InuYasha Fan Fiction / Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ Cry of the Wolf ❯ Reaction in Action ( Chapter 7 )

Cry of the Wolf

Part seven: Reaction in action

By

Lance the Flamesniper

 

Kagome had been waiting outside while the Senshi and Kouga listened to the queen's order pertaining to the wolf prince's fate. She'd hoped that whatever the queen had in mind would keep Kouga alive. The silence was quickly shattered with the din of voices talking all at once and not at all quietly. Over all of it she'd heard Kouga's acceptance of whatever the queen had pronounced. Clearly whatever the queen had declared had not been what many of them were expecting. Finally the suspense was too much and Kagome slipped into the room.

 

What she saw was almost too humorous to describe. Ami, Rei and Setsuna and Michiru had kept their faces schooled, but their eyes spoke of amusement, confusion and curiosity. Hotaru seemed somewhat confused. Makoto was clearly surprised but not unhappy while Minako was openly leering. Haruka however looked livid.

 

“With all due respect your majesty. You can't be serious!” The sky Senshi ranted.

 

“Ah, but I am serious,” the queen replied.

 

“You mean to tell me you expect one of us to marry…. that!” Haruka emphasized pointing at the wolf prince.

 

“I don't know,” Michiru purred teasingly. “He is kind of cute. If a bit scrawny.”

 

“Michi!” Haruka whined.

 

Kouga smirked as his ego rose to the challenge. “I may not look like much, but wolves are endurance champs. I can handle anything anyone throws at me.”

 

“Hmmm, interesting,” Ami responded. “I'd like to run some tests on you.”

 

“I think this is a bad idea,” Haruka responded.

 

“I disagree there,” Rei countered. “He's an ally now so we should try to get to know him better. Besides it's not like she's ordering us to sleep with him.” At least I hope that's not part of the order. I've read the stories; I know what demons do to pretty young mikos. She added mentally.

 

“I do!” Minako stated making it clear she'd not heard anything past the order, her gaze having not left Kouga's.

 

“Minako-chan, it's not nice to stare,” Makoto chided causing the Senshi of love to look away.

 

Kouga for his part had noticed the way Minako was looking at him and slowly edged away. His instincts told him to stay away from that one.

 

“Rei is correct. You will not be required to do anything you do not wish to,” Serenity replied.

 

“What I am curious about is the reason why he agreed to your terms, your highness,” Hotaru stated softly.

 

“Yeah! What about it wolf?” Haruka snarled as she turned to face Kouga. “Hey! Where'd he go?”

 

All eight Senshi looked around having not noticed the wolf youkai's escape. Kagome meanwhile smiled to herself. Oh yes, if this will be anything, dull won't be it.

 

“Perhaps you should look for him,” The queen suggested as she shared in Kagome's amusement.

 

They didn't need to be asked twice.

 

 

Kouga smirked to himself as he perched on the balcony he'd found. The tension in the study had started to get to him as had the high beam stare of the blonde haired Senshi. He didn't like being looked at like he was grade “A” beefsteak. Idly he wondered if she were part kitsune.

 

As Kouga looked over the city he wondered idly what his fate would be. He also knew that the Senshi would want to know why he agreed so readily. But would they really believe him? He supposed he'd have to wait for one to find him to find out.

 

 

Setsuna Meioh was a practical person. As such she did things in a practical way. That being said she opted to look at the Gates of Time to see what the future held for the wayward wolf. After all, this was an important event that would shape the future of not only Crystal Tokyo, but the world and in the long run, any colonization of the planets.

 

What she found was a future in flux. Before Kouga was many paths, but that she'd already knew. Some paths were unlikely and one would end with Kouga's extinction. Carefully, Setsuna eliminated the one path he'd already refused and began to search out the paths he could still take.

 

 

For Minako Aino life hasn't always been great. As the Senshi of Love she'd enjoyed a life without romance. Relationships avoided her. To her it seemed like a cruel irony.

 

But now, things could change. If she played her cards right she could get the handsome wolf with the cute ears. Granted she was one of eight potential suitors, but that was okay. It merely made this more of a challenge.

 

Now all I have to do is find him. Not to worry though. Minako Aino, Champion of Love and Justice is on the bag! She thought as she searched the floor for Kouga.

