Kouga's Tale


[timeline: 116 years before the beginning of Otherworld]





written by Lin

		The young Wolf stood at the very edge of the cliff in the foothills of the Northern Mountains. He had just turned thirteen, on the cusp of manhood and almost of mating age. Far below were the dens, safe havens for the females and the pups, with the males guarding the perimeter. He sat down on the edge, his long slender legs dangling over into empty space and his long black hair catching the light breeze. The dens … his home. Maybe he would find his mate now that he was old enough. Maybe soon….

He gave a little shiver of anticipation. Like all Wolves he looked forward to the day when he would meet his lifemate. And he would not mate until he met her – Wolves mated for life and each male knew their lifemate the moment they saw her. All it took was a glance and their fate was sealed for eternity. “Kouga…” He turned when he heard his name. A little girl of about 8 was walking up the path. “Hi, Ayame!” He waved to her. Ayame was the granddaughter of the leader of the Northern Clan – his clan – and tended to follow him everywhere. He had rescued her from being killed by a lesser demon a few months ago and she had developed a crush on him. She plopped down beside him, sitting as close as she could. The sunlight touched her red hair and lit it with fire. Her green eyes sparkled as she looked up at him. One day she would make someone very happy. “Whatcha doing up here?” “Just thinking.” He answered vaguely. “About what?” Ayame persisted, twirling her twin ponytails around her fingers. “Well, I was thinking how wonderful it will be when I met my lifemate.” Kouga admitted. “But you’ve already met her!!” Ayame exclaimed and clutched his arm. “You know that we are meant to be together!”

		Kouga smiled down on the little girl, his sky blue eyes gentle. “I wish you were, Ayame. You would make a wonderful mate, but I don’t feel that we were meant to be together.” “Maybe you’re not old enough yet.” Tears sparkled in her eyes. “I just know we were meant to be together! I just know it!”

“I’m sorry….” Kouga began, but the girl cut him off, burst into tears and ran back down the path. He watched her leave, and then whispered. “I’m sorry, Ayame.” It would have been so easy if Ayame was his lifemate. She was high in rank, the granddaughter of the clan leader, and he wanted someone like that. For Kouga had a plan – a dream of uniting the clans of Otherworld in the same way –into a strong, cohesive unit, safe from all danger. He came out of his reverie to notice the sun had dipped low in the sky and was starting to set. He stood up, not wanting to be caught on the trail after dark. He hurried down the path and stumbled over a rock, almost falling flat. “Stupid rock!!” he growled and kicked it hard. It slammed into the side of the path, causing a tiny avalanche of dirt and rocks. When the cascade ended, Kouga noticed a small crevice and something sparkling inside. He knelt down to examine the opening further, but could only make out a faint glitter. He stuck his hand in and felt around, hoping that nothing would bite. The only thing he could feel was a small rock so he pulled that out. It was just a rock, nothing else. Kouga started to toss it aside when he suddenly felt something sharp under his fingers. He turned over the rock and notice something stuck into the rock. It was a tiny crystal and after trying unsuccessfully to pull it out, he just smashed the rock against the ground, breaking it into pieces. Two crystals fell from it, sparkling in the fading light. Kouga picked them up and his hand tingled when he touched them. “Could it be….?” he held his breath as he examined the shards further. They were pale pink and very sharp. “By the gods!!” he exclaimed. They were!! They were pieces of the Shikon Jewel!! Many years ago, a magic crystal called the Shikon Jewel had been shattered and its fragments scattered through the three worlds. And each shard gave a Demon power. But there was a warning that came with them: “If your heart is not pure, the Shikon Jewel will magnify the evil in it.” “If they truly are Shikon fragments, I could unite the clans.” It was his dream. That’s all he wanted – not glory or power for himself. Just a safe home for his clan. But how? And what powers could they give him? Kouga sat down on the side of the path, going home now forgotten. “How? What can I do? How can I use them to unite the clans? How did my grandmother do it?” The image of his grandmother came to mind – he had never met her, but he knew what she looked like. Forever young, long white hair flowing, beautiful beyond compare. Rami Koga – mighty Wolf Princess. She was a warrior and had united the clans by defeating the clan leaders one by one. He would do the same! He leapt to his feet. “I’ll unite the clans like she did!” He looked at the jewels – now, where to place them. On his forehead? – well, he had no power to augment, so that wouldn’t help. He stood there – a tall, lanky teenager. The other Wolves kidded him about his long skinny legs – but he always won every race. That was his strength -- his speed! He bent down and jammed a jewel into each shin. The pain was instant and sharp and then it stopped. His legs tingled. “Now what?” He asked himself. He wasn’t sure what he expected, but certainly more than just a tingly feeling. With a shrug, he tried running down the path. Everything became a blur for a few seconds and he skidded to a halt. What had just happened? He looked around and suddenly realized he was at the bottom of the trail. He had run miles in mere seconds!!

