A little bit of a wait. But a drastic improvement from my last update I'd say! Still trying to make it up to you guys with a more steady flow of updates. Will do so eventually but for now.
Lets keep this train rolling and get right back to where we left off. Enjoy!
Note For Review's :
(Will post in next chapter)
Chapter Fifteen
Departure
The rich fresh morning air swept through bound chocolate colored locks and sandy blonde fur as steadily a large feline formed shadow came drifting from the sky.
Sango gripped hold of Kilal's thick mane tightly as her onyx colored paws came to rest in the center upper most part of the village street.
Instantly the now dismounting demon slayer locked eyes with an equally as distraught and worrisome individual that mirrored her own.
"Did ye see nothing?" Kaede crowed wearily.
Sango regretfully shook her head from side to side in blunt disappointment.
"We circled the entire north and western side. We couldn't find her." The demon slayer said not bothering to hide her building internal panic.
"Days broken. We'll try circling again. You haven't heard anything at all down here?" Sango asked hopeful that perhaps the elder priestess might have received any word from her absent apprentice.
"None." The slumped priestess replied fearfully. It wasn't like Kagome to leave the village without so much as an attempt to let those who cared for her most know when she would return.
She had been gone all night. And though both Sango and Kaede had noticed her absences mere hours ago. The hours of frivolous searching was beginning to take a toll.
Each one sharing a look of pure distress and exhaustion.
Sango swallowed down her unease before gripping hold of Kilala's fur once more now preparing to widen the search for her dear friend.
That was until she witnessed Kilala's enlarged crimson eyes direct forward and her pointed ears twitch with the alert of frantically approaching footsteps.
Sango immediately turned in the direction her fire cat companion stared only to witness the source of all this silent distress come charging forward.
Kagome sprinted over the stairway separating her from Kaede's home trying desperately to ignore the burning in her lungs from just having run what seemed like ten miles just to get here.
"Kagome!" Sango exhaled thankfully rushing to meet her visibly disheveled friend step for step.
"Are you alright? Where have you been?" Sango questioned finally coming to a halt when the now panting priestess standing before her did.
"I-I'm so sorry. I lost track of time." Kagome huffed out through heavy breaths wiping the sweat that had decided to begin beading on her brow.
"Your clothing child? Were ye attacked?" Kaede interceded now standing at the demon slayers side. Both their now even more worried eyes fixing on Kagome's obvious tattered appearance.
Kagome unintentionally peered down at herself. The hard grass and blacken dirt stains coating her severely ripped clothing exceeding far to many to count.
She definitely did look like she had went about a dozen rounds with a most formidable opponent. And sadly that had been just the case, but not in the way her two dearest friends were currently thinking.
It had been Kouga's claws and hard touch that had messed her clothing, tangled her hair and most positively put about a dozen or so fresh bruises on her pearl skin.
Were it not for the adrenaline currently pumping its way through her system from having sprint such a long distance she almost positively wouldn't have been able to walk let alone run form the constant aching pain developing between her thighs.
But obviously such events weren't about to leave her lips in conversation.
"No!" Kagome protested a little to quickly to be believable and she knew it.
"I-I mean. I was. B-But it was nothing! I'm fine!" She vowed pouring far more valid sincerity into her statement.
It seemed to have worked.
"Are you sure?" Sango prodded. It didn't seem possible that Kagome's clothing had received such treatment and yet she didn't appear to have a visible scratch on her.
"I promise." Kagome assured. Hoping and secretly praying the subject would be dropped. She hadn't had the chance to sort out her own frazzled feelings let alone manage conversation. She didn't know what she was capable of letting slip at a time like this.
"Come then child. We'll get ye cleaned up." Kaede began, relief clear in her aged tone. Kagome was in one peace, that was all that mattered. Details could be sorted out later.
"I'm sorry I worried you both-" Kagome began apologetically taking the elder priestess arm in her own as they began towards the awaiting vacant hut.
Where she knew a fresh change of cloths would be eagerly waiting her.
Now, if only lasting memories and sensations were so easily replaced.
Wagon wheels squeaked and rippling puddles of lingering rainwater's splashed as the wooden circles rolled through the murky texture.
The off colored water spurting outwards to land on the bare clawed feet of a less than pleased amber eyed half demon.
"Would you watch where you going!?" Inuyasha snapped angrily upwards to the seated monk steering at his side.
"It's just a little water." Miroku replied uncaring as he tucked the reigns currently connected to two copper colored mares leather holsters more tightly into his fist.
It had been ages since he had driven one of these things.
Inuyasha hatefully eyed the bulky cart of absolutely stuffed cargo the monk currently lugged behind them. Dozens of bundles of food, drink, fabric and other unnecessary luggage.
Luggage that had slowed him down for far to long as far as he was concerned. Were it not for the monk and his seemingly endless greed the both of them would have been home weeks ago!
Ever since leaving the north and its troubles behind, it seemed like every village with in gossip range had heard of his triumph of Yokobue. Such unwanted attention had caused a swelling rush of neighboring towns people to seek aid of their own against some bothersome demon.
He had helped all he could tolerate, and Miroku all he could swindle. Before finally he had been forced to flee that icy hell hole in a long overdue journey to return home.
A journey that would have ended a lot faster if he had his way.
"You should just dump all that trash! We're almost home! And you couldn't possibly be any slower!?" Inuyasha snapped angrily.
"Relax." Was Miroku's even response.
"We'll be home in a day or two. Besides. I cant very well face my girls after all this time without bringing them a present or two from our travels." The silver tongued monk chimed.
"Present? Yeah right! Half that junk is yours!" Inuyasha snarled.
"If you're so tired from walking. I'd be happy to let you steer for a little while?" Miroku suggested. He was all but numb to Inuyasha's flaring temper at this point.
