Adult-FanFiction.org : Inuyasha / Yashahime

My Woman	By : scattered-dimensions Category: InuYasha > Het - Male/Female > Kouga/Kagome Views: 16033 -:- Recommendations : 4 -:- Currently Reading : 6
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha. This is purely fiction. No profit involved.

Chapter List
- 14
- 15
- 16
Hiroshi hated this place. The tunnel stunk to high bloody Nirvana and he wasn’t sure what viscous fluid squished under his bare feet as he walked. Whatever it was, it made him want to yack. He pushed his fist under his nose and concentrated on breathing through his mouth which did nothing to alleviate his nausea. He always bathed twice after leaving this pit before returning to the pack.
He had been over the moon that Ayame’s life was spared, even if she was banished from the pack’s lands, but it had posed a larger problem. When spring returned, so did the ever growing snake youkai population. Ayame was alone in the wilderness, all except for his daily, sometimes nightly visits, which left her open to attack. He couldn’t have that. So he struck up a deal with the snake youkai leader, Keiji. Hence the smelly treks into this dank, putrid hole in the earth.
Ayame knew about the alliance, but thought that he was feeding them information about surrounding clans in the Eastern lands and was diverting their attention away from the pack just to keep her safe. Poor, sweet, naive Ayame didn’t need to know that he had a plan swirling in the mist to hand the Eastern Ookami tribe over on a silver platter. It would be the final downfall of that arrogant prick, Kouga and would allow him to rise in rank as the new Alpha. He had supporters, sure, over half the pack had backed him at the Council hearing a few months back, but they were still ever loyal to the Elders and their Alpha. It kind of pissed him off, but he figured that once he proved his strength over Kouga’s they would fall under his reign and be just as loyal. How hard could it be really?
Kouga had made quite the spectacle of himself when he cursed the Elders for forbidding him to contact that human. How undignified. The rumors that were spreading about their fearless leader were juicy and for once not started by him. They were saying Kouga had been bewitched by the Miko enchantress and had lost his good senses. He was rarely ever seen at the den anymore, but when he was he was a disheveled mess, most of the time covered in blood. The only thing that saved his reputation was the fact that Saburo picked up the slack and adamantly declared Kouga to be fine. That little brown noser was the next on his list. The way he followed Kouga around was disgusting. Saburo would tell everyone that Kouga was looking out for the well-being of the pack, to keep them from having to worry about constant attack. Oh, if he only knew.
Kouga was openly attacking any snake demon he came across on the ookami territory. That had only served to enrage the leader of their massive clan, Keiji, and had allowed Hiroshi to get his foot in the door. He had found the main nest without a problem, allowing himself to be captured and using his silver tongue to weasel his way into their good graces. He had struck an accord with Keiji, helping him find the best hunting grounds that would supply his ever growing horde without raising the Elders suspicions. He even reported on the goings on of day to day pack life, giving them the knowledge of their usual routines and most susceptible moments during the days and weeks to come. Keiji’s goal was simple, to eradicate the wolves and take over their lands, but Hiroshi had convinced him otherwise.
They had worked out a plan that would allow him to develop a ruse to gain the trust of the pack by eliminating the supposed leader of the opposing demons, who would be some unsuspecting male not Keiji himself, and usurp Kouga’s title. Once he had become Alpha, he would prove his greatness by joining factions with the snake clan and expanding their territory throughout the East. With Keiji’s numbers and his pack’s strategy and group tactics they would be an unstoppable force, elevating his name in the histories above even their ancestors in greatness. Any and all who defied them would be eliminated.
“Ah, Hirosssshi, how nicccce of you to vissssit. To what do I owe the pleassssure?” Keiji hissed as he entered his main chambers.
“Just checking in as usual, Keiji. Thought I would let you know about the ceremony inducting a new cub into our ranks. Speaking of offspring how are the new hatchlings doing?” Hiroshi asked as pleasantly as he could considering his surroundings.
“It sssseemssss we have had to deal with your Alpha wolf ssssooner than anticcccipated. Our numberssss have begun to deminissssh. I will not tolerate him murdering my young. The venom my underlingsssss injected sssshould end hisssss life sssssoon.”
“You injected him with poison? You do know that can be healed, right?”
“Hahaha. Foolissssh wolf. The venom issss odorlesssss, tasssstelessss, completely untracccceable. One cannot heal what they cannot find.” Keiji continued to chuckle at his guest.
“Ah, well good riddance, eh? That just leaves that pest Saburo and the Elders to contend with.” Hiroshi said, carefully leaning against a dirt caked wall.