		The Wolf started to laugh and then kept on laughing, doubling over with it. “I can run rings around all the clan leaders! I can defeat them one by one and unite them into one clan!!” He took off, the dust and leaves forming a little whirlwind around him, drawn by the speed of the air.

Mara looked at her son in amazement -- and pride. Shikon jewels!! "Your father would have been so proud!" Kouga put his arms around his mother. "I wish he were here. I wish I had gotten to know him better." "So do I." Mara said sadly. "So do I." Kouga had been only a year old when his father was killed. A lesser Dragon had come over the Four Worlds border and decided to live in the very area where the dens were. All the male Wolf Demons had gone to war against the Dragon and many had died. Only two of them were actually Demon Wolves rather than the diluted Wolf Demons of Otherworld and could change into their true wolf forms -- Kota and an elderly wolf named Gran. Kota led the charge and when he was close enough, he changed to his wolf form and leapt for the Dragon's throat. And held on. The Dragon smashed him against the rocks, but he refused to let go. While the Dragon was occupied trying to remove Kota, the rest of the Wolves surrounded the Dragon and impaled him with numerous spears and tines. Finally the Lesser Dragon fell, Kota was still hanging on to his throat. His broken body was taken back to the dens, but there was nothing they could do -- not without a healer mage and the Wolves didn't have one in their pack. Kota lasted three days until he finally died. And Mara became a widow and Kouga an orphan -- but Kota's name was always spoken with reverence and Mara was held in great esteem. Gran took over the rule of the clan after Kota's death and had ruled wisely. Kouga approached the old Wolf and bowed low. He showed Gran the jewels in his legs and told him of his plan to unite the clan. "I don't want to fight you, Gran -- you were my father's friend." He said quietly, his eyes pleading for understanding. "You won't have to. I have lived a long life and will be glad of the peace. The clan is yours. It was always mean to be yours -- I was just waiting for your to grow up." "I need to you to still rule this clan; I cannot rule all the clans -- they are spread out too far. I need leaders to rule the clans, but obey me." "That is an ambitious undertaking, son." Gran commented. "Yes, it is." Kouga agreed. "But I think I can do it." "No, son -- 'know' you can do it -- don't just 'think' you can."

Fifty Years Later
It had not been so easy uniting the clans. Just because one leader was defeated, didn’t mean that the clan gave up. Sometimes, Kouga ended up fighting the entire clan. But finally he had prevailed. The Wolves of Otherworld were all under his command. Each clan had a leader, but those leaders took their orders from him. He sat once more on the cliff where he had found the jewel shards so many years ago. “What are you doing up here?” Came a soft voice. “Just thinking.” He glanced the girl standing behind him, then turned back to the land spread out before him. Ayame sat down beside him, looking at him with narrowed eyes. She took his hand in hers. “You should be mated.” Kouga turned to look at her. Ayame was all grown up now, a beautiful young woman but still unmated. “Who is saying that?” “Just about everyone. You are High Leader and you don’t have a mate. Nor offspring.” “You know I haven’t found my lifemate yet.” “Maybe you have and you just don’t recognize her.” Ayame said, looking directly into his blue eyes. “You know that I still love you.” Kouga sighed. “And you know that I would sense it if you were my lifemate, Ayame.” “But I feel it! I know that we were meant to be together. Maybe only one of us feels it – and the other should trust her feelings.” Kouga shook his head, standing up. “No, Ayame, it will never happen. I will know when I find my lifemate.” In seconds, he was gone. Again….

