A/N: Hooray, another new chapter for my fabulous readers! Thank you to my new followers: M. J. Ethreal, punkish furball, EternalTimeLord, DemonQueen8787, and Mari1616. And thank you all for your many kind reviews! It really pumps me to keep writing with all the encouragement and knowing you guys are enjoying so far :).
This chapter is full of Kouga/Kagome greatness! Are you excited? Yay, I knew it! This story is rated M, mostly for scenes later on, however this chapter is a bit...suggestive. You have been warned... ;)
Also, I forgot the traditional disclaimers. I do not own InuYasha or any of its characters (even if I wish I owned one particular wolf demon...alas, I do not). I do not "own" any historical persons who are included in my story, only the fictional personas that I have personally created.
Ok...now enjoy!
P.S. I proof-read three times, however its late and I am falling asleep at the computer, so if there are any typos I did not catch I sincerely apologize.
The Castle of Edo
Chapter 5
It was midday, about 2 or 3 in the afternoon, Kagome surmised, judging by the sun's location in the heavens. Kouga gripped her thighs tightly against his sides as he thundered through thick forest flora. A transient scent wafted past Kouga's nose. He followed the scent to its origin.
Kagome was unable to sleep solidly the previous night, her mind ruminating. She closed her eyes on Kouga's back, trying to convince herself that this jostling jaunt was a peaceful car ride and she was a baby being lulled to sleep.
In her dreams.
They stopped abruptly. Kagome's eyes popped open, her eyebrows furrowing questioningly.
"Kouga, why did we stop? Do you sense something?"
"Yeah," Kouga casually replied, kneeling so Kagome could hop off onto the lumpy ground. "Fresh water."
"Oh," said Kagome, her brows arching in understanding. She smiled a smile that did not reach her tired eyes, "thank you, Kouga."
"Don't mention it," Kouga smiled back. Kagome smiled a little brighter, the glow this time reflecting in her eyes. His smile, his genuine smile, was quite endearing.
Kagome excused herself and hurried towards the small stream flowing easily through the forest. The water looked crystal clear. Kagome knelt down and scooped the water into her hands and drank. She sighed contentedly. Chilled water was perfect for parched lips.
She reached into her yellow backpack, which Kouga had placed upon a bed of leaves to avoid the dirt, and pulled out a reusable water bottle. Kagome rinsed it twice and filled it to the brim from the stream's pristine pool.
Kagome put the filled water bottle into her backpack. She turned her body toward Kouga, but stopped, a thought drifting to her mind. Kagome turned back toward the water and retrieved some body wash and a wash cloth from her bag. She poured the liquid soap onto the rag and rubbed the fabric together to create suds. She began to gently wash her face and neck with the soapy substance.
Kouga watched her attentively. He watched as Kagome washed her face, neck, and underarms, then put the wet cloth into another bag, a plastic bag she called it, and then put the full plastic bag into the backpack.
'She must really want a bath…' Kouga figured. He sighed and pursed his lips.
"Sorry!" Kagome apologized. She hurriedly stuffed her items into her yellow bag, believing that Kouga was irritated by her extended stay at the stream.
Kouga, surprised by her reaction, raised and waved his hands. "No, no, Kagome. Don't be sorry."
"I just feel gross after all this traveling outdoors. In my time I take a bath every day, and I haven't had one in a few days. Plus," she added, chuckling from embarrassment, "I don't want you to think I stink when my sweaty self is right up against you all day."
"You always smell beautiful to me."
Kagome's eyes flashed upward to Kouga's, meeting his gaze. His gentle azure eyes spoke sincerity. Kagome's eyelashes fluttered as her gaze dropped to the dusty ground, a soft blush gracing her cheeks. "Thank you," she smiled shyly.
"Kagome…" Kouga began, tenderly. He reached out for her hand.
"Well, we better get going. No time to waste!" Kagome chided as she turned quickly to retrieve the forgotten backpack. 'Was he just about to hold my hand?' Kagome freaked. She all of a sudden felt awkward with Kouga. What was it? Could it be how honestly he conveyed his feelings for her? The intensity with which he looked at her sometimes? Perhaps the butterflies fluttering throughout her stomach?
If she were being honest, she would have to admit this felt like a…
Crush went her body against Kouga's broad chest, his muscular arms encircling her smaller frame and pulling her tightly against him. He held her bridal style. She expected to see him smirking, but instead he seemed sullen. Kouga glanced at her cautiously. He looked at her without seeing her, his eyes curtains concealing the brooding bubbling inside.
