InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Red Riding Haori ❯ Part 2 ( Chapter 2 )

Red Riding Haori

Part 2

 

The two had been walking in silence for sometime. Every now and then Kagome would hear Shippo scent the air from her shoulder. She'd giggled the first time and asked him what he was doing. He'd responded with an impish grin, saying that he was making sure the area was safe. He was taking his job to protect her seriously it would seem.

 

A sudden sneeze had Shippo shooting back off her shoulder. Surprised, Kagome stopped and turned to him in concern. Shippo was already sitting up, shaking his head as if to clear it. A giggle escaped her upon seeing he was fine, the sound causing the little kit to look up at her indignantly.

 

“Kagome!” he said, upset that she would laugh at him.

 

Kagome covered her smile with her hand. “I'm sorry, Shippo. I was just relieved you were alright, and it was kind of funny the way you just disappeared over my shoulder….”

 

Seeing that the kit was still upset she swept him up off the ground and began to coddle him. He immediately brightened once in her arms.

 

“Are you feeling ill, Shippo?” Kagome asked, referring to his earlier sneeze.

 

He shook his head. “No, it was the flowers. They irritated my nose.”

 

Kagome cocked her head and looked about. She couldn't see any flowers near the road. “Where are they, I don't see them?”

 

Shippo pointed into the trees on their left. “They're just over there, beyond the trees. Let's keep going Kagome, they're really irritating my nose.”

 

Kagome nodded absently, but continued to stare off where Shippo had pointed. The first flowers of spring, Grandmother Kaede enjoyed wild flowers, and Kagome found it hard to resist the temptation to pick them and smell them.

 

“Kagome, what are you doing?”

 

Kagome had started toward the hidden flowers, but stopped at Shippo's question. “Obaa-san would love to get some flowers, Shippo. I'm going to pick some.”

 

Shippo sneezed then, his eyes watering as he rubbed his nose. He didn't look to happy about the flowers.

 

“Hey, why don't you stay here and guard the basket Shippo, I shouldn't be too long!” she said as she set him and the basket on the other side of the road.

 

“I don't know Kagome,” said Shippo as she moved towards the trees again, “Inuyasha wouldn't want me leaving you alone.”

 

Kagome threw a brilliant smile back at Shippo. “What Inuyasha doesn't know, won't kill you.” Then laughing, she disappeared into the bush, leaving a very concerned kitsune behind.

 

As the trees closed in around her, Kagome momentarily had second thoughts of leaving the road. She paused and looked about herself, taking in the sounds and sights of the forest. The trees whispered to her as the sun filtered through the leaves revealing birds in the branches, flittering and dancing and singing. Other little rodents could be heard in the underbrush. Kagome relaxed once again and chuckled at her paranoia. It had been a fluke that the demon had been near her this morning.

 

It took a little longer than she expected, but Kagome finally reached the wild flowers Shippo had smelled. They were in a little clearing, allowing an unobstructed view of the blue sky. Kagome wandered into the midst of them to sit and began picking out the ones she believed her grandmother would like best.

 

“Human girl, what are you doing?”

 

The voice came from a deep, dark place. It had a noticeable rough, threatening edge to it that demanded instant attention. At the sound of it Kagome immediately stilled, her hand left resting on the stem of a flower. Her senses strained and she realised the birds were missing and the wind had stilled as if this youkai controlled it.

 

Trying to remain calm, Kagome turned toward where the voice had come from. There, leaning against a tree, was a wolf. Though he hid himself in human form, she could tell what he was by the predatory gleam in his ice blue eyes, the strain of his muscles as if he was holding himself back from pouncing. A wolf fur was draped around his hips, just below the armour he wore over his chest. His forearms and claves, along with other places, also sported fur, such as his night black hair pulled back in a high pony tail. He tilted his head to the side at her wide eyed scrutiny, as if reminding her she had yet to give her answer.

