RECOVERY
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It had been a day and Kouga was still asleep. Ayame had spent all day with him making sure he was still breathing. Kiro had not stopped by and Ayame was glad. She did not think she could take it if Kiro came to talk. The only ones that came to see Kouga were Ginta and Hakaku. They had brought meat and water for when Kouga woke up. Ayame sat down next to Kouga and listened to his labored breathing. Her ears twitched as she listened to the night sounds around the outside of the cave. The fire she had light in the cave reflected off Kouga.
"How long must I wait for you to awaken?" Ayame said out loud as she glanced over.
The furs that were draped across his body began to move and Kouga started to moan in pain. Rushing over to Kouga she dropped on to her knees and brushed his black bangs out of his face.
"Thank the wolf gods you live." Ayame said with a sigh of relief.
Kouga tried to speak but instead a gurgle came from his throat, he was not able move his jaw, it was so swollen. In panic Kouga grabbed Ayame's hand with his.
"It is going to be another two days before you're going to be able to talk. Are you hungry?" Ayame asked as she took some of the dried meat and bite off a piece.
Kouga just looked away in embarrassment his face turning red. Ayame understood the pride issue of being fed by mouth from a female. She continued to chew thoughtfully regarding Kouga. Bending over Kouga she lifted his head up gently placing her hand beneath his head. Slowly Ayame lowered her lips to Kouga's. Taking her tongue she gently helped him open he mouth and let the chewed meat in. Tears of pain came to Kouga's eyes as he swallowed the small amount of food. After Kouga had enough to eat Ayame sat down next to him on the furs.
"I guess I should tell you about how the packs are doing. Well Hakaku is married to Fleet Foot, a healer in the White wolves. They seem to be very happy." Ayame said softly as she gently rubbed the soft furs that she sat on.
Kouga just lay there silently; he seemed to just be focusing on breathing in and out.
"Then the hunters and I had trouble feeding the pack…and then…and then…Kouga…I" Ayame became silent as tears fell from her face. She hung her head letting her red hair fall into her face.
Kouga lifted his hand with a struggle and brushed her hair behind her ear. The palm of his hand cupped her face gently. His lips began moving. Ayame bent over him to hear what he had to say.
"….I….know….Ayame….I know." Kouga slurred out his voice a scratchy sound.
Ayame realized that Kouga already knew she had almost sentenced him to death.
"I am so sorry…like you said I am a weak leader…I am sorry Kouga…so sorry." Ayame cried softly.
Kouga just closed his eyes and let out a sigh of pain.
"You should sleep." Ayame choked off as she watched Kouga fall asleep.
One Week later
Kouga, Hakaku and Ginta were sitting outside the cave talking. Kouga was stronger now but still on the skinny side. He would always have a scar on each of his ankles and would always have trouble breathing because of the poison that had entered his lungs.
"I have decided its time to take the black wolves back to our mountains." Kouga said as he looked at each of his friends.
"Kouga is this wise. I mean we are still small and you're just recovering." Hakaku said. A worried expression was on his face knowing that Fleet Foot would not willingly leave with the Black wolves. In fact he was worried that she would stay with Ayame's group.
"The tribes love Ayame. They have seen her struggle to keep us alive and fed. She has become a strong leader." Ginta spoke up.
"I warned you that I would come back for the tribe." Kouga reminded them with a scowl.
"Yes, but we also thought you would come back with Kagome as a mate." Ginta replied.
"Well your wrong. I found out the hard way, humans are weak pathetic creatures. I don't have time to deal with something like that." Kouga said with a grimace as he looked down at his ankles.
"What happened?" Ginta asked.
"That is none of your business." Kouga snapped at him.
"You do realize Kouga that Ayame cannot choose a mate until you have one. Do you want to sentence her, to a life without the enjoyment of a mate?" Hakaku asked as he thought about his love for Fleet Foot.
"It would be easier on her if she did not have a mate." Kouga said bitterly.
"She might not obey the law Kouga. Ayame might just take herself a mate." Ginta said as he looked down at the activity below them. Standing in the middle was Ayame and Kiro talking softly.
Kouga glanced over at the couple. Anger boiled uncontrollable in his stomach as he watched Ayame innocently touch Kiro's arm. He is not worthy of her. Or worthy of being a leader of her tribe.
"That won't happen. I'll make sure of it." Kouga said angrily as he got up and walked off.
Ginta and Hakaku looked at each other and grinned.
"Do you think he'll do it?" Hakaku asked.
"I'm sure of it. He may not admit to loving Ayame but he is very protective of her and the good of the tribe. If anything he will do what is best for our people." Ginta said.
At a nearby stream
Kouga sat down on a boulder and looked down into the stream. What am I going to do? I had my revenge. I didn't get the girl I wanted. Nor do I want her anymore, not after that. Kouga thought as he remembered the painful day.
Kagome had become possessed by Naraku. Inuyashia and Kouga were both fooled by her a mere human. Kagome had dug the jewel shards from Kouga's ankles and replaced it with the poison. If Kouga had not gotten free from his ropes Inuyashia would have been dead by one of Kagome's arrows. Together Inuyashia and Kouga had killed Naraku. Afterward, Inuyashia tried to explain that Kagome was not herself when she attacked. However, Kouga's starry impression on Kagome was gone. He left without even seeing her and man was he glad he had down so.
Humans are weak just like Ayame had once told him. He now had seen that weakness first hand. He had also seen a similar weakness in Ayame. When she almost sentenced me to death, but she didn't. That is the difference Ayame is stronger.
Placing his head in his hands Kouga sighed as he thought of Ayame. Her soft voice as she kept him company during the week of recovery. Ayame's gentle hands running through his hair her smooth lips against his. Do I love her? I don't know, I just don't know. It's not about love though. I must think of the tribes and what is best for them.
Kouga's ears pricked forward as he heard soft footsteps behind him. Turning around he saw Ayame.
"Are you ok Kouga?" Ayame asked.
"I'm fine Ayame. Sit down." Kouga ordered. Ayame sat down next to him. His nose filled with the scent of the flowers she was named after and the slight smell of Kiro.
"So he's dead?" Ayame asked.
"Yes he is." Kouga said as he stared at their reflection in the stream. He couldn't help but notice they looked good together.
"I'm sorry Kouga. For my weakness, I'm truly glad you're not dead." Ayame said softly.
"Thank you Ayame. Umm Ayame I was thinking we need to look toward the future." Kouga began.
"I know I was thinking the same."
"I'm going to the elders Ayame. To fulfill my promise, to your grandfather and you." Kouga announced as he looked at her.
Ayame just sat there, her mouth trembled slightly and her eyes began to glitter with unshed tears.
"It's for the best Ayame for our people. You were meant to be my mate Ayame. Its time we fulfill that promise." Kouga said.
"Kouga we don't have to…whatever you want I'll get it for you. Kagome I'll find her and talk with her. Am sure we can work this out." Ayame said suddenly talking faster.
"Do you know what I want Ayame?" Kouga said feeling slightly hurt by her sudden outburst.
"Whatever it is I'll do it for you." Ayame said with hope.
"I want you Ayame. I want you. Tomorrow I am going to the elders to make the necessary arrangements." Kouga said seriously as he looked at her.
Ayame broke down as she sobbed into her hands. Kouga gently put an arm around her shaking shoulders and hugged her to him. Ayame in turn cried into his chest. Looking up to the sky Kouga said a silent pray to the wolf gods. Please let this be the right decision. Please let us find some happiness in this arrangement.
THE END or is it………….
