A/N: Man, I can't believe I've written so much of this! A total of 96 pages. Wow. And I'm happy to continue writing. I have no idea when this story will end, if it will end, or how it will end. I just know I'll continue it as long as I can.
This chapter will be a little different, as I am going to skip time quite a bit forward. I have a lot of ideas to happen as Tamako gets older, and I'm impatient lol! Hope you all don't mind. :-p
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Chapter 17: Kouga's Jealousy; Tamako's fight
After the battle with Ryura, it was all quiet in the village, lives went along just as normal. The only big change was that Kagome was back, and she was starting to become the miko of the village. Though, she sometimes seemed distant at times, she wasn't always 100% there. Just about everyone could tell, except Inuyasha, who was just overjoyed to have his mate back in his life.
Tamako had gone back to relatively her old self. She'd been so upset that she'd hurt Kouga the way she had, but he was a full fledged demon, and in all reality her claws hadn't hurt him as bad as she'd thought.
Things progressed pretty normal. The only real thing was Inuyasha still did not know about Kouga and Tamako's discussion about mates. And he wouldn't know, not until she decided to tell him. It was weird, hiding things from her father...but she did it. She even didn't tell her mother.
She was fourteen now, a young woman. Her demon blood progressed in order to keep her looking a little older than she was, she looked about fifteen or sixteen years old. But, even in human standards in the feudal era, she was an adult. A lot of girls her age were getting married and planning families. Though it felt like her father tried to keep her within a bubble, tried to keep her a five year old child. It annoyed her sometimes, and her mother was not much help.
The elder miko Kaede had recently passed away, as humans did. And Tamako sat back and watched her be buried, people grieve for the old miko. Kaede had indeed been her teacher throughout the years, teaching her the miko powers, how to use and control them.
With Kaede gone, Kagome took over as the village miko. It didn't make her father happy at all, she'd remembered that fight...remembered them screaming at each other about how it was her decision and not his, and that the village needed a miko. Eventually, her mother had gotten her way, just like usual.
She continued her teaching through her mother, and her father had a sword made for her by Totosai. He had also taken his turn in teaching her how to use it once she got old enough. She was starting to become very strong, especially by hanyou standards. At first she struggled to win a spar against her father, but the more practice she got, the better she got. She'd pinned him fair and square a few times. And her target practice with her arrows were dead-on.
But something always felt different to her. She wanted to be a normal girl for once, like one of the girls in the village who went around with various wedding plans, dates, boyfriends, first kisses. She was Kouga's intended mate, so there was no way she could run around with boys of the village. Even though they were looking at her more and more, especially now that she was of marrying age.
She'd grown to look a lot like her mother, with features of her father mixed in. Her eyes slowly morphed into being more golden then brown, only having a few brown specs, and her hair had lightened over the years. She still kept it pretty short though, only to about the middle of her back. And she loved to keep her hair up in a bun, tied with one of her many combs. She had the figure of a woman, her breasts started to come in a few years ago, and with her constant workouts and training, she was in good shape.
That afternoon she'd been walking back to where she was going to meet Kouga. She'd been running a little late since she had to stop by a house in the village to treat a wound a man had gotten working in the field. She helped her mother out that way, and most people were okay with having a hanyou treat their wounds. She didn't wear miko clothing, not at all. She wore one of her short kimonos that went down to her thighs. The fabric was green silk and hugged her curves nicely, her obi tied around her waist, the tie at the small of her back. Soft white and red flowers were on the sleeves of her kimono, traveling down to the skirt. Her long silvery hair was tied up into its usual messy bun at the back of her head, a set of green chopstick hairpins with images of little flowers painted on them held the bun closed, matching with her kimono. Her sword was tied into her obi, safely sheathed as she did not go anywhere without it.
