Steel Fang, Wild Iris

Chapter 3:


"Oh that is the biggest pile of-"

"Kouga!" Ayame snapped her eyes flashing angrily again. She watched him intently, rocking the infant she held against her chest as he whimpered and sniffled softly in his mother's arms. Kento had stopped crying when Ayame had begun to comfort him, but he was still nervous and uneasy with Kouga's presence so close by. The older male had frightened him, and the little boy was still afraid.

"Kouga, I've had just about enough of this from you. I've been more than understanding with you, I've been patient and given you a fair chance more than any other guest could otherwise say. Only because of our past... but the cold hard truth is I am Alpha now... and I am starting to lose patience at your lack of respect towards me." Ayame declared firmly, jade irises flashing with the bold declaration.

Kouga closed his eyes as he crossed his arms over his chest, the frown never leaving his face as he took a deep steading breath. He didn't know why he'd gotten so worked up... he'd always been protective of Ayame, and he figured in the very least that feeling hadn't disappeared in his absence. But even still... the thought of some bastard degrading her in such a manner had set his blood abaze. He'd never felt so furious in all his life. But he knew he was stepping over the line. And Ayame's cold treatment of him wasn't helping any either.

How could she really believe that she didn't care for him anymore? It wasn't that he cared... he was free finally... no stupid promise... no begging proposal of marriage... no... Ayame. So why was it infuriating him so much to sit here and be belittled by this young woman? She'd grown strong... determined... and her strength of will was something that even impressed the proud wolf prince.

"Damn it Ayame..." He began, opening his eyes slowly as he studied hers intently, searching for any hidden lies beneathe those jaded depths. "You really expect me to believe... after all this time of you begging me to remember this stupid promise and take you for my mate... just like that you don't care anymore? What happened?" He asked, and he was surprised to hear the genuine curiousity in his own tone of voice.

The red head blinked as she regarded him seriously, before a slow frown began to spread across her features. She sighed softly, shaking her head and turning her attention to the little boy in her arms. "I've grown up Kouga... I'm not a little girl anymore. And I couldn't wait for you forever... I tried... and it only broke my heart even more." She confessed.

Kouga winced inwardly, but remained as stonic as ever on the outside. The only thing that betrayed how he was feeling was the torn expression beneathe his icy blue eyes. He was responsible for so much pain and trouble... his own pack.. and now this... he'd cost Ayame her innocence, in a matter of speaking. The realization of it rooted him to the spot, settling sharply into his chest like a jagged piece of rock. Ayame had been full of life, hope... wanting nothing more than to prove herself to him... and now... this young woman infront of him was not the same ookami. She was stronger... wiser... but there was pain and sorrow in her eyes that no one that young should ever experience. And it was mostly his fault.

"Ayame... I'm sorry."

Ayame looked up at the black haired male in confusion, not fully understanding the reason for the unexpected apology. "Kouga?" She asked softly, shifting the baby in her arms. "What for?"

He didn't answer her, instead he dropped his gaze to the infant in her arms. He sat there for several moments of silence, as several thoughts ran rampant in his mind. His vengance had been claimed... Naraku was dead... but the Yourouzoku were still in trouble. They'd keep fighting amongst each other until they wiped themselves out completely.

"I'm sick of all this death." He said rather cryptically as he lifted his gaze back up at her, and yet still Ayame wondered what was going through the wolf prince's mind. He had such a serious and determined blaze in his blue eyes... it made her shudder... but not out of fear. She smiled before she realized it, her green eyes softening.

"I think we're all tired of the fighting and the deaths, Kouga." She said softly. He narrowed his eyes at her.

"Well... let's do something about it, then!" Kouga declared. Ayame blinked at him, before shaking her head with a sigh.

"What makes you think we haven't already? We've been trying the best we can... we've strengthed the defenses but there is only so much we can do. The tribes just don't trust each other... and seek to further their own goals instead of doing what is best for the future of all wolf demons. At this rate...."

"We'll die out... I know." Kouga said, closing his eyes briefly. "Well... I don't know about you... but I'm sure as hell not ready to roll over and die, are you?" He asked, opening his eyes as he looked at the female. Ayame frowned, shaking her head.

"Of course not, Kouga. That is a stupid question-"

"Then mate with me." Kouga said matter of factly, so bluntly infact Ayame gasped at him, her jaw dropping in disbelief as her eyes widened in shock. She was too stunned to even blush at the bold request.

"I- Kouga!"

"I'm serious... not exactly that... but declare yourself my intended. We'll get married by the next lunar cycle... unite the tribes as your grandfather wanted... and I'll make sure to set those other knuckle heads straight." Kouga stated as if it was the most obvious answer in the world to all of their troubles. And maybe it was... but Ayame shook her head.

"No Kouga."

"What?" He snapped, his blue eyes flashing. "I don't want to hear some bullshit excuse from you about not caring about me, because I know you still do. I can see it in your eyes!" Kouga challenged, continuing before he'd give her a chance to interject.

