A/N: Hello readers! I really hope you enjoy this chapter. Lots of tension building, but a *cough*climax*cough* of sorts may be coming soon...;). I accidentally deleted my thanks to my recent followers when editing chapter 7, so...
Thank you to my newest followers: Kogita, Hanamaki, Italyy, SKiraNova, Small Town Girl 2014, shadow zombie, new-Necro03, Black Fox Kenzie, HanaithsFury, sesshomaru's wifey, kouga's older woman, Fearless miko, Izzy1001, KogitaTsuki, Sylean89, MoukoToradoshi1986, theladypantera. I appreciate you all very much reading my story!
Thanks Kogita for your support and encouragement :). Thanks for offering to help!
Thank you, theladypantera, for your encouraging words and praises! Your thoughtful feedback really reinforced my vision for this story, so thank you :). This wonderful lady has another great Kouga/Kag story you should check out called "Wind & Snow".
Thank you to my real life friend for reading and reviewing. J-cun, you know who you are ;).
Please review if you would like to let me know what you think! Thank you!
The Castle of Edo
Chapter 9
"Kagome?" Ms. Higurashi called in front of the young woman's closed bedroom door. She knocked lightly, knowing from the soft snoring on the other side that her daughter was still asleep.
Ms. Higurashi sighed and descended the stair case.
"I'm sorry, Kouga. She got home late last night and she is still asleep."
Kouga chuckled. "That's okay. She must be tired. I'll wait if that's okay."
Ms. Higurashi smiled at the polite demon. She liked Kouga very much. He was good to Kagome and good for her.
"Kouga?"
"Hmm?" He responded casually.
"You may go upstairs and try to wake her if you wish," Ms. Higurashi proposed.
Over five hundred years old and Kouga still blushed from her suggestion.
Ms. Higurashi smiled. "It's ok, Kouga. I'm only worried about your wellbeing when you wake her up," she finished with a wink.
Ms. Higurashi left the room and Kouga ascended the stairs swiftly, heeding her suggestion of seeing Kagome in her room. In her bed… It was pure agony, having those thoughts of her and being unable to act upon them. Kouga shook his lingering thoughts away as he knocked and slowly, silently, entered Kagome's room.
There she was, asleep peacefully in her bed, tucked in cozily like a child with a sheet, comforter, and a throw blanket forming her snug little nest. Kouga walked to her, pulling down layers of covers so he could sit on the edge of her bed and make contact with her body. He began stroking her hair lightly, a warm smile gracing his lips, growing wider when he saw her smile in her sleep.
"Mmm, Kouga that feels so good…"*snore*
Kouga was sure Kagome had spoken in her sleep. 'She must be dreaming…about me? Kami, her words…she's going to undo me.'
Completely overcome by her beauty and a bit by lust, he bent down and grazed his lips against hers, leaving a light, teasing kiss.
Kagome uttered a small moan of delight. Kouga gritted his teeth, trying to control his wolfish instincts. This was becoming very difficult the longer he was around her, the more time they spent together. After their steamy kiss on the hillside, his imprisoned passion, feelings, desires, all were unleashed, ravaging his heart and body, the wolf inside pining for her.
"Kagome?" Kouga whispered, begging her to wake up and force him to escape his thirsty thoughts.
"Hmm…" Kagome mumbled. She opened her eyes half way, seeing a tall, dark figure beside her. She thought she was still dreaming, because the man had come right from her dream. Her very lustful dream…
"Kagome. It's me."
Kagome opened her eyes fully, rubbing the residual sleep dust from the inner corners outward with her fingers. Kagome eyed Kouga, sitting so close to her his upper thigh skimmed her hip. Then she remembered snippets of her erotic dream…with him. She blushed crimson.
Kouga was appreciating her natural wildflower perfume when he detected a fresh, musky scent. He growled lowly, knowing exactly what that scent meant.
"Kagome…" he whispered huskily, reaching down to place a slow, heated kiss upon her soft lips, swollen from slumber.
Kagome melted into him. Whatever conflicted concerns she thought and felt the days before were nonexistent. His lips ravishing hers, his musky woods scent, his touch electrifying her body, those were all the things that concerned her now. She instinctively rose up from the bed, wrapping her arms tightly around his torso, pulling his sculpted body into hers.
