To Kagome's chagrin, it was another two weeks before she was able to return to Tessagia, but this time she was not alone. Colonel Inuyasha had invited her family to his estate for a picnic, a chance to enjoy the fresh summer air and to visit his home and grounds. Mushin and Kaede had also been invited, to Kagome's slight irritation, but now that they were no longer trying to match her up with the closest eligible bachelor, they were not quite so intolerable. No, now she found their antics amusing, the ease that Mushin would tease Kaede, her sharp retorts back, all had Kagome laughing as she had spent time with them.
The sound of a second carriage behind them almost had her groaning. Lord Kouga had been visiting when the invitation from Inuyasha had come, and he had insisted that he come along as well.
"The invitation is for your family, yes?" he had said when Kagome had tried to end his visit, "Then I must be invited to, as I am nearly a member of your family."
The words had made Kagome's stomach turn, and she was sure she could not hide her slight frown, but it seemed he thankfully did not see it. When Kouga had asked her to join him in his carriage for the trip to Tessaiga, she had graciously (but also quickly) declined, for she knew her mother and sister would have questions about the estate, as she had been there once before. Instead, he had agreed to have Kaede and Mushin ride with him, rather than taking a third carriage.
Whether he accepted her excuse or not, it had taken the entire trip to Tessaiga for Kagome to gather her thoughts. Kouga had been visibly perturbed that Sarah was stabled at Tessaiga, and a large part of why she had not been able to return to visit Inuyash– err her mare. Kouga had come to visit every day, always first thing in the morning, flowers for Kagome in his hands, roses in full bloom, lilies in various colors, all carefully cultivated and cut for their beauty. Often he brought gifts of poetry books, sheet music, gifts that had her mother and sister's eyebrows raising with how often they were brought. It was most difficult to end his visits, where normal convention would have a caller staying for an hour, two at most, the sun was nearly setting each day when he left, leaving no time to visit her mare at Tessaiga.
Kagome couldn't say that Kouga wasn't attentive; she had merely to speak about something she had seen or reminisce on a favored sweet and the next day it would be handed to her with a smile and blue eyes twinkling. He was attentive, often trying to finish her sentences before she had fully formed the thought for herself.
It was exhilarating.
It was also a little… smothering.
While she appreciated his attention, there was something–
"He is persistent, is he not?" Sango chuckled as Kagome's head dropped.
"Yes," Kagome sighed, "he is."
"Your interactions with him have changed, my dear." Mai mused, watching Kagome's face. "I thought you found him dashing."
"He is, Mama," Kagome's head fell back against the carriage, "I just– I would like to get a word in with him, to have a full conversation that has more to do with beauty or chasing pleasure of some sort or some new fancy of his. I want to know about his Pack, about what his life is like. If his intentions are what they seem to be, shouldn't I know these things?"
"Not all men are seeking someone to share things with Kagome." Mai chastised. "Some men are seeking a wife to plan events and to look pretty on their arm."
"But Mama, that is not what I want, I want to be an equal, I want to share my thoughts, my opinions on more than just what dishes to serve, or how to seat a room."
"Oh Kagome, you would be surprised how much thought and strategy goes into a seating chart for a dinner." Mai chuckled with a small shake of her head. "It can be its own form of warfare, and requires a lot of planning to get it just right. What you see as simple women's work can be just as strategic as the decisions the Lord of a manor makes when it comes to alliances and business."
That was – not something Kagome had thought about, there was nothing like that in any of her books or poems. Perhaps her expectations of an equal partnership were– too unrealistic, and it wasn't a feeling that set well with her.
"I suppose…" Kagome's voice trailed off as their carriage turned and Tessaiga came into view.
The sight took her breath as quickly as it had the first time she had seen it, and the murmurs from the others in the carriage told her that they found it as impressive as she did. Her eyes took in the manor, sweeping to the formal gardens and…
The swirls of blue and pink Hydrangea mixed in with the formal hedges made her gasp. She had not thought Inuyasha would have taken her advice, instead thinking he had been humoring her but here was the proof that not only had he heard her– he had listened to her.
And he had taken her suggestion and…
"Oh how lovely," Sango sighed, "I adore the garden, the hydrangeas are so beautiful."
Kagome could only nod, for once at a loss for words.
