"Fairy Tales"

Dec 8 2018 A/N: Well, damn! It took over six months but I think I've finally got my writers blocked fixed on this story, lol ;-). Just posting a 'massaged' version of this chapter, alongside the new chapter i'll be posting. Thanks everyone! I hope you enjoy!

May 21 2018 A/N: Hi everyone! I can hardly believe that I'm writing a second Kouga/Kagome story considering how much time 'Wind & Snow' takes up for me but I was recently watching that older TV movie called "the 10th Kingdom" (haha she gets with a wolf in that one I guess that's why i enjoy it) and anyways, the story revolves around the Snow White story line and I just kept thinking wouldn't it be cute if Kouga came across Kagome telling that fairy tale to Shippou?!

I've written the first few chapters but am getting stuck. Let's be honest, Snow White is not a very good Romantic Prince Charming type story in and of itself considering that the prince does NOTHING in Snow White except show up at the end and kiss her! lol Trying to decide if I should write the prince into the story and then somehow make Kouga and Kagome actually end up IN A STORY (some demon could cast a spell or something.) OR I could have Kagome tell a bunch of DIFFERENT fairy tales over a series of nights, leading to... something..lol, that's when my mind breaks because I can't decide!

So instead of banging my head against the wall, I thought I'd start posting what I had and WELCOME ANY SUGGESTIONS you might have! I need a twist, a bang, a something... anyways, if you know my Wind & Snow story then you know I'm not afraid of writing action, adventure, twists and of course lemony goodness!

I'll just start posting what I have over the next few days and see what kind of responses I get. After chapter 2 is when i really need to start deciding on the story's future IF I continue with it.

So if you'd like a hand in seeing the direction our favorite couple goes, be sure to leave a comment/suggestion/idea/funny limmerick! :)

Thanks alll!

Lady p.

-ooOooOooOoo-SW&tW-ooOooOooOoo-

He'd run without stopping, the swift greens of his land and the melting colors of the coming night swirling past him in a rush of colors indiscernible to the eye . . . at least, to a human's eye. But the man that runs too fast in a swirling chaos of winds and color is no simple man. Grunting through fanged teeth Kouga the wolf demon runs through the world like an eagle sailing across the sky. Steps so light it's like he's hardly moving at all, the power rushing through his veins, a mixture of dark hot yoki energy and the strange swirl of the Shikon's pinkish light that thrums around his veins, igniting his blood and speeding his powerful legs forward. A strange combination to say the least, but none more strange than the destination those powerful, fast moving legs are heading towards without thought or hesitation, moving on instinct, engulfed completely in single minded determination.

Kouga can tell he's getting closer to his target destination when the changing winds bring him a scent that never ceases to make him growl angrily at the back of his throat; a scent that despite how it rakes across his senses, still brings a burst of speed to his flying gait. It's not until the unmistakable rich perfume of sweet lavender and warm, golden honey tickles his nose and drives straight into his soul, awakening his inner beast in a rush of dark smoldering heat that Kouga knows he's arrived. Every long painful moment of every day since he'd been parted from that scent suddenly washes away in a low deep rumble that strokes against his soul, filling him with desire and an instant need to be wrapped up in that scent by any possible means necessary.

As the sky darkens, the strong scent of campfire whiffs past Kouga's nose. He'd been careful to approach from downwind making sure that the worthless mutt didn't catch hold of his scent. It'd been so long since he'd seen her, so long since he'd been able to break away from his search for Naraku and dealing with his growing pack to be able to spend as much time with his beautiful woman as he'd like. And tonight, like many nights, the distance had been too much. Too much torment and pain swirling in the Alpha wolf's heart, battling with the glow of love that drove him forward in his quest for Naraku.

Kouga's mind, as always when it had a moment to pause, to reflect, had swung to that dark raven haired beauty he had thought to capture, thought to use to his own ends. What a fool he'd been. That had been before. Before he'd seen Kagome's courage, her fearlessness. Kouga grins; her stubbornness, so like his own. Her downright inability to know when she was outmatched and outnumbered. Oh, how she had slain him on that mountain top and he hadn't even known it!

