My Happy Ending

Chapter 7: Chasing Ayame

Kouga stared gloomily into the fire before him, replaying the events of the last few days. Ayame was gone. Like a thief in the night, she had disappeared with nothing but her scent in the air. He’d been following that scent across Japan. He was such an idiot. If he had only listened to her, he would have realized what had been in front of his face all along. His obsession of Kagome had led to this, and Kira’s arrival had only sealed his fate. But one way or another, he was going to find her and bring her back.

He watched the red and gold flames dance hypnotically, mesmerized by their constant movement. Slowly, that night came back to him, and with it, the pain. He relived the anger at her, his disbelief at finding her gone, and his horror at finally realizing how badly he had been played. It was at moments like these that he thought he could cheerfully kill Kira, but he wouldn’t allow himself to descend to her level. His thoughts continued inward, seeing it all before his eyes.

*FLASHBACK*

Kouga walked wearily back to his den. It had taken him the better part of the night to calm Kira down after Ayame’s attack. He could see the faint rays of light sweeping across the valley, signaling dawn. He just couldn’t understand how she could have done that. He’d never known her to attack someone for no apparent reason. Sure, she had a temper, but she rarely let it show unless provoked. What had gotten her so wound up that she went after an innocent person?

He approached the cave entrance, the complete darkness of it feeling him with a sense of foreboding. Usually, there was at least a faint glow because she would keep a small fire going until he put it out upon his arrival. Why was it so dark? Cautiously, he stepped into the den, smelling for any sign of danger. His eyes widened in alarm. He smelled jasmine, her scent, mixed heavily with tears. But what worried him most was that it was stale, signifying that she hadn’t been in the den for some time. It was at least five hours old. This didn’t make any sense.

Hurrying farther into the pitch black, he felt his way to the fire pit, quickly lighting a fire by which to see. He surveyed his surroundings. There were no signs of a struggle, meaning she had both been knocked out and carried away, or she had left voluntarily. But, why? Nothing was adding up. He made a quick walk through to see if there any other clues in the spacious den. His last stop was their bedroom, where he spotted a piece of parchment setting in the middle of their bed. Swiftly, he grabbed the paper with his name scrawled across it, unfolding it to read the contents. It was a letter from her.

Kouga-

I finally realize that you aren’t mine. Maybe you never were. I didn’t lie to you tonight. Kira provoked me, but instead of listening to your mate, you chose to believe the words of a stranger. I’m tired of trying. First it was Kagome, and in the end you were mine. Now someone new comes along, and because she resembles the woman you love so much, you leave me alone. I can’t keep competing for your love. You made your choice tonight, and you have to live with it. Don’t worry, I’ve left for good. I hope you enjoy your life with her. I am able to open my eyes now to what I hadn’t wanted to see. You never loved me, and you never will. I can’t sit by and watch you ruin both our lives. I would rather bow out gracefully.

Don’t worry about the leadership of the tribes. Just show this letter to Grandfather. Since I am the one who released you from the mating, you will retain leadership of both tribes. Because you didn’t mark me the fourth and final time, you are free to be with her. Eventually, your mark on me will fade, but I won’t take anyone else. You see, Kouga, I’ve only ever loved one male, and because of that love, I am willing to free him so that he may be happy. I’m sorry that I’ve caused you so much trouble over the years. Be happy love.

I will love you always,

Ayame

He stared at the words in disbelief. She had left him. Angrily, he crumpled the note in his hands. How dare she leave him? What was all this rubbish about Kira, love, and Kagome? He’d chosen her to mate, hadn’t he? He didn’t understand. She had been the one to attack. He had to help Kira. It was his responsibility. Didn’t she know that? But she said she hadn’t been lying, and he hadn’t believed her. He was starting to get the sick feeling that he’d made a huge mistake when he left with Kira tonight.

“So I see she finally took the hint,” a sultry voice murmured from the chamber entrance. Surprised, he whirled around to see Kira standing before him, a triumphant smirk on her face. What the hell did she mean?

“Explain yourself,” he said angrily, his eyes becoming pools of blue ice.

