-ooO DISCLAIMER Ooo- I own nothing of the InuYasha series (all hail Rumiko Takahashi) and any resemblance to persons living or deceased is completely coincidental and something you really, really need to write and tell me about. Please note that this Disclaimer applies to all subsequent chapters in this story, 'Wind & Snow II - Butterfly Effect' a.k.a 'W&S II' as such no further disclaimers will be posted because dear gods I cannot tell you in enough words how way too lazy I am to do that. Oh and thank you for not suing - Namaste ooO DISCLAIMER Ooo-
PLEASE NOTE THE RATING OF THIS FIC BEFORE CONTINUING.
Also, if you haven't read W&S the first part, I suggest you start there so you know what you're in for.
~lady p.
FYI, you can also find me on archiveofourown, otherwise known as AO3 should anything happen to this story of ffnet.
My pen name is the same!
October 9, 2019
Greetings everyone and welcome to the first chapter of Wind & Snow II - Butterfly Effect! For those of you that are new to this story, please be aware that this is a continuation of a previous story (Wind & Snow) and has an already established relationship with Kouga and Kagome.
Please forgive the weak summary to this story, because there is so much more going on in this then I was able to write in such a short little paragraph. As you know, I'm trying to tell an epic tale with some of my favorite manga characters that involves a long and complicated story that will take 'time' to reveal (heehee). I've been through a lot and grown much during the years it's taken me to get this story out, and I can't thank my readers and reviewers enough for all of your incredible encouragement during the reveal of this story. I've had readers come and go as this story develops, so for those of you that are still here, ~*~Thank you!~*~
I'm very excited to be posting Chapter 1, "Welcome Home," and I hope you'll enjoy it as much I do! For those of you that read the sneak preview of this new chapter, you'll already know that Souta has a bit of a mouth on him, lol. Please keep in mind that he's nearly 16 years old and a little emotional (I grew up with 3 brothers, so blame them, lol) and he's also been on the receiving end of InuYasha's mouth for years! A fact that our hanyou friend will be bringing up with him later on in the story ;-) It also plays into Souta's arch as he goes through his own growing pains. Ah, youth!
Thanks everyone, for all your patience, understanding, and support. And most importantly, for making this story possible.
Much love! ~ lady p.
-ooOooOooOoo-W&S II W&S-ooOooOooOoo-
The sun is bright and warm, a perfect day as birds chirp melodiously in leafy tree tops. Passerby's stroll in the late afternoon streets, chatting, eating ice-cream, or playing Mahjongg on little side tables tucked underneath lamp posts and trees for shade. Way up high above the casual strollers, at the end of a long climbing staircase, the sight of a soft pink and blue glow from a small wooden shed goes unremarked by almost everyone in the city.
"Mom!" Souta jumps from his spot on the floor where he's playing the new, "Assassin's Creed," video game in his room, unable to mistake the hum of strange magical power that emanates from the shed after all these years. "Kagome's back!" the teenager grins, surprised at how eager he is to see his sister or perhaps it's the silver haired dog eared boy that is always at his sister's side.
That means InuYasha's here! Souta grins wide to himself as he mashes the buttons on his game. Just his luck he'd be right in the middle of a Battle Royale when the dog arrived.
"Damn, InuYasha! You're not gonna believe the new video game I got!" Souta cries out, knowing the dog will hear him. At nearly 16 years old, Souta had become quite the proficient at video games thanks to his friendly rivalry with the dog demon that had also become quite addicted to the violent games over the years. Souta attacks the player on his screen with a bloody swipe of his sword, suddenly needing the pvp tournament he'd been enjoying to be over and fast so he can exit his game. "Shit!" Souta balks at the heavy blow he takes from one of the players, he's more than a little distracted to say the least. He can hear his mother's excited voice drifting up from below. "You're gonna love this pvp mode, I swear!" he yells out his bedroom door, dancing in step at his eagerness to show the hanyou his new game. "Ha! Take that!" he grins, taking out a group of soldiers with a super enhanced strike.
When the dungeon clock finally counts down allowing Souta to exit his game, he tosses the controller onto his bed, trying not to trip over the scattered items on his floor as he rushes from his room with an eagerness born from years of idolizing the strange and powerful half-demon.
