I ran blindly through the dense and dark forest, constantly checking behind me to see if they were following. I stumbled through the dangling vines and dodged the massive trees that blocked my path, hacking away with my hands at anything that got in my way. I was scared. I was always scared.Why does this always happen to me?

My foot got caught on a raised tree root and I fell hard, tumbling and rolling downhill. Instinctively, I raised my arms to stop my fall but slipped causing my left arm to snap, the bone not quite piercing the skin.

“Argh!” I screamed in pain, a tear squeezing its way through, tracking a clear path down my dirty face. I gasped when I heard the hunters shout that they had heard me scream. I leant on a large willow tree and stuck to the shadows, hoping they wouldn’t find me.

Calm down Keane, they can’t find you if don’t let them see you.

I struggled to my feet and pressed onward, putting as much distance between me and the hunters. I was tired and hungry and sore when I came to a swift flowing river. I couldn’t see where it ended.

“Over here! I think I saw the wench!” I glanced back and saw the five hunters armed with swords, daggers and bows and arrows. I took a deep breath and calmly sorted through my options.

If I fight them, I’ll die. If I stand here, I’ll die. If I jump into the river...

I caught an arrowhead glint from the moonlight and dodged the shot by plunging into the fast flowing river. It was ice cold, the water flowing directly from the mountains. I let the river carry me down through the rapids and I hit a few obstacles of rocks and logs. The hunters ran to keep up but failed, finally using their bows to try shoot me down. They were really lousy shots.

The water was flowing over the edge and the blood drained from my face. Water going into the middle of nowhere meant only one thing. A waterfall.

Crap.

I closed my eyes tightly and hoped to whoever was listening that the drop wouldn’t kill. “Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my g-AHHHHHH!!!”

I dropped and dropped and dropped. It would have been exhilarating if I wasn’t being chased and if I knew what was at the bottom. I crashed into the water, creating a gigantic splash, falling like a rock. I struggled to resurface but my arm was deadweight and the water falling made it churns, making it very difficult to kick up.

A few arrows went straight through the water, narrowly missing me. The hunters had caught up and I hoped they were shooting blindly and couldn’t actually see me. I held my breath for as long as I could then I struggled wildly to the surface. I resurfaced with a strangled gasp and I dived back under, trying to see if there was a cave located behind the fall. Turns out there were.

What I didn’t need at this pressing time in my life now was demons. And wolves. A lot of big wolves. They were definantly not your average sized wolves.

“Shit.”

“Who the hell are you?” a demon with deep blue eyes, elfish ears and wearing a wolf pelt demanded, rising to his feet and positioning him for a fight.

I didn’t say anything. I just lent o the cave wall and closed my eyes, clutching my broken arm.

“Hey, I asked you a question, girl!” He said, now a low growl in his voice.

“Shh. They’ll be here for me. I’ll die soon anyway. No need to know who I am.” I thumped my head on the wall and felt tears well up behind my eyes.

Don’t cry! There’s no need to cry. Then I can join them... my family.

“So, you’re being chased.” the demon stated, now looking me over from head to toe. “By who?”

I shrugged my shoulders, pain shooting through my arm. I bit my bottom lip hard to stop any sound from coming out. The demon sniffed the air and growled.

“I don’t know why I’m doing this but stay here.” And he dashed outside.

I closed my eyes again and slid down the wall to sit down. I heard the clang of metal on metal and the screams of men. I held my arm and fought to stay conscious. The darkness was enveloping me, swarming my senses. My eyelids grew heavier and heavier until I dropped, falling to sleep just as I was.

*

I awoke to the constant rumble of the waterfall. My arm was throbbing and I felt something on it. I forced my eyes open and found myself face to face with a wolf.

“Uh... Hi.” I said to it. Its wet nose was just inches away from my own and I could smell meat and garbage on its breath. It wagged its tail and closed its eyes with a sigh, seemingly going back to sleep. I looked at my arm and saw that it had two sticks stinted to help it heal straight and felt nauseous. I sat up and found that I had been moved away from the entrance to the cave, where I had fallen asleep. I was on a mat of fur and surrounded by sleeping wolves.

“They didn’t want you over there,” the demon from the night before stood at the entrance, his arms crossed over his chest and watching me curiously.

“Oh, thank you. You didn’t have to do that.” I replied though I was grateful that I was away from the water thunderous water.

“No prob,” he said and whistled. The wolves lifted their heads and watched the demon to see what it was he wanted.

“Koga! She’s nearby!” Another demon came running through the falls and bent over at the waist, gasping for breath. “Kagome’s just ‘round the corner.”

“Then what are we waiting for? Let’s go!” Koga ran out, the wolves following closely behind.

Great... What am I suppose to do?

The wolf that I had woken up next to by bit my good arm lightly and tugged me along.

“What the- Let go!” I didn’t know what it was doing and I really didn’t want to know anyway.

“Huh? What are you doing?” Koga stopped dead in his tracks and came back, his brows frowning.