Inuyasha stood at the door to the manor, his eyes trained on Kagome as the carriages drew to a halt. His gentle smile fell as he glanced at the barouche that trailed behind them and the wolf glaring at him from inside, before sliding back to Kagome and nodding to his footmen to approach Kouga's carriage as Inuyasha stepped forward, his hand extended to Kagome's carriage to help her disembark.
A moment before her gloved hand met his, another's hand captured hers. Kouga's hair still blew in the wind from his dash from the carriage to her side as he stepped close, his shoulder pushing Inuyasha away from Kagome with a glint of challenge in his blue orbs. A soft growl rolled through the air, and Kagome's eyes darted to Inuyasha in shock, realizing that he was making the sound. Golden eyes met hers for a moment before the sound ceased, Inuyasha's face stealing into its familiar but now so foreign to her somberness. The only outward sign of his disapproval and – dare she even think it– jealousy was his ears, lowered to where they were now invisible against his silver hair.
"Allow me, Lady Kagome." Kouga's words held more familiarity than Kagome was used to, even with as much time as he spent at their cottage. His thumb slid across the back of her hand, startling her as she stepped down and lost her step, only to be caught against Kouga by an arm around her waist.
The warmth of chest under her hand made Kagome's mind momentarily go blank as she looked up, her eyes entrapped by the light reflected in his blue eyes. Her hand involuntarily flexed, her fingers caressing against his shirt– the growing growl from beside her received only a cursory thought.
"Kagome are you alright?" Sango cried as she descended from the carriage, her words pulling Kagome out of her daze as Sango drew her away from Kouga.
Kagome felt her cheeks heat at the smirk that formed on his lips before lowering her eyes completely, refusing to glance at Inuyasha as she nodded in response.
"I– I'm fine," she whispered, leaning into Sango's side. She kept her gaze fixed on the ground, her thoughts torn between the pleasure of knowing Inuyasha had listened to her and followed her recommendation, and the feel of Kouga's firm chest under her hand. She let herself be swept away, led by her sister and mother, for once finding herself without anything to say, as they chatted with Kaede and Mushin, their soft sighs and exclamations barely registering.
"Well, now we just need to decide who is riding with whom then." Kaede chuckled as she slid beside Kagome, her eye sparkling with mischief.
"I'm sorry, what?" Kagome gasped as her head snapped up, realizing that more time had passed than she had thought while lost in her musings. A series of three open carriages sat before them, each laden with a picnic basket.
"Well, my dear, we have four women, and three dashing men, we must decide who will be riding with whom to the picnic site." Kaede smiled, "I do wonder which one you will choose."
"I–" Kagome floundered, her mind racing with thoughts. On one hand, Kouga was the logical choice, as he was showing himself to be a serious contender for her hand, dashing and warm… on the other hand, part of her longed to ride with Inuyasha. Yes, he was all stern and severe, everything she said she didn't want, yet if she were to go with him, perhaps she would see more of him, and possibly the side she had only glimpsed before whe…
"COLONEL INUYASHA!" A shout sounded over the thunder of horses hooves as a gentleman in a red coat astride a black horse galloped up to the group. "I bring an urgent message from Her Majesty, the Queen."
Inuyasha's back straightened, his hands clenching into fists as he marched to the quivering horse, seizing the missive from the young man's hand. Kagome watched his face harden; if she had ever thought he looked serious before, his features now seemed to be carved of ice. His eyes lifted once to look at the young rider's red face and harsh breathing before darting to hers. Their golden color glowed in the sun, a look of anger, hunger, and regret as he crushed the letter in his fist.
"I must go," he growled before letting out a sharp whistle, "there is no time to waste."
"But surely you can stay for the picnic Colonel," Mushin started, "it must not be quite as urgent as you make it seem."
"I wish it were not, Sir, but it cannot wait." The clamor of hooves sounded from the stable as Shippo raced from its doors, Inuyasha's gray stallion trotting at his side, fully dressed. "Duty calls me away, and I must answer. I must ask for your forgiveness, please do not hesitate to use the grounds of Tessaiga while I am away."
He tipped his hat to Mushin, slightly less to Kouga, before nodding to each of the women, his eyes meeting Kagome's last to linger for a moment longer than propriety allowed, and Kagome found herself feeling oddly hollow when he turned to leap onto the back of his horse.
