Warm-Ice: The story's almost over!
Sess: are you actually pleased by such news?
Warm-Ice: well…um…
Everyone: (glares)
Warm-Ice: hehe—why don't I answer the reviewers' questions now?
NarakusBaby: Oh, I hope I can one day read your story. I'm glad you became inspired!
thelunarstorm: (blush) thank you very much for both the compliments and the info. I always like to learn about old traditions and history.
Kag: also, thank you for the corrections! WE APPRECIATE IT VERY MUCH!
Sesshiskoishii: wah! Really! What a coincidence! Hear that, Shippou?
Shippou: (blushes violently) I'm too young for this.
sesshy's 4 ever: Sess, you handle your women.
Sess: (Blinks) I neither denied nor admitted to anything.
Kag: (cries in chibi form) we aren't even married yet and you're already cheating on me!
Sess: women…
karen12: thanks. It's just something I wanted to show. A peek at the future, so to speak.
Shippou: (Blush) would people please stop talking about it! I'm ashamed enough as it is! No one was supposed to know!
-Yoko1212-: hehehe… gomenasai and arigatou! I changed the error as soon as possible! Again, thanks!
Sess: Your incompetence is unacceptable.
Kag: Sesshoumaru, it was just a little mistake. Don't listen to him, Warm-Ice. He's just a big meanie.
Sess: (raises brow)
Warm-Ice: (cries in chibi form) oh, Kagome, you're so nice! (glares at Sess) hisssss! hissss!
Sess: (sweatdrop)
the amber dragonfly: oh, thank you so much! You are simply too kind! I hope you do post your stories so I can read them. Good luck!
Miroku: I'm glad you inspire people to write more SessKags, Warm-Ice-sama. Hopefully, you'll inspire them to do MirokuSango next?
Warm-Ice: no way, perv.
Miroku: (pouts cutely) how hurtful you are, Warm-Ice-sama.
Warm-Ice: fine. Maybe I'll think about it.
Miroku: yeahey!
Warm-Ice: I still think you're a perv.
Miroku: a price I'm willing to pay. (smiles)
Anime Lady PIMP: hahahahaha!
Kagome: (blushing like mad) this is so embarrassing!
Sess: (smirks)
Kagome: what are you so happy about!
Sess: nothing.
Twilight Elf-Maiden thanks for the info! I appreciate it!
Riyo Sohma: (waves dismissively) hahahahaha! No, no, no. we were just playing around, that's all! Hehe, don't worry about it! Sess and I are just friends! Hehehehe…
Kag: (looking evilly at me) you better be.
Warm-Ice: o-okay…on with the story!
Chapter 28: Why?
Haruko woke up to a silent village. She looked around the room and was disoriented when she didn't see any sign that Kouga had come back. She got up and made her bed before going to the door to see if he was outside with Arashi or something. But to her dismay, he was no where to be seen. She wondered where he was and why he was late. She closed her eyes and concentrated on his scent. It was too old to indicate that he was there only a few moments ago.
She decided to wait. She would wait for him to come back. So she got on her bed, took out the Plumeria flower from underneath her pillow and stared at its beauty, waiting for him to return.
Sesshoumaru became conscious to the soft sound of rustling fabrics. It seemed that Kagome had already woken up. For a while he stayed still, not yet wanting to make his consciousness known. He felt something soft press on his cheek and he instantly knew it was his wife-to-be's lips.
He heard her move away and pull the blanket to cover herself. He imagined her getting dressed in his mind; a small smile graced his lips. He was impressed that she had enough stamina to keep up with him last night and she was indeed a quick learner. It made him wonder why in the future they'd only have one child. Perhaps a second, third and fourth would be in order?
"I wonder how mama would react." He heard her whisper to herself.
Mama? Oh, yes. How could it have escaped him? Kagome must have a family back in her time. He frowned. This knowledge brought up a dilemma. Where would Kagome stay then? Would she stay with him in his time or would she live there in her time? It must be a hard decision for her. He couldn't simply keep her there with him when he knew she already had a life of her own in the future.
So how does one solve this problem? Perhaps a schedule would be a good answer. Yes, every three months, Kagome will go back through time to visit her family. Of course he would also have to meet her family. He hoped they would not be pitiful excuses for humans like the ones existing in his time.
Well with that problem solved, it was time to recall the earlier events. Oh yes, not a single detail would be left out from his detail-oriented mind. Indeed, a night to be remembered.
