Disclaimer: See chapters 1 or 2. Take your pick.

The Ties That Bind

Chapter 3

Mutual Agreement

Kagome made the trek from the village they had just saved, to Koga's territory in one day. She arrived when Koga was out handling a border dispute, so she made herself at home and laid down for a quick nap. Koga wasn't there when she woke up the following morning so she decided to do a little wandering. She went to one of her favorite places, a ledge overlooking the valley that was a few miles from the tribe's dwellings. She stretched out on her back and enjoyed the warm sunshine on the brisk day. The trees were loosing their leaves at a rapid pace now and it wouldn't be long before snow would become a problem. But for now she was content to lay on the rock and bask.

She wasn't sure how long she had been asleep, but the sun was starting its descent so she headed back to the caves. She saw Koga talking with some guards on the other side of the village wall. She caught his attention with a mental nudge and continued on her way. As she climbed the last set of stairs to the third level, she found Koga waiting for her, leaning against the wall, a smile on his face.

"I've been waiting for you all day. Where have you been?"

Kagome chuckled and went to lean against him, her hands on his hips. "Oh yeah? Well I've been waiting for you since yesterday afternoon." She went up on her tiptoes and gave him a welcoming kiss.

Koga didn't move, he just enjoyed the feel of her body against his, her warm lips pressed to his. He looked down into his favorite pair of brilliant emerald eyes and smiled.

"You win. But I have a good excuse."

"Shichiro told me you were off settling a border dispute. Did it go well?" Kagome started to push off of Koga so they could go into the cave, but he pulled her back to him, his eyes demanding.

"There's a new village on the southern edge of our border that was just established by some displaced farmers to the north. I took an envoy over to introduce myself and make them aware of our boundaries. There were some issues with lumber and the Hotaka River. But I think we came to an understanding."

"A mutual understanding, or a Koga understanding?"

Koga put his forehead against Kagome's. "And what's that supposed to mean?"

"I know you have a mean side Koga. It's ok. You have to do what's right for your tribe."

Koga growled as he swept Kagome up in his arms, "Our tribe. And it was mutual." He carried Kagome into the cave and deposited her on the bedding, immediately lowering himself onto her. He was about to lean in and kiss her when he saw the look on her face, "Kagome? What's wrong?"

She looked up at him, eyes wide and threatening to tear up, "Our tribe?"

He smiled down at her and brushed her hair back, "Yes, our tribe. I am the leader and you are my mate. This is your tribe."

She smiled up at him and reached up behind his neck and untied his long dark hair. She pulled it down and let it cascade over his shoulders, loving the feel of it brushing against her face.

"Someday I'm going to come here and never leave." She pulled his head down to her and kissed him deeply, "I promise."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Say Goodbye

Kagome listened to Koga's heartbeat as she fell asleep. It was so strong, and so soothing. Koga had agreed to leave for the well a day early after Kagome became very quiet and worried. She really felt like something bad had or was going to happen. She had never shown a gift for premonitions, but a woman's instinct was not something to take lightly. Koga said they could leave first thing tomorrow morning. Four days ago Kagome had been seized by a terrible chill. No matter what Koga did, she couldn't stop shaking from the chill. It had subsided the next day and even though physically she seemed fine, she was still haunted by the feeling of impending disaster. Maybe it was just this world getting to her. There was always something happening, and so finally when nothing happens, she gets paranoid. That must be it, she thought.

The next day, as Kagome and Koga approached the well, Kagome started to feel ice water flow through her body. By the time she reached the well, she was doubled over, frozen by a sudden seizure in her chest. She sank down onto her knees, clutching at her heart, trying to catch her breath. Koga was talking to her, trying to help her, but she couldn't talk, couldn't move. Finally, the pain in her chest subsided, and she was able to get her breathing under control. She remained on the ground, her hands now clenching earth, trying to figure out what was going on. She looked over to Koga, his lips moving, but she couldn't hear the words. She looked back down at the ground and closed her eyes, concentrating all her senses to the here and now. She could feel the grass clutched in her fists, she could smell the surrounding pine trees, and she could hear Koga.

"---ome, please answer me!"

"I can hear you Koga. I'm….fine."

"You don't seem fine. What happened?"

"Cold. Couldn't move. My heart, it felt like it was going to burst. I…I couldn't breathe."

"Can you stand?"

"Yeah, I think so." Kagome accepted Koga's arm as support and slowly stood up. She didn't feel cold or have any pains in her chest, but she felt a little drained. Mostly she felt…serene. She felt a sense of calmness wash over her and she wanted to…smile? What was going on? Anytime she felt such intense physical attacks, she was either on the receiving end of something she could see in front of her, or she could feel what was happening to Koga. And both of them were fine. So what the hell was happening to her?

"Are you sure you're ok? Do you want to rest in the village tonight?"