"I bid you all adieu, and again, I am sorry that our day has been cut short." With a kick of his heels the stallion burst into a gallop, the young man who had brought the missive following closely behind.
"Well, I wonder what that was about," Mai exclaimed, her hand coming to her chest as she watched the pair fading in the distance.
"I believe I may know," Kaede nodded, "he only would ride like that if it was a notice from the palace."
"Ah yes, ever the good little soldier, isn't he?" Kouga's tone made Kagome frown, while the words were kind, it seemed almost… mocking in a way.
"Lord Kouga, I am sure that it must have been important," Kaede interjected, her eye and set of her mouth showing her displeasure at the man.
"Yes, but it is always important when it comes from the crown, is it not?" Kouga's jaw set as he continued to watch the way the riders had gone. "A summons from Good Queen Charlotte, for we all know that the King is in no condition to summon anyone, and away he rides off to answer the call."
"He is the Crown's man," Mushin started, "and that mea…"
"Yes, the Crown's man." Kouga finally turned his head back towards the group, before settling on Kagome. "Always at their beck and call. It is better to be your own man, beholden to none but yourself and your pack, than having to bother with their petty dramas."
"Well with war against France and Napoleon, it does not seem quite so petty to others." Kaede's tone had hardened, a clear indicator that she would hear no more of it.
"To some, to be sure." Kouga's brow rose with a smirk. "But I do believe that rather than let our day be ruined by the Colonel's absence, we do what he said, and enjoy the grounds. I dare say it will be more pleasant now that he will not be here to scowl away the sun."
"Yes, well," Mai tittered, trying to return the mood that had left the group, "I believe we were discussing who was riding with whom?"
"Oh there is no need Ma'am," Kouga grinned before swooping a startled Kagome into his arms. "I will be happy to take Kagome in my carriage. My estate borders this one, so I am quite familiar with the grounds and would be happy to show her around."
Before Kagome could get a word out she had been settled into his now moving carriage, her eyes darting back to meet Sango's with a plea for help, only to watch her sister and mother fade from view.
"You know some would see this as kidnapping, my lord." Kagome sighed as she sat against the cushion.
Kouga chuckled, "I have someplace I wanted you to see, and I would prefer it be without an audience."
"Oh?" Kagome asked, her curiosity peaked.
"As I said, my estates border Tessaiga, and I thought…" he slowed the horses to a stop before turning to meet Kagome's gaze, "I thought you might be interested in seeing them, and meeting some others of my pack."
"I…" Kagome found herself struggling for words at what he was saying, and what she thought it meant. It was the first time he had shown any interest in her visiting his home, or meeting anyone other than the two wolves she had met in passing only. If he wanted her to see it, and to meet some of the others, then… maybe it meant that he was in fact serious, and that she was more than just a passing fancy to him. Would he be looking for a partner though, or someone to decorate his arm, and to look pretty at the table…
'What you see as simple women's work can be just as strategic as the decisions the Lord of a manor makes when it comes to alliances and business.'
Her mother's words, spoken only an hour before, darted through her thoughts. Kagome tilted her head as she looked into his blue eyes. Maybe she had been too harsh on him, putting her own thoughts of what her parents' marriage had been without really thinking about what he may want.
She owed him a chance to show her, didn't she?
"I would enjoy that, thank you Lord Kouga."
Kagome did not know what to expect of the Goraishi estate, but nothing would have prepared her for her first glance. The house seemed to loom over a collection of smaller homes, all seemingly carved out of stone, but she knew that had to be an illusion. For the first time, she found herself wondering just how many there were in Kouga's "pack."
Glowing eyes peaked at her from the shadowed doors and windows as the carriage made its way towards the manor, Kagome would get the glimpse of a tail, a yip from a corner, but otherwise the wolves seemed to stay hidden, as wary of her as she suddenly felt of them.
Kouga smiled as he leapt from the carriage, offering her his hand with a gallant bow. "Goraishi welcomes you, my Lady Kagome."
The artwork in the foyer was beautiful, statues of men who must have been Kouga's ancestors, paintings of large families, all with striking blue eyes. As they walked the length of the hall, the number of children in the paintings began to grow smaller, until Kagome stood before a painting of a young Kouga, sitting alone with whom she could only assume were his parents.
"The hall of ancestors." Kouga's hand took her elbow as he stepped beside her. "The history of the Ookami clan and its rulers, all the way back to when we settled here in 240 AD."
