Chapter III: One Small Lie
Kouga threw a generous part of the sheet around Kagome, covering her from their visitors, and returned his arm to her waist, whispering, "I won't let them hurt you." He focused on the man crouching to make it through the doorway, watching him with sharp eyes.
The human was bulky – ungainly even, and his jaw tightened. I was subdued by this?!
As the man stepped into the room, Kagome felt claws graze her back, closing into a fist. She peeked at the wolf beside her and saw flickers of shame and fury spark his gaze.
A short, slender woman entered next, in almost comical contrast. Just clearing the man's elbow, her stature and build were at complete odds with his. Black hair, streaked with the beginnings of gray, was swept into twin buns atop her head, and her blue yukata shone as she crossed the patch of light covering the bandage cache. Despite their differences, the disparate couple exuded a distinct air of authority. Kagome noticed both wore gold armbands, and though she wasn't familiar with the custom, the display of status was obvious.
"Welcome girl," the man greeted with anything but. His voice was gruff as he folded thick arms across a thicker chest. "I'm Eichiro, man of this house and chief of Enomoto. Who are you, and why are you with this… youkai?" Dislike contorted his face momentarily, and the mention of Kouga's race seemed to taste bad in his mouth.
Kagome heard Kouga snarl at her side and rushed, "I'm Kagome. We fell from—."
"I know. Osaki's Waterfall," impatience crossed the man's dirt-smudged features. "We picked you up out of the mud and brought you both here," he shifted, ill-at-ease. "Where are you from?"
A name sparked in her mind, and she bore it without thinking. "I come from Lady Kaede's village. She sent us to find—."
"Kaede?!" Eichiro sputtered. "Her village is twelve days from here! A heavy twelve! How'd you get to the cliff? Why would you go there?" He backed up a step, incredulous. "You're lying!"
"No—!"
"You must be!" He accused angrily. "Why would a citizen under Kaede-sama's protection stray so far? You're just a demon cohort visiting surrounding villages spying for weaknesses!" His hands dropped, fisting at his sides.
"Eichiro, please," the woman, elfin next to his towering frame, silenced him with a cross look. "She hardly seems dangerous."
Kagome bowed slightly. "Thank you," she realized it was probably this woman's conviction and level-headedness that had kept them alive and cared for up until now.
"I'm Akina, Eichiro's wife," she returned Kagome's bow, stepping in front of her husband, and folding hands into blue sleeves. "We saved you and your… friend… from the riverbank three days ago. I'm sorry the hunting party didn't show more common sense and restraint in your rescue," she glared at the headman.
Kagome watched in surprise as his anger vanished into a shamed cringe.
"I especially want to apologize to you Kagome," Akina's tone softened. "Hiro, the village healer, used one of his concoctions to calm you, and it had a rather prolonged effect—."
"Calm her!?" Kouga cut in. "Your thug knocked her out cold! And tried to TAKE her from me!"
Something in his indignation made Kagome's stomach flutter. Color rose in her cheeks, and she 'tsk'ed under her breath. "Kouga…."
A pointed ear twitched, and the sound of his name killed a second assault.
Palming his chest, she gently whispered, "You're not helping."
Eichiro eyed Kagome's hand. "What is this demon to you?" He ignored the shake of his wife's head.
"Why do you care?!" Kouga challenged back, letting go of Kagome and setting both hands on his knees.
Shock rushed the chief's face before rage settled and knotted. "Because this is MY village, and the honor of my house and family are at stake because of you," his words shook.
"I don't care about your honor, only this woman," Kouga frowned, presumably at the other man's audacity. "How dare you tread into our personal matters?"
Kagome knew the frown was more because he didn't know where they stood with each other himself. She swallowed down another chide, feeling a second intervention would not be appreciated.
Akina bristled. "He dares, because it's extremely improper in human customs for an unwed woman and man to share the same bed, alone and naked," she palmed her hips, turning her glare on Kouga. "To allow such behavior would be to say we condone it, and as leaders of Enomoto, we're expected to set an example."
Something about the response seemed odd to Kagome. It nagged in the back of her mind, and she turned it over, trying to figure out why. An answer came – of course propriety standards were different five hundred years ago – but it made little sense. Why was she thinking of centuries to explain the headwoman's rationale? Did she know better herself?
"We couldn't pry you two apart," Eichiro grumbled to the demon beginning to growl. "After Hiro misjudged the dosage of his sleeping drug, you surged forward and collapsed with her in your arms," his scowl joined his wife's glare. "We weren't sure if the girl was your unwilling captive, and didn't want to hurt her in a struggle to free her."
Kagome shook her head. "I'm not his captive. Kouga saved me. I owe him my life."
"You'll owe him more than that if you're not careful," Akina's gaze grew knowing. "Youkai expect to be well paid for their rare pearls of kindness."
"It's not like that!" Kouga barked, shooting Kagome a look of such hurt and fear that the flutter in her stomach rose to pound in her chest.
"I would never take advantage of you," he said earnestly. "Please believe me, I—."