"I'm not getting on that damn cart! Just get these things in gear and hurry the hell up!" Inuyasha spat hatefully over his shoulder marching forward and causing the horses at his side to flinch from the aura he exuded.
Miroku sighed tiredly at the sight.
The half demon wasn't the only one who was sick of the road. He was developing a loathing of his own. Only he was far better at hiding it.
But for how much longer? He truly had no idea.
It couldn't have possibly felt better to know the hard labor of the day was at last over, and the grime and sweat it had left behind was now being washed away.
Kagome moaned low and exhausted as she dipped the small cloth tucked firmly in her hand into the warm spring pool she currently stood waist deep inside. Not even bothering to ring out the drenched piece of fabric as she wiped it across her milky skin sighing all the while with the feeling of relief it brought.
Kaede definitely hadn't taken much influence to reassure herself that her protégé was indeed fine. She hadn't hesitated to put Kagome though the ringer today, hard labor had always been a common occurrence in priestess life but today had been exceptionally difficult.
Not only had it seemed she visited every single hut in the village to aid the sick or help the needy, but all the while she had been forced to hide how utterly exhausted and physically drained she actually was.
The countless hours she had spent with Kouga had cost her dearly. She felt like she was well beyond the point of total collapse. Every inch of her body ached. Uncomfortable and consistent gnawing of sheer soreness rippled through her skin like water.
Hard purple bruises from his calloused hands and dozens of redden skin deep scratches from his claws and fangs marred her once flawless body.
But, even now as she dealt with the constant annoyance of lingering pain, the feeling of physical regret was minimal. How could it not be? Hours Kouga had lavished her with passionate caresses that even now made her blood run hotter at the memory. It had been nothing but ecstasy. Pain included, it had been indescribable perfection.
But monumental pleasure aside it didn't necessarily mean it had left her completely blissfully ignorant to what exactly it was she had done.
She had betrayed Inuyasha. Again.
Over and over she had allowed herself to surrender into Kouga's touch without a hint of resistance. The guilt of what she now knew were nothing but selfish actions, was beginning to eat a hole through her.
She loved Inuyasha. She did! But, she couldn't stop wanting Kouga.
She was past the point of denial. She down right craved the wolf demons touch, his kiss, everything he had to offer she wanted so badly it actually hurt.
Kagome sunk lower into the warm water of the crystal clear pool crossing her arms around her naked chest tightly in attempt to stop herself from sobbing.
Why did this hurt so much? There was a pain seeded so deeply inside her she knew with a sickening certainty she could not explain, it would never fully up root itself.
Not while Kouga was near.
It had been her objective all along to bathe and then return to the outside village hillsides to confront the wolf demon about what they had willingly thrown themselves into once more.
She only hoped he hadn't changed his mind about meeting her. After all she had been basically welded to the village all day. Had he been patient enough to wait for her? Was he still waiting?
Kagome dipped her head low until she submerged herself completely her hazel eyes staring ahead narrowly to the far end of the rock enclosed spring.
She didn't know what she was going to do. How could she face him again? What would she even say? What could she say?
It was all to confusing. To painful.
Swaying her head from side to side she shook the uncertainty from her mind. First thing was first, she had to find him. Only then would this chaos she had thrown her life into begin to end.
Rising from the water with a hard breath Kagome swept her hair to the side of her neck beginning to wring out the thick dark tresses of her wavy locks. Her usual last step before she retreated from the bath to dress herself.
Unfortunately she would never make it that far.
Without warning or a single sound. A solid from overshadowed her. A strong hand slicing through the air to cup over her mouth muffling an already escaping scream as she was pulled blindly backwards.
Kagome thrashed against her unknown capture the water around her splashing with struggle until the familiar feeling of hot lips pressed to the lobe of her ear caused her to still all to quickly.
"You kept me waiting long enough." Kouga whispered darkly. Though Kagome couldn't see him clearly she could all but hear the smirk across his handsome lips.
A bit more calm then before but not by much she reached for his hand still held over her mouth the gesture causing the wolf demon to release her slowly.
Instantly once free the infuriated priestess spun to face the arrogant wolf demon fury clear in her tear blurred hazel eyes at being so rudely intruded on!
Did Kouga have no decency? She was in the bath! Of course he had already seen and caressed every possible inch of her but this felt down right violating! And for some unthinkable reason far more personal!
Not to mention, they were basically still inside the village! A little farther off than the common villager wandered but definitely within shouting distance of listing ears!
What if someone saw them?!
Kagome's mouth opened and all the venom she had held inside was about to come spewing out in down right insulting words but before she could muster a single syllable Kouga's lips were on hers!
Kagome gasped from the sudden unsuspected actions allowing Kouga to take full advantage and wedge his tongue between her lips beginning to ravage her mouth without a hint of restraint!
Stunned the beyond frazzled priestess groped at the wolf demon now pulling her to him for any source of support that she might break the contact between them. Only to discover he was equally as naked as she was!
Beyond shocked that this was actually happening Kagome tore her head to the side severing the scotching kiss!
"Kouga-stop!" She rasped sounding far more breathless then she would have liked.
The bold wolf demon ignored Kagome's minor rebuff fueled on by the arousal he could already smell beginning to rise from the priestess in his arms.
Instead dipping his head low to claim the long column of her neck biting down gently with the tips of his fangs followed by continual lashes of his hot wet tongue.
Kagome moaned unwillingly at the feeling a hard unwanted jolt shooting down into the pit of stomach followed by a delicious pulse between her thighs.
"N-Not here-" Kagome begged unable to help herself as her head fell back allowing the wolf demon more room to work over her already heated skin.
Kouga's rough hands fisted into her raven locks tangling her sleek damp locks between his fingers.
