A/N: I just wanted you to know, that I work with mentally retarded individuals. The ones I work with sometimes act like children; it's just the way their brains are wired. I was once worked with, then became a volunteer for, a middle-aged gentleman who had the mind of a one year old. I loved him so much and it devastated me when he passed away after a short illness two years ago.
Portraying Sesshoumaru like this isn't out of cruelty or meaness. I do it because I have the utmost respect for these people who have this enormous burden to bear for the whole of their lives. I can't imagine what it's like to be considered "not normal". They are so very helpless and so completely dependent on those who care for them.
One reader told me that it seemed improbable that Sesshoumaru wouldn't get excited over pizza and ice cream. Actually, damage to the brain can completely alter a person's behavior. Improbably it may be, but not impossible. - Thank you for bringing it up!
Additionally, the people I work with DO excited over the simplest things, mainly because they usually don't get them. Things that you and I can go out and get everyday, like fast food, is a big-time treat for them. Their diets, activities... their whole lives are restricted in so many ways.
I'm not apologizing for what I wrote. I'm proud of it and I'm so thankful I have fabulous readers like you! Peace!
Chapter 26
Upon hearing that condescending voice, Kouga let loose the curse he had been holding in a rather loud voice and downed the entire glass of liquor. "What the fuck do you want, Yuki. I'm really not in the mood for your bullshit right now." He blinked a few times. The effects of the liquor was beginning to take hold, turning his sharp vision a little blurry. Was this thoroughly modern elf wearing the flowing garments of his woodland clan? He certainly looked different.
He shook his head. Kouga hadn't seen the true form of the elves in centuries. "I see you've returned to your natural self. Haven't seen you like this in forever."
A warm vibration emanated from the tall being standing in the doorway. Kouga felt oddly at peace with himself...and life. How strange was the purity of the elven race, to make one feel so... so... wonderful! Every muscle in his body relaxed but his mind did not. It refused to. The suspicious part of his brain knew that this was Yuki's way of leaving him defenseless. How clever Yuki was!
Yuki glided towards the leather armchair before Kouga's desk, long silken tresses the color of pale cornsilk flowing appealingly about his lithe, elegant body. "Of course. I look rather handsome this way, don't you agree?" He sat down and crossed one long leg over the other. He leaned forward slightly and situated the hem of his chocolate brown velvet robes just so.
"Not particularily. Actually, I don't care," sneered the black-haired youkai. He had pulled himself together and pushed away the feeling of peace and serenity. It was all trickery anyway. "You look like a fem."
"Kouga, I'm shocked at you. How rude!" He put a hand to his breast in mock tragedy.
"Fuck you."
The elf inclined his head and lowered his hand to his lap. "As you say. Were you going to ask how Hiro is doing? It's only polite, don't you think?" he good-naturedly admonished his host.
Kouga, who had by now refilled his glass, scowled darkly at his visitor. He replaced the stopper in the glass decanter. "He's dead, isn't he? He sure looked dead when we got to him."
The elf's light, musical laughter filled the room. Kouga felt his insides cringe from the sound. How dare he be so... so fucking happy! The last three weeks had been anything but, and he knew the stress was already taking its toll. The last thing he needed was to have this fool waltz into HIS home, which he had been strictly forbidden to do and laugh as if he hadn't a care in the world.
"Actually, my dear brother is alive and well. At the moment he is in a deep sleep, but very much alive. Elves are a very hardy creatures, you know. Besides, he can't die while she lives."
Upon hearing this, Kouga sat up straight, instantly alert. "He lives? Oh, thank Kami for that," he sighed heavily with relief, slumping down into his chair. "I guess I should go tell her--"
"No! That is, not yet," Yuki said hurriedly. "He wants to surprise her himself. IF that's alright with you."
"I guess so." Kouga massaged his temples with his fingers. "Just tell him to make it snappy, okay? This whole business has wreaked havoc on my nerves. Kagome has been through hell. One more week of this and I swear I'll..."
Yuki rose gracefully to his feet. "Very soon, he said. He's still a bit weak, but he desperately wants to see her... and to apologize. He feels badly that he couldn't protect her more." Lifting a hand, he grabbed hold of his golden tresses and pulled them over his shoulder to hang down the front of his body. Slim, elegant fingers moved swiftly through his hair, expertly twining his locks into a shimmering plait. "Hiro feels bad for you, too. He sends his apologies."
