I awoke with a splitting headache. It was dark and the fire was out, I had a hard time placing exactly where I was before my conversation with Kouga came burning into the front of my mind. Ok so that was how I got to be lying on a pile of furs in a dark, cold cave. Speaking of cold, I didn't feel Kouga behind me, I rolled over and sure enough Kouga was gone. Had I imagined him cuddling with me while I fell asleep? I heard a shuffling around the corner leading toward the exit, I attempted to sit up but a wave of dizziness washed over me and I laid back down to keep from falling. I lay there until the world quit spinning and I tried again. This time I made it to my feet, and walked out to the mouth of the cave. Tajik was sitting in the mouth of the cave widdling. He had a chunk of wood that he had apparently been working on all night because it had the shape of a head and torso of a 4 legged creature. I moved and sat across from Tajik.
"Morning." He mumbled while trying to work through a troublesome knot.
"Morning." I mumbled back. I looked out into the forest and with a heavy heart noticed it was still pouring down rain. I guess I should be glad that the rain held out for the week it did. "Any idea when the rain will stop?"
He looked out and up towards he sky. "The worst hasn't even made it to us yet. The dark clouds to the South-West say we may be in for rain the rest of the day and night." He went right back to widdling.
"So, should we head back? Can't hunt for herbs in the rain."
"Can't make a 3 day hike in the rain either. Not without you getting sick, and I don't want to get reamed by Kouga because I let you get sick."
"fair enough." I glanced around and noticing the lack of whom he just mentioned I started to ask but was interrupted.
"He went back to the den, something about meeting with the elders."
Gulp. He was going to tell the elders I accepted. They were now going to expect me to mate with Kouga, not just consider it.
"He left with a bounce in his step. Whatever you said to him last night sure got his spirits up." He glanced up at me through his hair. I smiled sheepishly. "He confirmed what I said didn't he?"
I nodded my head yes.
"He is a good man, he wouldn't do anything to hurt you. You have nothing to worry about with him."
"I know." I answered quietly.
"Then why do you act as if you are ashamed?" My head shot up and I looked at him and he looked directly at me widdling forgotten.
"I am not ashamed."
"Well something has your mind going a mile a minute." He wasn't wrong.
"I am not sure I can be what he needs."
"Kagome," He sighed. "Kouga needs you. He doesn't need you to be anything other than you. Can you do that?" I nodded yes and he went back to widdling.
My stomach grumbled and I realized I hadn't eaten, so I made my way to my bag and grabbed some dried meat Senna packed. I brought some over to Tajik and we ate in silence. The rain hammered on all day and eventually Tajik decided he needed to hunt for some fresh meat for supper. I got up and got the fire started while he was gone. When he returned with a freshly cleaned pheasant, I threw it on a stick over the fire and we watched in anticipation.
My sleeping bag had dried out so I made my bed on top of the wolf pelts and quickly fell asleep after supper.
The next morning came sunlight and a promise of a good, albeit wet, but good day. We packed up and continued our trip. While walking Tajik piped up.
"How long are we going to be out? I miss my mate."
"Well, how much more territory is there to clear?"
"about a day worth, and then it would be a straight 2 day hike home."
"Well." I said, as I concentrated so as to not loose my balance stepping around a large boulder. "We will plan on that. Finish out the territory and then head home." I continued my cautious pace, but I noticed Tajik had stopped and has his nose in the air sniffing. I held my questions assuming that he was trying to hear as well. We stood there in silence for a few minutes, me trying my best to remain silent and Tajik with his nose to the air sniffing for the intruding scent.
Suddenly I was forced to the ground by a large fleshy mass, my eyes were on Tajik and it wasn't him so I looked for a head on this person. It was Kouga's eyes that met mine as he lay over my torso, our bodies making something close to an X. I glanced back over to Tajik and he was in a similar fashion laying against the ground with his spear pointed so he could maneuver it quickly.
