Prologue

Kouga had finally accepted Ayame, and fulfilled his promise to take her as his mate, uniting the remains of his tribe and hers, in the mountains to the north. But, since his tribe only had him and his two loyal followers; that did not mean much to them… it did, however, make Hakkaku and Ginta a bit more lonely. They also wanted mates, and had unfortunately not found any in the newly united tribe. So, when they scented the blessing of a canine demon in heat – powerful, if it could be scented for such a distance, he felt it was his duty to lead them to it. This must be the mate destined for one of his two friends! He was certain.

He was, to say the least, more than a little miffed to run into the band of misfits, some of whom he considered friends, on his way – however. Inuyasha was an unmated canine as well, though only a lowly dog, and a half-demon at that. Since he and Kagome had decided they could not be together, no matter how they might wish it, he was just as free as any to pursue this rare treat. Kouga never did like competition in romance – even if this time, it wasn't he himself that would be competing against Inuyasha.

Fighting was of course, inevitable.

Once it had been settled out, and the two alphas separated, a new form of chaos reigned. The explanations….

"What do you mean it's too dangerous? We defeated Naraku! What could be more dangerous than that? I can take care of myself, and everyone else, we won't be harmed by any weak demon you might fear you mangy wolf!" Inuyasha was, rightly to his thinking, offended by Kouga's attempt to start his tale, but he always was a bit easy to offend, though he had matured some and was a bit less likely now than before.

Myouga took this opportunity to bounce up, and offer his two cents. "He's quite right, Master Inuyasha, I'm not certain who or what kind of demon it is, but it is certainly a powerful one, and far too dangerous for you to be around. You have not experienced your own first heat yet, Master, and this demon's scent may trigger your own."

"What?" "You mean he's a vir- OW!" "Demons go into heat like animals?" "How?" The cacophony of the groups' overlapping confusion, and one very loud slap to Miroku's head from Sango, could be heard for miles. After the several, several minutes it took to calm everyone down, Kouga and Myouga decided to enlighten their companions, especially as it appeared Inuyasha himself, as well as the young Shippo, had no inkling about what was going on, and with their heritages, they definitely needed to know.

"It's a canine, but I'm not sure what type or gender," offered Kouga, to start off. Both Hakkaku and Ginta jumped in with their hope it was a female, especially a wolf, and of course, amiable to their suit.

"Hmmm," Myouga chewed on his pipe. "That makes it even more of a risk for you, Master."

"Why is it so dangerous for Inuyasha?" Kagome asked, genuinely curious.

"Because as Master has not had his first heat yet, nor taken a mate outside of a heat cycle, the scent could easily drive him into a false heat, or early first heat. It would be very easy for Master to lose control of his inner demon soul, and be taken over completely, should he enter a heat without a ready and willing partner. The Tetsusaiga could do very little, if anything, to protect him from himself in such a circumstance, nor could you, Kagome, offer any help as even your commands would hardly dint his natural instincts. In fact, you, being a female he has expressed an interest in, would be at far too great a risk to be near enough to even try."

"He would attack Kagome? But that's rape! Inuyasha's not that kind of person!" That, was Shippo's shocked voice, and surprised everyone. It was known, of course, that the young fox loved him as a father-figure, but being mischievous and rebellious, and Inuyasha's own overbearing tendencies, they often fought and insulted each other. The kit was the last person anyone would have expected to defend him in this way.

"He would not be himself, not under his own control. He would not chose – just any willing, or unwilling but too weak to fend him off, female would suffice. He would not even care if she survived, which it is possible she might not. That is why it is too dangerous for Master Inuyasha to be here." Somberly, most everyone was forced to agree.

"How is it he could go into heat, though? I thought that was something only females did… and you did say you were uncertain of the gender of the demon in heat, too, so could it also be male?" Miroku, voice soft and low, was just looking for more information. Hand healed, and life no longer in constant jeopardy, he was much less of a pervert. He was also much weaker an opponent, but still a monk, and thus still battle demons as needed. This meant he always needed to know as much as possible – one never new what could someday save his life.

All three wolves, and the flea, looked very uncomfortable at the question. It was Kouga who answered. "Well, most demons can enter heat once they are old enough, but it doesn't happen very often. It has to do with the type of demon, not the gender. Wasps, like Naraku's, for example, don't go into heat. Only the Queen can make more, and she only mates once in her life, so it isn't necessary. Most demons have very low birth rates, too, so the ones that do go into heat only do so once every 40 to 100 years. Their fertility increases exponentially, so a child is almost guaranteed out of a heat mating. Or, that's what my father told me when I was old enough to learn." He looked really, really embarrassed to be sharing what amounted to the demon version of 'the talk.'

"He's quite correct. Also, some many male demons, and some, though it is rarer, female demons, express both gender characteristics during their heat and subsequent pregnancies." Myouga added.

"What does that mean?" Kagome cut in.

