Dogs

Sesshoumaru went back to talk to Kouga about coming to see the caves with him. Kouga was actually not that hard to convince since he just broke up with his girlfriend who he had only dated for a day. Like Sesshoumaru he had no interest in mating with a human they were just for entertainment. Besides, Ayame was talking with Kouga about getting back together since she left Dakota whom she stated was a whiney pain in the ass.



Going to the mountains the two demons looked like just a couple of regular high school punks in t shirts and jeans. This was odd considering it was freezing outside so to make sure the image was right they wore a couple of parkas even though they were not necessary.

Kouga was amazed at the many caverns. It felt like home, back in the caves with his pack.



“This is great. How far does it go down Sess?”



Sesshoumaru didn’t need a flashlight nor did Kouga. They could see their way around just fine. However, Kouga couldn’t levitate, but he could jump and run faster then everyone except for Sesshoumaru. Inuyasha still could not keep up with the guy who left most people including his pack members in a swirling cloud of dust.



“Well, I did not get that far, but from what I see it goes for miles.”



Sesshoumaru stated as he leaped across the gaping hole. Then Kouga followed suit and they started their explorations of the giant rock formation of granite, garnet, pyrite, clear quartz, calcite, and banded iron with the smell of old sulfur in the air. Old nitrate could be seen by the demons in the old abandoned mine shafts that had been blasted by dynamite and chiseled holes that had been drilled into the rock itself. Some pieced of the drilled rock could be found on the moist cool dirt floor. Old newspaper clippings, some old pick axes, and a few old shovels could be found. A couple of blasting caps littered the ground with a broken box or two of what was once dynamite cases.



There were a few places the tall demons had to watch their heads and a few crawl spaces that were much too small for them to climb into. Still it could be suitable for a vault if they put up a barrier here and there.



Jumping down the third level which was about 500 feet from the top, Kouga found an old Elevator shaft and some old mining carts. There was plenty of room for them to shack up here if they wanted to and there was still a bit of silver and gold in the mine itself. From the huge slag pile out front it seemed the humans gave up after they took all they could from the giant bald mountains.



“Hey Sess, I think this place could work for us. What do you think?”



Sesshoumaru came down to where Kouga was at.



“I think we could do it, but I want to see if there are more here. I want us to have a whole place to wander about and I do not want any humans bothering it.”



Sesshoumaru made his usual ‘hn’ sound in acknowledgement. He did agree this place would be dangerous for a human and he didn’t want to think about the stench they would leave if they died in here. That would not be something he could tolerate for long.



“Kouga let us go above now and we will barricade this off with one of our barriers.”



Kouga frowned a bit.



“Don’t you want to see if there are other entrances? I mean Sess someone could steal our place.”



Sesshoumaru looked at Kouga warily.



“It is winter time here wolf, humans are stupid, but I doubt they will bother us here.”



Kouga shrugged. He had massive plans for this place. It was better than home, bigger too. He didn’t want to leave. Ayame and Kouga were getting along better. Problem was he wasn’t sure if he wanted to bring her here yet. He was still kind of pissed off at her.



“Kouga you are not bringing any women here. This is our place. Until I decide otherwise.”

Sesshoumaru stated firmly looking down at his friend.



“That is a good idea Fluffy.”



Kouga was lifted by his throat.



“Do not ever call me that. I am not my brother who will put up with it.”



Then Kouga was dropped, laughing his ass off since this was the fourth time he had been strangled that day for calling Lord Sesshoumaru such a name.



“Inuyasha will come here too. This will be our place for a time. He can leave his human wife for a while. We must make up the plans and we will create this into our secret sanctuary until we figure out a better place to do this in. Perhaps we will just take over this whole mountain range.”



Kouga puffed up a bit.



“So we will rule the West of America together?”



Sesshoumaru turned to look at the wolf like he was an idiot.



“Of course not, I am Alpha and have always been Lord of all you see here. You are just one of my pack so shut up and let us go.”



“What do you mean I am one of your pack! I will tell you pal that I ruled over my wolves and I will be damned if I……………..”



