InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Challenge to the Alpha ❯ All We Have is Time ( Chapter 11 )

11. All We Have is Time

 

 

The wolves cries continued on till nearly morning, no one slept around the campfire, how could they. Every howl chilled their blood, every bark made them wonder if they were being encircled, none of them liked the idea of being on the wolf packs menu, Makkura tried repeatedly to reassure them that they were not in danger but to no avail.

 

“They are mourning, they will not attack. There is no need to fear them.” Makkura tried to reassure Shippo who seemed to tremble a little more with each saddened howl. “They have lost so many, they will grieve over those lost for several days.”

 

Sango tried sleeping, she pulled Kirara closer to her body for a sense of added protection. Miroku sat besides her looking into the waning firelight. “Why do you not join them, they are your pack after all.”

 

Makkura shook his head sadly. “It does not matter to them if I am there or not, the omega is nothing in the pack, my usefulness if for the stronger to bully me.”

 

“Don't worry kid, we'll find a place for ya.” Inuyasha leaned his head back against the tree he was sitting up against, Kagomes head laying in his lap, there would be no sleep for her tonight, she grinned at Inuyashas comment. She had been wondering what they would do about Makkura when they left the wolves region.

 

Inuyasha can be surprisingly sweet. I had a feeling he would relate to Makkura; both shared a hard life at a young age. Kagome nuzzled deeper into Inuyashas lap, his hand stroking her hair softly. What will he say when I tell him I need to go home as soon as we return to Kaede's village, hell probably get annoyed with me I'm sure, Mom must be so worried, but I really need a bath, and clothes, I can smell the ones I'm wearing, how can he deny me that? Kagome rolled over looking up into Inuyashas serene face; even with the wolves everywhere he seemed so calm. She could not help but smile at him. He was so striking in the darkness, his eyes seemed to glow with a fire all their own, his veil of silver hair softly cascading down his toned shoulders, offset by the vibrant red of his haori. There wasn't a male model in her time period that could compare to his breath taking looks, at least to her however biased she was. Everything had changed between them, what were they to each other now? What would happen when Kikyo made her presence known, would he run to her again, leaving her alone in an emotional waste land? Kagome knew that question would need to be asked, but not tonight, she was the one with all of his attention, Kagome knew that Kikyo could not have him, she would not let the clay maiden ever have him again; Inuyasha was hers now, wasn't he?

 

Inuyasha caught her stare. His look, puzzled as he continued caressing her hair. “What is it? That look on your face worries me.”

 

Kagome shook her head languidly smiling. “It is for another time.” She yawned, letting her eyes close drifting off into sleep, surprised she was suddenly so tired.

 

 

------***------

 

 

The morning awoke around her in a chorus of angry yells and curses, mainly coming from Inuyasha. What has him so pissy already? Sleep still hung heavy in her eyes, she guessed she had only gotten a few hours, by kami she needed a bath, that would wake up her dull mind. Inuyashas' shouting continued to permeate the morning air. What is his problem any way? She could vaguely hear Makkuras' name and many curses following. Gintas voice also drifted to her ears, okay what the hell?

 

“Inuyasha let him go, he has done nothing wrong.” Miroku was protesting.

 

“Stay out of this monk, I said I'd look after the pup and I will!” Inuyashas' voice became even more annoyed.

 

Kagome drug herself to her feet, the voices were coming a little ways out of their camp. Kirara was growling by the time she found the others. Makkura was clinging to Sango like his life depended on it, his new buddy Shippo as much in front of him as he dared. Inuyasha had Ginta by the scruff of the neck holding him up on his tippy toes yelling in his face. A hand full of wolves sitting on their haunches watching Ginta being held like a pup, the creatures actually seemed amused. Hakkaku sat with his wolf brothers watching the show, no one dared to upset the hanyou, they valued their lives, and Ginta had been far too presumptuous to irritate Inuyasha.

 

“Inuyasha, what are you doing? Please put him down, its too early for this.” Kagome yawned putting her hand on Inuyashas shoulder. “Please.” Inuyasha continued to glare at the scrawny wolf-demon.

 

“You wont be so pleasant when they tell you why they have come.” Inuyasha dropped Ginta to his feet sulking off. Ginta growled, surprising Kagome. Inuyasha turned violently to him growling in response baring his fangs. “You wanna make something of it?” Ginta submissively lowered his head, backing to his brother. “That's what I thought.” Inuyasha continued to growl as he took up a position next to Sango and Makkura.

 

“Sister Kagome, thank goodness, you are the one we came to talk too.” Hakkaku leapt to his feet eager to see Kagome, eyeing Inuyasha wearily. “Ayame sent us for the pup, he needs to return to the pack.”

 

“Why? So you can just abuse him some more?” Inuyasha spat bitterly at Hakkaku who tried desperately to ignore the angry hanyou. “He is our kind, he is a link in the pack, a link we need now that we are so few.”

 

“No.” Kagome flatly spoke, Hakkaku looked completely confused, not expecting that answer from their friend. “Makkura is going with us. I refuse to let you take the boy.”