 

“I…I'm gathering flowers for my Obaa-san. She's unwell and I'm taking her some food.”

 

The wolf shifted towards her, a disdainful look on his face. “And how will flowers make her feel better?”

 

Surprisingly, a small smile came to Kagome's lips. “She likes flowers; it'll make her happy that I thought of her enough to trouble picking them.”

 

The wolf scratched the back of his head, an uncertain look crossing his face. “If you say so….”

 

He remained where he was and stared at her, seemingly studying her. Kagome became aware that she was alone with the demon that was trying to steal Inuyasha's territory. She suddenly felt uncomfortable and guilty, as if she were betraying Inuyasha's trust by talking with the demon. With this realisation, Kagome gathered the flowers into her arms.

 

“I should be going, it's getting late and I still have a ways to go,” she said as she stood.

 

“Where does she live that it's so far?” the wolf asked, watching her closely.

 

“Down the road, between the two villages,” she said absently, “I have to be home in time for dinner, so you see why I'm in a hurry. It was nice meeting you.”

 

With a final smile to the perplexed looking wolf, she turned and began to leave the clearing, wanting to get back to Shippo and the relative safety of the road. She never should have left the road, she knew that now.

 

The wind picked up for a moment, and a small cry of surprise escaped her when the wolf suddenly appeared before her, an expression she read as dangerous covering his features. She clutched the flowers to her chest, but refused to be afraid of him. He had as of yet to hint that he meant her harm.

 

“I did not say you could go, woman.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “What's your name?”

 

Kagome glanced around her, aware he was blocking her only escape rout. She wet her dry lips. “Kagome. What's yours?”

 

A smirk curled his lips, a fang poking through. “I am Prince Kouga of the Wolf Demon Tribe.”

 

Kagome inwardly frowned, though her outward expression remained the same. Demons had princes? She'd never thought that they may have hierarchies like humans.

 

With a slight bow, Kagome tried to excuse herself. “It is a pleasure meeting you, Kouga-sama. But I must be on my way, my Obaa-san expects me.”

 

The wolf didn't move. He continued to stare down at her, his arms crossed. His lack of response unnerved her, but Kagome ignored it and began to move around him, hoping his silence meant she could go.

 

Her arm was grabbed harshly, startling her into dropping the bouquet to the ground. A gasp escaped her as she was swung back around in front of the demon wolf. His gaze was predatory, a low growl rumbling in his chest as he leant in towards her.

 

Her hand moved of its own accord and met his cheek with stinging impact. The sound of flesh striking flesh resounded throughout the forest.

 

His head shot to the side at the impact, but he recovered immediately and shifted it back to her, the growl returning forcefully to his chest. The redness on his cheek was quickly fading, his expression dangerously unreadable as he took hold of her chin and firmly shifted it to the side. He leant in once again, sniffing at her neck, moving down. She felt the wetness of a tongue run along her skin and squeezed her eyes shut at the thought. Was he going to eat her?

 

His movements stopped, his growl instantly cutting off. Her breath hitched as he pulled back, his hard gaze focussed on her shoulder, still covered by the red haori. He touched it only to then lean forward, lifting it to his nose as if to inspect it. He inhaled deeply, almost immediately pulling back as if it was the most offending smell he'd ever encountered.

 

“Remove that. A beautiful creature such as yourself should not be covered in the offensive scent of a hanyou, especially that mutt-face.”

 

While a blush at the compliment found its way to her cheeks, Kagome still shook her head at his request. She remembered her promise to Inuyasha; she would not remove his haori.

 

“He is special to me. I gladly wear it. Please, why do you keep me from leaving?” She was shocked at the boldness of her words, and saw that he was as well. Her lack of outward fear seemed to mystify him.

 

A sharp growl of frustration left him then, and he pushed her from him, releasing his tight hold on her arm. She lost balance at the sudden movement and fell unceremoniously to her bottom, an indignant “oomph” escaping her at the impact.

