What Never Should

I do not own InuYasha or any of it’s characters. Any side character I create will belong solely to me and will not be touched or used by another.

Summary: Review to chapter 1.

Writing Style: Review to chapter 1.

A/N: I love you guys...

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Chapter 21. Month 6... Birth (The Plan Unleashed)


(Previous Month)

Kouga woke early, nestled warmly in the cover of thick trees and bushes. Actually, to be honest, it was far earlier than he had expected to wake. The stars were still glittering overhead through the thick canopy of the trees and bushes, and the blue sky was hinted with grey and black cirrus clouds that drifted slowly overhead.

He wondered why he had woken up?

A sound outside alerted his senses easily and he let out a warning growl to the intruder. He couldn’t smell them, the scent being pushed away rather than toward his sensitive nose, but he had definitely heard the leaves outside rustle and feet clopping across the hard earthy ground. He crawled onto his hands and knees, peering out of the thick of bushes he had found as a suitable haven for rest, and found feet at his den entrance.

Attacked to these feet, were two long and very lean legs that were covered in the purple and black robes that stretched up to the high chest and soft face of the young monk. Kouga gasped and jumped up out of his den, placing his hands on Miroku’s upper arms. Why was the monk here? Was he not supposed to be with Sango this evening. She has said she was planning a special occasion for them (which Kouga had despised and was the reason he was in the forest rather than in the village).

“Monk, what are you doing here?” Kouga whispered, seemingly listening for any approaching feet.

“Are you leaving?”

It was a slow and sad whisper that drifted aimlessly across the ground. Kouga faltered at these words. He was, in fact, leaving by the next day break. He had wanted to leave unseen by the others and not risk an outbreak that might stir due to his absence. In just the short days that he had been with the monk, he had found deep feelings for said human, and was torn between leaving without him and leaving WITH him.

Kouga gave him a soft look, “yes, monk, I am leaving.”

As unexpected as seeing Miroku at his safe haven from the others, he was suddenly embraced warmly, Miroku’s head buried deep into his shoulder, arms wrapped tightly around his waist. He felt moist tears on the flesh of his neck and gently pulled Miroku from his shoulder, tears freshly streaming down his reddened cheeks.

“Do not cry over my absence, monk,” Kouga whispered, wiping away a fresh tear. “It is for the best.”

“H-how can y-you s-say that,” Miroku stuttered, his shoulders shaking.

“I do not like saying these things, but it is true,” Kouga said, though he hated seeing the monk cry just because of him. He pulled Miroku into his arms again. “You love another; Sango, the demon slayer. I cannot compete with such a woman.”

Miroku pulled away, but not out of Kouga’s arms, his eyes wide with shock. He bit his bottom lip and leaned forward, resting his head gently against the warm scruff of fur that covered the wolf demon’s broad chest. His hands massaged over the bare lower torso, taking in every last detail of perfection. Miroku smiled.

“The thing is, Kouga, I do not love Sango,” Miroku whispered. “I thought I did... and I had... but...”

He looked up and their eyes locked. Blue with cobalt black. Kouga placed a hand on Miroku’s right cheek, taking a step closer as his eyes fluttered softly.

“ ... I have fallen in love with another...”

And they kissed, softly, warmly. The wind rustled around them, and their hair was tossed, but it did not matter. Kouga brought Miroku closer, their bodies rigid against one another. Their arms encircled each other, and their petite kiss deepened to one of pure bliss. Kouga opened his eyes slowly, and placed his thumb gently on Miroku’s chin. He tipped back the monks head and deepened their kiss eve farther, mouths opening and tongues gliding intimately together.

At last, it broke. Both stared at one another, breathless and flushed. Miroku smiled ever-so-softly and leant forward, kissing Kouga’s neck and moving lower. He reached behind the wolf lord, unstrapping the plate of armor and sliding lower still, lapping and nipping at Kouga’s exposed and muscular chest. His tongue circled one nipple, and then the other.

“M-Miroku,” whispered Kouga, panting, “we must not do this here.”

Miroku looked up, venturing still lower. He dropped to his knees and, still staring up at the wolf demon (who was looking down with a deep blush across his cheeks and panting heavily), slid the mat of fur that covered Kouga’s more private area. His hand went to the base of the demons erection, pressing into the dark curls around the base and placed his mouth over the wet tip.

“Monk, let us do this elsewhere,” Kouga panted, his hands laced into Miroku’s black fringe.