 

“He is not a `boy', as you call him, he has a pack, he is a wolf youkai. The pup belongs with his own kind.” Ginta dared to open his mouth.

 

“Hah!” Inuyasha smiled evilly at the wolves. “Told ya Kagome was not going to let you have him!”

 

“But..” Hakkaku interjected.

 

“No.” Kagome looked the brothers dead in the eyes. “N-O-, no.”

 

“You don't understand…..” Ginta tried to plead.

 

“NO!” Kagome would hear no argument from the wolf-demons. She turned to Makkura ruffling his hair. “Makkura is not happy in your pack, are you Makkura.”

 

The stunned pup vigorously shook his head `no'.

 

“You may come with us, or stay with the pack.” Sango asked the grinning wolf pup.

 

“I wanna go with my new friends.” Makkura happily wagged his tail. Ginta and Hakkaku were shocked into silence. “They don't treat me like an omega. They are very nice to me. I want Kagome to be my new pack.”

 

Shippo squealed with joy. Kagome turned back to Ginta and Hakkaku. “Sorry guys he has made up his mind.”

 

Disappointed they turned with their wolves slinking back into the forest.

 

“Ayame is going to be really angry with us.” Hakkaku looked to Ginta who was still speechless.

 

“Now that that is settled we should make our way to Kaedes' village. Makkura you will love the village, plenty of children to play with, and we visit there quite often. No one will torment you there.” Miroku warmly smiled.

 

“I can't wait, I hear the hot spring calling to me already. Inuyasha, think we will make it before dark?” Kagome followed the others back into their camp.

 

They all were of the same mind to leave the wolves territory as quickly as possible. No one knew if there would be repercussions for the pup Makkura going with the humans and hanyou, of course they would not be happy, but no one considered his feelings at all in the pack. Who would want to be the lowest in their society, how could he even have a fulfilling life if he was lower that the dirt they walked on?

 

Inuyashas pack left the territory of the wolves by early afternoon, they traveled as quickly as possible to the village, they all wanted to be in its comfortable surroundings, finally being able to let their guard down and relax. By late evening they were passing `Inuyashas Forest' and the bone eaters well, Kagome sighed as Kaedes hut came into view. Makkura gasped at the many village huts, he was becoming increasingly nervous, he had never been in a human village, and his apprehension was to be expected. Sango felt his little body go ridged.

 

“It will be fine Makkura, they are friends, no harm will come to you, I promise.” The boy nodded, but his frame did not unwind, his muscles tight ready to bolt at the first sign of danger.

 

I suppose it is to be expected, he's a youkai coming into the world of humans. I hope he will adjust all right. He must be very frightened, poor little boy. Sango felt a firm caress of her backside. Will he ever learn! Sango twisted around surprising Miroku with her flexibility, giving him a firm slap across the face.

 

“You are obviously feeling better Miroku!” Sango scowled.

 

“The left hand is making up for the right. It has a mind of its own.” Miroku sheepishly smiled rubbing the stinging side of his face.

 

Makkura laughed, his body relaxing a bit.

 

 

------***------

 

 

Kaede slowly came out of her cozy little hut, a warm, pleasant smile on the old mikos' face. She stopped in her tracks when her eyes fell upon Kagome and her blood stained clothes. When she looked to Miroku she gasped at his splinted right wrist.

 

“I see ye landed in some trouble with the wolf-demons eh? Kagome child you look a mess, are ye injured?” Kagome simply shook her head no. “Inuyasha, tell me of the events that brought ye all to injury.”

 

“Later you ol' hag. Can't you see we are all tired, and sore?” Inuyasha placed his hand at the small of Kagomes back gently leading her to Kaedes hut.

 

“Sorry Kaede, we will give you the whole story later.” Kagome glanced over her shoulder at Sango. “Hot spring, ten minutes?”

 

“Oh yes. That sounds like heaven.”

 

“If you want heaven look no further beautiful Sango.” Miroku flirted. “I could help you two in the hot spring, wash your back… anything I give myself to you, use me as you see fit.”

 

Sango blushed; the monk was being somewhat sweet, even if that hand of his was traveling up her rear. “Miroku!” `SMACK'. “You will never learn!”

 

“Can't blame a guy for trying.” Miroku sat in the dirt smiling as he watched Sango storm off; she would come around eventually. Shippo and Makkura ran after the angered slayer laughing at the monk.

 

Kaede simply shook her head at Miroku, following the kit and his new friend into her hut.

 

------***------

 

“Oh my muscles needed this Sango. I feel like one big knot.” Kagome slid down deeper into the hot spring, the water level at her chin.

 

“I know how you feel. Each bruise from the battle is letting the pain leech away. This is pure bliss.” Sango relaxed against a rock, the boys playing at the other end of the pond splashing each other they seemed as though nothing had ever happened.

 

“I still have to go home tomorrow. My Mom will be worried, even though she is going to kill me for ruining another school uniform.” Kagome let her eyes close as the spring's heat massaged her tired muscles.

 

“Inuyasha is not going to be too pleased about that.”

 

“I know, but I have no choice, its not like I can give up on my life there.” Kagome sat up, enjoying the steam, Sango looked at her worried. “What?”

