A/N: Hello my dear readers, I have been informed that my latest chapter is not available. I have remained loyal to this site for nostalgic reasons and I will try to continue to post here, but in light of this hiccup, I will also be posting on archive of our own as soon as I can and I will update you guys with a link. I hope you get to read this chapter at the very least, I will also add this information to the description as soon as possible. Thank you for informing me of this issue! Love you lotts! XOXO
Chapter seven: Medicine and Wolves
Days rolled by and Kagome heard nothing from the king even still, their steamy encounter was fresh on her mind. How could he ravish her in such a way and then go ghost!? Since, Kagome recently found herself at the beck and call of her majesty the Queen, performing small tasks, mostly medical, like picking herbs and dressing minor wounds. Although it was a change of pace, Kagome enjoyed helping the doctor and found she had a talent for healing. The doctor she worked with was an old thin man by the name of Totosai. Although the man had seen many a decade, he was as quick witted and perceptive as any young man in his field. Having taken a liking to Kagome, he often requested her presence and the queen seemed to oblige.
Kagome pushed open the doors of the medicinal wing. Complete with a garden and surgical chamber, it was almost like it's own world, a world where Kagome could forget about the drama between her and the king.
"Ah, Kagome! You are just in time my girl." The old Totosai rang out shuffling over to pat her shoulder.
"Come come, I shall put you to the test!" He gestured for her to follow him to a treatment area and behind a white curtain. Kagome followed closely wondering what the test could be.
Behind the curtain, on the cot, sat a young man. The strong young man, a warrior if she had to guess, had long black hair pulled up into a high ponytail and piercing blue eyes that somehow felt familiar.
"Inspect the wound, is it infected? What is the best course of action?" Totosai asked, grinning wildly. He pointed to the young man's shoulder and Kagome walked closer to investigate the damage. The warrior pushed down his robe to reveal a deep laceration along his shoulder.
"Could you turn please?" She asked, leaning to see his back. The gash extended to his shoulder blade and appeared at home amongst the many scars this man wore. Kagome slid her hand along the area to check for tenderness. She couldn't help but notice his tone and tan skin pulled taught along his muscular physique. It reminded her of Inuyasha's fit figure, slimmer but just as alluring.
"Do you feel any pain here?" She pushed slightly on his back and the surrounding areas and the young man flinched a bit.
"Aside from tenderness, the wound is not inflamed in color or swollen so I conclude there is no infection but considering the depth of this laceration and its recent affliction, I would suggest treating it as such." Kagome spoke without taking her eyes off of the gash until she was finished. She turned to the old man whose hand was on his chin, gazing back at her inquisitively.
"And what treatment would you recommend?" He asked, raising an eyebrow. Kagome thought for a moment, hand never leaving the tan shoulder.
"A mixture of echinacea and honey applied directly to the wound and a goldenseal ginger tea for the next week…?" Kagome looked at Totosai's stone face, she must be wrong in her assumption. Maybe the wound was infected or maybe an ointment and a tea was too much, or too little? Totosai opened his eyes wide and clapped his hands together.
"Excellent! We are in agreement, you pass, you pass! Well done, my girl. I will allow you to administer treatment then. This old man needs a break." The old man hopped from side to side while he cried out his approval before patting Kagome on the head and exiting the area. Kagome sighed in relief, her instinct was spot on once again and she was given permission to treat a patient all on her own. She clasped her hands together proudly and smiled to herself.
"Are you going to….ya know?" Asked the young man. Kagome snapped out of her internal celebration and spun to face him.
"My apologies! Right away." She bowed and scurried over to a cupboard fixed to the wall beside them. She began pulling out tins and bottles and placing them in the metal tray below the cupboard doors. Carefully she mixed and ground ingredients into a paste and scraped it into a small jar.
"This may be a bit uncomfortable at first but it will soothe the pain and promote healing." She smiled at the man and began applying the paste to his wound. He sat silently for a moment, mostly unbothered by her treatment, only flinching when she moved towards his back.
"I am glad to see you have made yourself comfortable here. I was a bit worried when you first arrived, but there was no need. You seem to be closer to his majesty and you have a talent for healing. You found where you fit." The man chuckled, trying not to move as Kagome tended to his wound. Kagome froze at his words, he knew her somehow?
"Pardon me? Have we met?" She asked, pulling back to face him. The pure blue gaze felt familiar, where had she seen him before? The young man smirked at her questioning look and flashed his fangs causing a blush to suddenly attack Kagome's cheeks, his toothy smile reminded her of the king's.
"Am I that easy to forget?" He asked, reaching up to glide his finger along Kagome's jawline, careful not to leave a scratch with his claw and lifting her chin.
"Surely you just need a reminder." He whispered out leaning closer to her face. Kagome stood frozen in his icy gaze, her crimson features deepening in shade. She could feel his breath on her lips and she found herself curious about how they felt, how they would taste. Her curiosity wouldn't be indulged, the young warrior pulled back from her and released her face from his possession.
"Upon your arrival, before you were presented as a court member, I was there. I was your escort." He said with a smile, pointing to his face. "Do you recall?"
Kagome's eyes widened with the realization of why he felt familiar.
