InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Batsu ❯ The Truth Comes Out ( Chapter 6 )

Gekido watched his tribe from his perch atop the cliff side, watched as AoiAme started fussing over the half-demon. He was feeling sick, Gekido knew, could tell by the boy's facial expressions.

 

`It's starting,' he sighed. `That poor boy . . . he doesn't even know what he's in for . . . I just hope he has the strength to do what needs to be done when the time comes.'

 

When Kouga had informed the Council members of Inuyasha's innocence in the slaying of their tribesmen and of what he had done to the hanyou, Gekido had cringed. From his own personal experience, he knew that inuyoukai were strong and proud creatures, and they weren't easy to break. Like wolf youkai, an inuyoukai was fiercely loyal to his kin, even if it seemed like he wanted to kill that member. He'd had the misfortune of running into an inuyoukai when his human mate had been pregnant for a hanyou pup. The male's son had also been with him. Both nearly shredded him when he'd scoffed at them for allowing a hanyou to live, and they didn't have to put much effort into their attacks, either. Later, he'd learned that the inuyoukai he'd come across were not normal inuyoukai. They were also taiyoukai, Lord over the Western Lands and his oldest son, and Gekido counted his lucky stars he'd survived the encounter.

 

`Wonder what ever happened to that pup,' he wondered idly, watching as AoiAme finally ushered Inuyasha back to her cave, his mind still on the decision the Council had come to.

 

After hearing the account of what had happened, they'd convened on the matter in private. Nearly all of them wanted to have the hanyou killed, in spite of his innocence in the matter. If he lived, they reasoned, then the wolf tribe's shame would be known. They all liked Kouga and would do anything to protect his honour. Therefore, the hanyou had to be executed. It would be the only thing to keep the tribe's honour intact. Gekido, however, had fought against it, stating that killing the boy wouldn't alleviate Kouga's guilt on the matter, that, no matter how hard they tried, the taint would still be there. Kouga, he had stated, had already started to take responsibility for his actions. Bringing the hanyou to their den had been the first step. Telling them the truth had been the next. He pointed out that their leader would not allow the hanyou to be executed for no reason at all. Then AoiAme came in with the news of the hanyou's pregnancy. That had changed everything. Being among the oldest of the wolf youkai, all knew what it meant. The mating process had already begun, the only way Kouga could make things right with the hanyou. If they wanted to stop it, the pup had to die. That had been when Gekido had made his suggestion, to have Kouga “mate” with Ayame. That had been the only way he could think of to test Kouga's instincts.

 

`My gamble paid off,' he thought. `By the time the full moon comes, he'll be mated with the hanyou . . . and the tears of blood will cease. That's all we can ask for.'

 

* * *

 

Kagome stared at Kouga, her hands clenching and unclenching, rage coming off her in waves. He'd just told them everything that had transpired between he and Inuyasha, from the moment he'd arrived to the imitation castle to his arrival back to the caves with the hanyou, and AoiAme's news of Inuyasha's pregnancy. She wanted to rip his eyes out for everything he'd done yet she remained calm, impassive even. With some small amount of satisfaction, Kagome noted that Kouga stayed away from and had made no references to her being his woman. Though he met her gaze head on, he didn't touch her and made no move towards her.

 

In a couple of ways, she wished he would. Why, she couldn't really guess. Some part of her had enjoyed the attentions he lavished on her. It had been more than what Inuyasha had ever done for her . . . except for that time when he'd tried to kiss her but then that had been different. Inuyasha had been looking at Kikyou. Not her. When Kouga made his declarations, he wasn't looking at some dead and previous girlfriend, he was looking at her. But another part of her wanted him to say something, anything about his so-called claim on her simply so she could rip him to shreds.

 

He didn't, however. Instead, he just met her hard stare, his own eyes towards her cool. Finally, she couldn't take it anymore. She had to say something.

 

“You have some nerve, Kouga, telling me I need to be mindful of my actions when you've hurt him worse than what I ever could,” Kagome hissed quietly. He raised an eyebrow at her.

