InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Cerulean Skies ❯ Lupa ( Chapter 13 )

 

~*~

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 13

 

Lupa

 

 

(Please thank my wonderful beta, Koga's Hentai Luver for the very first beta. Now watch how I screw it up! LOL)

 

 

 

 

Kouga and Sesshoumaru stood side by side in the now empty clearing, enjoying the warmth of the fire.

 

“That was one convincing performance you gave out there,” commented Kouga.

 

“I gave them no choice,” Sesshoumaru stated simply. As far as he was concerned, there was no question that he would be accepted. Losing Kouga had never been an option.

 

Kouga narrowed his eyes at Sesshoumaru. “Are you saying that you would have attacked my pack if they didn't give their permission?”

 

Now it was Sesshoumaru's turn to glare at Kouga. “Is that how little you think of my honor, Kouga?”

 

“Then explain what you meant,” Kouga demanded, refusing to back down. Sesshoumaru's wording often left much unsaid and it could get tiresome. Maybe if he forced the DaiYoukai to be more specific, they would have fewer misunderstandings.

“Are you that ignorant?” Sesshoumaru asked in surprise.

 

“Assume that I am. You could have meant any number of things. Clarify it for me.” Kouga crossed his arms and waited.

 

The power of Sesshoumaru's youki crashed against Kouga's skin, stinging him as though he had just been given a full body slap. Payback could be a real bitch sometimes. “Simply providing them with a display of my power would be enough to convince them of the benefits of having my favor. My supposition was correct.”

 

“Don't piss me off, Sesshoumaru,” scowled Kouga, raising his youki to shove back Sesshoumaru's.

 

A smirk played across Sesshoumaru's lips as his youki changed to a blanket of warmth, caressing Kouga's body, and not just the bare skin. Kouga shivered at the sensation. Why did he always get stupid any time that Sesshoumaru attempted to distract him with seduction?

 

“Later, Sesshoumaru. I have business to take care of,” Kouga sighed, refusing Sesshoumaru's attempt at seduction.

 

“We have taken care of business. What could be left undone?” Sesshoumaru gave a miniscule shrug.

 

“I need to provide quarters for Ayame,” said Kouga, staring at the ground, unwilling to meet Sesshoumaru's gaze.

 

“You plan separate bedrooms?” Sesshoumaru questioned with a raised brow.

 

“Wouldn't you object to her sleeping with me every night?” Kouga asked in disbelief.

 

“The pack may not take your open rejection of her lightly. She won the right to share your bed.”

”Not when you're here! I want you, not her!” Kouga snapped, his face burning with anger.

 

“I refuse to sleep in a cave, wolf,” growled Sesshoumaru.

 

“What? I have to go to your palace to have a night with you?” Kouga asked incredulously.

 

“Obviously,” stated the now cold Sesshoumaru while withdrawing his youki.

 

“Shit. This is getting complicated. I don't want to share my bed with Ayame. You could have contested her right to that.” Why did Sesshoumaru have to be such a pain in the ass?

 

“Why would I when she could produce heirs?” Sesshoumaru asked with a raised brow.

 

“I knew you were up to something,” Kouga hissed.

 

Sesshoumaru grabbed Kouga's arm and spun him around. “You make it sound as though I instigated Ayame's actions.”

 

“I didn't mean it that way. It's just that you could have stopped it.” The mother of all headaches was building behind Kouga's twitching eye.

 

“That would not have been a wise choice. Your pack accepts Ayame. They may not have accepted the one you would choose as concubine.”

 

“Maybe you're right,” Kouga sighed again. He seemed to be doing a lot of that lately.

 

“Now, go take care of your lupa and I will tend to my own affairs.”

 

“Are you saying you want me to bed her tonight?” Kouga gave Sesshoumaru a hard stare.

 

“I am not yet inclined to have pups. There are more important matters to consider at this time,” said Sesshoumaru, leaning down to plant a tender kiss on Kouga's lips.

 

A shudder ran through Kouga's body as he closed his eyes to enjoy the warmth and scent of Sesshoumaru.

 

“Now, go, see to your lupa,” whispered Sesshoumaru against Kouga's lips.

 

“When will I see you again,” Kouga whispered, his body melting against Sesshoumaru's.

 

“When the moon is full.”

 

Kouga gazed up into the sky. It would be several days. “Why so long?”

 

“You need to introduce the new lupa to the rest of the pack, make preparations, and so do I, my wolf,” murmured Sesshoumaru, kissing Kouga once again.

 

Kouga merely nodded his head then watched while Sesshoumaru rose and drifted away without looking back. `What preparations could he have to make? God's I don't want to have to deal with Ayame, but the sooner I get it over the better.'