"I'll show you how to play!" he shouts, barrelling down the hallway with a heart pounding rush in his eagerness to reach InuYasha . . . err . . . Kagome. Reminding himself to make sure his big sister really is doing okay first then it's time to play with the dog! Reaching the stairs, Souta propels himself down to the bottom, two at a time, hitting the last step with a flourish. "And then I'm totally gonna kick your –" Souta's face blanks as his gaze falls on the huddled little group in the kitchen, his body stilling at the strange sight before him: his sister, dressed in a blue kimono, standing with a tall and armoured dark haired youth in a ponytail and wearing . . . a fur skirt?!
"Ass?" the last word tumbles out of the shocked youth's mouth as he watches the strange scene. His mother's hands are curled into something long and bushy that twitches in her hands, making her giggle as she speaks with the strange male.
"Uh . . . hey, Souta," Kagome smiles, laughing nervously as she turns her gaze towards her younger brother.
"What the hell, Kagome?" Souta's mind works frantically to understand what exactly is going on. He doesn't miss for a second the way his sister blushes while her hand clasps tightly, intertwined like a couple, to the dark haired – what the hell is he? A caveman? "Who the fuck is this asshole?"
A few minutes earlier . . . .
As the newly mated couple travels through the Well, colors swirl around them as weightlessness overtakes them before falling again onto the hard packed surface.
"Whoa," Kouga grunts as his feet stabilize on the rough terrain. "I don't know if I'll ever get used to that feeling." He looks up at the shed overhead, knowing that just like that he is separated from his past by 500 years.
"Yeah, it is always a trip," Kagome laughs lightly. Her radiant smile reassures the wolf that past or future, his home, everything that matters, is standing right next to him.
Kouga kisses the tip of her nose, grinning wide. "How 'bout one more trip?" Before Kagome has a chance to reply, he wraps a strong forearm around her waist pulling her against him, scooping her into his arms. With the softest of pressures, a hop really, Kouga pushes off from the ground, addicted to the way it feels when Kagome's arms squeeze tight around him despite the gentle ride and his steady hold on her. Landing gracefully on the lip of the Well in the small confined space, the wolf scratches nervously at the back of his head, feeling suddenly unsure of himself.
"I don't know about this, Kagome."
"Oh, don't worry, it'll be fine, Kouga, you'll see," Kagome smiles sweetly, reassuring him. "My mom's gonna love you, especially if you twitch that tail of yours in front of her," she giggles, making Kouga snort with humor. InuYasha had given him the same advice.
Closing the fridge door, Aiko Higurashi nearly separates from her skin with eager anticipation when she hears the long awaited soft hum of energy that sounds the arrival of her eldest daughter. Releasing a long deep breath, she smiles to herself, knowing that her little girl is home and is safe. The single mother of two tries hard to be strong for her daughter, to pretend like she doesn't worry when she's away traveling in the past, but how can she not? She's a mother, her mother, her special little girl. That Kagome was destined to live a different life had never surprised Aiko, especially given the strange circumstances that had been present the day her daughter had been born or all the strangeness that had followed her over the years. With nearly no one to share her thoughts and concerns with, Aiko knows all she can do is hold onto her little girl for as long as she can. Waiting for the day when her special little girl will become so much more than just her little girl.
Peeking through the kitchen window, she can see a partial view of the shed and is surprised at the sight of Kagome dressed in a blue kimono and walking hand in hand with a tall young man wearing strange furs and . . . is that armor? She squints at the sight as if to see clearer. Their body language surprises her even more, never having seen her daughter with anyone other than InuYasha or that sweet young Hojo, and certainly never holding hands! The back kitchen door slides open and Kagome enters with the blushing young man in tow and Aiko can hear Souta cry out from his bedroom, no doubt having noticed his sister's arrival as well.
"Kagome!" she smiles wide, throwing her arms around her daughter that rushes up to her, embracing her tightly.
"Hi, Mom!" Kagome's eyes squeeze shut, doing her best to hold back the wave of tears and emotions that threaten to spill at the sight of her mother. In a heartbeat, suddenly realizing just how much she's been through and how much she had needed one of her mothers infamous and reassuring hugs. Even for all the love she holds for Kouga, there is something that Kagome knows will never compare to this feeling. This feeling of home, of her mother's arm wrapped tight around her. "I missed you so much," she whispers hoarsely.
Kouga is awed by the rush of love, sadness, safety, and joy that radiates through Kagome's entire being at the sight of her mother as she rushes into the older woman's arms. His yoki rumbles low and deep at the affectionate scene, stirring the very fires of trust, love, and familial bonds that burn hot in all wolf youkai. Somehow, he's not surprised to see it beat so strongly among Kagome and her family. Even now he can hear what he assumes is her younger brother, shouting from somewhere in the den, having heard the kid call out for his sister the moment they'd arrived through the Well.