As she walked, she hummed happily to herself as she walked towards the path that lead to her meeting place with Kouga. They had sort of a 'date' that afternoon. Of course, since this was not Tokyo, their dates were pretty simple, usually consisting of hanging out by the river. She enjoyed it though. And of course her parent's didn't know she was meeting Kouga for dates. They knew she was hanging out with him, but other than that, they were oblivious. And that was just how she wanted it.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a man calling her name. Stopping, she glanced back, seeing Kenji run up after her. "Tamako!" he yelled, stopping just in front of her. The guy was hopeless. Since he'd given her the flowers so many years ago, he seemed to follow her like a lost puppy. She felt bad for him, but she was truly not interested. He wasn't man enough for her. Though, Kenji had grown to be a very good looking man, with masculine features and a strong build, wavy black hair and dreamy brown eyes.
Nothing like Kouga's blue eyes... Tamako thought, a blush creeping up on her cheeks.
"Yeah, what is it Kenji?" she asked.
He smiled happily at her as he stopped in front of her. "May I walk with you, Lady Tamako?" he asked politely.
A sigh escaped her lips as she shrugged. "If you insist. I'm meeting a friend by the river. And please, enough with the lady Tamako thing. We've known each other since we were kids. Its just Tamako."
It was the boys turn to blush as he nodded. "Alright, Tamako." he said. Seeing her starting to walk, he quickly walked up beside her, a smile beaming on his face.
Hopeless... she thought with a sigh, closing her eyes halfway and looking forward.
"So...I was wondering, Tamako..." he started as they walked more into the forest towards the lake. Looking towards her slowly, a blush on his cheeks. "If um...you'd want to come over for dinner? I know you said no years ago, but that was years ago.." he asked.
Sighing again, Tamako shook her head. "I don't think thats a good idea Kenji. You know how my father can be. He'll flip. Besides, I've got to concentrate on all of my training. I don't have much free time..." she explained, trying to let him down easily, not wanting to hurt him.
But he only pouted as he walked with her, looking down. "Yeah I get that, I really do. And what you do in the village is great. Most demons are pretty mean and evil, but not you...you're really nice and sweet..." he said.
Glancing towards him a little out of the corner of her eye as she walked before looking forward. "What are you trying to say, Kenji?"
He kept silent for a few minutes as they walked, trying to gather his words. Stopping along the bath, he moved to take her shoulders, turning her to look at him. Looking down into her eyes slowly, he smiled to her. "I'm saying...I really, really like you Tamako. And...I would like to ask your father permission to court you, to become my wife."
She stared at him for a few minutes. He would be brave enough to ask her father something like that? Her father could be scary when it came to things like that, she knew.
But, before she could answer, another males voice answered. "LIKE HELL YOU WILL!" Kouga yelled. He'd started walking to look for her since she was late in meeting him. She sometimes was, and he'd meet her on the path and walk with her the rest of the way.
Kenji's head darted up to look at the very angry demon starting to stalk towards him.
Kouga grabbed Kenji's hands, shoving him off of Tamako, growling at him. "You will keep your hands off of my woman, kid."
"Kougaaa..." Tamako sighed, resting one hand on his forearm. "Calm down." she told him.
"Your woman? She isn't married! She can make up her own mind." Kenji answered bravely, looking Kouga in the face.
Idiot... Tamako thought. She knew that would set him off.
Growling, Kouga glared at him. "Kid, she is my woman, understand me? Not like a wimp like you can do anything for her anyway. She needs a man, not a boy. Scurry on home to your mommy and daddy before I beat the shit out of you."
"Kouga!" Tamako said, looking up at him. "Stop. Calm down okay? He wasn't hurting anyone.."
Turning his eyes back to her, Kouga shook his head. "I will not allow another man to touch you. You may not be my mate yet, but you will be. And I refuse to back down to a challenge like this boy has presented me."
Pouting at him as she sighed. "He isn't a demon, okay? You can't go around beating on humans because they ask to court me. I can handle it. Trust me a little." she said, smiling gently to him and leaning up to kiss his cheek, hoping it'd calm him down a little.
Feeling his arm move around her possessively, he glared towards Kenji a little. "Then handle it. Before I beat the boy to a pulp." he told Tamako.
Nodding a bit as she hugged him a little, shaking her head and looking towards Kenji. "Look...Kenji, you're a really nice, good looking guy. But...I've already decided who I want to be with. Please understand. Why don't you ask another girl in the village? I'm sure they'll be happy to accept your offer." she said. She could hear Kouga's scoff when she told Kenji he was a good looking guy.