“The death of your pack leader sssshould breed contention within your rankssss, correct?”
“Naturally, there will be many months debate on who is worthy enough to lead the pack. Saburo will probably stand in as leader until another is picked.”
“Then we musssst insssssure you are the only one deemed worthy for ssssuch a posssssition.” Keiji retorted scratching his scaly head in contemplation.
“Easier said than done. No matter the outcome of pack leader, you must be ready to carry out our little plan on the first night of the Autumn Festival this year. They will be caught with their furs down, quite literally, I assure you.” Hiroshi said cracking a devilish smile at his little joke.
“Yessss, all will be ready. You need not worry, comrade. Pleasssse, Hirosssshi, join me for dinner.” Keiji hissed motioning to a seat closer to him.
There were screams echoing down the hall and drawing closer. Two snake youkai dragged in a struggling and terrified human girl, her eyes darting around the slimy chamber like a rabid animal caught in a trap.
“SSSShe ssssmellssss delicccccioussss, doessssn’t ssssshe?” Keiji hissed, cold black eyes trained on the girl.
“Yes, mouthwatering.” Keiji answered, the predatory gleam in his eyes matching his coconspirator’s dark glare.

It had been four days, four agonizingly long days and three even longer nights, since Kouga was inflicted by this mystery illness. Saburo didn’t know what to make of it. He smelled no poison. He even tasted Kouga’s blood only to find it clean. He was at a loss and Kouga was getting worse. He, Ginta, and Hakkaku had wrapped Kouga up in several layers of furs and tied them to keep him from thrashing during his many seizures on their way to Edo. They couldn’t waste anytime stopping, except for emergencies. They would have to run, top speed, carrying Kouga the whole way. Saburo just hoped Kagome will want to help after all these months and after the terrible treatment of the Elders.
Nothing had changed as far as he was concerned. She was still pack, still his little sister, and she was still the only thing Kouga would live for. The closer he got Kouga to Kagome the better. Even if she didn’t know a cure, her presence alone could be the best medicine for the ailing Prince. Considering the whole of the situation, Kouga’s mental state, his turbulent emotions or lack thereof, and his malady, it seemed to be the best option available.
Now, for the tricky part. How to get Kouga out of the den and off the lands before they were noticed? It was summer and the scorching heat had most of the pack sleeping outdoors. They would have to wait a few more hours and hope that everyone was asleep before sneaking out with Kouga. Everything should be okay, as long as they were quiet and Kouga didn’t go into one of his fits. Saburo’s father had always told him to expect the unexpected that way you will always be prepared, but how do you prepare for something like this?
“Ginta, how many are sleeping in the common den tonight?” Saburo asked formulating the best way to go about this.
“About ten, I think. There’s also about 18 or so around the entrance, but I think they’re going to sleep somewhere else.”
“Okay, this is what I need you to do. You’re going to be posted on guard tonight. Hakkaku and I will carry Kouga out through the falls here in his den. You meet up with us after shift change.”
“What if someone sees you?” Ginta asked concerned.
“You keep a look out. If we attract any attention, cause a distraction.” Saburo replied like it was the simplest thing in the world.
“I don’t like this.” Ginta huffed.
“You got a better idea, idiot?” Hakkaku asked.
“Well, uh, no.” Ginta answered scratching his head.
“Okay, then. Just do what he says.” Hakkaku commanded, shaking his head.
“Hakkaku meet me back here after the moon reaches the treetops. Ginta you go directly to your post.”
Saburo watched both wolves nod in understanding and agreement. He sat back and waited, keeping an ever watchful eye on his pack brother, who lay sleeping at his feet.

Kagome stared at the Taiyoukai’s upturned hand suspiciously from her position on the ground. He hadn’t declared a victory yet and she was in no hurry to be tossed around again. She didn’t remember him being this brutal during training before or this sneaky.
“Come, Miko. It is an offering to help you stand.” Sesshomaru said breaking into her thoughts.
“Yeah, I see that, but you’re just going to flip me on my back again or sling me into a tree. So, I think I’ll stand on my own.” She replied slightly annoyed.
She stood cautiously, never taking her eyes off her sensei. He just stood there watching her as well, immaculate as ever. He was devoid of his armor and swords. His alabaster skin shimmered in the waning light of the day. He trained her without his haori since their incident in the river, constantly flaunting the blue ribbon around his wrist. She hadn’t bested him yet, and he refused to give her a break. She seemed to walk away with twice the bruises and aches that she used to have after their bouts. She never questioned him, just continued to fling herself at him from any and every angle she could imagine, only to be put on her butt.