		Kouga slowed down when he was safely out of sight. He sighed heavily. What if she was right? What if Ayame was meant to be his mate? Perhaps his Fox blood was clouding his senses? He walked into the den area and was greeted by the Wolf Demons as he passed them, with a wave and a smile. He had united them into one clan, safe from all harm and sharing food. Of course, that was still a problem. In the Northern Mountain, food was scarce. The inhospitable Four Gods World bordered them on the north and Demon World was on the west. Kouga and his scouting party were forced to go farther and farther away from the dens in order to find food for the clan. And the center part of Otherworld was very dangerous now – all Demons kept a wide berth between them and the new towered Castle.

All the Wolves have heard about the Castle and the young woman who now ruled Otherworld. The humans have given her the title of Princess, just as they had the other four. But those girls were set along the borders, protecting the barriers. Why had this one been placed in the center of Otherworld? Kouga had no idea, but prudently stayed far away from the Castle and her magic. She already had enthralled the great Fox Demon Youko Kurama and had two mages to do her bidding. One of her sisters had even enthralled a Wolf Demon leader from one of his rival clans. Beowulf left behind not only his clan but his mate and his newborn son, something Kouga couldn't even imagine doing. After their leader's desertion, Beowulf's clan quickly joined with his main clan. Kouga wasn’t sure what the Princesses' power was, but he knew enough to fear it. So he and his clan stayed far away from the Castle, going down to the southern lands to find food instead.

Kouga and his little band of four Wolf Demons and a dozen real wolves were four days from the dens when they stopped on a high hill and looked down. A sleepy little village spread out before him with a small river running along one side of it. There were fields of rice and a number of cattle around.



Kouga squatted down and motioned for his followers to crouch down also. “This will do nicely. We can take the livestock and maybe a few of the humans and carry them back to our dens. We will have enough food to last us for quite a while.” He pointed to the road leading into the Village. “Not even a guard! We’ll go in at night and take all we can carry.” As soon as nightfall settled over the Village, Kouga rushed into the Village to scout it out. Everyone was inside and the cattle had been put into a large central barn. It was going to be easy pickings! Suddenly he heard the sounds of fighting and yelling coming from the forest where his men where hidden. Kouga sped toward the sound, but even with his speed he was not in time. Three of his men had been captured and two wolves had been killed. The others had escaped, fleeing into the forest. Several men on horseback encircled the hapless Demons, pointing sharp spears at them. Kouga rushed into the circle, pulling spears out of the men’s hands before they even realized he was in their midst, giving his men a chance to escape. Suddenly he heard a cry – “We got him! The Wolf Leader. The one they want captured!” Kouga faltered, slowing down in surprise. How did they know about him? And who wanted him? Arrows flew out from the trees but they weren’t aimed at him, rather a thin rope was tied to each and as they sailed over the Wolf, they carried a strong net over him. He broke out of his reverie and rushed to the edge, but he was not in time. The net settled over him and more ropes were lashed around his body, rendering him immobile. He snarled in frustration. It had all been a trap! The sleepy little Village had been waiting for him! Probably tracking him for miles. The band of men parted and an elderly Miko priestess nudged her horse forward until it stood over the Wolf. “Are ye the Wolf known as Kouga? The Wolf Leader?” Kouga glared at her, eyes filled with hatred and anger. He growled and ripped at the ropes with teeth and claws, but there were too many of them. When he got through one set of ropes, two more were added. The Priestess dismounted and crouched in front of the Wolf. “Are ye Kouga?” she repeated. “Yes!” Kouga spitted out. “Old woman, you are going to die very soon! I will kill you with my bare hands!!” The Priestess stood up and nodded to the men. “Take him to the Castle.” “Yes, Mistress Kaede.” Kouga barely felt them lift him onto a horse, still tied in the netting and ropes. Kaede’s words had immobilized him with terror. The Castle!! He was being taken to the sorceress!! Just like Beowulf! For two days, the men of the Village transported Kouga until finally the Castle loomed before them. High walls surrounded it and a thick hedge full of long thorns covered those. The work of the Fox Demon, Youka Kurama -- trapped and enthralled, just like he was soon to be. Kouga was hauled into the hall, still covered in the net, and deposited on the marble floor. A young woman with long dark red hair and golden eyes knelt next to him and bent closer. He bared his teeth – he would rip out her throat before she had a chance to enthrall him – then she touched him lightly and his teeth closed on empty air. Almost immediately, his body began to burn with need and desire – something he had never felt before. “Ah, no!” he moaned. “Please not like this!”

