And we are back with a new updated chapter spacing, grammar, more detail the works.
I really hope all this is worth the effort I mean this story is so much longer than I remember but I will some day finish it I promise.
But on with the story and thank you all for the wonderful reviews.
CHAPTER 8
The Betrayal & A Wolf's Comfort
The sun was barely beginning to rise as the darkness of night slowly faded away.
Its bright morning rays shining into the entrance of the cave where Kagome still lay.
Slowly Kagome felt her eyes drift open the stone walls the only thing to return her gaze.
Slowly she sat up feeling a bit sore from last night rest.
She reached out her hands before giving her body a good stretch. Only to have all her memories of the previous night and day flood back to her.
Kagome turned her gaze to the right expecting to see an injured wolf laying beside her only to see nothing but his blood stained bandages.
"Kouga?" Kagome shouted her voice echoing off the stone walls.
Kagome quickly got to her feet before sprinting towards the entrance of the cave.
The bright rays of the sun stung her eyes unexpectedly causing her to trip over a small stone at the mouth of the cave.
She felt her body launch forward expecting to fall face first into the dirt.
Only to feel a pair of strong arms wrap around her waist and pull her back to her feet.
Kagome quickly peered her eyes open to look up who had caught her.
She met a pair of blue orbs shining back down at her.
Kouga had a large grin upon his face his arms warped around her she was pulled close to his chest.
"Good morning to you too" He smirked.
A small blush found its way to Kagome's face as she found her footing, and quickly jumped out of the wolf demons arms.
"Uh morning Kouga" She blushed her gaze fixed on the ground.
"How did you sleep?" Kouga smirked acting like he did not know she had laid cuddled up to him the entire night.
But you would not find him complaining one bit.
"I slept fine thank you- Hold on Kouga what are you doing up! You should be resting your wounds they are…" Kagome started while looking over Kouga's body, he didn't have a scratch.
"Your wounds there gone!" Kagome squeaked
Kouga could not help but let out a laugh "Of course full demon remember?"
Kagome was still in shock at the sight she could not bring herself to look away in amazement.
Kouga replied by grabbing Kagome's hands and holding them in his "Kagome you don't have to worry so much about me"
Kagome's smiled before it slowly turned into her famous fake one "Well he is defiantly back to normal" Kagome thought
"Kouga!" A voice rang out
Both of there gazes turned to see who had called out Kouga's name.
They saw Ginta and Hakkaku running towards them in a sprint.
"Umm are we interrupting something?" Ginta asked eyeing there hand holding.
Kagome quickly snatched her hands out of Kouga's grasp a new blush upon her cheeks.
"No no we were just talking" Kagome said in an effort to try and get those sly smiles off Ginta and Hakkaku's faces.
"Well what was it that you wanted ?" Kouga questioned a bit annoyed they had interrupted him.
"We just wanted to tell you that we are all ready for the run home." Ginta began.
Kouga took a step forward in front of Kagome before speaking
"Change of plans we are heading west"
Ginta and Hakkaku knew what that direction meant "You mean we are taking Kagome back to Inuyasha?"
Kouga shot Ginta a death glare before replying "No we are not taking Kagome to mutt! We are taking Kagome home"
Ginta jumped back at the sudden anger in Kouga "Gee sorry I asked"
Kagome was equally surprised this was the first she had heard of this but you would not find her arguing.
Kouga just gave a slight snort as he turned back to Kagome
"So are you ready Kagome?" Kouga asked
"Yep" Kagome replied with a smile
Kouga smirked edging Kagome to get on his back.
Kagome took the hint when she was securely on Kouga's back he blasted off in a gust of wind.
With Ginta Hakkaku and the wolfs running right behind them.
The morning air was calm and still at least for awhile until a springing figure flew by.
Kilala struggled to keep pace with Inuyasha running ahead of everyone on her back.
"Inuyasha are you sure she is headed this way?" Shippo yelled from Sango shoulder
"Of course I am! Kagome's sent is all over and its headed right towards Kaede's" Inuyasha barked over his shoulder
"Do you think Kagome is alright?" Sango asked worry in her voice.
"Don't worry Kagome can handle herself." Miroku spoke full of confidence in his missing friend.