“You have yet to retrieve the prize, Miko. Do you surrender?” He asked raking the hand that was adorned with the silk band through his silver locks.
It was a dramatic display, or would be if it were anyone other than Sesshomaru doing it. Kagome set her stance and rushed him, he was ready for her. She lifted her leg, but before she extended her foot to land a kick on his side, she retracted it and crouched low, effectively putting him off his game. She took advantage of his momentary lapse and sprung forward, tackling him to the ground. She lunged across him reaching for the long arm holding her prize, her precious gift from Kouga. Sesshomaru sat up before she could reach it, the motion causing her to roll onto the grass beside him.
“I won. This means I get my ribbon back.” She pouted and crossed her arms like a spoiled child.
Sesshomaru stood and walked to their usual meditation spot and took his place. When she didn’t follow immediately, he quirked an eyebrow in her direction. She sighed and took her place in front of him.
“You have earned your ribbon back.” He said matter of factly.
She reached forward, still sitting, but was stopped by Sesshomaru’s hand on her forehead, holding her back.
“But first, you will explain a few things to me.”
She dropped her hands and leaned her weight into his outstretched palm, closing her eyes in dread.
“What do you want to know?” She asked resigning to her fate.
Sesshomaru smirked and pulled his hand away quickly, watching her double over.
“What caused your emotional deterioration after leaving the wolves?”
“I guess I was happy there. I didn’t know how much I missed my pack brothers until I saw them again.” She answered sadly, the very mention of the word wolf, sending images unbidden and painful through her mind.
“Your actions were more in tuned with an emotional death, quite similar to my ignorant half-brother’s breakdown after the demise of the clay Miko.” He said conversationally, his curiosity in high spirits.
“Wait, a dog-gone minute.” She paused when he raised another eyebrow at her use of words. “No offense, but you noticed that? I didn’t think you cared about InuYasha.”
“Hn. This question is about you, not the half-breed.”
“Look, I can’t explain it, okay. I don’t know how.” She said quietly, knotting a fist over her heart, trying to soothe the squeezing pain in her chest.
“It seems to me that you know more than you are admitting to yourself. I can smell your pain. Being rejected by the wolf Council would not cause such grief in one such as you, Miko.”
“What are you…?”
He cut her off by raising his hand, showing off the blue ribbon on his wrist again.
“What does this mean to you? Why was this something you chose to fight for and not for yourself?”
She didn’t answer, didn’t know how. She missed them, all of them, but there was something clawing at her beneath it all. A deep seated longing, but for what she didn’t know. She had felt it for months now, ever since she left, but she assumed it was because she had to leave another family and return alone. She wasn’t really alone, Shippo was back and InuYasha had more than made up for his stupidity. Everything was back to normal, everything except her that is. She was never more than a few sidesteps away from the precipice of despair, it was so foreign and at times blocked out everything else, leaving her numb, a walking zombie, just going through the motions of her daily activities.
Sesshomaru watched as the gears clanked in her head. She began to recede into herself again and this time he let her, if only for a moment. This had been a constant battle for months, to keep her grounded and at the forefront of her mind. Humans and their emotions were so exhausting and this onna had many. So many, that even she was unable to understand them all.
He had been there at the Council hearing, had smelled the wolf Prince’s scent on her. He knew what that meant, what they had done. He saw her emotional state crumble, her sunny nature extinguish with every goodbye she made, but when she looked upon the Prince, she broke. He had never felt so many emotions come from any being like they had from her that day. It was as if her very soul was exploding with grief and being swallowed whole at the same time. Then there was her behavior on the way back to the village. He had kept his senses trained on her, expecting her to just stop and give in to the pain, but she had fought to remain upright. When he returned in the spring, she had been reduced to a hallow shell of her former self, a husk devoid of life, but she loved this ribbon like it was the only color in her life.
“Why did this piece of trivial silk spawn such fire in you, Miko, after all light in your life had died? Is it because the wolf Prince gave it to you?”
Her head shot up suddenly locking deep brown to cool amber, searching for the underlying meaning to his question, looking for a hint to solve her inner conundrum.
“How did you know Kouga gave that to me?”
“It smelled of him when I took it from you.”
“Smelled? It doesn’t anymore?”
She didn’t know why that bothered her. It made that perplexing longing throb. She didn’t even remember the reason she grabbed it before she left his personal chambers.
“No, it doesn’t. His scent has long since faded. You still have not answered my question. What does this mean to you?”
“It was another family I lost.” She replied unconvincing, even to herself.
“You’re being daft, girl. Perhaps I am asking the wrong question. You seem to think that this despair is centralized around a group of individuals. Allow me to put it in perspective for you, who does this represent and what do they mean to you?”
