Mending a broken heart

Kouga was cursing to himself as he continued to walk through the thick fog.

"Damn it all to hell! When the hell is this crap gonna go away! Fuckin fog. I can't see a damn thing!" Kouga yelled. Just then he heard someone scream.

"What the hell was that? That kinda sounded like Ayame!" He said. His eyes widened when he heard someone screaming for him.

"Fuck! That IS Ayame!" He yelled as he ran towards the sound of Ayame screaming. When he got closer to her screams his eyes widened in shock and horror. Ginta and Hakkaku were laying dead on the ground with blood pouring out of their mouths. As he continued walking he saw what was left of his tribe all laying on the ground dead.

"Who would do this?" He whispered as rage started to fill his veins. All his kinsmen, his friends, his pack brothers and sisters were all dead. As he continued looking around dread began to fill him. Ayame and his pups were nowhere to be found. Just then he heard another scream and he darted towards the sound. He came upon a cave and entered with caution. What he saw almost brought him to his knees. His beloved Ayame was chained to the wall bruised and bloody with slash marks marring her perfect body.

"K-Kouga. Y-you came." Ayame said when he rushed over to her.

"What the fuck happened here? Who the hell did this! Ayame, where are the pups?" He asked. Ayame didn't get a chance to answer him.

"I believe I can answer that." Said someone from behind him. Kouga spun around and growled when he saw who it was.

"Kagura! How the hell are you even here? You were killed along with Naraku!"

Kagura smirked. "Did you forget you stupid wolf? I am a part of Naraku. When he was brought back, so was I."

"Why the hell did you do this? You already wiped out half my pack before. Why did you come back and do the same thing all over again!"

Kagura shrugged. "I was ordered to. I may hate Naraku with a passion but he's still my master. He holds my life in the palm of his hands. Besides, I haven't killed your ENTIRE pack yet, or have you forgotten something?" She said. She snapped her fingers and he saw Kohaku and Kanna holding his pups.

"Let them go wench!" He yelled.

Kagura smirked. "I'm afraid I can't do that. Besides, your precious pups are under Naraku's control. For pups they certainly are strong. Just ask your mate. After all, THEY are the ones that nearly killed her."

Kouga was horrified. "No, it can't be. Change them back please!" He begged.

"Now why would I do that? Watching them destroy you and then each other will be so much fun. Now, go get your daddy pups." Kagura smirked as they ran forward and began attacking their father.

Kouga winced every time one of his pups dug their claws into him. He knew Naraku had to of given them something to make them as strong as they were. His heart was torn in two. He didn't want his pups to be mindless drones that did Naraku's bidding just as Kohaku was forced to. Just then something dawned on him as he turned his attention back to Kagura.

"Kohaku!" He yelled getting Kagura's attention.

Kagura lifted a brow. "What exactly do you think he's going to do for you? He's under Naraku's control just as your pups are."

Kouga shook his head. "I'm not buyin your act Kagura. I know how attached you are to that boy and how you hated Naraku using him. You can't honestly expect me to believe you'd allow more innocent children to be used by Naraku. You're not that heartless. I know you got a soft spot for kids, so I don't believe you are capable of doing this. Now return my pups to normal!"

Right after he said this, his pups stopped attacking him and all his wounds healed. He looked up at Kagura in confusion.

"You've passed your test wolf." Kagura said smiling.

"Huh?" He said still confused.

"You were able to look through your hatred of me and see the truth. Most of the time when you or anyone else sees me, they only think of their hatred of Naraku. This lesson just showed you that not all is always as it seems and even the coldest of hearts can have a weakness." She said patting Kohaku on the head and smiling at the boy fondly.

Kagura looked back at Kouga. "Now go Kouga. Go join your friends, save Kagome and destroy that bastard Naraku."

Kouga smirked. "Don't worry, I plan on it."

"Good." She said. She smiled one last time before the fog and illusion faded away. Once the fog lifted, Kouga found himself in a clearing with the others.

"I guess seeing you guys must mean that you've all passed your tests?" Kouga asked.

"Yes." They all answered at the same time.

"And I must say that you've all done wonderfully." Said a voice behind them. They all spun around and saw a man wearing pure white silk robes standing there. He had long black hair in a ponytail and bright emerald green eyes.

Inuyasha growled. "Who the hell are you?" He asked placing his hand on the hilt of his sword.

The man chuckled. "Relax Inuyasha. I mean you no harm. My name is Kenichi and I am the guardian of this forest." He said smiling.

"So are you the one who sent us those fuckin illusions?" Inuyasha said growling.

"Yes and no."

"You speak in riddles. Tell us what we wish to know!" Sesshomaru yelled.

The man sighed. "Yes I am the one who provides the magic of this forest in order for it to create the illusions. However, the illusions themselves are not my doing. They come from within your OWN heart and mind." He explained.

"Oh. Ok." Inuyasha said even though he still didn't really understand.

"You should all be proud of yourselves. Inuyasha, you overcame the fear of turning full demon and harming those closest to you. Sesshomaru, you were able to get rid of any lingering doubts about your relationship with Kagome. You realized that Kagome's love for you is pure and she'd never leave you to go back to Inuyasha. Miroku, you were able to put aside your fear of the wind tunnel claiming your life. You chose not to give up and you almost cut off your own hand to protect Sango. As for you Kouga, you were able to see through your hatred of Naraku and realize that Kagura was just as much a victom as you are from Naraku."

"So does this mean we can pass through here without anymore problems?" Inuyasha asked.

Kenichi smiled. "Yes. I'll even point you in Naraku's direction."

"Thanks! So where is that bastard hiding anyways?" Inuyasha asked.

"He's about half a days walk in that direction." Kenichi said pointing to their left.

"You have our gratitude." Sesshomaru said.

"There is one last thing though. When you reach Kagome she will be...different. Just remember that all is not as it seems. Especially you lord Sesshomaru. I now bid you farewell and good luck." He said. They all watched as he disappeared in a thick mist.

"What the hell do ya think he meant by all that about Kagome?" Kouga asked.

"I do not know wolf. I only pray that she is alright." Sesshomaru said as he began to worry about his mate.

"I think we should all rest here for the night. It's getting late and we'll need our strength to defeat Naraku tomorrow." Miroku said.

"I agree." Sesshomaru said. So they all lay down and went to sleep.