Disclaimer: The usual. Don't own Inu-yasha. I'm just a fan playing.
A/N: Kishin (fierce god); mai yamainu (my wolf)
The Nisou and the Wolf
Chapter 3
Inu-yasha's disposition had gotten worse the longer Kagome was away. It had been twelve days since she left and Miroku was losing his patience. He was tired of listening to Inu-yasha go on and on…Kagome this, Kagome that. He had wanted to use this respite to spend time with Sango. Alone. He really hadn't had much success thanks to the ranting half-demon. Miroku sighed and continued to pick grass as he listened to yet another Kagome-themed rant.
"I'm sorry monk, am I boring you?"
"Yes actually." Miroku faces Inu-yasha who is sitting cross-legged next to him. "I like Kagome, but I'm not obsessed with her like some lovesick puppy as you appear to be. I'd rather be with Sango." Miroku turns his attention back to picking grass.
"Obsessed! Lovesick! I'd back off those holy incense. They're making you stupid!"
"I call it as I see it."
"You're going to be seeing stars soon if you keep it up!"
Miroku spins his body around to face Inu-yasha's anger head-on, his own face showing his frustration. "Fact: You tried to keep her from leaving. Fact: you have not stopped talking about her since she left." Miroku's face softens a bit as he prepares to try and have a serious conversation with his friend. "Inu-yasha, what do you want from Kagome?"
Inu-yasha was stunned into silence. He just stared at the monk, wondering what he could possibly mean. Kagome didn't have anything he wanted. Except… "The jewel shards."
Miroku smiles at the honest, if simple answer. "Anything else? Is that the only reason you have Kagome around?"
"Of course not. She also brings supplies from her time that we don't have here. Like those yummy bowls of hard noodles that soften with hot water. Is that what you mean?"
Miroku holds his happy countenance and draws on his patience. "Ok. But I was thinking about something less…tangible. What about her friendship? What about how she cares for you? Do you want these things from her?"
Inu-yasha did not like where this was going. Of course he wanted Kagome as his friend. Despite infuriating the hell out of him, he enjoyed her company. And she was a strong ally now. Not the stupid schoolgirl he first met. And she did care for him. Even when he wasn't wounded. She listened to him gripe and she listened to him when he was sad. Usually about Kikyo. Inu-yasha finally realized how much Kagome meant to him. But he wasn't…
"Miroku, I understand what you're saying. Yes, Kagome is special to me. But not to the extent you think. I just worry about her is all. And the longer she's away, the longer Naraku has time to work against us. I know I yell at her a lot, but sometimes she just makes me so crazy because she's---"
"Always right?"
Inu-yasha's cheeks flushed crimson. He sees Miroku's face with that same smile. That sonofabitch! He wasn't being my friend, he was being a dick! His face must have said it all because Miroku's face looked worried and he shuffled back onto his feet, mumbling something about Sango and protection.
"Aren't you going to say hi?"
That voice again. Inu-yasha composes himself as he stands up to face Kagome. He feels the heat rise to his face once more as he meets her eyes. "What did you hear?"
"Hello to you too. Miss me?"
"Just answer the question." Kagome's smile disappears at Inu-yasha's harsh tone. He takes a deep breath and removes the edge from his voice. "Please."
Kagome shrugs her shoulders. "Naraku having time to plot against us, and you yell at me because I make you crazy. What's wrong with you?"
Inu-yasha relaxes and sits back down. Kagome sits down next to him and silently waits for him to gather his thoughts. His voice is back to normal, and he chuckles as he answers her. "Nothing's wrong. And yes."
"Yes?"
"Yes. I missed you."
Kagome smiles at her friend and puts her hand on his. "I missed you too."
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The campfire was slowly burning out, and Inu-yasha watches as the embers glow, sharing their last bit of light with him before dying out. He looked at the sleeping figures gathered around the fire. Sango and Miroku were sleeping on one side, head to head, their bodies making one long line. Shippo and Kirara were curled up together in one big pile of fur at Sango's feet. And then there was Kagome. She was curled into herself, her head resting on her bag. He couldn't put his finger on it, but there was something different about Kagome since she returned. She still acted like Kagome, but every now and again Inu-yasha would catch her staring at her hand, mesmerized by whatever she saw there. He had asked her about it the other day and she just shrugged it off and blamed it on fatigue. So he told her to make sure to get some sleep, but inside, he knew she was lying. He would find out soon. Kagome wasn't a very good liar.
