Purple Petals

AN: Drake220, gotta say your review cracked me up. Literally.

Inuyasha: That was NOT funny at all! I do not have issues with my sword! It just happens to transform on its own! Besides, I don't hear them bitching and complaining when I put my ass on the line to save the others now do I?

Kagome: *eye twitches* Inuyasha! Sit boy!

Inuyasha: *faceplants* Bitch

Lilz: Well that was entertaining. On with the story, ne? Still don't own the Inuyasha cast. I was just....borrowing them....for a while? Yea! That's it. *borrows Kouga for long extended periods of time*
********************************************************************************************


Chapter 13


"Well, are you going to go speak with her or not?" Miroku asked, his arms crossed over his chest as he sat on the ground, his staff leaning against his shoulder.

"I will when I feel like it." Kouga grumbled, his eyes closed as he leaned against a nearby tree. He had a lot on his mind, so much had happened in such a short period of time. He hated to admit it, but he wasn't sure if he was ready to speak with his mate about what had happened. It was too fresh in his own mind. But he knew better than to continue to avoid the subject. Ayame was in just as much pain as he was. It was only fair to her after all.

Inuyasha was about to make a comment when Kouga opened his eyes, rising to his feet. The silver haired hanyou stayed silent, amber eyes watching the brown wolf prince, waiting to see what he would do. Whatever animosity that had existed between the two had been put aside in a tempory truce, or at least a ceasefire as it were.

"I'll be back." Kouga said, turning around and heading towards the direction the girls had left in. Miroku looked up, eyebrow raised.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you." He replied evenly as Kouga turned around, growling lightly and narrowing his eyes on the monk.

"And why the hell not? Didn't you JUST ask me if I were going to speak with Ayame?!" He asked impatiently.

"Yes....but...now might not be a good time. I know from experience after all, the risks of coming across the lovely young ladies when they are bathing. Of course, if you'd like-"

"You're not coming hentai." Kouga said, emphasing his point further with a growl and his fangs bared in warning. The monk paled visably, nodding his head repeatedly as Inuyasha smirked, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Bout time he learned." Inuyasha said. Kouga looked back at him before ignoring him outright and turning around and disappearing into the forest.

There was silence as Inuyasha and Miroku glanced at each other, neither saying anything for several few moments. It was Miroku that finally broke the silence, as he bent his head, opening his mouth to speak.

"Three......Two.....-"

A loud shriek was heard in the distance, followed by an even louder yelp of pain. Miroku looked up, a serious look on his face. Ginta and Hakkaku, who had been previously napping, were startled awake, looking around for the source of the disturbance.

"I tried to warn him."

********************************************************************************************

Kouga yelped, nursing the rapidly growing bruise on his head, his tail ruffled indignantly as he glared at the female exterminator.

"What the hell?! Since when do you weakling humans hit so damn hard?" Kouga growled, gingerly testing the bump on his head as Sango glared at him, her arms crossed tightly over the chest of her towel. Kagome and Ayame sat to the right, both women also toweled, but just as embarrassed as Sango, who was doing a better job in hiding it.

"You pervert! I thought Miroku was bad enough! You should know better! You claim yourself a prince and yet you lack the manners!" Sango said furiously at him.

"Relax woman, would you? I didn't come to peek, keh. I came to speak to Ayame. Unless you want to hit me for that too." He said, narrowing his eyes icily on her.

Ayame looked up at her mate, her eyes failing to fully mask the sorrow in her heart. She'd been dreading when this would happen. When she would have to speak to him about what they'd loss. It was if, as long as they didn't admit it, they could pretend it was all just a horrible nightmare. And they would wake up the next morning and everything would be ok.

Even if it really wouldn't.

The red head rose to her feet, holding her towel around her as she walked over to her furs and armor, scooping them up before turning to look back at Kouga. He watched her for a few moments before smiling at her, and something sparked inside her. He wasn't angry with her afterall.

