InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Drown ❯ Chapter 21: Don’t let me drown ( Chapter 21 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Title: Drown
Author: DeityOfDeath
Archive: Yes please...
Pairings: Inu Yasha/Kouga, Kouga/Ayame, Inuyasha/Kouga/Ayame, mentions of Inu Yasha/Kagome and Inu Yasha/Kikyo InuYasha/OC
Category: Drama, romance, slash, Mpreg, yaoi
rating: NC-17/R
Spoilers: Most likely.
Warnings: Yaoi, Lemon, Non-con, Mpreg, SPOILERS!
Disclaimers: I never have nor will I ever own Inu Yasha or its chars. They are property of Rumiko Takashi and major companies.

Note from Author: Thank You for reading and supporting fan fiction! Enjoy and please review!

The chapter titles are lyrics from the song "Drown" by Bring Me The Horizon

Chapter 21: Don't let me drown

It was mid-fall and leaves littered the ground around the caves creating a colorful carpet of reds, oranges, yellows and browns. The wind was chilly but not freezing and the scent of harvest filled the air from villages a few miles away. It made the little ones antsy to be outside as often as possible and we were willing to humor them because we knew that soon we; Ayame and myself, would be too far along to take them out in the snow to play and that was if the weather allowed us the luxury to do so.

Koname and other elders predicted this year would be a long and harsh winter and so the pack had taken to hunting as often as they could. Extra meat was dried and salted for use later. Winter was often the time for soups and stews and porridges made of rice and oats. We were given gifts of jars covered with leather hides from Sesshomaru that contained various types of pickled vegetables, honey and various types of preserved fruits.

We had begun to give extra furs and animal hides to Sesshomaru who would often sell or trade them for things we needed like rice, grain other supplies from human villages. He was lord over a large area but often relied on Rin's assistance in the matter when he visited her or a few of his very few trusted human retainers that oversaw such affairs in his palace.

We were definitely spoiled by Sesshomaru's kindness and we were sure to thank him as often as he would allow us to. We often gave him bits of dried meat and gifts of fine furs to use on his garments.

It was a quiet day when I decided to go out with Ayame, Ranken, Yuki, Haruna and a few of the other cubs and females from the pack to enjoy a nice fall day outside. As we made our way out we saw Kouga, Ginta and Hakaku off on their day full of hunting and territorial marking and monitoring.

We had packed a picnic lunch with Sachi and Kira and we found a quiet place less than fifteen minutes from the cave where a large gathering of trees gave us enough leaves that could be gathered into large piles which the cubs took turns jumping in. It amused all the adults present to see adorable wolf cub tails weaving in and out of the piles of leaves with giggles of excitement and happiness that echoed throughout the surrounding area.

When the children had worked themselves into hunger we had our packed lunch of dried meat, cold steamed rice and pickles. Ayame and I were enjoying our pickles so much that it amused Ranken and Yuki to give us their pickles, watching as we grinning and gulped them down happily licking the juice from our fingers.

The sun was just starting to make its way across the sky as the afternoon was growing late.

The woods suddenly grew quiet and I realized that birds that had been present earlier were now eerily silent if not all together gone. I could feel my ears swivel searching for some sound that everything was normal but the odd quiet other than the cubs playing was too loud. I stood and found myself lost in a mute panic. I was about to call out signal to Ayame but Sachi and Kira had noticed my odd behavior and immediately called the cubs to them.

The first loud howl rent the air and none of us recognized it as one our own. I herded the cubs and women out of the woods and turned to see where the danger was coming from as more sounds joined the first until soon a chorus of angry howls and barks soon filled the area.

“Sachi! Kira! Run, take the cubs with you and Ayame too.”

They nodded and Ayame turned around to look at me and I shook my head pointing in the direction of the others, “Go and warn the others.”

I followed a few feet behind, turning to see which direction the enemy wolves were coming from. It was then that an all too familiar figure appeared running beside the pack of wolves with a few new wolf youkai at his side. His auburn hair had grown longer and that all too familiar garnet stare still remained hauntingly cruel as he barreled down on us with speed and determination.

