Kouga stopped running and whipped his head around to see Kagome, charging at him full force.

"Kago-" "AHHHH!" She screamed as she crashed right into him and they toppled over together.

Kagome was half on top of him, half in the dirt and grass. She blinked a few times to clear her head from the fall and looked up at Kouga, who was now laughing hysterically.

"Why did you think you had to tackle me to get my attention? Kagome I was only about 15 feet away from you, I could hear you scream my name just fine!" He said, while trying to catch his breath from laughing so much. Kagome's face slowly reddened.

"Sorry! I-I just acted without thinking I guess." She mumbled.

He patted her head and helped them both up. "Well, what was that all about? Did you change your mind about coming with me?" His chest swelled up a bit with pride.

Kagome looked flustered. "Well it's only because I think I would be able to help out with your tribe. I'm really good at gathering berries and finding other plants to eat." Kouga smiled down at her. "Well, I said you were welcome to come back with me and I meant it."

He picked her up bridal style and she gasped at the unexpected movement. "Kouga I can walk just fine-" "Yes but you wouldn't be able to keep up with us, would you?" He interrupted. She shook her head; she definitely did not have the speed of a wolf. Even without the jewel shards in his legs, Kouga was fast.

He was about to start off again when Kagome reached up and tapped him to get his attention. "Could we stop by the village before we leave? I don't want to leave without saying goodbye, plus I have a few things of mine I want to grab."

Kouga tried not to smile too much and just nodded. That means she planned on staying for a good amount of time. Of course he always had feelings for her, but now he's actually given the chance to really show her how much he cares.

Kagome told Kouga to stand outside while she went into the hut her and Shippo shared. Shippo was sitting in the corner and playing with some of his fox magic tools. He looked up when Kagome entered, and immediately ran up to her smiling.

"Kagome welcome back! Today, Kaede taught me how to change the bandages on someone who is wounded. It reminded me when you used to do that for Inuyasha!" Kagome noticed how easily Shippo could mention Inuyasha and faked a smile for him. She didn't want him knowing that even hearing his name caused her chest to tighten. "That's wonderful Shippo!"

Shippo smiled at the compliment and let her walk past him. "So what are you up to, Kagome?" He asked cheerfully. She kept a smile on her face, this time it was a bit more sincere.

"I'm going to head off with Kouga to help him take care of his people. There's been a bit of a problem in the hunting, so I think it'd be best if I went out there to teach them how to live off things other than meat and whatever else they may eat. There's probably all kinds of berries or vegetables growing around there that they would never think to pick!"

Shippo stared at her for a few seconds before talking. "So you're leaving us?" He asked quietly. Kagome was worried he would be upset. "Yes Shippo, but I'll be back, don't worry. You're of good help to Kaede, you'll do fine while I'm gone." She said.

Shippo nodded and then jumped up to hug her. "I'm gonna miss you Kagome!" He wailed. She patted him on the back and smiled. She would miss him too.

Kagome set him down after a minute so she could begin to get ready. He sniffled while she bustled around the hut gathering her things into her large yellow bag. Some clothes, a bit of snacks she had saved from her last trip home, and other basic essentials she always had with her. She put her bow and arrows on her back and began double checking to make sure she had everything she needed.

"Kagome…?" Shippo's tiny voice came from the corner. Kagome looked away from her things at him. "What is it?" He fidgeted with one of his toys while speaking. "Do you think Inuyasha will ever come back?"

Kagome frowned. Of course he knew why Inuyasha left, but she tried to downplay everything for his sake. He might not have fully understood exactly what Inuyasha was going to do. "I don't think so, Shippo. Becoming a full-fledged demon changed his life. He's… different now."

Shippo rocked back and forth slightly. "How?" Kagome stared at him. This was a big question. "Well, think about all of the bad things that have happened because of the Sacred Jewel. I'm sure him becoming a full demon with it's power does not mean he became nicer." She tried to keep a light tone but Shippo still looked very worried. She sighed "I think he'd rather be by himself is what I'm getting at. He's a lot more powerful now, and doesn't want to hurt us. Just because he left doesn't mean he doesn't like us."

He didn't seem very happy with her answer, but he nodded. He continued to fidget with his toy while Kagome finished gathering her things.

