Disclaimer - It's not mine. Never was.
A/N : Hello everyone. How are ya'll doing? Good I hope. Okay, here's the next chappie in my wonderful saga.
I'm Going Back.
When Kagome finally awoke the next day, she was not surprised to see Shippou curled up beside her. What surprised her the most was the warm body of someone else behind her. Her eyes popped open and she turned around to see Kouga, also waking up from his sleep. His hair was a mess, and there was sleep in his eyes. He yawned and looked down at Kagome, noticing she had finally woken up. He knew that she did not usually sleep late. But it was already close to noon time. He had been up earlier that morning, but hadn't wanted to wake her, so he had stayed put. 'No inconvenience for me.' he thought.
"Sleep well, Kagome?" he asked with a small grin. Kagome smiled back and nodded.
"Yeah. Believe it or not I did." she said. He only grinned and reluctantly pushed himself up off of the bed. Kagome smiled as she looked from the wolf down to the kitsune still lying beside her. 'Even if no one else wants me around, I know these two do.' she thought. Shippou began to stir and was soon sitting next to Kagome, rubbing his eyes. "Morning, Shippou." The little kitsune looked up at her and smiled.
"Kagome!" he yelped. "How are you feeling? Are you any better? Did you get enough sleep last night?" Kagome smiled and pulled the little boy demon into a tight hug.
"I'm fine, Shippou." she said. "And I got plenty of sleep." The kit seemed to be happy with her answers and quickly dislodged himself from her arms and ran to search for something to eat.
"You stay right there, Kagome." he ordered imperiously. "I'm going to go fix you something to eat for breakfast!" Kagome's smile faltered slightly and she shook her head, quickly remembering the last time Shippou had decided he wanted to cook something.
"That's not really necessary, Shippou." she said. "I can fix myself something. Besides, I'm sure Kaede or Sango have already fixed something." She looked out of the window and noticed that is was almost noon. "Go see if you can find them."
"I'm afraid that Sango and Lady Kaede, as well as the monk, are not here at the moment, Lady Kagome." came Keiko's motherly voice from the other room. She walked into the main room and looked down to where Kagome was still sitting.
"Is something the matter?" Kagome asked quickly. "Is something wrong? Why'd they have to leave?" Kouga noticed the panic rising in her voice and quickly moved to calm her down.
"I'm sure they are fine, Lady." he said soothingly.
"Yes, Lady. They are in the village, tending to some sick children." Keiko explained. "The children have come down with some sort of fever, and Kaede asked if the exterminator and the monk would assist her in treating them. They asked me to inform you when they woke up. And to tell you that they will be back shortly after noon."
"Many thanks, Keiko." Kagome said quietly. "I was afraid something else might have happened to them."
"They are fine, Lady." Keiko said. "I assure you." The old demoness smiled and took her leave of the miko and prince. Two seconds later, Kagome heard Keiko shouting at Shippou. "PUT THAT DOWN, CHILD!!! LADY KAGOME WILL EAT WHEN SHE FEELS LIKE IT!! THERE IS NO NEED TO BRING THE ENTIRE CONTENTS OF KAEDE'S CUPBOARD TO HER!!!" Kagome shuddered when she heard the audible crash of dishes that came next. She looked up at Kouga and bit her lip.
"I better go see what he's done." she said softly. She was about to pull herself off of the make-shift bed when she felt Kouga's arms pull her up effortlessly. She blushed at the close proximity of the wolf, but said nothing. She tried to pull out of the awkward embrace, but Kouga kept her there, his strength keeping her rooted beside him.
"Let Keiko handle him for a little while." he said. "Running after a little one will have her feeling like her old self again." Kagome let a small grin loose, but looked up at the prince with confusion.
"Is something wrong, Kouga?" she asked. "You seem..distant this morning." Kouga smiled down at the girl and shook his head.
"I wanted to ask you something." he said softly. Kagome nodded her head, encouraging him to go on, even though she had no idea where the conversation was going.
"What is it, Kouga?"
"I wanted to know if you ever planned on coming back to this time now that...well...now that dog turd isn't around as much?" he asked quietly. His grip on her had not lessened. Kagome smiled and turned to face the wolf demon.
