Part 10
InuYasha stirred on the cold cave floor. The fire from before was smoldering ash now, its dark cinders staining the floor along a tiny river of water. He watched it bleed from their den before realizing what it meant.
"Shit! It's raining!"
The dog demon was up in an instant and making enough noise to wake the dead. Sango roused next, then Miroku and Shippou, and all three followed the echoed curses that trailed through the caverns to the one of many entrances. InuYasha stood beyond in the pouring rain, every obscenity he knew being shouted at the sky, then at his friends, and then back up into the unrelenting clouds.
Sango felt her heart sink now. Their trail would be erased in the rain but more disappointing was that the trail Kouga had left, be it fake or not, was also gone. There would be no way to find Kagome now, unless they got lucky.
"Shit, shit, shit…" and on it went as InuYasha began to get his anger under control. Last night he'd circled the area several times over looking for another trail and none was to be found. Or, if it had been it wasn't now.
Kagome was as good as lost.
Miroku's eyes had never left InuYasha. When silence finally returned to the half-youkai he sighed once then began turning back into the caves. "Best get packed and head out."
"Oh yeah, monk? And just where exactly do you suggest we go?" InuYasha's snide remark didn't bring him up short but the near growl in the hanyou's voice did. Spinning around, Miroku fully expected to see a full demon ready to pounce on him. InuYasha's amber eyes still shown back through the rain though, and even despite the anger evident in them, Miroku was relieved.
"Last night Sango brought up that we probably passed them. I think we should head back down stream and look."
"Look?!?" He raised his arms dramatically, the water running in rivets along bare forearms. "Do you plan to look at mud puddles or ask the fucking fish for directions? HUH, priest?!? It's all gone now! The trails, the scents, EVERYTHING!! What the fuck do you plan to 'look' at?!?"
InuYasha was near shouting, not only to be heard over the increasing storm but also in his rage. He could feel his demon blood heating, driving him close to madness, and the Tetsusaiga at his hip pulsing in response. He had to keep him mind clear and focused. Maybe Miroku was on to something or maybe they would wade through the muck until the rains ended and never find anything, but either way he needed to be thinking clearly, like a hanyou and not a demon. For Kagome's sake at least.
Miroku had already disappeared into the caves, leaving a defeated looking Sango and weeping Shippou gazing into the rain. The picture they made, all hope lost and on the verge of giving up, snapped InuYasha from his own state of anger and brought him to their side.
"Come on," he said none too kindly but at the same time gently taking Shippou from the demon huntress. Saying nothing more he moved back into the caves too, holding the distraught kitsune in a comforting way; letting the cub cry for them both.
Sango hesitated a moment, the kindness of InuYasha's actions wasted on her for the moment. She continued to search the rain and nearby forest with her eyes. They were blind now. No trails, no scents, no idea really where Kagome could be, only that the task of finding her had become doubly difficult. Their luck had run out it seemed.
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His luck couldn't be better.
Kouga smiled openly at the rain dripping for the many air holes in the ceiling of his den. Behind him, cuddled between his back and the wall, Kagome continued to sleep. Her even breathes as calming to the wolf youkai's nerves as the steady patter of water on stone. He sighed once, peacefully, then rose and began preparing a fire. It was a risk he could take now since the rain would dull InuYasha's pursuit.
The warmth on her face was what woke Kagome. Blinking a few times, her memory cleared slowly and for a moment, she was struck with panic at the unfamiliar surroundings. Kouga's profile as he tended the infant flames of a pit fire brought her back to the present.
"Good morning," she whispered and sat up carefully.
The wound on her hip was still horribly painful and now to add to that was the way her muscles where stiff and her head hurt. She couldn't blame Kouga for any of it, the pallet they'd slept on was made of a soft animal pelt stitched into a futon and stuffed with feathers and hay. He'd covered them both with blankets and furs, which looked like they'd seen better days, but was comfortable nonetheless.
Kouga smiled at her in response then moved over to their supplies, digging through them for something to eat. A bag of oats, some dried fruit, and jerked meat were the only suitable items.
"Hungry?"
"Sure," she tried to smile at him but couldn't quite make it real. He didn't seem to notice though, and came to sit with her on the pallet again.
"We'll rest today, until the rain stops, then I'll show you around the caves. So you know where you are and don't feel trapped." Her silent nod for a response worried him. She was always so much more animated before, happier it seemed, and wonderfully unpredictable. "I'm sorry for leaving you for so long last night." He cupped her cheek and lifted her eyes to meet his. "It won't happen again, I promise."