Looking back over at Shippo, she opened her arms for a hug goodbye. He ran over and jumped up into them as he did before. "Don't forget to come back, okay…" He mumbled. She nodded and let him go. "I won't, I promise." Then she slipped out of the hut and back to Kouga.

He was standing there with his arms crossed and leaning against the side of the hut. A little further away, his pack of wolves waited patiently. She assumed he made them stay back so as not to alarm any of the villagers. When she walked out he looked up and smiled. "Ready to go?" He asked. Kagome returned his smile. "Yup! I hope you don't mind that my bag is so big…"

Looking at it, Kouga saw it was bulging with her things. He couldn't imagine why she needed to carry so much stuff with her all of the time, especially since she'd be perfectly taken care of at his den, but she lived a different way than he did.

"Not a problem." He grabbed it and slung it across his back. Kagome prepared herself to be picked up again but Kouga stopped when someone walked up behind him.

"You are the leader of the Eastern wolf tribe?" It was Lady Kaede. He turned around to look at her. "Yeah. And you are?" He questioned. Kagome walked closer to them and hoped nothing bad would be said. Kaede wasn't very trusting of demons, and Kouga was unfamiliar with this person.

"My name is Kaede. I am this village's priestess and healer. I also have been watching over Kagome here." She motioned to Kagome who was watching Kouga carefully.

Kouga raised his eyebrows for a moment, and after glancing at Kagome for a bit of reassurance, he bowed to Lady Kaede. Kagome gasped. She never had once seen him bow, especially with all the pride he holds as a wolf prince. Kaede seemed unaffected.

"I would like to thank you, then, Kaede. Without you I don't know where Kagome would be now. I appreciate your efforts in keeping her safe. But you need not worry from here on out, she will be under my care. I can assure you she will be cared for just as well as she is here."

Kagome was gaping at him. Kouga being this polite to anyone was a sight to see. She wondered where that cocky wolf she met 3 years ago went. Sure, he matured over time, but this was definitely significant progress she was seeing. She inwardly applauded him.

Kaede held her head high while looking down at the wolf demon bowing before her. She seemed to take a moment to think about his words before speaking. "I see. Well if I hear otherwise, there will be consequences. I may be old and frail, but I know many people who care about this girl here and won't stand to let her be treated poorly." She dropped her intimidating tone to smile kindly at him. "But, I know you'll be good to her. Your feelings for Kagome are clear."

With that, she seemed satisfied and turned to walk away. Kouga stood up straight again and smiled at her, relief clear on his face. "Is she always this protective?" He asked. Kagome giggled. "I suppose, yes."

She reached her arms out and let Kouga pick her up carefully. "So, where to?" She asked, excited to head off with him. She couldn't remember the last time she felt like this. She was happy, and looking forward to the future.

"Well, first I have to go find my wolves. You heard the pack call me earlier. We have to regroup and then, we head back to the den." Kouga whistled at the wolves that were standing by, waiting for a signal to go. They all stood up and got into what Kagome thought looked like a stance that meant they were ready to run.

"They're about half a mile Northwest of here! We're gonna sniff 'em out and follow the trail! I'll lead!" He called out to them, taking on a clear leadership quality. Kagome admired him a bit, being able to take control and lead a group so well. He flashed her his signature smirk, "Hold tight." and then, he was off.

The ride over was a bit rough. She bounced around in Kouga's arms and probably would have fallen out of them at some points, was his grip not so tight. The noise of the stampede was back again, following closely behind them. Most of the ride Kagome spent looking up at Kouga shyly so he wouldn't notice her staring.

With his jaw set and his eyes glued to the path in front of them, he looked very mature. But she could also see the thrill in his eyes, the light smile that played on his lips, and the occasional cocky remark to the wolves following that they better keep up with him.

She was beginning to have more and more thoughts about how handsome he was. His blue eyes went well with his dark hair and skin tone. His smile seemed perfect to her. His face was a good balance between boyish and that of a man's.

Once he glanced down quickly and she didn't have time to look away. Their eyes met and she saw a flash of something pass over his features before he smiled at her. It was a sweet smile, not his usual smirk. She was probably blushing, but she smiled back.

