Back again! Next chapter up and ready to be enjoyed! The updates may have slowed down just a tad but don't get to down I really am trying to keep this story updated at least every few weeks. Homework be damned!
Also I have been a little pre-occupied with my newest story development. I have recently posted a one-shot that I might be planning on turning into a new full length story. That is if I get enough motivation to do so. And enough time.
Well enough chatter onto the update! Enjoy.
Oh one more thing bit of another side note Rated M for a reason people! Remember that! Especially this chapter!
Note For Review's :
Ason21- I was actually debating about just re-posting it. If it gets taken down oh well? At least you guys would get to read it! Thanks for the support!
Leti0422 - Oh ye of little faith lemons are a plenty in the not to distant future lol
Kouga's Older Woman - Oh yes! There is! I think…maybe…hopefully. Thanks for the support!
Naruto4Sakura - Oh yes there is a storm brewing. The drama and emotions flare like no other probably from the readers perspective. I might make a few people mad this chapter but we shall see lol. Thanks for the support! Enjoy the update!
Chapter Twelve
Mistaken
This hazy unrealistic world was black. Just vast nothingness of empty space. The only source of ever so brief traces of light were the frantic and bright azure orbs that pierced the darkness.
Kouga could feel his body running through the blackness but going no where at the exact same time. He was trapped in this suffocating hole of sheer emptiness.
Where was this place? Was it hell? How had he gotten here?
So many racing questions, but no one there to answer. He was blinded, he was mute. He was alone in this place, and he was truly lost.
Then jarring like a ray of bright hope sent down from somewhere high above this wasteland a single beam of light cut through the night.
Kouga felt his body flinch from the sheer intensity of its glow before he found the strength to look on at its magnificent glow.
His breath stopped and his jaw slacked at the person centered in the ray of light looking back at him.
"K-Kagome?" He whispered in utter shock.
Hazel eyes met his inhuman gaze with visible sadness fresh tears filling her exuberant orbs.
Kouga didn't understand what was happening? Had Kagome been sent to rescue him from this prison? Or was he unintentionally trapping her here right along side him?
"I don't love you, Kouga." The motionless priestess whispered breaking the silence between them.
Kouga felt her words cut through him like a searing knife. It almost seemed to penetrate to the deepest part of his soul!
"What?" He breathed. No, he didn't want to hear this! This wasn't real! It couldn't be real!
"I do not love you." The priestess repeated this time more pronounced and uncaring. But, her eyes still held so many unfallen tears.
"Y-You're lying!" Kouga defended.
Even in this horrid place he remembered that cave, that night. The way he had held her, touched her... She had wanted him. She had loved him! He knew it! He had felt it!
"I love Inuyasha." Was the recoiled priestess only response.
Kouga felt as though someone had just kicked him in the stomach with enough force to crack or even break all of his ribs.
What the hell was this place!? How did he get out?! This wasn't Kagome! It couldn't be!
Kouga forced his hands over his pointed ears. He didn't want to hear this! It wasn't real! Wake up! Wake up! He ordered to himself from beyond this darken void.
"You were a mistake." Kagome whispered but the sorrow in her eyes remained.
"Stop it!" Kouga roared!
"I never wanted you. I never needed you. I never loved you." Her voice persisted so heartless and cold it just wasn't real!
Kouga clawed at his own raven locks pulling them out by the fistful! All the while the same fearful and panicked command racing through his head!
Wake up! Wake up! Wake up!
Kouga bolted upright! Cold and damp sweat rolling off his naked body as he found himself spiraling back to hard reality.
He was alone. But, only this time in the warm confines of his den, where he had fallen asleep just hours prior.
The wall mounted torches still burned and his hazel colored fur bedding remained tangled around his lower half proving he had just escaped from the grip of what he had thought all along.
A nightmare.
Visibly tense Kouga ran his calloused palms through his wild and loose raven hair trying to steady his still heavy and erratic breathing.
That dream, it had been as close to hell as Kouga ever wanted to get.
Bowing his head forward and cupping the back of his thick neck Kouga tired to force himself to calm down. It was a nightmare. He had plenty worse than that before, he was sure.
So why couldn't he think of any?
The way Kagome had looked at him…
Kouga forced the damn thought away instantly. That hadn't been Kagome! Just some harsh phantom of the woman he loved that his subconscious had decided to torture him with.
Still even though Kouga knew that to be true. The pain and disbelief that had radiated through his body the moment he had heard her speak, remained.
Temporarily pulling him from his thoughts the sound of approaching footsteps caught his attention and he turned just in time to face Ginta coming over the threshold of his cave.
"Kouga-" Ginta began before his beady black eyes caught sight of his leaders disheveled state.
"Are you alright?" He asked eyeing Kouga's messed raven hair and still sweat slicked body. He looked like he had just seen a ghost.
"I'm fine." Kouga replied sharply. There had better be a good reason why Ginta was here.
Instantly the silver haired wolf demon sensed his leaders edginess and knew he better get straight to the point.
"Scouts on the northern side of the mountain, just reported in. They said someone is coming into the territory-" Ginta hesitated not really knowing how his leader was going to take the next part of his message.
But Kouga listened all the same his attention caught sharply.