"No, I'm fine. I'm a little tired, but I feel fine, oddly enough. We should go before something else happens."

Koga followed Kagome into the well and through the void to her home, not convinced that she was telling him the whole truth.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Koga helped Kagome up from the well, still unconvinced that Kagome was alright. He had tried to reach out to her in the void but couldn't, probably due to the void's mystic properties that allowed it to exist outside of time. And now that they were out, all he felt was a sense of calmness. And that worried him even more.

They walked out into a cloudy, brisk fall afternoon. Koga followed Kagome to the house where they sat down for some lunch. Kagome finished setting the food on the table and asked Koga to go get her grandfather. Koga entered the quiet temple and looked around for Higurashi. He wasn't tending the alter, or reading in the library, or in the back tending the garden. Maybe everybody was gone today. As Koga walked back out into the courtyard, he felt a surge of panic from Kagome. He ran into the house to find Kagome sitting on the kitchen floor, the color gone from her face, her hands shaking, as she stared at a piece of paper.

Koga grabbed the paper and read the scribble.

Kagome,

Since I never know when you'll be home, I'm leaving this message here for you in case you arrive when no one is home. Higurashi fell ill on Thursday the 16th. He is at Kyoto Memorial Hospital. If this letter is still here for you, then he has not been released yet. I will update this note when I know more.

Love,

Mom

17th – they say he has pneumonia and a build up of fluid in his lungs. His weak heart is making it difficult for recovery.

18th – he seems weaker. Doctor says Higurashi has suffered a minor heart attack from fluid straining heart. Doctor says he needs surgery to remove fluid and perform bypass on heart.

19th – Doctor says he is weak but has hope of recovery. I am afraid for my father. Afraid he will leave this world without seeing you again.

Koga looked down at Kagome, still immobile except for the shaking hands. He kneeled down next to her and tried to get her to talk to him. "Kagome? Look at me." She looked up and he winced at the panic and fear in her eyes. "Kagome, when was this letter written? What day is it here?" Kagome looked at the letter Koga was holding in front of her face. She saw without comprehending. "Kagome!" Koga shook her shoulder, trying to snap her out of her shock. She blinked a few times and looked at Koga, then back at the letter. "When was this written? What day is it?"

"Today's the 20th."

"Ok. So why don't we go to this place, the 'hospital' and see your jiisan."

Kagome just nodded. Koga could feel her coming back, her mind working. She stood up and walked towards her bedroom. Koga remained where he stood, not quite sure what she thinking, when he heard her voice before she went upstairs.

"We'll need to change. I'll meet you out in the courtyard."

Koga saw Kagome emerge dressed in her miko attire, and clinging to a rope of beads. He watched her walk over to the Goshin Boku tree and lay her hand on it, looking up into its almost bare limbs. She closed her eyes and her body began to glow with the familiar blue light. The glow faded after a few moments and she walked to his side, entwined her fingers with his, and walked towards the front gate. Koga didn't say anything. He just accompanied her, silently.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Before they entered the front doors of the hospital, Koga could smell it. Fear. Sickness. Death. Kagome explained to him on the subway ride what a hospital was. She said it was a place the sick and injured went to get healed. It was where women went to have their young. So why did it have such a strong scent of death?

Koga silently followed Kagome through the maze of corridors until they finally reached someone who could answer her questions. A small, round woman behind a counter was talking to something he believed was called a phone and kept giving Kagome a nervous smile every time she looked up at her.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

As Kagome and Koga walked up the long driveway to the temple grounds a vehicle from the hospital passed them, leaving the temple. Koga looked over at Kagome, worried at her total silence and lack of expression. Ever since she had spoken to the woman at the hospital, she had remained eerily calm and silent. Koga decided it was better to leave her for now, and just be by her side until she decided she needed him.

They walked into the house and found Kagome's mom sitting at the table staring at a cup of tea. She looked up when she heard the door and smiled at Kagome.

"I noticed the letter was gone. I didn't know where you were so I figured I'd just wait for you here. Were you at the hospital?"

Kagome nodded, not moving to sit next to her mother and still not speaking. Koga gently nudged her to sit down at the table and went to pour her a cup of tea. When he had given her the tea and made sure there was food if she wanted it, he bowed and went to leave. The sound of Kagome's voice startled him as he opened the door. It sounded so small and weak.

"Koga. Please don't leave me. I'm sorry if I'm not talking, but I need you near me."

Koga crossed the room and kneeled by her side, placing his hands on her leg. "I won't leave you. I was just trying to give you time with your kaasan." She looked down at Koga, and he winced at the emptiness of her eyes. Was the shock too much? Did her mind just shut down because the trauma was too great? He leaned up and kissed her forehead and sat in the chair next to her.

