�Kagome�� he whispered as grief wracked his body once again.
�Uh�K�Kouga?� Ginta stuttered, remaining hidden from sight.
�WHAT!� Kouga yelled.
�There�are some people here to see you,� Ginta paused.
�Whom ever it is, send them away,� Kouga whispered.
�It�s a wolf lady Kouga, from a foreign land I think,� Ginta edged into sight.
�Foreign? What do you mean foreign?� a growl passed his lips.
�Well, she has a translator, and she�s dressed funny,� Ginta, sighed.
�Lead her, um� them, in,� Kouga straightened his shoulders, took three deep breaths, and his composure was in place. Two youkai entered. One was a fox, red headed as usual, with green eyes. The other was the wolf. Kouga studied her. She was almost Kouga�s height, almost a head height taller than the kitsune. Long, wavy hair was pulled back, with some escaping here and there. Her eyes were almost yellow, with green mixed in. She did not wear pelts, ask most wolf youkai, instead she dressed in silks, like the mutt-faces brother Sesshomaru, and light fitted armor. A sword hung on her back, long and broad. A full quiver and bow accompanied the sword. Her skin was very pale, and her face had strong feminine definition. Tipped ears and fangs declared she wasn�t merely some human beauty.
�Kouga-kun,� The fox began, �we seek shelter for m�lady and myself, as well as protection, as m�lady is in grave danger.� The fox�s voice was light, sweet, and yet full of innuendoes. The lips of the wolf twitched ever so slightly.
�Why does you lady not talk for herself, kitsune!� Kouga said, trying to sound arrogant.
�She is not from this� place� the fox smiled.
�Then why should I��
�She is here to see you, Kouga-kun,� It was then Kouga looked at the fox. She to wore silks, but she also wore a pelt wrapped around her waist. There was a katana as at her side, along with a whip. Her skin wasn�t as pale as the wolf�s, yet it was still fair. Her hair was like a flame, yellow at the top and dark red at the bottom, and cut short to frame her face beautifully. Her eyes were an ice-green, cold and comforting all at once. She wore jewelry of a chief, or perhaps the wife or the eldest daughter of a chief.
�And why should a foreign wolf seek me out?� Kouga was interested now.
�The wind witch, Kagura,� the kitsune spat.
What about Kagura? Kouga thought. His senses tingled.
�What about Kagura?� Kouga menacingly growled, his eyes turning feral.
�Kouga-kun!� The wolf snapped, shocking him. He looked at her with those feral eyes. Her voice was darker than the fox�s, deeper, and straight to the point. He calmed down, his eyes regaining their semblance of sanity.
�So you can talk,� He stated.
�A� little,� The wolf replied haltingly.
�Do you understand what I�ve said?� he asked slowly. An infuriated blush crept along her face.
�Some, but this is not my language,� she managed, with some smoothness.
�Ah, I see,� Kouga turned to the fox, �If you wish shelter from us you may have it, along with food and what ever safety we can offer. We are not at our strongest, and so I can guarantee anything.�
�Gracious prince, we are not defenseless, or else we wouldn�t have ever made it here. Indeed, I�m sure m�lady would agree to help protect you should the need rise,� A devious glint followed that comment.
�May I know the names of my guests?� Kouga snipped, a litter harsher than he had meant.
�Oh of course! How terrible of me not to mention whom we are! M�lady is called Halimaw Y Khoa. My name is Danh T� Ainheizn. You may call her Khoa and as for myself, Danh. Unless you wish to attempt the whole thing?� Danh smiled.
� Well then, Khoa and Danh, welcome to my dens, and take what you need. Your help will be welcome, if you�re any good,� Kouga contemptuously waved them off.
�Do you doubt us?� Danh pouted.
�No, I know female kitsune are just as tough as their men, and twice as demanding. But your companion, Khoa, is a female wolf. Most of our females depend on the males,� Kouga shrugged.
�Would you test her?� Danh innocently asked.
�I do not fight women, but� HAKKAKU!� Kouga yelled.
�Y�yes Kouga?� Hakkaku whimpered.
�Would you fight this wolf youkai? To prove that they are worthy of staying here?�
�But Kouga� that youkai is a woman,� Hakkaku stammered.
�So? Do as I say Hakkaku,� Kouga lounged and watched his friend squirm. Sighing in resignation, he nodded his consent. Danh muttered to Khoa, and Khoa smiled.
�She accepts,� Danh jumped up, and Khoa followed. Kouga suddenly wondered if this was such a good idea, as he watched Khoa�s lithe movements. As they walked out of the caves, the rest of the clan trailed behind, curious about the strangers, and their fighting abilities. Especially the wolf's fighting abilities.
�Would you mind if they fought in a circle?� Danh asked.
�A circle?� Hakkaku looked confused, �I don�t see why not.� Again, Danh whispered to Khoa, and the wolf smiled. The great sword at her back became unsheathed, and a circle was etched in the sand out side of the dens. Khoa then placed her sword in the middle of the circle, and returned to the outside. Then she did the unexpected. Off came the silks, amour, and luxurious materials. Under the finery, was a tooled leather tunic, shaped and toughened to fit her, and also allow her great flexibility. Every male�s jaw dropped. Her pale legs were exposed, as well as her arms to the shoulder. She reached down, grabbed some of the sand, and rubbed it between her hands. She took off her sandals, and stood up. Hakkaku looked completely lost.
�Please, place your sword beside mine,� Khoa called.
�This is one of her customs, if it is not suitable��Danh started.
�Why place them in the middle?� Kouga was curious.
�So then it is a race of speed and wit. They race to the center, grab what sword they can, and begin the fight,� Danh explained as if she were telling a small child.
�Hakkaku! Do as they say!� Kouga saw the doubt in Hakkaku�s eyes, but was intreged. After Hakkaku returned to the opposite side of the circle, Danh stepped forward to call to start the fight.
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