"Of course I'll be back!" she exclaimed. "It's not like I'm going to just leave you guys without a trace." She punched him on the arm playfully. "You wouldn't be that lucky!" He grinned and hugged the girl. He really did lover her, no matter what anyone else thought.
"I'm glad you'll be back at some point." he said. "I didn't want you to forget about all of us just because of what HE did." He felt the girl tense up at the mention of the hanyou's betrayal. Kouga did not want her upset, but he had to know whether or not she was going to come back. She pulled out of his embrace and bit her lip.
"It's going to take some time, Kouga." she said. "But, I will be back here, and back to normal. You have to understand that I loved Inuyasha, with everything I had, my heart and soul. And he broke it." She felt the tears once again form in her eyes and she wrapped her arms around herself as a type of condolence. "I'll be back. I just don't know how long it will be before I can. Too many memories to contend with, you know. When I get my feelings settled down, I'll be back."
Kouga shook his head. She might be talking about days, even months, possibly even years. He had to find a way to make sure she came back to the Feudal Era. He loved her more than anything. And he did not want to loose her to anyone else, including any males in her own time.
"I understand, Kagome." he said. "You're leaving today, aren't you?"
"Yes. Why?"
"Some of the pups wanted to tell you good-bye before you left. They had asked if I could bring you back before you left." Kagome smiled a genuine smile at the mention of the wolf cubs. She had taken a liking to the you children during her short stays with the pack. "In fact, I am under strict orders from little Sosa to bring you back, or die trying." Kagome let out a laugh, remembering the little male pup who had told her that she was going to be his mate when he grew up. He was a cute little thing, and was smitten with Kagome from the second he had met her. When Kouga had found out about the little pup's declaration for Kagome, he had almost laughed his head off. He smiled again, knowing that she would never turn down a request from one of the children of his pack.
"I don't see why I can't go see them." she said. She looked up at Kouga and shrugged. "If you don't mind taking me there for a while, that is. I wouldn't want to intrude or anything." Kouga smiled, knowing that the children were her weakness.
"Nah, you're no intrusion. I promise! And we can go now if you want, before you're companions get back." he suggested. "I don't know what time you were planning on getting back to your time, but I can have you back at the well whenever you want. I think Keiko is ready to leave also." Kagome smiled and nodded.
"Sounds fine. Just give me a few minutes to change out of these clothes. After last night's...encounter, I feel like burning the damn things!" She walked out of the room and Kouga sought out Keiko. He found her outside the hut, berating the little kitsune for something.
"Keiko!" he said, getting her attention. She turned from her argument with the child and looked up. Shippou ran a few feet off and began talking with some of the villagers.
"Yes, Lord Kouga?"
"I'm taking Kagome back to the pack for a while. Some of the pups wanted to see her before she left for her time." he said. "Are you coming also?"
"Not yet, my Lord." she answered. "Kaede isn't quite well enough to be on her own. The monk and exterminator will be leaving tomorrow to go back to their village. I dare not leave the miko alone until then. She has regained some of her strength, but she is still weak."
"Very well." Kouga said. "If her friends come back before we do, tell them where she went. We'll be back in a few hours." Keiko only nodded, smiling at the obvious change in the wolf demon's demeanor. Any other time, he could care less what the pups wanted. If it were any other female, he would just send her on, and to Hell with what the children wanted. She smirked when he turned to go back into the hut. Kagome had come out, dressed in the typical red and white combination of a miko. Kouga eyed her skeptically, but she only shrugged.
"I don't like it just as much as the next person, Kouga. But I didn't exactly think I was going to need anymore clothes." she said sheepishly. "This is the only thing I have right now." Kouga just nodded and gathered the girl up before taking off into the air with a burst of speed. Shippou watched them leave, and went back to Keiko with a puzzled expression.
"Why was Kouga so mad about the clothes she had on? She wears that all of the time." he said. Keiko shook her head and frowned.
"Because it reminds him of that wench Kikyou." she said with a sigh. "And Kikyou reminds him of Inuyasha, which reminds him of why Kagome is upset in the first place." Shippou nodded, understanding finally unfolding on him.
"Well, at least taking her away from here for a while will get her mind off of that baka Inuyasha." Shippou said gruffly. Keiko nodded, knowing that Kouga would keep the girl busy all day if he let her.
"Yes, child. I am afraid that is what she needs more than anything else right now."
