I felt an unbearable warmth, I tried to move away from it to no avail. I tried to open my eyes but they felt almost stuck together. I squeezed my eyes tight and they finally opened. My eyelids felt heavy, when I could finally see I am lying in a dim cavern looking at the ceiling. The warmth beside me is a person, they grabbed ahold of me and crushed me to them.
"Kagome!" That was my name, the voice it sounded so familiar like I should know it. There was suddenly a head full of hair burried in my shoulder. "Oh Kagome." It was just above a whisper.
I felt that this person has a demonic aura, but I did not sense anything evil about it. I felt my shoulder getting wet as this person was sobbing into my shoulder. With their arms wrapped tightly around me, I felt one hand move up to my hair and hold me in place. This embrace it felt so familiar, so comfortable, I feel like I have been here with this person before.
Their shoulders shook, as a sob shook their shoulders. They were crying over me? What happened for this person to be sobbing for me? I raised a heavy hand and placed it on their shoulder, I felt a spark as I touched them. All of a sudden it occurred to me, this aura this familiar aura, this embrace, the cave. This is Kouga. Kouga crying for me? What had happened to make him so upset?
We lay there, me trying to remember what had happened and Kouga losing himself to his sorrow in my shoulder. I wrapped him in a hug but we stayed there that way until morning. Eventually he sat up and looked at me, really looked at me. His eyes are bleary and blood shot, his cheeks are wet with tears. He sat there looking at me, staring at my face almost like he is waiting for something. I give him a smile, that I am certain is not convincing but it seems to be what he was waiting for. He smiles slightly as he lowers his head and gently brushes his lips over mine. A spark shot down my body and I seem to be able to move my arms easier, as they seemed to weigh less. I moved my arms from his torso, to around his neck but he didn't move to deepen the kiss. He rested his forehead on mine as we sat there looking into each others eyes.
"Kagome I was so worried." His voice barely above a whisper, I felt a tinge of guilt. I hadn't meant to worry him. "Promise me you won't leave me again. Please don't leave me."
I moved my hand up to the side of his face and gently stroked his cheek.
"I will never leave you Kouga." I felt him shiver slightly at my confession.
"I love you Kagome."
"I know." I pulled him down and kissed him. His lips soft and warm, as I felt a shiver slide up my spine. I felt him shiver slightly too, so I know he felt it too.
"Kouga may I enter?" This was a voice from outside of the room.
Kouga broke the kiss as he blushed slightly.
"Yes, enter." Jiki made her way past the curtain and looked at us shocked as we both turned to look at her.
"Jiki, there was a development last night late." Her expression had not changed, standing inside the doorway with a completely shocked expression. "Lady Kagome seems to have come back to us Jiki. Is there anything you would like to say?"
Jiki said nothing as she slowly waddled over to us, Kouga slid off of my side and knelt next to the bed as Jiki neared. Looking over to Kouga he was grinning ear to ear watching Jiki approach. She finally made it to the bed where she dropped down to her knees, and took my hand in hers. She smiled brightly as I gave her hand a squeeze.
"Kagome, I was worried we got to you too late." She was grinning while looking back and forth between myself and Kouga. "You had been asleep for so long." At that my smile vanished and was replaced with a frown.
"Wait- How long have I been asleep?" Kouga looked down at me, his smile gone and one of sadness replaced it.
"Two and a half weeks." Was Jiki's saddened reply. "You had harvested a poisonous root. It got into your blood and nearly killed you."
My expression changed to shock, two and a half weeks?! I was asleep for two and a half weeks!
"The poison was well into your system when Kouga found you. We acted quickly but we are very fortunate that you took so well to the antitoxin." Jiki was inspecting my hand as she spoke. "Can you move anything else besides your arms?"
"I don't know. I haven't tried." I admitted sheepishly. I glanced to Kouga and noticed his slight blush.
"Well try for me, will you?" She sat back and released my hand as she waited for me to try.
Kouga leaned forward before Jiki placed a hand on his shoulder as a no leave her be. I placed my hands on the bed and tried to sit myself up. My arms didn't feel as heavy as they did last night but the rest of me was still heavy. I managed to get myself up to my elbows, but by that action alone I was panting. Kouga moved forward and helped me to sit up the rest of the way, sliding his body in behind me to prop me up. Jiki simply gave me a small smile.
"Not to worry, little one. It is quite common to be weak after such a long time of rest."
I grunted my frustrations, as Kouga massaged my shoulders in reassurance.
"Not to worry, you will get back to your old self soon enough." He leaned down and placed his chin on my shoulder. "And I will be here every step of the way to help." He gently placed a peck on my cheek. I blushed at his action, and Jiki seemed not to notice us as she took a sewing needle to my toes.
I felt a light prickle but my knees didn't jerk the way my reflexes should have.