Aggressively he pulled back his other hand gripping hold of her bare thigh to guide her into stepping backwards until she was pinned helplessly between his hard body and a large boulder at the pool rim.
Kagome gasped at the feeling of cold stone biting into the naked skin of her back as she laid defenseless against her only means of support.
"I cant wait." Kouga rasped between bared fangs.
Instantly Kagome knew no protest she managed to form at this point wouldn't be enough to stop the clearly unreasonable wolf demon embracing her.
"K-Kou-" Kagome breathed, this couldn't be happening!
The reluctance was clear in her broken tone but Kouga couldn't bring himself to care. The idea of stopping just didn't seem physically possible. It was like he had become possessed with the overwhelming need for her.
How could he not? After finally catching the scent of her away from the village base he had sprinted to find her. Half expecting her be sitting in wait for him, only to see he was delightfully mistaken.
Instead finding her naked and exposed completely unaware of his presence. It was far to tempting a situation to not take full advantage of.
His head dipped and his mouth covered hers hungrily and clearly desperate for far more.
Kouga's heart pounded in his chest so fiercely he was sure Kagome would be able to feel it too. His body trembled and his eyes flashed something so dark and primal it made Kagome seal her hazel orbs tightly shut just to escape their searing glare.
This was selfish. This was wrong. But, what was happening inside her it was beyond thinking beyond, controlling.
She was no different than an addict. Addicted to the escape, the high being lost in Kouga created.
His lips and hands were everywhere. Grabbing her breast, sucking her aching nipples, pulling her now messed raven locks and grinding against her so sensually she could feel the already harden member of his length glide over her exposed sex.
Kagome gasped for air feeling as Kouga held her in his inescapably tight embrace. Molding his hips into her making her blood run a thousand times hotter and her skin shiver with lasting chills.
It hadn't been more than a few hours if that and already Kouga was consumed with the longing for the warm wetness of her. He was undeniably hard and aching to burry himself as deep as he physically could inside her.
No sooner did the thought cross his mind that Kouga untangled their limbs spinning Kagome from him to press against the cool stone wall while he began to reposition himself behind her.
Kagome braced her palms flatly on the slippery ash colored rock surrendering herself numbly to what she knew was about to transpire.
Kouga moved to center himself between her legs, one calloused hand sliding between her thighs to make sure she spread herself wide exposing her completely to his sharp azure eyes. The other placed on the small of her back to bend her forward, forcing his pelvis to her ass in perfect alignment.
Kagome gasped the wolf demons name as the smooth head of his shaft ran over her slick folds. She was so overly sensitized by sheer adrenaline that her body began shiver in anticipation.
Aided by the luke warm water surrounding them Kouga pushed forward his well lubricated member, just the tip at first but quickly driving further inside her welcoming sex.
Kagome felt her hidden depths stretch to accommodate his impressive length. Her pearl white teeth digging immediately into her pouted bottom lip to stifle a loud moan at the glorious feeling.
This position gave her little leverage, pressed so firmly between the cool wet stone and the solid heated body of the wolf demon at her back. She was left helpless unable to do anything more than enjoy what he was doing to her.
His thrust were slow and even, shallow at first but gradually beginning to deepen but always in a restrained tempo that drove her crazy.
It wasn't long before she was clawing at the rock against her, instinctively pressing herself back against him seeking deeper penetration.
Her will to fight had all but crumbled under the sheer weight of desire raging inside her she was no longer in any mood for restraint. She wanted him to take her away from this place. Away from conscience thought to that unspoken oblivion she knew he could quickly deliver her too.
Kouga obeyed her unspoken plea but only partially. Filling her more deeply but not at the frantic pace she was obviously craving.
Before to long Kagome moans became laced with desperate pleas for more, for him to drive this emptiness inside her so far away it was beyond recall.
Her cries were half muffled by the relentless splashing of the whirlpool like water circling between them, but Kouga could hear every longing word.
His rough hand gripped her slightly slippery hip, steadying her as she pressed backwards with surprising force.
Kouga wanted this to last. To drag out the silent torment he knew he was bestowing upon the girl bent over before him. He didn't know why, maybe it was his own subconscious way of punishing her for keeping him waiting for her return so long.
For whatever reason he wanted her to crave. To need him so desperately as he often craved her, he wanted her to ache.
But as determined as he wanted to be, he couldn't deny apart of him was breaking. Against his hazy thoughts, his body craved the exact thing Kagome's did. Fulfillment, and Kouga knew, if he continued at this pace or not it was coming and it was coming far too fast.
It was then Kouga realized he didn't have a choice anymore, he would have to tempt her another way. A much more pleasurable way.
Before another plea for more could leave Kagome's parted lips her entire body rocked forward with such force the heated cheek of her face pressed into the hard stone of the boulder supporting her.
All breath from her lungs exhaling in a ringing cry as Kouga began to pound into ruthlessly just as she had silently requested.
Her needy moans instantly bursting into deafening screams, so loud and intense she was sure the entire village would surely hear her!
Thankfully Kouga seemed to share her hidden concern as he released one of her hips to cup a hard hand over her parted lips muffling her cries! All the while never ceasing the blissful pumping of his sculpted hips.
Kouga couldn't deny it any longer, he was reaching his limit driven on so quickly by her shrilling voice and clenching sex that at this point was rippling so tightly around him it bordered on painful!
While one hand dug into her hip holding her against his unwavering punishing thrust, the other released her lips to brace against the soaked rock just beside Kagome's head. The hard plain of his back rippling with the strain his body was currently enduring.
She was clenching around him as she neared orgasm and unlike the night before Kouga was certain he wouldn't be able to stop himself from going over the edge right along with her!
One, two, three, merciless thrust was all it took to send her spiraling over the cataclysm. Falling blindly into an ocean of crashing waves bringing with them overwhelming and absolutely indescribable sensation!