 

“Really? I'm not the one who's claiming to have been worried sick about him then sitting him the instant he's in my sight,” he retorted back. “You didn't look worried to me. You looked pissed. You didn't even bother to find out why he was here, you just assumed and acted upon that assumption. Then, when you're told you're wrong to have acted in such a fashion, you still try to fight against it, thinking you're still in the right.”

 

“I didn't do what you did to him! I didn't . . .”

 

“Didn't what? Make an assumption then act upon it? Tell me, what indications did you have that Inuyasha was here to fight me? Huh?” Kouga's eyes flashed as he advanced upon her. “I saw him standing against that rock wall, Kagome, when you sat him. Standing, not fighting. When I came across him, he was surrounded by the bodies of my kin. Surrounded by them and covered in their blood. Even if I was wrong, I at least had something to support my attacking him!” Then he stopped, looking away and taking a deep breath. “I could have left him there to die . . . but I didn't. I'm trying to correct the horrible mistake that I've made . . . can you say the same thing, Kagome?”

 

Without another word and not waiting for her to reply back, Kouga turned away and headed for the cave's entrance. Kagome blinked then scowled. No way was she going to let him walk away from her. Not like this.

 

“Kouga . . .”

 

“I've said everything I've needed to say . . . if you wish to see Inuyasha then I suggest you think very carefully about what you've done to him, Kagome, and get your anger under control. Because I will rip you apart if you sit him like that ever again.”

 

“That's a mighty fine change in attitude you have,” she spat, trying to keep her panic under control and her knees from giving out. Unlike Inuyasha, she had no control over the wolf youkai. She only had Sango and Miroku here to protect her, and she knew she'd be dead before they'd even have time to react. The jewel shards in Kouga's legs would ensure that.

 

“Let's just say I've had a rude awakening when it comes to you,” came the calm reply. “My claim on you was nothing but a dream, and everyone knows it.” He turned to face her. “Don't worry about it anymore. Come the next full moon, I'll make the announcement official, revoking my claim on you. Then I'll have a mate of my own, and you can do whatever you want.”

 

In the moment it took her to blink, Kouga had gone, leaving her and her friends alone. Her knees giving out, Kagome hit the ground, staring dumb-founded at the entrance.

 

“I can't believe this,” she whispered. “I absolutely can't believe this. How dare he . . .”

 

“He's right, though,” Sango finally spoke. “You did sit Inuyasha before finding out why he was here. It was uncalled for.”

 

“What?” Kagome glared at her. “Just whose side are you on?”

 

“This isn't about sides, Kagome!” the taijiya snapped. “Dammit, this is serious! Inuyasha is hurting. Has been since Kouga attacked him. Who knows what's going through his mind at this moment, now that we're here! You sat him, Kagome! Without cause or reason other than the fact that you were angry at him for having been gone longer than what he should have been. And he knows it! He's been broken of his spirit, and that's not something that can be easily fixed. I wouldn't be surprised if he starts shying away from us, especially you.”

 

Kagome started to open her mouth to say more but Sango shook her head, cutting her off.

 

“I'm not going to choose sides on this, Kagome. I will not. You're both my friends. I'll stand by both of you but right now Inuyasha needs us, more than what he's ever needed anyone.”

 

“But Kouga . . .”

 

“Kouga has admitted he's done Inuyasha a great injustice,” Miroku interjected. “And he was right. He could have left Inuyasha there to die but he didn't. Kouga is taking responsibility for his actions. The least you could do is apologize to Inuyasha for acting so rashly.”

 

“But I'm always apologizing to him!” she whined. “Even when he's wrong!”

 

“Kagome,” Miroku began.

 

“Forget it, Miroku,” Sango stated. “She isn't listening. Inuyasha obviously isn't as important to her as she makes him out to be. All that matters is for her to be right. It doesn't matter to her that Inuyasha will never be the same again. It doesn't matter to her that he's been crying tears of blood because of Kouga's actions. It doesn't matter to her that he could end up dying from this encounter.”

 

“What?” Her eyes widened, shocked at Sango's outburst.

 

“He's pregnant, Kagome, because he was wrongly punished for a crime he didn't commit. He's pregnant for the same reason for his tears of blood. You punished him by sitting him for no reason. You could have killed his unborn pup without even realizing it. His life hangs in the balance as it is. Losing that pup would kill him. But obviously you don't care about that!”