Miroku paid no attention. His tongue swirled the tip and then he slid down, moving his mouth slowly along Kouga’s length to the back of his hand and back up, just as slowly as before. Kouga keened deep in his throat, his legs quivering with the effort to stay standing. Both hands now laced into Miroku’s black hair and pushed his deeper onto the twitching erection, needing and wanting more.

Kouga leaned back against the tree nearest him, unable to stay standing. He panted heavily, sliding down along the tree as Miroku kneeled in front of him, bobbing along his length, eyes closing as he concentrated. Kouga flushed, his eyes soft and warm. He watched with blossoming lust as Miroku strayed to the tip, his tongue dancing along the top, swirling and gliding over the wetness. His teeth grazed the ever-sensitive head and Kouga whimpered.

*~*~*

Sango opened her eyes very slowly, the warmth that had once been Miroku’s body lying next to her now gone. She sat up, rubbing the sleep from her eyes and stood. It was unusual for Miroku to get up during the late of night, especially when they had been very busy searching day and midday for Kagome’s whereabouts. They had returned when they got news of Sesshomaru’s return and made quick haste to see why the dog Lord had left without a word to his ever-moody mate.

She picked up her Hiraikotsu from where it lay leaning against the farthest wall. She stepped out into the early of morning (or the lat of night, if you prefer) and walked across the village toward the forest. She had sometimes seen Miroku escape into the wood for meditation and quiet from the rest of the village. She had also found sanction from the village in the wood.

With her Hiraikotsu in hand, she wandered toward the line of trees that encircled half of the small village near the Bone Eaters Well. She had not been to the Well in ages, since Kagome’s odd disappearance and her new formation with Naraku. Sango sighed, it was sad to see that her dear friend would join so easily with whom they were once battling to hard to defeat; and all because she could not handle InuYasha being Sesshomaru’s mate.

“M-Miroku,” came a whispered and distant voice, “we must not do this here.”

Miroku?

Sango turned, listening to the wood beyond. If it had not been so quiet within the dark canopy, she was sure she would not have heard those words, but she had. Curiosity piqued, Sango walked onward slowly, minding the many leaves and dead branches along the ground. Whoever Miroku was with, she did not want to disturb them and break up their conversation. The voice in question sounded desperate yet breathless.

She was moving closer to the village now, but deeper into a thick patch of bush and trees. She had not heard another sound yet, and was hoping she had not disturbed that of whom Miroku was conversing with. What’s a little eavesdropping now and then, huh?

Suddenly, almost to chill her bones, she heard a cry and the rumbling of a distant growl. It was deep and throaty, and someone was panting heavily, whimpering and gasping. She heard another sharp cry, this one different; pleasure filled. More frantic to know what was happening, Sango raced through the trees. She ducked low in a mull of ferns and peered through a thick mesh of green leaves... her heart stopped.

There, in the grass before her, out in the widest of open, was Miroku... but he was not alone, certainly not alone. He was on all fours, face ruby and flushed, mouth open and panting. Sweat was slicked to his face and he was rocking back and forth, grunting and letting out minor cries that were drowned in moans that followed afterward. His rocking was not on his own accord. Behind him, arched over and swaying his hips with pleasurable thrusts, was Kouga, growling and holding Miroku’s shoulder with his left hand, his other wrapped under the monks stomach and caressing his swelled erection.

Sango watched, horror struck, as Miroku arched backward into every thrust, turning his head to look into Kouga’s sky blue eyes, their mouths both open and panting as a look of pure love passed through their eyes. She shook her head, swallowing down the bile that was rising in her throat as she watched on, unable to move, as Kouga leaned back, pulling Miroku with in and sat back against the tree. Miroku pressed his back in Kouga’s heaving chest and laced one hand into thick black hair that was cascading around them.

Their lips sealed together in a passionate kiss as Miroku was thrusting up along Kouga’s erection and back down, his cries drown by their blissful kiss. Suddenly, as if he was struck by lightening, Miroku stiffened, arching his back away from the wolfs stomach and released, his semen coating Kouga’s hand and dripping onto their legs and over the leafy ground. With a low grunting howl, Kouga came not a thrust after, sinking himself deep inside Miroku and leaning back into the tree.

“No,” Sango whispered.

Kouga gripped Miroku’s hips, ready to lift him from his position, but Miroku stopped him by placing his hands over the wolf Lords. Kouga gave him a questioning look, but was soon consumed y another searing kiss.