 

 

Rei Hino for her part didn't want to find Kouga, at least not alone. She'd heard the stories from her grandfather about the lecherous ways of demons. He'd warned her that they would have no qualms about using a woman to soothe their lustful appetites then leaving them to deal with the consequences, provided they didn't just kill them outright.

 

The only problem with that theory was that she'd also spoken to Miroku, from out of arm's reach. He told her that not all demons were lecherous sex fiends. He'd spoken of some demons who were loyal and honorable and how not all demons were evil, just as not all humans were good. He'd also tried to get close enough to grope her seventeen times.

 

Her thoughts turned back to the subject of her search. Her psychic abilities told her he wasn't evil. They'd told her he could be mischievous and that he was powerful. He is a taiyoukai, something several degrees higher than a normal demon and even more so than a youma. Still, her instincts told her he was not a danger to her or her friends. And she'd trust her instincts long before she would distrust them.

 

 

Hotaru Tomoe didn't know what to make of the situation. On one hand, the senshi had a new ally, which was good. On another the ally was a youkai, which she wasn't sure about. Another thing she wasn't sure about was this whole `engagement' thing. Being married might be nice, but she wasn't sure he'd be her choice to wed.

 

But friendship? That was something she'd definitely offer him.

 

 

For Michiru Kaioh, this was an almost humorous twist of fate. She and her lover had gone out to slay a youkai. Now, he was not only a royal guest, but also her fiancé. Granted she was one of eight fiancées but it was still almost inelegant.

 

Admittedly, she had been honest with her assessment of the wolf. He was cute, as well as scrawny. And if his boasting were to be believed, he would be a handful to handle. She did not wish to leave Haruka, but she did keep plan to keep her mind open.

 

 

Haruka Ten'ou for her part was both angry and nervous. Angry because she'd been pushed into an engagement with, of all things, a male wolf demon. Angry because he agreed to go through with it. Most of all she was angry because she simply couldn't even think of an easy way out of it.

 

The nervousness came from the fact that she and Kouga were alike. She would never admit that, even under threat of torture. She could easily see him as a friend, maybe even an equal. And through friendship and equality, she could easily lose herself or her Michi to him. She shook her head. Lose her self to him? What the hell was she thinking!?

 

Her best bet would be to befriend the wolf then nudge him toward a more willing partner. Why didn't I think of that sooner? Haruka mentally screamed at herself.

 

 

Kagome smiled to herself as she watched the Senshi spread out and look for Kouga. She had a pretty good idea of where her lupine friend would likely have gone. After all Kouga always did like heights, so he was most likely to be found several floors up on one of the balconies.

 

She could tell the Senshi. Even tell just one of them. But to do so would cause them to think she was playing favorites. That would cause friction that Naraku would gladly use to his advantage in whatever plan he was concocting.

 

The miko watched the Senshi as they began their search, taking note of them all. In her mind she was already trying to figure out which one would get Kouga's attention, heart, and love. Would it be the shy intellectual Ami? The passionate yet hot tempered Rei? Would he go for the nurturing yet tough Makoto or choose the lonely yet upbeat Minako? Would he defy the odds and coax Michiru away from Haruka? Or would it be Michiru who loses out? Maybe it would be the silent yet sweet Hotaru or the mysterious and exotic Setsuna?

 

All of them would have traits that appeal to the wolven noble. She knew that. But which it would be eluded her.

 

 

Ami Mizuno for her part went to her lab. She doubted Kouga would have gone there, but that wasn't why she went there. She had gone there to pick up an autoscanner. All she'd have to do is key it to pick up any non-human biorhythms and she'd find the wolf easily.

 

Part of her mind thought it was cheating. But another part of it counter argued that this was a chance to study something truly amazing as well as possibly getting a boyfriend.

 

She paused to think that argument through. She had to admit the idea had appeal. Even if she failed it would be only fair to try. Worst-case scenario she gets a new friend and one of her friends gets a cute wolf demon husband. Best-case scenario, she gets the cute wolf and her friends get a demonic friend. It was a win-win situation.

 

 

Makoto watched the others spread out for the wolf hunt. They were starting on their current floor and going down. They were working with the assumptions that: a. the wolf was going to go into the living quarters and b. that he wasn't nearly as quick as he actually was. She didn't have that delusion; she'd seen him in practicing his fighting style. He'd do something the others weren't expecting. They were thinking down so he'd have gone…up? All she needed was a way to confirm her suspicions.