Inu-yasha saw Kagome flinch in her sleep. He watched her for a few moments and came to the conclusion that she was just cold. Well, it was her own stupid fault for not listening to him when he said bring a blanket. Her clothes were not made of the same material as theirs and were not suited for outdoor living. Kagome curled into herself more. God damn it! This is what I was talking about. This is how she makes me crazy! Inu-yasha walked over and placed his overcoat on her. This should keep her nice and warm through the night.
Inu-yasha sat back down and continued to watch the dying embers, his lids feeling heavy. It was no wonder he was tired. In the past three weeks, they had found and destroyed four demons, recovering six pieces of the Shikon jewel. All of them had done real well in their own right. Even Shippo, that little twerp. Miroku was learning to use more of his mystic powers through his staff and not rely entirely on his wind tunnel. The less he used that the better. Sango was always a formidable warrior, and she was only getting stronger. She seemed to have finally gotten over the death of her brother.
And Kagome had learned much from all of them. She had spent the past two years studying with Kaede to gain the skills and knowledge of a priestess. And he had to admit, she was good. Her connection to the spirit energy was strong, and her healing powers were a great asset. But Kagome had started working with Sango several months back and was quickly learning the physical grace and power of her clan's fighting technique. Except for the disaster of almost taking his head off the first time she tried to use the slayer's Hiraikotsu, Kagome was becoming rather proficient.
She had expressed interest in learning to wield a sword, but Inu-yasha told her no. He said he didn't want her to go charging into a fight with a sword and get herself killed. He wasn't having her death on his head. He could see she was hurt by his refusal, but she didn't argue with him. Why hadn't she argued with him? She always argued with him. And why had he refused to teach her how to handle a sword? He had been asking himself that question for weeks now and couldn't really come up with an answer. But he knew his initial reaction was the truth, he just couldn't figure out why. Well, he'd save that question for another time. Inu-yasha slid down to the ground and leaned against the upturned tree trunk, crossing his arms over his chest and closing his eyes.
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They arrived in Musashi a few days ago and all Kagome could think about was how she had lied to her friends. She felt really bad about lying to them, but she just wasn't ready to explain Koga yet. She wasn't sure she could. She just knew how she felt. As she was packing the last bit of clothing in her bag to take home, Inu-yasha enters the room and sits down across from her. "Kagome? We're friends, right?" Surprised by the question, Kagome stops mid-zip and just stares at the white-haired demon. He grows impatient when he gets no response and raises his voice. "Well, aren't we?"
"O-of course Inu-yasha. Why do you ask?"
Inu-yasha puts his hands together in his sleeves and looks down at the floor. "So…you'd tell me if something's wrong, right?"
"Yes."
"And…everything's alright? Nothing you wanna talk about?"
Kagome smiles at Inu-yasha. I wonder if Miroku put him up to this. His concern was genuine, but she knew he was having a hard time having this conversation. This wasn't his usual style of asking her not to go home. "No. I'm fine. Is there something on your mind?" Inu-yasha looks up and startles Kagome with the questions in his eyes. She slides over so their knees are touching and she puts her hand on his. "Inu-yasha?"
He stares down at her hand. The same hand she seems to stare at from time to time. He lifts it and brings her palm up so he can try and see what she sees in it. Kagome can feel her cheeks begin to color. What is he doing? Why is he looking at my hand? At that hand? Kagome gasps and pulls her hand away as Inu-yasha runs one finger down the middle of her palm. He looks up, still questioning. "Did I do something wrong?"
"No, no. It was just a weird sensation. Sorry." Kagome slides back to finish zipping her bag, not looking at Inu-yasha. "Inu-yasha, you never answered my question. Is there something you want to talk about?"
"No, I guess not. I just wanted to make sure everything was ok with you." He starts to pick at a divot in the floor. "So how long are you going to be gone?"
