Dear readers, let me explain! So as most of you know my fuel for motivating myself to get off my duff and actually update these things. Comes mainly from reviews. Sure, I write as an expressive outlet but not all fan fiction I actually have some original works I am currently focused on.
Well long story short I figured everyone had kind of lost interest in this story when the reviews just stopped coming in. So I figured why update when I'm the only one reading this? But! As it turns out you my lovely readers have been faithful all this time, and my email had magically locked me out to the point where I was no longer getting review updates!
So with a fresh dab of guilt. I rush back to my laptop and get to work! Thank you all so much! I hope you enjoy your well deserved updated chapter!
The Wolf and The Blossom
Chapter Seven
Coming back from the falls. It felt just like a dream. The hell Kagome had deemed her existence to be hadn't seemed so harsh or brutal as every other day since being brought to the mountain. It was almost, dare she think…peaceful?
Kouga had carried her back from those mystical water, both naked and wet from the cool rush of the crisp spring. The mountain slept and the torches burned low in the dead of night. So much so Kagome hadn't even feared for her usually so unwavering modesty.
Only when back in the warm confines of the thick furs and silks of Kouga's bed did the realness of this dream like night finally begin to fade away into exhaustion.
Kouga laid beside her, she could remember watching those azure eyes drink in the sight of her his hot calloused hand ghosting over her body but with no real purpose behind them.
He could have easily reverted back to the harsh animalistic wolf demon she knew him capable of being. But he hadn't, he had laid there. Those inhuman eyes piercing through the darkness of the cave. The warm pad of his hand rubbing pressurized circles into her back and over her breast.
She could remember stifling a moan of satisfaction the way his hands felt after such a long absences. His touch had actually been, gentle.
So much so she had fallen asleep buried in his arms and nuzzled to his chest. She couldn't remember ever sleeping that weightless that sound. Not since before coming to the mountain. Never had she thought such a rest possible especially in the arms of her captor.
Kouga breathed deeply the natural perfume of the woman sleeping softly coiled to his chest. Her thick smooth raven locks buried under his nose as he stroked his fingers up the long length of her naked back.
He had never held a woman like this.
Not through the night at least. Typically woman were disposable amusements to him, here to bring him pleasure and brief satisfaction and nothing more. Then the next morning to be cast from his sight soon to be forgotten with the next replacement.
But being here, with her. With, Kagome. It was different.
As much as he had wanted to under the water of the falls, he hadn't taken her. Even when he brought her back wet and slippery with nothing but the cool water droplets running down her perfect body had he laid more than a stroking hand upon her.
Even that simple action hadn't been sexually motivated. He merely wanted to feel her. To memorize every curve of her being. Touching, her. Feeling her beside him. Her smell, the coolness from her skin. It calmed him in a way he had never experienced before.
With all this disaster surrounding him and his tribe. To feel some sort of stability, a constant that didn't change it made him feel grounded and whole in a world of chaos.
It was so alien to him. That one woman, one human woman could calm him when nothing else could.
Even now with her sleeping so soundlessly against him, he didn't want to wake. Didn't want to move with the fear it might wake such a vision tucked to his chest.
Feeling her naked and so vulnerable pressed to his equally as exposed body. He could feel the pulse of her beating heart radiate its way into his blood, merging with his own almost like the two beating orbs were pumping with a single thump.
He buried his nose deeper into the crown of her hair filling his lungs with her intoxicating scent.
What was this girl? Something so soothing, something so utterly perfect couldn't be just a human. She just couldn't. He had taken countless lovers. Experienced every pleasure this world had to offer, but her. She was something else entirely, something…deeper.
That thought, it both terrified and mystified the barely conscience wolf demon.
Whatever she was, she was his. He had never thought of this girl as a long term commitment of any sort. Just something he could use then discard as he often did, but feeling this. What he was, right now at this very moment. So peaceful…could he really find this again if he ever let her go?
At the mere idea Kouga slide a more protective arm around her slim waist.
No, he didn't care about the future at a moment like this. He cared about the here and now, and here and now. The girl was his, and would continue to be so.
He closed his eyes listening to her lax breathing, the soft hum of her sleeping. It was so tempting to fall back into the threat of sleep, and he gladly would have.
Were it not for what happened next.
A booming tremor rocked the mountain to its very core! With so much unrelenting force the ceiling of the cave shook free several large spikes of aged rock sending them right to the floor below.
Kouga jerked up shielding Kagome protectively as the rocks burst from the impact with the floor sending pebbles and clouds of dust bursting outwards!
"Kouga!" Kagome cried ripping out of her sleep from the force of the tremor!
"What's happening?" She cried pulling away from Kouga's bare chest as he leapt to his feet.
Something with that much power couldn't have been from inside the mountain! Which left one other option, and then with a sudden wafting of invading air from the cliff side his suspicion was confirmed!
It was faint, but there all the same.
The scent of demons, and a lot of them.
"We're under attack!" Kouga shouted sprinting towards his scattered armor. Dressing so inhumanly fast Kagome barely had time to reach for her near laying kimono.
"Stay here!" He ordered and then like a shot his was rushing out of the cave and towards the sound of utter chaos.
It appears, even the most deepest of peaceful moments. Could easily, be ripped away.
Thunder. It had to be thunder? Or that is what the hazel colored eyes taking in the distant storm clouds repeated to herself.
What else could make such a horrible noise? So powerful it radiated from the mountains in the distance all the way to the valley floor and village?
Kagome's mother stood basket in hand. Fresh herbs picked for tonight dinner as she felt the cool rain scented air waft through her short locks.
This far off the mountains were no more than angled peaks on the horizon. But even so she could see the thick dark clouds loom over head. Black and heavy with the weight of rain.
Was that Kagome's mountain? Was her daughter enduring that storm? Or was she…
She forced herself to stop that thought as soon as it began. Thinking of her, her beautiful brave daughter caused her to much pain bare.
Any mother could not live with what she carried but she forced herself to carry on soul for the remainder of her family. Her son who had become consumed with ideas of retrieving his no doubt specter sister and her aged father who needed her care almost constantly.
