InuYasha Fan Fiction / Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ The Intertwined ❯ Kanaye ( Chapter 12 )

Disclaimer: All characters are products of Rumiko Takahashi, and Togashi Yoshihiro's minds, not mine.

 

 

 

A/N: *hangs head in shame* …Sorry. I know I took far to stinkin' long. So many things hit me in real life all at once, not the least of which was a death in the family. So I can only say it shouldn't take this long next time to update. For what it's worth, I do have a lot of new drawings on my deviant art page!

 

Now, another reason it took so long: Not a single thing in this chapter was easy to write out. Every word tripped over every other word, time and again. See, this new wolf just refused to act as I meant for him to, so I had trouble keeping him in line. *sigh* Still… I feel horrible for making you all wait for…uh…how long has it been? Anyway, I'm going to press on and beg you humbly for your patient forgiveness. One thing, though: In the line of the story, I have unavoidably contradicted myself from the first chapter. It had to do with the line stating that they weren't fertile, so I went back and changed it. It's really a minor detail, but I hadn't realized I'd diverged too far from that…it's simply easier to change the one thing than repair all of the timing in the other chapters. Just letting you know.

 

On a final note, I wanted to congratulate all of the nominations for the fiction and art awards at the Feudal Association. Then I need to thank whoever nominated my story, and two of my drawings, as well! I am so floored. (♥♥♥â™ 5;) A hugebig congrats to all of the winners!!

 

 

The Intertwined

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 12

 

 

Ayame peered around her mate's shoulder as they all anticipated the less than welcome company. She knew just how pathetic she must look trembling as she was, but if there was one person in this world that truly bothered her it was this one. Sure the Birds of Paradise had scared her as a child...and that evil hanyou was always out to get them; creepy for sure. But this was somewhat different for her...this demon seemed to have a personal card against her since she'd turned him down some years ago, and he nearly killed her once. Indirect accident of course, but it was the principal of the thing. Kanaye was no better in terms of personality either; he was a rudely arrogant heir, only recently taking over his tribe after that stupid famine.

 

Scanning about her, Ayame tried straightening her countenance to stand more solidly with the others, but as the three silver haired males of the large group took point positions, Kouga grasped Ayame back to his side with a startled yelp.

 

Miroku stepped over to the pair as he prepared his shakujou to be used at a moment's beat, “Kouga? Tell me; are these of the very same tribe from the famine of two years ago?” he asked their friend gently. The Eastern Alpha from the North nodded in answer as the intruders made an inordinate amount of noise while coming into view, forming a small gang across the clearing.

 

The man in front, clearly the spokesman, stepped forward with a toss of his curly blonde hair, “Why, would you look at that fellas…hella charmin' group, eh? Complete with human pets and cooks,” he said to his posse, surveying the strange assortment before them and shortly catching sight of a Western Demon Lord looking very put out. At the sight of the steely face, the dirty blonde's cocky air warped all but a moment before he quickly slapped a faux pleasance to his face, “And the mighty Lord of the West, even!” he sauntered over, pointedly ignoring the growls coming from roughly five or so throats of the various canine demons present, “…an honor, Noble,” he didn't bow.

 

Kagome raised a disbelieving eyebrow at the upstart; there was no person present -- including Rin -- who couldn't detect sarcasm when it was so blatantly dished. Either Kanaye wasn't exactly the smartest card among his proverbial deck, or he had sure confidence in his power (or means of escape…) to say such a thing to one of Sesshomaru's stature and reputation. His infraction those two years ago against Ayame suggested the former.

 

In a scant minute - if that, he had insulted at least the entire pack assembled in the clearing. Kagome wondered confusedly on the youkai's intelligence as she held her spot with Shippo behind the Eastern wolves. He didn't give off much power or malice from what she could sense, and he had no shards on him. What in heck was keeping him in the Alpha position of his region with that attitude?! It was much the same as Kouga used to act, but even he had evened out some after mating. Hell, at the very least, he could maintain respect toward fellow Lords bordering his territory when necessary. This guy didn't even seem to know how…that, or he was too cocky to care.

