InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Lost Hopes ❯ Chapter 19

My thanks to Mollie the ever-helping beta of mine.

 

Chapter 19

 

“I am glad Inuyasha has settled in. I was truly worried about that child." Keiko smiled, sliding her arms along her mate's as they strolled through the castle corridors. Mashiro nodded giving it a slight but affectionate squeeze. “He is far stronger than he lets on.”

 

“Hai.” Masahiro agreed. “He is Dai's and Izayoi's son, after all. Although I am shocked at Kouga's change. I would never admit it, but Kouga's seems more content now; not the usual hot-headed ruffian...”

 

“Were you any different when I first met you?” Keiko teased, her emerald orbs sparkling with mirth. It was good to see her cubs all content and happy with their mates.

 

“Hmm… it is why I had always impressed upon him the need for a good mate, love. Inuyasha is just what he needs. However I am looking forward to the mating season this year…”

 

“Hai, me too. The loss of his unborn child has left a scar on poor Inuyasha, one that would not be easily healed. I can still see the emptiness in his eyes, though he seldom lets anybody see them. A new pup would do both of them good.”

 

“I couldn't agree more my love. However, I am still expecting from our daughter and Katashi. Those two have been mated for four years, yet they still act like mere pups.” Mashiro frowned. “Cubs these days, they never consider settling down as a family. I know Katashi is a bit mule-headed, but I had expected that at least Kaiya would have more sense. Is it too much to expect a grandchild or two running around the castle?”

 

Keiko chuckled. “No, my Lord, yet the cubs these days want more time for themselves and think a pup would only…”

 

“Nonsense! A pup is a gift, a miracle!”

 

“Hai, I know, my love. That is why I intend on having a talk with Kaiya and…” suddenly she stopped as something on the snowy courtyard caught her eyes. Turning, she was stopped short causing Mashiro to look at her in question as she pulled his arm. “Keiko?”

 

The person in question didn't answer, but instead burst out laughing, pointing to the chaotic scene before her. Soon Mashiro joined in, their laughter mixing with the squeals and giggles of the toddler crowd.

 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

 

A few minutes earlier

 

Kouga sulked as he corkscrewed aimlessly through the castle corridors. “Damn fucking Nori, should've at least let me have a peak at him. Why can't I visit my mate when I want to?” he growled, frustrated as he punched a nearby wall making a few passers-by jump in surprise. “He knows I would never disturb the class. Okay, I may have pulled Inuyasha to sneak in a few kisses but that wouldn't have hurt the young brats, would it? They hardly even want to be there? Now what am I to do with my free time, even Katashi is with Oneechan. Stupid old freak, only knows how to…” he stopped suddenly, the elven ears flicking at the childish giggles that rang throughout the castle courtyard. “What the fuck? Aren't those runts supposed to be inside?” he stormed to the entrance gates puling them open and stopped.

 

Ah, There it was, the object of his desire sitting on the ledge. But why such a forlorn look? Not good, not good at all. Every time he saw Inuyasha like he felt nothing but overwhelming guilt and inadequacy; something he was not very fond of.

 

“Sensei, please!” Kouga watched a few of the little ones trying to pry Inuyasha out of the impenetrable state he was slowly sinking into. “Play with us!”

 

Inuyasha spoke but so softy he didn't hear much of it. The cubs pouted a bit and returned to their friends in the snow. Determination set in yet again. No way was he going his mate to sulk and brood over split milk, it was time for instant action.

 

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Inuyasha watched the little pups return to their friends and sighed. These kids really cared about him, everyone cared about him. He was family; yet the pain, the emptiness….

 

“Oi, mutt-face.” he snapped up at the familiar remark.

 

SPLAT!

 

Something very wet and very cold slid down his face as the arena suddenly went very quiet. “What the fu…” Inuyasha brushed off the snow only to be….

 

SPLAT! SPLAT! SPLAT!

 

More followed, and he was knocked off his haunches, landing on the ground flat on his butt. A bit disgruntled and dazed, he rubbed the snow off his face and prepared to jump up and fry his assaulter then and there, but he stopped. “Kouga…? Why?”

 

“'Why' what, mutt-face?” Kouga grinned while bouncing a well-rounded snowball back and forth between his hands. A few of the kids giggled. “Can't answer ya if I don't know what's going through that empty brain of yours.”

 

Glaring at his students, Inuyasha turned to his mate, fixing him with a chilled gaze that even rivalled Sesshoumaru's. “What the hell doing to think you're doing, Kouga?”

 

“I can't have you brooding here, love, when the kids want to play. And since you refused them... I wanted to see if you're up to a little game with me…” another snowball hit its mark.

 

Inuyasha roared. “Why you…!” He successfully dodged the next hit while scooping up copious amounts snow in his hands and returned the attack, but growled as Kouga skilfully stepped aside. “Kouga, I am warning you…!”