"That long?" Kagome gasped, turning to look at Kouga as he spoke.
"Surprised?" At her nod he chuckled. "Yes, we were more nomadic before, constantly traveling, avoiding wars, then my great grandfather chose to set down permanent roots, and began to build the compound. Soon most of the Wolf yokai came to join him, and formed a council, from that he was elected as the leader of the clan, a position that was passed to my Grandfather, my Father, and now me."
"But that was almost… 1600 years ago?"
"Yes, my great grandfather was already around 2000 at that point, after a few hundred years he passed the mantle to my grandfather, who ran the compound for around 500 years, my father for 700 years, and I took over from him when he chose to step down 100 years ago."
"But then…"
"Yes, we were here before this area became 'England.' The King and Queen have no say over us or our actions, as we never became part of the Country, and have no part in its wars or squabbles. Let others like the mutt fight for a land that will change hands many times, all to fight for favor, but we take care of our own."
Before Kagome could ask who the 'mutt' was, though she was afraid she had an idea, Kouga led her down another corridor, the faint growls and yips from around her stilled her tongue as she watched Kouga interact with the unseen wolves.
"Sorry, they are wary of strangers." His face was rueful as he looked down at her. "That's part of why I wanted to bring you since we were so close, so they could see you, and start to become accustomed to you."
"A…accustomed to me?" Kagome's voice was quiet as she drew to a stop, halting Kouga's movements. Her eyes were wide as she tried to draw her arm free, but a gentle tightening of his hand locked it into place. She could not help the racing of her heart, but at that moment, she was not quite sure why it was racing.
His cheeks flushed pink as his free hand rose to his neck. "Ah, yeah, that is a bit presumptuous of me I suppose. But I want them to be comfortable with my woman."
Kagome's soft smile turned downward at the phrase 'my woman,' but Kouga's attention was already back to leading her through the maze of corridors.
"Here is what I wanted to show you." His grin grew into a wide smile, causing the tips of his fangs to show as he nodded towards a window.
Kagome's breath caught at what lay before her. Hidden behind the walls was almost a full city, bustling with activity. She could not see the end of the compound, it lay far beyond her vision, but she could only imagine it would be vast indeed.
Kouga's arm shifted from her elbow to steal around her shoulders, drawing her close to his body as he looked proudly at the scene. Kagome stiffened at the movement, but he paid it no mind.
"As I said, we take care of our own. We have little need for others, and are able to do most things here. And if we can't, we find someone who can and bring them here."
"To teach?"
Kouga chuckled. "Well, they do teach, but no, they are brought here also to provide their service or goods; they are well taken care of until they pass."
"Then why do you go into society?" Kagome couldn't help but ask, her attention turning to the man who held her against him. She swallowed softly, nervous at the proximity to him, but not sure how to politely step away.
"Amusement, some fun." Kouga shrugged before turning his face to hers. "Sometimes you meet fascinating people, like a young woman who defied the cliffs yet found herself tumbling from their wrath."
"Oh, is that what I did?" Kagome chuckled as she tried to hide her flushing cheeks. A soft hand under her chin caught her face, tilting it back up to meet the Ookami lord.
"Faced their wrath and tumbled into my heart."
Kagome's breath caught as Kouga's face lowered, hesitating for only a moment before touching his lips to hers. Her eyes widened as they slid over his face, closer than anyone had been, save her family, and quickly closed them.
Her eyes stayed closed as Kouga lifted his head with a pleased growl. Her thoughts were racing, and she took a moment to try and bring them back to some semblance of sanity. She finally let her lids drift open–
And immediately froze as she saw three more elderly wolves glaring at her, their eyes shimmering in the faint light, and she swore she saw a slight frown on all their faces. Kouga saw her attention shift, and turned to face them. He let out a growl that had them nod and then fade from view.
"Come on, I have kept you long enough, I should get you back to your family."
Kagome nodded mutely as she let him lead her back to the carriage. She was silent the entire ride back, her eyes unfocused as she stared at the passing scenery as her thoughts went back to the kiss, her first kiss.
Somehow— somehow she had always thought that there should be sparks in a kiss. It shouldn't feel the same as a simple handshake… should it?