"What? A distraction?" he asked.
"No. Time with someone who really does love her for who she is, and not someone who wants her to be someone she's not." Shippou looked up at the demoness with wide eyes.
"So Kouga really does lover her?" he asked. Keiko smiled.
"More than anyone else in this world, or the next." she answered. Shippou frowned, thinking that Kouga did not deserve Kagome. 'But, then again, he has always protected her. He's proven his loyalty to her in more ways than Inuyasha has. And, he's not as bad as that baka hanyou makes him sound.' He smiled and looked up into the sky where the prince had flew off with his surrogate mother. 'And what's even better is, he doesn't knock me around like Inuyasha did.'
"Whatever makes them happy." he said contently. "I mean, come on. I know he'd ever do what Inuyasha did to her; he actually believes and follows the demon's code of honor. So he's okay in my book." Keiko smiled and shook her head.
"Spoken like a true demon, my child." she said with a smile. Shippou grinned and Keiko took his hand. "How about we go try to find something to eat?" That was all it took. Shippou practically drug the older demon back into the hut in search of food.
Meanwhile, Kagome was hanging on to Kouga as he flew towards the main cave of his pack. They landed right at the entrance and he set her on her feet. She was a little light headed from the change in altitude, but quickly regained her senses.
"Thank you, Kouga." she said sweetly. "I don't think I've ever gotten used to the whole flying thing." Kouga grinned.
"It's not a problem." he answered easily.
"So, where are the children?" she asked, looking around.
"They should be here right...about..now." he said. Before the last syllable was out of his mouth, Kagome heard about fifteen excited voices coming from the inside of the cave. She turned around and smiled happily, any depressing thoughts of Inuyasha and his cheating leaving her mind immediately.
Nearly everyone of the little pups were rushing out of the cave and enveloping her in feverous hugs. In two seconds flat, there was a sea of little tails surrounding her.
" Lady Kagome! You came back!" cried one of the little girls.
"YAAAH! Lady Kagome's back." came another exclamation.
"Will you play with us, Lady? Huh? Please?" asked one little boy.
"Yes, please, Lady. Come play with us! We have been practicing that last game you taught us." said one of the more shy little girls.
"Oh, you've been practicing the hopscotch game I taught you?" she asked. "I'm proud of you." The little girl blushed and quickly drug her off, the rest of the kids following her, chattering wildly about all the things they had done since she'd left.
By now, many of the other, older members of the pack had come to the entrance to see what the commotion was. When they laid eyes on Kagome, they only smiled. They all knew about the situation between the miko girl and the hanyou, and they were happy to see that she was well. One of the older women came out and stood beside Kouga.
"How is she doing?" Kuarasama asked.
"She'll be fine." Kouga answered, watching as the children led her off. "I'm afraid it's just going to take some time." Kuarasama smiled.
"She will come around, Lord Kouga. You needn't worry." the woman said. "She belongs here, with us. And I think everyone else will agree. She has no enemies within this family."
"It's true, my lord." said one of the elder fathers. "She is at home in our surroundings. And look how she interacts with the children. You have chosen your potential mate, and co-leader of our pack, well." Kouga couldn't help but hide the grin. The rest of the pack members just shook their heads and dispersed. They had already been through the ups and downs with Kouga. Now that the miko was here, their leader was definitely going to be in a good mood for a while.
Before long, all of the children had joined in with Kagome. Even some of the older boys and girls were speaking with her after they had come back from patrols and finished with their normal routine chores. Kouga watched her all evening, noticing the graceful ease she exhibited with his pack members, and the calming aura that surrounded her when she was happy. She spent the hours playing with the younger children and talking with the older children. She even broke away long enough to speak with some of the pack elders. But that was short lived, seeing as how the children were literally dragging her back outside.
All too soon, she had to bid them all good-bye. It was time for her to get back to Kaede's village. She had spent more time than she had anticipated with Kouga's pack seeing as how sundown was only two hours away. She went looking for Kouga, but he was coming to get her.
"Ready to go back?" he asked, hiding the sadness in his voice.
"I'm afraid so." she said. Kouga was about to gather her up for the flight when she felt a small tug on her pants. She looked down and found three of the children standing there, each one with their hands behind their backs.