"Come on." He said, slipping his arm around her waist, nipping her ear gently. "We'll go somewhere private to talk."
She nodded as she allowed him to guide her away from the others. Kagome and Sango sighed deeply, shaking their heads before preparing to dress and return to the others, giving the two wolf youkai some much needed time alone.

********************************************************************************************

"Kouga-"

"Ayame-"

They both looked at each other as Kouga nodded his head at her.

"You go first."

She nodded, sitting down on a smooth boulder beside the shore of the river they were currently at, nervously twisting her hands one into the other. She tried to find her tongue, trying to put into order what it was she wanted to say. They had stopped in this small wooded clearing, as he had waited patiently for her to dress into her usual armor and furs, giving her the silence and privacy she wanted at the moment. But now, they couldn't hold it off any longer.

"Kouga, I just...I'm sorry. I was careless and I didn't keep my guard up, and it's all my fault, and I should have tried harder, and I'm so so sorry." She let out all at once. Kouga growled lightly, walking over and sitting beside her and wrapping his arms possessively around her shoulders.

"Don't. That's not true Ayame. I should have known better than to be so cocky. I should have known something was up when I realized that bitch was toying with me. It's not anyone else's fault than Naraku's for what happened. We'll avenge them, I swear it Ayame. Just like I'll avenge my comrads. But this...this is personal." He said, his eyes flashing crimson as Ayame looked up at him startled slightly.

"It's my duty as alpha to get revenge for the murder of my tribesmen. But I'll make him suffer for what he did to you, and to our pups. The pain he put you through, he will experience it a hundred times worse. I promise." He said, nuzzling her neck.

"But...everything he said...it was all true. It was all just a trick to get your shards. I'm sorry I'm a burden to you, I never wanted to be your weakness..." She said, lowering her head as he growled at her.

"Ayame, you're not a weakness! Look..." He said, lifting her chin with his hand until her eyes met his. "I don't care how it happened, I wouldn't change a thing. Circumstances may have been out of our control but...I don't regret what happened Ayame, not at all. I love you. You're my mate. And you always will be as long as we both live. Do you understand?"

Her eyes widened slightly at the bold declaration, her heart swelling at his words. Up until recently, she began to wonder if everything had been too good to be true, if that was the reason the gods were punishing her now. She had started to think that nothing could go wrong, and suddenly, so much had.

"Kouga...you really mean it? Everything?" She asked, though her heart already knew the answer. The brown ookami didn't answer her right away, instead his hand coming up, soft fingertips tracing over the mark along her neck.

"Do you remember when I gave you that? Do you know what it stands for? For us? Ningen marry, they hold a ceremony binding themselves to each other, the symbols of that union they wear on them. Unlike them, ours is more permanent. A mating mark can not be removed or fade away. Think of this one..." He paused, brushing his finger over her neck. "...as my promise to you. And one, I won't forget." He added with a faint smirk, winking at her.

She smiled, greatful to see a part of the man she loved was still inside under all his pain. She always had been awed by his strength, ever since she'd been a little girl. Now, his physical strength, as well as his emotional strength was enough to always completely amaze her. She sighed softly as she leaned against him, nesting in his warm embrace, allowing her senses to focus on him and him alone. His warmth, his scent, his protective embrace. It always made her feel safe.

"What about you?" He asked, his eyes glancing down at her abdomen. She bit her lip, fighting off the salty sting of fresh tears.

"It still hurts."

"I know."

"We'll ask Kagome if she has any herbs from her homeland that can help you with the pain." He said, kissing her pointed ear as he guided her to her feet. She nodded softly, melting into his embrace, leaning against him for support. She was so greatful he was there for her.

She was surprised when he turned her face to face his, his hand tilting her chin, pressing his lips firmly against her own. Green eyes widened in surprise, before fluttering closed as she melted into the passionate kiss, her feet swept out from underneathe her. What brought it on, she had no idea, not giving it any further thought as his tongue explored the mysterious cavern of her velvety warm mouth.

When they finally broke for air, her cheeks flushed, her eyes watching him expectantly, he smirked at her.

"Never doubt my love and loyalty to you. Aishiteru mattane Ayame-koi."