Disclaimer: Inuyasha belongs to Rumiko Takahashi and I am in no way making a profit from this.
'Just a little bit farther and I'll be at the top.' Kagome thought as she heaved herself up the side of the well. It normally wouldn't have taken so much effort, but she had had to refill on supplies, and therefore her pack was twice as heavy as normal. With an exhausted yet determined smile she finally was able to hoist herself over the lip of the well, breathing heavily as she sunk to the ground. As she caught her breath she noticed something, or rather someone missing. 'Where's Inuyasha? I told him I was coming back today.' She thought, taking a moment to wipe her brow before surveying the area only to find that the hanyou was nowhere to be seen. Her brow furrowed as she came to the conclusion that she most likely knew where he was and as if on cue, Kagome noticed Kikyou's soul collectors just a few miles away. She let out an exasperated sigh as she rested her head against the well.
'Of course he would ditch me to go meet with her, he always has, he could've at least come to help with me with my bag before going.' She thought almost sourly before she rationalized that no such thing would ever happen. She honestly didn't know why it had still bothered her, it had been almost four years since she came to this era and nothing had progressed. She had honestly started to lose interest in the hanyou as it became clearer to her each passing year that he would never feel the same way she felt, his morbid devotion to Kikyou should have been proof of that from the start. She sat there for a few more minutes until her arms and legs no longer felt like jelly before getting up and stretching her tired limbs then hoisted her heavy bag onto her shoulders. 'I am so going to need a nice long soak when I get to the village.' She thought, the fantasy of the hot springs soothing her sore muscles becoming her motivation as she trudged on. It had felt like forever before she had reached the village and a sigh of relief escaped her lips when she saw Shippo and Miroku coming to meet her.
"Kagome, where is Inuyasha? I thought he was supposed to meet you at the well." Miroku asked when they had met up. "I don't know, he wasn't there when I got here." She said. 'It wasn't exactly a lie I guess.' She added silently. Her friends knew of her decision to not pursue Inuyasha as a romantic interest anymore, but she knew that they still felt as the situation between him and Kikyou had bothered her. It still did bother her, but not as much as it had in the beginning, back when she would become an emotional wreck and cry for days feeling as if her heart had been ripped out of her chest. The feeling was now little more than a slight throbbing, and for that she was glad. She rolled her shoulders and delighting in the feeling since Miroku had graciously offered to carry her bag the rest of the way. "So Miroku, why didn't Sango come with you guys?" She asked and he offered her an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry Kagome, Sango went home to her village, but she should return in a few days." He replied and she was slightly upset that she wouldn't have Sango to talk to in the hot spring. After they had arrived and Kagome handed out the supplies she grabbed her towel and bathing supplies before headed towards the hot springs. It would be getting dark soon and she didn't want to be wandering around in the nude at night.
When she found her way to the small body of water, she looked around quickly before slipping out of her clothes. She sighed in content as she slid into the heated water. She took a moment to let her tired muscles relax before lathering up her wash cloth and washing the days sweat and grime away. As she set to the task, she couldn't help but wonder why she was still here. Naraku had been defeated and the jewel completed, but for some reason she was able to still travel through the well. She didn't really have any duties in this era, none that would really affect the future at least. She figured that since she had spent so much time here that maybe it was just her destiny to be in this era, but what destiny was this? To be constantly heartbroken by the only man she had ever loved, tormented by his verbal abuse and the fact that she would never be good enough?
She let out an exasperated sigh when she felt the first pin pricks of tears beginning to form at the corners of her eyes, inwardly cursing herself for letting her mind wander to such a depressing subject. Taking a deep breath, she allowed herself to calm down and closed her eyes, letting the warm water center her. After a few minutes she felt much better as she poured a small bit of her shampoo into her palm before lathering it into her hair, the gentle motions on her scalp relaxing her even further. She took a deep breath before plunging under the water to rid herself of the suds. When she was satisfied that her hair was finally free of soap, she peered around her, once again making sure she was alone before standing and grabbing for her towel, securely wrapping it around her. She hid behind a cluster of bushes to give her some sense of modesty as she dried herself off and pulled on some clean clothes.