"Ummm, excuse us, Lord Kouga, sir." one of them said timidly.
"What is it?" he asked gruffly. The poor child almost jumped out of his skin. Kagome narrowed her eyes and punched Kouga in the arm.
"Don't sound like you're gonna bite his head off, idiot!" she scolded him. "He's just asking a question." Kouga blushed slightly and hung his head. The other children hid a giggle when they saw the girl beating up the leader of their pack. Kagome frowned at him, wondering why he had such a change in disposition. Not giving it much thought she knelt down in front of the children. "What is it, sweeties?" she asked.
"Well.you see, Lady Kagome..ummm." the little pup said, fidgeting her feet. "We wanted to give you something to remember us by while you went back to your home." Kagome looked a little surprised and glanced up at Kouga, expecting him to have something to do with this. When she only got a shrug, she turned back to the children.
"What is it, little ones?" she asked. "You don't have to give me anything. I'm not going to forget you." The children smiled and pulled out what was behind their backs.
"I made this when you first came here." the little girl said. "When you helped to heal my momma and daddy when they got into that fight." She opened her hand and presented Kagome with a small pendant carved out of wood. Kagome took it and examined it closely It was the design of a wolf head. She smiled and hugged the little girl.
"Thank you, Sisama." she said. "It's beautiful. I'm guessing your brother helped you carve it. Am I correct?"
"Yes, Lady. He did. But he said not to tell you that because he would be embarrassed if any of his friends found out that he was giving a girl a gift." the little girl said, her eyes wide. Kagome smiled, and Kouga tried to hide his laugh as a cough. When the little girl stepped back, another little girl stepped forward.
"These are for you, Lady Kagome." she said, handing her two hair combs that had been carved from oyster shells. Kagome's breath caught when the light reflected off of the combs, making them shine brilliantly.
"Toma, these are beautiful. Where did you get them?" she asked, looking up at the girl.
"You also healed my father the first time you came here. You're miko powers help him to live. He and my mother wanted to thank you in some way, and they made these for you." she explained. Kagome hugged the girl and smiled. "My mother and I gathered the shells to make them. And the rest of my family helped to carve them."
"Well, you can tell them that I thank them greatly." she said. She tucked the combs into her pocked and smiled at the girl. Finally, the last one came forward.
"I wanted you to have this, Lady." he said. Kagome opened the little container and smiled. It was full of unopened sakura blooms. "It will keep your home smelling wonderful for a long time since the blooms have not opened yet."
"Thank you, Sosa." she said sweetly, hugging the boy. " They are wonderful, and I will keep them near to me at all times." The boy smiled and looked up at her as she stood back up.
"When will you be coming back, Lady Kagome?" he asked suddenly. Kouga let an irritated growl go, and Kagome elbowed him in the stomach, once again making the children giggle.
"I'm not sure, sweetheart." she said. Her voice had dropped down and Kouga could smell the salty smell of tears forming.
"You're not leaving for good, are you?" Toma asked, her eyes big with hurt. Kagome shook her head and stooped back down, gathering the children into a hug. "We don't want you to leave us here."
"No. I'll be back." she reassured them. "It might just be a while before I am."
"How long?" Sosa asked. Kagome smiled and stood back up. She really did not know how long she would be gone, so she decided to try a change of subject.
"I'll tell you what." she said with a smile. "When I come back, I'll bring you all a special present. How does that sound?" The children let out a yelp and started smiling. "Okay. It's settled. When I come back, you all have a present coming. But, I've got to go now. So I will see you then, okay?"
"Okay, Lady. Be careful."
"Yes, Lady, be careful. And come back soon."
"We love you, Lady Kagome. Please don't be gone long. We'll miss you." said Toma. "Besides, Lord Kouga is always in a better mood when you come by." Kagome felt her face warm up with the start of a fierce blush. Behind her, Kouga was glaring at all three of the cubs, who took no notice of their Lord and leader's icy gaze.
"Is that so?" Kagome asked, a small grin on her face as she looked up at the wolf prince. "I wonder why?"
"My mommy says that it is because he finally has a woman that can put up with his arrogant, egotistical self." Toma said with a giggle. "Whatever that means." Kagome bit her lip from laughing right in front of the wolf youkai.