Ginta took a steadying breath before he forced the last of the message to leave his suddenly dry lips.
"T-They think its Ayame."
The early morning mist was thick even with the melting snow beginning to seep into the moist earth below.
The beautiful but also dreary scene going unnoticed and uncared for by the local villagers of the northern valley mountains as they worked exhaustedly around their weathered homes.
The most tirelessly of them all Hoki's mother who currently plucked log after damp log from the wet ground to warm the empty confines of her home.
Her eyes were hollow and her motions stiff. She was almost thriving on nothing but basic instinct at this point, what else had she to fight for?
Both her children were gone. Taken by the monster who plagued their village, as countless others had. She didn't even know why she carried on. Perhaps with the vain hope that the illusive demon might take her soon enough as well and reunite her family.
Maybe that was every other soul in her villages hope as well. To wait for death, or maybe a fate far worse.
Then softly something beyond the veil of fog caught her slightly empty gaze. The color of crimson and silver.
Hoki's mother stilled with logs still in hand. Was it the demon she longed for to release her cold suffering?
She was ready if it was. Take her away, to her children. Where she belonged.
The thick fog parted and the person she had caught a brief glimpse of began to step through. It was indeed a demon, but not the one she feared/ hoped for.
It was the half demon, the silver haired dog demon who had come to aid her village. She thought he had abandoned her home like so many before her. That was until she looked down into his cradled arms.
The wood she had so vigorously gathered instantly scattered at her feet with a loud echo drawing all the other attention of the scattered villagers standing around her.
All eyes fixating on the solo standing half demon parting through the mist.
Inuyasha stood feet firmly planted and his clawed hands stiff on the small thin figure of the boy who laid unconscious in his arms.
Hoki's mother felt her heart pound against her chest. W-Was it really…
Inuyasha looked on to the petrified woman standing a few feet before him, and to all the others who currently gawked at him fearfully.
The half demon wasn't sure how much longer he could take the unwanted attention until it was partially diverted to the monk coming to his side.
His own broad form cradling a child to his chest, only this one much smaller and feminine in features. Holki's younger sister asleep in the monks rob covered arms.
Hoki's mother stepped forward in absolute disbelief. Could this be real? Her children…
"W-What?" One villager asked from Hoki's mother side.
Then that partial break of silence was all it took to open the flood gates of the countless row upon row of villagers shielded in the damp fog at Inuyasha back.
One after another they all emerged, scraped and bruised but every single one of them alive.
Then with the a soft moan of Hoki awaking in Inuyasha's arms and his youthful eyes peering over to the speechless villagers standing mere feet away.
The silence shattered completely.
Deafening cheers exploded from the suddenly sprinting villagers on either side of the snow melted field! Hundreds of joyous and overly grateful feet stampeding towards the familiar faces of the loved one they had been forced to leave behind.
Inuyasha all to willingly felt Hoki leap from his arms to the running figure of his mother dashing towards him with open arms and tear stained eyes.
His sister now fully awake from the barrage of shouting voice doing the exact same once she made eye contact with her fast approaching mother.
Miroku smiled warmly as he watched dozens of families reunite from the tirelessly journey from Yokobue's now emptied lair.
It was scenes like this that made his profession worth while even through all the hardship.
Though he didn't think the same could be said for his half demon counterpart.
"You think I could at least get a 'thank's'?" Inuyasha snorted under his breath. This was the last time he saved an entire village full of people out of the generosity of his heart.
"I'm sure they are all appreciative." Miroku smiled jokingly eyeing with a great happiness that Hoki and his family were finally reunited.
His youthful mothers face stained with pure disbelief and joyous tears as she cradled both her children to her chest.
"Hey! I was talking to you too! In case you forgot. I did save your ass when you got possessed and tried to kill me!" Inuyasha barked angrily at the uncaring monk at his side.
"Oh right. Sorry about that." Miroku laughed nervously.
"I didn't ask for an apology!" Inuyasha shot back! How hard was it to express a little gratitude?
"Well then what did you want?" Miroku asked tiredly. He could tell it was going to be a long journey home already.
"You ungrateful-" Inuyasha began in a snarl until the approaching figure of Hoki's mother now taking a stand before him caught him off guard mid sentence.
Inuyasha instantly felt uncomfortable a the amount of emotion written on the human woman's face as she looked up to him with tear stained eyes.
The exact same look full in the hazy wide orbs of Hoki and his sister as they held his amber gaze.
"W-We cant thank you enough!" Hoki stammered lunging forward and wrapping his small arms around Inuyasha's waist while his younger sister hugged the half demons leg.
"H-Hey!" Inuyasha started. He took his original thought back! He didn't need appreciation! He was about to order the duo of children off of him when their mother followed suit!
Wrapping her arms around Inuyasha's neck tightly and crying into his chest. So unbelievably happy of what the half demon had brought back to her!
Instinctively Inuyasha's hands froze mid air out in front of him. Completely unsure how to react.
Hugging people wasn't something he excelled at.
"M-Miroku. Do something-" Inuyasha whispered dryly turning his panicked amber eyes to the smirking monk at his side.
"You wanted appreciation Inuyasha. Now enjoy." Miroku smiled warmly but under the surface savoring every moment of the half demons discomfort.
