Chapter Nine, There and Back Again
They spent the next forty eight hours exploring the town during the day, and pleasing each other at night. Aurelia's reluctance to forfeit her virginity was maddening, but Kouga wouldn't push the matter. He was falling hard for this girl, and fell deeper in love with her by the minute. Aurelia honestly felt the same; if she hadn't promised herself she'd wait to find the man she'd spend forever with and marry him first, she would have torn through anything in her way to have her way with the man currently sharing her bed. Sure, she had only met him a matter of days ago, but she felt something with him that she never once experienced with Nick, trust. She had always been wary of his intentions from the beginning. Her longing for acceptance had overshadowed her ability to make logical decisions with her relationship, causing her to distance herself not only from her family and friends mentally, but physically. She followed him, never fully trusting him, across the ocean where her family couldn't protect her. Although, she smiled, knowing that if she hadn't been so irrational, she would never have met Kouga.
Looking across the dinner table, she admired his features in the warm flicker of the candle light. After shopping the second day, he had almost an entire wardrobe for when they decided to come back through the well to visit her time. She loved the way the crisp collar of his black button up looked against his tanned skin. With his jacket hanging on the back of the restaurant chair, she could admire the toned muscles of his arms and chiseled shape of his chest. Uncomfortable with the cuffs of the sleeves, he opted for rolling them up his forearm, unable to roll any further than his elbow. Aurelia loved the way men looked with rolled sleeves; especially when it came to Kouga. She didn't look half bad herself. He eyed the way her sun-kissed skin almost glowed in the candle light; her bare arms and shoulders inviting to be touched. The royal blue fitted halter dress stopped just long enough to cover her perky behind, the back outrageously open, baring the entirety of her tattooed back, with slender silver chains draping loosely across the open space. She had even invested in a pair of silver thigh high open toe strappy stilettos. She felt as if she may have overdone it, even going so far as to do full hair and makeup.
Kouga didn't care much for the makeup; he preferred her natural features, from her long, thick eyelashes to her adorable freckles, that at the moment he couldn't see under the face paint. Her complexion was smooth and even anyhow, her lips always perfectly soft to the touch. He couldn't wait until morning, when they would return to the shrine to say goodbye before returning to the feudal era. Deciding now was as good a time as ever, he reached across the table, and placed Aurelia's delicate hands in his. "Aurelia, would you do me the honor of coming to stay with my pack at the den when we return tomorrow?" he asked, eyes filled with hope. Aurelia paused, and thought for a moment, before responding. "Are you sure? We haven't known each other for very long, and moving in together is a pretty big step to take."
Kouga smiled, pulled himself to her side of the table, and pressed his lips to hers. "I'm more certain about this than I've ever been about anything in my life. I want you to be mine Aurelia, and if that's to happen, you at least need to meet the rest of my pack. I'll wait for you no matter how long it takes; I have all the time in the world." Stroking her face gently with one hand, he cupped her chin, and brought his face to hers, their lips meeting in a tender embrace. Pulling away for air, he looked into her eyes with a tender affection she had never known. "I'll do it. I'll come back to the den with you and meet the others. Hell, I might even stay. Just please keep in mind that nothing super serious is going to happen for a while. I promised myself I'd save that experience until I know I've found the one. Nick tried to push it; I just hope you don't follow in his footsteps."
Hearing that rat bastard's name made Kouga's blood boil; he didn't deserve to have his name pass those perfectly kissable lips. He wasn't worth the breath it took to utter his name. After hearing what he'd done to her, he wanted to tear his throat out then and there and watch him gasp for air like a fish out of water, choking on his own blood as he grasped at the sky, begging for release from life. Seeing the fire burning behind his icy blue eyes, Aurelia held his hand in hers, and leaned into him, placing her forehead against his shoulder in comfort. Looking up tenderly at the troubled wolf, he snapped out of his murderous trance and melted at the sight of the kindness in Aurelia's eyes.
"Sorry, I just lost myself in thought for a moment." He apologized, wrapping his arm comfortingly around her slender shoulders. "It's ok, I get lost in thought thinking about how I'd kill him too sometimes." Kouga looked at her, surprised. "I know that face. It's the same one I make when I'm feeling particularly vengeful. He isn't worth your time; he isn't worth anyone's time for that matter." Quietly leaning into each other for a few minutes, they paid for their meal and returned to the suite.
