Otherworld 2 - 10 - Unexpected Visitors



Chapter 10 - Unexpected Visitors

Serafin slid into bed into Hiten's waiting arms. After Souten was born, everything had changed for them. Serafin found a loving father in Hiten and truly fell in love with him. Hiten saw in his mate a gentle, caring woman with infinite patience and did the same. The passage of time had not altered their feelings at all; they genuinely loved one another. They had purposely given Souten a reworked version of their meeting. Serafin never told her son that Hiten would have killed her if she had not become pregnant. All Souten knew as he grew up was how much his parents loved each other. Hiten always had a very healthy appetite for sexual pleasures and was grateful that Serafin matched his ardor. When he was away from her, his only thought was to return to her arms as soon as possible. Never did he look at another female; Serafin was all he wanted. Tonight was no exception. Hiten kissed her hungrily, eager for her mouth, his hands exploring her body. She also caressed his body and soon he was deep inside her, their movements in complete synch with each other. Again and again they joined, his seed filling her over and over.
	Finally he was spent and just before they parted their embrace to go to sleep, Hiten looked deeply into her blue eyes. "Did you feel it, Serafin?" he asked, breathlessly. "It was more than just want -- I had to be with you tonight." "Yes, I felt the same. What do you think it means?" "I'm not sure," he mused, "but I think my seed took root tonight."
"You mean that I'm pregnant?" She smiled as she looked into his red eyes. She would not mind another child at all! Souten was a son to be proud of. "I don't know for sure. But I have a feeling." He kissed her tenderly. "I love you, Serafin." A baby! That would be so wonderful! Holding onto that thought, she fell asleep cradled in Hiten's arms.

Three people stood at the Castle gate, requesting an audience with the Princess. Souten went to talk to them and then led them to the main hall to await the Princess. A few minutes later, she came down with Kurama. The visitors were an elderly human couple and a Demon girl of fifteen or sixteen. Aara asked Souten to bring Kome down to join them, noting that the female Demon was a wolf. The couple bowed to the Princess and gave her a large envelope. She opened it. Inside was a smaller envelope and a piece of paper with these words written on it: "Princess Aara: I ask that you present my child to Kouga and give him this sealed envelope. Thanking you from my heart, Ayame."
	Aara glanced at the girl, trying to see Kouga in her. Kouga had told her what happened many years ago when he asked for her help finding Ayame. Was she Kouga's daughter? Kome joined them, instantly spotting the young she-wolf. She was beautiful! He stood there listening to the human couple's story, never taking his eyes off the girl.
Over fifteen years ago, the couple had found a female Wolf Demon in the woods near their home. She was very close to giving birth, but undernourished and sickly. She gave her name as Ayame. They cared for her as best they could, but the very next day, she went into labor and the husband hurried to fetch the midwife, but it would take four hours to return with her. The young she-wolf would give birth long before then. Ayame asked for pen and paper and wrote the two notes and sealed them. Ayame somehow knew that she would not survive the birth, and begged the woman to raise her child as her own. Ayame asked also that when her child turned sixteen, they would take the envelopes and the child to the Castle to see Princess Aara. An hour later, Ayame gave birth to a little girl whom she named Ayala. The child was in excellent health, but Ayame was dying, hemorrhaging severely. An hour after giving birth, she took her last breath. The couple kept their promise and raised the girl as their own, storing Ayame's clothes and the sealed notes. Since they were childless, Ayala was a joy to them and they loved her very much. It was going to be hard giving her up, but they knew the day would come and prepared her and themselves as best they could. When Ayala turned sixteen, they started on this journey, giving Ayala her mother's clothes to wear, to fulfill their last promise. Aara asked Souten to bring Kouga and Kagome to the Castle and he flew off. Aara asked Kome to take the couple to a room to spend the night but they replied that they needed to return home to care for their livestock. After a tearful goodbye to their foster daughter, they left. Ayala was now alone. Kome offered to show her the gardens and together they went outside. Aara stood there with Kurama. "What a sad end for Ayame. I wonder why she did not search out Kouga. He was angry, but he would have helped her. And so would Kagome. I hope the other letter explains things." "And we need to be careful. Kome obviously likes Ayala and she might be his half-sister." Kurama cautioned, indicating the pair as they left for the gardens. Aara nodded. She also had noticed the look on Kome's face when he saw Ayala. Kome walked next to the young she-wolf. His heart was in his throat. He wondered if Kouga had felt this way when he first saw his mother. He pointed out the few flowers he knew to Ayala, but the girl barely paid attention. Her life had been turned upside down. The only thing she knew about Kouga was that he was high leader of the Wolf clan, but she had never lived with the wolves, only with humans. She had been raised as a human. Why had the high leader been sent for? "Do you know Kouga?" she quietly asked. "He is my father." She looked at her companion. "Oh." "He is very nice -- you will like him -- and my mother is wonderful! She is human, you know." Kome rambled on, trying to make her feel at home. But Ayala said nothing more, just walked silently beside him. After the tour, he took her to the room set aside for her and she went in, not coming out until dinner. At dinner, she was introduced to everyone, but other than a functionary greeting, said no more.

