Picturesque [Merodi]

[Aiko]

Cut. That’s the word: Koga was cut by Merodi’s words. Slowly, he pushed the deer demon back to her original place of sitting. Her warm body had just turned chill against his skin, and even as he let her go, it felt like the gentle breeze brought all the chilling malice of winter in its breath. A moment later, he realized he was standing, without really having been aware of getting up. He took a step back. And another. He couldn’t stop putting distance between himself and the one he wanted to be close to. Even so, his eyes skimmed over her anxious face. Was that it? Was that all she had to say?

There is a rule. If a person says “This but that,” that is the only thing that will be remembered. Whatever came before but is all but forgotten. That last bit carries the most weight. And Koga’s love… worried Merodi.

“No…” Koga was hardly aware of his lips forming words, hardly aware that he kept having to swallow, to get moisture to a throat that had suddenly gone dry. “I’m… glad you spoke your mind.” Of course, Koga looked the farthest thing from glad. Unable to hide his feelings yet, because he was never really practiced with that anyway, he looked as wounded as he felt, as though Merodi really had, physically, cut him. He worried her… well, it was better to know that now than later. This information rang bitterly in his mind, and he almost wished that he didn’t know. But what was the point? If he worried her…

His eyes revealed his inner turmoil. He hadn’t even thought of this. What if Merodi only thought of him as her bold protector, and would never think of him as any more? Koga would be more than happy to serve as her knight in shining armor, but… well, he thought of her as more than just some damsel in distress that he was supposed to save. He really did love her. And what was she worried about, anyway? That because he loved her he wouldn’t protect her? That was the most ridiculous thing he could ever imagine! Was that it? That she thought he wouldn’t be protecting her? Or maybe she was worried because he’d acted on his feelings, and she simply didn’t feel the same way. It was so much easier to blame her, and yet…

Damn it… Damn it all to hell! Why was I so fricking impulsive? Bitter anger, bitter as bile, rose up in his throat, spilled out over his face, and he couldn’t look at Merodi anymore. Damn… he’d just assumed… but she didn’t feel the same way about him. He probably made her so uncomfortable she wanted to die. Well, how did she think he felt? He backed up more, not willing to be near her. Not now, and maybe not ever.

“I… I gotta go.” He couldn’t stay there, not feeling like this, not scaring Merodi like he undoubtedly was. He would go on a journey. He’d go on a long journey, and when he came back, he’d know what to do with Merodi. Because now that he was faced with the option, he knew he couldn’t give her up. He could leave her, but not without the intention of returning. That was the plan, anyway. And so, he turned around and half-ran, half stumbled away, hardly going faster than a normal runner.

Merodi had, after all, stolen his feet.

[Lord Sesshomaru]

Merodi might have been worried, but it was something that could be put off for the time. If anything, she hadn't even talked to Koga on how he felt about the whole thing. Maybe it didn't bother him. The fact that they were just too different. Maybe they could work something out, and still be together. She was being pushed away from him, maybe not as harshly as she thought, but it was all the same. She was so confused, because she thought she said something so simple. Something they could talk about. Where Koga did that odd thing of getting rid of her worry. If it was being worried about wolves, or being worried about being with a wolf. He made it better, he made it, well, worth it. She was a normally worried person. She saw the bad before the good and maybe that was what kept her mouth shut. Because she had always seen the bad before the good.

Merodi had done something wrong. She knew, as soon as she looked into his eyes, as he stood and distanced himself from her. No, he wasn't glad she spoke her mind. Not at all. There must have been some silent meaning in her words that he took horribly that she saw as something easily fixed. He didn't even know why she was worried. Did he just assume? He was the type to jump to conclusions sadly. Had he gotten the wrong meaning of her being worried?

Merodi didn't know what it was about him leaving that scared her. Not that she would be alone. Not that she didn't have anyone to protect her. But because it was him. To hear him confess his love to her, and her saying something to ruin it....to late him leave would be the worst thing she did. She was just so scared. Scared of not being with him.

"No, Koga, please don't leave me! Please!" she cried, clumsily getting to her feet. He was going slow enough that she could catch up to him. If she wasn't so upset and scared. She wanted to tell him exactly how she felt, but there was something about saying those three words that made her feel so uncomfortable, and so depressed. But she knew she had to say it to make Koga believe her. Something told her that he hadn't gotten that by the way she said she was happy with what he said. No, she'd have to say something more then that. She didn't know why it was so hard to do.