Releasing her mother, Kagome steps back, a wide smile lighting her face. "Mom, I want you to meet someone very special and important to me," she can feel the rush of affection that flows from her wolf at the words, making her glance in Kouga's direction. His lopsided grin and happy flick of his tail makes her giggle.
"Oh?" Aiko replies, noticing all the not-so-subtle looks and smiles being exchanged between the two clearly love struck couple.
Kagome reaches her hand out, clasping onto Kouga's firmly. Holding his gaze she smiles brightly at him. "Kouga, this is my mother, Aiko Higurashi, or Mrs. H as all my friends call her," she grins, nodding in her mother's direction.
Kouga bows his head, lowering his gaze to the older woman. The most humble sign of respect he can offer his mate's mother. "Ma'am," he rumbles low in greeting. Shit! He can hardly believe how nervous he feels. He's faced down thousands of blood hungry foes and fought in countless battles and wars that seem like wolf play compared to this.
"Mom," Kagome's eyes shine with pride as she gazes at her mother, "this is Kouga. He's Alpha of the eastern dens," she flushes brightly, "he's ah . . ." she laughingly grins, knowing exactly how her mother will react. "He's a wolf demon."
A flicker of something brown moves behind Kagome's leg, causing Mrs. H to squeal out loud. "Oh, my goodness! Is that . . . is that a tail?!" Her hands curl beneath her chin in a very Kagome-like gesture, her eyes wide and glistening.
Kagome giggles, sensing Kouga's resignation at the soft sigh he takes beside her.
"Ah . . . yes, ma'am, it is." Kouga looks over to his giggling mate. He can feel the rush of Kagome's contentment flooding their bond and spicing her scent, pulsing his heart. His tail twitches anxiously on its own again, making Kagome's mother squeal even louder. Kouga sighs inwardly to himself, he knows exactly where this is going.
"Do, you, ah . . ." Kouga scratches at the back of his head, his ears burning as he purposely twitches his tail towards Kagome's mother that is already reaching towards him. "Wanna . . . ah, touch it?" Kami, he could just fucking die! Normally, he'd never think to allow anyone to just touch his tail except for Kagome of course and maybe grabby little pups that didn't know any better, but this is Kagome's mom, his mate's mother. The woman responsible for giving him Kagome in the first place! The thought brings a rush of warmth pouring from his heart, knowing he'd transform even into his wolf form in a heartbeat if she asked it. For the woman that had given birth to the other half of his soul, Kouga will gladly set aside all his pride and personal boundaries without a second thought.
"Oh, can I?" The radiant smile flashing on her mother's face as Kouga offers his tail to her makes Kagome's chest swell with tightness and pride. Loving the gentle way Kouga instructs her on how to carefully touch it.
"Aah! The other way, the other way," he grimaces, one eye squeezed shut.
"Oops! Sorry, dear," Aiko smiles shyly, following the wolf's hand motions.
Kagome can hardly believe the joy radiating inside her as she watches Kouga and her mother interact. She catches his grin and reassuring wink at her as her mother strokes his soft fur. Giggling at how amazed her mother is to discover the furry appendage twitch in her hands.
"Yeah, sorry. I can't help that." The tips of Kouga's ears redden, appreciating how very carefully Mrs. H gently strokes her fingers through his fur. He chuckles silently to himself. The things I'll do for love.
Aiko smiles to herself as she observes Kouga's gaze that is transfixed on Kagome, his unusually bright blue eyes drinking her in completely. Though she doesn't have the whole story yet, it is clear to her how deeply and passionately this wolf demon feels for her daughter just by the intensity of his gaze and the answering flush on Kagome's cheeks. She shakes her head slowly, amazed at the youth before her. She wasn't sure what she had expected in the man that would one day steal her daughter's heart, but from that first night Kagome had returned home through the Well, rambling on about a white ear hanyou and an old one-eyed priestess, she knew nothing would ever be the same again. At first, Aiko wasn't sure if her daughter hadn't gone a little insane until she'd received confirmation that stormy night that her daughter was in fact, telling the truth. The revelation challenging everything the single mother could have ever hoped or imagined.
"I wasn't sure it would happen," she says softly.
"Sorry, what was that?" Kouga turns his gaze back to Mrs.H. Had he missed something? And what's with that strange shift in her eyes?
Aiko smiles, her eyes crinkling as she rethinks what she's about to say. "I never thought we'd get to meet anyone else from the past," she says instead. "It's all very exciting."