 

Sesshomaru merely stood in place with his narrow eyes seemingly scanning the trees, showing no sign that he'd heard the poorly executed insult toward his station. He could have rolled his eyes. Maybe he would have gotten angry rather than pity the pup if the offense had been handled correctly. Really; the fool could barely handle the position that had been handed to him by his equally idiotic people on a good day, but he couldn't even fire off a good insult. The other Mountain alpha had been far too generous when dealing with Kanaye while retrieving his mate two winters past.

 

Stepping nearer to the front line, Sango's voice broke the momentary silence with a very unladylike snort, “Your so-called greeting has been ignored. Tell us your reason for intrusion, and then leave,” she demanded, her hand gripping Hiraikotsu's handle in warning. The stoic taiyoukai pulled his view from the trees over to the slayer as her voice sent Kanaye's attention in her direction. The girl got right down to business…

 

One dirty brown bushy eyebrow angled up as he blatantly studied the human woman now standing near the Western Lord, “Ahh, so you are the one I scented…” he drawled out, as though answering a puzzle. He frowned for a moment before stepping toward her, only to be stopped by Youko.

 

“You will answer the lady, not ogle her,” the pale fox warned when Kanaye still eyed Sango over his shoulder. A frown formed on his tanned face, his nearly black eyes communicating his perplexity over the woman to any that cared to look.

 

“…no, she…wait,” he mumbled to himself. He chucked a quick glance to Youko before he stepped back half a step, realizing just who it was blocking his path to the siren. He finally began noticing the others, clearly scenting the air to separate everyone from the woman. He felt kind of foolish, now; there were some notable beings present…he had been far too intent on learning the source of that unusual scent to properly scout the group before intruding. He hadn't even known Lord Sesshomaru was there until he'd seen him…maybe he was shielding his aura? If not, he'd been seriously spellbound by his nose and that was dangerous. Of course now that he'd found the origin of the disarming scent, he simply had to figure her out, “There's something…missing…about her, yet…not…”

 

Miroku, realizing what the wolf seemed to be sensing, broke off Kanaye's search with a bold step forward, “Well my friend, if you have not the capacity to heed warnings made toward you or yours, much less converse intelligibly, we shall be on our way,” It was as clear a dismissal as any, if he did say so himself.

 

Kanaye snapped out of his trance and frowned at the monk, crossing his leather-braced arms, “And just what is that supposed to mean? I converse just fine!” he sniffed in indignation and then pointed at Sango, who looked as though she was physically straining not to maim the rude youkai, “If you do not feel the superhuman aura in that woman, then it is you who has no capacity!”

 

“Enough,” Sesshomaru's quiet baritone cut through the mounting growls in the air, “The day continues to grow and we have dallied for too long. Kanaye, you will drop the act or cease your company among us,” he shifted his eyes to the youkai standing in front of Youko, communicating his intent to leave the area, “We will be moving on. Stay or don't; it matters not to me. Either way, you will leave the females in this pack alone or suffer the consequences,” he warned, well aware that he was not alone in this threat. Kanaye's behavior always had tried his patience, and the male's piqued interest in Sango was blatantly obvious…that just wouldn't do.

 

The chastised wolf stood in place with his finger still suspended in Sango's general direction for half a second before striking up his cocky air again, crossing his arms in a very Kouga like stance, “Pff…there inlays your problem, dog king,” he winked over Youko's shoulder at the slayer, to which the woman growled back impressively in a warning, “Females just can't control themselves around me,” he bragged, even when the woman in question had already contradicted that theory.