The next morning, Serafin was outside doing laundry when she saw a young man coming down the road. Instead of going to the village, he turned and went over the bridge to their part of the village. She called out to him and he waved, but kept walking going towards Kagome and Kouga's home. "They aren't home," she shouted. He stopped, disappointment showing on his face, and then walked to her. As the young man got closer, he called out, "Serafin? Hiten's mate, right?"
	"Yes, I am." Serafin did not recognize the young man at all, but noticed that he had pointed ears. A Demon! There was no malice at all in his friendly smile, but after Mirago's incident with Naraku, strangers were not to be immediately trusted. "Do I know you?" "Well, it has been 15 years since I saw you last. I am Shippo."
The little Fox Demon child who had traveled with Kagome and InuYasha! He had left them long ago to rejoin his clan. Now he was all grown up! "Shippo! How wonderful to see you again!" Serafin cried, hugging him. "Sango is home. I'll take you there." Together they walked to Sango's house. Miroku, Kenshin and Yusuke were out patrolling the surrounding area, which they did every day since they found out that Naraku had been in the area. Sango bid Shippo welcome and she and Serafin sat on the porch, listening to Shippo recount his years away, learning from his pack. He could now transform into a more manlike form. His fox magic was also much stronger, but he was still the sweet Shippo that they remembered. Mirago came out and joined them on the porch, but sat silent, adding nothing to the conversation. Shippo had left right after the children had been born, so the last time he saw Mirago she was just a tiny baby. He noticed that she had grown into a very pretty young woman, but he wondered why she looked so sad.

That morning two more visitors came to the Castle. The first was a young man with short, messy red-gold hair. He introduced himself as Tekki, one of the sons of Tekken. He had been sent to help with Tasuki's search, although he had never met his half-brother. InuYasha took the young Demon under his care and caught him up with events. Tekki would stay in the Castle until Tasuki was found, helping them in any way he could. He reported that his father had the entire Bobcat clan searching throughout the northern mountains and they would continue to patrol that area. Kurama was relieved upon hearing that news. That clan knew the mountains better than anyone and Naraku would not be able to evade them if he went in that direction.
	Later that morning, another visitor came to the Castle, this one very unexpected, looking for his father. His name was Kiri and he was Keiki's son. He looked similar to his father in coloring, but he kept his hair short. The younger generation seemed to realize how much easier shorter hair was to take care of. He was taken to see his father, and spent the rest of the day talking to him in private. Rin was dismayed by the appearance of a son. Was Keiki mated already? Keiki had never mentioned anything about a family.

