Chapter 19

Other Half

Kagome had no idea how she was ever going to look Koga in the eye again. Even now, seated across her mother's table, it took everything she had not to blush bright red whenever her gaze would wander to the Alpha obliviously enjoying his dinner.

Kami! He truly had no idea.

She'd seen the naked body before. The years she'd spent as a miko's apprentice, and even her few years among the Northern ookami tribe, had killed any embarrassment she could have had about dealing with the body. But, that was through the eyes of a healer. It was all bone and muscle and skin; a puzzle that needed to be solved and repaired.

What Kagome had seen in that pool was…..different.

She could still see the glorious expanse of tanned skin that had been Koga's back without even closing her eyes. Every inch of his broad-shouldered frame had been browned by the sun, as if he had gone days without a stitch of clothing on him.

How that was possible, Kagome had no idea, but it left a golden hue to Koga's skin that practically roared with vitality and strength.

There was no denying his yokai heritage because no human man ever looked like that. At least, none that Kagome could recall. But, she couldn't remember any of the other ookami male's having as noticeable a physique as Koga did to her neither. And, when he'd turned towards her—

Kagome forced her hands to keep a solid grip on her clattering cup as she took a deep breath through her nose. Koga's curious gaze had her giving a smile she hoped was reassuring before she returned her focus to her bowl in front of her.

She had to get a grip on herself. Otherwise Koga would know something was up and want an explanation. And, as much as Kagome liked Koga, there was no way he was going to let her live this down.

She'd spied on him like a horny, little pervert and here she was still acting like she could keep doing it. There was something so wrong with her.

"Kagome."

The deep voice had Kagome stilling as she forced herself to swallow the mouthful she'd promptly stuffed into her mouth. With a sigh, she looked up to meet Koga's piercing gaze.

Immediately, Kagome's face felt burning. She was going to kill Yuka for this!

"Is something wrong?" he asked, brow furrowing in concerned confusion.

Not trusting her voice, Kagome only shook her head as she gave another strained smile.

"Nothing," she answered a little squeakier than she liked. "Nothing at all."

Kagome was almost half-convinced Koga would have left the topic there if it had just been them. Unfortunately, they weren't.

Without missing a beat, Souta's head shot up from his own bowl and his eyes widen in almost victorious glee.

"Oooh, that's your guilty voice," Souta had the gall to cheer from his place next to Koga.

"Her what?" Koga asked, looking at the obviously adoring boy at his side.

Kagome glared in deadly warning at her little brother, hoping he'd have a shred of survival instinct in him.

"When her voice gets squeaky, it means she did something she shouldn't," Souta announced with a satisfied gleam in his eye. "So, what did you do?"

Apparently, he didn't.

"Souta, be quiet," Kagome ordered, wishing desperately the floor would swallow her when Koga's eyes snapped back to her.

"What? Scared to admit it?" Souta challenged, obviously feeling bold seated next to Koga.

Ever since they had returned from exploring the village, Souta had practically glued himself to Koga's side; much to the exasperation of their Grandfather. But, Grandpa was out for the evening so Kagome had felt there was no harm in letting Souta work out his obvious hero worship of the ookami warrior beside him.

Now, Kagome thought it would have been wiser to send the little twirp off to do…..anything but stay there.

"Souta, that's enough," the mother ordered in a soft but firm voice. "Don't tease your sister."

Kagome was so relieved when she saw her little brother's shoulders slump in submission, she could have kissed her mother right there. Instead, she just refocused on her bowl as she tried to hide a smile.

However, the pointed gleam in Koga's eyes told Kagome the subject was by no means closed.

Swallowing low, Kagome quickly pushed her bowl away from her.

"I'm done," she announced brightly as she rose from the table. "I'll be right back."

"Alright," her mother called back with a smile before the woven flap closed behind Kagome's back.

She was running; she knew that. It was a cowardly move but, Kagome hoped the brisk night air would help cool down her embarrassment and center enough that she could then return later tonight and face Koga without feeling like her throat was caving in on her.

A sudden breeze whipped through the clearing, rustling the surrounding tree-branches. The sound was oddly comforting to Kagome; like a buried memory just starting to come to the surface all over again. Even now, Kagome could recall the dozens of times Kaede had taken her to the Goshinboku to pray at its roots and gather herbs in the nearby forest.

Suddenly, realization flared in Kagome as she rushed towards the highest tree-top in the village. Of course! Why didn't she think of it before?

The Sacred Tree had been a center to Kagome ever since her powers had first manifested. It was the oldest landmark in the village. In fact, it was what first drew the founders of their village to the surrounding land. And, it was where the priestess Kikyo, the first Shikon miko, had made her final stand to protect the jewel.

It had been years since Kagome had knelt at its roots and right now, it sounded like exactly what she needed.