"Jiki-" I was worried, my reflexes aren't reacting properly.
"It will take time. Be patient little one."
Little one, she was calling me little one. She called me little one when I first came here because she thought me young and inexperienced. She only stopped when I showed her that I knew how to wrap and tend wounds and care for the ill. It took a while but I had convinced her I know my stuff, and now she was calling me it again!
I grumbled and Jiki let out a small laugh.
"You seem fine, and I know you are in good hands." She nodded toward her alpha, before she stood and gathered her things. "I will send breakfast in. I don't recommend leaving the room until you can sit up on your own." Kouga and I nodded in agreement. "But you know what you can handle, just be careful."
She made her way to the door and left. Kouga wrappped his arms around me in a hug and I caught myself sighing in contentment.
"What is the last thing you remember?" He tentatively asked.
"Well-" I sat there thinking back, there was a lot of blurr but one thing came to my mind rather clearly. I opened my mind to speak as I heard a voice outside the curtain.
"Excuse me, I brought your breakfast." That voice it was Ari, how appropriate, arguing with her is the last thing I remember.
"Come in Ari." I called out, and saw her slide around the curtain. Once around it I saw her smile at me with a tear sliding down her cheek. She rushed over to our side, as tears started falling faster. I took the plate from her as she dove forward to hug me, and because of our closeness she hugged Kouga as well. Kouga didn't seem bothered by it, so I wrapped her in a hug.
"I am so sorry, I was so mean to you!" She sobbed into my shoulder. I gently patted her back as she sniffled and pulled back to look at me. Once she pulled back and looked at me, I saw fear cross her expression as she backed up and bowed deeply.
"What exactly happened?" I heard Kouga growl out behind me. Ari was bowed with her nose to the floor, crying again and chanting her apologies. "You will answer when your alpha questions you!" This came out forceful and mean, I even felt myself cower a bit. His chest vibrating with a very low growl, his arms no longer leisurely laced around me but holding me protectively. "Ari!" Her name came out almost as a bark and I felt it was time to answer for her.
"Kouga-" He tightened his arm around my chest pulling me incredibly close to him in a motion to silence me.
"Answer me." His fury leaking out in his words. He was shaking more than vibrating and I realized he was trying to restrain himself.
"Ari please just tell him." I tried to sound reassuring but I heard the note of fear in my own voice. Kouga's grip on me lessened as he lowered his head to my shoulder and nuzzled into my neck. Silently trying to assuage my fear, but it wasn't working. I know Kouga will never hurt me but I wasn't sure about Ari. Ari glanced up as she wiped the tears pouring down her cheeks.
"She tried explaining to me why she left the cave and I told her that her excuses were childish." She pulled her arms tightly around herself, and I saw her try to suppress another sob. "I am so sorry my alpha."
Kouga growled again as he rose his head to look at her. I tried to turn to face him but my legs wouldn't move. Ari sat there barely breathing waiting for him to speak.
"Kagome did this offend you." His voice was firm, not telling me what he was thinking.
"No, it did not offend me. If I am honest-" Kouga cut me off as he once again spoke to Ari.
"You have not offended the lady and therefore your punishment shall be light." Ari took a deep breath of relief. She bowed deeply again as Kouga continued speaking. "Kagome finds she is not able to do everything by herself that she should just yet." Ari shot back up and looked at me, I blushed a deep red. "You will assist her in all endeavors until I release you from her service. I will tell your mate of your punishment. Am I clear?"
"Thank you my alpha, that is more than reasonable." She smiled toward me.
"Anytime I am not by her side I expect you to be."
"yes my alpha." She bowed again.
My head started hurting, nothing major but it was a dull ache. I brought my hand up and massaged my temples. Kouga quickly readjusted himself so he could see my face.
"Kagome! Are you alright?" His solid tone of authority gone and replaced with one of worry.
"Yes, just a headache." I closed my eyes as a wave of dizziness washed over me.
"What do you need?" Worry etched all over his face.
"Just lay me down, a nap would help. Please." He moves out from behind me and ever so gently lays me back down among the furs. "Kouga, one last favor?"
He smiles and nods. "Anything, name it."
"Lay me on my side, my back hurts from laying on it so long." He did as I instructed him, and positioned me comfortably on my side facing the cave wall. Kouga kissed my cheek softly and whispered in my ear.
"I have things to attend to, if you need me send Ari."
I nodded that I understood and ever so gracefully fell into a restful sleep.
When I awoke later I was still facing the cave wall, as I placed my hands on the wall I pushed myself onto my back. I heard a gasp and hurried footsteps before Ari came into view sliding up next to me.
"Kagome are you alright?" I groaned as my backside once again felt the unforgiving cave floor through the furs.
"Yeah, I am fine." Ari seems different, I have known her for more than a year but for some reason there was something about the way I felt her aura that was different.