Plopping onto the bed, Aurelia held out a foot, signaling Kouga to help her remove the shoe. Unzipping the back of the boot, he pulled the boot down her leg and rubbed her foot, doing the same to its equally sore twin. Letting her feet fall limply onto the bed, Kouga pulled his own shirt, shoes, and socks off, and hopped into bed alongside her. "And you're sure you want me to stay with you?" She asked; lying on her back with her knees pulled up to her chest, absentmindedly watching her glittery blue toes wiggling in the air.
Feeling squirrelly, Kouga crawled over to Aurelia's feet, grabbing the wiggling appendages by the ankle. "Of course I do, I wouldn't have asked otherwise." He started, absentmindedly waving her legs in the air above her. "Aurelia, this will be my one hundred and ninety eighth winter, and I need to start seriously thinking about the future of my tribe. I'm not as fresh faced of bachelor as I once was. And if I have to pick any woman in the entire world, past or present, it's going to be you, hands down. You're smart, beautiful, funny, strong, and willful. You're everything I've ever wanted in a mate."
"I swear on my tribe's well-being that there IS youkai in your blood," he further added, "I just can't for the life of me figure out what kind or just how much. So no one can say I'm mating some meek little human. You said you still have some family in this time, right?" He questioned.
She nodded, "Yeah I do, why do you ask?" "Well," he started nervously, "How about next time we pop over to this side we visit them? I'd love to meet them."
Aurelia scoffed, wiggling her captive toes at his face, "So would I. I mean, I know my mom, my uncle, and my cousin, but my dad's family is a mystery to me. I suppose we could catch a ride to Alaska next time we're here. Might be a little tricky though; I suppose we'd have to get papers on you next time were here too. Try to remind me ok?" He nodded, not really knowing what she meant other than she was agreeing to return together and travel the next time they came this way.
She put her feet against his shoulders as he stood on his knees against her bottom. She pressed her legs downwards, attempting to push him back. Kouga, deciding to be frisky, firmly grasped her ankles and proceeded to playfully hump her legs, thrusting his clothed lower body against her thighs and ass while groaning ridiculously. Aurelia yelped in response, laughing and flailing her legs wildly in an attempt to get away. Easily moving both ankles to one shoulder, he firmly gripped her legs with his newly available hand and thrust harder, causing Aurelia to squeal and laugh even louder as she attempted to squirm from his iron grip. This was how it always seemed to start for the past three days. They would talk for a while; one of them would touch the other in some sort of playful manner, be it rubbing cold feet on the other person while curled up watching a movie, or poking one another in an attempt to tickle the other into submission while fighting over the blankets. After they would wear each other down to the point of heavy breathing and laughter, they would begin feverishly kissing, while hands wandered over warm, glistening skin, until someone eventually ended up groping or rubbing something.
The nightly activities were wearing down on Aurelia's reserve; she had almost even given in to him. Though he didn't have to go completely without, Kouga remained patient, knowing soon enough she would give in and become his in every way possible. She wanted him, bad. God, she wanted him. She just wanted to be sure. She was beginning to understand Kouga on a level so much deeper than she ever knew Nicholas. Never in the two years she had been with him did she feel so connected. Things came so easy with Kouga; she could talk to him without worrying; he never once interrupted her or acted irritated about it, even when she rambled. He listened so intently; as if he was soaking up every syllable of information, as if he were studying for the most important test of his life.
She felt so important, so appreciated. She felt so free around him, so relaxed, so loved. It was no wonder she was giving in so quickly to her body's wishes; he was perfect for her in every way imaginable. Handsome, fit, funny, perverted, a little twisted, and yet still sweet enough to take home to mom…. At least, if her mother weren't a black tar heroin addict.
All that remained on her checklist was meeting his pack. If she liked them and they liked her she could very well stay with him at the den he spoke of so fondly. She wasn't one hundred percent sure about living in a cave system in the mountains, but was more than willing to at least try it. She had so many things to consider; and such little time to think.
None of these things however, were on her mind; as her focus was on the handsome wolf youkai burying his face between her legs.
Ever thankful for getting laser hair removal when she did, she laid back and enjoyed the feel of his warm, wet tongue against her smooth skin as she had been for the last few days. Not knowing when they would do anything again, she savored every kiss, every embrace as if it were their last; uncertain of how much privacy his home would allow them. Though he claimed to be even less experienced than she was in the bedroom, he was learning fast. Gripping a handful of his silky locks, she moaned his name and felt her body give in to the blissful oblivion that was Kouga.
