The Wolf and the Dog

Chapter 8: Of Kouga's Confrontation and Going Home

~*~Wolves' Caves~*~

"Kooouuuggaaa!! You're back; it's been three weeks. I missed you so much." Yuuka yelled as she ran to greet the alpha throwing her arms around him. "How was your trip? Did the ceremony go well?"

"Hai Yuuka, everything went well," Kouga sighed, "now if you'd excuse me, I'm tired and would like to rest." He untangled himself from Yuuka's arm and made his was to his chambers.

"What was that all about? He wasn't even excited to see me. How rude!" Yuuka pouted.

"He has been like that all trip." Ginta informed her.

"Yes elder, he looked so sad and dejected, he hardly ate or slept. He always seemed to be lost in his thoughts and spoke very little." Hakkaku added.

"Oh.. Oh.. and he sighed a lot. We're really worried about him." Ginta said with a sad face.

Yuuka looked in the direction of Kouga's chambers scratching her chin thoughtfully. "Hmmm... something must be bothering him... guess I should have a talk with him."

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Meanwhile, Kouga had dragged himself to his bedchamber and threw himself on the futon burying his face in the soft pillows. He sighed for the umpteenth time. He felt horrible. He hadn't been able take his mind off the hanyou since the moment he had left the springs. He had thought the trip would give some time to think things through, but as time passed he felt himself getting more and more confused. He was sure about one thing though, he had always secretly respected the doggy for his strength and courage, and after the incident at the spring he had fallen madly in love with him. But he didn't know what to do. He was torn between his duty and his heart. He wanted the silver-haired bishounen as his mate for eternity but at the same he couldn't go against the rules. "Why does my heart hurt ... why do I love you so much INUYASHA... why... why... what do I do now?" He wailed. He was so lost in his thought that he didn't hear the soft knock on his door or door being pushed open.

"Kouga?" Yuuka's voice came from he door and Kouga froze. Yuuka slowly moved to the futon and sat down near Kouga. "Yu..Yu.. Yuuka, when did get here..."

"Never mind that honey, tell me what's bothering you?" She asked placing her hands on Kouga's head. Kouga moved to snuggle against her and buried his face in her lap "Nofing." Came a muffled reply. She raked her fingers through his hair in a loving manner. "Kouga I have raised since you were only a few weeks old, I know when something's bothering you," she raised his face and stared in his eyes, "now tell me what's the matter... Hmmm?"

"Mama!" Kouga sniffed like a child as he fought back tears "I... I can't." He turned his face away.

Yuuka smiled. She knew how stubborn Kouga could be, she had to be patient. "Okay then... let me guess." She tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Does it have something to do with the day you spent at the forest spring?" She felt Kouga stiffen. 'Guess I hit the right spot.'

"Did you meet somebody you liked there?"

"........"

"Kouga, tell me, I promise I won't tell anybody."

"Hmmm"

'Okay that's a start.' "Who was she? Was she pretty?" She smiled. 'I hope I'm going in the right direction.'

"How do you know it's a 'she'?" He protested weakly.

Her eyes widened as realisation dawned on her. "Ohh... is it a he then?" Even if she couldn't see his face with his back turned, she could feel Kouga blushing. 'hmmm... I have to be careful if I am to get some answers.'