"If you'll excuse me. I better go start getting things packed. We have a long trip home after all." The grinning monk bowed respectively before heading towards the now thriving village.
"Don't leave me!" Inuyasha threatened through clenched fangs, but rendered immobile by the family still clutching onto him.
Oh he couldn't wait until they let go of him! The monk may have survived Yokobue's wrath but it was nothing compared to his!
Normality was never something Kagome excelled at. She thought she had a long time ago when she lived in the modern era but here living in the past. Struggling from day to day was usually something she had eventually learned to adapt too.
Though it had gotten a lot harder as of late, moment like this made it easier to deal with.
Standing here in the early spring air watching as both Mi and Sa tussled around on the growing grass of the villager boarder, it made her feel normal once again.
She was grateful Sango had entrusted her daughters with her for the day. Running ragged with the two never ending energetic duo provided a great distraction from the thoughts Kagome was usually assaulted by.
But, the day was growing late and Sango would undoubtedly begin to question where they had all ventured off to. Though Kagome was postponing the brief trip back to the village for the time being.
She just wanted these last few minutes and the relaxation they provided to last a little bit longer.
Tiredly from the fun filled adventure they had been on since the day had broken Kagome sat on the soft spring grass watching her crimson priestess pants fan around her.
As appreciative as she was for this day and the laughter it had given her. She couldn't help but keep her mind from returning to places it usually ventured.
To both Inuyasha and Kouga.
Spring was here and no trace of either of them had revealed itself. How were they? Was Inuyasha on his way home back to the village? How was Kouga doing in the east?
It was exhausting constantly thinking the same things over and over again and receiving no answers in turn but she knew she would just have to grit her teeth and bare it for awhile longer.
"Aunt Kagome?" Mi's soft voice asked from beside Kagome's seated form.
Kagome turned to face the bright faced with a warm smile.
"What is it Mi?" She asked sweetly.
"You're looking sad again." The chocolate colored eyed girl whispered worriedly.
Kagome felt her hazel eyes widen a bit in surprise. She had been told before by both girls that as of late that at times she had a sadden look on her face but she thought she was doing a better job of covering it up.
Apparently she had been wrong.
"I'm sorry. Mi-" Kagome began apologetically she didn't want to ruin this perfect sunny day with her overly working thought process.
"Is it cause you miss Inuyasha?" Sa asked now taking a seat at her sisters still standing form.
Kagome blinked in disbelief. Though both young, the girls were incredibly observant.
"Yes. I do miss him a lot." Kagome smiled half heartedly pulling both girls into her lap cradling them close as she eyed the flower spotted field ahead of them.
"We miss him too." Mi admitted. It had been a very long time since they had seen their favorite half demon, and they missed pulling his ears more than anything.
"And daddy." Sa sighed tiredly thumbing the small daisy she held clutched in her palm.
"It's okay. They'll be home soon." Kagome promised hoping her words were true. Even though deep down she had no idea when they would return.
Mi rested her small head against Kagome's chest watching the sky begin to turn from a rich blue to a brightening orange.
As much as she did want to see her father and half demon friend sometimes babysitter. There was someone else she thought about as well.
"I miss wolfy man too." Mi whispered longingly thinking about the blue eyed wolf demon and his swishy tail.
Kagome felt her heart skip a beat in her chest.
"Me too." Sa reassured her sister that she wasn't alone in missing the absent wolf demon they had grown to care about.
"Will he come back to see us sometime?" Mi asked looking up at Kagome's soften face.
Kagome felt her eyes soften and her throat ach with the strain. She had spoken to Sango about what to explain to the girls. That Kouga had gone home, because his friends needed him. She thought that would be a good enough explanation for the twins, and would leave nothing left to question.
But that didn't mean it had erased their memories of him.
"I-" Kagome hesitated, what could she possibly say?
"I don't know girls." She whispered trying to hide the trace of sadness that laced its way through her voice.
"Do you think he misses us?" Sa asked sweetly while resting her head beside her sisters on Kagome's chest.
Kagome cradled them more tightly into her arms.
"I'm sure he does." She promised with a light reassuring smile.
"Do you miss him too?" Mi asked reaching over to thumb Sa's clutched flower petals.
Kagome stilled. There were so many ways she could respond to that innocent question, and every one of them would have been truthful. But one weighed heavier than all the others combined.
"Yes." She breathed.
"Maybe he'll come see you too?" Sa smiled hopefully.
Kagome laughed weakly at the naiveté and loving innocents of the girls in her arms. If only things could be as simple as it was through their youthful eyes.
"Maybe." She whispered, and deep down under the surface though she would never admit it out loud. She really did hope her words weren't just empty promises.
The surrounding landscape of the eastern mountain peaks and rock faces of the cliff sides blurred into a frenzy of browns and grays as Kouga sprinted past.
From the moment Ginta had entered his bedroom chamber and told him of Ayame's might be arrival Kouga hadn't hesitated. Basically throwing himself into his furs and armor before dashing to the north side of the mountain tunnels.
It had been record time when he emerged on the other side to face the harsh blinding light of day at the winding path that acted as the only easy means of travel into the mountain.
