Steel Fang, Wild Iris

Chapter 1:

He pushed himself, further and further, until his legs were burning in protest. So this is what it felt like having to run without the jewel shards making his legs feel lighter... more powerful... He'd had the jewel shards in his legs so long, he'd almost forgotten what it felt like to run without them. It was a lot harder... but Kouga was a stubborn alpha... and he wasn't about to slow down now... or rest....

Ok... maybe he would rest... just a little! Just long enough to catch his breath, and then he'd set off again. He stopped for a rest beside a slow running stream, watching the water twist and turn around the rocks in its path.. and still keep on it's path forward. It wasn't stopped by the obsticles infront of it... it found a way around it, and still managed ahead... He smiled at the irony of it, his own thoughts drifting to what lay ahead of himself.

He had to find Ginta and Hakkaku. Before the battle with Naraku, Kouga knew he had to do something about his ever loyal betas. They would have been helpless against the nefarious demon... and he couldn't bear it if something had happened to them too. His two best friends... always following him, always at his side as he searched for Naraku... but as the days had went on, he began to wonder what role they'd actually have when the final days came. They always stayed back out of the fights before... and for that Kouga was greatful. They were the only constants of his pack he had left... nearly everyone else had been lured into the trap set by Naraku and that wind witch and had been slaughtered. Those that had chosen not to go had left his pack... feeling as though he'd let them down. Kouga hadn't protested when his brothers wanted to join the black tribe to go to that damn castle... nor had he joined them. He felt guilty about his lack of action... but there'd been nothing he could do about it... and nothing he could do about it now. He'd avenged his fallen comrads... Kagura had apparently already been killed by Naraku... why, Kouga didn't give a damn... but he'd avenged his brethren by helping to kill Naraku.

His blood debt was repaid... and the he was still alive...

The proud wolf demon hadn't actually expected to come out of the battle alive... and if he hadn't... Kouga would have been ok with it. Because if he'd died trying to get his revenge... reclaim his pack's dignity... the dignity of the Yourouzoku... Kouga knew he could have died in peace. That was why it never really bothered him, when he actually stopped to think about it... Why when Kagome showed more concern for Inuyasha than for himself... a part of him didn't want to accept it, but the stubborn wolf demon was wiser than many gave him credit for. His heart might not have wanted to listen, but he knew the truth. And a part of him was ok with it. If he died in battle, Kagome would mourn... but he was content knowing that she would move on. He couldn't have beared it if her heart had died with him... and maybe that was why he let Inuyasha take her without a fuss. The hanyou didn't know how good he had it... and the male wolf demon vowed when he returned to make sure the bastard realized it.

His thoughts shifted elsewhere as he stared up into the mountains, his icey blue eyes narrowed in their direction. That was where he was headed, his final destination before he decided what further course of action to take. After he'd realized the danger Ginta and Hakkaku would undoubtably be in, the alpha had insisted they find what remained of Ayame and the Elder's pack and wait for him there. At least that way, Kouga knew his best friends would be safe and out of harm's way... and at the same time... if he couldn't be with the Northern Pack to help unite the tribes... to stop the useless inner tribe fighting... he knew the presence of his most loyal and trusted betas would be highly noticed.... and Ayame and the Elder would be safe.

Ayame.

Kouga frowned at the thought of the she-wolf, deciding he'd wasted enough time, and started running again. A part of him was trying to run from her... her face in his mind... her last words in his thoughts... but he knew he couldn't outrun the stubborn woman. She'd wanted so hard to impress him... to be what she thought he wanted in a mate... just for him. And yet... the tragedy of the Oni that had destroyed her tribe's mountain home, driven the pack out of their territory, and forced them to find a new home elsewhere had matured the young wolf demon. He remembered their last encounter, and he couldn't help the smirk that tugged at the corner of his lips.

She'd come because she'd been worried about him... but she hadn't foolishly jumped in like she had with the nasty hair demon Naraku had left behind the first time. She didn't jump in and put them both in danger... she stayed back... worried, oh he could remember the look on her face clear as day... but she trusted him to get himself out of the situation. Which he had, naturally. She hadn't underestimated him that time, and it made him proud... but for what reason he hadn't been completely sure of. Never the less... as he'd sat resting and catching his breath... all she'd done was thank him and say goodbye. No mention of the promise... no mention of going with her... nothing...

"She's matured." He muttered to himself before even realizing he'd spoken aloud. He shrugged as he pushed the thoughts from his mind, and decided to resume his running. He'd wasted enough time sitting and catching his breath... now he could keep going. He narrowed his eyes as he pushed himself further, ignoring the burning in his legs. He'd follow the scent into the mountain, and search them out... Ayame and the Elder... and find his betas. Tell them, and everyone else... the good news. That Naraku was dead, and the wolf clans had been avenged, all thanks to him of course. She'd probably fawn all over him again... he could already picture it... she'd be estatic to see him, welcoming him with open arms, and begging him to take her for his bride now that he'd gotten his revenge. He wasn't sure if that would be the best course of action... he still loved Kagome... but he wasn't prepared to do anything of the sort. She'd whine, and plead, and beg... begging him to remember his promise... those tears in her eyes again...

