Chapter 7

When You're Good...

Shipo hummed to himself as he made his way down the tunnel towards Kagome's cave, a distinct spring in his step. Ever since word had reached the rest of the tribe that Kagome's fever had broken and had even opened her eyes for Koga once, it was like everyone had heaved a collective sigh of relief; himself included.

That was why the kit was currently bringing a basket of food he'd scavenged about the nearby territory to his friend's room. The human woman brought to help Kagome was undoubtedly hungry and, if Kagome was by any chance awake, she would want to eat something too.

Shipo had been keeping a low profile lately, staying out of the other hunter's way as they scrambled about to prepare for winter. He'd been prepared to run for it if Kagome hadn't made it but thankfully, her recovery meant he could come out of hiding without worry.

Once she was back on her feet, he could probably even show her where he found his basket of treasures, since all the ookami seemed interested in eating was meat. That wouldn't be good for a human diet. Did the Alpha even know that?

Probably not, Shipo thought in a wry tone.

The stubborn male would probably laugh and shake his head at the idea. But, Koga was at least willing to listen to reason, if you could crack through that thick skull of him. That was a lot more than Shipo ever expected from an ookami. But, the Alpha was still a barbarian in the kit's opinion.

Passing Ginta's still form seated at the entrance of the cave, Shipo gave the hunter a quick nod of greeting. The quiet male returned the gesture and then returned his focus back to the dark passageway.

Once the kit made it further in, the slender figure of a human female kneeling beside the pile of furs bed had him shifting from paw to paw in nervous anxiety. Would she shoo him off? Human weren't usually frightened by kitsune but there was always an exception.

Taking a deep breath, Shipo puffed up his chest before he marched himself over to the human's side and handed up his offering.

The woman's surprised look of shock had the kit swallowing low with nerves but he only locked his tiny knees with a look of determination.

"I found you something to eat," he announced with all the power he could muster. "And, when Kagome wakes up, she may want some too."

The human blinked slightly before she turned dark brown eyes to the bounty within the woven basket. Recognition flared then softened in her steady eyes and the kit was relieved to see her give him a warm smile in return.

"Thank you," she replied as she set the basket beside her. "It is very kind of you to think of us."

Shipo felt his cheeks flush as his chest filled with pride. But, he quickly brushed the praise away. A mighty warrior didn't need it.

"Of course," he reassured with satisfaction. "If you need anything else then—"

However, a shifting interrupted the kit's promise, causing all eyes to focus on Kagome's form as she started to grow unsettled.

The human quickly leaned over Kagome, eyes wide and waiting as Shipo hopped onto her shoulder.

Please let this mean she was waking up, the kit prayed to himself. Please.

It wasn't long before the kitsune's prayers were answered and a pair of warm brown eyes peered up at him. Shipo cried out with delight.

"Kagome," he cheered. "You're awake."

Not waiting for her disoriented gaze to focus on him, Shipo hopped off of the human healer's shoulder and bounded out of the cave.

Kagome was awake and Koga would want to know.

SSS

"Shipo?"

Kagome rubbed the dull pulse in her brow as she tried to focus.

"He left just now."

The soft voice had her stilling as she frantically searched her mind where she'd heard it before. How it could be possible she was hearing it now. It couldn't be!

Brown eyes snapping open, Kagome blinked up into a face she never thought she'd ever see again.

Sango!

What was she doing here? Better yet, why was she dressed like a village girl?

Kagome had no doubt the woman's father would have groaned in horror at seeing his oldest child dressed so. But, the memory of the taijiya chief also had a piercing pain stabbing through Kagome's chest.

"Sa—" Kagome started to say, hoping to beg her for forgiveness once again for what she'd caused. However, the young yokai hunter beat her to the punch.

"Sango," she interrupted with emphasis. "My name is Sango. I was brought here from the village, by one of the hunters, to help you heal. How are you feeling?"

All at once, realization roared through Kagome, causing her to calm almost instantly. Sango was in disguise and trying to help her. Kagome would have to play-along or risk the ookami ripping her apart.

Nodding with slight understanding, Kagome swallowed low.

"I'm alright," she replied carefully. "Thank you."

Sango nodded with a warm smile before she started to carefully check the wound in Kagome's side. Or rather, where a wound had been.

Glancing down in curiosity, Kagome was relieved to find the injury was healed, only a pale starburst mark the only sign she'd ever been hurt. Truly, it was as if the attack had only been a bad dream.

"Sister!"

The happy cry had Kagome jumping in alarm as she saw Ginta's form suddenly pull her into a hard hug, knocking the breath from her.

"I'm so glad you're awake," the hunter cheered with glee as he shot Kagome a warm grin. "We'd all been so worried about you. Koga had been losing his mind wondering what to do. And, the tribe has been nearly sick worrying."

Kagome struggled to follow Ginta's hurried words but forcing her lungs to fill with air about his tight grip was requiring all her concentration.

Koga had been what?

"Let her go, you fool," Sango snapped. "She needs to breathe."

As if sensing her struggle, the hunter quickly released Kagome, allowing her to fill her lungs with the sweet bite of air.

"Sorry, sister," Ginta replied softly. "It's just good to see you awake."

Kagome nodded as she tried to clear her foggy head. How long had she been out?

"It's alright, Ginta," she reassured. "I'm glad to be awake too."

Ginta nodded, obviously pleased as he suddenly took a step away from her, head bowed in submissive respect. The action had Kagome's brow furrowing in confusion.