"I'm glad you made it home Kagome. I'm sorry you didn't get a chance to say goodbye before…." She let the words trail off, unable to say anything that would finalize her father's life.

Kagome stared at the table, a blank look on her face. "I felt him in the feudal era. I felt it when he got sick and had the stroke. I felt him die this morning. I'd been having these attacks and we weren't sure what they were, but after reading your letter and matching up the dates, I know it was grandfather."

Koga and her mother turned shocked eyes to Kagome. He hadn't considered that fact even after reading the letter. At least now they knew what was causing the attacks. "I think he was projecting himself, trying to call me back. But he was too weak." A single tear made its way down her cheek, and Kagome remained motionless, her face still blank.

"Kagome…." Koga reached out for her hand and the contact brought her out of her daze. She looked at him, eyes watery pools just waiting to run over, her lower lip quivering and her hands shaking.

"He's gone." She turned to face her mother, "I'm so sorry I wasn't here for you. I'm so sorry I wasn't here for…." Her voice trailed off as her mother came over and hugged her daughter. Kagome finally let everything that she was holding back out as she felt her mother's arms around her. She kept repeating 'I'm sorry, I'm sorry' over and over, as her mother kept trying to tell her there was nothing she could have done. Kagome finally calmed down and sat silent once again. Her mother smoothed her hair back, still holding her daughter close.

"Why don't you and Koga go get some fresh air? I have some phone calls to make. I'll come and get you when I need you. Ok?"

"No mother. I want to help. I can make some calls for you. Let me help"

"No dear. I want you to go with Koga. There's nothing I really need help with right now. But I will need your help soon enough, and I promise I will call you. Now go."

Kagome just stared at her mother, an almost horrified look on her face, at being sent away. Koga guided Kagome out of her chair, up to her feet, and out the door. He led her to the bench under the Goshin Boku tree. She buried her face in Koga's chest and let her body go limp. He tried supporting her weight, but found it easier to just gather her in his arms and hold her like a child.

"I'm so sorry Kagome. I know there's nothing I can say to make it better. But just tell me what you need and you shall have it." He felt her shudder and squeezed her a little more. "He was a wise man, and he loved you very much. And I'm sure he knew how much you loved him. You two had a very special, very strong bond. And I don't think that goes away with the death of the physical form. I think his soul will remain linked to you, and he will be there for you whenever you need him."

They remained on the bench for quite some time. Once Kagome fell asleep, Koga took her to his room and put her to bed. He curled up next to her and fell asleep, sending all his love to her through their bond hoping it would soothe her.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Say Goodbye II

Koga kept his promise and never left Kagome's side for the next two days. Sometimes he blended into the background and let her do whatever she needed to do, and others he was right by her side, meeting family and friends, providing moral support, or playing the part of the bully and making her eat and sleep. Kagome's mother was just as stubborn as her daughter so he kept an eye on her as well, only once having to force her to bed for rest. And surprisingly enough, Sota, Kagome's little brother, was the biggest help. He worked with Koga in watching out for the Higurashi women and was the perfect little gentleman through all the chaos. Koga admired such strength in one so young. He would grow up to be a fine young man. Higurashi will be proud.

Koga was pulled from his thoughts when he felt Kagome's loving presence in his mind. He looked up to see her giving him a small smile, and he winked back. She returned her attention to the person in front of her, no doubt offering condolences and such. Koga returned to observing the people throughout the gathering, lost in his thoughts again.

Kagome was so grateful for Koga. She doubted she would have been able to make it through all of this with her sanity in tact without his loving support. The only good thing to come out of this whole sad experience was that Kagome had been able to introduce Koga to all her family and friends. She cherished him, and wanted everybody to know that this was the man she loved. He met everyone with grace and patience and Kagome felt all the more lucky. She watched him now, lost in his own thoughts, and sent him a little mental hug. Ai shiteru. Koga winked back at her and she felt a little jolt to her heart. She smiled and returned to the older gentleman speaking to her about her grandfather's childhood.

The last person left late that night. Koga wrapped his arms around Kagome and whispered in her ear. "Ai shiteru. Now I want you to go to bed. Sota and I will take care of everything."

Kagome was so tired, and Koga's arms around her only drove the point home further. She just wanted to collapse against his chest and stay there for a few days. But she still had lots to do, and she couldn't give in to his plan.

"No, Koga. I'll stay up and help." She barely got the words out when she was seized with the need to yawn. Koga chuckled at the muffled sound and scooped Kagome up his arms and started towards his room in the temple. "No fair. You know I'm too tired to fight back."

Koga kissed her on the forehead and passed into the candlelit corridors of the temple. He reached his room and put Kagome down on the bed, pulled the covers up to her chin and bent down to kiss her goodnight. "Kagome?" Koga smiled as he realized she was already asleep. He kissed her soft lips, briefly, and went back out into the courtyard to find Sota.

To be continued…