I turned to see that Sachi, Kira and the others were almost to the caves and had sent out the warning call. Howls rent the air from both directions and it was almost disorienting.

I squeezed my claws into my palms and as blood covered them I held them up and watched as the wolves and Kiba's goons got closer.

I grit my teeth and finally raised my arms and swung them down, “Hijin Kesso!”

I watched the attack tear into the wolves, ground, rocks and a few of Kiba's slower accomplices. Many yelps of pain echoed through the air.

Feeling my anger boil at his continuing approach I raised my claws high and growled out, “Sankon Tesso!”

More wolves fell and I watched now as only Kiba, a handful of wolves and two followers remained and unfortunately were right on me. I swung at one of his lackeys sending the skinny monstrosity to the ground with a swing but taking a hit from the other who was a bit taller and broader. I took the hit to my left shoulder and swung with my right catching him with my claws, feeling as his flesh gave under them.

I watched as Kiba sped past me and fought the surprise and then I saw his target…Ayame.

She stood hobbling a few feet away and I made to turn and run after them but the skinny one jumped on my back grabbing me around my neck. I growled and tried to free myself from his clutches leaving myself open and so the broader one attack my stomach punching hard causing me to scream at the pain. I torn the skinny one from my body and threw him against the broad one watching as they fell to the ground as Ayame's scream tore through the air.

“No!”

I turned and ran as fast as I could as I saw Kiba's hands grab Ayame and hold her against his chest. My vision began to turn red as growls and roars tore from my throat. My claws flexed and I roared as my speed increased.

The sound of howls and growls of wolves from our cave filled the air and I watched as they flew past me to attack the already hurt lackeys allowing me to give my full attention to Kiba.

He twisted with Ayame in his arms and gave me an evil smirk. I skidded to a stop a few feet away from him and watched as he brought her in front of him like a human shield.

“Let her go you fucking coward,” and as the words left my throat I could feel the rage building knowing that my demon blood was boiling and wanted his blood coating our hands and claws for daring to touch what was ours. I felt my fangs shift and grow along with my claws as I inched forward slowly.

“Oh, but we're family she and I. Isn't that right Ayame, my darling half sister,” and as he said it he raised a hand and caressed her face roughly leaving scratches on her right cheek and down her throat which he gripped cruelly, pinpricks of blood gathering where those claws dug in.

I growled and crept forward.

“Aww…has she won you over as well my pet? Does she know your body like I do,” he asked squeezing her throat tight causing her to choke and struggle against his hand, her own tiny hands scratching into his.

“Or perhaps she shares you with her mate,” and as the not quite statement left his mouth I watched as his free hand tore her furs away from her shoulders revealing her mating marks.

“Oh, I can see that she's done more than that. Sweet Ayame, always willing to share and be the good girl everyone wants. Aren't you Ayame, you're the precious heir born to the pack leaders chosen mate.”

He shook her and then slapped her and I ran a short distance before he growled and raised his now elongated claws and caressed her exposed neck, I watched her life blood thump below her skin and felt my stomach sink knowing he purposely exposed that vein, letting her and I know that he could slice her neck open, leaving her to bleed out.

I halted and fought the demon under the surface. We couldn't risk her safety. I need her to be safe and as unharmed as possible. I WANTED her safe and far from harm and my demon echoed the same. We wanted our mate safe and we wanted the one who would dare harm her dead and beaten at our feet, preferably in multiple pieces.

His hand loosened around her throat and my gaze drifted into the distance behind him. In the distance I could see more friendly wolves running alongside reinforcements; one of them was definitely Kouga and my heart lifted marginally at seeing him. The call must have reached him as he returned from his hunting trip.

“Let her go Kiba. I'll take her place.”

Kiba's eyes widened and he laughed harshly at my offer, “Oh my little pet why when I can have you both?”

Ayame chose that moment to wriggle in Kiba's grasp and whether it was a mistake or madness I watched as hands tried to grip her neck and those knifelike claws sliced into her neck. Her beautiful green eyes widened and we both shared looks for horror as realization dawned on us.

