Author's Note: This drabble was written as a Christmas present for a friend of mine on tumblr. This story takes place in the timeline that the two of us have plotted out in our rolepaying; as such, please note that it is an AU. That's all~
The sun had already set by the time Kouga returned to the village, leaving the moon to shine down on freshly fallen snow. The humans had retired to their huts for the night, and the wolf could see light flickering from behind a few doorways; most likely, it was the remnants of whatever fires had been burning in the pits earlier in the evening. He imagined that the majority of them had probably gone to sleep hours ago. Was Kagome still up? He hadn't meant to be gone for so long, but there had been some interference on the way back.
Namely, one very sour oni who'd needed to be put in its place. Damned thing. He hoped that Kagome hadn't been too lonely... he'd had a reason for leaving though. A good one, he thought as he glanced down at the pelts that he held in his arms. They were his reason for his trip back to the den, and he hoped that the trip had been worth it.
The wolf stopped outside the miko's hut, listening for any indication that she may have still been awake; there was none. The night air was quite silent though, and the only thing that Kouga could hear was the sound of his own breathing. Pulling back the mat that hung in front of the doorway, Kouga peered inside the small hut. A soft glow from the fire pit provided the wolf with enough light to spot Kagome's form curled up on her bedding. He quietly crept over, the furs that he'd fetchedfrom the den bundled up in his arms. They had to be warmer than the thin blanket that she'd been sleeping with...
Kouga couldn't help but pause as he crouched down next to the sleeping miko, his eyes falling upon her face. The only time that she seemed to be at peace these days was when she slept. The hanyou's death had taken its toll on her, and it was easy to tell that she still grieved for him. How long had it been since she'd genuinely smiled...?
Too long, he thought. Maybe if he stayed by her though, he would be able to bring it back...
The wolf took great care in draping the pelt over Kagome, not wanting to disturb her. Despite this, she shifted beneath it, murmuring something softly under his breath; Kouga thought that he'd heard Inuyasha's name. Her movement caused the light to dance across her face, flashing across her features – and that was when he noticed it.
A redness around her eyes. Had she been crying?
Guilt welled up; she'd been crying, and he hadn't been there. Had anyone? He shouldn't have taken so long – he should have BEEN here for her! Maybe brought her with him to get the pelts – anything would have been better than leaving her to cry by herself.
"I'm sorry..." The apology came out as a soft whisper, and Kouga reached out to brush a strand of dark hair from her face. She'd needed him, and he hadn't been there. The very thought frustrated him, and he could just picture the poor girl weeping by herself. It made his heart clench just thinking about it.
He wouldn't let it happen again.
The wolf wasn't sure how long he spent just watching her; eventually though, he settled down behind her, curling up against her back. She may have had the pelt now, but it would take more than that to fend off the chill that Kagome was suffering from.
Kouga was willing to wait however long it took for her to regain her warmth.