Kagome smiled for real then, the safety his words gave her reflected in her eyes while visibly relaxing her body. She hadn't realized how tense she was until then. They were still touching too and she felt comfortable with him, not like with InuYasha at times. It seemed that with the dog demon, no matter how nice she was to him he always had some snide, cutting remark for her. There were so few moments in their past when InuYasha had ever shown her kindness. Well, if one dismissed the fact that he'd been protecting her since the first day they'd met, and that he'd split more blood for her than she had ever thought possible, and he'd always seemed to watch over her. If one dismissed all that…
"Don't think of him, Kagome," Kouga's voice interrupted her thoughts. She focused on his face, the teal blue color of his eyes that was so different from another amber pair. "He's not going to hurt you again, I won't let him, but please try to forget all those horrible things. I can't stand it knowing he's still in your head."
He stroked a hand over her hair, tucking it behind her ear as he did so. He was right, she told herself. She had to forget InuYasha as best she could, Kouga was the reason she was even alive right now and that was what should matter most. No matter what InuYasha had done in the past, he'd left her in the end. He'd chosen Kikyou, saved the undead miko from death, even knowing Kagome would meet the same end.
"You're right," she said, tears forming along the rims of her eyes. "I shouldn't think of him, but… but… I can't s-stop it right now…" She was crying again, Kagome could feel the tears trailing down her cheeks, but it hurt inside so much that she didn't even really notice the tears.
Kouga's own heart was twisting so uncomfortably in his chest, the guilt almost wrenching the truth from him. He had caused this, his miko love's distress and pain was his fault. And so healing her was now his responsibility.
The wolf youkai took her hand and without warning pulled Kagome close. She brought her face up to look at him, confusion clear even through the tears and anguish. What? But he didn't give her a chance to voice that and covered her mouth gently.
Kagome tensed at first, almost as though to fight him, but he pulled back first. He'd kissed her, kind of, but really he'd only touched his lips to hers. A real kiss would have had two participants, not one, but she was no longer looking like her life was about to end. Quite the opposite in fact.
"You… we… I've…" she touched her mouth carefully, as though to make sure it was still there.
Kouga leaned close to her again, his nose whispering over her cheek as he held her to him. Kagome rested her head on his shoulder, still stunned over what had just happened. "I've never been kissed before," she said at length, the tone in her voice one of amazement. It was like she'd just realized what had happened, what he'd done, and where she was right then.
"Humm," Kouga breathed in the scent of her hair, remembering the previous night when she'd hugged him so fiercely after he'd returned. He'd been filled with the same peaceful emotion then as he was now.
"Kouga?"
He was reluctant to let her go, but Kagome sat up and faced him fully. Her eyes were a little clearer, and he began preparing himself for whatever she may ask. He would tell the truth always.
"Will, umm, that is…" she was beginning to blush and the sight of it relaxed him from the inside out.
"What is it, love?"
"Will you kiss me again?"
She'd asked him all in one breath, afraid her courage would expire first and then she'd look like a fool. But Kouga only smiled and leaned close again. "Yes, but then the next time you kiss me." Her wide eyes riveted onto his, recognized the teasing twinkle in them, and softened.
"I'll do that," she said on her last breath before she touched him.
Even though they'd traveled the entire previous day, had little to drink and next to nothing to eat, his lips were warm and soft. She enjoyed the way his expressions came though along the tension and slack of his mouth, a sort of silent communication to her about what he was feeling, what he wanted. But it seemed limited, as though he was holding himself back and waiting. When she realized this, she wondered how to tell him she wanted to know too, and then she knew it was her move. He was new to this too, or maybe he didn't want to rush her, but whatever it was Kagome found she would rather know more than less. It was only her second kiss ever but who said it couldn't be really good?
As Kagome's eyes closed, he felt her give him a little more, and it was almost as good as verbal permission to take her deeper. Kouga shifted the angle of his mouth only slightly but was able to draw her lower lip into his mouth, using his tongue to glide over the sweet piece of her flesh for a moment, and eliciting a slight gasp from her before she drew back slightly.
She was looking at him from under hooded lids, the appearance very sultry and seductive. Kouga wondered if she meant to look at him in a way that made his blood boil in his veins, his heart pound all the way to the tip of his ears.