A sound like no other I had ever heard echoed through the surrounding area as I watched blood pour from her neck and suddenly I was on Kiba throwing him to the ground a few feet from where Ayame fell. I felt his claws and fist hitting and slicing any part of me he could reach as I attacked him. I felt all thought leave my mind as my vision fully turned red and I tore at any part of him I could reach. We rolled along the ground growls and roars rent the air. Pain covered my body and it wasn't until the sorrow filled howls filled the air that I realized Kouga had finally reached us.

I jumped from Kiba's body as wolves circled us and drug myself to where Kiba knelt with Ayame in his arms rocking her in his embrace. I fell to my hands and knees and crawled over to them as my now clear vision blurred with unshed tears. The scent of blood filled the surrounding area and there was a growing puddle beneath Ayame's now pale body.

“Come on, fight this Ayame,” the words sounded so raw as Kouga fought to keep himself together.

I came to kneel beside them and whimpered as tears ran in rivulets down my own cheeks. The blood flow lessened as her body fought to heal itself. I watched as she smiled softly up at Kouga and then turned that beautiful smile in my direction.

“We need to get her to Koname,” I said fighting not to sob.

Kouga nodded and stood and just like the wind he was running with her in his arms back to the cave. I followed at a much slower pace, my body throbbing in pain as every wound was now felt. I pushed the pain and aside and pushed my body forward, desperate to get to Ayame's side once more.

I entered the cave and followed the trail of crimson drops to our den where Ayame was laid on our furs covered while Koname looked her over. I watched Koname's usual smiling face deepen in sorrow and I felt my heart sink. I came to Ayame's side and lay next to her as I offered her my body heat and my youki in the hope it would help her the way hers and Kouga's had helped me to heal. I hoped and prayed to any deity listening that she would live.

Ayame closed her eyes and I felt her hand lightly clasp mine and I lay on my side wrapping both my hands around her small cold hand. I leaned in and kissed her cheek and felt my eyes grow hot.

“You gotta fight, you hear me. You fight! I'm here and so is Kouga. You gotta fight for you and your cub.”

As I lay there I felt her belly tighten against mine and I knew that didn't bode well.

“We need Sesshomaru,” I called out to the room as I felt Ayame shiver against me, her body fighting to heal.

I heard the order given and watched as Hakaku left with wolves at his side. I lay there ignoring my body and its pains as I watched her struggle to breathe. Hours came and went and we all despaired as Ayame moaned awake, her body cramping followed soon by her waters breaking.

Her body was forcing an early delivery and Koname's sorrow filled eyes grew darker as the pains worsened and we watched an already weak Ayame fight pain in an already weakened state. I stayed at her side and held her hand along with Kouga and as the first light of dawn broken on a new day a tiny little girl was born almost three months early. She was tiny and it looked like every breath she took was an effort.

Ayame's tiny daughter was laid on her chest and Ayame stared down at her awed but too weak to move. I gently lifted Ayame's hands so that she could place her fingers on her tiny newborn.

“She's…beauti…ful…”

“Like her mother,” said Kouga with a watery smile with deep pain in his cerulean blue eyes.

I nodded and fought for breath as I watched the light dim in Ayame's once bright emerald eyes.

“Ayame…hold on…,” I could hear the desperation in my own voice but still I wouldn't give up.

“Sesshomaru will be here soon. He'll use that sword of his and you'll be back with us,” but even as the words left my mouth I watched her eyes darken and then her arms went slack and slid from her daughters tiny body.

Koname lifted the baby from Ayames chest and Kouga lifted Ayame into his arms and held her close as he cried his grief into her chest, his pain echoing off the cave walls and ceiling. I sobbed and pushed myself into a standing position and left Kouga alone with Ayame as I fought my own grief. I knew my grief would never match his and I felt anger and sorrow and failure. I had failed in protecting her. I had lost her and in doing so I had left Ranken and her daughter without their mother and Kouga without his mate. I found a quiet nook at the back of the cave and slid down into a sitting position and allowed the tears to fall as I cried out my pain and loss.

To Be Continued….

Sorry everyone. This is why the story had originally been listed kougaxYasha. I never planned on how much InuYasha would care for Ayame in this story. She was an amazing char to write. I have a feeling you will all hate me even more after the next chapter. I hope you read to the end. Thank you for reading and reviewing.

Kat