The updates keep on coming this story is honestly getting better to me that is.
But again thank you all for the wonderful reviews and encouragement
CHAPTER 12
Kouga and Kagome's Cave
The midnight moon hung high in the dark sky lighting the small village below in its blue rays.
Wind swayed through the silent village its air still and eerie something Inuyasha did not like.
He sat in his usual spot high on a bare branch outside Keade's hut while the others rested inside.
Inuyasha had figured it be best to keep his distance from the others for now until Kagome returned when the others would keep there glares and whispers to themselves.
Inuyasha leaned his head against the massive trunk behind him preparing for the long night ahead.
He was not still for very long.
Slowly a faint wind blew bringing with it an omen scent a scent Inuyasha knew all to well.
Inuyasha leapt from the safety of the tree without hesitation before sprinting off into the direction the scent was coming from.
Inuyasha flew threw the village dust kicking up behind his heels from his intense speed.
Quickly he came face to face with the in ground stair case that lead to Kikyo's memorial.
He sprang up the steep steps taking four at a time before finally reaching the peak.
He leapt into the night air souring over the last step before landing before the intruder.
Inuyasha flexed his claws preparing to attack the man standing before him.
Slowly the pale formed turn his raven eyes peering over at the half demon mere feet away.
Inuyasha scanned the appearance of the man taking in his features.
His raven hair dangled by his shoulders his expressionless face like stone.
His chest was covered by armor silk wrapping strapped across his chest holding his steal shoulder pads in place.
Black silk pants hanging around his hips white shin guard of steal strapped to his caves.
He stood before what use to be Kikyo's grave marker then slowly he turned to face Inuyasha.
Inuyasha quickly grabbed hold of the base of the tetsusaiga preparing to draw the sword from its sheath.
"You! Are you an incarnation of Naraku! Of course you are your reek of his stench!" Inuyasha barked
Sucyomayru did not pay head to his question only looked to the moon above his dark eyes glowing from the ghostly rays.
"The priestess known as Kagome…Where can I locate her?"
He asked in a calm voice.
Inuyasha drew the tetsusaiga from its sheath at the sound of Kagome's name the blade morphing instantly to its massive fang like state.
"What do you want with Kagome?" He boomed
"That I'm afraid is none of your concern" Sucyomayru spoke turning his attention back down towards Inuyasha.
Inuyasha did not hesitate he clutched his massive sword tightly before he lunged at Sucyomayru.
Before Inuyasha had a chance to get near him he felt a large gust of wind fly past his head.
Sucyomayru watched as the cause was revealed an arrow shot past the both of them in an instant it stuck into the shrine wall right beside his head.
They both turned to see no other the Kaede her bow string still thumping from its release of the arrow.
Several villagers stood behind her torches and weapons ready to defend there village.
"Inuyasha are ye alright?" She asked placing another arrow between her fingers.
"Stay out of this Kaede!" Inuyasha ordered
"I have no desire to slaughter defenseless humans" Sucyomayru began "Our conversation will have to wait…know though I will return for the priestess"
Slowly Sucyomayru's body began to fade into the darkness of the night.
"Wait!" Inuyasha barked running towards the vanishing demon.
To late, Sucyomayru vanished from sight into the shadows.
"Inuyasha are ye wounded?" Kaede asked lowering her bow walking over to his side.
"No, He wasn't after me" Inuyasha hissed in aggravation
Kaede looked up at the seething half demon.
"He was after Kagome"
Kaede felt her aged eyes widen in surprise "Kagome? For what purpose?"
Inuyasha turned from her and the surrounding villagers preparing to return to the others.
"I don't know" He replied "But until I find out Kagome should stay in her time a bit longer"
Outside the wolf demon caves a drop of morning dew slowly rolled from its resting place on a cool leaf.
Inside the depths of the caves both wolf demons and Kagome slept soundly the sun still hours from rising leaving it early morning.
Kagome sleepily rolled around in the soft furs and silk, she had found herself to be very tired after the events of last night.
Kouga had advised she get some sleep while she could that they would be leaving the next morning.
Now that morning had come.
