A/N: Lime and lemon warning for this story, though I won't give away where! ;) No like, no read. K? And it's written in present tense...apparently the only tense I can write in. Sorry if it bugs you. Again, no like, no read. Thanks for giving my second story a shot! :)

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Kagome sits on the grass at the edge of camp. Alone. Crying. Again. Inuyasha has left her to follow after Kikyou's soul collectors. Again. She puts her face in her hands, and sobs quietly. The others can only pity her from a distance, shaking their heads at her situation while they stare into the evening's fire.

Out of the blue, a whirlwind appears, stopping abruptly at Kagome's side. She is so distracted by her own emotions that she doesn't even sense the jewel shards' approach, and Kouga's sudden presence startles her.

"Kouga!" she exclaims, greeting him with a tear-streaked face.

Kouga's anger is immediately kindled. "What did that bastard do to you?!" he demands through clenched teeth.

"Oh, it's not like that, Kouga. Inuyasha didn't hurt me. Not physically, anyway." The last part is just a mutter, but Kouga's keen ears pick it up.

He crouches beside Kagome, taking her hands in his. Instead of her customary flinch, she welcomes his touch—she is in sore need of comfort.

Softly, Kouga says to her, "Kagome, I know you care about that worthless piece of meat for some reason, but he made you cry, and I damn well know this isn't the first time!

"Please come with me. I would never bring tears to your beautiful eyes! Unlike that damned dog, I love you and care about how you feel! Won't you reconsider my offer and become my mate?"

"Kouga," Kagome begins regretfully, "you know I can't do that."

"And why not?"

"Well...I only think of you as a friend, for one thing...and then of course there's the jewel shards to find, and only I can sense them...and...I can't leave my friends behind....and...and...well..."

Kouga cuts her off before she can mention 'dog-breath's' name. "You can search for the jewel shards with me, Kagome!" He emphasizes his point with a finger to his pride-filled chest. "And I promise, any we find...we will bring back here. You'll still get to find shards, and see your friends. And in time...you will learn to love me like I love you." He drops to his knees, taking her hands in his own again, his eyes gleaming as they bore into hers. "Just give me a chance...it's all I'm asking for."

Kagome, very distraught, suddenly finds Kouga's offer unusually appealing. She's had enough of Inuyasha's two-timing. She tells Kouga she will think about it.

He smirks with pride. That's the closest to a 'yes' he's gotten from her so far. He knew he could win her over eventually.

"Then I'll leave you to do your thinking. Remember what I said. I will make you happy, Kagome. I promise." With that and a grin, buoyed with tangible hope for the first time, he tears off for his—possibly soon to be their--home.

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Kagome is left alone with her thoughts. She really is sick of Inuyasha leaving her every time those wispy beings beckon like another woman's arms—and to her, that is exactly what they are.

Kagome feels worse than second-best. More like the second-runner up. There seems to be such a gap between Inuyasha's feelings for her and for Kikyou; how could she ever measure up? She tries to give herself reasons to keep her promise to stay with Inuyasha. However, all she can come up with are the facts that a promise is not to be broken without just cause—and respect for Inuyasha's feelings.

But why should I care about Inuyasha's feelings? He obviously doesn't have any for me. And as for just cause...with as much pain as Inuyasha puts me through on a regular basis, well, that's 'just cause' if anything is...Isn't it?

"Inuyasha has someone...albeit a dead someone he doesn't see every day—who doesn't even seem to love him anymore—but still, someone. She makes him happy. Don't I deserve something like that too? Or at least a chance at it? And why would Inuyasha even care if I went with Kouga, beyond the fact that he just doesn't like the guy? I mean, I'd still be bringing him the shards, after all..."

Slowly but surely, Kagome is talking herself into it.

She will go with Kouga. She will take her chances with someone who really cares for her, isn't afraid to show it, and doesn't have another woman hiding in the shadows. She wants to be happy. And Kouga has presented her with that opportunity.

No, he isn't her first choice, but Kouga was well aware of that. All he had asked of her was a chance...and a chance at happiness and love is all Kagome really wants herself.

She will give Kouga and herself that chance. She deserves it, doesn't she? And if Inuyasha doesn't like it, well, he can just go complain to Kikyou!

But how to tell him...oh, the fight that would surely ensue...But she is ready to defend her decision. Even against the one she truly loves and wants to be with.

She is tired of having her heart broken. Two years have passed since she fell through the well, and she is still no closer to being with Inuyasha. She is ready for a change...one with the potential to bring her true happiness.

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A/N: Siren_satakieli receives Kudos for her initial refinement of this story during the absence of my usual beta. Thanks, Siren!!

Special thanks to Brakken, my wonderful beta, for returning in time to help me continue to revise and polish this story so well! I bow to you! :)

And PLEASE review for me??? I'm pouting and everything!! See the quivering bottom lip protruding? (I hope begging works on you, dear precious reader :) )