"Uh, yeah," Kouga chuckles softly, amazed at how gracious and accepting Kagome's mother is. She'd taken his strange features as if she met wolf demons all the time. Apparently spending time with the mutt had been useful for something, he smirks to himself. "It was a real trip the first time I came through the Well," Kouga grins, remembering how he'd been bombarded with all the strange sights, sounds, and smells.
Aiko's eyes narrow slightly on the wolf, the smile on her face dimming a fraction. "I thought this was your first time through the Well," certain that Kagome would have introduced him had he come before.
"Oh, uh . . ." Kouga's forehead beads with sweat, realizing instantly his mistake. "Yes . . . it is," his tail twitches nervously that is still clasped between them. "I just meant that . . ." the wolf's instincts suddenly flare as he registers the arrival of Kagome's younger brother. He'd been shouting from somewhere upstairs as he hurtled through the den, screaming for the damn mutt almost the moment they'd emerged from the Well. The kids shock and disappointment at not finding the hanyou next to Kagome is clear enough on the youth's face and pouring through his scent.
"Who the fuck is this asshole?" Souta snaps, finally coming out of his daze.
Kouga has a difficult time restraining the low growl that scratches in his throat at the kid's aggressive and challenging demeanour as Kagome and her mother cry out to the youth in reprimand. Focus, he berates himself, Remember where you are.
"Souta!" Kagome and Mrs. H shout in unison, shocked at his angry outburst.
"Young man," Aiko's hands curl on her hips as she glares with disapproval at her son. "We do not greet guests in our home like that."
Souta ignores his mother's warning, his attention focused completely on the strange male in his home and standing much too close to his sister. "Kagome . . . I don't understand. Who is this?"
Kagome reaches behind her and squeezes Kouga's hand, relieved that he's managed to restrain the low growl her newly sensitive hearing had been able to detect. "Souta, I want you to meet my ah, my boyfriend," she smiles brightly at her brother, hoping his surprise has worn off.
Souta's brows draw down to a hard point as he scowls. "Your what now?"
Kagome is surprised at the sour look on her brother's face. "My boyfriend," she repeats.
Souta blinks, trying to understand his sister's words. "But, what about InuYasha?"
Kagome's gaze flickers behind her to Kouga that looks like he'd rather be anywhere else than here judging by the look that's transformed his face. "Well, Souta," she replies, looking back at the equally less than impressed look marring her brother's features. "It's a long story, but InuYasha and I, well, we're friends."
"Friends?" It's impossible for Souta to keep the sneer from his words or off his face.
"Yeah," Kagome nods, hoping this will be enough for him.
"What a load of crap, Kagome!" Souta nearly growls, his expression turning hard enough to break granite. "I've seen you mooning over InuYasha ever since you first jumped down the Well!" he shouts, ignoring the glower the male shoots in his direction. "And now you're telling me you're with this guy? Who you've known for like what? Ten seconds?"
Kagome stares shocked at Souta's incredulous gaze, not surprised at hearing Kouga's soft rumbling growl begin behind her, a sound so soft she doubts anyone else can hear it. A sound that makes her chest ache. "T-That's not true Souta," she exclaims earnestly, hating the turn the introductions seem to be taking. "Kouga and I have known each other for years, he's always been important to me. And . . . and things change," her voice softening on the last.
"I should say so," Souta grunts, thick with sarcasm. "'Cause you sure don't sound like you, Kagome. How do I know it's really you anyways? You could be an imposter," he accuses, crossing his arms over his chest in a defiant manner.
"Souta!" Kagome's body trembles, her eyes widening in shock. "How . . . how can you say that to me?" She can feel Kouga tense behind her, can hear the deep rumble that gets louder in his chest.
"What else am I supposed to think, Kagome?" Souta's eyes narrow hard on his sister, a hand curling before him angrily. "The Kagome I know would never break up with InuYasha!" His raised voice triggers all of Kouga's newly mated instincts that he struggles to hold back, so hyper sensitive, especially now.
"Now, Souta," Aiko turns a concerned and scolding gaze on her son, wondering what's gotten into him. "What are you saying?"
"I'm saying, we don't know if this is really Kagome, Mom!" Souta's fists clench tightly at his sides. "Look at her eyes!" he shouts, pointing an angry finger at his sister. "They look . . . weird. How do we know she's not under some evil spell or something? She could be brainwashed or had her body duplicated. These things happen you know!" Souta's accusatory tone doesn't abate. He's seen stranger things happen where his sister is involved.