“Let us just say that she and I had a little chat earlier tonight. A few well placed taunts, a little poke and she fell right into my hands,” the female purred, sashaying her way to the angry male. Seductively, she licked her lips, desire lighting her eyes. She ran a practiced hand down his chest, cupping his manhood. He growled a warning, too angry to trust himself around her.

“I thought you’d be happy,” she pouted, “I got rid of the only obstacle in our way. We can be together now.”

“Where did you ever get the idea that I wanted you,” he spat out, seizing her wrist and yanking it from his body. How dare she touch him so intimately. He narrowed his eyes, watching her intently. He would have the truth, and he would have it now.

“What do you mean where did I get the idea? Ever since I came here, you’ve hardly left my side. You practically pushed your little mate out of your life before I had my little chat with her,” she said, anger starting to color her words. The little bitch! She had driven Ayame from him. His anger, though, was quickly followed by shame. He had done exactly what she said. Her uncanny resemblance to Kagome had caused him to act foolishly. He had thought by spending time with her, he would have been able to spend time with his lost love. Guiltily, he released his hold on her wrist. What had he done?

“Leave me,” he whispered, turning from his downfall.

“But Kouga…” she said, reaching toward him once more.

“I said leave me,” he yelled, turning to glare at her angrily. Didn’t she get it? He didn’t want anything to do with her. Because of her, he may have lost the most important person in his life, and because of his stupidity.

“So the little bitch still has her claws in you,” she spat. She suddenly found herself slammed into a wall, dangling inches off the ground by the hand enclosing her throat. Angry blue eyes, slightly tinged with red bore into her. A threatening growl rumbled lowly from his chest. She frantically grabbed his hand, gasping for air.

“Don’t you ever speak of my mate in such a manner again. Furthermore, you are to leave this valley at once. If you ever come near me, Ayame, or our tribes, I will kill you. Do you understand me,” he growled softly, steel lining his voice. Eyes widening in fear, she shook her head yes, dragging in much needed air when she was released from his hold. Gingerly, she fingered her neck. Fearfully she rose, taking one last look at the angry demon before bolting from the den.

Kouga watched her go impassively. He had more important matters to attend to. First, he had to pack a few traveling supplies. Then he was going to search for his mate. Once he found her, he didn’t know if he was going to punish her or take her. Maybe he could do both. His little bitch had been naughty, running from him. He would show her. Ready or not, Ayame, because here I come, he thought darkly, a smirk gracing his features.

* END FLASHBACK*

And he had been searching for her ever since. It had been almost a week since she had left, and he was still no closer to finding her. He had a feeling that she was leading him on a wild goose chase. He’d traveled across most of northern and eastern Japan, with nothing but her lingering scent. He needed to think. Where would she go? He doubted that she would just strike out on her own. It was far too dangerous for a lone female, demon or not. Then it struck him. Of course, the mutt. Groaning in annoyance, he berated himself. How could he have overlooked the obvious?

Growling, he packed his supplies, quickly breaking camp. Now that he had a new lead to follow, he wasn’t wasting any time. He could reach Inuyasha’s village in three days. If he pushed himself, a day and a half. He dashed through the woods, heading toward his long time rival. He only hoped his hunch wasn’t wrong. He didn’t know how much longer he could go on before falling into madness. He needed Ayame back, and he needed her soon.

He traveled almost constantly toward Inuyasha’s village, resting only to eat and drink. He was exhausted, but he couldn’t stop. Her scent was steadily getting stronger, urging him on. He knew he had guessed right. He was in the clearing where the well was located. It was saturated with her scent. He knew he was close. Smiling in triumph, he put in an extra burst of speed, halting just shy of the tree line. Quietly, he looked upon the village where the mutt lived. He could see the tajiya and monk working on building a hut, he supposed for themselves. He saw Kagome helping some village females tend to the young ones. He didn’t see Inuyasha, and most frustrating of all, he didn’t see her. Where was she? He knew she was here somewhere.

Masking his scent, lest the mutt, kit, or firecat demon smell his approach, he walked toward the village. He sniffed the air, noting that she and Inuyasha had gone in the same direction, but he didn’t know why. As he drew closer, the tajiya and monk ceased their labor, turning to face him in surprise. He noticed the slightly angry glare of the female. So they knew. He felt more eyes on him, and met the blue-gray eyes of the woman he had loved once. Strangely enough, her attention no longer made his body shudder with want. He felt nothing. Ayame sure had changed him.

