AN – I don't own Inuyasha.

xXx

Kagome sighed as she wiped the sweat off her forehead; it had been a long day. She had sensed a jewel shard just when they had left a village they had been resting at and Inuyasha had immediately yanked her onto his back and began barking out orders to the others, which they had followed without arguing. She had previously wondered why they instantly did what Inuyasha demanded them to do without questioning, especially Shippou who never let Inuyasha boss him about. Upon voicing her thoughts, Sango made it her point to explain it to her when they had been relaxing in a hot spring.

"Kagome, what do you know about packs? You know the order and ranking…?" Sango gazed at her with her reddish orbs that contained patience-something she didn't have when Miroko's hand wandered too much for his own good.

She rolled her shoulders and leant her head on a rock, cupped her hands and filled them with water before holding out her cupped hands and tipping them, pouring the water from her palms and back into the spring-a new habit. She returned Sango's never-ending stare and answered her even though she didn't understand what the hell it would have do with her question.

"I don't know much to be honest but I do know the ranking and order. First there is the alpha which is either female or male depending on the circumstances, then the betas and lastly the omega, which is the weakest of the pack."

Hearing her reply Sango hummed and began to create ripples before returning to the conversation. She briefly wondered if Sango had even listened to what she just said.

"Your right. Do you know the duties the alpha of the pack has to carry out?" Sango asked.

She shook her head. "My teacher from my era was elaborating on it but he was dragging it. It sounded so boring I just zoned out."

Sango let out a short laugh before continuing. "The alpha of the pack is responsible for the other members; he or she must provide for the pack and lead them. Leadership within a pack is of high importance. The leader of the pack initiates the pattern, which direction the pack will travel, when to rest and when to hunt."

She listened attentively, when her teacher spoke it was droning but when Sango spoke she couldn't stop herself from listening. She guessed it was because Sango's her best friend.

"In our case Inuyasha is our alpha." Sango snapped her hand up before she could say anything. "Let me finish. Inuyasha may be a hanyou but he still has the instincts of a youkai. Inuyasha is half human and half youkai—specifically half dog demon." Kagome tilted her head to the side even more confused than she had been before.

"Being a hanyou doesn't rule out his instincts rather, due to being half human in a way it encourages them. Inuyasha is a half dog demon. If there is something you need to bear in mind about a dog demons pack it is that they are highly organised meaning in their packs—order is the rule."

Well, that explained why they automatically did what Inuyasha demanded them to do. Inuyasha considered himself to be alpha and that also pointed one big, fat fact to her. Inuyasha always stopped her from going to her era and always always expected her to do what he said because he was alpha. Orders were orders; they were carried out without any sort of objection.

She inwardly laughed. Well, I guess I broke that rule.

She nodded to let Sango know she understood. It was so simple. How she couldn't have understood it surprised her.

Then in one moment several questions popped up. She turned to Sango to express them. "Since you said Inuyasha is our alpha and leads us, do you think that when I tell him to let us rest it..." She struggled, unsure of which word to use. "…annoys him, frustrates him? Especially, since if he refuses I always use the beads of subjugation." She quickly added.

"I understand what your trying to tell me and to be honest it probably doesn't just annoy him or frustrate him-it most likely makes him angry. Being alpha male, he expects us to do as he orders and you using the beads of subjugation probably…" Sango paused, her eyes flickering to meet Kagome's. "Lands a blow to his pride and ego." She said the words slowly not wanting Kagome to feel guilty. Sango admitted to herself that Kagome tended to subdue Inuyasha more than she should but given the circumstances and the flurry of emotions, she couldn't blame Kagome for what she did. Maybe a little bit of self-control was needed but Sango doubted that it would help. Kagome was always emotional, is emotional and in the future would probably still be emotional—that was one fact that would never change. That one fact was what made Kagome well Kagome.

Kagome frowned.

Lands a blow to his pride and ego.

Sango's words echoed in her mind. She knew that subduing Inuyasha wasn't always the solution to everything but sometimes she just had to go that far. Inuyasha could be really infuriating and she knew that her lack of control on her emotions always ended with Inuyasha face planting the floor and her storming off.

