Didn't expect this did you! Well one thing you should know about me is I am absolutely full surprises! Though not always the good kind, but that's another story. For now I bring you updates a plenty so enjoy before my fingers fall off. Because lately as much as I have been typing that is a very powerful possibility!
So onward to the update, and let the loving reviews flow. (Hint Hint)
Note For Review's :
Bertabee - Hey she has to get her point across one way or another lol
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Kouga's Older Woman - Don't we all!
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Chapter Eleven
Develop
The only possibly stronger hold than the grip of sleep was the almost painful call of nature. Capable of pulling even the most stubborn and physically exhausted back to the plain of reality no matter how unwilling.
Kagome bleary eyed and groggily clawed her way out of the messed pile of sheets and furs she had unintentionally tangled herself into. All the while numb to the conscious idea she had fallen asleep last night in a strange bed.
She was so drained and blinded by the need to relieve her all but crying bladder she didn't even notice she was currently absent her pants. Walking across the cold marble floor barefoot and draped in the messed t-shirt she had fallen asleep in.
By some miracle she actually had enough sense to navigate herself to the closet bathroom stepping into the large stone colored room all the while groping the nearest wall for a light switch.
Eventually her finger felt the dulled knob and she flicked it upwards instantly the actual stone plated floor and matching wall texture illuminating with the sharp light above.
Uncomfortably Kagome squinted from the harsh glare. It was obvious from the still dark hue from every corner of the distant bedroom it was the before dawn hours. A time no creature should be forced to abandon sleep for the brutality of consciences.
She yawned tiredly as she walked deeper into the lavatory strolling past a wide framed mirror as she did so, the spotless glass reflecting her disheveled state perfectly and inescapable.
Kagome glanced at the stranger in the mirror uncaring. Her hair was a tangled mess, her eyes hazy with clear lack of proper rest and her absence of clothing beyond apparent. But the most defining characteristic of all was the ridiculously round and uncommonly huge stomach attached to her otherwise fatless frame.
The absent minded priestess shrugged her shoulders as she strolled by the obviously disproportioned glass her head falling down with the deep desire to return to the sleep she had been ripped out of.
And it wasn't until her still groggy eyes set sight on the enormous mound protruding from just under her breast did the reality of the situation come crashing down.
One blink, two blink, and then the absolute clarity returned.
Silent as the grave and eyes now as large as saucers Kagome looked back to what she thought was some sort of trick mirror.
One look told her it wasn't.
Instinctually and with a look of absolute shock written across her face she reached for the hem of her shirt pulling the fabric up slowly and with obviously trembling hands.
The mirror didn't lie, her stomach. The stomach she had just hours ago fallen asleep with had expanded to about twenty times it normal size and…softly as it was…she could feel…something was moving inside her.
Kagome pupils shrunk to the size of peas and her mouth practically hit the floor.
The cool air in the living room was surprisingly soothing, any other time the currently slumber subdued wolf demon would have missed the comfortable warmth of his bed. But, being hot natured had its perks, even if he was currently laying sprawled out on the thick sunken cushions of his couch.
Kouga was sure he could have slept tolerable for another few hours seeing as he had only just closed his eyes to sleep in the early morning hours.
But once an absolutely ear piecing scream rang out all thoughts of rest singed away.
Kouga bolted upright wide eyed and panicked the still echoing screech ringing in his pointed ears, it took a fraction of a second to register where such a blood curdling cry had come from and once it did his feet hit the floor and he was sprinting in the direction of his bedroom.
He burst through the bedchamber doors so fiercely he was sure he cracked the thick oak on impact as his frantic eyes scanned the empty room for signs of the life.
Automatically his attention focused on the small beam of light emerging from the attached bathroom he was springing towards the barely sealed door in an instant.
"What is it!? What's wrong!?" Kouga shouted barging through his widen orbs fixing on the lone figure standing in the center of the room.
Her back turned to his panting figure but her head adjusted to glare petrified over her shoulder.
Wordlessly and deathly slowly Kagome turned to face the heavily breathing wolf demon her hands still gripped onto her still retracted t-shirt exposing her drastically swollen stomach.
Instantly the exact same look of disbelief and shock that occupied Kagome's flushed face radiated over his own with mirror like clarity.
"Oh." He breathed.
The dim lighting of the confined motel room buzzed and shifted with the clicking colors of the tube like television. The remote being relentlessly abused by a laying figure sprawled on the one of two floral pattern bedspreads.
One beady charcoal colored eye blinked and squinted in the attached wall mirror making various expressions in the fogged glass.
"I guess it was just wishful thinking that she wouldn't notice." Ginta mumbled to himself glaring at his mismatched orbs. One his natural blacken color while the other was a dull grayish. All thanks to the harsh scars that cut across his scarred face.
"Would you stop. You look fine." Hakkaku barked from his lazy motionless position on the sunken bed. All the while never stopping his endless mashing of the television channel button.
"Easy for you to say! You don't look blind!" Ginta snapped falling back tiredly at Hakkaku's feet. His sharpen orbs staring up towards the rotating ceiling fan overhead.
