Chapter 13 – Part 2

After that crescendo of emotion, sudden stillness overcame them. Inuyasha bolted. Kagome quieted and quickly departed from the group to sit beside a stream far enough from the village for privacy. When she walked out of sight, Kouga instinctively positioned to run after her. He paused when feeling a hand firmly grasp his upper arm. It was the monk, sending a silent message through stern violet eyes. Another hand pressed gently on his chest plate

"She'll be ok," the demon slayer said. "Let her be for now." Kouga furrowed his brows and clenched his teeth, but relented.

The daylight drifted, shining sun fading in the late afternoon. Kagome was still at the stream.

"I'll go talk to her," Sango told Miroku and Kouga as they sat around a small table finishing a meager meal in the couple's hut. Sango wobbled as she stood. Miroku made a motion to assist, but she waved him off.

"Sango, are you sure you can walk that far?"

The demon slayer lifted a brow at her husband. "I'm as sure as how desperately I want to speed up this pregnancy and be done with it."

Miroku nodded and watched as his beautiful wife bowed and swiftly left the hut.

Sango appreciated the soft grass that lined her path to the stream. It felt so good beneath her swollen feet. She imagined the stream's water would be relieving too as she approached the small brook and the small, defeated woman beside it.

"Kagome?" she called softly.

Kagome sat in her typical 'distressed' position: knees drawn and head resting upon them. Her hands intertwined around her drawn legs, hugging her body protectively.

"Hi, Sango," Kagome replied, quiet and empty.

Sango gently placed her palm on Kagome's shoulder. "Kagome, I came to check on you. We've been worried. Your reaction to Inuyasha was…well…a bit uncharacteristic of you. We…we expected you would be upset and want to reflect. But your demeanor and what you said to him after yelling at him…" Sango trailed, affectionately squeezing Kagome's shoulder. "It just…wasn't what we expected."

Sango sat beside Kagome, looking over at her, studying her friend's face for her reaction. Kagome continued to look at the stream pensively. Then she smiled slightly.

"I don't know, Sango," Kagome shrugged. "I don't know if it's because I'm three years older than the last time I saw Inuyasha. If he is still searching for Kikyo, after she died right in front of us, rather than searching for me, who as far as you all knew could still be living, than what hope did I ever have?" Kagome looked directly at her friend. Sango could only nod in response.

"I've had so much support and so much preparation for this. You all told me that Inuyasha had run after Kikyo, and not me. Besides," Kagome smiled toward Sango, "I have you, Miroku, and…" Kagome trailed, softly blushing as she looked back toward the village.

Sango squeezed her best friend's hand, smiling knowingly. "He loves you so much, Kagome."

Kagome snapped back toward Sango, blushing more. She then allowed herself to look back, seeing a distant hint of purple clothing and a brown tail. "I know." She smiled. "And I don't think I'll ever have to question that."

Kagome stood quickly, reaching a hand down to her very pregnant friend. "Now let's get you back to your husband and girls. Goodness knows he's probably ready for you to take over parenting again!"

Sango rolled her eyes as she latched onto Kagome's hand to pull herself up. Then she smiled, lifting an eyebrow with amusement. "Men are helpless without us, huh?"

Kagome laughed as Sango got to her feet. "You know what? I think that may be true."

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After Sango departed from the village toward the stream to check on Kagome, Kouga quietly pulled out the necklace his mother had given him. 'To give to your mate,' her words rang in his ears. Kouga blushed with that thought. He fingered the amulet gently. Tender, loving Kagome the mate of a tough, brash wolf demon.

He smiled, holding the amulet a little tighter. He was still tough and impetuous, but not with his woman.

"So," a sly voice interjected behind him. Kouga startled from the sudden intrusion and spun around. He raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms upon seeing the culprit.

"Yes, monk?"

"I couldn't help but notice a pretty necklace in your hand," Miroku jested. He elbowed Kouga playfully. "Might that be for a pretty lady?"

Kouga blushed from embarrassment, clutching the amulet tightly in his palm to hide it. "That's not really any of your business, monk."

Miroku placed his palms together in a prayer position, rapping his fingers against each other mischievously. "Perhaps not. But, it could be my business to help you. You see, I know women inside and out…"

Kouga rolled his eyes, arms still crossed.

"And I can assist you in planning something special for your 'human' woman."

Kouga looked up.

"What do you mean, Monk?"

Miroku placed a hand loosely on Kouga's shoulder. Kouga jerked in response, frowning at the monk.

Miroku smiled slyly. "Just a hunch here, but might the amulet be a sort of…engagement ring?"

