Disclaimer: Inuyasha is sooo not mine.
Blindsided
A/N: Hey guys, I decided (very, VERY belatedly... can we say, Doh!) to put up the alternate endings on here anyway. I should have done this before, but I was so eager to post Kouga's ending. (cuz I WUVS him!) Sorry, sorry, sorry for all the confusion! I usually just do stuff before I sit down and think about it. bows head in shame Sumimasen!
So here you go...
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Kouga's ending
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When Kagome had made no move to stop the elevator doors from shutting between them, but a second elevator had just reached the ground floor. Kouga waited impatiently as an elderly couple alighted from the car, but the second they vacated it, he dashed inside and quickly pressed the button for Yuki's floor. It started up a moment later.
He paced restlessly, praying that he reached Kagome in time. Despite the fact that Kagome was Morikawa Sesshoumaru's step-sister, murder was still murder, no matter who you were. The only thing that kept him from completely losing his mind was the fact that Kagome had never handled a gun before. But even so, lucky first-time shots weren't unheard of.
"Damn it, hurry the fuck up!" he yelled, eyes going to the numbers over the doors. It was with great relief when the light arrived at the correct number and he nearly forced the doors open when the car came to a stop. Squeezing himself out from between the sliding doors, he immediately turned to look down the hallway in the direction of Yuki's apartment. He saw Kagome getting slowly to her feet, gun aimed straight at Yuki's chest.
"Kagome!" he yelled and took off down the hall. It wasn't until he came closer than he realized that it was not Yuki she was aiming at. A strange, creepy looking guy was emerging from the open doorway and even though there was a gun pointed right at him he continued to advance towards Yuki.
Yuki had looked over at Kouga when he came to halt, then turned all the way around when he saw Kouga staring hard at the area behind him. The blond man was thoroughly startled at the sight of the man staring back at him with something like lunacy in his eyes.
"Who the hell are you?" asked Yuki, taking a step back. "And why the fuck were you in my house?"
The man shook his head. "You don't know me, but you knew my daughter. My... little girl." He raised angry, tear-filled eyes to Yuki's face and pointed the end of his machete at him. "You killed her, you heartless bastard! You killed my baby!"
But Yuki shook his head vehemently. "I've never killed anyone in my life, pal, so go back to that rock you slithered out from under. You just want money from me, don't you? Here you go." He yanked out his wallet from his the back pocket of his trousers and grabbed a single bill, flinging it in the man's face. "Now get the fuck out before I call security."
Kouga groaned, but kept an eye on Kagome, who'd let the hand holding his gun drop to her side. "You shouldn't talk to people like that, Yuki," he said in a low voice.
Yuki snorted. "Why the hell not? He trespassed in my home. Hell, I even gave him some money. I think I've been rather generous here."
The man's face contorted and filled with fury. "Generous? You slept with my daughter and led her to believe that she was something special to you! She fell in love with you but you told her that one time with her was more than enough for you. You led her on! How could you? She was in love with you!"
"Not to sound conceited, but you could say that about almost every woman I've been with," Yuki remarked casually. Inwardly, however, he winced. How would Kagome feel about him after hearing all this? He glanced over at Kouga, who was keeping his attention divided between the weirdo on his doorstep and Kagome, who looked about ready to pass out. "You'll have to be more specific, although I can't promise that I'll know who you're talking about."
"My daughter's name was Tsubaki. After you tore her heart to pieces, she fell into a deep depression. When she read in the newspapers that you were engaged to be married, she took her own life, overdosing on the valium her doctor prescribed her." The mourning father's hand shook, gripping the large knife hard until the knuckles shown white. "All she did was love you... and you... YOU... brought about her death. I want compensation for the life you so thoughtlessly took! Too bad that guy I paid to kill you didn't do what he promised."
With a heavy sigh, Yuki shifted his stance. His knee ached horrendously and he desperately wanted to lie down and take a painkiller. He reached into his front trouser pocket for his cell phone and flipped it open, his thumb already dialing the number for the building's security. "Look, like I said, I never killed anyone. You can't seriously blame me for your daughter's inability to cope with rejection, if indeed I was the one who rejected her. I prefer my women to be able to handle anything that comes their way; not some silly little girl who has these ridiculous fantasies about men who are out of their league."
The man stood quite still for a moment, then all of a sudden he lunged at Yuki, the deadly blade raised and ready to strike. Yuki fell back and waited for the blow, but it never came.
Kouga had sensed the man's tension as it snapped and leapt at him, knocking him down to the ground. He straddled the writhing, yelling intruder, squeezing the fingers that held the knife tightly together. The man screamed in pain and let go, allowing Kouga to wrench the hilt away from him and toss the blade a short ways down the hall. Then Kouga flipped the man over onto his stomach and pinned his wrists together behind his back. "Stop yelling, mister, or I'll have to knock you out."
The sound of cloth being ripped caused him and Yuki to look over where Kagome stood. She had torn the bottom of her shirt off and handed the strip to Kouga, who took it from her with a grateful smile.
"Thanks, honey," he said as he tied the man's hands together. "It looks as though we'll have to get you a new shirt, huh? Although I must admit you look really hot showing your tummy like that." He grinned up at her, sending her a saucy wink.
Kagome averted her burning face but she leaned over and held out Kouga's gun to him. Unfortunately, she was handing it back with the barrel pointing straight at his chest.
Kouga's life flashed before his eyes and he swiftly dived out of the way. "Whoa!" he yelled and grabbed the gun from her, quickly flipping the safety on with a shaky finger. "Kagome, baby, please don't point guns at people like that," he groaned, wiping the sweat from his brow as he tucked the weapon safely in the back of his jeans. "You nearly gave me a heart attack."
She got down on her knees and took his face in her hands and gave him a sad, apologetic smile. He merely leaned over and gave her a peck on the lips. "Have I told you I loved you today?" he asked, pressing his forehead against hers.
Kagome shook her head, a delighted smile curving her lips. Kouga grinned broadly and kissed her again. "I love you, Kagome," he said, slipping his arms around her waist.
But the romantic interlude was interrupted by a loud thumping sound. Both of them turned to see a very red-faced Yuki standing over them with glittering, wrathful green eyes, and twirling his cane impatiently. "I'd almost forgotten about your treachery, Kouga," he hissed, as the cane spun faster. It suddenly came to a halt and Kouga found the end of a walking stick pointing directly at his face. "You... asshole! You stole her from me!"
Kouga rose to his feet, knocking the cane out of his face. "She wasn't yours to steal in the first place, Yuki. You can say whatever you like, but everyone here knows exactly how you treated her before your accident. In case you've forgotten, you weren't much of a gentleman to her."
"I don't know how he treated her," muttered the figure on the floor. "Tell me."
Kouga delivered a swift kick to his thigh. "Shut up. This conversation doesn't concern you." Kouga turned back to Yuki, whose gaze had shifted to Kagome, and he stepped in front of her, shielding her from Yuki's eyes. "Don't look at her that way," he said quietly, his hand reaching for hers. There was immense relief when she slipped her hand into his. "It bothers me the way you're staring at her."