At that Sesshoumaru pinned Kouga to the wall. His eyes glowed red.



“You do not want to defy me little wolf. I will crush you now behave like a good pup and let us go.”



Kouga swallowed and shook his head. He wouldn’t pull that shit again.



“You know Fluffy, you are really scary sometimes.”



Sesshoumaru gave up on trying to correct Kouga by strangling him again. The wolf would always be like his little brother, a mouth with no common sense to keep it shut some days.

Kouga smiled since at least he knew how to get Sesshoumaru irritated and it was almost as fun as messing with mutt face. As he followed Sesshoumaru out of the caverns Sesshoumaru turned around punching him square in the jaw and leaving the wolf in the snow.



“Do not ever call me Fluffy brat.”



Sesshoumaru marched away trying to find another hole for them to wander through as he left Kouga unconscious in the snow.

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

Inuyasha was grabbed from his home rather unceremoniously along with his pup. Akiyoshi was going with them and of course that meant the damn human wench too.



“Woman why can’t you stay home? It is cold and you will be miserable.”



Kagome frowned at the three men.



“I don’t want the three of you corrupting all the innocence out of my child. Plus someone has to watch you three.”



The three men stood rather insulted as Kagome had dressed warmly and surprise she didn’t bring a bag of crap except one small back pack and a few things for Akiyoshi that the men made her leave since they would hunt for them all.



To Kagome’s happiness Ayame showed up and Sesshoumaru wacked his hand into his forehead. This was not how this was supposed to be.



“I can’t teleport all of you.”



Inuyasha at that moment had a brilliant idea and Sesshoumaru had a feeling this was coming.



“Just turn into your big dog form and we will all climb on. No big deal.”



Sesshoumaru shook his head.



“It will slow me down making me visible to humans. I cannot carry all of you. You and Kouga will have to wait here. I will take Kagome, Ayame, and the little one. You will have to be here for about three hours by yourselves so don’t wander off or get into trouble. It is a good thing that the rest of your family did not show up or I would tell you that you would have to keep everyone here including you Inuyasha.”



Sesshoumaru grasped both women and wrapped Akiyoshi into his tail. Akiyoshi got a new Siberian husky puppy he wasn’t going to let go of ever and so Kokoa the little she pup came with them. The puppy whimpered a bit at first as the wind blew on her, but as soon as her little master Akiyoshi started giggling she yipped happy sticking her face up to feel the wind as her long tongue hung out the side of her face.



After landing Sesshoumaru told them all to go into the mine and not to wander about. He handed Kagome her backpack with the flashlight and then pat his little nephew on the head getting a lick from the puppy in his arms.



“I do not know if you can handle this Kagome. You not being a demon may become frozen in this place and you amuse me on how you dressed Akiyoshi. He is bundled up so tightly I don’t think he can walk.”



Sesshoumaru stated smiling at his little nephew who was in a full parka suit of white with mittens tied to a string so he wouldn’t lose them. A sweater, snow boots to match his suit, and a scarf. The puppy was trying to wiggle out of his arms until Ayame took Kokoa and growled at her to behave.



“Kagome will be fine Sesshoumaru. You men worry over the silliest things. I brought plenty of furs with me we stuffed into her bag and it isn’t like we cannot hunt. Are we so helpless after all of these years that we can’t take care of one of our own pack members?”



Ayame stated matter of factly looking into the cavern feeling that same warmth that Kouga had. This was like home.



“Don’t worry about me. I just have to use a flashlight to get around. I am glad I brought plenty of batteries."



Kagome stated softly.



“Nonsense, we will have torches in here so you can find your way easily and we can always build this den up a bit.”



Sesshoumaru looked at the two conspiring women.



“This was our male hiding place so do not put all of your frilly female items all over our home. We are only exploring today anyway and Akiyoshi will you get up out of the snow?”



Akiyoshi smiled up at his Uncle.



“Why? This stuff is fun, Mommy I can’t get up. I am stuck. Help!”



