A/N: Happy Thanksgiving to all who celebrate it. And to those who don't Happy Thankful Day. We all have at least something in our lives to be thankful for so why not have this be the day to celebrate what you're thankful for. Me I'm thankful for my friends and family. However there's one friend though I'm more thankful for she also part of my family. (My sissi!)
As the night went on and the evening meal of fresh river fish cooked against the camp fire a lone figure soon approached them. InuYasha was on guard like always, sword close and claws ready. It wasn't till the scent hit him that InuYasha's relaxing time was gone. "Hey there, if it isn't the mutt and the monk. Long time since I've seen you two, and where's Kagome? The mutt better be taking good care of my woman." Getting to his feet InuYasha growled at Kouga's words of his woman, Kagome wasn't the wolf boy's property. Kouga only smirked at InuYasha knowing even without the jewels shards he could easily out run this mangy dog. "Same old mutt, always itching for a fight."
"Dammit all Kouga, I haven't seen Kagome in two years. And I could've gone another two hundred years before seeeing your ugly ass again." It was hard enough for InuYasha to think of Kagome in her time, probably safe and happy. His biggest thoughts were always on her and wondering if she missed him just as much. Or did she think he could get to her, but didn't want her. It frustrated him not knowing if she was okay or...no he didn't want to think she'd chosen another male. And surely she knew the well pulled him away, as if saying. This is where your time together ends, the fates refused to allow him any happiness. At least that was how it seemed to InuYasha.
"What the hell you flea bitten mutt!" Kouga was now nose to nose with InuYasha, both baring their fangs and ready to fight. "What did you do to Kagome? Don't tell me you started two-timing with another old flame and she left. Dammit InuYasha I'm going to kill you if you hurt her." Kouga went to slash InuYasha, but to his surprise the attack missed. "You might have moved fast enough to escape that attack, but I promise not to miss this time." Miroku stood and wacked Kouga on the head with his staff, causing the wolf to turn and growl. "You have a death wish to monk?"
Miroku started dusting his robes clean as he spoke. "InuYasha had nothing to do with Kagome's departure. The old well which Kagome used to travel to this time decided once the Shikon jewel was destroyed, her time here was over. InuYasha had returned her safely to her time, but the well pulled him back before they had a chance to even say goodbye." Looking over at InuYasha, Miroku could see the hurt in his friend's eyes as he told Kouga what happened to Kagome. His dear hanyou friend would never cry in front of others. Well only once that Miroku knew of, but mostly his emotions on this subject were that of anger. Mostly at himself for not tell Kagome what she meant to him and knowing she probably never will. Still Miroku knew InuYasha wasn't giving up on seeing her, after all he visited the well every three days. And the monk knew it was because the hanyou believed she would return. "It wouldn't have mattered if even you were there Kouga, there are just some things we have no control over."
Both InuYasha and Kouga said nothing for awhile till InuYasha moved back to the fire and rested against the tree once more. Like always Tessiaga rested against his shoulder as he got comfortable. Deep down InuYasha always wondered why the well stopped allowing passage. Part of him knew the reason and the other part hated that the fates' were so cruel to him. Still what really pissed him off was Kouga, his vow of saying Kagome was his even now made InuYasha want to rip the scrawny wolf to pieces. "Besides wolf boy, you're now married to Ayame. Why are you still calling Kagome yours, and your wife is carrying your first cub? Sounds like you're two-timing now, you mangy wolf."
Kouga couldn't deny InuYasha's words, but still he had to get the last word in. "Heh, hardly mutt. Ayame is my mate, but Kagome will always be my first." Knowing his words had more then angered InuYasha this time, caused him to almost laugh with pure enjoyment, but also decided it was time to head out. "Well time to keep moving, I've done enough damage for one day." With a wave of his hand Kouga headed off in run that quickly grew to a tornado with his speed. "See ya around you mangy mutt, and make sure when Kagome returns I get to see her!"
Miroku only shook his head, he knew Kouga only said that to aggravate InuYasha. And like always it worked, so Miroku once again found his spot on the log next to the fire. "He sure does have a lot of nerve saying such things, but I wouldn't let it get to you. After all InuYasha, you know Ayame would kill him long before you could touch him." Even though he was still angry, InuYasha did show his friend some respect. And gave a slight smile to him. "Kagome never really want Kouga in the first place InuYasha, she found herself in love with you long before the wolf kiddnapped her." Taking a thick stick Miroku stirred the ember's of the fire to make it burn hotter. "Kagome was more interested in you InuYasha, but she knew your heart belonged to Kikyo. As much as it hurt her, Kagome respected you on this. And still she would stay by your side no matter what."
He sighed heavily and grabbed his fish from the fire and started eating. InuYasha knew he had to protect them both, Kagome would always be his first choice to save. Still Kikyo was just as important to him, he owed her his life since Naraku had so easily fooled him. 'She gave her life to try to destroy the jewel, it was only the right thing to do, wasn't it?' At least that's how InuYasha thought about it. Still that was then and this is now, and now once again the woman he loved was taken from him. 'At least I know Kagome is alive and well with her family, she didn't die like Kikyo did.'