His new ward

Chapter 8

Kagome couldn't believe that the lady before her was Kouga's mother. She thought that she was the mother to the weirdo wolf of the Northern Lands who was trying to claim her. "I am sorry but I thought that you were the mother of the wolf of the Northern Castle who is trying to claim me. I am so glad that your Kouga's mother. Out of all my suitors so far, I believe Kouga is the best choice for me."

Ghanna looked at the girl in shock. Did she not know that Kouga was the wolf from the Northern Lands? Ghanna smiled at this. 'So the girl isn't after my son for his wealth.' she thought silently.

"So you like Kouga?" Ghanna asked aloud.

"Kouga has always been a true friend to me and at times my knight or should I say my wolf in shining armour. There were a few times that if Kouga hadn't appeared out of nowhere and saved me, I would be dead now. It's just amazes me that he always appeared when I needed him the most. It was like he knew I was in trouble and he would appear out of nowhere to whisk me out of harms way. I like Kouga as a friend and excuse me, but I would rather go with him than anyone else Lord Sesshomaru could choose for me. I don't want to be a second wife and I don't want someone who will be mean to me. I know Kouga and if I had a choice I would choose him." Kagome looked over at Kouga's mother and smiled at her.

"And what about love? I have heard humans talk a great deal about this emotion." Ghanna needed to hear the girls response to this question.

"To tell you the truth the first time I met Kouga, he and Inuyasha were fighting then later he kidnapped me. He told everyone that I was his mate and I slapped him. Kouga yelled from a mountain that he loved me. Then he and Inuyasha got into a fight and I left with Inuyasha and my traveling companions. Since that time I have only got to spend minutes in Kouga's company. Everytime he came around me, Inuyasha would start a fight and Kouga left shortly after I 'sat' Inuyasha. So I don't really know him. I think he is beyond handsome, he has a body that would make the girls I know drool not to mention he has those most amazing blue eyes. Like you don't already know that though. He always thinks of his pack, so I know he is considerate. Once he brought me flowers to thank me for some food I had given him. Don't tell him but I still have one of the flowers. I took it home and pressed it in a book. Now you tell me something Lady Ghanna. What does Kouga look like with his hair down?"

"Lady Kagome it has been so long since I have saw it down that I couldn't tell you." Ghanna could smell the arousal coming from the girl as she talked about her son, It looks like Kouga might have a chance with her after all. "But you never answered my question, Kagome. What about love?"

Kagome lowered her head and took a deep breath. "Of course I want love who doesn't. I have to trust Kouga's words that he loves me. And if it is him that Lord Sesshoumaru accepts then I will abide by his decision. Women have very little say about such things as I have found out. And I have to have hope that who ever Lord Sesshoumaru chooses I will learn to love given time."

"I have been informed that if Koga proves his claim then you are to be mated at the beginning of the week. Do you know what this entails?" Ghanna turned to Kagome and lifted her head up to look at her.

"The only thing I know about demon mating is that the males bite the females on their necks." Kagome blushed and hid her face again.

"There is much more to it than that my girl. I must speak freely now so that you will not get hurt, so try to control your blushes as I speak. At first there will be a human service and then the Youkai ceremony. During the youkai service your and Kouga's blood will be mixed and drank. Then Kouga will bite your neck. After that you will be considered mated to him. But the real mating comes in your chambers later. While making love for the first time his youki will take over. You must restrain yourself from fighting him. You must accept him willingly or the mark will not take. Remember he is a youkai and as such his main goal will be to dominate you. With him being a youkai his youki will strive for it. It will want you dominated in every sense of the word. If you are frightened do not fight him. He will not hurt you unless you fight him. As your making love when both your bodies climax he will bite your neck once again sealing his claim as your mate. I know my son and he would be very gentle with you because he loves you. How ever he is still a demon and has waited a great while to get you to himself. And like any demon who has been denied something they desire for so long his beast may tend to be a little rougher and it will take longer before it's appeased. It will most likely be rough and quick at first then slow and sensual. It all depends on my sons control over his youki on how it behaves. My son is strong and thus I have no worry for your safety. Just remember my words and no matter what happens don't fight his beast." Ghanna watched the girls face turn a darker shade of red.

As Kagome listened to the demoness talk she could feel her face heating up. She may be a virgin and barely kissed but that didn't mean that she was totally ignorant about sex. But having your maybe mother-in-law tell you about the birds and the bees was a little strange. "My Lady, I thank you for your guidance and I will try my best to remember your words."

"Have no worry, Kagome, and take my words to heart. My son loves you." She watched as the miko raised her head and glared at her.

"My lady don't get me wrong but are you sure he doesn't love me just because I can see the jewel shards? Or because I am the guardian of the Shikon no Tama. That was the reason he claimed I was his mate in the first place." Kagome bent over and plucked a piece of grass and tore it into pieces. "That seems to be the only reason anybody wants me." Kagome lifted the chain from her neck and clutched the jewel in her hand. "I can't wait till this thing is gone from this world. Maybe then I will have peace and find out who likes me for me and not for the jewel."

"Kagome when I talked to my son last night that was not even mentioned. He praised you so much I was almost scared to meet you. Now I see what he said was true. You are indeed a wonderful and thoughtful girl." Ghanna couldn't believe that the girl blushed again. How could a naive girl like her survive in a wolf den. I guess I will just have to take my sons word that she could.

"Thank you, Ghanna, for telling me that. I want to be loved for me and not becuase I can see jewel shards. Don't get me wrong but that is why Inuyasha wants me with him. That and the fact that I resemble his dead mate. It would really be nice to be wanted just becuase I am me. Does that sound stupid?" Kagome smiled at Ghanna.

"Not at all my dear. Just remember that my son loves you for you. Then I believe you can over come any hardships or trials." Ghanna looked over at the curious miko beside her. I better warn her what to expect. "Kagome I want you to listen to what I am about to tell you. Your life and that of my son may depend on it. Living in a den with a wolf pack is not an easy life. There are many hardships and not to mention the lack of privacy. Wolves can be quiet crude and outspoken they do not care for ones who can not earn their way. You work most of the day. As the alpha female you will be required to keep the caves clean and prepared for any disaster that you can think of. There will be wolves running in and out of the cave at all hours. You are to take care of Kouga. That is your main job. You make sure he is fed, help with his grooming and dressing, tending any wounds he might recieve, you make sure his chamber is tidy and fresh bedding is used at all times. You will be responsible for tanning the hides he brings home. You are to issue work orders to all the females in the morning after the males go to hunt or to protect the den. If they are brave enough to laze about when you are around feel free to put them to work. They will learn to keep out of your way. And the most important thing that you must not forget *Stand up for yourself with the other wolves.* If they consider you weak they consider Kouga weak and will strive to over throw you both. I know it is alot to remember it you must. Kouga will help you as he can but he will not make himself appear weak to do so." Ghanna stood up and looked down at Kagome. "I must go back to my mate now. I do hope I get to welcome you to our family soon Kagome."

"Thank you, Lady Ghanna, for all your advice. And can you tell Kouga I said Hello?" Kagome stood up and bowed to Ghanna.

"I will do that my dear." Ghanna turned and left the garden.

Kagome waited till she couldn't see her any more before she sat back down and thought of all she had been told. I can do what she said. It would be worth it if she was loved as her and not as a copy. And one thing she could now be sure of was that Kouga loved her for being her. And that after all is all she ever wanted.