Through Blood and Fire

Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha. He belongs the brilliant Rumiko Takahashi!


Chapter 15: A New Pack Mate
When Kouga and Kagome finally separated, Shippou ran to his mama and jumped into her arms. Kagome hugged him tightly. Sango, followed by Taki, ran over to Kagome and they, too, embraced her. Miroku came and hugged Kagome and welcomed her back, tears going down his cheeks. InuYasha and Sesshoumaru walked over and stood next to the mass of weeping people. Kouga managed to push his way back to Kagome, coming up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist.
Nico watched from off to the side. Everyone was happy and that made her happy. She smiled at the group and her eyes caught InuYasha’s. She smiled and blushed a little. He saw and smiled back. Then he noticed something. The smell of blood. He looked around to see who it was that had been injured. When he saw that wasn’t coming from any of his pack, he lifted his nose to the air. The scent led him straight to Nico. He walked over to her and noticed the gash on her arm, still bleeding quite a bit. He became alarmed and turned to call Kagome.

“No please don’t.” Nico didn’t want to worry Kagome anymore than she already had.
“But this needs to be tended to,” said InuYasha.
“I can do it myself. There’s no need to cause a fuss.”
“What! Your bleeding badly. There’s a big need to cause a fuss.”
“It’s okay, InuYasha, really. I can fix it. I’ll be alright. Go join your friends.”
“I’m not leaving you like this.”

He reached out and touched Nico’s arm. She has very smooth skin. So soft. Nico twitched a little at the contact. She looked up into InuYasha’s eyes. She smiled as if to reassure him, but it proved unsuccessful. He tore off a peice of his robes and was about to tie onto the wound when Nico stopped him.

“I can do that. You don’t have to,” she barley whispered.
“No I will do it,” said InuYasha.

InuYasha made the knot tight to stop the blood. Nico winced a little but that was all. She’s strong alright. I can’t believe she handles the pain so well. When InuYasha was done, he looked back into Nico’s eyes again. She looked back into his, and for a moment the world disappeared. He was lost. Her eyes are so beautiful. She is beautiful. And her scent. It smells so good. InuYasha began to lean in towards Nico, and for a split second he was going to kiss her. But he was brought crashing back to reality by hiotheother.

“Is everything alright over here?”
“Oh yes Sesshoumaru, everything is fine, thank you,” said Nico.

InuYasha just blushed. What had just happened. Had he just almost kissed Nico? What was going on with him? He was acting like a pup in heat. His head was all cloudy and he didn’t like it.

“Nico, you are hurt,” said Sesshoumaru calmly.
“Oh it’s nothing Sesshoumaru. Just a scratch.”
“It’s from the wolf is it not?”
“Yes.”
Sesshoumaru walked over to Nico and examined her arm. He sniffed it and then looked at Nico.

“You are lucky none of the poison got into it. If so you would be doomed to a most painful death.”

Nico’s eye’s grew wide, but then she looked away. Sesshoumaru took notice to this. She does not like to show her fear. She would make a good mate. Courageous, strong, wise, beautiful. And that scent of hers is enough to drive any demon into heat. Sesshoumaru released Nico’s arm. He backed away afraid of what emotions might overtake him next. Both Inu brother’s stood there, neither saying anything. Finally, they all heard Kagome come over.

“Nico you’re hurt!”
“Kagome, it’s nothing. Don’t make a big deal.” Nico rolled her eyes.
“Nothing! Nico you could have been killed!”
“Kagome, you’re over reacting. Please, it’s nothing. InuYasha took care of it okay.”

She tilted her head and smiled brightly. Kagome looked at her cousin and smiled a little too. She knew Nico was in a lot of pain and that she was just putting on a show, but that was Nico. She didn’t want anyone to worry over her. Kagome took Nico’s hand in hers and pulled her to her side. She led Nico away from the two Inus and over to the rest of the group. InuYasha and Sesshoumaru followed. Taki and Sango ran over to Nico and Kagome and started going on all at once about Nico’s wound. After much begging and pleading, they stopped fussing.
When the whole group was gathered and together, Sango and Taki stood in front and called everyone’s attention.

“Everyone, we have a request,” began Sango.
“After much thought and consideration,” said Taki.
“And talking with Kagome about the circumstances,” picked Sango.
“And not mention, she proves herself most worthy, Sango and I would like to make Nico apart of our pack,” said Taki.
“I think that’s a great idea,” came Shippou.
“As do I. She is an excellent fighter and an assetour our cause, I believe,” was Miroku’s reply.
“Well, she is practically family,” said Kouga.
“You dumb wolf, she is family. She’s Kagome’s cousin and since Kagome is your mate, she would now be your cousin as well.” Taki stuck out her tongue.
“I know that, dog-breath.”
“She is an excellent fighter. Very strong and brave. And she controls her emotions well. She would be a good addition,” said Sesshoumaru.