“I want to feel you a bit longer,” Miroku whispered, leaning back into Kouga’s embrace. “Just a bit longer.”

Kouga licked Miroku’s neck, and there, Sango saw for the first time, distinctly red on his neck, were two long fang marks... the marks of a mate.

Sango gasped loudly, clamped a hand over her mouth and ran from her hiding. She saw, with a fleeting glance before she had ran, Miroku and Kouga both turn with shocked eyes toward the bushes. She charged from within the trees, collapsing to her knees and arched her back, the vomit spilling from her in waves. She placed a hand over her mouth and swallowed down what was coming up again, holding back fiery tears.

‘Kouga and Miroku... my Miroku... with that bloody wolf...’

She punched the ground, screaming loudly.

‘How could he... I hate him... I HATE HIM...’

*~*~*

The early morning came all to soon for everyone. InuYasha slouched from the darkness of his and Sesshomaru’s accommodations. Miroku, Sango (looking sullen and angry), Kaede, Rin and Shippo all stood with Kouga, who was staring at the ground. As InuYasha approached, he looked up and smiled weakly at the hanyou.

“Leaving already, wolf-boy,” InuYasha said, smirking.

“Yes, I think it best,” Kouga nodded.

“Will ye be returning?” Kaede asked wisely.

Kouga looked down at her thoughtfully a moment, then over at InuYasha.

“I believe I will,” he said, staring deeply at InuYasha. “I would like to see these pups of yours when they are first born.”

InuYasha smiled more brightly at him and held out a hand. Kouga looked down at the gesture and back up again. Before InuYasha comprehended what had happened, Kouga had pulled him into a brotherly hug and whispered into his ear.

“Thank you, InuYasha.”

They pulled apart and Kouga turned back to the others. He patted Shippo’s head, making the small kitsune smile. Rin blushed at him and held out a small daisy, which he stook and gently cupped her cheek, giving her a soft and warm smile. He bowed to Kaede, who bowed back in respect. Finally, he was facing Sango and Miroku. He gave the demon slayer a curt nod, his face contorted into something between fierce hatred and tight fear. He looked at Miroku, who’s eyes betrayed his feelings.

His eyes were glittering with silent tears that he forced to stay in place and not slip from his eyes. He watched Kouga with pursed lips, unable to speak. They stared deafly at one another, before Kouga gave him the most gentlest of smile and turned, walking away from the group silently. InuYasha watched Kouga’s retreating back, letting out a low sigh as he turned back to Miroku and Sango.

Miroku had turned away wordlessly and was returning to his and Sango’s hut, his steps carrying him into the dimly lit wooden framed home. He collapsed onto the bed near the back wall and dropped his head heavily into his hands. He watched as small wet droplets splashed to the floor, dampening the wood. His heart thumped heavily.

He felt... so alone...

(Present Month)

InuYasha looked up from his spot in the forest where the trees swayed almost silently, splotches of sunlight breaking through the heavy canvas of branches and leaves. He could smell Miroku near him, walking in the direction of the river. He had only spoken to the monk once during the time which Kouga had left.

He had said only few words, all filled with bitterness and snappish replies. InuYasha didn’t blame him, though. He had lose someone he started to care deeply for in less time than he was able to see him, and it had been an entire month since Kouga had been at the village; his scent now old and waned.

Slowly, InuYasha sat up, heaving a great sigh and frustration at the size of his once flat and muscular stomach, and stood to his feet. Miroku appeared through a thicket of bushes, Sango on his heels, bombarding him with question after furious question.

“Tell me, Miroku,” she snapped angrily. “Why were you alone with Kouga doing – THAT?”

He didn’t answer. InuYasha saw his fists clench angrily and then unclench as he tried to calm his nerves and block out her ranting voice. She lashed out and grabbed his upper arm, swinging him around and forcing him to look at her. His eyes were practically dead, no longer showing their usual enthusiasm that he had always once carried with him.

“I saw what he was doing to you,” Sango hissed, gripping his arms much tighter. “He was having sex with you–”

“WE WERE NOT HAVING SEX,” Miroku roared, his anger inflamed.

“Oh really,” Sango snarled, her temper also flaring, though her voice didn’t rise as far. “Then I’m guessing you just FELL onto his dick then.”

InuYasha flinched and blushed at what he had heard. Sango was looking furious, Miroku abashed. His mouth was hanging open slightly and his eyes were wide with obvious scandalization. InuYasha saw Sango’s grip tighter farther onto Miroku’s upper arms.