"Yeah I don't look happy either. Hello! Perma-frown!" Hakkaku growled gesturing towards his clawed chin and jaw.
"Besides. Kagome doesn't care what we look like." He added carelessly.
Ginta sighed tiredly.
"You're right." He breathed.
"I know I am. We should just be grateful the subject didn't get brought up in front of Kouga." Hakkaku pointed out whole heartedly. His unease rising at just the mere idea of such a sensitive topic being discusses in the open.
"True. That would have been bad." Ginta whispered.
"Have you heard from him?" Ginta asked turning his head to look past Hakkaku's feet and too his face.
"No. He said he'd be at the sight today remember?" The flatten mohawk wearing demon replied flatly.
"Oh yeah." Ginta sighed.
"That's good. Anything is better than him being at the pits." He thought out loud.
"Eh. We're not talking about that either. We don't want to jinx anything!" Hakkaku interrupted.
Kouga being absent from that damn fighting arena had been the best thing they had ever heard in the last five years. And he didn't want to take any chances on ruining it with false hope of it being permanent.
Ginta pressed his lips tightly together. Hakkaku was right. Wishful thinking was his enemy and he wasn't about to let it win, not again.
So for right now. He would take what little blessings they were being presented.
But as unethical as he knew it might be, he couldn't help but question.
After all this time and so much heartache. Could things really change for the better?
Round and round Kagome's thumbs went as they circled one another in her lap. Uncomfortably awkward with her newly developed body she adjusted on top the examination table.
The sanitary paper crunching loudly beneath her as she did so. The florescent light above buzzed annoying and every aspect of Dr. Shizuna's last minute clinic room seemed to get worse with each passing moment.
It was bad enough she was currently occupying a pair of oversized sweats and t-shirt that Kouga had managed to gather together before the two of them practically flew to the hospital.
Neither one of them having the faintest idea of what was happening. Though the currently absent wolf demon had done his best to reassure her, but he had given away his own shock all to easily with every brief glance at her rounded stomach.
Not that she blamed him in the least. What part of this wasn't suppose to be shocking? She had went to sleep last night unintentionally sure but she had fallen into slumber with a barely noticeable rise in her abdomen.
But, now. Now it looked like someone had pumped air into nothing but her stomach until it ballooned up!
There were just to many questions. To much pulsating shock and disbelief. Kagome buried her heated face into the cool pads of her palms.
Her head was spinning. Maybe it was from the series of test she had just undergone or the unbearable silence of the room, either way she felt nauseous. And honestly she didn't know how much more she could take.
Luckily, it seemed someone above had felt her anguish and decided to end it.
"Good morning." Dr Shizuna announced as she entered the plainly decorated examine room.
"M-Morning." Kagome replied instinctively straightening her posture to greet the white coated draped curvaceous woman before her.
The heel wearing physician clicked the button of her pen as she took a seat on the opposite side of the room in the rotating stool chair next to the wall built sink and counter.
Opening a manila folder Kagome only now realized she had been carrying. She folded the spotless document over her skirt covered lap as she began to scribble against the already printed paper.
Kagome sat as patiently as she could before the silence between them became unbearable. Maybe it was just the dramatic events of the day but her mind had been racing every since springing to full conciseness this morning. And she needed answers.
"Is everything alright? I mean with me- Us?" Kagome corrected worriedly.
"Am I? Are we?" Kagome tried to re-phrase but her mouth was spewing out questions before her mind even had time to properly phrase them.
The auburn haired woman eyed the worried priestess from behind her small framed glasses.
"Everything is fine." She promised with a cherry red smile.
Kagome stilled but her heart still thumped heavily and uncommonly fast inside her chest.
"All your test are completely normal. Your blood work is great and your weight is perfect." Dr. Shizuna promised with surprisingly believability.
"Perfect?" Kagome repeated disbelievingly. How could something this drastic, be considered normal? Or remotely right?
"When I went to be last night I-" Kagome trailed off, thinking of how unintentional her sleep had been in the first place. But vague as the memory might have been, she did remember her once slim figure. And she most certainty didn't remember that vanishing overnight.
"Looked slimmer?" Shizuna hinted evenly.
"Didn't look like I swallowed a bowling ball." Kagome stated bluntly.
"I mean, I knew weight gain is apart of pregnancy? But this drastic? So quickly?" Kagome questioned, she wasn't vain or even remotely concerned with her swollen figure. But the fact that it had happened so fast was shocking, scary. She didn't understand what all this meant. And honestly she needed it to be spelled out, plainly, and clear.
Apparently her concerned was well received and the auburn haired doctor knew she had better begin to explain.
"I've told you before, demon pregnancies are, precarious." She began politely and calm.
"The development, can happen progressively over time or in your case-" She paused to gesture towards Kagome's rounded torso with the end of her pen.
"Rapidly. There is no real precise science of developmental rates. Especially in mixed breeds." She stated.
"So how developed is he?" Kagome blinked her hand instinctively placing itself over her orbed stomach.
Shizuna smiled reassuringly.
"Perfectly. I'd say you'll be ready for delivery in a few weeks, if not sooner." She stated with believable certainty.