"Where could they be?" Sango fretted as she paced the foyer of Tessaiga. Mai stood at the window, looking out for any view of her other daughter. "They have been gone for hours!"
"I do not think Lord Kouga would allow anything to happen to your sister, my dear." Mushin offered with a pat on her shoulder as she passed him.
"But they took no Chaperone, do you understand what this could do to her reputation?" Mai sighed at Sango's words.
"He has seemed to be an honorable gentleman, Sango, we must put our faith in that… and hope no one saw her with him unaccompanied."
"Lord Kouga is, if nothing else, an honorable man," Kaede agreed softly. "While this is impulsive and rambunctious, it is not outside the realm of his behavior, but I have never heard of him doing anything untoward with any lady. Well, at least not that she didn't initiate."
Sango whirled, her eyes wide. "You are not thinking that…"
"Oh no no no, my dear, I was just relaying my understanding of him." Kaede's eye went wide as she moved towards Sango. "I was not implying anything at all of that–"
"Oh thank God, here they come now!" Mai's cry stopped Kaede's words as Mai rushed out the door, Sango close at her heels.
"I apologize for keeping your daughter so long, it was not my intention." Kouga bowed low to Mai before turning to lift Kagome out of the carriage. Sango stepped close to her sister, noting her downturned eyes and withdrawn stance. A surge of concern coursed through her as she drew her sister into her arms, and noted Kagome's slight tremble as she sagged into her sister.
"Well now, all is well now that you are back, whole and happy, is it not?" Mushin's laugh sounded forced to Sango's ear as she rubbed Kagome's back with her hand. "I am not sure about you all, but I am famished; let us enjoy the wonderful lunch that has been prepared."
"Thank you, but I must decline." Kouga stated, his eyes never leaving Kagome. "There is business at Goraishi that needs my attention, and I wish to speak with the council about a… personal matter." His cheeks took a tinge of pink. "I must bid you all a fond farewell for now, and I will, if it pleases you, visit tomorrow morning."
Kagome's eyes finally lifted as he stepped into his carriage, and watched him ride away. Her thoughts continued to spin, her pleasure at seeing Goraishi, her… disappointment… with how she had felt with the kiss, and blue eyes taking on a golden hue. She was confused, nothing had felt like the books had told her she would feel, but was that truly what love felt like, or was love more a contentment with the person you were with.
"Kagome?" Sango's voice was hesitant, but pulled Kagome out of her thoughts to turn to meet her sister's gaze.
"Yes," Kagome's voice was shaky as she gave a faint smile, "I am also quite hungry."
Sango's eyes stayed on Kagome during the lunch, despite Mushin and Kaede's attempts to lighten the mood. Sango could not help but notice that Kagome, who normally had a voracious appetite, seemed to do no more than pick at her food, taking no more than three bites the entire time.
"Kagome, are you sure you are alright?" Sango's concerns had only grown at her sister's withdrawn countenance the rest of the day. "Did something happen while you were with Lord Kouga?"
"No– no nothing happened." Kagome sighed as she lay down on her bed, her eyes focusing on the ceiling.
"Kagome–" Sango started, then stopped, before moving to sit next to her sister on the bed. "I know you like Lord Kouga, but I do wish you would be more careful about your behaviors. You have no idea how worried Mother and I were when you were gone with him for several hours."
"I am sorry for that but, he wanted to show me his manor, and I– I wanted him to show me. It was not something that was planned, and truly we lost track of time." Kagome's voice was still low, and she began to draw her bottom lip into her teeth, a habit Sango knew only happened when she was troubled.
"Kagome, what is it?"
"It's– It's nothing."
"Kagome…"
"It's–," Kagome let out a deep sigh, "have you ever had something that seemed to be on its face what you thought you wanted, but when you have it, you wonder if it was really what you wanted at all?"
"Kagome, what are you…"
"Forgive me Sango, I am tired." Kagome's eyes finally met Sango's, and her elder sister could see the exhaustion in them.
"I will let you rest then." Sango leaned down to kiss her sister's forehead before returning to her own bed and extinguishing the candle between them.
As she listened to Kagome's breathing slide into the pattern of slumber, Sango found her own thoughts drawn to one she tried not to think about.
She would never admit it to her sister, but in a way she was slightly jealous. Kagome had the open affection of two very suitable, well one more suitable than the other in her opinion, gentlemen, and while Sango knew there were a number of perfectly acceptable men in the nearby village that always treated her with respect and appreciation, none could budge Miroku from her thoughts.