The group had been moving for sometime before slowly over the horizon Kaede's village came into view.
Inuyasha seeing that his goal was in reach pushed his legs even faster leaving his comrades in the dust.
The village around him blurred as did the shocked and panicked villagers.
He ran till his goal was in reach he flew up the main stairs of the village leading to Kaede's hut.
Leaping into the air to bring him to the final stair he landed skillfully on the ground searching for any sign of the old priestess.
Then he watched as the elder woman pushed past the entrance of her hut to stand before him.
Inuyasha ran to greet her.
"Kaede" Inuyasha began
Kaede felt her whether eyes widen in surprise at the sight of the demon before her.
"Inuyasha what are ye doing here?" She asked in shock
"Kaede have you seen Kagome?" Inuyasha asked getting right to the point
Kaede was a bit taken back by the question "Was she not with ye?"
Inuyasha did not have time to reply at the sight of Kirara landing right behind him.
"Kaede is Kagome here?" Shippo asked jumping off Kirara and running towards her
"What are ye talking about yon Kagome was with ye, was she not?" Kaede asked
"Look Kaede I don't have time to explain" Inuyasha barked before rushing off back down the stairs.
"I'm going to look for her!" He called over before disappearing
"Would ye mind telling me what just happened?" Kaede asked
All three of them let out a long sigh they knew this was going to be a very long chat.
A vortex of swirling wind swayed the surrounding trees until it disappeared as quickly as it had come.
"Are you sure you want me to drop you off here Kagome? I can always carry you to that village of yours" Kouga asked letting her off his back and on to her feet
Kagome smiled up at him now firmly off his back.
Kouga had fulfilled his promise taking her to the outer rim of Kaede's village. Kagome had insisted he stopped before he got to the village the last thing she wanted was for Inuyasha to see her and Kouga together.
"No Kouga its fine" She reassured
Kouga looked down at Kagome there where so many things he wanted to say to her.
He had not intended for there time together to go by so quickly if anything he wanted to scoop her up and take her as far away from that mutt's scent as possible.
"Kagome-" He started
"Hey Kouga!" A voice interrupted
Kouga felt his eyes narrow at the sound he knew that voice all to well.
Kagome turned to see Ginta and Hakkaku running up the path breathing heavily even the wolves seemed out of breath.
"W-We finally caught up with you" Ginta managed to say still panting
Kouga let out a frustrated huff could they have worse timing? "So you caught up about time"
"If you stopped does that mean we are at Kagome's village?" Hakkaku asked catching his breathe.
"Well yeah something like that" Kagome smiled slowly she turned to Kouga "Well I guess this is good-bye"
Ginta and Hakkaku gave a worrying look to one another as a look of pure sadness crossed there face.
"We are going to miss you Kagome" The sniffed.
Kagome turned in surprise at there reaction "Oh don't worry guys we will see each other again someday" she smiled over at the trying to cheer them up.
She was snapped out of her thoughts when she felt something soft nuzzle against the upper part of her leg.
She looked down to see one of the larger pack wolfs rubbing its massive head against her.
Kagome quickly knelt down at the wolfs side she placed her hand over the top of his fur covered muzzle petting it softly.
"I'm going to miss you too" Kagome smiled after a few more moment of petting the large wolf she got back to her feet.
Slowly she looked back at Kouga prepareing herself for the hardest part of her day.
She knew she had to say goodbye but she could not deny a small part of her did not want too.
Kouga and her had been through so much together in the last few days. And knowing that all the fun and caring she had shared with him was over left uneasy feeling in her stomach.
But she knew there was no other choice.
"Kouga I-" She began only to be interrupted by Kouga "Kagome can I talk to you for a second?" He asked
Kagome was surprised but agreed.
Kouga looked over to where Ginta and Hakkaku stood "Alone" He hissed, they got the message.
Slowly Kouga began heading into the deeper part of the surrounding forest Kagome following closely behind.
As the others dare not move a muscle after there leader.
After knowing that they were far enough into the forest for no one else to over hear there conversation.
Kouga came to halt turning to face Kagome who started up at him in wonder.
"What is it Kouga?" Kagome asked breaking the silence.
