InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Lost Hopes ❯ Chapter 32

 

 

A/N: Hello People, I'm back. Still suffering from a huge writer's block but still somehow managing with the chapters. Anyways hope you enjoy this one.

 

Thanks Alisha! My Beta! You're great.

 

And thanks to all who have reviewed. It's greatly appreciated.

 

Chapter 32

 

Sango followed the wolf prince through the huge corridors of the castle awed at their living standards. She had hoped Kouga to be a wild demon of sorts and the cave in which they lived showed proof of it. However this elegant palace was a far cry from the simple somewhat animalistic habitat of the wolves in the plains. Even the members of the castle behaved in less barbaric manner than she had been before. A definite hierarchy existed here with definite rules and regulations to be followed strictly.

 

Wolf and demons passed them bowing slightly to their prince in greeting while casting wary glances at her. Some even sneered in contempt however she didn't notice as much as she was silently studying her friend's mate. Kouga seemed to be more controlled (than she had ever seen him), exuding power together with an aura with a gentle calmness and peace. Being mated had done well for Kouga and Sango prayed that Inuyasha too had received the same boons out of it. A few demons stopped inquiring about Inuyasha's health (news traveled fast within the castle walls) and Sango was surprised to see the genuine concerns in their eyes for her dog friend. Somehow this put her peace; her friend was “wanted” here. So caught up was she in her thought they she didn't notice the sharp turn both of them had taken and nearly collided into Kouga who had come to a stop in front of a large finely carved door among many that were lined along the well-lit corridor. Sango assumed them to belong to the personal chambers of the royal family themselves.

 

“This way” Kouga motioned holding the door slightly ajar for her. Sango stepped inside the unknown territory a bit apprehensively quickly scanning the room (which seemed to the sitting area of the suite) with curious eyes. Fire blazed in the large furnace at the corner of the room lightening the room with its tender glow, cushions and furs lay carefully arranged in front of it. Two figures, female, whom Sango had met in the council room sat in front of them talking quietly among themselves while their hands worked dexterously mixing and grinding the herbs that lay in front of them and putting them in large bowl that hung from an iron in the fireplace. A faint medicinal aroma lingered in the air.

 

“Mother, Obaasama” Kouga greeted and the women looked up greeting their own in return before their eyes turned silently studying the taijiya as she bowed to them. Finally they tilted their heads in return acknowledging her. However before she could speak the elder, whom Kouga had greeted as his obaasama looked up with a cool gaze that seemed to be sizing her up. Finally she spoke.

 

“Though you chose a path of slaying our kind, you work is virtuous and you seem to be far better in mannerisms than the other human girl from your group.” Hotaru pointed out. “We have trusted our son-in-law's judgment and have allowed his “friend” to enter our personal territory. See that you do not give Inuyasha or us any reason to regret the decision. We are too protective of our own and let me warn you beforehand will not tolerate any harm physical or emotional to them. Inuyasha, as a consequence of the previous event is quite vulnerable at the moment and will be allowed to suffer anymore. Therefore if you bear any malicious intent for Inuyasha or his unborn child you may leave immediately. We will not have him upset again; he has been through enough as it is.”

 

“Lady…” Sango began.

 

“Hotaru” the elder she-wolf provided.

 

“Lady Hotaru, Inuyasha is and will always be my friend. He has done more than I can ever repay him, I assure you my lady neither I nor my chosen will ever willingly bring harm to him or his children. You can trust us”

 

Hotaru nodded her hardened features softening a bit. “Very well, See that you follow your words taijiya, otherwise the consequences shall be severe.”

 

Sango nodded.

 

Hotaru then turned to her still scowling grandson. “Kouga take her inside, He's awake... still, however keep it short he needs to rest.”

 

Sango bowed again and followed Kouga to the inner chamber.

 

**********

 

Inuyasha tossed restlessly finally giving up. “Darn it” he growled and wiggled to try and sit up disheveling the mound of pillows near his head. “What's taking the idiot so long?”