Why hadn't he come to visit them, had she imagined things between them? Had she merely been an amusement for the time he was at Shikon Park? No, she would like to think that she was a better judge of character than that, though how someone as kind and thoughtful as Miroku could be related to Yura still baffled her.
Sango sighed as she turned to her side, sleep continuing to elude her. It had been months since they first came to Devonshire, and there had been no word from Miroku, no visit, no letter. It was if he had forgotten them, or more she reasoned that he was so busy as head of his family that he had no time to visit them, but even then, there could have been a letter, a 'I hope you have all settled in properly,' but the post had remained steadfastly void of any word from him. The fact that they had not heard from their half brother in that same period was of no importance, but Miroku's silence hurt, even though she had only known him a handful of weeks.
'There is no point in dreaming about things that will never be,' Sango thought as she let her eyes close, trying to force herself to sleep. No, it was better not to think about wishes or hopes, and to focus on the practical and day to day. Someone had to help her family stay strong, and while she loved both her mother and her sister, both were creatures of fancy that needed someone to help ground them.
She felt sleep finally begin to claim her, the lethargy spreading through her limbs as she slid into slumber.
Indigo eyes and a kind, smiling face were the last thoughts she had before dreams claimed her.
Over the next few weeks Kouga had made himself a daily presence at their house, asking Kagome to take a walk, bringing a picnic basket for the family, flowers for the table, or a selection of fresh vegetables for their table. Sango watched as Kagome's smile began to relax, the hesitancy and anxiousness that had vexed her easing. Sango smiled softly into her sewing as Kagome, sitting on a blanket with the dashing lord, threw her head back with a full laugh, a sound that had not been heard in many a month since their father had fallen ill, before her lips turned into a slight frown.
Poetry was now a constant in their house, whether Kouga was reciting a new poem for Kagome's enjoyment, or a new book was brought to add to their collection. Kagome had smiled over each and every addition, though Sango had noted a faraway look in her eyes when the topic of the poem came to love. Occasionally, when Kagome believed no one was looking, Sango had caught her looking in the direction of Tessaiga, a thoughtful look on her face, before letting her face turn into a happy smile at a new flower handed to her by the blue eyed wolf.
While Sango had concerns about how happy Kagome truly was, their mother had no such qualms.
"Why do they not announce their engagement?" Mai murmured as she watched her youngest accept a strawberry from Kouga. "Their behavior would surely indicate that they are engaged, at least in private, yet they have not made any announcement.
"Perhaps he is waiting for something," Sango mused, setting her sewing into her lap, "he did say he needed to speak with his council on a personal matter, maybe he is waiting for them?"
"But surely he could announce his intentions, or at least to discuss them with us," Mai insisted.
"I am sure he has good reason not to, Mother." Sango smiled at her mother's petulant huff.
"Another strawberry?"
Kagome shook her head at Kouga's offering; he had appeared only a half hour after they had finished breaking their fast, and she was still full from the morning meal. The last three weeks had been similarly filled, and she was once again finding herself flattered by the constant attention of the Ookami lord.
Without Inuyasha's presence to distract her, she had to admit that she may have been too harsh on the Lord before. What she had once found annoying and smothering was now charming, and almost endearing. The slight wag of his tail, a feature that seemed so at odds with his personality, whenever he saw her made her giggle.
But her heart still didn't flutter whenever he took her hand. Where once that had bothered her, now she found herself wondering if that was something that would come in time.
"The council has called a meeting for tomorrow morning." His words stilled her thoughts as she turned to meet his piercing blue eyes.
"Oh?"
Kouga grinned as he stood and offered her his hand, helping her rise as well. "They didn't say what it was about, but I have my hopes." He tucked her hand into the curve of his arm as he escorted her back to her mother and sister at the house.
Kagome's thoughts, which had largely calmed over time, once again began to race. Was he implying what she thought he was implying–
And if he was, was that what she wanted?
"My lady," Kouga gave Mai a slight bow, "I will be speaking with my Pack tomorrow morning, and I was wondering if I would be able to come to call at around 4 tomorrow afternoon," he paused his eyes darting to Kagome and back to her mother, "first for a private meeting with Miss Kagome, and then a meeting with you, if that meets your approval."