"If it bothers you, then leave," Yuki retorted smoothly, leaning slightly on his cane. He lifted a hand to smooth back his golden locks. "And take your friend with you." He indicated the trussed man on the floor with a small wave of his hand.
"Oh, I'll leave, alright," Kouga said, sending his former employer a sly smile. Interlacing his fingers with Kagome's, Kouga turned and headed down the hallway towards the elevators, pulling her along behind him.
"Oi! Where are you going? Kagome? Wait! Please stay! I want to talk to you!" cried the blond, but Kouga ignored him, although Kagome turned around and glanced back at Yuki. "Please! Please don't go, Kagome," he called out hoarsely.
Seeing the sadness and regret in his beautiful face, Kagome tugged at Kouga's hand, stopping him. He looked back at her. "Kagome? What's wrong?"
She shook her head and removed her hand from his with a sad smile, then turned around and headed back towards Yuki, whose face lit up with joy. Kouga, stunned by what she'd just done, felt the old familiar feeling of his heart tearing apart. After all Yuki had done to her, after all the hurt and pain Yuki had caused her, she still went back to him. But even though every instinct in him urged him to run away from her and never look back, he couldn't move a muscle. She may continue to make mistake after mistake with that guy, but he'd never leave her side, no matter how badly it hurt him.
"I'll wait for you downstairs, okay, Kagome?"
Kagome looked back at him and shook her head, putting her hand up, giving him the sign to wait. Kouga acknowledged it, all the while suppressing the urge to storm down the hallway and beat the shit out of Yuki if he so much as touched her.
"Oh, Kagome!" Yuki exclaimed tenderly, putting his arms around her. He ignored the dirty looks Kouga was sending him from his spot by the elevators as he kissed her cheek. "You don't know how I've wanted a chance to apologize to you for everything I'd put you through!" He buried his face in her hair. "I was a monster to you--"
"There's no argument there," the black-haired man called out spitefully from down the hall.
"-- and I know that there's very little chance of you forgiving me, but I want to be with you, Kagome. I love you so much--"
This time it was Kagome who interrupted him. She pushed at his chest and took a step back, her eyes filling with tears. Taking out her notepad, she began to write, leaving Yuki looking puzzled.
"Kagome? What's wrong? Are you okay?" he asked, reaching out and taking the hand that was writing.
She looked up and smiled reassuringly at him, but continued to write. Yuki was confused. What had happened to her?
"As usual, you're too wrapped up in your own problems that you never even noticed she hasn't spoken a word since she's been here," Kouga remarked coldly.
Yuki took Kagome by the shoulders, forcing her to look at him. "Sweetheart, what's happened to your voice?" he demanded, but a steel-like hand wrenched him away from her.
"You've got to be kidding me," muttered Kouga, stepping between her and Yuki. "Look, she can't speak, Yuki. And before you continue to ask questions that are physically impossible for her to answer, Kagome's been mute since the night you beat her up." He whirled around took hold of Kagome, who'd finished writing. "Are you done, baby? Let's go now."
Kagome nodded and tearing the paper off the pad, she folded it and handed it to Yuki with a smile before allowing Kouga to once again lead her back down towards the elevators.
"No, wait!" Yuki cried out.
Kouga ignored him and pressed the down button. By the time the car arrived to take them down to the ground floor, Yuki had managed to hobble down the hall after them, but it was too late. Kouga quickly ushered Kagome into the elevator, then physically blocked the entrance so Yuki couldn't enter.
"You had your chance, and you blew it. Get over it." Just as the doors began to slide closed, Kouga dropped voice to a threatening whisper, "She's mine, Yuki. You'll never, ever, have her."
He stepped back and the doors closed, leaving Yuki alone in the hallway with the man who'd wanted him dead. Whipping out his phone, Yuki dialed Sesshoumaru's number with great reluctance. "Hello, Morikawa. I really hate to do this, but I need your help." He turned to look at the guy on the floor. The bastard had managed to scoot around and was watching him at this very moment. Yuki shivered as Sesshoumaru reminded him of his parting words the day before, to which Yuki replied, "Well excuse the fuck outta me, but I can't really call the cops to handle this situation, now can I? I'm a wanted man, remember?" He paused as Sesshoumaru chuckled in his ear. "Look, I'll pay restitution to her, okay? I'll do anything, just come get this guy! Oh, and one other thing. Tell Kouga to back off Kagome, would ya?"
There was silence on Sesshoumaru's end.
Yuki continued, keeping his eyes on the figure on the floor. "I don't want her near him, man. He's no good for her. Hey, now wait a sec. Why the hell are you defending him? He's a murderer, for kami's sake!" Yuki looked away for a second and when he looked back, he saw that the intruder had somehow inched closer to him. "And hurry the fuck up!" he yelled into the phone. "This motherfucker is psycho!"
Thankfully, security, as well as Naraku (who had been lurking at the other end of the hallway the entire time), arrived just as the bound man had managed to get to his feet, a homicidal look in his eyes.
While Naraku was busy taking the man away and chatting with the security guards (and quite possibly bribing them to keep silent), Yuki looked down at the paper in his hand. With a feeling of trepidation, he opened it.
As he read it, tears fell down his face. No matter how tender her words were, Yuki still felt his world come to screeching halt.
'Yuki, I'm sorry that you believed the worst of me, but I want you to know that I have always loved you and cared about you and I always will. Sometimes I wish that I had told you of what was coming, warned you of what was ahead, but I could not. It was something that you, as well as I, needed to go through.
'I know you wonder if I'll ever forgive you, but I already have. The moment you walked away from me that night, I forgave you. You are special to me and if you ever need a friend, I'll be there for you. Love Always, Kagome.'
Trudging back to his apartment, Yuki collapsed on his leather sofa and sobbed like a child.
He'd lost her for good.
oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Still feeling like the world was coming to an end, Kouga took her to see her step-brothers and Souta. They all rejoiced at the sight of her; Inuyasha and Souta even made a sandwich out of her with Sesshoumaru and Kouga looking on.
"Kagome, come into my office for a minute, please," requested Sesshoumaru and she followed him obediently, leaving Kouga and Inuyasha to glare hatefully at each other.
Kagome embraced Sesshoumaru once he closed the door. Sesshoumaru held her tightly, whispering to her how much he loved her and missed her, and how he wished that that terrible thing had never happened to her. He regretted not saving her from that monster, he told her sadly. Perhaps if he'd followed his intuition and refused to allow her to marry such an unsavory character...
But Kagome shook her head and standing on tiptoe, kissed his cheek. Pulling her notepad from her back pocket, Kagome quickly scribbled down, 'Everything happens for a reason, Sess. I don't regret going through all that to save him.'
Amazed, Sesshoumaru shook his head. "But Kagome! He hurt you! I want him to pay for what he's done to you!"
