Going Home
**********
Hiei paced the floor of the simple wooden hut and growled under his breath. Never had he had to make so many threats in such a short amount of time...that damn dog hanyou and the wolf were progressively driving everyone else over the edge of sanity. If only he hadn't made that promise to Botan...and he did not fail to notice the ferry girls absence.
A loud thunderous roar shook the hut and Hiei paused long enough in his random pacing to reassure himself that neither dog nor wolf were dead...yet. His mask of discontent was firmly in place as he pulled the rough curtain that served as a door aside and glared out at the others. He growled under his breath and sneered at the wildly fighting youkai that were drawing a crowd in the small clearing.
He went to stand next to the monk and demon slayer and crossed his arms over his chest. "Hn," he greeted them.
Sango only spared the fire demon a quick glance before returning to the clash of hanyou and youkai that had once again commenced.
Inuyasha swung Tetseiga over his head one handed and flung himself out of the wolf's way. The tip of his sword glowed a bloody red in the morning light from a well timed slice at the other youkia's legs. The hanyou purposefully held back, relying on his strength and weight to carry the blows and ignoring the swords insistence that he yield and pull a Kaze no Kizu. Inuyasha knew that the battle between them was more reminiscent to their past then to actual dislike..at least on his part. But then, Kouga was not using his full strength either. And by this time, both were running out of inventive insults to scream at the other.
"Damn dog turd!" Kouga yelled and spun around fast enough to kick up a wall of dust. The screen effectively hid him from Inuyasha's view for a few precious moments that he took advantage of. He ran behind the gaging hanyou and kicked him in the back of the head with a triumphant "Ha!"
Inuyasha landed face first on the ground and peeled himself off of the dirt, only to jump back into the battle with mock ferocity. Kouga had expected Inuyasha to stay down for a short time and wasn't able to miss the fist that caught him in the gut and flung him into the trees behind him. "HA!" Inuyasha screamed back.
A set of shimmering blue eyes regarded the battle and its disintegration into a childish competition complete with the back and forth "Ha's!" that screamed "Immaturity" to any over the age of five. It seemed that there were some things that even youkais never grew out of. Look at Sesshoumaru...even he had a strangely violent sibling rivalry issue that he couldn't seem to get over...however, when the opportunity presented itself, someone had to be the adult.
"Ha!"
"Ha!"
"HA!"
"Inuyasha, osuwari."
"Eh?"
THUNK!
Hiei watched with satisfied relief as the battle came to an abrupt halt. He had sensed the arrival of Kurama's aura long before he had appeared at the fringes of the crowd. Even stronger then that was the build up Miko energy falling from them in waves of magic. It came from a wrapped bundle in Kagome's arms, tucked slightly out of sight in a small bag. He ran his eyes over Kagome's light form to assure himself that the kitsune had managed to rescue and heal the girl before traveling with her and grunted his approval. The only visible mark on her was a thin scar that ran the length of one cheek. Hiei focused on the pair as they flowed around the oblivious crowd to stand a few feet from his right. He smirked a greeting and payed particular attention to the way the couple remained touching even as they wove through the obstacle course of people and village supplies left to lie unattended in various piles.
He pushed the kitsune to an explanation as soon as the hanyou managed to overcome the spell and fling himself at the woman laughing delightedly at seeing her friends. You're late, fox.
I, Yoko replied primly, am right on time.
You left me here to deal with these idiots for THREE days! Hiei fumed in his head.
Youko chuckled and sent out a soothing vibe to his friend. Are you telling me that you can't handle a few ningens for a few days, Hiei?
No one's dead...Shuuichi offered peacefully.
Hiei turned his ruby eyes to the smirking red head that had still not relinquished his mate to be's hand, even through she was hugging and patting the various members of her group in reassurance, with the other.
Yet...
I heard that! Hiei frowned and turned his nose up at the laughter in his friends eyes.
Right...Shuuichi answered sheepishly.
Hn.
Cut that out, both of you! Kurama chastised them. Are you taking lessons from the dog?
Hiei gave his friend a death glare for such an accusation and firmed his lips into a thin hard line. Refusing to be drawn further into the childish banter, he jumped into the high branches of a tree to pout with out witnesses.
Oh, Hiei! Don't be mad! Youko giggled .
A barely audible "hn" was heard over the breeze.
