Failing (InuYasha, Kouga / Higurashi
Kagome, #2)
Title: Failing
Author/Artist: Minako
(minakiwi)
Pairing: Kouga, Higurashi Kagome
Fandom:
InuYasha
Theme: #2, News; letter
Word Count: 884
Warnings:
None, though I'd rate this T for one curse word.
Disclaimer: All
characters are creation of Rumiko Takahashi and are not used for
profit.
She could only hope that the dejection she was feeling right then was not plastered all over her face as she climbed up the vines that grew inside the Bone Eater's Well. Crumpled in her pocket was a letter from her school telling her that she was failing in her coursework and that if she intended to graduate along with her class things would have to change. Ironically her test scores were more than acceptable, it was her constant absences that were pulling her entire school career down the tubes.
Once she was out she sat on the lip of the old wooden structure that provided her transportation from her home in the future and sighed, taking out the letter and smoothing it out on her thigh before reading it again as if that would somehow change what was written on the stark whiteness of the paper. A gusty sigh escaped pink lips as she felt a little guilty relief that she'd gotten the letter before her Mama had seen it. At least now she could try to fix what was wrong herself without worrying her mother too.
She tried to think of ways to bring up her scores, extra credit things she might do if only she had the time! That thought made her feel even more crestfallen because ironically enough time was the one thing she was in short supply of. Kagome was so engrossed in her thoughts of failing school that she also failed in something else, something that was far more important in the time she was in right now. Belatedly she realized that her miko abilities were clamoring for her attention, that power that enabled her to sense shards of the Sacred Jewel was sounding a warning in her head. Had it been any other youkai she might have been in deadly danger, but once she saw the whirlwind that was accompanying the sense of two shards she relaxed minutely. It was Kouga, the Wolf Prince who had become a semi-fixture in her life and who had declared her quite loudly to be His Woman.
He came to a precise stop just in front of her and bent a little at the waist to take both her hands into his, and for once without the distraction of InuYasha's snarling in the background she let herself feel Kouga's touch. His hands were warm, warmer than Houjou's or InuYasha's; there was a certain roughness to the pads of his fingers that she guessed came from the sort of life he'd led. But there was power there as well, strength and assurance that to whomever he leant those hands to would be protected and perhaps at all costs. She looked up almost expectantly to hear his usual declarative speech, a tiny hint of pink showing on her cheeks as it always did.
He had paused before speaking though, carefully looking over her face before shifting both her hands to one of his so that he could lift the free one to gently brush over her warmed cheek. His voice was deep and a little rough, just like his hands and the thought made her blush deepen even as she realized her lower lip was stuck out and quivering just a little bit. Oh great, way to go Kagome just blubber in front of Kouga! The concern shone on his handsome features as he dropped to one knee to better look at her face.
"Kagome! What's wrong? Is it that damn mutt? Whatever it is, I promise you I'll fix it."
She stilled, feeling a track of heat down one cheek that she knew was a tear spilled over, and she went from delicate pink to cherry red when she felt the sudden softness of Kouga's mouth on her skin. When he moved back the tear was gone and she sighed again.
"I'm failing in school," she confessed. "I'm failing and I don't know if I can do enough to make it right."
Now Kouga had no idea what 'school' was or why Kagome would care if she failed it or not; but he knew her well enough to know that all she needed at this point was a reminder of a few basic things. He made sure she was looking right at him, one finger touching her chin to keep her gaze on his.
"If it's important enough, you will win. After all, you're My Woman and My Woman is strong!"
He rose up then and drew her with him, leaning to lay his lips on her cheek once more before backing away slightly. He sensed InuYasha coming fast after all and did not want the moment ruined by an irate inu-hanyou. He delighted in Kagome's blush and soft stammered reply and he smiled at her. It would not be easy winning this one as a Mate, but seeing the resolve fill her eyes as she glanced at the offending letter anew made him know that his words were true ones. Kagome was strong, and if he had to work his tail off to make sure she remembered that, he would.
