Chapter 3: The third moment and Inuyasha's discovery

Inuyasha let out a long depressed sigh. Something was wrong with him. Well beyond the fact that his friends and loved ones were dead which still saddened him to no end. Lately he'd been having dreams of Kouga and to be honest he liked them that fact alone disturbed Inuyasha to no end. At first the dreams had just consisted of them talking while resting together under a tree then slowly the dreams had taken on a more physical tone. The dreams causing Inuyasha to wake up flushed and panting more then once with a painfully hard erection.

It had been two weeks since he had woken up with Kouga and a lot had changed. A few days after the incident Kouga had insisted that Inuyasha go back with him and his pack. The only reason Inuyasha had agreed was because Kouga had said Shippo was alive and honestly it hurt too much for Inuyasha to remain in the village. As soon as they arrived a heavily bandaged and bruised ball of fur launched itself at Inuyasha. After a moment Inuyasha wrapped his arms around Shippo and held him as the boy cried. After a while Shippo fell asleep but refused to release his hold on Inuyasha. To everyone's amazement Inuyasha let him remain and carried him around for the rest of the day. Over the next few days Inuyasha and Shippo bonded and weren't found too far from the others side at any time. The small kitsune would occasionally even be found sleeping curled up on Inuyasha's shoulder while he clutched Inuyasha's neck for dear life. If that wasn't enough the people of Kouga's pack had started treating Inuyasha differently. First off while some of Kouga's pack still treated him with a little caution others had started treating Inuyasha like he was part of the family and more then once had tried to include him in their playful roughhousing or conversations. Second everyone acted unusually patient around him which Inuyasha was unaccustomed to. Third and finally …. Inuyasha shook his head. He couldn't even explain how Kouga and his mother had been acting around him.

"Inuyasha!" Inuyasha let out a sigh he wasn't even sure anymore if he dreaded or liked hearing that voice. The healer came running over a smile plastered to her face. "Wanna help me gather some herbs? I figured you'd like to get out of this cave for a little while." The woman said with a twinkle in her eye. Over the last two weeks the healer had taken a liking to Inuyasha and had started to hope that things would work out between him and her son.

"Why not?" Inuyasha said giving a defeated sigh. He couldn't help but smile slightly as the woman beamed at him in response.

"Akiko can I come too?" Shippo asked as he peaked out from behind Inuyasha's leg.

"Now what have I said about calling me by my name?" The woman asked looking down at Shippo disapprovingly with a sigh a warm smile broke out on her face. "You are to call me mother sweetheart. You have been adopted into the pack and I think of you and all the other cubs as my children."

"Sorry." Shippo said softly. He knew she was a nice woman and he had grown fond of her but he just wasn't ready to think of anyone else as his mother yet. An understanding look crossed Akiko's face and she ruffled the boy's hair.

"When you're ready ok?" She asked looking down at him. Shippo nodded. "Yes you can come Shippo lets go." She said with a smile as she started walking away from the boys.

"Kouga I think Inuyasha might be ready to hear about the mating." Ginta said about half an hour after Inuyasha, Shippo, and a very happy Akiko left the cave.

Kouga sighed as he looked over at a concerned looking Ginta. "You're right. I've been thinking about it nonstop. I need to tell him. I just might need to make sure there are no sharp objects near him at the time." Kouga said imagining how Inuyasha might react to the news. A shiver ran down Kouga's spine. Even though it had been Inuyasha that had marked Kouga he knew Inuyasha would find some way to blame him for it. "I'll tell him tonight." Kouga said with determination in his eyes. "As soon as he gets back from picking herbs with mother." After a moment Kouga stood up. "Ginta I'm gonna go take a bath to calm myself down. If Inuyasha returns before I do would you please tell him I need to speak with him?" After a nod from Ginta Kouga took off towards his favorite spring.

Inuyasha let out a sigh as he headed towards the nearby lake. He had awoken from his nap less then twenty minutes after he fell asleep with images of Kouga going through his head. He needed to relax, cool off, and think. After almost an hour he had escaped from Akiko saying he wanted to take a nap. Shippo looked a little sad but understood Inuyasha needed some space so he stayed with Akiko to finish up gathering the herbs she needed.