In the early afternoon, Souten returned with Kagome and Kouga. Before sending for Ayala, Kouga was told about Ayame's death and given her letter. He went into the library to read it in private. While Kouga was in the library, Kagome told Kome what had happened that night between his father and Ayame. Kome was crestfallen -- Ayala was his sister! He was falling in love with his own sister!
	Kouga stood there in the library, the unopened letter still in his hand. He felt very responsible for Ayame's death. He should have searched for her himself. But he hadn't wanted anything to mar his own happiness, and because of his selfishness, Ayame had died giving birth to his daughter. Tears blurred his vision as he open the envelope. As he read the letter, he suddenly sat down in the nearest chair, stunned by the words on the page.
"My dearest Kouga, I beg your forgiveness for deceiving you. First of all, my child is not yours. I was already pregnant when I forced myself upon you. I was terrified about giving birth to a child when I was unmated and thought that if the clan believed it was the high leader's child, they would accept me. But the clan hated what I did to you and shunned me. Instead of telling them the truth, I foolishly ran away. Don't blame yourself for my misfortune; I brought it on myself. I beg you to take care of my child and treat her as if she were your own. Please tell Kagome and my child however much of the truth you feel is right. The real father was a young man, a half Demon I met in the mountains one day. He seduced me and we stayed together for over two weeks in one of the caves in the mountains. Then one day he was gone. I have no idea where he went or why he left me. Perhaps he was killed, but I never found his body. His name was Rakuna. I don't know what kind his Demon half was, since he looked more human than anything else. He was very handsome with long dark hair and large brown eyes. Perhaps you can find him and tell him about his child. Again, I beg for your forgiveness. Ayame."
	As Kouga read the letter, he realized immediately whom Ayala's father was. Change the position of the last two letters of Rakuna and it becomes Naraku. Damn him!! Another life destroyed. Kouga wiped the tears from his face and went outside. Ayala stood there waiting. She looked so much like Ayame that his heart stopped for a moment. He smiled at her, and then gave the letter to Kagome and to the Princess and Kurama. Then Kouga took Ayala for a walk, gently telling her about her mother. He told her the complete truth; there had already been too many lies. She sobbed upon hearing about her mother's sad life, and Kouga held her as she cried on his shoulder.
Kurama did a timeline and deduced the reason for Naraku's disappearance. The timing coincided perfectly with InuYasha's attack on the Demon. Naraku had fled into Demon World, half dead from the attack. Even if he had not been wounded, it was doubtful that he would have stayed with Ayame much longer. Naraku cared for no one but himself, and Ayame was probably little more than a passing fancy. Kagome told Kome about Ayame's letter, and although he knew he should feel sad, the only thing he felt was relief. The beautiful she-wolf was not his sister! At dinner, all the guests were introduced. Kouga introduced Ayala as the great-granddaughter of the leader of the northern clan. Tomorrow he and Kagome would take her home with them. Kome also wanted to return home and Kouga frowned at his son. A few days ago, he was begging to stay here. Keiki introduced his son, Kiri, but offered nothing more about either Kiri's mother or the rest of the Unicorns. Privately Keiki had told Aara that the Unicorns were still deciding whether or not to live under the protection of the Castle. He could only speak for his own family and the presence of his son proved that he trusted her. Whether more of his family -- if any more there were -- would join him was not discussed. Keiki had survived through the centuries by not trusting anyone other than his own kind and it was a hard habit to break. Tekki was also introduced to everyone. He seemed very upbeat and happy and had already become friends with InuYasha. Tomorrow the two would go to the way station where Tasuki was last seen; perhaps Tekki could see something that they had missed, although it was a long shot. Rin was very quiet at dinner, not only because of the appearance of Kiri, but because Kagome had given her the news about Mirago. Rin wondered if perhaps she was needed at home, but Kagome didn't think so. Her studies with Kaiba were very important; she would bring a wealth of knowledge to Kaede's Village when she completed them.

That night, Kouga and Kagome talked over the day's events. Kouga was still very upset about Ayame's fate and Kagome tried to soothe him. "It was not your fault, Kouga. She chose her own path and she paid the consequences. My only thought is for Ayala. We must make her feel welcome." "She will be treated like one of our family. I'm glad Kome decided to return home."
	Kagome looked at her mate. Sometimes he was so smart; other times he couldn't see the trees for the forest. She shook her head. "Kome is infatuated with Ayala. That's the only reason he is coming home, to be near her." Kouga stared at her, his brows raising. "Kome? With Ayala?" Kagome sighed and kissed her mate. He thought about it for a while longer, then commented, "Well, I guess she would be okay for him."
"Why wouldn't she be? Ayala is a very sweet girl. And very pretty. Does she look like Ayame? The look on your face when you saw her made me think that she did." "She looks almost exactly like Ayame. I am worried only because she is Naraku's daughter." "I wouldn't worry. She was brought up in a loving home and will have another one. I wouldn't mind at all if she and Kome mated. If I remember correctly, you were worried that he was not interested in anyone a few days ago." "Umm, yes, I was," he murmured as he settled down to sleep. Kagome turned over so Kouga could spoon her with his body. She was so used to his warm body against hers that when he wasn't with her, she slept buried under two or three blankets no matter what the weather. She fell asleep hoping that Kome would be just as happy as they were.

