InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Destiny's Bond ❯ Informing the Miko and Invasion ( Chapter 10 )

Once again, I do not own Inu Yasha or any of the characters therein. They belong to Takehashi-san. Any other series I borrow from will be duly noted. Any other character belongs to me, please ask before using.

 

Destiny's Bond

Chapter nine: Informing the Miko and Invasion

by

Lance The Flamesniper

 

Kouga stretched out on a large flat rock near the entrance to the path for the hot spring. As he looked to the sky he allowed a smile to play at the corners of his mouth. Sango and He couldn't tell the others they were courting and he knew it. He was well aware that the monk, lecherous though he was did have some feeling or another for Sango and at one point Sango had entertained feelings for him as well. Part of him railed the idea of stealing another man's woman like he had tried to do with Kagome. But she's not the monk's woman right now, she free to make the choice and she chose to let me court her. Thus, for my pack and for myself this action must be done! The wolf prince thought with a resolute nod before resuming his skyward vigil. He briefly closed his eyes, giving him the appearance of carefree dozing and was allowing the sun to soak into his skin when he hear a sound on the path.

 

It was a thump-jingle that came to his ears in a steady rhythm and told him somewhat what, or more accurately who the sound was. With an internal smirk and mischief on his mind he remained laying as he was, slightly adjusting his posture so he looked more like he was napping rather than fully attentive. He didn't have long to wait.

&&&&&&

 

Miroku approached the dozing Ookami Ojii-sama cautiously. He'd never traveled with Kouga and truthfully having well over one hundred of his fellow wolf warriors around was making the Bouzu nervous. Then again maybe being around Inu Yasha has made me overly paranoid. The wolves haven't done anything unfriendly toward us, in fact they've been treating us very well keeping us fed and watching the camp. Were Kouga still courting Kagome I'd think he was doing it for her benefit. But somehow I think there's more going on here than we know, Sango's acting strange, Kouga's behaving strange and now Inu Yasha' acting odd too. But for now I have a maiden to spy and a wolf to outsmart. Shouldn't be too hard.

 

“What do you need Monk?” Kouga asked in a sleepy tone.

 

“Ah Kouga, sorry to have awakened you,” Miroku said. “I merely had a few questions that required I needed you to answer.”

 

This should be interesting. “Really? How may I help you Houshi?”

 

“I was wondering if the hot springs you sent Kagome and Sango to were large enough to allow Inu Yasha and myself to bathe as well.”

 

 

Kouga briefly wondered if the monk though he had the word “Baka” stamped on his forehead as that was a very flimsy excuse. “Perhaps it is. But don't you think if that were the case I would bathe there now as well? After all then I could better guard Kagome and Taijya no Hime-chan from threats.”

 

Miroku's eye briefly twitched at both the implication of that statement and at Kouga's casual pet name for the woman he cared about. “Be that as it may, is the hot spring nearby? I wish to discretely check on the girls.”

 

Kouga kept his smile good-natured. “If I allowed you to do that, Sango would be displeased with me,” He replied then added as an afterthought. “Kagome would be too I imagine.”

 

“So you aren't going to tell me where the Hot spring is?”

 

“I didn't say that,” the wolf implied conspiratorially. “There's a hot spring just a one hour's walk down that path that several girls from local villages use. It could be that I sent Kagome and Sango there.”

 

“Ah Kouga you are a demon after my own heart!” The lecher intoned before wandering in the indicated direction.

 

After Miroku was out of eyesight Kouga's smile became genuine and mischievous. Too bad you never asked me the best time to go… I'm pretty sure my wolves told me the old women bathe this time of day…

&&&&&&&&

 

Shortly after sending Miroku on his one hour walk, Sango and Kagome came out of the hidden hot spring. Both looked more relaxed but, Kouga noted Kagome seemed to have this look on her face that said in no uncertain terms that they needed to talk.

 

“Sango I want to talk to Kouga about what we discussed,” Kagome began. “Would you go tell Inu Yasha that we need to get ready to head back to the village. I need to return home for a few days.”

 

Sango hesitated, casting Kouga a slightly sheepish look. Kouga gave a slight nod and Sango went on her way leaving the miko alone with the wolf prince. Though Kagome did notice the slightly jealous look the demon slayer tossed her as she left.

 

“What's going on Kouga?” Kagome began.

 

“What do you mean what's going on?”

 

“With you and Sango.”

 

“What's there to say. She's my friend and we've been getting reacquainted after being apart for years.”

 

“I don't think so Kouga. I know there's more to it.”

 

“Really?” Kouga said nervously. “Wh-what makes you say that?”

 

“For starters I saw you two.”

 

“Saw us..?”

 

“I saw you and her kissing,” Kagome clarified with a blush. “And Sango hinted that there was something more going on but that I should talk to you about it.”

 

Kouga sighed and the young miko could see he was silently debating something. Probably whether or not to tell me the truth. But why would telling me the truth be something he'd debate? Kagome thought.

 

“You really want to know?” Kouga asked finally.

 

“Yes!”

 

“Okay but you gotta promise that you won't tell the others. I'm going to show you this because I trust you. Can I trust you?” Kouga asked.

