Title: Captivity Rating: T-rated leading to M-rated later
Genre: Romance/Angst

How can you hate someone who loves you so much? It's a good question and those words kept running through her head. She kicked a rock into the lake before her and huffed. She ran a pale, shaky hand through her ebony locks and plopped down on the bank, tossing her feet carelessly into the cold, comforting water.

"This is so weird. I never thought I would be thinking about this so hard." She sighed and twirled her finger around in the dirt by her skirt.

"I wonder if it's this hard for Miroku. No, I'm certain that he just goes along with whatever comes his way. This is so hard!" she grabbed a large rock and hucked it as hard as she could into the lake, it made a huge splash and sprinkled her clothes. She fingered the droplets on her sleeve and envisioned the boy that kept popping up lately.

It had been some time since he had left them, but certain things happened to bring them together again and she found he had grown a bit since then, he was still cocky and brash, but he was more settled and focused. It used to be easy to send him into a rage and trick him, but now, he really thought things through and formulated plans. When he returned to Kagome he had shown her his scar. It was over his heart and large, ugly. He said it would heal but it would be sometime.

"It's what made me come back. I fought that demon and nearly died, and I just thought to myself how much I missed being with you. He shoved his whole hand into my chest. Nearly ripped out the old ticker." He smiled and looked away, into the dying embers of the fire, "I didn't want to go without ever saying goodbye to you Kagome, I love you, you know." He looked back over at her.

She blushed. Genuinely flattered that his thoughts lingered on her, and since that night she had been so torn about how she should feel about him.

"Kagome!"

She was startled out of her thoughts by Inuyasha's voice.

"Kagome! Lunch is ready!" he came into view and grinned at her.

He had changed so much since they had not seen her for several months. Now he was much more outgoing and optimistic, he even helped to prepare meals and set up camp for her. He was being so affectionate and even fighting with Kouga less. She was happy with his changes, he made her more comfortable now and any day she could tell he was going to formally ask her to be with him.

What about Kouga? She sighed and stood.

"What's the matter?" he nudged her with his elbow gently.

"Oh nothing, just thinking about things." She looked over at him and smiled.

"Well you've been so mopey since that damn wolf came back around. You can't take him seriously Kagome." He looked down at her with a straight face and crossed his arms. He knew what she was thinking about.

"I don't know that for a fact Inuyasha, after all, when has he ever lied? And why would he lie about something like that?"

"So he could one up me, dammit! He doesn't care the way I do!" he grabbed her arms and pressed her against a tree, "He didn't hang around, did he? He conceded; he gave up! How could you possibly have feelings for him?" his face was hurt and angry.

"He's my friend Inuyasha! I just don't want to hurt him." Her temper was rising and she knew it wouldn't be long before she said the dreaded word.

"What the hell are you doin' mutt?" came the strong voice from right behind Inuyasha.

"What business is it of yours ya' skinny wolf?" he growled out, clutching Kagome tighter.

"Ow! Let go Inuyasha!" she squirmed and shut her eyes tight, trying to pull away.

He was snapped back into his body when he realized how tightly he had her. He quickly released her and rubbed her arms apologetically, ignoring Kouga's affronted growls.

"Look at you! Damn half breed can't even control your own temper!" Kouga gripped the back of his shirt and pulled him away from Kagome roughly.

"That's enough! Both of you!" Kagome shouted. She had reached her limit with this fighting. It was a constant pissing contest for those two. Who could blame them, though? Kouga had no women in his tribe, they were scarcely seen and kept to themselves, only coming into contact with the males when it was time to find a mate and even that was a lengthy process. Inuyasha really only had Kagome, most humans were too afraid of him and most demons felt they were above bedding down with a hanyou.

Kouga looked hurt and released Inuyasha, folding his arms over his chest and looking away from the two.

"I was worried is all. He's too rough with you Kagome." He said gruffly, turning to leave.

Inuyasha scoffed and grabbed Kagome's arm, pulling her close to him.

"Inuyasha, relax." She reprimanded. She pulled away from him and went to Kouga, putting a hand on his back. She could see him tense, then relax.

"I'm sorry Kagome, but he worries me. I don't trust him. I don't want you to get hurt or anything."

"He's been good to me, Kouga, really. I think he may even begin courting me soon." She knew Kouga would understand that; Sango had told her a lot about Demon rituals and things, so that she could get to know Inuyasha's culture better.

Kouga's back stiffened, and she could feel it through his armor. He stepped out of reach of her hand and turned to face her. Inuyasha had a triumphant look on his face and Kagome was blushing. She was telling the truth, the hanyou had finally gotten the balls to be forward with Kagome and Kouga was too late to stop them.

"I'm leaving." He looked down at her one last time and gulped before speeding away.