Where did he begin? He knew there was just so much on his mind he wanted to explain.
Number one on his mind was he wanted desperately to convince her not to go and stay with him even just for one more day.
But he knew that was not going to happen and he was not about to go against her wishes.
Still this just didn't feel like the right time to blurt out all his self contained feelings.
So he did the only thing he could burry them in humor and fake sincerity.
Quickly he scooped Kagome's hands into his with a firm grip causing her to gasp at the sudden action.
"Kagome you're my woman now so if you ever need to get away form that mutt just tell me and I will be right here" He vowed.
Kagome was taken back by his change of tone, but she could see in his eyes there was something he was not telling her.
She gave him a small smile in return "I will be sure to remember that"
Kouga slowly released her hands before walking past her about to head back to where he had left Ginta and Hakkaku.
"Kagome" He slowly turned still debating on what truly he wanted to say.
"Yes?" Kagome asked eager if he was going to explain his strange actions.
"I-I will come visit you when I get a chance I promise." He spoke softly still not finding the right words.
Kagome was a bit disappointed that is all he wanted to say for some reason she had so much on her mind to but nothing came out.
"Sure" She smiled with that Kouga gave her one farewell look before walking back into the darkness of the forest.
Kagome turned from him not wanting to watch him leave.
"Kouga!" She spun around not sure why his name had escaped her lips.
But she turned to late only to face the now empty forest staring back at her.
She instantly felt a twinge of guilt and sadness shot through her, to know that he was now gone.
Kagome knew this unnatural feeling all to well, longing in some small way deep down she actually missed him.
She quickly shook the thought from her mind banishing it back to the dark craves of her mind that it had crawled out of.
She felt her eyes narrow in sadness as she too began to diaper in to the darkness of the forest, heading towards Kaede's village.
Inuyasha hit his knee with a thud his breath coming in short waves.
He had been running frantically through the forest searching for any sign of Kagome's scent, he found nothing.
After a few more moments of catching his breath he crept to his feet preparing to search again.
"Kagome where are you?" He thought out loud
Then a low rattling in the bushes behind him snapped him out of his thoughts.
He pounced into a deffensive stance his claws flexed preparing to tear apart any demon that stepped through.
It was a demon that emerged but one that did not cause Inuyasha the least bit of fear.
A soul collector parted through the underbrush flying off slowly back into the darkness of the forest.
Inuyasha felt his heart skip a beat at the sight "T-That's one of Kikyo's soul collectors…Could she be near by?"
Inuyasha took a step forward after the soul demon.
"Should I follow it?" Inuyasha he spoke outloud
Inuyasha took another step forward until the thought of another raven haired woman came to mind.
He froze in his steps.
"I-I cant Kagome is out here alone…but Kikyo…" He debated back and forth in his mind before ultimately making a decision.
With a heavy heart he took off after the glowing demon leaving all traces of his previous thoughts behind.
Inuyasha shot through the thicket of the forest in pursuit of the snake like demon.
He followed it into what seemed like the darkness part of the forest.
After several more moment of sprinting he parted through the last trace of the underbrush.
Revealing the object of his chase.
He stopped dead in his tracks at the sight before him.
There laying gracefully in between the large branches of a massive oak tree was no other than Kikyo.
Several of her soul collectors flew around her casting there bluish glow upon her pale skin.
Her beautiful face relaxed her dark eyes closed shut unaware of who stood before her.
Inuyasha took a few steps forward before stopping to look at her seemingly sleeping form.
"K-Kikyo" Inuyasha spoke in aw of her beauty.
At the sound of his voice Kikyo's dark orbs slowly peered open to stare down at him.
"Inuyasha" She chimed
Slowly she extended a slender finger calling her soul collectors to her side.
A few headed her call wrapping around her body lightly before slowly drifting her out of the tree and onto the ground.
Once she stood on her own two feet the demons dissipated back to flying around her.
Now there she stood mere feet in front of the half demon before her.
Inuyasha slowly snapped out of his trance to speak "K-Kikyo what are you doing here?"
Kikyo slowly responded "Inuyasha I am here to ask about Naraku he has created a new incarnation has he not?"