 

Her friend was staring intently at the mark on her left shoulder. “Have you two… you know.”

 

“What?” It took a moment for her words to sink in and register. Kagome blushed. “Oh, ooooh, no. Not that the thought has not crossed my mind, but, I, I don't know. There is Kikyo, and Naraku, things are just too complicated.” Kagome gingerly touched her mark, youkai were to receive them when they mated, Kagome wondered if hers would always be for show. Even if they had begun to share their feelings for one another; Kagome lost herself in thought.

 

“You know Inuyasha claims nothing happened the night he met with Kikyo. He swears it was only to talk to her, then you saw them, and….”

 

“Saw them in each others arms.” Kagomes face saddened. She realized Shippo and Makkura were listening to them intently, ceasing their playing. “I ran into Koga that night, and all my problems compounded.”

 

“Shippo, why don't you and Makkura go help Lady Kaede with our dinner. You two have to be hungry, we will be there shortly.” Sango grinned at the two young youkai.

 

Shippo leaned to Makkuras' ear. “They have to talk about girl stuff, they always do this to me. Come on, let's go.”

 

The boys crawled out of the water, shaking their fur; they chased each other into the woods laughing in the darkness. Makkura leapt ahead of Shippo running full force around some rocks, he stopped only after plowing headlong into Inuyasha.

 

“I'm sorry.” Makkura timidly backed away, afraid of the repercussions from the hanyou. “I did not mean to.”

 

“Of course you didn't Makkura, that is why it is called an accident. Where were you two going at such a speed?” Miroku questioned, tying his robes back across his shoulder with some difficulty.

 

“Kagome and Sango were in the spring and they asked us to go. Kagome was talking about some other lady, Kikyo, yea that was it.”

 

“Come on Makkura!” Shippo called out from ahead of him.

 

“Sorry Inuyasha sir gotta go.” Makkura ran off in pursuit of the kitsune.

 

“Sir? Do I look that old Miroku?” Inuyasha dusted off his pants; he was in the process of redressing, when the pup ran into him, he stood bare chested, the water gleaming as it clung to his skin.

 

“I would not be worrying about my age, I'd be more worried about what Kagome and Sango are saying about Kikyo.”

 

With that sudden realization Inuyasha took off in the direction of the spring the women were.

 

“So impatient.” Miroku grabbed his remaining clothes. “He may need these.” Not to mention seeing Sango and Kagome in the hot spring was too appealing to pass up.

 

------*------

 

Inuyasha knelt on a tree branch that hung over the water of the hot spring; he did not think Sango even noticed his presence as he moved through the tree canopy. His vibrant saffron eyes treasured the sight of Kagome as she enjoyed the hot spring, yet her face had the undeniable hint of sadness. No doubt if they were speaking of Kikyo, Kagome would always become sad, but never again, he made that oath in the middle of the wolves territory with her in his arms. He would try for all of his days to keep Kagome for all time happy, completely in love with being in love with him. She deserved that at the very least, she ought to have her hearts desire. He would be lost without Kagome in his life, every thought would be always of her, her happiness would be his life's ambition, once that is, after Naraku was dead. But he could love her endlessly now and forever, all they had was time. Kagome had deep sadness within her; she bit on her lower lip as she always did when emotionally distressed. Damn it why did Kikyo have to come up! I was planning on telling her. Please, just don't cry.

 

A snap of a twig drew the girls' attention. Inuyasha glared, rolling his eyes. Miroku you baka! Couldn't stay away could you. Well, I'm hiding in a tree watching Kagome; guess I'm just as much a Hentai. But I am not trying to see anything; I just want to know what they are saying! Miroku just hopes for any exposed flesh.

 

“Hentai!!” Sango yelled into the woods, she picked up a small stone, throwing it directly form where the noise came.

 

“Nice aim dearest Sango.” Miroku strode up to the hot spring Inuyashas clothes still in hand rubbing a spot on his head where the stone landed.

 

“Get out of here Miroku!” Sango warned.

 

“Easy now, I just came to give Inuyasha his clothes, he came this way looking for Kagome, I think.” Miroku scanned the surrounding bushes.

 

Oh hell!

 

Kagome looked into the darkness trying to make out any familiar shape in the shadows. She then looked to the trees. Kagome smirked evilly.

 

Oh FUCK!

 

“Sit boy.” She heard the branch near the water crack, and Inuyasha cursing briefly before hitting the water. “That's what I thought.”

 

Inuyasha came up spitting out water, his ears flat against his head. “Couldn't keep your mouth shut could you Miroku?”

 

“Hey, I'm not going to be the only one in trouble here.” Miroku threw his shirt and haori over a rock. “I'm going before Sango picks up a bigger rock.”

 

Sango demurely covered herself in the water with a now soaked robe. She gathered up her dry clothes, going to Miroku. “We'll leave you to alone.”

 

Kagome and Inuyasha exchanged uncomfortable glances. Kagome broke out into peels of laughter.

 

“What's so funny?” Inuyasha huffed.

 

“You smell like wet dog, then again what else are you supposed to smell like?”

 

Inuyasha growled splashing water at her. “We do need to talk.”