Again she shook her head and wrote in her notepad. 'I don't want to press charges against him. Please.' She paused, then wrote, 'I forgave him already. It's over now.'
"I don't like it, beloved. He's getting off easily for committing a crime against you. He needs to be taught a lesson."
She hung her head and wiped her eyes. 'I already did that,' she wrote with a shaky hand. 'I told him I would always be his friend...' Her hand shook too hard and she lay her writing things down on Sesshoumaru's desk.
Sesshoumaru held her as she cried, but inside he was overjoyed. She'd told him she'd always be his friend, huh? That was just a nice way of saying she didn't want to be with him. "Thank god," Sesshoumaru murmured into her hair. "Thank god for that." He waited a moment then asked if she would stay with him for a few days. "I've missed you so much, my darling. I didn't like not knowing where you were, although I must say that it relieved my mind knowing you were with Kouga. I know that you were completely safe in his care."
Nodding, Kagome smiled dreamily up at her guardian and once more taking up her pen and paper, she wrote, 'Sess, there's something I want to ask you.'
"Okay, little one. I'll grant you anything," he replied indulgently.
ooo
A few minutes later, Sesshoumaru didn't feel so indulgent, but since his little girl wanted this, he would make certain she would get it. Sighing heavily, he said, "If you wish, Kagome. Just as long as you're certain this is what you really want. Personally, I don't like it, but if it makes you happy, then that's all that matters to me."
A broad smile lit up her face and she threw herself at Sesshoumaru, hugging him tightly.
When the two of them emerged from his study, they saw Kouga and Souta talking quietly in the doorway of the dining room. Inuyasha was nowhere to be seen.
"Aniue, Kagome," called Souta, raising his hand in greeting. "The cook says she ready to serve lunch now. Inu's already waiting in the dining room."
"Thank you, Souta," said Sesshoumaru as he and Kagome approached them. "Kouga, we would be honored if you would stay for lunch." He stopped walking and stepped to the side, allowing Kagome to precede him into the room.
Kouga looked at Kagome, who glanced at him over her shoulder. "Um, sure, boss man. I guess so," he said uncertainly. "If Kagome would like for me to stay, then I'll stay."
"Oh, just come in and eat already," Inuyasha called out from his place at the table. "You know she wants you to stay."
She wants me to stay? Kouga thought, his heart feeling a bit lighter than it had earlier. But as he sat down beside her, he wondered what she'd written on the sheet of paper that she'd given to Yuki and he couldn't help but recall the look of tenderness on her face when she smiled at the bastard. His heart broke a little more at the memory. She still loved Yuki; that much was plain to see.
Towards the end of the meal, Sesshoumaru cleared his throat and looked directly at Kouga. "You know, I asked Kagome to stay with me for a few days. As you know, her brothers and I miss her terribly."
Kouga nodded in understanding and Sesshoumaru continued. He fancied that the elder Morikawa looked rather displeased at what he was about to say.
"However, my beloved wishes to remain under your roof for a little while longer. Apparently, she has taken a liking your house and has an overwhelming desire to explore your rather amazing backyard." He took a delicate sip of tea, his eyes watching Kouga steadily over the rim.
It took Kouga a minute to realize just what Sesshoumaru had said to him... and yet another minute for it to sink in. Kagome... wanted to stay with him? Pure happiness exploded within him and he turned to look at his darling girl, who was blushing crazily, her eyes downcast.
He took her hand in his and gave it a gentle squeeze. "I would be honored, Kagome. You can stay as long as you like." His mind was in a whirl. She wanted to stay with him!
Sesshoumaru had begun speaking again, but Kouga was not paying attention. He was far more considered about Kagome and how to keep her in his life forever. Hopefully, he wouldn't screw up. Please, kami, don't let him screw up!
ooo
A week later found Kouga helping Kagome clean his kitchen while Ginta and Hakkaku were outside working in the garden. While she was sweeping the floor, Kouga couldn't help casting longing glances at her backside.
Mrs. Hamashira called him the day before, telling him to attend the party that she and her husband were holding to allow the neighborhood to meet Kagome. Of course, Kouga couldn't tell her no, for she had once been friends with his parents and she was now his friend. She looked out for him, and had even tried finding him a wife at one time. That had occurred two years ago, but at the time he was far more interested in keeping his bachelor lifestyle intact; a wife was the very last thing that he wanted.
But now all that had changed, he thought as he held open the garbage bag for Kagome as she dumped the contents of the dustpan into it.
'Thank you,' she mouthed at him gratefully, sending him a sweet smile.
"A-anytime," he stuttered as he recovered from the jolt that had passed through him. "Um, Kagome? I've been meaning to ask you..."
She turned to face him, a questioning look in her eyes.
"Well, we've been invited to a party this afternoon and I've accepted for us. You don't have to go if you don't want to. It's just something so that the nosy old ladies who live around here can have their curiosity sated. Mrs. Hamashira has been telling them all about you, although she's never even seen you either." He lowered his voice. "She's probably got private investigators watching the house for any glimpse of you." He made a face and Kagome laughed silently.
Kagome nodded, causing Kouga to sigh with relief. "Excellent. Thank you, Kagome. If you had refused, Mrs. Hamashira would bug me until she got to see you close up."
Taking her notepad, Kagome wrote, 'What about Ginta and Hakkaku?'
"Oh, I've told them already. They've gotta go. They have no choice." Kouga grinned wickedly. "Mrs. Hamashira has a friend whose got two granddaughters that are in desperate need of husbands," he told Kagome as they walked to the back of the house and watched the shirtless Kawase brothers slaving away in the garden. "I think she'll be aiming for Ginta, though. Ginta is the more responsible of the two and honestly, he'd be more open to a committed relationship. Hakkaku has a few more years to go before he's anywhere near ready to be with just one woman." He sighed and pulled Kagome against him. "He's alot like I was a year ago. It'd be great if he and Ginta found a woman like you."
The girl in his arms scribbled something quickly then showed him. Kouga smiled down at her and read it. His smile froze, however, when he read it. His confused blue gaze jumped to her face. "Kagome? What's this? You think Ginta's hot and you want to-- do what to him?" He snatched the notepad from her hand and shook it. "And what's this about Hakkaku's ass--?!" he yelped, his eyes bulging in his head.
But Kagome only grinned and stuck her tongue out at him before running away. Kouga laughed suddenly. "Oi! Come back here, you! Where do you think you're going?" He chased after her.
She darted outside and dashed towards Ginta, who caught her as she nearly tripped on her own feet. "Hey, careful! Don't want ya to get hurt. Kouga'd have a fit." He put his hands on her slim waist to steady her.
"Keep your hands off of her!" Kouga yelled running up to them.
Ginta's head came up. "Huh? Cool it, Kouga. She just tripped, that's all, and I caught her." He let her go, but felt Kagome's arms slip around his naked waist and she moved behind him, allowing her hand to run up and down his sweat-covered, chiseled abs as she peered around him at Kouga, who was watching them with narrowed blue eyes.
