Inuyasha' eyes snapped open. He still wasn't able to sleep. All he could think about was Kagome; and how she was at Kouga's den.
With a small sigh, the dog demon pushed himself to his feet. He was going to go, and he was going to go now. Careful not the wake his comrades, he silently crept out of the cabin.
Shippou silently watched him go, not moving to stop him.
Inuyasha knew he might see something he didn't want to. He also knew that if he didn't retrieve Kagome, he'd loose her to Kouga. It was that which caused him to hurry towards Kouga's den. He wasn't going to waste any more time.
When he finally arrived, it was nearly dawn. How long had he been attempting to sleep? He knew it didn't take too long to get to Kouga's den.
Quietly, the dog demon snuck past a sleeping Ginta and into the mouth of Kouga's cave.
What he saw made him want to tear Kouga apart.
The wolf-demon and Kagome were sitting extremely close together. And Kouga was eating his Ramen. HIS RAMEN!
Ears back, Inuyasha snarled, "Kagome, you're leaving with me now." He snapped to Kagome and grabbed her arm, yanking her up. Her bowl of dry cereal tumbled from her hand and spilt on the floor.
Kagome wrenched her arm away, and stepped back from Inuyasha. "That hurt! And you ruined my breakfast!" She yelled, giving him a deadly glare.
Inuyasha looked bewildered for a moment before smartening up and grabbing her arm again. "Keh! Who cares! We're leaving now. Come on."
Kagome struggled against his grip, but couldn't manage to get free. Inuyasha started dragging her to the cave's mouth.
Suddenly, the hanyou found Kagome being ripped away from him. With a dangerous growl, the dog demon turned to face Kouga.
Kouga let out a low growl at Inuyasha, stepping in front of Kagome.
Inuyasha took a step towards Kouga, but soon found himself being yanked to the ground by a powerful rosary around his neck caused by Kagome's shout of 'Sit.'
"What is this power you have over Dogface?" Kouga said while eyeing Inuyasha, face was currently pressed into his den's floor.
"He has a rosary around his neck. They're so if he ever tries to harm me, I just say 'Sit'." Kagome said softly, glaring at Inuyasha's form.
Inuyasha, who was just starting to recover from the last sit, found his face buried, once again, in Kouga's floor. Kagome waved her hands towards Inuyasha, "and that happens. Lady Kaede gave them to me when the Shikon no Tama was broken. I needed his help to collect the shards"
Kouga was holding Kagome's hands in no time. He pulled her close to him. "Why do you love someone who hurts you, Kagome?" Kouga asked softly before continuing in a slightly more normal voice level, "You don't need a rosary for me, my love. I would never harm you, and I would never hurt you. You, my woman, deserve better than a two-timing half dog demon. Let me help you gather the Shikon no Tama and destroy Naraku"
As he completed his sentence, Inuyasha was already standing and advancing towards Kouga. Neither would have notice if the idiot dog-demon didn't speak.
Or yell, for that matter. "YOU PUNY WOLF! GET YOUR HANDS OFF HER"
"SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT!" The words flew from Kagome's mouth in a panic, almost automatically. The mistrust she had in Inuyasha's ability to control himself was obviously quite low. Well, in Kouga's point of view, anyway.
Inuyasha slammed to the cave floor, dust flying up around him. Kouga's ears went back from the yelling.
Kagome's cheeks were suddenly tinted red with realization. "Sorry, Kouga." She said, softly.
The wolf prince smiled at her, "No worries, my love"
Kagome's hands dropped from Kouga's as she stepped back. "I should leave, Kouga-kun. It's not right for me to be here. I feel as if I'm using you. I-" She didn't look at him.
Kouga's finger rose and gently pressed against her lips, to silence her.
"Kagome," He removed his finger, "My woman, I want to see you again soon"
He leaned his head in towards her, intent on her lips. The Miko turned her head at the last moment and Kouga's lips brushed against her cheek.
He chuckled softly and whispered so quietly Inuyasha couldn't hear; and Kagome had to strain to make out. "I'll come for you soon"
Kagome's cheek's flamed up even brighter at the kiss and what Kouga had said. Her heart beat even sped up a bit. Kouga grinned at her, hearing the Miko's heart rate pick up.
He was slapped hard across the face, Kagome's reaction quite delayed.
Kouga grinned more at her, ignoring the growling Inuyasha who was starting to stand.
Kagome got down on her knees and hurriedly stuffed her things into her pack. She quickly removed another cup of Ramen soup from her pack before slinging it over her shoulder. She stood up, and faced Kouga. With a bright smile she pressed the Ramen into Kouga's hands.
"You seem to like it a lot, and I have plenty left until I return to my world." She smiled once more, and was at Inuyasha's side as the dog demon finally fully erected himself. She looked Kouga in the eyes for merely a quick moment. "Farewell, Kouga-kun"
Inuyasha growled deeply at the arrogant looking Kouga and took a stepped towards the wold. Kagome stopped him.
"I'm ready to go, Inuyasha. Don't even think about it. If you fight Kouga, I'll go back to my world"
Inuyasha seemed to consider it for a moment before sticking his nose in the air. "Keh. That puny wolf is no match for me anyway. Come on, Kagome"
Kagome climbed onto Inuyasha's back and the two were off. Neither of them said a word to each other the entire time; and Inuyasha was positively fuming.
Kagome, on the other hand, stared pensively at the trees passing under them. One arm around Inuyasha's neck, the other one reached up to her cheek, where Kouga kissed her, another blush gracing her cheeks. She was confused as to why she enjoyed it so much, and why she was so excited about him coming for her. She sincerely hoped he came soon.
At that thought, a soft giggle erupted from her lips, then died down.