 

He made his way to the cave, albeit slowly. Ayame was waiting for him just outside the entrance, defiance written on her face. He merely signaled for her to follow. They made their way deep into the cave and Kouga took an offshoot tunnel, showing her the many rooms she had to choose from.

 

“You can't deny me your bed, Kouga. Where is your room?” she asked, nose slightly tilted into the air.

 

“I don't have to allow you to sleep with me every night, Ayame, so don't even ask,” he warned.

 

Anger boiled in her eyes. `He's still alpha and I must obey, but he can't put me off for long,' she thought, moving toward the largest room. Little did she know, it was right next to Kouga's. He wasn't pleased.

 

“I must send a member of my escort to inform my family that I will be staying here,” she informed him.

 

“Of course. Have them bring your belongings. Once you are settled in, I will introduce you to the rest of the pack,” he informed her then turned away to leave.

 

“I don't even get a kiss?” she smirked.

 

Kouga froze in mid-step nearly stumbling. `I don't want to do this. I don't want to do this. What would Sesshoumaru say? He is the ultimate politician. What could possibly happen if I don't? She could definitely make my life a living nightmare.' That was something he certainly didn't need. An unhappy alpha makes for an unhappy pack.

 

Kouga turned to face her and found she hadn't closed the distance between them. She merely stood, arms crossed, impatiently awaiting his decision. Her eyes widened as Kouga stepped up to her. It was not what she had expected. A good cursing had already been planned out in her head and now it would go to waste. As he dipped his head down to her, she closed her eyes. A light brush across her lips was all she felt, but still, it was a kiss, barely.

 

“I'm not ready for more right now. Come on, let's see to your messenger,” said Kouga with a softness she didn't expect.

 

For both Kouga and Sesshoumaru, the days of their separation passed slowly. That didn't mean there wasn't enough to keep them busy, just not enough to keep their minds off of each other.

 

 

~*~

 

 

It was a bright day, sun high in the sky. From high atop a boulder, Kouga stood tall and proud, watching while his men cleaned their various weapons and tools. He stiffened when something tickled the back of his leg behind his knee.

 

“Hello, Kouga.” Ayame was giving him that innocent smile again.

 

`Never so soft as Mokomoko-sama,' he thought as images of Sesshoumaru wrapped around him in white fluff flooded his mind.

 

“What brings you here?” asked Kouga suspiciously while her tail continued to tickle the back of his legs.

 

It was an annoying habit of hers, but he couldn't blame her. Touch was an important part of being a pack member, especially for couples. Ayame knew he couldn't reject her in public and used that to full advantage.

 

“As lupa, can I not stand by my alpha?” she asked raising a brow.

 

`She knows damn well she can. Damn it. When is Sesshoumaru coming back? She's getting too pushy.'

 

“Yes, Ayame, yes you can,” sighed a defeated Kouga.

 

“Why haven't you bedded me, Kouga?” she whispered.

 

“Don't push me, Ayame,” growled Kouga.

 

“It is my right! You can't keep putting me off forever!”

 

“You know very well that I will keep pack law. You will have your bedding when I am good and ready,” he growled low in his throat, his cerulean eyes sparking with the beginnings of anger.

 

“Humph! So you say. After what you have already done, how do I know you will keep your promise?” she asked, defying Kouga to prove himself worthy of her trust.

 

Kouga grabbed her by both upper arms, yanking her into his body. “Do you truly believe I would have openly declared you lupa, put my ass on the line, if I did not fully intend to give you what is yours?” snarled Kouga before bruising her lips in a violent harsh kiss.

 

Tears fought to spill over her eyes as Kouga pulled away.

 

“Why are you so mean? Can't you at least pretend you like me?” asked Ayame, pushing down a sob. `I will not cry, I will not cry, I will not cry.'

 

“You knew where my heart lies. Despite that, you intervened. You forced your wishes upon me. You were not kind in the least. How can I have feelings for you when you had no mercy? I have no sympathy. You got what you wanted and you will have what is rightfully yours. It doesn't mean I have to like it,” Kouga seethed.

 

`Okay, now I'm going to cry.' Ayame took off for the forest as tears streaked down her cheeks. She knew in her heart that he was right. She had forced her will upon him.

 

`But…he promised me. He promised to be my mate…mine!' her mind cried out while her sobs broke into weeping.

 

Unlike her true self, she did not call on the power of the wood to help her flow between the trees. Instead, she ran like a clumsy human, scratching herself on branches and brambles, her hair catching on low branches. As though by magic, an immovable object appeared before her. There was no time to stop and she suddenly found herself thrown backward, hitting the ground hard on her back. The sky was blue above her as she fought to take in the air that had been knocked out of her lungs. The first draw of air hurt. Anger burst over her as she stood up and glared at the figure before her.

 

“What the hell do you want, Sesshoumaru?” growled the scorned woman.