Sesshoumaru helped the pup up and unzipped his parka a bit.



“He is like a statue in this get up. How many layers of clothing did you put on this pup?”



Kagome relayed there was long underwear beyond the regular underwear, a turtleneck, a sweater, jeans, two pairs of socks, and then a second pair of thin mittens underneath the fur lined ones. On top of all of that was the parka, the scarf, a knit cap of white to match the rest, and the big moon boots that were also white with fur lining them.



“You are the abominable snow man Akiyoshi and I will have to help you so that you can walk again. I will help you with all of this after I get your Father and Uncle Kouga.”

Sesshoumaru refused to let the women and his nephew get too far into the caverns and was very concerned with leaving Akiyoshi with them since the boy was so very curious. He might get hurt in such a place. The girls promised to keep an eye on the two pups and Kagome about punched him in the nose a few times telling him as Akiyoshi’s Mother that he had no say so in anything.



“Kagome you are a foolish human just coming here, of course I am going to have concerns over my nephew.”



Kagome fumed.



“If I had the enchanted beads I would sit you right now Sesshoumaru! I am not irresponsible with my son nor am I going to be a damn damsel in distress. I don’t think Naraku is around anymore do you? Besides Ayame is a demon wolf. You don’t think she and I can take care of ourselves?”



Sesshoumaru in his normal bored tone answered firmly.



“No. I do not.”



Ayame was fuming too.



“You chauvinistic sorry excuse for a demon man! How dare you!”



Ayame screeched making Sesshoumaru hold his ears a bit.



“Damnit woman, keep it down! This place has falling rocks and you are going to cave us in here.”



Kagome punched Sesshoumaru in the arm and it stung a bit since she still was a powerful priestess.



“I can’t believe we had to put up with you! You jerk!”



Then she kicked him and if she was not pregnant he would have tripped her. Instead Sesshoumaru grasped her arm.



“You will both stop this nonsense or I will strangle Ayame.”



Kagome flailed in his arms.



“She isn’t pregnant Kagome, but you are. Quit acting like a spoiled brat and listen to me.”



Ayame growled as her eyes went red. She didn’t even put up with Kouga acting this way and as a Princess of the Northern white wolves she would be damned if she let the King of demons push her around if she didn’t let the rest of the pack do it.



“You will let her go Sesshoumaru and explain before I hurt you. You will find I am not that willing to be man handled by anyone.”



Sesshoumaru let Kagome go after one last blast of purifying power he shrugged off.



“Look you two bitches! I found this place, I brought you here, but this place is not the kind of place made by demons. I was made by humans. It still has old dynamite remnants and other things that are quite dangerous especially to humans. I will not have my little niece or nephew harmed because of your stupidity.”



Ayame stopped and looked at Kagome who was still fuming with her arms crossed over her chest.



“Kagome he is right. This isn’t like my den. If there is old dynamite in here we don’t want to be walking on it. We will put up with his hot air for our safety.”



Kagome nodded, but she refused to speak to the tyrant for the rest of the day. Sesshoumaru sighed. He had to rest and with two angry women that was going to be difficult. It was best to just watch them and wait for his powers to return. He couldn’t even chase after the pups if he wanted to go back and then return again quickly.



“Do as you will, just do not wander off. I will not chase you Ayame, but unfortunately I have a bond to Kagome so I must protect her.”



Ayame shrugged. She could care less as long as he didn’t start ordering her around.

“Come on Kagome let us set up camp. Sesshoumaru when you get the males we will need wood for a fire since Kagome is not like us and you will all have to hunt.”



Sesshoumaru rolled his eyes and laid back.



“Tell me something I do not know and perhaps we will get somewhere with this conversation.”



Ayame walked away and insisted Kagome keep her flashlight on. A human would get lost in this place easily. Helping her to lay down the bed rolls and sleeping bags Ayame then noticed Kagome shivering a bit. Rolling her eyes at their supposed protector she found a few pieces of a box. Sesshoumaru’s eyes went wide.