[Aiko]

Who could explain this? It wasn’t like Koga could just stop loving her, just because she didn’t love him back. But her words burned him, and he wanted to scream. He loved her, he loved her so much! He had chosen her, and he wanted to be chosen back, so badly. He wanted to hold her close, and protect her from everything that would ever think of hurting her. He would save her from death, if he could just figure out how! But when she rejected him, what was he supposed to do? Not knowing, torn between running away and running back, the wolf demon stumbled to a walk. So tight… his throat was. So hurt… his chest was.

So numb… his mind was.

And then he heard Merodi’s voice from behind him. Unable to keep going, Koga just stopped, standing in a copse of trees, feeling every muscle in his body trembling. The very earth beneath his feet, always so substantial to him, felt like it would crumble if he took another step. Especially if that step brought him away from the deer demon. For once, Koga took orders from somebody else, and stood as still as he could make himself stand, staring off in a random direction. I won’t leave you, he whispered in his mind. I don’t think I could have before, anyway.

She was coming for him. Exactly why, Koga hadn’t the faintest idea. For whatever reason that had gotten stuck in her head, Merodi still followed him, still wanted him with her, even when she didn’t love him in return. Bottom line: She was coming. Turning, the wolf demon looked for her, his ice-colored eyes searching for her. There. She seemed frightened, but whether that was the electrical smell or the look in her eyes that told him that much, he didn’t know. Maybe it was everything about her that screamed desperation, just like it must have for him.

Since he wanted to go back to her, he did. For that one time in his life, he would let somebody else take charge of his actions. After all, his actions had gotten him into enough trouble already today. Still, he couldn’t seem to find the energy to run to her. It was all he could manage to walk, so he couldn’t even muster an appropriate expression. Just seeing her… it confused him. He knew he wasn’t wanted, or he thought he knew… but if she didn’t want him to leave… What did she want? What worried her?

Why, why, WHY couldn’t he fix this?

There he was. He was suddenly in front of her. Huh. Did he really come that far? Hardly aware of the implications of what he was doing, he wrapped his strong arms around her – again. As he practically sagged into her, he struggled to remain upright. Koga had to be strong for his poor deer demon, stronger than he was for himself. But right now, he hardly felt strong. He was still confused, and what was Merodi’s deal, anyway? He felt like he needed her more than she would ever need him.

He was vulnerable at that moment. He knew that, and Merodi must have felt it, too, in the way his body was shaking. He was shaking? Oh yeah, he was still shaking. He had to stop that. But he couldn’t, because he also had to have Merodi love him back, but apparently that wasn’t happening. So he wouldn’t stop shaking, either.

For some reason, the first words out of his mouth probably sounded so stupid, but he didn’t care. These words were true, and damn it, he was going to say them. “I love you so much.”

[Lord Sesshomaru]

Merodi was a bit relieved. He was still there. She had wanted him to stay, and he did. She didn't want him to leave. She needed to explain. How, she didn't know. Did she have to explain why she was worried? Was that truly what bothered him? She wasn't sure, and she didn't like to assume (as he did so much of the time). She could fix this. She still had time to fix this. As long as he was still here, as long as he didn't leave. The deer demon took a few steps toward him, thinking he would just stand where he was. Happy as she was to see him coming back to her, she was still sad. Even guilty. Her words had caused this. That one moment she stated what was in her head, and it came out wrong. Wrong enough to make him this way.

Merodi stared up at him for a moment, thinking in her head on how to rephrase what she had meant. How to say it in a way that didn't affect him this way. That he would understand. She opened her mouth, to try again when she was suddenly brought into his embrace. She wrapped her arms around him, feeling him shaking against as he held her. Oh, look what she had done. Merodi felt horrible. Almost enough to shake herself, but she had to fix this. This time, it was her to be strong.

The deer demon knew what to do. She just had to reply to his words of love. That she felt the same. But it wouldn't come out of her mouth. It just wouldn't. And maybe a little of the reason was because of her worry. Maybe it was because she felt that it just wouldn't sound right. If she forced herself too much, it might seem as if she was faking loving him to make him feel better. But he would know, he would see it.