She squeezed him with such delicious friction that Kouga had no choice but to release inside her. His vision darkening into tunneled blackness before flashing white. His shaft erupting with his essence and filling her over and over until he felt completely dry.
Fresh blood pooled in his mouth as he only now retracted his fangs from deep inside his own tongue. His only means of defense from his basic instinct to mark Kagome. A painful art he had forced himself to perfect the last several times they made love.
The muscles in Kouga's legs held fast as he slumped forward pinning Kagome's now equally as drained form between his naked and glistening chest and the water collected rock wall.
Kagome rested her head against the cool damp stone, unevenly trying to catch her ragged breaths. Thankful for Kouga's body holding so tightly onto her own. If it wasn't for his support she was sure she would have slid down into nothing but a pile of heaving limbs.
Then after moments of dense silence and collective breaths Kouga's thick arm coiled its way around her slim waist molding her back to his chest as he began to descended into the water below making sure to bring her directly down into the now mellow pool along side him.
To exhausted to resist Kagome collapsed into Kouga's now sitting lap her head falling back to rest on the broad pad of his muscular shoulder as he wrapped his arms protectively around her.
They sat their for a minute or two listening to nothing but the distant chirp of unseen crickets and gentle tussling of the underbrush in the midnight breeze.
Were it not for the vastly spreading feeling of painful guilt welling up inside her, it would have been almost peaceful…
But any form of peace both mentally and physically, always seemed just beyond her reach.
Dozens of marble sized pebbles skid across the flatten cliff side peak as Roiyaru kicked the gathered ruble tiredly.
Words couldn't describe how much he had come to hate the east. Of course the surroundings were beautiful and the land beneficial with game and fertile soil. But, it wasn't home. No matter how many miserable months he had spent trapped in this accursed mountain.
No wonder Ayame was so miserable. This place was nothing like the north. The isolation of the much more colossal mountain tops was far more preferable. Snow year round at the highest tips, and the fresh scent of rock and sky unimaginable anywhere else.
Had the jade eyed wolfess not been so consumed with worry over her absent mate. He was sure she would have loved being returned to the land they had both grown up in.
But any hopeful joy that could have come from that moment, had been stolen by a once again not present eastern wolf.
Just thinking of the azure eyed demon made Roiyaru's stomach tighten in silent rage. That basic mongrel wasn't fit to call someone as wonderful as Ayame his own.
Look at how he was treating her? Abandoning her once more to chase some fools errand. Leaving her to face the uncertainty of her future alone, and scared.
Roiyaru sighed tiredly he had done his best to help fill the void but despite all his whole hearted efforts, he was falling far short.
He could see it day after day. How defeated the woman he loved was becoming.
It was watching that scene time and time again that had led him here. To what some might say was a more drastic decision.
But, to him. He was far more than justified in his actions.
"Roiyaru," A familiar male voice announced from behind the navy eyed wolfs shadow.
Instantly Roiyaru turned to face what he immediately recognized as one of his northern scouts. One of few that had accompanied him and Ayame from their journey from the north.
"Is it done?" Roiyaru asked hopefully.
"It is. The message has been carried out, it should reach the north and the elder within a few days." The northern wolf demon promised.
"Good. That's all for now." The navy eyed wolf gestured allowing his distant comrade to part as silently as he had arrived.
So his plan had been set in motion. Now, there was only one thing left to attend to.
To inform Ayame, that though her mate may be absent. She wouldn't be alone for much longer. Not when someone who cared as much about her well being as anyone would soon arrive.
Roiyaru stared ahead at the night sky with more optimism than he had felt in months. Kouga might have been able to run from Ayame time and time again but he wouldn't be able to outrun someone who had bestowed her upon him in the first place.
The very demon who had ascended him to the level of eastern and future northern ruler alike. A wise and very resilient wolf demon in truest form.
"I've gotten a little carried away lately," Kouga whispered softly his tone full with sincerity and apology.
Dipping his head just low enough to brush a soft kiss over Kagome's lightly bruised shoulder. Only now taking the time to realize just how much his overzealousness in their love making had cost her.
He could clearly see the countless developed and undeveloped bruises marring her milky skin. The redden lines his fangs and claws had created when roaming over her delicate curves.
A lingering feeling of fresh guilt began to gnaw from the inside at the state he had unknowingly reduced her too.
It was just to easy to forget how fragile Kagome truly was, after all as incredibly strong as he knew full well she was capable of being. She was still mortal.
"I'm alright." Kagome reassured adjusting herself so she was sitting up almost completely out of Kouga's hold though she was still wedged protectively between his legs as they now sat on the shallow side of the spring.
Her arms crossed instinctively over her chest in an effort to defend what little modesty she was capable of maintaining in this situation.
Kouga eyed her naked back remorsefully. He really had put her through the ringer these last few goes. He had to remember to restrain himself better in the future.
Doing his best to rectify the situation he leaned forward cupping a handful of fresh spring water in his hand letting it heat in his palm before stroking it over Kagome's exposed shoulders.
Kagome tensed from the sudden sensation of Kouga caressing her once more, but he reassured her with a tender whisper on the lobe of her ear.
"Let me wash your back?" He asked attentively as he began stroking his fingers surprisingly delicate over her naked skin.
Kagome couldn't find the words to agree or protest but she allowed him to continue thankful for the relief such gentle ministrations brought to her soreness.
Kouga continued to work his fingers over her shoulders and back then up the sides of her arms feeling as her skin began to ripple with goose bumps as he did so.
Even going as far as to run his hands through her thick sleek raven locks and detangle them with a few gentle tugs.
It wasn't a passionate gesture, or secretly motivated for lustful gain. But, something Kagome honestly hadn't expected.
