Venerable Cede

Chapter 3-Unfair

Inuyasha groaned as he sat up and felt the bump on his head.

What the hell did that bitch hit me for all I wanted was to...to

"OH FUCK NO!!!" he yelled in a rage.

Inuyasha ran to the door and tried to slide it open, only to be blown back against the wall.

"What the hell!?" he said in frustration.

He rammed to the door and beat it with his fists.

"Let me the hell outta here so I can beat up that dirty flea bitten wolf!"

His cries were met with two simultaneous sighs.

"Inuyasha I will ask you to calm down, the hut is secured by my sacred scrolls and you are not going to go do anything or going anywhere until Sango and I know that Kagome's safety has been ensured." Miroku calmly stated.

Inuyasha scowled at the door. "What the hell does that mean?!"

Sango looked through the slats at Inuyasha.

"We took Tetsusagia from you and you're being put on lock down until Kagome comes back with Kouga, safe and sound. Kagome and I decided that since you don't care enough for her then we would get someone who would. I convinced her that Kouga would make the perfect mate for her..."

"YOU DID WHAT?! LET ME OUTTA HERE! NOW I'LL KILL YOU FOR LETTING THAT STUPID ANIMAL TOUCH MY KAGOME!"

Sango's anger flared with Inuyasha's.

"IF YOU WOULD HAVE MATED HER WHEN WE GAVE YOU THE CHANCE, KOUGA WOULDN'T BE AN OPTION. YOU INSULTED HER AND TOLD HER THAT MATING WITH HER WOULD BE GROSS AND DISGUSTING!! YOU MADE HER CRY DAMN YOU!"

"NO YOUR WRONG! I DON'T CARE WHAT THE HELL YOU SAY THAT FUCKING WOLF ISN'T GOING TO TOUCH MY KAGOME!!

The two humans shook their heads as the hanyou made feeble attempts to escape the hut that was protected by Miroku's sacred seals.

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Kouga paced outside his own quarters where a healer was busy trying to save Kagome's life.

She had been half dead with blood loss and pale as snow when he had arrived. The healer, along with Kagome had been in his quarters for at least thirty minutes now and he couldn't sit down for a minute, too overcome with worry.

"Kouga!" two simultaneous voices called to him.

Kouga turned to see his best friends Ginta and Hakkaku running to him looking just as worried as he was. They stopped a foot from their leader looking at the furs that covered the door into Kouga's room.

"Kouga! Is nee-chan ok?" Ginta inquired.

Kouga sighed, "I don't know I..."

"Lord Kouga?"

Kouga turned expectantly toward the female healer that walked out of his bed chambers. Kouga rushed up to the healer.

"Is she alright?" he asked quickly.

The healer sighed, "She was torn up pretty bad and lost a lot of blood but if she survives the night she should be fine."

Kouga's face became a sign for many emotions. You could clearly see all the fear, sadness, worry and slight happiness that was etched onto this masculine features. He nodded, signaling the healer to continue her good work. She gave a bow to Kouga before she calmly walked back into the room past the furs and out of sight to stay with the injured girl. He turned to his friends who stood there becoming more worried for the sister, "She'll be fine, and that I promise" he said.

He walked into his room, leaving his friends behind to carry on the progress of the tribe in his absence, as they knew that he would stay with Kagome until she was better. He walked forward towards his chambers and moved through the doorway, his gaze met that of a disoriented Kagome on his furs, covered in bandages from head to foot, yet looking warm and content with half lidded eyes. With a look of complete worry, he walked over to her and reached for her hand, carefully sitting beside her so not to move her as he grasp it in his; she had never looked at him, only at the wall with a disoriented gaze.

"Kagome," he half whispered.

Kagome turned her head to the side and looked into his eyes. He couldn't control it when he let loose a whine. Her eyes were dull and filled with pain, but masked behind a smile that she wore upon her face.

"Hey Kouga...."

Kouga gave a fake smile of his own, trying to hide his worry and fear. "How are you doing Kagome?" he said sweetly, slowly stroking her hair.