“I dunno! Your wolf won’t let go!” I didn’t want to hit it because I was afraid that it would clamp down hard on my arm. Koga barked at the wolf and it whined in return. Koga took a step back and barked again, this time a slight raise at the end as if he was asking a question. The wolf growled and Koga scratched his head. I presumed he was thinking.

“Girl!” he turned on me, “What’s your name?”

“... Keane.” I replied slowly.

What have I gotten myself into now...?

“Keane? You’re coming with us. Kazu won’t let you go off by yourself. He says you need looking after.”

“What?! I can take care of myself!” I yelled and the wolf dropped my arm. There was a little dent in my flesh where its teeth had sunk into my arm. “Eww...” I shook my arm around to get all the saliva off, my nose wrinkling in disgust.

“Kazu, you sure you wanna take care of her? She is a human.” Koga said to the wolf. Kazu wagged its tail and howled. “Alright, it’s your headache. C’mon!” and he picked me up, careful not to bump my arm and put me on Kazu’s back.

“Huh? What are you doing?! This is so weird!”

“Oh shut up will ya! Kagome needs me.” And he took off down the path, moving so fast that he was a whirlwind. My mouth fell open and I felt the wolf surge under me and he followed his pack leader. I held on tight and leant forward to hide away from the whipping wind. Surprisingly, the wolves were faster than normal wolves and Kazu kept up with the rest of the pack with ease even though he was carrying me too.

“Koga! Slow down!” The demon from before complained.

*

Kazu came to a screeching halt and I went flying through the air. I screamed and crashed to the ground and accidently bashed into some people.

“Keane! Watch out for Kagome!” Koga yelled, scooping a girl out of the way. I didn’t notice because I was being crushed by some else who had fallen on me.

“You scrawny wolf! Who’s this?!” Someone yelled at the top of his lungs and climbed off me.

“InuYasha! Help her up! Her arm is broken.” The girl in Koga’s arms said.

“Hmph.” He gruffly picked me up and set me on my feet. I thanked him and apologised for making him fall.

“Don’t worry ‘bout her Kagome,” Koga said and held her hand tightly. “She’s alright.”

I felt a hand on my butt and I spun around to see who was doing it. A good looking monk was the culprit and he smiled flirtatiously.

“Would you consider bearing my children?” he asked flatly. I laughed and he took my good hand. “Is that a yes then?”

I shook my head and he sighed. “Oh well, nothing ventured nothing gained.”

“Miroku...” a girl was fighting to control her temper and she was losing the battle.

“Yes Sango?” Miroku asked.

SLAP!

“There. Got it. See?” She said all too innocently and held up her hand to show Miroku a pretend mosquito. I sniggered and looked over the valley. I absently half listened to Koga and InuYasha arguing and paid no more attention to the monk or his keeper. I had noticed a little fox demon and a feline with two tails but didn’t say anything. I felt a warm body press up against my leg and I gazed down at Kazu. Reluctantly I petted his head and let my thoughts wander, carefully sorting through my situation. I must have been standing there for sometime because I blinked and the sun had nearly finished the journey it took every day through the sky.

“Alright Kagome, see you later.” Koga left in a whirlwind, travelling hard and fast down the winding road that lead to the forest. I sighed and contemplated running away. Kazu was still at my side and wagged his tail slightly. I saw the whirlwind disappear for a few seconds then saw getting bigger and bigger, getting closer.

“Do I have to always drag you along everywhere?!” Koga demanded his hands on his hips. I smiled and removed the splints used on my arm. I don’t know why but I’ve broken heaps of bones and they take only a day to heal properly. I moved it around stiffly and Koga’s eyebrows snapped together. He didn’t say anything but he did grab it, for closer inspection.

“Keane... How’d you do it?” He asked quietly.

I shrugged. “It only takes a little while to heal. I don’t know why. My gramps-“my voice broke. I hadn’t talked about my family since they were all taken from me three years ago. I blinked and cleared my throat. “My gramps said we’re all like that.”

“Your grandfather told you that?” Koga asked, releasing my arm. I nodded and rotated my arm. Koga muttered to himself and looked sharply at Kazu.

“You knew.” He accused the wolf.

Kazu howled and pranced around before settling down on my feet.

Koga shook his head then grabbed my hand. “C’mon, we gotta go.”

*

Travelling with Koga and his faithful wolves has been an eye opening experience for me. Koga taught me how to fight and makes sure I don’t get into too much trouble. I like Ginta and Hukakku and they treat me like a part of the family. With the pack, I feel safe.

I noticed Koga doesn’t rant on about Kagome as much as he used to and when we do see her, he’s really stand-offish. He seems really determined to avenge his comrades and destroy Naraku. Just recently, Naraku came out of hiding and tried to take Kagome off InuYasha to use her to find the remaining Shikon Jewel shards. Koga and I did manage to get Kagome back before InuYasha could use his sword but Koga nearly dropped her as soon as he could.

What’s up with him? I thought he was in love with her.

When I asked Hukakku about it he just smiled and waved the question off.

