As Kagome knelt amidst the rows of fragrant herbs and lush green vegetables in Kaede's garden, her hands deftly tending to the delicate plants, she lost herself in the rhythmic motions of her tasks. The earthy scent of the soil mingled with the sweet aroma of blossoms, creating a symphony of nature that enveloped her in a sense of calm.
Suddenly, a powerful whirlwind erupted in the center of the garden, catching Kagome off guard and sending tendrils of her hair swirling around her face. Before she could react, Kouga materialized from the tempest, his amber eyes alight with mischief and his trademark smirk playing on his lips.
"Kagome!" Kouga's voice cut through the swirling winds, his presence commanding attention as he strode towards her with purpose.
Kagome's heart skipped a beat at the sight of him, a mixture of surprise and amusement dancing in her eyes as she watched him approach. "Kouga, what are you doing here?" she asked, her voice laced with laughter as she struggled to maintain her balance in the midst of the whirlwind.
Kouga's grin widened as he reached out, his strong hands grasping hers firmly as he pulled her into his embrace. "How's my woman?" he exclaimed, his voice tinged with playful affection as he looked down at her with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
Kagome couldn't help but laugh at Kouga's antics, her cheeks flushing pink at the playful claim. "Your woman, huh?" she teased, her eyes sparkling with amusement as she met his gaze.
Kouga's grin softened into a tender smile as he tucked a loose strand of hair behind Kagome's ear, his touch gentle against her skin. "Always," he replied earnestly, his voice sincere as he held her gaze with unwavering devotion.
In that moment Kagome felt a warmth spread through her chest, a sense of belonging and acceptance that she had never experienced before. With Kouga's hand in hers and his playful banter filling the air, she knew that no matter what the future held, she would always cherish these fleeting moments of joy and laughter in his company.
And as the whirlwind slowly dissipated around them, leaving nothing but the gentle rustle of leaves in its wake, Kagome couldn't help but smile, her heart overflowing with gratitude for the unexpected gift of Kouga's presence in her life.
Kagome chuckled softly, her heart lightening at Kouga's playful demeanor. "I'm doing well, Kouga," she replied, her voice warm with affection as she returned his gaze. "And how's the wolf prince himself?"
Kouga grinned, a twinkle of mischief in his eyes. "Better now that I've found you," he teased, giving her hand a playful squeeze.
Kagome rolled her eyes, but there was a fondness in her expression as she gently nudged him with her shoulder. "Always the charmer, aren't you?"
Kouga shrugged, his grin widening. "Comes with the territory," he quipped, his gaze lingering on her face as if committing every detail to memory.
As they stood together amidst the tranquility of the garden, Kagome couldn't help but feel a sense of peace settle over her. In Kouga's company, the worries and uncertainties of the world seemed to fade away, replaced by the simple joy of being together.
They fell into an easy silence, the only sounds the gentle rustle of leaves in the breeze and the distant chirping of birds. Kagome glanced up at the sky, watching as the colors began to deepen into shades of orange and pink as the sun dipped towards the horizon.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.
Kouga nodded, his eyes never leaving hers. "Not as beautiful as you," he said softly, his words sincere.
A blush crept into Kagome's cheeks, but she met Kouga's gaze with a smile. "You're too kind, Kouga," she replied, her heart fluttering at his words.
As they stood together, bathed in the warm glow of the fading sunlight, Kagome felt a sense of peace settle over her. In Kouga's company, the worries and uncertainties of the world seemed to fade away, replaced by the simple joy of being together.
Gathering her basket of herbs and vegetables, Kagome waved her hand towards the hut in the distance. Her hut. Since returning to the feudal era, the village had thanked their group for all they do and have done with a series of huts. There were 3 in total, One for Miroku and Sango and their children on the outer edge of the village, one in the forest for InuYasha, and one on the outskirts of the forest for her.
"Would you like to stay for dinner Kouga? You just got here and it's nearly dark."
"I'd love to. Spending time with my woman is the best way of spending my evening." Kouga took the basket from Kagome, holding his other arm out for her to take.
Blushing, Kagome slid her arm through his, resting her hand atop his forearm. They strolled through the village, waving hello to villagers that passed them on their way home from the fields. They were stopped twice by farmers who had injured themselves in the fields that day, Kagome handing them some herbs she had in her basket along with an appointment to meet her at Kaede's hut the next day for further treatment.