"Hold on tight," Kouga warned, and without more than a second's notice, he slung the yellow bag over his shoulder and bound into the endless forest. He didn't know how Kagome felt about him, but he was sure of one thing she did want. He wouldn't rest them again until he was sure she had it…
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They traveled non-stop for several more hours. Kagome was growing tired, aching for a good night's sleep to recuperate her strength. Some food would be nice too…
Kouga slowed down, looking side to side as if searching for something. He sniffed the air and jogged to a clearing. Kouga gently let Kagome get to her feet. Kagome stretched her arms high over her head, bent over at her waist, and arched her back. Her muscles ached from being curled up in Kouga's arms for so long, unable to move.
Kouga watched her intently. Gods, this was torture. He watched her stretching and bending and his male brain thought of other scenarios where he may see her arching her back…
Growl!
Kagome placed a hand on her stomach, laughing nervously. "I guess I'm a little hungry."
Kouga smiled, mentally shaking the lustful thoughts from his head. "Well, guess that's my cue. I'll be back soon with dinner. I smell some game around here. Will you be safe while I'm gone?"
Kagome smiled reassuringly. "Of course, Kouga. I have protection with me," she said, gesturing to the bow and quiver that had not left her back.
Kouga nodded. "Ok. I'll be back shortly. If you need me," he began, reaching for her hands quickly, giving her no time to pull away, "please call for me. I will hear you."
Kagome blushed, looking down at their interlocked fingers and nodded. She felt Kouga squeeze her hand a little tighter.
"I mean it, Kagome," he whispered, inching his face a little closer to hers. "I will protect you."
"I know." Kagome responded softly, a small smile gracing her lips.
Kouga smiled, knowing he had reached her. He squeezed her hands one last time before reluctantly pulling away. He turned his body away from her, looking over his shoulder as he walked to the forest. "Be back soon," he smiled.
Kagome watched him leave, her heart beating faster and her stomach fluttering.
She turned toward their 'camp', eyeing sticks and logs to collect for firewood. She gathered a bundle and brought it to the center of the clearing, smiling the whole time. 'I think I…I like him. Wow, I think I like him a lot', Kagome mused, giggling to herself. She knew why, but she was amazed she hadn't noticed him, really noticed him, before now. Kouga was gorgeous. He was dedicated. He was attentive. And she already knew without any hesitation that he cared deeply for her…
'If there is anyone new to be interested in, he's a great choice,' she smiled to herself.
In Kagome's periphery, she noticed a familiar silhouette. The figure was tall, broad shouldered, with flowing ebony hair flying around him in the breeze, only kept off his face with a wrapping around his head.
Kagome looked up from working on the wood pile, smiling at…
Her face fell, terror filling her features. That was not Kouga.
It was…the apparition!
"Dokan…Ota?" Kagome asked uncertainly. She extended her neck, eyes narrowing in scrutiny. It was definitely him.
"My love, I'm come to save you from that deadly demon." Dokan said, walking toward her and stretching out his hand, beckoning for her to come to him.
Kagome stood up, spreading her legs apart in a battle stance. She instinctively clutched her bow, ready to pull it in front of her as protection if needed. She was also prepared to run. She really wished Kouga were here.
"Look, the demon I'm with is not going to hurt me. He's my friend." Kagome stated authoritatively.
Dokan shook his head, his face stoic. "He has brainwashed you. I'm taking you from this place to safety."
"What?!" Kagome screeched. He was upon her, grabbing the wrist she had clutched onto her bow forcefully, pulling her into his body.
"He must be very powerful. He has momentarily turned you against me. But," he said, still holding her wrist in a death grip and stroking her bow with his finger. "How did you think your Sacred Bow would work on someone with equal spiritual powers?"
"What?" Kagome trailed. She furrowed her eyebrows in fear and confusion.
In an instant, Kagome was thrown over Dokan's shoulder roughly, the impact against her stomach knocking the air out of her. Dokan began to run, back in the direction from which he came. His speed was surprising. Kagome was in shock, but her mind cleared long enough to use her last defense against this stranger.
At the top of her lungs, she screamed. "KOUGA!"
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Kouga normally had impeccable focus while hunting game. He was unrivaled in his tribe for reliably providing sustenance for the clan due to his skill. This evening's hunt was taking longer due to his divided attention. Half on the hunt, half on listening for Kagome. He had a bad feeling in his gut, his youkai intuition telling him to go back to her. He fought it, telling himself he was just being protective, that she could manage any lesser youkai using her sacred powers. He had finally caught some wild hares for dinner when his heart stopped…
"KOUGA!"