Were it not for them, she would have no reason to push on. To carry the weight that had been laid on her shoulders.
But she did, because it is what her daughter. Her courageous, fearless and powerful daughter would have wanted.
Its what she would have done.
The main cave was madness! Wolf demons and wolves alike rushing into the safety behind the falls each one covered in rock and ash from the assault on the mountain. Some not able to run at all simply clawing their way through the horde blood and torn flesh coating their bodies.
"Kouga! There's to many of them!" He saw the fear in the faces of his men fleeing the mountain tops. The patrol he had ordered just last night, now half its size and all to obvious what had happened to the others.
"Gather the others! I'll hold them off! Get everyone here now!" Kouga ordered!
"Kouga!" Ginta and Hakkaku chimed in unison fighting through the crowd of fleeing and preparing demons to march to their leaders side.
Kouga peered over his shoulder to his right and left hand men. Giving them a direct nod as he watched them gather any weapon they could see discarded about.
The scent of birds filled his nose and inflamed his rage. His heart pounding in his pointed ears and his blood rushing hot he flew from the cave the cold rush of water alerting him fully as he burst into the outside world!
The scene laid out before him was hellish! Wolf demons had already poured from the further corners of the mountains spears and arrows flying towards the mass of birds circling overhead and around the cliff sides.
Slain carcasses of both sides scattered all around in a mash of feathers and fur. The iron smell of blood thick and the air charged with carnage!
A direct yelp snapped Kouga from the nightmarish vision before him. A bird of paradise scooping up a full grown wolf in its talons as it began to fly away with its prize!
Kouga's eyes averted to one of the already fallen birds lying near the cave entrance. Dead and motionless with a spear wedged between its open hollow eyes.
Instantly placing a foot on the deceased birds face he ripped the wooden pike free. Taking not more than a second to aim the steal tip he launched it like a bolt directly for the unsuspecting birds back!
It hit with ferocious impact so much so the tip of the spear penetrated through the birds open gaping mouth. It fell like a stone from the sky the wolf leaping free from its claws taking a moment to compose itself before leaping off for my combat!
Not hesitating for a moment Kouga rushed to the birds twitching body. Ripping the spear free once more with a sickening sound as he began to leap up the cliff side!
He had to get to higher ground! It was the only way he could start taking these bastards down!
The mountain surged with demonic energy as more and more wolves began to pour from the caves now every soul who dwelled inside ready for combat and the taste of blood!
They would all have to wait their turn. The sight of so many of his fallen unsuspecting brethren had fixed him into a sheer and utter rage! He wanted the falls at his back to run red with the enemies blood!
And he would make it so!
Leaping hundreds of feet from the cliff side onto one of the nearest birds of paradise very back. He let his fury unravel. With claws flexed and fangs bared. Gods help those who got in his path!
The crowd of demons were surging as Kagome fought her way through the main cave. The constant hum of shouting and cries of agony making the very stone walls seem to vibrate with the noise!
Kouga had ordered her to stay put but how could she with utter war breaking out all around her! She couldn't just sit by! Call it her nature but she had to help in any way she could! Even though she knew no wolf demon would extend a kind hand out to her or her people had roles been reversed!
Falling to her knees she helped pull a fallen wolf demon to the side of the cave wall hoping to help him avoid being trampled by the rush of demons stampeding both in and out of the dome like room!
"It's all lost. There are to m-many of those things!" He muttered incoherently blood rushing from a deep wound to his head into his eyes.
"You'll be alright." Kagome instructed tearing the sleeve of her kimono before wrapping the fabric tightly around his brow tying it with immense pressure.
She could hear the cry for help all around her. It wasn't the first time she had experienced such a horrid symphony. In times of famine or the occasional bandit raid she had heard the same song sung to her many times before.
And she knew, there was only one way to make it stop.
Clutched in the incoherent wolf demons clawed hands, like a god send. A long bow and several arrows spilling from the quiver at his side.
Kagome eyed the weapon with a moment of disbelief. It had been so long since she had held a bow. Felt the feather of the arrow beneath her finger tips.
But her personal reservations aside. She knew, this is what it would take.
This is what it would take to make this nightmare end, and she would see it through!
The flaying beasts wing thrashed under Kouga's foot as he jolted the spear tip down with enough force to break through the birds thick skull dead center of its large cold eyes!
Instantly the blue skinned rider mounted on top its head falling back lifelessly as the birds last remaining life twitched out.
Kouga jerked the spear free a sickening spray of fresh blood splattering over the side of his tan face. The bright crimson pierced only by the brilliant blue of his enraged eyes.
How many of these damn things had he managed to kill? He had lost count when the count had flown into the double digits.
Peiring over his equally as blood soaked shoulder the skies so heavy and dense with the enemies wing span had now only begun to lighten revealing the thick gray clouds the birds had descended from.
The clever bastards were smarter than Kouga had originally given them credit for. Those who had survived the slaughter only a few moons ago had somehow rejoined and converged onto his mountain.
What's worse was they actually had waited patiently under the cover of the newest storm. Hiding in the thick clouds their stench cloaked by the scent of rain.
It's the only reason his men had been so unprepared for the assault. They couldn't fight what they couldn't see or smell.
No point now, as costly as their assault had been. The wolf demons were winning this battle. Though not totally intact. The air was thick with both enemy and allies blood. Even now he could see dozens of wolves equally as mangled and dead bodies riddling the cliffs around him along with the torn birds.
Kouga panted out a collective breath. Even his strength was weaning victory was close but not assured he had to keep going.
Eyeing over the cliff peaks he could still see spears and arrows flying seeking the aerial targets. A handful of demon birds circling below.
Kouga's grip on his spear tightened, he would finish those damn things off once and for all!
"Kouga!" Ginta shouted rushing towards the cliff ledge Hakkaku close on his heels. Both battered and bruised from the onslaught.
Blood, rock and earth staining their visibly drained forms.
"Their numbers and starting to dwindle!" He assured the relief all to clear in his shaken voice.