"I do," she cut in. "I trust you. Completely," meeting his gaze, so open and exposed, she couldn't help but place a comforting kiss on his troubled brow. As she drew away, their eyes met again. The relief in his blue depths made her smile, and charmed out a returning grin.
Their audience watched silently.
"Tell us…," Eichiro cleared his throat in discomfort. "What are the terms of your relationship?" Witnessing their exchange was making him begin to doubt himself. Despite the demon's rough edges, he seemed genuine enough towards the girl.
At hearing 'relationship', Kagome got an idea. She needed to say something to soothe offended morals and keep questions at bay while they regained their memories. Expectant eyes stared over, waiting for an explanation.
It was indecent for an unwed couple to be left in the same bed? An unwed couple?
Kouga watched thought spark in her eyes and silently asked for clarification, canting his head slightly. She smiled and placed a hand on his sheet-covered thigh.
Ignoring the youkai's blush, she faced the pair before them. "Actually, we're newlyweds," she squeezed his leg just before his jaw dropped. "We've eloped without our families' permission or knowledge, but to protect your honor, we'll admit to the truth."
Eichiro did what Kouga couldn't and swung his mouth wide. "Y-You married him!?"
"Yes," Kagome lifted her chin. "I ran away from my village to be by his side."
Kouga's blush darkened, trailing down his neck and up his ears, and he coughed purposefully, lowering his head to hide the heat in his face.
"I'm sorry dear. I had to tell them," she said regretfully. "Are you mad?"
He struggled for his voice. "N-No," he managed. "You had to."
"But… a… a youkai?" Eichiro raised his hands in an entreaty to her senses.
"This is why we wed in secret," Kagome gestured. "We knew people would judge our… love," she felt Kouga's muscles tighten at the word, and her smile faltered.
Akina gave her a long, piercing look, and Kagome worked to keep her face even, feeling herself being measured. She knew the validity of her claim teetered – ready to fall one way or the other – as intelligent eyes searched her features.
After a moment, the older woman nodded. "Then welcome to Enomoto. Far be it from us to arbitrate who should fall in love," an eyebrow rose in her husband's direction. "I insist you stay as guests in my house until you're both fully recovered," she said. "This should be a happy time in your young lives, and it's unfortunate it had to be marred by such misunderstanding," her tone was pointed, and the headman cringed again.
Kagome ducked as relief welled. "Thank you my lady. You've already done so much," she moved her palm down Kouga's thigh and placed it lightly over his hand. Obliging, he flipped his wrist and entwined his fingers in hers, obscuring them in callused pads and inhuman claws.
Eichiro recovered quickly, wanting to ease Akina's irritation. "It's the least we can do," he said gruffly. "I'm sorry my men and I assumed the worst at the riverbed," the start of embarrassment lined his mouth. "Years ago, we used to have so many run-ins with local youkai, we grew jaded from all the hardship, I think," his face fell a moment, lost in memories of darker days. "Please join my family and I for dinner tonight," the invitation was almost free of reluctance. "Neither of you have eaten in three days."
"Oh, we don't want to impose further—," Kagome started.
"Nonsense," Akina shook her head. "You both need your strength. We only managed to take off your bandages this morning. Luckily, Hiro's medicinal skills are better than those of his seize-and-capture," she smiled for the first time and pointed to a purple, yellowing patch across Kagome's arm. "Most of your worst bruises and scrapes have faded. And Kouga's were gone within the first night."
"My wife and daughter managed to keep you both hydrated," Eichiro added. "Despite Kouga's growls whenever you were touched," another frown flashed before he tempered it. "It was quite the ordeal, but now his protectiveness makes sense," he admitted. "A new bride is a precious thing."
Kagome felt tiny claws of guilt edge in. "Well then, we'd love to stay. Thank you for your kindness and hospitality," she pushed down her conscience, bowing low.
Akina started for the doorway. "We'll let you two rest before then. Our son, Sen, will get you when everything is ready." Eichiro followed after her, lowering the animal hide behind him as they left.
Kagome and Kouga sat in silence as they listened to their hosts' receding footsteps. Kouga stared down at their hands, still clasped together, and Kagome gulped.
Was he mad? Had he wanted to be asked whether he'd like a whole village thinking he was married? And married to someone like her?
"Uh… Kouga?" She tried to best phrase her worry. "I… I'm sorry I didn't ask you. It just popped into my head. I wanted to give us one less thing to worry about. Are you upset?"
He stayed quiet, rubbing his thumb along hers, and she bit her lip, afraid she had irreparably damaged their new friendship. She was about to ask again when he gave a long exhale.
"I've never been mated before," Kouga said slowly. "And I assume this 'married' state is the shallow human equivalent," he noted her nod and squeezed her hand. "Well, I certainly don't know a more fitting girl," he smiled in reassurance. "In part because of memory loss," the smile turned teasing. "But true nonetheless."
Kagome took the jibe good-naturedly, relieved he wasn't angry.
"This should be interesting," he shot the vacant doorway a glance. "We'll see what kind of trouble it gets us into."