It didn't take long for her to reach the large trunk, the branches looking like they were reaching up into the sky itself. The ancient Goshinboku was as large as she remembered and an indulgent smile warmed Kagome's face as she sat on the cooling earth.

With a deep breath, Kagome reveled in the familiarity all around her. The sounds, the smells; it was all the same. This place really didn't ever change, didn't it?

In a way, it was comforting to know this. But, at the same time, it left a surprising ache in her. Why? Wasn't she dreaming of this for years?

When the nights grew the hardest, when the loneliness of it all weighed on her in the dark quiet, Kagome would close her eyes and dream of returning home. What she would say, what her friends and family would do: she could see it all perfectly and know without a doubt it would be exactly what she needed to give her peace. To make her whole. But, that was the problem.

She was happy to be home, ecstatic even. But, where was that feeling that everything was complete?

Kagome supposed it was childish to think that she'd just have the blaring moment of happiness and then suddenly everything in her life would just fall into place. Besides, she'd always planned to return after Naraku was defeated. He was still out there and that was probably why she just this uneasy feeling starting to creep up her spine the longer they spent time here.

Already, she could feel herself falling into a hyper sort of awareness of her surroundings.

"Kagome."

The sudden voice had the priestess jerking awake as her eyes blinked up at Koga standing not a handful of steps away from her. The look he was giving her had her blushing in embarrassment as she swallowed low. Apparently, she wasn't as alert as she thought.

"Koga," Kagome answered shyly as she brought her knees up towards her. "I didn't hear you."

"I see," Koga replied as he came up to sit beside her. "You left pretty suddenly."

Kagome gave a slightly forced laugh. "Afraid I'd run off again?" she teased.

However, the serious expression on Koga's face had Kagome's humor dying swiftly, causing her to swallow low.

"What is this place?" Koga asked as he glanced up towards the branches.

Kagome sighed. "The Goshinboku," she answered fondly. "The Sacred Tree. It's a holy site for us."

"Does it purify the land?" Koga asked, brow furrowing in curious concentration, as if he was trying to sense it himself.

The image was enough to bring a chuckle bubbling up Kagome's throat.

"Nothing like that," she answered calmly. "It's…. a link."

"To what?" Koga asked, snapping bright blue eyes in Kagome's direction.

"The past," she answered, as she stared practically hypnotized by the beautiful color. "It brings back old memories, old feelings. It's….how I knew."

"Knew what?" Koga asked, waiting.

Kagome released a breath she didn't realize she was holding. She knew this was going to happen sooner or later. She just hoped Koga was ready to hear it.

"How I knew that I am…..Kikyo reborn."

SSS

Koga blinked a few times to try and grasp what his woman just said. She was…..what?

It wasn't like he hadn't heard of great figures being reborn again; especially if they had unfinished business. But, to find out that his own woman could possibly be that very thing….

Truth be told, it didn't matter to him one way or the other. But, apparently, it mattered very much to Kagome.

"I was Kaede's apprentice since I was young," Kagome continued before he could answer. "My powers appeared early for me and I was told to help her in everyday tasks since she was getting older. Some of those tasks was to help her gather herbs and to pray at the base of the tree.
'One day, I was getting up and I lost my balance. I touched the trunk to keep from falling and, I saw something. Something that I couldn't possibly know."

"A memory," Koga suggested, brow furrowing as he tried to picture a younger Kagome, so eager to please and do what was right to suddenly get a flash of someone else's memories.

Kagome nodded.

"I didn't recognize it but Kaede did and told me what it meant," she informed softly. "It was also how she figured out the Shikon Jewel had to be inside me."

"It was?" Koga asked.

How the hell was that old crone able to put those pieces together? Something was missing in all of this.

"Yes," she answered with a nod. "You see, Kikyo was tasked with guarding the Shikon Jewel, the first Shikon miko. And, she did, honorably for years. But, then a yokai had heard of the Jewel and tried to trick her to gain it. After she discovered his deceit, she killed him. But, the wounds he inflicted on her killed her as well.
'Her last wish was for the Jewel to be burned with her body. For it to disappear so no-one could try and do this trickery again. So, when her pyre was lit, the Jewel was placed with her and it disappeared from this world."

Koga remained silent through the tale; an obvious warning for Kagome to stay away from yokai, yokai like him. The thought was a wrenching one. No-wonder she'd been so doubtful of him before.

"Well," Kagome added with a humorless chuckle. "Till now, anyway. Ironic that Kikyo's reincarnation would be the one who undid the last wish she had in life."

"Do you want me to leave?" Koga asked, hating every word that passed through his clenched teeth.

He couldn't believe he was suggesting it. An ookami didn't run, certainly never gave up. But, if this was what she could possibly want….

However, Kagome's head snapped up, eyes widening in stunned horror.

"What?" she asked breathlessly.