		She gave instructions for him to be taken to bedroom upstairs, untied and then his clothing removed. The guards obeyed, roughly tearing off his furs, leaving him naked for her. He tried to sit up, but couldn’t. His mind was a jumble – his body obeying a power not his own. Rivulets of sweat poured off his fevered body and he moaned out loud. His legs thrashed to and fro, aching for something he couldn’t understand. After a few minutes, the young woman walked into the room and sat down beside him on the bed, and then touched him lightly. Kouga screamed and arched nearly off the bed. He never dreamed anyone could have this much power over another! His whole body burned with the need of her. click on picture for NC-17 version

“My name is Aara and you will be my second male. You will help protect the people of Otherworld and not harm them.” She said calmly. “Please, Lady, please. Don’t do this to me! I beg you!” Kouga pleaded in desperation.. “I’m sorry, but you and your wolves are causing too many deaths. You are too valuable to kill. You command the Wolf Demons of Otherworld. Youko Kurama has told me all about you – you united the Wolf clan into one and they obey you. And in turn, you must obey me.” “But I am a Wolf!” Kouga gasped. “I’m not understanding…” “Wolves mate for life. Their lifemate is predestined by the gods themselves. If you bind me, you would break my future mate’s heart – and my own.” Aara stood up and called Youko Kurama to the room. “Is it true – what he says about lifemates.” “Yes, Wolves mate for life – they are one of the few Demon species that do. They know their mates the moment they lay eyes on them and will look at no other after that.” Aara stood there silently for a few moments and then sat down next to Kouga. She gently touched his arm and the need disappeared, as if she had turned off a switch inside of him. “Love is all we have that makes us different from the wild beasts. I cannot take that away from you.” “But you can’t just let him go free either.” Youko Kurama countered. “Will you let me go free if I pledge never to harm a Human again?" Kouga offered. "And tell my wolves to do the same?” “I don’t know….” The Princess began. She reached out a hand and he drew away, afraid that she had changed her mind. “I just want to sense you.” “Oh.” He allowed his arm to be touched. “He is telling the truth.” She looked up at the Fox. “It is not enough – I don’t trust him or his wolves.” “Then let me work at your side until you do trust me. My Wolves can go where your soldiers cannot. They will help you protect the Humans.” Kouga begged. “That I do not trust at all!” Youko Kurama exclaimed. “But I do.” Aara said quietly. She stood up and handed Kouga a robe. He blushed bright red, suddenly remembering he was naked, and hastily put the robe on. Then he knelt before her. “Princess, I swear my fealty. I will protect the people of Otherworld and so will my Wolves – or they will forfeit their lives. I swear it!” “You will work with Youko Kurama for a time – but I believe that one day your Wolves will be the cornerstone of our protection.” Aara told him. “I accept your service and give you your life and freedom.”