After they were both satisfied, they laid comfortably in each other's arms, neither able to fall asleep, both far too excited about the return trip in the morning. "So," Aurelia started, breaking the silence after a few minutes, "Do you really think they'll like me? Your pack, I mean." Planting a tender kiss on her forehead, he breathed an easy, reassuring "Of course they will" and buried his face in her curly, cocoa streaked, snowy blonde tresses. As he felt her breathing slow and heartbeat steady, he knew she had finally gone to sleep. As he closed his eyes and nuzzled further into her hair, he murmured "They'll love you, just like I do" and drifted to sleep.
As the sun rose the next morning, the sleeping pair awakened. Tangled up in a mess of arms and legs, Kouga and Aurelia carefully slid off of each other and began the arduous process of re-dressing themselves. After meticulously re-packing the duffle bags full of clothes, Aurelia held her hand out, "So, are you ready for this?" she asked simply. Kouga smiled, dropped the bags onto the trolley, and took her hand. "More than you know." He responded, kissing the offered hand as they traveled downstairs and checked out.
Driving up to the shrine, Aurelia's stomach was in an anxious knot. Kouga, sensing her nervousness, placed his hand over hers and calmly stoked it with his thumb, reassuring her of his decision. "It'll be fine," he said, "There's no need to get so worked up, you might as well be part of the pack as far as I'm concerned. I mean, you might have some jealous females to contend with, but other than that it'll be okay. You're being courted by their Alpha, so even if they don't like it, they can get over it and kiss my ass. I'm not letting some closed minded knuckleheads get in the way of our happiness." She stifled a laugh and managed to relax enough by the time they pulled into the Higurashi's driveway.
"Hey!" Kagome eagerly called from the front door, "Did you guys have fun?" She asked, bounding up to the shiny black vehicle. "Yeah," Aurelia started as she opened her door and stepped out. "Tons of fun; even did a little shopping for Kouga while we were out." She finished, motioning over at the wolf climbing out of the passenger seat. Kagome's jaw was on the floor; the sight of Kouga's well-toned torso under the soft, close fitting black V-neck t-shirt he was wearing, coupled with the ass hugging gray tone jeans (tail hole kindly tailored in) was almost too much for her.
"Wow," she commented, looking over him, "You even got him to wear shoes!" She squatted down, and picked up the ankle of his jeans to reveal a pair of black 5.11 brand combat boots, complete with inseam zipper for easier removal. Laughing at the thorough eyeballing he was getting, he helped Kagome up. "Yeah, they aren't too bad. I'm still getting used to the weird ankle support in them. Not quite the same as feeling the grass beneath my feet but I'll get used to it eventually." He chuckled. Kagome shot Aurelia a knowing smile before wrapping her pale arm around Aurelia's tanned one, and strolled away to talk. Waving her hand at Kouga, she signaled it was okay to go inside without them. "So," Kagome began, "Spill. What happened between you two? I know that look in his eyes when I see it." Laughing nervously at the question, she responded, a distant look in her eyes as she continued walking. "Nothing too serious, I promise. I agreed to go meet the rest of his pack and we'll take it from there. I call it dating, he calls it courting. It'll be kind of a trial move-in to see if the pack can accept me into the fold."
Thinking for a moment, she turned towards Kagome. "If I remember correctly, didn't you say you've met them all? What are they like?" She asked anxiously. Kagome reassuringly patted her hand as they continued to wander the grounds. "They're a good bunch of people. I only ever really got to know his two right hand men though, Ginta and Hakkaku. They're sweet, almost like blood brothers to Kouga. If you can win them over, the rest will be smooth sailing. It shouldn't be too hard though, since they're fine with just about anything that makes Kouga happy. You'll fit in with them a lot better than I ever would have, I'm at least certain of that much."
Letting her shoulders slacken for a moment, Aurelia sighed, at least partially relieved. "I sure hope so. I really like him Kagome. Things are just so…easy with him. You know what I mean? I don't want to mess this up. Speaking of messing things up, you'll never believe what happened when we left here the other night…" As Kagome eagerly listened to Aurelia's recollection of the past few days, minus the juicy tidbits about their extracurricular activities, she laughed. Her favorite part was the strip club fight with Aurelia's ex. She could only imagine the look on the poor guy's face as Kouga's fist connected with his jaw. Watching the emotions of the last few days play across her face as she relayed the story, Kagome smiled, knowing that Aurelia was falling harder than she dared let on.
As they walked back towards the house, smiling and talking about their respective men, they were met at the door with the sound of them arguing. Eavesdropping for a moment, they picked up enough to figure out that InuYasha and Souta were grilling Kouga for details about their weekend together. "No!" they heard Kouga angrily shout, "What happened between us is none of your business! If you wanna know so bad, go ask her yourself!" he barked as he headed for the front door, much in need of some fresh air. As he swung the door open, Aurelia awkwardly smiled at him, knowing they were busted. "Hey sweetheart, we were just on our way in…" she started, embarrassment creeping across her face. "Would you go get ahold of your mate?" he growled at Kagome, walking past the two, huffing as he cleared the stoop.