"Weeks!?" Kagome repeated uncommonly loudly. Her shocked voice echoing throughout the closed room.
Dr. Shizuna went a little wide eyed but composed herself quickly clearing her throat to reassert herself.
"Are you alright?" She asked with a raise of her brow.
Kagome felt her eyes shift back and forth quickly and frantically as she tried to take a few reassuring breaths.
"I-I'm fine. I mean I will be." She breathed with averted gaze.
"This is just happening a little fast." She whispered.
Shizuna sighed sympathetically. She could understand that all this might be a little overwhelming, especially when you weren't in control over what your body might do next. But that was the sacrifice humans made when cross breeding with demons. Results varied in every shape and form.
"Do you have any other questions you would like to ask me?" She asked securely.
Kagome's head shook nervously.
She was sure she did but right now she needed time to process everything she had just absorbed. And she was completely sure probing for more information at least right now wouldn't help.
"No. I- I think I'm okay." Kagome breathed deeply.
"Thank you." She reassured the auburn haired woman with a small smile, but the shock and slight panic in her eyes was still completely visible.
"Of course. I'll have the receptionist schedule you for next week. We'll re-check everything and see how your doing." Shizuna promised with a smile before climbing to her heel covered feet and heading towards the exam room door.
"Have a good day Mrs. Higurashi." She said over her white coat draped shoulder before twisting the door knob and leaving the slightly overwhelmed priestess alone to sort out her frantic thoughts.
The door sealed shut and the good doctor eyed the hallway leading back towards her office only to notice a lone figure leaning against the wall mere inches away that hadn't been there when she had entered.
She swallowed hard and noticeably tense at the sight of the crossed armed wolf demon staring ahead and purposely ignoring her gaze.
Seeing as there was no other option than to solider forward she did just that but with a little frantic pace in her step.
It wasn't until she was directly in front of the narrowed eyed wolf demon he finally spoke.
With a dry laugh his azure eyes locked onto her viably tense figure.
"I almost believed your sincerity." Kouga said with a cool non hostile tone.
But the darkening of his inhuman eyes made her blood run cold even though she didn't dare lock eyes with the motionless azure orbed demon.
"Almost." He emphasized making her heart skip a beat in her chest.
Shizuna stared down defeated and the rising scent of fear wafting from her perfume fragranced body.
"I'll try harder next time." She promised lowly, reluctantly.
"Good." Kouga whispered.
And with that he brushed past the trembling physician towards the waiting exam room to the woman waiting patiently inside.
Leaving the petrified doctor too internally panicked to even breath.
The dawn sky illuminated an exuberant red, the scorching sun breaking apart the midnight clouds until the blanketed atmosphere began to dissipate entirely.
Each bursting color and ray of light reflecting in the sharp exuberant amber orbs of the silver haired figure watching from behind the brilliant plate glass of the darken office.
The sealed space was deathly silent and void, that was until the immaculate entrance doors parted open effortlessly and a curvaceous figure stepped through.
A skirt suit dressed and believable model like female sauntering towards the lightly chromed desk a sleek folder in manicured hand.
"The reports you requested sir." The crimson lipped woman stated placing the documents on top the glass counter.
Sesshomaru didn't respond only with a gesture of his wrist sent the woman away as quickly as she had arrived.
Once back in seclusion the amber eyed demon contemplated. The transfers he had ordered earlier this week were already in progress and should be seen later this evening.
He expected a surprised phone call to shortly follow. Though when it came to the person he was interacting with, nothing was concrete.
Especially when it came to her. Anything was possible.
Compared to the tranquil clarity of the almost uninhabited country side, the city seemed to be an entirely new planet of its own hectic creation.
Or at least that's how the two now unbelievably exhausted duo pair of wolf demons saw it. Breathing heavily and trying to keep the sweat from their brows from rolling into their squinted eyes. Ginta and Hakkaku sat huffing and slouched in the iron chairs of a restaurant outside patio.
Both their drained figures partially surrounded by a variety of unopened packages and decoratively designed bags.
All of which revolved around one person and one person alone.
The contently smiling priestess sitting on the opposite side of them. Warm tea in hand a glowing appearance of relaxation across her beautiful face.
Kagome stared at the two visibly exhausted wolf demons across from her appreciatively.
Now she knew why Kouga seemed so dependant on his right and left hand men. They were both incredibly reliable and extremely hard working.
Since visiting Dr. Shizuna a day or so ago. After getting over the initial shock of the entire rapidly developing situation Kagome had decided she didn't have any time to waste. Getting any and everything she thought she might need handy for when her son arrived had become her top priority.
But since the azure eyed wolf was bound to ask too many questions on how she was acquiring such abundance of supplies she had tried to keep the entire thing under wraps. At least partially.
But an entire day of shopping in her condition was a little unrealistic. So she had opted for the next viable solution.
Calling up Ginta and Hakkaku had been a breeze, and naturally they had agreed to help her with whatever she needed. But, she doubted they had this in mind.
Lugging her materials and endless bags across the city had been tiring even for them. So here she was, a hard day of spending finally over and ready to enjoy some group relaxation. She had a feeling they all three really needed it.
