My Happy Ending

Chapter Eleven: Kira’s Return

Ayame felt as if the last few days had passed in a whirlwind. Today was the day she was to tell Kouga of her decision. She only hoped she was making the right one. She couldn’t bare anymore heartache. She was currently searching for the male occupying her thoughts in the village. He had said he was going to help Miroku and Sango with their hut. When she’d asked them, they said he’d left at around midday to help some villagers in the fields. She was heading that way now.

When the fields came in to view, her gaze wandered over the many men tending the crops, hoping to spot the form of her mate. Finally, her eyes landed on the sculpted physique of the male in question. She hurried down to the fields; headed for the one responsible for the turmoil she’d faced in the last four years. Even now, he made her heart race with anticipation. She came to a halt in front of him, staring into a pair of ice blue eyes.

“It’s been a few days,” she started softly. Suddenly, she was nervous. What she decided today could have repercussions for years to come. After all, youkai lived far longer than other beings.

“I know,” he answered in an anguished whisper. She could see the pain and fear in his eyes. It lightened her heart to know she wasn’t the only one suffering. It gave her hope that her decision would be best for them.

“Meet me at the clearing by Kagome’s well one hour before sunset. I have some things I want to get off my chest before I tell you my decision,” she said firmly, inwardly shaking like a leaf. She didn’t want to show any weakness at this point in time. She’d been the week one for the last four years. It was time she became proactive in her life.

“I’ll be there, Ayame,” he said tightly. She saw tears quickly feeling his eyes, frightening her. He should never be made to cry. He’d always been the strong one. To see him like this was killing her. Turning from the disturbing sight, she quickly left the village fields.

The next few hours passed quickly for the petite wolf princess. She began the long trek to the clearing she’d told Kouga to meet her at. To think the next few minutes would decide the rest of her life was mind numbing. Lost in thought, she quickly reached the clearing, coming up short when she noticed that her mate was already there, sitting on the lip of the well.

“You’re early,” she exclaimed, coming to a stop at the edge of the clearing.

“I couldn’t keep still waiting in the village, so I decided to come here,” he answered smoothly. He was fairly radiating tension.

“I guess we can get started then,” she answered simply. Moving farther into the clearing, she gracefully sank to the ground, facing the agitated male.
“Ayame, if you’re going to tell me it’s over, please don’t draw it out,” he pleaded anxiously. Smiling in sympathy, she gently shook her head. He needed to hear what she had to say.

“Kouga, you need to listen to what I have to say. Please,” she asked. Seeing his gaze soften, she cleared her throat and began.

“These last four years have been hell for me, Kouga. I chased you all over Japan, but you could never see me because you were blinded by Kagome,” she started. Seeing him about to protest, she held up a hand to silence him.

“You know it’s true, but that’s in the past. I’m more concerned with the future. How can I be sure that you’ll fully commit to me,” she asked plaintively. So much depended on trust, and she wasn’t sure she had it anymore.

“What do you mean,” he asked quizzically.

“I mean, what if another girl comes along that reminds you of Kagome and you leave me again,” she said exasperatedly. Honestly, what had started this in the first place; his fascination with a certain miko. She cared for Kagome, but it was partly her fault, in a way, that Ayame was so miserable at the moment.

“Kira taught me that lesson well enough. I’m not infatuated with Kagome anymore. Nothing like that could happen,” he said tiredly. She could see the strain these last few weeks had put on him, but the air needed to be cleared.

“How can I be sure of that? You’ve never given any indication that our mating was anything more than diplomatic. I don’t want that kind of relationship,” she shot back. If she was going to agree to be his mate, and she still wasn’t sure about that, she wanted it all.

“I didn’t hunt you down for the hell of it,” he said, anger starting to tinge his words. He began to pace restlessly in the clearing. She watched him in sympathy, but she wasn’t going to let this be easy for him.

“You did that because you felt guilty,” she answered. Honestly, he’d never indicated otherwise. And he should feel guilty.