“I saw everything, Miroku,” she hissed darkly. “I saw your mark – HIS MARK.”

“So what, I don’t care,” Miroku muttered. “So you saw it, big fucking deal.”

“It’s a big deal to me,” Sango snapped. “He marked you and you didn’t even try to stop him–”

“Maybe I didn’t want to stop him,” Miroku barked.

“Oh please,” Sango laughed. “He was fucking you in the ass–”

“HE WAS NOT JUST FUCKING ME,” Miroku snarled, shoving Sango away forcefully. “I wanted him to do that to me – we weren’t just having sex or fucking, Sango – we were making love.”

InuYasha smiled at Miroku’s courage. Sango blanched.

“You were – what?”

“We – were – making – love,” He snapped, making each word heard properly. “And I asked him to mark me. I belong to him.”

“I don’t–”

“No, Sango, no,” Miroku said, glaring at her. “You don’t have a problem with InuYasha loving Sesshomaru, or InuYasha being marked by Sesshomaru, so why’s it any difference with me and Kouga?”

Sango’s eyes flickered. “Now I know why Kagome leagued with Naraku...”

With that, she stormed off, Miroku heaving a cry of anguish and falling back against a tree and sliding to the ground. He held his head in his hands, shaking it back and forth as his shoulders shook. InuYasha darted out of his hiding, and kneeled down before the monk. He didn’t know what to do, or what to say, so instead pulled Miroku into his arms and hugged him.

“It’s okay, Miroku,” InuYasha whispered. “It’s going to be okay.”

*~*~*

Two days passed, more slowly than the rest. Sango had only been seen once during those times. She was training hard, but said nothing to anyone. Anyone who tried to speak to her, she snapped at and tossed her Hiraikotsu at. InuYasha didn’t dare near her, not since everyone was so worked up over him and the day he was about to go into labour. Sesshomaru was being far more protective over him and was barely out of sight when it came to the hanyou.

Miroku had been easily silent during those days, staying inside Kaede’s hut and helping her with different potions and antidotes. If that wasn’t holding him up he was out in the forest alone and rarely came out until dusk fell. InuYasha could feel the tension more clearly as he sat down one day inside his and Sesshomaru’s extended hut (Sesshomaru had ordered, or rather, threatened, village people to build onto their hut) and sighed deeply, lying down into the sheets.

He hadn’t seen Sango at all and Miroku had quickly muttered he was going to help Kaede with another antidote before disappearing inside the old miko’s hut. Feeling rather putout and tired from the ongoing glares and flaring attitudes, even his own, he escaped to the cool interior of his bedroom and fell heavily into the mass of silky sheet and cottony pillows.

Dark clouds were moving outside and a heavy storm was slowly moving in. InuYasha listened for any sign of Sesshomaru entering after him but nothing came. He sat up slowly, suddenly feeling an odd eeriness about the empty and silent bedroom. The drapery over the large window fluttered and a breeze blew through the opening, brining with it the musky smell of rain and wet soil.

‘Where is he?’ wondered InuYasha.

He got up and made his way toward the entrance. He saw a dark shadow on the ground and pulled aside the hanging, looking out into the grey world. Sesshomaru was their, but his eyes were focused overhead into the skies. He looked calm, but something wasn’t right.

“Sesshomaru?” whispered InuYasha.

“Get inside, InuYasha,” Sesshomaru said flatly.

“What... why?” InuYasha asked indignantly.

“Do not ask questions and just go,” Sesshomaru snapped dangerously, turning gleaming red eyes onto his brother.

InuYasha whimpered and backed away from his brother. Sesshomaru calmed immediately and pulled InuYasha close, feeling his brother lean his head against his chest. He petted InuYasha’s hair with one clawed hand, the other wrapped protectively around his mates waist. They pulled apart and Sesshomaru gave him a quick kiss and released him.

“Go inside, InuYasha,” said Sesshomaru again, his voice leaving nothing to argue against.

InuYasha nodded and entered the hut quickly, peering out through the small opening the hanging left. He could see Sesshomaru’s back to him, his long flowing silver hair wavering in the wind. He focused back on the skies and let out a deep, very aggressive, snarl. InuYasha whimpered and backed away from the hanging, fearing what was happening.

Something tugged at him. InuYasha looked around, wondering what had just happened. He placed a hand over his stomach, his heart suddenly pounding insanely. Again, he felt a sharp tug, and yelped in pain. His body broke out into a heavy sweat and he looked around frantically, focusing on the door and stumbled toward it, another tug pulling heavily at his body.