“Do not use that! Are you a fool?”



Grasping the boxes from Ayame he pointed at the words.



“Dynamite! Can you not read?”



Ayame felt bad and then Sesshoumaru rubbed his hands together then clapped. Suddenly a small fire of pure blue magic was in the center of the room illuminating the cave. Kagome felt much better, but was still shivering. Sesshoumaru in an odd moment of compassion wrapped her in his mokomoko.



“Woman you should be at home. You know this.”



Kagome sighed.



“I am always left at home while you men do as you please. I work at the hospital, come home, and take care of my family. I have no life and so I must share one with my family. Is my presence really that intolerable for you?”



Sesshoumaru smiled a bit.



“No, you are the only human I can stand, but do not tell my brother that. I enjoy his discomfort. I would have destroyed you rather then saved you if I felt such hate as my brother thinks I feel for you.”



Kagome felt very warm and blushed a bit.



“So you like me?”



Sesshoumaru turned his head.



“You are my family, you bear my brother’s children, and you have become to me like a sister. You remind me very much of my ward. I will always protect you.”



Kagome smiled and at the same time felt sad. Sesshoumaru really should have a mate of his own. He was so handsome, but such a jerk sometimes.



“Don’t try to set me up woman. Kouga and Inuyasha do that enough to me. Just remember one thing Kagome. I have one vow I told you about that I hope I never have to fulfill. If your mate dies I become your mate. That is the rules of the family even if I am mated. It is the same for Inuyasha. I doubt we shall have such a problem, but unfortunately such things have happened.”



Sesshoumaru saw Kagome turn white and laughed.



“Oh, am I so terrible now that you cannot tolerate me?”



Kagome swallowed hard.



“No, it just means I have to keep a good eye on my husband because I will kill him before I let him do it to himself.”



Sesshoumaru saw Ayame’s eyes twinkle a bit.



“So you do have a heart and a small crush I see.”



Sesshoumaru snorted and removed the fur making Kagome get closer to the fire now that she was warm.



“Ayame do not put more into things then what is really there. It would be a tragedy and a burden I do not wish for. I would not complain since it is a duty. I doubt though that Kagome would appreciate it any more than the rest of us.”



With that Sesshoumaru disappeared through the tunnels to go get his brothers. Kouga might as well have been with as much as the wolf hung around them all. It figured that Inuyasha collected enough people now to start their own strange den of humans let alone the demons there.

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

When Sesshoumaru arrived there were more people at the house. Sango, Miroku, and Shippo arrived. They were apparently coming too, but Shippo now being a teenage fox demon figured he could at least take one or two passengers since he now knew how to teleport like Sesshoumaru. The boy was huskier and taller than Sesshoumaru remembered.



“Inuyasha is there anyone else we missed? Perhaps the mail person or your maids? How about Kouga’s entourage of human women?”



Sesshoumaru stated dryly pissed off even more that this had become now a full pack of people rather than a few.



“Oh Sess, chill out will ya. Shippo is going to help and how long has it been since we were all together?”



Inuyasha stated firmly. Sesshoumaru tweaked Inuyasha’s ear.



“Last week you fool!”



Sesshoumaru roared at his brother.



“Sango and Miroku are ten times tougher then Kagome. They will be fine, plus they ain’t gonna whimper about a little cold. Miroku will just be a pervert with Sango and tell us about it later.”



Sango blushed and punched Miroku in the arm.



“What do you mean tell them about it later monk!”



Miroku ran a hand over his hair.



“Nothing, I don’t tell them much.”



Inuyasha went to talk, but the look on Sesshoumaru, Kouga, and Miroku’s face told him to shut it or the yôkai taijiya was going to kick their asses.



“We are leaving Shippo. Are you going to be able to keep up? Give me the girl. You handle the monk.”



Sesshoumaru grasped Sango around the waist and wiggled his eyebrows at her. He loved teasing Sango. She was the one human woman who would be interesting to bed. Sango was a huntress of demons and looked damn incredible in her armor in the past. It was that perfect behind that had almost every male distracted when they fought with her. No wonder so many demons were killed. How could they pay attention to fighting when there were so many other charms they could play with on this creature?