"Ari?" Her aura being weird was probably just me but I needed to know.
"yes?"
"Your aura is different, why?" She gave a slight giggle.
"Well that is for 2 things, one I am mated and you haven't really been near me since then. Two, I just found out that I am pregnant!" She squealed in excitement, and I couldn't help it I did too! My best friend is going to have a baby!
"Wait- Ari you can't serve me if you are pregnant. I will have Kouga remove your punishment." A panic stricken look crossed her features.
"No! You mustn't!" I turned my head and looked at her, she shook her head at me.
"Not even the alpha's lady can contradict his punishments! If you do, you will be subject to punishment!"
"There has to be something I can do to help you." She smiled sympathetically.
"The sooner you get better the sooner I will be released."
"Then I will focus on getting better, for you Ari and your pup." A grin broke across my face and Ari's matched, the next few months were going to be fun.
Kouga returned at sunset and sent Ari to be with Marik. He brought supper with him, so he helped me sit up and we talked over dinner. Once I told Kouga all I learned today he was happy but no where near as much as I thought he would be.
"Kouga, are you not excited for Ari?" I asked a bit apprehensively.
"Of course I am, I just-" He grumbled to himself before speaking again. "I wish I had known before I had punished her." I could not help the elated grin that covered my face.
"Oh Kouga! I knew you would removed her punishment if only-" He silenced me with a finger, I nipped at it and it earned me a grin.
"The punishment has been set, I cannot remove it. Doing so would make me seem weak to the rest of the pack. She will have to serve her punishment." I sighed and hung my head.
"I was afraid you would say that." I sounded defeated.
"Anything I can do to make it easier for her I will do, but I cannot make her sentence shorter just because of that." An idea shot through my head and before I could think better of it I asked him.
"Well there is something you can help me with then." He cocked his head to the side and smiled slightly.
"Anything."
"I feel disgusting. I am covered in sweat and dirt and honestly I need out of this cave for a while." He sat there with a confused look on his face. That's it I was going to have to spell it out for him. "I need a bath Kouga." I saw a mischievous glint in his eye followed by a sparkle. "Please."
The way we were sitting, with me between his legs turned ever so slightly so that his knee was propping me up, so we could still look at each other as we talked. I felt his groin twitch, as his eyes hazed over slightly.
"Kouga?" He snapped back to reality. He leaned down and scooped me into his arms and carried me out of he cave. Instead of going to the secluded waterfall he took me to a nearby stream. It was very shallow, barely coming above my thighs while I was siting, which is why I assumed he picked it. Once he placed me on the ground we sat there in an awkward silence.
"Kagome, I can't leave you alone in the water." He was barely speaking and I could tell it took him a bit to work up to it. "You can barely sit up on your own." He wasn't wrong, he was currently holding me up with his arm behind me. I placed my finger on his lips and he looked at me quizzically.
"Well," My nerves are on edge, I knew it would come to this but actually doing it was making me have a small panic attack. Keep it together Kagome! Nothing to it but to do it! "I am going to be your mate one day. You will see it all anyway." His expression changed to one of shock.
"Kagome, are you sure? I mean absolutely sure." He was apprehensive, I assumed it is because he knows how shy I am. I mentally took a deep breath.
"Kouga, will you help me undress?" I took my hands and untied my sash, letting it fall to the ground. He sat there completely frozen in shock by my question. I went to pull apart my kimono and his hands stopped me.
His voice was rigid and I could tell he was forcing himself to restrain.
"Kagome wait. I will cover my eyes, but I wont leave your side. Is that ok?"
Wait a second. Is he refusing to see me naked? But I thought he wanted me, I thought he desired me? I felt disappointment blossom inside at my revelation to myself. Kouga didn't want to see me naked. I had a nagging voice screaming at me that it was a good thing that Kouga is restraining himself, but there was another voice that was screaming for Kouga to touch me.
"Kouga, I don't understand-" He leaned in and kissed me deeply, I felt butterflies fluter in my stomach and my pulse raced. I pulled myself closer to him, as he pulled me into his chest. I am flush against his rock hard body feeling every inch of him, his chest and forearms, how to his hips and his erection. I blushed deeply, he has a rock hard erection pressed into my hips, I could feel his blatant need and want for me. Then why didn't he want to see me? He ran his tongue along my lips begging for entrance which I quickly allowed. Losing ourselves in the heat of this moment, tongues lashing together in a brutal battle for dominance. His hips rolling slightly into my hips, all the while holding me tightly to him. I moaned against his lips and he growled in approval in return. Suddenly he pushed me back, far enough that no part of us was touching besides his hand on my back for support. When I finally opened my eyes what I was met with shocked me, there sat Kouga staring at me with a red tinge in the whites of his eyes. My heart hammered against my ribcage, and my breathing turned to pants to match his. Kouga's inner demon had come out?