“Kouga, what are you doing here,” she asked sweetly, but he could see the slight anger and worry in her gaze. Did she think he had come here for her? Or was she worried about his mate’s reaction when she returned?

“I’ve come for Ayame,” he said, barely able to meet her eyes, his shame crowding his thoughts. If he had only paid attention and let her go, none of this would have ever happened. He stopped a few feet in front of her, waiting for a response. Would she demand he leave? Or would she welcome him and help him?

“I see,” she said vaguely, “What if she doesn’t want to go with you?”

“She has no choice, Kagome. She is my mate, and I will have her back,” he said heatedly. He saw her gaze soften ever so slightly. It would seem he had passed the test. Nodding, she turned and walked farther into the village. Silently, he followed. They soon reached a hut bigger than the others. He could smell Kagome and Inuyasha all around it, realizing it was their home. He could also smell her. She had been living with them. He felt his heart give a little tremor. He had finally found her.

“Inuyasha and Ayame are out hunting with the village men. They should be back by sunset,” she said over her shoulder, leading him into the cool interior of the hut. So that is why she and the mutt had gone in the same direction. He was curious as to what, exactly, she had told them, and how she had been fairing for the last two weeks.

“Kagome, did she tell you why she came,” he asked quietly, making the young woman stop in her tracks, before turning to face him. The look on her face spoke volumes. So she had told them. He wanted to know her point of view about what had happened. He needed Kagome to tell him what Ayame had told her.

“Please, tell me,” he said, barely audible to her human ears. What had he ever seen in her? Sure she was pretty, but Ayame was beautiful. His mate could fight, hunt, and best any male. Kagome was strong of will, but she still relied on those stronger than her for protection. He was such a fool.

“I think you’d better sit down,” she murmured, indicating a low couch. He seated himself before turning expectantly toward the woman. Hesitantly, she began the story, quickly growing braver with her tale. He listened, horrified, to her. This was how she had felt. He couldn’t believe all the damage he had done. He was a terrible mate. But he would make it up to her, if she let him. He realized, now, that he wouldn’t be able to just take her. He would have to earn her back.

“…So she left that night. In her eyes, you chose Kira over her, and she didn’t want to be in the way any longer,” Kagome finished. She studied the male before her. He was extremely pale. Shame, guilt, and self loathing swam in his eyes, along with a small trace of anger. She could see how much he loved Ayame, but it would be up to him to discover his feelings, and to win his mate back. He had made a terrible mess of things, but she knew that it wasn’t a lost cause. The young ookami female still loved him. He just had to prove that he loved her.

“I didn’t realize. I was such a fool,” he groaned, running a hand down his face. He stared into space, contemplating his options. He needed to ask a question, and he prayed that Kagome knew the answer.

“Do I still have a chance of getting her back,” he asked anxiously, his ice blue eyes boring into the female. Smiling, she nodded her head.

“Ayame still loves you, Kouga. But you will have to win her back. She doesn’t trust you anymore. It will be hard,” she said quietly.

“I will do everything in my power,” he vowed. They spent the next hour talking, Kouga asking about how his mate had been doing during her stay. He eagerly soaked up everything Kagome told him. He heard her pause in her story, her eyes lighting up. Curious, he listened to his surroundings. There was a lot of commotion outside. It would appear the hunting party was back. He felt a demonic presence quickly approaching and turned to face the entrance to the hut. The mat was quickly thrust to the side and a petite red head ran inside.

“Kagome, we caught enough to last the whole winter. Isn’t that won…” she stopped her excited chatter mid-sentence as her eyes fell on the other occupant in the room.

“K-Kouga,” she gasped, before her eyes rolled up into her head and she started to fall to the floor. A pair of strong arms grabbed her and held her against a firm chest before she could hit the ground. He definitely hadn’t been expecting that reaction.

“So you finally came, wolf-breath,” a rough, masculine voice sneered from the doorway. Inuyasha had a smirk on his face. It would seem that even the stupid wolf could make mistakes. Oh how he was going to enjoy watching Kouga squirm.