When she had flung the little kit from the cliff's edge, sacrificing herself and risking Kouga's blood thirsty wrath to save a creature that wasn't even of her own species! In that moment of selfless, loyal, unimaginable love, Kagome had shot her arrow straight into Kouga's soul. His yoki had awoken in a way he'd never felt before but had heard others speak of when their yoki's had finally found and claimed a mate. A blazing fire had erupted inside him, complete with snapping jaws and a hungry desirous need to claim what was his.

In that moment, when Kouga stood upon the mountain top, his yoki open and blazing before him, he had called out his declaration of love because his soul had demanded it. Had burned for it! Had needed to stake its claim with every trembling blazing cell in his body. He was changed forever in that moment, a change that had swept away old beliefs and obliterated old hatreds, changing him in ways he could not yet fathom until Kouga, Alpha of the Eastern Dens was no longer what he had been that day on the mountain.

After so many years of being held under the sway of that power and that driving need, Kouga is something much different now, something unknown. His claimed yoki always yearning for and seeking its mate; the woman his soul had already claimed when she struck the tall imposing wolf demon with her small, clawless hand, baring her teeth, and showing her courage. One of many blazing arrows she'd shot into Kouga's heart and burned into his soul. Only now does he understand – he never stood a chance against her.

There's no doubt that Kouga is determined to seek vengeance for his brethren slain by the half-demon Naraku's twisted hands, but he'd be lying to himself if he didn't admit the bigger reason for his relentless pursuit of Naraku. The real reason Kouga scoured the land for the loathsome creature when he should be back at his dens, taking care of his pack. He knows the wolf elders want him to take a mate and to strengthen the blood of the wolf demon tribe, but how can he take a mate when he's already given his wolfish heart to a human miko that the despicable Naraku has in his sights? The thought of Naraku laying a hand to Kagome sends an angry rumble resonating at the back of Kouga's throat. There can be only one resolution for the wolf leader – kill Naraku first!

Of course, Naraku isn't the only male standing in Kouga's way. He isn't completely clueless, despite what his lazy ass betas might think, though they'd been smart enough to never broach the subject with him. Kouga understands that for whatever reasons, Kagome is stubbornly attached to the hanyou. But having a few centuries worth of experience with women – regardless of species, the wolf is confident that no intelligent, self-respecting, powerful woman like Kagome could possibly put up with the two-timing dog's insolent, disloyal, and indifferent behavior forever. The priestess is young; even by human standards she has been considered an adult for only a handful of years, and Kouga knows there's every chance that given enough time Kagome might just very well realize on her own what kind of relationship she's really having with the mutt.

Young yes. But growing, maturing, and blossoming every day, and every time Kouga sees her he's blown away more and more by how much stronger she's grown, how wiser, more compassionate. A strength forming around the edges of her youth, chiseled there by heart break, struggle, and by overcoming terrifying, mind numbing adventures that would certainly make most humans crawl back into their little huts and never want to leave.

But not his Kagome. Her wild, insatiable spirit is only just starting to find root in itself. How many times had he come across her and her friends of late to hear her berating and tearing into the dog with a ferocity the wolf had never seen from her before? Kouga smirks. Patience. That's all he really needs. One day he knows Kagome will open her eyes and see exactly what she's been missing.

It's then Kouga hears her, his heart instantly racing as he moves quietly and quickly in the darkness, his sharp demonic eyes glowing slightly in the dying light of day. As he carefully approaches the little camp, he spots the campfire crackling in the center of a group of people and Kagome's hunched form sitting nearby in her strange bed coverings with the little kitsune curled comfortably in her lap. An unusual looking scroll sits opened before her.

In spite of the distance, Kouga can make out vivid drawings with bright colors. The little kitsune's head is bent over the scroll while Kagome's soft, gentle voice reads the words scrawled across it. Nearby, the slayer and the monk – on opposite sides from each other – are reclined in their own sleeping rolls as they listen to Kagome read. Kouga can tell by the slowing rhythm of their hearts that they are not far from nodding off and that the mutt is stashed up in a tree on the farthest side of the little camp.