"I really want to thank you two again for coming with me." Kagome smiled from behind her warm mug.
"N-No problem." Ginta exhaled to drained to even reach for the refreshments Kagome had ordered for them.
"Yeah. Piece of cake." Hakkaku sighed sinking lower in his already impossibly reclined state.
Kagome couldn't help but giggle. This was just another thing of impossible scenarios crossed of her list. That one day she would be sitting on a busy street café sidewalk enjoying Ginta and Hakkaku's company of all demons.
But, it was a nice feeling all the same. Very gratified, and accomplished. Even if they had both been her personal caddies for the day.
All that aside though, what she had gathered so far was the two of them were a bit on the free side so she wasn't entirely sure when she would be able to see them again. According to Kouga they usually left town whenever things began to weigh on the complicated side and lately that was no where near in short supply. So she had decided to soak up as much of their company as she could before they decided they had enough.
Kagome sighed contently leaning further back in her iron chair. It had been such a nice day, a nice few days actually despite all the growing uncertainty. Her world was actually at least partially peaceful for once.
But one look at the finally recovering duo of wolf demons across from her told her it might not be for much longer.
"Kagome?" Ginta began finally composing himself from the draining days events.
"Hmm?" Kagome murmured while sipping her warm hazel brew.
"This might be out of line-" He said cautiously, all the while gauging the raven haired humans reaction.
"But, Kouga told us about your- Situation." Ginta hesitated for the most delicate phrase he could summon on the spot.
"And I cant help wonder." He paused only temporarily, but allowing enough of a space for Hakkaku to interrupt.
"How can you afford all this?" The grayish blue haired demon asked bluntly earning a quick jab in the arm from Ginta now agitated at his side.
Kagome's eye widened a bit and her pearl teeth dug into her bottom lip timidly.
"Oh noticed that huh?" She whispered reluctantly. Well, this subject was bound to come up sooner or later, after all the situation she was in wasn't exactly a well kept secret.
Still the recent developments in her life that led her to actually be able to depend on no one else but herself wasn't something she was ashamed of. If anything she was proud to finally be a fully functioning member of society.
Setting her halfway full cup of tea down calmly Kagome adjusted to lean forward trying to gesture towards the both of them the delicate nature of the conversation.
"Can you two keep a secret?" She whispered.
Both onyx eyed wolf demons leaned closer in as a sign of agreement. Trying their best to drown out the honking of near by cars and chatter of the surrounding masses of people also on the patio layout.
"You two know about my meeting with Sesshomaru right? I mean Kouga told you?" She asked curiously.
Ginta and Hakkaku shot a vague look in each others direction. They remembered the subject being briefly brought up, mostly because they happened to be present when Kouga furiously discovered what the priestess had been up too.
"Something like that." They both admitted.
"Well, long story short. I kind of asked him for something." Kagome admitted leaning back in her chair timidly.
Immediately a look of total disbelief flashed across the wolf demons faces at what they thought was sure to be a confession of some sort of bribery.
Kagome sensed it all to easily and instantly destroyed that theory.
"Not like that!" She shouted a little insulted the two of them thought so cheaply of her.
"I just asked if he would give me a job!" She confessed.
The look of shock on both their faces dimmed slightly but not by much. This was something entirely new, and instantly they went back on the defensive.
Did Kouga know about this? There was no way! He would have went ballistic!
"It's nothing fancy. Just transferring calls, sorting a few papers. But, the pay is great and I can work from home. I just got my first paycheck this morning." Kagome chimed happily.
She wasn't an idiot she knew working under Sesshomaru of all people wasn't the most cautious of decisions. But, thousands of people worked for the silver haired dog demon, and she frankly was one of the lowest branches.
Practically off his radar in general.
In all actually she had nothing to do with the amber eyed demon. She was just another no name employee under a mass corporation. Totally harmless.
But obviously Ginta and Hakkaku didn't share her enthusiasm.
"Kagome. This doesn't seem like a good idea." Hakkaku confessed worriedly.
Kagome smiled half heartedly. She appreciated their concern, knowing it was just coming from a place of care. But she was fully capable of handling herself.
"Look. I know Sesshomaru isn't the most trustworthy of people. But, I don't answer to him. I mean I do have a boss and my bosses boss works for him-" Kagome tired to explain.
But Ginta cut her off a little suddenly before the misunderstanding of the situation continued.
"That's not what we meant." He corrected.
"We mean are you sure it's a good idea not telling Kouga?" Hakkaku added with a more serious tone than Kagome originally thought him capable of.
"Oh." Kagome whispered hesitating for an actual response.
She wasn't naïve. She knew Kouga would undoubtedly want to know something this important, undoubtedly he would be furious the longer she avoided telling him.
But everything was just perfect right now. They were actually getting along, no underlining issues, for once.
She just wanted that feeling to last for awhile longer before she had to face the inevitable argument that she was intentionally postponing.
"I will." She promised reassuringly.
"Eventually." She added.
Hakkaku and Ginta shared a look of not yet dissolved concern, but they had known Kagome a long time and if she had proven anything to the two of them she was entirely capable of handling herself.