 

“I do care,” Kagome whispered. “I just . . .”

 

“If you care then start acting like it,” Sango snapped again. “Inuyasha may have deserved to be sat in the past but not this time, Kagome. This time, you were wrong. Big time, as you would say.”

 

“Sango's right, Kagome. You know that.”

 

“I . . . I'll apologize to him when we see him,” she murmured miserably. They were both right, and she knew it. It just sickened her to think that they were in this situation because of Kouga and his own stupidity.

 

“Good,” Sango nodded.

 

“When do you think they'll let us see him?”

 

“I don't know,” the taijiya shook her head.

 

“How is that Inuyasha can be pregnant anyway?” Miroku inquired. “I have to admit it's been puzzling me since Kouga told us.”

 

“According to youkai lore and law, it's the beginning of a mating process, as some way to right the wrong that had been done,” Sango explained. “Most youkai, though, just kill the ones they feel have wronged them, only to find out later that they were wrong. Rape is usually reserved for the ultimate of humiliations, and very rarely acted upon between youkai.”

 

“And the tears of blood?”

 

“A sign of innocence,” the taijiya replied.

 

“So the only way Kouga can correct this is if he takes Inuyasha as his mate?” Kagome squeaked out.

 

“Hai . . . though given the way he's acting, he doesn't really know it. He's acting on instinct alone.”

 

“But he said something about having a mate by the next full moon,” Miroku frowned. “It didn't sound like he was getting ready to claim Inuyasha as his mate.”

 

“I know . . . something else has probably happened. But Kouga is slowly claiming Inuyasha as his mate. It's all there.”

 

“But . . .” Kagome's lower lip trembled, “but what about me and Inuyasha? He can't . . .”

 

“They don't have much of a choice now, Kagome,” Sango stated gently. “It's the only way for Kouga to help Inuyasha heal. It's strange, I know, especially since Kouga was the one who attacked Inuyasha but that's youkai natural law. It's something that's been ingrained into them for thousands of years. It's just . . . coming naturally to both of them. I'm sorry, Kagome, but that's just the way it is. To try and break that law would be to kill Inuyasha.”

 

They fell silent after that, Kagome drawing her knees to her chest. Occasionally, she'd glance at the kitsune and note with a tiny smile that he'd slept through the entire ordeal. She just hoped that he'd never have to learn the terrible truth about what had happened to Inuyasha. He was still young and very innocent. She didn't want that part of him shattered. Not like that.

 

“Kagome? Are you all right?” Sango inquired softly. The young girl glanced up to see the taijiya standing in front of her. She smiled wanly and nodded.

 

“Yeah . . . I'm all right . . . at least . . . I will be . . .”

 

“Yeah . . . Listen, I didn't mean to sound so harsh . . .” the older girl began but Kagome shook her head.

 

“No . . . you were right, Sango. I did `sit' Inuyasha for no reason other than I'd been angry at him for not returning to us . . . He couldn't and I understand that . . .” Kagome fell silent for a moment then glanced at the one she considered to be an older sister. “I was worried, too . . . not just angry . . .”

 

“I know,” the taijiya soothed, sitting next to her. “I know.”

 

* * *

 

Kouga crept quietly into AoiAme's cave. It hadn't surprised him when he didn't see either the healer or Inuyasha standing outside the cave entrance anymore. The hanyou was already in a fragile state of mind, and to hear Kagome complaining as she had about him . . . well, it probably only added fuel to his insecurities. When he'd seen that they had gone, it wasn't hard to figure out where AoiAme had taken him.

 

`He can't stay with her forever, though,' Kouga mused to himself as he approached the two. He could tell that Inuyasha slept by the whimpers that were coming from his prone form. AoiAme could smell him coming anyway. Still, he felt it would be best if he entered as quietly as possible, so that he wouldn't disturb Inuyasha.

 

“What do you want, Kouga?”

 

“How's he doing?”

 

“As well as he can be,” AoiAme replied. “That miko's words did a number on him, not to mention that fall when she first saw him.”

 

“I can understand that,” he sighed, sitting down next to her. “AoiAme?”

 

“Yes, Kouga?”

