Lord Rhys was out patrolling his lands. Normally he wouldn't be out this late but something but something was pulling him. He used his demonic speed to leap over trees and mountains. And that's when he heard it. A faint whimpering sound coming from somewhere close by. The whimpering sounded like that o a small pup. Being a wolf demon he was big on protecting his pack, especially pups. And he was afraid that one of the pups in his pack had gotten out and was hurt. But what he didn't think to find was a young female inu-youki pup. Normally he would turn his back on something that wasn't a part of his pack, but with this one he couldn't. The kimono she was wearing suggested that she was royalty. It was a bright green kimono with white and blue Sakkara’s on it. He bent down in front of the pup and breathed in her scent. It wasn't one that he was familiar with although she did smell like heaven to him. The smell of vanilla and cherries mixed together always appealed to him.
"What’s the matter pup?"
He realized she must not have sensed him, for when he spoke she jumped and tried to scoot closer to the tree. "Please leave me alone. I have nothing that you would want."
For some reason this broke Lord Rhys's heart to hear the coming from the pup, "I'm not going to hurt you little one. I just want to know if you are okay, and that you don’t have serious injury."
Lord Rhys had to hold his gasp of air when she looked at him. Never in his life had he seen a pup with bluer eyes than his own son. And the way the still held some fight in them showed him that she was going to be a strong female. Maybe stronger than his own son.
The young pup looked up to him with fire in her eyes, "Of course I'm not. I'm lost, scared, and hurt. I can't find my mama or papa. I can't even remember them."
Lord Rhys smiled, 'So the pup's still got some fight left in her? Even after she's been abandoned? Well since she had no parents I'll claim her as my own. Koga would love that. He's been begging to find someone that will train with him, and someone to play with.'
Lord Rhys smiled down at the pup an offered her his hand, she looked at it curiously before taking it. "Where are you taking me?"
"I'm taking you to my den. I'm the ruler of these lands and no pup gets left behind to die. Not while I'm still breathing."
"Wait I don't even know your name. How do I know you're not lying to me?"
He smiled before scooping the young pup up into his arms, "My name is Lord Rhys and I'm going to be your father now. What is your name?"
"I don't remember much, but I remember this women calling me Kagome."
"Kagome huh, well I hope you grow to be strong, because I plan on making you the strongest you can be. And know that while you are with me no harm will come to you. You are my pup now Kagome."
Kagome wrapped her arms around Lord Rhys and fell asleep in his arms. It had been a long night for her, she had been running from other demons that were going to eat her. Lord Rhys began to run using some of his demonic speed. He didn't dare use his full powers because he didn't want to wake the girl. This caused him to be a little slower than normal so it was no surprise to him when he found his clan going nuts over the fact that he wasn't in the den. In fact it was his own son that finally noticed him. Koga came running up to his father, relief filled his eyes. Rhys couldn't blame the pup either. Koga had almost lost both his parents in a raid once. Fortunately Lord Rhys was able to get his son and mate out at the same time before anything serious had happened. Rhys bent down to meet his son eye to eye, he could see the confusion in his son’s eyes due to the small pup being in Rhys’s arms. When Koga got over to them he took a long sniff before greeting his father.
“Father, what’s this?”
“I found her in the woods, hurt and hungry Koga. She doesn’t know who her parents are or where she is. So I brought her back with me thinking she would be a nice addition to our pack. She’s very strong Koga, and I would like for you to accept her as a sister. I want you to protect her as pack, and treat her with respect for she is female.”
“What will mother think? I’m fine with it, but what about mom?”
“Your mother has always wanted…”
“I’ve always wanted what Rhys?”
Rhys looked up to find his mate standing there with her arms folded across her chest. To Rhys she was the most beautiful thing in the world. The battle scars on her face only enhanced her beauty to him. She had long black hair that when not pulled up, reached to the tip of her tail. Her eyes where a bluish green color, and he had always suspected that Koga got his eyes from his mother. Her skin color was a creamy tan color, and although she looked tough on the outside. Her heart was soft for all the pups in the clan and her husband.