"Yeah, daddy says that it's time he figured out a way to keep you here with us all the time instead of running off after just a few days." Sisama said innocently. "Lord Kouga always gets angry and moody when you leave, and he stays like that until you come back."
"Does he, now?" Kagome asked again, choking back a chuckle at Kouga's discomfort. 'I don't want to laugh, but this is priceless.' she thought. 'Kids say the darndest things. I guess Kouga will be a little more discreet after this.'
"Yeah, so do us a favor, Lady Kagome." Sosa said with a smile. "Come back here more often. Or better yet, just stay here for good. I'm sure no one would mind." By now, Kouga was more embarrassed than anything. He knew his obvious attraction to Kagome had not gone unnoticed by the older members of the pack, but he had figured the kids would not notice anything. Apparently, he had been wrong.
"Yeah, especially Lord Kouga." Sisama said with a smile. "He likes it when you are here." Kagome smiled and chuckled at the kid's innocent words. They did not realize that they were embarrassing the wolf prince, and she did not want them to get into trouble, so she decided to get them back to the cave.
"I'll think about it, okay?" Kagome asked. "But right now, I have to go. But I will be back, I promise." That seemed to pacify the happy children, but Sosa was still in a questioning mood.
"But Lady, will you stay the next time you come?" he asked. By now, Kouga was shaking his head in frustration. He needed to get Kagome back to her friends, and the kids were holding them up.
"Alright runts!" Kouga barked. "Back to the cave with the whole lot of you. Darkness is falling."
"But."
"Go on, kids." Kagome said with a smile. "I'll be back soon. You need to listen to Kouga. He knows what he's talking about. Now, go on back home." The kids smiled, gave her one last hug, and started running back towards the cave.
As they ran back to the cave, apparently to tell the other children that Kagome was bringing a present on her next visit, they waved to the miko. She stood up and watched the children leave, her hand at her throat, and her eyes trying to hold back the unexpected tears that threatened to escape. Kouga noticed the change and turned her around to face him.
"Kagome? What's wrong? Why are you crying?" he asked. Kagome smiled and looked at him.
"They said that they loved me." she said quietly. Kouga shook his head and hugged her tightly.
"And they mean it, too." he said.
"How do you know?" she asked.
"Demons don't lie about their feelings." he said, picking her up and getting ready to fly. Kagome stiffened up and looked at him.
"Not all demons do." she said. Kouga rolled his eyes in frustration.
" I said all DEMONS." he said pointedly. " Despicable HANYOUS do NOT count." Kagome cringed back from the venom in his voice. She had not meant to make him angry, but she obviously had.
"Kouga, calm down please." she begged. "It's been a good day, and Inuyasha hasn't messed it up in any way, shape, or form. Please don't get mad now." Kouga looked at her and the anger he had felt momentarily disappeared without a trace. He smiled and held her tighter.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be so sharp." he apologized. "It's just that.well.I." Kagome smiled, putting her hand over his mouth to silence him.
"I know." she said simply. "He's a self centered, over confident, two timing, no good, bastard hanyou. You've already told me..and multiple times, I might add." Kouga grinned and shook his head.
"Now you believe me, right?" he asked. Kagome smiled and tucked her gifts into her pockets.
"Yes, now I believe you." He grinned and took to the air, not really wanting to go back to Kaede's village, but knowing that Kagome had to go back home for a while.
As the wind whipped past her, Kagome wondered exactly why Kouga was being so nice to her. 'I know he hates, Inuyasha. But I always thought he pursued me just to make Inuyasha mad. I guess I was wrong.' She did not have much time left to contemplate where the thoughts were going, since they were back in Kaede's village only moments later. They landed and Kouga picked up smells coming from the hut.
"I think I got you back in time." he muttered. "They're fixing the evening meal." He turned to leave, but Kagome stopped him.
"Why don't you stay here and eat dinner with us?" she said. "It'll be your payment for carrying me around all day." She smiled and Kouga grinned. He would carry her all day, every day, and anywhere she wanted to go without complaint. 'Of course, I can't exactly tell her that...yet. Although the cubs were doing a damn good job of getting the message across earlier.' he thought. Kagome grabbed his hand and pulled him into the hut. Sure enough, Kaede and Sango were dishing up the food as soon as they came in. Keiko smiled when she noticed their clasped hands, and scooted over to make room for Kouga at the table. They all ate heartily, taking their time and enjoying it because they all knew Kagome was going home after this.
