Steel Fang, Wild Iris

Chapter 2:

Of course they'd been surprised to see him... but they still welcomed him with open arms. He refused to speak to anyone about why he was here, and what his presence in the North meant until he spoke to the Elder. When he'd gotten closer, his nose had pointed him in the right direction. It hadn't taken more than a day and a half, and the sun was hanging low on the horizon by the time Kouga had entered the main dens. They'd done a pretty good job... rebuilding everything they'd lost, and even in this new territory. He could smell the fresh water sources all around as he'd entered their territory, and the large variety of prey to hunt. The Elder had done a fine job choosing the new location for their territory.

"Where's the old man?" Kouga asked, looking around impatiently as he waited for the welcoming wagon to come greet him. His eyes were directed to the familar white mohawk that came barreling his way, and a wide and cocky smirk spread across his lips as Hakkaku caught up with him. "Hey."

"Kouga! It's really you! You're really here, aren't you?!" The other male said, barely able to contain the look of admiration, hope... and... desperation?... in his eyes. Kouga frowned in confusion... he got the feeling something was wrong here, but he had no clue what.

"Of course it's me, baka! I told you guys I'd come back for you!" Kouga declared looking around again. "Where is Ginta? And the Elder? I have news for the entire tribe." Kouga stated bluntly.

"You said you'd come back if you survived....we.... Ginta and I.... and Ayame... we all thought maybe you'd...." Hakkaku stammered, and the black haired wolf demon whirled around to narrow his eyes on his companion.

"You what? Thought I'd let the likes of some bastard half demon like Naraku defeat me? Ha!" Kouga exclaimed, his right hand clenched in a fist as he punched it against the flat palm of his left hand. "Hardly!" He declared with a confident smirk.

"So... so does that mean he's dead? Is Naraku really dead?" Hakkaku asked in stunned shock, but his alpha didn't answer him right away.

"I need to talk to the Elder. I know the old bastard is getting slow in his old age... but where is he? It's important."

"Kouga-sama.... The Elder.... The Elder passed away not long ago..." Hakkaku said grimly, and Kouga's attention snapped back to his beta.

"What?" He couldn't think of what else to say... How things had to be going in the North... He wondered how everyone was coping... he wondered how Ayame was... in fact... he wondered where the fiery red head was. Surely, she would have been one of the first few to greet him... She had to have known he was coming.... So where was she?

"It happened a few months ago... Ayame didn't really get a chance to mourn... but she's taken over as the Alpha Female. It's been really hard on her, and things have only gotten worse between the tribes since it happened. No one thinks she's strong enough to be leader... and the other tribes have already tried coming in and stealing it from her. They tried sending in males to court her both before and after the Elder died... but she flatly turned them down... and then the Grey pack went so far.... that their own Alpha came and tried to take her for his mate... by force..." Hakakku stated with a frown as he shook his head. Absentmindly, he noticed the look of venomous hatred pass through the bright blue eyes of his alpha... but he didn't say anything about it.

"Now long ago... we were sneak attacked in the night... many of the tribe were slaughtered... but Ayame is safe." He added, noticing the look that passed through Kouga's eyes. Even if he didn't love the girl, he'd always been protective of her.

"I'm sure Kouga's visit doesn't want to be dampened by the troubles we're having Hakkaku..." A soft female voice interupted, the two males looking up as the red head in question came their way. Ginta was right behind her... but that wasn't what drew Kouga's attention. Maybe if he wasn't glaring at the bundle of furs in her arms, he might have taken more notice in the way she'd grown into her womanly curves. He barely noticed the way her chest armor showed off her full bosom... or the way her short skirt flattered her lean and toned legs. Or the way her hair was hung in one single and more elegant full ponytail atop her head, instead of the two pigtails she'd always worn before. Somehow... it made her look more grown up... the pigtails, though... maybe... cute... had given her a more childlike appearance. This female wolf demon with the baby in her arms... was clearly not a child anymore. But he was too busy glaring at the infant to fully notice.

"Ayame..." Kouga began, forcing himself to look up into those surprised green eyes.

"Kouga... you came a long way... I hear you have something you wish to tell me?" She asked him. He blinked for a moment, before a soft frown crossed his features.

"Well... no... the Elder..."