“S-S-S-Sessh-Sesshom–aru,” InuYasha panted. “Help.”

Sesshomaru turned to his mate. His eyes widened and the red tinge fled immediately. He grabbed InuYasha quickly as the hanyou fell forward, panting heavily. He whimpered as another tug pulled at his body and bit his lip and pushed. He wanted the pain to go away, but it was just getting worse. He panted heavily, leaning his head heavily on Sesshomaru’s shoulder.

“I-it h-h-hurts,” whimpered InuYasha.

“Hold on, InuYasha,” said Sesshomaru hurriedly.

He picked the panting hanyou up in his arms and darted back into the hut. With the gentlest of ease, he placed InuYasha down on the many covers and wiped his mates forehead with the corner of their many sheets. InuYasha panted heavily, his eyes shut tightly. He whimpered and pushed, crying out and clenching the sheets into his hands.

“Make it go away,” he cried.

“It’ll be over soon,” Sesshomaru cooed.

“W-what’s wrong w-w-with m-me,” InuYAsha whimpered, pushing again. “W-what’s wrong w-with my p-pups...”

“Brother – love – you have gone into labour,” Sesshomaru whispered.

“AHHHHHHHH....” pushing again, InuYasha screamed, clenching even tighter into the sheets, cutting through the material and breaking the skin of his palm.

Feet clattered outside and Miroku appeared, wide-eyed and breathing heavily. He held his staff in one hand and was looking down at InuYasha with wide eyes. Sesshomaru stood up briskly and walked over to him, making the monk back out into the hall.

“Get the elder miko, now,” Sesshomaru ordered. “InuYasha has gone into premature labour.”

“What... it’s too soon,” Miroku gasped and winced when he heard InuYasha cry out again.

“Get the miko,” Sesshomaru snapped. “If we do not hurry, our pups could die.”

Sesshomaru swept away, Miroku’s quick feet descending away into the hallway. A crack of lightening exploded across the sky, and clouds darkened to that of a heavy purple. InuYasha panted heavily, turning to look at Sesshomaru, his white bangs clinging disheveled against his forehead. He whimpered and leaned toward his mate.

Sesshomaru opened the front of InuYasha’s hakama, pulling away the top and peeling it away from his soaked skin. He untied the bottoms quickly and also pulled them away. Another clash of lightening, followed by heavy roll thunder broke the heavy silence (not accounting for InuYasha’s panting). The hut lit with an eerie blue glow and Sesshomaru snarled at the window, watching the dark clouds swirl heavily.

InuYasha fully nude, his clothes tossed into a pile, Sesshomaru covered his brothers more private of parts and propped his legs up. He walked briskly around the room, returning to InuYasha’s side only when the hanyou whimpered and needed comfort. He gathered a bowl and filled it to the brim with water. He tossed two cloths into the water and placed it down at the edge of the bed.

“Sit up, InuYasha,” Sesshomaru instructed.

Whimpering heavily InuYasha propped himself weakly up onto his elbows and Sesshomaru slid in behind him, his legs on either side of the hanyou. InuYasha clenched his hands into Sesshomaru’s thighs, crying out again and pushing hard. He panted and fell limp against his brothers strong chest, his head rolling to the side to focus blearily on the doorway.

Kaede appeared almost instantly, followed closely by a wet-haired Miroku. He shook his black mane of hair and kneeled beside InuYasha, watching as Kaede seated herself at the edge of the bed and ‘tutting’ to herself. She pulled the bowl toward her and rolled back the blankets.

“InuYasha, ye must push hard,” Kaede instructed. “Ye can do it.”

InuYasha felt tears well in his eyes and they sprang from his cheeks and down his face in a heavy flow. He gripped tightly onto Sesshomaru’s legs and pushed, crying out and panting heavily. He bit his bottom lip and continued to push, a clash of lightening forking the sky. He fell limp again, breathing heavily, eyes fluttering tiredly.

“Stay with me, InuYasha,” Kaede said sharply. “Ye must stay awake.”

“I’m here, InuYasha,” Sesshomaru whispered into his dogish ear. “I’ll be with you, don’t worry. Keep pushing love.”

InuYasha clenched onto Sesshomaru again and pushed hard, more tears streaming down his face. He cried harder and felt something spreading him. His body was tearing from the inside, he could feel something warm trickling down his leg and, for once, he didn’t like the feeling. His body was trembling badly and his fingers were numb and raw; knuckles white.

