” the slayer supplied.

 

“What if the pack was down to one?” Endymion asked.

 

Where are they going with this? Sango mentally asked. “Then it would probably take a mate to keep the bloodline from dying completely. May I ask what all this is about?”

 

Serenity smiled slightly. “In this palace right now is a wolf youkai.”

 

“What?” Sango responded in shock then looked to Kagome.

 

“It's true,” Kagome said.

 

“I believe that this particular wolf is one you both know,” Serenity continued. “In fact I am sure Kagome knows him. His name is Kouga.”

 

“Kouga's here? But…how?”

 

“His pack's been depleted. Turns out they were involved in the Black Moon war as well,” Supplied Kagome. “Dr. Wilks ran into him and there was an incident that required myself, Inu Yasha and two of the Senshi to go retrieve him.”

 

“Still he wouldn't have left Ayame to come here,” Sango exclaimed not caring that she was saying too much.

 

Kagome played with her fingertips. “Funny thing that. Ayame's dead and it was three of Dr. Wilks' men who killed her.”

 

“Then we'll need to get whoever it was into protective custody and try to calm Kouga down!” Sango stated not wanting to put a long time friend to death over three people, even three fools.

 

“That…won't be necessary. He got to them out in the wilds. But it's worse than that,” Endymion chimed in.

 

“How could it be worse?” Sango asked dreading the answer.

 

“Kouga-san is the last of his species,” Serenity responded sadly. “I cannot allow his kind to die and thus why you were asked here. My husband and I wished to know the best course to take.”

 

“Then I hope that I have helped you as well as he,” the slayer replied with a bow. “When will he be stating his case?”

 

“Knowing Kouga he'll make his case today. I hope you and the monk are up for a little excitement,” Kagome said with a mischievous smile.

 

 

It was a hot stuffy afternoon in the throne room, when Kouga made his appearance. His entrance was, as Kagome expected, impressive.

 

Kouga kicked open the doors to the throne room and strode in. As the other courtesans scattered screaming `youma', she got a good look at her wolven friend. And what she saw surprised her.

 

Gone were his brown furs. In their place were white leggings, white waist pelts and trim for his breastplate. His breastplate likewise had been replaced by a polished gold and silver one. His hair had been combed to a high shine then bound with a whitened leather cord. Finally was the addition of a white fur cape fastened at his neck with a silvered leaf from a tree Kagome couldn't recall the name for.

 

From the ghost of a smile on the Neoqueen's lips, his dramatic entrance was more than likely the highlight of her entire day. “Greetings,” the Neoqueen said as he strode forward. “Perhaps you would wish to introduce yourself to the court?”

 

“I am Kouga. Prince of the wolf youkai,” He replied. “I have come to offer an alliance as well as address a wrong that has led to my people being nearly extinct.”

 

As Kouga outlined his grievance, Sango and Kagome were watching the four present Sailor Senshi for their responses. Each seemed to be in thought about Kouga, the matter at hand or hopefully both.

 

 

They were four women who happened to be sailor Senshi. Each had their own talents and their own ways of looking at the world. As such each had a different way of viewing Kouga.

 

Ami Mizuno also known as Sailor Mercury was a doctor and scientist. As such she couldn't help but be curious about youkai and youma. How they differed physically, psychologically and socially from humans were of special interest to her. She wondered if maybe this wolf would be willing to subject to testing. He certainly looked healthy enough…

 

Rei Hino a.k.a. Sailor Mars was a priestess by trade. As such she was trained to see both what a person was as well as their spirit. What she saw around this wolf youkai was an aura that both scared and interested her. What interested her was how all around his body flowed energy similar to that of a tornado. What scared her was that she could see the marking on Kouga's forehead and knew what it meant.

 

“A taiyoukai,” she whispered in fear and awe. Kouga seemingly heard her as he cast a sidelong look at her as he spoke.

 

It was as a warrior that Makoto Kino a.k.a. Sailor Jupiter saw Kouga. She'd seen him earlier in the day in motion during his katas. But, she had to admit; he was as compelling while at ease as well. Here, her mind told her, was someone who could go from at ease to all out attack in less time than it would take for an attack to occur. She also took note of the loss and sorrow that he kept buried in his eyes as he spoke. Within that sorrow she also saw a great deal of compassion. She also couldn't help but notice his masculine appeal as his clothes displayed it.

 

Sailor Venus, also known as Minako Aino, looked at Kouga as what she was: a single woman. Here was, in her mind, a prime specimen of man. The toned, lean muscles appealed to her, his eyes were haunting. She looked longingly at the long black hair and idly wondered what it would feel like to run her fingers through it. Even the claws, ears and fangs she could see when he talked appealed to her. She tried very hard not to drool.

 

Finally Kouga had finished telling his tale of woe and bowed.

 

“You spoke of the possibility of an alliance?” Endymion spoke, noticing that one of the lords was trying very hard to hide a death-glare at the wolf prince.

 

“Yes I happen to have with me a small sample of the mineral wealth of my land,” Kouga said as he opened a pouch in his waist pelts. From the pouch he pulled a handful of `minerals'. Onto the carpet of the throne room fell a rainbow of jewels. Rubies, emeralds, diamonds of every color, rich blue sapphires, topaz and polished corals from what was once the northern seas around Japan.