Kenji sighed a little, looking down and nodding. "If that is how you feel. But..my offer still stands." he told her, shooting a look towards Kouga before he started heading back to the village.
She watched him walk, sighing a bit once he was out of ear range, looking up at Kouga. "Kouga...you can't flip like that at everyone."
"I was just defending whats mine. Its my right." he answered confidently.
She only smiled a little. "That may be so, my dear, but he is just a human. He's liked me for a while, so its not like its anything new for me." she told him, shrugging. "Besides, you haven't even kissed me yet. And yet you're way too over jealous."
This made Kouga blush a little, shrugging. "You're still my intended. I'm still a wolf demon. We protect what we consider ours. I cannot help myself..." he said.
Truthfully, he'd pretty much seen red when he saw the boy touching her like that, talking to her like that. Over the years, he'd fallen in love with the young girl in every way. He couldn't imagine life without her. And the idea that she could take this boy up on his offer scared him.
Watching his face, she squeezed his waist a little bit. "You don't have anything to worry about, Kouga. My feelings haven't changed. And if they haven't by now, they won't." she told him.
He smiled to him, chuckling. "What, can you read my mind now?"
"Maybe." she said, grinning to him slowly. Leaning back from his arms, she took his hand slowly. "Come on, lets go." she told him, gently pulling him along with her.
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They'd sat on the riverbank for hours. She sat in his lap with his arms around her waist, holding her securely against his chest as they both watched the sun dunk down. She was usually supposed to go home just after sunset so her father wouldn't get too angry.
Sighing a little as she watched the sun, closing her eyes halfway. "I don't wanna go home." she said with a pout, tilting her head to look back at him.
Smiling to her, shaking his head. "Me neither." he said, rubbing her arms a little bit, causing her to cuddle more into his chest.
Slowly she shifted so she sat sideways in his lap, resting her head on his shoulder and looking up at him. "Tell me something..."
"Hm?" he asked, looking down at her.
"Why haven't you kissed me yet?" she asked, a blush crossing her cheeks.
The question also made the wolf prince blush along with her, but he smiled a little. "I've been waiting a long time for you, Tamako. I don't mind it. I'm not some savage demon that'll take you soon as you're of child-bearing age. As, you've already reached that age. And I'm not like the humans who do pretty much the same." he told her.
Shrugging a little, she bit her bottom lip. "Kissing isn't exactly trying to get me pregnant you know." she informed him.
He just smiled, resting one hand on her cheek and making her look at him. "I know. But...half of me is just waiting for when you tell me to fuck off and go away."
Shaking her head slowly, smiling a little. "Nah, you're stuck with me, Kouga-kun." she said.
Lightly running his thumb over her cheek gently, looking down into her eyes. "Kami...I love you, Tamako." he whispered softly to her.
He hadn't quite said those words to her yet, which made her take in a sharp breath. But, a smile spread over her lips as her ears twitched a little. "I love you too, Kouga-kun. I always have." she told him.
A smile formed over his lips when he heard her say that. Bringing her closer, he leaned down to kiss her gently, closing his eyes. He'd never felt anything like it before, the way she made him feel. He'd professed his love to Kagome every time he'd seen her when they'd been searching for Naraku. But somehow, confessing his love for Tamako took longer. Like he couldn't actually find the words to say it. It was so much different when it came to her. And, of course he hadn't called Kagome his woman, or told her he loved her since she came back. Because, he didn't feel that towards her. And now that he felt the way he did towards Tamako, he realized the feelings he had towards Kagome back then were never really truthful. She was the woman who would give birth to Tamako, though...so perhaps that was it. But, he wouldn't over-think it.
When his lips touched hers, slowly she moved her arms around his neck, leaning up close to him and closing her eyes, kissing him back slowly. It was really her first kiss, and she was elated.
As the kiss continued, slowly lips parted and tongues moved to meet each other gently, cautiously. She'd never done this before, so she was exploring a little bit.