Trailing behind her beloved Kouga, Aurelia followed him as he plopped onto the ground next to the sacred tree, inhaling deeply as he threw his head back against the bark. Even with his irritated expression burning through his closed eyelids, he was beautiful. Aurelia settled next to him, drawing her knees to her chest as she leaned her head onto his shoulder. Feeling him relax against her touch, she turned her head, planting a tender kiss on his shoulder. He smiled softly, leaning to plant a tender kiss of his own on the top of her head. Sitting quietly for a moment, Aurelia broke the silence. "Wanna get out of here?" She asked, lacing her thin but toned arm around his tan, muscular one. "Yeah, let's go ahead and get ready to go. I need to get out of these pants." He said, shifting uncomfortably. Giggling inappropriately, she nodded her head. "I suppose I could wear that pretty kimono I bought yesterday back to the den. It would make better sense than meeting your pack in this." She added.
Thinking for a moment, he disagreed. "Nah, I think you look just fine like this. We'll work on getting you a set of pelts like mine when we get back to the den. For now though, they should see you in what makes you comfortable. We can save that kimono for a special occasion."
Looking down at herself, she worried if the weather on the other side might not be as welcoming for her navy blue jean daisy duke cutoff clad legs and white spaghetti strap crop top. Winter in Tokyo hadn't quite reached its coldest yet, the city's buildings protecting them from most of the wind. Edo, however, she was unsure of.
Standing up, she led Kouga back to the car, to retrieve his armor and furs from the trunk, and a pale gold and black striped cardigan to cover her arms. She opted to keep her black velvety boots and thigh high tights on, unsure of the weather for the trip ahead of them. "Should I just leave my bags here or what?" She asked him as he gathered up his favored armor and pelts. "It's up to you. We'll have to find a way to carry them all over to the den. Maybe Sango will lend us her two-tail. If not, I suppose I can get a couple of my guys to make a trip back to Kaede's for them."
Aurelia thought for a moment. The bags weren't very heavy to be honest, but they were particularly cumbersome. "Or I could just load them all up on my shoulders. They aren't too bad on weight, they're just bulky." She suggested. "I suppose we could do that. As long as I don't do a whole lot of jumping, we should be fine. Just try to keep them from flopping everywhere, okay?" He answered. "Sure thing" she replied
Lugging her bags into the well house, she stared into the musky darkness that was the Bone Eater's Well. Contemplating their fast arriving journey, Aurelia left her bags as she walked back towards the house, eager to get going as she went to say her goodbyes.
Walking through the door, she seated herself on the sofa next to Kagome and Souta, who were covered in giggling children. "When can we come back and see Nana and uncle Souta?" Ahri asked, crawling up the couch behind Souta's head. "Yeah, when can we come see them again?" Daisuke followed, sitting upside down between the two. "We'll come back soon for Christmas, or maybe they'll even come to see us." Kagome responded, plucking the little girl from the back of the sofa. "Hell yeah," Souta started. "I'd love to come see what it's like on the other side. Maybe even help InuYasha kill a demon or two while I'm at it!" he stated proudly. "Yeah, I don't know about that." His sister anxiously replied. "So are we all heading back together or are you guys going to hang around here for a while longer?" Aurelia asked. "I'm not really sure. Why, are you in a hurry to leave?" she questioned in return. "I just want to make it to the den before nightfall. Sounds like a hell of a journey to get there."
Kagome laughed, "Oh please, you'll be there within the hour if Kouga carries you. Even without his jewel shards he's quite impressive." "Why thank you Kagome." The wolf prince said smugly as he descended the stairs in his traditional furs and armor. Pulling his hair into its usual high ponytail, he smiled as he caught Aurelia eyeing his long, muscular legs. "Your face is going to get stuck like that if you keep staring, you know." He said, smiling confidently. "Are you ready to go?" he asked his intended as he straightened his attire. "Yeah, I was just waiting on you." She answered, looking at her feet. He offered her his hand, which she gladly took, pulling herself off the couch. "Well then," she started, "I suppose we're heading out now." She said as she walked towards the door, waving goodbye to everyone as they left.
Loading the various duffle bags onto their shoulders, they jumped into the well, Aurelia first; and reappeared five hundred years in the past.