If Ayame was coming from this direction then it would undoubtedly be on this trail. She may not have been an eastern born wolf but she had ruled this territory along side Kouga long enough to know the ins and outs of the lands they called home.
He couldn't believe after all this time, the moment of truth was finally here. Ayame was coming home, back to the east, but for how long he could not say.
He had no intention of just blatantly coming out and declaring his indiscretions, he would make sure she was alright first. That she was rested and fed and looked over by the tribe healer.
He may not have loved Ayame but that didn't mean he didn't care about her at all. She still meant something to him. She was a friend, a companion and someone who he had shared years of his life along side.
She deserved to be welcomed home as any member of his clan would with open arms. Kouga intended to do just that, but all the while knowing in the near future he would soon break her heart in two.
He shoved the thought away. For the time being he just wanted to know she was alright. Had she taken care of herself in the north? Had she eaten? After their separation on pass how had she endured?
Hopefully that puppy Roiyaru had enough common sense to look after her.
Breaking his thoughts Kouga kicked off the stone path to lunge further forward. He could smells wolves, and they were not his own.
They were northerners alright, and he was closing in on them fast.
Ayame's wild auburn hair flew behind her in cascading locks of red as she tirelessly forced herself ahead of the trailing pack that acted as her escorts.
Roiyaru among them but unable to keep up with the northern heiresses unwavering pace. It had been this way ever since leaving the northern territory weeks earlier.
The second the tribe discovered the pass separating the two lands had melted nothing anyone said or did had caused Ayame to hesitate in her hell bent mission for a single moment.
She wanted to get back to Kouga at any cost. Including her health.
Roiyaru had lost count of just how many times he had forcibly had to keep her from trudging through lingering rain storms or flooded plains just to get one moment of sleep.
She hadn't stopped for an instant. She was almost possessed with the primal urge to be by her mates side, and though it pained the navy eyed wolf to admit it. He understood her anguish.
Any wolf demon who had ever fallen in love, understood.
"Ayame! Please slow down!" Roiyaru begged for what felt like the millionth time. And just like all the other times, he got only silence in response.
He could barely even see the auburn haired demoness anymore, just the flailing tip of her short white fur cloak as she tore around the winding corners of the mountain pass.
Roiyaru knew he couldn't stop her even if he tried but his only thought was he prayed the object of Ayame's obsessive search was indeed amongst the mountains.
After all they had no idea if Kouga had even survived the fall from the pass all those months ago. But, Roiyaru knew better than to ever verbalize such a crippling proclamation out loud.
Ayame's legs ached and her chest and throat burned from the cool mountain air she panted as she sprinted unrelentingly ahead.
She had to know. She had to see, that Kouga was alive! That he was healthy and well! Then all this could stop but not a moment before then! She would rather run herself to death then go one more day not knowing!
He was her mate! He was a part of her! She couldn't face anymore of this uncertainty! It was crippling her!
Kouga's instincts flared and he knew just before he sped around the last remaining turn of the bending rock face that he was about to come face to face with the person he sought.
Skidding to a jarring halt he stomped his feet into the stone pathway kicking up pebbled rock and dirt into a thick cloud under his heels as he slid to a stop.
Then suddenly a now completely new and paralyzed figure on the opposite side of the trail revealed themselves.
The feminine framed person stood shielded from sight behind the thick dust and Kouga instantly straightened up waiting for the rustic smoke to clear.
After a breathless moment the dust faded and auburn hair and gleaming jade eyes were the first thing that fixated Kouga's intense azure gaze.
Kouga felt his jaw clench and his fist tighten in preparation for what he knew what about to come.
Ayame stood riddled with shock and sheer disbelief. She was almost fearful her longing and heartbreak had gotten the better of her and imagined a phantom of the man she loved more than life itself.
Was this real. She was actually here…she was standing face to face with…
Her heart pounded in her chest and her lips quivered almost as if she was about to break into heart wrenching sobs at any moment.
Kouga's eyes soften at Ayame's defeated motionless form. What had this winter done to her? She looked so fragile like if he whispered just one thing she might break into a million pieces.
A fresh assault of guilt stabbed at Kouga's heart. She must have been so lost with out him. All the while he had been lost in the arms of another.
"Ayame." Kouga whispered as tenderly as he could.
The sound of her name leaving Kouga's parted handsome lips broke the last of Ayame's resolve into hundreds of pulverized shards. Her jade eyes flooded with hot tears and before she could stop herself her body was spiriting forward!
She ran towards Kouga like the salvation he was! Her arms unfolding mid sprint as her armor covered chest crashed against Kouga in an almost brutal impact.
Steadying himself Kouga took a sharp step backwards almost afraid the force from Ayame's embrace might send him toppling backwards.
He stilled the moment he felt her clutch her soft palms onto his back, her heated face burying into his collarbone as she sobbed into his bronze skin.
"I-I knew you were alive! I just knew it!" She cried breathlessly what felt like an ocean of tears pouring from her sealed emerald eyes.
He was alive! He was here and she would never let him slip away again!
Kouga breathed deeply her familiar scent of iris as he felt her begin to tremble against him. She was fragile, so delicate in his yet to be returned embrace.
