A/N: Now why - you may ask - did I not do this for Koga ship day. The answer is that 1) Ayame deserved better than being second place - she's one of my favorite characters. She deserved better. 2) What other major characters can I really get two ships out of? SessRin? No thank you, and 3) Because its fanfiction and I do what I want.
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November 20th:
Koga and Ayame
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"Ayame, I'm gunna make you my woman," Koga announced definitively as the red haired beauty arched her brow, "It's time I finally settle down."
"Is that so?" Ayame snorted as she gave the wolf a once over, "What happened to Kagome?"
"Uh, well…she…uh, well she doesn't matter anymore," Koga stuttered awkwardly before adding in an apologetic tone, "Listen, I know that…"
"No you listen Koga, you've made it abundantly clear that you weren't interested so if you're suddenly running to me with your tail between your legs that means that either Kagome's insistence that she's not interested finally sunk in or something happened that you know you lost," Ayame sighed heavily as she rolled her eyes, "I am the last true descendant of the Elder. I'm a strong capable demon who has been providing and taking care of our tribe while you were out chasing that woman and that Naraku fellow. While I understand that Naraku posed a threat and that you were avenging our fallen comrades, the ones who were alive needed someone and that someone was me. I'm not going to be over the moon about being second place."
"But Ayame…" Koga protested weakly, grimacing as she continued her tirade.
"I'm not telling you no. I'm telling you that if you're really interested in me, and you're not settling, you're going to have to prove it to me," Ayame said pointedly, "Prove to me why I should become your mate because from where I'm standing, it seems like you don't really want me. I deserve better and I bet I can find a wolf who'd be up to the task."
"Fair enough," Koga sighed in defeat, "So you need me to prove it to ya, fine."
"Fine," Ayame repeated as she nodded and adjusted her ponytails, "And just so you know, don't go thinking that you can just get the Elder to order me to mate you. I've talked with my grandfather about this at length and he thinks you aren't worthy either."
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Sighing, Ayame adjusted her boot and stretched her arm across her body as she ran over her extensive to-do list. Koga - of course - had bailed ship once she gave him that ultimatum. Why was she surprised? It wasn't like he ever was going to put the effort into actually courting her. Huffing, Ayame adjusted her ponytails and stepped outside...and immediately felt like she hadn't quite woken up yet.
It looked like an ocean. The crisp white and royal blue blooms covered the small clearing straight into the tree line and a fair distance into the forest as well. At the very edge of the gently swaying blossoms stood Koga - waiting anxiously as he gauged her reaction.
"These are flowers," she said stupidly as she stared incredulously at the multitudinous blooms. Koga nodded from where he stood as he responded quietly, "They're ayame. Just as beautiful as you."
Smirking slightly, Ayame struggled to keep the grin off her face as she nodded appreciatively. Flowers were nice and the gesture was beyond amazing but after the heartache and humiliation she'd endured, he'd need to try just a tad bit more.
"Thank you," she whispered quietly as she gave him a warm smile and asked casually, "So I'm going on a perimeter run and then I have a few things I need to do. Would you like to join me?"
"Yeah, I'm sure..." Koga began enthusiastically before Ayame cut him off, "See this is how its gunna go. I'm in charge. If you want me to become your mate, you need to submit to me as Alpha for the next three years and then - and only then - will I be your mate. Can you handle that?"
"But the flowers..." Koga began to protest weakly before seeing Ayame arch her brow. Sighing, Koga nodded before straightening himself up, "So where to boss?"
"Boss?" Ayame snorted, "You are allowed to call me by my name. Do Ginta and Hakkaku call you boss?"
"Sometimes," Koga mumbled as a blush grew on his cheeks, "Fine. Where are we going, Ayame?"
"Just up the ridge," Ayame responded happily, "Then we've got to catch some food for dinner."
"Alright, sounds good," Koga responded as he prepared to follow her. As Ayame took off running, she glanced over her shoulder at Koga who was clearly fighting with himself not to rush in front of her. Snickering slightly, Ayame called back to him, "So where'd Ginta and Hakkaku get those flowers?"
"I beg your pardon! I got those flowers! Took me a week!" Koga protested indignantly, "Give me some credit."
"Okay, okay," Ayame chuckled good naturedly as they ran.
Three years passed and Koga was true to his word. On the day Kagome returned to this world, Ayame was fearful that he'd return to his old ways but as it turned out, Koga had invested so much time and energy into winning Ayame that it'd take a lot more than a hope and prayer to drag him away. A month later, Ayame accepted his hand and together they lead their tribes into an era of peace and prosperity.