"We might actually survive this!" Hakkaku sighed placing his hands on his knees hunched over trying to collect his scattered breath.
"What the hell are you two standing around for!? Get your asses back in the fight-" Kouga turned towards them with a snarl, but the words died in his throat.
Behind them just where the thick blackish clouds began to hug the salted ground a massive shadow loomed.
Thunder boomed and Kouga saw the sky split apart with the flapping of such massive wings he felt his body being physically shoved back from the force.
"What the hell is that!?" Ginta shouted over the hurricane like winds.
"Get out of the way!" Kouga warned as he spirited forward shoving the unsuspecting duo out of the way but far to late to save himself from the force coming through.
It wasn't until the sight of two of the largest deadliest eyes he had ever seen locked onto his own did he realize what was falling upon them.
Blood spayed and the unimaginable pain of spear like teeth ripping through his leg jolted Kouga like a bolt of lightning as he was lifted from the cliff side.
His mangled limb dangling in the monsters teeth as it took flight with him latched in its jaws.
Hovering hundreds of feet above the cliff now below Kouga eyed his captors.
"Look what we've caught brother! The wretched alpha that desecrated our nest!" One of the twin mounters smiled wide and prideful to the matching demon at his left.
"Indeed! A great prize!" He chimed even the wretched birds mouth currently pierced through Kouga's leg chuckled low and deep.
"This is their damn leader." Kouga thought as he hung their helplessly suspended in the air between the monsters jaws. It had to be, he had never seen a demon bird of paradise this size!
"They have Kouga!" He could hear his comrades panicked voices rising from below.
"Yes you fools! And now watch as we devour your precious alpha limb from limb!" The demon bird chimed in utter joy.
The mouth of the demon crunching down impossibly harder so much in fact Kouga could feel the bone in his leg begin to crack under the unbelievable pressure!
"Let go of me!" Kouga roared locking his fingers together so both his fist joined before bringing the full impact down onto the fangs of the demon bird!
The ivory shattered from the force and Kouga's limb was set free.
The moment the birds fangs fell away Kouga felt himself fall like a stone through the clouds with only the promise of the rocks below to catch him.
The coldness of the air faded away all to quickly as his body made impact with the cliffs. An explosion of shattered rock and dust flying outwards like a cloud as he hit!
The breath flushed from his lungs as he tired to claw his way from the rubble, fresh blood pooling out underneath him at the torn reminisce of his leg. The iron taste swelling up in his mouth as well from no doubt a few ruptured organs.
"Divine! We'll enjoy savoring you!" The demon bird promised its tongue licking the hole between its teeth Kouga had created. The very spot hard hot lines of Kouga's own blood dripped from its jaw.
Kouga attempted to stand but to no avail. His body was weak from the loss of blood and far to battered from the impact with the rock to hardly even move!
He couldn't avoid it!
"Die!" The bird screeched as it came flying down from the storm clouds lightening flashing around its wicked body and igniting its demonic eyes fueled with absolute hunger!
Kouga braced for the inevitable!
"Kouga!" A strong voice called over the storm followed by a bolt of purple sparkling light cutting through the blackness of the storm straight towards the birds inclosing body!
The birds left wing burst apart at the assault! Feathers flying like snow as sparkling shards of whatever had just shot through the air lit up the black sky!
Kouga's disbelieving eyes searched for the source of the saving light only for the what little breath he had collected to flush out once more at the sight.
Kagome lined another arrows feathered end along the line of the bow. Her hazel eyes intense and focused as she took aim at the flaying birds barely hovering form.
It was as she had feared. Her original shot was meant to pierce the demons back imploding the monster into a thousand particles of purified light. But her shot had swayed with her lack of practice.
It would appear her time in the mountain had weakened her abilities far worse than she originally thought.
Even now just a single shot had taken so much out of her! Her body radiating with exhaustion and her lungs heavy with every panting breath she took.
Taking a wider stance to stop the quivering of her knees she took aim once more.
"Impudent wench!" The demon bird roared with the crippling of its wing! Charred flesh sizzling and its body trembling from the putrid injury it had just sustained.
This was something it had not anticipated. It had assumed unsuspecting wolf demons would have been easy enough to pick off. But never would such a creature believed this tribe coincided with that of a priestess!
Kouga's bleary eyes turned towards Kagome standing off in the distance. Her frame so small on the horizon on top an opposing cliff ledge he couldn't clearly make out it was her.
But that scent. There was no mistaking it. He knew it better than any other soul on this mountain. It was her, and that bow she carried was absolutely charged with spiritual energy. He could feel it pulsate like an electric wave reverberating in his very core.
It made his demonic presence sick just with the faint feel of it.
He could only imagine how that accursed bird was barely managing to stay airborne having been partially purified the way it had. Even now the smell of boiling flesh filled his nostrils.
"We'll devour you screaming!" The bird promised with a horrid screech as it spun towards Kagome's unwavering form.
"Run!" Kouga warned as he desperately tried to claw his way to his feet. Hot blood pumped from his body and though he felt the heat of it coat his body. The numbness of cold was beginning to take over with its absence.
Kagome pulled the bow line as far back as she could her elbow trembling with the pressure pinched between her fingertips. The arrows feathered end traced the arc of her cheeks as her eyes narrowed for focus.
She had to do this! She had to! If not, she and everyone else around her would die! It wasn't just for the sake of the wolf demons. Such a creature, something so pulsating with evil demonic energy couldn't be allowed to exist! It was her sacred duty to rid the world of such monsters!
And she would see it done!
Kouga watched in horror as the enormous bird swooped in for its final strike. Its massive golden talons pointed directly at Kagome its soul aim to tear the woman to shreds!
"This is your end!" It vowed as it came face to face with its intended victim.
Kagome's heart pounded her finger tips sparkling as she pumped every last ounce of spiritual energy she could muster into the tip of the arrow! Feeling wave after wave of it surge from her very core through the ark of the bow and finally into the steal!