The rocks digging into my back were killing me, so I tried to readjust slightly only to be greeted with a low growl from Kouga. I decided to press my luck and ask what was going on.
"Kouga." I whispered in his ear. He turned to look at me but said nothing. "What's going on?"
"Lynx tribe is very close to the top of the ridge, our rivalry isn't big with them but finding a wolf and a human on wolf territory might be worth our ire."
"I can help you know, I have my bow."
"Too many." His answer was short but I sensed his fear in this. He normally wouldn't fear the lynx tribe but them being so close to our border already and finding the alpha with so few of guards might be tempting.
We laid there in an uncomfortable silence for close to two hours, the sun beating down on my face. I was sure I would have a sun burn. Eventually Kouga stood up, and helped me to my feet. My back was beyond sore and my legs were numb so they gave out. Kouga grabbed me and held me close to his chest.
"Are you alright?" He whispered down to me. I nodded affirmation and he let me stand on my own.
Tajik was already standing and making sure to look anywhere but at us.
"Kouga?"
"Yes?" His attention went back to me from sniffing the air.
"How did you get here so quickly?" Kouga blushed, and I heard him kick his foot against a rock like a child who just got caught with his hand in the cookie jar.
"I was following you." My face must have been blank because he immediately started trying to explain himself. "I made it back to the den, informed the elders of your decision and made my way back. I can travel quickly on my own, you know that, Tajik could do the same but he slows himself for you."
"So you have been following us. For how long?" Once again Kouga sat there with reddened cheeks.
"Off and on for the entire trip." Tajik finally turned and became part of the conversation.
Kouga backed up from me, and the blush was redder than ever. I stepped closer to him, and grabbed his hand. He looked up at me and smiled.
"Sorry-" I placed a finger in front of his lips to silence him. He grinned and nipped at my finger. I squeaked as I pulled my hand back as I heard Tajik break into a loud chest rumbling laugh. Kouga sat there for a minute just grinning for a minute while I held my hand in mock shock. Tajik finally reigned in his laughter, and I asked what I had been wondering about for a while.
"So you have been following us since we left?" He stopped smirking and looked down at the ground, as he scratched the back of his head.
"Yes."His answer was short, sweet, and honest. I felt a warmth spread through my body, I felt myself wanting to squeal in delight. I with held my squeal and tried to wipe the grin from my face.
"Well," I placed my finger to my chin as I pretended to ponder. "Tajik misses his mate and wants to go home. So maybe we send him home and you and I continue the journey together? Just you and I."
Kouga's head snapped up to look at me with a shocked expression, Tajik was sitting on a large rock staring at me with his mouth agape. Did I say something wrong? Was I too forward? Kouga sat there for a solid thirty seconds just staring at me, my blush continued to deepen the longer he stood there. When he finally composed himself he turned to Tajik.
"Tajik, your services are no longer needed in protection of the lady. I will personally see to her safety." Tajik shook his head and bowed as he made his way back down the ridge.
Kouga spun on his heel, wrapped me in his arms, picked me up and spun me around before placing me back on the ground. He made sure that I had my balance before releasing me.
"Kagome!" He gently cupped my cheek and lowered his face to mine.
He was getting closer, he closed his eyes, he was going to kiss me! He kept lowering, maybe I didn't realize how tall he is, my heart started racing, I thought I was ready for time for Kouga. Was I really ready for alone time with Kouga? His lips gently touched mine.
His lips are so soft and I felt my pulse slow as I relaxed. He lowered his hands and wrapped his arms around me, I felt myself raise my arms and wrap them around his neck. I tangled my fingers in the small hairs at the back of his neck. He groaned against my lips. I felt his tongue slide against my lips asking for entrance and I cautiously opened for him. His tongue cautiously entered my mouth and I moved my tongue to meet his. Kouga groaned as he pulled my body flush against his. I gasped as I felt his body rigid against me, his tongue continued to explore my mouth and I wanted to continue but suddenly a wave of wrongness washed over me. I moved my hands down to his chest, he must have felt the change because he broke the kiss. He rested his forehead on mine, I kept my eyes closed as we sat there in the blissful company of one another. He finally broke he silence between us.