In the depths of her dreams she heard a familiar voice call to her forcing her back to reality.
"Kagome, Kagome wake up" It spoke softly "It's time to go"
Kagome felt her eyes drift open though she really didn't want them too.
Slowly she peered up to see a pair of blue orbs shining down at her.
"K-Kouga?" She asked still half asleep
"Sorry I know your probably still tired but we should get going before the pack wakes up" He cooed
"O-Oh alright" She mumbled lifting her head from the comfort of the pillows below.
She rubbed the sleep from her eyes before trying to find her balance.
Already it felt like it was going to be a long morning.
After a few moments of maintenance both her and Kouga walked side by side out into the main cave.
Slowly he knelt down before her Kagome knowing all to well what that position meant draped her arms around him.
Kouga felt her in place before lifting up preparing to sprint out the main entrance.
"Ready?" He asked calmly
"As I'll every be" Kagome whispered back placing a drowsy head on his padded shoulder.
Kouga gave a light smirk before vanishing from the cave and out into the waiting world.
The sun had finally appeared over the rocky peaks of the now distant mountains.
Kouga had traveled quite a distance using the power of the shikon jewels he had enjoyed running so freely but for the most part his mind was plagued with heavy thoughts.
"What happens after this?" He began contemplating "When I take Kagome back to her home will she come back? If she does will she go back with that mutt? Will it just go back to what it use to be seeing Kagome only a few times between months? I don't want that…" Kouga thought
"Kouga?" Kagome asked
Kouga snapped out of his thoughts at the sound of her voice in his pointed ears.
"Could we take a break?" Kagome asked getting a bit of motion sickness from all the running she had endured.
Kouga was a bit surprised at her demand the way she had been acting the last few days. He thought she would have loved to get back to her home as quickly as possible.
"Uh sure, anywhere particular?" Kouga asked thinking of the terrain ahead.
"Um somewhere with food would be nice" She smiled a bit embarrassed at her demand
Kouga gave her a quick smile "You got it" With that he sped off into the nearest place he was sure to find a meal.
Soon Kouga had fulfilled his promise taking her to a large lake in the center of the out skirting forest.
There he put her down to her relief being able to feel solid ground beneath her.
Now there she sat on the grassy bank her legs pulled to her chest her gaze fixed on the blue sky above.
She felt a smile cross her lips as the suns warm rays seeped in into her skin.
"The weather is so nice today" She smiled.
Kouga standing shin deep in the water before her let out a light chuckle "Hadn't really noticed"
His light eyes fixed on the water below with intensity.
Kagome felt a light breeze sweep through her hair before she replied bring her gaze to stare over at him.
"Just what are you doing?" Kagome asked in confusion
Just then Kouga launched his clawed hands forward diving into the cool water droplets spraying upward as he did.
Kagome watched in amazement as he lifted back up a silver fish now caught in his palms.
Kouga let a cocky smirk cross his lips as he tossed the fish onto the bank before Kagome.
"Wow!" Kagome exclaimed her eyes wide with surprise "How did you do that?" She asked
"Its and easy tick" He smirked
"I wish I could fish like that" Kagome admitted
"I could teach you if you want" Kouga said standing back straight up
"Really?" Kagome asked
"Sure no problem but your going to have to get in the water" Kouga said eyeing her shoes and socks.
Kagome took the hint she quickly got to her feet before stripping off her clothed feet.
She walked over to Kouga the water flooding around her legs as she stood beside him.
"What's next teacher?" Kagome smiled.
"Well first your standing wrong" Kouga smiled walking up behind her "You have to bend you body…like this"
Kouga coiled a muscular arm around her thin waist pulling her to him.
Slowly he adjusted her footing and leaned her forward in his arms.
Kagome instantly blushed at there contact.
Kouga smirked into her raven hair before slowly placing his hands over hers twining there fingers together.
"Uh K-Kouga are you sure this is how I-" Kagome began her face heating
"I'm sure not just focus on the water" He cooed enjoying her embarrassment as well as the feeling of her in his arms.
"Feel the push and pull of the currant" He smirked dipping there intertwined hands into the water.