Wearily, Kouga waved a hand. "Forget about it. The point is he's okay...and then when Kagome sees him alive and well, things will get back to normal."
"Yes, back to normal," repeated the elf, as he executed a smooth bow to Kouga. "See you soon," he said, turning away and exiting the room.
The youkai frowned at the elf's back. Something was off. He wasn't sure what, but he knew it didn't bode well.
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
The next day saw Kagome finally out of her room and decided to eat a meal. Kouga was immensely relieved to have her eating again. She had lost quite a bit of weight during the last three weeks and he didn't like it at all. He much preferred her to be curvy... womanly. Skinny women held no appeal for him.
Kagome had taken three bites of her breakfast when the sound of voices was heard in the foyer. One voice in particular alarmed Kouga and he whirled around to look at Kagome, whose face had gone completely white. Her eyes and lips were hard and narrowed as she stared out of the dining room doors.
"Sweetheart--" he began warningly.
The voices got louder and soon, Sango and Sesshoumaru came into the dining room. They were laughing and talking. As soon as they saw the occupants of the room, Sesshoumaru whimpered and ducked behind Sango.
Sango looked uncertain for a moment. "Um, Sesshoumaru? Let's come back in a little while, okay?"
"No." Kagome stood up, gaze hard on the youkai hiding behind her friend. She dropped her fork on her plate of food. "I was just leaving." Stiffly, she got to her feet and walked out of the dining room.
"Kagome! Come back! You need to eat!" cried Kouga, jumping up. His chair fell back and hit the floor with a loud thud.
Sesshoumaru began to cry. "I...I'm sorry!" he wailed and threw himself into Sango's arms. The much smaller woman just barely held onto the enormous youkai, who fell to his knees and wrapped his arms around her waist.
"It's okay, Sesshoumaru. Please don't cry. Kagome didn't mean to hurt your feelings." She patted his back while reaching up to smooth his hair. "Shh. It's okay. It's okay."
Meanwhile, Kouga chased Kagome through the foyer and down the hallway towards the back of the house. As she fled from him, he could smell her tears.
She led him out of the house and into the gardens. He had little trouble keeping up with her, but she managed to evade his hands since she was lighter and quicker. He hadn't had a good run in several weeks, not to mention he was in an expensive suit. Finally he caught up with her and yanked her into his arms. Intead of melting into his embrace, she became dead weight, easily sliding out of them and down onto her knees, panting heavily. He fell to his knees beside her in the soft grass, unmindful of his costly slacks.
The look in her eyes made him grow cold inside. "Kagome..." he whispered. He put a hand out to her, but she shrank away from him.
"Leave me alone," she whimpered, turning her face away from him.
Hurt and anger burned through him. "Don't turn away from me, Kagome." He grabbed her upper arms and pulled her back around to face him. "Look at me. Look at me, I said!" He shook her lightly when she did not comply. "You are not going to ignore me. Do you hear what I'm saying? You will NOT ignore me, Higurashi Kagome."
She struggled ineffectually in his strong grasp. "Let go of me!" she cried. In her haste to get away, she pulled away so hard that she fell back. Her legs were pinned beneath her, allowing Kouga to take advantage of her situation. He positioned himself on top of her, his hard body holding her down. His hands were clamped on her wrists.
"Never. I'll never let you go, koishii." His head dipped down and he brushed his lips lightly against hers. Quickly he released her and grabbed her up into his arms. Holding her fast, he returned her to the house, where he made her finish her meal.
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
That evening, while Kouga was still at work, Kagome decided to turn in early. She didn't really feel like seeing Kouga just yet. After he had forced her to eatthe rest of hermeal this morning, she called him a goddamned bully before running off to her room. She made it to the bathroom just in time to be thoroughly sick in the toilet. She'd eaten entirely too much food.
But now it was late and she was fast asleep. She did not hear the dark shadow that entered her room through her bedroom door. After some minutes, Kagome felt a presence in the room with her and she woke. Scowling into the darkness, she ignored it. No doubt it was that stubborn wolf come back to force her to eat again. Damn Miroku! He'd probably squealed to Kouga about how he had tried earlier to get her to eat lunch and dinner, but she refused to eat or come out of her room.