She began to head back to the village as soon as she was done and was glad that she had thought of taking a flashlight just in case as it was just starting to get dark. She made it back to the village quickly enough and made quick work of setting up her sleeping area when she noticed that Inuyasha had returned and was now heading towards her. She quirked an eyebrow as he approached, looking miffed about something. "Why the hell weren't you at the well when I came to get you Kagome?" He demanded as if she were a child and she felt the anger bubble up inside of her as she stood. "Well Inuyasha, I could ask you the very same thing, indulging in a bit of necrophilia perhaps?" She said, her voice sickengly sweet and she held back a smirk as he went pale, though she wasn't sure if it was because she knew or if he was scared that she was going to 'sit' him.
"That's none of your business wench, I'll come and go as I please, I'm not at your beck and call." He sneered, suddenly finding his anger again. A dark look passed over her and he took a step back, taking a nervous gulp. She was about to sit him into oblivion for having the nerve to say something so hurtful when she noticed that his ears had gone flat against his head as he sniffed something, his face turning to a disgusted grimace. She was going to ask him what was wrong when she sensed two jewel shards and a familiar demonic aura. She tensed as the familiar whirlwind came into view, she didn't really want to keep those two from going after one another, she felt so emotionally drained today but unfortunately it was inevitable, she was going to have to do damage control. As per usual, Inuyasha moved so that he was shielding her from the wolf demon as he came skidding to a halt. She wasn't sure why he insisted on doing it, why did he care especially since he knew that Kouga would never hurt her. Then she thought maybe that was the exact reason why he did it. Rolling her eyes, she went around the hanyou and stood In front of him to prevent an attack.
"So, how is my woman doing tonight?" Kouga asked smoothly as he grabbed Kagome's tiny hands in his much larger ones. "I'm fine Kouga, how are you?" She asked pleasantly and he beamed radiantly. She would never admit it out loud but she loved it when he smiled, he looked so handsome. She figured that she must've been staring too long when Inuyasha wrenched them apart, putting himself between them and she was slightly disappointed, his hands were nice and warm. "Get outta here you stinkin' wolf! Kagome isn't yours and she never will be!" He yelled and Kagome felt her anger come back full force. "Inuyasha, sit." She commanded calmly as he plummeted face first into the dirt and Kagome took the opportunity to step over the hanyou and stood in front of the Ookami prince.
"Sorry about that Kouga." She said with an apologetic smile and Kouga grinned as he took her hands once again. "Oh Kagome you're very sweet, but you don't have to protect me from that mutt I can handle him." He said pulling her closer and wrapping an arm around her shoulders, effectively making her blush. "So, Kouga what brings you all the way out here?" She asked genuinely curious, it had been quite a while since he'd sought her out and when his expression took an air of seriousness to it she worried something may have happened to his pack. "Well Kagome, I would like you to come with me to my pack for the spring festival….um, if you'd like." He asked, adding on the last part sounding as if he'd lost his nerve. Kagome inwardly giggled at the thought of him being awkward, it was rather cute and she wondered how he would act around her without Inuyasha around. She smiled and was about to accept his offer when the subjugation beads had finally wore off. "Hell no she's not going with you! Her place is here with me!" Inuyasha spat out as he hefted himself out of the hanyou sized hole he had made and grabbed Kagome's arm, shoving her behind him.
'How dare he?!' Kagome mentally screamed and proceeded to sit the hanyou once again. "You bitch! What the hell did you do that for?!" He yelled, glaring at her as much as the beads would let him. "You jerk! What makes you think that I belong to you or anybody for that matter? Especially when you've already chosen Kikyou?!" She yelled back and Kouga covered his sensitive ears at such close proximity to her. "Wench I haven't chosen anybody! Both of you are mine!" He declared boldly and at that Kagome's blood boiled, she couldn't take any more of this. "Inuyasha, you are the biggest jerk I've ever met! I've never been yours, nor will I ever be, I never want to see your face again!" She cried out, shaking out of Kouga's grasp and took off running. "You've really done it now mutt face." Kouga said, glaring down at the hanyou before taking off in the direction Kagome had gone. Kagome knew it was a stupid idea to go running off in the dark, but she had to be alone right now, she needed to think and calm down and she inwardly cursed when she felt Kouga hot on her heels. "Kagome, are you alright?" He asked as soon as he had caught up with her and she plopped down on the ground where she was, trying to hold back her tears. "I'll be fine Kouga I just wanna be alone for a little while." She said, her voice cracking as the tears began to spill down her cheeks.