Kagome stares slack jawed and hurt at her angry brother, not understanding why he's reacting this way.
"Now, Souta, that's enough." Aiko shakes her head in disappointment at her youngest child. "Your sister is fine, and there's nothing wrong with her eyes. She's just wearing colored contacts, aren't you, dear?" She looks at Kagome that is doing an excellent impression of a fish out of water. "Isn't that what you told me the new fad was these days?" Aiko smiles sweetly at her daughter that blinks at her in surprise.
"Ah, y-yeah, that's right." Kagome finally manages, clicking her mouth shut, not understanding why her mother is covering for her, but thankful for the save all the same. Somehow, she has a feeling her little brother wouldn't take too well to all the changes that have happened to her lately, especially considering how badly he seems to be taking the news of Kouga.
"Fine, whatever," Souta grudgingly concedes. He had in fact seen quite a few booths at the mall recently that were selling colored contacts, even some that had cat eye irises or even smiley faces. "But come on, Mom!" His gaze hardens on the tall strange demon covered in fur in his kitchen that stands intimately close to his sister, right in her personal space. "Don't you think it's a little strange? Kagome suddenly showing up here with this . . . this demon?" He points towards a scowling Kouga whose tail twitches behind him. "Some guy we've never seen or heard of before?" Souta glares at Kagome. "Where's InuYasha?" Like somehow the arrival of the half-demon will right everything that's gone so suddenly, horribly wrong with the world.
"What about InuYasha?" Kouga rumbles sharply, unable to hold himself back. He can feel Kagome's hurt blazing through their bond and pouring from her skin, twisting his stomach into angry knots.
Souta's gaze turns on the imposing demon and it takes every last bit of anger raging through his body not to cower in fear at the blatant aggression rolling off the wolf. "Where is he?!" he demands the scowling wolf demon. Turning to face his sister he declares boldly, "I want InuYasha to vouch for this guy!" A dark angry growl fills the room, making Souta take an instinctive step backwards. He watches more than a little shell-shocked and even a little impressed, when Kagome glares at the tall demon, immediately silencing him.
"Souta! That's enough!" Aiko scolds sternly, hands curling on her hips as the mother that is usually so calm and collected, shows her temper to her rude son. "Don't you talk to your sister that way!" Her glare immediately silences him. Kouga snorts quietly to himself, starting to understand where Kagome gets her feisty spirit from. "And if you would take a moment to cool your jets," the wolf's ears twitch at the strange phrasing, "you might remember that we have in fact heard about Kouga, young leader of the wolf demon tribe," she clarifies. "He's the young man Kagome said could run like the wind and lives in a waterfall, isn't that right, Kagome?" Aiko's gaze turns knowingly towards her daughter, having paid very close attention to Kagome's many, no doubt highly edited, adventures.
Kouga can't help but puff his chest out a little, the anger in him soothing somewhat. Kagome had spoken of him? She had thought he was fast? He can feel himself practically preening inside.
"Mom, you remember that?" Relief floods Kagome's heart that at least her mother seems to be accepting of Kouga.
"Of course I do, sweetie," Aiko smiles at her daughter, "I'm your mother. I pay attention to everything you do." At the last, Mrs. H's gaze flickers to the wolf demon that has the good grace to blush under the knowing look she sends him.
"Actually, Mom, now that you mention it," Souta's tone breaks through the momentary pause, bringing the trio back to the awkward tension still thick and palatable in the air. "I do remember Kagome talking to us about Kou-ga." His brows furrow as his eyes narrow to slits on the wolf despite talking to his sister. "Didn't you tell us that when you first met this guy, he tried to eat you?"
Kouga makes a low groaning sound at the back of his throat. He doesn't like where this is going.
Kagome stammers in surprise at Souta's declaration, searching in a panic for the right words. "W-Well, ah . . . that's not exactly right."
"Oh, so he didn't try to eat you?" A single eyebrow raises skeptically on his sister.
"No, he uh, tried to eat Shippou." Blushing with embarrassment, Kagome looks away. Not sure if it would be helpful to mention that Kouga had actually been trying to feed Shippou to his pack. Tomatoes, tomato's.
"Oh, yeah, even better," Souta rolls his eyes in exasperation. "He tried to eat a baby, Kagome!" his arms gesture wild at his sides.