She leaned up slowly in his lap, shifting so she straddled his waist so she could kiss him better. Tilting her head to one side, her arms moving more around his neck. In response to her shift, his arms found their way around her waist, bringing her up close to him.
Gently, their lips parted for need of them to take a breath. Breathing deeply, she leaned her forehead against his, keeping her eyes closed. "K-Kougaa..." she let out softly.
But, before she could speak, his lips found hers again, deciding she'd had enough of a break to breath. The second kiss was deeper, a battle for dominance of the kiss from their tongues. Her ears pinned to her head slowly, submitting to him, letting him dominate the kiss. The gesture made him growl contently into her mouth.
His fingers moved up her back lightly, his claws gently moving along her back overtop of her kimono, making her shudder against him.
It took several minutes before their lips to part this time again. She took in deep breaths, opening her eyes halfway and glancing up at his face slowly. Leaning forward to kiss his bottom lip gently, nipping at it with her fangs a little and growling gently to him.
Smiling to her, he growled back, nipping at her upper lip a bit more, opening his eyes to look up to meet her golden chocolate ones. "Come on...I...have to get you home." he said.
His words made her pout, shaking her head and leaning up to kiss him again. She didn't want to stop kissing him now that he'd kissed her finally. She just kept wanting to go on. She was a teenage girl after all, she wanted to be close to him. Some of her other friends from the village were already married, and yet she was just now being kissed. It'd only reminded her of her dear friend Rin, who was now nineteen years old, still waiting for Sesshoumaru to claim her. Everyone knew Rin was madly in love with the daiyoukai, but he refused to commit to her in such a way. It made her sad for her friend. And she definitely did not want to be forced to wait around for Kouga the way Rin waited for Sesshoumaru.
He did not deny her kiss, he kissed her back slowly, just as deeply as she'd kissed him. But this time, once their lips parted, he smiled, shaking his head. "No no. No more for now. We should stop here, or I won't be able to stop..."
"Please don't stop." she said with a blush across her cheeks.
Gently he reached up, brushing her bottom lip with his thumb, looking at her. "You don't know what you're asking. We will get there, but not tonight. Trust me, I want to keep going more than you can ever know. I want to make you mine, only mine. But not tonight."
Sighing a little, she looked down. "I'm old enough, Kouga. If you want it so bad, why would you fight it? Be with me Kouga...make me yours." she asked, leaning to brush her nose against his lightly.
Closing his eyes halfway when she leaned up to him, sighing contently. She technically was of age to mate, she'd been of age for a few years now. And she was making it really hard to say no. "T-Tamako...tamako no. I will make you mine, kami I want to make you mine so bad. And I will. Please don't make this harder than it already is." he said, looking up at her. "Your father still does not even know..."
"So I'll tell him."
"It might not be that easy. Your father hates me, remember?"
"So? Its my choice, not his." she said, smiling and leaning to kiss him again. Pressing up close to him, she closed her eyes, attempting to distract him.
Her attempts were successful as he growled contently against her, kissing her back. Lightly he shifted their weight, bringing her legs more up around his waist and laying her back on the smooth ground underneath them. His hands rested on the ground on either side of her head as he kissed her, leaning up close against her.
His lips trailed away from hers, kissing along her jaw and down the side of her neck, taking in a deep breath of her scent. She blushed and moaned, keeping her eyes closed, her fingers resting on the back of his neck. She was so happy, distracting him had worked. She knew it. She'd had "the talk" with her mother a few years ago, and her instincts also told her that Kouga was still a man, a demon man at that, and she could ultimately win.
Feeling his lips on her neck, his body pressing down close to hers, but not enough to crush her, she let out a content, happy sigh, her legs finding their way around his waist to bring him closer to her, a blush creeping up on her cheeks.
The feeling was short lived though, as a figure came towards them, the tornado of dirt settling down as a woman stood over them, growling. "KOUGA!" she yelled, causing the couple to jump a bit. Neither of them had been paying good enough attention as they should.
Kouga shifted to sit up, growling and glaring at the one who dared stop him from his woman. But, his eyes softened as he saw Ayame standing there. "Ayame? What the fuck are you doing here? I'm busy, go away."
