Oh Kouga, where are you?
Kagome sat in the shallow tub, her arms wrapped around her knees. The soothing scent of Lavender rose up around her. Frothy bubbles covered the surface, leaving her knees peaking out from the water.
Where did you go?
One week. Two. By the third she was apprehensive. Why? Had she grown fond of his constant appearance? But he'd told her he was going away, just for a little while. He would be back. He would. He would be back in plenty of time before the baby was born.
Oh God, she was going to have a baby. The thought sent her heart into overtime, while at the same time leaving a strange warmth behind. A Mother's Love. She panicked everytime. She had accecpted it. But she was terrified.
It had always been in the back of her mind that she wanted children someday. She wanted them desperately.
She wanted this one desperately.
Her and Inuyasha, what she felt for Kouga, it left her head reeling. It killed her on the inside that she had hurt Inuyasha. He was her first love. He would always have a place in her heart. She had accepted that it was over, but they had too much history for her to forget. She needed their friendship.
Inuyasha was silently persistent, though. Especially with Kouga away. He was keeping his distance, but he brought her food and he remembered her love of chocolate. Inuyasha wasn't pushing his boundries too far, but he was toeing the line. He respected her enough to realize that she was forelorn over Kouga's absence.
She rubbed her chin over her knees, staring at the bubbles. You promised you would come back.
Two months. It shouldn't have bothered her, but it did. Kouga roamed. He always had. From the very beginning he came and went as he pleased. When they were hunting for the Jewel shards, she hadn't seen Kouga for months at a time.
Her heart clenched.
He wouldn't do that, would he? He wouldn't leave for months on end while she raised their child, would he?
No, she chided herself. Kouga would never, ever do that. If Kouga was anything, he was loyal and prideful. He would never abandon their child like that.
Where are you? I miss you.
Her senses prickled, the fine hairs on the back of her neck rising in a familiar warning. She turned her head, inhaling roughly. Her heart skipped a beat. Kouga was silently and effortlessly climbing over the windowseal. Sango was going to catch him one of these days.
"Hey." Kouga said with a small smile.
"Hey." Kagome responded, her heart tripping all over itself at the sight of him.
He closed the distance between them and then dropped down in front of the tub, crossing his arms over the edge. It never occured to her to be outraged, she was naked beneath the water and he was only inches away; but she couldn't stop the way her cheeks heated. The bubbles hid everything from his prying eyes. Even so, there was nothing sexual in his intent.
She wanted to throw herself in his arms, curl her body around his.
Kouga drank her in, his eyes moving over what expanse of skin he could see. She was more vibrant than he remembered. Her skin was damp from the water, her hair loosely braided over one shoulder. He followed her eyes and saw the towel and then stood, picking up the large material. Unfolding it, he gave a fanged grin and held it wide beween his arms. "I won't look, I promise."
Kagome gave a soft smile and stood when Kouga closed his eyes, turning his head to the side as well. She stepped over the edge of the tub and then turned so that her back was to him. The shared intimacy was both enthralling and embaressing. Her back to him, she lifted her arms as his closed around her from behind, wrapping the towel around her body.
This was how far gone she was with him, she realized. They shared a strange intimacy that had nothing to do with sex or pregnacy. Something that was growing deeper, what it was...
She felt him inhaling, his nose rubbing against her neck beneath her damp hair.
"I'm sorry I was gone so long." Kouga murmured.
"It's ok." Kagome would have turned, but one of his hands moved, his palm resting over the barely visible bump of her stomach. He didn't make her nervous, but that did. She bit her bottom lip, the fingers of one hand caressing the back of his in a nervous fidget. "Sango says I'm small for a Demon pregnacy."
Kouga pressed his palm flat against the small mound of her stomach, the towel muting the feel of bare skin. "You're also human." He had thought of little else, even with the Elders passing judgement. Awe filled him at the life he sensed growing in Kagome. His life. Hers. Theirs. "A very healthy human." He murmured reassuringly.
"Shouldn't I be bigger?" Two months seemed insanely short to be showing at all, but with a Demon pregnacy, she was already halfway there. Kagome knew she was a worry wart, but she couldn't bear to think that anything could be wrong with their baby.