"Kagome." The shadow moved towards her and sat at the foot of her bed.
Startled, she sat up. "Who's there?" she breathed, her heart pounding with fright. She pulled the covers up to her chin and shook. A dark figure was sitting at her feet and it was turned to face her. For a moment her breath caught and she could almost swear her heart stopped beating. Could it be...?
A light, whispy laugh filled the darkness around her. "Have you forgotten me already, Kagome?" replied a soft, familiar voice. The breeze blowing through her room lifted the figure's long, dark wavy locks. His smile burned like the sun's rays to her through the darkness.
But despite the long, flowing robes and hair that pooled on the bed behind him, Kagome easily recognized the slim figure before her. "Hiro...?" she whispered, unable to breathe. "Oh kami, never! I could never, never... forget you!" Was he an apparition? Surely Kami-sama could not be so cruel. "Is it really you? Are you...are you really here?"
He extended a slim hand to her. Tentatively, she put her hand in his, wondering if she should trust her eyes. But his hand was as real as hers and the moment their skin touched, she was out from under the bedcovers and in his arms. "Oh, Hiro!" she cried softly, wrapping her arms around his very real neck. "I thought you were dead!"
Hiro's arms went around her and held her close. "Kagome, did you honestly think I could die so easily? You know," he said with a chuckle, "elves can be great actors."
"It was all an act?" she asked, her arms clutching at him and tears streaming down her face. She didn't care, really. All she knew was that he was here, warm and very much ALIVE.
"I had to knock him off guard so that you could take him out. You did a wonderful job, by the way. I'm glad you listened to me."
Kagome pulled back a little and laughed quietly. "So that WAS you! I knew that voice sounded familiar."
His laugh was warm, like a soft summer's day and she felt herself melt a little under it. "Besides, I can't die as long as you are alive." He tipped her chin up slightly and gazed into her eyes. "Your strength on that day kept me from falling into despair. I'm sorry I couldn't stop what happened. If I had known how you would suffer as a result--"
She shook her head. "No. It doesn't matter now." She raised a hand to his face and brushed her fingertips over one of his smooth cheeks. Her eyes roamed all over his wonderful face as her tears began to blur her vision. "But how did you survive? I felt your body. It was cool to the touch...and your bones! I felt them break beneath me when we landed!"
Shaking his head, Hiro sighed and closed his eyes. "Don't think of it, Kagome. It was torture. The pain was nearly unbearable." He leaned forward, resting his forehead against hers. "But I had to lay still. I had to concentrate on helping you defeat him."
"And I did."
Hiro nodded. "Yes. Yes, you did."
A watery smile appeared on Kagome's face. "Thanks to you." She giggled, causing him to look up with a quizzical expression. "I remember the look on his face when he was struck with that bolt of lightning."
He chuckled. "Oh yes, I couldn't resist it. Besides, it was necessary. He was on top of you and I couldn't let him hurt you. I am your protector, after all."
"Like Yuki."
"Actually," remarked the elf, "technically he isn't your protector. Yuki was the protector of Midoriko, as you know. Of course, as usual, he was slacking on the job and she goes and gets herself killed. The mikos that followed her were protected by various members of my people. By the time you arrived on the scene, the job had fallen to me. Yuki didn't want the job anyway, because by that time he was thoroughly disillusioned with the job of protector. Fifty years prior to your arrival, we heard of a new miko, Kikyo, who by all accounts resembled the long-dead Midoriko. He nearly went crazy when he discovered that Kikyo wasn't Midoriko's reincarnation. I don't think I've ever seen him so upset." He stroked her hair. "He never even wanted to meet you for fear that you, too, would look like Midoriko and not be her. But Kikyo was an odd one, for neither Yuki or I felt attracted to her. I wanted to meet you, though. I couldn't wait to meet you."
Kagome felt her face grow warm. She hadn't realized that he had actually wanted to be her protector. "Hiro..."
His hand slid forward, cupping her chin and tilting her head up. "I'm in love with you, Kagome."
"What...did you say?" She stared up at him, wide-eyed in the dark. Had she heard him correctly?