He shrugged it off. Women were so emotional sometimes... but not all of them... not Kagome... but he frowned as he realized that wasn't right either. He remembered the terror he'd seen in the miko's brown eyes when she saw Inuyasha speared in the arm by one of Naraku's tenticles... The tears that had made her eyes shine and sparkle... the way she'd rushed to his side, putting herself in danger to make sure the stupid half demon was ok. The male wolf demon let out a frustrated sigh as he rolled his eyes. Ok... so maybe there were some similarities between Kagome and Ayame... they both got over worked and emotional over the one they claimed to-

His mind froze suddenly at the though, almost afraid to even think it... as if that would make it even more true. Damn it! Ayame got that way because she claimed to love him... naturally Kagome would get emotional if she claimed to love the weakling half demon. Why were things so damn complicated? Now his mind and heart were trying to sort this whole mess out, and it was giving him a splitting headache.

"Gah!" He yelled in frustration, setting himself to ignore absolutely EVERYTHING that was currently trying to fill up his mind, instead focusing on finding his betas and the Elder's tribe. It couldn't be that hard... maybe a day or two of searching the mountains...

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Jade green eyes lit up with a smile as she leaned over the bundle of furs, scooping up the crying infant into her arms. Ayame held the baby against her torso, rocking the little boy gently as she kissed the top of his black hair, murmering words of comfort to the whimpering child. Kento was only a few months old... but he needed constant attention. And currently from the amount of fussing and crying, the poor thing was hungry. She continued cooing softly to him, nuzzling his soft black fuzz of hair as she walked over to her bed, and reached over for the leather satchel of milk. The infant's cries ceased as he clasped at it with his tiny hands, the soft suckling noises bringing a content smile to her lips as she sat and nursed the little boy.

"Ayame-sama? May I come in?" Ginta's voice called from the entrance of her den, and the red headed wolf princess smiled as she nodded.

"Hai... I'm just feeding Kento." She said, looking back down at the little boy as Ginta came into the den. He smiled as he watched her for a moment, a strong feeling of pride sweeping through his body. All wolf demons loved children... and even though he himself wasn't a father, he felt the strong stirring desire to protect and provide for the infant in Ayame's arms.

"He's getting big... and he's doing very well. You're a wonderful mother Ayame." Ginta said with a smile at the red head blushed, but didn't look up from the baby.

"Thank you... but I'm only doing what any female would for the poor child. It's a shame what happened to his parents... I couldn't just leave him to die... not if there was anything I could do about it. I'm just so glad he's doing so well. He really feels like my son." She confessed with a darker blush.

"Technically... he is... you're tacking care of an orphan Ayame.... you were the first to tend to him, the first that wanted to make sure he'd survive. And in the last three months, he's gotten stronger and healthier... all thanks to your efforts. That makes him your son... and you are a terrific mother." Ginta said again, nodding in point. Ayame finally looked up at him, a smile on her lips though it didn't reach fully to her haunted eyes.

"I just thought I'd be mated when I had my first pup to raise." She sighed softly, but smiled none the less. "Was there something you wanted to tell me Ginta?" The male demon seemed to be brought out of his thoughts, a nervous smile on his lips as he chuckled lightly.

"I...well... the guards gave us the reports... um...." Ginta stammered, averting his eyes.

"Ginta... just come out and say it... are the tribes restless again? Are we being attacked? Is it an emissionary? What is it?" She asked a bit impatiently.

"Kouga is coming."

Ayame froze, her heart skipping a beat for only a moment, before the surprised look left her eyes. "Oh... alright then... tell the guards to escort him here. I'll put Kento down for his nap and meet Kouga personally to see what business he came for this far North." The red head said as she rose up off her bed, and walked over to the bundle of furs and tried to set the infant down. As Ayame began to lower him into the furs, Kento burst into hysterical tears, crying and fussing, until finally Ayame sighed, and picked him back up, holding him against her chest, and he quieted right now.

"I guess he doesn't want a nap." Ayame sighed softly, as Ginta smiled back at her.

"No... I think he just doesn't want to leave your arms." He corrected her, as the female wolf demon wrapped her son into a warm bundle of furs, and headed out of her den to meet with the Brown Wolf Prince. It had been several months since she'd seen him last... and much had certainly changed. The moon had cycled many times, and it was several full moons later that his betas unexpectantly showed up, informing her and the Elder of their leader's request for them to stay here while he fought Naraku alone. She remembered her worry, but knew he'd done what he thought was for the best. And that night... she'd laid in bed wondering if she'd ever see him again. On the night of the following full moon, her Grandfather had passed... and she'd been named the new leader of the White Tribe... until she took a mate and he became Alpha Male. The first several weeks were the hardest ones of her entire life... she didn't even have the proper time to mourn... The tribes were in a unroar... females didn't lead.. males did... and there was a pressure on Ayame to quickly take a mate before the other tribes came in and tried to steal their lands right from under their feet.

Things only got more complicated a few weeks later, when she'd heard about the attack on Kejito and his mate. A rogue wolf demon had come into their territory.. and many were killed and slaughtered as he searched for Ayame. It'd been a miracle they'd gotten to him in time before he sent Kento to join his parents. Ayame was under a lot of stress... her Grandfather was gone... her tribe was constantly under attack... she was being pressured to take a mate... but so far, she'd refused every suitor, busying herself taking care of Kento. She had enough on her mind... and she didn't want to marry if she didn't love the male. Besides... she could see it in their eyes... so far every one of her "suitors" only wanted her for as a prize... but mostly they wanted her land and title... They wanted to be the next leader... And she knew exactly what they'd do with Kento... If her "mate" didn't kill the pup... he'd give it to some other family to raise, and mate with Ayame until she was well pupped, ensuring the complete title succession.

But the very last thought in her mind had been her first love... especially seeing him again. Did it mean he was victorious? Did he avenge his clan? Did he fail? What was he here for? She was about to find out... and she had a sinking feeling... things were about to get a LOT more complicated in her life.