Kouga turned her in his arms, his palms sliding over her arms before he pulled her into his body. He couldn't help himself. He hugged her tightly, lifting her up off the floor in a bear hug. "God, I missed you."
Kagome let go of the towel and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. It wasn't going anywhere anyways, not with the way he held her. She was suddenly feeling emotional, all the worry of the past two months coming at her at once.
Kouga's nose twitched at the scent of tears and he peered down at her lowered face. "Hey, what's wrong? Don't cry." He cursed beneath his breath and lifted her in his arms, keeping the towel firmly tucked beneath her arms and around her body. He crossed the room and dropped down onto the bed in the corner. Pressing his back against the wall, he cradled her in his arms and then tipped her chin up. "What's wrong, Kags?"
Kagome sniffled, wiggling her nose and then dapped at the tears on her cheeks. "I thought you weren't coming back. I mean, I know you were. I know you would never do that to me. And there's the whole thing with touching-God, I'm an idiot. Crying like this-"
Kouga kissed her swiftly, silencing her. His hand cupping the side of her face, he brushed a few stray tears away with his thumb. "I never left you before and I'm not going to leave you now." He was surprised that Kagome was still going through a mated cycle, but he wasn't going to point that out right now. She was worrying herself enough over nothing. "It's ok to cry, Kagome. You're with child. It comes with the territory."
Kagome gave a tear filled laugh. "All I do is cry. Or I'm angry. Or he is."
Kouga arched an eyebrow. "He?"
"Him." She placed her hand over her stomach. She just knew it was a 'he'. He was going to look like Kouga, be just as proud and no doubt arrogant.
"She's a girl." Kouga pointed out. He wanted a girl that looked exactly like her mother. But he would be just as proud if it were a boy.
She gave another soft laugh and because she couldn't help herself, she tilted her head back and pulled his head down to hers. There was nothing but comfort in the kiss, she gave and Kouga returned. She had the feeling Kouga was giving more, and in her broken mind, she needed that giving notion. Kouga knew that.
"I missed you." Kagome admitted against his lips.
Kouga grinned softly, his fingers playing at the back of her neck, teasing her damp hair that fell over his hand. "There was a time when I thought I would never hear those words." He stretched out beside her on the bed, pulling her body against his so that she was facing him. His cheek propped in his palm, he caressed the length of her arm with his other hand. "Can I stay for a while?" He murmured.
And Kagome, she surprised him. "I don't want you to go. But you better not be here when Sango wakes up."
Kouga gave a soft laugh. "I can face the fiercest of Demons, but that Slayer, she scares the hell out of me."
Kagome snuggled up against him, her fingers tracing his chin. "Will you leave again?"
"I don't plan to." He almost said 'if there was pack business', but that wasn't part of his detail anymore. His insides hollowed at the thought that he was no longer Alpha. But Kagome was more important than any Pack position.
"What's wrong?" Kagome found herself asking this time. Kouga had wondered off, she could see it in his expression.
"Nothing. I just can't believe how lucky I am." Kouga leaned over her partially, his lips inches from hers. "Can I kiss you, Kagome?" Long ago, he wouldn't have asked. He would have just kissed her and to hell with the consequences. Those consequences had usually been a slap in the face. But he didn't want to ruin what they had growing between them with an unwanted advance. His earlier kisses had been nothing more than for her comfort.
Kagome stared up at him, her heart beating a slow, lazy rythm. She answered him by pulling his head down to hers. Her lids lowered, because, the best things in life weren't seen. They were felt.
Their first kiss seemed so long ago. This was an entirely new kiss all on its own. She was fully accepting of it. She wasn't drunk and he was in full control of his senses. This time, he could remember and savor the taste of her lips as she opened to him. He could savor the feel of her hands sliding over his forearms, feel her fingers sliding into his windswept hair. His tongue swept over her lips, seeking a silent permission before sliding inside.
Kagome sighed. This. This was what she hadn't even realized she wanted. She missed him. She took him inside, tasted him and gave him her own. He tasted like the wild. Like she remembered. The pressure of his lips were increasing, forcing her mouth wider, kissing her just a little harder. The soft bed dipped as he shifted position, his body rising up over hers and then lowering himself on his hands.