Not long after that, they heard another round of howls, this time very close by. It wasn't the ones following behind, so Kagome knew they were close to reaching the rest of his pack that was on the hunting trip.

She felt him start to slow before he completely stopped. She kept her head buried in his chest, oddly nervous. She hasn't been in a large group of wolf demons for more than two years. She peaked up and saw Kouga chuckling lightly at her.

"Are you scared or something? Come on!" He set her on her feet and she was forced to look around. With the two groups now combined together, there was about 50 wolves and wolf demons. She didn't recognize any of them.

Kagome felt a little awkward, many of them were looking at her curiously. They clearly didn't remember her either because a few were looking at her like food. She gulped.

"Alright listen up!" Kouga boomed, taking on his authoritative tone. All noise from the pack ceased and their ears perked up. "This here is Kagome. She will be staying with us for an indefinite amount of time and wants to help us out with the food situation. You will treat her with the same respect you do with me. You will not touch her. She is mine."

Kouga growled the last part and there seemed to be a mumble of understanding from the group. Kagome looked at him in surprise. 'I am his?' She thought. 'I mean he's called me "his woman" a few times but to address a whole group and saying that, 3 years after he first made any advance towards me is odd…'

Kouga noticed her looking at him and he looked a bit uncomfortable. He cleared his throat and started speaking again. "Now then! Gather up everything that you all caught today and let's get moving in the next few minutes! We don't want to get home before sundown!"

When Kouga finished talking he turned to Kagome and lowered his voice. "I'm really sorry if I offended you with the whole calling you mine thing…" He seemed embarrassed and Kagome found it a little cute. "It's just the only way they would really accept you. They're not too big on accepting help, especially from humans. If you're claimed by the pack leader, they just have to deal with it." He explained.

Kagome nodded and he sighed with relief. He expected her to be mad at him, maybe even slap him like she did the first time he tried putting a claim on her.

Although in all honestly, he probably wouldn't even care. Part of the reason he fell in love with her was that slap. She could be real feisty.

They waited another few minutes before Kouga called for everyone to round up and start moving. Again, he moved to the front of the group to lead.

And again, Kagome got to spend her time sitting in his strong arms and looking up at him, admiring him.

It was a bit of a longer trip to the den than to the spot where they regrouped. This time Kagome let herself think about how at the moment, she was Kouga's. At least that's what everyone around her thought. She wasn't mad about it like she normally would be and that frightened her.

Sure he was a good person and she could daydream all she wanted while sitting in his arms, but in reality she was still getting over Inuyasha. The only reason Kagome let herself go along with him was so she could feel like she was needed. It would at least be a useful distraction so she could stop spending her lonely days thinking back on when things were still great between her and Inuyasha. When Kouga showed her this affection she knew she could never return, her mind liked to wander to unrealistic things.

When they got close to the den, Kouga quickly switched Kagome's position so he was practically cradling her in his arms. He tucked her head under his chin, wrapped his arms more fully around her and leaned over her. She wondered what he was doing when suddenly she heard the rush of water. She turned her head slightly, which was difficult to do in the tight hold he now had her in.

It was more beautiful than she remembered. There was an open field they were running through with wild flowers everywhere. They were quickly coming up to a waterfall that came down into a clear, blue lake. There were rocks that jutted along the wall beside the waterfall that groups of wolf demons rested upon. The water sparkled in the light of the setting sun.

When Kouga started climbing along the rocks to get closer to the waterfall, she realized he was holding her like that to keep her from getting too wet. The den was located behind the water. He stopped and braced himself before taking the leap.

The noise of the water rushing around them filled Kagome's ears, but when they jumped through it became more of a quiet rumble. She realized she had her eyes closed and slowly opened them.

Looking around her, there were too many wolves and demons too count. She saw no women and she distantly wondered where they could be. Kouga set her down and as soon as her feet touched the floor, every pair of eyes was on her. Kouga didn't seem to notice and only said proudly, "Welcome to the den of the Eastern wolf tribe. Again."

I'm not too happy with the first two chapters but that's only because I just can't wait until I can get to writing the good and fluffy parts ;3

If there's anything you suggest I change or maybe add to the story, feel free to tell me!

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