"Go!" She ordered as her grip fell away! The arrow shot like a bullet from the line! Its entire form encased in a swirling orb of purple and bluish light cracking apart the clouds like a lightening strike!
"W-What!? This can out be!" The bird roared in horror to late to avert its attack! The arrow ripped through its body like a hot knife through cream! Entering it with such force it imploded out in a burst of light so bright it rivaled that of the sun!
The black sky shattering apart in a eruption of now crystallized demon. Its body shattering like glass and then into fine glittering powder!
Kagome watched the demon evaporate as she crumbled to her knees. Her breath in short quick pants and the bow hot and smoking fell from her fingers.
She had experienced this only once before. When in her training so determined to prove herself she had slain an entire colony of rat demons. It had taken every ounce of strength in her and then some.
Until she was left as she currently was. Hollow of all energy, struggling to simply take one breath after the other.
Kagome clutched her chest feeling her entire body tremble as she tried to fight the blackness that crept in through the corners of her vision.
"K-Kagome!" Kouga growled as he crawled towards the equally as drained priestess.
A trail of thick blood oozed behind the dragging wolf demon as he put every ounce of strength he had left into making his way towards the fainting woman's side.
"Kouga…" Kagome whispered as she turned towards him. Seeing his face, knowing he was alright. It gave her the reassurance she needed.
She reached out for him but even that small of action caused her body to shut down in desperations to preserve its own survival.
She fell softly to the side her eyes sealing closed before she even made contact with the rock. Kouga reached for her grasping her head before it could hit the cold stone.
Barely hanging on himself he eyed the woman unconsciousness in his hold. Her skin usually so pink and warm now cool to the touch and drained of color.
Thunder boomed over head and water began to flow. The first of the rain falling on her cheek like a soft tear as he felt his own grip to stay awake begin to fade.
The falls below turning red with blood as the storm began to wash away the carnage leaving only the bodies of the fallen left to endure the haunting silence that began to follow.
Until ultimately only a lone wolfs mournful how, could be heard above the storm.
Rain was heavy, and the earth sunk deeply with every step the village elder took. He mind was heavy with guilt over what he was about to do, and but his hands stood firm all the same.
"Elder? What are you doing here?" Souta asked coming from around the side of his families hut. His hair soaked with the falling rain and his arms full of what little wood he had been sent to save from the down pour.
Both his mother and grandfather asleep inside while he ventured outside.
Only to return and see no other than the man who had cast him aside mere days ago.
"To bestow something upon you boy." The elder whispered reaching to his back before pulling out a silk wrapped long ornament.
"Elder?" Souta asked placing the wood down at his feet to reach out and take hold of the unknown item the withered man was handing him.
Souta took hold and the weight was surprising.
"Your words moved me young Souta. Though I can guarantee giving you this will do more harm than good. I will go to the next life knowing I had done all that I could for your sister." His aged eyes squinting letting water roll from his wrinkled brow.
"I don't understand?" Souta blinked but the older man gave no explanation as he turned from the boy in his presence back the way he came.
Souta held tightly to the unknown treasure he had been gifted staring down at the silk wrap with unease as he slowly with trembling fingers slide the protective drape away.
His large eyes widening even further once what he actually had just been given revealed itself.
A sword, the sword.
It was worse than she remembered. Waking up after such a draining experience. Almost as if you had slept for an entire decade yet received no real rest.
But the fact that she could open her hazel eyes even just a bit was a miracle in itself. Her body numb with exhaustion and sore to the very center of her being. Forcing herself through the anguish of its all she rose her palm planted on the center of her forehead to try and stop the throbbing.
The cave walls were dim barely lit with the bluish glow of the dying torches. But it was enough for Kagome to know fully where she laid. The feeling of fur beneath her fingertips all to familiar to forget as she eyed her surroundings.
The figure she sought instantly catching her full attention as the memories of what she had survived came pumping back like water breaking through a damn.
"Kouga?" She whispered with a half smile.
It surprised her how happy she was to see the wolf demon sitting a mere foot or so away planted against the cave wall. Looking about as worse as she currently felt.
The thickness of his leg wrapped with what appeared to be sutures though clearly in need of changing by how much blood had seeped through the fabric.
Other less serious wounds marred of his forearms and face. Though nothing she was sure he couldn't recover from, the simple fact was he was alive. And she so relieved.
"What happened?" She asked trying to search her fragmented memories for the answer. She remembered the cliff, that horrid bird but it was so fuzzy like peering through fogged glass.
It was clear she had fainted at some point. She remembered feeling the cliffs beneath her fingers. The soreness and small cuts the rocks had provided on her palms aiding that truth.
"Is everyone?" She asked turning back towards the silent wolf staring at her.
"Alive." He stated bluntly.
Kagome sighed contently. It was so strange that she actually felt so much relief for creatures who most likely felt nothing but hatred for her.
But she supposed it was better to save the lesser of two evils then have a brand new one to fear.
"And you? Your leg?" Kagome asked inching closer her reach extending out towards Kouga's most obvious severe injury.
But the moment her fingertips traced over him he jerked away stumbling at first clearly not use to being so handicapped. But his clawed fingers grasping the stone wall for support as he limped away with a loud pain filled growl.
"Take it easy!" Kagome insisted climbing to her own feet though having to take a steadying step herself from the initial shock of standing.
She must have been out for days judging by how limp and uncoordinated she had become.
"What's the matter?" She asked finally finding her footing as she tried to step towards Kouga only for him to once again recoil from her touch.
"You're a priestess." He hissed low and venomous. She could almost feel the disdain in his words as they fell from his barred fangs.
Kagome felt a little taken back. How was she supposed to respond to such a blatant statement? Why did Kouga make it sound so horrible?
"I am." She agreed calmly.
Having his suspicion confirmed Kouga spat at the floor the hand currently grabbing the stone wall at his side coiling with such pressure the rock began to crack under his palm.
He needed to hear it out loud. It was the only way he could face what a complete and total idiot he had allowed himself to be!
"Why didn't you ever tell me?!" He shouted accusingly his rage filled eyes penetrating the darkness to Kagome with such intensity she could literally feel their heat.