It is his fault though. He always stops me from going back home except for the times when I would catch him and Kikyou having a lover's moment. When Kouga would come and try to coax me into being his mate, I need to sit him. Then the times when he rushes off into battle without thinking about the danger and becoming a full demon. Then there's the time when he's always picking on Shippou and other people. Not to mention the countless times he insults and compares me to Kikyou. I have many reasons to sit him. He deserves it!

…But…

She bit her lip. Sango had told her that Inuyasha was the alpha, to know that she was subduing their alpha, was that wrong? If Inuyasha is their alpha (It felt strange calling him that) would she be disrespecting him and his rank in their supposed pack?

"Sango, I know about his ego and pride but I—would I be disrespecting his rank—status, I mean—"

Sango giggled, holding her hand to her mouth. "I know what you mean Kagome. But in a way I guess you would be disrespecting him" Kagome froze. Sango instantly noticing this quickly rushed out her next words. "I, Miroko and Shippou have disrespected him too. Subduing Inuyasha can be our only way sometimes and yes doing this to our alpha would be wrong and disgraceful because he is our pack leader. Not only that, but I completely understand why you would use the beads—what I'm trying to say is…" Sango hesitated; she didn't want her words to have a wrong effect on her best friend.

"I know what you're trying to say Sango, I need self-control. But I just can't help it. The beads of subjugation are an easy way out. I know that sometimes I take out my frustration and anger out on him but…" Her voice drifted off. She rubbed her upper right arm, insecurity and the feeling of self-consciousness pouring in.

Sango furrowed her brows. "Kagome. Do you still believe that Inuyasha is in love with Kikyou?"

She stilled. She knew Sango would ask that question but hearing her say it so bluntly…I'm not that obvious…am I? Sango, Miroko and Shippou all know how I feel about Inuyasha—wait a minute!

"What do you mean 'Do I still believe Inuyasha is in love with Kikyou' of course he is. He was always running after her, not to mention he always stands at the sacred tree and stares at where Kikyou arrowed him. Then he broods in the sacred tree and throws a fit if we ask him to join us!"

"Kikyou is officially dead. Naraku is also officially dead. They are both dead." That's right. We defeated Naraku and no longer Kikyou passed and gave me back my missing part of my soul. Naraku wished for the jewel shards to scatter once again just like when I shattered it.

Sango sighed. What Kagome said was quite true but not in the way she thought. Yes, Inuyasha does stand and stare at the spot where Kikyou arrowed him but not because he was missing Kikyou, rather, because that's where his and Kagome's first meeting took place. Yes, he does brood in the sacred tree but that's because he's recognised that he has feelings for Kagome and constantly ponders on what will happen when Kagome would leave the feudal era. And that was all thanks to herself, Miroko and Shippou.

Flashback

The trios watched the duo argue back and forth until finally the pink glow appeared and Inuyasha kissed the ground. Kagome flicked her fringe before huffing, turning then finally walking away—not before yelling the infamous words…

"SIT!"

And Shippou muttered his infamous words…

"Grow up, Inuyasha." Miroko sighed getting up to assist the hanyou even though he already knows it wouldn't be needed. But he had been brought up in a shrine and had manners.

"Inuyasha, perhaps you should word what you want to say a little more carefully and be more aware of Kagome's reactions to what you say." Said owner of name glared inwardly wishing his amber orbs would bore a hole in the damn monks head. Who was he to tell him to word what he wanted to say more carefully. He's the one going 'round and askin' women to bear his children. Inuyasha huffed brushing the dirt of his fire robe.

"Damn wench. She never does what I say. Doesn't she get it; she can't leave until I say she can!" With that Inuyasha turned intent on following the wench. He abruptly stopped at Miroko's cry.

"Inuyasha!"

He whirled around to face the monk annoyed at being stopped. "What!?"

"You should let her go." They blinked turning to face the kitsune. "Shippou?" Sango murmured.

"What did you say, you brat?" Shippou lifted his head and glared at Inuyasha through watery eyes.

"I said, you should let her go! Besides she's not going to stay here forever." His last sentence came out as a whimpered whisper. They froze at his comment.