Actions were better then words. Letting out a deep breath, she dropped her hands before placing them on his chest, slowly, and gently pushing him away from her. Just enough so that she could look up into his face, to be released from his hug. She smiled, placing her hands on his cheeks. "Please Koga, just forget my worries." she hoped he did, or her next action wouldn't have as much meaning.

With that said, keeping her hands on his face she was able to lower his head just a bit. Just enough for her to reach up the rest of the way to place her lips on his. A small, simple kiss, but with a meaning none the less. She would talk more of her worries later. Right now, she had to make one thing clear. That she felt the same.

[Aiko]

Actions really do speak louder than words. Any idiot really could say “I love you,” but only special idiots actually cared for and nurtured the ones that they claimed to love. Any idiot could tell a lie. However, Koga was one of the special idiots, the kind who really did love she whom he said he loved. And although her words confused him, her actions didn’t.

Her hands, her soft and gentle hands, were against his face. As if Merodi was a name for a stimulant, a jolt raced through him at her touch, and his shivering intensified for a moment. Her hands felt cooler than they should have… perhaps because his face was so warm, but the place where she was connected to him burned and tingled like the electric charge of a storm. And then she was coming closer, and her face was inches away from his, and they were going to collide at any moment, and he suspected what was coming, and his heart spluttered sporadically in anticipation, and he was moments away but things were happening so fast that… Holy crap, she’d already kissed him.

The texture of Merodi’s lips was a unique one. They had a slightly downy feel to them, which tickled Koga’s lips very slightly. The kiss was just a peck, but it was so appropriate for the timid deer demon. Even though his body urged otherwise, Koga restrained himself from forcing himself upon her. That had the possibility of killing the moment, and no matter how simple the little peck was, it sent tingling pleasure down the wolf demon’s spine. His mood swings were almost feminine; from happy to sad to elated beyond all measure. Unable to resist doing otherwise, his hands rose to her soft, fuzzy cheeks, and he pulled her just a tad higher, pressing her lips against his. At this point, his eyes were closed, and he surrendered to that sensuous moment in time, that bliss-bringing touch of her lips to his.

Time was not an object. Merodi was kissing Koga, and that’s all that could possibly register in his mind. He had the most beautiful of all demons in his hands, and… well, she’d never actually said she didn’t love him. Maybe Koga had misinterpreted, reminding him again of the dangers of over-thinking and not just following his instincts. It wouldn’t have been, after all, the first time that Koga had made a humiliating mistake. But the point, good reader, is that Merodi still loved him, even though he screwed up so much in front of her, so many times humiliating himself. And she still loved him. What was he worried about?

Better question was: what was she so worried about? The reminder cut through the bliss of the moment, and he straightened his neck, pulling away from her lips. Still, he wasn’t about to let go of her, not when he had her, at long last, in his grasp. His hands slid down her cheeks, and minor tremors of pleasure shot down his arms as his hands slid down her neck and onto her narrow, graceful shoulders. He stepped back, only a short pace, until he could see her without cramping his neck. Ow, his neck was already cramped… he’d prefer not to bend it again, at least not for a couple minutes (it was all that attempting to hold completely still that did him in).

“Tell me what you’re worried about,” he said, his voice eager like an excited little child. “I’ll help you out; you know I will.” He was eager, so eager, to relieve whatever fears Merodi hid in her secret heart. Once he’d done that, perhaps the deer demon could finally say out loud (even though Koga had already figured it) that she loved him. After all, Koga felt like he’d never be tired of saying it; could he get Merodi to feel that way, too?

[Lord Sesshomaru]

Merodi never knew how a kiss felt, or what it truly meant. She had heard so much about kissing, actually, she had seen it before. But she never really understood what such a small contact of the lips could do. She had overestimated the action. She knew it was an action that was of affection and love, but she did not know the affect it would have on her, nor him. She never realized this, for how could she? Kissing was something she had never done before. Because of this, the shiver that ran down her spine took her by surprise.