 

“You didn't have to do that, you jerk!” she said, her voice coloured with her annoyance.

 

The demon prince had turned his back to her after releasing her, his hands propped on his hips as he looked off into the trees. “I want his territory for my tribe. We were decimated recently by a rival demon. We need rich lands to recoup and reproduce. This forest is perfect.”

 

Kagome remained confused. “I can understand that, I suppose. But what does it have to do with me?” She began to gather the scattered flowers into her lap.

 

Kouga glanced over his shoulder, taking in the young woman surrounded by flowers. He couldn't deny he craved her. He had sampled her skin and she tasted as good as she smelled. He could see why the mutt-face courted her, though he rolled his eyes at his choice of method. Human courtships took too long as far as he was concerned. Comparatively, youkai courtships were often short and to the point. If their scents were pleasing and their personalities didn't clash, they were a match. The length of discovering this depended on the breed and individual, but for canine demons it didn't take all that long. So far, he liked the fiery bitch. Perhaps he wouldn't have to kill her.

 

The feeling of being watched became too much for her to bear. Looking up, Kagome was startled to find the wolf crouched before her, staring at her intently.

 

“You are the mutt's alpha female.”

 

Her face drained of all colour at the blunt statement, only to be suffused with blood as the initial shock wore off. “Eh?” Her voice was too high pitched even for her ears.

 

He leaned in a bit, his head tilting as if to get a better look at her. “I could kill you. I should kill you. But I don't believe I will....” His voice had dropped, becoming soft, his eyes heavy lidded as a hand moved toward her, taking a black tress between his fingers in a caress that was too intimate for Kagome.

 

She flinched back from his touch, clutching the re-gathered flowers to her chest, awaiting his reaction to her rejection with wide eyes.

 

He sat back on his haunches with a scowl, his eyes locked with hers in a silent battle of wills. She felt a strange coldness enter the air, it was like her energy, her strength, was being stifled or drained from her. Her senses screamed for her to run away, but she remained where she was, fighting the eerie darkness that threatened her, that demanded her submission.

 

He let his youki flare and drench the clearing in his power. He could see her tremble as the demonic energy altered the very atmosphere of the day. Still, she remained defiant and he could only admire her strength of will, his hunger for her only increasing as he bent his will against her.

 

“I claim the alpha female as mate, and so claim this territory. Remove the mutt's haori. No other's scent but mine will mingle with yours.”

 

Kagome shook her head, refusing to give in. “No, stop this!”

 

With little warning, she found herself pressed to the ground, his hand to her throat. She struggled to get up, chocking herself in the process. He was not choking her, only holding her in place as he watched her, his expression cold, though the corner of his lip lifted in a small smirk.

 

She clawed at his hand, trying to get him to let go. “W -what are you doing?”

 

“A female must show the male some form of submission to indicate acceptance. You are human and would not know this. I am only helping you in the courtship.” He was smirking again, his other hand trailing over her stomach and pushing aside the haori as he leaned over her.

 

Kagome felt panic taking hold, her breath coming in pants as she realised she was trapped. Unable to run, she decided to fight.

 

“No! Stop it!” she said, and struck out at him with all her might.

 

Her legs were trapped beneath her, having folded them under while sitting, but she used her hands and nails to their fullest effect, raining blows across his shoulders, head and face. Her blows had little more impact than feeding his annoyance, indicated by the constant growl in his chest. She paid it no attention, her only wish being to get him off and to get away.

 

When her nails raked across his cheek, Kouga reacted instinctively. Wrenching her kimono to the side, he sank his teeth into the fleshy part of her shoulder, becoming instantly drunk on her sweet blood as it filled his mouth. Her initial scream was like music, her subsequent whimpers of pain intoxicating him still further. She struggled for release again, and he half heartedly growled, shaking her before lowering his weight onto her to limit her movement. He continued to lap at the wound he'd created, savouring her distinct taste as the flow slowed to a trickle. He was so absorbed with his female he didn't even sense the approach of another.