Kouga growled again, feeling her breasts push against him. He had one hand securely around her shoulder and placed behind her neck, pulling her further into the steamy kiss. His other hand was unconsciously squeezing her left hip, instinctually sliding forward to her upper inner thigh…
Kagome abruptly broke their embrace. "Oh my GOSH!" Kagome shouted. "I'm still in the clothes I wore yesterday. And I haven't bathed! Geez, I must smell horrible after all the running and craziness that went on in the Feudal era. And my hair!" Kagome fretted as she reached into her black, tangled mess.
"I kind of like the tousled, 'just out of bed' look," Kouga smirked suggestively.
Kagome blushed brightly. She tried to push away from Kouga to get up from bed. Instead, she clumsily fell into him, hurling them both to the floor.
"I see you wanted to change positions?" Kouga smirked, bending his elbows and sliding his hands casually under his head while his sky blue eyes darkened with desire.
Kagome turned cherry, connecting Kouga's provocative comment with her current position, sitting on top of him in a very sensitive and erogenous region…
"Well, I better get a quick bath!" Kagome interjected, launching off Kouga hard enough he grunted from her forceful thrust against his pelvic area.
Kagome quickly grabbed some clean clothes, eager to escape the spicy situation they had fallen into. It didn't help that Kouga was basically undressing her with his beautiful, bright blue demon eyes, or that he was wearing that sexy black t-shirt that so perfectly accentuated his muscular physique when he stretched on her floor, or that his attractive ebony hair tossed around him. It also didn't help, unbeknownst to Kagome, that her musky scent made it obvious to Kouga that she desired him. His eyes fixated on her like a hunter on his prey.
Kagome breathed deeply, attempting to act normal when all she could do was think about the handsome man in her room in so many inappropriate ways…
"So…after I get cleaned up, I need to go somewhere. Want to come with me?"
Kouga smiled dashingly. "But of course, beautiful lady."
Kagome blushed, again. So much blushing lately…
"Great!" She shouted overzealously. "We're going to the archery range. I need to practice my skills for whatever is coming up in the Feudal Era. I feel like it's about to become very serious and I haven't used by bow once."
Kouga nodded solemnly. He already knew what was about to take place…
"By the way…how did you know I was back, Kouga?"
Kouga smiled enticingly. "Remember how I said I could feel your presence?"
"Yeah?" Kagome questioned. That was still puzzling…
Kouga stood and walked toward Kagome, effectively trapping her between his body and the wall beside her bedroom door. He pushed his hands against the wall above her head. Her heart quickened and her body heated from his nearness. He bent down, his warm breath puffing against her neck. She shivered.
"I felt you come...home," he whispered against her skin. Kagome's face turned crimson.
Kouga grazed his lips against her neck, barely, teasingly. He slowly made his way from her neck across her cheek, meeting her lovely lips with his own. He kissed her slowly, passionately, pushing eagerly against her mouth. Kagome was stunned silent, surrendering to his tantalizing touch. She unconsciously grabbed a fistful of his shirt and pulled him closer.
Then suddenly, too soon, his lips abandoned hers. Kagome reluctantly released her hold on him, and an unconscious sigh of disappointment. Kouga raised his head slowly, his wanting aqua eyes staring hungrily into hers. He removed his hands from the wall, placing a quick, chaste kiss upon her lips and standing to full height.
"I'll wait for you downstairs," he smirked, leaving Kagome with her thoughts.
When Kouga closed her bedroom door and Kagome was securely alone, she placed her hand against her heaving chest, feeling her heart beating wildly. She was left with thoughts, alright. Very impure thoughts, of him…
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'Hit the mark…' Kagome meditated, mentally reciting her ritual mantra while aiming her arrow at the target.
Kouga watched Kagome in awe. She was a strong woman, her power proliferating with each shot of her bow. Her spiritual strength was unmatched, making her as strong as any demoness. He gaped at her beautiful body as she posed perfectly for her next shot, her arm pulled back with flawless form, gracefully grasping the arrow with her nimble fingers. He watched as she let go, sending the arrow soaring ahead, striking the bullseye across the field…
'Take that, Dokan Ota!' Kagome thought.
Kouga gazed dreamily at the gracious goddess before him. She was exquisite as she shot another arrow flying across the field into the next target…
'Ha! You're purified!'