 

“You smell of salt, lupa,” stated Sesshoumaru with his head tilted to the side, showing no outward expression, no emotion.

 

“What's it to you, you bastard. You took my mate!” Still, she did notice that he acknowledged her status.

 

`She has not been placated,' Sesshoumaru realized. `Something must be done.'

 

“Come, lupa,” commanded Sesshoumaru.

 

“How dare you! You can't order me around!” she shouted.

 

“Must I remind you, I am beta to our alpha. You must follow my orders,” glared Sesshoumaru.

 

“Not yet, you're not. Kouga hasn't had the opportunity to take the oath. You are not beta yet.”

 

Sesshoumaru creased his brow, running his index finger beneath the curve of his lower lip. “You are correct, lupa.”

 

“My name is Ayame. Use it!”

 

Now, Sesshoumaru was patient in many things. Being disrespected was not one of them. That white fluff whipped out curling itself around Ayame squeezing until she could hardly draw breath. It was so quick; she hadn't even seen a blur of movement.

 

“I may not yet be your pack's beta, but I am still Lord of the Western Lands. Do not forget yourself, wolf,” growled Sesshoumaru as he tightened his grip. “Even now, I have been voted a protector of your pack. Do not challenge me again. We will find your prince and attempt to remedy what ails you to the point that you leak from your eyes!”

 

She could taste his disgust on the back of her tongue. Why did `leaking from her eyes' draw such a strong vehemence from him?

 

Sesshoumaru loosened his grip, but did not release her. Instead, he firmly drew her to his body and took flight toward the den, his face once again that chilling facade.

 

`What does he think or feel when he goes into that dead place? He probably feels nothing, nothing at all,' she sulked as she found some warmth in the cocoon of white fur.

 

Trees became a blur. Hard earth met her feet and it seemed only moments ago that she had stood in the midst of forest. Now she was standing between Sesshoumaru and Kouga.

 

Kouga's blue eyes lit up and his heart skipped a beat when Sesshoumaru suddenly appeared in front of him. But, his joy quickly diminished when Sesshoumaru unfurled mokomoko-sama and set Ayame between them.

 

`What the fuck! What is he doing bringing her here? Is he trying to torture me?'

 

A deep rumbling growl rose from Kouga's chest. Without even thinking, Ayame took a step back bumping into Sesshoumaru. She jumped, startled, when Sesshoumaru drew her back into him once again, wrapping her in that comforting cocoon.

 

“What have you done to your lupa, Kouga?” demanded Sesshoumaru.

 

“Nothing that she didn't deserve! What does it matter to you? She challenged our relationship, tried to stop us. What are you thinking?” Kouga shot back.

 

“She is pack now. Would you do to any of your other wolves what it is that you have done to her? A leader is equal and fair.”

 

`Why the hell is he defending her?'

 

“Don't tell me how to rule my pack, Sesshoumaru,” Kouga hissed.

 

Sesshoumaru stood, stoic as ever, with only the slightest hint of anger. “You will test your wolves' faith in you. You must show solidarity with your lupa or your strength is diminished in their eyes, your honor besmirched. You are foresworn, are you not, Prince of Wolves?” argued Sesshoumaru.

 

`Prince of Wolves. Humph! As if he needs to remind me of my responsibilities.'

 

Ayame stood wrapped in Sesshoumaru's warmth, speechless. `He's taking my side? No, no. He's talking politics. It's not about me. I mean nothing here, just a piece of convenient meat. A political tool,' she realized. `Well, I guess I knew that,' she sighed to herself and really couldn't hold it against them, but that didn't mean she had to stand by and listen to it.

 

“Let me go, Sesshoumaru,' said Ayame, struggling against his hold on her.

 

He didn't seem to hear her or didn't care.

 

“Kouga, you know these things. Why do you fight against it?” asked Sesshoumaru, releasing Ayame.

 

Neither seemed to notice when she walked out of hearing range to observe from a distance.

 

“It's you I want, not Ayame. Can't you understand that, Sesshoumaru?” sighed Kouga. `What has he done to me? I've never wanted anyone so much, not even Kagome.'

 

Sesshoumaru took the step that closed the distance between them. He had succeeded in his courting of the wolf and Kouga was fully his. The seduction had had the desired effect. Now, there were other obstacles. Reaching out, he trailed a claw along Kouga's jaw line then ran his fingertips over the soft skin of Kouga's cheeks.

 

“It is a compliment that you want no other, but you find yourself in a relationship that demands more. I will help you, my wolf,” whispered Sesshoumaru.

 

Kouga's demeanor softened. “How can you help?” Closing his eyes, he laid his cheek into the palm of Sesshoumaru's hand rubbing against it.