He was being tender, gentle, loving…
Actually attempting to take care of her in a truly intimate way.
But such obvious skillful and familiarity with a delicate routine made Kagome mind reel from the possibilities.
"Kouga?" Kagome whispered not daring to meet the wolf demon at her backs eye as she did so.
"Hm?" Kouga mumbled never ceasing the subtle stroking of his hands and fingers against her heated skin, not until the first words from Kagome's mouth forced him to do so.
"Ayame," She began emotionlessly.
Kouga's hands froze mid circling motion.
"Is she back in the east with you?" Kagome asked turning over so lightly so she could peer over her naked shoulder to gauge the wolf demon's reaction.
Kouga's hands faded away from Kagome's skin softly at the mention of his distant 'mate'. His mind silently contemplating the wisest response at a time like this.
After a brief pause. He could see only one way to move forward.
"Yes." He admitted solemnly.
"Does she know you're here?" Kagome prodded. Honestly she didn't want to know the truth but the unwanted questions began to escape her all the same.
Kouga felt his jaw tense from the internal strain her need to know was beginning to create.
"No." He confirmed.
Kagome felt her eyes darken, so Kouga was capable of being dishonest? Even if it was never with her.
"Where does she think you are?" She asked hesitantly.
Kouga weighed his options. He didn't want this conversation to continue, especially in a time and place like this. They were both naked, and freshly exhausted from their love making. It wasn't exactly the ideal location to speak about his not present other half.
But, he wasn't about to lie to her. It wasn't in him to conceal anything from Kagome. No matter how uncomfortable it might be.
"Hunting. With Ginta and Hakkaku." Kouga said low and even.
"You lied to her?" Was Kagome automatic response, her tone harsh and accusing. Why did the idea of Kouga lying to Ayame infuriate her so? Gods above knew she was in no place to pass any sort of judgment about their relationship.
"I didn't exactly have a choice." Kouga defended. "I couldn't tell her the truth. 'Bye, honey! I'm going to go rut around with my mistress for a few days!'"
Kagome felt her eyes widen and her face flash absolute fury at Kouga's mimicking words!
"Mistress?" She repeated infuriately.
Kouga immediately regretted his temporary absent minded turn of phrase. His head instantly shaking from side to side in disbelief and apology.
"I didn't mean that-" He began remorsefully.
But the damage had been done and the angry onslaught of emotions barely contained within the now fuming priestess set loose.
Without a word Kagome sprang to her feet marching towards the spring rim heatedly exiting the pool completely until she gripped hold of the spotlessly white top of her fresh shrine maiden attire.
She had barely managed to secure the thick fabric around herself before Kouga was gripping hold of her forearm keeping her from dressing further.
"Let go of me!" Kagome commanded unwillingly peering down to watch as dozens of lingering water droplets slid down Kouga's naked and perfectly sculpted body.
"Kagome, I'm sorry. I didn't mean that." Kouga apologized sincerely. But Kagome angrily thrashed against his hold attempting to spin away from him only to have him effortlessly pin her to his chest in a tight inescapable embrace.
Kagome struggled in his arms wanting to break away so badly, or at least that was until she realized her hollow anger had melted into sadness.
Hot tears beginning to haze her vision as she began to sob against the wolf demons still dampen chest.
Kouga sighed remorsefully at upsetting her so as he held her closer to him. Wrapping a strong arm around her shoulders and waist to cradle her shivering form to him affectionately.
"Kouga-" Kagome sniffled defeated against his collarbone.
"This is so wrong. We shouldn't have done this again." Kagome cried softly.
Kouga rested his head on top of Kagome's tiredly holding her so securely to him to make sure she would know she wasn't alone in this chaotic experience.
"I know," He breathed.
"I didn't plan on this happening. But, I cant help how I feel. I love you." Kouga vowed making the sobbing priestess still in his hold.
Through all the heartache and turmoil and the unbearable distance aside not a thing had changed. He still loved the human woman in his arms with all his being.
Nothing either one of them did or said would ever change that.
Kagome sniffled away the remainder of her tears wiping away the salted drops on her kimono sleeve as she summoned the courage to peer up to the wolf demon embracing her.
One question out weighed all the others.
"Why?" She whispered.
Kouga stared down at the absolutely overwhelmed woman in his arms lifting his hand silently to cup her heated check tenderly.
"Kagome-" He began. There was no possible way of explaining it to her. No human could ever understand what it was to love as a wolf demon. Unwilling or not you wanted who you wanted. No amount of praying, wishing, or will power could ever overcome something so primal. So certain.
Kagome gripped hold of Kouga's palm against her tightly.
"Why do you love me and not her?" Kagome pleaded. This wasn't right, it wasn't fair to anyone involved! Kouga should love the woman he had mated! Not the one he had only shared a bed with! Why? Why couldn't he just let her go?
Kouga hesitated for a response. There was none. Not to a question like that.
How could he ever possibly answer it?
"You shouldn't love me Kouga." Kagome whispered her eyes falling to Kouga's chest where her hands now rested.
"Ayame," She breathed. "She should be the one to make you feel this way."
"I know this Kagome. I know my feelings for you are-" Kouga was reluctant to form the words. From the outside of course his desire for Kagome was 'wrong' but it wasn't to him. Such absolute love couldn't possibly be wrong.
"I cant help it. I don't feel for Ayame the way I do for you." Kouga vowed, with a certainty that came from the deepest part of himself.
"I cant, and believe me when I say I have tried." Kouga promised remorsefully as he hooked a lone finger under Kagome's chin forcing her to peer up into his azure eyes.
"Try harder." Kagome said tearfully.
Kouga felt his eyes sharpen and harden coldly.
"Why do you want to end this? Why do you want to push me away?" He asked accusingly. She was so stubborn, so infuriating with her want to fight against what they clearly both felt for one another.
