Chapter 9: Enchanted

" I don't see why I have to leave if I'm coming back in a month!" Chi was not budging as the prince and king stood before her to take her home. Across the room the queen and miko laguhed at the scene. Two men who had fought many wars looked like they were about to lose a little battle with a seven year old pup.

"But you're not coming back, You're not of age yet." Kouga leaned down to explain things to the tiny princess, who didn't seem to understand that pups stayed back with a few couples who volunteered to stay back.

"That's where you're wrong. All lands must come and present must be the king, queen, and at least one other royalty, and as of now I'm the only royalty left!" She was right. Her mom had an older brother, but he had also died recently, and Komachi herself had no other siblings. "So, why can't I stay?"

"Ginta come here!" Kouga called to his best friend knowing Hakkaku was still on watch duty. "You and the other knuckle head go West and tell them Chi is refusing to go if they want her before the Lunar night they will have to force her back." Ginta nodded and went to get his comrad to complete the task. "You have at least two more days Chi, but you're going to have to go back at some point."

"Why can't I stay with you and Gome! Do you guys not want me!" The little girl took off crying and exactly what he was afraid of happened... she had gotten attached. Komachi found her way into the forest and began pouting not knowing there was a fox watching her.

"You know they love you like their own right?" He stepped out of the shadowy forest and the pup looked up at the matured fox. "Just six years ago I was like you. Lost without a family and Kagome found me. I was smaller than you even, as a kit I could sit on Kagome's shoulder only after reaching age did I grow this way, but you arent alone. You have all of us, even me." The fox smiled down at the sad girl who wiped her tears away.

"Will you stay with me I just want to pout out here for the night." Shippo smiled at the girl and nodded as they were taken by conversation.

"What if she gets hurt and is alone!" Kagome yelled wanting to go after Komachi, but Yumi stopped her.

"You didn't see the fox? He was already hot on her tail. He's wise enough let him deal with the pup. Now you were telling me about what happened last night." Kagome blushed she had been telling Yumi about the kiss before the scene. "So you guys kissed how was it?" Kagome just smiled and looked at her lap making Yumi smile at the miko.

"What do you think the North and South will say seeing me at the Lunar night?"

"Oh Kagome I didn't think about our rude brothers and sisters." Yumi thought and then got an idea. "You're hair is nice and thick, if we place it right nobody will be able to tell. Gru didn't even realize at first, this way it's not to much of a scene" Kagome nodded understanding the need to blend in around the packs that didn't accept her.

…...

"Won't you need to find other foxes to be able to mate?" Komachi and Shippo had been talking in the forest for hours now.

"I don't know I don't think you have to stick with the sane people over and over again. Like Kouga and Kagome you fall in love with who you fall in love with." The kitsune smiled at the wolf. He saw the twinkle in her eye and it made his smile grow.

"Does age matter?"

"I- um-" He knew it didn't, but he didn't want her coming on to him until she was at least of age. 10 years was nothing in demon years, but pups could not court.

"You know royal pups come of age around ten?" He actually hadn't it was usually 12 or 13, but he smiled at the girl anyhow.

"Well then when you're of age we'll talk."

"You'll wait for me?" Shippo didn't know what to say. He didn't want to give her false hope like Kouga had to Ayame, but he could feel his bond to her, there was something more than care, he felt enchanted, so he nodded. Shippo let his three tails wrap around Komachi as she fell asleep against him.

…...

"Kagome I'm sorry about last night my wolf came out." Kouga spoke up as the two danced around the subject getting ready for bed.

"I'm sorry I went with it." Kagome looked down disappointed and Kouga noticed that she thought he didn't want to do it at all.

"Oh, but trust me I enjoyed every second of it." He walked to her his clawed hand finding her waist and looking her straight in the eye. "And if you said so I'd do it all again."

"So." It was the lightest whisper almost not even said, but Kouga's ears caught it, and his eyes saw hers brighten and his nose smelt it. 'Arousal. From me? Oh Kagome.' He lowered his lips to hers soft at first, but soon strong and passionate. They made their way to the furs. With his armor already off he wanted her to match and grabbed the hen of her fur top. It was then that they stopped. "Kouga I'm not-"

"It's okay love we should stop anyhow, or I might not be able to." He gave her a light smile and it made her smile. He didn't push her, having her next to him at night and kissing her before going into the blissful dreams that was enough for him. He wrapped her in his arms and pulled her to his chest.

"Thank you love." 'did she just say...Love?'