Kouga stared toward the monk, eyes wide with surprise. "Engagement…ring?"

Miroku smirked. He was having way too much fun with this. "Yes, engagement ring. It's something that a human man may give to a human woman when he asks her to marry him. I'm unfamiliar with wolf demon customs, but perhaps male wolf demons give a token to a female wolf demon with whom they intend to mate?"

Kouga's eyes were wide. "I…" he stammered, stunned by the monk's observance. "Um…" Kouga stuttered, placing a hand behind his head. "Uh…yes."

"Yes?" Miroku questioned teasingly.

"Ugh. YES!" Kouga yelled. He looked around at the questioning faces of villagers passing by. The wolf demon placed a hand over his face, exasperated, waving the villagers off to continue their pursuits.

Miroku grinned. This would all go according to plan. He placed a hand again on Kouga's shoulders. And his hand vanished upon hearing a low growl.

"Heh heh…" Miroku nervously placed a hand behind his head. "Let's check on the girls and I'll tell you what I know."

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A short time later, Kouga heard the soft steps of people walking toward the village. Everything around him slowed down. He barely registered the monk hurrying over to his currently content wife. His mind dismissed the hum of humans preparing evening meals in their huts. All his senses were focused on a single female who smelled of flowers and…him. Kagome smilled at Sango, the sunlight illuminating her beautiful raven hair. She glanced toward Kouga, smiling shyly. Her scent spiked with arousal. Kouga unintentionally licked his lips and approached her like hunter.

Kagome saw the gleam in Kouga's eyes as he advanced, her heart beating wildly in her chest. Maybe it was the look in his eyes, or the fallout from Inuyasha, or the confusion of her life in every which way, but when he reached her she instinctively put her arms up. She just wanted to escape into the comfort that feudal era Kouga always provided. He wasted no time. Kouga picked up Kagome in his arms and kissed her hard. Kagome let her arms snake around Kouga's neck, pulling him closer to her body. Kouga trailed hungry kisses from her lips, to her jaw, to her neck…

"Eh hem," someone coughed.

Kouga glared at the small group of humans interrupting important intimacy with his woman. Kagome blushed crimson and scrambled out of Kouga's embrace. Kouga scowled and crossed his arms.

"Kaede! Miroku! Sango! You know what I think it's dinner time and I would love to help you make dinner Kaede and Sango or I can cook it myself if you need a break and I…"

Kouga put one finger to her mouth and she hushed, glancing up at him. He smirked. "I didn't know I could make you this flustered."

Kagome hung her head. Could she please die now?

"Um…hey!" Sango interjected, grabbing Kagome's arm, pulling her away from a protesting wolf demon. "You can help me finish up. Remember the stream where we talked? A villager caught some fish there this morning and shared some with us in return for some vegetables. Let's prepare it to eat!"

"OK!" Kagome replied loudly, rushing off with Sango.

Kaede smiled toward the rushing raven haired woman knowingly. Love had found its way back into her heart, indeed.

Miroku smirked slyly at the wolf demon. Kouga smirked confidently back at the monk.

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A second day had passed and evening arrived. Kouga waited impatiently, keeping his offering carefully hidden as he gaged Kagome's countenance carefully through the day. Not once did he observe distance, sadness, or confusion. What he did notice were the shy smiles she snuck during the day as she engaged in daily chores with the demon slayer. He observed her blushing cheeks when he would hand her a bucket of fresh water or a freshly dried linen, anything where his clawed hands brushed against hers. He sensed her inviting scent when she was anywhere near him. So he made a decision.

Tonight would be the night.

Kouga approached Kagome after assisting with after dinner clean up. "Kagome," Kouga said softly, placing a clawed hand gently upon her shoulder.

Kagome shivered at his touch. "Yes, Kouga?" she replied, looking upward and meeting a warm smile.

Kouga caught a flash of purple in his peripheral vision. He glanced up to see the monk with two thumps up with a goofy grin. Kouga mentally rolled his eyes.

"Um…want to take a walk with me?" Kouga blurted.

Kagome smiled with a light chuckle. "Of course!"

Kouga grabbed her hand instinctively as they left along a preplanned path. Suggested by the monk…

After a while, the couple arrived at a glistening moonlit pond. They sat together, arms barely touching, watching the water ripple under the moon.

"How did I never know this pond looked so amazing at night?!" Kagome gleamed. "I've seen this place many times during the day, but at night it looks…magical," Kagome sighed wistfully. "It's such a beautiful sight."