"Um, Kagome-neesan? What are you doing?" His voice shook slightly as he tried not to laugh at the situation and even though he would never admit it, (at least to Kouga) the sensation of having her soft, small hands on his skin felt really good. In that moment, Ginta forced himself to admit that he was jealous of Kouga and the relationship he had with Kagome. He hoped that one day, he'd be as happy and contented as Kouga was. But at this very moment, he couldn't help having dirty thoughts concerning his friend's woman.
"She's tormenting me," Kouga chuckled. "Come here, short stuff, and I promise not to punish you too severely."
The young woman shook her head stubbornly, but then set her sights on Hakkaku, who was jamming out to the music on his mp3 player.
Kouga's lips curled into a wolfish grin. "Oh, no you don't, babe. Don't you dare--"
But Kagome darted off in Hakkaku's direction and Kouga took off after her. As she raced past Hakkaku, she grabbed his butt and took off, leaving a very startled Hakkaku behind. (um, no pun intended here, dear readers)
Kouga followed Kagome through the grove of trees and out the other end of the path, where he caught her and tickled her senseless. When the tears streamed down her face, Kouga stopped and sat down on the ground, pulling her onto his lap. They sat quietly for a moment, chests heaving in unison.
"You're a troublesome little minx," he muttered after awhile, bowing his head and giving the side of her neck a gentle nip. "I ought to turn you over on my knee and spank you for putting me through that." He tightened his embrace when she laughed at him. "Don't you ever touch another man like that again, Kagome."
He took her hands in his, folding them in his much larger ones and said, "I know you did it in fun, sweetie, and that's fine. But when you ran these down Ginta's stomach, the look in his eyes told me that he liked what you were doing to him. There was definitely a spark of attraction there."
Startled, Kagome turned concerned eyes to Kouga, who gave her a gentle smile. "You can't help being attractive to men, and I understand that. I just don't want to have to go around beating guys up who take any physical contact from you the wrong way." He moved forward to kiss her tenderly. "I'm a really jealous guy, Kagome. You know this. It took all my willpower not to murder Yuki on the spot when you agreed to marry him. I wanted to rip his body apart with my bare hands and leave him out for the vultures to snack on."
She shuddered and releasing her hands, Kouga wrapped his arms around her. "Oh, that reminds me. You need something to wear for the party, right?"
She nodded and Kouga put his hands beneath her bottom, pushing her to her feet. When he got up, he took her by the hand and led her back to the house. Ginta and Hakkaku were still working in the garden, but Kagome saw that when she came near, both of them turned to look at her and smiled at her. Their smiles, like their gazes, were more direct and she got the distinct impression that they were looking at her in a new light. At her side, Kagome could feel Kouga tense up.
Kagome stopped and bowed to the brothers, and looked as apologetic as possible. The brothers appeared to be a bit disappointed, but they only grinned and said it was okay, that they knew she was only playing around.
Behind her, Kagome sensed that Kouga had relaxed and she sighed inwardly. A tense situation had just been diffused. Bestowing a brilliant smile on Kouga, she held out her hand and allowed him to lead her away to the house.
"Now then," Kouga said finally as they reached the second story landing. "I have just the dress for you. Wait in my bedroom, if you please."
She did and a few minutes later, he returned with the most beautiful kimono she had ever seen. The silk was alive with deep, peaceful blues and greens. White and gold koi appeared to be swimming here and there among multi-colored water lilies. The obi was purple, blending delightfully with the blue and green of the dress.
Kagome's eyes filled with tears as she stroked the cool material. Even if she could speak, she wouldn't have known what to say.
"It would really please me if you would agree to wear this," he told her seriously. "Will you wear it for me, Kagome?"
She was so taken by the dress, she could not help but agree to his request.
ooo
Three hours later, Kagome stood before Kouga's floor length mirror, staring at her reflection. The kimono, she thought with some surprise, looked rather nice on her. She turned this way and that, studying how it looked on her from different angles and as she studied it, there was something about it that struck her as odd. But what was it?
A knock came on the bedroom door and Kouga came in. "Kagome? Are you finished dressing? Oh, wow." He came over to her and looked her up and down. "You... look amazing." His head dipped down and he kissed the side of her neck. "You smell amazing, too. I hope I'll be able to keep my dirty mitts off of you, babe," he joked, biting her earlobe.
Lifting her hands to his chest, she pushed him away playfully while he grinned. A second later, his brows shot up. "Oh yeah! I came in here for a reason," he said, digging around in his front trouser pocket. He pulled out a rather old, yellowed box and handed it to her. "Open it. I want you to wear that too, if you don't mind."
Kagome frowned curiously and opened it. Inside was a large antiquish-looking ring with a brilliant ruby set in what looked like a nest of strangely shaped... feathers? No, that wasn't it. The way the metal was carved, it looked almost like hands cupping the red gem, but she couldn't be sure. The ring had to be over century old, anyway. Perhaps the metal had worn down or something.
"I thought it would look great with your dress." He removed it gently from the box and slid it onto the ring finger of her left hand. "Kagome? I would be honored if you'd keep this ring."
Kagome shook her head and tried to hand the ring back, but Kouga shook his head. "No, Kagome. I want you to have it. It suits you and... and I can't think of anyone who'd I rather give it to than you. So, will you? Keep it, I mean?" When she nodded reluctantly, Kouga looked relieved. "I'm so glad! Well, it's just about time to leave. Are you ready?"
oooooooooo
The moment Kagome entered her hostess' garden, she felt a little uneasy. It hadn't taken long for her to notice that the only women who were wearing kimonos were the older women. Not one unmarried female here was wearing a kimono. So why had Kouga insisted that she wear one?
Kagome glanced up at her handsome escort, who was leading her to an elderly, stately-looking couple who were greeting guests.
"Kouga!" cried the elderly lady when they approached. She was wearing an elegant purple kimono with black and gold edging. "I'm so glad you could come, my dear boy! I see you've dragged your friends along," she said with a conspiratorial wink before turning to look at Kagome. Her wrinkled hands went dramatically up to her chest and she gasped. "And you," she breathed, "are simply stunning." She took Kagome by the hands and looked her up and down. "What a lovely kimono, my dear. Very charming. It looks rather familiar somehow. Oh well, never mind. I just adore how it looks on you."
Then her eyes traveled to Kagome's left hand and saw the ring on the younger woman's finger. "Oh, my, what's this?" She lifted the beringed hand to get a better look and when she had done so, her eyes widened.
Kagome was puzzled by the look on her hostess' face. Her gaze shot to Kouga's face, but to her consternation, while he showed no emotion whatsoever, he kept his eyes averted as his hands fidgeted nervously. Kagome didn't like his behavior. It wasn't like him to act like this.
In the background, Kagome heard the giggling of young women. With a slight frown creasing her brow, Kagome looked in the direction Kouga's gaze. Hakkaku and Ginta were talking rather animatedly with three very attractive young women.
