By: Reall-Goodchild
Chapter 4: House of Broken Promises
A cool breeze off the ocean swept by the young sailor, telling of the quickly approaching fall. Kouga took a deep breath as he looked at the boat before him, knowing that the man who would either make him or break him was aboard. He had seen Ayame's grandfather enter the ship a little while ago. He had been too busy loading the ship at the time, but now, now he had no excuse. It was time to confront the old man.
"Come on, Ookami," He breathed out. "You can do this. It's just some old fool." But what the hell was he going to say? How do you tell your boss that your in love with his granddaughter, so he should break off the deal he has with the jackass so you could be with her?... Well, that sounds good.
With one final nod of the head, Kouga marched up to the thick Mahogany door that separated the rest of the ship from the captains' office, and knocked. He heard a loud clank, as if something had been dropped. Kouga winced, hoping it wasn't anything breakable.
"Come in," a voice called from behind the door. Kouga took a deep breath and pushed the door open. "Ah, Lieutenant, what can I do for you?" The old man asked as he bent over and picked up a picture frame off the ground.
Kouga could see the picture quite clearly from where he was standing. It was a family photo. There was a young couple and an old man he recognised to be Ayame's grandfather, only looking a fair bit younger. The man in the picture was tall and gentle looking with long golden brown hair tied in a ponytail at the base of his neck and honey eyes. The woman in the mans arms took his breath away. She looked identical to the redhead that had stolen his heart. Her hair was down and flowing gracefully down her back, and her eyes were a piercing emerald, but held such a loving and gentle glint. One thing that definitely stood out though, was her large, rounded abdomen. She appeared to be eight maybe closer to nine months pregnant.
"Lieutenant?" The old mans voice called, snapping Kouga out of his trance.
"Huh?" Kouga said looking up at the older man who was looking at with an amused smile. "Oh right," Kouga cleared his throat, regaining his composure. "I need to talk to you, Sir."
The old man chuckled. "I could guess that much," he said taking a seat behind his desk and motioning Kouga to a chair across from him. "Please, sit and tell what's on your mind."
"Yes, Sir." Kouga nodded taking a seat. He remained silent, thinking of what he should say.
"Well...?" The old man prompted.
"I... uh... I w-wanted to talk to you a-about this arrangement you've made with Lt. Commander Oni, Sir." Kouga stated, fumbling with his word. "The one concerning your granddaughter, Ayame."
The elder man raised his eyebrow. "What about it?"
"W-w-well, you see, I-I, uh..." Kouga paused, closing his eyes trying to rid himself of his nervousness. Ayame's face appeared before him, smiling encouragingly, her eyes telling him he could do it. Opening his eyes, he looked at the old man with determination. "I think you should call it off." He said with more confidence than before.
"Oh?" Ayame's grandfather asked. "And why do you suppose I should do this?"
Kouga blushed lightly, before clearing his throat. He had to do this. Ayame was depending on him. "Because, Sir, I'm in love with her, and I believe that she feels the same way about me." He stated matter-of-factly.
The old man blinked at him in shock. With a long sigh, his closed his eyes, chuckling lightly. "Lieutenant..." He started, shaking his head. "I understand that you have feelings for my granddaughter, and I respect that you had the courage to come down here and confront me about this issue, but you have to understand, it's not that simple." The old man stood up and began to walk around the room.
"I'm getting old, Lieutenant, an I'm not going to be around forever. When I pass on I'm going to have to hand this company off to someone, an heir if you will. Ayame is the only one left in my family line, so It's only natural that the next person to take command would be her husband.
"She's of age now, it's time that she marry, but she doesn't seem to be taking any initiative in that area. And while I'm sure you may think you see signs of her returning your affection, I have to keep her well being in mind. Mr. Oni comes from a respectable, wealthy family, whom I've known for many years now. He can give her what she needs in life. I know she has bitter feelings towards him now, but in time she'll grow to love him. He can make her happy. And I know I can leave my fortune and fleet in his hands."