Kouga daydreamed about Kagome's pure heart, the heart that opened to everyone, that opened him…
'Eat dust, Demon!'
Kouga sighed serenely, content to watch Kagome practice all day…
"Yo, Earth to Kouga!"
"Haha, you're acting like a love-sick pup!"
Kouga jumped up and around, bounding into a battle stance, sighing with a mixture of irritation and relief when realizing it was…
"Ginta! Hakakku! What are you idiots doing sneaking up on your alpha?!"
The two wolf demons exchanged a glance and burst into giggles.
"Sneak up, on you?" Ginta laughed.
"You're never preoccupied enough to let your guard down, Kouga," Hakakku chimed in. "Unless it's with Kagome."
Kouga blushed, baring his fangs in annoyance. "Why you two…"
"Ginta? Hakakku? It that really you?!" Kagome smiled in surprise, placing her bow and quiver on the grass beside a tall oak and walking toward the trio of wolves.
"SISTER!" The two demons shouted together exuberantly, forgetting their pack leader and running straight toward the miko, group hugging the life from her.
"Or…nevermind," Kouga huffed when he was forgotten. "Hey," he yelled, noticing how Kagome was being squished between the two overly excited demons, "be careful with her!"
Ginta and Hakkaku broke away from her immediately, submitting to Kouga's command. Kouga nodded approvingly, satisfied with the two wolf demons' acquiescence. He opened his palm, making a pushing gesture against the wind, indicating that his comrades may continue their visit a bit more, gently.
"How have you been, Sister?"
"What have you been up to?"
"We haven't seen you for so long. This is amazing!"
"The pack has missed you."
"Whoa!" Kagome half shouted, raising her hands in front of her body indicating for them to stop. She laughed, "that's a lot of questions all at once. I guess Kouga told you that our timing is…off."
"Yeah, he kind of explained it to us," Hakakku remarked.
"He said you two haven't…" Ginta began.
"Ginta!" Kouga barked. Ginta jolted his gaze toward Kouga. He gulped, his eyes meeting his alpha's icy stare ignited with anger and fear. Kouga's eyes flashed a soundless warning to his underling, rendering Ginta silent.
Hakakku turned to his comrade densely. "It sure smells like they did."
Ginta jabbed Hakakku in the ribs. "Hakakku!" Ginta whispered, gesturing towards Kouga. "Shut up!"
Hakakku could hear Kouga growling lowly. He gulped too, falling silent in favor of self-preservation.
"What were you saying, Hakakku?" Kagome inquired politely.
"He was saying that he scented our lunch," Kouga answered for his beta, walking forward to Kagome's side and glaring back at his comrades as if to reiterate his earlier admonition. Ginta and Hakakku gulped. Despite the silent exchange, they understood loud and clear.
"Kouga, would you get the food set up on that picnic table? I need to go to the ladies room."
"Of course," Kouga smiled affectionately at Kagome. He grabbed her hand and brought it to his lips, kissing her chastely while flashing a handsome smile.
Kagome smiled widely as she walked away with a little bounce in her step.
Kouga sighed, smiling softly as she sauntered away. He couldn't help smiling. He was smiling all the freaking time now, with her, without her, thinking about her, not directly thinking about her. It was like the beginning all over again. He was like a young man, with his first love…
"You two seem…close," Ginta remarked, he and Hakakku exchanging a glance, grinning like children.
"As a matter of fact, we are," Kouga stated assertively, placing his hands firmly on his hips for emphasis.
"Are you going to tell her soon?" Hakakku prodded.
Behind the group, Kagome was returning, climbing the knoll leading to the picnic area beside the archery range. She was now in earshot…
"What is there to tell?" Kouga countered, confliction flickering in his cerulean eyes.
Kagome paused, something inciting her to slow her pace…
"You have to tell her about the whole 'mate' thing, Kouga." Ginta advised. "She needs to know."
Kagome's heart quickened, in a sickening way…
"I can't…" Kouga said quietly through gritted teeth.
Kagome began to feel sick. That awful fluttering feeling, that plague of unwanted insects, was resettling in her gut…
"You should, Kouga."
"It's tearing you apart."