 

“Fox Fire!”

 

Kagome had been staring dazedly up into the blue sky, her mind numbed by the overwhelming pain in her shoulder, when the blue flames erupted above the wolf. He let out a yelp of pain before rolling from her and jumping back with a snarl. With the weight lifted, she pushed herself up onto her elbows, her head spinning and her shoulder aching.

 

“Kagome! Get up!” Shippo cried before sending a giant top spinning toward Kouga.

 

Wildflowers still in hand, Kagome pushed herself to her knees and then her feet, wobbling for a moment as her head spun and she nearly blacked out.

 

“Hurry Kagome!” said Shippo, hopping about agitatedly at the edge of the forest.

 

Kagome stumbled towards him, gaining speed as she heard the snarls of the wolf trying to evade the attacking top. Shippo jumped into her arms and they continued into the forest, dodging around trunks, under low hanging branches and over protruding roots. Even when she reached the road, she only took as much time as needed to lift the basket before continuing at a lope.

 

“Kagome, what happened back there?” Shippo asked from her shoulder as he inspected her wound.

 

“I don't know!” Kagome said, her words coming out as a sob. What had just happened? Her mind refused to settle on it, to allow her to think about it.

 

“This is serious Kagome! He bit you!” Shippo sounded scared.

 

Kagome came to a sudden stop. She needed to comfort Shippo. She needed to think! Biting her lip, she took in her surroundings. There was no sign of the wolf demon; the forest sounds were strong and uninterrupted on the road. She realised she was more then halfway to her grandmothers now and her hopes rose as she intuitively knew she would be safe there. All the same, she had to get a message to Inuyasha, to let him know he had been right to worry. That she needed his protection from Kouga, the wolf prince.

 

“I know this is serious Shippo. That's why you've got to find Inuyasha and bring him to Obaa-san's immediately!”

 

Shippo shook his head stubbornly. “I can't leave you! You need me to protect you from the demon.”

 

She smiled and hugged him to her, forcing herself to be calm and not give into hysterics. “I'll be fine. Obaa-san's isn't far now. I'll be safe once I get there. But we still need Inuyasha. You have to understand that!”

 

Shippo understood. He understood more then Kagome herself did. Kouga sought to take Inuyasha's territory. The easiest way to do that was to take Inuyasha's alpha female as his own. Though undeclared, it was obvious to any demon that she was his intended. The haori only reaffirmed that. Kagome needed Inuyasha if she didn't want to become den mother to a pack of wolves.

 

Frustrated tears sprang to Shippo's eyes at the turn of events. If only he hadn't let her go into the forest without him. If only he hadn't told her about the flowers. If only her father hadn't collapsed, forcing her mother to stay home instead!

 

“Shippo?” Kagome's voice was laced with concern for him, ignoring her own problems for the moment.

 

“Fine! I'll go. But you have to promise to hurry to Kaede's, don't stop for anything!”

 

“Oh, thank you Shippo! I know, I won't, I promise.” Kagome said, relieved, “He went with the wood cutters this morning to track the demon. He should still be there.”

 

Shippo nodded, and then impulsively gave Kagome a hug, nuzzling her ear. “Take these enchanted leaves.” he said, shoving them into the basket, “They'll distract him if he comes for you again. Just throw them at him.”

 

Without a backward glance, Shippo hopped from her arms and took off into the forest, a russet blur against the green backdrop. Kagome watched him go; her stomach flipping with fear as she was left alone, tension tightened her muscles, her nerves tingling. Filled with nervous energy, she forced her feet to move quickly down the path, intent on reaching her grandmothers as soon as possible.

 

***

 

Kouga stared at the little top held between his thumb and forefinger, his eyebrow twitching in agitation. Damn the little kitsune, he'd bought enough time for his female to get away. He could catch up with her easily if he wanted, but he chose to give her this reprieve. After all, he knew where she was headed. He'd just meet her there. A grin spread across his face and in an instant he was gone from the clearing.