 

A lot of the courtesans were suddenly not as afraid of Kouga. In fact many of them began to clamber for his attention.

 

“We accept your offer of alliance, belated as your story has proven it to be. We shall negotiate the minor details of it at a later date. As for your people's problem I believe I have a solution that I shall discuss with you at a later time.

 

“Thank you, your Grace,” Kouga responded then got to his feet and began to try to leave.

 

He got three paces from the door before the courtesans swarmed him. They all then proceeded to talk at once the only words that seemed to come through to all parties interested was the repeated words `exclusive contract', `mining rights' and `it's a very lucrative offer.' Finally the wolf prince had had enough,

 

“Silence!” He bellowed causing all the sycophants jump back. “I will not be cowed by your mewling! Once the alliance is finalized with your government, you may all go through proper channels and I shall listen and answer in kind. Until then, back the hell off!”

 

Kagome gaped at his course yet at the same time appropriately worded response then glanced back at the Neoqueen. The queen of Crystal Tokyo was shaking in her seat as she tried very hard not to burst into laughter at the startled courtesans.

 

Looks like things aren't going to be boring for much longer, Kagome sighed mentally.

 

Meanwhile one of the Lords slipped out of the throne room quietly. He had something of his own he needed to work on.

 

 

Two hours later, Kouga was walking toward the queen's personal study being led there by Inu Yasha and Kagome.

 

“Any idea about what the Neoqueen's plan is?” Kouga asked.

 

“Feh! Whatever it is I'm sure it'll be more than you deserve. Wimpy wolf!” Snored Inu Yasha.

 

“What he means is that neither of us know. All we know is that after court ended she called for you and her Senshi to be brought to her study,” supplied Kagome while glacing warningly at her mate.

 

Kouga sighed. Well this is it. All that's left is to accept her offer. Justice will have been done and I will be free to find the nearest cliff and toss myself off.

 

“I don't think that will be a good idea boss!” Two voices whispered into his mind.

 

Figures. I lose my mate then I lose my mind. Still tossing myself off a cliff might not be a good idea. But unless something happens that I haven't foreseen, it what I have to work with, Kouga thought dourly.

 

When Kouga entered the room, he could feel the charge in the air. Here in this room were eight Senshi, all of them beautiful in their own ways. Though with the smile on Serenity's face he wondered just what the moonchild had in mind.

 

“Kouga, I have had a lot of advice about what to do for you today. I've sought out the advice of a Taijya and a Miko who know you. I've even had a visit from your late mate Ayame,” Serenity responded and at gasp from Kouga looked at him.

 

“You spoke with Ayame? Did she make it to the other place well then?” Kouga asked.

 

“Err, yes. Regardless, she made it clear that it's her wish that you not join her just yet. It's a belief I wholeheartedly endorse as well.”

 

“Then I await your ideas on the matter,” Kouga intoned.

 

“I present to you my Sailor Senshi: Ami Mizuno - Sailor Mercury, Rei Hino - Sailor Mars, Makoto Kino - Sailor Jupiter, Minako Aino - Sailor Venus, Haruka Ten'ou - Sailor Uranus, Michiru Kaioh - Sailor Neptune, Hotaru Tomoe - Sailor Saturn, and last but not least Setsuna Meioh - Sailor Pluto.”

 

“I've seen a few of you before, but it is an honor to finally be introduced properly,” Kouga intoned as he half bowed.

 

The Senshi in turn returned his greeting. Which made Serenity smile.

 

“I'm glad you're all getting along so well. Here is my ruling. Kouga, by royal order, I hereby decree, that you will be engaged to my Senshi until such a time as you find one that you deem suitable to be your mate.”

 

There was a stunned silence in the study for a moment. Then everything started at once.

 

“You can't be serious!” a few called out.

 

“I like this idea,” stated Minako

 

“I must check the gates of time to see how this effects things,” stated the Time Senshi.

 

“This is the most ridiculous thing I've ever…,” Haruka started only to be cut off with….

 

“I accept you terms!” Kouga said above the din.

 

“What?!” came eight voices.

 

“Wonderful!” Serenity exclaimed. “You may start the courting as soon as you like!”

 

 

They were two failed Slayers. Expelled by Sango from their order for taking bribes of wealth from demons in exchange for sparing them. They dwelt in the lowliest part of Crystal Tokyo, nearest to the wharf district. However today it seemed would be their lucky day.

 

“And what's was it you wanted us to do for this money?” Riks asked.

 

“Yeah Lord Naranotomoe, what's the deal?” Sakamuto asked.

 

“First off, you'll forget you saw me at all. As for what I need you to do. That's the easiest part. There's a demon in the palace. It's a wolf Youkai, who's trying to take over the city for his own whims. All I wish for you to do, is what a slayer does best, kill him.”

 

“Will do your lordship!” Riks responded as the two left to plan their attack.

 

`Lord Naranotomoe' smiled as his form wavered into that of a man in white baboon furs. “And while you're doing that, I shall begin to build what I need to get the silver crystal.”

 

Naraku's hideous laughter echoed through the slums at that thought.

 

TBC