"You never asked!" Kagome defended! Why was he acting this way? Surely this couldn't have been such a shock? Her knowledge of medicine should have been some inclination into the life she once had before coming to the mountain?
"I thought you were a healer!" He shot back bracing his back against the wall for support anything to take the throbbing pressure off his injured leg!
The bird attack had been two days ago and still his body wasn't recovering as quickly as he needed it to be! He knew rest was his best option at heisting his bodies regenerative abilities. But how could he? When he had allowed such a danger into his mountain! Rest was the furthest thing from his mind.
"I am! Healing was part of my training." Kagome corrected. It was one of many task appointed to her once she began her workings as a priestess.
"Your training?" Kouga repeated with a callous laugh.
"Where you learned how to exterminate demons?!" He roared!
"Yes but I-" Kagome began in a softer tone. She didn't understand what this was about? Why was Kouga so upset at this realization? Had he forgotten she had just saved his and every other life on this mountain!
"I cant believe this-" Kouga whispered to himself cupping his throbbing head. This was a nightmare come true, trapping him in a reality that he had unknowingly created.
"You hid this from me." He accused his eyes narrowing on Kagome with such ferocity she felt legit fear pulsate down her spine at the sight.
"No. I didn't." Kagome tried to defend. She had never intentionally kept anything from Kouga. But what had been the point in exposing something so personal about herself? A life she had once lived and desperately missed would have done nothing to aid her here surrounded by demons.
"All this time. I've had you here. In my mountain, amongst my tribe, in my god damn bed!" He snapped rage pumping through him like hot acid. Images of Kagome curled to his chest as he slept so soundly at her side. Her hands curled to his chest above his very heart.
One wrong move and she could have-
"Kouga-" Kagome cried tears stinging the corners of her eyes. She didn't understand, he looked so angry so hurt and almost betrayed.
"You're dangerous." He whispered.
"If I had know what you were. I never would have brought you here." He vowed. He never would have touched her! All this time through every encounter he had wondered how a human could radiate the amount of wonder and purity she had.
All the times he had laid at her side wondering to himself what such a creature was? Now he knew. She was a wolf in sheep's clothing.
Capable of more destruction then he had ever thought possible. He had seen it himself on the cliff side. Seen what she could do given the opportunity.
He peered down at her trembling hands. Remembering all to vividly all the times he had allowed those very fingers to trace over him. The damage she could have left in her wake.
So many time she could have ended him as so many of her kind had done to countless of his brethren.
"What I am is the woman who saved your life! I think you would be a little grateful!" Kagome demanded taking a strong step forward. She didn't have to defend this mountain. She didn't have to save his life! But she had, though her reasoning was yet to reveal itself she had chosen to fight at his side!
So how? How could he treat her this way after everything she had suffered? After everything she had given to him? Everything that he had taken!
"I'm not any different Kouga. I'm still the person I've always been. The person you woke up to." Kagome stated knowing what they had shared returning from the falls wasn't just her imagination. She knew Kouga had felt it to. Felt whatever there was between them.
Kouga eyed her tear stained face, her trembling body.
But even now he could smell it. The power surging just beneath her. The power he had idiotically mistaken for magic and wonder.
"No you're not." Kouga whispered coldly.
"You're nothing but, lies." He said.
Kagome felt his words cut her deep, deeper than anything he had ever done in the past to her body. It was a new sort of pain she hadn't prepared herself for.
"I have to talk to the tribe. We have to decide what to do with you." He stated blunt and uncaring.
"Kouga-" Kagome cried reaching for him but the moment her soft touch cupped his shoulder he shoved away causing her to stumble back and loose her footing.
"Don't ever touch me!" He ordered.
Clumsily she fell to the fur bedding. Peering upwards through bleary eyes at the wolf demon towering over her.
"If you value your life. You will not leave this cave." He ordered, and for once he meant it with every demonic ounce of his being.
And Kagome felt it. Felt every frightening bit of it.
Turning from her, he aimed himself towards the buzzing of his men off in the distance. Now to decide the fate of not only his capture but himself.
The roar of furious voices echoing all through the main cave was deafening. The very stone of the mountain seeming to vibrate with the intensity of the noise.
Kouga pushed his way through the masses where the loudest of the booming tirade was pouring from. The entire massive cave seemed divided. One large group of his soldiers berating the others back and forth with venomous words and insults.
Kouga could barely hear himself think with the surge of the crowd. What the hell was the meaning of this? They had all just survived hell. Shouldn't they be celebrating? What could have caused this rift in such a short time.
Bodies of their fallen brethren were still yet to be collected for burial yet this feud was raging in his very presence. Kouga wanted answers, and he wanted them now.
"Silence!" Kouga boomed and his voice cut through the rabble like hot iron through rock.
Every wolf demon injured or otherwise instantly fixated on their leader silent but only for a moment before the chaos once again resumed. The reasoning behind their rage quickly revealing itself.
"What the hell is going on here!?" Kouga demanded placing himself center of the horrid dispute.
"You know damn well what!" One wolf demon shouted in response.
"The shrine maiden!" Another roared.
"You brought one of them into the mountain!" Their were so many infuriated soldiers Kouga found in difficult to pin point where each voice was coming from within the hoard of demons.
"She could have slaughter us all in our sleep!" Another voice snapped.
"Are you insane? She saved our lives!" Ginta shouted just now emerging from Kouga's shadow.
"If she wanted us dead. She could have taken the chance when the birds first attacked!" Hakkaku defended finding his way to Kouga's side as well.
"Or did you forget she was the one who treated our wounded!" Ginta added angrily.
Kouga was a bit taken back. He hadn't realized his right and left hand men had taken such a liking to the priestess absent ever actually meeting her.
"She's had more then one opportunity to harm us." Hakkaku retorted standing firm in his belief. It was true neither him or Ginta had actually met the priestess.
But that didn't mean they were any less grateful for what she had done for them. She had saved their lives!