"Busy with another woman!" Ayame yelled, gripping her hands into tight fists, glaring towards Tamako. "You! You're the one they say Kouga comes back smelling like! Kouga is my man." she announced.
Tamako sat up a little, blushing. Since her legs had been around Kouga's waist, her kimono had hiked up a bit. Shifting to move the fabric down, listening to the words being spoken. Hearing Ayame call Kouga her man made her blink, looking up at Kouga, shaking her head. "K-Kouga...what is she talking about?" she asked. He had never spoken of Ayame to her.
Sighing, Kouga shook his head. "Ayame, I've explained to you...I am not marrying you. I am not going to mate you. I've never made such a claim on you." he said. Looking down at Tamako slowly. "I swear, I haven't. The girl is delusional."
"Delusional!?" Ayame yelled, growling louder, glaring towards Tamako. "I challenge you to a fight. Right now. For the rights to be Kouga's mate!" she said. Such challenges could happen in the demon world, but they were usually among the males trying to compete for women, not among the women. Though, some women could compete for their mate as well.
Tamako blinked a little, looking at her and then back to Kouga. "Is she serious?" she asked, her eyebrow arching and her ears twitching a little bit.
"Deadly serious! A fight, half breed!" Ayame said again.
Kouga growled more at her words than he should have. "Ayame, do NOT call my woman a half breed. Her name is Tamako, and you will address her as such." he informed her. He did not want someone hurting Tamako's feelings with words such as that.
Tamako sat there a little, looking at Ayame. "Challenge accepted. If I beat you though...you'll leave us alone."
"Deal!" Ayame agreed to. Unsheathing her sword, looking at the younger girl. "Well? On your feet!"
Kouga looked down to Tamako, shaking his head. "You don't have to do this..." he said, resting one hand on her shoulder.
She only smiled to him, nodding. "But I do. I can't back down from something like that. Then what would be said of me? I'm not a weak little girl anymore, I can take care of myself. Remember?" she asked, leaning up and kissing him slowly before she moved to stand up. Resting her hand on her sword, she unsheathed it. As she did, just like tetsusaiga, her sword transformed into a smaller version of her fathers sword. Looking up at Ayame slowly. "Well? Are you ready?" she asked.
She didn't have to ask. Ayame rushed her, clashing her sword against Tamako's. But, Tamako held her ground, gripping the sword and pushing back against the other demon.
Tamako shoved back with force, pushing Ayame back. Watching as the girl landed back on her feet, growling a little. Quickly Ayame slammed her sword into the ground, leaves raising up from the ground in a whirlwind. Moving her sword a little, and with that movement, the leaves slammed into Tamako and her sword. The sharp edges slicing through bits of Tamako's skin.
But, the hanyou did not let out any noises of pain. She grit her teeth, holding her sword, holding her ground. Feeling each cut through her skin, a few cut against her kimono, cutting through the fabric and gashing through her skin. Once the leaves cleared, she had several cuts down her arms and legs, a few on her cheeks, and even a few against her side. Her hair had slightly loosened from the bun, strands spilling down to frame her face and press against the back of her neck. But, she withstood the attack.
"My turn." Tamako said, a grin crossing her lips. She looked so much like her father in that moment, the way her father would smirk when he was confident was the same way she did. Gripping her sword tightly, the edge of the blade turning into a green color, a substance forming itself against the edge of the blade. "Toxic Blades" she said, swiping her sword in the air. Small blades flew through the air at Ayame. It was almost like Ayame's attack, but the blades when they touched Ayame's skin, burned as poison ate at her skin. Only to a point though, Tamako had not fully charged the attack. She did not wish to kill Ayame, just hurt her.
With the touch of the blades, Ayame let out small screams, jumping a bit and wincing, growling as she felt the burns on the skin of her arms. Tamako had definitely gotten the poison from her uncle. She had a good mixture of powers from all her relatives.
Once the blades stopped, Tamako didn't. Rushing at her enemy, slashing her sword against Ayame several times. Clinking sounds as the blades made contact were mixed in with growls, grunts and small squeaks coming from each girl.