All eyes were now on InuYasha. It had to be all or not at all. InuYasha looked at them and then his eyes caught Nico’s.

“I don’t see why not,” was all he said.
“Well, Kagome? Is it okay?” asked Taki.
“If Nico wants to be apart of our pack, then of course it’s okay.”

No all eyes were on Nico. She smiled. They were asking her to be apart of their family. Nico almost felt ready to burst.

“I would be honored to be apart of your pack,” Nico managed to get out without squealing.

Taki and Sango ran over and hugged Nico and began to squeal. Shippou jumped into her arms and gave her a big hug. Kagome, too, joined in on the excitement. Kouga kissed her cheek and welcomed her.

“You know, our pack isn’t just us. I have a whole den of wolf demons and wolf underlings that are apart of this pack as well.”

Nico’s eyes again grew a little wide at this thought. Gods, this is wonderful. I’m finally going to have a big family.

“Do you think they will like me, Kouga?” asked Nico.
“Are you crazy?! They’re going to love you”, replied Kouga.

Miroku came over and gave her a friendly hug as well as a rub on the ass. Nico turned and punch on the top of the head, making him fall face first to the ground.

“See your already getting the hang of this family,” said Taki.
“I couldn’t have done it better myself,” said Sango.
“Hentai, monk. You’ll have more to worry about if you touch my cousin again,” warned Kagome. Secretly, Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru were thinking the exact same thing.
All four girls giggled. Nico was so happy. She had a family. A big one at that. Odd as they were, she didn’t care. She belonged. Sesshoumaru came over and lightly kissed her cheek and whispered a welcome in her ear. He then looked deeply into her eyes, and the next five seconds seemed to last forever. Sesshoumaru was lost. Why does she have this affect on me? What is it about her I can’t help but be attracted to? Sesshoumaru quickly backed up, the tension between he and Nico beginning to grow. InuYasha stiffened at the contact his brother had made with Nico. Why does this bother me so? It’s not like she’s my mate or anything. Hell, he can do whatever he wants with her. InuYasha felt sick at the thought of his brother mating with Nico.

“InuYasha! Aren’t you going to welcome our new pack mate?” questioned Kagome.

InuYasha walked over to Nico and brushed his cheek next to hers and gave her a feather soft kiss at the corner of her mouth. He pulled away slowly, his gaze never leaving hers. He felt the electricity sizzle between them. She must have felt it two because she twitched. He was leaning in again, this time to try and kiss her again. He didn’t know why he was doing it, but to him it felt right. Suddenly, Nico moved away. He opened his eyes and saw that Kagome had dragged Nico away with Sango and Taki, chattering all the way. Kouga and Miroku were in front of the girls and Shippou was resting on top of Kouga’s shoulder.
InuYasha just stood there, thanking the gods, Kagome pulled Nico away. He had almost just kissed her. Again! What in the seven hells was going on with him? His heart was beating irregularly fast and his breath was shallow. He was starting to sweat a little. As his brain replayed what almost happened, he began to shake. What is going on? Why am I acting like this? He must have asked himself that question a million times today.
Just then Sesshoumaru walked up to his brother and stood beside him. Neither said a word. Then Sesshoumaru spoke.

“She is exquisite, isn’t she?”
InuYasha nodded.
“You feel these feelings as well, do you not, brother?”
“Yes.”
“I do not understand how a human girl could have such an effect on me. I know she effects you greatly.”
InuYasha blushed at the thought of his behavior.
“What are we to do, dear brother?” continued Sesshoumaru, “after all she is a pack member now and I am sure they are taking her to Kaede’s to get the mark. She will then be fair game to pursue as a mate. And she would make a fine mate would she not. Human or no.”
“Yes she would.”
“Then herein lies our problem. Two brothers that are interested in one female. We have two choices. We can either fight for her or we can both deny our feelings for her and swear to each other to never act upon those feelings. No matter how strong they are.”
“I don’t wanna fight you, Sesshoumaru. Not after we have managed to put all that behind us.”
“Then our only other option is the latter.”
“What if she were to approach one of us on her own will looking to mate?”

The two brother’s stood in silence. Then Sesshoumaru looked at InuYasha, and he at Sesshoumaru.

“Then, if it is she who chooses the mate, the other of us will have to back down and allow the union.”
“Sounds fair.”
“I believ.”
.”

With that, both brother agreed to never act upon their feelings for the new pack mate. They then walked after their pack, headed to Kaede’s village.