"Kagome-chan!" Kagome looked to the one that called her and found that it was Sango who sat with Miroku and Shippou around a bamboo table inside their open tent. "Have breakfast with us." Sango invited.
"Good morning, minna-san." Kagome smiled, coming towards them despite the slight pain in her body. She supposed it was normal after—uh—nevermind. She sat beside Shippou who sat across Sango and Miroku who all smiled at her.
"Where's—uh—Sesshoumaru-sama, Kagome-chan?" Sango asked uncomfortably.
"Um, he's still asleep, I think." She answered, wondering what was up with Sango's uncomfortable attitude.
"Oh, I have no doubts." Miroku said with a smug grin. Sango was quick to elbow him in the gut.
Kagome blushed, "W-what!"
"Oh—nothing, Kagome-chan. Nevermind houshi-sama." Sango said, smiling sheepishly.
Kagome's eyebrows furrowed and she had an idea as to what he was talking about. "What are you talking about, Miroku?"
"Well, Kagome-chan, it was pretty hard to ignore the two of you with all of the ruckus you were making last night." Shippou said curtly, taking another bite of the food given to him. Sango's eyes widened in disbelief upon hearing Shippou.
Kagome blushed furiously. It seemed the idea she had was right.
"Shippou-chan!" Sango said.
"Well, it's true." Shippou shrugged.
"So, how was it, Kagome-sama?"
"Houshi-sama!"
"H-How was what?"
"Oh, you don't have to play innocent with us, Kagome-sama. How was your night with the 'Sex God'?"
"The what!"
"Why, Kagome-sama, don't you know? Sesshoumaru-sama is infamous for being the 'Sex God' of the West."
"Yeah, I think I've heard of that rumor too." Shippou added. "They said he was branded the 'Sex God' at the age of fourteen." Kagome blushed harder. "I was impressed too when I heard he'd only been with four women, not including Kagome-chan."
"Yes, it makes me just a little bit envious. Women from all over the land must be begging him to…"
"Houshi-sama!"
Kagome was beat red at the memory of last night. This was so embarrassing. She had hoped she wouldn't make us much noise as possible but it seemed that it was futile. And to think that her husband-to-be was the infamous S-S-S—oh, she couldn't even think of it!
"E-Excuse me…" she quickly said, getting up and going back to their tent.
"Houshi-sama, look what you've done."
"Oh, Sango-sama, I was just curious." Miroku smiled sheepishly. But inwardly, he thought, it's too early for Kagome-sama to wake up. They need more time together.
Kagome rushed into the room, slightly relieved to see that Sesshoumaru was already up and sitting in bed. "Sesshoumaru!" she yelled, coming to him and putting her hands down on the bed, leaning forward to look him eye to eye.
"Howmanywomenhaveyoubeenwith!" she whispered frantically with a furious blush.
Sesshoumaru just raised his eyebrow at her.
"Don't" she raised her eyebrow with exaggeration, "me! You know what I'm talking about!"
A small smirk graced his lips. "I assure you, Kagome, this Sesshoumaru knows nothing of what you are speaking of."
"Yes you do!" she said, reddening even further. "Don't make me say it!" she said pathetically squirming in place.
Sesshoumaru suppressed a chuckle at the sight of this strange little ningen whom he recognized as the captor of his heart. "Calm down before you articulate, Kagome." He advised.
Sighing, Kagome spun to sit down on the bed, her back facing him. "It's just that—I heard this rumor about you being the—"
"Sex God of the West?" She quickly blushed, her eyes widening. She sharply turned back to him, staring at him disbelievingly. He simply smirked at her. "Yes, it seems that some women tend to 'kiss-and-tell' so to speak."
"So it's true!" the retained smirk answered her.
"Why were you so interested to know?" he asked with a devious tone.
Quickly, she looked away, blushing like a tomato. It was a miracle that her head hadn't spontaneously combusted yet. She played with her fingers shyly, concentrating on them. "H-how was I…c-compared to them." It was barely even a whisper but it didn't escape Sesshoumaru's highly evolved sense of hearing.
He was only strong enough to keep from laughing out loud. Threatened, was she? How adorable. Well, he could think of ways to reassure her. He moved closer to her, his lips barely grazing her ear. His breath sending shivers down her spine, "Would it comfort you to know that you were my first virgin?"