Besides one little secret between them wouldn't hurt…right?
They didn't really have time to discuss the topic further before the arrival of an extremely packed silver dining cart pulled beside their table.
The incredible wafting scent of freshly seasoned meats and other delectable's catching their full attention.
Kagome grinned happily leaning back away from the quickly filling table top as two waitresses began to unload the somewhat buffet course lunch she had ordered the three of them.
"Now eat up. On me." Kagome smiled.
Wiping their already watery mouths Ginta and Hakkau eyed Kagome across the vastly stacking table. Only one thought already overtaking their better judgment.
Maybe this secrecy thing wasn't all bad.
It definitely seemed to have some damn good perks.
Shadows from the quickly fading sun began to stretch over the concrete encased ground. Pulling the not yet fully constructed buildings in the distance wider and further until their mass shade began to blacken the cement entirely.
On the flatten surface of one such buildings a trio of figures stood centered at the yellow taped and orange caution cone surrounded rooftop.
Kouga stood in the middle of the two hard helmet wearing men at his side all with their focused eyes on a flatten blueprint sprawled across an aged table before them.
"We've taken out sectors eight through twelve. But, two and ten still need to be leveled before we can start foundation repairs." The bearded and slightly stocky man announced. Pointing his finger across the large scale paper to draw Kouga's sharp eyes to each division he spoke of.
Kouga nodded in understanding. He hadn't been at the sights lately, but it was reassuring to know his foremen's had kept the work steady. Progress was slow but constant and his sight was expanding if this pace kept up he might have to look into buying out further.
"I want a crew on double shift for the rest of the week until everything is cleared. Make sure you tell'em they'll be compensated in advance. Double their normal pay." Kouga directed catching the aged eyed men slightly off guard.
"Your sure?" The other freshly shaved faced man blinked in surprise. He had known Kouga a long time, and generosity wasn't a common occurrence though it did happen from time to time, it was no less surprising.
"I want this area ready for building by the next full moon. Make it happen." Kouga instructed confidentially.
The aged duo shared a brief look of reassurance. What they were being asked wasn't impossible and they knew for sure with this type of motivation at their back this task could be achieved.
They were just about to thank while also discuss a bit further the plans they needed approval before a new voice cut through the center of their conversation.
"Busy as always I see." A cool sharply toned announced from the backs of the standing trio.
Kouga peered over his shoulder only to lock eyes with a pair of silver orbs he knew and distrusted all to well.
Rekin smiled a political grin at the sight of the wolf demon before him and the instant appearance of annoyance that followed.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Kouga asked sharply.
Rekin eyed the two men standing at Kouga's side before he decided to cut to the point regardless.
"We need to talk." He stated bluntly.
Kouga's azure eyes narrowed and his aggravation flared but he turned towards the suit dressed demon all the same.
"Give me a sec." He directed towards the hard hat wearing men at his sides.
All to understanding the duo nodded before collecting what other documents they had left scattered over the table leaving only the center blueprint behind.
Then after heading towards the distant entry point they were descending to a lower level of the building and out of sight.
"What's this about?" Kouga grimaced while walking around the dulled table edge so he could meet Rekin face on but while still being able to look over his detailed plans.
Instead of respond Rekin merely reached into his hemmed inner suit pocket retrieving a crinkled wad of tightly fastened cash.
Tossing the mound carelessly it landed at the center of the table that Kouga still eyed.
Arching a raven brow Kouga gripped hold of the badly damaged money while meeting Rekin's cold gaze.
"What's this?" He asked lowly.
"That my friend is the profit we've made in one whole week." Rekin said coldly while stepping forward visibly tense with rising frustration.
Kouga eyed the cash again uncaring before setting it back down onto the table.
"Impressive isn't it?" Rekin pressed angrily.
"I don't have time for this shit today Rekin." Kouga swore swatting the rolled money away until it almost fell off the furthest corner away from Kouga.
Rekin though caught it before it could.
"Then you better make time. This is serious Kouga. I cant keep handing out i.o.u.'s to our scouts. Eventually their going to quit coming. Which means no new meat. Which in turns means no more fight, and then no more club." Rekin growled while stepping around the table towards Kouga.
"Are you with me so far?" The silver eyed demon asked sarcastically.
"I know the pits are only a side hobby for you. Same as your booze and whores." He began heatedly inching closer until he was right at the motionless wolf demons side.
"But, unlike you. I have put actual work into building this business. I'm not going to let you drag it down for some god damn personal time!" Rekin snapped the crack in his usually composed façade finally exposing the raging fury that was building beneath the surface.
Undoubtedly more unchecked venom would have spewed out, but Kouga didn't give him the opportunity.
Inhumanly fast Kouga's fist slammed into the side of Rekin's rage wrinkled face! The impact sounding sickly and brutal as the completely unprepared demon stumbled backwards blinded by pain.
He hit the concrete floor instantly as Kouga took the opportunity to tower over him.
Rekin tried to recover from the assault by sitting up but the narrowed eyed wolf demon wouldn't allow that.
Instantly he sent the suit dressed demon back to the ground with the pressure of his boot covered foot shoving itself down on his windpipe!
