Underneath The Hunter's Moon

A/N: Ok, my muse has demanded that I write this. So, here it is. Please read and review. I know it has been a while since I last did a Kouga/Kagome, but here you guys go.
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Kouga lifted his head and glared into the darkened forest as a loud howl was heard. He knew that there were beings in his territory who were different than most youkai. These creatures were not youkai, but also not human. In fact, he didn't really know what to call them.

The other wolf youkai tribes had also expressed some concern over these new creatures. At first, it was thought that it was an upstart wolf tribe wanting to engage in a battle for territory, however, when one of the scouts spotted one of the creatures, he reported to Kouga that not only was the creature not a youkai, it wasn't human and could only be described as a large wolf standing on its hind legs.

The wolf was big, the scout said. And, it didn't look like any of the wolves he had ever seen, but that it had the same appearance of a wolf. Snout, tail, ears, and fur. But, its disposition was totally out of character for a wolf. It didn't snarl at the scout, as a wolf would. Instead, the wolf-like creature simply looked at him, allowed its ears to wilt, and let loose a sorrowful whine.

The scout also then said that he heard a soft voice speaking to the creature and that the creature quickly left the area, following the voice. Soon, it was gone and the scout hurried back to give his report. It was determined that whatever they were, they didn't wish to cause trouble. And so, the elders made the decree that the creatures would be left alone. Left alone, that is, until they caused any trouble.

But, he had an instinct that told him to run the outsiders off. There was going to be trouble. These were the same instincts that told him to back off during the first fight with that mutt-face, Inu Yasha. He retreated once he felt that when the mutt drew his sword, the situation became dangerous. Of course, that was the fateful meeting between him and Kagome. Sadly, it was not the first impression that he would have liked to have given her, but it happened and he thought that he redeemed himself pretty well.

Every so often, he would run into the group and noticed that a woman who was clearly dead had joined the small group. Kagome didn't seem to mind and was often asking the woman questions, which the woman answered patiently and in depth. But, that got his attention was that no longer did the mutt raise a fuss when he came near. His attentions were on the dead woman. So, he was free to flirt with Kagome while mutt-face dealt with the dead female.

His life would have been perfect, because he could see that his attentions were starting to have great success, but there was something that kept holding his dear Kagome back. He wished that she would just open up to him. Talk to him. He would move mountains if it made her smile. But, she would tell him, in time, what bothered her, he hoped. He had to make her understand that she could trust him with anything.

Despite all of the bounties that he had been blessed with in the past year, there was one incident that still upset him. He told the elders that he would not be mating Ayame, simply due to the fact that they simply could not get along. Her grandfather had not been happy, but understood and announced that he would give his granddaughter to another tribe's leader. Ayame objected. She didn't want to mate with this other leader, even though his pack was just as prosperous as Kouga's. She wanted to make sure that Kagome never got the chance to mate with him.

When she found out the decision of her grandfather, she flew into a rage and ran from the tribe, crying that her life was over and had not been seen since. It was assumed that Ayame was dead and the fact that a few months later, her white fur wrap was found, bloody and torn, on the ground at the edge of her tribe's lands.

For nearly a month, the tribes mourned and he felt a bit of guilt, but he had to remember that he told her that he could not be with her, despite what he told her when she was just a little pup. It had been hard to break her heart, but his heart already belonged to someone else, and sadly, Ayame never understood that. Besides, she was immature and had the arrogance that would one day have harmed those in her care. But, it was still a shame that she had died.

A low howl in the distance brought Kouga back to his current problem and he scowled. Those creatures were not going to disrupt his people. But, to their credit, they seemed to respect the wolf youkai who lived within the caves, and stayed away from them. It was as if they knew where they could go and where they would find trouble.

The howls began to grow and Kouga cocked his head in curiosity. Normally, wolves howled like that when an intruder was in the area, but he had not caught the scent of an intruder, nor had he detected anything out of the usual, so it had to be something that was bothering these strange creatures.

Shaking his head, Kouga stood up and walked into the den, pausing only to look up into the night's sky and smile at the full moon that hung overhead. It was such a pretty sight and he only wished that Kagome could be there to see it with him.

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Kagome and Sango stared at each other as Inu Yasha recounted one of their past battles to Kikyo. Not only did the hanyou manage to make himself look like he was the only one fighting, but he also managed to make everyone else look lazy and frightened.

Finally, Sango's temper got the best of her and she snapped, “Is your ego ever satisfied?” When Inu Yasha lifted his shocked golden eyes up towards her, she continued. “You have not only made me, Kagome, Miroku, Kirara, and Shippo look like pathetic weaklings, you have also made us seem cowardly. I am no coward, Inu Yasha. Would you like me to tell Kikyo that when the boar youkai hit you, he sent you flying face-first into the dirt while Kagome shot one of her sacred arrows to save your ass? Or would you like me to tell her that you were knocked out while Miroku and I finished off that particular youkai? Either way, in the real version of what happened, you don't look very good, my friend.”

Inu Yasha's mouth dropped open and he blushed. Sneaking a quick glance at Kikyo, he could see the older miko giggling and when he saw that smile, he simply could not bring himself to get angry with Sango. Yeah, he was trying to be a big-shot in front of his woman, but what man doesn't?

Kagome shook her head and glanced over at the spot where Miroku was meditating. The monk was growing more concerned with his wind tunnel, and confided in her that he was afraid that he would not be able to give Sango a life with him. Kagome, in turn, told him that any life with him would make Sango happy. And so, Miroku devoted his life and his wandering hand to Sango. Everyone was happy and with someone, well, everyone except for herself, Kirara, and Shippo. Shippo was way too young, and Kirara seemed content on just being single. Kagome, however, was feeling lonely. Her crush on Inu Yasha was long over, but she could not help but envy the affection that Kikyo was getting while she sat alone and felt like the outsider.

Sure, she had Kouga. He loved her and she was starting to feel for him, but were her feelings romantic, or were her feeling the result of her just feeling lonely and jealous? She really did not know and didn't want to lead Kouga on should it be the latter of the two. Yes, his attention made her feel good, and she enjoyed the way her hands seemed to fit in his. She loved his kind words and loving glances that he would shoot her way whenever he came around. Was this the beginning of love, or was it just lust?

The howls in the distance brought silence to the group, and Shippo nervously asked, “Do you think that Kouga is around?”

Inu Yasha sniffed the air and shook his head. “No. I can't detect that smelly wolf or his pack. It could just be the wolves talking to each other.” He said, his eyes narrowing.

Kagome sighed. “Inu Yasha is right. Kouga would be here by now. Look, I am going to go and take a bath. Sango, do you want to come?” She asked.

Sango sighed and shook her head. “No, I don't think so. You go ahead, but make sure you take Kirara with you. Those wolves could be renegades.” She warned.

Kagome nodded and called to the tiny neko and then left to go and bathe. It didn't take long for them to walk to the hot spring and when they got there, Kagome quickly stripped and entered the water. She dunked her head and when she came up, she noticed that Kirara was no where to be seen.

“Kirara?” Kagome called. She glanced around and stood up, her arms crossed over her breasts. “Kirara!”

When she got no response, she quickly climbed out of the spring and walked over to her clothing. She quickly put on her panties and bra, then bent down to grab her shirt. Just as she was bending over, she heard a loud snarl and looked up in time to see a large black creature rushing towards her and the only word that she got out of her mouth was, “KOUGA!”