InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ In The Shadow Of The Wolf Queen ❯ End and Beginning ( Chapter 1 )

 

“Your Highness, with all due respect . . .”

 

“I do not care what your petty arguments are with the hanyou, Kouga. Bring him and his brother to me with all due haste. Bring the fox child the hanyou travels with as well.”

 

Kouga's jaw sagged for a moment in shock. But he knew better than to challenge her. He might be the alpha of his pack, but she was the supreme queen by right of conquest. She had been their ruler for the past three hundred years. Every last member of all the packs answered to her. All those who were left at that point anyway. Even Naraku hadn't dared to come and confront her directly. Though there had been several attempts to lure her out through the years.

 

He bowed respectfully. “It will be as you wish, your Highness.”

 

“That is as it should be,” she said, turning her back on him and dismissing him with a wave of her hand.

 

Kouga restrained himself from slamming the massive oak door to the throne room. He was positively seething. What in the hells did the queen of all wolves want with a lowly inu hanyou and his stuck up brother? Better yet, why was he being put upon to play errand boy? It was no secret that he and Inuyasha would have happily killed one another on several different occasions had Kagome not intervened. The hanyou would no doubt refuse to come and that would be the end of that. The inu Lord's reaction to the command was a bit harder to judge. He could either look down his aristocratic nose and ignore the summons or kill him. Either way, it could prove to be a rough day for Kouga.

 

 

The wolf queen waited until Kouga was safely out of range before sitting down heavily on the throne and putting her head into her hands.

 

“My lady?” a voice asked from the left side of the throne. A girl of around twelve peered around the side of the massive piece of furniture.

 

“Yes, Lily? What is it?”

 

“Are you not feeling well? You seem tired.”

 

“I am tired, young one. Very tired,” she said with a heavy sigh. “But, I shall no doubt survive. Thank you for asking.”

 

The girl's eyes brightened and she smiled a bit nervously. “My lady, may I ask you something?”

 

“Of course.”

 

“Why did you send for Naraku's killer and his brother? I know you must have a good reason.”

 

“I do have a good reason,” she said, looking out the window. She turned to look at the girl after a moment, sensing something amiss. “Why are you so concerned?”

 

The girl shifted from one foot to the other. “I . . . it's said that the inu Lord hates humans,” she said in a rush.

 

“Ah. I see. I have been told by several different individuals that a young human girl has traveled with him this past year or so. I hardly think he would tolerate a human in his company if he hated them. Do you honestly think I would allow anyone to harm you in your own home?”

 

The girl looked visibly relieved. “No, my Lady.”

 

“Hmm. Shouldn't you be at lessons?”

 

“Yes, ma'am,” Lily said before sprinting off.

 

The wolf queen watched her go. Children were always a good balm for a weary soul. She stood and walked out onto the balcony. Looking down into the valley, she felt the pain of loss all the more.

 

How ironic it is, she thought, smiling a little to herself. That the wolves are now going to the dogs.