"We should keep moving if you want to explore the rest of the ridge before nightfall."I nodded as we headed out. I noticed after about an hour of walking and searching he spoke up again to break the silence.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean for that to happen." I stopped my examination of a root and looked at him, he was gazing off into the distance purposely avoiding looking at me.
"Are you sorry it happened?" I wanted to know how he felt about it for sure.
"NO! Not at all!" He whipped his head to look at me and a very slight blush was reddening his cheeks. "I just- I wasn't sure I could stop until I felt you stiffen, and I came back to my senses."
I know just how he felt, if that wave of wrongness hadn't washed over me I would not have stiffened. He cautiously lifted his head to look me in the eyes, the light blush still staining his cheeks.
"Are you sorry it happened?" He sounded a bit hurt, but he was trying to mask it.
"No, I am not sorry." It was my turn to blush. "I rather enjoyed it actually." the last part came out as more of a whisper, but I knew he would hear with his demon hearing.
He leaned down and whispered in my ear.
"Your kiss is just as amazing as I always dreamed it would be." He back up from me after his confession. I felt my emotions running haywire.
He dreamed about me? He dreamed about kissing me? I wonder what else he dreamed about doing with me? Kagome! Don't think that way! I mentally scolded myself and I saw Kouga sit there smirking at me almost as if he could read my thoughts. I quickly bent back down to the root I was looking at.
"This root is strange." I saw him turn on his heel and begin to walk away. With a pfft he playfully added as he walked off.
"They are all strange."
I continued my search and examination of the root before I decided to harvest some to take with. I had no idea what it was but maybe Kaede or Jiki would. I continued looking around the ridge until I heard Kouga yelling for me from the base. I quickly picked the Jimson weed I had been examining. I placed it in a jar and hurried down the hill. I made it to the base of the ridge and found the fire light welcoming, I had not realized I had been up there so long that night had fallen and it was dark.
Kouga smiled at me approaching and offered me a stick with a small trout on it. My stomach growled in approval as I ate greedily. I finished off my fish and went to lay down, As soon as I got comfortable Kouga moved and sat against the tree I was near.
"So what did you find?" I sleepily tried to explain the herbs I had gathered today but I fell asleep mid explanation. Sleep was a welcome end to a good day.
The next morning we walked a little ways but not nearly far enough to be out of range of the areas I explored yesterday. Kouga sat my bags down.
"Why are we stopping?"
"There is a stream near here that is very refreshing, I figured we could both get a drink and since I know how you like to bathe often you could take a bath."
I was surprised but only slightly, I am sure I was starting to smell weird since I had done little more than sponge off in over a week. I nodded before I grabbed a fresh kimono and made my way to follow him. He walked just ahead of me and I could hear a slight babbling of water. We were coming up on an edge of the tree line and assumed we were nearly there.
We breached the tree line and there was a beautiful clear babbling brook, not very deep but about 15 feet from us was a deeper eddy that would be comfortable to sit in. Kouga crouched down and put his hands in the water, gathering a handful he brought it to his lips and drank deeply. I followed his lead and was surprised at how nice the cool temperature felt on my tongue. He started splashing his face, and then shook the loose water free of his hair.
"I will be over by the tree, keeping watch." He looked at me with an expression I had never seen before. "I promise not to peek." He smirked, the other expression completely gone but left me questioning. I waited until he was off in the trees and I heard his movement stop before I quickly disrobed and slid into the eddy.
As nice as the cool water felt on my tongue it was not as appreciated on my bare body. I couldn't control the shriek that passed my lips as I started to shiver. I heard Kouga call out with an echo.
"You alright?"
"Fine! Water is just cold!" His hearty chuckle seemed to surround me as it filled the air. Arrogant wolf.