Inuyasha glared. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

"Exactly what it means Inuyasha." Inuyasha flickered his gaze to the Miroko. "Kagome will not be staying her forever. She has her own era, where her blood related family lives, her friends and where she gets her education. Once the jewel shards have been collected and become whole Kagome will have to return. We may have become close friends but once the jewel is whole a wish will have to be made, the jewel would most likely disappear. Even if we did keep the Shikon jewel there would be countless demons coming after us. Kagome belongs in our time but not as much as she belongs in her era. She was raised up on her side of the well. We cannot force Kagome to choose."

Silence. That's all there was and seemed to exist in that moment.

Inuyasha scoffed. "She won't have to choose. She's going to be stay here and she knows it."

"Inuyasha." Sango snapped sharply. "What do you not understand about what Miroko just said? Not only that but how can you say with such determination that Kagome will stay here? Kagome is living a double life and is trying to balance between both of them. Besides, who's to say that after the wish is made the well will continue to allow Kagome to travel between the two era's? Again, I ask you how you can say with such determination that Kagome will stay here?"

"That's easy. He can't." Shippou stated simply, frowning and glaring at Inuyasha. "You're always hurting Kagome's feelings especially when you would go run after Kikyou. We all know that you and Kikyou once loved each other but you keep forgetting about what she did to Kagome and us!" Shippou sucked in deep breaths. He knew what he was going to say was a delicate topic for the hanyou but he needed to hear it!

"Kikyou gave the jewel shards we collected to Naraku! She tried to drag you to hell with her, and she would have if Kagome didn't save you! She pushed Kagome down the well and told her to never come back! Kikyou even knew when you and she were having your moment that Kagome was there and she didn't tell you. The first time you and Kikyou were together and she was dragging you to hell she tied Kagome to the tree and made her watch you kiss her!"

Inuyasha, too in shock could only stare.

"Whenever Kikyou was in danger you would go run to her and forget about us. You would even forget about Kagome! You swore to protect her! Whenever Kagome would get hurt or miss her aim during battle you would tell her that Kikyou was much better. You always say 'Kikyou would never miss her aim' or 'Kikyou would never lose her concentration' or 'I can't believe your Kikyou's reincarnation, you can't even do half the things she did!' He did his best to imitate Inuyasha's voice.

"And you know what? Your wrong! Kagome may look like Kikyou but there's no way she could be Kikyou's reincarnation! You know why? Because there exact opposites. If there is something similar about them—it's the way they look! But even that's different! Kagome's eyes aren't brown, they're blue! They only look brown from far. Even their spiritual power and the way they use their bow and arrows is different. Kagome always shouts 'Hit the mark!' and then fires her arrow. Kikyou doesn't. But you probably didn't realise that right? Because Kagome's Kikyou's reincarnation so she's not important."

"You come back after spending time with Kikyou and then you expect Kagome to act as if she doesn't know anything. If Kagome tried to find out what you and Kikyou talked about—it's not because she's being nosy it because she's scared you're going to leave her—us!

"Even if something is your fault you never say sorry to Kagome, she's always saying it to you. And you know what? With everything you're putting Kagome through you deserve to be sat as much as Kagome wants!"

Inuyasha's ears were flattened on his skull. His head bowed and his eyes shadowed, his broad prideful shoulders were slumped and his hands were clenched in to fists.

Sango's eyes widened at the stance, instantly recognising it. "Inuya—"The half demon was already gone.

End of Flashback.

Sango sighed. The guilt was still hanging around their neck like a noose especially Shippou. Whenever they tried to talk to him, the guilt would creep up and they wouldn't be able to look him in the eye as much as they did before. That was also one of the reasons they were doing exactly what Inuyasha wanted. The tension between them was thick, she was surprised Kagome hadn't realised it yet.

Sango lifted her hands and scrunched her nose up slightly as she stared at the tips of her wrinkled fingers. She opened he mouth.

"Sango, we should get out the hot spring now—my fingers are starting to look like prunes!"

Sango grinned, standing up. "Took the words right out of my mouth."

Kagome smiled.

xXx

This is a two shot. There will be another chapter but before that I'd like to know if anyone is reading my story. For that, I need reviews.

Show me some love...

;)

Peace. Nuria Sato.