 

“You know I can! What's going on here?”

 

Kouga slowly opened the pouch on the hip of his wolf pelt kilt and drew the golden scroll out of it. In a smooth motion he handed it to the miko. Kagome took the scroll from the wolf demon carefully and her eyes widened.

 

Th-there's something about this scroll. Something powerful. “What's this?”

 

“What Sango wanted you to see or should I say read. I'll explain more once you've read it.”

 

Kagome slowly opened the document slowly and began to read. As she reached the end of it her eyes had gone wide. “Kouga… this… this is a marriage contract!”

 

Kouga nodded. “As you can see, and as I've been told, one of the names on that is mine. The other's, well…”

 

“Sango's. But how? She's a Taijya and you're a youkai.”

 

“I don't know the how's or why's Kagome. All I know is that I was told this scroll exists then was told that what was on it would help me save my pack.”

 

“Save your pack? I don't understand how would this save your pack?”

 

“Kagome, there are no more female wolf demons left.”

 

“What!?”

 

Kouga nodded. “Ayame was one of the last and over time the others have been killed. Ayame's death was a death knell to the Great Pack.”

 

“I see. But what about Sango and how she feels?”

 

“She's decided to allow me to court her.”

 

“Sh-she has? But what about Miroku?”

 

“What about him?”

 

“He likes Sango and I thought she liked him too!”

 

“Yes and that's why we're trying to keep our courtship quiet. Sango proposed courtship to me in front of the pack the other night and that makes things difficult. One false step and Miroku could end up facing off with several wolves. None of us want that.”

 

Kagome nodded at that. “So what now?”

 

“Now we take things slowly and see what happens. I'm not going to hold the contract over her. If Sango decides to become my mate, it'll be of her own free will.”

&&&&&&&&

Konran sat with Youmei in the bowl of an incredibly large tree. In a few decades the tree would be cut down and used to build a temple but for now it was the duo's favorite place to have a picnic.

 

“Until recently, we've not had a chance to do this very often, have we?” Konran said.

 

“Yes, that's true,” She confirmed. “Usually we are two busy trying to balance each other to actually do anything like this.”

 

“Thus the beauty of our little joint project: we get to see each other as long as it takes to see it through.”

 

Youmei nodded at that and offered him a rare smile.

 

“Well, well, isn't this a pretty picture,” A callous voice intoned. The owner of the voice turned out to be a dark haired man in black hakama, and a matching gi all the trim on both articles as well as the sash at his waist were blood red as was sheath and hilt of his katana.

 

“Zetsubo!” Youmei spat in a rare show of dislike. “What do you want?”

 

“Oh, this is merely a social visit. I came to inform you that the village you two seem so very interested in has been lain siege to. Not my doing so stop scowling at me. Looks like your little plan will fall through,” The dark clad man intoned before vanishing.

 

“We'll see about that!” Konran growled.

 

“What are you planning Konran?” Youmei asked.

 

The mischievous man smiled and told her. When he was finished her smile matched his.

&&&&&&&&&

 

Miroku had returned two hours after Sango and Kagome had returned with Kouga. He looked sickened and kept giving Kouga distasteful looks. Kagome assumed that it at least partially because Sango was currently walking at Kouga's side. Kagome had to admit seeing the two walking together, that they did look like a lovely couple. On another note she was certain that the look on Miroku's face wasn't merely resentment. There was more to it and thankfully the monk was keeping his tongue in check. That was probably a wise choice considering that the Kouga's pack was discreetly packing them: acting as a vanguard, flank guard and rearguard. In fact the only two wolves other than Kouga that she could see were his lieutenants: Ginta and Hakkaku.

 

The miko's gaze focused on Inu Yasha next. He was facing forward with a look on her face that implied he was deep in thought about something. He'd wanted to talk to her but when as the pack and the others began to prepare to head back to the village he told her it wuld be best to wait for her to return from her own time before they talked. Naturally that piqued the miko's interest more. Her reflection was cut short by Jin racing into the center of the group and talking with Kouga. From the look on Kouga's face the news wasn't good. She watched as he gave a command in the language of wolves. The younger wolf merely nodded then returned to the vanguard.

 

“Inu Yasha,” Kouga stated. “We have a problem.”

 

“What is it?” Inu Yasha grunted.

 

“Seems your village has been invaded,” Kouga replied angrily. “Myself and my pack are at your disposal.”

 

“Then what are we waiting for?” Inu Yasha said. “Kouga take Kagome to the well in the clearing and make sure she's inside. She'll be safe there.”

 

“I'll go with Kouga,” Sango supplied. “I don't think he's been to the well and he'll need a guide.”

 

“Ginta,” Kouga intoned. “Make sure the pack knows that until I return they are to follow Inu Yasha's instructions. Tell any who don't like it they can take it up with me afterwards.”

 

“Y-yes boss!” Ginta stammered and ran towards the front.

 

Kouga nodded as Sango hopped onto Kouga's back. Once she was secure on his back, he scooped Kagome up bridal style and took off at high speed. The drive to the Bone eater's well had begun.

 

TBC

 

Japanese words used:

Zetsubo- Despair.