The warmth of his body was almost shocking and Kagome broke the kiss, her eyes dazed. Kouga dipped his head, his lips following the line of her chin and down the length of her throat. She touched him, her palms caressing his shoulders, needing to feel him, to reassure herself that he really was here and he wasn't leaving. She gasped at the stinging nip of his teeth against her pulse.
Her throat worked and she swallowed nervously as his head dipped lower, the top of his head brushing her chin. His tongue followed the move, dipping into the indention at the base of her throat. His right hand lifted and two fingers traced her collarbone, back and forth until goosebumps rose. His lips traced over the curve of one breast and then inbetween her clevage...so sweetly innocent...and wicked.
One lone finger traced between her breasts, barely touching her flesh before hooking in the towel. He didn't lift his head, just kissed above her pounding heart.
"Can I?" He murmured, his finger curled over the towel, almost snuggled between her breasts.
Kagome nodded mutely, no words forthcoming from her lips. She couldn't speak. Her mouth was suddenly too dry. Her chest moved in uneven breathes as that finger pulled upward, oh so slowly, and the towel followed it before one side parted and fell.
He leaned down and kissed the exposed skin, but didn't make any move to further push it away. All he did was trace the exposed curve of her breast with his lips, his tongue leaving a hot path. He placed brief kisses, until those kisses nudged the towel outward, just a little. Over and over, exposing just a little more flesh. He paused again, the edge of the towel caught on the tip of one nipple.
"Can I?" Kouga whispered again, not looking up.
He must have felt her nod with those extrodinary senses of his, because she wasn't so sure she even managed a full nod. Her breath caught in her throat as he lifted his hand and those tanned fingers slowly tugged the towel downward. The cool air touched her bare skin and her nipple beaded. Her skin flushed and Kagome gave a small cry as his lips closed around her nipple.
She shuddered, her hands suddenly fisting in his hair, holding him against her as he suckled. Holding him as his teeth nipped again and she felt the dangerous prick of his fangs. She almost wished he would bite her. The thought sent her a whole degree hotter.
"Kouga." She whispered as his other hand smoothed up her ribcage. He cupped her breast while he suckled the other, squeezing, rolling the nipple between two fingers. He rose up slightly but didn't release his hold on either breast. He spread his knees on the bed, forcing her legs wide so that he was between. His hips rolled and she could feel the hard grind of his cock between her thighs.
The towel offered little protection against his grinding hips. If anything, it added to the friction that soon had her arching up against him, riding the downward movements.
Kouga stilled against her, his entire body going taunt. His blue eyes burned as they met hers. "Dammit." He cursed softly. "I didn't come here for this." He leaned down and kissed her softly before sighing and sinking against her, careful of the soft mound of her stomach. "What is it about you that makes me lose all sense?" From the very moment he'd laid eyes on her, he never was very sane.
She drove him crazy.
That crazy went up a notch when her soft voice reached his ears.
"You don't have to stop, Kouga."
If it was possible, his entire body stiffened even more. His cock spiked rock hard and he groaned, dropping his forehead against her shoulder. He could smell her, like the fresh scent of vanilla and spice. All Kagome. She wanted him. Her body was hot and wet. She was naked except for the towel and he was fully clothed except for his armor.
God, if he'd had just one article less of clothing...
He didn't want to stop. Why was he stopping? What kind of stupid was he to stop when this was what he'd wanted all along? With another groan, Kouga kissed her shoulder. The answer was simple. He hadn't come here for this. There was a time and place for everything and their time would come again... Sango would have his head if she knew he was doing what he was doing to Kagome beneath her roof.
"I do." He murmured regretfully against her skin. His cock was a painful throb and he rolled onto his side and then pulled Kagome against him. He wrapped an arm around her, her ass snuggled against his cock. Right now he would settle for just holding her. She didn't seem to mind, not even with the towel loosely tangled around her body. He cushioned her closer and hooked his thigh over her legs.
Kagome was exhausted. He knew it from the way her body relaxed against his, the way her breath evened out as he held her.
She was blissfully asleep.
One hand possessively over the slight curve of her stomach and the other wrapped around her, he followed.
