Loving My Enemy
Kouga's Brother Comes Home
Chapter 35: Kouga’s Brother Comes Home
A/N: I’m making Kouga have a younger brother in this story for one because he has no family that is mentioned in the actual series. Also Ayame will be brought in as Kouga and Koharu’s half sister, this will serve to explain Koharu’s absence from Kouga’s life. Koharu will play a very important role in Amaiya’s life later on!
The first rays of dawn had just broken the dark horizon of the night sky painting it in faint colors of pink and gold. A cool crisp breeze was sweeping gently through the trees making it just the right temperature outside, not too hot or cold. Kouga looked out over his territory cradling his newborn son Satoru to his chest closely. Kikyo slipped her slender arms around her matwaiswaist tenderly. “Are you alright Kouga?”
“Yes Kikyo, just a little anxious to see my little brother. Koharu and I have not seen each other in a long while.”
“I can’t wait to meet Koharu. How long has it been since you last saw him Kouga?”
“It’s been three years. He was one year old when he was taken to live with my mother and her new mate after my father was killed.”
“I see. Why didn’t your mother take you with her Kouga?”
“Because I was already at the age to take my place as heir to the command of the Eastern wolf pack. My mother took Koharu with her and married Lord Shiryu of the Northern pack.”
“Oh. So how old is Koharu now?”
“Koharu is only four years old, he is still but a small boy. I also have a half sister as well from my mother’s marriage to Lord Shiryu.”
“Really? What’s her name?”
“Her name is Ayame and she is eighteen I believe. She is accompanying Koharu back to our territory.” Kikyo took Satoru from Kouga’s arms and nestled the small baby boy to her body closely.
“What was your father like?”
“He was a kind and gentle demon until he felt that his family was being threatened.”
“I wish that I could have known him.”
“Father would be proud of my choosing to take you as my mate Kikyo.”
“What was your father’s name?”
“My father’s name was Lord Mokuba, he was a very strong but fair leader.”
“How did he die?”
“He was killed by the demon Naraku in cold blood.” Kikyo shivered at the thought of someone being so outwardly cruel as to take another living being’s life with no real reason. Kouga led Kikyo inside so that they could lay Satoru down for his nap. About mid morning Kouga’s advisor Ginta came running into his chambers.
“Yes Ginta?”
“Your little brother Prince Koharu is here along with Princess Ayame.”
“Very well. Kikyo and I shall be down to greet them shortly. Have them wait in the great dining hall.” Ginta nodded and bowed then quickly headed off to do his lord’s bidding. “Well Kikyo love, my family has arrived. It’s time for you to meet my little brother and my little sister.” Kikyo smiled and finished slipping into a dark navy blue kimono with silver stitching around the cuffs of the sleeves the bottom of the kimono and a solid silver obi that seemed to shimmer when the light hit it just right. She pulled her long ebony hair up into an elegant up twist with a few wispy strands hanging down to frame her angelic face.
“What do you think? Do I look the part of the Lady of the Eastern lands?” Kouga grinned broadly.
“Kikyo, you look perfect as always. Now let us go meet my family.” Kikyo took Kouga’s arm gently and allowed him to lead her down to the great dining hall. Once in the vast dining hall Kikyo’s chocolate brown eyes landed on a small boy wink bnk black hair and bronze skin much like Kouga’s. He was dressed in similar brown fur pelts and his dark hair was swept back into a ponytail. The boy turned and Kikyo noticed his eyes were a lovely shade of dark forest green much different from the beautiful sapphire pools that belonged to her mate.
Standing beside the boy was a tall and slender young woman with reddish brown hair and bronzed skin. She also had the same forest green eyes as Koharu and was dressed in white fur pelts much like Kouga’s and Koharu’s. Her reddish brown hair was left flowing freely down to her waist. She was quite lovely to say the least. “Well well look at how much you have changed since the last time I saw you Ayame.” Ayame smiled at Kouga and took a few steps towards him. She then leapt into his arms and embraced him tightly. Kikyo watched the affectionate display with a small smile spread across her pretty face. Koharu tugged on Kouga’s tail causing him to look down at the young boy.
“Big brother, who’s that pretty lady?” Kikyo felt her cheeks turn a light shade of pink when Kouga’s sapphire pools came to rest on her.
“This is my mate Koharu, her name is Kikyo.” Kikyo bent down to look into the boy’s eyes and smiled sweetly at him.
“Hello Koharu, it’s nice to meet you.”
“Hi Kikyo. You’re really pretty.”
“Well thank you. You’re a very handsome young man.” He grinned and then launched himself into her arms. Kikyo gave him a gentle squeeze then she returned to a standing position. Ayame eyed Kikyo closely.
“So you’re who Kouga married huh?”
“Yes, you must be Ayame.”
“Yes I am. I’m Kouga’s sister. It’s nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you as well.” The group sat down at the large table in the dining hall and were served a large lunch. After lunch Kouga and Kikyo took Koharu and Ayame to see little Satoru. Ayame held the tiny baby boy in her arms gently.
“Oh Kouga, Kikyo he’s beautiful. So Satoru will be the heir to the Eastern lands huh?”
“Yes I suppose he will be.”
“Yeah Koharu will be the heir to the Northern lands because a female isn’t given that right.”
“Koharu will be an excellent leader Ayame, or do you disagree?”
“No I don’t doubt that Koharu will be a wonderful leader if he’s anything like you and our father Lord Shiryu.” Kikyo excused herself to check on Satoru so Kouga took the time to find out the real reason behind Ayame and Koharu’s visit.
“So Ayame, I know that you didn’t just come by to visit. What’s going on in the Northern lands?”
“Well Naraku has been attacking father’s guards as of late and we have no idea why.”
“Possibly to gain control of Lord Shiryu’s territory.”
“So what are we going to do?”
“Don’t worry Ayame, I won’t allow Naraku to harm you or your people. I’m going to send some of my men back with you to your father’s territory, but I want Koharu to stay here with Kikyo and I so that we can keep him safe.” Ayame nodded and prepared to journey back to her father’s territory with a group of Kouga’s guards. After Kouga had gathered a small but capable group of guards he walked with Ayame to the entrance of his palace. “Be careful Ayame, Naraku is a demon who cannot be trusted.”
“I know Kouga, I’ll be careful.” She leaned up and gave him a tight embrace. Kouga embraced Ayame tightly in return. Ayame then bent down and hugged Koharu tightly as well. “Behave yourself Koharu.”
“I will Ayame. When will you be back?”
“Soon. Very soon okay?” The small boy nodded and watched as Ayame turned to leave with the band of guards Kouga hand provided for her.
“Come Koharu, I’m going to show you around the palace so that you’re familiar with your surroundings since you shall be staying with Kikyo and I for a while.” Koharu nodded and took Kouga’s large calloused hand in his much smaller one. Kikyo watched from behind the two smiling broadly at the caring relationship between the two siblings even though they had not spent much time together.