Serpents and Dog Demons

Thank you wonderful reviewers for supporting my still off the track fic.. you have some lovely ideas... so lets see what Kouga is up to shall we.
Read, review and enjoy....

Chapter 17 : Wolf, Serpant and Dog Demon

Kouga was smirking at Inuyasha again, his blue eyes dancing with unhidden amusement. Inuyasha growled back. Kouga standing beside Ban in 'watch' position smirked even more.

One thing about having the bloody wolf around – Inuyasha quickly discovered that he could get unhappy real damn fast. The wolf was up to something Inuyasha knew it, but he just could not figure out what. It was nothing overt the wolf did, in fact the bloody Kouga was being real polite and solicitous to everyone, it was only when Inuyasha caught the Ookami's eyes and no one else was noticing did the smug smirk appear. What the hell was Kouga so smug about, Inuyasha could not even eject the bastard, because he had actually been helpful.

The night before when Kouga had joined them, the camp had been attacked by over two dozen leopard Demons who wanted to stop the young Dog Lord from mating and strengthening Sesshoumaru's side. The attack had been well coordinated, timed when the group had retired for the night and all the main candidates had returned to their respective camps (each at least half hour away). Inuyasha weak or not was not going to sit back and be 'protected'. We was going to take the untransformed Tessaiga and attack.

When he was caught him by the back of his top by Ban, who unceremoniously dumped him on Kilala's back. “Be light and fast- and DON'T get hurt!” Ban growled warningly as he sped off to find the most powerful of the attackers. Inuyasha surprised eyes turned into a grin, when he realized the level of faith the other Hanyou had in him. Keh! As if stupid panther demons could hurt him.

Mounted and slightly better protected, Kilala and Inuyasha made a deadly combination. Even without his Demonic abilities Inuyasha's body was strong and well coordinated, augmenting his natural ability with technique and skill, he hit the Panthers with the seemingly rusty Tessaiga and he hit them hard. The Panthers who had assumed the Inu Hanyou in his time of weakness was 'weak' and easy picking – real soon learned differently.

Ban took the frontal assault, Kouga took the flank, with the humans and the Hanyou in the middle, they efficiently pushed back the attack. In the course of the battle, Shippo had been attacked and stumbled badly. A gray Panther demon about to make a kitsune sized snack. Inuyasha and Kilala knowing that they were too far still rushed to aid, but luckly Kouga beat them to it, taking the head off the Panther Demon just as its fist grazed Shippo. Kouga tossed the shaken Kit at Inuyasha as he rushed off to attack some more of the enemy. Inuyasha popped Shippo in front of him and the three dived in to attack the next demon lunging at them.

The battle was a good workout and over in slightly less then 10 minutes. It took that long because
as the battle was in their camp area the group had to after all be a little careful and not mess up too much. They all actually found the fight rather invigorating and in Ban's case damned relaxing.

Since Kouga had for once actually been useful Inuyasha could not think of a way to the the bloody wolf out. That stupid wolf hung around Ban like a sore thumb. The Ookami surprisingly seemed to the listen carefully to the dark Hanyou and was almost deferential to him. Inuyasha gnashed his teeth, he seemed to remember something about Ookami stench sticking – and the thought of Ban smelling even a little like Kouga left the a sick feeling in Inuyasha's tummy.

Still his three suitors managed to distract him a little. Inuyasha carefully considered the three that had passed all the tests, the Phoenix demon – he moved with a grace and sensuality that told Inuyasha he would be a skillful and wonderful lover. (The Hanyou blushed at the thought drawing upraised eyebrows) The Amazonian Elephant was wise, strong, gentle and amazingly beautiful. She was as protective as she was intelligent and Inuyasha had a feeling that being mated to her would mean that he would have a herd that would stand with him, to death and beyond. Then there was the Fawn Inu, he was a distant family – Inuyasha knew he would make Sesshoumaru happy if he choose the Inu as a mate – and for some reason that was somehow important. The Inu was extremely proper – but he had a nice sense of humor, not the most exciting of mates, but he was supportive and had a good eye for the what the Hanyou needed.

Inuyasha may have seemed swept away by the courtship, and for the most part he was, but his Youkai was vigilant and paying close attention, seeing who would be the most suitable mate for him. He had to choose by noon the next day as he could feel the heat slowly rising in his blood. His suitors were all Youkai beyond anything Inuyasha could have imagined but for some reason Inuyasha could not help shake the feeling that if he choose any of the 'suitable' candidates he would be settling. There was a part of him that was waiting almost desperately for something to happen – but it wasn't- and in spite of the attention – for a reason he could not comprehend he was feeling that he was being abandoned and the feeling of just not being good enough for the best was settling low in the Hanyou's belly. He had Lords after him – what was wrong with him.

Seeing the Hanyou looking disturbed – the suitors all quickly converged on him, and Inuyasha allowed himself to be distracted as he tried to ignore the growing discontent.

**

Kouga leaned against a tree smirking. Gods! Who could have ever imagined Serpents and Dog demons were so thick headed and blind. Hmm perhaps because both had not been part of a pack for so long they did not see what was clear as day to the Ookami. Kouga crossed his arms, his soft black tail swishing easily behind him.. he could clue them in – he supposed, buutttt he had a feeling neither would respond well to his meddling. Besides that was not part of his plan. If the pup choose to mate with one of his admittedly impressive suitors, Kouga had no intention of interfering. As much as he liked Inuyasha – the safety of his pack came before everything else. And recently an idea had struck the Ookami – an idea that had refused to leave once it had taken root.