Kouga couldn't help but sit back as he watched, looking at the fight. He'd never watched Tamako fight with her father, Inuyasha wouldn't have it. But, he had to admit she was learning very well. Chuckling a bit, grinning as he watched her, realizing how relentless she really was.
Tamako swiped her blade, each hit causing Ayame to have to block the blade from touching her skin. The tip of Tamako's blade was still a green color. And each time the blades made contact, the poison on Tamako's blade ate away at Ayame's.
Looking at her blade, Ayame gripped its hilt, growling. She could see as the blade melted back a little. Jumping back a little from the half demon, looking down at her sword and then back up at the girl, growling. "You bitch!" she yelled.
A grin crossed Tamako's lips. "Give up yet? My blades were only at a quarter power. Do I need to fully charge them? Of course...that'll kill you. I'm not trying to kill you, Ayame. Realize your defeat, and I will stop." she offered.
Ayame watched her, holding onto her sword tightly. Instantly, a whirlwind of dust and leaves picked her up and she seemingly disappeared. Only to reappear behind her, thrusting her sword straight through Tamako's shoulder. Tamako's eyes widened as the blade went through, blood slowly coming up to dribble down her bottom lip a little.
"TAMAKO!" Kouga yelled, instantly on his feet. He was about to go to her, but he stopped himself, looking at Tamako's face.
Her mouth was dropped open for a second while her eyes were wide. Shaking her head a little, glancing towards Kouga. "I...I'm okay...don't interfere." she told him.
One hand moved up, grabbing ahold of the blade that was still through her shoulder. Gripping it, taking in a deep breath before she acted, gripping the blade and breaking it. Quickly turning, causing the girl to loose grip of her sword. Tamako pressed the blade she'd broken against Ayame's neck, narrowing her eyes and looking at her face. "Give in. Now." she said, her voice pained, slowly backing Ayame up against a tree.
Ayame's back pressed against the tree, feeling the steel blade pressing into her neck. The hilt of her sword was still imbedded in Tamako's back. Growling as Ayame's eyes met Tamako's. "I...I give." she said, slumping a little against the tree in defeat.
Nodding, Tamako dropped the blade and stepped away. Wincing slowly as she sheathed her own sword, her hand moving up to her shoulder.
With the declaration of defeat, Kouga ran towards them, standing behind Tamako. "Shh, come here...let me get this..." he said. Taking the hilt of Ayame's sword and pulling it. Wincing himself as he heard the gasp of pain as the blade pulled from her shoulder.
Tamako only looked back at Kouga once the blade was out of her shoulder, giving him a small smile. "Thank you, koi." she whispered to him.
Hearing her call him that, he just smiled, leaning and kissing her gently. "Come on, I better get you home before you bleed out. We've got to get you into a clean kimono."
Nodding slowly. "Yeah, and a bath will do me good." she said. Starting to walk, but Kouga took her wrist to stop her. Looking back at him, she blinked. "Yeah?"
Gently he knelt down in front of her, reaching back to bring her close. His hands resting behind her knees. Once he felt her arms around his neck, he slid his hands to pick her up, bringing her legs around his waist, carrying her on his back as he walked along towards the hut with her.
She smiled, wrapping her arms around his neck as she cuddled close to him. Her injured arm wrapped a little loosely around him, but she held on. Resting her cheek against his shoulder, brushing her nose up against the side of his neck.
"You know...I knew you'd gotten strong, but I hadn't realized how strong until now. You did...amazing in that fight. I'm a little shocked you even wanted to fight over me in the first place..." he said slowly as he walked.
Nodding a little, she kissed the side of his neck. "I want to be your mate. Of course I would fight for you. I love you. I'm just sad she showed up at the wrong moment."
Chuckling a little, he could almost feel that she was pouting. "Don't pout. It'll happen. But, not while you're injured like this. Besides, your father still needs to be told, like it or not."
She only nodded. "Then...lets tell my father." she confirmed as he walked with her back towards her hut.
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A/N: I hope you enjoyed it! I've wanted to write this chapter for the longest time! Lol. I really enjoyed it. Hmm, the final question...should I try and write one more chapter tonight...decisions, decisions...haha.