Kagome still a bit insecure did as she was told watching the clear liquid below her sway.
Until slowly she saw the refection of another silver fish approaching.
Kouga pushed his head past her raven locks until his mouth was to her ear.
Kagome felt her body tense at the feeling of his hot breath on her skin.
"Now focus…" He whispered
Kagome felt a lump developing in her throat at the feeling of his body twining around hers.
Then slowly the fish approached coming with in inches of her sunken feet.
"Ready…"He whispered
Instantly he released her from his grip "Now!" He ordered
Kagome lunged forward only to slip on an submerged rock forcing her to fall face first into the cool water below.
Instantly the water around her flew up its escaping beads landing on Kouga's fur.
Kagome quickly sat up her lower half still submerged in the clear water below.
"Argh!" She huffed "I'm totally soaked!"
Kagome's head snapped to the side at the sound of rich laughter.
Kouga stood beside her his pearly white fangs shining in the sun thanks to his mouth being wide open.
Rich laughter pouring out from him.
Kagome quickly got to her feet her small hands balled in fist with aggravation.
"What's so funny?" Kagome huffed
"Do you need to ask? That was hilarious" Kouga mocked his laughter slowly subsiding.
"Is that so?" Kagome hissed stomping out of the water and back on land.
Snatching her shoes and socks from there grassy resting place.
"Oh come on Kagome! Don't get mad!" He called after her
She did not reply only stomped forward into the waiting forest.
"Wait a sec! Kagome where are you going!" He asked getting out of the water as well.
"I'm going for a walk! Don't follow me!" She hissed back at him
He continued to call after her but Kagome ignored his concerned calls.
As she faded deeper and deeper into the dark forest around her.
The setting sun began casting its dark ember glow over the tree tops.
Shadowy sun rays peering through the leafs and branches to dimly light the forest floor below.
Kagome walked slowly threw the dark forest her gaze fixed on the dirt path before her.
After leaving Kouga to vent on her own she had walked much further than she had planned.
But still her aggravation pushed her further into the unknown forest.
"He is such a jerk" She huffed out loud "It's not like I tried to fall…" Kagome sighed feeling the dampness of her cloths against her body.
Slowly she looked up to the sky above "I wonder what he's doing…" Kagome thought her stomach letting out a light growl "Probably enjoying that fish he caught"
"Well I don't need him!" Kagome huffed with new determination "I can find something to eat on my own!"
With that Kagome began scanning the forest around her for anything eatable.
Then a fruit hanging loosely from a tree branch caught Kagome's eye.
Instantly she walked over to the low hanging branch preparing to pluck the food from its spot.
Just as she reached out for it a small fur covered creature appeared.
Kagome stopped in her tracks eyeing the small mammal "Uh hey there" Kagome began
The creature gave her a slight look with its beady dark eyes before snatching the fruit from her grasp.
Instantly with its prize now between its clawed paws it hit the ground running.
"Hey! You little thief! Come back here!" Kagome called after the creature quickly perusing chase.
Kagome darted past the dark trees and underbrush in pursuit of the small creature that had stolen her meal.
Then only a few feet before her the small animal ducked into the dark underbrush before her.
Kagome felt a smile pull over her lips slowly she eased closer to the hiding spot of the cornered animal.
Instantly she leapt forward her fingers diving into the thick leafs grabbing a hold of what she thought was the thieving creature.
Kagome smiled feeling the animal in her grasp until she saw the underbrush begin to part revealing what she was truly holding.
Towering above her was far from the creature she had first thought she had captured.
Kagome quickly stumbled backwards in fear at the now massive creature before her.
No doubt the mother of the small animal she had been chasing and now it was defiantly in protective instinct mode.
Kagome felt her lower lip quiver in fear at the animal before her it stood towering over her at no less then nine feet.
She was instantly snapped out of her trance when the creature reared its massive head back and roared down at her.
Kagome's body did not wait for her approval as she turned and ran as fast as her legs would carry her.
The massive beast behind her immediately did the same charging after the sprinting girl before it.
Kagome felt her heart leap in her chest at the sound of the animal's thumping feet behind her.
A small glimmer of light shinded before her though.