Reluctantly Kouga coiled his arms around her waist and shoulder trying to still her absolutely shivering body.
"Of course I am." He whispered reassuringly.
"I was so afraid-" Ayame sobbed, in broken pants.
"All this time I never-" She couldn't finish her declaration of love. She wanted to tell him how much she had missed him! How much worry and dread she had felt in the idea of never seeing him again! But, the words wouldn't come, only more weak and unsteady cries.
"Shh." Kouga breathed holding her more tightly. It was obvious she needed his reassurance and physical contact seemed to be the only way to do just that.
"I'm alive. We both are. That's all that matters." Kouga promised resting his head on top of her own.
This moment should have been joyous for Kouga. To know Ayame had been provided for over the long stretch of winter, but in reality it only added to his already overflowing misery.
The pain Ayame felt in his absence was nothing to what was soon to come. And that thought cut Kouga more deeply than anything had before.
There intimate moment was soon interrupted, but not ended at the arrival of Roiyaru and his men coming to a sudden stop at Ayame's back.
While Ginta and Hakkaku finally arrived from their own pursuit of their hurried leader.
"Kouga?" Roiyaru huffed out in surprise and clear exhaustion.
Kouga lifted his head from Ayame's to peer at the visibly drained northern wolf demon standing only a few steps away.
"Roiyaru." He addressed him calmly all the while his arms never leaving their coiled place around Ayame's still unsteady form.
"Y-You've been here all along?" The navy eyed wolf asked in a panted tone.
Kouga nodded in reply before staring down to Ayame still clutched to his chest, almost apologetically he ran his hand over her back and shoulder.
"After I was separated from you all on the pass. I stumbled blindly through the territory's-" Kouga explained unwillingly getting a haunting memory of awaking in Kagome's village and under her care.
"I stayed in one place long enough for my wounds to heal. Then I returned to the east." Kouga continued coming as close to the truth as he was currently willing to go.
"Well-" Roiyaru began his exuberant eyes softening at the sight of Ayame being currently embraced in her mates arms.
"We are glad you are safe." He whispered lightly. Seeing her like this, so lost in another was almost harder than seeing her suffer through the loneliness she once had.
"Y-You were wounded? Are you alright?" Ayame began concern thick in her voice as she slowly found the will to speak. Her jade eyes still hazed with glossy tears as she peered up to Kouga.
Kouga attentively thumb one of her rolling tears away from staining her heated porcelain cheek.
"I'm fine now." He promised, watching through soften azure eyes as she reached up to cup his palm with her own.
"You all must be tired." Hakkaku announced coming out from behind Kouga's shadow to address Ayame's grandfathers tribesmen.
"Come inside and rest." Ginta added extending out his hand in a welcoming gesture.
Kouga followed suit scooping Ayame off her feet before cradling her to his chest in one swift movement. She was undoubtedly in no condition to walk all the way back to the main entrance of the mountain.
Ayame went all to willingly locking her arms around Kouga's neck as he looked to face Roiyaru and his dozen or so traveling companions.
"You're welcome here." He reassured before turning from them altogether.
Ayame and him had a lot of things to discuss and for that they needed privacy. Their den wasn't the wisest of locations for such a troubling topic but it would have to suffice.
Still with every step he took, he could only feel his determination begin to fade and his dread begin to build.
One after the other Kagome plucked the petals of the flowers sitting at her side and watched through sadden hazel orbs as they flew away into the midnight breeze.
It was calming to feel the gentle kiss of spring and any other time Kagome was sure she would have fallen fast asleep right here on the vast empty hillside.
But, sleep wasn't something she particularly cared for anymore. Every time she did it was either one or the other. She had mind blowing and absolutely sensual dreams that riddled her with guilt the next morning, or horrid nightmares that set her heart pounding in her chest with sheer fear the moment she forced herself out of them.
With a tired sigh Kagome tucked her legs to her chest before resting her chin on top of her knees. She missed Mi and Sa already.
She had spent the entire day with the twin duo and reluctantly returned them to their mother a few hours ago.
It had actually been nice to talk about Kouga to someone other than her own subconscious, even if they didn't really understand the complicated nature she and the absent wolf demon had.
Just having his existence out in the open just for the brief time it had been. It made all these conflicting feeling a little more bearable.
This shouldn't have been this hard. But, it was. Distance made the heart grow founder right? But, that was the problem. She didn't want to be founder. She wanted to forget, to overcome the memories Kouga had left behind.
At least the sinful ones.
Intentionally Kagome skimmed her palm over her clothed shoulder where Kouga's lips had lingered and even threatened to bite.
The few months they had been apart hadn't been enough to cause that remembrance to fade away, or the weight of what it might have meant.
Kouga had wanted to mark her. He wanted to make her his, and apparently that wasn't a decision he made lightly.
After all it had been Kouga who described what mating marks were. Looking back now though she couldn't help but wish she had questioned him a little further on the subject.
Was it even possible to mark more than one person? She thought wolf demons mated for life. Or that was her understanding.
Then again if Kouga never really loved Ayame as he claimed did that mean the mark he had left on her had been hollow? Just a forceful bite? When it was suppose to mean something so much deeper than that?