Kouga felt the rage boil within him. How could he be so blind? he thought. Unable to hold it in, Kouga lashed out. "With all due respect, Sir, she will never love Naraku, not will she ever be happy in her life with him. That jackass will treat her as a toy, nothing more than a trophy, an object. He's only in this for what you can give to him! He doesn't give a shit about Ayame or her feelings, she's just a free fu-"
"Enough, Lieutenant!" The old man shouted, cutting off Kouga's rant. "This matter is closed. The wedding will proceed at planned on Sunday, whether you like it or not. And I expect you to be there. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm a busy man." With that said, the elder man left the room, leaving Kouga to wallow in his anger.
Kouga had his fists clenched and his eyes closed. In a burst of anger, he kicked the desk, knocking the picture frame off it yet again. Knowing that he'd be fired if he left the bosses office out of place, he walked over the fallen frame and picked it up. He was about to put it back in position on the desk when the woman's face caught his eyes again. He brought it closer for him to examine. For the first time he noticed the house in the background. It had a few building supplies out front so obviously the house was incomplete, but still, it was a gorgeous. The outside was white with blue roofing and the wood of the railing on the deck was also blue. He had never seen such a house before. It seemed cozy.
Taking one last look at the woman, he closed his eyes and put it back in place. "I'm sorry, Ayame." He whispered to no one as he headed out of the office.
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Another hard days work over. Kouga walked up the steps and onto the road. It was nearly 5 in the afternoon, the sun was still high an bright in the sky, it was still summer. Shoving his hands into his pockets he started off down the road, towards town. He was nearly there, just about to pass the only road that headed out of town.
"Hey there," a soft voice came from his left, drawing his attention to it's owner.
Kouga smiled at the sight of his woman. Ayame stood there, smiling sadly at him, wearing a purple sundress, her hands fiddling with the bottom of the skirt, her feet shuffling. "Hey," he said approaching her with a small smile that only she could bring to his lips. "What are you doing out so close to dinner time?" He asked, brushing her bangs out of her eyes. She looked so sad.
"Gramps came home for lunch, he said he was going to be working late tonight, he won't be home for supper." She informed him. She averted her gaze, tears stinging her eyes, wanting to surface. "He was upset... He wouldn't tell me what about, only that some sailor was badgering him about something that was none of his business..." She looked up at Kouga, her eyes glazed. "I'm guessing it didn't go very well."
Kouga saw the tears in her eyes and looked away. He couldn't look at her now. He felt ashamed. He had let her down. "I'm sorry, Ayame." He said, still averting his gaze.
Ayame saw this and raised a hand to his cheek, forcing him to look at her. She gave him an understanding smile. "It's ok," She sliding her hands into his now that she had his attention again. "I didn't really expect it to." She admitted. "But thank you for trying." She stood on her tip-toes and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
Suddenly Kouga found himself being pulled forwards. He looked at Ayame in confusion. "What-?" He started.
Ayame looked over her shoulder with a bright smile, causing the man she was leading to smile back. "I want to show you something." She told him, pulling him down the road out of town.
After about five minutes of walking Kouga looked around. They were pretty far out of town now, but before he could ask Ayame stopped. She looked around as if searching for something. Kouga was about to question her again but she suddenly grabbed his hand again and dragged him down a small, barely visible path to the left.
"Ayame, where are we going?" He asked finally as they approach a large cliff to the left of the path.
"You'll see," She said, flashing him a charming smile over her shoulder.
Kouga looked at her suspiciously, but said nothing more. She stopped just before they reached the cliff and turned to him. "Close your eyes." She instructed. Kouga was about to protest when she gave him puppy eyes that no man in his right mind could say no to. Slowly he closed his eyes.
She led him forward, turning to the left after a bit. She suddenly let go of his hand. Kouga stopped, confused. "Ayame?" He called out, about to open his eyes.
"You can open them now." He heard her say a little ways ahead of him.
He opened his eyes and looked around. What he saw nearly made him gasp in surprise. There in front of him a little ways, over looking a small beach, was the house from the picture in Ayame's grandfather's office. "This house..." He trailed off.