“It wasn’t just guilt,” he shouted angrily, fire flashing in his eyes.

“Than what was it,” she yelled back, rising quickly to her feet. She suddenly found herself staring into a pair of angry blue eyes, twin hands of steel gripping her arms with bruising force. What the hell?!

“Kouga, let go of me,” she said quietly, afraid of provoking the aggravated demon further. She really hoped this wasn’t going to be a repeat of a few days ago. That sure as hell wouldn’t solve their problems. She felt the hands around her arms let go as if burned. Gingerly, she rubbed their imprint away. She was definitely going to have a few bruises tomorrow.

“What was that about,” she said angrily. Honestly, men were such a pain. She still wasn’t quite sure why she loved the idiot, and she was even less sure if she should stay with him. Eyeing him carefully, she saw the play of emotions across his face.

“Ayame, I,” he began before feminine laughter filled the air. Twin heads of surprise turned to a copse of trees behind her head. She gasped in surprise while Kouga growled in annoyance. He really didn’t need this right now. Kira looked down upon the two demons arguing in the clearing. She couldn’t have asked for better. Jumping from her perch in the trees, she landed with a barely audible thump on the ground behind Ayame.

“Well, Kouga, fancy seeing you hear,” she whispered huskily. She could see the frustration in his eyes. Grinning maliciously, she stepped closer to the red-headed female she’d come for.

“What do you want Kira,” he ground out. What was she doing here? Hadn’t he told her he wouldn’t hesitate to kill her if she ever came near him or Ayame again? Growling in warning, he watched as she stepped closer to his mate. The sunlight glinted of the knife she held in her hand before it was pressed to the small woman’s throat.

“I’ve come to get rid of your mate, love,” she purred, pressing the blade more firmly against her competition’s throat. She’d waited weeks to have her revenge against the bitch. It was her fault that Kouga wasn’t in her bed right now.

“And what good will that do,” he asked tersely. He watched the knife carefully, ready to spring if she tried to hurt Ayame. He should have just killed her when he found out about her betrayal.

“Come on, Kouga. We both know the only reason you are trying to win this bitch back instead of enjoying my bed is because you felt guilty,” Kira spat. Tensing her hand, she felt warm liquid dripping onto her hand, followed by a pained whimper. Good, let the little slut suffer. Smiling, she seductively ran her tongue along the blade, tasting Ayame’s blood.

“That’s not true,” he yelled. He was really wishing he’d killed her back at the mountain. She was a fucking lunatic. He thought he’d made himself perfectly clear the last time.

“Like hell it isn’t,” she screeched. He was still putting an act up for the little redhead. In a few moments, it wouldn’t matter anymore.

“I love Ayame, not you,” Kouga roared. Complete silence settled around the three demons before angry growling began to fill its place. Kira’s eyes flashed red as she drew the blade tighter around Ayame’s throat, drawing a choked sob from the small framed female.

“You could have saved her if you’d just confessed the truth. Now I think I’ll take you pretty toy away from you,” she hissed. He lunged for the two females, praying he was fast enough to stop her from killing his mate. The impact of his body made all three figures slam against the ground, the knife sailing into the well, a blue light engulfing its form before it disappeared. He grabbed Ayame, jumping several feet from the other female. Placing her safely behind him, he faced the woman that so resembled Kagome.

“What have you done,” she screamed, red consuming her eyes before letting loose a roar of rage. She dove around him, tackling Ayame to the ground. She raised her hand to strike the frightened woman, but Kouga was too fast. He grabbed her upraised fist and threw her against a nearby tree before pinning her against its rough bark, a hand securely around her neck. His eyes flashed red, grip tightening before a whimper pulled him back from the abyss.

He looked behind him into the wide, emerald eyes of his mate. Seeing her fear caused all thoughts of death from his mind. Turning back to the bitch in front of him, he growled a warning before throwing her to the ground. He began walking toward his mate, intent on getting her back to the village to make sure she was alright. The sight and smell of her blood was making him nauseous. He could hear footsteps behind him but ignored them.