The forest around her slowly began to thin the ending coming up before her fast.
It was not the blessing Kagome had hoped for.
She came to a sudden halt at the sight mere inches from where she stood was the edge of the cliff side she had been running on.
Kagome looked down in terror at the fall below leading into a rapid flowing river.
She diverted her attention back to the woods to see the mother animal emerged from the woods.
Its dark claws flexed with rage down at her.
Kagome closed her eyes instantly in horror preparing for the searing pain about to cut through her.
"Kagome!" A booming voice rang out
Kagome watched in amazement as Kouga flew out from the surrounding trees.
His dark eyes fixed on the mother animal in one quick motion he delivered a hard kick to the massive creatures torso sending it flying backwards.
The animal hit the tree branches behind it with a thud its slowly slid down the large bark seemingly unconscious.
"Kagome are you alright!" Kouga spun around to face the girl now behind him.
"Uh yeah" Kagome sighed "What are you doing here?" She asked
"You took so long coming back I got worried" Kouga confessed.
"Kouga" Kagome thought out loud.
She snapped out of her thoughts at the sight behind Kouga, the massive creatures tail sprang up hurling itself right towards the unsuspecting wolf demon.
"Kouga! Look out!" Kagome screamed but to late.
Kouga spun around only to have the impact of the attack smash into his chest.
He was sent flying over the edge taking Kagome with him.
Kagome let out an ear piercing scream as both she and Kouga fell into the dark waters below.
Kouga felt the surface world fade in a signal flash his body was engulfed by the raging currant.
His eyes shot open feeling the pressure of the water around him he outreached his hands, nothing.
Kouga instantly forced himself to the surface his head the only thing springing up from the cold water around him.
He saw a large rock coming up near him mounted in place under the water Kouga took the opportunity.
He took hold of the sunken boulder holding his body still in the rushing rapids.
"Kagome!" He boomed his voice echoing over the stone walls around him.
"Kagome! Where are you! Answer me!" Kouga felt a gasp pass his lips at the sight.
Kagome was submerged almost all the way to her jaw as she came rushing through the water.
"Kouga!" She called struggling to keep her head above the dark water around her.
Kouga dug his claws as deep as the stone would allow into the rock he clung to.
He quickly out reached his free hand out towards her.
"Grab my hand!" He ordered
Kagome came rushing by before she could be submerged again she took hold of Kouga's flexed hand.
Kouga felt Kagome in his grasp in one swift motion he pulled her through the rushing water to his chest.
He tucked his arm around her waist under the water holding her in place against him tightly.
Kagome all to willingly clung to his body wrapping her damp hands around his neck.
"Kagome are you alright?" Kouga whispered
"Y-Yea" She replied
Kouga could not help but sigh in relief.
Then suddenly under the shadows of the water a large rock came loose from the submerged ground.
The rushing currant sent it shooting through the water right at Kagome's sunken ankles.
It slammed into her cool flesh.
Kagome gasped out in pain splashing against Kouga's hold forcing him to release her.
In one swift moment she was out of his reach and rushing back down river.
"Kagome!" Kouga barked reaching out for her, but to late.
"K-Kouga!" Kagome called before the river pulled her under into its dark depths.
Kouga did not hesitate he released the rock he clung too before diving under the swirling water.
Kouga's demon eyes scanned the dark surroundings as he swam through the currant.
He darted back and forth throughout the water scanning the dark crevasses for any sigh of Kagome.
He found her.
There swirling into the currant her limp body tossed in the rapids.
Kouga jolted over to her wrapping his strong arms around her waist before pulling her back up to the surface with him.
Once he felt the cool night air replace the water he gasped for breath having been under for so long.
He felt his body toss in the currant as he held Kagome close he felt his hand cup her wet cheek his dark eyes looking down at her face.
"Kagome!" He barked down at her "Kagome!" She did not reply her face an unmoral hue from having been taken under for so long.
Kouga held her tighter against him only to feel his ears perk at the sound of a new danger.
His gaze shot over to the coming noise only to have his worst nightmares realized.
There before him the raging water came to a sudden end a large drop off from the cliff side.