Many years passed and Kouga never regretted his decision. The Princess had kept her word and so had he. His wolves were now the backbone of the protection of Otherworld. He walked into the Castle, nodding to the guards, free to come and go as he pleased. He asked for the Fox and was told that he was in the garden with the Princess. He found her there on the grass, propped on large pillows with Youko Kurama and Hiei at her side. In the tree above was her newest male, a Hanyou Dog Demon named InuYasha. “Kouga! How wonderful to see you!” Aara smiled up at him. “How are you? And your wolves?” “All doing well.” Kouga said. He then turned to the Fox. “You asked me to come to see you?” “Yes, I have a job for you. A few months ago, we found the reincarnation of the Miko priestess who was in charge of the Shikon Jewel before it shattered. She is a young girl from the Human World and is helping us find the shards. Like the Priestess, she can sense the jewel.” “What do you want me to do?” “InuYasha has been taking her from place to place, looking for the jewels. At first there were only a few demons here and there, but now they are getting bold and ganging up. And our old nemesis Naraku has acquired a number of shards. I would like you and your wolves to stay nearby and help fight any Demons that attack them.”

		“I don’t need any help!” came a growl from the tree above. A young Demon suddenly dropped from the tree, snow white hair and bright red clothes. “Especially not from a mangy wolf!” Kouga tensed and was ready to retort, when the Princess’ gentle voice interrupted. “You will work with Kouga. For me, dearest….” Her voice curled around the young Hanyou like gentle fingers and all his anger disappeared.

He blushed and then knelt to her. “As you wish, my Lady.” “Thank you, dearest.” Aara smiled. “Now all of you go away. I wish to speak with Kouga alone.” She patted the ground next to her. “Sit with me, Kouga.”

		The Wolf plopped down, sitting cross legged while the three males left them alone. As soon as they were out of earshot, she picked up his hand and held it in both of hers. “You have a lot of sadness in you.” “Sadness?” He lifted an eyebrow. “I’m not sad.” Aara held his hand a little tighter. “No, you’re right. I used the wrong word. It’s yearning. You yearn for something that you do not have.” Kouga sighed and looked down to the ground. “I haven’t found my lifemate yet.” “But you are also worried…” “I’m a quarter Fox Demon.” “You are? Does Youko know this?”

“Probably. He knows my grandmother, Rami Koga.” Kouga sighed again. “I’m worried that being part Fox Demon takes away my ability to find my mate. Maybe I’m not even supposed to have one. And there is Ayame…” “Ayame?” “A Wolf Demoness that I’ve known since childhood. She swears that we are supposed to mate and has never mated herself. Maybe she is my mate and I just can’t sense it.” “You know…” Aara said quietly, almost to herself. “You never know what is just around the corner.” “I guess not.” “Now, go and make plans with Youko and InuYasha to find those shards. They are dangerous in the wrong hands.” The Wolf nodded and stood up. “Oh, by the way -- I’ve asked Youko to give you two more shards for your arms.” Kouga looked at her in surprise and then bowed low. “Thank you, Princess.” She laughed lightly. “I’m glad I didn’t bind you. I think you have been more valuable free. And I’m sure that one day soon you will find your lifemate. Don’t give up hope.” Kouga smiled ruefully. “I hope so.”

Three days later he would remember her words – the moment he saw the Human reincarnation of the Miko Priestess for the first time. His heart felt as if struck by lightning. “I’ve found her.” He whispered to himself and then went toward the group to learn more about her. InuYasha introduced him to a Monk named Miroku, a demon slayer named Sango, a little Fox Demon named Shippo and finally Kagome. It was only a short introduction and then he left, but it was enough. A few miles away, he stood on a high hill watching them – now just tiny specks in the distance. “Kagome.” he whispered, wiping tears of joy from his face with a forearm. “I’ve finally found you!” Then with a whoop of joy, he turned and race racing down the hill – as fast as he could towards his new life – and his destiny.