"Listen to me you little prick." Kouga seethed through exposed fangs as he leaned over Rekin's squirming form.
"I don't give a shit about how you make ends meet. As far as I'm concerned you want someone to fight so damn bad then throw yourself into that hell hole!" Kouga snapped hatefully pressing his heel harder into Rekin's throat until he began to gag and wheeze.
"What's that? Cant understand you?" He said darkly knowing full well with just a little more pressure he could snap the fidgeting demons neck.
Rekin clawed at Kouga's ankles as his lungs began to burn with lack of air. His eyes watering and the whites of his orbs beginning to flash red with exploding blood vessels.
Kouga looked at the pathetic state he had rendered his partial business partner too. Savoring the agony for just a second longer than he needed too before finally retracting his foot.
Rekin gasped the moment the pressure was released as he began to cough and pant refilling his almost aching chest with much needed oxygen.
"Get the hell outta here. And don't come back." Kouga instructed uncaring as he walked back over to the laid out plans that still needed his attention.
"Or next time I wont be so understanding." He promised only glancing at the now red faced demon once he climbed back to his feet.
Rekin gripped hold of his pulsating throat tightly trying to stop the pain radiating from the inside out the whole time never tearing his rage filled eyes from the oblivious wolf demon before him.
He may not retort now. But, that son of a bitch was gonna pay for this.
One way or another.
The early morning air was soothing. Cool and moist lingering with the wonderful scent of rain and concrete. A much needed comfort with the absolutely livid mood Kagome found herself in.
Imagine her surprise. Last night she had gotten ready for sleep like she had any other. Cozyed herself into her newly bought pajamas poured herself a nice glass of milk and decided to do a little bit of internet surfing before crawling into bed.
Amongst the hour or so she had spent just aimlessly reading and clicking around she had decided to check her account balance after the days shopping with Ginta and Hakkaku.
Only to discover not only had none of her money dissipated it had in fact tripled if not quadrupled in the span of one evening.
She could still remember spitting a mouthful of thick white milk all over computer screen in utter shock, thinking it must have been some sort of bank error.
But, no. A few phone calls later she had discovered a deposit had been made by an all to recognizable name. The very company she currently worked for.
She knew only one person could be behind this, and she was furious.
Which led her here.
The currently vastly empty confines of a comfortable freshly painted home.
Her boot covered heels currently stood firmly in the center of the unfurnished living room all the while having her fierce hazel eyes fixated on the unfamiliar home entrance.
The reasoning behind this choice of location clear once the front door slid open and the silver haired suit dressed demon stepped inside.
"I received your message." Sesshomaru confirmed as he walked into the strangely new surroundings.
"Odd choice for a conference." He added while pocketing his clawed fingers in the lining of his perfectly fitted suit jacket.
Kagome hesitated only briefly. Noticing that even though her physical appearance had drastically changed since the last time she faced the amber eyed demon. He didn't seem the least bit effected.
Why was she not surprised? He had obviously had eyes on her again.
But that was a discussion for another time.
"I asked you here to discuss this." Kagome began bluntly reaching into her thigh length trench coat pocket retrieving a square envelope with a bank emblem clear on the front.
"Your salary. Did you find it unsatisfactory?" Sesshomaru asked behind an emotionless mask. Though he was a bit surprised he had been called from his office to address something so dismal.
"Why is it so much?" Kagome asked accusingly.
"This is more than triple what I made last week." She continued agitatedly.
Sesshomaru stood silent and stern. He wasn't entirely sure what type of reaction the priestess before him was searching for. Or the exact nature of this conversation.
"I specifically told you I didn't want special treatment. You were suppose to treat me like any other employee." Kagome stated firmly. She vividly remembered demanding that exact thing from the dog demon before her.
But obviously, he had forgotten. That, or he just didn't feel the need to care.
Sesshomaru's cold amber eyes briefly flashed something that might have passed for amusement, and it slighty caught Kagome off guard.
"I'll admit you are full of surprises priestess. You are the first to come to me with complaints over earnings." He said calmly, his tone lighter and less direct than usual.
But it did little to dull her still pulsating annoyance.
"I didn't earn this. Not this much." She said angrily.
Then reassuring herself that this situation wasn't worth a full blow argument she breathed deeply to collect herself, after a brief moment she continued with the objective at hand.
"I would like my old paycheck back. As a matter of fact you can reduce that too. Seeing as I make twice as much as everyone else, including my supervisor." Kagome added, she had discovered that little piece of information too unfortunately during her dozen or so phone calls earlier this morning.
Feeling as though she needed to emphasize her point she placed the ridiculously large check on the ground at her feet before walking forward.
Brushing past Sesshomaru casually and level headed she made her way to the main entrance reaching for the golden door knob.
Hesitating only momentarily when Sesshomaru's curious voice followed her.
"And the residence?" The silver haired dog demon asked. An exact explanation of why the both of them currently stood in a clearly vacant dwelling yet to be explained.
Kagome glanced over her shoulder with a perfectly calm expression but also an almost business like demeanor exuding from her.