She blushed even harder at that. Slowly his arms wrapped around her waist then his hands started snaking down her thighs. He started nibbling on her ear and Kagome had to bite her lower lip to keep herself from making any noise.
But no—remember the conversation! Don't let him get to you! "That—doesn't…answer my question…." She all but moaned out loud.
"Then perhaps the concept of making this Sesshoumaru scream last night would?" he huskily whispered. "That was a first as well…" he said, his hands slowly crawling up her thighs, making her skirt fold and giving him more flesh to see.
Her body acted of its own accord, she leaned back her head, giving him access to her delectable neck where at its nape, his mark was evident. "I-I—" she tried to speak but Sesshoumaru had spoken again.
"Perhaps a reenactment is in order…" he whispered before making her moan out loud, loosing her battle of silence.
Her dog ears perked up as she heard cries from outside. People seemed to be angry and yet worried at the same time. She walked to the door to peer at whatever the commotion was. Her eyes widened.
"I can't—I can't breathe…take the armor off…" Kouga said to Arashi as his family members gently carried him away. He could hardly open his eyes; he had cuts and bruises everywhere. His body was soaked in blood. His breathes came in pants. What happened to him?
"We will, Kouga, we will. But first we have to get you to my hut. Hang in there." Arashi reassured.
As they passed Kouga's hut, Arashi's eyes caught Haruko's. Concern, confusion, fear; those were the emotions he could clearly see in those beautiful blue eyes. The group passed her by and Haruko was left to stare at their tracks.
It was rare of her to feel so much fear concerning someone else. She was almost always detached from the world. But when she saw Kouga, rendered so helpless and weak…it chilled her to the bones. Tears started welling up in her eyes but none fell. The only thing echoing in her mind was…
What happened to him?
For hours she waited for him, hoping he would be alright. She waited…and waited…and waited…and waited…
She waited in silence, getting worried with every hour past up until it had become dark outside. She heard someone outside bidding someone else goodnight and to sleep well. And soon after, Kouga had entered the hut.
Her heart clenched again at the sight of him; bandages and bruises everywhere. Despite this, he still managed to give her a small smile. "Inu-hime, gomen demo I can't give you the usual food from now on."
She stayed silent, looking up at him with heartbreaking, worried eyes. He turned around and sat beside her bed where his was supposed to be. He didn't want to see her eyes become so sad. And to think that he caused it was unbearable.
"What happened…?" she softly asked, almost as if afraid.
"Ch. Some food went missing from the village's stock and someone started shouting that I was the demon stealing their food all this time. Then everyone started making a big deal out of it and stoned me." He said as if merely ranting about a bad day.
Tears brimmed in her eyes again and she was at a loss of words.
"But I'm just worried about grandpa. He's the chief of the village. He tried to defend me…I don't know what they did to him…I hope he's alrigh—" he stopped in his tracks.
Warm arms. Warm arms were wrapped around his torso, her forehead resting upon his shoulder. Suddenly, he could feel something wet on his bare back. Tears. She was crying.
"I'm sorry…I'm so sorry…This is all my fault…" she said meekly, holding him tighter. "I'm more trouble than I'm worth…If I hadn't been so selfish—"
"Don't." he said, stopping her from saying the thing he couldn't bear to hear. "You're not. You're not. I don't blame you…so please…don't…"
His kindness only made her cry even harder, holding onto him tighter. Kouga leaned back upon her, resting his cheek on top of her head, smelling her soft scent. Please don't cry anymore. For every tear that she shed, his heart broke. Please don't… don't cry for me… please don't…don't make me want to protect you for the rest of my life… Please…don't…
Don't make me love you more than I already do…
Sesshoumaru watched her lying beside him, eyes closed with a peaceful smile on her face. He caressed the nape of her neck where his mark was.
"Can I ask you something?" Kagome asked, not opening her eyes. Silence answered her, telling her to continue. "What does this mean, this mark on my neck." That was when she opened her eyes and looked him straight in the eyes, admiring the way strands of his silver hair fell over his beautiful face.
"It means that we are now bound to each other in inu-youkai tradition." He answered.
She smiled at him, "Oh…"
"Kagome."
"Hai?"
"Will you marry this Sesshoumaru?"
"What?"
"I wish to be married to you."
"But—you just said—"
"In human traditions."