Kagome gave Kurama a sly glance that told him that she knew what he was doing and that she did not approve...He felt Youko take the opportunity to leer at her while he was searching for an acceptable excuse for baiting Hiei.
Kagome's eyes widened before she grinned at him and winked. WINKED!
Kurama stifled his laughter and tried to hide his surprise behind a cough. Youko took that moment to further embarrass him by waggling his eyebrows at the girl suggestively. Kagome's answering giggle was high enough praise to send Youko into a fit of energetic chattering and further erotic daydreaming that made Kurama regret the fact that there were so many people around while he was so uncomfortable. He moaned in misery and pulled her close to his side so that he could whisper in her ear. "Quit encouraging him." he pleaded.
Kagome pouted out her lower lip and turned into his embrace, ignoring the watchful eyes surrounding them so that she could lean up to whisper her answer. "No..."
She pulled from his arms and stared at his predominantly golden eyes with a wicked smile still in place as she sauntered away, hips swinging purposefully more then normal. Kagome heard him growl playfully at her as she laughed and made a hasty retreat.
As soon as she was free of the red head, Kouga snatched his opportunity to get close to her. With her hands firmly caught in his, Kouga glared at everyone else and stated loudly, "Kagome, we need to talk."
Kagome blinked at the amorous wolf and realized just what conversation he was wanting to have. "Now, Kouga-kun?" she tilted her head to one side as she peered over his shoulder to glare at the three males growling loud enough for her to hear with her human senses. The loudest growl was from the smallest throat, Shippo perched on Kurama's shoulder was giving the wolf a look that would have stopped Sesshoumaru in his tracks.
Inuyasha choked on his rumbling growl to stare in surprise at the kit and the kitsune beside him.
He shook his head and turned his attention back to the miko he had just gotten back. "Leave her be, Wimpy Wolf!" he shouted, when the kitsune did no more then vocalize his general displeasure.
Kouga closed his eyes and tightened his hold on Kagome's fingers with a firm grip. He opened his electric blue eyes to catch her with his serious gaze. "Yes," he answered her, ignoring the danger signs sending his hair standing on end. "Now," he agreed.
She searched his face and nodded slowly in agreement. It was not a conversation to put off, she knew, but that did not make this an enjoyable confrontation. "Alright..." she made sure to say loud enough so that the others could hear plainly that she was agreeing to speak with Kouga voluntarily. There could be no room for assumptions now, or someone could easily end up dead...
Kouga took the opportunity to haul her into his arms and sprint away into the forest. The whirlwind he created made a screen of debris that the other demons and humans had to shield their eyes from.
"Hey! Get back here!" Inuyasha shook a fist at them. "She didn't say that she would go anywhere with you!" he fussed but didn't follow. It was no longer his place to chase after Kagome and he knew it. He glared instead at the red headed kitsune and bared his fangs in displeasure. "Some mate you'll make," he snapped. "You let that stupid Ookami baka take her! Feh!"
Kurama narrowed his eyes at the dog and let Youko out to deal with the insult. Youko was not nearly as nice as Kurama was...Go for it, Youko. You handle this one.
With pleasure...the fox answered and calmly punched Inuyasha in the nose.
WHAM!
Kurama looked down at that suddenly snoozing dog with curiosity. That is not quite what I meant.
I know! Youko chuckled nastily.
Kurama sighed and shook his head. By allowing Kagome to go with the wolf, he was showing her his trust...even if he did not agree with her decision or timing. He knew Kagome would return, unhurt and needing his support. She had a lot to say to the youkai prince.
He could only wait and hope she returned soon. Any minute without her was one of extreme worry for him...
******************************************************************************
Kouga stopped only a few minutes away, where they were close enough to call for help if it was needed, but far enough away to speak privately. He set her on her feet and turned his back on her. "Is it true?" he asked her quietly.
Kagome sighed sadly. She didn't want to hurt him, but she had never agreed to be his mate in the first place...this was bound to come up eventually. "Yes Kouga, It's true. Kurama and I are together now..." her voice was gentle and understanding, but she saw him wince anyway.
Kouga hung his head til his chin touched his chest and remained quiet. He had been fearing that this would happen if he did not fully claim her...but he also knew that he would only truly have her if she wanted to be with him. He would not force himself on anyone, especially not someone as pure of heart as his Kagome...no not his...never his. Kouga wanted to yell and throw a temper but it would not change anything. If anything, it would only distance her from him more. He restrained his aching heart and wondered if he had simply left too much to chance...But, if she were happy, then he knew he could take some small measure of comfort in that.