"They really rely on you, huh?" Kouga mumbled as they made their way up the path towards Kagome's hut.
"Not as much as it seemed on our way out of the village" Kagome giggled. Slanting her eyes towards him as they walked, she tilted her head, exposing her neck to Kouga unintentionally at the same time. "Kaede was hoping for me to take over for her as village miko, but to be honest I dont think that option is for me. Staying in the same place for the remainder of my life, never being able to marry or have a family… No, that kind of life is not for me. I want to marry, I want to have children, travel, not be held down by another job where people will mistake me for someone else."
Pushing open the reed door, Kagome held it open for Kouga to enter.
"They're still mistaking you for her? You would think that they would realize you dont appreciate it. Not to mention you dont look anything like her. You're much more beautiful."
"Kouga you're going to give me a big head with how much youre complimenting me." Blushing Kagome set her basket down on the table and went to the shelves to pull out a clay jar of salted meat.
"Even if your head grew 10 times the size you would still be the most beautiful woman in all the land Kagome." Kouga sat on the cushions surrounding the table, grinning slyly at her.
"Is this okay for you Kouga? It's salted meats, I know you would probably prefer fresh but its all I have at the moment." Opening the lid she did a quick check on how much was left. She would need to hunt before the end of the month to replenish her stores.
Leaning forward putting his elbows on the table Kouga observed her as she looked through her meager supplies. "Salted is fine Kagome. Are you running low on it? I know that the winter was hard around here but I was hoping with the end of spring things would be picking back up."
Glancing up at him from the jars and spices she was gathering, Kagome shrugged. "That's alright Koga. I can last for another week or two with what I have. One of the villagers taught me how to trap things so I should be able to replenish my supply."
Eyebrows knitting together Kouga looked around her hut frowning. Not much to it, one room, a firepit, and some shelves. Her futon folded neatly in the corner. Preserved food put on and around the shelves, as well as some big crates in the walk in area on the dirt full of sand. "Why isnt mutt-face keeping you more supplied? He of all people should know to be prepared. Come to think of it, he's usually coming after me by now. What gives?"
"Oh he left a few months ago. Said he needed to figure some things out. We havent heard from him since. There's occasionally a traveler who comes bearing tales of a womanizing traveling half-demon with moonlight for hair, but that's about it." Kouga's shocked face studied her as she began telling him one of the stories a traveler had told them on their way through of the deeds InuYasha had done. Her body language and her face indifferent and her body language as serene as when he arrived. No distress, or upset at all.
"-Miroku wants to congratulate him when he returns for losing his prudishness but I-"
"Kagome do you still love him?" Kagome's hands faltered in their chopping as she prepared their dinner, eyes shooting to his.
Face contorting into a grimace, she continued her ministrations. "I haven't loved him for a long time Kouga. I'm not sure I ever did. Even if I had, I certainly wouldnt anymore after he just up and left me without so much as a second glance."
"Kagome…" Kouga mumbled something under his breath. Maybe she'll consider a visit to our pack for a change of pace then..
"Anyways, I dont want to talk about him. How is the pack? How are Ginta and Hakkaku? Ayame? Did everyone fare through the winter alright?" She stuck the rinsed meat and vegetables onto the skillet over the fire, stirring with her wooden spatula as things sizzled.
Kouga smirked and leaned back on his hands. His chest plate gleaming in the firelight.
"The pack is good. You'll never guess who ended up mating who when the Season happened this spring. Ayame and Hakkaku! She's expecting their first litter now." Kagome's face lit up in a bright smile as she glanced at him while she stirred. "She's actually the reason I came to see you. She was hoping you would come and check on her and the cubs. Hakkaku says her nausea has made any attempt at eating end up in vomiting."
"Oh my goodness thats amazing, I'm so happy for them! Im sure I can whip something up for them to help tame the nausea. Sango struggled with it as well, for all 9 months of her pregnancy unfortunately. But I have perfected the nausea tea thanks to her. I'd have to check with Kaede about leaving though. She's been training another girl along with myself, but I am much further along."
"She will see only you Kagome. It's either you go to her, or I bring her to you." Kouga shrugged and sat up as Kagome sat a plate in front of him, and herself.
"I will speak to Kaede tomorrow, I'm sure it wont be an issue. After all, she can always enlist Sango and Rin to help her. I'll pack some things tonight just in case, and after I speak with her we can head out."
Nodding his approval, Kouga dug into dinner mumbling his appreciation and how delicious it was.