Mrs. Hamashira tugged at Kouga's arm, pulling him down to her and she whispered in his ear for nearly a full minute. He nodded solemnly and set off in his friends' direction. Kagome was stunned, wanting to call out to him but saddened and frustrated that she wasn't able to.
"What a lovely ring, my dear. No doubt it's extremely valuable. I should keep it safe, if I were you." Mrs. Hamashira smiled gently at her and patted her hand. "Come, Kagome, let me introduce you to my friends."
Each of the elderly and middle-aged ladies she met stared hard at her borrowed ring and kimono, communicating in excited whispers behind their hands or fans. But Kagome did not understand what was going on. After nearly an hour of feeling like a flamingo amidst a group of penguins, Kagome was seriously contemplating ditching the party and just walking back to Kouga's house. Speaking of him, he was laughing and talking with the same young ladies Ginta and Hakkaku were still speaking with. What was worse, not once had he looked over in her direction, even though she was desperately trying to send him mental messages to come be with her. Nothing worked and it left Kagome feeling incredibly alone, even being in the midst of the group of the elderly women.
Even stranger, she realized that none of the unmarried males present came over to speak to her. She could see that some of them were casting longing glances her way, but they did not budge.
That settled it. Kagome bided her time until the old women were no longer paying attention to her, then she slipped away from the party and headed for the woods on the outskirts of the Hamashiras' property. Once there, she picked up her skirts and began walking briskly away as the tears fell from her eyes. Kouga hadn't even noticed she'd gone; if he had, he'd have gotten to her by now.
But he was busy entertaining those beautiful girls, along with Ginta and Hakkaku.
Kagome heaved a shaky sigh as she wiped the tears away with the back of her free hand. Of course he'd flirt with them. She'd seen them. They were all beautiful girls, slim and elegant. So unlike her...
Thankfully, Kouga's house was not far from the Hamashiras' house and she reached it quickly. She went around to the back and went in through the back door which Kouga kept unlocked. After going upstairs, she changed and laid the kimono out on Kouga's bed, while checking to make sure she hadn't damaged it in any way.
Next, she slipped the ring from her finger and replaced it in its box. Just why he'd asked her to keep it, she had no idea, but there was no question of her doing so. As Mrs. Hamashira had said, it was obviously a very valuable ring, but she had no right to keep it. Besides, Kouga would probably want to give it to his future wife one day. He shouldn't have made the mistake of thoughtlessly giving it to a woman who'd continually hurt him.
That last thought filled her with despair and she began to weep. Kouga deserved so much better than her, and for her to get jealous over him flirting with other women was just ridiculous. If he felt the need to look elsewhere for a suitable companion, she should let him and stop acting so stupid. After all she'd put him through, it was the least she could do.
When she had completely composed herself, Kagome went outside and headed straight for the grove of trees. When she came out the other side, she knelt down on the ground and stared out over the majesty below. The view was magnificent, she thought, trying to clear her mind. She desperately needed to meditate and she wished to kami that Miroku was here with her. Or better yet, she wished that the two of them could return to Mount Koya and that temple where they prayed and meditated for three days. She wanted to eat dinner with the head monk and talk of everything and nothing as they had done before.
With a small smile, Kagome closed her eyes and took several deep breaths. It did not take long for her mind to go blank, as her soul embraced the thrumming of nature around her.
She was so caught up in her simple, peaceful thoughts that she did not even realize when the sun had set.
ooo
Kouga wanted to rip his hair out. Damn, wouldn't these silly little girls ever to shut up? Didn't their jaws hurt from yapping so much? Sheesh...
He allowed his eyes to wander for the first time in over an hour. He wondered how Kagome was holding up against those annoying, gossiping old women. He wished he'd been able to stay with her, but Mrs. H didn't trust Ginta and Hakkaku to be around her granddaughters.
"Get over there and keep a very close eye on those hoodlum friends of yours, Kouga. If something happens to any of my granddaughters, I'll steal Kagome away from you and marry her off to Takeda. Got it? He's actively looking for a wife, I'll have you know," she hissed in his ear.
What was worse, he knew that she was perfectly capable of carrying out that little threat she made, just as Kouga knew there was no way he'd let her marry Kagome off to her grandson. That really chafed his ass since Mrs. Hamashira's eldest grandson was a lot like Sesshoumaru. The blasted man had wealth, brains, and looks. At that moment, Takeda was standing at the edge of the veranda and talking to a couple of well-dressed stiffs. They were all sipping champagne and apparently deep in some serious conversation.
After sending the irritatingly perfect grandson a dirty look, Kouga glanced around, taking in every female who was wearing a kimono. There were several women wearing brightly colored kimonos, but none of them were clad in a blue and green one with a purple obi.
"What's wrong, Kouga?" Ginta asked, also looking weary of the constant female chatter. The girls had excused themselves and went to get something to drink, leaving the three of them breathing sighs of relief.
"I'm not sure, but I can't see Kagome anywhere."
"Maybe she went into the house," offered Hakkaku, lighting up. "It's gotta be hot in that thing you made her wear."
"Yeah, you're probably right." Kouga took a cigarette that Hakkaku thoughtfully handed to him and lit it. "And it's called a kimono, Hakkaku. Not a thing."
Ginta shot his little brother a worried look, before staring over at Kouga again. "You haven't smoked in months, Kouga. What's goin' on?"
Shrugging, Kouga took a drag. "I'm afraid of Mrs. H. Do you know that she threatened to marry Kagome off to that... that... pompous prick Takeda if you guys so much as touch those girls?" His gaze shifted to the Kawase brothers. "So if either of you lay a finger on them, and I'll make you regret being straight. I'm not losing my woman to that," he muttered, pointing the hand that held his cigarette in Takeda's direction. "So don't fuck up."
Hakkaku grimaced. "Hey, c'mon, Kouga. Haven't you been keeping an eye on us for the last hour? Didn't you notice us getting tired of them? Shit, they never shut the fuck up."
"Oi, show a little respect, Hakkaku. They may annoy the crap out of us, but they are Mrs. H's grandkids."
Ginta spoke up. "Oh please, Kouga. The only woman we've ever truly respected is Kagome-neesan. Those chicks have been trying their damnedest to get into our pants since we got here, and that tells me that it's not us that old lady Hamashira should be worried about. I'd be willing to be my share of the Kaze that not one of them is still a virgin."
"Yeah. They look pretty skanky to me, too," added Hakkaku with a smirk. "Damn, some girls are so easy. But Kagome-neesan's like, hot, but without being a ho. It's a nice change, ya know? I could totally see myself being with a chick like her. Just wish there were more girls out there like that."
Kouga couldn't hold back a proud smile. His girl was super-special and it touched him that his boys knew she was too. "I really hope you guys find a girl like Kagome. She's just so... freakin' amazing."
"When are you gonna ask her to marry you again?" Ginta asked, tipping back his champagne glass.
"What's the rush?" Kouga eyed him, feeling suddenly suspicious.