“Monk,” Sesshomaru snapped, turning his yellow eyes on InuYasha. “You must go to the wold Lord.”

Miroku was stunned into shock... he had to get, Kouga...

“B-but,” Miroku stuttered.

“This miko cannot do this alone,” Sesshomaru snarled as InuYasha cried out again and pushed harder. “We need a wolf witch doctor.”

“A what?”

“JUST GO.”

Miroku took off instantly, InuYasha’s cries drowning out the next crack of lightening and explosion of white thunder ahead. Rain and hall clattered heavily against the roof as another rolling rumble of thunder burst overhead and a long slender fork of lightening exploded on the ground. The world was lit blue again and the dark clouds swirled again.

“It hurts,” InuYasha cried, clinging for life to his mate. “I can’t do it... it hurts... it hurts so much.”

“Push, InuYasha,” said Kaede snappishly.

InuYasha did, but he cried again and his body slumped back against Sesshomaru heavily, reaching it’s end. He felt ill to his stomach and the pain was searing hot through his body, numbing his senses and making him ache. He could feel blood pooling on the white sheets near his backside and more painful stretching.

“Don’t give up, brother,” Sesshomaru whispered into his ear. “Push for me, for you... for our pups.”

InuYasha arched and pushed, the tugging worsening. He let out a shuddering whimper and clamped hard on Sesshomaru’s legs. He felt his nails break his brothers skin and yelped when a sharp tug stung his body. Something forced it’s way downward and he yelped again, a constant whimper gliding through his open mouth.

“That is the first one,” Kaede said in a rushed, happy voice.

InuYasha felt something slid from him and onto the sheets into a bundle. He wanted to see, but he was far to weak. Sesshomaru leaned over him curiously, cocking his head to the side and smiled warmly. He looked down at InuYasha and leaned his head over, pressing their lips together in an upside down, yet very intimate kiss. Kaede looked away to give them privacy and busied herself with cleaning the first of the four pups that had been born.

“Does ye wish to hold the first son?” Kaede asked, her voice gentle as she spoke to Sesshomaru.

He nodded and reached out, receiving a small bundle of white sheets. He slid away the white sheet and looked down at his first born child. He had Sesshomaru’s long, golden eyes and pointed human ears. His hair, though, depicted that of InuYasha’s; a gentle purple-silver that glowed beautifully in the moons heavy light. The pup yawned, exposing pink gums.

InuYasha shifted against Sesshomaru, his eyes closed wearily. He was still panting heavily, his chest rising and falling with every thick breath. He whimpered and buried his head deeper into his brother, trying his hardest to enjoy the moments break between labours before the next one was to be born.

“Sesshomaru,” croaked InuYasha.

“Hush, love,” Sesshomaru whispered, adjusting his first born and petting InuYasha’s sweaty hair. “Relax for now. You can see your young when you have rested thoroughly.”

Nodding, InuYasha hummed softly and closed his eyes again, breathing more soundly. Kaede let out a breath and wiped her brow, leaning back on her knees and staring over at the hallway leading out into the older part of the hut that lead to the entrance. The first pup was strong, that was a definite for sure, but the others were in more of a danger. InuYasha’s body was highly stressed, and, being as it is male birth, far more dangerous. Blood loss was high, and if InuYasha passed out from exhaustion, the other three pups were in danger of death.

*~*~*

Miroku thundered across the ground. The rain was pounding hard, drowning out the scent of any nearby enemy. He pushed aside a long protruding branch and kept on running, ignoring the painful stitch in his side. With a gasp, his foot slipped on a rather slimy rock and he hit the ground, his robes tearing, his side aching and deep thick gashes appearing on his left side. He felt the skin on his cheekbone split, warm blood trickling down his cheek.

He had to keep going... for InuYasha.

With a heavy grunt, he stood and continued to run, a tree branch scraping his left cheek, cutting deep. He kept on, his staff swinging around him, his long robes billowing and sticking to him from their drenched state. He panted heavily, his chest contracting painfully. He couldn’t tell through the rain whether or not he was heading in the right direction or not, but he definitely hoped he was.

He pounded up the side of a small embankment and slid across the wet grass. He steadied himself on a thick log and looked up at the thick mass of gray and black clouds, the rain thundering down hard over him. A fork of lightening split the air, illuminating the ground around him. He looked frantically to his left and next to his right. In the distance, not far from where he was, a black outlet and deep grove stood out amongst the thick downpour.