Kouga dropped the hares and bound through the trees and brush in a blur. His heart was beating wildly. He caught her scent and was on her trail. Then he sensed the other. The presence felt like youkai, but not strongly. Should he have been more worried about the lesser demons?
Kouga ran, pushing his legs hard until they burned from strain. His heart pounded, both from physical exertion and fear. If anything happened to her…
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Kagome was terrified. She and Dokan had stopped far from the clearing where she last saw Kouga. Dokan was holding her forcibly against him. She had no idea what he was going to do. She looked up at him, trembling with fear. His cobalt eyes looked into hers sadly.
"My love, I've missed you." He said softly, pulling her closer.
Kagome unconsciously pressed her hands against his chest and applied force, trying desperately to push him away. She knew this man historically, but that told her nothing of who he really was. She sensed various vibrations from him, the two most prominent were spiritual and demonic energies seemingly intertwined. Her internal alarms were flaring. She had to get away.
Dokan placed his fingers under her chin and forcibly lifted her face so she would look at him. He frowned, his blue eyes still saddened. "Has this demon taken control of your mind so much that you forgot about me?"
"What are you talking about?" Kagome pleaded desperately, fresh tears shining in her eyes. "You think I'm someone I'm not. I don't know you!"
"Yes, you do. You said my name."
'I did…' Kagome thought. How could she explain to him why she knew who he was? She saw him bend closer to her, his lips hovering above hers, ready to claim her lips with his.
Tears flowed freely from her eyes. She did not want this. 'Kouga…' she prayed, squeezing her eyes tightly, preparing for his lips to meet hers without her consent.
"Get AWAY FROM HER!"
Dokan relaxed his hold on Kagome's jaw enough for her to turn her face, her heart rushing with relief. He was here.
Kouga roared with rage. He saw Kagome forcibly trapped in another man's arms and his protective instincts flared. How DARE this stranger touch his woman! Kouga charged at the man, his open hand pulled back, claws extended, ready to shed blood.
Dokan released his hold on Kagome and she instantly fled to the edge of the clearing. Kouga's claws were just about to make contact with the stranger's flesh when suddenly, a bright light blazed across the clearing. Kouga and Kagome covered their eyes with their hands, squeezing their eyes shut from the blinding blue beams. When the light faded, they looked and discovered the man had…vanished.
For a moment, the two were paralyzed in their current positions, eyes wide with wonder and shock. Then Kagome breathed heavily. Kouga snapped his head toward her to see her body shaking violently.
She started falling to her knees, the earth rushing closer…
She stopped. Someone had caught her. This time, she felt a familiar presence holding her. It was a comforting presence, a warm presence, and loving presence. She collapsed against him, shaking, releasing all her withheld fear to him. She wept against him, her tears dampening the soft brown fur lining his broad shoulders. She released herself to her friend, her companion, her protector.
Kouga wrapped his arms passionately around Kagome, burying his face into her raven locks. He gently rubbed her back comfortingly up and down, "shhing" her like an infant. His body shuddered. He had been so afraid, terrified that she was about to be hurt, or kidnapped, or worse…he embraced her tighter if that were possible.
Kagome stopped shaking and heavily sighed against Kouga. Kouga gently separated their bodies, his hands now lightly placed on her shoulders guiding her body back arms' length. He searched her face. Her eyes were shut. She was taking deep breaths, consciously working to regulate her breathing using calming techniques. She sighed one last time and opened her eyes, meeting Kouga's concerned stare.
Kagome looked at him with residual anxiety and newfound relief.
"Kagome," Kouga called quietly, his eyes swirling blue pools of distress.
Kagome reached a hand up and placed it on his still gently holding her shoulder. "Kouga. You heard me."
"Kagome," Kouga whispered. He placed his available clawed hand upon her cheek, stroking her soft skin with his thumb. He smoothed his fingers up her pale cheek and into her raven hair, combing it with his claws.
Kagome sighed and leaned into Kouga's hand. His heart fluttered at her action. Then his lips tightened. "I should have gotten here sooner." He told her, his hand leaving her hair and running through his own. "I should never have left you alone."
Kagome looked at Kouga with concern. "No, this isn't your fault, Kouga. You were right to believe I would be okay. I had my weapon, and neither of us sensed any demons anywhere near us. This man, spirit…" she trailed, wondering just what he was at this point. His touch felt…real.
"Attacked you, and I wasn't here to stop him!" Kouga shouted, balling his hand into a tight fist. He gritted his teeth in frustration, seething inside at the audacity of this stranger attacking a lone woman, his woman, and the irresponsibility of him of leaving her.