Ginta shrugged nonchalantly, but Hakkaku said, "Cuz if you don't want her, Ginta or I'll be more than happy to--"
"Like fuck you will," hissed the blue-eyed man viciously.
At that point, the Hamashira girls returned, causing the three men to emit a round of muffled curses.
ooo
It wasn't until the sun began to go down and the party begin to disperse that Kouga noticed that Kagome still hadn't reappeared from the house; if she'd gone in at all. He was heading toward the house with the brothers right on his heels when Lady Hamashira called to him.
"Kouga! Honey, have you seen that lovely young lady of yours?" she asked, taking his arm. "I haven't seen her in a few hours."
The second those words fell from her mouth, Kouga felt his head grow heavy; his vision became tunneled. Through muted ears that felt as though they had been jammed with cotton, he could just hear her ask him if he was okay.
Kagome was gone? Where did she go? When had she left? Was she okay? Oh god, why hadn't he remained by her side? And why in the hell had he let one old woman tell him what to do?
Wrenching his arm away from her, he would have run off if Ginta had not grabbed his arm. "What?!" he yelled, desperately trying to keep from roaring in frustration.
Ginta sighed and dipped his hand down his front trouser pocket. He pulled out his phone and flipped it open. "Don't lose your head, baka," he said, quickly dialing a number.
"Who are you calling?" Kouga asked feeling his eyes grow hot, but like hell he was going to start bawling in front of Lady Hamashira.
His friend smiled back at him. "Hey, Miroku. Yeah, you too. Listen, I need to ask you something."
On his end, Miroku agreed. "Sure, Ginta, what's up?"
"The four of us went to a party this afternoon, but unfortunately, none of us kept an eye on Kagome-neesan. Do you know where she might be?"
Miroku took a deep breath. "Oh, so that's why she was upset earlier. Okay, give me a moment, please."
While Ginta waited, Kouga grabbed his arm. "Well? Where is she? Is she okay?"
Shaking his head, Ginta shrugged and put a finger to his lips when Miroku finally spoke. The monk's voice sounded slow and hazy, as though he were in a trance.
"I see trees, a path, and... a valley beyond the trees. It's the place where she's run to before. Right now, she's at peace... meditating. She's... inviting me to join her," said the monk drowsily.
"Okay, go ahead. Thanks Miroku." Ginta shut his phone and smiled. "Kagome's back at the house. She's meditating at your little look-out point," he said as he turned to bow to Mrs. Hamashira. "It was a nice party, ma'am. Thank you for inviting us." He waited as Kouga managed to offer his thanks before he and Hakkaku hauled him away.
Once they got home, Kouga ran to see if Kagome was really where Miroku said she would be. Sure enough, he found her sitting cross-legged on the ground, her back to him. He wanted to run to her and hold her in his arms, but he didn't dare. Ginta had told him that Miroku said she had been upset earlier and Kouga knew then that leaving her alone with those gossiping old women had been a mistake. He wondered just what old Lady Hamashira had told her.
After watching her for several long moments with a yearning in his heart for her like he'd never felt before, he turned and walked away. He'd just have to wait until she was finished to talk to Kagome and see just what she'd found out from the Hamashira creature.
He went inside and lay down on the longest sofa in his living room and gazed up at the ceiling. His boys said they would leave him and Kagome in peace, so they took off back to the city to see how Inuyasha and their club was doing. Now that the house was empty and dark, Kouga waited for her to return.
ooo
A loud clap of thunder woke him suddenly and he shot up off the couch, his heart racing. He grabbed his cellphone which lay on the coffee table and flipped it open. It told him it was 12:17 am.
Cursing at himself, he got up and went to the back door. It was locked. That must mean she's in the house, then.
Dashing upstairs, he immediately went to his bedroom to see if she was there. He made his way to the bedside table and turned on the lamp. His bed was empty, but he started when he found the kimono carefully laid out on the comforter.
It hurt him to see the garment returned to him, for he wanted nothing more than for her to have kept it, too, like the ring...
The ring!
Hope soared in him when he didn't see the ring anywhere, but he soon found the box that it had rested in for so many years. He opened it...
The ring was nestled against the faded velvet, just as it had for nearly three decades.
His hands shook as they lay the open box down on the little table. So this was her answer then? No... no, no, he wouldn't accept this answer from her. There was only one woman for him, only one woman who'd brightened his world. There was only woman who had forgiven him of everything bad that he had ever done when he couldn't even forgive himself.
He tensed when he heard a sound coming from down the hallway and he turned off the table lamp quickly. The room was plunged into almost complete darkness and Kouga, the former assassin, melted effortlessly into the shadows.
ooo
Down the hall, Kagome had finished packing her suitcase. After several intense hours of meditating and coming to grips with the fact Kouga deserved someone better than her, she was prepared to leave. Miroku, however, was not of the opinion that she should leave him.
'Kagome, that man adores you. You should know that by now,' he'd told her earlier. 'Stay with him.'
But she was adamant that she was not needed and pointed out that she'd hurt him so many times already. 'I married another man, Miroku. I don't think I could have hurt him any further than that. It wasn't right of me to string him along--'
'But you didn't string him along, Kagome. He stays by your side because he loves you and he wants to be with you.'
'It's still not right what I did to him. If I had truly loved him, then I never would have--'
'You married Yuki to save him from his ugly past as it caught up with him. Personally, I think that you could have just warned him, but--"
'No. It needed to happen that way. It has caused him unhappiness, because he has caused so much unhappiness in the past. I guess you could say that I was the instrument through which his karma has come to pass.'
Miroku was amused. 'So basically, you were his downfall. That's great, darling. Since you put it that way, I like it better knowing that you were the one karma chose to dole out his punishment.'
But Kagome wasn't amused; far from it. And as she silently let herself out of her room and headed down the hall as noiselessly as possible, she prayed that Kouga would forgive her for her callousness towards him.
She managed to descend the stairs without much noise and made her way to the front door, where she felt around for the deadbolts and slid them back. As she carefully opened the door, the foyer light came on, momentarily blinding her.
She felt a presence behind her and suddenly the door she'd just opened, was slammed shut.
"Where did you think you were going?"
Kagome jumped and swung around, her eyes blinking rapidly in the bright lights overhead. Kouga stood before her, naked to the waist, his bulging arms crossed over his muscular chest. The look on his face was less than pleased.
She shook her head weakly as he continued to stare hard down at her and she put a hand over her heart, as though that would stop her heart from beating so hard from fright. She hadn't even heard him come up behind her.
"That's what I thought," he growled. His hands reached out to grab her by the waist and hefted her up, tossing her onto his shoulder like she was a sack of flour. As he carried her upstairs, Kagome tried to squirm out of his grip, but his hold on her was just too powerful to break.
When he set her down on his bed, she tried to get up and run away, but he held her down. "You're not leaving, Kagome. Got it? But if you really want to go," he said, dropping to one knee in front of her and reaching under his pant leg to extract a large knife. He lay it across her lap and said, "You'll have to kill me first."