"I wanted your approval. Seeing as this is where your nephew will be growing up." Kagome admitted. Watching what might have passed for surprise spread over Sesshomaru's handsome face.
Leaving the dog demon to his thoughts Kagome turned the handle and then she was out the door.
Now she finally understood why every demon around her seemed to be so relentlessly domineering.
Authority felt good.
Trees and their darken emerald leaves rustled with the late evening air, the sky was a dim gray and the damp air gave the illusion of an approaching storm.
Were it not for Kouga's heighten sense of smell he might have believed one was on the way. But, it was an easy enough thing to see through. Rain wasn't coming, but a cold front might be.
The temperature which was a usually unchanging warm or light cool was dropping. And the countless bundled up humans strolling past him from his current seat on the city park bench only provided more evidence to the apparent.
Through narrowed azure eyes Kouga watched them. Unknown humans strolling by in every shape and from. Some of which his gaze unintentionally lingering a little too long upon.
Like the one he watched now.
A normal young man with his arm draped over a normal young woman. The two of them smiling at one another obviously enthralled with each other.
Human love. It confused him sometimes. How common it seemed to be, and just how fragile. Even staring at them right now he felt a churning pit of disbelief. It was only a matter of time before they separated.
He could remember a time when he use to do just this. Sit here alone in the park watching couples stroll by locked in each others arms and he would wager to himself just how quickly he could pluck the attractive females from their partners arms.
Ten out of ten times. He won.
Kouga closed his eyes tiredly. The last few days at the sight had been draining and he wasn't in the mood to people watch anymore. He saw enough of their kind as it was.
Though that didn't necessarily mean all humans agitated him.
One in particular was the lone exception. Which is currently why he sat here visibly tense in posture, wondering when said human priestess was going to arrive.
The wait was short.
"Hey, sorry I'm late." Kagome announced her arrival as she overshadowed the sitting wolf demon causing him to peer his sharp azure eyes in her direction.
"I stopped for treats." She smiled apologetically holding two steaming cups one in each hand tightly.
Sweetly she handed the larger of the two towards Kouga, who instantly could smell it was coffee. Black, surprisingly exactly how he liked it.
He took it with a small tug of the corner of his handsome lips, appreciative but not yet forming a full smirk.
"The cravings a killer now?" He asked jokingly eying her swollen abdomen.
Kagome sighed tiredly taking a seat on the park bench beside the staring wolf demon.
"So are my ankles." She admittedly edgily rotating her boot covered feet. Before pulling her own cup of hot coco to her chest thankful for the warmth it provided.
"Not happy about the bouncy house expanding inside you?" He asked with a light smirk.
Kagome shot him a glare out of the corner of her eye.
"Not funny. I'd like to see you carry something as heavy as a watermelon permanently attached to your body." She huffed. She had only been this large for a few days and already she was ready to crawl out of her own skin.
She officially had a new appreciation for women who had to deal with effect for months at a time.
"Well, I'm not one to brag." Kouga smirked a fangy grin.
Kagome choked on her mouthful of hot coco coughing down the brew before shooing Kouga a dirty look for his perverted sense of humor.
He chuckled at the sight.
"So where were you this morning? I called." He diverted subjects watching as Kagome's uncaring behavior suddenly turned ridged. And he had a pretty good idea why.
"Oh. I- Uh. Had an errand to run." Kagome confessed. All to quickly thinking back to the conversation she and Sesshomaru had earlier.
Kouga nodded in understanding turning towards the off distant park horizon. The vast trees, the trimmed underbrush his demeanor far to calm to be natural.
Kagome felt the shift in the atmosphere between them all to suddenly and she braced herself for the outcome.
"Errand huh?" He breathed causing Kagome to tense at his side.
"That what meeting with your boss qualify as?" He asked before taking a hard sip from the steaming coffee in his hand uncaring of the scolding temperature.
Kagome felt the color drain from her face. Oh no.
She eyed Kouga with the utmost caution. Half expecting him to explode at any moment, but all the while still praying he wouldn't. The last thing she wanted was a public spectacle.
He wasn't very good a being discreet, and neither was she when provoked.
But against all odd's his reaction was something she never expected.
"Relax." He breathed unbelievably calm.
"I'm not mad." He promised with certainty that almost passed for total honesty.
But Kagome was unwilling to let her guard down that easily. She knew Kouga, and this was nothing like him.
As if her doubt was beyond apparent Kouga turned his gaze towards her but all the while keeping his posture focused forward.
"Not gonna lie. I was." He admitted but not about to confess to the extent of what this discovery had cost him. He was pretty sure he would have to completely start over on one of the lower sight buildings. He had totaled about three walls of solid concrete and demolished two levels of flooring in a fit of absolute rage.
But surprisingly it had helped take the unbelievable anger out of his system. At least partially.
"You were smart. Neutral territory." He said evenly, composed.
Knowing that fact had dulled his rage, at least partially. It seemed Kagome was absorbing the knowledge he had given her and was currently using it to her benefit. Even it was without him.
"How'd you find out?" Kagome asked reluctantly. Not entirely sure how to react in a situation like this. Neither one of them was yelling or fuming with over boiling anger. It was a new concept. But not necessarily a good one, was Kouga actually this level headed or was this some kind of act?