A dog sleeping in trees. Kouga has to fight back a snort.

"Really, Kagome?" the kitsune asks in wide disbelief.

"Uh-huh, Shippou." Kagome's eyes twitch, her gaze drifting towards the dark edges of the forest before moving back to the little fox.

"When the Queen looked in the mirror she would say, 'Mirror, Mirror, on the wall, who is the fairest of them all?'" Kouga smirks at the haughty voice Kagome assumes as she speaks in this queen's voice, pleased that he's caught her on a night when she is telling one of her strange stories to the little fox kit. He knows he shouldn't be sneaking around like this, his heart sagging at the realization that it is often the only way for him to get a glimpse of his woman without the stupid mutt getting in the way.

"The mirror always replied with the same answer," Kagome continues, drawing the wolf's attention back. "'Oh, my Queen who rules over all of sky, land, and sea, there is none in the land more beautiful than thee." Kagome's deep voice imitates the Magic Mirror, making Shippou giggle while Kouga muses to himself that this magical mirror must not be all that powerful if it can't see how beautiful his Kagome is. Way better than some haughty, egotistical queen.

A snort from the low hanging branch on the outskirts of the fire's glow has Kagome's eyes narrowing on a flash of silver and red that can be seen peeking through the leaves and branches. She fights back the sting in her eyes, knowing exactly what InuYasha must be thinking. Kikyo. As far as InuYasha is concerned, there is no one more beautiful than the undead priestess. Simultaneously, Kouga fights back the low growl in his throat at the mutt's disrespectful gesture.

What the fuck is his problem? Kouga's no fool, the mutt knows how beautiful Kagome is, inside and out, yet still he acts like a spoiled, stupid whelp chasing around a lifeless corpse. How many pups is a corpse going to give you anyway? None, that's how many. For a wolf, nothing could be worse, their need to procreate written into their blood, hardwired into their brains, and branded into their souls.

"But what happened to Snow White?" Shippou asks fighting back a yawn. "Was the Queen still mean to her?" drawing Kagome's attention back to him.

Kouga's thoughts pull away from the stupid mutt sitting in the tree, focusing on what the kit is asking. Who the hell is Snow White? Obviously he's missed some part of the tale.

Kagome smiles at the little fox, his innocence and joy always a welcome balm to the miko's often troubled spirit.

"Well, as Snow White got older, the Queen became more and more jealous of her step-daughter's beauty, watching with spite as all those who came to know Snow White, loved Snow White. Everyone that is except the wicked Queen." Kagome's voice takes on a dark menacing tone at the end that makes Kouga grin wider. His heart hums as he watches the kitsune's rapt attention, eyes opened wide in awe, hanging off Kagome's every word.

Man she'd make such a great mother to our cubs. The sudden thought startles the wolf – a deep pang that radiates in his heart at the sentiment. With difficulty, Kouga pushes the thought away. Until Naraku is dead and buried and Kagome forever out of his reach, there is simply no point to fantasizing such . . . fairy tales. The wolf sighs quietly in the darkness, the irony of such thoughts completely lost to him.

"Then one day the unspeakable happened," Kagome continues. "The Queen stood in front of her mirror and asked as she always did," automatically dropping back into the Queen's voice. "'Mirror, Mirror, on the wall, who is the fairest of them all?' With a ghostly face the mirror responds, 'Oh, noble Queen of sky, land, and sea, it is true that none have been as beautiful as thee.'" Kagome's tone fills with a low dark warning as she continues. "'But under our watchful eye we have seen grow, a beauty more gentle and graceful than winters first snow. Let all the land proclaim by sky, land, and sea, that Snow White is now more beautiful than thee.'" she finishes in a rhythmic flourish, pausing for effect as Kagome's words sink into the wide-eyed kitsune.