"That doesn't mean she wont! Her kind cant be trusted!" The larger of the group howled above all others. Kouga's eyes fixated on him, Jin his name was. One of his strongest soldiers. Headstrong and brutal at times, but no less effective on the battle field.
It was clear he was the main aggressor on this debate. Over half the cave in his shadow showing their support to his claims. Either out of obedience or fear, it was yet to be seen.
"Kouga you cant seriously go along with this?" Ginta asked his eyes fixing on his leader for reassurance.
"He is the one who brought her here!" Jin said pointing an accusing finger in Kouga's direction.
"I said silence!" Kouga snapped taking a hard step forward. He would be damned if he allowed any under his mountain to talk down to him.
"I am the leader of this tribe! My decisions are mine to make and mine alone! I brought the girl here, to secures our patronage with the people of the valley!" Kouga justified. That had been the original reasoning he had ever partaken in that stupid ceremony.
Had he known what chaos would ensue it may have been better to leave Kagome in the forest where he had found her.
"She's had dozens of chances to purify me! But she has never attempted even once to attack me!" Kouga barked. Tasting the meaning behind those words for the first time.
It was true. How many times had he hurt her? Demeaned her to the point of tears and agony? But she had never lifted a hand to defend herself. Not even a trace of it.
She could have. She could have killed him easily, at any point. But she never did…
"She's given me no cause to doubt her loyalty." Kouga spoke his voice turning soft for moment as he thought back to her beautiful face.
He feared her. Feared her power, after what he had seen. He would bee a fool not too. But, he couldn't erase the feeling of her from his mind. The softness of her skin, the warmth of her smile. How could something, someone be so deadly. But so fragile at the same time?
He didn't know why he felt the urge to defend her. It would easier to let the men have at her to do with as they pleased. End of debate, but the mere thought of that revolted him.
Kagome was his captive, but somehow she was something more…
"Loyality? She's a priestess! She murders our kind!" Jin boomed in defiance to his leaders remarks.
"And we devour hers!" Kouga snarled.
"You cant possibly trust her? Village or no village. She is a threat." Jin spoke fury burning in his eyes as he approached his unyielding leader.
Kouga made no attempt to back away as Jin over shadowed him. Easily twice his height and weight he peered down at Kouga with hatred in his small cold eyes.
"Perhaps the fact she's good in bed is clouding your judgment?" He ask bluntly.
"Say that again." Kouga dared feeling his jaw clench and his fist tighten in utter rage.
To Jin if Kouga wouldn't stand beside what was clearly the right decision. To side with his pack over a filthy mortal then what kind of leader was he? One he personally no longer desired.
"You heard me. You are willing to risk all of our lives just for the sake of keeping your pet humans legs spread!" Jin insulted addressing the crowd at his back.
Almost as soon as the words left his mouth, an unbelievable amount of force came crashing into his jaw. Hundreds of solid pounds though he was. He went flying into the nearest wall like a stone would being skipped over a pond.
The stone burst apart from the impact! A deep crater dented into the rock as Jin tried to gather what exactly had just happened to him.
Jin didn't even have time to react before Kouga was hovering over him. His eyes slits of rage and his fangs bared and gleaming with a thirst for blood.
Kouga reared back his knee before bringing it back full force into the side of Jin's face. The big brute didn't even have time to react before a barrage of merciless punches and bone cracking kicks rained down upon him.
The crowd stood absolutely silence at Kouga's back as he tore the beast that was one of the strongest of his men apart. Blood sprayed over the stone walls and horrid gagging noises of pain and agony rang out.
Kouga could feel the flesh of his knuckles tear away from the force of his attacks but he didn't hesitate. He hammered even harder against Jin's now motionless body.
A pool of blood gathered around his feet and the taste of hot iron filled his mouth as he brought his foot down one more time feeling the hard crack of Jin's skull give way under his heel.
The big lump of mangled flesh twitched a few times but then slumped completely still and Kouga at long last finally stopped the assault.
Breathing heavily and wiping the horrid amount of blood that had gathered on his face out of his eyes he spun to face the horde at his back.
Every single wolf demon staring at their leader in utter terror.
"The girl is my responsibility, and she will be staying here under my protection." Kouga warned. Flicking his blood soaked hands so that they splattered thin lines of crimson dots along the hard floor.
"She belongs to me." He proclaimed spitting out the blood that had gathered on his lips.
"Does anyone else have a problem with that?" He ask, eager for a response.
But the room was absolutely deathly quiet.
"Then get the hell out of my way." He ordered, and not a soul stood in his path as he made his way back through the darkness he had emerged from.
Was there nothing she could do right? That was the thought that kept plaguing Kagome over and over again as she stared into the dying fire before her feet.
All she wanted was to help, that's all she had ever wanted. She didn't care for the wolf demons. They had never done anything but inspire terror amongst her people. But she didn't want to see them suffer at the hands of another uncaring force.
It just wasn't in her nature to sit back and watch mindless slaughter, when she had the ability to do something about it. But now seeing where she had ended up. Perhaps she should have done nothing.
The rage in Kouga's eyes. The way he was towards her. He was…terrifying. She had been reduced to fear before at the blue eyed wolfs hands before. But nothing like that. It was…awful.
Kagome planted her forehead on her knees. She wanted out of this life. Out of this existence she had surrendered herself to endure.
She just couldn't take it anymore. It was just to much, to much pain.
Then like the cruel reality that was her life she heard the approach of the center of her misery. Kagome sighed a heavy breath turning to peer at the cave entrance.
She knew Kouga had returned, a thought that usually filled her with fear. But at the moment she felt nothing but contentment. What more could he possibly do to her that he hadn't done hundreds of times before?
She had nothing left to be afraid of. Let whatever was going to happen next, she had lost the ability to care.
That was until she took in the full sight of the wolf demon staring back at her.
Kouga stood framed in the cave entrance, coated in thick blood. His hair wild and messed his breathing heavy and his body trembling.
"Kouga?" Kagome whispered unsure if it really was the azure eyed wolf staring back at her. Or some kind of phantom from her worst nightmares.
"W-What happened?" She asked slowly climbing to her feet.