Kagome closed her eyes forcing the thought away. It didn't matter one way or the other. What did matter was Ayame had apparently meant her mark that even right now still marred Kouga's body.
Kagome could remember the look of the twin sized marks all to vividly.
Surely Ayame had returned to Kouga by now, as she was sure Inuyasha soon would. Had the two of them reconciled? Had he told her about the cave? About that night?
What if he hadn't told her anything? Just allowed her to live with his vague excuses and undetailed description of where he had been the entire winter.
Kagome silenced her own train of thought all to harshly. Kouga wasn't that type of person. He was honest.
Sometimes brutally.
It was a hard trait but an honorable one all the same.
Kagome pulled her legs more tightly against herself. Thinking about Kouga wasn't helping, as it usually didn't.
It just made her miss him more.
Kagome smiled weakly, at least she could admit that to herself without bursting into tears of guilt. It wasn't just the physical experiences she had shared with Kouga that she unwillingly longed for.
She missed him in general. His personality, his comfort and encouraging words. Every time she had struggled with a decision or unknowing he had been right there to help her through it.
Not as a lover, but as a friend.
That was what she missed most. His friendship.
She had never really had that with anyone else. Not even Inuyasha, she couldn't discuss her feelings or emotions in front of the half demon without making him angry or uncomfortable. While Kouga had never been anything but understanding.
It was like he actually cared to know how or what she was feeling. It had always been so comforting.
Kagome felt the threat of tears beginning to build inside her conflicting hazel orbs. She tiredly blinked them away before a single one could fall.
Thinking about these things had to stop. It was doing nothing but adding to her misery. And honestly she didn't know how much more she could take.
She was hanging on by a thread as it was.
Calming herself Kagome ran a soft hand through her loose raven locks. Maybe sleep wouldn't be such a bad thing after all. Chances are she would end up feeling guilty if she was conscious or not.
And in dreams it was easier to deal with things. As they happened. Instead of doing nothing but driving herself crazy with unknowing and lingering memories.
Distracting herself Kagome plucked another flower up from beside her before she once again began to rid the small daisy of its moonlight illuminated petals.
All the while thinking. Why couldn't her emotions just blow away in the wind as well?
The den was much darker than Kouga had left it hours ago. The torches had burned lower into an almost bluish hue, and he hadn't seen the need to feed the middle chamber fire seeing as it hadn't been cold enough to want one.
It didn't matter though he and Ayame were both demons and were quickly adjusted to seeing perfectly well in the dark. Both their inhumanly exuberant eyes glowing with the darken shadows of the stone room.
It had taken a little while longer for both of them to make it back into the bed chamber as he originally planned. He refused to do so until Ayame was fed and bathed to wash away the hard weathered storms she had suffered through. Also he had wanted the healer to approve her physical health, which she had.
Only then did Kouga carry Ayame to the bed they once shared, and now where they currently sat.
Attentively while kneeling at her side Kouga began removing the armor and furs she had worn. They were torn and stained and needed to be mended. He would see it done as soon as possible.
But, his thoughtful action was misinterpret the moment his fingers began to untangle her leather straps tucked away under her white fur cloak.
Before Kouga could react Ayame had leaned forward and their lips had sealed to one another's. The kiss was sweet and gentle but even without Kouga's full acceptance soon flared passionately.
It began to deepen and soon he could feel Ayame's lips begin to part a soft and silent plea for him to invade her sweet cavern with his tongue.
Forcefully Kouga pulled away just enough to cup her face in his warm hands letting his thumbs run over her heated cheeks.
"I'm so sorry Ayame. For leaving you in the north." He confessed. This wasn't the right atmosphere for him to begin admitting his guilt but he didn't want things to escalate more than they already had.
"It wasn't your fault. I am just so relieved your safe." Ayame smiled lightly her fingers wrapping around Kouga's strong wrist surrendering herself over to his touch.
Kouga pulled her close to him resting his forehead against hers and breathing in deeply her sweet scent of iris and clean skin.
"There is so much I have to say to you." Kouga whispered. Where did he even start?
"Kouga-" Ayame breathed. She didn't need explanations or anything of that sort. She understood the pain he must have felt being away from her more than anyone. She had felt the exact same thing day after day when she had been forced to live without him.
Which is also why she also couldn't keep herself from acting the way she currently did.
Again she caught Kouga unprepared as she arched forward towards him once again pressing his lips to her own this time more desperately than she had before.
The kiss depended and soon their tongues were stroking each others feverishly, her fangs beginning to nip at his bottom lip in a way that usually made him ache.
They were soon panting, made breathless by the intensity of the kiss. Kouga hands had dropped to Ayame's waist as he pulled her close.
He didn't want this, but he couldn't just callously shove her away. This had to be handled delicately and honestly Kouga was at a loss on how to even go on from this point.
Aggressively he tore his mouth away holding her still in his harden grip as his azure eyes met her clearly darken lust filled emerald orbs.
"Ayame. We shouldn't. You're upset-" Kouga began roughly, maybe he could just postpone this situation until he had time to think clearly.
He didn't want to hurt Ayame anymore than he knew he was soon going to. Doing this would undoubtedly make things far far worse!
"Kouga. Please-" Ayame pleaded before kissing Kouga again this time fighting his hold to maneuver herself into his lap.