"Ayame, think about it would you? If you're officially mated... these stupid idiots would get off your back about leading... you'll get exactly what you want, you stubborn woman! And I can protect you and that brat of yours from any future retaliations from the other tribes. First order of business... I'll make sure the Greys know I don't appreciate ANYONE trying to harm my intended in ANY manner..." Kouga added with a possessive growl.

"Kouga! Would you stop to think about what you're saying? This is the worst possible solution! I refuse to be mated to a male that doesn't love me, and that I don't love myself. This isn't something that you can just throw up in the air and take back when it doesn't work out anymore for you. The ceremony itself is binding! I won't do it!" Ayame snapped angrily. She was starled as Kouga suddenly advanced on her, his blue eyes dangerous and icy cold as never before.

"Ayame... don't give me that "you-don't-love-me" bullshit!" The dark haired male growled inches from her face. The red head was backed up against the wall of her own den, the infant clutched protectively against her chest. But her green eyes were wide in fright upon the male who'd backed her up against the wall in the first place.

"Kouga... I told you... I've moved on. I have Kento now.. I'm Alpha female... I have my own betas... I don't NEED you anymore!" She snapped, starting to gather her confidence, her eyes flashing... challenging him.

"Really?" He asked, just before he smirked at her, and claimed her lips with his own. The smaller female froze, her eyes wide open in stunned shock as she felt his warm lips upon her own, her heart racing wildly in her chest. He'd moved closer, giving her enough space for the infant between them, but closed the distance between their mouths. Her mind was racing, thoughts swirling wildly throughout her foggy brain that she couldn't quite grasp. Before she realized it, her eyes were sinking closed as she melted into the kiss, and hesitantly returned it.

Kouga smirked in pride as he pulled back, barely moments after she began to respond to his kiss. "Don't need me, my ass." He commented with a smirk and an arched ebony eyebrow. The redhead seemed to gather her senses, shaking her head and fighting off the vivid blush as she growled at him.

"How dare you! I could... I could have you killed for that!"

"No you couldn't." He muttered boredly. The jade irises flashes angrily again, as she bared her fangs at him slightly, a low growl rumbling past her throat. Kouga raised an eyebrow again, the smirk leaving his face as he watched her getting all riled up.

"Yes I could. Pressing unwanted advances-" She began, ignoring his disbelieving snort as he interupted her. "-on an unmated female... and not just any female... alpha female." Ayame warned angrily.

"Ayame... first of all, you and I both know that is a crock. You could never harm me, either through physical fighting- I'm much stronger than you there- or politically, because let's face it... you still have "feelings" for me, Princess." He paused with a smirk as he teased her. "And second of all... you didn't seem to be complaining." He reminded her, smirking cockily and crossing his arms over his chest as her face flushed in embarassment.

"Kouga... you are by far the cockiest... selfish... self centered bastard I have ever met in my entire life!" Ayame declared in frustration as she pushed past him and trudged aggitated over to her son's crib. She was still mumbling angrily to herself as she leaned over the edge and placed the sleepy infant in his furs, a soft smile melting across her face as she tucked him in affectionately. She stiffened however, the blush returning full force when she felt Kouga's presence behind her. She didn't move as he stepped closer, sliding an arm around her waist, his tone teasing as he leaned over the crib beside her.

"You could always have pups of your own, you know. You're not getting any younger, Ayame." Kouga reminded her, chuckling as he leapt back out of the way as she whirled around and lashed out at him in a futile effort to strike at him.

"Damn it Kouga..." She sighed, shaking her head as she walked back to her bed and sat down, rubbing her temples. "Enough of this... now tell me what happened with your fight... enough of these games... please." She said, looking up at him seriously. He nodded as he walked over to join her, sitting beside her.

"There's not much to go into detail about... The hanyou and Kagome had found the last shard... and I gave them mine... The jewel was completed in whole... Naraku nearly killed a bunch of us... but Kagome purified him, the jewel and shattered it... End of story." He said with a shrug of his shoulders.

"Kouga... I know there's more to it than that." Ayame snapped at him faintly, frowning lightly at his lack of detail. The said male shrugged nonchalantly.

"Hai... but I don't want to talk about it. The point is, the bastard is gone, my pack has been avenged... and it brings up a whole new set of problems." He said, glancing at her out of the corner of his eye.

"The jewel shards."

"Exactly... the Yourouzoku tribes know full well the effect just two jewel shards had to my power... the problem is... I KNOW the tribes will start searching for them... fighting amongst the tribes will get even worse than you've seen yet... and even more will suffer and die. I won't let it happen again, Ayame." Kouga stated clearly and firmly, his blue eyes rough and serious.

"I mean it... I'm only giving you the choice to say yes... because I asked you once before. I will not be like that bastard... but I refuse to take no from you either Ayame. Either you agree now, or I'm not going anywhere and I'm going to keep asking you from dawn til dusk, until you finally agree. I won't lose anything else important to me." Kouga declared firmly as Ayame sighed softly.

"Like the miko?"

"Kagome is a whole other story..." He sighed, shaking his head. "She loves the hanyou... I'm not stupid, I know that... but it doesn't mean I have to like it. I didn't want to admit it either, but I've wasted enough time chasing something I can never have. Kagome will always be special to me... she was the first human, let alone priestess, that ever saw me for more than a blood thirsty wolf demon." He added with a smirk.