 

“What do you think you're doing!” the irritated voice of the so called “idiot” made him look up with a scowl of oncoming tantrum which instantly dissolved as he saw Sango peeking from his behind his mate's brawny form with a smile on her face.

 

“Sango!” Inuyasha trying to get up from the bed growling at himself when he found it none too easy.

 

Kouga growled as he quickly moved to his mate pushing him down on the bed. A mild protest from Inuyasha earned him a glare as Kouga began helping him to sit up properly before fluffing up the pillows and arranging them behind Inuyasha and tucking the blanket (that had fallen off sometime during Inuyasha wriggling) around his mate. “Can't you rest for a moment? You know mother has advised to rest…”

 

“Kouga I….” Inuyasha interrupted but was ignored.

 

“….but would you care….”

 

“Kouga…”

 

“Dancing around on the bed, dislodging the pillows. One would think…”

 

“KOUGA!” Inuyasha called exasperatedly.

 

“WHAT?” Kouga turned sharply to his mate.

 

Inuyasha smiled as he looked at disgruntled mate and placed a soft kiss on his lips. “Thanks you…”

 

Kouga stared silently then turned to the other occupant of the room desperately trying to hide her smirk. “Yeah, Yeah… whatever” he muttered with a roll on his eyes before settling down close beside his mate on the bed. “Just try not to jump off the bed.”

 

Inuyasha ignored the comment.

 

“Hey, Sango” the taijiya smiled at her old friend who though looked tired was almost glowing. Was it the power he displayed before or his pregnancy she didn't know.

 

“Come, sit” Inuyasha gestured to the mound of furs beside the bed and Sango nodded settling herself on them tucking her legs beneath her.

 

“How are you doing Inuyasha? You had us worried you know. And what happened today…”

 

“I am fine Sango” Inuyasha assured and Kouga snorted earning a sharp glace from his inu. “Just a bit tired though.”

 

“Hmmm” Sango agreed, and then sighed. “Inuyasha I am so sorry, today was not…. Kagome….” Sango began.

 

“You have nothing to be sorry for Sango. You've caused me no harm…” Inuyasha soothed, however it seemed Kouga didn't share his views as he involuntarily growled at the taijiya pulling his mate closer to his body. Yes, Kouga had noticed the almost non-existent flinch his mate gave as the human wench's name was mentioned.

 

Inuyasha sighed before turning to his mate; he had to send the wolf out if he wanted to talk to his friend.

 

“Kouga, Sango and I need to talk” he announced.

 

Kouga blinked blankly at him for a moment. “So? Go on, I am not stopping you”

 

Inuyasha rolled his eyes. “So, I need to talk her privately”

 

“No I am not leaving you alone” Kouga asserted, the possessive instinct flaring his features. His arms wound protectively around the mound of his mate.

 

“Kouga, Sango will not harm me, you know that and she has no weapons. Please. I need to talk to her alone” Inuyasha pleaded after today's event the wolf prince was still on the edge and Inuyasha didn't blame him but honestly Sango was less than a to him in his own territory. “Please, love?”

 

Kouga softened a bit but still looked apprehensive.

 

“I trust her.” Inuyasha insisted.

 

“Yes Kouga I give you my word” Sango assured…

 

“I am not saying that” Kouga snapped. “What…what if you need something… what if something happens… Inuyasha you know what Mother had said, you need….”

 

“Kouga” Inuyasha leaned forwards a bit silencing his mate with a kiss leaving the poor wolf a bit dazed. “I'll be fine, if I need anything, I'll call. Go sit with mother,” seeing his mate's reluctance “Go Kouga, you will be in the next room”. Kouga's finally nodded but still didn't move. “Should I call ho-chan, to take you” Inuyasha teased.

 

“Okay, okay, I am leaving” Kouga growled as he released Inuyasha and got up but not before placing a possessive kiss on his mate's lips and sparing a warning glances towards the human female, then left the room muttering low wolf about “stubborn brainless mates and freaky loony grandmothers”.

 

As soon he left, the two burst out laughing. “Sweet isn't he?” Sango who had been studying the pair closely commented.