“I don’t get it.” I said to my companion Kazu. He just licked my fingers and sat at my heels so he could lean on me.

“Koga, what’s wrong with you? You’re acting kinda strange.” I asked as we settled down for the night inside a cave we found. I sat with a tired sigh next to him and waited patiently as he prepared a fire for me.

“What d’ya mean?” He asked, avoiding my eyes.

I played with a stray twig and folded my legs. “You know,” I was trying to tactfully say what was on my mind. “You’re not... um... mooning over Kagome anymore and pretty much ignore her when she’s talking. The guys said you’ve liked her for ages.”

Koga set the fire ablaze with these small sticks he called ‘matches’ and carefully watched it to make sure it wouldn’t go out. “You haven’t figured it out yet, have you?”

“Don’t change the subject. I asked you a question.” I replied bluntly.

He grimaced. “See Kazu, she doesn’t know.” He said to my friend.

I felt my eyes grow narrow in vexation. “Know what?”

Koga sighed and sat down next to me. He leaned forward to look at me properly. “You. Are. Part. Demon.” That took a while to sink in.

“Huh?” I stammered. “What?”

He rolled his eyes. “For someone so smart, you act pretty dumb sometimes.” He said. Koga grabbed my arm roughly and held up my hand. “You see these?” He pointed to my fingers. “Those are way too sharp for human hands. Those are claws. And those,” he jammed his finger into my mouth, “those are fangs. You’re part demon.”

I swallowed hard. It made a strange sense. Why my family was hated for generations by other humans. Why they were killed by the very people we lived with. Why we as kids were always shunned by others.

I’m a demon. How... odd.

Koga watched me as I let the idea turn in my head. I must have been sitting stunned for a while because Koga started to shake me gently.

“You’re not a full one or even half. You’re mostly human but you can do more things than humans can. And your ancestor is a demon wolf.”

“A demon wolf?” I asked in clarification. He nodded to Kazu. “That’s why he wants you. He says you’re pack”

I stood up abruptly and walked to the entrance to the cave.

“Where are you going?” Koga asked clearly concerned.

“I need a walk.” And I left to clear my head.

The moon that night was full. I followed a walkway used by animals through the forest and just wandered around. I walked and walked and came across a pond. I sat at the water’s edge and dipped my feet in. I gazed at the reflection of the moon and let the calm of the water sooth me as I cleared my thoughts. A slight breeze brushed the water’s surface, making ripples. I sighed deeply and looked up at the moon once more.

“I know you’re there,” I declared, turning just enough to see Koga coming out from his hiding place. He grimaced and sat with me. “Coming to check on me?” I asked out of curiosity. He nodded and put an arm around my shoulder.

“You okay? I didn’t think you’d react like that.” He said and gave me a hug.

I breathed in his personal scent and hugged back.

I like the way he smells...

“I don’t remember getting an explanation about your odd behaviour.”

He laughed. “Don’t you forget anything?” He asked joking around.

“C’mon, you can tell me.” I pleaded with my eyes. “I’ve known you for months and you only just started pushing her away. What’s the deal?”

“I don’t want her for my mate anymore.” Koga replied simply.

I was startled at how frank he put it. “Come again?”

He tipped my chin back and licked his lips. “I found my true mate.”

My eyes went wide and my mind scrambled to come up with something to say.

“Oh yeah? Who?” I asked thickly.

Koga chuckled and pressed his lips lightly against mine. He was surprisingly gentle and sweet at first then became passionate and demanding.

What the heck?

He pulled me on top of him and lay down on the grass. I really needed air so I broke the kiss reluctantly and refilled my tired lungs. He smirked and rolled me onto my back and demanded more, his hands wandering from my arms to my breasts and to my stomach. I ran my hands through his hair and down his back. His knee slipped between my thighs and he trailed his kisses down from my neck, to my collar bone before finding my breasts. He took my shirt off and fondled me, making me laugh because I was ticklish. When he had enough fun down there, he found his up to my mouth again and I could feel him growing.

“I haven’t done this before.” I said as I felt him probing down there.

“It’s all right. I’ll be gentle.” He reassured me and slowly entered. I gasped and held my breath, the pain washing over me. It felt like there was too much friction and he was too big to fit. The pain subsided and Koga started to rock back and forth in a slow, steady rhythm. My body reacted and I pushed up every time Koga pushed into me, meeting him stroke for stroke. We began to pick up the pace, getting faster and faster. I dug my nails into his back to try release some of the pressure that was building up inside me.

When I couldn’t take it anymore I moaned and exploded, shaking as the pressure released, leaving me to feel pretty damn good. I was still withering on the ground when Koga grunted and I could feel him release inside me. Koga collapsed on top of me and pulled out, his manhood growing soft. I chuckled and nuzzled his shoulder as he kissed my hand his eyes full of love.

“You’re mine now.” I said jokingly and kissed his bare shoulder andraised my hand to wipe his now sweaty forehead. He pulled me to lay on top of him and kissed my nose.

“Now you’re mine.”