Kagome clutched her stomach, bending slightly. She believed she might actually vomit…
"I CAN'T!" Kouga hissed. "I…" he paled. He scented her, felt her presence nearby. He placed his right palm against his forehead, his blue eyes wide and heart racing with fear. He prayed she hadn't heard…
"I'm back!" Kagome shouted, forcing excitement. Emotionally, she was shaking, trembling with an unnamable yet grotesque feeling that every ounce of her was fighting to conceal.
Kouga scented an emotional change in Kagome's body. He also trembled with inner turmoil.
The group sat at the set picnic table, Kouga beside Kagome with Ginta and Hakakku across. They began their meal in silence.
"Do either of you have mates?"
Ginta and Hakakku glanced up from their full plates, surprised by Kagome's question. It was a natural one, really. Beside her, Kouga blanched.
"Yes," replied Hakakku first. "My mate and I have been together for 300 years. We have several scoundrel pups."
Kagome smiled in response, but it did not reach her eyes.
"I…did," Ginta responded desolately, his eyes studying the swirls and lines along the faded wooden picnic table.
"Ginta…" Kagome responded gently, understanding his quiet, grief laced words.
Silence again. Kagome knew it may not be wise to ask, but she had to know some things, things that Kouga was not planning to share with her that maybe the other wolves would…
"What's it like…to lose a mate?" Kagome asked, her eyes joining Ginta's in studying the wooden table's unique natural design.
"It's unbearable," Ginta replied, his eyes overcast with sorrow.
"Ginta…I'm so sorry. I, I shouldn't have brought it up," Kagome responded sympathetically, raising her eyes to the grieving wolf.
"It's okay, Kagome." Ginta said quietly. "I met her after you and Kouga…after you were gone from the Feudal Era. We lived together for over four centuries. She passed about 75 years ago…"
"Ginta…" Kagome began, her eyes misting in empathy for her friend. "I'm so sorry."
Ginta inhaled shakily, smiling wistfully at the memory of his beautiful mate.
"It's devastating to anyone. But to a wolf…unbearable isn't the word. A wolf demon's mate…she is his life. She becomes his other half. I've heard humans use this expression, but humans are fickle. Wolf demons mate for life. If one mate dies before the other, the living mate lives without half of himself. Something happens to us…I can't explain it, but when we mate our bodies, hearts, even to an extent our souls meld together into one. We know what our mate is thinking, what she is feeling. We feel, breathe, live from her aura. When we lose her…part of our world ends."
Kagome felt such sorrow for Ginta. How horrible he must be feeling. But another, darker feeling crept into her heart, a sinful emotion she was all too familiar with. Jealousy. Based on what Ginta just described…
"Can wolf demons ever love another if they lose their mate?" Kagome asked quietly, her hands balling into nervous, shaking fists under the picnic table.
Kouga paled. He knew exactly what she was thinking. Could he love her? His eyes widened, pleading silently with Ginta. Lie, dammit!
"No," Ginta stated, his eyes closing with sadness.
Kagome felt sick. She wasn't sure she would get up from the table before her barely touched lunch exploded from her stomach. She stood abruptly, tripping as she climbed over the table's bench seat and jumping to her feet. Kouga stood with her, his heart racing with fear. What was she going to do…
"I've, I've got to go…I told Mom I would be home to…help with…something," Kagome lied, turning her back to the shocked group of wolf demons at the table.
"K, Kagome…" Kouga called desperately, his hand reaching out for her. She stepped past him before his hand could touch her.
Kagome hurried to the discarded bow and quiver sitting carelessly against the tree. She picked them up shakily, slinging the bow roughly over her shoulder. She was dizzy, incoherent, but somehow she was able to walk, heading towards the archery range's small store to return the rented bow. She called from the side, unable to look toward the group, toward him. "Goodbye…" she called quietly, tears beginning to roll down her cheeks.
Kouga scented her tears. He jumped forward, his eyes bulging with fear. He had to reach her. She had to understand…
Two sets of demon hands caught him and held him back. Even with two of them, they struggled against his strength. He pulled violently against them, desperate to reach Kagome.
"Kouga," Hakakku called.
"Give her time to calm down," Ginta implored.
"IDIOTS!" Kouga roared, pulling his arms roughly out of their grasp and turning toward them menacingly.
