Chapter Eight: The Forgiven
Kagome paced herself when she saw the waterfall that concealed the entrance to Kouga's den. Stopping by the river, she rested her hands on her knees, breathing hard. "Kouga! Kouga," she called out, cupping her hands around her mouth. There was no response. Kagome began to climb the rocks up to the den entrance when she felt a hand grasp her shoulder and pull her backwards. "Eek!"
Kagome fell back into someone who wrapped his arms around her. "Kagome. Why did you come back? I thought I would never see you again." It was Kouga, and he rested his head on Kagome's shoulder and breathing hard as if he had ran as much as Kagome had that night.
"I'm sorry Kouga," Kagome apologized without turning around to face Kouga. "I think I made a mistake. Can…can you forgive me?"
Kouga tightened his grip around Kagome's body, almost making her groan. "Yes Kagome! Yes of course! I forgive you!" He then let go of her. "Can you forgive me?"
Kagome turned around to face Kouga, and she smiled. With a little nod, she embraced Kouga. The two stayed like that for some time. It wasn't until the fourth minute that Kagome had realized Kouga was still crying. Judging by his weak, weary exterior, Kagome thought that he had been crying ever since she ran away from him. Did Kouga really love her? She had to know. She already knew he said those things that told her that he truly did love her, but Kagome did not want to take those chances. She looked up at Kouga, and in a pleading voice, she asked, "Will you ask me that question again? I mean the one you asked me when I pushed you away back in your room."
A little, but barely noticeable, smile formed on Kouga's sorry face. He leaned in towards Kagome –closer, closer… "Kagome. Will you kiss me?"
Without a word, Kagome closed her eyes and felt Kouga near even closer. Finally, his lips brushed against her own. She let Kouga take over as he deepened the kiss. Tapping the wolf demon's cheek, she pulled away. "Uh…but don't get any ideas."
"Ideas? Like what?" But Kouga smiled and answered his own question. "Oh. I know. Don't worry."
Kagome thought that the teary eyed Kouga looked cute and innocent instead or arrogant and cocky. As if reading his eyes that were begging for more, she kissed him again.
Kouga was enjoying this. He was enjoying this a lot. He hated the fact that he had cried in front of Kagome. He thought that he must have looked so stupid. Well, he had to admit that Kagome certainly did change him. For the better or for the worse? He didn't know. But he would probably soon find out.
…
Kagome opened her eyes lazily. Trying to stretch, she processed the events of yesterday in her mind. Lets see: it is now day two. Kagome didn't want to get up yet, so she turned over on her other side. She nearly screamed when she found herself pressed up against Kouga's bare chest. She looked over the sleeping wolf demon. Not only were his chest bare, but from what Kagome could see, he was completely naked! Maybe…Kagome swallowed and lifted the fur pelts. "Oh thank god!" Kouga was wearing underwear…or whatever you call it.
Kouga moaned and he opened his eyes slowly. "Kagome?"
Kagome checked herself over. She still had all of her clothes on. She sighed the classic sigh of relief. But just to double check: "Kouga, we didn't do anything last night did we," Kagome asked almost nervously.
Kouga yawned a wolfish yawn, tongue hanging out and everything, and looked Kagome up and down. "What do you mean?"
Kagome played with her skirt nervously. "You know."
Kouga sat there for a moment and then smiled. "No. Do you want me to?"
Kagome blushed and backed away. "I'm fine, thanks."
Kouga grinned a toothy grin. "Whatever."
"Why are you not wearing any clothes anyway? Besides your undies, that is," Kagome giggled, pointing at the pathetically wrapped cloth.
Kouga just continued to smile and flexed. "So you could adore these muscles."
Kagome giggled again. "I've seen more muscle before."
"I doubt it." Kouga continued to flex.
"Okay. But what's the real reason?" Kagome tried to control her self and was successful.
"Because."
"Because why?"
"I dunno. I'm just showing you my trust I guess," Kouga shrugged.
"Yeah?" Kagome's smile softened.
Kouga's smile also softened. He was with his Kagome now, and he couldn't be happier. "Yeah." Kagome had changed him. And it was for the better. He was sure of it. Kouga couldn't help but hug Kagome. He rested his head on her lap and let her stroke his hair. Kouga sure did look silly in just his underwear though.
A/N – What a crap fest. My chapters are beginning to go nowhere and they suck. I think I just lost my touch. Crap. Crap. Crap. I'll actually try to come up with something before I type this time. Usually I just go along with what I come up with quickly. It worked for a while. Well, I guess we'll just have to wait and see where I'm going with this junk.
Again, thank you all very much for the comments! You are all too kind!