She took in his full form further. He looked like he had just crawled out of the depths of hell itself. Torn flesh clear on his hands and so much blood on his body she couldn't tell where else he was injured.
Timidly she approached him, unsure of how close she should dare to step. But the decision was made for her when Kouga reach out.
His calloused hand grasped her throat pushing her back against the nearest wall pinning her body between his own and the cold stone.
Kagome gasped fear filling her eyes as he squeezed. Not hard enough to rob her of breath but she knew she was going no where with this amount of pressure.
"Tell me to touch you." He ordered in a hard whisper.
Kagome blinked thinking she had misheard him at first lifting her hand to cup his wrist gently hoping he would loosen his grip even just a little.
"What?" She breathed.
Kouag pressed his hips a litter harder against Kagome's making her squirm from the force.
"I'm serious Kagome." He said lowly.
"Tell me. Now." He demanded. His stained fingertips shoving the material of her kimono up ever so slowly. It was taking everything in him to be so restrained.
Kagome moaned softly at the feeling of his hot fingers tracing the cold flesh of her thigh.
"Kou- Your hurt." She gasped feeling the slickness of blood coat her own hand as she gripped his wrist a little tighter.
"I need to be inside you. Don't make me wait-" Kouga whispered burying his face into the slope of her shoulder and neck.
"Please…" He rasped and Kagome's heart skipped a beat.
Kagome could feel his body tremble the labor of his breathing. She didn't understand. Only moments ago he had left the cave with so much hatred in his eyes.
Recoiling from her very touch.
What could have happened to cause such a cosmic change? He held her, cradled himself against her. Now, he felt so fragile. So restrained, he was even begging for her touch…
His hand stopped short of the pearl between her legs holding onto her thigh tightly and firm.
Kagome ever so slowly reached up, the soft touch of her fingertips spanning out over the thick blood coating Kouga's face.
Kouga pulled just enough away to meet her eyes as she cupped his cheek ever so softly. His hard azure eyes burning into the wide orbs of her hazel gaze.
Kagome couldn't consent or deny him anything. Not now. Not without knowing the question that burned her tongue more than any other.
"Are you afraid of me?" She whispered.
Kouga took in her words slowly, hearing every single depth behind them. But their was more than one meaning that they held, a meaning she was unaware of. Because even to himself it was to hard to describe.
But that didn't make the truthful answer any harder to whisper.
"I am." He admitted.
He was terrified of her. Terrified of her power, of her beauty. Of the feeling she stirred inside him that no one else had ever brought to the surface.
Kagome swallowed hard. She could see the sincerity behind those inhuman eyes. The uncertainty, but also the unrelenting want. The same look he had always given her, primal and wanting. But this time it was slightly different. It wasn't hard unyielding lust in those orbs. It was desire. Dark needing want that almost hurt to stare so helplessly at.
Softly Kagome extended the sleeve of her kimono over her palm to gently wipe away the blood coating Kouga's handsome face. Moving slowly she rid him of the dark gloss with only a few faint streaks remaining behind across his cheek.
When her touch threatened to pull away he held her closer forcing her hand to cradle his face. Breathing in her rich reassuring scent in long hard breaths.
"Say it Kagome…" He begged and his eyes pierced into her own.
Kagome felt her heart thump inside her chest, her blood rise and her mind fog. She never wanted this. Never wanted him, not in the way a woman should want a man.
Everything the two of them had ever shared had been at his command at his bidding. But now, she had the power. The power to deny him, to sever what little tie there was that bond them to one another.
She could cut herself free from him, from this place.
But just the idea of if. Of the freedom she had so desperately craved. Hurt her, its actually caused her pain to think of the wolf demon beyond her reach.
Just as he had been mere moments ago.
She couldn't endure that again. She wasn't strong enough…she needed that bond. That feeling he provided…she needed him.
"Kouga…"She breathed taking his hand in hers sliding into the layers of her kimono so his bloodied palm hovered over her very heart. Feeling the heat of her skin sink into his own.
"Make love to me." She whispered.
Kouga needed nothing further. Pulling away the layers of her kimono until they pooled at her feet while ridding himself of his blood coated armor piece by heavy piece.
He pulled her naked body to his own. The softness of her breast pressed to his chest as he wrapped his arms around her slim waist. Lifting her to him with ease.
They descended to the waiting bedding of silks and furs. Kagome's hand locked onto the back of Kouga's head to steady herself as they lowered onto the floor.
Their eyes locked into one another's as he maneuvered her into his lap. Typically Kouga would have taken his time, brought her to the teetering edge of implosion over and over again before finally satisfying her.
But he had been void of her touch to long, he had no tolerance for such denial. He needed her, on a primal level he had never felt before.
His own fingers tangling into her raven locks as his lips brushed her throat. His free hand palming the hot rod of his member, eagerly guiding himself to Kagome's waiting entrance.
He kissed her neck, then her shoulders then her chest. Savoring the sweet flavor on his tongue as she clung to his back. Her head falling back to allow him more skin to taste.
A delicious cry escaping her lips as she sank down onto his shaft. Kouga groaned loudly against the column of her throat at the exquisite feeling.
How had he gone this long without her touch…this feeling it was heaven. His own molten paradise.
Eager Kouga's hands found her hips guiding her up and down his length in hard deep strokes. His lips finding her breast hungrily taking a pert pink bud into his mouth.
Kagome cried out wrapping her arms around Kouga tightly holding him to her chest as she surrendered herself to his every demand.
The depths he speared her were almost indescribable. Her mind a pulsating fog of nothing but thick hot pleasure and her every sense on fire with the heat of his passion.
Had she survived without this? This earth shattering feeling that dominated every other sense she had ever felt.
Kouga could feel her feminine walls tightening around him. Oh how he wanted to see her fall apart at his touch. To drive himself inside into so hard and feverish she wouldn't walk for days! But he fought the cruel urge. He missed her body far to much to be robbed of it a moment longer than he already had been.
There was only one way to show his true submission. To prove to himself he was capable of abiding by her physical limitations.