“My darling, I was out on a patrol last night when I heard a faint whimpering in the woods. I ran toward it fearing that one of our clan pups had gotten out. Imagine my surprise when I see this little one curled up against the tree. Only remembering her name and nothing else. My dear she needs a home. And I’ve already accepted her as my daughter, and Koga will accept her as his sister. But she needs a mother dear, will you accept her?”
Haya came over to her husband and peeled away the locks of black hair to reveal creamy white skin, and the little girl to boot. Haya felt her heart melt at the sight of such a hurt pup. She looked up at her mate and nodded to him. Rhys was over whelmed with joy that his mate and pup had accepted the girl. He walked through his warriors and other females to the special place that his family rested. He gently set Kagome down on the mat of furs and called in two females of the tribe.
“Yes milord?”
“Take care of her and have her changed into the furs of my tribe. She is my daughter now, and is to be treated with respect!”
The females bowed and began to work on the child, Lord Rhys stayed in the room in case Kagome woke up and was frightened. When he felt arms wrap around his chest he turned to see his mates head behind him.
“What is her name darling?”
“Her name is Kagome, at least that’s what she thinks.”
Suddenly Kagome woke up and noticed strange women around her. She screamed and began to thrash about on the furs. Kicking and fighting through the women. Rhys pushed them aside and grabbed Kagome, holding her to his chest firmly.
“It’s okay little one. Shh, I’m here. Nothing’s going to hurt you.” Lord Rhys said this many times, while rocking Kagome back and forth trying to sooth her.
“What’s wrong Kagome?”
“I thought you left me…. I thought I was going to be eaten.”
Rhys kissed the top of Kagome’s head and then placed her back down on the bed. “No my child, I will never leave you. Even as you get older, I will never leave you. You will always be my pup. Now I want you to meet your new mother. She will finish dressing you, and then you’ll be able to meet your new brother and the other members of the pack. Can you calm down enough for your mother to dress you?”
“Hai Otou-san.”
Rhys’s heart burst with joy at what she called him. Haya came forward and smiled down at Kagome. With Kagome left in his mates capable hands, Rhys left to go search for his best warriors.
“Kane, Kin!”
Both appeared before Rhys with their heads down and a bow of respect.
“Yes Milord?”
“Scout everywhere. Somewhere there is a dead royal family, and I need to know who it is.”
Kane and Kin both nodded and bowed again before rushing out of the cave as fast as they could. Rhys turned around when he heard some of the men growling and the women making cooing sounds. He smiled when he saw his mate and Kagome coming out of the family den. Kagome looked good dressed in his family clothing. Her black hair was kept down but a small scrap of fur kept her bangs out of her eyes. When he saw Rhys Kagome let go of Haya’s hand and ran toward him. Rhys swept Kagome up in his arms and gave her a loving nip on the nose.
“Where am I papa?”
“You are in your new home Kagome. So welcome home.”
Rhys looked down when he felt a hand on his leg, he noticed his son Koga beaming up at him with bright eyes. Rhys placed Kagome on the ground in front of Koga. Not knowing that this was her brother, Kagome began to whimper and cling to Rhys.
“Now Kagome we’ll have none of that. This is your big brother Koga. You do not need to fear him or anyone else in this clan. We are your family now.”
Koga grinned at Kagome letting one of this little fangs show, which of course made Kagome fall on the ground with laughter.
“Hey what’s so funny squirt?”
“Your (laugh) grin (laugh)!” Kagome said in between laughs
“So you think my grin in funny huh?”
Kagome looked at Koga and she realized he was getting into attack position. Kagome just looked at him and took off out the cave. Rhys smiled as he could hear the children’s laughter.
‘Yes Kagome, I think you’ll be the thing that everyone around here needs.’
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Haya = quick, or light
Kane = tribute, warrior; the doubly-accomplished, golden; man, the eastern sky; beautiful
Kin = golden