The deer demon's lips tingled. Was that supposed to happen? She did not know, but at the moment she actually didn't matter. What did matter is how they could do it again. Just to feel that feeling again. It was too new for her to resist. Suddenly he was grabbing her face and bringing her up on her toes to kiss him again. She felt that shiver again. But it wasn't just her spine it seemed to shock through, but the rest of her as well.

To think, she was kissing a wolf. It was such a foreign and even humorous thing to think about. No deer demon would believe this...if there were any that still existed. Such thoughts could not be fed for long since it was back to the kissing. Sadly, it had ended and she realized that a few seconds too late.

Merodi shivered as his hands moved down to her shoulders, as he moved a small bit away from her. She stared up at him, an odd feeling had boiled inside of her and she felt that swallowing would keep it dormant. She didn't know what it was really, and it almost scared her for a moment. Luckily he distracted her with speaking. She smiled at his words, although she had already told him to forget her worries. "I know, but..."

Sadly, she was just too scared to do it now. Including on what happened last time she spoke what she was thinking. "I...I'd rather not." she didn't want to now. Nor did she feel like speaking about what she felt, or what she thought. Always afraid that it would come out the wrong way.

[Aiko]

Maybe it didn’t really matter what worried her. Not to say it didn’t matter that she was worried, but at least the reason could be forgotten. Koga was there; he’d protect her from anything that could ever possibly threaten Merodi. Whatever worried her… He’d kill it! He’d kick it over the sea and onto the mainland, then chase it over there and kill it again! Then he’d kill it a third time, to make sure it was good and dead, so that Merodi would never, ever, ever be worried about anything ever again, so she’d never have to be afraid. He would be her knight in shining armor, for as long as she needed him; he would be whatever she needed.

“I’ll kill it!” he announced proudly, his face plastered with a look of utmost confidence. “Anything that makes you worried, I’m gonna kill it! Anything that dares threaten you, it’ll be dead before it can look at you.” Giving a little snort of laughter, Koga let go of Merodi’s shoulders, leaping over to the boulder. For a moment, he imagined it as a head that looked a little like Naraku’s, and then he swung his leg upward and outward, flexing his foot to maximize the area of impact, and CRUNCH! the boulder was shattered, fragments of rock flying away from his foot. “Like that!” he growled in satisfaction, putting his foot back on the ground and twisting to give Merodi a smug look.

Suddenly, Koga looked back down at the rock. Slowly, his expression of absolute self-satisfaction was replaced by a look of contriteness. “Wait… did you want that rock?” Oops… It occurred to Koga that, since he had declared this meadow to be Merodi’s future home, perhaps he shouldn’t go around breaking things. Without waiting for an answer, he immediately said, “Don’t worry, I’ll fix it.” How exactly he was going to go about this, he wasn’t really sure. Hey, he was a warrior, not a handyman! But maybe…

Filled with the energy of a challenging prospect, and desperate to please, Koga shot over to the creek, kicking up clumps of mud in his wake (and hopefully not splattering Merodi). After scooping up a few handfuls of waterlogged mud, he raced back to the uneven stump of rock that remained, threw his handfuls of dirt onto it. Then he darted around, picking up bits of rock, and then threw them forcefully at the heap of mud and rock. The result was… mud with more rock. “Uh… good as new!” Koga said, perhaps a little too cheerfully. To show he knew he’d screwed up her boulder, the wolf demon gave Merodi a sheepish smile.

[Lord Sesshomaru]

If only it was that easy. Just to kill her worry. It was hard to think of her worry when he looked so confident, so sure of himself. That, maybe, it was actually possible to do so. The common sense side of her knew that wasn't possible. But for now, she would allow herself to believe that whatever it was that bothered her, Koga could take care of it.

This dependance she had on Koga might not be the best of things. But he took the job willingly and she didn't bother to think on how that would work for her. It would be something to worry about later. These thoughts randomly went through her head as she watched him run off and kick a boulder. A small, lopsided smile was on her face and she hid it with her hand. His enthusiasm was adorable. One of the reasons she loved him.

It was too funny to stop him. And so, she watched him. Trying to fix a rock. She could do nothing but quietly laugh as he did so. She would have stopped him, but too busy trying to keep herself quiet and not emberass him. She looked at the odd thing that couldn't even be close to be called a rock. She shook her head, allowing her hand to move from her mouth as she smiled. She had gotten herself to stop laughing.