When he got to the spring he froze and quickly hid himself behind a bush. He slowly looked out from behind the bush and to his dismay his demon let out a pleased aroused growl at the sight before him. Only half submerged sat a relaxing naked Kouga. He had his hair over one shoulder as he slowly teased out a few knots and was obviously lost in thought. Inuyasha's mouth watered as he looked at Kouga. He had never noticed before but Kouga was in amazing shape with not an ounce of fat on his body and every feature was perfectly sculpted. Slowly Inuyasha raked his eyes down the naked dripping form. He wanted to pull himself away but the latest dream kept his body frozen. As he watched Kouga relax against a rock flashes of the dream kept forcing themselves to the forefront of Inuyasha's mind causing his dick to twitch for attention and him to let out a soft groan. The touches. The nips and licks. The moans. The pleasure. He could almost feel Kouga's hot sweaty body sensually rub against his as they both howled out their release. It was more then Inuyasha could take he felt like he was going to burst at the mere memory of it. Just as Inuyasha was about to bolt he noticed something that froze him again. The way Kouga was sitting with his hair to the side revealed his neck to Inuyasha's view. A part of Inuyasha broke and a sob almost reached his lips. Kouga was mated. Why didn't Kouga or anyone else tell Inuyasha? Why did he even care? Why that bothered Inuyasha so much was beyond him but he had to get away from there as fast as he could. He turned and ran with no idea where he was heading except away from the spring and away from Kouga. His demon roared for him to return but Inuyasha suppressed it as much as he could. In that moment Inuyasha realized that he had been developing feelings for the wolf no matter how confusing it was. Now Kouga was forever out of his reach. After a while the energy drained out of Inuyasha's legs and he collapsed to the ground with tears slowly falling from his eyes. He closed his eyes and let himself fall unconscious exactly where he had fallen.

Wake up! Inuyasha heard a beast growl. He slowly sat up confused. His senses seemed dull and he felt groggy. When he looked at his hands he was shocked to see human fingers and then he noticed he had black hair. It was the middle of the day why was he human? He looked around confused when he noticed the creature that had spoken before. He had never seen a creature more beautiful. It was about twice the size of a large dog with soft fluffy looking fur and golden eyes that looked like they could see through your very soul. It seemed to have an almost glow to it that made Inuyasha not be able to tear his eyes away from it. He had never seen a creature as beautiful but at the same time he felt like he knew this amazing creature. The canine flicked its tail in annoyance. Sit up. It growled letting out a bark.

Inuyasha instantly bolted up so as not to anger the creature that at this moment was showing off its razor sharp gleaming white teeth. "How can I understand you?" Inuyasha wondered out loud more to himself then the creature. No words had actually left the creatures mouth.

I'm projecting my thoughts into your head. The creature said obviously annoyed at such a stupid question. It lay down with its head resting on its paws as it watched Inuyasha thoughtfully. Do you have any idea who I am human? It asked flicking its tail again. Inuyasha looked over the creature carefully.

"You feel familiar but I honestly don't know." He said hoping not to offend the creature. In response the creature starting barking and Inuyasha heard the sound of laughter in his head. Obviously he had amused the creature.

Are all humans this stupid? Never mind. The creature said before Inuyasha could defend himself. I suppose we have never talked like this before have we? You do have a nasty tendency to be unconscious whenever I decide to come out. Inuyasha just looked at the creature confused. Nothing it was saying made any sense. To be blunt I am you. Well half of you to be precise. I am your demon half and smarter half if I may say so myself. It said sitting up proudly showing off its gorgeous body again as it looked at Inuyasha calmly with those piercing eyes. Normally we wouldn't speak like this but I am tired of your childish behavior! We are one and you need to start listening to me and stop pushing me away! The creature said with a long threatening growl.

Inuyasha let out a soft whimper as he watched the anger flit across the creatures eyes. He heard the creature sigh with annoyance and it lay its body back down.

You've got questions I'm sure. The creature said deciding to give Inuyasha a chance to ask some of the questions that must have been building up in his head.

"Why have we never spoken before?" Inuyasha asked curiously. Surely if this creature was a part of him they would have spoken at least once during his 150 some odd years of life.

It is hard for me to speak with you. Humans instinctively push demons away at some level. Half-demons do that at a more basic level. All year round our two sides fight for control hence why once a month you take on a human form so we can both rest. As a result when things become too hard and your human half can't handle it I take control while your human half rests. This lack of balance is the reason why half-demons are not able to take their true demon form.

"You mean like Sesshomaru can?" Inuyasha asked tentatively. The demon nodded. "I had always wondered why that was."

It is technically possible for half-demons to but it has, to my knowledge, never been accomplished. The half-demon would have to find balance between its two halves. Alright enough of that. Now for the reason we are speaking. The demon glared at Inuyasha. I have been screaming at you without rest for the past two weeks and you have been blocking out everything I've said. After the first few days I became exasperated and started showing you dreams. How do you react to that? You push me away even farther! The creature started growling at Inuyasha and the boy couldn't help but inch backward a little in response. To add to that you don't even take the hint! Because of you and your stupidity our mate has been suffering! The creature jumped to its feet and let out a roar of anger. The creature growled as it tried to settle itself down but was failing miserably.