He lowered his head to hers. "Oh yes," he whispered, his breath warming her face, "you heard me quite clearly."
Before she could reply, his lips had found hers and delivered the softest, sweetest kiss she had ever experienced. She felt him place his hands on her shoulders, pulling her towards him. Within her breast, the jewel stirred, creating the most wonderful sensation imaginable. His tongue did not intrude, even though she desperately wished it to.
The world around her dissolved into something that could only be described as heaven and she knew only him. The warmth of his presence surrounded her, flowed through her very soul. A strange humming came from her heart and she realized with astonishment that it was the Shikon jewel. It was singing.
In that moment, she knew that Hiro had spoken the truth. Pure love surrounded her and she felt such a longing for him that it put Kouga's love for her to shame. Not like this. Never like this...
A blast of warm, fragrant air filled the room and pushed her closer to him. Powerful arms pulled her against him and she pulled away, breaking the kiss. It had only been a light, simple kiss he had given her. When she opened her eyes, she saw that then entire room was filled with a blinding rose-colored light and Hiro was smiling down at her, causing the jewel to sing even louder.
She clasped a hand to her breast. "Was this how it was with Yuki and Midoriko?" she asked in a voice barely above a whisper.
He nodded. "Yes, although the jewel had not been created yet. But this is how it is between the holy miko and her true protector. The bond between them is much stronger; the connection, purer." He kissed her forehead. "I felt like I was in heaven when I kissed you. That is the way it's supposed to be."
"Sweet and wonderful?"
Hiro nodded again. "And perfect. Just like you." A shy smile touched his lips and he bowed his head.
Wrapping her arms around him once more, she held him tightly against her. "I'm so happy, Hiro. I'm so happy you're still alive."
"As am I," he replied and buried his face in her hair.
A thought struck her and she pushed away from him. "Why haven't you come back before now?" A petulant look crossed her face. "Or Yuki, for that matter? Why didn't he come here and tell us what was really going on?"
Hiro opened his mouth to apologize, but Kagome's face slid into a frown. She got up from the bed and walked to the open window, her back to him. "But at least you're alive. That's what counts."
The wind kicked up again and blew past her in a cool rush. Just beyond the window, the tree on which she used to escape the house unnoticed, was gently swaying. Soon, she was lost in a jumble of thoughts. Why had she kissed Hiro? Or rather, why had HE kissed HER? Oh, damn this jewel! There was only one man for her! Only one! Sure, he was a stubborn, pig-headed bully, but she loved him.
Another breeze, chillier than the one before, flooded into the room. She shivered slightly.
Just as she was about to turn around to speak to Hiro, she felt something broad and warm against her back. Instinctively, she leaned back into it and was rewarded by a pair of comforting arms that lovingly encircled her shoulders and waist. A warm nose and petal-soft lips brushed against her neck and shoulder.
"I'm so very sorry that I upset you," he said. The heat of his breath against her flesh sent shivers of delight down her spine.
Kagome shook her head. "It is no matter. Where's Hiro? Has he gone?"
Kouga lightly nibbled on her earlobe. "Yes. He said that he had some things to do, but he told me that he wished to take you out tomorrow. Shopping, dinner...that sort of thing."
Her body stilled in his embrace. "Are you okay with this, Kouga? I mean, didn't he invite you as well?"
"Iie, of course not. Why should he?"
"Oh, I don't know. Common curtesy, maybe?"
He sighed heavily. "The invitation was for you alone, koishii. I was not the one who lay nearly comatose for three weeks."
Kagome said nothing, only pulling herself away from him. This was NOT a good thing, she thought to herself. Just the two of them? Alone? That was definitely not a good idea. He wanted her, she wanted him...and with the damned jewel involved, she would be helpless to resist his advances. IF he made any, that is. But she suspected he would.
And Kouga. She couldn't do that with Hiro. She just couldn't.
The youkai standing behind her detected her worry and trepidation instantly. He already knew what had happened before he entered the room. Hiro, like all elves, was completely undetectable scent-wise. They could also move about as silent as a ghost if they wished, which was why Kouga hadn't heard him enter the house.
But Kagome, he COULD smell. As he moved wearily up the stairs, removing his tie, he could smell it. The air was saturated with her emotions: great relief, joy, excitement. And he knew that Hiro was in his house.