The next morning, the four of them set out for home. Kouga carried Kagome and Kome did the same with Ayala, trying very hard not to show his immense joy at being able to hold her in his arms. Ayala was amazed at the speed of the two wolves. She had never even heard of the crystal shards before today. She was very glad that she was going to a human village to live instead of a wolf den. She had no idea how to live as a wolf. As soon as they got home, Sango came running over with Shippo in tow. Kagome was amazed by the transformation. No longer a little fox child, he was grown up and almost completely manlike. He could transform into true fox form like his father now, but only did so when he was traveling long distances or was with his pack.
	The families all got together for a dinner to introduce Ayala to everyone and welcome Shippo back. Kenshin introduced them to his daughter Kenru; Yusuke and Keiko introduced their eleven-year-old son, Raike, whom they had named for Yusuke's father. The boy had a gentle demeanor and showed nothing of the Battle Demon personality, but then he was only a quarter Demon. Keiko was very grateful that her son was not a Battle Demon like his father. She remembered Yusuke and his constant fighting when he was younger and didn't want that life for her son.
Mirago was also there, and Shippo seemed to have taken her under his wing, devoting almost all of his attention on her. Sango had confided in him the reason for her sadness but that didn't bother him at all. He knew first hand the insidious lies of Naraku. Naraku was responsible for a lot of grief, and Shippo was determined that this pretty girl would not become another victim. Ayala sat between Kagome and Kouga, much to chagrin of Kome, who wanted to sit next to her. Actually he wanted to do a lot more; his hormones had suddenly kicked into overdrive. His dreams had been very vivid last night and, in the morning, he had been torn between leaving his sheets wet from an attempt at cleaning them or just leaving the evidence of his dreams on them. Finally, he decided that the servants were probably very used to stained sheets, with all the sex going on in that Castle. But he feared it would continue to happen and he dreaded his mother finding out. Maybe it was just a natural thing that was happening to his body, but it was still very embarrassing. He wasn't sure how he was going to handle it now that he was home. Maybe he could offer to do the laundry. Then he realized that Ayala might be helping with the laundry now and he flushed deep red. Kouga happened to be glancing Kome's way and saw his son turn bright red. His eyes narrowed. What was going on in that boy's mind? Kouga wondered if he had acted so silly when he was courting Kagome and feared that the answer would not be flattering. After the dinner, everyone made his or her way home. Shippo was staying at the dojo since it had the most room. If he decided to make his home here, they would help him build a little house. He lay in bed thinking about the dinner. Things had certainly changed since he was with the group. Kome could now sense the shards, and Souten was the first male of Princess Vara. But mostly he thought of Mirago. He wanted so much to take care of the girl and make her happy. Without even realizing what was happening, Shippo was falling in love.
	On the walk home from the dinner, Kenru was pleading with her parents to let her visit Rin at the Castle. Hiten was flying there tomorrow and could take her with him. But it was not Rin she wanted to see, she wanted to be part of the searchers. Kagome and Sango both were fighters when they were young, but she was kept at home. She would sometimes be allowed to patrol with her father, but not often. She didn't want a life of laundry and cooking. She wanted adventure!
Kenshin was reluctant because of Naraku, but the Castle was probably the safest place from him. Kaoru would go along with whatever Kenshin decided, always trying to keep peace in the family. She knew that Toyna would be very happy to see Kenru and she also knew that Kenru would not pay any attention to him. He would never win her heart no matter what he tried. She felt sorry for the young Demon and hoped that he would find someone who would love him some day. Kenshin finally relented and allowed Kenru a short visit, but she could not come home alone. It had to be with Hiten or Souten. Kenru happily ran to Hiten's home to tell him that she would be coming with him tomorrow morning. At Kouga's home, two young people were wrapped in their own thoughts, but both were thinking about the other. Kome was, of course, daydreaming about Ayala, but he would have been very surprised to know that she was thinking about him. Ayala was grateful for the home that Kouga and Kagome had given her. They were so nice! She loved being with Kagome, who was so straightforward and open. But it was their son that caught her attention. Kome was so obvious about his feelings for her, that she couldn't help but be flattered by his attentions. And the Wolf Demon was very good looking, almost a duplicate of his father. Tomorrow he promised to take to see the surrounding scenery and she was looking forward to being with him. The night was alive with the sound of insects, the skitter of small rodent feet and the screech of owls, as the little village settled in for the night. The families were safely in their beds under strong roofs, with the wolf clan patrolling around the village. But a world away, across a forbidden border, things were not so pleasant, especially for three captives.