After All This Time

Ch.25 Reflection

It was quite the remarkable recovery Kouga made. The entirety of the clan members had expressed to him their worry. They feared their leader would have lost his arm. Demons are resilient, not indestructible. It was nothing less of a miracle he was able to recover it.

The credit was owed to the hard work of the pack's healers obviously. It came to a slight surprise to Kouga when he heard that apparently they received some outside help. They couldn't say from who. No one saw them. Allegedly, it occurred at night only a couple days after sustaining injury. The guards were between changing post, and when the new demons assumed post two big crates of supplies were left at the edge of the water bank.

A quick inspection later and they found all sorts of very high quality things for health and recoveries waiting. Herbs, fruits, rare plants and even certain demon meat and bones. Kouga asked around but no one had a definite answer. Most assumed it was from the higher clans. Which was a surprise to him.

They don't hate him per se but Kouga knew a majority of them wouldn't be deprived of sleep if he really did lose an arm.

Whether or not that's true can be debated but one thing was certain. His clan never left his side. Though expected and he would never doubt them but the act of actually being with their leader in hard times spoke volumes. It strengthened the bond between them. They did it despite his imperfections.

The wolf leader paid attention to their faces. They are all preoccupied with their chores and responsibilities still. Despite his rapid shift in focus over the years they kept together. Content in whatever he asked, mostly.

His brethren were quick to show their stubbornness as well. They gifted him with new clothes. A long sleeved outfit to wear instead of the bare minimum armor. It was similar to what Inuyasha used to wear but instead of red it was black, less excess fabric too. They adjusted a longer brown pelt around his waist with alterations that freed his tail.

He was dragged around like a doll and was sat down at his bedside. They began washing his feet with salts. Drying them, then wrapping his feet in new bandages. Even went as far as to let his hair down and combed through it. They also made it clear forbidding him from putting it up again to prevent strain on his head. They all insisted he wear this till his injury was gone completely.

Sure it was a little uncomfortable not nearly as much as those other clothes were. It was different from what he wore at that formal dinner. Kouga was still convinced it was a ploy to restrain him from fighting.

The demon sighed. Finally able to relax against the rock walls while they left him alone. He looked down at his limbs and body. All of this was done in good faith so he wouldn't disrespect them by complaining. He's overheard people say he's changed, for the better. That he has always been compassionate but there's something more recently.

Kouga laid in his bed while kicking his feet up against the wall. He put his non-injured arm under his head to cushion it. It didn't seem to be doing the job like it used to. Inuyasha's hand was nicer to rest his head against.

Pushing that thought aside he pondered over the views of his brethren. Honestly they felt like these past months are one of the few times where they really got to know him. He showed maturity, a foreign subject for him, Kouga was well aware of that. Maybe because of it the sense of community sprung in every being here.

He wouldn't disagree with them. Maybe that hot-headed youngin he wishes to be again wasn't as great as he thought.

Though this was all great. Perfect even.

It begs the question, if it's perfect then why is he in this garden again?

The night was chilly, incredibly foggy. It was fortunate he was well dressed. As Kouga glanced around the garden it looked different. It didn't feel the same. Maybe because it was nighttime.