She stared at him with slight disbelief but soon smiled again, "Yes. I'll marry you…"
That night, a strange thing happened. Instead of sleeping in separate beds, Haruko and Kouga shared his bed. They faced each other, curled up in bed. She watched him sleep, gently tracing the cut at the nape of his neck with nimble fingers.
"You know, if you keep doing that, the wound will open." Kouga said jokingly, opening his eyes to look at her. But his smile went away at the sight of her, still looking straight at him with those saddened eyes. She was strange, Kouga thought. In all his years, he'd never seen anyone cry without actually crying, simple tears falling from her eyes; no sobbing, no whimpering. Not a single noise. And yet it was the most heartbreaking sight he'd ever seen.
"How?" she said. "How can you still smile despite such pains?"
He regained his smile at that, "Because…you are only as strong as how resilient you are. After everything goes wrong and I've been beaten down…I can still stand up." He watched her for a moment before saying, "It's my strength… I want you to be strong too. I don't want to see you cry anymore…alright?"
"How can I? How can I when there is so much pointless pain in the world?" she asked. For some reason, she felt tears well in her eyes again. Why was she crying? Because she was finally telling someone how she truly felt. What she truly thought. And she was afraid. Yes, afraid; afraid to let Kouga in.
He simply smiled at her, "I believe in you…"
She was terrified at that moment. Terrified of the fact that Kouga was walking right through her barrier, seeing through her mask, taking her heart with a gentle grip. It was his talent, it seemed. Despite the fact that they were two completely different people, Kouga knew exactly how to make her feel better, to make her feel warm inside, to make her smile genuinely.
"Why…?" was her weak reply. She feared for his answer.
He simply looked at her for a long while before answering simply, "I love you."
A silent, lone tear fell from her eye. Her fears had been recognized. Quickly, she sat up but just as quickly, strong arms wrapped around her waist, his breath upon her ear.
"Don't." she heard him say. "Don't run away. I won't force you to love me back. I just…I just want to see you smile."
"Why? What can a smile do? A smile isn't going to make everything better."
"No…but it can make a difference…"
"To whom?"
"To me…" he spoke. At that, her heart broke. She was going to hurt Kouga. "You make me feel like…I'm actually doing something right."
"Well, I disagree." She raised her brow at him. "I don't think you need a life time to fall in love." He slowly turned to her with the strangest, calmest smile she'd ever seen him wear. "I think it just takes a moment. One single moment when you realize that that person you're with is making you whole. That the one person standing next to you, smiling and laughing with you, is the one that completes you."
"I was never one to be valiant, Inu-hime. I'm not the type of guy who saves innocent people I don't even know. But when I'm with you…I feel like the hero."
"Kouga…I beg of you…don't love me…" she whispered weakly. She knew she wouldn't be able to bear it, breaking Kouga's heart. But she had to be strong. She had a duty to serve her country and her lord…her father.
He scoffed softy, a bitter smile upon his lips. "Too late."
In one swift flowing motion, Haruko turned to him, her hair following her movements. Her hand cupped his jaw like a caress of a lover. Her lips locked with his. His eyes instantly widened, his mind completely numb. Time seemed to stop.
Suddenly, the line between reality and fantasy became blurred for Kouga. Everything was so unreal now, like a dream. What had happened? He did not know. All he knew was that he could taste her sweet soft lips upon his. Why? Why did she kiss him? What did this mean? Only one thing came to mind.
Did she feel the same way?
He unwillingly moaned and instinctively (also surprisingly) Haruko deepened the kiss. He returned the kiss soon after getting over his primary shock, moaning for the second time.
Suddenly, she pushed herself away from him, jumping out of the bed. She pressed her fingers to her lips, not believing she had done what she had done. She was never one to loose control over neither herself nor her surroundings. She had undeniably changed.
Silence engulfed the room, much like Kouga's spicy scent. She watched him with wide eyes. His hands gripped onto the bed, his head hung low, casting shadows upon his eyes. His mouth slightly parted from the kiss, still panting heavily.
Upon catching his breath, he looked up at her, revealing eyes filled with such…desire…
"Why?" was his soft question. There were two questions behind that 'why'. The first was 'why won't she let herself love him?' and the second was, 'why did she have to stop?'
Shamed, Haruko shook her head and ran to get out.
"Haruko!" he called with more force now, his gaze blazing with something unknown but feirce. Haruko froze at the entrance. "Tell me why." He demanded.
Silence…and then, "I am to be wed." With that, she ran away…