[timeline: 6 years after to Otherworld 2]
Today was very special, although Kagome knew that no one else would be aware of it; even Kaoru wouldn't remember a casual comment made many months ago. One day Kaoru had mentioned that it was her wedding anniversary, 22 years, and then blushed when she realized that Kagome had never gotten married, following the custom of Otherworld to mate instead of marry; therefore Kagome would not even know when her anniversary was. Kagome told Kaoru that she had kept track of the days on calendars from the Human World and that on June 12th, she and Kouga would have been mated for 25 years.
And today was June 12 in the Human World. Kagome was still snuggled under the blankets. Pretty soon she would have to get up and begin her day, but it was so nice to lie here in bed. Twenty-five years! To be with someone for that amount of time, to sleep beside him every night, to love him -- and not once in all those years did what she feel for Kouga ever lessen. She loved him heart and soul and knew that he felt the same.
Every few days, they would return to the portal and Kagome would return to the Human World, to her family, while InuYasha waited in Otherworld. A couple of times he had come across to retrieve her and her family adored him, especially his cute dog ears. And for awhile, she thought she was falling in love with him.
"Where did he go?" Kagome asked, worried about the young demon. He was always waiting for her when she came back from a family visit.
"Don't worry about him. He probably just got delayed by the Princess." Miroku said.
Kagome knew who he was referring to, but only by name and title. She had never met Princess Aara. She knew that InuYasha sometimes traveled to the Castle to give the shards they managed to retrieve to a Fox Demon named Kurama. According to Shippo, Kurama was the most powerful Fox Demon that ever lived and the head of all Protectors.
"Well, I hope he returns soon," Kagome said, then blushed, hoping they wouldn't read too much into those innocent words.
Miroku was surprised when he saw her blush, and then he grew worried. Didn't Kagome realize who InuYasha was? "Kagome," he began, "You don't have feelings for InuYasha, do you?"
"No, of course not!" She exclaimed, and then belied her words by blushing even more.
Miroku sighed, "Kagome, do you know about the Princess and her males?"
"Her males?" Kagome looked at him, what was he talking about? Males?
"The Princesses, there are five of them, protect Otherworld and borders between the four worlds with their power. Their power is to bind demon males to them emotionally and sexually, and in turn those males use their powers to protect the lands. Kurama is the first male of Princess Aara."
"First? She has more than one?"
"Princess Aara has four males. Kurama is the first. A fire demon named Hiei is her second male and a Thunder Demon named Bankotsu is her fourth." He paused, then continued. "InuYasha is her third male. When you go to visit your family, he goes to be with the Princess."
"Oh." Kagome said, suddenly feeling very stupid. InuYasha was with her only because he had been commanded to do so by the Princess. A single tear fell down her cheek, and Miroku put his arm around her shoulders.
"I'm sorry; I thought you knew."
Kagome shook her head, then raised it, brushing away her tears, "It was just a silly crush. Nothing more. And it doesn't matter anyway! My world is not this one. And in my world the cutest boy in school wants to date me."
What a fool she had been! Well, never again!
Two weeks later she met Kouga.
She sensed him before he arrived because he wore three crystal shards. He arrived surrounded by his wolves. He was taller than InuYasha and Miroku, probably a little over six feet. And he was slender, with long lean legs, wearing a short fur tunic and an armored breastplate. His hair was straight, black and very long which he wore in a ponytail. Like most demons, he had fangs, but it was his eyes that were the most startling. The pupils were strange blue ovals. Kouga was the First Protector of Otherworld and he used the shards in legs for speed. He arrived in a whirlwind of dust and left just as quickly.
It took months for the Wolf Demon to woo Kagome, but he persisted, knowing deep down in his heart, that they were meant to be together. And he was right. On June 12th by her human calendar, Kagome and Kouga mated. She was 16 years old.
Today was so special -- but of course, it would mean nothing to Kouga who nothing of human customs. Never once had they celebrated an anniversary and Kagome knew that her mate had no concept of human time. But she would know what today meant and that was enough.
After brunch, the men headed back out to patrol. They were going far into the hills and would return very late, calling back to the girls not to worry about dinner; they would catch something. In the early afternoon Sango appeared at Kagome's doorstep, asking her to accompany her to a neighboring village to bring them some medicinal herbs that Kaede had prepared. Off the two women went, friends ever since Sango joined their group a few months after Miroku had joined. Sango and Miroku had mated about three years after she and Kouga, and their daughter was only a couple of weeks younger than Kome. Kagome and Sango spent a wonderful afternoon together. On their way home, Sango wanted to stop at Keiko's house. Keiko was another girl from the Human World who had settled down in Otherworld with her half-demon husband, Yusuke.