Standing outside as a sentry was what looked to be a garbed wolf holding a wooden spear. His face wasn’t visible form the distance, but Miroku had the faintest hope that it was Kouga’s den, and that the wolf Lord was in. He pounded across the mud, slipping on a plate of grass and continued up the hillside toward the sentry. The wolf finally seemed to have spotted him, because he growled and held his spear at the ready.

“Stay back human,” he snarled over the heavy rain and thunder.

“Kouga,” Miroku panted.

The wolf seemed stunned.

“What do you want with out leader?” he asked gruffly.

“Need... Kouga... InuYasha... labour... need... help,” Miroku panted.

“What are you talking about?” the sentry snarled. “You should leave human, or be prey to my hungry wolves.”

“I need to see Kouga,” Miroku yelled suddenly, his insides burning.

“Our leader is busy–”

The wolf stopped. He looked hard at Miroku’s neck and focused on the red mark along the junction of his shoulder and neck. His eyes hardened on it before he blanched and went white, his eyes wide and fearful as he stared at Miroku’s mark. He dropped to his knees so suddenly it made the monk gasp.

“I’m so sorry, Miroku my lord,” the sentry said. “Please, follow me.”

The wolf sentry stood and bowed him into the cave. It was warm and dimly lit by heavy wooden torches. The wolf before him walked ahead quickly, snarling at advancing wolves and making them back down. Miroku followed at a brisk pace, wanting to keep up with the guard-wolf. They stopped in front of a thick stone doorway, many wolf symbols and drawings along it, a thick fur hanging over the open top.

The sentry knocked.

“Kouga, it is Hurato,” the sentry said quietly.

There was shuffling from inside and the door burst open. Kouga’s face emerged looking angry and agitated.

“I told you not to bother me unless–”

Miroku smiled at Kouga softly when his sentence fell at the sight of the monk. He stood up straight and looked deeply at him, taking in Miroku’s shabby wet appearance before shuffling away the sentry and moving aside to allow him entrance.

Kouga’s room was elegant for a wolf demon. Many furs and horns from dead animals and demons layered the walls. A very inviting and thickly blanketed bed was the rooms main fold. Many warm furs adorned the high surface and a large bearskin rug was situated at the beds end. The room was lit with heavy torched hanging from the walls.

Miroku turned around and surveyed Kouga. Almost instantly, he gasped at the wolfs appearance. He was no longer strong and agile looking, but frail and slightly malnourished. His face was sunken and he looked like he hadn’t been eating. He woe a long black robe to cover up his withering stature, but he held himself high in Miroku’s presence.

“Kouga,” Miroku gasped. “What have you been doing to yourself?”

“Wolves mate for life, remember,” Kouga muttered, walking nearer, his eyes thick with dark shadows. “If they are away from their mate to long... they begin to get ill.”

Miroku grabbed the wolf and pulled him into his arms. He felt Kouga’s body flex and relax into the hold. He could hear Kouga breathing in his scent, and heard the definite sigh of relief from the wolf demon lord. They pulled apart and Miroku leaned up and pressed their lips together, his hands going to Kouga’s cheeks and holding him their.

“I’ve missed you,” Kouga whispered when they parted.

“Kouga...” Miroku said. He remembered InuYasha. “God, Kouga, I need you help.”

Kouga seemed stunned.

“It’s InuYasha,” Miroku blurted. “He’s gone into premature labour. The pups are in danger...”

Kouga’s stature changed completely. He stood tall and walked briskly to the far side of the room, pushing aside a thick stone doorway and revealing another passage. He turned back to Miroku and nodded him forward. He and Kouga set off down the long corridor, both ignoring the growls and snarls of the wolves around.

They stopped in front of a round room.

“Wait here.”

Miroku stood uncomfortably as Kouga disappeared. He heard voices, frantic and quick and a gentle growl inside. Minutes later, Kouga emerged, followed by a stumpy of wolfess, her small stature that no higher of Rin, but she was farely old, and looked to be nearing her deepest end. The wolfess looked up at Miroku and gave him a look of silent calculating before turning to Kouga.

“We should go to this, InuYasha,” she said in a raspy voice. “He will not be able to make it without my help.”

She ste off, walking with a heavy limp down the corridor. Miroku watched her go and turned back to Kouga with wide, slightly frightened eyes. The wolf lord looked upon the monk and gave him a soft and gaunt look, turning away from him and stalking down the corridor himself. Miroku followed at a trot.