"I love you Koga." she said with a small laugh. It was easier to say it when he did things that reminded her on why she loved him. Those grins of his, and the wierd things he did. "Thank you very much." although she could have cared less about the rock.

[Aiko]

Those four words were enough.

As much as Merodi had tried to show the way she felt, for some reason, it wasn’t really final. Not until she said it. That’s the thing that makes something hit home, to banish any doubt. Something always has to happen to prove that something’s true, because if it’s true, something always does. So her proclamation of love was the thing, the one thing, that made Koga know that she loved him.

And he believed it.

His embarrassed smile, which he’d worn since ruining Merodi’s home, died, but just to make way for the new grin that was born. Koga just couldn’t help it; the toothy grin popped up, instant reflex of sudden happiness. And why shouldn’t it? She loved him! Rocks didn’t matter, this beautiful territory… who cared? Merodi, the one and only Merodi, that loyal, faithful, beautiful deer demon, loved him!

Love is a form of energy. Sure, the science freaks will forever claim it’s just an adrenaline rush from a heart pulsating hard, but how will they ever explain why a few simple words and a little belief can send that heart pumping? Koga would never believe that nonsense, anyway. He could swear on his life that there was something in the way she smiled that outshone the sun, tenfold, and had at least that much energy inside it.

He’d do it over and over again, to hear those words, to hear that laughter. But right now, he couldn’t keep himself away from her. Koga closed the distance between himself and the deer demon in a few large strides, each step sending his body bouncing with irrepressible glee. Dancing and bouncing, he reached her, and reached out his strong hands to hold her by the waist. Her relatively slender body fit easily in his grasp, and as his palms tingled at the contact, he lifted her from the ground. Light as a feather in his hands, he spun her around, always gazing at her face, eager to see her expression, ready to laugh at any shock or bewilderment, ready to laugh if she laughed too, but… just generally ready to laugh. After a revolution or two (depending on her reaction), he placed her gently on her feet again, letting his hands linger a moment on her waist (to steady her in case she was dizzy… honest!).

Staring into her beautiful brown eyes, which sparkled in the light like the stream behind her, Koga found himself blurting out whatever came to mind. “You know I’d never leave you. Not really, anyway. I probably couldn’t, anyway, unless you ever wanted me to. I guess I could then. Anyway, I want to be a strong man for you, somebody you could be proud of.” All of this, jumbled in a ramble, was stated, though in rapid succession, very matter-of-factly.

He wanted Merodi to be proud of him. But even if, at this moment, she didn’t… well… did it matter that much? She loved him, just the way he was.

[OOC: Yay! I broke my writer's block!]

[Lord Sesshomaru]

Merodi didn't really know what to expect when she had stated those words he seemed to want to hear. It had only taken an action of him doing something that only reminded her on how and why she loved him. How he reacted to it, she could only assume would be happyness. She had been correct. She watched him curiously, and almost cautiously as he came to her. She didn't know what to expect. Even so, she mentally readied herself for whatever he decided to do when his hands went to her waist. Her eyes widened as she was suddenly lifted into the air and a startled gasp escaped her as she wrapped her arms tightly around his shoulders to make sure she didn't accidently let go. It was a little bit too sudden for her to laugh about it. She was still a frightened little deer.

When he placed her back down on solid ground she found herself flushing in emberassment of being startled like that. Yes, she still had a long way to go to reach that long forgotten goal of no fear. At least she knew she could never fear wolves again. She smiled up at him, even when she had had her scare for the day. Even so she allowed her arms to stay around him for a moment before she allowed them to drop at her sides as she waited until she was steady on her own two feet again. She stared up at him, continuing to smile for his happyness easily rubbed off on her. She listened to his words and were reassured by them.

"I'll always be proud of you," oh, that sounded so cheesy but she did not know what else to say to his words. It was true. She would always be proud of him. She admired him for his strength and courage. For his loud outspoken ways. And all the things she couldn't do. "I just hope that you can be proud of me." she found so many faults in herself that she couldn't see anyone being proud of her, or admiring her as she did Koga. She couldn't fight, she was easily startled. There she was, bringing herself down with her insecurities.