Kagome continued to give Kouga a smile as she covered his hand with hers. "I'm ok Kouga, don't worry, I'm just tired is all."

Kagome let loose a yawn that only served to prove her point. Kouga gave a forced chuckle at her and smiled once more.

"Then sleep koibito, you need your rest," he said.

"But -"

He held up a hand, "No buts Kagome we can talk after you're all rested up"

Kagome relaxed her body, only to receive pain. She groaned before lying silent trying to ignore the pain she felt. A hand in her hair startled her a bit, and she looked up to see Kouga stroking her hair in a reassuring way. His comforting movements and caring moved her into such a comforted state that she slipped into a very deep and dreamless sleep.

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Kagome had been sleeping for a two whole days, and was never left alone. It was always Ginta, Hakkaku or Kouga that stayed with her, since they were the closest to her. Kouga was the one constantly insisting to be with her the most, despite his leader duties to the tribe. When it eventually all caught up to him he would leave her with one of his friends, no matter how much he disliked it.

On the third day they started to get worried about when exactly Kagome would wake up.

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Kagome opened her eyes slowly, trying to adjust to the light breeching her eyes. She moaned and put a hand to her head, rubbing both her eyes as if they would work better afterwards. She sat up, despite her sore back muscles and looked around the room she had not been able to admire before.

The room was full of furs from what she could guess were exotic animals. On the far wall, there was a rack full of weapons for battle. Delicate animal furs were nailed to the wall in a display for people to see the perfect game that had been caught. On the far end of the room, she saw Ginta was sitting against the wall fast asleep and it caused a giggle to escape her lips. She threw the fur covering her form off and noticed that the whole bed was made of soft animal furs stacked on hay and feathers. She admired the softness of the furs before turning her head back to Ginta. She turned and put her legs off the bed, but found her legs to be stiff. Looking down, she saw that both her whole legs had been covered. She bent to remove some of her bandages and began unraveling them. As the bandage was removed it showed that all the cuts were gone, leaving no scars behind.

Hmmm, I guess having priestess powers has its perks.

She heard a snort and turned to see Ginta mumble in his sleep and turn his head with the most peculiar look on his face. The look was a cross of amusement and excitement. It almost made her laugh out loud, his face was priceless. It must have been a good dream because his face changed into utter bliss.

She slowly stood and the unused muscles throughout her body ached, so she stretched and yawned to renew them. Her stretching helped little with her muscles but woke her up a bit more.

Ginta stirred again and she rolled her eyes.

Man he must be a heavy sleeper.

She walked over to him and giggled at the slight bit of drool coming out of his mouth before tapping him on the shoulder.

"KYA!!!" he yelled as he jumped up ready for combat.

Kagome giggled, "Calm down, it's just me."

Ginta looked surprised, "Sister you should be resting! How can you get up with injuries like you had? Get back in bed!"

Kagome tried to protest but he was too persistent as he gently led her back to bed.

"What's going on in here?" asked a worried voice.

They turned to see an unhappy wolf prince looking at Kagome.

"Kagome, what are you doing out of bed?" he asked sternly.

Kagome smiled. "I'm all better! I swear!" She ran over and hugged him and he quickly embraced her back. Ginta quietly slipped from the room unnoticed

"How did you heal so quickly?" he asked incredulously.

Kagome continued to hold him. "My priestess powers must have healed me quicker, that's all I can think of that happened."

Kouga smiled. "I'm glad you're not in pain anymore love," he said sweetly

Kagome blushed. "Thank you Kouga..."

Kouga chuckled before leaning down and placed a kiss onto her cheek. Kagome blushed a slight shade of red and shyly looked away so Kouga couldn't see. She stepped away and softly fumbled her hands together as she gathered the courage to talk to Kouga.

"K-Kouga we um, need to talk..."

Kouga turned her to face him and he nodded taking her hands into his, leading her back to his furs where they sat down together, him still holding her hands, watching and waiting for her to start their 'talk'.