"How does Kikyo know about Yancutsu?" He thought but he quickly responded. "Well yeah I had a run in with one of them"
"As did I" Kikyo revealed
Inuyasha felt his eyes widen in surprise "You fought one? Were you hurt?"
Kikyo felt her eyes narrow at his last question "My well being should not be a concern at this point"
Inuyasha felt his head lower a bit in shame, letting his feeling get the better of him.
"The demon I fought had incredible demonic power she went by the name Soranji" Kikyo continued
"Soranji? That's not the one I went against. But Naraku sent this one after you?" Inuyasha asked again in worry.
"Yes but she was merely after my shard of the jewel" Kikyo replied
"Naraku took your shard of the jewel?" Inuyasha asked in surprise
"Yes" Kikyo said looking up at her soul collectors before continuing "The girl Kagome…"
Inuyasha felt his ears perk at the sound of Kagome's name.
"She also has shards of the jewel, Naraku will most likely send Soranji after her as well. I suggest not to let your guard down."
Inuyasha felt his heart skip a beat "Kagome! I have to find her she could be killed" he thought in panic returning to his more pressing matters.
Kikyo could clearly see the look of panic rise onto his face.
"What ales you Inuyasha?" She asked
Inuyasha returned her almost hurt gaze.
"It is clear you obviously must love that girl…" Kikyo sighed looking towards the ground.
Inuyasha could see the look of hurt spread over her face.
"Kikyo" He began
Kikyo sighed again in sadness "I wonder if you ever cared for me as much as her"
Inuyasha felt his heart swell in sadness at the look in her eye's
"Kikyo"
The day was coming to a close as the sky was blanketed over with shadows the sun almost completely gone from sight.
Casting its darkness over the thick forest below.
Kagome blindly walked forward trying to rush through the forest before all light was gone.
"Oh great, I'm lost I cant believe I didn't let Kouga drop me off now I'll never get home!" Kagome whined stomping forward into the darkness.
Suddenly a small orb of light floated over head causing Kagome to stop in her tracks.
"What was that light?" Kagome wondered watching it float ahead of her instead of watching the ground below.
Quickly she felt the earth beneath her fade as she went tumbling down the edge of hill.
She slowly hit the ground with a thud before sitting up.
"My back!" She hissed trying to regain her footing.
"This is just great now where am I?" Kagome asked looking around her new surroundings.
Then something came into view off a bit in the distance were more of those lights.
Kagome all to eagerly followed wanting some kind of civilization to come into view.
She stepped forward through thick underbrush before the object of her chase came into view.
There only a few feet away was the back of a red kimono a kimono she knew all to well, Inuyasha's.
Kagome felt her heart sore at the sight as she charged forward "Inuyasha!" She mentally cheered.
Then just as quickly as it had come she felt her heart's joy sink at the sight of the other person standing with Inuyasha.
Kagome quickly ducked behind one of the larger trees hiding her presence.
But leaving enough of her body visible for her to see the scene before her.
"K-Kikyo? What is Inuyasha doing out here with her?" Kagome thought the pain of deceit now running though her.
"K-Kikyo" Inuyasha began now fully letting the extend of his emotions get the better of him.
"Kikyo j-just because Kagome care's for me does not mean I will ever forget my feeling for you!" He vowed closing the distance between them before taking her into his arms in a strong embrace.
Kagome felt her eyes fill with horror at the sight of the now embracing couple.
She slowly hid back into the shadow of the massive tree placing her head against its massive back now turned from the lovers behind her.
"H-How could he…" She thought feeling the fresh sting of tears well in the corners of her eyes.
Kagome shook her head as if trying to banish the image of what she had just witnessed from her mind.
She could not bare to see them like this!
In an instant she sprinted back into the darkness of the forest wanting to get as far away from her now breaking heart as possible.
Leaving only the tear stained ground behind.
The night sky was now completely over head hiding all traces of light only the looming darkness above.
Kouga had not gotten very far from the distant forest for some reason he just did not feel like running.
It could have been he felt so empty not having Kagome to cling to him while he sprinted.
But both Ginta and Hakkaku would be the last to complain enjoying not having to run full speed after there leader.