"A waterfall!" Kouga felt his heart leap at the sight.
He knew there was no escape he did not have the ability to swim with Kagome unconscious to safety.
He looked down at her blank face water trickling over her pale form.
He pulled her tighter to him as he let the water take him.
In one swift motion both he and Kagome were pulled over the dark edge.
Kouga closed his eyes tightly feeling the water around him briefly fade as he plummeted downward into the waiting shallows.
In split second he was returned to his watery prison he felt the impact of the rocky bottom slam into his back taking the last reminisce of his breath.
Kouga felt his body loosen around Kagome as she drifted from his reach.
He peered up from under the dark water to the waiting moon over ahead.
Its light rays piercing the water around him Kouga watched it mirror around him.
Then everything went black.
The cool night air rustled through the dark trees allowing streams of silvery moonlight to flood down on the couple below.
Kouga slowly felt his self drifting back into consciousness at the feeling.
Slowly his blue orbs opened he could feel his ankles still submerged as he lay on his stomach on the river bank.
He slid his arms beneath him before pushing himself up dragging his damp shins out of the river below him.
Once up right his hands instantly went to the side of his head feeling the throbbing of pain ring through his skull.
"Oh my head!" He moaned "Where am I?" He thought out loud looking around him.
Once his eyes made contact with the unconscious person laying beside him, his memories came flooding back.
"Kagome!" Kouga slid over to her the gravel beneath him digging into his knees but he did not care.
He hooked a strong arm under her shoulders pulling her upward to his chest.
"Kagome!" He called down at her
As if his words had broken her trance slowly her eyes began to flutter open.
"K-Kouga" She whispered
Kouga felt a wave of relief wash over him "She's alright" he thought.
Kagome instantly felt her chest heave she quickly sprang out from Kouga's grasp turning her back to him.
Then she began coughing out mass amounts of water she had unwillingly swallowed.
Kouga placed a firm had over her back patting her slightly helping her purge the distasteful water.
Once he heard her breathing return to normal and her coughing stop he released her.
"Are you alright Kagome?" He asked
Kagome gave a light node before turning to face him "Where are we?"
"I don't know the river must have carried us here" Kouga responded getting to his feet
"In any case we should get moving, its not a good idea to stay out in the open in an unknown territory" He admitted
Kagome knew that was the truth slowly she began to get to her feet as well.
Once she added pressure to her left ankle a jolt of pain shot through sending her headed straight back to the ground.
Kouga instantly caught her before that could happen, he wrapped a strong arm around her waist pulling her to him.
"Kagome!" He spoke concern clear in his voice "What's wrong?"
"M-My ankle" She replied still feeling the pain ring though her leg
Kouga did not hesitate he quickly scooped Kagome off the river bank and into his arms.
"K-Kouga!" Kagome squeaked
"We need to find shelter" Kouga looked up at the night sky his demon eyes granting him a glimpse of the coming weather.
In the distance dark clouds began to move forward in there direction.
"A storm is coming we'll head out once it passes" Kouga promised
Kagome knew there would be no point arguing especially seeing as she could barley walk for the time being.
"Alright" She whispered back,
That was all the permission Kouga needed before heading off into the dark forest around them.
The swirling wind pushed against the massive trees swaying there branches fiercely in the night air.
Shards of piercing rain pouring down over the landscape as thunder boomed in the distance.
Amongst the storming surroundings off in the distance a light orange glow reflected through the droplets of rain.
Kagome extended her hands to the small fire before her thankful for the warmth seeping into her still damp cloths.
After she and Kouga had left the river bank he had searched high and low until they had found a small cave in which they now sat.
Kouga sat tucked by the cave entrance his demon eyes scanning the dark swaying forest around them.
While Kagome inched a bit closer to the fire he had built, its flames barley above ember.
Kouga felt his eyes narrow as lighting flashed across the shadowed sky.
"Well it looks like we're not going anywhere anytime soon, we should stay put till morning" Kouga called over to her
"I agree" Kagome gasped out before a small sneeze escaped her lips.
Kouga quickly leaned forward off the cave wall to stare over at her.