"That means they can get pregnant, or make their partner pregnant." Ginta cut in, excitedly. "But, I still prefer it to be a normal female, , if it's to be my mate!"

The humans were beyond shocked, to say the least.

"Wi ..will I be like that?" No one had ever heard Inuyasha sound so hesitant, or afraid, before.

"Sadly, no, Master. A Half-demon male is incapable of carrying a child to term. The first time you changed back to a full human, your human body would be unable to support the child. It would be best if you never attempted it." Myouga sounded saddened; he really did not want to be the one to tell his beloved master yet another flaw of being mixed human and demon. His master was perfect as he was, and far stronger and more powerful than most full demons; and far more caring than most humans. Though many discriminated against him for his status, he was perfect. He did not need anything or anyone else to make him feel any less than that, not even this.

Myouga should not have worried. Inuyasha was so relieved and happy to not have to worry about this potential affront to his manhood, he was cheering. Not that Myouga noticed, lost is his world of responsibility and guilt. The wolves, however, did. Kouga was especially annoyed. Males that birthed were rare, though not as rare as females that could cause other pregnancies, and they were especially strong. Their progeny was assumed to be on the level of the Gods. He had been willing to be nice, but, at this, his kindness was ended. "You know, your father was the son of two males."

"What?" Inuyasha's rejoicing was cut short immediately. Shock and disbelief will do that to a person! Myouga's inner reflections were also put to an end.

"Ah… yes, that is… true. That is believed to be one of the reasons he was as great a demon as he was; the child of two males is always strong and he was a pure blood white dog as well. His blood... so delicious; I miss it so!" And he was back in his private ruminations, daydreaming about bloated stomachs, full of rich, tasty blood.

No one else felt it necessary to comment on this particular topic anymore. It was just too embarrassing.

"So is that why it doesn't matter if it is a male or female, and it could still set off Inuyasha's heat?" Or, most of them thought the topic was dropped… Sango was not on anyone's favorite persons' list right now.

A bright red Kouga responded, "Well, I don't know much about half-demons, but in general, demons do not require heat to mate; for pleasure or for children. It is just chances of children are better with a heat. And, if a demon that is near its own heat, is near another that it could be attracted to, and is in its heat; then yes, it could trigger by smell alone."

"What? I"D NEVER BE ATTRACTED TO A MALE!" The dog half-demon was off and running, fully enraged and insulted, at the thought; as he had mostly been raised by humans and as such, had many of their prejudices ingrained. Even ones against himself; though he did rebel against those, desiring to be needed and wanted unconditionally, like everyone does.

"It is by SMELL. You would not have to get close enough to find out the gender!" Kouga yelled over Inuyasha; he did not like being interrupted or yelled at, especially by the foolish and excitable dog.

Once it became obvious everyone had calmed down a bit, he continued. "It usually only affects those within 10 years or so, of their own heats, though. But, since heats can occur at such wildly different times for different people, it can be very hard to gauge. And, since you made such a stink – by 'attract' I meant same species. Like, a wolf would never be called by the smell of a lion's heat; only another cat would."

"So, the demon is another wolf, if the smell called to your tribe?" Kagome asked, now starting to get interested again.

He shifted uncomfortably, and the other two wolves looked away. ""We're not sure what kind of canine it is. Wolf, dog, fox, coyote, hyena, jackal… could be anything really. All we know is canine, and STRONG."

"It is also most likely not the first heat, for this individual, and from the smell, I'd guess he or she is most likely a virgin. I scent purity." Myouga added. No one was sure when he had keyed back in to the conversation, but everyone was surprised by his sudden contributions.

"How could he or she be a virgin if this is not the first heat?" Hakkaku asked excitedly, leaning forward. The purity bit had grabbed his attention, though, and he was sniffing harder to try to verify it. His nose, alas, was one of the weaker ones of his kind – Kouga was the alpha more because of his natural abilities than his leadership skills, and while his speed was legend once, his scent tracking was by far much better. Neither of his minions had yet to smell very much beyond something potentially yummy on the breeze.

Myouga, for his part, was chewing harder on his pipe while he debated his answer. Finally making his choice about what to say, he pulled his pipe from his lips to speak. "If the demon is strong enough, and is unwilling to accept any potential partners that may come, it is not unusual to refuse to mate even during a heat cycle. However, such require great strength of character, to keep one's self so tightly under control against nature's instincts, as well as great physical strength, to fight off the unwelcome suitors that might not take 'no' for an answer. So, to remain pure through a previous cycle, a demon must be extremely powerful, indeed." Unfortunately, Myouga had just figured out who the poor soul was – for only ONE canine currently alive was old enough for multiple heat cycles, physically strong enough to defeat all comers, and repressed enough to not give in to his basest desires, even when so greatly magnified. It was now even more imperative for him to get his master away from there, at all costs.

He wasn't about to express his fears, however. For one, he could be wrong. For two, if he was right, there was a chance that knowing might actually make it harder to get Inuyasha to leave; the exact opposite of what he wanted.