Kouga instinctively grabbed at her hips to stop her from adjusting further on top of him.
"Ayame-" Kouga rasped hotly against her lips. He didn't love Ayame, he didn't. But that didn't mean his body felt the same.
It had after all been months since he had felt the touch of anyone other than Kagome. Thinking about the absent priestess Kouga stilled.
What if Kagome could see him right now? Would it hurt her?
Who was he kidding of course it wouldn't! She loved the mutt after all she had said so time and time again. He would probably be doing her a favor. Finally severing the tie that loosely bonded them together.
She had sent him away. She had cast him aside, so why couldn't he do the same? Ayame deserved a mate that would love her! He wanted to be that man! His body wanted to be that man!
So why didn't his mind? Just doing this…It felt so wrong! Like he was betraying Kagome's memory with his own need to be satisfied.
Kouga felt so torn! He wanted this! He wanted to have a woman love him! All of him. To have her crave him like Ayame currently was.
But it wasn't Ayame he wanted. Even now after all the pain she had caused him. Kouga wanted Kagome! He loved her so damn much it was literally crippling him!
What could he do? Kagome wasn't here and Ayame was.
Ayame loved him. Kagome didn't.
Kouga tightly shut his azure eyes he just wanted all this pain to stop!
"Kouga?" Ayame questioned pulling away to look down at her mate currently recoiling from her touch. She didn't understand? What was wrong?
Kouga breathed deeply trying to steady himself. He didn't care what Kagome had done to him in the past. He still loved her, and he couldn't betray her. Not like this.
"Ayame-" Kouga began forcing his eyes apart and feeling the truth of all he had kept bottled up about to spill out.
That was until his harden gaze met the face of the woman straddled onto his lap.
Kouga froze in absolute shock. The woman staring back at him wasn't the auburn haired demoness he had wanted to shove away.
No. Instead of eyes of sharpen emerald. He was staring into soften hazel orbs and cascading locks of raven colored hair.
"Kagome." Kouga thought. His breath coming out in quick erratic pants. This wasn't real. Kagome wasn't here. She wasn't-
Before Ayame could questioned the seemingly stunned way her mate was staring up at her she found herself being thrown backwards.
Her back sunk into the soften furs of the bed while instantly Kouga's now entirely naked body climbed on top of her own and their mouths met again.
This time more desperate and loving then it had ever felt before.
Ayame gasped against Kouga's lips as his hands fumbled to the now constricting material of her clothing and all to suddenly he was tearing it away.
The cold of the den bit into Ayame's pearl skin riddling it with goosebumps as Kouga's hands found the inner most part of her thigh forcing her legs to separate all to quickly.
Kouga was usually patient but having a vision of Kagome was far to remarkable an opportunity to let pass him by. He didn't care if was losing his mind.
Tugging away her clothing until she was just as naked as he was he let his body cover hers. Trapping her between himself and the soft hazel furs, the hardness of his desire probing against her thigh in anticipation.
"I've missed you," Kouga whispered between ravishing kisses.
Ayame arched up against him she knew she hadn't been alone in her misery. Kouga had craved her just as badly as she currently craved him!
Her trembling arms encircled him. Holding him for dear life as he plundered her mouth almost as if he was unable to get enough of her soft lips and the feel of her body.
Supporting his muscled weight on one hand he let the other brush over her stomach and downward to the juncture of her quivering thighs.
Ayame's thighs spread allowing him access to her most sensual of places.
Teasingly Kouga ran a single digit up her dampened mound, her body clearly aching for his touch.
She whimpered at the contact, a beautiful sound that Kouga had only imagined he would once hear again when he found his raven haired lover.
"Kouga-" Ayame breathed desperately, her hips beginning a slow primal grind against his palm.
"Please-" She begged, she didn't want to be teased. She wanted to feel her mate, to have him inside her and drive all the emptiness she had felt the last few months away.
Kouga in his almost delirious state forced himself to hear Kagome's voice and the needy tone filled his chest with pride. But he had no intention of granting her silent plea so easily. Not after the hell she had put him through.
In one swift movement he gathered her wrist together in one hand and pinned them above her head while he continued to stroke her moist sex.
The effects of his callousness was immediate. Her breathing grew raged and her womanhood slicker with every stroke of his fingers.
Then softly he pressed down on the small pearl of her sex rubbing the remarkable spot in slow circles causing her entire body to tremble.
Her muffled whispers of passion instantly escalating into hard cries.
After a long moment of his taunting game, he slid a finger inside her perfect velvet heat. A groan of his own escaping his barred fangs at how incredible she felt.
Ayame moaned his name trembling and beginning to squirm as he moved in and out of her body ever so slowly.
Kouga could feel her breath on his neck and her wrist flexing in his grip as she tried to break free from his iron like hold.
"N-No more-" Ayame pleaded. Why was Kouga doing this to her? Making her want him so badly? Yet doing nothing to ease this desperate need building inside her?
Kouga's mind flashed countless images of the raven haired priestess he was currently fantasizing was beneath him. Her hazel eyes, her porcelain skin, and shimmering lips.
There weren't words to describe how badly he wanted her. To smell her scent, to feel her body-
He was so desperate for her touch he was forcing his body and mind to actually see her, and not the demoness he was currently on top of.