 

“Do you think he'd be able to handle being in a cave on his own?”

 

“I'm not sure,” the healer frowned. “Why?”

 

“I was thinking that, since he needs to rest as much as possible and it isn't always quiet in here, Inuyasha could be moved . . .”

 

“He could . . . but I don't think he really shouldn't be alone at night, Kouga,” she stated. “And I'm not entirely sure I'd trust the humans to keep an eye on him and be able to soothe him.”

 

“I could . . .”

 

“That's out of the question,” AoiAme cut him. “He's still terrified of you.”

 

“I know that . . . but how is he supposed to get over his fear of me if I stay away from him?” he whispered softly. “I want to help him however I can . . .and I don't think me staying away will help him.”

 

“You being near him won't help, either . . .”

 

“Then I'm in a no-win situation, aren't I?”

 

To that, the healer had no reply. Kouga then nodded.

 

“I'll be the one to watch over him,” he stated. “I'm the one who did this to him. I'll be the one to protect him.”

 

Kouga leaned over to brush some stray strands of hair from Inuyasha's face, failing to notice the worried look AoiAme gave him.

 

* * *

 

Inuyasha awoke with a slight start and a shiver. Something had changed. What, he couldn't quite tell but he knew that it had. Carefully, he started to push himself up. Thanks to Kagome's “sit” command, his wrists were bothering him again and it pained him to put any pressure on them.

 

“You should be sleeping,” a quiet voice commented. Inuyasha froze. Kouga. A light sniff told him he wasn't in the healer's cave anymore and that he was alone with the wolf.

 

“W-what's going on?” he squeaked out.

 

“You were moved to a different cave,” came the explanation. “That you'd have a quieter place to rest.”

 

“Why are you here?” Memories danced at the edge of his mind, every harsh word Kouga had said, every cruel action. He flinched as a hand touched his cheek.

 

“I'm here . . . to protect you . . . from everything that I did to you . . .”

 

Warm lips pressed against his, tender and inviting. Still frozen in place and too stunned to do anything else, Inuyasha blinked as Kouga pulled away.

 

“I promise you . . . you won't be afraid anymore, Inuyasha . . . I'll fix this . . .”

 

The wolf's lips brushed against his once more, and Inuyasha felt Kouga's hand reach to the back of his head and pull him closer. Kouga's tongue slid along his lower lip then delved into his mouth, seeking entrance. Inuyasha closed his eyes once more, tears welling in his eyes. He had no doubts about what the wolf wanted now and he knew he was powerless to stop him. After all, Kouga had already violently ripped that part of him away. If the wolf had overpowered him once, he could do it again. A choked whimper escaped him as a single tear rolled down his cheek.

 

“Shhh,” the wolf murmured, licking the tear away. “I'm not going to hurt you. I won't ever hurt you again. I'm going to make this right. I promise.”

 

Gently, Kouga pushed him back down then stretched himself out, his body dangerously close to Inuyasha's. For a third time, the wolf kissed him, one hand cupping his cheek while the other glided down his chest, coming to a stop on his manhood. Again, Inuyasha froze as Kouga's hand grasped his groin, squeezing gently and massaging. He knew that Kouga intended to fuck him again, that the wolf wanted him to submit, but he hadn't expected this. It felt somewhat . . . good. Inuyasha moaned weakly into Kouga's mouth, parting his lips to allow the wolf more access.

 

A deep rumbling replied back to his moan, and Kouga deepened the kiss. The hand caressing his cheek started to slide lower, slipping in between the fabric of his kimono and his flesh. Fingers danced across one of his nipples for a few moments, rubbing and caressing, before traveling lower. His belly tightened under the ministrations, and Inuyasha found it hard to believe that such physical contact could be so gentle. Hardly anyone ever touched him the way Kouga was touching him. Still, he feared the wolf and what he was capable of. Part of him expected it to be the same as when Kouga first penetrated him.