“Are you sure you wish to stay with that pervert?”



Sesshoumaru whispered in Sango’s ear suggestively before they left.



“Do not come onto me Lord Sesshoumaru. You know I cannot win in a battle with you and you are not being fair to my pervert.”



Sango blushed even more. Lord Sesshoumaru was so handsome and he would take what he wanted. Still it was not right. Sango hoped Miroku did not piss the demon off again or he might go through with his threat. That would be bad for them both, but mainly for her.



“I will be good, for now.”



Sesshoumaru stated then wrapped his claws around her bottom to pinch knowing she could do nothing about it as he smirked at the fuming little female in his arm. Then grasping Inuyasha by the ear he told him to hang onto his arm. Kouga was wrapped in his mokomoko as it strangled him a bit. Sesshoumaru was in a good mood now.

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

Landing first at the hill of snow Sesshoumaru unceremoniously flung Kouga right into the snow bank. The wolf had struggled part of the way there. It had been irritating. Inuyasha let go to go help Kouga and looked warily at Sesshoumaru who had his favorite human in his arms still. Shippo had not arrived yet and Inuyasha was going to have to watch his brother. Sesshoumaru had threatened to take out the monk if he made Sango cry one more time.



“Sess let her go. You can’t keep her for the hundredth time damn it all.”



Inuyasha growled to his brother as Sango struggled to get out of his embrace.



“I can just wander away and no one would even notice we are missing. You can keep the monk, all your friends you wanted to bring here, and I will take her. I think it is a fair trade.”



Sango panicked when the powerful youkai threw her over his shoulder and prepared to take off with her.



“They aren’t married yet. The monk is still procrastinating so I am going to claim her. If he wants her he can find us.”



Sesshoumaru stated disappearing with the screeching woman.



Inuyasha told Kouga to stay put until he got back. Miroku was going to have a shit fit when he found out his brother stole his woman.



“I can’t believe that jerk. I am going to have to smooth things over with the guy I can never understand until he is pissed off. Miroku will then talk to me for fucking hours. What did I do to deserve this hell?”



Kouga was too busy laughing and then he pushed Inuyasha aside.



“Let me go. I am faster than you are.”



Inuyasha gave Kouga a dirty look.



“No, because you have the same damn idea as he does. You are both infatuated with Sango’s assets so back off wolf.”



Kouga grinned.



“Awe, come on and be a pal. We won’t tell if you don’t.”



Inuyasha punched Kouga in the nose then took off.



“Don’t get any stupid ideas wolf! Miroku is still my very best friend. You may be my best friend, but I still don’t fully trust you like I trust him.”



When Inuyasha caught up with Sango and Sesshoumaru his damn brother had already pulled out his charm spell. The shivering woman was now only in her boots and a long shirt. Damn he was quick.



“Sess stop it right now!”



Sesshoumaru frowned.



“Miroku won’t marry this woman so why can’t I have her? It is all fair in love, lust, and war.”



Inuyasha watched Sesshoumaru lick his lips like he was going to devour the tiny human woman in front of him.



“This ain’t the feudal era big brother or do I have to remind you of that again. Look at you, how can you.......take advantage of her…………wow………..ok………..still.”



Sesshoumaru charmed her out of her shirt and poor Inuyasha was going to be killed by Kagome.



“Please for the love of………damn………….will you……………oh the lucky jerk!”



Inuyasha stated as there was very little now on Sango. Rushing over he hurried to help her put her clothing back on which she fought as Sesshoumaru frowned at his brother.



“What is the big deal? You are married and mated. I want this human woman. You want me mated so let me do it. Miroku won’t he will just keep flirting with other women.”



Sesshoumaru stated pulling Sango into his arms although now she was dressed, rather haphazardly though.



“They do that on purpose. She seems to understand the idiot and he seems to like being beat the hell out of by her. They have been doing it for years, they like their patterns. Let them be. We will find another for you.”