"Did you catch a cold?" He asked
Kagome quickly flashed him a fake smile not wanting to worry him "No I'm fine really"
Kouga quickly got to his feet walking over to her he knelt down before her carefully sliding the back of his hand over her forehead.
"You have a fever" Kouga grimaced sliding his hand off her heated face
"Really?" Kagome asked placing her hand over her forehead.
She was a bit surprised admitting that she thought her lightheadedness was just from all the events that had occurred today.
Kouga's hands slowly went to the straps of his armor undoing the strings that held the massive plate in place.
"K-Kouga what are you doing?" Kagome asked a blush spreading over her face.
"That fire isn't going to keep you warm enough to keep your fever under control" He admitted removing the last trace of his armor.
Kagome looked at his now exposed torso his stomach a massive of perfectly aligned mussels. His arms and chest sculpted into perfection.
She instantly felt her cheeks flare a bright red with embarrassment.
Kouga quickly scooted over to her sliding behind her his back pressing into the stone wall around them.
He slowly wrapped his tan arms around her waist pulling her to his bare chest and tucking her firmly in his lap.
Kagome squeaked out in embarrassment as she felt his body wrap around hers.
"K-Kouga!" She gasped
Kouga could not help but smile at her bright red cheeks and her large eyes staring up at him.
"K-Kouga I-I mean we shouldn't, what if you get sick too" Kagome asked her blush still firmly in place.
"Don't worry" He smirked down at her "Just try and get some sleep" He whispered knowing the chances of his demon blood failing him to illness were slim to none.
"S-Sleep? Ha!" Kagome thought, even though she would rather die that admit it she was actually quite comfortable.
Kouga's tan skin was doing a far better job of warming her than the small fire before them had.
And to be honest she was exhausted and for good reason who wouldn't be after a day like she had.
The tapping of the rain outside and the cracking of the last reminisce of fire acted like a powerful lullaby.
"Kouga" She whispered against him
"Hm" He replied
"I'm sorry…about what happened today" She admitted her hidden guilt
Kouga looked down at her "Your apologizing? For what?" He asked
"Its just that it seems like I am always responsible for getting you into danger" Kagome spoke referring to the previous battle that had thrown the both of them into the river.
Kouga leaned his head back against the stone wall behind him looking up at the cave ceiling.
"With or with out you Kagome I will always be in some sort of danger, its part of life" Kouga whispered
Kagome felt her eyes narrow a bit at that statement "Do you ever get tired of it? Fighting I mean…" She whispered against him
Kouga was a bit surprised at her question "In this world its hard to avoid" He looked back down at her "Demons, humans, war and violence are inescapable"
Kagome felt her heart sink at that statement she knew it was hard in this time but to know even strong demons like Kouga struggled was hard to hear.
"Did you ever try not to fight?" She asked
Kouga peered over to the cave entrance watching the rain pour over the tree tops.
"When I was a pup, danger and violence were everywhere. Either constant fighting with my father or struggling to survive with other demons, there was just no other way to live. I told myself that when I grew up I would find a place free from all that turmoil. A place where I could live in peace and never have to struggle" Kouga felt his dark orbs narrow "But days turned into years and I soon found out that place did not exist. Even now I know when I die I will die fighting"
Kagome felt her body tuck closer to Kouga "Kouga" She whispered "Thank you"
Kouga looked down at her "For what?"
"Well its just you have never opened up to me like that before. I have often wondered about your past. Its just nice to know that you can take me seriously is all" She smiled up at him
Kouga looked up at the stone ceiling above them "That makes me sound like some kind of weakling"
Kagome smiled once more at him.
Then slowly she placed her head on his firm chest curling up tighter against him.
"K-Kagome" Kouga asked looked down at her surprised by her sudden action.
She did not turn only remained in his arms.
Kouga smiled down at her wrapping his arms just a little tighter around her.
Kagome smiled into his chest allowing herself to get lost in his embrace.
As the two listened to the crystal rain falling outside.
This had to be my favorite so far and the best if I don't say so myself.
Well the next chapter will be up soon I am really glad I decided to update this story I forgot how sweet it was.
See you soon!