"The Queen became so enraged with the mirror's words, so overcome with jealousy, that in that moment the Queen's heart filled with evil intent." Kagome's eyes gleam, getting wrapped up in the story despite herself. Kouga's eyes grow wide like the little fox's. "But even as the dark thoughts swirled in the Queen's mind," Kagome speaks lowly, adjusting her tone and speech to the flow of her story, "the mirror rippled to life again on its own, surprising the evil Queen with what it said next." Immediately Kagome drops into her most serious magical mirror voice, fingers steepled together for effect.

"'Be wary the seeds of evil deeds you sow, for where they grow brings only woe. When true love's kiss melts the Snow, be prepared to lose all you know.'" Shippou gasps at the mirror's dire warning.

Kagome grins, loving how enraptured Shippou is by her story. The little kit had lost so much in his young life, and moments like these help soothe the ache in her soul she always feels for the little kitsune. Doing for him what his mother can never do again.

"It was then the Queen knew what she must do," Kagome continues in a dark voice. "Kill her step daughter. Kill Snow White!"

Shippou gasps in horror, "B-but that's awful!" he trembles.

Wait, what the hell kind of story is Kagome telling the kid? Kouga raises an eyebrow, annoyed when the stupid mutt barks loudly from his low hanging branch.

"Holy shit, Kagome, what the hell kind of story are ya telling the kid anyway? You're gonna give him fucking nightmares," InuYasha scoffs, arms crossed indifferently into the sleeves of his haori.

"Shut up, InuYasha!" Kagome scolds angrily, attempting to keep her voice low. "Don't you know anything? Every good story has to have a villain!"

A grunted, "Keh," is all the reply the miko receives as InuYasha stares up into the darkening sky, ignoring the scowl on Kagome's face. Deep in the shadows Kouga can't help but grin at the stupid mutt, loving anytime his woman lashes her fiery tongue at the worthless dog.

"Just like every story gets a happy ending, right Kagome?" Shippou smiles sweetly up at her with those wide, luminous green eyes.

Ignoring the snort of derision InuYasha makes – particularly loud – from his perch, Kagome focuses back on the little kitsune. "You bet, Shippou," she smiles, though the effort is strained. "But, sometimes our heroes have to overcome many obstacles before they get their happy ending. Sometimes they have to fight dangerous battles –"

"Like with dragons?!" Shippou asks excitedly, cutting her off. The kit's mind already awhirl with various battle scenarios playing out in his mind.

Kagome laughs, a soft litany of sounds that caresses Kouga's ears and warms his inner beast.

"Absolutely!" she grins. "Sometimes they fight dragons and armies so big they coat the entire land in nothing but glinting metal, sharp axes, and the sounds of marching feet."

"Wow." Moss green eyes fill with excitement.

The corners of Kagome's mouth begin to turn down. "But, sometimes their battles are a little less . . . epic. Sometimes our heroes have to learn to do equally difficult things," her eyes flicker momentarily to the tree-tops where silver and red sits silent and unmoving. "Like letting go of the past or overcoming old prejudices," mouth setting into a hard line.

Kouga doesn't miss Kagome's narrowed eyes or her tight mouth as she glares in the hanyou's direction, nor the twitch to the dog's ears despite acting as if he's heard nothing. The mutt's total indifference of Kagome's feelings boils Kouga's blood. He has to fight back the rising snarl in his throat to make sure he isn't heard by the dog, or the demon cat curled up asleep next to the Slayer.

The kitsune, young and innocent, notices nothing. "Pre-ju-diss?" Shippou attempts the strange word.

Kagome's face lights up again as she gazes back at the little fox, her annoyance with the mutt melting away as she smiles down at the little kitsune.

"Basically, it means we keep believing something is one way, even if it isn't true." Kagome fights the pang of . . . whatever it is . . . that vibrates through her heart at her own words.

"I don't understand." Shippou's forehead crinkles in the most adorable way.

Kagome nibbles the corner of her lip, considering her answer. A mental light bulb goes off in her mind that lights up her whole face in a big, wide grin that as far as Kouga is concerned, illuminates the entire darkened camp.