He untied the ribbon and handed it to her. It was frayed and missing the beautiful beaded designs, but it was still soft and cool on her fingers. She thought about Sesshomaru’s words while twirling the missed band through her slender fingers. Who did this represent? She thought of Kouga, grinning at her for taking his bathing water. The vice around her heart tightened. She could almost feel his strong, calloused finger tips on her neck as he tied the ribbon, this ribbon, in place on her head. She heard his words in her mind. ‘I love you, Kagome. I always have and nothing is going to change that. Every moment I’ve ever spent with you has been a gift from the Gods.’
She barely noticed the tears that began to fall from her eyes. She was too busy remembering the loving way he had caressed her body, worshipping every imperfect inch of her human skin as he brought her such mind-numbing pleasure, asking nothing in return. He had been so attentive to her needs, so giving. He knew she didn’t feel the same way he did and had understood.
She listened to Saburo’s voice. ‘He has refused to take a mate in all the years you two have been apart. He missed you terribly and talked about you sometimes. A testament to his devotion to you lies in what has occurred recently. Never once did he leave your side. He refused all who would try to assist him in taking care of you, claiming it was his duty as your mate. He spent many weeks without food or sleep keeping a constant vigil over you. I have never seen him in such a state.’
Kagome looked back on their daily routine, the way they shared the same space in perfect harmony, the comfort and safety she felt while being wrapped in his arms at night. It hit her like a freak thunderstorm, lightening running straight to her brain. Everything suddenly made perfect sense, it didn’t hurt any less, but at least she could formulate the words.
“I…I love him. I’m in love with Kouga.”
“Indeed.”
She missed the knowing smirk, too lost it contemplation of her admission. Sesshomaru offered his hand to her again and this time she took it without hesitation.
“How could I have missed this?” She said more to herself than to Sesshomaru, who had already donned his personal effects.
“You have the habit of forgetting yourself in your focus on others, Miko. It is not surprising you missed such a selfish emotion. It grows late, we must return.”
She stepped into his embrace and they raced toward the village.
Sesshomaru stiffened when they came into view of her hut. She could hear InuYasha yelling something. Shippo was standing in front of the door, blocking the hanyou from entering, his little fists glowing blue with his fox fire.
“Prepare yourself, Miko. The wolves have returned.”
It should have made her happy, but her stomach churned in terrible knots. Something told her this wasn’t going to be a pleasant reunion, irate hanyou or not. She rushed past InuYasha and through the bamboo flap over the door. The sight on the other side caused her to freeze, her legs buckled and she fell to her knees, tears springing to her eyes.
Kouga was lying on her futon, his normal copper complexion, ashen and dull. He was covered head to toe in sweat, convulsing. His saliva foamed from his lips as the other three wolves attempted to hold his head and jerking limbs. Then he was still. They released him; Saburo wiped his brow with a clawed hand and looked at her. She couldn’t make her throat work to ask, so she conveyed it in that one look. Thankfully, her friend understood.
“Ginta found him like this in his den a few days ago. We don’t know what happened. All we know is he’s getting worse. Sister, please, he needs you. We don’t know what to do. Help him, please.” Saburo’s voice was pleading, defeated, and weary.
She found the strength to stand and made her way over to Kouga’s side. She placed a trembling hand on his forehead, the heat from his fever snapping her out of her daze and into action.
“Ginta, Hakkaku, gather buckets of cold water from the river and as many rags as you can find. Saburo go wake Kaede, take Shippo with you. Sesshomaru-sama?”
She hadn’t raised her voice, but she knew he heard her. He stepped into the hut as the other three left to complete their tasks.
“I know it’s a lot to ask, but can you entertain InuYasha for a while. I don’t have time to sit him…”
There was a loud thud outside and a muffled ‘Damn you, wench’ from the dirt bound hanyou.
“It will be this Sesshomaru’s pleasure.” He said, his proper speech back in place and an evil smirk crossing his perfect features.
It was slightly terrifying, but she ignored it. InuYasha could hold his own. Kagome returned her full attention to Kouga, stripping the wet furs off his glistening body without waiting for Sesshomaru to leave. He was burning up and the sweat beaded off his chiseled body pooled underneath him. His soft, tantalizing lips were cracked from dehydration and crusted with blood from where they split. He had several scrapes and bruises from where his claws dug into his sides during his seizure and from the pressure the boys used to hold him down. Whatever was affecting him was also preventing him from healing properly. These marks should have been gone by now.