"Mate?" Inuyasha whispered the word. At this point he felt so numb, confused, and shocked that you could have told him he had a second head and it would have taken him a few minutes to realize he didn't. "Who...?" He asked in a tiny whisper.

Who do you think? Do you really think I would let us mate with a weak human? A flash of Kagome's face passed by in Inuyasha's mind quickly. She showed some potential as a miko but was weak and would have served as a lousy excuse for a mate and mother. Seeing the look in the boys eyes the demon continued. Yes I know you loved her but she was weak. A creature you constantly have to protect and watch is a pup not a suitable mate. That is why I didn't allow you to mate with either of the mikos. They were both weak. Since you have failed time and again to find us a suitable mate I have found us one instead. The creature said perking up a bit obviously pleased at its choice for mate. The lost look on Inuyasha's face made it obvious he was incapable of figuring out who his mate was without a clue. I chose us a strong mate. Who is able to protect themselves and others. Not to mention who is dependable and if I might add mouthwatering. The blank look the demon received made it clear it'd have to spell it out for the stupid boy. To think we share the same body and head. The creature growled in irritation. The creature sent the boy a rather passionate image from one of the dreams followed quickly by the image he had just seen of the mating mark on Kouga's neck. Understanding flicked across the boys eyes as he stared at the demon in shock. There we go now you get it. Kouga will make a perfect mate. The demon said happily again oblivious to the boys feelings.

"Why would you pick Kouga of all people?" Inuyasha demanded jumping to his feet. "We have done nothing but fight since the moment we met each other." Inuyasha said as he glared up at the demon.

With an unimpressed look on its face the demon looked down at the small human. Now tell me have you ever seriously tried to kill Kouga? I'll answer that for you. No. No you haven't and why is that? The demon gave the silent boy a moment to respond and when he didn't the demon continued. That's because he's one of the few people who can fight with you as an equal and he earned your respect. You enjoy fighting with him because you view him as an equal. Now tell me did you ever think of Kagome or Kikyo, for that matter, in that way? Again the demon paused but he saw that his words were hitting home in the boy. No you didn't. You thought of them as friends, companions, and possible lovers but never equals. The demon let out a sigh. An alpha's mate is his equal.

"What do you mean an alpha?" The boy pipped up quickly at that. "Are you saying that you're an alpha?"

The demon looked at the boy with a blank look on its face. Please tell me you are joking? After a moment and no response the demon let out a growl of exasperation. Even if you aren't raised by demons this stuff should be instinctual! How have you not figured this out yet? Why do you think you are able to even attempt to fight with Kouga an alpha? Or Sesshomaru another alpha and your elder for that matter? Have you really never given it ANY thought? The look on the boy's face indicated that he hadn't. WE are an alpha. Alpha's are born not created. If we weren't you wouldn't have ever been able to even attempt to fight Kouga and especially Sesshomaru. The first time you ever got in a fight with Sesshomaru instead of baring your claws you would have fallen to the ground in submission and bared your throat to him. Do you get it now? The demon asked looking at the boy. Inuyasha nodded slowly.

"But why now?" Inuyasha asked slowly working the information out in his head.

Finally a good question. When Kouga kissed us I knew instantaneously that he would be the perfect mate. He had already shown both of us on hundreds of occasions just how capable he is but personally he had my respect as well and I have always adored his attitude. He had also earned my trust and very few have that. None of your human friends had it. Except the demon slayer Sango, strangely enough, she had been starting to earn it. Now that we got that settled wake our ass up and go see our mate. The demon said giving Inuyasha a very pointed look

A moment later Inuyasha found himself waking up with a horrible headache. Yeah sorry forgot to mention you'd have a headache. Now that we've actually spoken once it'll be easier to talk to you from now on. Inuyasha winced as the demons voice drifted through his head. 'Yeah this'll take some getting used to...' Inuyasha thought to himself as he swore he felt the demon lay down in the back of his mind. Now back to the spring. You've only been unconscious for a few minutes. Inuyasha looked around and was shocked to see that the sun hadn't moved an inch. Quickly he sat up and started to brush himself off as he started moving in the direction he had come from.

~*~Woot! :D

Another chapter down ;)

Truthfully I got most of this done a few days ago but wasn't 100% happy with how it turned out so I kept going over it and tweaking it. In the end this is what I've got for you. Still not completely happy with it but for how I want the story to go I thought this would be a good way to go.

Yes I made Inuyasha's human side kinda an idiot lol XD

On a side note I hope this chapter helped answer a few of your questions about why Inuyasha's demon side reacted to Kouga the way it did. More answers to come in coming chapters though I'm sure I created more questions then I answered. :P

Anyway same drill as always! Please Read and Review! :)

Happy St. Patrick's Day and Until next time.