 

Glancing around the room she spotted Kagome. She'd been watching the Senshi with a semi-amused smirk on her lips. Knowing that the miko was a friend of Kouga, but not wanting to know how, meant that Kagome would know how the wolf-prince thought.

 

When Kagome caught Makoto looking at her, the lightning Senshi smiled slightly and pointed one finger toward the ceiling in an unspoken question. Kagome's smirk blossomed into a full-fledged smile as she gave a slight nod. That was all Makoto had needed to know as she took off for the stairwell.

 

“I was almost sure you had decided not to get involved,” Serenity stated with mischief playing at her lips and eyes.

 

“I'm not involved. She asked for a hint,” Kagome defended in a half laugh.

 

 

In the afterlife Ayame looked into one of the Moon Queen's reflection pools. She'd never seen the Senshi before and this was now the only way she could unless she visited them in their dreams. At the moment she didn't want to do that.

 

Given a choice, she'd rather have not died, but she didn't have a choice in that. So for now, if Kouga were to live, she'd have to pray that one of the Senshi would be able to heal his shattered heart.

 

“Have any of them struck a cord with you?” Serenity the Elder asked.

 

“Perhaps,” Ayame answered. “But I'm not the only one watching.”

 

“True,” the moon Dowager replied. “Benjira likes Minako because she's energetic in her pursuit. Kawa prefers Ami because she feels that Ami's the only one who could match the deep thinking side to Kouga. Ginta voted for Rei and Hakkaku is too busy eating to notice.”

 

Ayame snickered. “That sounds like Hakkaku all right. Actually, it shouldn't surprise you to know that I have a vague idea as to who my mate might end up favoring.”

 

“Oh?”

 

“Yes,” Ayame said then whispered her answer in Serenity's ear.

 

Serenity smiled then let out a polite chuckle. “Yes, I can see them easily as a couple.”

 

“So can I. I just hope Kouga can see it as well,” Ayame sighed.

 

 

 

Makoto found Kouga almost exactly where she expected him. He kept his back to the entrance way as he watched the sun slowly set. The light played off his armor making him seem like he was glowing as the sun painted his white furs in bronze-gold. The effect was breath taking.

 

Kouga for his part smiled at the scent of orchids that wafted onto the floor as she approached. Of all the Senshi he was glad she'd found him. The others seemed afraid or confused about him and that blonde one…he'd rather not think about her. He tapped the ledge next to him gently.

 

“Come join me, Makoto wasn't it?”

 

“Yes. How did you…?”

 

“Your scent gave you away.”

 

“My scent?”

 

“Yes,” Kouga sighed. “You smell like wild orchids. It's a very pleasant scent. Almost as pleasant as moonflowers.”

 

“I see,” Makoto responded as she sat down. “I was kinda hoping I'd be the first to find you. I've wanted to talk to you since this morning.”

 

“Really? Was I that impressive in my kata?” Kouga asked with an amused smirk.

 

“You impressed Small Lady. But you also impressed me. I've studied Karate and judo. Your style isn't like either of those.”

 

“It is and it isn't. My style is exactly what its name implies. Whatever works. In and of itself it is nothing more that a mix and match of every martial art I've encountered in my life.”

 

“But why would such a style come into existence?” Makoto asked.

 

“My people were warriors. Thanks to one of our leaders, the taiyoukai before I took over, we were engaged in a border war with the Inu Youkai. Because he was so fixated on claiming the Western lands to add to his own, my pack and I were constantly having to stop groups from invading and taking territory from the Great Pack. It was during this time, in the heart of those battles that the Ikani Sagyouba style was forged. It's the first and only tenet is to do whatever works to survive.”

 

“Could you train me?” Makoto asked. “I want to be able to do what you do.”

 

“I would gladly train you, Small Lady and even Haruka to fight like this if all of you asked me to.”

 

“Kouga, why did you agree to this plan?”

 

He was silent for a moment, allowing his thoughts to gather. “Because it beats being alone. Wolves can live by themselves but they become lonely and eventually will die without companionship. With this agreement, even if it turns out that each one of you aren't compatible with me it allows me to live on for one more day. With everything I can teach, I can live on a little longer.”

 

“And if you find one of us that you like and likes you enough to marry?”

 

“I'll cross that bridge when I get to it. I can't afford to think too far ahead.”

 

“Going back to something you said earlier, what exactly is a taiyoukai? I heard Rei call you that and she seemed to be almost afraid of what that meant.”