Releasing Kagome just enough to allow himself to fall back first onto the silken fur but never leaving her wonderful depths he held her speared onto his hips.
Kagome stared down at Kouga partially broken from the trance he had placed on her. Her hands planted on the hard sculpt of his chest. Her thighs straddling either side of his hips as he laid beneath her.
"Kouga-" She whispered in a broken pant. Not understanding what the wolf demon intended.
Kouga gripped her thighs tightly ever so slowly beginning to beckon her to rock back and forth. Kagome instantly felt the amazing friction his actions caused and she moaned loudly.
Never had she experienced this before. Whenever locked together in the frenzied passion she and Kouga shared he was always the aggressor coaxing her to her limit in whatever way he deemed fit.
But now, he was surrendering the power to her? Allowing her to set the pace of their love making like never before.
It felt incredible. Modest though she was about this new unexpected position. She couldn't deny the pleasure it brought.
Following his guidance she rocked her hips against his own feeling the thickness of his member ignite the pulsation of her womanhood in a few short strokes.
Kagome's vision blurred as she mindlessly sought her completion. Throwing her head back and surrendering herself to the consuming sensation burning her alive.
Kouga took in the magnificent sight unfolding on top of him. Kagome's skin damp with a light gloss of sweat, her raven hair wild and thick. The delicious sight of her breast bouncing with every thrust.
Kouga's jaw clenched and his fangs bared. He could feel Kagome's walls tightening around him threatening to pull him over the edge at any given moment.
It had been to long without her touch, and now having her ontop of him dominating him the way she was. He wasn't sure how much longer he could hold on.
Eager to help her find her release his clawed fingers took hold of her soft flesh. Slamming her down onto his length and forcing himself impossibly deeper.
Kagome cried out from the brutal motion of it all, but never ceasing in her total surrender. She needed him, every piece and she would suffer anything to have it.
Kouga swore a dark primal sound. Feeling ever single pull and sensation her sex could offer him. It was maddening and his end was coming soon.
Kagome's hands fisted desperately on his shoulders gripping the hard muscles of his shoulders roughly as pleasure began to burn her away from the inside out.
Her thighs quivering under his hands as she finally reached her peek. Her sex rippling and squeezing him so tightly as she rocked her hips helplessly. Riding the wave of her orgasm with her eyes shut tight and her lips screaming soundlessly.
Kouga fell head long beside her! Slamming her down onto his throbbing length as he pounded up into her without restraint. Driving the breath from her lungs!
Kagome could hardly breath her own orgasm intensifying by the force of his thrust. Then with one final jerking force upward she felt the warm sensation of her sex being filled with Kouga's essence.
Kagome collapsed instantly her head falling to Kouga's chest trying to collect her shattered breath. Her body curling onto his instinctually as she slowly drifted back down from the cosmos.
For a moment their heaving breathing was the only sound filling the void of the dark stone room. Until softly Kouga ran a long digit up the length of Kagome's back. Her skin shivering in response.
Gently Kouga cradled Kagome to his chest as he rolled over tucking the priestess spent form beneath him so he could take in wonderful sight of her face.
Two large bloodied hands planting themselves on either side of her head as he peered down at the woman pinned below him.
"All this time. You never wanted me. Not like this." He whispered.
His usual sharp piercing eyes round and filled with something deep and unknown.
"Why? Why didn't you stop me?" He ask lowering himself down onto his forearms. His face coming down so close to Kagome's their noses almost brushing against one another's.
"You could have. Easily." He breathed. Remembering the dozens of times he had fallen asleep beside the obviously very capable priestess.
Kagome reached up taking hold of Kouga's forearm stroking her nails against the hard muscle gently and reassuring.
"I was afraid." She whispered in response.
"Afraid of what would happen to my village if I did." She admitted. She would be a liar if she said the urge to purify Kouga hadn't come to mind at some point. But she had never acted upon that impulse for just such reason. She couldn't risk doing something so rash, and it costing her everything she had ever held dear.
"Did you want to? Purify me?" He asked stroking the bangs away from Kagome's face feeling the softness of her locks under his touch.
"Yes." Kagome admitted softly.
"And now?" He ask kissing the side of her neck tenderly. Already missing the feeling of being inside her once again.
"After everything that's happened between us. I don't trust you Kouga. Not completely. But I don't want to hurt you. I-I don't want you to hurt me either." She breathed her free hand finding the hard sculpt of his back tracing a soft finger over the thick muscles.
Kouga stared down at her. Those hazel eyes, that perfect face.
"I wont. Not ever again." He vowed, and every fiber of his being meant it.
Kagome looked up at him a soft tender look as she reached up to cup his face. Her thumb brushing over the corner of his lips. Kouga kissed it softly retracting a hand to hold her palm there against him.
"What happens now?" She asked.
"I don't want you to leave Kagome. Not ever." He said harshly. He didn't know what that meant entirely. Or what the future for the two of them held. But he didn't want to be without her. Not ever again, it was impulsive and ridiculous.
But the idea of facing a day without Kagome in it. Seemed to much to bare. He didn't know what that said for him, and he would figure it out later. All that mattered now was that she was here, with him and no one else.
Kagome felt the intensity of his words. It made her feel, almost secure. Scared a little by the dominating nature that he always exuded but. It was the first time in a very long while she felt, safe.
Kouga leaned down kissing Kagome's forehead breathing in her rich scent before he pulled away just enough to cup her face with the calloused pad of his hand.
His fierce eyes burning down into her own searing the importance of his words into her very brain as he whispered them down to her.
"You're mine Kagome. No one else's." He vowed, and she drank every last meaning of his statement into her mind and soul.
"Yours." Kagome promised and the hot intensity of Kouga's gaze intensified ten times over.
His hands reaching down for her wrist as he aggressively pinned them above her head. She would have to learn the severity of that promise, and it started right now.
"Mine…"He whispered, and then his lips began to trail downward into the darker places of her waiting body.
Until the next chapter guys we're making some head way! I'd say we are less than five chapters away from wrapping this story up completely!