When the dishes were washed, and the table cleared, Kagome sighed and picked up her bag, trying to slip out of the hut undetected. She didn't have to actually want to say 'good-bye' to her friends this time because she really didn't know when she was going to come back. As she made her way out to the Bone Eater's well, a quick gust of wind flushed against her. It was Kouga.
"And just where do you think you're going?" he asked. "You didn't even say good-bye." Kagome gave him a weak smile and turned around. He suddenly picked up a small difference in her smell. It smelled familiar, but.different.
"I didn't actually want to have to say 'good-bye'." she said quietly, looking at the grass. "Because I'm not sure how long I'm going to be gone." Kouga took a deep breath and moved closer to her, forgetting about the smell temporarily.
"You will be coming back though, right?" he asked, hoping she hadn't changed her mind suddenly.
"How many times do I have to tell you? Yes, I'm coming back." she said. " I made a promise you the pups after all, and I intend to keep it. After all, from what the kids say, you are much more agreeable when I'm here." Kouga grinned and sat on the edge of the well, not sure of what to say. Kagome looked at him and a question she had wanted to ask him earlier popped into her head. "Kouga, I want to ask you something about your pack."
"What is it?" he asked, not really paying that much attention.
"Why does everyone of them, from the youngest child to the pack elders, refer to me as 'Lady'?" she asked. "I'm not youkai royalty." Kouga looked up at her and frowned.
"Because they consider you the other leader of my pack." he said vaguely. "The female leader of the pack." Kagome's eyes went wide when she realized what he was saying.
"So, they think that.."
"They think that one day, you'll join us...as my mate." he said quietly, refusing to look at her face. Kagome was shocked beyond comparison. She had not really thought about why they had always addressed her like that. But now that it sunk in, she realized the implications of what the title meant.
"Kouga.I.." she began slowly, searching for the words to tell him exactly what she was thinking at the moment. Which was hard because she was not sure what she was thinking to begin with. The wolf demon only gave a weak grin and stood up.
"Don't worry about it." he said gently. "It's nothing to worry about."
"But, I don't deserve that title." Kagome said. "I'm not the leader of your pack." Kouga just grinned and shook his head.
"The only reason they say that is because you're the only female that ever comes around that's not a member of the pack." he said. "I don't want what they call you to keep you away from me..I mean.us. If it bothers you, I'll tell them to stop." Kagome shook her head, her confusing thoughts beginning to slowly clear out. "It's just a term of respect, Kagome. It's not like there are a million strings attached to it. It's just a way to show respect to a woman who has earned it. And trust me, you've earned it." He gave her a friendly hug and once again picked up that odd smell, like she was..something.
Kagome grinned and nodded, not picking up on the slight hesitation.
"It's alright. Whatever they want to call me, I don't care." she said. Kouga let her go and she sat on the edge of the well. The sun was beginning to set and she smiled. Kouga seemed to have went on silent for the moment. "I just wanted to know. That's all."
"Not a problem." he answered. "Anything to help." Kagome grinned and stood up from the well wall, dropping her bag onto the ground. She stood in front of Kouga and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. The wolf prince blushed lightly, but smiled none the less.
"That's for everything you've done for me." she said. "I don't know what I'd have done without you here, Kouga. You've helped me so much. Thank you." She smiled and stepped back towards the well, picking up her bag and slinging it onto her shoulder. When he recovered from his temporarily incapacitated speech ability, he walked by her.
"When you come back, be sure to let me know." he said. "It'll be good to see you again. And I think the pups would like to see you again also." For the third time that evening, the odd smell arose and assaulted his senses. Something was different with the miko, but he could not figure out what it was.
"I will." she said. She swung her legs over the side of the well and looked back at Kouga over her shoulders. "I'll see you later, Kouga. Bye." And with that final farewell, she pushed herself off into the well's murky depths. Kouga watched as she disappeared into the darkness, and sighed.
"Good-bye for now, my loving Kagome."
A/N : Okie dokie. How'd that one come out? Hmm? Don't you just love it when kids start blabbing things they've heard somewhere else? I think it's hilarious. Anyhow.leave me a review telling me what you think. Love you guys.
Later.