"Just two weeks. Don't worry, I'll be back before you know it." Kagome offers her friend a smile as she stands up and hoists her bag over her shoulder. She walks out the door and down the porch steps, looking back for Inu-yasha. He's standing in the doorway, still looking like he has something he wants to say. "Inu-yasha?"
"I'll see you in two weeks." Inu-yasha disappears into the house. Kagome looks at the empty doorway for awhile before turning to leave for the well. Inu-yasha waits a few minutes before slipping out the back window and taking to the trees to follow Kagome. He hated having to spy on her, but he knew something was up and if she wouldn't tell him, he would have to find out for himself. He followed her out of the village and into the forest. She stopped a few times and looked back towards the village, but always continued on to the well.
Inu-yasha watched as she threw her bag into the well and turned to face the direction of the village again. She looked troubled, undecided about something. Then she looked off to the east for some reason. What could be in the east? Kagome lingered at the well for a few moments. Inu-yasha noticed she was running her finger in her left palm again. Then suddenly she was gone.
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Kagome walked out of the village replaying her conversation with Inu-yasha over and over trying to figure out what was going on with him. He obviously had something on his mind, but wasn't prepared to voice it yet. Could it be about Kikyo? Naraku? Should she go back and ask? Maybe he was waiting for me to pressure him into talking. She looked back at the village, but decided to continue on to the well.
Walking through the forest she started thinking about Koga. She wouldn't be seeing him for another six days, but she was already smiling from the anticipation. There was no way to get a message to him, so she just had to trust that it would be ok to go see him. I'll come back…..Not if I come for you first….
Then the guilt of lying to her friends took over. Maybe after this trip to see Koga, she would have a better grasp on their relationship and would be able to finally tell her friends. But what about Inu-yasha? She dreaded telling him. He was not fond of Koga to say the least, and was extremely protective of her. Inu-yasha, what am I going to do with you? Kagome turned back to face the village again, as if her silent question might somehow be answered. What were you trying to tell me back in the village? Kagome sighed and turned back towards her destination.
As she threw her bag into the well, she was suddenly gripped with an urge to head straight for Koga. Forget home for now. She could see Koga first, go home, and then back to the village. The village…Inu-yasha…. Kagome tore her thoughts from her friend and focused them on Koga. She turned to the east, towards the cliffs that were his home. My nisou….
No, she had a plan and she would stick to it. Home it is. So she jumped down into the well letting it swallow her whole.
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Kagome peeked her head over the well ledge to make sure everything was clear. It was early in the morning, the sun hadn't made its way over the horizon yet. She figured this would be the perfect time to come back and start for Koga's land. Sensing things to be clear, Kagome climbed out of the well, bag in tow, and started for the east. She figured it would take her two to three days by foot. That would give her five days with Koga before having to return to the village. Seven if Koga brought her back himself.
She decided to risk taking the main roads because being spotted by friends on the main road was preferable to being attacked off the main road. She made great time her first day. If she could walk the same distance tomorrow, she would be able to see Koga by nightfall. She found a kind couple in the village that let her sleep in their barn for the night. She woke up late the next day and couldn't refuse the couple's kind offer of breakfast. By the time night fell, she was not close enough to continue on to Koga's land, so she built a fire and tried to get some sleep. She didn't like being out in the open like this, alone and uncertain as to whose territory she was in. Nervousness kept her awake most of the night. She finally fell asleep a few hours before sunrise, feeling confident she could risk a few hours of being unprotected and asleep.
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They watched the fire from the top of the cliff. They couldn't see who or what was on the border, but decided to check it out. One of the two guards slipped down the slope silently, the terrain as familiar as his own face from years of guard duty. He traversed the rocky slope, down into the valley covered with tufts of greenery and boulders. He stopped about twenty feet away from the campfire, situated behind a boulder. He peered around from his hiding space and saw the owner of the fire. A girl? And she appeared human. Just as he was about to go report back to his guard post, the girl turned his way. When he got a full look at her face, his eyes grew wide. As soon as he thought it was safe, the guard ran back to his post. When he told his partner what he saw, the partner sent him back to the village. "Go tell Koga."