 

“Is that the best you can do, white puppy?” Kouga knew how much the name irked Inuyasha, and used it as perfect bait. “Never knew you were so weak as to fling only empty threats.”

 

“You mangy, flea beaten, fat assed wolf-turd!” with that began the forgotten war of the wolf and the dog, only this time the weapon consisted of various sized snow balls as Inuyasha chased Kouga through the courtyard hitting him occasionally, and often getting hitting while the cubs all giggled, squealed and cheered for their own champions.

 

After a good few minutes of running around, Inuyasha was thoroughly frustrated with Kouga's efficiency at dodging snowballs, and was thoroughly irked. He picked his last weapon, a rather humongous snowball, aiming at the smugly grinning wolf throwing more insults at him.

 

“KOUGA NO BAKA!”

 

As if in slow motion, the ball sped through the air as Inuyasha stood, strong and heaving, sporting a wicked fanged grin of his own, and no one could dodge it. He knew it and Kouga wasn't even moving away from his ultimate attack. “He… he, gotcha, baka ookami…” however the grin soon slid off his face as Kouga jumped the snow ball at the perfect second, the giant ball passing under his feet and did a couple of back flips as Inuyasha and the watched stunned. Fur sprouted forth, his face elongated into a well-defined snout, and his body changed rapidly as Kouga morphed in mid-leap, going from his human form to his beast form in the blink of an eye.

 

The dark wolf landed on four feet, his tail wagging tauntingly and lips pulling back in a mocking grin as he watched his mate standing wide eyed rendered absolutely speechless for the first time in his life. Inuyasha had never seen him this way, and was stunned at the change. Kouga was simply beautiful, the lush, shiny black furs gleaming in the sun against the pale whiteness of the snow, the strength that rippled through the hidden muscles and aura of simple unbridled power that surrounded the beast which stood tall and strong. Was this how it felt to be a full demon?

 

Kouga watched the awe on his mate's eyes and laughed inwardly. Now was his chance. If Inuyasha thought the fight was over he was so wrong. He coolly walked forward, ignoring the buzzing younglings standing in a huddle as they waited, and stopped a few feet from his mate. Inuyasha still stood silent, as if in a trance and Kouga took the moment to make a complete turn about. Turning his head, he watched his mate's confused and furrowed brow before taking deep breath. In swift, sudden movement, he used his hind legs to spray his dazed and unsuspecting mate with layer after layer of snow.

 

“Kouga…baka…stop…!” Inuyasha cried as he tried to shield himself against the newest attack, however found it was too late as he was swiftly buried in a pile of white chilled wetness, the childish laughter more strong than ever.

 

With a satisfied wave of his tail, the wolf turned again, jumping to stand on the snowy heap that had buried Inuyasha's body and began his assault on Inuyasha's face, licking and drooling, tickling him into submission.

 

“Oi…Kouga… mangy…baka…ah… stop… hey…tickles!” Inuyasha struggled and writhed but the weight of the wolf held him down as he was licked again and again, until finally he broke down and burst into a fit of giggles. “Kouga… stop! Please, I give up! Kouga!”

 

The fangs gleaming yet again in amusement cerulean orbs peered in to his for a moment before Kouga stepped down letting the inu sit up, shaking himself and spraying the nearby squealing children and his bestial mate with snowflakes. Kouga morphed back again and grinned. “So give up so easily mutt…”

 

Inuyasha just glared and hmphed as he reluctantly let Kouga pull him up. Pushing his now grinning mate off him roughly, he turned to his students. “Oi, watcha laughing at?” he glared. The cubs instantly silenced, though an occasional giggle often leaked out. “Happy, aren't ya? Bunch of sloppy runts… let's see how happy you are when you return tomorrow. Now off with ya, you lazy whelps.” the laughing stopped, however the whispers didn't as the younglings returned to their respective families, excited about relating the recent events or “the defeat of the great sword master”, as they had put it.

 

Arms wound themselves around his sinewy waist and Inuyasha was instantly pulled against his mate, a cold nose pressed against his neck making him shiver. “Kougaaa…” He turned, hell bent on giving his mate a piece of his mind but it seemed that Kouga had anticipated his move yet again as his lips were promptly sealed with the wolf's silencing any epithets he had reserved for him.

 

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Keiko still couldn't help but giggle at their child's antics even Mashiro seemed highly amused, the quirk of his mouth belying his vexed frown. “I told you those too are good for one another.”

 

Mashiro simply hmphed at the comment.

 

“Inuyasha is fine now, and Kouga will keep him happy; I am sure of that.” Keiko mused. “It seems, my Lord, that your son has discovered the secret of leading a mated life.”

 

Mashiro remained silent, yet the hand that sided along her waist pulling her to him was answer enough for Keiko. Her mate agreed.

 

Author Notes: This Chapter will be continued into the next one. I have divided a long chapter into two halves.