"It is o-k." Kagome emphasized emphatically, grasping his clenched fist in her hands. Her gentle touch and aura soothed him. Kouga took a deep breath, exhaled, and began to calm down.
"Now I feel really dirty…" Kagome said quietly, releasing Kouga's hand to wrap her arms over her body, hands grasping her upper arms. She looked down toward the earth in shame.
Kouga's shoulders slumped. It was unbearable hearing her feel that way. "Kagome, I, I want to show you the reason I brought us here. Maybe it will help you feel better."
Kagome nodded, her eyes closed. Kouga reached for her hand and she took it, allowing him to help her to her feet.
Kouga held her hand in his protectively, leading her gently back to the clearing with their unmade camp. He quietly grabbed her yellow backpack with his open hand and led her in a new direction. Kagome walked with him silently, her mind swirling with the events of this evening. She walked in a daze until she saw what lay before them.
In front of her was a lovely cozy hot spring. The water softly steamed from its heat. A few boulders dotted the warm waters. Behind was a beautiful stone grotto with lush vines decorating the silver stones. Kagome gasped in awe of the scintillating site before her, illuminated by the soft indigo and violet twilight.
"Kouga…its lovely."
"This is why we stopped here, Kagome. I knew you wanted a bath…" he replied, staring at the sparkling water, running his hand through his high pony tail.
Kagome looked up at Kouga, her heart swelling with gratitude and warmth. She smiled affectionately at him. "Thank you, Kouga. This is so thoughtful."
Kouga looked down into her shining eyes. He smiled, that genuine warm smile Kagome was growing very fond of.
"Well, here are your things." He said nervously, handing her the stuffed yellow bag. He gulped, his heart pounding. "I won't watch or anything, but I insist that I stay here with you for your protection."
Now Kagome's heart fluttered. He was going to stay, while she…bathed?! Even though she was nervous, she would not argue about this. She was glad he would be nearby, ensuring her safety.
"That's fine, Kouga. I'm glad, actually." She replied, her voice slightly shaky.
He gave her a small smile and turned his back. "Go ahead, Kagome. I'll keep my back turned."
"Ok." She was excited to finally have a bath, and after her earlier encounter, she desperately needed to bathe herself and cleanse her soiled skin and psyche.
She kneeled down, unclipping the closure on the backpack and retrieving the soap and wash cloth she used earlier. She also found a small towel and her change of clothes. She brought everything to the edge of the hot spring. With a deep breath and a quick turn to make sure she wasn't being watched, she began to undress.
Kagome stepped into the steaming water and released a sigh of contentment. She quickly descended into the bubbling pool, allowing the warm water to cleanse her body and soul. She added soap to the cloth, created a lather, and began to wash her face, neck, torso, arms, everything. She reached for some shampoo. She squirted a small blob into her palm and lifted her hands to work it into her hair…
"Ahhh!" she hissed.
Kouga immediately shot his head to the side, forcing himself not to look at her naked body. "Kagome! Are you okay?"
Kagome gritted her teeth in pain. "Yes," she lied.
Kouga growled lowly. He knew she was lying. "Kagome…"
"It's just," Kagome began, "My arms were held so tightly that it hurts to stretch up towards my head. I…I can't wash my hair."
Kouga swallowed, his stomach fluttering. He opened his mouth to speak, hesitating…
"Can you…help me?"
Kouga's eyes widened. Had she really asked…
"Please, help me wash my hair," Kagome asked nervously.
Kouga turned slowly, fully facing her. Her back was too him, her porcelain skin glowing in the burgeoning moonlight. Her raven hair glistened, her body ethereal, wrapped in the rising mist of the sparkling springs.
Kouga closed the distance between them. Kagome edged toward the side of the hot springs to grant him access to her body. Kouga knelt down, taking the shampoo bottle from her shaking hand. He opened it and poured some into his hand, as he had seen her do earlier with the soap bottle.
"Just put it on the top of my head and start massaging. It creates a lather, like soap, and when you massage it throughout the hair it cleanses it. Then I'll rinse it out."
"O, okay," Kouga responded.
They were quiet, both wrestling with a flurry of feelings. Kouga's clawed hands shook as he gently placed the gloopy goo on top of Kagome's head. Then he used his claws to gently massage her scalp, the shampoo morphing from a clear liquid to a white, bubbly soap spreading over her hair.
Kagome sighed, leaning back into Kouga's touch. Kouga's heart lept up into his throat. She was letting him in, trusting him, allowing him to be so close to her naked frame. Kouga's heart beat wildly as he continued his slow massage of her scalp. Her scent swirled strongly from her fully exposed body. He shuddered. It was intoxicating.