Mai's eyebrows raised as a smile slowly curved her lips. "Yes, yes of course."
"I will bid you all leave then, until tomorrow." Kouga reached out to capture Kagome's hand, raising it to his lips. In her flustered state, Kagome missed the side glances between her mother and sister as her eyes dropped to the floor.
Silence fell between the three women as they watched him stride up the path from the cottage. When he was out of what they felt was hearing distance Mai turned to her daughter.
"Is there something we should be aware of before tomorrow?"
"Mama!" Kagome's cheeks flushed pink at the insinuation. "Not that I know of, I am as in the dark as you are."
"Really, Kagome?" Sango laughed as her sister's cheeks puffed in indignation.
"I swear to you, he has made no mention of this except for just before we came back to join you both."
"Not even when you were at Gorashi together? Alone?" Sango couldn't help tease.
"Keh, we were never alone, there was always someone near us except for the carriage ride."
Sango's eyebrow rose at her sister's words. 'Keh' was not a phrase that Kagome used, but one she knew she had heard from a certain silver haired colonel frequently.
"Sango, that is enough teasing," Mai stood, shaking out her skirt as she spoke, "we must prepare ourselves for the visit tomorrow, Kagome. I believe we should go and choose the perfect gown."
The next day Kagome was dressed carefully in her green muslin gown, her hair carefully arranged with her mother's discerning and exacting eye for the events that she believed were to take place.
Kagome herself was a bundle of nerves as the day progressed, sitting in the chair while her mother fussed over her hair with Martha. She had an inkling of what was going to be asked, and what was expected of her, but while she had enjoyed Kouga's company for the past few months, was there more, or was it just a fondness that she would have for any acquaintance? It was true that Gorashi was only a short horse ride away from the cottage, and she was sure that Kouga would not have a problem with her family moving with her if it came to that, but also… the sheer size of the Ookami's holdings and pack gave her concern. She was not above admitting that, while she had been fascinated by the home, she had felt quite uncomfortable with the attention and the stares that she had received while she had been there. While it may be something that she could overcome with time, she had felt none of the ease or sense of belonging that she had felt at Tessaiga when she had been on the grounds.
And for some reason, despite how pleasant Kouga had been to be around and the distraction he provided, she couldn't help but feel oddly… distanced, as if part of her were missing, and she had strangely found herself thinking about Inuyasha, even while Kouga escorted her on a walk, or when he would recite a poem.
Her mother and Martha continued to cluck around her, fixing her hair, touching up her makeup, and only Sango was looking at the play of emotions across Kagome's face, concern for her sister growing the longer she watched.
When the clock on the wall hit 3:45 Mai hurried Sango out of the cottage, letting Jonathan and Martha have the afternoon off, to give Kagome privacy for the meeting with Lord Kouga. Sango had protested, but Mai had heard nothing of it, grabbing her eldest's arm and escorting her out of the cottage. Sango turned her head back and watched as Kagome's happy smile dropped into a line of uncertainty. Their eyes met for a moment before Mai tugged Sango, forcing her to follow along and fall in line behind her.
Despite Sango's best efforts, her mother would not be swayed back to the cottage, insisting that they both needed the fresh air, but also that Kagome and Kouga deserved some time alone for what Mai was sure was to be a very positive and productive conversation.
"I am not sure that he would make her happy," Sango sighed as she followed her mother.
"Happiness is a luxury many women cannot afford."
"But Mama, with you and father as her example, why would Kagome want or settle for anything less?"
Mai stopped and turned to face Sango. "You know that your father and I did not start off as we became, that developed over the years together, growing and learning how to be with each other. Kagome would do the same with whichever man she ends up with."
"But would Lord Kouga allow her that chance?" Sango mused, her voice soft. "What does he know, really know, of Kagome?"
"Sango, my dear, what does any man know of their new spouse when they marry? Courting is not the time to get to know the other, that is what marriage is for."
"Well, I would think that courting would have something to do with knowing the other."
"Oh Sango, your father and I did not do you any favors keeping you isolated at Shikon Park. That was selfish of us; we did not want to lose you, either of you, to the London Ton, so you never had to deal with the intricacies of being out in society. Courting is only about finding someone you are compatible with, if half of the men came to know the women whose favor they were seeking before the marriage, there would be a lot less weddings each season."