"Look at humans and demons for instance. Lots of people believe that all demons are evil and that humans and demons could never be friends. Humans are prejudice against demons, hating and attacking them without ever stopping to look at the real person underneath, never changing their minds. But, look at us," Kagome smiles warmly, gesturing to their little group. "I think we get along pretty good," laughing lightly when Shippou grins up at her mischievously.

"Well, some of us get along better than others." Shippou's mouth twists into a wry grin, leaving little doubt to whom he's referring too. The little fox's eyes tremble suddenly, overcome with a bought of powerful emotions as a thought forms in the kitsune's mind. Not wanting to imagine what might have happened to him in the big, scary, demon-hating world had the kind-hearted priestess not taken him in and loved him almost as much as his own mama had.

Turning into Kagome's chest, Shippou squeezes her tightly – too tightly. Kagome actually grunts with how hard the little kit is squeezing her.

The little guy really is getting stronger, she realizes with a pang, meaning her little fox is growing up.

"Thanks for never being pre-ju-diss, Kagome." Shippou's whisper is so soft and trembling with so much emotion, Kagome almost misses it, but Kouga hears it easily with his sharp hearing, making the wolf's heart stutter at the sentiment.

"Oh, Shippou," Kagome hugs the little kit to her tighter, moisture forming at the corners of her eyes at the little demon's exposed heart.

From within the cover of dark Kouga's heart lodges securely in his throat. He can't help thinking again what Kagome would be like with their own pups . . . incredible! His dark inner beast rumbles in approval at the thought.

The sound of InuYasha leaping down from his perch startles Shippou and Kagome from their embrace, watching curiously as the silver haired hanyou moves into the campfire's glow.

"Yeah, I'm ah . . . gonna go . . . scout around." InuYasha scratches at the back of his head, clearly uncomfortable with the amount of emotions swirling in the air.

"You don't want to hear what happens next?" Kagome asks fighting back a wave of hurt.

"Nah, I've heard this one before." He hasn't. Turning, InuYasha takes off into the night, not even waiting for Kagome's response or even her farewell as he disappears into the darkened forest moving thankfully away from Kouga's direction. The dog's callous, indifferent treatment of his woman burns in his gut. Oh, what he would do to that stupid worthless mutt if only Kagome would never find out about it!

Kagome's eyes burn with suppressed emotions as she watches the dim outline of InuYasha disappearing into the darkness. Kouga releases a quiet grunt to himself. What a clueless fucking dog.

"So, what happens to Snow White?" Shippou asks, not caring that stupid InuYasha is gone. "Does the Queen kill her?" he asks intrigued yet terrified.

"Oh . . . ah," Kagome fights to gather her thoughts, InuYasha's sudden departure stirring all kinds of whirling emotions inside her, and not for the first time. "Well, at first the Queen pays a loyal huntsman to take Snow White out into the woods and kill her."

"Does he?" Shippou yawns, little arms stretching over his head.

"No, he doesn't," Kagome attempts to smile, but Kouga notices the light doesn't quite reach her eyes this time. "In fact, the huntsman is so taken with Snow White's beauty that he tells her of the Queen's plans to kill her. He tells Snow White to run, to run deep into the woods and to never let the Queen find her." Kagome smiles in spite of herself at the awe growing in Shippou's gaze at the telling.

"Does she run?" Eyes bright and wide, even as another yawn tickles the little youkai's throat. Shippou does his best to fight it back.

"Of course she runs, she'd be stupid if she didn't run," Sango adds from her sleeping roll, having awoken from the steady slumber she was falling into when InuYasha had barged out of the campsite.

Kagome laughs, the corners of her eyes crinkling, glad that her friends are enjoying the story. Even Miroku seems to be peering through half-lidded eyes.

"Sango's right, Shippou. Snow White runs," Kagome smiles affectionately. "She runs and runs until she stumbles upon a strange cottage in the woods," watching amused as the little kitsune loses his obvious struggle and releases another yawn – wider this time, eyes still eager and anticipating.

It won't be long now, Kagome's eyes gleam knowingly.

"When Snow White enters the little cottage," she continues softly, "she finds a table set with seven plates and seven chairs all tucked in the room with care, but not a single living soul."

