Clash of Alphas by sarhea

Riku Ryuu's Prompt - Duct Tape

~ooO Duct Tape Ooo~

“If you don’t control yourself I’m gonna duct tape you. I’m not going to let you do something stupid and ruin Kaa-san’s reception.”

Kouga turned and glared at the red-haired green-eyed kitsune. Shippo did not flinch from the vitriol in the ookami-youkai’s reddening eyes.

“She should be mine,” he hissed digging his claws into the palms of his hands in a desperate attempt to sate his blood lust. And then he recoiled from the pitying look.

“Kouga, it’s too late. Has been for centuries.”

The ookami did not respond. Instead he turned and stared longingly at a pair of women seated on a low bench. They were laughing easily as talked with the ease and familiarity of long acquaintance. The older looking one wore an elegantly tailored peacock blue suit embellished with black thread and lace. She had striking reddish eyes, dark hair secured in an elaborate updo, and was waving an elegant fan to emphasize her words. Her companion was shorter and curvier with wide blue eyes and wavy black hair flowing freely down her back. She wore a traditional dark blue kimono with white hounds and grey clouds on the back and edges.

“She should be mine,” he repeated through gritted teeth. “I am Alpha.”

“And you passed up on the opportunity to mate her,” Shippo pointed out bluntly. “You gave permission to Ginta and Hakkaku. They’ve been mated and committed to each other for centuries. You have no right to interfere in their bonds.”

Kouga glared at Shippo with red eyes. “They do not deserve her!” he growled.

Shippo glared right back. “Neither do you. But Kagura chose them. And I will not let you dishonour her by forcing an unwanted claim on her. Neither will Kaa-san,” he added.

The red faded and the ookami’s shoulders slumped.

“It’s not fair Shippo,” he whispered. “She has given them sixteen offspring all of whom are still alive. They have more than twenty grand-children and four great-grandchildren. I’ve had four mates and of my descendants only two daughters and one grand-son have survived.” He turned to the kitsune with a beseeching expression. “Why have all of her offspring survived? Why are mine dead?”

Shippo sighed. He could not help but feel for the ookami. But it was partially his fault.

“Because they are smart and sensible, not brash and headstrong. Kagura taught them better than to rush head first into trouble. They are willing to bow and voice platitudes if it allows them to survive and escape.”

Kouga winced as the words hit home. Shippo was right. He was brash and he taught his children to be just as brash, not cautious and slippery. “I just wish…” he trailed off with a look. Shippo patted Kouga’s shoulder commiserating.

“I know Kouga. But you have to learn to let go and look to the future.” He hesitated before continuing. “InuYasha thought he would never find another after Kikyo. And when he lost Kagome because of his own stupidity he just gave up. But then he met Hisana. I’m sure there is someone out there for you. You just have to be patient.”

“It’s hard.”

“Sesshoumaru waited five centuries for Kagome.”

Kouga snorted. “I’m nothing like that ice prick.”

“Then maybe you should take a few lessons from him. After all he did catch Kagome.”

TBC…

AN: Ha! I think I might have fooled a few of you, thought Kouga was pining after Kagome didn’t ya? (^_^) Nope! Somewhere along the line he fell for Kagura but I didn’t feel like obliging. Kouga’s so brash and headstrong and I really wanted him to get a dose of reality. He’s not gonna get the girl in this fic. And about Shippo not sure. If I introduce another relationship (already done Kagura, Rin, InuYasha) it’s not going to end. Maybe in another fic.