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Kagome awoke with a start. She thought she felt something on her face. She wiped her hands over her face and looked around. Nothing, nobody and no sounds. As she went to stand up, she saw a flower in her lap. She picked up the pretty yellow posy and inhaled deeply. Her heart reacted to the scent immediately, fluttering in her chest. "Hello little flower. Where did you come from?"
Kagome tucked the flower behind her ear, grabbed her bag, and continued on to surprise Koga. Which, if the flower was any indication, was not a surprise anymore. She couldn't get the smile off her face the whole walk. As she entered the valley where the tribe lived, a few people waved hello, recognizing her. She stopped to say hello and see how everything was going, then continued on to Koga's cave on the third level. Kagome didn't bother looking for Koga. He knew she was here, he would find her when he was ready.
As she entered the cave, the first thing that caught her attention was the smell. It wafted out to tickle her nose and draw her into its lair. She rounded the last curve which emptied into Koga's main room and there she found yellow flowers everywhere. She entered the room, looking around in wonder at the hundreds of little yellow blooms. She placed her bag on the floor and sat down on the bed. She pulled the yellow flower from behind her ear and brought it around to her face. "Don't worry, you're still my favorite."
"What about me?"
Kagome didn't turn toward the deep voice coming from the back of the room. She chuckled and continued to twirl the flower between her fingers. "What about you? This little guy had the decency to hang around until I woke up."
"But I was busy gathering all his friends to welcome you."
"And they gave me a beautiful welcome. But I still haven't been welcomed by the oneI came to see." Kagome let her eyes roam upwards, past the strong, tan legs, the brown bushy tail, and the broad, leather -clad chest. She finally found what she was looking for; two brilliant blue eyes looking at her with nothing but desire. Koga kneeled down in front of Kagome, his hands sliding up to rest on her thighs and leaned in for a soft tentative kiss. Koga barely removed his lips as he talked to Kagome.
"Welcome." Kagome smiles against his lips. "I missed you."
"I missed you too. The flowers are wonderful. Did you pick every flower in the valley?"
"Not yet. Give me time."
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They walked along the river until they found a nice spot to sit down and eat their lunch. Koga watched Kagome as she unpacked the basket, completely unaware of the effect she had on him, even doing something as simple as unpacking a basket. He observed how her hair cascaded down past her bare shoulders. The blue tank top she was wearing set off her creamy skin, which, he noticed was abundantly exposed. She wasn't doing anything out of the ordinary. She was being Kagome, and that's all he wanted. "Kagome."
She looked up from what she was doing and flashed Koga a smile. "Yes?"
"What?" Did I say something out loud? "Oh, I was wondering how long I have you for?"
"That depends on you."
Koga's eyebrow lifts in curiosity as he tries to maintain a casual tone to his voice. He reaches down and picks up a grape, giving him something to concentrate on. "Well if it's up to me, then I say never." He glances over and tries to interpret Kagome's reaction.
Kagome's heart started pounding at Koga's words. Never? Was he joking? Being serious? Kagome maintained her smile and chuckled at his response. "I'm afraid you don't have that much to say in the matter. I can stay here for five days and then I have to leave to allow for traveling time, or you can take me most of the way back like last time and that would give me at least one extra day."
Koga leaned back onto his elbows and let his head fall back as he watched the clouds go by. "Huh. Well I can't let you walk back by yourself. So what if I walk back with you? Like a normal demon."
Kagome wonders what Koga is up to. "You want to travel back to Musashi with me, and not use your speed. Why?"
Koga lies on his side and looks over at Kagome with an innocent look and fixes his blue eyes on her suspicious green eyes. "It would allow us to spend the maximum amount of time together."
"Ok, it's a plan. We leave in five days then."
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The past two days had been wonderful. Kagome and Koga spent as much time together as possible. She understood he had responsibilities so she occupied herself wandering the territory or helping out in the village. And now they were lying under the stars in a patch of yellow flowers, and Koga was telling her stories of gods and spirits and pointing out constellations. Kagome turned her head to the side to try and see the god figure Koga was indicating with his finger. She was still trying to see the image when she felt a finger trail down her bare arm. She looked over at Koga and smiled. "You made me lose my concentration. Now I'll never be able to see Kishin in the stars."