Kouga does everything in his power to fight back the growl that surges from within. Do not rip Kagome's brother's throat out, he chants to himself. That would be bad. Reining in the deafening howls of his flaring yoki that gnashes its teeth deep in his chest, Kouga listens to Kagome's heated anger as she shouts with her brother. Normally, by now, he would have intervened and ripped to shreds whatever was causing his mate such distress, but the Alpha wolf is stumped by the only male on earth, besides Kagome's father of course, that could ever stand between him and his mate and survive – a fucking brother! And a younger one to boot! He feels like he's been kicked in both nuts with an arm tied behind his back.
As a wolf demon, Kouga's used to rivalry, but as a mated wolf, he knows he needs to find a new balance. As long as everything remains in the realm of non-threatening sibling rivalry then he's obliged to stand back and wait. If his mate needs him, he'll know it, and then nothing will stop him from protecting his woman, not even blood ties.
"Actually, Kouga saved Shippou from being eaten by the pack," Kagome affirms confidently, taking a step forward.
"Oh?" Souta arches a single dark brow, his arms crossing before him. "Out of the goodness in his heart I take it?"
"Well, n-no . . . when I asked him too," Kagome replies, feeling a touch of hesitation. "But that just shows what a good person he really is because he saved Shippou for me even back then," she adds, gaining confidence from her words. She can feel the wave of gratitude from her wolf as opposed to the hurt, anger, and frustration she's been feeling keenly through their connection.
"And why did Shippou need saving to begin with?" Souta asks, a light bulb blinking off in his mind. "How did you guys meet?" Remembering clearly the story his sister had told their mother, always highly edited, and the real version she had told to him in private, locked in Kagome's room late at night.
Kagome's right eye twitches, hearing clearly Kouga's inhalation of breath. She doesn't like where this is going at all. "He ah . . . Kouga kidnapped me," she says softly. From her peripheral, she can see her wolf's head lowering behind her, can practically feel the sag of his strong shoulders.
Aiko's forehead creases as she takes in the forlorn looking wolf demon. "Is this true, Kagome?"
"Mom, no," Kagome panics, not wanting to lose her mother's support. "I mean, well, technically yes, but only because Kouga needed my help defeating these horrible bird demons that were slaughtering his pack," she quickly amends in an attempt to reassure her mother.
"I see," Souta calculates knowingly. "So, setting aside the kidnapping and cannibalism for a moment," he says, ignoring the soft growl that emanates from behind his sister. "Tell me, sis. Why exactly did Kouga need you to fight these ferocious bird monsters? He seems plenty capable to me." Grudgingly acknowledging the wolf's athletic and toned build.
Kagome's heart sinks at the same moment that Kouga lets out another low, angry rumble. "I . . . he . . ." she stumbles over the words sticking in her throat. The thing she hated above all else. The thing that had defined her until she had felt hollowed out and emptied inside. "He needed me to see Shikon shards," she whispers quietly.
"That's enough!" Kouga rumbles loudly, feeling Kagome's increasing distress like a punch to his gut.
"Excuse me?" Souta looks at the wolf at the same moment Kagome speaks up.
"No, Kouga, its fine," she reassures him weakly.
"It really isn't, Kagome." Kouga's gaze softens on his distressed woman, noting that the light that had been glowing in her eyes minutes before is now completely dimmed. "You're my mate, Kagome, and I'm not going to stand here and let him –"
"Holy shit, Kagome! You slept with him?!" Souta cries aghast at the same moment his sister shouts out.
"Kouga!" Kagome cries, her hands flying to her lips, horrified at what her wolf has just let slip.
"Mated?" Mrs. Higurashi's eyes snap open, wide. "What is he saying, Kagome?" Aiko blinks rapidly at her daughter. A commotion ensues of yelling and arguing with questions being flung in rapid fire succession. "Kagome, will you explain to me what exactly, mated, is supposed to mean?"
"Souta! Why are you being such a jerk?!" Kagome shouts, ignoring her mother's shocked questions.
"Why are you being such a bitch, Kagome?!" Souta counters back.
Kouga snarls at Souta's comment, causing the youth to step back even as Kagome glares at him, but he doesn't care. He's finished with this.
"Kagome, come on. Let's go." Kouga reaches for her hand, needing to take his mate far away from everything causing her pain, and since he can't kill or maim the source of that pain, taking her somewhere far away is his only viable bet.
"Dude, I don't know who the hell you think you are," Souta squares his shoulders, his feet standing wide apart, "but Kagome isn't going anywhere with you if I have anything to say about it."
"Kid, I'd like to see you try and stop me," Kouga growls, tail whipping behind him as everyone talks and shouts over everyone else.
"Enough!" Kagome shouts. Her anger aimed in Kouga's direction acts as a pillar of water on the flames of his rage, silencing the wolf abruptly.