"The tale," he answered calmly. "It's a warning. I…..don't want to make things worse for you. I'll still look for Naraku, me and that bastard have unfinished business. But, if you want to stay and be left in peace, I'll go and find him.
'You've dealt with enough from him already."

Koga waited for the answer, certain is was going to be crushing to hear. He didn't want to give up, it rankled every bit of him, but he also couldn't force Kagome to do what she feared the most for herself.

That damned Jewel! It was the problem in all of this. As long as it was about, she'd fear his intentions towards her. And, if that meant he had to leave her in peace….. Damnit! He hated even thinking it.

"I don't want you to go."

Koga had never heard sweeter words in his life. Still….

With a sigh, he turned towards Kagome. "You don't? Then, why do you keep trying to run from me?"

Immediately, a pleasing flush spread across Kagome's face, causing some of Koga's worry to disappear like smoke.

"Unless you like the chase," he whispered softly against her ear, causing her to shove his shoulder in playful teasing. "Kagome, talk to me."

"I…. I don't know how to act around you, here," she replied meekly.

Koga quirked a dark brow as he straightened his spine. "What do you mean? Just act like we always have."

"It's not that easy, Koga," Kagome answered with a sigh. "Before, it was just us. Things were….simpler. Now, it's like the rules have changed."

"We haven't," Koga replied, not quite seeing the problem.

Kagome chuckled lightly. "No," she agreed. "No, we haven't."

That brought a warm smile to Koga's face as the previous relief warmed his chest.

"Then, we'll figure it out," he pronounced. "So, the rules have changed. Who cares?"

"It doesn't bother you?" Kagome asked, hesitant.

Koga leaned in close, a wicked gleam in his sparking in his eyes.

"The only thing that bothers me is you hiding from me," he answered softly against her ear. "Of course, if you want me to come looking for you, I'm more than happy to oblige."

The flush darkened on Kagome's face as she released a small gasp of surprise.

"Koga," she breathed, causing a pleased growl to rumble in his chest.

By the Ancestors, she smelled so good!

Already, Koga could feel his claws itching to dig into the ground beneath him as he clenched his fist for control. His blood was heating and he had to be careful. Otherwise, he might pin her to the forest floor and claim her here.

"No more hiding," he whispered roughly against her skin. "No more excuses or distractions. I'm here, Kagome, and I'll always be right here beside you. If something frightens you, tell me. If something worries you, tell me.
'You're my woman, Kagome. Your troubles are mine. And, I will do everything in my power to make them go away."

Kagome turned wide eyes towards him, and Koga could have wept with relief as he spied the warmth in her gaze.

"I'm here," he growled, half reassuring her of his control.

"I know," she answered, bringing both of her soft hands to stroke his cheeks.

For the life of him, Koga didn't have the strength to hide the growl of pleasure at the gentle touch.

"No more hiding," he ground out.

"No more hiding," Kagome agreed before pressing her lips to his in a soft but insistent kiss.

Koga's hands rested gently around Kagome's waist but he refused to move them further. This was her turn to explore, to push, and he'd take every bit of it she was willing to give.

When her soft lips stroked tentatively against his own the pleasurable warmth spread down his back, causing Koga to press more eagerly against her. The scent of her intensified and filled his nose in a heady mix of herbs of the warmth of her body. His ears sharpened to catch the pumping of her blood in her veins, feeding the hunger in his own.

His woman was perfect!

Cool hands caressed down his neck and Koga immediately pushed himself from Kagome, his breath puffing heavily in his chest as he fought for control of his instincts. He wasn't sure how much longer his self-control could win in this.

The panting coming from his woman's sweet mouth and the pleased flush on her face wasn't helping much either.

Flashing a wicked grin, he smirked down at her.

"You never answered my question," he replied, his voice still roughened from his surfacing instincts.

Kagome blinked up at him in a stunned confusion that was so attractive, Koga could help the pleased chuckle from rasping from him.

"Why did you leave before?" he asked.

Kagome's face immediately turned completely red and she started to sputter and scramble for words.

"I….I just….. it's been a big day and….. I needed to think….and…."

Koga nodded with a mock-thoughtful expression, unable to resist the chance to tease his woman.

"He's right," Koga announced seriously, causing Kagome to quit her rambling. "You do get squeaky when you're guilty."

Kagome's mouth opened and shut several times before a knowing indignity flared in her dark eyes.

"You!" she cried before swinging for a punch at his shoulder.

Koga laughed heartedly as he swiftly gripped her arm and spun her, bringing his fingertips up to tickle her side. Soon Kagome's laughter joined his own as the two wrestled in playful, childlike effort.

The sound was carried gently on the wind, to the figure who went unnoticed by the innocent lovers. And, the figure continued to be unnoticed as it slipped deeper into the darkness of night.