"I'm going to need you to drive your mommy and daddy crazy." Kagome cooed softly down at the baby in her arms. She tickled Kohen's tiny belly, rocking Sango's month old baby in her arms. Staring down at the child, Kagome's heart clenched. She couldn't wait to hold her own baby in her arms.
She wondered how he would look, if he would have her human features or hints of Kouga's Demonic features.
Kouga had been gone when she woke up, though it didn't surprise her. Sango was ever fearful. She felt wrong and giddy at the same time, knowing Kouga slinked around after dark for her. Last night had been...
She lifted her head and stared across the clearing. Kouga was once again the main event of Sango's brood and Kouga took pride in that. The children found it hilarious how easy Kouga knocked Hakku had Ginta off their feet.
Last night had been...
Unexpected.
A simple kiss had turned into something not so simple. There was nothing simple about their relationship.
Kouga lifted his head, as if sensing her gaze on him. He gave her a sly wink before back flipping over Hakku's attempt to catch him unawares.
Her lips twitched.
"You are just absolutely precious. You look like your daddy, but you're going to have your mommy's attitude." Kagome whispered loudly.
"I don't have an attitude." Sango said from beside her, her eyes giving way to her mirth.
"Everyone's scared of you."
Sango grinned. "As they should be."
Sometimes Kagome wished she had that flair of stubborness. She was a little too nice. She had too much heart. Kouga liked to remind her that she was absolutely perfect.
God, how she wished she could believe him.
Placing the baby in the small cradle between them she leaned forward, cupping her hands in her chin as she watched the bi-play across the field. Her brows furrowed as she straightened. "What is that..."
Her senses gave that familiar tingle of awareness. An unfamiliar Demonic aura butted up against her spiritual energy. She stood.
"What's wrong?" Sango asked stiffly, as if sensing, knowing by Kagome's sudden expression that something wasn't right.
A lone wolf stepped out of the dense foilage, its beady eyes moving over those in the field. Kagome's shoulders sagged with relief. A wolf. One of Kouga's, considering. That relief was short lived as the biplay in the field stopped all together and Kouga half turned.
"Yo." Kouga said in a suddenly stiff tone.
Kagome didn't miss the way Kouga's body movement suddenly took on a protective stance. He wasn't on the defense, but he was clearly between the children and those wolves. There were children in the field, after all. Sango noticed that brisk but silent move.
The Wolf wasn't Kouga's. Or at least, not one of his Pack's. Two more wolves stepped out in the clearing, those dark eyes not missing a thing. And three other Wolf Pack members, clear to Kagome by the furred armor they wore. Kagome could feel the sudden tension in the air and she stepped off the porch.
Something wasn't...right.
One of the three Pack Members stepped forward and then Kagome didn't see him at all. He moved too fast. But she heard the sound of his fist striking Kouga seconds before Kouga went flying backwards, his body leaving skid marks over the grass. Her blood went cold and rage filtered through her, pink light sparking at the tips of her fingers.
Hakku and Hinta yelled their sudden rage, ushering the children towards the porch and oh shit, Miroku was beside the baby and Sango was striding across the field with her boomerang across her arm. Things were happening fast, none of it making sense.
Kouga was up in an instant, his lips peeled back to reveal those deadly canines. He didn't think, he reacted and launched himself at the other Wolf Demon. Kagome was going to fry that Wolf's hide. He hadn't just jumped Kouga, there had been children present.
And he'd fucking knocked Kouga clear across the field.
It was clear to see Kouga had the upper hand, he landed his punches precisely, even if he took a few in return. Who the fuck did this Wolf think he was? Kouga jumped and then spun around, hooking his arm around the bastard's throat from behind. "You're either stupid or just have a death wish. Who the fuck are you? What the fucks your problem?" No, Kouga corrected himself. The wolf shit was both stupid and wanted to die.
A strong elbow slammed into Kouga's abdomen and he lost his hold. Hands gripped his head and jerked him down suddenly and a knee slammed into his nose and blood spurted. Kouga hit the ground on his back and the Wolf Demons foot suddenly clamped down over his chest. He leaned down on that knee, his forearm coming to rest over it as he grinned maniputively. Coldly.
"I'm your new Alpha, and trust me when I say I've been wanting to do that for a long time."