 

“Trust me, my wolf. I will make it easier. Have patience and treat your lupa with the respect she deserves. Agreed?” Even Sesshoumaru's eyes looked askance as Kouga gazed up into his face.

 

He nodded. “For you, Sesshoumaru. For you,” he mumbled, defeated under Sesshoumaru's soft gaze. “Kiss me.”

 

A smile graced the ice king's face as he leaned down, barely touching Kouga's lips. Kouga leaned into Sesshoumaru's kiss, running his hand along Sesshoumaru's arm. It seemed as though it had been forever since the last time he had touched his lover. He held Sesshoumaru around the waist in his other arm, soaking up the warmth seeping from the silk.

 

Sesshoumaru's mouth swallowed a small whine as he forced Kouga's lips open, plunging his tongue into warm wet depths of desire. His fingers deftly caressed Kouga's neck, bringing a small tremble to Kouga. They fell into a tight embrace, renewing the familiarity with one another.

 

Ayame looked on observing the tenderness of the two lovers. `Why can't he love me like that?' she thought as her heart fell. `They look so…'

 

She couldn't come up with words to describe the sight of the two. The black hair of Kouga's ponytail blown by a gentle breeze entwined with Sesshoumaru's ankle length silver hair. Black to white, yet they blended perfectly and it shown brightly in the countenance of their faces.

 

“I have something to show you. Will you come with me for a couple of days, Kouga?” Sesshoumaru asked, expecting nothing less than a `yes'.

 

“Think I can trust Ayame to take good care of my pack?”

 

“Why not? She has proven herself worthy of the responsibility.”

 

“Okay,” Kouga nodded.

 

They moved toward Ayame with purpose, Kouga's brow creased with concern for the people he loved and wouldn't trust to just anyone. This was going to be hard, but he would trust Sesshoumaru and try to behave appropriately with his lupa.

 

“Ayame, Sesshoumaru and I will be leaving for a couple of days.” He wasn't sure what to say next, not wanting to insult her in any way.

 

“I will take care of the pack, Kouga.” Ayame assured him.

 

He simply nodded. Why open his mouth when it was going well?

 

“Will you be taking Ginta and Hakkaku?” she asked.

 

“I won't need them. You and the pack might, though. I'll tell them we are leaving,” Kouga informed her.

 

“You think they won't do what I say?” She looked at him in disbelief.

 

Kouga groaned. “Don't make it personal, Ayame. It would be insulting if I just ran off without saying a word. Right?”

 

“I guess,” she conceded.

 

“Hakkaku, Ginta,” called Kouga, ignoring Sesshoumaru for the moment.

 

Both of his most trusted wolves approached.

 

“I will be leaving with Sesshoumaru for a few days. Obey Ayame in all things. Her word is law while I'm gone,” he instructed.

 

“No prob, Kouga,” Ginta grinned while Hakkaku nodded.

 

“You see, Ayame? They trust you,” Kouga assured her. Of course, those two weren't known for their brains. However, they were excellent at following orders.

 

She simply nodded. Sesshoumaru gave Kouga a small shove in Ayame's direction. Kouga looked at him, startled, then looked at Ayame who was standing, waiting for whatever it was Sesshoumaru was asking of Kouga. Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes at Kouga.

 

`What the hell does he want?' thought Kouga. His eyes widened when he thought he got the drift. `Humph!'

 

He held out his hand as if to shake with Ayame. Sesshoumaru gave him another shove pushing his body against Ayame's. Being sure that his head was turned away from Hakkaku and Ginta, Kouga glared at Sesshoumaru. Nevertheless, he squeezed Ayame in a tight embrace. `Let's see what he thinks about this!'

 

Kouga crashed his lips into Ayame's. Fire flamed through her blood as he seemed to want to climb down her throat. One hand found its way to the small of her back the other on her ass as he crushed her to him. He pulled away licking and nipping her lips.

 

“I'll be back soon,” he beamed at her then turned to Sesshoumaru with a wicked smirk.

 

Startled, Ayame put shaking fingers to her lips just staring up at him.

 

To Kouga's surprise, Sesshoumaru looked pleased, not in the least jealous or offended.

 

`Damn dog.'

 

“Let us leave, my wolf,” stated Sesshoumaru, amusement not quite hidden in his typical blank expression.

 

 

 

~*~*~*~*~*~

 

 

Thank you to everyone who have read, rated, and/or reviewed previous chapters. It is a great encouragement.

 

 

~*~

 

Disclaimer

 

Inuyasha and all associated characters are owned by Rumiko Takahashi, Shogakukan, Yomiuri TV, Sunrise, and Viz. I do not own Inuyasha and make no profit from this story, nor do I intend to. My only goal is to occupy my demented mind with delusions of actually owning a life-sized, anatomically correct Sesshoumaru android to use and abuse at will.

 

 

~*~*~*~*~*~