"Oh yes! That was you. My apologies for my poor memory." She laughed tapping her head with her knuckles. "Let's dress that wound. I am sure you have better things to do with your time than reminisce on meaningless encounters with common maidens."
Kagome reached for the roll of gauze on the table and began bandaging the wounded shoulder.
"You are right, although I would not label you common. I did not expect to but after that day, I thought of your face often. You appeared to be so frightened or maybe sad and that worried me."
As he spoke Kagome absorbed every word in silence, her hands continued to work but her mind wandered. Why was he telling her all of this? He as so confident in his tone, not at all embarrassed or flustered. She wasn't any different from the other court members so why remember her?
"It pleases me to know you are doing alright here. That is enough for me." He sighed out.
Kagome finished tying the bandage and moved back to the cupboard in search of tea ingredients.
I need to finish this up and put this behind me. She thought to herself pulling open the tin of goldenseal. To her surprise it was empty except for a small stem or two.
"I need to fetch some herbs from the garden, I will be but a moment. So please...wait for…"Kagome's words trailed off as she felt the warmth of body heat cover her back. A clawed hand reached over her shoulder and closed the cupboard door and she could feel his chest lightly pressed against her back. The image of his shirtless form behind her quickened her heart rate.
"Forever." The man whispered in her ear. Kagome spun around to face her assailant who now had both hands firmly planted on the cupboard door behind her, on either side of her head.
"W-what?" She asked, fully flushed and frozen in place.
"I would wait forever if it meant I could know you, like he does." He continued to whisper as one clawed hand fell to her side, snaked up her waist and rested on her collarbone, trailing thoughtful circles on her neck where markings the king left faded away. Kagome's eyes scanned his half naked figure, tan and fit, she caught herself before she reached out to touch his scars.
"Please….I-I must go to the garden.." Kagome fumbled out, averting her gaze to her feet and placing her hand on his chest to push him away. He gave in to her force and stepped back, dropping his hands to his sides. Kagome took the opportunity to slip past him, stopping for a moment at the curtain.
"I will only be a moment, p-please wait here." Kagome managed to say before hurrying off to the herb garden. Kneeling down to pick the goldenseal, Kagome lost herself in thought. What just happened? That shoulder that escorted her to the court presentation, the man she barely knew, was just moments from kissing her. What did he mean by 'know her like he does'? The king? Was the king the 'he' that the warrior spoke of? How did he know what her relationship was like with Inuyasha, sure he could speculate but he spoke so confidently. Kagome slowly rose to her feet, looking down at the green herbs in her hands. Her life had become so complicated so quickly, she desperately longed to speak with Sango, maybe get some much needed advice.
Then it hit her, his face, those eyes, he was the guard she spoke to when Eri brought her clothes to the king's chambers. Her eyes widen at the thought of him standing outside the door during her amorous moment with the king.
How much did he hear? She thought, reflecting on her vocals that day. Kagome shook her head as if to rid herself of the embarrassed blush taking over her face. Reluctantly she made her way back to the treatment area.
"The tea will only take a moment to….prepare…" Her words trailed off as she searched for the dark haired man. He was no longer anywhere in sight but Kagome's eye caught a slip of paper on the cot where he sat when she first entered the room. It read:
My fair lady Kagome,
I must apologize for my behavior. I seem to have lost control of myself and acted selfishly. Thank you for your care, I am sure my wounds will heal nicely. Please give Totosai my regards. I wait anxiously for the day I am graced with your presence once again. Until then, I shall dream only of your face.
Sincerely, Koga.
"Koga?" Kagome said, not noticing the smile that crept onto her lips or Totosai's presence.
"Is he gone already?" The old doctor asked, snapping Kagome back to the present moment.
"Oh yes, he sends his regards, though he didn't take the tea with him." Kagome responded, quickly turning and hiding the letter behind her back, and holding out her herb filled hand. Totosai's expression twisted into that of inquiry.
"What is that you have? Give it here." He asked, reaching out his hand.
"G-goldenseal, I had to fetch more from-"
"In the other hand." Totosai cut her words off and shook his hand at her. Kagome wanted to refuse, what would he think of her and what would he assume happened between her and Koga when he read the letter. Despite her reservations, she knew it was unwise to deny her mentor so she handed it over. Kagome watched as the old man's beady eyes scanned the parchment.
"Well there is only one thing to do." He said matter of factly. He reached for the lantern that sat on the table side and opened the small door. Kagome jolted forward to stop him but instead halted her movements.
"Do you not wish for me to destroy this letter? You must know the consequences if this was to be read by anyone loyal to the crown? You are a court member, fraternizing is not tolerated, and with a member of the royal guard no less. I would turn you into the queen myself if I were not so fond of having you around." Totosai said while staring directly at Kagome. The old man sighed and closed the door to the lantern before handing her the letter.
"Make the decision yourself, but know I will deny any involvement should this be discovered. Warn your wolf, Koga, as well." With that the old man dismissed Kagome and she fled quickly, clutching the note to her bosom.
I should have let him burn it, but... Kagome thought to herself, uncrumpling the parchment and rereading the letter. She couldn't explain why but she wanted to keep it but burning it felt wrong. Arriving at her chamber, she quickly slid the letter into a book high on the shelf above her bed and prayed silently to speak to this wolf, Koga, again.