((woop))

[Aiko]

Aw… she’d looked so cute shocked! But if it really bothered her that much, Koga wouldn’t fling Merodi around any more. But hey, in his defense, all of that energy he’d felt had to go somewhere!

Back to the topic of being proud. Well, no matter how corny it sounded to the deer demon, Koga liked to hear that she was proud of him. And why not? He didn’t mean to sound conceited, but, you had to give it to him that he was pretty awesome. It was still nice to hear somebody say it, because in his mind, being told that he was somebody to be proud of was akin to being told he was worth something. He grinned cockily down at Merodi… until she started talking again.

Proud of her? Well… to be completely and totally honest, Koga hadn’t really thought about her like that. He liked more to think of how he could be her knight in shining armor, so to speak, which, in his mind, was what men were generally proud of being. What were women proud of being? This was a profound mystery to him, and his smile faltered for a moment as he puzzled over this. He really wanted to answer well, but wasn’t entirely sure how to. But then it came to him: it was one of the reasons he adored her so much.

“I am proud,” he said, blue eyes wide with sincerity… and perhaps a little mischief. “You’re the bravest deer demon I’ve ever met. And loyal, and honest, and…” He paused, eyes narrowing slightly with sudden playfulness. “You’re a true wolf, as far as I’m concerned.” Come to think of it, Merodi really did possess a lot of qualities that anybody would treasure, would be proud to say that they had. He grew thoughtful, and his face probably showed it as he crossed his arms over his chest, staring down at the deer demon for a moment before speaking his mind.

“Yeah, you really are. You’ve stuck around with me, even when you’ve gotten hurt, and even though you know it’s dangerous.” As he spoke the words, he realized how true it was, and while he was still concerned for the other demon’s well-being, he felt a swell of gratitude. “You never left me; you’ve never lied to me; you’ve got something like… like a giant rock inside you.” Realizing how vague this sounded, he elaborated: “You seem to think you’re no good sometimes, but you really are strong. I’ve seen it in your eyes; you’re a wolf deep down.”

And she had an excellent singing voice.

[Lord Sesshomaru]

Merodi looked at him, shocked at his answer. He was proud? Was he really? Why? It was still hard to believe. She found herself even more shocked when he continued. He was calling her brave. A true wolf. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. He was calling her a wolf. Oh, she couldn't help but find that hilarious. Her, a deer, act like a wolf. Was she really that brave? It was so hard to believe but it was always easier to believe when it was coming from someone else's mouth then her own. She found herself smiling with his words and explanations. Oh could she not? He was calling her a wolf! A wolf, of all thing! It was rediculous, but she loved it all the same.

Merodi's smile grew and before long she was laughing. It was a shy, short laugh but a laugh all the same. "A wolf, of all things." she said just as her laugh died. "I would never believe that I could be a wolf." No one would ever believe that she was a wolf as Koga did. No one would ever believe that she was brave as Koga did. And she was thankful for that. Merodi wouldn't believe what someone else said if naught for Koga. She could barely even believe herself.

Merodi took a few small steps until she was only inches from him. The urge of acting like a couple drove her to do so. Even so, her modesty kept her from doing the things she really wanted to do. She would do nothing more then to fiddle with the strings on his armor. "Thank you, Koga." she said, looking up at him before back at the strings. "That means a lot."

[Aiko]

Koga wasn’t quite sure what to say. Really, words weren’t his forte. Normally, he was just able to make himself understood. But with Merodi bare inches between him, fiddling with the little strings that came off the straps on his armor, he found himself overcome with affection; and this was no easy task for anybody, except for maybe Merodi. He gazed down at her, and he could practically feel his muscles liquidating as he softened, melting under a brief glance from her brilliant eyes.

He was so… so… happy. Part of it was the same blazing energy from before, and he felt like he could scoop her up again, but she’d probably get scared again, just when she seemed so content and grateful. And he was so lucky to have her with him. No, it couldn’t have been luck; it must have been fate that he found her on his territory all those months ago. Suddenly wanting to see those liquid eyes again, he reached under her chin, like in all of those romantic movies, and lifted her chin with his index finger, looking down into those eyes again and smiling calmly. Those eyes, holding something of Merodi’s coyness and modesty, calmed down the fierce, energetic delight that raged inside Koga.