"Indeed," Aiko agrees, glaring at her son. "This has gone far enough. Souta, up stairs. Now!"
"But, Mom! Don't you want to know –"
"I said now, young man!" It's clear that Mrs. H hardly ever raises her voice, but something in the sharpness of it almost cuts the wolf's tough skin. Kouga watches amazed and impressed as the bratty little brother turns, grumbling under his breath as he stalks back upstairs and towards his room. There is no doubting who the Alpha is in this pack, he grunts to himself.
"Thanks, Mom," Kagome sighs wearily. "I don't know why Souta is –"
"Kagome." The stern turn of her mother's voice has Kagome snapping to attention, surprising Kouga immensely. He's never seen his woman react so powerfully and immediately to someone before, not even him. But then, mothers tended to have that affect on their children the wolf supposes, regardless of species.
"I realize that you're a young adult and I don't have the right to tell you what to do with your life or who to do it with," Aiko's stern look bounces between the two of them that are blushing furiously under her penetrating gaze. "But, while you live under my roof, Kagome, I expect certain rules to be followed. Do I make myself perfectly clear?" She eyes them carefully, watching the wolf Kouga swallow nervously as he waits for Kagome to answer on their behalf.
Kagome's face heats painfully. "Yes, Mom," she answers quietly, her chin dipping.
Aiko holds their gaze a few more moments before continuing. "Now, Kagome, I suggest you say good bye to Kouga if you're staying here tonight. I'd invite you to stay for dinner, dear," she adds, turning to the silent wolf, "but, given everything, I think it's best we give Souta a chance to cool down."
Kagome answers before Kouga has a chance to respond. "Yeah, sure, Mom."
Aiko nods to both of them. "It was a pleasure to meet you, Kouga," she says in a softer tone, a sincere smile spreading on her face. As she gazes at the tall, handsome youth she can't help but feel a strange sense of . . . familiarity? But that's not possible . . . is it? Something about the line of his jaw maybe, or the hard crease of his brow . . . Where had she seen that before?
"Y-Yeah . . . uh, ah," Kouga stutters, not really sure what else to say, "you too." He smiles nervously, watching as Mrs. H shakes her head slowly before turning and moving up the stairs, no doubt to talk to Souta. "So, that didn't go well," he sighs, raking his hand through the sides of his hair. The giggle that escapes Kagome surprises the wolf more than a little.
"I dunno, it could have been worse. Gramps could have been here and you would have ended up with a tail full of offudas," she grins in an attempt to lighten the mood.
"Lovely," Kouga smirks sarcastically, but Kagome knows it's just for show – pretending he's okay.
"I'm sorry about Souta," her tone turns sombre as she and Kouga clasp hands.
"Yeah that could of gone a lot better," he grunts as they turn to walk out of the kitchen and back towards the Well gate house.
"I guess I didn't realize how Souta would feel about InuYasha," Kagome adds, "He's idolized him for a long time." She watches as Kouga silently nods as they enter the Well house. "I'm sorry," she offers sincerely, feeling bad for how their first meeting had gone.
"Don't be," Kouga smirks, squeezing her hand reassuringly. "The kids just being loyal, and the mutt's not so bad."
"Really?" Kagome's eyes widen, clearly surprised by his reply. "You know, I keep meaning to ask you. What exactly –"
"Kagome!" her mother's voice calls out from inside the house. "Don't take too long, sweetheart. I'd like some help with dinner if you don't mind."
Kagome sighs. "Okay, Mom!" she calls back through the doorway. As she turns back, Kouga's lips suddenly crush against hers, his arms coming up around her. She moans, melting into the kiss as a rush of heat burns through her blood. Kouga's tongue strokes fiercely against hers as though her kisses were breath and he were starving for oxygen.
"Please... tell me..." Kouga growls hotly as his fang nibbles on Kagome's bottom lip, "that we're going to say hello..." his tongue strokes soothingly over the nip, "properly... very fucking," before delving deep inside her mouth again "soon," he grunts, his hips pressing hard against hers.
The heat in Kouga's voice and the need driving his kisses instantly dampens the place between Kagome's thighs, setting her world on fire. All she can do is nod against the delicious assault.
"Fuck, Kagome," Kouga growls as he finally breaks the kiss. "This sucks," he gruffs, pressing his forehead to hers, his hands curling on her hips. As a mated wolf, it goes against every natural instinct he has to leave his woman's side.
"I know," she replies breathlessly, gripping tightly to Kouga's waist. "But, it won't be like this forever," she reassures him, her breathing evening out as her blood slowly cools.