Sesshoumaru picked Sango up into his arms to carry her back frowning the whole way.



“Not one with an ass like hers.”



Inuyasha nodded.



“You are right; you probably won’t find one like that. Don’t tell Kagome or I will be banished from our new den.”



Sesshoumaru wasn’t going to let Sango go even with the monk frowning at him when he got back until Inuyasha forced him too.



“You are lucky I like you monk.”



Sesshoumaru stated as he walked away from Miroku not happy he had to give the huntress back to the idiot. Sesshoumaru really liked Miroku too so he didn’t understand why the monk would be such an idiot with such a fine woman. Was he blind or just stupid? He was probably both when it came to Lady Sango.



“You are so generous; I will remember my promise as long as you remember yours Lord Sesshoumaru.”



Miroku stated dryly and sarcastically. Sesshoumaru smiled.



“At least you know your place in this pack.”



Inuyasha had to hold Miroku back, but of course the monk could do nothing to the powerful demon and he knew it. Miroku no longer had the void in his hand and even his great spiritual power as a priest was no match for Sesshoumaru’s youkai powers. The demon was between a god and a demon.



The sword Tensaiga was the weapon of heaven that could bring about the resurrection of 100 souls and could also banish mankind into hell.



Inuyasha only had the power to destroy, but not Sesshoumaru’s ability to save life. Sesshoumaru in the eyes of Buddha was seen as a god not as a man. Men did not mess with such a great being unless they wanted great misfortune. Sesshoumaru had always been an immortal and Miroku always wondered how it was possible the two Inu demons could actually exist on earth when they did not belong here.



“Yes we all do Lord Sesshoumaru.”



Miroku stated softly as he entered the caverns with Kouga. Inuyasha stayed outside.



“Why did you do that Sesshoumaru?”



Sesshoumaru looked at Inuyasha.



“It is either her or your woman Inuyasha. Either that or I leave now. It is my mating season which was why I did not wish for you to bring the females. You are an idiot. I am leaving. Tell your pack to expect me in a few days.”



Inuyasha’s mouth dropped. He totally forgot. Since he had been mated to Kagome he no longer had that issue and it had only come after he mated Kagome so their marriage was right in the nick of time.



“Oh my hell, I am so sorry Sess. I totally forgot.”



Sesshoumaru smiled slightly.



“So you would not have minded me rutting Kagome? Perhaps I will take you up on that offer since brothers have shared mates in the past.”



Inuyasha’s face changed to pure rage.



“You will not touch my mate in such a way.”



Lines formed and Sesshoumaru started laughing.



“Your demon knows when to show up now I see little brother. This is why one does not dally with another’s mate. Why do you think Kouga had such a fit and still will if he doesn’t choose his mate again? He will tear off the limbs of a human who touches her.”



Inuyasha’s face became once again the same childish chubby cheeked brat he was used to.



“Well when you say it like that, I understand. Still you threatened to do so before and said you couldn’t stand my woman. So I ain’t worried.”



Sesshoumaru laughed and patted his brother on the back.



“Keep telling yourself that kid and you might just believe it. Remember Hojo still works at the hospital.”



Sesshoumaru took off leaving a fuming Inuyasha behind. Inuyasha hated Hojo and wanted to rip off the guy’s limbs. The only reason he hadn’t was because Kagome stopped him.



“That asshole! I can’t believe he brought that shit up. Damnit all now I have to watch my mate not only from Kouga, but Hojo, and my asshole big brother.”



Inuyasha stomped into the mine and sat next to Kagome growling at anyone who came close to them except his son.



Every once in a while Inuyasha kicked Kouga once for holding his son too long or getting too close to Kagome. Inuyasha was downright feral with jealousy thanks to his brother.



Miroku told Inuyasha to get the stick out of his ass and was chased around the whole entire cavern for a good hour with everyone laughing at them the whole time. Miroku stated after he was pinned to the floor that he didn’t swing that way only to have Inuyasha turn beet red and hurry off of his old friend.

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