Ayame's smile was sad and wistful as she looked at him, something in her green eyes shaking him to the core.

"Neither did I."

"What?" Kouga asked in confusion.

"I never saw you as a blood thirsty monster, Kouga. I know it's different because we're both wolf demons... but I've always been aware of your pride... your courage... the strength you had... your loyalty. You always were a true Ookami Prince... in my eyes at least." She said with a blush, lowering her gaze.

"I told you, you still care about me." He teased with a smirk. When the irrated red head lifted her gaze to snap at him, she was cut off when he leaned in and kissed her again. She was too surprised to respond, her mouth still slightly open from the gasp, which he'd quickly taken advantage of. He deepened the kiss, wrapping an arm around her slim waist as he pulled her closer to him.

When they broke apart for air, Ayame was as flushed as her hair, her face bright and embarassed as the blush creeped across her entire nose and cheeks down to her neck. "Kouga... would you stop doing that?" She asked in exasperation. He smirked and shook his head.

"You still didn't stop me."

"Damn you." She muttered softly.

"Now look who's cursing infront of the kid." He said with a smirk.

"Kouga, stop it, I'm serious." Ayame said, the palms of her hands on his chest as she faintly tried to put some distance between them. "I can't do this again... this is all too much too fast."

"Ayame... I said I was sorry... things have changed... and I MEAN what I said. I staked my claim on you years ago... and I'm sorry... but it's not just for you, it's for the good of the tribes. I want you to be my mate because you want to... but I need to ensure the tribes stop fighting too. I can't let anything happen to you, and the best way to ensure your safety, is if you were mated. Let me protect you. I'm not going to let some other bastard have you. You're mine." He declared rather possessively.

She trembled slightly, tears making her eyes heavy as she tried pushing away from him again. "So... you're just like all the others. I thought more of you than that, Kouga... how can you...." She said, her tone shaken and frightened. Kouga blinked in confusion, what was she talking about?

"Ayame?"

"All the others just wanted me so they could run my pack. I really didn't think you'd ever be the same..."

"I'm not!" The dark haired prince snapped angrily, his eyes flashing. "Damn it Ayame, you really think that lowly of me? Yea, everything I've ever done was for the good of the pack... my pack.. your pack... you. I wasn't sure I'd come back alive! I didn't want you to mourn me like you mourned your grandfather! I... didn't want you hurt." He added in a softer tone.

"K-Kouga... I..."

"Ayame... You are more important to me than you think. And I'm going to make sure you realize it." He said with a half smile, half smirk as he leaned in and kissed the tip of her nose. "You will be my mate... my wife... got it?" He asked with a raised eyebrow, his eyes almost challenging her to disagree with him. The red head blushed, lowering her head with a sigh.

"...Fine..."

"Don't sound so enthusiastic, woman... you'll wake the kid." Kouga muttered sarcastically, as the red head smiled and shook her head.

"I said yes, didn't I?"

"You really need convincing don't you?" He asked with a smirk before leaning in and growling silkeningly in her ear. "Just wait til the night of the mating ceremony, little princess." At her vivid blush and cries of protest as she pushed him away, he chuckled and held her closer.

"Good... I was wondering where that fiesty Ayame disappeared to. Glad to see it's still buried deep inside there somewhere."

"Kouga, you are infuriating!"

"Yea yea, you'll get used to it. Eh... so where am I supposed to sleep anyway?" He asked curiously.

"Don't EVEN think about it! Just because I agreed to this stupid thing, doesn't mean you will be sharing a den with me!"

"Relax, would you? I'm a gentleman, thank you very much-"

"Sure you are."

"AND..." Kouga continued. "I can control myself just fine." Ayame's eyes widened as she shook her head.

"I mean it Kouga, I said no."

"Well you don't have a say in the matter, woman. As long as I am here, I am protecting you... and the best way for me to do that is to keep an eye on you at all times." He declared stubbornly. "I'm not about to let some bastard sneak in here and kill you under my nose... or worse." He added with a deadly growl.

"Worse? What is worse than getting-.... oh Kouga! Relax would you! I CAN take care of myself. Besides... what's to stop you from pulling a stunt like that?" She challenged, starting to lose her temper again. It didn't help matters when he smirked, cocked an eyebrow at her, and crossed his arms proudly over his chest.

"Because... even if I DID make a move on you... as you've already demonstrated Ayame... you wouldn't fight me. Not that you would have to." He smirked even wider. "You have always wanted me, just admit it."

"KAMI! You're the most conceited bastard I've ever-!"

"Yea, yea I know. Now quit making a fuss about it. I've had a very long journey, an even tougher fight... and I still have a feast in my honor to attend to before I get some rest. By the way... just to forewarn you..." Kouga began, walking away from her and towards the entrance of her den. "I'll be annoucing our engagement at the festivities. Try not to act too estatic." He said with a teasing wink just before he slipped out of her den, barely missing the brush she'd hurled in his direction.