23

As a Wolf Demon, when Kouga came, he came. Kagome didn't want to think of the possibility that she could not be pregnant because of last night. He'd made it clear he wanted her pregnant. The first time had been luck—accidental—but now it was on his mind. He wanted a pup. By her.

She ran her hands up and down her arms. What was she going to do? She didn't want to say no. She wasn't even sure she could because when she was in his arms, all of her thoughts went to the wind. Startled, she glanced up when the object of her thoughts slid his hands around her from behind. He tugged her back against him, rubbing his chin against the top of her head.

While he may want her pregnant, he knew her carrying his pup would drive Kumiko insane with jealousy. Possibly even bring him out in the open. He didn't like the idea of putting Kagome and his unborn child in danger but the opportunity was there. He could kill two stones with one. He'd have to keep that to himself, though. Kagome wouldn't be too happy if she knew where his direction of thought had headed.

"It'll be alright, I promise, Kagome." He kissed his ear and inhaled her luscious scent. Disappointment filtered through him when he realized she wasn't pregnant. Yet. While he was disappointed, he wouldn't mind partaking in the making of his future pups, he thought with a smile. He'd gladly enjoy it.

Kagome stared down at the ground and slid her arms over his, embracing him. "How do you know? Kumiko isn't exactly in the right state of mind." She sighed softly. "If I'm pregnant again…it'll kill me to lose another child, Kouga."

"You're not pregnant."

She pulled out of his arms and turned. "How do you know?"

He tapped his nose and grinned. "Wolf Demon." He pulled her back into his arms, his hands sliding down to rest on the curve of her hips before he pulled her even closer. She had no choice but to rise up on her tiptoes. "Trust me to protect you, Kagome." He murmured against her lips.

"I do." She did. It was any baby she might conceive that frightened her. She wasn't afraid that he might fail her on that. No, she was afraid she would. Conceiving would leave her inadequate to properly fight—to protect. All it would take is one wrong move, one strike from anything; anyone and she would lose the baby.

They were at odds. Kouga would go to any lengths to stop Kumiko and to see Kumiko pregnant with his pup. Kagome would do anything to stop that from happening. She couldn't bear the death of another innocent on her hands.

Maybe if she'd been stronger, her body harder against such threats, it wouldn't have happened. She pressed her cheek against his chest, listening to the soothing sound of his heartbeat. If only…She closed her eyes. If she'd been a Wolf Demon like Kouga she would be more durable.

"Stop it."

She glanced up, one hand pressed against his stomach. "What?"

"You're thinking. Stop it." When his Kagome started thinking, she went down the wrong road. Her mind went wild and she came up with all kinds of ideas—not all of them good. At least, not in his opinion.

She smiled. He really needed to mind his own business sometimes. He thought he was always in control. "I'm only thinking of one thing, Kouga…" She said as her hand drifted down the hard planes of his stomach and then lower.

Kagome didn't voice her inner turmoil to Kouga. He would, no doubt, reassure her. Or try to, anyways. How foolish was she, to even consider this? Anything seemed to be possible here. Where there was demons and magic, there was a possibility. She ran her hand through the sleek fur of the wolf at her side as she entered the small village. Some people would know who she was and some would not.

She was looked down upon by many people for the fact that she was a priestess yet she chose to live with the pack of a Wolf Demon—to be his mate. Others ignored the fact, ones who knew not all demons were evil. There was a priestess in the village. One of great power just as she was—maybe even more. "Come on." She snapped her fingers and the wolf followed her, eyeing the humans that even dared to look at her. They meant her no harm but she was family to every member of the pack and he guarded her. Just like Kouga would.

The hut was near the end. A tall narrow shaped building. When she walked inside it was quiet. The floors were polished and candles lit the walls.

"Yes?" The voice was soft. Pure and innocent.

Kagome felt the vibe of power in the voice alone. The woman was dressed in the garb of a priestess and she was beautiful. Her eyes, they seemed too cold though. Before Kagome could speak the priestess held up a hand, halting her as she took in Kagomes face and then her figure, her clothing.

"So you're the Priestess who runs with the wolves and their Wolf Demon king."

Kagome nodded and sank down, folding her knees beneath her on the pallet before the Priestess. "I have a favor to ask. If it's even possible."

The way the Priestess stared at her unnerved her. Kagome didn't show the unease though.

"Yes?"

Kagome paused, not sure of what to say. "I want to be like Kouga." His name was well known.

"Your mate, Priestess?" The cold eyes narrowed.

Kagome nodded. She wanted to be what Kouga was—so she could fully be part of his family. She wanted to be a Wolf Demon.

The look on the Priestess' face was unreadable as she stood and turned. When she turned she held a sutra in her hand. The symbols were unfamiliar to her but so delicately written onto the fine paper.

"I see. Do not move."

The Priestess kneeled before her and took Kagomes hands in her own. "You will have to do this." She folded Kagomes hands around the sutra. "Place it on your chest."

Kagome closed her fingers around the sutra and placed the small paper on her chest, direct center. The moment the sutra touched bare skin the sutra flared white against her flesh. It molded itself to her flesh and Kagome felt the energy pierce her body. Her back arched and her flesh tingled and then the Priestess reached out and slowly peeled the sutra off.

A light, pink aura followed the sutra, training from Kagomes body until there was nothing left but what floated behind the sutra. As she watched, she felt strangely week, as if something precious had been taken from her. But she knew—knew—she was no demon.

"What did you do?" Her voice was low—cautious.

The Priestess' eyes narrowed as she stared at the floating aura as the sutra absorbed it. Then she glanced at Kagome. "I won't disgrace you further—or myself—by turning you into an abomination. You disgraced yourself when you mated yourself to a Wolf Demon. The leader of their pack." She held the sutra. "You were very powerful, perhaps even more than I. Now go. I took what you did not deserve. Go, or I'll slay your pet." Her voice was rifled with disgust.

That was why Kagome felt so strange—off kilter. She was completely human. No longer a priestess.

"Your Prince may not even want you when he learns you are fully human." The Priestess' smile was cruel. "You may not even survive the next mating. Your powers kept his true nature in check. If he keeps you longer than this day, you'll likely die while he takes you from the true nature of his wolf characteristics."

Kagome stared at the Priestess, her eyes narrowing. "Give them back." The wolf at her side growled and the Priestess lifted an arrow suddenly. "Leave or he dies."

The wolf growled again, sensing the threat to Kagome, knowing something had happened. Kagome placed her hand on his head, halting him.

What had she done?