Koga rolls over onto his side and looks down at Kagome, her hair splayed out above her head. "Forgive me. I don't want to look at the stars anymore. I want to look at you." Kagome could see his eyes sparkle, even at night. "And kiss you." Koga kissed her so passionately, she lost her breath. "And caress you." Koga ran his fingertips down her face, her neck, breasts, stomach and came to rest on her hip. He slid his hand under her hip and pulled her to him as he kissed her again. Kagome moaned as Koga's tongue explored her mouth and he kept a firm hand on her ass. She brought her hand up, letting it wander over his defined stomach, broad chest and then around to his back, where she pulled him onto her.
Koga moaned at the invitation. He held himself up and pulled back to see Kagome's eyes full of want, but fear as well. He knew what he wanted, but he would wait for Kagome. He leaned back down to nuzzle her ear and whisper to her. "I will wait for you. Whatever you want." Koga heard her breathless answer and growled as he turned his attention to her neck.
Kagome's entire body ached for Koga. It felt like it was on fire, her heart pounded in her chest and she couldn't seem to catch her breath. And when she turned to her mind, logical and dispassionate, to provide her with the proper course of action, it only screamed back one thing, Koga. "All I want…is you." Kagome heard Koga growl at her answer and then she felt his lips on her shoulder, his tongue trailing across to her neck. She felt his fangs graze her skin at the base of her neck. She couldn't stop the moan from escaping as she felt his fangs pierce her flesh. The split second of pain was followed by the luxurious feel of his tongue licking the wound.
Kagome lost herself in the pleasure. When trying to recall this night, she wouldn't be able to see what clothes they were wearing or how his eyes gazed into hers. She would recall only pleasure. Heat. Sweat. Gasps and moans. And the smell of a fragrant little yellow flower.
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"Koga?"
"Hmm." Koga was lying down with Kagome on top of him, their naked bodies generating enough heat to keep them comfortable. He was toying with sleep. He was so comfortable, so satiated. He couldn't imagine being any more at peace than he was right now.
"Did you really mean it when you said 'never'?"
Koga opened his eyes to see Kagome's face resting on her hands, which were resting on his chest. His hands rested against her waist as she lay on top of him. He didn't have to ask what she was talking about. He had been disappointed when she seemed to have no reaction to his initial declaration. "Yes I did."
Kagome's chest tightened. She didn't know what to say the first time he said it and so she had just tried to act like it didn't affect her. But in truth, it was always in the back of her mind. He hadn't even said he loved her yet. How could he know he wanted her to never leave? Was his perception of this relationship that of a casual encounter to play itself out and 'never' was just until then? "Where would I live? What would I do? I mean aside from my many exploits to thwart evil of course."
"Of course." Koga ran his fingers through Kagome's hair and gently urged her to bring her face closer to his. "You would live with me, be a member of the tribe. You would be my mate."
Kagome looked into his eyes and saw his want to be with her and the question of whether she wanted the same. She had given her heart and body to him, but was she willing to give more? Could she give more? They still had Naraku to stop. And what about her family?
"What does that mean, 'your mate'?"
Koga's voice was deep and velvety and every word caressed her. "It means that you are mine, heart, body and soul. It means that I have pledged the same to you. Everything that I have, everything that I am, I give to you. This," Koga runs a finger over the two dots on her neck from his fangs, "marks you as mine. I have claimed you as my own Kagome. But to be recognized as my mate by the tribe, you must mark me as your own."
"You mean like bite you?"
"You could. Or you could choose some other way. It's up to you. You are claiming me as your own. And if I accept you, I submit to your mark." Kagome's eyes go wide, and she pulls away from Koga, sitting next to him. Koga sits up and waits for Kagome to tell him what's wrong. Something was definitely wrong. "Kagome?"
