As her breathing slowed to an almost stop Kouga walked into the room with a heavy heart. He lifted her up so she was sitting in his lap with her head resting on his chest. He brushed her hair away from her face and smiled at her sleeping face. He did not want to lose her, in fact he felt like a part of him was dying just by feeling her breathing slow.
He rocked her slightly and vowed to be with her until the end. He looked over then to the window and saw the flower sitting there. A white rose with red tipped petals and he smiled as he felt tears rise in his eyes. He shook his head then and looked at her desk. He saw a folded piece of paper there with his name on it.
He laid her down softly before reaching over and lifting the letter and opening it quickly. He stared at the writing and felt his hands shake, Kagome's writing once beautiful had turned shaky and messy. He read it though, and as he read, tears streamed down his face and he tried not to wail to the skies. It was as if he could her voice in every word.
Kouga, I am using the last of my strength to write this to you. I want you to know that I started this competition with the intent to fail. I did not want to end up changing my path or even differing from it. Now I know that this was my path, it was my change that needed to happen. You made me think differently. You made me think about running through the woods and living a life different than I was used to.
I know it is silly, but Kouga I could see my life with you. I could see you crowned as king and I your queen. I could see us standing on cliffs overlooking the land that we shared. It was what I wanted more than anything. When I was young I just wanted to be accepted, and when I found that at my makeshift home I thought I was happy. Now I know what true happiness is, you gave it to me.
Please do not think of this as an end Kouga. I will pass on yes that is the reality. But the other reality is that you should not wait for me, find a bride and become king. Treat her with the same love you showed me. Treat her like she was your dream bride. Because all I want now is for your happiness. Remember when you told me you liked me and did not know if you loved me yet?
I know my answer now. At that time I did not even know what to say. Now I do. My answer is I do not just like you my prince, I love you. I love you more than I realized and I realized this because my only thought as I die, is how I'm leaving you here alone to be sad. Please try to not be sad my love, just remember our happy moments, and keep me alive in your heart.
Kouga folded the piece of paper and put it over his heart as he cried harder than he had all night. She loved him, she really loved him, and now he knew he loved her. He could not let her die, not after that note. Not after everything they had done together. The door opened then and Naraku stood there, looking frazzled holding a steaming cup.
He looked at Kouga, shook his head and picked up Kagome. He lifted her head and started to pour the concoction down her throat. Once the cup was empty, Naraku laid her back down and looked at Kouga.
"She should live now. We found a side effect of the tea though." Naraku said while making eye contact with Kouga.
"The side effect is she might lose all her memories. She won't remember the contest, the torture, her time as a child, her parents, her friends, or even you." Naraku said as he looked down at the woman who enchanted all those she met.
"So what, she'll be better soon but she won't be able to marry me?" Kouga asked bitterly. Naraku shook his head as he looked at the flower near the window.
"She will still marry you. Those who have drunk the tea said they remembered their loved ones for a full day. It was when they slept again that their memories were stripped from them. They recover eventually but, it takes a while. So she will marry you, she just won't be Kagome for a while afterwards." Naraku stood then and started to leave.
"I suggest you leave, she needs to get ready for the wedding." Naraku said as he left. Kouga was getting ready to stand when he leaned down and kissed Kagome's forehead and was pleased to find her fever had broken.
Then he left, and the doctors walked in to take care of her until she awoke. Kouga left to go prepare for his wedding.
Yoshiko elsewhere through her teacup at the wall shattering it as she screamed in frustration, She did not expect the girl to live, let alone be able to continue with the marriage. However everyone believed the tea had saved Kagome, but Kaede knew differently as she stared at the rising sun.
That sickness would have killed a mere human yes, but it would not kill Kagome. She knew making everyone believe that Kagome was just a mere human would pay off. Now she would be able to have Kagome come back to her senses, but it would take time. After all, it was all too easy to switch that special flower out with a flower from this garden.