“Kouga, look out,” Ayame screamed. The frightened yell had him whirling to face in new attack, his claws automatically shooting forward to attack. He watched in morbid fascination as Kira was impaled upon his arm, his clawed hand exiting through her back. He idly noticed the knife clutched in her nerveless fingers. Great gasping breaths issued from her lips as he withdrew his arm, the knife falling to the forest floor.

Kira clutched her stomach as blood began to pool around her form. She looked up into frosty blue eyes. No hint of remorse darkened them. She realized too late her mistake. She drew in quick, silent breaths as her vision began to blur around the edges. The pain was beginning to fade, and with it her consciousness. Numbly, she lay upon the cool grass, dull eyes staring into nothingness. A last, rattling breath left her mouth until she was no longer a part of the living. Hallow eyes looked upon the idyllic setting, but saw none of it.

Ayame stared in horrified fascination as Kouga struck Kira through. She watched the other woman’s body slowly begin to shut down, unable to produce the life giving blood fast enough. What seemed like hours, but could not have been more than a few moments passed before her eyes became hollow with death. Crawling forward, she gently closed the sightless orbs before rising.

Turning to her mate, she saw his ice blue eyes soften at the mess that was her form. Moisture blurred his outline, until she was utterly consumed by those eyes before the tears traced slowly down her face. They fell upon the ground like rain drops on a warm spring day. Letting loose a cry of anguish, she lunged at his muscled body, burying her nose into his chest as strong arms surrounded.

“Shush, it’s okay. You’re okay now. God, I love you,” he whispered in her ear. The soothing words calmed her, and their truth filled her with happiness. Sniffling the last of her tears away, she looked up at her mate.

“Is it true,” she asked hesitantly. Seeing the confusion in his eyes, she tried again.

“Do you love me,” she asked quietly. The brooding expression on his face did nothing to alleviate her fears. Maybe it had been a heat of the moment thing.

“Ayame,” he began, tenderly grabbing her hands, “I’ve loved you since the day you came down from the mountain to take me back. I was afraid. To get away from what I was feeling, I convinced myself I was in love with Kagome. I’m so sorry,” he whispered miserably. He suddenly found him arms full of curvy redhead. Laughing in glee, he wrapped his arms tightly around her tiny waist, crushing her against him. He buried his nose in her neck, inhaling her soothing aroma.

“Why didn’t you say so earlier, silly,” she chirped, mouth inches from his own. Seeing the intense look in his eyes, Ayame leaned forward and softly touch his lips with hers. The electricity began to run up her spine as his tongue gently sought entrance into her mouth. Moaning in appreciation, she gladly gave him permission. The kiss was filled with passion, tampered by the sweetness of their love. Releasing each other for air, they continued to gaze into each others eyes.

“Why would that have made any difference,” he asked softly. She just rolled her eyes. Men were definitely idiots.

“Kouga, not once since we’ve been mated have you told me you loved me. That’s why I was unsure that I could be with you. I didn’t want to be in a loveless relationship, especially with you,” she explained. Seeing the dawning horror, she sought to reassure him, but the finger her put to her lips stopped her.

“I am so sorry,” he said painfully, “I should have told you, but I was scared. To think three such tiny words could have saved us a lot of trouble,” he finished ruthfully. Smiling, he brought her lips to his once more, enjoying the taste of the woman he loved. He had missed that taste.

“Kouga, lets go home,” she murmured as he released her mouth before nibbling his way down her neck, paying careful attention to his mate mark and making her writhe in passion. Releasing her neck, he smirked before nodding his head. He threw her tiny frame over his shoulder, making a beeline for their mountain home.

“Kouga,” she squeaked indignantly, “this wasn’t how I had in mind.” The sound of his laughter echoed through the forest, his tornado hiding them from view.

Hey everyone! Don't worry, this isn't my last chapter. You've got to have makeup sex! There will also be an epilogue. I should be updating in the next couple of days.

Sesshyluver