Angry that Kouga could so easily cut through her with his insightful words she broke away from his embrace.
Taking a retreating step back incase he tried to recapture her into his arms.
"Because I know how much this hurts!" Kagome snapped furiously. Her hazel eyes exposing something old but still bitterly painful to remember.
"I know the pain we are inflicting! She- Inuyasha-" Kagome's heated words broke off at the mention of the absent half demon.
"No one deserves this." She whispered dejectedly.
An explanation didn't need to be given to see how this situation was making Kagome relive painful memories from her past. After all Kouga was full aware of the triangle that had once been so brutally inescapable for her, the dead priestess, and the half demon.
Obviously being inside another more complex version of that scenario was taking a toll on her, and making her see things from a perspectives she would rather not have.
Kouga resisted the urge to reach out and cradle her to him once again. Physical contact wouldn't be enough to stem the tide of what was building between them.
So his words would have to mend the wound he had unwillingly created.
"Ayame," Kouga whispered.
"She is a good woman. A great leader, a wonderful and loyal partner-" Kouga continued noticing how such praise of the auburn hair demoness seemed to make Kagome flinch, as if the words were almost painful to hear.
"But I do not love her." Kouga confessed with such certainty and truth it made Kagome peer into his absolutely devoted azure eyes.
"I love you." He breathed.
Kagome meet his gaze full force. She knew his words were true. He wouldn't sacrifice all he was without it being so. Kouga really did love her, but that admittance didn't stop what escaped her next.
"I don't want you too." She whispered.
Instead of react with anger or hurt at her truthful words. His acceptance of her response came in only one form. Understanding.
"That makes two of us." He breathed taking a daring step forward to grasp her hand in his own tenderly.
He didn't want to love Kagome. She most likely didn't want to have any feelings for him. But all that reluctance aside. It didn't change anything. What he felt was real. And like every other pour soul since the beginning of time.
They didn't get to chose who they loved.
Kagome watched Kouga's thumb skim of her knuckles softly as she took a steadying breath. Everything was so uncertain, but Kouga seemed to be the only one of the two of them who had any sort of stability set in mind. And she was desperate to share it.
"What are we going to do now?" She asked timidly. Where did either of them go from here? What options did they have? What options among those did she actually want?
Kouga took a reassuring breath, this subject was bound to come up between them eventually. And though he had wished it had been in another place at a different time. He was determined to handle it as he always intended.
"I am going back to the east." He admitted. Watching as Kagome accepted his declaration with only vague hint of remorse.
"And I want you to come with me." He added boldly catching the now stunned priestess completely off guard.
"What?" She blinked in nothing but absolute shock. Her hand falling away from his a signal of just how unsuspecting she had really been.
"Kagome, I have no intention of keeping what we have a secret. I plan on telling Ayame everything." Kouga confirmed.
"T-Then what?" Kagome asked completely on instinct. Far to distracted by the admittance that Kouga had been intending to up root her life here in the village without a hint of warning.
"She will probably go back to the north. To live with her grandfather." Kouga thought out loud only now realizing he hadn't put much thought into Ayame's initial reaction once the truth came out.
Kagome abandoned her partially shocked thoughts about leaving the village for the new onslaught Kouga had just laid before her.
"Y-You would just send her away?" She whispered in total disbelief. Could Kouga really be that callous? That cold? To a woman he had spent so much of his life along side?
"For you, yes." Kouga vowed without so much as a second thought.
"I don't want any of this to be for me!" Kagome immediately protested in anger that Kouga's soul motivation for doing something so harsh had been based around her.
He was basing all this drastic changes on a decision that she wasn't even considering!
"Kouga, I cant just abandon my life here! I have people who depend on me!" Kagome defended. Did he have the faintest idea of what he was actually asking her?
"I understand that Kagome. But I cant just keep running back and forth until you're ready. I have people who depend on me too!" Kouga retorted bluntly.
"I'm not ever going to be ready Kouga! I cant leave!" Kagome swore unshakably.
"You mean you wont?!" Kouga growled frustrated.
"Right!" Kagome shot back angrily!
Kouga cursed loudly his hands cupping the back of his next exhaustedly as he tried to reign in his temper with a few hard breaths.
It took a moment but he managed to compose himself, at least partially.
"How many times are we going to do this Kagome? Why do you have to make this so much harder than it has to be!?" He asked secretly furious at her constant distant behavior.
"What part of this is suppose to be easy!? Am I just magically suppose to abandon my friends? My family!? What about Inuyasha!? He doesn't have a clue what's going on! You cant expect me to just up and vanish without explaining a single thing to him!" Kagome defended bitterly.
Kouga eyed the clearly furious priestess before him silently. Honestly the mutt was the very least of his worries, but he didn't dare verbalize that thought out loud.
"He deserves to know the truth. Just like Ayame!" Kagome shouted.
"You think I don't know that!?" Kouga growled in response.
"Regardless what happened between us in the past few days doesn't change anything! I've already made up my mind! My relationship with Ayame is over!" He swore.
"I cant keep laying next to her at night letting her think everything between is going to be okay! She loves me Kagome! I wish she didn't. But, she does." He breathed heatedly.
"Then don't do this to her anymore! Go home, go back to her! Forget about all of this! About us, about…me." Kagome demanded but the pain reverberating inside her from her own words was somewhat of a shock.
Why did the idea of losing Kouga to another hurt so much? It wasn't like he was hers to begin with! All their experience aside he was never really hers!
"I know you don't want that." Kouga said lowly able to sense Kagome's reluctance from the exact spot he stood.
"I don't know what I want anymore…"Kagome admittedly hurtfully.
"But, I do know I cant keep doing this. All the lies…It has to stop!" She demanded.