"Sesshomaru's not the only one with spies in the city." Kouga admitted coolly.
Kagome's eyes instantly widen in suspicion and disbelief.
But just as quickly as her anger might have risen it was ebbed away by the totally insincere look he was currently giving her.
It was obvious he was lying, or joking, it may have been a mixture of both she wasn't entirely sure.
"Ginta and Hakkaku told me." He confessed and this time his voice and facial expression conveyed the truth.
"I see." Kagome said flatly eyeing her still steaming plastic cup in hand. Well that secret hadn't lasted very long.
"Don't get upset. Those two idiots couldn't keep a secret to save their lives." Kouga added, knowing his two closest comrades better than anyone.
Kagome stared narrowly at the concrete sidewalk under her feet. Briefly thinking back to the game reserve and the request the duo had asked of her.
It was obvious they could keep a secret, just not hers.
"You could've told me you know?" Kouga whispered dryly.
"Could I?" Kagome asked disbelieving her hazel eyes meeting his azure eyes filled with nothing but sheer doubt.
"On the phone." Kouga corrected.
"That way you coulda hung up on me when I started yelling." He smirked coyly.
"So you could break in. Again?" She asked sarcastically. Knowing that was the full cycle the wolf beside her tended to stick too.
"Touché." Kouga replied admittedly.
Kagome breathed deeply. She supposed it wasn't a bad thing that this secret had come out. Especially since Kouga seemed to be taking it this well. It might have been an act for all she knew but he was being an adult and that was all that mattered.
"You're really not mad?" She gauged, even if he was faking. She didn't like the idea of dishonesty between them. So if that meant she had to deal with a temper flare she could handle it.
"No. I'm not." Kouga stated all to clearly to be believable.
"Liar." Kagome stated bluntly.
Kouga couldn't help but smirk, he had to hand it to Kagome. She did have a way of seeing right through him. No matter how good he thought he hid it.
"I'll get over it. Have to right?" He reassured her sincerely.
Kagome smiled wide and appreciative. Why couldn't they be like this all the time? Adult. Capable of having civil conversation without exploding on one another. She was beyond grateful for it. To actually communicate efficiently with the wolf demon at her side.
Maybe they were turning over a new chapter in their complicated friendship? Becoming mature on equal terms. It was a great feeling.
She would have thought deeper into the blossoming realization were in not for the familiar pulsating wave that began to wriggle inside her belly.
Instinctively her hand cupped her rounded stomach a warm smile spreading over her pink glimmering lips.
"Hm." Kagome chimed happily.
"What?" Kouga questioned completely unaware what caused the priestess at his side to become joyous and silent at the exact same moment.
"The baby." Kagome began with a grin.
"He's moving." She explained feeling the light little bump under her skin sway.
Kouga eyed her abdomen instinctually but unmoving.
"You wanna feel?" She asked unthinking and already reaching out to take the wolf demons calloused hand in her own.
"Kagome I don't think-" Kouga began shakily.
But Kagome thought nothing of his hesitation as she placed his palm over her drastically swollen navel holding it there with her own.
It took less than a second before the soft thump and wriggle returned and Kagome felt Kouga's hand shift under her own and instantly she knew he had felt it just a clearly as she had.
Kouga's eyes widened with sheer disbelief at first but it took only a fraction of a moment and then slowly, drastically. His azure orbs ghosted into something deeper and cold, something darker.
His hand fell away limply as he continually stared at Kagome's rounded belly numb and motionless.
Kagome didn't notice only released his hand from her own before stroking her finger tips over her perfectly orb like stomach.
"I was thinking of names." Kagome began staring down at her still thumping torso.
"Something like Doyou or Koinu? Hatsukoi has a nice ring to it?" Kagome questioned with a smile directing her attention back to the deathly silent wolf demon beside her.
"What do you think?" She asked enthusiastically.
That was until Kouga emotionless and withdrawn climbed to his feet the dark overhanging tresses of his bangs completely covering his azure eyes from sight.
The steaming brew of his held coffee falling from his clawed fingertips to the ground below in heated splash!
"Kouga?" Kagome questioned worriedly the air between them thickening with tenseness and foreboding.
"What's wrong?" She asked concern thick in her voice.
Kouga didn't respond only began to brush past the sitting priestess without a hint of explanation.
Kagome quickly climbed to her feet nervously.
"Hey wait a second! Kouga!" Kagome called after the soldiering wolf demon but the sound of her voice only seemed to fuel his internal struggle further as he began to sprint.
It was less than a second before he was completely out of sight uncaring of the countless people he almost knocked over in the process.
Kagome stood there silent and in almost complete disarray. What had just happened?
Whatever it was everything suddenly felt wrong. Her stomach felt knotted and her heart dropped in her chest.
Something had just gone wrong. Horribly, horribly wrong.
The only question that remained was. Why?
Now here is where things take a turn guys. Cant give to much away (as usual) but you are not going to want to miss the up coming chapters.
The secrets spew forth like liquid for a stream! Or something spewing related…anyways! Onward we go! See you soon!