"I'm sorry, Kouga. But you can't help who you love..." she whispered, knowing that he would still hear her.
"True," he murmured and turned back to her, "you can't." He gave her a strained smile and grasped her hand again. "Does he love you?"
She nodded and squeezed his fingers in her own, in a pale attempt to comfort.
He sighed, "Then I wish you both well, Kagome. If ever you have need of me, I'll still be there for you."
Kagome took him by surprise by pulling him into a strong hug. "Thank you, Kouga-kun. Your friendship means a lot to me."
With a faint real smile gracing his lips, Kouga wrapped his arms loosely around her thin frame. "Anytime, Kagome..."
She pulled away to gift him with a watery smile and shrugged emotionally. "Uh..." she mumbled, looking for word that fit the occasion.
He laughed suddenly and winked at her. "If this don't work out with the fox, come find me." he told her and reached for her hands once again.
Expecting them to be held in his possessive grasp again, she was surprised to find him dropping something into the palm of one hand and closing her fingers over it. A warm tingle told her what she held without looking at it. "Oh, Kouga," she sighed, and tightened her hold on the hard object. Her smile widened and lost the sad tilt to it's corners.
"Come on," he grinned. "Your fox is probably getting anxious by now."
She giggled and took his other hand in hers. "I doubt it. Walk with me?" she tugged on his clawed fingers.
Surprised and mildly pleased that she still accepted such contact with him, Kouga allowed her to pull him along behind her. That is, until he noticed something important..."Uh, Kagome?"
"Huh?" she asked merrily, practically skipping down the path.
"The village is that way." he pointed behind them and burst out laughing at her brightening blush. She turned up her nose and promptly turned around as if it had never happened.
Kouga's laughter could be heard all the way back to camp...
******************************************************************************
Botan careened into the camp at a speed that proved dangerous to everyone's heath. She landed awkwardly and tried to tame her wind swept hair with a hasty hand. She gave the mixed crowd a nervous smile. "Hi everyone, I'm back," she muttered. Frazzled by her highspeed flight, she glanced over the familiar faces until she spotted the crumpled dog demon kissing the dirt. "Oh!" she jumped in concern and ran to Inuyasha's side.
Kurama bit his lip to keep from laughing at the panicked ferry girl and the unconscious dog she was pulling into her lap to sooth into wakefulness.
How cheesy, Youko sneered.
I hope we don't look like that! Shuuichi agreed.
As if we could look so pathetic, Youko said snobbishly.
Another "hn," sounded through the trees, this time with a distinct amused tone to it.
Kurama twitched his fingers in irritation and then an idea came to him.
"KURAMA!" Hiei's voice from above them yelled in outrage.
Looking innocent, Kurama tilted his head up to see through the leafy branches to the koorime's resting place. "Yes?" he questioned confidently.
"Don't take that tone with me!" Hiei hissed. "I know you did this! Let me go!"
"Why Hiei," Kurama continued the feigned innocence. "What ever are you talking about?"
The leaves rattled alarmingly as the jaganashi struggled against the weave of branches encasing him in a living cage.
"Damn you!" he shouted.
Botan studied the two demons with a frown. "Hush all that racket," she scolded. "Inuyasha is sleeping..."
Kurama rolled his eyes and released Hiei from the tangle of bark and leaf. Hiei's small form immediately disappeared from view, going somewhere else to sulk. Kurama laughed until he realized that his was not the only sound of merriment echoing through out the clearing. He narrowed suddenly golden eyes as HIS mate and the wolf stepped from the brush holding hands. Kagome was blushing red but she was smiling and Kouga was laughing happily at her side. The growl came unbidden to his lips as they approached.
Kagome released Kouga and ran happily to Kurama's side to snuggle against him. Satisfied, but strangely tense, he allowed her to hide her burning face in his shoulder as he warily watched the wolf.
"Kurama," she got his attention and waited for him to look down at her. "Take me home?" she requested again.
He nodded and made a few polite goodbyes while the others assured themselves of her safety and well-being. Kagome was left with no reason to believe that she was unloved. Tough they did not want her to go so soon, they understood that she needed time away form here after her captivity and that she needed the chance to heal from the scars that did not show.
******************************************************************************
Till next time! Which is right after you click the button!