"Wow," Shippou yawns again. "Who did they belong too?"

"Well that's the thing, Snow White doesn't know. But she sees a narrow flight of stairs in the corner of the cottage and climbs them, discovering seven little beds, all lined up in a row. After being so scared for so long and having run so far, Snow White immediately lies down across them and falls quickly asleep."

"A –yawn– sleep?" Shippou's eyelids begin to droop close.

"That's right, Shippou," Kagome's voice softens, filling with a gentle caress. "Snow White lays her head down on the soft pillow," as she speaks, the miko slowly turns her body, laying the little kitsune in their bed roll. Holding back a smile she watches as Shippou fights to keep his eyes open, but it's been such a long day and he's so tired, and Kagome's voice is so soft, so soothing.

Lovingly Kagome strokes the kits ginger bangs. "Snow White closes her eyes," watching as Shippou's eyes slowly drift close, "and she falls deep . . . deeply . . . asleep." By the time Kagome finishes, the little kit's eyes are closed tight as his body turns in sleep, automatically curling in on himself, his soft little tail covering his face.

Sango laughs lightly, careful not to disturb the sleeping kitsune. "You have such a way with him." She speaks just loud enough for her strange miko friend to hear her.

"Oh, it's nothing," Kagome grins. "I used to take care of my little brother when I was younger 'cause my mom had to work so much after my dad died."

This bit of information startles Kouga. He'd never realized that Kagome had had to fend for herself at such a young age, and suddenly his miko's stubborn, determined strength makes more sense, making her all the more beautiful in his eyes.

"I dunno, Kagome," Sango lies on her side, hand tucked under her head for support. "I think maybe you have a way with canines," her mouth twists into a wry smile.

Miroku's snort of laughter thankfully covers up Kouga's own.

"I'd second that," Miroku smirks. "So, what happens with the rest of the story?" He turns to lie on his back, it's the only way he can fall asleep. "What happened to Snow White?" he asks, folding an arm over his eyes as he often did.

"Guess you guys will just have to wait until tomorrow night to find out," Kagome grins, laughing quietly at the groan Miroku gives her.

Sango rolls her eyes playfully at the monk, she'd expected as much. The story after all, is for little Shippou. "G'nite everyone," the slayer calls out softly, turning on her side so her back is to the campfire.

"Night, Sango. Night, Miroku," Kagome replies just as softly.

"Good night, Kagome. Good night, dear Sango, slayer of my heart." Miroku calls back, earning him a soft snort from Sango (and Kouga) and an eye roll from Kagome (and Kouga).

Kagome watches her friends settle in for the night, a small knowing smile growing at the corners of her mouth.

Kouga watches as the monk and slayer turn to sleep. He begins to move quietly, needing to make the long hike back to his own den and his own bed, but it had been worth it. To see Kagome, to smell her, to hear how she interacted with the kit and the worthless mutt! Ah, it had been worth the half hour run of super-enhanced youkai speed. Maybe he'll find them tomorrow night and see how the rest of that story turns out. It had seemed strangely violent for a story Kagome would tell the little kit, but trusting his miko, the wolf is only too curious to find out if Snow White really does escape the evil Queen.

As he moves from his hiding place, Kouga's startled by Kagome's whispered breath, so soft he's almost not sure if he's heard correctly. He pauses, holding still. After a few more moments he hears it again, the softest of whispers.

"Yes, Kouga, you."

The wolf swallows, Adams apple lodging in his throat. Turning his gaze back to the little campfire Kouga is surprised to find Kagome's eyes staring through the darkness and straight at him, as if there's any possible way for her to see him in the dark of the forest! Did he make too much noise? He'd been quiet enough that not even the mutt had heard him.

But he's even more surprised by Kagome's eyes narrowing on him. It sends a shiver running through the wolf and he's not entirely certain why. She stares at him through the dimness, the words she whispers next ring loud, crisp, and clear like a clarion bell in his sensitive hearing, making Kouga's heart trip in his chest.

"Wait for me."