I quickly rubbed my scalp, while scolding myself for not bringing soap of any kind, and rubbed on the rest of my body with the fresh water. I jumped back out and shook off, rather like a wolf I giggled inwardly. Sliding my fresh kimono on I sat down to braid my hair as I called for Kouga.
"It's ok to come back now." I heard him moving again before he came back into view. He smiled sweetly.
"Now you look more like my Kagome." I blushed bright red.
"Did I not look like your Kagome before?"
"No doubt you were still my Kagome, but you didn't look like her. You had things sticking out of your hair and dirt on your cheeks and forehead. I loved the look but it wasn't you, but your scent the lavender scent I love about you-" He walked over and sat next to me, taking the strap and tying off my hair for me. Once he finished he put his nose on my shoulder and inhaled deeply. "The scent of lavenders I love about you, was too heavily masked with everything else. It made you harder to find."
"Oh, well makes sense that I should bathe often then." I giggled lightly.
"If that is what it takes to keep you smelling that way then have at." He paused. "I wouldn't change your scent for anything." He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me back onto his lap. He kept his head resting on my shoulder and sighed deeply. "I could do this forever."
I laughed. "You would get tired of my endless talking eventually."
"Never." He placed a feather light kiss on my shoulder as he helped me stand and he stood next to me. "You only have one area left. It is the mountain top. We better get going if we want to make it by noon."
"Actually." He stopped his walking back toward our bags and turned to me. "I am rather tired of being gone. I can search the mountain top another time." I noted the smile on his lips. "I would like to go home, if that is ok?" His grin widened and we beamed at me.
"As you wish M'lady, home it is." He picked me up bridal style and hurried off toward our bags. Barely stopping to grab them, he took off in a full run toward the den.
I sat there snuggled into Kouga's chest and couldn't help but feel content. The man I cared deeply for is cradling me as we head for home where the closest thing to a family I have in this time is. The wolf tribe if my family now, and as much as I miss my mother, Souta, and grandpa I know I would miss these wolves just as much if I went back. Went back? When had I stopped referring to the future as home? I had openly called the wolf den my home and I guess it hadn't occurred to me that this felt more like home now than Tokyo did. That realization saddened me a bit, but I also know that as much as my mom misses me, Kouga would miss me just as much. I left my mother with her blessing to do what made me happy, this makes me happy being here with Kouga. I am happy.
The gentle rocking and breeze of Kouga's running put me to sleep, I didn't know anything until I felt a light kiss on my forehead.
We had stopped moving and Kouga placed me gently on the ground, we were in front of the waterfall. Night had fallen and the nearly full moon was out. I turned around and wrapped my arms around Kouga's neck as I pulled him into a hug. I apparently surprised him because he stiffened slightly before relaxing and wrapping me in his arms.
"What's this for?" His voice was quiet, and muffled by my hair.
"Thank you for bringing me back." I closed my eyes and just sat there wrapped in the protective arms of Kouga.
"I will always bring you back. If this is where you want to be then this is where I will be."
I opened my eyes but remained hugging him.
"What do you mean?" He chuckled slightly.
"You are my intended, if you decided you no longer wanted to be here with the wolf demons then we would leave. We are meant to be, and I will do anything to make you happy."
"And I you." I had spoken without even realizing it and immediately felt myself redden at my confession. Kouga's arms tightened around me before he released and looked at me as if seeing me in a whole new light.
"And you have no idea how happy that makes me." I blushed as we headed inside. The den all seemed to be sleeping so we tread carefully.
Upon arriving at our separate dens he bid me good night and I him as we went into our rooms. I made my way to my bed and collapsed into my soft bear fur. My mind fell into a blissful sleep as the last thing to cross my mind:
Finally home.
A/N: thank you so much for your reviews! I appreciate all the follows! Thanks guys, I promise more soon!
thank you Sassy618: I have been considering something along those lines (because I love that too!) I have been trying to find a way to do so and I think I finally figured it out! Stay tuned