The wolves just drooled at the thought of someone that powerful, and that innocent, potentially at their fingertips. After all, they had just helped defeat Naraku, right? No one was more powerful than that – this demon notwithstanding, so he could not possibly reject their advances, right? (Not to imply they would ever force themselves, no, no, no – they weren't like that! Just, strength was a very important part of courtship, as every other part of demon life.) This was going to be wonderful!

It was Sango that actually caught the important message in Myouga's words; though she did not catch who he thought it was. Or, rather, if she did, she did not voice this. "Does that mean he or she has killed demons that have tried to mate him or her?"

Now the wolves stopped their drooling, as they finally caught the old flea's meaning.

"Yes, most assuredly. Especially any that tried to use force." Everyone paled. "He or she will hardly be the only ones killing over his or her heat, however. There will be a great many battles as potential mates come, and the less control the potential suitors have over their instincts, the more likely those battles are to the death. The longer this heat lasts, the more likely any potential suitor will be to have to kill other suitors to even approach the demon in question." Everyone paled a bit further. "Then, if they wish to mate him or her, they will have to battle him or her into submission if acceptance is not immediately given. If they lose control, or if either loses control even a little during this battle, it will quickly become a battle to the death or either or both demons, and any other potential suitors that happen upon them as they fight."

"How are they going to be able to mate if they're doing nothing but fighting the whole time?" Shippo's innocence was refreshing, but… sometimes very inappropriate.

The two wolves however, also seemed a bit interested, if disturbed, by the question, so the flea answered; ignoring the two human women trying to hush the young fox. "It will have to be fast and timed carefully. If the demon's heart is won, then he or she will fight any new arrivals together, though most will leave as soon as they realize a mate has been chosen. And, the demon's scent will change again once he or she has been mated successfully; just like it will fade if he or she does not mate, once the heat passes."

"I feel a bit bad for them; is there really no love and no choice in the entire affair?" The soft whisper was Kagome's, but the sentiment resonated with them all. Love was important, and to be without it was tragic.

Ginta, however, disagreed. "Kouga was mated by a promise; but he came to love his mate truly. Do you doubt mates from heat can also learn love?"

"How can anyone love someone that forces them?"

"Even if it is demonic heat, rape is not always the case, Kagome. Even with demons that had no love partner before their heat, while the worst can and sadly, does, happen; often love matches also occur. It is far better if they do, as the partner is more willing to help protect the weakened demon and the new offspring." Myouga was practical about love, even though he had long been a romantic at heart.

"How long does a demonic heat last?" This was from a strained sounding Inuyasha. He was still a bit affected by 'the talk' and was starting to smell the intoxicating scent now himself. He would leave first thing in the morning with his motley crew – they did not need to be near what was beginning to sound like a demonic grand melee. If it wasn't so late, he'd leave now.

"It varies, Master. It can be as long as two months if left unresolved. But, most heats only last a week, either way."

"We have already been travelling for two weeks, to track the scent." Kouga interjected. "He or she has been moving, but the smell has not yet changed; nor has it gotten any weaker. I thought it was getting stronger because we were getting closer, but maybe it is because the heat is progressing further?"

Crap! "Then this demon is indeed very strong, to have reached so far and lasted so long. I fear this one will be a very long lasting heat, making for a very dangerous time period – he or she will likely spark a great many other demons into their heats as well."

"I know you said that was a risk with Inuyasha, but is that very likely with other demons? And, is it so bad, really?"

"The last time a demon heat as powerful as this one has the potential to be occurred, nearly sparked a third demon/human war." This news, unwillingly given, caused everyone's anxiety level to increase. It also sparked a chorus of "Then why are you still here?" as everyone knew of the flea's tendency to flee.

"Safety in numbers. I will go with you, Master, when you and your group leave in the morning." Myouga no longer even bothered pretending to be anything less than a coward.

The conversation continued for a few more hours, but, as nothing else especially important was brought to the fore, soon everyone bedded down, each determined to rise with the sun. Both groups wanted to go in their respective directions as soon as possible, though the small wolf pack was now a little more worried than excited, as they had been before.

Dawn arrived, sparkling and bright. The air was clean, with a faint breeze, giving the early hours a faint chill to the otherwise mild and pleasant temperature. Swift moving clouds raced against the sky, puffing swirling, and dying again. Storm weather; rain would come today, soon, if the damp edge to the breeze could be believed. Miroku smiled as he whispered a prayer to the sunrise. Rain falling while the sun still shone was a blessing, perhaps today would be filled with luck.

The small wolf pack had a very different reaction. The damp chill to the air, the hint of coming rain – this was a warning of things becoming harder for them. Rain washed away scents, and wind twisted and confounded the direction of their origins for any strong enough to survive the cleansing water.

Another soul, lonely, hurting, frightened and so very weary, and not very far away, was thanking whatever Gods still cared enough for this small mercy, the brief chance to once again hide and perhaps be safe.