Kagome shifted uncomfortably. How was she supposed to say this? She had no idea how to approach her situation, but the more she thought about it demons didn't look of sex as a one time thing so it made her all the more nervous to ask him. She pulled her hands from his and fumbled with the makeshift fur sleeping dress she figured someone had been put into at some point when she was asleep.

"Well uh, Kouga...I don't know if Shippou said anything but ummm" Kagome stopped herself because she still didn't know how to say it.

How can I ask him something like this...I'm asking for him to spend the rest of his life with me, but he couldn't possibly want me....even Inuyasha said so, I'm just useless

Kouga held up a hand as he let out another small laugh. "Don't worry about explaining it to me Kagome, your kit made it clear what was happening."

Kagome frowned, blushed and sighed all at the same time.

"Kagome what's wrong?" he asked. He wanted so badly to reach out and caress her cheek but knew that now was not the time to be thinking such things.

He watched her sigh once more and slumped her shoulders before he smelled the salt. She was crying softly as the tears flowed like rivers down her cheeks.

She's crying?

"I'm sorry Kouga"

He became confused almost immediately. Why would she be sorry? Kouga quickly reached out and pulled her into a hug which she almost immediately tried to get out of. Kouga held her more tightly and refused to let her go. He nuzzled into her hair and inhaled deeply, taking in her sweet scent.

"Why are you crying Kagome? Why are you sorry, love?"

Kagome shook her head, effectively wiping her tears on his shoulder. "I can't ask you of something this important....it unfair to you..."

Kouga took on a puzzled expression; it took several moments of deep thought from Kouga for him to realize what she meant and his grip tightened around her form. He let go and took her face into his hands so that he could see straight into her face. Her eyes were lined with tears and her lip quivered slightly.

"Listen to me Kagome, I know what you ask of me and I couldn't be happier. After all of my claims I thought you understood, I want you to be my woman."

Kagome's eyes widened slightly.

He wants me? But why? I'm nothing but a useless shard detector. He probably wants me because I can see the sacred jewel shards, not because he loves me. No one can ever love me.

She turned her back to him and shed more tears. "No one can ever love me..." she repeated softly from her thoughts.

If Kagome's head was turned to gaze at Kouga she would have seen a sad and caring face. Kouga felt wounded that his Kagome would feel unloved by him, so he pulled her into his chest, leaning down to her ear he spoke softly to her.

"That's not true Kagome...I already do" he confessed.

She turned her head and gave a puzzled look. "How can you say you love me when you don't even know me?" she asked softly with uncertainty.

Kouga smiled at her. "I know that you are the kindest person I have ever met and that you think of others before you think of yourself, just like your doing now. You're putting me before your own safety. That's what I love about you Kagome."

Kagome thought about his claims and her face changed from sad and depressed to happy and content. She quickly wrapped her arms around his torso and hugged him as tight as she could.

Kouga released her and she followed suit looking at him curiously as he sat up straight and cleared his throat.

"Kagome, I wish you to bestow upon me the honor of becoming your mate" he said formally.

Kagome smiled. He actually asked her officially to become his mate. She sighed as she smiled but nervousness clenched her.

She put her hands in his and smiled, "I would love to Kouga, but do you think you could give me a few days. You know, to adjust and get to know one another?"

He felt as if he were blessed by Kagome's willingness to become his mate but somehow was not surprised that she wouldn't be ready. He kept a concerned straight face.

"I understand that Kagome, I know this would be a change for you but you can't blame me for wanting to make sure your safe as soon as possible. I don't know what I would do if I lost you." he said earnestly.

Kagome placed a hand upon his cheek and smiled. "Don't worry Kouga we're far away from where the snake youkai were attacking, I should be safe"

Kouga gave a curt nod. "Alright but you are to have someone with you at all times, so that I know you're safe"

She nodded in acknowledgement to his serious tone. He stood and helped her off the bed. He leaned down and placed a kiss on her brow.

"I have to go hunt with some of the pack. Hakkaku will be here to protect you and see if you need anything."

Kagome smiled and hugged him before he walked out of the room. She looked to where he left only to have Hakkaku walk in smiling.

"So Nee-chan, what do you need?"

Kagome smiled, she knew this was going to be fun.