"Shouldn't have done that," he said in a raspy voice. She blushed slightly, her gaze faltering, thinking he meant the way he'd kissed her. "Now you'll have to kiss me…" The humorous lilt of his voice surprised Kagome and she looked directly at him again. That little twinkle was in his eye again, something she was coming to find great affection for. It would be easier to forget certain other canine youkai with such a witty and entertaining person around her. The fact that she was beginning to warm towards him only made it all that much more exciting.
Kagome smiled brilliantly, her amusement at his antics giving her more courage than she'd ever displayed around InuYasha. "Sure thing then," she replied ready to try her luck with Kouga at a third kiss.
"Grrrrr, bloop bloop"
She blushed from head to toe, he barked a single laugh, and her stomach protested again to its current state of emptiness.
"Sorry, I guess… I mean… I, uhhh…"
"It's okay, love. I'm hungry too," he smiled then hugged her tightly. Standing, Kouga helped her up and the moved over closer to the fire. He prepared some of the oats, dropping pieces of various dried fruits into the thick mixture, then spooning generous portions into clay bowls that he'd brought from the tribe. There were dishes and utensils in the dens but he'd yet to go find and clean any.
"Here you go, love. That should put your fierce sounding appetite to rest." She hadn't stopped blushing really, which he found too cute, but after taking a bite of her breakfast, Kagome relaxed and savored the warmth and flavor that his meager offerings had to give.
"Thank you, Kouga." It was actually really, really good.
He smiled; happy that she was finally doing better, Kouga swallowed the food in his mouth before speaking. "You're welcome. Once you're ready we'll explore the caves. There are many dens here and I don't want you to become lost in them." He held a cup under one of the still dripping air holes then offered it to her. "Once it stops raining I will show you how to get out too… so you don't feel like you're my prisoner."
The last part shocked her. "Am I your prisoner?"
Kouga shook his head slightly, but his eyes were intense when he looked at her. "No, but I have chosen you for my mate. You need to know that straight up and to know that I will protect what's mine to the death, understand?" She nodded, a little horrified at the possessiveness in him, but somewhat used to if from InuYasha.
"You won't… force me… that is…"
Now it was his turn to be horrified. "Never! Kagome, I would never force myself on you. I want your human emotion called 'love'. I want it more than anything, but from you only and freely." He moved closer to her next to the fire, his body heat replacing the warmth provided by the flames when he wrapped her in his arms yet again.
"I would that you trust me and let me be with you, not just physically, but in your heart too." She turned into his embrace and buried her face in the familiar curve of his neck. He responded by holding her tighter, wanting to transfer all the strength he had to her, to help his mate make this decision.
After a little while, Kagome looked up at him and smiled. She was the luckiest girl ever to have him, to have been rescued by him, and now to know that he wanted her to love him. He would freely accept that love were she to give it, unlike anything InuYasha had ever indicated to her.
"Show me the dens, Kouga. I need to know my new home, inside and out."
He smiled down on her then kissed her softly. When he drew back she had a strange and confused look on her face. "What it is?"
"I thought it was my turn to kiss you…"
His bark echoed through the caverns followed by the harmonic tune of her laughter. The two finished their meals, chatting the entire time, and then slowly began the tour of Kouga's childhood home. He showed her everything; the various pup dens and storage caves, the two mineral pools that were heated ever so slightly from the ground beneath them, and the maze of passages that all lead in one way or another to the entrance behind the waterfall. He also showed her the air and light holes, which caverns were best to hide in, and which were his favorite.
Their entire day was filled with laughter and a strange joy that lived despite the throbbing ache of their wounds or the twisting guilt each felt regarding InuYasha. Kagome found herself a number of times through the day in Kouga's arms, either kissing the wolf youkai or being carried along their tour.
It was early evening when they came back to the master's den and began settling for the night. There were no plans to seal her position as his mate, she didn't feel ready for that, and Kouga respected that, as he had that day maybe two months ago. She'd told him then she was too young to have pups, and to him that meant she didn't feel ready to be with him in the ways mates were together.
It was fine; she was here and didn't seem to want to leave. Kouga would just have to hide her from InuYasha until he could gain her love and then, once they were mated and maybe had pups on the way, he would relax. It would be then he'd tell Kagome what had happened with Naraku and he would pray she'd forgive him. It was just a matter of time now, but the rains that had soaked the land all day long would aide his cause.
Again, he had to stop and marvel at his incredible luck.
InuYasha and all the characters therein are the property of Rumiko Takahashi.