Kouga hid a smile as Inuyasha went a little red, at some of the obviously gentle flirting of the three Demons. Well, since it looked like what ever bed the Hanyou made would be comfortable – Kouga was really just going to sit back and let the Hanyou make his own bed. Really what a stupid mutt, Kouga smirked again.

**

As night fell, Ban was once again at the edge of his control. Inuyasha had invited the three stooges for dinner, and the Jagan user had about all he could stand. Making some lame excuse he melted into the forest for some alone time, Kilala once again in charge, Pony-tail was to help of course but Ban trusted the fire-cat over the wolf any day.

The acid in Ban's stomach felt like it was gnawing a hole right through to his spine. God he hated this, he hated the outsiders who were going to tear his new found pack apart, he hated waiting and he hated the fact that by tomorrow there would be no more waiting. Inuyasha would have to choose his mate, and Ban would have to surrender his role as Alpha to the adorable pup. No more touching ears, no more dueling, no more quiet nights and no more feeling those deadly claws comb through his hair as he rested his head on strong thighs. No more antics, no more mess, no more worry, ...no more laughter,... no more.... Inuyasha. Ban was going to slam his fist against the great oak he stood under, but a vision of the Hanyou standing on a tree branch flashed though his mind, and he thunked his forehead against the sturdy trunk instead. What the fuck was he doing here!!!

Ban had no idea how long he stood there, letting his thoughts chase around in his head, two hours maybe three, when a slight sound caught his attention. He was not at all surprised by when a voice broke the silence of the night.

“Communing with nature BanMidou?”

“Get out of here Pony-tail, I am not in the mood. And werent you supposed to be watching camp?” Ban growled back, he straightened and blue eyes flashed dangerously at Kouga as he stared the Ookami down.

“Hey cool it, the suitors have all duly left, camp is secure and everyone including our much sought after Hanyou has bedded down for the night. Kilala is on duly and we are both close enough to respond to any emergency.” Kouga said confidently.

Ban stuck a piece of grass in his mouth and waited. Blue eyes never leaving the wolf.

Kouga stopped about two feet away from Ban and cleared his throat. “So tomorrow is the big day huh? Inuyasha makes his choice.” Kouga said carefully.

Ban stared back, he wanted to be impassive, but he could not quite stop the low growl from deep in his chest at the idea. Still he was not saying anything – the wolf was up to something.

“Yeah! I thought you might feel that way about it.” Kouga said with a satisfied smile. “Look, BanMidou what do you plan to do once Inuyasha had mated? Hang around like a third wheel?”

In a flash Kouga found himself a foot off the ground, a crushing diamond hard grip around his throat. “How the fuck is that any of YOUR business!” Ban spat out.

“I mean no harm,” Kouga rasped out, Ban's grip just short of a lethal choke. Kouga gripped the hand, amazed that no matter what he did he could not loosen the grip an iota. “I have a proposition for you, if you plan to leave that is all” Kouga said quickly. The Ookami was tossed into a heap on the floor.

Ban glared at him, “Speak and make it quick.”

“You are going to leave aren't you if Inuyasha mates one of the suitors?” Kouga asked again – Ban didn't respond. After an awkward silence Kouga pressed on “Well, anyway, I have seen what you have done for Inuyasha's team, you have trained them – made them stronger – better. That is what I want. When you leave this group, come back with me to the wolf pack, our strength has diminished greatly thanks to Naraku. Train us to fight better, fight smarter, train me even. With Naraku still out there – we need to get stronger, and you could definitely help us.”

Ban, was taken aback by the offer, he simply stared at the Ookami not answering.

Kouga took that as a good sign and continued. “Look in return we will give you what ever you need. Wolves are pack animals and if you come with me – you will be a honorary member of the pack, and no matter what you will always have a home among us.” Kouga hesitated and continued, “You could maybe find your own mate, among the wolf pack – and have your own pups to love and care for. You would be family BanMidou and wolves are loyal to family.” The wolf had seen how much the Hanyoou had indulged the Chibi Inuyasha and he just knew that the dark haired warrior, for all the stoic outer layers wanted – no – needed a home. If the home was not going to be a person (blind Hanyou to be exact) then Kouga would make a place the dark one's home. Kouga caught the flash of interest in the deep blue eyes that the man did not quite hide, he had planted the thought – now he had to wait to see if the soil was fertile and the idea took.

Ban still had not said a word.

“Well I have said my piece, just think about it okay?” the wolf demon nodded, he was rather satisfied, with his nights work. He waved turned and walked back to the camp, heaving the Jagan user to ponder his offer.

Ban's eyes followed the Ookami, he leaned against the tree and looked at the silent stars, his eyes searching for the constellation that governed his destiny. It was a strange offer – but still it was a better deal then wondering the world aimlessly – endlessly fighting demons. He felt strangely empty as he considered the future, he was so damned tired of being alone. He thought of the Ookami's offer at least this would give him... something.

Lost in thought, for once the Jagan Master never even sensed the attack until it was too late.

---tbc---

muahahaha Im sorry Im evil yes... What did you think of Kouga's offer did it surprise you? And wat the hell has attacked Ban....