Why was Ginta acting like that?

However, before she could ask, a broad form suddenly appeared in the cave entrance. Looking towards the opening, Kagome felt her breath hitch in her throat.

Koga stood in the mouth of the cave, eyes sharp and wide, as if taking in every detail before him with a warm scrutiny that had Kagome almost blushing.

Why did he have to look at her like that? There was no way it could be considered decent or proper.

"Kagome," he breathed with a reverence that had Kagome's mouth growing dry before he rushed into the room only to kneel beside her bed and clasp her hand between his own.

Kagome blinked in shock at the gesture. Why would he be doing this?

Ookami were physical in that they required touch of some sort. It combined scent and brought them closer together. But, they were exactly affectionate yokai. To see Koga like this was disorienting.

"I've been worried," he informed with a warm smile that turned his eyes the color of an autumn sky. "But, I'm glad you're awake."

Kagome found herself so stunned, she couldn't bring herself to speak. Instead she merely nodded, wide eyes glancing towards Sango, who was keeping her own gaze locked firmly on the smooth stone floor. There was no help there.

"Leave," Koga commanded, right before Sango and Ginta quickly left the room.

Kagome was about to call her friend back but Sango threw back a warning look before she left, stilling the priestess' tongue as she forced her hand to stop trembling in Koga's gentle hold.

Why was he still doing that?

Once the cave was cleared, Koga's bright eyes locked on Kagome's once again, causing her flush to grow warmer.

"You ran from me," he stated as if he was explaining the sun rising.

All at once, Kagome remembered the events that led up to the nightmare of a war she'd witnessed with the Birds of Paradise and fear gripped her heart like a vice, tightening the breath in her as she forced her throat not to constrict all-together.

Was he waiting to kill her? Had he taken back his claim to protect her as his woman?

"I don't blame you," Koga continued, squeezing her hand in comfort and causing Kagome to freeze.

Blink, blink. What?

"I made a mistake," he stated calmly. "I was wrong."

Hope bloomed in Kagome's chest like a flower. Was he saying what she thought he was?

"We were at war and I wasn't thinking clearly."

Kagome breathed a sigh of relief as she slumped in Koga's hold.

Thank the Kami. He'd seen sense.

"It's alright," Kagome reassured gently.

Koga just shook his head.

"I frightened you," he replied. "There's no excuse for that."

"You panicked," Kagome countered. "It happens. No-one will blame you. Or, look down on you for it. I don't."

Lips lifting in a gentle smile, Kagome felt the urge to comfort the young Alpha. He was eager and a little foolish but that was no reason to treat him harshly. She also had to admit, he was quite handsome. He wouldn't have any trouble with finding a mate.

"It doesn't matter," Koga informed with a definitive nod. "I will make this right. My woman deserves no less."

"Really, it's no trou—huh?"

Kagome blinked rapidly as she struggled to follow their line of conversation. His woman, what?

"I'm sorry, what?" she asked, hoping she'd greatly misheard him.

Koga immediately stood, hands releasing her own and falling proudly on his hips in that look of absolute confidence.

"I've decided my mate will have what is her due," he announced with a proud smile. "You will be courted like the Alpha female you are."

Kagome felt words fail her as she tried to force them up her throat. He decided what?

"I'll admit, I bungled my claiming of you," the Alpha continued without hesitation. "It's a mistake I don't plan on repeating. So, I will show you what it means to be an Alpha's woman."

Kagome squeaked as she took a breath.

"You don't have to," she tried to defend.

"I will," Koga replied proudly. "I want to."

She just bet he did. Releasing a fortifying breath, Kagome tried to settle her rattled thoughts. Apparently, the ookami was still being stubborn.

"Koga-sama," she replied, trying to talk some since into him.

"Koga," he corrected, eyes locked intently on Kagome and causing a warm awareness to creep up her.

Kagome immediately shook her head. What was wrong with her?

"Koga-sama," she repeated. "There is no need for you to feel like you have to hold to this. You stated a claim and I ran from you. Even I, a human who has lived with ookami for some time, know what that means to your people. I ran from your claim. You don't have to keep it."

She expected the Alpha to argue, to grow defensive or angry; maybe even be insulted by her reminding him of the embarrassment that rash act had to have caused him. There was certainly no way his men would look passed it. Instead, he merely gave her a warm smile that had her hands fidgeting on top of the furs that made her bed.

It took Koga barely a moment before he was crouched beside her bed again, calloused palm cupping her cheek in a tender gesture that had Kagome's breath stilling in her breast. It couldn't be good that her heart was suddenly beating so fast.

It wasn't till she focused on his face, did Kagome notice the slight flickering flecks of silver in the cerulean depths of his eyes. A detail that had her nearly mesmerized as she found herself fascinated with the detail. How many actually knew that about the Alpha? How many had be let close enough to notice?

Warm breath brushed across Kagome's cheek, causing her to close her eyes as she felt herself stiffen in preparation and relax all at once. How was that possible?

"I will prove you are safe with me," Koga whispered low against her ear, his gruff tone teasing against her skin. "And, you will see that I can be everything to you that you are to me."

So shocked by the promise, Kagome didn't even notice the slight puff of air ruffling her hair before she opened her eyes and found herself once again alone in the cave that made up her room.

Blinking to clear the heated fog from her head, the miko struggled to pull herself together.

What just happened?