 

Kouga interrupted the unimpressive crowing of the blonde wolf with a snort, sending him glaring into bright baby blues with undisguised hostility. Black eyes narrowed on his adversary, “Not a fault of mine that your woman is too off-kilter to choose the stronger mate, Kouga. She w…”

 

A frustrated scream from a feminine throat very rudely cut him off, alerting him to a person he'd somehow unaccounted for. Searching the clearing, he finally caught sight of a third woman next to a young fox demon, not far from Kouga and Ayame. He realized as he saw the kit that he must have been hiding her from him in an illusion for some reason, but he'd been unable to hold it at his young age. This of course had his mind shooting off questions as to why, but then he noticed the fully identical superhuman aura in this human woman as in the other. He didn't have much time to think on the impossibility of such a thing as the woman continued broadcasting her obvious irritation with impressive clarity.

 

“Stop trying to out-stream each other already!” the girl yelled while gripping a bow, “For all's sake, I'm ready to get moving so we can get back!” The hellcat of a woman suddenly pinned very unusual deep blue eyes onto one decidedly shocked onyx set, “There is plenty more than enough testosterone around already, so you can take your lucky-happy self back to where you came from before I trim the macho level down in a way that I'm hardly comfortable with!” In the heat of her rant, Kagome didn't even swipe at the recognition that the term testosterone was largely unacknowledged in this time, so the only ones really cringing at her incredibly colorful threat were those who'd learned of its meaning directly from her.

 

Still, it did make her feel better.

 

She basked in largely shocked silence, a few smug faces here and there, nodding sharply before gathering her bag and quiver off of the ground. Kagome took a cleansing sigh as she whisked past the center clearing toward Sesshomaru and Sango, clearly agreeing with his intent to head off with hardly a bother toward the newest arrivals.

 

`All of that nervous anticipation of a fight, and this snivel brat is what arrived?!' Kami, she hoped the guy would decide not to follow them. Last thing they needed at this point was a perceptive wolf acting like a young Kouga…

 

 

Once everyone started their way after Sesshomaru, Inuyasha and Miroku fell into step in the back of the group when Kanaye trotted up beside them, “So, where are we headed then?” he suddenly asked, obnoxiously cheerful.

 

Inuyasha glared at him over his shoulder, “You're not coming,” he told the wolf simply, taking note of the fact that the alpha's buddies were no longer around.

 

The curly blonde head shook in answer, “Nuh-uh… Princess Tall and Silver just told me I could,” he countered loudly, uncaring that Sesshomaru could hear the offense just fine from the front of their procession. He'd have thought differently if he'd seen the twitch in the older canine's jaw…

 

“Keh…he said stay or don't. That wasn't permission to follow, weren't you listening?” the annoyed hanyou's head turned back to watch the road while Miroku's shakujou jingled softly next to him, the monk pretending not to be paying attention. The leather clad wolf still marched along next to him, but Inuyasha merely rolled his eyes with another snort, `Arrogant bastard…I give him an hour,'

 

~~~~~~~~~

 

 

“Ugh…I'm so bored,” Gau wailed piteously from his borrowed body while sitting on the steps of the temple they had found for their purposes weeks ago. Naraku had holed himself into the room with that fat tome he'd procured from some unimportant demon months ago.

 

This body wasn't nearly as fun to be in as the woman's was; men didn't go for the short, squat raccoon-dog. He had yet to master the creature's transforming abilities to become something more attractive; the best he could do was turn into a giant cloud…thing. That in itself was odd; once in a body, it is usual child's play to master the host's abilities in no time flat. The only explanation for this sort of…blockage was that the raccoon-dog he'd inhabited was affiliated with someone of holy power and knowledge, but one who did not know of the complete seal to keep Manipulators out. How unfortunate.

 

Gau gave a mental shrug, `Might as well sift through this thing's memories…nothing better to do…'

 

 

~~~~~~~~~

 

 

Once he'd gotten the translation of the sun's position into hours, Kagome's time measurement had proved useful. But if he was right, it would mean it had been roughly three hours since the idiot had begun walking with them. Inuyasha had hoped that the wolf would get bored and run off as Kouga used to do. Instead, the pest hadn't shut up the entire time; creating his own entertainment by constantly asking the sisters' names, how old they were, whether they were claimed…

 

Well… the procession had stopped at this point and Sesshomaru reinforced his earlier order that the women were to be left alone, and that included inquiries, “Such disobedience is grounds for our tolerance of your bothersome presence to end,” he said without turning his head, “I will not repeat my order again.”