"Well, I'm not leaving you alone out here." He said, his tone leaving no room for argument as he sat down next to her and wrapped an arm around her when he noticed she was shivering. She moved closer to him, enjoying the warmth and silent comfort he offered. She continued to cry as quietly as she could, letting the anger and frustration leave her body. Soon her tears had turned into a series of sniffles and hiccups and Kouga smiled at how cute she sounded before letting his head rest on the crown of her head, taking in her scent. Kagome leaned further into him as it was beginning to get colder. She realized she'd never been this close to him when she breathed in and got a hint of his scent. After a few breaths she decided she liked the way he smelled, like the wind and the woods, and something just uniquely Kouga. "Comfy?" Kouga asked when she let out a small yawn before resting back against him and couldn't help but let out a small chuckle when she bolted upright, her face red and spurting apologies. "It's alright Kagome, there's nothing to be sorry for." He reassured her as she apologized for what seemed like the tenth time. She quieted down at this though her cheeks were still slightly flushed. "Would you like me to take you home?" He asked when she yawned again.
She shook her head no and he almost smacked himself when he realized what that would result in, he would not have his woman made even more upset because of dog breath. "I'm sorry Kagome, would you like to come with me until you figure out what you'd like to do?" He suggested and she looked up at him. "What about my bag? It has all of my stuff in it." She asked and Kouga stroked his chin as if contemplating something. "Well, we can get it tomorrow after the festival, uh I mean that is if you still wanted to go." He suggested nervously and Kagome almost slapped herself, she had completely forgotten about that. "Yeah, I-I'd like that." She replied quietly, almost shyly and she swore she had never seen someone smile so brightly, she'd never seen him so happy and she smiled back at him before a shiver went through her. "Come on, let's get you out of here before you get sick." Kouga said, picking her up bridal style before taking off like a rocket. Kagome let out a small yelp, she wasn't used to going this fast and it took a little bit for her to become accustomed to traveling at such a fast pace.
"Are you alright?" He asked when he smelled the faint scent of fear on her. "Yeah I'll be fine, I'm just not used to going this fast." She said and he slowed down a bit. "Is that better?" He asked and she nodded. "Thank you." She said and he gave a slight nod. It would take them a little bit longer to get to the pack at this pace, but he didn't mind all that much, Kagome's comfort mattered more to him at this point. It took them about an hour before they approached the large waterfall that signaled the entrance of Kouga's territory. He looked down to tell Kagome that they had arrived only to find that she had fallen asleep and his heart swelled at the thought that she trusted him so much to actually fall asleep in his arms. As they got closer to the caves Ginta and Hakkaku came to meet them. "Hey Kouga, what took you so long?" Ginta asked and Kouga shushed at him harshly before glancing down at Kagome to make sure she hadn't woken up.
"Sorry Kouga." He said sheepishly when Kouga had given him a hard stare. "So Sis decided to come with you after all, ne?" Hakkaku asked. "Way to point out the obvious idiot." Kouga said, keeping his voice low and Ginta snickered into his hand. Kouga went forward towards the caves, followed by the two wolves. When they reached the caves Kouga turned to Ginta and Hakkaku. "We are not to be disturbed unless it's an absolute emergency got it?" He warned and they stood straight and saluted him. "Got it." They confirmed in unison before turning into the main caves leaving Kouga and Kagome at the entrance of Kouga's private den. He felt glad for this, it was one of the perks of being the leader and he was sure Kagome would appreciate the privacy. He set Kagome down on a large pile of pelts, covering her with a blanket and he smiled as she snuggled into the warm fur before he set to work gathering some straw and some fur pelts, making a bed for himself. Although he wanted nothing more to crawl in next to her and wrap himself around her beautiful body, he highly doubted that she would be pleased with such an arrangement considering how innocent she was and had a habit of calling any male a hentai if she felt they were doing anything 'inappropriate'.
He did however position his makeshift bed within arm's length of her just in case. He stripped himself down until he was in nothing but his loin cloth and laid down covering himself with a blanket. He folded his hands behind his head and glanced over at Kagome, she had since rolled onto her tummy and was now facing him. Her hands were tucked under her as she snuggled further into the fur and he fought the urge to lay with her and bury his face in her neck just to fall asleep with her calming scent. He decided to roll onto his side, facing away from her when he began to reconsider his decision to sleep in separate bedding and tried to ignore the little contented sounds she would make every now and again. He growled in frustration when she mumbled out his name, it was going to be a very long night.