Chapter 7

FINALLY!

The smell of sweat and herbs was thick in the air of the small room. Mushin was used to the stifling scents wrapping like a cloak about the three crowded together. So, it was both a relief and a surprise when a slight breeze brought with it the sweet perfume of flowers through the room, like a much-needed breath.

Despite the previous tension of the situation, the old monk couldn't help the smile of relief that brightened his rounded face. The trees had bloomed.

He knew they would. And, thankfully, it was quicker than he anticipated. Now, he just hoped it lasted.

SSS

Everything was still for Kagome.

Wind, sound, time, all of it remained stationary as her entire world focused on the warmth of Koga's lips against her own.

Koga was kissing her.

The thought was unbelievable to the miko's mind yet, there was no denying it was happening. What was even more unbelievable was, she wasn't trying to stop it. In fact, Kagome knew she would be kissing him back if she could only think to function.

Instead, it was taking all of her mental capacity to just breathe as the insistent press of his mouth started to slip away from hers. Resisting the urge to groan in disappointment, Kagome heaved to fill her lungs with air, since they finally decided to work on their own.

That had not just been unexpected, that had been... indescribable.

And, given the heavy panting filling her ears like thunder, Koga wasn't unaffected by it either.

"Still think it's the Jewel I want?" he growled, the tip of his fangs brushing the shell of her ear.

Kagome swallowed thickly as she struggled to think. He wanted what? What was he talking about?

"I—"

But, before she could ask, again, Koga's mouth covered hers, locking her against the textured bark of the tree behind her.

Kagome didn't hesitate this time. Both hands coming up with shaking curiosity, her palms slid against the cool surface of his chest-plate. She never felt skin, but the Alpha shivered beneath the touch, none-the-less.

Was she that powerful to him?

The thought encouraged Kagome to press her lips in return causing a pleased growl to rumble in Koga's chest. Even through the metal, Kagome could feel the vibration against her hand.

When Koga moved back a second time, Kagome whimpered slightly in disappointment. The soft thudding of Koga's head against the tree-trunk beside her answered with a groan of his own.

"You have no idea what you do to my control, Kagome," he breathed gruffly as his warm breath puffed against her neck.

Kagome shivered pleasantly at the contact but the cool bite of sweetened air in her lungs was good at re-centering herself.

She'd come out here for a reason. What was it? Koga! She came to speak with Koga.

"W-we need to talk," she replied, wishing she didn't sound so breathless.

"We do?" Koga asked dryly before he pushed himself back up off the tree, prying his claws out of the chipping bark.

Kagome reddened slightly as she tried snap herself from staring at the hypnotic gleam in his blue eyes. How was any woman supposed to look him in the eye when they talked? Especially after….

Immediately, she gave herself a sharp shake.

"Of course, we do," Kagome pressed, forcing herself to swallow through the need to step closer towards him. "After everything that's happened, it's exactly what we need to do."

Heaving a sigh, Koga crossed corded arms across his chest, eyes leveled with a sharp anticipation at her.

"Alright," he answered with a shrug. "Talk."

Again, Kagome swallowed low as her feet shifted like a nervous child's. What was the matter with her? She was a grown woman, for goodness sake.

A grown woman who'd just had her first kiss. Twice!

The warming of the priestess' cheeks was unavoidable and Kagome hated she had absolutely no control over the reaction. Could this possibly get any worse?

The knowing smirk on Koga's face told her yes. Yes, it could get so much worse. The Alpha didn't just know what she was thinking about; he looked damn-well pleased with himself about it.

However, the slight reddening of his own ears was a small consolation to Kagome. But, one she would take none-the-less. Let him have some of the embarrassment too.

"Koga," Kagome started, hoping if she talked then the horrifying blushing would possibly stop. "I came out here to apologize."

The Alpha quirked a dark brow as he shifted his stance, lifting his head a-little higher. Kagome wasn't sure whether to be impressed or infuriated with him.

"Apologize for what?" he asked.

"For what I said earlier," Kagome replied. "I didn't want you to think I thought you only cared about the Jewel. I mean, you didn't even know about it till recently. Right?"

Koga nodded, though a little stiffly if Kagome was honest.

"I know you care, Koga. You've shown me that," Kagome continued, trying to not think too hard on just how much he showed he cared. "I only meant, if it had started as the Jewel effecting you, I don't blame you."

Koga huffed sharply as he started to pace in front of her, low-hanging branches bursting with blooms shifting with him.

"To hell with that Jewel," he snapped in frustration before rounding squarely on Kagome. "You really think that thing is what decides what I want?"

"It's something I have to think about, Koga," Kagome countered calmly. "Whether I like it or not, yokai are affected by it. It's happened before."

"And, you think I wait for the chance to snatch it up?" Koga growled, eyes narrowing.

"Of course not," Kagome argued. "At least, not purposefully."

"If I wanted it, Kagome, I'd be gone by now," Koga replied with a chuff.

Kagome sighed. "I know you want to believe that, Koga."

"Look down," he ordered, calm but firmly.

Kagome's brow furrowed in confusion as she stared at the unhappy Alpha. What was he talking abou—

Her eyes snapped back up to Koga's waiting gaze, struggling to grasp what she was seeing.

She'd dropped it!

How? No, Kagome knew how that was possible. Koga's kiss had completely taken her off-guard. So much so, she'd forgotten the Jewel had sat in her clenched hand. And, she dropped it to the ground like it was the useless thing everyone first thought it was. On top of that, it had rolled out of her reach and was resting just by Koga's foot.

He knew it was there. He'd pointed it out. And, yet, he'd never even given it the faintest glance or slightest attention.

He was focused solely on her.

Kagome's throat locked as tears pricked the corners of her eyes.

"I'm not him," Koga replied, tone softening. "I'm not Naraku."

Kagome swallowed the humorless sob that leaped in her throat, slamming her eyes shut. Koga was many things but, he definitely wasn't him.

"I didn't spend the last winter searching for a gem," he continued, warm palms brushing across her shoulders and running down her arms."I ran circles through the mountains, looking for you. I pushed myself beyond my limits to get strong enough to take down the monster that was a nightmare to us both. I nearly lost my mind wondering if you were hurt or dying somewhere and I couldn't save you."

Kagome wanted to speak. She wanted to so badly. But, she was too busy trying to stop shaking. Why was she shaking?

"You are what I've been searching for," he replied. "You always have been. And, now that I've found you, I'm not going anywhere."

It was taking everything Kagome had not to break entirely. But, Koga's hands gently cupping her head caused a tear to slide down her cheek, his thumb brushing it aside with a caress.

"I know you've been hurt," Koga pressed, his grip tightening in a settling comfort. "I know he's put you through hell. But, I'm here. I'm right here, Kagome."

"Koga….." Kagome could barely get his name out as she struggled to take a breath.

Was this real? She wasn't just imagining or wishing for this to be true? The possibility of it being a trick broke her heart more than it being real.

"I'm going to kill him," Koga growled, snapping Kagome's wide eyes up at him to meet the steady promise in his own. "I don't know when but I know how. I will rip him apart piece by piece, body and soul, for what he did to my tribe. And, what he's done to you."

"Why are you doing this?" Kagome breathed, swallowing low. "Why put yourself through this trouble?"

She expected him to frown, to be insulted or hurt or frustrated. Instead, Koga grinned with a soft warmth that made her heart stutter in her chest.

"Because you're my woman," he answered as if it was the simplest thing in the world.

Kagome swore, in that moment, the first little bit of her heart belonged to him forever.