"If anything happens…" he growled frighteningly, the threat glaring from his icy eyes, "if I lose her…" But he couldn't finish. He palmed the sides of his head, bending over in gut-wrenching agony. He had to make this right. He had to…
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Kagome awoke the next morning with a jolt. Sweat droplets dripped down her forehead, falling onto her face like her trickling tears had the night before. She sat up fully in bed, unconcerned by the blankets and sheet kicked carelessly to the floor in fitful slumber. She placed her forehead upon her open palm and squeezed her eyes shut, begging her mind to stop replaying that memory…
She was running blindly along the sidewalks and across intersections towards her family's shrine after she escaped the wolf demons. Thankfully, she didn't nearly get hit by a vehicle this time. She couldn't fathom another encounter with Kouga, or anyone, right now. She had made it to the shrine and slowly ascended the tall staircase to her home, clutching her stomach and holding the arm rail like a life line.
What had all this been? Their…relationship? Kouga admitted he had a mate in the past, and he had lost her. According to what Ginta had said…
But the way Kouga looked at her. The way he touched her. The passion and chemistry and adoration between them. It was all so, real! How could he fake that? How could he?
'He couldn't have lied to me…could he? I know he hasn't lied to me in the Feudal Era because he hasn't mated yet. Here, he told me it wasn't Ayame. Maybe he ends up finding some other wolf demoness. Either way…'
Fresh tears sprung from Kagome's eyes. She clutched the edge of her comforter, squeezing the fabric furiously with her fingers, her knuckles turning white. She displaced her despair onto the defenseless blanket. The pain that throbbed in her chest, burning through her throat, stealing her voice…she knew its name. She had bared this burden before.
Jealousy.
Kagome hung her head, eyes closed, another emotion consuming her. Regret. She immediately regretted indulging in her envy. It would not help her, only weaken her soul. She also regretted wanting something, someone, who she knew months ago had belonged to another. Kagome sighed shakily, exhaling her exacerbating emotions.
*PULSE*
Kagome's head shot up, her remorse momentarily forgotten. She felt youkai. She climbed out of her bed quickly, crossing the room to change into fresh clothing before descending the stairs. She barely brushed her bangs when she threw the hairbrush hastily and exited her room. She sprang down the stairs, her feet flitting quickly with each step. At the bottom, her eyes flew upward, meeting a familiar stare.
It was him.
Pain pierced Kagome's constricting chest. Despite all that she knew, without him uttering a word of it to her, she could not deny her desire for this man. She clutched her fist to her chest unconsciously, trying in vain to still her searing heart.
"Kagome?" he questioned, his blue eyes swirling with emotion. Uncertainty, sorrow, fear…everything swam together in those aqua pools.
"Kouga," Kagome whispered. Why was simply saying his name so incredibly difficult?
"Kagome, I," he stammered, closing the distance between them and reaching out for her. Kagome almost gave in, almost fell into his solid arms, almost squeezed his body to hers desperately with all strength physical and spiritual she possessed.
She turned away.
Kouga lowered his extended hand, his eyes following his falling arm, finding the floor. Ms. Higurashi really kept the carpet clean…
Kouga sighed, briefly shutting his eyes. "Kagome, I…I know what you're thinking…"
"No…I don't think you do," Kagome replied quietly, her eyes also studying the spotless carpeted floor.
'Did he…lie to me?' Kagome thought sadly.
"I didn't lie to you…" Kouga told Kagome, determined sincerity shining in his sapphire eyes.
'He…he led me on…'
"I did not lead you on."
'What Ginta said…'
"It's not what it seems, Kagome. It's…It's complicated."
'He'll never feel toward me…like he did with his mate…'
"I do."
Kagome jerked her head up, meeting Kouga's blue eyes boring into her soul. She squinted, scrutinizing his stare and his words. "What…what did you say?"
"I…" Kouga began…
"Where the HELL is Kagome? And what is that stench?! I know it from somewhere…"
Kagome and Kouga's heads snapped up, their despondent dialogue abandoned, interrupted by the intrusive booming voice. A very familiar voice…
A man with shiny, streaming hair rounded the corner from the kitchen, spying Kagome in the living room.
"Kagome," the masculine figure called, his words harsh with impatience.
Kagome hazel eyes widened in surprise. She had forgotten that he could come through the well…and spoil serious conversations she attempted to have with Kouga...