"I suppose Mama, but…"
"What is it Sango?"
"Have you not noticed how her eyes seem to dull when he is around?" Sango's words caused Mai's smile to fall. "How often have we heard her talk about how she found him boring, or that he didn't listen to her? Kagome is not a rose to be carefully cultivated and treasured, she is more a hydrangea, sturdy, resilient, but also changes. She will never be happy being put on a shelf or left to just wear pretty dresses and sit around an estate all day."
"What I know is that there do not seem to be many prospects for either of you near here, and Lord Kouga is a very suitable man who will make sure Kagome is taken care of for the rest of her life. Given the situation that your brother and that witch he married have put us in, that is a very attractive proposition."
"For you Mama, but is it for Kagome?"
Mai went silent at Sango's words, the quiet broken by the soft whinny of a horse in the distance.
"Well, perhaps we have left them alone quite long enough." Mai quickly turned back to the cottage, her pace now a good deal faster than the leisurely stroll she had led Sango on.
Kouga's horse was still tied to the post outside the cottage when Sango and Mai approached, but there was no sound from inside. Sango had a strange feeling as they drew close, and suddenly wished again that she had not let her mother pull her from the cottage.
The scene they found upon entering the cottage was not one either woman had expected. Kouga stood, his hat in his hands, eyes lowered to the floor, as Kagome stood, one hand on the mantle, the other over her mouth. Sango's breath caught as her sister's eyes met hers and she saw tears forming in them, but the way Kagome held her body, Sango knew that it was not tears of happiness.
"I… excuse me," Kagome whispered before rushing from the room.
"Is anything the matter? Is she ill?" Mai demanded, her gaze turning to Kouga with a glint of suspicion in them.
"I hope not, but I fear… I believe she may be a little upset, and I myself am a little disappointed." His hands clenched the brim of his hat, his claws piercing through the fabric.
"Why, whatever could the matter be, did Kagome refuse you? Surely she didn't." Mai pressed on, only stopping at Sango's hand on her arm.
"No– I… I am disappointed that I am not able to stay in Devonshire longer. I am being sent on business for my pack to– London, and I must leave at once."
"Oh, well, that is a shame, but I hope your business will not take you long?" Mai asked, her voice dropping in volume as she took in the wolf lord's body language.
"Unfortunately, I have no idea of returning to Devonshire immediately, nor will I be able to until this… business… is concluded, which could take a considerable amount of time. I apologize, but I must take my leave now, as I need to leave immediately."
"I…" Mai started, only to pause as Kouga crushed his hat in his hand and strode out of the cottage, never once looking back over his shoulder.
"I do not understand," Sango was perplexed as her eyes met her mothers. "He seemed so happy here yesterday, and was quite affectionate with Kagome. Mama, I am not alone in thinking he was going to… Surely they didn't quarrell"
"No my dear, you were not alone," Mai sighed as she crossed to close the door softly. "It is plain to see something happened, something that may have been beyond his control." Her gaze drifted to the stairs where her youngest had disappeared. "Despite her feelings and apparent concerns, I cannot imagine she would have refused him. No, I wonder if perhaps this… council… he spoke of did not approve of Kagome, at least not yet. It could be he left to put some distance between them, to allow time for the council to come to terms with his affection." Her tired eyes met Sango's. "Can you think of any other answer?"
"No, Mama," Sango whispered, pausing only a moment before nodding slightly and rushing up the stairs to comfort Kagome.
Mai felt her eyes begin to well at the muffled voices of her daughters from their room on the floor above, her heart breaking for Kagome – and Sango as well.
"Oh, if only we were still at Shikon Park," Mai sighed as she let her hand come to rest on the wall, shaking her head softly at Jonathan as he entered the room, only to back out quickly at her expression. "This would never have happened if her father were still with us. My poor poor girls."
Mai stood, her head dropping to rest on her hand against the wall. After a few moments her shoulders stiffened as she rose, crossing to the desk in the sitting room. She pulled a blank piece of paper to the sitting area and drew out a quill, carefully filling it with ink before taking a deep breath and beginning to write.
—-
AN: SO, please don't yell and scream at me yet. This is an important part of the story, and in the source, it is as ambiguous as I left it here. The full tale of what happened will come out as the story unfolds, so please keep reading to find out!
