Chapter 98 - Peace


They trekked in more companionable silence for the rest of the journey, even trading jokes and stories in their shared evenings of firelight. Although Kagome never asked, Kouga always caught and cleaned dinner, bestowing rabbit, pheasant, and even boar.

Autumn was at full strength now, the nights full of frost and clouds of breath, and Kagome burrowed deep into her sleeping bag. In the darkness, all Kouga could see peeking out was the red-tip of her nose. He made no cracks at 'keeping her warm', simply feeding the fire throughout the night and sleeping at intervals a respectful distance away.