"My dad built it." Ayame told him, her back to him as she looked at the house intently. "He use to bring me here when I was little... before he died." Kouga could hear the sorrow in her voice as she spoke of her father. He made his way to her side and slid his hand into hers. She looked up at him with a sad smile on her lips. "He told me that this is where he and my mom were gonna live after I was born. But, when she died, their plans went out the window."
She sighed and walked up the stairs, onto the porch, running a hand along one of the wooden poles that held up the small roof. "He didn't bring me here until I was 4. I don't think he could face coming here until then." She looked at Kouga, who was standing at the bottom of the steps. "He told me that we'd come live here when he got back... And I would come here everyday and think about how wonderful it was gonna be... just him and me. Gramps couldn't stand coming here, so I'd have to sneak out while he was off at the docks working.
"After dad died, I didn't come here for the longest time. I guess, I was afraid that if I came here... all the memories I had with him would come back and I would start to cry or something, and Gramps had told me that I was a big girl and I shouldn't cry... that dad wouldn't want me to cry." She bit back tears. "I was 15 when I started coming here again. The first couple of times I could only stand here and look at the door, never able to actually go inside. But after a few visits, I finally got up the courage and went in.
"The first time I cried. But it seemed to give me closure." She looked over her shoulder and turned, heading for the door. She motioned for him to follow. "I took it upon myself to finish it." She said as they entered the house. "I know that's what my dad would have really wanted. For me to finish this place, and one-day live here, with my family. So that's what I did. I took some old accessories and pictures of mom, dad, Gramps and the odd one me growing up and I finished it. I tended to the garden... even mowed the lawn." She laughed, looking around at the small living room they were in.
Kouga marvelled at it all. The house was big, but not too big; big enough for a family to live comfortably in. It was dust free - he guessed that Ayame came here a lot to dust - and everything was neat and organised. The pictures and vases of flowers gave it a cozy feeling. It felt so nice just to be there... if felt like a home; a place where a family could live happily.
With a small smirk, he glanced over at Ayame who was now sitting on the couch. His smile disappeared as he noticed her head was hung and there were tears streaming down her cheeks. "Ayame..." He whispers, rushing to her side. "Ayame, what's wrong?" He asked, gently taking her hands in his.
She bit her lip as she looked up at him. "I use to come here... and daydream about coming here and living here with the man I love and how we would start a family and everything would be perfect... I always dreamed that my husband would be you." She admitted, blushing lightly. "And when you kissed me the other day, I thought everything was finally happening like I had dreamed about and that we would really live here one d-day." She choked on her words, sobbing loudly. "N-now that's ruined."
Ayame brought a hand to her face and tried to turn away to hide her distress from him. But Kouga pushed her hand away from her face and slowly brushed away her tears. He placed a the gentlest of kisses on her lips, the wrapped his arms around her, allowing her to cry into his chest.
"Don't worry Ayame." He whispered, rocking her gently back and forth. "Everything is going o work out for us. I love you. I don't care what your grandfather says, we will be together."
"But..." She started.
"No buts," He cut her off. "We will live here one day, Ayame, and we will raise our family here, together. I promise."
Ayame gasped and pushed away. "NO!" She yelled. "No, take it back!"
Kouga blinked at her. "A-Ayame... I-I thought..." He stuttered, taken aback by her sudden outburst.
"No!" She repeated, tears falling uncontrollably down her cheeks. "Every promise involving this house gets broken! Please! Take it back! Take it b-back..."
Kouga pulled her back into his embraces and she sobbed wildly into his chest. "I will keep my promise, Ayame. It may seem impossible, but I will keep it." She pulled away and looked up at him with glossy, uncertain eyes. "Trust me, Ayame. I would never lie to you."
Ayame let a small smile work its way onto her lips as she nodded. Sighing, she rested her head on Kouga's chest. "I love you, Kouga." She hiccuped sleepily.
"I love you too, Ayame." He whispered, placing a small kiss on the top of her head. "I always will."
Ayame nodded, lightly, her eyes drooping shut.