Kagome's heart fluttered as well. Kouga's claws skillfully scratched her scalp and it felt heavenly. His touch, as innocent as it was, sent a shiver down her spine. She felt heat where his hands grazed her skin. It was almost electric. Maybe it was just the vulnerable state she was in, completely naked before him, or maybe it was just…him.
"I, I'm finished," Kouga stated softly, his clawed hands still tangled in hair swallowed by a mass of soapy suds.
Kagome inhaled deeply. "Okay, I, I'll rinse now."
She leaned forward, out of his reach. She rose slightly out of the water, unknowingly shifting to where a small silhouette of her breast was visible to the demon behind her. She flipped her hair forward wildly, rinsing it in the steaming water. When she finished removing all traces of shampoo, she flipped it backward, arching her back and sending sparkling droplets flying around her.
Kouga held his breath. She was breathtaking. His inner wolf flared. It wanted her. It wanted her so badly it was painful. Kouga growled, unable to tear his eyes away from her. Gods, she was beautiful.
"Kouga, I need your help with one more thing," Kagome asked. "Please?"
He growled low again. She was begging. It was torturous. His inner wolf wanted to make her beg for so many things…
He swallowed, forcing down his baser instincts, for now. "What can I do for you, Kagome?"
"Please," she asked, "dry my hair?"
She pointed to a small towel she had placed upon her backpack. Kouga reached over and grabbed it, opening the cloth wide. He softly placed it upon her soaking wet hair. She was wet all over…
He carefully squeezed her tresses and removed the excess water. He began to dry her shoulders, her upper back. He leaned forward, his face close to her, breathing in her wildflower scent. His lips came close to the base of her neck near her shoulder, his breath blowing soft warm gusts upon her exposed flesh.
Kagome shivered when she felt his hot breath skimming her skin. Kouga felt her shudder and caught a faint scent. It was a hint of…arousal?!
'She…she wants me?' He thought incredulously.
Kouga's lips brushed her skin, his inner wolf begging him to ravish her skin with his lips and tongue.
Kouga growled, unbearably unfulfilled. Not now. Not after what just happened to her. She meant so much to him, he would not do this, now…
Kouga scooted back abruptly, placing the towel beside Kagome on the dry ground. He clenched his teeth to calm himself and deal with the momentary discomfort of his own arousal.
"Kagome, if you don't need anything else, I'm going to give you privacy to finish and turn around to keep watch."
Kagome was speechless. What the heck had just happened between them?! Were they really that close to a potentially intimate moment with her naked?
"Of course, Kouga!" She said rather loudly from embarrassment. "Thank you for helping me."
"Of course, Kagome." Kouga sighed heavily. It was going to be a long night.
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"NOOOOOOO!" Screamed an anguished voice, his cry echoing deafeningly inside the invisible walls of his eternal prison.
He had felt himself. Real, solid flesh. Human skin. Hands that flexed and grasped and for a brief moment in time held his love in his arms.
He looked at his palms. He looked at the left, then the right, the left again. They were once again transparent, his body morphed back into a spiritual being, a mass of electrical energy.
Dokan Ota fell to his knees and cried out in misery. His ghostly form shook with unbearable heartache.
"Tsk, tsk," slithered the dark voice of Dokan's sinister companion from the deepest shadows of the black realm. "You didn't think it would be that easy, did you?"
Dokan turned his ethereal face towards the voice, his gaze studying the solid black floor his non-body sat upon. He said nothing.
"Ha!" replied the dark creature, his face fading into full view. It was Naraku, with the darkly decorated Shikon Jewel. "You will need time to gain full control of your new 'human' body."
"What do you mean?" Dokan asked quietly, closing his eyes and bending his head, defeated.
Naraku sneered. "You need to practice. You must learn how to harness the right…energy, to keep your human body sustained."
Dokan opened his eyes and looked up toward Naraku, but as soon as his desire to engage with the half demon peaked, the ominous essence vanished in a purple puff of miasma.
Dokan looked downward in thought. He remembered seeing a vision of his love in the woods, again with that demon. A wolf demon. The vision had come to him in the mirror's round glass. He remembered how he felt. Enraged, sickened, ready to kill. Suddenly, he was outside, actually physically with the young priestess. He could step upon the ground with solid feet. He could move his legs to walk toward her. He could run at full speed. He was so close to saving her, and then the familiar bondage pulled him back here in a blinding blue haze.
Dokan clenched his fist. He was bound to this hell one way or another. If he was going to be stuck here, he would do everything in his power to use his new ability, his new although temporarily transient physical body, and reunite with a certain priestess, his long departed love…