Keiko had just returned from the Human World and wanted to show them what she had brought back. Everyone took turns trying on the dresses and shoes, hair clips, and other bits and pieces. Keiko then pulled out one last box and opened it, revealing a long green silk gown. It was so beautiful! She insisted that Kagome try it on. It fit perfectly and Kagome felt like a princess in it. She spun around and the silk floated about her like gossamer wings.
"Kouga has got to see you in it! You must wear it home!" Keiko exclaimed, and refused to hear anything more about it. When Sango and Kagome left, it was already dark. Kagome felt a little strange wearing a formal gown, but it was so pretty and it made her feel so special. As she neared her front door, Sango smiled and gave her a little hug, "Have a wonderful evening!" Then she ran off home, leaving Kagome standing there wondering what that was about. With a shrug, she turned to go into her house. And opened the door to the most wonderful surprise she would ever have in her life.
All the furniture in the living room had been cleared out and only a small round dining table remained. It was draped in a white table cloth with roses and candles and set with fine china for two. In the middle of the room, looking so handsome that her heart skipped a beat, was Kouga, dressed in a tuxedo, holding a single red rose.
"Happy anniversary."
"A perfect rose for my perfect mate."
"Just about everyone. Kaoru knew about the date, Sango got you out of the house, Keiko bought your dress -- it is yours, by the way. Ayala and Mirago made dinner and decorated the house. Kome and I took out the furniture, and we will put it back tomorrow morning." Kouga said with a smile. He reached for a bottle of champagne which had been chilling in the cool stream near their house. The cork flew off with a loud pop and Kagome laughed with joy. Kouga poured them both glasses; they rarely drank, but this was a very special occasion.
"To 25 wonderful years!" he toasted and, with a clink of their glasses, they drank to their life together.
Kagome wrinkled her nose and giggled. "The bubbles tickle!"
"Well, I have something better than champagne." Kouga said and stood up, going to the kitchen and returning with a small portable CD player that ran on batteries. He pressed the "on" button and a waltz began to play softly.
But it was even better than dream and she danced in the arms of her mate for more than an hour.
When the music ended, Kouga bent down and kissed her gently. "Thank you, Kagome, for being with me all these years. For loving me, for giving me a son, and for being my companion. I promise to love you forever."
He picked her up into his arms and kissed her, carrying her to their bedroom, to their bed which was covered in rose petals. He set her down on it and she smiled up at her tall mate and lifted her arms to him. Kouga bent to her, covering her face with little kisses, and then found her mouth again. Kagome found the buttons on his tux and began to undo them. He gave a little moan of pleasure and his hands began to roam. But he was afraid to tear the dress with his claws, so she quickly undressed, hanging up the beautiful gown on a peg on the wall. Then she helped him undress, knowing how hard it had been for him to wear this many clothes -- shoes and socks even!
"Who taught you how to dance?" She asked as she pulled off his shoes.
"Keiko did. We have been practicing every afternoon for two months now."
The last piece of clothing was removed and suddenly Kagome felt shy, as if this was the first time they had ever made love. She gave a nervous giggle and Kouga took her face in his hands, kissing her softly.
"My beautiful Kagome," Kouga whispered, and then he took her in his arms, and the shyness disappeared as she felt his body under her fingers. Her fingers knew the feel of the hard muscles just under the surface of his tanned skin and the feel of his long silky hair. They knew the curve of his hip and the depth of the small of his back, the length of his legs and the feel of the calluses on his feet from 167 years of going barefoot, and they knew the weight and shape of his balls. Her mouth knew the taste and feel of his mouth, the goose bumps that her tongue caused when she licked at his nipples, and it knew the velvet softness of his penis and the taste of his seed. And her body knew the weight of his body as he covered her with it, the perfect fit of his length inside of her, and the rhythm of his sex. Kagome knew her mate better than she knew herself. And she knew that she would never stop loving him, and that even after death, her soul would find his in their next life.
It was very close to dawn when Kouga finally began to drift to sleep. Kagome settled on his shoulder as she had for 25 years. "Thank you, Kouga, for this wonderful night."
"Ummm," he murmured, half-asleep. She raised up on one elbow and looked at him. His eyes were closed and his breathing was becoming rhythmic as he fell asleep.
"Good night, my dearest love," she said, and kissed his cheek lightly. Then she returned to his shoulder and drifted off to sleep, dreaming of roses and waltzes.
Song: "Some Enchanted Evening" by Andy Williams