"Inu…Yasha?"
Kagome turned her head sharply toward Kouga, hearing the hanyou's true name from his lips for the first time. She peered at him as he paled. "Kouga…?" she asked, her brows furrowing questioningly.
"Flea-Bag?!" Inuyasha hollered incredulously.
"How are you...?/How are you…?" The full and half youkai simultaneously interrogated.
Kagome shot her head between the two men side to side, swaying with dizziness.
Inuyasha stared at Kouga, dumbfounded. He wasn't supposed to be here… Frustrated, Inuyasha growled through bared teeth. "Since when do you actually use my name? Must be some low down wolf trick. And how the HELL did you get through the well?! Wait," Inuyasha paused, leaning his head toward Kouga and squinting his eyes in inspection. "Did you age?"
Kouga rolled his eyes. "I didn't come through the well. I LIVE here."
Inuyasha took a step back, eyes filling with confusion. "What? You…live here?"
"Yes," Kouga stated matter-of-factly. "I am 500 years older than when you last saw me. And," he continued, pursing his lips and furrowing his brows broodingly, "I haven't seen you since then."
Inuyasha shook his head, ridding himself of the shock of seeing his rival in the future, the place he was supposed to have an advantage over him… He gritted his teeth impatiently. "Whatever, wolf. I don't have time for you. Kagome," he stated determinedly, "you've got to come back, now. We have to talk."
Kagome barely raised her hand in protest when she heard…
"She's not going with you anywhere," Kouga interjected, unconsciously and protectively stepping in front of Kagome.
"Yes, she is!"
"No way, stupid dog."
Kagome felt her body begin to tremble as she gritted her teeth…
"Get out of my way, you damn wolf!" Inuyasha yelled, attempting to reach behind Kouga for Kagome's arm.
"Not happening," Kouga barked back, flexing his claws and glaring threateningly towards the hanyou.
Kagome pressed her right hand into a tight fist, her knuckles turning white and nails digging into her skin…
"What's it to you anyway, Flea-Bag? Kagome belongs with me and you know it."
"She does NOT. She is MY…" Kouga stopped. He clamped down hard, biting his tongue and his words, silently seething through bared fangs. He balled his hands into fists at his sides, glaring daggers at the dog. How he wanted to punch that dog shit right now…
"What? Your woman? In 500 years I think you would have grown up a little…" Inuyasha bullied.
Kouga raised his clenched fist, instinctively preparing to engage in battle.
"Kouga!"
Kouga relaxed his pugnacious posture, submitting to the petite priestess at his side. He felt her calming touch on his chest.
"Please, stop." She pleaded. "It's okay."
Kouga nodded, dropping his hand and eyes, again, to the floor.
Inuyasha growled, observing the affectionate exchange between Kagome and 'future' Flea-Bag.
"Well, aren't you a couple of love birds?" Inuyasha scoffed, folding his arms across his chest, burying his hands in his crimson haori. "Kouga, you're an old geezer now. Shouldn't you have a mate or something?"
Kagome held her breath, her stomach churning. Kouga growled at Inuyasha, an angry gleam in his icy eyes.
"I don't see how that's any of your business, Mutt-Face."
"It is my business if it has to do with Kagome," Inuyasha said, turning to the young woman who was facing the staircase, her eyes fixated on the brown wooden railing, away from the two men determined to rip her heart apart.
"Kagome, if he has a mate, you need to know. All demons, especially wolf demons, are very dedicated to their mates. If he has, or had one, he will never be able to love you."
Kagome turned in the direction of Inuyasha and Kouga, her brown eyes refusing to meet sun or sky. "Like you were never able to love me, Inuyasha?" Kagome uttered coldly.
"Huh?" Inuyasha said, taken aback by her using his advice against him. "This has nothing to do with me," he growled.
"It has EVERYTHING to do with you!" Kagome shouted, facing Inuyasha and erupting with emotion like a fiery volcano.
Inuyasha growled impatiently. "Well if you can bear to tear yourself away from Flea-Bag for two seconds, we NEED to talk!"
"Do you mean talk about the spirit in the Feudal Era?" Kagome questioned. "Because that's all I'm discussing with you."
"Kagome…" Inuyasha rebutted, her name resonating off his tongue like a mother warning a small child.