Halfway up, he stood still, listening. He could hear them talking and he heard Hiro confess his love for her. Kouga felt his insides freeze. Oh, please no...
But it was the lengthy silence which followed that nearly killed him. He dropped to his knees on the carpeted stairs, one hand clutching at his heart. He never thought that Hiro would betray his trust. Although he knew WHY Hiro was doing it, he just never thought for one second that his old friend would kiss Kagome.
Taking a deep breath, he got to his feet and continued up the stairs. He could hear the sound of wind blowing around her room. When he reached her bedroom door, he stopped and stared disconsolately at it, wondering if he should knock upon it or kick it in.
Opting for the former, he raised his hand. But before he could knock, the door opened. Hiro stood there, in all his elven splendor. Long, glossy brown ringlets hung to his waist, his pointed ears peeking out from beneath his curtain of hair. Floor-length velvet green robes of deep hunter green flowed over, and molded to, his lean body. Childlike eyes of soft brown stared back at him.
Kouga felt a pang of jealousy. Of course it was silly, but if only he looked as perfect and elegant as the elf standing before him... perhaps Kagome wouldn't kiss other men.
He looked away and glared at the wall. Damn elves! Damn them and their perfect faces, perfect bodies, perfect... perfect EVERYTHING!
The tall being stepped aside, sweeping the hem of his robes back behind him. "Kouga, it is good to see you," he said rather warily. "I have been extremely worried about Kagome. Yuki told me what she had been going through because of me. I wish to make it up to her. Allow me the pleasure of taking her shopping and to have some dinner with me later on. Will you permit me to do this?"
Shaking off the ridiculous feeling of jealousy, Kouga smiled. "Of course. I trust you to take great care of my woman, Hiro."
Hiro nodded and bowed. He turned and began to walk away, but stopped suddenly and turned back to face the youkai. "Arigato, Kouga. I am honored that you think so highly of me. Your friendship means a great deal to me." He smiled at his friend and then he was gone, his long robes trailing behind him as he descended the staircase.
Once he was alone, Kouga turned his gaze to Kagome's open bedroom door. Taking a deep breath, he slipped silently into the room in time to see her shiver in the cool air.
As she pulled away from him, he couldn't help but think that something dreadful would take place tomorrow. He couldn't beat around the bush. He needed to know.
"Kagome," he intoned ominously, "what exactly will happen tomorrow?"
ooooooooooooooooooooooo
Leaving Kouga's house, the elf walked swiftly towards the forest beyond the wolf's extensive property. A strange smile crossed the angelic face. It was a smile that people would never think could ever cross his face. But then again... it wasn't HIS face.
As he walked, the dark, wavy hair lightened to pale gold in the moonlight. The gentle, innocent brown orbs slid back into their usual feline-shaped features.
Yuki smiled to himself. He almost hated using his brother's appearance like this, but he wanted Kagome and no one, his brother and that damned wolf included, would get in the way of his goal. Hiro had warned him not to touch Kagome, in fact, not to come within five miles of her as Kouga had not yet marked her. He had also told Yuki not to bother Kagome and upset her. If she was upset, that would only delay Kouga's mating of her.
That statement got Yuki to thinking.
As for Hiro, he actually WAS doing quite well. At the moment, he was resting peacefully thanks to a potion slipped to him by his brother. Yuki had not felt guilty about it, especially since Hiro really DID need his rest.
Tricking Kouga had not been difficult at all, although it had nearly given him a heart attack to hear the old wolf come up the stairs and pause. He knew Kouga could hear him talk to Kagome and that he could smell her arousal as well. Silently, he sent up a prayer of thanks that his scent was undetectable to a youkai's nose. Kouga could never be able to tell the difference between him and Hiro.
Chuckling to himself, he rubbed his hands greedily together. Tomorrow would see him with Kagome. Naturally, he wouldn't go as himself. Kouga wouldn't let Kagome be alone in the same room with him if he arrived in his true form. But as his brother, Kouga would gladly allow her to go camping on a secluded beach with him for a month.