 

He arrived at the small hut just off the main road in a matter of moments. Looking about the property, he noted that there had been little activity recently, the garden looking somewhat overgrown with weeds. So, the old woman was ill after all.

 

Pushing aside the mat, he entered the hut. Light streaked across the wood floor to land on a lump lying on a futon, an old kimono covering it as a blanket. Kouga smiled. This would be easy. He would use the old woman to get Kagome to agree to mate him. Kouga stepped forward, ready to let the old woman know her role in her granddaughters' fate.

 

“What do ye want, Wolf?”

 

Kouga paused, staring down at the lump. The old woman was facing away from him. He had entered silently so as not to disturb her. How did she know he was there? How did she know he was a wolf?

 

“Are ye here to kill me, Wolf? Think I'm weak; think I'll be easy pickings?” The old woman croaked as she shifted beneath the covering. She had turned to train a cold eye on him, her other covered by a black eye patch.

 

With a huff, Kouga leaned back against the wall, folding his arms over his chest. “I don't eat old women. I like my meat young. No, I'm gonna let you live.”

 

The old woman narrowed her eye, distrust and suspicion displayed openly for him to read.

 

“I won't eat you!” Kouga said, a growl reverberating behind the words. He did not like his word being doubted. “I need you to get your granddaughter.”

 

The old woman's eye widened. “Ye will not be eating Kagome!”

 

Resting his head in his hand, Kouga sighed. “I do not intend to eat her, old woman.” He looked up at her in irritation. “Who would eat their mate?”

 

Propping herself up on her elbow, the old woman stared at him intently with her one good eye, setting his nerves on end. He noticed her hand fisting the material. She was not pleased with him that was for sure.

 

“My granddaughter would never choose to be with a demon such as you. Ye will desist in your pursuit of her.”

 

Becoming further annoyed with the old woman, Kouga moved away from the wall, his hands fisting at his sides as he his muscles bunched with tension. “Shut up! She's my mate now. This territory is mine now!”

 

Kaede was not impressed by the outburst. “If she is your mate, than why is she not by your side while ye pay me this visit?”

 

Forcing himself to relax, Kouga propped his fists on his hips and smirked confidently. “She's a little shy. She'll come around once she realises she has no choice.” He leaned forward, his faces inches from that of the scowling old woman. “And you'll be the one to help me make her realise that.”

 

“I will do no such thing.”

 

Kouga felt a tap on his collar bone and realised he could not move. He stared wide eyed as the old woman hobbled to her feet, noting her fist full of subduing spells in the process. She'd subdued him! He growled, glaring as he bent his youki to destroying the flimsy charm. It didn't take long.

 

“Stupid miko!” he snarled as he broke free and turned on her, “You think your spells can fucking hold me?”

 

She had only managed to make it to the doorway when he lashed out at her, claws ripping through the material and flesh of her shoulder. Kaede grunted in pain, blood spreading across the pale material even as she twisted about to cast the rest of her spell scrolls at him. He found himself bound again, this time by over a dozen subduing spells. His anger boiled behind his eyes as he watched the old woman stumble out the door and away from the hut.

 

It took much longer this time for his youki to overcome the spells. When he had, the old woman was long gone. He wouldn't be able to use her to convince Kagome. But then, he didn't really need her. Kouga looked about the small hut for a cloth to use as a kerchief. He found one by a tea kettle and quickly tied it over his hair, effectively covering it. All he needed was to get Kagome close to him of her own will. Then he could complete the mating ritual.

 

Anticipation shivered across his nerves, his tongue tingled as he remembered her taste. He laid down on the old woman's futon, pulling the old kimono up to cover most of his face before turning away from the door. Soon she would arrive, expecting her grandmother to be ill and waiting for her, never thinking she would instead be walking straight into the wolf princes' arms.

 

***

A/N: O_O Thanks for reviews! I likes reviews…please review.