 

Kouga broke the kiss at that moment, his lips never moving far from Inuyasha's flesh. They moved along his jawline then down his throat, nipping, kissing, and licking as he went. Instinctively, Inuyasha turned his head, exposing the delicate flesh to the wolf. To him, it no longer mattered. Kouga was going to do to him whatever Kouga wanted to do. It was just best to expect the worst and cut his losses while he still could. If he submitted, he stood a better chance of not being hurt than if he fought. A heavy weight settled on top of him as hands removed his kimono and exposed his flesh. Warm kisses made their way down, causing his belly to tighten even more. Inuyasha inhaled sharply as his limbs fell limp and his back arched. He felt hot and cold at the same time. Searing currents of pleasure started to course through him, and he shivered again, moaning. Then Kouga stopped his kissing, his face hovering about Inuyasha's abdomen and his hands holding Inuyasha's waist.

 

“My pup,” the wolf whispered. “Don't worry. I'll take care of you. Both of you. I promise.”

 

A very tender kiss followed his words. Inuyasha opened his eyes as more tears formed. Suddenly, it seemed very clear to him, why Kouga was acting the way he was. He was marking him . . . as his mate. There was no getting around it. The question was why. According to AoiAme, the Council had chosen a mate for the wolf leader, and had sent for her. Kouga had to abide by that decision.

 

His thoughts were interrupted by his hakama sliding away and Kouga spreading his legs. Fear surged through Inuyasha. The last time it had hurt. The last time Kouga had ripped right through him, stealing away the one most precious thing he'd still maintained throughout his life. The last time . . . he'd been covered in blood. His blood.

 

“Shhh . . . I promised I wouldn't hurt you. I'm not about to break that promise.”

 

Having said that, Kouga ran his tongue from the tip of Inuyasha's slightly hardened shaft to the base then back up, sensitizing his flesh even more. One hand massaged the rest of his attachments, causing Inuyasha's eyes to widen and his breath to catch in his chest. Last time certainly hadn't begun like this.

 

Fangs brushed against his skin as Kouga took the head of his member in his mouth and sucked on it, slowly inching down until he had completely taken the hanyou in. Inuyasha squeezed his eyes shut, his claws digging into the fur pelts he'd been sleeping on. Despite his inexperience, his body knew just what to do. Of their own accord and in rhythm with Kouga's mouth, his hips thrust, the flesh of his shaft hardening and swelling. Inuyasha's breathing came in short, heavy pants as his heart began to race as he neared his own completion. Before he could, however, Kouga stopped, causing him to whimper.

 

“Not yet, puppy,” Kouga murmured, kissing him. “Not yet.”

 

Sitting on his knees, Kouga quickly removed his armor and fur pelts then took both of their manhoods into his hands and pressed them together, petting and rubbing. Inuyasha's eyes rolled into the back of his head as his hips moved once more in rhythm with the wolf's ministrations. The hardness of his member had reached a painful point while Kouga's continued to swell and stiffen next to his. Finally, the tightening in his belly had reached its pique and Inuyasha nearly howled out, his seed spilling into Kouga's hands and over both of their groins. The wolf leaned over him and gave him a tender kiss. As the wolf hadn't reached his completion yet, Inuyasha knew what was going to come next. He loathed the thought but didn't fight against it. He'd submitted to Kouga, after all. He had no grounds to complain. His body stiffened when he felt a slickened finger pressing against his entrance.

 

“Relax, Inuyasha,” Kouga murmured, kissing his neck. “This going to be different. I promise.”

 

The finger made its way in, sliding all around to slicken his passage. A second finger soon joined it, both working together to stretch him and prepare him for Kouga's member. He whimpered when a third finger entered, his body going completely rigid . . . until they hit something within him that jolted him out of his fear. Like Kouga's earlier ministrations, it felt good. Unbelievably good, and he inhaled sharply as Kouga's fingers continued to work their way in and out of him. Then they left and Kouga's hands went to his knees.

 

“Hold on to me,” Kouga told him. Inuyasha quickly nodded and wrapped his arms around the wolf's neck. His ears flattened against his head as the tip of Kouga's shaft began to spear him. Lips smashed against his, Kouga's heated kiss distracting him from the penetration. They held still for a few moments after Kouga had completely sheathed himself inside Inuyasha. Then one arm snaked around Inuyasha's waist while the other went to his member. The wolf began to thrust deep within him, stroking his member each time, and grunting his pleasure while aiming for that sweet spot he'd found within the hanyou . . .