Kouga grunts at her response. It's true. They'll have centuries upon centuries together. "When can I come back for you?" he asks, voice hoarse with his cooling emotions.
Kagome releases a long breath. "I should probably do some damage control," wondering how she can possibly get through to her brother and make him see how happy she is, how good Kouga is for her. "So, a couple of days I guess," hating that they have to be apart at all, but she still has a life on this side of the Well.
"Shit," Kouga grunts, squeezing her waist carefully in his hands, not liking that idea at all. He already knows there's no way he'll be able to stay away from her that long. Pulling back, he kisses her softly one more time before rubbing his nose against hers. "I miss you already," he rumbles softly.
"Me too," Kagome sighs, revelling in the feel of Kouga's strong nose rubbing against hers. The intimate gesture sparks something deep and warm in her chest that she feels all the way into her toes. Reluctantly, she lets him go as Kouga jumps onto the lip of the Well. He looks back at her one last time before diving into its colorful depths. "Hurry back," she whispers to the now empty room.
A bright flash of color fills the clearing as Kouga jumps from the Well on what for him is now the wrong side of time. For some reason, he's not entirely surprised at the person that seems to be waiting for him.
"So? How did it go?" InuYasha grins at the sulking wolf that lands next to him.
"I don't want to talk about it," Kouga grumbles, feeling a heavy weight in his heart at being separated from his mate by centuries.
"That bad, huh?" InuYasha snorts, crossing his arms into his wide sleeves. "What happened? Did the old man get you with the offudas?"
"I said I don't want to talk about it, InuYasha," Kouga growls as he walks away from the Well, the hanyou keeping pace with him.
"It was the cat, wasn't it?" InuYasha grins. "Ya gotta know how to smack Buyou just right or else he'll –"
"I said let it be, 'Yash," Kouga growls louder, already knowing the mutt isn't going to drop it.
InuYasha's ears twitch at Kouga's new name for him, surprised at the flush of sensation it sends buzzing through him. "Well, I know it can't be Mrs. H. Not with that damn tail of yours." He watches Kouga's tail twitch at the comment but says nothing. Interesting.
"Holy shit! It was the kid!" InuYasha comes to a sudden stop as realization dawns on him. "It has to be," he grins, knowing he's right when Kouga snarls and stops to send his fist smashing against a tree. The powerful blow snaps it easily in half as it crashes to the ground.
"I'll take that as a yes," InuYasha smirks, watching the tree collapse into the forest.
"You know, you can be a real ass, mutt face," Kouga growls, trying to be threatening. InuYasha of course, ignores him.
"So, what happened?" he smirks cockily.
Kouga sighs, shaking his head dejectedly. "Oh, you know, the usual. He accused me of being a kidnapper, cannibal, and quite possibly brainwashing and using his sister for my own selfish needs."
"Ouch!" InuYasha shakes his head. "Yeah that Souta. He watches a lot of TV and it . . ." the hanyou scratches at the back of his head, feeling a little bad for the wolf. "Sort of rots his brain."
Kouga snorts. "Actually, I think he's pissed off that Kagome and you broke up," he growls instinctively low at the back of his throat. The thought of any male past or in theory touching his mate sends an automatic possessive rush rippling through his blood.
InuYasha's ears twitch at the low growl that accents Kouga's words. He hadn't really realized how much of the wolf's wild nature seeps through him, almost like no matter how much he tries to hold the humanoid shape, it was just an illusion. But, as far as Souta is concerned, InuYasha's not really all that surprised – the kid has been hero worshipping him for years. Most likely, the sight of Kagome with someone other than him had set off the kids instincts, flaring his loyalty. InuYasha grins at the thought. The scowl on Kouga's face tells him that the wolf's realized that as well.
"So, you basically met Kagome's family for the first time and got into a big ass fight with her kid brother?" Unable and unwilling to hold back the snort of laughter.
Kouga sighs, knowing the dog won't let go of the bone he's sunk his teeth into. "And her mother knows we're sleeping together."
InuYasha practically chokes on the howl of laughter that tears from his throat at the sullen wolf's words. "Nice," he chortles, following after the despondent demon. "Glad I wasn't there to see that," he grins, golden eyes glowing brightly with amusement.
"Shut up, dog breath," Kouga growls with annoyance. "Next time I go over there, you're coming with me."
"Me? What the hell for?" InuYasha balks, taking a step back.
Kouga's gaze narrows on the dog. "So you can vouch for me."