"I, I didn't know." Kagome reaches up and rubs the two spots on her neck. Koga hangs his head as he hears the fear in Kagome's voice. He knew it was too good to be true. She had only seen him as a crush, a physical attraction. He knew the risks before sleeping with her, but he was willing to take those risks. Kagome meant everything to him. "You…have….accepted me? You are…mine?" Kagome's voice is that of realization, her face full of wonder. She reaches out and caresses Koga's cheek, his chest. "You are my wolf. Mai yamainu."
Koga looks up to see tears running silently down her cheeks, her eyes smiling at him. Kagome leans over to him on all fours and kisses him deeply, all the while repeating 'mine'. Koga answers back with all the passion of his heart. He grabs her to him and kisses every bit of Kagome's exposed flesh.
Kagome can hear the growl begin in Koga's throat and she pushes herself against him, wanting him. The wolf feels her need and wraps his arms around her waist and back and picks her up to lay her down on the ground. Koga lingered over Kagome's body for a few moments, enjoying the sight of her, before giving in to what they both desired.
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Kagome lay awake, thinking about all that had happened within the past two days. Koga loved her, and claimed her. He accepted her claim on him, submitting himself to her. She looked over at the sleeping wolf demon, curled into himself, his tail barely swaying while he slept. They made it back to Koga's cave before sunrise and fell asleep. But Kagome's sleep didn't last long. She had too much on her mind. Everything with Koga was overwhelming. In a good way though, she smiled to herself. But it was also causing some problems. Problems she had made for herself by keeping Koga a secret from her friends.
Maybe now that she knew Koga's feelings for her were true, she would tell Inu-yasha and the gang and things would work themselves out. She didn't expect Inu-yasha to be happy for her when he was told. But he would come around. He had to, right? He was her best friend, and that's what friends do for each other. Be happy for their friends. Kagome sighed as she realized she was just kidding herself. She knew Inu-yasha…
Kagome hugged her knees to her chest and just stared at the floor. She knew who she wanted. She wanted Koga. And now she had him. So now what? Koga said the tribe would not officially recognize her as his mate until she marked him as hers. Did she want to be recognized by the tribe? Would Koga feel hurt if she didn't? And why the hell shouldn't she mark him? She didn't want any other women around him, that's for sure! She looked back over at Koga and started to see two blue gems watching her.
"Why didn't you tell me you were awake?"
"I like watching you. Besides, you looked like you were in deep thought and I didn't want to disturb you." Koga stretched his long, muscular body, and then curled back around Kagome. "Anything I can help you with?"
Kagome gazed at her wolf and was suddenly struck with a realization of knowing exactly what she wanted. "Can you leave the tribe for the next three to four days?"
Koga raised a suspicious eyebrow as he sat up. "Yeah. I can arrange that. Why?"
"I know what I want. I want you to come home with me." Koga waited for Kagome to explain herself. Home? To Musashi, the village she lived in with Inu-yasha? Or home, through the well? He didn't think it was possible for anybody but Kagome to go through the well. "Koga? Do you not want to go?"
Koga focused his eyes on Kagome's increasingly worried face. "Home? Which home?"
"My home. The Sunset Shrine. Will you come with me?"
"How can I?"
"You possess two Shikon jewel shards. Anyone who possesses a shard can pass through the well."
"You really want me to come home with you? Why?"
Kagome pulled herself out of Koga's grip and stood up to get something from her bag. She didn't know what; she just had to do something before she started to cry. "If you don't want to go Koga, just say so. It's ok."
Koga slid over to the edge of the bed and let his feet rest on the floor. "It's not that I don't want to go. I'd love to see your home. But from what I can tell of your world, I wouldn't exactly fit in." Koga swished his tail to emphasize his statement.
Kagome turned her attention from her bag to offer Koga a smile. "My family is aware of what I do and where I go and who I associate with. They've already met Inu-yasha." Kagome walks over and kneels in front of Koga, her eyes pleading with him to give in to her will. "Please? I want you to come home with me." She kisses his lips and pulls away only enough to speak, her lips brushing against his. "You said you accepted my claim to you. But you have not submitted to my mark. Come home with me and submit to my mark Koga." Kagome kisses Koga deeply, leaning into his body, her hands running up the length of his thighs.
Koga's answer is hoarse as he tries to restrain himself. "I…submit…. to you."
To be continued…..