I hear Kagome's breathing even out just minutes after I walk out into the hallway and smile, She's adjusting to a normal sleep schedule alright. I pick up the books on the coffee table and make my way over to the shelves lining the far wall to put them back. I notice her scent lingering around a shelf that's about her eye level but don't see anything out of place. Lowering my eyebrows, I sniff around the shelf, pausing in front of a red paperback that's definitely seen better days. I take it from its place between two larger leather bound books and smell it again to confirm my suspicions. The scent is fainter than the others, probably the first book she grabbed. She must be familiar with Tanizaki, I realise with a start. I turn the pages, trying to find where her scent is strongest, and stop about three-quarters of the way through. Of course, I sigh. "The Tattooer". It had always been a favourite of mine, despite the numerous similarities to a certain spider demon. I can understand why Kagome would reread this one in particular. Hopefully she took the lighter interpretation from it. I gently put it back and finish putting away the other books before straightening up the kitchen.
Kagome stirs in the other room, a small whimper escaping her lips and freezing my actions. I wait for several minutes, listening, only going back to cleaning when she settles back in. When I walk in to grab some clean clothes to change into, she turns to face the side my chair is on and stretches out her hand, She's looking for me. I can't help the smile that forces its way to my face as I walk over and brush some hair out of her face. She sighs, leaning into my touch, a gesture not unlike wolves nuzzling, and my heart just about stops at the small movement. She is ours, my inner beast growls possessively and I force myself to take a few steps back, breathing deeply. She ain't anyone's, I remind him, and myself. Not yet, he grumbles. I roll my eyes and exit the room, taking deep breaths all the way to the bathroom to change. One step in, however, and the scent of saltwater surrounds me. The girls had mentioned they'd had a rough start to the morning, but being able to smell and feel it… This should never have happened to her.
I shake my head and try not to breathe much as I get dressed and brush my teeth. Once I'm done, I quickly run back into the living room to grab a book for tonight and then settle into my chair by the bed. Her eyebrows are furrowed, lips pursed, and body tense. Knowing what's coming up, I set my book down and sit on the edge of the bed, rubbing her back slowly. She relaxes slightly, but not enough to ensure she won't start having a full on night terror. I lean down next to her ear, trying not to focus on her scent or her pulse beating right below me, and whisper,
"Shh, it's okay, you're alright." She tenses up at my voice, but wraps herself a bit more against me, making my cheeks flush slightly. "You're safe now, I've got you. You're okay."
"Kouga…" she mutters in her sleep. I nod and run a hand through her hair.
"I'm right here, I ain't going anywhere. You're safe." After just a second, she breathes out a sigh and relaxes completely. Sure she isn't going to wake up, I start getting up. Before I can remove my hand from her hair, however, her's comes up and grips mine. I look at her in shock.
"Don't… go," she breathes out. I crouch next to the bed and rest my other arm on the edge, resting my head on it.
"I ain't going anywhere, sweetheart," I promise her. "I'm just moving to my chair. That okay?" She groans a bit and grips my hand tighter, pulling it to her chest. A growl of pleasure rumbles through my chest before I can stop it and my eyes shut. Deep breaths, I remind myself. After several, I'm able to tear myself from her side and sit in my own chair, even as my hand is still held captive. She's going to be the death of me, I swear.