Kagome stared down at her lap in horror. The knife looked incredibly dangerous and she felt faint at the thought of stabbing anyone with it. She shook her head vehemently, her eyes going back up to his hard, emotionless face.
"All you have to do is stab me right here," he told her, taking her hand and placing it over his heart.
Tears streaked down her cheeks as she tried pulling her hand away from him, but he had picked up the knife and pressed it into her hand. "Here. I want you to do it."
A look of terror crossed her face. Her mouth opened and she silently screamed, 'NO!' at him, thrusting the knife back into his hands. But he only shook his head and patiently returned the knife to her.
"If you want to leave me, then you'll have to kill me, because there's no way that I'd let you walk out of my life as long there's breath left in my body." He watched as she covered her face with her hands and wept. "Don't cry, sweetheart," he said taking her by the shoulders. "You could never hurt me, you know. I was just trying to make a point."
Lifting her head, Kagome glared at him and slapped him across the face, the sound resounding around the room. The second she did so, she quickly pulled her hand back and clapped her hands over her mouth as she stared at him with horror in her eyes.
Kouga looked away for a moment, then took hold of the hand that struck him and gently kissed the palm, before leaning his face into her hand. "I deserved that, and more," he said quietly, his gaze shifting so that he stared deeply into her eyes. "Miroku said that you were upset earlier. I'm so sorry that you took it the wrong way. I mean, I know that you don't want to think about doing it again so soon and at the very least, I should have been the one to have told you myself."
Kagome looked confused. 'What?' she mouthed at him and shaking her head.
He frowned. "Didn't Mrs. H tell you? About the--" He stopped when he saw that Kagome still looked clueless. "Oh, I see. Well, what were you so upset about, darling?" He threaded his fingers through her hair lovingly.
She made a writing motion and Kouga retrieved her pen and notepad. She wrote quickly and then handed the paper to Kouga, who read it, eyebrows raised.
"Sweetheart," he breathed happily, blue eyes darting back to her face, "you thought I was flirting with those girls?" Love glowed in his face and he smiled brilliantly at her. "Kagome, you silly thing! You have nothing and no one to be jealous of. Okay? I love you and only you." He took her writing things and set them on the nightstand. "Do you remember seeing Mrs. H whispering to me?"
Kagome nodded and he went on, taking her hands in his, "She'd asked me to keep an eye on the guys. She knows their reputations and doesn't trust them one inch; thinks they're out to de-virginize every young woman they see. Those three girls were her granddaughters, by the way. She also told me that if they succeeded in touching her girls, she'd take you away from me and marry you off to her grandson, who was also there at the party." Kouga scowled and tightened his grip on her. "Mrs. H would've done it, too, so I had to go and play chaperone. So you see, I had to do what she said or I'd lose you. I couldn't bear it if that happened."
His eyes searched her face and he reached up to caress her cheek. "I want to tell you what I thought she'd told you, Kagome. You see, there were very simple reasons why I had you dress in this kimono and why I wanted you to wear the ring."
Reaching over, Kouga gently touched the kimono that lay near Kagome's thigh. "This kimono is very special to me, Kagome. It was my mother's favorite kimono. Mrs. H told me a long time ago that my father had had it made especially for her. It matched her eyes, you know." He smiled sadly at the fabric. "But the reason I wanted you to wear it was because it was a kimono that signifies a woman's marital status."
He turned his gaze to her. "You already know how jealous I get. I'm also incredibly insecure when it comes to you. It scares me to think that I could lose you, and that just eats me up inside. I wanted you to wear a married woman's kimono to keep other men away from you. If they thought you were already married, I wouldn't have to worry about you getting charmed away from me by some sneaky male."
Bowing her head, Kagome blushed prettily underneath his steady gaze. Kouga couldn't help but smile at her shyness. "Do you still want to leave, Kagome?" he asked her gently, tilting her chin up so she had to look at him.
Slowly, Kagome shook her head and pushed the knife on her lap towards him. He chuckled and picked up the knife. He was about to slip it back under his pant leg, but Kagome stopped him. Taking it from him, she got up and placed in the top drawer of the nightstand. As she straightened, her right hand picked up the little box that held the ruby ring inside and turning, handed it to Kouga.
Taking it from her, he waited until she had returned to her spot on the bed before speaking.
"This ring is a few centuries old," he began, his eyes roaming all over it. "Once, a middle-aged samurai fell in love with a young hime and after her parents gave their consent for him to marry their daughter, the samurai sought out a craftsman who specialized in metal work, to create a special ring for his betrothed. The young man agreed to the task, but asked to see the girl with his own eyes so he could get an idea of what kind of ring to make for her. The samurai took the craftsman to the hime's home and the moment the young man saw her, he fell instantly in love with her.
"When he returned to his house, the craftsman began to create this ring, for he had known instantly what the design would be and in his mind, he knew exactly what he wanted to do with the ring. And when it was finally complete, he took the ring to the hime himself and slipped it on her finger.
"The young lady took one look at it and knew just what message it carried. As it turned out, the very day he had come to her house to look at her, she had also seen him watching her. She had fallen in love with him and had begged her parents to tell the samurai that she did not want to be his wife, that she loved someone else. They had told her not to be foolish and she was so heartbroken, that she decided to commit suicide. However, the day the young craftsman had appeared and presented her with the ring was the day she had planned to end her life. But when she saw the look in his eyes as he put the ring on her finger, she knew that he was the man she would spend the rest of her life with. And she did, for they ran away that very night and lived out their lives together."
Smiling, Kouga held the ring up so Kagome could get a better look of it. "The ruby represented the young man's heart, "he said. His fingertip moving gently over the gem, then down to the silver metal that surrounded it. "And this is a pair of hands. More specifically, her hands."
Kouga lifted Kagome's left hand and slid it onto her ring finger. "His message to her was simple: 'My heart is in your hands'." He leaned forward to kiss her. "That was why I wanted you to keep it. That's why I wanted all those silly old hens at the party to see you wearing it and my mother's kimono. They all knew what significance this piece of jewelry held and the status that wearing such a kimono meant." He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her again, this time, deeply. "I wanted them all to know that I'd found the woman that I wanted to be my wife. That is, if she'll have me."
Through her tears, Kagome flung her arms around his neck and rained kisses all over his face before taking his lips with such force that it nearly knocked him over. He only laughed and launched his body upwards so that he toppled her backwards on the bed.
Covering her body with his own, Kouga grinned like an idiot above her. "Girl, I swear you know how to make a man sweat. I'm sorry I had to resort to caveman tactics back there, but damn it, I wasn't about to let you leave."
Also unable to keep from smiling like a love-stricken fool, Kagome slid her hands into his hair and pulled his head down to hers. 'Have I told you,' she mouthed up at him, 'that I loved you today?'
"No," he said, his expression growing soft.
'I love you.'