Inuyasha frown as he carried her, wondering what she was giggling about. He was having a deprave inner battle. Kouga kissed Kagome. He shouldn't care. What if they did something more than just that when he wasn't there- what if Kagome was Kouga's mate?
No. That wasn't possible. He'd smell him on her. In her.
Why did he hear Kagome's heart beat become louder and faster? Was she frightened, or excited?
Not that it mattered. Kagome wasn't his woman, she in no way belonged to him. He belong to Kikyou, and only her. He couldn't lay claim to Kagome, nor any other woman. He belonged solely to Kikyou. There was no way to change that. Right? Inuyasha sighed and tried to clear his head. It wasn't worth thinking about. He hated the feelings the thoughts gave him. Kami, and Kagome said she liked him like that, too!
Maybe if he broke it off with Kikyou, Kagome wouldn't go back to that damned wolf anymore?
Perfect plan. He'd find Kikyou and tell her that he belonged to Kagome. She'd understand. Wouldn't she?
Kagome's own thoughts were going down hill. She was confused and annoyed that Inuyasha hadn't come for her the moment he saw Kouga carry her away. Perhaps he didn't care for her as much as she did for him? Or he just cared for that tramp Kikyou more? Maybe he's just too damned hung up on her to care if she's with Kouga.
It wasn't too much longer until they both reached the cabin. Neither of the group said a word, although they were indeed, burning with curiosity. They were dying to know what happened between Kagome and Kouga, what Inuyasha saw when he got there, and who was with whom?
Inuyasha growled low at the looked they were giving Kagome and him. After abruptly dropped Kagome, he stormed outside.
Kagome silently removed her pack and sat down with the group.
There was a long, tense silence before anyone spoke.
"Well?" Sango said, quietly.
"Well what? There's nothing going on between me and Kouga-kun. Inuyasha just thinks there is. Nothing happened. He's just mad because I wouldn't let him attack Kouga-kun." Kagome stood, slightly irritated. "We need to leave, and start searching for shards, or Naraku, or something. We can't get anything done by sitting idle." She ground out, grabbing her pack and moving outside.
Shippou followed quickly out behind her and Miroku and Sango stood and began gathering things.
Miroku moved over towards Sango in a silent offering of help. "She sounds rather like Inuyasha, saying that, don't you think?" He murmured softly, hand reaching out to grope Sango's butt.
Sango scooted forward and whirled around, her hand flying out to slap him across the cheek. She glared darkly, grabbing the last of her things and marching outside. It was a long day in which they found nothing except random monsters. There were no shikon shards, moral quests, towns, not even a hint or Naraku. There was nothing.
The group had no idea that Inuyasha wasn't really searching. They all grumbled complaints when they found they had to sleep in the woods.
Inuyasha had been purposely misdirecting the group, and was quite thankful that Kagome had not sensed any jewel shards. He had been following Kikyou's scent all day; careful not to get too close to the being. He would see her tonight, when everyone was asleep.
Inuyasha stayed perched on his branch, watching the group. He didn't want Kagome catching him with Kikyou again. He couldn't have her running back to Kouga. Not on the night he planned to break up with Kikyou for her. Kagome would think he was screwing around with the bitch again. He couldn't have that; Kagome might leave him for good, for that damned wolf.
Inuyasha stilled completely and listened for the signal that his comrades, especially Kagome, were asleep. He listened for shallow breathing, loud snores, slowed heartbeats. After a few moments he knew that two were left awake- and one was Kagome.
He sighed and settled back into his thoughts. He knew this time that he didn't have to fear being alone; that Kagome would take him.
He did feel really bad about the whole thing, and had come to a conclusion. Kagome deserves all his love, and if he can't give it all, he shouldn't give her any of it. Therefore, he was going to break it off with Kikyou. Tonight. And if he can't... well, then... Kagome deserves Kouga. A man that could love her completely, and freely.
Kagome was having a hard time sleeping. She was verging on a doze, but she was too excited. She decided that Kouga was going to come get her tonight. Why would he wait?
She rolled onto her side, snuggling into her pillow with a gentle smile. She could feel it; the more time she spent with Kouga, the more she enjoyed spending time with him. She knew, and could feel, quite clearly, that she was falling for the wolf prince. The feeling confused her, because she thought she loved Inu Yasha... but... the dog demon had already chosen his mate.
That's right. He chose a dead creature over her. Why should she care.
Pushing Inuyasha from her mind, and focusing on happy thoughts about Kouga coming for her, she finally drifted off into a slumber.
Kouga, heavily masking his scent, waited for Inuyasha to fall asleep. He was listening with all his might. It was a rather pleasant surprise for him when he could smell Inuyasha's scent weakening, hear the distance sound of footsteps. The dog demon was actually leaving the camp. He couldn't hope for a better opportunity.
After waiting several more minutes for Inuyasha to fully disappear, the wolf prince silently moved to Kagome's sleeping form.
He didn't wait her yet; instead, he crouched silently and listened to her breathing, her slow heart rate, allowed his eyes to graze over the curves of her body. He smiled to himself, finding it amazing how beautiful she was, even in her sleep.
A soft murmur of "Kouga.." coming from Kagome made Kouga's heart skip a beat. His eyes went immediately to her face, only to find she was still sleeping. He smirked. She was dreaming of him?
Deciding it was time to return her to his cave, he scooped Kagome up in his arms. She stirred groggily, mumbling a half asleep, "Kouga-kun... I've been waiting"
Kouga took a deep breath, trying to will his heart to slow down, "Sleep, my woman. I'll let you know when we're in my den"
He couldn't think of anything except the warmth of her skin, the intoxicating scent she was emitting, the rhythmic beating of her heart the entire was to his den. That, and how Kagome must have finally realized that they are meant for each other.
My apologies for the long wait.
I really hate their new editing crap.
Thank Zetus for reminding me the story existed.