He looked down at his left hand and opened it, palm up. The cut he had made was healing nicely. Hiro's hand should be healed by now. He had mingled Hiro's blood with his, thus allowing him to be able to take control of the wind like his brother. With a wave of his hand, Yuki felt his command fading. Good. There wouldn't be any tell-tale signs to make Hiro suspicious.
As for tomorrow... he would have to slip Hiro the sleeping potion again. It wouldn't do to have him destroying his plans.
ooooo
"Oh, for pity's sake, Kouga! Nothing's going to happen!" she cried with dismay. "I swear nothing's going to happen. Hiro and I are just friends, for crying out loud!" She struggled against him, trying to pull away from him again, but he held her in place.
Absently, Kouga rubbed his chin against her shoulder and glared out of the window. "That's right. Nothing IS going happen."
His voice was so deathly quiet that Kagome didn't quite hear what he said. "What did you say?"
He whirled her around to face him, his chest heaving up and down with barely controlled rage. A heavy red mist clouded his vision and he could feel his youkai surge forth. Without warning, Kouga bared his fangs and sank them deep into her shoulder. Kagome, caught completely off guard, had no time to scream. She gasped from the pain, her body tensing against his. She tried to pull away from him, but that caused him to only hold her tighter. There was no way he would let her go.
Soon the pain overwhelmed her and she fell into a half-faint, her body slumping against his more powerful one. None too gently, he withdrew his fangs and picked her up. He carried her over to their bed and lay her down. Laying down beside her, he pulled her into his arms and rocked her lightly. Whispering into her ear he said, "If you go, you'll go as my mate, marked and claimed. The way you should have been from the very beginning."
Kagome, listening to his tender words, nodded slightly. "Yes. The way I should have been." Turning to him, she snuggled against him and ignored the pain in her neck. Tilting her head back slightly, she gazed up at him. "Did you really think I would betray you with Hiro, Kouga? I would never willingly do that."
"He kissed you. You let him kiss you, Kagome," he muttered peevishly.
Sensing his temper beginning to flare, she put up a hand and gently caressed his cheek. "You and I both know that I can't be faulted for that. The jewel... you know I couldn't help it, Kouga. You don't know how irresistable he is to me." She looked down and stared at his throat. "It's like an unbearable need that only he can satisfy. A touch, a kiss... anything to make the need go away."
Piercing blue eyes watched her in the near-darkness. "Yes, I know exactly what that feels like."
Wrapping her arms about his neck, Kagome pulled herself up until their faces were level with each other. "You are my mate, Kouga. Even my youkai has chosen you. Do you really think it would let me leave you?" Giving him a rueful smile, she shook her head. "I would never hear the end of it."
Kouga was silent. As he watched her through his half-closed eyes, Kagome got the feeling that he did not believe her. Undaunted, she kissed him, pressing her body against his. When he did not respond, she slid her lips to his ear. "I want you to finish, Kouga."
Instead of moving closer to her, he sat up, his long legs tucked beneath him. He looked down at her, uncertainty still present in his gaze. Kagome stretched out her hands and began to undo the buttons on his shirt. He continued to watch her in silence as she worked.
In no time, his shirt hung open, allowing her passionate gaze to roam over his bare chest.
"So beautiful," she murmured hotly as she sat up. Her hands slid up to his smooth shoulders and pushed the silk shirt back and off. Getting up on her knees, she ran her hands down his arms. Kouga unprotestingly allowed her to remove his clothing.
Unprotesting he might be, but he was far from unaffected. His breathing had become labored and his chest was heaving as though he couldn't catch his breath. Smiling to herself, Kagome leaned over and placed soft, fluttering kisses along his bare neck. She stopped when she came to his pulse point. It was was beating wildly and she couldn't resist giving him a gentle bite right there.
A low, raspy growl burst from his lips and she felt his arms wrap around her so tightly she could barely breathe. His head dipped down and he sunk his fangs into her once again. She gave a little gasping cry, but this time she clutched at his head, her fingers tangling in his thick black hair and pushed herself hard against him.
The pain sang through her and she moaned. It was horrible and wonderful all at once and she just couldn't get enough of it... or him.
She threw her head back, eyes shut with ecstasy. "Kouga," she breathed. "I'm yours..."
Another growl, fiercely possessive and aggressively primal, filled the air... and Kouga finally took his mate.