"I am Alpha Female in charge now... whatever you might have told my Grandfather... you will have to resign yourself to tell me instead." Ayame said firmly. The firmness in her eyes... the way she was holding herself, so confident, so mature... it confused the hell out of him. Where was the little girl that was supposed to shy away from him if he flashed her a cocky smirk? Where was the girl that was supposed to fall at his feet, begging him to remember her? Where was the young girl he left behind... where now there stood a proud... and he hated to admit it... beautiful... mature female wolf demon?

"Fine.." He said with a frown, the same cold look he usually gave her passing over his face as he stubbornly crossed his arms over his chest. "I came to inform the current Alpha... that Naraku is dead, and the tribes have been avenged." Kouga stated firmly. He noticed the surprise in her eyes, before a content smile passed over her lips, her expression softening.

"That's wonderful news, Kouga." Ayame declared, turning slightly as she held the baby closer to her body with one arm, and held up the other hand to draw the pack's attention. "We will have a feast tonight in Kouga's honor! Set up the necessary preparations for our honored guest at once!" Ayame called. Kouga found himself glaring at the child again, but he didn't know why. Was she mated? Hakkaku said she'd refused, but did she finally give in? It didn't seem to fit... the child looked too old for a recent birth... unless... when that bastard Grey alpha Hakkaku had told him about... if he'd gotten Ayame pregnant.... Kouga's eyes bled crimson. If an unmated.. or "unmarried" female got pregnant and gave birth, it severely hurt her chances of EVER finding another mate. Males only wished to keep their own bloodlines going.. and if she were lucky enough that another male decided to take her for a mate... despite the fact that she'd be considered... "unclean"... they'd kill her first pup or pups, and create his own. The fact that someone would do that to her... infuriated him.

Ayame seemed to notice Kouga's reaction, and frowned as she clutched the infant closer to her body. The way he was reacting... he was all but growling at the little boy... and Ayame was concerned about how it would look to the rest of the pack. She needed to talk to Kouga in private before he said or did anything to embarrass either himself or both of them.

"Kouga?" She asked, trying to catch his attention as the blue eyed male looked up at her, narrowing his eyes. She frowned back at him, not at all afraid of standing up to him. He was a guest... and she was already being more than understanding with his foul attitude. "Do you have something you want to say?" She asked him, her eyes challenging him as Kouga let out a low growl.

"Actually... yea..." He stated, suddenly grabbing her arm. Ginta and Hakkaku tensed up immediately... they knew he wouldn't harm her, but the rest of the pack wouldn't be so trusting. Even if she was Alpha Female, until she was mated, she was in essance, their sole leader. And the rest of the pack would see him as a threat and protect her... unless she told them otherwise.

"Kouga..." Ayame growled lightly in warning, her green eyes flashing. She didn't want to draw attention to either of them, nor did she want to startle her son in her arms. "Let go... think about what you are doing before you do it. I'm not a little innocent and nieve Princess anymore... I am acting Alpha... and you will show me more respect." She snapped under her breath at him. He let her arm go as if burned, his eyes wide as he stared at her. He'd only wanted to get her attention... but he NEVER expected her to stand up to him so... confidently. He smirked as he looked at her, an almost preditary glint in his eye.

"You really have matured, haven't you?" He asked, before the amused look left his eyes, and he glared at the child again. "So... who's brat is he? That Grey?" He growled. Ayame blinked in confusion for several fleeting moments, before a look of understanding and realization dawned on her. She smiled serenely as she stepped away from him, slightly turning away.

"We have much to discuss, Kouga... Please... come with me." She asked of him, but nothing more. Either he would acknowledge her position and agree to follow and talk with her. Or he wouldn't. Honestly... she didn't care which he choose... But she was somewhat surprised as he muttered something under his breath, and followed after her. Ginta and Hakkaku exchanged a look, and began to follow the two of them, before Ayame turned and stopped them with a smile. "It's alright you too... I'll only borrow your leader for a short period of time to discuss everything that's happened in the last several months."