"You're right! It does have to stop. Including lying to yourself!" Kouga shouted taking a hard step forward his azure eyes searing into Kagome's uncertain form.
Why? Why did he have to look that way at her? Like he was capable of seeing the deepest secrets she tired to keep buried inside as if they were clear as day.
He was the only one she had ever met capable of doing that to her. Peering inside her like she was nothing more than a shallow pane of glass able to be looked through with ease.
"Kagome, you love me! Deny it all you want. Hell, I'm use to it by now. But, we both know you do." Kouga said with unshakable confidence and sincerity.
"There is no way you could be with me this way if you didn't." He added thinking back to the past few hours where she had surrendered herself to him time and time again. The passion, the love in her eyes. That couldn't be faked. What they had was real. Even if she didn't know or accept it yet.
The weight of his words, the way he carried himself with such absolute certainty it made her quake in her very stance, an invisible tremor rocking through her barely standing form at the weight of his words.
She couldn't respond. She couldn't think of anything to say in her defense. No words of denial came to her aid. What was happening to her? Kouga's words couldn't possibly be true…could they…
Kagome shook her head from side to side. She couldn't think about this! Not right now! To much rested on her shoulders at this point in time to let herself fall apart again!
Things needed to be said, to be admitted and laid out in the open before she could even bare to face what might been blooming inside her!
Kouga could all to easily sense her dismay. It was obvious she needed to sort out her own feelings, and though it pained him to do so. He would give her a little more time to do just that.
"I'm going back to the east Kagome. After I get things settled with Ayame and the tribe, I will be back." Kouga said reluctantly.
Silently he closed the distance between them only long enough to place a warm and loving kiss at the center of her forehead before pulling away softly.
"Think about what I've said." He asked gently.
Kagome closed her eyes in acceptance. She couldn't promise everything Kouga hoped for. But, she would think over his words as requested she didn't see any other option if she was ever to move forward in her life.
Kouga leaned forward resting his forehead to her own. Breathing in her deep natural scent trying to seer it into his senses if for no other reason than to give him the strength to survive these upcoming days without her.
Kagome felt the warmth of his skin against hers and deep down she wished that feeling would last forever. But sadly with a rush of warm summer air, her hazel eyes parted open to see only one thing.
He was gone.
A tapestry of starlight rippled across the late night sky dark shades of brilliant purple and deep midnight blue blanketed the atmosphere.
The mesmerizing and almost hallucinogenic scene going completely ignored by the sharp pair of amber eyes staring up at the artistic portrait of the cosmos.
The silver haired half demon's mind far to lost in an entire vast space of its own creation. Questions, idea's and, scenario of what the next few days would bring all but consuming his every thought.
Edgily Inuyasha adjusted on the flatten grass under his back his crossed arms a little numb from having laid on them the past few hours.
It might have been abnormally peaceful but sleep was the furthest thing from his mind.
Every single vision that crossed his consciences was solely based around a single human girl.
Kagome had been so long from his sight, even her memory was beginning to seem hazy. How long had it actually been since he laid eyes on the absent priestess?
Far to many.
He would never admit this out loud, it just wasn't in him to do so. But, he had missed her to his very core. Though, honestly the realization of just how much wasn't really effecting him until now.
And he knew why.
She was just out of reach. She was so close. So bitterly close, that given the chance the half demon was sure he could sprint the midnight away and reach her by break of day.
But, he knew returning to the village absent the monk would rise to many worries and suspicions. It was beyond frustrating to be anchored down in such a way.
Patience never had been something he was good at.
Angered by this entire situation Inuyasha swore under his breath as he forcefully rolled himself over onto his side.
Wishing he could surrender to even a moment of sleep to escape his heavily clouded mind.
Why did he suddenly feel this way? Consumed with this down right want. Want. To…to see her.
As closed off as he tried to maintain it was clear by the sudden softening of his amber eyes that his façade was beginning to crack.
He supposed it didn't matter. No one was here to judge him or his temporary laps in guard.
For now he could let out his inner anguish, even without saying a word or moving from this very spot. Instead he would just let his mind carry him away.
Away to a place where images, memories, and visions of a single hazel eyed girl could wash over him like a engulfing wave pulling him deep down into the sheer serenity at the realization. That his most secret dreams would soon become reality.
The hour of the day was incredibly late, the blacken sky and barely visible moonlight a significant sign to just how much so.
But even though it was well almost into the early hours of the morning two small little twin matched figures tussled around playfully in the deep sinking earth of the small herbal garden just on the other side of Kaede's hut.
Well within the elder priestess line of sight as they assisted their somewhat nanny with her routine in the recon of her small patch of earth to spot any sign of ripening plants.
Now their mother, the currently absent demon slayer normally disapproved of such unchild like mentoring. It didn't take much to convince her to let the twins rise uncommonly early to aid the village healer, especially when they begged her endlessly to do so.
Not to mention she herself had been called to the outskirts of the village to aid the surrounding fields with fending off a invading pack of boars. A job that was taxing, but important and would most likely lead well past the break of day.
Either way. Mi and Sa were to happy to accept this small expansion of freedom, temporary as it might be.
"Nothing over here Sa!" Mi cheered confidentially. No plants in her line of field revealing the proper coloring to be eligible for harvest.
"None here either!" Sa shouted back even though she only stood a step or two away from her sisters shadow.
Both girls turning towards their apparent babysitter, only to see the elder priestess had retreated inside the doorway of the hut to tend to their infant brother who had apparently just woken.
It wasn't worrying seeing as she was only a few feet away and completely able of seeing them both with a glance of her one functioning eye.
But the idea of retreating to the hut all the same seemed appropriate. In fact both girls took a matching step to do just that.
Only they hadn't even managed to gain a single inch before a solid and largely intimidating form over shadowed them both.