Kouga spent the rest of the night showing his beloved just how much he loved her, too.
oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
A few days later at the Morikawa mansion, where a party was being held in honor of Matsuno Kouga and his wife, Kagome. Kouga had taken Kagome to her grandfather's shrine that earlier that day, where he married her before Sesshoumaru, Inuyasha, Souta, the Kawase brothers, Miroku, Sango, Hiro and his girlfriend Connie, and Akira.
Sesshoumaru, although hurt knowing she was out of his reach for good, was happy for Kagome. Inuyasha, too, had taken it kind of hard, but as he embraced her tightly, declared that he would survive and that he was glad she'd married a good man who loved her.
Souta was ecstatic, for he'd always like Kouga. Kouga had always been like a big brother to him, even giving him tips on how to pick up girls... but then, so had Ginta and Hakkaku. When Sesshoumaru found out, he threatened Souta that under no circumstance should he listen to either Kawase brothers, for they were bad influences. That comment delighted Hakkaku and when they met for the dinner party, he even thanked Sesshoumaru for the compliment, leaving the businessman shaking his head in confusion.
Hiro and Akira brought greetings and well-wishes from Ryu and Rini, as well as Yuki, who had been taken to Atami by his parents in order to soak in the onsens there.
After the party ended, Kagome was informed by Sango that she had finally set a date for her marriage to Miroku, to which Kagome vowed to attend. Sango laughed and said she'd better, for she was going to be the maid of honor. Kagome replied via her notepad that she'd willingly do it, as long as she wasn't required to make a speech. 'Because then I would need one giant notepad, and I doubt one that big could be found.'
She hugged Sango and the rest of her family and friends and then left with her husband to her house, which was now theirs. He'd already moved his things from the house he'd shared with Ginta and Hakkaku, but he hadn't unpacked anything yet and nothing would be unpacked. At least, not this evening. He had other, more important things to do, he told his wife, pulling her by the hand up to their bedroom.
A couple of hours later, while Kagome was in throes of ecstasy beneath her husband, a loud "Oh, Kouga!" burst from her throat.
Kouga, in mid-thrust, was so startled that he jerked backwards so hard and wrenched a muscle in his back, causing him to yell, then fall off of his wife and then off the edge of the bed. Kagome immediately got up and switched on the lamp by her bed, crying out in horror.
"Kouga! Oh no, are you okay?!" She dropped to her knees beside him. "What do I do?"
The naked man on the floor groaned softly. "Call Akira," he said, gritting his teeth against the pain.
She did so, also managing to startle the doctor when she spoke to him. After she hung up the phone, she informed him that Akira was on his way.
Kouga's hand went in search of hers. "You spoke," he murmured softly against the carpet.
She laughed softly. "I did, didn't I?" she said wondrously.
"Yeah." He was silent for a minute then said, "I don't want to know how or why, I just know that I'm thankful that it's back. Kagome? Tell me."
Kagome smiled tenderly down at him. She bent down and whispered in his ear, "I love you, Kouga."
Kouga nearly cried at that. "I've been waiting for you to tell me that and to hear you say my name. Say it again."
She did. Over and over.
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Epilogue
Four years later...
"Sesshy! Sesshy!" cried a black-haired little girl, running to greet her uncle.
Sesshoumaru, who'd been waiting impatiently at the front door, rushed to her and scooped the tiny girl in his arms, tossing her high in the air. She squealed with laughter and when she came back down, she grabbed him around the neck, pressing a kiss on his cheek. "I missed you, Uncle Sesshy," she told him, laying her head on his shoulder.
"I missed you too, Rin," he replied, giving her little body a gentle squeeze. "Where's your mommy at?"
Rin pointed and Sesshoumaru's eyes followed the direction her tiny finger was pointing. He soon caught sight of his beloved, who was being helped out of the car by her attentive husband.
Quickly recovering from the slight stab of pain to his heart, Sesshoumaru managed a smile. "My, your mommy's tummy has gotten pretty big, huh?"
The little girl nodded solemnly. "My baby brother's in there. Daddy said so."
So, Kagome was going to give Kouga a son, he thought with a touch of bitterness. But that bitterness vanished as soon as Kagome looked up and waved cheerfully at him.
"I see. What else does your daddy say?"
Rin screwed up her adorable little face, her bright blue eyes turned up to contemplate the sky. "Um, that he can't wait 'til the baby comes so he can sleep naked with mommy agai--"
"Okay, that's great, baby," Sesshoumaru interjected abruptly and sighed. "I suppose you overheard him say that."
She nodded, an impish grin on her face that reminded Sesshoumaru of Kouga. "I sneak out of bed sometimes to play with our new litter of kittens and last night when I was playing with them I heard him say that to mommy. Do lots of grown-ups sleep naked, Uncle Sesshy? I don't think I could do that, though. I'd get cold."
Upon hearing those words come out of her mouth, Sesshoumaru erupted into a fit of coughing. Rin began helpfully pounding on his back just as Kagome and Kouga made it up to the front door.
"I suppose our little angel overheard me say something indiscreet again," Kouga muttered good-naturedly, holding his arms out for his daughter, who went to him happily.
The redness of Sesshoumaru's face told the whole story and Kagome sighed. "Sorry, Sesshoumaru. We'll speak in tongues next time." She winked at her stepbrother and hugged him. "Now, if you don't mind, I really need to pee."
ooo
Later that day, Sesshoumaru sat on the veranda, sipping on some tea and watched Inuyasha and Souta frolicking about the smooth lawns with Rin, who was chasing and being chased by her doting uncles.
"She's a beautiful child," Jaken murmured softly at his master's side.
Sesshoumaru nodded. "That she is, Jaken. Very beautiful."
"Just like her mother."
Another nod. "Exactly like her mother."
"Do you think you'll ever get married, Sesshoumaru-sama?"
Sesshoumaru's gaze shifted over to a stone bench that sat near the opening to his rose gardens. Kouga was straddled across the bench and Kagome sat in front of him, lying back against him. Kouga's head was pressed up against his wife's head and his arms were around her, gently rubbing her swollen belly and smiling tenderly.
The child was due any day now; they decided to leave their daughter in his care until after the birth of their second child. When the baby was born, Kagome would be moved to the mansion, where she could recover in peace.
His little Kagome. She was so grown up. She had given birth to a beautiful daughter and was about to give birth to a baby boy, who no doubt would be as charming as his sister. She had made Kouga the happiest man in the world... which meant that he was the unhappiest. Since Kagome's marriage, Sesshoumaru had had Jaken gather together the largest stockpile of green tea in Tokyo, for he now had to drink it every night just to be able to sleep.
"I don't believe so, Jaken," he replied at last, setting down his teacup. "I had thought once I would, but... I just can't bring myself to want to get married. Perhaps in some distant, parallel universe this story will have a happy ending where Kagome is all mine. But not in this story. In this story, she's the wife of another man and all I can hope for is her happiness."
Jaken, wiping away a solitary tear, nodded and together they watched as the sun began to set over the trees, with the happy sound of Rin's laughter filling the air.
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The End.