 

Kanaye only rolled his eyes, “Alright, whatever…I only tried to keep conversation going; you guys are so boring,” he crossed his arms and nearly stuck his tongue out at the Lord's head.

 

“You behave as a pup already; presenting that appendage will only cause you to loose it,” Sesshomaru stated without missing a beat, seemingly reading the wolf's mind. Glancing to he branches above, the Taiyoukai caught sight of the bandit fox openly snickering at the shocked face the wolf made. He shared his own moment's satisfaction at the wolf's expense in a smirk, smoothly returning his attention to the surrounding brush.

 

The blonde wolf grimaced behind him, but followed along with a mumble, “Tch…grouch.”

 

 

 

It was when they crossed over the borders to the Southern territories that the day finally darkened too much for more travel. And Kanaye still hadn't dropped off a cliff… Sango glowered at the cocky wolf over Kirara's back as the neko had placed herself as a barricade between him and the women. She sat on her legs and petted her friend fondly even while she continued glaring, unaware that Kagome was unconsciously doing the same from beside her.

 

The slayer had been delighted when her companion had returned to her side during the early evening that day; mere hours ago…it was made all the sweeter when it had shocked Kanaye out of his wits. Naturally, nobody had warned him of the two-tail's acquaintance with the pack, and he'd been rightly flabbergasted when Sango ran headlong toward her, promptly burying her face in the flaxen fur. No one knew where she'd gone, but they weren't going to openly debate on the possibilities with the new ears among them, so they let it be for the time being.

 

 

 

The cat had yet to transform to the smaller form, and Kanaye suspected it had something to do with his presence. `Still can't make me leave,' he tried encouraging himself. Not only had he found the source of that hypnotizing aura, there were two of them!! Oh, what wonders two females of their caliber would bring to his pack! They may be humans, but even that was debatable if you asked him.

 

Of course, this time he would know better than to present them to the others of his pack until they were properly claimed and pupped...even if there was no famine now. It hadn't really been his fault two winters ago when the hunger-deranged males of his pack had resorted to primal urges and somehow succeeded in stealing Ayame from him. It had been a huge violation on their part, but food had been scarce and they admittedly hadn't been thinking right. Hell, he hadn't either, if he were being honest with himself. Thankfully the late winter melt in their region had helped to restore the food supply, but the damage had been done by then. His pack's numbers had been severely cut back--though he'd done his best to keep them fed--and he was still without a mate to strengthen them again.

 

He'd be sure that these two were practically begging to go along with him, `Despite their current company…'

 

Kanaye shook his head and nearly chuckled at himself. Who was he kidding? They already had Sesshomaru, Taiyoukai of the Western Lands, Youko the famously desirable bandit, and the Taiyoukai's admittedly powerful half-brother. Not to mention that frightening monk with the void…ugh. Add in the Eastern wolves, and he was outnumbered. It was an incredibly unusual pack, but a very powerful one to be sure. Best he could really try to do with any measure of success was ally himself with them somehow.

 

Stealing a wistful glance toward the Wall of Cat hiding the women, he sighed in defeat. He figured the first thing he would need to do was atone for nearly getting Ayame killed, and then he would have to prove himself harmless to the gorgeous pair of sisters. That would certainly be a challenge since he more or less wished he could simply run off with both of them… NO! …Can't be thinking like that. If they become allied, the sisters will more or less become sisters to him, right? Yeah, best to think of it that way…

 

 

On the other side of Kirara, Sango turned away from visually threatening the new wolf when she felt Kagome's hand on her arm, “You know he can't help it, Sango,” Kagome said gently, quiet so not to be overheard, “Kouga wasn't much different when we first met him, don't you remember?”