 

“More like possessive airhead” Inuyasha smirked.

 

Sango smiled a bit before turning serious. “So Inuyasha how are doing?”

 

“Good… I am happy Sango. Everything is…all right. Kouga has changed you know, a lot. Though he still acts like the stuck-up ass most of the times, he cares.”

 

“Yes I can see that” Sango agreed. “I can his love and concern for you and his family's.”

 

“Hmmm.” Inuyasha nodded. “His family is great, a little strange but they are something I can call my own.”

 

“Hai” Sango agreed. “They are quite protective of you.”

 

Inuyasha smiled before his visage turned sad. “Without them I would be lost Sango, and almost certainly dead. I had lost everything, my freedom, my status… and then my… my pup” Tears threatened to rise up, damn! The stupid hormones!

 

The taijiya looked up sharply. “What are talking about Inuyasha?”

 

“Sango I…” a lump thickened making him choke yet he desperately pushed it down. It would not do good to cry, Kouga was next room, and if he heard him… moreover he was not going to brood on the past… he had promised but damn, his pup was still a sore spot for him.

 

Sango rose moving to sit beside her friend and wiped the tear that had escaped his eyes. Taking his trembling hands into her own (she was surprised when Inuyasha didn't flinch) she gently squeezed them. Inuyasha looked up sadly at her.

 

“You don't have to tell me Inuyasha.” She said seeing the inu's. “I do want you to….”

 

“No! It's okay Sango,” Inuyasha interrupted. “There's not much in it anyway and you deserve to know why I didn't return that day.”

 

Sango waited patiently for her friend to pull himself together before he began his tale and Sango found herself growing more and more furious as Inuyasha slowly began relating all that happened from the moment he left had left with Kagome to take her to the well, to meeting Kouga, to Kagome command snatching the life on his own child from his body, to Kouga regrets and the wolf's repentance, to mating. Their love growing slowly and the family who took him as his own; an older brother and a sister in form of Katashi and Kaiya, a bubbly younger sister in form mi-chan, a loony Hotaru who in her crazy way loved him, taught him many things, even to read and write; and most of all a loving mother and father who cared for him and regarded him as his own son, maybe more. She was happy for her friend yet Kagome's actions though done without awareness could not be forgiven.

 

“….they gave me so much Sango. I was lost and they found me. They pulled out of despair and gave me hope. They made me one of them, they are my world now. I belong here Sango”

 

Sango wiped a stray tear from her cheek nodding solemnly “I understand Inuyasha. It's good to know you are doing well. We were so worried about you. We…I… I thought you were…that something happened to you. We didn't know what Kouga had done to you; you already were marked by him and…”

 

“I know.” Inuyasha looked up in the brown eyes of her friend.

 

Sango sighed. “Inuyasha I told Miroku about you.” feeling Inuyasha tense at that she quickly continued. “I had too, Miroku understands Inuyasha. He knows the curses of loneliness feels like and is happy that now you found a mate. He would never condemn you, he may not seem like he cares but I know he does” she squeezed the inu hands and Inuyasha nodded slightly.

 

“And what about the pipsqueak?” Inuyasha asked wanting to lighten the mood. “How's he holding up? Did he get all awed at my super powers?”

 

Sango fought the urge to shake her head, some things never changed. “It was a shock for Shippo.” She informed. “Poor thing didn't know what to think of his honorary mother. Miroku is taking care of him now”.

 

“Hmmm… he is still too young to understand these things. He…” A huge yawn that he had been trying unsuccessfully to suppress made it way out. As if on cue Keiko entered stepped in followed by a smug looking Kouga who growled immediately at their joined hands. Inuyasha just bared his fangs half hearted warning him of his stupidity and fixing him with a glare, he did let go Sango's hands though. Hotaru was strangely and thankfully nowhere in sight.