This was wrong, but it just felt to real to stop. This was the first time he actually realized how incomplete he had been without Kagome and having a phantom of her was better than nothing at all!
But even with this hallucination the pain the absent priestess had caused him remained. And so did the deeply seeded need for much wanted revenge.
Aggressively Kouga captured her lips his tongue slipping between hers and assaulting her with a hard sensual dance of his slippery muscle.
As he plundered her mouth he aligned their bodies.
His length was swollen and throbbing, intentionally he let his arousal brush against her soft folds. Teasing again as he just allowed the tip of his shaft to slip inside her.
Ayame's breath caught in her throat and her hands instinctively griped his shoulders tightly.
Kouga eased himself into her. His length instantly gripped by feminine walls. Natural slickness and radiant heat enclosing him and forcing a passionate moan from his lips.
He pushed inside her deeper and deeper until he reached her utmost point, filling her completely. Her sex rippled and her hot sweet breath hazed over his neck and shoulder.
Ayame clung to Kouga as he began to pull out, building a slow and steady rhythm with his hips. She was whimpering his name and moaning loudly, urging him to move faster, harder.
However Kouga was determined to prolong this hidden torment filled moment.
"More," She cried, her hips fighting his steady rhythm rocking forcibly trying to get him to increase his pace.
Her voice was pained and urgent but Kouga denied her still. Her claws dug into his back but he didn't care, his only response was to slip a hand between their bodies and tease her swollen pearl once more.
Never once faltering in his painfully slow pace.
The sudden stimulation made her wild. She thrashed and sobbed as her womanhood instantly squeezed so tightly it bordered on painful.
Kouga could feel her throb, her soaked flesh pulsating against his length. She was already so close to completion so hot and tight around him, it was intoxicating.
He kept her poised there. On the edge of total release, brushing his fingers of her sensitive bundle of nerves but backing away just before she could spasm.
Over and over he built her up, continuously sheathing himself in and out of her. When he nuzzled her cheek he could smell salted tears. Her eyes hazed from the intensity of being so close to orgasm for so long.
Her breathless little moans were music and Kouga knew just what to do to make them louder. Pinching her pearl between his clawed thumb unable to contain of hiss of pleasure as her body tightened in response.
"Kouga please-" Ayame cried, her entire body shaking as she remained teetering on the brink.
Kouga only shook his head silently from side to side in denial he had no intention of satisfying her so easily. He wanted to hear her beg for it, beg for him.
"I-I cant. N-No more, please, n-no-" Ayame sobbed. The intensity of his touch was indescribable it was sheer ecstasy, but at the same time unrelenting torture.
It was almost like he was punishing her with his refusal. But why? What had she done to deserve this type of treatment?
Kouga's only coherent thought was an all to brief remembrance of the nightmare he had hours prior. The words the priestess he blindly craved had spoken to him still ringing in his head.
He knew he wouldn't be able exact his desperately wanted vengeance without making the raven haired beauty rue those last few parting words entirely.
"Tell me you want me." Kouga demanded in a hard rasp.
Ayame all to willingly obeyed. No words could be closer to the truth.
"I want you." She panted.
"Tell me you need me." Kouga growled into her ear pushing himself intentionally harder inside her making her shudder.
"I n-need you." She gasped.
Fueled by her words he kissed her forcefully before breathing against her lips.
"Say you love me." He ordered, he needed to hear her say it. He needed to feel this darken void inside him shrink, and her confession was all that would stop the blind ache.
"I love you!" Ayame confessed at the top of her lungs. She would say it a hundred times over without a second thought. No one made her feel even an ounce of the devotion she currently felt for the demon seeded inside her.
The pressure building inside Kouga was finally too much. He was going to come and he wanted his image of Kagome to fall headlong into blissful ecstasy with him.
His rhythm faltered as he put more power into his last few thrust. He tugged at her pearl harder while panting against her neck telling her to find completion along side him.
Her body was all to responsive and could do nothing but obey him. Kouga let out a hoarse cry his harsh tone mixing passionately with the scream that tore through Ayame as she convulsed around him.
Molten heat seemed to rush through Kouga's veins until he released inside her with deep pulsations of his own scorching desire.
He collapsed to his forearms hovering just above her as he emptied himself inside her, finding just enough strength to roll himself to the side before crushing her. Feeling totally boneless and visibly drained.
Only a few silent moments ticked by before Ayame curled herself to Kouga's chest feeling as he stiffened at her touch.
She peered up into his azure eyes surprised at the look of almost disbelief that riddled his handsome face.
Kouga peered down at Ayame's true self behind an emotionless mask. He laid their unresponsive and unmoving. Letting the overwhelming emotion of total shock rampage through his entire body.
Then silently a single thought flashed across his panicked and scattered mind.
What the hell had he just done?
And the plot thickens! What will Kagome think!? God I hated writing this scene. Its no secret I do not like Ayame or her character. But, the things I wont do for some good old fashion drama.
All you Aya/Kou shippers consider this your one freebie. Because there will be no more from me.
On to the next chapter! Thanks for support guys! Couldn't do it without ya!
See ya soon!