 

Scooting from her position to sit on the ground, Sango sighed grudgingly, “Yeah, that doesn't mean I want to go through it again. He was looking at me funny,” she looked at Kagome with a raised brow, “Is that the way it was for you with Kouga?” Sango rolled a hand in the air, “The looks, I mean. Miroku's looked at me that way before, but for him it was different…not creepy,” she clarified.

 

Kagome scoffed and batted her hand, “Well, sure it's different when you love `em,” she whispered with a blush and continued, “I mean…we don't even know the guy!”

 

Sango sat like a deer in headlights, “L…love?!” she squeaked and leaned in, “Surely you aren't saying…” she cut herself off when Kagome bit her lip and lifted her eyes to the hanyou perching high in the tree above them.

 

Tucking some of her hair behind her ear, Kagome seemed to be considering something, “Why don't we take a bath...if we can,” she suggested, “We haven't had a real one in some time, right?” She knew that no one would mistake the obvious escape for a private talk between the two connected women, but if they didn't like it, it was just too bad. The question was whether or not they would be able to do so in the cold. There was still snow on the ground.

 

Sango agreed with her friend's suggestion with a perceptive smile, “Right.”

 

Kagome nodded, “Let me ask if there are any hot springs in the area. If not, we'll just take a walk or something,” she flapped her hand in the air before turning to look straight at Kirara's hide with her lips pursed. Sitting up and peering over Kirara, she found herself looking straight into a pair of narrowed golden eyes.

 

“You know you aren't going anywhere alone,” the owner of said eyes purred out, “There are springs just past the next clearing to our left, but someone will go with you,” Kagome hadn't seen Youko this serious since he demanded to know more about their involvement with Naraku. Even so, one would have to be blind not to see the indecent visuals passing behind his eyes.

 

She laughed nervously and scratched her temple, “Oh I know; we'll take Ayame with us…or Kirara, `kay?”

 

He narrowed his eyes some more and cocked his head, “I don't think you get my point dearest, so I'll be blunt; you both smell absolutely exceptional to males at this point, so you are taking one of us with you to the springs to stand watch.” Kagome's eyes rounded and her cheeks flushed, but he'd had to do it. Yeah, he could have told them that there weren't any springs nearby, but it seemed to be a “thing” with them; a sort of bonding ritual or something. Things would be more difficult if they'd taken a walk only to stumble across the spring in question. Divergence away from the spring would have just been suspicious; they were far too perceptive for their own good.

 

Kagome bit her lip again, “Oh.”

 

“If Ayame's goin', I have to go to watch over her, anyway. I can do it,” Kouga chimed in helpfully while Ayame glowered at him for making her sound like a chore.

 

Inuyasha's voice drifted down from the trees, “Hell no; you two would get into it, and then they'd be without a guard,” Ayame switched her glower to the hanyou's general area. It was unclear whether she was mad at the insinuation that she would drop her duty like that, or the insinuation that Kouga would be getting some any time soon. Dropping from the trees and again landing like a cat, he pinned Youko with a finger toward the face, “You aren't allowed to go because you're a lecher…and neither is Miroku.”

 

“What'd I do?! I am but a humble servant…”

 

“Can it, monk,” this came from Ayame.

 

“I'm going,” Inuyasha flatly stated, “I've been the one to keep guard before, so I'll do it now,” he thumbed his chest.

 

Sesshomaru regally stood and approached to set his brother straight, “Do not think for a moment that they will be allowed to bathe with less than one guard each,” he pompously stated to the women's horror, “I will allow you to aid by guarding your miko, Inuyasha. This Sesshomaru will guard for the slayer.” Kohaku's head popped up from his place where he sat by Rin, an odd little smile on his face at the order.

 

“What?! You'll allow me? What the hell is that supposed to mean?” Inuyasha bristled when Sesshomaru had easily turned the orders around to be his own.

 

Sesshomaru ignored his brother's rant and simply gave the bathers a look that clearly meant “hurry up”, and then slowly walked off in the direction of the tree line toward the spring. Inuyasha stuffed his arms into his sleeves and mumbled under his breath about stuffed Lords and pissing contests while a flurry of shuffling came from the women.