"Kouga?" He growled low, clearly trying to warn me. But instead of fear gripping me, I felt a heat start in my heart and dart down to between my thighs. "Kouga."
He continued to stare at me, his eyes shifting down to my chest where my kimono had slid open to reveal cleavage. He growled lowly as his hand came closer, his claws were out and for a moment I was afraid he would cut me with them. He gently slid his hand between the front of my kimono revealing more of my chest but still not the whole breast. I gasped as his claws gently touched my flesh feeling like it left trails of lava on my skin. I could not help a moan that escaped my lips, as my eyes slid closed. I have no idea what he was doing to me but I do not want it to stop.
Suddenly he pulled back, removing both his hands. I scrambled to get my hands placed firmly on the ground before I fell. Once I had my balance, my arms burning with the exertion of trying to hold up my body, I looked for where Kouga had gone. I spotted him with his back to me, bracing himself against a tree.
"Kouga?" My breathing was getting rougher as my arms tried giving out. He turned around slowly, still not looking up. He has his eyes closed and one of his hands up pinching the bridge of his nose. "Kouga-" My right arm buckled, and a strangled scream ripped from my mouth. I didn't see him move, but he was suddenly there supporting my weight once again. I took a deep sigh of relief as I smiled at him. "Thank you-"
"Please don't do that again." His voice was firm, not as firm as he had been with Ari but still with authority.
"What exactly? Fall over or-."
His eyes had returned to their normal white with ocean blue orbs. He looked me dead on.
"Kagome, I want you more than anything." His voice was strained, like he was still forcing himself not to lose control. "But if you do that, I won't be able to stop myself."
He is afraid to lose control with me. He is afraid of hurting me.
"I understand." I looked up to him with only love and admiration in my gaze, he finally smiled back at me, and the uncomfortable air dissipated.
He gently pulled me into a hug, and inhaled deeply into my hair. He pushed himself back and pulled his headband down over his eyes.
"Just safely place my hands to lift you." I giggled at my seemingly blind wolf, as he grinned at me.
I slid my kimono off as best I could, and grabbed Kouga's arms and had him lower me into the water. The stiffened and shivered as the water rolled over my bare body. Kouga chuckled behind me.
"Better make it quick or I will have to jump in to warm you up." I gasped and he laughed loudly. "I'm joking! Wouldn't want to temp the beast again now would we." He chuckled and I couldn't help the shiver that went up my spine. I'm not 100% certain this shiver was from the water, or from the idea of Kouga releasing his inner demon. I can't lie, the sight of him barely containing himself stirred something in me I had never felt before.
"Kouga did you bring soap?" He blushed slightly.
"uhm. No." He shyly admitted. "But I can't exactly leave you here alone to go back."
"Agreed. There is always tomorrow." I couldn't help but smile as a deep red blush covered his cheeks.
"I suppose there is."
I finished rinsing myself off, and told Kouga to pull me out. I slid my dirty kimono back on, I grabbed Kouga's hand and pulled him to the front of me. His arm still pulled around me to support me. He gasped in surprise at my action. I pulled his head down slightly and brushed my lips over his as I grabbed his head band and pushed it up. I let him pull back and he opened his eyes to look at me. I smiled and blushed to match his.
"There you are." His voice soft, making my spine tingle. I giggled at him as he wrapped me in his arms to carry me back inside.
We made our way back to Kouga's den, where I actually took a minute to look around. There was a fireplace with a small dying fire inside to the far left, straight in to the opposite wall is the bed which is large enough to be considered a queen size in my time. The bed is a large pile of hay, covered in different colored furs a top it. Over on the right side is my chest and table covered in herbs, along with a chest that isn't mine.
Wait Kouga had moved me in his room? Like properly moved into his room? All my things are in here. I guess agreeing to think about being his mate was enough for Kouga. He must figure there is no way I will say no and I must admit I have seen a side to Kouga recently that I have never seen before. I always thought him the rough and tumble wolf, claiming what is his without a thought toward anyone else. I have seen now that there is a soft side to Kouga, a side he is unwilling to show anyone else and that doesn't bother me a bit. I like this soft and gentle Kouga, I also kinda like the protective alpha side of Kouga both sides of him are what make him the man I love. Gulp.
Did I just say I love Kouga? I was just thinking, could I really? Could I love him, the wolf that kidnapped me and claimed I was his woman? I don't really think there was a question, I love Kouga and there is nothing I wouldn't do for him.
He walked over to the bed and lay me down, positioning me on my side facing the room, I quickly fell asleep, but not before I felt my wolf snuggle in behind me. That's right my wolf, mine.
A/N: OMG! Thank you for so many reviews! I was really nervous about the last chapter and you all made me feel awesome! Cannot thank you guys enough! So there is was the next chapter, give me a heads up on what you think Please! Love hearing from y'all!