 

“Taiyoukai is the title of a demon lord. It means that I possess great amounts of power. It also means that other demons will either respect me, or try to kill me to gain my rank. There are only four Taiyoukai at any time. And the titles aren't normally inherited.”

 

“Then how did you gain it?”

 

“My father was Taiyoukai of the North but the power drove him mad. He despised me because I wasn't as bloodthirsty as he was and eventually challenged me to a duel to the death. I did not want to kill my father. I did not want to be the Taiyoukai. All I'd wanted was this cute priestess I'd met.”

 

“And how long ago was this?” Makoto asked in spite of her self.

 

“During the warring states era of Japan,” Kouga asked and tried not to laugh at the look of disbelief on her face.

 

“You're kidding aren't you? You only look about twenty!”

 

“Nope I'm well over two thousand years old. But then again a demon will live as long as it wishes to or until someone kills it. That's not to say we can't die. A good many of my pack died in the bitter, soul eating cold of the great freeze. Including some of my cubs.”

 

“You had children?” sniffled Makoto.

 

“Five of them. Ayame was a good mother and I did what I could to be a good father.”

 

“I bet they turned out fine then,” Makoto sighed as the moon started to rise.

 

“They're all with the Mistress now. Someday maybe I'll go to them as well.”

 

“The Mistress? Is she some kind of goddess?”

 

Kouga smiled as he gestured out over the city. “You should know you serve one of her line. The Mistress is right there.”

 

“The moon?” Makoto asked. It made sense considering how wolves howled at the moon. It also reminded her of something. “That reminds me Haruka told me you accused her and Michiru of being demons.”

 

“Yes. Their scents and to an extent yours doesn't smell quite like that of a human. It confuses my nose.”

 

“I wonder why that is?”

 

“I don't know,” Kouga responded wondering idly why he felt so comfortable. “Thank you.”

 

“For what?”

 

“For listening. For caring. For opening your mind to what I had to say,” Kouga replied as he got to his feet. “We should probably head back inside though.”

 

Makoto nodded as she got to her feet. She smiled inwardly as they left the balcony. Maybe I should put a little effort into this order; after all he seems nicer than my old boyfriend. Oh get a grip Mako-chan! Your old boyfriend's been out of your life for a very long time.

 

With that thought in mind she walked back to the meeting room slowly.

 

 

Ami blinked at the autoscanner's readings then ran them again. The results couldn't be right. A few moments later the machine completed its scan.

 

“That can't be right,” she mumbled. “There can't be five demons in the city. Unless of course four were here before the spirit barrier was erected.”

 

The senshi of ice shook her head. It was impossible, but then again supposedly so was having your soul stolen by a youma until you actually have seen it done. Maybe she should ask Kouga about it when she found him. According to the scanner, which was set for citywide scanning, the nearest demon essence was outside the throne room standing perfectly still.

 

With that in mind she set out determined to find Kouga.

 

 

“So what was she like?” Makoto asked as they walked.

 

“She could be witty. She was tough when she needed to be and gentle when that was called for. She was also passionate in her pursuit of me, which I found tedious at first, but eventually I did realize she cared. Honestly, she was the best thing to happen to me,” Kouga replied.

 

“Was she beautiful?”

 

“Oh yes! Lovely. She had vibrant red hair and eyes just a sparkling and bright as yours. Just a few shades lighter than your eye color actually. She always tried her hardest to balance being a warrior and a woman too.”

 

Makoto blushed at the comparison and the fact that the female wolf had had the same problem with trying to be a woman and a warrior as well. “Sounds like she was something special.”

 

“Oh she was,” Kouga replied then stopped placing on arm out in front of the lightning Senshi. “Something's not right in this hall.”

 

What he didn't tell her was he was picking up four scents. One was familiar, the rich scent of lotus blossoms. The other three reeked of filth, fish and saltwater.

 

Looks like things are going to get interesting, Thought Kouga.

 

 

Unknown to Kouga, that thought was the exact one going through Setsuna's mind as well. If what she'd seen at the gates was any indication, Kouga's presence would bring chaos, mischief, trouble and passion to whomever he chose as a mate and to the Senshi in general.

 

A smirk played at Setsuna's lips as she recalled some of the images she'd seen on her trek. While she had no interest in the wolf as a potential husband, or mate as it were, she would enjoy going out a few times and watching the fireworks when one of the others finally caught him.

 

The chase was on.