Kagome growled, balling her hands into frustrated fists. "Inuyasha, you are NOT going to barge into my life after all this time, after forgetting me…" Kagome cried, her voice cracking with escaped emotion. She inhaled sharply, rebuilding her resolve and verbal barrage. She shook her head vehemently.
"Both of you, just…" Kagome seethed through clenched teeth, balling her hands into tight fists. "GET OUT!"
Kouga hung his head dejectedly. Inuyasha stared at Kagome like she spouted seven youkai heads. Inuyasha reacted first, growling frustratingly through clenched teeth.
"FINE! I'm outta here, but you're coming back soon or I'll come back here and take you!" Inuyasha yelled.
"I promised Feudal Era Kouga that I would be back in two and a half weeks, and I intend to keep my promise to him…" she trailed. She didn't have to look at present Kouga to know her words would wound him. Her jealousy was a venomous weapon.
Inuyasha growled. "That's too long…"
"It will have to do!" Kagome shouted, her emotional energy and patience depleted. "Now you two need to LEAVE!"
"Keh! I'm outta here!" Inuyasha retorted before leaving through the kitchen door, slamming it on his way out and undoubtedly bounding to the wellhouse.
"Kagome," Kouga pleaded quietly, pain painting his eyes a sad, smoky blue.
Kagome was quiet for a moment, her head hung dismally. "Please Kouga…"
His head perked…
"Leave."
His heart dropped. But...
"I won't lose you, Kagome." He spoke softly, staring at the progressively familiar floor with cream colored carpet. His voice was quiet, yet teeming with fervent determination. "Despite what you think," he said, reliving the moment before Inuyasha's intrusion, when her thoughts telepathically transmitted into his…
"I love you."
Kagome's world stopped. Had she just heard…
The door shut. Before she could question it, Kouga was gone.
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Knock, knock!
'Ugh, can't everyone just leave me alone?' Kagome thought sullenly. "Who is it?" she asked, forcefully masking the irritation in her tone.
Kagome's door cracked open and her mother's forever friendly face appeared.
"Kagome, I hate to bother you dear. I know you've had a hard evening…" Ms. Higurashi stated with loving concern that reflected in her hazel eyes. She sat on the edge of Kagome's bed, the younger woman curled up comfortingly under the warm covers.
Kagome sighed, her muddled emotions escaping with her breath. "It's okay, Mom." Kagome smiled softly. Her mother frowned.
"Kagome, you know I refrain from giving you advice most of the time. I do that because I have always wanted you to find your own way." Ms. Higurashi smiled, brushing a piece of Kagome's hair away from her face. "You have grown into such an intelligent, caring young woman."
Kagome smiled slightly. She could always depend on her mother.
Ms. Higurashi frowned, her eyes distant, thoughtful. "Kagome, please think about something for me?"
Kagome looked expectantly at her mother. "What is it, Mom?"
Kagome's mother smiled. "Don't think about what you should do or what you think 'makes sense'. To get through this, for everything to work out the way it is meant to be…" she continued, gently placing her hand upon Kagome's upper chest beside her shoulder. "You must follow your heart."
'It's ye heart ye must follow.'
Kagome's eyes widened as Kaede's advice, mirroring her mother's, came rushing back, her thoughts and heart racing from the uncanny coincidence. Kagome's mind was spinning as Ms. Higurashi kissed her on her forehead, standing and quietly leaving the room with a wistful smile.
Kagome stared at the comforter covering her body. Visions flashed through her mind. There was a man with long, flowing hair. He held her against his body, the two fused together as one while flying through the air among the forest trees. She saw him smiling at her. She envisioned his exotic eyes staring into hers, showing his love plain and clear despite anything spoken or unspoken between them. She touched her lips, feeling the memory of his mouth upon hers.
Kagome felt her feelings for him flood her body. She was never meant to be with him, but fate threw them together. His heart had belonged, still belonged, to a past lover, yet her heart could not abandon him despite her mind screaming at her to let go. She did not want to let go, because letting go would mean falling from his embrace when all she desperately wanted, needed, was to fall into his arms forever.
'Keep your heart open, child. Love will find you…'
Kagome abruptly stood from her bed, determination directing her steps as she ran down the stairs and out of her home, running after the man she loved.