Ginta and Hakkaku nodded, and left the two Alphas alone, as Ayame turned and headed back into her private den. Just outside the entrance, the black haired male paused, seeming to suddenly grow uncomfortable. He'd never been inside Ayame's private den before... and somehow the thought of him entering it now seemed... wrong some how... and at the same time... strangely right. He didn't know what to feel... but he tried not to think about it as he pushed himself forward to follow after the young demoness. He watched her curiously, his face holding a scowl as he watched her sit down on her bed, giving the tiny infant a loving and affectionate kiss. A part of him felt a curious swelling in his chest, the desire to go over and sit with her... images flashing in his mind's eye. Ayame nursing their own pup as he came in and gave her a sweet kiss, reaching down and lifting his son out of his mother's arms... the little boy would have his looks, he'd be sure. Dark hair, and his eyes... or maybe he'd have Ayame's.... that'd be a handsome son indeed... a heart breaker one day... Kouga smirked before he realized it.

"Are you alright?" Ayame's voice brought him out of his daydreams, and the male shook his head, trying to clear his head of such idiotic thoughts. Why on earth would he have been thinking of that anyway?! He summed it up to the sight infront of him... and how much he felt the urge to protect and nurture both the infant and Ayame. But at the same time... he glared at the pup. It might not be his fault... but he'd ruined his mother's life... when his father had.... Again Kouga's eyes burned red.

"Kouga? What on earth is wrong?" She asked, finally losing her patience. He refused to speak to her... and she wanted to get to the bottom of this as quickly as possible.

"When did it happen?" He suddenly snapped angrily, catching her off guard.

"What? When did what happen?" She asked. Her surprise expression melted away, a look of sadness passing through her eyes as she tore them away from the man she once loved, to the cold and emotionless wall beside her. "In the dead of the night... the full moon... he passed peacefully... but I wasn't there when-"

"No... I mean... THAT." He said, nodding at the child in her arms.

"Kento? What? What do you mean?" She asked, completely confused. Kouga's eyes burned angrily as he felt his fists clench angrily at his sides.

"Was it that bastard Grey? I swear I'll fucking kill him! I'll rip his throat out... and tear him apart piece by bloody piece..." Kouga promised venomously. Ayame stared at him in silent shock, not fully comprehending what he meant. Finally... she came right out and asked him.

"Please watch your tongue, Kouga... and what are you talking about?" She asked. She was surprised as Kouga suddenly advanced on her, and instinctively and protectively she held the baby against her body, protecting it as she growled at the angry male. Kouga paused briefly in shock and surprise at Ayame's reaction, before his anger got the better of him.

"So you protect the little bastard just because I take a step closer to you?! You protect that piece of garbage?! Where's your pride?! Did you think raising that bastard's scum would replace this illusion of a family you wanted so desperately Ayame?!" Kouga roared as he rounded on her, grabbing her wrist. Ayame growled at him, still confused at his outburst but was fully prepared to defend and protect the infant in her arms. The little boy, who having suddenly been gostled awake by the yelling and growling, started crying hysterically.

"You're scaring him Kouga!" Ayame snapped, wretching her hand away out of his grip, and nuzzling the little boy to try and calm him down. "It's ok... it's ok... you're safe Kento... it's ok... Mommy's here...." She said, nuzzling and kissing him gently. Kouga's anger boiled as he bared his fangs at her.

"Mommy?! Don't coddle him, Ayame! Even if he is your son... that bastard raped you! How can you.... you....." He trailed off, too angry for words. Ayame snapped her head up in surprise her eyes wide as she stared at Kouga in shock.

"What did you just say?" She asked softly. When he didn't answer, her eyes widened even more. So THAT was what this was all about....

"Hakkaku told you about what... I see.... No Kouga, don't get your pelt in a twist... He didn't even get that far... Thanks to your betas..." She shot back at him, rocking the infant in her arms. At the black haired male's surprised expression mingled in disbelief, she went on. "Kento is an orphan... his parents were murdered by that rogue that came in the middle of the night... And I took the baby to raise as my own." She said finally looking back at the baby in her arms.

"So he's.... he's not yours?" He asked, and Ayame rolled her eyes hearing the relief in his tone.

"Yes, he is mine.. He's my son, but not by blood." She corrected him, narrowing her eyes on the black haired male.

"But... you're unmated still?" He asked, as if making sure to get it correct. Ayame frowned as she nodded, not clearly sure where he might be going with this.

"Yea... so?" She asked. He actually stared at her in shock.

"So? So how come you're not begging me to take you for my mate? How come you're not begging me to remember the promise? How come... how come you're acting like you don't even give a damn, Ayame?!" Kouga cried in disbelief. Ayame stared at him, her face solumn and serious.

"Because... I don't Kouga."