 

Kouga quietly made his way towards his mate pulling the pregnant inu closer to his body. Inuyasha leaned heavily against him; the tiredness was catching up to him. Kouga's hands wound around his waist and rubbing his swollen belly soothingly. The inu hummed in pleasure while Kouga fixed Sango with a look and clearly stated pain who dared to claim his mate. Inuyasha rolled his eyes at his wolf's antic but gladly accepted the kiss offered.

 

The taijiya held the wolf glaze non-threatening as she stepped back watching quietly as Keiko bustled around the inu checking him and offering the his medicine. If she had noticed their antics she didn't comment.

 

“Now Inuyasha enough for tonight, you need to rest dear.” Keiko announced, “Today's been a long day.”

 

Inuyasha looked about to protest but a warning glare from his mother-in-law silenced him. “Now that's a good boy.” Keiko smiled as Inuyasha yawned and together the mother and son helped Inuyasha settle down.

 

“Good night Inuyasha, rest well.” Sango smiled from her corner. “We will talk some more other time.”

 

Keiko nodded at the girl pleased. Exhaustion and the medicine caught unto him and Inuyasha was asleep as soon as hit the pillow.

 

“Kouga take her to her rooms dear.” Keiko gestured to her son who looked reluctant leaving his inu but got up anyways and placing on the inu's forehead turned to the taijiya. “Come.”

 

The taijiya bowed to the other woman before following Kouga out of the room.

 

“Kouga” she called.

 

“Yes?” the wolf turned slightly towards her.

 

“Do take good care of him. He is been through a lot. He needs to be loved”

 

Kouga said nothing but nodded silently before leading the taijiya towards their chambers.

 

**********

 

A commotion caught their senses as Sango and Kouga neared her room. A small crowd was gathered just outside the door to the room where they were staying, the demons murmuring among themselves as they tried to get a better look at what was occurring inside the rooms. The guards itself seemed were fruitlessly trying to push them away.

 

“One would have thought you have learned you lesson girl. This not your world and we not share your view and next time you make such an attempt bear in mind you will be responsible for the consequences as well.” Hotaru clear voice echoed through the room and both the wolf and the human pushed through the crowd to enter the room and stopped short. A glowering Hotaru was holding onto a whimpering Kagome's hair before she released with and pushed the miko towards the food that she had strewn across the room.

 

“Come on get to it and clean it up or I will make you clean with it your tongue human.” Kagome looked up in silent defiance. “And I have means to do so.” Hotaru threatened clicking her clawed fingers and baring her fangs at her threateningly. The miko gulped, this was not a woman…eh… demoness to be trifled with. Slowly she turned to the other occupants of the room, wanting them to help her with the situation fuming inwardly when they made no move. She tried opening her mouth but was cut of quickly as Hotaru barked “NOW!” sharply making her jumping. Quickly she began clearing the mess all the glaring sideways at Sango and Kouga.

 

Hotaru swiftly turned towards the duo them who stood stunned in surprise and smirked. “So you're back then.” she smirked watching as they jerked out of their stupor. “Had a nice chat then?” she inquired of the taijiya girl.

 

“Hai, arigatou” Sango curtsied.

 

Hotaru nodded. “Kouga…”

 

Blue eyes snapped towards her from where they had been smug studying the distressed girl wiping the walls. “Yes?”

 

“Go to your mother's. She has something to say to you.”

 

“Hai” he turned too leaved.

 

“and..”

 

The wolf stopped turning around, "On the way just pop into the kitchen and inform the ladies that a human will be joining them for the menial chores today and tomorrow till the council meeting. This girl needs a good lesson of why not to waste food that had been offered to you and also a few doses of humility. I will be accompanying her myself a few minutes later. YOU MISSED A SPOT GIRL!”

 

“Okay.” Kouga nodded with a smirked and turned to leave the room.

 

“Taijiya, you and your human may rest tonight” Hotaru informed Sango. “However she will be joining me”

 

Sango nodded silently.

 

Kagome tried to glare from her position but Hotaru stared challengingly back at her. Kagome wisely remained silent though Sango had doubt that this was more of the red fingerprint that lined the miko's cheek than fear that had quieted the miko.

 

 

tbc