“Kouga, what’s wrong?” Miroku asked.

Kouga did not answer.

“Please, tell me,” Miroku begged.

Still, he got no reply. They entered out into the downpour and set off into the thick mass of trees. Miroku watched Kouga’s back, rubbing his numb hands together as he reentered into the rain. He could see the wolf lord as a blur through the rain, the small she-wolf just ahead of them.

“Kouga, what’s wrong with you?” Miroku asked, on the verge of tears.

Kouga looked away and continued to walk.

Miroku reached out and pulled Kouga to a halt, making the wolf face him.

“Tell me what’s wrong?” Miroku whispered, stepping closer.

Kouga looked at him sadly.

“Please,” pleaded Miroku.

Kouga leaned down and kissed him, pulled away, and continued to walk with the wolfess ahead of them. Miroku stood in shock for a moment before following, his heart still heavy. Sango wasn’t talking to him, InuYasha was in grave danger with his premature labour and Kouga... Kouga was suddenly not talking to him...

But why?

*~*~*

A harsh, thick laugh echoed around the grimy room. Black wavy hair fell across a pale face. A young girl ,her ripped school uniform hanging in rags on her body, looked up with dead, unpleasant and sick-looking eyes.

Naraku turned to her.

“Our plan may work out better than I though, my dear,” he sneered.

“And why is that?” Kagome asked in a ragged voice.

“Your little pup, InuYasha,” he jeered. “He has gone into something that can kill him if he gives up...”

“and that is?” Kagome snapped.

“Premature birth.”

“...”

“My dear, a hanyou, no less a male hanyou, is rare to give birth, but it has been known to happen. InuYasha, for instance, it a dog demon hanyou able to give birth and bare a child. But, male births are very dangerous and far more painful,” explained Naraku, “and if your little pup gets to tired and weak, or losses to much blood, or even passes out from exhaustion; he is not only putting his pups in danger, but himself, as well.”

“So what do we do?” Kagome asked.

“We will launch our attack, while he is weak,” said Naraku. “I will have Sesshomaru, and you, my sweet girl, might be able to get your pathetic little half-breed.”

She nodded to him and stood from her corner, long thin chains and rusted locks clinked and jangled from her wrists and legs. HE stood heavily with them on as Naraku neared her. He smiled darkly down upon her and pulled the long chain around her neck, bringing her closer to him. He bared his white teeth at her and licked her cheek.

“You were a good toy while you lasted,” he said thickly. “But once I have what is rightfully mine, we will no longer be allied together.”

“I know,” Kagome said, smirking. “I will finally be able to kill you and Sesshomaru, and InuYasha will be all mine. Those stupid fucking puppies of his will be drown before he even gets to see them.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure...”

The pair turned. Their, leaning heavily against the doorframe, wet and sunken looking, was a disheveled looking Sango, her Hiraikotsu hanging limply in her right hand. She stood tall and advanced on them, taking each step in a stagger. Naraku was focused on her with a deep smirk, Kagome looking shocked.

“Sango,” she gasped.

“InuYasha has already gone in birth, his first pup is already born.”

Naraku scowled.

“What do we do?” asked Kagome.

“We leave... now,” Naraku snarled.

He released Kagome’s chains and walked passed Sango. The demon slayer straightened and waited for Kagome to follow him. They walked behind him in silence, staring out ahead of them. Finally, Kagome broke the silence.

“How did you find this place?” she asked.

“Same way you did when you were enraged with InuYasha,” Sango said. “Out of sheer luck.”

Kagome looked forlorn.

“Kouga marked Miroku,” Sango hissed.

Kagome’s eyes widened.

“I’ll kill him... I’ll kill both of them,” snarled Sango.

“How about I kill Kouga for you,” Kagome interjected, “and you kill InuYasha’s bastard children for me.”

“You’d do that,” Sango said, smirking.

“I would,” said Kagome.

“Then I’ll do it.”

**~**~**~**~**~**

A/N: Part one of two is complete. God, my hands are so sore, I feel like shit and I’m tired as hell. And... my boyfriend just got home so I had to cut this chapter into a two parter. Hope you don’t mind, since it was so fucking long. Oh, and the language factor... I know they probably didn’t say ‘fuck’ or ‘shit’ or any thing like that back in the feudal era, but it just helps to define the moment much better and shows of their moods mush more thoroughly.
Alright, next update will be set in less than a week. Enjoy for now.