 

After gathering what they needed, the two eagerly passed by him to follow the path Sesshomaru had taken. Inuyasha followed into the distance with what could only be described as a scowl-pout, and the others in the camp settled back in their respective places.

 

“Hey, where we goin' anyway?” Kanaye asked suddenly, realizing pointedly that he really had no clue. He predictably received a few glares at his question, but he maintained that it was a safe enough question so he elaborated truthfully, “I mean...you know, I just realized that I'm more or less following you guys blindly, so…” he trailed off.

 

“You don't need to be following at all, brat. That's your own fault,” Kouga grumbled, not at all intimidated by the glare he received.

 

“Well I am. Don't go all defensive, I was only wondering,” he groused petulantly. This `gaining allies' plan was probably going to take some time.

 

An agonized sigh came from another throat, somewhat closer to him, “We are going to a village in Musashi to meet with an acquaintance, and that is all you will be told,” Youko provided the half-answer to the Western wolf. The fox was reclined against the visible side of the cat next to the kit as he petted the child's hair. His head was leaning back on the cat giving him an air of relaxation, but a look at his lustrous eyes still boring into him gave one pause to think otherwise. It unnerved him; that guy could be downright spooky.

 

Kanaye returned back to staring into the fire with a nonchalant shrug, certain that the fox knew of his apprehension. The slightly wicked satisfaction in his eye said as much… Still, preservation won out and he resisted his natural impulse to growl back at him for the intimidation tactics; they were working rather well.

 

Musashi…that was some ways away and it would have taken about another day to reach if that…Neko had not arrived earlier. Kanaye nearly growled again, somehow not shooting the female another evil glare, `Stupid cat.' He could swear that demon had been laughing at him all night. Nevermind that it continued to stay in its transformed state with him there…what an insult.

 

Not that I'd been any better when I showed up, his mind added helpfully. Sighing and laying back, Kanaye settled in for a long night of being watched by a creepy set of golden eyes (plus more, he was sure) while he pretended to sleep.

 

 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

 

A/N: Wow, it took that long, and I still didn't get everything I wanted in there. Not only that, but I'm sure the end doesn't sound as clean as it should. *pout* Now, since it's been so long from the last update, I apologize in advance if I missed your review. Just know I supremely appreciate and loooove the feedback:

 

Resilience--Thank you for pointing that out!! I hadn't even thought about it because I haven't needed to do it before. Ooh, there are so many possibilities that even I have trouble imagining them all…

Elemental_Dea--Hee hee! Mystery is good so long as I can update often enough for it to stay intriguing, ne?

Yue no Rei--♥ I only hope I put enough quality in this one to make up for quantity. And hey; gotta give our main ladies some boost, right?

madmiko--*giggle* I'd say Inuyasha was both enthralled and scared wet by Kagome's jacked up arrow. Of course, he was somehow gentlemanly enough to ignore his view from the ground…Kagome didn't get mad at the reminder just because she felt bad for the `sit'. Yeah it was insensitive, but Kagome's more or less used to his off-kilter way of saying things and forgiveness is just who she is, right? I don't know, I think I just put it like that so the story would flow in the direction I wanted it to. And I'm glad you can see the development of Sess and Sango's possible attraction; I think I challenged myself a bit too much there, but I'm plugging on! ^_^

knjj727--Thanks! Sooooo sorry I didn't heed that request! I cross my fingers on the next one.

kookookitty--Ahhh! I know I took longer (much longer) this time, but worry not! I will finish.

Crazy_cracker_jacks--Oooh, you're the first to bring that up! We shall see… Glad you're enjoying!

cowgirlkitten2000--Muahahaha!! Okay, so I didn't mean to leave you hanging for so long, but I didn't cliffie you this time! (We won't see a three month spread between updates this time, though)

Diane--Oh my! *hug* Thank you for sticking around and helping to motivate me!