Without a sound a hand clamped over each youngsters mouth muffling their already building gasp of fear and surprise.
In perfect unison both girls were effortlessly spun to face their 'assailant' only to be instantly silenced with a gleaming pair of inhumanly bright azure eyes.
Feeling their open lip no doubt scream filed mouths silence and instead curl into wide upwards grins under his palm, the currently kneeling wolf demon released his gentle hold over the two of them.
The absolute moment his hands fell away both twins with now uncommonly wide and exuberantly enthusiastic eyes lunged forward with surprising force!
"Wolfyman!" Both twins cheered as their small bodies crashed against Kouga's armored chest their frail arms locking tightly around either side of his thick neck.
"We knew you'd come back!" Mi vowed happily.
"W-We missed you!" Sa added struggling to find the words over her raging excitement to see her long absent friend.
Kouga sighed contently wrapping an arm around each girl to gesture them to release him as he pulled back only enough to meet their interchangeable faces once again.
"I couldn't leave without seeing you two." He whispered a bit remorseful.
"L-Leave?" Mi asked hurt filling her impressionable features all to quickly.
"Y-You're leaving already? You just got here!" Sa complained unfairly!
"I know. I don't have a choice." Kouga assured. It might have been better not to visit the girls at all, hell he hadn't even expected them to be up this late or to be exact this early.
But never the less he was glad they were.
Still the look of almost devastation spreading across their faces wasn't a comfortable feeling for him at all. They almost perfectly matched the expressions of when he came down hard on Ginta and Hakkaku.
"Come on, don't get all sad? Besides, I brought you both something." Kouga promised hoping to at least mildly smooth over his sudden appearance and equally as sudden departure.
"Really?" Sa perked up almost instantly.
"A present?" Mi asked hopeful at this sudden turn of events.
Kouga took their sudden interest and enthusiasm as a good sign to continue. Reaching a lone hand into the center rim of the top plate of his armor he fetched out a small leather bag he had kept close ever since leaving the east.
Tugging the one leather strap sealing the palm sized pouch it unfolded perfectly revealing the bundle of trinkets inside.
Immediately sheer amazement and aw spread over the twins faces as they stared down into the wolf demons cupped hand.
Centered in the leather fold was a mound of marble sized stones. But, not just any stones. These flat white and oval shaped rocks shimmered and glowed like diamonds. Only deference being each one seemed to carry in the center of it an illuminating glow that matched a full fledge rainbow in perfect hue.
"Wow-" Mi breathed in total wonder.
"Their so pretty," Sa added equally if not more mesmerized than her sister by the never before seen stones.
Thankful his gift had obviously been accepted he extended his hand outwards letting the girls take the beautiful rocks pack and all.
"It's a secret okay? You cant tell anyone you saw me." Kouga said trying to remain firm but as passive as he could manage.
"But why?" Sa asked curiously.
"Oh no. Did you and aunt Kagome fight again?" Mi asked. Catching Kouga completely off guard with her apparent skill at pinpointing the truth. Even if accidental.
Kouga sighed lightly. There was never a dull moment when it came to the both of them was there?
"Something like that." He whispered lowly trying to keep the still lingering hurt of Kagome's words concealed.
"I need you two to promise. Alright?" Kouga diverted before the twins could press further.
"We promise wolfyman! We wont tell!" Both girls vowed with a significant amount of valor in their youthful voices that took a bit by surprise.
He couldn't help but smile a fangy grin in response.
"I'll see you two later." Kouga promised extending out his hands to pat each girl on the head tenderly.
He didn't know when the next time would arise he would be able to see them both. Most likely not any time soon. But, he would keep trying as long as they both seemed to like having him around.
He wasn't exactly sure how he was going to manage to sprint away especially with them both staring at him so adoringly.
That was until the slow approaching of footsteps caused all three to turn and witness the arrival of the aged priestess closing the distance between them.
But, skillfully before the gray haired woman could even catch a glimpse of him or the twins witness his departure. He sprang backwards into the shadows disappearing completely out of sight.
"Come on girls. It's time we get ye both two bed." Kaede began tiredly. No wiser to the demon that had just been not even a step or so away.
"O-Okay granny Kaede!" Mi promised only now realizing Kouga had fled into the surrounding greenery and far beyond.
The look of surprise written clearly on both girls faces caused Kaede exhausted and all to raise a suspicious brow. Not helping that she only now just spotted the strange new pack shared in each girls hand.
"What be that?" The aged priestess questions curiously.
"Uh, pretty rocks! W-We found them." Sa stammered the concept of slight deceit not exactly new to her, but not well versed either.
Kaede leaned down further to investigate her narrow eye catching sight of the sparkling stones clutched in their youthful hands.
The clear look of surprise instantly recognizable on her wrinkled face.
"Those are lunar stones. Their only found in the moutains-" She thought out loud, the realization only causing more questions to arise then not.
"Where did ye-" Kaede barely managed before the soft call of an all to familiar voice rang out.
"Girls?" Kagome's gentle recognizable tone ringing from the front entrance of the weathered hut.
"Aunt Kagome!" The twins cheered together perfectly as they without a hint of hesitation sprinted past the questioning priestess and into the safety of the wooden home.
Kaede watched them go through curious gaze.
A lingering question emerging from the back of her sharpen mind, and an answer forming almost as suddenly.
So…
Things were not as peaceful around here as she originally thought? A pity.
Adding to that sudden realization she also knew without a shred of doubt. What was secretly transpiring, hidden and all would soon come full circle. All to quickly.
Now you know I hade to throw in some sweetness with all this drama! I love me some softy Kouga (if you cant tell) Thanks so much for the support guys! Really do appercaite it so very much! And I will hopefully get back to you all with a new chapter soon!
Much love!