“I’m glad,” he murmured, his voice soft as he searched the cool depths that were her eyes. “That makes me… so happy. Your smile. Your laugh.” Yes, that laugh of hers, small and shy and uncertain, yet overflowing with sincerity, made his heart flutter in time with her giggles. He wanted to hear it again, it was such a beautiful sound. What would make her laugh, what would make her laugh…? Well, she laughed when he called her a wolf, and when he’d “fixed” the boulder. What could he do now? It was a shame Koga wasn’t exactly a comedian. In all seriousness, what in the world could he do to make her laugh. He continued to stare at her face, but his gaze grew distant as he struggled to think of a way to make her chuckle, so he could hear her laugh again. He scrunched his face into a “thinking face,” where he looked like he was concentrating very hard – and with some difficulty – on something.

And that was putting it kindly.

[Lord Sesshomaru]

Merodi looked up at him curiously as he raised her head to look up at him. Her large brown eyes looking into his slightly narrowed blues and she couldn't help but smile. Her fingers continued to play with the strings, although she wasn't paying attention to them anymore. Some part of it she didn't really understand. Her smile, and her laugh? Did that truly make him so happy? She didn't care to ask such things, not when he was suddenly scrunching his face. It was hard to tell if he was thinking, of if he was constipated. And that thought alone made her chuckle. "What in the world are you doing Koga?" she said, reaching her hand up to touch his arm as his hand kept her chin up to look at him. She shook her head, another laugh escaping her. "You're so silly." and he was. He always did rediculous things and most of the time she was good at hiding her laugh, always afraid of making him angry. It was an instictual thing. Something always needed to be done.

Slowly she moved away from Koga, still a small smile on her face as she turned and walked a little bit aways. The feeling exchange changed the way she was thinking. Instead of seeing a forest, she saw a home. She might be a deer, but she was still a girl and she began to think on what this would mean. What it would lead to. She couldn't even imagine kids. Not her, a deer and him, a wolf. It was rediculous to think about but as a normal girl it was something she did think about. "Now what?" she asked, turning to look at him. She was being vague. So what she meant all depended on Koga. She could mean what they would do for lunch. What they would for the next month or two. Or maybe what they would do for the rest of their lives. She didn't care, as long as she got some sort of answer.

[Aiko]

He made her laugh…? Why, yes… yes he did! The look of concentration (or another word that began with c-o-n) was dispelled by the grin that broke loose on his face, which then switched emotions, from self-congratulating to curious, as she broke away from his grasp and stepped away from him. His hand hovered, stuck in its pose, for a moment longer, remembering the soft, velvety feeling of Merodi’s chin, before it found a new purpose in scratching under his ear. The motion made him look even more perplexed, and his face, as always, betrayed his feelings, laying them out for everybody to see. Pressured by the need to pursue her, Koga realized how the deer demon seemed to him at that moment, which was so strange for such a modest and humble character as herself.

She seemed almost like she was playing hard-to-get, and Koga, naturally, felt he had to chase after her.

But he had only taken a step towards her when she turned around and flung her question at him. Stopping mid stride, the wolf demon gave her another curious look. What did she mean, now what? Wasn’t it obvious? What course did she expect them to take? Or… did she not agree? Oh, but she must! Why wouldn’t she? “Well…” Suddenly, at the prospect of voicing this, Koga felt his face flush with hot blood. The thing he was about to say had implications, and these implications were the ones that flooded his mind at that moment. Well, this was what he wanted, wasn’t it? The answer was immediate, instinctive and heartfelt at once. So why didn’t he just say it? This was very much unlike him; never before had he been so shy about voicing his opinion. But voice it he must, because that was what he always did, and because this time, to this person, it was the most important thing.

Yes, it was important. And it was also important that he would have to be strong about it. His strength was not only to support him, but her as well. Hadn’t he said that already? And that was an implication of his suggestion. So he would be. No more of this uncertainty; he had chosen Merodi, and she him. What was the natural course of action? “I’ll take you as my mate,” Koga announced boldly. Though he had hardly realized it, his conviction to be strong, and his readiness to make this commitment, had brought him to stand tall, looking proud and strong and, yes, red in the face, but very certain about this decision. That was because he was; this was the one he had chosen. Might as well announce it to the world.

Merodi was to be his bride.