Though they where not completely overjoyed Kouga had been in a distant mood since leaving Kagome behind.
Barley speaking two words to them it vexed them seeing there leader and friend upset.
"Hey what's that?" Hakkaku asked causing Ginta to stop in his tracks and turn to what he friend asked.
There in the distance the rising of light rose above the tree tops casting its bluish glow over the land.
"Are they demons?" Ginta asked watching the snake like serpents fly into the air.
Kouga could hear that both of his men had stopped following him.
He did not bother to do the same only kept marching forward.
"So what a few demons have nothing to do with us! Keep walking" Kouga barked over his shoulder.
"Hey wait a minute isn't that near the spot you dropped Kagome off?" Ginta questioned.
At the sound of her name Kouga quickly turned around to see what the fuse was about.
He quickly realized his comrades weren't lying it was the exact area he had left Kagome.
In a flash Kouga sprinted past them almost knocking them over in the process.
"Kagome!"
Slowly the dark underbrush surrounding the bone eaters well parted open revealing a graceful figure.
Kagome walked slowly through dark thicket not caring of the small cuts the bushes had left on her skin.
Almost everything to her felt dull at this point.
Almost.
Her heart was practically shattered in her chest at what she had just witnessed.
All the time she had been away worrying over Inuyasha only to finally be able to see him again to find him in the arms of another woman.
She stepped forward feeling the now chilly air seep through her clothing causing her to shiver.
But finally the object of her chase came into view slowly reached out to feel the rim of the bone eaters well beneath her shivering hands.
Slowly she peered down into the darkness but for some reason she just could not find the strength to make that final jump.
Instead she felt her legs buckle as she crumpled to her knees.
Slowly she sat on the cool grass below placing her back to support her on the rim of the well.
Then nothing could stop the feeling inside her from spilling over.
Tear after tear came streaming down her face slowly placed her hands over her warm face.
Sobbing into her palms hearing her breath crack and his as she gasped for air.
"How could he?" She cried into the darkness of her hands.
"I-Inuyasha…"
Kouga sprinted through the darkness thankful for his demonic powers allowing him to see even in the darkest of night.
He had remained hot on Kagome's scent chasing it into the far out skirt of the human village not to far behind him.
Then finally he parted through the last lining of tree to stare at the girl he was so relived to see.
He stepped forward watching her sitting on the outside of what seemed to him to be a well.
He felt thousands of questioned on his tongues for the girl before him but settled just knowing that she was alright.
Kagome could feel that she was no longer alone knowing to well who was now with her thanks to his jewel shards.
Her hair fell in front of her eyes hiding her tears from his view as she looked down at the ground below.
"Kagome what are you doing out here? I thought you were going to that village?" Kouga asked just in curiosity but he gave her a calm smile "Well I'm just happy your safe"
He took a step forward closing the distance between them.
"K-Kouga" Kagome began letting her hands fall from covering her face.
Kouga listened to what she was about to say.
Suddenly Kagome leapt to her feet her hair flying wildly around her as did her now visible tears.
Kouga felt his eyes widen in surprise and worry at the sight.
Kagome wasted no time as she went sprinting forward towards the stunned wolf before her.
Tears flying from her eyes sparkling like diamonds because of the moons light.
Kouga froze not sure of what was about to happen then he felt the force of her crush against him causing him to take a step back to steady himself.
Then the feeling of her frail arms wrap around his waist in a strong embrace she quickly buried her tear stained face in the meeting of his collar bone.
Kouga froze in place was this a dream? Was Kagome actually embracing him?
"K-Kouga" Kagome sobbed into his chest holding him tighter.
Kouga felt his heart pound in his chest what on earth had happen while he had been away to cause her to act this way.
"Kagome" He began but slowly he felt his muscular arms lift until they coiled around the girl in his arms tightly.
He could feel her warm tears run down his tan skin as she shivered in his arms.
Kouga held her tighter.
"Its okay" He cooed resting his head on top of hers deepening there embrace.
"I'm here"
Aww I swear I almost cried writing this chapter I mean could that be any sweeter?
But all good things must end as will this chapter I hope everyone is liking the updating I know I am.
Well until next chapter
See you soon