Kagome's eyes shifted to the right. She could sense Kouga looking at her. She turned her head to study him and blushed lightly. This strong, powerful wolf demon, the alpha male of his pack, was looking at her with the tenderness and adoration considered in humans. Kagome's heart swelled.

"You're beautiful, Kagome."

She felt his hand reach up tenderly, grazing her cheek softly and smooth past her ear and into her hair, sending a shiver through her body.

"Thank you," Kagome smiled. "You're not so bad yourself," she winked.

"Only the most handsome, strong, and charming wolf demon there is," he jested.

Kagome furrowed her eyebrows when his demeanor suddenly changed. He was…nervous?

"Kouga," Kagome said questioningly, placing her hand lightly upon his shoulder.

"So, um, I'm still not sure how humans go about this," he began, his hand running through his bangs nervously while he studied the grassy bank below. "It's not exactly per wolf demon customs, but I tried to learn yours, so…" he took a deep breath. "Here it goes."

"K…Kouga?" Kagome questioned with wide eyes.

Kouga pulled out a small satchel from the waist band of his kilt.

'What is he…' Kagome wondered.

He took a deep breath and knelt before her on one knee.

'Is he?' Kagome's heart beat rapidly.

"Kagome?" Kouga asked, looking up at Kagome. Were his hands shaking.

"Yes?!" Kagome squeaked. 'He's…'

Kough inhaled a deep breath, grabbed Kagome's left hand, and stared confidently into her eyes. "A wolf demon has one mate. One and only one. For a wolf demon, the inner wolf recognizes its mate even before a demon's mind understands it. My wolf…" he paused, "recognized you."

Kagome inhaled deeply, her right hand rising toward her mouth. 'He's…'

Kouga released her hand, opening the satchel and removing what appeared to be a necklace with a wolf fang amulet. Kagome gasped.

"Kagome," Kouga continued. "My wolf has claimed its mate. It's you."

Kagome stared. She was frozen.

"I love you, Kagome. Will you, um…" Kouga scratched his head. "Um…marry me?"

Kagome's heart exploded. She smiled grandly at him. He loved her. And this big, strong demon loved her so much he learned her human customs for 'mating' and did this for her.

Kagome threw her arms around Kouga, about knocking him to the ground. "Kouga, you surprise me so much. I will never doubt your love. You even cared enough to propose to me according to human standards. I love you too," she choked. "So much."

Kouga moved Kagome away from him, studying the tears glistening on her moonlit skin.

"Are you unhappy? Did I do that wrong?" He blurted.

"No…" Kagome chuckled. "No. It was perfect."

"Then…"

"These are happy tears, Kouga. Do wolf demonesses never become emotional?" She jested, playfully patting his chest plate.

Kouga chuckled, "Ha! Apparently not like human women do."

"Just wait until I'm pregnant someday! Sango is a wreck."

Kouga stared at her astonished, just blinking at what she had said. Fire flamed through Kagome's skin.

"You have to be my mate before all of that, now," Kouga smirked. Then his gaze changed, amused to inquisitive. "Kagome…"

Kagome snapped out of her embarrassment. "Right! Well…" she trailed, her hands intertwined, fingers fumbling together. "I love you, Kouga. And I want to be with you…it's a big commitment. I mean, I have family on the other side of the well. And I'm still fairly young for a human woman to get mar…I mean, mate. So…" she glanced tentatively at him. "Can I…consider it?"

She expected him to turn away. Look disillusioned. Stomp off. Anything besides the confident smirk he showed her.

"I'm a patient demon, Kagome," he said, leaning toward her. He placed a slow, lingering kiss upon her jaw, lips wandering toward her ear. His breath warmed her inside and out. "I'll wait however long I have to," he whispered, lips grazing her ear lobe, "for my mate."

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Kagome had said goodbye to her friends in the village. She stood at the lip of the well now. She shook with anxiety, looking into the vine covered opening and into the uncomfortable possibilities upon her return.

Then she felt a pair of strong, confident hands upon her upper arms, and she smiled. She looked into a pair of sky blue eyes and her apprehension melted away. "I'll be back soon," she managed.

"Kagome," Kouga said determinedly. "I have to return to my tribe very soon. We have to get more information about Dokan. I have to talk to my mother. And then there is the mating ceremony cancellation to manage. I…" he sighed. "I have to leave in no less than three days."

Kagome nodded, anxious butterflies invading her stomach again. "Ok. Three days."

Kouga pressed Kagome into his body, inhaling her sweet and musky scent. He placed a kiss upon her head before releasing her.

Kagome smiled at the handsome demon. Clutching the wolf fang amulet that he bestowed around her neck, she grabbed her backpack and leaped into the well.