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A couple hours had passed. Ayame had long since fallen asleep, her head now resting on Kouga's lap. Kouga was still looking around the house in awe from his position on the sofa, his hand idly stroking the red hair of the woman he loved. He had spent those hours thinking. Thinking of a way to to get Ayame out of the wedding. It seemed so impossible. But he would not give up. He had to do it. He had promised her he would, and he'd be damned if he gave up.
Looking outside, he noticed the sun beginning to set, the sky a light, rosy pink. He knew if Ayame wasn't home soon, her grandfather would begin to worry. With a sigh, he shook her lightly, waking her up from her nap. She moaned lightly as she pushed herself up. "What time is it?" She asked, stretching and rubbing the sleep from her eyes.
Kouga glanced at the clock sitting on the mantle above the fireplace. "Nearly seven." He stated. "We should be getting back. Your grandfather will worry if he comes home and you're not there."
Ayame nodded standing up slowly, Kouga following in suit. Looking around one last time, Ayame nodded in a determined fashion. "Let's go." She said, slipping her hand in his.
The two of them exited the house and made their way down the footpath they had come by. A comfortable silence fell between them as they neared the town. It seemed like no time at all before they were back at the road they had met at earlier that day.
"I guess we should split up from here." Ayame stated, looking up at Kouga, their hands locked. "If Gramps knows I was with you he's probably try to kill you," she giggled.
Kouga nodded, his thumbs gently rubbing her knuckles. Slowly he brought her hands up and kissed them lightly. "Things will work out, Ayame." He told her. "I'll make sure of it."
Ayame smiled and stood up on her tiptoes, pecking him on the cheek. "I love you." She whispered in his ear. Her pulled her hands out of his and slowly backed away, towards her house. "I'll see you tomorrow, ok?" She said hopefully.
"Definitely," He said with a confident smirk that he knew she liked. With a wave, he headed off towards town, glancing back at the sunset, thinking of his love.
A/N: Omg! I'm so sorry for the delay. I got busy and lazy and feel free to hate me. I was so inspired last chapter I though I was gonna write this one right away but no... my plans went out the window. look... its long!
On a lighter note the internet in my room is back so I should be upddating more often... key word there should, don't hold me to that.
Review Responses
XInfernal: lol, I hope you liked this chapter. The hype just keeps building.
SkittlesUhbDhm: Lol, sorry about that. You're not supposed to like Naraku... not in this fic anyways. I hope it wasn't too long of a wait, and I hoped you liked this chapter. (p.s. please come off you hiatus... I love your stories -sob-)
phantomoftheflame: lol, yes lets all gang up on Naraku shall we? I hope you liked this one.
Fran KC: Omg, sorry about the wait (again) I don't know where the time is going. It doesn't seem all that long ago I posted but its been like a month -smacks self- I deserved that. I know I am... but if I weren't than it wouldn't be such a good story. XP
melody unwinding: -bows- thank ya kindly. I hope this one was just as good. -kishes-
inugirl: why thank you.
Star Gemini: Thanks, good to know. It's my favourite so far... teehee...
kougaslover121212: lol, I had to stop... That was all I had planned for that chapter. I hope the wait wasn't too bad.
Shura: the Nobel Pirate: I totally agree... they do belong together... now if only everyone would realise that -day dreams of perfect world- lol. As for happy ending... well.. you'll have to read and find out... only 1 chapter and an epilogue left!
yllowrosesinateacup: ugh, sorry about the long wait, the time just escaped me. I really did mean to update sooner, I swear.
Ukari-Chan: yeah I hope this is long enough. I know, I would love for it to be longer too, but the plot works itself to be short. I might do a sequel, I have a small idea... but sequels haven't worked out for me...I lost so many reviewers from Falling when it came to it's sequel... I was sad -tear-
ok, that's it for now. I need to go to bed.. school tomorrow ya know? and it's midnight and I need to run this through spell checker and I'm reading a story with an extra long chapter -take breath- and I'm getting tired now and I REALLY should go to sleep -sigh-. night all. R&R Toodles!