Kagome cracked her eyes open slowly to see the sunlight pooling all around her. She opened her eyes wider as she felt around and still found herself in the sheets. She stood up suddenly there and looked around wildly. She was still in her room, she was still here, and she was alive. She was alive! She jumped out of bed then and threw the rice paper door opened to find Ayame walking in with a wedding kimono.
She was going to be able to marry her prince; she was going to be able to be happy! Ayame walked into the room and laid the kimono out before Kagome tackled her in a hug.
Ayame started to cry as she realized that her princess was going to be ok. Kagome just held her tighter as the tears flowed out. Then after the crying spurts, Kaede helped Kagome go to the bath house.
Kagome scrubbed herself clean using lavender soaps and shampoos. She found dried blood all over her arms then but shook it off as she scrubbed it away. When she was a bright shade of red she walked out and had Ayame start right away on her hair.
The beauty regiment felt like it was lasting hours so Kagome snacked on sweets as her face was powdered and her hair was tugged at. When the sun was at the middle of the sky Ayame stepped back and admired her work.
Kagome would definitely the prettiest bride. Her hair was done up in a curled updo with emeralds poking in and out of it. Her eyes were defined and beautiful and her lips sported a red gloss. The dress however took the cake. It was a layered kimono that was made from deer skin. It was the softest material and it looked like a ball gown. She had a soft shawl that wrapped around her shoulders to conserve warm as the ceremony would last hours.
As Ayame slid the door opened Kagome made eye contact with Naraku's bride. She had a black and red kimono out that looked like a ball gown fluffed out and dragging the ground. She had red lips and her eye makeup with dark and magnificent. She looked like a queen.
Kagome followed Ayame as she had a head dress placed on her head that covered her eyes with beads of all the kingdoms. Then they walked toward the meeting house.
The door opened to reveal ceremonial furs on the ground for each couple for the vows. Mats were set around to watch the ceremony. The princes already in their ceremonial clothing with beads covering their eyes alike with the girls, when the girls all stood in a line the boys offered their hands and the girls walked down to take their hands and join them.
When Kagome saw Kouga though, everything was drowned out as she took his head and sat in front of him as the ceremony started.
They cut their palms and had to drip it into a glass of wine to share. They said vows in the language of each corner of their country. Kagome was nervous when she had to copy the language Kouga had executed perfectly but as she spoke the words in a growl, it came naturally to her.
Then came the moment that scared Kagome more than anything, the bead headdresses were lifted off by the servants and the princes leaned forward brushing the girls hair away from the left side of their neck. Kagome bit the inside of her cheek as she felt Kouga's sharp fangs pierce her skin.
She wanted to scream and cry as she felt him connect his soul to her own. When he released her shoulder it healed almost automatically and a feather remained in its place. Then the boys leaned back and flicked their hair away from their left shoulder.
The girls got to their knees and leaned forward. They were all human right, but they had to draw blood like their soon to be husbands.
As Kagome leaned forward however she felt something clicked her brain and she opened her mouth and bit down. Her teeth elongated into pointed fangs and she knew Kouga noticed because he tensed slightly at the new found pain.
Once it was over Kagome pulled back and wiped her mouth as the wound healed on Kouga's neck and a feather appeared. His eyes were full of questions as the beads were placed back on their heads and the leader of the ceremony told them to stare into each other's eyes and try to open the link between their souls.
Kagome felt Kouga open up to her. She felt his joy for this moment, she felt his love for her, and she felt the confusion he felt over that encounter. Kagome tried to open up to him but something was stopped her. His hand found hers and she looked down at their conjoined hands for a moment before staring into his eyes and finding the strength to open herself to him.
All Kagome had felt were feelings but it was obvious that Kouga had gotten more than feelings; he saw things in her life that even she did not remember. When a gong was sounded they released hands and broke the connection. Kouga however had more than enough questions at this point and he was ready to ask every last one of them.