I'm so sorry for taking so long, people. Here it is, and thanks for reading. ^_^

Disclaimer: Please. Like you don't already know.

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The doorbell rang and Kagome quickly slipped on her other sneaker. She threw open the door, ready to see Kouga, dressed and ready for the carnival. But, blankly, she glanced around. Not a soul. She rolled her eyes, suspecting the neighborhood children, and began to close the door when her eyes caught sight of the deep crimson rose lying innocently on her doorstep.

She bent to pick it up, smiling gently, and caught sight of the piece of parchment tied delicately to the stem with a black velvet ribbon. She squinted to read the calligraphy scrawled elegantly in black ink.

Love Always

A small symbol of a tornado adorned the corner- Kouga's signature. She smiled again, and was about to peak out the door again when strong arms slipped around her waist and the man nuzzled her neck.

"Hey, Kouga. Ready to go?"

He smiled against her neck and nodded. She went into the kitchen and placed the beautiful flower into a vase, and they hopped into his jeep.

"Ever been to a carnival before, Kagome?"

"My dad took me once when I was little, actually. The night before he left."

She got quiet and he silently cursed himself on such a thoughtless comment. But she soon cheered up and the conversation again picked up. The entire rest of the drive was filled with a casual chatter of everything from school to Sango and Miroku.

"So, did Miroku tell you where they were going tonight?"

He nodded, a sly smile creeping onto his face. His eyes remained on the road while she watched him, but when she stopped, he would sneak a peak at her face.

"They took a drive. He wanted to show her someplace, but I'm not supposed to tell you where. He wants her to be surprised."

Kagome huffed good-naturedly, and the jeep pulled into the grassy lot that currently served as the parking space for the event.

xXx.xXx.xXx.xXx.xXx

He paid for their tickets and Kagome promptly dragged him inside, in the direction of the cotton candy stand.

"What's a carnival without cotton candy, right?"

He laughed at her excitement, glad he had chosen the carnival for this date. He bought her the candy, and they ate it as they made their way to their first ride. She had insisted on the Ali Baba, but once they had seated themselves onto it, she looked apprehensive.

"Um, Kouga? I don't know if I can do this."

He looked at her cautiously, trying to figure out if she'd be all right. He placed a hand on her shoulder, and she opened her eyes and tried to smile.

"Don't worry, Kagome. I'd never let anything happen to you. You know that. I'll protect you. I promise."

She nodded, and the ride began to ascend. It moved jaggedly from side to side, and he knew it was all she could do not to close her eyes again.

When the ride stopped, she couldn't have gotten off of it faster, nearly tripping him up as he stumbled to keep pace behind her.

As they touched solid ground, she laughed nervously, obviously embarrassed as he began to chuckle at her.

"Come on, Kagome. I told you I'd protect you. Don't you trust me?"

She blushed and nodded, smiling sheepishly.

"Of course I trust you Kouga."

She took his arm and they headed towards the game area. She squealed at the small stuffed wolf on the wall next to a stack of bottles. Kouga grinned and promptly knocked each of the bottles down. Proudly, he handed her the plushie.

She grinned and hugged him tightly around the neck. He planted a soft kiss on her lips and led her to the Ferris wheel. The line was long, and when they finally reached the front, it was beginning to get dark. The man ushered them into their car, and they moved upwards.

Kagome shivered and Kouga slipped his jacket around her shoulders. She smiled up at him, and leaned into the crook of the arm still wrapped about her shoulders. They sat in comfortable silence until a few raindrops spattered onto their heads.

"Man. It's raining."

Kouga muttered the obvious, and Kagome frowned and nodded. The droplets began to hit heavily, and as they climbed off the ride, they ran for a shelter. The only one not full of people was the covered area that lined up for the Rock 'N' Roll ride, which was several cars that spun quickly backwards, waving back and forth.

They climbed onto the ride, just as the first peal of thunder was heard. Lightning had already struck, lighting the sky. Kagome huddled into him and he wrapped his arms around her, trying to keep her warm.

They climbed off the ride soon afterwards and headed for another shelter. Many of the people had abandoned their hiding places to brave the drive home, but Kouga wouldn't risk it.

A sharp whistle pierced the air and chaos ensued. Kagome only looked up at Kouga, fear blatant in her eyes. There were no trains nearby. Everyone knew what that sound meant.

Most of the crowd rushed for their cars, hoping to escape it. The whirlpool of air was obvious in the distance. Kouga looked worried, and his arms squeezed his precious treasure.

"Kagome, its huge. And fast. I don't know if we can make it."

He sounded so lost, so hopeless, so.. Weak. She had never seen him like this, and it only increased her fear.

"We have to try, Kouga, we have to. Can't we at least try?"

He suddenly squared his shoulders and a look of determination set onto his features. He still held her tightly, and it helped ease her.

"Of course, Kagome. I promised, right? I'm going to protect you."

The wind was picking up, and they ran for Kouga's jeep. He knew the chances of his crashing in this weather were just as great as death in this storm, but he had to try it. For Kagome.

They were about to climb into his car, when he scanned the area.

"Kagome. The traffic. We'll never get out of here. It's backed up for miles, I can see from here. We're going to have to run for it."

Tears streamed suddenly down her cheeks, as if a dam had broken. She nodded, and his heart broke, though he wouldn't let her know it. There was nothing much he could do, but he couldn't give up. He couldn't let Kagome die.

They ran, faster than they ever had before. She slipped once, he grabbed her hand and urged her on. The shrill sounds screamed louder, the wind cried bloodlust, and the rain demanded surrender. But, still, they did not stop.

He would not turn around and look into the eye of Death. He did not have to. He knew He had arrived when the sound, the wind, the rain, all silenced in reverence to Him.

He stopped, and his arms wrapped tightly around Kagome, stopping her as well. Her eyes, drowning in fear, looked wildly up at him.

"Don't look so scared, Kagome. I promised. I'll protect you. Forever."

She nodded, and he kissed her soundly, and then tightened his grip as she buried her face into his chest.

"I love you, Kagome. I always have."

"I love you, too, Kouga."

She smiled into his chest as the wind hit them in a solid, downward spiral.

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THE END

No, just kidding. There will be an epilogue. That was.. Yeah. I didn't want to do that, but that was how it had to end.

This story was based off of.. sudden inspiration. We were at a carnival and it suddenly started pouring, lightning, the works. So, yeah. Here it is. There it was. The epilogue will be soon.