Once she had divested him of his clothes, she began inspecting every inch of his skin to determine the cause of his condition. She lifted each of his brawny arms, inspecting every inch meticulously, from claw to shoulder, before hefting up each of his powerful legs. She looked them over, but couldn’t do a thorough search. They were too long and she was just too small and weak to hold them up the way she needed. So she moved on to his face, neck and upper torso. She found nothing. Ginta and Hakkaku stepped in at that moment and put the buckets and rags down next to her.
“Find anything, sis?” Hakkaku asked, kneeling beside her, Ginta following suit.
“Not yet. I need you guys to help me roll him over. Keep him strait. Don’t let him bend.”
They did what she wanted. She moved his tangled black mass of hair away from the slick skin on his back, revealing several scars. She continued her survey down his back, finding nothing out of the ordinary, just a few scars that hadn’t been there before. She focused her attention lower, moving his coarse, bushy tail aside exposing his taut round buttocks. She had to remind herself what she was doing. Kouga took a deep quaking breath, effectively extinguishing the small fire that had begun to burn within her.
She slid her hands across the expanse of his hard, muscular thighs, over the soft bend of his knees and down each calf. She moved to kneel at his feet and bent his left leg back, resting it in the crook of her arm, as she scanned the sole of his foot, moving each clawed toe to look between them. She moved to his right leg, giving it the same treatment. She moved his big toe aside, finding a small round puncture hole that hadn’t even scabbed over. Her brow furrowed and she continued moving each toe aside, finding an identical puncture wound in between his middle toe and his fourth one. It looked like a snake bite and a strangely positioned one, too.
She had a sudden flash back to the snake youkai that captured her. She had been on Kouga’s territory when Saburo found her tied to the tree being beaten.
“Ginta, was Kouga attacked by snake demons?” She asked massaging Kouga’s foot trying to offer comfort to the wounded ookami.
“He’s been eradicating the snake youkai nests off our lands since the weather turned warm. Why, sis? Did you find something?” Ginta answered, suddenly apprehensive and excited all at once.
“Yeah, I did. He’s been poisoned by a well-placed snake bite. Look.” She said showing her ookami brothers the puncture holes between Kouga’s toes.
“He does not look well, child. Step aside and let this old woman have a look at him.” Kaede’s raspy, sleep laden voice came from behind them.
Kagome placed Kouga’s foot down gingerly and moved to make room for Kaede. The elderly Miko inspected the wounds without saying a word.
“Roll him onto his back.” Kaede said to no one in particular.
Ginta and Hakkaku did as she said and Kagome placed a clean towel over Kouga’s nether regions to give him some semblance of modesty. Kaede looked over his body much the same as she had, inspecting every inch of his skin. Kouga’s muscles contracted suddenly and his head jerked violently. Saburo moved faster than the human eye could catch, moving the old Miko out of the way. Ginta and Hakkaku moved to restrain him as he began to undergo another seizure. Kouga’s erratic movements caused Ginta to miss his arm which thrashed out of his grasp, connecting with the side of Kagome’s face and sending her flying into the far wall of the hut. She crumbled on the floor and watched through fuzzy eyes as Kouga’s violent movements subsided, leaving him calm once more.
“Are ye alright, child?” Kaede asked as Saburo hauled Kagome to her feet.
She left his arms to return to Kouga’s side.
“Yeah, I’m fine. So what do you think, Kaede?” She asked ignoring the throbbing pain splicing across the side of her head.
“He has been poisoned, but it has been in his system for many days. I will take ye boys into the woods with me tonight to gather the herbs needed.” She replied solemnly.
“Will he be okay?” Kagome asked her eyes misting, threatening tears.
“He is a demon. I have little experience healing their kind, but I will do my best to save him. Stay with him, child. He will need, ye.” Kaede said before nodding to Saburo.
Saburo, Ginta, and Hakkaku followed the old woman from the hut leaving Kagome alone with Kouga. She dunked a rag into the cool water, ringing out the excess, before wiping his heated brow. Her hands shook and she finally gave in to the grief. She dropped the wet rag and curled into Kouga’s side, resting her cheek on the heaving expanse of his chest, wrapping her arms around him the best she could, and cried, begging him through broken sobs.
“Don’t leave me, please, please, please. I love you, Kouga, please, oh, please. Don’t leave me.”

A/N: And the plot thickens...again. ^.^
Just want to thank puppydog, nique217, KEdakumi, & Tassana_Burrfoot for the reviews. You guys are great.
I appreciate everyone who has stuck with me throughout the twists and turns. I know it's getting a little heartwrenching, but I swear it will all be worth while.
I will update soon!
~scattered-dimensions~
- 14
- 15
- 16
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

My Woman